On Staten Island, Shrove Tuesday is a chance to celebrate with neighbors and friends before the hush of Lent settles over the borough. But the tradition has grown surprisingly scarce. This year, based on my research, only three congregations are firing up their griddles for the pre‑Lenten ritual-all free, with freewill donations accepted-serving pancakes, sausage, and the kind of fellowship that has defined the day for generations.
This is one of the biggest holiday weekends of the year, as celebrations of Mardi Gras, Valentine's Day and Presidents' Day overlap and blur. (Sadly, no one organized our dream soiree with a brass band performing for singles dressed as Babe-raham Lincoln and other sexy presidents.) We have separate lists for the area's best Mardi Gras parties, Black History Month events, Lunar New Year celebrations,
Choo and Nguyen jointly voiced their support for a member resolution encouraging sponsors to "show support for the trans community" through their parade floats.