Good Morning, Brooklyn: Friday, August 20, 2021

August 20, 2021 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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MORE HEALTH MARKETPLACE SAVINGS: Families with healthcare plans purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace could see, on average, $6,900 in healthcare savings as a result of the American Rescue Plan passed by Congressional Democrats, which President Joe Biden signed into law. Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.), chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, has released a new report that highlights the enhanced tax credits in the landmark legislation and estimates that 30,000 New Yorkers who already purchase their health insurance through the state marketplace, New York State of Health, could stand to benefit. Moreover, another 15,000 district residents who are currently uninsured can now enroll in a marketplace plan for less than $10 per month in premiums.

New Yorkers in the district who were previously ineligible to receive tax credits but now qualify under the American Rescue Plan will also benefit. Their savings could be substantial, especially for older adults, who have historically paid the highest premiums.

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COLTON: CASHLESS FARES WILL HURT DISABLED COMMUTERS: State Assemblymember William Colton has weighed in on the MTA’s plan for cashless fares, and warns that this policy will impair many New Yorkers, especially those with disabilities. Colton, a Democrat who represents Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights, recalled the MTA’s 1992 switch from tokens to MetroCards. He denounced the MTA’s latest conversion plan, citing potential financial security breaches, a lack of options for those who don’t have credit or bank accounts; as well as the liability of being charged twice in the payment system and a perceived lack of transparency from the MTA.

“All these problems have been worsened by the MTA rejecting to participate in clarifying different characteristics about OMNY,” Colton stated.

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TEEN RESOURCE FAIR: Teens from across the borough will have the chance next Tuesday, Aug. 24, to explore a wide range of programs and resources at the Brooklyn Public Library. The Central Library Plaza (across from Grand Army Plaza) will be filled with program representatives from College Connect, a one-on-one guidance program for high-schoolers exploring post-secondary education; Best Buy Teen Tech Center; BKLYN Robotics League; the Cycle Alliance, a pro-period advocacy and education campaign for girls reaching puberty; and the Board Game exchange. The entire fair runs from noon to 3 p.m. on August 24.

A special feature will be the 2:30 p.m. cooking demonstration at the Cookmobile, the Library’s mobile kitchen providing teens with culinary lessons.

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FACEBOOK GETS MORE PUSHBACK: More than 250 researchers, technologists and citizens have called on Facebook to reinstate the accounts of two NYU-Tandon School of Engineering academics who were researching political advertising and misinformation. Facebook had shut down the researchers’ accounts, citing a violation of the social media giant’s policies regarding its users’ privacy. The group of researchers, technologists and citizens has asked Facebook via open letter to make comprehensive, systematic ad targeting data available to independent researchers on a continuous basis and to rewrite its terms of service and privacy policy to protect research in the public interest.

Samuel Levine, acting director of the FTC’s Consumer Protection Bureau, also pushed back against Facebook’s privacy claim, pointing out that the bureau’s agreement with Facebook “does not bar Facebook from creating exceptions for good-faith research in the public interest,” and that “the FTC supports efforts to shed light on opaque business practices, especially around surveillance-based advertising.”

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NEW GENERATION OF AUTOMAT: The Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, considered the nation’s fastest-growing dumpling automat concept, has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement to bring at least six units to the borough bearing its name. The chain closed the deal with New York City-based franchisees, Michael Sheinman and Nick Sampogna. Although the locations were not yet announced, each will be a 24-hour restaurant with a contactless ordering system reminiscent of the 20^th century Automat.

The chain promises 32 unique dumpling varieties, from Pastrami to Lamb Gyro, and even Peanut Butter & Jelly.

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‘SOLITUDE’ AT NAVAL CEMETERY LANDSCAPE: Brooklyn Greenway Initiative (BGI) is set to launch its upcoming art installation and exhibition, “Solitude: In A Landscape” by Najee Wilson, to be shown in the Naval Cemetery Landscape on Aug. 26 from 6-7:30 p.m. The opening will feature a screening of the film “Solitude: In A Landscape” to commemorate the first anniversary of its being filmed in the same location. The Naval Cemetery Landscape, developed by BGI and opened to the public in 2016, is an award-winning 1.7-acre contemplative memorial landscape and pollinator habitat.

The Naval Cemetery Landscape was designed to provide local residents and other visitors with a respite from the stresses of urban life while adding vital open space and native plant habitat.

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CASH TO IMPROVE PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS: City Councilmember Justin Brannan on Thursday tweeted, “Today, along with BK @NYCParks Commissioner Marty Maher, we announced over $30 million+ in investments to our local parks and playgrounds. Soon, work will begin from #BayRidge to #Bensonhurst to renovate and improve parks & playgrounds that haven’t seen any love in decades.”

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BIKE TOUR WILL IMPACT WEEKEND TRAFFIC: The TD Bank-sponsored Five Boro Bike Tour, which takes place this Sunday, Aug. 22, will impact traffic along the route, particularly on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the RFK/Triboro Bridge and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, as well as local streets. All lanes on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge’s Staten Island-bound lower-level will be closed from 12:01 a.m. to 6 p.m., while the upper level will remain open in both directions. The westbound Gowanus Expressway/BQE (to Staten Island) approach to the Verrazzano Bridge will be closed from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Hugh L. Carey Tunnel’s westbound Gowanus Expressway/BQE exit will be closed from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. but motorists will be able to access the Hamilton Ave. exit.

The MTA has set up a Bike Tour Traffic Hotline where commuters can obtain information: 718-556-8010.