Real Estate Blog - Joan Coogan

WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (5/7-5/10/15)

Did you enjoy “In the Heights” at Port Richmond High School?  Have you planted a fruit tree in your yard yet?  How did you celebrate “Cinco de Mayo”?  What exciting events did you attend this past week?  I am excited about the warm weather teasing me every few days and the cool nights at bedtime.  My azaleas bloomed overnight.  You can hear me singing, “These are a few of my favorite things…” in the garden as I pull weeds.  Life is grand!

Do you cringe or begin to sweat when you are asked to speak in public?  Working in Corporate Real Estate for many years, I interacted with landlords and tenants and corporate types on an everyday basis.  Sometimes I questioned whether I was an effective speaker.  I took a Dale Carnegie course where each attendee had…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (5/1-5/5/15)

How did you spend Earth Day?  Plant any trees?  Pick up trash in your neighborhood?  Participate in forest restoration at High Rock?  Did you attend the grand opening party at Gotham Motorcycles?  (Did you think about purchasing a Harley, an Indian?)  I put the top down on the convertible and welcomed spring—nothing like fresh air!

If you never saw the play “In the Heights” on Broadway, now is your chance to catch a performance of Port Richmond High School’s production of this high energy, sweet and sentimental show on Friday, 5/1 and Saturday, 5/2 at 7.  I have attended the shows at Port Richmond for many years and have never witnessed a more enthusiastic, hard-working group of students singing, dancing, acting their hearts out to entertain the…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (4/25-4/26/15)

Started working on my garden which I’m happy to say is blooming nicely. 

Have you signed up for one of the Community Gardens in your neighborhood?  Did you attend the 2015 Daffodil Festival in Faber Park or participate in the Forest Restoration at High Rock?   Did you make any new friends this week or learn a new skill? 

On Saturday, 4/25 at 1:00, come out and join Red Storm Drum & Dance Troupe in celebrating Native American Culture at the new Heritage Park, Blissenbach Marina, Richmond Terrace.  There will be plenty of traditional story telling and audience participation.  A teepee and artifacts from Staten Island will be on site.

Also on Saturday from 11-6, help celebrate Earth Day at St. George Day in Tompkinsville Park at the intersection…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (4/16-4/19/15)

I continue to bellyache about potholes everywhere I drive (why aren’t they repaired/filled in?), trash dumped out of cars in front of my house and by pedestrians wherever they see fit, on the highways, local streets, vacant lots and graffiti.  Does this bother anyone else or are we becoming immune to the state of our Island?  Our elected officials, BP Oddo, Council members Ignizio, Matteo and Rose, have announced the start of a social media campaign where Islanders can share these issues in a number of ways.

• E-mail or phone.

• In the comments of the “Staten Island Spring Cleaning” post on the official’s Facebook page.

• Tweeting with the hashtag #SISpringCleaning.

Include the address and or cross street, photos or any other…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (4/9-4/12/15)

Last Saturday, my grandson and I planted a number of flowers in my garden.  He made a new friend (Mr. Worm) and got his hands dirty!  He’s definitely into nature, and for that, I am grateful.  The day after Easter Sunday, tulips, daffodils and crocuses emerged brightening up the garden and the front of my house.  Have you begun getting your hands dirty?  I hope your week was blessed, restful and, if you were able to hang out with your children on Spring break, enjoyable. 

Before I go into the weekend events, I want to remind you that there are only a few more days till April 15!  If you haven’t done so yet, the New York Public Library in Staten Island is offering FREE tax preparation at the following branches:  Richmondtown--Tuesday from 11-3, St.…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (4/2-4/10/15)

Are you in the mood yet to get your hands into the soil and start preparing your garden?  I turned my compost and saw plenty of worms fertilizing the dirt.  If they are ready, I am, too!

Celebrate Spring by picking up your FREE fruit tree as part of the MillionTreesNYC.  Pre-register at www.nyrp.org/treegiveaways.  Upcoming dates and venues are as follows:

4/4, 10:30-12:30, at Rab’s Country Lanes, 1600 Hylan Blvd.
4/25, 11-1, at TD Bank, 1600 Forest Ave.
5/2, 9-11, at Greenbelt Conservancy, 2 Eaton Pl., Carousel For All Children, Willowbrook Park.
5/2, 1-3, at Snug Harbor Cultural Center, 1000 Richmond Terr.  

Friday, 4/3 from 2-4, the NYPD 120th Precinct Community Council is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt and Hop at Tappen Park, Bay St., Water St.,…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/26-3/29/15)

Spring has sprung!  I actually see green in my yard, buds on the trees and the crocus has begun to show itself.  Have you started Spring cleaning?  Nope, I haven’t either!  On Saturday, 3/28 from noon – 3:00, you will have a chance to Stop ‘N’ Swap at Christ Church in New Brighton at 76 Franklin Ave.  It is sponsored by GrowNYC.org/Swap, an outreach and education program of the Department of Sanitation.  So bring your clean, reusable, portable items such as clothing, house wares, electronics, books and toys that you no longer need.  And take home something new to you, FREE.  P.S. You don’t have to bring something to take something!  How is that for a deal?  I have a few bags already packed to swap.  For further information, call 212-788-0226 or email…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/20-3/22/15)

I accompanied my grandson to a special St. Patrick’s Day event at the Tottenville Branch of the New York Public Library on Tuesday.  Miss Amy, one of my grandson’s favorite librarians, read a number of books that featured “green” themes.  After reading, the children sang songs and then watched as Miss Amy turned a stuffed caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly.  Each child was given a chance to open the Velcro caterpillar and observe the transformation.  They were enchanted!  Afterwards, there were arts and crafts to color, decorate with glitter, cut out and bring home.  I always have a grand time watching the children and seeing their faces light up when they participate in reading and programs. 
Did you know there are activities and programs at the New…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/13-3/15)

As the snow has melted this week, it brings to mind that spring and summer will soon arrive.  Have your teens started thinking about time off from school and hanging out with their friends OR perhaps obtaining a summer job?  Staten Island teens and young adults, ages 14-24, can now apply for summer jobs through the 2015 Summer Youth Employment Program. This program will provide young people with PAID summer employment for up to six weeks during July and August in a variety of entry level jobs.  Applicants must be able to provide working papers if under 18 as well as ID and documents.  Programs for disabled, foster care, runaway/homeless and court-involved youth are also available.  Contact DYCD Youth Connect at 1-800-246-4646 or e-mail…

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REAL ESTATE TAX INCREASE--NEVER A DECREASE!

Recently, one of my fellow New Brightonites approached me regarding the notice from New York City Department of Finance regarding her new tax assessment.  She said that one of her neighbors received a statement that her house was worth so much more than last year.  My friend stated that her assessment went down and she was concerned and annoyed because her house was so much BETTER.  I asked her if she was planning on selling any time too soon.  Her response was, "No".  I told her not to worry.  Even though her assessment went down, her taxes willl MOST CERTAINLY INCREASE!  My personal home assessment went down $9,000.  I know for sure that my taxes will go up.  

As a real estate broker, I acknowledge that whatever is stated on your assessment does…

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