We’re into this listing for 100 Jay Street, Apt 6E, not only for it’s custom website, but looks like the owner has put in a lot of custom work. There’s even a video that shows some custom installations for the cats. Here are the stats:

• $679,000
• 1 bedroom, 1 bath
• 800 square feet (Floorplan)
• $527/mo cc, $14/mo taxes
• Pretty much custom everything. (Details on the site)

Check out the site at dumbodesignerdwelling.com.

HGTV, the home and garden television network, will be filming in Dumbo Brooklyn on Friday, 3/12 from 5am to 11pm on Washington street, Front Street, Water Street. Remember to move your parked cars by 5pm tonight.

The NYC Department of Design + Construction sent us the following March/April 2010 update on the reconstruction of Water Street between Adams Street to Old Fulton Street and Washington Street from York Street to Plymouth Street. Per the newsletter (PDF download 746kb):

Work In Progress: March – April, 2010

• Excavation and installation of 36″ trunk main from Doughty Street and Furman Street across Old Fulton Street and into Water Street proceeding in an eastward direction.
• Installation of new 12″ distribution water main on Water Street between Main Street and Washington Street.

Removal of:

• Cobble stones within the project limits. (Note: These stones are being safely stored for re-installment in the future.)

Looking Ahead For 2010:

• Continue installation of the 18″ combined sewer along Water Street to Main Street
• Continue excavation and installation of the 36″ trunk water main from Doughty Street and Furman Street to Water Street and Main Street.

There are many slated improvements to help preserve the character of the neighborhood

• Resetting the old trolley tracks on Water Street at Adam Street
• Installation of new granite curbs
• Installation of new pigmented sidewalks
• Installation of some new street lights
• Restoration of cobble stone roadways
• Planting of 25 new trees within project limits

Community Construction Liaison (CCL): The DDC has assigned Paul Kidder of HAKS as the Community Construction Liaison. Please contact Mr. Kidder for all project
related inquiries/concerns or to be added to the e-mail distribution list at:
Phone: (718) 643-2536
E-mail: waterstreetccl@gmail.com
Field Office Address: 10 Jay Street, Suite 714 Brooklyn NY 11201

Previously:
{Water/Washington St Reconstruction Project Update, 03Dec2009}
{Belgian Block Reconstruction to Begin, 04May2009}

Choice Market is now open until 11pm every night. Also, the cheese & charcuterie and wine & beer are now available. Free delivery from 9am-10pm.

Choice Market
108 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Tel: 718.797.1695
Fax: 718.797.1914
Courtenay@choicemarkets.com

(PDF of menu here (632kb))

Previously:
More photos on the Flickr site here.
{Choice Market (Dumbo) Open for Business, 18Feb2010}
{Choice to Open this Week, 09Feb2010}
{Choice Market Opening Soon?, 15Jan2010}
{April Dumbo Food Tidbits, 01Apr2009}
{Choice Market to Occupy J Condo Location, 22Jul2008}

Remember the issue we posted on the potential carbon monixide issue last year for 133 Water Street? According to Curbed, the building next to it (18 Adams Street (photo) extended the chimney by 5 stories so the noxious fumes are not entering the apartments next door.

There’s a new food truck option in Dumbo. They will be on Front and Main Street every Monday through Fridays during lunch. Menu items include gyro (lamb), chicken gyro, chicken with rice and vegetables, chicken cutlet, Philly steaks, falafel, hot dogs, hot sausages. Most dishes are $4.99.

This is in addition to the Rickshaw Dumpling Truck (Twitter @rickshawtruck) every Mondays, Schnitzel & Things every Fridays, and others that stop by on occassion. Look for more trucks as the weather gets warmer. Can we say food truck wars?

Previously:
{Wafels & Dinges in Dumbo, 08Dec2009}
{Taiwanese Cravings Truck Visits Dumbo, 12Aug2009}
{Schnitzel Fridays in Dumbo, 07Aug2009}
{Schnitzel & Things Truck Lands in Dumbo, 27Jul2009}
{Rickshaw Dumpling Truck in Dumbo, 16Mar2009}
{Ice Cream Trucks in Dumbo, 12Jun2008}
{Treats Truck at Pearl St. Triangle, 19Jul2007}

Champion eater Takeru Kobayashi (Google Translate) broke the world record of 26 meatballs eaten in 1 minute this afternoon at Fulton Ferry Landing. He finished eating 29 meatballs in one minute. Japanese television Fuji TV covered the event.

Officials from the Guiness Book of World Records were there to make it official. After weighing the meatballs (minimum weight of 14 grams is required per meatball), and stating the rules (must eat one at a time, yes to water, cannot use hands), Kobayashi quickly downed the 29 IKEA meatballs. Kobayashi told us that the world record didn’t seem that much initially, but it’s more than he thought in 60 seconds. “Want to grab pizza?” Says Kobayashi, “No thanks, I’m ok now, but I love NY pizza!”

(Sign behind is translated as “Guiness World Record for Meatball Eating”)

More photos in Flickr set.

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

• Beyoncé Opens Cosmetology School in Brooklyn, 06Mar10, VV
• Artist Richard Silver Showing at Baco Cafe, 27Feb10, tiltshiftblog
• Dumbo Snow Pics, 27Feb10, fortheloveofbrooklyn.com
• Preservation Society, 02Mar10, Metropolis Mag
• Birmingham:Digbeth as Brooklyn:Dumbo, 02Mar10, Digbeth
• Artist Diana Heise, 02Mar10, NY Arts
• Photo: Actress Leighton Meester in Dumbo, 02Mar10, Buzzfoto
• Dumbo & Dumber, 24Feb10, NYPress
• Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Names Nancy Webster Executive Director, 05Mar10, BBP
• Pic: Mayor Bloomberg/Beyonce in Dumbo, 05Mar10, NYCMayorsOffice
• Beyonce Unveils Cosmetology Center In Brooklyn, 05Mar10, NY1
• Sid’s Hardware Files for Chapter 11, 04Mar10, Brooklyn Eagle
• Living in Vinegar Hill, 03Mar10, NYT
• Vinegar Hill Slide Show, 03Mar10, NYT
• Beyonce Opens Cosmetology Center, 05Mar10, Just Jared
• Shorty Awards by Dumbo’s Sawhorse, 02Mar10, mediabistro
• Discover Dumbo, 01Mar10, Damascus Bakery
• Brooklyn needs census workers, 02Mar10, Brokelyn
• What to Buy in Brooklyn, 08Mar10, The New Yorker
• City Seeks Food Options in BBP, 05Mar10, Eater

(Photo courtesy of three2photo from the DumboNYC Flickr Pool. If you have your own pictures related to Dumbo, please feel free to drop them there.)

As mentioned in a previous post, Beyoncé opened the Beyoncé Cosmetology Center, which will teach students the theory and practical skills they need to pass the NYS Cosmetology Licensure Exam.

Press release from the Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz after the jump.

March 5, 2010

BP MARKOWITZ JOINS BEYONCÉ, MAYOR BLOOMBERG AT OPENING OF BEYONCÉ COSMETOLOGY CENTER AT PHOENIX HOUSE CAREER ACADEMY

On Friday, March 5, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined Beyoncé, her mother Tina Knowles, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Karen Carpenter-Palumbo, elected officials and Phoenix House President and CEO Howard Meitiner for the official opening of the Beyoncé Cosmetology Center at the Phoenix House Career Academy in DUMBO.

BP Markowitz, who declared Beyoncé an honorary Brooklynite by marriage and moxie, said, “The beauty industry is a lucrative one, here in New York City and worldwide, and cosmetology is a wonderful and creative career. “And of course, as we know, everyone—from ‘Single Ladies’ to ‘Independent Women’ to men and women of every walk of life—we’ve all got ‘Bills, Bills, Bills’ and need skills to pay the bills! This training program will be helping the hard-working students at Phoenix House Career Academy to graduate into a new world of creative expression and economic stability—to be able to say more than just “I’m a Survivor” but also enjoy the “Sweet Dreams” of real success. How do Brooklynites say how we feel about the Beyoncé Cosmetology Center? We say it’s ‘Bootylicious’!”

Photos by Kathryn Kirk

In photo 2 (left to right): BP Markowitz; Tina Knowles; Beyoncé; Mayor Michael Bloomberg; Karen Carptenter-Palumbo, commissioner, New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services

-30-

CONTACT: Mark Zustovich, 718-802-3830; mzustovich@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

Press release from Phoenix House:

NEW YORK – (Business Wire) Phoenix House, the nation’s leading non-profit provider of substance abuse and prevention services, today announces the opening of the Beyoncé Cosmetology Center at the Phoenix House Career Academy. A residential treatment program with a fully equipped vocational training center on site, the Career Academy, located in Brooklyn, NY, guides students as they work toward their professional and personal goals. Adding a new track to the Career Academy’s vocational programs, the Beyoncé Cosmetology Center will offer a seven-month cosmetology training course for adult men and women. As Beyoncé is a spokesperson for L’Oréal Paris, the company is generously providing all makeup, skin care, and hair care products.
The pop superstar’s relationship with Phoenix House began when she was preparing for the role of Etta James in the 2008 film Cadillac Records. To play the part of the former heroin addict, Beyoncé met with women in treatment at the Career Academy. Moved by their powerful stories of addiction and recovery, she later donated her salary from the film. A year later, she and her mother and business partner, fashion designer Tina Knowles, who owned a popular hair salon in Houston when Beyoncé was growing up, conceived of the idea of Phoenix House’s new cosmetology program.

“We were thrilled when Beyoncé and her mother Tina approached us about creating a cosmetology center for our clients,” said Phoenix House President and CEO Howard Meitiner. “Their generosity and compassion toward the men and women we serve is extraordinary. With this tremendous gift, they have given our clients a route to achieve successful, rewarding lives in recovery.”

Opening today, the Beyoncé Cosmetology Center will teach students the theory and practical skills they need to pass the NYS Cosmetology Licensure Exam. The Center will also offer complimentary services, using L’Oréal Paris products, to a wide range of community partners, enabling its more advanced students to refine and practice their skills. Phoenix House’s partners in this endeavor are two divisions of the NYS Department of Education, the Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) and the Bureau of Propriety Schools (BPSS).

About Phoenix House

Phoenix House is the nation’s leading non-profit provider of substance abuse treatment and prevention services, serving more than 7,000 men, women (including women with children), and teens each day at more than 120 programs in 10 states – California, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, and Vermont. For information, visit www.phoenixhouse.org or contact Karen Sodomick, Director of Marketing and Communications, at 646-505-2093, email ksodomick@phoenixhouse.org.

About Beyoncé

International entertainer and iconic performer Beyoncé came to fame as a Houston, Texas teenager in the mid-nineties as a founding member of Destiny’s Child, the top-selling female recording group of all-time. In 2002 she embarked on a solo career and has recorded a string of #1 singles, three chart-topping albums, Dangerously In Love (2003), B’Day (2006) and I AM…SASHA FIERCE (2008). As an actress she has starred in six highly successful films including Dreamgirls, and served as a producer on her last two films, Cadillac Records and Obsessed. She has won over 100 international and national awards, including AMAs, VMAs, EMAs, and Grammys. This year she added six Grammy® Awards to her wins, including “Song of the Year” (for “Single Ladies”), breaking the record for most Grammy® Awards won by a female artist in a single year, while bringing her career Grammy® total up to 16. In April 2009, she began her “I AM…” World Tour including sold-out stops in Europe, Australia, Asia, South America and the Caribbean. In São Paulo, Brazil she performed to her largest live concert audience ever, 60,000 fans. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Beyoncé is the artist with the most total certifications (gold and platinum singles and albums) over the past decade, with a total of 64. In 2005, Beyoncé co-founded House of Deréon and Deréon with her mother and business partner, fashion designer Tina Knowles. That same year, touched by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Beyoncé and her family formed the Survivor Foundation to help displaced victims in the Houston area. She also partnered with Feeding America during the US leg of her last tour to help deliver meals to local food banks. And in the wake of the massive earthquake that hit Haiti earlier this year, Beyoncé performed on the telethon Hope for Haiti and continues to contribute and support Haiti relief efforts.

About Tina Knowles

Tina Knowles is the co-creative director and co-founder of the House of Deréon, Deréon, and Miss Tina fashion lines produced by Beyond Productions, a partnership with the Knowles family and Kids Headquarters that was founded in 2005. A native Texan, Tina began her career owning and operating one of the most successful beauty salons in the Houston area. She is also an accomplished writer with the debut of her first book, Destiny’s Style, published by Harper Collins in 2002. Experienced in nearly every aspect of what has come to be known as ‘the lifestyle industry,’ Tina has worked as an interior designer and has served as fashion consultant and costume designer on various film projects that include The Pink Panther, Austin Powers Goldmember, Dreamgirls, and the critically acclaimed film, Cadillac Records, released in December 2008. She is the recipient of ACE Award from the Accessories Council of America for Excellence in Accessory Design, The VHI/Vogue Fashion Award for Best Costumes, and the Golden Hanger Award – E! Entertainment for Best Fashion. Her philanthropic endeavors include the Knowles-Rowland Center for Youth located in Houston, Texas, the House of Deréon Media Center, the Survivor Foundation and Knowles Temeno’s Place as community resources assisting those displaced and in need.

About L’Oréal Paris

The L’Oréal Paris division of L’Oréal USA, Inc. is a total beauty care company that combines the latest in technology with the highest in quality for the ultimate in luxury beauty at mass. The L’Oréal Paris brand encompasses the four major beauty categories – haircolor, haircare, skincare and cosmetics – and includes such well-known brands as Preference, Excellence, Féria and Healthy Look haircolor; Elnett Satin Hairspray, EverPure, EverStrong, VIVE Pro, Studio Line and L’Oréal Kids haircare; Revitalift, Age Perfect, Ideal Skin Genesis, Collagen, Sublime Bronze and Men’s Expert skincare; and the Colour Riche, True Match, Infallible, Bare Naturale and Studio Secrets Professional cosmetics collections, along with a portfolio of mascara including Voluminous, Double Extend and Telescopic among many others.

For more information on L’Oréal Paris and its brands, and to get comprehensive, personalized beauty information from the experts, visit www.lorealparis.com for access to unique content and dynamic interactive features, including the exclusive “Can I Help You” diagnostic tool.

Phoenix House
Karen Sodomick, Director of Marketing and Communications
646-505-2093
ksodomick@phoenixhouse.org
www.phoenixhouse.org

Beyoncé will be in Dumbo today to speak at the opening of her Beyoncé Cosmetology Center at the Phoenix House Career Academy, 50 Jay Street, according to Stephen Witt of Courier-Life Publications. Phoenix House runs the Career Academy, which is a residential substance abuse treatment program that offers vocational training programs. Beyonce’s new venture will allow men and women in treatment to prepare for careers in the cosmetology field after a seven-month training course. (ref: k-litefm.com) Glad to see Beyoncé contributing back to the community.

Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z have reportedly been looking at condos in Dumbo and looked at the $25mil 1 Main Street Penthouse. Jay-Z is familiar with Dumbo and filmed a commercial with Spike Lee this past August.

(Beyoncé and Jay-Z photo from 2009, courtesy of The Media Girl)

1) Tara Dixon Art Exhibition at Journey Dumbo

Journey is proud to feature local artist Tara Dixon for our first Art Opening. Please visit us when attending Dumbo’s first Thursday Gallery Walk from 6 to 9pm March 4, 2010.

Journey (Journeydumbo.com)
72 Front St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
Tel: 718-797-9277

2) Harinezumi Video Art Screening Night
Thursday, March 4, in conjunction with the 1st Thursday DUMBO Gallery Walk, the powerHouse Arena and Powershovel present a special curated Harinezumi video art screening night!

Featuring works produced with the digital Harinezumi 2 video camera, avilable now at our Powershovel Pop-Up Shop or online boutique.

Huge simultaneous projections, music and complimentary beverages will be provided 7—8:30PM. No rsvp required.

PowerHouse Arena
37 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

3) Ignite NYC

Thursday, March 4, 2010, DOORS: 6:30pm ($10.00 donation) | SHOW: 7:45PM
Galapagos Art Space Dumbo (galapagosartspace.com)
16 Main Street, Brooklyn NY

In talks that are exactly five minutes long, Ignite NYC presenters share their personal and professional passions, using 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds. Ignite NYC VIII goes global to join O’Reilly’s Global Ignite Week. from March 1-5, 2010, 50+ Ignites will take place in cities around the world. Upwards of 10,000 entrepreneurs, technologists, DIYers, creative professionals, and enthusiastic knowledge-seekers will gather in local pubs, theaters, and other convivial venues for an evening that is a unique blend of networking, information, and fun, encapsulated in the Ignite motto: “Enlighten us, but make it quick.” www.ignitenyc.org

4) Original Picture Book Art Exhibition
March 2010 WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION:
Brooklyn Honors Local Artists and Literature.
6 Author-Illustrators, 3 Bookstores and a Gallery.

Opening Reception March 4, 6-8pm
Superfine, 126 Front Street, Dumbo Brooklyn
Tel: 718-243-9005

Original Picture Book Art Exhibition – Selina Alko, Miriam Cohen, Pat Cummings, Melanie Hope Greenberg, Aileen Leijten, Meghan McCarthy. Books will be available for autographing. *Miss Brooklyn 2009, Keelie Sheridan is joining us*

Celebrating Brooklyn’s professional women who leave an historical record in the field of children’s literature and the merchants who bring their books to the community.
* ALL EVENTS ARE FREE *ALL EVENTS ARE CHILD FRIENDLY
Book Court * Greenlight Books * P.S. Bookshop * Superfine.
A part of Dumbo’s First Thursday Art Walk open gallery night

Full Schedule of All Bookstore Events
Miss Brooklyn’s Blog (missbrooklyn2009.blogspot.com
www.melaniehopegreenberg.com

5) Brooklyn Filmmakers Meet Up

Co-hosted by Brooklyn Arts Council and IFP

Thursday, March 4, 6-8pm
BAC Gallery, 111 Front Street, Suite 218, Dumbo

Calling all Brooklyn filmmakers for our first Meet Up event of 2010. Meet and mingle with local filmmakers at BAC Gallery, drink free beer from Kelso Brewery, and learn about the programs and support available for filmmakers through IFP and Brooklyn Arts Council. And while you’re here, be sure to check out all the great gallery openings and cultural events going on in the neighborhood for Dumbo 1st Thursdays.

Scene: Brooklyn’s spring Filmmakers Meet Up, co-hosted by IFP, this Thursday from 6-8pm at BAC Gallery. This is also your opportunity to see the exhibition Glitch Generation after hours during Dumbo 1st Thursday.

There was an apparent robbery at the Dumbo branch of Sovereign Bank at 40 Washington Street at approximately 12:45pm today. Initial reports emailed to us and speaking with people in the area say that they were robbed of $35,000. Police have surveillance photos and are reviewing them and fingerprinting the bank for clues. If anyone has any info that may lead to clues, please call 311.

[UPDATE 2: The robber got away with $400.00, not $35,000 as first reported. And he has been arrested thanks to the doorman at 84 Front St.]

[Update: Some people have pointed out that there have been other Sovereign Bank heists lately, according to a story by the Brooklyn Eagle. "According to police sources, the two robbers typically enter the banks, pass a note to the teller demanding money, then flee on foot once bank clerks hand them the money."]

Previously:
{Bank Branches in Dumbo, 26Sept2006}

After 5+ years, the top addition of 53 Bridge Street is being taken down, according to a Brownstoner post today. The approved DOB application states, “FILING HEREWITH PARTIAL DEMOLITION OF 8 FLOOR AND ENTIRE FLOOR 9 THRU 13.” Several complaints about falling debris or hanging scaffolding have been submitted over the years. The building is owned by Mr. Guttman. We don’t know the fate of this building, but perhaps work can be done within zoning compliance.

Previously:
{53 Bridge Street Building, 11Sept2007}
{Img: 53 Bridge Street, 13Sept2006}

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.
A.I.R. Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 228
Amos Eno Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 202
Bose Pacia, 163 Plymouth St.
Brooklyn Art Project, 5 Front St.
Brooklyn Arts Council, 111 Front St., Suite 218
Caption Gallery, 55 Washington St., Suite 802
Central Booking, 111 Front St., Suite 214
Collective Consciousness NYC, 10 Jay St.
DUMBO Arts Center, 30 Washington St.
Farmani Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 212
Giacobetti Paul Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 220
Henry Gregg Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 226
Klompching Gallery, 111 Front St.
Kris Graves Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 224
Magasin Totale, 10 Jay St., Suite 724
Melville House, 145 Plymouth St.
Mighty Tanaka Gallery, 68 Jay St., Suite 416
Pochron Studios, 20 Jay St.
Possible Projects, 68 Jay St., #510
Powerhouse Books & Powerhouse Arena, 37 Main St.
Rabbithole Studio, 33 Washington St.
Randall Scott Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 204
Smack Mellon, 93 Plymouth St. @ Washington Street
Spring, 126a Front St.
Umbrage Gallery, 111 Front St.
VII Photo, 28 Jay St.
Watermill Brooklyn Gallery, 55 Washington Street, Suite 216