Between the Bridges in Broad Channel
By: Peter J. Mahon
“Where residents track tidal charts the way horseracing fans scour the daily racing form.”
The community of Broad Channel is unique among the myriad of other neighborhoods that exist within New York City. Nestled within the 18,000 acre wetland estuary of Jamaica Bay and isolated from the mainland, life in our community is inextricably and deeply intertwined with our environment. Hurricanes; tropical storms; nor’easters; storm surge; coastal flooding; tidal street flooding; sea level rise; global cooling; global warming; climate change and ground subsidence are terms we are all intimately acquainted with. Reporter Lisa L. Colangelo of the N.Y. Daily News once described Broad Channel as a community “…where residents track tidal charts the way horseracing fans scour the daily racing form.”
Speaking of tides, there will be a full moon this Sunday August 10th accompanied by some exceptionally high tides (tidal heights of 6.9 to 7.1 feet) during the period of Saturday, August 9th through Tuesday, August 12th. If you routinely park in an area that is prone to tidal flooding, make sure your car is parked somewhere high and dry so it doesn’t inadvertently become a killie trap during these spring tides.
Hurricane season runs from June to November and this season has already spawned two storms (Arthur and Bertha) which have both, thankfully, tracked away from us well out into the Atlantic. That being said, now is not the time to get complacent. Keep in mind that historically the period of mid-August through mid-September is the most active part of our annual hurricane season as weather conditions and warm water temps provide fertile grounds for increased storm development.
On Saturday, August 16th, from 2-6 pm, the Broad Channel V.F.W. Prince-Wynn Post 260 will host yet another Summer of 2014 BBQopen to all. ($20 adult...$10 children...kids 4 and under can sneak in for free!) If you have yet to attend one of these events, mark this date on your calendar and try to make it. By mid-August, the summer heat will have returned! Imagine sitting in the Post yard at an umbrella shaded table with your friends and neighbors looking out across Jamaica Bay at the Manhattan skyline with an ice cold draft beer or soft drink in one hand and a hamburger or hot dog with all the fixings in the other. It just doesn't get any better than that and all proceeds go to benefit our veterans!
Mardi Gras 2014 continues….Stop by Ruffle Bar in Broad Channel Friday evening, August 8th at 9pm and with a nominal cover fee of $5, enjoy the live music from Mr. Big Deal! Did I mention that Ruffle Bar now serves frozen libations? Yes - I have mentioned for 3 weeks in a row so get over to Ruflfe Bar and check it out, you won't be sorry.
Did you know that the American Littoral Society promotes the study and conservation of marine life and habitat, protects the coast from harm, and empowers others to do the same. The Society’s Jamaica Bay Chapter serves as the eyes and ears on the waters that surround our home here in the middle of Jamaica Bay. It is headed up by one of Broad Channel’s own, Don Riepe. Don and his group are presently engaged in an effort to restore the freshwater West Pond in the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Preserve which was breached by Super Storm Sandy. To find out more about this organization, to get involved or perhaps even join as a member, visit their website at www.littoralsociety.org.
Broad Channel – Why would anyone want to live anywhere else? See y’all next week.
Contact info: email: rtbetweenthebridges@gmail.com or call: 374-226-1293
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