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Bummer. We saw a listing that the old Sand Bar property on Beach 116th and the Boardwalk was ready to be leased and we ready for a beachfront happy hour. But alas, the listing broker had the wrong photo and it's the vacant lot across from the new condos that can be leased on a temp or short-term basis.

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For the seventh year in a row, The Rockaway Times won multiple awards at the New York Press Association Better Newspaper Contest, a statewide competition among New York newspapers

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Happy Easter.

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As of April 6, any New Yorker over 16 years of age will be able to get the vaccine. This news followed the Biden directive that all states make the COVID-19 vaccine eligible to all residents by no later than May 1 of this year. According to some projections, almost the entire U.S. population will be fully vaccinated by late July.

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The Rockaway Times Photo Contest is open for a couple more weeks. You are allowed to submit up to four photos. You might have a

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Advertiser alert:  The summer’s coming and so is The Rockaway Times Summer & Community Guide. This great Rockaway tradition somehow made it to print in 2020 thanks to the commitment and faith in Rockaway of so many of our merchants. The Summer Guide will be a great way to welcome back normalcy! Or something close to that!

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Half steam ahead. As of this Friday, March 19 dine-in restaurants will be permitted to increase capacity to 50%. Covid cases are falling and vaccine numbers

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Almost last call. The Rockaway Times Photo Contest is accepting photos until next Friday, April 16. Please see Page 26 for details. We haven’t looked at any of the entries yet but we know Rockaway’s Got Talent and we can’t wait to see photos that best say: Rockaway!

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Full steam ahead on the vaccine front. On Tuesday of this week, people 16 years of age and older are now eligible to get the vaccine. It can be a challenge making a reservation online but refresh the page and keep on

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Happy Passover to those who celebrate starting this weekend.

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116th Street continues its steady climb up.  Rogoff’s (and the Thank You Café) are closed but get ready for Bagel Barista Station. Rob Pisani who ran Channel Market and Bagel Barista in Broad Channel is opening a supersized bagel place that will seat 25 people and have an open kitchen and baking area. They’ll offer catering as well. Barista Station will be the latest makeover joining Rogers, Rocco’s Pizza (on the

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According to some reports, the restaurant industry will benefit greatly from the recently passed corona relief package approved by the Senate. There is a $25 billion “revitalization fund” for restaurants that will include grants to help them cover pandemic-related revenue losses. Let’s hope our many local places will be able to get some relief and prosper going forward. We are amazed that so many have been able to keep the doors open.

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The American Rescue Plan, as it’s being