OK, so it’s raining out today!  That shouldn’t put the kibosh on your plans for the weekend.  It’s supposed to clear up and actually will become “brighter”.  Tomorrow will be perfect all day so get yourself and/or the family outdoors and have some fun!

If you missed the Egyptian Festival at Archangel Michael and St. Mena Coptic Church at 4095 Amboy Rd. last weekend, make sure you attend Saturday and Sunday, 10/4 and 10/5 from noon to 8:00 p.m.  FREE ADMISSION!  The parishioners welcome you with open arms to share and learn the rich culture of the Coptic community.  Visitors will experience everything Egyptian through clothing, food, people and culture.  Enjoy the Mediterranean dishes--stuffed grape leaves, shish kebab, baklava and more.  Various…

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Facing a Nor’easter today and summer-like weather tomorrow, it looks like another great weekend to enjoy the happenings on Staten Island.  How many of you went on the North Shore Restaurant Crawl last weekend?  I sampled food in 14 different restaurants, got my two miles of walking in and met a lot of nice people—both fellow foodies and owners/managers of the restaurants.  Congratulations to the North Shore Business Association for sponsoring this event!  It was a success!

The Egyptian Festival at Archangel Michael and St. Mena Coptic Church at 4095 Amboy Rd. will be held for two weekends, 9/27 and 9/28 and 10/4 and 10/5 from noon to 8:00 p.m.  FREE ADMISSION!  The parishioners welcome you with open arms to share and learn the rich culture of the Coptic…

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Last week, to greet the cooler weather, I gave you a round-up of events happening on Staten Island for the weekend.  This week I’ll share more of my favorites.
 
Foodies:  Pay Attention!  The third North Shore Restaurant Crawl is scheduled for Sunday, 9/21 beginning at 1:00 p.m. and ending at 5:00 p.m. You can visit restaurants including Pier 76, Karl’s Klipper, Ruddy and Dean, Da Noi, to name just a few.  At each of the restaurants, participants collect five or more stamps and will be entered into a drawing to win gift certificates and prizes.  From 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., the day ends with a Mix and Mingle at the Crawl’s headquarters, Edgewater Hall at 691 Bay St. featuring music, art, soft drinks, coffee, cookies, raffles & more.  Advanced tickets can be…

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Are you sorry to see Summer disappear and Fall creep in slowly but surely?  I am a Summer baby and absolutely love the sweat, heat, sun, shorts and T-shirt type of weather.  But if you are like me, don't despair!  There are many events coming up on our wonderful Island that you can enjoy.

 

One of my favorites is “The Fence Show” at Snug Harbor Cultural Center.  It takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Originally scheduled for Saturday, due to an anticipated rainy day, it was rescheduled for Sunday.  The art exhibit on the fence in and around the Harbor is an enjoyable event to admire, perhaps purchase any of the original pieces as well as meet your friends and neighbors.  A Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble will perform its “Open Air Music…

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I would like to take you on a tour of a gem on the North Shore of Staten Island--Snug Harbor Cultural Center and more specifically, the Staten Island Children’s Museum.

On a recent weekend, I offered to babysit my grandson ALL DAY while his parents had some needed adult time together.  After I made the offer, I called my brother to see if he would like to join (help) me--he was game.

Many years ago, I took my son to the original Children's Museum in Stapleton, a hands-on learning and fun experience.  Over the years, I have brought my nieces and nephew to Snug Harbor.  Now it was time to experience it through the eyes of yet another tot. 

Outside the museum, we were greeted by a huge metal sculpture made from used car parts, Francis the Praying…

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In late 2008, I leased a corner storefront on Bay Street.  It was one of the best real estate deals I have ever made and not because of the commission.  On that day, I met and became acquainted with a group of people who have touched my heart.


 

The Bay Street Thrift came to life at 1090 Bay Street, in the Rosebank section of Staten Island and is sponsored by Baltic Street AEH Inc. whose mission is--Advocacy, Housing and Education for people with mental illnesses.   

The Bay Street Thrift offers training in retail sales, stock work and maintenance to consumers of mental health services who are then prepared to work jobs in competitive employment. 

 

 Shortly after the Thrift opened, I popped my head in to see how they were doing.  The…

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Do you know what your teenager is going to be involved with this summer?  Are you afraid of what your teenager will be involved with as soon as he/she leaves school?   

When I was a kid, we played outside from morning until night.  Basketball, punchball, arts and crafts, Tompkinsville pool, Goodhue pool, hanging out in the woods at the end of our block, being tortured by the boys who found snakes in the woods at the end of our block.  Our parents never had to worry (too much!) what we were doing.  First of all, there was always the voice of conscience in the back of our minds whether we knew it or not.  My Dad was a police detective so I suspected he had eyes everywhere; we had to stay safe and not get into trouble. 

Today, it is a different world. …

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Many of you have probably made vacation plans already.  Whether it be a cruise, a vacation to see family across the country, day trips, long weekends at the lake or shore, summer is an exciting time of the year.  Packing is easy--throw a bathing suit and suntan lotion into a tote and off to the beach you go.  Sit in a park, people watch, bring a bag lunch and a good book—mini-vacation.  There are so many possibilities and many that are FREE.  Activities abound around the City and particularly, on Staten Island for the summer. 

The outdoor concerts at the parks are always a favorite of mine.  When I was a child, my Dad would pack the kids up and off to Silver Lake we would go.  He would spread a blanket in the grass, we would snack on fruit—grapes,…

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Last week, I wrote about a business on the North Shore that had recently opened up.  Today, I want to tell you about their neighbor at 840 Castleton Ave. 




What can I say about “Boutique 840”?  The owner of this unique boutique is Michael Spence, an affable gentleman who has been in the fashion biz for quite some time.  He began his business on Staten Island over ten years ago as Michael’s Pocketbooks.  I discovered him the week of Christmas over five years ago in a store that brightened up the neighborhood.  I entered only to find gorgeous pocketbooks at reasonable prices, jewelry that was unique, scarves, hats, and other winter items and an invite to have a glass of wine with him.  Wow!  I purchased earrings and returned later on…

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I recently had the pleasure of meeting the proprietors of the “Wicked Stitches” at a Realtor trade show.  While having my nails done recently on Castleton Ave., I noticed “Wicked Stitches” was directly across the street.  I walked in and was thrilled at what beheld me.  A beautiful store front, artful displays of a variety of personalized embroidered gifts for simply every occasion and a counter with two comfortable chairs to leisurely look at everything these two terrific women have to offer. 

Nancy Nix and Carolyn Buckheit, the co-owners of “Wicked Stitches” and native Staten Islanders, welcomed me into their store as if I was a friend or a sister--I felt like I have known them forever.  They custom embroider anything you can imagine—gifts for…

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