NYC Books & Walking Tours

Walking Tours Summer 2021

Yes there was a firehouse on Governors Island. Part of the history of the Island we talk about on the tour. For the ultimate deep-dive into the history of New York’s greatest public park, take the Secrets of Governors Island Walking Tour led by Kevin C. Fitzpatrick, author of The Governors Island Explorer’s Guide. This is the first and only guide book for the Island (and it’s the book all the…

Divers Seek Cannonballs In Waters Around Island

Photo by Hector Mosley, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers currently has divers seeking cannonballs and whatever else is in the waters around Governors Island. There are three acres of underwater areas that are being searched this month. We reported on a 2012 discovery that brought the NYPDto the Island. The report was shared this week by the public…

Walking Tours Return on Fridays

Tour

We are all happy that Governors Island is open for its 16th public season. For the second year in a row, it opened on May 1. It will remain open until October 31. This season the Trust For Governors Island is debuting a new ferry, which should help cut down on waiting times to the Battery Maritime Building.

Walking tours have also resumed. These are held on most Fridays of the season,…

Proposed South Island Development. On September 26 I attended a public hearing on the phased development of Governors Island South Island Development Zones. It was held by the city and the Trust For Governors Island get public feedback on the planned rezoning of the South End of the Island for use by hotels, conference center, dormitories, university, technology center, and other purposes. All of…

Episode 10: Bar Maven Sean Murphy

On episode 10 of Joanna & Kevin’s Big Show our guest is Sean Murphy, the longtime proprietor of Murphguide.com. Murph has been tracking and keeping tabs on New York bars for more than 20 years. We chat about the changing nature of bar culture, places to go out that he recommends, and what trends he sees. We also get the lowdown on comedy clubs. Murph is a champion for bars and we love him for it.…

Cocktail Book Talk on a Rooftop

The professor is in. Photo by Christina Fitzpatrick.Last night I got the opportunity to do something I’ve not done in a couple of years. I didn’t know how much I missed it until I actually was doing it. This was a quick book talk about Under the Table: A Dorothy Parker Cocktail Guide, which was my third book and was published five years ago.

Our financial planner, Steve Gross of Ameriprise,…

Episode 9: Mae West Fest

On episode 9 of Joanna & Kevin’s Big Show we chat with Michele Gouveia, the producer of Mae West Fest. Michele is a writer, photographer, and blogger. Mae West Fest is August 17-19 and 25-26 in New York. It’s a celebration of the legendary screen star Mae West, born and raised in Brooklyn 125 years ago. Michele talks about the festival and Mae’s status as a pioneer in the entertainment business.…

Francine Simmons and Jo Holliday at The Lambs. On episode 8 of Joanna & Kevin’s Big Show we sit down with fashion designer Francine Simmons. She has been working in the industry in New York for 20 years. We find out about what the business is like today, how Francine navigated the industry to get to do what she loves, and how fashion has changed over time. Plus she gives a style overview of what…

On episode 7 of Joanna & Kevin’s Big Show we talk about how Joanna Holliday finished up in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. It didn’t go according to her plan, but she learned a lot, met great people, and is focused on the future. This is the show where Jo explains how a poker player thinks. Next episode it’s back to NYC. Thanks for listening!

John Purroy Mitchel in Same League as Washington & Hamilton

John Purroy Mitchel, in wool U.S. Army shirt, circa 1918. July 6 is the centennial of the tragic death of John Purroy Mitchel, Mayor of New York City and U.S. Army officer in World War I. His life is well documentedbut there is one fact I’m still working on. I believe that only George Washington and Alexander Hamilton have more monuments and memorials in New York City than Mitchel. If this is in…

Episode 5: Actress Kaley Ronayne

Kaley, Kevin, Joanna at The Lambs. This week our guest is Kaley Ronayne, a New York City based actress. Kaley has appeared on numerous TV series, including Gotham, Quarry, Nashville, NCIS, and Chicago P.D.In this episode, Kaley tells us what it’s like working in New York today, the differences between being in Los Angeles and Manhattan as an actor, and standing up for herself. Kaley is just one…

Podcast Episode 4 with Billy the Artist

The first guest on our show is Billy The Artist, Billy Miller. On episode 4 of Joanna and Kevin’s Big Show, we welcome Billy. He’s been a resident of the East Village since 1990 and has had his work exhibited around the world. Some of the brands he’s worked with are Swatch, Toyota, and Vans. His murals are in the Bronx, Harlem, and…

Interview on Thirteen about 1920s Writers

For the Great American Read in New York, PBS WNET Thirteen interviewed me at the Algonquin Hotel to talk about the 1920s literary scene in the city. The show is part of the Metrofocus series. I spoke about the history of the Algonquin Round Table and the many writers and friends who gathered at the landmark hotel.

Next year, 2019,…

Podcast Episode 3: Tipping & Hustling

Kevin and Joanna on the roof of The Lambs. We have now recorded three episodes of Joanna and Kevin’s Big Show. Episode 3 was recorded live at The Lambsonce more. We get into tipping do’s and don’ts with Jo Holliday, who’s been behind the bar for 24 years and knows the game. How much should you slap down? In Kevin Fitzpatrick’s segment, we talk about side hustles. Everybody has one, and in Kevin’s…

Episode 2 of Joanna and Kevin’s Big Show Podcast

Joanna & Kevin’s Big ShowThe first episode went so well, we now have a new one for Joanna and Kevin’s Big Show.

In this second episode, Jo Holliday starts to get into “poker shape” and prepare for the World Series of Poker. She’s not drinking while working in a dive bar; and reveals the mental aspect in poker.

Kevin Fitzpatrick talks about his World War I book and promoting the book during the…

August 18 Governors Island Railroad Day

Governors Island Railroad Celebrate the Centennial of the Governors Island Railroad, called the “shortest railway in the world.” Visit the Governors Island National Monument on Saturday, August 18, for free talks and tour of where the Railroad once ran from 1917-1931.

The events will be held at Castle Williams, on Governors Island.

The U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps on Fort Jay operated the 8…