Archive for August 12th, 2011
escaping forever
– photo by Mitch Waxman
There is just so much to do.
This weekend, as in Saturday the 13th, Forgotten-NY strides confidently into Long Island City for a walking tour of Hunters Point. The inestimable local historian Richard Melnick will be assisting the titan intellect called Kevin Walsh with narration and sartorial anecdote, and I will be scuttling around the crowd. Additionally, I did the photography which will appear in the complimentary tour booklet.
Address your clicking to this link for more information from forgotten-NY on the Hunters Point walking tour.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Last weekend, your humble narrator was onboard when Riverkeeper conveyed a nervous group of interested civilian observers into the languishing mists of the occluded Newtown Creek. Opportunities to explore the Creek like this are rare, even for those of working for the Newtown Creek Alliance (which is how I ended up on the boat), and hazardous to both physical and mental health. We explored several of the more malign tributaries of the great urban waterway in a small rowboat outfitted with an outboard motor, and experienced things that left all shaken.
Several hundred photos of the expedition will be made public and available for sorting and inspection within the next few days, and they will exhibit a level of environmental ruination -perhaps too terrible to live with- for those who would dare to look. Certain knowledge cannot be unlearned, after all, and for many- ignorance is preferable to living with such facts.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Additionally, efforts on behalf of the Working Harbor Committee continue as we ramp up to the Great North River Tugboat Race. Of course this event will be happening while the WHC “Hidden Harbor” schedule is underway.
The Hidden Harbor ticketed tours:
- Brooklyn: Detailed narration on and about the historic shoreline from Newtown Creek to the Gowanus Canal.
- Newark Bay: explore the industrial corridor of the harbor along the Kill Van Kull (aka “Tugboat Alley”) and witness Port Elizabeth Newark.
- North River: the Hudson, it’s former industrial might and bright future.
- Specialty tours like my own “Newtown Creek” tour, and the “Light Houses” tour.
- Other private events designed for the benefit of both students and Seniors.
The great North River Tugboat Race will be held on September 4th, and there are limited seats available on the Circle Line observer boat which will be pacing the action as best as it can manage. On Pier 84 (foot of west 44th street in Manhattan at the Hudson River) there will also be free events and fun, including a rope throwing contest, best sailor Tattoo, and a Spinach eating contest.
The Newtown Pentacle 