🌱 Ratty Hotspots + NY Rising Digs Up Trouble + Barbie Pop-Up Café

Hey, friends! Today’s National Beer Day; did you know that it commemorates when President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act in 1933, which once again permitted beer brewing and selling after Prohibition? Sylvia Cochran here, sitting in for your regular writer with your Friday edition of the New York City Patch newsletter. Today's briefing includes news about...

• 🍷 A Malibu Barbie Café pop-up
• 🚲 An opportunity to weigh in on CitiBike’s Bronx expansion
• ✝️ Cardinal Dolan pronounces blessings on Holy Thursday

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across New York City

• Conoco at 451 Lorimer St. in Brooklyn, $3.19
• Pride at 74-08 Jamaica Ave. in Jamaica, $3.19
• BP at 133 Cutter Mill Rd. in Great Neck, $3.29

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

1. How’s the city’s war on rats going? Last year, Mayor Eric Adams asked for the identification of hot spots. Among others, we have Chinatown and the Lower East Side in Manhattan, Grand Concourse in the Bronx, and Prospect Heights in Brooklyn. Currently, "ramped-up mitigation efforts" include a two-hour reduction of the time you can leave a trash bag on the sidewalk. (Patch)
2. Why did Oakwood Beach homeowners call on the media for assistance? It turns out that NY Rising bought 504 homes on Staten Island after the destruction brought by Superstorm Sandy some 11 years ago. Now, the state’s recovery initiative is coming after homeowners “for encroaching on what is now state land.” One homeowner had her walkway dug up and handrails broken. Reportedly, three inches of it were (now) on the government’s property. NY Rising explains its actions as being required to let the non-inhabited lots “revert to nature.” (ABC)
3. Catholic Charities of New York spent Thursday giving out food to families in need. The event took place at the Church of St. Joseph of the Holy Family at 405 West 125th Street. Neighbors received 350 bags of food. Cardinal Dolan was on hand to offer a blessing for the observance of Holy Thursday. "We want to be humble servants to the great people of this community," he said. (ABC)
4. CitiBike is expanding, and needs your help! Bronx residents in and around Belmont, West Farms, Marble Hill and Kingsbridge can highlight where you want to see CitiBikeNYC stations — or where you definitely don't want them. So far, 255 neighbors have weighed in. (NYC DOT Projects)
5. “Barbie” is coming to theaters in May. Becky Brown, whom you may know as a semi-finalist on “Master Chef,” is planning a pop-up Malibu Barbie Café to mark the occasion. It’ll run from May 17 to September 15 at an as-of-yet undisclosed location, and promises to transport guests “to 1970s Malibu, California, with a sea of poptimistic Barbie colors, laid-back beachy motifs, and lots of retro glam.” If you want to eat here, you must join a waitlist beginning April 19. As to what’s on the menu, we know it’ll be “all day brunch, friendly fare, delicious desserts, and a variety of drinks.” (NY Eater, Malibu Barbie Cafe)

📆 Today in New York City:

• Poster House offers Free Admission & Activities for teens (10 AM)
• The Throg's Neck Library hosts Beginners One on One Computer Sessions For Seniors (10 AM)
• Visit the Church of the Heavenly Rest for a Good Friday Service of Prayer, Music, and Meditation (12 PM)
• The Strand Book Store invites you to its 3rd floor Rare Book Room for a Book Signing With Author Susanna Moore and conversation with actor, director and producer Griffin Dunne (7 PM)
• Kenny Sebastian brings his Professor of Tomfoolery Comedy Tour to the Palladium (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "❤️ Last week we shared the story of Leelee, a mama whose "owner" surrendered her but kept her puppies. While Leelee battled Parvovirus, she also battled a broken heart from being separated from her puppies. We are thrilled to announce that this little Bully is ready to be discharged from the clinic. All we need now is a HOME!" (NYC Second Chance Rescue Dogs via Facebook)
• "The FDNY throw-back photo is from April 1970 – FDNY Probationary Firefighters drilling on the scaling ladder at the Fire Academy. Learn more about FDNY history with the New York City Fire Museum Throwback FDNY Podcast, now available on Apple, Spotify and Google Play." (New York City Fire Department (FDNY) via Facebook)
• "When Officers Cozzolino, Hanna and Iorio were attacked with a machete near Times Square on New Year's Eve, they knew they still had a job to do. They showed courage while being injured, running into danger to protect their city." (Mayor Eric Adams via Instagram)
• "It’s not just any party…it’s a Dance Party 💃✨🎊🎵! This May, Dance Party returns to Bryant Park for six nights of dance and music taught by instructors from around the world 🌎. Starting at 6pm, learn basic steps in styles like salsa, swing, bachata, and more. Then at 7pm, bust out your new moves to live music performed by a diverse selection of bands." (Bryant Park via Facebook)
• "New York City is hiring! Public service changed my life, and it'll do the same for you. Head to nyc.gov/careers to find out how you can serve your city." (Mayor Eric Adams via Instagram)

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Featured events:

• Good Friday Service of Prayer, Music, and Meditation (April 7)
• Bach Vesper’s Presents J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion Part II (April 7)
• The Super Crazy Funtime Show (An interactive comedy game show) (April 7)
• NYC Friday Night Yacht Party Cruise Skyport Marina Jewel Yacht 2023 (April 7)
• Kate Oh Gallery Reception: Saturday 6-8PM (April 8)
• Easter Vigil at Holy Trinity Lutheran (April 8)
• NYC HipHop vs Reggae® Saturday Night Cruise Skyport Marina Jewel Yacht 2023 (April 8)
• Easter Sunday Mass at Holy Trinity (April 9)
• Hell Gate Walking Tour (April 9)
• Bach Vespers Presents J.S. Bach's Easter Oratorio (April 9)
• Parents League Presents: Chasing Childhood, A Film Screening (April 11)
• Geraldine Brooks in-person at Revolution Books with her new novel HORSE (April 11)
• New York Open House (April 12)
• Happy Time Apocalypse (April 12)
• We Have Fun: Special Album Release Show (April 12)
• Collector's Jewelry, Fine Artwork, Coins, Porcelain and More | Online Auction (April 13)
• Deconstructing the Best College Essay: A Workshop for Parents (April 13)
• Learn How to Find Credible Health Information Online and Improve Your Posture at Your Desk! (April 26)
• "Mexican Street Taco" Cooking Class (April 30)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you all tomorrow for another update.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Bee Swarm Simulator (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

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