Cityscape

New York City’s filled with people of all shapes, sizes, ethnicities and backgrounds. Many are born and bred here. Others move to the big city to fulfill their dreams. Former Mayor Ed Koch once said you’re a true New Yorker after living in the Big Apple for at least 10 years. But, nevertheless, battles sometimes erupt over when you can say you’re from New York despite your place of origin. This week we’re hearing from a born and bred New Yorker, a transplant, and a writer who lived in New York City, left and isn’t looking back.

Superstorm Sandy hit the tri-state area two months ago this Saturday. The storm flooded streets, highways, tunnels, buildings, and homes, and crippled the region's public transit system. Many places are still struggling to rebound from the storm, including the Rockaways in Queens. On this week's Cityscape, we’re taking a look at efforts to help residents of the hard-hit Rockaways rebuild their homes and lives in the aftermath of Sandy.

Who doesn’t love a good story? It’s through stories that we’re transported to magical places and introduced to unusual characters. If we’re listening carefully we usually learn something. We now invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy some holiday storytelling.

Kids today confront age old problems. Abuse, drugs, gang violence, living with dysfunctional families, teenage pregnancy. The list goes on and on. Many organizations in New York City work to keep young people out of trouble, some with more unique approaches, including one that uses basketball to keep kids on the straight and narrow.

Hanukkah,the festival of lights, begins at sundown Saturday. On this week's Cityscape, a renowned storyteller and a singer-guitarist combine their talents to share a Hanukkah tale. Also this week, they say the neon lights are bright on Broadway. But, Times Square is not the only place in New York City where neon lights shine brightly. Architectural designer Thomas Rinaldi spent a number of years cataloging neon signs around the city. Signs that are slowly disappearing as lighting technology changes. Rinaldi joins us to talk about his new book appropriately titled New York Neon.

The holiday season is a time for celebrating with family, friends and colleagues. Quite often those get-togethers involve alcohol, and for that reason law enforcement officials say drunk driving is of particular concern right now. On this week's Cityscape, we're focusing our attention on drunk driving issues, including an interview with a Manhattan man who lost his 11-year-old daughter in a drunk driving accident in 2009.

Superstorm Sandy destroyed thousands of homes in her path and flooded countless others.  People all along the upper East Coast, including in New York City, are now faced with the daunting task of rebuilding their homes and lives. On this week's Cityscape, we're focusing our attention on rebuilding in the aftermath of Sandy.

With the economy the way it is, more and more families are relying on dual incomes and need somewhere for their kids to go after school. As part of WFUV’s Strike a Chord campaign, this week’s Cityscape is focusing its attention on after-school programs.

A lot of New Yorkers are still picking up the pieces following Superstorm Sandy. The storm's destruction in New York City got us thinking about how much we love the Big Apple. So this week we’re looking back on some of our favorite segments about the city. We're also talking with a clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University about the psychological effects of a disaster like Superstorm Sandy.

New York City's still reeling from Superstorm Sandy. On this week's Cityscape, we're talking with folks on the front lines of the relief efforts. We're also looking at the city's decision to cancel the New York City marathon.