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Community Corner

🌱 Community Research Initiative + Something Borrowed Something Blue

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

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(Patch Media)

Hey, Brooklyn! I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town. Because community information is power! In this issue, we'll touch on:

  • Beep Antonio Reynoso launches new initiative to inform Brooklynites about the services and resources available to them
  • Permanent art installation coming to Brooklyn Heights Library is very specific to the borough
  • New Nets players hit the pavement engaging in Brooklyn community within weeks of moving to the borough

But first, today's weather: 🌧 Showers, mainly later. High: 61 Low: 50.

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Here are the top stories today in Brooklyn:

1. The Borough President has launched a new information series, hoping to give Brooklynites the chance to get better acquainted with the community services offered to them. BBP Antonio Reynoso's initiative was created in partnership with his Department of Constituent Services and aims to give residents the opportunity to learn about community resources and assistance available to them through the city government and local nonprofits. The first info session, to be lead by Reynoso's staff and city agencies, will take place next Tuesday, Feb. 21 at the Brooklyn Heights branch of the Brooklyn Public Library from 6 - 8 p.m. — the session will focus on effective resources like child support services, cash assistance, employment services, and homelessness prevention. "Resources are no good if no one knows they're there or if they're too hard to access," said Reynoso in an announcement, drawing on experience from his own upbringing. To learn more, visit the link below.

Brooklyn Paper

2. This coming weekend, a new permanent work of art will be unveiled at the Brooklyn Heights Library, bringing metaphor and meaning to its new literary home. "Something Borrowed Something Blue" is the latest work by Brooklyn-based artist Jean Shin, a "a gravity-defying inverted tree whose contours form the map of Brooklyn." But it's borough-specific meaning goes even further: Each leaf of the tree symbolizes an area zip code and a neighborhood where Brooklyn Public Library has its local branches — each one is even inscribed with the most circulated library of its respective branch. In creating the work, Shin sources her building materials from the community, asking librarians and patrons to donate worn jeans and old technology, like headphones and CD players, to use in the construction of the piece. The installation of "Something Borrowed Something Blue" on Feb. 18 will finalize the completion of this branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, now the second largest after the organization's headquarters at Central Library.

Time Out

3. A 68-year-old man has been arrested for threatening passersby with an assault rifle on a Brooklyn street. Just before 3 p.m. on Tuesday, the suspect was walking down a street with a .22 caliber rifle near the Newkirk Plaza train station in Flatbush. He proceeded to burst into Plaza Grocery and threatened to shoot a handful of customers and staff members. Before entering the grocery store, he allegedly threatened folks at a flower shop nearby in similar fashion. A heroic employee at a neighboring store decided to take action, grabbing the suspect from behind and ordering a fellow pedestrian to take his gun away. Shortly after the police arrived and apprehended the carrier who yesterday was charged with menacing and gun possession. He lives within a blocks distance from Plaza Grocery.

Subscription / New York Daily News

4. New Nets players are adjusting to life in New York City; from the heavy traffic to getting involved in the Brooklyn community. Cam Johnson and fellow newcomers Mikal Bridges, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Dorian Finney-Smith are spreading a positive message during their first weeks in the borough. On Tuesday, Johnson and Bridges spent the afternoon with a group of students at M.S. 898 Brooklyn Green School talking about the importance of friendship and team building. Not far off, Dinwiddie and Finney-Smith were engaged in a discussion with girls and boys varsity and junior varsity basketball teams at Achievement First High School about all things basketball, as well as important life skills. Finney-Smith, coming to Brooklyn from a run with the Mavericks, says that this sort of community engagement — especially talking with students —was always a part of his life in Dallas.

AMNY

Today in Brooklyn:

  • Compost Tour: A Master Composter Field Trip, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Today @ 2 - 3 p.m. | Details
  • Free Brewery Tour, Coney Island Brewery, Today @ 4 - 5 p.m. | Details
  • Brooklyn Writers Exchange, Brooklyn Public Library Brooklyn Heights Branch, Today @ 6 p.m. | Details
  • Ellen Honigstock Art Exhibit, Brooklyn Creative League, Today @ 6 - 8 p.m. | Details
  • Black History & Culture Trivia Night, Lucky's Cocktail Lounge, Today @ 6 - 10 p.m. | Details

🐝 Brooklyn Buzz:

  • Brooklyn gallery expresses Black resistance in Black art: This year's theme at Gallery NYC in Crown Heights is "Black Resistance," and a curated group of local Black artists have displayed their artwork exploring that theme. Learn more at the link! (Caribbean Life)

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You're officially in the loop 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

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