Business notebook:Come on down - the ‘Sidewalk Sale' is on

Warwick - The annual “Sidewalk Sale,” Warwick’s traditional and popular downtown business district event, started today, Friday, July 13, and will continue throughout this weekend until Sunday, July 15. This year’s theme is, “Bargains, Books and Barbecue.” The theme refers to sales and special promotions, which will be held throughout the weekend. This Saturday, Friends of the Library will hold a Library Book Sale on Railroad Avenue. Proceeds of the book sale will benefit the Albert Wisner Public Library. And while you’re in that area, enjoy an upscale barbecue prepared that same day by Frank Costantino, executive chef from the Harvest Grill at Pennings Farm Market. Just confirmed, the Warwick Valley Fire Department will also have firefighting apparatus and a fire safety information center at the Railroad Green Park. Along Railroad Avenue, shops like The Pear Tree European Country will host its third annual “Paris Flea Market,” featuring home décor, old and new, at a 20 percent discount inside the shop and 50 to 90 per cent for merchandise under the tent. La Petite Cuisine, also on Railroad Avenue, will be open each day for breakfast and lunch with, weather permitting, outdoor dining. All gourmet cheeses and pates will be for sale at 20 percent off. Walk up to Main Street and you can also have the option of enjoying zeppoles and hot dogs or picking up a revised edition of the Merchant’s Guild Restaurant Guide and relaxing at one of the downtown area’s outdoor cafes. Take a short cut on Bank Street and visit Garage Boardshop and Apparel, featuring “cool” clothes and accessories for the whole family plus great skate stuff. The shop will hold storewide sales and giveaways during the entire weekend. Jean-Claude’s Artisan Bakery and Dessert Café on Elm Street will be offering special “Slices of France.” Track 7 Postal Center, at 5 First St., will give a 10 per cent discount on its expanded line of greeting cards. The mailbox rental and receiving center is just around the corner from the Railroad Avenue shops. Take the kids for a walk up Main Street and just before you get to Lewis Park, Elmo, Dora and Winnie the Pooh will be outside the Toy Chest for the entire weekend. And don’t forget to stop in at all the shops and restaurants to say, “Thank you!” Through the efforts of the Merchant’s Guild and volunteer committees, these downtown businesses help to preserve the charm and vitality of the Village by keeping Warwick friendly and interesting throughout the year. Keep Florida blooming The Village of Florida has always had excellent shops and restaurants. But the Chamber of Commerce recently decided that the current revitalization of the area along with renovations of older buildings called for a downtown “Beautification Program.” This May, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, with contributions from Main Street businesses and other Chamber members, placed huge pots of beautiful flowers on the downtown business district sidewalks. The flowers, which will be changed seasonally, were described as Phase I of the Chamber’s beautification program. “The next two phases,” said Deborah Marks, “will include banners and new garbage receptacles. We want to keep Florida blooming.” Marks, owner of New Beginnings Treatment Spa, serves as chair of the Chamber’s Beautification Committee. Anyone wishing to contribute to Phase II can call Marks at 651-6246. Sculpt on the ball The Chosun Taekwondo Academy and Hatha Yoga Center, 62 Main St., is now offering a unique new fitness class. The slogan: “Meet your new best friend - the fitness ball!” refers to the class, “Sculpt on the Ball,” which uses the popular fitness ball to isolate, stretch and strengthen every muscle group in the body. “The nature of this durable and lightweight exercise ball,” explained Patty Cook, “allows an extraordinary range of movements that can simply not be achieved on the floor. By using body weight for resistance, exercises can be simple or challenging depending on how the body is positioned.” She explained that “ball work” improves body shape by sculpting long, lean muscles rather than short bulky ones. Simply sitting on the ball is beneficial in that it lengthens the limbs and spine while using countless muscles to maintain balance and position. “You also enhance your mental well being as you correct alignment, improve posture and develop poise through this fun-filled program,” she said. Classes, which began July 9, will be held every Monday and Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. For further information, contact the Chosun Taekwondo Academy and Hatha Yoga Center at 986-2288, or visit: www.chosuntkd.com. Harvest Grill A summer cooking demonstration series offered by Frank Costantino, executive chef from the Harvest Grill at Pennings Farm Market, Route 94, Warwick began with a summer salad demonstration last Tuesday, July 10. The next event, a 90-minute demonstration of seafood grilling techniques, will be held Tuesday evening, July 24 at 6:30 p.m. Chef Costantino will explain and demonstrate how to grill marinated swordfish as well as scallops, catfish and other seafood. Seating for the demonstration and tasting is limited. Call 986-1059 for information and reservations. Visions of Sugar Loaf The Wallkill River School of Art recently painted scenes of Sugar Loaf and the Kurt Seligmann Estate, home of the Orange County Citizens Foundation. The works of art are currently displayed at Bertoni Gallery in Sugar Loaf until August 19. The Bertoni Gallery is located at 1392 King’s Highway. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.