Gleason’s Gym has been busy planning for the Golden Gloves Finals on April 16 and 17th. The finals will be at the WaMu Theater at MSG. For tickets to the Golden Gloves Finals, call (718) 797-2872.

Also Gleason’s Amateur Show is scheduled for May 16. All bouts are pre-matched by New York’s finest matchmaker, Angela Querol. If you wish to participate call Angela at (718) 797-2872. Masters, Juniors and Seniors are all welcome. The weigh in will start at 5:30 PM and the first bout will be at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $20 general admission and $10 for gym members and amateur fighters with passbook in hand.

As if the boxing competitions aren’t enough, Gleason’s Gym along with 826NYC offers free drop-in homework help at Gleason’s Gym. Tutors will be available and ready to assist with homework, writing assignments, creative writing, and publishing projects. No registration is necessary-students may drop in to receive 10 minutes to 2 full hours of one-on-one homework help. The cost is free. For more information call Gleason’s at (718) 797-2872 or 826NYC at (718) 499-9884. David Yassky was at Gleason’s last week to announce the new service. (For Press Release, click here (pdf).)

{gleasonsgym.net}

Gelf Magazine is introducing their first new monthly speaking series Media circus tomorrow (April 7, 2009) at JLA Studios in Dumbo Brooklyn (63 Pearl Street). Per Gelf:

The inaugural event is devoted to media critics and how the press covers and consumes itself, especially in tough times. As the media is headed off a cliff, these are the people narrating the free fall. You can read interviews with our featured speakers Jeff Bercovici, media critic for Portfolio.com; noted author and media writer Seth Mnookin; and Hamilton Nolan, Gawker’s media critic. The work of local artists will be on display as well.

Doors open at 7pm and the event starts at 7:30pm. Admission is FREE. Drinks will be available.

The ‘mini’ post office opening at the Nexus building (84 Front Street) in Dumbo looks to be nearly complete. The interior is complete, and the Automated Postal Center machines should be delivered (by USPS?) shortly.

Previously: {Dumbo Getting a Post Office Storefront, 12Mar2009}

Michael Van Valkenburgh, Principal of
Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, who have done project work at Battery Park, Hudson River Park, Union Square Park, and The Highline, has been working on designing the landscape at the Brooklyn Bridge Park, the 85 acre site that spans between Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, and Cobble Hill on the Brooklyn waterfront. Pier 1 work began last month and is scheduled to be completed by next summer. In the above video, Mr. Van Valkenburgh provides a tour and his perspective of the future park from Pier 1. (Via WNYC posting about the park)

{More Brooklyn Bridge Park posts}

The following are selected links from this past week on blogs and websites with discussion about Dumbo (and its neighboring areas):

• Pizza Night in Dumbo: FAIL, 02Apr09, iamthemill
• Future of Watchtower Properties, 02Apr09, Brooklyn Paper
• Dumbo Flea Springs into April, 03Apr09, Brownstoner
• Lessons from DUMBO’s Walentas, 02Apr09, Realty Collective
• Watchtower’s Move From B’klyn, 30Mar09, Brooklyn Eagle
• Ignazio’s Open, 31Mar09, Gothamist
• Hartford’s Luna Pizza owner opens Ignazio’s, 02Apr09, TONY
• SwithGames in Dumbo takes on Gamestop, 01Apr09, amNY
• Judges and Lawyers Gather at Gleason’s, 30Mar09, Brooklyn Eagle
• DNA Encouraged by Review of Dock St, 31Mar09, Brooklyn Eagle
• Brooklyn Greenway Pedals Forward, 31Mar09, Brooklyn Eagle
• New Artists at Randall Scott Gallery, 30Mar09, RSG
• Bruce Marsh & Uhuru in 3rings Blog, 31Mar09, brooklynmodern.com
• Brooklyn Blogfest 2009, 01Apr09, PMFA
• Review and Comment Jehovah’s Witnesses, 01Apr09, Brooklyn Eagle
• Dumbo’s Pigs, 02Apr09, polybloggimous

After almost one year, Tom Otterness’ Large Covered Wagon sculpture that was located on the corner of Prospect Street and Washington Street in Dumbo is no longer on display. Cranes lifted the solid bronze sculpture onto a flatbed and taken away this morning. Thanks to Mr. Otterness for loaning us the sculpture. It was a popular photo op spot with visitors and tourists as it is one of the first things seen when coming off the Brooklyn Bridge walkway. It would be nice to see other art/sculptures rotate on that otherwise ho hum corner.

There are no plans to replace the sculpture with another installation at this time. The project was made possible by a grant from Two Trees Management Co. and the Walentas Foundation and sponsored by the Dumbo Improvement District.

Previously: {Otterness Sculpture Comes to Dumbo, 15Apr2008}

For new parents in Dumbo, Imagine Early Learning Center will be opening a new day care this summer. They currently have locations around the city and one in nearby Brooklyn Heights, but for parents looking for a much needed option in Dumbo, Imagine has started build out of the center on the corner of York and Adams Street in the Beacon Tower (85 Adams Street). The sign in the window says that the center is for babies and children between 2 months and 5 years old and have full and part time programs. Call their center on Monroe Place in Brooklyn Heights for more informatin (718-624-7520).

Previously:
{Day Care Center Leases at 85 Adams Ground Floor, 2May2008}

TONIGHT: A festive occasion each month for art lovers. A chance to visit many quality galleries at night in the Dumbo Historic District – galleries showing works from artists of many disciplines, especially photography, while hosting receptions, producing live music performances and curator/artist talks among other highlights.

Let’s not forget the incredible views you can enjoy as you walk from one gallery to the next and the local drink specials afterward. Most of the art is for sale. Printed maps and 1st Thursday cards are available on-site.

Participating galleries may vary each month. For more information contact Zannah Mass at zannah@twotrees-dumbo.com or 718-222-2500 x38.

Check gallery websites for updates.
5+5 Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 210
A.I.R. Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 228
Amos Eno Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 202
Aswoon Gallery, 14 Jay St.
Brooklyn Arts Council, 111 Front St., Suite 218
DUMBO Arts Center, 30 Washington St.
Farmani Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 212
Gloria Kennedy Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 222
Henry Gregg Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 226
Klompching Gallery, 111 Front St.
Kris Graves Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 224
Melville House, 145 Plymouth St.
No Name Gallery, 163 Plymouth St.
Pochron Studios, 20 Jay St.
Powerhouse Books & Powerhouse Arena, 37 Main St.
Rabbithole Studio, 33 Washington St.
Robert Wilson/rw Work Ltd, 111 Front St.
Safe-T Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 214
Smack Mellon, 93 Plymouth St. @ Washington Street
Spring, 126a Front St.
Umbrage Gallery, 111 Front St.
VII Photo, 28 Jay St.

Historian and author David McCullough spoke to a group of approximately 40 people at a rally against the Dock Street Dumbo development yesterday organized by the neighborhood associations in the area (DNA, BHA, FFNA, VHNA). He spoke to the group about the importance of the Brooklyn Bridge as an icon of America and how cultures from various areas of the world had a part in building the bridge. To build a tower next to this icon “would be completely irresponsible,” said Mr. McCullough.

The controversy surrounding the proposed school in the Dock Street Dumbo development took on more negative publicity when FOIL documents support the claim by Council Member David Yassky that the School Construction Authority has not put in an earnest effort to search for a school location for residents of Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, Fulton Ferry Landing, Vinegar Hill, and surrounding areas. The NY Post published an article yesterday regarding the SCA and Dock Street. To be sure, the proposal for rezoning the block to allow Two Trees Management to develop a residential building has opposition, but Two Trees has put in effort to include community feedback, which called for a school and affordable housing after a 2004 zoning request was rejected.

Other press from the rally:
{David McCullough joins fight against DUMBO condo tower plan, NY Daily News}
{Critics protest planned tower near Brooklyn Bridge, Newsday}
{Historian Opposes Tower Near Brooklyn Bridge, NY Times}
{Author Joins Fight To Keep Brooklyn Tower Grounded, NY1}

• Ignazio’s Pizza (IgnaziosPizza.com) – Ignazio’s is officially open today, and early reports from emailers give it a thumbs up on the pizza. Steven posted his review on nubloom and says, “The pizza was absolutely awesome. Thicker crust than Grimaldi’s but just slightly, giving a great crunch that I look for in pizza. The slices are not sloppy or overly loaded with sauce or cheese.” There will be delivery service starting mid-April to Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, and Vinegar Hill. Their menu items include baked anchovies, meatballs, and a regional Italian cheese plate for appetizers and salads. They also have an apple and ricotta ‘pizza’ dessert that has baked apples, chilled ricotta, honey and mint on a pizza and gelato from Il Laboratorio del Gelato.
• Cafe Baco – This space formerly occupied by Baco Living at 71 Jay Street has soft launched this week as Cafe Baco. The space has been redesigned and reconfigured for a cafe, restaurant, entertainment, and vintage shop. Currently, they offer coffee and smoothies, but will offer a full lunch and dinner menu in the next week or so. Their plans for the restaurant include Mediterranean cuisine, with late night bar with live entertainment and DJ nights (the DJ booth sits above the kitchen.) Further information to come.
• Choice Market Dumbo – As posted last July, Choice Market will open on the corner of York and Jay Street. Originally slated to open in April/May, but they’ve updated interior design elements to the location, which pushes back the opening to late June.
• Hecho en Dumbo (hechoendumbo.com) – Not exactly new news, but for those familiar with Hecho, Sunday nights are Sunday Night Serenata, which is a perfect way to wind down after the weekend in a cozy and romantic night with acoustic performances by candlelight, while you enjoy the traditional Mexican cuisine, considered by many one of the most authentic Mexican food in the city.