Category Archives: The Built World

Architecture and structures of all types–where we live, learn, play and work.

Remember the Ouija Board?

Posted on January 29, 2013 by rockviv

Here’s undoubtedly THE biggest news since Superstorm Sandy hit on October 29, 2012: The first new FEMA flood maps in 25 years were issued yesterday. For a summary on the new maps and stunning photos, check out the Jan. 28, … Continue reading →

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

Should We Stick Our Heads in the Sand?

Posted on December 28, 2012 by rockviv

We just lived through “the big one.” Hurricane Sandy was a more dangerous and destructive storm than 1962’s Hurricane Donna, and in terms of property damage, it far eclipsed the deadly 1938 Long Island Express, which catapulted a 30-foot-high wave … Continue reading →

Posted in New York City Government, Planet Earth, The Built World, The Land We Share, U.S. Government, Water and waterways | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Celebrate Book Month by Rattling the Skeletons in Rockaway’s Closet!

Posted on September 28, 2012 by rockviv

The Rockaway Peninsula is a land of mystery.  Did you ever wonder why we have a yacht club without a dock, and a graffiti-covered concrete box perched on a deserted stretch of bay front beach? And why there is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Government-Rockaway Peninsula & Broad Channel, New York City Government, The Built World, The Land We Share, The World of Human Beings | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

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

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

A Paean to Irene

Posted on August 29, 2011 by rockviv

That Hurricane Irene was some bi-polar storm! Carefree teens tubing down the Saw Mill River Parkway on Sunday afternoon contrasted with kayakers in distress pulled from the Hudson River on Saturday night.  The mood of the city swung like a … Continue reading →

Posted in The Built World, The Land We Share, 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, JFK!

Posted on January 27, 2011 by rockviv

As I write, the regional planning honchos are joining together at a conference in Lower Manhattan to debate the future of our local airports–to be specific, JFK…and Jamaica Bay.  A foot of snow may have delayed the breakfast portion of … Continue reading →

Posted in Air, Business and Economics, Creatures of the Planet (Non-Human), New York City Government, New York State Government, Planet Earth, The Built World, The Land We Share, U.S. Government, Water and waterways | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments