April is National Donate Life Month! For the 2019 National Donate Life Month theme, Donate Life America was inspired by bicycles and the phrase “Life is a beautiful ride.” Like the donation and transplantation journey, a bicycle serves as a symbol of progress, renewal and the moving circle of life. Nearly 9,500 New Yorkers are currently on waiting lists for donated organs that could save their lives. If you would consider becoming an organ, eye or tissue donor, visit: https://www.donatelife.net/register/ You can also become a donor by registering with your local DMV when applying for or renewing your driver’s license. Visit:https://www.dmv.org/how-organ-donation-works.php I have been registered for many years on my license (note the heart on the right side denoting "Organ Donor").
Did you stop and smell the roses or any other flowers this week, walk/hike in the park or ride a bike around Staten Island? I happened to see an overgrown piece of most likely City-owned property in Bloomingdale sporting shoulder-high grasses of some kind spoiling the look of the service road. I spotted yellow “things” here and there throughout this mess. When I looked closer, clumps of daffodils appeared! Had a nearby owner strewn seeds at one time thinking it might beautify the vacant unkempt land? Below are the flowers that made me smile. I also spotted a robin in my front yard this week; that red breasted visitor proved that Spring is really here! Would you care to share any bright spots in your neighborhood with my readers?
I would like to thank you, my gentle readers, for your enthusiastic feedback after attending the Pysanky Egg Workshop at the Great Kills Moravian Church at 62 Hillside Terr. The last workshop will be on Monday, 4/22 at 10. To register, contact Janice Hermansen at 718-984-6444, Nancy Walker at 728-967-4047 or the church office at 718-317-7788. Following are a few photos of finished eggs. 
My granddaughter, Adele, and I were in the Tottenville Library last week and met the Jungle Explorers. Below are some photos of Bianca, the butterfly, as she travels across the jungle searching for courage while singing, moving and grooving and engaging the toddler audience. She meets a butterfly, a monkey, a Venus fly trap and a lion as they come to life while the toddlers (and I) sang, clapped, danced and walked across a bridge to help Bianca. You (infants, toddlers, children, teens, adults, seniors) can always enjoy a day at the New York Public Library! If you haven’t already, visit your local library and apply for a library card. For FREE, you can access the internet, order books, movies, CD’s from anywhere in the library system and have them delivered to your local branch. The world is at your fingertips at the library. My parents (avid readers) were proponents of the library encouraging us at an early age to borrow books, participate in events and awaken our creativity and love for learning. I worked at the Pt. Richmond Library through my high school years as did my brother, Mark, who continued through college. He wrote and directed plays and presented entertainment and programs with the neighborhood teens as participants/stars. My son and daughter-in-law have continued the same with their children. They thirst for knowledge and are enthusiastic when they visit the Library. Check the website: www.nypl.org/events/programs for events throughout Staten Island and NYC.
People ask me, “How can I receive the “Weekend Events” blog. If you enjoy reading my “Weekend Events on Staten Island” and would like to be my Facebook friend, you know what to do—friend request. If you would prefer to be on my mailing list, please email joan.coogan@gmail.com or call or text me at 646-258-9696; I will forward it to you each week. Nevertheless, please do me the honor of SHARING my blog with your friends, either on Facebook (click “Share” underneath the blog) or on the Gillani Homes site.
Participate in Family Finger Painting on Wednesday 4/17 at 4 at the South Beach Library, 21-25 Robin Rd. This sensory art program is for the little ones, the older ones, the ENTIRE family! Finger painting is a simple activity that is designed to inspire participants to think about and respond creatively to art and the world around them. Once every month you will work on a new design project!
Attend a FREE Family Association Meeting for family members who are dealing with a loved one struggling with substance use on Wednesday from 7-8:30 at the YMCA-South Shore, 3939 Richmond Ave.
Meet other babies in the neighborhood at Baby Storytime: Baby & Me on Thursday 4/18 at 10:15 at the Tottenville Library, 7430 Amboy Rd. They will enjoy songs, rhymes, stories and playtime; good for infants ages 0-18 months.
Bring your 3 and 4 year olds to Tree Tots on Thursday from 11-11:45 at the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave. Through hands-on activities, crafts, and stories, children will become familiar with the sights and sounds of the forest. Classes take place indoors and/or outside if weather permits. Registration required; call 718-351-3450. $3 fee or Free for Greenbelt Conservancy members.
Attend Lunch and Learn--Cancer Control Awareness Month on Thursday from 11:30–1 at Richmond University Medical Center, Sipp Auditorium, 355 Bard Ave. Dr. Shulimovich will be speaking about systemic therapy in Oncology. Different ways of treating cancer including: chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy. RSVP to kadeogun@rumcsi.org or call 718-818-2040. If you cannot attend, you can watch live on Facebook.com/RichmondUniversityMedicalCenter.
Bring your teddy bear to the library for Teddy & Me Time on Thursday at 4 at the New Dorp Library, 309 New Dorp Ln. The librarian will read stories to you and your teddy bear and make a simple craft. Good for ages 3+ with caregiver.
The Eden II & Genesis Foundation proudly presents Dine Out 4 Autism on Thursday. Dine at any of the participating restaurants and let them know you are there to support autism awareness. They will donate a percentage of the proceeds to Eden II. Visit dineout4autism.org for a complete list of participating restaurants.
Adults 50+ can participate in Creative Aging: Watercolor Painting at the South Beach Library, 21 Robin Rd. on Friday, 4/19 at 11:30. The workshop will cover basic watercolor techniques along with the procedure of painting skies, trees, and rocks, all the elements of a landscape. At the end of the workshop there will be an exhibition of paintings done in the class. To participate in this program, you must pre-register at 718-816-5834, in-person at our Information Desk.
Come and make a fun craft at Fun Friday at 3:30 at the Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library, 2550 Victory Blvd. It is free, but you must pre-register in person or call 718-494-1642.
Try to find the eggs hidden on the trails during the free Egg Hunt on Saturday 4/20 from 10-11 at Clay Pit Ponds Visitors Center, 2351 Veterans Rd. W. Bring your own basket! Best for ages 10 and younger.
Enjoy Storytime and Activities Featuring "Fresh Princess" on Saturday at 11 at Barnes & Noble, 2655 Richmond Ave. Destiny, the Fresh Princess, is faced with challenges when moving to a new neighborhood that looks nothing like her old one. With help from her family, she creates a plan and jumps right in. Attend the event and get a coupon from our Café for a grilled cheese sandwich with milk or juice for $4!
D.A. Michael McMahon and NYC Parks invite you to a Spring Fling, Safety and Health Resource Fair on Saturday from 11-2 at Clove Lakes Park, 1150 Clove Rd. There will be free activities and crafts for kids, resources for parents, safety tips, prizes and giveaways, live music by DJ Milo. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The New Dorp Moravian Church, 2205 Richmond Rd. will host an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday from 11-2. Tickets are $10/child and includes crafts, refreshments, and prizes (Adults and children under 2 are FREE). There are two hunts–-11am and 2pm. Pre-registration is required. Call the office for more info: 718-351-0090.
Enjoy Arts, Culture & Fun: Public Theater Mobile Unit: The Tempest on Saturday from 12:30-2 at Faber Park at Kill Van Kull & Faber St. Revelry and mayhem continue their wicked work in the Mobile Unit’s production of THE TEMPEST, directed by Director of Public Works, Laurie Woolery. When King Alonso’s ship washes up on her island home, Prospero unleashes her magic on the royal entourage. But love plays games with revenge, and the stuff of nightmares becomes the stuff of dreams in this supernatural comedy about the power of rage and the strength of forgiveness. Please RSVP to benny.adorno@parks.nyc.gov.
Participate in Earth Day Clean Up on Saturday from 1-3 at Clay Pit Ponds Visitors Center, 2351 Veterans Rd. W. Celebrate the greenest holiday of the year by helping to clean up the Park! Best for ages 8 and up.
Adults can participate in EZ Knitting & Crochet at the West New Brighton Library, 976 Castleton Ave. on Saturday at 1:30. Certified knitting instructor, Esperanza Zeno, comes to the library to offer instruction to local knitters and crocheters who wish to perfect their craft. Please bring with you any knitting and crochet supplies, including hooks and yarn. No registration required. First come, first served.
On Saturday from 2:15–3:45, the Pt. Richmond Library, 75 Bennett St. will air We Speak NYC, an Emmy Award-winning TV show created to help people practice English. Each story is about everyday situations, like going to the doctor or talking with a child's teacher. The characters speak slowly and clearly. Intermediate and Advanced Level Conversation 2-Hour Classes for English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL): Adult learners will have the opportunity to learn English by watching We Speak NYC videos and discussing them with other adults from around the world. NO REGISTRATION IS NEEDED! Come to the library and meet other people who are practicing English, just like you! The program works best for people who speak some English and want to practice. We Speak NYC was created by the New York City Mayor's Office of Adult Education and the City University of New York.
"The Crucifixion, an Oratorio" by the multi-talented African American, James Weldon Johnson, will be performed by The Family/La Familia Manhattan-based theatre company on Holy Saturday at 3 at the The Reformed Church on Staten Island, 54 Port Richmond Ave. Doors open 2:30 for coffee and cookies. Free Tours will be given of this landmarked site. For info, call 1-718-442-7393 or email info@olddutchchurchnyc.org For more info on the Oratorio, James Weldon Johnson and The Family theatre company see: https://www.olddutchchurchnyc.org/holy-saturday
Attend the Sea Shanty Session on Sunday, 4/21 from 2-5 at the Noble Maritime Collection,1000 Richmond Terr. Led by the Folk Music Society of New York, this program offers a great opportunity to experience authentic, time-honored maritime songs in an appropriately historic setting. The sessions are free and family friendly; you will be tapping your feet and singing along in no time! The session takes place on the third Sunday of every month.
From Ash Wednesday, Christians will end 40 days of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline in preparation for Easter. On Palm Sunday, we celebrated Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem where he was welcomed by crowds worshiping him and laying down palm leaves before him. This marks the beginning of Holy Week, with the greatest tragedy and sorrow of the year. On Holy Thursday, we commemorate the Last Supper or Passover meal of Jesus with His apostles. He was subsequently arrested, tried and crucified at Calvary on Friday outside the gates of Jerusalem. He was buried the same day and arose three days later on Resurrection or Easter Sunday. I wish you all a blessed Easter.
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