In Bed-Stuy News This Week

Here's a chance to catch up on all the news highlights you may have missed throughout the week. To follow is a quick recap of what made the headlines on Bed-Stuy Patch. Even if you recognize some of the stories, feel free to review and share your feedback.

1.     Beginning on Sunday, December 26th, "The Blizzard of 2010," the sixth largest snowstorm in New York City history, buried the streets in four-foot snow drifts. But that wasn't the bad part, as New Yorkers hardly are newcomers to snow. The bad part was the lackluster snow removal effort of the Bloomberg administration: Two, three days later, the streets of outer boroughs remained unplowed, angering New Yorkers who were trapped inside of their homes and unable to move their cars to get to work, while emergency efforts to reach the sick and the elderly were prevented altogether. This put the mayor in the hot seat: "This is a mayor who prides himself on saying the buck stops by him," said Brooklyn City Councilman David Greenfield, in an interview with a Jewish radio show. "And at the end of the day, the buck does stop by him. He better fix this, or we are going to hold him personally accountable." Read the all of the stories (three total), starting .

2.     And if the city's handling of the snow removal throughout Brooklyn wasn't frustrating enough, Thursday, the MTA fare hikes went into effect. Single rides went up 25 cents, from $2.25 to $2.50. The biggest increase was the monthly Metrocards, which went up from $89 to $104. In addition, there are plans to reduce service on several subway lines that serve the Brooklyn community. The timing for the hike couldn't have been worse, as the economy has left straphangers strapped for dollars and the most recent memory of city services was a big fail, in the way of keeping the streets plowed. All of this has left people wondering where taxpayer dollars really go. Read this man-on-the-street interview of Bed-Stuy residents regarding the issue .

3.     Kwanzaa is the African-American cultural holiday celebrated from December 26th through January 1st. Each day of Kwanzaa focuses on the Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Bed-Stuy Patch found seven people and/or organizations in the neighborhood that exemplified one of the seven principles and provided for readers a mini-profile on their work. Take a look at the real-life examples of Nguzo Saba that you can find in your own backyard here. Read all seven profiles right here, beginning with .

4.     "Change for a Dollar," our bi-weekly column on gentrification continues to draw an abundance of opinion and feedback. This week, the author took a micro-look at a macro-phenomenon of gentrification: housing development. A brand new condominium-complex at 315 Gates Avenue promises a "highly affordable standard for luxury living." But the columnists Sylvia Harvey asks, "Exactly what is luxury, and how much is affordable?" She breaks down the salary of "the average Joe," seeking a new condo in Bed-Stuy and matches it against this affordable new condo. What does she discover? Find out .

5.     The Senegalese population in Bed-Stuy is ballooning. They are the newest and most prominent immigrant population to the area. Bed-Stuy Patch takes a look at what life is like being a new "Senegalese in Bed-Stuy." In a three-part series, we have taken a quick peek at the commerce and industry of the Senegalese community – a view of the businesses and shops along Fulton street;  the young population of Senegalese – how African traditions mixed with Brooklyn style give rise to a new flavor; and the Senegalese-American practice of worship – how a few mosques and one African community center host a vibrant African Muslim culture. Read the three-part series .