Facts You Probably D on’t Need

On August 21, 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre by Vincenzo Peruggia. He believed that since it was painted by an Italian artist, it belonged in an Italian Museum. It was kept in Peruggia's apartment for two years before he was caught trying to sell the painting to a gallery in Florence. He spent six months in prison. 

Pablo Picasso and French poet, Guillaume Apollinaire, were both brought in for questioning as suspects in the theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911. Both were acquitted after Peruggia was caught. 

In 1948, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game had to devise a plan to move large numbers of beavers to a nearby protected area. Using WWII parachutes, they dropped boxes of beavers from airplanes. Out of 76 beavers, all except one survived the fall. 

39% of people have an extra bone in their knee called "fabella's bone." One hundred years ago, only 11% of people had this bone. 

Genuphobia is the fear of knees. 

Before Sir Thomas More was beheaded in 1535, he made sure to move his long beard to the side saying it "had never committed any treason."

Facts by Sean McVeigh, factologist.

FEC Town Hall Meeting

On Tuesday, January 31 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., head to Beach 41st Cornerstone (426 Beach 40th Street) to learn about the new Family Enrichment Center. Discuss locations, names, programs and more.

Family Movie Night

On Sunday, February 5 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., head to Beach Dunes Eats & Arts (45-19 Rockaway Beach Blvd.) to watch Wakanda Forever. $10 cover includes all you can eat bbq pulled chicken or mushroom sliders and juice.

Rockaway Republican Club Meeting

On Tuesday, February 7 at 7 p.m., head to the Belle Harbor Yacht Club for the first general meeting of the Rockaway Republican Club since before the pandemic. Republican candidates Tom Sullivan and Paul King will be speaking.

Valentine’s Day Half Marathon or 5K

Save the date and start practicing! On Saturday, February 11, the Rockaway Track Club is hosting the V-Day 5K and Half Marathon. Check in at Healy’s Pub at 8 a.m. and race starts at 9 a.m. on the Beach 108th Boardwalk.

Community Board 14

On Wednesday, February 15 at 7:15 p.m., head to the Knights of Columbus (333 Beach 90th Street) for the monthly community board meeting. If you wish to speak, sign up before the meeting begins.

Morning Moves at RISE

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

JASA Weekly Yoga

On Mondays at 11 a.m. and Fridays at 11:30 a.m., seniors are welcome to JASA Rockaway Park Older Adult Center (106-20 Shore Front Parkway) for weekly Yoga with Cynthia. Open to Adults 60 +; To register, please call 718-6343044.

Core on the Floor

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

Cardio Punch

On Saturdays at 11 a.m., head to Seaside Library (116-15 Rockaway Beach Blvd) to join for a total body, non-contact workout fit for all levels. Punch, hook, and kick to motivating, high-energy music that progress into heart-pumping combinations. Through April 1.

Rockaway Writers Workshop

Rock Away Pens is gearing up for their next 12-session writers' workshop for writers working on a project for publication or production. Free. Meetings weekly on Zoom. For information, contact: rockawaypens@gmail.com

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