Did you enjoy “In the Heights” at Port Richmond High School?  Have you planted a fruit tree in your yard yet?  How did you celebrate “Cinco de Mayo”?  What exciting events did you attend this past week?  I am excited about the warm weather teasing me every few days and the cool nights at bedtime.  My azaleas bloomed overnight.  You can hear me singing, “These are a few of my favorite things…” in the garden as I pull weeds.  Life is grand!

Do you cringe or begin to sweat when you are asked to speak in public?  Working in Corporate Real Estate for many years, I interacted with landlords and tenants and corporate types on an everyday basis.  Sometimes I questioned whether I was an effective speaker.  I took a Dale Carnegie course where each attendee had to speak spontaneously on various subjects each week, sometimes for 1 minute or 5 minutes or longer.  I became so proficient that I was asked to work for them at the conclusion of the course.  There are many such courses and groups, one of which is “New Day Toastmasters” which meets at the Regina McGinn Education Center at 475 Seaview Ave. today, Thursday, 5/7 at 7 p.m.  You will learn to polish your listening and communication skills and become a better speaker.  Guests and new members are welcome to attend.  For info, call 917-359-1985. 

John’s Pasta Party takes place Friday, 5/8 at 6.  The South Shore Rotary and McCown Expeditionary Learning School, 100 Essex Dr. team up in the school’s cafeteria for this fundraiser to help students with cancer stay in school.  Enjoy pasta dishes donated by your favorite restaurants.  There will be music and entertainment, and face painting for the children.  Pre-paid admission is $10, $15 at door, $5 kids under 5 years old.  For reservations and info, contact Tiffany Reingold at 718-370-6950 or johnspastaparty@gmail.com

Visit the Mother’s Day Craft Fair at Alice Austen House, 2 Hylan Blvd. on Friday, Saturday or Sunday from 11-5.  Find unique handmade gifts all by local artists, artisans and craftsmen.  Vendors will offer finely crafted jewelry, ceramics, knitted wears, illustrations, home goods, garden decor and more. 

The Staten Island Geological Society will host a Powerpoint presentation by Dr. Mike Weisberg of Kingsborough Community College on “Exploring Comets through Mission and Microscope” at St. Clare’s School, Father Hicks Center, 151 Lindenwood Rd. on Friday, 5/8 at 7:30.  Comets can be studied more closely, both from space and in the laboratory.  Field trip plans for collecting fossil shark’s teeth in NJ will be discussed.  Call 718-874-6278 for info. 

Create your own bird feeder on Saturday, 5/9 at Clay Pit Pond State Park, 2351 Veterans Rd. West at 10.  At 1, join Gert Coleman to learn how to make your own herbal sugar scrub to take home.  Call 718-605-3970 ext. 201 to register.    

This Saturday (and every Saturday) from 9-12, help maintain the beauty of Westerleigh Park by raking, planting or gardening. Enjoy a cup of coffee and a donut while getting great exercise.  

Join the Protectors of Pine Oak Woods for a 10-mile moderate hike through the Greenbelt Saturday. Meet at 9:15 at the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave. at Brielle Ave.  Bring lunch and beverage; wear sturdy walking shoes.  Call 917-478-6707 or 718-768-9036 for info or visit sigreenbelt.org 

The Strawberry Festival will be held at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 96 Alter Ave. on Saturday from 10-4.  You can enjoy delicious strawberries served in a variety of ways, crafts, gifts, baked goods, and a white elephant table.   

Saturday at 11, at the Mariners Harbor Library, 206 South Ave., bring your children 3 to 12, to Kids Craft Time.  Visit nypl.org for info. 

Your children will love Scientific Saturdays at the Dongan Hills Library, 1617 Richmond Rd. at 11 where they will learn from hands-on experiments. 

On Sunday, 5/10 at 11, enjoy a leisurely Spring Wildflower Hike throughout Clove Lake Park.  Wear comfortable shoes and pack water and a snack. This is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and a fun way to reduce stress. 

From 1-4 on Sunday at the Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace, children can create a mother’s day jewelry box for gift giving.  Call 718-273-2060 or visit statenislandkids.org. 

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all of you who are mothers, grandmothers, aunts, cousins and friends who act like mothers to those needing motherly love.  May you have a blessed and happy day Sunday and always. 

So what are you doing this weekend?  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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