Something called “Polham F/W 2010″ is filming in and around Dumbo on Friday, July 17, 2010 between 5am-11pm on multiple streets (Adams, Main, and Washington Streets). Anyone know what this is?

It’s summer, hot, humid and 86F today in Brooklyn. Accuweather says that NYC will be in the 90s through next week, so this muggy and hot weather season is just starting.

So Snubbr, a site that answers your questions about product recommendations, want to hear your comments. Leave a comment with the best tip on staying cool in the summer. Their favorite comment will win you a $50 Cold Stone Creamery gift card. In Brooklyn, the closest location to Dumbo is at 139 Flatbush Avenue (at the Atlantic Terminal) and one in Bay Ridge and one near Marine Park. There’s also three locations in Manhattan and five locations in Queens.

We won’t complain about the heat as long as we can get some ice cream, so we thought this would be a good way to help you cool off. So tell us your tips on staying cool (for example, a cool place to hang out, best ice coffee, etc.) and remember to submit your email so we have a way to contact the winner.

Disclaimer: Only US/Canada citizens can win and we were not paid or accepted any gifts for this post. Thanks to the folks over at Snubbr.com for the giveaway! Comments will close at the end of today.

[UPDATE: Thank you to all who submitted tips and comments. Snubbr has chosen Joshua Dolecal as the winner of the contest. Congrats to Joshua. They will contact you with the prize.]

The 25 Washington Street building is being converted from an office building to a residential rental building (noted first in November 2009). There is an application on file “for a two-story extension to the building (with “accessory cabana spaces” on the roof) in 2007.

The building is owned by Two Trees Management and formerly occupied by approximately 100 small businesses. As seen by the photos, the top floor roof has been removed and is being readied for the extension floors. Exposed wood beams and large windows are seen in the first photo above.

Further information on the building according to the Landmarks Preservation Commission Dumbo Designation Report:

Date of construction: 1901 (NB 1114-01)
Architect: William Higginson
Original owner: Robert Gair
Type: Factory
Style: American Round Arch
Stories: 6 and basement
Structure/material: Brick; slow-burning mill construction

Features: Ten bays on Washington Street, eleven bays on Plymouth Street, and ten bays facing east at lot line; segmental-arch openings; brick piers between windows from second through fifth stories; basement set behind areaway with pipe rail; bluestone window sills; sills on second and sixth stories continue across facade as beltcourses; brick corbelling and dentil course above firstand fifth-story windows; corbelling at roofline; high parapet on Plymouth Street; bulkhead on south side of Washington Street facade.

History: In 1887, this site was home to a steam pump factory. By the 1890s, this lot and the adjoining lot to the east were owned by the Dodge & Olcott Chemical Company. Dodge & Olcott was established in 1862 as an outgrowth of a chemical business that had been established in New York in 1798 by Robert Bach (George Olcott was a descendant of Bach). Between 1880 and 1904 the firm opened a distillation plant for producing essences of aromatic herbs and roots 118 on this block. The 1904 Sanborn atlas notes that Dodge & Olcott manufactured “essential oils” in its factory. Conveyance records seem to indicate that Dodge & Olcott sold the properties on the south side of Plymouth Street between Washington Street and Adams Street to Robert Gair in two transactions in 1904 and 1911. However, an 1895 application for a one-story brick storage building at 21 Washington Street indicated that Gair was the owner of the property (NB 1156-95; it is possible that Gair was a lessee). The present building was erected by Gair in 1904 and became the administrative headquarters of the Charles William Stores, housing the firm’s general offices, employment and educational divisions, dispensary, and recreation and reading rooms. The company leased this space from Gair.

{BIS record for 25 Washington St}
{Dumbo’s Next Blockbuster Condo Conversion: 25 Washington?, 25Aug2009, Curbed}

DUMBO Fight Night will return to The Archway on Wednesday, July 14th at 7pm. The proceeds of this outdoor, boxing show will be contributed to the DUMBO BID, to support future Archway programming. For those who were unable to go last year, DUMBO Fight Night features USA Boxing Metro sanctioned matches with Gleason’s Gym, and music provided by halcyon the shop. Please support the DUMBO BID and the 2010-11 FREE Archway programming by purchasing tickets or sponsoring the event:

$50 ringside tickets and $25 general admission tickets can be purchased online.

See www.dumbonyc.org for more.

{Dumbo Fight Night 2009}
{Dumbo Fight Night 2008}
{Dumbo Fight Night 2007}

Why have so many leaves fallen in Cadman Plaza park? Is it fall already? (photo taken this morning)

On Sunday, July 11th, the Dumbo Improvement District shows the Final match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup:

1:30PM – Netherlands v. Spain
(listed time is when television coverage of the game begins, game time is one hour later)

So, celebrate the final World Cup game of 2010 with fellow soccer enthusiasts in The Archway, under the Manhattan Bridge! Halftime tunes selected by halcyon the shop. Also, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz will join soccer fans to view the event.

This weekend, Time Warner Cable’s Ice Cream Truck will be at the event serving cups and cones for the suggested donation of $1, with 100% of the proceeds being donated to local museums.

Afterwards, head over to the Celebrate Brooklyn! concert in Prospect Park. Gates open at 3PM, with the show starting at 4PM with headliners OkayAfrica with the Roots and Talib Kweli.

Also, join the Dumbo Parents Organization from 4-5:30pm as part of the organization’s FREE Summer Series. Jane Walentas has generously offered to open the carousel for rides for neighborhood families.

(Photo by Josh Derr)

(Photo by Josh Derr)

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

• DUMBO Hosts Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Fesitval, 10Jul10, NY1
• VH’s Shibui Shows Cabinetry Heritage of Japan, 08Jul10, NYT
• VHHouse Pics, 08Jul10, eatdavelove
• Con Ed cuts power during heatwave, 07Jul10, BK Paper
• BRIC Arts Moves to 45 Main, 06Jul10, NYO
• Landmarking preserves neighborhood feel, 06Jul10, YN
• Brooklyn Bridge Park: Reclaiming the Waterfront, 02Jul10, NYT
• Bananarama “Cruel Summer” Filmed in Fulton Ferry, 06Jul10, Gothamist
• DinDins Food Delivers to Dumbo, 09Jul10, mommasgonecityreviews
• Bridge Culture at Pier 1, 09Jul10, BK Paper
• DUMBO Welcomes BRIC, 08Jul10, BK Eagle

Some would say that Dumbo is one of the most dog friendly neighborhoods in NYC. There’s a local vet, several pet day care centers, a pet store, and pet friendly offices in this small area. There’s even a Twitter feed for pets, thepetfeed.com, created by Dumbo-based Sawhorse Media. So it makes sense that dog trainer Anthony Newman is starting a unique program that starts in August at Cheeky Dog daycare in Dumbo. We caught up with Anthony and asked about his new classes.

Tell me what you like about Dumbo and what brought you here.

Dumbo is first of all so beautiful. Beautiful old buildings, streets, views of the bridges. It’s historic, but now very current and hip too. My wife and I moved to Brooklyn from lower Manhattan because we could find a place with a garden for our dogs, without spending a zillion dollars on rent. I’d never want to move back now. As far as dog training, I came to Dumbo because I hit it off really well with Richelle Carlisle, the owner of Cheeky Dog Doggie Daycare. She’s so great with dogs and the daycare is so beautiful and sunny.

How did you get into dog training?

I used to be a philosophy professor, at Tufts and MIT. So I love to teach. And I’ve always loved dogs…the transition was pretty natural. I just felt like I have a special gift with dogs that I can share, and can make so many people happier by guiding them with their dogs.

Wow, a philosophy professor! What’s your dog training philosophy?

My philosophy is that there really aren’t any bad dogs. Dogs are naturally balanced, happy, relaxed, and obedient. When they’re fearful or aggressive, it’s almost always an issue with how they’ve being raised and treated. The good part of that is that you can almost always fix it. Start doing things a little differently, with a little different energy and routines, and your dog will become more relaxed and balanced. Which makes everyone happier!

What classes are you now offering in Dumbo?

At Cheeky Dog we’re offering Puppy Kindergarten (for puppies obviously), Basic Obedience for all dogs, and Leash-Walking Bootcamp. Leash-Walking Bootcamp teaches you how to walk your dogs in the city without them pulling, aggressing at other dogs, or generally causing trouble.

How has business been in Dumbo?

Awesome. There are so many dog families in Brooklyn and in Dumbo in particular. And Cheeky Dog has created such a great a community center for the owners to feel comfortable while they go to work.

What changes have you noticed over the years with dog owners and business in Dumbo?

I think people are drawn to Dumbo in large part because of its friendliness, including dog-friendliness. Great places to be outside with your family.

Where are your favorite places for dog walking in the area?

Hillside Park is a destination for all Brooklyners, even all New Yorkers. It’s simply the best dog-park around. Huge, friendly, small-dog area, beautiful, nice amenities. Great crowd, great dogs. I trek there almost every day.

Thank you Anthony. Hope some pet owners will benefit from your classes. To sign up, contect Chelle at Cheeky Dog (CheekyDog.net or 718-222-9270), or Anthony at CalmEnergyDogTraining.com (646-942-1979).

On Saturday, July 10, the Brooklyn Bodega presents the 6th Annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival where Old School, New School, Funk, Soul, Local, and International artists will converge upon downtown Brooklyn and the waterfront for a full day of the best Hip-Hop music our culture has to offer. The event begins with Family Day, a family centered block party, where Brooklyn Bodega hopes to spread a message of peace and unity while celebrating the central themes of Hip-Hop. Come out and celebrate with the Bodega Fam, enjoying all-day activities such as blow-up bowling, arts and crafts, face painting, poetry writing, DJing lessons, a community mural, yoga for kids, a graffiti workshop, a children’s dance party, give aways and more! After enjoying time with the family, come over to The 6th Annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival’s performance stage! De La Soul will be headlining the event and other artists include Black Milk, Masta Ace, Diamond District, Money Making Jam Boys, Curren$y, Fashawn, Skyzoo and the Duck Down Records 15th Anniversary celebration featuring Buckshot, 5FT, Smif N Wessun and DJ Evil Dee. For more information on this event and other events of the week, please visit bkhiphopfestival.com, brooklynbodega.com, or call 718-210-3340.

All ages

What: The 6th Annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival
When: Saturday July 10th. 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: The Brooklyn Bridge Plaza and Tobacco Warehouse 26 Dock Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Tickets (includes admission to family and performance day): $15.00
Online: brooklynbodega.showclix.com
Phone: 1-888-71-tickets
In-Person (cash only): Fat Beats Records, 406 6th Ave (between 8th & 9th street), 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10011

We already posted information about Movies with a View series starting tonight featuring the 1977 film Annie Hall. However, it’s worth mentioning that tonight’s short film, Abbie Cancelled was produced in Vinegar Hill by VH resident Bartow Church. Many of the scenes are filmed on Gold Street and in a basement of one of the townhouses in VH. Abbie Cancelled was an official selection of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Congrats Bartow!

Thursday, July 8
Location: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1
Feature Film: Annie Hall (PG) 1977, 93 min
Short: Abbie Cancelled by Dumb Bunny
DJ: Ursula 1000