🌱Emmett Till Opera Opens + Sen. Parker Pitches Gas Tax Holiday

Happy Wednesday, people of Ditmas Park-Flatbush! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Cooler; a little p.m. rain. High: 46 Low: 42.

Here are the top stories in Ditmas Park-Flatbush today:

1. "Emmett Till, A New American Opera" premieres today at John Jay College, retelling the story of the brutal lynching of Emmett Till. In the opera, Till's mother is played by Lucia Renata Bradord, a Flatbush native. While the opera has received some early criticism regarding its writer, Bradord is excited for audiences to see it. (New York Daily News)
2. Flatbush and Ditmas Park's own State Senator Kevin Parker plans to introduce a 'gas tax holiday' due to the recent surge in prices being felt throughout the state. That would lower the price at the pump, but the MTA says the loss in tax revenue after a year would mean $400 million less in revenue for public transportation. Parker says he would like to eliminate the tax temporarily without hurting mass transit. (News 12)
3. The Brooklyn Women’s Business Center is holding a conference for small businesses struggling to recover from a loss in revenue due to the pandemic. Owners will learn how to give an effective one-minute 'elevator pitch,' with the chance to win $1,000. (Brooklyn Reader)

From our sponsor:

Today's Ditmas Park-Flatbush Daily is brought to you in part by Recovery Centers of America, a Patch Brand Partner. April is Alcohol Awareness month — and in recognition of the effort to raise awareness around alcohol misuse, Recovery Centers of America is committed to helping you understand whether your drinking habits are healthy or problematic.

Today in Ditmas Park-Flatbush:

• Councilwoman Rita Joseph holds a 'community wellness' event outside PS 139, with free fresh food available. (4 p.m.)
• Karaoke Wednesday @ BK Lobster Flatbush, 589 Flatbush Avenue (6 p.m.)
• Dougie Fit Brooklyn Fitcamp, at AB Event Space, 5105 Church Ave. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Congresswoman Yvette Clarke announced her office will be accepting funding submissions from nonprofit groups within the district for local projects. The deadline to apply is April 18. (clarke.house.gov)
• Brooklyn College stands in solidarity with Ukraine during the ongoing war. Read more about the school's connections to the region here. (Facebook)
• The nonprofit, One Brooklyn Health, is seeking multiple nurses – including specifically from Caribbean backgrounds – to fill multiple open positions. (Caribbean Life)

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That's it for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with your next update.

— Dashiell Allen