Posts categorized as Community

The success of the Beach 91st Street Community Gardens’ art show last Saturday, featuring works by Clare Hilger, was beyond my expectations! So many neighbors and friends came to support us, to view and purchase artwork and enjoy the garden space. We had people in and out all day! I met a few neighbors that I never knew before and some mentioned how they’ve always walked by and wanted to come in. That makes me truly happy because community gardens should have a community impact and I feel we accomplished […]

I’m excited to share that the community garden I am a part of is hosting an art show / fundraiser! It will be held this Saturday (tomorrow!) Sept. 18, from 1-5pm at the Beach 91st Street Community Garden (beach block). The artworks of Clare Hilger will be featured. All are welcome to view/purchase art and enjoy the garden space. Clare many of you may know, as she holds the position of Secretary on the Executive Board of the Rockaway Beach Civic Association. Or you’ve met her at community stewardship events […]

The NYC Curbside Composting Program halted during the pandemic due to funding issues. This past April, Earth Day 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the city will resume this vital service in the Fall. But there’s a catch. The new version of the compost program is based on an “opt-in,” first come, process. This means, renters, homeowners and landlords need to register for consideration. The zip codes with the most people registered receive priority. And unfortunately, not all communities are eligible for the program. It’s unclear whether neighborhoods with low registration will get service […]

I only eat sweets during the holidays when it’s right in front of my face (or rather, my mouth). But the other night, I had a very rare, intense craving for ice cream.  I kept debating internally if I should run out to see if Mara’s Ice Cream Parlor was still open. I texted my husband – If he wanted to go, I’d go. I thought about getting a pint at Key Food but if I was going to eat ice cream calories, I wanted the whole shebang. Matt responded. […]

There’s been a lot of talk around town about those gelatinous blobs floating in the water up at Riis Park and elsewhere. A couple of weeks back I was swimming with friends and they were suspended in every inch of the water close to shore. It felt weird against our skin but that didn’t deter our swim. Although it’s all we could talk about as we were bobbing around, trying to cool off in the water. Our first thought was baby jellyfish. But that just seemed too simple. And the […]

I turn around. I’m standing on the picnic table bench and I look back. There’s at least 500 people at Rippers . So many that they’ve stretched out the width of the boardwalk, from the building to the sand and a secondary crowd hanging out on the ramp near Dayton. I knew so many of them. Last Saturday night everyone was there to see the Wild Yaks record release show. Band members Jose Aybar, Rob Bryn, Martin Cartagena, Gio Kincade, Patsy Carroll, and Matt Walsh recorded Live at Rippers on Saint Ripper’s Day on […]

I feel overwhelmed by the masses coming to Rockaway the past few weeks. Last summer it was calm in comparison, due to the pandemic. The garbage, the parking situation, and the dunes problem have been upsetting. Before I scare you off though, I’d like to say,  I’m not using this forum to complain. This is not Facebook!  I’ve been thinking about it and I want to share some of the positives I came across relating to these local issues. The Garbage: A few Mondays ago I went down to the beach […]

It’s growing season in the Beach 91st Street Community Garden. Two weeks ago we had our first group clean-up/workday. It was wonderful to see my neighbors that I haven’t spoken to all winter and to meet a few newbies to Rockaway that are now a part of our garden. We overturned our beds, added compost, and weeded. Many gardeners’ kale overwintered, and the plants bolted with flora. The bees were loving the bright yellow flowers that reached two feet tall! Lucy (center) and Riva, (right) several years Back. Lucy won […]

I saw Rockaway Rod walking his dog on the boardwalk. He waved and smiled at me. His hair was in full Rod Stewart form. That is a good sign! Spring is here and the kids are in the skate park with the bluetooths blasting. Friends are on the beach with blankets and boards. The boardwalk was crowded over the weekend with people walking, biking and enjoying the warmer temperatures. I started cleaning up my front garden. My daylilies are breaking through the soil. The crocuses have sprung in the Beach […]

I took a dip in the ocean last Sunday. As one would guess, it was quite cold. The temperature read 41 degrees. It was windy. I loved it. Artist Riitta Ikonen is the organizer of Sea Changes, the Rockaway winter swim initiative I participated in. Sea Changes is part of a global program curated by FLOCK to connect friends, family, community and strangers during our global pause. It is offered with support from the arts and cultural organization, Nordic Culture Fund and Nordic Culture Point, a cultural arts grant program. The FLOCK website reads: “Ikonen […]