Real Estate Blog - Joan Coogan

WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/23 – 3/27/16)

Did you recycle your electronics this week or de-clutter your house/apartment/shed?  I have begun with one closet and will soon go to the next closet--it feels good to be free of clutter.  Speaking of clutter and ridding oneself of it. . .My friend, Jodi Kenny, has reopened the thrift store in Richmond Valley—Nothing New Thrift Shop at 4719 Arthur Kill Rd. and is accepting all donations.  Profits are given to local and regional charities.  Look for my blog in the days to come highlighting the new Shop.  In the meantime visit  and/or view the website: http://www.nothingnewwarehouse.com

John’s Pasta Party was a success with much support being shown for a great cause—to help students with cancer stay in school during and after treatment.…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/19 – 3/22/16)

Now that my crocus and tulip plants are starting to bloom, spring must be right around the corner.  I’m excited about spring cleaning, recycling, sharing clothes with family, friends and those less fortunate and starting anew.  There is nothing like an uncluttered house, garage, basement to put me in the mood for shorts, T-shirts, basking in the sun and a better outlook on life.  Another recycling event takes place this week and provides a great opportunity to dispose of electronics, TV’s, etc. that are merely collecting dust. Take advantage of this event on Saturday.

As part of efforts to educate the public during Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Joseph Roberts, a gastroenterologist at Richmond University Medical Center, 355 Bard Ave., will give a…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/9 – 3/13/16)

Were you able to check out the New York Public Library in your neighborhood or online this week?  Have you thought about discovering the history of your home and/or neighborhood?  Perhaps you might attend a program presented by The Preservation League of Staten Island or go on a tour of historic homes and districts of Staten Island.  Below you will find a program on Sunday, 3/13.  Visit their site for information, membership and more: http://preservestatenisland.org/index.htm 

If you participated in the Recycle@GrownNYC.org Stop ‘N’ Swap event at Christ Church on Saturday, then you will agree it was a great success. Swarms of people were dropping off bags before 11 a.m.  The organizers had their hands full with weighing, organizing and setting up…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/2 – 3/6/16)

When I was a teenager working part-time after school at the New York Public Library as a PAGE, I would sometimes get lost in the volumes of books I returned to the shelves.  I was an avid reader as a kid and not a big history buff, but I would just eat up anything about the history of Staten Island and New York City. The books had wonderful pictures of Staten Island as a wilderness.  My Dad would walk us to Sailor’s Snug Harbor in our neighborhood--a home for retired merchant seamen.  There were cows, horses and other livestock grazing on the property along Henderson Ave. and great “old” buildings (which still exist) where the snugs lived.  We would listen to the sailors relate stories of their lives and travels and how they came to retire on Staten…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (2/24 – 2/28/16)

Have you started putting your records together to file your taxes?  Do you need help? You can get Tax Prep assistance from AARP volunteers for FREE at the New York Public Library. For low and middle income taxpayers, with emphasis on Senior Citizens on a first come, first serve basis, help is available on Monday and Wednesday at 11 at West Brighton Library and Thursdays at 10 at the Todt-Hill Westerleigh Library.  At the St. George Library on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 2-6 you can receive help in preparing and filing your tax return electronically from a tax assistant at the St. George Library Center and Tuesday at 11 at Richmondtown Library. http://www.nypl.org/events/calendar

Join the community outreach team of Staten Island University…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (2/17 – 2/21/16)

I hope you took advantage of the FREE health screenings at Go Red for Women: Heart Stoppers last Wednesday at the Regina McGinn Education Center.  Many of us only go to the doctor when we are sick. We’re treated and quickly forget about health issues until the next time an ailment arises.  Many years ago, I worked in the Medical Dept. of a large insurance company.  Every year, each employee had a full blood work-up, physical exam, dental check up and cleaning, PAP, mammography, counseling, chest X-rays, colonoscopies and more.  When I recall the benefits we were afforded, how could one not stay healthy?  Instead of taking the day off when you weren't feeling up to par, you visited the Medical Dept.  If your blood pressure was abnormal, you were checked…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (2/10 – 2/14/16)

Were you able to stop at the NYPD “Crime Prevention” Table at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal this week?  I constantly read about incidents where a person leaves his/her key in their car--running no less, sometimes with a child strapped in the baby seat, to quickly run into a deli to buy a lottery ticket/newspaper/coffee.  When the person returns, the car is gone!  Is this shocking to you?  You bet!  Last week, I noticed an upscale red car parked in front of my house with the front window open on the passenger side.  All day, I checked to see if the car was still there and if the window had been closed.  The driver must have been distracted or maybe a passenger had left it open.  I actually worried because I felt I had some responsibility to find the…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (2/3 – 2/7/16)

Are you sad to see the snow melt?  It’s hard to believe that just a week ago I wrote about the major blizzard and trying to find help with shoveling driveways and clearing sidewalks.  My grandson visited commenting that he hadn’t even had a chance to walk in the snow.  Well, his Dad put his boots on and out in the yard they trudged, throwing snowballs and building a snowman.  It was a pleasure watching them have so much fun in just an hour. Alas!  See below the melting snowman a few days later.  Yippee!  Here comes Spring!

How many of you attended the Art shows at the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, Wagner College and/or St. George Theater?  I went to the opening reception for the exhibit "Photographs and Prints by Vincent Verdi and Ann Marie McDonnell" on…

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NEW LISTING – 17 KIRBY COURT – NEW BRIGHTON

Check out my new listing in New Brighton! 

This charming one-family detached home on a 34’ x 102’ lot is situated on a quiet street and can be reached by way of  Lafayette Ave. to Cortelyou Place and then to 17 Kirby Court. 

This house features three Bedrooms, a formal Dining Room with French Doors separating a large Living Room, with two means of egress to outside from Kitchen and Dining Room, a half bath on the first floor, galley kitchen with walk-in Pantry, hardwood floors throughout, a full bath with Jacuzzi on the second floor, a walk-up entrance to a full attic which can be finished off for extra bedrooms, Man-cave, office, entertainment room with a large screen TV, crafting room, fitness area or kids’…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (1/27 – 1/31/16)

So what did you do this weekend?  Hmmm, can I guess? You shoveled snow!  Friday night the snow began and continued with blowing drifts through early Sunday morning.  Many of you got your shovels and snow plows ready and began digging out on Saturday.  I did the same.  On Sunday morning, I was patting myself on the back for getting back to the gym and starting my routines again.  All the time I had spent on weightlifting machines gave me the strength to shovel without too much residual pain.  I actually felt alive since the sun was out and many neighbors were helping clean off the walkways and sidewalks of neighbors in need.  I posted in Facebook, “Where are all the angels from last year’s snow storms--those young men looking to earn some money.”  None of…

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