Barbara Russo

Barbara Russo is a freelance writer who holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the City University of New York. She enjoys playing guitar, following current events, and hanging out with her pet rabbits.

Flu Symptoms in Kids: How Parents can Differentiate from the Flu, COVID or a Cold

Flu Symptoms in Kids: How Parents can Differentiate from the Flu, COVID or a Cold With flu season upon us, viruses and early cases of respiratory illnesses on a constant news loop, it’s not hard to wonder when your child has a cold and when it is more. To make matters worse, seasonal influenza activity continues to increase in most parts of the country. As a parent, here’s what you need to know about this year’s flu season and what you can do to help keep your kids flu-free. Here are some tips on what is what when it comes…
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19 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays with Kids in Staten Island

Spending the holidays with kids can get you into the holiday spirit better than anything! Celebrate the season with many activities, celebrations, and holiday events on Staten Island for families and kids of all ages. You can see a Christmas show, head to a menorah or tree lighting event, take photos with and meet Santa […]

wreath with scissors to show crafting for article about Staten Island’s wreath competition

Staten Island’s Wreath Competition is Back!

Staten Island’s wreath competition is back on the South Shore, along with a holiday toy drive to provide gifts to children in need. Get ready for some community-wide festive fun and holiday cheer as Staten Island’s wreath-making competition returns to the South Shore along with a holiday toy drive. Wreath-Making Competition: Deck the Streets Looking […]

RSV and Other Respiratory Illnesses: What Parents Need to Know

RSV and Other Respiratory Illnesses: What Parents Need to Know If you are a parent, you are most likely hearing about the surge of RSV and other respiratory illnesses affecting young children with the arrival of flu season. Being shared is that doctors in parts of the country are seeing a resurgence in RSV, which is a common respiratory illness, but is also known to be severe in infants and older adults. RSV can even lead some kids to the hospital. As it stands in the United States right now, things are bleak in the South, with some southern…
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15 Spots to See Santa on Staten Island

Are your kids eager to see Santa Claus? Well, the holiday season is here in festive force, and there are so many places to see Santa on Staten Island! He’s ready to spread holiday cheer, have his photo taken and maybe even listen to holiday gift lists from every good boy and girl this year! […]

Planned Lithium-Ion Battery Storage Site in Travis a Major Concern for Residents

Staten Island residents are concerned as a new lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) is proposed for the residential Travis area on Victory Boulevard. If developers get the OK to build, the site will occupy approximately eight acres of land on the north side of Victory Boulevard, south of the intersection with Travis Avenue. The […]

Suitcases for Foster-Care Kids: Packing Smiles

As simple as it sounds, providing new suitcases for foster-care kids can help these youth feel a little less scared and a little more happy during their time of need. Imagine a scared and lonely child, forced to move away from their foster home and toward yet another temporary living situation. And as they prepare […]

Where to Donate Clothes on Staten Island

So many of us have clothes cluttering our closets that we just don’t wear anymore. They might even still have the price tags dangling off of them! Now is a great time to clear out your closets and give those pre-worn threads a new life by donating to those in need or reusing them in […]

Stage curtain with snowflakes that is reminiscent of holiday shows on Staten Island or anywhere

Exciting Christmas and Holiday Shows on Staten Island and Nearby

Christmas and Holiday Shows on Staten Island and Nearby There are many Christmas and holiday shows on Staten Island and nearby for families to enjoy during this time of year. From the annual Christmas Show at the St. George Theatre on Staten Island to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, there are many shows planned in […]

Teen girl at a desk social media spending with credit card and phone in hand

TikTok Made Me Buy It! 4 Tips for Curbing Teens’ Social Media Spending

Social Media Spending Kids and teens now spend more than 90 minutes per day on TikTok, and the platform has proven to influence users to spend: the New Consumer found that 27% of users were prompted to purchase a new product because they saw it on TikTok. Unsurprisingly, parents are footing the bill: according to […]