Did you get to chill out this weekend?  Did you go on the Bird and Nature Walk at Wolfe’s Pond Park or watch Chuck, the Groundhog, look for his shadow or join the Adult Coloring Group at the Great Kills Library?  Did you check out Pastry Lover’s Choice and reserve a spot at their My Kid and Me Valentine’s Day Cookies Workshop or the Adult Cake Decorating with Fondant Workshop on 2/26?  Check out the pictures below from the Cookies Workshop.

 

Whatever you did, I hope it was peaceful.  Everyone needs some down time from work. 

I did a bit of soulful thinking this week after having a spill and injuring my leg.  I suspended my workout at the gym so walked slowly around different venues with a cane just to get out of the house. Everywhere I went, people where cognizant of “the cane”.  They stepped back, allowed me to enter the door before them, moved out of my way if they were walking towards me.  At one store, the security guard came running outside with a cart!  At first I could not figure out what he was doing. When he said, “Ma’am!  Here’s your cart.” I thanked him but said it wasn’t necessary.  I was in awe!  Years ago, when my elderly aunts and mother, two of whom used canes, would go shopping or out on the town, I was always on the lookout for uneven sidewalks, barriers to their safe passage, people ready to push them down or slam the door in their faces.  I anticipated people being unaware that they were elderly and/or handicapped.  Now, so many years later, I experienced a different attitude.  Are people more aware?  Have we been more educated? Are we raising our children and teenagers to have more respect for the elderly and/or disabled? 

My friend, who has a hearing impairment and wears hearing aids, works in a customer service job and had her hours reduced because the manager told her they were receiving complaints.  She is friendly and always received great feedback from her customers. I was incensed! The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodation, communications, and governmental activities. The ADA also establishes requirements for telecommunications relay services. In addition to the Department of Labor, four federal agencies enforce the ADA:

I suggested she contact Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) which enforces ADA regulations covering employment, and I sincerely hope she does.  If you know of anyone who is being discriminated against because of their disability, please share this post.

Toddler Story Time takes place on Wednesday, 2/8 at 11 at the Mariners Harbor Library, 206 South Ave. Geared toward Early Literacy and advancement of the learning abilities of children between 15 mos. and 3 yrs., your children will enjoy books, songs and fingerplays.  For info, call 212-621-0690.

Attend Photo Editing for Beginners on Wednesday at 1 at the Richmondtown Library, 200 Clarke Ave. Learn how to use PIXLR, an online photo editor, to improve the look of your photos. Bring a flash drive or SD card with pictures to be edited. For details, call 718-668-0413.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it is time for heart shaped crafts! Come to Tween Crafters to make animals out of hearts at the Mariners Harbor Library, 206 South Ave. on Wednesday at 4. There are even six different heart shaped animals to choose from! For ages 9-15. Call 212-621-0690 for info.

Come join the new Digital Arts Club for Teens – Video Editing Basics at Mariners Harbor Library, 206 South Ave. on Wednesday at 5. This month you will continue with the basics of video editing in programs like Windows Movie Maker. Practice cutting and editing to music and clips like a pro. Registration required by phone 212-621-0690 or in-person.

NAMI Community Event: How Therapy Works is on Wednesday at 7, at Freedom From Fear, 308 Seaview Ave. Guest Speaker will be Daniel Deutch, Ph.D., a staff psychologist at South Beach Psychiatric Center and a clinical psychologist at Freedom From Fear. Call 718-477-1700 for information or visit http://www.namistatenisland.org

The Crohn's and Colitis Support Group meets on Wednesday at 7 at Staten Island University Hospital, 475 Seaview Ave. The Greater New York Chapter is hosting a patient and caregiver support group providing the opportunity to meet others living with IBD, or provide support to those who have a connection to Crohn’s or colitis.  For info, call 914-812-8990 or visit http://www.ccfa.org/chapters/newyork/

On Wednesday from 7:30 – 10 at Everything Goes Book Store, Lisa Scherma and Guy Michetti will interpret and perform Vincent Vok originals. Recording will be in process for this first set.  Second set: Lisa and Guy will perform a set of Lisa's originals. Come on out for this special event!

Valentine's Day Clay Jewelry Making for Kids is on Thursday, 2/9 at 3:30 at the West New Brighton Library, 976 Castleton Ave. Come with your friends or make new ones at a fun clay jewelry making class. Make something sweet for someone you love this Valentine's Day. All ages welcome. For details, call 718-442-1416.   

On Thursday at 4 at the Dongan Hills Library, 1617 Richmond Rd. the North Shore Animal League brings in a shelter animal to show the wonders of empathy. Working together to create an adoption poster, teens help an animal to find a forever home and give voice to the voiceless. For ages 13 to 18 years old. For details, call 718-351-1444.

Learn the basics of character design and world building while focusing on green issues, what pollutes our world and the steps we can all do to help with Green Comics on Thursday at 4 at the New Dorp Library, 309 New Dorp Ln. Create your own heroes to fight monsters and villainous polluters. Best for children 5 and older.  Call 718-351-2977 or visit http://nypl.org for details.

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 Friday, 2/10 from 10 to noon at the Staten Island Business Center, 350 St. Mark’s Pl., 4th Fl. Meet with representatives of the Dept. 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

A Call for Artists: Island of Art continues at St. John's University, 300 Howard Ave. Deadline IS THIS WEEK--2/10/2017.  It is FREE to submit with a $25 Hanging fee, if selected. “Island of Art” Third Annual Juried Exhibition dates are 3/25-3/27/17.  Opening Reception is Saturday, 3/25 from 2-5.  Only Staten Island artists may apply. No theme restrictions. Two dimensional works, any medium. Maximum size 36” x 36”.  Submission Guidelines: Please submit up to 4 images of your works and resume via email to sju.ioa@gmail.com. 72dpi, 1200 longest side.  For further details, call 718-390-4456 or visit https://stjohns.digication.com/sjulibrarygallery/Call_For_Artists

With This Ring, a bitter sweet story of a wedding ring that travels over five generations to four different couples and the visceral effect it has on each of them, will be performed on Friday, 2/10, Saturday, 2/11 at 8 and Sunday, 2/12 at 2 at The Little Victory Theater, 4089 Victory Blvd. A dinner package with DaNoi restaurant is available. Enjoy a 3 course dinner including salad, pasta, entree and dessert for only $20 before an evening performance or after a matinee! General Admission is $20, $17 senior/student.  For details and reservations, call 347-355-8989 or visit http://www.joesimonelli.com.

The Tavern Concerts continue this Friday, 2/10 at 8 with Tom Cintula performing folk rock, blues and jazz and Stout on Saturday, 2/11 at 6 and 8 at Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave.  Admission is $13 online or $15 at the Door. Call 718-351-1611 for reservations.

Join Staten Island OutLOUD as it explores the world of Dashiell Hammett, his politics and “The Maltese Falcon” on Saturday, 2/11 at 3 at Every Thing Goes Book Cafe, 208 Bay St. Music by Allergic to Bs.  Book giveaway, while supplies last.

On Saturday from 7-9:30 at Everything Goes Book Café, 208 Bay St., make you own Valentine's Day Cards and/or Decorations!  Art materials will be provided. Please bring additional art supplies if you have any that you want to share: glue, watercolors, collage materials, etc.

Garland Jeffrey's Trio will perform on Sunday, 2/12 from 3-4:30 at the Hamilton Park Concert House, 20 Harvard Ave. Admission is $25 in advance, $30 day of show Refreshments will be served.

Second Sunday Spoken Word will take place on Sunday from 3-6 at Art on the Terrace, 776 Richmond Terr. This month is called “Love and Other Difficulties,” after the book by Rainer Maria Rilke, and features original poetry, playwriting and lyrics based on this theme. The event will be concluded with original songs by Rob and Elle, co-founders of the Staten Island Acoustic Music Society. For more information or to sign up to read, contact SICC Literary Chairperson Robin Lampman at Lampmanrobin@gmail.com or visit http://www.sicreative.org

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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