Brooklyn Democratic District Leader Joseph Bova, past chair of Community Board 10, and executive banker Biagio Madaio will join former NYS Supreme Court Justice Patricia DiMango, one of the stars of the new TV courtroom show “Hot Bench,” as 2015 grand marshals for the 34th annual Columbus Parade on 18th Avenue (also known as Cristoforo Colombo Boulevard).
The parade — which is sponsored by the Federation of Italian-American Organizations of Brooklyn — is under the leadership of Chairperson Jack Spatola and President Carlo Scissura.
The march, which celebrates Italian heritage and commemorates the 523rd anniversary of the discovery of the New World by the famous Italian navigator, kicks off at 61st Street and moves along 18th Avenue to Benson Avenue, on Saturday October 10.
This past Sunday afternoon, the three marshals were honored and sashed at the Dyker Beach Golf Course clubhouse. DiMango’s TV show is a runaway hit! It was just renewed for a second season by CBS television. The concept for the show was created by another famous TV personality and former New York City Family Court judge, Judge Judy Sheindlin.
“Hot Bench” airs in the Metropolitan Area on WCBS, Channel 2, Monday to Friday, at 9 a.m. DiMango’s colleagues on the judicial panel include Tanya Acker, a civil law attorney, and Larry Bakman, a criminal defense attorney.
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Despite all the doom and gloom predicted for New York City, as a result of the fierce winds and rains battering down south and parts of New Jersey, we lucked out here big time when it came to Bay Ridge’s two biggest community events, the 49th annual Children’s Ragamuffin Parade and the 42nd annual Third Avenue Festival. It was a sheer delight to watch the nearly 500 youngsters who came out with their parents to participate in this year’s colorful march.
Joining the line of march was the New York City Fire Department with its 150th anniversary decorated ladder fire truck and its FDNY EMT ambulance. Like the Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Parade, but without his sleigh, Santa brought up the rear of the parade riding atop the Sesquicentennial fire truck with Mrs. Claus and FDNY mascot, Hot Dog. MC Peter Clavin did a terrific job handling the parade commentary from the reviewing grandstand.
The next day the Third Avenue Festival was blessed by Mother Nature with bright sunny skies, which resulted in a jammed street fair that ran from Ovington Avenue to 94th Street.
When we spoke with Chip Cafiero, who had a key role at both events that went off without a drop of rain, he heartily agreed that Someone up there really likes him!
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