Real Estate Blog - Joan Coogan

WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/29 – 4/2/17)

ART was in the air this weekend!  Friday night was the S.W.A.N. (Support Women Artists Now) Day Celebration at Everything Goes Bookstore/Café honoring women artists and hosted by Elaine Mendez, founder of Labyrinth Arts Collective. We were entertained with spoken word, monologues, music and an art exhibit all by talented women artists.  To learn more about Labyrinth, visit  labyrintheartscollective.org

The opening reception of the Third Annual “Island of Art” juried exhibition, with Professor Linda Butti, Professor Connie Frisch-Cherniak and Dr. Mark Meng as curators, took place at St. John’s University.  The delightful afternoon featuring all Staten Island artists brought art lovers together. The exhibit continues through 5/27.

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/22 – 3/26/17)

Was it only a week ago that I was shoveling snow, chopping ice and wishing I was in a warmer climate?  As I write, the temperature outside is a surprisingly high 60!  Tomorrow, it will go back down to 30. The hyacinth, crocus and daffodil plants are abloom.

Spring has sprung which means it is time for growth of flowers, plants, children, a new outlook on life, perhaps a new job or a new relationship.  We all tend to make New Year resolutions or resolve to do better with our personal and/or work life, get back on the diet or exercise routine. With spring comes preparing for outdoor activity and staying out later as it remains lighter longer, working in the garden, playing in the park with the kiddies.  Are you in a rut?  You aren’t the…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/15 – 3/19/17)

So much for my daffodils, crocus and tulip plants--The Winter Storm Stella of March 2017 gave us a run for the money with the hype but dumped only 4” of snow including sleet on Staten Island. 

I’m ready for an early spring.  What about you?  Have any of my gentle readers warmed their hearts by taking bagpipe and/or drum lessons with the Richmond County Pipes and Drums http://www.richmondcountypipesanddrums.com at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church or attended the Tavern Concerts at Historic Richmond Town.  I know the weather has been hard to predict, but it’s never too hot or cold to listen to music or participate in making music.  Staten Island has plenty of art galleries to visit and a number of theater groups produce shows throughout the year. Have you…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/8 – 3/12/17)

Does anyone else think that Mother Nature is a bit confused?  The crocus plants started to bloom in the front yard as the tulip greens popped through in the midst of the fallen leaves.  In the morning, birds awaken me tweeting so beautifully.  On a recent day, I heard the familiar sound of a blue jay.  I jumped up to see the jay atop the empty bird feeder and a squirrel on a branch above also vying for some munchies.  The geese were feeding in the grounds at Allison Pond Park in Randall Manor.  And the kiddies next door were shooting hoops in their back yard.  A sure sign of Spring!

Were you one of the donors at the Blood Drive in honor of Firefighter John G. Chipura at Our Lady Help of Christians last weekend?  Did you know you can donate blood and/or…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/1 – 3/5/17)

Did you take a moment to pray for the six people who were killed in the bombing and terrorist attack of the World Trade Center on February 26, 1993?  More than 1,000 people were injured in the truck bomb explosion in the basement level parking garage.  This was, at the time, the deadliest act of terrorism on United States soil.  My brother, Mark, was working that day and ran down many flights of stairs to safety.  I will never forget what an impact this had on him and our family and how he was one of the lucky ones.  Little did any of us know that this was a prelude to the terrorist attacks at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, Shanksville, PA and the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 killing over 2,900 people.  Mark was working nearby and again was…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (2/22 – 2/26/17)

In the 1950’s, my Dad would take us children to Sailors Snug Harbor (now called Snug Harbor Cultural Center), where aged, retired seamen "snugs" resided.  I vividly remember cattle, horses and other animals in the fields that abut Henderson Avenue in Randall Manor.

We never went into any of the buildings, which  were the living quarters, a hospital, morgue, chapel, among others. Dad would engage the “snugs” in conversation as we sat with them on benches around the grounds of the Harbor.  I can still hear the snugs’ voices as they entertained us with stories of their lives at sea which sounded so exciting, especially to someone young and impressionable, like me. After I watched old movies like “Moby Dick” “Captains Courageous” and “The Caine Mutiny”, I…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (2/15 – 2/19/17)

How many of you, my gentle readers, attended the workshop on Friday regarding your Notice of Property Value and possible homeowner tax exemptions?  If you were not able to attend, there will be another meeting with the Department of Finance on Wednesday, 2/22 from 6-8 at the Lou Caravone Community Service Bldg., 460 Brielle Ave.  Bring a copy of your Notice of Property Value or download a copy at nyc.gov/finance.  For further details, visit http://www1.nyc.gov/site/finance/taxes/notice-of-property-value.page. Your market values may go up and down but your taxes will always increase.  However, you may receive a tax exemption if you are Disabled, a Senior Citizen or a Veteran.  Check out the website, call 311 for info or email: nyc.gov/dofcorrespondence. 

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (2/8 – 2/12/17)

Did you get to chill out this weekend?  Did you go on the Bird and Nature Walk at Wolfe’s Pond Park or watch Chuck, the Groundhog, look for his shadow or join the Adult Coloring Group at the Great Kills Library?  Did you check out Pastry Lover’s Choice and reserve a spot at their My Kid and Me Valentine’s Day Cookies Workshop or the Adult Cake Decorating with Fondant Workshop on 2/26?  Check out the pictures below from the Cookies Workshop.

Whatever you did, I hope it was peaceful.  Everyone needs some down time from work. 

I did a bit of soulful thinking this week after having a spill and injuring my leg.  I suspended my workout at the gym so walked slowly around different venues with a cane just to get out of the house. Everywhere I…

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COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT – PASTRY LOVER’S CHOICE

I am always seeking events for my weekly blog so I contacted Shantrice King, the media guru for Pastry Lover’s Choice, when I noticed an event she posted on silive.com. 

Pastry Lover’s Choice (everyone needs a little “PLC”) is located at 370 Van Duzer St. in the blocks that also include Hash Tag, Vida, Duzers Local Café & Market, The Vibe, Post Exterminating, among other shops/businesses. Stopping by on a recent Saturday, I met the owner, Sahera Threats, who is the heart and soul of PLC.  While we spoke, a steady stream of customers entered requesting treats of all kinds—Specialty Coffee drinks, cinnamon rolls, a homemade special birthday cake.  Every one of these customers spoke highly of Pastry Chef, Sahera, and her wonderful shop. 

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (2/1/ – 2/5/17)

Do you know how to relax?  My mother was a hard worker, kept a clean house, was on top of her ironing and household chores but knew how to relax.  She would find a quiet corner either on the porch or in the house, would prop her feet up and read a book (usually a murder mystery) sometimes for hours. 

My mother was the wife of a detective, and I think that sleuth gene rubbed off on her. She had to unearth every last detail of a story (she was reading or listening to) to come to a satisfactory conclusion. I often wonder if she would have grasped the Facebook craze and spend hours reading other peoples stories.  What do you do to relax?  Meditate? Walk? Yoga?  Knit?  Read?  Dance? Hiking? Work out at the gym?  Pet your cat? Walk your dog? Hang out with…

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