Tom Crimmins Realty Blog - Points of Interest

Kid, Teen and Adult-Friendly Attractions for the Summer

Do you ever think to yourself that "there's nothing to do on Staten Island"? Well...you are wrong. Besides the usual shopping at Staten Island Mall, going to Ralph's Ices or the movies, Staten Island has a lot more to offer:

1. The Staten Island Zoo is always a focal point when school is out. The Zoo recently had new additions to its exotic inventory. There are also class/group programs specified for age groups.
2. Need to blow off some fun without getting in trouble? 5050 Skatepark is NYC's open indoor skate park and is opened 7 days a week to all bikes, skateboards, scooters, and rollerbladers. They also offer summer sessions up to 8 weeks long.
3. Staten Island Children's Museum urge to nurture the creativity and curiosity natural to all children,…

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New Addition to the "NY Biggest Little Zoo"

The Staten Island Zoo unveiled its new $3,545,000 million Amur Leopard Exhibit last November after 12 years of planning. The exhibit is now the home to leopards - Valeri, Kolya and Fitty. Capital funds were allocated by former Mayor Bloomberg through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

The Zoo revealed it's plans back in the fall of 2012 when the Zoo celebrated its 75th anniversary. The exhibit is 4,500-square feet and three-stories tall, replicating the leopards' natural habitat. Their new home consists of: real and fake trees for climbing, heated rocks for relaxing, and a pond. The zoo now has one of the largest exhibits for Amur leopards in the country.

The Amur Leopard is the world's rarest cat and is also known as the Far…

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Sound Stages Coming to Staten Island - Speculation of Job Opportunities

Staten Island will now have something else to be proud of: home of the second largest film and tv production complex in the country - outside of Hollywood. Staten Island is no stranger to movie productions or being a backdrop in numerous films and shows. The Godfather house is located on Emerson Hill, Jim Carrey filmed Mr. Popper's Penguins in the Staten Island Zoo, and you might spot local landmarks in countless episodes of Law & Order. 

It is confirmed that the former Arthur Kill Correctional Facility will be converted to a film lot. This will be the fourth lot that the Island has seen. Fred Scott's Movie Ranch was located on Sand Land in South Beach by in the 1890s to 1914. New Brighton and Stapleton hosted Biograph Company from 1906 to 1922.…

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What To Consider When Buying A Fixer-Upper

It seems like a wise investment to purchase an older, tad run-down property and you have the chance to fix it up and turn it into the home of your dreams or for resell. However, the renovation project that appears a quick montage in your imagination will actually take several months or years and thousands of dollars in real life. How can you make sure that you are making the right choice for you?

One of the main advantages of buying a fixer-upper property is that you will usually be able to get the property for a much cheaper price. But is it worth the time and money you will need to invest in the property?

Here Are Some Questions You Should Be Asking Yourself When Making Your Decision:

• Do you (or your friends and family members) have the…

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Google Zeitgeist Wraps Up 2013

Hourly to daily, trends are constantly changing but we can always rely on Google to keep track of what users are searching for. From ObamaCare to the Government Shutdown and the Royal Baby to Taylor Swift's relationships, Google compressed 2013's search engine trends regarding major events, pop culture and terms in its Zeitgeist. 

BatKid stole our hearts, whereas the Boston Marathon bombing and the death of Nelson Mandela broke them. Miley Cyrus managed to become the most searched person. Courtesy of pop culture, Oxford Dictionaries Online added words such as 'twerk', 'selfie', and 'derp.' 'What is ObamaCare?' was the seventh most popular term. Viewers bid farewell to their favorite TV show characters in Breaking Bad to 30 Rock. Playstation 4 went up…

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1831 — Sailors' Snug Harbor is established

Before Snug Harbor became a popular Island attraction for plays and art opening, its original intention (and location) was the opposite. Known as Sailors Snug Harbor, was built in 1801 as a home for retired sailors as per Captain Robert Richard Randall's will request.

His will stated the wish for "his Manhattan estate be used to start a marine hospital for 'aged, decrepit and worn-out seamen.'"

Snug Harbor was moved from Manhattan to Staten Island when Randall's relatives wanted to maximize land profits. As a result, Snug Harbor was relocated to Staten Island in 1831.

Sailor's Snug Harbor opened in 1833, with an initial 37 residents and over time expanded in population and buildings, including chapels and music halls.

In the 1960s a few of the…

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DIY Gingerbread House

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Wash out your empty milk or orange juice container and place on styrofoam plate.
2. Hot glue the opening closed, this will be used as the roof.
3. To measure how many graham crackers you need, lay onto container. Remember to have enough pieces for four walls and a roof.
4. Use a marker to note where to cut. Have an adult use a cutting knife to take off excessive pieces.
5. Once all pieces are…

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Westerleigh Park Gets a Makeover

You can find some of Westerleigh Park's history here.  Staten Island Advance reported that the park is getting some new additions and a face lift. 

Some of the improvements are:

• Drains and 'rain gardens' to prevent any storm water damage 
• Repaved walkways and new paved stones at the entrances

The Parks Department is investing million dollars for these improvements; Borough President James Molinaro, Debi Rose and James Oddo are funding this project.

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Holiday Shopping: Black Friday Vs. Cyber Monday

Black Friday start kicked the holiday shopping season; but this year, sales started earlier and is interrupting family time on Thanksgiving. Stores in the Staten Island Mall open at midnight, but numerous department and wholesale stores are opening when families are cutting the turkey.

Mary Sullivan* is a sales associate at a women's clothing store in the Staten Island Mall. Sullivan weighed in on the holiday starting early, deals, and the ultimate consumer struggle: the decision to shop on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

"I have noticed how early the holiday season started this year," said Sullivan.  "Right after Halloween. It used to be after Thanksgiving."

"Least-Crowded Black Friday Ever"

Crowds seems to be a constant concern on Black…

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Wegener Park

Ralph Wegener (left) is the oldest relative of the Wegener family. This is during the renaming of the park with City Councilman Vincent Ignizio (right)(credit: silive)

Wegener is also known as Genesee Park. It is taken from the Iroquois phrase: "Zon-esche-o" which translates to "beautiful valley." The park is located in a residential area right next to Korean War Veterans Parkway. The City did not have rights to the park until 1961; it was purchased among the land purchase for the Richmond Parkway, which is now known as the Korean War Veterans Parkway.

At the time of its purchase, residents would use Wegener as an unofficial playground. In 1998, Commissioner Stern named the land Genesee Park. Although the park was a playground at one point, it is…

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