BRONX SCENE
The Belmont BID announces upcoming events
(L-r) The Arthur Avenue Retail Market and candy cane cookies from Artuso Pastry.
Photo courtesy of the Belmont BID
The Belmont Business Improvement
District (BID) announces a variety of annual
events that will return this fall to the
borough, along with new holiday programming
and experiences for all visitors to enjoy
as the weather cools down and the festive
season heats up.
“Little Italy in the Bronx always lights up
during the holidays with our bustling merchants,
markets, specialty stores and restaurants
that is fi lled with local New Yorkers,
tri-state area residents and tourists from all
over the globe,” said Peter Madonia, chairman
of the BID. “For this upcoming season,
we’re thrilled to announce a number of returning
and new events and look forward
to welcoming everyone to the historic Arthur
Avenue neighborhood, which is home
to many local Bronx families that have resided
here over a century ago.”
In addition to Columbus Day, upcoming
and new events include:
Centennial Celebration (August to October)
– As one of the fi rst places to open
on Arthur Avenue in 1919 and known to
host a wide variety of celebrities through
the years, Mario’s Restaurant is celebrating
its centennial this year and will be one
of the several restaurants and specialty
stories on Arthur Avenue to join the centennial
club. In honor of the 100th anniversary,
Mario’s will offer one free pizza appetizer
for the table, when guests mention the
anniversary, with a purchase of an entrée
during dinner hours from Tuesday to Friday
from August 1 to October 31..
Over 20 Years of the Ferragosto Feast
(September 8) – As a long-standing Italian
holiday that recognizes the end of the harvest
season and is an opportunity to enjoy
the fruits of those labors, the Belmont BID
will host the annual Ferragosto celebration
on Sunday, September 8 from noon
to 6 p.m.. While Ferragosto typically takes
place on August 15 in Italy, the BID hosts
the annual event in the fall due to scheduling
and to take advantage of the cooler
weather. Visitors will be able to enjoy live
entertainment and traditional Italian musical
performances, vocalists and comedic
theatre performed by Commedia Dell’Arte,
as well as dozens of local shops and restaurants
that set up outside booths on Arthur
Avenue and give patrons a chance to
dine al fresco.
The 2nd Annual New York Pizza Festival
(October 5 to 6) – Sponsored by the
Belmont BID, the New York Pizza Festival
is returning to the Bronx for its second year
on Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October
6 for a two-day event, with over 25
participating pizzaioli including Zero Otto
Nove on Arthur Avenue that features different
styles of pizza from all over the country
from Los Angeles to Chicago to Las Vegas
and the Bronx.
Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo (November
21 to January 5, 2020) – Holiday
Lights at the Bronx Zoo will return bigger,
brighter, and greener than ever before. Returning
for the fi rst time since 2007, the dazzling
light displays will cover several acres
of the zoo in a walk-through experience
with wildlife-themed LED displays, custom
Asian lanterns, and animated light shows
on Astor Court. Entertainment will include
holiday-themed music, performances, ice
carving, train rides, seasonal treats, and
souvenirs.
Belmont BID Holiday Tree Lighting
Ceremony (November 30) – The Belmont
BID will host its Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
on Saturday, November 30th from 4
to 6 pm which will be open to the public and
will feature festive holiday entertainment including
carolers, an appearance by Santa
Claus and more. In addition, during the
tree lighting ceremony, the BID will co-host
a toy giveaway for the neighborhood with
Love Holds Life Children’s Cancer Foundation,
whose mission is to support kids
and their families fi ghting cancer by providing
monetary aid for medical expenses not
In accordance with Section 1-13 of the Concession Rules of the City of New York, the New York City
Department of Parks and Recreation (“Parks”) is issuing, as of the date of this notice a significant Request
for Proposals (“RFP”) for the development, operation, and maintenance of a food service facility with the
option to operate a mobile food unit at Monsignor Raul Del Valle Square, Bronx.
There will be a recommended on-site proposer meeting and site tour on Friday, August 23rd, 2019 at 12:00
PM. We will be meeting at the proposed concession site (Block # 2741 & Lot # 200), which is located at
Hunts Point Ave & E163rd St, Bronx, NY 10459, Monsignor Raul Del Valle Square. We will be meeting in
front of the building. If you are considering responding to this RFP, please make every effort to attend this
recommended meeting and site tour. All proposals submitted in response to this RFP must be submitted
no later than Friday, September 13, 2019 at 2:00pm.
Hard copies of the RFP can be obtained, at no cost, commencing on Thursday, August 8, 2019 through
Friday, September 13, 2019, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., excluding weekends and
holidays, at the Revenue Division of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, which is
located at 830 Fifth Avenue, Room 407, New York, NY 10065.
The RFP is also available for download, on Thursday, August 8, 2019 through Friday, September 13, 2019,
on Parksʼ website. To download the RFP, visit http://www.nyc.gov/parks/businessopportunities and click
on the “Concessions Opportunities at Parks” link. Once you have logged in, click on the “download” link
that appears adjacent to the RFPʼs description.
For more information or to request to receive a copy of the RFP by mail, prospective proposers may contact
Andrew Coppola, Project Manager, at (212) 360-3454 or at Andrew.Coppola@parks.nyc.gov.
TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE FOR THE DEAF (TDD) 212-504-4115
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, A 50 UGUST 9-15, 2019 BTR
covered by insurance.
The 28th Annual Holiday Train Show® at
the New York Botanical Garden (November
23 to January 26, 2020) – Be transported
to a miniature winter wonderland as model
trains zip through an enchanting display of
more than 175 New York landmarks, each
delightfully re-created from natural materials
such as birch bark, lotus pods, acorns,
and cinnamon sticks. Marvel at G-scale
locomotives humming past replicas of familiar
sights such as the Statue of Liberty,
Brooklyn Bridge and Rockefeller Center on
nearly a half-mile of track. This year’s exhibition
showcases Central Park, with new
replicas of its iconic architectural features,
including Belvedere Castle, the Dairy, and
more—all presented in a uniquely immersive
special exhibition space adjacent to
the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.
As an economic and cultural engine,
the Belmont neighborhood hosts thousands
of regional and local shoppers, as
well as domestic and international tourists
each year, making it one of the busiest and
well-known communities in New York City.
For more information, visit www.bronxlittleitaly.
com or follow the BID on Instagram
at @BronxLittleItaly, Twitter at @BXLittleItaly,
Facebook at @BronxLittleItaly or
YouTube.com @BronxLittleItaly.
* * *
Upcoming Castle Hill Library events
and programs include:
Fun in the Sun! You can have it made in
the shade with a book or magazine while
your little one cools off on our interactive
water table, or makes some cheerful chalk
art in our garden area. Ages 2 to 5. Every
Saturday at 11 a.m.
Circle Time: Children from birth to 3
years old and their caregivers can enjoy
stories, songs, and fi nger plays while
spending time with other toddlers. Limit of
15 children with caregivers. Craft included.
Every Tuesday from 11 to 11:45 a.m.
Play-Doh Time: Have fun exploring
sensory dough as well as making your own
creations with Playdough by kneading, rolling
and molding it! Ages 2 to 5. Playdough
does contain wheat products. Every Thursday
at 11 a.m.
Read & Play: Children from birth to 3
years old and caregivers can take part in
wonderful stories, discover amazing toys,
and meet new friends in this fun, informal
program. Limit of 15 children with their
caregivers. Every Friday from 11 to 11:30
a.m.
Craft-A-Way: Drop in and participate
in creating projects related to a theme or
holiday. Ages 2 to 5. Friday, August 9 at
11:30 a.m.
Latin Fiesta with Flor Bromley: A Summer
Reading Celebration: Mission Complete!
Ready to dance? This concert for the
whole family brings together songs from
all of Latin-America as well as some little
one’s favorites. Flor will create an interactive
experience for children and families
of all ages that will end in a big FIESTA. A
perfect kick-off show for the season. Songs
include “Crazy for Books/Amo los Libros”
a song that encourages kids to read. Best
for children of all ages. Wednesday, August
21, at 11 a.m.
Stories In The Shade: Join in at Pelham
Bay Park for stories and fun as part of the
New York Public Library Summer Reading
Program: Blast Off! Under the Gazebo
at the Playground for All Children (Along
Bruckner Blvd. near Middletown Road)
Thursday August 1,8,15 and 22, from 11 to
11:30 a.m.
Teen Unwind: On Fridays, at 3 p.m. the
library plans a series of special activities to
celebrate the beginning of the weekend.
Space Collage: Using the library’s vast
resources relating to outer space, participants
will be inspired to create an image
that expresses their personal view of the
universe beyond our own. Explore the art
form of collage and utilizing papers and
fabrics, fashion a piece of art of what fascinates
us out there.
Summer Reading Program. Wednesday,
August 21 at 3 p.m.
Fridays, August 9, Wii and Board
Games; August 16, Design a Telescope;
August 23, Wii and Board Games; and August
30, Wii and Board Games.
Mensa Mondays: Doing puzzles has
been linked to improved memory, better
problem-solving skills, and even lower
stress levels. Let us help you work off
those Monday blues by providing you with
riddles, crosswords, word searches, and
number puzzles to train your brain! Every
Monday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
City Island Scrabble Club: If you’re looking
for some friendly competition, then join
the Scrabble Club! Come in and fl ex your
vocabulary muscles. Note: Limited to 12
participants, registration required. Thursday,
August 22 at 1 p.m.
City Island Book Club: Call or stop by
the branch for more information. Monday,
August 12 and 26 at 5 p.m.
The Island Writers: This is a group for
all who are interested in writing professionally
or personally. All are welcome. Every
Tuesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
One-on-One: Computer, Tablet, and
Resume Instruction: Stop in, or call to make
an appointment for one hour of personalized
instruction that addresses your questions
and concerns. No computer? No
problem. The library has computers available
for instructional use. Registration required.
ACC Adoption Van: Saturday, August
10, at noon.
Saturday Afternoon Movies: Feature
movie titles, varying in length, at 1 p.m.
August 10, The Big Sick; August 17, Bullet
Head; and August 24, Green Book.
Some programs require advance registration,
which can be done in person, or by
phone. All programs are free.
/www.bronx-littleitaly.com
link
/www.bronx-littleitaly.com
/www.bronx-littleitaly.com
/businessopportunities
/businessopportunities
/YouTube.com
link