Rockaway Times 2-16-23

Photo by Ryan Hellman

Photo by Hani Albahr

Photo by Joe Fox

Another Residential Building on the Way

By Katie McFadden

The landscape of Rockaway continues to change. Earlier this week, one of the last beachfront homes in Rockaway Park, 130 Beach 120th Street, was demolished to make way for a multi-residence building.

According to city property records, the three-story home sold for $4.5 million in early 2022. By April 2022, the new owner, Dennis Druzhinsky under the 130 Beach 120 Rockaway LLC, filed for permits for an eight-story residential building. Online searches show Druzhinsky is a young south Brooklyn-based tennis player who followed in his father’s footsteps into the real estate world.

According to New York Yimby, the proposed building is an “80-foot-tall development with 33,834 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 40 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 845 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar and 12 enclosed parking spaces.” Michael Muroff Architect is named as the architect for the project, the same architect building the “Surf Houses” at 183

Beach 101st Street and 163 Beach 96th Street.

A demolition permit was filed on August 2, 2022, and was approved on February 2, 2023. No time was wasted, as by Tuesday, February 14, the entire home was gone.

The owner did not need any zoning changes for this property as the area is already zoned R7A, which allows for residential buildings up to nine stories to be built, so the proposal did not have to go through the ULURP process.

Real estate production website Nova mentions the property along with possible renderings of what’s to come: https://novaae. com/130b120

Photos by James Supple.

Help Us Celebrate Rockaway’s Up and Coming 20 Under 40 — Nominations Open!

Assisting The Rockaway Times 20 Under 40 judge panel will be longtime community advocates, who like our staff, both live in Rockaway and diligently work towards boosting our community.

RT readers—Do you know of a local mover and shaker between the ages of 13 and 40 making an impact in our community? The Rockaway Times not only wants to hear about their efforts, but also give them the recognition they deserve in our 2023 Inaugural 20 Under 40 Leadership Awards. Ranging in age from Gen Z to elder-millennial, collectively these 20 community-minded men and women not only demonstrate and exemplify outstanding leadership and creativity in business, philanthropy, sports, health, education and more—but also understand Rockaway’s greatest resource is its people. And dear readers—we beckon you to take ownership in recognizing these trailblazing Rockaway stalwarts.

Whether they are fighting against school bullying, fundraising for a special cause, exemplifying true sportsmanship on the field, or are a business owner paying it forward, NYPD crossing guard or Neighborhood Community Officer (NCO), FDNY, sanitation worker, local politician, anyone—including those working behind the scenes—the common dominator these individuals share is their steadfast dedication to making our ocean/bayside community a blessed place to thrive for all. They each demonstrate extraordinary professional accomplishments or distinguished service to others, wherever they are in their career, community service or combination of the two.

So, starting today, Thursday, February 16, get a jumpstart on sending in your nominations! Nominations should be sent via email to editor@rockawaytimes. com with the subject line, “RT 20 Under 40." Email submissions should include: Nominee's name; Nominee’s birthdate, (which won't be printed, but note, they must be age 13 or younger than 40 by May 25, 2023); Nominee’s occupation, (place of business, where they volunteer or school they attend); Nominee’s community or township of residence (for example, Rockaway Beach, NY); Nominee's community activity; Nominee’s contact information, (including email and phone number, which will not be printed); and a 200-word or less explanation of why your nominee is deserving for the award. When submitting your nomination, be very descriptive as to why you feel that the individual should be considered. For example, include professional achievements and/or community involvement, plus feel free to share your personal anecdotes and insights about what sets your nominee apart; what makes them a local trailblazer.

Nomination period ends Friday, April 28, then on May 25, winners will be announced and profiled in The Rockaway Times upcoming “20 Under 40” special edition and our annual Summer & Community Guide, plus more announcements on the pike.

Folks—join The Rockaway Times in celebrating these deserved “20 Under 40,” who make Rockaway a beautiful community to not just proudly live, but thrive.

For more information, email: editor@rockawaytimes.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023

Contact The Elected

Congressman Gregory Meeks

67-12 Rockaway Beach Boulevard Arverne, NY 11692

Phone: (347) 230-4032

Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato 9516 Rockaway Beach Blvd Rockaway Beach, NY 11693

Email: amatos@nyassembly.gov 718-945-9550

City Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers

1931 Mott Avenue, Suite 410

Far Rockaway, NY 11691 • 718-471-7014

City Councilwoman Joann Ariola

114-12 Beach Channel Drive, suite #1 Rockaway Park, NY 11694

Email: joannariola32@gmail.com 718-318-6411

“We owe a lot of our success to the Rockaway Times and the advertising. The weekly paper delivered for FREE to every doorstep in the community was the best advertising we could have asked for. COUNTLESS people have come in to our business over the years saying they saw our specials in the Times. For that, we are EXTREMELY GRATEFUL.”

State Senator James Sanders Jr. 1931 Mott Avenue – Suite 305 Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Email: sanders@nysenate.gov 718-327-7017

Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson 19-31 Mott Avenue, Suite 301 Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Jeanne Ferriola and Sean McVeigh PUBLISHER

Katie McFadden MANAGING EDITOR

Mary Ellen Olsen MANAGER

Monica Clifford BILLING/ LEGALS

Tom McVeigh and Fred Marino SALES

Kevin Boyle FOUNDER/PUBLISHER EMERITUS

The Rockaway Times

114-04 Beach Channel Drive Rockaway Park, NY 11694 Phone: 718-634-3030

www.rockawaytimes.com

Email: news@rockawaytimes.com, mail@rockawaytimes.com

THE ROCKAWAY TIMES is published every Thursday by Double Nickel LLC (USPS # 16930), 114-04 Beach Channel Drive, Rockaway Park, NY 11694. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Rockaway Times, 114-04 Beach Channel Drive, Rockaway Park, NY 11694. Periodical postage paid at Rockaway Park Post Office, 11694.

Ad space reservations by Monday, 12 noon, preceding date of subject. 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 sub– ject 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.

To advertise in The Rockaway Times call 718-634-3030 · ads@RockawayTimes.com

MARDI GRAS SPECIALS

• Starters •

Andouille Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms 15 smoked, spicy pork sausage stuffed into marinated mushrooms topped with mozzarella

Pickle Fries 12 crispy fried pickles served w/remoulade sauce

• Entrees •

Cajun Red Snapper 31 pan seared topped w/lump crabmeat and cajun cream sauce

Shrimp Creole 28

sauteed shrimp w/peppers, mushrooms, onions in a spicy red sauce over rice

Jambalaya 28 shrimp, andouille sausage, chicken over rice

Shrimp Po-Boy 21

crispy southern fried shrimp on a French hoagie w/lettuce, tomato, cajun remoulade sauce served with fries

Smothered Pork Chops 28

Email: Andersonk@nyassembly.gov 718-327-1845 129-18

sauteed pork chops w/mushrooms & onions smothered in a buttermilk gravy

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.

SERVING LUNCH

Monday to Saturday 12:00PM - 3:00PM

Sunday Brunch 11:30AM - 3:00PM

SERVING DINNER

Sunday - Thursday 4:00PM -9:00PM Friday and Saturday 4:00PM - 10:00PM

LIVE MUSIC

Midnight Society | Friday, February 17th

Crossfade Nights | Saturday, March 11th

Knobs Acoustic | Sunday, March 12th

RockawayWades | Friday, March 17th

Winston McBoogie | Sunday, March 19th

Wine with Sue | Friday, March 24th

Gregg Parr | Sunday, March 26th check social for times

There

Thank you for thinking of us!

Check

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McVeighing In

By Sean McVeigh

Off to Battle

It’s always on the nights you need it the most. You make the responsible decision to skip that last glass of wine or deliciously named digestif because you have things to do tomorrow – lots. You lay down and expect to drift off, but it seems that tonight is not going to be so simple. The clock ticks at a record pace and yet you lay there wide awake. Was it that afternoon cup of coffee, or am I just plagued by the thoughts running through my head. Suddenly you realize it is neither. This wasn’t your fault but that does not mean you will make it out of this unscathed.

Evolution has developed some amazing defense mechanisms. Some not only get the job done but they look really cool, too. Who doesn’t love watching nature shows where you see the lizard’s camouflage or the flower that disguises itself as a large bug to ward off predators. Humans have not had to worry too much about that sort of thing in recent history (thank goodness!). In the macro-universe, we are the top dog and have been for a while. No, that is not the worry of the human body. Where our body has developed an amazing defense system is against the micro-universe. Continually advancing over the years, with millennia spent honing in on perfection, our bodies are incredible in the battles they wage not on the outside but on the inside. We are all familiar. Whether you know it or not, we have all been on that battlefield. Let me set the scene: Dinner is great but there is just something a little off. Afterwards you feel the beginning of a bodily process that we experience multiple times a day –

there’s nothing to worry about… Or is there?

When you eat something, and your body decides that it does not want it there, it puts on an evolutionary masterclass on how to get rid of it. All other bodily functions shut down and it knows only one goal. There is no Sean, only Zuul! A bodily fire drill takes place except everyone is an Olympic sprinter and the exits are very clearly marked for them. You won’t be sleeping tonight, no sir, you will be stuck contemplating the meaning of life because to you this is it. This is the end. There is no hope. You and your new best friend/ worst enemy, the toilet, are in this together now. No gentle knock at the door accompanied by a soft, “are you OK?” is going to help you. The only way is through but, unfortunately, the devil already knows you’re there, the commotion woke him up. The night is long and there is little sleep to be had. Occasionally, you find yourself dozing off but are quickly reminded of the situation. To the body, “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”

The next morning, the sun rises. Defeated, sore and tired, you rise with it. You made it through the night. The fact that you didn’t get much sleep doesn’t bother you too much. What matters is that you survived. These nights serve as a reminder. A reminder that you are indeed human and while we might be top dog in some arenas of life, we are still very much mortal. You get up, clean yourself off and go about your big day that had so much to be done. Afterall, these Rockaway Times columns aren’t going to write themselves.

*****

The Rockaway Times Photo Contest is back! Now launching season eight (!!), The Rockaway Times Photo Contest, if we do say so ourselves, has become one of the great Rockaway traditions and one that boasts community pride and talent and beautifies Rockaway in the process. We are excited to have our co-sponsors, The Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy and NYC Ferry, both back on board for another year. We look forward to reviewing your submissions and are thrilled that so many of you participate. Important note: To be eligible for the contest, photos must be delivered by email to Contest@Rockawaytimes.com. We’ll still run our popular Local Color feature each week, but those photos should be sent to Mail@Rockawaytimes.

com. For some more important information about this year’s contest, check out page 15.

*****

Hearings for the newest draft of New York State Assembly district lines in Queens will be held today, Thursday, February 16, at York College in Jamaica beginning at 4 p.m. As it currently stands, the proposed new lines would split the peninsula in half, similar to the City Council District lines, whereas the current lines keep the entire peninsula solely under District 23.

*****

Congratulations to Rocco’s of Roc Beach for bringing home the gold in this year’s Queens Chamber of Commerce pizza competition. After beating out more than 130 others, Rocco’s was awarded Best Pizza in Queens. Guess you’ll have to go out and try for yourself!

*****

Mayor Adams confirmed last week that while workers who were fired for refusing to get the Covid-19 shot could reapply for their old jobs, that job would not be

guaranteed, nor would any previous seniority or assignment. He also stressed that workers would not be receiving any back pay for the time that they missed. In response, several unions have already begun to file lawsuits, arguing for back pay saying that their members should have been working but were not allowed to. *****

The application period for the Education Council Elections for 32 Community Education Councils and four Citywide Education Councils has been extended until February 23. You must have a child in the NYC public school system to be eligible to apply. The voting process is set to take place in April and May.

*****

This past Tuesday, family members of those who lost loved ones on city streets took to the steps of City Hall to speak out before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held an oversight hearing on street safety infrastructure. One of the families in attendance was that of

10-year-old Davina Afokoba who was killed on her way home from school on Beach Channel Drive near Dix Ave. just over a year ago. Last year was the deadliest year on record in the Vision Zero era. *****

Long time Rockaway Park Resident, Teresa Donimirska Piechocka, has published a book titled My Memoir: Nazis and Communists. Growing up in 1940s War-Torn Poland. The book is described as a collection of true stories that inform and inspire anyone who seeks knowledge about what it was like to grow up during WWII. The book is now available on Amazon.

Last week the New York Dippers Club was highlighted in an article in the Times, The New York Times that is. The Rockaway Times featured them in November. The NY Times piece highlights the Dippers who have been living up to their name and taking a dip in the ocean on Beach 67th St. almost every morning at 9 a.m. since they began in October. Interested? Go give them a visit and give it a try!

Beef

½ Tray Buttered Parlsey Potatoes

½ Tray Cabbage

½ Tray Brussel Sprouts and Carrots

Large Rye Bread

1 Irish Soda Bread

butter, mustard & utensils

3ft Rye Bread Hero - �120

Corned Beef, Cabbage, Swiss, Russian Dressing

Corned Beef our famous barreled & brined, slowly simmered and cooked to perfection.

Full Tray �160

Half Tray �85

Chef Joe's Famous

RSPD Package - �145 (serves 6-8 people)

Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Irish Soda Bread, Rye Bread, Full Tray

Finger Sandwich Sampler - �135

Eggplant A&S • Luger • Chicken & Roasted Peppers • Fresh Mozzarella • Corned Beef & Cabbage & Swiss Russian Dressing

This Week in History

FEBURARY 16

Dina Hanning was born. Metta Kaskel was born. Grace O’Malley was born.

1959 - Fidel Castro becomes the 16th Prime Minister of Cuba after overthrowing Fulgencio Batista.

1968 - The country's first 911 phone system went into service in Haleyville, Ala.

FEBRUARY 17

Steve Stathis was born.

Joanna Ostrander was born.

1801 - The electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr was broken by the House of Representatives who elected Jefferson president.

1962 - Beach Boys introduced a new musical style with their hit "Surfin."

FEBRUARY 18

Eddy Pastore was born.

1885 - “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain was published.

1953  - First 3D film “Bwana Devil” premieres in NYC.

FEBRUARY 19

Alex Venier was born.

Ariola Wins FDNY Union Approval

Heather Leonard was born.  Jeannemarie Morris was born.

1878 - Thomas Edison patented the gramophone (phonograph).

1968 - The first nationwide broadcast of “Mr. Roger's Neighborhood” aired on PBS.

FEBRUARY 20

Dan Mundy Sr. was born.

1895 - Frederick Douglass, abolitionist, author, and orator, died.

1962 - John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth.

FEBRUARY 21

Jen Lawler was born.

Judy Jones Lindner was born.

Nancy Egan Moran was born.

Maryjo Carnacchio was born. Lauren Chiffriller was born.

1878 - The first telephone book was issued (New Haven, Conn.).

1965 - Black nationalist leader Malcolm X was assassinated.

FEBRUARY 22

1879 - Frank Winfield Woolworth opened his first "Five Cent Store" in Utica, New York. 1935 - Airplanes were no longer permitted to fly over the White House.

Councilwoman Joann Ariola is starting off her re-election campaign with some major endorsements from all three of the FDNY’s unions.

Last week, Ariola received the endorsement of the Uniformed Firefighter Association. This followed endorsements by the United Fire Officers Association and Local 2507.

“Securing the endorsements of all three unions within the FDNY is a tremendous honor,” Coun -

AMAZING IS COMBINING GREAT CARE WITH CONVENIENCE.

NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group Brooklyn

Many of our offices accept most insurance and have same-day, early and late appointments, and some even offer weekend availability. Or, if you can’t make it in, we offer video visits.*

cilwoman Joann Ariola said. “As Chair of the Fire & Emergency Management Committee, I’ve dedicated myself to improving the lives of New York’s Bravest and receiving this kind of support tells me that I’ve been doing something right.

“Since Day one of being in office, I’ve worked to enhance safety for the FDNY’s members, defend their benefits, and make sure that they receive the respect they deserve,” the Councilwoman added. “Whether it’s fighting to get increased pay for our EMTs, to get firefighters back on the job after dismissal for COVID-19 vaccine noncompliance, or defending against attempted changes to retirees insurance, I have always been in the FDNY’s corner. That’s something that will never change. As long as I’m in the City Council, I will always make our city’s first responders a priority, and I will always work to make sure that they get the resources that they deserve.”

Rockaway Times Photo Contest

Start sending your photos now!

Final Deadline is Noon Friday, April 14th

Participants can submit no more than 4 photos

Categories are:

1) Ferry Photos

2) Water Wildlife

3) Boardwalk life

4) Pets/ Animals

$500 GrandPrize!

5) Rockaway Life -- photos that capture Rockaway

All photos must be high resolution and must be submitted to Contest@Rockawaytimes.com, along with your name and what category you’re entering. Photos submitted to other email addresses will not be considered.

Selected Photos will be displayed in poster-size along the boardwalk this summer.

*The Rockaway Times may use any photos as they see fit, including for The Rockaway Times Summer Guide. Photo credit will be given.

phone: 516.802.0999

fax: 516 239.9698

Ariola Says Dayton Beach Park Board is Out

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• Factory Authorized

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• Certified Collision Repair Facility

• Member Automotive Services Excellence (ASE)

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Also featuring

• Customer parking area

• Customer Reception and Waiting Area

• 5-Star Customer Satisfaction Rating

After several years of shareholders and local elected officials taking issue and trying to oust the Dayton Beach Park board of directors, on Friday, February 10, Councilwoman Joann Ariola announced mission accomplished. Ariola says she has negotiated with the New York City Department of Housing and Development (HPD) to remove the board of Dayton Beach Park, bringing an end to a saga which has left tenants in limbo for over a decade.

In a press release sent out on Friday, Ariola said, “It is appalling to me that these conditions were allowed to drag on for as long as they have –especially when there is an elected official who is living in these very buildings. The current board members have been acting completely unethically. The buildings haven’t seen board elections in years, and there are numerous allegations from residents about board members using their position for their own advantage – all while refusing to address the issues of their fellow shareholders.”

The Rockaway Times began highlighting issues regarding the Dayton Beach Park board in November 2017, when HPD threw out the board vote that year due to suspicions of voter fraud. Meanwhile, while not being able to vote for a new board, issues with the board allegedly continued. In December 2017, shareholders accused the board of illegally renting apartments. The board was then again under scrutiny just a month later

when two residents died in an apartment fire and shareholders accused the board of not doing annual inspections, while HPD allegedly overlooked these issues. In October 2018, the board sued HPD for challenging the board vote, allowing the members to stay in power with no new election.

In March 2019, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato and others announced an Article 78 motion against HPD, allowing shareholders to begin a lawsuit against the agency and to request the full removal of the board of directors. In May 2022, a judge threw out the board’s case against HPD. This opened the hope that elections for a new board could continue but nothing came of it. Since then, news was quiet on Dayton Beach Park, until Friday when Councilwoman Ariola made her surprise announcement.

Ariola said that not enough action took place to get results in this longtime ongoing issue. “The fact that it’s taken this long to get something done here highlights the kind of malaise that has become the norm for local politics in recent years,” the Councilwoman added. “Too many politicians seem to have gotten too comfortable in their positions and forget that they are here as servants of the people – not the other way around. Holding a few press conferences is one thing, but the people want to see real action to address their concerns. This latest decision by the HPD is the kind of action people need, and I am proud to have been able to make this happen.”

Serving Broad Channel For 118 Years

By Katie McFadden

There’s no doubt New York’s Bravest does an exemplary job when responding to calls, but in an emergency, seconds matter, especially for an isolated town like Broad Channel. And with Rockaway’s Engine 266 and Howard Beach’s Engine 331/ Ladder 173 both having to traverse bridges for Broad Channel’s emergencies, for the residents there, having their own volunteer fire department in town makes all the difference. This year, the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department (BCVFD) is celebrating 118 years and they’ll be marking the occasion with the installation of their newest officers at the annual BCVFD Dinner on February 25.

Having been with the BCVFD for 25 years, Chief Ed Wilmarth knows a thing or two about the importance of having a group of firefighters that give their time as a labor of love for their community, and the impact the firehouse has had in the 118-year history of the Department. As Wilmarth explained, the BCVFD is the oldest volunteer fire department in Queens, and only the second oldest in New York City. With the FDNY serving the five boroughs, volunteer fire departments are few and far between, but for towns like Broad Channel, they fill a big need.

For Broad Channel, that need was realized in 1905 and was fulfilled when a bucket brigade got together on August 31, 1905. It was a time when Broad Channel was just starting to be developed, and homes popped up before the island’s bridges did. But with the island only being accessible by boat, the town realized they would need something in the event of a fire. That need grew when in 1907, in neighboring Howard Beach, a massive fire took out 18 buildings. Broad Channel realized they would need a little something more to avoid a similar disaster. So they began fundraising to help the bucket brigade purchase more formal equipment and the brigade became the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department. They just needed a home.

In 1907, they landed at their current location at 15 Noel Road and construction began. On June 15, 1908, the firehouse, the same one the BCVFD uses today, was officially open. In the ‘50s, it was realized that Broad Channel needed even more rescue services. As Wilmarth explained, when Broad Channel finally did get bridges, they were drawbridges that were frequently opened as fuel was primarily transported by ship. Subjected to frequent delays with open bridges, plus summer traffic trying to get to the up-and-coming Rockaway peninsula, Broad Channel was still left vulnerable when it came to medical emergencies. In 1956, the BCVFD began its own ambulance service, and remains as one of the oldest volunteer ambulance services in New York City.

For 118 years, the BCVFD has been there for calls big and small.

The BCVFD operates in a unique way compared to other volunteer fire departments. Since WWII, when the department also served as a Civil Defense Unit, the members

do shift work, much like the FDNY, so there’s always a group at the firehouse for when a call comes in, and always someone there to make sure the equipment is in working order, so there are no last-minute surprises.

Ironically, today, fires aren’t the main emergency for the BCVFD. “It’s a quiet tour. I haven’t been

to a big fire in months, which is a good thing, but not to apply your skills and get the experience you want,” Wilmarth said. Since Hurricane Sandy, Wilmarth says most of the new and renovated homes in Broad Channel are much safer than the homes of the past, many with

Continued on page 33

THE BCVFD IN 1908.

THE BCVFD IN 1962.

The Rockaway Times Photo Contest is Now Open

And so begins the Eighth Annual Rockaway Times Photo Contest! As you know, there’s no doubt, Rockaway’s Got Talent and we like to put the spotlight on peninsula shutterbugs. This year’s contest will definitely have a Jamacia Bay leaning as the Top 30 photos selected will include five from a Ferry Photos category and five from a Water Wildlife category.

As we’ve done in years past, the Top 30 photos selected are made poster-size and put on display on the boardwalk. And some honorable mentions get placed at the ferry dock. As mentioned above, of the Top 30 this year, five will feature Ferry Photos and five will feature Water Wildlife. Other than those, there will be no specific categories, the others listed in the ad are simply to get the ideas flowing. All great photos will be considered. The winning photographer wins a $500 Grand Prize and everlasting bragging rights. You don’t have

to be a professional, you just have to take a great photo!

Ok, now the IMPORTANT STUFF: Deadline: NOON, Friday, April 14. Other than our two formal categories, you can submit whatever photos you’d like. We would love to see a photo of your adorable pet, but remember, it will be competing against sunsets, parades, wildlife, surfers, you name it. Judges will only consider pictures that convey a local theme.

You are allowed to submit up to FOUR (4) photos. They must be high resolution (some of those phone photos just don’t cut it; resist sending fuzzy out-of-focus pictures) and the photos must be of Rockaway, Breezy Point or Broad Channel or on the ferry or from the ferry. This is The Rockaway Times Photo Contest and we’re sure your vacation photos are great but we’re sticking to a Rockaway theme. You must submit your name

(or the name of the photographer) and, please know that The Rockaway Times may use any of the photos as we see fit (in the paper, and/or Summer Guide, Facebook, etc). We will give photo credit, but we will have full rights to the photo. And please, only send photos you have taken or have rights to or permission to use.

Please make sure the photos are your own. We’ve had instances in the past where people shared great photos from professional photographers and even from Rockaway Times staff members into the contest. It must be original work, or it will be automatically disqualified.

Important: Send to the CORRECT email address. Submit your top photos to Contest@Rockawaytimes.com

We will still print our Local Color feature each week but that’s a separate email and contest photos sent there cannot be considered.

Contest tip: We know we’ll get lots and lots of beautiful sunsets and sunrises but that means it’ll be tough for your photo to really stand out. Maybe your picture of kids on the beach (Mike Dier’s shot of his little one playing with trucks in front of the Army Corps construction took first last year!) or a great boardwalk scene or something that screams “That’s Rockaway!” will be the one that captures the judges’ eyes. And remember, send only your top 4 (or fewer!).

We’re thrilled to have our co-sponsors back for this year’s contest. The Jamaica Bay–Rockaway Parks Conservancy (JBRPC) who will be sponsoring the Water Wildlife Category, NYC-Ferry who will be sponsoring the Ferry Photos category, and NYC Parks. Thank you for helping to make this one of the summer’s great events.

So go snap away, Rockaway. The Photo Contest is officially open!

Mike Dier Erica Reade

Hani Albahr

Stephen Chin

Rocco’s Named Best Pizza in Queens

know that Rocco’s of Roc Beach won.”

By Katie McFadden

Not bad for a place that was once called the Irish Riviera. Rockaway officially has the best pizza in Queens! On Friday, February 10, the Queens Chamber of Commerce announced the winner of their Best Pizza in Queens contest, and the best pie went to none other than Rocco’s of Roc Beach.

A few weeks ago, the Queens Chamber launched a contest, seeking nominations for people’s favorite pizza spots in the borough. It then came down to a public vote, and loyal customers made sure to vote for their favorites. The pizza lovers in Rockaway came out strong. Not only was Rocco’s of Roc Beach (115-10 Rockaway Beach Blvd.) deemed to have the best pizza in Queens for their fresh, coal oven pizza, the second top choice was just around the corner—Pizza D’Amore on Beach 116th Street. And another local spot also made the top 10. Newcomer, Pizza on the Point in Breezy Point, took the ninth spot. Not bad for a contest that featured more than 130 nominees around the borough.

On Friday, the Queens Chamber, an organization meant to support small businesses, gathered local elected officials and local pizza enthusiasts to announce Rocco’s of Roc Beach as the winner. Tom Grech, president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, explained how the contest came to be. “I think America’s favorite food is pizza. My colleague, George, said why don’t we do a pizza contest? So, this is our inaugural kickoff for the best of Queens County series. We might do gyros next. Today is all about pizza,” Grech said. “After an exhaustive nomination process and a voting process, I’m very happy to let folks

Joanne Cotrone, co-owner of Rocco’s, was presented a plaque and humbly accepted the honor. “I’m very humbled. My husband and I took a chance. We grew up in the Rockaways, going to the beaches here. We didn’t just show up on Beach 115th and decide to open a restaurant. We are part of this community. We believe in this community, and we took a chance. We are very loyal, humble, thankful and grateful to everyone here and all of our customers. Without our customers, without the people who voted for us, we would not be receiving this award. We’re shocked we were even nominated,” Cotrone said. “We’re only open a year and half, but we believe in our products. Everything here we use is homemade ingredients from Italy. We refuse to sacrifice and put cheaper products in, and I think that’s what really made the difference here. We’re not just a pizzeria, we’re also a restaurant, so for those who are here and have not tasted our food, come back because we really try to give the best to this community, and we really appreciate everything you’ve done for us.”

Councilwoman Joann Ariola was invited to say a few words to the owners. “I was very excited to hear that Rocco’s of Roc Beach won. I know there were dozens of nominations and dozens of votes cast and Rocco’s was named the best pizza in the borough of Queens,” Ariola said. “Now, we already knew the kind of pizza they had here, and this is a hometown boy and girl done good. They took a chance on Rockaway, and it paid off and we cannot thank you enough because we believe in Rockaway, we believe in what Rockaway brings to this borough and you’ve raised the stock here. Thank you to Joanne and your husband and everyone who works here. If you haven’t eaten here, you’re missing out. We have a lot of pizzerias in District 31 and a lot of them were nominated, but you’re the standout and you deserve to be praised and honored.”

Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, who knows a thing or two

about pizza, as her husband is the former owner of Elegante, also celebrated this win for Rockaway. “Pizza is like a family business to me, so knowing a pizzeria in Rockaway is taking that honor is truly an honor. You have invested, came to this community, had a vision. You put your feet here and it’s changed the neighborhood,” Pheffer Amato said to the owners. “Good people make good food. The drinks here are fabulous, everyone knows the food. We all talk about it. It’s not shocking to me that you came out number one. In the 23rd District, we have a lot of pizzerias here, but it is the number one food everyone talks about. Thank you for bringing your family and making this a part of the Rockaway family and this great success. We share this with you, we’re going to lift you up and we hope every other business in Rockaway is number one for everything. We know we have the number one beaches and now we have the number one pizzeria.” In addition to the Queens Chamber

award, Pheffer Amato presented a proclamation to the Rocco’s owners.

“Rockaway pizza has arrived,” said Robert Intelisano, a financial advisor and pizza aficionado who writes a regular column on Queens pizza joints in conjunction with the Queens Chamber. “I grew up here in Rockaway and it wasn’t known as a food haven. There’s been a transformation, I think it started with Rockaway Taco and foodies started coming and the neighborhood changed a little bit for the positive. We take our pizza seriously and I tip my hat to Rocco’s of Roc Beach. I’m so excited that Rockaway is a foodie scene.”

After the award was announced, all were treated to a buffet spread of various types of pizza and other specialties made by Rocco’s award-winning Chef Bruno Milone. Try it for yourself. Rocco’s, located at 115-10 Rockaway Beach Blvd., is open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. For more info, see: www.roccoscoalovenpizza.com

TMLA Sweeps Art Competition

The Fine Arts Department at The Mary Louis Academy, Jamaica Estates, recently competed in a nationwide art and poetry competition. TMLA is proud to announce our 2023 Scholastic Art Winners.

For the first time, a TMLA student has received an award for animation. Eliza Pikulinski was awarded a silver key for her film and animation work titled “Awestruck.” Alina Charles was awarded a silver key for her piece "Basement's Tifi" (Tee-Fee). She also was given an honorable mention for a separate drawing and illustration piece titled "Virtue." Fiona Sheahan was awarded a silver key for her work titled "Fingerprint Dissection." Ciara Davila was awarded an honorable mention for her drawing and illustration piece titled "Don't Judge Me." Dalia O'Keeffe was awarded an honorable mention for her drawing and illustration piece titled "Lost

to Time." Hanna Vojar was awarded a silver key for her mixed media submission titled "Schola Vita Sanguinis." She was also awarded an honorable mention for a poetry submission titled "What Was She Wearing." Ariana Tolentino was awarded an honorable mention for her painting submission titled "Ultima Lux."

Congratulations to all of our winners as well as Mrs. Pettitt and Mrs. Lynch for all of their hard work and dedication to the Art Department at The Mary Louis Academy!

Want To Get

Basenji

The star of the show this week is the Basenji, a breed that is near and dear to my heart. The basenji was recognized by the AKC in 1944 and is a member of the hound group. Average height at the shoulder is 16-17 inches and average weight is 22-24 lbs. Basenji’s coats come in red and white, black and white, tricolor and brindle. Their coat is short and smooth, and their tail is tightly curled into a corkscrew shape.

The basenji is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world and have been used by tribes in Africa for thousands of years to hunt small game.

PAW PRINTS byTerriEstes

Stone carvings of basenji-type dogs are depicted in ancient Egyptian artwork dating back to 1900 BC.

Known as the barkless breed, Basenjis will make their presence known with other sounds often described as chortles or yodels. This is only one of the many unique characteristics that set this breed apart from others. They clean themselves in a cat-like manner and love to sit up high, where they can observe their surroundings.

Although small in size, the basenji is a fearless dog who rarely backs down from confrontation. They think they are the biggest dog on the block and

will usually be the alpha dog in a family with more than one dog.

This elegant, graceful pup is also very energetic and inquisitive and can figure things out. Some people like to describe them as mischievous, I think rather that they are smart and crafty. This a thinking dog that if left unsupervised will find a way out of the yard and will find a way to get the leftovers. They insist on being in on everything and although they choose not to bark, they make great watch dogs because they are extremely alert and will let you know if something is amiss.

As a family member, the basenji is very affectionate and loves to cuddle, but they can be aloof with strangers. They are good with kids, and other

pets as long as properly socialized early on. They hate to be cold and love to burrow under your covers, and they absolutely despise the rain. Good luck trying to get a basenji to go out to do his business in the rain. Basenjis love to find sunny spots to lounge in, but they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation or they can be extremely destructive. Basenjis love to play, but this is not your typical sit, stay, fetch dog. If you throw a ball and ask a basenji to fetch it, they will just look at you, and you can just tell that they are wondering why you would be so stupid as to throw the ball away if you still wanted it. It is not that they can’t learn tricks, they just generally choose not to.

Having a basenji in the family can be loads of fun, entertaining, and rewarding. They are a generally healthy breed with few health issues. Their coat is extremely low maintenance and they do not shed much. If you are willing to put the time and effort into this dog and are up for the challenge, this could be the breed for you!

FUN ANIMAL FACT:

An octopus has 9 brains, 3 hearts and blue blood.

Sean Fitzgerald

Direct 917-860-6701

Coastalfitz@gmail.com

Office: 718-318-5030

coastalrealestateny.com

BELLE HARBOR NEW CONSTRUCTION LEGAL TWO FAMILY

Two Duplex Apartments. Each unit has 3 bedrooms and two full baths, gas fireplaces, laundry. Central Air throughout. Hardwood floors, Electric Vehicle Charge ready. Private driveway. Offered at $1,395,000

Rockaway ParkNew to Market

Large Studio. Top floor with unobstructed views of the bay and Manhattan skyline. Offered at $220k

Rockaway Park Multiple Dwelling 12 units on 80x100 lot, PS 114 S/DBeach block with two driveways

$1,300,000

Belle Harbor Short Term Rental

Available now through April. Three bedrooms, terrace, yard, private d/w.

$2800

Off-Market Legal Two Family 50x100 lot, Brick, Two Car Garage

$975,000

Belle Harbor

Renovated Large One Bedroom

H/W floors, Central Air, Laundry, Summer Parking.

$1900 Includes utilities.

Ocean One Mint 2 BR, 2 Bath Condo. Unobstructed ocean views from every room. Laundry in unit. Private balcony. Offered at $685,000

New to Market Belle Harbor Legal Two Family Offered at $805,000 SOLD

Arverne By The Sea

“The Nautilus” Building

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo. Private Terrace with Ocean and Bay Views. Offered at $360,000

BH OCEANFRONT

NEW EXCLUSIVE

One family, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, dynamic ocean views from every angle. One of the FEW Oceanfront homes available. Call for appt. Must see $4.650M

House for RentBeach block $25,000 p/mo Beautiful renovated Studio July & August $5500

BH Upper - Six rooms, 2 bathrooms in a two family house. July & August $6,000

Belle Harbor - one bedroom apt. July & August $6,000

WINTER RENTALS

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

This former hotel on a beach block features 14 rooms plus a commercial space that is rentable. The property could be a Spa or Restaurant or anything our community needs.

According to the owner the building can be raised four additional floors!

Asking $2.8M Call for viewing.

Belle Harbor - 6 rooms, two baths with w&d

Rockaway Beach - One bedroom, beach block with laundry

BH Upper - 4 rooms, 2 large bedrooms, w/d and parking. Available 3/1.

Belle Harbor - Large studio beach block

Belle Harbor - 4 rooms, renovated with parking. ...........................................................................$2,200

Rockaway Beach - 1 bedroom bungalow

Belle Harbor - 6 rooms, 2 bathrooms. Use of basement and yard

Neponsit Pocket Listing -

Photo Shy

One family, 60x100 on the best block

Asking $1.550M. Call for appointment and info.

Neponsit – Adorable bungalow, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, use of backyard, driveway, parking. $2,800

Belle Harbor, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, beach blk, includes heat and cable

Belle Harbor 3 large rooms, very charming, cable included

Rockaway Park - 6 rooms, 1 bath, granite kitchen, hardwood oors, full size w&d. .......................................................................... $3,000

Rockaway Park - 2 bedrooms with loft! Unique set up parking included ........................................................................... $2,200

INSIST ON MLS

OFFER PRESENTED

Commercial Building on Beach 116 Street

Storefront plus 2 offices. $999 firm

Mint one bedroom apt w top 2 floors 6 beds and 4 baths Need

OFFER PRESENTED

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Building on Beach 116th Street with storefront. T f the bo vie T Create something great for the neighborhood!!! $2.8M

OFFER ACCEPTED

Belle Shores - O yout with galley plu

h bloc 2 bedroom 1 bath plus 1 bedroom on top floor Need Call for details

OCEAN VIEWS GALORE / NEPONSIT BEACH BLOCK Move right in! Great room w/ wbfp, EIK plus den, 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, finished basement, in-ground & heated pool & spa, long private driveway, 1 car garage. $2.6M

417 Beach 129th Street • (718) 634-3134 • 217 Beach 116th Street

· FORSALE FOR LEASE FOR LEASE

· COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES - FOR SALE AND FOR LEASE · · ·

ROCKAWAY PARK - CALLING ALL VETERINARIAN'S Move right in to this fully functioning veterinarian space. $8,920

ROCKAWAY PARK - 40'x100' - R7A - C1-3

Renovate or develop a new building, choice is yours!Condo's? Apartments? $2,800,000

Approximately 4,400 sq ft that can be subdivided.

ROCKAWAY PARK - TURN KEY OFFICE SPACE! Fully renovated, just under 2000 sq.ft. with the option to subdivide into two smaller spaces. $6,435

· FOR LEASE FOR LEASE FOR LEASE

FAR ROCKAWAY - MEDICAL OFFICE AVAILABLE! Walk right into this prime medical space fit for any medical practice! Recently renovated! $5,500

ROCKAWAY PARK - FREE BUILD OUT! Attention Entrepeneurs! Come bring your ideas to fruition in this 1800 sq. ft. open space with 2 bathrooms. $4,500

ROCKAWAY PARK - FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY

ROCKAWAY PARK - FULLY RENOVATED! Located right at the top of the main business district on Beach 116th St. Parking in the rear. $2,115

12

417 Beach 129th Street • (718) 634-3134 • 217 Beach 116th Street

updated beach block 4BR, 2BA apt with 2 car parking (JM) $4,800

B. 141: 3BR, 3BA house rental with fully fin. bsmt., private balcony and W/D (ZP) $4,600

B. 117: 2BR, 1BA seasonal or long term rental in multi family. Inc. all utilities (TC). . . . $3,500

B. 116: 1BR, 1BA condo unit with balcony, SS appliances and W/D in unit (CB) $3,500

B. 117: First floor 2BR, 1BA seasonal rental in multi family home (TC) . . . . . . . . . . . $3,250

B. 118: Modern 3BR, 1BA apartment with W/D in unit and 1 car parking (ZP) $2,800

B. 123: Renovated beach block 2BR, 1BA apt with W/D and SS appliances (JM) $2,700

B. 117: 2BR, 2BA condo unit with ocean views and washer/dryer in unit (SB) $2,650

B. 117: Upper penthouse 2BR, 2BA condo with HW floors and parking spot (BF) $2,600

ABTS: Ocean view 2BR, 1BA apt w/ stackable W/D and ocean view terrace (NS) . . . . $2,450

RENTALS

B. 96: Beautiful corner 1BR, 1BA apartment with views of Jamaica Bay (CF) $2,426

B. 121: Penthouse 1BR, 1BA w/ ocean & city views. Subject to board interview (BF) . . $2,200

B. 70: 3BR, 1BA apt in a quiet building with hardwood floors throughout (ZP) $2,100

B. 121: Spacious 1BR, 1BA unit w/ den/home office. Subject to board interview (BF) $2,000

Brooklyn: 1BR, 1.5BA condo unit in Bergen Beach with SS appliances (TC) $1,900

B. 96: 1BR, 1BA apartment in elevator building with parking available (CF). . . . . . . . $1,813

B. 120: Newly renovated 1BR, 1BA apt with HW floors and W/D in building (SB) . . . . $1,800

B. 120: Spacious 1BR, 1BA apt with HW floors and W/D in building (SB) . . . . . . . . . . $1,800

B . 80: 1BR, 1BA condo unit with terrace featuring ocean and city views (NS) $1,800

B. 68: 2BR, 1BA apartment that's freshly painted with new flooring (NS) $1,800

B. 120: Newly renovated 1BR, 1BA apt with HW floors and SS appliances (SB) $1,719

B. 118: Studio co-op unit in oceanfront apt. building with SS appliances (NS) . . . . . $1,700

Lic. Broker-Owner: Lisa Jackson Lic. Associate Brokers: Barbara Ferguson • Nia Casilla • Colleen Brady • Tracy Czik Lic. RE Agents: Joseph Magiera • Zachary Plattner • Carol Feintisch Samantha Benanti • Jack Brandes • Nicole Switzer

BROOKL YN MEMBER

Year Member follow us on all social media platforms

MOVE RIGHT IN!

MINT CONDITION!

This duplex one family home is in prestine condition! Beautiful living room with gas replace, open concept dining room/kitchen with tons of counter-space and cabinets. Three bedrooms and two new bathrooms plus a nished basement. Gorgeous wood oors and Andersen windows throughout. Garage and bi-level outdoor deck. Be in for the

Apartments for Rent

Rockaway Park - One bedroom $1,500

Rockaway Park - Walk in two bedroom on beach block. Totally renovated with seasonal parking

Belle Harbor-Two bedroom with w&d and seasonal parking $2,350

Rockaway Park - Studio for one

Prayer for our troops. Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they perform for us in our time of need. Amen. No documents or exclusive agreements are required for homebuyers to receive services

By Robin Shapiro

WHY ME?

SUMMER EFFECTS

The summer season has mixed effects on the Rockaway real estate market. On the one hand, we are a beachfront community and the draw of the summer activities does bring people here for: beaches, swimming, cycling, running, surfing, organized teams for kids and adults (although the pandemic may crimp some of these this year; thankfully the “end” is in sight). On the other hand, some sellers are reluctant to sell during the summer because they enjoy the aforementioned activities and don’t want to give them up so fast!

did “they” move?  Why did THAT house sell at THAT price?

It can be harder to sell real estate during the summer due to vacations by buyers and sellers alike. Summer activities can also occupy people instead of allowing them to focus on the home sale process.

Most real estate brokerages list multiple agents as contacts – as I do. When a client contacts a brokerage he/she often ends up with one of the agents as a representative – NOT THE BROKER/OWNER. This is a MAJOR difference between the service I offer and that of my competitors. My clients get ME! My agents are primarily utilized as back-up. My total involvement in EVERY deal gives my clients the benefit of my knowledge and experience. As a 35 year Rockaway resident, and an 18 year broker here, I know the history of many listings. Historical facts can often make a big difference. Why

The spring season has been generally good for our real estate market. There has been action across the board in all price categories with an emphasis on the range below $1 million (approx). Prices have firmed up within the framework of recent comparable sales and in some cases are creeping higher. Inventory levels remain very low. Call me, Love, Robin. 718-490-9463

I’ve sold over 400 properties primarily in Rockaway. I’ve sold properties in Atlantic Beach, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach, Sheepshead Bay, Bay Ridge, Park Slope, Manhattan Beach. My son David is doing great with sales and rentals in Williamsburg, Bushwick, and North Brooklyn. He occasionally refers contacts to me.  Thus, I have some access and overview of the broader market which brings value to my Rockaway clients.

Enjoy the upcoming Presidents’ Day holiday weekend. Call me. Love, Robin.

Travels With Bob

WHEN IN FLORIDA, BECOME A MALL RAT

By Bob Nesoff

The winter exodus from the North and Canada to Florida annually takes on the look of an old camel caravan crossing the desert.

So many people opt to drive instead of flying so that they have a means of transportation for the three to four months they are in the Sunshine State. Cheaper, by far, than renting for the extended stay. And a must to take into consideration is the fact that there aren’t always rental cars available and when they are, there are so many tack-ons that you may as well buy the darn thing.

So, there is a pool in the community you’ve rented…or where you own the Snowbird Castle. Cards, golf, gossip, sure, all of that, but even that gets boring after a while. What else is there to do?

If you don’t mind walking at an indoor, air-conditioned venue, there are several. Go shopping. One destination with enough options is located in Pompano Beach where you can wander, walk a lot and get your steps in, and either spend money or just peruse close to 200 possibilities.

The Festival Market Mall on Sample Road between I-95 and Florida Turnpike is one option that rarely disappoints. The variety of everything from international food to jewelry to clothing and luggage to carry everything you’ve bought is available in an indoor setting that runs for almost a quarter of a mile.

We had been here about five or six years ago and the major purchase was a t-shirt commemorating the terrorist attack on the French magazine, Charlie Hebdo. The inscription on the shirt was “Je Suis Charlie,” loosely translated “Follow Charlie” or “I am Charlie,” showing support.

The shopkeeper, a petite French woman, asked if we were journalists because there was not a big demand for the shirt. Last month after walking into a t-shirt booth, she actually remembered the encounter. That typifies the people in this mall.

At the Golden Bay jewelry pavilion, the owner, Asi, took great care to ensure that a ring being purchased fit comfortably. He said that after a day or two if it isn’t comfortable, come back and it will be made right at no charge.

The Golden Bay, one of the larg-

er shops at the Festival Marketplace, sells fine jewelry, possibly more than any of the others. We opted for a gold ring with a large black onyx stone. Asi’s sales rep who was dealing with us, did manage to lower the price after we asked. It came out to be a fair price and they were happy with the sale as we were walking away with the ring. Asi himself took care of properly sizing it.

An interesting spot was a shop called the “La Hacienda Kosher Grocery.” No one working there seemed to know why it bore that

name. Nor could anyone explain why a shop with a sign at the front advertising “Glatt Kosher Food,” aimed at the practicing Jewish population, had a big section in its cooler selling a variety of bacon and other similar foods. One of the mysteries of entrepreneurship.

There are also a multitude of souvenir shops, art shops (beware of signs that say, “Going Out of Business,” or “50% Off.” We had some serious doubts after looking at a piece of artwork depicting the Eiffel Tower. We passed.

A BLISSFUL LIFE byJenniferKelleher

Thoughts Create Reality

Earlier this week, I came across an experiment on Instagram called, “The Apple Experiment.” In “The Apple Experiment,” you have to cut an apple in half and put each half inside its own jar. Leave the jars with the apple halves on your countertop, or someplace that you pass by numerous times throughout the day. Each time you pass by one jar, speak only loving words to that apple, and each time you pass by the other, speak only hateful words. Notice what happens to each apple half.

This experiment is very similar to the work of Dr. Emoto, only he looked at the power of words and

intentions on water.

The overview of his book, “The Hidden Messages In Water” describes his work: “Using highspeed photography, Dr. Masaru Emoto discovered that crystals formed in frozen water reveal changes when specific, concentrated thoughts are directed toward them. He found that water that has been exposed to loving words shows brilliant, complex, and colorful snowflake patterns. In contrast, water exposed to negative thoughts forms incomplete, asymmetrical patterns with dull colors.”

These investigations demonstrate the power our thoughts, words, and intentions have on our environments and ourselves. Just like the apple, our bodies are made up of 60-80% water. Take a moment to

imagine what might happen to the water in your body when exposed to the vibrational frequencies of different thoughts, intentions, and words. In fact, let’s play with it. Use a few conscious breaths to find a calm, neutral space. Once you are there, speak kind, sweet, loving words to yourself. Notice how you feel in your body as you receive these words. Next, speak ugly, mean, hateful words to yourself and notice how receiving these words makes your body feel. Observe the difference.

I invite you to start to pay more attention to your thoughts and words on a daily basis. Take note of how you speak to yourself and others over the next few days. Notice the nature of your thoughts and words with curiosity, instead of judgement. Are they kind, compassionate, and loving? Or are they vulgar, mean, and hateful? Write down any realizations from your findings. Opening your awareness to your thoughts and words gifts you the opportunity to make beneficial changes.

You may have heard the phrase, “thoughts create reality” and it re-

ally is true. Ten people can be together in the same room having the same external experience and feel and interpret it very differently. We develop our thought patterns throughout our lives, particularly when we are younger. Where and how we grew up, along with specific marking events are some of the factors that mold these patterns. If we are not consciously aware of our thought patterns, we are unknowingly allowing old programming to drive our lives. We take control the moment we notice our thoughts and words, pause, and reframe.

Be patient with yourself in this process. Remember that love and hate are two poles of the same spectrum. This means that where there is hate, there is love. What if instead of getting frustrated and angry, for example, you chose patience and compassion?

Ocean Bliss Yoga Studio offers a variety of daily classes and monthly workshops for all bodies and levels. Schedule is updated monthly. Follow us on Instagram @ocean_blissyoga and sign up for classes and workshops at oceanblissyoga.net.

be balanced

Bob closed an old bank account and gave half of the money to his son. He then gave two thirds of the remaining money to his daughter. If he was left with $1200, how much money was in his bank

Find the answer on page 36

SERVING BROAD CHANNEL

Continued from Page 12

built in sprinkler systems, meaning fires aren’t as prevalent. But even though fires are scarce, emergencies are not. “We have everyday calls. The majority are motor vehicle accidents. Cross Bay has become a very dangerous boulevard. It’s an epidemic with more speeders and reckless driving leading to more accidents. We’ve always had accidents, but we’ve become extremely good at responding because we have so much experience with that now,” Wilmarth said.

The BCVFD also faces calls that are unique to an area that while lacking fires, is surrounded by water. “We do a lot of water rescues during the season with drownings and boats in distress. A lot of those calls turn out not to be emergencies, but some do.

Other than that, it’s the other everyday calls. “Carbon monoxide alarms, malfunctions, sparking wires, and there will always be EMS calls,” Wilmarth said.

But there haven’t always been slow days for the BCVFD. The vollies have endured some of the biggest challenges in New York history. Wilmarth says the everyday calls tend to blend in, but BCVFD members have faced days they’ll never forget.

One early major emergency took place in March 1962, when an American Airlines flight crashed two minutes after takeoff, right into Jamaica Bay, on the east side of the Wildlife Refuge. “The vollies were first due. The American Legion was used as a temporary morgue. Ninety-five people died that day,” Wilmarth said.

Wilmarth himself was not around for that crash, but he’s seen more than enough plane crashes for a lifetime. One of the biggest incidents the BCVFD responded to was on 9/11 in 2001. Wilmarth, along with Bubba Kalisak and the late Bob Nussberger, and late Fred Grey, answered the call that day, as FDNY requested all EMS units to respond after the first plane hit the World Trade Center in Manhattan. “They weren’t calling for fire departments. They didn’t know there would be another plane,” Wilmarth

said. The BCVFD crew arrived shortly after the second plane hit, and they were only one of two volunteer companies operating at the WTC before the towers collapsed. Although their ambulance was totaled, the crew barely made it out alive. “We were no more than 200 feet from the lobby doors of tower two when it came down. All four of us made it out, but not without short and long-term injuries,” Wilmarth said.

Two months later, they were back at it when Flight 587 came crashing down in Rockaway. But they didn’t operate at the main crash site. As they approached the scene, the BCVFD couldn’t get close to the main crash, but that turned out to be a blessing for residents on Beach 128th Street. “ We got as close as we could and we started walking up to the scene and we see a house on 128th with flames all over the place. There was one FDNY truck on the block but just the driver was there, and he says, ‘Hey, there’s gonna be all those people on the crash site, but this whole block is gonna burn down. I’m hooked to a hydrant, but I have no guys here if you want to start pulling equipment.’” After discovering one of the plane’s engines landed on a home on the block, it was good timing that the BCVFD was there. They immediately got to work, working for several hours to battle a jet-fuel fueled fire that didn’t want to be tamed. “It was a hairy ordeal, but the fire went out and luckily no one was killed in that house,” Wilmarth said.

On the night of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the BCVFD was there, ready to serve the community as always. Luckily, fire wasn’t a factor that night as Broad Channel doesn’t have natural gas, but water presented some unique and scary challenges. The BCVFD members spent much of the day helping homeowners strap down their propane tanks that would be at risk of floating away. As the tide became higher and the street was no longer visible, the BCVFD wound up driving over something that broke the airline under the firetruck, disabling the truck on the boulevard near 12th Road. Shortly after, a call came in about kids trapped on the top floor of a home that was suspected to be

on fire. Without a truck, the crew grabbed whatever equipment they could and carried it to 6th Road, a block that regularly sees the worst flooding on the island. “During Sandy, the water reached nine feet on that block. We planned for all types of fires we could have been encountered that day but none of us were prepared for how deep the water was going to get,” Wilmarth said. Fortunately, the suspected fire turned out to be exhaust from an oil burner, that put itself out in the water.

Whether it’s a big job or small, the BCVFD has shown its worth in the Broad Channel community. On February 25, at the BCVFD’s annual Installation Dinner,, some of the stand out firefighters and EMS volunteers will be honored, and the Department’s new officers will formally be installed. The 2023 Chiefs and Officers include Chief of Department George Conklin, Assistant Chief Michael Delgado, Deputy Chiefs Ed Wilmarth III, Andrew Knee and Richard Bogart, Chief Engineer Ed Wilmarth Jr., President Daniel McIntyre, Vice President Maurice Sartor, Treasurer Donna Bassetti, Financial Secretary Ed Wilmarth Jr., Recording Secretary Roxanne Seunarine, Sergeant at Arms Leonard Cannella, Engine Company Captain James McCabe, EMS Captain Joseph O’Hare Jr. and Safety Captain Maurice Sartor.

Local elected officials Councilwoman Joann Ariola, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato and

Senator Joe Addabbo will also be honored at the event for their support of the fire department, especially in their efforts to help the BCVFD get a brand-new firehouse in the future.

The Annual Officer’s Installation Dinner is a BCVFD tradition since 1920 and serves as one of the Department’s many fundraisers. The event on February 25, 7 p.m., at the American Legion will include a buffet dinner, beer, wine, soda, dessert and coffee for $50 a ticket. If interested in attending, call Donna at 917-863-4984 or Dan at 347-678-5857 by Friday, February 17.

Can’t make the dinner but want to support the BCVFD? Donations for are always welcome for the organization that depends on donations and grants. “Seconds count and you can’t put a price on somebody’s life,” Wilmarth said. “If a $100 donation a year keeps our doors open and has the potential to save someone’s life, then it’s all worth it. The Vollies have been and can be the difference between life and death.”

Donations can be made in person at the firehouse on 15 Noel Road, or through Venmo: @ BCVFD-15Noel

To learn about volunteering with the BCVFD, reach out to them on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BroadChannelVolunteers or fill out the form on the Volunteer Firemen’s Association website: vfanyc.org/broad-channel-volunteer-fire-department/

BCVFD OFFICERS AT THE 2022 INSTALLATION DINNER.

February Birthday Meet-up

On Thursday, February 16 at 7 p.m., the New York Dippers Club invites all of those celebrating a February birthday to come celebrate at The Rose Den (174 Beach 116th Street).

Fight With Your Smile Fundraiser

On Friday, February 17 at 6 p.m., head to the Belle Harbor Yacht Club (533 Beach 126th Street) to help support the Fight With Your Smile campaign for LLS. Music by The Rockawades and Brooklyn Bards. Music starts at 6:30 p.m. $20 entrance. Bring cash for cash bar and raffles.

USACE Storm Gate Meeting

On Tuesday, February 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., head to the Rockaway YMCA (207 Beach 73rd Street) to learn and ask questions about the Army Corps’

proposal for storm barriers across Jamaica Bay and other parts of the area to deter flooding.

100 Precinct Community Council

On Wednesday, February 22 at 7 p.m. on Zoom, the 100th Precinct Community Council hosts their monthly meeting. For Zoom access info, email: vp100pctcc@gmail.com

Morning Moves at RISE

On Mondays at 11 a.m., head to the RISE Center (58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd.) to join Ann Fosteris’ Fitness to You class. Masks required inside RISE.

JASA Weekly Yoga

On Mondays at 11 a.m. and Fridays at 11:30 a.m., adults 60+ are welcome to JASA Rockaway Park Older Adult Center (106-20 Shore Front Parkway) for weekly Yoga

with Cynthia. Open to Adults 60 +; To register, please call 718-6343044.

JASA Weekly Arts

On Thursdays at 10 a.m., adults 60+ are welcome to JASA Rockaway Park Older Adult Center (10620 Shore Front Parkway) for weekly painting/ Arts and crafts. Let your creativity be free! RSVP and for more details: 718-634-3044.

Core on the Floor

On Mondays from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., head to the RISE Center (58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd.) for a free core and lower body class with Ann Fosteris of Fitness to You. All are welcome! Bring a mat. Masks required inside RISE.

Cardio Punch

On Saturdays at 11 a.m., head

to Seaside Library (116-15 Rockaway Beach Blvd.) to join for a total body, non-contact workout fit for all levels. Punch, hook, and kick to motivating, high-energy music that progress into heart-pumping combinations. Through April 1.

Animal Activist Support Group

Want to help advocate for animals? This virtual support group will be facilitated by Jill Lauri and meet monthly via Zoom. Scholarships are available. Space is limited, and registration is required. For More Information and to register, please visit https://HealingWithAnimals.com/ Animal-Activist-Support-Group.

Got events? Send an email to katie@rockawaytimes.com with details for consideration to be listed.

LEGAL NOTICES

PARC RE LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/29/22. 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, 33-20 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of VVR LLC. Art. of Org. filed Sec’y of State (SSNY) 1/26/23. Office location: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY shall mail process to: 157-25 82nd St, Howard Beach, NY 11414. Purpose: any lawful activities

Notice of Formation of 22GRAFFICS

LLC, Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/04/2023. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to The LLC, 88-16 212th Place, Queens Village, NY 11427. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of 39 FLUSHING PROSPERITY LLC, Arts of Org. filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 01/03/2023. Office location: QUEENS. SSNY design. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy to 133-27 39TH AVE, APT. 9E, FLUSHING, NY, 11354, USA. Purpose: any lawful activity.

HERKIMER BRIARWOOD LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1/10/23. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 36-35 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361.Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

TIFFANY ROSE CERTIFIED REGISTERED

NURSE ANESTHETIST PLLC, a Prof. LLC.

Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/13/2023. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: The PLLC, 7011 108th Street, Apt 3K, Forest Hills, NY 11375. Purpose: To Practice The Profession Of Registered Professional Nursing.

Notice of Formation of ISIDOR LAW, PLLC, Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/05/2023. Office location: Queens, NY.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to ISIDOR LAW, PLLC, 9605 40TH RD, Corona, NY 11368. Any lawful purpose.

Follow Your Roots LLC Articles of Org. filed with NY Sec. of State (SSNY) on 01/24/2023. Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 6223 60th Drive Maspeth, NY 11378. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Eun Young Cho, DMD, PLLC filed w/ SSNY on 2/6/23. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 35-35 149th St., #206, Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: Dentistry.

410 MAIN STREET LI LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/02/2023. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Simon Blitz & Daniel Gazal, 11-11 44th Drive, Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

ALAN TANSEY ARCHITECTURE PLLC filed Arts. of Org. with the Sect'y of State of NY (SSNY) on 9/30/2022. Office: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: The LLC, 3515 78th St., Apt. 53, Jackson Heights, NY, 11372. Purpose: Architecture.

JUPITER JIE, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/07/22, with an existence date of 01/16/2023. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as gent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 28 Steven Street, Plainview, NY 11803. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of DivineEnergyNYC

LLC, Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/22/22. Office location: Queens, NY.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to DivineEnergyNYC LLC, 3114 82nd Street East Elmhurst, NY 11370. Any lawful purpose.

LEGAL NOTICES

Be Rockaway Enterprises LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1/04/2016. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 114-04 Beach Channel Dr., Rockaway Park, NY 11694 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

DEL BX NY LLC filed Arts. of Org. with the Sect'y of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/19/2022. Office: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: The LLC, 72-24 Loubet St., Forest Hills, NY, 11375. Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of BABANIUBI LLC, Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 08/12/2022. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to BABANIUBI LLC, 137-11 32ND AVE #2W FLUSHING NY 11354. Any lawful purpose.

Charlotte Abbott LLC Articles of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/01/23. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Charlotte Abbott LLC, 577 Onderdonk Ave, Apt 2R, Ridgewood, NY 11385. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of SHERRI JOY COACHING LLC, Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 02/13/23. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to SHERRI JOY COACHING, 3220 35th Street, Astoria NY 11106. Any lawful purpose.

$1200 6 = $7200

Serving the Rockaways Since 1982

James Joseph Hayden

Passed away peacefully in Maui on February 4, 2023. He was a man of many talents who lived a full and vibrant life. Born in Rockaway Beach as the youngest son of Patrick and Margaret (née Brennan), he is predeceased by his siblings Vincent, John, Eileen, Margaret “Peggy”, and Patrick. He was an accomplished artist, printer, professor, business owner, and served as the Director of Printing for the American Institute of Certi�ed Public Accountants (AICPA). He was also a U.S. Army veteran and was highly respected as a leader in his community, serving as the President of the Artists' Alliance of East Hampton.

James will be deeply missed by his wife of ��y years, Jana, as well as his daughter, Erin, and son, Dylan. He was also a proud grandfather to Samantha, Brandon, Cailyn, Connor, Madeline, and Eliza.

A celebration of James' life will be held on Long Island later to commemorate his many achievements. He will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and unwavering dedication to his family and community. James will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on through those he touched and inspired.

Facts You Probably D on’t Need

 Spongebob Squarepants was originally going to be called Spongeboy and the show was originally going to be called "Spongeboy Ahoy," but they had to change his name after it turned out that Spongeboy was the copyrighted name of a mop.

 Although the word is known to be from Anglo-Saxon roots, no one knows for certain who named Earth.

 Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec empire, and what is now Mexico City, was possibly the highest populated city in the world before its fall. In 1521, Spanish conquistador, Hérnan Cortés, leveled the entire city in 75 days.

 Oklahoma's state vegetable is the watermelon. Watermelons are fruits.

 The average single male changes his bed sheets four times a year.

 Before the FIFA World Cup 2014 semi-final match in which Brazil lost 7-1 to Germany, they had not lost a single match at a home stadium since 1975.

 Anne Frank's sister, Margot, also had a diary. It was never found.

 3.5 billion years ago, a day on earth was only 12 hours.

Facts by Sean McVeigh, factologist.

Ask the DOC

By Peter Galvin, MD

Aluminum

We are surrounded by aluminum. It is the third most common element in our natural environment, behind only oxygen and silicone, and it is the most prevalent metal in the earth’s crust. It is highly reactive and soluble, and is in the air, water, soil, and plants that absorb water, including vegetables. It’s also in the animals that eat the plants. Plants store aluminum in their leaves, with spinach, tea, and some herbs and spices having the highest aluminum levels. Many plants rely on aluminum as a nutrient essential for growth. But does the human body require aluminum to grow

and function? In short, no. Yet, because it is found everywhere, we tend to have fairly high levels of aluminum in us. It accumulates in our organs, especially our brains.

As I said at the start of this column, aluminum is everywhere. It is highly malleable, and easily conducts heat and electricity. We use aluminum pots and pans, and aluminum foil to wrap food, bake food, and keep food warm. Aluminum dissolves easily, especially in acidic conditions, which is why acidic foods like tomato sauce will dissolve aluminum from the foil, causing greater aluminum content

in the food. Aluminum stimulates the immune system, which is why it is used in many vaccines as it boosts the immune response to the vaccine. It is also found in common pharmaceutical products like antacids, aspirin, phosphate binders, and dialysis fluids. It is also used in cosmetics, antiperspirants, and sun blockers. It’s a raising agent in baking powder and an emulsifier in many cheeses.

Aluminum toxicity can cause confusion, memory loss, weakness, and an inability to concentrate. In 1965, a Polish study first theorized that aluminum contributes to Alzheimer’s disease. In that study, rats’ brains were injected with aluminum which caused the fibers in their neurons to degrade and form tangle-like structures similar to the neurofibrillary tangles seen in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Another study in 1973 found high levels of aluminum in the brains of people who died with Alzheimer’s. Other studies have found conflicting results. For example, in July 1998, 20 tons of aluminum sulfate was accidentally discharged into the water supply of the town of Camelford in England. This raised

the aluminum concentration of their drinking water to over 500 times the allowable limit, thereby exposing about 20,000 people to high aluminum levels. The UK government followed the population over the years but found no link to any subsequent health issues. However, other studies of these people did find elevated numbers of cognitive and neurological decline. Despite conflicting study results, there remains the reality that aluminum is a neurotoxin, a fact confirmed by many studies.

So, it would seem prudent to minimize our exposure to aluminum and to find ways to lower the level of aluminum already in us. Chelation therapy, which uses oral or intravenous drugs to bind to aluminum and remove it from the body, is reserved for only serious cases of toxicity. High-fiber foods that contain sulfur (broccoli) are natural chelators, as are silica-rich mineral waters. Avoid aluminum cookware and do not use aluminum foil with foods containing tomatoes. Finally, read labels and avoid using products high in aluminum.

Please direct questions and comments to editor@rockawaytimes.com

Easy to Prepare Chicken Meatballs

By Daniel Mancini

I use a blend of white and dark meat. I find that adding a little dark meat brings added moisture and flavor.

Ingredients:

•1.5-lbs ground white meat

chicken

•1/2-lb ground dark meat chicken

•1/2-cup onion minced

•4-garlic cloves minced very

fine

•1/2-cup plain breadcrumbs

•2-eggs

•1/2-cup fresh basil minced

•1-cup grated Parmesan cheese

For Sauce:

•3-28 oz cans whole plum toma toes crushed with your hands

Directions:

1. Add all the meatball ingredients to a bowl. Mix together with your hands. Do not over work.

2. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees.

3. Drizzle olive oil on your hands, rub it around, then form golf ball size meatballs. This keeps the chicken from sticking to your hands and also coats them. Drizzle more oil on your hands as you make the meatballs.

4. Place the meatballs on a parchment lined baking sheet and into the oven, bake for 15 minutes.

5. Add the crushed tomatoes to a large skillet and carefully place in the meatballs. If you don’t have a large skillet, use a large pot but be careful not to crush the meatballs.

6. Bring this to a boil, then lower to a low simmer and cover.

7. Turn the meatballs every 10 minutes for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and continue to sim-

mer for 15 minutes longer. Spoon the sauce on the meatballs along the way

8. Test to make sure the meatballs are done by cutting one. Simmer longer if needed.

Enjoy in a bowl with sauce and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, or the perfect sandwich and of course with your favorite pasta.

(Daniel Mancini is the co-founder of Mama Mancinis. Follow him on Instagram at Danielmancini)

Knee,

The Rockaway Times

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023

ROCKAWAY GOOD TIMES

By Kami-Leigh Agard

Baby it’s warm outside…wait, what? We’re in February. Anyway, regardless of the outside temps, inside the peninsula’s bustling food, beverage and arts establishments—is always sizzling! So, plan your Rockaway crawl with our Rockaway Good Times roundup below. (If you’re playing locally or a Rockaway establishment hosting live music, arts or another special event, feel free to send in your listing to editor@rockawaytimes.com)

LIVE MUSIC

THURSDAY, February 16 7 p.m.

Calling all Aquarius and Pisces birthday peeps! Celebrate your birth-month at the New York Dippers Social tonight at The Rose Den. Plus, with DJ Baroque spinning acid jazz, instrumental funk and soul, later—feel born again!

174 Beach 116th Street

FRIDAY, February 17 6:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

Where else in NYC can you get Uzbek food with a legit urban surfer vibe? Rockaway Uma’s! And, tonight— local jazz maestro, Simon Chardiet, plays solo jazz guitar for your dining enjoyment.

92-07 Rockaway Beach Blvd

FRIDAY, February 17 7 p.m.

Follow the uptown light to Harbor Light for a Fri-rrific evening of food, drinks and company—topped off with pop/rock/folk/country/indie/R&B music from acoustic trio, The Midnight Society!

129-18 Newport Ave

FRIDAY, February 17

8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Craving the sound of a well-tuned guitar? Make Margie’s at The Rockaway Hotel your Friday “yes-tination” as Bernie and Ian of The Knobs belt out your favorite rock acoustics.

108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive

FRIDAY, February 17

8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

It’s unseasonably warm, but who’s complaining? And with Kerry Kearney & Friends jammin’ at Bar Marseille, feel the heat with their

signature blend of roots and blues.

190 Beach 69th Street

FRIDAY, February 17

9 p.m.

"Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came…” With Arturo Rivera on tap, walk into Rogers, raise your frothy glass and toast with your mates, “Cheers!”

203 Beach 116th Street

FRIDAY, February 17 9 p.m.

If bubble gum pop’s not your flavor, set sail to the Belle Harbor Yacht Club’s Upstairs Lounge as Anthem Acoustic jams legit rock classics.

533 Beach 126th Street

SATURDAY, February 18 7:30 p.m.

Tap this! Patti Blue, front woman for Patti Blue and The Boyz, known for her powerhouse vocals in venues across NYC—is at Tap That.

111-04 Rockaway Beach Blvd

SATURDAY, February 18 9 p.m.

With St. Pat’s just a month away, what better pub and band to start fermentin' your Rockaway emerald pride than Rogers and The Brooklyn Bards!

203 Beach 116th Street

SUNDAY, February 19 4 p.m.

Oh Peter, Paul and Mary—it’s Sunday! But no worries, Rogers beckons all to bid adieu to the weekend on a high note with the Rock-A-Wades’ sing-a-long party.

203 Beach 116th Street

ONGOING

Tuesday TUESDAYS 7 p.m.

Squid fans, if you’re in Rincón, PR— a.k.a. Rockaway South—don’t miss Squid & Friends' squidarrific music residency at Nacho Libre.

Carr 115. kn 11.6, Rincon, PR

Wine WEDNESDAYS

7 p.m.

Channel your inner Spice Girl at Rockaway Tiki’s karaoke night.

67-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd

8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Bask in an evening of rhythmic storytelling with Ireland’s Cork-born renowned folk songsmith, Niall Connolly at Sayra’s.

91-11 Rockaway Beach Blvd

Thirsty THURSDAYS

9 p.m.

DJ Baroque boasts one of the most enviable record collections known and unknown within the funk and soul scene, so tonight, don’t miss him spinning acid jazz, instrumental funk and soul gems at The Rose Den.

174 Beach 116th Street

Selfie SATURDAYS

7 p.m. until closing

Elevate your weekend fun at The Rockaway Hotel’s rooftop with live DJ, craft cocktails, lite bites, and inspiring ocean and Manhattan cityline views.

108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive

8 p.m. to Midnight

French-Mediterranean restaurant, Bar Marseille, brings Manhattan chic to Rockaway with a lounge-inspired DJ set, dancing, adult bevies and endless selfie moments. Ooh la la!!

190 Beach 69th Street

SWEET SUNDAYS

12 noon

Whether you’re in the mood for brunch or lunch—The Chef’s Table has got you covered, including live music kicking off at 12 noon. For reservations, call (718) 318-5100.

268 Beach 116th Street

SPECIAL MENTIONS

TEAM FIGHT FOR YOUR SMILE FUNDRAISER AT BHYC

FRIDAY, February 17

6 p.m.

Support local, Angelina LoBianco’s Team “Fight With Your Smile” Fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at Belle Harbor Yacht Club. Come out for a night of live music, dancing, raffles and 50/50s. Admission: $20. Cash bar available. For further info, email: Angelina.Lobianco603@gmail.com

533 Beach 126th Street

ONGOING—THE ROCKAWAY HOTEL ROLLER ROCK

Happening Various Dates in February

Roller Rock is back at The Rockaway Hotel for the month of February! With theme nights, live DJs, food and drink offerings, and skating rink, get your wheels oiled up for a good time!  Skaters must be 10 years or older to skate, and guests under 18 years must be supervised by an adult. Pricing varies. For parties of 12 guests or more, email: Hello@TheRockawayHotel. com for special packages, including food, open bar & more! For reservations, and more info, visit: www. therockawayhotel.com/happenings. Check out what’s rolling this weekend below:

FRIDAY, February 17

6 p.m. / 8 p.m.

You think roller skating to country is a breeze? Oil your wheels and test your skills at Country Skate, happening at The Rockaway Hotel Roller Rock. Join one or both skate sessions happening 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. or 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., as you enjoy food, drinks and music by DJ Big Country all night!

108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive

LITTLE ROCKS FAMILY WEEK AT THE ROCKAWAY HOTEL & SPA

MONDAY, February 20 to FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24

With the kiddoes on a week-long vacation, why not gift them endless fun, and yourself some TLC at The Rockaway Hotel & Spa. From arts and crafts, fitness, movies, dance, yoga, kickboxing, Mad Science workshop, story time, theater class with The Rockaway Theatre Company, and more—choose from an amazing daily agenda of activities for your kids, while you indulge in a meal at Margie's or treatment at the spa. Pricing varies depending on the activity, however, note story time is free. Plus, why not book a room and enjoy access to all kids and adult activities. Use the code: FAMWEEK and take advantage of some of the hotel’s best rates yet.

For more info, visit: https://www. therockawayhotel.com/happenings

108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive

Got info on local live music, arts and more? Email: editor@ rockawaytimes.com

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.

Vincent Moriarty

Millie Balfe

Linda Anthonijsz

Tedd Havlicek

Janet Donohue

Brian Higgins

Ken Lavery

MORE 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.

Mark Eidinger

John Santana

Timothy Meagher

Christine Dydzuhn

Danny Ruscillo

Joe OBrien

Linda Anthonijsz

Lillian Agosto

Name: _________________________________________________

Rockaway Word Search

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RAUQFMARIERAICOOAF

SARAHMILLERSIESVTD

CVFWRZXBXODWNUQZCO

KPAULCASARESWAJLON

XUTERENCEMULLINDNO

IJASONGIBBONSOZJNL

UCHJILLBRADYHDFEES

GICPHJUDITHRUBENLE

MATTCOURTNEYOLDZLN

EMLFLISAHAYDENHBYA

QBFRJIMCUNNINGHAMG

Findthefollowingwordsinthepuzzle. Wordsarehiddenand

DONOLSEN FRJIMCUNNINGHAM JASONGIBBONS JILLBRADY JUDITHRUBEN

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SARAHMILLER TERENCEMULLIN

Revisiting The Decay

This week, we will start off with a great question from one of our loyal readers, Shawn K. in Far Rockaway asked, "Which wrestling faction do you think was the most underrated?" This is an awesome question, Shawn. I have spoken about this group with many fans and their name was Decay. The members were Rosemary, The Monster Abyss and Crazy Steve.  If I were to describe Decay, it would be as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre family of pro wrestling. They were dark, gory, unpredictable and violent. At the time, there wasn't anything like them out there in the pro wrestling world. They came out to the song

"The Nobodies" by Marilyn Manson, which suited them perfectly. They were what society would call outcast misfits. With their faces painted, looking gothic and crazy, they were definitely in a league of their own. They made their debut for TNA IMPACT on January 18, 2016. During a promo, they attacked the TNA World Tag Team champions, The Wolves. Many fans didn't know how to take them, they looked very weird but intriguing. But they would become a dominant force in TNA IMPACT, wrestling, in many hardcore matches, where they showed their violent side and were not afraid to shed blood.

In April 2016, they would become the TNA World Tag Team champions by defeating the team of Beer Money (James Storm/Bobby Roode). They would go on to have many successful title defenses. Around this time, Rosemary would start a relationship with TNA Superstar Bram and attempted to get him to join Decay. There were many great vignettes of them showing Rosemary falling in love with Bram, enticing him to join Decay. But unfortunately for Bram, they ended up attacking and abducting him when he attempted to walk out on Rosemary, when she told him she poisoned the first man she ever loved.

But the greatest performance from Decay was when they started a feud with "Broken" Matt Hardy and his real-life brother, "Brother Nero," which would lead to the cinematic match "Delete or Decay." There was such great buildup to their feud, with many vignettes being filmed. One especially was when Rosemary went to the home of the Hardy’s in Cameron, North Carolina and abducted Matt Hardy's son, "King Maxwell." The Delete or Decay match would take place

in the Hardy compound and if you never saw this match, I highly recommend that you do. Decay would end up losing to the Hardys and eventually lost a whole host of matches until their breakup on April 20, 2017. The group did make a comeback on January 21, 2021, as Rosemary and Crazy Steve added new members Black Taurus and Havok. They had a pretty decent run, but to be honest, it wasn't the same Decay I loved watching.

In my opinion, TNA Creative totally dropped the ball with the original Decay. Right after the Delete or Decay cinematic match, they should have had Decay take a brief hiatus, then brought them back stronger by attacking whoever. They would have been champions at the time in TNA IMPACT. In my book, they had a huge following and were still extremely popular but had their storyline ended very prematurely. I still enjoy watching their old vignettes and matches. Again, I highly recommend you watch them.

Please send all questions and comments to eavil183@yahoo.com, and have a great weekend!

All Major Insurance Companies Accepted