–As the city continues to plan for the closure of East River Park for up to five years, bureaucrats are floating plans to upgrade a number of other parks on the Lower East Side. Many of the the so-called resiliency upgrades, however, have been in the works for years. [Patch]

–From small herbal merchants to Pearl River Mart, Donald Trump’s trade war with China is making an impact in Chinatown. [WNYC]

–After our local representative, U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez, calls HUD’s budget “shameful” and “immoral,”  HUD Secretary Ben Carson tells lawmakers they should “think logically rather than just emotionally.” Velazquez later tweeted, “Thanks for mansplaining, Mr. Secretary, but what’s NOT logical is cutting housing budget and then saying there’s a housing shortage!” [ABC News]

–Which $1 million+ condo on the Lower East Side will “globe-trotting flight attendant” Gregory Rittiner choose? [New York Times]

–Roberta Smith checks in with her springtime Lower East gallery guide. [New York Times]

–Have you checked out your new rugelach and babka destination? Adir Michaeli talks about his new bakery on Division Street. [The Forward]