New York

F.Y.I.

Which Famous Actor Hustled Chess Games in New York City?

Here’s looking at that pawn, kid. Answering questions about Bogart and chess, and the redwood atop city buildings.

By STEVE BELL and TAMMY La GORCE

Bookshelf

Gilded Gift-Giving: The City That Leaps From the Page

New books to give as holiday gifts, on subjects like the 19th century’s golden era, offbeat sites along the waterfront and architectural landmarks and historic districts.

By SAM ROBERTS

Works in Progress

An Eclectic Holiday Mix That for Decades Has Skipped the Cheese

Bill Adler, a fixture of the New York music industry, has compiled a CD of seasonal songs, including soul, R&B;, jazz and much more, annually since 1982.

By HELENE STAPINSKI

Slide Show

New York Police Vehicles Through the Ages

The Smart Fortwo is the latest in a long line of vehicles to join the New York Police Department’s fleet. Here is a small sample of ones from the 20th century.

Character Study

New York’s Noises? It’s Music to Her

For Elena Kowalsky, a pianist who plays Bach and Led Zeppelin, her rare ability to recognize musical tones turns the cacophony of the city into music.

By COREY KILGANNON

Sunday Routine

How Jessica Lappin, an Advocate for Lower Manhattan, Spends Her Sundays

Aside from her run in Central Park, Ms. Lappin, the president of the Alliance for Downtown New York, spends most of her time with her husband and sons.

By JULIE SATOW

Big City

Lessons on Rebelling, From the 1980s

The power structure of the Reagan years, and the age of AIDS, gave artists and activists something to rebel against.

By GINIA BELLAFANTE