12/25/13 12:00am
Photo courtesy of Heartfish Press, a boutique letterpress studio in Dumbo.

Photo courtesy of Heartfish Press, a boutique letterpress studio in Dumbo.

Happy holidays from DumboNYC! We wanted to take the time to wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. Thank you for all of your support this year.

Since 2001 Marty Markowitz has been Brooklyn Borough President. His always-on and positive persona has been the biggest advocate of Brooklyn, and propelled Brooklyn as a global brand. In one week, Mr. Markowitz will be leaving the Brooklyn Borough President office. But he has left Brooklyn with a legacy and a Christmas message, a Brooklyn-themed version of “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

“As I enter the homestretch of my final term in elected office, my wife Jamie and I, along with the entire staff at Brooklyn Borough Hall, extend to you and your family our fondest wishes for an enjoyable holiday season, with our prayers that 2014 will bring us world peace, good health, love and an end to senseless gun violence in our country,” said Borough President Markowitz. “Thank you for allowing me to be part of your life these last 35 years, both as a former State Senator and as Brooklyn Borough President.”

Brooklyn’s “Twas the Night Before Christmas”

Twas the night before Christmas, in the County of Kings,
Where Brooklynites sing praise for so many things.
All 2.6 million, so hip and so chic,
Is there another city that’s quite as unique?

With Williamsburg hipsters all decked to the nines,
In skinny jeans and flannel, all colors and kinds?
And what of the “stroller derby” of Park Slope,
They jam to Jay-Z and Beyonce; how dope!

Where winter’s a glorious time of the year,
In Coney Island, the polar bears cheer!
And skaters can skate to their hearts’ delight,
In Prospect Park, gliding at the speed of light.

Nets fans at the Barclays, they cheer in the aisles,
And can’t wait for next year to welcome their Isles!
The sounds of the season cheer woman and man,
In East Flatbush, home to the joyful steel pan.

In Brooklyn, the holidays go on without end,
Ensuring there’s plenty of good times to spend.
From Borough Park’s latkes on Hanukkah nights,
To Bed-Stuy and twinkling of Kwanzaa lights!

As families take pictures ‘neath Borough Hall’s tree,
Sipping hot cocoa or peppermint tea.
They gear up for shopping; in Brooklyn, of course!
For all that’s artisanal and of local source.

And so many holiday displays to see,
Whether in Dyker Heights or in Canarsie.
‘Tis the season for kinship, we’re all closely knit,
Feel like a Grinch? Well, ‘fuhgeddaboudit’!

Now Gravesend! Now, DUMBO! Now, Red Hook and Weeksville!
On, Bushwick! On, Marine Park! On, Clinton Hill!
To the top of Greenpoint! To the tip of Sea Gate!
No matter your neighborhood, Brooklyn’s just great!

So spring to the subway, the bike or the ferry,
And head home to family and friends to make merry!
And as you gather, exclaim with a cheer,
“Happy holidays Brooklyn, and a happy new year!”

Thank you Mr. Markowitz for serving Brooklyn! Happy holidays!

marty

08/12/13 6:00pm

Cutie And The Boxer

A Beautiful Sundance Award winner about a Dumbo-based artist couple, Cutie And The Boxer opens at Sunshine and Lincoln Plaza on Friday, August 16, 2013. Besides being filmed in and around Dumbo, painter Ushio Shinohara has been in Dumbo since the ’70s.

Synopsis:
Once a rising star in the ‘70s New York art scene, 80-year-old “boxing” painter Ushio Shinohara hopes to reinvigorate his career as he preps for his latest show. His wife, and de facto assistant, Noriko, seeks her own recognition through her “Cutie” illustrations, which depict their chaotic, yet sustained, 40-year marriage. Heinzerling’s camera captures the Brooklyn-based couple at home and at work, combining candid vérité scenes, archival footage and charming animated sequences of Noriko’s drawings. CUTIE AND THE BOXER captures two lives united by a dedication to art-making for a touching meditation on the eternal themes of love and sacrifice.

Trailer: trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/cutieandtheboxer
Facebook: facebook.com/cutieandtheboxer
Rotton Tomatoes: rottentomatoes.com/m/cutie_and_the_boxer

07/25/13 4:05pm
Photo courtesy Mark Jupiter

Photo courtesy Mark Jupiter

If you haven’t had a chance to visit Mark Jupiter’s showroom because you work late, they will be open until 9pm through Sunday, July 28, 2013 and Wednesday, July 31 to Sunday, August 4, 2013. We profiled Mark and his furniture business earlier this year. Stop by after hours where you can take a look at his new designs (such as benches made from reclaimed wood beams from the 185 Plymouth Street construction). “Feel free to come on in after dinner, while walking your dog, or just to say hi. We have some great new pieces.”

Showroom After Hours 6 – 9 pm:
Wed-Sunday 7/24 – 7/28 & 7/31 – 8/4

Mark Jupiter (markjupiter.com)
191 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn NY 11201
email: info@markjupiter.com
phone: 718-401-6600

06/17/13 3:46pm

There’s been an active discussion on the Dumbo Parent’s Organization (DPO) in the past week about the recent change in traffic patterns, resident concerns, and increased pedestrians in Dumbo. Dumbo’s first stop light was installed in August 2010, and residents say that another review of intersections need to be revisited. Last week, the Brooklyn Eagle published an opinion piece on why Dumbo needs more traffic lights given the shift from a purely industrial district to the busy urban area it is today. Today’s Dumbo, the writer Raanan Geberer says is radically different: “There are condo buildings, retail stores, restaurants, offices and more. The bicycle craze has also hit the area in a big, big way, and several Citi Bike racks are in the area. There are several construction sites, which means more trucks and delivery vans. While DUMBO isn’t exactly Times Square, it is now a busy urban area. And it is clear to me that more traffic lights are needed.”

After the jump below are some posts from members of DPO. Tell us in the comments what you think.
(more…)

06/11/13 3:47pm

The Fitness Guru

The Fitness Guru

The Fitness Guru

The Fitness Guru opened their new gym at 215 Water Street (between Bridge and Jay Streets) on June 6, 2013. The 8,000 square foot gym includes two levels with areas for weights and various workout equipment, men and women’s shower and locker rooms, pilates area, and a huge spinning studio called Bike Brooklyn. The lower level includes a 360 degree monkey bar, barre, weights, and other equipment. The main level includes the workout equipment, locker rooms, pilates, weights, and a terraced Brooklyn Bike studio. Michael Feigin, the founder of The Fitness Guru (TFG), told us that he is interested in creating an accessible community space for members and unlike other gyms, avoids the revolving door membership of regular box gyms. TFG has boot camp, spin, barre, and other classes, and will be adding more. For schedule and info, go to fitnessgurunyc.com.

The Fitness Guru (fitnessgurunyc.com)
215 Water Street, Brooklyn NY 11201
facebook.com/TheFitnessGuru

Previously:
{The Fitness Guru and Bike Brooklyn to Open Fitness Center at 215 Water Street in Dumbo, 06Nov2012}