Category Archives: The Built World
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
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
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
With Apologies to Gordon Lightfoot…
Jill Weber, administrator of Rockaway Parks, recently retired from that position, to work for Hempstead, Long Island parks. She will be greatly missed. The timing of her departure is somewhat unfortunate. In my opinion, Jill ranked very near the top … Continue reading
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
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
A Ferry Nice World, Long Ago
I often try to imagine a world without cars, and vintage maps are helpful. This week, I am gazing at two examples–(1) the Beers 1886 map of Central Rockaway Beach, New York and (2) a sepia drawing of Staten Island as it appeared from … Continue reading
Jane’s Walk 2014: Fifth Avenue of the Peninsula, Beach 116th Street and Rockaway Park Into the New Century
At the turn of the century, only ten streets of hundreds on the Rockaway Peninsula were numbered—and Fifth Avenue (now known as Beach 116 Street) was one of those ten streets. The City of New York, which replaced the Town … Continue reading
Again, We Celebrate the Earth!
It’s Earth Day–April 22, 2013. The planet and its creatures continue to fascinate. The past half year began by wowing millions with the wind, waves, and fires of Superstorm Sandy. It’s continuing to impress on us the extremes of cruelty that can be caused by humans wielding not only assault … Continue reading
Is the Mailbox About to Become Obsolete?
It used to be the largest employer in the United States. Until Walmart began its explosive growth in the late 1990’s, the U.S. Postal Service, with a workforce of over a half-million (and, incidentally, the largest motor fleet in the … Continue reading
Oy Vey Rockaway 