How many of you actually know the meaning of Memorial Day? It is a federal holiday wherein the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces are remembered. The holiday, which is celebrated every year on the final Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national and local cemeteries.

When I was a child, Memorial Day meant attending the parade on Forest Ave. and having a BBQ in…

1909 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

The Grand Opening Event at the Empire Outlets NYC took place on Wednesday evening. Crowds of people lined up for an evening of entertainment, dancing, giveaways, food trucks, shopping and a camaraderie that I haven’t seen in a long time. The waterfront views of Manhattan were spectacular. The open spaces invite one to sit and enjoy the music, the sights and sounds, people watching and chatting. You can take a bus or the S.I.R.T. to the ferry to easily check out the new shopping venue or park in the nearby enclosed garages at the ferry, the Outlets site or on St. Mark’s Pl. at the Courthouse. Following are some photos from the opening night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you, Elissa, my gentle reader, for…

2116 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

What a beautiful week! That is, until the rain came, barely stopped and then began again Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, etc.…. I want to congratulate my handsome, smart, funny, creative, first Grandchild, Gerard Nils Coogan, on his First Holy Communion which took place on a warm sunny Saturday morning at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Tottenville. He is an excellent student in 2nd grade at P.S. 3 and in his CCD class. All the children were taught well, knew their prayers and sang the beautiful songs during the Mass. I pray that Gerard will be blessed today and throughout his life. Check out the banner he designed and made for his Communion ceremony and the nod to a certain favorite creature. Hint: He is a dinosaur aficionado.

 

 

 

 

I…

2533 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Did you catch the performance by the Yankee Rebels Bluegrass Band at Everything Goes Cafe, take the Richard Buegler 10-Mile Spring Walk, attend Stop ‘N’ Swap at CSI, shop the Open Garden and Plant Sale at the home of Sage Reynolds? Below are some photos from Sage’s wonderful garden of unusual plants and flowers and happy shoppers.

Did you shop for Mother’s Day at the Craft Fair at the Art on the Terrace Gallery and view their art exhibit: “Good Earth” or at the Spring Fair at Stapleton UAME Church? Did you attend the Staten Island Giving Circle’s Basket Bash on Tuesday? For more information or to volunteer your services, visit statenislandgivingcircle.org

The Walking Tour of Livingston's Bard Avenue neighborhood took place on Saturday…

2017 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Did you spend time with the kiddies, grandkiddies, nieces or nephews treating them to any of the Cool School Holiday events around town?  Did you attend St. George Day, or Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day at Staten Island Makerspace on Sunday? 

I decided to get some exercise on Saturday during “Move your Body, Meet Your Neighbors” Weekend Walk Street Festival sponsored by Councilwoman Debi Rose, Staten Island Business Outreach Center, NYC Dept. of Transportation and the newly established Castleton Avenue Merchants Organization (CAMO).  This little corridor of Castleton Avenue has been a favorite of mine for years.  It’s an eclectic mix of small businesses that add value to the local community.  Among the businesses participating on Saturday were…

2467 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Have you registered to be an organ donor? Or applied for a Library Card? Did you attend Dr. Shulimovich’s Lunch and Learn--Cancer Control Awareness Month at RUMC or Dine Out 4 Autism? Or attend the Arts, Culture & Fun: Public Theater Mobile Unit: “The Tempest”? or the"The Crucifixion, an Oratorio" at The Reformed Church on Staten Island?  I hope you enjoyed the lovely weather and embraced nature during Easter and Passover holidays.

People ask me, “How can I receive the “Weekend Events” blog.  If you enjoy reading my “Weekend Events on Staten Island” and would like to be my Facebook friend, you know what to do—friend request.  If you would prefer to be on my mailing list, please email joan.coogan@gmail.com or call or text me at 646-258-9696; I will…

1914 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

April is National Donate Life Month! For the 2019 National Donate Life Month theme, Donate Life America was inspired by bicycles and the phrase “Life is a beautiful ride.” Like the donation and transplantation journey, a bicycle serves as a symbol of progress, renewal and the moving circle of life. Nearly 9,500 New Yorkers are currently on waiting lists for donated organs that could save their lives.  If you would consider becoming an organ, eye or tissue donor, visit: https://www.donatelife.net/register/ You can also become a donor by registering with your local DMV when applying for or renewing your driver’s license. Visit:https://www.dmv.org/how-organ-donation-works.php I have been registered for many years on my license (note the heart on the right…

1947 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Check out my listing in Westerleigh—38 Canterbury Avenue!

This is a large one-family fully-detached home on a lovely, wide block in Westerleigh, situated on a  50’ x 115’ lot, featuring four bedrooms, living room, hardwood floors throughout, eat-in kitchen with access to a huge rear yard.

With two means of egress—front entrance as well as rear entrance, it is perfect for entertaining in the spring, summer and fall in this large yard with plenty of seating during your summer barbeques, or perhaps just relaxing in your hammock or setting up a swing set/jungle gym for the kiddies.

 

Check out the full unfinished dry basement with laundry room and work bench for that do-it-yourselfer; it can be a blank…

1487 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Did you try Sunrise Tai Chi or Easy Rider-Indoor Cycling at the Biddle House this week, attend the Pysanky Egg Workshop at Great Kills Moravian Church or catch the Spring Thing with Joan Caddell & The Midnight Choir at the Little Victory Theater?  Did your teens participate in the Mutt-i-gree program at the St. George Library or Making Comics 101 with Ivan Velez at the Dongan Hills Library? 

 

There is so much to do on Staten Island--look around you!  The flowers are blooming and the grass is growing.  Get down and dirty into your garden and clean out the weeds. If you need a garden to practice your skills, call me--I’ll let you help me. Walk through Snug Harbor Cultural Center or Conference House Park and enjoy the fresh air and…

1837 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Isn't it wonderful to finally see "color" outside, maybe spotting the first robin of the season or ducks hanging out on a pond?  It's these little things that make it all worth while as the memory of the cold, damp, windy, winter weather with a only few passing snow storms comes to an end and we welcome spring.

 

Did you visit Nothing New Thrift Store this week and check out the great finds? Or take a Beginners Course in Magic from Bob Friedhoffer at the South Beach Library, attend the Curtis High School Student Art Exhibit that was presented by Staten Island Creative Community at Art On The Terrace or enjoy Stargazing at Great Kills National Park? You have another chance for the next eight months (once a month) to Stargaze.  See…

2028 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post