Rob Walsh, former NYC Commissioner of Small Business Services, came to Rockaway to catch up with business owners on Beach 116th Street last Saturday. He was also here just to catch some rays. Some officials leave and never look back. Gotta tip our hat to Rob Walsh who still cares about the people he met after Sandy.
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Break an axle on your car? Or an ankle crossing the street? If not, you were lucky. Work crews left deep gullies or trenches on Beach Channel Drive and Beach 123rd and on Cronston Avenue near Beach 135th marked by a single cone.
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In our mermaid picture last week we neglected to mention the name of the mermaid: that was Danielle McCarthy.
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The fight for mayor continues. Or at least it seemed that way this week when former candidate Sal Albanese took some twitter shots at Anthony Weiner. Albanese gave a nod to the Rockaway Times for nicknaming de Blasio OTB as is One Term Bill. Weiner said maybe it’s time Sal got OTB (Over The Beating) he took in the race. Sal took exception and zingers flew.
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After a brief ban, boogie boards are allowed again on open beaches. But now we hear Stand Up paddle boards are now the thing that PEP officers don’t like. People have been called out of the water for using this “unauthorized watercraft.” Only a matter of time before Department of Buildings issues fines for sand castles.
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When the boardwalk finally gets built, some people in the 120s (among other places) will be unhappy with beach access. EDC and Parks says not all blocks will have ramps in Phase 3. The elderly and people with strollers or wagons will have to walk more than a block in some cases to find a ramp. EDC says it’s a matter of cost. More than one member at the recent Rockaway Civic Association said they could get independent contractors to build ramps for a lot less than what EDC and Parks will spend.
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A new association has popped up: The Rockaway Beach Surfers Association. Alex Karinsky who writes Tubular Views in this paper was elected president. This group could be a great asset as it focuses on beach issues. Surfing is a year round activity now and it’s great that there’s an organizing unit to be an advocate. And shhh…after the sand replenishment flattened out some surf spots, some recent storms and regular tides have given back wave action. But don’t tell anyone.
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Last Saturday, swimmers were pulled from the water on Beach 97th when it looked like sharks were circling. Turned out to be dolphins. Nothing too noteworthy about the event except that some genius thought it would be a good idea to go swim and be one with the dolphins. As people watched from the beach this guy made a beeline for the mammals that could weigh 600 pounds.
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There’s a new principal at St. Camillus school which is undergoing a name change as well. Sheila T. Smith Gonzalez will head St. Camillus Catholic Academy. Catholic schools are becoming academies which are governed by boards consisting of lay people and pastors and others.
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You can bring your bathing suit or dance shoes or both to the beach on Sunday. Here’s a chance to learn to swing dance (you remember when you did it in the 1920’s, don’t you?) with free lessons at 5 p.m. Or you can show your skills or enjoy the show. The fun starts at 5 and continues til 10. Caracas at Beach 106th Street will have music earlier in the day with a plan to march down to join the Swing Dance fun.
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