My grandson’s Topsy-Turvy strawberry planter is growing beautifully in my front yard and the water recycling barrels are starting to fill up (thanks to a couple of rainfalls this week).  My garlic, chive and sage plants are doing great.

Did you celebrate Earth Day at the St. George Day Festival or listen to Tales from Shakespeare with Staten Island OutLOUD at Every Thing Goes Book Café?  Did you take a Walking Tour of Historic Westerleigh, visit the juried photo exhibit at Alice Austen House Museum or learn about the art and language of cinema at the Staten Island Creative Community?  As I gathered together with family on Sunday, observing the interaction, silliness and smiles and enjoying each other’s company, my brother quoted someone very wise, “The best things in life are not THINGS!”  I thought about that quote for a second and agree wholeheartedly.  The best things in life are: smelling the aroma of flowers in the garden, playing with and entertaining the kiddies, sharing stories with each other, reading a book to a child, baking cookies, walking hand-in-hand with a toddler down the street, making homemade pizza with each of us choosing our own toppings.  The life you live today will be remembered for generations to come. That large screen TV, designer dress or a toy bought for your child will not even be a blip on the radar of your existence. 

Today, Wednesday, 4/27 from 1-3, at the Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor, 1000 Richmond Terr, Building A, become a craniologist (an animal detective) by conducting skeletal investigations. Compare and contrast animal skulls to learn about the animals’ diet, gender and more. For information, visit http://www.statenislandmuseum.org

Calling all readers! Come join the Tween Book Club for ages 10-14. Each month a new book selected by you to read. At the first meeting today at 4, in the Mariners Harbor Library, 206 South Ave., the first book will be chosen. Call 212-621-0690 or visit http://www.nypl.org/ for info.

Bill Dunn, a lighthouse historian, of Sea Girt Lighthouse in Sea Girt, N.J., will speak about the Sea Girt Lighthouse today at 6 at the National Lighthouse Museum, 200 Promenade at Lighthouse Point (behind St. George Post Office).  His latest book is a pictorial history of Sea Girt Lighthouse, featuring some 230 photos, many of them historic and never published before. Admission is $10.00, FREE to Museum members. Call 718-390-0040 or visit http://lighthousemuseum.org

Today at 7, the Staten Island History Hunters Metal Detecting Club, which meets at Seaview Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home, 460 Brielle Ave., welcomes Steve Okulewicz as a guest speaker at the monthly meeting to speak about the Mineralogy and Geology of Staten Island.  All are welcome. For more details, call 718-317-3000 or http://www.sihistoryhunters.org

Join a Group Hike today at 6 or a Group Trail Run at 7, both approximately 5 miles at the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave. The hike is moderate paced, and the run is faster and more suitable for experienced trail runners. Headlamps are required. Dress for the weather and trail conditions. Bring water and a snack if you think you'll need it. No reservation is required.

Celebrate National Poetry Month with a Teen Poetry Slam/Open Mic Thursday, 4/28 at 5 at the Mariners Harbor Library,  206 South Ave.  Share your own original works, or recite favorite poems written by other authors. Be creative! Appropriate rap is allowed and pizza will be served. For ages 12-18. Call 212-621-0690 for details.

The Chapel Theatre on the grounds of Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home, 460 Brielle Ave. ,presents “A Man For All Seasons” on Friday, 4/29 at 8 p.m.  The play chronicles the last years of Sir Thomas More as Lord Chancellor of England.  Call 917-817-1067 for reservations, future show dates and information or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/437234099808902/

To celebrate Arbor Day, children ages 3-5 can Be A Tree on Friday at 10 at the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave.  The children will trace their bodies onto paper and design the shapes into 2D trees, while learning about how tree's bodies are like their own. After completing tree-ations, the children will take a shape walk where they can identify geometric signs of the season, concluding with a short story about trees under the canopy.  

Fans, ages 13-18, of Anime and Manga can meet up on Saturday, 4/30 at 3 at the Mariners Harbor Library, 206 South Ave. and view episodes of favorite anime series. Japanese snacks are included. Call 212-621-0690 or visit http://www/nypl.org for info.

Check out the Victory Peddler Flea Market at All Saints Episcopal Church, 2329 Victory Blvd. on Saturday, 4/30 from 9-5. Vendors will work from their vehicles and sell collectibles, antiques and housewares. Vendor space is $30. Look for Our Holy Hot Dog Cart -- all proceeds from cart will go to All Saints Church. Call 718-317-6123 to reserve your space. 

A FREE Healthy Kids Day Block Party takes place on Saturday from 10-3 at both the North Shore (651 Broadway) and South Shore (3939 Richmond Ave.) YMCA.  This is a community day for youth and parents on Staten Island promoting healthy lifestyles, with fun activities such as a bounce house, interactive fitness demonstrations and fun family games. There will also be a number of community vendors on hand and a camp open house.

The Shaolin Ryders invite all young ladies ages 12 and up to a Prom Dress Extravaganza on Saturday from 12-3 at their Clubhouse, 2892 Richmond Terr.  They will spend the day getting expert tips on makeup, hair trends and more. Every girl in attendance will have the opportunity to select a beautiful gown and accessories to take home for free.  Prizes, light refreshments, raffles and giveaways will also be featured. 

Vincent Verdi and Ann Marie McDonnell will be holding a Champagne Closing Reception on Saturday, from 2-4 of their collection of solar prints and still-life photographs, infrared landscapes, flowers photo exhibit at the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, 420 Tompkins Ave. 

On Saturday from 12-4, enjoy a Group Hike with Ray Matarazzo of the Protectors of Pine Oak Woods along the multi-use trail beginning at Old Mill Road in the Richmondtown neighborhood overlooking Fresh Kills.  Along the way observe traces of the past, examine the present woodland ecosystems and search for evidence of present inhabitants especially deer and other mammals. Meet in the parking lot at the start of  Old Mill Road, alongside St. Andrew’s Church. For info, call Ray Matarazzo at 718-317-7666.

The Staten Island Orchid Show and Sale takes place on Saturday 4/30 10-4 and on Sunday 5/1 10-3 at the Winter Garden Gallery, Building P, Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terr.  The Staten Island Orchid Society invites you to participate in talks about how to grow orchids, repotting demos and a raffle with cool orchid prizes. Admission is FREE. Call 718-996-1064 for info.

Attend a Spring Concert on Sunday, May 1 at 3 at  The Unitarian Church of Staten Island, 312 Fillmore St. featuring an Acoustic Bottleneck Guitar Performance by Pete Wagula and also Matt and Nina Long. Admission is $10, free for children.

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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