I personally witnessed, along with many other hardy (and hearty) folks, Staten Island Chuck, our favorite prognosticator, predict an early Spring, on a damp, cold Sunday morning 02/02/2020—the first global palindrome day in 909 years! I’m thrilled that warmer weather is coming soon. As for the palindrome day, we won’t experience this unique phenomenon for another 101 years on 12/12/2121. That’s a fact! Following are some photos from the event.
Awhile ago, I told you about meeting Mona Oman, a commercial artist and mother of two, beautifying the side of a building on Henderson and Davis Avenues. As soon as those rare, odd winter days in the 50’s surprised us, Mona would seize the day, arrange her paints and carry on with her mural. I finally was able to photograph her completed art. Make a point to visit and contact Mona at www.monaoman.com, monaomanart@gmail.com, on Facebook or call her at 718-759-8722 if you require of her services. Thank you, Mona, for brightening our neighborhood!
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Attend Introduction to Finding Grants with the Foundation Center on Wednesday 2/5 at 11 at the St. George Library, 5 Central Ave. Discover what funders are looking for in nonprofits seeking grants and how to find potential funders in this introductory course. You will learn the 10 most important things you need to know about finding grants, including: Who funds nonprofits and what are their motivations. What do funders really want to know about the organizations they are interested in funding. How do you identify potential funders and make the first approach. In-person classes will end with 30 minutes of hands-on, guided online grant research. It is advisable, but not necessary, to bring a laptop/tablet for this portion of the class.
On Wednesday at 11:30, at the Great Kills Library, 56 Giffords Ln. attend Adult Craft: Make Your Own Bracelet inspired by Jewelry and Ornament design from our NYPL Digital Collections. Create your own beaded bracelet in a style all your own! Different beads will be available for you to choose from. You can even bring your broken beaded jewelry and use it to make something new. All materials are provided. Supplies are limited. Please call or visit the library to register.
Join the Anime & Manga Club on Wednesday at 5 at the South Beach Library, 21-25 Robin Rd. as you watch your favorite anime, as well as discuss new and upcoming manga.
Join CloseKnit, the longest-running public program, on Thursday 2/6 from 2-5 at the Noble Maritime Collection, Bldg. D, 1000 Richmond Terr. It is free and open to knitters of all skill levels. The goods members make are donated to community charities including the The Seamen’s Church Institute’s Christmas at Sea program and the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless.
On Thursday at 4, Staten Island MakerSpace presents Kinetic Geometry at the Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library, 2550 Victory Blvd. Teens 13-18 will make a moving toy out of a block of wood, some wire and other fun materials for decoration! Participants will learn about mechanical motion experimenting with the crank mechanism, cams and wire linkages.
Does your child like story time, crafts and playing with peers? If so, bring your children ages 3-5 to Preschool Storytime & Craft on Friday, 2/7 from 10:30-11 at the Huguenot Library, 830 Huguenot Ave. It’s a great way to let your kiddies get creative, meet other families and have some fun! *Limited number of crafts. First come, first served.
The West New Brighton Library, 976 Castleton Ave. will host Crazy Little Thing Called Love: How to Write Your Own Love Song on Friday at 3:30. You will listen to some popular examples, and then the teacher, accomplished Singer-Songwriter Joanna Schubert, will walk you through the steps of writing your very own lyrics and putting it to original music. Participants will brainstorm together what a "love" song can be about--from the romantic angle to beloved pets or even a place they love to visit. Our teacher will bring instruments so each song can fully come to life! Good for ages 13-18. Presented by Urban Stages.
On Friday from 7-9, meet your friends at Every Thing Goes Book Café, 208 Bay St. for the Valentine’s Card-Making Event to create Valentine’s Day Cards for those we love: Our friends, family, heroes, ourselves, etc. Materials for card-making will be provided but you can bring other art supplies to share, Thank you!!
The Zimmer Club Free Youth Winter Program continues on Saturday 2/8 at 9 at Zimmer Club, 4411 Arthur Kill Rd. The Zimmer Club youth program uses the great outdoors as a classroom to teach youngsters about outdoor activities, conservation and embracing nature. The program blends learning with recreation in the belief that this approach heightens the participant’s environmental awareness. Youngsters are introduced to activities that bring conservation topics to life such as environmental conservation, estuary systems, Blue and Greenbelt management, hunting, fishing (both salt and fresh-water), boating, first aid, camping, gun safety, archery, marksmanship, compass and map reading and more. Please pre-register by email to info@aezyouth.com. All classes are FREE to girls and boys under 18.
On Saturday at 11, come to the Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library, 2550 Victory Blvd. for Crochet 4 Kidz Club. All the materials will be provided for you need to learn this fun hobby! You can also bring your own. Registration is required. Limit 10 participants. Please register by calling the library at 718-494-1642 or in person. Good for ages 5-12 years.
Parents and caregivers are invited to bring children ages 2-5 to Sensory Playdate on Saturday at 11:15 at the Mariners Harbor Library, 206 South Ave.while they explore the fives senses through hands-on activities.Registration required! Light refreshments to be provided. Dress in play clothes!
On Saturday from 11-2, the Greenbelt Nature Center in Blood Root Valley, 700 Rockland Ave. will host T is for Teddy: Bears in the Wild. Do bears live in the Greenbelt? Find out about the magnificent mammals that live in the Greenbelt, celebrate our love of animals and decorate a teddy bear to take home. Good for ages 3-7. Admission is $9/$7 if a Greenbelt Conservancy members.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in Wildlife Viewing: Urban Forest Wildlife on Saturday from 11–12:30 at the Comfort station in Willowbrook Park near Eton Pl. and Richmond Ave. The kinds of wildlife that thrive in suburban environments are among the most adaptable and interesting animals. The Rangers will highlight how animals find their mates by walking and identifying animal pairs throughout the park and learn about our interesting neighbors, such as birds, squirrels, raccoons, snakes and many more.
Sage Reynolds is hosting an Open Studio Pre-Valentine’s Day Show at his studio at 129 Tysen St. on Saturday, 2/8 and Sunday, 2/9 from 11-5:30. There are many new pieces of jewelry to see and you will get to visit the place where the jewelry is made and possibly see some works in progress.
Join Staten Island OutLOUD for an afternoon of Local Mariners, Local History at Leidy's Shore Inn, 748 Richmond Terr. on Saturday 2/8 from 1-3. Leidy's (established 1905) is the oldest bar on Staten Island and one of the oldest in NYC. Today, Larry Leidy, great-grandson of the original owner, presides over this picturesque harborside establishment where tugboat captains and their crew still quaff a pint, along with neighborhood regulars. Larry will share his great-grandparents' stories (and stories of his grandparents and parents!) of the retired sailors who lived in the neighborhood in the 19th century, plus some colorful local history of 20th century harbor life. Join us for a convivial afternoon as we discuss Nathaniel Philbrick's "In the Heart of the Sea" and hear Larry's stories of the mariners who lived, worked & drank beer on Staten Island's shores. Also, Feb 8th is Larry's mother's Birthday, so prepare to lift a glass in her honor! Adults only, please. This program is free, but please support this local business. Book giveaway, too. www.statenislandoutloud.org
Turn & Learn Compost Work Day (NYC Compost Project) is on Saturday from 1-3 at the Compost Demonstration Site in Snug Harbor Cultural Center. 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; 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. https://snug-harbor.org/compost/
Participate in a Victorian Valentine Workshop on Saturday from 1-3:30 at Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave. Handcraft delicate paper Valentines as the Victorians did! Enjoy festive refreshments, view real old-fashioned valentines from the museum’s collection and create a unique piece of art fit for all the loved ones in your life. Take a moment to craft an additional home-made masterpiece to donate to the residents of the Silver Lake Specialized Care Center.
The Tavern Concerts continue with two sessions on Saturday at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the newly-restored Guyon Tavern, located on Richmond Rd. The concerts boast the feeling of a 19th-century tavern with a wood-burning stove, candlelight and costumed interpreters. Beverage options include hot apple cider, homemade mulled wine, as well as a refreshing selection of beers. For more info, visit historicrichmondtown.org.
On Saturday at 8, participate in Full Moon Drum Circle at Every Thing Goes Book Café, 208 Bay St. This open Game of Drums is for the energy link of community. Come connect for fun. We have many drums; you are welcome to bring your own.
Join the Park Rangers in Seal Exploration on Sunday, 2/9 from 1–2:30 at Lemon Creek Pier in Lemon Creek Park, Hylan Blvd. and Sharrott Ave. as they guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. To enhance your experience, we encourage you to bring field guides and binoculars or ask a Ranger to borrow a pair.
On Sunday from 2-5, join Douglas Barr, Linda Hickman, and Bob Wright for the Staten Island Seisiún at Killmeyer’s Old Bavaria Inn, 4254 Arthur Kill Rd. hosted by Staten Island Arts Folklife! This Irish traditional music session takes place every second Sunday through June in venues and pubs around the island. All are welcome. Bring your instruments to join in, or simply stop by to listen and enjoy the company. Musicians of all levels and ages are encouraged to participate. Food and beverages are available for purchase. Learn more and view the full season lineup: https://statenislandarts.org/staten-island-seisiun/
On Sunday from 2-3:30 the Hip to Hip Theatre Company presents Troilus and Cressida at the Alice Austen House Museum, 2 Hylan Blvd. Join them for a free, professional family-friendly afternoon performance! Space is very limited. Please RSVP to info@aliceausten.org or call 718-816-4506, Ext. 10 to reserve your place. Troilus and Cressida: Seven years into the Trojan War, would-be lovers Troilus and Cressida pine for each other, encouraged by the hilarious Pandarus. Meanwhile, Paris, Hector and Achilles fight over the fate of Helen of Troy. A rare opportunity to see Shakespeare’s funny, insightful and cynical take on the heroes of the Iliad.
Staten Island Creative Community presents Second Sunday Spoken Word on Sunday, from 3-6 at Art on the Terrace, 776 Richmond Terr. Marguerite Maria Rivas, Poet Laureate of Staten Island will read along with poets and writers: Ellen Dotts, Sue Ehrlich, Jessica R. Kratz, Paige Lewis, Rhoda Pierce. Refreshments, socializing and music to follow! SICC’s new exhibit, “ALL THAT JAZZ!” is hanging in the gallery for everyone to enjoy! Free; donations in support are gratefully accepted. We appreciate your support for our programs; your donations help keep our gallery’s door open. SICC is a 501(c)3 non-profit cultural organization dedicated to providing art, cultural, and social events to all.
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