High Tide

We hope everyone enjoyed the long Fourth of July weekend!

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There were a few shark sightings over the holiday, causing lifeguards to clear the water. But even with the reported danger lurking in the ocean, many people decided cooling off was worth the risk and took their chances venturing back into sharks’ domain. Thankfully, the beach closures were only temporary — apparently, the sharks decided to move on to greener pastures — and the water was reopened to the public.

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Tonight, July 10, get out there with your flag and cheer on Hope for the Warriors! At around 6:30 p.m., the heroes will be welcomed into town for their weekend of fun with a procession over the Marine Parkway Bridge, down Rockaway Beach Boulevard to Beach 120th Street, and then back along Beach Channel Drive to Breezy Point. If you’re traveling to the peninsula, please note that road closures and delays are expected around Flatbush Avenue and the Belt Parkway due to the procession.

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The Fourth Annual Timmy Klein Beach Volleyball Tournament will take place this Saturday, July 12, starting at 9 a.m. (Rain date: Sunday, July 13.) The tournament honors fallen firefighter and beloved local, Timmy Klein, who lost his life in a fire just over three years ago. The games will be held at Beach 121st Street, and all proceeds benefit the Timothy P. Klein Foundation. Come out and enjoy a great day of volleyball in Timmy’s honor—it’s always a special day at the beach.

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Also this Saturday, July 12, is the 18th Annual City of Water Day, with events and activities taking place throughout the peninsula. Among the highlights is the 8th Annual Jamaica Bay Festival—a free, fun, family-friendly event. For more information, visit www.jamaicabayfestival.com. We’re lucky to live between two incredible bodies of water, and this is a perfect opportunity to celebrate that.

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A video posted to TikTok caught a civilian trying to “help” during an active lifeguard rescue on the jetty around Beach 108th Street this weekend. The civilian’s actions caused a lifeguard to fall, and the man himself, while they were in the middle of trying to lift a woman on to the jetty and out of the rough water. One of the lifeguards involved had to get stitches and is now out on disability. Let this be a reminder to not interfere with lifeguards in the middle of a rescue. And please stay off the jetties!

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We’re always happy to welcome new advertisers to The Rockaway Times. This week, we’d like to give a warm welcome to Patrick “Tubz” Tubridy and Deborah Brennan—Team Tubz of RE/MAX Elite. Check out their ad on page 23 of this week’s paper. Welcome aboard, Team Tubz! And a big thank you to them, and all our loyal advertisers. Without you, we couldn’t deliver this free paper every week.

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Congratulations to Robin and Steve Shapiro on a huge win by their racehorse, Phileas Fogg, who took first in the Suburban Classic — a $400,000 stakes race in Saratoga last week. What a win! We’ll have to get our bets in for the next one.

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Summer Meals are available from Friday, June 27, through Friday, August 29, at many public libraries, parks, community pools, and schools. Free for kids 18 and under, breakfast is served from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., and lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. To find a participating site or food truck near you, visit schools.nyc.gov/SummerMeals

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