Daily Archives: October 17, 2016

Halloween events that are local, kid-friendly

Oct15 Dog Parade 2014

A canine in costume at the Tompkins Square dog parade in 2014

By Sabina Mollot

Fans of Halloween rejoice: The holiday can be celebrated locally at events for families that are happening on October 31 as well as earlier.

Read on for a roundup of parties, parades and more:

Tompkins Square Dog Parade
If you want Fido to be part of the festivities, the 26th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is scheduled for Saturday, October 22 from noon-3 p.m. Costumes will be judged by TV personality Giuliana Rancic. Along with a chance to enter your dog into the competition for prizes, there will also be some goodies from event sponsors PetSmart and Beggin’ and pet adoption opportunities from local Petfinder rescue groups.
All funds raised at the event will support the Friends of First Run, the organization responsible for maintenance and upkeep of the Tompkins Square Park Dog Run. This year’s event is at a new location, the park’s multipurpose courts at Avenue A and East 10th Street.

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Gramercy author’s new thriller inspired by Son of Sam murders

Dick Belsky, who writes under the name R.G. Belsky, is releasing the fourth in a series of novels written from the perspective of an investigative reporter. (Photo by Sabina Mollot)

Dick Belsky, who writes under the name R.G. Belsky, is releasing the fourth in a series of novels written from the perspective of an investigative reporter. (Photo by Sabina Mollot)

By Sabina Mollot

Gramercy resident and novelist Dick Belsky, who’s written three books about an investigative reporter named Gil Malloy, has just completed the fourth in the series.

The novel, scheduled to be released (by Simon & Schuster, $16) on October 18, is called Blonde Ice.
Like the previous books, the story revolves around the disgraced but still ambitious Daily News reporter, who this time, is trying to uncover the identity of a female serial killer.

The killer, a sexy blonde, picks men up at New York City bars and clubs, and then brutally murders them.

Belsky, who up until recently, spent his career as a journalist, said his inspiration for the character came from the Son of Sam. Having lived in New York and worked in newspapers at that time, he remembered the way the strings of shootings paralyzed the city. Bars were empty and women dyed their hair blonde since the killer, David Berkowitz, targeted brunettes.

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