The Rockaway Times | THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018 by Mike Kurov

VOL. 4, NO. 40 - THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

SHOWSTOPPER!

116th Eyesore in Contract See Page 3

Page 2

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

The Rockaway Times

Egg-cellent Progress at Madelaine Chocolate By Rosemary McGuire

Estee Farber, director of sales and marketing, strains her delicate voice to rise above the cacophony of machines pounding out Madelaine Chocolate’s signature treats. She gestures to the newest, massive addition at the factory; a massive, sophisticated, computerized chocolate molding line capable of filling and molding 30-50,000 pounds of chocolate per day. It wasn’t always this way. Six

years ago, Hurricane Sandy devastated all 200,000 square feet of Madelaine’s buildings—the equivalent of three-and-a-half NFL football fields—between Beach 96th and Beach 97th Streets. Fifty million dollars in losses reported. They’ve come a long way since then. And although Madelaine’s rebirth is slow and steady and not yet back to pre-hurricane production, they’re picking up the tempo, producing a total of about four to five million pounds of chocolate goodies annually and have since re-hired approximately 250 employees. High above Farber’s head, 100 feet of piping snakes across the ceilings. This, she says is their system for moving chocolate throughout the facility to one of the seven production rooms, otherwise known as “kitchens.” In each kitchen, faithful employees take their posts. What’s intriguing about Madelaine Chocolate Company is that many employees average more than 20 years on the job. Take Mariella Roig, for example. She spent her last 42 years at Madelaine’s. “I started here as a single young woman, got mar-

er bunnies, ranging from one to 24 ounces in white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate. Variety abounds: there’s plain, crispy, caramel or peanut butter filled eggs galore. Longstemmed chocolate roses, large and small bags of chocolate chicks, and chocolate spring pansies to name a few. When asked about her favorite item, Farber replied, “Mine is the hazelnut truffle. I asked the same question to my father (president and CEO) and he can’t choose a favorite because he loves them all!” Non-Easter items are for sale as well. Miniature chocolate baby shoes and celebratory cigars in pink and blue are sold to commemorate a birth, and for a sporting event or birthday party for a little athlete, they offer bite-sized soccer, golf, baseball, football and basketballs. And what about Madelaine? Ever wonder who she was? Well, here’s a fun fact. No such person exists. The name was cherry-picked for the quality Estee Farber, director of sales and marketing pictured with long time employee, and sophistication it exudes, Clifford Jean Batiste. just like the confections they ried, had a child, and became a tory and store, it’s hard to miss produce. widow all while working here. the vibrant spring-colored This is my home,” she said. And foils used to wrap the goodies. now her daughter calls it home Farber says they’ve been using as well, recently joining in the the same Italian foil company for the last 40 years. “Quality is customer service department. For the past 69 years, Mad- something we never comproelaine’s family prides itself on mise on,” Farber said. “Our rebeing a good old-fashioned lationship with our suppliers is American family business. “It that they know our standard of all started with my grandfather, quality. We don’t settle for less.” Henry Kaye and my great-uncle, She points to her foils, noting the (his brother-in-law), Jack Gold,” brilliant coloring on both sides, Farber said. “Now many of my remarking that some competirelatives, cousins and second tors use single-sided foil, which can ‘look cheap.’ Certainly not cousins work here too.” Clifford Jean Batiste, a 26-year Madelaine-worthy. As one shopper filling her basNearby, a machine hums, veteran at Madelaine’s, keeps his eyes on the gigantic ma- churning out thousands of ket at the store remarked, “This chine in front of him popping chocolate eggs to a rhythmic chocolate? It’s outstanding.” Madelaine’s retail store, loout perfectly formed rounds of beat, with the exactness of a chocolates. With precision and well-choreographed ballet. The cated on Beach 95th Street and balance, he carefully transfers final curtain however, is not a Rockaway Freeway, is open to each tray of freshly made con- bow of a dance troupe, but fine- the public Monday through fections from the moving belt, ly crafted pieces of chocolatey Friday from. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and stacks them onto a table deliciousness. Two million eggs from Halloween through Mothbeside him, acutely aware that per day, in fact, according to er’s Day. All products are cerall it takes is one jerky move- president and CEO, Jorge Far- tified Kosher by the Orthodox Union. ment for his tower of treats to ber. Craving more chocolate yumHop over to their retail store topple. Here Batiste oversees the finished molds before they on Beach 95th Street and you miness? Check out Madelaine’s find the shelves lined with hun- Facebook page, blog and follow continue to the foiling room. Wandering around the fac- dreds of dazzling eggs and East- them on Twitter.

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Page 3

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

SHOWSTOPPER â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Theater In Contract By Kevin Boyle

Michael Konig, owner of the long-vacant and deteriorating theater on Beach 116th Street, called The Rockaway Times to confirm the property is in contract and should officially change hands within 60 days. Konig said he was not at liberty to speak on behalf of the buyers but said they are â&#x20AC;&#x153;good buyers and will do something good. People will be happy.â&#x20AC;? Records indicate Konig has signed the contract to sell to an entity called 148 Beach 116 LLC. Konig would not reveal the purchase price but a few years back, before it was for sale, he suggested the property was worth around $6 million. When asked if the selling price was â&#x20AC;&#x153;north of six millionâ&#x20AC;? he laughed and said he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to comment. The abandoned theater is directly across the street from the new condos and mixed use building being developed by The Marcal Group, which purchased the old Beach Club property for

$5 million. Construction at that site is underway. Konig said the string of vacant stores between the theater and the boardwalk, which included the Sand Bar, is another property likely to change hands. Those stores are technically part of the same property as the Park Inn Adult Home on the boardwalk but can be split off for a separate sale.

In addition to the sale of the theater, the Park Inn facility will be transformed into an assisted living residence and will undergo a complete overhaul, inside and out, according to Konig. He said such work should commence within six months. Konig, who developed a luxury property, The Regency, on Central Avenue in Lawrence,

claims he had hoped to develop the theater himself through the years but â&#x20AC;&#x153;various obstaclesâ&#x20AC;? kept him from doing so. The theater had been closed since the 1970s although it sprang to life for a brief period in the late 1990s when a community theater, pasta restaurant, and the first home of the Rockaway Artists Alliance occupied various spots in the space. Mostly, the theater has long been an eyesore that nearby merchants and residents have complained about to no avail. The building was seen as an impediment to positive change for what many consider Rockawayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main commercial strip. That seems like its about to change. With an investment of multi-millions, the buyers are likely to demolish the theater and develop the property that measures 200 x 80 feet and is zoned for commercial and residential use. The sale of the theater, the new condos, and the planned overhaul of the Park Inn signal the most dramatic change for the street in decades.

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__________________________ THE ROCKAWAY TIMES is published every Thursday by Double Nickel LLC, 114-04 Beach Channel Drive, Rockaway Park, NY 11694. Send address changes to The Rockaway Times, 114-04 Beach Channel Drive, Rockaway Park, NY 11694. Ad space reservations by Monday, 12 noon, preceding date of publication. Editorial submission must be made by Monday, 3 P.M., preceding date of publication. All letters to THE ROCKAWAY TIMES should be brief and are subject to editing. Writers should include a full address and home / office telephone number. Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without permission of THE ROCKAWAY TIMES. The publisher will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to THE ROCKAWAY TIMES within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. THE ROCKAWAY TIMES assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold THE ROCKAWAY TIMES and its employees harmless from all costs, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement. © 2015 Double Nickel LLC.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

SOUTHERN COMFORT You always hear how people are so friendly in the south. That’s because they’re surrounded by comfort food. Comfort food, for you hardcore vegans and micro and nano dieters, is defined as food that provides consolation or a feeling of well-being. Generally, such food is packed with sugar and carbs and you never, ever, count the calories. If you did, that would make you uncomfortable. And besides, you can tell yourself, I’m burning most of the calories with all this chewing. Some say comfort food is associated with nostalgia or home cooking. I don’t know. In the south, if people are eating comfort food for nostalgia then they’re only looking back to the day before.

I’m not being featured in any Bowflex commercials (well, maybe in the Before pictures) and I confess to having worn pants with expandable waists (good at cocktail hours!). I’ve put on husky pants and people have ridiculed me for wearing skinny jeans. But in the south I feel like somebody’s gonna take my picture and put me in National Geographic to show, the world how malnourished northern Yankees are. While on a quick getaway (yea, I missed the latest nor’easter) to Myrtle Beach, I’ve been called darlin’, hon’, and sweetie. I looked over my shoulder each time to see if they were talking to me. I tried to hide my surprise when I realized they were really talking to me. Their pleasantness had to be a direct result of having just recently made themselves comfortable with carbs. I swear on a stack of waffles there are three pancake hous-

es within a hundred yards of each other on a street in Myrtle. And a fourth one is a block away. In the south, you drive to each. I’m pretty sure these friendly southerners bar hop at night and IHOP in the morning. Who knew? Drinking and pancakes are the keys to happiness. Of course, not everyone is a breakfast person. No worries, they’ve got plenty of barbecue and biscuit places to provide comfort. There’s a place here that serves all kinds of burgers including one covered in Doritos. Not kidding. And they’ve got something called an OMG Burger. Can you imagine what’s on a burger in the south to call it an OMG (Oh My God)? Yes, if you try, you can find healthy options, like seafood. But usually it’s only offered at all-you-can eat buffets. The thing is, I could easily get into this comfortable way of eating. I’d have to do some

training to get up to the OMG but I’d be surrounded by support teams. What’s not to like? The weather’s nice, the people are nice. I should stay. But I can’t. I gotta go home. Bummer. Now I have to talk myself into all the things I don’t like to make going back easier. I hate the long red lights they have here. And there are too many golf courses. Too many friendly exchanges — what’s wrong with these people? I work up so much disdain for the place and people I start to feel bad. I go to Pancake Paradise to make myself feel better. Works like a charm. I’m comforted. When I polish off the pancakes, the waitress asks if I’d like a banana split. Yea, I could get used to this, but no — I have to hurry back to Rockaway because I wouldn’t want to miss another nor’easter. Then again, if I feel guilty I know how to make myself feel better.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

Peninsula Hospital Site Plan Calls for 17 Buildings, 2,200 Apartments By Katie McFadden

What’s in store for the old Peninsula Hospital site? Housing. And lots of it. On March 23, the NYC Department of City Planning released a Draft Scope of Work for an Environmental Impact Statement for the redevelopment of the old Peninsula Hospital Site, around Beach 51st Street. The plan calls for “an approximately 2,289,000 gross square feet (gsf ) development, which would include 17 buildings with approximately 2,200 residential dwelling units (DUs), of which 1,910 DUs are intended to be affordable with 270 DUs set aside for senior housing. In addition to the residential DUs, the proposed project would include approximately 151,800 gsf of retail space, approximately 25,000 gsf of which may be

used for a gym; approximately 64,400 gsf of community facility space programed for medical offices, and approximately 37,600 square feet (sf ) of publicly-accessible open space.” The planners expect the entire project to be complete by 2034, with construction starting some time in 2019. For this plan to be possible, Peninsula Rockaway Limited Partnership, the entity behind the plan, is requesting several zoning changes from the City. As part of the process, a draft environmental impact statement must be issued. The NYC Department of City Planning is giving locals an opportunity to have their voices heard. As websites like Curbed NY and YIMBY revealed some of the plans mentioned in the draft scope, and links were shared on local social media pages,

many addressed concerns about bringing so much development to the peninsula, especially at the site of an old hospital, when the peninsula only has one remaining hospital to serve residents. On Thursday, April 26 at 4 p.m., a public scoping This image by Aufgang Architects, found in meeting will be the Draft Scope, illustrates the possible future held in the audidevelopment on the Peninsula Hospital site. torium of P.S. 105 (420 Beach 51st Street), for City Planning, 120 Broadway, the public to voice their con- 31st Floor, New York, New cerns. In case you can’t make York 10271). Reference CEQR the meeting, written com- No. 18DCP124Q when makments can also be submitted ing comments. If you’d like to the Department of City to review the 137-page Draft Planning until Monday, May Scope document with details 7 (Environmental Assess- of the plan, Google “Peninment and Review Division, sula Hospital Draft Scope” to New York City Department of find the PDF on NYC.gov.

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***** Happy Easter and Happy Passover! ***** Wow. The theater on Beach 116th Street, for years, a towering impediment to the block’s potential, is in contract to be sold. We don’t know what the buyers have in mind but we’re betting it’s going to be a dream come true for merchants on that block who’ve been in the shadow of the hulking eyesore. The times, they are a changin’. ***** We hope this means more attention will be paid to the rather sad state of Beach 115th Street. We hope Matthew and Jack Safos, who own real estate under the name Rockaway Revival Inc., will find a buyer(s) for their various properties. Jack tells us he’s looking for $5 million-plus for three of the properties.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018 ***** And while we’re at it, we think Queens Borough President Melinda Katz should rescind her Ok to allow the firehouse on Beach 116th Street to move to the HSBC site on Beach Channel Drive. In the summer, even in rush hour during other times of the year, cars get backed up on Beach Channel Drive and Newport Avenue. In an emergency, we believe these cars will block fire units from responding as quickly as they might. A firehouse is also not the ideal facility to have at the foot of a major commercial strip. The Community Board suggested the old LIPA site on Beach 110th (or so). We think Katz should go along with the community. According to records, the property is still privately held. ***** The NYC Comptroller’s Office released a report that claims the Rockaways had the second-fastest population growth among the City’s 55 Census-defined neighborhoods from 2000 to 2012, but experienced a 16 percent loss in the two years following Sandy.

And, no big shock, Rockaway residents had the longest commute of the 55 neighborhoods in the City (52 minutes). With all the new development underway – including Far Rockaway – any loss after Sandy will be more than made up. With more population comes plenty of good and bad. One thing that should make a difference – we’ll have more votes. ***** A new park and kayak launch is coming to Beach 88th Street. According to the sign on the fence, it’ll be ready by April 1. But Rick Horan says the kayak program likely won’t get on the water until closer to Memorial Day. The boats are on the way and volunteers are needed to help run the boathouse. Anyone interested in getting involved can attend a planning meeting on Thursday, March 29, at 6:30 p.m. at Jameson’s on Beach 129th. ***** The Rockaway Business Alliance is the most vibrant merchants group to come along in memory. They smartly implemented a broad approach by

recruiting business owners from Edgemere to Riis Park. They’ve brought tech innovation, run events, promoted members, and seem in it for the long run. If you’re a business owner, why not send them an email to find out more? (Info@rockawaybusinessalliance.org). ***** There are just a couple more weeks for you to send your best photos to the Rockaway Times to be part of the contest. Come on, how great would it be for one of your shots to be featured on the boardwalk? Send to PhotoExpo@RockawayTimes.com ***** Happy Anniversary to Tracy Obolsky. She opened the fabulous Rockaway Beach Bakery one year ago! ***** Our thoughts are with local photographer and ferry activist, Laura Deckelman. Her husband, Paul, died suddenly on Tuesday. Locals are raising money for her and her family. Search “Laura Deckelman” on www.GoFundMe.com to donate.

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This Week in History MARCH 29 Grace Leahy was born. Davina Grincevicius was born. Chris Howard was born.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

Okinawa during World War II. 1976-Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple Computer.

APRIL 2 1973 - The last U.S. troops left South Denise Neibel was born. Vietnam. 1999- The Dow Jones industrial aver- MaryBeth Chickie Raphael was born. age closed above 10,000 for the first Clare Droesch was born. time, at 10,006.78. 1932-Charles Lindbergh paid a MARCH 30 $50,000 ransom for the return of his Patrick Brady was born. The earth kidnapped son. stood still. 2005-Pope John Paul II died. Adriana Greco was born. Andy Lauro was born. APRIL 3 1842-Anesthesia was used for the Chantal Lizzi was born. Gail McGuire Allen was born. first time in an operation. 1964-The game show "Jeopardy!" debuted on television. 1936-Bruno Hauptmann was elec1981- President Ronald Reagan was trocuted for the kidnapping and murshot in the chest by John Hinckley as der of the Lindbergh baby. he left a Washington hotel. 1996-Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski was arrested. MARCH 31 Artie Boyland was born. APRIL 4 1889-The Eiffel Tower in Paris offi- Rick Anthony was born. cially opened. 1918-Daylight Saving Time went into 1973-The ribbon was cut to open effect in the United States. the World Trade Center in New York City. APRIL 1 1983-Sally Ride became the first U.S. Matthew Harris was born. woman in space aboard the space 1945-American forces landed on shuttle Challenger.

Rockaway Native To Appear on Jeopardy

Rockaway for $1,000, Alex! Born and raised in Rockaway, Dominick Fiorentino, pictured with Alex Trebek, will soon appear on the trivia game show Jeopardy! You, along with 29 million other viewers, can tune in and see how he does on April 6 at 7 p.m. on WABC, Channel 7. Good luck, Dominick!

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The Rockaway Times

Rockawayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On The Rise, But Still Hurting From Old Problems By Kami-Leigh Agard

Though a just-released report by NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli parades the peninsula as experiencing an explosion in booming economic activity, unfortunately it also proves that Rockaway is still at the bottom of the barrel in the city, when it comes to transportation, income, unemployment, healthcare, and storm resiliency since Hurricane Sandy. Last Friday, March 23, at the Rockaway Institute for a Sustainable Environment (RISE) in Edgemere, DiNapoli delivered his much-anticipated report, â&#x20AC;&#x153;An Economic Snapshot of the Rockaways,â&#x20AC;? giving an up-to-date look at the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s evolving landscape with quantifiable metrics on economic growth, median household income, population, healthcare and more. In attendance were local elected pols and community leaders including Senators Joseph P. Addabbo and James Sanders, Assemblywomen Stacey Pheffer Amato and Michele Titus, Councilman Donovan Richards, Community 14 Board Chair Jonathan Gaska, NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and St. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Episcopal Hospital (SJEH) representatives, and the media. DiNapoli said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This report really shows the resilience of Rockaway since Superstorm Sandy, showing record job growth, business activity and significant improvements to the area since the storm. However, clearly there are challenges that remain, and we hope this information will help the community move forward in dealing with those challenges.â&#x20AC;? First, the good news. Despite Hurricane Sandy, the number of businesses has increased by nearly 11 percent since 2011, similar to the citywide growth rate. Most business are small with 81 percent having fewer than five employees. Though these stats show that the community relies on the small business sector, large businesses (those that employ 100 or more employees) represent only

three percent of all business, but were responsible for 49 percent of total private sector employment. The largest employers on the peninsula are SJEH, Peninsula Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Madelaine Chocolate. Though taxable business sales dipped in 2012 in the aftermath of Sandy, by 2016 it rebounded with sales reaching a record of 149 million, exceeding the pre-storm level by 35 percent. The community lost more than 1,500 jobs (11 percent) between 2011 and 2013 as a result of Hurricane Sandy and the closure of Peninsula Hospital. However, private sector employment rebounded strongly in 2014 and continued to grow over the following two years, reaching a record level of 14,900 in 2016, 400 more than the prior record in 2011. During the first three-quarters of 2017, job growth increased at an annual rate of four percent (600 jobs), much faster than the citywide rate (2.3 percent). Note more than half of the 2,000 jobs gained between 2013 and 2016 were concentrated in three areas: health, restaurants and bars and personal services. Population growth in Rockaway was the second fastest among NYCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 55 U.S. Census-defined neighborhoods between 2000 and 2012. Though the population growth increased by 20 percent, reaching a record 128,400, Hurricane Sandy intercepted the population boom. By 2014, the population declined by 16 percent, but has since nearly recovered reaching 127,400 in 2016. In terms of racial groups, in 2016, 35 percent identified as Black or African American; 30 percent Continued on page 11

The Rockaway Times

ROCKAWAY’S ON THE RISE Continued from Page 10 White; 27 percent Hispanic; and four percent Asian. Immigrants accounted for one-quarter of the population, (two-thirds being from Latin America (including the Caribbean) and one-fifth from Europe.) Now for the bad news. Transportation is still a major issue for residents as Rockaway has the longest commute (averaging 52 minutes) among NYC’s 55 neighborhoods. Between 2011 and 2016, average weekday ridership on the subway increased by 20 percent. However, only 62 percent of the subway trains were on time during weekdays in 2016, and performance further deteriorated in 2017, contributing to long commutes. Though the unemployment rate fell from a high of 14.2 percent in 2010 to nine percent in 2016, it is still almost twice the 2007 pre-recession level, the third highest of any neighborhood in Queens. The unemployment rate varied by neighborhood, ranging

Page 11

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018 from 2.9 percent in Belle Harbor to 17.9 percent in Edgemere. According to the census, twothirds of Rockaway households were renters in 2016 with the median monthly rent (including utilities) rising by 39 percent between 2005 and 2016. Note that despite the rent increase, median household incomes remained flat. School enrollment in NYC Department of Education District 75 schools serving the entire community, grew by 35 percent between the 2006 to 2007 and 2015 to 2016 school years. Despite the addition of several new schools in the past 10 years, eight schools remain overcrowded. With healthcare, many residents struggle. According to the 2015 NYC Community Health Profiles, the rate of stroke hospitalizations in Rockaway ranked third among the NYC’s community districts and the rate of psychiatric hospitalizations ranked fifth. In 2015, the death rate was higher in Rockaway than in the city as a whole, for all but two of the 10 leading causes of death. Also, a major community con-

cern is limited access to healthcare facilities. After Peninsula Hospital closed, SJEH is the only full-service acute care hospital serving the entire peninsula. However, on the upside, several projects are in line to improve healthcare access. SJEH has received approval for a $10 million grant to double the size of its emergency room, and NYCEDC plans to expand facilities and programs at the Addabbo Familiy Health Center in Arverne. Also, the Rockaway Medical Arts Complex on Beach 105th Street and Rockaway Beach Boulevard, scheduled to open its doors this year, will provide a wide range of critically-needed medical services. In terms of storm resiliency, Rockaway is still very vulnerable post-Sandy. However, after many fervent rallies and passionate protests by locals, community leaders and elected pols, solid beach and bay protection may be on the way, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers agreed to fast track its Rockaway Reformulation Project, with construction expected to begin in 2019 instead

of 2020. Other resiliency measures on the pipeline include the Breezy Point Risk Mitigation Project, which with a price tag of $58 million will be designed to withstand the forces associated with a 100-year flood. Also, the Resilient Edgemere Community plan will create resilient housing and improve streets and transportation over a 10-year period in the flood-plagued area. Though DiNapoli’s report was well-received, CB 14 District Manager Gaska brought reality home when he stated, “This report quantifies what we already know. From poor transportation, healthcare and high unemployment, these numbers don’t lie. Finally, instead of dumping on Rockaway like the city has done for decades, our community may finally get what we’re due. In the 29 years I’ve been district manger for CB 14, I never thought I would see the day when the Far Rockaway Shopping Center would finally be revamped. Change is coming and it’s long overdue.” For access to the entire report, visit: www.osc.state.ny.us/osdc/ rpt13-2018.pdf

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

The Rockaway Times

Draft Environmental Impact Statement Released For New Gas Pipeline By Katie McFadden

The newest Williams-Transco natural gas pipeline project has reached a milestone in the process to make it a reality with the release of a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Williams’ latest proposal is the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project (NESE). According to Williams, this project would provide additional gas supply to National Grid. This project would have affects on Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, but the main portion of the project includes 23.5 miles of 26-inch-diameter pipeline loop from New Jersey to the shores off of Rockaway. This pipeline would start in Middlesex, NJ, would make its way through the ocean, and would connect to the recently-built Rockaway Lateral Project, which goes under Riis Park and into Brooklyn up Flatbush Avenue. On March 23, FERC released the more than 600-page draft EIS for the project, summarizing

“that construction and operation of the NESE Project would result in some adverse environmental impacts.” The summary goes on to say, “Most of these impacts would be temporary and occur during construction (e.g., impacts on residences and offshore impacts related to turbidity, sedimentation, and pile driving noise). Long-term impacts on air quality and noise would result from the operation of Compressor Station 206 (located in Somerset County, NJ). We also conclude that, with implementation of Transco’s impact avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures, as well as their adherence to our recommendations, all Project effects would be reduced to less than-significant levels.” Williams, the company behind the proposed project, is pleased with the draft, saying, “This draft Environmental Impact Statement is a significant milestone for the project. Since this proposal was first introduced in 2016, we have worked diligently to identify

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potential environmental issues or concerns, incorporating adjustments to the project design to avoid or minimize impacts. We believe that the draft EIS positively reflects our efforts to collaborate with stakeholders to design this project in an environmentally responsible manner.” However, opponents of the pipeline, such as SANE Energy Project, are already on high alert and are ready to stop this project that they consider to be dangerous and unnecessary. "Sane Energy Project, as an intervenor organization on the Williams NESE Pipeline, was notified of the release of the draft Environmental Impact Statement last week and immediately began to notify the Rockaway community to start to mobilize people into action. We will be available to help all the coastal communities that would be affected by this project to make their voices heard throughout the entire process, and are working especially with the people of the Rockaways, because of our

close relationships here over the past years,” SANE said. “We know they have deep wisdom about what they need and don't need, and great pride and love for their natural resources, and know whether or not it's fair to make the customers of National Grid pay for this pipeline, or safe to trench the ocean floor in a flood zone where people have already suffered from intense flooding and terrible storms.” SANE has already been hosting meeting and will announce future ones to discuss this project. In the meantime, the draft EIS is now open to public comment though May 14, 2018. The only nearby public comment session meeting for this project will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 26 at the Best Western Gregory Hotel (8315 4th Avenue in Brooklyn). Otherwise, comments can be made online or sent by mail. Search “NESE Environmental Impact Statement” or Docket Number CP17-101-000 on www.ferc.gov to see the whole EIS and to leave an electronic comment.

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The Rockaway Times

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

The Rockaway Times

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The Rockaway Times

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

Parks Price Gouging Parkway citing average speeds of 36 MPH! Now we’ve got the Chief Dear Editor: of Staff for one of our City CounYou've seen cilmen encouraging a 12-month the politi- speed bump study on Rockaway cal debates Beach Blvd. between Beach where the 73rd and Beach 81st Streets! Is candidates stumble when asked he kidding? Sadly no. Talk like this should be a what a quart of milk costs. Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, when pre- wake-up call for Rockaway ressented with a tax plan, famously idents who have been sitting on did not know what the term 'take- the sidelines, holding out hope home pay' meant. Are Council- that common sense would man Ulrich and the Parks Depart- eventually prevail. Instead of ment serious when they present DOT using our hard-earned tax project costs such as $200,000 for dollars to make our roads faster a flagpole? $2.1M for handball and safer, they are content with courts? $5.2M for a playground? making them slower. It’s getting I know where the money comes worse while our leaders have from. (Quite familiar with 'take- stood by and watched it haphome pay'.) But where does it go? pen. If you care about efficient How about Councilman Ulrich and the Parks Department pro- transportation, you really need vide itemized listings of the costs to get involved now. Without associated with these outrageous common sense action from regular people who value their figures? Paul Richter time, whether in a car on Rockaway roads or traveling to midNo Bump! town Manhattan by train in less than 1 ½ hours (via QueensDear Editor: First the Department of Trans- Rail), it will only get worse, if portation (DOT) admonishes us that’s even possible. Rick Horan for “speeding” on Shore Front

They Marched for Their Lives

Ten Far Rockaway Teens of the Queens Law Associates program at the Far Rockaway Educational Campus went down to Washington, D.C. to participate in the March For Our Lives event to protest gun violence nationwide and in their own backyard on Saturday, March 24.

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Page 16

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

The Rockaway Times

St. Francis de Sales Parish Wishes you a Happy Easter

Holy Week Schedule 2018 HOLY THURSDAY, March 29

Snow, Surf and Sand By Nicole Taylor-Lang

- Morning Prayer 7:30 PM Washing of the feet; Adoration until 11:00 PM

GOOD FRIDAY , March 30 Morning Prayer Stations of the Cross on Boardwalk at Beach 126th Street 3:00 PM - Solemn Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord 7:00 PM - Stations of the Cross Prayer Garden

When it comes to surfing, “sun, surf and sand” tends to come to mind but what do you get when you take out the sun and add in the snow? For some, surfing is a year-round sport, no matter what the weather is and winter surfers are bringing a whole new spin to the sport itself. “I love surfing when it is snowing, the crowds are pretty light and the waves are nice,” local surfer and co-owner of Locals Surf School, Mike Reinhardt, said. “As long as the waves are good I’m happy whether it’s a sunny day or a blizzard.” Surfing became legal in New York City back in 2005, and with

ognized season to surf, but that hasn’t stopped some from going out in the brisk of winter (even spring) during nor’easters to blizzards. “Most people actually think that the waves go by seasons (such as winter is for skiing and summer is for surfing),” Paula Kim, a Manhattan resident who loves the local waves, said. “The concept of winter surfing is so foreign for most—and find it quite incredulous that there is a community of surfers who opt to do this year-round.” Winter surfing has attracted more surfers over the years and now, it’s not surprising to see them running towards the beach with their wetsuits on

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that, the popularity of city surfers has risen. Locals and people from other parts of the city are making their way to the Rockaways to catch some waves. Summer may be the more rec-

and boards in hand, in the middle of a blizzard. “You still get that double take from people as you head to the beach when it’s Continued on page 36

The Rockaway Times

Page 17

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

Holy Cold Water! They were freezin’ for a reason and it paid off! The 4th Annual Rockaway Polar Plunge for Special Olympics New York was another big success. About 300 people showed up at Riis Park on a chilly Saturday, March 24 to take the plunge. As we go to press, the event website says more than $31,000 was raised, and that number keeps rising. The top fundraiser of the day? None other than Father Jim Cunningham of St. Francis de Sales, who raised more than $2,500. The top fundraising team was the CT Warriors, with nearly $5,700 raised, followed by Emily’s Favorites, raising more than $5,350 in honor of the late Emily Hutton. Way to go to the brave participants and to Special Olympics New York for hosting another successful event. The money raised will help Special Olympics athletes participate in some of the program’s sports, free of charge. Photos by K. Hernandez and Bob Kalfur.

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The Rockaway Times

Page 19

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

Show Some Love for Autism Awareness Month By Kami-Leigh Agard

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. More than 3.5 million Americans currently live with ASD, and one in 68 children are born with a variation of it. Forget high-functioning or low-functioning, no one child or adult with ASD is the same. They are all specially unique in their own personalities, and not to mention, abilities. And with such statistics, as more and more people are diagnosed with ASD, Rockaway is filled with many families and friends, though faced with challenges, who are blessed with the privilege of knowing, loving and nurturing someone one on the spectrum. So what as a community can we do to support the cause and raise awareness? Starting this Monday April 2, light it up blue! Perfect Piece of the Puzzle, Inc., (PPoP), a local nonprofit advocating for and assisting families with special-needs children, is hosting the first “Light It Up Blue” event in Rockaway. Join Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, local businesses and residents as they “Light It Up Blue” by installing or stringing blue light bulbs in the window of your home and business. To participate in “Light It Up Blue – Rockaway” (use for social media platforms #LIUBRockaway), turn on your blue lights at sundown, estimated to be 7:21 p.m. on April 2. If you are in need of lights or have questions, please call PPoP at (646) 342-8157 or email info@perfectpop.org. On Sunday, April 22, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Rockaway Beach “Artistic” Families Support Group (RBAFSG), under the expert stewardship of local artist and Rockaway Artists Alliance (RAA)

board member, Jason Heuer, will be hosting a screen printing class with a scenic beach walk afterwards at the RAA in Fort Tilden (Building T149, Fort Tilden, Gateway National Recreation Area). All participants will get the opportunity to blissfully create their own t-shirts, sweatshirts, bags or whatever medium preferred. Take advantage of a beautiful spring Sunday, to come with your ASD loved ones for a creative feast. This event is free, but donations to the RAA are much welcomed. Spots are limited! To RSVP or for more information, email: our artisticchild@outlook.com or check out RBAFSG Facebook page. On April 26, Jammin' Jon and Enchantress Shane Kulman will be hosting the first Rock Out For Autism concert in 2018 at the Rockaway Brewing Company (415 Beach 72nd Street) at 7 p.m. Popular bands performing include local popular favorite, Squid; reggae genius, Ras Atiba; and uber guitarist and performer, Jammin’ Jon himself. This concert will be amazing as all your loved ones with ASD are enthusiastically welcomed to perform! With just less than a month away, if your loved one with ASD is interested in blowing everyone away with their musical, singing or performing prowess, contact Jammin’ Jon through the Facebook page: Jammin' Jon's Rock Out For Autism Awareness Concerts. So Rockaway, let’s show some love and join the local movement for solidarity towards building autism inclusion and awareness!

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The Rockaway Times

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

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Phone: (718) 747 8850 jfkeenan@joekeenanlaw.com

On Wednesday, March 14, the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance (RWA) presented: "Arverne, By the People: A civic urban forum focused on the future of Arverne." Hosted by the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shore Corps Youth Leadership participants, Arverne, By the People presented their ideas for buildings, parks, and other amenities for four vacant lots in the neighborhood. Daniel Borrero, program assistant and educator, leads the Leadership and College Access section of the Shore Corps program. Emcee for the day, he explained how the idea for this urban forum came about. Back in December 2017, he met with the RWA team to brainstorm ideas for a better way to give his section cohesion and an overall goal to work toward. When his co-workers suggested incorporating more urban planning and design lessons into his section, the idea of a design studio was born, based off of a project he had worked on when he was a

can actually have a negative effect on the people who already live there. This was a main point of the project. A play on the words Arverne, By the Sea, the name of the residential development that brought middle-class housing and more commerce to the area, Arverne, By the People is a project that envisions the future of Arverne by and for the people who live here. The designs were by and for not only the student designers, but the people who came out to collaborate with them. RWA invited a host of community members, politicians, and representatives from city organizations to come out and offer feedback, opinions, and constructive criticism of the designs. Guests included Manuel Silva from Councilman Donovan Richards' office, Brendan Pillar and Hallah Saleh from the Department of City Planning, Laura MacNeil from the Department of Transportation, and

The Rockaway Times

Page 21

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

NEPONSIT

REALTY inc

3 www.neponsitrealty.com

Licensed Real Estate Broker Geri Lipsman

Licensed Sales Agents

HAPPY EASTER AND HAPPY PASSOVER! COOPS FOR SALE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE BY THE OCEAN? 'LUHFW 2FHDQ 9LHZV EHG EDWK 2FHDQ IURQW WHUUDFH +DUGZRRG Ă RRUV 2SHQ Ă RRU SODQ 1R SHWV /RZ PDLQWHQDQFH

Call Susan 347 260 3891................................$429K

WHY RENT, WHEN YOU CAN OWN THIS FAIR PRICED COOP? COME SEE FOR YOURSELF. GREAT BUY!

NEW TO MARKET NEW EXCLUSIVE BELLE HARBOR BEACH BLOCK LEGAL TWO 40 X 100

ED T P E C C A OFFER

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GREAT OCEAN FRONT BUILDING, NEW LISTING spacious one bedroom, galley kitchen, hardwood Ă RRUV RYHU ORRNV 0DQKDWWDQ VN\OLQH YHU\ ORZ maintenance $489.00 ..................................$205K

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$XJXVW /DERU 'D\ :HHNHQG %HDFK EORFN EHG KRPH EDWKV 7ZR SRUFKHV 1LFH SULYDWH \DUG Z EET DQG RXWGRRU VKRZHU 3DUNLQJ IRU FDUV LQFOXGHV XWLOLHV DQG :L)L

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BELLE HARBOR

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Prime location 2 room with full bath, pay electric ............................................................$2400

ROCKAWAY PARK

2500 sq. ft. 3URIHVVLRQDO :DON LQ RIĂ&#x20AC;FH VSDFH $OO XWLOLWLHV ,1&/8'(' CALL SUSAN 347ď&#x161;ş260 3891 ........................... $3500

SANDS POINT

1250 sq. ft. 3URIHVVLRQDO :DON LQ 2IĂ&#x20AC;FH 6SDFH 3HUIHFW ORFDWLRQ 3DUNLQJ DYDLODEOH $// 87,/,7,(6 ,1&/8'(' CALL SUSAN 347 260 3891 ............................ $2600

%ULFN 0RWKHU 'DXJKWHU *UHDW 3RWHQWLDO VW OHYHO RIIHUV EHGURRP EDWK OLYLQJ URRP and dinette, work kitchen with optimal space, QHZ FDELQHWV KDUGZRRG Ă RRUV QHHGV 7/& %DVHPHQW DSDUWPHQW XQLW RIIHUV 2 bedrooms, new kitchen and bath, with WZR SULYDWH HQWUDQFHV +XJH DWWLF FDQ EH UHQRYDWHG WR DFFRPPRGDWH WZR EHGURRP FORVHWV DQG SRVVLEO\ D EDWK *DUDJH JRRG VL]H yard space. &DOO WR VFKHGXOH DSSRLQWPHQW 35,&(' 5,*+7 ..............................$740

NEW EXCLUSIVE COOP READY FOR QUICK SALE ,Q WKH KHDUW RI %HOOH Harbor, this fabulous unit offers great VL]HG URRPV RQH EHGURRP OLYLQJ URRP ZLWK dining area, galley kitchen, plenty of closets, KDUGZRRG Ă RRUV 63(&,$/ %2186 SULYDWH huge terrace, pet friendly, laundry facilities, bike room, low maintenance.

CALL SUSAN 347 260 3891.........$272,500

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ONE BEDROOM 100â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bungalow, PAY ALL UTILITIES, NO PARKING, NO PETS Call Susan 347 260 3891..... $1350 120â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Boardwalk Bldg w/ bay views. Galley kitchen, hardwood ďŹ&#x201A;oors throughout. Pay elec & cooking gas. Laundry Facilities. No pets ......... $1450 120â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Large w/summer parking. No pets. Close to transportation. Call Susan 347 260 3891 ... $1600 90 Extra large, terrace, wood ďŹ&#x201A;oors, washer/dryer, bike storage, pay all utilities. NO PETS. Call Susan 347 260 3891 ... $1650 TWO BEDROOMS 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Terrace w/direct ocean views. 2 bath. No parking. NO PETS. Pay gas, elec & heat. Call Susan 347 260 3891 ... $1900 119 Bright, sunny living/dining combo hardwood ďŹ&#x201A;oors, no parking, pay gas & elec. Heat included. Perfect for 1 or 2 persons. Call Susan 347 260 3891 ... $1500 120â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Charming, large with terrace, new kitchen and bath, hardwood ďŹ&#x201A;oors, no pets, one car parking in summer, Pay gas & elec. Call Susan 347 260 3891 ...$2000 130â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mint Condition! 2nd level, private entrance, Beautifully renovated, bright and airy, hardwood ďŹ&#x201A;oors, island in kitchen, huge covered terrace, Central A/C, parking in summer. Pay all utilities. Call Susan 347 260 3891 ...$2200 THREE BEDROOM 120â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Duplex, 1.5 baths, use of outdoor space for BBQ and storage shed, pet welcome, pay gas & elec., heat included.............................. $2700 120â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Move in June 1st. 1 bath with washer/dryer & outdoor space, summer parking, pay all utilities. Call Susan 347 260 3891.......$2400 120â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Terrace. Washer dryer. Pay all utilities. 1 spot for summer parking. NO PETS ............................$2300

CALL US WITH YOUR APARTMENT LISTINGS,HAVE CLIENTS WAITING

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Page 22

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

The Rockaway Times

Lic. Broker-Owner: Lisa Jackson Lic. Associate Brokers: Barbara Ferguson • Nia Casilla Lic. RE Agents: Ariana David • Colleen Brady • Jenny Dantone

417 Beach 129th St • (718) 634-3134 • Mon-Sat 10am-6pm Available Properties

BRAND NEW TO MARKET

Come enjoy your days soaking up your ocean views in this incomparable home. 3BR and 3 full baths including a master bedroom suite, spacious den, rooftop terrace, private garage and private driveway. A 1BR rental apartment with amazing ocean views. $979,000

Warm and welcoming home with a sweet front porch and large upper deck with bay views. HW floors throughout, 2BR'S on the first floor and a fin bsmt with bath. Upper unit is a spacious 1BR with EIK. Wide private driveway and a 2 car garage guarantee you will never have a parking problem. $714,000

Arverne By The Sea - Legal 2 Family

NEPONSIT  BEACH BLOCK  70'x100'

BELLE HARBOR  CENTER HALL

Fully renovated in Immaculate 6BR, ate 2015 this Immaculate 4 bath ath homee with home ome hasTRA 4BR's T C RACT N updated O ONTkitchen, C C R R E E D D including 2 maste master N N U -U -U G G N gleamin HW floors, gleaming st SHOWIN nd SHOWIN suites, 3 full 1st 2nd FLR, FDR, home office baths, full finished and so much more. basement. $1,600,000 $2,650,000

BELLE HARBOR  BEACH BLOCK

ARVERNE BY THE SEA

Rockaway Park - Legal 2 Family

NEPONSIT  ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!

BELLE HARBOR  CENTER HALL

Bright and fully renovated home ated T with granite grani gran kitchen, C A R T ON sunken living room, UNDER C 4BR, 2.5 baths and in-ground heated pool. $1,289,000

This home has 4BR’s, 3.55 baths, decked CT pool, full RAwith T ON yard finsihed bsmt and UNDER C private drive and detached garage. $1,100,000

ARVERE BY THE SEA

Stunning location! Fabulous ocean WIth just a little TLC you Incomparable 2 re un Don’t miss this rare views! Beautiful sun mily home me with cann create your dream family find, 5BRs, 4RA filled edd home Rwith baths, T T T T3 C C C C A A A R R T T T T home and be on one of 5BR’s 3.5 baths. N N N N CO den R CO driveway, ER CO ER CO Eprivate ElgR BR's d BR's, den, rooftop D D D D N N N N U U U -U -U -U -U G G G G the best be Fabulous llocation just st beach blocks in st IN IN st SHOWIN s SHOWIN large backyard 1sstt SHOW terrace, full ocean 1sstt SHOW all of Rockaway! Private 1 steps to the water 1 and large private and bay views. Two Parking. and has ocean views. oceanfront terrace. BR rental. $999,000 $999,000 $969,000 $925,000

BELLE HARBOR  LEGAL 2 FAMILY

ROCKAWAY BEACH  LEGAL 3 FAMILY

All brick, 3 BR, 2 bath Beautiful legal three home with a long private family onn a beach CT TRA T driveway, detached Block! HW floors, C A R R CON ONTgarage and a huge UNDEtwo -U 3 BBR rentals and s SHOWING st UNDER C 1 basement with private one 1BR rental with entrance. Won’t last! private parking. $875,000 $745,000

ARVERNE  INVESTOR'S ALERT Consists of machine shop rentingg to auto repa repair. Second RACTIsI a brick/ T N Building O C R UNDE stucco single story. Investor. Potential For 10% ROI. $599,000

BROAD CHANNEL All new 2BR/1BA home on a Jamaica Bay canal. CT NEW Roof, RA T N O plumbing plumbing, electric, HW UNDER C floors, deck, bulkhead, bathroom & kitchen. $349,000

ROCKAWAY BEACH Rare Opportunity. use 5BR/2 Bath House plus Buildable Build R4-1 CT Newer Included. Includ ONTLotRA UNDER C Burner, Acw/Pd, Electric, Windows, 2 Ductless Ac Units, $574,000

ROCKAWAY BEACH Mint 1BR, 1 bath, ont oceanfront elevator building, HW T floors, high C A R T N O ceilings ceilings, W W/D in unit, UNDER C Quartz counters and plenty of natural light. $330,000

ROCKAWAY PARK  OCEANFRONT Spectacular OCEANFRONT 2 BR, 2 bath condo T with over AC R 200 sq fft. of livin living ONT11,200 UNDER C space, HW foors, private parking and storage. $599,000

ARVERNE  LEGAL 2 FAMILY Open concept with rge loft, spacious large open kitche kitchen T and 3BR’s R T ON withAaC2 BR 1 bath UNDER C rental. Large backyard and private parking. $499,000

ROCKAWAY PARK Beautiful ocean urs to views are yours enjoy from this fully RACTaan Tupdated N and spacious O C R E UND 1BR beach apt in one of the best buildings in Rockaway! $299,900

BELLE HARBOR CONDO Better than new 2 BR duplex on a desirable RACTbblock! HW ONTbeach floors floors, private UNDER C parking, washer and dryer, private terrace. $599,000

ROCKAWAY BEACH This adorable 2BR was bungalow renovated from top CT Super bottom. ONTtoRAbotto UNDER C low taxes, a cellar for storage, large front and rear yard. $459,000

ROCKAWAY PARK CONDO Beautifully crafted inside and out, 2BR condo, hardwood RACTffu Tfloors N floors, fully tiled O C R E UND baths, sleek modern kitchens with island and laundry in unit. $245,000

With Honesty Integrity and Trust our team of agents get the job done!

To advertise in THE ROCKAWAY TIMES call 718-634-3030 ads@RockawayTimes.com

The Rockaway Times

Page 23

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

Lic. Broker-Owner: Lisa Jackson Lic. Associate Brokers: Barbara Ferguson • Nia Casilla Lic. RE Agents: Ariana David • Colleen Brady • Jenny Dantone

417 Beach 129th St • (718) 634-3134 • Mon-Sat 10am-6pm Available Properties

FIRST SHOWING APRIL 14th

FIRST SHOWING  APRIL 15th

FULLY RENOVATED 2BR, 2.5 bath OCEANFRONT duplex condo with a brand new kitchen, quartz counters, SS appliances, HW floors, all new windows, all new moldings and recessed lighting, There is simply no other condo like this on the market. $589,000

Semi-detached home has much to offer. Spacious 3BR, 1 bath apartment with upgraded windows. Bright second floor apartment has 2BR, updated kitchen, updated baths and beautiful white wash floors. Large yard and private parking! $499,000

Oceanfront Condominium

HOUSE FOR RENT!

Arverne Legal 2 Family

APARTMENT FOR RENT!

Upper Belle Harbor

Ocean Views Galore!

Fabulous 5BR, 4 bath home, brand new kitchen with sliders to back deck, HW floors, full finished basement, tons of private parking and garage. Pets Welcome. $4,200

Bright and airy 2BR has it all with HW floors, loads of windows and closets. W/D in unit and street parking for two. Must have good credit and income verification. Pets upon approval. $2,000

BELLE HARBOR

Supreme Legal 3

Center Hall Colonial

Currently used as a 1 family this 6BR, 4.5 bath home has been beautifully renovated yet retains its original charm. Fiber glass pool, detached garage and long pvt drive. $1,675,000

Spectacular colonial has over 3,000 sq ft of living space, gorgeous paved backyard with In-ground heated pool, two private driveways and a detached garage. A must see! $1,500,000

NEPONSIT

BELLE HARBOR

Turn Key - 45’ x 100’

3rd Home from the Beach!

This beautiful home has 3BR’s, 3.5 baths, HW floors, master suite with private terrace, fireplace, granite kitchen, central air, large basement, paved and decked yard, garage and a long private driveway. $1,200,000

All brick Mother/Daughter with open floor plan, cathedral ceilings, HW floors, central air and ocean views. Move in Ready Location! Location! Location! $1,200,000

BEACH BLOCK

BELLE HARBOR

Rockaway Park Legal 2 family on a 60x100 with a huge front porch, 2 BR with walk up attic over a 2BR with accesss to a huge basement and parking for 10 cars! Easy conversion to a fabulous one family. $899,000

Present All Oﬀers! Unique all brick Mother/Daughter with lots of character and loads of potential. HW floors, 9’ ceilings, ample closet space and a 1 car garage. Motivated Seller! $740,000

BRAND NEW TO MARKET

3 CONDO’S FOR SALE

Rockaway Beach Condo

Brand New To Market at The Seavon

Spacious 3BR duplex with HW floors, large master suite with amazing ocean views. Stunning curb appeal, comes with private terrace and deeded parking spot. $675,000

Ocean facing 2BR condos with floor to ceiling windows for a sunny southwestern exposure. Includes a deeded indoor parking space. Starting at $499,000

Highest sales volume in Rockaway...Visit our office and see what we do that's different!

To advertise in THE ROCKAWAY TIMES call 718-634-3030 ads@RockawayTimes.com

Page 24

The Rockaway Times

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

917-742-7779

Thinking of Selling, Buying or Renting? Give us a call! We are here to help with all your Real Estate needs. Lorraine Tom

ER D OFF EPTE C AC

UPPER BELLE HARBOR LEGAL TWO 2 Family, Beautiful Cape style home, all brick, two driveways with park like grounds. 45x100 property lot. Owner apt is an open floor concept with two bedrooms, new custom eat in kitchen with all high end appliances Large living room, one full bathroom. Tenants upper level apt consists of one bedroom/one bath, eat in kitchen and living room. There is a full basement with high ceilings, front porch, one car garage. Great home! Move in condition. Asking $949,000

NEW EXCLUSIVE 117-12 Ocean Promenade HAMPTON HOUSE Spacious One bedroom ocean front with balcony and views views views galore! Large living room, dinette, one full bath, lots of closets. Low maintenance. Asking $343,000

Kiyan Hagan

UPPER BELLE HARBOR High ranch styled home. Could be mother/ daughter. Three bedrooms three full bath eat in kitchen living room dining room with additional large living space on main level 40x100 property lot Pvt drive/ spacious backyard

BELLE HARBOR

5 Bedroom House For Rent Second Block from Ocean, 60x100 Property Lot. $4500

T ON

NEW EXCLUSIVE Ocean front L-Shaped studio Completely renovated with a sea side flare of color and style Dark wood floors white subway tiles Very nicely done! Average maintenance $711.00 asking $220,000

APARTMENTS FOR RENT D

N RE

OCEAN GRANDE

Three bedrooms, 2 baths, balcony/ocean views. One car parking.

UPPER BELLE HARBOR

$1650

$2900

BELLE HARBOR BEACH BLOCK

Beautifully renovated 3 bedroom apt. Large 1 bedroom, Brand new custom kitchen w/ stainless steel LR/DR, EIK, appliances, new windows and flooring throughout. terrace and 1 car Large LR, Formal DR, 1 full bath, parking in summer terrace w/ ocean views galore!

$959,000

$2450

COMMERCIAL SPACE AVAILABLE MEDICAL ARTS BUILDING * Beautifully appointed suite 2500+ sf - owner to assist upgrade to 1st class * Parking included * Prime location in Rockaway Park * Train, Ferry and Bus - all nearby * Other smaller professional offices also available * Podiatrist, Ophthalmologist, Ob/Gyn, ENT doctor needed in the area Call (917) 710-6298 for appointment Â·

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The Rockaway Times

FROM THE RBA Upcoming Rockaway Business Alliance events! The RBA aims to host vibrant, engaging events that connect residents to the Rockaway business community and Rockaway businesses to one another. We encourage you to mark your calendars, as weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got several exciting events coming up in the next few months: 4/14: Corridor clean-up! In 2017, the RBA hosted several corridor clean-ups, which aimed to engage the community around beautifying different commercial districts. Now that winter is (mostly) over, we are tackling Rockaway Beach Boulevard from Beach 94th east. Join us, and help contribute to the beauty of your neighborhood! Details TBD. 5/11 and 5/18: Rock-A-Block on Beach 116th! Weekend Walks is a DOT sponsored program that allows community organizations to activate New York City streets with free,

Page 25

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

community-oriented programming. Last year the RBA produced two Weekend Walks events in the Fall â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rock-A-Blockâ&#x20AC;? was so successful that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re bringing it to Beach 116th! Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be hosting two Friday evening events to get the community excited about beach season. Rock-A-Block on Beach 116th will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, May 11 and May 18 on the stretch of Beach 116th between the boardwalk and Rockaway Beach Boulevard. During this time, the streets will be closed to traffic, and we will activate the space with live music, games, and fun for the community. Want to be a programming partner? Email us at info@rockawaybusinessalliance.org 5/19: EatShopSurfRock â&#x20AC;&#x201D; unlock the Rockaway Peninsula in advance of Beach Opening Weekend ! Get ready for the RBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second annual EatShopSurfRock, an event aimed to connect people to local businesses all across the peninsula. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be conducting a special treasure hunt centered around Rockaway ConneX, our exciting new technology project â&#x20AC;&#x201D; stay tuned for details!

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WĆ&#x152;ĆľÄ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x;Ä&#x201A;ĹŻ /ĹśĆ?ĆľĆ&#x152;Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ç&#x2021;Í&#x2022; >> Í&#x2022; EÄ&#x17E;Ç Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;ĹŹÍ&#x2022; EĹ?Í&#x2022; /Ć? ĹśĹ˝Ć&#x161; Ä&#x201A;Ä¸ĹŻĹ?Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ç Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161; >Ĺ?Ä?Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x161;Ç&#x2021; DĆľĆ&#x161;ĆľÄ&#x201A;ĹŻÍ&#x2022; Ĺ˝Ć?Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ĹśÍ&#x2022; D Í&#x2DC; Î&#x17E;ĎŽĎŹĎĎ° >Ĺ?Ä?Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x161;Ç&#x2021; DĆľĆ&#x161;ĆľÄ&#x201A;ĹŻ /ĹśĆ?ĆľĆ&#x152;Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E;

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Page 26

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

Ask the DOC

By Peter Galvin, MD

Smoking It is generally known that smoking cigarettes causes cancer, in particular lung cancer. Years ago, when cigarettes were unfiltered, most lung cancers occurred in the trachea and main bronchi, or the large diameter airways that carry air into and out of the lungs. This was because the particulate matter that was inhaled from unfiltered cigarettes was composed of relatively large particles that were too large to get to the smaller passages in the outer lungs. Cancers occurring

in the large airways usually make their presence known early in the disease course by causing symptoms like severe cough and hemoptysis (coughing up blood). Symptoms that occur early in the disease make for an earlier diagnosis and treatment. With the advent of filtered cigarettes this changed, as the particles from these cigarettes are much smaller and can get to the smaller airways in the outer lung causing cancers without early symptoms. These cancers are diagnosed

To advertise in THE ROCKAWAY TIMES call 718-634-3030 ads@RockawayTimes.com

much later and often have already spread making treatment more problematic. Recognizing this fact, last year the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) disseminated a new policy for early detection of lung cancer in smokers and former smokers. The policy applies to people between 55 to 77 years old who are current smokers or have quit within 15 years, are asymptomatic, and have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history (one pack-year is equivalent to smoking one pack a day for one year). Those who qualify for this policy can get a prescription from their healthcare provider for a low-dose CT scan of the chest (LDCT). Low-dose refers to the amount of radiation the test uses. A chest X-ray has the equivalent amount of radiation that a person would receive from a day at the beach. In general, a CT scan has 50 times that amount of radiation, but a LDCT has significantly less. The policy calls

The Rockaway Times for the LDCT to be repeated annually for as long as the patient is qualifies for it. Medicare and Medicaid will automatically cover the LDCT without pre-authorization. Other healthcare plans require pre-authorization and may not cover the test, and that includes managed Medicaid and Medicare, especially Medicare “advantage” plans. The managed Medicaid and Medicare plans are not required to automatically cover the test and it has been my experience that they will deny coverage for it, despite the CMS recommendation and the obvious advantage to the patient of discovering early lung cancers. If you meet the criteria for a LDCT as outlined above, get to your healthcare provider to get the test authorized and done. Finally, if you still smoke, please stop. You know it’s not good for you. Questions and comments may be sent to editor@rockawaytimes.com.

The Rockaway Times

Page 27

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

Pain Had Benefits Recently, I had an injury that came on very quickly and left just as quickly. Within that short time, I learned so much about compassion, empathy, rest, adjusting my mindset. I was praying for relief so I could walk without a limp and practice yoga. I began to appreciate the little things, such as being able to tie my shoes and put on my pants. I also began to realize how many people I know who have difficulty with these small tasks. You think you know how someone feels but you really don’t until you

walk in their shoes. Life can be very hard for some of us when we are not feeling healthy. We think there is no way out, but there is a way. Some of the things that helped during my downtime was to accept the pain and embrace the rest my body needed. Typically, I practice yoga every day but I was only able to teach the students without demonstration. This proved to be valuable because I became more present for the students in front of me. My teaching became more precise and I felt

connected to each and every person in the room. My cues were spot on, knowing exactly what came next. If you know me, that is not always the case. My injury was becoming a valuable lesson to me, on and off my mat. Meditation was now my everyday practice and I loved being still with myself. It changed my yoga practice to be more kind and gentle with the students. Practice with ease. Teach with ease. The fact is I love to teach and this injury would not hold me back. When I am in the yoga studio there is a powerful healing energy that makes me feel alive and well. The next part of this lesson was to visit someone very close and dear to me who can no longer walk. In fact, the excruciating pain I felt was in the exact same area for this person. I felt divine intervention and was summoned to visit one of the most resilient and strongest persons in my life. It was a sign to be compassionate and caring. Never forget where you come from and visit

your loved ones often. It will mean the world to that person you are visiting. I am grateful to have had this painful experience that opened my eyes to the suffering of others. Compassion is an important tool in life. Kindness is also of utmost importance. My mother-in-law, Kathleen Kilgallen, would always say to me, “It costs nothing to be nice and if you don’t have anything kind to say then say nothing at all.” Words of wisdom. My wish for all of you is to be healthy, happy, content and full of love for yourself and others. Help someone that could use a kind word of encouragement and support. Be the wind beneath their wings and lift their spirits with your positive energy. Expect nothing in return. Just do the work and be present for each person you meet. Take time to listen. We are responsible for our own happiness and sharing the joy. I am grateful for this day. Staying present more and more. Yes, living for today.

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Page 28

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

The Rockaway Times

A Pet To Remember

About five or six years ago, I walked into the Broad Channel VFW to meet up with Grace (aka she who must be obeyed) and was met with a chorus of giggles from the assembled crowd at the canteen bar. Not knowing what was so funny I simply sidled up next to my beloved and queried, "What's so funny?" Grace pointed behind

me and I spied a cage containing a motley-looking, long-haired feline within, all curled up and shaking nervously. Grace, matter-of-factly announced, "Meet Sasha and she is coming to live with us." Now Grace is one of those individuals who never met an animal in need that she didn't immediately scoop up and take home to our zoo down at the end of West 12th Road. Turned out Sasha was an abused rescue cat who was missing most of her teeth and had been cruelly declawed. Our home was already populated with two other cats, two dogs, two turtles, two guinea pigs, a bearded dragon, two white lab rats and a rabbit (all rescues) so my initial thought was that perhaps adding another cat might be somewhat of an overkill, but as it was quite clear that Grace was not seeking my approval to adopt this cat, I wisely sauntered over to the cage and intro-

duced myself stating, "Welcome to the clan...you don't realize it yet but you have hit the cat lottery!" Later that day, Sasha arrived home and upon meeting the other members of our menagerie she started hissing and spitting at the other cats and dogs who made the mistake of trying to check out this new-arrival making it very apparent that this was not going to be the most sociable of cats. Surprisingly, Sasha ultimately decided to take up residency in our bedroom, which was already occupied by a large white rabbit named, "Velle." Our oldest daughter had brought the rabbit home, stating that she had found her in Forest Park. Initially, Velle resided in Amy's bedroom until she left to go to college upstate and I had to relocate her to our bedroom to more easily clean and feed her. To my surprise, both Sasha

and Velle hit it off almost immediately, becoming inseparable as they roamed the second floor at their leisure and then returned to the bedroom where they would both either hide under the bed or sleep on it. It got to the point that whenever any other animal (cat or dog) entered the bedroom to check things out, Velle would immediately stand in front of Sasha and rear up on her hind legs and hop about making all sorts of unpleasant noises, scaring the bejesus out of whatever animal had foolishly trespassed onto their turf. As life would have it, Velle passed on and Sasha went into a funk, refusing to leave the bedroom for any reason. The only human she would interact with was Grace and every night when Grace would get into bed, Sasha curled up right next to her and would not move until she arose the Continued on page 29

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Page 29

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

BETWEEN THE BRIDGES Continued from Page 28 next morning. A few weeks ago, Sasha starting acting funny and a trip to the vet diagnosed her with advanced cancer. She didn't appear to be in pain so we brought her home. Last week she curled up with Grace for the final time and when we awoke the next morning we discovered that she had peacefully passed away during the night.

TROPICAL TIMES

In hindsight, my initial reaction to Sasha's rescue "adoption" was most assuredly shortsighted as, grouchy as she was, she gave our family much more than we provided her in the short six years she was with us. Additionally, while she was with us, our rabbit Velle got a new best friend out of the deal. What could be better than that? Broad Channel â&#x20AC;&#x201D; why would anyone want to live anywhere else?

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Page 30

Friday, March 30, 7:30 a.m. to noon COMMUNITY CHOMETZ BURNING Dead End of Beach 9th off Seagirt Ave Burn your chometz in celebration of the Jewish holiday Passover. Friday, March 30, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. EGGSTRAVAGANZA Knights of Columbus 333 Beach 90th Street Join the 100th PCT for an Easter egg hunt. Plus bike registration, crime prevention tips, games and more. Friday, March 30, 9 p.m. HELL OR HIGH WATER BAND LIVE Breezy Point BayHouse 500 Bayside Live music. Saturday, March 31, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOP Hammel Houses Cornerstone 81-14 Rockaway Beach Blvd Women 25+ are welcome to close out women’s history month. Food, discussion, keynote speaker and more. Saturday, March 31, 7 p.m. RATTRAP BUMPKIN VIDEO RELEASE PARTY

The Rockaway Times

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

Rockaway Brewing Co. 415 Beach 72nd Street See Rattrap Bumpkin’s new video and stay for a live show. Saturday, March 31, 9 p.m. WINE WITH SUE Rogers Pub 203 Beach 116th Street Live music. Sunday, April 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EASTER SERVICE ON THE BOARDWALK Beach 94th/95th Boardwalk Join House on the Rock Church for an outdoor Easter service. Includes large Easter egg hunt, photo booth and live music. Monday, April 2, 7 p.m. LIGHT IT UP BLUE FOR AUTISM AWARENESS Anywhere Starting April 2, after sundown, light blue lights outside your home in honor of Autism Awareness month. Wednesday, April 4, 11 a.m. CLEAN UP FAR ROCK Meet at Beach 56th Place and Edgemere Ave Join the 101st Precinct and help clean up garbage in the neighborhood. Call 718-868-3400 for more info.

See the RAA’s first art exhibit of the season, featuring the work of all female artists. Open through April 8.

Friday, April 6, 9 p.m. 3 SHEETS TO THE WIND Belle Harbor Yacht Club 533 Beach 126th Street Live classic rock and blues. Saturday, April 7, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. WOMEN IN FOCUS PANEL DISCUSSION sTudio 7 Gallery, Fort Tilden As part of RAA’s Of Women Exhibit, hear a panel of women photographers discuss their careers, photography challenges and more. Tuesday, April 10, 6:30 p.m. CREATE FAR ROCK TOWN HALL RISE Center 58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd Help envision the future of the arts for Far Rockaway. Identify cultural assets and ways to expand arts and culture. Register at rwalliance.org/ events. Saturday, April 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. SPRING DUNE PLANTING RISE Center 58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd Help the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance plant the dunes on the beach. All are welcome. Community Service hours available for students. Saturdays and Sundays, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. RAA’S OF WOMEN ART EXHIBIT sTudio 7 Fort Tilden

Mondays, 8 p.m. MEDITATION & DHAMMA TALK Rockaway Summer House 504 Beach 68th Street Meditation with a Buddhist monk. Free but donations are welcome to sustain the program. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. COSMIC SALT AT WHIT’S END 97-02 Rockaway Beach Blvd Live music every Wednesday. Thursdays, 7 p.m. to 9 pm. ROCKAWAVES RADIO AIRS Tune in for local music and entertainment during this live radio show. Head to Rockawavesradio.com Thursdays, 8 p.m. OPEN MIC Healy’s Pub 10807 Rockaway Beach Dr. Bring your voice or instrument and show what you got. Daily, 8 a.m. to 4p.m. RP JASA SENIOR CENTER ACTIVITIES 106-20 Shore Front Parkway, Suite 300 Activities for senior citizens including exercise classes, trips, lectures, bingo, knitting, quilting, computer classes, socializing, noon lunch, etc. Free to join. Call Fay or Christina at 718-634-3044 for info.

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Spend a week or two collecting data to be used in region-wide citizen science initiatives, and have fun learning to surf and kayak while you're at it! SALT takes place at our headquarters

Session 1 June 11th to June 15th 2018, located at the RISE Institute in Rockaway, Session 2 June 18th to June 22nd 2018, Queens, NY. 10 am - 4 pm Easily accessible to the A train station at Beach 60th St and one block from Jamaica Bay and Rockaway Beach!!

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

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LEGAL NOTICES Notice of formation of Eyez Mobile Now, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 11/17/2017. Office location: Queens. SSNY is designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 102-40 62nd Avenue, Forest Hills, NY 11375. Purpose: any lawful purpose. Notice of formation of MH Remodeling and Maintenance, LLC, Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 03/23/2018. Office in Queens County NY. SSNY designated as agent for LLC whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to MH Remodeling and Maintenance LLC, 159-01 116 Avenue, Jamaica NY 11434. Any lawful purpose. J & E Properties East LLC Articles of Org. filed with NY Sec. of State (SSNY) on 12/26/2017. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the limited liability company, 39-20 214th Place, Bayside,NY 11361. Any lawful purpose. Notice of Formation of Limited Liability Company NAME: FRANNIE LEW ASSOCIATES LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 02/13/2018. Office of Location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, 286 Northern Boulevard, Great Neck, New York 11021. Purpose: any lawful activity. JFM Marketing Consultant LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 2/12/2018. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 9111 Liberty Ave., #388, Ozone Park, NY 11417. General Purpose.

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Notice of formation of 69-14 61st Drive LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of New York SSNY on 03/05/2018. Office located in Queens County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC,69-14 61st Drive, Middle Village NY 11379. Purpose: any lawful purpose. Notice of Formation of Greg Travers Visions, LLC, Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 2/26/2018. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Greg Travers Visions, LLC, 6534 77th Street, Middle Village, NY 11379. Any lawful purpose.

Regional Logistics, LLC Articles of Org. filed with NY Sec. of State (SSNY) on 02/20/2018. Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 211-17 Hollis Avenue, Queens Village, NY 11429. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of Formation of FCM Cypress LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 1/23/2018. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 1091 Cypress Ave, Ridgewood, NY 11385. Purpose: any lawful activity. AAmerican Electrical Contracting LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 2/12/2018. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 9111 Liberty Ave., #388, Ozone Park, NY 11417. General Purpose. Vandervoort Property LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 01/31/18. Off. Loc.: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, 136-20 Roosevelt Ave #288, Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act. Notice of Formation of S. K. Simmons Creations, LLC, Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 02/14/18. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to S. K. Simmons Creations LLC, 14504 Lakewood Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11435. Any lawful purpose. SCHUMAN 10-34/40 LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/07/04. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o Loeb & Loeb LLP, 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154, ATTN: Jerome Levine, Esq. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Royalty Recordings & Management LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 1/18/2018. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 6486 84th St., Middle Village, NY 11379. General Purpose.

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The Rockaway Times

The Lazer Returns By Lou Pastina

The mermaid has been telling me for years that she may have lived past lives…after all, you never know; perhaps a slave in Egypt, a cotton picker down south, who knows? So, one day I see an ad for Ancestry.com and it’s only $69.95, and so I get it under the guise of a gift for the mermaid, and we scrape a few scales off her and send it in to the DNA processors. Now, there are people who say this is a big scam, and others who say that it is the way that the bad guys are collecting the world’s DNA. For me, it was just a way to set the record straight. We patiently waited the six weeks and the results finally came in: 87 percent Irish, 12 percent British and one percent Viking (or the equivalent). No Egyptian, no other past lives DNA! Ha!! However, the mermaid was quick to point out that past lives don’t show up in DNA. Who knew? She did theorize however,

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

that the crazy in her family was probably due to the one percent Viking, but there I had her, as I pointed out that I was pretty sure it was related to the 87 percent Irish. So, all this DNA talk led me to test my own DNA. I was pretty confident that coming from Italian and Irish parents, had, well, produced Italian and Irish kids. There are four of us, some look more Irish than Italian, some the other way around. But I was pretty sure in the end, we would all wind up with two DNA strands. So, I was very surprised when I received the results. Now it wasn’t like the guy on TV who trades his lederhosen for kilts, but it set me back and started a conversation in the family that was interesting. My mother held her end of the bargain up, as I was listed as 48 percent Irish. Good work mom, it seems that her family who came over from Ireland in the 1850’s, had pretty much stayed within the clan. My dad however had some explaining to do, because the report listed me as only 28

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percent Italian. My dad, the baby of his family, and still going strong at 90, seemed a little fuzzy on the ancestral family tree, which is funny, because he knows all the Yankees batting averages over the last ten years! The remainder of my primordial soup was quite surprising: nine percent Jewish; eight percent Caucasus; two percent Bantu; one percent Iberian Peninsula; and the rest a smattering of Mediterranean countries. To say I was surprised is an understatement. To test the veracity of the processor, I had both my brothers do the test, and their results came within reasonable limits to mine. So, what is the story? Well, I figure that some distant relative started somewhere on the Eastern Mediterranean shores of Israel and then started to migrate north toward the Russian Black and Caspian Seas where presumably some hanky-panky took place over the years. After a couple of Russian housekeeping exercises, part of the

family made the trek across the Carpathian Mountains and landed in Italy, where after consuming many bottles of homemade wine, more canoodling happened. At some point, one of the relatives went to visit Sicily and met some vacationing Bantus from the southeast coast of Africa, and let’s just say that both groups left happy. Finally, those southern Italian half breeds, tired of being dumped on by their arrogant northern brothers, left for the shining shores of America via Boston and finally New York City, where my grandfather opened a thriving junk business. And I guess to the horror of the family, the baby of their family fell in love with the baby of that aforementioned Irish family, and the rest as they say, is history. So as Passover and Easter approach, remember we are all one, a wonderful mix of humanity, swirling together just trying to do our best and make this world a better place. Peace!

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DEADLINE: APRIL 13 Finalists Will Have POSTER SIZE Photos placed on the boardwalk. 2 Photos allowed per category Beach Life Pets The Ferry Jamaica Rockaway Action Shots By entering the Rockaway Times contest you represent your entry is your own original work; and (ii) you own or have the rights to convey material submitted as part of your entry into the Contest. By entering, you grant The Rockaway Times and co-sponsors a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to edit, publish, promote, republish at any time in the future and otherwise use your submission, along with your name and likeness, in any and all media for any purpose, without further permission, notice or compensation. By participating in the Contest, you agree to release the Rockaway Times and sponsors, employees, and contest volunteers, from any and all liability, claims or actions of any kind whatsoever. The Rockaway Times and sponsors are not responsible for technical, hardware or software failures, or other errors or problems which may occur in connection with the Contest.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

THE HOFFMAN HOUSE – 1906 By Katie Lucev, mentored by Rockaway Beach Historian, Emil R. Lucev, Sr.

Marinated Slow Cooker Skirt Steak Tacos By Sharon Feldman

The Hoffman House was located on Beach 68th Street and the ocean. It was a small family-owned hotel. The difference between the Hoffman House and other hotels, is it catered to the same “elite clientele” every year. The rooms were set up to bring much of the comfort pleasures from the client’s home. Breakfast and dinner were prepared daily. Much like a cruise today, one price paid for everything.

Channel View Students Become Farmers for a Week

On the week of March 12, 24 sixth-grade students from Channel View School for Research worked at Springbrook Farm in Reading, Vermont. They got to experience milking a cow, tapped trees to get sap for maple syrup and watched a cow give birth to a baby bull. They also learned how to make cheese by watching the Cheese House Farmers. It wasn’t all work and no play. The kids also got to go snowshoeing and sledding. They also planted seeds to grow basil, dill and cilantro to go into the salads for the next school that will be working on the farm. The children were accompanied by science teachers, Ms. Husnain, Ms. McGoldrick and Literacy Coach Kerri Walsh. Kayla Shanahan, a sixth-grader said, “it was an unforgettable experience combining fun with learning.”

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Serves: 6 Ingredients: Soft tortillas 2 pounds of skirt steak 1 ½ teaspoons salt ½ teaspoon pepper 1 lime, juiced 2 teaspoons cumin 1 teaspoon paprika 7 cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano 1 red pepper, thinly sliced 1 sweet onion, thinly sliced ** ½ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped, optional Directions: Cut skirt steak in half or thirds to fit in slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper and put to the side. In a small bowl, mix together

The Rockaway Times lime juice, cumin, paprika, garlic and oregano. Rub into the skirt steak. Place steak in slow cooker. Sprinkle cilantro on top. Put sliced peppers and onions on top. Cover and cook for 4 hours on low. Remove from base and partially open lid. Allow to rest 10 minutes. Slice and serve with soft tortillas. I added salsa. You can serve over rice and beans as well.

P.S. 253 Students Attend Conference

Fifth-grade students from P.S. 253 participated recently in Mentor New York’s Youth Day where 250 students from Long Island, Queens and the Bronx toured the LIU Post campus to engage their interest in attending college. Workshops were also held on budgeting, empowerment, emergency preparedness with the Red Cross and coding. Along with the students, pictured (left to right) are: Vice Principal Candra Sutherland and staff members Teneisha Bailey and Immacolata Dibaro.

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SNOW, SURF AND SAND Continued from Page 16 snowing,” Reinhardt said. Despite what some might think, that doesn’t stop them from surfing it up in the cold. “Surfing in the snow is a majestic kind of feeling. Being out in the water and seeing snow come down is such a great, amazing feeling,” longtime surfer Raymond Wilkins who manages Rockaway Surf School, said. Temperatures and wind chills during the winter/early spring season can hit below the 20s making the waters anywhere from 50 degrees to as low as the 30s. “The cold adds an extra element of challenge,” says Patrick Duggan, surfer and instructor for Locals. “It also makes me extra grateful for the warmer temps, when they come.” Surfers take precautions and are prepared with proper gear for this type of weather. Hooded wetsuits, surf gloves and boots are worn. The temperature also determines how thick your wetsuit will need to be that day. The most common used are 5/4/3 wetsuits, which is 5mm thickness for the torso, 4 mm for the legs and 3mm for the arms. For extreme cold waters 6/5/4 works best or “wear a rash guard underneath your suit to hold more body heat in” recommends Reinhardt. To maintain your core body heat is important to help prevent your body from going into hypothermia. “Putting vaseline on your face also comes in handy to avoid wind burn,” Reinhardt said. Being out during a nor’easter or blizzard also raises the question, is it more dangerous?

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018 “It can be dangerous because of the limited visibility but as long as you’re aware of the surroundings and surf with another experienced surfer, you should be fine,” Reinhardt says. “The cold can rattle you a bit, it can make it seem harder to breathe — ultimately it’s psychological though, if you keep presence of mind and stay relaxed, it’s not that dangerous,” Duggan said. It is always recommended to go out with other surfers even in warmer weather because powerful waves and rip currents can be hazardous. “Undertows and rip currents are way more strong in the winter,” Wilkins says. “You should always know your limitations, especially surfing winter.” So if you are thinking about catching some waves and don’t want to wait until summer, cold weather surfing can be for you. Just be prepared to get some strange looks. “I get people stopping me and saying ‘are you crazy? I can't believe you're doing this.’ I just laugh,”Wilkins said. “I never questioned why I would suit up on a frigid winter morning … it was just a given. I looked forward to walking across the snow-covered beach to paddle out at first light,” Kim said. Reinhardt encourages people wanting to learn to give it a try. “A lot of our students like learning to surf during the winter season so by the summer they are more experienced,” Reinhardt said. “They also like to take pictures of themselves out in the snow surfing so it is kind of a novelty experience for them as well.” So if the snow is falling 'Surf's Up!’

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Tankless Truths By Adam Magniccari

Since Sandy, almost all of Breezy Point and plenty of Rockaway homes have installed tankless systems for both their hot water and their heating needs. You’ll often hear your neighbors refer to them as instant or on demand hot water tanks. No matter what you call them, they have been becoming more popular every passing year. Like everything, they have their pros and cons and this week I’ll give you my professional opinion of this technology. All the companies that make these units originally advertised and marketed them as energy efficient compared to the traditional freestanding water heater. There are two main reasons that this technology is more energy efficient. The first is that when these units kick on, they use virtually all their energy to heat the water you need and none of the heat escapes up the chimney. The second and main reason, is that it only heats the water when you need it, instead of heating that 50 gallon tank all day and night whether you need it or not. In the end, everyone asks me the same question. Does it save me money? The simple answer is “No.” Let me explain. It does technically save you money on your gas bill every month. Usually between $15 and $25 per month. The catch is that every tankless water heater needs to be serviced annually by a professional in order to keep it running properly. I charge $275 for this service. Do the math and the tankless unit actually costs you more than your standard tank that requires almost no maintenance. Now, let's say you do the maintenance yourself, which you absolutely can. The descaling solution and pump

necessary to flush your system will run you around $90. Everyone doing the math on this? Don’t do it to save any money. Now let’s look at upfront costs. The traditional 50-gallon hot water heater usually runs between $475-$575 depending on warranty and brand name. The typical tankless option runs between $900$1,200 depending on the size and capacity of the unit. The tankless option costs more to install professionally by about 30 percent. A standard hot water tank lasts between 12 and 14 years, while the best brands for tankless usually will last around 20. Now, let me be very clear about one thing. Tankless technology started in Japan and Europe and it is the numbers in those countries that I am gauging the lifespan on. I don’t know anyone in this community that has had one of these for much longer than five years. So time will tell. I can also tell you that the parts for all of the tankless heaters are harder to get than the standard domestic tank-style heaters. In the end there are only two reasons that I like the new tankless heaters. The first is that they can be put almost anywhere in your home. Any closet or attic or unused corner of your basement will work. The other is that all of these units provide virtually endless hot water, which is a luxury in its own right. Forget the money, forget the maintenance, for most people this is the main selling point and I would have to agree with them. I’d love to know what experience you’ve had with your standard or new tankless unit in your own home. Email me directly at 1soloplumbing@ gmail.com or leave a comment on our Facebook page.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

Rockaway’s Rising Youth Stars: Davon Armstead By Kami-Leigh Agard

Do you know of a local youth who is doing amazing things — whether playing sports — excelling academically in the classroom — working with a nonprofit or doing philanthropic endeavors on their own? The Rockaway Times (RT) is giving you the opportunity to nominate a youngster who is shooting for the moon, proving that they are our future leaders of tomorrow. Give them their well-deserved spotlight by sending in your nominations to RT’s monthly feature, Rockaway’s Rising Youth Stars. (Email Kami@rockawaytimes. com to nominate.) This week’s nominee: Davon Armstead Nominated by: Arverne resident and community activist, Edwin Williams What makes one good — to great — to unstoppable? For 17-year-old lifelong Far Rockaway resident, Davon Armstead, it’s being relentless. The high school senior football wide receiver was recently awarded a football scholarship to Buffalo State (also known as SUNY-Buffalo) Bengals football Division III National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) team. NCAA Division III teams are not required to offer athletic scholarships to their student athletes, however, Armstead was offered a scholarship and he jubilantly accepted. Why? Armstead said, “When the recruiters approached me, they said, ‘It’s your choice. If you want to come to Buffalo, it’s because you chose to come to Buffalo. They didn’t sugarcoat anything, and it felt legit. Besides being able to play a game that I passionately love, I am going to get the education I need to become the successful author I hope to become. My favorite subject is English, and if I don’t get to be in the NFL, at least I will have the chance to become a writer or who knows, I could become a future ESPN journalist.”

Davon Armstead in uniform.

When looking at the 6 ft. 2 inches, 190-pound, well-muscled teen gush about his favorite books and authors, all stereotypes about the average high school jock disappear. Armstead is an avid reader, ranking his favorite book, none other than “Relentless” by elite athlete trainer, Tim S. Grover, (who has taken on the greats including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Duane Wade and dozens more). Armstead said, “I read a lot. I like the series of Perry Jackson books by Rick Riordan such as ‘The Last Olympian’ and ‘The Battle of the Labyrinth.’ However, the reason I would rank ‘Relentless’ as my favorite is because after all the obstacles and unexplainable emotions I faced just trying to play football in high school, and on a more personal level with my younger brother, who has cancer, this book just spoke on a deeper level about why to never give up, whether on the field, in school or in life.” From nine years old, Armstead started playing football with local American Youth Football (AYF) team, Rockaway Ravens. When he first entered high school, he played football with Grand Street Campus High School football Wolves’ team in Brooklyn. Though progressing steadfastly in the ranks of the high school’s varsity team, in his sophomore year, the coaches were fired. Still lit with a

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fire to play his favorite sport, Armstead transferred to Abraham Lincoln High School. He didn’t get to play in his junior year, however, during this hiatus, Armstead said his motivation to keep his strength and agility, and more importantly, to not give up on his goal to play football and go to college, was his family, especially his brother. “My entire family works out everyday and keeping in shape is just a lifestyle for all of us,” Armstead said. “However, my 15-year-old younger brother, Jacob, was my main motivation.” Jacob was diagnosed with stage-four cancer during Armstead’s high school junior year. However, his brother’s determination to keep positive and beat cancer inspired him to never give up. “My brother is amazing and he also loves football. He’s had it rough and is still pushing despite the dire prognosis and

daily challenges. He’s my hero and my motivation to keep on keeping on,” Armstead said. As for what Armstead wants other youth like him, aspiring to great heights, but thrown with detours and challenges in life to keep focused on? “After having a successful two years playing high school football, then a year-long hiatus from the game after having to transfer, and painfully seeing my brother struggle with cancer, I just kept reading motivating books and repeating positive reinforcements to myself. Stay relentless. Never give up. Never quit. Keep the bigger picture in mind and realize you have to keep going, not just for yourself, but also for those you love. Like Grover states in his book, ‘Success depends on the strength of only one muscle: the one that beats in your chest.’ Buffalo State, here I come!” Armstead determinedly said.

Davon Armstead with his brother, Jacob.

The Rockaway Times

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

LOCAL COLOR: READERS SEND IN THEIR PIX We might be a little biased but we think some of the best photographers in the world live in Rockaway. Here are some shots that readers shared with us this week. Send your photos (limit to 2 per week) to mail@rockawaytimes.com and we’ll do our best to print them (space permitting). We do receive more than we can print.

By Andrew Stangel

By Henry Feeney

By Sandra J. Smith

By Suzanne O'Rahilly

By Colleen West

By Ken Lavery

By Tatyana Zaslavskaya

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018

FROM THE ROCKAWAY WATERFRONT ALLIANCE Continued from Page 20 Deborah Morris of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, among others. The night started off as a sortof gallery walk, with the student groups set up around the room, ready and willing to answer questions and talk about their projects with the guests. Then came the formal presentations. First up were Fardin Bari, Dominick George, and Nairoby Peña-Peralta, who presented their idea for a redesign of Thursby Basin Park. George explained with ease how their flower-themed park presented a huge upgrade to a plot of land the NYC Parks Department has left empty for so long. Peña-Peralta and Bari helped answer questions about the educational services their park would offer, such as kayaking lessons. Group two was formed by Quadiara Peggs and Ayobami Olabode. In the plot of land

across from the Addabbo HealthCare Center, these two have dreamt up a recreational center that will include a workout room, swimming pool, library, basketball courts, charging stations outside, and so much more. They plan to keep most amenities free for the community but to offer swimming and other lessons at a cost to operate the building, and create jobs for local youth. Far Rock Ice is an idea for an ice skating rink behind the Queens Food Stamp Center on Beach 59th Street. Imagine that, a huge rink right in the middle of Arverne, aimed at helping to keep Far Rockaway active, and open-

Women for Progress March for Lives On Saturday, March 24, a group of Rockaway Women for Progress (RWP) members joined the hundreds of thousands of people at the March for Our Lives in Manhattan. The March was a part of a national movement of student-led marches sparked by the tragic events in Parkland, Florida on Valentine’s Day. RWP stood with the students at the March to demonstrate to our federal elected officials that they must immediately draft a comprehensive bill to address our unique national problem of gun violence. The weather was spring-like and the crowd was immense. Many of the RWP members marched as mothers, teachers and concerned citizens, thinking the entire time about how much every parent has the same interest in their child's safety and opportunity for education, and that the lack of

congressional action on the subject of guns is an abject failure to all schoolchildren in the USA. What was most heartening about the experience was the young men and women holding clipboards and registering marchers to vote in the upcoming midterms in November. This demonstrated that there is a concerted effort to make sure that a candidate’s commitment to gun control is a defining issue on Election Day. Rockaway Women for Progress will be hosting voter registration drives at the Arverne library (312 Beach 54th St) on April 12 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. On April 14, the voter drives will be at Seaside (Beach 117th St and RBB), Peninsula (Beach 92nd St and RBB) and Far Rockaway (1637 Central Ave) libraries from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information visit www.rockawaywomenforprogress.com.

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ing up opportunities for local restaurants to sell food at a new activity center! This idea was presented by Jesutofunmi Olabode and Guy Dautruche who imagined having a unique roofing system that would open in the winter but close in the summer to allow for indoor skating. Finally, on the plot of land adjacent to Rockaway Freeway between Beach 59th and Beach 62nd Streets, Vilinda Joyeux, Paul Tomofeev, and Yariel Pacheco presented The Turtle Plaza. This turtle-themed plaza took home the Creativity Award thanks to its turtle-inspired benches, fountain, and cool use of tiles to create wave like imagery on the ground. It also included three shipping container buildings that would house businesses. The group saw their plaza as a sort-of extension of the Arverne by the Sea pavilion on Beach 67th Street. Imagine if each subway stop on the A-train had a public center akin to that? A strip of aesthetically pleasing and job generating plazas along the A would go a long way in revitalizing the peninsula.

The Rockaway Times Zehra Kuz of Oasis Design Lab, who presented the Creative award, said she loved the work the youth were doing and think that it is so important for them to be involved in this sort of design and planning process. “The youth know their neighborhood and what it needs,” she said. “This civic forum has been a wonderful experience, but one suggestion I will make to the RWA is to start the collaboration process even earlier to get more ideas and opinions throughout an evolving design experiment. If Shore Corps wants to come to Pratt, I will gladly accommodate them!” All of the guests shared Zehra’s excitement and enthusiasm for the students’ work. The success of Arverne, By the People is a testament not only to their hard work, but to the future of Arverne and Rockaway as a whole. Perhaps one day, when designs for these sites start to be considered by the people who can actually bring them to fruition, the designs presented during this civic urban forum will not be forgotten.

Newest Student of the Month Asha Archer is the Student of the Month for March 2018 at World Champions Karate Center. Students who have received this honor have met certain criteria established by Sensei Bruce Hodes. A Karate-ka (student) that receives this honor is one who consistently tries their best in all areas of training, demonstrates respect and discipline on the tatami (workout floor), never hesitates to help other students and always volunteers to lead the class. Congratulations to Asha and her family.

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