Community News & Events

BY JESSICA JONES-GORMAN Jessica Jones-Gorman is a freelance writer who lives in Great Kills. She has three children who range in age from six to 14.

The COVID-19 quarantine may have prevented live participation in Casa Belvedere’s popular classes and program offerings, but it has not stopped the Italian Foundation from sharing culture with the community virtually.

Turning to Facebook Live, the organization has been hosting a social media series entitled “My Dad Can Cook.” Starring Chef James Paone and his daughters Rosemary and Sophia, the 25-minute segments are hosted in Casa Belvedere’s Cucina Colavita where Paone and his teens demonstrate Italian-inspired meals using fresh ingredients from “Nonno’s Garden,” which is located on the grounds of the Cultural Center. A temporary substitute for Casa Belvedere’s children’s culinary program, the organization says it hopes to resume in-person, socially distanced cooking classes for both children and adults soon. “With the power of the internet and social media, we have been able to cast a much wider net recruiting participants,” noted Gina Biancardi, Casa Belvedere’s founder. “People from Ohio, Florida, Texas and California sign up for our classes and programs. I never imagined that a Texan would ‘attend’ an Italian class being taught, virtually, in Staten Island.” New fall and winter episodes of Paone’s show are being planned, highlighting cold-weather soups and traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas specialties. For more information about the show and other programs at Casa Belvedere, visit www.casa-belvedere.org.

The Staten Island Zoo in West Brighton recently partnered with Kulture City to become a certified Sensory Inclusive venue. Training employees to assist and accommodate guests with sensory processing needs, the Zoo also equipped the property with sensory bags containing KCVIP badges, fidget tools, noise cancelling headphones, sunglasses and other resources. “If needed, our guests can borrow the bags at no cost to help them best enjoy the experience,” the Zoo noted in a statement. “We also have designated ‘Headphone Zones’ for those with auditory sensitivities, as well as ‘Quiet Areas’ for those who might need a safe place to cool down.” Helpful information about the Sensory Inclusive Experience can be found at https:// venue.kulturecity.org/venues/staten-island-zoo The Zoo will also host a special Thanksgiving event on November 15. During the annual blessing of the animals participants will learn about Native American culture while drumming and dancing with the Red Storm Drum and Dance Troupe. Animals are given a Thanksgiving treat and visitors can assist zookeepers in the preparation. Tickets must be reserved online. Visit statenislandzoo.org for more information.

If you are a big fan of “New York’s Biggest Little Zoo,” you can register now for their virtual 5K Fun Run/Walk to support their efforts to conserve wildlife and provide education to the public. Virtual runs/walks can be done on your own time with your family and friends and at your own pace. To register, go to goneforarun.com and search “Staten Island Zoo.”

Want to stay updated on all of the fun events the zoo has to offer? Visit the Staten Island Parent Family Calendar at siparent.com/events. Be sure to bookmark the page and check back every day for new virtual and in-person events all over Staten Island. You can also sign up for our e-newsletters, where we deliver the “Scoop” on all fun stuff to do right to your inbox three times a week. Go to siparent.com/signup now to make sure you’re not missing out!

The American Cancer Society’s Holiday Brunch for Pediatric Cancer Research is one of Staten Island’s most anticipated events. Supporting important research and putting a spotlight on local pediatric cancer patients, the annual function raises funds, collects toy donations and honors families who are battling this disease. But COVID constraints have cancelled 2020’s event, since in-person holiday cheer is an impossibility for the borough’s sickest patients. This will not stop the philanthropic organization from supporting local residents, however. For ACS and all of the generous donors who participate, this holiday season will still be filled with magic. “The mission goes on and the American Cancer Society’s commitment to save lives and lead the fight to a world without cancer continues,” The Staten Island chapter of ACS noted in a statement. “This year alone the United States will see over 11,000 new cases of children diagnosed with cancer. We are dedicated to the elimination of pediatric cancer and have teamed up with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to raise $11 million dollars to fund the most promising pediatric cancer research.” Replacing their Holiday Brunch with a “Holiday Wish List Project,” the non-profit will begin collecting toy contributions this month for a gift distribution to Staten Island University Hospital’s pediatric oncology unit in December. There are a range of other pledge opportunities too: A contribution of $300 allows you to directly sponsor a family dealing with pediatric cancer this December, grant a child’s or teenager’s holiday wish or simply support a cure. For more information about fulfilling holiday wishes and supporting critical research efforts this season, email or call CC Arcuri, community development manager with the American Cancer Society’s Northeast Region, at 347-956-7398.

Reopens, Continues Virtual Programming

The Staten Island Museum reopened its doors on September 19th, implementing comprehensive COVID-19 operating policies to provide visitors

with inspirational, low touch or contactless experiences under the safest conditions possible. Currently open on weekends (from 12pm to 4pm) with the purchase of advance tickets, the museum is also continuing its virtual programming as a supplement to on-site exhibitions. Featured on Saturday, November 21, will be a family-friendly Fossil Dig. Part of the Museum’s Super Science program, the online experiment event will simulate the fun and challenging aspects of digging for fossils, opening children’s minds to the possibilities that some “fossils” are still alive as relatively unchanged and ancient organisms. Hosted by guest scientist Ashley Gary, social media star best known for her creation of The Wildlife Host, the program will take place from 1pm to 3pm. A $5 donation is recommended. Visitstatenislandmuseum.org/ event/super-science-2-2020-11-21/ for more details.

Borough President Oddo recently announced a schedule of cleanups along major Staten Island thoroughfares. The roadways surrounding the park perimeters will be closed for the cleanups from 9:45am to 2pm on: • Thursday, Nov. 5: Travis Avenue from Draper Place to Victory Boulevard • Thursday, Nov. 11: Rockland Avenue from Brielle Avenue to Manor Road • Thursday, Nov. 19: Forest Hill Road from Richmond Hill Road to Rockland Avenue

“While it may be an inconvenience to some when these roads are closed, this cleanup is needed for these agencies to safely and quickly remove bottles, fast food wrappers, and other items from the perimeter. Unfortunately, the selfish acts of some make it necessary to take these actions. Thank you to the Parks Department for working with us to keep these thoroughfares clean, especially during such difficult budgetary times. We all must find a way to contribute or our litter problem will only continue to get worse,” said BP Oddo. The cleanup efforts are made possible through collaboration with the City Parks Department, the NYPD, the City Department of Transportation and the City Department of Sanitation.