Attention all movie buffs: there are still a few days left to catch the tail end of the New York Film Festival, hosted by The Film Society of Lincoln Center! This world-famous festival, which runs 'til Sunday, October 16th, is held in the brand-new, state-of-the-art Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center, right on Lincoln Center's campus. This year's event is larger than ever before, with special documentary screenings, dialogues with HBO Films directors, and anniversary screenings of films such as Spirited Away and The Royal Tenenbaums. The main slate includes international films from the likes of Martin Scorsese, Pedro Almodovar and Lars Von Trier. Glamorous galas open and close the festival as stars flock from all over the world to Lincoln Square.

Regardless of whether or not you are able to attend the festival, be sure to grab a meal at the Indie Food and Wine Café. A new addition to the Film Center, this café serves up a delicious and varied menu, inspired by both Italian and Mediterranean palates. Designed by the Rockwell Group, in conjunction with restaurateur Jason Denton and Executive Chef Rebecca Weitzman, this is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood's eateries. Indie Food and Wine is open every day from 8:00am to 10:00pm for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Image: Indie Food and Wine Café at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center

Last month, WABC-TV (Channel 7) celebrated its first broadcast at the new street-level window studio at the former Disney Store on 66th Street and Columbus Avenue. Boasting a 360-degree street view camera located in Richard Tucker Park, this studio broadcasts the news and sights of Lincoln Square to the world. Occupying the former Eyewitness News space on 67th and Columbus is a newly expanded LIVE with Regis & Kelly studio. Every day, millions of Americans wake up to this Emmy-award winning talk show, with hosts Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa. Regis, whose illustrious television career has crowned him the Guinness World Record Holder for Most Hours on Camera on U.S. Television, has announced his retirement from the show. After 24 seasons of hosting a morning show, Regis has decided to "take on new adventures in the entertainment world," including a focus on his musical career. His final day as host will be November 18th, and the show's "Regis Farewell Celebration Season" is well underway, with special "Flashback Moments" and an "Ultimate Fan" Contest commemorating Regis's contributions to television.

Lincoln Square will surely miss one of its best-loved local celebrities with his departure!

Big Apple Circus is back in town for its 34th season, daring all New Yorkers to "Dream Big!" This brand-new show opening Thursday, October 20 boasts jugglers, acrobats, magicians, trained animals and more, all presented under the Big Top. No seat is more than 50 feet from the ring at Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park.

This year's performers hail from the United States, Bulgaria, China, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mongolia and Russia, once again providing show-goers with an array of international talent and skill. Director/ Choreographer and accomplished ballet dancer Renaud Doucet is joined by costumier and set-designer André Barbe, as well as lighting designer Guy Simard and sound designer JP Perreaux. Providing the ever-essential soundtrack will be composer Mathais Rüegg, founder of the Vienna Art Orchestra, and Music Director Rob Slowick leading the Big Apple Circus Band. And if you needed any more reason to attend, this will be circus fixture and clown, Grandma's, final season with the Big Apple Circus!

After 25 years as a staple of the Circus, Grandma, also known as Barry Lubin, will retire from touring, though he will continue to perform, direct, and write. Grandma, born from Lubin's imagination in 1975, has performed in circuses and shows around the world, including Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey. Grandma was a fixed presence at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade over 15 times, and has appeared on PBS, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Late Night with David Letterman, the Food Network, Nickelodeon, and at Winter's Eve! Be sure to see Grandma perform while you still have the chance!

Big Apple Circus will also be performing at the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District's signature event, Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square, on Monday, November 28th. Big Apple Circus will present two sets on the second floor of the Time Warner Center during the event!

The recently renovated NYIT Auditorium on Broadway is a state-of-the-art event space just steps from Lincoln Center and Columbus Circle. Convenient to all public transportation, it can accommodate a wide range of events, from private parties and exclusive screenings to executive presentations, panel discussions, and chic cocktail parties. Its versatile, bi-level layout boasts a 1,622-square-foot, glass-façade atrium and 808-square-foot lower-level concourse, both of which are ideal for registration and pre- and post-event receptions. The 262-seat auditorium, comprising 3,716 square feet, features a platform stage and is fully equipped with high-definition and 35mm projectors; a 10.5 x 18.5-foot screen; DVD, Blu-Ray, and Betacam players; video-conferencing capabilities; Mac/PC compatibilities; and wireless internet. The NYIT Auditorium on Broadway has also just undergone a second round of renovations, leaving the space equipped with brand new bathroom facilities, an upgraded sound system and additional green room, food preparation, and décor amenities.

Last but certainly not least, the NYIT Auditorium on Broadway offers a 10% Neighbor Discount to all members of the Lincoln Square BID. Please contact NYIT at 646.273.6100 or aob@nyit.edu to schedule a walk-through of this great space to see how this venue can work for your upcoming events.

October is breast cancer awareness month and throughout the month, Magnolia Bakery will be selling a limited edition "Pink Ribbon Cupcake." Purchase one of these delicious treats, baked in true Magnolia fashion, and join the fight against breast cancer. Even better, Magnolia will donate 50 cents to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for every Pink Ribbon Cupcake purchased!

With the Merkin Concert Hall, the Lucy Moses School and the Special Music School, the Kaufman Center offers a unique combination of musical education and world-class entertainment for all New Yorkers.

Merkin Concert Hall features several signature series, back for the 2011-2012 season:

Broadway Close Ups: Broadway Crowd favorites Liz Callaway, Debra Monk, Benjamin Schrader, Michael Winther and others will perform on November 7 and 9. This is a fun way to find out about upcoming, in-development Broadway shows. The series will then host Broadway tributes to John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Noel Coward and Cole Porter, and Jerry Herman in the upcoming months.

Tuesday Matinees: Merkin's longest running series, these affordable performances showcase some of the world's best up-and-coming young classical stars! Begins at 2pm on November 18th.

Ecstatic Music Festival: Thanks to the success of last year's festival, this year's Ecstatic Music Festival is back and better than ever. This gathering of composers, songwriters and performers highlights some of today's most dynamic and revolutionary contemporary artists. The festival fosters creative collaborations and musical growth for audiences as well as the artists themselves. Also included in this series is New Sounds Live, hosted by WNYC's John Schaefer.

If you haven't attended an event or class at one of Lincoln Square's most dynamic cultural hotspots, the 2011-2012 season provides ample opportunity! For more information and an events calendar, please visit www.kaufman-center.org.

Image: Heidi Blickenstaff performs at Kaufman Center's Broadway Close Up by B Wang Photo.

Interested in conserving energy? Saving money? If so- and who isn't, these days?- the Con Edison Green Team has partnered with several New York City BIDs, including the Lincoln Square BID, on a new initiative designed to help small businesses and residents save money and "go green." Through free, on-site energy efficiency surveys, the ConEd team will identify where small businesses can save with more energy-efficient lighting. They will cover 70% of the up-front costs of replacing your old lights with energy-efficient bulbs.

Need any more encouragement? In one local bakery, this program is expected to save the business $7, 075 in annual energy costs. ConEdison invites all customers with an average monthly peak demand of less than 100kW to participate in this program. If you would like to learn more, or are interested in scheduling a lighting survey, please call the Lincoln Square BID at 212.581.3774 or e-mail info@lincolnsquarebid.org.

After a period of uncertainty, the American Folk Art Museum has announced that it will remain in its original home at Two Lincoln Square. One of Lincoln Square's most beloved cultural gems, the Folk Art Museum has been a longtime staple of the district. With the help of the Ford Foundation and other gifts, the Museum will continue to provide audiences with a collection of contemporary and traditional folk art.

The Lincoln Square BID has collaborated with the American Folk Art Museum for many years, and it will continue to serve as a major venue for this year's Winter's Eve. Thanks to the Folk Art Museum, the ornaments for our holiday tree will be provided by Folk Arts Rajasthan; these lovely ornaments will also available in the Folk Art Museum's gift shop.

Image: National Tribute Quilt on display at the American Folk Art Museum

Award-winning journalist Anderson Cooper, best known for his hard-hitting newscast "Anderson Cooper 360," has moved into Jazz at Lincoln Center! The floor-to-ceiling glass wall of the Allen Room provides a stunning backdrop for his new, daily one-hour daytime talk show. "Anderson," which premiered on September 12, 2011, covers a broad range of topics, with a focus on personal stories. Through interviews, undercover investigations, and hidden camera experiments, Anderson sheds light on pertinent and important societal issues that affect people today. Described as a "true cross-platform experience," Anderson's latest show is sure to draw viewers of all kinds, encouraging them to learn, connect, and improve their worlds. For more information, or to obtain free tickets, please visit: www.andersoncooper.com.

Image: Anderson Cooper around the studio at the Allen Room

Don't forget to save the date for the 12th Annual Winter's Eve, the Lincoln Square BID's signature event! The event begins at 5:30pm on Monday, November 28 with a Neighborhood Tree Lighting Ceremony at Dante Park, Broadway and 63rd Street. Folk legend Arlo Guthrie and Family will help us light the tree after performing a few tunes. Throughout the evening, enjoy free entertainment, holiday cheer, and food tastings from local restaurants. Other headliners include klezmer band The Klezmatics, jazz vocalist Catherine Russell, Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights, ethnic dance groups presented by Dance Parade, Arm-of-the-Sea Theater, Big Apple Circus, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and many more!

To learn how to get involved in this year's celebration or to volunteer please call us at 212.581.3774 or e-mail info@lincolnsquarebid.org. See you at the tree!