New Staff Welcome: Talking Shop With Our New Tech, Matt Mullen

Matt Mullen--3rd Ward's new Shop Tech--has been busy from the start, as he's working on our (if we don't say ourselves) amazing new wood shop. We managed to catch up with him for a few minutes and learned a whole lot more about him.

Check out our Q&A below, in which we talk Mullen talks yachts, rugby, delicious Italian food and--oh right--the new wood shop. 

So what are your duties as the new "Shop Tech"?

This means that I maintain all machines, blades, sanding discs/belts and anything else that is located in our wood shop. I also handle any in-house build outs of cabinets for the shop or 3rd Ward as well. I help education with jig building and prepping materials for classes. This works well as I also teach here. Currently I am teaching the Woodworking 2 // Carcass Joinery class on Sunday nights. 

Where are you originally from?

I was born in NYC and grew up in New Jersey, predominantly in Basking Ridge.

What were you up to before coming to 3rd Ward?

I was living and working in Annapolis, Maryland, building the custom interiors of sports fishing yachts. When I first moved back to Jersey last summer I was working in a custom cabinet shop in Paterson. I also started my own furniture company, Seven36 Fine Woodworking, LLC.

Wow, awesome. So, anything you've seen at 3W so far been you've found particularly inspiring?

Really everything has. I think being a part of the build out of the new wood shop and seeing how much we are going to offer our members is inspiring. It's so easy to create terrific work when you have such an amazing and technologically advanced space to utilize. Having a dedicated educational shop is something that I don't think any other similar shop offers and its such a unique and gratifying experience to share the love and knowledge of woodworking with people who are getting into it for the first time.

Any 3W events that you're especially looking forward to?

The opening of the new pro wood shop!

Haha, of course! Switching gears, when you're not helping redefine 3W's shop, what's your power restaurant (that you want to actually share with us)?

Paul and Jimmy's on 18th and Gramercy. Authentic Italian food and the owner is a good family friend. 

Nice, we're on our way. Here's a tough one: Name your favorite gadget or tool?

This is a tough question. I think right now might be our new 16" jointer in the new pro shop or the Striebig panel saw also in the new pro shop.

Sorry, that's kind of like asking a parent to pick a favorite child, isn't it? Here's an easier one: psychological horror movies or romantic comedies?

Who can pass up a good rom-com. I'll watch Sweet Home Alabama if it's on. 

What's the best thing you've seen in NYC so far in '0-12?

I guess if we're going by the actual calendar year of 2012, then I'd say RJD2 at Webster Hall.

Quick: Name your favorite cocktail.

Bourbon and ginger.

Mmmmm....bourbon and gingerrrrr. So tell us what you do when you're not here working in the shop?

I've been playing rugby since college and continue to play at the men's Division 1 level with the Village Lions RFC. We practice in the Bronx and play home games on Randall's Island. I'm also in a big hot yoga phase right now. Heavily into music and Thursday night comedy on NBC.

Nice. Anything final words you'd like to share with the masses?

Just really glad to be a part of the community that is 3rd Ward and excited to see what new, talented members are going to come in and create with our new wood shop space.

Cheers, sir. Welcome aboard.

-- John Ruscher

New Staff Welcome: Get To Know New Member Associate Lisa Cifuentes

Whenever we meet a new 3rd Ward staffer, we like to welcome them by "grilling" them with some "hard-hitting" questions. They invariably shoot back amazing answers that make us even more glad to have them as part of the crew.

New Member Associate Lisa Cifuentes is no exception. Below she'll tell you where you should eat in Williamsburg, what social media website she can't get enough of and much more.

So tell us about what you do here at 3rd Ward.

I sit at the front desk. I greet members when they walk in and assist them if they need anything. I also give tours of the space and help new members register.

And where are you from?

Originally from here, but we moved back and forth between New York and Miami a lot. Both cities feel like home to me.

What were you up to before coming to 3W?

Well, my background is in public relations and production. So after I left the PR agency, I was producing a few music videos and short films. I still love doing that on the side when opportunities come up.

You'll definitely fit in around here then. Anything you've seen at 3W so far that's been particularly inspiring?

The fact that we offer such a diverse variety of classes is pretty amazing. I'm especially inspired when I see members with day jobs in completely unrelated fields coming in here on nights and weekends picking up a new craft or hobby. It's really cool to see them excited about what they're learning and creating.

Any 3W events that you're especially looking forward to?

Yes! I haven't been to the Drink N' Draw yet and I hear it's always a blast. Every Wednesday from 8pm to 10:30pm. 

You may be new, but you know your stuff. OK, as you know, we're all food junkies around here. So give us your recommends on where we (and everyone in New York) should be eating.

Well, I'm guilty of frequenting the same spots regularly. Among my faves are Caracas, Juliette, Beco and Mesa Coyoacan. All in Williamsburg.

What's your favorite gadget or tool?

Not sure if you'd classify it as a tool, but I'm a total Pinterest junkie.

Psychological horror movies or romantic comedies?

There's not enough choices with this question!

What else?

Can I say indie dramedies?

Sure, we'll take that. What's the best event that you've seen so far this year?

I went to the screening of a film my friend was in recently at BAM. It was a film by Joshua Bee Alafia called Let's Stay Together. It was super low budget, but really well done and surprisingly funny. There was a Q&A afterwards too, which was cool.

What's your favorite drink?

Depends on where I am. If it's a place known for cocktails, I can't resist a good Manhattan. Otherwise I'll stick with Jameson and soda or beer.

What are your hobbies/interests outside of 3W?

I write a blog with my sisters called Dreaming of Palm Trees. We're also working on this little project, a film my sister wrote and will be directing. We'd love to shoot it hopefully this summer.

Anything else you'd like to share?

If we haven't met yet, come say hi if you see me at the front!

-- John Ruscher

NEW STAFF WELCOME // Bookkeeper Andrew Gottlieb Thinks Change Is Good

We've been getting to know new 3rd Ward staffers like Membership Associate Isaac Cohen and Director of Retail Jeffrey Opdyke. Now we're checking in with the money man, Bookkeeper Andrew Gottlieb.

It should go without saying that Gottlieb is not your average button-down, work-a-day accountant. He's a drum-playing, beer-swigging rock-out kinda guy who takes extra-good care of 3W's financials. Oh, and singers in particular will want to read on.

What do you do here?

I do the accounting, cut the checks, keep track of the money.

Well alright! Where are you from?

I grew up in the suburbs of New York, in Rockland County, then I went to school in Philadelphia, and I've been in New York about six years.

Where were you before this?

 I was working at a financial company, doing some accounting, some customer service, a little bit of everything. 

Anything at 3rd Ward you've been especially inspired by?

All of it. I'm so excited how much we're expanding. Even in the short time I've been here, there's been so much growth--the retail program, the cafe, Philadelphia. It's pretty inspiring.

Any events coming up that you're excited for?

The opening of the cafe. I think that will be a really cool project. I don't know if there will be a big opening event, but I'm really excited to see it constructed and open for business.

Speaking of, where in New York should everyone be eating?

Fette Sau. It's a barbecue place in Williamsburg, and it's probably the best barbecue I've ever had. You order deli-style, and everything's made fresh and just really good.

What's your favorite toy? Any gadgets or things you just love?

I'm a drummer, does that count? I've got a band, and I've been playing music for about 10 years.

Yeah that counts! What kind of music do you play? 

Mostly hard rock and metal, but I'll play anything.

Does you have any shows coming up?

My band is actually looking for a singer right now, so if anyone reading this knows any good singers, send them my way. We've been together for about two years, so we've got a pretty good catalog of songs, and I think once we have a singer we'd love to record, maybe an EP.

Ok. Movies. Psychological thrillers or romantic comedies?

 I guess romantic comedies, but I'm more of an indie movie guy, and I like comedies, but like Will Ferrell-type comedies, not romantic comedies.

Best show/opening/performance you've seen in the past two months? Or anything coming up that you're excited about?

I saw Radiohead a few weeks ago. Everyone hated me for it, because it was so hard to get tickets. It was really cool seeing them in such a small venue.

What kind of cocktail would you rather be drinking right now?

I'm not really a cocktail person. I'm more of a beer guy. I've been into IPAs lately, but I'll drink Bud Light or whatever. It doesn't have to be fancy.

It's a bit early, so let's toast a metaphorical IPA to Andrew and welcome him aboard.

--Layla Schlack

NEW STAFF WELCOME // Membership Associate Isaac Cohen Knew 3rd Ward Way Back When

Recently, 3rd Ward's staff welcomed a crew of some bright & shiny new faces--over the coming days, we'll be introducing you to each and every one of them. If you've been here and have met them in person already, now's your chance to learn a few more things.

We'll kick things off with Mr. Isaac Cohen:

Cohen officially came on as a membership associate this summer, but there's some deeper history here. Cohen used to be in real estate and was working for the company that managed 195 Morgan Avenue when 3rd Ward moved in. Nearly six years later, he changed professions and followed his heart. Recently we caught up with him a bit and really got to know him. 

Hit the jump to see our full Q&A with Isaac.

So why don't you tell the folks what you do here.

I show the public what we do, give tours of the facility. Once people become members, I help them out with any issues they might have. I work in the afternoon, and there's someone else in the morning.

Where you from?

Brooklyn, born and raised. I'm from Midwood, over around Avenue N. 

Where were you before this?

I was in real estate, for about six years, and I was actually involved with 3rd Ward before it even started. I worked for the company that managed the space, so I showed it to them.

Wow, big transition.

I wanted to be in a more creative, less market-driven field. And there's an element of selling in this job. There's some multitasking, wearing many hats, which is something I was doing before.

Anything you've seen at 3W since you've started that's been particularly inspiring?

I'm inspired by all the women doing metalworking and woodworking--traditionally masculine things. If you want to do something, you do it. It doesn't matter who you are. I'm also inspired by the diversity of the people there. There are people from all walks of life here, and I think that's really cool.

Any events coming up here that you're especially looking forward to?

There's always good stuff going on. The Wind-Up last week was really cool. I liked that.

Where should everyone in New York be going to eat? 

DiFara Pizza on Avenue J and 15th Street. I used to live right around there.

Uh-oh, what if you're more of a Grimaldi's fan.

Grimaldi's is incredible. Also Roberta's and Fornino here in Williamsburg.

Power toy?

My piano. It's a Russian-made upright called Nocturno. I've been playing for about 20 years, actually studying with instructors for about 13.

Wait, how old are you?

I'm 30. I feel young.

Psychological horror movies or romantic comedies?

[Pauses] Romantic comedies? I'm not the biggest movie buff.

Best opening/performance/show you've seen in the past two months, or that you're looking forward to?

Oh I can't remember the name. It was Brazilian jazz. Yeah, I don't know what they're called. I'll just say Brazilian jazz festival. They were great.

Kind of cocktail you'd rather be drinking right now?

Whiskey. Straight up. I'll say Makers, nice bourbon.

And what do you make/do/craft outside of 3W?

I teach piano. I make and teach bamboo flute. I make dream catchers. I like to give those as gifts.

What kind of music do you like to play?

Classical, jazz, New Orleans shuffle, blues, be-bop. Everything from Bach to rock.

And you rhyme! 

Ha, yeah. I like to listen to a lot of piano music, definitely a lot of jazz, New Orleans-style, like New Orleans shuffle, be-bop.

Alright, well thanks, it's been fun talking. Yeah, I'll see you around!

--Layla Schlack