High Tide
Goodbye November; hello December! We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
*****
And with that, you can’t deny it’s the holiday season. Between tree lightings, visits with Santa, holiday boutiques and other holiday festivities, the peninsula is certainly embracing the holiday spirit.
*****
If you are looking for something to do, look right here in The Rockaway Times at our Things To Do and Good Times sections for some great recommendations. And be sure to take a look at the advertisements for some pretty great deals from our loyal advertisers. When you take advantage of the deals our great advertisers offer, be sure to tell them you saw their ad in the Rockaway Times. Without them and their support, we couldn’t have this paper for FREE to you each and every Thursday.
*****
Speaking of supporting local businesses, a big congratulations to the Mazzola family for opening up 129 Pizza at 432 Beach 129th Street this week. The grand opening was yesterday, Wednesday, December 4. The Mazzolas also own La Sorrentina and World Wide Perfume on Beach 129th Street.
*****
The next Community Board 14 Meeting will be Tuesday, December 10 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Knights of Columbus (333 Beach 90th St.). Those who wish to speak (limited to three minutes per person) must sign in at the venue before the meeting begins.
*****
Save the date! The Rockaway Beach Autism Families is having its 6th Annual Holiday party on Sunday, December 15 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus (333 Beach 90 Street). They are also hoping you can help. If you are a local business or resident who would like to donate a gift towards the RBAF’s free raffle or toy drive for the party, you can email kami@rockawaybeachautismfamilies.org for more information. Or if you want to drop off an unwrapped gift for the RBAF party, we are collecting them at Rockaway Times’ office (114-04 Beach Channel Drive). Kudos to our very own Kami-Leigh Agard who does a wonderful job running RBAF.
*****
Councilwoman Joann Ariola is hosting a Board Games for Veterans Drive to help our Veterans in the shelter system this holiday season. Every donation can help bring a smile to those who have served our country and help break up the boredom they experience. Drop-offs can be made now through December 16, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Councilwoman Ariola’s Rockaway Beach office (114-12 Beach Channel Drive), or you could order from Amazon and have it sent to the office.
*****
It’s not just your imagination, it has been getting dark ridiculously early. This Thursday the sun sets at 4:28 p.m.! As we get closer to December 21, the days get even shorter as sunrise comes later. But look at the bright side, even though it’s a shorter day, the sun sets at 4:32 p.m. on December 21, a whopping four more minutes of daylight in the afternoon.
*****
Parishioners of St. Camillus and St. Virgilius churches recently put out a call for fellow parishioners to attend Mass. With Father James Rodriguez overseeing both, as well at St. Rose of Lima Church, they are paying close attention to attendance, as they deliberate cutting back on Masses. As the saying goes, use it before you lose it.
*****
Didn’t get your Rockaway Times this week? Take another look! When the forecast calls for inclement weather, your home-delivered copy of The Rockaway Times will be in the same bag as the coupon circular that usually accompanies the paper. As always, if you would rather read the paper online, send an email to mail@rockawaytimes.com and we will sign you up for our weekly email blast.
