Beachcomber

Fall is the new summer in Rockaway. This Sunday, October 5, is the Beach 116th Street Fall Fest from noon to 6 p.m. Then get ready as the Rockaway Beach Merchants Association celebrates the season with a festival on Saturday, October 18, from 12 to 5 p.m. at Beach 94th Street and Rockaway Beach Boulevard. Kick up some falling leaves and enjoy them both.

No road rap. No jokes. No wisecracks or smart remarks. Rockaway Beach Boulevard is now paved.Thank you, Lord! Now if you could just get those folks to paint some lane markers…

A Good Samaritan found a woman’s watch on the beach in front of Beach 123rd Street on Sunday, Sept. 26.They contacted The Wave and asked if we could help find the owner. Sure, we said. So, did you lose a watch on that date? Call 516-883-4849.

A recent morning newspaper misidentified two robbery suspects in Brooklynwhograbbeda1yearold,threatened the child with a gun, then threw the toddler to the ground as they fled.They were mistakenly described in the article as “men.” They are not.

The Peninsula Library is hosting a Local Authors Expo on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 2 to 4 p.m.The Wave’s Dan Guarino and other Rockaway and NYC writers will read from their works at the 2nd annual event and have book copies available for sale and signing.

Dollar Value Liquidators, at 88-16 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, is one of the many new businesses opening up all over Rockaway. If you see bright color pennants, a grand opening banner or a “We’re Open!” sign, stop in. Say ‘hi’ and welcome one more business trying to make it in Rockaway.

The Rockaway Theatre Company had two welcome words draped across the billboard for their current musical Godspell – “Sold Out!” Their next production is Damn Yankees in November.

Traffic was backed up on the Cross Bay Bridge on Tuesday morning, Sept. 30, as crews began removing trees along the main road, Cross Bay Boulevard, in Broad Channel. Most were damaged or died as a result of the storm almost two years ago.

The St. Francis de Sales Quilters, meeting for more than 20 years, put their hands and hearts to making quilts for kids in need in hospitals, abused family shelters and even police stations.Their quilts will be displayed and blessed at a special Mass at St. Francis at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5.

The rusting doors to the former Zi Feng Seafood store on Rockaway Beach Boulevard were reopened this week. Abandoned shortly after the storm, inside was a snapshot of Oct. 30, 2012, the Sandy-morning after. Bicycles stood exactly where they were left, while cases and equipment were tumbled around and all was smeared with sand and mud.

Hands down, Rockaway resident Lily Corcoran has the most interesting driving story this month, possibly of the year.While rolling along the parkway, listening to the music and tapping her hand on the door, she noticed a large black SUV in the next lane and someone waving. It was President Obama. He called over that he was enjoying the music she was playing and they had a brief but animated chat before he had to pull away and head to the UN.

If you were watching NY1 News this past Tuesday, you may have noticed the front page of last week’s Wave splashed onto your screen.You weren’t seeing things!

The corner of Noel Road and Cross Bay Boulevard was once home to a thriving, iconic luncheonette, a hairdresser, t-shirt place and other stores and offices.Those businesses were shuttered years ago.Workers were seen going in and out last week, but it looks like the location is just used for storage. Perhaps the property owner will consider revitalizing this now barren, mute corner of town.

Run for the Crave! Though unconfirmed, rumors have it that a Taco Bell and a new White Castle will be coming to Rockaway.

From the Rockaway! One Big Family!! Facebook page: “Individually, we are one drop.Together, we are an ocean.”

Dan Brown notes that “there is a Department of Youth and Community Development Neighborhood Advisory Board holding meetings on the Rockaway Peninsula to identify the needs of the district for funding opportunities?” Check www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/html/advisory/ neighborhood.shtml to find out more or join up.

Reporting on the People’s Climate March on September 23, the UK’s Guardian newspaper spoke to “20 leading personalities from across the world talk about why they will take to the streets.” Among that top 20 was Rockaway’s Kalin Callaghan.

Rockaway and Broad Channel were well-represented at the massive march by residents, families, neighbors and groups like Rockaway Wildfire and the Rockaway Youth Task Force. Many also made the papers, including the cover of the New York Times.

Cars were parked for blocks around and hundreds of people from all areas attended each night of the 1st Annual Fall Festival. Hosted by the Broad Channel Athletic Club and American Legion Post 1404, the fun fair ran for five days from Sept. 24 to Sept 28. It brought together huge carnival rides, live music, ponies, lots of fairground games and food stands and reminded quite a few people of Playland.

“Yes” may have lost out to “No” in the vote for Scottish independence, but we applaud our Rockawayneighbors whose roots go back to Scotland in reaching this historic moment. Even Santa needs a back office. The Secret Sandy Claus Project 2014 is looking for more than a few good volunteers to fill the following unpaid positions website maintenance/HTML designer, donation manager, volunteer coordinator, transportation coordinator, schools coordinator, elf and Santa trainer, videographer/documentarian and interns. Interested? Contact msciaraffo@gmail.com.The program distributes donated toys to children all overRockaway and BC.Their smiles are the bonus program.

The latest word from co-owner Gerard Casey is that Kennedy’s, the deeply missed Breezy restaurant and gathering place, is looking towards a late October opening. Best of luck
.