The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce unveiled a contest for shoppers in an effort to promote local businesses. The message is "shop small," meant to encourage residents to do their buying at area small business rather than big-name retailers. The contest will be running for one day, the Saturday after Thanksgiving and Black Friday, designated as "Small Business Saturday."

Participants can download print a 'passport' from the S.I. Chamber of Commerce website. Each time the holder shops from a participating small business on the island on Saturday the 29th, their passport will be stamped. Many of these businesses will be having special offers and giveaways as incentives. Shopping at eight of these participating locations on this day will gain the shopper…

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This marks the 14th year that the Staten Island Board of Realtors is bringing us 'Adopt-a-Senior.' The holidays can be a tough time for those who spend it alone, and this program looks to change that. The initiative sends volunteers to area nursing homes to spread some quality time with seniors who may not have visitors of their own. 


[Photo source: silive.com]

SIBOR has collected a senior wish list of sorts, filled with items like games, books, puzzles, and makeup. These items will be distributed to over 500 designated seniors throughout the island. The Realtors are accepting gift donations at their headquarters on Richmond Ave through December 2nd. Visits and gift distribution will take place from December 11th to December 23rd.

Laird Klein,…

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So, how did you do on the roads at the new 25 mph speed limit?  I admit it has been a challenging week.  As soon as I start accelerating, I remember I must slow down.  I encountered a few police cars here and there (one in the Snug Harbor driveway on Henderson Ave.) and decelerated.  Not too obvious, right?  Also, I’m wondering if all the drivers behind me know about the slower speed limit.  More than a few have zipped past me frustrated that I was a slow poke. 
 
The Harbor Lights Theater Company’s production of the iconic and one of my favorites, “West Side Story” continues Friday, 11/14 and runs through 11/16 and next weekend in the Music Hall at Snug Harbor.  Also offered is a Dinner/Brunch/Theater special.  Call 718-273-7516 or visit HLTC.org for…

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"Inspired by Us: Musication" is a free, all-ages event which will be taking place tonight in Stapleton.

The interactive event is brought to us by Dave Nudelman, or "Dave Noodlez," founder of Stereotype Clothing Co., and co-sponsored by Projectivity, an art education organization.

The creative extravaganza will include contributions from over 70 local artists. There will be live music from a variety of musicians, as well as live art creation in the form of a mural and other small works, a staged vintage photo shoot, and a mini-studio, offering participants the opportunity to be recorded singing a few lines of a song that will be produced during the festival. Some art will also be for sale, and donations will be accepted and put toward the Staten…

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Borough President James Oddo launched the first session of the "Walk With a Doctor" program this past Saturday at Silver Lake. Each of these walks will be held in a different location and will include a chat with a doctor about the benefits of walking and staying active.


[Photo source: silive.com]

A group of Staten Islanders of all ages met at the bridge in Silver Lake Park and ventured out on a 30-minute stroll. The walk was lead by the borough president, as well as his wellness coroodinator, Dr. Ginny Mantello, and Dr. Ram Raju, President and CEO of NYC Health and Hospital Corporation.

For this session, the group was joined by endocrinologist Dr. Philip Otterbeck. Endocrinology is the study of hormones and the conditions that an imbalance can…

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Borough President James Oddo strikes up another island-wide campaign this month. The national "Movember" movement takes place over the month of November, encouraging men to grow out their mustaches. The facial hair, however, is just a playful symbol of the deeper meaning: to raise awareness of prostate cancer and other men's health risks, and to have more men take an active interest in their health.


[Image source: wix.com]

Oddo asks residents to post their Movember pictures on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the tag #simovember. Photos with this tag may be reposted on Oddo's Staten Island USA accounts. To further raise awareness, participants are asked to also tag the men in their lives. For those unable to grow a real one, printable cutouts are…

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A Brief History of Veterans Day (borrowed from “Military.com”)

Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'" As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.

In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954,…

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The 49th annual Miss Staten Island Scholarship Pageant is set for tonight! The event will take place at 5:30pm in the Center for the Arts at the College of Staten Island in Willowbrook.


[Last year's winners. Photo source: silive.com]

The competition is the first step toward Miss America. Women ages 17-24 enter to win not only the title, but also academic credit and funding for college and grad school. The Miss America Organization is one of the nation's largest educational opportunities for young women. Fun fact: the last three winners of the Miss America title have all hailed from New York!

Tonight, twelve hopefuls will take the stage at the College of Staten Island. Two winners will be chosen, Miss Staten Island 2015 and Miss Richmond Country…

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The Committee to Save Mount Manresa will be holding a fundraiser tomorrow, November 9th, at Michael's Meatballs & Martinis on Hylan Blvd in Dongan Hills .


[Photo source: savemountmanresa.org]

The Mount Manresa complex, the former Jesuit Retreat located in Fort Wadsworth, was constructed in the 1920s. Recently, the site has suffered partial demolition, causing unsafe conditions for island residents. Apparently, the demolition company who began the process initially submitted fraudulent reports. What they failed to make clear is that this old structure contains Asbestos, and further destruction will cause air pollution and put residents at risk for exposure. So far, at least 8 nearby residents have complained of health problems due to the…

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BFC Partners, the developers of the upcoming Empire Outlets complex in St. George, are planning yet another big project in Stapleton.


[Photo source: dnainfo.com]

The new building will be located at 475 Bay Street, a few short blocks away from the Stapleton train station. Of the proposed eight floors, the first will contain almost 9,000 square feet of retail space, and floors 2 through 8 will contain 214 residential units. The building will also have its own enclosed parking lot. Permit applications were filed Monday morning, along with zoning change requests. The current zone codes do not allow the space to be used for residential purposes, but only for light manufacturing and commercial use.


[Photo source: dnainfo.com]

The planning of Empire…

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