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Root around the basement for that old autographed baseball. Noted autograph authenticator James Spence verifies signatures on all kinds of collectibles Oct. 5, noon-6 p.m., in Staten Island Sportscards and Cigars, 27 Seguine Ave., Prince's Bay (718-967-7171).

Spence's team of experts can verify the John Hancocks of not only sports greats, but also music, movie, stage, historic, political and presidential autographs.

"People want to get their collectibles authenticated to pass them down, to sell them or just for peace of mind," says Staten Island Sportscards owner Chris Becker.

But perhaps the biggest reason to authenticate a signature? Insurance.

AWE file photo

Shift into green gear at the Staten Island Museum.

It's "Making Things Go: Bikes & Human Powered Vehicles" exhibit closes Sept. 28.

On display: Eco-friendly, 100 percent human-powered vehicles. Look close for tips on how to create your own green bike.

Find the museum at 74 Stuyvesant Pl., St. George. simuseum.org, 718-727-1135. Admission: $2 adults; $1 children.

AWE file photo

The Richmond Town Flea Market pedals its traditional array of antiques, crafts and collectibles at booths lining the village streets Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission: $2 adults, $1 seniors. Children under 16 admitted free.

The rain date is Oct. 5. Find the period village at 441 Clarke Ave.

historicrichmondtown.org, 718-351-1611.

city Parks Department

The 8th annual Chess-in-the-Parks Rapid Open invites players of all skill levels and ages to try to capture each other's king Sept. 27 in Central Park.

Check-in starts at 9 a.m. The first round goes off at 10 a.m.

Enter the park at 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue or Central Park West and hike to the park's Bandshell.

FREE. Pre-registration recommended. chessintheschools.org, 212-643-0225.

Provided photosMIX AND MINGLE: Leashes and Lovers brings pet owners (and their pets) together.

Unleash your inner pet lover during Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog month

In honor of Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog month, AWE's goal is to get you hooked up with a friend who knows about loyalty, unconditional love and sloppy kisses. Plus, we've rounded up activities you and your new (or old) four-legged pal might want to sniff out together this October.

PICK UP LINES -- Take in a homeless pooch from one of four S.I. pet adoption agencies: Animal Care and Control (nycacc.org, 212-788-4000); P.L.U.T.O. (Pet Lovers United Together As One, plutorescue.petfinder.org, 718-227-0553); POOP (Protection of Orphaned Pooches, pooprescue.petfinder.org) or Staten Island Council for Animal Welfare (sicaw.petfinder.org, 718-982-7080). All of the dogs are spayed or neutered and vaccinated before adoption. The Council is looking for good homes for 17 pooches.

Photo courtesy of Mike ShaneThe scene at SIcoLab's inaugural event, the "Homeless Art Gallery" in Silver Lake Park.

SIcoLab to present all-inclusive art mixer this today

Staten Island Collaboration is gearing up for Bridge the Gap, a mixed-media mixer where artists of all ages, disciplines and backgrounds are encouraged to network. The free arts "happening or be-in" is slated to start 11 a.m. and run through nightfall Sept. 20 on the six acres surrounding the Alice Austen House Museum, 2 Hylan Blvd., Rosebank.

As an ode to International Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept. 19), the Staten Island Zoo is planning a pirate-themed day of activities for Sept. 21. Dress like pirate and score a free prize (supplies limited).

Closet empty? Raid the pirate galley and make your own newspaper pirate hat, eye-patch and jewelry.

At noon, tour the aquarium featuring 50 specimens of aquatic life. At 12:30 p.m. duck into a sustainable seafood cooking demonstration and learn how to choose fish that are not endangered. And at 1 p.m. a zookeeper talks up alligators.

The Wahoo Skiffle Crazies, Staten Island's premier and only jug band, perform at 2 p.m.

All activities are included with Zoo admission: $7 for adults (15 and older), $5 for seniors (60 and over), and $4 for children (ages 3-14). Find the zoo at 614 Broadway, West Brighton. 718-442-3100, statenislandzoo.org

Convention takes the back seat when the Creative Car Show rolls into Midland Beach, Sept. 21, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Custom rides and hot rods will share the spotlight with hip-hop culture.

The show, hosted by the Stapleton-based NYC Arts Cypher and Wheel Concepts of Midland Beach, is a fund-raiser for the Grace Foundation.

New York breakdancers Merlin, Concrete Monkey and BBoy Slin, and the Cypher Cyndikit will battle New Jersey's MC Slick and other b-boys from the Garden State. Kids will graffiti on canvases to be auctioned. Cover: $15.

718-981-8510, info@nycartscypher.com, myspace.com/nycartscypher

AWE file photos

Get on the ball Sept. 20-21 when the city Parks Department rolls out the 14th annual Citywide Bocce Tournament.

Competitors keep the Old World tradition alive at preliminaries across the city Sept. 20, before the best two teams from each borough wash up here for the finals Sept. 21.

The Staten Island Bocce Club will field 21 teams in the first round, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. taking place on their usual stomping grounds -- the clay and sand courts at South Beach near the northern end of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Boardwalk at Capodanno Boulevard and Doty Avenue. S.I. hosts the finals in the same spot, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.