Pratt Post Office closed back in March for what was originally billed as an 8 – 12 week renovation. 5 months later… the original office is still closed – Surprise!? Today I went to go pick up my mail from my P.O. Box and I saw that the post office has a new temporary home. It is now located at 510A Myrtle, next to the Beauty Supply Store.
510A Myrtle Ave - Pratt Post Office!
At this little store front you can pick up your packages and your P.O. Box mail. Directly out front is parked the Mobile Unit where you can buy stamps. Hopefully this means faster service for package pick up!
A peek inside the package pick up location
Today I stopped in at the Home and U store on at 394 Myrtle Avenue between Clermont and Vanderbuilt. I found some really great items there for Cameron (at LOW prices) so I wanted to share so it was on your radar!
In the back by the cash registers I stumbled upon the most amazing Truck book (it’s called My First Truck Book). Apparently the version I got isn’t made anymore (which I am guessing is why it ended up at Home and U). But honestly, I don’t care if it’s a few years out of date – since the book itself was still brand new! Anyways, I paid $2.99 – on Amazon a newer version is over $7, and is smaller in size. Not too shabby!
And, picked up a small Elmo doll which Cameron immediately fell in love with. At $1.99 it was worth every penny.
They also have lots of spray bottles to choose from – which are great fun at the sprinklers and playgrounds. And plenty of other odds and ends toys for summer fun.
And, don’t forget I got Cameron’s little watering can there, which he uses to help me water the plants in the garden.
I will certainly be back to dig for more items. The store can seem a little cramped and disorganized, but if you take a look you can find some low cost treasures.
Posted from New York, New York, United States.
For those of you who are looking for something special to give Dad for father’s day – consider getting some of your digital prints printed out. Today we take so many pictures with our digital cameras and share them online – but it’s not the same as having the picture printed out and displayed in your home (or in dad’s office).
I take my prints to Walgreens (on Myrtle at Clermont) and they usually print them in a few hours. The cost is minimal (a few cents a print). They even sell some frames so you can complete the gift. It’s a very affordable present that any father would love.
Did you plant your garden yet this summer? I planted my tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, cucumbers, basil, and flowers about a month ago. So far we’ve got some little tomatoes, and baby jalapenos, lots of basil, and some pretty flowers.
Cameron helps to water the plants (sort of) with a small watering can I bought from the Home and U store on Myrtle (near Vanderbuilt). It’s the perfect size for him! We also weed the garden sometimes in the mornings. I pull the weeds and hand them to Cameron to throw in a small bucket we use for trash. I think he really likes helping out! If you have even a small spot for a garden, get one going, and get your little one involved! Check out my previous post for some gardening and tomato planting tips.
One of the most popular playgrounds in Fort Greene is the small playground located in Fort Greene Park near the intersection of DeKalb Ave and Washington Park. Although it can be fun to visit this playground because you are practically guaranteed to run into someone you know, it certainly has its downsides : It’s crowded, and in the summer, ridiculously hot (there is no shade whatsoever to speak of). There’s not a lot of play equipment, and the swings (only 4 of them) face directly into the sun at pretty much all hours. A lot of people think this is the only playground in Fort Greene Park, and have never ventured over to the large and lovely one on the opposite corner of the park (at Myrtle and St. Edwards St.)
This playground, called New Fort Greene / Fort Greene Park Playground is HUGE! In 1995 almost $1.2 million was spent on its renovation – and it shows! Built in the shape of a fort, it has lots of levels, slides, and other obstacles to explore. There’s 8 baby swings, and a separate baby/toddler playground. The ground is lined with those soft rubber pads, which is great for early walkers. There is also a nice water feature, and bathrooms. It has great shade no matter what hour of the day. Also, the playground is almost always pretty empty. Often when I tell people about New Fort Greene, they seem concerned that it might not be safe. While I wouldn’t play there in the evenings, I think during the day it’s perfectly safe – I myself have never felt uncomfortable there. Just be sure to keep an eye on your belongings (which, I would recommend you do at any neighborhood playground).
If you’re tired of the crowds at the other playground in Fort Greene Park, or need to escape the summer heat, consider checking out New Fort Greene. It will be a fun adventure for your little one!
Posted from New York, New York, United States.
I was walking down Myrtle to the Post Office this morning and I decided to duck into Mr. CoCo to see what it looked like. Overall it seems pretty nice – it’s basically like a smaller version of Elly’s on DeKalb. They’ve got a small selection of produce which looks decent (for a bodega) lots of organic grocery items, and some frozen foods that Cameron likes to eat, including Dr. Praeger’s stuff. I’m a little disappointed that they seem to be shrink wrapping some of their produce (see some of the peppers in the picture) – but overall, its not too shabby, and that’s more of a pet peeve of mine. I asked the woman at the register if they were really open 24 hours, and she said yes. So if anyone needs some organic milk at 2 am – you know where to check!
The Produce
The Frozens
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.
Pardon this little bit of non baby related news -
With very little fanfare (except some blog posts on Clinton Hill Blog and the Local) the Pratt Post Office is closing temporarily. I hadn’t been able to find out much about what was going on, so I went to the post office this afternoon (located on Myrtle near Hall) to try and find out more. There was a sign posted with the following info:
Effective Monday March 1, 2010
Pratt Station Post Office Will Be Closed Temporarily
Due to Emergency Repairs Needed to Fix
Infrastructure Problems Within the Station.
Mobile Units Will Be in Front of Pratt Station Post
Office starting Monday, March 1, 2010
-Pratt Station PO Box customers will be able to pick up their mail at the Mobile Units
-Carriers will be delivering mail from the Metro Station Post Office (47 Debevoise St; Brooklyn NY 11206)
-If customers need to hold mail – submit completed Hold Mail Cards to the Mobile Unit Retail Clerks
-Renovations will take approximately 8 to 12 weeks to complete or longer
Thank you for your cooperation during this time.
USPS Brooklyn post office
The sign!
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!
