Category Archives: Meet Your Fellow Man
Archipelago in Queens – Tour Broad Channel in October
Over the years, I have repeatedly expressed my admiration for the community of Broad Channel, a picturesque village perched on three land masses in the middle of Jamaica Bay–Big Egg Marsh, Rulers Bar Hassock and Black Wall Marsh. Until the … Continue reading
Amtrak Casualty Zemser Excelled in Every Way
By Vivian Rattay Carter I did not know him as a midshipman, that dashing 20-year-old in dress whites whose image began flashing across the tv screen on the evening of May 13. I knew Justin Zemser as a very bright, … Continue reading
People Marching (and Standing) for Something
Well, at least you can call it a victory in this sense–410,000 people in New York City were NOT watching football on Sunday afternoon. With apologies to my family and friends in Pittsburgh and Indianapolis–I must say, that’s something I would celebrate! … Continue reading
Death of the Last True Hero: Goodbye, Pete Seeger
His aura was exceptional. His voice had failed years ago, but that aura remained. Few can render an old-time folk song these days without attracting snickers. Pete never needed to worry–he practically perfected that musical genre in his lifetime. If … Continue reading
In Praise of WFUV
One of my favorite cause buttons carries a simple message: “The best things in life aren’t things.” A fixture of my life these days is non-commercial radio and television, where I now get much of my news, entertainment and creative … Continue reading
Tourists in Our Own Town
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
Where Have All the Flowers Gone?
I couldn’t resist featuring the stunning hydrangeas of Rockaway Park in the header photo this week. These bushes are located in the gardens that surround the apartment building at the north end of Memorial Circle (Rock. Beach Blvd. between Beach … Continue reading
Got Activism? Clearwater Festival 2011 Breaks Records
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
Mailboxes are not Bulletin Boards. Street Trees Belong to Us All. Norman Rockwell’s Paintings Do Not.
Home values are affected by many factors. Exclusive zoning is critical, and a tidy-looking, tree-shaded street scene contributes value to all the homes located on a particular block. When I was looking for a new apartment six months ago, the outdoor … Continue reading
Red Hook to GWB or Bust! Hudson River Sloop Clearwater’s 2010 Pumpkin Sail
The group’s tagline is: “Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders.” You can say that again! Since its maiden voyage in 1969, the 106-foot long Hudson River Sloop Clearwater has welcomed aboard more than half a million young people and hundreds of … Continue reading
Oy Vey Rockaway 