Rockaway Times- 3 19 15 by Rockaway Times

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VOL. 1, NO.39 - THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

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On Saturday, March 14, Breezy Point’s own New York Guard Lt. Col. Martin Ingram was honored with the Medal for Valor for his actions as fire chief of the Point Breeze Fire Department on October 29, 2012 when Hurricane Sandy hit. Ingram’s heroic actions included evacuating citizens from rising flood waters and saving a resident inside a burning building. The Medal for Valor is the highest medal for bravery given out by New York State and is awarded for acts of valor, heroism, courage or

gallantry in either a civilian or military capacity. The New York Guard is a volunteer state defense force whose members augment the actions of the New York National Guard during state missions and state emergencies. Ingram has been a member of the New York Guard since 2004 and currently serves as commander of the New York Guard’s 88th Brigade, headquartered at Lexington Avenue Armory. Ingram, 64, was awarded the medal at a leadership meeting at the New York Guard training site in Peekskill, New York.

Comhghairdeas, Rockaway! Just before St. Patrick’s Day on Tuesday, ABC News and Good Morning, America! tapped Rockaway/Breezy Point as one of the country’s top five authentic Irish destinations. ABC noted that, despite the City’s Irish-American population making up just about five percent of the total population, Rockaway

has long been known as place with deep Irish roots and has grown into a mecca for Irish immigrants due to widely celebrated events like the Rockaway Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and The Irish Festival in May. The area’s ties with the Emerald Isle were further deepened when people from across the pond reached out to help after Hurricane Sandy. ABC’s list also included Chicago, Syracuse, Philadelphia, and Boston.

Hey, You Guys and Dolls: Audition Luck, be a lady tonight! The Rockaway Theatre Company is holding auditions for all roles for their upcoming performance of Guys and Dolls this summer. Auditions will be held on Sunday, March 29 from 2-4 p.m. and on Monday, March 30 from 7-10

p.m. Callbacks will be scheduled if needed. You must appear at the theatre on one of these two dates or you will be ineligible for casting. For more information on the auditions please visit Rockaway Theatre Company’s website at www. rockawaytheatrecompany.org.

The Rockaway Times

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

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The Rockaway Times

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

Woman Dies in Surfside Blaze;

Alarm Raised About Inoperable Smoke Detectors By Katie McFadden

An apartment fire on the 7th floor of 107-10 Shore Front Parkway resulted in the death of a 77-year-old woman. According to fire marshals, the cause was a combination of a smoking accident and a lack of working smoke alarms in the apartment. On Saturday, March 14, there was quite a scene outside the Surfside building when 20 units and 85 firefighters responded to a call at 1:36 p.m. A fire had broken out in an apartment on the 7th floor of the 13-story building. The fire was contained to the single apartment and was under control at 2:14 p.m., but an elderly woman in the apartment was pronounced dead on arrival. “It’s an absolute tragedy when any member of our community passes and my heart and thoughts and prayers go out to the family,” Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder said. “I think we all have the responsibility to be prepared and knowledgeable about how to stay safe. She shouldn’t die in vain. We should all learn to be better prepared.” Following the fire, many residents of the building learned that

their building didn’t seem prepared. Many residents claimed that they didn’t even know there was a fire in the building, until they saw the fire trucks outside, as alarms didn’t go off. Curious about the lack of warning, some residents inspected the smoke detectors in their hallways and found that several of them were not functional. One resident claims he opened up one of the detectors and found that it didn’t even have batteries. “I checked the ones on my floor and none of the four were operable. Then after speaking with a neighbor, I opened one up and there were no batteries inside,” a resident of the building said. “They are basically the low budget kind. I have no idea if they ever had batteries installed.” The resident added that one of the two emergency lights on the floor didn’t work. Many residents called 311, the FDNY and contacted management to make them aware of the issue. While a lack of working smoke detectors in a residential building seems like an emergency situation, especially following a deadly fire, Goldfeder hopes residents can find some relief by knowing that

the building is fireproof. Following proper protocol, representatives from the FDNY returned to the building the next day to educate residents about fire safety, give them advice about what to do when there is a fire in the building, and provide them with batteries to replace the ones in their apartment smoke detectors. Many residents were surprised to learn that they live in a fireproof building. “We spoke to dozens of people who came down, about what they should be doing as far as proper protocol goes. All of the Surfside buildings are fireproof buildings. I had no idea and most people didn’t know they were living in a fireproof building,” Goldfeder said. “I talked to management and the smoke detector situation is not as big of a deal as people think. In a fireproof building, you need to have smoke detectors in the apartments but if there’s a fire in the hallway, it’s best to stay in the apartment. Most people will hear a smoke alarm go off and they’ll want to get out of the building. According to the FDNY, most people get hurt trying to evacuate a building where you’re supposed to stay in place,” Goldfeder

Photo by Lou Romas

said. “We need all of the smoke detectors to be working but we also need families to take it upon themselves to properly plan for a fire.” “In a fireproof building, as long as the fire is not in your apartment, your best option is to keep the door shut and line the bottom of the door with wet towels to keep smoke from getting it. It is very unlikely that the fire will spread to another apartment,” Goldfeder added. “I give tremendous credit to the fire department for putting out the fire and following up with residents the next day,” Goldfeder said.

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The Rockaway Times

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

Sands Point Physical Therapy By Kevin Boyle

Video The Idle Brain I wonder if lawmakers are like columnists. I mean, it ain’t easy writing a weekly column. Nothing happens, nothing’s going on, a single thought hasn’t entered your head. You start to get a little desperate as the deadline approaches. But you do what you can. And sometimes you pull out a miracle of a decent column but a lot of times you type out 500 words of crapola. It must be the same with some elected officials. They must think, damn, I can’t think of any new laws to propose. I gotta do something. Of course, a columnist’s words aren’t worth the paper they’re written on and the crapola is soon forgotten. But when our electeds come up with crapola the stink falls on the rest of us. This week I get to thank City Councilman Donovan Richards. A column idea refused to form in my head and I started getting a little desperate but then our Rockaway rep offered some public crapola that gave me a column and demonstrates just what I mean. Richards, representing Rockaway on the City Council, has according to his website: “spent the last decade fighting to improve the lives of all New Yorkers.” He’s now trying to enrich a snitch or two. He’s proposing that New Yorkers turn in other New Yorkers who sit in their cars with the engines idling. He proposes that people use their cell phones and send in the video evidence to receive a reward. The online news site, Gothamist reported on the genius Richards move. “You could probably become a millionaire doing this thing,” Richards joked to reporters. Yeah, hysterical. Let’s turn all citizens into video bounty hunters. Someone jaywalks? Film it and win $50. Someone doesn’t come to a complete stop at a stop sign? Film it and get $300. Don’t stop someone from getting beat up? Film it instead and get $300. And if there’s a conviction, get $200 more. Richards is the chair of the Environmental Committee of the City Council so he’s just trying to keep

us healthy. “It’s not just about the money but it’s also about changing human behavior and people may not know they are doing damage to the environment, to their elders, to their children, hypothetically in some cases killing people.” Idling cars might hypothetically be killing people but guns in the 31st Council District are more than hypothetical but I digress….I mean, I don’t want to suggest that maybe he’s more interested in idling cars than drive by shootings. Anyway, idling cars are no good. Ok, I’m buying that. So, why isn’t the City using smart lights so drivers don’t sit at red lights for minutes while there is no cross traffic or pedestrians? It’s 9 o’clock at night and you’re driving through Broad Channel or down Rockaway Beach Boulevard in the Beach 40s and you hit every light. Can I video tape my own car idling and send it for some money? Maybe Richards will go on a roll. Maybe he’ll tell people to videotape other peoples’ garbage cans. They might film a piece of paper that really should be in the cardboard recycling can. They can film the garbage and send it for some dough. Because, you know, not recycling, hypothetically, can kill people. We must arm all citizens with video phones and reward them when they send in video evidence. It’s genius on so many levels. Not only can we have people snitching to make money we can make more laws so that opportunities are expanded. Let’s videotape people going into McDonald’s (‘cause if anything is killing people…) Let’s make it a law for people to cover their mouths when they cough; let’s make it illegal for men to wear speedos. Wait, forget that last one. Videotaping that could be its own danger. How about we get money for videotaping politicians offering crapola? Now, we’re talking. And Councilman Richards, you’re on the Environmental Committee? Let’s forget about idling cars. How about we get rewarded for filming the sewage treatment plant on Beach Channel.

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Flood Insurance Update:

FEMA Shakeup; Claims Reopened; NY State Option By Michael Leboff

Thousands of flood insurance claims filed by victims of Hurricane Sandy are going to be reopened. Following a meeting with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate, US Senators Charles Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand (New York) and Bob Menendez, and Cory Booker (New Jersey) announced that the agency will reopen every one of the approximately 144,000 flood insurance claims filed by victims of Hurricane Sandy and will not limit corrective action to the 2,200 that are currently in litigation. The announcement builds on a series of actions and reforms the Senators have secured to resolve Sandy victims’ claims backed up by evidence of being victimized by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and to hold the agency accountable. “In this meeting, FEMA acknowledged its failure to oversee a flood insurance program that cheated Superstorm Sandy victims out of muchneeded funding to rebuild their homes and get their lives back on track,” Schumer said. “Amongst many neces-

sary reforms, I am particularly pleased that FEMA Administrator Fugate and Brad Kieserman have heard our call and will reopen and review all 144,000 flood insurance claims made by Sandy victims- a critically necessary move.” The re-opening of cases isn’t the only recent flood news. In addition to the work being done at the federal level, State Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder announced that his legislation to establish the joint underwriting association and protect struggling families faced with rising flood premiums has been sponsored in the New York State Senate by Senator James Seward. The veteran lawmaker chairs the influential State Senate Standing Committee on Insurance. “It’s an honor to have the support of such a great advocate for better insurance company practices like Senator James Seward,” Goldfeder said. “The New York Flood Insurance Association will finally rid us of the dysfunctional FEMA National Flood Insurance Program and give our families the protection they deserve against rising insurance premiums and unfair provider practices. I

look forward to working with Senator Seward and with all my colleagues in the legislature to see to it that we make this Association a reality.” Last week, Seward introduced Senate Bill S4222-2015, the Senate companion to Goldfeder’s Assembly Bill A5638-2015 to create the New York Flood Insurance Association. Seward is the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Insurance, as well as Senate Assistant Majority Leader on conference operations, a role that has him working with the leadership to set legislative priorities and direct bills to the floor for vote. On the federal side, FEMA has committed to hold accountable all those who were involved in the program that may have fostered fraudulent behavior. “From the moment I saw the evidence of this fraud, my first thought was that someone should go to jail for this, so I called the NY Attorney General to ask him to take a look at it, and raised the issue with Administrator Fugate,” Gillibrand said. “I am pleased the Attorney General is investigating this very closely and the seriousness the Administrator expressed today in making this right for homeowners and ensuring everyone involved in this fraud is held accountable. There needs to be top to bottom reform so that this can never happen again.” Changes to the program have already begun to take shape. David Miller, who has been serving as FEMA’s associate administrator for the

The Rockaway Times Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA) since September 2011, has resigned from the post. It is also reported that other NFIP staffers have been moved and another one has been fired. Fugate announced that FEMA is taking steps to develop a process for all Sandy victims who believe that their claims were unjustly denied or lowballed, to be reopened and reviewed. He also guaranteed that claimants will have access to all engineering reports. FEMA will contact all Sandy claimants by mail to make them aware of the new process. He also claimed that there will be personnel changes at the senior levels of the NFIP. Fugate also discussed a number of issues they have raised concerning the oversight and management of the NFIP and the evidence of fraudulent practices by some contractors of FEMA’s Write Your Own (WYO) insurance carriers. He said FEMA is committed to finding out any engineering firm or WYO that committed fraud and expelling them from the NFIP. FEMA will commence the Sandy Task Force and begin evaluation of the program during the week of April 13. They will work with the task force on short and long term reforms including the practice of peer-reviewed engineering reports, oversight of the WYOs, claims appeals process and balancing the penalty structure for over and underpayments.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

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more info.

lot of selling in Breezy (and doing more now in Rockaway) says she had a great year. ***** Give us your email and we’ll send you the entire Rockaway Times by email each week. You can email us directly at Mail@RockawayTimes.com or go to our website, rockawaytimes.com and fill in the easy form. You can also read The Rock Times on your phone, as our site is mobile-friendly.

***** Congrats to Marty Ingram. He was the recipient of the New York Medal of Valor, the state’s highest military award on Saturday, March 14, at Camp Smith Training Site. Marty was recognized for his efforts in Breezy on the night of Sandy. ***** It’s officially spring this week. Even though snow in April isn’t unheard of, we figure it was a good time to ask you for the Top 10 things about Rockaway. See the roundup in this week’s paper. We got lots of nominations about favorite things. Funny, nobody mentioned shoveling (or winter, for that matter). ***** More evidence of the Rockaway renaissance: Arverne By The Sea reported great sales over the winter. So much so, they had to raise some of the prices. The Condos on Beach 125th and Rockaway Beach Boulevard are now all sold. And Janet Redmond Hogan who does a

***** You should put this on the list of things to know about. The Army Corps of Engineers will soon be holding public meetings regarding its Reformulation Study. If you want to get informed or have a say about what will be done to make Rockaway and other parts of the City safer from future storms, these meetings should be put on your calendar. Jetties, huge gates across Jamaica Bay, dunes, seawalls, oyster beds, and other ideas are all in the mix. The eventual implementation will change the peninsula forever. ***** Lots of parishioners at St. Francis de Sales are talking about how much Father John will be missed. The muchloved priest is not going far. He’ll be helping out at St. Camillus. ***** Spring arrives and so do higher tolls on the bridges. The full fare on the local bridges will be $4. The E-Zpass discount on the Marine Park Bridge

for residents will be $1.36 ($2.08 for non-Rockaway residents). The full rebate remains in effect on the Cross Bay Bridge. ***** Are you one of those late all the time people? And you need some new excuses? DNAInfo, an online news and entertainment site, has an “excuse generator” inspired by, who else, Bill de Blasio. You type in who you were supposed to meet and where, and the lollygagging Mayor gives you an excuse. ***** Time to get ready. Sign kids up for summer camps; get your older ones to get summer jobs. The Summer Youth Employment Program provides New York City youth with paid summer employment for up to six weeks in July and August. The deadline to submit is April 10, 2015. Go to application.nycsyep.com/ to apply online. ***** The Sugar Cube, the temporary (we think!) name of the Sugar Bowl, the popular oceanfront bar in Breezy Point will reopen in May. See, it really is spring, and announcements like these will keep coming! ***** Wish Rocks! If you’re looking for something for the kids to do, Rockaway Wish is holding a special concert just for the kiddies this weekend. It takes place at St. Camillus Springman Hall on Sunday, March 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. Email info@rockawaywish.org for tickets.

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In a way, it started with flood maps. That was the first indication that FEMA and The National Flood Insurance Program couldn’t be trusted. This week the NFIP Director David Miller and his 2nd in command, Ed Connor, resigned. Resigned sounds like another word for fired to us. Their resignations came on the heels of the news about fraudulent engineer reports being issued in order to decrease payments to insured homeowners. The NFIP is a mess and must be changed before Congress reauthorizes it, scheduled for 2017. ***** 2017. We can hardly wait. A boardwalk. A ferry. A sensible flood program? ***** Ever thought of acting? The Rockaway Theatre Company will be holding auditions at the Fort Tilden theater for the June-July production of Guys and Dolls on the following dates and times: Sunday, March 29, 2- 4 p.m. or Monday- March 30, 7-10 p.m. Visit the website rockawaytheatrecompany.org for

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

The Rockaway Times

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The Rockaway Times

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

The Pothole 500

RDRC Is S-L-O-W

The RDRC has owned the O’Kane Building that is adjacent to the Mott Avenue subway station in Far Rockaway since 2001. This blighted and decrepit structure still remains an eyesore. Promised renovations seem to be dragging on forever. If the RDRC truly means business they should finish fixing and restoring this building NOW with no more excuses or delay. Marty Nislick

Likes LNG

Dear Editor: I support - 100% - the proposed LNG Hub 20+ miles off the NY and New Jersey coastlines. It’s a logical and environmentally sound substitute for New York’s absurd and archaic reliance on heating oil and crude oil. Plus, the underground and underwater delivery of natural gas substitutes smartly, safely and much-more-cleanly than the belching and archaic NJ cracker - The Bayway - that was built by John D Rockefeller over one hundred years ago! Here we have America’s greatest city (a) relying on a 108 year-old smoke-stack refinery and (b) heating our homes and buildings with distillates. What’s up with that senselessness??? Who in America does this anymore - except NYC! Plus, gas is 50 percent cheaper than crude oil. We heat and power our city with crude and NYC’s electric rates - that everybody from the lowliest to the wealthiest pay every month - are the HIGHEST ELECTRIC RATES in the US. I wonder why? Plus, gas is 30 percent cleaner (more environmentally pure) than crude oil.

Having this proposed hub situated over twenty miles off shore removes any terrorist threat and the proposed underwater pipe syncs neatly with the lateral pipe that already pumps gas between New Jersey and New York. Assuming the builder and developer of this site meets all the regulatory conditions set by the United States Coast Guard, this is a badly needed project that will reward New York with cheaper and greener energy. I’m all for it, as I said, 100 percent. Peter Stubben

More Flies With Honey

Dear Editor: When will the Rockaway dummies learn yelling abusive slogans at a NYC Mayor will never get you funds, services or a ferry for this community. I have watched this with amazement for years. Now go cry to the local papers that Rockaway is forgotten by City Hall. John Carswell

Stewart Pinkerton

CONTACT THE ELECTED Congressman Gregory Meeks

City Councilman Donovan Richards

67-12 Rockaway Beach Boulevard Arverne, NY 11692 Phone: (347) 230-4032

1931 Mott Avenue, Suite 410 Far Rockaway, NY 11691 718-471-7014

Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder

Assemblywoman Michele Titus

214 Beach 96th Street Rockaway Beach, NY 11693 718-945-9550

1931 Mott Avenue Far Rockaway, NY 11691 718- 327-1845

City Councilman Eric Ulrich

Community Board 14

115-06 Beach Channel Drive Suite 103 Rockaway Park, NY 11694 718-738-1083

1931 Mott Ave Far Rockaway, NY 11691 718-471-7300

State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. 88-08 Rockaway Beach Blvd, Rm 311, Rockaway Beach, NY 11693, 718-318-0702

Praise for a Pub

Dear Editor, My friend and I decided to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Brendan’s Pub. From the moment we entered the pub, we were met with warm welcomes from the proprietor, Dan and his wife Stephanie with non-stop Irish music playing from the juke box. They had corned beef and cabbage along with shepherds pie which was catered from The Last Stop. The food was excellent. They displayed the true Irish hospitality. Also, I want to add that their daughter, Samantha was very attentive behind the bar serving customers their drinks. Helen Johnson

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Dear Editor, I know mother always said to say thank you everyday that you wake up, but I save my thank you for a little bit later on in the day -- after I finish my commute. My commute can take me a few different ways, if I want to really push my luck I can take the Belt Parkway. Not only is the Belt always clogged, but it also festers with some of the worst driving these eyes have ever seen. The crowded parkway causes people to grow frustrated and do things that

they should feel bad about. And while the potholes on the Belt are pretty crappy, they are nothing like the ones on my other commute route. The potholes and the construction on Seagirt Avenue are the new poster child for America’s Failing Infrastructure. In closing, I’d like to say that when each one of us gets into a car we are all on the same team. You are not competing with anybody. It is everyone versus nobody. So please drive as a team.

REPORTER Bianca Fortis CONTRIBUTORS Jules Verdone Kat y ouisSALES PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kevin Boyle Fred Marino SALES Frank Chimera CONTRIBUTORS Fred Marino Kat leen alsie ART ri DIRECTOR a Farrell Katie McFadden Erika Farrell REPORTER DESIGN AND LAYOUT DESIGN AND LAYOUT Michael Leboff Dragon y rap ics Printing Services, LLC Richner THE TIMES THE ROCKAWAY ROCKAWAY TIMES 114-04 Beach Channel Drive, Rockaway 1144 Beac annel Drive oc a ayPark, ar NYY11694 11694 Phone: 718-634-3030 •e-mail Email: news@rockawaytimes.com one 718-634-3030 ne s roc a aytimes com

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Rockaway Beach is becoming a popular hangout spot for seals. Last week, beachgoers helped save a harbor seal on Beach 73rd Street. Another one was spotted on Beach 148th Street on the evening of Friday, March 13. The Rockaway Times responded to the scene after receiving a tip about the seal from Lisa Jackson and Laura Johnson-Rivera. As the seal appeared to be in distress, the Rockaway Times contacted the Riverhead Foundation to report the sighting. Riverhead received a report that the harp seal, left the area the next morning. The organization said that the seal’s behavior of lying on its side was not unusual. “Seals will come out to rest on land for a variety of reasons. The best thing to do is give them their space and call

us at our 24 hour hotline number 631-369-9829. That gives us the best opportunity to respond if necessary,” Riverhead said. As there have been many reports of seal sightings in the past few weeks, the Riverhead Foundation offered some advice on things to look out for when making a report. Be sure to look for cuts, scrapes or other signs of injury on the body, behaviors such as aggression, apparent tiredness and labored breathing, and curled whiskers are a sign of dehydration. While Riverhead encourages these descriptions when making a report, it is also important to keep your distance from the animal. People must stay at least 50 yards away according to federal law. If you need to make a report to the Riverhead Foundation, call 631369-9829.

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By Katie McFadden

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

The Rockaway Times

Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation, Inc. (RDRC) of Far Rockaway, Queens invites Rockaway Peninsula and surrounding South Queens and Western Nassau County residents to take advantage of our free programs and services. • Tax preparation services-for individuals and families earning less than $53,000-Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program • Financial Empowerment Program (Free NYC SafeStart Savings Account) • Credit counseling services • HUD certified first-time homebuyer workshops and counseling services. • HUD certified homeownership preservation (foreclosure) workshops and counseling services • New York State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) business assistance for start-up and existing businesses • Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) certification assistance • Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Microsoft Office System certificate courses with our state-of-the-art Time Warner Cable Learning Center • Employment and career placement assistance services

To learn more about RDRC and how to register for our free programs and services call 718.327.5300 or email us at info@rdrc.org. Also visit us at www.rdrc.org.

Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation 1920 Mott Avenue Far Rockaway, NY 11691 RDRC is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Far Rockaway and accessible by bus: Q113, Q22, N31, N32, N33; A-Train; LIRR and vehicle.

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The Rockaway Times

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

Parks Proposes Rule to Permit Boogie Boarding By Katie McFadden

Over the summer, the Parks Department caused an uproar when it suddenly decided to ban boogie boarding on the beach in mid-August. With such a huge response to Alex Karinsky’s article about the issue in the Rockaway Times, the ban didn’t last more than a few days, and beachgoers were back on their boogie boards until Labor Day. The Parks Department has banned boogie boards again, but this time by accident, and they’re proposing to amend regulations so that beachgoers will be able to use the boards by summer. When the Rules for the City of New York were created for this Fiscal Year, the Parks Department forgot to give the okay on boogie boards. “This proposed rule was not included in the Parks Department’s regulatory agenda for this Fiscal Year because it was not contemplated at the time agencies needed to submit the agenda,” a notice from the Parks Department reads. The Parks Department is proposing to add a rule saying that boogie boards can be used. The proposed rule would define boogie boards or body boards as

“being semi-curved rectangular objects made of closed-cell foam designed to be used lying down on the stomach (not for standing on) that are no longer than 46” in length and 24” in width. In addition, body boards must not have rigid or semi-rigid attachments or protrusions that serve as rudders and are used to aid in steering, commonly referred to as ‘skegs.’” The rule would allow the use of boogie boards at City beaches during beach hours in the summer, however the rule also gives Parks Department personnel the “discretion to restrict the use of body boards due to on-site conditions,” meaning someone like a lifeguard can tell bathers that they can’t use a boogie board if the weather isn’t ideal or if the water is too crowded. In order to amend the rules, any city agency must abide by section 1043 of the New York Charter. This law about rulemaking requires the agency to hold a public meeting and public comment period to adopt any rule. The Parks Department has opened its public comment period for the boogie board rule. Those who want to make a comment can go to http://rules.cityofnewyork. us/, email rules@parks.nyc.gov

or write to Amy Kleitman, Senior Counsel, The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, The Arsenal, Central Park, 830 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10065. On Friday, April 17 at 10 a.m., the Parks Department will hold a public hearing in which anyone can speak about the proposed rule. The meeting will be held at the Parks Department’s hearing room

in the Chelsea Recreation Center at 430 West 25th Street in Manhattan. You can sign up to speak before the meeting by calling 212360-1355 or you can sign up in the hearing room before the meeting starts. Each person will have up to three minutes to speak. April 17 is the last day the Parks Department will accept comments for the boogie board proposal.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

Between the Bridges in Broad Channel By Peter J. Mahon

It’s Also Educational Spring starts tomorrow and I can prove it! Go outside and throw a stone into Jamaica Bay and watch carefully. The stone sinks and doesn’t bounce like it has for the past month or so. Can t-shirts, shorts and sandals be far behind? A recent Boyleing Points column by our editor in chief, Kevin Boyle, described the sartorial elegance of the population of Rockaway as follows – “Chances are if you’re wearing button down pajamas to bed, you’re better dressed when you’re asleep than when you’re walking around town.” Don’t be so quick to dismiss Kevin’s bizarre fashion opinions as the musings of a “GQ Wannabe.” He’s dead

serious. After all, many residents of Broad Channel have elevated the wearing of pajamas to that of haute couture given their longstanding tradition of strolling about town in their sleepwear during all hours of the day in search of a newspaper and coffee. In the minds of many a Channel resident, in warmer weather flannel PJ’s are considered absolutely appropriate as “street garb.” Pajamas other than flannel? Add a wind breaker and you’re good to go! The guys and girls up at the Broad Channel VFW hosted a St. Patrick’s Dinner this past weekend for the disabled vets who live at the St. Albans Hospital. As always, all the vets who

attended had a grand old time and fluent blarney was spoken for the entire event. If you missed Walker and the Brotherhood of the Grape and their blowout party at the VFW back in December, don’t worry. You can catch them when they return this weekend Saturday, March 21, accompanied by The Poorhouse and Ethoscope when they sponsor a friend in need fundraiser hosted by the Broad Channel VFW from 8 pm to 2 am. As always, in addition to the great music, there will be food, raffles and 50/50’s. Everyone is welcome but get there early. The December event was packed to the rafters! The following day, Sunday March 22, the doors of the VFW will open at 12 noon for…you guessed it….B-I-NG-O! Replete with door prizes, raffles and 50/50’s, the first game will be called at 12:30 pm. Coffee and cake will be served. That being said, now let’s deal with that 800-pound gorilla in the middle of this column. I know some of you are sitting at your kitchen table snickering while reading this, thinking to yourself, “Bingo -the old people’s game?” Let me assure you it’s not your elderly grandma’s church game anymore. Like bowling, bingo has a ‘50s vibe to it and more and more people are beginning to embrace the retro kitsch ambience of the game. You only have

The Rockaway Times to win once and you’re hooked! Unlike bowling, you don’t have to get out of your seat every few minutes to pick up a 12 or 16 pound ball that you threw away only a few minutes prior, only to have it returned to you just to throw it away again! I bet you didn’t know that B-I-N-GO is also educational. Bingo players inevitably become skilled at listening carefully, recognizing key numbers quickly, discerning Bingo patterns right away and some even play upwards of 40 cards at a time! Okay, maybe not a real useful skill but a skill just the same. It’s all for a good cause so stop by the VFW Sunday afternoon and play some Double Block, Top Hat and Little Joe. Our neighbor, Gwen O’Toole, asked me to remind all of you that the Christ Presbyterian By The Sea Church will be hosting a Penn Social fundraiser on Saturday, March 28 starting at 6:30 pm with a $10 entry fee. All proceeds benefit Relay for Life sponsored by Brian’s Buddies. Want to reserve a table? Contact Nicole Keller at 347-967-9162. There will be a DJ, raffles and 50/50’s. And yes Maureen, B-I-N-G-O is also the name of the farmer’s dog. So please, no more emails. Broad Channel, why would anyone want to live anywhere else? Contact Information: Email – rtbetweenthebridges@gmail.com

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The Rockaway Times

Page 13

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

Facts You Probably Don’t Need As for the facts below, we don’t verify. They might not be facts at all but the Internet says they are! ☛☛☛ ☛ To burn off the colories from one plain M & M you need to walk the length of a football field. ☛ Polar bears are left handed.

☛ The five most common street names in the country are Main, 2nd, Maple, Oak and Park — in that order.

☛ A giraffe can clean its ears with

☛Elephants have a slow pulse rate

its 21-inch tongue!

of 27. For a canary it is 1000.

☛ 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 =

☛Elopement trend on the way?

12,345,678,987,654,321 ☛ Sherlock Holmes never said “El-

ementary, my dear Watson”. In “Casablanca.” Humphrey Bogart never said “Play it again, Sam.” ☛ Months that begin on a Sunday will always have a “Friday the 13th.” (Like this month). ☛ The easiest ZIP Code to remem-

ber is 12345, a unique ZIP Code for General Electric in Schenectady, NY.

The price of weddings has jumped to a new all-time high, reaching an average $31,213 in 2014. The cheapest place to tie the knot was Utah, where couples spent only $15,000 on the big day in 2014. The most expensive place for nuptials was Manhattan at $76,328. ☛The national animal of the United States is the bald eagle. The national animal of Scotland is the unicorn.

Nancy J. Brady, R.N., Esq. Linda Faith Marshak, Esq. Alexander Sam Bader, Esq. Dierdre Maeve Baker, Esq.

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AOH Tees Up For Special Athletes By Michael Leboff

Golf lovers know that consistency is paramount in order to succeed on the course. For a group of golf buddies in the Rockaway chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, it is their consistency off the course that has truly made a difference. For the past five years members of AOH 21 in Rockaway have hosted a benefit golf outing at Jacob Riis Park Golf Course to raise funds for the Saint Camillus Special Athletes. On Monday night AOH visited the athletes in order to present them with a check of $5,000. The outing, which regularly attracts 75 people including some

Special Athletes, has raised $5,000 each year for a grand total of $25,000 in its five year history. This year was especially poignant as AOH made the donation in honor of Emily Hutton, an avid attendee who passed away weeks before the event. Rather than donating to a bigger charity, AOH chooses to donate to the Special Athletes at St. Camillus because they wanted to make an impact locally in a way that they could see the direct effect of their efforts. The money that AOH raises allows for the athletes to go on trips like the one they went on this past year to see a Navy football game in Maryland.

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The Rockaway Times

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

Top 10 Things To Do In Rockaway (says you) By Katie McFadden

Winter, we’ve had enough! Starting Friday, March 20, spring will officially be here. As the town thaws out from a long deep freeze and comes fully back to life, it’s time to think about the things that make Rockaway so great. We put out a request, in the paper and on Facebook, asking people what their favorite things to do in Rockaway are. With your input, here’s a top 10 that we came up with:

The Beach We told people to leave out the beach when responding, because it’s one of those things that doesn’t need to be mentioned over and over again. It takes the top spot as the best thing to do in Rockaway. The beach is the lifeline of the community. Many of those who live here, live for the beach. They have sand in their shoes and salt on their skin. It’s our little paradise in our own backyard. Urbanites spend an

hour and a half on the train just to escape the city for a while and spend a few hours on the largest urban beach in the United States. Even when it got too close for comfort during Sandy, with sand in our streets and ocean water in our basements, many residents stuck by it. Outsiders criticized residents, saying, “that’s what you get for living right by the water,” but for those who live here, the benefits far outweigh the risks. The beach in itself

provides a plethora of things to do, whether it’s swimming, building a sand castle, playing volleyball, or just having a relaxing place to go, to feel the sun on your skin and listen to the waves. Without the beach, Rockaway just wouldn’t be Rockaway. The Boardwalk It may not fully be there, but it lives fully within the spirit of those who live here. The boardwalk is the backbone of the Continued on page 26

More on page 26

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The Rockaway Times

Page 15

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

The Rockaway Times

Firefighter Brings Cool Factor to Fire Safety By Katie McFadden

find it anywhere. A smoke detector should be seen. You should have an emotional connection to it. We’re trying to change the idea of only adults wanting smoke detectors, to getting kids asking why they don’t have one.” Collaborating with Universal Security Instruments and Brax

Fundraising, Mullen started the Buff Project as a way to provide top-rated smoke detectors for purchase, which benefit organizations that promote fire safety. The USI smoke detectors contain 10-year sealed batteries, meaning people Continued on page 32

Mullen hopes that by making smoke detectors more fun and visible, people might pay more attention to them. “One in every five smoke detectors in homes does not work. We need to change that,” he said. “I wanted a purple smoke detector for my daughter’s Purpleicious room and I couldn’t

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Brian Mullen is hoping to educate and bring awareness about fire safety in a fun way. Through the Buff Project, Mullen, a Rockaway native, is shedding light on the importance of smoke detectors by making them more exciting. As a second generation New York City firefighter, working at Ladder 153 in Brooklyn, Mullen has long understood the importance of fire safety and making sure there’s a working smoke detector in every room of the house, but he hopes to make sure that others understand the importance as well. “I simply wanted to make smoke detectors cool and exciting. They’re usually just plain white and no one cares about them enough to change the batteries or make sure they are up to date. A few weeks ago, when you turned the clocks ahead, every news station talked about making sure to change the batteries in your smoke detector, but you wake up Monday, and no one did it. That’s just the reality,” Mullen said. “If it was your cell phone that died, you’d replace it in 20 minutes, but when it comes to smoke detectors, it just doesn’t get done.”

The Rockaway Times

Page 17

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

Laurice Keating Real Estate

Contact info: 718-945-9267 | Visit us on the web @ www.LauriceKeatingRealty.com Mary O'Leary Glen DiResto Laurice Keating

Lorraine Tom

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

Andrea Romeo

Anna Montella

HOMES FOR SALE

Regina White

OPEN HOUSE 337 Beach 86th Street Sunday, March 22 1:30-3:30 pm

Second block from the beach;around the corner from retail shopping and mass transit.This home has all new electric and heating system.Three bedrooms,LR, DR, EIK, one full bath and a large front porch.Priced to sell!

$1,900 Rockaway Park Beach Block Three bedroom two baths eat in kitchen large living and dining room plus terrace

Lorraine Tom

$379,000

$305,000

Semi attached five bedroom colonial w/ 2.5 baths. Main level has an open floor plan. Wood flooring throughout the main level and second story. Third floor has new carpeting enclosed carport, secluded back yard, large front porch, new heating and electrical system move in condition.

HOMES FOR SALE BUILD YOUR DREAM BEACH HOUSE LOCATION: ONE OF NEPONSIT’S MOST DESIRABLE BLOCKS BUILDING SIZE: 25x37 PROPERTY SIZE: 42x100 THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful Panoramic Bay Views! 3 bedrooms,3 baths, Den,EIK,living room with ledge stone wood burning fireplace, formal dining room and a huge semi finished basement. Price is negotiable.

$795,000

$825,000

$549,000

$850,000

Second block from the beach; around the corner from retail shopping and mass transit.This home has all new electric and heating system. Three bedrooms, LR, DR, EIK,one full bath and a large front porch. Priced to sell!

Post sandy Build your own dream house This home needs a family ready! Willing! And able! To comlpete it’s renovation.Heating and electric have been replaced.

$1,299,000

$305,000

$649,000

Asking $345 Heart of Belle Harbor contemporary. This home has it all,five bedrooms,three full baths,state of the art EIK; FDR & LR w/ WBFP, glass enclosed sun room,home office, large family room w/ additional WBFP, craft and game room,laundry room, private driveway and beautiful park like grounds.

CO-OP / CONDOS 136 Beach 117th TWO BEDROOM CONDO WITH BALCONY AND ONE CAR PARKING TWO FULL BATH ROOMS MASTER BATH WITH JACUZZI. SPACIOUS LIVING ROOM AND DINNING ROOM, BAMBOO FLOORING,WASHER AND DRYER. THE OCEAN GRANDE HAS 24-HOUR SECURITY STATION,STATE OF THE ART GYM,BEAUTIFUL PARTY ROOM WITH A FIREPLACE AND BAR.

$450,000

Bay 25th New Exclusive 40 x 100 One Family 3 Bedrooms, one full bath, EIK, DR, LR, Full basement, Driveway - 2 Car Garage Beautiful Bay Views/ City Skyline

Asking $400

LOT FOR SALE 117-12 Ocean Promenade ROCKAWAY PARK OCEAN FRONT COOP VERY SPACIOUS ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT WITH BEAUTIFUL VIEWS OF MANHATTAN SKY LINE AND JAMAICA BAY. LOW COMMON CHARGES AND MOVE IN CONDITION!

$189,000

One family 40x100 Three bedrooms One full bath EIK, DR,LR, Full Basement Private driveway Two car garage

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3 bedroom 2.5 baths new EIK Very large finished basement new heating and electrical system Move in condition. Price is negotiable.

Beach 69th New Exclusive!

Page 18

The Rockaway Times

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

Alice O’Connor Lic. Associate RE Broker

Louis Calemine Licensed Real Estate Broker

625 Gravesend Neck Rd. Brooklyn, NY 11223

www.calemine.com

(718) 998-1100

For Sale:

Rentals:

Arverne By The Sea

Arverne By The Sea Belle Harbor 3bd/2.5ba---$2,700 2bd/2ba---$2,500 2bd/1ba---$1,800 2bd/1ba---$1,750 2bd/1ba------$1,700

Rockaway Beach 1bd/1ba--$1,500

3bd/2.5 ba---$3,200 Furnished and renovated, long, private driveway. Immaculate.

“Clients come first at Calemine & Co.” JANET REDMOND HOGAN

Century 21 Amiable Realty Group II, Inc.

Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

mwagnerrealtor@aol.com | www.c21amiable2.com

Breezy Point, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, gorgeous and modern home, $950,000w

Margaret A. Wagner • Associate Broker • (347) 236-2018 Member of the Long Island & Queens Multiple Listing Service Serving the Broad Channel Community for over 18 years!

917.559.8646 • janet@breezypointhouses.com breezypointhouses.com /janetredmondhogan

BROAD CHANNEL ISLAND

NEW EXCLUSIVE WATERFRONT LISTING 50 X 100 Lot, Brand New Living room, kitchen, bath, radiant heat, granite counter tops,3 bedrooms, 2 full baths Large outside deck, pool, garage. Great Sunset Views!

Roxbury 3 bedrooms with basement, modern kitchen and baths. Beautiful bay views. Asking $595,000. Roxbury, 2 bedrooms, bay view. No water on first floor. Asking $360,000. Breezy Point, Vacant lot on a street. $495,000 Rockaway Point Gutted home with new electric. $299,000 Rockaway Point Gorgeous 4 bedroom home. All new! $675,000. Rockaway Point On a street. 3 bedrooms. Partial bay view!!! Big lot! $595,000 Rockaway Park, beautiful top floor apartment, all new, too much to list! $450,000

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Spacious 3Bdrm, 2 Bth home. Everything new on 1st floor. Parking in rear front and back trex decks.

Carolyn Redmond, Broker 718.474.6722

Reduced $499,000 LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSONS Bill Daly 718-945-9445 • Maryellin Carroll 917-693-7123 Artie Mattor 917-626-1851 • Eddie Carroll 917-716-7400 Virginia Turchlano 917-533-0613

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Rental season has started! We Have several customers looking for summer rentals. Please contact us today if you are interested in renting your home.

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WATERFRONT HOUSE FOR SALE 2 Bedrooms, Hardwood Floors, Washer & Dryer, Outside deck House Listed at $225,000.00

Rockaway Park three bedroom, two full bathroom beautiful home. Fully renovated six years ago, all new kitchen and baths, finished basement $570,000 New exclusive! Rockaway Point! Beautiful 3 bedroom all new interiors! A must see! $440,000 Rockaway Point, parking behind and two screened in porches! Asking $360,000. Rockaway Point, 4 Bedroom, Partial Bay View $550,000. Rockaway Point, Oceanside, beautifully renovated!! 5br w/open view. Asking $849,000. Breezy Point, loft home in the wedge 3/4 bedrooms LOWERED PRICE $430,000. Rockaway Point, Vacant lot on a walk. $225,000 Breezy Point vacant lot in the wedge. LOWERED PRICE $235,000

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Breakers Sec., 2-Family Admiralty II 2 Bedroom, 1 full bathroom, open layout~~over~~3 Bedroom, 2.5 BA duplex. MBR Suite w/walk-in closet. Garage, driveway and yard space. Property delivered fully vacant. Asking $640K

Belle Harbor 2bd/1ba---$1,750 Retail/Office Space Neponsit House Rental 700-1,100 sqft.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

NEPONSIT REALTY inc P 718.945.2411

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One Family Rockaway Beach 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, living room, dining room, hardwood floors throughout, back deck, full basement, semi attached.

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$189K

123th - Great boardwalk building, excellent condition, parking extra, pay G&E $1350-1500

$1400

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124th - First floor unit, use of backyard, upgraded, storage, parking, pay G & E $1600 125th new kitchen, & appliances, pay only electric $1300 137 Waterviews, Nice size rooms, plenty of closets, parking

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OCEAN FRONT COOP

Belle Harbor Brick Colonial

Move right in to this one bedroom unit,totally renovated to perfection, granite, stainless appliances, five closets. Exceptional value! Let’s Make A Deal!

Side hall, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage, c/a, attic space, deck and front porch.

$179K

$825K

140th - living room, work kitchen, utilities all included

$1300

141 totally renovated, living room, gorgeous bay views, pay electric $1500 th

TWO BEDROOMS

60 lst floor, no pets, EIK, pay all util. th

Arverne By The Sea - units available, mint, pay all utilities

OCEAN GRANDE CONDO Extra Lg 2 BR & 1.5 bth, Bright & Airy, with Open Floor Plan with Large Terr, with Ocean & Bay Views. New Appls., W/D, Indoor Deeded Parking Spot, Fitness Ctr, Concierge, Rooftop Deck. Pet Friendly Bldg. Must see. Call Susan 347-260-3891

A BEACH HAVEN COOP

TURN KEY, one BR, new appliances, spacious, 5 closets, VERY LOW MAINT. IMMACULATE, AFFORDABLE AND COMFORTABLE. Great views, skyline and Sunsets.

Asking $430K

$179K

LEGAL 2 FAMILY

50x100, Immaculate, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, newly renovated, eat-in kitchen, den, laundry room. Rental apartment, 2 bedroom, all new.

$1300 $1600

108 - brand new with new appliances. Bunglow like having your own little house. Pay all Utilies, Call Susan 347 260 3891 $1800 th

111th - pay all utilities. Good credit Call Susan 347 260 3891

$1450

117 2nd level, new appliances, terrace, parking, $1550 water views, all util included th

123rd Ocean views every room, completely renovated, BELLE HARBOR SPECTACULAR

Gorgeous kitchen & bathrooms, 2 large BRs, 1.5 bth, hdwd flrs, HUGE terr. Indoor Pkg. Common charges cover water, heat, garbage & snow removal, general upkeep /landscaping.

$785K

HOWARD BEACH BEAUTY

One family, Aluminum siding, two bedrooms, one bath, updated EIK, large living room, new boiler and electric, back deck with storage Call Kate 917-680-8051

PRESENT ALL OFFERS!! MOTIVATED SELLER! A must see. Call Susan 347-260-3891

Asking $265K

$299K

HOUSE RENTALS BELLE HARBOR, BEACH BLOCK, GREAT SIZE, 3 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHS, LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM, BASEMENT, YARD, PLENTY PARKING, PAY ALL UTILIITES ..........................................................................$2500

118th - Renovated, ss appliances, granite, 3 double closets, Ocean & Bay views.. $1400

$850K Reduced to $795K

Adorable L shaped Studio unit, move in, Murphy Bed, hardwood floors, plently of closets, great outdoor space/terrace, low maintenance

109th - Studio, Adorable Bunglow, pay all utilities. Must have Good Credit. Call Susan 347 260 3891 $1150

124th - LR/DR combo, terrace, pay elec

Corner property sits on 80 x 60, Brick & Stone, 3 bedrooms, plus extra room can be used as 4th bedroom. 2 Full baths, large living room, WBFP, EIK, dining room, basement unfinished, spectular water views and sunsets.

HEART OF BELLE HARBOR

$258K

Belle Harbor Center Hall Ranch

Integrity

ONE BEDROOM

Call Susan 347-260-3891 $144K

Call Susan 347-260-3891

IV US

APARTMENTS

$290K

ur Clients are always satisfied with our performance and the ability to get the job done!

Call Kate 917-680-8051

NEW EXCLUSIVE CONDO

Tradition

00841RT

The Rockaway Times

BELLE HARBOR, 3 BEDROOMS, 2 BATH, WORK KITCHEN, PRIVATE PARKING, PAY ALL UTILITIES....$2000

terrace, pay elec. Call Susan 347 260 3891

$1800

124th - Oceanfront Coop w/ terrace. Need good credit. Pay G&E. No parking $1800

THREE BEDROOMS 122

BEACH BLOCK, RENOVATED, new kitchen, bath,

w/d, hook up, parking, pay all util

$2000

129 Walk-In Brand New Sunny Apartment, Close to All, New Kitchen, 1.5 Bath, Large Yard, Parking. Need Good Credit. Pay Gas & Electric Only. Call Susan 347 260 3891

Rent $2200

129 Brand New Sunny Apartment, Close to All, Nice Terrace, Parking. Pay Gas & Electric. Need Good Credit. Call Susan 347 260 3891

Rent $1800

Page 20

The Rockaway Times

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

B R O O K LY N M E M B E R

Lic. Broker-Owner: Lisa Jackson Lic. Associate Brokers: Barbara Ferguson • Nia Casilla • Gail Opromalla Lic. RE Agents: Melissa Carrington • Ariana David • Colleen Brady

The Rockaprop Team

3 Year Member

417 Beach 129th St • (718) 634-3134 • Mon-Sat 10am-6pm P ro p e r t i e s Fo r S a l e

NEPONSIT

2nd Home From the Beach Live luxuriously in this immaculate Neponsit home with ocean views from almost EVERY room. 4+BR’S and 3.5 baths. 71’ x 100’ lot. $2,799,000

ARVERNE BY THE SEA

Spectacular Oceanfront Owners unit 2BR including a HUGE master suite, 2 baths, upgraded kitchen, rooftop deck. 3BR rental 2 baths,W/D and parking. $869,000

UPPER BELLE HARBOR

Fully Renovated No expense was spared on this fabulous all brick 2 family. Heated paved driveway and stairs; no shoveling required! 5BR, 5.5 bath $1,600,000

BAYSWATER

A Beautiful Tree Lined St Beautiful 5 BR, 3 bath home on a spacious 100’ x 170’ property. Move in condition with private parking and 2 car garage. $850,000

OCEANFRONT  84' x 100'

Completely Renovated and Gorgeous!

BELLE HARBOR

Completely Renovated GORGEOUS 5BR, 4 bath home with 4 covered porches! New kitchen, new roof, new siding, new windows and new fin bsmt! 100’ x 60’ lot. $1,195,000

UPPER BELLE HARBOR

All Brick and Fabulous Side Hall Colonial just a few hops, skips and a jumps to the ocean. Immaculate 3BR’s, 2.5 baths, HW floors, Large EIK with sliders to a back deck. $825,000

ROCKAWAY PARK  60' x 99' Beach 116th Commercial

BELLE HARBOR

Incredible 100’x75’ Corner All brick gorgeous new custom kitchen & baths, 2 fireplaces, sun room, 2 car garage and beautiful HW floors. This home was built to last. $1,099,000

ARVERNE BY THE SEA

Legal 2 Family - Mint Condition Semi-attached home features 3BR’s, including master suite, fabulous ocean views & a rooftop terrace. 3 BR Rental. $799,000

BELLE HARBOR

Oceanfront Two Family! The only oceanfront legal 2 family home for under a million! Buy your own slice of beachfront with the Atlantic ocean in your front yard. $895,000

HOWARD BEACH

Spacious 50x100 Corner In-ground pool, paved patio, privacy fencing and 2 car garage. Plenty of room for all with 5BR, 3 Baths, open floor plan and huge basement with bath. $799,000

OCEANFRONT  100' x 100' Proven To Be Hurricane Proof!

No expense was spared in this fabulous ALL BRICK OCEANFRONT Stop paying a hefty rent! Come check out this spacious 4,876 This OCEANFRONT home did not have one drop of water from Sandy, home. Over 5,000 sq. ft of sumptuous living space, 5BR, 5.5 baths, Gunite sq ft building located in a Rockaway's prime commercial HOT not one! Legal 2 ALL BRICK, 4BR, 3.5 baths, gorgeous kitchen, 12 car in-ground pool, steam shower, sauna and 2 car garage. $3,999,999 SPOT! Open floor plan with grand ceiling height. $1,399,000 parking and stunning ocean views from EVERY room. $2,800,000 UPPER BELLE HARBOR BELLE HARBOR ARVERNE BY THE SEA ROCKAWAY PARK UPPER BELLE HARBOR Present All Offers! T Legal 2 Family New To Market Legal 2 Family Home Beautiful Water Front Ranch AC tudor Solid R brick MOTHER DAUGHTER Mint condition home Brick home on large Brick and field stone T with 4 large home Immaculate legal 2 nestled in the “Breakers”. corner lot! This 3BR home has 3 spacious N 3 baths, enclosed family on a 50’x100’ lot Large3BR,2.5baths,ocean 2 bath has EIK with BR’s, 2.5 baths, WBFP, COBRs, in Belle Harbor. 5BR, views, rooftop terrace and granite counters, R terrace, study room/ HW floors, EIK with SS E office, HW floors, 3 bath home, large HUGEyard.1BRrentalunit FDR, LR, 1 car garage, appliances, office/den D large bsmt with high back deck. Plenty of for a guaranteed income. PS114 school district. and private parking for UN ceilings.

$799,000

BELLE HARBOR

Water Views Delight T C Asunsets Gorgeous and R T the Manhattan Skyline N what you will be COisseeing from this 3BR, 2 R bath home. Create your DE N masterpiece with this U blank slate. $649,000

BREEZY POINT

New To Market Newly renovated home is in a great location. Very close to parking and stores. Updated Kitchen with stainless appliances and granite counters. $525,000

BROAD CHANNEL

Long Private Driveway! Rare find, newly renovated 3 BR home with an open floor plan and PRIVATE DRIVEWAY! Beautiful kitchen, new deck and fenced in yard. $339,000

parking! $785,000

4 cars. $795,000

BELLE HARBOR

Brand New To Market T AC 5BR Charming R Rockaway home, high N T throughout, HW COceilings floors, WB fireplace and R two full baths. Wrap DE N around porch, outdoor U shower. $645,000

ROCKAWAY BEACH

Investment Opportunity! Tremendous 2 family home, upper unit has 6 BR’s, 2.5 baths and rooftop patio. Lower unit has 2 BR, 1 bath/ Rent roll of $46,500 per year. $515,000

ARVERNE

Detached - 30’ x 100’ T AC has an This home R updated N T ce, 3 kitchen, BR, 1.5 COden/offi bath, full bsmt, HW R floors, decked yard DE N and long pvt drive. U $289,000

ARVERNE GEM

80’x100’ - Fully Upgraded Legal 3 Family Savvy home buyers, finally it is your chance to own a money maker!!! Live free and clear from the profits from the 2 rentals on the grounds. $599,000

ARVERNE  40’ x 100’ New To Market CT AVictorian Charming on R T corner lot. aN beautiful COThis legal two family R home is spacious and E has 5 BR, HW floors, 3 D bath, HUGE porch and 2 UN car garage. $399,000

ROCKAWAY BEACH Huge Legal 2 Family

ComeL D and get it, two O apartments duplex S T

a 71’x70 property S on with a detached 2 car garage. Needs TLC. $249,000

$749,000

ARVERNE BY THE SEA

Legal Two Family Move right in to this mint 3 BR, 2.5 bath semi attached home. Private parking with garage and a cozy 1 bedroom rental. Call us today! $550,000

BROAD CHANNEL

Turn Key Home Fully renovated, 4 BR, 2.5 bath home. Open layout, granite counter top, private deck with Jamaica views and a decked yard with pool. $389,000

ROCKAWAY BEACH

Old World Charm Attached 2 family is in need of restoring. Currently being used as a 1 family. Full basement and high ceilings! $245,000

$699,000

ROCKAWAY PARK

Legal 2 Family Semi-attached home with 3 cozy BR’s, 2 baths, LR/DR combo, HW floors and private terrace and family room. 2 BR rental apartment. $535,000

EDGEMERE

New To Market - Legal Two Move in ready 3BR’s, 2 bath, great outdoor space with stack stone and granite steps, private parking and a 1 BR rental. Motivated seller! $359,000

BROAD CHANNEL

Price Just Reduced! D Do you T Edream of P living on the water C E your C with boat? Just A R the right touch will E make this ranch a F magnificent home! OF $199,000

With Honesty, Intregrity And Trust...Our Team Of Agents Gets The Job Done!

The Rockaway Times

Page 21

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

B R O O K LY N M E M B E R

Lic. Broker-Owner: Lisa Jackson Lic. Associate Brokers: Barbara Ferguson • Nia Casilla • Gail Opromalla Lic. RE Agents: Melissa Carrington • Ariana David • Colleen Brady

3 Year Member

417 Beach 129th St • (718) 634-3134 • Mon-Sat 10am-6pm

The Rockaprop Team

Condos and Co-ops BELLE HARBOR

Brand New To Market T ACall new Fabulous T R2 bath condo 3N BR, parking. COwith pvtappliances, R SS E granite counters D and beautiful ocean UN views. $549,000

ROCKAWAY PARK

Ocean Grande Condominium 2BR, 2 bath unit has many upgrades. HW floors, granite kitchen counters, SS appliances, W/D plus private terrace with ocean views! $445,000

ROCKAWAY PARK

Luxurious Beach Living! Spacious 2BR 2 bath with granite counters, private terrace, jacuzzi and your very own private parking spot. Don’t let your dreams of ocean living slip away $389,000

ROCKAWAY PARK

New Construction Condo’s Buy a new condo for as little as 5% down. 2 and 3 BR’s available with SS appliances, HW floors, laundryinunitandprivate terrace. Gated parking available. $289,990

ROCKAWAY PARK

Brand New Exclusive! FANTASTIC 1 BR CONDO at a price that will make you wonder why you are renting. With low common charges and private parking. $209,000

ROCKAWAY PARK

Oceanfront Penthouse This 3 BR, 2 full bath is oozing with charm. HW floors, granite counters, Juliette balcony, roof top deck and private parking. $519,000

ROCKAWAY BEACH

ROCKAWAY PARK

Luxurious Oceanfront Stunning panoramic ocean views from this contemporary 2BR, 2 bath oceanfront apartment. Comes with parking and storage room. $479,000

ROCKAWAY PARK

Modern Oceanfront Building Large 2BR, 2 bath with LR, dinette area, modern eat in kitchen,SS appliances, private ocean view terrace and private parking. $445,000

Belle Shores Condominium Beautiful condo by the sea, spacious 2BR, 2 full bath middle unit, private storage and private parking. Call today for private showing! $425,000

ROCKAWAY PARK

ROCKAWAY BEACH

Brand New Construction Fabulous 3 BR, 2 bath, middle unit with HW floors, ss appliances, laundry in unit, private terrace and parking available. $379,990

Beach Block Condo Priced Dto sell, 3 BR, 2 O Lbaths, balcony S ocean views. T with S Spacious living room, J U dining room area with private parking! $329,000

BELLE HARBOR

114 School District T C A Desirable 1 BR with large Rterrace T private (5’x25’), N O beautiful counter-tops C common laundry E R and area. Shared roof D top deck with ocean UN views. $269,000

ROCKAWAY PARK

Why Are You Still Renting?T C ACome Large 1BR enjoy R Tbeach in this low the N condo COmaintenance with spacious rec R room and beautiful DE N grounds with BBQ U area. $199,000

• • • • • • • • • • • •

137th: 1BR, 1BA Beach Block w/Terrace and Parking (R.P) . . . . . . . . . . . 131st: HOUSE FOR RENT, 3BR, 2.5 bath, patio and private parking. (R.P) 129th: 2BR, 1BA Updated, HW floors, SS Appliances (N.C) . . . . . . . . . . . 125th: 2BR, 2BA Newly Renovated W/Porch & Parking (B.F) . . . . . . . . . . 125th: 3BR, 1BA Lovely Open & Airy With Parking! (M.C) . . . . . . . . . . . . 125th: 4BR, 2BA Spacious & Bright All Utilities Incl. (C.B) . . . . . . . . . . . . 125th: 3BR, 2BA Great Duplex Apt. w/Large Terrace (N.C) . . . . . . . . . . . 124th: 1BR, 1BA Updated & All Inclusive Elec,Heat & Water (N.C) . . . . . . 124th: 3BR, 2BA Newly Renovated w/Yard & Parking (C.B). . . . . . . . . . . 123rd: 2BR, 1BA Oceanfront With New Kitchen/Bath (C.B). . . . . . . . . . . 122nd: 2BR, 1BA Beach Block Spacious Unit w/Parking (C.B) . . . . . . . . . 120th: 3BR, 1.5BA Charming Apt. On A Fabulous Block (M.C). . . . . . . . .

ROCKAWAY BEACH

Oceanfront Co-Op T C Aocean Dazzling views R T every window. from N sun drenched COFabulous rooms, 2 BR, 2 bath. R Fully upgraded. DE N Motivated Seller! U $299,000

ROCKAWAY PARK

Bay Views Galore! Beautiful 2BR apartment with huge 32’ water view deck, perfect for summer cookouts and parties with your family and friends. Parking available $249,000

Chic Beach Pad! T AC STYLED BEAUTIFULLY R with oak floors, N Twhite O clean lines and modern C R beach themed decor. E Pack your beach bag D and grab your umbrella. UN $249,000

BELLE HARBOR

The Coral House Brand new 2 BR, 1 bath ground floor condo unit is super convenient for all and newly renovated. Close to all. $195,000

Location, Location, Location! This adorable L-Shaped Studio is located in a great spot! Close to the beach and all stores! H/W Floors, Low maintenance! $129,000

R e n ta l s . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . .

.$1,450 .$2,700 .$1,450 .$2,400 .$2,000 .$2,500 .$2,350 .$1,300 .$2,500 .$1,800 .$1,750 .$1,950

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Commercial • • • • • •

ROCKAWAY PARK

building. $325,000

BELLE HARBOR

R e n ta l s

ROCKAWAY PARK

Brand New Construction Fabulous 3 BR, 2 bath, middle unit with HW floors, ss appliances, laundry in unit, private terrace and parking available. $389,990

ROCKAWAY BEACH New To Market! CT Large R3 ABR, 2 bath ocean end unit N T view open floor COcondo, w/d in unit and E R plan, a private, parking, D beautifully maintained UN UPPER BELLE HARBOR

Why Bother Renting? This apt features old world charm, arched doorways, high ceilings and hardwood floors throughout. Gorgeous sunsets. $199,000

Brand New Construction Gorgeous 3BR, 2 bath with SS appliances, HW floors, laundry in unit, private roof top patio and private terrace with ocean views. $445,990

Priced to Sell! TOP FLOOR OCEAN VIEW 3BR 2 bath condo with a private southwest facing rooftop deck. HW floors, cathedral ceilings, skylights and private parking. $419,000

ROCKAWAY PARK

Brand New To Market Enchanting beach front apartment with ocean views that stretch to the horizon from daybreak to sunset. $269,000

ROCKAWAY PARK

114 School District Fully renovated and MINT 2 BR sun drenched condo has a fireplace, gorgeous kitchen with SS appliances, HW floors, W/D and private terrace. $459,000

Arverne: Rare Find, 3 lots 125'x115' 2 factories and 1 warehouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,200,000 129th: Bring Your Biz to 129th Street 100'x100' lot with modern storefront. . . . . . . . $1,800,000 116th: Huge 4,876 sq ft. open retail space on a 60'x99' propert. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,399,000 119th: Dr's office for rent Owner will renovate to meet your needs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,000 121st: Customize your 800sq ft. professional space. Owner will allow a 60 day build out . $2,500 114th: Ground Floor walk in 900sq ft retail store in high traffic area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,700

120th: 3BR, 2.5BA Beach Block, HW Floors, Driveway (M.C) . . . . . . . 119th: 1BR, 1BA Newly Renovated With Great Views (C.B) . . . . . . . . 119th: 1BR, 1BA Beach Block Apartment In A Quiet Home (B.F) . . . . 118th: 2BR, 1BA Newly Renovated, SS Appliances, W/D (M.C) . . . . . 117th: 2BR, 1.5BA Completely New, Great Apartment (B.F) . . . . . . . 100th: 3BR, 2BA Hardwood Floors And Private Balcony (M.C) . . . . . 96th: 3BR, 2BA Features Hardwood Floors & Woodwork Detail (M.C) 84th: 2BR, 1BA Brand New Walk In, Great Location (B.F) . . . . . . . . . 79th: 2BR, 1BA No Broker Fee! Rooftop Terrace, Ocean Views (N.C) . . 84th: 2BR, 1BA Brand New Walk In, Great Location (B.F) . . . . . . . . . 79th: 2BR, 1BA No Broker Fee! Rooftop Terrace, Ocean Views (N.C) . . 79th: 2BR, 1BA No Broker Fee! Rooftop Terrace, Ocean Views (N.C) . .

. . . . . . . . . . . .

.$2,200 .$1,425 .$1,200 .$1,700 .$1,600 .$1,800 .$1,650 .$1,300 .$1,725 .$1,300 .$1,725 .$1,725

. . . . . . .

. $2,200,000 . $1,900,000 . $1,850,000 . $1,800,000 . $1,200,000 . . $999,000 . . $349,000

L a n d Fo r S a l e • • • • • • •

Bayswater: 20 lots for sale - so many possibilities . . . . . . . . Belle Harbor: Prime 49'x100' oceanfront . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Belle Harbor: Prime 38’X102’ oceanfront . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Belle Harbor: 100'x100' Zoned Commercial/Residential . . . Belle Harbor: 40'x100' second lot from the ocean. . . . . . . . Neponsit: Beach Block 60'x100', build your 3,000 sq ft home Belle Harbor: Two lots - 40'x100' & 60'x100' starting at . . . .

. . . . . . .

Highest sales volume in Rockaway...Visit our office and see what we do that's different!

!!! ! " ! The Rockaway Times

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

Rockaway

s e m i T ’ l O ! "

!!!

BACK IN THE DAY

Page 22

The Commodor Hotel Belle Harbor 1925 By Emil R. Lucev Sr. & daughter, Katie Lucev

Ethel Cornish paid us a nice visit this week. She brought along some old pictures that would make Emil

Lucev, the famous Rockaway historian and Rockaway Times contributor, proud.

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1968 - LBJ signs a bill removing gold backing from US paper money. 1981 - Jean Harris sentenced 15-to-life for slaying of Scarsdale Diet Doctor. 1995 - Dow-Jones hits 4083.68 (record).

March 21

1964 - Beatles’ “She Loves You” single goes #1 & stays #1 for 2 weeks. 1999 - 71st Academy Awards “Shakespeare in Love”, Roberto Benigni and Gwyneth Paltrow win Best Actor awards.

Attorney At Law 114-04 Beach Channel Drive Suite 9 Rockaway Park, New York 11694 RT

March 22

Phone: (718) 747 8850 jfkeenan@joekeenanlaw.com

1995 Michael Jordan rejoins Chicago Bulls after 17 months out of basketball, beats Pacers. 2013 - NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity discovers further evidence of water-bearing minerals.

March 20

next satisfied customer.

well. In 1956 it was under the management of the Charles Schorr Company. Bathing facilities were available and many rooms had private baths. Replaced by homes in 1975.

This Week In History March 19

The family owned and operated insurance agency has been providing flood, auto, home, condo, rental, commercial business, motorcycle, boat and more not only to Rockaway Peninsula but NYC, Nassau and Suffolk since 1994 – and you can be our next satisfied customer.

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The Commodore Hotel opened on the southeast corner of Beach 127th Street and Rockaway Beach Boulevard in 1935. For at least a couple of decades the Commodore did

1790 - Thomas Jefferson becomes the 1st US Secretary of State under President Washington. 1874 - Young Men’s Hebrew Association organizes in NYC. 1992 - US Air NY to Cleveland

crashes on take off at LaGuardia, 27 die.

March 23

1775 - Patrick Henry proclaims “Give me liberty or give me death” in speech in favor of Virginian troops joining US Revolutionary war. 1972 - Evel Knievel breaks 93 bones after successfully clearing 35 cars (successfully?). 2005 - The United States 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, refuses to order the reinsertion of Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube.

March 24

1947 - John D. Rockefeller Jr donates NYC East River site to the UN. 1973 - Professional track debut of Kip Keino defeating Jim Ryun in the mile.

March 25

1807 - 1st railway passenger service began in England. 1971 - Tom Jones’ “She’s a Lady” goes gold. 2013 - Golfer Tiger Woods returns to his world number one ranking.

The Rockaway Times

ience of our beaches surrounding the boardwalk and areas in Belle Harbor and Neponsit. My frustration at the slow pace of our recovery has definitely gotten the best of me. I would like to give the Senator my sincerest apology for losing sight of the great work and effort that he has given to the people of the Rockaway peninsula. I would like to thank Senator Schumer for his press release urging the Army Corps Of Engineers to report the progress of the 2003 Rockaway reformulation study to the people of the Rockaway Peninsula! Now, while I have your attention. Senator Schumer can you, Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Meeks, PLEASE ask Mayor de Blasio to distribute the “Build it Back” funds that were supposed to build back our still NOT Built back lives! Only six percent of the over 30,000 applicant’s homes are built back nearly two and a half years after our homes were wrecked! Better yet, can you ask for Senate hearings as to why Build it Back is such a nightmare for those who suffered and continue to suffer from Hurricane Sandy? Build it Back makes Hurricane Sandy the storm that keeps on giving! Since I’m heaping praise on

The Chuck Stops Here I’m not sure if United States Senator Charles Schumer goes out of his way to read The Rockaway Times, or if he’s simply enamored by the literary genius of the skillful contribution found in “Between The Groins” on an every-other-biweekly basis. Whatever the case may be, my contribution in The Rockaway Times a few weeks ago, complaining about the slow pace of the final report of the 2003 Rockaway Beach Reformulation study by the Army Corps of Engineers seems to have been heard by Senator Schumer. In the article I characterized Senator Schumer as leaving the Rockaway peninsula “so vulnerable to the next storm” and I demanded that the Senator let us know what is going on!

Page 23

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

Those comments and assertions were not received very kindly from Senator Schumer’s staff. I was reminded of the efforts by Senator Schumer to encourage the Army Corps to immediately fund and complete the Rockaway Beach Reformulation study. I was reminded of the 3 million cubic yards of sand, which was placed on our beaches on the Rockaway Peninsula, by the Army corps, at the urging and encouragement of Senator Schumer. Also, most recently it has been announced by FEMA, under the encouragement of Senator Schumer, that we will not only have our boardwalk totally funded to be rebuilt at the sum of 274 million dollars, but we will also receive an extra 199 million dollars for resil-

elected officials, I would like to thank Councilman Donovan Richards , Councilman Eric Ulrich and Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder for their great work and leadership in representing the Rockaway peninsula against Liberty Port Ambrose, LNG. I would especially like to thank Councilman Richards for the amazing press conference held on the steps of City Hall on Monday, March 16 to lead the fight against LNG and Liberty Port Ambrose. Also a big thank you to Councilman Ulrich for bringing a world class hockey rink and woodworking shop to the young people of the Rockaway peninsula. Another big thank you to Assemblyman Goldfeder for his recent efforts to help us on flood insurance. Also worth mentioning this week is the recent addition to Rockaway Beach’s Restaurant Row . . . Rockaway Roasters on Beach 92 and RBB and Chicks To Go on 97th and RBB, All I can say is WOW, you have got to try these new additions to our peninsula!!!

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

The Rockaway Times

Rockaway School Gets Workshop Makeover On Monday morning, Mr. Robert Brown stood in the middle of the brand new woodworking facility at Rockaway Park High School for Environmental Sustainability, wearing a low-key smile. He was there, along with some of his students and other administrators, awaiting the arrival of New York City Councilman Eric Ulrich for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the school’s new facility. Ulrich played a vital role in transforming the workshop, allocating

$700,000 in capital funding over two years to support the project. Before the ceremony, Brown gave a quick tour of the facility, showing off sawdust collectors, drills, a brand new ventilation system, a new filtration system and a myriad of other pieces of top-notch woodworking equipment. In the days following Hurricane Sandy, if you told Brown he would be giving a tour of a beautiful facility he would have called you crazy, but there he was showing off some beautiful equipment in his lab. “This entire place was under five feet of water [after

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Sandy],” Brown explained. “Everything you see is brand new.” Everyday Brown educates between 70-80 students, most of them beginners, in carpentry and woodworking. Each class he teaches is an elective, meaning the students choose to enroll in his course. The beginner classes learn the basics of using tools safely and build projects like shelves and birdhouses. The advanced students take on bigger projects, including the crown jewel of the shop -- a full-size rowboat that Brown hopes to take out on Jamaica Bay this spring. “It is a pleasure seeing students grow and learn skills that they will use for the rest of their lives,” Brown said. Rockaway Park High School is in its 5th year of existence and Brown and Principal Jennifer Connolly had said that they always had plans to build a great carpentry laboratory. Things got a little more complicated after Sandy

destroyed the old lab, rendering every piece of equipment, except for a single sink, useless. And although Sandy changed the plan -- the goal remained the same. “We wanted the students to have a world class facility,” Connolly said. “We wanted the students to be able to explore the water that surrounds them. “We look forward to putting our first boat in the water this June. It is through carpentry projects like this that the students at Rockaway Park High School will learn about waterway conservation and community revitalization. We look forward to giving back to this incredible community that has given us so much,” Connolly said. So if you see students from Rockaway Park High School rowing a boat on the bay thissSpring, please don’t be alarmed, they are just doing their homework.

0080 RT

By Michael Leboff

The Rockaway Times

Dishing the

DIRT Starting My Own Tradition

By Valerie Dare Another Rockaway St. Patrick’s Day has passed and by the time you read this, the official March 17 St. Patrick’s Day will also be behind us. Rockaway St. Patrick’s Day is my favorite holiday. It’s a day for family and friends to get together in good spirit. We get to watch a great parade, criticize the mayor, wave and yell and get very excited when someone marching recognizes us. We do all this as we drink a good deal of beer, or other libations, in red cups. This is also the time of year when I reflect on my Irish heritage, of which I know practically nothing about. This makes me sad. My mother was Sicilian and my father, Irish. My mother was always enamored with the Irish

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

people and Irish culture. Coincidentally, her mother’s birthday was March 17. One of my sisters is named after the song “I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen” and mom always made corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day. Overall, though, the Italian won out and my Irish father became the best meatball maker ever. The Italian side of the family is a talkative bunch, so I’ve learned a lot about where those ancestors came from. But the Irish side … not so much. Any knowledge I have of them begins in America. Both my grandparents immigrated to New York, met in Brooklyn, married, and settled down to raise their seven children in Brooklyn Heights. They were very poor … my grandfather worked

Better Late Than Never

all the time, whenever and wherever he could. My father was delivering blocks of dry ice when he was about 10 years old. They were on and off Home Relief, as it was called then. My father and his four brothers all served in WWII. My father joined the Marines when he was 17, and returned home with a Purple Heart, just in time to see his father before he died. I would like to know more but there is no one to ask any longer. I would like to pass something down to my children so they understand where their family came from and what it took to get here. There is a connection that is lost and no way for me to find it. So now I do what I can to create traditions that will last … that my children will carry on. In my home, the Rockaway St. Patrick’s Day Parade has become one of those traditions. When my parents moved to Rockaway, and my mother discovered that the parade route came right past our house, she was ecstatic. Every year, she’d invite friends and relatives over and cater a big lunch. Things got pretty quiet for a few years after she left this world. I decided to pick up where she left off, at first, for my father’s sake. Now, for my children. I’ve kicked it up a notch and every year I prepare a big, homemade Irish meal … beginning to end. Whoever started the rumor that the Irish

aren’t good cooks doesn’t know what they are talking about! This year we feasted on Irish sausage in puff pastry, potato leek soup, corned beef & cabbage and shepherd’s (cottage) pie. For dessert we had Chocolate Stout Cake and my traditional Irish Dairy Cake. Every year the menu changes except for the corned beef and the Dairy Cake. My children will put aside whatever they are doing to make it home for Rockaway St. Pat’s. I’d like to conclude with my recipe for Irish Dairy Cake. If you’re counting calories or carbs, this is not the dessert for you. It’s great with some powdered sugar on top or fresh whipped cream (not too stiff ) and berries. Ingredients 3 sticks of butter softened 2 1/2 cups sugar 6 eggs 1 8oz. Pkg cream cheese softened 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 cups sifted white flour Directions Cream butter, sugar and then add eggs. Mix in the cream cheese and vanilla and then a cup at a time add the flour. The batter will be velvety. Bake 300 degrees for 1 1/2 hours in a prepared Bundt pan. It is done when golden brown. It smells so good too.

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A couple of great parade pictures somehow didn’t make last week’s edition. Mark Mina and Linda Humphrey of the 116th Street Merchants Association welcomed Queens Borough President Melinda Katz to the parade. And Ruben Smith and daughter Liz of Amstel Auto in Irish dune buggies revved up the crowd along the route.

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Page 26

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

The Rockaway Times

TOP 10 THINGS Continured from page 14

Continued from page 14

peninsula, connecting one side of the neighborhood to the other, providing us with a common thread that ties us all together. It’s where you bump into your neighbors and friends during an evening stroll. It’s where you tell your neighbors and friends to meet you. It’s Rockaway’s main roadway for the best way to get around; bike. Sandy took our boardwalk in 2012, taking a piece of our hearts with it. The City promises that it will be back in 2017, but for us, 2017 is not soon enough. They’ve given us an extra glimmer of hope saying that it will be fully connected from Beach 9 to Beach 126, by 2016, and even 2016 is still too far. Rockaway has come a long way since Sandy, but it won’t be until the boardwalk is fully finished, that locals will be able to say things are finally back to normal. Riding a Bike From a young age, locals get around by two-wheel transportation. With an unreliable train, an on-again, off-again ferry service and spending long periods of time stuck in traffic in a car among our travel woes, the bike is Rockaway’s most reliable way of moving around. Rockaway seems to have made the beach cruiser cool and riders from Brooklyn or other parts of Queens can often be spotted riding their mountain bikes during all seasons. The bike provides riders with access to some more favorite things in Rockaway. One reader said their favorite thing to do is to bike to Connolly’s, a ride that is “a mile there, and three miles back.” Others said they enjoy exploring Fort Tilden, visiting its historic sites while riding a bike. It’s impossible to walk along Beach 129th, Beach 116th, the concessions or other popular spots, without seeing a bike chained outside. The bicycle is a Rockaway icon. It’s no coincidence that The Rockaway Times included it in our logo. Eat and Drink Eating and drinking is easy to name as a favorite activity in a place that has so many options. Many favorite spots were named and each spot has something unique to offer. Some prefer

brunch at Dalton’s or Uma’s. Many head to The Wharf for dinner, to catch a quick bite while watching the sunset go down. A hot summer beach day wouldn’t be complete without grabbing a frozen Pina Colada at Connolly’s. Some enjoy going to Sayra’s Wine Bar to have a glass while listening to jazz in the backyard. In recent years, Rockaway Beach has acquired its own Restaurant Row. In a way, Sandy cleansed our pallets and brought a whole new array of flavors with it. You can grab Thai treats at Thai Rock or Thai Kitchen by the Sea. Stop by Pico for some Mexican delicacies. Never tried Uzbek food? Check out Uma’s. Most recently, Peruvian food came to the peninsula with Chicks to Go. With so many terrific choices, its no wonder the YMCA is so crowded, as people try to counteract the calories. The Concessions Opening just two summers before Sandy, the concessions are a relatively new thing to do, but they’ve quickly become a favorite. Stop by 106th, 97th, or 86th and you’re in for a treat. Grab a burger at Rippers. Pick up some arepas at Caracas. Have a beer at Low Tide Bar. At any of the concessions, you’re likely to come by some live music and it’s hard to come by someone having a bad time. The City recognized how important the concessions were, making sure to build “boardwalk islands” around them after Sandy, so that people can still access them as they wait for the rest of the boardwalk to be built. Visitor buses from Brooklyn and Manhattan, such as Rockabus and the NYC Beach Bus, drop people off right at the concessions, because it’s where the fun is. Enjoy a day on the beach and end the evening with some drinks, food and entertainment at the concessions. It doesn’t get much better than that. Sunrise and Sunset You can travel anywhere in the world, but it’s hard to argue that the sunrise and sunset is better anywhere else than Rockaway. The start and end of each day has become a thing to do, because it’s not worth missing. People look up the sunset time for each day and make

sure they’re at The Wharf, the Bungalow Bar or somewhere along the bay the catch the last of the day’s rays that create a canvas of yellows, pinks, orange and blues, and make for award-winning photos. The early risers get to catch the sunrise off the ocean, and for those commuting to the city, it makes the A train ride just a little bit brighter. Rockaway Theatre Company Shows From a small theater in the heart of Fort Tilden, comes big theatrical productions. For no more than $20 a ticket, anyone can enjoy a high-quality performance on the weekends and see different shows throughout the year, without having to head to Manhattan. Keeping with their mission of “Bringing Broadway to Rockaway,” the RTC aims for big productions, even with a small budget and stage. Founded in 1997, the company puts on a variety of shows from comedies to dramas and even musicals throughout the year. Through its Young People’s Theatre Workshop, the RTC has also become an outlet for local youngsters to show off their blossoming talents. “My favorite thing is the Rockaway Theatre Company shows, especially Legally Blonde and Seussical starring Rockaway’s youth,” Nancy Re said. Live Music Speaking of talent, Rockaway is home to many talented musicians. Music was mentioned by many as a favorite part of Rockaway. The Ramones were so inspired by the place that they wrote a song about it and the music scene only continues to grow. On any given weekend, you can find live music around the bars, restaurants, and concessions or at Rockaway Artists Alliance events. Among some of the favorite local bands are Wine with Sue, Indaculture, BreezyGrass, Solshyne, 3 Sheets to the Wind, Squid, the Grayriders, Bad Sign, Rattrap Bumpkin, Grim Pickens, Kerry Kearney band and more. Many solo artists such as Gerald Bair, John Simonelli, Walker Hornung, Brian Monoghan, Walter Ensor, Simon Chardiet, Mike Byrnes, Annika, Frank Persico and Michael Brunnock are also very popular. Each

summer, many artists are showcased at Rockstock and Barrels and restaurants like Thai Rock and Umas have provided artists a place to rock out all year long. Surfing Rockaway can proudly boast about being the only surfing beach in New York City. You don’t have to head to California or Hawaii to catch a good wave. Stop by Beach 67th or 90th and hang ten with the best of them. Don’t know how to surf? It’s never too late to learn. Locals Surf School and Skudin Surf are two options if you want to learn how to catch more waves and less wipeouts. The Rockaway surf season doesn’t come to an end in the summer. Some locals head down to Rincon, Puerto Rico in the winter, but surfers in wetsuits have been seen right here out in the water during blizzards and in belowfreezing temperatures. Simply, it’s more popular than ever. St. Patrick’s Day Parade Being that it just happened a few weeks ago, the parade is fresh in the memories of those who said it was their favorite thing about Rockaway. However, even right after Christmas, it’s the next big thing that many start looking forward to each year. After all, it’s Rockaway’s biggest party and just reaching its 40th year, it’s a longstanding tradition in the community. Although Rockaway has become one of the most diverse places in New York City, the parade brings people back to the times of the “Irish Riviera,” and on Rockaway St. Paddy’s Day, people of all backgrounds come out to enjoy the day. As the second biggest parade in NYC, the event showcases dozens of groups including bagpipe bands, Irish dance schools, local school groups and more. Although the weather doesn’t always cooperate, the parade serves as a reminder that Memorial Day is right around the corner and winter is coming to an end. Of course there are more than just 10 things that makes Rockaway so great. Some other ideas that were mentioned were fishing, the people of Rockaway, the Little North Pole, the Rockaway Artists Alliance, the Summer Classics and the Volleyball league. What’d we forget ?

The Rockaway Times

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

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Police Search For Attempted Child Abductor Police are looking for a man in connection with two child abduction attempts on Saturday, March 14. The man stopped an 11-yearold boy who was walking on Mott Avenue near Bay 24th Street at around 2 p.m. and told him to “get in the car.” The boy ran to a neighbor’s home. About two-hours later, the same man approached a 14-year-old girl on Mott Avenue and Sunnyside, who also escaped.

The suspect is described as a black man in his late 20s, 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 220 pounds, wearing all black clothing and a black cap with red lettering. He was driving a two-door 2002 to 2005 Nissan Altima with tinted windows. For any information, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or the Rockaway Nassau Safety Patrol at 917-727-7306.

Donovan Richards, Build It Back At Arverne On Monday, March 23, there will be a community meeting regarding Build it Back applications, disbursements, and other needs. The session will take place at St. John’s Baptist Church at 7405 Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Arverne starting at 6 PM and will conclude at 9 PM. The event, which will be host-

ed by New York City Councilman Donovan Richards and Build it Back Director Amy Peterson, is part of an ongoing effort to increase response time and accessibility for those attempting to rebuild. In addition to direct assistance with applications, other organizations will also be available to provide help.

New Cardio Chief At St. John’s St. John’s Episcopal Hospital has announced the appointment of Alex Vidal, MD, as chief of the hospital’s Division of Cardiology. Dr. Vidal, a specialist in cardiology, electrophysiology and echocardiography, most recently served as director of the Arrhythmia Center at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow. Dr. Vidal is a graduate of the Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in his native Puerto Rico. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Emory

University School of Medicine in Atlanta, followed by a year of NIHfunded research at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) in Memphis. Dr. Vidal also completed two fellowships – the first in cardiovascular disease at UTHSC and the second in clinical cardiac electrophysiology at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis. Dr. Vidal is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, cardiac electrophysiology and adult echocardiography.

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The Rockaway Times

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Things toDo

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Meet at Bldg. 1 in Fort Tilden for PARKS AND PUBLIC brisk walk along the beach. Enjoy SAFETY COMMITTEE champagne cake after at Refuge 7:30 Jamaica, coffee Bay&Wildlife RAA building. Call 718-474-0896 or MEETING Celebrate the first day of spring 7 p.m. email donriepe@gmail.com Knights of Columbus, by joining a ranger to discover 11:00 a.m. 333 Beach 90th Street

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Knights of Columbus 333 Beach 90th Street S T Discuss S DOT’s safety plan for W S , S BCD ( S B91- B 94) and Parks 7 T plan to reduce Surfside PlayPUBLIC1 HEARING ON p.m. to 4 p.m. 1 ground and demolish wave PORT AMBROSE GIFTED ART EXHIBIT WISH ROCKS! sculptures. LNG PROJECT Various , including Beach 119th, 126th, 146th Streets, Noon

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Knights of Columbus 333 Beach 90th Street Discuss variance to legalize the use group 5 Hotel at 158 Beach 114th Street and 596 Acres temporary use of City land.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

The Rockaway Times

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Army Corps Meeting (actually) Scheduled

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder have announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public community forum regarding their plans for the long-delayed Rockaway Reformulation Study. The public meeting will take place on April 22. “This announcement by the Army Corps of Engineers is long overdue and great news for the thousands of Rockaway families eager to better understand the details of the proposed Rockaway protection,” Goldfeder said. The federally-funded Rockaway Reformulation Study will ultimately determine the solution for long-term erosion control and coastal protection projects along the Atlantic Coast, between East Rockaway Inlet, Rockaway Inlet and Jamaica Bay. While the reformulation study dates back to a 2003 agreement with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, it has been subjected to various delays in funding and implementation. However, in HOT & FRESH MAKES US BEST!

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

Special Day For New Judge

the Sandy Supplemental Appropriation of 2013, Schumer secured full federal funding to complete the Reformulation study and construction of the preferred alternative. For months, the Army Corps has said that they intend to provide public forums for residents to review suggested project alternatives, however, meetings have not yet been scheduled. “Rockaway residents, many of whom are still feeling the devastating impact of Superstorm Sandy, deserve to know about the full details of this federally-funded ‘Reformulation Study,’ and that’s why the upcoming April 22nd meeting is so important to this community,” Schumer said. “I am pleased that Army Corps heeded our call and will hold a public meeting on the ‘Rockaway Reformulation Study’ to educate the community and to get their input. I will continue working alongside Assemblyman Goldfeder until these concerns are addressed and the full protection project is implemented.” CALL AHEAD FOR FAST TAKE OUT

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tend the ceremony. Niko and his fellow Special Olympians were honored to open the ceremony singing our National Anthem under the direction of John Courtney. Joe Hutton volunteered to act as D J and the athletes participated in their favorite sport: Dancing.

RUN & HELP DO YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW WANT TO RUN THE NYC MARATHON ? The Rockaway Gliders will be organizing a NYC Marathon team to run for charity. The Kevin Kearney Distance Project aka TEAM KEVIN will be raising money for pancreatic cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. In keeping Kevin’s spirit alive we will run in his honor and help the continuing battle against cancer.

Family Dining At Its Finest

On December 1, 2014, Lizette Colon was inducted as a Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York. Lizette’s son, Niko Santiago, is an athlete in the St. Camillus Special Olympics Program. Lizette graciously invited the athletes, their families and coaches to at-

Do Good For Yourself And Others ! Join Us ! Call John 917-287-7280 or email j.f.edwards@att.net

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The Rockaway Times

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

The Rockaway Times

Firefighter Brings Cool Factor to Fire Safety

Continued from page 16

Marshal Stephen W. Biegel 109 W. 38th Street, Suite 200 New York, NY 10018 Office: (212) MARSHAL (627-7425) Fax: (212) 398-2000 NYC@marshalbiegel.com www.NewYorkCityMarshal.com

don’t have to worry about changing the battery every six months. With a license from the NFL, the smoke alarms come with NY Jets and NY Giants team identified logos, but Mullen says he plans to add more teams and other designs. A plain-white USI 10-year battery smoke detector can also be purchased through theBuffProject.com . Twenty percent of each smoke detector purchase goes toward not-for-profit organizations that promote fire safety. With each detector costing $29.99, $5.50 currently goes toward the NY Firefighters Burn Center Foundation and $0.50 goes to Vision 20/20. Vision 20/20 works “to unite efforts toward a comprehensive national strategy for fire prevention.,” according to its website. The NY Firefighters Burn Center Foundation is “dedicated to the advancement of burn care, research, prevention, education, and the proper treatment of burns.” The Buff Project has started a grassroots campaign “to educate people on the need for more smoke alarms,” Mullen said. The project is going from city to city, promoting fire safety and educating the public on the importance of smoke detectors. Starting the campaign in New York, Mullen will soon head to all 32 NFL cities. While the Buff Project sells its own smoke alarms, Mullen says he’s not against people going to their local hardware store and buying one. What’s most important is that they have them. A smoke detector is supposed to be placed on every floor near each sleeping area of a home, so that it can be heard. As of April 2014, NYC law requires owners of multi-family dwellings to replace non-work-

ing, expired, battery-operated smoke alarms with alarms featuring sealed, 10-year batteries, like those supplied by the Buff Project. With a fire occurring just last week at a residential building at 107-10 Shore Front Parkway, the importance of having working smoke alarms is becoming even more apparent locally. Following the fire, many residents of the building discovered that a majority of the alarms in the hallways didn’t work. “A NY1 report said that none of the smoke alarms went off in that building,” Mullen said. “How is that possible?” Growing up in a firefighter home and later becoming one himself, Mullen has always taken fire safety seriously. “It’s been instilled in our family since we were kids. Not having a smoke detector is unheard of,” he said. “I won’t let my kids sleep over at a friend’s house unless I call up the parents and ask if their smoke detectors are working.” Upon finding out that a friend in Roxbury didn’t have a smoke detector, Mullen went out and bought them one. Mullen mentioned several reasons why people might not have functioning smoke detectors like people who only rent a home for the summer and don’t think about installing one or people who might take the batteries out when the alarm accidentally goes off or when it beeps because the batteries are dead and they forget to replace the batteries after removing them. “Sometimes people say they’re too busy,” Mullen said. “You’re never too busy to do something that will save your life.” To find out more about the Buff Project or to purchase a smoke detector through the organization, visit thebuffproject.com or follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

The Rockaway Times

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

From Far Rock To Navy Far Rockaway native Petty Officer 3rd Class Lorenzo Daley plays a vital role in making sure the Navy’s deadliest fighter aircraft is in tip-top shape. Daley is currently serving with the U.S. Navy’s Strike Fighter Squadron Fourteen, also known as the “Tophatters,” at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California. Daley is an aviation electrician’s mate with the squadron, which the Navy designates as VFA-14, and works with the Navy’s most lethal and versatile strike fighter aircraft, the F/A-18E Super Hornet. “I work on the electrical components of the aircraft,” Daley said. The Super Hornet takes off from and lands on Navy aircraft carriers and is capable of conducting airto-air combat as well as air-to-surface combat. It is approximately 61 feet long, has a max loaded weight of 66,000 lbs., and a max speed of 1,190 miles per hour. Operating from the sea aboard aircraft carriers, the Super Hornet gives the Navy the power to protect America’s interests anywhere, at any time. The versatile jet has the ability to destroy targets located hundreds of miles inland, without the need to get another country’s permission to operate within its

borders. “I’m excited about working with the people in this squadron,” Daley said, adding that he’s proud of the work he’s doing as part of the squadron’s 217-member team, helping to protect America on the world’s oceans. “The electrical components are important in keeping the aircraft mission capable,” Daley said. Sailors’ jobs are highly varied in VFA-14. Approximately 24 officers and 193 enlisted men and women make up and keep all parts of the squadron running smoothly — this includes everything from maintaining aircraft airframes and engines, to processing paperwork, handling weaponry, and flying the aircraft. “VFA-14 is made up of a group of hardworking and skilled individuals whom work exceptionally well together,” said Cmdr. Tommy Locke, VFA-14’s commanding officer. “Being a part of a squadron with as much history as VFA-14 instills a lot of pride and honor in our team and in the work we do. Everyone knows their job and what is expected of them to complete our mission.” The Tophatters are the Navy’s oldest active squadron, having

Celebrating 38 Years Of Serving The Community

formed in 1919. Since the squadron’s inception they have flown 23 different types of aircraft, changed

designations 14 times, and operated from 20 different aircraft carriers.

Thank You A big thank you to everyone who came out this last Saturday to remember “John John” Mone.

Dr. Jay Rogoff • Dr. Allan Simon • Dr. Susan Whittred • Dr. Clifford Mardinger • Dr. Andrew Baker

114-10 Beach Channel Drive • Rockaway Park, NY • 718-474-0500 www.animalhospitaloftherockaways.com

Swingbellies Long Beach United Plumbing & Mechanical End of the A Blue Bungalow Blue Beach Nails Studio G Trends by Meg Selina Nails Elegante Bungalow Bar Thai Rock Last Stop Gourmet Shop

I am so proud to be from a town that comes together in such a beatiful way in both tragedy and celebration. John John will be greatly missed.

8RT

Rita Regan and the Brendan’s Bar Family

10/07/69 - 02/27/15

Thanks again to all who took part.

FREE PARKING IN REAR OF OUR HOSPITAL

Brendan’s Bar Indaculture DJ Kuff DJ Shawn Rocco’s Pizzeria BC The Channel Market Jameson’s Pico Kennedy’s Dalton’s Seaside Grill The Wharf Whit’s End

Monday through Friday 10-1 and 2-4 • Saturday 10-3 Tuesday and Thursday Evenings 5-7

I would like to especially thank a few local businesses and people for their time and very generous donations:

• Complete Surgical Suite with full monitoring of your pet on site. • Digital Radiographs taken on premises. • The most modern dental equipment used in our dental suite. • Expert grooming by a fully licensed professional. • Specialized Treatments:Chemotherapy, Stem Cell Therapy, Acupuncture. • Fun and clean separate boarding facilities for dogs and cats. The cats get to watch “Cat TV” and play on their gym. Dogs are walked several times a day and given lots of love and hugs

Page 34

The Rockaway Times

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

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The Rockaway Times

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

be well be happy

Cheers to 103!

Love - It’s Not What You Think - Or Is It? By Kathy Lord Nicolosi

What we are taught about love is that it’s “out there somewhere.” Well, what if it’s not? I’m not saying that love doesn’t exist. I am suggesting that it doesn’t exist in the way that most of us think it does. Imagine if the very thing you are searching for resides deep inside of you, a “state of being” that you could access if you only knew how. Imagine if love wasn’t something you had to go find by meeting the perfect someone, or getting married, or having a relationship. Boy, that would really change everything, now wouldn’t it? Well, you’re in luck as far as I’m concerned, because I don’t believe we can “find” love, I believe that we can only “be” love. We have all had the wonderful feeling of “falling in love” with someone. We meet someone that we really like, a person who listens to us, seems interested in our life, helps us to feel good about ourselves and we say, “I’m falling in love.” Yes you are falling in love, but what if the person you are falling in love with is actually yourself? Now there’s a novel idea, but I think it’s the truth. Where we get into trouble is thinking that it’s someone else that is responsible for how we feel. We are the only ones responsible for how we feel, ever! So, if you can practice being in a state of love, then nothing will shake you, you will take nothing personally, you won’t be judgmental, and when people are around you, they will only feel this wonderful feeling emanating from inside of you. This of course will make them want to be around you all the time. Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t know what it is about her/him, but I just love being around her/him.” If we only look outside of ourselves for the answers we will eventually be disappointed. When we look outside of ourselves for something, we are giving other people power over how we feel. We should always be the creators of our own world and never allow anyone to be the deciding factor in how we feel. You are probably saying, “Now how am I supposed to do that?” Well, the first thing you have to recognize

is that love resides within you. Think of a great memory, a wonderful moment in life, your graduation, seeing an old friend after a long time, just holding the hand of someone really dear to you, that moment when your dog comes to greet you at the door, a kind word from a stranger. Now, bask in that feeling, take it in deep, remember it, embrace it and know, that THAT is who you are. That wonderful feeling you are feeling has to be coming from somewhere, and since there is no one around at the moment, it has to be coming from inside of you. Life can be challenging at times, to say the least. So it’s not always easy to remember that the love and peace and happiness we are looking for actually lives right within our own hearts. For me, life is about the moments; the moments that we can remember to be in that wonderful place inside of ourselves which helps to create more of that feeling in the world. I’m not saying it’s easy; the world has certainly made it hard for us to remember what’s truly important. Take a minute to think about what you have read here. Try it on. If you are down for some reason, bring up a great memory and live within it for a bit and remember that “joy” you feel is actually a part of who you are. If you are feeling wonderful for no apparent reason, then you already know that you need nothing else to “be in love.” “It makes no difference whether we go back to the teachings of Jesus and make them our own again, or whether we seek new forms. Where they strike the eternal core of humanity, the teachings of Jesus and Lao-tsu, of the Vedas and of Goethe are the same. There is only one doctrine. There is only one religion. There is only one Happiness. Love and joy and the mysterious thing we call “happiness” are not over here or over there, they are only within ourselves.” - If The War Goes On - Hermann Hesse. Kathy Lord is the co-founder/managing director of Music That Heals. (www.musicthatheals.org)

Steven Feuer stopped by the Rockaway Times office to share the happy news that his mother, Fay Feuer just celebrated her 103rd birthday on March 12. Here’s to wishing the local centenarian many more happy birthdays!

We advertise in the Rockaway Times because, just like us, it’s fresh ! Claudette Flatow, owner of Cuisine by Claudette

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The Rockaway Times

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

Oh Sit

Field Of Dreams Overtakes Field of Food Beef Chip and Team Cyclops likey wingy, Beef Chip want wingy.We want extra too, and we are coming up for seconds, possibly thirds and maybe fourths. In all honesty, our entire lives we have been crushing what’s put in front of us. Our gluttonous eating habits have played an integral part in making us the pleasantly robust professionals we are. Everyone loves the fat guy bartender, “he’s quick with a joke or a light of ya smoke,” but the “someplace that he would rather be” is definitely not at the gym. We bar-backed together, lifeguarded together, bartended together and have now become blue-collar working men together. We kept true to our form living “The Rockaway Dream.” We worked hard and played hard. We always wanted just enough to enjoy a sangy from 101 while napping under the chair, a few coldies at the Bridge on our nights off, and a gentlemen’s meal every now and again at a decent steakhouse. All the while, year after year, society has progressively celebrated fitness and perfection. People have continuously ingratiated themselves, see Instagram, for pictures of what I call the “Fake, Model-esque, hand on your hip, shoulder back, tilted head picture.” C’mon, you know what I am talking about and it annoys you too! But I digress. Historically speaking, Beef Chip and TC have stoically rebuffed most suggestions of conformity, but the time has come in our lives where it is no longer about sangys at 101, or coldies at the Bridge (yes, we still crush steaks). Our “outsized” t-shirts are now larger than our “outsized” personalities. It is supposed to be the opposite. What I am getting at is that the older we get, the harder it is. We are big boys and it’s not fun anymore. We can’t sustain just one more wingy. Now, it’s really about trying to live life, with fulfillment and longevity. And I’m at the starting gate of a new journey. I’ve tried so many different things, in so many different ways. None have matched up or even compared with

the feeling I get walking out of CROM Physical Culture. In a new Beef Chip M.O., we want to recognize ordinary people, that do extraordinary things. Chris and Sarah Romulo, the bad-ass tag team couple are changing lives, one round house kick at a time, and they truly embody their own motto. Though not alone in Sandy victimization, they fought their way back to build a beautiful, inclusive gym on 92nd Street. For the everyday miracles you may see on the mat and in the ring, it pales in comparison to what isn’t known by the general public, until now. In true Rockaway charitable tradition and in the spirit of giving back, the Rumulos have formed a scholarship program for underprivileged local youth, inspiring dozens of teenagers with a newfound way of life, as well as a commitment to education. For me, it doesn’t get better than this. These admirable characteristics of a business are enough to make me a client. But I am cut zero slack because I happen to be a weekly contributor of “an otherwise decent newspaper.” Which makes me all the more excited to be a part of something special. It’s a judgment free zone and everyone is on the same playing field despite skill level. You may be thinking, “I could never do that.” Well I am here to say, if I can then you can. I must admit, I had a bit of Ray Kinsella in me. Having always wanted to know what was in his “Field of Dreams,” similarly, I always wanted to know what was behind those CROM doors. Though Ray was never invited into “his fields,” Sarah and Chris had “built it, and I had to come.” To “Ease my Pain,” I had to “Go The Distance.” I was a bit apprehensive, even fearful on my first few days, having never had any formal training except an occasional dust up outside the Tap and Grill. They took me in, a lonely Archie “Moonlight” Graham, and cast me out with a “Shoeless” Joe Jackson and a Gil Hodges type. The wall of fear was broken, alas, “All It Takes Is Heart!”

Esther Grillo, who beautified the endangered bus shelters along Shore Front Parkway, does more than paint. The wonderful artist announced that her sculpture Oh Sit will be shown at the Crickets Hearts & Flowers exhibition at High Bridge Park in Manhattan beginning in July. Esther’s work here was the first

sculpture she created after Sandy. It is made of painted, antique steel sweetheart chairs and welded and forged steel. Sculpture is 6 feet wide by 9 feet deep by 5’10” high. The Rockaway Artists Alliance is acting as the umbrella organization for 14 Sculptors, Inc. gallery which is sponsoring the exhibit.

The Rockaway Times

Page 37

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

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The Rockaway Times

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

SFDS Girls Swim Team Sails Again The SFDS Girls Swim Team recorded another terrific win Friday night vs. OLAN 82-50. The team advanced their record to 4-2, and placed first in 11 of the 15 races. Seniors claimed a decisive victory in all four of their races. Thirtyeight girls swam their personal best times of the season: 1st Place Finishes: Seniors: Hannah Harkins - 100 Free; Rian Courtney - 50 Back; Emily Richter, Hannah Nicholson, Daniella DiCarlo, Fran Agoglia - 100 Free Relay; Paige McDade, Christine Diehm, Carolyn Diehm, Olivia Murray - 100 Medley Relay.

Juniors: Jillian McCabe - 50 Free; Caroline Gifford, Katie Martin, Noelle Carey, Kelly Erhard - 100 Free Relay. Bantams: Reilly Nichtern - 25 Back; Molly Green, Abbey Tubirdy, Diane Erhard, Fiona Mullen - 100 Free Relay; Maisie Courtney, Ashley Meade, Cece Agoglia, Catherine Dean - 100 Medley Relay. Novices: Keira Sullivan - 25 Back; Lauren Sullivan, Nora Tubirdy, Megan Johnson, Delaney Laffler - 100 Free Relay. Personal Best Times: Seniors: 100 Free - Liz Carmody (1:08.32); 50 Back - Rian Courtney

Men’s Madness: St. John’s Only Local Team Alive By Michael Leboff

St. John’s University is dancing. After a bit of a roller coaster season, Steve Lavin’s squad will play the Aztecs from San Diego State University in the first round of the NCAA tournament. It is the Red Storm’s first appearance in the big dance since 2011 and only their second since 2002. The Johnnies’ were a bubble team for much of the year, but a decent finish to the regular season saw them into the tournament. They will play as the 9th seed in the South bracket and

if they pull off the upset against SDSU will most likely have to play Duke in the round of 32. Things didn’t get any easier for the Red Storm after Chris Obepka, one of the team’s best players, was suspended for two weeks after testing positive for marijuana. Obepka’s absence will force an even bigger load on the shoulders of the Storm’s top player, Sir’Dominic Pointer. St. John’s is the only team from the five boroughs remaining in the tournament after Manhattan lost to Hampton in the play-in round and St. Francis lost in the Northeastern Conference final.

(32.70); 50 Free - Hannah Nicholson (32.47); 25 Back - Ginger Kuhlmann (20.18); 25 Fly - Rian Courtney (14.32); 25 Free - Catherine Wrynn (16.12). Juniors: 50 Free - Shaun Smith (34.60); 50 Back - Megan Murray (46.07); 25 Free - Caroline Gifford (14.53), Maeve Murnan (15.0), Kathleen Schmitt (17.08), Emilia DiGiovanni (19.78); 25 Back - Aaliyah Dubei (23.22); 25 Breast Grace Boyle (23.69); 25 Fly - Julia Necka (16.81) Bantams: 25 Free - Shannon Tuffey (16.03); Cece Agoglia (17.06); Abbey Tubirdy (17.44), Al-

annah Dubei (18.37), Ariana DiCarlo (18.43), Katelyn Mitterway (18.59), Grace Murray (18.91), Johanna Schilling (20.23), Katrina Roman (31.19); 25 Back - Maisie Courtney (18.58); 25 Breast - Ashley Meade (24.34). Novices: 25 Free - Lauren Sullivan (19.40), Katie Lyons (21.92), Morgan Harkins (22.48), Julia Turchiano (22.94), Grace Gilroy (23.21), Noelle Polanco (23.26), Claire Mehta (23.94), Emily Sugrue (24.03), Alexandra Sommerville (24.06), Emma Flohr (26.14), Ava Dubei (27.25); 25 Back - Julia Courtney (23.59).

Little League In Positive Partnership The Rockaway Little League has established a partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) to ensure a positive, characterbuilding experience for all youth athletes in Rockaway Little League. PCA is a Stanford Universitybased non-profit organization, conducts workshops for coaches, organizational leaders, and parents involved in schools and sports organizations serving five-to-18year-old athletes. PCA also provides workshops for high school athletes.

“Working with hundreds of youth sports organizations around the United States, PCA has developed practical tools and guidelines to help youth athletes,” RLL President Marty Andresen said. “Their coaches and parents get the most out of sports.” The workshops are scheduled to take place during Coaches Day on March 29th at 1:30pm at Fort Tilden. For information about the workshop, please contact Stu Mackoff at 917-301-9145.

The Rockaway Times

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

The Rockaway Times

Attention Local Residents!

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My name is Tony Urrutia, and I am the General Manager of Plaza Auto Mall coming to you today with a huge offer that’s valid now through March 31st, 2015 Only! We will give you up to $2,500 towards your first two car payments when you buy from us! Come check out our huge inventory of Hondas, Hyundais, Toyotas, and Acuras…as well as over 300 pre-owned cars! We are Brooklyn’s largest auto dealership, and that means if you need credit, WE CAN SHOW YOU AN APPROVAL! I look forward to seeing you at any of our four locations on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn. And please DO NOT WAIT, this is a time sensitive offer that expires on March 31st, 2015! Please call to schedule an appointment today at 855-979-0236. Tony Urrutia General Manager Plaza Auto Mall 2740 Nostrand Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11210 855-979-0236

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