I pray you had a blessed Thanksgiving. Here’s a picture of my turkey. I know it doesn’t look like a Norma Rockwell painting, but it tasted great!
After praising the DSNY last week for promptly picking up leaves, the last two pick-ups have left the bags of leaves, as well as my recyclables, untouched in front of my house. A few people on my block were served leaving the rest of us ignored. Bring back the bonfires! I still have a lot to be thankful for, especially being physically able to rake the wet, heavy leaves without pain.
Following are some photos at a recent event, Owning Reptiles as Pets, presented by the Metropolitan Herpetological Society at Clay Pit Ponds Visitors Center. I have a feeling that my grandkiddies will have to make some difficult decisions about which reptile they will own as pets. Their hermit crabs may be a bit jealous!
Did you shop on Small Business Saturday and support your small local businesses? Did you attend the Annadale Christmas Tree Lighting or the Thanksgiving Kitchen Tours at Historic Richmond Town or brought the family to South Beach Library for Family Finger Painting? That sounds like a whole lot of fun and can perhaps be a new family tradition!
The day after Thanksgiving, I ventured through Snug Harbor and discovered a colorful display being installed for the NYC Winter Lantern Festival. See Wednesday’s schedule of events for details!
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The West New Brighton Library, 976 Castleton Ave. will host Literacy Inc. on Wednesday, 11/28 at 4:45. You will enjoy a reading from a special guest and includes snacks and an activity. All ages welcome. Call 718-442-1416 for details.
The NYC Winter Lantern Festival begins Wednesday at 5 at Snug Harbor Cultural Center, 1000 Richmond Terr. It continues through 1/6/19. Hours are Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 5-10, Friday and Saturday 5-11. The NYC Winter Lantern Festival is the China National Tourist Office New York 2018 signature event, produced by New York Events & Entertainment (NEWYORKEE) and Haitian Culture, and co-sponsored by Empire Outlets and Snug Harbor. Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden will be illuminated by 40 LED installations that stretch up to 30 feet tall and will be accompanied by live performances of traditional Chinese dances and art. NEWYORKEE is partnering with a variety of holiday vendors to create an experience for guests of all ages. Cultural Performances (included in admission) take place on Wednesday/Thursday/Sunday: 7, 8 and Friday and Saturday: 6:30, 7:30, 8:30. General admission-$23, Youth (3-12), Senior (65+) and Military-$15, Free for children under 3.
A FREE Drug Prevention Workshop for Parents, sponsored by Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis and co-hosted by Tackling Youth Substance Abuse (TYSA) will be held on Wednesday from 6:30-8 at Michael J. Petrides H.S., 715 Ocean Terr. Discussion will be:
-Common signs and symptoms of drug use in youth
-Helpful tips to talk to your children about drugs
-Resources in our community that can be used to assist those with a drug problem
-Possible solutions to the local drug crisis and ways we can help prevent our children from drug use and addiction
For more info, call 718-987-0197 or visit:www.assembly.state.ny.us
The Toddler Series: Greenbelt Peepers will be on Thursday, 11/29 from 9:45-10:45 at the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave. Through hands-on nature inspired activities, crafts, and stories, two-year-olds and their caregivers will become familiar with the sights and sounds of the forest. Space is limited. Registration required. Call 718-351-3450 or email naturecenter@sigreenbelt.org The fee is $3.00 per child or free for Greenbelt Conservancy Members.
For children 18 mos. thru 36 mos., Curious Tots takes place on Thursday from 10:30-11:30 at the St. George Library, 5 Central Ave. The weekly Toddler/Preschool storytime aims to encourage children to be curious through observation and hands-on activities. Each week, we will explore basic math and science as well as the arts through picture books, songs and play.
The South Beach Library, 21-25 Robin Rd. will host Family Movie Night: High School Musical 3 (2008) on Thursday at 4:30. Come for a free film screening, perfect for the whole family! As seniors in high school, the Wildcats stage a spring musical to address their experiences, hopes and fears about their future.
Attend the Grand Illumination at the Conference House on Friday, 11/30 at 7 at 298 Satterlee St. with Christmas carols and free hot cider and cookies. The windows of the Conference House will be glowing in candle light and outside the Colonial crescents will be ablaze. Dress warmly; festivities take place outdoors.
On Saturday, 12/1 from 9-12, at Home Depot (all locations), dash through the snow in a FREE hands-on workshop where you and your child can build a Model Sleigh pulled by a Reindeer. Once your sleigh is complete, you and your musher can decorate it with paint and stickers and put imagination to work towing gifts around town. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron and a commemorative pin while supplies last. For information, visit: https://www.homedepot.com/workshops/
At Michael's Craft Store on Saturday from 10-2, Store Kids Club Advent Calendar Craft will be held at all locations. Kids 6 and up can enjoy making an advent calendar. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. Parent or guardian must remain on premises during the event. Fee is $5. Register for 30 Barrett Ave. (Forest Ave. Shoppers Plaza)-718-720-0377, 2795 Richmond Ave. (Pergament Mall)-718-697-0252, 245 Bricktown Center (Charleston)- 347-694-7203
Join the Urban Park Rangers for Animal Tracking on Saturday from 11-12:30 at Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave. Learn tips and tricks that will enhance your knowledge of the natural world. On this program, learn to identify animal tracks to understand animal behavior.
Jewelry Making Inspired by the Season will be held on Saturday at 11:30 at the Greenbelt Recreation Center, 501 Brielle Ave. Create winter-inspired jewelry using both crafted and upcycled materials. Participants will learn introductory jewelry making techniques and create easy-to-love pieces. Good for ages 12+ with a $5 fee. Registration is required; call 718-351-3450.
Autism Speaks is pleased to partner with the Staten Island Mall and World Wide Photography to present the 5th annual “Caring Santa” program for special needs families who can benefit from visiting Santa in a quiet and calm environment on Sunday, 12/2 from 10-11 at Staten Island Mall, 2655 Richmond Ave. Regular Santa visits will also be available after our “Caring Santa” program. Space is limited and reservations need to be secured in advance. Special moments will also take place on 12/9 from 10-11. Twelve families will be booked within the hour window block (five minutes per family). Reservations are required. Please contact Trish Rollins at StatenIsland@autismspeaks.org to reserve your space with Santa.
Attend Christmas in Richmond Town on Sunday from 11-7 at Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave. Visit Richmond Town all dressed up for Christmas; take an old-fashioned carriage ride down historic Center St. and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of winter in the country. Partake in warm apple cider and hot mulled wine as a classic bell choir fills your heart with comfort and joy! Visit Santa Claus and his helpers in the beautifully-decorated Stephens house directly across from the Visitor Center. Stop by the Third County Courthouse where the Women’s Auxiliary hosts the much-loved Christmas fair. The Historical Museum will showcase dozens of miniature winter-scenes complete with skillfully hand-painted old-time trains. End the night in the beautiful Barton yard for Historic Richmond Town’s annual tree lighting ceremony! Escape the December chill in a warm, quaint café. The Women’s Auxiliary’s M. Bennett Café will be open for light food until 4 and refreshments until 5. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for children, seniors and students.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a Mushroom ID Hike on Sunday from 1-2:30 at Wolfe's Pond Park, 420 Cornelia Ave. December is a great time to hike the forest and marvel at mushrooms and other wonders of the changing seasons. Learn all about the beautiful decomposers found throughout Wolfe’s Pond Park. You will take a closer look at these fascinating fungi and learn basic mushroom identification. For info, call 718-967-3542.
The Presepio is more than a Nativity scene! On Sunday at 2, at the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, 420 Tompkins Ave., Lou Barrella and Anita Sanseverino will present a lecture with a DVD film about this unique art form which combines the birth of Christ with the daily life of Napoletani.
Attend the Richmond Road Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival on Sunday from 3-5 at the Richmond Road Santander Bank parking lot, 1630 Richmond Rd. Free Photo with Santa, trackless train, costume characters, holiday food and rides! Sponsored by the Richmond Road Merchants Association, Steven Matteo and the SIEDC.
The Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Richmond Valley Civic Association will be hosting its annual Christmas Tree & Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Sunday at 4:30 at the Pleasant Plains Plaza (Lady Victory Statue) at the intersection of Amboy Rd. and Bloomingdale Rd. featuring live entertainment, a visit from Santa Claus along with complimentary hot cocoa and baked treats. If you can, please bring an unwrapped toy for a less-fortunate child in the local community. All donations will be given to the Secret Sandy Clause Foundation.
Parking will be available for use in the parking lot of Richmond Appliance, located 6308 Amboy Rd.
Christmas/Holiday Fairs
Wednesday, 11/28
- St. Clare, 110 Nelson Ave., 8-2
Thursday, 11/29
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P.S. 26 Holiday Fair, P.S. 26 Holiday Fair, 3-7
Friday, 11/30
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St. Joseph–St. Thomas Holiday Fair, 50 Maguire Ave. 3-9pm
Saturday, 12/1
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St. Rita School Christmas Fair. 30 Wellbrook Ave. (entrance on Bradley Ave.), 12-6pm
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St. Joseph–St. Thomas Holiday Fair, 50 Maguire Ave., 9-9
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Pt. Richmond H.S. Holiday Basket Auction, 85 St. Joseph’s Ave. 12-4
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Unitarian Church Jolly Holly Fair, 312 Fillmore St., 10-4
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Christ Lutheran Holiday Fair, 121 Cleveland Ave. 9-3
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Noble Maritime Collection Holiday Market, 1000 Richmond Terr., Bldg. D, 11-5
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Art Lab’s Handcrafted Holiday Arts and Craft Fair, 1000 Richmond Terr., Ste. 10 11-4
- Immanuel Union Church, 693 Jewett Ave., 9-3
Sunday, 12/2
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St. Rita School Christmas Fair, 30 Wellbrook Ave. (entrance on Bradley Ave.), 9-3
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St. Joseph–St. Thomas Holiday Fair, 50 Maguire Ave., 9-6
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Msgr. Farrell H.S. Christmas Fair, 2900 Amboy Rd., 10-5
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Conference House Colonial Christmas, 7455 Hylan Blvd., 11-4
I welcome comments and photos at events you have attended. If you want to share events for me to post, email or call me.
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