Category Archives: The World of Human Beings

We don’t know why we’re here. Let’s make the best of it.

“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

Lilacs and Forgotten Homesites

Posted on May 16, 2011 by rockviv

Sadly, the lilac season is coming to a close. In her 1959 book, Plants That Changed the World, author Bertha S. Dodge cited the lilac as an example of plants that serve as place markers for people.  She noted that … Continue reading →

Posted in The Land We Share, The World of Human Beings | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Greening of Rockaway Beach

Posted on May 9, 2011 by rockviv

The first really warm and sunny weekend of the year brought folks of all ages out for some great activities in Rockaway Beach on Saturday, May 7. It started at 8 a.m., with a “topsoil fest” at the Beach 91 … Continue reading →

Posted in Creatures of the Planet (Non-Human), The Land We Share, The World of Human Beings | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

The Next Decade–Down the Staircase

Posted on May 3, 2011 by rockviv

We’ve completed the mission to remove Osama Bin Laden from atop the world’s terrorist watch list.  The hatred and cruelty of his Al Qaeda followers who orchestrated the terrifying events of September 11, 2001 will never be forgotten. I will … Continue reading →

Posted in New York City Government, New York State Government, Planet Earth, The World of Human Beings, U.S. Government | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Won’t You Marry ME, Will?

Posted on April 23, 2011 by rockviv

The press was agog this week about soon-to-be-royal Kate’s trousseau shopping expedition–to (gasp) a discount store!  There were even photos of three modest frocks she purchased for the honeymoon, all priced in the $100 range.  Since Prince William’s mom, Princess Diana, was married in a dress that cost … Continue reading →

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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

In the Still of a Cold Rockaway Night, Oldies Bid Goodbye

Posted on March 27, 2011 by rockviv

The Five Satins did not appear.  But their standard, “In the Still of the Night,” showed up twice.  The audience at Beach Channel High School’s 18th Anniversary Doo Wop Spectacular on Saturday, March 26, heard one version of the song from Manhattan Skyline, … Continue reading →

Posted in The Arts and Entertainment | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

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

One 5K Race, One Parade, One Beer

Posted on March 5, 2011 by rockviv

In the category of “only in Rockaway,” St. Patrick’s Parade Day this year featured a 5k running race on the boardwalk, starting at 9:45 a.m., with an after-party at Connolly’s on Beach 95 Street.  One free Guinness on tap was … Continue reading →

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