*By Samantha Errico*
During a visit to New York's Governors Island, filmmaker Kristi Jacobson was was inspired by a group of high school students who were restoring the harbor with an unlikely natural resource: oysters.
So she set out to capture their efforts in a film, which eventually became "Take Back the Harbor," a documentary that chronicles the work of community volunteers, environmental specialists, and New York's Harbor School to preserve local waterways.
According to Jacobson, she wanted to produce a film that explored "the role we played in destroying our planet, but more importantly, how we can work together to begin rebuilding and restoring," she told Cheddar.
Along the way, she met Pete Malinowski, executive director of the Billion Oyster Project, an initiative that aims to "change the relationship New Yorkers have with the natural resources," Malinowski told Cheddar. He added that the New York Harbor School is the only public school in the United States that has an American Academy of Underwater Sciences certification program.
Oysters have a stabilizing and restorative effect on waterways; one oyster alone can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, according to [Discovery](https://twitter.com/Discovery/status/1074733522655608832).
"Take Back The Harbor" premiered Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. EST on Discovery.
Ahead of National Dog Day on Saturday, Alina Hauptman from Best Friends Animal Society joined Cheddar News to discuss adopting a dog from a shelter and what the organization is doing to help pets that have survived the Maui fires.
Jack Dunn, bartender at Great Jones Distilling Co. in Manhattan, spoke with Cheddar News about the history of the whiskey sour and the process involved in making it.
Today is National Whiskey Sour Day and Cheddar News is celebrating! Michelle Castillo spoke with Celina Perez, head distiller at Great Jones Distilling Co. in Manhattan, to discuss how the business got started with a state-of-the-art operation and the process involved in making their fine whiskey drinks.
After decades in the ring, a Connecticut man is celebrating after obtaining his first boxing title, thanks to his wife who had a personal battle of her own and guided him.
A Jersey Shore man has painted sea shells -- nearly 500 of them -- to raise awareness around epilepsy that have traveled as far as Asia and Australia.
Joe Biden and Donald Trump are the most likely nominees for the 2024 presidential election, but you won't see many new books about either this fall. A Barnes & Noble official says there's “an exhaustion of interest" in political titles right now, even in books about Trump, Biden's immediate predecessor in the White House.
Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte goes on sale Thursday in the U.S. and Canada, as it does each year when the nights start getting longer and the fall winds gather.
Wondering what to watch this weekend? This week we have a wacky combo of a bat mitzvah battle, Jake Paul, and a weird medieval podcast.
A man in Georgia set a Guinness World Record for having the most Batman memorabilia.
Cheddar News explores how you can enjoy a more affordable getaway while staying local. The TWA Hotel at JFK Airport in New York City offers a day getaway with convenience and nostalgia as added ingredients.
