🌱Grace Lee Enters Assembly Race + Moxy LES Hotel To Open In 2022

Rise and shine, Lower East Side-Chinatown! It's your host, Patrick Murray here with 3 headlines to get your day started.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy with a high of 39 and a low of 32.

Here are the top stories in Lower East Side-Chinatown today:

1. Community organizer and small business owner Grace Lee has entered the running for State Assembly in Lower Manhattan's 65th district. Lee enters the race with plenty of community support, including the endorsement of Aixa Torres, president of the Smith Houses tenants' association. She has named improving access to health care and COVID-19 resources, ensuring that small businesses thrive, and combating anti-Asian hate as among her top priorities should she be elected. (The Village Sun)
2. The 303-floor Moxy Lower East Side is slated to open in 2022. The new hotel will feature touchless kiosk check-in, various tech-savvy amenities, a co-working space, a fitness center, and three flexible meeting studios. (Hospitality Net)
3. Read a glowing review of beloved local eatery Dhamaka. The Indian restaurant, located at Essex Market, has made a splash among the many exciting new eateries on the Lower East Side. (Grub Street)

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Today in Lower East Side-Chinatown:

• "Dragon Inn" screening at The Metrograph. (2 p.m.)
• "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" screening at The Metrograph. (4:30 p.m.)
• SESH Comedy, BYOB comedy club on the Lower East Side. (8:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• 9-year-old Whimsy the chihuahua at Animal Haven has plenty of love to give! (Facebook)
• 12 NYC restaurants opening in 2022, including one in Chinatown. (Thrillist)
• 5 open houses to check out in the neighborhood. (Lower East Side-Chinatown Patch)
• The Lower East Side from 1985. (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon.

— Patrick Murray