Posts categorized as Queens

I recently visited the newly opened Far Rockaway Library, and it was such a wonderful experience that I have to share it with you. The modern, pyramid-shaped building sits at the corner of Central and Mott Ave., standing out against the hodgepodge of storefronts that line the street. It’s especially striking if you’re familiar with the area—you can really sense its impact. The building features vibrant yellow and gold ombre tones with graphic, organic line drawings from top to bottom. Combined with reflections of the surrounding buildings and passersby on […]

I headed to Bushwick a few weeks ago with a car full of Rockaway people. Our friends Jairo and Gio were playing at Alphaville. The parking situation wasn’t looking good. Bobby in the back seat points, “Over there, on your right!” I responded, “Eh no, there’s a Johnny pump.” Heads turned and they all looked deeply confused.” Realizing my besties had no clue what a Johnny pump is made me sad. I continued to search for parking, simultaneously ruminating on how estranged this made me feel. I thought “Johnny pump” […]

Last week, I felt uneasy about my column on chives, given all that’s going on. I needed some time to process. I ended up rewriting this column for this week three times. It just doesn’t feel okay for me to write about gardening or cooking right now. Our whole nation is in crisis. The killing of George Floyd on May 25th and the conversation about the resulting protests for justice and equality has entered every household in America, including mine. These hard discussions often take place around the dinner table. […]

Since my column last week “Inspiration Online And Art At Home,” I’ve noticed even more creativity (and weirdness) on the web. We’ve adapted so quickly to our new social world and work lives, now held virtually…  it’s pretty amazing. One of the best examples of this is what my friend Ed McKenna is doing. He’s a Breezy guy. I met Ed through my husband. They’ve played in some great bands together over the years. Ed, better known to his students as Mr. Ed, is a special education music teacher.  A […]

At The Wave, the art department has a long-standing tradition of ordering split pea soup for breakfast on Thursdays. And it must be from The Restaurant. Our former office was just across the street from the luncheonette, located in the shopping center at 8605 Rockaway Beach Blvd.  Veteran graphic designer Janette Rappo would pick up the soups for everyone, taking the headcount the night before. But I never thought to partake. After all, pea soup for breakfast? While we’re enjoying the new amenities on Beach 129th Street, the designers have […]

As I mentioned last week, I want to elaborate on a few more edible plants I discovered at Fort Tilden while on a walking tour with naturalist, and Northern Eastern forager expert Wildman Steve Brill.* Barbarea (Wintercress or Yellow Rocket).  We stumbled upon a low growing plant in a rosette formation. Brill directed us to tear a leaf and he asked what flavor it reminds us of. I thought it tasted spicy. Someone blurted out, mustard. “Correct!” Brill said with excitement, “This native edible is an Herbaceous plant (herb or […]

I get bus anxiety. I suppose it stems from my limited riding experience. To put it in perspective, I got my driver’s permit at 16 years old and was cruising myself and my friends all over Long Island by the age of 17. My father would gas up “my” car every few days for those 11 years (not joking) until I moved out of the house at age 26. I never pumped gas before that. And even then, living in Ridgewood, Queens, I had wheels. My father upgraded his Hyundai […]

Photo courtesy of Tim Hill. Previously published in THE WAVE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE I met Kerry and Jeanne of the O’toole family and Patty Shea last summer as they were walking down my block, all smiles. Turns out, at one time, it was their block too. We had a thriving community back in the day on 91st St.” Jeanne tells me. I was excited to meet these new friends, learning of their lives lived from the 60’s through the mid 90’s, on the same street that I now call home […]

Yesterday I was fulfilling my roll as The Desperate Housewife of Rockaway Beach. I was doing laundry, cleaning and I needed to go food shopping. I stepped outside to check on Baby Biff Ball and Obama when I realized how beautiful it was outside! I dropped everything and made a bee-line for the beach. Here are photos from my day. Shoes on beach don’t happen to often. This seems like the work of Whit or Keone? I brought back a treat for the cats! They liked playing with it (Cookie and Lefty […]

Here’s Part 2 of the garden build out. As I mentioned in my previous post, Cousin Lesley and I worked together on the design of the garden. I explained to her what I envisioned – an organic feel, lots of color, and blooms all season. I needed a path to access the water source on the side of the house. And of course, It was essential to have The Virgin Mother incorporated in a prominent location. Lesley and I both agreed on choosing plants that would thrive in a coastal landscape, which in turn would support the native ecosystems in […]