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November, 2011

  1. What’s Happening? (11/30-12/6)

    November 30, 2011 by Jen G

    December is here and there is a lot going on!

    WEDNESDAY 11/30
    • Poker Unleashed @ TBD (224 Franklin) 7:30pm, Texas Holdem Tournament to benefit Dog Habitat, a local rescue org, More Info
    • Twin Peaks: #PrayforDaleCooper @ Veronica People’s Club (105 Franklin) 9:30pm, Silent Drape Runners present a live soundtrack to the images of your dreams and BOB-filled nightmares. Witness songs you love and songs you’ve never heard become nightmares and dreamscapes set to Lynch’s masterwork RSVP

    THURSDAY 12/1
    • Handmade Knife Exhibition @ Fitzgerald Jewelry (174 North 11th) 6-9pm, showcasing the famous works of Paul Cox’s Collection of Custom Knives, More info

     

    FRIDAY 12/2

    • TedX Brooklyn Livestream @ Knitting Factory, 61 Local & Brooklyn Brainery 9am-6pm, More info
    • Postcards To North Brooklyn @ Arts@Renaissance (2 Kingsland Ave) 6-9pm $10, 70 original 4×6 postcards from North Brooklyn artists, video, music, raffles, More info
    • Citywide Ceramic Open Studios begins @ Ash St Studio (29 Ash), Opening Reception 7pm, Local artists specializing in slipcasting, More info
    • Holler Record Release Party @ Pete’s Candy Store (709 Lorimer) 9pm, Come listen to Holler play songs from their new album


    SATURDAY 12/3

    • Grand Opening of Greenpoint Heights (278 Nassau), 3pm-4am, the bar formerly known as The Onyx reopens with food, beer & whisky
    • Handmade Calvacade @ Public Assembly (70 No. 6th) 10am-6pm, 40 local artisans, designers and crafters bringing you the very best in handmade jewelry, accessories, children’s items, house wares, bath products, fine art, handbags, More info

    • NYC Beard & Moustache Competition @ Europa (98 Meserole) 7-11pm, $15, drink specials, guests, judges, raffles, burlesque & gogo, More info
    • Solo Dame Indie Pop Dance Party @ Matchless (557 Manhattan) 10pm, Free, Indie Rock, Dream, Electro Power Pop from Mexico Spain & Latin America
    • The Freedom Party With The Beatnuts @ Brooklyn Bowl (61 Wythe Ave)) 11:30pm, $10, Buy Tix

     

    SUNDAY 12/4
    • Beerfest @ Roberta’s (261 No. Moore, Bushwick) Doors open at noon, Beer Games & Competition begins at 2pm
    • Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra @ Brooklyn Bowl (61 Wythe Ave) 6pm, Show at 8pm, $5 Buy Tix

    TUESDAY 12/6

    • North Brooklyn Boat Club Meeting @ Rod & Gun (Kent Ave between No.10th & 11th), 8:30 pm, Read more

    • The Voltaire of the Nile: A Panel Discussion on Albert Cossery @ Word (126 Franklin) 7pm, RSVP

    • Playnight @ Brooklyn Brewery (79 No. 11th) 7:30-9:30pm, $25, Brooklyn Brewery beers, complimentary appetizers, Playworks games, and the 2011 Playworks Rock-Paper-Scissors tournament, More info

    • Brooklyn Brewery: The Director’s Cut @ Nighthawk Cinemas (136 Metropolitan) 7:30pm, $90, $105 at door, a never-before-seen compendium of our favorite beers matched to both great food and brilliant film clips, Marvel at the diverse flavors of Brewmaster Oliver’s tasty artisanal beer! Thrill to the cooking of Chef Saul! Become deeply amused by the film stylings of editor John Woods! More info

    Category Events | Tags: | No Comments

  2. Feeling plump? It’s only going to get worse…

    November 29, 2011 by Jen G

    There is an absurd tradition in my Sicilian American family to precede a giant holiday meal, like Thanksgiving, with a giant pasta dish. This year it was my Nonna’s so called “last lasagna.” A doom and gloom mentality is a typical trait in any old Sicilian woman. So is making a lasagna that somehow bypasses the “brain tells stomach to stop eating” mechanism.

    For most of us, Thanksgiving is the first of many upcoming family force feeding sessions and I am already doing the cram dance to get into my jeans. Instead of buying a size up and letting the holiday feeding frenzy rule me, I am taking charge and for the next twelve weeks am getting my butt (literally – it’s huge) into major shape with the help of fitness trainer and life coach Dishan at Human@Ease.

    My version of working out is a warm up walk to the cafe, an espresso, run for a couples of miles, then forget to stretch or hydrate. I need professional help!

    On my first day Dishan took my weight (120 lbs) and my body fat (17.4% – Can you guess where all the fat is stored?) and these embarrassing BEFORE photos of me, which after 12 weeks will hopefully reveal a toner, stronger and less junk-in-the-trunk Jen.

    It will be as much of a challenge for Dishan, who has over 15 years of experience training, as it will be for me, given that I’m not in horrendous shape. It’s much easier to see dramatic results in someone who needs to lose a lot of poundage. Our goal is to keep my body fat stable and increase my lean muscle mass. I don’t want to lose weight but rather build muscle.

    Did you see the ladies arm wrestling video? I am a wimp, especially in my upper body, and my goal is to rule bitches and wimpy dudes during the next competition.

    Problem: I hate gyms! But Human@Ease is different. It’s a zen gym, no annoying house music and no muscle heads. With no more than four people using the machines at a time and a staff member there help, it’s very peaceful. Plus there are loads of classes like yoga and zumba.

    Dishan introduced me to Introversion Strength Training, her own meditative approach. It’s done for 30 minutes once or twice a week. That’s it! It strengthens and tones by doing high intensity weight training on machines with ultra slow repetitions until just before muscle fatigue. And it’s a self-training method, which means you learn how to do it yourself.

    But what about the cardio? After each set I was profusely sweating, my heart rate was elevated and I was majorly out of breath. Dishan explained that your heart and lungs support your muscles, so the cardiovascular systems has no choice but to get stronger to accommodate the improvements of the muscular system. And by increasing the intensity of your workout you can decrease the frequency, which is perfect for me because I need time to write for this blog!

    My first few workouts have been tough but very energizing and motivating and I hope to be able to do at least one chin up by the end of my twelve weeks.

    The whole workout was a mini life coaching session wrapped up in a high intensity workout delivered by the most adorable, lively and fun person, who can do chin ups like a champ!

    Lately I have been so busy and overwhelmed and feeling like, “I can’t go on!” That is the same way I felt on my last repetitions.

    “Just one more,” Dishan said.
    “I can’t!” I said while horribly contorting my face and grunting. (against the rules!)
    “Yes you can, Jen. Just try.”

    But I could! When I accomplished what seemed to be the last impossible rep, it was like jumping over a mini life hurdle that left me buzzing and inspired to accomplish other things I think I can’t do.

    When it was all over I relaxed in the infrared detoxifying sauna. Try it! It improves your complexion, helps fight off colds and is supposedly a good hangover cure. The price is right at $15 for 30 minutes, too.

    Check back in 12 weeks for what I hope are not as extremely embarrassing AFTER photos, and I will be wearing neon yellow bike shorts instead.

    Category Community | Tags: ,,,,,,,, | 2 Comments

  3. GIFT GUIDE: REDTAILFEATHERS

    by Jen G

    This holiday season, give the gift of local handmade art from RedTailFeathers on Etsy.

    Handmade in Williamsburg, these mixed media pieces are influenced by vintage finds, postcards, love letters, old books, animals, nature, amusing thoughts, and all-around good times.  Get thoughtful gifts at affordable prices, with pieces ranging from $12 – $90.

    **FREE SHIPPING THIS WEEK ONLY**
    Expires 12/2.  Enter coupon code: SHIP2011

    Top Gift Guide Picks:


    Good Time Rabbits                    Piglet & Posies                         Like a Boss

    RedTailFeathers will be at the Greenpointers Holiday Market on Saturday, December 17! Brand new items will be on display! To RSVP click here.

    To contact the artist, visit her Etsy Store or email christine (dot) hooker (at) gmail (dot) com.

    Category Greenpoint Gift Guide | Tags: ,,,,,,,,,, | No Comments

  4. GIFT GUIDE: GOODYOGA

    November 28, 2011 by Jen G


    www.goodyoganyc.com
    73 Calyer St
    718 349 2983

    goodyogis get as good as they give

     

    get a free month

    get 6 months for the price of 5 
    through November 30th
    $500 goodyogi 
    $750 goodashtangi

    give & receive

    give goodyoga.
    get 25% off. 
    Through December 31st
    This holiday season, give your friends the gift of health in the form of a goodyoga membership and experience instant karma! Your own January goodyogi membership will be $75 or goodashtangi membership only $112.50

    give yourself a gift
    good200: Advanced Studies Program

    January 7 – March 4, 2012
    $2500 through December 15th
    $3000 if paid in full by January 7th
    $3300 paid in equal installments through length of program 
    Click HERE for details.

    give to strangers,
    your friend gets a FREE month

    108 Sun Salutations
    In Observance of The Winter Solstice
    Wednesday, September 21st
    6.30 – 7p Meditation
    7 – 9.30p Sun Salutations
    Beginners Welcomed
    Participants who raise $1,000 earn the month of January FREE for a friend.
    Click HERE for details.

     

    Category Greenpoint Gift Guide | Tags: ,,,,,,,, | No Comments

  5. SUNDAY SNAPS: GREENPOINT TRUCKS

    November 27, 2011 by Jen G

    I like trucks. I like to be high up off the ground when I drive. I wish I had a huge garage where I could park all of these bad ass trucks. This is part of an ongoing “Auto Series” I am photographing with my iphone around the neighborhood. Make sure to keep up with Greenpointers on Flickr and Instagram.
    Greenpoint Car Series
    Greenpoint Car Series
    Greenpoint Car Series
    Greenpoint Car Series
    Greenpoint Car Series

    Category Culture, Sunday Snaps | Tags: ,,,,,,, | 3 Comments

  6. FOOD COMAS FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE

    November 25, 2011 by Jen G

    Instead of ranting about Black Friday, I will say two things: shop locally to support Greenpoint businesses and feed hungry people. Think about the overabundance of food and the food coma you experienced yesterday. The Greenpoint Soup Kitchen works very hard to put our hungry neighbors into food comas each week, and did an amazing job Wednesday evening creating a huge Thanksgiving meal for them. The Soup Kitchen does runs on the dedication volunteers and generosity of donations. Here is a letter I received from Ann Kansfield, my pastor, over at the Greenpoint Church.

    DONATE TO THE SOUP KITCHEN

    Dear Friends,

    I’m desperate, which is why I’m sending this email to everyone I know.

    Four years ago, we started a soup kitchen and food pantry. We never envisioned what would happen, but every month more and more people keep coming to us for food. Last week our City Councilman invited me to testify before the Council about the increasingly dire situation faced by hungry people in our community. In preparing to testify, I made a chart showing the number of people we’ve served in the past several years. It just goes up and up and up. As you might guess, the funds needed to help feed so many hungry people haven’t kept pace with the demand. In fact, the main funding for pantries like ours comes from the federal government, and it was slashed by almost 75% this year.  Check out the charts and testimony.

    Some weeks it’s been so bad that we’ve had to turn hundreds of people away because we just haven’t had the food. I also need to raise funds to cover our operational expenses. We keep these expenses low, but we still have to pay for the lights, gas, heat and phone as well as my part-time salary.

    I need your help, and I’m asking you to do two things. Please make a Thanksgiving donation to Greenpoint’s pantry and kitchen. No gift is too small – we can do a lot with $10 and a lot more with $100.  We’re able to buy food at a reduced cost from the NY Food Bank, so we leverage every dollar donated to us. Second, please help spread the word and forward this message to five friends asking them to donate a few bucks.  If everyone gives a little, we can do so much.

    We’re aren’t a large non-profit.  We don’t have a fancy building or shiny equipment. You can be assured that your donation goes directly to help people who would otherwise fall through the cracks of our society.  Along with helping people, you also have the benefit of your donation being tax-deductable.

    You can make a one-time donation via PayPal here or you can sign up to give monthly via our website. If you’re not into online giving, you can send a check to: Greenpoint Church Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry 136 Milton St.  Brooklyn, NY 11222

    Thank you so much for your help!  Feel free to email me or call if you have any thoughts or questions.

    Happy Thanksgiving,
    Ann Kansfield

    Category Events | Tags: | No Comments

  7. PIZZA COMMANDER STRIKES!

    by Jen G

    Guest judge on the Greenpointers Pizza Tour, Brooks AKA the Pizza Commander, who runs the awesome My, Myself & Pie pizza blog wrote a kick-ass review and took the best photo of the entire day!

    © Pizza Commander

    Category Eat & Drink | Tags: ,, | No Comments

  8. A TRULY GREENPOINT THANKSGIVING

    November 23, 2011 by Jen G

    © Barry Chesser

    Category Community | Tags: ,,, | No Comments

  9. Art Review: Yes! & Greenpoint Gallery

    by Peter

    Currently showing at Yes! Gallery, a beautiful basement space curated by Lesley Doukhowetzky on India Street, is a collection of drawings and watercolors by artist Lorene Taurerewa called Watercolors and Other Things....  My impressions of this show can be neatly separated between her technique and her subjects.  I immediately found a deep respect for her mastery of the human figure and of the subtle variations within a set of colors that watercolor paints allow.   On the other hand, I felt alternately disengaged and deeply troubled by her choices of subject matter.  Her techniques elegantly evoke the human form while simultaneously imbuing it with an ethereal quality that lends her subjects license to appear in dreamlike (perhaps nightmarish) positions, and her ability to subtly use color transitions only available to the watercolor medium to set mood is evident throughout the exhibition.  It may only be my own personal biases against monkeys and clowns – especially in combination – that lead me to find many of her paintings deeply unsettling.  The juxtaposition of a practiced technique against an overtly childish motif – Batman appears in several of her works, for example – may work for some but may disengage others.

    Further north at 390 McGuinness Boulevard lies The Greenpoint Gallery.  Residing in a multi-level space shared with a mixed showing of sculpture and painting, Friday’s opening was of paintings by artist Walker Fee.  Mr. Fee’s work included large-scale paintings that span multiple wooden panels with various scenes covering both idyllic cityscapes and emotionally-charged excerpts from the religious mind.  Judgement, a painting on six thin wooden panels and pictured at right, brought illustrations of Dante’s Inferno by Gustave Doré and William Blake to mind.  Outlines of sinners, all the more powerful by their being more suggested in the imagination rather than painted in whole, are driven before a livid golden backdrop.  While the effect was powerful, I believe that the work presented suffered from being poorly hung and presented – it appeared to have been painted on plywood and mounted so as to not support the middle of each panel, which therefore slouched against the wall.

    Yes! Gallery - 147 India Street
    The Greenpoint Gallery - 390 McGuinness Boulevard, 3rd floor.

    Category Culture | Tags: ,,,,,, | No Comments

  10. GREENPOINTERS PIZZA TOUR 2011

    November 22, 2011 by Jen G

    The trauma of 19 espressos on the Greenpointers Espresso Tour didn’t stop us from touring the neighborhood for the best slice of pizza. As a pizzeria, your regular slice is your best and only business card. Get that right, then add your fancy toppings. We identified 12 pizzerias in the 11222 area code that served pizza by the slice. Two were closed on Sunday (Baldo’s & L.A. Convenience), which were automatic disqualifications.

    The three judges were Brooks, AKA the Pizza Commander (left), Greenpointers’ writer Peter (right), and myself. We ordered one slice cut into three pieces and used a scoresheet adapted from American Pizza Championship, which accounted for appearance and taste. Each slice had the potential of scoring 225 points after we added our individual totals.

    2011 GREENPOINTERS PIZZA TOUR RESULTS

     

    *** 1st PLACE: VALDIANO ***

    Top Score: 166.5

    2nd Place: Franklin Pizza (161.5)

    3rd Place: Triangolo: (157.5) 

    Other Awards:

    Best Music: Valdiano

    Best Service: Vinnie’s

    Best Bribe: Grandma Rose’s (giant plate of zeppoles)

    Best Place to Watch Soccer: Italy Pizza

    Best Pizza Cat and Pizza Window: Carmine’s Original

    (more…)

    Category Eat & Drink | Tags: ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, | 8 Comments

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