Those who travel often find people they know in the strangest
A former Rockaway resident sitting at a café on the Champs Elysees in Paris spotted a couple walking toward the Arc d’Triomphe. When they were approached, one of the men commented “It’s a good thing we are here with our own wives.”
That chance meeting happens more often on American soil. A Far Rockaway alum, formerly of
Arverne, now a snowbird to Florida, stopped in at a Del Ray Beach restaurant for a “nosh” and ran into a table full of ex-Rockawayites who meet there every Friday for brunch. He’s now a regular on Fridays while in Florida.
Pictured here (L-R) Mike Laden, Marty Storch, Gene Stuttman (standing), Alan Cooperman, Bob Nesoff (standing) and Larry Mazur. Photo Submitted by Bob Nesoff.
Congressman Gregory Meeks 67-12 Rockaway Beach Boulevard Arverne, NY 11692 Phone: (347) 230-4032
Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato 9516 Rockaway Beach Blvd Rockaway Beach, NY 11693 Email: amatos@nyassembly.gov 718-945-9550
City Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers 1931 Mott Avenue, Suite 410 Far Rockaway, NY 11691 • 718-471-7014
City Councilwoman Joann Ariola 114-12 Beach Channel Drive, suite #1 Rockaway Park, NY 11694 Email: joannariola32@gmail.com 718-318-6411
State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. 88-08 Rockaway Beach Blvd Room 311 Rockaway Beach, NY 11693 Email: addabbo@nysenate.gov 718-318-0702
State Senator James Sanders Jr. 1931 Mott Avenue – Suite 305 Far Rockaway, NY 11691 Email: sanders@nysenate.gov 718-327-7017
Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson 19-31 Mott Avenue, Suite 301 Far Rockaway, NY 11691 Email: Andersonk@nyassembly.gov 718-327-1845
Kevin Boyle PUBLISHER
Katie McFadden MANAGING EDITOR Mary Ellen Olsen MANAGER Monica Clifford DIRECTOR Fred Marino SALES
The Rockaway Times 114-04 Beach Channel Drive Rockaway Park, NY 11694 Phone: 718-634-3030 www.rockawaytimes.com Email: news@rockawaytimes.com, mail@rockawaytimes.com
THE ROCKAWAY TIMES is published every Thursday by Double Nickel LLC (USPS # 16930), 114-04 Beach Channel Drive, Rockaway Park, NY 11694. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Rockaway Times, 114-04 Beach Channel Drive, Rockaway Park, NY 11694. Periodical postage paid at Rockaway Park Post Office, 11694.
Ad space reservations by Monday, 12 noon, preceding date of publication. Editorial submission must be made by Monday, 3 P.M., preceding date of publication.
All letters to THE ROCKAWAY TIMES should be brief and are sub– ject to editing. Writers should include a full address and home / office telephone number. Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request.
No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without per– mission of THE ROCKAWAY TIMES. The publisher will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to THE ROCKAWAY TIMES within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication.
THE ROCKAWAY TIMES assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold THE ROCKAWAY TIMES and its employees harmless from all costs, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement. © 2015 Double Nickel LLC.
Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato presented three large checks to local fire departments this weekend, the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Dept. the Roxbury Volunteer Fire Dept. and Point Breeze Volunteer Fire Dept as the community commemorated the 10-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy. Through her position in the State Assembly, Pheffer Amato was able to secure a combined total of $1,500,000.
The Assemblywoman made the three announcements with crowds erupting into cheer. “In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, it was our Vollies who jumped in and helped all of us. This is capital money that can be used to help further the good work these fire departments do in Roxbury, Broad Channel and Breezy Point. Whether it be ex-
panding the building, buying needed equipment or lifesaving apparatuses, I am so proud to support their dedicated work with this funding. In this community we take care of each other, and as your Assemblywoman I am working to ensure that our fire departments and the good work they do continues,” Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato said.
In recent years, Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato has also secured funding for the West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department and the Rockaway Point Volunteer Fire Department. The Assemblywoman has been a long and noted supporter of the local volunteer fire departments, especially through her work in Albany where she has championed legislation that has helped volunteer fire departments.
It’s that time again. Early voting is underway through November 6, Election Day is Tuesday, November 8 and with governor on the ballot among several other important races, this election is not one to miss. Here’s a rundown of who you’ll see on your ballot this year.
The race for governor is between current Governor Kathy Hochul (D) and running mate Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, and challenger, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R) and his running mate Alison Esposito. Hochul, the former Lieutenant Governor, became the first female governor of NY when she stepped into the role in August 2021 when Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned. Some of the key issues she stands for are reproductive rights, gun control, Covid recovery, the environment and more (see KathyHochul.com for more).
Zeldin is the congressman for NY District 1 since 2015, an U.S. Army officer and current Army Reservist, and a lifetime Long Island resident. Some of the key issues he stands for are public safety, the economy, freedom from Covid mandates and more (see Zeldinfornewyork.com for more).
The race for U.S. Senator is between longtime Senator Chuck Schumer (D), Joe Pinion (R) and Diane Sare (I/ LaRouche). Schumer looks to maintain the role he’s held since 1998. (For his stance, see ChuckSchumer.com.) Pinion,
an advocate, entrepreneur, and Political News Commentator, is giving him a challenge this year (For issues see JoePinion.com), as well as Diane Sare (see SareforSenate.com).
Also on the ballot this year is State Comptroller, featuring current Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli (D) and challenger Paul Rodriguez (R). New York City Attorney General is also on the ballot featuring current AG Leticia James (D) and challenger Michael Henry (R).
Of local interest are the rac-
es for Congressional District 5 and Assembly District 23. In the Congressional race are Congressman Gregory Meeks (D), who has served Congress since 1998 and Rockaway’s District 5 since 2013, and challenger Paul King (R). Meeks views boosting the economy, creating new jobs for the residents of the 5th Congressional District, and greater business access for small, minority, and women-owned enterprises as core to his mission. He also serves as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, so he is often abroad (For more see: www.congressmangregorymeeks.com). King, of Belle Harbor, is not a politician, but has long served the community as a CYO and Little League coach, a member of Community Board 14, and president of the Belle Harbor Property Owners Association. Job creation, public safety, cost of living and educa-
Continued on page 6
tion are among his top issues (For more, see Paulkingforcongress. com)
In the District 23 Assembly Race, longtime Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D) is being challenged by Breezy Point res ident Tom Sullivan (R), who has previously run for state senate. Following in the footsteps of her mother, Audrey, Pheffer Amato has served District 23 as Assem blywoman since 2017. Pheffer Amato considers herself to be a moderate democrat and has re ceived the endorsement of sev eral unions including the PBA, UFA, COBA, UFT and others. She has been campaigning on accom plishments while in office includ ing addressing more than 6,000 constituent concerns that have been brought to her office, bills she has passed such as 9/11-re lated bills, creating a Remem brance Day, ensuring a moment of silence is held in schools on the
anniversary, and most recently, a bill ensuring breast cancer sur vivors are covered by insurance for reconstructive surgeries (For more, see: https://assembly.state. ny.us/mem/Stacey-Pheffer-Ama to)
Challenger Sullivan is not a pol itician but has served nearly 30 years in the military, works in fi nancial services and has experi ence owning a small business.
Sullivan’s top priority is pub lic safety in the wake of an up tick in crime, and suggests roll ing back bail reform, something his opponent voted for as part of the state budget. He also wants to address economic issues and education (For more, see: www. sullivanforassembly.com).
In the race for state senate, since the senate lines have been redistricted, District 10 now rep resents the entire peninsula. Sen. Joe Addabbo’s District 15 formerly represented the west end. District 10 Senator James Sanders Jr. (D) is running un opposed. For those in Assem bly District 31, Assemblyman
Khaleel Anderson (D) is also running unopposed.
Judge of the Civil CourtQueens is also on the ballot. Voters will have a choice of two between Karen Lin (D), William Shanahan (R), Maria Gonzalez (D) and Daniel Kogan (R). Jus tice of the Supreme Court- 11th District is also on the ballot, but voters choose four and there are only four candidates on the bal lot, running on both party lines— Denise Johnson, Leigh Cheng, Lee Mayersohn, and Nestor Diaz.
Don’t forget to turn your bal lots over! There are four ballot proposals that New Yorkers are voting yes or no on this year. 1) The Clean Water, Clean Air, And Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 (This proposal would allow for state bonds to be sold to fund environmental projects.)
2) Add a Statement of Values to Guide Government (This propos al would add introductory text, known as a preamble, to the New York City Charter. This preamble would serve as a guiding principle for city government to promote
justice and equity for all New Yorkers.) 3) Establish a Racial Eq uity Office, Plan, and Commission (This proposal would create an Office of Racial Equity, require a citywide Racial Equity Plan every two years, and create a Commis sion on Racial Equity.) and 4) Measure the True Cost of Living (This proposal would require the city to measure the actual cost of living for city residents to meet es sential needs.).
Please note early voting loca tions may be different this year. Those in the area of the Rockaway YMCA on Beach 72nd Street will continue to vote there. However, those on the west end vote at the RAA Building in Fort Tilden this year and those on the east end vote at the Sorrentino Recreation Center on Cornaga Avenue. Elec tion Day voting locations will be even more local. To find your ex act poll site for early voting and election day, see: https://findmy pollsite.vote.nyc/
Election Day is Tuesday, No vember 8. Polls open statewide at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.
NOT JUST BAGELS
By Katie McFadden
Ahead of the 10th Anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and partners in city, state and fed eral government, stopped for a moment to reflect on how far the coastal communities impacted by the storm have come.
On Friday afternoon, October 28, Assistant Secretary of the Army, Civil Works, Jaime A. Pinkham, COL John Lloyd, commander, USACE, North Atlantic Division, and COL Matthew Luzzatto, com mander, USACE, New York Dis trict, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, plus repre sentatives from NYC Parks and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation spoke at a press conference on the boardwalk at Beach 73rd Street to discuss the work that’s been done over the last decade.
“The goal of this event is to take a few moments to reflect on the tragedy that was Superstorm Sandy, recognize the work we’ve accomplished together over the last 10 years, and to renew our commitment to completing what we have started,” COL Matthew Luzzatto said. He thanked the part ners involved, plus Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gil librand for passing the Superstorm Sandy Coastal Storm Risk Reduc tion Act, which brought funding to the recovery and rebuilding work after the storm. He also thanked the contractor, Michels, for help ing to make the work possible.
He then spoke of some of the work USACE has accomplished in ten years. This $6B job required repair and restoration of eight existing projects–most of which were substantially completed by December 2014—less than 18 months after construction began in July 2013 at a cost of $242M. Over 15.2 million cubic yards of sand was placed on beaches for projects in New York City, Long Island, and Northern New Jer sey. Another $158M effort saw
the District repair 29 federally maintained navigation projects for channels and structures im pacted by Hurricane Sandy. US ACE’s New York District also com pleted work on five coastal storm risk reduction projects including in Long Beach, Downtown Mon tauk, Coney Island and Fire Island to Moriches Inlet.
Another nine projects, author ized through the Superstorm Sandy Supplemental Bill, will also be completed in the coming years. Six are already underway, includ ing Rockaway’s comprehensive coastal storm risk reduction pro ject that includes construction of a reinforced steel sheet pile dune, new and extended groins with beach restoration, and re-nour ishment along the Atlantic Ocean shorefront.
New York District is also work ing on a nature-based plan with structural features to be con structed on the Jamaica Bay shoreline to address coastal storm surge flooding. Two construction contracts totaling $340 million are ongoing along the shorefront until early 2026 while design work continues on the Jamaica Bay fea tures with construction sched uled to start in 2025.
Fire Island to Montauk Point and the Montauk Point Light house are other New York-based projects that are also under con struction. COL. Luzzatto also re minded the crowd about the new
draft of the NY/NJ Harbor and Tributaries Study that was re leased in September and is open to public comment through Janu ary 6.
NYC Parks Deputy Commission er for Environment and Planning, Jennifer Greenfeld,spoke about the positive changes NYC Parks has seen in the last 10 years and mentioned the success of the latest beach season. “We welcomed 4.4 million visitors to Rockaway and our wonderful concessions did exceptionally well, up almost 50% from the year before,” she said.
Pinkham reflected on what was lost during the storm and the he roes who stepped up to help. “It’s impressive to see the amount of work that’s been accomplished in ten years’ time. Let’s take time to make sure we never forget the neighbors who we lost, as well as the heroes who arose that day, neighbor helping neighbor in those early hours and first responders of this city, and then a nation who re sponded with resources, expertise and prayers to help set this work
ahead,” Pinkham said. “I’m not a New Yorker. I’m from Idaho, so I’ve never lived through a Hurri cane, but one thing I can tell you from being from Indian country is, I know about resilience, and I know about staying power and I see both of those characteristics in this community.”
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos re flected on how far the communi ty has come in ten years and how Hurricane Sandy brought to light the reality of climate change. “It marked a turning point in our awareness of climate change and the extraordinary damages that can come from our natural envi ronment. It reminded us about the need to reduce emissions and the need to adapt our entire land scape, not just here in New York but nationally. I believe addressing climate change will be the hardest thing we will ever do as a society,” Seggos said.
The conference ended with re marks from Queens Borough Pres ident Richards, who was a coun cilman at the time of Hurricane Sandy. “It’s hard to believe it's been a decade since Sandy changed our borough and our city forever,” he said. “The storm did not discrim inate. It stole our homes, it stole our businesses, in many neigh borhoods. But one thing Sandy did not do is steal our spirit here on the Rockaway peninsula and that’s what defined October 29 and the days after for me. Not the way the wind howled or the water but how we reacted once the sun came out. It’s a story of resiliency that’s been running or 10 years. And even in these ten years we’ve made a hell of a lot of progress,” he said.
Project managers from USACE New York District are expect ed to be at the next Community Board 14 meeting on Wednesday, November 9, at 7:15 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus (333 Beach 90th) to provide specific updates on the current USACE work taking place on the peninsula.
This coming Tuesday, No vember 8 is Election Day. Local races of interest include: For Congress, challenger Paul King takes on incumbent Gregory Meeks; and for New York State Assembly, Stacey Pheffer Amato looks to retain her office against Tom Sullivan.
There are also four ballot pro posals which include boosting spending on environmental projects, including a Statement of Values for City Government in the preamble to the city char ter, establishing a new Office of Racial Equity, and a proposal that would mandate that the city government use a new method to calculate the “true cost of liv ing.” For an in-depth review of
these proposals, a helpful site is: www.thecity.nyc
Let there be less light. Here’s a reminder to put the clocks back this weekend. If you want to be exact about it, you can wait un til 2 a.m. on Nov. 6 and then turn your clocks back to 1 a.m. We’re hoping this is the last time we have to remind you to set the clocks back. The U.S. Senate passed legislation (Sunshine Protection Act) last March mak ing daylight savings time perma nent. The House has to pass the bill before President Biden can sign off on it.
On point. Or more specifically, Pizza On The Point, just opened in Breezy Point and with Mi chael Fiore from Meat Up Grill involved, we know it’s gonna be good, good, good. We’re looking through the history books and we can’t find the last time Breezy had a year-round pizza place. Well, it might’ve taken some time, but we think it’ll have been
worth the wait.
*****
While on the subject of good food and new stuff, Tap That is finally cookin' with gas! The pour your own beer place at 111-04 Rockaway Beach Blvd has new menu items including Maine Style Lobster Rolls, Fried Clam and Fried Oyster Rolls, Bar Pies and Chef Special Entrees. The place is fun and really well done. You can follow @TapThatRB NY for all new menu items and weekly specials.
*****
Half full, half empty. The New York Times cited a report by Property Shark highlight ing neighborhoods in New York which have had the greatest change in home prices in 2022. People looking to buy in Belle Harbor might be pleased to know that, on average, house prices have fallen 13%, year over year. Homeowners might be comfort ed to know it could be worse. The Fiske Terrace area in Mid wood in Brooklyn is down 45%.
Some neighborhoods, mostly in Brooklyn, were up significantly from 2021.
*****
With Election Day on Tuesday, the Community Board 14 will hold its monthly meeting on the following evening, Wednesday, November 9. The Army Corps of Engineers will give an update on sand replenishment and the overall project. The meeting is at the Knights of Columbus, Beach 90th Street, starting at 7:15.
*****
If you get a chance, stop up on the boardwalk from Beach 108 to Beach 9th. You can see first- hand some of the amazing work being done to fortify beach protection. Sand is considera bly higher than the boardwalk railing in many places. Around Beach 9-17th, you can see large, 30 feet!, steel sheets that will be buried in the reinforced dunes that will run from Beach 9th to Beach 149th. In effect, Rockaway will have a sea wall, it just won’t be seen.
Well, it’s not every day that someone is spotted wearing a Rockaway Times sweatshirt while being featured in the New York Post. Mary Ellen Olsen, looking fabulous, is seen here with Donald, her happy husband. The two were featured as part of a Sandy anniversary story. This photo was taken from the Post online edition. Way to rep the brand, MEO!
1952 -Clarence Birdseye marketed the first frozen peas.
1957 - The Soviet Union sent the first animal, a dog named Laika, into space aboard the Sputnik II. Laika died in orbit.
NOVEMBER 4
John Shannon was born.
1842 - Abraham Lincoln married Mary Todd in Springfield, Ill.
2008 -Democratic senator Barack Obama wins the presidential election against Sen. John McCain, taking 338 electoral votes to McCain's 161
NOVEMBER 5
Howard Schwach was born. Brian Van Dexter was born.
1872 - Susan B. Anthony was fined $100 for trying to vote in the presidential election (she was trying to vote for President Grant).
1994 - At 45, George Foreman, became the oldest heavyweight champion when he knocked out Michael Moorer in the 10th round of their WBA fight in Las Vegas.
NOVEMBER 6
Billy Beef Timothy was born. William Hickey was born. Vinnie Furlong was born.
1860 - Abraham Lincoln was elected
president of the United States.
1913 - Mohandas Gandhi led a march of miners in South Africa. He was arrested three times in the first four days of the march.
Brian Hullah was born. Don Olsen was born. Mickey Green was born. Victoria Meier was born.
1944 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt won a fourth term in office, defeating Thomas E. Dewey.
Courtney Cullen was born. Victoria Moriarty was born.
1889 - Montana became the 41st state. 1892 - Former president Grover Cleveland beat incumbent Benjamin Harrison and became the only president to win nonconsecutive terms in the White House.
Ellen Rayder Collins was born. John Doherty was born.
1888 - Jack the Ripper killed his last victim, Mary Jane Kelly.
1989 - Borders between East and West Germany were opened and the Berlin Wall began to be dismantled the next day.
By Dan Guarino
Things take a dramatic turn as “A Few Good Men” opens at the Rock away Theatre Company at Fort Til den on Friday night, November 4, at 8 p.m.
The riveting drama involves two Marines on trial for murder where the official story may not be the whole the truth. The play and later film version, starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson, were written by Aaron Sorkin, best known for television’s “The West Wing.”
RTC’s whip-tight drama runs No vember 4-20, with Friday and Sat urday showtimes at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Veterans and active-duty service personnel will be admitted free on Veteran’s Day, Friday, November 11.
Directed by RTC veterans David Risley and Jodee Timpone, “A Few Good Men is based on a true sto ry. Sorkin wrote the drama, with changes for dramatic purpose, after first hearing about the case from his sister, a U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corp lawyer.
Originally put on pandemic hold in 2020, Risley and Timpone have been working hard to bring it to the stage. “We started to plan again back in January,” said Timpone. “We have been rehearsing approx imately six weeks. This play is much harder to do in real life than it ap pears on paper. The scenes happen in rapid succession, so all the actors and crew must be on their game.”
“This show has a big cast. Finding
the right people to fill these roles was a challenge. We didn't settle. We just kept auditioning,” Risley added
“We’re working with 19 actors. The stage crew has seven people including Suzanne Riggs, our won derful stage manager,” he noted. There are seven actors brand-new to RTC, with cast members coming from as far as New Jersey, Smith town and upper Harlem.
“They’ve thrown themselves into capturing their characters. This play is a story that is made up of many, many words. There are no songs or gimmicks to keep the audience en gaged. It is all on the shoulders of the actors,” observed Timpone.
Risley agreed. “They have worked very hard in bringing this story to life. They have also brought their own views of the characters. We didn’t want a replication of the movie.” Watching the actors at re hearsal working hard to sharpen their dialogue and moves, it’s clear that they are making this their own production, standing in no oth er’s shadow. It brings the audience right into the lights, staging, even the air and immediacy of live thea tre like no film could ever do.
“We were able to pull this off,” Timpone said, “due to hard work and commitment by everyone in volved.”
They both bring their in-depth ex perience to “A Few Good Men.” Ris ley, involved with RTC since 2001,
Continued from Page 12
noted, “This my fifth time directing here; my third collaborating with Jodee.” As an actor, singer, director and more, he’s been involved in theatre since high school, and served as Associate Director of Development at the award-winning George Street Playhouse for 10 seasons.
Director, actor, singer, dancer, singer Timpone joined RTC in 2007. “I had only been in church shows and one or two community
theatre productions before.” Not having studied theatre, she noted, “Everything I have learned has been from observing and performing for RTC’s many wonderful directors. I have been blessed to have been in many shows here. Each time I am, I learn something new!”
“We have discovered we think alike when it comes to interpretation and the analytical approach to a play,” Risley said. “We would discuss each character and make sure we were on the same page before rehearsals.”
For Timpone, the play is about
“honesty, integrity and what it means to live by a code of honor.”
“Placing country before ourselves,” added Risley. “I think it reminds us just how important our military is in assuring our continued freedom. I think as Americans, we just take it for granted.”
Together with a dedicated and very talented crew and cast, they have brought those ideals and a gripping drama, “A Few Good Men,”
into a spotlight that will make audiences feel like they are right there.
It’s an experience they will not forget.
For tickets go to www.rockawaytheatrecompany.org.
For November 11 performance reservations, veterans and active duty servicemembers should email rtcticks@gmail.com or call 347-7527640.
Photos by Dan Guarino.
‘A FEW GOOD MEN’ COMES TO RTC
The haunt was on in Broad Channel last weekend. After a two-year hiatus due to Covid, the members of the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department resurrected their annual haunted house fundraiser, which had kids to adults running screaming from the firehouse on Noel Road.
Firehouse volunteers and community members spent sev-
eral weeks bringing this haunt to life. With several detailed rooms to walk through and volunteers becoming actors to really bring it to life, it was a great thrill for the community from Thursday through Halloween night. With a nominal admission fee of $15 a person, the haunted house also served as a successful fundraiser for the volunteer firehouse. Job well done, BCVFD!
The sun came out and so did the smiling faces on Saturday, October 29, just in time for Broad Channel's Annual Dawn McIntyre Children's Halloween Parade. From scary to creative to cute, Broad Channel’s kids and adults sported their Halloween best for the annual parade sponsored by the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department. The parade kicked off at 17th Road Park and continued down Cross Bay Blvd. to the firehouse on Noel Road.
Photos by Dan Guarino.
On Saturday, November 12th ‘The Graybeards’ in partnership with ‘The RIBS’ will once again be sponsoring a FOOD DRIVE to help stock the various food pantries throughout the Rockaways. Blue collection bags are being distributed throughout the neighborhood this weekend. If you do not receive a blue bag in your mailbox you can put your donations in any plastic bag. Collection of the food will be next Saturday, November 12th. Just leave your donation outside your front door before 9AM next Saturday and someone will be by to pick it up.
If for some reason your donation does not get picked up next Saturday you can drop it off at St. Francis de Sales Rectory 129-16 Rockaway Beach Blvd. Please consider giving generously.
During the month of October, the Education team from the Ja maica Bay-Rockaway Parks Con servancy (JBRPC) developed and delivered a series of programs to 5th grade students from the Waterside Children’s Studio School in commemoration of the 10-year anniversary of Hur ricane Sandy. With the goal of connecting the theme of eco logical resilience to community resilience, the education team at JBRPC led four 5th grade class es on a field trip to the Jamai ca Bay Wildlife Refuge. During their visit, students participated in a nature walk, explored the Ja maica Bay coastal ecosystem, and learned about the disruption to the park’s ecosystem caused by Hurricane Sandy–specifically the breach of the West Pond. Class es learned about the West Pond Living Shoreline Restoration Pro ject, which uses natural features
to protect the trail and the West Pond from future erosion and im pacts of extreme weather.
After the visit, JBRPC’s educa tion team led students in a dis cussion of community resilience. After learning how the Refuge’s ecosystem has proven to be re silient, students reflected on the
recovery of their Rockaway com munities. The students, many of whom were infants at the time of the hurricane, shared similar sen timents throughout the discus sion– Rockaway has come back stronger and better prepared for another big storm.
To capture the inspiration of
resilience in nature and the com munity, students painted small fabric squares. The squares were joined to create a “Resilience Quilt” that draws connections be tween the community, its people, and natural resources.
"I hope that with the lessons learned during our workshops, students feel empowered to one day be decision makers who can advocate for climate action and protect their communi ties," Delilah Florentino, Educa tion Programs Manager, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservan cy said.
“I am thankful to the teachers at the Waterside Children’s Studio School who do incredible work, to the education team for finding new ways to engage and to the students who continue to inspire.” Terri Carta, Executive Director, Ja maica Bay-Rockaway Parks Con servancy said.
Bugalou Productions is ready to return for its 2022-23 season. Fol lowing the COVID hiatus, Steve Forbert and the New Renditions restarted the series last Novem ber. Real Young and Lazy Horse took the stage in May and Blac Rabbit stepped in for Finnegan Blue on July 1. Gerald Bair, The Sun Dogs, and the Grasslighters performed opening sets, with all shows at St. Camillus Springman Hall.
Two scheduled shows were postponed to this season. Desert Highway with Fools Night Out had been scheduled for what tragi cally became the funeral day for Firefighter Timothy Klein and will likely be scheduled on April 21, 2023. Jingo-The Santana Tribute is targeting May 19, 2023, this time with guests Solshyne. Both dates are still to be fully confirmed. A new date for Finnegan Blue is also being worked on.
The lone show this fall is an outstanding one with The Linda
Ronstadt Experience at the Msgr. Bracken gym at St. Francis de Sales on November 11 sponsored by The Harbor Light Pub and Res taurant. The group is headlined by American Idol finalist Tristan McIntosh whose voice and phras ing recalls the purity and emo tion of Ronstadt who was the big gest female star of the 1970's. The Pointers from Breezy Point will open the show.
Ronstadt first gained atten tion with the hit Different Drum with her band The Stone Poneys. She then launched a solo career which focused on the country
rock sound that was emerg ing at the time in California. Standouts from this period include Silver Threads and Golden Needles, Love Has No Pride, and Desperado, which followed when Don Henley and Glenn Frey left Linda's touring band to form The Eagles. Her real break through then came when she began to work full time with producer Peter Asher. You're No Good and When Will I Be Loved began a string of hits for Ronstadt throughout the rest of the ‘70s and into the ‘80s including Love Is a Rose, Tracks of My Tears, Heat Wave, That'll Be the Day, It's So Easy, Blue Bayou, Tumbling Dice, Just One Look, Ooh Baby, Baby, and more. Many of these rekin dled songs from the late 50's and early ‘60s by Buddy Holly, Roy Or bison, and Smokey Robinson but also mixed in were songs by not yet as heralded writers such as Lowell George of Little Feat-Will
in, Warren Zevon-Poor, Poor Piti ful Me, and Elvis Costello-Allison. Ronstadt was not a writer, but she knew and chose great songs. She would then venture into stand ards, traditional Mexican music, and her Trio collaborations with Dolly Parton and Emmylou Har ris before withdrawing from the business in 2011 due to problems that developed with her voice.
Linda Ronstadt has sold over 100 million albums, won 12 Gram my Awards, was the top grossing female solo artist of the 1970s, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. The Linda Ronstadt Experience will bring her music to Rockaway on November 11.
Don't miss this show. Tickets are available at http://www.bugalou music.com. Group pricing avail able by email to bugaloumusic@ gmail.com. You can check out YouTube videos of The Linda Ron stadt Experience at https://www. facebook.com/bugaloumusic
Saturday, September 17 was the Poseidon Parade on the Boardwalk in Rockaway. It was a tremendous, colorful parade that brought out the best of Rock away. People lined the board walk, joining in the revelry of the day, and a good time was had by all. Then during the post pa rade activities, I found myself on the beach and discovered three beautiful mermaids. After talk ing with them all, I was sudden ly alone with the most beautiful and special of the mermaids. Us ing her special powers, she could read my mind and told me stories about the future. We spent many hours together that day, but then she had to return to the sea. Be fore she left, she kissed me and told me the kiss would give me special abilities. She also told me she would return to me one day. So every day, I would sit by the
ocean hoping I would see her again. Finally, one glorious day my mermaid did come back. She granted me many wishes, and for her I was awesome, and for me she was amazing. We were ex tremely happy with one anoth
er, and we talked of the past, the present, and the future. There were many amazing adventures, the love was growing between us, and it was expressed in so many ways. She said that she had never met anyone like me, whether on land or in the sea.
One day something happened that caused my mermaid much distress. She did not tell me what had happened, but it forced her to return to the sea, and she might not be able to return. I was devasted, more because I did not know exactly what had caused my mermaid such distress. She is gone now, I still love her so, and I will love her forever. Her mem ory is seared in my mind.
I miss her terribly, but for now I am once again waiting by the shore wishing, hoping, and praying that my mermaid will remember the love we shared, and will find it in her heart to tell what happened. If she can,
I am waiting for the joyous day that my mermaid and I will once again be together.
I’m sorry if I hurt you
I don’t know what to say
I wish that you could tell me
Why you wouldn’t stay
We only hurt the ones we love
It seems that’s what we do
But one thing you ought to know
I will always be in love with you
I dream one day that you will see
That our shared love again could be
But you take all the time you need
As long as eternity
And I will be here waiting
For you to come back to me
Sean Fitzgerald Direct 917-860-6701
Coastalfitz@gmail.com
Licensed Broker/Principal
coastalrealestateny.com Office: 718-318-5030
Mary Beth Meade 347-426-8002
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
Ellen May Esposito - Banks 646-209-2744
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
131-09 Beach Channel Drive Belle Harbor, NY Friday, November 4th | 5:00pm - 7:00pm Sunday, November 6th | 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Two Duplex Apartments. Each unit has 3 bedrooms and two full baths, gas fireplaces, laundry. Central Air throughout. Hardwood floors, Electric Vehicle Charge ready. Private driveway. Offered at $1,395,000
Rockaway ParkNew to Market Large Studio. Top floor with unobstructed views of the bay and Manhattan skyline. Offered at $220k
Rockaway Park Multiple Dwelling 12 units on 80x100 lot, PS 114 S/DBeach block with two driveways $1,300,000
CONTRACT
Ocean One Mint 2 BR, 2 Bath Condo. Unobstructed ocean views from every room. Laundry in unit. Private balcony. Offered at $685,000
Belle Harbor Legal Two Family Offered at $805,000
Belle Harbor Short Term Rental
Available now through April. Three bedrooms, terrace, yard, private d/w. $2800
Belle Harbor Renovated Large One Bedroom
H/W floors, Central Air, Laundry, Summer Parking. $2100 Includes utilities.
2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo. Private Terrace with Ocean and Bay Views. Offered at $360,000
HOUSE
Beach
HOUSE
Beach
11/6
on
B.
B.
B.
If all done and beautiful is what you’re looking for this is it! Open oor living room w gas replace, dining area and beautiful kitchen plus bathroom on rst foor. The second floor is three bedrooms w/ full bathroom. Gorgeous finished basement, full deck and garage, shared driveway
Get in on the ground oor of the next Williamsburg! Legal, manageable four (4) family, home on 40x100 with two studio apartments, and two 2 bedroom apts. Lovely, open front porch, un nished basement, back and front yards, solar panels and private driveway. Make your move now before the area becomes una ordable!
$799K
Apartment Rentals: Beach 122 St- Three bedrooms, two baths, summer parking $2,600
Spacious Newly Renovated ground floor corner apt. Two bedrooms, one and a half baths,large living room, formal dining room. Outdoor terrace, one car parking. Beautiful views of the Bay and City skyline.
Dear Editor:
With our streets, subway, and
now under constant siege
the hands of violent crimi nals, there is another resource that could be tapped to put more
enforcement boots on the
Inasmuch as the MTA is a NYS Public Authority, then have the Governor sign an executive order transferring each and every one of the purported ‘State Police’ or ‘TBTA’ officers who patrol our roads, bridges and tunnels (who were assigned by former Gover nor Cuomo as a slap in the face to
former Mayor de Blasio) and re turn highway patrols to the NYPD. Then immediately re-assign all of these ‘State Police’ Officers to 24-hour foot patrol of our public streets and transportation system in lieu of their issuing summonses for ‘mopary with intent to gawk’ or ‘reckless bicycle operation’. This reassignment of the troops will clearly increase a visible uni form presence in the public do main and will have these newly re-assigned officers engaging in the true police work as opposed to papering the general driving pub lic at large. It can only help.
S. Agramonte
Dear Editor:
While reading your paper on October 27th I came across a fullpage ad by Gregory Meeks. The guy hasn't been heard from in over ten years and 12 days before the election he advertises?? TIME FOR A CHANGE.
Kate Patterson
spacious oceanfront
The first floor boasts a large foyer, enormous living
formal dining room with dual fireplace, large chef’s kitchen, and two half bathrooms.
The second floor includes four spacious bedrooms with ocean views and 1 full bath. The third floor has three additional bedrooms and a full bathroom. There is also a full basement with a bathroom.
Additional amenities include a beautiful large covered front porch with ocean views, a long double driveway, a new gas heating system, and a Huge 60 ft ocean-facing side yard perfect for beach entertaining and plenty of room for a pool.
Restore this original single-family or build it to bring your vision to
Halloween started early on Sun day, October 30 with a community Trunk or Treat at the Papa John’s parking lot on Beach 49th Street.
Assemblyman Khaleel Ander son’s mother, Roni Anderson and event planner Odessa Wilson came together to bring this fun, safe Hal
loween tradition to the communi ty. Several groups decorated their trunks to give out candy to kids at an event that included DJ music and even pony rides provided by Pony Express Entertainment.
This year, DSNY brought their beautiful truck painted with flow ers and allowed the kids to blow the horn. Representatives from the fire department hosted a ta
ble to share fire safety tips. NYC Parks and the Sorrentino Recre ation Center brought hula hoops and showed children how to use them. Oak Street provided can dy. Resorts world provided school supplies for the kids. Rock Safe Street hosted a trunk of treats while advocating against gun vi olence. Former professional bas ketball player Michael Sweetney even showed up.
Ozzie Edwards, a local resident and ambulance driver, served as MC of the event while DJ Floss played some tunes. Pizza and Mc Donalds were provided by Queens Borough President Donavan Rich ards’ office and Edwards. And special recognition goes to all of the parents who decorated their trunks to give out treats to the chil dren and made it a fun, worry-free day for all.
This week, RISE (Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity) announced its selection as an offi cial charity partner of 2023 United Airlines NYC Half, which will take place on Sunday, March 19, 2023. It is the second time that the nonprofit has been chosen in this highly competitive process.
Interested runners for this 13.1 mile race should go to riserock away.org to learn more and to contact us at info@riserockaway. org.
RISE is seeking five runners who are interested in repre senting the organization at 2023 United Airlines NYC Half. We will be inviting folks who have a rela tionship to the Rockaways and a commitment to RISE’s mission of making a difference in the community. That is by serving
neighbors, removing trash from the shore line, distributing lo cal organic produce to residents, enrich ing place-based ed ucation programs for local young peo ple, increasing civ ic engagement, and strengthening com munity connections.
New York Road Runners anticipates twen ty-five thousand participants to run the one-of-a-kind course, which showcases New York City’s historic landmarks, pop ular parks, sweeping views from the Manhattan Bridge, and di verse neighborhoods, starting at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, then passing Grand Army Plaza, the United Nations, Grand Central Terminal, and Times Square, be fore ending near the iconic TCS New York City Marathon finish line in Central Park.
Rockaway is blessed with a good number of wild squirrels, opos sums, etc. With the advent of cold weather, I am reminded of some past experiences which my friends and neighbors have had with four legged creatures. It seems as though some of these animals aspire to enjoy the warmth and/ or food found indoors during the winter months.
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!
for the winter. Another friend had been bothered by noise in his attic late at night. It turned out to be a squirrel who had obtained entry through the small hole in the roof used for antenna wires. A small wire mesh closed the entry point.
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.
A friend of mine found garbage cans inside his house turned over, and the food pantry ransacked. Af ter much consternation and inves tigation, he found that the animal obtained entry through a crawl space window left open by the per son who had turned off the water
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
Some animals have been known to sneak into homes through doors kept ajar to facilitate unloading of packages – especially in cold weather. Be vigilant, and close doors and crawl spaces. If you need a “trapper” to get rid of an unwelcome friend, then give me a call. I have a few fellows that I can recommend. The animals must be humanely released after capture. Call me. Love, Robin.
Ten years after Hurricane Sandy, New York Communities for Change and Rockaway Women for Progress joined community members in Arverne on Almeda Avenue for a vigil honoring those lost in the storm and demanding justice for those still recovering from Sandy a decade later. Among signs that read “10 Years After… Unrecovered” and “Sandy Survivors Demand Community Engagement,” vigil attendees heard from speakers Donna Simbo, a local homeowner whose home is still not safe to live in, and Theresa Cruz, whose mother is Simbo’s neighbor and at age 92 is still unable to move back into her home, while still paying property taxes and insurance on an empty and damaged house.
A tour of the conjoined homes highlighted an unstable foundation, cracking walls, unsafe construction, and dirt and mold. Arlene Phipps, another Arverne resident who runs a daycare, also
spoke about her continuing challenges to get help after Sandy. Religious faith leaders including Pastors Eastman and Margareth and representatives from New York Communities for Change and Rockaway Women for Progress spoke to the importance of helping those left behind by
Sandy recovery efforts and of taking timely action to ensure that this does not happen again. A representative from Senator James Sanders office also spoke.
White flowers held by participants honored the lives lost due to the storm. Some attendees expressed their frustrations
with elected and government representatives and a lack of financial transparency of the recovery efforts. The organizations want Governor Hochul to know that more needs to be done because there will be stronger storms coming. As Donna Simbo said, “Governor Hochul should cut pollution to stop climate change, so this won't get worse. She needs to help all the people who have been left behind here. It's ten years later now and people are still hurting. We need a Green New Deal that helps us all. She should tax the rich to pay for it.”
Rock Away Pens was established as a writer’s workshop in 2018 by Edward Mallon, Bianca Ambro sio, and Frank Verderame. It pro vides a weekly meeting where se rious writers can complete their projects in Fiction, Memoir, Dra ma, and Film for publication or production. For more info, email: rockawaypens@gmail.com
Last week we shared some of their Hurricane-Sandy inspired writing. The following in Part II.
Then, a year later, our home remained dry through the night when our small group gathered again. We watched super storm Sandy’s water rush down our block flooding most of the homes. A couple of days later, a neighbor complained about the three inch es of water she had in her base ment. There was very little dam age and the water was already pumped out. I didn’t tell her how lucky she was compared to others. Our son and his family had to stay with us weeks until their Rocka way home was dried out.
“I’m going to get a good job someday,” he said, “and a nice apartment for my family.”
ers.
“I’m graduating high school this year,” he said.
By Jean MaiorinoMy husband and I were listen ing to a CD of Robert Frost recit ing Boundless Moment when my cell phone disrupted our lunch in Shaftsbury, Vermont.
“Ma, you’re not going to believe this. We just had an earthquake here in Rockaway.”
“That’s not funny, Michael. Your morbid sense of humor is like your father’s fascination with death.”
“I’m serious. I was in the house when the walls started shaking. I thought the house was going to collapse. I grabbed the baby and ran outside. My neighbors were all outside wondering what hap pened.”
Since news of the earthquake and that hurricane Irene threat ened to hit the east coast, we de cided to cut our Vermont visit short.
“You’ll be much safer here,” said Tom, the inn keeper.
At home in Brooklyn, our son, his wife and baby, my nephew, his girlfriend and my eighty year old mother crammed into my small Sheepshead Bay house for shelter. Wind blew water through our recently repaired roof. We placed buckets and pots beneath a freshly painted ceiling. We told ourselves that it could have been worse. The roof didn’t fall in upon us.
After the storm, I called the inn. Tom described how they had watched from a top floor window as the Battenkill River overflowed and swallowed a man.
Then, five years later, we moved into our Belle Harbor home. A friend asked, “Are you nuts mov ing to Rockaway?”
“Yes, maybe,” I said. “But I’m looking forward to Halloween with my granddaughter.” For years my husband and I thought we might move to the peninsu la to be near our son’s family. I was hooked when we took our granddaughter trick or treating in Belle Harbor the year before. In Brooklyn during the ‘90s, door bells stopped ringing when the news carried horror stories of razor blades in apples. I had to search the streets to give out my candy. In the small community of Belle Harbor, where everyone knows everyone else, the old tra ditions are alive. Now, I shop ear ly in October to make sure I have enough treats when my Rocka way doorbell starts ringing. Each happy face on the kids in various costumes warms my heart. Here, I have a much larger family. Here, happiness is more than a holiday, it a way of life to be shared by all.
“It was noisy in the apartment last night,” Miguel said. “I had to do my homework in the closet. I did my best.” Miguel was in my fourth grade class in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, where students who lived in condos overlooking the sea learned alongside those who slept on the floor.
“I’m glad you got it done.” I put his work on my desk.
A week later, Hurricane Sandy flooded the community, driving families from their homes. Many children, including Miguel, did not return to school the following week. Teachers spent hours locat ing students who did not return. After two weeks, everyone in my class was accounted for except Miguel. I called the numbers that I had for him several times both day and night. I questioned stu dents who knew him. One boy said, “His house is boarded up.”
Then after three weeks, he re turned to class.
“Water came in and flooded the apartment,” he said. “We had to get out fast.”
“Where did you go?”
“We went to stay with a lady my mother knows.” His weary frown aged him. “We’re back now.”
“I tried to call,” I said.
“My mother lost the phone in the water. She had to get a new one. We left everything when we ran.”
“Where are you staying now?”
“Our apartment. It’s much drier. We hung some blankets over the hole that the water made in the wall.”
“Is it warm enough there?”
“Yeah. Someone gave us extra blankets.”
After Thanksgiving break, he came back to school smiling. “You are not going to believe all the food we had for Thanksgiv ing.” His face looked young again. “We went to a church where they had so much food. They even let us keep going back for more. It was the best Thanksgiving ever.”
“I’m so glad.”
“Yeah, me too. A homeless man sleeps under the train stairs. My mother makes sure we feed him every day, so when she brought him a big dish for Thanksgiving, he cried.”
Throughout fourth grade, Miguel worked hard to overcome our academic storm delays. We kept in touch until he moved on to high school. Then one day, he came to visit his old teach
“Do you plan to go to college?”
“I’m going to Kingsborough. I’d like to be a policeman.”
“That’s a good job,” I said.
“Yeah, I’ll be able to help peo ple.”
Although we lost touch, I can imagine him wearing his badge with pride.
The wind was always the issue when we were expecting a big storm on the North Shore of Long Island. This would be the first hurricane I didn’t have to work in the hospital and I contemplated what to do to pass the time wait ing. Our daughter Kiera had re cently moved back home to pur sue an MS degree in Education and was ensconced in what was our “Granny Flat” as Nana called it when she lived there. I lay on her couch to read, but could not relax as the howling wind blocked out all other sound. I watched through the skylight as the leaves on the huge, century-old oak tree swirled above my head. Round and round back and forth rushed the branches. I was mesmerized by this leaf dance to the music of the wind when without a warn ing sound there were no more dancing branches. It took a sec ond to realize that the tree must have fallen. A quick look out the bay window confirmed it. The oak was up-earthed and landed away from the house. I rushed to tell my husband the news, while marve ling that the house was spared. I thought of the big elm at the end of our front lawn and got to the dining room window a second before it fell completely across the driveway. It humbled me to grasp the size of the root systems of these beautiful shade provid ers. Did my wondering cause this to happen? My Irish superstition was in full swing. Within the next
“We stood a moment so in a strange world…”
minutes, three more trees were toppled, each a few yards from the corners of the house. I con sidered it a minor miracle that we had no damage from the 95 miles an hour wind toppling five enor mous trees. We sure must have beaten the odds. Most of all, I’ll miss the beautiful old blue spruce we decorate for Christmas and the flowering cherry blossom that served as a backdrop for so many occasion photos.
As darkness descended on the neighborhood, we lit the candles and set a fire in the den, musing that we will have wood until the next millennium. Our good luck continued. When in preparation for the storm, my husband real ized that our generator was no more and there were no gener ators to be found. When travel was possible a few days later, my daughter’s friend’s father drove from Massachusetts with two new generators, one for her and one for us! Speaking of Kiera’s friends, our house became temporary shelter for the now homeless and their dogs from the ravaged Long Beach. The daughter of a previous neighbor, who fled from her col lege dorm, joined our displaced friends.
As the young women located temporary housing, we contin ued to host their fur babies un til a pet-friendly arrangement was found. It amazed us that five strange dogs plus our two could live in such harmony. There is
surely a lesson there for us. Close Your Eyes
By Dan Guarino“Close your eyes,” I say.
And one by one they do.
I have told this story before. To day it is to students from Denmark as we stand in the street. Other days, other years, I have told it to those from Harvard, Pace, Parsons and anyone who wanted to know.
They want to know what it was like.
“Imagine it is night. You are in the storm. Pitch black except for an eerie amber from the street lights bouncing off waves rushing around you.”
I picture it for them.
I summon images of the wom an, battered by the tide, struggling for refuge in the overhead subway, finding it terrifyingly empty. The man nearly drowned in the street, pulled in by neighbors, leaving the next day without even a name.
“Imagine the water, very cold and dark, pouring down the streets, getting deeper.” They shiv er, involuntarily. “There is no where to go.”
“The water would now be about six feet, submerging this entire island, Broad Channel. It would now be closing over your heads.”
They shift from foot to foot now, breath becoming shallow, faces paling.
I ask them to imagine the unim aginable.
The night of Hurricane Sandy.
Eyes slowly open as I point out a dark second floor window a cor ner away. “That’s where I was that night. That’s …where I used to live.”
I breathe in and don’t even have to close my eyes to feel that night’s ripping winds, the darkness and fear crawl across my arms.
I was leaning out that window, nearly sucked out, balancing my camera.
Flipping on a photo-correction program, years later one of those pictures would emerge from black ness and scare the hell out of me.
That evening, I was oblivious, hearing but not looking out the window. Tapping away at my newspaper column before the lights went out, as they often did from the wind. Then I looked out side.
In the darkness I saw waves, deepening, edging up, swallowing fence tops and hedges, rising up to first floor windows, under first floor doorways across the street. The world was drowning.
Disappearing under the rising water, eerie pale light and the darkness.
I rushed to the stairs. Inside, quietly, cold water pushed calmly around the door, starting to climb.
“No, no.”
Then there was a pop! pop! pop! just outside-saltwater hitting electrical wires. No.
I knew about frying lines, about electrocution by brushing water alive and swimming with spark ing wires.
On the last dry step I swung a wooden broom, knocking off the main breaker, just short of water deluging the circuit box.
Now the darkness squeezed around my shoulders. Nothing but the sound of creeping water, the howling wind shaking the house.
I was alone.
Would the water stop rising at all. I did not know.
Would I drown here, trapped?
I lay on the floor. My heart pounding. Thoughts raced…to be the last one?
I lay. I listened. I waited for….
Even now the memory comes crashing up behind my eyes and runs down my soul.
What was it like, you ask?
Close your eyes.
eyes.
From north to south, Chile ex tends 2,653 miles, yet it is only 217 miles at its widest point, and averages just 110 miles east to west.
The International Space Sta tion is closer to Earth than San Francisco is to Los Angeles.
Despite the title, almost all the dinosaurs from Jurassic Park lived during the Cretaceous period and not the Jurassic pe riod.
Chinese checkers were actual ly a German creation.
Only 2% of people have green
It took around 3 billion years for the very first single-celled organisms to eventually evolve into basic animal life forms. For comparison, dinosaurs were around for about 165 million years and modern hu mans have only been around for 300,000 years.
Weather is the temporary con dition of the atmosphere at a place. Climate is the overall average weather of that place over a period of time.
Facts by Sean McVeigh, factolo gist.
On Saturday, November 5 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., the 100th Pre cinct Community Council will be outside the Arverne Stop and Shop collecting food items to do nate to local pantries.
On Saturday, November 5 at 12:30 p.m., head to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and join a park ranger to learn why Jamai ca Bay plants like roses, cacti, and poison ivy change in the fall, how they prepare for the winter ahead, and what their new red, orange, or yellow colors tell us about them. This is an all-weath er walk, so please dress for the conditions. Ends at 2 p.m.
On Sunday, November 6 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., head to the Rock away Hotel on Beach 108th to enjoy shopping with local vendors, music by the Graytrippers, plus other activ ities. For full info, see: therockaway hotel.com
On Tuesday, November 8, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., head to your local polling place and vote, if you didn’t participate in early voting. For your local poll place, see: https://findmy pollsite.vote.nyc/
On Tuesday, November 8 at 10:30 a.m., head to Fort Tilden and join a Park Ranger see Os prey, Merlin, Bald Eagles and more during the peak fall bird mi
gration, weather permitting. For more info call: 718-318-4340
On Wednesday, November 9 at 7:15 p.m., head to the Knights of Columbus (333 Beach 90th Street) for the monthly CB14 meeting. Hear updates on the Ruth Bader Ginsburg hospital in Brooklyn and the Army Corps work. For public speaking, sign up before the meeting starts.
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.
On Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., head to the RISE Center
(58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd). for a free chair yoga class with Certified yoga instructor Ruth Graves. All are welcome! From beginners to sea soned practitioners. Masks required inside RISE.
On Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. head to the RISE Center (58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd) to view Larry’s photo exhib it on Hurricane Sandy. Masks re quired inside RISE.
On Saturday, November 19, the Rockaway Track Club is hosting a half marathon and 5K. Check in at Beach 115th street at 8 a.m. Pickup Bib tag, chip, and T-Shirt. Both 5K and ½ Marathon start at 9 a.m. on the boardwalk at 115th Street. To pre-register, see Rockawaytc.org Got events? Send an email to ka tie@rockawaytimes.com with de tails for consideration to be list ed.
Notice of Formation of SAT BRAND,LLC., Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/18/2022. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 1611 NORMAN ST,RIDGEWOOD, NY 11385. Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of Loadus LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 08/26/2022. Office located in Queens Co. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC: 104-15 202nd Street, Saint Albans, NY 11412. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
ADPP Realty Company LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 6/22/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 357 Soundview Ln., College Point, NY 11356. General Purpose
D&J Premier Holdings LLC Articles of Org. filed with NY Sec. of State (SSNY) on 07/14/2022. Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 15944 97th Street, Howard Beach, NY 11414. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of 71-32 ROOSEVELT AVE LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/25/22. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to: 8425 Elmhurst Ave., #6V, Elmhurst, NY 11373. Purpose: any lawful act.
Be Rockaway Enterprises LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1/04/2016. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 114-04 Beach Channel Dr., Rockaway Park, NY 11694. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
DION REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/19/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Constantina Frangakis, 14710 11th Avenue, Whitestone, NY 11357. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
Suri’s Smoke Shop LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 10/24/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Neera Dukhi, 111-50 143rd St., Jamaica, NY 11435. General Purpose
CAVALIERE 80 LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/20/22. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 6906 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
2528 LOR LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/30/2020. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 18-33 41st Street, Astoria, NY 11105. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
Notice of Formation of the Sunnyside Piano Studio LLC, Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State on 8/25/2022, Office located at 39-60 54th St. #5A, Woodside, NY (Queens). The Secretary of State of New York has been designated as agent of the limited liability company upon whom process against it may be served. The lawful purpose of the company is to provide piano instruction.
Aran Mor LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 9/8/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 75 22 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, NY 11379. General Purpose
Garage needed to rent yearly near the 120's. Will paint and clean the garage. Call George 347-738-1774
HELP WANTED
Counselors for After School Program
Must be 17 or older, and like work ing with children grades K-5 Mon thru Friday 1:30-5:30 Pm
Contact: Program Direc tor Darrah Burns: dburns@milldev.org
Pursuant to the lien granted by the New York Self-Storage Facility Act, notice is hereby given that the undersigned self-storage units will be sold at a public sale by competitive bidding, to satisfy the lien of the Lessor, with Metro Storage LLC as managing agent for Lessor, for rental and other charges due from the undersigned. The said property has been stored and is located at the respective address below. Units up for auction will be listed for public bidding on-line at www.StorageTreasures.com beginning five days prior to the scheduled auction date and time. The terms of the sale will be by lot to the highest bidder for cash only. A 10-15% buyer’s premium will be charged per unit. All sales are final. Metro Self Storage LLC reserves the right to withdraw any or all units, partial or entire, from the sale at any time before the sale or to refuse any bids. The property to be sold is described as “general household items” unless otherwise noted. All contents must be removed completely from the property within 48 hours or sooner or are deemed abandoned by bidder/buyer. Sale rules and regulations are available at the time of sale.
Property includes the storage unit contents belonging to the following tenants at the following locations: Metro Self Storage 2727 Knapp Street Brooklyn, NY 11235 (718) 769-9000
The bidding will close on the website StorageTreasures.com and a high bidder will be selected on 11/23/22 at 1:00pm.
Applicant must be good at multi tasking; answering phones, collecting co pays, getting insurance authorization. checking in patients. Applicant must be detail oriented: must verify and track MD referrals, authorization end dates, track patient deductibles and co-insurance etc. Must be able to to professionally interact with MD office staff on phone as well as manage patient scheduling. Will also be required to help with patient care in treatment area as needed.Ideal candidate can work Monday thru Friday from 7:30am until 6 pm, is always on time
We start our employees at $15.00 per hour, minimum wage, during the training phase. Raises are given based upon performance; the quicker you learn the faster you get raises.
Great learning opportunity for those seeking entry and acceptance into a physical therapy or PTA program. Ideal candidate can work Monday Wednesday Friday from 7:30am am until 6 pm, is always on time, doesn't call in sick and looking for a career in health care field.
Job description: The PT aide help maintain the office environment; cleaning tables washing towels and pillowcases and cleaning restrooms at the end of the night. During patient care, the aides help the PT by bringing in patients from waiting room, assisting with exercises, preparing treatment rooms for next patient. Must be friendly and outgoing
We start our employees at $15.00 per hour, minimum wage, during the training phase. Raises are given based upon performance; the quicker you learn the faster you get raises.
Send resume to trohrs123@yahoo.com
Recipe courtesy of Claire Robin son, with a slight twist of my own.
Ingredients:
2 large fresh tuna steaks (about 1-1/2 pounds)
2 lemons, thinly sliced, plus ½ lemon, zested and juiced, as needed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup fat free Greek yogurt
½ cup halved red grapes
¼ cup toasted and chopped wal nuts
Directions:
Preheat oven 350 degrees.
Put a large sheet of parch ment paper on a baking sheet. Arrange the lemon slices on the parchment, slightly overlapping, cov ering in an area just larger than the size of the tuna
steaks. Season the tuna well on both sides with salt and pepper and ar range them directly on the lemon slices. Sprinkle the lemon zest even ly over the tuna. Bring the 2 long sides of parchment together and fold down over the tuna; fold the end of the parchment and tuck them under the fish like an envelope. Roast in the oven until cooked through, about 30-40 minutes; the tuna should flake easily with a fork and is no longer pink in the center.
Open the parchment paper and let the tuna cool until it can be han dled, then flake it with a fork. Trans fer to a serving bowl along with any cooking juices it has released. Add the yogurt, grapes and walnuts and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper and freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready.
++ This healthy salad goes great on butter let tuce leaves or on a slice of toasted whole wheat bread, with fresh canta loupe slices. You can also try this with canned white tuna.
By Peter Galvin, MD
Type I diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes, occurs as a result of the pancreas’ loss of the ability to make insulin. Insulin fa cilitates the movement of glucose from the bloodstream into cells where it is metabolized to create energy. Without insulin, the glu cose accumulates in the blood. Current thinking is that in Type I, the person’s own immune system is activated by some as yet un known viral infection to attack the Islets of Langerhans, the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Treat ment of Type I has long been prob
lematic, in part because of human nature. By that I mean that it oc curs in teens and young adults who may not take the disease seriously. Doing stupid things and thinking that you are immortal is part of be ing a teenager. Not too long ago, treatment of this disease involved frequent insulin injections and frequent blood sugar checks. The amount of insulin required was de termined by the blood sugar level and a rough estimate of future food consumption. The goal was and still is to maintain a glycosylated he moglobin, or HgA1c, level of 7.0%
or lower. Sadly, that goal is achieved only by less than 20% of Type I dia betics in the U.S. Controlling diabe tes helps stave off its deadly effects, which include heart, circulatory, kidney, and eye disease.
Not too long ago, the treatment of type I diabetes was revolutionized by the introduction of implantable insulin pumps. Closed-loop sys tems, which work in conjunction with a smart phone, have been able to raise the number of dia betics reaching HgA1c goals, but these systems involve inputting a lot of data. While insulin delivery is partly automated, required data that must be uploaded include ba sal insulin rates, insulin-sensitivity factors, carbohydrate-to-insulin rates, and the total daily insulin dose. This data is uploaded at ini tialization. Then, with each meal, the user must upload the number of grams of carbohydrates. Then, once uploaded, the systems often require a warm-up period before automation may begin. Recently, Beta Bionics introduced the iLet bionic pancreas. This system does not require the uploading of any
data other than the user’s body weight. Information from previous insulin regimens is not required, and there is no warm-up period. The user merely indicates the an ticipated carbohydrate content of the next meal (“usual for me”, “more”, or “less”) as compared with a typical meal of that type (“break fast”, “lunch”, or “dinner”). The al gorithms used in the bionic pan creas constantly adapt to the user to become fully automated.
In a study from Massachusetts General Hospital, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in September, use of this bionic pan creas resulted in greater improve ment in HgA1c as compared to standard care. While this device did not cure the patient, any regimen that can forestall the side effects of this disease is certainly beneficial. Plus, I truly believe that with emerg ing stem cell therapies, replacement of pancreatic cells, and other tech nological advances, a cure for dia betes, especially type I, is not far off.
Please direct questions and com ments to editor@rockawaytimes. com
Sadhana Gupta, MD Zoya Koroleva, DO
Stanislav Kaminyar, DO Alla Buzinover, DO
File No. 2019-4524 SURRO GATE’S COURT – KINGS COUNTY 17-A GUARDIANSHIP CITATION (Supplemental) THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK by the Grace of God Free and In dependent To: Antonie Augustin a petition having been filed by, Sandra Marie Harriot who is domiciled at 735 Lincoln Avenue, Apt. 2 B, Brooklyn, NY 11208 YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE Virtually before the Surrogate’s Court, Kings County, on November 16, 2022 10 a.m. of that day, why the letters of the guardianship of the person of Jenna Marie Augustin should not be grant ed to Sandra Marie Harriott and why the appointment of Dillon Rodney as Standby Guardian of the person of Jennah Marie Augustin, should not be grant
ed; and why the appointment of Andrea Harriott First Alternate Standby Guardian of the person of Jennah Marie Augustin, should not be granted; and why a hearing__ should be held ___ should not be held; and why the appearance of respondent __ should be ___ should not be re quired at the hearing; and why the guardian(s) of the person should not be authorized and empowered to make decisions with respect to the medical and dental need of the respondent and to render consent to any medical procedures which are necessary to the health and welfare of the respondent, un less the court decides otherwise. A health care decision may include a decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment as defined by subdi
vision 1750-b(1) of the Sur rogate’s Court Procedure Act. (State further relief requested). NOTICE: Appearances on the return date of the citation will occur by video conference utilizing the following Microsoft Teams application link VIDEO CONFERENCE APPEAR ANCE into an internet browser or by dialing 347-378-4143 or 833-262-7886 and entering conference I.D. 202545209#. Pursuant to the Kings County Surrogate’s Court Notice the Cited Parties, written respons es may be filed prior to the return of the citation to Kings County Surrogate’s Court either by electronic filing at https:// iapps.courts.state.ny.us/ny scef/HomePage or by any form of regular or overnight mail addressed to Guardianship De
partment, Kings County Surro gate’s Court, 2 Johnson Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201. The video link may also be found on the court’s website at http:// ww2nycourts.gov/courts/2jd/ surrogates/index.shtml Dated, Attested and Sealed October 6, 2022 ROSEMARIE MONTALBANO HON. ROSEMARIE MONTALBANO, Surrogate Lisa Mathis, Chief Clerk Pro Se Attorney for Petitioner Note: This citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not required to appear or respond. However, if you fail to respond to this citation in writing by mail, electronic mail, or electronic filing, it will be assumed you do not object to the relief requested. You have the right to have an attorney-at-law appear or respond for you.
Want to know what’s happening in Rockaway this weekend? Check out our Rockaway Good Times weekly guide below and map out your rockin’ Rockaway crawl!
Thursday, November 3 6:30 p.m.
Giddy up for the weekend countdown with the Butthead and Jenna “the Booty Shaker” at Harbor Light. 129-18 Newport Avenue
Friday, November 4 6 p.m.
Folks—with sweet weather temps in the forecast, Rockaway Tiki takes the party outside with Justin strummin’ everything from folk to grunge. 67-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd
Friday, November 4 7 p.m.
Tonight—be under the influence of good music and maybe, a few rockin’ pints with Wine With Sue at Harbor Light! 129-18 Newport Avenue
Friday, November 4 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Ignite a BEasy weekend with The BEasy Band’s folk and jazz melodies at Bar Marseille. 190 Beach 69th Street
Friday, November 4 8 p.m. to midnight Get a running start to your weekend shenanigans with The Locals Rule Band at RBQ. 97-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd
Friday, November 4 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Shake off your work week blues with The Knobs at Rogers! 203 Beach 116th Street
Saturday, November 5 4 p.m.
By popular demand, The Rainbow Spirals are back at Rockaway Tiki making you Grateful Dead again.
67-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd
Saturday, November 5 8 p.m. to midnight
Tonight, join the Jack Pack for a jammin’ encore of Uncle Jack’s Band at RBQ.
97-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd
Saturday, November 5 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Dance your way uptown to Rogers as Friends in Sound unfurls their high-energy classic rock and blues covers. 203 Beach 116th Street
Saturday, November 5
Treat yourself to a fine Breezy dining and music experience with JoJo at Kennedy’s. Call (718) 945-0202 for showtime and reservations.
406 Bayside, Breezy Point
Sunday, November 6 2 p.m.
Don’t miss the triumphant return of the Rock-A-Wades’ Sunday Jamboree Open Mic at Harbor Light! Come out and do yo’ thang!
129-18 Newport Avenue
Sunday, November 6 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
End your Sunday! Funday! on a high note with Gerald Bair at Rogers.
203 Beach 116th Street
Thirsty Thursdays
7 p.m.
Head to Bungie for Trivia Thursdays. For weekly themes, follow: @bungalowbarny on Instagram.
377 Beach 92nd Street
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
UPCOMING!
Thursday, November 11 & Saturday, November 12 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Back in Irish Town is Folk 'n' Irish band—The Gobshites—blowin’ up Rogers!
203 Beach 116th Street
MOVIE NIGHT
Friday, November 4 6:30 p.m. to close
Extreme boardsport fans! Head to Rockaway Brewing Co. for a movie screening of surfing meet, Vans Stab High, Episode 2.
415 Beach 72nd Street
Friday, November 4 7:30 p.m. /9:30 p.m.
Tom Cruise fans—buckle your seatbelt—and get ready to fly with movies, “Top Gun,” at 7:30 p.m., followed by “Top Gun: Maverick,” 9:30 p.m. at Tap That. Seasonal beers on tap. Plus, beer libationists—don’t miss Doc’s Cider tasting happening from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
111-04 Rockaway Beach Blvd
RTC PRESENTS “A FEW GOOD MEN”
Starting this Friday!
The Rockaway Theatre Company in collaboration with Gateway National Recreational Area presents its final show for 2022—“A Few Good Men.” Sink your teeth in this Broadway drama about one woman fighting for her place in a world of men, two teenage Marines accused of murder, and a world in which the Marine code of honor, lives and nations hang on the precision of orders followed. Show dates: November 4, 5, 6, 11*, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. On Friday, November 11, veteran and active-duty members of the armed forces admitted free of charge. For tickets, visit: www.rockawaytheatrecompany.org.
T4 Post Theatre Building, Fort Tilden
BELLE HARBOR YACHT CLUB COMEDY NIGHT
Friday, November 4 9 p.m.
Don’t miss the Belle Harbor Yacht Club Comedy Night that’s had folks cracking up since 2005! Tonight— these top-billed comedians raise the bar even higher—Melvin George II, Julia Scotti and Gene Triflio! Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance. $25 for BHYC members/ $30 for guests of BHYC members. Email suzysmart@verizon.net or call (347) 260-3891.
533 Beach 126th Street
BAR MARSEILLE HOSTS BAR MEXICO FIESTA Saturday, November 5 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Vaya a Bar Marseille as the French Mediterranean oceanside paradise transforms into Bar Mexico every
first Saturday of the month! From killer margaritas shaken by bar manager, Daniel Trujillo, sizzling tacos and more prepared by Chef Oscar Duran, plus live deejayed music— vaya a México right here in Rockaway! For reservations and menu, visit: https://www.barmarseille.com/ barmexico/ 190 Beach 69th Street
Sunday, November 6 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Get ready to celebrate everything fall at The Rockaway Hotel’s Fall Fest featuring a vendor market, kids’ autumnal arts and crafts, barbecue from Astoria’s The Dancing Pig, and kicking off at 3 p.m.—live music from The Graytrippers! Also, feel free to sign-up for the following: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Stems Bouquet Workshop ($60), 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Pie-Making Contest (opened to the community: nominate your favorite pie-maker for a chance to win a one-night stay and more!), 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Paint and Sip ($45). For more info. (including registration for the pie contest!), visit: https://www.therockawayhotel.com/happenings/fall-fest 108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive
Thursday, November 10
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Next Thursday, join the inaugural evening of The Rockaway Hotel’s Chefs On The Beach series, bringing NY’s most celebrated chefs to Rockaway for an unequaled culinary experience. This week, taste award-winning chef, cookbook author, former Iron Chef competitor and sought-after food sustainability expert, Chef Jehangir Mehta’s zero-waste dinner menu featuring sesame avocado jicama sashimi, miso ginger Japanese eggplant and a vegan chocolate tasting. Tickets for the four-course dinner and beverage package are $150. For tickets and more info, visit: https://www.therockawayhotel. com/happenings 108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive
Got info on local live music, arts and more? Email: editor@rockawaytimes.com
It is a gift to be able to pull back from life and travel to another country on retreat. A dream that came true for my self and daughter as we carved out this special time with one another, practicing yoga, med itating, journaling, hiking, swimming and just being in a safe space that allowed us to appreciate life in a way that I cannot describe with words. Withdrawing from our devices proved to be a powerful healing tool with limited communica tion from the outside world. We lived simply but witnessed the amazing landscape within and outside. It is a memory that will be etched in our minds forever. We decelerated, slowed down
By Kami-Leigh AgardIn this second installation of my column, meet veteran special ed ucation advocate, Aurelia Mack, CEO/founder of Wings of Success for Children with Special & Ex ceptional Needs Inc. Mack, a re tired Department of Corrections officer, has sat on many boards, including RISE Life Services and Families Together of NYS. For the NYS Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, she worked as their first-ever family advisor for NYC, meeting with agencies’ top officials and politicians in Albany, advocating for programs geared to assist children with mental health and behavioral challenges. Mack has literally “done that, wrote the book” on breaking down walls to get special-needs students all the tools they need and deserve—to
in our new location with new teachers and new friends. It was a time to listen, learn, recover and re member who we are. So many are striving to overcome diffi culty, loss and trauma from the past few years. Our new destina tion would help us to recover and renew our sense of hope and faith for the future. Learning to breathe together in community with lots of laughs and moments of joy. So many present moments of awe and delight. Grateful and blessed to share these moments together. As you withdraw from your everyday life you update and practice new routines. You return to your true self without the labels and titles. You learn new tricks and become inspired. When you are inspired you breathe new life into your old life. Creativity be gins to swell from deep inside. My
deepest wish is to bring this inspi ration back home. If I could share one thing, it is we have everything we need right here at home. Home is where our hearts are and I love coming back to Rockaway where we are a strong, supportive, lov ing community. There are places all over the world just like Rock away.
One day while traveling, a young woman from the Czech Republic asked my daughter, “why do you come to Europe when in American you are liv ing the dream. We laughed and said, we do not have what you have here and yes while Amer ica was once the place people came for a better life, things have changed and we too are struggling like the rest of the world. It made us pause and think how blessed we are to live in the United States of Ameri ca. Only when you leave do you
know how lucky you are to be American. Land of the free and home of the brave.
There is much disconnection in our country and world. We need to bring back democracy and safety. We cannot live in a world with violence and disre gard for life. We must fight to bring back the American Dream.
November 11th, Veterans Day, we honor and remember all the men and women who have fought to keep us safe and free. Jen Kelleher and I will host a half day retreat at the Rockaway Hotel on November 11th from 11-3pm. There is limited space so sign up early if you would like a day of healing, restoring and reflecting for your self-care. We remain in service to this special community. All are welcomed.
May you remember, may you find ease of living and may you be healthy and whole.
be the best they can be.
KLA: What led you to become a special education advocate?
AM: When my son was in fourth grade, he was falling behind in his school work. He had severe dyslex ia, and the school wanted him to repeat his grade. I said, “No, you're not keeping him back because you're not giving him the services that he needs.” Retention doesn't make sense for a child who can learn, but just has a specific learn ing disability. And that's when I became a full-fledged advocate not just for my children and now, my grandchildren, but countless other children of families who are seeking direction. My son not only graduated high school and attended college, today he is in the National Guard. Anything is possi ble once you know your parental rights.
KLA: What are some essential rights of special-needs parents?
AM: Parents need to study the federal law, IDEA—Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which mandates a free appropri ate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities. Denial of FAPE is a violation, and that's when the DOE (Department of Education) can owe you private school. Also, there is Child Find (CF), which applies to all kids, whether they are in public, private, Catholic or even homeschooled. Through CF, the DOE must iden tify, locate, and evaluate students who are failing academically and/ or showing challenging behaviors. That’s how you win cases because when they don't, they are in vio lation of their own federal laws. For young adults that no longer get an IEP (Individualized Educa
tion Plan), there is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which is a civil rights law, prohibiting discrimination based on disabili ty, including for employment and access to governmental programs and services.
KLA: Does the DOE have the au thority to diagnose your child with example, autism?
AM: Absolutely not! They can not give an official diagnosis, or even conduct an evaluation with out your permission. This is why I tell parents to be knowledgeable with the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Dis order published by the American Psychiatric Association). It serves as the principal authority for clas sification and diagnosis of mental disorders. However, you must un
Our
By Christian DiGennaro
Last weekend, the goalkeepers for the SFDS soccer teams be gan wearing jerseys to honor the memories of two former coach es: Anthony DiCarlo and John Keane.
Coach DiCarlo adored his three daughters: Maria, Daniella and Ariana, and he coached all of them. He loved SFDS Soccer and created the “Tidal Wave” logo that still adorns the player uni forms and can be seen on soccer gear throughout the peninsula.
While coaching SFDS Soccer, Coach DiCarlo also worked with other parents, to help create Ko smos Soccer. The club has grown immensely, since its inception, and is now known as TST. Coach DiCarlo also coached at Font bonne, where one of his daugh ters, Maria, was on the team.
Maria has fond memories of her dad’s affinity for the SFDS soccer program. “Every weekend, my dad was at the Fort Tilden fields. Lining them, cutting the grass, putting equipment in the sheds, fixing the goals. You name it, my dad did it.” … “He was always looking to design new SFDS gear for kids to wear. Sweatshirts, hats, jackets, patches. When Kathleen (Tomassetti) had the idea of goalie jerseys, as a tribute to him, I knew it was perfect!”
Coach Keane has five chil dren: Aiden, Lily, Dylan, Finn and Emma, ranging in age from 6-18. Over a span of 15 years, he coached four of their SFDS Soccer teams. Coach Keane’s first team was with 3-year-olds, in Pee Wee Soccer. He often compared this experience to herding cats.
Coach Keane eventually coached SFDS Soccer and loved it. The energy and devotion he showed the children he coached left a lasting impression.
“Coach Keane was my first soc cer coach,” former player, Giovan ni Mazzola, said. “When I changed parishes, after Sandy, I was new and didn’t really know anyone. He made me feel really comfort
able and always encouraged me. We weren’t the best team, but he made sure we had a lot of fun and felt good about ourselves.”
“Even when John wasn’t the coach he offered to help out, or cover practices, or games, if needed.,” Coach Keane’s wife, Cristi, said. “He was not actually a soccer player, and knew little about the sport, but he was a lov ing and involved dad, who always wanted to be there for his kids. We joked about him starting with ‘Soccer For Dummies’ and learn
Continued from Page 44
derstand the difference between a classification versus a diagno sis. You want the diagnosis.
KLA: What if you know that your child is having difficulties at school. Their grades may be on par with their peers or even high er, but you observe setbacks with their communication and/or so cialization abilities?
AM: The law says intelligence doesn't have to be a factor for a child to get an IEP. Years ago, even now, the DOE would say, “gifted” or “high cognition” stu dents don't need an IEP. I've proved them wrong over and over again because the students still need support. I actually took the DOE to a hearing for my grandson because in city-wide
ing the sport inside out. He’d get a big kick out of seeing his name on those jerseys, and it means a tremendous amount to our entire family.”
As the SFDS players take to the field this weekend, not only will they carry the names of these two men on their jerseys, but they will also be carrying their spirits. Thank you, Coaches DiCarlo and Keane, the lasting impact you have left on our soccer program and our children, is immeasura ble.
tests, he scored 99.9%, but he had challenges with social skills or even not understanding basic di rections. They refused to give him an IEP. So, I went to a hearing and we won. A lot of times they're like, “We can't give an IEP for counseling.” That's not true. You have to challenge whatever you don’t agree with. Just because the DOE is not doing something now, doesn't mean it should not be done. I always tell parents— you may have to be the one to change that law.
Readers, stay tuned for the con tinuation of this insightful Q&A with Aurelia Mack.
Join Rockaway Beach Autism Families next support group meeting on Thursday, November 17, 7 p.m. at Knights of Colum bus, second floor meeting room. (333 Beach 90th Street). For info, visit: Rockaway Beach Families on Facebook/Instagram.
IPLAMPAULKINGRXEFCDDEPL MQJPKRCWRSWGIATLLISLYJF GNRAAAMNEZHCYPJHQOGRGLA CYRTTSBOHANSNAKEIYJOKAP DMWSHHCOGBIDAHTRALQSIUE XQEAYIWIAPBNNSTTABLEGRQ ZDMVRDFMLIOHOUOSBYZAXEX WGCAOAFBLICDHNBEMPGNHNR TADGBJJOAIIREAKNUILNVLJ GZWEEAHBGGYMIMMIMLEWLAM XZNERCEHEORNTCMTUONHRCH NPMNTKGAIVRXAMFSJKEEFAY GPMDSSWRBKBZKKIIZHKLLPE EOKPUOMDBEGSHIKRUJEADRY TEXETNOTOJRHWRDHNLONYAV XFDLIPIOREPJJESCOJJEKGU
Findthefollowingwordsinthepuzzle.
BOBHARDT CHRISTINESTREHLE ERIKMCMANUS JOEKENEL KATHYROBERTS
By Eric Jayden
I hope everyone had a great week! Let's dive right into the news!
So, as many of you have seen this past year with the return of Triple HHH as Chief Content Officer for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), he has brought back many superstars that were previously released during the Vince McMahon regime. Now, we are hearing that he is interested in bringing back former NXT Star Tegan Nox, who was released in the fall of 2021 due to "budgetary cuts." She is known within the WWE as a good in-ring worker and are very interested in bringing her back.
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has recently signed two big talents to their full-time roster. The first is former New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) Superstar Juice Robinson
who spent the last seven years working for NJPW. According to Juice, "He is no longer representing New Japan Pro Wrestling" and "he will be working for All Elite Wrestling going forward. The second wrestler to be signed to AEW is International Pro Wrestling Superstar Bandido, who himself is a former Ring of Honor World Heavyweight Champion. ROH is currently owned by Tony Khan who is also the owner of AEW. Bandido has stated that "He is looking forward to working with AEW." We look forward to seeing what's in store for both wrestlers in AEW!
Staying with All Elite Wrestling, it has been reported that their TV show "AEW Rampage" recorded its lowest viewership with only 378,000 views. The last time an AEW televised show had lower than 400,000 views was in July 2021. Now, AEW Rampage wasn't
the only wrestling show to see a considerable decrease, as WWE Smackdown also recorded its lowest rating to date of 835,000 views that a sharp drop from it's usually 1.5 to 2 million views. This leaves us to question what's going on? Are the fans growing tired of the current content both shows are putting out? Whatever the reason, it appears that AEW and the WWE have some regrouping to do. I'll offer both promotions some advice, "Listen to what the fans want." That always seems to work!
Now, to all you Wrestle Talk fans who keep asking me where I will be wrestling live. Well, I'll be in our backyard this Saturday, November 5, at the Far Rockaway Community Center located in Ocean Bay Cornerstone 57-10 Beach Channel Drive. Belltime is 2 p.m. and I look forward to seeing you, this Saturday afternoon for a great day of wrestling.
If you have a question or comment, please send it to eavil183@ yahoo.com, and have a great weekend!
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I was not born here but after 50 years, there is plenty of sand in my shoes.
As you know I am running for Congress. I ask you to trust me with your vote, not because of my policies they’re good but because of my values. My parents moved here to build a better life for our family. I will fight to protect that same opportunity for our children and grandchildren.
Too many of our neighbors have seen the changes in New York (crime, failing schools, cost of living) and decided to move south. There is still time to make sure that Breezy, Edgemere, and Broad Channel (and all neighborhoods in Queens) remain great places to raise a family, be part of a community, live a good American life. Step 1 is to vote.
We can win this fight if enough people turnout between today and November 8. Don’t stay on the sidelines. Vote... and make sure your family and friends do the same.
Everyone in America deserves a fair shot at the American Dream… and should not be penalized for making progress toward that dream. Send me to DC and I will stand up for your family and our American way of life.
Sincerely,
Paid for by Paul King for Congress. www.PaulKingForCongress.com
