Can you think of a better way to start your morning than with an hour of exercise?  Yes, of course—sipping coffee on my porch, reading the Times, anything but exercise!  Well, I used to think the same until I discovered a Zumba class at the YMCA on Broadway with Blanny Couto. 

At first I thought I would be bored since it is geared towards seniors.  Was I surprised!  The seniors in this class can out-Zumba me any day as well as participate in the Senior Olympics, dance and work out in the gym. Within minutes, the class Zumbas to rock and roll, Latin songs, jive, among other enjoyable tunes we have all grown up with. The music is not so excruciatingly loud that I need ear plugs (as historically I have been forced to use at other Zumba classes). Blanny has a continuous smile on her face, laughing and smiling, having a blast, showing us new dance steps and moves and always encouraging us to keep going. This professional dancer is not working--she loves what she is doing and passes on the love to all of us. This week, she reminded us of the Beatrice Victor Senior Olympics (9/25-29) and the Ballroom Dance Social (with Blanny instructing) on Sunday evenings from 7-8 at the Broadway Y (8/14, 21, 9/11, 9/18).  It is a FREE community gathering where you can meet other ballroom dancers.  Bring a partner, friend or come alone.  Dancers and spectators are welcome.  Members and non-members are welcome. For more information, contact Liza Horner at 718-981-4933, extension 1412.  Try Zumba, participate in the Senior Olympics (50 and over) and dance on Sunday.  I’ll be there this Sunday and can’t wait to meet you!

Did you reserve your “Go Healthy Food Box” for this week? My sack of produce included: 4 peaches, 2 Italian eggplants, tomatoes, green bell pepper, lettuce, garlic, onion, basil, zucchini.  Go to Goodhue Center at 304 Prospect Ave. on Tuesday from 4-6, and every week until November, to reserve your sack for next week. You can sign up, reserve and pay for a sack for the following week and then pick up your Food Box. You can pay by credit card, cash, NYS Health Bucks and soon by EBT.  Each week you will receive a new recipe. 

Check out Summerstage: B-Love's Hip-Hop Jazzy Groove today, Wednesday, 8/10 at 10:30-11:30 at Snug Harbor Cultural Center, 1000 Richmond Terr.  B-Love’s Hip Hop Jazzy Groove is written, directed, and choreographed by Traci Bartlow and features Ray F. Davis. Ms. Bartlow is proficient in many styles of dance, and uses African, Jazz and Hip Hop as a base for her choreography. For details, call 718-425-3597 or visit http://snug-harbor.org

Before the summer ends, be sure to participate in Boogie Woogie Wednesdays today at 5 at the Staten Island Children's Museum, 1000 Richmond Terr.  Sponsored by the Staten Island Delegation to the NYC Council and Dunkin Donuts, Boogie Woogie Wednesday, is a FREE outdoor music and dance program. Pack a picnic dinner, dine under the tent on the Meadow and then dance the night away. At 5, FREE admission begins and Exhibits open for play 5:30 p.m. Story time with Literacy INC.  6:30 p.m. Snacks (while supplies last) 7:00 p.m. Dancing Begins! 8:00 p.m. Museum closed. Call 718-273-2060 for info.

Join a discussion on New Medications for Bipolar, Schizophrenia and Depression tonight at 7, at Freedom From Fear, 308 Seaview Ave. with Dr. AdamSmith. For details, visit: http://www.namistatenisland.org

The Whale of a Tale Vacation Bible School starts today at El Bethel Assembly Church, 914 Jewett Ave. The children will be learning the story of Jonah and the Whale through fun lessons, arts and crafts and drama. Snacks will be provided everyday and the final day will be a time of celebration. It's an event your kids shouldn't miss!  Admission is $5 per day.  Call 718-981-1234 for details. Register on the Bethlehem Stars page on Facebook!

The Borough President’s sponsored Summer Concert Series continues on Thursday, 8/11 a 6:30 for U.S. Coast Guard Appreciation Night at the Overlook at Fort Wadsworth Harbor, 210 New York Ave. featuring the Staten Island Community Band.  This is one of Gateway's many events this summer to celebrate the centennial of the National Park Service. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, snacks and enjoy the concert under the stars. 

Pre-K Storytime is on Thursday at 11 at the Mariners Harbor Library, 206 South Ave.  Come and enjoy songs, activities and books for children ages 3-5.  https://www.nypl.org/events/calendar

Bring your baby ages birth to 1 ½ years old to Baby Rhyme Time, an interactive program with simple books, gentle movement and songs on Friday, 8/12, at 10:30 at the New Dorp Library, 309 New Dorp Ln.  Meet other babies and caregivers in the community. For more events at this branch, visit: https://www.nypl.org/events/calendar

The St. Clare Sixth Annual Feast is on Saturday, 8/13 at 11 at St. Clare's R.C. Church,  110 Nelson Ave. The day will be filled with many activities, including an on-stage performance by the St. Clare Dance students. Enjoy the Lego Land Fun park with bouncy houses, a rock wall, a dunk tank and a magician. faces painted. There will be balloon making, face painting, outdoor bowling, a Boy Scout regatta demonstration, a Girl Scout table, Steam Wagon Truck, a “Trash and Treasure Garage Sale,” raffle baskets, various food items and much more. Guests will also have the chance to send St. Clare’s staff for a plunge in the dunk tank and munch on summer foods, ices and cotton candy. After the day’s events, our parish and community will come together to celebrate St. Clare with our children dressed as St. Clare and St. Francis for the 5 p.m. Mass, led by Bishop John O’Hara. (718) 984-7873

On Saturday at 6, attend a performance by Lori Belilove and the Isadora Duncan Dance Company who will honor their namesake, revolutionary dancer Isadora Duncan, and Victorian rebel photographer Alice Austen, in a program of dances choreographed by Isadora Duncan, on the beautiful grounds on the Alice Austen House, 2 Hylan Blvd. Admission is $10/$8 members. For info, call 718-816-4506 or visit http://aliceausten.org/events/2016-08-13

Attend the "Kind of Blue....Cyanotype Experiments”, a St. John's University Student Exhibition, Art 1085 Spring 2016 on Saturday at the CPG Gallery (Creative Photographers' Guild), 814 Richmond Terr. Opening Reception is Saturday, 8/13 from 5-8. Exhibit continues through 8/21. Gallery Hours are Saturday and Sunday, 1-5. For info, call 917-881-1947.

Boardwalk Days at South Beach 2016 is presenting a series of FREE concerts every Sunday continuing through 9/4 from 3-6 under the Gazebo.  On 8/14, you will hear Siegfried Dagger.  Bring a chair, throw a blanket on the sand and enjoy the music.

A “Poet's Café”, presented by the Staten Island Creative Community’s Spoken Word, takes place Sunday from 3-6 at the Art on the Terrace, 776 Richmond Terr. This month, the reading will take place in the newly renovated backyard of Art on the Terrace, weather permitting. Poets will read poetry “a la carte” – original poetry in a variety of forms - and pastries will be served. The dulcimer will continue to grace the day. The event is FREE and all ages are welcome. http://sicreative.org/

Al-Anon Family Groups meet on Sunday at 4 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 205 Jefferson Blvd. Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and help to solve their common problems. Alcoholism is a family disease.  For info, visit http://www.alanonny.org

If you would like me to post photos from the weekend events you participated in, please let me know.  If your organization would like to promote their event or if you have events specifically for children to participate in, or volunteer opportunities, please do not hesitate to call me at 646-258-9696, leave a comment below or e-mail me at joan.coogan@gmail.com

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