🌱 Sunset Park Daily: Cherry Blossoms + Athletes Vax Lift + Fire

Get on up, Sunset Park! Diane Witek here to get you started this Friday with everything you need to know going on around town today.

First, today's weather:

Breezy with clouds and sun. High: 60, low: 45.

Here are the top stories in Sunset Park today:

1. The Brooklyn Botanical Garden is showing signs of spring. The first cherry blooms have appeared on at least three trees, according to the garden, which released a "Cherry Watch" map, tracking blooming on a daily basis. It's a great time to visit the garden, before the crowds. (Patch)
2. Athletes who have not been vaccinated can breathe a sigh of relief as New York City Mayor Adams is expected to reverse the mandate for performers and athletes in local venues in New York City, including Citi Field in Queens, Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Those venues are home to the New York Mets, New York Yankees, and the Brooklyn Nets. (New York Daily News)
3. A house fire at East 9th Street in Midwood broke out at around 4 a.m. early on Wednesday, injuring several people and causing part of the building to collapse. Firefighters arrived at the house and were reportedly impeded by "heavy clutter conditions" on the first floor of the house. A civilian was removed from the fire and rushed to the hospital, while five firefighters were injured as well. (WPIX 11 New York)
4. Patch provides a list of festivals throughout the summer. You just may find yourself dancing in the streets! (Patch)

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From my notebook:

• Sunset Park BID: "Did your mom or grandma shop here? I know mine did! #sunsetparkbrooklyn, #paststoresofsunsetbrooklyny." (Instagram)
• Sunset Park BID: "@sunsetbagels this morning. 4903 5th Ave. Indoor seating is back! #bagels, #sunsetparkbrooklyn, #storesofsunsetpark, #shoplocal." (Instagram)
• Sunset Park BID: "Our neighbors at Greenwood Cemetery. Repost from @historicgreenwood • Welcome, spring! Slowly but surely, small patches of plantings are creating flashes of color as flowers push their way up through the earth to meet the sun." (Instagram)
• Sunset Park BID: "Springtime means more outside time. Why not check out Sean Casey animal rescue. If you are unable to adopt, they always need volunteers. Repost from @nyanimalrescue • Hello, friends! Our Super Spring Raffle has begun!" (Instagram)
• Fifth Avenue Committee: "Contact a community-based organization for support if you've been the victim of a hate crime. Visit nyc.gov/StopHate for more resources." (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! See you all tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Diane Witek

About me: Impassioned Writer, Website Designer, Social Media Marketer and newly proclaimed Baker. Lover of nature and animals of all kinds.