The Dumbo Arts Festival asked us to help reach out to those who may be interested in volunteering at the festival this September. If you or anyone you know is interested, please read below:

The 2011 Dumbo Arts Festival wants YOU! Now is the time to join our top-notch volunteer team. If you have time between September 12 and September 25, let us know. Visit dumboartsfestival.com/volunteer/ to sign up, or email dumbovolunteers@gmail.com with any questions. See you at the festival.

The Dumbo Arts Festival is a feast for the senses that attracts 200,000 visitors over 3 days with the participation of over 500 artists from a variety of disciplines, 100 studios, 50 galleries and stages and 100 programming partners. This year, the Festival will take place on Friday, September 23rd, Saturday, September 24th and Sunday, September 25th.

This year we are searching for volunteers who can devote some of their time between Friday, September 16th and Thursday, September 22nd, as well as, the three days of the Festival itself.

The activities you might engage in include assisting exhibiting artists with installation of their works, guiding attendees through and between the various exhibits, lending a hand at one of our performance stages, or helping the next generation of artists at our children’s creation station.

We are also looking for a number of volunteers to start early on in September, to work on specific projects. This is an amazing opportunity to get involved with one of the biggest and most cutting-edge art festivals in New York City.

For more information or if you are interested in applying, please visit dumboartsfestival.com/volunteer/, or call 718-488-8588.

Thursday, September 1, 2011, 7-9pm

This free seminar is a great intro to digital photography, some of which is taught in their other workshops on photography right here in Dumbo. Keep reading for a discount on their other classes.

Charles Lavoie will be walking you through photography basics so you can start to familiarize yourself with digital photography and your camera specifically. Got questions about your Canon or Nikon? Come on by and ask away.

Brooklyn Creative (BkC) will also be introducing the range of advanced workshops available this fall and winter (discount cards will be given to all who attend the free workshop, good for 10% off your next class)

What you’ll learn:

• So what’s a DSLR? Functions and features common to all digital cameras
• Controlling exposure (light vs. dark)
• Shutter speed vs. aperture
• ISO: Your camera’s “film” speed
• Focal lengths and that pesky 1.6x crop ratio
• Using the camera’s light meter

We strongly encourage you to bring your own camera, though not required. Classes have a maximum of 18 students first come first serve, doors open at 6:30!

About Brooklyn Creative:
From Dumbo-based gallery Rabbithole comes a new series of art workshops that are purpose-built yet expandable to cover a range of subjects and skills. They’re designed to provide practical know-how, focused critique and real-world experience in a group environment. While knowledge is plentiful in the internet age, sometimes motivation is harder to come by; we often need other like-minded people pushing us to follow through with our goals. Working together can make bigger things happen, and helps keep us honest. We provide the space, structure and personal attention, and you just bring yourself.

Our staff of experienced educators, artists, curators and creative professionals are totally dedicated to providing you with smart, no-nonsense instruction and creating an environment for you to confidently progress in your practice. Workshops are offered in the 1000-square foot studio and exhibition space at Rabbithole.
We’ll be offering new classes and workshops over the coming months across a range of creative subjects like screen printing, book binding, xerox transfers and DIY printing techniques, portfolio development and a whole lot more.

@ RABBITHOLE
33 Washington Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(Between Water and Plymouth St in Dumbo)

(Photo by Josh Derr)

I’m sure many of us have heard enough about Hurricane Irene, but we’re fortunate that it did not to any major damage to Dumbo, where several of its buildings were evacuated. There was some flooding on Main Street and Plymouth Street, but the waters receded on Sunday and did no apparent damage.

Thank you to all who prepared the neighborhood for the storm, to the public officials who made sure that no lives were in danger, and to the Dumbo BID for the updates. The clean up has begun and this week’s weather looks beautiful (mostly sunny and 80s).

(Video by @barneyrobinson)

Below are some photos in Dumbo from around the web and twitter. For other updates and photos, follow us on Twitter @DumboNYC.

(Photo by Jonathan Segura)

(Photo by Barney Robinson)

(Photo by Peter Hyman)

(Photo by Peter Hyman)

(Photo by Peter Hyman)

(Photo by Peter Hyman)

(Photo by Ben Cobb Photos)

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

• Toll Bros 205 Water St, A Departure From McMansions, 22Aug11, WSJ
• St. Ann’s Warehouse Announces Starry Final Season in DUMBO, 26Aug11, LMag
• Does Cathy Horyn Want to Have Sex in Dumbo?, 25Aug11, FWD
• Dumbo based Kanon Organic Vodka, 26Aug11, Crain’s
• Tech Firms Move to Hip New Home (incl Dumbo), 25Aug11, WSJ
• PowerHouse Arena, Brooklyn Arts Council To Hold 9/11- Discussion, 24Aug11, BK Eagle
• Hipster Puppy Pageant in Dumbo, 24Aug11, Metro
• 205 Water A Big Win for Toll Brothers?, 22Aug11, Curbed
• 205 Water Street Tops Out, Shows Off Killer Rooftop, 26Aug11, Curbed
• Fashion Night Out, 24Aug11, kathlinargiro
• Opening Night Party for Brooklyn Book Festival, 24Aug11, BK Eagle
• Pier 5 plan moves ahead, 24Aug11, BK Paper
• Markowitz Considers Brooklyn “Hollywood East”, 23Aug11, LMag
• Bubby’s Brooklyn Pie Social Will Benefit Public Schools, 23Aug11, BK Eagle

If you have any hurricane Irene related comments, reports, or observations, feel free to post your comments here. To read updates on the storm, visit the NYC.gov severe weather update. If you have anything to report to the police, you can call the 84th Precinct (718-875-6811) or 311. Call 911 if there is a real emergency.

[Our comment system, Disqus is having technical issues, so you may not be able to comment. Apologies.]

In the meantime, check out the live webcam to watch Hurricane Irene roll in: bit.ly/r4kZYp (via @varga in @datalot‘s office.)

A few pics of Dumbo from around the web:

Brooklyn Roasting Co prepping for Irene (Photo from @tripill)

(Photo by Christophe Guigon from Galapagos Art Space)

84 Front St is ready

From Dumbo BID:
THE MAYOR HAS ORDERED A MANDATORY EVACUATION OF ZONE A BY 5PM TOMORROW.

Residents within this zone (shown in orange)– which include several blocks in DUMBO (please see map) are strongly encouraged to evacuate tonight, if possible. Shelters will be opened starting at 4pm today.

From Daniel Squadron, State Senator, 25th District:

Many 25th Senate District residents live within Hurricane Evacuation Zone A and are therefore part of a MANDATORY evacuation. Click here to find out whether your home or business is in Evacuation Zone A. Even if you do not live in Zone A, please read through this email as it includes important information.

If you live in Zone A:

• Please plan on immediately going to stay with friends or family outside of Zone A.
• If you have nowhere else to go, there are evacuation centers throughout the city. Find your closest evacuation center on this map. Pets are allowed in evacuation centers. Owners are urged to bring proof of rabies vaccines and a carrier.
• Take a “go bag” with emergency items, including an extra set of house and car keys, credit and ATM cards as well as cash, bottled water and nonperishable foods, a flashlight, battery-operated radio, first aid kit and copies of important documents (photo ID, proof of address, insurance cards) in a waterproof portable container.
• You must evacuate your home and be in shelter by 5PM tomorrow (Saturday).

Whether you live in Zone A or not:

• The MTA will shut down all mass transit tomorrow, Saturday, at 12 Noon. It is possible that bridges and tunnels will also be closed.
• If you require Access-a-Ride for transportation, make arrangements to be picked up today, Friday, by calling 877-337-2017. Access-a-Ride will be shut down tomorrow, Saturday, at 12 Noon.

If you live outside of Zone A:

• Stay tuned to local television or radio news, or call 311, to find out if the city is evacuating other areas.
• The NYC Office of Emergency Management has compiled important information on how to prepare for a hurricane, available in multiple languages.
• The Red Cross (877-733-2767) has put together a Hurricane Safety Checklist, available in English, Spanish and Chinese.
• Report service problems and power interruptions and view service restoration information on Con Ed’s website or by calling 1-800-752-6633.
• Stock up on bottled water and other essentials on the checklist, and make a plan in case you need to evacuate.

The City will provide updates and storm monitoring here and via 311. You call call the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at 828-271-4800 for the latest weather information.

As always, call 911 if you have a real emergency.

Please stay safe!

St. Ann’s Warehouse announced its 2011-12 season lineup, its final season in Dumbo. A court ruling in July ended St. Ann’s chances of moving to a new home at the Tobacco Warehouse in the Brooklyn Bridge Park. The ruling nullified a set of decisions by the federal, state and city governments over the last several years that led to approval of a new home for the St. Ann’s Warehouse at the Tobacco Warehouse. St. Ann’s has to move from its current space after this season to make way for a new residential development, known as Dock Street Dumbo, which is taking its place.

NY Times reports that the 2011-2012 season will begin Oct. 12 with a multimedia musical, “Stop the Virgens,” created by Karen O of the rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs, among others, and directed by the playwright Adam Rapp. It runs through Oct. 22.

St. Ann’s Artistic Director Susan Feldman sent an email this summer that vented her disappointment over the collateral damage that resulted after neighborhood and preservation organizations filed the suit to stop the transfer of the Tobacco Warehouse to private hands. At this point, St. Ann’s is still looking for temporary and permanent quarters for its 2012-13 season and beyond. Dumbo area residents can provide support for St. Ann’s by attending their shows or becoming a member. To see current season’s lineup or how to become a member, go to stannswarehouse.org/current_season.php.

(Photo by Josh Derr.)

SPECIAL NOTICE — SEVERE WEATHER ALERT

This post contains a forecast and links to information from the City regarding preparedness and response plans. As you will see from the map, much of Dumbo is within the designated New York City Evacuation Zones. The closest evacuation centers to DUMBO are: IS 117, NYC Technical College, Brooklyn Tech HS, and Seward Park HS (Manhattan). If you have questions regarding your home or business, please contact 311.

Thank you to Community Board 2 and Dumbo BID for for providing this information.

Forecast for Thursday and Friday

The National Weather Service also forecasts heavy rain for Thursday, with a 50 percent probablity during the day, increasing to 70 percent tonight. This storm is developing ahead of an approaching cold front and may cause coastal and other flooding. Thursday’s storm is not directly related to Hurricane Irene.

Friday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 85° and a north wind at 5 mph becoming east. (Enjoy it while you can, folks.) There is a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, continuing after midnight.

Forecast for Saturday and Sunday

There is a 50 percent chance of showers on Saturday, increasing to a 90 percent probability of heavy rain, strong winds and coastal flooding on Saturday night, with tropical storm conditions on Sunday.

The New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) maintains the official City website for storm information. Visit NYC Severe Weather. Read more about coastal storms and hurricanes. OEM also publishes a Ready New York guide, “Hurricanes and New York City” in 11 languages and has an audio recording. Access the on-line hurricane brochures and recording.

Emergency Preparedness
The Mayor encouraged New Yorkers to prepare personally. He recommended they learn if they are in a hurricane evacuation zone. A map of the evacuation zones in and near Community District 2 in Brooklyn, which includes Dumbo.

Evacuation Zones
Evacuation Zones A (orange) and B (yellow) are in the map shown above. Within Community Board 2, Zone A extends for one block from the water, except for the Brooklyn Navy Yard, all of which is included. Residents in Zone A face the highest risk of flooding from a hurricane’s storm surge. Residents in Zone B may experience surge flooding from a moderate (Category 2 and higher) hurricane. Residents in Zone C (green) may experience surge flooding from a major (Category 3 or 4) hurricane.

Evacuation Centers are indicated in red.

The installation of the Belgian blocks started Washington Street this week. We noticed they are installing new granite blocks in the middle of the street, not seen in the other streets that are being repaved with Belgian blocks. The Community Construction Liaison is calling it “a new 14″ thermal block bicycle lane”.

Other activities being done this week:

• Washington and Water Street – removal of existing street lights/energize newly installed street lights
• Washington Street from Plymouth to Water Streets – Place temporary asphalt around all the manhole covers and Gas head
• Water Street between Washington/Adams Street – Continue reinstallation of the Belgian Blocks, install Belgian Blocks bicycle lane and granite crosswalks

For prior construction posts, see dumbonyc.com/tag/construction.