SEPTEMBER 5

Luisa Melo was born.

1698 - Russia's Peter the Great levied a tax on bearded men.

1836 - The Republic of Texas made miltary hero Sam Houston its first president.

SEPTEMBER 6

John Moroney III was born.

1995 - Baseball player Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig's iron man record by playing in his 2,131st straight game.

1997 - More than 2 billion people watched Princess Diana's funeral on TV.

September 7

Brigid Bergin was born.

1822 - Brazil declared its independence

That went quick! Happy Labor Day. And Happy Mardi Gras to all who celebrate.

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Beach season isn’t over! Lifeguards will be on duty through September 8.

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Congratulations to Emily McNeil, this year’s winner of The Rockaway Times Photo Contest.  This year’s entries were the best yet. As for next year, now is a good time to get out there and snap photos and save them for our 2020 competition. Thanks everyone!

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Want a Rockaway Times tee? Go to Rockawaytimes.com and see the link

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Start a mobile block party. Organize your block and make plans to march in the Poseidon Parade on Saturday, September 21. The more participants, the better! Families, kids, all are welcome. Sea monsters, sailors, mermaids, pirates, crustaceans—just think nautical!  We like this event so much we’ve become the Official Sponsor. 

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Black Jack (Jackie) Ryan needs your help. The basketball wizard who has entertained Rockaway crowds as part of the Harlem Magic Masters and through solo

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You never know what being spotted in a Rockaway Times t-shirt will lead to. Last week, Rockaway’s Suntan Dan Edwards was seen rocking the tee at the races in Saratoga. His attire and personal charisma overwhelmed the other guy in the photo, Dave Portnoy, who is the president of Barstool Sports. Portnoy, who has one million followers on Twitter, took note of the shade and tweeted the photo with the good-natured comment: “I think I just got put in a body bag by The Rockaway Times.” More

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Want to see some great photos all in one place? The Rockaway Times Photo Contest Finals is this Saturday, August 24, 10 a.m., at Caracas concession, Beach 106th and the Boardwalk. Judges will have a hard time picking this year’s best. First there was a top 30, then a top 12 and just for fun we’re throwing in three more wild card photos so judges will have 15 to choose from. All are welcome. Caracas and Brothers will supply some morning refreshments.

If you were one of the Top 30 or

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We’re gonna need a bigger bar. That’s what they were saying as the crowd from Jamesons flowed onto Beach 129th Street last week Wednesday, July 31 evening. The Happy Holy Hour, hosted by three St. Francis de Sales priests, made it seem like it was Palm Sunday as those in seek of spiritual fulfillment turned out in force. We hear rumors of an encore.

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You don’t have to play to have a great day. The Rockaway Beach Volleyball Championships will be played at Riis Park this Saturday