DUMBO: A local community board resoundingly approved a controversial plan on Wednesday night for an 18-story building that opponents say would forever ruin views of the fabled Brooklyn Bridge, but supporters say will bring a much-needed public middle school and affordable housing to DUMBO. Comments (18)

Page 1: Another classic issue! But why wait until our print version is in your hands when you can read it all right now? Click below for our exclusive stories on Brooklyn’s upcoming economic bust, V-J Day in Downtown, Marty Markowitz’s sudden decision that Atlantic Yards is no longer “feasible” and all the features, arts, listings and columns you expect from The Brooklyn Paper, Brooklyn’s real newspaper for 30 years. Keep hustlin’, Brooklyn! Read more…

Downtown: The occupation is over! Comment

Bridge ‘Park’: A ballyhooed hotel that would have funded a large part of the maintenance budget for the controversial Brooklyn Bridge Park has been quietly abandoned by the condo-and-greenspace development’s planners. Comments (3)

Event: The borough that gave Barack Obama eight out of every 10 votes in November is ready to get down and party on Inauguration Day. Comments (1)

Editorial: Our editorial board says that the new calls to cut costs at Atlantic Yards are par for the course for developer Bruce Ratner: promise the stars, shoot for the moon, get state officials to approve the clouds, then build a project that barely gets off the ground. Comments (5)

Art: Artist Crit Streed is literally putting herself on a pedestal with her new project. Comments (3)

Development: It’s the beginning of the end. Housing prices remained strong in Brownstone Brooklyn, but a huge drop in the number of sales might herald real estate doom, experts said. Comments (1)

Coney Island: The Manhattan-based the Municipal Arts Society asked the public for its ideas for Coney Island. Here’s what you came up with. Comments (7)

Downtown plan: The economy may be in trouble, but it hasn’t slowed down the city’s plans to build a Bryant Park–style park in Downtown. Comments (1)

Parenting: A Brooklyn Heights restaurant has gone from kid-loving to kid-charging overnight, proving once again that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Comments (2)

Music: Mumiy Troll, the seminal Soviet-era rock group, is undergoing a musical Glasnost. Comments (2)

Theater: The borough’s pre-eminent playwrights, from still-living legend Budd Schulberg (“On the Waterfront”) to comic David Lindsay-Abaire (“Fuddy Meers”), will be featured in their own series, starting next Saturday. Comment

Letters: The mailbag is filled as usual with letters. See what readers are saying about, among other things, our coverage of Atlantic Yards. Comment

Nightlife: Fans of the adventure drama “Lost” looking for a premiere party next Wednesday need look no further than the Bell House, where a recap rock band will get fans up to speed. Comment

Breaking Chews: It’s a great time to be a North Brooklyn foodie. Two new restaurants have opened in as many weeks, bringing fresh eats to the burgeoning culinary scenes in Williamsburg and Greenpoint. Comments (2)

Mean Streets: Get this: the chairwoman of a key North Brooklyn transportation panel was booted from her position because she attempted to correct a factual inaccuracy in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle (of all places). Comments (3)

Parenting: The Brooklyn Paper’s roundup of summer camps for your kids. Comment

Parenting: All the fun you could be having with your kids. Comments (1)

All the community meetings you should be going to. Comment

Atlantic Yards: Borough President Markowitz, one of Bruce Ratner’s staunchest allies, dropped a bombshell on Tuesday, saying that the $1-billion basketball arena at the heart of Atlantic Yards is no longer “economically feasible” and that Ratner and state officials need to give the expensive design “a second look” so that the structure can actually get built. Comments (11)

Red Hook: Ikea has again slashed its free ferry and shuttle bus service, citing declining use of the complimentary transit by shoppers to its Red Hook megastore. Comments (3)

Crime: If it’s Wednesday, it’s Police Blotter day on BrooklynPaper.com. Find your neighborhood below or click the link above to get a full list. Read more…

Park Slope: A gang of teens assaulted an 11-year-old on Monday — the latest in a string of after-school muggings in J.J. Byrne Park. Comment

DUMBO: DUMBO is about to get stoned — restoned, that is. Comments (2)

DUMBO: Our podcast team is on another big story — this time, icy conditions at a DUMBO intersection. Comments (1)

Even the Brooklyn Cyclones are taking advantage of the most anticipated presidential inaugural in decades. Comment

Williamsburg: A teenager goes wild on Jan. 5 on the Southside of Williamsburg. Comments (2)

Dooley Noted: The world’s foremost authority on puppetry and mime reviews “Sleeping Beauty” at Puppetworks. Comments (1)

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it must be Smartmom day at BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom says she’s not worried about the Great Depression of 2009 — because living on less has been her lifestyle for years. Comments (1)

Event: OK, Readings on the Fourth Floor — quite possibly the only elementary-school fundraiser frequented by the Giants of American Letters — is still raising money to buy dead-tree-based books. But on Jan. 21, the Park Slope school’s annual series will feature authors who write about sustainability. Comment

Coney Island: A Web site created by Coney Island landowner Joe Sitt to herald “the future of Coney Island” is now an adult-only site that hawks “the best porn on the Net.” Comments (7)

Bay Ridge: The conflict in Gaza is flaring up in Bay Ridge. Comment

Bay Ridge: When Happy Pets closes on Jan. 31 — the beloved Bay Ridge pet supply store won’t be playing dead. Comments (2)

Dining: Owners of the proposed Brooklyn Heights Wine Bar cleared their first hurdle on Wednesday night when Community Board 2’s health, environment and social services committee voted to approve proprietor Mark Lahm’s liquor license application. Comments (1)

DUMBO: Opponents of a controversial 18-story residential building and public middle school rallied on Sunday morning in hopes of blocking a building that they say will forever block views of the historic Brooklyn Bridge. Comments (13)

Podcast: Finally: one-stop-browsing on the Web. Every Brooklyn story is just one click away, thanks to The Brooklyn Paper’s new “Brooklyn Wire” service. Comments (2)

Editor’s Picks: Once again, the invaluable Brooklyn Paper is back with some nice tips for this weekend. Keep hustlin’, Brooklyn! Comment

Coney Island: The iconic, cartoonish Coney Island Rocket was removed from its long time perch atop a fast-food stand in Astroland on Tuesday as part of the dismantling of the theme park that went out of business last fall. Comments (1)

Red Hook: A Red Hook developer who tried to rescue a Manhattan railcar diner from the wrecking ball has given up on his plan to move it to Brooklyn — but an 11th-hour purchase of the relic by an Alabama investor ended the eatery’s deep-fried deathwatch. Comment

Smash or Trash: The Brooklyn Paper’s Smash or Trash team is back — this time “reviewing” Brooklyn singer-songwriter Jessie Killguss’s new hit, “Gristmill,” in advance of her Jan. 17 show at Rose Live Music [345 Grand St., between Havemeyer Street and the BQE in Williamsburg, (718) 599-0069]. Brooklyn Paper poohbah Gersh Kuntzman executes a coup over the rest of the team in this very special “Smash or Trash.” Comments (1)

Bay News: Seasonal spirit added to the joy of glad tidings when the Coney Island Lighthouse Mission coordinated a holiday outreach drive for its neighbors in need. Comment

Dining: No, you actually have never had a good cup of coffee — yet. But that’s all going to change once Stumptown Coffee Roasters — the brew that made Portland famous — opens its new roasting facility in Red Hook next month. Comments (2)

Transit: Buried deep in the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s proposed budget cuts are suggestions to close part-time and several full-time service booths — a move that could save the $10.8-billion agency millions, but could also compromise safety of its passengers by depriving riders of another set of eyes and ears late at night. Comments (4)

Bay Ridge: Two would-be Bay Ridge Republican stars are gearing up for this fall’s Council race against incumbent Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge). Comments (1)

Williamsburg: In Joanna DelBuono’s rant on Mayor Bloomberg in her “Not for Nuthin” (12-4-09 issue) column, I’m surprised she didn’t mention that except for last year, each of Mayor Bloomberg’s $400 October real estate rebates were followed by taking more than half of it back the month after Election Day in the form of property tax increases, at least in my case. Comment

Williamsburg: While the city appears calm as the cat who ate the canary, opponents of the City Council’s recent vote to extend their stay in City Hall for another four years are licking their lips at the opportunity for their day in court. Comment

Williamsburg: Imagine being able to send text messages from a remote location, directing demonstrators where to go to, while receiving and compiling information as situations on the ground changes. Comment

Williamsburg: The October installation of bike lanes on Kent Avenue – which necessitated the elimination of parking spaces and was accompanied by regulations prohibiting stopping – has exploded into a controversy in Williamsburg and Greenpoint in recent months. Last week, it led to the dismissal of one of Community Board 1’s most active committee chairs. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: The “Live Light — Live Right Program,” Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center’s pediatric obesity program has, for the second year, received a substantial grant from the Robin Hood Foundation. This year’s grant, in the amount of $380,000 will be used exclusively for expansion of the program. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: There’s a new group representing parents as politicians decide the future of the public school system. Comment

The William Alexander Middle School Show Choir has preformed in a number of locations throughout Brooklyn providing holiday cheer to all. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: While the city appears calm as the cat who ate the canary, opponents of the City Council’s recent vote to extend their stay in City Hall for another four years are licking their lips at the opportunity for their day in court. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: Students in the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT) at the High School for Enterprise Business and Technology (EBT), 850 Grand Street, are certainly not getting your typical high school education. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: Kids from Sunset Park, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Sheepshead Bay and others from Harlem to the Bronx who sent their wish lists to Santa at Manhattan’s main post office on 34th Street this year will have their dreams come true, thanks to Cedric D. Raymond, Captain and Executive Officer at the 72nd Precinct in Brooklyn. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: Mia Farrow ducks into a waiting car in Park Slope after attending the funeral of daughter Lark Previn at St. Saviour Roman Catholic Church. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: The Thomas and Elizabeth Butson Awards for Clinical Excellence and Compassionate Nursing practice are granted annually to LICH nurses by Elizabeth Butson in memory of her husband, Thomas, who received his medical care at LICH. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: Raise these taxes Comment

Brooklyn Courier: The comedy-variety show, “Doris Yeltsin,” disembarks in Williamsburg to deliver eclectic acts once again. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: New York State Senator-elect Daniel Squadron joined Rabbi Aaron Raskin of Congregation B’nai Avraham in Brooklyn Heights to light the third candle on the menorah at Brooklyn Borough Hall Plaza in front of the Brooklyn Supreme Court Building, Court & Montague streets. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: The NBA’s Nets may not be in Brooklyn yet, but two of their star time-out performers have already made the move. Pictured are Nets dancers Jerese Kimbough, left, and Allison Barnes who have moved to Brooklyn from Michigan and Alabama respectively to pursue dance careers. The two talented ladies say they love their new home borough and can’t wait for the team to relocate to Brooklyn. For an exclusive look into their lives turn to Page 4. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: Look, we all know that the economy is in the toilet. But Santa’s got his hands full — what with trying to keep a workshop full of elves in line and a stable of hungry reindeer fed. He could use a little help. Fortunately, a little help goes a long way when you’re a savvy consumer. Let’s see what bargains are out there this week. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: Five Brooklyn-based organizations were honored at the annual Union Square Awards celebration at the Riverside Church in Manhattan. Each received the Union Square Arts Award and a $35,000 grant in recognition of innovative work in the arts with youth and families in low-income communities. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: Count out Sunday as your day to check out the library. Comment

Greenpoint: The October installation of bike lanes on Kent Avenue – which necessitated the elimination of parking spaces and was accompanied by regulations prohibiting stopping – has exploded into a controversy in Williamsburg and Greenpoint in recent months. Last week, it led to the dismissal of one of Community Board 1’s most active committee chairs. Comment

Approximately 40 budding skaters learned tips from a pro on how to perfect their poppings, fine-tune their flutzes and make error-free edge jumps during a holiday skating party at Prospect Park, featuring world figure skating champion skater Oksana Baiul. Comment

Radio City Rockette Lauren Gibbs helped kick off the holidays for fans on this side of the East River by legging it over to Public School 9 for a holiday celebration and talk. Comment

Greenpoint: The Nets’ move to Brooklyn in the proposed Barclays Center arena may be stalled due to ongoing litigation and a crumbling economy, but two of the team’s star dancers have already made the move to the Borough of Kings. Comment

Greenpoint: The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOH) announced last week that they will launch an extensive city-wide survey to monitor street-level air pollution, and for North Brooklyn residents, the announcement came not a moment too soon. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: It’s hard to change the status quo, at least in Park Slope, a study released this week found. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: Mayor Michael Bloomberg last week signed legislation designating 22 blocks along Fulton Street from Rockwell Place to Classon Avenue as the Fulton Street Business Improvement District (FSBID). Comment

Brooklyn Courier: While the city appears calm as the cat who ate the canary, opponents of the City Council’s recent vote to extend their stay in City Hall for another four years are licking their lips at the opportunity for their day in court. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: Count out Sunday as your day to check out the library. Comment

Crime: No charm Comment

Brooklyn Heights: The NBA’s Nets may not be in Brooklyn yet, but two of their star time-out performers have already made the move. Pictured are Nets dancers Jerese Kimbough, left, and Allison Barnes, who have moved to Brooklyn from Michigan and Alabama respectively to pursue dance careers. The two talented ladies say they love their new home borough and can’t wait for the team to relocate to Brooklyn. For an exclusive look into their lives, turn to Page 6. Comment

Brooklyn Heights: It’s hard to change the status quo, at least in Park Slope, a study released this week found. Comment

Brooklyn Heights: Mayor Michael Bloomberg last week signed legislation designating 22 blocks along Fulton Street from Rockwell Place to Classon Avenue as the Fulton Street Business Improvement District (FSBID). Comment

There’s a new group representing parents as politicians decide the future of the public school system. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: Brooklyn is bursting with pride, and now there’s an easy way to celebrate it. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: It’s hard to change the status quo, at least in Park Slope, a study released this week found. Comment

While the city appears calm as the cat who ate the canary, opponents of the City Council’s recent vote to extend their stay in City Hall for another four years are licking their lips at the opportunity for their day in court. Comment

Brooklyn Courier: The Nets’ move to Brooklyn in the proposed Barclays Center arena may be stalled due to ongoing litigation and a crumbling economy, but two of the team’s star dancers have already made the move to the Borough of Kings. Comment

Apparently no one can speed away from the city’s fiscal crunch — no matter how fast their sleek new two-wheeler is. Comment

Kids from Sunset Park, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Sheepshead Bay and others from Harlem to the Bronx who sent their wish lists to Santa at Manhattan’s main post office on 34th Street this year will have their dreams come true, thanks to Cedric D. Raymond, Captain and Executive Officer at the 72nd Precinct in Brooklyn. Comment

If the man was giving gifts, you must acquit. Comment

Count out Sunday as your day to check out the library. Comment

No new schools will be built in District 21 in the next five years. Comment

Community boards are already among the leanest of city agencies. Comment

A beloved cabbie was left clinging to life after a near-fatal run-in with a crew of trigger-happy gunmen. Comment