2013 New York City Marathon

Today, the New York City Marathon returned after a one-year hiatus. About 50,000 runners from all over the world raced through five boroughs and passed cheering crowds. Fans again packed the 26.2-mile course. Last year's marathon was canceled because of the devastation of Superstorm Sandy. Security was heightened this time after the bombings at April's Boston Marathon. 

First Avenue Street Fair

The Street Fair and Festival season has begun, and today, it's on First Avenue from 68th to 79th Street. Every warm-weather weekend brings multiple street fairs that offer opportunities to explore new neighborhoods, sample different kinds of food and drinks, and browse for bargains for clothing, accessories, plants and household gadgets.

Cacophonous City

This is First Avenue, captured last year when I took the Roosevelt Island Tram for the first time. According to researchers from Columbia University, Manhattan's noisiest spots were along the city's truck routes including First Avenue above 14th Street. Since there are several hospitals in this area of the Upper Eastside, the noise from ambulance sirens contributes to the problem. The research findings showed that the noise levels in different sites in Manhattan were above 70 decibels, which are enough to cause hearing loss over time. The results of these studies are released today as part of the International Conference on Urban Health at the New York Academy of Medicine.

"The Noise Of New York" video from squared9

"Sounds of the City" video from jenellecleary