The city’s rising cost of real estate and gentrification have forced some well-known music clubs to go silent. The Bottom Line, Wetlands, Fez, Tonic, and Sine-e are now gone. Mo Pitkins is the music scene’s latest casualty. While venues come and go, bands are always able to find new places to play. And, from jazz to rumba to rock and roll, there’s always an audience in New York City.

Paolo De Grigorio is the editor-in-chief and founder of the New York City music magazine, Deli. He joins us in our studio in Times Square to talk about new local bands and where you can hear them play.

Reporters: Tyler Mitter, Adeola Oladele, Jennifer Saavedra

According to a new study by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Washington, DC-based Urban Land Institute, New York City ranks as the top domestic market to watch in 2008 because of its strength. Although the city continues to have one of the tightest real estate markets in the country, some neighborhoods, such as Jamaica, Queens are being hit hard with foreclosures.

This week, we’re joined by John Goering, professor in the School of Public Affairs and Department of Real Estate at Baruch College.

Reporters: Emily Mayer, Megan McGibney, Cristiana Oliviera, Marlene Peralta

Over the next twenty years, the city predicts that one in every five New Yorkers will be 60 or older. This will be the first time in the city’s history that older New Yorkers will outnumber school age children. As New Yorkers are aging their lifestyles are changing. Online social networking and blogging are creating new internet neighborhoods.

This week our guests are Caryn Resnik, Deputy Commissioner at the city’s Department for the Aging and Susannah Fox, associate editor at the Pew Internet and American Life Project.

Producer: Khadijah Cole

Reporters: Abimbola Ishola, Anna Limontas-Salisbury

Related Links:

• New York City Department of Aging
• Meetup.com
• Ronni Bennett’s Blog
• Pew Internet & American Life Project

The US dollar has steadily depreciated against major currencies in the last five years. Recently, the decline has been even sharper. In early November, the US dollar hit its lowest level against the euro since that currency’s debut in 1999. The value of the British pound is the highest its been to the US dollar in 26 years.

Dr. Frank Braconi, Chief Economist at the City Comptroller’s Office, joins us in our studio in Times Square to discuss how the weaker dollar is affecting New Yorkers.

Producer: Sebastian Bednarski

Reporter: Vinita Singla

The number of hate crimes in the city this year has reached more than 200 — a 20% increase compared to the same period last year. More than half of hate crimes nationwide are based on the victim’s race, followed by religion and sexual orientation.

Dr. Basil Wilson, Professor in Residence at the CUNY Graduate Center’s Sociology Department and Mariela Palomino Herring, Assistant Queens District Attorney in charge of the office’s Gang Violence and Hate Crimes Unit, join us in our studios.

Producer: Chika Osaka

Reporters: Jego Armstrong, Djenny Passe-Rodriguez

On Sunday, November 4th, the city will host its annual ING New York City Marathon. More than 38,000 runners from over one hundred countries are expected to participate, including elite athletes and those running for charities.

Sam Grotewold, Manager of Professional Athletes for New York Road Runners, and elite runner, Caitlin O’Donnell Tormey, join us in our studio to discuss the intense preparation required to run a marathon competitively.
Producer: Jego Armstrong

Reporter: Steve Pacer

Reporting by Khadijah Cole

October and November are considered the best months to get a vaccination against influenza. Although the nasal spray is available, most New Yorkers who opt for the vaccine will get a needle in the arm. Dr. Jane R. Zucker, an assistant health commissioner for the city, joins us in our studio to discuss New York’s plan to ensure that 90% of its population over 65 gets the vaccine.

Producer: Megan Kelty

Reporters: Carolyn Nardiello, Laura Silver

Gym class and recess have become a shrinking part of the New York City public school curriculum over the last three decades. Our guests are Lori Rose Benson, the DOE’s Director of Fitness and Physical Education and Jean Harris, Assistant Professor of Health and Physical Education at Adelphi University. They join us to discuss the challenges that public schools face in meeting city’s guidelines.

Producer: Angela Hill
Reporters: Megan Kelty, Chika Osaka

Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s executive order will give all New Yorkers the opportunity to apply for state driver’s licenses without regard to immigration status. Immigrants are praising the measure, but critics say it presents national security issues. Baruch College professor and immigration lawyer Allan Wernick joins us in our studio.

Producer: Marlene Peralta
Reporting by Jego Armstrong and Sebastian Bednarski

He’s become as much a staple of the Union Square station as the L train: One-leg Chuck, the guitar-plucking, singing musician who provides the rush-hour soundtrack for many commuters.