As I watch the last snow fall of the season from my home office (yes, this is the last, hopefully), I dream sweet, pleasant dreams of warmer days, my garden and how much fun I’ll have digging in the soil, planting vegetables, new plants and flowers.  Positive thinking always chases the doldrums away!

This Saturday, 3/7, a blood drive will be held from 9-3 at the gymnasium of Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, 23 Summit St. in memory of Firefighter John G. Chipura, who died a hero on September 11, 2001.  I met “Chippy” on a real estate showing a few days before 9/11.  His buddy was interested in buying a commercial building and accompanied him for a second opinion.  He told me he had been a police officer at the 72nd Pct. in Brooklyn; after a few minutes, we determined he had worked with my former secretary who also became a police officer.  He said he would do anything for his friend and wouldn’t let him purchase a building that was not safe.  A few days later, I was told that John Chipura had perished at the World Trade Center.  He died in the line of duty helping so many people.  The snow and the cold have caused blood drive cancellations.  As a result, there is a blood shortage and the blood banks need you.  Come and donate blood on Saturday, bring photo ID and eat beforehand.  Call 800-933-2566 (BLOOD) or visit http://nybloodcenter.org for further information.  And please, remember John Chipura!

Friday, 2/6 at 11 a.m., join Kristen Dolan-Murphy at Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, 338 Lighthouse Ave. for Tai Chi for Seniors.  Call 646-765-4724 or visit tibetanmuseum.org for further details.

Friday, at noon, bring your children 18 mos. to 4 years old to the Doodlebug Fun time at the Blue Heron Nature Center, 222 Poillon Ave.  Join Kathleen Hagen for storytelling, music & crafts.

Friday, 3/6, at 10 and 4, attend Open Lab Fridays at the St. George Library Center, TechConnect Lab.  Are you having trouble with e-mail, want to learn how to “tweet”, need to create a resume?  Bring your technology/digital document, digital device questions and get one-on-one assistance.

Saturday, 3/7, from 10-12, join the Memoirs OutLOUD creative writing studio at the St. George Library Center and tap into your memories and experiences in a friendly and welcoming environment. At each session, a different writing challenge will be explored. Visit http://www.statenislandoutloud.org/ for further details. 

Bring your children Pre-K through 3rd grade for Reading tutoring at the New Dorp Public Library.  Math tutoring from Pre-K through 8th grade will be available Saturday from 11-1.  First come, first served. 

Saturday at 2 at the Port Richmond Library, costumed characters, Petunia the Penguin and Polar Explorer Admiral Bird will transform participating children ages 3-6 into a team of Antarctic scientists.  Using literacy development skills, children discover the adaptations penguins need to survive their harsh polar habitat. 

Saturday at 2, at the West New Brighton Library, teens are welcome to take over the community room to play video games, board and table top games, use laptops or just hang out with friends. 

Fitness Saturday happens at 10:15 a.m. at the Mariners Harbor Library for all ages.  Stay in shape with fun exercises.  Come in comfortable clothing, sneakers and bring a water bottle.

Don’t miss the opening reception of the Art Lab’s 11th Annual Kids’ Open 2015 on Saturday, 3/7, from 2-4.  An exhibit of art by local young artists ages 3-18 will be on display at the Art Lab Gallery, Building H, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, 1000 Richmond Terr. through 3/29. Call 718-447-8667 for info.

Attend the Richmond Town Tavern Concert on Saturday at 6 or 8.  Mara Levine and Caroline Cutroneo with Celestial Harmonies will be entertaining you at the Guyon Tavern as you warm yourself by the stove and drink mulled apple cider.  Call 718-351-1611 for reservations.

March is Women’s Appreciation Month and Sunday, 3/8 is International Women's Day.  Visit the National Lighthouse Museum, 5D Bay St. Landing Greenway (behind the St. George Post Office) at 2:00, when Professor Marian Gagnon, PhD will screen her award-winning historical documentary, America's Forgotten Heroine: Ida Lewis, Keeper of the Light. This is the forgotten and intriguing life story from age 15 to 69 of our country's most famous maritime heroine, Ida Lewis of Newport, Rhode Island.  For info, call 855-656-7469, or visit http://wwwlighthousemuseum.org/

Please feel free to share what you are planning this weekend with me and my readers.  Call me at 646-258-9696, comment below or at joan.coogan@gmail.com.  I would love to hear from you.

Posted by Joan Coogan on

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