The past and present of New York’s oft-overlooked borough

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111028_15_57_58_dsc_0199-0via Curbed.com –

Though you tend to hear about it less often than the other boroughs, Staten Island has a colorful history all its own—including the fact that it once overwhelmingly voted to secede from the city, among other momentous occasions. (That vote proved unsuccessful, of course.)

 To get a better understanding of where things are at on the island now, it helps to know its past—thus, this brief history of Staten Island, from the first Dutch settlers (who arrived in the 17th century) to a new breed of 21st-century residents, drawn to recent developments like Urby. While it’s impossible to include every big moment, these are some of the ones that have shaped the borough as it is today.

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5th and Fox

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2017-03-28_13-14-30Richmond County Orchestra Presents: 5th and Fox Featuring the world premiere of My Hymn for Kathy” a tribute to the late Kathy Vorwick, a Greenbelt Conservancy founder by Staten Island Composer Howard Fox

Saturday, April 8, 2017 7:30 PM at the Olivet Presbyterian Church- 97 Myrtle Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310

For tickets: http://m.bpt.me/event/2898763 $15 per Adult in advance. $20 at door Students & Children are FREE! Telephone: 718-876-7945 https://www.facebook.com/RichmondCountyOrchestra

Borough Hall Blood Drive

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give-blood

Borough President James S. Oddo is pleased to announce the next in the series of Borough Hall Blood Drives to benefit the needs of patients at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) and Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC). The blood drive will be held on Tuesday, April 4th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Conference Room 125. It is the eighteenth of a series of blood drives that have been hosted by the Borough President and facilitated by both hospitals working together.

Every few seconds, someone in the United States needs a life-saving blood transfusion. There is no substitute for blood. Therefore, hospitals rely on healthy adults to donate blood. No appointment is necessary to donate.

The office’s February blood drive saw 70 potential donors, with each hospital collecting 27 units of blood.

“I am thrilled that Richmond University and Staten Island University are continuing to work together to help all Staten Islanders with this blood drive,” said Borough President Oddo. “One blood donation can save up to three lives. The procedure takes less than an hour and is completely safe.”

The next blood drive in the series is scheduled for Tuesday, June 6th.

Evening Group Hike

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2017-03-16_12-27-15Most Wednesdays – Check the Facebook page – “The Greenbelt Conservancy” for updates. Bring a head lamp or a flashlight

Group Evening Hike – 6:00 – 8:00 pm –
Trail Run – 7:00 – 8:00 pm

Choose to hike or run: these are separate activities. The hike is moderate paced, and the run is faster and more suitable for experienced trail runners. Bring a headlamp along as it is beginning to be dark when we return!

Greenbelt staff and Staten Island Athletic Club members lead a hike beginning at 6 pm and a trail run beginning at 7 pm on Wednesday evenings throughout the year. The hike and trail run usually cover approximately five miles. Headlamps are required in every season. Dress for the weather and trail conditions. Bring water and a snack if you think you’ll need it. No reservation is required. We go in all weather unless conditions are dangerous. Always check the Greenbelt Conservancy’s Facebook page for updates on changes or cancellations.

Seedy Strip to Hottest Block

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via New York Post: With the way this city’s trends come and go, the hot new neighborhood could be just around the corner. Then again, it could be a ferry ride away. Here are five newly hip strips in and around the city to check out — before they lose their curb appeal.

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Veronica Arze (left) and Annette Bruno own the cafe Duzer’s Local.Stefano Giovannini

Van Duzer Street, Staten Island

Think Staten Island’s too far? Think again. The free ferry ride takes only 25 minutes, plus Van Duzer Street, in the historic Stapleton neighborhood, is worth the trip alone.

Walkable from the terminal, this winding stretch, a hotbed of local art and music back in the early ’00s, is again catering to the artists who live there with a spike in new cafes, restaurants and bars.

Craft House Restaurant (60 Van Duzer St.; 718-442-3433), which has brews and barbecue, will also soon be home to the borough’s fourth brewery, Kills Boro Brewing Co.

“The businesses on Van Duzer Street have always felt like they were the most authentic experiences around here,” says Sean Torres, marketing manager of Kills Boro, who also lives on the street. “And it’s definitely picked up here the last few months. A lot of young people, very easygoing, just out and enjoying themselves.”

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Tour de Staten Island 2017

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Sunday, April 23rd

The Tour de Staten Island is a friendly, non-competitive ride. Cycle through diverse Staten Island on the cusp of spring. Both the 35 and 50 mile routes cover some of the most breathtaking – and lesser known – spots of Staten Island. Rest stops include some of Staten Island’s most bucolic and stunning spots: Freshkills Park, Great Kills Park, Historic Richmond Town and the oceanfront with its striking views of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and New York Harbor.

Invite your friends and family to cheer for you along the route! There are no road closures so riders are asked to please stay to the right of the road. Be sure to ride at a safe speed and obey traffic laws at all times. Ride rain or shine. Limited to 2000 riders so register early!

On Staten Island, one of NYC’s oldest African American enclaves is preserved

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via Curbed.com – New York City has always been a collection of diverse communities—and while many have since been paved over or transformed into new neighborhoods, in some places, visible remnants of the past remain. One such place is Staten Island’s Sandy Ground, which—along with Seneca Village, established in 1825 and located in Manhattan, and Weeksville, established in 1838 and located in present-day Crown Heights—was one of three prominent communities that free blacks called home in New York in the pre-Civil War era.

Located on the Staten Island’s south shore, Sandy Ground first appeared on records dating back to 1799, its name referring to the rich soil found throughout the area. Land ownership records show that the first African American residents purchased land in the area as early as 1828. The first documented owner, John Jackson, purchased 2.5 acres; he would later go ont to operate the Lewis Columbia, a ferry that provided service between Rossville and Manhattan—the only direct mode of transportation at that time.

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5 EASY DIY PROJECTS TO TACKLE THIS WINTER

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2017-02-06_11-50-34The winter months are the perfect time to dig in and tackle easy DIY projects for an updated home you’ll enjoy all year long. These five simple home improvement projects are incredibly easy, affordable and can be completed in three hours or less.

Marvelous mirrors

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, you’re looking a little shabby. Mirrors are timeless decor options, but the frames can look dated over time. Breathe new life into an old mirror by painting the frame a rich, modern color that pops within the current color scheme. Another idea is to clean the frame and adhere mosaic tiles along the edge for a crafty, custom look.

Handsome hardware

Old hardware makes any room look like a relic of yesteryear. A complete replacement can be costly, so instead opt to paint existing hardware. Simply remove and clean to eliminate grime. Then use one of 11 colors of Krylon(R) Premium Metallic, like Pewter Gray or White Copper, to create a lustrous, high-gloss metallic finish in just a few coats. A tip for painting hardware is to use an old egg carton. Turn the egg carton upside down, secure the hardware to the egg cups and spray away!

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