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!
UPDATE: Sadly this printable coupon for Triple Paste no longer is active, but a nice representative emailed me and said that my readers were more than welcome to call them at 1800-533-7546 and request some coupons!
I’ve sung the praises of Triple Paste in the past – but one of the only downsides of this diaper rash eliminator is the price tag. Well, here’s a link to a printable coupon for $1 off!
Click for your Triple Paste Printable Coupon!
FYI – moms have asked me where they can find Triple Paste in Fort Greene – the Walgreens on Myrtle has some. Pick up a jar and keep it around in case diaper rash rears its ugly head in your house.
I’m in the Walgreens on Myrtle and Clermont now and a saw they have H1N1 shots available (for adults). If you are interested head on over and check it out!
Today, Brooklyn Junior opened! They are located near the corner of Clinton and Myrtle in Clinton Hill. I stopped in before their Halloween Party which starts tonight at 6pm (Cameron’s bed time, unfortunately!) I took a few pictures to share with you all so you could see what it looked like. The space is small, but bright, with lots of cute clothing and some toys. It looked like they were still getting things in order…. so I can’t wait to see how it all comes together. So far, so good!
Don’t forget they have a 10% off Coupon you can print out, valid until 12/31/09!
Brooklyn Junior Opening Party
You might recognize this old storefront on Clinton near Myrtle
New details were posted on Parents Around the Hill (via Fort Greene Kids) about the Kids store that is comming to Clinton Hill / Fort Greene. Check out the website and Blog for the clothing line / store named Brooklyn Junior where you can read more about the clothes and see what they look like. Super cute! Of course the store will also have some toys and accessories. I am hoping once it opens I won’t have to trek over to Area Kids for Birthday Presents…. with this place and Greenlight Bookstore, we are set!
The opening party is Halloween Night, 6-9pm. After that, regular business hours will be Tuesday – Sunday 12-6pm (closed Mondays). CLICK HERE TO GET A COUPON FOR 10% OFF!! Valid until 12/31/09. I will visit once the store is open and post some pics!
Can’t wait until Halloween to show off that spiffy costume you got for your little one? Well on Sunday October 25th from 12-6 the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is having a Ghouls and Gourds event.
Ghouls and Gords at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
I was walking down Myrtle the other day when I saw a poster for it – and I’m so glad I did. This one looks like it’s jam packed with all kinds of fun stuff: There’s music all daylong including a drum circle and costume parade. There’s a flea circus, craft workshops (make your own leaf rubbing, make your own egg shaker, mask making,) giant puppets, temporary bug tattoos, and SO much more!! Check out the Brooklyn Botanic Garden website for all the info.
I’ve had the experience that when I try to get a flu shot at a doctor’s office they tell me that I’ll have to go on a waiting list because they aren’t sure if they will have enough. So, this year when I saw the sign at Walgreens advertising Flu Shots for $24.99 I went for it!
First off, it cost less than my co pay. Second, I went to the Walgreens at Clermont and Myrtle, which is a lot closer to home than my doctor! I went in the day before and made an appointment and picked up the paperwork – but it’s not really necessary.
So, consider Walgreens for your flu shot!
