Oct. 16, 2013: This Sunday is the annual Bronxville Children’s Halloween Festival!

As you plan or attend fundraisers this fall, take note of the generous businesses that support these important causes. Also take note of the businesses that do not support our community organizations. You won’t see online retailers, mega-malls, or big-box stores bolstering the community.

Be sure to thank our local business owners for donating raffle prizes, discounting services, and complimentary refreshments to help make community fundraisers profitable, elegant, and successful.

While you’re at it--please do more than thank them. The best way to show your appreciation is to patronize their business and refer others to them.

Bronxville Pride

Super cute "BXV" and "10708" canvas cosmetic bags have arrived at Kensington Paper. Show your Bronxville pride! 82 Kraft Ave.

Kids' Stuff

This weekend! The annual Bronxville Children’s Halloween Festival will be held on Sunday, October 20 (rain date: Sunday, October 27), in Leonard Morange Park from noon to 4:00 pm. The fun festivities are not to be missed--carnival rides, pony rides, food, live music, and more! Our generous sponsors are Gramatan Travel, Lawrence Hospital, Steve Ircha / Aegis Capital, Bronxville Retailers, and Servpro of Scarsdale / Mount Vernon--Serving Bronxville, Tuckahoe, Eastchester, Scarsdale, Yonkers & Fleetwood. Our thanks also go out to the Village of Bronxville for their partnership in hosting this fun event.

Make your own haunted gingerbread house using various food supplies at the Bronxville Public Library on Wednesday, October 16, at 4:00 pm. Registration is required: 914-337-7680, ext. 34. 

Early enrollment is now open for the 2014 summer camp sessions at Rush Day Camp. Space is limited and early enrollment is the best way to guarantee your child's space. Sign up by Friday, November 1, for big savings. 

Rodin in Bronxville—Upcoming Special Events

A new Rodin in Bronxville event has just been added! Ernie's Wine Bar + EATS has announced that on Tuesday, November 12, they will host "Ernie's Celebrates Rodin: Don't Just Think About Wine..." featuring all French organic wines, soup, French cheeses, cassoulet, and clafoutis. The grand finale will be a glass of calvados. Ooh la la… 7 Pondfield Rd.

If you haven't yet gotten up close and personal with Rodin, don't delay! It's a self-guided exhibition, with informative text accompanying the collection. The cherry on top? It's free! Make a day of it and visit the participating Rodin in Bronxville businesses to benefit from the array of discounts, special merchandise, classes, and cultural events supporting the community celebration. Also be sure to get your raffle card signed by the gallery staff and the businesses you patronize. The raffle prizes are great!

The Silk Road will host a Citrus trunk show featuring fur vests, suede shirts, and lots of fun, cozy, chic separates this Thursday, October 17, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, with complimentary wine and cheese. The trunk show will continue on Friday, October 18, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Get your Rodin in Bronxville raffle card validated while there! 101 Pondfield Rd.

A free lecture titled "Rodin's Portraits: Dancers, Writers, Musicians, Muses" will be offered at OSilas Gallery, Concordia College, on Sunday, October 20, at 3:30 pm, featuring Dr. Jane Becker, art historian. Call 914-337-9300, ext. 2262.

The Bronxville Women's Club will present a one-hour concert of French music by Loeillet, LeClair, Saint-Saëns, Ravel, Debussy, and Massenet with Joyce Rasmussen Balint, violin, Ellen Bardekoff, oboe, and Oxana Mikhailoff, piano. The performance will take place on Monday, October 21, at 7:00 pm, and will be followed by a reception by Dobbs & Bishop Fine Cheese. $25 general admission; $20 BWC members and Bronxville Chamber of Commerce members. 135 Midland Ave.

A few seats are available for the day-trip Discovering Rodin in Philadelphia on Wednesday, October 24, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Co-sponsored by the OSilas Gallery and the Bronxville Adult School, this day-trip to Philadelphia includes curated tours of The Rodin Museum and the exhibit Auguste Rodin: The Human Experience at the Arthur Ross Gallery on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. Cost: $140. Click here to register online or call 914-793-4435.

A true must-see is live bronze pouring--a free demonstration at OSilas Gallery that demonstrates Rodin's methods. The event will take place on Saturday, October 26, at 1:00 pm and will be led by Glen Campbell, founder and owner of Campbell Plaster & Iron, and Gary Sussman, director of the Art Students League, Vytlacil Campus. This is an outdoor event. Rain date: Saturday, November 16. Call 914-337-9300, ext. 2262.

Also, because the first session sold out, The Bronxville Adult School is now offering The Art of French Entertaining at a second time: Thursday, November 14. Even this second slot is filling up fast, so don't delay if you're interested. More dinner party than cooking class, this evening will guide you in all the secrets to recreating an authentic French dinner party, from aperitifs to dessert. The extraordinary four-course dinner will begin with setting a traditional French table, then on to a starter of smoked salmon, followed by boeuf bourguignon.

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is back at Pete's Tavern! Going on now through the end of October, make your way to Pete's Tavern to enjoy their terrific Oktoberfest menu, featuring schnitzel, knocks and brats, sauerbraten sliders, potato pancakes, and more. Celebrate fall and enjoy Oktoberfest at Pete's!

Have an Oktoberfiesta at Blue Moon Mexican Café with their Oktoberfest beer selection. Enjoy specials including Mexican-style pierogies, pig roast mexicano, and their famous burritofest.

Oktoberfest for Kids will be offered at the Bronxville Public Library on Saturday, October 19, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, featuring pretzels, root beer, apple cider, cider doughnuts, pumpkin decorating, scarecrow making, cider relay races, pass the pumpkin, polka freeze dance, German chocolate cupcake decorating, stories, and FUN!

Halloween Happenings

The Chamber’s annual Halloween photo album can be found on our Facebook page. Do some armchair shopping to map out your route as you make your Halloween purchases and plans!

The Reformed Church Nursery School will host its annual Harvest Moon Festival on Saturday, October 26, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, at 6 Kraft Avenue. Join the RCNS community for a wonderful fall family festival featuring indoor and outdoor activities. Children can enjoy face painting, festival games, fun crafts, raffles (with great prizes for kids and adults), and delicious food from local establishments! Children can also visit the on-site petting zoo, take a ride on a kiddie carousel, and enjoy all this autumnal fair has to offer! This annual fundraiser has become an important community tradition, catering to children ages 2 to 6. Rain or shine. Advance tickets are $25/child; $30/child at the door (adults and children under 12 months: free).

Fabio's Hair Studio is hosting their annual highly anticipated Halloween party for the 13^th year in a row on Thursday, October 31. The studio will become a "spooky fantasy world" and a "mystical web of attractions." The staff will be doing face painting, makeup, and styling and will be applying temporary hair color to create an authentic look for each kid's costume. Everyone is welcome to celebrate and get involved in the countless games and raffle drawing, making it a day to remember. For more information, call 914-337-1482. 137 Parkway Rd.

J.C. Fogarty’s annual Halloween party will be on Friday, November 1, starting at 10:00 pm and featuring the band Rumor Hazz It. There will be a costume contest with prizes of $200, $100, and $50 for the three best costumes. 60 Kraft Ave.

Stay tuned--next week's newsletter will feature even more Halloween happenings!

Announcements

Having lost one of their own to ovarian cancer earlier this year, Spruce Home and Garden is fundraising through October 26 in support of research to eradicate this deadly disease. Five exclusive items will be offered with 100% of the profit going to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund: Special edition snakeskin print scarf, $24.00; double-wrap leather bracelet, $18.00; limited edition Spruce candle, $14.00; Amanda Jaron teal twist cuff, $25.00; Amanda Jaron flower lapel pin, $20.00. Additionally, on Saturday, October 26, Spruce will give 10% of their sales from their seven retail stores and websites to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Donations can also be made directly to OCRF in the Bronxville store. 

At Citibank you can get $250 in gift cards with ThankYou® Points. Citi ThankYou® Rewards is an exciting rewards program that allows you to earn ongoing rewards for your banking relationship. Getting ThankYou® Points for qualifying products and services linked to your checking account is easy when you complete one direct deposit and one bill payment each statement period. To enroll your Citibank checking account in Citi ThankYou® Rewards, visit the branch on Pondfield Road.

Scarborough Fair Catering's Thanksgiving Day menu has been posted. They are already 50% sold out on their fresh turkeys. Place your orders early; 82 Kraft Ave.

Happy Birthday, October girls! Tourmalines at Citrine come in many shapes and colors--check out a pink tourmaline and diamond necklace from Suzy Landa. 22 Park Pl.

Topps Bakery is promoting their OOeey GOOeey Peanut Butter Cookies to "warm your tummy for fall." Pondfield Rd.

Value Drugs is giving away $200 in Value Drugs gift cards. Enter before Halloween (Thursday, October 31). 80 Pondfield Rd.

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Continental 109 Hair Salon invites you to join them in the fight against breast cancer. Get a pink hair extension during the month of October. Suggested donation: $10.00. All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society. 109 Pondfield Rd.

All month Bronxville Wellness Sanctuary will donate 10% of proceeds towards Susan G. Komen Passionately Pink® and the fight against breast cancer when you book a facial. Call 914-337-9356. 

Weezie D is all about the wellness of women, so for the fourth year they have teamed up with the ACS, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Team Weezie D will be walking, and they want you to join them on Sunday, October 20, at Manhattanville College. 15 Park Pl.

Events

Come visit the Bronxville Farmers' Market, rain or shine, at Stone Place and Paxton Avenue from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm every Saturday through November 23.

Here's the lineup for the piano bar at Underhills Crossing this week: Wednesday, October 16, 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Alexis Cole; Thursday, October 17, 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Alon Tayar; Friday, October 18, 8:00 pm to midnight, Mike LaMassa; Saturday, October 19, 8:00 pm to midnight, Jarod Kashkin; Sunday, October 20, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Katya Grineva. 74.5 Pondfield Rd.

Bridget Gibbons of Gibbons Digital Consultants will be teaching a class called How Businesses Can Use Video and Images to Tell Their Story at the Bronxville Adult School on Thursday, October 17, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Fee is $40.

Join Park 143 Bistro this Friday, October 18, at 9:00 pm for live music with special musical guest R&B singer and guitarist Keith Robinson. Keith plays an eclectic mix of R&B, jazz, soul, and funk tunes. Make it a date night out and join them for dinner or their special small plates! Info: 914-337-5100. 143 Parkway Rd.

The Reformed Church of Bronxville will hold its annual fall clothing sale on Saturday, October 19, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm in Congregational Hall at the corner of Midland and Kraft. On sale will be "gently used" men's, women's, and children's clothing; books; jewelry; and bric-a-brac. All proceeds will be used to help support the church's outreach ministries. Info: 914-337-6776.

Priscilla Toomey of Julia B. Fee/Sotheby's will present a course called Real Estate is Sexy Again: Market Changes Create Opportunities at the Bronxville Adult School on Tuesday, October 22, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Cost is $30.

David Otis Fuller of Bosworth, Gray & Fuller will be teaching a class called How To Be an Executor at the Bronxville Adult School on Thursday, October 24, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Fee is $30.

On Saturday, October 26, the Bronxville Farmers' Market will have a command return visit by our furry alpaca friends from Staghorn Valley Alpacas from the Saratoga area. Unfortunately, if it is raining, we will have to wait until next season.

Bronxville Green Committee will be having their semi-annual Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 26. Being collected will be: E-waste, paper documents for county shredder (two-carton limit), and blankets, towels, and sheets (no pillows or rags) for a local animal shelter. Bronxville Elementary School Midland Avenue lot, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Also bring your old notebook computers: BHS students will refurbish your donated computers and give them to students in the Bronx who can't afford to purchase their own. 

Park 143 Bistro presents a Tuscan Wine Dinner Experience on Tuesday, October 29. Food and wine lovers will delight in this four-course Italian wine dinner featuring the celebrated wines from Agricola San Felice, widely recognized for its uncompromising quality and overall commitment to pursuing total excellence. $100 per guest includes tax and gratuity. Reservations are required: 914-337-5100. 143 Parkway Rd.

There will be a free group meditation on Wednesday, October 30, from 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm at Bronxville Wellness Sanctuary. In order to cultivate good health and a positive sense of well-being, self-awareness is required. Meditation is a way to quiet the mind to become more self-aware. As our self-awareness increases, we make choices that support positive health and well-being. RSVP required. 14 Studio Arcade.

Be loyal--buy local!

Susan Miele