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What did you do this week?  Decorate a tree, string lights on your door front, build a gingerbread house, bake a lot of cookies?

Or visit the Christmas Wonderland display at 107 Sharrotts Rd. by Joseph DiMartino in memory of his wife, Debra Ann, a victim of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack at the World Trade Center?  You still have a few more days to enjoy this show!  It is FREE but a donation box is present if you want to give to the Nalitt Institute's Outpatient Children's Cancer Unit at Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze.

The holidays should be a time of celebration and joy, engaging with family and friends.  For many, it is filled with anxiety, stress and loneliness.  Try not to over-do your holiday plans; recognize you cannot make everyone happy!  Give yourself a lift (see some of my events for the week to de-stress).  Instead of making all the dishes for holiday dinners, accept help from guests who wish to bring a salad, dessert or their specialty.  Do something for someone else—it is a time for GIVING.  Visit a relative or friend who is home bound or in a nursing home--you will make their day brighter.  Spend an afternoon at a soup kitchen or distribute toys to children in need or in the hospital.  Most importantly, do not skip your regular exercise routine.  You will feel better getting to the gym or running after that darling grandchild, niece, nephew or family friend around the backyard or park.  It will keep your blood pressure in tact and make you a happy camper.

I wish you, my gentle readers, a blessed Christmas, Hanukkah and/or Kwanzaa.  

Chill out and participate in a Bird and Nature Walk on Wednesday, 12/21 from 10-12 at Gateway National Recreation Area at Great Kills Park, Hylan Blvd. and Buffalo St. Search for horned lark in the parking lot, loons and ducks in Raritan Bay, and late migrant/wintering songbirds at Crooke’s Point. Meet in the northeast corner of parking lot A (first big lot in from Hylan Blvd.) For info, call 718-727-1135 or visit http://wwwstatenislandmuseum.org

Al-Anon meets on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 42 Austin Pl. For info, call 718-447-7260 or visit http://www.alanon.org/ for local Al-Anon meetings in your area.

Are you having trouble with your e-mail? Don't know how to cut and paste? Curious about Twitter? Don't know how to download e-Books? Need help with the settings on your digital device? Bring your technology questions and get assistance at Technology Assistance, Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at St. George Library Center, 5 Central Ave. For info, call 718-442-8560 or visit https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2016/12/07/open-lab-wednesdays

Yoga improves strength, increases flexibility, lubricates joints, naturally detoxifies the body, clarifies the mind and reduces stress. Participate in Gentle Yoga on Wednesday at 11:15 a.m. at Yoga and Melody, 3173 Richmond Rd. This class is taught with a therapeutic approach and is appropriate for all levels.  Admission is $15 for walk in, $135 for 10-class card.

Nar-Anon New Hope meets on Wednesday at 6:30 at Staten Island University Hospital South, 375 Seguine Ave. Share your strength, experience and hope in dealing with drug addiction of family members and friends. Meeting is held in room off front lobby.  For details, call 718-226-9428 or visit http://www.naranon.org/ for local Nar-Anon meetings in your area.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) is a family support group is for relatives and friends of people living with mental illness. The Family Support Group meets on Wednesday at 7 at Freedom From Fear, 308 Seaview Ave.  For details, call 718-477-1700 or visit http://www.namistatenisland.org

Line Dancing takes place at Christ Methodist Church, 1890 Forest Ave. on Wednesday from 7:30-10:30 New and beginner dancers 7:30-8:30. (Come early and learn all the basic steps). Free coffee & cake. On site parking. Admission is $8 per person. Line Dancing is such a fun way to exercise and to make new friends.  Everyone is welcome.  For details, call Tom and Ellen Dailey  at 917-468-8991.

Zumba is on Wednesday at 8 at St. John Neumann R.C. Church, 1380 Arthur Kill Rd. with Gina Viola. Get fit while having fun. Pay as you go, no commitment.  For more information, please contact Gina at 917-837-6356.

Create Your Own Website with Google Sites, Thursday, 12/22 at 10 a.m. at St. George Library, 5 Central Ave. Learn how to make your own website for FREE using Google Sites. Add links, images, videos and more to create your own piece of the web.  Call 718-442-8560 for details or visit https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2016/12/22/create-your-own-website-google-sites

Bring your kiddies to Baby Play Date on Thursday at noon at St. George Library, 5 Central Ave. Is the playground too cold or rainy? You and your baby need to get out of the house? Come to the library-- a safe, indoor space for babies 0-15 months and their caregivers to play and socialize. Baby toys and board books are available.  This is a walk-in program. No registration needed.  Call 718-442-8560 for details or visit https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2016/12/01/baby-social-0  

Need help writing your college essay? Would you like someone to look over your draft? Visit the Teen Room for help at College Readiness: Essay Writing Workshop, Thursday at 3 at St. George Library, 5 Central Ave. For details, call 718-442-8560 or visit https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2016/12/08/college-readiness-essay-writing-workshop

Kids' Homework Help is available on Thursday at 3:30 at St. George Library, 5 Central Ave. No registration required. All children helped on a first come, first served basis. This program will be held in the Children's Room.  For info, call 71-442-8560 or visit https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2016/12/01/kids-homework-help-2

Check out Half-baked Hobbies on Thursday from 4-5 at Mariners Harbor Libary, 206 South Ave.  Start but never finish a new hobby: create digital art, learn a new language, begin computer programming, write music, build a website, etc.! Good for ages 8-11. Registration is required; call to register 212-621-0690.

Men are FREE for this monthly practice--Bro Nite at 5 Boro Power Yoga, 176 Rose Ave. on Thursday at 7:15.  Come with or send the man in your life with some of his friends for a 60-minute practice to move, breathe and flow. This practice is open to all, especially beginners!  No babysitter? No worries! Drop the kids for Kids Yoga Class happening at the same time at 5BPY Kids! Admission for drop-in is $17. Call 718-667-5279 for info or visit http://www.5boropoweryoga.com 

Parents: Come with your child and join Ocean Breeze Park, 625 Father Capodanno Blvd for an introductory Parent/Child Yoga class on Friday at 9 a.m.! This basic class will introduce you and your child to various breathing and stretching techniques. Aimed at strengthening children’s body awareness and flexibility, our yoga will have you bonding and laughing with your child the entire time!  Mats are recommended. Good for ages 2-4. For info, call 212-360-3440 or visit http://www.nycgovparks.org

Game On: Video game night is on Friday, 12/ 23 at 3:30 at St. George Libary, 5 Central Ave. Children ages 5-11 are welcome; younger siblings will be accommodated. Get ready to play some of your favorite board and Wii games. No registration required.  This program will be held in the Children's Room. Call 718-442-8560 for details.

Get ready for a Special Holiday Surprise for Your Kids & Family at Fun Station, 3555 Victory Blvd.! Friday from 5-10 they are giving your Kids a reason to come out and celebrate the holidays before it all starts and stay away from drugs! FREE admission for up to 400 guest (5 per family) including free rides all day and maze access along with 15 tokens for the Arcades and one entry to check out the LaserTag upstairs! For info, call 917-945-9499 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/241548066261158/

Attend the Hanukkah Fiesta, acommunity Mexican-themed Hanukkah party on Sunday, 12/25 at 6 at the New Springville Jewish Center, 120 Saxon Ave.  Featuring master acclaimed mentalist and Illusionist DAVID BLATT, just back from his performance in Las Vegas it will also include:

Dreidel Pinata
Free Door Prizes
Mexican Cuisine
Donut Decorating
Latkes, Donuts, Music, and more!

Admission is $5 Individuals, $15 Family. NO RSVP required, just come and have fun!  Call  732-330-9007 for details of visit http://newspringvillejc.org

Enjoy Cool School Holiday FREE Admission at the Staten Island Children's Museum, 1000 Richmond Terr. on Monday, 12/26 from 10-5, thanks to the Mid-Island Rotary Foundation.

Meet at Ocean Breeze Park, 625 Father Capodanno Blvd. for a Tots Time on Monday from 12:30-1:30. Parent must accompany child throughout the program. Children will participate in games, arts and crafts, and motion activities with various instructors.  Call 212-360-3440 for details.

The NYC Department of Sanitation is looking for able-bodied Staten Islanders for snow and ice removal from bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants and other locations through the city. If you are interested in per diem work, snow laborers will be paid $13.50/hour and $20.25/hour after 40 hours are worked in a week.  For required documents, where to report and other information, visit http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/snow/operations.shtml

NOTE TO MY GENTLE READERS: If you enjoy reading my blog--“Weekend Events on Staten Island” and are not a friend of mine on Facebook but would like to be, you know what to do—friend request.  If you would prefer to be on my mailing list, please contact me at joan.coogan@gmail.com or call me at 646-258-9696. I will forward it to you each week.  Nevertheless, will you do me the honor of sharing the blog with your friends, either on Facebook (click “Share” underneath the blog) or e-mail?  I would greatly appreciate it. 

I welcome comments and photos at events you have attended.  If you want to share events specifically for children or adults or seniors, by all means, email or call me. 

Tags

• bird and nature walk (23)
• line dancing (5)
• Zumba (5)
• College Readiness: Essay Writing Workshop (2)
• Bro Nite (2)
• Department of Sanitation (2)
• Joseph DiMartino (2)
• Parent/Child Yoga class (1)
• Christmas Wonderland display (1)
• Hanukkah Fiesta (1)
• Technology assistance (1)
• Video game night (1)
• Al-Anon (1)
• Half-aked Hobbies (1)
• Cool School Holiday free Admission (1)
• Gentle Yoga (1)
• Fun Station (1)
• Nar-Anon New Hope (1)