Clinton Hill Library (and all the Brooklyn Public Libraries) are asking for our help! And, given how much time Cameron and I have spent there (for Story Time and just hanging out on cold and rainy winter days) I am more than happy to oblige. If you are interested in supporting the Library and it’s programs here’s info on how to do it:
Donate to the Clinton Hill Library today!
Online: You can visit the Brooklyn Public Library website and make a donation there. You can send your money anywhere – even specifically choose the Clinton Hill branch.
By Phone: You can call 718-230-2738 and make a donation.
Via Text Message: You can text BOOKS to 50555 to make a $10 donation.
By Mail: You can pick up an envelope at the front desk of the Libarary and mail in your donation.
If you have any questions, email them at supportourshelves@brooklynpubliclibrary.org
I am guessing you’ve spent money on Music Together or other types of classes for your child – so please consider sending some money to the Library. They offer a great, free service to the community and deserve our support!
This week I’m heading back to DC with Cameron (for more pool time at the Wilson Aquatic Center!) so I decided to do a little research on the local Library (the Chevy Chase branch located at 5625 Connecticut Avenue) to see what sorts of baby friendly reading programs they have in case we’ve got some spare time. Here’s what I found listed on the Friends of the Chevy Chase Library web site. Looks like they’ve got some good offerings!
Chevy Chase Library (via flickr)
Baby Time!
Thursdays at 9:30 am
Books, Lullabies, and Bonding
A program intended for babies and their caregivers
Story Time!
Thursdays at 10 am
Stories, Songs, and So Much More
A program intended for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers
Family Time!
Wednesdays at 7 pm
Stories, Arts & Crafts, and FUN
A program intended for children and their family members
I don’t think we will make Baby Time on this visit, but we will try to in the future! I think this just goes to show that you should check with your local library to see what kinds of things they have to offer you and your little one.
Hi all – I had two bits of Fort Greene / Clinton Hill news I wanted to share.
First – I was at Story Time yesterday at the Clinton Hill Library and it seems that the usual woman has moved libraries and is gone for good. They have a stand in named Steve (I think) and he didn’t give the impression that he was going to be the permanent person in charge. He seemed a little awkward, but everything worked out fine. I saw another mom who was at the later session and she said Steve told her class that they might not have the funding to keep Story Time going for more than 6 weeks. I hope this isn’t true! It’s such an amazing resource in the neighborhood. Yesterday there was quite a crowd!
Lots of strollers yesterday at Clinton Hill Library
Secondly, I also went to the Pratt Post Office on Myrtle to get the mail from my P.O. Box. I wasn’t sure what to expect since they quietly and quickly announced their closing. There was a truck outside that was selling stamps (no money orders, according to the postal worker).
Get your stamps here....
They were also letting people in to use the APC machine and drop items in the big box in the foyer. I was also allowed to walk into the actual post office and pick up my mail. The postal worker said they decided to keep it like this until actual construction begins. Sounds reasonable to me! After that, she said, who knows. Yikes…. She recommended that people with P.O. Boxes check their mail daily for now.
Gowalla is a really interesting App for the iPhone that can help you meet up with other moms (or friends!) and it’s free. Often used in conjunction with facebook, or twitter, but great just on it’s own, Gowalla encourages you to “Check in” places that you visit. When you do this, it lets your friends who also have the Gowalla App know. A message gets sent to their phone (like a text message – but not counting as one, for those of you who don’t have unlimited texting, like me!). I think this has some pretty cool possibilities!
Tell your friends where you are...
...have an inpromptu lunch!
If you were at the Library the Playground, or out for a bite, you could check in at that location (create the location if it’s not already listed). You can even add a description of what you are doing. Your message would go out to your friends, and if they were near by, they could stop in. It’s fun – and free, and might get you some unexpected playdates. Gowalla works on the iPhone, Android, and Blackberry. FYI, if you have heard of foursquare – this is pretty similar, but I think it has a few features that make it better.
Cameron and I visited the Clinton Hill Library last Tuesday in the hopes of catching Story Time – but the program was on break. We still had a great time though! Anyways, the Babies for Books Story Time is starting up again today, March 2nd. There are two times : 10:45, and 11:30. Maybe we will see you there!
The Clinton Hill branch is located at 380 Washington Ave. at Lafayette Ave, right around the corner from Underwood Park.
On Tuesday Cameron and I headed out to Clinton Hill Library (380 Washington Ave) for Reading with Babies, and a break from the rain. When I got to the library I saw a sign posted that there wouldn’t be any story time until March 2nd, and that they were showing a Sesame Street movie instead. I was a little disappointed, but I wanted to check out the Children’s section of the library anyways because I had heard it was a nice place for kids to play – story time, or no. Indeed, I was not let down.
Cameron plays with the bead maze
There was plenty of space for Cameron to roam around, and a few other babies there. So many books were at his level, and I didn’t feel bad about him taking them off the shelves himself and taking a peek at them (I just followed him around and put them back). There were also a few toys for the kids.
So many books to choose from
Overall, it was a nice place to take Cameron when the weather is bad, so we will certainly be back!
I just wanted to spread the word about an upcoming mom’s night out that was posted on Parents Around the Hill (PATH).
When: Thursday, Feb 25th from 8-11
Where: Chez Lola which is at 387 Myrtle Ave (next to the gas station on Vanderbuilt)
Please RSVP to: Tracy Joerss tamcdonagh AT yahoo DOT com
Members of Parents Around the Hill can see more on the Events Page.
I know hard it is to get moms to commit and organize everyone – so please do RSVP if you think you might go! You know you deserve a night out, and a cocktail or two, so secure yourself a babysitter or husband type, and I’ll see you there!
FYI for those of you who don’t know Parents Around the Hill is a ning (s0cial networking type-site) that brings together families from Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and Bed-Stuy. If you want to learn more about them before joining the ning, you can check out their public site at ParentsAroundtheHill.com
I am so fortunate to know a lot of moms who share with me their ideas and advice. This post is based in their experiences, as well as information gained from the Fort Greene Babies Yahoo Group and Parents Around the Hill (PATH). I haven’t checked out all these places myself – so I can’t speak to every one of them personally – but my mom friends haven’t steered me wrong yet. The reason I have decided to post about them before being able to check them all out is I am guessing that a lot of you are starting to feel a little desperate with all this snow and cold weather – I know I am! So here are some ideas of places to take your baby in the Fort Greene / Clinton Hill area:
The Booklyn Flea – The Flea has moved indoors for the winter months. It’s new home is at One Hanson Place on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm. The Flea is on the main floor and lower level. According to one mom, the lower level has food options, and the upper level is where the sales go on. She said the lower level is a great place to take kids and let them roam around, and that there is space for strollers. So if you are looking for a weekend activity – check out the indoor Flea!
Story time at Greenlight Bookstore – Greenlight Bookstore is located at 686 Fulton Street and has a free story time on Saturday mornings at 10:30 AM. Check it out for more weekend fun.
Playgroup at Brooklyn Junior – Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon there is a free playgroup at Brooklyn Junior (150 Clinton Ave – corner of Myrtle) from 3:15-6. Please email info@brooklynjunior.com if you would like to go. Children of all ages are welcome.
The Clinton Hill Library – Not only does Clinton Hill Library (380 Washington Ave) have a great and free Reading for Babies program on Tuesdays at 10:45 and 11:30, but I’ve also been told it’s a great place to take your kid to let them roam around even when no scheduled activities are going on.
Chuck E Cheese – Now this one, I never would have thought of! Last Thursday a few of us were hanging out at Der Schwarze Kölner and one of the moms said that she had just been at Chuck E Cheese with her baby (he is an early walker). She said that it was her nanny who had originally suggested it, and although she was skeptical – it turned out to be a great place for him to roam around, and it was free (since they aren’t playing any games). Chuck E. Cheese is located in the Atlantic Terminal Mall.
Der Schwarze Kölner aka the Beer Garden – As I mentioned above I’ve been going to the Beer Garden (710 Fulton Street) with Cameron and some other moms + babies. It is a great winter option – and they are so welcoming and nice! Read more about Der Schwarze Kölner at this other post I wrote a few days ago.
If you have other ideas to share, please leave a comment!
The first time my moms group went to Der Schwarze Kölner (the Beer Garden on Fulton) one of the moms brought along her Touch and Feel baby flash cards. The babies were really loving them – and I was also impressed. They are made of thick cardboard, and use real pictures, which I prefer over illustrations. And, as the name implies they also have textures that baby can touch.
Lots of options for your little one
I ordered Cameron some from Amazon right away. For him I got the “First Words” set, and the “Animals” sets.
Here's what they look like
They also come in Colors and Shapes, Numbers and Counting, and Things That Go. All of these have great reviews on Amazon, so I don’t think you can go wrong!
I consider myself a frugal person – I had no problem shelling out for Cameron’s Patagonia baby puff rider jacket because I knew he would wear it every day. But buying an entire snow suit seemed excessive. Afterall, would he really need it? Well, yesterday I was wishing I had some waterproof bottoms for him after our first sledding trip in Fort Greene Park. I mulled it over while Cam was taking his nap, and came up with a solution for our afternoon outing : I put him in a garbage bag from the waist down. Not the most attractive solution – but it worked! His jacket and mittens kept him dry up top, and the bag covered the rest!
FYI – the Patagonia winter sale is back on – with discounts of up to 50% off. This includes baby stuff. Cameron has both the Puff Rider Jacket and the Baby Capilene which I am thinking about buying again for next year!
