North Shore Greenway Report Release

On Monday, May 20th Transportation Alternatives and The Harbor Ring released their report, "Ringing in the Greenway". Representatives from the Councilwoman's Office, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Community Board 1, and other various community departments came out to show their support. This completed pathway will encircle New York Harbor and connect Brooklyn, Staten Island, New Jersey and Manhattan. We are all looking forward to having this secured multi-use path that will be beneficial to Staten Islanders, increase tourism and help the North Shore economically.

The following is a link to the North Shore Greenway campaign that includes a link to their full report:
http://transalt.org/getinvolved/neighborhood/lets-build-north-shore-greenway

Thank you to Rose Uscianowski, Staten Island Organizer of Transportation Alternatives for running this informative press release.

Press Conference for the North Shore Greenway Report Release

The North Shore Greenway is a long sought concept for a bicycle/ pedestrian pathway extending across the North Shore waterfront from the Verrazzano Bridge on the east side to the Goethals Bridge on the west side. It would be comparable to Manhattan's Hudson River Greenway. Portions of the greenway already exist- Faber Park, Heritage Park and the coming "Van Pelt/ Van Name Waterfront Plaza" on the west side as well as the Stapleton Waterfront Plaza and the Promenade at Lighthouse Point on the east side- but they are trying to get the Department of Transportation to commit to finishing the greenway. 

On Monday, May 20th, the Transportation Alternatives and the Harbor Ring Committee are hosting a press conference regarding the North Shore Greenway in order to announce the release of a brand new mini report documenting public support for the concept while calling on the DOT to commit to its completion.

Please join them on May 20th at 9:30 am and support the North Shore Greenway!

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.