Things To Do Around The Neighborhood This Week

Photo by shinyasuzuki via Flickr

The sun is out and it looks like it may finally be here to stay. This week, let’s celebrate spring by treading a little out of our comfort zones. We’ve got some unusual and exciting adventures for every age group — from a memoir writing workshop, to a spooky and spectacular park, to Wonder Wheel poetry reading.

Details on those and more below.

Creative Aging: Our Stories Told
When: Thursday, May 7, 11am – 1pm
Where: New Utrecht Library, 1743 86th Street
What: Join Annie Montgomery in a nine session memoir and oral history workshop series that will culminate in a final sharing event. Each participant will discover the story they most want to tell from their life. Participants will learn to structure a detailed story, as well as develop skills in editing, revising, constructive critical feedback, and public speaking. No experience necessary.
How much: Free! Please call 718.236.1760 to register.

Get Out There And Vote!
When: Tuesday, May 5, 6:00am – 9:00pm
Where : Find your poll site
What: Following the resignation of Congressman Michael Grimm, Democratic candidate Vinnie Gentile, Republican candidate Dan Donovan, and Green Party candidate James Lane face off to take his seat. District 11 includes Staten Island and a large chunk of Southern Brooklyn.
How much: Free!

Creative Aging: Chinese Brush Painting
When: Tuesday, March 5, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Where: New Utrecht Library, 1743 86th Street
What: Learn the techniques of Chinese brush painting over twelve weekly sessions with a Chinese teaching artist.
How much: Free! Please call 718-236-4086 to register.

Poem-O-Rama: Poetry On The Wonder Wheel
When: Friday, May 8, 7pm
Where: The Wonder Wheel, West 12th Street, Coney Island
What: Step right up and listen to New York City’s top poets from on top of the Wonder Wheel. Join array of New York City’s renowned poets along with teen poets from Parachute Literary Arts’ poetry workshops in Coney Island for a surprising ride as the sun sets. Cash bar with beer from Coney Island Brewing Company.
How much: $20-$30

Explore Calvert Vaux Park
When: Anytime
Where: Calvert Vaux Park, Bay 44 St. to Bay 49 St., Shore Pkwy.
What: It gets a bad rap for all the dead bodies that have been found there, but apparently there is also a whole lot of cool wildlife at Calvert Vaux. What better way to enjoy the warm weather that in this slightly spooky, overgrown, and often forgotten wonderland of nature?
How much: Free!

Story Play at New Utrecht Library
When: Wednesday, May 6 1:30pm – 2pm
Where: New Utrecht Library, 1743 86th Street
What: Enjoy stories, listen to music and play with toys. For ages birth to 5 years.
How much: Free!