Category Archives: The Arts and Entertainment

What makes life worth living? The visual arts, books, music, dance, theater and film.

All Good Things…

There’s an old expression: “all good things must come to an end.”  Oy Vey Rockaway, too. I am bidding adieu to my five-year-old blog on the third anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, which was such a monumental event in my life, … Continue reading

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The High Bridge Beats the High Line for History

There’s a new alternative venue for strolling, people-watching and getting your “history buzz”–the High Bridge connecting Upper Manhattan to the Bronx has been re-opened for the first time in over 40 years! What a nice jaunt it is to cross … Continue reading

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Too Many Tastes of Rockaway Beach? Walk it Off This Weekend…

The Taste of Rockaway Beach event gets better with each repetition.  Not just the food, but the fun vibe of it all–locals out for a beautiful Saturday stroll, mingling with brand new entrepreneurs at places like Rockaway Roasters–a new local … Continue reading

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2015–Year of the Taco–Again?

I guess you could say it started with that bridge, which connected the borough of Queens to the island of Manhattan and points west in 1909. The zenith was reached last week, when the world’s largest travel guide publisher, Lonely … Continue reading

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Past and Future Tents in the Rockaways

9/4/14 UPDATE: Camp Rockaway achieved its Kickstarter funding and will be showing off a model tent on Saturday, September 6, 2014, from noon to 5 p.m., at Beach 92 and Holland Avenue in Rockaway Beach.  The public is invited to … Continue reading

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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

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A Year Later–and Yes, We’re Still Here

  More than a year after nature’s damaging blow to the peninsula, I continue my peripatetic existence, traveling back and forth between New York’s upstate and downstate counties. Peripatetic is really the right word, hearkening back to the wandering teachers … Continue reading

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Rock-Rock Rockaway Bard

As these beastly hot days of summer arrive, some residents have decided to walk away– for now, or forever.  Rent a U-Haul and drag it all behind.  Others have sought out counselors from Project Hope.  Many of us talk incessantly … Continue reading

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Thanks to Aunt Abby Ryder

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

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

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