Generally Speaking: Italians herald Christopher Columbus on 18th Avenue

Marching Bands, public schools, and fraternal, dance and youth groups joined the festive celebration of Italian heritage and the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus at the 34th annual Columbus Parade along 18th Avenue.

BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photos by Ted General
BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photos by Ted General

This year’s parade had three prominent Brooklynites as 2015 grand marshals. They were veteran Brooklyn Democratic District Leader Joseph Bova; former New York State Supreme Court Justice Patricia DiMango, now one of the three-judge panel on the CBS TV Show, “Hot Bench;” and Investors Bank executive Biagio Madaio.

Commenting about her role as one of the parade honorees at the Reviewing Stand, DiMango said, “This is one of the best days of my life!”  Federation of Italian American Organization President Carlo Scissura did a stellar job serving as the parade emcee. FIAO Chair Jack Spatola was very happy with the success of the parade and brought along his young grandchildren to see the colorful march.

BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photos by Ted General
BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photos by Ted General

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New York, City Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina came to Bay Ridge this past week, to take a firsthand look at one of the city’s largest high schools, Fort Hamilton. The Shore Road School has a student body of 4,300.

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The Civic Affairs Committee of the Bay Ridge Community Council will host a political debate between candidates seeking to fill the vacant seat in the 46th Assembly District on Tuesday, October 27, at 7 p.m., at the Guild for Exceptional Children, 260 68th Street. Participating candidates are Democrat Pamela Harris and Republican/Conservative Lucretia Regina-Potter. Former BRCC President Alex Conti, who co-chairs the civic affairs panel with past president Dean Rasinya, will serve as the moderator. BRCC Executive Secretary Bob Kassenbrock will be the timekeeper.

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Paul Cassone, executive director at the Guild for Exceptional Children, reminds us that the Guild will be holding its 2015 Autumn Gala on Friday, October 23, at 6:30 p.m., at Gargiulo’s Restaurant, 2911 West 15th Street in Coney Island. The honorees include John Cambio, Jr., the Community Mayors organization, Michael Delgado, Investors Bank, Thomas McGloin, Rita and Felix Mullen, Ilene Sacco and Barbara Slattery. WABC-TV news anchor Ken Rosato will be the master of ceremonies. Tickets are $65 per person. Visit www.gecbklyn.org for reservations.

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Former Bay Ridgeite Dr. Ed O’Donnell, a historian, professor and author of the book, Henry George and the Crisis of Inequality, will be the next guest speaker at the Bay Ridge Historical Society, on Wednesday, October 21, at 7:30 p.m., at the Shore Hill Neighborhood Center, 91st Street between Colonial Road and Shore Road.

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