West End Civic Association Meeting
Thursday, June 5
146th Running of the Belmont Stakes
Saturday, June 7
Floral Park Art League Exhibit
Saturday, June 7
Thursday, June 5
The West End Civic Association of Floral Park will have its final meeting of the 2013-14 season on Thursday, June 5 at 8 p.m. at the Atlantic Avenue Firehouse (second floor meeting room). The guest speaker will be Assemblyman Edward Ra, who will discuss state issues and impact on the Village of Floral Park. Also present will be Village Trustee Dominick Longobardi. As is the tradition for the last meeting, wine, beer, soft drinks and cheese will be served. President Perry Criscitelli and Vice President Marc Mullen urge all members to attend.
The Belmont Stakes Charity Celebration, which benefits the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), will return to Chef Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain on Thursday, June 5 from 6 to 10 p.m. The event, featuring “The Foods of Bobby Flay,” will include an auction of select stallion seasons and unique experiences. At the event, the Earle I. Mack Thoroughbred Champion Award will be presented to Victoria McCullough. This award is annually given to an individual for outstanding efforts and influence on Thoroughbred racehorse welfare, safety, and retirement. Bar Americain is located at 152 W. 52nd St. between Sixth and Seventh avenues in New York City. Tickets for the celebration are $350 per person. Information about the event can be obtained by contacting Nancy Kelly of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation at 212-521-5305 or Sue Finley at 732-747-8060.
Friday, June 6
The 17th annual Belmont Festival, which draws thousands to Seventh St. on the eve of the running of the Belmont Stakes, returns to Garden City on Friday, June 6, from 6 to 10 p.m. with the opening ceremony beginning at 7 p.m., rain date is June 13. Celebrate the third and final leg of the Triple Crown Garden City style with featured entertainment, live music and plenty of free activities for the kids, including games, face painting and pony rides. The rock band Fivestone, as well Jerry and the Newcomers, the New Vintage Orchestra and Nor’ easter (formerly Speak Easy) return for another year, as do the young dancers from Broadway Bound Dance Center of Garden City, who will also perform. Also returning this year is the popular children’s poster contest as well as the Wing Off competition with local restaurants competing for the best wings in the area. The Wing Off competition will benefit the Ace in the Hole Foundation, created in honor 1st Lt. Michael LiCalzi, a Garden City resident who lost his life while serving his country during Operation Iraqi Freedom in May 2006.
Saturday, June 7
146th running of the Belmont Stakes will take place on Saturday, June 7 at Belmont Park. Post time for the day’s races will be 11 a.m. The chance for a Triple Crown win is possible with California Chrome having already secured the Derby and Preakness wins.
Floral Park Art League will hold its exhibit to celebrate thoroughbred horse racing at Memorial Park on Saturday, June 7 from 3 to 7 p.m. and again on June 8 from 2 to 6 p.m.
Friends of the Floral Park Library will hold a book sale on Saturday, June 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again on Sunday, June 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. and on Monday, June 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Centennial Hall.
Sunday, June 8
The Annual Floral Park Belmont Stakes Festival sponsored by the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce, NYRA and the Village of Floral Park will be held on Sunday June 8, from 2 to 7 p.m. The festival takes place on Tulip Ave. from Plainfield to Verbena avenues and along many of the side streets.
There will be a wide assortment of delicious foods and satisfying beverages from local Floral Park eateries. The festivities will include Face Painters and Street Performers provided by Event King; numerous inflatable-bouncy rides; raffles; Chinese auction, and more. The Long Island Bulldog Rescue will be there with some pups. The Floral Park Art League will be hosting their annual Art Show and Raffle in Memorial Park adjacent to the street fair.
A festival is not complete without music. Complementing the many vendors and merchants will be the following live bands performing on two stages: Local favorite RAKE, John Kouris and the Hambones, The RVO Band, Rear View Mirror, Blue Eyed Soul and The Real Deal. In the DJ booth will be Floral Park’s own, DJ – Stephen Wickes (One Sound Label) who will keep the music flowing.
Tuesday, June 10
Town of Hempstead public town board meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. at Nathan L.H. Bennett Pavilion, 1 Washington St. in Hempstead.
Wednesday, June 11
Library Board of Trustees will meet on June 11 at the Floral Park Public Library at 7:30 p.m.
Zoning Board of Appeals meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 11 at 8 p.m. in the village court room.
Ongoing Programs
FISH Of Floral Park
Provides free transportation to and from medical appointments for senior citizens who are residents of the Floral Park/Bellerose area and cannot afford cab fare or who have no other means of transportation. For transportation to a medical appointment, contact FISH at 516-835-9522 or telephone coordinator Fran Hornberger at 516-775-0740.
United Methodist Thrift Shop
The United Methodist Church Thrift Shop, at 35 Verbena Ave., features jewelry, clothing, housewares, bric-a-brac, dishes, linens, collectibles, some furniture, small appliances and antiques. Open every Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Donations are gratefully accepted. Call 516-354-4969 for more information.
