🌱 Jeweler Assaulted + Librarians Of The Year + Crown Heights Forest

Hey neighbors! Let's get this weekend started off right with a quick dive into everything you need to know about what's happening in town, including updates on...

• An elderly jeweler was left for dead in 100K robbery
• BK librarians recognized for fighting the tides of censorship
• A look at Crown Heights, and its over 8,000 trees 🌳

But first, today's weather:

🌤 Partly cloudy and a bit colder. High: 46 Low: 36.

Here are the top stories in Brooklyn today:

1. An elderly Brooklyn jeweler who was beaten and left for dead in $100,000 robbery continues to fight for his life. Manny Cohen, 79, is father of three and grandfather of nine, and remained hospitalized and unconscious since Dec. 30. Search for the two fugitives continues, bandits who entered Cohen's shop and beat him "with the intention to kill him," said the victim's son, Shawn. When he spoke to police, Shawn expressed concern from his family that this was not the first time that the suspects had targeted a senior citizen. Shawn said the family had been feeling unsafe for the past year, with another robbery attempt around Thanksgiving that, at the time, left Manny with a bleeding head wound. Police released surveillance footage of the suspects Sunday and asked the public’s help identifying them and tracking them down. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

Subscription / New York Daily News

2. The Brooklyn Public Library team who spearheaded the 'Books Unbanned' program have been named librarians of the year. Librarians Nick Higgins, Leigh Hurwitz, Karen Keys, and Amy Mikel, along with YA Internship Coordinator Jackson Gomes, were recognized for their tireless fight for intellectual freedom against the rising tides of censorship nationwide. Books Unbanned allows young adults (13-21 years old) across the country to apply for a free eCard from Brooklyn Public Library, giving them access to the library's extensive collection of 500,000 eBooks and audiobooks. Since the program launched in April 2022, more than 6,000 teens and young adults from all 50 states have applied for the card.

Brooklyn Eagle

3. According to a new map of the neighborhood, Crown Heights is home to 8,254 trees — and nearly 200 species! Collectively, the greenery has added over $1.2 million in annual environmental and ecological benefits to the neighborhood — this includes catching nearly 13 million gallons of stormwater, conserving almost eight million kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy, and removing over 15,000 tons of air pollutants and 13 million tons of carbon dioxide each year. Of the whopping 188 tree species, the Honey Locust is the most popular tree with over 800 of them in Crown Heights; these guys can live for over 150 years and grow to be nearly 100 feet tall. Just behind Bay Ridge and East New York, Crown Heights is one of the leafiest neighborhoods in Brooklyn. For more about the trees of Crown Heights, check the link below!

Brooklyn Patch

Today in Brooklyn:

• Gallery After Dark, Brooklyn Art Cave, Today @ 7 p.m. | Details
• Ego Free Jam & New Year's Vision Board Party, Delight Factory, Today @ 7 p.m. | Details
• In-Person Speed Dating, That Bar, Today @ 7 p.m. | Details
• Karaoke Night, BrookLAN, Today @ 8 p.m. | Details
• [Free Show!] Popped Collar Comedy, House Party Cafe & Lounge, Today @ 9 p.m. | Details

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you tomorrow with another update.

— 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 Daily? Contact me at brooklyn@patch.com