Great Mother's Day event by The Created For You Artists Market

The Created For You Artists Market, will be located at The Hub at the Corner Grind-510 Bay Street on Mother's Day, May 11th. This Market is created for local artists, small business owners and entrepreneurs that are looking for a platform to expand their brand, their name and sell their products, services and arts to the public. The market will have vendors that will be promoting their businesses and services. Entrepreneurs that are starting to sell and artists that have amazing artwork will also be on display. These are all wonderful elements that are undiscovered and need to be in the spotlight. Their motto is - "We started as a village and grew into an army!"

The Hub at the Corner Grind, on 510 Bay St., is an up and coming cafe that is a live music venue. All arts and music are from local artists in Staten Island.

                           

Get Your Hands Dirty - Join Us for Earth Day on Jersey Street

The Staten Island Downtown Alliance will join the Jersey Street Merchant Association to celebrate Earth Day by executing a beautification project along Jersey Street.  We will be getting our hands dirty by planting flowering succulents inside the 30 tree planters lining the Jersey Street corridor. These colorful plants are low water, hardy plants that will stand up to foot traffic and bloom year after year.

Merchants have agreed to care for the plants and keep the tree beds clean.  This project is designed to bring together the residential and retail community.  There will be food, games and entertainment by Redstorm Drum & Dance Troupe.

This beautification project is made possible with a grant from Councilmember Debi Rose and the New York City Department of Small Business Services.

When: April 27 Noon-3pm

Where: Jersey Street across from Columbia Meat Market

Say No to Homeless Shelters on Staten Island

Photo Credit: SI Live Sydney Kashawagi

Department of Homeless Services announced that they would be going ahead with building a 200 unit homeless shelter at 44 Victory Boulevard - right in the heart of the Bay Street Corridor where more than $1 Billion private dollars have been invested in projects such as Empire Outlets, Lighthouse Point, Minthorne and URBY and tens of millions of public dollars have been invested in grants to Local Development Corporations and business organizations to attract and retain businesses and to improve the surrounding community.

There are 42 separate homeless shelters and service sites scattered throughout Community Board 1's service delivery district. There are more scattered throughout Staten Island - but still the Mayor wants to build at least 3 homeless shelters on Staten Island to deal with the 1,300 homeless individuals who claim Staten Island as their last address.

While the Staten Island Downtown Alliance applauds the government for creating a plan to address the homeless crisis, it rejects the notion that Staten Island must accept 3 shelters (one for each Community Board as is proposed for other boroughs) because Staten Island is lacking too many of the necessary services that would help a homeless individual get back on his/her feet.

For example: Staten Island has no public hospital which means that homeless individuals will have to seek medical treatment at our 2 overburdened hospitals. Staten Island has no free access onto the island by car. Christine Quinn, Executive Director of WIN (the entity that would run the 200 unit shelter) said that most of the women owned cars. Staten Island lacks a subway and has limited bus service so there is no way for those without cars to get around. Staten Island has limited job opportunities because it is economically disenfranchised due to the $19 bridge tolls. Staten Island has limited rental housing which means that there will be nowhere for the women and their families who transition from homelessness to find permanent housing. Staten Island public schools are overcrowded and it has few Charter School options.

The list of how Staten Island is lacking in opportunities for its residents is long which likely contributed to the homelessness of these 1,300 individuals. Instead of hobbling them further, why not transition them in shelters close to needed services in Manhattan while using the funds for the shelter lease to build permanent affordable housing which can serve the homeless and reduce the problem in the future?

Taste of Forest Avenue Restaurant Stroll and Street Festival is this Sunday - May 20th

Anyone who attended last years "Taste of Forest Avenue Restaurant Stroll and Street Festival" knows that the event is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. If you missed it, I strongly suggest that you get your tickets today rather than wait for the day of because check in for pre-sale Eventbrite ticket holders begins at 1 PM - giving you a full hour jump start on eating your way down Forest Avenue.  Click here for tickets.

The street festival is hosted by our friends at the Forest Avenue Business Improvement District in partnership with NYC Weekend Walks. It kicks off this Sunday, May 20th at 2PM and runs to 5 PM so make sure that you are on time to taste all the delectable treats these Staten Island restaurateurs have to offer.

The restaurant stroll runs along Forest Avenue from Hart Blvd to Broadway, Staten Island.  The street festival runs from Hart Blvd to Bard Avenue. 

One ticket buys you tastings from over 15 Forest Avenue restaurants. Entertainment for the day
will feature balloon twisters, face painters, magicians, arts and crafts, live music, performances and more! All entertainment will be free and open to the public.

Attendees can exchange their ticket for a sampler’s card at the following locations:

Near Verizon Communications: 355 Forest Ave Staten Island, New York 10301 OR Near McDonalds 803 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310.

Attendees who wish to purchase sampler’s cards on the day of the event can go to the following locations on May 20th: Café Milano 401 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310 OR North Shore True Value Hardware 647 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310.

Participating Restaurants:

Beans and Leaves
Burrito Bar
The Kettle Black
Ho’Brah
Panini Grill
Fab Cup
Mar Mar Restaurant
Mustard Seed
Bruno’s Bakery and Restaurant
Project Brunch
Liberty Tavern Grill
Jody’s Club
Philly Pretzel Factory
Casa Franco
Jean’s Fine Wines & Spirits
Pastosa (From 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM only)
Santino’s Gourmet
Cafe Milano

Free Entertainment:

Trackless Train
Face Painters
Balloon Sculptors
Magicians
Children’s Games
Family Photo Booth
Live Music
NYPD Rock Wall (Anticipated)
DJ Team

Restaurant tastings tickets can be purchased at http://forestavenuebid.com/taste-of-forest-ave/. Follow the event page on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1748185388561286/.

Community can weigh in on proposed language immersion school

About the School - Hebrew Public Charter Schools for Global Citizens, a language immersion school that operates K-8 schools throughout New York City, has announced that they will be filing an application to open a school on Staten Island's North Shore in 2019.

Community Input - Aaron Listhaus, Executive Director and Valerie Khaytina, Vice President for External Affairs have made presentations to Community Board 1, St. George Civic, Stapleton and West Brighton area committees and others in an effort to gather community feedback about. Those interested in seeing how a language immersion school operates can join a group who will be touring Hebrew Language Academy Charter School located at 2186 Mill Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11234 on May 22, 2018 at 9:30am.  For more information about the tour or to RSVP, email valerie@hebrewpublic.org or visit their Facebook page here.

Language Immersion - The above video discusses language immersion techniques and how they benefit children of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Similar to Chinese, Greek and Arabic language immersion schools located throughout New York City, Staten Island Hebrew Public will help students become proficient in the Hebrew Language and enhance their ability to learn other languages throughout their lifetime.

Take the Survey - The organization is asking for community input. Those interested can visit sihebrewpublic.org to take the survey or host a meeting by contacting kay@hebrewpublic.org. 

According to their website - "Hebrew Public Charter Schools use a proficiency-based approach to foreign language learning.  They assist students to develop at different rates in all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students can often listen to and recognize Hebrew words long before they are able to use them in their own writing or speaking.

"Public schools across the country offer dual language programs in a wide range of languages, including Chinese, Spanish, Greek, and Arabic. These program, which have grown largely in response to demands from local communities, are a proven way of getting students more engaged in their studies, building literacy, raising academic achievement, and preparing children to live and thrive in a global, interdependent environment. The incorporation of an intensive focus on a foreign language in a school’s curriculum supports positive evidence-based learning and developmental outcomes in students.


HEBREW PUBLIC’S UNIQUE MODEL FOCUSES ON:

• Rigorous instruction in English Language Arts (ELA), math, science, social studies, Modern Hebrew language, music, art, dance, physical fitness, and chess.

• Immersive Modern Hebrew instruction, bringing Israel to life in the classroom.

• Individualized math and English language arts learning paths for each student.

• Advanced STEM curriculum, including technology integrated into the curriculum.

• Supportive services are available for English Language Learners and special education students.

• A curriculum designed to develop students’ attributes of global citizenship: empathy, cross cultural understanding, and inclusivity.

• Extended school day and year.

• After school options and yellow bus transportation available.

Seeking a Location - of the School officials are seeking to locate the school on Staten Island's north shore because it is Staten Island's most diverse community with many households speaking at least two languages. They will begin offering Kindergarten and 1st grade then add grades as the school enrollment grows.  Enrollment is open to all students and placement is done by lottery. 

Staten Island Hebrew Public is a public charter school teaching the Hebrew language. It is not a religious school. 

For more information visit their Facebook page or website.

 

#downtownSI shop helps owners restore beloved treasures or purchase gently loved antiques

If you are someone, like me, who becomes emotionally attached to items left to us by family members or jewelry given to us as children, you have experienced the heartache when that beautiful antique watch stops working, or the Hummel figurine gets chipped or damaged. You love it, but it winds up being put to the back of the shelf or hidden away in a drawer only to be enjoyed if you accidentally stumble upon it while searching for something else. Well be heartbroken no more because there is a new shop on Bay Street that can lovingly restore those items so that you can enjoy them again.

Love your furniture again is an aptly named restoration and antique shop serving the #DowntownSI area. Owner Yana Azbel has hit the ball out of the park with this much needed resource for Staten Island.

Love your furniture again fixes broken and damaged figurines and porcelain, fixes antique jewelry and watches, rewires antique lamps, reupholsters and refurbishes furniture and so much more. Ms. Azbel is an estate specialist so she can even organize your estate sale.

For collectors of vintage items, walking into Love your furniture again is equivalent to a child walking into a toy store. There are so many exquisite items on display, you don't know where to look first. From paintings to tapestry, from figurines to fine china, from watches to cameos and furniture of every kind, Ms. Azbel and her team have tastefully arranged the shop so that customers can browse comfortably until they find that perfect, must have item.

Love your furniture again is not your average vintage shop, it is a destination for anyone who appreciates fine objects. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful and will happily tell you the story behind every item in the shop.  Perhaps more importantly, they can help you love the objects you already own but have not enjoyed due to damage, wear or because it no longer compliments a redecorated room in your home. 

Yana Azbel and her team 

Many of us face the dilemma of what to do with furniture that doesn't seem to fit into our new decorating scheme. The item is comfortable and familiar to us but perhaps the color isn't quite right or the upholstery clashes with the new colors we have chosen. Rather than purchase a new factory made item that might not be as sturdy or a custom made item that will take months to be delivered and lots of money to purchase, you could rework your loved item so it compliments your room without emptying your wallet.

That's where Ms. Azbel and her team at Love your furniture again come in. They can transform any item into a custom item that will fit perfectly into your decorating scheme. Not sure? Give her a call at (917) 525-6686 or visit her at 638 Bay Street and ask her for advice. She has a passion for her work and is happy to share her knowledge and expertise. 

Whether you have recently moved to #DowntownSI and are redoing an old Victorian in Tompkinsville or if you have recently purchased a new home in West Brighton or are renting an spacious old apartment in Rosebank, Love your furniture again can help you create a home environment that reflects your personality and makes your guests take notice. I highly recommend that you visit Ms. Azbel and her team regularly to peruse the regularly rotated inventory of treasures from around the world and around the corner.

Love your furniture again is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11am - 8pm Saturday & Sunday 11am - 6pm.

Visit their FB page for more pictures and information.

BIN 5 - "ONE OF STATEN ISLAND'S TOP PLACES TO EAT" - NY TIMES

Downtown Staten Island is becoming known for many great things. The New York Wheel, Empire Outlets, Lighthouse Point, Urby, Makers' Space and so many more are part of a quickly changing landscape attracting millions of visitors from the Staten Island Ferry to the Bay Street Corridor via Staten Island Railroad or MTA bus.

While visitors are discovering amazing views, lush parks and captivating cultural institutions, they are also learning that Downtown SI is home to some of the greatest food in New York City - a fact that is supported by many New York City publications.  In fact, the New York Times called Downtown SI restaurant, Bin 5,located at 1233 Bay Street in Rosebank, "one of Staten Island's top places to eat," and they are absolutely right.

Bin 5 is a foodie's dream come true. A quaint, well appointed eatery located right along the Bay Street corridor just blocks away from Ft. Wadsworth, Bin 5's Executive Chef Stephen Lee and Bartender, Danny Ippolito, serve up impressive food and beverage options at a reasonable price.

Bin 5 is Michelin-Rated and is the recipient of the Staten Island Advance Readers' Choice Award for Best Restaurant of 2015 and Best Fancy Cocktails of 2016 and 2017. With credentials like that you know that your meal will be memorable.

What we like best about Bin 5 is the fact that seating is limited to just a few tables. Not only is the food fresh from the kitchen but the staff is attentive to your every need. It is also quiet enough to enjoy dinner conversation. 

In the warmer weather you can dine al fresco in the rear courtyard under a beautiful pergola surrounded by lush greenery.  Wrought iron chairs and tables covered in crisp linen cloth are perfectly placed upon level brick pavers in the outside dining area. No need to worry about ruining your Manolo Blahniks when you choose to dine outside because the owners paid attention to every detail when designing this lovely courtyard.

That same attention to detail is evident in the food. Every dish and beverage is created using local, fresh, seasonal produce, prime meats, craft spirits, and hand-selected wines.

The Bin 5 menu was assembled with care. You can choose small plates such as a Strawberry salad or lamb chops served over polenta or full entrees such as short ribs, stuffed pork chops or eggplant lasagna.

Every Saturday and Sunday, Bin 5 offers an extensive brunch menu which can be paired with their perfect weekend cocktail menu. Find out more by visiting their website.

Bin 5 is open: 

MONDAY
5 PM - 10 PM
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TUESDAY - THURSDAY
1 PM - 10 PM
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FRIDAY
1 PM - 11 PM
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SATURDAY
5 PM - 11 PM
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SUNDAY
4 PM - 9 PM
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BRUNCH:
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
11 AM - 3 PM

Due to the size of the restaurant, reservations are recommended.  Call (718) 448-7275 or email DannyIppolitoBin5@gmail.com