A Brief History of Veterans Day (borrowed from “Military.com”)

Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'" As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.

In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954,…

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Today is November 7—25 mph is the new 30!  In case you don’t read the newspaper, watch TV or listen to the radio, Mayor de Blasio has signed a new law changing the speed limit on local streets to 25 mph.  This restriction only applies to streets where no speed limit is posted.  Highways and parkways with still have higher limits and school zones and other areas will still have lower speeds.  People--let’s try to comply with the new law and stay safe!  With that said, let me tell you about all the fun things that are happening on our Island this weekend. 

Harbor Lights Theater Company’s production of the iconic and one of my favorites, “West Side Story” opens Friday, 11/7 and runs through 11/9 and two weekends thereafter in the Music Hall at Snug…

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Did you ever wonder who lived in your house before you, or maybe before the last owner or 5 or 10 owners before that?  Was it merely a house or was it a home?  Did they have many children, were they educated in a one-room school house or taught by a tutor at home?  Were they rich, poor?  Did they have servants?  Did they have a farm, horses, chickens, cows?  What kind of "real estate" was trendy and sought after in those days of yore?

I own a home on the North Shore of Staten Island where three generations of my own family have lived, died, been born, had Thanksgiving dinners, opened gifts under the Christmas tree, laughed, cried--all in these very rooms.  The fourth generation was born and a sibling on the way, and I cannot wait to share the…

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Check out my new listing in Westerleigh--281 Kingsley Avenue!

This large, roomy well-maintained 100 year-old house on an 82 x 92 lot, designed by one of the foremost North Shore architects, James Whitfield, Sr., boasts six bedrooms (4 on the second floor, 2 on the third floor), living room, formal dining room, 3 baths (one a 6' jet tub), hardwood floors throughout, in friendly established Westerleigh.  Plumbing, electricity and heating have been upgraded over the years.  The roof and trim are about 10 years old (30-year roof).  Exterior shingles have always been stained, never painted which has kept them in top condition for almost 100 years. 

Picture yourself snuggled up in your favorite chair in front of a roaring fireplace reading a book on a…

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Before I tell you about the events of the weekend, let me remind you that Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend.  You should turn your clocks back an hour before you retire on Saturday night.  Your Smart Phones will automatically adjust the time.  If you don’t want to be late or miss the events on Sunday, remember to adjust your clocks.  Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t remind you to change the batteries in your smoke alarms.  My alarm started beeping a few weeks ago so I’m ready for anything! Halloween is on Friday, 10/31, and I’m ready for Trick or Treat from the neighborhood kiddies!  However, I would like to share what three dentists on Staten Island are sponsoring--a Halloween Candy Buyback.  The dentists noted below will buy back candy at $1 a…

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If you have not done so already, this is the weekend to plant tulip bulbs!  Yes, if you are planning to list your home with me next spring or you just want to have those tulips, with their burst of color, brighten up your property and neighborhood, start planting now.  The weather will be sunny and warmer than it has been in awhile.On Saturday, 10/25, experience Raptor Day at Blue Heron Park , 222 Poillon Ave. between Amboy Road and Hylan Blvd.  The Friends of Blue Heron Park will sponsor “Wildlife in Need of Rescue and Rehabilitation” a rescue and rehab group for raptors and other animals, and will feature demonstrations and talks to show how these amazing, wild birds adapt to our environment despite their injuries.  Metro Herpetological will also be on…

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If you have listed your property with me, you know one of the first things I do is counsel you on "clutter".  My other hot button is "Curb Appeal". 

Driving or walking around your neighborhood, you will notice that the petunias, begonias and most of the summer flowers have started to fade, die or freeze as the night temperatures begin to dip.  Now is the time to look at your garden and the front of your home from the eyes of a stranger or customer.  If you are considering listing your home, critical decisions must be made about what a prospect will see as they pull up in front of your home for a showing. Tend to the garden and remove the summer flowers.  As beautiful as they may have been throughout the warm weather, it is time to prepare for the…

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Check out my new listing on Grymes HiIl--898 Van Duzer Street.

Large, roomy home on double lot--50 x 150.  Boasts a formal dining room, living room, new eat-in kitchen with stainless steel appliances, new half bath on first floor, large ante-room leading to a mud room with side-door egress.  Updated full bath on 2nd floor, 4 bedrooms, a den, walk-up attic, full working basement with egress to outdoors.  Central vacuum system, new Lockenbar high-efficiency gas boiler with water heater.  All new windows, original mahogany woodwork and doors, hardwood floors throughout.  Back and side yard oasis is ideal for gardening, entertainment.  Private deck in rear yard.  House is great for large family or couple/singles with plenty of space to hang out, entertain,…

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You are in for a treat this weekend, not only because today and tomorrow (Friday and Saturday) will be in the 70’s (extending my beloved Summer for a few more days) but because the 27th Universal Temple of the Arts Staten Island Jazz Festival takes place on Saturday, 10/18, from 2-7:00 at the Music Hall in Snug Harbor Cultural Center, 1000 Richmond Terrace.  The co-founder and executive director of the UTA, the tireless Sajda Musawwir Ladner, stated in a recent interview that the annual musical marathon "is a direct extension of Universal Temple of the Arts' mission of  'quickening the creative spirit in the individual and community and fostering brotherly love’.  It provides a stage upon which UTA's students, community members and world-renowned artists…

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Many of you will have Monday off for Columbus Day so hopefully, your weekend is planned.  If not, check out the following events.  Are you ready for------“Rome Through Richmond Town”?  In response to the cancellation of the Columbus Day Parade, this is an experiment to celebrate all aspects of the Italian-American culture.  It will take place on Saturday, 10/11 from noon till 5:00 p.m. There will be entertainment, educational and cultural displays.  Participating organizations include Casa Belvedere, The DaVinci Society, the Garibaldi Meucci Museum, the Order of Sons of Italy in America to name a few. 

On 10/11 enjoy a Walking Tour of historic St. George from a Native American watering place to British Army stronghold, to a 19th century getaway…

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