High Tide

And just like that, Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner — the official kickoff to summer. Beaches will open for the season on Saturday, May 24.

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To help you plan for the sunny days ahead, The Rockaway Times 2025 Summer & Community Guide will be delivered with next week’s paper on Thursday, May 22. It will also be available at all the usual pick-up spots. Huge thanks to our loyal advertisers — we couldn’t produce our FREE weekly paper or our FREE Summer Guide without their support. Please, please, please support all our advertisers and be sure to mention you saw their ad in The Rockaway Times!

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With summer comes seasonal parking regulations. A reminder: if you’re parking uptown, there is no parking on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from May 15 to September 30. In Neponsit, there is no street parking at all during this period.

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Be the first for a Rockaway first! Opening on May 23, the comic drama “The Value” is having its world premiere right here, and it’s the first ever original play produced at the Rockaway Theatre Company! There’s humor, drama and surprises as three desperate thieves discover the value of the painting they’ve stolen. Showtimes are Fridays/Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the John Gilleece Theater at Fort Tilden. Nab your now tickets at www.rockawaytheatrecompany.com

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Rockaway WISH (Women Inspired to Support and Help) is hosting its Red WISH & Blue fundraiser on Saturday, May 24, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Belle Harbor Yacht Club. Tickets are $100 per person and include a chance to win $5,000, plus open bar, lite fare, and music by DJ Combat. For tickets, ask any board member or message them on Instagram @wishofrockaway.

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Check out page 15 to see the five Honorable Mentions from this year’s Rockaway Times Photo Contest. These stunning shots will be displayed all summer at the ferry landing on Beach 108th Street. Congratulations to the photographers!

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If you were watching “Live with Kelly and Mark” last Friday, you might’ve spotted a familiar face dancing during their Travel Trivia segment — it was none other than Owen Loof, Rockaway’s Best Dressed Man, showing off his moves!

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The 45th Annual Buckley’s to Kennedy’s 5K Charity Run will be held on Sunday, June 8. This year’s race honors the memory of William Edwards, Ray Marten, and John Molloy. Register at www.heartshare.org/event/buckleysrun

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Last weekend saw a soft opening for Millie’s, a new coffee and sweets shop on Beach 129th Street, and the reviews were glowing! Thrift Terminal, a brand-new thrift store, opened at 9210 Rockaway Beach Blvd. Also opening last week: The Meat Market NYC in Howard Beach. Welcome to the neighborhood, Millie’s, Thrift Terminal and TheMeat Market NYC — we’re excited to support you!

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And coming soon is another nail salon! No, we’re not kidding. Signs went up on the old Animal Hospital at 114-10 Beach Channel Dr. for a new nail salon coming soon, but in something a little different, the new spot will also be a head spa. Head spas are becoming a popular service across the city, that focuses on the well-being of the scalp and hair through massage and washing.

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This Saturday, May 17, join St. Francis de Sales in celebrating Father Jim Cunningham’s 30th Anniversary of Ordination at the 4:30 p.m. Mass, followed by a reception. Congratulations, Father Jim!

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On Thursday, May 29, the Rockaway YMCA will host its 10th anniversary celebration from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person or $90 per couple. For more information, contact Jessica Raha at jraha@ymcanyc.org or 929-697-1488.