Today isn't just the day when we like to check in on our furry friends and see if they've got any thoughts on the weather. Even if our seal says different, today also happens to be the 358th anniversary of the incorporation of New Amsterdam (later New York, briefly New Orange and then New York again). So everybody, as you skate home from work tonight, do wish the old girl a good one. She certainly doesn't look her age. more ›

Here's a linktastic page that includes a pretty map of New Amsterdam circa 1660. It even depicts The Wall, which was dismantled by the Brits in 1699 — we now know that area, of course, as Wall Street, which formed the northern boundary of the New Amsterdam settlement. There's more history of the area back in the day from the folks at Inside the Apple; but we like to revert to the knowledge bestowed upon us by John and John. Ahem: "Even old New York was once New Amsterdam / Why they changed it I can't say / People just liked it better that way." [via our Dutch friend's Twitter] more ›

Television is coming back to life, with several shows (mainly on CBS) returning to the air this week with post-writers strike episodes. Amongst them, the comically inaccurate CSI: NY returns (Wednesday, 10:00 p.m., WCBS 2), with an investigation of a dead assassin found in a warehouse, no doubt filmed in someplace like Culver City. more ›

Canterbury's Law (Monday, 8:00 p.m., WNYW 5) From the creators of Rescue Me, Julianna Margulies stars as a defense attorney (she's also a producer). Her character is one of those win-at-all cost lawyers - in the premiere episode she is defending someone accused of killing a prominent Rhode Island family's child. more ›

Fox’s New Amsterdam (Tuesday, 9:00 p.m., WNYW 5) sounds like a mashup of Pocahontas and Forever Knight, but with out the animation or the vampires. The story for this new series starts in 1642 when a Dutch soldier (Danish import Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) saves a Native American girl and is given the gift/curse of immortality and not ageing until he finds his true love. Fast forward to today and that soldier is now NYPD homicide detective John Amsterdam, who now has to deal with a new partner (British import Zuleikha Robinson). more ›

New Amsterdam Public’s Jill Slater and Robert LaValva have organized a one-day test run of a public market at the old Fulton Fish space. Called the Wintermarket, the event is part of the non-profit group’s proposal to create a dedicated market in the Seaport space, which these days makes so much sense that it almost hurts, what with everyone talking about grass-fed this and raw milk that. The concept of sustainable food has no value... more ›

In 1656, Peter Stuyvesant proposed the creation of a public market for the city. As New York has changed, several marketplaces have existed, each creating a community hub as well as access to fresh food. Establishing a permanent home for a new market with breads, handmade cheeses, locally grown produce, fish, and meat is the goal of Robert LaValva and Jill Slater, the founders of New Amsterdam Public. LaValva and Slater seek to revitalize a... more ›

A 19th century Greek revival building on Pearl Street – the road that formed the oyster shell strewn border of New Amsterdam in the 17th century – will soon be torn down, according to the A.P. The former warehouse at 213 Pearl was built in 1831 and was integral to what Ric Burns calls “the first district in the world devoted exclusively to commerce.” Once the city approves the permit, demolition could start as early... more ›

Back in March of 2003, Mayor Bloomberg opened up the City Hall Academy at the Tweed Courthouse. The school offered two-weeks "residencies" for students, giving them an "inter-disciplinary approach" to learn about NYC and its history. Mayor Bloomberg, who made education reform one of the cornerstone of his mayoral platform (it's a big part of his "national" persona, too!), had said, "The opening of City Hall Academy demonstrates our commitment to excellence, achievement, and innovation in the public school system. City Hall Academy will provide New York City children and their teachers a unique opportunity to study and participate in the cultural and historical fabric of the City.” more ›

As recently discussed here and there, a group of scientists have tried to predict how more frequent flooding--induced by global climate change--could affect New York City. more ›

Right now on South 4th Street in Williamsburg (between Bedford and Driggs) - there's some filming going on, for what looks like a bigger production. Anyone know what it could be? more ›

The Villager is reporting that the Greenwich Village Society of Historic Preservation last week submitted a report calling for the creation of a South Village Historic District. Comprised of 38 blocks and about 800 buildings, it would be the city’s first tenement-based district. more ›

Port Authority 9:45am, by Travis Ruse. more ›

Today is Historical Map day at Gothamist-- starting with this great map of the Manhattan Coastline from PBS' Center of the World show. Check out how skinny Manhattan was back in the 1650s! Doesn't it look exactly like South America? We haven't been able to track down any New Amsterdam Google Map Mashups, so we've had to hit the archives: check out the maps at Fordham's library, this cute tour of New Netherland, and our all-time favorite map of New Amsterdam. Does anyone else have any good historic Manhattan maps links? more ›

Sundays in August are apparently Real Estate days at the New York Times. Not that we're complaining, since today actually has two pretty good stories (and neither in the real Real Estate section!). more ›

Jon Bloostein, Owner Heartland Brewery and Spanky's BBQ more ›

With protesters downtown marching to their hearts content, members of the Republican National Convention were watching Broadway shows, with plenty of protection from the NYPD. Hours before delegates were to leave a NY Times sponsored screening of The Lion King, demonstrators, police, and busses were outside the New Amsterdam Theater. Republicans all over New York? New Amsterdam indeed. more ›

Jeffrey Abramson, Gen Art more ›

Christina Ray & Dave Mandl, Psy.Geo.Conflux more ›

Maccers, Fembot more ›