Wfuv's Cityscape

Death – a lot of us try to avoid the subject at all costs, but it’s the one inevitable part of life.  On this week's Cityscape, we're exploring death from a variety of perspectives, including that of 19th century New York City.  We'll also hear from a New York Times obituary writer and talk with an expert in end-of-life planning at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.

Staten Island Chuck and Punxatawney Phil agreed this winter won’t last much longer, but with the wacky weather we’ve experienced this season, it’s hard to tell what to expect. We still have more than 20 days to go until the first day of Spring, so this week we're sharing some ways to help make the last bit of winter warm and cozy in New York City. On this week's Cityscape, we'll visit a tropical oasis in the Bronx, a hot chocolate festival in Manhattan and other warm places. 

Tuesday marks the first day of winter.  New York City can get pretty cold this time of year.  You might say "as cold as stone," which, not so coincidentally, is the theme of this week's Citsycape.  Today we're taking a closer look at stone architecture in the Big Apple.     

For some, a dive bar invokes images of decaying, money-losing watering holes for nasty old drunks. For others, a dive bar is a hip spot where there's glamour in the grit.  On this week's Cityscape, we explore New York City's diviest dive bars.  Plus, how the rock band Van Halen brought a Bronx mom and one of her kids closer together.  

Do you remember playing your first instrument in school?  Maybe it was a flute, a trumpet, the drums or perhaps the piano.  Today, music education's facing an uncertain future because of budget cuts, but there's a movement underfoot advocating to implement and preserve music education in public schools.  As part of WFUV's Strike a Chord campaign, we're exploring efforts to keep music alive in schools, including the advocacy of Broadway legend Carol Channing and Bon Jovi keyboardist David Byran.    

This Saturday is National Boss Day and we're marking the occasion by talking about some famous and infamous bosses in New York City history, from Boss Tweed to "The Boss," George Steinbrenner.

Where can you find a greenmarket, a statue of Gandhi and a sculpture that blows smoke?  Union Square, of course.  On this week's Cityscape we explore the universe of Union Square. 

Next weekend, New Yorkers and tourists alike will get the chance to snoop around at sites throughout the city that are typically off limits to the public.  It's all part of Open House New York weekend.  The event provides an all access pass to hundreds of New York landmarks, businesses, parks and even private homes.  On this morning Cityscape, we're taking a sneak peek at some of the places that'll be open for view during Open House New York weekend, Saturday, October 9th and Sunday, October 10th.   

Nine years ago today, terrorists attacked.  The twin towers collapsed.  Nearly 3,000 people were killed.  However, amid the tragedies of 9/11, hope was literally born.  An estimated 10,000 American families welcomed a new baby into the world on September 11th, 2001.  A couple of those families share their stories on this week's Cityscape.      

Next Saturday marks the 9 year anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.   Over the past several years, we’ve heard a lot about the illnesses that have afflicted rescue and recovery workers who toiled at the site.  But, on this week's Cityscape, we focus more specifically on the plight of those who lived, worked and studied in the area around ground zero.  Our guests include a computer programmer who worked on the 68th floor of the south tower.  She developed asthma shortly after her exposure to 9/11 dust and debris.

These days the mere sight of a mattress left on the street is enough to make your skin crawl. But, the fear of bedbugs is justified.  The blood sucking insects are a growing problem in New York City.   In fact, not even the city’s most iconic building is safe.  Bedbugs were recently found at the Empire State Building.  On this week's Cityscape, we’re focusing our attention on bedbugs and other pesky critters.  

Research shows the majority of adults in New York City are overweight or obese and the statistics for children aren't much rosier.  Studies show 4 in 10 elementary school children are in the same category.  On this week's Cityscape, we look into why obesity is such a problem and what city officials are doing to address the matter.  Also, one woman shares her very personal battle with weight issues.

Over the years, Manhattan's Lower East Side has produced a number of famous artists, including Luther Vandross.  But, little is heard about those who made it only to the fringe of success. Benny Bell grew up on the Lower East Side and dreamed of being the next Irving Berlin. He wrote and sung hundreds of songs, many of them double entendre novelty tunes.  But, his music career never fully took off.  On this edition of Cityscape, Bell's grandson, Joel Samberg, shares his granddad's story.

An openly gay New York City firefighter shares his story.  Plus the author of a book about "out" police officers talks about being gay in law enforcement.

Over the past few years, we've heard a lot of talk about the sorry state of the newspaper industry.  Much of the attention has been focused on big dailies.  But, what's the state of high school newspapers.  On this edition of Cityscape, we'll talk with the author of a new study on New York City's high school newspapers.  We'll also hear from the author of Off The Beaten (Subway) Track: New York City's Best Unusual Attractions.

It’s not uncommon for a teen-ager to experience growing pains.  But, a lot of them ride it out, sometimes with the help of their parents.  But, not all kids have a support system, and home is the last place they’ll turn to for help. On this week's Cityscape, we focus our attention on runaway and homeless youth in New York City.    

John Lindsay’s tumultuous two terms as mayor of New York City were marked by strikes, racial divisions and fiscal problems.  And more than 40 years later, his legacy remains as mixed as ever.  On this week's Cityscape, we look back on the Lindsay era.  Our guests include New York Times Urban Affairs Correspondent, Sam Roberts and Tom Casciato, the Executive Producer of a new public television documentary called Fun City Revisited: The Lindsay Years.  

If you live in New York City, it’s more than likely you’ve called the oft-dialed 3-1-1 to complain about whatever’s fraying your nerves.  On this week's Cityscape, we'll get a first hand look at the 3-1-1 call center in Lower Manhattan and talk with two call service representatives.  We'll also talk with a woman on the front lines in the fight against noise, the most common quality of life complaint in New York City.  And we'll chat with the author of the New York City Museum of Complaint, a collection of 132 letters written to the Mayor of New York between 1751 and 1969.

On this week's Cityscape, a Manhattan resident talks candidly about being a recovering alcoholic.  Also this week, a preview of New York City's first gay boutique hotel slated to open in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen.

For a lot of people, New York City is the very definition of nightlife.  On this week's Cityscape, we'll find out what's hot in the city after dark and delve into some of the issues and concerns that revolve around nightlife, from liquor licenses to safety to noise complaints.