> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://bklyner.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Today’s Links: Whole Foods Sinking Towards Gowanus Canal, Free Phone Calls At New York Jails & More - URL: https://bklyner.com/todays-links-whole-foods-sinking-towards-gowanus-canal-free-phone-calls-at-new-york-jails-more/ - Published: 2018-07-19T20:30:18.000Z - Updated: 2018-07-19T18:27:28.000Z - Author: Paul Stremple - Tags: Central Brooklyn, Eastern Brooklyn, News, Nonsponsored, North Western Brooklyn, northern brooklyn, Southern Brooklyn, Western Brooklyn, brooklyn news, down-low, today's links, #wp ![](/content/images/bklyner/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/IMG_5310-1067x800.jpg) A streetlamp flickers on against the sunset at Empire & Bedford (Paul Stremple/BKLYNER) Check out a great feature on [Brooklyn Councilmember Rafael Espinal,](https://thebridgebk.com/how-rafael-espinal-emerged-as-city-councils-idea-man/?ref=bklyner.com) the man behind legalized dancing, a ban on plastic straws, and now a major green rooftop initiative in New York—he’s the council’s “idea man.” Transit deserts are stranding riders with disabilities across New York,[ according to a recent report](http://gothamist.com/2018/07/18/subway%5Faccessible%5Fada.php?ref=bklyner.com), and it appears the majority of the issues are here in Brooklyn… Meanwhile, Red Hook residents want to [put the brakes on a new car share program.](http://www.star-revue.com/locals-want-put-brakes-tesla-carshare/?ref=bklyner.com#sthash.qI9eaAM4.dpbs) They may not have public transit, but they certainly aren’t looking to share their parking spots with ride-share vehicles. A [Bay Ridge mural artist](https://brooklynreporter.com/story/bay-ridge-mural-puts-visitors-middle-forest/?ref=bklyner.com) brought the forest and the trees to her neighborhood, painting a cool, forested scene—a summer escape—on the side of a Fifth Avenue laundromat. Check it out while your spin cycle runs! Residents have called on [local politicians to unblock them on social media](http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/2018/7/18/constituents-call-pols-including-donovan-golden-malliotakis-end-social-media?ref=bklyner.com) outlets like Twitter, hoping to engage with—and perhaps criticize—their elected officials. One of the pols in question? State Senator Marty Golden. But given [his alleged recent Twitter trolling,](/todays-links-once-more-for-walt-whitmans-house-senatorial-twitter-trolling-in-southern-brooklyn-more/) maybe being blocked isn’t the worst thing… Williamsburg is going worldwide as famed [Peter Luger’s Steakhouse prepares to open its first international location in Tokyo](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/peter-luger-steak-house-is-coming-to-tokyo?ref=bklyner.com) by 2020\. And it looks like they’re planning to ship their high-quality steaks straight from the States! Last November, a body found buried in a Bushwick backyard was identified [and the cause of death was ruled a homicide.](/homicide-ruled-cause-of-death-in-case-of-backyard-body-in-bushwick/) Now, police have arrested and charged [the man they believe to be his killer.](http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-metro-brooklyn-siblings-arrested-murder-20180719-story.html?ref=bklyner.com) In Gowanus, [the Whole Foods looks like its sinking into the Superfund site](https://patch.com/new-york/brooklyn/s/gh04a/whole-foods-appears-be-sinking-gowanus-canal?utm%5Fsource=dlvr.it&utm%5Fmedium=twitter&utm%5Fterm=community%20corner&utm%5Fcampaign=recirc&utm%5Fcontent=aol)—waves of contorted brick show a slide towards the toxic waters, but don’t worry: they put up signs warning shoppers to “Watch Your Step!” The City Council passed a bill that would provide free domestic calling to New York’s inmates, [ending a price-gouging racket](http://gothamist.com/2018/07/19/rikers%5Fphone%5Fcall%5Fprice%5Fgouging.php?ref=bklyner.com) that charged prisoners exorbitant fees for calling their families.