Isn't it wonderful to finally see "color" outside, maybe spotting the first robin of the season or ducks hanging out on a pond?  It's these little things that make it all worth while as the memory of the cold, damp, windy, winter weather with a only few passing snow storms comes to an end and we welcome spring.

 

Did you visit Nothing New Thrift Store this week and check out the great finds? Or take a Beginners Course in Magic from Bob Friedhoffer at the South Beach Library, attend the Curtis High School Student Art Exhibit that was presented by Staten Island Creative Community at Art On The Terrace or enjoy Stargazing at Great Kills National Park? You have another chance for the next eight months (once a month) to Stargaze.  See below for this week’s events. 

I took part in a Pysanky Egg workshop at the Great Kills Moravian Church this past Saturday.  A pysanka is a Ukrainian Easter egg, decorated with traditional folk designs using a wax-resist method. We learned how to create beautiful eggs in any pattern we chose.  Some of the artists have been at it for many years and gave us tips on technique and the proper use of the wax.  The three organizers, Laura, Janice and Nancy, were terrific!  We encountered a few “oops!” moments (me--when I dropped the egg walking from one table to the next!) and when we didn’t blot the “kistka” instrument enough and too much beeswax plopped onto the egg.  Following are some photos from this delightful workshop.  Not only did we enjoy ourselves learning a beautiful art, but we were treated to breakfast goodies as well as soup, grilled cheese sandwiches and salad around lunch time.  See Friday's event below for the next workshops you can attend.

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 the “Mutt-i-gree” program on Wednesday 4/3 at 3 at the St. George Library, 5 Central Ave. The North Shore Animal League brings in a shelter animal to show the wonders of empathy. Working together to create an adoption poster, teens help an animal to find a forever home. A resource for families who want their children to grow up to be caring and compassionate, this program will also include a guideline for parents/guardians on how to enhance your child’s social emotional skill, increase their ability to communicate and manage emotions, foster empathy bridged with humane education. This program is open ages 13-18 years old.  For more info, call 718-442-8560.

Teens ages 13-18 can participate in Making Comics 101, presented by Ivan Velez on Wednesday at 3:30 at the Dongan Hills Library, 1617 Richmond Rd.  Attendees will receive a rundown on today’s comics industry and what is needed to get a comic book made.  Basic character design, themes, targeting audiences, genres, scripting, writing, drawing, inking and printing will be touched upon as the students create their own premise and story ‘bible’ en route to creating their very own comic! Call 718-351-1444 for info.

Playing is learning and a great way to build early literacy skills. Come to the Tottenville Library, 7430 Amboy Rd. on Wednesday  at 4 for Stay & Play, a fun, unstructured 30 minutes of playtime with our educational toys and exploration stations. Meet other families in the neighborhood! Best for ages 0-5.

Attend a FREE Ultimate Bridal Show Experience, organized by A Bridal Affair To Remember on Wednesday from 7-9 at LiGreci’s Staaten 697 Forest Ave. Meet an array of experienced bridal vendors to prepare for your special day including a Live Runway Gown Show! Your free registration enters you to win a Honeymoon Giveaway! View the wonderful displays for Limousines, Photography & Video, Invitations & favors, Honeymoon Travel, Disc Jockey, Hair & Makeup, Gowns, Tuxedos, Skincare Bridal Registry & more!  For more info and to register, call 718-317-9701 or visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/april-3rd-free-bridal-show-at-the-staaten-in-staten-island-ny-tickets-53687940074?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Join CloseKnit, the longest-running public program, on Thursday 4/4 from 2-4 at the Noble Maritime Collection, 1000 Richmond Terr.  It is free and open to knitters of all skill levels. The goods members make are donated to community charities including the The Seamen’s Church Institute’s Christmas at Sea program and the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless

Come to the New Dorp Library, 309 New Dorp Ln. for Pipsqueak Picasso on Thursday at 4 and tap into your creative side with fun and easy painting! Children will create their very own winter painting of their choice while listening to music. Be sure to wear clothes you can get messy in! All materials provided by NYPL. Good for ages 5-12.

Meet your friends at Sunrise Tai Chi on Friday 4/5 at 8 a.m. at the Biddle House, 70 Satterlee St. Tai Chi focuses the mind while training the body—meditation through movement. Once learned, it can be maintained easily as a healthy life-long practice, adapted to your abilities and/or limitations. Note that this is the oldest original Chen-Style Tai Chi, taught by traditional instruction, where each student learns at their own pace and builds up their knowledge bit-by-bit. Outdoors, weather permitting. New students, please call 646-571-5234 to register or email Stephanie.Parello@parks.nyc.gov.

You may want to try Easy Rider-Indoor Cycling on Friday at 10:15 at the Biddle House, 70 Satterlee St.  Did you love riding a bike as a kid? Are you intimidated by the idea of a full-on Tour-de-France-style cycling class? Then consider this kinder, gentler approach to riding. In no time, you'll go from novice to know-how! We'll build up time on the bike from week to week--growing your ability, confidence and comfort! Please commit to at least 3 classes. Everyone rides at their own pace. The soundtrack for this course draws from movie scores and classical music. Space is limited; registration required! Please register by emailing Stephanie.Parello@parks.nyc.gov or call 646-571-5234.

Attend the Pysanky Egg Workshop at Great Kills Moravian Church on Friday, 4/5 at 6:30 at 62 Hillside Terr. To register, contact Janice Hermansen at 718-984-6444, Nancy Walker at 728-967-4047 or the church office at 718-317-7788.  The next two workshops will be on Saturday, 4/13 at 10 and Monday, 4/22 at 10.  For additional info on upcoming events and workshops, visit www.greatkillsmoranvian.org

Attend a Community Awareness session on Saturday 4/6 at 9 at the Zimmer Club, 4411 Arthur Kill Rd.  Youth ages 5-17 will meet the Staten Island Elected Officials  (City, State and Federal Agencies and Political Leaders) and our Staten Island Law Enforcement Departments and learn what they do.  For info, call 718-948-9599.

The Home Depot at all locations presents DIY Birdhouse Workshop on Saturday from 9-12. Encourage a love for nature and ornithology in a hands-on workshop where you and your child can build a birdhouse. Your young birdwatcher can observe birds’ behaviors like nest building and provide them a safe place to eat without the need for expensive equipment. Once your birdhouse is built, your child can decorate it with paint and stickers. All attendees must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron and a commemorative pin while supplies last. To register, visit https://www.homedepot.com/workshops/

The Breast Cancer Diaries Casting Call takes place on Saturday from 11-2 at the Unitarian Church. 312 Fillmore St.  The “Faces of Breast Cancer” Video: For women/men diagnosed with breast cancer. Anyone with a physician’s letter stating the diagnosis, will audition first.  “Message of Hope” Video: For women/men with breast cancer, and/or family, friends, medical/holistic providers, or loved ones providing words of encouragement for those diagnosed with breast cancer. Videos are 60-seconds or less. If you or a loved one is interested in being a part of this project, email info@cancertamer.org with the subject line "Casting Call: Breast Cancer Diaries--The Play" to apply before April 6. For more information, call 718-916-4124.

Do you have stray and feral cats in your neighborhood?  Trap-neuter-return (TNR) is the only humane and effective way to control the free-roaming cat population.  Attend a Neighborhood Cats TNR Workshop on Saturday from 11-2:30 at the St. George Library Center.  All attendees: become TNR certified, get access to FREE spay/neuter, gain access to FREE trap loans.  Advance online registration is required; visit www.neighborhoodcats.org/tnr-in-nyc/workshops. For more info, visit www.neighborhoodcats.org or call 212-662-5761.

Take a Hike through the woodlands of Bloomingdale Park on Saturday from 1-3.  Fifty years ago this area of sandy pine-oak woodlands was littered with everything imaginable. It now reveals the effects of a half century of time and human intervention. Meet at the corner of McGuire Ave. and Ramona Ave. For more info, contact Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

On Saturday from 7-9 at Art On The Terrace Gallery, 776 Richmond Terr., attend the Opening Reception of “Good Earth” with photos courtesy of Lenny Librizzo. Light refreshments will be served. Visit our Artisan Market after you view the exhibit, our artisans offer a delightful array of quality art, and hand-crafted items. Gallery is wheelchair accessible. The exhibit continues through Sunday, 5/12.

The Staten Island Chapter of the AAA (Amateur Astronomers Association of New York) hosts public Stargazing on Saturday from 8-11 at Gateway Great Kills National Park, Hylan Blvd. & Buffalo St.  Members bring telescopes and binoculars through which everyone is invited to look. We provide instruction on how to find objects in the night sky. If you’re thinking of getting binoculars or a telescope yourself, this is a good opportunity to look at and through some equipment and ask questions of experienced users.

Attend a Staten Island Environmental Video Event on Sunday, 4/7 from 2-6 at Art on the Terrace Gallery, 776 Richmond Terr. hosted by Staten Island Creative Community. The videos to be aired show the beauty and diversity of the natural areas and wildlife of Staten Island, and highlight individuals and groups that are making a difference by their stewardship of the environment. Some videos will educate us about changes that are taking place to Staten Island's environment and warning us about potential dangers that could affect our lives. Q&A, discussion and networking will follow, along with refreshments. Gallery is wheelchair accessible.

Meet your friends at a Spring Thing with Joan Caddell & The Midnight Choir and special guests on Sunday from 3-5 at The Little Victory Theatre, 4089 Victory Blvd.  Limited seating, unlimited fun! Tickets are $20 in advance/$25 at door.  To reserve your seats, e-mail:  Joantncmusic@aol.com

The NYPD SUMMER YOUTH POLICE ACADEMY gives young individuals between the ages of 10 and 15 the opportunity to train with police officers in the borough of their residence, five days a week for six weeks, from 8:30-2 during the summer, leading to positive relationships between the Police Department and the city's youth.  Police Officers conduct classes that include lectures, role-plays, and demonstrations in the areas of law, behavioral science, drug prevention and gang resistance. The program also provides participants with lunch, uniform shirts and field trips. Students engage in military drills like those done in the Police Academy and go on field trips to police facilities. Transportation is provided for the field trips although the sites are accessible by public transportation. The Summer Youth Academy: enhances responsible citizenship, provides positive interaction with police officers and educates young people about the challenges and responsibility of police work, encourages young people to take part in other youth programs offered by the Police Department such as: the Law Enforcement Explorers, Police Cadet Corps and the Police Athletic League. For additional info, please call the Community Affairs Bureau's Youth Strategies Division at 718-312-5079. The application for the 2019 Youth Police Academy is a fillable pdf form (see below). Please complete the application on your computer, save the form, and email it to communityaffairs@nypd.org.

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/services/law-enforcement/youth-programs/youth-police-academy.page

If you or someone you know would like to receive information about how to get a tuition-free college education in New York State through the EXCELSIOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, check out this link:  https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/nys-grants-scholarships-awards/the-excelsior-scholarship.html

I welcome comments and photos at events you have attended.  If you want to share events for me to post, email or call me.

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