Gillani Homes has been very busy this past summer, attending various events throughout the Island to immerse ourselves into your communities.  Each year, we raffle off our famous “Lotto House” which features a slew of different scratch off tickets.  The prize sends you our best wishes and our hopes that it will bring you riches! At each event we collect hundreds of free raffle tickets which ultimately added up to over 1,000 entries! Early this month at our annual office meeting, we chose this year’s winner. Congratulations to our winners, Dee & Tony Orabona of Grymes Hill.

 

If you would like to enter for a chance to win this unique prize, look out for Gillani Homes at events around your town. Here’s a look at where we have been over the course of…

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If you were thrilled to learn that Staten Island is “The Borough of Parks,” you're in for a special treat in the years to come. Freshkills Park has slowly been coming to fruition in small stages throughout the past few years. The park, which sits upon a former landfill, will become the largest park in New York City upon its completion. The project is a huge undertaking and many of its promised features are still in the preliminary planning stages. The city offered residents a sneak peak this past weekend which had made it clear just how grand this park will prove to be. Divided up into five sections, the massive piece of land will feature sprawling meadows, intricate pathways, and various outdoor recreation zones. Since the park is so large, it would…

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 Have you ever wondered what the large castle-like structure is that can be seen on your journey across the Verrazano Bridge? Most Staten Islanders already know this, but we’ll l clue you in on the hidden gem that is Fort Wadsworth. The fort is one of the oldest military sites in the nation and has stood since the Washington administration. While the fort hasn’t been active since 1995, it currently serves as part of the Gateway National Park Recreation Area.  Special events and activities can be enjoyed at the park no matter what time of year it is. Here are some of the great features Fort Wadsworth has to offer.

The Goats of Fort Wadsworth. Yep, you read that correctly. There are goats at Fort Wadsworth.  Since 2007 the goats have served as a…

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Dear Valued Customers,

The New York State STAR benefit program provides homeowners with a partial exemption from school property taxes. In order to combat fraud the state has required participants currently receiving basic exemption to re-register for the program. Registration began on August 19th and continues to December 31st of 2013. Seniors who already receive enhanced STAR are exempt from the new requirements. First-time applicants are also not affected by this year’s registration guideline. To register visit the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance’s website here. To register by phone call 518-457-2036.

For more information on the STAR program, please visit the links provided below.

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SIBOR is hosting its annual halloween Party on Wednesday, October 30th and members of the public are invited! We're so excited to give you the details. Dil is a chairperson on the party committee and has been working hard to make it SIBOR's best event yet!

The event will be held at LiGreci's Staaten from 7pm to 11pm. Tickets are $60 per person and include a hot buffet, open bar, and dancing. A mystery prize will be awarded to one guest and prizes will be handed out for best costume. 

Limited tickets are available. Part of the proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. 

For tickets contact Annmarie- 718-928-3223

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Those intrigued by the history and mystery of historic homes are in for a “trick-or-treat” this October. The Mud Lane Society for the Renaissance of Stapleton is hosting a Halloween House tour in the beautiful hundred year old homes on and around St. Paul’s Avenue. The tour takes place on Sunday, October 20th from two to five in the afternoon. This self-guided tour includes eight homes and one church. Ticket prices range from $20 per person; children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the sponsoring civic society to support its efforts in developing the Stapleton community. Guests must register at St. Paul’s Memorial Episcopal Church which features stunning High-Victorian Gothic era design.

 In…

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Staten Island is home to over ten thousand acres of green park space. That’s about a third of the entire borough, and the reason it is known as “The Borough of Parks.” No matter what neighborhood you live in, there is bound to be a park just a short distance away. Throughout the course of the year, the parks on Staten Island host a plethora of events for families to enjoy. This fall, Staten Islanders have the opportunity to celebrate the season like no other borough in New York City!

The Greenbelt Recreation Center located in Bloodroot Valley is the perfect park to visit for autumn fun. The park is within close proximity to both Lighthouse Hill and Willowbrook. Don’t let the name scare you, bloodroot is a plant that grows in abundance in the area.…

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October 28th marks the one year anniversary of Super Storm Sandy.  Anniversary however, seems an ill-fitting word. The storm took countless lives, destroyed hundreds of homes, and left Staten Islander’s in a state of bewilderment.  Those painful truths cannot be forgotten, but in the midst of all chaos there is one thing worth celebrating- the resilience of Staten Islanders and how we’ve bounced back. We refused to give up in spite of the daunting challenges we faced.  It is precisely that determination and sense of community that has helped to restore our shores to their former glory. While there is still much work to be done, we can’t let that diminish how much progress we’ve made this past year. Here’s a look at what we can look forward to, and where…

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On October 13th, the New York Road Runners will host the Staten Island Half-Marathon. In addition to the race, the Road Runners will also host a day of festivities, at Richmond County Ball Park, for Staten Island families. These events, which will surround the marathon, are a celebration of Staten Island’s resilience after Hurricane Sandy. According to the NYRR website, the organization will donate the net proceeds of the event to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and ECHO (Emergency Children’s Help Organization), two organizations that are helping the hardest-hit areas of the community.

Children’s activities including age appropriate races and games will take place. In addition to fun-filled activities food vendors from local restaurants and musical…

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            Staten Island has been coined “The Forgotten Borough” by many, including its own residents.  However, in the past few months it seems the retail world was reminded just how worthy the Island is. Developers are making investments here to bring shopping and attractions to our shores. With so many up and coming additions to a variety of neighborhoods, it’s most assuredly a borough to be remembered! Here are some of the new attractions that make Staten Island worthy of your investment.

            Grocery shopping can be one of the most daunting tasks of the month especially for those who live in underserved areas of the Island. As these neighborhoods expand, so does the need for conveniently located markets.  Shopping has become easier for…

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