Autisticana

a gallery of autistic special/intense interests

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Category: Trips

  • Our Field Trip to Fire Island

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    The whole Autisticana crew went on excursion to Fire Island. Originally we planned on going to Ocean Beach but missed the ferry so we went to Kismet. Some of us almost missed the boat because we got on the wrong ferry terminal boat but the correct time. The crew on the ferry was nice enough to save us time but made in time to catch the ferry to Fire Island. We landed at Kismet, Fire Island. The whole group took a wagon and went for a walk to Kismet Beach. When we got to the beach, some of us went to the water and others relaxed to enjoyed the view. Afterwards, we went for a walk around Kismet and walked through the town and the most interesting houses on the island. We saw signs and souvenirs as items for decoration. I saw some wagons and bicycles in the front yard since cars weren’t allow to go through Fire Island. Afterwards we went for dinner at a deli and we had ice cream, chicken tenders with fries, and a large pretzel. Finally we went saw the most interesting sunset and took the Ferry back to Bay Shore.

    Scott

    On my end I started off with riding on a wagon halfway before having all of the bags on the wagon. I went to the beach and had a blast by getting hit by the giant waves while I tried to avoid getting hit by the riptides. At one point I almost touched a jellyfish with a minor sting, during which I was hypnotized because it was a close call. While I went for a walk with the group, I found out that every wagon and bikes with baskets had a license plate so they know the name of the vehicle. It would be cool if they can customize the plate or get an old license plate for an souvenir so they can put on a vehicle. There’s also a wagon depot by the dock which every wagon should have a license plate to know the color and customize their plates from New York, Florida or whatever customized plate for an ocean-theme related name.

    Jackson

    I loved walking around the beach and standing by the waves while feeling the sand being pulled in by the water. We also got to sit on our towels and talk about how interesting Kismet Beach was. At first I was nervous by the ferry because I kept thinking my stuff was going to fall off the boat but I got through it both to the island and back. I also enjoyed seeing an interesting fence rumored to belong to a “psycho killer” and eating at the deli with each other. I enjoyed a delicious dinner of fries and sparkling lemonade mixed with blackberry seltzer and seeing a beautiful sunset on the way back to Bay Shore.

  • Our Trip to Spencer’s

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    By Christine Grimaldi

    This past week, the crew at Autisticana visited Spencer’s at the Smithtown Mall. The store is very interesting because it has shirts and clothing based on popular movies, anime, and musicians. It also has paraphernalia relating to weed, occultism, and magic, sex toys, and candy. They even sell manga and cookbooks. We all took pictures relating to our interests there.

    In 1947, Spencer’s started off in Easton, PA, as a mail-order catalog with tons of novelty merch by Max Adler and his brother Harry, the namesake being the former’s middle name Spencer. In 1963, three years after Harry left, Spencer evolved into a brick-and-mortar retail store with its first location in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, at the city’s mall. Since then, Spencer has grown to 650 locations in the US, and Canada within malls, especially on Long Island, such as Hicksville Broadway.

    In 2001, Spencer’s Gifts launched its e-commerce website, allowing customers to shop for its products online. The website has become important to the company’s sales and marketing strategy.

    Today, Spencer’s operates over 600 stores in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, offering a wide range of products, including clothing, accessories, home decor, and novelty items. The company is known for its edgy and irreverent products and is known for catering to a younger, more alternative demographic.

    Despite competing with other retailers in the same space, Spencer’s has continued to grow and expand its business. With a focus on innovation, creativity, and customer engagement, the company has stayed relevant and popular with its target audience.

    Spencer’s has been a must for the newest trends, tees, body jewelry, home décor and more that celebrate our slogan “life is a party”and we are making it fun. Known for being a pioneer in sexual wellness, call us what you want, but we are here for all communities to celebrate. We are committed to our guests’ uniqueness and their desire for rebellious, buzzworthy products that represent a unique lifestyle while offering an escape from the ordinary.

    Spencer’s had opened in 2003 under new management, raising the bar and continuing its untraditional retail journey. The stores have changed, but when they set out on the path of becoming an industry leader in a subtle shift from Spencer Gifts to Spencer’s, this will always be true to the roots of their love for the pride of the effort they put.

    They have done a new and better look, but never forgot the history because some of the trends are as old as time. Spencer’s, which continues to lead the market with one of the oldest continually operating stores in North America and nearly 670 locations throughout the United States and Canada, proudly enshrines the brand as cultural staples. Giving back is a key obligation of Spencer’s, and we have been increasing the commitment over the last few years.

    Since 2020, the whole partnership with the ACLU has generated nearly a million dollars to help protect civil rights for individuals. Additionally, since 2008 our associates have been fierce advocates, joining in on the battle against cancer by fundraising on behalf of three organizations focused on fighting youth cancer through the non-profit Boobies Make Me Smile. They’ve raised more than 10,5 million dollars to support the Young Survival Consortium, Stupid Cancer and Fxck Cancer that are working on prevention, education and help for young people with cancer and showing the reality of helping young women that could possibly have breast cancer and knowing the facts of the support they need when their going through tough times.

    Everyone takes on Spencer’s:

    Scott likes that Spencer’s has cool stuff, especially sex products.

    Danielle didn’t care for Spencer’s Costumes

    Jackson loved Spencer’s having been at that location and Hicksville’s multiple times. He loved taking the Stepbrothers photo with Scott:

  • The Hyatt Hotel

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    The Hyatt Hotel is the place where our Autisticana Group is moving to the Huppague Location for the Summer so we can go live the life of paradise in a hotel like Conference Room so can have our meetings about the future and other work tasks for the support or presentations for our classmates if they want to bring something important to bring up which we can use the board room for a private meeting something serious about business or one on one conversation expressing you’re feelings. There’s also a swimming pool indoor and outdoor which there’s a Fitness Room to go on the treadmills or lift weights if you want to get strong or just to do some exercise and the options of the interesting restaurants included the buffet. There’s also a bedroom to relax and make coffee or relax on your comfy bed while enjoy the moment.

    The History about the Hyatt Hotel started when Jay Pritzker founded the Hyatt Corporation in 1957 when he purchased the Hyatt House motel near the Los Angeles International Airport 12. He then worked with his brother, Donald Pritzker, and other family businesses to grow the company into a North American management and hotel ownership company. The company went public in 1962, and in 1968, Hyatt International was formed as a separate public company. The Pritzker family business interests took both Hyatt Corporation and Hyatt International Corporation private in 1979 and 1982, respectively. In 2004, the hospitality businesses owned by the Pritzker family, including Hyatt Corporation and Hyatt International Corporation, were consolidated under a single entity, now known as Hyatt Hotels Corporation. The statement in the search results is accurate. Hyatt Regency Atlanta was the first Hyatt Regency property and its design was innovative for its time 12, featuring a dramatic 22-story atrium lobby. This design spawned many imitators and set a new standard for hotel design, cementing Hyatt’s position as a leader in global hospitality. The Hyatt Regency Hong Kong opens as the company’s first overseas site in 1969. In 1972, the Hyatt launches a central reservations office in Omaha, Nebraska, along with a dedicated toll-free 800 number, demonstrating its commitment to providing top-notch customer service. Opening in 1980, the Grand Hyatt in New York and the Park Hyatt in Chicago provide Hyatt two enduring brands. The Hyatt Gold Passport debuts as the hotel chain’s reward program in 1987. The Hyatt Sunset Harbor in Key West, Florida, serves as the company’s point of entry into the holiday ownership market in the year 1995.

    Into the 21st Century, The Hyatt Place brand debuts in Lombard, Illinois, in 2006. Hyatt purchased Summerfield Suites at the same time in an effort to enter the extended stay industry. On London’s Liverpool Street, the stylist Andaz brand makes its debut.The Hyatt goes public in 2009 and starts trading on the NYSE with the ticker H. Then, in 2011, Hyatt Thrive debuts as the company’s global platform for corporate responsibility. One year later The Hyatt Summerfield Suites underwent a rebranding as Hyatt House in 2012. With the introduction of the Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara brands in Mexico in 2013, Hyatt has ventured its presence in the quickly expanding all-inclusive resort market. The Hyatt Centric brand debuts in 2015 with the official opening of its first property in Chicago, offering stylish accommodations for the cosmopolitan tourist in the heart of the city. The Unbound Collection by Hyatt joins the company’s portfolio as the 12th brand in 2016 and offers travelers a wide variety of unique experiences. As a fresh wave continues to emerge in 2017, contemporary times World of Hyatt, a revamped loyalty program, debuts on March 1 with the goal of deepening connection with Hyatt’s most devoted customers. In furtherance of its mission, Hyatt has acquired the Miraval brand to join the wellness market. With an industry-first Bonus Points fitness category, the new World of Hyatt Credit Card rewards cardholders for how they work, live, and travel in 2018. After completing the acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality, Hyatt added the brands Alila, Destination by Hyatt, JdV by Hyatt, and Thompson Hotels to its portfolio of hotels and resorts. The Hyatt has launched two new hotel brands in 2019: UrCove, a brand created in a partnership with BTG Homeinns Hotels Group to serve the expanding upper-midscale market of frequent business visitors in China, and Caption by Hyatt, a lifestyle brand created to encourage personal relationships.
    With a freshly created mobile app, more Small Luxury Hotels of the World destinations, and new partnerships with American Airlines and Lindblad Expeditions, World of Hyatt continues to develop, connect, and contribute to the program.

      The Hyatt and Headspace, a pioneer in mindfulness and meditation, will collaborate on a new global wellbeing initiative beginning on January 15, 2020. In the World of Hyatt app and in rooms at participating Hyatt hotels, members have access to a curated selection of meditations and sleep exercises. Hyatt is the first hotel company to agree to receive STARTM accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC). The Global Care & cleaning Commitment, which expands on Hyatt’s very stringent safety and cleaning standards, includes the GBAC STAR accreditation. On the 2nd of November, 2021, Hyatt revealed plans to acquire Apple Leisure Group (ALG), a premier provider of luxury resort-management services, travel, and hospitality. AMRTM Collection, which comprises of over 100 hotels and resorts spread across 10 nations, is a distinctive collection of resort brands.Expeditions.

      https://about.hyatt.com/en/hyatthistory.html

    • CUNY Neurodiversity Conference And Exhibition

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      – Cara Difiore

      I thought I would share this big day with you all

      Let’s just say the day didn’t go as we planned and what I mean by that we left later than we planned it, with a little bit of traffic, and got there at the very end of it. I was also planning on going, calling on the road, and getting to the city and college by 5 at least but plans changed due to someone screwing up. But the good thing is that it ended up working well the way it did.

      Christine and I went to the college while my mom, Danielle, and her mom Lisa waited in the van. When we got to the end we went to the front counter and asked the guys at the front counter where the event is it looks like it was at its ending at least which I was like oh no I missed most of it but it turns out I didn’t miss out as much as I thought

      We got to go to talk to the director and the people who ran it. First, we introduced ourselves, then talked about me being an amazing artist, showed my artwork that I submitted, asked them about the event, talked about Autisticana, asked if we can do an interview with them, then they said sure and my book (that is done and in the works of being printed and published be on the lookout!) they also said they would love to promote it when it’s printed out and published which made me so happy. And we took pictures with me, Christine, my art, and the city in the background. Then we went back to van and meet back up with everyone with seeing Lisa as a surprise then we went out for dinner which the place and food was awesome.

    • The History of Vinnie’s Pizzeria

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      Vinnie’s is a restaurant known for its innovative cuisine that combines classic style and ingredients. While the Williamsburg location has been open since 1960 and still uses the original recipe, much else has changed. The current owner has worked for more than 15 years which the company has still been going strong. Vinnie’s is now celebrated globally as one of the most creative pizzerias. Visit either of their locations to experience it firsthand.

      My experience was amazing because I heard about from The Internet Went Viral on Cheddar TV, which I always wanted to tryout their special type of pizza. I went there in April 2021 while it was a nice day which I wanted to check out the place. They always had it on advertising for all of the other types of pizza but I was lucky enough to order a few slices of pizza on pizza because that was reason why I came in to try of it for the double pizza. It was so delicious which I wanted to come back whenever I get chance to come back to Brooklyn. I came back 2 years later on a Summery Spring April to spend the day in Astoria Queens to Williamsburg after a nice walk in the Park in Astoria Park next to the East River. I stopped by to get a pie of pizza on pizza and Avery was very helpful to talk about the place. The whole part of making of the pie took 20 to 25 minutes which I thought it was going to take longer but the pizza was excellent. I would love to experience it again if I ever plan to back to do it all over again. You can stop by have to go like for a pizza party or special occasion with the pizza on pizza.

      Vinnie’s, a popular slice shop in Williamsburg, became famous for creating a pizza-topped pizza slice that nearly caused the internet to break. The demand for the item has been so high that Vinnie’s has now added it to their menu, satisfying the cravings of countless customers. The pizzeria has a lot of ingredients with different types of pizza while you get a full pie. The place has creative ways to add simple ingredients and often make their pizza customisable. The place also has very interesting board signs from the greatest person from history or a tv show or even a celebrity, even a video game character and much more to make it more entertaining. The art has a very unique style of history that it shows purpose of the true meaning of pizza and other toppings on the pizza or a joke of the day that has humor on pizza.

      Vinnie’s Pizzeria is famous for its daily special boards that feature mouth-watering specials, creative puns, and lots of dry erase markers. Co-owner Sean Berthiaume has been designing the boards since 2010 and has amassed a collection of over 700 unique designs. The boards have gained widespread attention, being featured on popular websites such as Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, and Time magazine, as well as making an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel. Even Cheaddar News once did an episode on The Business Going Viral.

      The Pizzeria had some big sponsors that helped their businesses from Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn Bowl, HBO, NBC, Paramount and much more in the coming years.

      Here’s how to make a slice of pizza on pizza if anyone is willing to go for a fun activity.

      • Add 2 pizza doughs while add 1 large includes a small
      • Add marinara sauce
      • Add mozzarella cheese
      • Put it in the oven
      • When it’s done separate the small pie and cut it into tiny slices and put it in the giant pizza pie and that’s how you make pizza on pizza.

      Follow up all of the Social Platforms of Vinnie’s Pizzeria

    • Why do I want to see in the Taxi Industry of the Future

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      I have always wanted to see the evolution of changes of taxis since the 2010s and onward of the Pandemic. I loved seeing taxi cabs because there is also public transportation and local attractions. I would love to see taxi ranks at city centers and develop taxi apps so people can request a cab online, especially in this day and age of technology.

      Since the Ride shares has been taking over the taxi industry, I would like to see them find a way to stay in business. This could be a good opportunity like having a competition of the success which I would like to see who would be busier or keep the same prices without changing rates. One thing that taxi’s outsmart ride share companies is that they never change the surge price while ride shares companies often change price surge like a major holiday for an example like the price doubled or tripled the amount when there’s hardly anyone available. When the taxi cabs are unavailable due to night goers, there lucky enough to keep a same price for the destination home.

      Why I’m obsessed with taxi ranks because I like the idea of taxi cabs standing at ranks when they don’t have reservations or automatic pickups on the app. Like England and town centre taxi ranks has still become of thing in most countries which there lucky.

      Taxis came from different background of characteristics of business and vehicles of age.

      People with Disabilities take Taxi cabs to the community

      Disabled Passenger on a Taxi

    • Charles Dickens’s Festival in Port Jeff

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      It was on the 5th of December, 2022 which we stopped by at Toast in Port Jefferson which they also have another location in Patchogue. The whole group went out for some brunch and had a wonderful time with delicious food and had some interesting conversations. I had Cinnamon bun pancakes which it was really delicious out of this world. There has to be stories about Scrooge and his life and time in the Victorian Era in the United Kingdom. Knowing old times of England is really good to know about their history and their past generations.

      We got to the Charles Dickens Festival Port Jefferson, New York. Next we stopped by to see some interesting events and people being all dressed up for “A Christmas Carol” which it was Charles Dickens famous plays in the local theatre for the performing arts. The show also popular in books, tv shows, movies, live plays, and other media sites. There was a campfire where everyone gathered and roast up their marshmallow with the whole crowd. I also saw a couple of people dressed up as Ebenezer Scrooge and saw other people being all dressed as people of London during the Industrial Revolution. Going back to the 1800s was interesting to see what was life back then. I took a picture with Ebenezer Scrooge with the cast of the “A Christmas Carol” and saw so much more live events. I saw a group of singing carol’s and then saw a horse on a wagon carried passengers around the Town Centre. At the end we saw the fire truck and get to see Santa Claus.

    • What is the Blood Moon?

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      The blood moon represents the purpose of showing the universe to be what does the beautiful view looks like. The blood moon also represents the reddish tingle which the full moon takes on when it’s fully eclipsed. The beautiful of it that the moon changed colors from white into being covered by turning red which is the beauty of the night sky. A “blood moon” happens when the Earth’s moon is in a total lunar eclipse, while it has no special astronomical significance. The view of the night sky is striking as the usually whitish moon becomes red or ruddy brown which gives purpose of the changes afterwards. The planets goes through around the galaxies to tell when the next time when they’ll be another blood moon.

      A total lunar eclipse happens when the Moon travels through the Earth’s umbra and blocks all direct sunlight from illuminating the Moon’s surface. For some reason, some sunlight can still reaches the lunar surface indirectly, through the Earth’s atmosphere, bathing the Moon in a reddish, yellow, or orange which shows the audience of interesting facts about the evolution of the moon and sun being on each other’s planet. The Blood Moon has a fact that cycle lasts for quite some time depending on how long the moon turns red or depending on the weather if it has to be a full moon.

      Lunar eclipses can only happen during a full moon, when the sun fully illuminates the surface. Usually, a full moon has no eclipse because the moon orbits in a slightly different plane than the Earth and the sun. However, at times the planes coincide. Earth passes in between the moon and the sun and cuts off the sunlight, causing an eclipse.

      Eclipses in your city with animations

    • The Retreat House of Autisticana in the Hudson Valley Region

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      The first thing that Dr. Christine and I did was that we stopped by at the Cafe called Golden Russet Cafe & Grocery. It was a Cafe and Grocery Store which is very interesting and it only happens in less populated areas especially in the woodlands or the rural suburbs.

      I ordered myself a bacon and egg and cheese sandwich with tomato which was really delicious.

      There was a play room and a reading station for the kids while the grownups got to have coffee time with friends and family. I thought that was a great idea !

      I was able to meet Jenny( the owner) so Christine and I interviewed her about the place and how she and her husband ran it so successfully. We also got to discover the beautiful historic houses, a local farm, and a local brewery around Rhinebeck. We also visited the Omega institute which is the most famous health and holistic retreat center in the United States.

      Afterwards, we stopped by at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, a hamlet in Dutchess County, New York. We saw a very old tree which was over 350 years old, It is called the survivor tree as Christine always teaches us the tree pose and how to stand tall with resilience. ,

      I also thought it would be a very nice spot for holiday tourism or a weekend for a day trip in the area.

      When we drove to Poughkeepsie, there was a section of Marist College which is near the downtown area of Poughkeepsie.

      We also had great exercise and spa time at Mike Arteaga’s Health and Fitness

      We got to go swimming in a great salt water pool, and there was a hot tub included and a cold plunge and sauna that we rotated over and over for detox

      There’s also a cardio room in a movie theatre room where you can go on the treadmill while watching a movie. That was so cool , and we made a pact to go tomorrow again at 7 am.

      Then we got onto our obligation to wash our service animal doggies ( Mabel n Moon and company , of which their books are coming at soon!)

      Foam and wash is also a car wash which opens 24 hours a day. Two for one ! As conscious and accountable news makers, Christine has taught us how to really effectively multi task.

      Afterwards, we drove through the Mid Hudson Bridge which was beautiful with the rainbow lighting on the bridge which was meant to be as it represents us at Autisticana.

      Finally we drove all the way to Kingston to stop by at a progressive urban book store called “The Rough Draft Bar” and Books, which it’s a cafe where writers can work on their blogs or their upcoming books. The place was very interesting and we ended the night with a healthy and delicious dinner.

      I had a nice adventure and a great trip around the Mid Hudson Valley.

      The Cold Plunge Challenge for Autisticana

    • Special Olympics Tournament in Glens Falls

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      During the beginning of our Journey the Lions started off by going to the Queensbury Hotel and we had the opening ceremony. We hosted the banner that presents Long Island Division and wore it in green. Before we opened the Special Olympic Games we had guests from athletes, new members that are willing to promote marketing to this league, volunteers who grew up loving the Special Olympics, Glens Fall Mayor Bill Collins and Stacey Hengsterman CEO & President of the New York Special Olympics made a beautiful speech. Finally, the State Troopers walked with the athlete who light the torch to let the games begin. The Local News came to downtown Glens Falls to watch the ceremony of the event. There was over 1,300 athletes Statewide to participate in the Fall Games.

      Stacey Hengsterman CEO & President of the New York Special Olympics made a speech about local businesses helping them fundraise for the Special Olympics

      During the Big of the Tournament we played at Morse Field Complex we had over 16 teams Statewide for the Soccer Tournament. After the practice round, each team will be placed in 3 Divisions of those 4 Teams. We placed against the Ithaca Dragons and lost 2-0 but we played against New York City Hawks and lost 1-0. When the Lions was ready for the Big Tournament, we went to 3rd Division with Southampton Mariners, Buffalo Storms and Friends United of Buffalo. It was Long Island vs Buffalo in the bottom division, so we played against the Southampton Mariners both teams played competitive performance but Southampton took the lead but I assist it to Phil and got the one goal which we lost 3-1. During the losers tournament, the Lions was determined to get Bronze against the Buffalo Stormers. The match was started off scoreless until almost halfway done with the 2nd Half but I made long kicks multiple time but the one moment when the Lions got a goal was when I passed it to Damien to Phil and took the lead. The Stormers had other plans to score one minute later and both ended up at Extratime. All of us had tired legs because the match would not end until someone wins the match or shootouts which make a difficult decision. Both Teams played 5 minutes each half and I was finally increasing my moments to get shots on goals. During the last few minutes of extra time, John passed the ball to me and we finally got the goal to take the winning moment. I took the ball all the way and did some cool moves to go around and got the winning goal and we won 3-1. The Long Island Lions was able to take Bronze. During the Winners/Finals Tournament, it was Southampton South Fork vs Friends United of Buffalo. Southampton did everything they could but end up took silver so Friends United of Buffalo took gold and won 3rd Division of the Tournament.

      During the Closing Ceremony, we all watched the closing moments with my teammates. We watch the moment when one of the athletes use the torch to turn off the lighting torch and it was to put it on a closing note. At the end, everyone danced with their friends while having their final moments and the DJ played the greatest songs from the 80s to now.

      Here’s the numbers and links for more Special Olympics from around the Highlights of the Glen Fall Games

      Long Island Lions
      Southampton Mariners
      Friends United of Buffalo

      Numbers and Links about the Special Olympics