On Saturday, June 5, Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz held a ceremoney unveiling the corner of Castle Hill Avenue and Quimby Avenue as “Emmanuel Frias Way.” Emmanuel Frias worked at
Castle Hill Medical Center providing patient care, assisting in the development of exercise prescriptions for reconditioning exercise, and educated patients through rehabilitation programs.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, J BTR UNE 11-17, 2021 47
Frias was a leader, advocate, and outspoken leader for his patients and the community.
Street sign honoring Emmanuel Frias, on the corner of Castle Hill and Quimby avenues.
Photos by Laura Stone
Family of Emmanuel Frias hold street sign named in his honor. His mother Ramona, sister
Francina with her son, father Francisco, along with Julia Rodriguez, Holy Family Church, Assemblywoman
Karines Reyes, local elected offi cials, and member of 43rd Precinct, joined in
the event. Photo by Laura Stone
Ponce Bank, in partnership with The New Bronx Chamber of Commerce, announced the winners
of its fi rst small business relief grant series, with each receiving a $500 grant toward
COVID-19 pandemic recovery: Chamber member Ponce Bank sponsored Illusion Photo Studio
and South of France, Latino Restaurant and Bar. “Even prior to the pandemic, many Bronx
small businesses were surviving on razor-thin margins,” said Chamber president Lisa Sorin.
“COVID presented a new set of challenges that many could not withstand. We are so grateful
to Ponce Bank for their sponsorships, which have made these grants possible.” “At Ponce
Bank we believe that small businesses are the beating heart of our community and we are
doing everything we can to help those in our neighborhoods get through the pandemic,”
stated Carlos Naudon, president and CEO of Ponce Bank. “The resilience and creativity exhibited
by small business owners during the pandemic humbles us daily. The New Bronx
Chamber of Commerce is providing a great service to our community and we’re proud to
partner with them as they provide assistance to those that struggle.”
Check Presentation at Illusion Photos Studio. (L-r) Santos Ruiz, Ponce Bank, Southern Boulevard
Bank branch manager; Jose Then, Illusion Photo Studio owner; Francisco Aguilar and
Anna Reyes, The New Bronx Chamber of Commerce Small Business Recovery specialists.
Photo submitted by Yaeger Public Relations Photo submitted by Yaeger Public Relations
Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts
(“Empire City”) announced that
harness racing spectators returned
to wager and enjoy live racing in
person at the historic track beginning
on Wednesday, June 9. Fans
were permitted trackside with a limited
capacity to ensure social distancing
requirements can be maintained.
A regular racing schedule has been
in place since June 22, 2020, but without
spectators due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“Opening up the historic track to
racing fans on June 9 is another positive
step forward for our property,”
said MGM Resorts Northeast Group
SVP and Chief Financial Offi cer Ed
Domingo. “We are committed to ensuring
a safe and healthy environment
at the racetrack, as we have done on
our gaming fl oor, and we look forward
to welcoming our racing fans back.”
Yonkers Raceway is preparing for
an exciting schedule of racing this
season. Upcoming featured events at
Yonkers Raceway include two of the
fi rst legs of the Triple Crown for threeyear
old trotters and pacers on Friday,
July 2: the $500,000 MGM Yonkers Trot
and the $500,000 MGM Grand Messenger
Stakes.
“We are so happy to fi nally welcome
back our fans after this prolonged absence,”
said Alex Dadoyan, Director
of Racing. “Having fans back at
the track enjoying racing in person is
a great step towards fully returning to
regular racing operations.”
Live harness racing takes place at
the historic Yonkers Raceway Monday
through Friday with a nightly
post time of 7:15 p.m. All wagering will
take place outside in the designated
area adjacent to the famed half-mile
Yonkers Raceway oval. Races are simulcast
and also available for viewing
and wagering online at www.Empire-
CityBets.com. Racing fans can create
a free account and view live racing at
Yonkers Raceway and tracks across
the country.
Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts
operates daily from 10 a.m. to 6
a.m. For more information on Empire
City Casino, along with the latest updates,
please visit www.empirecitycasino.
com.
EMMANUEL FRIAS STREET CO-NAMING
THE NEW BRONX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
WINNERS OF SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF GRANTS
Empire City to Welcome Spectators’
Return to Yonkers Raceway
Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts (“Empire
City”) announced that harness racing spectators
returned to wager and enjoy live racing
in person at the historic track beginning
on Wednesday, June 9.
Photo courtesy Empire City Casino
/www.empirecityca-sino.com
/www.Empire-CityBets.com
/www.empirecityca-sino.com
/www.Empire-CityBets.com
/www.empirecityca-sino.com
/www.Empire-
/CityBets.com