A Great Big City — New York City News, History, and Events

Top story this week has to be the blackout that hit west Manhattan. Coming 42 years to the day after the 1977 blackout from last week's show, this year's power outage was much less dramatic and lasted only a few hours. ConEd CEO John McAvoy described the failure of both the primary and backup protection systems at a power substation at 64th Street and West End Avenue, leading to power outages once the system was interrupted by a subsequent substation at 49th Street.

Although the blackout wasn't caused by a spike in electricity usage, the heat is still on in the city, with daily high temps in the 90s. In response, cooling centers have been opened across the city in senior centers, public housing, and public libraries. On July 18th, Mayor de Blasio signed a local state of emergency that calls on city government buildings and all office buildings over 100 feet tall to conserve energy and set their thermostats no lower than 78°. Temperatures are set to rise and humidity will increase, leading to heat indexes over 100° before rain arrives on July 22nd. You can do your part by turning off your air conditioner when leaving your home and using public transportation instead of driving, which will keep the air quality clear during the heat wave. If you'll be opening your windows to get some ventilation, you can install safety devices called vent locks for sash windows or metal clips for sliding windows that make sure windows can't be forced all the way open from the outside.

5 years ago on July 17, 2014 — Eric Garner dies after being put in a chokehold by NYPD officers

12 years ago on July 18, 2007 — A steam pipe explodes near Grand Central, sending debris flying and disrupting Midtown during evening rush hour

1 year ago on July 19, 2018 — A steam pipe explodes near the Flatiron Building, causing a large crater outside 141 Fifth Avenue

Be aware of your surroundings during this time of year, as two of city's steam explosions have happened during just this week in history. If you see any bulging pavement or steam escaping through cracks in the ground, stand clear and call 911 to report a dangerous condition.

Citi Bike announced they will be expanding their coverage area over the next five years that will eventually triple the number of bikes to 40,000 and double the coverage to include the Bronx for the first time and further expand into Brooklyn and Queens.

5 years ago on July 22, 2014 — Two Berlin artists replace the American flags on the Brooklyn Bridge with all-white replicas

97 years ago on July 27, 1922 — The Hess family installs a mosaic at Seventh Avenue and Christopher Street marking what is probably the smallest plot of land in NYC

7 years ago — Photos of the Derecho Storm Hitting New York City

2 years ago — Top Five Subway Stations Ready for New Sponsored Names

8 years ago on July 28th, Mars Bar's Demolition Begins

AGBC is more than just a news website: Our fireworks page monitors the city's announcements of upcoming fireworks, lists them on our site, and automatically sends out a notification just before the fireworks begin, so that you can watch the show or prepare your pet for the upcoming sounds of explosions. Visit agreatbigcity.com/fireworks to see the full calendar and follow @agreatbigcity on social media to receive the alerts

This is the AGBC Concert Calendar for the upcoming week:

Find more fun things to do at agreatbigcity.com/events.

Here's something you may not have known about New York:

The extreme highs and lows for this week in weather history:

Weather for the week ahead:

Thanks for listening to A Great Big City. Follow along 24 hours a day on social media @agreatbigcity or email [email protected] with any news, feedback, or topic suggestions. Subscribe to AGBC News wherever you listen to podcasts: iTunes, Google Play, or Overcast, RadioPublic, Player FM, or listen to each episode on the podcast pages at agreatbigcity.com/podcast. If you enjoy the show, subscribe and leave a review wherever you're listening and visit our podcast site to see show notes and extra links for each episode.

Intro and outro music: 'Start the Day' by Lee Rosevere — Concert Calendar music from Jukedeck.com

New York honored the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team for their fourth World Cup victory with a ticker-tape parade and a presentation at city hall on July 10th where each member of the team received a key to the city. The team has won 48 of its last 50 games played and has now won four of the eight total women's World Cups played. (According to the Department of Sanitation, 7 tons of paper were collected along the parade route and recycled after the ticker-tape parade.)

Back in April on Episode 18 we talked about an attempted arson at St. Patrick's Cathedral, and now Marc Lamparello, the man charged in the attack, has been declared mentally unable to stand trial.

7 years ago on July 5, 2012 — NYPD officer Brian Groves is shot while chasing a suspected drug dealer in a stairwell of the Seward Park Extension NYCHA housing on the Lower East Side

2 years ago on July 5, 2017 — NYPD officer Miosotis Familia is killed while sitting in a police vehicle in Fordham Heights, Bronx

12 years ago on July 9, 2007 — NYPD officer Russel Timoshenko is shot during a traffic stop in Crown Heights and dies five days later

The Wall Street Bull may get some breathing room by next summer. In a Department of Transportation proposal, the area surrounding the narrow plaza at Bowling Green where the Charging Bull statue was placed in 1989 will be modified to be more pedestrian-friendly.

Manhattanhenge July

42 years ago on July 13, 1977 — A two-day blackout sweeps across the city

23 years ago on July 17, 1996 — TWA Flight 800 explodes and crashes in Suffolk County after takeoff from JFK Airport, killing all 230 people on board

AGBC is more than just a news website: Our fireworks page monitors the city's announcements of upcoming fireworks, lists them on our site, and automatically sends out a notification just before the fireworks begin, so that you can watch the show or prepare your pet for the upcoming sounds of explosions. Visit agreatbigcity.com/fireworks to see the full calendar and follow @agreatbigcity on social media to receive the alerts

Here's the AGBC Concert Calendar for the upcoming week:

Here's something you may not have known about New York:

The extreme highs and lows for this week in weather history:

Weather for the week ahead:

Intro and outro music: 'Start the Day' by Lee Rosevere — Concert Calendar music from Jukedeck.com — Manhattanhenge music by Anonymous420

Moving the Fourth of July fireworks back to the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time since 2014 went off without any problems, although it did leave a few flames burning on the bridge after the fireworks were finished. It seemed to be the smoldering remains of the fireworks casings or leftover chemicals and not the infrastructure of the bridge itself. The FDNY fireboats stationed in the East River made quick work of the flames, holding back from using the full force of their water cannons so as not to damage the bridge. This was the 43rd annual Macy's fireworks display.

From the editor: A Great Big City will no longer publish to Facebook

1 year ago on July 4, 2018 — A woman climbs the Statue of Liberty pedestal, causing Liberty Island to be evacuated and canceling many midday Fourth of July tours

It's been three years now since a tourist stepped on an explosive device in Central Park, and police have no new leads into where the device came from or its intention. If you have any information or photos from that day, contact NYPD CrimeStoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (1-800-577-8477), via text message at CRIMES (274637), or via online form. In 2017, the NYPD and ATF increased the reward for potential leads to $40,000.

33 years ago on July 7, 1986 — A man with a sword attacks Staten Island ferry passengers

8 years ago on July 7, 2011, we were tracking the first seasonal case of mosquitoes infected with the West Nile virus being detected in the region. According to data collected by the CDC, July begins the active season for West Nile infections, which are spread via mosquito bites, so now is the time to be prepared and protect yourself from mosquitoes if you will be outside. If you'll be traveling overseas, take special precaution to avoid mosquito bites, and consider a vaccination against diseases that are common in the areas where you will be traveling. If you're staying in the city, you can even do your part by calling 311 with a report of standing water, defined as a place on public or private property where water gathers and remains for more than five days, creating a habitat where mosquitoes may breed.

108 years ago on July 9th, 1911, the New York Times described how a streak of hot weather, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees during the beginning of July 1911, made it difficult to transport ice from insulated storage warehouses to the "Greeks and Italians who have little ice depots in convenient basements", where people found it more convenient than waiting for the ice delivery wagons.

Special honor goes out this week in recognition of Alelia Murphy, who will celebrate her 114th birthday on July 6th in Harlem. She is believed to be the oldest living American. Ms. Murphy was born in North Carolina in 1905 and has lived in Harlem since the 1920s.

AGBC is more than just a news website: Our fireworks page monitors the city's announcements of upcoming fireworks, lists them on our site, and automatically sends out a notification just before the fireworks begin, so that you can watch the show or prepare your pet for the upcoming sounds of explosions. Visit agreatbigcity.com/fireworks to see the full calendar and follow @agreatbigcity on social media to receive the alerts

This is the AGBC Concert Calendar for the upcoming week:

Thanks for listening! Find more fun things to do at agreatbigcity.com/events.

Here's something you may not have known about New York:

The extreme highs and lows for this week in weather history:

Weather for the week ahead:

Thanks for listening to A Great Big City. Follow along 24 hours a day on social media @agreatbigcity or email [email protected] with any news, feedback, or topic suggestions. Subscribe to AGBC News wherever you listen to podcasts: iTunes, Google Play, or Podcast Addict, TuneIn Radio, Spotify, or listen to each episode on the podcast pages at agreatbigcity.com/podcast. If you enjoy the show, subscribe and leave a review wherever you're listening and visit our podcast site to see show notes and extra links for each episode.

Intro and outro music: 'Start the Day' by Lee Rosevere — Concert Calendar music from Jukedeck.com

In a preliminary report, the NTSB has released details this week on the June 10th crash of a helicopter atop the AXA Equities building in Midtown.

New measles cases continue to decrease as the city's outbreak continues. In the latest data, there have been just 16 new cases reported in June 2019, down from highs in March and April of around 170 new cases per month. Combined with the outbreak in Rockland County, New York State continues to make up the largest percentage of the nationwide total, which, at 1,077 cases, has now surpassed numbers last seen 27 years ago and has become the largest outbreak seen since the disease was declared eliminated in the year 2000. As a comparison, there were only 86 cases of measles reported nationwide in 2016.

50 years ago on June 28, 1969 — Tensions between police and the gay community boil over into a revolt during an overnight raid on the Stonewall Inn — View the full schedule of the WorldPride Festival during June and plan for the Pride parade, coming up on June 30th. The parade will step off at Madison Square Park, march down Fifth Avenue and across to Stonewall, then north up Seventh Avenue to end at 23rd Street.

36 years ago on June 28, 1983 — Eight men are arrested in a $1.5 million gold heist

2 years ago on June 30, 2017 — A doctor opens fire at Bronx-Lebanon hospital

The first issue of the Illustrated Daily News is published, which would become the modern-day New York Daily News.

33 years ago on July 3, 1986 — The opening ceremony of Liberty Weekend begins four days of celebrations around the Statue of Liberty's 100th anniversary and reopening after an extensive renovation — The blimp race above the Hudson would be replicated 25 years later.

The Pizza Hut blimp crashes onto 410 West 53rd Street

This year's Fourth of July fireworks will be launched from the Brooklyn Bridge, and not just from barges in the river.

AGBC is more than just a news website: It also automatically checks MTA data before morning rush hour and sends out notifications if there are delays on any subway lines, LIRR or MetroNorth trains, and bridges and tunnels. Follow @agreatbigcity on social media to receive the alerts.

This is the AGBC Concert Calendar for the upcoming week:

Thanks for listening! Find more fun things to do at agreatbigcity.com/events.

Here's something you may not have known about New York:

The extreme highs and lows for this week in weather history:

Weather for the week ahead:

Intro and outro music: 'Start the Day' by Lee Rosevere — Concert Calendar music from Jukedeck.com

No new information on the Midtown helicopter crash as the NTSB continues their investigation, but the incident has stoked local officials to criticize the conditions that led to the crash: Carolyn Maloney, the Congressmember who represents the district where the helicopter came down renewed her calls for private transit and tourism helicopter flights to be banned over the city. After a deadly helicopter crash atop the Pan Am building helipad in 1977, flights to helipads in Manhattan were banned, but no new restrictions have been put in place despite multiple deadly crashes around Manhattan by helicopters and small planes. In a statement on Representative Maloney's web site, she says: "We cannot rely on good fortune to protect people on the ground. It is past time for the FAA to ban unnecessary helicopters from the skies over our densely packed urban city. The risks to New Yorkers are just too high." Senator Chuck Schumer also called on the FAA to require helicopters be equipped with flight data recorders, and cited years of recommendations from the NTSB that the FAA should mandate flight data and cockpit voice recorders. Schumer noted how the lack of flight data will now impede the investigation. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand added: "After last week’s helicopter crash in midtown, the FAA should immediately reconsider the recommendations federal transportation safety investigators have urged since 2011 and take steps now to implement these basic safety features. Flight data recorders provide critical information to help prevent future crashes, and I urge the FAA to act quickly to ensure black boxes are in every helicopter." A memorial service was held for the helicopter pilot, Tim McCormack, in Poughkeepsie, NY.

A young boy entered a real-life spy thriller 66 years ago on June 22, 1953 in The Case of the Hollow Nickel — If you're looking to pass along some secrets of your own, you can order a modern-day hollow nickel on Amazon designed to hide a MicroSD memory card or an accurate replica of the 1953 hollow nickel from spy-coins.com.

This week finally brought the sad confirmation that a swimmer has been found dead after going missing during a race in the Hudson River. Renowned AIDS researcher, Charles van der Horst, had been competing in the Eight Bridges Hudson River Swim, a 120-mile, week-long competition that was scheduled from June 8th to June 15th, with swimmers covering about 17 miles per day between Hudson River bridges. On Friday, June 14th, Charles had disappeared beneath the water near the George Washington Bridge and did not resurface. His disappearance occured at the end of that day's swim, which had begun 15.7 miles away at the Tappan Zee Bridge. The Coast Guard and NYPD boats began searching immediately, but it wasn't until four days later that his body was discovered near Fort Tyron, north of the GWB. In a statement from the van der Horst family, Charles is described as living life to the fullest and will be remembered for his work in social justice and in the medical field. He immigrated to the United States as an infant from the Netherlands, and was the son of a Holocaust survivor. As a professor of medicine, he provided care to HIV/AIDS patients, contributed meaningful research concerning the diseases, and volunteered at a free clinic after his retirement. When Charles disappeared, he was under the watch of safety crew in kayaks following each swimmer, and another participant describes the extreme care taken to ensure the safety of each swimmer, so it was unclear how this tragedy took place.

Last week I told you about the very first roller coaster that was modeled after a mine cart, but 92 years ago on June 26, 1927, The Coney Island Cyclone wooden roller coaster opens to the public

A baby doll wearing a "Crawling Dead" t-shirt was realistic enough to be officially pronounced dead by first responders after an early-morning 911 call on June 18th. A jogger spotted the horrifying scene of a baby lying face-down in the grass at 215th Street and 35th Avenue in Bayside, Queens and police quickly arrived to seal off a crime scene. It wasn't until hours later that officials announced it was actually realistic doll that they had earlier pronounced dead without physically inspecting it. In a statement, the FDNY described the doll as having "discoloration consistent with signs of prolonged death" as it was painted gray and blue to simulate loss of oxygen. Once the doll was physically inspected, the ruse became known, and the doll was found wearing a shirt that said "Crawling Dead", presumably a play on the classic horror film "The Walking Dead". The police have opened an investigation into who placed the doll and if it was intended as a prank.

You may be able to get legal bike boost soon now that lawmakers have voted to legalize electric bikes and scooters statewide. Ride safe, and enjoy the freedom of being able to bike across the Williamsburg Bridge without showing up to your meeting covered in sweat!

44 years ago on June 24, 1975 — Eastern Air Flight 66 crashes on approach at JFK Airport, killing 113 people

There won't be a new tower rising up between NYCHA houses as the city scrapped a plan this week that would have begun the first proposed building in their 50/50 project.

AGBC is more than just a news website: Our fireworks page monitors the city's announcements of upcoming fireworks, lists them on our site, and automatically sends out a notification just before the fireworks begin, so that you can watch the show or prepare your pet for the upcoming sounds of explosions. Visit agreatbigcity.com/fireworks to see the full calendar and follow @agreatbigcity on social media to receive the alerts

Summer Solstice Celebration — Date: June 21, 2019

If you've got Coney Island on your mind, don't miss the 37th Annual Mermaid Parade — Saturday, June 22, 2019

Thanks for listening! Find more fun things to do at agreatbigcity.com/events.

Here's something you may not have known about New York:

The extreme highs and lows for this week in weather history:

Weather for the week ahead:

Intro and outro music: 'Start the Day' by Lee Rosevere — Concert Calendar music from Jukedeck.com — Hollow Nickel music: 'Abby as in Abigail' episode of 'I Was a Communist for the FBI' from June 17, 1953

(0:49) Top story this week is the second helicopter crash within the past month, this time atop a building in Midtown. The FAA confirms that Timothy McCormack was not licensed to fly in bad weather because he was not "instrument rated", meaning that he was not qualified to fly a helicopter using only the instrument panel and was only certified to fly in good weather when visibility was greater than 3 miles. If you saw anything that day or have photos or video of the crash, email [email protected]

(3:45) 34 years ago on June 12, 1985 — A teen and his brother attempt to rob a plainclothes police officer near Morningside Park, leading the officer to shoot and kill one of them

(4:50) 4 years ago on June 13, 2015 — Three attempted terrorists are arrested in a pressure-cooker bomb plot

(6:22) Coming up this Saturday, June 15th: A coalition of organizations are holding a clinic for people experiencing homelessness and their pets.

(7:51) Turns out a Burger King in Brooklyn was taking the idea of an Impossible Burger a bit too literally!

(9:01) If you're headed to Governors Island this summer, see if you can hitch a ride on a brand-new ferry boat that will go into weekend service beginning on June 15th. The new ship, called the Governors 1, was built by Rhode Island-based Blount Boats, and can carry up to 400 passengers per trip from Lower Manhattan to Governors Island. The first trip of the new 132-foot-long ferry will leave at 10:20am from the Battery Maritime Building at South Street and Broad Street on Saturday, June 15th.

(9:36) 36 years ago on June 11, 1983 — A man jumps to his death from the Empire State Building observation deck, the second person to do so within two weeks.

(10:42) 2 years ago on June 10, 2017 — Area code 332 becomes active to begin supplementing the dwindling amount of available 212 and 646 numbers.

Phone calls in Mandarin are a scam targeting cities with large Chinese populations

(12:22) 122 years ago on June 15, 1897 — A fire sweeps through Ellis Island's wood buildings

(13:01) 135 years ago on June 16, 1884 — America's first rollercoaster opens in Coney Island

(15:05) It's hard to believe it's been seven years since the Space Shuttle arrived in New York, but check the links in the show notes to see Video from April 2012 of the Space Shuttle arriving in New York aboard its special Boeing 747 transport vehicle and a Time-Lapse Video from June 12, 2012 of the Space Shuttle Enterprise Being Lifted Onto the Intrepid Air Craft Carrier's Flight Deck, where you can now view an entire exhibition about the journey the shuttle took to reach New York.

AGBC is more than just a news website — It also automatically checks MTA data before morning rush hour and sends out notifications if there are delays on any subway lines, LIRR or MetroNorth trains, and bridges and tunnels. Follow @agreatbigcity on social media to receive the alerts.

Thanks for listening! Find more fun things to do at agreatbigcity.com/events.

Here's something you may not have known about New York:

The extreme highs and lows for this week in weather history:

Weather for the week ahead:

Intro and outro music: 'Start the Day' by Lee Rosevere — Concert Calendar music from Jukedeck.com — Roller coaster music: "Transit of Venus" (1883) by John Philip Sousa, performed by the United States Marine Band

24 years ago on June 5, 1995 — Just after 6am, a 'J' Train headed into Manhattan rear-ends an 'M' Train on the Williamsburg Bridge, killing the train operator and injuring 64 others

With New York hosting the World Pride Festival in June and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots approaching at the end of the month, Police Commissioner O'Neill made a public statement on June 6th formally apologizing for the actions of the NYPD in 1969.

10 years ago on June 8, 2009 — The first section of the High Line opens, from Gansevoort to 20th Street, 8 years ago on June 7, 2011 — The second section of the High Line opens from 20th to 30th Street, and this week, the final section has been opened, completing the park. On June 4th, a ribbon-cutting ceremony opened the final section, a small spur that extends to the east at 30th Street toward Tenth Avenue. This section of the High Line can safely be accessed now that construction on the eastern part of Hudson Yards has been completed, since the Spur of the High Line passes underneath one of the new buildings. After emerging from the building, the walkway opens up to a large plaza area above Tenth Avenue that will host a rotating selection of public art, with plans for more upcoming events to be held there. And, in case you were wondering: Although the other sections opened on June 8th, 7th, and 4th, The third section of the High Line, from 30th Street through the west side of Hudson Yards, wasn't able to open on a June date, and instead opened in September 2014.

The number of new measles cases in the city continues to decrease, but cases nationwide in 2019 have surpassed the number last seen 25 years ago in 1994, with 971 reported cases as of May 30, 2019. New York still represents the majority of the yearly cases, but the outbreak in Brooklyn seems to have begun to slow. Within the city, there were only 17 new cases reported since May 29th, with Williamsburg, Boro Park, and Sunset Park being described as Neighborhoods with Ongoing Transmissions. New cases peaked in March and April, and have continued to decrease in May and June. You can view more information about measles at nyc.gov/doh or call 311 for information on where you or your child can get vaccinated against the disease.

Some of the city's newest residents are moving back to upstate NY after losing their jobs! — Riverside Park Goats Sent Back To Farm

3 years ago on June 9, 2016 — A British tourist floats for two hours in New York Harbor after a piece of Jersey City dock he was standing on breaks loose

A man was arrested by the Joint Terrorism Task Force for planning to attack Times Square. NBC New York identifies the man as Ashiqul Alam, a 22-year-old resident of Jackson Heights, who had been under surveillance and stated a desire to attack Times Square, first suggesting grenades, but settling on firing a gun into the crowd. The FBI arrested Alam after he allegedly tried to buy guns with the serial numbers removed.

22 years ago on June 12, 1997 — Sri Chinmoy creates the world's longest certified footrace, the Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race, in Jamaica, Queens

8 years ago on June 6th, 2011 — Video of Zelda the Battery Park Turkey. She survived the flooding of the park during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 only to be killed by a car in 2014 on South Street

Thanks for listening! Find more fun things to do at agreatbigcity.com/events.

Here's something you may not have known about New York:

The extreme highs and lows for this week in weather history:

Thanks for listening to A Great Big City. Follow along 24 hours a day on social media @agreatbigcity or email [email protected] with any news, feedback, or topic suggestions. Subscribe to AGBC News wherever you listen to podcasts: iTunes, Google Play, or Player FM, Pocket Casts, Podcast Addict, or listen to each episode on the podcast pages at agreatbigcity.com/podcast. If you enjoy the show, subscribe and leave a review wherever you're listening and visit our podcast site to see show notes and extra links for each episode.

Intro and outro music: 'Start the Day' by Lee Rosevere — Concert Calendar music from Jukedeck.com

The Subway Emergency Brake Saboteur

72 years ago on May 29, 1947 — United Flight 521 crashes during takeoff from LaGuardia Airport

Airbnb and New York City Reach a Truce on Home-Sharing Data

The city's number of measles cases have flattened out in data this week showing just 12 new cases since May 20th and 54 new cases in the month of May. This brings the total number of cases observed during the current outbreak to 535 within the city and 940 cases nationwide in 2019. As of May 24, there have been 122 summonses issued to individuals for failing to comply with the city health commissioner's public health emergency plan introduced in April, which required everyone within affected zip codes to show proof of vaccination. Although new cases have been seen in Sunset Park outside the initial Williamsburg cluster, the health commissioner is confident that the high vaccination rates in Sunset Park will prevent the disease from spreading. Measles is a highly contagious disease that is spread through the air as sick individuals cough or sneeze. The measles vaccination is included in MMR shots, standing for measles, mumps, and rubella, that contain a specially-weakened form of the virus that trains the body's immune system on how to defend against that virus in the future. For information on where to obtain a measles vaccination, call 311 or view information from the Department of Health at nyc.gov/doh.

Manhattanhenge May

Weed may not be legal in NY, but some new residents have been spotted enjoying edibles in Riverside Park: The Riverside Park Conservancy brought in a pack of goats to do some weeding at the park.

Back in the summer of 2018, a start-up company named Revel brough electric mopeds to the streets of Brooklyn, and this week, Revel announced they will be adding 1,000 more mopeds to their rental fleet.

100 years ago on June 2, 1919 — A bomb explodes outside a judge's home at 151 East 61st Street, killing a night watchman

143 years ago on June 1, 1876 — The Transcontinental Express leaves the New York area to attempt a record-breaking coast-to-coast train trip

4 years ago on May 29, 2015: One World Observatory opens at the top of One World Trade Center

AGBC is more than just a news website — It also automatically checks MTA data before morning rush hour and sends out notifications if there are delays on any subway lines, LIRR or MetroNorth trains, and bridges and tunnels. Follow @agreatbigcity on social media to receive the alerts.

The Distillers and Starcrawler are playing Brooklyn Steel on Wednesday, May 29th

Weyes Blood is playing the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Wednesday, May 29th

Apocalyptica is playing Bergen Performing Arts Center on Thursday, May 30th

Anderson .Paak with Earl Sweatshirt and The Free Nationals and Thundercat are playing Madison Square Garden on Thursday, May 30th

Hippo Campus is playing the Warsaw in Greenpoint on Thursday, May 30th

L7 and Le Butcherettes are playing Elsewhere on Friday, May 31st

Bikini Kill is playing Brooklyn Steel on Friday, May 31st and Terminal 5 on Saturday, June 1st

Trade Wind, Only Sibling, and semaphore is playing Knitting Factory Brooklyn on Friday, May 31st

Kevin Morby and Sam Cohen are playing The Town Hall on Friday, May 31st

Anthony Santos is playing United Palace Theatre in Hudson Heights on Friday, May 31st

Yanni is playing Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in Midtown on Friday, May 31st

Soccer Mommy and Pom Pom Squad are playing the Brooklyn Bazaar on Saturday, June 1st

Sunflower Bean is playing the Mercury Lounge on Saturday, June 1st

Glen Hansard is playing the Beacon Theatre on the Upper West Side on Saturday, June 1st

Twenty One Pilots are playing the Barclays Center on Tuesday, June 4th

David Gray is playing the Beacon Theatre on the Upper West Side on Tuesday, June 4th

Thanks for listening! Find more fun things to do at agreatbigcity.com/events.

The extreme highs and lows for this week in weather history:

Weather for the week ahead:

Thanks for listening to A Great Big City. Follow along 24 hours a day on social media @agreatbigcity or email [email protected] with any news, feedback, or topic suggestions. Subscribe to AGBC News wherever you listen to podcasts: iTunes, Google Play, or Spotify, TuneIn Radio, Overcast, or listen to each episode on the podcast pages at agreatbigcity.com/podcast. If you enjoy the show, subscribe and leave a review wherever you're listening and visit our podcast site to see show notes and extra links for each episode.

Intro and outro music: 'Start the Day' by Lee Rosevere — Concert Calendar music from Jukedeck.com — Manhattanhenge music: "I Hate Him So Much" by Anonymous420

62 years ago on May 25, 1957 — South tube of the Lincoln Tunnel opens

21 years ago on May 26, 1998 — The Supreme Court rules that the majority of Ellis Island belongs to New Jersey

Quinnipiac poll results give de Blasio the lowest marks of any potential candidate

The Amateur Astronomers Association of New York will be holding viewing sessions where you can look through a large telescope and learn about objects visible in the skies above the city. Stop by the Lincoln Center plaza on Friday, May 24th and Saturday, May 25th and also find them on the High Line in the Meatpacking District on Tuesday, May 28th.

Manhattanhenge - Photography Tips and Viewing Locations — May 29 & 30

89 years ago on May 27, 1930 — The Chrysler Building opens with a formal ceremony, but construction would not be complete until August 1930

NYC Fleet Week 2019 from May 21st to 28th

6 years ago on May 27, 2013 — Opening day of the Citi Bike system, with 332 stations and 6,000 bikes

17 years ago on May 28, 2002 — Workers cut down the final piece of steel at Ground Zero, ending the clean-up effort after the September 11th attacks

136 years ago on May 30, 1883 — Memorial Day visitors overcrowd a Brooklyn Bridge stairway and cause a stampede that kills 12 people and injures dozens more

The city's public beaches will be opening on May 25th. Swimming is permitted 10am to 6pm as long as there is a lifeguard present and the area is not closed due to water quality or dangerous conditions. Visit the Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk, Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach (next to Coney Island), Rockaway Beach, Cedar Grove Beach (in Great Kills Park in Staten Island), Midland Beach and South Beach (in Staten Island), Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), and Wolfe's Pond Beach (in Staten Island)

AGBC is more than just a news website — Our fireworks page monitors the city's announcements of upcoming fireworks, lists them on site, and automatically sends out a notification just before the fireworks begin, so that you can watch the show or prepare your pet for the upcoming explosion sounds. Visit agreatbigcity.com/fireworks to see the full calendar and follow @agreatbigcity on social media to receive the alerts

Thanks for listening! Find more fun things to do at agreatbigcity.com/events.

The extreme highs and lows for this week in weather history:

Weather for the week ahead: Light rain on Thursday, with highs in the 80s for Sunday and Monday.

Intro and outro music: 'Start the Day' by Lee Rosevere — Concert Calendar music from Jukedeck.com — Manhattanhenge music: "I Hate Him So Much" by Anonymous420

Over the years, there have been three major terror arrests just the month of May, 8, 9, and 10 years ago:

8 years ago on May 11, 2011 — Two potential terrorists are arrested after acquiring weapons and expressing interest to attack city religious sites and the Empire State Building

9 years ago on May 1, 2010 — Terrorist attempts failed Times Square car bombing

and 10 years ago on May 20, 2009 — Four men are arrested in a terror plot to shoot down military planes and bomb Bronx synagogues

In what was initially thought to be a real terrorist attack, 2 years ago on May 18, 2017 — A man high on PCP drives a car into pedestrians in Times Square

We've been following the back-and-forth on Macy's plans for their flagship store in Herald Square, and this week the CEO confirmed to Bloomberg News that the company is moving forward with a plan to place a skyscraper on top of their existing landmarked store that was built in the early 1900s.

108 years ago on May 23, 1911 — Opening ceremony for the main branch of the NY Public Library

A Change.org petition aims to bring a statue of the comic book legend to NYC

136 years ago on May 24, 1883 — Opening day for the Brooklyn Bridge

33 years ago on May 25, 1986 — Hands Across America takes place, forming a human chain from Battery Park in NYC to Long Beach, California

AGBC is more than just a news website — To provide better information about what's going on in the city, AGBC watches FDNY data and automatically sends out an alert if a fire or emergency becomes a serious event, and posts that info to social media along with a map, the neighborhood name, and the nearest intersection, so that you know what is happening if you see smoke rising into the sky. Follow AGBC on Facebook or Twitter to stay up-to-date everyday.

Find more fun things to do at agreatbigcity.com/events.

Here's something you may not have known about New York:

The extreme highs and lows for this week in weather history:

Weather for the week ahead:

Intro and outro music: 'Start the Day' by Lee Rosevere — Concert Calendar music from Jukedeck.com