In the 1950’s, my Dad would take us children to Sailors Snug Harbor (now called Snug Harbor Cultural Center), where aged, retired seamen "snugs" resided.  I vividly remember cattle, horses and other animals in the fields that abut Henderson Avenue in Randall Manor.

We never went into any of the buildings, which  were the living quarters, a hospital, morgue, chapel, among others. Dad would engage the “snugs” in conversation as we sat with them on benches around the grounds of the Harbor.  I can still hear the snugs’ voices as they entertained us with stories of their lives at sea which sounded so exciting, especially to someone young and impressionable, like me. After I watched old movies like “Moby Dick” “Captains Courageous” and “The Caine Mutiny”, I realized these seamen had it tough.  On Sunday, I participated in the Sea Shanty Sessions at Snug Harbor.  Co-sponsored by the Folk Music Society of New York, musicians sang the tales, stories and history of the sea as we easily sang along.

 

 

At one point, I closed my eyes.  I was taken right back to the 50's, the snugs, Dad, the stories of oceans and seas and adventures that brought these seaman together at Sailors Snug Harbor. At the intermission, I toured The Nobel Maritime Collection, a fascinating history of the artist John Noble and Sailors Snug Harbor and the seaman who called it “home”. The Sea Shanty Sessions are FREE and family friendly and are held at 1000 Richmond Terr., Bldg. D on the 3rd Sunday of the month from 2-5.  For more information, visit www.noblemaritime.org

Are you having trouble with your e-mail? Curious about social media? Want to borrow and "download" E-books? Don't know how to find government services online? Bring your technology questions, and/or digital devices and need to learn to a FREE Open Lab on Wednesday, 2/22 at 1:30 at the St. George Library, 5 Central Ave. Registration not required. Walk-in help first come, first served.  For details, call 718-442-8560 or visit https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2017/02/01/open-lab-wednesdays

Attend a Puppet Show featuring Puppets of President’s Day on Wednesday at 2 at The Little Victory Theater, 4089 Victory Blvd. Stay for a puppet making workshop and take home your own puppet. Admission is $10 or $13 including the workshop. For info, call 917-861-7783 or visit http://littlevictorytheatre.com

Bring the kiddies to Party with Bubbles on Wednesday at 2 at the St. George Library, 5 Central Ave. This show includes face painting, balloon animals, parachute games, bubbles, singing, dancing and a lot of audience participation.  For info, call 718-442-8560  or visit https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2017/02/22/party-bubbles

HOMEOWNERS:  If you received a Notice of Property Value from the Department of Finance and need clarification of your property’s market and assessed value and homeowner tax exemptions you may be entitled to, attend a workshop on Wednesday, 2/22 from 6-8 at the Lou Caravone Community Service Bldg., 460 Brielle Ave.  Meet with representatives of the Department of Finance and the Tax Commission.  Bring a copy of your Notice of Property Value or download a copy at nyc.gov/finance.  For further details, visit http://www1.nyc.gov/site/finance/taxes/notice-of-property-value.page

The Twelfth Annual Tribute to Black Music will feature the Wagner College Choir, Stretto Vocal Ensemble, Wagner Jazz Ensemble and special guest, Karlus Trapp and his Band on Wednesday at 9 p.m. at the Campus Hall Performance Center, 1 Campus Rd., Wagner College.  The concert opens with traditional spirituals and gospel music, followed with music by TAKE 6 and a funky version of an old disaster ballad.  Call 718-390-3205 for info or visit http://wagner.edu/music

Give yourself a health start in 2017 with healthy living advice from SIUH's Community Outreach Team at ShopRite, 985 Richmond Ave. on Thursday, 2/23 at 10.  Call 718-982-8662 for details.

Come to the New Dorp Library, 309 New Dorp Ln. on Thursday at 4 and learn about different parts of the world.  Enjoy Around the World Stories & Craft, good for ages 3 and up.  Call 718-351-2977 for info or visit http://NYPL.org

On Thursday at 6:30, The National Lighthouse Museum, 200 Promenade at Lighthouse Point (behind St. George P.O.) will welcome Commander Timothy R. Dring, USNR (Ret.) who will speak about the USLHS Depot's role in the development of buoys and buoy-tending boats. Admission is $10 for non-members and FREE for Members. For info, call 718-390-0040 or visit http://wwwlighthousemuseum.org

The 121st Precinct at 970 Richmond Ave. gears up for some friendly competition at the Third Annual "Cops vs. Kids" chess and checkers tournament on Friday from noon to 4.  The event is FREE and open to all ages.  Refreshments will be provided.  The tournaments will expand to the 122nd Precinct on 4/12, the 120th Precinct in the summer and the 123rd Precinct in the Fall.  For more information on the event or to sign your child or teen up to play, email pr@islandvoice.org or theresa.hunt@nypd.org

Natalie Douglas comes to you live at Lorenzo's Cabaret, 1100 South Ave. to celebrate Black History Month through a tribute show of Nat King Cole, Stevie Wonder, Joe Williams and Sammy Davis Jr. on Friday, 2/24 at 8. Call 718-477-2400 for details or visit http://lorenzosdining.com

The Tavern Concerts continue this Friday at 7 with Dan Master, winner of the Woody Guthrie Songwriting Contestand Saturday at 6 and 8 with Half Moon, performing hot rocking music at Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave.  Admission is $13 online or $15 at the Door. On-line tickets are available up until 3pm, two weekdays before the event. For Saturday and Sunday events, tickets are available online until 3 pm Thursday.  Call 718-351-1611 for reservations.

On Saturday, 2/25 at 9, SIUH's cardiology director, James Lafferty, will hold a heart health conversation at Family Life Center’s Community Leadership Breakfast at 59 Wright St.  SIUH offers free blood tests, blood pressure and BMI Screenings.

Hike Through Arden Heights Woods with Ray Matarazzoon Saturday, 2/25 at noon. Participants will hike through this forested freshwater wetlands system and explore natural features such as Moore’s Brook and Owl Hollow. Meet at the DEC entrance along Woodrow Road beside Berry Avenue.  For more information contact Ray Matarazzo at (718) 317-7666 or visit http://siprotectors.org/calendar/

Join Pastry Lovers Choice, 370 Van Duzer St. on Sunday 2/26 at 11 for a fun three-hour intensive Fondant Cake Decorating Workshop. Participants will learn how to transform your delicious cakes into works of art. You will leave this workshop a master cake decorator. Course highlights: Rolling out fondant, learning to make ornaments and borders, coloring fondant and perfecting the art of correctly cover a cake and much more.  To register for the workshop visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/249000405541624/   

On Sunday at 1, join naturalist Paul T. Lederer in Exploring Crooke’s Point in a talk and walk where he will discuss the geology and human history of the site as well as the plants and animals that call this place home. Meet at the Beach Center Parking Lot in Great Kills Park near the dirt road leading out to Crooke's Point. To get to the Beach Center Parking Lot, follow Buffalo Street to just before it turns into the dirt permit road.  For info, call Paul Lederer at 718-987-1576.

Visit the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, 338 Lighthouse Ave. on Sunday at 2 for Losar Celebration with a screening of Silent Holy Stones. Enjoy some Tibetan Butter Tea and Khapse to celebrate Tibetan New Year. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for students/seniors.  Visit http://www.tibetanmuseum.org/events-calendar for details.

On Sunday at 4, the Church of St. Andrew, 40 Old Mill Rd. will present its new organist-choirmaster, Dr. James Johnson, in a program of music by North-German predecessors of Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, J.S. Bach, Howells, Rachmaninoff, and Vierne. Joining him are special guests Brian Levels, woodwind specialist, for a performance of the Vivaldi Piccolo Concerto, RV 443, and by Hallie Neill, soprano, for a performance of the Rachmaninoff Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14.  Call 718-351-0900 for info.

Attend the Exhibit: The Land of Enchantment at the CPG Gallery (Creative Photographers' Guild), 814 Richmond Terr. Featured Photographer is Joan Velazquez.   Exhibit continues through 3/26.  Hours are Saturdays and Sundays, 1-5.  For info, call 718-288-2405 or visit http://www.cpggallery.org

Have you voted for your favorite New York Public Library Branch yet?  Nominations are open for the 4th Annual NYC Neighborhood Library Awards!  New Yorkers can nominate their favorite library to receive a $20,000 award towards upgrades, improving services, programs and more.  The New Dorp Branch was a finalist in 2013 and the Stapleton Branch won $20,000 in 2015.  To complete the nomination form, visit www.nyclibraryawards.org or your local branch. 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. 

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 appreciate it.

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