Posts categorized as Community

The first time Jenny Magniccari went to a thrift store was six years ago in Florida with her daughter. She was quite surprised by the quality of clothing for sale and she enjoyed the experience of finding a bargain. Jenny Magniccari, a mother of three, has been a resident of Rockaway for 35 years. And she’s always loved shopping and fashion. Like most of us when the pandemic hit, she was home, with a lot of time on her hands. Here arrives The Cellar Door NYC. Magniccari had the idea to […]

It’s been an unseasonably cool and rainy April/May but we made it – garden season is here! I’m behind but I’m working my way through the front and back garden. I’ve separated the Daylilies (which encourages more flowering) and took out Walker’s Low (which spreads so much). I gave the Walker’s Low and Irises to a friend who’s starting a garden for the first time. And with all the rain to encourage growth, the weeding seems endless. 4 cubic yards of beautiful compost made from NYC food scraps. It’s been […]

So many of us are mourning the loss of Jesse Lyons. He suddenly passed away on April 18, 2022. At first, I felt  my column wouldn’t be the appropriate forum to share about this. But then I thought, one of my main topics in this column is community. And Jesse was the embodiment of our Rockaway community. He was a local activist, a uniter, a force, a friend, a giver, a dancer, a skater, a beach lover. He was so much to so many in Rockaway and beyond. Jesse invented […]

A few weeks ago I attended the sip n’ snack spring shopping event at The Swellife. The get together was an opportunity for owner Katie Long to showcase her new spring jewelry collection. New spring jewelry collection designed by Katie Long. The earrings, bracelets and necklaces are delicate yet have presence. I asked Katie what her vision was in creating these pieces. She explained, “I love color and texture. And I create patterns and play with bead size and shape. I have a few special ladies in mind when I’m […]

In celebration of Earth Day, the Beach 91st Street Community Garden is hosting a festival on April 23, from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. in the garden. The theme of the event is the Rockaway Ecosystem, which will pay tribute to the biological community and the environments in which they live and we share. The day’s events focus on ecological education, art inspired by the beauty of Jamaica Bay, created by local artists and fantastic live music! The Earth Day guest speakers are: Carolin Wood, NYC Parks Department Gardener. She will be […]

I haven’t had a proper haircut since before the pandemic. I desperately needed a spring refresh and knew exactly where I wanted to go – Rock Rock Salon (88-08 Rockaway Beach Blvd.). I have several friends who had exceptional experiences there and they recommended I go for my new cut. I booked my appointment through Rock Rock’s Instagram page – @rockrocksalon. Did you know that was even a feature?! I didn’t and it was super easy. I also received a reminder via email which, for me, is hugely helpful. I entered the […]

On Saturday, May 14, walking your dog can take on a whole new meaning. Join the community in celebration of our beloved four-legged friends by participating with your pup, in the Inaugural Rockaway Pups on Parade Event! The festivities begin at Beach 108th Street and the boardwalk (near the hockey rink). The parade will start at noon heading east, finishing at Beach 92nd Street and the boardwalk. Judges, Enchantress Shane and Cooper. After the parade, the judging will commence. Enchantress Shane and her dog Cooper, Claire Van Winkle and her […]

(Left to Right) Carolin Wood, Rachel Maki, Rachel Krieger-Garone, Jason Heuer With a little nudge from a friend, I signed up for the Connection Through Creativity Class at Avoid The Day. All winter I’ve been attempting to get back to the drawing table but admittedly, I’ve had trouble focusing and finding inspiration. I felt this event was the ideal opportunity to reignite my passion for art. It did just that and more. Community organizers Rachel Krieger-Garone and Rachel Maki presented the concept of Connection Through Creativity to Jianna and Jason […]

I’m a coffee drinker. I love everything about it – the smell, the taste, the cup in my hands and the jolt I need in the morning (twice)… and in the afternoon. So, when I learned that Greenhouse Cafe was hosting coffee classes, I signed up, stat. I say I’m a coffee lover, but admittedly I know very little about my beloved beverage. The first class Greenhouse Cafe hosted was Introduction to Specialty Coffee. Fitting for an aspiring coffee aficionado like myself. The class began with Lead Barista Michael Mainwaring […]

I’ve been to the Rockaway Hotel many times for rooftop cocktails, seasonal markets and for dinner and luncheons. The food is top-notch and the cocktails are 5-star. Whenever I walk in the door, I feel like I’m in Manhattan for the evening, yet I’m only 10 minutes from home! Last week I signed up for my first experience at the hotel – a wreath-making class hosted by Amy Febinger. Amy is a floral designer living and working in Rockaway. She creates beautiful sculptural arrangements for all occasions including weddings, corporate […]