🌱 Lunar New Year Celebration + Neighbors Rally Against Shelter

Happy hump day, neighbors! I am your host, Patrick Murray here to bring you three fresh headlines from the neighborhood.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy with a high of 47 and a low of 38.

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

1. Chinatown kicked off its celebration of Lunar New Year with Midnight Madness on Mott Street. The event was organized by the New York Chinese FreeMasons Athletic Club and began the days and weeks of celebration. See here for photos of the exciting celebration. (AMNY)
2. Chinatown leaders, community members and elected officials gathered this week to celebrate the Lunar New Year, as well as double down on their stance against the hotel at 91 East Broadway being converted into a homeless shelter. Many community residents fear that the opening of another shelter will make the neighborhood less safe and are vehemently against the project. Last week, the local community board voted heavily in favor of moving forward with the project. (Gothamist)
3. A new health-conscious vegan restaurant has opened in Chinatown. Cleanse Theory Kitchen started serving up plant-based meals at 83 Henry St., off of Mechanics Alley. The restaurant is currently open Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Bowery Boogie)

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Today in Lower East Side-Chinatown:

• Introduction to Chess for Kids, Hamilton Fish Recreation Center. (3 p.m.)
• Basketball skill development, Hamilton Fish Recreation Center. (4 p.m.)
• Heated Winter Wonderland Happy Hour, Loreley Beer Garden. (5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Get in the loving Valentine's Day spirit by donating to Animal Haven. (Facebook)
• Happy Lunar New Year from the Grand St. Settlement. (Facebook)
• Important info from the Lower East Side Ecology Center. (Facebook)
• Celebrate the Lunar New Year by supporting these Asian American-owned small businesses. (WABC-TV)
• Here is the neighborhood's real estate roundup. (Lower East Side-Chinatown Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Success Academy Union Square Virtual Information Session (February 8)
• Success Academy Union Square Virtual Information Session (February 8)
• Help Us Improve Your Health | Ayúdenos a mejorar su salud | Помогите нам улучшить ваше здоровье (February 16)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday off right. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update!

— Patrick Murray