Rockaway Times 12-8-22

Photo by Tedd Havlicek

Bar Marseille Gets Festive

Contact The Elected

Congressman Gregory Meeks 67-12 Rockaway Beach Boulevard Arverne, NY 11692

Phone: (347) 230-4032

Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato 9516 Rockaway Beach Blvd Rockaway Beach, NY 11693 Email: amatos@nyassembly.gov 718-945-9550

City Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers 1931 Mott Avenue, Suite 410 Far Rockaway, NY 11691 • 718-471-7014

City Councilwoman Joann Ariola 114-12 Beach Channel Drive, suite #1 Rockaway Park, NY 11694 Email: joannariola32@gmail.com 718-318-6411

State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. 88-08 Rockaway Beach Blvd Room 311 Rockaway Beach, NY 11693 Email: addabbo@nysenate.gov 718-318-0702

PUBLISHER

MANAGING EDITOR

MANAGER

DIRECTOR

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

Get down to Merry Marseille at Bar Marseille (190 Beach 69th St) for a dose of holiday cheer! Explore the flavors of Southern France’s Provençal cuisine in a newly dec orated indoor dining room bedaz zled with all the wooden accents of a cozy log cabin including a faux fireplace. Their winter schedule

includes an Ugly Sweater Party on December 9, where the winner gets a $100 Gift Card, plus Wine With Sue playing at 8 p.m., a Christmas Pajama Party on December 17, Brunch with Santa on December 18 and a Christmas Party with Live Music and Caroling on December 23.

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

THE ROCKAWAY TIMES is published every Thursday by Double Nickel LLC (USPS # 16930), 114-04 Beach Channel Drive, Rockaway Park, NY 11694. Post master: 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.

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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.

APPETIZER PLATTERS

Medium & Large

Tomato & Mozzarella $70/$90

Antipasto $90/$115

Cheese Platter $100/$125

Salads

A&S House Salad $55/$75

At the Harbor Salad $65/$85

Fruit Platter (medium platter) $75

PASTA

Half & Full Trays

Baked Ziti $55/$105

Stuffed Shells $55/$105

Penne Vodka $60/$115

Lasagna Rollatini $65/$125

Linguine & Clam Sauce $75/$145

Linguine Fra Diavolo

with Shrimp $85/$165

SIDES

Half

Potato Croquettes $50/$95

Christmas Rice balls

(Cheese only) $50/$95

Assorted Rice balls $50/$95

Mozzarella Sticks $50/$95

Sicilian Pizza $35

MEAT

Half & Full Trays

Meatballs in Sauce $65/$125

Sausage & Peppers $65/$125

Roast Beef in Mushroom Gravy $70/$135

Chicken Francese $70/$135

Chicken Parmigiana $70/$135

Chicken Marsala $70/$135

Chicken Rollatini $75/$145

Chicken Scampi $75/$145

Chicken Finger $70/$135

Sweet Sliced Ham & Pineapple $80/$155

Veal Marsala $90/$175

VEGETABLES

Half & Full Trays

Stuffed Mushrooms

(breadcrumbs) $55/$105

Stringbean’s Almondine $60/$105

Eggplant Parmigiana $60/$115

Eggplant A&S $60/$115

Eggplant Rollatini $65/$125

Broccoli Rabe $65/$125

FISH

Half & Full Trays

Frutti di Mare (Fish Salad)

$34 per pound

Mussels Red or White $65/$125

Baked Clams $65/$125

Fried Calamari $70/$135

Fried Shrimp $95/$185

Shrimp Oreganata $95/$185

Shrimp Parmigiana $95/$185

Stuffed Fillet Flounder (crabmeat)

$18 per piece

Fried Fillet Flounder $14 per piece

Flounder Francese $14 per piece

Homemade Crab Cakes with real crab meat $8 per piece

Lobster Tails (any style) Market price

Shrimp Cocktail Tray Market price

CHRISTMAS EVE PACKAGE | $500 + tax

SERVES 10-12 PEOPLE

Includes

Assorted Rice Balls & Potato Croquettes, House Salad, Italian Bread

Choice of One Fish Salad, Baked Clams, Crab Cakes

Choice of One Linguini & Clams, Linguini & Shrimp, Penne Vodka Choice of One

Fried Shrimp, Shrimp Parmigiana, Shrimp Oreganata Choice of One Fried Flounder, Flounder Francese, Chicken Scampi

Choice of One Eggplant Rollatini, Stringbean’s & Potatoes, Stringbean’s Almondine

CHRISTMAS DAY PACKAGE | $450 + tax

SERVES 10-12 PEOPLE

Includes

Salmon A&S Market price

p

Assorted Rice Balls & Potato Croquettes, House Salad, Prosciutto Bread

Choice of One Antipasto Platter, Mozzarella & Tomato

Choice of One Baked Ziti, Penne Vodka, Stuffed Shells

Choice of Two Chicken Rollatini, Chicken Scampi, Roast Beef In Mushroom Gravy, Sweet Sliced Ham & Pineapple

Choice of One Eggplant Rollatini, Stuffed Mushrooms (Breadcrumbs), Stringbean’s Almondine

Kevin Boyle

Katie McFadden

Mary Ellen Olsen

Monica Clifford

Fred Marino

Nothing left but the memories… The long vacant Sand Bar and the adjacent arcade on Beach 116th Street right off the boardwalk are getting demolished to make way for an eight-story mixed-use building. On Wednesday, a crane

serving as a wrecking ball was seen taking apart the building. By late afternoon, it was completely gone. In one photo, it appears that Mickey and Minnie Mouse have no idea what’s going on around them as they look as happy as the

customers who used to love play ing skeeball and other games in the placed called Funtime. The Sand Bar, the arcade, and other shops were destroyed by Hurricane Sandy and never made a comeback.

As first reported by NewYorkY imby.com in March, plans for the mixed-use building at 120 Beach 116th Street will have 114 resi dences with an average size of 868 square feet, 40 open parking spaces and 53 enclosed parking spaces.

This Week in History

DECEMBER 8

Mary Heslin Reed was born. Rachel Bernstein was born.

1941 – The U.S. entered World War ll 1980 - John Lennon, former member of the Beatles, was shot and killed in New York City by a deranged fan.

DECEMBER 9

Mike Bottiglieri was born.

1965 - "A Charlie Brown Christmas" premiered.

1990 - Lech Walesa was elected pres ident of Poland.

DECEMBER 10

Erin Halligan Farrow was born.

1817 - Mississippi became the 20th state in the United States. 2004 - A U.S. passenger jet landed in Vietnam, the first one to do so since the Vietnam War ended nearly three decades earlier.

DECEMBER 11

1936 - King Edward VIII abdicated the throne of Britain for the woman he loved, Mrs. Wallis Simpson. 1941 - Germany and Italy declared war on the United States.

DECEMBER 12

Sally Ann McVeigh was born.

2000 - The U.S. Supreme Court stopped the presidential election re count in Florida.

DECEMBER 13

Brother Robert Falcone was born. Kalin Callaghan was born. Allen Shaw was born.

1913 - The Mona Lisa was recovered in Florence after having been stolen two years earlier (August 1911) from the Louvre.

DECEMBER 14

Anthony Martelli was born. Joyce Mannochio Zoller was born. Ellen Kaiven was born. Joe Poehlman Jr. was born.

The Stacey Amato vs. Tom Sulli van clash remains unsettled but on Tuesday, the NY Supreme Court of Queens County, ruled in favor of counting 94 absentee ballots that were under dispute. With just three votes separating the two candi dates, these 94 will determine who wins the NYS Assembly race. The Court said, “Due to the extreme ly narrow margin between the two candidates, the Board is required to commence a full manual recount of all ballots.” While reaching its decision, the Court had to consid er things like whether a ballot was returned in a proper envelope or if it was properly sealed. Some of the ballots in question were mailed in early and the Court ruled that the

Board of Election had time to contact voters about issues with their ballots (so they could be “cured.”) but failed to do so. The Court said it “must strike a balance between protecting the in tegrity of the elec toral process, safeguarding the right to vote, and ensuring that the Board complies with its own obliga tions in furtherance of these goals.” The final count could happen today (Thursday). We’ll post something online once we get word. *****

Don’t shoot the messenger (be sides that’d be expensive, like everything else). We’re letting you know the inflation hits keep on com ing. It’ll soon cost you $8 for a round trip ride to Long Beach. The Atlantic Beach bridge toll is going to $4 for a one-way trip for vehicles not regis tered in Nassau County. The toll hike takes place January 1, 2023. *****

The Rockaway Beach Autism

Families (RBAF) is having its 4th Annual Holiday party and is hoping you can help. The Rock away Times, Robin Shapiro, and The Knights of Columbus are ac cepting unwrapped toys through December 14. The RT has a box inside the double doors at 11404 Beach Channel Drive. Some items on the wish list include: noise-cancelling headphones; Lego sets, train sets, Thomas The Train toys/ books, coloring books, sketch pads, crayons, markers. See more on Page 14. Kami-Leigh Agard does an amazing job run ning RBAF. *****

Here's a reminder to check our Things to Do page and our Rock away Good Times pages. A lot of things are going on from holiday lightings to boutique / holiday markets (not to mention all the fun being offered at local estab lishments). Check out those pages for the good stuff you don’t want to miss. *****

Spotted! Folks taking way too many copies of The Rockaway

Times. We know it’s a hot commod ity, but please don’t take piles of pa pers from our news racks, especial ly on Thursdays or Fridays! We’re talking to those who scoop them up from the racks on Beach 116th and outside of Stop and Shop. Someone was even spotted with as many as 50 copies in Bryant Park on Tues day, showing off the Local Color section! We know the photos are great, but please save some copies for others! *****

Everybody loves ferries, more or less. Some critics gripe about the city subsidies and/or about the vessels polluting the water and air. Maybe there will be less to complain about. The Maritime Executive, a media outlet, re ported that New York Water Taxi has announced that it’ll launch a foil-assisted catamaran developed by Sweden’s Green City Ferries in spring of 2024. New York Water Taxi is a separate business than Hornblower NYC Ferry which runs the Rockaway ferry. In any case, it’s good to see competition and in novation.

Amato: Let LIPA & PSEG Hear You

Com

Future of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) will be holding a public hearing on Thursday, December 15 at the Rockaway YMCA, starting at 10 a.m. Amato, who was appoint ed to the commission, is offering the opportunity for the public to speak directly to LIPA and PSEG. Amato said, “Too often our com munity is overlooked and forgot ten but I have secured us a seat at the table and hope all of you will pull up a chair. This is our chance to stand up and make our voices

heard and give our input on LIPA and PSEG,”

The public is encouraged to at tend and speak about their expe riences with LIPA and PSEG. “The Commission wants to hear from everyone. By hearing from resi dents, community civic groups and members, small business owners and everyone who is a customer of LIPA and PSEG, we can incorporate their ideas to wards making the needed chang es to get us the electrical provider we deserve,” Amato said.

To register for the hearing or for more information, people can visit the website nylipa.gov.

Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, along with other repre sentatives of the Legislative

mission on the

Atlantic Beach Bridge to Increase to $4

By Katie McFadden

A trip to Long Beach is about to get more expensive. Starting Jan uary 1, 2023, the Nassau County Bridge Authority is increasing the toll for the Atlantic Beach Bridge from the current $2 each way to $3 each way and eventually $4 for non-Nassau residents. That means a roundtrip to Long Beach via the bridge will soon cost Rockaway res idents $8.

On December 1, the NCBA pub lished a press release letting people know about the upcoming changes, including the roll-out of E-ZPass on the bridge that currently doesn’t use the service. “NCBA tolls remain among the lowest in the region and deliver support for critical in frastructure improvements for the Atlantic Beach Bridge. The imple mentation of an Electronic Tolling System, E-ZPass, will also roll out in mid-year 2023 and will make the customer’s driving experience saf er and timelier. The new rates are the first increase in Atlantic Beach Bridge tolls since January 1, 2007, roughly 17 years ago. With con sideration to the current impacts of inflation, the new toll rates will provide support for a number of upcoming capital improvements at the Atlantic Beach Bridge notably: E-ZPass/Toll Plaza refurbishment $5.0 million; Bulkhead replace ment $5.0 million; Bridge Cleaning, Painting and Road Work $6.0 mil lion,” the release read.

The toll changes are as follows. Starting January 1, all passenger vehicles without decals or 20-trip passes will pay $3 instead of the cur rent $2 each way. After the E-ZPass rollout, expected in mid-2023, Nas sau residents will continue to pay $3, while nonresidents and those who don’t use E-ZPass will pay $4. Trucks and commercial vans will pay higher fees.

The 20-trip pass card will contin ue to be available in 2023, but the price will be going up to $30 from $15, making trips $1.50 each. How ever, the 20-trip pass will no longer be available after 2023. Decals, which provide unlimited rides, will also be going away in 2024. For 2023, they will be available to Nassau res

idents for $199 instead of $130. For vehicles registered outside of Nas sau, the decal will be available for $349 instead of $175.

When the press release was first issued, there was some panic over Nassau residents having to pay as much as $4,000 to regularly cross the bridge, however on Tuesday, December 6, Samuel Nahmias, Chairman of the NCBA, released a statement, clarifying the confusion. While decal stickers will be going away in 2024, Nassau residents can still take advantage of the unlimit ed access decal discount and will continue to pay $199 annually on E-ZPass while nonresidents can pay the $349 for unlimited access.

Despite the clarification, many are still planning on attending the NCBA’s next meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Thursday, December 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Authority Office, Administration Building and the southern end of Route #878 in Lawrence, to express concerns.

Those who work in Long Beach will benefit from unlimited plan, but the increase to $3 and then $4 for nonresidents may impact many who go to the Long Beach area on occasion to frequent the restau rants and businesses there, for mu sic gigs, or even for trips further out to Jones Beach. Rockaway residents will still be able to bypass any toll by going the long way through Five Towns, Oceanside and Island Park and across the Long Beach Bridge, which is free. This trip adds about 15 extra minutes, depending on traffic.

After this increase, the NCBA will not consider raising tolls again un til 2028. For more info, see: www. ncbaabb.com/

The Knights Keep Christ in Christmas

On Tuesday evening, December 6, the Brother Knights and Sis ter Columbiettes of the Knights of Columbus Council 2672, held a lighting for their Nativity scene in front of the hall. It was part of a nationwide night for the Knights to

“Light Up for Christ” as part of the “Keep Christ in Christmas” season. A small crowd gathered outside of the hall for the lighting and enjoyed coffee and cake after the event.

Photo by Lizzy Hurley Wright.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Broad Channel.

Around November 21, the light garlands were spread across Cross Bay Blvd, lighting up the neighbor hood even more as passersby drive through. This effort was spear

headed by the Wagner family, which each year holds a big 50/50 raffle to raise funds for the lights. Winners were announced on No vember 23.

In another effort, Lisena Land scaping has donated six Christmas

trees and placed them along the malls on Cross Bay Blvd. on No vember 30. Fred dy Lisena and his team donated the trees and se cured them on platforms around 19th, 16th, 13th, 10th, 7th, and 4th Roads. Lilly O’Sullivan also led a 50/50 raffle on behalf of the Broad Channel Civic Association to help cover some of the costs of the trees

and the lights that are now dec orating them, thanks to the help of Broad Channel residents. All Broad Channel residents are wel come to place ornaments on the trees throughout the holiday sea son.

More festive fun will be taking place in Broad Channel, including the annual Broad Channel Athlet ic Club’s tree lighting this Sunday, December 11 at 5 p.m. at the BCAC (125 Cross Bay Blvd.)

D23 Assembly Seat Still Up in the Air in Messy Race

By Katie McFadden

It’s been a month since elec tion day, November 8, and we still don’t know who won the race for Assembly District 23. However, af ter a month of a lawsuit, a court de cision and a recount in a very close race, we may know soon if Stacey Pheffer Amato will continue as Assemblywoman or if challenger Thomas Sullivan will become Dis trict 23's new Assemblyman.

The Assembly race in District 23 became a heated one between incumbent, Pheffer Amato, who has held the position since 2017, and Breezy Point resident and U.S. Army reservist Sullivan. When the counting stopped on election night, November 8, Republican challenger Sullivan was up by 246 votes over Democrat Amato with 94% of the vote counted. But with a decision so close and absentee ballots still to be counted, neither candidate was able to claim victo ry that night. And so began a long, ongoing process to determine the

winner. After the remaining ballots were counted, by November 22, Sul livan only had a three-vote lead over Amato. But a week prior to that, Amato’s campaign had al ready filed a lawsuit demanding

a recount. As part of that lawsuit, another issue was brought up by Amato regarding 94 ballots that were invalidated by the NYC Board of Elections. According to NY Elec tion Law, absentee ballots must be placed in a sealed, smaller ballot

envelope, and then sent in a larger envelope. The BOE invalidated 94 ballots because these instructions hadn’t been followed. According to the court case, “Of the 93 absen tee ballots which were invalidated, the spreadsheet notes that 62 of these ballots were invalidated be cause ‘Ballot Envelope Not Sealed.’

For the remaining 31 ballots on the spreadsheet, these ballots were invalidated because ‘Ballot Not In Ballot Envelope.'" At a hearing on December 1, it was requested that another ballot that was discovered be included in this count.

The Board of Elections admitted that when they invalidated these 94 ballots, they did not give notifi cation to the voters who had sent them, as they are required to, to give them an opportunity to cure their ballot, or fix the discrepancy so their vote may still be counted. Due to this, and the fact that those ballots came from qualified voters, on December 5, Hon. Joseph Risi

D23 ASSEMBLY SEAT STILL UP IN THE AIR IN MESSY RACE

Continued from Page 14

ordered the BOE to officially count the 94 ballots that had been inval idated. Additionally, due to how close this race is, a manual recount is required, and is underway.

The court decision has sparked different reactions from each cam paign. Amato’s team, which fought for the 94 ballots to be counted, was pleased with the ruling. On Tuesday, December 6, her team released a statement explaining what had happened. Amato’s cam paign spokesperson, Doug Forand said, “Voting is the cornerstone of American democracy. We will not allow anyone to silence the voices of voters who have exercised their constitutional right to have their votes counted. We are grateful to the courts for following the law and rightfully ruling that these bal lots must be counted.” The state ment, which Amato shared on so cial media along with the caption “Democracy prevails!” said the re count is ongoing and with 60% of

the votes counted, she was in the lead by seven votes as of Tuesday, and the recount was on its way to being complete by Thursday, De cember 8.

Sullivan’s team was not pleased with the decision and released their own statement, bringing up concerns over the court decision, as the signature of Stacey’s moth er, Audrey Pheffer, who serves as Clerk of the Queens County Su preme Court, appears on the bot tom of the court ruling. “Stacey Pheffer Amato is a second-gen eration politician whose mother has held the chair for which she is running for re-election,” Sullivan’s statement read. “Stacey Pheffer Amato’s mother is the Queens County Clerk. Audrey Pheffer signed a decision with Judge Jo seph Rissi overruling a bipartisan Board of Elections Committee’s decision on 94 absentee votes deemed to have major faults and were disqualified.”

This was followed up with Sulli van saying he has filed an appeal to the recent court decision with the Brooklyn Appellate Court. “In

an age of Americans being con cerned with Election Integrity, Tom Sullivan wants to shed a light on the appearance of impropriety created by the Stacey Pheffer Ama to’s mother. Audrey Pheffer signed Judge Risi’s decision,” the state ment continued. “Tom Sullivan is asking Stacey Pheffer Amato to re spect the integrity and appearance of the bipartisan process.”

Other local elected officials have also released statements express ing concern over the recent court case and decision, including Re publican Councilwoman Joann Ariola, who cited a similar court case with different results. “It’s difficult not to challenge the in tegrity of a decision when one of the signatures on the ruling is the mother of the plaintiff,” Council woman Joann Ariola said. “This ruling by Judge Risi goes direct ly against a previous ruling in the case of Mannion vs. Shiroff in No vember, in which Republican can didate Rebecca Shiroff sought to have three ballots containing un sealed envelopes declared valid. In that instance, a judge in Onon

daga County declared unsealed envelopes to be a ‘fatal defect’ and affirmed that they must remain in valid and uncounted.

“Now, less than a month after that decision against a Republican candidate affirming that unsealed envelopes constitute a fatal defect, we see the reverse happening,” the Councilwoman continued. “When a Democratic candidate is press ing for unsealed envelopes to be declared valid – and her mother is the county clerk, no less – we see a judge deciding that this previously noted defect is not such a big deal and can be overlooked. This is a bold example of the double stand ard we’ve seen play out time and again in modern politics, and it is nothing short of unacceptable.”

As noted, the manual recount is underway and expected to be complete on Thursday, December 8, but with Sullivan’s appeal in the Brooklyn Appellate Court pend ing, further delays are expected. In a video posted to social media, Sullivan said, “I’m looking forward to our day in court on Monday, December 12.”

THEN AND NOW

Ah, if Rockaway only had a movie theatre…like the old days.

scores of classic Then and Now photos. These

Office has been there forever but the Rivoli

were

you

James Supple, a Rockaway historian, operates Oldrockawayphotos.com and he has

photos

taken on Rockaway Beach Boulevard around Beach 90th Street. It seems like the Post

showed movies and

could get a haircut and an ice cream just next door back in the day.

Broad Channel Man Charged With Animal Cruelty

A Broad Channel man has been charged with 90 counts of animal cruelty after 45 dogs and puppies were found in unsanitary condi tions in his home.

On Tuesday, December 6, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Fred Thom son has been charged with failure to provide proper care to animals. According to a press release, “on November 16, NYPD officials and ASPCA employees conducting a court- authorized search found 45 dachshund-like dogs and puppies living in Thomson’s one-family residence, where there was feces and urine on the floors, walls, and various pieces of furniture. The an imals were found covered in fec es and urine, with dirty haircoats, overgrown nails, and presenting with gum disease. They also found multiple white mattresses almost entirely stained brown from ex crement and completely chewed through. The officials believed the animals were without sufficient food and water.”

“According to the complaint, a strong smell of ammonia, associ

ated with urine, emanated from within the residence. Because the home lacked proper ventilation, responding personnel required masks, respirators, and other per sonal protective equipment to safely remove the animals from the residence.”

Thomson, 69, of East 9th Road in Broad Channel, was arraigned on Tuesday in front of Queens Crimi nal Court Judge Jeffrey A. Gershuny on a 90-count complaint charging him with 45 counts of failure to pro vide proper food and drink to an impounded animal and 45 counts of overdriving, torturing, and injur ing animals/failing to provide suste nance. Judge Gershuny ordered the defendant to return to Court on Feb ruary 6, 2023. He faces up to one year in jail, if convicted.

“Animals are voiceless members of our community who deserve proper care and sustenance. In my time as the District Attorney, I have seen far too many cases of cruelty to these sentient beings, who feel pain and suffer distress much in the

BROAD CHANNEL MAN CHARGED WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY

same way people do,” District Attor ney Katz said. “Although there is a dire need for stronger animal cruelty penalties in our state, my office will continue to hold accountable those who choose to neglect or torture de fenseless animals in Queens County. This defendant is facing 90 separate counts of criminal charges for his al leged actions. I thank our partners at the NYPD and the ASPCA for help ing to rescue the animals and pro vide them with proper care.”

The rescued animals are now in the care of the ASPCA, where ex perts are conducting veterinary forensic exams and providing the dogs with ongoing medical care, behavioral treatment, and enrich ment to prepare them for adoption as appropriate.

ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker said, “Once we be came aware of the extremely poor conditions these dogs were in, we mobilized quickly to stop their suf

fering and provide them with ex pert medical and behavioral care. This case reflects the lifesaving impact of our partnership with the NYPD, and we thank them and the Queens District Attorney’s Office for their continued support in pro tecting vulnerable animals across New York City.”

The investigation was conducted by detectives assigned to the New York City Police Department’s An imal Cruelty Investigation Squad.

Assistant District Attorney Lau ren T. Michalski, Section Chief of the District Attorney’s Animal Cru elty Prosecutions Unit, is prosecut ing the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Jessica Wang, under the supervision of the Animal Cruelty Prosecutions Unit Chief Nicoletta J. Caferri and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Major Crimes Division Daniel A. Saunders.

Note that criminal complaints and indictments are accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Photos provided by the ASCPA.

eryone

Go Green During the Holidays

By Tom Last

It’s time to go green for the holidays. When I say ‘go green’ for the holidays, I am not re ferring to that misanthropic, ill-natured, and mean-tempered Grinch, who only wants to spoil the Christmas season. But rath er, I want to talk about reducing our carbon footprint and saving money during these holidays. It’s okay to splurge during the holi days, but let’s be smart and use energy and materials efficiently. See our following tips on how you can go greener, at this holi day time of the year.

One of the easiest ways to re duce your energy output during the holidays is to use LED holi day lights instead of incandes cent lights. LED lights not only use 90% less electricity than nor mal holiday lights, but they last

longer, thereby reducing waste in our landfills. Also, they emit much less heat, so there is less chance of your Christmas tree catching on fire. So, how about upgrading your holiday lights to LEDs this season.

Use timers and smart plugs with your holiday lights this year. Using a timer reduces your ener gy bill and eliminates the need to manually switch your lighted decorations on and off. A smart plug allows you to control the power supply of your holiday lights through an app on your phone giving you even more control to conserve energy. Visit your local hardware store to find some smart plug products.

When you are wrapping your gifts, consider using recycled or reused paper or create custom wrapping paper with newspa per articles or magazine clip

pings. You can also try using butcher paper. Butcher paper is easily reused, recycled, and composted. It can be purchased in bulk and used at any time of the year. Let your kids decorate the butcher paper to add a nice personal touch to your wrap pings. Check out ‘Wrappily’ to find eco-friendly gift wraps for the holidays. Reuse those gift bags and bows whenever pos sible. It’s easy enough to store gift bags and bows in your closet

space. Reused gift bags will save you time and money and reduce landfill materials.

The baking of holiday cookies and big family meals are part of the holiday tradition. Ovens use a lot of energy and so to cook and bake more efficiently you should try to bake several things togeth er, reducing the time your oven is on. Also, keep your oven door closed, as much as possible, as

Come

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021 The Rockaway

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2022

To advertise in THE ROCKAWAY TIMES call 718-634-3030 · ads@RockawayTimes.com

To advertise in THE ROCKAWAY TIMES call 718-634-3030 · ads@RockawayTimes.com

BEACH BLOCK BARGAIN

This four family home is on 40x100 with its own backyard and driveway. Located on beach 113 Street, it has two studio apartments and two 2 bedrooms plus a basement. Solar panels, front porch and old world details. $799k

Apartment Rentals:

Beach 122 St- Three bedrooms, two baths, summer parking $2,600

Beach 127 St- Three bedrooms, two baths, parking and terrace. $2,500

GO GREEN DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Continued from Page 18

thermostat from just about any where, by using an app on your smartphone. Effectively man aging your thermostat can help you save thousands of dollars on your energy bill each year.

SUMMER EFFECTS

LOT SIZE AND MARKET VALUE – OUT THE WINDOW?

During the past two years, I’ve seen houses on smaller lots (40x100, and 30x100) sell for a lot of money. In some cases, the sale price was comparable to prices paid on houses with larger lots (50x100 or 60x100). The overriding factor was the house condition. My guess is that people didn’t want to buy fixer-uppers during the pan demic – they didn’t want to worry about getting building permits, finding construction workers, and ordering construction materials. I do not remember seeing such de mand for mint properties before the pandemic.

By Robin Shapiro

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!

two houses were almost identical in all respects (hypothetically) ex cept that they had different lot size, then the difference in market value was approximately $100k between 40x100, 50x100, and 60x100 houses.

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.

Houses on larger lots (bigger than 60x100) were always worth more on the above scale. Such properties were more difficult to evaluate due to scarcity of these lots, location of the property and condition of the house.

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

These sales violated an old “rule of thumb” GENERALIZATION about lot size and market value in Rockaway: In the “old” days, if

During the past two years, the old “rules of thumb” were thrown OUT THE WINDOW. The real es tate market has quieted down: will it revert to the old pricing meth ods? Inventory remains light. Call me for a comparative market anal ysis. Call me. Love, Robin.

the oven temperature can drop as much as 25%, according to En ergy.gov, every time you open the oven door to peek in. Preheating your oven isn’t always necessary. Anything that needs to be baked or roasted for longer than an hour doesn’t need to be put in a pre heated oven. Most modern ovens get up to temperature very quick ly, so you don’t need to run them a dozen extra minutes. For your stovetop, putting a lid on a pot will help what’s inside boil faster, thereby using less energy.

During this holiday season and throughout the wintertime, we remind you to lower your ther mostat to a reasonable 68 de grees and lower it even more at bedtime. When no one is home during the day then take the time to lower the thermostat even more so that you are not heating an empty house. A smart ther mostat allows you to control your

Remember not to waste food during the holidays. If you have any whole or untouched food left over after parties, you can donate it to a local food bank or homeless shelter.

If you purchase a cut tree, make sure you put it out on the street, in January, on one of the tree col lection dates scheduled by the DSNY. The trees are then collect ed, chipped, mixed with leaves, and recycled into rich compost for NYC’s parks, institutions, and community gardens. New Yorkers can also bring their Christmas tree to a designated chipping location and bring the mulch from their tree back home.

The holiday season is a time for giving, what better gift can you give the ones you love than by reducing your carbon footprint and helping save the plant. Your gift will last a lifetime!

Remember, there is no Planet B.

the ballot

Shop ‘Til You Drop for the Holidays

By Katie McFadden

‘Tis the season for shopping! And sure, Amazon can be great and con venient, but nothing beats those unique, personal gifts made by local vendors. Local holiday bou tiques are underway and there’s a few more chances to pick up some gifts from small businesses.

Last weekend, many folks got early shopping done at the Belle Harbor Yacht Club’s annual Hol iday Boutique spearheaded by Susan Lavin. On Friday, Decem ber 2, the Yacht Club was packed with vendors and shoppers alike. From local authors, to locals sell ing homemade jewelry, chocolates, candles, t-shirts, ornaments, and more, there was plenty to choose from. The night also featured both live music by the Rivera Brothers on the second floor and DJ music by DJ Poppa D on the first floor, plus a big 50/50 raffle and smaller raf fle prizes donated by the vendors, awarded throughout the evening. Also kicking off on Friday night was the Broad Channel Crafters’ Craft Fair at the American Legion Hall, that went into Saturday. This shopping extravaganza featured all homemade goodies by the Broad Channel Crafters, from ornaments to household decorations to even baked goods. Plus, there was a

50/50 and a raffle. This craft fair is held each year as a fundraiser, with proceeds going to St. Camillus/ St. Virgilius Church, Christ Presbyte rian Church and the American Le gion Comfort Warriors Program. At this 33rd annual craft fair, the Crafters were able to raise more than $9,000 to donate to the various charities.

“The Broad Channel Crafters and the American Legion Ladies Aux iliary would like to thank all those who supported our fair. A special thank you to our generous and tal ented neighbors, friends and fam ily members for their donations of baked goods and handmade crafts helping to make our event success ful,” the Broad Channel Crafters shared on Facebook after the suc cessful weekend.

There are still opportunities to shop ‘til you drop. Some will be tak ing place this weekend. On Satur day, December 10 and Sunday, De cember 11, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., head to the Rockaway Brewing Co at 415 Beach 72nd Street, consid er grabbing a brew, and shop your heart out. There will be linens, jew elry, art, t-shirts, beauty products, candy, baked goods and more. Also on Saturday, December 10, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., head to Bun galow Bar on Beach 92nd Street for a shopping Saturday! Complimen tary prosecco will be available for shoppers while you shop from lo cal vendors selling t-shirts, scrubs, etched glassware, jewelry, skin products, candles, eyewear, wood en signs and more.

On Sunday, December 11, head to Ruffle Bar (919 Cross Bay Blvd.) in Broad Channel for their Sip 'n Shop event from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., where they'll have vendors selling handmade gifts. Sip on a spiked hot chocolate or coquito while you shop! Then the following weekend, had to The Rockaway Hotel on Beach 108th Street for their annual Holiday Market on December 17 and 18 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. And after shopping, con sider stopping for The Rooftop or Margie’s for a few bites. Margie’s will also be hosting a brunch those days from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., with a

special appearance by Santa. Unfortunately, the annual shop ping boutique at St. Camillus is cancelled this year. For any other

upcoming shopping opportunities, make sure to check out the Rocka way Times’ Things to Do and Rock away Good Times pages.

Smoked Mozzarella

Pasta Salad

By Sharon Feldman

Need an easy dish to bring to a party? This one is easy and delicious.

Ingredients:

1 (6oz) jar marinated artichoke hearts

1 (8oz) package rotini pasta, cooked

1 (7 oz) jar roasted red bell pep pers, drained and cut into strips

½ lb smoked mozzarella cheese, cut into ½” cubes

½ (5oz) bag baby spinach leaves (about 1-1/2 cups)

½ (4-5 oz) can chopped green chiles, drained

¼ cup mayonnaise

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

¼ cup pine nuts, toasted 1 garlic clove, minced

Garnishes: tomato wedges, baby spinach leaves

Directions:

Drain artichokes, reserving mar inade. Cut artichokes into strips, and place in a large bowl. Add pas ta, roasted red peppers, smoked mozzarella cheese, baby spinach and green chiles, and gently toss.

Stir together reserved artichoke marinade, mayonnaise, Parme san cheese, pine nuts and garlic and mix until well blended. Add to pasta mixture, stirring to com bine. Cover and chill. Garnish, if desired.

*If you like your pasta wetter, use another ¼ cup of mayonnaise and ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese. I found it too moist.

**1/2 pound smoked gouda or Cheddar may be substituted for smoked mozzarella, if desired.

SPOTTED: 13 STRONG

The undisputed king of rocking the Rockaway Times t-shirts or at least spreading the RT love is Arthur Conner. Arthur was with family in Turks and Caicos for Thanksgiving and made sure the whole crew was the best dressed family in the Caribbean. Let’s see we’ve got Arthur, Patrick, Julianna, Emily, Christine, Nancy, Alexa, Mary, Will, Will, (yes, 2 Wills), Harry, Brian, and Matthew. You all look mah-velous!

Serving the Rockaways Since 1982

Facts You Probably D on’t Need

 Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin were all nominated for the No bel Peace Prize.

 In 2009, WhatsApp cofound er Brian Action was turned down for a job at Facebook. Five years later, Facebook pur chased WhatsApp for $19 bil lion.

 In 2001, the DEA attempted to ban glow sticks from parties by labeling them as “drug para phernalia.”

 More than 90% of the mon arch butterfly population has vanished in the last 25 years.

 In 1998, one satellite failed, and it caused about 80% of the world’s pagers to stop work ing.

 Oceanic plankton - including

plants algae and some bacteria, not trees, produce the majority of the oxygen we breathe.

 Pope Gregory IX waged a war on cats as he believed they were instruments of Satan.



Five-time Tour de France win ner, Miguel Indurain, had a resting heart rate of just 28 beats per minute. The average person has a resting heart rate of about 60-70 beats per minute.

 Bloody Marys were originally called “Buckets of Blood.”

Facts by Sean McVeigh, factolo gist.

Santa at Callies

On Saturday, December 10 at 5 p.m., head to Callie’s on Beach 129th for their annual Santa visit and tree lighting. Hot cocoa and cookies available for the kids. Hot Toddy’s and Irish Coffee available for the adults.

Love Rockaway Santa Suit 5K

On Saturday, December 10, the Rockaway Track Club is hosting its Santa Suit 5K and one mile run/walk. Meet at Healy’s Pub on Beach 108 th from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for suit and bib pick up or late registration. The runs start on the Beach 108 th board walk at 10 a.m. Registration in cludes a santa suit, a medal and a free beer at Healy’s. Pre-regis ter at Rockawaytc.org

Holiday Makers Market

On Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11, from

12 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Rockaway Brewing Company (415 Beach 72nd Street) is hosting a market featur ing goods from local vendors.

Creating Jamaica Bay

On Saturdays, December 10 and 17, head to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge to join a ranger and explore how the utilization of Jamaica Bay has affected the life within our great estuary. This is an all-weather walk, so please dress for the conditions. Space will be limited, so register by calling 718318-4340.

Holiday Sip & Shop

On Saturday, December 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., head to Bungalow Bar for an afternoon of shopping from local vendors. Complimenta ry mimosa for shoppers.

Broad Channel Tree Lighting

On Sunday, December 11 at 5 p.m., head to the Broad Channel

Athletic Club at 125 Cross Bay Blvd. Dance and music perfor mances, a visit from Santa, hot cocoa and more!

Community Board 14

On Tuesday, December 13 at 7:15 p.m., head to the Knights of Columbus (333 Beach 90th) for the monthly CB14 meeting. Hear updates on the Far Rockaway li brary, Parks Committee updates and more. To sign up for public speaking, arrive before the meet ing starts.

SFDS Tree Lighting

On Wednesday, December 14 at 6 p.m., head to the St. Francis de Sales Prayer Garden on Beach 129th and Rockaway Beach Blvd. for the annual lighting of their hundreds of trees and angels.

RBAF Holiday Party

On Thursday, December 15 at 7 p.m., head to the Knights of Co lumbus (333 Beach 90th) to join Rockaway Beach Autism Families in celebrating the holidays. Mu sic, performances, food, raffles and more.

Movie With Santa

On Saturday, December 17 at 6 p.m., head to St. Camillus’ gym (180 Beach 100th) for a holiday movie night with the 100th Precinct Community Council and Santa Claus! Snacks provided. Kids 12 & under. If possible, bring an un wrapped toy to be donated to a charity.

Fitness Class at RISE

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

Chair Yoga at Rise

On Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., head to the RISE Center (58-03Rockaway Beach Blvd). for a free chair yoga class with Certified yoga instructor Ruth Graves. All are welcome! From beginners to seasoned practitioners. Masks re quired inside RISE.

Got events? Send an email to ka tie@rockawaytimes.com with de tails for consideration to be listed.

LEGAL NOTICES

31-39 83rd Holdings LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 10/4/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 69 Pheasant Run, Roslyn, NY 11576. General Purpose

Notice of Formation of 6910 34 AVE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/02/22. Office location: Queens County. Princ. office of LLC: c/o Citizens Development Co., 111-15 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills, NY 11375. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any law ful activity.

Notice of formation of 71-32 ROO SEVELT 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 pro cess may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to: 8425 Elmhurst Ave., #6V, Elmhurst, NY 11373. Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of Formation, H2Z Family Hold ing LLC. Articles of Org. filed with Sec retary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/30/2022. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copies of any process served against the LLC to: The LLC, 141-07 20th Ave - STE 303,Whitestone, NY 11357. Purpose: any lawful purpose or activity.

Notice of Formation of Native Craft’s LLC, Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/14/22. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail pro cess to Native Craft’s LLC, 23020 58 th Avenue, Apt 1, Oakland Gardens NY 11364. Any lawful purpose

F&N 92 Enterprises LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 10/3/2022. Cty:Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 101-35 94th St., Ozone Park, NY 11416.

General 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., Jamai ca, 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 des ignated 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.

87-36 LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 11/15/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom pro cess against may be served & shall mail process to 87-36 126 St., Jamaica, NY 11418.

General Purpose

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

LEGAL NOTICES

MORNING STAR OF NY, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 11/23/22. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 11941 26 th Ave., Flushing, NY 11354, which is also the principal business location. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Miani 247-1 LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 11/17/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 204-08 Jamaica Ave., Hollis, NY 11423. General Purpose

Notice of Formation of ANIKSPRINT LLC., Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/4/2022. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to ANIKSPRINT LLC. 432 Beach 44th Street, Floor 1, Far Rockaway, NY 11691. Any lawful purpose.

Ask the DOC

By Peter Galvin, MD

Primary Care & Covid

Covid-19 substantially changed the practice and delivery of prima ry care medicine in this country, and not for the better. Added to that is the fact that the number of pri mary care practitioners has been dropping for decades. According to projections from the Association of American Medical Colleges, by the year 2034 there will be a shortage of 48,000 primary care physicians (PCPs) in the U.S. At first glance, one might attribute this estimate to the fact that PCPs are the low est paid, hardest working subset of medical specialists, but the prob lem goes much deeper. What has happened to primary care here in the Rockaways is just a microcosm of nationwide trends. 20 years ago, there were at least 10 or 12 solo pri

mary care physicians with offices on the peninsula. These were small offices with one or two physicians who provided only primary care. Today there are none. Today, pri mary care is provided by multispe cialty groups owned by hospitals or large healthcare organizations. Patients often do not see the same physician on subsequent visits or see only physician extenders (PAs and NPs).

For years, PCPs were being crushed between rising costs and decreasing reimbursements. NY state is among the highest states for malpractice, averaging $40,000 per year. Add to that rising insur ance rates, unemployment, payroll taxes, wages, etc., then decreasing payments for services. PCPs soon

found out that maintaining their practices was becoming impossi ble. Then along came COVID. Pa tients listened to news broadcasts that scared the hell out of them. They stayed home in droves, many times to their own disadvantage. Scheduled tests and procedures were cancelled causing cancers and diseases to go undiscovered. Many expressed a common theme – they would rather die at home than go to the doctor’s office. Meanwhile, offices like mine remained empty, which pushed those like me con templating retirement to pull the plug.

The practice of medicine changed drastically during and now, after, COVID-19. Financial reimburse ments changed too, enabling the rise of telemedicine. Prior to Cov id, speaking to a patient over the phone or video link wasn’t reim bursable. Suddenly, telemedicine became lucrative. Also, electronic medical records (EMR, which is now mandated) have changed the reimbursement schedules. For ex ample, EMR has increased the size of the medical record. As anyone

who has been to a doctor lately can tell you, there are forms and ques tionnaires that need to be filled out, all of which becomes part of the record. CMS (Medicare/Medic aid) now allows an existing patient who has not been seen in three years to be reclassified as a new patient. New patients are billed at a higher rate, but some practices limit the number of new patients they accept as a way of keeping patient volume manageable. So suddenly, the patient who sees her doctor every few years for minor is sues screens positive for diabetes. She calls the office only to be told that because she hasn’t been seen in three years, she is a new patient and cannot be seen for six weeks or not at all.

I urge you to see your PCP at least annually for a check-up and to maintain your relationship with the practice. Hopefully you’ll never need that urgent visit, but if you do, it will be available.

Please direct questions and com ments to editor@rockawaytimes. com

Doctors

Sadhana Gupta, MD Zoya Koroleva, DO Stanislav Kaminyar, DO Alla Buzinover, DO

There are times in our lives we find the need to slow down, pause, reflect and take inventory of what is most important in this one crazy life we are living. As we begin to age, there is a desire to have a bucket list of some things we always wanted to do in life but never had the oppor tunity. I find when you have a loss in your life of a loved one, you be come more aware of how fragile life can be and so you choose a path of living a life well lived. Mindfully and slowly with the intention of being kind and compassionate to yourself and others.

The holidays will be difficult for

those of you who are grieving. It will take time to heal and be whole again. My heart goes to those suf fering with loss or sickness. May you know, you are not alone on this path. Finding hope and faith can be powerful tools to help you ease the pain of loss. Support groups will help you find the strength to go on. Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us, “people have a hard time let ting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.”

Whenever I need inspiration, I go to the beloved Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk who

NAVIGATING LOSS

was exiled from his country and choose to spread the message of peace and forgiveness. A prolific author who spent his life spread ing the message of non-violence and the practice of mindfulness. Present moment and mantras can be helpful in times of unease. Transforming fear into love can be a daily practice of bringing the here and now into your life. Sor row, fear and suffering are part of us. To acknowledge and hold space for these emotions is heal ing. Learn the art of composting, turning suffering into love. Trans formation is always possible with a smile. Mantras can change how we think and feel. The following man tras were given to us by Thich Nhat Hanh to help support us in water ing seeds of happiness and trans forming fear into love.

1. Dear one, I am here for you. Cultivate your love with your pres ent family and friends. Your pres ence is your greatest gift. Be here now.

2. Darling, I know you are there,

and I am so happy. To be loved is to be recognized. Love, compas sion, joy and freedom are the four keys to happiness.

3. Darling, I know you are suffering that is why I am here for you. Mani fest your true presence to your loved one. Our presence is a miracle.

4. Dear one, I am suffering, please help me. In true love there is no place for pride. This last man tra can be the most difficult one to practice. Overcome your pride and ask for help.

The four mantras work to re move doubt and loneliness. I have found them powerful in healing and becoming whole when the ghost of loss visits me. May you find comfort in your own pres ence and know you are loved. “I have arrived, I am Home. I don’t want to run anymore, I’ve been running all my life, and I’ve ar rived nowhere. Now I want to stop. My destination is the here and now, the only time and place where true life is possible.” Thich Nhat Hanh

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Far Rock Man Sentenced to Life for Murder

On Monday, December 5, Queens District Attorney Melin da Katz announced that Joaquin Bullock was sentenced in Queens Supreme Court to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of a Far Rockaway man. The defendant argued with the victim before fatally shooting him in the chest in 2018.

“This defendant ended a phys ical altercation with deadly retri bution,” Katz said. “A jury convict ed him for his actions and today a judge determined his fate. We will continue to fight the plague of gun violence, on the streets and in the courts, with all our might and re sources.”

Bullock, 35, of Chandler Street in Far Rockway, was sentenced on Monday by Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder. Follow ing a two-week trial in November, Bullock was convicted of murder in the first degree, kidnapping in the first degree and criminal pos

session of a weapon in the second degree.

According to trial testimony, on Saturday, August 18, 2018, at ap proximately 11 p.m., Bullock was captured on video surveillance arguing and fighting with several males on Beach 25th Street and Brookhaven Avenue, including the victim, 28-year-old Dion Smith. The defendant returned to the scene 30 minutes after the initial altercation, grabbed the victim by the arm and forcibly removed him from the location to a dark alley on Brookhaven Avenue. Bullock then fatally shot the victim once in the chest.

Assistant District Attorney Tim othy Regan, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Felony Trial Bu reau IV, prosecuted the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Sarah Elardo under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Karen H. Rankin, Bureau Chief.

Permanent Ramps Coming to B 24/25

No.: 2020 188/A CITATION

FREE AND INDEPENDENT

Heeren

CITATION

Ihnen,

The unknown distributees, legatees, devisees, heirs at law and assignees of MARIECHEN PICHI ARELLO A/K/A MARIE PICHIARELLO, deceased, or their estates, if any there be, whose names, places of residence and post office addresses are unknown to the petitioner and cannot with due diligence be ascertained A copy of this citation and the accounting, as well as all amendments to it, if any, shall be served on the Guardian Ad Litem, Christine Wallace, Esq Being the persons interested as creditors, legatees, distributees or otherwise in the Estate of MARIECHEN PICHIARELLO A/K/A MARIE PICHIARELLO, deceased, who at the time of death was a resident of 353 Beach 48th Street, Far Rockaway, NY 11691, in the County of Queens, State of New York.

Things are ramping up in the Beach 20s. According to Lisa George of Senator James Sand ers’ office, NYC Parks is beginning construction on permanent ramps from the street to the Boardwalk at Beach 24 and Beach 25th Streets.

“The work will consist of replac ing the temporary metal ramps with permanent ramps, to match other locations along the board walk. These ramps will tie in with the existing stair landings and

sidewalks. The contractor will phase the work so that at any given time, access will be available on at least one block or the other. (They will demolish one ramp now, drive the piles for the new ramps, install the first new ramp, then demol ish the second existing ramp.) We have asked the contractor to try to have as much work done as pos sible prior to the beach season in May,” NYC Parks said, according to George.

SEND GREETING: Upon the petition of LOIS M. ROSENBLATT, Public Administrator of Queens County, who maintains her office at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, Queens County, New York 11435, as Administrator of the Estate of MARIECHEN PICHIARELLO A/K/A MARIE PICHIARELLO, deceased, you and each of you are hereby cited to show cause before the Surrogate at the Surrogate’s Court of the County of Queens, to be held at the Queens General Courthouse, 6th Floor, 88 11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, City and State of New York, on the 19th day of January, 2023 at 9:30 o’clock in the forenoon, why the Account of Proceedings of the Public Administrator of Queens County, as Administrator of the Estate of said deceased, a copy of which is attached, should not be judicially settled, and why the Surrogate should not fix and allow a reasonable amount of compensation to GERARD J SWEENEY, ESQ., for legal services rendered to petitioner herein in the amount of $23,295.28 and that the Court fix the fair and reasonable additional fee for any services to be rendered by GERARD J SWEENEY, ESQ , hereafter in connection with proceedings on kinship, claims etc., prior to entry of a final Decree on this accounting in the amount of 6% of assets or income collected after the date of the within accounting; and why the Surrogate should not fix and allow an amount equal to one percent on said Schedules of the total assets on Schedules A, A1, and A2 plus any additional monies received subsequent to the date of this account, as the fair and reasonable amount payable to the Office of the Public Administrator for the expenses of said office pursuant to S C.P.A §1106(3); and why the petitioner should not be authorized to retain the sum of $35,000 00 to satisfy the contingent and possible claim of Gil Perez, Esq and Ed Chesnik, Esq., for a period of 6 months from the date of the decree to be settled hereon; and why, upon service on the petitioner of an Order from the New York Supreme Court fixing the legal fees and commissions of Gil Perez, Esq. and Ed Chesnik, Esq. for services rendered to the decedent, petitioner should not be further authorized to pay Gil Perez, Esq. and Ed Chesnik, Esq., said amount not to exceed $35,000.00; and why if Gil Perez, Esq and Ed Chesnik, Esq . should fail to obtain an order form the New York Supreme Court fixing the legal fee and commissions for services rendered to the decedent within six months from the Notice of Entry of the Decree to be settled hereon, the a mount retained by the petitioner shall be distributed as set forth in t he petition; and why the claim from the NYC H uman Resources Administration in t he amount of $870,635.84 should not be paid to the extent of the net distributable estate. Dated, Attested and Sealed 17th day of November, 2022 HON. PETER J. KELLY Surrogate, Queens County Janet Edwards Tucker Chief Clerk GERARD J. SWEENEY, ESQ. (718) 459-9000 1981 Marcus Avenue, Suite 200 Lake Success, New York 11042

NOTICE: THIS CITATION IS

RE-QUIRED

REQUIRED

LAW.

File

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BY THE GRACE OF GOD,

To: Roolf Ihnen, Johanne Tjaden, Elfriede Daro, Karin Deckers, Folkert

Stroman

Marianne Veit Cornelius, Attorney General of the State of New York

SERVED UPON YOU AS

BY

YOU ARE NOT

TO APPEAR; HOWEVER, IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR IT WILL BE ASSUMED YOU DO NOT OBJECT TO THE RELIEF REQUESTED. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY APPEAR FOR YOU, AND YOU OR YOUR ATTORNEY MAY REQUEST A COPY OF THE FULL ACCOUNT FROM THE PETITIONER OR PETITIONER’S ATTORNEY Accounting Citation

LOCAL COLOR: READERS

SEND IN THEIR PIX

We might be a little biased, but we think some of the best photographers in the world live in Rockaway. Here are some shots that readers shared with us this week. Send your photos (limit to 2 per week) to mail@rockawaytimes.com and we’ll do our best to print them (space permitting). We do receive more than we can print.

Abby DuPree

Andrzej Zbrog

Bob Atanasio

Graham Cullis

Mark Eidinger

Uladzimir Taukachou

Petra Becker

Kevin Regan

LOCAL COLOR MORE: READERS

SEND IN THEIR PIX

We might be a little biased, but we think some of the best photographers in the world live in Rockaway. Here are some shots that readers shared with us this week. Send your photos (limit to 2 per week) to mail@rockawaytimes.com and we’ll do our best to print them (space permitting). We do receive more than we can print.

Marek Piechocki

Ken Lavery

Uladzimir Taukachou

Tom Stray

Drew Capul

Linda Anthonijsz

Vincent Moriarty

ROCKAWAY GOOD TIMES

By Kami-Leigh Agard

Time to get into the holiday swing with a festive Rockaway Good Times weekend crawl! Check out our enter tainment guide below.

LIVE MUSIC

THURSDAY, December 8

7 p.m.

New biz, Rose Den, is making your holidaze rosier than ever with DJ Baroque spinning acid jazz, instru mental funk and soul every Thurs day.

174 Beach 116th Street

FRIDAY, December 9

7 p.m. to Midnight

Tonight, RBQ transforms into a sa loon as Road kill Country Outlaws stomps in, slingin’ honky tonk tunes. 97-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd 8 p.m.

’Tis the season to rock around the Christmas Tree with Wine With Sue at Bar Marseille’s Winter Wonderland! 190 Beach 69th Street 9 p.m.

Tonight at the Belle Harbor Yacht Club, Gerald Bair fills the room with his powerful voice and magical storytell ing. By the end of the night, “truth be told,” you’ll be “blowin’ in the wind…” 533 Beach 126th Street

9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Isn’t it the most wonderful time for a beer and a sing-a-long with Kyle Wade at Rogers?

203 Beach 116th Street

SATURDAY, December 10 8 p.m.

Blackstone blows into Breezy’s Bay House with their flamin’ lineup of Southern rock classics.

500 Bayside Drive, Breezy Point 8 p.m. to Midnight

Go back in time at RBQ as Crossfade jams classics you used to rock on your Walkman.

97-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd

SUNDAY, December 11

5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Mike and Miley are back at Rogers closing off your weekend on a pitch perfect rock note!

203 Beach 116th Street

6:30 p.m.

Bid a sonorous adieu to your week end with Chris Tedesco at Thai Rock. 375 Beach 92nd Street

7 p.m.

As per The Butler, “Get a table, ho ho ho…take your date for dinner and a show,” at The Phil Kadet Quartet’s “Charlie Brown Christmas” at Whit’s End. 97-02 Rockaway Beach Blvd

For Show Time visit: @harborlight pub on Instagram.

Make it a Fun-Day! Sunday! rockin’ with Chris Decker at Harbor Light.

129-18 Newport Avenue

MOVIE NIGHT

FRIDAY, December 9 8 p.m.

Friday nights—Let no man thirst for good beer and a movie at Tap That!

For tonight’s feature and to vote, fol low: @tapthatrbny on Instagram.

111-04 Rockaway Beach Blvd

SUNDAY, December 11 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Indulge guilt-free in Coastal’s heart-warming desserts, while watching family-friendly movie, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” (Two show times). To reserve a free spot to see the movie, visit @coastalrbny on Instagram.

108-19 Rockaway Beach Drive

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

CALLIE’S TREE LIGHTING WITH SANTA SATURDAY, December 10 5 p.m.

(Rescheduled from last Saturday). Don’t miss a chance to cozy up with Old Saint Nick at Callie’s Christmas tree lighting! Kids will be treated to hot cocoa and cookies, while adults in dulge in adult bevies like Irish coffee and hot toddies. For more info, follow @calliesrb on Instagram.

410 Beach 129th Street

BHYC HOSTS AFTER DARK REUNION AND CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE

SATURDAY, December 10 8 p.m.

For the first time in 30 years—Af ter Dark reunites at the Belle Harbor Yacht Club for a classic jam benefiting Christmas toy drive, Toys For Little An gels, which distributes toys to children

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

throughout Brooklyn and Queens. Af ter Dark’s fans will remember them from the ‘90s playing at local treasured spots like Boggianos, The Rain Tower and Blackwater. Unwrapped toys or gift cards welcome. 533 Beach 126th Street

JAMESON’S CHRISTMAS BRUNCH WITH SANTA SUNDAY, December 11 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Gather the kiddos for an early brunch appointment with Santa and his elf at Jameson’s. Enjoy breakfast, picture with Santa, crafts and music. Admis sion: $25 per child. To RSVP, email: Jamesonspubrbny@gmail.com 421 Beach 129th Street

band arrangements. For tickets, menu and more info, visit: https://www. therockawayhotel.com/happenings 108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive

ROGERS CELEBRATES THE BIG 1-0-3 WITH WINE WITH SUE

SATURDAY, December 10 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Get ready to turn it up with Wine With Sue and rock to Rogers’ 103rd anniversary as Rockaway’s oldest Irish pub. Lá breithe sona duit Rogers! 203 Beach 116th Street

3RD HOLIDAY DRAG BRUNCH

AT THE ROCKAWAY HOTEL

SUNDAY, December 11 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

RBAF HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE

ONGOING until December 14

Gift smiles to the local autism com munity by donating an unwrapped present to The Rockaway Times and Robin Shapiro Realty’s Holiday Toy Drive for Rockaway Beach Autism Families’ holiday party. Gift drop-off locations: The Rockaway Times (11404 Beach Channel Drive) and Knights of Columbus’ Tap Room (333 Beach 90th Street). Thank you!

SPECIAL MENTIONS!

CHEFS ON THE BEACH AT THE ROCKAWAY HOTEL THURSDAY, December 8 6:30 p.m. Tonight! It’s the second installation of The Rockaway Hotel’s Chef On The Beach Series starring Italian culinary superstar, Chef Silvia Barban of Lari na Pastificio e Vino; bringing Natale a Rockaway with her signature blend of northern and southern Italian fam ily recipes. For the mouth-watering menu, tickets and more info, visit: https://www.therockawayhotel.com/ happenings 108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive

THE ROCKAWAY HOTEL BIG BAND SHOW & DINNER

SATURDAY, December 10 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Kickstart your holiday celebrations on a grand note with family and friends at The Rockaway Hotel’s Harbor Room! Enjoy a three-course dinner, premium open bar, and an exciting night filled with the sounds of Frank Sinatra's standard tunes and holiday classics big

Get ready for drinks, brunch and family-friendly entertainment at Gin ger Ladd’s 3rd Annual Holiday Drag Brunch at The Rockaway Hotel! Tick et tiers available for all ages. For tick ets and more info, visit: https://www. therockawayhotel.com/happenings 108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive

SHOP LOCAL

ROCKAWAY MAKERS HOLIDAY MARKET

SATURDAY, December 10 & SUNDAY, December 11 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Shop ’til you drop at Rockaway Mark ers two-day holiday market featuring an eclectic lineup of vendors selling one-of-a-kind items for that special someone! Happening again at Rock away Brewing Co., Breaker RBNY and the Brewery will also be open on both days selling food and bevies, and on Sunday, vibe to live jazz from The Rat Catz. For daily vendor lineup, follow: @ rockawaymakersmkt on Instagram. 415 Beach 72nd Street

RUFFLE BAR HOLIDAY SIP & SHOP

Sunday, December 11

12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Sip on winter-inspired adult bevies such as spiked cocoa, coquito and san gria as you shop at Ruffle Bar’s Holiday Market, featuring a variety of local ven dors selling jewelry, candles, Christ mas decor, clothing and more!

919 Cross Bay Blvd, Broad Channel

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

Life With Our “Artistic” Child

By Kami-Leigh Agard

does always send an angel. The bus monitor with her always patient de meanor said, “Soa is like any child, just having a day.”

I recently read this line from a blog by Ellen Stumbo on “The Mighty”: “Some people might look on as we parent kids with disa bilities and think our lives must be hard.” Simply stated, yes, it is! BUT…as parents we just do as all parents do—disability or not—love our children. And as Stumbo’s blog continues, “but even though there are hard days and hard moments and hard hours, they do not steer our lives. What really matters —

what is most important—is love.”

Folks, I can play my violin and tell you about the tough days. Just this past Tuesday, for the millionth time I was told it took over an hour to get my daughter off the bus to get into school. Upon arriving home, it took over an hour to get her off the bus, then off the sidewalk just to get into the house. Amidst all this, the neigh bor was patiently waiting in his car because my little Soa was sitting in front of his driveway. However, God

As frustrated and helpless I felt this past Tuesday, my 14-year-old baby’s face made me melt. Folks, this is how a parent loves, and I’m sure you can relate. Whether your child has autism, another disabil ity, a learning delay or just exhibit ing some behavior issues, we love them anyway, and would give our last drop of blood just to see them live their best life. And for me, with all the nuances on my own life’s re sume, God has continuously shown me his grace, mercy and love. So, how could I not do the same for my daughter, my sole drive to live!

So, parents—parenting is not an easy road. Yet, how blessed we are that we have our Father in heaven’s unconditional love that we can in turn, bestow to our children—disa bility or not.

I’ll leave this scripture with you: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily an

Beach Channel Hoops Dolphins Digest

By Keith Stephens Jr.

The 2022-2023 basketball sea son kicked off this past week for the Varsity Boys Dolphins of Beach Channel Educational Campus. This came after a pre-season with very successful scrimmages against Stuyvesant High School and Schol ars Academy. Right off the bat, the Dolphins were given three games in week one of the PSAL season. It was time to put everything learned in the pre-season to the test.

The first game of the season was the home opener against Epic High School South. This is an up-andcoming PSAL program playing a really extensive schedule. In this contest, the Dolphins jumped out to an early lead but found them selves down three at halftime. Not much changed after the half, as the Dolphins were down three after the third quarter and then would

eventually lose the game 60-50 to the Jaguars of Epic South. Senior Malakai Clark had 22 points while Junior Jamell Fletcher contributed 15 in the loss.

Game two of the season came on the road against the Knights of Franklin K. Lane. The Dolphins found themselves down 7 at half

time in this contest. The tables turned, however, in the third quar ter as the Dolphins outscored the Knights 24-9 in the period. This offensive outburst by the Dolphins created a lead for them that they would not relinquish. The game ended with the Dolphins taking down Franklin K. Lane 71-61. Sen

gered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but re joices with the truth. It always pro tects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

A tough act to follow, but parents— we do this every minute of the day.

Next Thursday, December 15 at 7 p.m., join Rockaway Beach Autism Families at our 4th Annual Holiday Party happening at Knights of Co lumbus (333 Beach 90th Street). The party is free, and all are welcome to attend! Plus, don’t miss Rockaway Beach Dance Company ’s dance per formance and Old Saint Nick adding his “Ho, ho, ho” to our special gath ering. Huge shout out to Richie Knott and the folks at KofC for hosting us, and the plethora of business and in dividuals who contributed to make our event happen. Also, it’s not too late to donate a gift to RBAF’s toy drive or free holiday gift raffle. For further info, email kami@rocka waybeachautismfamilies.org or visit Rockaway Beach Autism Families on Facebook/Instagram. Join us in mak ing the holidays merry for our autism community.

ior Malakai Clark led all scorers with 31 points, while Sophomore Ronald Perry pitched in with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

Game three of the season was also on the road against the Spar tans of John Adams High School. The Dolphins jumped out to a double-digit lead in the second quarter. This lead, however, would not last as the Dolphins went into halftime with only a three-point cushion. The second half saw a lit tle back and forth action but the Dolphins would keep the lead and not look back. The final score had the Dolphins taking down John Adams 60-53. Malakai Clark fin ished as the high scorer again with 27 points. Jamell Fletcher added 19 points while Senior George Hance pitched in with 12 points.

The Dolphins move to 2-1 on the season with 15 PSAL games re maining. Go Dolphins!!!

We All Do It Because of God’s Unconditional Gift—Love

Welcome to another week of Wrestle Talk, let's dive into the lat est wrestling news!

During this past week's WWE Smackdown, we saw the returning Tegan Nox make her main roster debut, but it was too little fanfare. Reports coming from fans that attended the Smackdown Show, stated her debut was met with a mild response. Now online, there was a more positive response to Tegan Nox's debut, with many say

ing they hope bringing her back will rejuvenate the WWE Smack down Women’s Division.

Staying, on the Women's Divi sion, but this time in regard to the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) women's division, many female wrestlers there are overall happy that the company provides the women's division with storylines. But many still feel they need a lot more tel evision time to really make an im pact with the fans.

The future of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) Dark Show, may be up in the air at the moment. AEW Dark has usually been taped at Orlan do's Universal Studios, but as of late, they have been taped, in front of a live audience right before AEW Dynamite Show is scheduled to air. Plans are in the air if the Dark portion of the show will go back to Universal Studios. AEW Dark tapings, have been traditionally, an opportunity for independent

wrestling talent to show case their skills to AEW booking staff.

For those of you who watch the Young Rock TV Show, which is tel evised on the NBC network, there was a huge tease in the show, that The Rock would return to the ring at WrestleMania 39. Many have speculated that we could see, a Ro man Reigns vs The Rock at Wres tleMania 39, but after seeing this tease on the Young Rock show, this might have sealed the deal on that match happening. We will keep you posted!

The Question of the Week comes from Jeremy H. in Rockaway Park and he asked, "Do you have any updates on CM Punk in AEW?" Jer emy, unfortunately, I don't have anything new to report. The last bit of information we got was that Punk has no plans to return back to the company, and AEW feels the same way. If I get any breaking news, we will cover on here.

Thank you for all the questions sent in this week. If you have a question or comment, please send it to eavil183@yahoo.com and have a great weekend!

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