Community Corner

In Bed-Stuy News This Week

A weekly roundup of headline news on Bed-Stuy Patch 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. The NYPD released its murder statistics for 2010, and the overall outlook in Brooklyn is sobering— particularly for Black males, whose homicide numbers across the board are most alarming. The report, entitled, “Murder in New York City: 2010,” found the number of homicides is up in the city – 536 in 2010 – and 42 percent of them occurred in Brooklyn:  Black people, who make up 25% of New York City’s population, represented 67% of those murdered; Black males, age 15-29, who represent less than 3% of the city’s population, represented 33% of those murdered. To read the full story, click .

2. One of the most important social programs ever designed in New York City's history is set to expire this year: Rent controlled apartments. But state senators, along other community leaders in Bed-Stuy, are fighting to see that it doesn’t. Click to read the full story.

Find out what's happening in Bed-Stuywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

3. On its face, the “last hired/first fired” approach to layoffs may seem flawed. After all, what other profession allows people to be laid off without taking into consideration their effectiveness or the added value that they bring to an organization?  Mayor Bloomberg feels that this is outrageous as well, which is why he is fighting to push through legislation that will simply keep the best teachers and lay off the worst ones, regardless of seniority. Education Watch columnist Reggie Richardson explores who are the best teachers and how do we determine what is “best?” More importantly, are we really ready to do away with “last hired/first hired” provisions? Click to join the discussion.

4. Who doesn't have an amazing book idea inside of them? Well, on March 30th, at Greenlight Bookstore, you will get the chance to pitch your brilliant book idea in front of a panel of esteemed authors. It's like American Idol for books-- only without the Simon. The "Book Doctors," aka, Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry, authors of The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published, will be making a house call in Brooklyn and they want YOU to pitch your book at their acclaimed event, Pitchapalooza, which was recently featured in The New York Times. Click to read all of the details.

Find out what's happening in Bed-Stuywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

5. Jade Cooper credits Year Up, a job development program for disadvantaged young adults, as the source of her personal and professional success. “They put it in my mind that I am good enough,” said Cooper. “Just because you’re from Bed-Stuy doesn’t mean you can’t be a CEO or a manager.” Cooper is one of Year Up’s many success stories. Since its founding in 2000, more than 3,500 students across nine cities have benefited from Year Up’s training program. The program, which is free to qualified students, caters to 18-24 year olds. To read Cooper’s story and learn more about Year Up, click .


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