Did you visit Jodi and Nothing New Thrift Shop this week?  Some of my gentle readers already let me know I inspired them to begin the overhaul of their closets.  I saw a hint online about saving the pop tabs from soda cans.  You loop it over your hanger and then add another hanger to the tab and then another, thus saving space in your closets.  We all need space in our closets.  Decluttering is one way.  Pop tabs can be another.  Did you make memories with your children on their Easter break at the Children’s Museum or start an indoor garden.  See how fast lettuce, celery, escarole and beans start to grow indoors. 

I’m considering putting the “starters” on the porch in the morning with the direct sun and bringing them inside so the frost doesn’t kill them.  Any thoughts or hints would be greatly appreciated.  Have you heard the Cicada season is upon us?  I still have nightmares of swarms of cicadas descending upon me and a group of children from a church outing many years ago.  A few years ago, as I was showing homes to customers, the cicadas attached themselves to my convertible top.  I tried to be brave and brush them away, but every house I showed had remnants of them in their pools, decks and yards.  The good news is that Staten Island will probably miss the heaviest swarms.  I thought they only showed up every 17 years!!

Experts Dr. Liliane Deeb-Khouri and Oncology nutritionist Maureen Gonzalez will discuss colon health and preventing colon cancer today, Thursday, 3/31 at 5 Staten Island University Hospital, 475 Seaview Ave.  Light refreshments will be served.

SI Arts Culture Lounge, an art space in the St. George SI Ferry Terminal, allows artists to rent their space for free to promote upcoming events in the arts community. Tonight, Thursday, from 5-7 the space will be used to promote The Divine Women show to passersby and fans.  Enjoy live music and view the art and handmade crafts that will be available for purchase at the show and also Divine Women T-Shirts! Show your support for Staten Island's finest women artists and musicians!!

The play, “Guys & Dolls” will be presented at Susan E. Wagner High School, 1200 Manor Rd. on Friday, 4/1 at 7 as well as Saturday and Sunday and next weekend.  Visit http://wagnerhightheater.org or call 718-698-4200 x 2841 for tickets and info.

The Historic Richmond Town Tavern Concerts this weekend will feature Glen Cutrona and Patrice Bohlen on Friday 4/1 at 8 and The Wahoo Skiffle Crazies, Staten Island’s Premier Jug Band, on Saturday at 6 and 8.  Online tickets are available up until 3 p.m., two weekdays before the concert. For Saturday and Sunday events, tickets are available online until 3 p.m. Thursday. For reservations, call 718-351-1611 or visit http://www.historicrichmondtown.org/tavern-concerts

On Saturday, 4/2 at 1:30, attend a FREE music of Motown performance by Pop and Jazz vocalist Cody Childs accompanied by Roxann McDade on keyboard at the St. George Library Center, 5 Central Ave. The tribute includes historical notes on the beginnings of Motown based on the book titled "To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown," by founder Berry Gordy as well as Motown classics.  Call 718-442-8560 for more information or visit http://222.nypl.org 

A lecture entitled: "Tibetan Buddhism, Karma, and Reincarnation" will be given by Prof. Annabella Pitkin, an Assistant Professor of Buddhism and East Asian Religions at Lehigh University on Saturday 4/2 at 1:30 at  Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, 338 Lighthouse Ave.  Admission is $6 or $4 for students and seniors. Call 718-987-3500 or visit http://www.tibetanmuseum.org

New York City’s first lady, Chirlane McGray and Dep. Mayor Buery will hold a New York City Baby Shower event Saturday at 11 at Snug Harbor Cultural Center, 1000 Richmond Terr. to help new parents learn about city services available for babies.  Food, entertainment and activities for the whole family are planned. All children under the age of 3 and new or expectant parents or caregivers are welcome.

The “Remember When” exhibition runs from 4/2 through 5/8 at the CPG (Creative Photographers' Guild), 814 Richmond Terr.  Hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5.  An opening reception will be held Saturday, 4/9 from 5-8.  Exhibiting photographers featuring photographer Bruce Cohn, as well as Willie Chu, Bruce Cohn, Joyce Coletti, Connie J. Frisch-Cherniak, Robin George, Robert Haber, Marilyn Kiss, Gail Middleton, Paul Nueckel, George Roos, Virginia Ross, Joan Velazquez, Fritz (Steven) Weiss and Richard Xuerub.  Call 718-288-2405 for info or visit http://www.cpggallery.org

The Staten Island Holistic Spring Expo takes place at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1100 South Ave. on Sunday, 4/3 at 11. Admission is $5.  Join holistic practitioners as they come together for a day of relaxation, energetic vibration and enlightenment, mini-treatments, Oracle Readings, Sacred Jewelry, books, and Holistic education. Call 714-524-4077 or visit http://www.blancabeyar.info/

Attend a FREE screening of the film "Growing Food on Staten Island", an ongoing documentary about gardeners and the food they grow on Sunday at 2 at the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave. Gardeners share their insights, experiences and what drives them to grow food in Staten Island. Learn more about this project from director/ editor/ art director, Jay Weichun. Call 718-351-3450 or visit http://sigreenbelt.org for info.

Have your teens started thinking about time off from school and hanging out with their friends OR perhaps obtaining a summer job?  Staten Island teens and young adults, ages 14-24, can now apply for summer jobs through the 2016 Summer Youth Employment Program. This program will provide young people with PAID summer employment for up to six weeks during July and August in a variety of entry level jobs.  Applicants must be able to provide working papers if under 18 as well as ID and documents.  Programs for disabled, foster care, runaway/homeless and court-involved youth are also available.  Contact DYCD Youth Connect at 1-800-246-4646 or e-mail blicata@unitedactivities.org  Applications can be obtained online at visit https://application.nycsyep.com. The deadline is April 15.

The Youth Police Academy Program returns to Staten Island this summer. The program, which runs from 7/5 to 8/12, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., is held at Curtis High School and New Dorp High School.  The goals of the program are enhancing responsible citizenship, providing positive interaction with police officers and education youngsters about the challenges and responsibility of police work.  There are other youth programs offered by the NYPD, such as Law Enforcement Explorers, Police Cadet Corps and the Police Athletic League.  Applications must be submitted by May 20 and can be accessed by visiting: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/community_affairs/2016-ypa-application.pdf Completed applications must be mailed to: NYPD Youth Services Section, YPA 2016,  151 Lawrence St., Brooklyn, NY  11201.  For more information, call 718-834-8824

The Zimmer Club Annual FREE Youth Conservation Program for boys and girls 10-17, takes place on Saturdays at 9:15.  Your children will be 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, and how to use a compass and read a map. ALL CLASSES ARE FREE.  The Zimmer Club is located at  4411 Arthur Kill Rd. Register at AEZYouth.com or email info@aezyouth.com 

There is no time like the present to encourage your children to participate in activities that will guide them along the right path.  The City of New York and the NYPD have programs throughout the school year and in the summer to occupy youth and young adults (as evidenced above).  The Zimmer Club as well as the New York Public Library have many programs that will interest your children.  Summer isn’t just for relaxing and hanging out.  It can be the start of helping your children become the productive, well-rounded, educated adults of tomorrow.

If you know of activities that children, teenagers and young adults may participate in, please let me know so I can share with my gentle readers.  You can also share photos of you, your friends and family at your favorite events.  You can call me at 646-258-9696, leave a comment below or e-mail me at joan.coogan@gmail.com

Posted by Joan Coogan on

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I'm 6 months new to Tottenville and would love to share my designs if you are aware of any vending or craft events
Thank you
Dina aka
The Wreath Maker

Posted by Dina Gittlitz on Thursday, March 31st, 2016 at 5:01pm

Dina: I would be happy to let you know of any craft or vending events that arise on Staten Island. Best of luck in your new business.

Posted by Joan Coogan on Thursday, March 31st, 2016 at 5:21pm

There are so many great options, I'm paralyzed with indecision.

Posted by Paula Polaner on Friday, April 1st, 2016 at 6:14pm

Paula: Perhaps it may be fun to attend the last-for-the-season Tavern Concerts. At least it won't be so chilly in the Tavern and the Wahoo Skiffle Crazies are a delight. OR start an indoor garden. I planted the bottoms of celery, lettuce and escarole only a few weeks ago and they have done well. The onions--not so well. It will save you money in the long run. Hope whatever plans you have made aren't washed out with the rain and maybe snow and high winds tonight and tomorrow. Thanks for reading.

Posted by Joan Coogan on Saturday, April 2nd, 2016 at 11:07am

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