Cityscape

Over the years, in New York City's five boroughs, kids found a variety of ways to amuse themselves in the streets.  They played, and sometimes even invented games, using whatever was at hand; bottle caps, a stick, or a piece of chalk.  On this edition of Cityscape, we're talking about street games; stickball, handball, stoopball and more – the world where the spalding ball met your mama’s broom handle.

This summer’s heat may have given us something to gripe about, but it pales in comparison to what New Yorkers suffered through in August of 1896. A 10-day heat wave claimed the lives of more than 1,300 people in Manhattan alone. One local newspaper described the city as “an inferno of brick and stone."  Joining us this week to talk about this largely forgotten natural disaster in U-S history is Edward Kohn.  He’s the author of a new book called Hot Time in the Old Town: The Great Heat Wave of 1896 and the Making of Theodore Roosevelt.

It's often said that we should "learn to appreciate the little things in life."  Well, we’ve decided to take a closer look at that saying, quite literally!  On this week's Cityscape, we’re delving into all manner of teeny tiny things in New York City; from a Brooklyn artist’s ant farms to a miniature book collection to a film maker’s version of a toy land, to a Manhattan woman's collection of tiny troll dolls.

More and more New Yorkers are taking to cycling to get around.  In fact, bicycling is up 28 percent, with about 200,000 New Yorkers riding bikes every day, according to the group Transportation Alternatives.  Take a ride with us on this week's Cityscape as we journey through several aspects of cycling in New York City.

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.

Theater, bright lights and crowds are just some of the things that come to mind at the mention of 42nd Street, but this famous crosstown thoroughfare has humble beginnings.  On this edition of Cityscape, the story of 42nd Street.

This summer marks the 35th anniversary of the now legendary film Jaws, a movie that still counts as one of the top 10 thrillers in history.  This week, we’re celebrating by paying homage to sharks in our waters, in popular culture, and even on the field!

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.

A couple of years ago, when the economy took a turn for the worse, a lot of people found themselves out of work.  Today, the unemployment numbers are a bit rosier.  But, while some people are saying the worst of the recession is over, the jobless have an entirely different story to tell.  As part of WFUV's Strike a Chord campaign on the jobless, Cityscape this week delves into issues facing unemployed people and programs in place to help them get their lives back on track.