TENNIS ROOTS RUN DEEP ON STATEN ISLAND, HISTORIANS SAY
By Neil St. Clair, NY1 News Monday, August 30, 2010
As the U.S. Open gets underway in Queens, some Staten Islanders are hoping the fifth borough might also be recognized for its contributions to the sport tennis. Click here to watch the NY1 Video about tennis on Staten Island and see what some Islanders had to say, including SINY's Executive Director, Larry Ambrosino.
STATEN ISLAND ATHLETES FIND CHALLENGE IN SUNDAY'S TRIATHLON/DUATHLON
By Stephen Hart, Staten Island Advance Wednesday, August 25, 2010
There will be over 300 competitors for the Staten Island Triathlon/Duathlon this Sunday, and just as many unique stories as to why they’re participating.
The one common bond that all of the athletes share, however, is that they want to be tested — to push their body to its limits and know they can achieve a goal that many of them didn’t think was possible just a few months ago.
“I’ve never done anything like this before,” admitted 53-year-old Jeff Steltzer of Willowbrook, who will be competing in the triathlon with his daughters Rebecca, age 29, and Deborah, 22. “I’m athletic ... I play tennis, I’ve always biked and I’ve done scuba diving ... but I’ve never been in any organized multi-sport race.”
For Steltzer, who is in real estate management, the goal is simple: “I want to beat my daughters,” he laughed. “I am very excited. I don’t care so much about my time, but I want to finish ahead of them. But Deborah is fresh off competing in a half-marathon in Miami, so I may have to just settle for beating my oldest daughter.”
The duathlon and triathlon will begin simultaneously at 8 a.m. Triathletes will start off with a 1/3-mile swim in Midland Beach, while duathletes will partake in a 1-mile run. The two groups will then merge for both a 12-mile bike (a 4-mile loop done three times) on Fr. Capodanno Blvd. and then a 4-mile run that finishes on the FDR Boardwalk in South Beach.
“The course really appeals to anybody,” said Daniel Honig, New York Triathlon Club president, who helps put on the race for the non-profit group SINY. “It’s primarily flat, so that’s good for first-timers. But veteran duathletes and triathletes are always going to go as fast as they can, so their challenge is always the clock.”
“We just keeping our fingers crossed about the weather,” added Honig, referring to last year’s inaugural race, which had to be pared down to just a duathlon when hurricane warnings prevented the swimming portion.
Quick Recovery Denise Jagroo has participated in five triathlons. But the 32-year-old Greenridge resident is happy to be doing anything after being involved in a car accident two months ago — ironically, on her way home after picking up her race packet for the borough’s other triathlon, the Flat as a Pancake.
“I suffered some bumps, bruises, cuts ... but I took time off to recover, then started training for this race right away,” said Jagroo, a physical therapist at the Veteran’s Hospital in Manhattan. “I think the tough part for me will be the swim ... I’m sure the water will be freezing and it will be dark and murky. And with some many bodies hitting into you, it can be a little disorienting.”
That part should come naturally to Eryka Eikeseth, a former Advance All-Star in swimming at Tottenville HS and current Great Kills Beach lifeguard. But the 22-year-old Huguenot resident and recent SUNY-New Paltz grad is admittedly feeling some jitters prior to her first triathlon.
“I’m nervous ... nervous and excited. For the past five years, I’ve been in a lifeguard tournament in Sandy Hook, so hopefully that experience will help,” said Eikeseth, who was talked into Sunday’s event by her National Parks Service supervisor James Cutrone, a veteran triathlete who is also competing. “I’m going to beat him in the swim, though I think he has me on the bike.”
Megan McCarrick of West Brighton, a former St. John Villa runner, is using her first duathlon as a change of pace from long-distance running.
“Marathon training can get a little boring,” said the 24-year-old, a recruiter for Abercrombie & Fitch in Manhattan, who will compete in her fifth marathon this October in Chicago. “I figure this will break up the monotony. Bike riding on the road is a different challenge.”
Sunday’s field isn’t relegated to 20-somethings, however.
At 55, Great Kills resident and avid mountain biker Roy Fischman will dust off his skills from his days on the Tilden HS swim team to compete in the triathlon. “People have advised me to just have fun and not get stressed out,” said Fischman, a NYC Housing Authority worker, who will be using a bicycle originally bought in 1969 for the race.
And Lauri Young didn’t start competing in duathlons until her mid-40s. Now at 52, the Sunnyside resident and musical director of Wagner College’s theater department takes the sport so seriously she has a personal trainer, Jonathan Cane of City Coach.
“I was always active growing up, but I wasn’t a competitive athlete. Now, I’m in it to win it,” said Young, a frequent age-group medalist. “There are a lot of parallels between this and theater — you have to live in the moment, you have to make split-second decisions regarding strategy, and you have to be acutely aware of everyone around you.”
Island Showcase SINY executive director Larry Ambrosino wants to make those outside Staten Island aware of the borough’s many resources, especially its beaches and parks. The race is the main fundraiser for the three-year-old SINY in continuing its work to promote the Island, and race organizers are happy to report that the breakdown of entrants is similar to last year, when over 70 percent of the competitors hailed from outside the borough.
Maryland native Catherine Sproul just moved to Manhattan from Washington D.C. earlier this month, and will compete in her first triathlon Sunday. “I’ve been doing half-marathons and I did one marathon, and my body can’t take the pounding of that distance that much more,” said the 27-year-old, a former Harvard lacrosse player who works in marketing for L’Oreal. “This is just as challenging but diversified.”
Arnold Spangler was in last year’s race and is back for another duathlon. “It’s a very pretty course. I enjoyed it,” said the 62-year-old Manhattanite. “I mentioned to my family how nice an area of Staten Island it was. It had some great views.”
Ellie and Don Gavin of Kings Park, N.Y. compete in an astounding 24 duathlons a year. For the 62 and 61-year-olds, respectively, it’s all about being competitive and being fit.
“We just got hooked on it and we love it,” said Ellie, noting that the couple ran for 25 years before switching over to duathlons eight years ago. “Biking brings another aspect into it; you also have a piece of equipment you have to deal with. It’s challenging.”
“Competing gives us a chance to travel to other parts of the coastline and see places we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. And we’ve met a lot of nice people at these races,” added Don. “But the main reason is because this is something we can do together.”
ON STATEN ISLAND, THE EARLIEST TRACES OF AMERICAN TENNIS
By Sam Roberts, New York Times - City Room Friday, August 20, 2010, 11:03 AM
Think tennis in New York and Queens comes to mind, either the National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, where the U.S. Open begins August 30, or the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills. American tennis as we know it, though, started on Staten Island, where what was billed as the first game was played in 1874 and where the first national grand tournament was held 130 years ago next month.
Lawrence Ambrosino, executive director of SINY, the island's tourism arm, is hoping the United States Tennis Association will celebrate the game's origins in the United States by installing a plaque at the Tennis Center or even naming a court for Mary Ewing Outerbridge, who introduced tennis at Camp Washington, a Civil War-era military installation that stood in Tompkinsville not far from where the ferry terminal in St. George is today.
Attempting to date any game's origins precisely is problematic and the stuff of legend. Tennis in one form or another was played for hundreds of years or more in Europe and, perhaps earlier, in the Middle East. Even in New York, a proclamation issued as long ago as 1659 by Peter Stuyvesant, the director-general of New Amsterdam, proscribed tennis on days of fasting and prayer.
Still, most histories attribute the contours of lawn tennis - which can be played on any surface - to Outerbridge. (Her brother, Eugenius, a Staten Island industrialist, would become the first chairman of the Port of New York Authority and the namesake of a bridge to New Jersey that spans Arthur Kill.)
She was said to have witnessed the game while she was vacationing in Bermuda, where it was originated by Major Walker Wingfield, a British army officer, who dubbed it in Sphairistike, or Greek for "playing at ball" (and may have adapted it from court tennis, squash and badminton). Mary Outerbridge borrowed some rackets ("When she brought them through customs, the agent didn't know how much duty to charge," said Thomas Matteo, the borough historian), staked out a court and introduced the game at a field belonging to the Staten Island Cricket and Baseball Club.
(A competing theory held that it was played first in Nahant, Mass., but that version has mostly been put to rest, although the International Tennis Federation lists Nahant as the site of the first tournament in America. The International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum dates the first U.S. national lawn tennis championship to 1881 - a year earlier than the one in Camp Washington - in Newport, R.I., where it was played before moving to Forest Hills in 1915).
The club moved in 1885 to a site near Sailor's Snug Harbor, which the city later purchased and named Livingston Park (it was subsequently renamed Walker Park after a cricket club member who died in World War I). Tennis and cricket are still played there.
By Claudia Kwan, Vancouver Sun Friday, July 23, 2010
I'm not entirely sure exactly how many times I've been to New York City, but I do know I've never left Manhattan. This time around I do want to literally get out of my comfort zone and take in NYC's five boroughs. I only have five days to do it. Staten Island For years, Staten Island has been ridiculed in Saturday Night Live skits for being the garbage dump of New York City, and because of a stereotypical view of its high Italian-American Population.
The former landfill site has now been turned into a massive park, and the tourism bureau of Staten Island is cashing in on its heritage with a tour through some of the best pizza parlors in town, finishing with Italian ices for dessert.
There are also the neighbourhoods around PS 57, where members of the hugely influential hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan grew up, and the church where some of the most important scenes from the movie The Godfather were shot.
For the past five years, Staten Island has staged a small-scale film festival to honour its links to the movie biz. On opening night at the gorgeous St. George Theatre, we watch a staccato conversation between a lady dressed to the nines and a fellow in track pants and a T-shirt. RZA from Wu-Tang is supposed to be the guest of honour, but we leave for dinner before seeing him.
Public transit for the somwhat sprawling borough is very limited, so if you want to explore areas away from the ferry terminal, your best bet is to rent a car for the day. If you need enticement to go, I will point out the ferry from Manhattan is free, it takes you past the Statue of Liberty, and you can buy beer on board.
By Andrea Boyarsky, Staten Island Advance Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 10:19 AM
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The kids are home from school, the vacation requests have been granted. With the warm weather here and mostly reruns on TV, summer is the perfect opportunity to get out with the family and make new memories.
With “staycations” still a popular trend, consider taking a family excursion without leaving Staten Island.
“There are a lot of things you can do [here] that are inexpensive,” said Larry Ambrosino, executive director of SINY, which promotes local attractions and events. He suggests taking a drive up Grymes, Todt or Lighthouse hills to take in the spectacular views.
Extend the trip by visiting attractions along Hylan Boulevard. Start in Rosebank at the Alice Austen House to learn about the prominent Victorian photographer or for free story times offered certain days of the month. Make a stop for Italian pastries at one of the many local bakeries and go bowling at Rab’s Country Lanes.
If you follow Forest Avenue, stop for a game of tennis at Silver Lake Park, enjoy a scoop at the old-fashioned Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor or head to Clove Lakes Park and rent a paddleboat.
Livingston’s Snug Harbor Cultural Center (snug-harbor.org) has plenty of family-friendly exhibits and events on tap this summer. At its “Movies Under the Stars,” you can catch “Jaws” (July 9), “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (July 16) and “Madagascar” (July 23). Local bands will perform before each movie at 7 p.m.
Thinking of attending a Staten Island Yankees game this season? Go on a night when the ballpark has its post-game fireworks show, usually on Thursdays and Fridays. Before the game, take the kids to see the view of Manhattan from the Postcards memorial dedicated to victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Ambrosino suggests visiting the Staten Island Zoo, West Brighton, which has an extensive reptile collection, a tropical forest and African exhibit. This summer will be a great time to go, as the Zoo will be welcoming special animals from Australia for its Down Under Summer exhibit. Also check out Breakfast with the Beasts July 24 and Serpent Day Aug. 28. The South Shore Looking to reconnect with nature? The South Shore has an abundance of parks. (For a full list, go to nycgovparks.org.)
At Tottenville’s Conference House Park, you can visit the southern-most tip of New York State, located on the beach and marked with a red South Pole, or attend one of several free concerts.
To cool off, take a dip in Tottenville’s public pool, on the corner of Hylan Boulevard and Joline Avenue.
Or, make a stop at the 260-acre Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve in Charleston to learn about local wildlife at its Interpretive Center or enlist in one of its many summer programs, including guided nature hikes — where you’re likely to see deer, groundhogs and birds — ecosystem workshops and evening wildlife walks.
At Lemon Creek Park in Prince’s Bay, you’ll discover a rock sculpture garden created by local resident Doug Schwartz.
End your adventure with a treat from Ralph’s Ices in Pleasant Plains or a skate at RollerJam USA, Richmond Valley. Touring the Island For activities with more guidance, Ambrosino suggests taking the SINY Pizza Tour, with stops at four well-known Island pizzerias.
Amanda Straniere, tourism and cultural affairs liaison for the Staten Island Borough President’s Office, recommends taking a free bus tour of the future Fresh Kills Park, led by Urban Park Rangers, to learn about the site’s history, engineering and landscape design. Tours are filling up; visit http://bit.ly/DugTT to sign up.
To learn more about the borough, Ms. Straniere suggests visiting the Staten Island Museum’s History Archives and Library on the grounds of Snug Harbor, where you can study local maps, newspapers, books and historic photographs.
Visit Woodrow’s Sandy Ground Historical Society, which now is exhibiting “Faces of the Underground Railroad.”
Or check out Arthur von Briesen Park — named after the prominent German immigrant who lived there — to get a panoramic view of the Verrazano Bridge.
Consider devising your own cultural tour by visiting local attractions that fall within the same theme. Plan an “Italian Day” including a visit to the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum in Rosebank, which celebrates Italian heritage, a ride to South Beach for a game of bocce on the public court and a bite to eat at one of the area’s many Italian restaurants.
A Taste of Culture For a summer filled with cultural lessons, visit a different ethnic restaurant each week. On the Island, you can try Sri Lankan, Moroccan, Caribbean, Russian, Mexican, Spanish, Turkish, German, Indian and Greek. The options are endless.
Immerse yourself in Asian culture by visiting the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, now displaying “Tibetan Portrait: The Power of Compassion.” The Lighthouse Hill museum also offers meditation and tai chi classes.
Nearby is another bucolic setting, the Greenbelt, encompassing High Rock Park, Willowbrook Park and a nature center where visitors can sign up for lessons on local flora and fauna and guided hikes.
Ms. Straniere suggests heading to Richmond Town on Wednesday nights for the Staten Island Region Antique Automobile Club of America’s classic car showcase.
Another special event going on this summer is the free Starlight Concerts offered on Thursdays at different local parks. Check statenislandusa.com for details. "There’s a lot to do on Staten Island,” Ambrosino concluded. “People just have to look.”
SINY FILM FESTIVAL WINNERS SCORE PRIZES, CREDENTIALS
By Jodi Lee Reifer, Staten Island Advance Monday, June 07, 2010, 8:42 AM
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. --- Elias Plagianos has traveled around the globe -- from Amsterdam to Honolulu -- for two years now, scooping up prizes for his crime-noir flick, "The Crimson Mask."
Still, the pair of simple, star-shaped trophies he grasped last night across the harbor from his home in Brooklyn, mean the world to him, said the filmmaker.
"There's really nothing like winning in New York. They appreciate it more," said Plagianos, 31. "It's so hard to make a film. It's moments like these that kind of give you the strength to make another one."
"The Crimson Mask" -- which he financed on credit cards -- took awards for Best Picture and Best Film Editing at the SINY Film Festival, as the fifth annual indie show-case called it a wrap with closing ceremonies in the Vanderbilt at South Beach.
Prize-winning subjects ranged from an undocumented babysitter busted by immigration authorities in "The Pilgrim," to a pair of goofball buddies on the prowl for a girl in a blue Mustang in "Randal and Simon's Big Damn Movie." The former won Elizabeth Page of Manhattan the Best Director nod and the latter flick, by Grant City's Jonathan Liguori, was named the Best Comedic Feature.
A record 5,000-plus film fans attended the four-day indie screenings, organized by the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation and presented by Richmond County Savings Foundation. The figure represents several hundred more movie-goers over last year, said programming director Scott Gerber.
"This is one of the great events and treasures that we have here on Staten Island," said Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid-Island). "People are talking about [it] all over the state, all over this country."
Logging the most miles to attend the fest at the St. George Theatre and the College of Staten Island might have been Adrian Goodman from Melbourne, Australia. His film, "The Happy High Laughter Club," won the prize for Best Dramatic Short.
Goodman, 27, who found the SINY on www.withoutabox, a website that publicizes film fests worldwide, said this Big Apple showcase wasn't what he expected. The off-Island crowds weren't big, he noticed. But the home-grown feel was a pleasant surprise and he wasn't disappointed, he said.
"They make you feel great," said Goodman of the event's organizers. "To be screened alongside quality shorts, I feel quite honored."
For several of the filmmakers, last night was a clear sign that they should keeping following their dreams. Gabriella Loutfi of Richmond won the award for Best New Filmmaker for her short, "Apartment 7." The 22-year-old enrolled in the New York Film Academy after graduating from Fordham University.
"I was a little scared to go into film because I knew there's sacrifices. But I went ahead 500 percent and look at me now," she said, beaming. "This is like out of this world for me."
And the complete list of winners is:
Best Picture: "The Crimson Mask"; Audience Choice Feature: "Cropsey"; Audience Choice Short: "Waiting for...Budd"; Best Director: Elizabeth Page for "The Pilgrim"; Best Actress: Maria Rusolo in "Withdrawl"; Best Actor: Trevor St. John in "The Art of Getting Over It"; Best Suspense and Thriller: "Mourning on Charlotte Street"; Best Comedic Feature: "Randal and Simon's Big Damn Movie"; Best Documentary Feature: "Warrior Champions"; Best Dramatic Feature: "Friends and Lovers"; Best New Filmmaker: Gabriella Loutfi for "Apartment 7"; Best Documentary Short: "M.U.R.A.L."; Best Comedic Short: "Me, Myself and Your Husband"; Best Dramatic Short: "The Happy High Laughter Club"; Best Short: "The New True, Charlie Wu"; Best Staten Island Local Film: "17 to Midnight"; Best Short Screenplay: "Chase Thompson, A Film by Chase Thompson"; Best Feature Screenplay: "The Scientist"; Best Cinematography "Chase Thompson, A Film by Chase Thompson" and Best Film Editing: "The Crimson Mask."
The SINY Film Festival held its opening night celebration Thursday in Willowbrook and will feature the works of local filmmakers through the weekend.
SINY FILM FESTIVAL THROWS A GLITZY PARTY AT ST. GEORGE THEATRE
By Robert McCormick, Staten Island Advance Saturday, June 05, 2010, 12:16 AM
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Tinsel fell on St. George last night as the SINY Film Festival staged its rollicking Celebrity Party at the gorgeous St. George Theatre.
Two hundred fifty attendees mingled with honorees Dominic ("The Sopranos") Chianese, satin-smooth songsters The Duprees, actress Patty ("The Bad Seed") McCormack and RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan.
Music for dancing was provided by Exit 12.
"The energy was amazing," said Fred Cerullo, a co-chair of the festival and a sponsor — along with fellow chairs Brian Farley and Sean Kelleher — of last night’s party. The JCC also was a sponsor. Everyone, Cerullo said, was feeling the legacy of Rosemary Cappozalo, "Mrs. Rosemary," the savior of the St. George.
As a special treat, there was a 30th-anniversary screening of the thriller "He Knows You’re Alone," which was filmed on Staten Island and directed and produced by a pair of Islanders, Armand Mastroianni and Robert D’Emilia, respectively.
The festival rolls on today from noon through 10 p.m. at the College of Staten Island’s Center for the Performing Arts. Call 718-477-1400 or consult www.SIFilmFestival.org.
SINY FILM FESTIVAL 2010: CINEMA THAT CELEBRATES TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY
By Doug Auer, Staten Island Advance Friday, June 04, 2010, 1:45 AM
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. --- As the SINY Film Festival rolled into its second day, Staten Islanders were presented with a unique double bill that celebrated the indomitable human spirit.
More than 400 people attended the screening of “Teenage Witness: The Fanya Heller Story” and had the opportunity to speak with the 85-year-old subject of the Holocaust documentary.
The movie — based on Mrs. Heller’s 1993 memoir, “Love in a World of Sorrow” — tells how Mrs. Heller and her family hid from Nazis in the small Ukrainian village of Skala for two and a half years.
Last night’s presentation — and subsequent question and answer session — took place at the Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center of Staten Island, Sea View.
The movie is narrated by actor Richard Gere and also features Mrs. Heller speaking to the teens of Pacific High School in Brooklyn during her book tour.
“I stood in the back and you could hear a pin drop,” said Ed Wiseman, of Richmond, the Emmy-award winning writer and director of the film. “I hope it reached everyone as much as it reached me when we were making it.”
It was produced by his wife, fellow Emmy-winner Orly Wiseman, and their partner, producer Nikki Silver, also an Emmy winner.
Also screening last night at the St. George Theatre was “Transition,” the story of a star high school lacrosse player diagnosed with cancer who battles back to regain the top spot on the team, as well as piece together the life he almost lost.
The 23-minute film was written and produced by native Islander Anthony Bradford, who also plays the lead role of Chris Jamison.
“The inspiration for the movie is my younger brother, who had Stage III Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” said Bradford, 24, of Monmouth County, N.J.
For Bradford, who was raised in Pleasant Plains, the film has served as a homecoming celebration with family and friends still living here.
“For me, it’s an honor and privilege to show the film on Staten Island,” said Bradford, who based the short on a full-length feature he hopes will be developed into a Hollywood hit.
Healing Powers The film — which has made the festival rounds, including NYC Downtown Short Film Festival, Cannes, Garden State Film Festival and the Hoboken Film Festival — contains pivotal scenes where the medical terminology regarding cancer and its treatments are identical to what Bradford’s brother underwent.
“It educates the audience about the world of cancer,” said Bradford. “Native Americans believed lacrosse also has healing powers. And for my brother, lacrosse gave him something to look forward to when he got better.”
The film also has moments of teen angst and features a romantic storyline.
“I want the audience to take away that you are going to have adversity in life, unfortunately, but you can’t just sit down, lie down and do nothing,” said Bradford. “You can overcome the biggest problems with determination and hard work.”
“Transition” will be shown again tomorrow at 8 p.m. in the Concert Hall of the College of Staten Island, Willowbrook.
As for Fanya Gottesfeld Heller, she faced adversity of immense proportions.
Her survival and that of her family depended upon a Ukrainian soldier, a Nazi collaborator, with whom she embarked on a romantic relationship.
During the question and answer session following the film, Mrs. Heller, of Manhattan, was presented with a black wristband by Detective Donald Catanzaro of the NYPD Intelligence Division.
“It’s given out when an officer dies in the line of duty and it says, ‘Heroes Live Forever’ and I just feel like she is a hero,” said Catanzaro, of Great Kills.
Mrs. Heller revealed to the audience that, because of her traumatic years, she is still afraid of police officers, fireworks, knocks on the door, starvation and not hearing from her children.
“I’m afraid of a lot of things,” she said.
When asked by Barbara Dease of Westerleigh about her faith, Mrs. Heller replied, “From school, only two of us were alive. So is there a God? Of course there is.”
On Monday, Mrs. Heller will reunite with the teenagers featured in the film.
To conclude the event, Mrs. Heller was presented flowers by Orit Lender, the center’s program director.
STATEN ISLAND FILM FESTIVAL
Spare Times - The New York Times June 4, 2010
Friday and Saturday beginning at noon, films by local, national, and international filmmakers at the St. George Theater, 35 Hyatt Street, as well as theathers at the College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Boulevard. (718) 477-1400, sifilmfestival.org; $10 per screening. Passes are $15 to $150. (The $150 ticket includes special events, including the closing awards ceremony on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.).
FORGET YOUR WEEKEND PLANS OUTSIDE AND SPEND YOUR TIME INDOORS WATCHING ONE OF THESE MOVIES
By Elizabeth Weitzman, Daily News June 4, 2010
Got big plans for the first June weekend? Cancel 'em. There's just too much going on indoors to spend your time sunbathing or kicking a ball around the park.
Of course we're not recommending you give up these activities altogether. We're just suggesting you watch others engage in them.
The Staten Island Film Festival can also provide a little sedentary exercise (sifilmfestival.org). Play some virtual stickball, stoopball and Ringolevio with the nostalgia-inducing "New York Street Games". Or spend a couple of hours at the beach in the coming-of-age comedy "Greetings From the Shore".
SINY FILM FESTIVAL OPENS A WINDOW ON COOL FOR STATEN ISLAND
By Jodi Lee Reifer, Staten Island Advance Thursday, June 03, 2010, 12:27 AM
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- More than 800 film fans filed into the St. George Theatre last night to catch the opening flick in the SINY Film Festival — and the cachet of cool that comes with arthouse cinema.
Go-go dancers in sequins and the horn-driven band, The Bandulos, entertained in the lobby of the St. George, an 80-year-old, gilded movie palace, before the feature film’s start.
The dramedy, "A Little Help," stars Jenna Fischer ("The Office") as a single mom, burned by her dead husband and trying to reconnect with her tween-aged son and an old flame — her sister’s husband.
Michael J. Weithorn, creator of CBS’s "King of Queens" directed "A Little Help" and flew in from the West Coast for the screening, the film’s NYC debut.
"The real thrill of this for us, who made the film, is that we are showing the film in New York," said Weithorn, the film’s writer and director, noting it has only played one other venue so far — the Seattle International Film Festival.
Daniel Yelsky of Old Bridge, N.J., the seventh-grader who co-stars in the feature, was among the SINY Film Fest attendees, along with his science teacher, Deborah Lagomarsino, and her family from Middletown, N.J.
She said she was pleasantly surprised to learn Staten Island has its own film festival, now in its fifth year. Her husband, Andrew, who grew up in Stapleton, said he remembered seeing flicks at the St. George as a child 50 years ago.
"This is fantastic," he said sizing up the room with his 23-year-old daughter, Dana, at his side. He saw a few movies at the Tribeca Film Festival a couple of months ago. Staten Island is only a 40-minute drive from his home, Lagomarsino added, noting he wasn’t sure what else he might see in the lineup. "But it looks promising."
Other opening night film fest attendees had already outlined their must-see list, taking picks from the 75-plus films in the showcase, a project of the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation, presented by the Richmond County Savings Foundation.
"Cropsey" was named as a No. 1 choice by several fest-goers last night. The buzzed-about documentary by Island natives Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio asks: Was convicted kidnapper Andre Rand turned into a convenient scapegoat for a community that never stopped grieving its missing children? Or was he really the man he was made out to be, a sick drifter living in the abandoned tunnels beneath the former Willowbrook State School preying on disabled children?
"When I was a kid that was of the biggest stories. My parents and everybody’s parents said be careful and don’t talk to strangers," said 35-year-old Anthony Basile of Dongan Hills, an opening night film-goer. "The story grew larger than life. It really became an urban folk legend."
His friend Maryann DiPilli, of St. George said she was just as eager to see "Cropsey," and other selections in the festival. "It’s having Manhattan brought to your doorstep," said the registered nurse. "That’s what this is all about."
LOCAL FILM FESTIVAL GAINS GROUND
By Miriam Kreinin Souccar, Crain's Daily Alert June 1, 2010
THE STATEN ISLAND FILM FESTIVAL, IN ITS FIFTH YEAR, IS EXPECTED TO DRAW RECORD ATTENDANCE.
It may not be Cannes or Tribeca, but the Staten Island Film Festival is growing in size and stature.
In its fifth year, the annual festial, which opens Wednesday and runs for five days, is expected to attract a record number of attendees. Last year, 5,000 people attended the event.
Festival organizers said they received hundreds of movie submissions from filmmakers around the world, 75 of which will be screened.
"The Staten Island Film Festival is becoming a key player in the film industry as it continues to grow in participation and attendance each year," said Kim Seggio, senior program officer at the Richmond County Savings Foundation, founding sponsor of the festival, in a statement.
The festival was conceived by the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation to bring business to the borough. This year, the festival chairman is Grammy winner RZA from the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. RZA, a Staten Island native, will also be screening his first feature film, Bobby Did It, in the St. George Theatrer.
DATE NIGHT IN THE CITY
By Melissa Chapman, Staten Island Advance May 11, 2010, 5:22AM
My husband and I recently decided we needed time alone to just be, time to step outside our roles as mother and father, house frau and handyman, disciplinarian and bedtime enforcer. So we handed over our kids and dog to their grandparents for two nights and set out on a couples-only romp.
So here we were, free to indulge our every whim, without having to defer to our kids’ needs; 48 luscious hours to reconnect to those primal forces of attraction and shared beliefs that drew us together nearly 13 years ago.
And despite what you may think, it wasn’t just about reconnecting in a physical way but sharing quiet intimate moments, whether it was snuggling up on a couch watching the passionate sparring between Bogey and Bacall or laying side by side getting a sensuous couples massage sipping on champagne and feeding each other chocolate truffles.
Having time away from the monotony and sometimes drudgery of parenthood was like an infusion of new breath and perspective into this little family unit we’ve created and given us a new appreciation for each other and, of course, our kids. But before you think this renewal you wax about could only be achieved via a carefully planned weekend away, here are a few easier-to-organize options if you can manage a local date night or even a New York City sleepover.
For more date-night experiences to help you get some of that vavavavoom back into your marriage, check out Melissa Chapman-Mushnick’s blog, http://blog.silive.com/kidsinthecity/. The Staten Island Pizza Tour Sure, you’ve probably grabbed a slice of pizza a dozen times on Staten Island, but you’ve never experienced it like this: just the two of you. Organized by SINY, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Staten Island, couples will ride the SINY “Pizza Bus” and visit four renowned pizzerias, sans kids. In between eating pizza, tour guides will provide fun trivia and historical Staten Island facts — and there will be cannoli!
Address Meet and drop off at 1110 South Ave. at the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield, or at the St. George Ferry terminal.
Time 11:30 a.m. May 15 and June 19. Special tour dates can be arranged, too.
Cost $40 per person includes a SINY Pizza Tour T-shirt, a slice and a soda at the four pizzerias and dessert.
Parent perks Eating pizza that you don’t need to cut or blow on for a little person. You’ll taste Jimmy Max’s pizza loaded with fresh mozzarella, plum tomatoes, fresh basil and grated pecorino Romano cheese; Joe and Pat’s crispy thin crust and sweet crushed tomato sauce; Denino’s Pizzeria & Tavern’s brick-oven baked sausage and mushroom pizza, and Lee’s Tavern’s white clam pizza. The final stop will be at Alfonso’s Bakery for cannoli and Italian ice from Ralph’s Ices.
Drawbacks Reservations are required.
Overall How often do parents get to eat at four restaurants in one afternoon all children-free? This tour’s also an opportunity to learn more about the history and roots of these hidden Staten Island gems.
Information Visit www.sinewyork.org or call 347-273-1257.
DINNERS, CLASSES, TOURS
Dining & Wine - The New York Times April 7, 2010
A Staten Island pizza tour will be conducted on April 17 starting at 11:30am. The event, organized by Staten Island New York (SINY), will feature visits to four pizzerias and a bakery for dessert, with samples available at each stop. There will be pickups at the St. George Ferry Terminal and the Hilton Garden Inn, both on Staten Island. Tickets, $40: (347) 273-1257. Tours will be repeated on May 15 and June 19.
Back in 2008, the Staten Island group SINY started a semi-regular pizza tour of the fine borough, with stops at such luminous pie palaces as Joe & Pat's, Denino's Pizzeria, Jimmy Max (280 Watchogue Rd.; 718-983-6715) and Lee's Tavern (60 Hancock St.; 718-667-9749). And now? It's back, baby.
The first tour hits Saturday, April 17, the next two happen on May 15 and June 19, and from then on, the tour occurs every other week throughout the summer. Having been on the tour, we can tell you it's worth it. Simply hop onto the (free) Staten Island Ferry on the designated Saturday morning, pay $40 per person, climb aboard the "Pizza Bus" and get a glimpse into how the fifth borough eats. For the price of admission, you get free transportation around the borough, a slice and soda at each of the four pizza stops, a free cannoli at Alfonso's Bakery, and an Italian ice from Ralph's and a T-shirt (buses leave at 11:30 AM; reservations required, with two weeks notice preferred; to reserve call 347-273-1257 or e-mail Christina at CristinaSINY88@aol.com).
Added by Maureen Donnelly on November 23, 2009 at 7:52 AM - Miles Kodadek, 3, of Great Kills looked over the display of Mary's Craft Cellar, as SINY, the borough's tourism group, yesterday held its Winter Holiday Cultural Expo at the Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center in Sea View. The free event brought together cultural institutions, craft vendors, nonprofits and businesses. (Hilton Flores/Staten Island Advance)
SINY will be holding a Winter Holiday Cultural Expo on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009. The Expo will be held at the Jewish Community Center, 1466 Manor Road from 10 am to 4 pm.
This is a wonderful opportunity for Staten Island residents to experience unique offerings from a gathering of Staten Island cultural institutions, holiday vendors and not-for-profits. Enjoy holiday music, purchase gift items, learn about Staten Island’s not-for-profits and maybe even become a member of one of our many wonderful groups.
With a free admission SINY expects many people will take advantage of the Expo to find out new things about our many fine institutions and even take a tour of the Jewish Community Center. There are so may things to experience at the Expo: learn about a new museum, discover an island park, find a group you might want to join, buy unique gift items, enjoy holiday music. Music by Partners in Sound. Food available from Dear and Delicious Café.
SINY is accepting vendors for participation in this program until November 8th. If you want to participate or have questions about the Expo please call SINY at 347-273-1257.
RECOGNIZING THE PROBLEMS, FOCUSING ON THE POSSIBILITIES ISLAND VISIONARIES BRAINSTORM IDEAS FOR THE NORTH SHORE WATERFRONT
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
By STEPHANNIA F. CLEATON
STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Many Staten Islanders dismiss the North Shore waterfront property along Richmond Terrace as a distressed, industrial stretch filled with dry docks, auto repair shops, junkyards and weeds.
It is for this reason Island leaders have campaigned to clean up and revitalize the Terrace, from Jersey Street to Western Avenue.
Years of studies have offered a host of suggestions for redevelopment, including dock improvements, attracting more maritime-related companies, an esplanade from St. George to Mariners Harbor, developing parkland for the community and a commuter light rail system.
What does the future hold for Richmond Terrace? Visionaries share their ideas.
Reopening the Trail In the 1900s, passenger and freight railroad lines crossed the waterside properties. Today, the railroad is no longer operating and the city owns the right-of-way. The borough president's office and the Port Authority of New York-New Jersey have studied the possibility of reopening that rail right-of-way to accommodate a commuter light rail system.
"I remember years ago, when the rail was up and running, it was a thriving area. Port Richmond was really thriving," said Linda Baran, president and CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, which is based in St. George.
"I think the town centers and a lot of the maritime industry services -- especially in the area between the St. George Ferry Terminal and just past the Snug Harbor area -- a lot of businesses are affected by what the potential path of the rail line will be.
"For instance, I am working with the Atlantic Salt Co., which has a proposal to move the right of way. The right-of-way runs through their property. They really can't do anything where the line goes through because they don't know what's going to happen with the rail," Ms. Baran explained.
Atlantic Salt, located at 561 Richmond Terr., New Brighton, is improving its docks and investigating the reuse of vacant buildings on its site. The principles in the company are interested in a possible land exchange as a solution to impediments to doing business when and if the commuter rail is built.
"What they are looking to do is move the right of way up, more toward street level, on Richmond Terrace so that they can access their property. The plans that I've seen (which includes an esplanade), they can really improve the street scape on Richmond Terrace," Ms. Baran explained.
Brownfield Sites Also hindering development along the Richmond Terrace corridor are the brownfield sites, properties where soil has been contaminated by manufacturing or other prior uses. Historically, most of the properties along the Terrace are zoned for manufacturing/industrial uses and have been utilized as such.
Found along the Bayonne waterfront were "tank farms that store and distribute petrochemicals and polyurethanes and thermoplastics. These uses across the narrow Kill add to the community's concern about the industrial by-product contamination level of our water, soil and air," according to the pre-nomination study released in February for Richmond Terrace Brownfield Opportunities Area, prepared for the West Brighton Community Local Development Corp., the Department of State and the Department of Environmental Conservation.
"As far as the coastal area is concerned, if you go past Caddell Dry Dock and those old companies (on Bard and Davis), that's contaminated, that's why they were never sold," explained Borough President James Molinaro, who named various properties on the waterside of Richmond Terrace that were either occupied or vacant and the possible reasons.
"When people talk about the North Shore, developing the North Shore, it's going to take a lot of years and a lot of money for anything to go in there.
"You're talking about massive amount of money to clean contaminated soil. You saw what happened with Brookfield (landfill in Great Kills) that was almost $300 million. Brookfield is about the size of the North Shore," said Molinaro.
Access Wanted For years, residents have advocated for safe community access to the waterfront. The North Shore Waterfront Conservancy, for example, is a not-for-profit organization which supports marine-related businesses and easier public access to the Kill Van Kull's shoreline. One of the group's main objectives is the creation of a park on the 9.7-acre former site of the Blissenbach Marina in West Brighton.
Beryl A. Thurman, executive director and president of the Conservancy, explained that the site has been in a "funding limbo for five years and has been closed throughout this time to the public. When this brownfield was purchase no one thought to include or ask for moneys for a development plan, remediation, and actual development of the park.
"Year after year, our organization and others have submitted requests that this park receive sufficient money so that the above mentioned items could take place. And year after year, no funding has been allocated for the above mentioned," she stated in an e-mail to the Advance. "The residents of West Brighton have been asking for this location to be a park for 30 years. So now it's Parks property but the residents can't use it."
St. George Area St. George has seen several significant enhancements in the last decade, notably the minor-league ballpark, the ferry terminal renovations, and Postcards, the poignant 9/11 memorial along the esplanade.
More improvements are slated. Stimulus funds coming into the borough include $175 million to replace ramps at the terminal, and another $46 million will go toward ferry maintenance. In addition, as many as six new stores will soon open in the long-vacant retail spaces of the ferry terminal.
The site of a former railroad switching area, now the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George, home of the Staten Island Yankees, has been an asset to the area. However, a prime two-story space originally set aside for a restaurant or cafe adjoining the ballpark has sat vacant since the stadium opened in 2001. The city owns the stadium, including the unused space adjoining the first-base side of the park closest to the ferry terminal.
"This area is so prime for real, positive development," said Larry Ambrosino, executive director of the non-profit group SINY, based in Bloomfield. "Not far from here, you have the St. George Theatre and artists and musicians who live in the area. From the ferry terminal down toward Snug Harbor could be developed into something really spectacular," Ambrosino said.
Economic Health In addition to the shipyards and auto businesses that exist on the Terrace, there are private homes, places of worship, and a public park. Properties such as the North Shore Business Park, a green area at 1957 Richmond Terr., Port Richmond, are being developed with an appreciation of sound environmental practices. Stimulus funds will pay for upgrades to the Port Richmond Water Pollution Control Plant, which is on Richmond Terrace along the Kill Van Kull.
The Staten Island Economic Development Corp. (SIEDC) believes the current zoning must be retained to insure economic health of the Terrace.
"We hear a lot of talk of changing zonings and looking at the industrial zones but once you lose M-3-1 zoning, it's hard to get it back," explained Jay Anderson, director of projects at SIEDC, who is the Empire Zone coordinator for both the North and West shores and the city's industrial ombudsman manager for the Richmond Terrace area.
"The usage of those properties is vitally important," said Anderson. "Businesses that are growing, or being attracted to the area, would look at Richmond Terrace as the thoroughfare ... because its docks could be part of its market or part of the market that they could service or link up with."
"Obviously, if you could have a vision that says, 'Well, you need only so much of this, and so much of that,' without talking to the practitioners -- that is a major mistake. We need to get their input. I think that's really where the vision comes from, at least from the commercial/industrial side."
Anderson went on to explain that the desires of private residents and community environmentalists, whose vision includes more public spaces, may be obtainable, but that we need "to strike a good balance."
Stephannia F. Cleaton is the business editor at the Advance. She may be contacted by e-mail at cleaton@siadvance.com.
When Larry Ambrosino blows the trumpet, the troops usually fall in line.
This week, the civic-minded Ambrosino is at it again.
The executive director of the non-profit group SINY views the inaugural Staten Island Triathlon/Duathlon in Midland Beach on Sunday with a level of enthusiasm that would humble any self-respecting Chamber of Commerce office.
"Staten Island has been very good to me," said Ambrosino, a retired educator who is anything but retired. "I've always believed if you have a chance to give back, you should take the opportunity."
SINY was created to promote the borough through events such as the Pizza Tour and SINY Culture Fair. It has added Sunday's endurance race of swimming, bicycling and running to the calendar of events.
"The whole idea is to promote and embellish the image of Staten Island," said Ambrosino. "We want people to visit and realize what a great place it is to live and work and play."
New York Triathlon Club president Dan Honig bought SINY's sales pitch, agreeing to coordinate the event that begins at 8 a.m. on Field 5B on Father Capodanno Boulevard in Midland Beach (opposite Greeley Ave.).
Honig has organized more than 500 triathlons since 1985. He said Sunday's races are expected to attract 400 competitors and that the flat, fast course is ideal for first-timers.
"We have approximately 350 entrants, and we'd like to get more Staten Islanders involved," said Honig. "I'd say that between 10 and 20 percent are Staten Islanders, with the majority coming from other boroughs, New Jersey and Long Island.
"I agree with Larry (Ambrosino). We'll bring people in who have never seen the beauty of Midland Beach and the surrounding area."
There's still time to sign up: Honig said late entries will be accepted during a pre-race registration Saturday between 4-6 p.m. at Field 5B in Midland Beach. Pre-registered athletes can pick up their packets and get familiarized with the course that winds through Midland Beach and South Beach.
"It's a flat course ... an easy course," said Honig. "It's definitely for first-timers, but for experienced triathletes it also poses a challenge because people want to go faster and faster. It appeals to a wide range of people, from the novice to the veteran."
Midland Beach resident Anthony Bartolotta will be competing. He met Honig during the one-time Maj. Walter Murphy Memorial Triathlon in 1983 at Great Kills, and the two forged a friendship.
"He (Honig) always puts on a good race," said Bartolotta, 58. "Hey, he's been doing it for 25 years."
A couple of months ago, Honig gave Bartolotta his medal from that 1983 race, which honored the memory of a fallen Marine in 1968 in Vietnam.
Bartolotta reciprocated by giving Honig the old Advance clipping detailing the race.
BP HOPES IT WILL ENCOURAGE SOME OF THE 2 MILLION VISITORS WHO TAKE FERRY TO SPEND A LITTLE TIME HERE
Thursday, July 30, 2009
By TOM WROBLESKI
STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island community leaders are stepping up their efforts to make the borough a tourist mecca by launching a user-friendly, interactive Web site; debuting a kiosk in the St. George Ferry Terminal, and publishing a splashy brochure showing where visitors can go for Island food, fun, and sun.
The new push is part of an ongoing effort by Borough Hall and the SINY, Inc. borough tourism group to encourage some of the 2 million visitors who take the Staten Island Ferry to spend a little time -- and money -- on Island shores.
"We'll finally, finally be successful in that effort," Deputy Borough President Edward Burke said at a Borough Hall press conference yesterday.
Borough President James P. Molinaro said that 46 million tourists visit New York City each year, pumping an estimated $26 billion into the economy.
"We want a part of that," he said. "We don't want it all. We'll take 10 percent."
The new Web site -- "Visit Staten Island," found at www.VisitStatenIsland.com -- features a photo gallery and slide show of Island attractions, as well as a calendar of events scheduled at borough hot spots and cultural institutions.
"It's a really good tool for marketing Staten Island that we've never hd before," said Amanda Straniere, Borough Hall's tourism and cultural affairs liaison. "It puts us on the Web."
The Web site was paid for with the help of a $25,600 grant from NYC and Co., which promotes city tourism, and was designed by Pleasant Plains firm Mindsaw. It can be accessed by iPhones and other mobile devices, and visitors can sign up for regular updates.
"We don't want to re-invent Staten Island. We want to tell people what Staten Island is," said Advance Editor Brian J. Laline, a founding member of SINY. "It's a tremendous community to live in, it's a tremendous community to work in, it's a tremendous community to be entertained in."
While the new brochure showcases attractions across the Island, Molinaro said he was currently looking to highlight St. George hot spots that would be within walking distance of those getting off the ferry.
High Bidders Congrats go to the Bolands -- that's Diana and Chris -- who were high bidders on a prize donated by the non-profit group SINY to benefit the new Elizabeth A. Connelly Emergency and Trauma Center and the Regina M. McGinn, M.D. Education Center during the hospital's 127th Charity Ball, "A Dream Come True," in the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield back on May 2.
The prize included tickets to see the Colorado Rockies-Philadelphia Phillies game Aug. 4 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, in addition to an on-field visit with National League All-Star pitcher and Tottenville resident, Jason Marquis. FYI: Jason also provided tickets for executive director Larry Ambrosino and the winners for as well as autographed baseballs donated by Victory Sports.
For those who are unfamilar with SINY, the organization's mission is to enhance the lives of Staten Islanders by supporting the Island's cultural institutions and other attractions which add richness to the experience of living and visiting here, and doing business here. The program's goal is to educate Staten Island residents, especially young people, and those who do not live here, about storied history, cultural and diversity of our borough.
CALL OF THE ISLAND
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
If New York is a city that never sleeps, where does one go for much needed quiet or rest?
Visitors and Manhattanites need not venture far, Staten Island (SI) is just a ferry ride away.
The birthplace of pop diva Christina Aguilera, the island is the greenest and most suburban of New York’s five boroughs (the others are Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx) and the least populated, with less than half a million residents.
An estimated 1.8 million tourists make a round-trip on the SI ferry annually to view the Statue of Liberty for free but few actually stop by and tour the island.
This stone manor, built in 1680, was named the Conference House for the unsuccessful Revolutionary War Peace Conference that was held here on Sept 11, 1776, between the Americans and the English.
It is sometimes a forgotten borough; remembered on those rare occasions for the wrong reasons – its dumps and mobsters, no thanks to the filming of The Godfather here three decades ago.
The local folks are peeved with the negative image and would have you know that their landfill has been closed for eight years and they have the city’s best parks, lowest crime rate and highly-educated people.
There are miles of pretty beaches, sprawling golf courses, theatres, historical and cultural attractions apart from the much touted “best pizzas in the world”.
To create more awareness on their island, Staten Island New York (SINY) was conceived last summer by a group of prominent business and civic leaders.
“We want to create an atmosphere where people want to come here, live here, and work here. We want SI to be a popular ‘staycation’ destination,” said SINY executive director Larry Ambrosino who hosted an island tour for a group of foreign journalists recently.
The former high school principal joked about being tired of garbage talk and “everyone thinking you’re the Sopranos’ kid brother”.
Impressive: The Seguine Mansion in Lemon Creek Park is one of the grandest 19th Century homes on Staten Island.
The third generation Ambrosino whose grandmother migrated from Italy in 1900, proudly lives up to the island’s motto, “SINY – Proud of it!” He considers himself a true blue Staten Islander and more American than Italian.
Unlike other boroughs, SI does not have an extensive subway network that makes it easy for visitors to move around. Realising this, SINY has launched coach tours from the St. George ferry terminal to transport visitors from the terminal to their destinations.
“We need to get people from here to there,” Ambrosino explained.
SINY has also installed a giant video screen in the Whitehall Ferry Terminal (on the Manhattan side) to promote places like the newly merged Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, Fort Wadsworth, the Staten Island Zoo, the Alice Austen House, Tibetan Museum, the St. George Theatre, Lorenzo’s Cabaret at the Hilton Garden Inn, Historic Richmond Town and the Staten Island Yankees.
Since November, visitors can tour SI’s scenic parks, South Beach (the island’s own version of the French Riviera) and historic Richmond Town or participate in nature walks.
There’s even a “Staten Island Pizza Tour” featuring popular local pizza joints like Denino’s, Lee’s Tavern, Joe & Pat and Jimmy Max.
During the press tour, journalists were taken on a tour of some of NYC’s best parks in SI, conducted by none other than New York City Parks commissioner Adrian Benepe himself.
Peacocks like this one roam freely around the Seguine Mansion in Lemon Creek Park.
Benepe’s top picks are:
? Conference House Park - The 106ha park has breathtaking views of Raritan Bay. It is rich in history; there are four historic houses, including the Conference House where Benjamin Franklin met English leaders during the Revolutionary War Peace Conference in 1776.
? Lemon Creek Park - Visitors can tour the grounds of the 171-year-old Greek-revival Seguine Mansion. Those who are adventurous can visit the park’s red clay bluffs, which are the tallest ocean-facing cliffs in New York state.
? Clove Lakes Park - Staten Islanders considered making this area a park as early as 1897, a year before the consolidation of New York City. The northwest section of the park is home to the island’s 300-year-old tulip tree which managed to escape the extensive logging and clearing when settlers opened up the area. Tulip trees are known for their straight trunks from which Native Americans carved canoes. Other interesting sights in Clove Lakes Park include the outcropping of serpentine rock at the crest of the hills. The spine of SI is a broad ridge of serpentine, formed during the Ordovician period (435-500 million years ago) when heat and pressure altered rocks rich in magnesium and iron.
Those interested in visiting Staten Island or its parks can check out www.sinewyork.org and click on the Staycation link.
COLLEGE STUDENT WINS $1,000 IN
STATEN ISLAND COMMERCIAL CONTEST
May 19, 2009
By Judy L. Randall
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A St. John's University student's pitch of Staten Island as a place of culture and character won first place in the SINY commercial competition, and will be broadcast on local cable channels and air on the big screen at the Whitehall Ferry Terminal.
Its purpose is the same as the not-for-profit that was formed in 2008: To promote the image of the Island and give people a better understanding and appreciation of the borough, said SINY executive director Larry Ambrosino at the commercial's informal unveiling at the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield.
Miranda Fluher, a junior who hails from Crestview, Fla., won a $1,000 first place cash prize for her "Staten Island: Where Culture Meets Character."
The contest was open to students who attend the Island's three colleges.
The fact that Ms. Fluher is not a native Islander says a lot, said Ambrosino.
"Miranda has lived all over the country [as] her dad is in the service," Ambrosino noted. "[That she] was able to express her love of Staten Island and why people should visit and live here speaks volumes about what we have to offer."
Her commercial, which includes the line "The Island is an amazing place to live," includes shots of Fort Wadsworth and Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden.
It will be shown on CTV, Staten Island 76, YouTube, the SINY website and the giant TV screen at Whitehall. It will be formally unveiled at the Staten Island Film Festival at the College of Staten Island next month.
The second-place winner was Michael Pinho of Greenridge, also a St. John's junior, for his "We Love Staten Island" commercial.
The third-place winner was Erik Fortunato of Grant City, a CSI freshman, for his "Staten Island: The Island for Everyone."
The runners-up received $250. Their commercials will be shown at the Staten Island Film Festival.
In addition to Ambrosino, contest judges were Dolores Morris, an HBO Emmy Award-winning vice president; Gina Gutman, director of marketing and public affairs for Time Warner Cable, and Skye Suter, assistant executive director of SINY.
SINY PRESS RELEASE
May 18, 2009
“I Love Staten Island” Commercial Contest
Miranda Fluhrer was announced today as the winner of the first “I Love Staten Island” commercial contest sponsored by SINY, a not-for-profit organization that was established in 2008 to promote the image and cultural opportunities Staten Island has to offer. The contest was opened to students of St. John’s University, Wagner College and the College of Staten Island.
Miss Fluhrer is a junior from St. John’s University. Her commercial “Staten Island: Where Culture Meets Character” gave an overview of interesting sites to visit on Staten Island. The second place winner was Michael Pinho, also a junior from St. John’s. His commercial was titled “We Love Staten Island”. The third place winner was Erik Fortunato, a freshman at CSI with a commercial entitled “Staten Island: The Island for Everyone”.
“I’m very pleased with the work these outstanding young students did,” stated SINY Executive Director Larry Ambrosino. “The fact that Miranda has lived all over the country (her dad is in the service) and currently lives in Florida ands was able to express her love of Staten Island and why people should visit and live here speaks volumes about what we have to offer.”
The grand prizewinner will receive a prize of $1,000. In addition, the winning commercial will be shown on CTV, SI 76, You Tube, the SINY web page, the television screen in the Whitehall Ferry Terminal, selected Time Warner audiences and will be officially unveiled at the SINY Film Festival on June 4th. The two runner-ups will receive $250. And those commercials will also be shown at the film festival.
The judges for the contest were Dolores Morris, Emmy Award winning vice president from HBO, Gina Gutman, Director of Marketing and Public Affairs for Time Warner Cable, Larry Ambrosino, Executive Director of SINY and Skye Suter, Assistant Director of SINY.
STATEN ISLAND CULTURE FAIR OFFERS UNIQUE
HOLIDAY SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT
The first ever SINY Cultural Fair at the historic St. George Theater near the ferry terminal offered unique holiday shopping opportunities and exciting entertainment from some of Staten Island’s richest cultural attractions on Saturday, November 22, 2 – 6 PM. Eleven of the Island’s most interesting sites will offer information about their organizations and items for sale from their gift shops.
Visitors can take a journey to the past, and find a present for the history buff in the family, while checking out tables from Historic Richmondtown, and the Sandy Ground Historical Society. Learn a little more about some prominent Staten Island residents at the booths for the Alice Austen House and the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum. See how Staten Island got its start, and how it continues to thrive, at the table for the Staten Island Museum.
The tables for both the Staten Island Zoo and the Staten Island Children’s Museum were a hit with children of all ages, while educational and fun toys were a big success with Mom and Dad.
Friends of Fire, a local pottery group, will make your head spin with its impressive array of pottery, and Art Lab, Staten Island’s own school of fine and applied art, is sure to amaze. Their one-of-a-kind pieces will impress even the most difficult loved ones this holiday season.
The Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens will offer gifts and information from one of the most beautiful destinations in the borough. The Staten Island Philharmonic, the Richmond Choral Society youth chorus and PS 29 will provide live music throughout the day, and guest can enjoy the rich beauty of the St. George Theatre with tours at 2:30 and 3:30.
With such a wide variety of organizations participating in the fair, there truly will be something for everyone. In a season where there is never enough money or time, use both of yours wisely at this one-stop-shopping extravaganza.
The fair will take place at the St. George Theatre, 35 Hyatt St., a short walk from the St. George Ferry Terminal. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children 3-7 and free for kids under 3.
For more information please call SINY at 347-273-1257.
SINY PIZZA TOUR OFFERS A SLICE OF STATEN ISLAND
The Staten Island Pizza Tour, premiering November 8, 2008, offers pizza lovers an opportunity to sample some of the legendary pies of Staten Island, along with a slice of the Borough’s great attractions.
Organized by SINY, a newly-formed group which is promoting New York’s Forgotten Borough, the Staten Island Pizza Tour starts at the St. George Ferry Terminal at 11 a.m., after the 10:30 ferry from Manhattan arrives. Participants visit four of the best pizza joints in New York City. Each pizzeria provides a slice of its finest pie and a soft drink. While all the restaurants offer their own unique charm, they each share a devotion to making top quality pizza. The tour stops at:
Jimmy Max – For 20 years the Max Special, a classic pizza margherita with Italian imported plum tomatoes and homemade mozzarella, has been the slice of choice.
Joe and Pat’s – Established in 1960, fans of Joe and Pat’s rave about their thin and crispy pizza.
Denino’s – The oldest establishment on the tour, having opened its doors in 1937, their special sausage and mushroom pizza has been wowing crowds for over 70 years.
Lee’s Tavern – This tavern is not your traditional pizza place and their signature pizza, clam, is not your traditional pizza, but that’s part of what has kept people flocking here since 1940.
Alfonso's Bakery - This bakery is considered to have some of the world's best cannolis.
Ralph's Italian Ices (seasonal) - This family owned business has earned themselves a well-deserved reputation for having the best Italian ices in New York.
To give pizza-lovers a chance to digest between slices, the tour stops at several of Staten Island’s best cultural locations: Wagner College, College of Staten Island, and the Carousel for Children.
STATEN ISLANDERS LOVE WHERE THEY LIVE,
SINY SURVEY FINDS; BUT THEY HATE TRAFFIC
September 14, 2008
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – A total of 76 percent of Staten Islanders “love” or “like” the Borough they call home and 79 percent would recommend that friends and family live there too, according to a new independent poll conducted for SINY by Barry Zeplowitz & Associates.
86 percent are proud to say they are from Staten Island.
A total of 86 percent of Staten Island residents are “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with living there, while 13 percent are “somewhat dissatisfied” or “very dissatisfied.” In an open-ended question, allowing for any answer, residents were asked what they like most about Staten Island:
16 percent say it is quiet or peaceful;
11 percent cite the country atmosphere;
11 percent say it is close to “the City;”
10 percent list friendly people;
10 percent say home or family.
Asked what they dislike most:
45 percent cite traffic congestion/tolls/the commute to work/poor roads or streets;
17 percent say it is overcrowded or overdeveloped.
In five years, 75 percent of residents surveyed expect to still be living on Staten Island and 25 said they anticipate moving. Fifty-one percent hope their children remain on Staten Island, while 28 percent do not.
“Staten Islanders take great pride in the place the call home and think overwhelmingly that it is a family-friendly place. Most want their children to stay and a great majority would invite a friend to visit or move here,” said SINY Executive Director Larry Ambrosino.
“Our mission at SINY is to encourage residents of New York City’s most family-friendly borough to take greater advantage of the wonderful attractions here. We also want to raise awareness among those not fortunate enough to live on Staten Island.”
While attitudes about Staten Island are positive, only 52 percent of Islanders visit local historical or cultural attractions. Fifty-one percent of those surveyed with children 17 years or younger living at home say they visit SI attractions, while 54 percent without children say they visit them.
Of those who go to SI attractions, Snug Harbor Cultural Center and The Botanical Garden are visited by most, with 51 percent. The second most visited attraction, with 11 percent, is the Staten Island Zoo.
They rarely attend live entertainment events on Staten Island, 38 percent say. But 29 percent say that they visit a Staten Island beach or a park once a week.
A total of 38 percent of residents say they eat at a Staten Island restaurant one or more days a week, while 23 percent say a few times a month, with 16 percent dining out once a month and 7 percent dining out five or six times a year.
“Although Staten Islanders enjoy living here, we need to get more of them to enjoy our museums, our nightlife, our zoo and ballpark,” said Ambrosino. “We need to show these folks how many great things there are to do right here at home.”
Staten Island’s reputation in the rest of the U.S. is “very good,” 27 percent say, while 44 percent say it is “only fair” and 14 percent say it is “bad.” This reputation is accurate, 65 percent think.
People in the news media treat Staten Island “unfairly” 45 percent of those surveyed said, while 40 percent think they treat Islanders “fairly.” Conversely, 39 percent of residents say people in the entertainment field treat Staten Islanders “fairly,” while 36 percent say “unfairly.” Thirty-five percent of Staten Islanders work on the Island, while 30 percent work somewhere else and 35 percent are not employed. Of those who commute to work, 66 percent drive all the way. Among others:
16 percent take the express bus;
8 percent take a local bus and the ferry;
4 percent take the train to the ferry.
From August 20 – September 4, Barry Zeplowitz & Associates surveyed 800 Staten Island residents with a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points.
About SINY: SINY is an organization dedicated to promoting Staten Island as a great place in which to live and to do business, and as an exciting place to visit.
A new nine minute video highlighting Staten Island's best tourist attractions was officially unveiled on July 8th, 2008 in Manhattan's Whitehall Ferry Terminal.
The video, filmed by Borough's Hall's Andy Levison, features museums and local points of interest within a quick walk of the ferry terminal in St. George, as well as attractions that are a short bus ride away and others that are further afield.
The goal is to drum up interest in the borough among the thousands of tourists that take the free ferry ride each year.
The video plays around the clock with an audio narration provided by Ken Dashow of radio station Q104.3 fame.
"Staten Island is New York City," said Borough President James Molinaro. "It's a beautiful place to visit, it's a beautiful place to live, and it's a beautiful place to raise your children. But most people don't know that, so we're trying to introduce that to the eight million other people in New York City."
SPEND A COOL HOT SUMMER NIGHT ON STATEN ISLAND
By LARRY AMBROSINO
SINY wants you to invite your friends for a night on the town. There are plenty of hot spots close to home that you should check out. Gather a group of buddies from around the Island or get some friends off the ferry for a visit including an evening of delicious food, good fun, and great entertainment.
One of my favorites is dinner and a show in one great place, Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret at the Hilton Garden Inn. Come see Tony and Grammy award winning Cabaret performers on select Friday nights. Acts like Big Apple Pops Concert Orchestra, Danny Aiello, Sal Richards and Lucy Arnaz can be seen this summer and fall. If you are looking for something earlier in the day, they serve a Jazz Brunch on Sundays. (1100 South Ave. at Lois Lane, www.lorenzosdining.com)
We’ve got so many great restaurants and in the months ahead, I’ll tell you about lots of them. A great place to go for fish is the South Fin Grill at South Beach. The boardwalk and beachside setting makes it a great summer spot (300 Capodanno Blvd., 718-447-7679).
After a day at the Conference House and strolling the Victorian streets of Tottenville, you can try the Coral Bay Café, which boasts raw shellfish and Italian food (722 Rockaway St., 718-356-3531).
For an opportunity to eat Northern and Southern Italian dishes, you can try Trattoria Romana (1476 Hylan Blvd., 718-980-3113).
Beso is a great spot if you are in the mood for Spanish cuisine and a tapas bar. They serve a wide variety of food, including several regional sides such as plantains and yucca fries (11 Schuyler St., 718-816-8162).
If you are in St. George, try Ruddy & Dean North Shore Steak Co. where you can enjoy a great view of lower Manhattan from the balcony (44 Richmond Terrace, 718-816-4400).
Continue the evening by catching a show at the St. George Theatre. They have an impressive lineup this year including Art Garfunkel and stars of Doo-Wop and Rock ‘n Roll, among many other world-class talents. The theatre was opened in December of 1929 with the interior done in a variety of Spanish and Italian Baroque styles. While the theatre has gone through extensive renovations, its charm and magnificence have remained in tact. It’s just a short walk from the ferry, too! (35 Hyatt St., www.stgeorgetheatre.com, for tickets call 718-442-2900).
For more of a bar scene, especially for the younger crowds looking for the latest music, try Martini Red. This is a great bar for people who love live, original music of all kinds. (372 Van Duzer Street at Beach Street, 718-442-0660). If Jazz is more your thing, check out Cargo Café, another hip place. For a hopping scene, go on a Friday or Saturday (120 Bay Street, 718-876-0539).
There is so much to do right here on Staten Island. Enjoy an evening close to home.
KIDS CAN REALLY ENJOY STATEN ISLAND
By LARRY AMBROSINO
Staten Island is New York’s most kid-friendly borough. SINY wants you to know about all of the things you can do with your family right here at home, day trips that won’t empty your gas tank and won’t have the kids asking, “Are we there yet?”
The Staten Island Interactive Children’s Museum is a great spot for kids to let their imaginations run wild. Come participate in interactive exhibitions and creative workshops. Kids can enter the world of make believe and pretend to be chess pieces, animals in the jungle or habitat, or a grown up. They can play big board games, become a spider and catch a meal, become a pirate or firefighter, act in Portia’s Playhouse and more. The museum is part of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center where families can make a whole day of fun. (1000 Richmond Terrace, 718-273-2060, http://statenislandkids.org/, admission is $5 ages 1 and up)
The Carousel For All Children is always a Staten Island favorite. Children can climb hand-carved wooden animal figures and go for a ride at the Greenbelt Conservancy. Opened in 1999, the carousel’s old-fashioned structure includes forty hand-painted renderings of Staten Island landmarks. The carousel contains fifty-one hand-carved, colorfully painted figures of traditional wooden carousel horses, beasts and endangered species. The carousel is illuminated by 540 vibration resistant light bulbs imported from Brazil. (At Willowbrook Park at Eton Place, off Richmond Avenue, 718-477-0605, www.sigreenbelt.org/About/Carousel/Aboutcarousel.htm, rides are $1.50 per person)
Another great spot to try – especially if you haven’t gone in a while – is the Staten Island Zoo, home to a celebrated collection of reptiles, an aquarium, a tropical forest, an African Savannah, a two-level alligator pool, a variety of interactive exhibits and a popular children’s farmyard. This intimate and affordable zoo is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon with the kids. Go online to check out trips you and your kids can take with the zoo such as to the Galapagos Islands or events such as Spooktacular. (614 Broadway, 718-442-3100, www.statenislandzoo.org/, $7 for adults/$5 for seniors/$4 children 3-13/free for kids under 3)
If your kids like to act, take a look into the SI Children’s Theatre Association where high quality shows are presented to thousands of school children every year. Any child from age 5 to 18 can join the fun. Classes run for several months and conclude with a production. Many children stay with the program for as long as 8 years before leaving for college. (669 Castleton Ave, 718-981-7288, http://www.geocities.com/sichildrenstheatre/, tuition is approximately $175 to $550 plus, depending on your child’s age)
There’s always also a Staten Island Yankee game to see. Peanuts, crackerjacks, the ‘Holy Cow’ mascot, and a view of downtown Manhattan can complete an afternoon game with the whole family. The Richmond County Savings Ballpark at St. George opened in 2001 and has 7171 seats. (75 Richmond Terrace, 718-70-9265, www.siyanks.com, tickets from $5 to $13)
With so much fun and history to experience on Staten Island, stick around this summer and show the kids who rich our borough truly is.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
By LARRY AMBROSINO
Advance readers know by now that we’ve formed a new group, SINY, to promote our borough to the world as a great place to live, to work and to visit. And what better place to start this mission than with you – Staten Islanders.
That’s why I’ll be writing in the Advance every few weeks, telling you about great things you can see and do right here at home. And you can tell your relatives and friends in Brooklyn and Queens or wherever and invite them to join you at some of the great attractions here on Staten Island.
Let’s start with the hottest new attraction, Gray Line New York Sightseeing’s Discover Staten Island Tour. Thanks to some hard work from Borough President Jim Molinaro and others, Gray Line agreed to bring its popular hop-on, hop-off tour bus to Staten Island. The air-conditioned buses, complete with very knowledgeable tour guides, run seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., departing St. George Ferry Terminal. Winter hours of operation: December through March, Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.
Passengers can hop on and off the bus to explore stops including the September 11 Memorial, Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, the Staten Island Zoo, the Forest Avenue shopping district, Clove Lake Park, historic Fort Wadsworth and the Alice Austin House.
It’s human nature that people tend to overlook the treasures close to home, so if you’ve never been to Snug Harbor or the Zoo, or if you haven’t been there in a while, this is a great opportunity. It’s a great way to spend the day without going through a tank of gas. Take the SIRT or grab a bus to St. George. On weekends, there’s parking available.
If you haven’t seen the new St. George terminal and the new fish tanks in the main waiting room, it’s worth the trip. Check out the outdoor promenades and visit the new information booth for more information about things to see and do on Staten Island.
For another easy-on-the-gas-tank outing, try South Beach or Midland Beach. The beachfront park has a children’s playground as well as handball courts.
South Beach at Sand Lane has a playground, bocce ball courts, a roller hockey rink, shuffleboard, ball fields and picnic areas. Midland Beach at Seaview Avenue boasts a new fishing pier, a children’s playground as well as handball courts.
The beach is always a great way to spend the day. And at night, there are concerts and fireworks.
