Real Estate Blog - Joan Coogan

WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (7/6 – 7/10/16)

Did you participate in any of the week’s events at the Beach--Ocean Breeze Night Run (http://oceanbreezenyc.org), Boardwalk Days-Give Back Wednesdays (http://www.boardwalkdays.com), Fireworks at South Beach (http://boardwalkdays.com/fireworks) or the concerts (www.boardwalkdays.com)?  What better way is there to stay cool than at the Beach?  I hope your 4th of July holiday was fun, the fireworks were beautiful but safe and you remembered to use sun screen or lotion.  See below a patriotic house on the North Shore with flags a-flying and the monument to our New Brighton WW II servicemen killed in action at the corner of Brighton and Lafayette Avenues.

Make your own “Under the Sea” Paper Lantern at the Tottenville Library, 7430 Amboy Rd. today, 7/6 at 3…

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

 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 106th 4th…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (6/29 – 7/4/16)

The 8th Annual Polish Festival was a success, and the Gillani Homes family enjoyed meeting so many customers, clients, new friends and many of my gentle readers.  I want to thank all of you who stopped by our booth.  Below are photos from the Festival.

Boardwalk Days-Give Back Wednesdays begins today, Wednesday, 6/29 at 5 at the South Beach Dolphin Fountain at Fr. Capodanno Blvd and Sand Ln.  Give­-Back Wednesdays is a program where representatives of local non­-profit organizations are invited to set up a table and share information about their services with the many visitors to South Beach each week. Some…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (6/22 - 6/26/16)

Did you try kayaking with Kayak Staten Island last Saturday or ride the “Bueno Cruise”?  Did you taste the secret special sauce at the Sandy Ground Festival or attend “Midsummer Night’s Dream” at High Rock?  It was a perfect weather weekend to be outdoors, experience nature and do some people watching.  I snapped some photos this weekend while admiring neighborhood gardens,

people watching, (two very colorfully dressed couples from the Bronx in African garb),

nature--(check out Mom and baby!),

and taking in this beautiful stained glass window on a church in PA.  This window speaks a thousand words--Love one another!Bring your children to Wonderful Wednesday, at the Tottenville Library, 7430 Amboy Rd. today, Wednesday at 4 for a fun program…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (6/15 - 6/19/16)

On Saturday, I attended the Mass to celebrate the feast day of St. Anthony at the very beautiful St. Anthony of Padua Church in Travis.  Some of my gentle readers were in attendance, and I made some new friends.  The special "St. Anthony's Bread" was distributed during the service and also to the neighbors along the streets.  A band played music through the Travis neighborhood after the celebration as the procession was led by parishioners holding the photo of St. Anthony and others carrying a large statue of St. Anthony draped in dollar bills. The good parishioners hosted a reception thereafter while the band entertained us all. 

Participate in a Bird and Nature Walk  on Wednesday, 6/15 from 10-12 at the Mt. Loretto…

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NEW LISTING - 146 CODY PLACE - HUGUENOT

Check out my new listing in Huguenot!

This beautiful one-family attached 1,680 sq. ft. townhouse, on a private block, features a brand new eat-in kitchen with granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors on the first floor, Pella windows, Energy Star appliances with sliding glass doors leading to a two-tiered deck.  Great for entertaining or al fresco dining!

The house features three Bedrooms.  The Master suite on the 2nd level is huge with a private ¾ bath, full walk-in closet, with an added full closet.  The second bedroom with ample closet space and a full bath is also on the 2nd level.

The 3rd level houses the…

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FLAG DAY - 2016

TODAY, 6/14, IS FLAG DAY!

Since early childhood, an American Flag has flown each morning from my home and brought in each evening.  I continue this tradition of my parents. Wouldn't you think that after the terrorist attacks on 911, in Orlando this weekend and around the world, AND with this year's historical Presidential race, people would be proud to be a citizen of the United States, where all are FREE to speak their mind and write about what they believe.  Isn't this the reason why so many immigrants are flocking to our shores?  Why isn't our great American flag flown with pride everywhere?  Shouldn't people want to show their patriotism? 

The 4th of July Parade takes place on Victory Blvd. in Travis every year.  I walked around that…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (6/8 - 6/13/16)

Did you Kick Butts on Thursday and learn some tips from RUMC and friends?  I hope you didn't miss the self-guided grocery store tour sponsored by City Harvest at Met Food on Saturday.  If you did, stay tuned to this blog for future events by City Harvest!  I met some of my gentle readers on Saturday at the Spring Fair at Christ Church in New Brighton--Richard Xuereb, photographic artist and creative woodworker extraordinaire (Check out his website: http://richard-xuereb.artistswebsites.com) and Karen Goode of Doorpost Blessing, a unique crafter of bible verses made into doorpost hangings (Visit her site at www.doorpostblessing.com). 

I also met some friends, Joelle and Virginia at their garage sale nearby.  How wonderful to finally put the faces to…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (6/1 - 6/5/16)

Watching the Parade of ships on Wednesday at the beginning of Fleet Week was a treat!  Many had binoculars; some brought ladders to get a better view, some children sat on their parent’s shoulders.  A group from a senior citizen home arrived, climbed up the steep inclines of Von Briesen Park near Ft. Wadsworth, some with walkers, some with wheel chairs.  After a few hours of waiting, they left without seeing one ship but literally exercised while waiting, doing tai chi (put me to shame!) and enjoyed the fresh air.  The first ship of the “Parade” arrived around noon. 

Touring the ships the next day was neat! 

The Memorial Day Parade took place on Monday. The weather was threatening torrential rain, but the sun shone beautifully shortly…

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WHAT DOES MEMORIAL DAY MEAN TO YOU?

How many of you actually know the meaning of Memorial Day?  It is a federal holiday wherein the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces are remembered. The holiday, which is celebrated every year on the last Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service.  Many people visit cemeteries and memorials.  Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national and local cemeteries.

When I was a child, Memorial Day meant attending the parade on Forest Ave. and having a barbeque…

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