Category Archives: Business and Economics

Splitting up the Proverbial “Pie.”

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

“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

Inspired at the Laundromat

Posted on March 8, 2012 by rockviv

There they go again!  The unsung elves of our cherished local Rockaway Artists’Alliance have toiled to create inspiring public art in some of the most unexpected places.  Discovering this kind of public art adds to the offbeat joy of living … Continue reading →

Posted in Business and Economics, The Arts and Entertainment, The Built World, The World of Human Beings | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Tourists in Our Own Town

Posted on October 16, 2011 by rockviv

You’re almost at your destination when you see the first person walking down the block sporting a long, furry tail.  You are within walking distance of a ‘comic-con,’ those wildly popular, so-called ‘geek conventions’ dedicated to comics, graphic novels, anime, … Continue reading →

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

H2O, Gerrymandering and Socialists in Archie Bunker Land

Posted on September 10, 2011 by rockviv

I’ll never forget the words of the engineer who inspected the Belle Harbor home our family was about to buy, in the spring of 1994. “The number one enemy of your home is water,” he said.  Do everything you can … Continue reading →

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

Is Independence a Fiction in Bloombergville?

Posted on July 4, 2011 by rockviv

Independence Day is one of those American holidays celebrated with disparate emotions among the populace.  Are you part of the investor class or a wage earner?  Wage earners live for the weekends, particularly the three-day ones.  Those of us who … Continue reading →

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

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

Oy Vey, U.S.A.!

Posted on February 27, 2011 by rockviv

Let’s face it–this Wisconsin controversy is pretty important, and something called “The American Dream Rally” sounded intriguing to me.  It was set for Saturday, February 26 in City Hall Park, near my favorite old stomping grounds in Lower Manhattan. So … Continue reading →

Posted in Business and Economics, Philosophy, Religion and Philanthropy, U.S. Government | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments