Real Estate Blog

WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (5/10 – 5/14/17)

Were you able to dispose of your harmful household products last weekend at the DSNY Disposal Event? Did you Help Build Up the Callaloo Patch Community Garden on York Ave. and build some bird feeders and bird houses? Or did you attend the First Restaurant Crawl and Street Festival on Forest Ave.  I bet the food was yummy. 

I want to wish all you Mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers, adoptive Mothers who have stepped in for birth mothers, step-Mothers, godmothers, aunts, sisters, women who were mentors to children, friends, neighbors who have kept an eye out for the safety and betterment of children a fantastic MOTHER’S DAY on Sunday, May 14.  I know from experience, it is not an easy “profession”.  Just because your child has grown up, you still…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (5/3 – 5/7/17)

Did you become one with nature this week?  Did you receive a FREE Rain Barrel at Snug Harbor or go on the Bird and Nature Walk on Wednesday, join the St. Francis Catholic Singles on a Hike through the Greenbelt, take a kayak tour of Fresh Kills, start seedlings on your window sill, or visit Jay Weichun’s site: http://www.growingfoodonstatenisland.com/ to see how gardeners on Staten Island enjoy their hobby?  Or did you attend the Integrated Pest Management workshop on Thursday? 

I attended the workshop at the Joe Holzka Community Garden on Castleton Ave. and Barker St. which was hosted by the Parks Dept. and attended by people from community and personal gardens.  It was very informative describing all kinds of pests such as aphids, whiteflies, slugs…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (4/26 – 5/1/17)

Did you attend the Stapleton Library session last Wednesday, “Growing Healthy Eaters”?  This is a 6-session series to educate young children and their caregivers about the importance of eating well through a series of interactive, entertaining and delicious sessions.  Visit the Library at 132 Canal St. or call 718-727-0427 to attend on Wednesday at 4 and for more info. 

Staten Island is a great place to grow vegetables, and the presentation by Jay Weichun "Growing Food on Staten Island" yesterday at the College of Staten Island was proof.  He spent five years documenting and interviewing home gardeners from different backgrounds and nationalities throughout the Island. Convinced that home vegetable gardens are a means of understanding Staten Island and…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (4/19 – 4/23/17)

Who among you, my gentle readers, were able to meet with Mayor Bill de Blasio this past week?  Did you express your concerns to him and his staff of commissioners about issues you may have?  Were you satisfied with the Mayor’s response?

Recently, I encountered a Department of Sanitation street sweeper coming down a nearby street and was in awe along with other residents on the street.  I have only seen street sweepers in Brooklyn, never on the Island. This particularly street is filled with potholes, broken pavement and an actual crater; I would prefer to see these streets repaired first!  Did you know that you can report any problem you may have to New York City’s "311" Complaint Line?  I have kvetched about that particular crater many times and also…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (4/12 – 4/16/17)

If you know one thing about me, my gentle readers, it is that I frequent thrift stores—Nothing New Thrift, Bay Street Thrift, the Salvation Army, Marie’s Two Timer to name a few.  I’ve been known to find antique jewelry or clothes with price tags affixed and never worn or designer pocketbooks barely used.  I don’t particularly relish shopping at the Mall or stores where a dirt-cheap bargain isn’t an everyday occurrence. My daughter-in-law introduced me to Rent-the-Runway clearance sales and high end design house sales where I have snatched designer clothes, accessories, jewelry that were so cheap that I’m almost embarrassed to admit it—almost!  The thrill is in swapping clothes, shoes, knick-knacks with friends, garage sales, estate sales and recycling.…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (4/5 – 4/9/17)

Did you know that two ring-tailed lemurs, an endangered species native to the island of Madagascar in Africa, were born to different mothers this week at the Staten Island Zoo?  Every day, there is something new and wonderful to discover at the Zoo.  Plan your trip soon and experience this wild animal exhibit close up and participate in many different, exciting events throughout the year.  Admission is as follows: Children 2 and under – FREE, Children 3-14 - $6, Seniors (60 and over) - $7, Adults 15-59 - $10.  After 2:00 on Wednesday, admission if FREE for all.  Check out their website www.statenislandzoo.org or call 718-442-3100 for info. The Zoo is located at 614 Broadway, directly across from the YMCA.

Need a dress for the prom?  The Nothing New…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/29 – 4/2/17)

ART was in the air this weekend!  Friday night was the S.W.A.N. (Support Women Artists Now) Day Celebration at Everything Goes Bookstore/Café honoring women artists and hosted by Elaine Mendez, founder of Labyrinth Arts Collective. We were entertained with spoken word, monologues, music and an art exhibit all by talented women artists.  To learn more about Labyrinth, visit  labyrintheartscollective.org

The opening reception of the Third Annual “Island of Art” juried exhibition, with Professor Linda Butti, Professor Connie Frisch-Cherniak and Dr. Mark Meng as curators, took place at St. John’s University.  The delightful afternoon featuring all Staten Island artists brought art lovers together. The exhibit continues through 5/27.

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/22 – 3/26/17)

Was it only a week ago that I was shoveling snow, chopping ice and wishing I was in a warmer climate?  As I write, the temperature outside is a surprisingly high 60!  Tomorrow, it will go back down to 30. The hyacinth, crocus and daffodil plants are abloom.

Spring has sprung which means it is time for growth of flowers, plants, children, a new outlook on life, perhaps a new job or a new relationship.  We all tend to make New Year resolutions or resolve to do better with our personal and/or work life, get back on the diet or exercise routine. With spring comes preparing for outdoor activity and staying out later as it remains lighter longer, working in the garden, playing in the park with the kiddies.  Are you in a rut?  You aren’t the…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/15 – 3/19/17)

So much for my daffodils, crocus and tulip plants--The Winter Storm Stella of March 2017 gave us a run for the money with the hype but dumped only 4” of snow including sleet on Staten Island. 

I’m ready for an early spring.  What about you?  Have any of my gentle readers warmed their hearts by taking bagpipe and/or drum lessons with the Richmond County Pipes and Drums http://www.richmondcountypipesanddrums.com at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church or attended the Tavern Concerts at Historic Richmond Town.  I know the weather has been hard to predict, but it’s never too hot or cold to listen to music or participate in making music.  Staten Island has plenty of art galleries to visit and a number of theater groups produce shows throughout the year. Have you…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/8 – 3/12/17)

Does anyone else think that Mother Nature is a bit confused?  The crocus plants started to bloom in the front yard as the tulip greens popped through in the midst of the fallen leaves.  In the morning, birds awaken me tweeting so beautifully.  On a recent day, I heard the familiar sound of a blue jay.  I jumped up to see the jay atop the empty bird feeder and a squirrel on a branch above also vying for some munchies.  The geese were feeding in the grounds at Allison Pond Park in Randall Manor.  And the kiddies next door were shooting hoops in their back yard.  A sure sign of Spring!

Were you one of the donors at the Blood Drive in honor of Firefighter John G. Chipura at Our Lady Help of Christians last weekend?  Did you know you can donate blood and/or…

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