High Tide
Hope everyone had a nice President’s Day weekend and is enjoying their February break.
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Where is everyone? With schools off this week for February break, it seems half the peninsula is away — either taking advantage of the cold weather and getting in some quality ski time or getting away from the cold and getting some much-needed sun time some place warm. Regardless, wherever you are, have a great time.
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Speaking of the cold weather, we know the groundhogs had inconsistent findings, but wow, winter is still very much with us. We just hope the weather turns soon, because you know what is coming up in a mere nine days: Rockaway St. Patrick’s Day! The parade is next Saturday, March 1. Get your green ready. It’s always a great day in Rockaway and a sign (fingers crossed) that spring will be here soon.
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The Rockaway Times Photo Contest opened last week, and the submissions have been coming in hot. Keep them coming! For more details on the contest, see page 9. Remember to submit contest photos by email to Contest@Rockawaytimes.com only. We’ll still run our popular Local Color feature each week in the paper, but those photos should be sent to Mail@Rockawaytimes.com
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Due to high demand, there has been a change in venue for John Edwards’ La Focacceria pop-up event next week. It will now take place at the Bungalow Bar (377 Beach 92 Street) from Monday, February 24 to Wednesday, February 26 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Be among the first to experience La Focacceria. For all the information you need, check out their ad on page 2.
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Want the latest updates from the MTA regarding the A train construction? You can sign up for the Rockaway Line newsletter that will be running until May with the latest travel information, construction updates and more. Visit https://cloud.info.mta.org/rockaway-updates to sign up.
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The New York City Parks Department is looking for the community’s input on the Arverne Playground construction. If you have thoughts on the construction of the Arverne Playground, you can submit them through February 27 at nyc.gov/parks/input
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Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson’s office will be recognizing women who make a difference in the community as part of their annual Women’s Herstory Event, on March 8. If you know a woman who is based in District 31 and deserves to be honored for her work within the community, submit a nomination by tomorrow, Friday, February 21. You can call 718-327-1845 or 718-322-4958 for more details.
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In honor of Heart Awareness Month, there will be a free arts and crafts club program for adults and children at St. Rose of Lima Church (130 Beach 84 Street) on Tuesday, February 25 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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If you want to join a community discussion on a new elementary school, there are two meetings on Saturday, February 22 at 10 a.m. at Peninsula Library (92-25 Rockaway Beach Blvd.) and Wednesday, February 26 at 4 p.m. at RISE (58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd.). You can visit rockschool.nyc for details.
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This is sure to make some local commuters very happy: Congestion pricing appears to be a thing of the past. In a letter to Governor Hochul, Donald Trump’s Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, announced Wednesday that the federal government is revoking its approval of the controversial toll. The letter states that the federal government has authority over highways leading into Manhattan and argued that the tolls impose an unfair burden on motorists outside the city. In response, the MTA has filed papers in federal court to challenge the administration’s move to block the toll.
