Stapleton Block Party on Van Duzer St. Between Beach and Wright – Saturdays in August 2009!

This summer the NYC Department Of Transportation is expanding its Weekend Walks pedestrian program to include Staten Island thanks to its primary sponsor, the Downtown Staten Island Council.

Van Duzer Street, between Beach and Wright streets, will be closed to driving traffic on Saturdays, August 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd from 12 noon until 8 at night allowing  pedestrians to enjoy a range of summer activities on an open city street free from cars.

Live music featuring the best Stapleton-based acts will highlight the evenings from 4 p.m. until the event closes.  Stay tuned for the exciting official announcements of lineups starting at the end of July.  In addition, the Island’s favorite DJs will spin earlier in the afternoons.

Large-scale participatory presentations are being planned for each of the Saturdays according to theme.  The themes are:

• August 1 – Art & Music

• August 8 – Sports & Athletics

• August 15 – Relaxation

• August 22 – Dance.  More details will be announced soon.

Kids programs will also be offered from noon to 2 p.m. at Van Duzer Summer Streets.  Children’s song swaps and homemade stuffed animal workshops are just the beginning.

Artists are encouraged to email info@sicolab.org to participate and get more information.

3 on 3 Basketball Tournament – Saturday & Sunday August 15 & 16, 2009

3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

14th Annual Richard Willis Memorial – Girls and Boys

Saturday & Sunday August 15 & 16, 2009 – Our Lady Star of the Sea Gyms

Registration Deadline August 4, 2009

Registration Fee $60.00 Per Team

Fee Includes: 2 Game Guarantee, Foul Shot Competition (All Ages) T-Shirt & Souvenirs to All Participants

For Information Visit the Website: www.rwillis3on3.org or call (917) 692-8570

Click Here for Registration Form

OFEA Back to School Family Kickoff – Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 10 – 3p.m. Central Park Bandsell Area (72nd Street & 5th Avenue)

OFEA Back to School Family Kickoff  Event

• DOE Information Tables
• Snacks
• Student Performances
• Clown
• Arts & Crafts, Face Painting
• PBS Characters: Maya & Miguel

Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 10 – 3p.m.

Central Park Bandsell Area (72nd Street & 5th Avenue)

Call (212) 374-7625 or email: ofea@schools.nyc.gov

 

 

Save the Dates for Parent Trainings from NYC DOE Office of Autism

The Office of Autism will be offering citywide parent trainings on the following dates from 10am to 12pm. The flyer for the first session will be sent out at the end of September.

• October 21, 2009- Visual Supports
• December 9, 2009- ABA at home
• January 14, 2010- Social Skills at home
• March 23, 2010- Using child’s strengths

Project Connect: Do You Need Help Managing the Challenging Behavior of Your 3-6 Year Old?

Do you need help managing the challenging behavior of your 3-6 year old?

Children eligible for OMRDD (Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities) services are eligible for Project Connect.

 The program consists of:

● Initial Interview

● Observations

● Data Collection

● Development of a Functional Behavioral Assessment

● Development of a Behavioral Intervention Plan

● Follow-up visits and consultations

For more information and to make an appointment call Bonnie Wohl at Volunteers of America:

(718) 984-7900

OMRDD (Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities) Available On-Line!

The Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) has an Information line that is now available online…..

This provides another point of contact that individuals with developmental disabilities, families, advocates, providers and the general public can use conveniently 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People can call or click to get answers about supports and services for individuals with developmental disabilities in New York State and register complaints of alleged misconduct, fraud, waste and abuse anywhere in the OMRDD service system.

You may reach the OMRDD Information Line online at www.omr.state.ny.us; in addition to the toll free telephone line 1-866-946-9733 or TTY 1-866-933-4889. Please note that it is important for people requiring interpretation services to call the toll free information line at 1-866-946-9733 or TTY: 1-866-933-4889.

Free Family to Family Courses in September for Families of Persons Diagnosed with a Mental Illness

The NAMI Family to Family course is a FREE, 12-week program specifically for families of persons diagnosed with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, panic disorder, or obsessive compulsive disorder. The course is taught by trained family members who provide information and practical skills in a supportive environment, and has been shown to provide concrete, long-term benefits.

Course Topics: How diagnoses are made; developing empathy for your family member’s experience; letting go of guilt; how to listen and communicate more effectively with your family member; coping skills for handling crises and relapses; overview of common medications; problem-solving skills; recovery and rehabilitation; and self-care around worry and stress.

For a complete list of course start dates, location, and registration details, click here.

Contact the Helpline at (212) 684-3264 or email them at helpline@naminyc.org today with any questions.

Conference with Dr. Tony Attwood: “The Complete Guide to High Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome

LINK HERE: http://yai.convio.net/site/Calendar/1430954647?view=Detail&id=1761

The YAI/NIPD NETWORK is pleased to present:

A Full-Day Conference with

DR. TONY ATTWOOD

“The Complete Guide to High Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome
Making Friends and Managing Feelings”

Attendees will have the rare opportunity to hear one of the top minds on Asperger’s Syndrome and High Functioning Autism.

This conference is being held on Monday, October 19, 2009 from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m at the McGraw Hill Auditorium located at 1221 Avenue of the Americas in New York City (entrance on 49th Street, close to 6th Ave.)

WWW.SIPARENT.COM Weekend Family Events for July 25 & 26, 2009

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Hoop It Up: 5 on 5 Basketball Tournament. Boys & girls & National Park Service Rangers play each other, single elimination tournament. Prizes awarded. 10am. Free. Prereg., Miller Field Ranger Station, 718-351-6970

Astronomy Night. A tour of the evening sky.8pm. Bulkhead Road, Opposite the Education Field, Great Kills Park, GNRA, 718-987-6790

Scrapbooking Victorian Style. How they made their scrapbooks; make one yourself. Bring photos & mementos. Materials supplied. 1pm. Prereg. Ft. Wadsworth Mont Sec House. GNRA, 718-354-4500

Cycle the Greenbelt. Take a tour of this new bike path. Bring your bike & helmet. 10am. La Tourette Park, Greenbelt Nat. Ctr., UPR, 718-967-3542

Careers with Animals: Groomer. Students learn about careers working with animals. An introduction to live animals, interactive activities, tours & lab work. Grades 6-9. Prereg. 1:30pm. SI Zoo, 718-442-3101

Kids Crafts. Henry Hudson’s 400th year anniversary celebration. Indian face painting & get your photo taken with the original 1690 Dutch farmhouse door. 12-4pm. Alice Austen House, 718-816-4506 x 10

Sneak Park Preview: Fresh Kills Tour. 10am & 1pm. Prereg. at www.nyc.gov/parks

Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars. See 7 man pyramid on the high wire, human cannonball, jugglers, clowns and more. Parking lot at Midland Beach Park, Father Capodanno Blvd. For more info call 800-796-5672

Carousel. Take a ride on the carousel. 11am. Willowbrook Park, Greenbelt Conservancy, 718-477-0605

Leather Craft Series. Make a deer-hide Lenape pouch (except 7/4). 2-4pm SI Museum, 718-727-1135

St. George Greenmarket. Open-air farmers markets. Fresh fruit, vegetables & much more. For info visit www.downtownsi.com

Saturday’s Tots. Singing, creating & sharing adventures (except 7/4).11 am. SI Children’s Museum, 718-273-2060

Kids Workshop. Different project every weekend. 1, 2 & 3 pm.SI Children’s Museum, 718-273-2060

Guided Forest Walk and Talk. All-ages walk the trails. 1pm. Clay Pit Ponds, 718-967-1967

(update) Guided Nature Hike. All ages. Free.3:00-4:30pm. Join naturalists in an walk through the Preserve trails. Learn the natural and cultural history of the area. Observe weekly changes in the animals, wildflowers and weather of Clay Pit Ponds, 718-605-3970 ext. 201

(update) Composting with Worms! Discover the fun and ease of setting up and maintaining a worm bin. Registration Required. 12-2pm Snug Harbor, 718 425-3557

Sunday, July 26, 2009

All Children’s Day at the Carousel for All Children. 2-3pm Children’s Concert; 3-5pm Free Fun Activities. Rain Date Sunday, August 2. Boro Pres. Molinari, 718-816-2133 or visit www.statenislandusa.org

Canoeing Basics. The basics of canoeing. First come, first-served. Ages 8+. 11am-3pm. Willowbrook Park. UPR, 718-967-3542

Native Americans: Lenape Native Americans. Learn what they wore, ate & left behind. 1pm. Conference House Park. UPR, 718-967-3542

Dragonflies Demystified. Presentation, hike & learn their special secrets. Ages 6+ w/adult. Prereg. High Rock Park. Greenbelt Conservancy, 718-351-3450

A La Carte. Ongoing activities. Explore the National Park Service portable discovery station & learn about native plants & animals. 2pm. Great Kills Park Beach Ctr., GNRA,m718-987-6790

Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars. See 7 man pyramid on the high wire, human cannonball, jugglers, clowns and more. Parking lot at Midland Beach Park, Father Capodanno Blvd. For more info call 800-796-5672

Kids Workshop. Different project every weekend. 1, 2 & 3pm. SI Children’s Museum, 718-273-2060

Guided Forest Walk and Talk. All-ages walk the trails. 1pm. Clay Pit Ponds, 718-967-1967

Wheelchair Cleaning Service at Cerebral Palsy Association of NYS, July 25 & August 8, 2009

Please see the attached flyer regarding a wheelchair cleaning service that is being offered by the Cerebral Palsy Association of NYS on July 25 and August 8 from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM at the Koicheff Health Care Center.  The cost is $65 per chair.  For further information, please contact Gary Grimaldi, Director of Rehabilitation Services at 212-947-5770 Wheel chair cleaning flyer from Cerebral Palsy Assn.