One of my gentle readers, a friend from out of state, came to visit this past weekend and wanted to know what Port Richmond was all about, especially Ralph’s Famous Ices, which I wrote about last week.  She was able to try out Ralph’s ice and taste real New York pizza.  We took her on a whirlwind tour of Manhattan and particularly, the High Line.  I usually write only about Staten Island events, but today, I’d like to mention the High Line--an elevated section of a disused New York Central Railroad spur called the West Side Line.  It was redesigned as an aerial greenway and rails-to-trails park and runs from Gansevoort St. in the Meatpacking District to 34th St. near the Javits Convention Center.  You can walk the entire length of the park or get off at various intervals.  The plantings, art work, attractions, eateries, lounge chairs, seating areas overlooking street views and much more are worth the trip.  For further information, visit nycgovparks.org/parks/highline.


Did you get to Ralph’s Famous Ices this week?  How about the pools or the beaches?  Have you been training for the 5K race at the Conference House?

I’m re-running my NYC pools item this week.  If you are not lucky enough to have your own pool, visit the pools listed below.  After a long day at work or even before work you can swim laps and/or just take a dip to cool your body off.

City pools are open through 8/28 from 11-3 and 4-7 seven days a week.  Adult lap swim takes place from 7-8:30 a.m. and 7-8:30 p.m.  Following is a list of Island pools: 

Faber Pool, Faber St. and Richmond Terr., Port Richmond

Lyons Pool, Pier 6 and Victory Blvd., Tompkinsville

Tottenville Pool, Hylan Blvd. and Joline Ave.

West Brighton Pool, Henderson Ave. between Broadway and Chappel St.

You can visit the following mini-pools at:

General Douglas Pool, Jefferson St. and Seaver Ave., Dongan Hills

Mariners Harbor Playground Pool, Grandview Ave. and Continental Pl. 

PS 14 Playground Pool, Tompkins Ave. between Hill and Broad St., Stapleton

PS 46 Playground Pool, Parkinson Ave. and Kramer St., South Beach 

Friday, 7/31 at 7, SummerStage presents, “What Happened to Mr. Joy?” at Clove Lakes Park, 1150 Clove Rd. It’s a good night to be outside in the park--bring your blanket, chairs, drinks and snacks and watch live theater. 

Saturday, 8/1, 8-9 a.m., train and strengthen your body to run a 5K at the Conference House Park, 298 Satterlee St.  Led by a ShapeUpNyc certified instructor, it is suitable for ages 16 and up. 

Join the Staten Island Bicycle Association for a bicycle ride at Miller Field, Saturday at 8:30 a.m.  Participants must be 18 and up.  Helmets are required.  Meet at New Dorp Ln. and Mill Rd. 

Saturday at 2, Mort & Ray Productions presents a Frank Sinatra Sound-A-Like Competition at Midland Beach Turtle Circle as part of Staten Island Beach Fest. Dave Arellano, winner of the 2010 New Jersey Sinatra Idol Competition will be on hand to perform, and radio jock Frank Morano of The Answer 970-AM will present a cash prize of $100 to the winner. Want to enter?   Go to StatenIslandBeachFest.com and fill out the "Frank Sinatra Sound Alike Competition" form or call 212 764-6330.  Good luck!

On Saturday at 6:30, join Staten Island OutLOUD for their annual celebration and reading of Herman Melville's haunting classic, "Moby Dick" at The Noble Maritime Collection, Building D,Snug Harbor Cultural Center, 1000 Richmond Terr.  Maritime music will be performed by the Staten Island Philharmonic with an enchanting short prelude by "Going Up?" Puppetry Ensemble, featuring Dana Morgan and Cara Liander.

Catch the FREE Spectacular Magic Shawn show Saturday, at 2 and 4, and other kid-friendly entertainment throughout the summerat Fantasy Shore Amusement Park, Midland Beach.  There is a fee to ride the attractions and chow down at concession stands.

Saturday at 7, SummerStage presents: TKA, Flaco Navaja and the Razor Blades and Tony Touch at Clove Lakes Park.  Enjoy this FREE evening of Latin beats, hip-hop music.

Do you remember the original "Godzilla" (rated PG-13)?  On Saturday at 8:30 at the Grandview Playground, Mariners Harbor you can see it.  Bring a blanket or chair to reserve your spot. (There is a limited supply of chairs reserved for seniors or people with disabilities.) Also, pack food and drinks and enjoy the cool evening air.

Sunday, 8/2, 11-4, attend the FREE “Fresh Kills Park Discovery Day”, 350 Wild Ave. Travis.  Shuttles will run continuously from  the parking lots at Wild Ave. to the creek of North Park and on a scheduled basis from the St. George Ferry Terminal.  Visitors, including bicycle riders and dog owners, can enter the site directly at 350 Wild Ave. and do not need to take a shuttle.  A FREE kayaking program will be held from 11-3 in the Fresh Kill and Main Creek waterways, bicycles will be available for riding around the trails and Parks and DSNY experts will lead tours.  Bring your camera, water, picnic lunch and wear walking shoes for this fabulous day of discovery.  I went last year with my family and friends.  It is an unbelievable way to get close to nature, fly a kite, try kayaking, bicycling and/or enjoy a relaxing day strolling through the trails.  For more info, visit: freshkillspark.org/event/discovery-day-2   

Sunday, from 4-7, SummerStage presents: Family Day: Little Club Heads, Sugar Free Allstars, Hopalong Andrew and Uptown Dance Academy at Clove Lakes Park.  Attend this dance party experience for kids and adults, too. 

The lazy, hazy days of summer are here!  Make the most of them--get outside, swim, picnic, hike, put the top down on your convertible and sing at the top of your lungs!  What are your summer memories of the “good old days”?  If you would like to share those memories or old photos, I will be happy to post them in next week’s blog. 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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