The Tax gods have given you procrastinators a break!  April 18 is the new deadline this year to file your taxes.  If you are like me, I wait until the last second to file if I owe taxes.  I file immediately if I’m getting a refund.  Good luck! 

The year seems to be passing me by with a t-shirt-weather teaser for a week, then a brisk chill, then the threat of snow last weekend (which did not occur on my part of Staten Island at least) and now my lawn looks like a jungle because of all the rain the past number of days.  Will Spring finally arrive this week?

Please bear with me as I remind you once more:  Start making plans for your children and teens for the summer months.  Consider applying for the 2016 Summer Youth Employment Program. Contact DYCD Youth Connect at 1-800-246-4646 or e-mail blicata@unitedactivities.org.  Applications can be obtained online at https://application.nycsyep.com. The deadline is April 15.  Also, the Youth Police Academy 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 Schoool.  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.  Call 718-834-8824 for more info.  There are other youth programs offered by the NYPD, such as Law Enforcement Explorers, Police Cadet Corps and the Police Athletic League.  Your teen can also consider volunteering opportunities. You may want to check out a blog I posted a few years ago about keeping your kids off the street and getting them involved in productive activities.  http://www.gillanihomes.com/blog/do-you-know-where-your-teenager-is.html or my blog about the Importance of Volunteering http://www.gillanihomes.com/blog/the-importance-of-volunteering.html

As another six women were installed into the 2016 Class of Women of Achievement, the subject of volunteering is up close and personal to me.  I read the story of each of the women, how busy and productive they are in helping people, organizations and communities.  You can read about these fabulous women and perhaps be inspired as I was.  We should all strive to live our lives to the fullest, whether that means being the best mother, father, sister, brother, friend you can be or getting involved where assistance is needed.  http://blog.silive.com/women_of_achievement/2016/04/humble_in_the_spotlight_women_of_achievement_honorees_sing_praises_of_other_staten_island_volunteers.html 

Expectant Parents are invited to a support group tonight, Wednesday, 4/13 and Thursday, 4/14 from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Regina M. McGinn Education Center, 475 Seaview Ave.   Registration is required.  Call 718-226-9533.  Don’t be shy!  As you will soon discover, having a baby is not an easy undertaking.  Meet other expectant parents and share your concerns.

Learn how to protect and provide for yourself or a loved one with a disability as you attend Ask The Lawyer tonight, Wednesday at 7 at Freedom From Fear, 308 Seaview Ave.  Dan Kuhn will demystify Social Security (SSI) and Social Security Disability (SSDI) Benefits, Special Needs Trusts, Wills, Estates, Guardianship and other issues.  A Q&A session will follow.  Call 718-477-1700 for info or visit http://www.namistatenisland.org

Celebrate Renewal and Recovery on Friday, 4/15 at 7 (and every Friday night) at the Christian Pentecostal Church, 900 Richmond Rd. Share the road of healing from your Hurts, Habits and Hang-ups with a group who have similar issues and struggles as you.  All is free. Visit www.cpc900.org for info or call 718-273-5850.

The Department of Sanitation is holding a SAFE (Solvents, automotive, flammables and electronics) disposal event Saturday, 4/16 from 10-4 at the Midland Beach parking lot at Father Capodanno Blvd. and Hunter Ave.  No commercial vehicles are allowed.  Residents must provide proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or utility bill.  For info about how to package materials for the event and specific products that will be accepted, visit nyc.gov/safedisposal.

The City Harvest Mobile Market is held twice a month at Mariner’s Harbor in the basketball court in front of the Senior Center at 22 Roxbury St. and at Stapleton in the tennis courts at the Stapleton Houses behind 75 Hill St. from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.  Come early to sign up.  Bring proof of address and matching photo ID.

At Mariner’s Harbor, the dates are as follows:

Saturday, 4/16

Wednesday, 5/4

Saturday, 5/21

Wednesday, 6/1

Saturday, 6/18

At Stapleton, the dates are:

Saturday, 4/16

Tuesday, 5/3

Saturday, 5/21

Tuesday, 6/7

Saturday, 6/18

Do you have any gently used gowns, dresses, shoes and accessories just taking up space in your closets?  Bring them to the Ladies First Prom Dress Drive on Saturday, 4/16 from 12-3 at P.S. 18, 221 Broadway.  Dresses will be supplied to young ladies on April 30 to wear at their prom.

Make Your Own Pinhole Camera at the Alice Austen House Museum, 2 Hylan Blvd. on Saturday at 1.  Then, on Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day (April 24), bring your camera and photo back to develop. Individuals and families welcome. Admission is $5. For info, visit: http://aliceausten.org/events/2016-04-16

On Saturday, from 1-3, discover the beauty of spring wildflowers with guide Ray Matarazzo at Wolfe’s Pond Park, Hylan Blvd. and Cornelia Ave.  Bring sturdy shoes and binoculars.  Call  718-984-8266 for info.

Participate in the Halal-ujah! Festival on Saturday from 5-midnight at the 5050 Skatepark, 354 Front St.  It is presented by Halal Coma Booking and is a culmination of Halal Coma’s roster for the past year, bringing together the best and most successful musicians from New York City and elsewhere into one big event.  It will feature 8 bands, vendors such as Computer Sam repairs and BluBambu clothing, live skating and biking and a halal cart.  Admission is $10, for info, call 347-996-9837 or visit http://www.halalcoma.com

St. Jude Kids for Kids Bake Sale takes place on Saturday at 4 and Sunday from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. after all masses at Holy Child R.C. Church, 4747 Amboy Rd.  Baked goods are homemade by the committee members, and special guest is Mama T of The Chew.

The North Shore Restaurant Crawl 2016 returns on Sunday, 4/17 from 1-5.  Advanced tickets are $20 and can be purchased through EventBrite.com and the North Shore Business Alliance website: SINSBA.com.  This is a not-to-be missed event!  After the crawl, from 5-7, continue the festivities at the “Mix and Mingle” at Eden II on Beach St.  Shuttle buses have been donated by The New York Wheel and The Empire Outlets.  However, in the past, we have driven, parked the car in each neighborhood (Ft. Wadsworth, Stapleton and St. George) and walked to each of the participating restaurants along the route. You will appreciate the exercise when you have tasted much of what these restaurants serve you.  For more info about participating restaurants, contact Glen Mancuso at 718-420-1966 or email at Glen-Mancuso@Allstate.com    

The “Bike the Boros: Staten Island” event takes place on Sunday, 4/17, with the ride-at-your-own pace tour kicking off at the Flagship Brewery in Tompkinsville.  Check-in for the 50-mile ride is from 8:30-9 a.m. and check-in for the 35-mile ride is from 9-9:30 a.m.  Enjoy the Finish Festival from noon to 3 at the Flagship Brewery featuring free beer for every rider over 21, food and games. To register, visit https://www.biketheboros.org/statenisland

If you know of activities that children, teenagers and young adults may participate in or if you are looking for volunteers in your organization, 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

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