55 years ago today it's Van Cliburn Day in New York City and WNYC covers the young Texan's triumphant return to America.Annotations: The NEH Preservation Project - Van Cliburn's Musical Diplomacy Eases Tense U.S.-Soviet.www.wnyc.orgTexas, Moscow, and New York meet in this extended coverage of Van Cliburn Day, May 20, 1958, after Cliburn's unexpected victory at the Tchaikovsky Competition.

Our thoughts are with those affected the recent tornadoes. We're watching the local live coverage from Moore, Oklahoma:

We're mapping your memories of the beach, from childhood to Sandy. Add your own:

A Brooklyn Surfer's Return to the RockawaysFrom WNYC's Know Your Neighbor series.

Today through July 1, you can share why your NYC branch library should win one of the five $10,000 awards as Brian Lehrer explores the issues facing public libraries today with a range of guests. Vote for your library today:

Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls. That's the title of David Sedaris's new book. He happens to be Leonard Lopate's guest today AND we happen to have his book available for a pledge of $100 to WNYC. Tune in, and then chip in to our spring pledge drive.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Tumblr users, what do you most fear will change in the Yahoo! acquisition? Leave a comment or call 855-8-MY-WNYC, we may use some of your comments on air.New Tech City Blog - In Boost for Silicon Alley, Yahoo to Buy Tumblr for $1.1BThe board of the long-faltering tech giant Yahoo has reportedly agreed to pay $1.1 billion for Tumblr, a New York-based social blogging platform with more than a hundred million blogs and a young, engaged user base. The deal might just make Yahoo hip again.

1-888-376-9692 - RIGHT NOW is the 2nd to last matching period during this spring pledge drive. Chip in if you haven't yet, and if you've already contributed - THANKS for your support.

Heard on WNYC today in 1965, women pilots get an earful of male bombast.Annotations: The NEH Preservation Project - Girls Who Fly: 1965 Angel Derby Pilots Are Told Sexism DThis Overseas Press Club conference is a reminder of the unfortunately routine institutionalized gender oppression in American industry. Featuring deft pilots in the Angel Derby, an all-female air race from New York to the Bahamas, this panel's male moderator and reporters dole out condescension and...

All of our Sunday programs are free of pledge messages today thanks to early contributions from listeners. THANKS for your support!

The trickle of network TV viewers that has been lost year over year became a sharp drop, nearly 20% of viewers in the 18-to-49 demographic. What do you think: Do you watch any network television shows?Studio 360 - Is Network TV Dead Yet?“Networks have lost the war for buzz and their stranglehold on pop culture.”

Weekend listeners - here's lookin' at you! Do you part and make a contribution to our spring pledge drive. You can snag our snazzy vintage map bag for a pledge of $5 a month.

Brooke talks with University of Chicago Law Professor Geoffrey Stone who says, unprecedented or not, the DOJ's actions this week were certainly legal.On The Media - Conservative Bloggers Vindicated, Advice for Leakers, and MoreSome vindication for conservative bloggers in the IRS scandal, advice for sources after the AP call-record seizure, the Bloomberg Terminal scandal, and what the people thought the newspaper industry would look like in the future.

71 years ago today over WNYC Mayor La Guradia delights in the NYPD smashing of pinball machines, among other things.Talk to the People - May 17, 1942This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate. From Municipal Archives catalog: Dimming of NYC lights, police raids on pin ball machines, helmets for police and air raid wardens. Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNY...

1-888-376-9692. Give us a call, make a donation in support of WNYC, and possibly win a new shiny Linus Limited Edition bike. If you haven't contributed to our spring pledge drive yet, whatya waitin' for?

Kirsten Gillibrand was on Brian Lehrer this morning talking about her proposed legislation to deal with the crisis on military sexual assault and fighting cuts to food stamps.Sen. Gillibrand: Military Justice; Food Stamps Cuts; Morewww.wnyc.org"Our bill is going to take the reporting and decision making out of the chain of command so victims can feel their case will be handled properly by a trained prosecutor."

QUESTION OF THE DAY: The NYPD has proposed encircling the WTC site with guard booths, vehicle barricades, and sidewalk barriers. Do you think the new WTC should be knit into Lower Manhattan or ringed with security?

Joe Nocera of the New York Times and Rana Foroohar of Time magazine weigh in on whether college is still worth the investment in this age of exorbitant tuition and skyrocketing debt.How Much is a College Education Really Worth?As higher education has gotten more expensive, total student debt has risen to more than a trillion dollars — second only to mortgage debt.

1-888-376-9692 - give us a call, make a donation, and feel good about supporting WNYC! (when you do it this morning, your contribution will be MATCHED dollar for dollar.)

A great summer jam should be hooky, escapist, and also great for blasting and belting along to—all qualities that turn up in this new song from the Brooklyn-based synth-pop duo Savoir Adore. Listen:

Comedian Jim Gaffigan on raising five children in a two-bedroom, five-story walk-up on the Bowery.Comedian Jim Gaffigan: Dad Is Fatwww.wnyc.orgGaffigan's new book, Dad Is Fat, is reminiscent of Bill Cosby’s Fatherhood, and is a humorous cry for help from a man who has realized he and his wife are outnumbered.

John Catsimatidis is super-rich, off-the-cuff, at times a little odd, and totally enmeshed in political life.Grocery Magnate Catsimatidis' Outsider, Establishment Campaignwww.wnyc.orgJohn Catsimatidis, best known as the owner of Gristides, is running a self-financed campaign for mayor. It has all the trappings of a quixotic, longshot bid — except he's got many friends in the political establishment.

A train service will be restored to the Rockaways on May 30.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: What will make for better viewing tonight, the Knicks game or the Scandal finale? Make your case. Leave a comment or call 855-8-MY-WNYC, we may use some of your comments on air.

Let's take a moment to daydream. What would you do with a $4000 gift certificate to Tekserve? Chip in to our spring pledge drive, and that dream could come true! (You don't have to contribute to win, but we sure hope you do!)

Today in 1955 WNYC's media maven Gilbert Seldes talks about popular songs and quotes Irving Berlin as saying he envies the success of "Yes We Have No Bananas."The Lively Arts - [Popular songs]www.wnyc.orgThis episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate. Seldes discusses popular songs. He calls this one of the less controversial lively arts. He notes, however, that recently "rock and roll" music has elicited some outcry because of…

As the inaugural class at Cornell NYC Tech wraps up its first semester, we checked in with the school's founding dean Dan Huttenlocher.Dean at Cornell NYC Tech Dishes on First SemesterWe find out the real-world skills stressed in the curriculum, the school's mission and what's being done to attract more women to the one-year program.

Did you know that Fred Armisen was in the Blue Man Group? Neither did we until he mentioned it to Alec Baldwin on this episode of Here's The Thing.Here's The Thing - Fred ArmisenArmisen has been a punk rock drummer, currently he’s a cast member on Saturday Night Live and is also the co-creator and co-star of IFC’s Portlandia.

Crank it up! It's Eton Radio day today, the second day of the Spring pledge drive. A $10/month contribution gets you this snazzy crank radio, which also doubles as a flashlight! THANKS for your support!

"The rise and fall of Billie Sol Estes was one of the sensations of the postwar era." New York Times obituaries editor, Bill McDonald, discussed Texas con man Billie Sol Estes on Brian Lehrer this morning. Listen:Ochs - Ballad of Billie Solwww.youtube.com"They voted him the best and the government did no less Until the I.O.U.'s of Texas fell on him..."

QUESTION OF THE DAY: "Mapping Manhattan" gave blank maps to New Yorkers, asking them to fill in their memories of the city. What’s the most important corner of the city in YOUR map? Leave a comment or call 855-8-MY-WNYC, we may use some of your comments on air.Micropolis: Mapping Love, Hate & Loss in Manhattanwww.wnyc.orgWhat would your map of the city look like?

A crowdsourcing project maps love, hate, and loss in Manhattan. wny.cc/13x2AiV

Our Data News team creates stellar maps - like this one showing how Sandy flooded our region. Listener support is what makes our Data News team and all the great reporting you hear on WNYC possible. It's our spring pledge drive and we're counting on your support! THANKS.

62 years ago today on WNYC the NYC Sanitation Department chief says the city's strongest are ready for an atomic attack.Report on Civil Defense - Achievements of the Sanitation DepartmentThis episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate. Wallander and Andrew W. Mulrain, Commissioner of the Department of Sanitation, talk about that Department's plan for civil defense. They are making preparations for first aid - per...

10,000 people have signed up for annual bike share memberships. Click "like" if you're one of them.With Two Weeks To Go Before Memorial Day Launch, NYC Bike Share Hits 10,000www.wnyc.orgThe DOT says that rate "greatly" exceeds the rate of registrations for any other bike share system.

Soundcheck (WNYC Radio) premiered a bizarre new music video today from Kansas indie rock band Hospital Ships. Check it out:

Oh, the places you can go! Snag this New York Times 36 Hours: 150 Weekends in the USA & Canada book with your contribution of $10 a month. VisitIf you're already a supporter, THANKS!

The Brian Lehrer Show talked to master plan architect of One World Trade Center, Daniel Libeskind, this morning about the spire reaching the symbolic height of 1776 feet.The Brian Lehrer Show - Master Planner Daniel Libeskindwww.wnyc.orgArchitect Daniel Libeskind, talks about the spire of One World Trade Center reaching the symbolic height of 1776 feet, one part of his Master Plan for the site.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: If you knew there was a high risk you would develop cancer, would you undergo a drastic procedure? Leave a comment or call 855-8-MY-WNYC. We may use some of your comments on air.Actress Angelina Jolie Shares Story Of Her Double Masectomywww.wnyc.orgJolie, 37, wants other women to hear of her decision. She chose to have the surgery after learning that she carries the BRCA1 gene. Studies show women with that gene have a much greater chance of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

"You shouldn’t be ignorant about something that controls the world pretty much." A student at The Academy for Software Engineering, a high school in Manhattan devoted to computer science.High School Students Train for Tech Jobswww.wnyc.orgMayor Michael Bloomberg has been pressing his idea of a "homegrown workforce" to feed New York City's tech industry, and it is one he is trying to foster in the city's public schools.

Mmmmm, coffee. You can get a can of WNYC's own special blend of Brooklyn Roasting coffee when you make a contribution at ANY level this morning:(After 10am, you can still get it, but for a pledge of $75.) THANKS for your support!WNYC, Everydaywww.youtube.comHave you had your big, hot, steaming cup of WNYC today?

Today in 1964 Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ali Bhutto talks to the Overseas Press Club about Kashmir, China and India. Listen to the WNYC broadcast and see what may have changed and what has not.Overseas Press Club - Zulfikar Ali Bhuttowww.wnyc.orgThis episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate. From card catalog: Foreign Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto discusses his nation's foreign policy and position in world affairs. He talks about the ideological basis of his nation and…

LIVE at 7PM ET: Watch "How to Be a Grown A$$ Woman," a radio pilot at The Greene Space.How to Be a Grown A$$ Womanwww.thegreenespace.orgDo you know where you're spending your money? Do you know how to get rid of unsightly pit stains? Do you own a set of wine glasses? Do you want to know how to be a grown up? What about being a grown-up lady?

The Minnesota Senate approved a gay marriage bill today, the governor's signature is expected tomorrow.

The city says improvements to the Gowanus Canal will be completed by the end of the year and will reduce storm water and sewage overflow by as much as 45%.NYC Says Improvements to Gowanus Done by End of Yearwww.wnyc.orgThe Gowanus Canal, a smelly polluted waterway in Brooklyn that's a designated superfund site, is soon to be substantially cleaner, according to city officials.

Alec Baldwin sits down with Elaine Stritch, who talks about her transition from the Sacret Heart Convent and finishing school to finding herself in the New York theater classes sitting between Walter Matthau and Marlon Brando.Here's The Thing - Elaine StritchThis week Alec sits down with Elaine Stritch, the veteran actress of stage and screen, who among many famous roles, played his mother Colleen Donaghy on 30 Rock.

Leslie Woodhead talked to Leonard Lopate today about how the music of the Beatles played a major role in waking up an entire generation of Soviet youth, opening their eyes to 70 years of bland official culture and rigid authoritarianism.

Our Spring fund drive kicks off tomorrow! Your contribution today can help us shorten the drive. Early donations have already helped to make Sunday pledge-free, let's do the same for Saturday.

Lindy West, Jezebel staff writer and author of How to Be a Person, talked to Brian Lehrer this morning about how you know you're a grown up. She's part of the "How to Be a Grown A$$ Woman" event tonight at The Greene Space, which you can attend or watch online.How You Know You're A Grown A$$ Womanwww.wnyc.orgKnow your checking account balance, stop apologizing, take care of your things...what else does it mean to be a grown up?

Question of the day: Parts of NJ Transit were down for months after Sandy, what advice would you give them to prevent that from happening during the next extreme weather event? Leave a comment or call 855-8-MY-WNYC.