Starting on October 1, the city is required to keep data on bicycle accidents. According to the latest data betweeen 1996 and 2005, there were 11 pedestrian deaths as a result of crashes with cyclists. From 1996 to 2003, there were 12,412 non-fatal accidents between bikers and pedestrians. “Pedestrian Traffic Managers” have been stationed on the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge until 7pm daily, hired by the city to keep bridge walkers safe (for $38/hr per the Brooklyn Independent Television clip above).

Will bicyclists and pedestrians on the Brooklyn Bridge and other East River crossings get along better?

(via BRIC Arts Media)

Episode 7: Ken Goto of Jacques Torres Chocolate (mrchocolate.com)
Directed by Jim Baker
Created by David Castillo
Produced by Blue Barn Pictures, Inc. on vimeo

In this episode of Crossing Dumbo, Blue Barn Pictures interviews Ken Goto, a business partner at the popular chocolate shop, Jacques Torres Chocolate. Jacques Torres and Ken Goto have been operating in Dumbo for over ten years and a supporter of the Dumbo neighborhood’s retail growth. Ken talks about how he got started in the business and why he and Jacques fell in love with Dumbo.

Crossing Dumbo, a web series of video portraits of artists, entrepreneurs and residents in Dumbo Brooklyn. This is a collaboration between DumboNYC and our talented friends over at Blue Barn Pictures. Different directors from Blue Barn Pictures, a creative content agency, bring their own approach to each interview to create a distinct profile of the person being interviewed and place them within the Dumbo community. The group at Blue Barn Pictures truly love what they do and support the community in a positive way, and for that we’re grateful to have them be a part of Dumbo.

During the 2011 Dumbo Art Festival last week, Blue Barn Pictures showcased the Crossing Dumbo videos at their studio. A new website for Crossing Dumbo crossingdumbo.com was also released last week. (photos courtesy of Blue Barn Pictures):

{DumboNYC.com/category/crossing-dumbo/}

(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):

• Valley family rides into past on historic Idora carousel in NY , 01Oct11, Vindy
• Bargemusic Suddenly Shuttered by City, 30Sep11, LMag
• Sam Buffa on the Design of Vinegar Hill House, 26Sep11, Eater
• City goes both ways on Furman Street, 26Sep11, BK Paper
• The Brooklyn Neighborhood Power Rankings, 28Sep11, LMag
• DUMBO Arts Festival: Whimsy, Art and Spectacle, 26Sep11, BK Eagle
• Jean Nouvel Jewelbox Houses Historic Carousel, 29Sep11, Intl Business
• The Creators Project 2 day Festival, 30Sep11, BrooklynVegan
• Calabar Imports in Dumbo on Importing Goods Profitably, 30Sep11, Crain’s
• Buenos Aires’s central docks to be Revitalized Like Dumbo, 30Sep11, FT
• Rental of the Day: 7 Old Fulton Street, 29Sep11, Brownstoner
• 55% of Dumbo’s Kirkman Lofts in Contract, 27Sep11, Brownstoner

More than 3,000 participants are expected to gather in Foley Square and then walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to Cadman Plaza Park for a Volunteer Festival featuring live music, food, activities for children and youth, plus more than 60 nonprofit organizations from all five boroughs offering volunteer opportunities for New Yorkers of all ages today (Saturday, October 1, 2011).

The Volunteer Festival (at Cadman Plaza 11am-1pm) is open to the public and will feature live music from local bands; a family zone with stilt walkers, face painters, and arts and crafts; sports activities for youth and teens; interactive pavilions to learn about United Way’s work in education, income and health; and a chance to visit with more than 60 local nonprofit groups that are seeking volunteer assistance throughout the year.

Press release after the break:
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