Beachcomber

There will be an Emergency School Safety town hall meeting at the Far Rockaway Educational Campus at 821 Bay 25th Street on Friday, Dec. 5, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.This is presented by the 101st Precinct Community Council and others. It is for all parents who want a safe/secure learning environment for their children, want to learn how to identify if they are involved in gang activity and know what programs and support are available to them.

We often forget what a disaster Sandy was close up. Check out the Broad Channel Rebuilds Facebook page, updated last on “Feb. 7, 2013-Day 101” for a snapshot of community resolve and resource sharing in the aftermath of the storm.

In an effort to accurately monitor noise caused by flights in and out of JFK airport, Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder has successfully worked with the Port Authority to secure additional noise monitors in Bayswater andBroad Channel.

The Rockaway Artists Alliance will be hosting their annual holiday party and celebrating their newest exhibition, Gifted, at the T-6 Gallery at Fort Tilden, on Monday, Dec. 8, from 7:30 p.m. on.

A 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, on an 18 month lease courtesy of Mercedes Benz ofBrooklyn, will be raffled off to raise money for the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). This is part of the Little North Pole lighting, an event hosted each year by Joe Mure at 144-03 Neponsit Avenue to benefit the charity and brighten the holidays. The lighting will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. Come out and enjoy.

The Rockaway Wellness Partnership, from the Visiting Nurse Service of New York can help you eat healthy on a budget, get motivated to exercise, stop smoking, learn new coping skills and move your health and life in a positive direction. Make some pre-New Year’s resolutions. Contact 718-888-6827 or rwp@vnsny.org.

The Theater of War Soldiers & Citizen’s Tour is presenting their free dramatic readings from Sophocles’ Ajax this Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Rockaway Theatre Company. For tickets, if still available, go to www.TOWNY.eventbrite.com.

Check out a genuine two minute thirty second slice of the 50’s with Why Can’t I Be Loved, by Alicia and theRockaways, on Youtube.

A Taste of Rockaway Beach restaurant and eatery sampling tour tickets are now available at any of the 10 participating venues. These include 101 Deli,Thai Rock, Surfside Bagels, Rockaway Beach Surf Club, Uma’s, The Rock, Sayra’s Wine Bar, Bungalow Bar,Whit’s End pizza and Elegante. Date: Saturday, Dec. 13, 12 to 6 p.m. Rain Date: Dec. 14.

Community Voices Heard, which has been around for 15 years, and is active in Rockaway, describes itself as an organization “that fights for the rights of all lowincome people, their families and communities.”

Hundreds turned out and enjoyed a good Thanksgiving meal served with good cheer at the Waterside School for Leadership, PS/MS 183, the Beach 41st Street Community Center and many other places across Rockaway. In addition, the Graybeards, Resorts World Casino and many others helped support holiday food giveaways hosted by the Broad Channel VFW, St. Mary’s Star of the Sea, St. Rose of Lima and other local groups.

Rockaway Wildfire, which sprung up after Hurricane Sandy, says of itself “We are a local, grassroots, directly democratic, community based organization bringing resident voices to the planning and redevelopment of the Rockaways.”

Artist Arianna Rose is hosting a free dollhouse exhibition, artist talk and workshop at the Rockaway Artist Alliance T-149 Building at Fort Tilden on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 20 and 21, between 1 and 4 p.m. See Happenings for details. RAA is also hosting a Gingerbread House Making Workshop for children on Sunday, Dec. 14 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at T-149, supported in part by the Rockaway Rotary Club. To register call 718-474-0861. All proceeds go to RAA.

The Wave urges people to lock their car doors and keep valuables safe, as incidents of car break-ins are on the rise.

Need a doctor? Doctors of the World, “Rockaway’s Free Clinic” at 230 Beach 102nd St., Suite 3B, offers adult primary and preventative healthcare, general physical exams, diabetes, high blood pressure and other chronic disease management and basic women’s health services. They also offer specialist referrals, prescription and lab assistance, basic cancer screening, case management services, insurance enrollment help and mental health services. Call 718-634-4941.

“Hundreds of homeless families in city shelters have moved to New York City public housing this year as part of a renewed effort to tackle the problem, but the number of people in shelters keeps growing…. The New York City Housing Authority, the country’s largest public-housing agency, moved 750 families out of homeless shelters and into apartments by the end of October, officials said…. As of last week, there were 58,562 people sleeping in city homeless shelters, including more than 25,000 children, according to the city. A year ago, the census shelter population was 51,110.” –The Wall Street Journal

Where are all those television shows and movies filming in Rockaway? Look for cryptic yellow signs with black block letters on them, like “BE” (Boardwalk Empire), “MS” (Madam Secretary) or “POE” (Person of Interest). The direction of the arrows underneath point the way to the shooting location for the crew and cast. Or look for temporary No Parking signs which list the production and shooting dates. Or look for big trucks with lots of lights and cables
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