Dumbo NYC

In case you missed the CBS News Sunday Morning last week that highlighted Jane’s Carousel in Dumbo, below is the YouTube video clip. Based on the piece, carousels are making a comeback. At the peak of their popularity there were about 1,500 carousels in this country. Today, there are only about 150. But they are, as Charles says. “coming back in favor.” The Walentas family intends to donate the carousel to the city to go somewhere in the Brooklyn Bridge Park.

{CBS News Sunday Morning, 13July2008}
{Jane’s Carousel Open For Season, 22May2007}
{The Carousel News and Trader Talks About Jane’s Carousel, 19Jan2007}
{To the Children of Dumbo: Experience Jane’s Carousel 12/8, 8Dec2006}
{A Chat With Jane At The Carousel Opening, 16Oct2006}

Dumbo Brooklyn based Anthem In releases their self-titled album on iTunes and in stores today. Their songs have great vibe and catchy beats without being too pop. Their video of Down was filmed at Allen Orr’s studio and around Dumbo. It’s a great song and we love the Wurlitzer sounds. We checked in with Allen Orr (vocals, guitar):

DumboNYC: What does “Anthem In” mean?
Allen: The name was loosely based on the Ayn Rand book “Anthem”. There were some definite parallels between the events happening in my life and the theme of the book.

DumboNYC: Are you guys based in Brooklyn? Where?
Allen: We are based in Dumbo. Actually the majority of the album was recorded at my place on Front St.

DumboNYC: The video is filmed in Dumbo. Was it for convenience or intentionally for the streetscapes?
Allen: It was intentionally chosen for the look and feel of the streets. It was fitting that the video was shot in Dumbo since the album was written and recorded here. Actually a few of the songs are about living in Dumbo and how the bridges, water and streets have influenced me.

Check out their video:

Anthem In - Down from Anthem In on Vimeo.

anthemin.net

One Glass Productions, a Dumbo-based production company specializing in video services (pre-to-post production and design for film, music videos, and promotional media) for artists and creative businesses is producing a weekly television series that highlights the culture of Dumbo. This will be an ongoing project but would like to hear from artists and business owners by April 15th if you’d like to be in the first episode.

One Glass Productions is producing a weekly television series that highlights and documents the culture of D.U.M.B.O. We’d like to get a behind-the-scenes look at the creative businesses, establishments, and artists that make this neighborhood so special.

If you’d like to be a guest on the show (at no cost to you), please email, call or fax us and let us know what you do. How long have you been in D.U.M.B.O.? What makes your work unique? If you have a special D.U.M.B.O. story or history, we want to hear it!

Not only is this a fun and easy (and free!) way to get your name out to the rest of the New York community, but the show will also be viewable on the internet for world wide watchers.

We look forward to scheduling you!

Sincerely,
Valery & Stephanie

email: info@oneglassproductions.com
tel: 646-379-9327
fax: 718-360-9279

Reminder: Come meet the farmer and learn more about the Dumbo/Vinegar Hill CSA tonight, Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at the Phoenix House at 7:30pm (50 Jay Street (Between Water and Plymouth)).

{dumbocsa.org}
{Dumbo/Vinegar Hill CSA Meet the Farmer on April 8}

What: PS 8 Annual Spring Auction
When: Thursday, April 10, 7-9pm
Where: Hillis Hall, Plymouth Church, 75 Hicks Street, Brooklyn Heights

Please join PS8 for live music, wine, hors d’oeuvres to celebrate the school and support their children. Tickets are $50 in advance ($75 at the door) at www.ps8pta.org. Some items on the auction block:

• Baking lessons for six children at Almondine Bakery
• Wine tasting with a noted wine expert
• Be a Principal of the Day with Mr. Phillips
• Vacation home stays
• Artwork from local artists
• Personal sessions with a fitness trainer
• Estate planning sessions with an attorney
• …and much more…

As reported earlier, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program is starting this summer for Dumbo and Vinegar Hill residents. This is a way for people to buy vegetables directly from a local farmer. Before the harvest season, members commit and pre-pay to buy fresh, locally grown organic vegetables from June to November. By being a member of the CSA, you’re supporting a local farmer, getting fresh organic produce for you and your family each week, and you’ll eat healthier. The CSA website offer more details on the program:

We offer both full and partial vegetable shares. Each of them are picked up every week, but vary in size. A full share costs approximately $25/week and consists of 8-10 different vegetables every week, enough for 2-4 people. Partial shares cost approximately $15/week and contain fewer items more appropriate for a single person or household that does less cooking.

Please email them at core@dumbocsa.org for more information. To meet the farmer and learn more about the CSA, they are holding an event on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at the Phoenix House at 7:30pm (50 Jay Street (Between Water and Plymouth)).

{dumbocsa.org}
{CSA Planned for Dumbo in June 2008, 04Feb2008}

The vinegar Hill Veterinary Group is having a ‘meet and greet’ open house on Saturday, March 29 (5-8pm) for the neighbors to get to know Dr. Sara Neuman, the new vet in town.

Bring your dogs, cats, and pigs for some treats and wine and cheese will be served for guests.

We’ve received some good feedback from neighbors about the vet. The owner of Cholula, the beloved pig of Dumbo checked in with us:

Dr. Neuman spayed our pig and could not have been nicer, more professional or more caring throughout the entire process. Knowing how many pets there seem to be in Dumbo its probably a huge relief for many owners (that are aware the clinic is open) to have a Vet so close. Dr. Neuman and her husband run a fantastic clinic and my wife and I can’t thank them enough for how well they have treated our pig.

Congratulations to the Vinegar Hill Veterinary Group on their opening.

Dr. Sara B. Neuman
Vinegar Hill Veterinary Group
57 Front St Unit 101
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Office: (718) 797-6875

Previously:
{Boymelgreen leases 57 Front Street to Veterinary, 20Dec2007}
{Dumbo’s Pig, 14Feb2008}

Several readers have written to us wishing that there were a green market or a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in Dumbo. Your wishes are one step towards reality. We heard from Vinegar Hill resident Leslie Winston and we are happy to announce that she is starting a CSA program in Dumbo/Vinegar Hill beginning in June 2008. Although similar in concept with green markets, CSAs are different. In a CSA arrangement, a farmer sells “shares” in his or her farm’s upcoming harvest to individuals, families, and institutions in the city. So here’s what Leslie had to say:

Hello neighbors,

I’m starting a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program in DUMBO/Vinegar Hill beginning this season, June 2008. I am working on this project with Just Food which is the non-profit umbrella organization which helps neighborhoods start a CSA program. You can learn more about Just Food and NYC CSA at justfood.org. While I’m starting the CSA program in DUMBO/Vinegar Hill with only the help of Just Food, I hope to recruit some other community members to help spearhead the program with me.

CSA is a way for people to buy vegetables directly from a local farmer. Before the harvest season, members commit to buy fresh, locally grown organic vegetables from June to November. Each week, members pick up their “share” at a convenient location. Although sizes vary, each “share” has about 7-10 different kinds of vegetables and is enough to feed two adults and two children.

Over the next several months I will be actively recruiting members to join the DUMBO/Vinegar Hill CSA. My goal is to have 40 members for the 2008 season. Members will be expected to help distribute the vegetables and clean up after the distribution at least one time during the season.

If you would like to talk more about this please e-mail lswinston@gmail.com or call me 347.633.3547.

Thank you,
Leslie Winston

This is a step towards a more sustainable community. In a related but separate note, the Dumbo Improvement District is working hard to bring a green market to the neighborhood; Something like Community Markets that comes to the Grand Army Plaza in Park Slope. If you’re interested in helping Leslie with this program, please contact her at lswinston@gmail.com. This is an opportunity to help local farmers and a chance to meet your neighbors. (Leslie is not affiliated with the Dumbo Improvement District.)

Related: {Dumbo Turning Greener, 30Jan2008}

After serving DUMBO and the surrounding area for several years as a solely home based business, DUMBO Pet Care has expanded into a larger ground floor space at 25 Jay St. A full service grooming shop and retail store have been added to its roster of services including in home cage free boarding, daycare, and cat visits.

Owner Cynthia Barnett told DumboNYC, “New products are arriving weekly and special orders are welcome.” With over 3,000 square feet of space, DUMBO Pet Care is well equipped to serve the neighborhood’s pet care needs.

DUMBO Pet Care
25 Jay Street, Brooklyn NY 11201
(718) 855-1363
Info@dumbopetcare.com
www.DUMBOPetCare.com

Previously:
{Dumbo’s First Pet Supply Store…And Kung Fu School, 12July2007}
{Interview: Dumbo Pet Care Owner Cynthia Barnett, 11Jun2007}

2007 continued to be a year of change in Dumbo Brooklyn, and with change comes residents who welcome it and others who are bitter. The days of cheap artist lofts are gone; Dumbo is now known for million dollar luxury condos which has affected rents in surrounding lofts. The ones who can afford those new condos are mostly new residents, who are attracted by Dumbo’s charm, convenience, and now-luxury industrial buildings. Long time residents see building construction and new businesses overwhelming infrastructure and miss the gritty streets of old Dumbo that inspired their creativity. Coincidentally, those old-timers coined the name DUMBO to keep the area’s charm a secret from developers. New and old residents now coexist in what is now the Dumbo Historic District. Let’s take a look back at 2007 and see how old and new made Dumbo a year of change.

1. New Residents Moved Into New Buildings
   Real estate stayed strong in Dumbo (and Brooklyn in general) despite the country’s downturn overall. Residents moved into new condos at Beacon Tower (79 units), J Condo (267 units), and Vinegar Hill’s 206 Front Street (31 units).
2. …But Some Dumbo Real Estate Was Affected by the 2007 Credit Crunch
   Previously offered as condos but due to cooling real estate for developers, 99 Gold Street (88 units) and 133 Water Street (52 units) withdrew their plans and offered the apartments as rental units.
3. New Retailers Opened in Dumbo in 2007
   ModernTots, Stewart Stand, Pretty Inside Spa, Neighborhoodies, Aswoon/Susan Woods, Cheeky Dog, Zakka, GallyQB, and PowerHouse Arena’s Boiler Room. Two pharmacies finally open in Dumbo: Nate’s Pharmacy and Bridge Apothecary. Others retailers are sure to open soon, but will Apple take a risk in Dumbo in 2008?
4. Panhandlers in Dumbo
   Some feared for their safety as others were annoyed by constant panhandling. The Brooklyn Paper even covered the issue and the Dumbo Improvement District held a Crime Prevention and Safety Seminar.
5. Once Again, Dumbo (and Brooklyn) Named Top Destination
   Both Lonely Planet and the NY Times declared Dumbo as a destination in the US in 2007. Some Japanese press also got in on the action. Also despite some artists being pushed out due to high real estate prices, there are still many events and galleries for artists: BklynDesigns, Art Under The Bridge Festival, Shepard Fairey Exhibition, Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition show.
6. Dumbo Improvement District Continued Moving
   The Dumbo BID announces their aggressive 2007 plans in March, and hosts a fundraiser to Save Dumbo. Now that Dumbo has been given landmark status, can we get the much needed Belgian Blocks repaired?
7. Speaking of BID, Have You Been Enjoying the Pearl Street Triangle?
   The ‘pocket park’ at the Pearl Street Triangle that began in June was built in record time by July. Not without its controversies, residents are hoping for the triangular park to become more ‘park-like’ with in-ground trees and some curbs in the future.
8. 39 Front Street Demolished and Dock Street Building Plans Revealed
   The Zerega building, the first American pasta factory built in 1848 on 39 Front Street was torn down to make way for a temporary parking lot before the Dock Street project is approved and built. Two Trees Management proposed a 15-20 story building which is opposed by many in the neighborhood (including Councilman Yassky).
9. DOB Woes
   Old buildings were torn down, some with Dept of Building violations. After the 205 Water Street building demolition story was posted on DumboNYC, Brooklyn Paper wrote about it and Councilman Yassky was forced to put a stop work order on the property. Other buildings, such as 215 Plymouth, Guttman properties 50 Bridge and 53 Bridge Street were put on alert by the Dumbo Neighborhood Association.
10. The old loosely defined Dumbo is now the Dumbo Historic District
    On December 18, Dumbo was designated landmark status by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The borders of the Dumbo Historic District are defined by the street scapes and landmark buildings on it. (Click for PDF map of the boundaries.) This is the most significant event for Dumbo in 2007, which protects the industrial heritage and distinct historic character.

Of course there were many more changes and events in Dumbo. There will be much more to come in 2008. Feel free to comment below on other items of significance in Dumbo in 2007. Have a happy new year!

Previously: {Dumbo Top Ten in 2006}