The councilman, who represents District 26, introduced his six employees, three of whom are dedicated to constituency services and the remainder to more of the nuts-and-bolts of politics, such as legislative, budget and press work.

The three “constituent liaisons” generally address residents’ concerns based on where their problems arise.  Joe Kanton is responsible for helping constituents in Sunnyside and Long Island City; Deborah Tharrington, in Woodside and Ravenswood; and Miriam Villanueva in Queensbridge.

 “We ran a campaign that promised constituent services and quality of life issues as priority number one,” Van Bramer said. “We held this event so people would get to know the staff and the office– and feel comfortable that they can come by anytime.”

Van Bramer, who spoke before a packed office throughout the afternoon, said that his office has already worked on 150 cases for constituents in the two months he has been in office.

Van Bramer introduced his chief of staff Tim Roberts, whose principal role will be to be act as the councilman’s point person and to run the District office. Roberts was the chief of staff for councilman David Yassky, who represented Brooklyn Heights and Greenpoint.

Van Bramer also introduced Andres Berry, who assists him with budget, legislative and press work, and Asher Jacobs, who is in charge of meetings and scheduling.

http://www.ny1.com/1-all-boroughs-news-content/114875/mta–track-repairs-complete-along-7-line

Floresta, a new Argentinean restaurant focusing on soul and comfort foods, is opening at 41-08 Greenpoint Ave. (at the former location of Moment’s Argentinian Steakhouse).  The furnishings have been set up and the employees are making finishing touches. The manager said the store is expected to open in about two weeks and a new awning is going to be erected soon. 

The restaurant’s chef will be Alejandro Cantagallo, who has extensive culinary experience, according the restaurant’s website. His parents ran an Argentine butcher shop and later he co-managed Don Francisco’s Butcher Shop in Jackson Heights.  He also served as a chef for “celebrity chef” Daisy Martinez, assisted John Doherty (former executive chef at the Waldorf-Astoria) in opening a Long Island restaurant, and competed at the Grand Salon Culinaire of the Societe Culinaire Philanthropique.

Kids from the Bronx, gay activists, die-hard Irishmen and, yes, plenty of politicians, all turned out for the 11th St. Patrick’s Day for All Parade in Sunnyside/Woodside on Sunday.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed the event. He said that “parades ought to be for everyone.” The statement referred to the history of the parade, which was established after Irish groups were prohibited from marching under gay banners on Fifth Ave.

Christine Quinn, the gay council speaker, said the “parade sends a message about diversity, where all faiths and differences are accepted…and hopefully this unity will be on Fifth Ave.” Brendan Fay, the founder of the parade, paid homage to the warmest weather in the parade’s history. “I guess we know why it starts in ‘Sunny-Side’.”

 But much of the spotlight was on the two grand marshals: Danny Dromm, the recently elected District 25 councilman (Jackson Heights), who was a former Sunnyside school teacher at PS 199 and has marched in all 11 parades; and Mary Lanning, who runs several non-profit groups that feed the homeless and provide second-hand clothes to the poor.

Participants

Among this years participants were The Keltic Dream Irish Dancers, a group of 35 children from the Bronx, who captivated spectators as the speeches were going on. The girls performed classic jigs reminiscent of Gaelic schools in Dublin.

The four bagpipe bands and traditional Irish musicians added to the Irish authenticity of the event; so too, did an Irish language school and the Niall O’Leary School of Irish Dancers. Even the local Sunnyside dog group, SUDSMUTS, marched member dogs festooned in an assortment of green regalia such as a scarf with “Kiss me I’m Irish.”

At the same time, there were also a variety of ethnic groups marching under a multitude of banners, representing countries such as Haiti, Chile, Mexico and Bolivia. One speaker noted that the Irish had a duty to help Haiti and Chile in their time of need. These countries sent money to Ireland during the famine.

A plethora of gay groups were also out in force. Among them was Dignity USA, Stonewall Democrats of NYC, Queens Lesbian & Gay Pride Committee and another group that had very direct message: “God made me Queer”.

For further photos, please click on images kindly provided by Debra Reschoff-Ahearn at:  http://debchephotography.ifp3.com/site/

Type in “gallery” and ”St. Patrick’s Day parade”.  There are a number of well-known residents among Debra’s photos.

New York 1’s Coverage

http://www.ny1.com/8-queens-news-content/top_stories/114831/sunnyside-parade-celebrates-pride-of-the-irish

The following is a reminder that the eleventh Sunnyside/Woodside St. Patrick’s Day parade will be held tomorrow, Sunday, March 7, at 2pm. Festivities begin at 1:00 pm.

More than 1,200 participants are expected to join the parade, which begins at the corner of 43^rdStreet and Skillman Ave – and ends at 61^stand Woodside Ave.

This year, many of the traditional Irish groups will be present, marching under a wide array of banners. There will be four pipe bands, dancers from the Niall O’Leary School of Irish Dance, and traditional Irish musicians from the tri-state area.

Additionally, Brian Fleming, the acclaimed Bodhran player (an Irish drum), will play with De Jimbe– a 7-piece band that blends traditional Irish music with African sounds.

There will be a variety of other groups that will march. They include:

• The Keltic Dream Irish Dancers, a group of about 35 children (aged 7-12 year) from PS 59 in the Bronx, who are black, Latino and Indian who have learned Irish dance
• A Haitian group from the International Career Institute
• A group of 40 Tibetan students from the YCC & Himalayan South East Asian Club
• Dance groups representing Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Mexico
• School marching bands
• Sunnyside United Dog Society, whose members walk their dogs in the parade
• A senior citizen walking group, representing the Sunnyside Community Services
• Dignity USA, representing gay lesbian, bisexual & transgender Catholics
• A variety of other gay groups
• Boys & Girls clubs 

 
Grand Marshal

Two grand marshals have been named this year: Danny Dromm and Mary Lanning.

Dromm, who was an openly gay fourth grade teacher at PS 199, helped co-found the parade and has been involved in it ever since, Fay said.  In the past he marched with his students from PS 199.

Dromm was elected as the New York City council member to district 25 (Jackson Heights) in November and assumed office Jan. 1.

Meanwhile, Lanning, an insurance executive, is the chairman of the NYC Clothing bank and is a founding member of YES!Solutions Inc., a grass roots organization that brings relief to the homeless, impoverished and ill.

 Note: Residents will not be allowed to park along the parade route after 11:59pm Saturday, March 6, through to 4 pm the day of the parade.  

For a more complete story on the parade, please click on the following link: Come One Come all

The reports, which are available by clicking on each restaurant’s name on this page, are very different. Dazies’ violations appear to be quite minor, dealing with the temporature that some of the food was being kept at.

But the Health Dept. was particularly tough on Skillman’s Famous Pizza & Coffee Shop. It raised questions as to the general cleanliness of the establishment.

It is worth noting that it is rare for a restaurant to be closed by the health department. Those few restaurants that fail to pass (a score of 28 or more) are typically given time to rectify the matter. Please click on the following link petaining to Sunnyside restaurants.

The event will provide the public with an opportunity to visit Van Bramer’s office and meet his staff. It will be held at:

47-01 Queens Blvd, Suite 205
Sunnyside, NY 11104