Do your kiddies enjoy Slime Making? Had never thought it was a “thing” until I made the rounds of Christmas/holiday fairs and noticed vendors selling all different kinds of slime. The Huguenot Library had a Slime Making session last week also so I guess I missed the boat (and I’m glad I did!) on this fad.
My grandchildren enjoy being read to, and I certainly enjoy reading books to them. Gerard, my first born grandson, while enjoying a sleepover at my house this past weekend with his sister, Adele, happened to share something with me. He said he taught himself to read at 3 years of age but did not want his parents to know. I asked him why and he said, “Because then I wouldn’t be able to snuggle with them as they read me books.” My fondest and scariest memory was the night Adele was being welcomed into this world during a snowstorm in January 2015. My grandson was staying with me while my son texted updates throughout the evening from the hospital. Reading to Gerard all his favorite books, I became so weary and finally told him that we must go to sleep. He begged me to read more. I said, “If you want to hear the story, you had better read it yourself.” Well, Gerard began reading the book without hesitation. I initially thought, “He memorized it.” But when he picked up the next book and the one after, I exclaimed, “You know how to read!!!” The point of this little story is that making slime may be a fun activity, playing games, collecting toys or computer games, dancing, partying, erecting Legos, may also be fun, but reading can take you on a journey you would never imagine in all of your wildest dreams. Cuddle and snuggle with your little ones, read to them, open up the world to them. They will not forget!
I would like to thank the Forest Avenue Business Improvement District for the delightful Forest Avenue Stroll on Thursday. Participating businesses kept us warm with hot coffee, hot chocolate, hot soup, wine, delicious food, information, books, entertainment (Sacred Heart Chorus and Pt. Richmond H.S. Band at Burrito Bar) and good will. The kiddies had a ball, and I could see happy faces from Hart Blvd. to Broadway. We met friends we hadn’t seen in ages and made new acquaintances on the way. Below are photos from this event.
Don’t forget to check out the list of Holiday/Christmas Fairs this week around Staten Island at the end of my blog below!
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Join the Wednesday Morning Writing Group for adults on Wednesday, 12/11 at 11 and Wednesday, 12/18 at 11 at the Great Kills Library 56 Giffords Ln. Writing can be a solitary experience. If it never seems like it is never the right time to write or if you need inspiration, block some time out for yourself and come write with us! Work on your novel, short story, journal entry, article, memoir, thesis or whatever writing project you have in the company of others.
On Wednesday at 3, attend TechConnect, Resume Workshop at the Mariners Harbor Library, 206 South Ave. Do you need help with updating and editing your resume? Are you in need of a template to get started? We can help! Please bring a written draft of your resume and a USB drive to save it.
The Anti-Bully Support Workshop takes place on Wednesday from 4-6 at the Rossville A.M.E. Zion Church, 584 Bloomingdale Rd. All children and parents are welcome to participate in this workshop for children/teens experiencing any type of bullying (in-school, cyber -bullying, food allergy, etc.), parents looking for resources, bringing children/teens together who have lived through this experience and offering a safe place to share stories and brainstorm on how to handle the problem. Free refreshments.
Children ages 5-12 are invited to attend Painting for Kids on Thursday 12/12 at 4 at the New Dorp Library, 309 New Dorp Ln. Join us and tap into your creative side with fun and easy painting! Children will create their very own winter painting of their choice while listening to music. Be sure to wear clothes you can get messy in! All are materials.
For teens/young adults ages 13-18, attend Gingerbread Houses for the Season at the Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library, 2550 Victory Blvd. on Thursday at 4. Created on a flat frame, participants will construct a house to be decorated with graham crackers, candies and cereal and all participants will prepare "royal icing" for their displays. All houses will be made with seasonal candies for decoration. Limit to 15 participants only. For ages 13-18 years old. Presented by Linda DeCresenzo. No registration required.
Bring the kiddies ages 3-5 to Preschool Storytime & Craft on Friday 12/13 from 10:30-11 at the Huguenot Library, 830 Huguenot Ave.Does your child like story time, crafts and playing with peers? This is a great way to let your children get creative, meet other families and have some fun! Limited number of crafts. First come, first served.
Encourage early literacy at Storytime Playspace on Friday from 11:15-12 at the Mariners Harbor Library, 206 South Ave.as we read interactive stories. Then enjoy our supply of puzzles, blocks, games, and other educational toys.
Toddler Time for ages 1-2 ½ takes place on Friday at 11:30 at the Stapleton Library, 132 Canal St.Bring your toddler to an interactive program featuring, books, finger plays, songs and rhymes, followed by unstructured play time. Network with other caregivers and provide social opportunities for your toddler.
For ages 13+, join the Urban Park Rangers for the 120th Annual Christmas Bird Count on Saturday 12/14 at 7 at the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave. This is one of the largest bird census, and longest-running citizen science surveys in the world. Dress appropriately for strenuous weather conditions. Registration is required; call 718-351-3540 or email naturecenter@sigreenbelt.org.
Children ages 3+ will enjoy making Reindeer Antlers on Saturday 12/14 from 10-12 at Michael's, all Staten Island locations, 2795 Richmond Ave; 30 Barrett Ave.; 245 Bricktown Way. Sign up in store or online or just drop in. Parent or guardian must remain on premises during the event. To register, visit http://www.michaels.com/classes or call Richmond Ave: 718-697-0252; Forest Ave: 718-720-0377; Charleston: 347-694-7203
Participate in Winter Nature Crafts on Saturday from 11–12:30 at Blue Heron Nature Center in Blue Heron Park, 222 Poillon Ave. Create crafts using natural materials found outdoors with the Urban Park Rangers.
Stop 'N' Swap will take place on Saturday from 12-3 at College of Staten Island, Bldg. 1R, Auxiliary Gym, 2800 Victory Blvd. Bring clean, reusable, portable items such as clothing, house wares, games, books and toys that you no longer need, and take home something new-to-you, free! You don’t have to bring something to take something. Please do NOT bring: furniture, large items, tube televisions, expired or open food, unsealed personal care products, medicine, dirty or ripped clothing, fabric scraps, incomplete toys and games, non-working electronics, magazines, or sharp objects.
Turn & Learn Compost Work Day (NYC Compost Project) is on Saturday from 1–3 at the Compost Demonstration Site in Snug Harbor Cultural Center, 1000 Richmond Terr. Enjoy the fresh air and beautiful surroundings while working on the NYC Compost Project demonstration site. Bring a water bottle, wear closed-toed shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. If you help us make compost, you can take compost. Please bring your own container. (Please note this is a volunteer event and not a pick-up event. You must volunteer at the work day to receive compost. Supplies may be limited.) Registration is strongly recommended; call 718-425-3504 or visit https://snugharbor.secure.force.com/ticket/#sections_a0F1H00000FfFEWUA3
Please join the Friends of Olmsted-Beil House to celebrate and learn about "the man who loved the earth", Frederick Law Olmsted at Children's Olmsted Holiday Celebration on Saturday from 1–3 at the H.H. Biddle House, 70 Satterlee St.We will have craft activities, music, games and puzzles, a story time about Frederick Law Olmsted and refreshments. Best for children ages 3-11.
Award-winning Italian Tenor Michéal Castaldo and Friends will perform "The Spirit of Christmas - A Concert with Michéal Castaldo” - a traditional Christmas concert with Italian and International flair on Saturday at 7 at New Dorp Moravian Church, 2205 Richmond Rd. Special Guests: Tenor: Andrew Kay, Soprano: Kaitlin Kleinau, Organist: Dylan Sauerwald and NDMC Children's Choir performers. Immediately following the concert, refreshments and an olive oil tasting will be served in the Church Social Hall with a meet and greet with the artist. This concert is a fundraiser and community outreach for New Dorp Moravian Church with sponsorship from around the island! For info and tickets, please purchase online at: https://ndmc1763.booktix.com or at the door.
Do not miss the Live Nativity with Christmas Around the World at Salem Evangelical Church, 634 Clove Rd. on Friday, 12/13, Saturday, 12/14 and Sunday, 12/15 from 6-8:45. Enjoy an evening filled with a concert, live Nativity scene, petting zoo, Christmas treats and more.
The Staten Island Creative Community is holding a Stocking Stuffer Art & Handcraft Fair on Sunday, 12/15 from 12-6 at Art on the Terrace Gallery, 776 Richmond Terr. with something for everyone on your list!
Attend Living with White-Tailed Deer on Sunday from 1–2:30 at Greenbelt Nature Center in Blood Root Valley, 700 Rockland Ave. at Brielle Ave. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. To enhance your experience we encourage you to bring binoculars and field guides, or ask a Ranger to borrow a pair. Through an Urban Park Ranger-led hike, you will learn about the impacts and signs of deer on Staten Island and maybe even see these majestic animals.
The 5th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Festival takes place on Sunday from 3-5 at the Santander Bank Parking lot at 1630 Richmond Rd. Festivities Include: Free Family Photo with Santa, Trackless Train, Christmas Carolers, Free Refreshments, Dance Demonstrations, Giveaways and Raffles and Live Reindeer.
Every evening beginning at 5, you can visit the DiMartino home at 107 Sharrotts Rd. to enjoy the most spectacular Winter Wonderland Holiday Display and favorite for kids of all ages. Joe DiMartino erected this wonder in memory of his wife Debra Ann who died on 9/11. To date, more than $200,000 has been donated to Staten Island University Hospital in Debra’s name to support Pediatric Oncology. While you are visiting, drop a cash donation of any amount or a check made payable to “SIUH Foundation, Inc.” into the donation box. This year, DiMartino has set up credit card scanners along with an active Venmo account for donations. Visit “Lights for Life” on Facebook and read https://www.silive.com/entertainment/2019/11/staten-island-homeowner-shows-off-elaborate-christmas-display-collects-donations-for-charity.html for more info and how Joe DiMartino makes our Christmas season just a little more joyous.
Holiday/Christmas Fairs
P37R The David Marquis School of the Arts, 15 Fairfield St. Wednesday 12/11 from 9-2
St. Rita School, 30 Wellbrook Ave., Friday 12/13, Saturday 12/14 and Sunday 12/15
Future Leaders Elementary School, 211 Daniel Low Terr., Saturday 12/14 from 10-2
Island Shores, 1111 Fr. Capodanno Blvd., Saturday 12/14 from 12-4
I.S. 24 Myra S. Barnes 750 Durant Ave., Saturday 12/14 from 9-3:30
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 347 Davis Ave., Saturday 12/14 from 10-4
Susan E. Wagner H.S. PTA 1200 Manor Rd., Saturday 12/14 from 11-3
South Shore Toddler Academy, 11 Sampson Ave., Saturday 12/14 from 11-3
Susan Wagner H.S.,Brielle Ave., 12/14 from 11-3
Everything Goes Café, 208 Bay St., Saturday 12/14 from 1-9 and Sunday 12/15 from 12-5
I welcome comments and photos at events you have attended. If you want to share events for me to post, email, text or call.
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