Staten Island has numerous hidden gems. We spotlight locations or upcoming events that families may be interested in checking out or attending.

George Cromwell Center located in Tompkinsville, Staten Island North Shore. 

Staten Island is currently hosting a state of the art indoor track and field facility named Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in South Beach. The original recreational center back in the day was the George Cromwell Center in Tompkinsville, Staten Island North Shore. Named after Staten Island's first Borough President who served from 1898 until 1913. He later was the primary developer of the Staten Island Dongan Hills community.

Pier 6 (which later supported the Center) was built in 1923; eleven years passed, and the federal Works Progress Administration converted the pier into the multi-use recreation center for one million dollars.

Opened in 1936, the George Cromwell…

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The rise of female entrepreneurs has lead its way to the Staten Island, West Brighton. Shauna Small (middle) , owner of Relax Be Healthy, which she just opened in West Brighton, along her side is her brother Sasha Small (far right) and her sister-in-law, Christine DeSousa-Small (far left).

Shauna Small was diagnosed with several autoimmune diseases over a decade ago and has since be seeking relief through medicine and diet adjustments. 

Her motivation to stay in remission led to her to become a certified health coach, herbalist and Reiki master, specializes in weight loss, as well as launch her own business, Relax Be Healthy in West Brighton. 

SiLive | Health struggles lead entrepreneur to open wellness store

"I have realized that people need…

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Every year, termites cause billions of dollars in home damages. These pests feed on wood, but also damage insulation, swimming pool liners and filtration systems. Acknowledging termites is important when buying or selling a home since a termite inspection/infestation report is normally a condition of sale. It's time to face termites head on before they ruin the biggest investment of your life.

When Is It Time to Start Preparing

Between the spring months of March and May, infestations are mostly discovered of winged termites, known as "swarmers," emerge inside homes due to warmer temperatures and rainfall. These termites will eventually drop to the ground, shed their wings, pair off with a mate, and attempt to begin new colonies in the soil. Winged…

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Buying or selling a Staten Island home, comes great responsibility. Your Staten Island real estate professional also has the same responsibility to uphold when it comes to equal housing opportunity.

What is Equal Housing Opportunity?

The Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) was established "to eliminate housing discrimination, promote economic opportunity, and achieve diverse, inclusive communities by leading the nation in the enforcement, administration, development, and public understanding of federal fair housing policies and laws."

How is Responsibility Shared?

Responsibility is held by home buyer, home seller and your Staten Island real estate professional.

Home sellers and landlords have a requirement under the law not…

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It's always nice to offer the greatest hospitality during an open house of your Staten Island home. There are a few don'ts that the homeowner should avoid when potential buyers come in for showings. It's obvious that you want to take pride in your home and let the buyers know every nook and cranny, but at the same time you don't want to sabotage the chances of a sale. 

Here are some tips to consider when being a smart seller during a sale:

  1. Don't be presence or attend. Give the buyers the chance to express both pros and cons about your house to their Staten Island real estate agent. Over sharing information about the home or neighborhood may persuade the buyers into looking elsewhere. The seller's agent will deliver feedback from buyer and broker…

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While the mall is being redone, and Tottenville is getting more shopping store, NYC Parks has added The Ocean Breeze Track and Field Athletic Complex to its roster. Located at 625 Father Capodanno Boulevard, is a two-story, $93 million, 135,000 square-foot, indoor track and field facility. 

"The facility will become a premier destination for athletic events, drawing competitors from around the region....The facility boasts commanding views of the nearby Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and  the Freedom Tower in lower Manhattan." (nycgovparks.com) Seating is equipped for 

There is a 200-meter hydraulic track with the fastest running surface. If you're training for the future Olympics, Ocean Breeze has an elite facility featuring lifting platforms for…

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A mortgage payment typically is one of the biggest payments that a person is responsible for. This financial responsibility might impact a person's budget significantly for several years to come. There are mortgage calculators online that can be used to estimate an affordable mortgage payment. However, it is important to start with a basic budget to determine more accurately how much mortgage payment is truly affordable before applying for a new mortgage.

List Income From All Sources

First, list all sources of income that is received regularly. This includes regular paychecks from both spouses, dividends, and annuities. Most budgets are prepared on a monthly basis, so ensure that the total amount of take-home for a typical month is included in the…

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In typical real estate transactions, the terms of purchase and other factors may be negotiated at different times throughout the process. For example, the contract may be negotiated at the time the original offer is made, but revisions to the contract may be negotiated after the property inspection has been completed.

Research All Factors

Researching includes everything from market conditions and how long the property has been on the market to how competitively priced the real estate is, how many other buyers there are and more. A successful negotiation may be about achieving specific, desired goals, but in most cases, there will be a bit of give and take on both parties' parts in order to find success. 

Understand All Motives And Influences

…

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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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