How many of you are now Jazz fans after attending the Staten Island Jazz Festival last Saturday?  Have you or your offspring signed up for one of the many classes being offered at the Universal Temple of the Arts?  Visit: UTASI.org for information on classes.  Did you help plant trees at the Greenbelt last week?  

I suppose all thoughts are on Halloween--decorating the house or your yard and making or buying costumes for the kiddies.  My grandson helped me decorate with ceramics ghosts and pumpkins made by my Mom over the years.  He chooses the different paper decorations made or inherited to tape to all the windows and front door.  We both have fun, and he adds his creative touches.  How many of you decorate with your children and then change it to…

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Here Come The Millennials!! | Keeping Current Matters   Many have been wondering when the much anticipates move by Millennials' into homeownership would actually take place. We know the belief in owning a home is there.    According to a recent Merrill Lynch study, eighty one percent of Millennials believe "homeownership is an important part of the American Dream." This compares favorably to previous generations.      The obstacle seemed to be employment, but it appears that is about to change.   The most recent jobs report disappointed many economists. However, the silver lining in that could of doubt was Millennials. Jonathan Smoke, realtor.com Chief Economist, reported:
“About 33% of civilian jobs created over the last 12 months have been for the young adults who are…

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Flesh Junkies is a zombie punk-cabaret band that will blow your mind this Halloween!

This band performes every and all October long and never ceases to amaze audiences. Dressed as real zombies, the flesh junkies are nothing short of talented and entertaining!

Their shows throughout Staten Island and Manhattan will follow the following schedule posted by silive.com: 

October 23: Mother Pug's Saloon, 9 p.m.

October 28: Sidewalk Cafe, 9 p.m.

October 30: St. George Theatre, 9 p.m.

October 31: Nurnberger Bierhalle, 9 p.m.

November 13: Adobe Blues, 11 p.m.

Don't miss out on a chance to see this one of a kind band!

[photocred: silive.com]

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Applying For A Mortgage: Why So Much Paperwork? | Keeping Current Matters

People often ask why there is so much paperwork mandated by the bank for a mortgage loan application when buying a home today. It seems the bank needs to know absolutely everything about us and requires three seperate sources to validate each entry on the application form. 

Many buyers are being told by their friends and family that the process was a hundred times easier when they bought their home ten to twenty years ago.

There are two very good reasons that the loan process is much more difficult on today's buyer than it was years ago.

  1. The government has set new guidelines that now demand that the bank prove beyond any doubt that you are indeed capable of affording the mortgage. During the run-up in the housing market many people…

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Don't miss out on the biggest haunted hayride in New York City this Halloween!


This amazingly scary hayride runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October from 6 to 11 p.m. The pumpkin patch is free to visit on it's own, however the hayride costs $10 for adults and $5 for kids. This fee also includes pony rides and a pumpkin of your choice! 

The pumpkin patch is located at 335 Chelsea Road and is open to the general public!

[photocred: google image search]

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Today in our market updates series, we will be looking at another info-graphic from our friends at KCM and talking about where home prices could go in the next year. 

Where Will Home Prices Be Next Year? [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters

Some Interesting Facts:

  • 25 states are forecasted to achieve higher levels of appreciation in the next 12 months than already achieved in the last year. 
  • 25 states and the District of Colombia are forecasted to experience a slow in appreciation. 
  • All 50 states and D.C. are forecasted to achieve some level of positive price appreciation. 

Even though all the states are appreciating at different levels, it's important to know the cost of waiting until next year to sell or buy your home!

Thanks to our friends at KCM (KeepingCurrentMatters.com) for the amazing market…

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This year, the fourth annual Halloween Haunt will be taking place at 7 p.m. on October 24th at Jacque Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art at 338 Lighthouse Avenue. 

This event is a fundraiser that supports the museums exhibits, collections, and galleries. The party features a costume contest, hors d'oeuvres, dancing, and an open bar. The museum grounds are decorates in amazing Halloween and fall decorations specially for the party! The museum will also be open during the party, so guests are free to roam and check out the exhibits. 

Tickets are $65 each, and you must be 21 and over to enter. 

You can buy your tickets today at TibetanMuseum.Org.

[photocred: google image search]

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Michael's Meatballs and Martinis was chosen by the animal rescue group Victory 4 The Voiceless Animal Rescue to host their cocktail hour fundraiser tomorrow, Tuesday, October 20th.

The proceeds of the fundraiser will go towards helping the organization pay the thousands of dollars of medical bills they incur annually due to their efforts to rescue animals. Proceeds from the door fee are to further rescue efforts, like abandoned dogs and cats. 

The event at Meatballs and Martinis, (1816 Hylan Boulevard) will run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be $6 martinis and half prices appetizers all for just a $5 donation at the door. There will also be raffles. 

For more information, Michael's Meatballs and Martinis can be reached at 347-695-8160. 

…

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In today's Market Updates series we will be looking at another info-graphic, provided by our friends at KCM (KeepingCurrentMatters.com), that will take the fear out of buying a home!

A lot of the time, first time buyers will think buying a house is scary because they don't actually have all the facts. Many think they need at least a 20% down payment when buying a home, when in reality 44% of millennials put down under 10%. There is also the idea that you need a high credit score of 780 or above, but the average credit score on approved loans is 723. And getting approved isn't difficult either, about 71% of loan applications were approved last month! Plus, it's definitely NOT cheaper to rent. Buying a home is 35% less expensive than renting in the…

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The Annual Richmond Rockets Scholarship Costume Run is being held on Sunday October 25th, 2015 at Silver Lake Park. 

The run starts at 9 a.m. and spans the length of 5 Kilometers. There's also a one-mile race for all children grades 3-8, as well as a "fun run" for all children under 10. 

There will be raffles, refreshments, and prizes for the best costume! 

 For more information, visit www.richmondrockets.com

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