I hope your holidays were blessed and joyful.  Did you enjoy FREE admission at the Staten Island Children’s Museum on Monday?  Or visit Ocean Breeze Park at 625 Father Capodanno Blvd. and check  out the many programs that are offered there?  My 5 year old grandson very proudly announced that usually he only has Saturday and Sunday off from school. But this week, he said, he will have so many more days off and doesn't have to return until “next year”!  I asked him if he will miss going to school.  He tentatively replied, “Yes.”  I know Gerard and many other students as well as educators will be happy to have this week off to rest, play and recharge their internal batteries. 

My sister, brother and I took a quick trip to Manhattan on Monday (walked over 17,000 steps, per my Fitbit) and took in the fun spots of the big City.  We spotted the Broad Street/Wall Street Christmas tree (where my sis and bro started their careers in the Financial District), hung out with George Washington at Federal Hall and helped a guy organize his brief case on Liberty St.  After many hours, we arrived back at Battery Park and the Staten Island Ferry and spotted the most magnificent carousel, featuring large iridescent fiberglass fish and undersea-inspired light effects--SeaGlass.  For $5 a ride, we jumped at the chance to occupy a fish/pod while the most calming  music played as we glided up, down and around and forgot everything except the enchanting experience. When it ended, we each agreed that it was unforgettable.  Check out the photos below and YouTube video  https://youtu.be/NO9894wBx-M and put it on your "must do" list.

 

If you are looking for something interesting to do this week, check out my events below.  If you are partying on New Year’s Eve outside your home, you know where the local restaurant, bar and grill or dance venue is and how to responsibly imbibe and return home in one piece.  If you are looking for a booze-free holiday party with only food, fellowship and music to lift your spirits, you will find the details below under Saturday, 12/31--“New Year’s Eve”. 

Are you having trouble with your e-mail?  Don't know how to cut and paste? Curious about Twitter?  Want to learn how to download e-Books? Don't understand the settings on your digital device? Bring your technology questions to the St. George Library, 5 Central Ave. on Wednesday, 12/28 at 10:30 a.m. For details, call 718-442-8560 or visit https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2016/12/07/open-lab-wednesdays

Family Story Time is on Wednesday at 4 at the Mariners Harbor Library, 206 South Ave.  Good for all ages.  For info, call 212-621-0690.

Attend FREE Tai Chi classes with Master Sal Giglio, Wednesday, 12/28 at 7 and Monday 1/2 at 7 at Kick Boxing Tae Kwon Do & Tai Chi Chaun Center, 11 Sylvia St. For info, call 718-948-4131.

An Original Art Exhibit—Water and Light Art Show, presented by the Zephyr Art Group--Linda Butt, Joyce Malerba Goldstein, Robert Padovano, Nancy Quin, Robert Sherman, Elizabeth Sollazzo, Sharon Wasserstein and Deborah Woodbridge takes place on Wednesday, 12/28 through Friday 12/30 at 11 a.m. at The National Lighthouse Museum, 200 Promenade at Lighthouse Point (behind St. George Post Office). It is FREE with museum admission of $5.  Museum hours are Tues. through Sun. 11-4, closed Mondays and Holidays. For info, call 718-390-0040 or visit http://wwwlighthousemuseum.org

Bring your toddler ages 1/1/2 to 2 1/2 to Toddler Rhyme Time and Toy Time, an interactive program featuring books, finger plays, songs and rhymes, followed by unstructured play time on Thursday, 12/29 from 11:30-1 at the New Dorp Library, 309 New Dorp Ln. A good place to network with other caregivers and provide social opportunities for your toddler.  For details, call 718-351-2977. 

Join the countdown to the New Year a few days early--Children's New Year's "Noon" Celebration on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at the St. George Library, 5 Central Ave.  Good for children ages 4-11 and families.  Create your own noise makers and party hats, dance to music, play games, tell us your new year's resolutions and best memories of 2016 and toast 2017 with sparkling cider at noon.  No registration required.  For info, call 718-442-8560 or visit https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2016/12/29/childrens-noon-years-celebration  

The performance of “It's A Wonderful Life--A Live Radio Play” will take place on Thursday, 12/29, Friday 12/30 and Saturday, 12/31 at 8 at The Little Victory Theater, 4089 Victory Blvd. This beloved American holiday classic comes to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast with the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage. Admission is $20-General Admission, $17-Senor/Student, $15-Thursday show.  For info and/or reservations, call 718-524-8467 or visit http://littlevictorytheatre.com

Toddler Story Time and Activity Hour takes place on Friday, 12/30 at 11:30 for ages 1.5-5 at Port Richmond Library, 75 Bennett St.  For info, call 718-442-0158.

An un-traditional Shabbat meal takes place on Friday 12/30 from 6 p.m. – 4 a.m. at the The Kreischer Mansion, 4500 Arthur Kill Rd. with Hannukah candle lighting and maybe a meditation on the solstice and darkness and how winter is the time for cultivating and preparing for Spring.  For details, call 216-469-9451 or visit https://dinners.onetable.org/#/events/3842

Everything Goes Bookstore presents the music of Pete Wagula, Acoustic bottleneck guitarist and loop creator from NJ on Friday at 7:30.  At 8:45, the music of Mystic Montage—Ocupleptic.  Art videos, sounds and songs by Stvjns Daughs.  On Saturday 12/31 at 3, participate in Open Mic.

Attend Hap-pea All Year Storytime at Barnes & Noble, 2245 Richmond Ave. on Saturday at 11.  For info, call 718-982-6983.

A New Year's Eve Party for Kids will begin on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. for ages 4 and up at the Tottenville Library, 7430 Amboy Rd.  It will include crafts, stories and fun plus a balloon drop and mini-dance party at  noon. Pre-registration must be made by phone or in person at 718-984-0945.

For ages 6-11, GAME ON! at Mariners Harbor Library, 206 South Ave. on Saturday at 1:30.  For info, call 212-621-0690. 

On Saturday at 2, bring the clan to Family Film Saturdays at the New Dorp Library, 309 New Dorp Ln. For details, call 718-351-2977.

On Saturday, New Year's Eve from 1-3, the Staten Island Children's Museum, 1000 Richmond Terr., will welcome families at their New Year’s Eve (Day) Party for an afternoon of games, face painting and live music.  Patrick & the Rock-a-Silly Band will begin to play at 1 followed by arts and crafts and a game of "Freeze." Snacks and drinks will be available.  This event is FREE with museum admission. Call 718-273-2060 for info.

On Saturday New Year’s Eve, Staten Island's Annual 12-hour “Alca-thon” takes place at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2018 Richmond Ave. from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.  There will be open meetings, and food will be served all night.  Visitors are invited to stop in at anytime and stay for as long as they like.

On Sunday, 1/1 from noon to 2, join the 27th Annual New Year’s Day Walk to Crooke’s Point.  Meet in the parking lot at Hylan Blvd. and Buffalo St., carpool to the last lot before Crooke’s Point.  Bring a snack or beverage to share while scoping out the waterfowl and snow buntings.  Contact Jim Scarcella at (718) 873-4291 or Cliff Hagen at (718) 313-8591 for info.

Join the New York Road Runners for an Open Run at the Conference House Park, 7455 Hylan Blvd. on Sunday, 1/1 at 8 a.m.  FREE and good for all ages.  Call 855-569-6922 for info.

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. 

Posted by Joan Coogan on

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