Have you made memories this summer? Did I inspire you to take risks, try new things, embrace your special days, live life to the fullest? Do you keep a photo journal of special events you shared with friends and family? Do you keep a diary or a journal of your fascinating life?!! I sometimes meet people who share stories about different events in their life. I will comment to them about what a great short story it would make or how exciting it must have been. They will sometimes nod and say, “Hmmm” or look at me like I have two heads. I attended a Journal writing event. We were each told to pull out a coin, note the date and write about something that happened that year. It was pretty interesting what the participants wrote about. It might have been a year that you did nothing memorable or everything memorable. Try it! If you keep a journal of perhaps everything that seems important—your tributes, momentous events, happy or sad happenings, it can be a vehicle to help you grow, change, improve or just give you a better idea of what you are all about. It can be an exciting piece of history your offspring may want to read after you have moved on….
How many of you gardened this year? I got a late start but watched as my vegetables grew to never before heights in front of my eyes. I compost all year round and feed my garden with the healthy soil. This summer, I reaped many cucumbers and Roma plum tomatoes, a few sweet potatoes, tiny eggplants. The corn grew high but did not survive the heat wave, shriveled up and died. I tasted a few of the small ears of corn; they were great. String beans bombed as did beefsteak tomatoes (my favorite) and peppers. My flowers were wonderful in both the back and front yards, and my kitchen garden on the porch did very well—the herbs did not disappoint. I inherited an “accidental” crop of what I believe to be acorn squashes growing on my fence from my neighbors and a few of their Sri Lankan Bitter Gourds. Below are some photos. Will you share your harvest photos with me?
Thank you my gentle reader, Diane, for the photo of the Vive Voce Winds Concert Under the Trees last Sunday at the lovely High Rock Park.
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Bring the children to Fools in Spaaaaace! A Universe of Stories on Wednesday 8/28 at 3 at the St. George Library, 5 Central Ave.Space: Where everyone will hear you laugh! Wacky cosmonauts Presto Pete and Incredulous Chris lead kids through the wonder of constellations, stars, and planets through fun magic and their funnier antics! Presented by Pete and Chris Amusements.
Enjoy Family Story Time on Wednesday at 4 at the Richmondtown Library, 200 Clarke Ave.A Librarian will share Favorite Picture Books, providing children ages 3+ with the Wonder of Books and the Joy of reading.
Participate in the Ocean Breeze Twilight Runs: Costume Theme Night on Wednesday from 7–8. This free event features a two-mile, fast and flat course on the scenic Midland Beach Promenade. The Twilight Runs are designed for runners of all levels and everyone is welcome to participate. Please note: Registration takes place from 6:15–6:45 p.m., on the day of each run. Runs will start at 7 p.m. Timing will be limited to 30 minutes. For accessibility information, please contact Vincent.Stasi@parks.nyc.gov or (718) 351-7923. Midland Beach Splash Plaza in FDR Boardwalk and Beach.
Enjoy some of the last mild summer evenings at Movies Under the Stars: Captain Marvel on Wednesday from 8–10 at the Greenbelt Recreation Center in Blood Root Valley, 501 Brielle Ave. Carol Danvers becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races. Come early and bring a blanket or chair.
Have you ever watched dandelion seeds float away in the wind and wondered how other plant seeds travel? Visit the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave. Star to the Seed Sendoff Workshop on Thursday 8/29 at 10 to learn about the different ways plants disperse their seeds. Then make and test your own seed dispersal designs!
Join the Builder's Club on Thursday at 2 at the South Beach Library, 21-25 Robin Rd. to plan, collaborate, and create with other builders. You will be using Lego bricks, magnetic tiles, craft sticks, cardstock paper and other surprise materials to further challenge your imagination.
As part of the Summer Sunset Concert Series, Joan Caddell and the Midnight Choir and The Black Ties will entertain on Thursday at 7 at Snug Harbor Cultural Center, 1000 Richmond Terr.
Enjoy Movies Under the Stars: Star Wars Attack of the Clones on Thursday from 8–10:30 at Wolfe's Pond Park, Cornelia Ave. and Chester Ave. Ten years after the The Phantom Menace, the galaxy is on the brink of civil war. Under the leadership of a renegade Jedi named Count Dooku, thousands of planets threaten to secede from the Galactic Republic. When an assassination attempt is made on Senator Padmé Amidala, the former Queen of Naboo, twenty-year-old Jedi apprentice Anakin Skywalker is assigned to protect her. In the course of his mission, Anakin discovers his love for Padmé , and Obi-Wan Kenobi are drawn into the heart of the Separatist movement and the beginning of the Clone Wars.
Member Bring a Friend to Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex, 625 Fr. Capodanno Blvd. on Friday, 8/30 and every last Thursday of the month for FREE from 5:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Come break a sweat and introduce a friend to the most state-of-the-art fitness facility in NYC! Limit one guest pass per member per month. Visitor cannot exceed 3 visits in a 12 month period. The visitor must be accompanied by a member at the time of redemption, sign in at the front desk, and complete a waiver form.
Toddler Rhyme Time & Toy Time takes place on Friday at 11:30 at the New Dorp Library, 309 New Dorp Ln. Bring your toddler, 1 ½-2 ½ to an interactive program featuring, books, finger plays, songs and rhymes, followed by unstructured playtime. Network with other caregivers and provide social opportunities for your toddler.
For ages 8-12, the Coding Club with Google CS meets on Friday at 3 at the Stapleton Library, 132 Canal St.Create. Code. Tell Stories. Design and create your own animations and learn about technology in the media industry! Registration is required; call 718-727-0427.
One of my favorites--Movies Under the Stars: Creed II on Friday from 8-10 at Broadway and Wayne St. in Cpl. Thompson Park. Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family’s past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what’s worth fighting for, and discover that nothing’s more important than family. Creed II is about going back to basics to rediscover what made you a champion in the first place, and remembering that, no matter where you go, you can’t escape your history.
Attend a Free Chess Program on Saturday, 8/31 from 9:30-11:30 at the Greenbelt Recreation Center, 501 Brielle Ave. The program is run by SI Tech students.
The City Parks Puppetmobile and Bessie’s Big Shot is coming to the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex, 625 Fr. Capodanno Blvd. on Saturday from 11-11:45. Bessie the cow dreams of joining the circus. But can she lift more than Ziegfried, the strongest man in the world? Fly on the trapeze high above the crowd? Come root Bessie on in this variety show as she attempts the impossible and searches for her special talents.
Children ages 8+ can attend Art in the Park: Build a Birdhouse on Saturday from 2-3 at Clay Pit Ponds Visitors Center, 2351 Veterans Rd. W.Assemble and decorate a home for birds! You will use tools such as a hammer and nails.
The SI MakerSpace & Richmond Terrace Sculpture Garden Grand Opening takes place on Saturday 8/31 from 2-5 at 16 Westervelt Ave. Learn about the journey of the six artists in the NeON (Neighborhood Opportunity Network) Arts program. Hear from a guest speaker who will talk about the importance of Mental Health Awareness in the community. There will also be wellness art classes and mental health resources for all who come. Read more about the program and the Expo at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/si-makerspace-richmond-terrace-sculpture-garden-opening-tickets-69420280929
Attend British Invasion with the Staten Island Philharmonic on Saturday from 4-6 at the Alice Austen Park, Hylan Blvd. and Edgewater. Picnic on the lawn as you listen to a program that includes everything from folk songs to the Beatles, James Bond, Adele and Bohemian Rhapsody. The concert is free and open to the public.
Bring the family to Movies Under the Stars: Star Wars Revenge of the Sith on Saturday from 8-10:30 at the Detective Russel Timoshenko Soccer Field in FDR Boardwalk and Beach, Slater Ave. and Fr. Capodanno Blvd. Three years after the onset of the Clone Wars, the noble Jedi Knights have been leading a massive clone army into a galaxy-wide battle against the Separatists. When the sinister Sith unveil a thousand-year-old plot to rule the galaxy, the Republic crumbles and from its ashes rises the evil Galactic Empire. Jedi hero Anakin Skywalker is seduced by the dark side of the Force to become the Emperor s new apprentice - Darth Vader. The Jedi are decimated, as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Master Yoda are forced into hiding. The only hope for the galaxy are Anakin's own offspring - the twin children born in secrecy who will grow up to become Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa.
The NYRR Open Run: Conference House Park takes place on Sunday, 9/1 from 9-10 at 7455 Hylan Blvd.Open Run is a community-based, volunteer-led running initiative bringing free weekly runs and walks to local neighborhood parks, across all five boroughs of NYC. All runs are directed by volunteers and are free to all participants. The finish line is open until the last person is done. The courses vary based on the park, but are between 2.5 and 3 miles long. Participants are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes before the start of the run and to leave their valuables at home – bag check is not provided. Open to all ages, experience levels, walkers, strollers, dogs: All are welcome! This program is in coordination with NYC Parks’ Community Parks Initiative.
The 40th Annual Richmond County Fair takes place on Saturday, 8/30, Sunday, 9/1 and Monday 9/2 from 12-6 at Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave. As New York City’s only County Fair, the grounds of Historic Richmond Town will host one of the biggest, longest running and well-attended festivals in the city – all while supporting local businesses and American History! It combines classic fairground favorites, gourmet food and live music. With more than one hundred vendors, unlimited ride access and demonstrations of historic trades by costumed living historians, there is something for the entire family to enjoy. Admission is Adults-$10, Kids-$5, 3 & Under-FREE, Seniors/Students-$8. Unlimited ride wristband-$15. Don’t forget to stop by and say “Hi” to your friendly neighborhood Real Estate agents at Gillani Homes! Looking forward to meeting you! Below are some photos from last year.
The Parents & Family Substance Abuse Support Group, hosted by Christopher's Reason, meets on Monday, 9/2 from 7-8 at Christopher's Reason Recovery Center, 521 Arthur Kill Rd., 3rd floor. If you know of or are living with someone who appears to have a substance abuse problem, come talk and listen. The goal of this group will be substance abuse education, referral sources, support family and friends.
Do you know of a “high school student 16 or older with working papers, persons enrolled, registered and accumulating credits in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a 2-4 year accredited institution, or Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who possess a high school diploma or its equivalent and has served on active duty in the two years preceding the first day of internship” who would be interested in participating in the Mayor’s Office Fall/Spring Internship Program? For more information, visit https://a002-oom03.nyc.gov/nycmointernship/apply.html to apply.
Want to know how to receive the GO!HEALTHY FOOD BOX? Every Tuesday through 11/19 between 4-6 go to Goodhue Center, 304 Prospect Ave. in New Brighton, and sign up and pay $10 Cash, Credit/Debit and Health Bucks! (or $8 with EBT or FMNP) at least one week in advance for $30 worth of fresh local produce. Come back the next week (same time, same place) to pick up your bag and taste the weekly recipe! The Children’s Aid is on hiatus for a few weeks so the next time you can sign up for the Go-Healthy food box is Tuesday 9/3 for pick-up on 9/10.
I welcome comments and photos at events you have attended. If you want to share events for me to post, email, text or call.
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