Real Estate Blog - gillani homes

WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (8/28-9/2/19)

Have you made memories this summer? Did I inspire you to take risks, try new things, embrace your special days, live life to the fullest? Do you keep a photo journal of special events you shared with friends and family? Do you keep a diary or a journal of your fascinating life?!! I sometimes meet people who share stories about different events in their life. I will comment to them about what a great short story it would make or how exciting it must have been. They will sometimes nod and say, “Hmmm” or look at me like I have two heads. I attended a Journal writing event. We were each told to pull out a coin, note the date and write about something that happened that year. It was pretty interesting what the participants wrote about. It might have been a…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (7/10-7/14/19)

I hope you, my gentle readers, had a happy and safe 4th of July.  The weather was great with not a cloud in the sky.  Did you attend any of the events mentioned in this blog on the holiday?  The Empire Outlets was hopping with entertainment during their Three-Day Block Party and was a perfect venue to chill out, enjoy the sights, sounds and shop!  The 109th Travis 4th of July Parade was a successful event as well as the 91st Annual Huck Finn Fishing Tournament & Costume Contest at the Zimmer Club and the Historic Richmond Town Independence Day Celebration. 

The Reading of the Declaration of Independence, sponsored by Staten Island OutLOUD and Beth Gorrie, took place in the shade at Fort Wadsworth, and all guests participated.  It was emotional reading…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (7/3-7/7/19)

The 11th Annual Polish Festival, organized by St. Stanislaus Kostka church, took place on Sunday at Snug Harbor Cultural Center.  We enjoyed sun, low humidity and a healthy breeze every once in awhile.  I thank all of you who visited the Gillani Homes booth and those who took a chance on the Lottery Ticket House!  A big thanks to those of you who signed up for the "Weekend Events on Staten Island" blog mailing list.  The kiddies were thrilled with the blow up rides, checking out the NYPD car (and siren!!), winning at games of chance, while all enjoyed live music, the Polish dancers, wonderful raffle drawings and basket prizes, scrumptious Polish food—stuffed cabbage, kielbasy and fixings, meat and cheese pierogi, zapiekanka, desserts galore and Polish…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (9/5-9/9/18)

It’s back to school this week for most students after a long hot, hot, hot summer!  Please remind your kids to be aware of other children who may not feel comfortable starting a new school or a new class. Tell them to smile and be friendly. Let them know that it’s OK to be nervous and remind them to be kind to their fellow students—they may be nervous also! Bullying should never be tolerated! Remind them if they see something that doesn’t look or feel right, they should tell their teacher, parents or caregivers. I wish them all a successful, happy, safe school year!  Check out the first day of school pictures I unearthed from the 50's.  Big sister, Ellen; Me starting kindergarten leaving little brother, Mark, at home; cousin Tom Urgo with me starting 1st…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (8/29-9/3/18)

Congratulations to the Mid-Island Little League Mid-Atlantic champions!  They played spectacularly into this year’s Little League World Series and were honored by a pep rally at their baseball field in Travis with fans lining the streets as their bus returned from PA.  The Mets honored the team at Citi Field on Sunday, inviting them to warm ups and batting practice.  This Friday, 8/31, the Staten Island Yankees and Empire Outlets will honor the team at the Yankees game against Vermont where each player will receive a $1,000 gift card to Empire Outlets.  If you would like to be part of the festivities, you can purchase tickets at https//groupmatics.events/event/MidIsland or call the box office at 718-720-9265 and mention Mid-Island Little League.  $5 from…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (7/11-7/15/18)

The 4th of July came and the humidity felt worse than ever.  People were complaining in the air conditioned mall and everywhere I went how humid it was outside!  What?!  I enjoyed the cool evening on my front porch and played Scrabble a number of times while chilling out. The Staten Island Philharmonic entertained at Alice Austen House on the 4th and at Willowbrook Park on the 7th.  The Borough President’s FREE Sunset Summer Concert Series at Midland Beach, featuring Brother Dynamite and The Resistance, was a great evening of entertainment with the cool sea air. Did you try kayaking with Kayak Staten Island at Conference House Park on Sunday? There are plenty of ways to stay cool without air conditioning. I actually worked on my garden a few late…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (6/22/18 - 6/24/18)

I'M BACK!  Actually, I didn't go anywhere.  Over a year ago, I had an accident at home which had me hospitalized and undergoing physical therapy throughout the remaining year.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you to my family, friends, Facebook friends, who wrote to me, called me, brought me food, sent frequent messages of encouragement and visited.  I also thank all of you who reached out to let me know they were missing my "Weekend Events" blog.  I learned first hand what it is to be handicapped and discovered that the young as well as the not-so-young have much empathy and tolerance. But that's past history!

I promised to post pictures a year ago of the Opening Reception of: Art By The Ferry Art Exhibition. Below are some of the photos.  Past history, I know, but maybe you will recognize yourself if you attended that evening.

Children up to age 10 can practice their reading and communicating skills on Friday, 6/22, 3:30 at the Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave. Whether they are nervous in front of crowds or want to polish their reading skills, kids will read aloud to JJ, a licensed therapy dog. For info, visit sigreenbelt.org

Because this is near and dear to my heart, I'm highlighting the Staten Island Tax Protest on Saturday, 6/23 at 10 a.m. at Miller Field picnic area in New Dorp, between New Dorp Ln. and Capodanno Blvd.--rain or shine.  I've been to a few protests over the years; this one is needed.  The real estate taxes on Staten Island are inordinately higher than any other borough.  If you own a home and are paying exorbitant taxes, join in this protest!  Even if you rent, you can and should participate. Rents continue to soar because of the high cost of taxes, insurance, etc.

On Saturday from noon-3, an exhibit “Immigrants: The Root of Innovation” featuring equipment from the period, maps and prints from the Museum of Maritime Navigation and Communication and more will take place at the Biddle House, 70 Satterlee St. Call 718-227-1463 for more info.  Admission is FREE.

The Alice Austen House welcomes all to Community Day on Saturday from noon to 3 featuring food, family-friendly arts activities and live music. The Nicholas Muellner’s exhibit, “In Most Tides an Island” debuts on Saturday and will run through 9/2.  The event is FREE.

On Saturday and Sunday, 6/23 and 24, beginning at noon, the Third Annual Food Truck Festival, sponsored by Catholic Charities of Staten Island, takes place at Mount Loretto, 6581 Hylan Blvd.  You will enjoy live music, Beer garden, Sangria garden and more.  Tickets are $5 which you can purchase at mountloretto.org or Text the number 313131 for your chance to win free tickets!

With all the rain we have experienced lately, I look forward to the sun and great weather at the 10th Annual Polish Festival, on Sunday from 12-8 at Snug Harbor, 1000 Richmond Terr.  Dancing, ice cold beer, kielbasa, pierogi, musical performances and more is on tap as well as many attractions for the kiddies, including bounce houses, face painting, ice cream trucks, NYPD police car to check out all day long.   You can view the FIFA World Cup 2018 soccer game Poland vs. Colombia on a large outdoor screen at 2:00 p.m.  Join the fans who are just as passionate and cheer in a group during thrilling moments of the game. The event, organized by St. Stanislaus Kostka R.C. Church of New Brighton, is staffed each year by their parishioners.  Admission of $10 includes one free raffle.  Kids under 12 are FREE.  Don’t forget to stop by the Gillani Homes booth for some fun raffles and give-aways! 

I welcome comments and photos at events you have attended.  If you want to share events for me to post, email or call me. 

NOTE TO MY GENTLE READERS: If you enjoy reading my blog--“Weekend Events on Staten Island” and are not a friend of mine on Facebook but would like to be, you know what to do—friend request.  If you would prefer to be on my mailing list, please contact me at joan.coogan@gmail.com or call me at 646-258-9696; I will forward it to you each week.  Nevertheless, will you do me the honor of sharing the blog with your friends, either on Facebook (click “Share” underneath the blog) or e-mail?  I would appreciate it.

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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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Market Updates: Over 23% Thinking of Selling. Why the Hesitation?

Last month, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that housing inventory was down 4.7% from the same time last year and that the month’s inventory of homes for sale stood at 4.8 - far below the six months necessary for a normal housing market. Why is there such a shortage of inventory?

The recently released Homeowner Sentiment Survey suggests that the American homeowner may not be fully aware of the opportunities that exist in the current real estate market. The survey, conducted by Edelman Berland for HSF Affiliates, also reports that many homeowners would be placing their home up for sale if they were better informed about today’s market.

Since the housing industry is facing a shortage of housing inventory, the survey’s findings…

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