Rockaway Times 5-18-23

Floyd Bennett Bedlam

By Katie McFadden

On Friday, May 12, word spread as folks in Rockaway caught wind of a letter Governor Kathy Hochul penned to President Joe Biden, specifically requesting permission to utilize Floyd Bennett Field, across the Marine Parkway Bridge in Brooklyn, as a place to house migrants as the country, and New York City feels the effects of Title 42 being lifted last week.

In her letter, Hochul said, “In anticipation of several thousand asylum seekers arriving in New York City every week, I am submitting this request for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to direct the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Park Service (NPS) to provide New York State assistance through the immediate construction and operation of temporary shelters on federal lands and property to house individuals seeking political asylum. The use of a portion of Floyd Bennett Field within the Gateway National Recreation Area

and other spaces on military installations, including naval resources, in and across the Northeast is necessary to utilize all available space to maintain critical and essential public services, specifically sheltering and housing.”

The letter came a day after Mayor Eric Adams had mentioned federal Floyd Bennett Field as a potential location to use, while he also considers as many as 20 school gymnasiums around the city as a place to house the nearly 65,000 migrants that have arrived in NYC over the past year, and the anticipated 100,000 to arrive after Title 42 was lifted and the southern border was inundated by folks claim-

ing to seek asylum. As New York State and City are self-designated as “sanctuaries” for asylum seekers, migrants have flocked to the area over the past year. Reports hit NY newspapers this week that the city is already spending $8 million a day on the migrants that have arrived in the city. To put things in perspective, according to Councilwoman Joann Ariola, the city’s Department of Veterans Services only receives about $5 million a year in the fiscal year budget. “Our city is going to go bankrupt,” Ariola said at Tuesday’s Belle Harbor Property Owners Association (BHPOA) meeting.

Immediately after word spread about Hochul’s letter, Ariola released a statement saying, “Opening additional migrant shelters within the five boroughs – even if they are placed on federal land using federal resources – will undoubtedly add to the strain that our city is already experiencing as a result of this wave of newcomers. Unless the governor intends

for the federal government to also build a completely new, federally funded transportation network in the area, as well as federal schools and medical facilities, then this is something that will add undue burden to an already struggling system. Our schools and hospitals are already stressed to the breaking point as it is, and placing thousands of newcomers into the area will exacerbate this problem.”

She went on to cite Floyd Bennett Field’s lack of resources such as transportation as reasons for why it’s a bad location. “As concerned citizens, we must demand thoughtful and comprehensive solutions to the challenges posed by migration - solutions that prioritize the well-being of both American citizens and those seeking a better life within our borders. Placing additional newcomers in this portion of Brooklyn is not the solution we need. Not by any means. Instead, we should press for a

Continued on page 10

Latest Beach Update

What’s the latest with beach openings and closures? Councilwoman Joann Ariola and NYC Parks released some updates.

According to Ariola, reinforced dunes have been completed between Beach 10th to Beach 17th Streets, Beach 67th to Beach 82nd Streets, and Beach 143rd to Beach 146th Streets. New accessibility mats have been installed over the dunes in these sections. Groin work is currently ongoing at Beach 125th Street and has begun at Beach 130th. The groin at Beach 120th has been completed and the work area is being cleaned up; access will be reopened from the Boardwalk at Beach 117th, 120th, and 121st within the next week. Within the boundaries of District 32, the beaches from Beach 74th to 86th, Beach 93rd to 109th, Beach 112th to 115th, Beach 131st to 137th, and Beach 144th to 149th will be open, with swimming allowed when lifeguards are on duty throughout the month of June. Beach 88th to 91st, Beach 110th and 111th, Beach 116th to 124th, and Beach 141st to 143rd will be open for

sand and surfing only throughout the month of June, with no swimming. The areas are still accessible for sunbathing, walking, surfing, fishing, volleyball, and other sports. The closures in District 31 during the month of June are Beach 124th to 131st, and Beach 137th to 141st.

According to NYC Parks, in District 31, Beach 10th to 13th, Beach 15th to 18th, Beach 29th to 38th, and Beach 58th to 65th will be fully open for swimming in June. Beach 13th through 15th and 18th through 28th will be open for fishing and sunbathing. Beach 38th through 57th are fully closed due to piping plovers. Beach 67th to Beach 72nd are open for surfing and sand use.

CLOSED FOR Private EVENT

We are Closed for lunch and dinner on S aturday, 5/20 for a Private Event

May 25th

THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023

17th Annual Earth Day Rockaway

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: district32@council.nyc.gov 718-318-6411

State Senator James Sanders Jr.

1931 Mott Avenue – Suite 305 Far Rockaway, NY 11691

By Jeanne DuPont, RISE Executive Director

RISE (Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity) held its 17th Annual Earth Day Rockaway on Saturday, May 6. The event was hosted by the Shore Corps team (RISE high school interns), and it brought families and children from around the Rockaway peninsula together to celebrate the environment.

Some of the big attractions were the smoothie bike, mock turtle stranding with Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, face painting, Vinny Voltage Science Show, Gerbo-Matic kinetic sculpture station, live music from the Keith Jordan Band, and PSEG Long Island's tree giveaway! “Congratulations to RISE for the success of its Earth Day rec-

ognition event,” said David Lyons, PSEG Long Island’s interim president and chief operating officer. “We are proud to support RISE’s efforts to help our customers in the Rockaways to reduce their utility bills. Providing the energy-saving trees and information about how and where to plant them will help with ongoing electric system reliability and will also improve air quality and protect the environment.”

Also participating were Cornell Cooperative Extension, FDNY, Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center/WIC Program, NYC Office of Emergency Management, St. John's Episcopal Hospital, and Urban Park Rangers. RISE would like to thank the Bluestone Organization, PSEG Long Island, and Vineyard Offshore for their sponsorship.

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

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

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

The

Rockaway Times

Jeanne Ferriola and Sean McVeigh PUBLISHER

Katie McFadden MANAGING EDITOR

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Kevin Boyle

FOUNDER/PUBLISHER EMERITUS

The Rockaway Times

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www.rockawaytimes.com

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

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McVeighing In

By Sean McVeigh

The Procrastinator

They say the first step is admitting you have a problem. Well, here goes… I am a procrastinator. I’d say it’s one of my defining features. Most people would read that as a negative. They are probably right. I, however, would disagree. I look at it more as an artform. A skill that I have refined to perfection so much so that very few can do it the way I do. As Aaron Judge hits a baseball and Aaron Rodgers throws a football, so do I put things off until the last minute. It’s almost a game for me at this point. How close can I get to a deadline before I actually

do the task at hand? But it is also more than that. It’s my way of life now. And if there was a way to start being better about it, well, I would just put that off, too. As Mark Twain said, “Do not put off until tomorrow what can be put off till day-after-tomorrow just as well.”

I may procrastinate but I do not discriminate in my procrastination. I am an equal opportunity procrastinator. It doesn’t matter if it’s a simple household chore or something that could have real world ramifications. It could be writing this article or getting my expiring

driver’s license renewed (which reminds me…), I will wait until last minute to get it done. I always tell myself that this is the last time. Just get it done early and you won’t have to worry about it. You’re making an issue out of something that does not need to be one. You will make your life easier! But no, I’m not going to take the easy way out. Where would the fun be in that?

I am having trouble finding an appropriate antonym for procrastination. Although it does not appear to be in the dictionary, it seems the accepted term is “pre-crastination,” so let’s use that. I know my fair share of pre-crastinators. Aren’t they the worst rubbing it in your face all the time? Always getting everything done so early. Ugh, makes me sick! These showoffs will not rest a moment until the task at hand is completed. Sometimes, I find that these folks have a difficult time understanding what it means to relax. The look of distain that I get from the pre-castinator crowd in my life is second only to the look I get from my overflowing laundry basket daily.

My philosophy is if it doesn’t have to be done right this second, then why would I waste my time doing it right now? Now, I have no idea if this is true, so I hope his fanatics don’t attack me if I am mistaken, but it seems like Mark Twain might have been almost as bad as I am in this area. Again, I will go to him to put it better than I ever could: “Let us save tomorrows for work.” I know it drives some people crazy, but I do my best work when I’m under the gun. When the pressure is on, I am able to bust out what needs doing and, I think, do it well. Being a procrastinator does not mean being lazy. It just means I enjoy spending my time on other things. I suppose there is a middle ground. A sweet spot where every single task does not need to be done at the moment it is presented to you and, conversely, where you do not wait until 11:59 p.m. for your midnight deadline. Maybe I will look into it another time.

For now, all I know for sure is that I am The Procrastinator and… I’ll be back.

MAY 18

7 PLUS YEARS

Nurture U Wellness is celebrating 7 years as a health & wellness center & 17 years providing therapeutic massage services in Rockaway. We are beyond grateful for all the support from our friends, family, businesses & The Rockaway Community. Thank You, Samantha & The NUW Family.

This Week in History

Eddie McGrath was born. Shivaun Prendergast was born.  Genevieve Shaw was born. Brooke Manley was born.

1642 - The city of Montreal was founded by the French.

1980 - Mount St. Helens, in Washington state, erupted after being dormant for 123 years.

MAY 19

Roy Richter was born.  Desmond McGowan was born.

1536 - Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII, was beheaded.

1962 - Marilyn Monroe sang “Happy Birthday” to president John F. Kennedy. 1994 - Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis died in New York.

MAY 20

1927 - Charles Lindbergh began the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight, departing from Long Island aboard the Spirit of Saint Louis.

1932 - Amelia Earhart took off from Newfoundland to become the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic.

Linda Donovan was born.

1956 - The first hydrogen bomb to be dropped by air exploded over the Bikini Atoll in the Pacific.

1999 - Susan Lucci finally won a Daytime Emmy on her 19th nomination.

MAY 22

Danielle Gannon was born.

1972 - Ceylon became Sri Lanka. 1992 - Johnny Carson hosted the last episode of his Tonight Show.

MAY 23

1830 - The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad began the first passenger service in the United States.

1934 - Bonnie (Parker) and Clyde (Barrow) were killed in a police shootout.

MAY 24

Linda Caruso was born.

Kara Oberg was born. Monica Edwards was born.

1844 -  Samuel Morse transmitted the first telegraph message, in which he asked, "What hath God wrought?"

1935 - Major League Baseball’s first night game was played under the lights at Cincinnati’s Crosley Field as the hometown Reds defeated Philadelphia, 2–1.

Floyd Bennett Field, just across the Marine Parkway Bridge from the Rockaway peninsula, has not been this hot of a topic in quite some time. Rumors have been swirling every which way about the potential use of the federal land to house migrants arriving in New York every day from the southern border. While nothing has been approved yet, we do know that the request was made by Governor Hochul in a letter to President Biden. Locals and local politicians alike have met this news with uproar. As of going to press, there has been no official response from President Biden. Katie McFadden has all the facts surrounding the matter in her coverage of Governor Hochul’s letter and the response that it has received on pages 2 and 10 and specifically, the most recent BHPOA meeting where

this was the main topic of discussion, on page 12.  *****

Councilwoman Joann Ariola and NYC Parks have shed some light on the beach closure schedule for June. There are a lot of moving parts, and anything can change but this does bring some clarity to the situation that Rockaway is faced with. While there will be a lot of inconveniences, we have to hope that the work remains on schedule and is completed on time allowing beaches to open throughout the summer. Check out page 3 for the latest June beach schedule. *****

We hope everyone had a great Mother’s Day weekend. What a week we had last week weather-wise! It was so great to see everyone out and about in Rockaway enjoying themselves. *****

For those of you running the Brooklyn Half Marathon, good luck!  We hope you have good weather for your run and enjoy your day after! *****

A sign that summer is just around the corner… Just a reminder that if you are parking uptown, there is no parking Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from May 15 to September 30 (move those cars Friday night!) and no parking on the streets daily during this timeframe in Neponsit.

Want to play summer hoops?

Don’t forget to sign up for the St. Francis Summer Classic at https:// sfdsparish.org. Completed applications must be postmarked by May 22.

The sign went up on Adrienne’s at 25 Van Brundt Road in Broad Channel last week. A good sign that the new restaurant will be opening soon!

Councilwoman Ariola is bringing Hero Story Time to Rockaway! Come out to Seaside Library located at 116-15 Rockaway Beach Blvd. on Saturday, May 20 at 11 a.m., where children can interact with some heroes from local firehouses and precincts.

Rockaway WISH (Women In-

spired to Support and Help) are having their Red WISH & Blue fundraiser on Saturday, May 27 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Belle Harbor Yacht Club. Tickets are $100 and include a chance to win $5,000, plus open bar and lite fare.  *****

There still seems to be an ongoing issue with missing mail in Rockaway. Mailboxes have been opened and even mail sent through local Post Offices aren’t reaching their destination. If you have had packages lost or mail missing, file a claim with the USPS Office of Inspector General at their website USPSOIG. GOV. *****

On June 3 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Bay 84th Street Community Garden is hosting a barbecue, and activities for the kids. Children will make a “starter plant” to take home and nurture, and then bring back in four to six weeks to plant in the “children’s bed” of the garden.

The 43rd annual 5K Buckley’s to Kennedy’s charity run will be held on June 11. Register at www.heartshare.org/event/buckleysrun/.

FLOYD BENNETT

Continued from Page 2

more equitable dispersion of newcomers throughout the state, so no one area is overly laden with the weight of this issue. Floyd Bennett Field is not the answer to our migration problems,” she said, ending by asking Hochul to reconsider.

As we go to press, the Biden administration has not responded to Hochul’s request, and no further details have been released about what operations would look like at Floyd Bennett Field if migrants were housed there. However, locals are bracing for what could come. The topic became the main agenda item for Tuesday’s BHPOA meeting, and arguments got heated. The general consensus from the meeting was that a migrant facility at Floyd Bennett Field or any other local federal land is not desired.

The Rockaway Republican Club also released a statement addressing the matter saying, “If Governor Hochul has her way, illegal aliens who have not been vetted, will be

in our National Park, a place with insufficient infrastructure and no support resources. Just as we have seen in Texas, it will be a humanitarian crisis... except here, migrants can walk out of Gateway and bring that crisis to Neponsit, Roxbury, Marine Park and other neighboring communities. It is a shortsighted, lose-lose proposition.

“It is past time for Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams and other leaders to find the courage to say, ‘Enough!’ No more exporting the federal government's border failures into our cities and communities. The federal government must do its job at the border. Our leaders must not allow any more migrant buses to arrive in New York City. We understand that the vast majority of these migrants are not bad people. However, immigration must be done legally. The Rockaway Republican Club asks every elected official in southern Brooklyn and Queens to stand against Governor Hochul’s request for a migrant camp in Floyd Bennett Field.”

Throughout the week, radio personality Curtis Sliwa announced on his show that Fort Tilden was going to be used to house migrants. Councilwoman Joann Ariola was inundated with calls regarding this. She says she immediately went to Mayor Eric Adams to ask if it was true, to which she was told, “Nothing is off the table.” However, Senator Joe Addabbo reached out to Governor Hochul directly to ask about Fort Tilden, and he told Ariola, “I made inquiry and there’s no plan for Fort Tilden or any property in District 32.” A deputy chief of staff for Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato also said at Tuesday’s BHPOA meeting, “Stacey doesn’t agree with this. She got on the phone with the governor’s office about Fort Tilden, and while it wasn’t mentioned, it is off the table.” The Rockaway Times reached out to NPS for information about Fort Tilden, including recent land surveying activities, but did not receive a response by press time.

Rumors had also spread about the NYPD training facility located across from Roxbury, which recently had new fencing put up. A representative for Ariola who lives in Roxbury said she spoke with NYPD, and the property is still part of the NYPD and they put fencing up as it is being used as a training facility for the Counterterrorism Bureau.

No matter what happens, Ariola said, “I’m not going down without a fight.” She advised all to inundate elected officials with calls and letters to let them know how they feel about this issue. Ariola can be reached at District32@nyc.council.gov or 718318-6441. Senator James Sanders: Sanders@nysenate.gov or 718-523-3069. Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato: amatos@ nyassembly.gov or 718-945-9550.

Congressman Gregory Meeks: joseph.edwards@mail.house. gov or 347-230-4032. The Mayor’s Office: lshargal@cityhall.nyc.gov or 212-788-2781. The Governor’s Office: 212-681-4580 or 518-4022292.

161-11 Crossbay Blvd

Howard Beach, NY 11414

Migrant Issue Inundates BHPOA Meeting

By Katie McFadden

The pre-summer Belle Harbor Property Owners Association meeting on Tuesday, May 16 was supposed to focus on the outlook for the beach season, including closures due to construction, summer safety, and Neponsit Home demolition updates. But a letter from Governor Kathy Hochul to President Joe Biden on Friday, May 12, changed it all. The Belle Harbor Yacht Club had an overflow crowd as neighbors came out to hear updates about Hochul’s request to house migrants at Floyd Bennett Field.

BHPOA President Paul King started the meeting off with some topics that wouldn’t take up as much time. That included information about BHPOA elections next month and a public safety update from Sarina Roffe of the Public Safety Committee and 100th Precinct Commanding Officer Carlos Fabara. Roffe reminded people about Belle Harbor’s summer parking rules going into effect this weekend and dropped a tip for people to utilize Riis Park’s lot, especially with a senior discount, for guests when they come to visit. She then spoke about Neponsit’s private security program, breaking down some of the costs for Belle Harbor if they were to start it. As a pilot, they’re looking at having security operate for five months from June to October. With roughly 1,500 homes in Belle Harbor, if 500 homes contributed, it would cost $160 for the summer to have private security patrol the streets, and even less if more homes contribute. The BHPOA will be sending out a survey to gauge interest.

CO Fabara spoke about decreasing crime rates. The biggest problem continues to be issues with cars being broken into and catalytic converter thefts. “We’re keeping our focus on areas where we have issues. So, we’re keeping an eye on 311 reports and quality of life issues,” he said. He said the precinct will be receiving a sergeant and 11 additional officers, who will be deployed on footposts in hotspots, such as Beach 129th Street, where they get calls to at night.

At the end of the meeting, King briefly addressed the beach closures, ultimately saying they’re unavoidable. Beach 116th to about Beach 130th is already experiencing closures due to groin work, while beaches in the mid-140s are closed due to dune construction. He did say that the work is making quick progress and more beaches could be open uptown by the end of the summer than originally.

King also spoke about petitions going around against Alma’s potential proposal to build three new 20-story buildings on the Surfside Buildings property from Beach 105th to 108th, plus one demanding residents get some access to the 1.5-mile stretch of beach in Edgemere used for piping plover protection. He also said all the streets slated for repaving in Belle Harbor, have been ripped up at this point.

When King addressed migrants potentially being housed in Floyd Bennett Field, people immediately voiced their concerns. King said their concerns were shared by many New Yorkers, as he recently attended a meeting with Senator Sanders, with 32 community leaders in his district across Queens. “No one thought this was a spectacular idea,” he said. “The vast majority of people are against what the governor is proposing, and the senator said, ‘the feds have messed this up, but we need to do something with these people,’” King recalled. As many people had different opinions, King asked Councilwoman Joann Ariola to first share what she knows.

Ariola shared that District 32 already has two shelters for migrant families in Ozone Park hotels. She talked about the children being in area schools but not being adequately addressed as non-English speakers. “But we work closely with these two shelters and there haven’t been any issues so far,” she said. She then spoke of her concerns over the latest influx of migrants into the city. “What disturbs me is they’re supposed to be asylum seekers, but do we really know? We don’t know their background, what they did, why they fled, if they had

to flee. That’s usually done at the border. When we started to see migrants, the mayor said to the state, ‘we’re going to get to a point where we cannot sustain the amount of people coming into our city’ and his pleas fell on deaf ears. The number went up and more shelters opened. They put up tent cities. They don’t work. They cost $350K to put up and $350K to take down. No matter what we do, how kind we want to be, we cannot do it without federal and state aide, and we cannot withstand it even with federal and state aide. If they don’t secure our borders, we will continue to see this influx.

“What are we supposed to do? Do I agree with schools being used? Absolutely not. Twenty schools have been identified and I have no indication that any of our schools meet the criteria with a detached gym, but nothing is off the table. The city is not getting aide from Hochul. When the mayor asked her to make a state of emergency with NYC being a right to shelter city, she punted and wrote a letter to Biden saying please open federal properties including Floyd Bennett Field. Our mayor, to his credit, has rescinded our status as a right to shelter city, but he has to renew it every five days, and it’s not enough because they’re still coming in.”

In the meantime, Ariola says she’s preparing for any outcome. “We’re asking questions of the mayor’s office and working with state reps, so we’re not blindsided. We need to organize so we’re at the ready. Washington has abandoned us.” As a rumor popped up that Fort Tilden was being considered, Ariola immediately inquired with the mayor. “What I was told was there is no imminent plan to use Fort Tilden. But we’re not gonna take that as gospel. You will know anything the minute I know. I’m not gonna wait for them to put those tents up,” she said.

Attendees shared their concerns, including the risk of another Hurricane Sandy, the health risks with many migrants not being vaccinated for diseases, the growing drug problem with drugs coming through the border, where the migrants are supposed to work with

unemployment already being high in Rockaway and where they’re supposed to go to school with classes being overcrowded, etc. Some also suggested coming up with a plan to provide proper services and training for the migrants. “The migrants are coming whether we like it or not. And they’re coming from a bad place. We can’t just say I don’t want this because I don’t like migrants,” one neighbor said, as her comments were met with backlash.

Ariola said even her office has services in place for immigrants, but it is overwhelmed. “We have every week, an immigration attorney come to our office, and she helps people and she’s frustrated because all of those people that have been trying for years to become citizens, are having their dates pushed back two to three years because they want to fast track these asylum seekers. We need services but it can’t be unfairly displacing people who have been waiting for years,” Ariola said.

Jason Greenberg, the deputy chief of staff for Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato reiterated that the assemblywoman is also strongly against the proposal to house migrants in Floyd Bennett Field. “She’s spoken with representatives across government and thinks everyone is on the same page here. This is a flood zone, there’s no transportation, no access to jobs and Rockaway already has 17 adult homes and a number of shelters. It’s not sustainable and the peninsula has had its fair share,” he said.

Rockaway Republican Club’s Rebooted & Ready To Celebrate Flag Day

By Kami-Leigh Agard

For Sullivan—who ran for Assembly District 23 against incumbent Democrat Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, but lost by a margin of 15 votes, his election, though fraught and decided by an airtight margin and a drawnout legal battle—he saw how residents on both sides of the aisle, voted on the critical issues that mattered most to them.

need to fight for our children’s future’ are what made all the difference in last year’s elections,” King said.

When asked how the RRC will woo residents to join, despite NY being a blue state with many conservative residents despondent as to if their vote will count, both Sullivan and King both believe every vote matters.

to the RRC, both Sullivan and King said the younger generation needs to understand the reality of how the American dream is attained.

On June 14, Americans celebrate Flag Day, honoring and paying tribute with the Pledge of Allegiance, speeches, beautiful renditions of the national anthem, and small and large displays of the flag. With the Rockaway Republican Club’s (RRC) reboot ripping and roaring at a feverish pitch since this past February, they are beckoning the community to join them at their grand Flag Day fundraiser celebrating “Old Glory” on Wednesday June 14, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Jameson’s Pub.

Though the GOP has evolved in the past 150 years, one thing that has stayed the same is its nickname: “The Grand Old Party.” However, as both Rockaway residents and former Republican political candidates, Paul King and Tom Sullivan, attest, “everything old becomes new again,” and with a new board led by President Mary Glynn, the inception of a Young Rockaway Republican Club, a heavy-hitting lineup of monthly speakers, and more upcoming events—the RRC remains true to the new principles that gave the Republican party its birth, but with a new energy.

The RRC first kicked off in 1991 and, since then, has had many reincarnations. However, King and Sullivan are confident that the RRC’s successful 2023 renaissance has been empowered by the elections last year that demonstrated the impact red voters had in a blue state like NY.

He said, “It was pretty obvious that the number one topic for the last two years has been crime for both Republicans and Democrats. And because of our stance on crime and other heavy-hitting issues, Paul and I had quite a few Democrats vote for us. These were voters who were not happy with the defund the police movement and the state’s cashless bail reform laws. So, several state and city elections last year reflected how crime moved the needle for Republicans in NY.”

King, who ran a plucky race for Congress to represent NYS’s Fifth Congressional District but lost against 25-year Democrat congressional incumbent Gregory Meeks, agreed. “Tom hit the nail on the head. Crime was number one for many voters. It translated for everyone in our neighborhoods, like Belle Harbor, Neponsit and Breezy. You have people who are wondering, ‘Can my kids still live here?’ Some people say they want to move away, but I believe a lot of people are saying, ‘No, we need to stand up for what's right.’ Even when I campaigned in traditional Democratic neighborhoods, in which African Americans and immigrants were the majority, they also said, ‘Enough is enough. We voted a certain way because it's supposed to be best for us, but crime is killing our kids, and our kids aren't getting a good education, so they don't have a good shot at the American dream.’ So, I think that ‘enough is enough' factor in the Democratic community, plus Republicans standing up and saying, ‘Hey, we

King responded, “There’s strength in numbers in any democracy. It's easy to get discouraged, especially in NY, where we've had a one-party government for a long time. However, we can make a difference here locally. We can make a difference at the state level, and certainly at the federal level, not just through elections, but by being good active citizens, letting our representatives know these are the issues that are important to us. Even if we're a more Republican neighborhood than we were when I was growing up, if we have a Democratic representative, a lot of them are still going to be responsible and have to step up, and make sure our priorities are taken seriously. Our votes can’t be taken for granted.”

Sullivan agreed with King that every vote counts, especially when voters prioritize values above party affiliations.

He said, “The common comment people like Paul and I heard throughout our campaigns was that the Republican party is dead in NY. We’re here to show them that it’s not, and this is why we’re trying to revitalize this club, bringing new life and leadership. We're letting Republicans know that we are here, and we do want your support. And we're letting Democrats and Independents know they have an alternative choice. In his campaign, Paul stuck with the issues that are affecting Americans—for example, education, crime, quality of life, the economy. Our goal is to bring some shine back to the Big Apple.”

As for attracting young voters

Sullivan said, “With winning the confidence of younger voters, Paul's done a great job. We've noticed a couple of young faces at the last few meetings, and they all want to be involved. However, unfortunately for young people, there’s that odd thing that always sounds so good—free education, free medical care, free everything. Everybody should have the same, right? It all sounds good to a young person, but one day they will grow up and realize, hard work does pay off in achieving the American dream of owning a home, giving your kids a good education, but it does come with a cost. It can’t be free. There should be a level of earning it. For example, I earned my education benefit through serving five years that turned out to be 30 years in the military. It’s about giving people a hand up, not a handout.”

King added, “When we teach young folks that this is our country and working together on a united front—that’s the American way, then you can make a difference. The only way you make a bad choice is if you stay on the sidelines. However, the RRC is giving everyone the opportunity to step up and make the world a better place for all, but you have to get involved, not stay on the sidelines and be silent.”

The RRC’s Flag Day fundraiser celebration is happening on Wednesday, June 14, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Jameson’s (421 Beach 129th Street). Admission is just a donation of any amount. There will also be a “Best Dressed Red, White & Blue Competition,” judged by The Best Dressed Man In Rockaway, plus activities for children. For more info about the RRC and other upcoming events, visit Rockaway Republican Club on Facebook.

Hooks Brings Pizza Back To BC

By Dan Guarino

Three weeks ago, Hooks Pizza opened up in Broad Channel and the jury’s in: Folks are hooked. Word of mouth has spread fast and even on a sunny mid-week morning, before its gates have gone up, customers are poking their heads in asking, “Are you open yet?”

Once all is ready and the ovens are hot, a steady stream of customers start coming through their door to dine-in, take out, or order over the phone.

Offering a menu of slices and pies from Napoletana and Siciliana to Grandma, Margherita, Buffalo/BBQ Chicken, Spicy Rigatoni and house specialty “Hook’d” pizza which combines spicy pepperoni, crumbled sausage and “hints of caramelized onion finished with Mike’s Hot Honey,” they have already become a Rockaway/ Broad Channel favorite. Hooks also serves up entrees and heroes like sausage and peppers, chicken, eggplant, veal or even shrimp parmigiana, calzones, chicken, spinach and sausage and pepper rolls, Caesar wraps, alfredo, vodka, Bolognese, and garlic and oil pasta dishes plus spicy rigatoni, baked ziti, lasagna, and garlic knots. They also feature lunch and other specials.

“Yesterday I got a call for 25 pies out of the blue,” says Hooks owner Andrew Guastella. Business, he says, has been very good since they opened. “I mark this as a successful opening. Feedback has been very good across the board, very welcoming,” he adds.

“You’re doing a great job,” a customer tells Guastella as he personally works behind the counter with his crew. “Everybody’s raving about you.”

Stopping for a slice, regular Martin Cawthorne says, “I give Andrew five stars right off the bat. He’s very good at what he does.”

It turns out that one of those things is building successful new businesses where others had fallen by the wayside.

Several years ago, Guastella

and a partner established Pizza D’Amore on Beach 116th Street where Slices N Ices previously operated. Despite the pandemic and other setbacks, they turned it into a successful operation, being voted one of the top two best pizzas in all of Queens by the borough’s Chamber of Commerce.

Last year, after decades in business, Tommy’s Pizza in Broad Channel closed down after its owner fell ill. After several months, it opened its doors as a new business with a newly renovated interior and a new owner, Ronnie Barone, who kept the name Tommy’s over the door. A few months ago, for reasons that are still unclear, the “new” Tommy’s closed up shop. With an eye for starting something new, Rockaway resident Guastella contacted Barone, struck a deal to purchase the business and within month’s Hooks opened up.

As Broad Channel resident James Badamo noted then, “I rarely post, but I just had to throw it out there that Hooks Pizza has brought a solid pie back to Broad Channel. They knocked it outta the park!”

Guastella explains it takes a lot of hard work to take things like Hooks to that next level. “I started in the restaurant business at the tender age of 13, maybe 12. I started at El Caribe. The maitre’d took me under his wing. Then I went on to Michael’s of Brooklyn. These places

were like a college. Between them both I got a really good start.”

Today he comes in seven days a week at 9 a.m. to start up the ovens. “With pizza, the most important thing is the temperatures,” he says, noting because Broad Channel has no gas lines, his ovens run on propane, which makes getting those temps just right more of a challenge.

At the start of the day, he consults with his crew about ingredients, choices, trying new mixes and menu items. The food he serves not only has to taste good, but also look good. “It looks good on the pizza,” he says of a new combination. “It pops.”

“You’ll definitely have the classics,” he notes. “But every store I open, I try to try new things. I do enjoy the process of development.”

A very big part of building a business, Guastella explains, is “you need a team.” Stressing the experience and skill of the people he has assembled, he reflects, “I’ve always been blessed to work with talented people, to have skilled people.”

Besides directing operations over the day, Guastella will be behind the counter, working with that team and putting on his apron to make pies and greet customers. Everyone is greeted with a smile, and many are already familiar. “How was your day?” he asks a customer. “How’s your grandfather doing?” he asks another.

Besides the look and taste of Hooks’ food, he says, “We love to share our hospitality.”

Most days he will work ‘til “11, 12 at night,” then come back to start all over again the next day. Customers will still be coming through the doors even as they are closing up. Everyone gets welcoming service.

Besides getting customers from Rockaway and Broad Channel, he notes, “We’re getting a lot of people from Howard Beach.”

“The pizza business is different than most kinds of restaurants,” he said. “We’re more like a bakery. We make everything fresh right here.”

What makes Hooks stand out? “We all start with all the same ingredients- flour, dough, sauce, cheese. But the variations are tremendous,” he says.

Even the name, Hooks, helps establish a distinctive brand. “How many ‘Sal’s Pizza’ places are there? Or ‘John’s’ or ‘Gino’s’?”

“Everybody I know here, everyone I’m friends with in this neighborhood [Broad Channel] is a fisherman. Hooks, it’s a homage to this community.”

Standing outside his shop late in the evening, he explains their new sign should be coming in two to three weeks. He also has plans to develop the backyard into an attractive and comfortable eating area, a first on the block.

As his business grows, Guastella invites people who haven’t come through his door yet, “If you’re in the area, stop in and be the judge for yourself.”

“We’re going to be here for quite a while!”

Hooks is located at 915 Cross Bay Blvd. To order or for more info, call: 347-619-8044 and follow @Hookspizzaparlor on Instagram for updates.

SFDSCA Writes: What Would Make Rockaway Even Better?

The sixth-grade students of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy have been busy writing persuasive essays about certain things they would like to see changed/improved in our community. They are hoping the right people take note of their suggestions. A few of the many topics addressed in these essays include beach closures, lifeguard hours, the fields in Fort Tilden, the insufficient amount of garbage cans in Rockaway, and the need for more recreational facilities/activities on our peninsula. It is wonderful to see what the future leaders of our great community think could make it even better! A big THANKS to their teacher, Nancy Re, for kindly sharing them with us. We have included just a few in this week’s paper and will publish some more in upcoming editions.

Fix Our Sports Fields

By Jason Youngberg

Audience/Reader: Rockaway Times, Local Politicians

Would you feel safe playing on a sports field that has no grass and has holes in the ground?

Your answer is probably no. If you would not feel safe, then why does Fort Tilden look this way?

The sports fields in Fort Tilden, Rockaway, NY should be fixed to help our community.

Fixing the fields in Fort Tilden should not be optional. There are many people who would benefit from fixing the fields. First, kids would be a lot safer playing sports because they would not have to worry about holes that could hurt their ankles. They can focus on the game. Next, the whole neighborhood would benefit because everyone could enjoy using the new fields. They could be used for adult sports, parties, and community events. Finally, new fields would help the environment because it would preserve nature. For example, the geese could safely be moved

off the fields where people play into the wooded area that is right next to them. Fixing the fields would not only help humans but also the environment.

These reasons show how beneficial it would be to fix the Fort Tilden fields. New grass or turf should be put down immediately. Fixing the Fort Tilden fields is good for kids, adults, and nature.

More Garbage Cans

By Taryn Martin

Audience/Reader: Rockaway Times, Local Politicians

I think we should have more garbage cans throughout Rockaway Beach. If there were more garbage cans in Rockaway, it would help save the environment. Littering is horrible and if we had more garbage cans, nobody would have to litter or have excuses for littering. If you want to know why I think we should have more garbage cans throughout Rockaway, keep on reading!

In this paragraph, I am going to discuss why I think we should have more garbage cans throughout Rockaway Beach. We should have more garbage cans, so people don't litter. Firstly, litter can kill plant growth. Plants take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, and without plants, we would die! Secondly, litter can pollute the air. Pollution can have a severe impact on human health. Pollution can increase the risk of diseases and can create vision problems for a lot of people, which would be terrible. Lastly, I think we should have more garbage cans because litter can kill animals. Animals provide important benefits. Animals can be used in therapy and can be aids for people with disabilities. We use a number of species as food and for improving mental health.

As you can see, garbage cans are really important, and we need more throughout Rocka -

way. The idea of littering is sickening. So these are just three of many reasons why I feel that we should have more garbage cans throughout Rockaway Beach.

Lifeguards After 6 p.m.

By Rafael Campos-Gatjens

Audience/Reader: Rockaway Times, Local Politicians

I think lifeguards should stay on the beach and work longer. People want to go in the water after 6 p.m. When the lifeguards are not on duty after 6 p.m., people are mad that they can’t go in the water without the risk of drowning. This happens all the time to me and my friends. Below I will share with you just a few reasons why lifeguards should stay on the beach and work longer.

At 6 p.m., it is still hot and sunny out and people want to go in the ocean at that time. After work, peo-

ple want to go in the water for a little bit, but they may take risks because there are no lifeguards. I know this because people in my family always want to go in the ocean after work, but they do not want to take the risk of drowning. This is very dangerous. Most drownings happen after the lifeguards leave because people go in after they leave and there is no one to rescue them if they are drowning. According to The Rockaway Times, a total of seven people died in Rockaway last year when there were no lifeguards on duty after 6 p.m.

As you can see, lifeguards need to take longer shifts. The idea that more people will drown when there is no lifeguard is upsetting. I strongly feel that lifeguards should stay at the beach later. These are the reasons why I feel lifeguards should stay on duty and work longer.

DR. HENRY IS RETIRING!

AFTER 30 YEARS OF SERVING THE PENINSULA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES, THE OFFICE WILL CLOSE ON JUNE 2, 2023.

Nonprofit Takes Steps to Open Museum & Arts Center in Rockaway

By Kami-Leigh Agard

After two pandemic years that wrought havoc on everyday life, and politics further polarizing community relationships, there is one trailblazing arts organization committed to restoring hope, healing and connection to the thousands of residents who call the Rockaway peninsula and Broad Channel home. New up-and-coming nonprofit, Sol De Vida, aims to bring a brick-andmortar art museum and arts center for all in the community to not just visit and share, but also contribute to Rockaway’s unique cultural heritage through all mediums of art.

Sol De Vida’s co-founders, Helen Montero and Brandon Jeffries, are both well-known and accoladed on the peninsula for their collective philanthropic work. Montero, a community health manager and coach at St. John's Episcopal Hospital, is a member of Community Board 14, former youth program manager at Far Rockaway nonprofit, Queens Defenders, and co-chair of Far Rockaway Arverne Nonprofit Coalition (FRANC). Jeffries, presently a nonprofit community development consultant, was the manager of Far Rockaway’s Queens Public Library Teen Center for several years, director of youth services at Queens Defenders, and like Montero, served as co-chair of FRANC.

According to Montero, the seed for the idea of Sol De Vida Museum and Arts Center, was planted years ago when she and Jeffries both heard and witnessed the community's needs on the peninsula.

She shared, “I grew up in Rockaway, and Brandon has worked in the community for years. On many occasions, we always ended up working on the same community outreach projects, and together saw that whatever resources and assistance residents needed, always related to some sort of stress or trauma.

“We noticed that residents of all ages loved to do some sort of art as a creative outlet. Whether you're from uptown, Far Rockaway, in elementary school or living in a senior

center, we all enjoy some form of art, and Brendan and I noticed that here in Rockaway, there's so many different ways that people want to express themselves, whether through painting murals, performing in concerts, and more.

“So, then we asked ourselves, ‘Why not have a center and museum on the peninsula?’ A physical space where everyone can come together, and enjoy the art they already do, yet learn more, and teach each other, while keeping the culture alive within the community by sharing it from one end of the peninsula to the other, and one generation to the other.”

Jeffries chimed in, “While Helen was serving the community from the health perspective, at the time, I was working as the Queens Public Library Teen Center coordinator, and baked in my mind were the wants, wishes and dreams these kids expressed. So, Helen and I constantly talked about how we could meet those needs. Rockaway has never actually had a center where people of all ages can just do and learn art. We envision an all-around holistic approach for the center and museum. What about youth who want to make art their profession? How do we get them to understand the business aspect of it? Also, what about a dedicated area where they can actually pilot their work or have a gallery exhibition/reception like Rockaway Beach Autism Families recently hosted, featuring local autistic artists, William Hernandez and Grace Moroney. Instead of going to Brooklyn or Harlem, why can’t Rockaway have its very own art center and museum, archiving all of the community’s past, present and even future creatives?”

According to Jeffries, Sol De Vida’s rollout is in phase one—community outreach—in which besides doing pop-up art activity events, they are documenting the community’s feedback on not just what programming, but physical accommodations the arts center and museum must have.

He said, “We are taking people's

feedback. From contemporary or interpretive dance, spoken word, poetry, fine art, music, photography, sculpting, graffiti and more, every specialty has its criteria of needs on what the space needs to accommodate. For example, music artists need a space with proper acoustics. This is why we are seeking feedback on what the physical space must have to properly support each artistic expression. So, these community engagement popups are propelling us to phase two, which is identifying and securing a physical space for the museum/art center.”

In the interim, Sol De Vida is popping up at various events throughout Rockaway. Recently, the organization hosted their first community engagement at P.S. 197 The Ocean School in Far Rockaway, in which they not only sought community feedback, but also invited attendees to join in an art activity.

Jeffries said, “We literally had a crowd of youth running over, grabbing markers and expressing their thoughts and ideas visually.”

Montero added, “That day, we had so many, not just children, but also parents. One parent asked if we could host a cultural dance. Sol De Vida is here to make sure that the unique feel and culture of Rockaway is not lost. If people want to learn their family’s cultural dances or want to teach it to the children, or even host poetry and spoken word events, art exhibits—whatever medium of artistic expression—Sol De Vida will be that space for artists to not just create but archive their work. Even one of the school’s se-

curity guards asked if we could host a similar event at their senior center. Our response? Of course, because seniors love art too! These pop-up events are giving us opportunities to see and learn what the community envisions for their very own centralized art center and museum.”

Both Montero and Jeffries believe art is the perfect medium to unite the peninsula’s and Broad Channel’s residents.

Montero stated, “Art is the unifier, and as community outreach volunteers, both Brandon and I can attest that there are many different ways people try to for example, combat gun violence, and other overwhelming challenges facing the peninsula. However, nobody tries art, a universal language that transcends color, socioeconomic backgrounds and other dividers. From photography, murals, cultural dances—you see so much art coming from both the east and west ends of Rockaway, and this art center/museum will incorporate the whole peninsula and Broad Channel.”

Sol de Vida’s next pop-up event will be on Hope Day—a day dedicated nationwide to bring hope through community engagement and transformation—Saturday June 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Goldie Maple Academy (365 Beach 56th Street). For more information, and to stay informed about Sol de Vida’s upcoming events, follow them on Instagram/Facebook: @SolDeVidaNYC. Also, for more information about volunteer or collaboration opportunities with the organization, email: SolDeVidaFR@gmail. com

Thank You, EMS

Dear Editor:

May 21-27, 2023, is the 49th annual National Emergency Medical Services Week.

cians (NAEMT) partners with the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) to lead annual EMS Week activities. Together, NAEMT and ACEP are working to ensure that the important contributions of EMS practitioners in safeguarding the health, safety and well-being of their communities are fully celebrated and recognized.

Sports at SFC

Dear Editor:

their daily routes changed without any notification. The streets were torn up to lay new pipes all the way to Beach 116th Street. This caused all sorts of havoc and dangerous scenarios, especially for the Seaside Elementary School and PS 47Q, which is housed in the former Stella Maris building.

I, as a now 13 years retired EMT with over 40 years of experience, give a shout out and salute to all past and present members of all Ambulance Services and Emergency Medical Service providers. Some are based within hospitals, others, within Police Departments, Fire Departments (both paid, volunteer, and "combined" services), community based (like my unfortunately disbanded Peninsula Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 1973-1996), and Private Proprietary Ambulance services, some of which are incorporated into local 9-1-1 systems.

(In response to last week’s Lazer Speaks.) I was a bit surprised that Lou Pastina did not make more of an issue about St. Francis College dropping their entire sports program. He said it was disheartening, however to me it may turn out to be disastrous for the school. Not only will student athletes on scholarship no longer have a team to play on, but physical fitness is an important part of school life. I attended Brooklyn College, where I was on the varsity swim team for four years. We swam against SFC and I made many friends on their team. I hope I am wrong, but I fear that the school cannot continue to exist without a sports program, not to mention any sort of athletic facility where students can work out on their own.

The increase in sirens, subway breakdowns and announcements, horns going off in the middle of the night and car congestion; it’s ENOUGH. There is already too much noise pollution.

Page 32

In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation's communities. This year's theme is EMS: Where Emergency Care Begins. The National Association of Emergency Medical Techni -

Richard C. Berger FDNY EMS EMT (Retired)

Peter Galvin

No More from Alma

Dear Editor:

My name is Denise Brown and, I am a life-long resident of the Rockaways. I presently live in the Surfside Development, 107-10 Shore Front Parkway.

We in the Rockaways already have evacuation issues—too many cars and people. Ferry and other public transportation have insufficient capacity for the present population. It was estimated that it would take 2,000 buses or more to evacuate all Rockaway residents in an emergency!

By Robin Shapiro

SUMMER PARKING

SUMMER EFFECTS

For some time, the landlord of our building complex, Alma Realty, has been putting forth plans to build, change and reconstruct our living spaces. Adding to this, there is constant construction in our small area of residence from Beach 100th Street to Beach 109th Street.

The danger of flooding is already present. There is NO bedrock on which any building is being constructed! We have an aquifer under our beloved peninsula that adds to our drinking water, but that is being polluted with the dust particles in the air and from the never-ending construction.

Historically, Rockaway, Far Rockaway, Broad Channel and Howard Beach have been filledin for building purposes. These areas were meant to be the environmental sponges to protect from flooding and other disasters.

provide enough material to have a “garage sale” and make some extra cash for the household.

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!

Many Rockaway homeowners enjoy more frequent visits from friends and relatives during the summer. As we know, parking is at a premium –especially after May 15, when the regulations change on numerous streets. Everyone is aware of the standard parking solutions (help from neighbors, etc.), but there is one solution which many people overlook: homeowners with garages often use the garage for storage. Why not clean it out so that a car can be parked inside? A car spot can be worth approximately $100/month (or more). If you think of it in such monetary terms, then it might motivate you towards such action. Also, the garage might even

Spring/summer motivates some people to do work on their homes. It’s a good idea to remind workers to be especially careful with NAILS, which tend to end up in everyone’s tires! Horn blowing is another problem. Some people forget that car noises can be an annoyance to their neighbors. The Golden Rule is always a good guideline. The Jewish holiday of Shavuot begins Thursday night, May 25 and ends Saturday night, May 27. No work is permitted for the observant. Call me. Love, Robin.

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.

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

Since 2006, when Belle Shores, Ocean Colony and the Medical Building were constructed, we have experienced an increase in population, water issues (no water, cold water-only), no heat, road work, power outages and parking problems to name several issues. The streets have been torn up to lay new pipes due to the Rockaway Hotel. By the redesign of Beach 108th Street, we were rerouted in all directions. The Rotary on Beach 108th Street, where the children’s roller/ice skating rink is located, had become a danger for those children because of all the heavy equipment. People driving had

Alma Realty is on a path to destroy our protection completely.

Denise Brown

The Rockaway Times

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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

Lic. Broker-Owner: Lisa Jackson Lic. Associate Brokers: Barbara Ferguson

• Nia Casilla

• Colleen Brady

Lic. RE Agents: Joseph Magiera • Zachary Plattner • Carol Feintisch

Samantha Benanti • Jack Brandes • Nicole Switzer

• Tracy Czik

12 Year Member follow us on all social media platforms

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

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B. 114: Gorgeous newly reovated 2BR, 1BA apt w/ SS apps and backyard (SB) $2,300

B. 126: Walk in 1BR, 1BA apt with HW floors and summer weekend parking (BF) . . . . $2,000

ABTS: 1BR, 1BA bright & airy oceanfront unit w/ laundry & parking passes (JM) $1,950

Brooklyn: Spacious & bright 1BR, 1BA apt in Georgetown w/ EIK & closet space (TC) $1,900

Brooklyn: 1BR, 1.5BA condo unit w/ SS apps & custom window treatments (TC) $1,900

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

Renovated 3 BR, huge terrace overlooking the boardwalk and beach.

BELLE HARBOR SUMMER RENTAL

Gorgeous 5 BR, 3.5 bath, Kosher kitchen & long private driveway. $30,000 / July & August

ARVERNE BY THE SEA SUMMER RENTAL

Fabulous 3 BR, 2 bath oceanfront, private parking & garage. $25,000

ROCKAWAY PARK SUMMER RENTAL

Oceanfront 2 BR, 1 bath with loft as 3rd BR. Huge oceanfront terrace. $30,000 / July & August

ROCKAWAY PARK SUMMER RENTAL

Renovated 4 BR, 4 bath home with huge front porch & private drive. $20,000 / July & August

Associate Real Estate Broker

Hurricane Forecast is not very favorable this year! Everyone needs to get a flood policy!

APARTMENTS

Studios available from.

Call Susan 347-260-3891

$1,100 - $1,400

JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER!

OPEN HOUSE

216 Beach 136

Sunday, May 21st | 12:00PM - 1:30PM

ACCEPTED OFFER

Belle Harbor Charming

ONE FAMILY. Three floors of living space, includes; 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, large living room with wood burning fireplace, formal dining room, eat in kitchen, hardwood floors, semi finished basement, garage, deck and yard.

Asking $975,000.

Call Susan 347-260- 3891

Rockaway Park - Oceanfront two bedroom, two bathroom condo with indoor deeded parking spot. $675K CALL SUSAN 347-260-3891

BRAND NEW EXCLUSIVE LISTING

Beach 120’s – two bedroom, oceanfront w/terrace, no pets, pay electric. Available May 1st $2950

Call Susan 347-260-3891

Rockaway Park – beach block, 2 bedroom furnished unit with wifi, parking, use of yard

Call Susan 347-260-3891

Rockaway Park – 2 bedroom walk up. All utilities included.

Call Susan 347-260-3891

$3250

Beach Block Legal Two Owner apartment, 2 or 3 bedrooms, renovated kitchen, large living room and dining room, semi finished basement with half bath. Rental apartment: 2 bedrooms, large living room with terrace, and bonus space on top floor, 3 extra rooms. $965,000 Call Kate 917-680-8051

$1650

Summer Rentals: Call Susan 347-260-3891

• Belle Harbor, four bedroom home.

• B130’s – Studio, use of yard and parking

• Rockaway Park -2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom

• UPPER BELLE HARBOR Steps to Beach

3 bedroom sunny spacious, huge grounds, large private backyard, parking, Memorial thru Labor Day (possibly longer)

$13,200

• Beach Block - Steps to Ocean

2 bedrooms, eat in kitchen, terrace, ocean view. Memorial Day to Labor Day…..........$10,600

Call Kate 917-680-8051

Four bedroom house w yard and parking for one. Available May - September

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

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

George L. Clark Realtors, Inc.

OPEN HOUSE

SUNDAY, MAY 21st • 12-2pm 459 Beach 141st Street

BEAUTIFUL 1 FAMILY PRIVATE DRIVEWAY AND POOL!

This beautiful beach living home is a must see! The first floor consists of an enclosed tiled front porch, leading to a separate adjacent office space and a large open concept living room with a wood burning fireplace. There is an eatin kitchen, a full bathroom, and an additional guest bedroom/ den. The dining room with patio doors leads to a beautiful sunny backyard with lush plantings, a dining area, gazebo, and heated pool. Perfect for beach entertaining! The second floor consists of a master bedroom with large closets, a private balcony and two additional large bedrooms and a full bath.

There is also an unfinished basement suitable for an office/recreation area. Additional amenities include a long private driveway, trex decking, split a/c units and plenty of additional storage space.

Asking $1.149M

SLICE OF LIFE

By Beth Hanning

DOT Conundrum

Over the years of teaching, I have noticed children respond to connotation, not denotation. They understand stories about the words that give them an association. For example, if one looks up the word infrastructure in the dictionary, this is what they will read: the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise. If I just gave children that definition, many of them would dismiss it. But when you then ask them: Do you think we have adequate infrastructure in Queens? After this question, many hands are

raised and we discuss the various items associated with infrastructure: roads, traffic due to excessive new stop lights and bus lanes and various other issues relating to quality of life. I feel this is a way that they will actually remember the vocabulary word.

I also do this with the vocabulary word conundrum. We discuss various problems in New York City that seem to be impossible to solve: homelessness, crime and mental illness issues to name a few.

Now to put the two vocabulary words together, we have a huge conundrum in this city, and it is poor infrastructure. Why can’t we get it to-

gether? Why does the Department of Transportation (DOT) have an operating budget of over one billion dollars and 33-billion-dollar ten-year capital program budget? You would think that with this much money being spent we should have better roads?

As soon as I announced my return on social media and asked for topics, the roads were the number one topic people wanted discussed.

How does the DOT rip up roads and then keep them unpaved for weeks? I got a few emails and messages about people getting flat tires due to these issues. My favorite was a road I noticed was actually paved after not being paved for weeks was then unpaved the next day! What was the issue? I would love to know how much that blunder cost! And that same road has not been lined yet separating the two directions of traffic. I wonder how much time that will take. Good thing I know where to drive.

For a while Beach Channel Drive from Beach 116th and westbound was one of my favorite DOT projects. Now it is the strip of roadway on both

sides from Beach 108th Street (by the ferry) until the Mobil Gas Station. This has been an issue for many years as the median looks to be buckling. Now some city organization has fenced in the beautiful walkway from the ferry walking uptown. That strip of sidewalk is only a few years old! What project could need to be completed so quickly after being originally done?

Beautiful weather is upon us and the area around the ferry terminal will be quite crowded due to this issue!

And to add to the operating costs question: How much did all of the signs on Beach Channel Drive from Scholars’ Academy until the two gas stations at the corner of the Rockaway Freeway cost? If you did not notice, all of this alternate side parking signs have been changed. They now on both sides read “NO Parking Saturday 7:30-8:00 a.m.” I thought alternate meant to switch. Most blocks alternate days and/or times. Nope, now every Saturday, you cannot park along the long that stretch for 30 minutes. Thanks New York City! Take away more parking.

Arverne By The Sea - Water's Edge

Surfers delight- Two-bedroom, one bath condo steps from the beach. Large private backyard, open floor plan living room/dining room. New flooring, low maintenance, low taxes. Washer/dryer in unit. Excellent Condition. Asking $439,000.

Contact Catherine Favara 718-974-0671

A BLISSFUL LIFE byJenniferKelleher

Pleasure Vs. Joy

As we settle into today’s article, I invite you to reflect: How are your short-term pleasures affecting your long-term well-being?

On his podcast with Dr. Anna Lembke covering the neuroscience of addiction, Rich Roll says, “In many ways our world has evolved from one of scarcity to one of overabundance, and we find ourselves ever-orienting our lives around the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain, and in so doing we set ourselves up to experience the very pain we so desperately seek to avoid.”

Living in a culture that gets rich off of getting us addicted has turned us into a dopamine-driven society. Today, many of the things we recognize

as common comforts are actually setting us up for long-term discomforts. Constantly pursuing dopamine can make us feel good and forget about our pain temporarily, but the end result is feeling worse than when we started. Mental health disorders are substantially higher than they were 30 years ago, and they continue to rise. So, my question becomes, how can we call back our natural joy and set ourselves up for a long, happy, healthy life?

In the podcast mentioned above, Dr. Lembke explains what dopamine is and how it works. I found understanding a bit about the science behind our impulses to be incredibly empowering and reorienting. To summarize, dopamine is a “feel-good” chemical in the brain involved in motivation and reward. What makes something addicting is that it triggers the release of a lot

PAW PRINTS byTerriEstes HONEYBEES

Did you know that honeybees are endangered? Honeybees are facing numerous threats and have experienced significant declines in recent years. Several factors contribute to this decline including habitat loss, pesticide use, diseases and parasites. Their decline has raised serious concerns about potential impacts on food production and ecosystem stability.

Certain crops rely heavily on honeybee pollination, including many fruits, nuts and vegetables such as apples, almonds, blueberries, cucumbers and squash to name a few. If honeybees were to become extinct, it would have severe consequences

for many crops globally. They are considered one of the most important pollinators for agricultural crops worldwide. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), it is estimated that about 75% of global food crops benefit to some extent from animal pollination. The honeybee, while not the sole contributor to this pollination, is the largest contributor. Efforts are underway worldwide to protect honeybees and their habitats and to promote sustainable beekeeping practices, reduce pesticide use and increase awareness about their importance.

Bees have a bad rap. But that is because they are often confused with yellow jackets and wasps. As a beekeeper, I can tell you that honeybees do not want to sting you. They

more dopamine than something that is non-addictive. Our body makes dopamine to maintain a baseline, and when we do something that is rewarding, we get a rise in this chemical and a blast of pleasure. To give you an idea, dopamine levels are increased about 50% from chocolate, 100% from sex, 150% from alcohol and nicotine, and 1,000% from methamphetamines. The thing is, the dopamine/pain scale in our brain wants to stay level, so as soon as you engage in an activity that surges dopamine, your body is working to balance it out by tipping the scale toward equal pain (like a pendulum). This is why often the pleasure from a big dopamine rush is fleeting and followed by an equally intense “hangover” period. During the “hangover”, you are likely to crave more of what gave you the initial pleasure. If you do not engage, your dopamine scale will eventually restore balance and the craving will pass. However, if you do engage, you will create an even larger dopamine-deficit and continuously need more of whatever is giving you pleasure, not to feel exceptionally good, but just to feel normal. When you finally

want to be left alone. Unless they feel threatened or their hive is disturbed, they will leave you alone. They are not the pesky insect buzzing around your iced tea or other sweet drink. That would most likely be a yellow jacket. They are very different. Both have yellow and black stripes, but bees have fuzzy or hairy bodies that help them collect pollen while yellow jackets and wasps have smooth shiny bodies. Yellow jackets and wasps can also sting multiple times and tend to be more aggressive than bees. Bees are herbivores and primarily feed on nectar and pollen while yellow jackets and most wasps are omnivorous and can scavenge for sugary foods, prey on insects and even scavenge on human food. Bees pollinate flowers and crops and make honey. Yellow jackets and wasps do not. I am sure that the good Lord put yellow jackets and wasps on this earth for some reason, but I really don’t know what it is.

A beehive consists of thousands of bees working together in a highly organized manner to ensure the survival and growth of the hive. The queen bee is the only reproductive

do stop using or engaging, your scale will tip heavily to the side of pain, and symptoms, such as irritability, depression, anxiety, and insomnia, can last a while before leveling out.

To get off the hamster wheel, remember that what we focus our attention on becomes magnified. What activities or elements of your routine are leading you toward a bright and joyful future?

Yoga, for example, is a practice that provides immediate and longterm benefits. Eating well can also change how you feel pretty immediately and will enhance your overall quality of life. Although it may be uncomfortable at first, unplugging from the dopamine drip and getting into the habit of doing things that are good for you will help you stabilize your mood and regain your joy and good health.

We invite you to Ocean Bliss Yoga Studio for daily classes and monthly workshops. Explore our schedule online at oceanblissyoga.net. Join us for our quarterly book club (“Once There Were Wolves”) on Wednesday, May 24 at 7 p.m. Free, all are welcome.

female in the hive. She is larger than the other bees and her main role is to lay eggs. She can lay over a thousand eggs a day. If a queen gets old, or sick, the hive can make a new queen. The worker bees select a few young larvae and feed them royal jelly, a special secretion that forms a larger female with queen characteristics. Worker bees are sterile females who perform all the tasks of the hive such as collecting nectar and pollen, building comb, tending to the brood and guarding the hive. Drones are the male bees whose only purpose is to mate with a new queen. They don’t have stingers and just hang around the hive eating honey. During resource scarcity, they will be evicted from the hive.

If you see a beehive or swarm of bees, there are several local beekeepers that will come and relocate them. The Long Island Beekeepers Club has a website with a list of people who will come and remove a swarm or hive in trees or outside the home. There is also a list of questions on the website that can help you determine if, in fact, they are bees that you are seeing, or another insect.

New Ship Hopes for Peace But Ready for Combat

Photos and Story

By Bob Nesoff

The first day without rain, a hot, yellow orb in the sky baking the hundreds of people seated along the pier in New York City and facing a giant grey behemoth decked out in red, white and blue bunting on a ship seemingly out of place in this peaceful setting.

The USS Cooperstown, named for the New York State hamlet, home to the Baseball Hall of Fame, sat like a society prima donna waiting to be recognized.

The USS Cooperstown, the American Navy’s newest and, arguably, most technically advanced, warship, was ready to go to work. The only things missing were crew and officers. But that was about to come.

The “Coop” was not only named for the city, but for the 70 Baseball Hall of Famers from the Civil War until today who both served in the Navy during combat and were either players, um-

pires or executives who were outstanding in America’s game. But the ship’s motto is “America’s Away Team.”

While numerous modern Hall of Famers will have copies of the Cooperstown plaques mounted aboard the ship, the first to be honored was Mor-

gan Bulkeley, a Republican politician and bank executive who became the first president of the National League.

The most recent to be named was famed Boston Red Sox player, Ted Williams, who served as a fighter pilot in World War II and then volunteered and served in the Korean conflict.

ing the crew of a sailboat that had run into trouble at sea.

Torre told the gathering that “Baseball brings us all together at a difficult time.” He noted the so-called “Green Light Letter” written by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, urging that the game be played throughout WWII as a morale booster.

The former Yankee skipper paid homage to the great “Number 8,” Yankee catcher and icon, Yogi Berra, who served as a gunner’s mate at the Normandy invasion and received a Purple Heart for wounds he received.

Secretary Del Toro said that the Cooperstown, designated LCS 23, “Honors the baseball greats who, in service to our nation sacrificed their baseball careers.” Several, including notably Ted Williams, gave up time they could have been playing and earning above average salaries. Williams, already a WWII veteran, stepped away from baseball during the Korean conflict to once again fly fighters in combat.

The LCS designation stands for “Littoral Combat Ship.” The LTS 23 is an updated version of previous LTS ships that developed problems the Navy ultimately corrected. It is designed as a fast, agile mission focused platform meant to operate in nearshore environments against coastal threats. It can out-gun Russia’s fleet of Corvettes.

year ago, it was instrumental in sav-

The LTS 23 carries air, surface and under water vehicles, giving it the ability to multi-task. It can easily coast along at a speed of 40 knots, which translates to 46-miles an hour on shore, fast for a watercraft.

Honor Guard lining Red Carpet for Special Guest

USS Cooperstown

Horseshoe Crab Festival

On Saturday, May 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., head to Broad Channel American Park, (82-66 Cross Bay Blvd.) to join NPS, JBRPC, and ALS for the annual horseshoe crab festival.

Jamaica Bay Park Cleanup

On Saturday, May 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., head to Egmont Place, off of Mott Ave in Far Rockaway, to help remove trash and debris from Jamaica Bay Park while enjoying incredible views of the Bay! Gloves, bags, and tools will be provided. The event is rain or shine. Questions? Email info@jbrpc.org.

Hero Story Hour

On Saturday, May 20 at 11 a.m., head to Seaside Library (116-15 Rockaway Beach Blvd.) and bring the kids for a story hour by first responders.

Celebrate Music and Dance of the Americas

On Saturday, May 20, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., head to the Rockaway Beach Am-

phitheater on Beach 94th and the boardwalk to join Midori and friends in a celebration of music and culture from the Americas. Sing, dance and clap along.

Gather Around the Campfire

On Saturday, May 20 at 7 p.m., head to Beach 44th Street and the boardwalk to join the Urban Park Rangers for an evening of campfire activities such as stories, songs, and more.

Floyd Bennett Field Bike Ride

On Sunday, May 21 at 10 a.m., head to the Ryan Visitor Center at Floyd Bennett Field to join a Park Ranger for a guided bike ride around Floyd Bennett Field in honor of the park's anniversary. Bring your bike and your curiosity. Cultural and natural history highlights will include the remarkable story of urban development and the value of public lands today. The ride will be approximately 4.5 miles.

Free Community Baby Shower

On Sunday, May 21, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., head to the Rockaway YMCA (207

Beach 73rd Street) for the 100th Precinct’s free community baby shower. Free resources, refreshments, raffle giveaways, car seats, diapers, cribs, strollers, and baby essentials. If you would like to donate baby items for this event, they can be dropped off at the precinct.

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.

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.

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, call: 718-634-3044.

JASA Weekly Arts

On Thursdays at 10 a.m., adults 60+ are welcome to JASA Rockaway Park Older Adult Center (106-20 Shore Front Parkway) for weekly painting/ arts and crafts. Let your creativity be free! To RSVP and for more details, call: 718-634-3044.

Yoga on the Beach

On Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, head to Beach 102nd for yoga on the beach with Soupy Campbell.

Hangar B Tour

On Sundays through May 28, at 10 a.m., head to Hangar B at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn to join a Park Ranger for a tour of Hangar B and the aircraft inside, which are part of Floyd Bennett Field’s aviation history.

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

LEGAL NOTICES

Verdantly, LLC Articles of Org. filed with NY

Sec. of State (SSNY) on May 4, 2023. Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to VCorp Services, LLC, 25 Robert Pitt Dr., Ste 204, Monsey, NY 10952. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

TRINITY LUXE HAIR CLUB LLC. Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/17/23. 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, 118-30 205TH ST, APT 2 SAINT ALBANS, NY, 11412, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of GM FF II, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/3/23. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 42-15 235th St, Douglaston, NY 11363. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of Ditmars Steinway Marketing LLC, Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 04/19/23. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Ditmars Steinway Marketing LLC 2015 27th Street, Astoria, NY 11105. Any lawful activity or purpose.

BISMILLAH TRAVELS & TECH LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/08/23. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o Mohammed Chishti, 73-19 Broadway, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

TRANSPOSE MATRIX LLC filed Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 05/09/2023. Office located in Queens County. SSNY has been designated for service of process and shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to 6759 211TH ST, Bayside, NY 11364. Purpose: any lawful act.

ALNI REALTY LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 3/15/23. Office in Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served.

SSNY shall mail copy of process to The LLC 7981 77th Ave Glendale NY 11385. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of Ultimate Lux Shine, LLC, Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on April 13th, 2023. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to Ultimate Lux Shine, LLC, 2308 30th Road, Astoria, New York, 11102. Any lawful purpose.

Zhong Geng LLC, Arts of Org.filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 3/14/2023.

Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 47-45 189th St., Flushing, NY 11358. General Purpose

Kissena B2, LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 4/27/2023.

Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 42-20 Kissena Blvd., apt. B2, Flushing, NY 11355. General Purpose

LEGAL NOTICES

DEAR GOD LLC Art of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/17/2023.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, LEGALCORP SOLUTIONS 1060 Broadway Suite 100 ALBANY, NY 12204 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

1566 LGP, LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 4/5/2023. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 3636 Main St., Flushing, NY 11354. General Purpose

4014 3RD AVENUE, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 5/1/23. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 76 Hillside Ave., Manhasset, NY 11030. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Principal business loc: 43-06 54th Rd., Maspeth, NY 11378.

KENLE DEVELOPMENT LLC Articles of Org. filed with NY Sec. of State (SSNY) on 03/13/2023. Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 45-43 ROBINSON ST, QUEENS, NY, 11355, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Furnify LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 03/04/2023. Office located in Queens, NY. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 29-59 Northern Blvd, Apt 15R, Queens, NY 11101. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

CLASSIFIED

Facts You Probably D on’t Need

 A beer lover or enthusiast is cwalled a cerevisaphile.

 The ZIP in ZIP Code stands for: Zone Improvement Plan.

 Although bottled beer had been around for some time, beer was not sold in cans until 1935.

 Mark Ruffalo had to leave the premier of The Avengers because his four-year-old daughter was terrified by her father’s transformation into the Hulk.

 The tree where Isaac Newton discovered gravity is still

alive and well, outside his childhood home.

 Abraham Lincoln held a liquor license and operated several taverns.

 Beer is the second most popular beverage in the world second only to tea.

 Vitamin C deficiency, also known as scurvy, will eventually cause your collagen levels to deplete enough that your old scar tissue will start to break down and old wounds will start to reopen.

Facts by Sean McVeigh, factologist.

PART-TIME PORTER POSITION AVAIL ABLE

A great oppor tunity to work in a ver y well maintained seven stor y building located in Rockaway Beach. We are looking for a highly organized, energetic Por ter who enjoys a fast-paced work environment and takes ownership of all aspec ts of their work. They will also demonstrate a strong sense of initiative, a collaborative work style, and a strong work ethic, taking pride in cleanliness

Physical aspec ts of the job include heav y lifting, carr ying, transpor tation and manipulation of maintenance equipment and appliances, standing/walking for long periods, bending, kneeling, climbing, and balancing. This position requires some weekend and holiday work and the ability to be on- call for emergencies.

Job Description:

• Preparing the garbage for Depar tment of Sanitation on scheduled pick-up days

• Clear out and sanitize the garbage closets on each oor of the building during each shift

• Clean interior and ex terior sur faces of lobby windows, windowsills, and doors.

• Clean and sanitize all sur faces in the laundr y room.

• Cleaning/ Disinfecting or refuse/compac tor room.

• Entrances and lobby to be broom swept and mopped, vacuum common area corridors.

• 4 Days per week, totaling 20 hours per week.

• Mondays- 4-hour shift, 8:00am-12:00pm

• Tuesdays- 6-hour shift, 2:00pm- 8:00pm

• Fridays- 6-hour shift, 2:00pm-8:00pm

• Saturdays- 4-hour shift. 9:00am-1pm

• Must be authorized to work in the United States

The compensation is $18.00 per hour and will be paid on a bi-weekly basis.

If you think you will be the per fect candidate for this position, please contac t CRM Management @ 718-684-9396 or email your resume to proper tymgr2@crmmanagementny.com

An Adventure Through the Pearl of Africa

By Katie McFadden

Two weeks ago, my sister and I found ourselves in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, in the mountains of Uganda. Breathing doesn’t come as easy while in a place so high, you’re in the clouds, and you’re not sure if it’s because of the altitude, the downward climb while trying not to slip on wet leaves and roots, or the pure adrenaline of encountering a wild animal that, while so much like yourself, has the potential to harm you.

But as you meet one, that all goes away. We quietly made our way deeper into the forest and spotted a giant male gorilla, the leader, enjoying some early morning relaxation. We sat and watched him as he watched the canopy of trees above. Before we knew it, a mother gorilla with her baby on her back, came climbing down, and met her mate. They settled in together as their eight-month-old baby put on a show for its captive audience, doing acrobatics around a tree branch, before hanging on by one arm and banging on his chest, as you’d see in a cartoon. Except this was real. We were no further than 15 feet from this family of gorillas as more approached, another mother with her four-year-old, and another. Seven gorillas sat before us, unbothered by us watching and snapping photos. Before we knew it, an hour had gone by, and our session with these amazing primates was up, or so we thought. As we got up to make our way back up the mountain, so did the gorillas. They crossed ahead of us, and we followed behind, until we came across an even bigger gorilla—the silverback. The big male’s silver fur glistened in the sun peeking through the trees, until he decided to meet the others that were calling him in the distance.

It's indescribable to be in the presence of these wild animals, watching their natural behaviors unfold before you, hearing their grunts, making eye contact with them. And that was just the main highlight.

A few days before, we met some of their relatives, chimpanzees, who sent us on a fast-paced trek through Kibale Forest. Our first glimpse of them was a small family high above in the trees, who made their presence known by urinating, sending us fleeing to avoid a warm shower. That seemed personal enough, but we didn’t know just how close we would get. We followed our guide deeper into the jungle, and after what felt like running a 5K, we came across a family of chimps on the ground, that walked on their knuckles, only feet from us. I was grateful when one male chimp took a breather, sitting on a fallen log, scratching his hand, looking up in the trees for his family, and then turning his head to make direct eye contact with us all. There’s something spiritual about making eye contact with your closest animal relative. Aside from the fur and the way they walked, everything about them felt human.

At the end, I got even closer as a chimp nearly walked over my hiking boots. And when we thought it was over, we spotted a mother with a baby clinging to her back, moving about 15 feet from us. It was the perfect end to an incredible introduction to Uganda’s main primates.

The primates of the Pearl or Africa were the reason I went on the trip. But that was just a big high-

light of this 12-day adventure that took us in a loop around the country to see all that Uganda had to offer, and as an animal lover, it was a dream. The trip started in Entebbe, with a boat ride through Lake Victoria to Mabamba Swamp in search of the Shoebill Stork, a prehistoric looking 3-foot-tall bird with a bill that looks just like a clog. We were lucky enough to find one. And that was just day one.

From Entebbe we made our way north to Murchison Falls National Park, stopping at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where we got to see the first of the “Big 5” game animals in Africa—the white rhinoceros. Led by a guide, we were able to track a group of four rhinos, getting within 30 feet of them. They included a mother and baby, and two teenage males eating, grunting and even stopping for a quick nap. Later on, we were able to see a mom with her one-month-old baby sleeping under a tree.

As we entered Murchison Falls National Park, the sudden showers during Uganda’s rainy season seemed to bring animals close to the road. So close that we had to stop for two pairs of elephant moms and babies crossing ahead. After spotting them and a herd of cape buffalo, we had already found three of the Big 5, plus antelopes galore, and so many giraffes, the park could’ve been called Giraffic

Park. We even found a dung beetle! Just Google it. It’s fascinating.

The next day, we were treated to a boat ride down the Nile River, where we got some up-close looks at herds of hippos in the water, crocodiles on the shore and elephants on land that let us know we were a little too close for their comfort, before reaching Murchison Falls, the most powerful waterfall in the world.

By the next day, we completed the search for the Big 5, spotting a group of lions on a plain far in the distance, and then the elusive leopard, even further away, that our guide somehow spotted hanging in a tree, even though it was only visible to the rest of us with a scope. And as we left Murchison Falls for our next destination, we got a closer look at a pair of young male lions crossing the road in front of us.

The trip included stays at some beautiful lodges, where we rested our heads on mosquito-net draped beds in little cottages, sometimes with wild animals greeting us as we opened the door, and electricity and hot water that operated on solar energy, when it wasn’t too cloudy. The food?

Completely fresh, homecooked meals featuring fruit, meats, veggies and often potatoes, which in Uganda, they call “Irish potatoes.” The people? Incredible. The Ugandan people are kind, strong, hardworking, and open to sharing their culture, from dances to music to a medicine man who showed some of his unconventional treatments, to skilled artisans at work, we saw how many of the people live day to day. We learned about the poverty of the country, seeing it through homes along the drives, watching kids pump jugs full of water to bring home for the next few days, and stopping by an orphanage in one village, that had 120 kids alone.

A visit to Uganda makes you realize how much we take for granted, and how good we have it in the U.S. But if you get the chance, add Uganda to your travel list. It truly was the trip of a lifetime.

By Shane Kulman

Family Matters

Dear Enchantress

My brother is causing major unneeded drama. I don't know what to do. His wife is hard to work with, and I am so protective of my parents. He doesn't seem to understand me when I make requests and I don't know what to do. I am so stressed out over this, and it's affecting my life, my work and my family. It's not fair, and I feel stuck and a bit crazy. Help?

Thank you.

Dear Lost at Sea,

I understand you. Family is hard and seeing everyone else's social media that shows ease, joy and love can rub salt in a wound. The merging of two families hopefully works out great, and everyone is into communication and blending. However, sometimes other people’s families are damaged and have so much small world behavior and no connection with love and kindness that it disrupts the feelings of togetherness. So first,

I give you compassion.

Second, it sounds like your brother is siding with his wife and the fact that she's hard means there are things he is not telling you, and he has a new family to be more connected with. This is painful and will bring up feelings of abandonment and trigger child-like feelings that long for better days.

I say write a letter that you give or DO NOT give to your brother. Really write everything you think and feel. Do not share your feelings about his wife, that is for you to bring to therapy or your trusted friends. The letter and putting your thoughts and feelings onto paper, may not seem like a big deal, but at the very least you will get it all out. And this letter is different from a journal. You are writing directly to him. And you can do this for any person. After you write it, see how you feel. You may want to write him a different letter, or you may want to give him this letter, or you may tell him you wrote a letter with all the hard

stuff that you've been unable to say out loud.

This last suggestion is a powerful one and will lead to more communication. I hear you need help and asking him for help may be a genius route and will empower him to offer his thoughts and needs, instead of you requesting. We don't know how requests land. So, consider he may have a whole different way of thinking. Unfair or not, consider his mindset and his reasoning. Good luck on this.

To ask The Enchantress a question, email her at support@ enchantedembodiment.com

French Onion Chicken

By Sharon Feldman

Saw this on 12 Tomatoes. I love onion soup, so I figured how bad could this be with chicken? I also substituted a few things and went with it. Try it, you’ll like it!

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds sweet onion

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

• 2 cups of beef broth

• 1 cup grated gruyere cheese (you can use Swiss)

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

• ½ teaspoon dried thyme

• ½ teaspoon dried sage

• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, oven proof skillet over medium heat. Season the onions with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, about 20 min-

utes, or until softened and caramelized.

Add balsamic vinegar and cook another 3-5 minutes or until darkened, but not burned.

Remove onions from heat and transfer to a medium bowl.

Heat remaining olive oil in skillet and raise heat to medium high.

Season chicken with salt, pepper, thyme and sage and place in skillet. Sear on both sides until golden brown. Remove chicken from heat and set aside.

Pour beef broth into skillet and bring mixture to a boil, scraping bits from bottom of pan.

Return heat to medium low and whisk in flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 5-7 minutes, or until mixture has thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning, if needed.

Return chicken and onions to pan, stir together with beef gravy, then top chicken with grated gruyere cheese. Transfer chicken to oven and cook until cheese is melted and chicken is cooked through. Enjoy!

BEST HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE IN ROCKAWAY AS LOW AS $49

MAYAMAIDS

Ask the DOC American

By Peter Galvin, MD

The United States is getting bigger –not the land, the people. There is an epidemic of obesity. A recent study done by the Journal of Obesity found that 20% of U.S. adults have gained one-fifth of their body weight over 10 years. Also, women gained nearly twice as much weight as men over the same period, and younger adults gained the most overall, at an average of 17.6 pounds between their 20s and 30s, and up to 45 pounds over a lifetime. The CDC’s statistics show that 41.9% of adults are now obese. This epidemic of obesity can be traced to one thing – our diet. The American

diet is now comprised of significant amounts of processed foods, which are mostly carbohydrates. Americans eat some of the unhealthiest food in the world.

So, to counter this trend, what do many Americans decide to do? It’s not change their diet, it’s find a miracle drug to make them lose weight. The latest weight loss craze is semaglutide, known by the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus (Novo Nordisk). Also used is a similar drug tirzepatide (Mounjaro – Eli Lilly). Like many medications, these were developed to treat a different

condition - type II diabetes. Viagra was originally used as a treatment for hypertension, but it had a surprising and often not unwelcome side effect. Semaglutide is an incretin glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) inhibitor which causes increased insulin secretion and increased blood sugar disposal. Trials showed a side effect was weight loss, often up to 10% of body weight. The weight loss was not caused by any chemical process but merely a side effect - decreased appetite. People who are not hungry tend to eat less.

Last year, after being told he looked thinner, Elon Musk admitted that he was taking Wegovy, which is a higher dose of semaglutide used for weight loss only. He had a gaunt look, a tell-tale sign of semaglutide use, caused by a loss of facial fat. The sudden surge in the use of semaglutide has caused some shortages –Novo Nordisk reported a 59% growth in sales for the first nine months of 2022. The American diet has undergone a startling transition in the last 100 years. Our ancestors lived active lives, often comprised of hard work and labor, and consumed diets over-

whelmingly composed of natural, whole foods. Their diets consisted of rich, nutrient-dense animal foods – organ meats, fatty cuts, seafood, dairy, eggs, and fat products such as butter and lard, yet they displayed a health and vitality that eludes all but a lucky few today.

Americans today eat processed foods loaded with added sugars, refined grains, toxic seeds, and vegetable oils (many of which were once thought to be useable only as industrial lubricants), plus a witch’s brew of colorings, flavorings, texturizers, and other additives. British toddlers today consume nearly two thirds of their daily calories from processed food, and American toddlers aren’t far behind at 58%. Many studies have linked diets high in processed foods to a host of ailments and diseases from autism to Alzheimer’s. Plus, processed foods are addictive and are consumed faster than whole foods. If you are considering weight loss, try the healthy Mediterranean diet before you consider taking a magic elixir.

Please direct questions and comments to editor@rockawaytimes.com

Best Hospital

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital (SJEH) is committed to providing the Rockaway community with the full scope of healthcare services without having to leave the peninsula. That is why we are proud to have won Best of the Boro for the 4th year in a row. Whether you need prenatal or other obstetrics/gynecology care, we provide Women’s Services for all stages of life. We also provide critical Behavioral Health services through our Care Coordination Program, Community Mental Health Center, Family Peer Support Services, Home-Based Crisis Intervention Program, and Wellness & Recovery Center.

To learn more about all the services SJEH has to offer, visit ehs.org/services-departments.

105-38 Rockaway Beach Blvd, Rockaway Park, NY 11694

495 Beach 20th Street Far Rockaway, NY 11691

327 Beach 19th Street, Far Rockaway, NY 11691

275 Rockaway Turnpike Lawrence, NY 11559

By Kami-Leigh Agard

RT Readers! With 70 degree-temps, boardwalk concessions open, and Memorial Day weekend less than nine days away—summer is definitely here! So, ignite your Rockaway Good Times summer crawl, using our weekly entertainment roundup! Plus, check out the AOH Cornhole Tournament happening this Saturday at the BHYC.

LIVE MUSIC

THURSDAY, May 18 6:30 p.m.

The Rockaway Hotel’s “Dinner & A Band” is back, and with Cuisine By Claudette servin’ up the dinner menu and The Graytrippers turning up the temp with their classic rock show, be prepared to become a regular. Admission is $20 and includes one plate. For reservations, visit: https://www. therockawayhotel.com/happenings

108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive

THURSDAY, May 18 7 p.m.

If your birthday is in May—fun fact! Did you know that celebrities Audrey Hepburn and Janet Jackson are May babies? So, calling all May birthday peeps! The NY Dippers Club is hosting a celebration like the Jackson song… “All For You!”

174 Beach 116th Street

FRIDAY, May 19 3 p.m. / 9 p.m.

The weather is so sweet, Rogers is hosting a double-header day of music! First up, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. is Mike & Miley jammin’ your fave rock classics. Then, next, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.—get ready for a boogalicious night of dancing with Winston McBoogie.

203 Beach 116th Street

FRIDAY, May 19

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

From Kool & The Gang, Maceo Parker, Average White Band, Steely Dan and more!—The Fumos make their debut at Tap That, pouring out a funk-a-licious night of funk-rock-soul-jazz.

111-04 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

FRIDAY, May 19 7 p.m.

Rock-a-way to Breezy as Chris Warren ushers in his acoustic classic rock jam at The BayHouse.

500 Bayside Drive, Breezy Point

THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023

ROCKAWAY GOOD TIMES

FRIDAY, May 19

8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Back at Bar Marseille is newly crowned country music queen Lauren Jaimes, bringing in her dreamy vintage western vibe, reminiscent of Kacey Musgraves and Johnny Cash.

190 Beach 69th Street

FRIDAY, May 19

9 p.m.

Shhh! Do you hear a beer calling? Nah, it’s the Rock-A-Wades beckoning you and your best buds over to the Belle Harbor Yacht Club’s upstairs lounge for their sing-along rock party.

533 Beach 126th Street

FRIDAY, May 19

Chris Decker is back at Kennedy’s with an acoustic show, complimented by Breezy’s dreamy sunsets. Call (718) 9450202 for showtime and reservations.

406 Bayside, Breezy Point

SATURDAY, May 20

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

A popular adage for Rockaway summers…keep it local! And with Wine With Sue back at Tap That, get ready to whet your whistle for a rockin’ night of hyper local craic.

111-04 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

SATURDAY, May 20

9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Encore! Crossfade Nights is back at Rogers, jammin’ rock from the days you rocked a mullet or a perm.

203 Beach 116th Street

SATURDAY, May 20

Enjoy a Breezy treat with a fine dining and music experience with Frank Persico at Kennedy’s. Call (718) 945-0202 for showtime and reservations.

406 Bayside, Breezy Point

SUNDAY, May 21 4 p.m.

If you’re hankering for legit rock, straight—no chaser, The Sugar Bowl offers the sweetest ticket with Anthem Acoustic rockin’ the classics.

15 Bedford Ave, Breezy Point

SUNDAY, May 21 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Get ready for another Sunday FUN-day with the Rock-A-Wades at Rogers.

203 Beach 116th Street

SUNDAY, May 21

5 p.m.

This afternoon, the Breezy ladies of The Pointers rule The BayHouse with a sizzling retro rock and pop salute!

500 Bayside Drive, Breezy Point

ONGOING

Wine WEDNESDAYS

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

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Thursday night is ladies’ night at Dred Surfer Bar and Grill. So, come let your hair down, drink some punch and enjoy delish food specials.

Beach 17th Concession

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 at The Rose Den.

174 Beach 116th Street

Selfie SATURDAYS

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Savor West Indian Island vibes at Dred Surfer’s, “Caribbean Soiree,” every Saturday, featuring seafood and drink specials, plus, reggae vibrations by Eyez A Bleed. Rain or shine. Free entry.

16-27 Seagirt Blvd., Far Rockaway (Beach 17th Concession)

THEATER

RTC PRESENTS “REGRETS ONLY”

Just two weekends left!

Fresh from its grand opening weekend, Rockaway Theatre Company’s comedy/satire with heart, “Regrets Only,” hits all the right notes and brings out a belly full of laughs! This new RTC production weaves in a hilarious fresh look at friendship, relations, equality, values and what makes us who we are. See it live, now! Show dates: May 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 & 28. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. For tickets, visit: www. rockawaytheatrecompany.org.

T4 Post Theatre Building, Fort Tilden

SPECIAL MENTIONS

SAYRA’S WINE BAR SIP & PAINT PARTY

SATURDAY, May 20  5:30 p.m.

Get creative as you sip at Sayra’s Sip & Paint Party, plus meet new people by yourself or bring a friend! Admission is $45, and includes paint set and bottomless drinks (excludes gratuity and sales tax). Plus, music by DJ Cahaya Dewi.

91-11 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

AOH CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT AT BHYC

SATURDAY, May 20

7 p.m. to Midnight

Think you’re a cornhole champ?

Find out at the Ancient Order of the Hibernians-Division 21 1st Annual Cornhole Tournament happening at the Belle Harbor Yacht Club, offering a hefty cash purse: 1st-place winner takes home $1,000 and 2nd-place $500. Plus, best team uniform wins Irish American flag cornhole boards. Admission is $120 per team of two or $60 per single with a randomly selected teammate. Spectators enjoy open bar for $50 plus live DJ music and barbecue. Cash bar. To sign up, text John McCann at (917) 842-3888 or Dean Neligan at (516) 236-9650. Proceeds benefit the AOH-Division 21’s continuing philanthropic efforts to help local churches and families in need.

533 Beach 126th Street

RED WISH & BLUE FUNDRAISER

SATURDAY, May 27

7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Support Rockaway WISH in their rewarding fundraiser at the Belle Harbor Yacht Club, benefitting the organization’s philanthropic efforts in the community. Admission is $100 and includes a fruitful chance to win the $5K grand prize, open bar, lite food fare and music by DJ Teddy. For more info, follow: @wishofrockaway on Instagram.

533 Beach 126th Street

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.

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

Seth Krakauer

Linda Anthonijsz

Tedd Havlicek

Andrew Stange

Antonia Levy

Joe DiLalla Marek Piechocki

Tommy Share

Rockaway Hotel to Host Artists with Residency on the Rock

This summer, The Rockaway Hotel is bringing art and the community together with Residency on the Rock.

The power of art as a connective tissue that brings communities together is the cornerstone of The Rockaway Hotel + Spas’ ethos. As a cultural hub and art destination for locals and visitors alike, the hotel is dedicated to presenting a robust, contemporary art collection and onsite cultural programming to enrich the overall guest experience.

Since opening in 2020, The Rockaway Hotel has hosted a line-up of diverse activations that represent their commitment to celebrating the arts, including Lilac Jam, a series of live music curated by artist Zoë Buckman, public art installations and murals by Shantell Martin, Julia Chiang, Ivan Forde and Nancy Cahill Baker, hosting fundraisers with art organizations including NXTHVN, The Last Resort Artist Retreat and Baxter St. at CCNY, a curated partnership with ART FOR CHANGE, Performa Biennial, Beach Sessions, and Rockaway Music Live series, among others.

The hotel’s latest endeavor includes renovating the building across the way, at 108-09 Rockaway Beach Drive (next to Healy’s), transforming the space into a gallery/studio for the inaugural Residency on the Rock, an artist residency takeover set to take place throughout the summer season. An extension of the hotel’s ongoing arts and cultural programming, this initiative invites artists to Rockaway Beach to inject the community with their vision and creativity. Rotating every month, each artist will activate the space for a show that can be viewed Wednesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

“We’ve always envisioned The Rockaway Hotel as a cultural and entertainment hub, and we’re thrilled to be able to give artists not only a place they can call home but a stage where they can share their talents with our community,” said Michi Jigarjian, Partner and Chief Social Impact Officer of The Rockaway Hotel + Spa. “We are proud to usher in a new wave of visitors to

the destination, honoring the legacy and hospitality of one of New York City’s most beloved beaches by celebrating arts and culture.”

While residing in the building across the way, rotating artists will host in-person programming, workshops, and an artist talk at The Rockaway Hotel +Spa.

The first residency began Wednesday, May 17 with Baxter St. CCNY’s and interdisciplinary artist Gwen Smith. Her exhibition, The Chance Whale - MOCHA ISLAND, is a reinstallation of a portion of her debut solo exhibition at Baxter CCNY, including her AI surf reel and a series of cinematic versions of Moby Dick.

The Chance Whale surveys the coincidence of a pre-emancipatory history of blackness and the sea as relating to ideas concealed in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick and Smith’s own surfer’s quest, her spiritual navigation from the womb to the ocean. The Chance Whale continues Smith’s Origin story, framing kaleidoscopic portals through which we view life and the cyclical passage of time. These surreal, highly saturated compositions explore and connect Smith’s Black American lineage, the African Diaspora, and the often-complex relationships of black people to nature, particularly to the ocean. Like Moby Dick and surfing, the Chance Whale alludes to being just

on the verge of attaining freedom.

Smith will be onsite during the exhibition and invites the Rockaway community in the space to participate in her process of post-surf creativity. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, May 20 and Smith will be giving an Artist Talk at The Rockaway Hotel on May 26.

Smith will be followed by a residency with Erica Reade. Reade is a fine art and commercial photographer. She is self-taught and has a background in youth development and women’s empowerment, focusing on using photography for social justice. Erica worked with non-profits for 12 years before becoming a full-time photographer in 2018. She is the Founding Director of Camera of the Month Club, an NYC photography collective, and spends most of her time photographing the beaches of NYC, with a focus on the Rockaways and Fort Tilden.

Reade is fascinated by the juxtaposition of beach culture and landscape in NYC, and her work reflects that. She began her series Beach Lovers in 2015, a series of intimate moments shared by couples at the beaches of NYC and released her first photo book in June of 2022. Several of her photographs from the Beach Lovers series are found throughout The Rockaway Hotel + Spa.

In line with the one-year release of her book, Erica Reade will be using the residency and space to celebrate the photo book and the lovers of Rockaway, exhibiting photos spanning the eight years of the ongoing series. Her exhibit opens on June 19. An opening reception will be held on June 23, and she will be giving an Artist Talk at The Rockaway Hotel on July 8.

Coming in August is The Laundromat Project (The LP). This black-rooted, POC-centered, community-based arts organization is dedicated to advancing artists and residents of New York City as change agents within their own communities. The group makes sustained investments in growing a community of multiracial, multigenerational, and multidisciplinary artists and neighbors committed to societal change by supporting their artmaking, community building, and leadership development. Since 2005, The Laundromat Project has directly invested over $1M in over 200 multiracial, multigenerational, and multidisciplinary artists; nearly 90 innovative public art projects; and a creative community hub in BedStuy, Brooklyn, while engaging close to 50,000 New Yorkers across the city and beyond. This exhibit will begin on August 1 and continues through Labor Day Weekend.

For more information, check out www.therockawayhotel.com

Gwen Smith's work.

Erica Reade's work.

off or take the time off without pay. Basically, not be entitled to the protections of programs like the Family Emergency Leave Act, that is afforded to many full time and part time employees across the nation.

Can Wrestling Unionize???

By Eric Jayden

Hey wrestling fans! Today I have another question that I have addressed in the past and, lately, I have been getting a lot of emails about, and that's wrestling and unionization. Below is my opinion on the topic.

Professional wrestlers are classified as "independent contractors" and, for the majority of wrestlers that are signed to contracts, they are not afforded the same rights or protections given to actual employees of a company. For many years

now, there has been talk about creating a union for professional wrestlers and efforts to organize, unfortunately, they have never materialized. As an "independent contractor," professional wrestlers are not afforded healthcare plans, standardized pay and many of the protections offered by state and federal labor laws. For example, if a wrestler gets sick then he or she is responsible for their own medical expenses. Another example is if the wrestler requires time off for an emergency or personal issue, he or she can be either denied the time

Professional wrestlers, also in many situations, must work long hours and endure many days of travel without having consecutive days off like regular employees do. Those who have sought the creation of a union wanted those same protections regular employees have. But those attempts were met with opposition from various major wrestling promotions throughout the years and, most currently, with the WWE. The WWE was one of those companies who has allegedly released wrestling talents from their contracts after the talent has shown their support to unionize. The fact that wrestlers were released shortly after voicing their support only leave many to speculate, why is the WWE is so opposed to having their wrestlers unionize. To me, it's simple…it all comes down to money. Paying for health insurance, retirement plans, etc, all will cost them

more money than they are currently spending. Less money into benefits, means more money with the company.

The classification of independent contractor is a subject that has been in the news media before with many politicians speaking against companies having workers labeled as or using the term independent contractors. All in an attempt to avoid providing healthcare and job protections.

In my opinion, having a national union for professional wrestlers would be greatly beneficial—providing the members with the protections of job safety, rate of pay equality, healthcare and retirement plans. Since pro wrestling runs throughout the year and has no off-season, having a union negotiate reasonable time off would be essential to the health and well-being of the professional wrestler. To unionize or not, that indeed is the question, and if it can happen or will happen, well, only time will tell.

Send any questions or comments to eavil183@yahoo.com and have great weekend!

All Major Insurance Companies Accepted