🌱 Menchaca Opposes Rezonings + City Expands Vaccine Incentive

Happy Thanksgiving Sunset Park! I hope that you have a joyful day, however you choose to celebrate. Please know that, like most of you, I will be taking the day off to enjoy the festivities, so there will not be a newsletter in your inbox tomorrow. We hope you all understand the slight pause in the Sunset Park Daily. But don't worry -- we will be back to our normal routine Saturday morning!

First, today's weather:

More clouds than sun. High: 55 Low: 42.

Here are the top stories in Sunset Park today:

1. Both a rezoning of an Upper East Side block to make way for a high-rise Blood Center, and the Gowanus neighborhood rezoning passed City Council yesterday. That's in spite of opposition from local Upper East Side Councilman Ben Kallos. Sunset Park Councilmember Carlos Menchaca was the only person to vote against both rezonings. He's been an opponent of rezonings since halting the proposed Industry City upzoning in his own district. (Gotham Gazette)
2. New York City is expanding its incentive to receive $100 upon vaccination to sites run by the nonprofit SOMOS, which has location in Sunset Park. Meanwhile, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she's giving free college tuition to SUNY or CUNY to 50 names at random of children vaccinated before mid-December. (NBC New York)
3. Here's where to find a free Thanksgiving meal in New York City this week. Today, the closest ones to Sunset Park would be outside Kings Theater and The Full Gospel Assembly of God Church. (Gothamist)

Today's Sunset Park Daily is brought to you by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

Today in Sunset Park:

• THURSDAY: Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade (9 a.m.)
• FRIDAY: Sahadi’s: Holiday Treats Decorating (11 a.m.)
• FRIDAY: Rock Night with Fodera Trio (6:30 p.m.)

Sunset Park Patch Notebook

• Sunset Park BID: "Feeling like the holidays!" (Instagram)
• Fifth Avenue Committee: "Let's remember to get tested before we gather with family [today]. Visit NYC.Gov/COVIDTest or text "COVID TEST" to 855-48 and find a test site near you." (Facebook)
• Sunset Park 5th Avenue BID: Reminder no trash pick up today due to Thanksgiving. (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Add your business here

Events:

• Rat Academy Training (November 30)
• We Have Fun: A Free Weekly Stand-Up Comedy Show (December 1)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update. If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors along for the ride. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Dashiell Allen

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Sunset Park Daily? I'm all ears. You can contact me at sunsetpark@patch.com.