Never a dull moment on Staten Island! We recap eventful Island news.

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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Douglas Patterson and Elizabeth Habeeb are all smiles after engagement at Westerleigh Park.

On Saturday, December 19th, Westerleigh Park held its Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The night was filled with carolers, hot chocolate and the big man himself, Santa. Santa came into Westerleigh Park in style on a firetruck and distributed presents to all children. There was a good turn out and fun was had by all.

PS 29 Chorus sang beautifully and Port Richmond High School Band played wonderfully, Tom Crimmins Realty sponsored with events and gave out gift bags for the holidays. 

A very special congratulations to Douglas Patterson and Elizabeth Habeeb on their Christmas engagement! We wish you the best of luck in your future together. 

Event…

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Members of VVA Thomas J. Tori Chapter 421 at Memorial Park located in Castleton Corners.

In January 1973 a peace agreement was signed ending the direct U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War. The last American troops were withdrawn on March 29 that same year, but the battle did not end then. On April 30, 1975, the last few Americans still in South Vietnam were airlifted out of the country.

To memorialize those who were lost, the Memorial Park was opened in Castleton Corners in May 1988, as a part of the New York State Armory.

Gene DiGiacomo, President of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 421, has said, "We were worried about what was going to happen to it when we were gone." 

This past year, the park has had some massive changes and reopened June…

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It's not uncommon that you'll see one of our agents in the news. Victoria Droumbakis is gala Chairperson for the Staten Island Mental Health Society (SIMHS). 

This week the SIMHS held a breakfast at LiGreci's Staaten to celebrate this year's School Reading Volunteer program. 

"The reading program has over 200 volunteers, spread across 25 Staten Island elementary schools....Each volunteer received three books of various reading levels to bring with them when they begin visiting schools."

What separates this program from others is it's one-on-one attention between volunteer and child.

Victoria has said, "Getting involved in my community is something that I think is very important, I try to give back wherever I can. As a board member of the…

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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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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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The Staten Island Ferry transports about 75,000 people between Staten Island and Manhattan every day. The 8 ferry boats are known by their distinct orange color. The ferry ride offers passengers an excellent view of the Statue of Liberty, and of downtown Manhattan; very attractive to tourists and residents of the city alike.

History of Staten Island Ferry

In the 1700s, several wealthy residents of New York City used their private boats to move around the New York harbor. These boats had 2 masts and a shallow bottom. In the early 19th century, Captain John De Forest commanded the first motorized ferry between the two boroughs. In the mid-1900s, several newer boats were added to the Staten Island Ferry fleet. In July of 1871, one of the ships was…

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Staten Island, Richmond Town is America’s town.  It is Staten Island’s preserved farm museum complex and town dating back to the 1600’s.  Today, we were there to enjoy all that Staten Island has to offer with its numerous restaurants, breweries and bakeries: Afternoones Restaurant and Bar, Alfonso's Pastry Shoppe, Bin 5, Brooklyn Brewery, Cabot Creamery, Café Gourmand, Christine's Restaurant, Cucina Teresa, Da Noi, Edible Arrangements, French Tart, Heidi's Homemade, Ho'Brah Tacos, In the Middle, Jade Asian Bistro, Killmeyer's Old Bavaria Inn, Lee Sims Chocolates, Liberty Tavern, Lucy's Cuban Restaurant, Maizal Restaurant, Melone Brothers Bakery, Michael's Meatballs and Martinis, Miller's Ale House, NATURZBEEZ, Novelli's Pork Store, Oishi Asian Fusion…

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Fleet Week New York  is, now in its 27th year.  Fleet Week is the city’s time-honored celebration of the U.S. Navy , U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard.  This celebration gives the citizens of New York an opportunity to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services. The weeklong celebration has been held nearly every year since 1984.  The featured ships are located at 455 Front Street in Stapleton and there are free tours starting today. There will also be live music starting Saturday by Atomic Krush, Steppin' Back and Cherry Bomb.  Sundays music venue will be Cory Singer, Nikki Briar and Jordan Green.  Monday features The Neal Alpert Band, Prodigal Child and finishing the…

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Westerleigh Improvement Society Christmas PartyOwners Suzanne and Tom Crimmins joins Council Member Steven Matteo, a few of our agents and guests to celebrate the holidays at the Immanuel Union Church with the Westerleigh Improvement Society

Our friends, the Westerleigh Improvement Society, hosted their annual Christmas Party at the Immanuel Union Church. Council Member Steve Matteo was in attendance, who is a fellow Westerleigh residence.

As most of you may know, the Westerleigh Improvement Society aims to address concerns in the community and preserve the beauty of Westerleigh through ongoing projects. Some of their successful projects this year consisted of: a street survey regarding “street pavement conditions, street signs and painted lineage”, “land use” and rezoning the…

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