This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

🌱 Celebrating Chu+ Gun Violence Epidemic+ Myrtle Ave. Restaurant Week

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Brooklyn.

Carlie Houser's profile picture
Carlie Houser, NeighborVerified User Badge
|
(Patch Media)

Hello, everybody. Carlie Houser here with your fresh copy of the Brooklyn Patch newsletter, filled with all the community information you need to know right now. In today's newsletter, you'll find news about these stories and more:

  • BK's Iwen Chu makes history as first Asian American woman elected to NY Senate
  • Local officials gather to discuss gun violence public health crisis
  • Myrtle Avenue is about to have its first ever Restaurant Week!

But first, today's weather:

☀️ Mostly sunny and breezy. High: 53 Low: 35.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Brooklyn who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top stories in Brooklyn today:

1. Iwen Chu was just elected to represent South Brooklyn in the Senate, making her the first ever Asian American woman elected to the New York State Senate. On Sunday, Chu, 44, won her election to represent the 17th Senate District in Albany, a new Asian-majority district in Southern Brooklyn that covers parts of Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Kensington. Fellow Democrats were on hand to celebrate Chu's inauguration to a seat she just nearly won — Chu managed to edge out Republican competitor Vito LaBella by a mere 534 votes out of nearly 38,000 cast. The festivities on Sunday were a celebration of the diversity of South Brooklyn, and of bettering representation in higher levels of government. New York State Attorney General Letitia James commended the people of Chu's district for electing a capable leader.

Brooklyn Reader

2. Leading officials in Brooklyn convened on Monday to address a public health issue: gun violence. Speakers including NYPD officers, health experts, and local leaders gathered at NYC Health+Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health for a panel to discuss gun violence as a threat to public health, one that disproportionately effects the Black community. According to the most recent NYC Health+Hospitals Community Health Needs Assessment, 50 percent of all patients in the health care system effected by gun violence are Black. Panelists discussed root causes of gun violence in communities like South Brooklyn — where instances of gun violence rose last years — as well as methods of prevention. "It's a collaborative effort," said Camara Jackson, founder of Flatbush-based Elite Learners, meaning communities and local government need to find ways to work together to develop mitigation methods like meeting more frequently, bettering services that offer alternatives to traditional policing, providing mental health aid, and focusing on youth support and education.

Brooklyn Paper / Elite Learners (Violence Interrupters)

3. Restaurant week is coming to Myrtle Avenue for the first time with three-course dinners priced between $20 and $40. The nine-day event kicks off Feb. 17 and features nine restaurants in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill serving all sorts of fare, like Thai, Mexican, Chinese, and British. Chad Purkey, the executive director of Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, said that Myrtle Avenue Restaurant Week is a perfect way to boost awareness about and garner new clientele for local eateries that may have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. "The event offers diners an incentive to visit Myrtle Avenue's great collection of restaurants, with great deals offered as both a thank you to loyal customers and an incentive for diners to perhaps discover something new," Purkey adds. The restaurants participating in this inaugural Restaurant Week are Casa Nono, Castro's, DunHuang, Glin Thai Bistro, Lula Mae, Osteria Brooklyn, Putnam's Pub, Spice and Grill, and U-GU. For more info, visit the link below.

Brooklyn Magazine

From our sponsor:

There's a reason over 4 million people read Morning Brew — the daily email that delivers the latest news across business, finance, and tech straight to your inbox. Let's face it: traditional business news can be dry, dense, and boring, but Morning Brew is written in a witty yet educational tone that makes reading the news actually enjoyable. The best part? It's free and only takes 5 minutes to read so you can get all of the most relevant updates and get on with your day. If you're interested in business, current events, or just want to learn something new there's no reason not to try it.

Today in Brooklyn:

  • Bartel-Pritchard Square Greenmarket, Prospect Park West & 15th Street, Today @ 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Details
  • Happy Hour Show, BKLYN Comedy Club, Today @ 6 - 7:30 p.m. | Details
  • 'Good Sport' Podcast Launch Party, The Bell House, Today @ 6:30 p.m. | Details
  • In-Person Class: Fresh Pasta 101, Farm To People, Today @ 6:45 - 8:45 p.m. | Details
  • Bushwick's Got Talent Variety Show, House of Yes, Today @ 7 p.m. | Details

From my notebook:

  • Brooklyn Arts this February: At the link, check out Brooklyn Arts Council's February 2023 lineup, celebrating Black History Month and community healing and wellness. (Brooklyn Arts Council)
  • A Bronx educator helping students reach their potential: "Ja'keel Daniels is the academic dean and principal in residence at DREAM Mott Haven Middle School on Wales Avenue. He's been in that role for the past two years. He's accomplished a lot in his seven-year career as an educator, which includes earning his Ph.D. However, Daniels says academics didn't always play an important part of his life." Read more at the link (News 12 New York)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

Events:

Housing:

That's it for today. I'll see you around!

— Carlie Houser

About me: I'm a recent grad based in Brooklyn, NY. I love to write, run, read, and find new restaurants and venues around the city.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Brooklyn Patch newsletter? Contact me at brooklyn@patch.com

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Brooklyn