High Tide
We have our Top 10 for the Rockaway Times Photo Contest. Our judges — from the NYC Parks Department, NYC Ferry, Jamaica Bay – Rockaway Parks Conservancy and The Rockaway Times — have worked tirelessly to narrow down the field to ten finalists from an absolutely stacked Top 30. Congratulations to our Top 10 — all of whom are eligible for the $500 grand prize and eternal bragging rights! The Top 30 are still up for display on the boardwalk and the five honorable mentions are up at the ferry landing but will not be for much longer. So, if you haven’t yet, get out there and check them out. They are great. Our champion will be crowned on Thursday, August 22, at The Rockaway Times office.
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After a washout of a week, The Rockaway Beach Volleyball League was blessed with a gem of a day for their 2024 championship this past Saturday at Riis Park. After some hard-fought battles on the court, champions were crowned, and sweatshirts were earned. Congratulations to not only the champs from all the divisions but also to the event’s organizers who continue to make this great league possible.
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Work on the uptown dunes seems to be nearing completion with several beach entrances now open from the boardwalk in previously closed areas. Dune construction has officially begun at the uptown staging area around Beach 116th Street. Could this be the beginning of the end of Army Corps’ uptown work? The next phase, which includes work from Beach 18th Street to Beach 62nd Street is set to begin on September 1.
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The PEP, aka the “green men,” are not always the bells of the ball when they show up on the beach. Getting people, in various states of sobriety, to leave the water on a hot summer evening is no small task. It is certainly a thankless job … usually. The Rockaway Times would like to give a big thank you to PEP Officer Elijah Ammi who on Monday, August 5, rescued three swimmers after lifeguards had left the beach for the day. As a reminder, lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Thanks again, Officer Ammi, and all the PEP officers, for doing a job that needs to be done to save lives.
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Next week, on Friday, August 23, head up to the St. Francis de Sales schoolyard for what has turned into an incredible summer tradition — the 3 on 3 By The Sea Basketball Tournament. The annual tournament was started by Rockaway legend Clare Droesch and is now continued in her memory. See page 7 of this paper for more details about this great basketball tournament and the after-party.
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If you or someone you know is looking for a job, want to develop job skills, or want to see what it is like to work for NYC Parks, they are trying to grow their Parks Opportunity Program in Queens. Check out www.nycparks.my.salesforce-sites.com/InterviewScheduler for more information.
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The seventh edition of the Rockaway Film Festival at the Arverne Cinema begins this Saturday, August 17, and will continue through Sunday, August 25. This year’s festival is set to impress with nine days of movies, music, workshops and other surprises. For more information and a full list of this year’s screenings and other offerings, visit rockawayfilmfestival.org
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Mount Carmel Baptist Church is hosting its back-to-school jubilee event this Saturday, August 17, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 348 Beach 71st St. There will be a bouncy house, food, games, free haircuts and hair braiding, face painting, and raffles.
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Congratulations to the Roxbury Gladiolas marching band, which celebrated their 100th Anniversary with a parade and gala event this past Saturday night. Keep marching and clowning around!
