McVeighing In

By Sean McVeigh

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.

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

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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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