The latest in a series of health initiatives planned by Staten Island Borough President James Oddo calls for students to quit sugary drinks for one month. The "Sodabriety" Challenge has been issued to four area high schools: Staten Island Tech (New Dorp), St. John Villa Academy (Fort Wadsworth), Staten Island Academy (Todt Hill), and Susan Wagner High School (Manor Heights).

Within each school, a Challenge Advisory Council was formed, comprised of ten students and two teachers, designed to promote the campaign and encourage other students to sign up. Participants were asked to fill out surveys before beginning the challenge and once more after they have completed it in 30 days. The incentives offered here are better health and awareness of the negative…

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Fifty years ago, on November 21, 1964, ceremonies were held in Brooklyn for the opening of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. Master builder Robert Moses realized his vision of connecting Staten Island to the rest of the boroughs by overseeing the construction of what was then the longest suspension bridge in the world.


[Photo source: silive.com]

Today, in light of the anniversary, a celebration will be held at The Overlook at Fort Wadsworth. Festivities include a 50-gun salute by the New York State Veteran Corps of Artillery, and FDNY Fireboat display in the harbor, and a performance by the acclaimed P.S. 22 Chorus. MTA President James Ferrara, Chairman Thomas F. Pendergast, and other officials will be on hand. Later this evening, a cocktail reception…

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The Staten Island Greenbelt's original 5K run, "Fall Flat," returns this Saturday, November 22. Here's to hoping that runners don't take the race's title too literally!

The fun run will take place in Willowbrook Park and is suitable for beginners and walkers as well as seasoned runners. The race will be professionally timed, and an awards ceremony will follow. In addition, race apparel will be provided for registered participants. Refreshments will be served during the run. 


[Photo source: sigreenbelt.org]

The race begins at 10:00am at the park entrance on Eton Place, near the carousel. Runners will follow the 'White Trail' and will circle around Willowbrook Lake. The 'White Trail' is mostly flat, hence the race's name, and has recently received…

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Community safety concerns? Real-time news updates affecting your area? There's an app for that! Borough President James Oddo presented a new, free smartphone app today which he hopes will encourage Islanders to become more engaged with their surroundings.

The new app for smartphones and tablets is called "BP Assist." It will allow residents to report quality-of-life issues, such as potholes, broken street lights and signs, area flooding, andother concerns. The app will also provide news and updates for our area, from street closures, to upcoming events, important borough contact information, the ferry schedule, and more. 

BP Assist is available, free of charge, for Apple and Andriod devices. All submitted issues are sent directly to Borough Hall…

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Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and you've been putting all of your energy into creating the perfect menu and buying your ingredients early. But what about the house? How are you going to add that extra bit of charm to your table, your living room, your home?

We here at Gillani Homes have found some interesting and unique design ideas to give your home just what it may be missing this year. All of these inspirational images can be found on our Pinterest page. Here are some of very easy do-it-yourself festive ideas sure to bring your family together this holiday:

Homemade Cinnamon Candle
Wrap a candle in cinnamon sticks. No need for glue,
just tie them up with some twine or string. Whether
or not the candle is scented, it won't matter, since
the aroma…

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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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"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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