Category Archives: Water and waterways

Oceans, rivers, streams, lakes, bays and inlets. We know you can no longer drink from them, but can you safely swim in them? Pretty, or potty?

Got Activism? Clearwater Festival 2011 Breaks Records

Posted on June 22, 2011 by rockviv

They say that rot is rampant in the social fabric, and all the heroes have died. A decade ago, columnist Russell Baker commented aptly that the few American heroes left in sports, politics and business all “came down with terminal … Continue reading →

Posted in Meet Your Fellow Man, New York State Government, Philosophy, Religion and Philanthropy, Planet Earth, The Arts and Entertainment, The Land We Share, Water and waterways | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The Long Gray Weather Has Ended…”

Posted on May 28, 2011 by rockviv

God our creator and redeemer, we marvel at the beauty that surrounds us. The long gray weather has ended.  The sky is blue now, the sand is golden and the ocean is a sparkling green. The faces here today are … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Religion and Philanthropy, Water and waterways | Tagged , | 2 Comments

A House of Cards Faces Into the Winds of Jamaica Bay

Posted on April 12, 2011 by rockviv

Our elected officials are waiting.  They are watching.  I firmly believe they are looking to hear and see us at all of these meetings.  Some just don’t seem to care, but it behooves us to express our opinions to those who do. The Jamaica … Continue reading →

Posted in Business and Economics, New York City Government, New York State Government, Planet Earth, The Built World, The Land We Share, U.S. Government, Water and waterways | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Shifting Sands and Strong Foundations

Posted on April 4, 2011 by rockviv

Sometimes, I close my eyes and try to imagine what Rockaway must have been like in 1858.  When there were less than a dozen homes on the peninsula, and land was valued only for the salt hay it produced.  If … Continue reading →

Posted in Business and Economics, New York City Government, The Built World, The Land We Share, Water and waterways | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sinners and Saints–Your Choice This Week!

Posted on March 14, 2011 by rockviv

In case you’re not a fan of beer drinking, here’s a novel way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day—by reading a great book about the history of Ireland. “How The Irish Saved Civilization,” the first title in Thomas Cahill’s “Hinges of … Continue reading →

Posted in Business and Economics, Local Government-Rockaway Peninsula & Broad Channel, New York City Government, New York State Government, Philosophy, Religion and Philanthropy, The Arts and Entertainment, The Built World, The Land We Share, U.S. Government, Water and waterways | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I Love MY Gateway!

Posted on February 14, 2011 by rockviv

Happy Valentine’s Day to my friends, neighbors and family!  These days, non-committed relationships are all the rage, and the terminology we use in our social interactions seems to be focused on mutual fulfillment, supporting one another, and every euphemism in the book as an alternative to … Continue reading →

Posted in Creatures of the Planet (Non-Human), The Land We Share, U.S. Government, Water and waterways | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Oy Vey, JFK!

Posted on January 27, 2011 by rockviv

As I write, the regional planning honchos are joining together at a conference in Lower Manhattan to debate the future of our local airports–to be specific, JFK…and Jamaica Bay.  A foot of snow may have delayed the breakfast portion of … Continue reading →

Posted in Air, Business and Economics, Creatures of the Planet (Non-Human), New York City Government, New York State Government, Planet Earth, The Built World, The Land We Share, U.S. Government, Water and waterways | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

The Vandalia Dunes Are Gone–Is Four Sparrow Marsh the Next to Go?

Posted on January 14, 2011 by rockviv

Frankly, I’m shocked about the new stores being proposed for just north of the Flatbush Avenue exit of the Belt Parkway, near Toys R’ Us.  However, members of Community Board 18 in Brooklyn have “warmed” to the idea, according to Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal.  I’m sure … Continue reading →

Posted in Business and Economics, Creatures of the Planet (Non-Human), New York City Government, The Land We Share, Water and waterways | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Round One–NYC Waterfront Advocates Dispute Rockaway’s Claim to “Sixth Borough” Title

Posted on December 1, 2010 by rockviv

I did not attend the waterfront conference in Manhattan yesterday, sponsored by Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance.  For those of us in the contingent work force, that would be rough.  What I earn each week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday pays the rent.  However, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business and Economics, New York City Government, Water and waterways | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Oy Vey, Jamaica Bay!

Posted on November 13, 2010 by rockviv

Nothing like a Hunter’s Moon setting over Jamaica Bay.  Except, perhaps, that same moon setting over the marsh islands of Jamaica Bay, restored to some semblance of their natural, 18th-century beauty.  Verdant with native Spartina grasses, not choked with reedy phragmites (the bellwether of distressed marshes), … Continue reading →

Posted in Creatures of the Planet (Non-Human), U.S. Government, Water and waterways | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment