Cityscape

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.

Halloween is right around the corner and trick-or-treaters have one big expectation; lots of candy.  The excitement of getting buckets and bags full of candy on Halloween only happens once a year, but some people have candy on their minds year-round.  On this week's Cityscape, we'll visit a Lower Manhattan candy store that has been in business for more than 70 years and explore other sweet stuff in the city. 

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. 

New York City is full of countless discoveries.  You'll find surprises just about everywhere -- at museums, in office towers, parks and even in restaurants.  On this week's Cityscape, we revisit some of our favorite finds, as we ask you to find some money in your pocket for WFUV during our fall membership drive.

Despite its strong beginnings, New York City is no longer the jazz mecca it once was.  Blues is also not as popular, and that has enthusiasts of both musical genres concerned.  On this week's Cityscape, we explore the state of jazz and blues in New York and efforts to preserve the music genres. 

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.