Archives for October 2019

Dear Cupid,

Forgive me for butting in on your business, this being a hectic time of year for you and all. But I had to write you about something that has been bothering me in the years since I became a mom: if you haven’t noticed, your holiday has been hijacked. By other little people who don’t sport wings and a bow and arrow. Three of them reside in my house and they’re not remotely ready for the idea of romance (okay, so maybe the fourteen year-old thinks she is). Yet they’ve co-opted what should be a celebration between couples for their own purposes.

For instance, have you ever noticed on February 14th how my husband hurries to leave love notes on the breakfast table for our daughters and in his haste forgets to even tell me goodbye? And the grandparents send along cards and candy hearts for the kids while the love of my life gives me… nothing?

It seems your powers of attraction have been redirected to cause parents to overexert themselves in being sure on this day of days that their children know they are cherished. They’re moved to gush over their offspring, whom they already cuddle and coddle. They shower them with hugs, gifts, attention. And at the end of it all, they give their conspirator in the scheme called “family” an exhausted peck on the cheek and a quick, ‘love ya, hon!’

I’m not sure that’s what you’re aiming for, Cupid.

I’ve been a victim in this hijacking myself. Reduced to tucking frilly cards in lunch boxes, writing chalk marker messages on our patio window and decorating heart-shaped sugar cookies. Oh yes, and I’ve been swayed into spending hours coaching my children to squeeze their names on the cheap character-themed greetings they exchange with classmates. I guess I should be grateful they haven’t convinced me to do it all for them. In the name of love, of course.

By the way, I’m pretty sure the kids don’t mean any of the sappy sentiments on those cards, except maybe for the ones they give to their best friends. But this isn’t a “friendship” holiday, is it? Or did I miss that chapter on the history of St. Valentine?

For once, dear Cupid, I’d like to wake to flowers on my dresser and champagne in the fridge. I’d be thrilled to break out a dress and heels for dinner on the town at a restaurant that doesn’t serve chicken fingers or macaroni and cheese. I could use a special day where the cards and wishes flowed only between me and my sweetheart.

Actually Cupid, what I really wish is that you had given me a warning about the influence over endearment held by babies and children. A heads-up for what was to come. I would have squeezed in more romantic fondues or steak-and-seafood dinners. I would have taken more chilly moonlit strolls and splurged on that carriage ride. I would have fussed more over gifts of tenderness in that brief span of years.

Then again, in those days I probably wouldn’t have believed your warnings, my cherubic friend. After all, I was too smitten to imagine bringing little people into our lives could do anything but multiply our devotion to each other.

Which in a way, it has. I have so much more to appreciate about my husband now. Like the way he can create a fishtail braid in a young girl’s slippery tresses. Or how he gently glues the heads back onto tiny plastic princess dolls to restore them for his own princesses. And have you seen how he bristles with a show of manly protection over the mention of a boy by our tween-aged daughter?

See, it somehow always comes back to those kids!

Yet for all the devotion and love flowing in our household, I wish I could, for one Valentine’s Day again, be the center of someone’s world. To attract again all that affection to myself. Which is why you should do something to reclaim your holiday for romance.

So what do you think? Will you take back Valentine’s Day from the youngsters?

If not, I guess I’d settle for a box of chocolates, a candlelit dinner at home with my husband and a snuggle in front of the lit fireplace.

While the kids wash the dishes and clean up the kitchen. After all, we have to give them some way of participating in the holiday they’ve hijacked. In the name of love.

By Lara Krupicka, a parenting journalist and mom of three, who enjoys doting on her husband of 18 years when she’s not focused on the kids.

Cuddle up with someone you love, cue the streaming video service and enjoy a romantic film for Valentine’s Day.

Couples celebrate Valentine’s Day in many different ways. For some the idea of dinner out followed by a stroll arm-in-arm seems the epitome of romance, while others may want to go out dancing or engage in a favorite hobby.

Valentine’s Day also can be a romantic endeavor if a couple chooses to spend time at one with each other watching a romantic movie. The following are a handful of love-inspired movies that can add a special something to Valentine’s Day festivities.

The Notebook Author Nicholas Sparks has a way of taking the everyday experiences in a person’s life and making them relatable and heartbreaking in a pluck-at-your-heartstrings sort of way. His novel “The Notebook” won the hearts of many and seemed a natural to be adapted to film. Starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, the movie illustrates how love can last through the years and even survive an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

The Proposal In order to remain in the country, a demanding New York-based book editor (Sandra Bullock) asks her brow-beaten assistant (Ryan Reynolds) to marry her. Their tumultuous relationship involves a trip to Alaska to meet his family.

An Affair to Remember Romantic melodramatic master Cary Grant falls in love with Deborah Kerr aboard a cruise ship while they are traveling with other people. They agree to meet at the top of the Empire State Building in six months if they have ended their relationships and are ready to commit to each other. Grant makes it to the rendezvous spot, but an injured Kerr never shows as Grant assumes she has rejected the proposal.

Say Anything In pursuit of a woman he believes is out of his social league, Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) creates hope for the underdog in us all. The movie inspired teens to raise their boom box radios over their heads and blast romantic tunes to illustrate their love.

The Wedding Singer This quirky movie about a wedding singer who falls for a banquet waitress highlights the importance of loving each other for what makes you unique.

Once Attraction between the main characters comes by way of creative musical collaboration. Music proves to be an aphrodisiac, making the film and the song “Falling Slowly” from its score so popular. This romantic tale helped take the film from the big screen to the Broadway stage.

West Side Story “West Side Story” is yet another homage to “Romeo and Juliet.” But the film made Shakespeare’s tragic love story relatable to audiences of the 1960s.

My Best Friend’s Wedding Julianne (Julia Roberts) is called on to be the “best man” for her friend’s (Dermot Mulroney) wedding. Only when the wedding planning is underway does Julianne realize she is in love with her friend and needs to get him to fall for her instead.

Never Been Kissed A reporter goes undercover at a high school to discover something controversial and ends up being the subject of her story when she falls in love with her English teacher.

Harold and Maude A man in his twenties and a much older woman begin a romantic relationship and challenge social norms along the way.

Annie Hall Winner of four Academy Awards, “Annie Hall” follows a comedian who is trying to maintain his relationship with a woman.

Bridget Jones’ Diary A modern adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice,” the movie tells the tale of a self-conscious woman who finds love in a man that seems to be her polar opposite.

Ten Things I Hate About You Filmmakers reinvented “The Taming of the Shrew” in this teen comedy starring Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger.

Casablanca No romantic movie list would be complete without this wartime drama. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman are in top form in this movie of chance meetings.

The Princess Bride Girl meets boy, girl detests boy, girl truly loves boy, and then girl loses boy. This fairy tale shares the purity of true love and happily ever after.

Heart-shaped cookie cutters are the key to making your yummy Valentine’s Day treats even more special! These sweet treats are perfect for dessert, class parties or just to share with your family this February 14th.

Sweetheart Cherry Pies

Ingredients:
Pie dough
Fresh cherries, chopped
Ricotta cheese
Sprinkle of sugar
1 TBSP butter, melted

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll out your pie dough (I like to do this between 2 sheets of plastic wrap). Cut out shapes with cookie cutter.
3. Sprinkle and stir the sugar with the chopped cherries in a bowl.
4. Lay out your heart cut outs on the baking sheet. Spoon on some fresh ricotta cheese, then spoon on the cherries. Lay down the top dough, seal to press with a fork.
5. Brush the top with melted butter.
6. Bake for about 15 minutes or until mini hearts are golden brown. The baking time will largely depend on the thickness of your pastry dough and your oven. Just keep close watch.
7. Cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
~Recipe courtesy of CakeStudent.com

Chocolate Dipped Krispie Hearts

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter, plus extra for buttering pans
1 (10-ounce) package regular marshmallows or 4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups crisp rice cereal
12 ounces semisweet chocolate (baking chocolate or chocolate chips)
Valentine’s sprinkles

Directions:
1. Butter a large rimmed baking sheet or two 9X13-inch pans. Set aside.
2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the marshmallows and stir until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the krispies. Press the mixture into the prepared pan(s) and set aside to cool for about an hour.
3. Using a 2 to 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, press the cutter into the cooled krispie treats, removing the heart-shaped treats to a wax paper or parchment paper-lined baking sheet or work space.
4. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 12 ounces chocolate chips on 50% power for one minute. Stir. Continue this process until the mixture is melted and smooth but not overheated.
5. If desired, push a cookie or lollipop stick into the bottom of the krispie treats (optional). Holding one side of the krispie heart (or using the stick as a handle), dip half of the krispie treat into the melted chocolate and then transfer to the wax paper or parchment paper.
6. While the chocolate is still warm on the krispie heart, sprinkle festive Valentine (or other) sprinkles onto the chocolate. Let the treats cool completely and the chocolate harden before serving, about 1-2 hours.
~Recipe courtesy of MelsKitchenCafe.com

Hidden Heart Cake

For the red cake:
Ingredients:
All purpose flour – 2 cups
Baking powder – 1 tsp
Butter – 2 sticks
Granulated sugar – 1 cup
Eggs – 4 large
Vanilla extract – 2 tsp
Salt – 3/4 tsp
Red food coloring – 1/2 tsp

Instructions:
1. Pre heat the oven to 350 F. Grease and line a 9x5x3 loaf pan.
2. In a bowl, beat the butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one or two at a time, along with vanilla and beat again. Scrape the bowl after each addition.
4. Sift in the flour, baking powder and salt. Add little by little and fold gently. The batter will be very thick.
5. Add the red color and beat again lightly until the color is mixed well to the batter.
6. Transfer the batter to the loaf pan and bake for 50 – 60 minutes.
7. The cake is done when a tooth pick or skewer comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes and then remove to a cooling rack. Once the cake is completely cool, cling wrap the cake and keep it in the refrigerator.
8. Before starting the chocolate cake, remove the red cake from the refrigerator and slice the cake evenly. Use a heart cookie cutter to cut out hearts from each slice of the cake and set aside.

For the chocolate cake:
Ingredients:
All purpose flour – 1 1/2 cups
Cocoa powder – 1/2 cup
Baking powder – 1 tsp
Butter – 2 sticks
Granulated sugar – 1 1/4 cup
Eggs – 4 large
Vanilla extract – 2 tsp
Salt – 3/4 tsp
Instant coffee granules – 1/2 tsp (optional)

Instructions:
1. Pre heat the oven to 350 F. Grease and line a 9x5x3 loaf pan or a slightly larger loaf pan.
2. In a bowl, beat the butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one or two at a time, along with vanilla and beat again. Scrape the bowl after each addition.
4. Sift in the flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, coffee granules and salt. Add little by little and fold gently.
5.Fill 1/4 of the greased loaf pan with the chocolate batter and tap well to even it out.
6. Now place the hearts vertically next to each other on the batter. Pack them close. Leave a bit of gap at both corners for the chocolate batters to flow through and hide the hearts.
7. After the hearts are placed, add the remaining chocolate batter over the hearts and around the hearts.
8. Fill the pan, and tap gently so that the batter flows all around the hearts.
9. Bake in the pre heated oven for 50-60 mins.
10. The cake is done when a tooth pick or skewer comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes and then remove to a cooling rack.
11. Frost the cake as you wish and decorate with heart-shaped candy.

Art enriches lives and can be used to connect people from all walks of life. Among the many additional benefits of art is its effect on young people and the development of their brains. The American Association of School Administrators notes that neuroscience research has shown that the effects of the arts on a young brain’s cognitive, social and emotional development can be profound.

Art helps to wire the brain.
The AASA notes that especially young children spend much of their time playing, and that play often includes forms of art such as singing, drawing, and dancing. These artistic activities engage various senses and help to wire the brain so it can learn. As children age, these seemingly basic activities remain essential for young brains.

Art helps children develop their motor skills.
Dancing and other movements that might be prompted by exposure to art help children develop motor skills. Motor skills are necessary for kids to perform important and necessary daily tasks while also promoting independence.

Art helps kids learn to think.
The AASA notes that art can be a valuable tool in instilling essential thinking tools in children, including the ability to recognize and develop patterns, the ability to form mental representations of what is observed or imagined, and the ability to observe the world around them.

Art can improve memory and focus.
The AASA cites studies that listening to music can stimulate parts of the brain responsible for memory recall and visual imagery. In addition, background music played in a classroom has been shown to help students remain focused while completing certain learning tasks.

Art can positively affect how students approach other courses.
Studies have shown that incorporating arts into core curriculums can have a number of positive effects on students’ overall academic performance and benefit students socially. Studies indicate that students involved in such integrative programs are more emotionally invested in their classes and work more diligently than those not studying in such conditions.

In addition, students may learn more from one another when the arts are integrated into core curriculums than when they are not. Art presents one of the top fundraising ideas for schools to inspire students.

Art is often mistakenly seen as a strictly fun component of children’s education.
But the effects of art on young brains is considerable, helping young people develop in ways that may surprise many people.

One of the most popular posts I get tagged in on Facebook and Twitter is,

“Police helicopters are over my neighborhood. Mike, do you know why?”

To the average citizen, the first thing that comes to mind is that the police are looking for a suspect involved in a serious crime. Although that is very possible, it is not always the reason why they are flying overhead.

The New York City Police Department Aviation Unit is one of the first law enforcement aviation units. The unit was established in 1929 and is still stationed at its original home at the Floyd Bennett Air Field in Brooklyn. It was first established to address the enormous amount of “Barnstormers” that had descended on the city with performing stunts and offering rides.

The NYPD Aviation Unit can get from their base at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn to the top of the Bronx in just minutes. The helicopters are equipped for rescues on land and sea, and the pilots utilize top of the line technology in keeping New York City safe. They truly are the NYPD eyes in the sky.

The Unit routinely conducts patrols across the city. They are often already in the air when they are requested by precinct personnel. The NYPD helicopters are used for countless operations and services.

The Aviation Unit has adjusted to a broader role, which includes counter-terrorism operations. The members conduct daily assessments of the bridges and other critical infrastructure throughout the city.

They search for missing persons classified as a “special category.” These include missing elderly with significant health issues, and young children that do not appear to be runaways.

The helicopters are used to conduct suspect searches, as well. They assist and guide police units on the ground to apprehend suspects. They also assist local precincts in addressing ongoing community concerns and crime patterns by surveying the landscape.

Additionally, the eye in the sky is used to monitor traffic, assist with dignitary protection, but one of the most prolific uses is for water rescues.

During water rescues they transport NYPD Harbor Unit divers, deploy ropes for repelling and assist other agencies during operations.

During a search the NYPD Helicopter may sometimes appear to be a distance away from the area being searched. This gives the crew the ability to scan a larger area, especially if the incident is in the water.

The NYPD Helicopters do not necessarily need to utilize a searchlight at night. The helicopters are now equipped with modern technology that includes infrared systems that help locate suspects or persons in need of assistance, such as in locating a person in the water.

The NYPD Aviation Air and Sea Rescue unit has participated in more water rescue missions since the United States Coast Guard reassigned their helicopter units from the metro area. The nearest Coast Guard units respond from Cape Cod, MA or Atlantic City, NJ.

Each Air and Sea Rescue Helicopter is staffed with two pilots, a crew chief, and two Police Officer Scuba unit divers. The unit is staffed 24 hours a day, 7days a week, ready for deployment at a moment’s notice, covering up to a 60-mile radius around New York City.

This video depicts some of the operations the NYPD Aviation Unit is deployed for on a daily basis:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vakofaAd4Lc

By Community Education Council 31 President Michael Reilly

Read the CDC Guidelines for Reopening Schools

on page 20 of our Interactive Mini-Mag

Christine Cipriano can empathize with Sydney Phillips.

When Cipriano was 15, she wanted to play baseball. That was 1975, when the growth of girls’ sports was in the early stages, and playing organized athletics with the opposite sex was rarely tolerated. But the Staten Island Babe Ruth League gave her a spot on one of their baseball rosters and, guess what? The world didn’t end.

“If the fact that I was playing made anyone unhappy, I never knew,” Cipriano said.

So when Cipriano learned that Phillips, a seventh-grader, was denied a chance to play with the boys even though her school, St. Theresa’s of Kenilworth, New Jersey, didn’t have a girls’ team, it took her by surprise.

She thought those shortsighted days were long gone.

“If she wants to play and has the skills, why not give her an opportunity?” Cipriano said. “At that age, what’s the big deal? Missing a year of playing the sport could hurt her development.”

Cipriano never expected a baseball career would spring from that one season of playing Babe Ruth ball. To her, it was all about the fun and the chance to compete in a sport she enjoyed.

Playing sports with the boys wasn’t a new thing for Cipriano.

“I was always playing with the boys in the streets,” she said. “Football, basketball and baseball. I had a great arm.”

While she was on the softball and girls’ bowling teams at New Dorp High School, she wasn’t aware that there were, in fact, some girls’ softball leagues cropping up. When she mentioned to her uncle, who was active at the Staten Island Little League, that she wished she could play organized baseball, he inquired about the possibility. Next thing Cipriano knew, she was invited to a practice.

“It was a little odd, and my teammates did get teased sometimes, but they wound up supporting me,” Cipriano said. “If any of the parents weren’t happy about it, I never knew it. In fact, I remember the parents from the other teams coming to the field and asking where the girl is playing.”

That wasn’t always easy to tell, she laughed, since she had short hair and really didn’t look much different than the boys, “except I was smaller.”

And while she only played that one year, the fond memories of being the only girl in an all-boys league for 13- to 15-year-olds remain with her to this day.

“I remember getting hit by a pitch in the back, which hurt — that wasn’t so great,” she said with a chuckle. “I played mostly right field, and had some hits. In fact, I hit a home run.”

To her surprise, she was asked to take part in the league’s all-star game.

She didn’t go back for a second season, however. “Some of the boys had gotten so big by 16, 17 years old, I knew it wouldn’t be a good idea to continue.”

She did distinguish herself as a high school athlete, and her bowling prowess extended into adulthood. She made her mark on Staten Island’s bowling circuit and, in fact, was elected to the Staten Island Bowling Hall of Fame.

While not bowling these days, sports are still a part of her life. Besides working as a nurse and massage therapist, Cipriano is a certified golf teaching professional with golf netting all around her coaching yard, specializing in helping men and women use golf to foster business relationships. Known as “the putting queen,” that side of the story is on her website: www.fitforthetee.com.

“Some guys don’t like being shown up by a girl; it’s an ego thing with some of them,” Cipriano said. “I still see that on the golf course.”

But 42 years ago, the boys welcomed Cipriano to share the baseball field with them. She proved she was up to it — and had an experience she’ll always treasure.

Joe LoVerde has coached youth sports on Staten Island for more than 40 years. He’s also a longtime newspaper editor and sportswriter.