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Margot Adler Margot Adler is a NPR correspondent based in NPR's New York Bureau. Her reports can be heard regularly on All Things Considered, Morning Edition and Weekend Edition.
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NYC Labor Chorus Tries To Hit Right Note, Attract New Voices

The New York City Labor Chorus performs in 2011 at the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in Old Havana. Courtesy of NYCLC hide caption

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Courtesy of NYCLC

National

NYC Labor Chorus Tries To Hit Right Note, Attract New Voices

The New York City Labor Chorus has been singing the tune of unions and workers for more than 20 years. Now, with numbers of union membership decreasing, can the group carry a tune and message that will draw a new generation of singers?

NYC Labor Chorus Tries To Hit Right Note, Attract New Voices

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For Longtime Central Park Birder, Walks 'Heightened Joys Of Life'

Starr Saphir, seen here at an HBO event in New York's Central Park last year, died Tuesday. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images/HBO hide caption

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Michael Loccisano/Getty Images/HBO

Obituaries

For Longtime Central Park Birder, Walks 'Heightened Joys Of Life'

Legendary birder Starr Saphir died this week after an 11-year battle with breast cancer. She led walks in New York's Central Park for some 30 years and enriched many lives. She was 73.

For Longtime Central Park Birder, Walks 'Heightened Joys Of Life'

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Federal Aid For Religious Institutions In Murky Waters After Sandy

Torahs are draped on chairs and tables at Temple Israel of Long Beach, N.Y. The synagogue was flooded during Superstorm Sandy, but hasn't received federal aid. Temple Israel hide caption

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Temple Israel

Superstorm Sandy: Before, During And Beyond

Federal Aid For Religious Institutions In Murky Waters After Sandy

Houses of worship are still trying to recover from the damage done by the superstorm last fall. The government has encouraged them to apply for aid, but it's not clear whether they'll qualify. For some, even disaster relief would break down the boundary between "church and state."

Federal Aid For Religious Institutions In Murky Waters After Sandy

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In Lower Manhattan, Sandy Still Keeping Businesses Dark

People walk past a closed business affected by Hurricane Sandy in the heavily damaged South Street Seaport in New York City in December. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Superstorm Sandy: Before, During And Beyond

In Lower Manhattan, Sandy Still Keeping Businesses Dark

Almost three months after Superstorm Sandy, parts of lower Manhattan are limping along to recovery. More than 20 large buildings are without power, and many businesses remain closed and boarded up. Even businesses that are open are struggling without the old foot traffic.

In Lower Manhattan, Sandy Still Keeping Businesses Dark

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World

U.N. Agency Watches Out For Domestic Workers

The International Labor Organization, the U.N. agency that deals with labor issues, has released a report on the growing number of domestic workers around the globe, and their lack of legal and worker protections. There are almost 53 million domestic workers and 83 percent are women. They have often been ignored by policy makers.

U.N. Agency Watches Out For Domestic Workers

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National

New York's Times Square Preps For Marquee New Year's Event

The New Year's celebration in Times Square in New York is well known, but it actually takes a year of planning. As the event nears, preparations are intense, and it's not just the infamous ball; there are balloons to blow up, confetti to fluff and there's even a place for people to write their wishes on pieces of confetti that will be dropped from seven buildings in the area. With half a billion Chinese watching, and millions in Latin America, it's a worldwide celebration.

New York's Times Square Preps For Marquee New Year's Event

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Pulling Together, Newtown Celebrates Holiday 'As Best We Can'

Mourners put decorations on a Christmas tree, part of a memorial in Newtown, Conn. Holiday greetings, toys and cards have flowed into the town, and some residents say the community feels closer-knit since the shooting. Zhang Chuanshi /Xinhua/Landov hide caption

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Zhang Chuanshi /Xinhua/Landov

Shootings In Newtown, Conn.

Pulling Together, Newtown Celebrates Holiday 'As Best We Can'

Shopkeepers say Saturday was the first day people resumed Christmas shopping in Newtown, Conn., since the school shootings. Some locals say the community feels closer since the tragedy, and the post office is being inundated with thousands of holiday greetings, gifts and messages of support from around the world.

Pulling Together, Newtown Celebrates Holiday 'As Best We Can'

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Free Toy Shop Brings Cheer To Sandy's Displaced Families

Each FEMA-registered family with kids can pick out toys at the volunteer-run Staten Island store. Margot Adler/NPR hide caption

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Superstorm Sandy: Before, During And Beyond

Free Toy Shop Brings Cheer To Sandy's Displaced Families

Many Staten Island residents are still not back in their homes since Sandy washed ashore. Local volunteers have opened a toy store where FEMA-registered families with children can pick up donated toys, holiday decorations and stocking stuffers. Thus far, the shop has given away more than 2,000 toys.

Free Toy Shop Brings Cheer To Sandy's Displaced Families

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Arts & Life

Letters From 'Peanuts' Creator Reveal Bittersweet Romance

On Friday, Sotheby's is putting up for auction 44 letters and 35 drawings Charles Schulz gave to a young woman he was courting. Schulz, 48, wrote Tracey Claudius, 25, poignant, funny, even innocent notes in pictures and words, often using Charlie Brown to stand in for himself.

Letters From 'Peanuts' Creator Reveal Bittersweet Romance

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Superstorm Sandy: Before, During And Beyond

Post-Sandy, Newly Unemployed Struggle To Stay Afloat

While the storm did not influence the nation's jobless figures as much as expected, there are still thousands of people who are unemployed in Sandy's wake. Many businesses on the East Coast are still making repairs or have closed entirely, leaving many families in limbo.

Post-Sandy, Newly Unemployed Struggle To Stay Afloat

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Mystery On Fifth Avenue: A Constant Line Outside Abercrombie & Fitch

A model at the front entrance to the Abercrombie & Fitch flagship store in New York City. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

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The Two-Way

Mystery On Fifth Avenue: A Constant Line Outside Abercrombie & Fitch

For years, shoppers in Manhattan's Fifth Avenue have lined up in front the store everyday before it opens. The question is why.

Mystery On Fifth Avenue: A Constant Line Outside Abercrombie & Fitch

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Latin America

Far From Mexico, Students Try Saving Aztec Language

The descendant of the ancient Aztec language is one of many endangered indigenous languages. Although there may still be a million speakers of Nahuatl, it is not being transmitted to a new generation. But there is an attempt to revive Nahuatl in New York City, and students eager to connect to their heritage are taking classes.

Far From Mexico, Students Try Saving Aztec Language

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Business

N.Y. Fast-Food Workers Strike For Better Wages

Fast-food workers staged protests Thursday at restaurants in New York. The workers said their low wages need to be raised. But with the economy still slow, restaurant managers are determined to hold down labor costs so they can offer dollar foods.

N.Y. Fast-Food Workers Strike For Better Wages

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National

Social Security Numbers Found In Parade Confetti

While watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, a college student noticed that the confetti dropping on him and his friends had easy-to-see personal information. Most if it was from the Nassau Long Island Police Department and included Social Security numbers, names of police, and even information about Mitt Romney's motorcade. The Nassau Police Department says it's investigating.

Social Security Numbers Found In Parade Confetti

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Thousands Of Trees Gone, Ripped Out By Sandy

Ken Chaya created a map that charts every single tree in New York's Central Park. He stands next to one of the thousands of trees uprooted by Sandy. Margot Adler/NPR hide caption

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Superstorm Sandy: Before, During And Beyond

Thousands Of Trees Gone, Ripped Out By Sandy

Nearly 10,000 trees in New York City — many healthy and hefty — were lost to the winds of Superstorm Sandy. Natural scenery aside, they affect the environmental quality of the city.

Thousands Of Trees Gone, Ripped Out By Sandy

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