Thanks to all our friends/customers/clients for stopping by at the Gillani Homes booth at “Back to the Beach” on Saturday and Sunday!  The bands played at both ends, there were many booths and many new attractions.  I had a blast making new friends.  One of my gentle readers and a friend, Susan, crossed off the Family Camping Staten Island from her bucket list.  She had a great time but was uncomfortable sleeping on rocks!  How did those cowboys do it on the range?  How do you “campers” keep comfortable in your sleeping bags?  Any hints would be appreciated. You still have time to get in on the adventure.  Visit: www.nyc.gov/parks/rangers/register.

I want to congratulate the Liedy family and Liedy’s Shore Inn, 748 Richmond Terrace, New Brighton, on its…

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In an article published by the Staten Island Advance recently, they claim that we are currently in the midst of a "retail revolution" here on Staten Island. Those who once went to New Jersey to shop are now hesitant to do so, due to traffic and rising toll prices. People are becoming more willing to spend their money in their hometown. 

This is becoming increasingly true with the prospect of new developments on the island. The most prevalent of those being the BFC Partners' Empire Outlets, Blumenfield Development Group's Bricktown Centre, General Growth Properties' Staten Island Mall expansion, Kimco Realty's The Boulevard, and Melohn Properies' Riverside Galleria. The advance stated in their article that the combination of these outlets will bring…

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Were you able to see any of the fireworks displays in your neighborhood, at the Conference House, The Staten Island Yankees Game, Macy’s on 4th of July or listened to OutLoud reading of the Declaration of Independence?   Did you proudly fly The American flag?

There is still time to get in on Family Camping.  One of my gentle readers called me about the event, and I steered her in the right direction.  The NYC Parks is sponsoring Family Camping Staten Island.  Camp dates and parks are 7/10 at High Rock, 7/18 at Blue Heron, 8/1 at Blue Heron, 8/8 at High Rock and 8/14 at Conference House.  The Urban Park Rangers will bring almost everything you need for a night spent alfresco, including the tent, dinner and even s'mores! The staff provides most of the…

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 HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! 


Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain. On Staten Island, we celebrate by attending the 4th of July Parade in Travis,  barbecues, picnics, baseball games, family reunions, celebrating the history and traditions of the United States.  Patriotic songs such as "The Star Spangled Banner", "God Bless America",  "America the Beautiful", "My Country, Tis of Thee", "This Land is Your Land", "Stars and Stripes Forever" are played and sung at events on this day and bring tears to my eyes.  I Love America, the best country in the world! 

The 105th 4th…

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Check out my new listing in New Brighton - 54 Pendleton Place!

This well kept two-family home on the North Shore of Staten Island is situated on a large 61' x 100' piece of property as many of our North Shore properties are.  The first floor apartment boasts hardwood floors, a formal living room, a formal dining room, a room eat-in kitchen with pantry, two bedrooms and means of egress to yard and garage. 

The second floor apartment is practically a carbon copy of the first floor and includes a small room that can be for a baby or a den/office with private door to second floor balcony overlooking the quiet tree-lined Pendleton Place.  A detached two-car garage is situated in the rear of the property behind home.

From both apartments there is a…

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Did you try those ribs at the Sandy Ground Festival last Saturday?  Aren't they to die for?  Even though there were parking glitches at the Richmond County Ballpark on opening day last Friday, how about those Staten Island Yankees?  The menu has improved and lots of fun was had that night against the Brooklyn Cyclones.  Check out Boardwalk Days at South Beach every Sunday from 4-8.  Enjoying the cool breezes off the ocean, you will have a splendid time.

Let me begin my blog today with “Has anyone seen Max”?  The heartsick family is offering a “large reward” for their silver and white Persian cat, Max, who bolted out of his carrier in the parking lot of Home Depot in Charleston Shopping Center last Sunday at approximately 10:15 a.m.  Please call…

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Did you meet your friends at the third annual FREE Atlantic Salt Maritime Festival on Sunday?  TheUS Coast Guard training ship Eagle was a beauty to tour.  It was a pleasure chatting with members of the crew who hail from all over the country. What a noble and terrific way to see the world!  There were plenty of activities for the kids—bouncy house, slides, arts and crafts, paper boat races, free watermelon, ices, hot dogs, cold water, music, dancing, entertainment.  Did you attend the concert “Saluting the Flag in Song and Dance” at St. John’s celebrating the 240th birthday of the U.S. Army ?  And did you fly your American Flag on Sunday, 6/14—Flag Day?  I saw many flags flying and was inspired.  Maybe patriotism and love of our country is returning. …

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Today is Flag Day:

Since early childhood, I recall an American Flag being flown each morning from my home and brought in each evening.  I continue to fly my country's flag each morning and bring it in each evening.

After the tragedy of 9/11, the trend was to show patriotism and love of America by flying flags from cars, homes and businesses, on highways from car dealerships to government buildings.  It was an inspiring sight. 

Recently, I began to wonder, "What happened to that show of patriotism and love of America?  How many Staten Islander's fly an American flag?"  I decided to take a ride through my neighborhood and was pleasantly surprised.  On one street, there were four houses in a row displaying American flags.  On apartment…

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Did you attend the Tribute to support and honor our NYPD officers as well as fallen officers? Or attend the Family Fun Day sponsored by the South Shore BID at the various Richmond County Savings Banks sites?  Did you dance till you dropped last weekend—ballroom, Latin, Country line dancing?  Or take a hike through Fresh Kills?  If you have photos of you or your family or friends at any of these events and would like to share, I will be happy to post them.

SSG Michael Ollis is a native Staten Islander who gave his life for his country at the age of 24.  He served one tour of duty in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan. He left for his third deployment in 1/2013 and was due home in October. On 8/28, the base in Afghanistan where Ollis was stationed was…

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This is the fourth blog in our series called "Neighborhood Sales Update." In this edition, we'll be giving you all the stats of the homes sold in May of this year in Silver Lake and Snug Harbor!

Silver Lake

This May there were 4 homes sold in Silver Lake, which is an astonishing 300% increase from last May's sales in this neighborhood!

The highest selling price was $821,500, while the lowest was $180,000. The average sale price of homes in this neighborhood this month was approximately $386,625.

Here are the addresses and selling prices:

1. 215 Hart Boulevard #4K - $180,000

2. 215 Hart Boulevard #4L - $245,000

3. 11 Rose Court - $821,500

4. 383 Victory Boulevard - $300,000

Snug Harbor

Last May there were 2…

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