Melanie Weinberger

Perk Me Up – the coffee scene in North Brooklyn

December 8, 2009 By Melanie Weinberger Leave a Comment

Cafe Grumpy Head Roaster, Liam Singer

The Coffee Scene in North Brooklyn

Coffee, once the expression of freedom (America switched from tea to coffee during the American Revolution when they rebelled against the British tax on tea), quickly descended to happy to serve you coffee in old-fashioned coffee shops where you got bottomless cups of muddy Joe for next to nothing. If not for Starbucks popularizing high-end coffee, we’d not be talking about how hipster, grab-the-pulse of a neighborhood coffee shops became as ubiquitous as a barbershop.

Pulaski Bridge Walkway Clears on Thanksgiving

November 26, 2009 By Melanie Weinberger Leave a Comment

Photo: New York Shitty

Motivated by the mounds of food I know I’ll be sinking my teeth into later, and also an episode of the Biggest Loser on television last night (don’t hate on mass media motivation) I set out on a run over the Pulaski Bridge this morning.

Like my roommates—one gone to Chicago and the other New Jersey—I too am traveling to family for Thanksgiving, so I planned ahead to get a workout in, early. I set out at 9am, and found Nassau St, Greenpoint Ave, and the bridge completely deserted. It was unexpected and glorious moment. I give thanks because heading over the Bridge in the morning is usually like trying to push your way to the front stage of a concert, pushing people to the right and to the left, and constantly looking back to make sure no one is pissed off.

Greenpoint’s Quiet Park: McGolrick

November 22, 2009 By Melanie Weinberger Leave a Comment

mcgolrick park greenpoint brooklyn

Every time I step out of my Greenpoint apartment for a run it begins the same way—a 5-minute stroll through McGolrick Park. This park is quietly understated in the neighborhood, off the beaten path, away from the North Brooklyn fray, a gem to residents nearby. After skipping through its walkways again this morning I decided to slow down and take in some of its details.

Each far corner of the rectangular park offers a diagonal path to the center, lined with street lamps that glow orange at night. The pathways organize the shape of grassy areas and trees beyond the benches. I’ve inadvertently gotten a mean sunburn by sitting and reading a book in those grassy areas; you can lose track of time in its calm atmosphere. This is not your chaotic McCarren Park overflowing on a sunny day.

Jazzercise Series: Butt-Busting w/ Buzz on

November 8, 2009 By Melanie Weinberger Leave a Comment

suspicious jazzercise

This weekend I joined the two wild and wacky ladies from the pop duo Suspicious Package in their class called “Pop Star Dance Workout,” one of their Jazzercize Your A$$ Off workout series. I’m not one for group exercise, not convinced that the burn will beat a good run—but I hushed my inner runner, and jumped in feet first into the organized world of jazzercise.

At their Williamsburg studio, I was greeted by Ashlynn a.k.a. Flashpants, and Emily a.k.a. Prince$$ Amelia, with a rum cocktail. “This is part of our hedonistic health philosophy,” Flashpants, in tiger-striped leotard spandex, assured us. Not that I was arguing as I gulped down the cocktail in preparation for the soon to come, awkward 80’s-style aerobics.

Beginner’s Yoga At Greenhouse Holistic

October 25, 2009 By Melanie Weinberger Leave a Comment

greenhouse holistic on roebling

Confession: I’ve lived in Greenpoint for over a year, and have never ventured into the native yoga scene. I’m a hipster fraud, perhaps, but I’m confident I’m not alone.

On a quest to finally dip into the movement, I ventured over to Greenhouse Holistic, a yoga and hot stone spa on Roebling and North 7th. If you’re looking for somewhere to try out yoga without feeling self-conscious that your neighbor will bend like a pretzel and scoff at you–an imaginary nightmare that holds beginners back for months–this is a great place to start.