Real Estate Blog - stapleton

WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (10/9 – 10/12/15)

Have you read my blog on Volunteerism? http://www.gillanihomes.com/blog/the-importance-of-volunteering.html. It is never too early to start volunteering or encourage your offspring, nieces, nephews or neighbor youth to do the same.  The Staten Island Children’s Museum is accepting nominations for the 24th Annual Kid of Achievement Award.  The award, which acknowledges the hard work of an 11 to 18 year old whose volunteerism has made a difference in the community, comes with a $100 honorarium and a framed certificate that is bestowed at the museum’s Circle of Friends business luncheon.  It takes place on 11/12 at the Hilton Garden Inn.  For more information on how to nominate your child, deadline, etc., call 718-273-2060, ext. 151 or visit…

2358 Views, 0 Comments

WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (8/7 – 8/10/15)

Did any of you attend or participate in the Frank Sinatra Sound-A-Like Competition last Saturday?  Sam Levine, of Marlboro, NJ, took home first place and a $100 cash prize for his velvety take on "The Way You Look Tonight".  He commented that he has been listening to Sinatra with his dad since he was a teen.  In my family, Mom and Dad were always singing.  Mom liked the golden oldies of her time, Dad sang Cowboy songs.  Both had beautiful voices.  Us young’uns were into musicals and of course 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.  My brother sang in a band for many years so he sings everything!  I can still remember my older sister dancing around the living room as a teen singing, “I Feel Pretty” from West Side Story.  How many of you have heard a song and it brings you…

2844 Views, 0 Comments

WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (12/26-1/1)

I hope you had a happy, healthy Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and enjoyed family and friends and maybe even started new traditions.  Maybe you volunteered by distributing presents to seniors at nursing homes or at hospitals in the pediatric units or served dinner at a community kitchen.  A group of my friends, who sing carols at Silver Lake Nursing Home each year, returned once again last Saturday.  Instead of singing only in the dining room, we visited the day room on each floor and were able to engage the residents in sing alongs.  I felt like we touched each resident, but, in reality, we were touched when many smiled, loudly sang along and thanked us when we left.  It took all I had to hold back the tears.  

To keep the holiday spirit in your heart…

2627 Views, 0 Comments

Free Live Music and Art Festival Tonight!

"Inspired by Us: Musication" is a free, all-ages event which will be taking place tonight in Stapleton.

The interactive event is brought to us by Dave Nudelman, or "Dave Noodlez," founder of Stereotype Clothing Co., and co-sponsored by Projectivity, an art education organization.

The creative extravaganza will include contributions from over 70 local artists. There will be live music from a variety of musicians, as well as live art creation in the form of a mural and other small works, a staged vintage photo shoot, and a mini-studio, offering participants the opportunity to be recorded singing a few lines of a song that will be produced during the festival. Some art will also be for sale, and donations will be accepted and put toward the Staten…

1719 Views, 0 Comments

Big Developments Planned For the North Shore

BFC Partners, the developers of the upcoming Empire Outlets complex in St. George, are planning yet another big project in Stapleton.

[Photo source: dnainfo.com]

The new building will be located at 475 Bay Street, a few short blocks away from the Stapleton train station. Of the proposed eight floors, the first will contain almost 9,000 square feet of retail space, and floors 2 through 8 will contain 214 residential units. The building will also have its own enclosed parking lot. Permit applications were filed Monday morning, along with zoning change requests. The current zone codes do not allow the space to be used for residential purposes, but only for light manufacturing and commercial use.

[Photo source: dnainfo.com]

The planning of Empire…

1754 Views, 0 Comments

S.I.'s North Shore Becomes Home To Collaborative Start-Ups

Within the past year, the North Shore of Staten Island has seen somewhat of a boom in creative, new businesses. The large buildings and warehouse spaces prove to be excellent habitats for emerging entrepreneurs.

Opening in December, Tech Box offers private and semi-private workspaces for technology-driven minds to gather and work on projects. The company operates out of a renovated warehouse on Clinton Street, in the Stapleton section of the island. Owner John Salis is also the man behind the Staten Island Arts Building, just a block away, which has hosted gallery openings, shows, open-mic nights and other arts-related programing. His vision is to provide the already tight-knit artist and creative community with places to come together and flesh out…

1579 Views, 0 Comments

Boardwalk Empire Calls Staten Island Home

Staten Island is more than meets the eye. Our borough is often regarded as "forgotten" but a closer look will reveal just how cool and unqiue it really is. A famous example was featured this week in the Staten Island Advance's "Cool Spaces" section- The 1888 Bechtel House.

This large golden Victorian beauty on St. Pauls Avenue in Stapleton was built in 1888 for the daughter of George Bechtel, owner of the Bechtel Brewery. It is currently owned by the Brown family. (Staten Island Advance/ Jan Somma-Hammel)

This victorian beauty on Saint Paul's Avenue in Stapleton was orginally bult in 1888 as a weddiong gift for the daughter of George Bechtel, a wealthy beer brewer. The home is now occupied by the family of Doctor Ted brown, only the fifth family to…

14017 Views, 0 Comments

Bald Eagle Sightings On Staten Island Soaring To New Heights

The American Bald Eagle is the national animal of the United States. The extent of its majestic presence can only be understood by those who have seen one soar before their eyes. For some, the bird is not just a sight to see, but a powerful cultural symbol that represents strength, wisdom, and freedom. In the early 90’s, the bird was at risk for extinction, prompting environmentalists to ban DDT, a harmful chemical in pesticides that was stunting the population. Since 2007, the birds have been removed from the “protected” list and have even been seen on Staten Island! 

Photo by Stephen Lobaido, Who spotted the bids at Chapin Woods.

Local bird watchers recently spoke with the Staten Island Advance and recalled the areas in which the Bald Eagles were…

3543 Views, 1 Comments

Historic Stapelton Homes to Feature Spooky Tours

Those intrigued by the history and mystery of historic homes are in for a “trick-or-treat” this October. The Mud Lane Society for the Renaissance of Stapleton is hosting a Halloween House tour in the beautiful hundred year old homes on and around St. Paul’s Avenue. The tour takes place on Sunday, October 20th from two to five in the afternoon. This self-guided tour includes eight homes and one church. Ticket prices range from $20 per person; children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the sponsoring civic society to support its efforts in developing the Stapleton community. Guests must register at St. Paul’s Memorial Episcopal Church which features stunning High-Victorian Gothic era design.

 In…

27434 Views, 0 Comments