High Tide

We hope everyone had a great Mother’s Day weekend.

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For those of you running the Brooklyn Half Marathon this Saturday, May 16, good luck! We hope the weather cooperates and that you enjoy your well-earned celebration afterward.

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And just like that, Memorial Day weekend—the official kickoff to summer—is right around the corner. Beaches officially open for the season on Saturday, May 23.

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A sure sign that summer is almost here: parking regulations uptown are back. Just a reminder that from May 15 through September 30, there is no parking on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays in certain uptown areas, and no street parking daily during this timeframe in Neponsit.

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And speaking of summer, our 2026 Summer & Community Guide is complete! Thanks, as always, to our loyal advertisers. We could not deliver our FREE paper or FREE Summer Guide without them. Please, please, please support the businesses that support The Rockaway Times, and be sure to tell them you saw their ad in the paper! Be on the lookout for the 2026 Summer Guide with next week’s paper on May 21, and at all the usual pickup spots around town.

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Want to play summer hoops? Don’t forget to sign up for the St. Francis Summer Classic at sfdsparish.org. Completed applications must be postmarked by May 20.

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Rockaway WISH (Women Inspired to Support and Help) is hosting its Red WISH & Blue fundraiser on Saturday, May 23, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Bungalow Bar. Tickets are $100 per person and include a chance to win $5,000, plus an open bar, lite fare, and music by DJ Teddy.

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We received so many great submissions for this year’s 2026 Rockaway Times Photo Contest. The top 30 photos, which appeared in our April 30 issue, are being enlarged and will be displayed along the boardwalk for all to enjoy this summer. Our five honorable mentions can be found on page 37 of this week’s paper and will also be displayed all summer at the ferry landing. Photographers will be able to pick up their enlarged photos at the end of the season. Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s contest.

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Rockaway will never forget. You can still donate or buy a raffle ticket to help fund repairs to the Tribute Park 9/11 Mosaic ahead of the 25th anniversary this September by visiting rockaways9-11tributepark.com

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Have you been keeping up with our column “This American Experiment”? Or maybe you’re just a natural history buff. For America 250, the Rockaway Republican Club is hosting an American History Trivia Night at Jamesons on Wednesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. All are welcome regardless of political party.

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Have a teen looking to stay busy on Saturday nights? The Rockaway YMCA (207 Beach 72nd Street) hosts Saturday Night Lights, a free basketball program held every Saturday. Middle school runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and high school from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Parents can register in person at the YMCA.

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If you want to make sure you receive The Rockaway Times, we email the entire paper every Thursday to more than 4,300 subscribers. It’s fast (8:30 a.m. Thursday mornings) and free. Are you receiving it online? If not, drop us a note at Mail@RockawayTimes.com and we’ll add you to our list. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook!