Rock-A-Way Ba-by  for  the  Sun-Set                              Wednesday, August 8,   6:00-8:00 PM

This walk, on and off the Rockaway “boardwalk,” connects two restaurants which overlook the Jamaica Bay side of the peninsula. We’ll convene at Thai Rock, 375 Beach 92 St, and end at The Wharf at 116 St for sunset views and drinks and/or bar food.  (Optionally, BYO, and enjoy the same view from adjacent Tribute Park!) If you haven’t been to Rockaway Park recently, the scene is changing beautifully.  Post-Sandy renovation has been completed. Surfers and young urbanites are patrons of all of this. Our walk will also include a bit of affluent Belle Harbor to the west and the evolving nature of Beach 116^thSt, the subway terminus. Come as early as you want and enjoy the sand and surf during the day. There are outdoor showers and you can change in the restrooms. Head to Thai Rock for Thai appetizers and/or drinks and views but be ready to depart at 6:00 PM for our walk. Getting to Thai Rock by A train/Broad Channel shuttle should take about 75 minutes from Times Square. The Q53 express bus begins at the LIRR station in Woodside and intersects many subway lines in Queens. It will get you there (exit first stop in Rockaway) in 30-60 minutes depending on where you board it. You can also drive. There are subway and bus connections between the restaurants although parking may be an issue. It is also possible to travel  by ferry from/to Wall St. see ferry schedule at https://www.ferry.nyc/routes-and-schedules/route/rockaway/   The tour is limited to 30 participants. The fee is $20, payable at the start of the tour. Registration required at jaconet@aol.com

Crossing Newtown Creek:  LIC  to  Greenpoint            Wednesday,  August 22,  5:30-7:30 PM

Meet outside the east exit of  the E,  M  train station at  Court Square  (23 St/44 Dr.) in Long Island City.  (#7 and G trains connect here as well.) Walk through a nexus of contemporary artists’ activity in converted industrial buildings.  Follow newly gentrified Jackson Ave. and cross the Pulaski Bridge connecting Long Island City to Brooklyn. See remnants of the intense and largely unregulated industrial development that thrived along Newtown Creek during the late nineteenth century before the consolidation of  Greater NYC and infrastructure improvements rendered it obsolete.  View the striking NYC DEP Wastewater Improvement Plant (“Digester Eggs”) and visit its adjacent Nature Trail in Greenpoint. Meander through partially gentrified working class blocks and end in a concentration of Polish food (among other cuisines.)  Fee $20  payable at start of tour. Maximum of 30 participants. Please register/query at jaconet@aol.com

My Childhood in Bayside (vs. What’s There Now) 
Saturday,  September 1,  2018  10:50 AM-1 PM 

I am leading a walk through old Bayside where I lived from 1943-1958. Most of the personal landmarks of my early life have vanished but there are threads of continuity and many anecdotes. Several sites have been designated as NYC landmarks: All Saints Episcopal Church, the Lawrence family graveyard and the Cobblestone house. When silent films were made in Queens, Bayside was home to many stars. Many brunch possibilities are in the area. Logistics for the tour link to the arrival of a reduced weekend fare (Buy a “Cityfare” ticket for $4.25.) LIRR train (leaves Penn Station at 10:19 AM with stops in Woodside and Flushing) arrives in Bayside at 10:47 AM. Fee $20 collected at the start of the tour.>Meet in front of the Post Office on the south side of the LIRR station  on 42 Ave,  just west of Bell Blvd. By bus: Q13 from Flushing to 42 Ave. Street parking available. Maximum of 30 participants. Please register/query at jaconet@aol.com