Rediscovering New York

Segment 1

Jeff kicks off his show by introducing his guest Jeffrey. Jeffrey starts about his knowledge of the history of today’s neighborhood, Flushing Queens. He talks about the original ways of transportation around Queens and getting to Flushing. He also mentions the periods going from Urban to Suburban. Jeffrey talks about the Quakers originally in Flushing, and the oldest house in Queens, the John Bound house. Jeffrey talks about the surprising religious struggle in Queens and how people were not allowed to worship what they wanted. Jeffrey talks about the different “towns” in the midst of Queens.

Segment 2

Jeffrey talks about the work he has done in the past. Jeffrey talks about all the different nurseries in Queens and how it used to be a hub of fruit and vegetables. He moves on to talk about the Queensboro library, and how it is one of the oldest library system in the city. Jeffrey continues about how the city of New York (Manhattan) wanted Queens to be a part because they knew they needed more land and for people to spread out. Queens and Flushing was also a big hub for movies before Hollywood. Jeffrey continues about the “Valley of Ashes” also known as a part of Queens near Flushing, that was dumped with coal ash. In an effort to reverse this trash, the World’s Fair was held in Flushing Meadows Park.

Segment 3

Jeff starts by introducing his second guest, an architect Ning Lu. Ning Lu talks about her background and being born in China. She talks about her family and how she got interested in architecture as a child. Ning talks about how it was getting to start her own company, and what it was like when she first came to New York. Ning talks about her current project and how it is the one that she is most proud of.

Segment 4

Ning Lu talks about her favorite things about living in Flushing and how her building and business has changed in Flushing in the past ten years-- including, more people living there, and new buildings are constantly going up. Ning talks about how Flushing is a transit hub and you can get pretty much anywhere. Ning compares Flushing to Chinatown and talks about how it’s bigger and cleaner. She also talks about her struggles with Flushing and the main one being: traffic. Ning talks about how Flushing is truly flourishing and how it is constantly growing, while Ning gets a chance to shape the way the neighborhood looks.

Join us this week as we journey to Murray Hill. My guests will be David Griffin of Landmark Branding, and Murray Hill restaurateur James Kim of Sons of Thunder.

Segment 1

Jeff starts off the show by introducing his first guest, David Griffin. David first talks about architectural history and the boundary of Murray Hill. Then David talks about the history of Murray Hill. Murray Hill is named after the Murray family, Robert Murray. David also talks about the history of Murray Hill during the Revolutionary War. He then mentioned the Revolutionary Tea Party happened in Murray Hill.

Segment 2

David came back talking about his company, Landmark Branding. David then talks about Murray Hill residents were mostly wealth middle-class people. The brownstones row houses are built for the middle classes. He also mentions the famous architectural buildings around the neighborhood, Grand Central Terminal, and the Morgan Library & Museum. Then David talks about the history of Morgan Library and Museum.

Segment 3

Jeff came back introducing his second guest, James Kim the owner of Sons of Thunder. James talks about he is a pastor of a church plant, which is the process of a new church being established. James then talks about how he started his restaurant, Sons of Thunder. He started the restaurant with his brother and wife. The idea of the name of James’ restaurant came from the scripture.

Segment 4

Jeff came back asking James how he settled on Poke. James explained how he decided to served poke and it was a new thing for people around the area and they explain more than selling the poke in the beginning. James then talks about the things he liked around the neighborhood of Murray Hill and he also mentions the changes he saw around Murray Hill.

[EPISODE] A Tale of Two Bridges

Join me as we travel across the East River on two of New York's famous bridges: the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, also known as the 59th Street Bridge.

My guests will be Joyce Gold, founder of a Joyce Gold History Tours, and Justin Rivers, Chief Experience Officer and lead tour guide of Untapped Cities.

Segment 1

Jeff welcomes his first and returning guest, Joyce Gold as they begin to talk about tonight’s topic: bridges in the big city. Specifically, talking about the Brooklyn Bridge and the Queensboro Bridge. Joyce mentions how the Brooklyn Bridge was not always called that. Joyce talks about not just the bridges but the ferries that first went from Brooklyn to Manhattan. She continues about how the Brooklyn Bridge came to be and the man who wanted to build it. Joyce talks about the trials and tribulations of that came with the actual building of the bridge

Segment 2

Joyce talks about the Roebling and how they were in charge of creating the Brooklyn Bridge. She mentions how the family actually invented a type of steel wire that was incredibly strong, John Roebling’s family wanted the bridge to connect the past and future. Joyce talks about how the city of Brooklyn paid for the construction. Joyce talks about how people got around in Manhattan versus Brooklyn and mentioned that most in Brooklyn would use the trolleys. Joyce also talks about how the creation of the bridge actually changed the neighborhood and where people moved.

Segment 3

Jeff brings on his next guest, Justin Rivers. Justin talks about his background, growing up in New Jersey and starting tours in New York City. One of Justin’s first tours was actually about Penn Station. Jeff and Justin talk about the origins of the Queensboro Bridge, and why they first created in it the first place. Justin talks about how Queens was very underdeveloped, and how the bridge got more people to move there.

Segment 4

Justin talks about the Queensboro and compares it to the Tappen Zee bridge and how they were both revolutionary. Jeff asks about the engineering challenges of a double decker bridge. Justin talks about the shift of labor unions and how they were main way things were getting built. Justin also mentions an almost, bombing of the bridge while it was getting built. He moves on to talk about the original names of the bridge. Justin talks about different stories the bridge has had in the past, and what it means to New York.

On this week’s show we journey to Gowanus, a Brooklyn neighborhood with an extraordinary local history, and home to the famous canal that bears the same name!

My guests will be Brad Vogel, co-founder of the Gowanus Landmarking Coalition, and Aaron Lefkove, co-founder and managing partner of Littleneck Restaurants, including one in Gowanus.

Segment 1

Jeff kicks off the show by introducing his first guest, Brad Vogel. Brad talks about his background and how he ended up in Gowanus in 2011 after coming from Wisconsin. Brad talks about how he was always drawn to conservation, and the topography of the original area of Gowanus in Brooklyn. Brad talks about how people are farming around the area and there are actually slaves involved in the farms. Brad then talks about the Battle of Long Island also known as the Battle of Brooklyn and the commercials around Gowanus.

Segment 2

Brad talks about what makes Gowanus different and how he banded together to get buildings before the rezoning of Gowanus. Both Brad and Jeff talk about the Gowanus Canal and how ever since the 1800s, the Canal has been suffering from various forms of pollution from all kinds of industrial plants. The Canal became a place that people strongly avoided, but now it they are working on getting the area around it to become a little nicer. Brad talks about the actual structures around Gowanus, like certain steel bridges. Brad also mentions the Gowanus canoe club, which are people who row on the canal.

Segment 3

Jeff came back introducing his second guest, Aaron Lefkove. Aaron talks about how he decided to move to New York after he started making money. He then talks about how music and art bring him and his partner to work together and started their business Littleneck Restaurants. 

Aaron also talks about how they came to the name of the Littleneck Restaurant. He then talks about what he likes about Gowanus’ neighborhood.

Segment 4

Aaron continues to talk about what he likes about Gowanus’ neighborhood and how he sees Gowanus changes. Jeff then asks Aaron about the struggles that they experienced in the process of building the restaurant. Aaron explained that they struggle with the structure of the building. Aaron also talks about the struggle of having a restaurant in New York City.

Join us for a special episode on Opera in New York, exploring not only its history but some of its current magic!

My guests will be Michael Capasso, General Director of the New York City Opera; Greg Trupiano, who when he is not leading the Walt Whitman Project here in New York is the Director of Artistic Administration of Florida’s Sarasota Opera; and Eric Einhorn, General & Artistic Director of New York’s avant-garde and trailblazing On Site Opera.

Segment 1

Jeff started off the show by introducing the history of the opera in New York City. Jeff introduces his first two guests, Michael Capasso, and Greg Trupiano. He then talks about the background of them. Jeff then asks how Michael how did he get into work with the New York City Opera. Michael comes from an Italian family and he used to listen to a famous singer’s song when he was young and he also read a book about the singer by then he was inspired. Then Jeff asks his second guest, Greg Trupiano. Greg talks about how the Garcia family came to New York to produce the Italian Opera.

Segment 2

Jeff continues to ask about the history of opera in New York. Michael talks about a very famous company that started in the 18th century, the Metropolitan Opera House. The wealthy businessmen built the Metropolitan Opera House. They are able to gather the most famous opera singers to perform in the Metropolitan Opera House. Then he talks about the New York City Opera being “people’s opera” because it was popular with its new price and its features appeal to the immigrant population.

Segment 3

Jeff introduces his third guest, Eric Einhorn. Jeff asks Eric how did he get into Opera. Eric got into Opera when he was in high school, he started as a singer and he also got the chance to directed his first opera in high school. He then studied singing and directing in Oberlin Conservatory. He thinks that performing isn’t for him. Eric then talks about the most interesting projects that he is in.

Segment 4

Jeff and Eric start their conversation back up again about how Eric wanted to produce Opera and create performances. Eric talks about how he got investors in his small budding Opera business, and how they kicked off the performances with a small 12 minute show in the Bronx Zoo. Both Jeff and Eric talk about on-site Opera and the rich history New York Opera has. Eric continues about various pieces he has created for the MET. Eric continues about specific characters and types of pieces and characters that he has got inspiration from. Jeff asks about the production of an on-site Opera and Eric's favorite shows. Eric talks about a possible musical that he has coming up and an app that they have in production.

Join us for a journey to Inwood, at the northern tip of the island of Manhattan.

My guests will be Rediscovering New York regular David Griffin of Landmark Branding, and Tom Bosco, Inwood resident and co-owner of the Indian Road Café.

Segment 1

Jeff introduces his first guest, regular David Griffin. David talks about the geography of Inwood and how the Dutch influenced this in the earliest days of the area. He then talks about Inwood during the revolutionary war. David says that the tip of Inwood was the last area in Manhattan to be developed from farmland into a town-like area. He then talks about the unique architecture of Inwood and how that has preserved today. 

Segment 2

David discusses his recent work, which includes a number of articles and a book proposal. He then goes into some of the more significant buildings located in Inwood, including the Dyckman Farmhouse. This is now a house museum, the first of its kind in NYC. He then goes into the Rockefellers' influence within the area. Inwood Hill Park is another noteworthy landmark in Inwood, which Jeff says has a much different feel than the traditional parks throughout the city. The Dyckman Oval was a sports stadium in Inwood and hosted many events including games of the Negro League. In the 20th century, the population had a significant Irish presence. Today it is predominantly Dominican, with nearly 74% being Spanish.

Segment 3

Jeff introduces his second guest Tom Bosco, Inwood resident and co-owner of the Indian Road Cafe. Tom talks about deciding to move to the city after college and his career in advertising and marketing. He then talks about his transition into digital media and video advertising. Tom then moved into hospitality after following his passions outside of the media. He’s lived in Inwood for seven years and just bought the restaurant two months ago. He talks about the move and how he immediately fell in love with the area. Tom also started a Chili Bowl in Inwood that has attracted some of the best chili-makers in the city.

Segment 4

Tom talks about how much he loves the community of Inwood. He loves the feeling of knowing his neighbors and shop owners. Tom says that the natural beauty of Inwood is what really attracts him to the area. He says that the area has changed significantly since he’s moved there, much of which has come from gentrification and rezoning. This transition has caused some difficulties in the community. Tom reiterates the small-town feel of Inwood.

Join us for a journey to the East Village.

My guests are Rediscovering New York regular Joyce Gold of Joyce Gold History Tours, and special guest Lorcan Otway, Owner of Theatre 80 on St. Mark’s Place, and who is also the curator of The Museum of the American Gangster, located right above the theater.

Segment 1

Jeff introduces his first guest, a regular, Joyce Gold. She explains why she initially got interested in historical tours. Joyce discusses the early history of 17th century East Village and the influence of the Dutch in the area. She then talks about what the area looked like during the revolutionary area and the significance of Stuyvesant Street. She also talks about the fact that Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, the widow of Alexander Hamilton, lived in East village in the 1830s and early 40s. 

Segment 2

Joyce begins by discussing the great variety of ethnicities that were spread throughout East Village. She then highlights the importance of East Village to the German-American people in New York. This was suddenly changed because of a tragic accident at the end of the 19th century, which was the General Slocum disaster. The ship was carrying over mostly German-Americans at the time of the accident, 1,000 of the 1,300 died. This was the largest loss of life in NYC until September 11th and permanently scarred the German community. After the exodus of the German community, the Yiddish culture sprouted in the area. Many different cultures began popping up in the area at the end of the 20th century.

Segment 3

Jeff kicks off this segment by introducing his second guest, Lorcan Otway. Lorcan explains that he grew up on a farm between New Rochelle and Pelham before going into the East Village. One of the first moves his father made in the East Village was to buy a small theater. Lorcan tells an intricate story of how is father found 2 million dollars and wasn’t able to keep a single penny. Lorcan continues about how his father started writing plays and why he was so passionate about theater. Jeff asks about how Lorcan went into Law and he tells a story about his rowing career in Ireland before studying and how rowing actually kicked off his law career. Jeff and Lorcan go back to talking about the various ethnicities in the midst of the East Village, specifically the Ukranian community.  

Segment 4

Lorcan continues to talk about Theatre 80 and the various events that they have going on. From Irish Trad to Shakespeare to different films, they always have things happening. Lorcan is also the curator of The Museum of the American Gangster. He started it because there used to be a speakeasy in the basement of the theater. The location had been a bar since 1922, but since his father was a Quaker, he did not want to pay to renew the bar. Now known as the William Barnacle Tavern, the bar functions as a quiet but popular speakeasy. Lorcan talks about the fact that the East Village will always have a vibrant energy and bar scene. The only thing that Lorcan wishes was still around, is the fact that there used to be more mom and pop shops in the East Village.

This special show will take a look at Punk and New Wave in New York.

We will hear about some of the trend-setting musicians, how Punk and New Wave impacted the music scene, and how the “movement” affected some downtown New York neighborhoods.

My guests will be Tish and Snooky Bellomo, original band members of Blondie and the founders of Manic Panic, and John Holmstrom, founder of “Punk” Magazine.

Segment 1

Jeff starts off the show by introducing his guests, and discussing the background and history of Punk music. John Holmstrom talks about starting his own punk magazine and Snooky  discusses starting her own record store. The two talk about the Rough Trade Record store that still exists in Brooklyn today. Snooky talks about the bars that she would perform in with the punk band Blondie. Tish talks about the punk scene being very much “DIY” and everyone’s band would go to everyone’s shows. 

Segment 2

Jeff talks to Tish and Snooky about trying to get a space for their store Manic Panic in the East Village. John talks about the history he had with the Ramones, and how he got connected with them for his magazine. He continues about how it came to be getting that iconic Ramones cover shot for their first album cover. John talks about getting to know the Ramones, and how they always felt frustrated because they knew the music industry hated punk from the very start. They didn’t want to call it “punk” and instead started calling it “new wave.” Jeff moves on to start talking about the energy of punk and Tish talks about how it was like nothing else. The fans of punk, like the musicians, were rebellious, and they were able to get up close and personal because of the small venues. John talks about the way that punk became “anti-hippies.”

Segment 3

Jeff asks Tish and Snooky how they got into the retail scene on St. Marks Place. They started out by selling their old clothes and clothing that they had made. They then talk about how they began with their hair color line. They would also sell band t-shirts, records, and fan zines in their shop. John talks about the various connections he made with artists and musicians with punk magazine. He continues by talking about the influence punk had on the youth, and made kids want to move to NY to start their own band. They talk about how people did not like punk, and that kids would come to the city to beat up punk teens.

Segment 4

John starts again by talking about what he’s done post punk magazine. He continues by talking about what he has going on today, including a gallery opening in the Lower East Side. John talks about the film industry and how it has affected his career with punk. They continue to talk about how all kinds of art, from film to comics to music all morphed together with the punk movement.

Join us this week as we explore a number of New York’s unusual museums.

My guests will be Michelle Young, founder of Untapped Cities, and Denny Daniel, founder of the Museum of Interesting Things.

Segment 1

Jeff introduces his first guest Michelle Young to the show. Michelle gives some of her background and explains how she made the transition from fashion into founding Untapped Cities in 2009. Michelle then goes into a number of mobile museums that are placed throughout NYC. These museums bring a new way to educate residents and students who might not have as easy access to museums. She then goes into some other unique museums, like Torah Animal World, which has taxidermic displays of al the animals from the Torah. 

Segment 2

Michelle goes into what they do at Untapped Cities and the new edition of their guide book which will be coming out soon. Michelle talks about a museum located in a freight elevator in a building in Chinatown. The exhibitions focus on different problems and trends in the modern age. Another cool museum is the Veteran’s Museum, which you have to visit by appointment and has a shooting gallery in the basement. Michelle then talks about the various events that Untapped Cities hosts throughout the city. Sam and Michelle finish by discussing other interesting museums and even lighthouses. 

Segment 3

Jeff begins by introducing his second guest Denny Daniel the founder of the Museum of Interesting Things. Denny talks about the “series of accidents” that lead him to his career and the founding of the museum. He’s been collecting things his whole life and his collection lead him to host what he calls a “traveling circus”. While Denny has the traveling museum he also has a physical location. His emphasis is on people's interaction with the items in the museum in order to spur their curiosity. He also wants to encourage kids to get interested in tinkering and inventing. 

Segment 4

Denny talks about the speakeasies that he holds that help him fund the museum. He hosts them once a month (last Sunday of every month) and everyone has a different theme. Denny then plays and goes into the history of some of the different gadgets and items that he brought to the studio. He brought a telegram, an ancient record player, a Ford Model T car horn, etc.

Join us this week as we journey to Central Greenwich Village. Believe it or not, the neighborhood is very different from the West Village, which was a subject neighborhood for an episode we aired earlier this year.

My guests will be Joyce Gold of Joyce Gold History Tours, and a special guest,“Sheriff” Bob Saidenburg, long-time fixture in the Greenwich Village folk music scene, and host of Sheriff Uncle Bob’s Bluegrass Jam.

Segment 1

Jeff introduces Joyce Gold. Joyce talks one attribute New York City offers, choice. The variety of opportunities and hobbies available appealed to her, both personally and as a historian. First, before she gave professional tours, she offered her tours to fellow New Yorkers. Joyce then speaks specifically about Greenwich Village before colonial times. Joyce tells stories about Greenwich Village before it was very developed such as how it used to be a popular fishing area and how Washington Square Park was a swamp and then a graveyard.

Segment 2

Joyce then speaks on the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. Jeff recalls how his grandmother told him that as a child she saw the fire first hand. Then talking about the bohemian reputation of The Village back in the day, Joyce recalled one woman describing a ‘bohemian’ as ‘It means I’m not a victim of feeling or good taste’.

Joyce speaks of the famous inhabitants of Greenwich Village such as Eugene O'Neill, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and political theorist and radical Jack Reed. Jeff brings up how The Village had the first racially integrated night club, then asks about the second wave of bohemians that spent time in The Village. This time, the Beat Generation. Joyce then speaks on The Weathermen, a radical branch of Students for a Democratic Society, and their attempted bombing of facilities they thought supported the war in Vietnam.

Segment 3

Jeff introduces his second “Sheriff” Bob Saidenburg to come back from the break. Bob has been playing folk, country and bluegrass music in NYC for around 60 years. Bob talks about when he first moved to NYC and growing up in the city, especially around Washington Square Park. He discusses the growing music scene in Greenwich Village in the 60s and how he got heavily involved in it. Bob goes into the evolution of instrumentation throughout the years he’s spent as a musician. He explains why he got most heavily involved with bluegrass and how that ties into the history of the United States. 

Segment 4

Bob talks about some upcoming shows and events that he’s going to be a part of in the near future. Bob also plays in the Carribean and joins reggae musicians to give audiences a unique experience. He then explains what Greenwich Village was like back when he was a teenager and in his early 20’s. He says it still has the same aura and feel to it today. Bob wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in the world and feels like the Village is the center of New York and the world. One thing that he says has changed is the number of tourists he sees on the streets and the different languages he now hears. Bob finishes up by talking about the importance of live music, especially in New York.