High Tide
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We read a great article written about one of our friends, Aggie Batista of Dream Vacations, on travelpulse.com. In the article, Aggie discusses her success as a travel advisor and Dream Vacations franchise owner. When asked “How did your business niche over the years?” Aggie responded, “The best decision I made when I first started was to build a relationship with my local newspaper, ‘The Rockaway Times.’ I promoted my travel events there and that helped create a buzz in the community, which led to great articles written about me. I even had clients write about their family vacations and their experiences with me in the newspaper. That opened the door to building my niche.” Well said, Aggie. We always say we have the best advertisers in the world, who make it possible for us to provide our paper for FREE.
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Last weekend, a 19-year-old man drowned in Riis Park after lifeguards were off-duty. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Please remember to only swim when and where lifeguards are stationed. And remind your children to do the same.
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The much-anticipated Shakespeare On The Beach will take place at 7:30 p.m. from August 17 to August 20 at the Beach 95 Theater. Paddy “Tubz” Tubridy is fundraising for it this week and next week, raising money for sound, costumes, and set design. He is having his last 100 “box” fundraiser, with all numbers being drawn LIVE on Facebook on August 9 at 7 p.m. First number gets their money back, the 25th number drawn doubles their money, the 50th number drawn doubles their money, 75th number drawn wins $500, and the last number drawn wins $3,000. There are also corporate sponsorships available. $250 gets an ad in the Social Media Playbill, $500 gets that and their logo on a banner displayed at the theater each performance night, and $1,000 gets all listed plus an approved jingle performed during the play. For more info, message Paddy Tubz on Facebook or text him at 954-873-0427.
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A big congratulations to our friends at Jamesons Pub, who are celebrating their 25th anniversary this summer! They are having a celebration tomorrow night, Friday, August 4, at 7 pm. Happy anniversary, and here’s to many more!
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Tess Howley, a local Rockaway swimming legend who swims for the Long Island Aquatic Club and the University of Virginia, won the 200m butterfly at the Speedo Junior National Championship with a time of 2:06.85, breaking her own meet record. That impressive time would have been good enough for fourth overall at the Swimming World Championships, which is going on concurrently.
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Speaking of impressive local swimmers, Sean Green was named one of the Hometown Heroes at the 2023 Phillips 66 National Championships in Indianapolis. The program recognizes up-and-coming swimming talent from across the country. Green, who also swims for Long Island Aquatic Club, competed in four individual events while in Indianapolis: the 800m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 400m individual medley and 1500m freestyle.
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This Sunday, August 6, NYC Parks and the Rockaway Times will host the annual Sandcastle Contest on Beach 117th Street. Registration will start on the boardwalk at 11:00 a.m., and the contest will run from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., with judging to follow. For more details, see page 2.
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The Rockaway Rocket is returning on August 12 and will run for a limited time between Brooklyn Bridge Park/Pier 6 (Atlantic Avenue) and Rockaway. Beat the lines with a guaranteed spot on a ferry going directly from Brooklyn to Rockaway for $10. Tickets are on sale on the NYC Ferry app.
