The Octagon Tower on Roosevelt Island in Manhattan was the city’s first municipal insane asylum. Today it’s a proud ruin, having survived partial demolition, fire and abandonment. And in a novel approach, the tower has been preserved in its dilapidated state. A reminder of its haunted history.
Note: I reported on this story for WNYC TV in the late 1990s.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
This time of year, when the relieved earth shrugs off stale dirt and dead leaves, it pauses, recalling. Then, as it lets out a long, low breath, it slowly releases moisture, a glut of color. Everything is growing.
But only for a spell, for soon enough the earth will turn, and then the relentless heat will shrivel these green thirsty things, and the ground will grow hard, and withdraw again.
Click here: 
to listen (2:40 minutes).
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
A small house on Staten Island tells the tale of the friendship between Guiseppe Garibaldi, the famed Italian revolutionary, and Antonio Meucci, a candle maker who just might have invented the telephone. Take a tour of the Garibaldi Meucci Museum with WNYC’s Jenny Attiyeh, on ThoughtCast!
Click here to listen!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
This archival WNYC TV “Cultural Minute” takes a tour of the Steinway Store in Midtown Manhattan — which, unlike so many traditional city landmarks, is still in business. Watch to see how these famous pianos are actually built!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
At the Modern Art Foundry in Astoria Queens, workers restore the Neptune Fountain, which was missing its hands, an arm and a foot. The statue, which spouted water in Snug Harbor on Staten Island, has been returned to its former home. Watch how these expert craftsmen brought it back to life!
Note: This program was broadcast in the mid 1990s on the PBS station, WNYC.
Click here to listen!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Watch the shooting of the Law and Order episode “Blood Libel” from its 6th season.
The famous show featured Sam Waterston as Executive Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy, Jerry Orbach as Senior Detective Lennie Briscoe, Jill Hennessy as Assistant District Attorney Claire Kincaid, Benjamin Bratt as Junior Detective Rey Curtis, S. Epatha Merkerson as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren and Steven Hill as District Attorney Adam Schiff.
This story was originally broadcast on WNYC TV.
Click here to listen!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
An ideaspace for authors, academics and intellectuals, hosted by Jenny Attiyeh.
(read on ...)
