NYC Sues Three Landlords + Brooklyn Librarians Win National Award

Editorial Correction: A previous version of this newsletter incorrectly named the BPL program. Please note this version is updated to correctly reflect the BPL program name as Books Unbanned.

Good morning, New York City!

• ⚠️ The city is suing three landlords over dangerous conditions.
• 🏅 Librarians in Brooklyn won a national award for "Books Unbanned."
• 🌊 How sea level rise could affect NYC's water supply.

But first, today's weather:

☁️ It looks like we're in for some foggy weather. A couple of morning showers. High: 48 Low: 37.

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Here are the top five stories in New York City today:

1. The city is suing a trio of landlords with buildings in Brooklyn, Queens and Upper Manhattan that they say have amassed thousands of housing violations, creating dangerous conditions for tenants including elevators with failed brakes, foot-long cracks in building facades and lead paint. (New York City Patch)
2. Five Brooklyn Public Library workers have been awarded a coveted national honor by Library Journal for creating Books Unbanned, an initiative that provided free online nationwide access to the library’s e-collection, including many titles that have been banned in other parts of the country. (New York City Patch)
3. It may be the middle of winter, but the Parks Department is already beginning its lifeguard recruitment for the summer, with reforms to the test and a new campaign. Last summer, the city’s pools and beaches had hundreds fewer lifeguards than the ideal 1,400. (Gothamist)
4. Experts are concerned that rising sea levels caused by climate change could threaten a portion of New York City’s drinking water supply from the Delaware River Basin, which in the future could become at risk of contamination from salt water. (THE CITY)
5. A New York State judge announced he will block a plan by the Taxi and Limousine Commission to raise the pay of NYC Uber drivers, saying that the increase was not sufficiently increased. The company has protested the increase, saying it would need to raise fares and spend an additional $21 million per month. (Subscription/The New York Times)

New York City pic of the day:

Remember to submit a photo from your neighborhood to newyorkcity@patch.com for a chance to be featured! We love skylines, bodega cats, coffee shops, streetscapes, parks and everything else that makes this city great. Please include your full name and an optional description.

This weekend in New York City:

• All weekend: Funny Immigrants Festival: Lower Manhattan (multiple times)
• All weekend: Last Chance To See Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanical Garden: Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (4:30 p.m.)
• Saturday: Learn How To Roll Sushi: Kew Gardens, Queens (1 p.m.)
• Sunday: Prototype Festival, The All Sing "HERE LIES JOY": Times Square, Manhattan (2 p.m.)
• Sunday: Bach Vespers Presents J.S. Bach’s Cantata “Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern” (5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• New York City’s 2023 restaurant week is starting on Jan. 17, with prix-fixe meals starting at $30. (New York City Patch)
• East Harlem celebrated Three Kings Day with a parade Friday morning, featuring live camels and three wise men. (AMNY)
• A Manhattan judge is allowing New York Attorney General Letitia James’ $250 million lawsuit against the Trump Organization to proceed. (Subscription/New York Daily News)
• Marking the anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection on the Capitol, New York State Senator Brad Hoylman introduced the “Restrict Insurrectionists from Office Taking Act,” or RIOT Act for short. (New York City Patch)
• Patch is bidding farewell to Nick Garber, a reporter who has covered the Upper East Side, Harlem and other neighborhoods across the city for the past two years. Here’s his letter to readers. (New York City Patch)

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Events:

• Cooking Class “French Bistro" (January 6)
• Office Furniture & Lounge Furniture Liquidation 2 Day Liquidation Sale (January 7)
• Death in New York Walking Tour (January 7)
• Join P.S.150 on January 8, 2023, for our very first Lunar New Year Celebration! (January 8)
• La Boutique Fantasque (January 8)
• Bach Vespers Presents J.S. Bach’s Cantata “Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern” (January 8)
• High School Information Session (January 9)
• Lenihan & Weiner Comedy of the Yearier (January 9)
• Responding to the Christian Nationalist Assault on Separation of Church and State (January 9)
• White Collar Week: Elizabeth Kelley Criminal Defense for People w Mental Health Disabilities (January 10)
• Showcase From Space (January 12)
• Overcoming Burnout/Compassion Fatigue: A Workshop for Caregivers (January 14)
• Introduction to Judaism (January 18)
• Berkeley College Honors Program Information Session (January 18)
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Gigs & services:

• Tara's School for Dogs — Training for Puppies & Adult Dogs (Details)
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Housing:

• Top Senior Housing and Assisted Living in New York and Florida (Details)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll see you soon!

— Dashiell Allen

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming New York City Daily? Contact me at patchnyc@patch.com