PAW PRINTS byTerriEstes CATS

This week we are diving into the won derful world of cats! There are many dif ferent breeds of cats. The International Cat Association (TICA) currently rec ognizes 71 breeds of cats, but there are many more breeds of cats that are not officially recognized by this organiza tion or other cat associations. The typi cal household cat is not a specific breed, but rather a domestic shortdomestic long­haired cat. These cats are not recognized as a specific breed of cat, but may have many characteristics of different breeds, or no specific breed at all. Domestic short­haired and long haired cats can have a variety of coat colors and patterns, and they can be found in households all over the world. These cats make great pets as they tend to be affectionate, adaptable and easy to care for.

Cats, like humans, have unique personalities, and there is no one­size­fits­all answer

Rockaway Beach Stunner

have learned to live with each other andother. It is important to note that some cats have very strong personalities and

Some people allow their cats to roam freely, and some always keep their cats indoors. Allowing cats to roam freely can have both positive and negative ­ door cats are free to explore and exercise their natural hunting instincts. While on the other hand, they are exposed to risks such as being hit by cars, attacked ­ tracting diseases. If you have a pet cat, it’s important to consider the risks and benefits of letting them roam freelybeing. Some options to consider include building a secure outdoor enclosure or, for indoor cats, providing them with plenty of toys and activities to keep them stimulated. Having a pet cat can be a wonderful experience. Cats are affectionate, playful and can provide their owners with companionship and comfort. They are a great source of entertainment and can also have a calming presence in the household. Building a strong bond with your cat can be a rewarding experience that brings joy and love into your life. There are several pet adoption organizations in the Rockaway area that have an abundance of cats and kittens looking for homes. If you are ready for a feline companion, contact one of these local organizations, and provide a local cat or kitten a much­needed home! $1.085M

Balance Poses

The theme at Ocean Bliss Yoga Studio for the month of May is balance poses! Today’s article serves as an introduction to balancing, including what it takes to balance and some of the benefits that come from practicing these types of poses. Before we dive in, let’s start with some balancing pranayama (breath­work).

Take a moment to straighten your posture and come to center. Cover your left nostril and take three silent, smooth, circular breaths in and out of your right nostril. Next, cover your right nostril and take these same three breaths in and out of your left nostril. Finally, relax your hand down and take three of these same breaths in and out of both nostrils.

Encourage your breaths to be round and easy (do not hold the breath in between c ycles) and equal in length. How do you feel?

For an incredible breath­work experience we invite you to join Christine Walker at Ocean Bliss Yoga this Sunday, 4/30 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for her Transformational Breath Workshop. Maximum of 10 participants. Sign up at oceanblissyoga.net.

Now, back on topic!

Balance poses are an essential category of poses to incorporate into every yoga practice. Even simple balances require deep, focused attention. The moment the mind begins to wander, the body topples over. Standing on one foot obligates us to drop external thoughts and fully concentrate on the task at hand. Staying balanced and centered requires constant efforts and adjustments.

Balancing is an act that brings our physical bodies, nervous systems, thoughts, emotions, and consciousness into equilibrium. The result of the deep and devoted alertness required for balance is a holistic sense of rooted calm in body, mind, and heart. Balance poses also strengthen muscles and improve coordination. The benefits of balancing radiate off the mat into everyday life, improving quality of life and the range of what is possible. Practicing these poses even prolongs our lifespan, as they help us to avoid falls that can lead to injury and death as we age.

To break it down, balancing calls for three essential ingredients: (1) alignment, (2) strength, and (3) attention.

Alignment makes balance physically possible. In order to balance, we must line up our body's center of gravity with that of the Earth.

Strength gives us the capability to make, maintain, and adjust alignment. You can build up your strength by using a wall to help you hold your balance pose until fatigue, and repeating it a few times. Eventually, you start to let go of the wall. As you get better at balancing, you will become more skilled at using your bone structure to support your weight. This makes your efforts more efficient, as you start to require less muscular exertion to hold your poses. You will also tremble less, which means fewer muscular adjustments to stay in the pose.

Attention is the third ingredient for yoga balance poses. Focused attention in a pose monitors alignment and gives us the ability to make the adjustments necessary to maintain our center. As we balance, our minds and nervous systems are constantly reviewing our positions, noticing any adjustments, and making the necessary corrections to stay aligned.

We look forward to focusing on balance poses all month long in the studio!

Join us in class to improve your balance and learn more about how getting good at balancing can benefit you and your life.

Sign up at oceanblissyoga.net.

Apartments

Born on August 17, 1941 to Vincent Sr. (Vinnie) and Margaret Murphy of Manhattan, Vincent was an only child.

Vincent graduated from Power Memorial High School and received his undergraduate degree in business from Pace University in New York City. Shortly after college, Vincent married the love of his life, Maureen who he met at age 17.

After experiencing a taste of the good life renting a bungalow in the Rockaways, Vincent and Maureen realized they couldn't live without the sand in their shoes. So, they made it official and moved to Rockaway Beach full time. They couldn’t imagine another place in the world to call home and raise a family. In 1979, they moved to Belle Harbor where they would raise three children- Vincent III (married to Adrienne) with children Connor and Chloe of Middletown NJ; Julie (married to Patrick from Longford, Ireland) with children Patrick, Jr. and Molly of Bayridge, Brooklyn; Kate (married to Travis) with children Lauren, Katelyn and Travis of Belle Harbor

Vincent and Maureen loved strolling the beaches not only in Rockaway, but also in their happy place of Aruba where they honeymooned in 1964. Nothing gave them more joy than to share this tropical paradise with their children and grandchildren. Purchasing a timeshare allowed them to do just that!

Vincent worked on Wall Street in New York City as a managing law clerk for the maritime law firm of Bigham Englar, Jones & Houston until his retirement. He was a talented cook and impressed all who were lucky enough to sample his cuisine. He attended the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan where he studied the fundamentals of catering. His passion for music was deep as he loved all genres and styles ranging from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga and everything in between. He entered and won many singing contests where he never disappointed the crowds with his famous rendition of New York, New York by Frank Sinatra. Vincent loved the theater and was a regular cast member with the Rockaway Theatre Company.

Vincent was deeply loved and will be missed by all whose lives he impacted with his delicious meals, quick wit, love for music and trivia, as well as his kind generosity.

A wake and service was held at Denis S, O’Connor Funeral Home in Rockaway Beach, New York on April 25, 2023 from 9:30am-11:30am.

84122P0017-Operations and Management Services for NYCDOT Public Spaces. The New York City Department of Transportation seeks to select an appropriately qualified vendor or multiple vendors to provide Management and Operations services to high-need public spaces including but not exclusively limited to NYC DOT Plazas, Shared Streets, and Open Streets.

This Request for Proposals (RFP)/RFx is released through PASSPort, New York City’s online procurement portal. Responses to this RFP/RFx must be submitted via PASSPort. To access the RFP/RFx, vendors should visit the PASSPort public Portal at https://passport.cityofnewyork.us/page.aspx/en/rf p/request_browse_public To quickly locate the RFP/Rl x, insert the HPIN, 84122P(X)17, into the Keyword search field. In order to respond to this RFP/RFx, vendors must create an account within the PASSPort system if they have not already done so. A pre-bid conference via Microsoft TEAMS is scheduled for 5/8/23 at 11:00 am. Those wishing to attend must request the Microsoft TF.AMS link by no later than 5:00 pm on 5/5/23 via email from the Authorized Agency Contact. The deadline for the submission of questions is 5/10/23 by 5:00 pm. The proposal due date (submission via PASSPort) is 5/31/23 by 2:00 pm.

This procurement is subject to participation goals for Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) as required by Section 6-129 of the New York Administrative Code. The M/WBE goal for this project is 30%. Any inquiries concerning this RFP/RFx should be directed by email to the Authorized Agency Contact, David Maco, at dmaco@dot.nyc.gov