Real Estate Blog - Tavern Concerts

WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/11-3/15/20)

I was delighted to see my outdoor plants budding and blooming and the weather becoming mild. Some of my aches and pains seem to have eased, also. Now is the time to start planning seeds indoors to transplant outdoors after the last frost. I started the lettuce (Romaine and Butterhead) in bowls of water on my window sill and have moved quite a few into a large pot. I will separate the different kinds of lettuce into different pots, though. I also grow parsley in a pot and use the crop for all my recipes. You can virtually grow anything--basil stems, Sweet Potatoes, Ginger, Carrots, Green Onions, Celery, Leeks, Bok Choy, a Garlic Bulb, Basil, Lemongrass and Mint and save your money. Below are some photos of my indoor starter garden. Check out the internet…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (2/19-2/23/20)

Did you attend Prompted: A Creative Writing Session at the Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library  on Friday or join the Friends of the Olmsted-Beil House for "Love in the Writings of Frederick Law Olmsted and Other Staten Island Love Stories" on Sunday?  For those of you who love “love letters” and wish you could write something memorable to your dear ones, these events are a good start. I have received a number of love letters in my life and have kept and cherished but a few. The cards and letters that have really touched my soul were handmade and written from the heart. I searched today for cards and/or letters that were sent to me by loved ones over the years.  

The most special letters I have received were written to me for no special occasion…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (2/5-2/9/20)

I personally witnessed, along with many other hardy (and hearty) folks, Staten Island Chuck, our favorite prognosticator, predict an early Spring, on a damp, cold Sunday morning 02/02/2020—the first global palindrome day in 909 years!  I’m thrilled that warmer weather is coming soon.  As for the palindrome day, we won’t experience this unique phenomenon for another 101 years on 12/12/2121. That’s a fact!  Following are some photos from the event.

Awhile ago, I told you about meeting Mona Oman, a commercial artist and mother of two, beautifying the side of a building on Henderson and Davis Avenues.  As soon as those rare, odd winter days in the 50’s surprised us, Mona would seize the day, arrange her paints and carry on with her…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (1/29-2/2/20)

Did you take advantage of the free mammograms and breast cancer screenings last week? If not, call State Sen. Andrew Lanza’s office at 800-564-6868 for an appointment that will continue throughout the year. The Zimmer Club Free Youth Winter Program should be on your to-do list for your children under the age of 18. Check out their site info@aezyouth.com; get your kids away from their electronic devices, out of the house and into fresh air with these exciting programs. They will thank you later. Did you attend Direct Connect with Borough Hall on Sunday for a meet and greet with our Borough President James Oddo and his staff or welcome in the Year of the Rat: Lunar New Year events with Staten Island OutLOUD at the Greenbelt Nature Center or at Snug Harbor…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (1/15-1/19/20)

Did you enjoy the two days of balmy spring-like weather this past weekend? I took advantage of it by strolling through Snug Harbor with my friend, Joe, and taking in the sights and sounds. As we enjoyed “people watching”, we came upon a guitarist playing tunes, an art class of youngsters observing turtles as they went up and down a ramp and other models to sketch, people walking dogs, dogs escaping from their people (and appearing at my side!?) and sunshine during this temporary break in temps.

On Saturday, I attended the Staten Island OutLOUD’s series on historian Nathaniel Philbrick’s “In the Heart of the Sea”, and more particularly, African American Mariners: Unsung Strivers, at the Frederick Douglass Memorial Park at…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/29 – 4/2/17)

ART was in the air this weekend!  Friday night was the S.W.A.N. (Support Women Artists Now) Day Celebration at Everything Goes Bookstore/Café honoring women artists and hosted by Elaine Mendez, founder of Labyrinth Arts Collective. We were entertained with spoken word, monologues, music and an art exhibit all by talented women artists.  To learn more about Labyrinth, visit  labyrintheartscollective.org

The opening reception of the Third Annual “Island of Art” juried exhibition, with Professor Linda Butti, Professor Connie Frisch-Cherniak and Dr. Mark Meng as curators, took place at St. John’s University.  The delightful afternoon featuring all Staten Island artists brought art lovers together. The exhibit continues through 5/27.

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/15 – 3/19/17)

So much for my daffodils, crocus and tulip plants--The Winter Storm Stella of March 2017 gave us a run for the money with the hype but dumped only 4” of snow including sleet on Staten Island. 

I’m ready for an early spring.  What about you?  Have any of my gentle readers warmed their hearts by taking bagpipe and/or drum lessons with the Richmond County Pipes and Drums http://www.richmondcountypipesanddrums.com at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church or attended the Tavern Concerts at Historic Richmond Town.  I know the weather has been hard to predict, but it’s never too hot or cold to listen to music or participate in making music.  Staten Island has plenty of art galleries to visit and a number of theater groups produce shows throughout the year. Have you…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/8 – 3/12/17)

Does anyone else think that Mother Nature is a bit confused?  The crocus plants started to bloom in the front yard as the tulip greens popped through in the midst of the fallen leaves.  In the morning, birds awaken me tweeting so beautifully.  On a recent day, I heard the familiar sound of a blue jay.  I jumped up to see the jay atop the empty bird feeder and a squirrel on a branch above also vying for some munchies.  The geese were feeding in the grounds at Allison Pond Park in Randall Manor.  And the kiddies next door were shooting hoops in their back yard.  A sure sign of Spring!

Were you one of the donors at the Blood Drive in honor of Firefighter John G. Chipura at Our Lady Help of Christians last weekend?  Did you know you can donate blood and/or…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (3/1 – 3/5/17)

Did you take a moment to pray for the six people who were killed in the bombing and terrorist attack of the World Trade Center on February 26, 1993?  More than 1,000 people were injured in the truck bomb explosion in the basement level parking garage.  This was, at the time, the deadliest act of terrorism on United States soil.  My brother, Mark, was working that day and ran down many flights of stairs to safety.  I will never forget what an impact this had on him and our family and how he was one of the lucky ones.  Little did any of us know that this was a prelude to the terrorist attacks at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, Shanksville, PA and the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 killing over 2,900 people.  Mark was working nearby and again was…

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WEEKEND EVENTS ON STATEN ISLAND (2/15 – 2/19/17)

How many of you, my gentle readers, attended the workshop on Friday regarding your Notice of Property Value and possible homeowner tax exemptions?  If you were not able to attend, there will be another meeting with the Department of Finance on Wednesday, 2/22 from 6-8 at the Lou Caravone Community Service Bldg., 460 Brielle Ave.  Bring a copy of your Notice of Property Value or download a copy at nyc.gov/finance.  For further details, visit http://www1.nyc.gov/site/finance/taxes/notice-of-property-value.page. Your market values may go up and down but your taxes will always increase.  However, you may receive a tax exemption if you are Disabled, a Senior Citizen or a Veteran.  Check out the website, call 311 for info or email: nyc.gov/dofcorrespondence. 

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