High Tide

It’s that time of year when the weather keeps us guessing! We get a taste of summer, only to be reminded that it’s not quite here yet. Last Saturday, many locals were out and about, strolling around town or rushing to the beach to enjoy the 80-degree warmth. But by evening, temperatures quickly plummeted again. We don’t know about you, but we’re ready to put away our winter coats and welcome the warmer days ahead!

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Advertiser Alert! Just 49 days until the most anticipated publication of the year — the 2025 Rockaway Times Summer Guide — hits the stands on Thursday, May 22, right before Memorial Day weekend! That means you only have a couple of weeks left to reserve your ad space. Don’t wait — secure your spot today in the peninsula’s go-to resource for the best season of the year! Yes, folks, talk of the Summer Guide means Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching, and we can’t wait!

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Here’s an exciting sign that Phase 1 construction at the Riis Bathhouse will be finished by summer — last week, an announcement revealed that the new Rockaway Ocean Club at Riis Park, currently under construction, is hiring! They’re looking for servers, bartenders, cooks, baristas, retail associates, and more to join their team this summer. Interested? Apply at jobs@rockawayoceanclub.com

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Now that it’s April, here’s your final reminder: The Department of Sanitation’s new composting rules went into effect on this past Tuesday. If you don’t compost your food scraps when putting out your trash, you can now be fined by the Department of Sanitation. So, don’t forget to compost!

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Some good things ahead! Sean Aiken of the boardwalk concession, Seany Pizza, is opening a brick-and-mortar Detroit style pizza shop, Crown Square Pizza, at the former Avoid-the-Day Bookstore spot (99-4 A Rockaway Beach Blvd.) When is still up in the air, but don’t worry, he’ll still be running Seany Pizza at Beach 97th. Also, Happy Jack’s is taking over the old Coastal Fro-yo spot on Beach 109th, opening Happy Jack’s Corner this summer.

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Since the repaving of Cross Bay Boulevard in Broad Channel was so poorly done, they’ll be doing it all over again starting April 21.

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For better or worse, outdoor dining in front of restaurants is back. If a restaurant has received a permit, outdoor dining is allowed from April 1 through November 29. So far, approximately 540 permits have been issued citywide, with most in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

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Mark your calendars! The next Community Board 14 meeting will be Tuesday, April 8, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 333 Beach 90th Street. If you wish to speak, you must sign up before the meeting begins.

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Submissions for The Rockaway Times 2025 Photo Contest are rolling in — and they’re looking great! Keep them coming. For contest details, see page 15. Reminder: Follow the rules! You can submit up to four photos to Contest@Rockawaytimes.com

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The JFK Redevelopment program is launching a Student Art & Poster Contest where the top six winners will have a chance to display their art at JFK. The contest is for students in the Tier 1 Zip Codes (which include the peninsula) and for grades 6 to 12. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, April 15. For a full list of the official rules and guidelines, go to www.anewjfk.com/PosterContest

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Didn’t get your Rockaway Times this week? Take another look! When inclement weather is in the forecast, your home-delivered copy will be placed inside the same bag as the coupon circular. If you’d prefer to read online, email Mail@Rockawaytimes.com, and we’ll sign you up for our weekly email blast.