To boldly go where Rockaway has never gone before.

by Paula D. on March 4, 2019 12:37 pm in Community / Events

Previously published in The Wave.

In some ways, I’m a “basic” Long Island chick. I played lacrosse in high school. I love Billy Joel. I’m into Botox. But it may surprise you to learn that I’m also a Trekker. (Not a Trekkie. If you don’t know, don’t ask.)

My husband essentially forced me to watch the show back when we were dating. He would come over with Star Trek DVDs. We started with the original series but then jumped to Deep Space Nine, which Matt thought was a better introduction for Trek newbies. Essentially DS9 is a space soap opera – great plot lines, romance and action. It just happens to be set in outer space. I was hooked.

Last week, after a few glasses of “Klingon blood wine”, I had an awesome idea: there should be a Star Trek Convention this summer in Rockaway. It would be amazing. Before you stop reading, allow me to set the scene for you.

Picture, beings streaming off the ferry and the shuttle heading to the boardwalk dressed as Star Trek characters. Klingons will be drunk, getting in fights with Green Goblins (The Parks Dept.) on the Beach. Andorians will be sunbathing their blue skin. Each concession will host its own galactic party!

Low Tide Bar will transform into Quark’s, the local watering hole on Deep Space Nine. Your favorite bartenders dressed as Ferengi (ahem Rob Bryn, Emil Seager), will serve you Trek-themed otherworldly cocktails. Some ideas for possible drinks include:

* The Mind Meld
* The Pattern Buffer
* The Borg Queen
* Liquid Latinum

They’ll be picnic tables with gambling (ok, probably board games) with beautiful Dabo girl attendants distracting you from your earnings. And it wouldn’t be Quark’s without the holodeck. I’m thinking Will Farrell of Wilderness Yard in a teepee tent and some of his magical tinctures? That, in combination with a few Mind Melds, and you’ll feel like you’re in a virtual alternate reality. Holodeck, check.

Imagine Armin Shimerman himself shows up at our convention! It’s common for Star Trek actors to attend these conventions and Rockaway is a draw for everyone in the summertime. After all, the reason Captain Sisko earged Quark to run the bar on the starbase was to encourage interstellar commercial tourism, boosting the station’s economy. See where I’m going with this?

Caracas, I appropriately deem as Rissa, designation: “pleasure planet”. It’s a luxurious world where many in the binary system go on vacation. First Officer William T. Riker describes it best, “This place is called Risa, and believe me, Captain, it is a paradise. Warm tropical breezes, exotic foods, nothing to do but sit around all day.”

Trekkers will travel through the Neutral Zone (ie, walk the boardwalk) to reach Ten Forward (Rippers). Ten Forward is the crew lounge aboard the Galaxy-class USS Enterprise-D, the ship on a favorite of mine, Next Generation. Like Rippers, Ten Forward as spectacular views, is the social center of the ship and has a dedicated wait staff. I think Nick Bendick would make a great Guinan. Characters from all galaxies will be dancing on the tables at Rippers all night long!!!

Trekkers of Rockaway, set heading to RB Star Trek Convention – 2019. Make it so!

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I’m Working at The Wave now!!

by Paula D. on February 25, 2019 1:42 pm in Community

If you haven’t heard yet, I’m working in the art dept. at The Wave. I’ll have to write an official post explaining how lovely its been so far but in the mean time, check this link!

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Rockaway Farmers Market, where have you been all my life?

by Paula D. on February 25, 2019 1:37 pm in Community / Food

Last Saturday, I went for a pedicure at Sunny’s Nail salon on 116th street. Afterwards, I decided to pop in the Rockaway Farmers Market. I immediately walked over to the open rows of produce. So fresh! Crisp kale, avocados, ripe tomatoes, firm onions, artichokes, and a rainbow of peppers were only some of the many vegetables to choose from. And the prices were on point. The orange bell peppers were only 1.99lb! The aroma of sage and thyme passed me as I walked by the herbs.

On the back wall to the right is a refrigerated area housing pre-packaged selections including sushi, diced veggies, pre-peeled garlic and sandwiches, among other grab-and-go items. To the left is a deli counter. In the center is a juicing bar! You can pick your own or purchase their staple blends. On the counter, I notice a strange looking ball-shaped fruit. It was redish in the center with green “tentacles” shooting out around the berry. The sign below explained that this fruit, rambutan is a fat burner. It boosts energy and is a rich source of protein and iron. Rambutan, native to Indonesian, helps generate white and red blood cells and builds up the immune system. I’ve never seen these exotic fruits in Rockaway before! The price for juices is only 7 bucks – sweet deal!

There’s a specialty raw honey aisle with over 15 brands and different flavors to choose from. The honey jars would make great gifts as they’re packaged so nicely! Like the rambutan, the honey section had an informative sign explaining the five benefits of pure bee pollen.

You can go nuts in the nut section! (Wokka wokka.) Find raw cashews, walnuts, trail mix, almonds, corn nuts, peanuts, you name it. There’s no shortage of dried fruits either – pitted prunes, jumbo dried raisins, pineapple, cranberries, kiwi and mixed dried fruit. Purchase by the pound.

For only 8.99 a lb. pick up whole roasted coffee beans from around the world.

Italian food lovers shouldn’t miss the fresh pasta from Papa Pasquale Ravioli of Bensonhurst. Look in the refrigerator towards the back on the left side. I’m picking up a package to taste test next weekend. From penne to linguini there are many varieties to choose from. Once you go fresh pasta it’s hard to go back, right?

I was impressed by the selection of healthy foods for purchase at the Rockaway Farmers Market. I’d say most people see food shopping as a chore but shopping at the farmers market is a pleasure. I found great deals, unique products and the service was welcoming. Rockaway Farmers Market is located at the corner of 116th Street and Beach Channel Drive. Support this locally owned business by visiting any day of the week. It’s open from 7am. to 8 p.m.

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Empowered to Defend

by Paula D. on February 19, 2019 10:09 am in Community

Chris Romulo (left), Sarah Romulo (center), Katie Long (center right), with class participants.

Attention muggers: you DON’T want to mess with me! I learned self defense from Chris Romulo, champion Muay Thai fighter and all around badass dude!

Chris and Sarah Romulo, owners of CROM, partnered with Katie Long, creator of the beautiful boutique shop THE SWELLIFE, to offer a self defense workshop. The idea came about after a discussion on safety at book club, one of the many gatherings hosted at the shop.* Recognizing the community interest, Katie, a long-time member of CROM, reached out about organizing the class. Chris and Sarah were 100% on board.

With over 35 years of experience as a professional martial artist and as a Certified Personal

Defense Readiness Coach, Chris has the expertise to teach us what we all should be prepared for; defending ourselves and protecting our loved ones in the case of an emergency.

Over 25 attendees were seated, waiting for the workshop to begin. Out of nowhere, Chris ran in from a back door and simulated an attack on Sarah, who was on her smartphone. We were all startled and caught off guard, which is exactly what Chris Romulo wanted to demonstrate. “What we want you to take away from this class is awareness. You must be present, this is key. With technology today, we all find ourselves distracted in our surroundings. Personal defense starts in your mind.” he began.

I learned so much I couldn’t possibly explain it all here but what I found particularly important is as follows.

There are two strategies in personal defense you can assert to defuse a potential physical confrontation. The first: be mentally present. If you have an emotional or physical response to an individual or situation — that “fight or flight” adrenaline feeling — remove yourself. Whether that means changing subway cars or crossing over to the other side of the street. Why take a chance?

The next defense tactic we learned was verbal diffusion. If a person starts speaking to you and it feels inappropriate, verbally defuse the interaction. “Look, I’m not interested”, or “My husband (or brother) will be here in a minute and he won’t like you speaking to me like this”. Make eye contact and walk away but never turn your back, Chris taught us. Being on the offense verbally shows the attacker you’re confident and clear-headed. And eye contact makes it personal which is a big deterrent.

If these pre-measures don’t work and you’re attacked, you need to defend yourself physically. “Fight like a cat! Scratch, scream, ambush!” Chris instructed. Use the hard parts of your body – the heel of your palm, your elbow and your knee. Strike the perpetrator down the middle of the body, which is the most sensitive area. Palm to the nose, pulling down scratching your attacker’s eyes with your nails. Use your knee, aiming for the groin. Move quickly backwards, clearing the area before sprinting away.

Yes, Chris put it bluntly. An assailant wants one or all three of these things – your belongings, your body or your life. Chris and Sarah stressed, if you’re getting mugged, give them your bag, your phone or your sneakers. Possessions are replaceable; your life is not.

Learn how to strengthen your mind and body at CROM. There’s a wide range of classes for adults and kids such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Muay Thai Kickboxing, not to mention CrossFit and SHRED. Find more info at crompc.com, on IG: @cromphysicalculture, or call 718.945.1700. CROM Physical Culture – 217 Beach 92nd Street, Rockaway Beach, NY, 11693

* Learn about the cool creative events hosted at THE SWELLIFE by following @the_swellife on instagram! THE SWELLIFE fashion boutique is located at 91-08 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway Beach, NY 11693.

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To boldly go where Rockaway has never gone before.

I’m Working at The Wave now!!

Rockaway Farmers Market, where have you been all my life?

Empowered to Defend

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