As I watch the last snow fall of the season from my home office (yes, this is the last, hopefully), I dream sweet, pleasant dreams of warmer days, my garden and how much fun I’ll have digging in the soil, planting vegetables, new plants and flowers.  Positive thinking always chases the doldrums away!

This Saturday, 3/7, a blood drive will be held from 9-3 at the gymnasium of Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, 23 Summit St. in memory of Firefighter John G. Chipura, who died a hero on September 11, 2001.  I met “Chippy” on a real estate showing a few days before 9/11.  His buddy was interested in buying a commercial building and accompanied him for a second opinion.  He told me he had been a police officer at the 72nd Pct. in Brooklyn; after a few…

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This Saturday, 2/28, girls (I prefer to call them young ladies) ages 16 to 18 years old can participate in a free day-long conference on “Girls Empowerment”.  Beginning with a light breakfast and check-in at 8:30 a.m., a who’s who of female power hitters will be speaking and leading these young ladies to explore their talents, strengths and learn from these inspirational leaders of our community.  The program will conclude with a fitness session on yoga and zumba. The conference takes please at CSI High School, 100 Essex Drive.  To pre-register call 718-370-6900, ext. 2401, or e-mail Annette Lentini at alentini@schools.nyc.govhttp://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/02/girls_empowerment_to_be_focus.html

The Parkside Boot Camp takes place at Silver…

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How many of you attended the Pink Carpet Affair Girls Nite Out at the NYC Cypher Arts Building on Saturday?  Did you plan your Italian vegetable garden at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden on Sunday?  Did you celebrate Fat Tuesday at a local pub or eat pancakes at one of the Staten Island churches on Shrove Tuesday? 

I am happy to announce that Spring is on its way, and I look forward to saying “adios” to Winter.  I started my seedling garden in my windowsill with herbs to get a head start this year.  It’s good to get our minds off of boots, heavy coats, long johns and instead think tulips, crocuses (or croci) and warm weather.  How’s that for positive thinking?

Do you know a child between the ages of 5-12 who needs help with his/her…

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Another snowy week embraces Staten Island and the Northeast (How many weeks has it been?), and we look for ways to enjoy life and stop kvetching about the weather!  I stopped in to visit my friends at Wicked Stitches at 840 Castleton Ave. in West Brighton during a brutally cold day. 

These two charming ladies, Nancy Nix and Carolyn Buckheit, welcome their customers as friends.  Are you looking for a unique anniversary gift? Wicked Stitches should be your first stop.  How about a wedding gift, birthday, bridal party, house warming gift?  You will find it at Wicked Stitches.  They custom embroider every gift.  You will see sweatshirts with neighborhood names embroidered on them.  Who isn’t proud of their neighborhood?  Westerleigh, New Brighton,…

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In my last blog I commented that, like me, many of my readers are watching their budget with some even living pay check to pay check.  To that end, I try to showcase events each week that are free or low cost.  I wrote about a City Harvest presentation at the new Key Food in Port Richmond on Saturday.  Between real estate showings, I took a self-guided grocery store tour.  Stations where set up where you could sample healthy foods; recipes were also available.  The employees were very knowledgeable and showed us how to shop economically and healthily.  After speaking to the City Harvest folks, I discovered I am remiss in reading labels. Where I thought I was buying whole wheat “lite” bread as noted on the front, the back showed that it contained enriched…

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Have you been coping with the cold, wind, snow and icy rain that hit the Northeast and especially Staten Island in the last couple of weeks.  Staten Island Chuck predicts 6 more weeks till Spring.  I think I’ll rely on our favorite prognosticator for a brighter, warmer future.  So tell me what you have been doing to entertain your children and/or yourselves?  Did you participate in “Drawing from Memory”?  Did you take your honey dancing at the Old Bermuda Inn or enjoy Super Bowl Sunday?  http://www.gillanihomes.com/blog/weekend-events-on-staten-island-130-21.html.  Did you encounter any angels as I did to help with snow shoveling?  http://www.gillanihomes.com/blog/winter-snow-ice-and-sleet-sno-fun-part-ii.html 

As a youth, my large extended family…

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Last week, I was kvetching about shoveling snow and how I was looking for angels to help me clear my sidewalks and driveway.  You will recall how three entrepreneurial New Brighton teenagers were mentioned in a Staten Island Advance article.  Instead of hanging out watching TV or playing video games and being unproductive, these three teens hit the streets and started shoveling.  http://www.gillanihomes.com/blog/winter-and-snowsno-fun.html 

Well, today was another nasty Monday morning that greeted the Northeast with snow and sleet.  I quickly shoveled the sidewalk when I realized that maybe it was not a good idea as the icy rain continued.  Would it become more hazardous to walk on if I shoveled and it continued to rain?  Since my Sweathogs training…

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These past couple of weeks, we enjoyed, or rather coped with, a number of snow falls.  I don’t mind shoveling 90’ of snow in front of my house and off my sidewalk.  When it’s 90’ of rainy snow, it can be a challenge.  When it’s heavy snow, it can cause back strain.  When I hibernate until it is too late and the snow or rain turns to ice, then I kick myself all the way to fetch the ice chopper and begin to steam—literally! 

One of my issues is the two-car garage and driveway that also has to be shoveled if I am forced to emerge from my warm house to take a listing or two or show properties to my customers.  Then I will either get the snow blower out or shovel.  ‘Sno fun! 

This week, I am very pleased to give a shout-out to three teenagers in my…

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While I had an absolutely perfect time hanging out with my grandson for four days last week, playing games, putting together puzzles, working on arts and crafts projects, laughing and teasing each other, I welcomed the arrival Saturday morning of my second grandchild--a perfect little girl.  Even the snow fall throughout this week couldn’t put a damper on my spirit!

What did you do last weekend?  Did you check in at your nearest New York Public Library?  Did you go on a nature hike with your children or friends?  Or did you attend the weekly Wine Tasting at Jean’s Fine Wines?  I received a couple of comments about Edith Susskind, her store and her presence on Forest Ave.  Patrick noted:  “Edith Susskind was an Island institution--Forest Ave. has never…

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Other than patiently waiting for the birth of my second grandchild any minute now, there are some happenings that are almost as terrific this weekend.

Have you applied for a New York City ID card yet?  For more information, check out IDNYC site http://www.memberdeals.com/nycgov/contact.php  Don’t miss out on this FREE opportunity!  Did you see the Dinosaur exhibit at the Zoo?  This Saturday’s Tavern Concert at Richmond Town features the band “Squirrel Stew”.  For times and reservations, visit HistoricRichmondTown.org   

Check out the New York Public Library site: http://www.nypl.org for so many happenings throughout Staten Island and the City each and every day.  There are events for children of all ages, teens and adults.  My grandson is becoming…

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