Welcome to your weekly bulletin for January 11-17. From cozy indoor programs to brisk bay-side walks, here is what is happening around Howard Beach to help you plan the days ahead and make the most of midwinter.
This Week at a Glance
- Sun Jan 11 - New Year Clean Sweep at Charles Park - 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Light shoreline cleanup and winter litter patrol with gloves and bags provided.
- Sun Jan 11 - Family Game Afternoon at the community room - 2:00-4:00 p.m. - Board games, puzzles, and hot cocoa while supplies last.
- Mon Jan 12 - Homework Help and Reading Buddies at the library - 3:00-5:00 p.m. - Drop-in support for grades 1-6.
- Tue Jan 13 - Senior Social Walk on the Belt Parkway path - 9:30-10:30 a.m. - Easy-paced loop with stretching.
- Wed Jan 14 - Winter Crafts for Kids at the library - 4:00-5:00 p.m. - Make-and-take snowflake art; materials provided.
- Thu Jan 15 - Community Board listening hour at the civic hall - 6:00-7:00 p.m. - Share neighborhood concerns and ideas.
- Fri Jan 16 - Youth Open Gym Night at the school gym - 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Pick-up basketball and indoor soccer; bring sneakers.
- Sat Jan 17 - Jamaica Bay Winter Bird Walk from the nature kiosk - 8:30-10:00 a.m. - Spot loons, brant, and wintering ducks; binoculars recommended.
Family and Kid-Friendly Picks
If you are looking to keep little ones engaged, the midweek library sessions are a warm refuge. Wednesday crafts are geared to elementary ages, and Monday Reading Buddies offers one-on-one time for early readers. On Sunday, the community game afternoon is a relaxed, screen-light way to connect. For teens, the Friday open gym gives a safe, supervised space to get energy out before the weekend.
Outdoors and Wellness by the Water
January air along the bay can be brisk but refreshing. Join the Sunday cleanup at Charles Park to keep the shoreline tidy ahead of spring tides. The Tuesday senior walk is a gentle option for staying active, with benches along the route for breaks. Saturday morning's bird walk is a highlight for nature lovers; dress in layers, wear waterproof shoes, and bring a thermos. If winds kick up, leaders may shorten routes for comfort and safety.
Getting Around and Local Notes
Give yourself a little extra time for buses and trains in colder weather. Salting and snow removal can affect street parking near parks and schools, so check posted signs. As we approach the long weekend, some city services may operate on modified schedules; plan errands ahead and verify hours for libraries and community offices before you go.
Coming Up Later in January
- Mon Jan 19 - MLK Day Service Projects - Morning and afternoon shifts - Neighborhood beautification and donation sorting; family-friendly options available.
- Thu Jan 22 - Small Business Evening at the civic hall - 6:30-8:00 p.m. - Resource table, networking, and winter marketing tips.
- Sat Jan 24 - Winter Wellness Fair at the recreation center - 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. - Blood pressure checks, nutrition demos, and gentle yoga mini-sessions.
- Tue Jan 27 - Coastal Resilience Talk - 6:00-7:00 p.m. - Learn about seasonal preparedness and flood safety.
- Sat Jan 31 - End-of-Month Family Skate Bus to the rink - 12:00-3:30 p.m. - Group bus departs from the community lot; helmets encouraged.
How to Join In
Most programs welcome walk-ins, but arriving a few minutes early helps with sign-in and materials. For outdoor events, pack layers, gloves, and a small reusable bag for personal items. If you are bringing kids, confirm age guidelines and bring a completed permission slip for youth activities. Neighbors are encouraged to bring an extra pair of gloves to share at cleanups, and a notebook to jot down feedback for the listening hour. Have an event to add next week? Leave a flyer at the civic desk or speak with a volunteer after any listed program.
