Third Ave. Pioneers and Civic Award Winners To Star At 'Green' Festival.

The Merchants of Third Avenue gathered last week at Eddie Batiz's Café Remy on Third Avenue to officially announce their Pioneers and Civic Award Designees of 2009. The 16th Annual Pioneer Reception will be held at Café Remy on October 26.
The agenda also included election of officers and plans for the 36th Annual Third Avenue Festival set for Oct. 4, the day after the traditional colorful Ragamuffin Parade. President Howe and the Festival Chair announced jointly that "Green is the theme of this year's big festival and we're going to single out the best single 'green' display and honor its creator at the Oct. 26 reception along with our Pioneers and Civic Award winners."

Festival Manager Chip Cafiero sent a message backing the "green theme" and advised merchants that they must sign up long before October "due to new city regulations". Inspired by the announcement, a few days later the proprietors of the Green Spa on Third Avenue "demonstrated a cooperative spirit by disclosing they were forming a 'Green Team'", an MTA spokesman said. "We'll need this cooperation up and down all of Third Avenue," he said. Those with 'green' ideas in mind should contact the Festival Chair at coteyesq@aol.com.
Shown above at the MTA Café Remy meeting are:


Tom Edwards, far right, 2009 Pioneer and Board Chair of Lutheran Medical Center with wife and author Ann Edwards(center with her best-selling children's "Bumpy Book". Left is past pioneer Cathy DiTirro, Capital One Bank Director.


M.T.A. officers, left to right, 2nd Vice President Wade Jabour of Jabour Realty; 1st Vice President Jay Sessa of McLaughlin's Funeral Home; Secretary Lloyd Berg of Verrazano Vision; President Bob Howe, Esq., Treasurer Cathy DiTirro of Capital One and Executive Secretary Charles Otey, Esq. Absent were Corr. Secretary Rhea McCone of Harbour Abstract and Rec. Secretary Kelli Kilbride of Lavender Blue.


Elena Solitario, proprietor of Pilo Arts, with Rosalie Drago, who spent time at the computer during the meeting taking a survey of Third Avenue businesses. Pres. Howe pointed out that Ms. Drago would be going up and down Third Avenue for the survey visiting all members and potential members.


Second from right, Civic Award winner Joan Dalton, Northfield Bank, with past pioneers, left to right, Wade Jabour, Donna Caroleo(the Hutch) and Dennis Monier( Tops Restaurant Supplies).


Café Remy hosted the M.T.A. meeting and will be the site of the Pioneer Reception on October 26. Above, left to right, Pioneer Chair Charles Otey with Cafe Remy proprietor Eddie Batiz with, left to right Café Remy Manager Julie Gonzalez, Ashley Lhazir, Bay Ridge Eagle Advertising Manager Marc Hibsher and Marie Ingardia who manages the Green Spa on Third Avenue.


Vice President Jay Sessa. with daughter Courtney is is taking a key role in coordinating the organization's Internet Initiative Committee.


L to r, MTA Pres. Bob Howe, Georgine Benvenuto, of Gallery 364, Maria Ingardia of Green Spa and Bay Ridge Eagle Advertising Manager Marc Hibsher.


L to r, Bay Ridge Eagle Columnist Larry Morrish, Author Ann Edwards, Civic Award Winner Tom Edwards and Howard Dunn.


L to r, Gene Giamarino, Bay civiRidge Therapy, Tom Edwards, Marc Hibsher and Andrew Wasserman who spoke on the "Green Festival" at the 69th St. pier staged by the Sunset Park Bay Ridge Waterfront Alliance.