Yesterday, October 1st, one of our agents, Francine Gilberto, attended the Staten Island Health and Wellness Expo at the Hilton Garden Inn. where the Jewish Community Center (JCC) announced Tobacco Free Staten Island. The TFSI is dedicated to promote a healthy, tobacco-free norm where Staten Islanders live, work and play. JCC also has been the home to Reality Check for almost 15 years; Reality Check meets weekly and "is a teen-led adult supported program working across New York State. Youth are equipped with the knowledge to combat the industry and take a stance on issues concerning them."

The TFSI and Reality Check have 4 aspects in which they are taking action in: Point of Sale, Tobacco-Free Outdoors, Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing and Smoke Free…

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Hoffman Island, Staten Island // courtesy: meadowblog.com

So you were walking the FDR Boardwalk this summer and always wondered what rested between us and Brooklyn. There are two artificial islands called Hoffman Island and Swinburne Island that rest undisturbed in the Lower New York Bay. The National Park Service currently manages both Islands for Gateway National Recreation Area.

In the 1870s, Hoffman and Swinburne were constructed from landfill, and designated as quarantine quarters for arriving immigrants who suffered from contagious diseases. Concrete walls served as barricades around island to prevent any epidemic from occuring. 

When WW1 occurred and the United States passed the Immigration Act in 1923, the number of immigrants decreased.…

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Technology is constantly changing, new apps are being created daily, and there's always a new update on your phone's software.  

Here are some up-to-date apps you can download that will get you through your next home renovation project:

ColorSnap: Remember those websites and games that used to show you what you would look like when different hairstyles? Well this app shows what your room will look like with a different paint job. "Capture color inspiration whenever—and wherever—it strikes. With ColorSnap®Visualizer from Sherwin-Williams, you have the power to take real-world colors and turn them into paint-color swatches—all on your smartphone." You can also upload a picture and the app will pick up on color schemes so you can match your living room…

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Whether you are buying a new house, or currently the homeowner and looking for a new take, it's always good to look at the bigger picture before you lay down the cash. There are buyers who will purchase a house to flip and sell again at a higher value, and then there are homeowners who renovate to list with a bigger number. Before you become either one of these, ask yourself: Is it worth it? If yes, what is the best financial way to?

Step 1: Research. Look into the pricing and benefits of renovating the room in mind. If you are a buyer looking to flip, research the neighborhood. Although you can have a great price in a least favorite neighborhood, doesn't mean it's the best investment. You may have difficulty reselling quickly despite your thousands of…

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Are you tired of having to pay the toll to New Jersey to go to Menlo's AMC Dine-In Theater? Well, hopefully you won't have to anymore! Staten Island is on the up and up with new attractions from studio lots, to the Empire Outlets, and now - crossing fingers - AMC Dine-In Theater. Back in May 2013, silive reported an online survey of Staten Islanders expressing the interest in having our very own dine-in. 

Staten Island's Continuing Expansion

Ken Paulsen wrote, "although the survey references only AMC's unique dine-in offerings and brandings, the AMC spokesman, Ryan Noonan, said his company is not behind it. He did allow that the company is exploring setting up a dine-in movie house here, but nothing beyond that."

Remember, that this is back in…

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Selecting the right home to purchase for a family is a monumental task, and this process can seem even more challenging for those with a large or growing family. A common goal may be to give everyone ample space to stretch out and feel relaxed, but some home buyers may also be focused on other factors like location, cost and even the general style of the home. While choosing the perfect home for a large or growing family is not easy, the process can be simplified by focusing on a few points.

Focus On Storage Space

There are few things that can make home life more miserable in the coming years than a lack of storage space. When a large family does not have adequate storage space in closets, the attic, the garage and your cabinets, their items will…

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When a homeowner is preparing to sell a home, it can be beneficial to determine the target audience that is most likely to be interested in the property as an important initial step. In some cases, it is advantageous for a homeowner to position a home as a great rental property or investment property, but this requires the right strategy. By adopting a few niche marketing steps, homeowners can work with their real estate agents to market a property appropriately. 

Create A Cash Flow Sheet

Buyers who are searching for a rental or investment property are looking for a return on their investment in most cases, and they also may want to see how large of a down payment is needed in order for the property to realistically turn a profit. A real estate…

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Credit problems are unfortunately common, and they can make it difficult for you to obtain a mortgage. Even if you are able to obtain a mortgage with your credit issues, the rate may be rather high in comparison to what you may qualify for if you obtain a mortgage without fixing your credit problems. While some issues may take a while to fix, you may be able to see a decent increase in your credit rating when you follow a few easy steps.

Pay Off Outstanding Derogatory Credit Items

When you review a copy of your credit report, you may notice that some items have an outstanding balance due. If the account is in good standing, the outstanding balance is not a primary issue unless you have an excessive amount of debt. If the account is not in good…

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Young families often look for many different things in a home than older couples with teenagers or those with an empty nest may look at. Many real estate agents will tell their clients to stage a home so that it appeals to those who are most likely going to be interested in buying it. For sellers who have a family home in a safe, kid-friendly community, staging a home to appeal to young families is a great idea and can be accomplished with a few easy steps.

Clean Up The Back And Front Yards

Young families may spend as much time focusing on the interior of the home as the exterior of the home. While a real estate agent may have made suggestions for sprucing up curb appeal in general, making the area kid-safe and friendly is also a smart idea. Remove…

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Many people make the decision to move from the country or the suburbs into the heart of the downtown area for a number of reasons, such as to enjoy proximity to work or to enjoy the urban lifestyle. With the higher cost of real estate in central urban areas and with real estate space at a premium, many who make the decision to relocate will need to downsize from a larger house to a smaller condo or apartment. While this can be challenging, it can be accomplished by following a few steps.

Choose The Right Pieces To Keep

When downsizing from a larger house to a smaller apartment or condo, it is often necessary to get rid of some furnishings. It is important to select furnishings that are best suited for the size of the new space as well as the…

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