Lew and Julie Story

The Sunnyside United Neighborhood Network (SUNN), best known for cleaning up graffiti across a large chunk of the neighborhood, is scaling back its operations.

SUNN will no longer be holding its spring and fall cleanups, which used to attract as many as 100 volunteers. These cleanups would typical cover most of the northern section of Sunnyside and volunteers would include representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints to members of labor union 79.

However, in recent times, the 12-year-old organization established by Julie and Lew Story has experienced a decline in “neighborhood participation.”  

“The group was formed to bring the community together and to make the area nicer,” said Frank Caropreso, who is the de facto leader of the group, since the Storys left Sunnyside last year for Oklahoma. However, “most of the work is now being done by outsiders.”

The core group, which is now comprised of about 10 Sunnyside residents, will conduct smaller paint jobs—such as clean up mailboxes and lampposts– at varying times during the year. It will also back up the graffiti removal program introduced by councilman Jimmy Van Bramer in 2010 (ph: 718-383-9566).

Van Bramer implemented a $30,000 anti-graffiti program in 2010, where certain streets are cleaned on a monthly basis by a city contractor. These streets and avenues include, Skillman Ave., 43^rd Ave., Roosevelt Ave. and Woodside Ave. Furthermore, the public has a hot-line service to call should they spot graffiti and want it cleaned.

Caropreso said the group had received city funding in the past; however, the paperwork to receive it had become so arduous that the group decided not to reapply. Additionally, “Jimmy’s graffiti program has made SUNN no longer as relevant,” he said.

Caropreso said the city funding did help maintain a $250 per month garage space where it would keep its commercial power washing equipment and paint.

The group is looking to sell the power washing equipment—unless it can find space to house it. Some of the paint will be kept in the basement of Caropreso’s house.

While the group is cutting back, Caropreso said: “In an emergency, SUNN will always be there. If there is a swastika painted on a synagogue or a church is vandalized we will be their fast.”

This location on 43rd Ave. was later cleaned by SUNN

 

Around 11:00 am, a man entered the 47-21 Queens Blvd store allegedly carrying a silver firearm covered by a newspaper, police said. The perpetrator then displayed the weapon to an employee and went around the back of the counter to steal property and cash.

The man failed to obtain anything and then fled the video-game store on foot.

The police describe the man as white, around 5 foot 8 and 180 pounds.

The CBS series “Person of Interest“ is expected to be filming today (Friday) on 46th Street between 50th Avenue and Laurel Hill Blvd.

This poll will remain open until 11:59pm Sunday.  It allows only one vote per IP address. Therefore, the results should reflect the community’s view on it.

Sunnyside trash

The Department of Sanitation is adding 24 trash baskets to streets on the south side of Queens Blvd.

The new baskets, which would be in Sunnyside and Woodside, come after a number of constituents contacted Jimmy Van Bramer’s office requesting the need for more trash cans along secondary streets south of Queens Boulevard.

“The placement of these trash baskets south of Queens Boulevard helps facilitate the cleanliness of the neighborhood and improves the quality of life for community residents,” Van Bramer said.

In February, Van Bramer announced that trash cans were being added primarily to the northern section of Queens Blvd.

The event, which has always been run on a low budget, is starting its fundraising efforts early this year. This Wednesday (Feb. 1, 7:00pm) the leaders of the event are getting together at Molly Blooms (Queens Blvd (btw. 43rd -44th) and are seeking a suggested donation of $25 per head.

This year’s parade will begin at the corner of 47th Street and Skillman Ave at 2:00 pm, with it ending at 58th Street and Woodside Ave. The post party will be held at Saints & Sinners at 60th Street and Roosevelt Ave.

The “St Pats for All” has grown into one of Sunnyside/Woodside’s largest events. It began after Irish lesbians and gays were prevented from participating in the Fifth Ave. parade—if they elected to march under a gay banner. In response, Brendan Fay, the co-chairman of the “St Pats for All” parade, established the Sunnyside/Woodside event.

The parade has drawn a diverse group of performers over the years. Typical attendees include the Niall O’Leary School of Irish Dance, the Keltic Dream Dancers, bagpipe brigades, Sunnyside Drum Corps. — to the local Sunnyside dog group, SUDS.

The well-known gay groups, such as Dignity USA, Stonewall Democrats of NYC and the Queens Lesbian & Gay Pride Committee tend to march.

At the same time, there tends to be many ethnic groups marching under a multitude of banners, representing countries such as Haiti, Chile, Mexico, Bolivia and Korea.

For further information, please click on St Pats for All

Keltic Dream Dancers