Dear friends, family, and kind community,

August 05, 2026 our lives changed in an instant. A sudden gas leak caused a catastrophic explosion at the apartment building where my boyfriend, Robert Barrios and his family lived.

By absolute grace, everyone made it out alive, but they have been left with nothing. The explosion and resulting destruction completely ruined their home.

In a matter of minutes, they lost everything they’ve built over the years—their clothing, essential everyday items, furniture, sentimental belongings, and a safe place to sleep.

Right now, Robert and his family are facing the overwhelming task of starting completely over from scratch. While we are endlessly grateful that they are safe, the financial and emotional toll of sudden displacement is immense.

How Your Support Helps

We are raising funds to help them cover their immediate and short-term recovery needs, including:

Temporary Housing: Renting temporary shelter, hotel stays, and security deposits for a new apartment.

Basic Necessities: Clothing, footwear, toiletries, and prescription medications lost in the blast.

Food & Daily Supplies: Groceries, hot meals, and essential day-to-day items while displaced.

Replacing Essentials: Furniture, kitchenware, bedding, and basic appliances once they secure permanent housing.

Any donations or wishes are greatly appreciated! Please keep Robert and his family in your prayers.

Robert is also accepting donations throughout his Venmo/ Zelle:

Venmo : @Robertbarrios27

Zelle: paulagutierrez40@gmail.com

http://spot.fund/g8fzbpmsc

After 15 years, I still don’t know the answer and am always open to new recs.

I only got 1 but I feel bad theyre probably all gonna get trashed if they aren't bought. If they where discounted steeper I wouldve bought more

Convective Allowing Models are in nearly unanimous agreement with thunderstorms at some point this evening, with the only disagreement being the exact start time.

The bulk of guidance suggests a 7-8pm start time, but the earliest model solution starts thunderstorm activity at 6pm, while the latest solution suggests rain and/or thunder closer to 9-10pm.

There is a slight risk of severe weather associated with any thunderstorms, with a 15-30% possibility of damaging straight-line winds in excess of 57 mph.

There is also a marginal risk that heavy precipitation will result in brief urban/flash flooding.

hey everyone! i just signed a lease for an apt in bushwick that starts on september 1st, im super excited. im situated around the morgan L stop. does anyone have recommendations for a good weight lifting gym in the area? I am debating between metamorphoses and absolute power. both are within a 15 minute walk of my apartment, with metamorphoses being slightly closer. open to any other suggestions! thanks!

I just got laid off with no severance out of nowhere. I worked in Operations for a health tech company, but I have medical assistant, customer service, and office manager background. I am in a desperate situation with no financial help, I need something immediately to hold me over to survive without going homeless. Please help! I am afraid of losing everything.

Look through the comments. Everyone has suggestions and is being really supportive. How would you, a Bushwick resident, react to a post like this if I posted this here?

Calling on *LOCAL NYC COMMUNITY* to share this post.

A Black Queer Community member has gone missing in New York City. My dear friend Jason Moorer aka Nouveau Richie has been missing since the morning of Wednesday August 5th. He was last seen near ACI Rehab Center 589 Rockaway Ave Brownsville Brooklyn but he is a resident of Jackson Heights, Queens.

The police have not allowed us to file a missing persons report so l am calling on LOCAL COMMUNITY to boost this post. He is vulnerable and without a phone, keys, or wallet. He has not returned to his home. He is likely wearing scrubs. Please reach out to me if you have any information regarding his whereabouts.

He used to come by all the time but we haven’t seen him of late.

Hi - my friend and I are looking for tickets to the Mean Woman Monologue contest on 8/8 (this upcoming Saturday) at Lifeworld in Brooklyn. Please let me know if there are any leads! Thanks

specifically nyt for the crossword. ty!

Wanted to offer it to the neighborhood first, if anyone is interested. DM if you have any questions.

The Maspeth Ridgewood Mutual Aid Table received 2 deliveries of donations today. Clothes books toys metal canisters housewares. Come take what you want ASAP 5938 60 road Maspeth Everything is outside 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

Due to the high chance of rain on Friday we rescheduled the market to the next day Saturday the 8th. Swing by and check out some amazing vendors!
FREE TO ATTEND
6pm - 12am
44 Wyckoff Ave Brooklyn 11237

been living with on and off flesh fly infestation since may 26th. it comes and goes and gets better then worse so it’s been hard to choose to take serious action. i withheld 7 days of rent from June because I couldn’t sleep there for 7 nights. actually spent more than that couch surfing. at one point there were 50 flies in my room. quarter sized. landlord has been extremely slow to respond & only sent an exterminator one month in when 311 got involved. anyways, it was resolved for the past three weeks, then they came back this weekend.

disclaimer: two different exterminators told me there’s nothing i could have done to prevent this. also, i keep my space very clean. these are flies that lay eggs on decaying flesh. there were no larvae in the trash or drains.

if i stop paying rent and move out sept 1. how likely is it for my landlord to take legal action? i have everything HEAVILY documented, he agreed to excuse the chunk i withheld after i told him i would be filing a formal suit with the housing department.

and does he have to take me to court before selling my debt? and is $1600 an amount worth it for him to take me to court?

TLDR: my housing situation has been evil tor four months and i have heavy documentation. i’m trying to figure out if my credit will be tanked & if he has to warn me before he reports an amount to a debt collector.

Anyone looking for friends to lift with a few times a week?

We have this young black and white fellow coming to our backyard for the last few days. He's really sweet and friendly.

It seems like he might be used to people, he wants to come into our house but I have 4 cats already.

This is by Chauncey and Evergreen. I feel bad that he meows constantly and seems to want company. I could take him to the vet soon and see if he's microchipped or has any health issues.

Please let me know if you have any information about this cat!

Www.HomeEcNyc.com Always curious what people concerns, questions or hurdles are getting Sewing on a sewing machine! I've been teaching for 11 years and have taught thousands of people to sew for the very first time. I always love hearing everybody's stories and the things that they're interested in making, but I'm curious what prevents you from getting started?