Author Archives: rockviv

About rockviv

You've entered the cyber-locale of Vivian Rattay Carter, a grant writer employed by Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation in The South Bronx. I've lived and worked in the New York metro area since 1979, in diverse places like Astoria and Rockaway Beach (Queens), Kensington and Windsor Terrace (Brooklyn), Grand Street and Tribeca (Manhattan), and Norwood, Woodlawn, and Riverdale (The Bronx). I treasure the amazing parks, architecture, and cultural institutions of our multicultural city, as well as the musicians and music lovers who enjoy congregating here.

Remember the Ouija Board?

Posted on January 29, 2013 by rockviv

Here’s undoubtedly THE biggest news since Superstorm Sandy hit on October 29, 2012: The first new FEMA flood maps in 25 years were issued yesterday. For a summary on the new maps and stunning photos, check out the Jan. 28, … Continue reading →

Posted in New York City Government, New York State Government, Planet Earth, The Built World, The Land We Share, U.S. Government, Water and waterways | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Floor Space Only, as Beach Rebuild Plans Aired at CB 14

Posted on January 10, 2013 by rockviv

I bet that former New York City Parks Commissioner Robert Moses (a fitness maven himself) would have enjoyed the scene. It resembled a gym class at the still-closed Beach Channel High School, except that there were adults in the floor … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Government-Rockaway Peninsula & Broad Channel, New York City Government | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Should We Stick Our Heads in the Sand?

Posted on December 28, 2012 by rockviv

We just lived through “the big one.” Hurricane Sandy was a more dangerous and destructive storm than 1962’s Hurricane Donna, and in terms of property damage, it far eclipsed the deadly 1938 Long Island Express, which catapulted a 30-foot-high wave … Continue reading →

Posted in New York City Government, Planet Earth, The Built World, The Land We Share, U.S. Government, Water and waterways | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

We Demanded the Sand–but THIS is Ridiculous!

Posted on November 15, 2012 by rockviv

Rock Viv is back! I survived Hurricane Sandy, which struck the Northeast coast of the United States at about 9 p.m. on Monday, October 29.  I sent a panicked text message to a friend a few minutes later that said: … Continue reading →

Posted in Planet Earth, The Land We Share, Water and waterways | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Are You Better Off Than You Were in 1974?

Posted on October 26, 2012 by rockviv

Things have changed a lot in the past eight years. In October, 2004, I stood in front of my class of sixth graders at Channel View School for Research to teach a lesson on the skill of persuasive speaking–the literacy … Continue reading →

Posted in Business and Economics, Creatures of the Planet (Non-Human), New York City Government, Planet Earth, Water and waterways | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Celebrate Book Month by Rattling the Skeletons in Rockaway’s Closet!

Posted on September 28, 2012 by rockviv

The Rockaway Peninsula is a land of mystery.  Did you ever wonder why we have a yacht club without a dock, and a graffiti-covered concrete box perched on a deserted stretch of bay front beach? And why there is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Government-Rockaway Peninsula & Broad Channel, New York City Government, The Built World, The Land We Share, The World of Human Beings | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Thanks to Aunt Abby Ryder

Posted on August 29, 2012 by rockviv

The summer media campaign for my book, Images of America: Rockaway Beach, closes on a high note, thanks to Aunt Abby’s historic bayfront clam chowder house.  Today’s New York Times Dining Section features an article and photo spread, “Where Pirates Can Dock … Continue reading →

Posted in Business and Economics, Jamaica Bay, The Arts and Entertainment, Water and waterways | 4 Comments

Starbucks Arrives on the Rock, In a Way

Posted on July 25, 2012 by rockviv

Somehow, they are getting to the peninsula—those ubiquitous Starbucks coffee cups.  The $6 Joe can’t be purchased locally, but we have become a “privileged” repository of the brand’s classy paper receptacles, and trash of various other kinds.  Everyone’s starting to … Continue reading →

Posted in Creatures of the Planet (Non-Human), piping plovers, The Land We Share | Tagged , | 4 Comments

“We Used to Vacation” and Other Lost Summer Rituals

Posted on July 3, 2012 by rockviv

I headed into the kitchen for my morning coffee, and flicked on the radio.  A song recorded by The Cold War Kids was on, called We Used to Vacation. A great lost summer ritual. In the past week, I’ve been … Continue reading →

Posted in Business and Economics, The Arts and Entertainment, The World of Human Beings | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Avoid the Lines, Buy Images of America: Rockaway Beach, Early!

Posted on June 1, 2012 by rockviv

So you’d like to be one of the first to own a signed copy of Images of America: Rockaway Beach, my new book published on June 4 by Arcadia.   The kickoff event was at Ciro’s Pastry Shop, 415 Beach 129 Street … Continue reading →

Posted in The Arts and Entertainment, The World of Human Beings | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment