Free Community Screening of "Will War Ever End" - February 17th @ 7pm - All Saints Episcopal Church, Sunnyside, Queens

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What: Movie - "Will War Ever End"

When: Thursday February 17th

Time: 7 pm

Where: All Saints Episcopal Church at 43-12 46 St, Sunnyside, Queens

Sponsored by: VETERANS FOR PEACE NYC CHAPTER 034

AM Cathy Nolan & CM Van Bramer, and Community Join Sunnyside Shines for Holiday Street Lighting Ceremony

Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer joins the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District for their annual holiday street lighting ceremony on Greenpoint Avenue. (From Left to Right: Daisy’s Restaurant Owner Lily Gavin, Interim President of LaGuardia Community College Dr. Peter Katopes, Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan, White Castle Regional Director John Vogt, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and CB2 District Manager, Debra Markell.)

On Tuesday, November 16th Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan and community members joined the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District for their annual holiday street lighting ceremony on Greenpoint Avenue. Each year Sunnyside Shines brings festive holiday lights to sections of Queens Boulevard and Greenpoint Avenue. The Holiday Lighting Ceremony was kicked off with a special performance by the Sunnyside Drum Corps and concluded with an official flicking of a light switch which illuminated Greenpoint Avenue with the words, “Welcome to Sunnyside.”

Local Brawl in Sunnyside Unites Elected Officials and Neighbors to Call For The Shutdown of Casa Romana Bar - A Reckless Business...

Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, Assembly Member Cathy Nolan, Community Board 2 Chairman Joseph Conley and concerned neighbors rally together in front of the Casa Romana Bar to demand its closure.

On Thursday, September 2^nd Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, Assembly Member Cathy Nolan, Community Board 2 Chairman Joseph Conley and concerned neighbors rallied together in front of the Casa Romana Bar in Sunnyside, Queens to demand its closure.

The bar was the site of a bloody brawl this past weekend, after a “Teen Night” hosted by the establishment went awry resulting in the stabbings of two minors and a total of 14 arrests, including the owners. Of those arrested 12 of the 14 were minors between the ages of 16-20. The location has had a long history of multiple violations, several of which occurred in 2009. The bar has also been cited for serving alcohol to minors.

The melee at Casa Romana took place less than 24 hours from the tragic demise of Nicole John, the 17-year-old daughter of the American Ambassador to Thailand who died last weekend after a night of underage drinking at a club followed by an after party at an apartment where she fell 25 floors to her death. 

In light of the recent headlines regarding the underage admittance to clubs and underage drinking, Council Member Van Bramer, Assembly Member Nolan and CB2 Chairman Conley joined forces to call on the NYPD to increase inspections of clubs and bars to hold these establishments accountable for their negligence and deter acts of violence like what we have seen at Casa Romana. 

Currently, Council Member Van Bramer is drafting legislation to help address this major issue of public safety.

“This rogue club is a major safety problem for local residents and children citywide,” said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. “Any location that condones underage drinking should be held accountable – the safety of our children is at great risk if these establishments don’t face the proper consequences for their negligence.”

“With the recent incidents at this establishment, it is time that we crack down on violence and under age drinking at this and other establishments,” said Assembly Member Catherine Nolan. “Casa Romana has a history of violations and should not be allowed to keep its doors open any longer. As our community grows, it’s important that we make sure that our residents are safe and businesses are operating according to law.

“Today we are calling for Casa Romana to be closed and pad locked,” said Community Board 2 Chairman Joe Conley. “The owners of this business have placed teenage lives in jeopardy just to make a dollar. Places like this, promoting "teen nights" are a haven for trouble – Casa Romana must be shutdown before a life is lost.”

News from Community Events of NYC Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer...

Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and Speaker Christine Quinn Visit the Sunnyside Library to Celebrate the Biggest Funding Restoration in History

Students present posters of thanks to the Council Member and the Speaker for keeping their libraries open.

Queens Library summer reading participants at Sunnyside Community Library present posters of thanks to Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn for saving their libraries. (From Left to Right: Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Sunnyside Community Library summer reading participants.)

Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Queens), City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Queens Library CEO Thomas Galante and community leaders joined Sunnyside Community Library children and teens at their summer reading programs on Wednesday, August 4^th. Together, they saw first hand the wonderful programming made possible by the historic $61M budget restoration for Libraries, which has saved hundreds of jobs and dozens of libraries from closing citywide.

The youngsters from Sunnyside Community Library had an opportunity to show what they’ve been up to all summer, including a teen “Book Slam” discussion and arts & crafts. In addition, the children presented the Council Member and Speaker with letters of support that they had written and posters of thanks for keeping their libraries open.

“Nothing means more than preserving the invaluable services and programs that enrich our communities,” said Council Member Van Bramer. “I am so proud that the historic budget restoration which we have fought hard to make possible will keep libraries open and such wonderful programming available for our communities.”

“With the highest circulation in the United States, the Queens Public Library serves thousands of residents across the borough as a place for literacy, employment and community engagement,” said Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “Preserving funding for this irreplaceable New York City resource sends the strong message that our city is providing crucial cultural services even in the toughest of times.”

Council Member Van Bramer and Congressman Crowley Recognize “National Night Out Against Crime” By Fighting Graffiti With Woodside on the Move

Van Bramer Secured $10,000 in City Funds for Neighborhood Beautification Efforts...

 

Council Member Van Bramer and Congressman Crowley join forces with the Woodside On The Move to remove graffiti in the neighborhood. (From Left to Right: Woodside on the Move Volunteers, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and Congressman Joseph Crowley.)

Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Queens) and Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx) participated in Woodside on the Move’s graffiti removal efforts on Tuesday, August 3. Together, they saw first-hand how the $10,000 Council Member Van Bramer secured in city funding has been put to use. Woodside on the Move is a not-for-profit community development organization that promotes neighborhood stabilization, economic growth and improvement in the quality of life for those who live, attend school, or work in the Woodside community.


“I would like to thank Woodside on the Move for their proactive involvement in restoring the quality-of-life in our neighborhoods by removing these eyesores,” said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. “Graffiti in our communities will not be tolerated and today's efforts are just the beginning of a community campaign to remove graffiti once and for all.”


“Creating a safe and welcoming community is truly a collaborative effort, and Woodside on the Move has made great strides in bringing the neighborhood together to cultivate such an environment,” said Congressman Crowley. “I am pleased to see how the Federal funding I secured has been put to good use, as these beautification efforts create opportunity for business and improve the overall quality of life for Woodside’s families.”

“Graffiti can paint an inaccurate portrait of a neighborhood as it gives the perception that the community is on the decline,” said Rosa Reyes, Executive Director of Woodside on the Move, Inc. “Our graffiti removal program empowers the youth involved by providing an opportunity to join their peers in a positive activity, all while improving the overall quality of the neighborhood for local businesses and residents.”

Both Council Member Van Bramer and Congressman Crowley had secured $10,000 each in city and federal funding, which is $20,000 combined to fund the organization’s graffiti removal and other area beautification projects.

COUNCIL MEMBER VAN BRAMER SUPPORTS FAMILY DAY

AT RAVENSWOOD

After successfully allocating $10K for the Ravenswood Resident Association, Council Member Van Bramer also brings the Moveable Museum to Family Day...

Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer joins Ravenswood Houses residents for their Annual Health Fair & Family Day in Ravenswood, Queens. (From Left to Right: President of the Ravenswood Resident Association Carol Wilkins and Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer.)

On Saturday, July 31^st Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer joined Ravenswood Houses residents for their Annual Health Fair & Family Day. Friends and neighbors gathered together to enjoy a fun filled day of games and food and hands-on health tips complete with free on-site blood pressure testing.

Council Member Van Bramer was pleased announce the successful allocation of $10,000 for the Ravenswood Resident Association, who hosted Family Day and many other community programs throughout the year. In addition, Family Day was made even more special this year by the presence of the Museum of Natural History’s Moveable Museum. As a result of Council Member Van Bramer’s efforts to bring the Museum to Ravenswood, children had the opportunity to enjoy the museums mobile interactive exhibit focusing on dinosaurs at the Family Day Event. The mobile museum travels to schools, libraries, and community organizations within New York City's five boroughs.