This Week In Ditmas Park

This week in Ditmas Park, readers emerged from an Arctic freeze, we lost a neighbor who had devoted his life to fighting for tenants rights, we grappled with issues like gentrification and displacement, explored our area’s links to two American presidents, sampled the cuisine of South Asia, and more.

Here’s a recap of what’s been happening in our neighborhood:

• A local community board is being torn apart as the battle over gentrification and displacement boils to a head in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens/North Flatbush.
• Night-time in our area is being transformed as the City installs new LED streetlights, and not everyone is happy about it.
• Greater Flatbush’s City Council District received an extra $100,000 for capital projects chosen via participatory budgeting.
• We took a tour of Coney Island Avenue’s best South Asian dining spots with long-time resident and businessman Arsalan Naeem.
• A 19-year-old was shot while walking near the corner of Church and Ocean Avenues in what police think was a random act of violence.
• Kensington’s local animal shelter — Sean Casey Animal Rescue — made headlines across the country for its care of an abandoned dog with a tragic story.
• Smorgasburg — the weekly local food extravaganza — is returning to Prospect Park.
• A concergoer lost his wallet at Wilco’s recent show at the Kings Theatre, and then a pot-smoking Robin Hood got involved.
• One of the most exciting young blues guitarists in recent memory, King Solomon Hicks, played live on Cortelyou Road and talked music with our own Chris Farrell.

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