Archives for October 2019

Could It Help Manage Staten Island’s Exploding Deer Population?

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The rise in Staten Island’s deer population has caused great concern. It has increased the potential for injuries and death due to deer-vehicle collisions, vegetation destruction, increasing the amount of ticks and cases of Lyme disease, as well as other implications on the environment. Since deer migrated to Staten Island they no longer are susceptible to natural predators, creating an environmental imbalance.

When deer are not managed through hunting or their natural predators they often succumb to starvation which can be a long-suffering demise. This can result in deer carcasses and bodies left to decay in the woods and streets across Staten Island. Staten Island’s deer population is now at 2,100, up 9,000 % since 2008.

Cities across the country are facing similar concerns over large deer populations in non-traditional areas, where they have no natural predators. Several municipalities have tried sterilization programs, with the mission of cutting reproduction and reducing the deer population over time. New York City has incorporated a sterilization program in an effort to contain the growth in deer population.

Unfortunately, sterilization programs alone, like New York City’s, have been inadequate for significantly reducing the number of deer. According to the NYC Parks Department, Staten Island’s current sterilization plan anticipates lowering the deer population by 10 to 30 percent. Several municipalities across New York State have tried similar sterilization programs costing millions of dollars with very little significant impact. Eventually these municipalities have turned to lethal methods like controlled bow hunting within a few years to manage the increasing deer population in their areas.

Cities like Rye, New York and Cincinnati, Ohio are considering or have instituted a controlled bow hunting program that utilizes a lottery selection process, authorizing a limited number of experienced and trained bow hunters to participate. In Cincinnati, the program focuses in Mount Air Park which encompasses 1500 acres. The bow hunting program has proven to help in the effort to control the deer population. In 2016, Cincinnati’s controlled bow hunt resulted in 157 qualified hunters reducing the deer population by 139. Cincinnati’s 10-year program has resulted in a 1,354 reduction in the city’s deer population. 

Some of Staten Island’s landscape may be conducive to a limited controlled bow hunting season. Fresh Kills Park which encompasses 2200 acres and the Mt. Loretto Unique Area which sits on more than 200 acres, each with high concentrations of deer, could be an ideal compromise. Some may have concerns with potential bow-hunting in Staten Island presenting a danger. Fresh Kills Park and the Mount Loretto Unique Area can fit the criteria for safe bow hunting areas under the state guidelines. There are strict laws and state DEC officers enforce these regulations. According to the latest state statistics, in 2016 there were zero injuries from bow hunting across the entire state.

A limited three-week hunting period could be communicated to the public via the news, social media and posting signs to ensure the park land remains safe for hikers and those who love and appreciate our natural treasures. A closed three-week hunting period in these areas could provide a compromise to preserve the eco-system.

In December 2017 the NYS Assembly, Senate and Governor Cuomo authorized cities and towns to consider euthanasia as part of their deer management plans. This would allow them to capture and kill the deer with methods aside from traditional hunting.

Allowing a select number of experienced and trained bow hunters to participate in a controlled bow hunt on Staten Island could help expedite the reduction in the deer population, potentially saving lives, and the city money. Deer hunters could also donate deer meat to feed local homeless families and individuals through the “Hunters Feed The Hungry” program.

Read more about NYS Department of Conservation’s community deer management

What do you think of controlled deer hunting on Staten Island? Tell us on our Facebook page!

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Create a Sweet Easter Treat!
This Easter wow your family with festive cupcakes modeled after the Easter bunny! For more Easter recipes, visit Culinary.net.

Bunny Butt Cupcakes

Recipe courtesy of Amanda Rettke of “I am baker”
Prep time: 45 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 24

• 1 box (2-layer size) white cake mix
• 1 tablespoon, plus 2 teaspoons, pure lemon extract, divided
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 3/4  cup white chocolate chips
• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 16  ounces confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 10 drops green food color
• 1-2 drops red food color
• 12 large marshmallows, halved crosswise
• 3  tablespoons white nonpareil sprinkles

1. Prepare cake mix as directed on package, adding 1 tablespoon lemon extract and vanilla. Spoon 3 tablespoons batter into 24 paper-lined muffin cups. Bake as directed on package for cupcakes. Cool cupcakes on wire rack.
2. To make bunny feet: In medium, microwave-safe bowl, microwave white chocolate chips on high 30 seconds. Stir until completely melted and smooth. Spoon into pastry bag or re-sealable plastic bag. Snip small corner from bag. Pipe 24 pairs of bunny feet onto parchment or wax paper-lined cookie sheet. Use toothpick to smooth out bumps or rough edges, and gently tap cookie sheet on counter to help settle. Allow to harden 2 minutes in freezer or 15 minutes in refrigerator.
3. To make frosting: In large bowl, beat butter and remaining lemon extract until light and fluffy. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, beating well after each addition and scraping sides and bottom of bowl frequently. Add milk; beat until light and fluffy. Remove half the frosting and place in medium bowl. Add green food color; mix until evenly blended. Spoon into pastry bag fitted with grass decorating tip. Set aside. Remove half the remaining frosting into small bowl. Add red food color; mix until light pink. Spoon into another pastry bag.
4. Using pink frosting, pipe three toes and padding on each bunny foot. Once frosting has set (about 1 hour) gently press down on pink frosting to create smoother look.
5. To assemble cupcakes: Pipe green frosting onto each cupcake in series of short motions to create individual grass spots. Cover top of each cupcake completely.
6. To make bunny butts: Place cut sides of marshmallow halves onto each frosted cupcake, leaving room for bunny feet. Shape remaining white frosting into dime-sized balls then roll with white sprinkles to cover. Pipe small drop of remaining pink or white frosting onto top of each marshmallow. Press bunny tail on top.
7. Place both bunny feet against base of marshmallow with toes facing down.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net via Family Features

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The winners of the 2019 Design & Editorial Awards were announced at the Parenting Media Association (PMA) Annual Conference March 1, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Staten Island Parent is honored to be the recipient of two Gold Medals, one Silver Medal, and one Bronze Medal for excellence!

The Staten Island Parent Weekly E-Newsletter earned a Gold Medal in the digital category! Judges said of our highly informative newsletter: “A simple design is supported by a nearly endless supply of events, activities and links to family-friendly directories and other resources.”

Also earning a Gold Medal in the Family Fun Column category is our monthly Good Sports column by sportswriter Joe LoVerde. The judges said Joe “embraces and enhances the sense of community that evolves around sports with short features that celebrate local residents’ competitive accomplishments. His experience as a coach and a veteran sports writer lends his pieces an authentic voice.”

A Silver Medal in the editorial category for Profile goes to Staten Island Parent Editor Jeannine Cintron for Giving Thanks on Veteran’s Day from the November 2018 issue. Judges had this to say of the piece: “This thoughtful essay by the wife of a U.S. Marine provides a full-throttled tribute to veterans and inspires pride and compassion for all their sacrifice and unsung heroism, at home and on the battlefield.”

And last, but certainly not least, we are very proud to earn a Bronze Medal for General Excellence for our website siparent-com.go-vip.net. The judges were very impressed by our Family Calendar, saying “Particularly notable is the extensive, often-updated calendar of events, including many that are specific to the borough and don’t require a long trip. Content is carefully curated and up to date.”

Staten Island Parent is proud to serve the community with award winning digital and editorial content. Thank you to the Parenting Media Association, a national trade association of regional parenting publications spanning the world. With a global reach of 6 million readers per month, we are truly humbled to be recognized by such an esteemed organization.

And a huge THANK YOU goes to our wonderful, loyal readers, who inspire us every day to continue being the number one parenting resource for families in Staten Island!

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Starting Monday March 18, motorists in Staten Island will be able to report their property-damage-only vehicle collisions directly to the DMV, instead of waiting for police to respond. If you Read More Here about how tedious the process really can be, you’d thank the Staten Island govt. for implementing this change.

The department is implementing a pilot program on Staten Island wherein motorists involved in vehicle collisions with only property damage will be responsible for exchanging information, preparing their own report of motor vehicle accident and forwarding it to the DMV as per the instructions on the form. Police communications technicians will connect the caller to a pre-recorded message explaining that the police will not respond and the motorist will be provided with further instructions.

The New York City Police Department recently released the following information to guide drivers if they are unfortunately involved in a vehicle collision.

First and foremost, your safety is the number one priority. If you are involved in a vehicle collision:

• Shift your vehicle into “park.”
• Check yourself and any passengers for injuries.
• If you cannot move your vehicle, or if medical assistance is needed, dial “911” and follow the operator’s instructions.

If your vehicle is operable, and no one in your vehicle has suffered any injuries, you should move to secure location. This can be the nearest shoulder or the median. Once your vehicle is in a safe area you may exit to assess the situation. Following these guidelines will:

• Protect you from oncoming traffic
• Allow safe passage for other motorists not involved
• Provide easier access for emergency responders to reach you, if necessary.

COLLISIONS WITH MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE (per the new program)

If you are involved in a vehicle collision that only results in property damage motorists are not required to report the incident to the police. If there is only property damage, motorists are only responsible for exchanging their driver’s license information, insurance and vehicle registration with all other motorists involved. For insurance purposes, a Report of Motor Vehicle Accident should be filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles. This form can be found online at dmv.ny.gov/forms.mv104.pdf once the program has begun.

Motorists should note that A Report of Motor Vehicle Accident must be filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of a collision, if the collision caused damage over $1,000 to the property of any one person. Failure to file the report within 10 days can result in suspension of your driver’s license.

Leaving the scene of a collision before exchanging your information with other motorists is illegal under the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. Additionally, you are required to remain on the scene and contact the police immediately after a vehicle collision when:

• Any person is injured or killed;
• A domestic animal is injured or killed
• A parked vehicle, or any other property is damaged, and the owner cannot be located.
• Suspected criminality (e.g. allegations of intoxication, etc.)
• Disputes
• A city-involved vehicle collision
• Motorist is unwilling to exchange information

Property damage can be caused in different ways, so unless you have an experienced property damage attorney, many insurance providers are likely to try to avoid compensating you. Consult with Singleton Law Firm to make your damage claim so you can receive the full benefits of insurance policy.

HELPFUL LINKS

trafficstats.nypdonline.org – Offers statistics on the total collisions, type of collisions, injuries, fatalities, etc. Information can be broken out by borough and precinct

www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/traffic-data/traffic-data-collision.page – Offers location info for the sight of collisions, including intersection, bridge, tunnel, or highway.

nycvzv.info – Offers collision breakdown and safety/danger areas for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists that can be viewed easily on a map.

By Michael Reilly, NYS Assemblyman, former District 31 Community Education Council President and former NYPD Lieutenant.

The spotlight is on female empowerment this month, so let story time inspire accordingly! Celebrate the accomplishments of the most memorable women in history with these powerful and fascinating reads from Macmillan Publishers.

A IS FOR AWESOME by Eva Chen (Ages 1-3)

Instagram superstar and New York Times bestselling author Eva Chen has created an alphabet board book depicting 23 feminist icons — including Amelia Earhart, Coco Chanel, Malala, and Oprah Winfrey. This book serves both as a fun ABC story and a delightful ode to powerful women.

SECRET ENGINEER: HOW EMILY ROEBLING BUILT THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE by Rachel Dougherty (Ages 5-8)

An empowering tale of an innovative, clever woman who succeeded in a man’s world. Not only is this a biography, but the author/artist took great care to incorporate digestible bits of information about structural engineering throughout the text and illustrations.

BRAVE BALLERINA by Michelle Meadows; illustrated by Ebony Glenn (All ages)

A lyrical picture book tribute to Janet Collins, the first African American principal dancer at the Metropolitan Opera House. The narrative is inviting and will engage young readers in thoughtful reflection about overcoming challenges and inspire them to think “big” from an early age.

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HISTORY VS WOMEN: THE DEFIANT LIVES THAT THEY DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW by Anita Sarkeesian and Ebony Aste (For teens & adults)

This book reclaims the stories of twenty-five remarkable women who dared to defy history and change the world around them, fom Toltec queens to Chinese pirates, Native American ballerinas to Greco-Egyptian scientists, Japanese novelists to British Prime Ministers. The standout nonfiction title is the perfect read for teens and adults who want the true stories of phenomenal women from around the world and insight into how their lives and accomplishments impacted their societies.

COUNTING ON KATHERINE: HOW KATHERINE JOHNSON SAVED APOLLO 13 by Helaine Becker; illustrated by Dow Phumiruk (Ages 5-9)

This is the bold story of Katherine Johnson, an African-American mathematician who worked for NASA during the space race and was depicted in the film Hidden Figures. The narrative is inviting and will engage young readers in thoughtful reflection about overcoming challenges, inspiring them to think “big” from an early age.

SO TALL WITHIN by Gary D. Schmidt; illustrated by Daniel Minter (Ages 4-8)

Sojourner Truth: an important figure in the struggle for civil rights and rights for women, her ideas were far ahead of her time and are surprisingly resonant today. Lyrical, commanding, and profound, the text by Gary Schmidt is a powerful piece of prose and makes Sojourner Truth both larger than life and remarkably human.

WILD HORSE ANNIE by Tracey Fern; pictures by Steven Salerno (Ages 4-7)

This book celebrates Wild Horse Annie, a woman who spoke up and made an impact in her community. Wild Horse Annie was the nickname of Velma Bronn Johnston, a girl who spoke up after seeing mustangs being rounded up and killed to make room for ranchers’ livestock. She began writing letters to local newspapers and politicians, defending the horses’ right to roam free. Her letter-writing campaign by schoolchildren that helped establish laws protecting wild horses offers a model for contemporary kids about how they too can participate in politics.

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