The Hood
Noise & Kids - Apartment Living
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- Parent Category: Parenting Advice
- Category: General Parenting Advice, New York Life, Managing Urban Life
Question :
Well, we got our first kid-noise complaint today. My downstairs neighbor wrote: I can hear your son running back and forth, back and forth. I can pretty much hear everything down here. Its a bit much, especially at 7:30 AM. "
How to cool a windowless nursery
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- Parent Category: Parenting Advice
- Category: Sleeping, Sleeping Advice for Babies, Managing Urban Life
Ideas ro solve a classic city problem: cooling a windowless kid's room!
How to Keep Baby Asleep on Noisy Street
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- Parent Category: Parenting Advice
- Category: Sleeping, Sleeping Advice for Babies, Managing Urban Life
How do you ensure your baby gets some snores and zzzzz's when it's all sirens and beep beeps?
Playground problems - how to handle a bully the right way
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- Parent Category: Parenting Advice
- Category: Behavior and Discipline, Managing Urban Life
A PSP member writes.: "I'm writing more for my husband than for myself - but in any event I'm hoping for some insight from the collective about an ugly incident that happened this weekend. He can't shake his anger and frustration and honestly, I'm bothered by it too and would love to hear some thoughts on the matter..."
How To Get A Speed Hump in Brooklyn
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Do you feel like the street traffic on your block is unsafe? Think about asking New York City for a speed hump! Brooklyn District Manager Craig Hammerman shares his tips on how to ask The Department of Transportation (DOT) to consider installing a speed hump on your block.
Lost or Found a Pet?
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- Category: The Hood, Important Neighborhood Stuff, Animal Advice
Have you found or lost a cat or dog in the neighborhood? Here's what to do...
TV and Movies Filmed in Park Slope
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- Category: The Hood
Cause we're more than baby strollers, ya know...
Here are PSP member stories about some of the Hollywood movies and TV shows that used Park Slope as their film set.
1) The Royal Tenenbaums
"In my favorite film, The Royal Tennenbaum, Henry Sherman (Danny Glover) lives at the Ethical Culture Society!"
and
"Royal finally concedes to a divorce from Ethel at the front of Henry Sherman’s building in Park Slope. While the distinct plaque reading SHERMAN is no longer there, you will find signage for the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture."
"The Royal Tenenbaums - one of the bathroom scenes was filmed at a house on 16th st between 5th & 6th Aves. I was walking my dog and saw Anjelica Huston and Gwyneth Paltrow walking up the street."
2) The Intern
"Also The Intern...again didn't seen the final product but seeing Robert DeNiro and Rene Russo filming a scene just off 7th Ave was a treat!"
See more photos HERE
3) The Squid and the Whale
"The Squid and the Whale was filmed on Sixth Ave between St. John & Lincoln. At least some of it was. I lived across the street and remember the signage, although I never saw any of the actors."
The Squid and the Whale was filmed at 167 6th Ave, view photos from the house HERE
4) Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Scene where Dave gets mugged in subway at 7th Ave Station:
5) Meet Joe Black
"At the Armory—the party scene—my neighbor saw Brad Pitt in front of her house."
6) Julie and Julia
Cafe Moutarde was used for a scene supposed to be set in Paris! Here is Stanley Tucci, Meryl Streep and Jane Lynch in the Parisian-like setting:
7) It's Complicated
8) Wolf of Wall Street
"The Wolf Of Wall Street was filmed in Prospect Park."
9) Goodfellas
"Smith and 9th Street - the scene where Dinero is telling Lorraine Bracco that he's got some fur coats for her; trying to get her to go into an abandoned store front."
10) The Age of Innocence
"The Age of Innocence was filmed on 8th ave between Carroll and President in the mid 90s. I remember Daniel Day Lewis riding down Carroll on horseback in fake snow."
11) For Pete's Sake
"The lobby of 125 PPW (corner of 8th st) was used in the 1974 Barbara Streisand film, For Pete’s Sake. There's a car chase scene where you see the building exterior and the park."
12) Addicted to Love
The Armory was used for Addicted to Love with Matthew Broderick and Meg Ryan. They rebuilt one of the character’s apartments in the armory. Here’s a shot I think:
13) The Smurfs
"My daughter tells me part of The Smurfs was filmed at the Prospect Park Boathouse."
14) War of the Worlds
"A small scene of War of the Worlds was filmed on Carroll between 7th and 8th aves."
15) Winter's Tale
"Winter's Tale team kept their horses right outside my window on Garfield Place, filmed in Prospect Park."
and from another member: "Last year's Winter's Tale has exterior shots of the Ethical Culture bulding and the edge of Prospect Park (including Colin Farrell on a horse!)."
16) Mo Better Blues
"Spike Lee filmed a scene from Mo Better Blues on either FiskePark or Polhemus."
17) Landlord
"Perhaps the first gentrification film ever, The Landlord, from 1970, starring Beau Bridges, was filmed and set on Prospect Place between 5th Ave and 6th Avenue. If you watch the film what you'll notice right away is the lack of trees. The actual house used for the exteriors is now nearly covered in vines and almost unrecognizable from how it appears in the film."
and
"The 1970's Hal Ashby film The Landlord starring Beau Bridges--I specifically remember the beautiful stained glass window that is now part of a yoga studio on 6th avenue near Flatbush featured in the beginning of the film."
18) Heartburn
"Heartburn - Jack Nicholson, Merill Streep?, screenplay by Nora Effron."
19) Sex and the City
"Miranda put Park Slope on the map...sorta..."
20) Anchorman 2
"We watched will Farrow and Christina appelgate film scenes for Anchorman 2 in a brownstone on 3rd street between 7 and 8 ave about 2 years ago."
and
"Anchorman 2 filmed on 3rd Street and 8th ave. they filled the whole block with vintage 70s cars."
Browse more photos from when Anchorman 2 filmed in Park Slope HERE.
21) Sophie's Choice
"The Boat House scenes and maybe more."
22) Mr Popper's Penguins
"Mr Popper's penguins with Jim Carrey - filmed on new Montgomery."
23) Mr. Wonderful
Mr. Wonderful--early 90s. And the only reason I know this is because it was filmed in my old building on PPW between 7th and 8th street. Matt Dillon and Marie Louise Parker were very sweet and didn't mind talking to and signing autographs for a little kid like me.
24) My Idiot Brother
"My Idiot brother with Paul Rudd on 1st St and 8th Ave."
25) Baby Mama
"Community Bookstore, 143 7th Ave. Also Baby Mama shot a scene there."
"the block of 6th Ave btwn 4/5th (where we lived at the time) was turned into winter (in May) for a day, fake snow and all."
26) Awakenings
"Maybe this is too far back. But when I was a kid we watched Robin Williams film scenes from "Awakenings" on 7th Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue -- fake snow, antique cars, and he was lovely to the neighborhood kids. A cool memory."
27) Mona Lisa Smile
image via HERE
28) The Muppets Christmas Movie
"About five years ago some scenes for the Muppets Christmas movie (Letters to Santa) were filmed at my house (and my neighbor’s house) on Carroll St. My neighbor got Miss Piggy, but it was the thrill of my (then) nine year old’s year to hang out with Gonzo."
29) War of the Worlds
"Also, scenes from War of the Worlds with Tom Cruise were filmed on Fiske and Carroll, and I believe that scenes from the Age of Innocence were filmed on 8th ave and Carroll."
TV Shows:
1)The Affair
"The Affair on Showtime! All over the Slope and the Barclay center!"
2) Louie
"The TV show Louie shot a scene with Parker Posey in Community Bookstore, 143 7th Ave."
and "Pretty sure I saw an episode or two in most recent season of Louis shot in The Community Bookstore on 7th Avenue and they walk down 7th Ave at night — the episodes where LouisCK is dating a certifiably neurotic woman…..wait, that would be practically every episode…"
3) Orange is the New Black
"Orange is the New Black shot several scenes in Park Slope and had thousands of dollars worth of cables stolen from the set."
image via HERE
4) Boardwalk Empire
"Some of the casino scenes in Boardwalk Empire were filmed at The Montauk Club, (8th Ave and Lincoln Place)."
5) The Americans
"A scene from The Americans was filmed at Kiwi on 7th Avenue. It was this year, and I think it was when the father took his daughter to choose a dress for her baptism?"
"According to the manager at Purity when I asked" about the diner being used for a scene in The Americans (it's when Keri Russell meets with the young military guy who she pretends to be attracted to in Ssn 2, I believe), he also shared that Louis CK filmed there once. He mentioned a couple of other things, but I forget what they were."
6) Odd Mom Out
"Odd Mom Out on Bravo did a Brooklandia episode that was shot at the park by grand army plaza and along prospect park west."
7) Bored to Death
"Board to Death was filmed several times at the brownstone across the street from us on 1st st between 7th/8th. Zack Galfianakis was on the block many times."
8) The Good Wife
In case these haven't been mentioned: Elementary, Suits, Boardwalk Empire and Blue Bloods have all filmed at the Tracy Mansion on 8th ave; the Good Wife has filmed around there (8th ave/Carroll St); Madam Secretary has done a couple of shoots in front of a townhouse on Carroll St near the park.
9) Gotham
"Did anyone mention Gotham? The Montauk club is the Mayor's house."
10) Mysteries of Laura
"The TV shows Gotham and Mysteries of Laura filmed at the Montauk building (corner of 8th Ave and Lincoln Pl)."
11) Broad City
"Broad City: Abbi has a hallucinatory experience at the Whole Foods on 3rd while Ilana cruises around Gowanus on her bike looking for her (includes the mural behind Ample Hills on Nevins)."
12) Black List
"The Black List was filmed in our apt building in WT this year."
100 People, Places, and Things that Made 2016 An Awesome Year for PSP
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In no particular order, the people, places, and things that made 2016 an awesome year for Park Slope Parents include...
Wanna Adopt a Dog? Here's Some Advice
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Looking for a a new addition to the family? Here is PSP member advice for adopting (or fostering) a dog:
- Remember that YOU will be spending a lot of your time with your dog. Make sure you feel confident your family will be able to provide your pet a good and loving home in 5,10 or 15 years.
- If you are not ready to commit to adoption, try fostering a dog. This is a great way to see if a dog might be right for your family or not.
- Find a dog that is a great match for your family, living situation, schedule, etc. Do research online and determine what kind of dog will best fit your lifestyle (What breed? Big or small? Young or mature? Etc.). Be patient and willing to go back to shelters- they get new dogs all the time.
- Know that dogs can be expensive, and their care takes time, but the love they give makes it all worth it!
- Check out our list of PSP recommended shelters here!
Dog Adoption Advice Compilation 5.1.18
I grew up with a dog as did my husband and both by girls (5 and 3) want a dog and we are almost ready to take the plunge. While we are not getting a puppy, I wanted to get some advice from you. For those of you who have a dog and children, can you tell me what it's been like? What is the hardest part of having a dog in the city especially when you don't have a back yard. And how expensive is it to have a dog?
Thanks for any feedback!
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One thing I've noticed about having dogs now vs. back when I was a kid and dinosaurs roamed the earth is that people spend more on their dogs (cats too). It was extremely unusual when I was a kid to see a dog with a coat, even though I grew up on L.I. where the weather was the same as here and now. Also my parents thought they were indulgent to use Alpo/Purina/whatever basic food rather than the store brand. But almost everyone I know with a dog or cat uses much more expensive food as recommended by their vet. And maybe I'm just lucky but my cat, now 7, hasn't been to the vet since he finished his shots and had his operation. Since he's an indoor cat, there's no need for protection from illnesses he could get outside. He's happy with his Purina cat chow, indoor formula--he didn't like the store brands so I feel indulgent giving him a brand name. But no Iams or Purina 1 or higher-end stuff for us.
But that's just me.
When we got the cat after much begging by my daughter, who was 9 at the time, I agreed with the personal understanding that I had to be ok with taking care of this animal for his natural life. And that's what happened. I won't go for a dog, much as she'd like one (she's 16 now) because I don't want to get stuck taking it out 365 days a year, rain or shine, morning and night.”
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After 2 months of consistently training him, he finally started seeing progress on all fronts! The key is to "be consistent" and avoid punishing the dog. Fast forward several years, and he had become the king of the couch (and the bed).
...and then, our daughter came along. He started to show jealousy by pooping in the apartment. That was frustrating and I admit to yelling at him from time to time. But with extra love and attention, he was able to get over it and started to love the new addition in the family. And despite all of the abuse he gets from my daughter (the pulling of his hair and tail), not once has he ever bit or ever growled at her.
As for expense, I spend $75 in grooming every 6-8 weeks. His food probably costs us $100 a month (including treats), and annual vet check-ups and medication cost another $400 or so a year. Of course, there are always unexpected expenses that pop up. He ingested ice-melting salt last year (which is toxic), resulting in a $500 vet bill. And last month, we spent close to $2500 to treat glaucoma, ultimately removing the eye (he is now a one eyed dog and much more happier than he had been with the glaucoma).
Dog can be expensive, and their care takes time, but no more so than any other family member, and the love they give makes it all worth it.
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I’m all for having a pet with kids. Yes, there's some work involved, but
teaching and modeling caring for a creature is priceless in the raising of
kids, IMO.
We have two rescued pit bulls. One is 14, and I had before kids, and one we
just rescued last year. The rescue process has been super fascinating for
my 7 year old, who is now passionate about rescuing dogs and wants to give
saved allowance to dog rescues. She also participates in helping me keep
the occasional foster puppy, work at adoption events, etc.
I don't think owning a dog has to be as expensive as some make it-- other
than vet, food, and some toys, everything else is optional.
My two cents. FYI- there are some AMAZING BK rescues that are overwhelmed
with unwanted animals, especially after the holidays, sadly. Try BARC or
Sean Casey Animal Rescue to start.
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1. Pets are a family responsibility: everyone has to be on-board
with the idea of bringing them into the family, living with them, and
caring for them.
2. Many people don't consider how long a newly-adopted pet will live,
and whether they will be able to give their mature pet a good and
loving home after 5, 10 or 15 years.
Yes! Adopt a pet for your kids, but get it for yourself, as well.
Remember that YOU will be spending a lot of your time with
it for many years.
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If there's a specific kind of dog you and your family are waiting out for, you can search online at petfinder.org and use any number of filters (age, breed, size, "good w/ kids", etc). The website consolidates a number of rescue organizations, shelters, etc. to show almost any and every dog (or cat) available for adoption. Sean Casey and others post as well, and that way you can search for the dog you want, and then work w/ whatever agency that's caring for the dog to ask about health, vet history, whatever.
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We don’t have a dog because not allowed in our apt but I know Korean K9 Rescue is an all volunteer, non-profit dog rescue group in NY and they seem so passionate. Dogs come from the brutal dog meat trade farms in Korea and are also puppy mill survivors. You can check their Instagram account
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You might also consider fostering a dog. This is a great way to see if a dog might be right for your family or not.
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We got our fantastic mutt Leo from Badass Rescue. Here's what we really like about them: they take dogs from kill shelters in the South and foster them up here in peoples' homes. That means there are real people who get to know these dogs; when you go to a Badass adoption event, you can say "I need a kid-friendly pup," and people will actually know which dogs to introduce you to.
Badass has a wonderful Facebook community too, where you can go for excellent advice and gratuitous pictures of cute dogs.
Badass is a little more expensive than some other options, but we think it was worth it.
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Adopting a dog has so many rewards - I highly recommend it. BUT don't go into it thinking it will be easy. There will be adjustments for everyone and you should plan on potentially budgeting for a dog trainer that has knowledge about animal behavior because there may be particular issues that need addressing (compared to a trainer who helps you teach your dog to sit and stay). A good dog behaviorist can identify what your particular dog needs.
I would say it was a very challenging first couple of weeks and then a challenging 4 months. But you would have challenges with a puppy too.
Also, don't let anyone push you into a dog. Find a dog that is right for your family -- do some research about breeds so you have a general sense of what kind of dog fits your family (ie. a Jack Russell mix is small and might seem good for an apartment but they are VERY energetic so maybe not so good for your family). Be patient and willing to go back to shelters (they get new dogs all the time).
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I want to second Brooklyn Badass. As someone who spent years volunteering in shelters and as a foster and adopter it is very very hard to appreciate how a dog will be at home when you see him at the shelter. They can be in small cages and are extra energetic and anxious from the noise and lack of exercise .... they are not the dog you will be bringing home. It is a very overwhelming experience for you and for the dog you meet. As the previous poster mentioned, because Badass rescue dogs who then go straight into a foster situation you can get a much better idea of how that dog is in his day to day life. You can ask lots of questions that tbe overwrked staff and volunteers at shelters cannot answer in a way the foster parent can.
Good luck in finding your perfect match! It’s an incredible, beautiful thing.
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Dog Adoption Advice Compilation 4.25.18
Dear All,
we are considering adopting a dog, and would like to hear some feedback on rescue places, such as Sean Casey and Bark, that are the ones coming up in searches for Brooklyn.
If anyone has a place to recommend, where they had a positive experience, we would like to have their info - we can go to Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens.
We really would like to find the right pet for our family: healthy, compatible with kids (one is 9 year old, one is 17 and almost out of the door), not too big, etc.
Some of the reviews for popular adoption places are scaring me, I do not know how to go about this.
Thank you.
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If there's a specific kind of dog you and your family are waiting out for, you can search online at petfinder.org and use any number of filters (age, breed, size, "good w/ kids", etc). The website consolidates a number of rescue organizations, shelters, etc. to show almost any and every dog (or cat) available for adoption. Sean Casey and others post as well, and that way you can search for the dog you want, and then work w/ whatever agency that's caring for the dog to ask about health, vet history, whatever.
However, if you still wanted to pick an organization first, the ones I know are:
- I've volunteered with Animal Haven in soho, and would recommend going them as a reliable organization that rescues dogs;
- I volunteered for one day w/ Sean Casey as well, and I didn't see anything that would concern me about adopting a dog from that organization.
- Years ago, I adopted a dog from Stray from the Heart -- I loved the dog, but I did feel like the organization (not the volunteer who fostered the dog) purposely waited to tell me the dog was older, and not as healthy as they led me to believe.
It would depend on what you’re looking for in an organization that would give you trust, but I recommend using petfinder to find the right dog, regardless of the organization.
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Hi,
In terms of personal experience with shelters, I used to volunteer at the ACC
(Animal Care Centers). They are contracted by the city so they must take in all stray animals. It is also unfortunately a kill shelter because they are so overcrowded. They have a list every night of the animals on the at risk list, you can check the list and place a hold on an animal you’re interested in. https://m.facebook.com/ACC.OfficialAtRiskAnimals/
They have adoption centers in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island. They also list on their website all of their New Hope partners - these are other rescue groups in the region that take in ACC animals when they can - super helpful to have a list in one place of all of the rescue groups in the city!
https://www.nycacc.org/get-involved/new-hope/nhpartners
I’ve also previously adopted cats from the ASPCA and never had a problem.
You might also consider fostering a dog. This is a great way to see if a dog might be right for your family or not.
Good luck!
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I would highly recommend Animal Care and Control (ACC), the city shelter system. These dogs need homes desperately. While there is a stereotype of the aggressive dog, most of these animals are gentle and relinquished because of the circumstances of their owners.
We adopted a beautiful, gentle Shih-tzu and couldn’t be happier.
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We had a good experience with Sean Casey. We got a dog that was the right size for us (35-30lbs) and low shedding (his fur needs to be groomed/cut rather than a short hair kind of dog). He was traumatized by being in the shelter but Sean Casey did help me a bit with how to handle him. The one critique of I have is that we had a cat and I asked if this dog would be ok with a cat. The way they tested it was to put the dog and a cat in the same room. Neither animal reacted but that was because they were freaked out being in the shelter. Once our adopted dog got comfortable, he went after the cat. In all fairness, you probably can't get a real answer that question unless the dog is being fostered in a private home.
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Hi there!
Just want to say THANK YOU for adopting (oh man I feel like my 15 month old who condescendingly has started patting me on the back .... but I mean it!).
Ps. Statistically larger, black dogs are the most vulnerable (ie least likely to be adopted).
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A lot of the rescue organizations, including the ASPCA (also in upper Manhattan) will do a screening process and take dogs directly from ACC. I got my lovely long unidentifiable mutt sweetheart from Animal Haven in Soho - they were really easy to work with and had a wonderful bunch of sweet pups. It is tempting to recommend going straight to ACC since those dogs are closest to being put down, but I think that going to another no-kill adoption agency will likely be a better experience for your family and will open up a spot for that organization to take another dog out of a kill shelter. I've also heard great things about Sean Casey animal rescue.
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An enthusiastic vote for Brooklyn Badass Animal Rescue!! Everything about the organization is thorough and thoughtful and designed for finding the right match, which is so important for both your family and the dog. Their community of adopters is so helpful when managing day-to-day needs (finding a vet, surprise behaviors or conditions, etc). It’s a rewarding experience overall.
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I want to point out that shelter adoption isn't about the experience provided by the shelter. They aren't there to make sure you have a good or bad one; they are there to rescue dogs. It's up to you to be ready for whatever emotional/logistical challenges this presents. I've adopted from both ACC and a small suburban rescue group and gotten equally amazing dogs from both. (I'm also a Sean Casey neighbor and can't say enough good things about them.)
Good luck! An amazing dog is out there for you somewhere.
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Not sure if anyone mentioned yet Animal Haven in lower Manhattan, but they are a well-regarded no-kill animal shelter bringing in unwanted and abandoned pets from the area, and all over the world. I have seen their facility which is top notch and they have an Instagram feed of their animals, and on there they share success stories (as well as some heartbreaking ones of how specific animals came to them.) I know the Director personally so, happy to make a connection if you like. She can give you excellent advice and even provide a tour of the facility to view the pets up for adoption. It's really a special place!
Good luck!
Neighborhood Contact Info
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Stay connected with the Hood - via Facebook!
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Staying Safe & Reporting Crime in Prospect Park
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- Category: Prospect Park, Safety in the Slope, Child & Family Safety
What you need to know about staying safe and reporting a crime in Prospect Park
Private Birthday Parties at Prospect Park Carousel
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- Category: Prospect Park, Party Advice
Tips on having parties at the Prospect Park Carousel
Tips for a BBQ in Prospect Park
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Local parents share how they've had a BBQ in Prospect Park
Join the Prospect Park Alliance Junior Volunteer Corp!
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Are you a parent of a young volunteer? This spring, the Prospect Park Alliance launches the Junior Volunteer Corps, a new program that invites families and youth organizations to help clear leaves and debris, making your favorite Park look its best. The program is a great way to encourage environmental stewardship and volunteerism throughout a child’s life.
Resources for Ticks and Tick Bites
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- Category: Prospect Park, Safety in the Slope, Child & Family Safety
What you need to know about ticks in NYC and Prospect Park.
Volunteer to help out PSP!
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Prospect Park Alliance
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Help our biggest park stay our best park!
JJ Byrne Park and the Old Stone House
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Help our 5th Avenue Park, where we've had many a PSP Event, grow better and stronger!
Family Justice Center
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Help out a great organization that helps address issues of domestic violence here in New York City. Park Slope Parents works with FJC to get needed items to the folks they serve.
Park Slope Civic Council
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PSCC organizes our yearly Halloween Parade, does the Park Slope House Tour, Clean Sweep and many other civic minded events.
Transportation Alternatives
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Transportation Alternatives is a 5500-member NYC-area non-profit citizens group working for better bicycling, walking and public transit, and fewer cars. We work for safer, calmer streets and car-free parks.
Park Slope Neighbors
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A new neighborhood organization committed to the protection and enhancement of quality of life in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Parents for Peace
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Brooklyn Parents for Peace is a network of Brooklyn residents — parents, neighbors, and educators — alarmed by the growing militarism of our society and its effect on our lives and our children's future.
Prospect Park Alliance Playground Committee
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Help make the Prospect Park Playgrounds better!
Brooklyn DA's Office (Community Programs)
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The Kings County District Attorney's office offers more than 30 community outreach programs for teens, senior citizens, parents, battered women, students, individuals with disabilities and many others. We are committed to crime prevention, intervention and rehabilitative programs for the Brooklyn community.
Volunteer Opportunities
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Questions & Answers about Volunteering
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The Park Slope Parents Guide To Cleaning Stuffed Animals
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How to clean those stuffed animals for donation to a charity (or your own use).
Volunteering: Making It Part Of Family Life
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Become a Foster Home for a Dog or Kitty
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Interested in Fostering a kitty or dog?
PSP Marching On: What Next
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Wondering what action to take? Put on your pussy hat, tell your friends, and make your voice heard. Here are some ideas:
Members Speak Out about the Park Slope Food Coop
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Sustainable Eating Resources
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Local CSAs (Most CSA’s run May/June through November.)
Going to Ikea? Some info from the boards
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Tips for Subletting and Home Exchanges
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With a few simple steps, rules and preparation, home exchanges and subletting can be a really positive experience. As a renter, housing exchanges can offer you the comforts of being in a home and provide your family with plenty of space and amenities. And as a host, you can even make some money from renting out your home to visitors.
Brooklyn Block Party!
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A Guide For How To Do It Right! A block party is as Brooklyn as brick oven pizza. A block party makes your street, avenue, or building a place for fun, games, and connecting with neighbors. Here’s how to make one summer’s day (or spring or fall day) a delightful memory.
The Park Slope Armory - 10 Facts You May Not Know...
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PSP CLOTHING SWAP FAQs
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Frequently askes questions about PSP clothing swaps.
The Buy Sir Patrick a Baby Stroller Campaign!
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Crossing Guard Appreciation Day 2015!
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- Parent Category: The Hood
- Category: Hood Pages
Friday, April 17th, was Crossing Guard Appreciation Day at the 78th Precinct! All the women were extremely thankful that their hard work was appreciated. It was a cold winter and they are out there braving all kinds of weather (like today) to help our kids/families stay safe...
Getting Rid of Mice
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- Parent Category: The Hood
- Category: Managing Urban Life
Helping to get rid of the little vermin...
The Baby Exchange and Other Threads
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- Parent Category: The Hood
- Category: Managing Urban Life
One Mom talks about baby transitions as seen from the Baby Yahoo Groups.
Fruit Fly Infestation
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- Parent Category: The Hood
- Category: Managing Urban Life
It's that time of year. While we love the fresh fruit summer brings, it seems like we are not the only ones.... Here are tips from members in the neighborhood who got rid of fruit flies with all types of tricks - from filling bowls with vinegar and a drop of dish soap to dilligently cleaning fruit, pouring bleach down the drain and more. Click below to Read More and as one parent said: "watch 'em drop, well, like flies!"
image via "Just a Prairie Boy" thanks to a Creative Commons License
Double Parking Do & Don'ts
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- Parent Category: The Hood
- Category: Managing Urban Life, New York Life
The Do's & Don'ts of double parking in New York City...
More Bed Bug Woes
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- Parent Category: The Hood
- Category: Managing Urban Life, Home Management Advice
More bed bugs questions answered...
(bed bugs have six legs and are very flat - almost paper thin that helps make them expert hiders)
Please Take Care Of Your Autumn Leaves!
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- Parent Category: The Hood
- Category: Managing Urban Life, New York Life
With fall comes spectucular autumn folliage. Nothing beats the sound of leaves crunching under our feet. Sadly, New York City streets just can't handle all of it. The leaves, as lovely as they are, clog gutters & drains (especially if you sweep leaves down 'em). And what happens then? Flooding in your apartment. Plus, when leaves pile up it is impossible for street cleaners to do their job. And what happens then? We are left with dirty streets.
Here are some tips of what to do (but be sure to take a fun fall photo or two before you clean it all up!)
So you have Bed Bugs
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- Parent Category: The Hood
- Category: Managing Urban Life, New York Life, Home Management Advice
From a PSP-er who has been there, done that and had to throw away the T shirt (or at least tumble dried it for 30+ minutes)
How to Winterize your Home
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- Parent Category: The Hood
- Category: Managing Urban Life
We asked our members about how to winterize NYC homes and here are their helpful replies...
Wondering when - and how - to offer a seat on subway/bus politely and without causing offense?
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- Parent Category: The Hood
- Category: Managing Urban Life
As one PSP member asked the group: "When / how do you offer a seat on the subway or bus to someone who you think may need it but aren't sure if they do? For example, those who aren't quite elderly but you're just not sure, or those who may be pregnant. Sometimes I find myself wanting to offer, but I don't want to offend anyone, either! In these cases, I'll get up without saying anything and walk down the car, but then that leaves the seat open to someone else who it wasn't intended for to snag?"
Oh Rats!
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- Parent Category: The Hood
- Category: Managing Urban Life
"This evening, as I was stepping out of my ground floor apartment (sans shoes!), two rats raced right under the metal gate, past my door and into the under-the-stairs storage compartment where people in our brownstone keep their bikes...
Managing Bedroom Temperatures and Sleeping
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- Parent Category: The Hood
- Category: Managing Urban Life
How can you control the temperature in your child's bedroom to be comfortable for winter sleeping - especially in New York City where come winter time, apartment temperatures can vary from an ice box to a sauna. One parent asks:
"We rent a 2BR in a pre-war apartment building and are having a really hard time controlling the temperature in our 1-year-old son's room, which is heated by a steam radiator. In general, it's way too hot (85+ degrees if the heat is on) so we balance it by opening the window a tiny crack. But the heat unpredictably cycles off at night and the temperature will go down to the mid 70s, which feels cold for a baby sleeping without a blanket. We also tried turning the furnace off and it made a really loud banging noise throughout the entire night and he woke up frequently. So basically every night we are scrambling to try to keep the room at a comfortable temperature and it's causing us a ton of stress as the temperature of the room is regularly fluctuating 10+ degrees."
Pain in the butt! How to deal with a neighbor who smokes
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- Parent Category: The Hood
- Category: Managing Urban Life, Home Management Advice
Over the years, PSP members have asked the group about smelling cigarette and cigar smoke from their neighbors.
Friendly reminders about being responsible parents at bars/restaurants
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- Parent Category: The Hood
- Category: Managing Urban Life, Important Neighborhood Stuff, Eating
In addition to being amazing places to eat, drink and make merry, our local restaurants and bars have a secondary task of keeping their establishments safe and healthy, not only for families but for all visitors. Recently a local establishment has tightened up their house rules for children. Given our interactions with businesses in the past we know that there are many attempts to work with families before deciding to establish “kid-friendly” hours and rules. We know that it only takes a few people’s behavior to cause these changes, and we want to remind you that there are many citywide rules and safety regulations (FDNY and Department of Health) imposed on bars and restaurants.
Here’s the ask. We ask that you be extra-considerate and neighborly at our local bars and restaurants, where people may be looking for a break from kids (theirs, others’, both) and could conceivably mistake our children's fabulosity for excess. Here are some guidelines, recommendations and rules from local bars and restaurants that we’ve heard from over the past 15 years. We feel that these rules should apply to ALL families patronizing restaurants and bars so that these establishments remain welcoming to families. If you feel we’re missing anything from the list below, shoot us an email at and we’ll add it to the list.
· Children should be supervised at all times. Wait and bar staff are not de facto babysitters when parents are not paying attention.
- No climbing on the furniture, games, pool table, bocce ball court, etc.
- No changing diapers outside of the bathrooms. (This is a health issue and could result in hefty fines for a bar/restaurant. It’s also just uncouth).
- If you are waiting outside, please do your best to not block the sidewalks or doorways.
- If your child is screaming or crying for more than 30 seconds and cannot be consoled, please be considerate and remove them from the scene until they are calm.
- If your child is throwing food/drink/silverware onto the floor do your best to stop the behavior. Do not place the spoon they just threw on the floor back into reaching distance.
- No running, pushing or horseplay.
- Strollers must not block the front entrance or emergency exits. (This is a fire hazard and could lead to unsafe conditions as well as fines for a bar/restaurant)
- If you can come without a stroller please try to do so. Bringing strollers into businesses means less walking space for others; please be mindful of passageways.
- Do not let your child sit directly on the floor, inside or outside.
- Shoes and clothes must be worn at all times.
- Keep young children with you at your table rather than have an unsupervised “kids table.”
- Stay within arms reach of the kids you’re responsible for.
- Do your best to pick up after your kids if they make a giant mess.
- Do not leave dirty diapers in the bathroom garbage without first wrapping them up in something airtight. (Small spaces and dirty diapers do not go together.)
The overwhelming majority of our groups (especially our baby groups) have wonderful relationships with our local bars and restaurants. We want to do our best to ensure that these positive experiences continue. If you’re meeting up with your PSP group friends, please buy something from the meet-up place, tip the baristas and wait-staff generously, pick up after yourselves, make sure you have everything you came with, and be the kind of people who management and staff want to welcome back.
Useful PSP reviews:
Tools that are handy for rental listings
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- Parent Category: The Hood
- Category: Buying / Selling a Home
Real Estate 101: FSBOs -- Getting Ready to Sell
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- Parent Category: The Hood
- Category: Buying / Selling a Home
Real Estate 101: FSBOs -- Getting Ready to Sell
with Real Estate Coach, Broker, and Brooklyn Mom, Jasmina Nikolov
Event Permit Application Process
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- Parent Category: Advice - Activities
- Category: Party Advice, Important Neighborhood Stuff, Hood Pages, The Hood
The event application process - from the 76th Precinct Community Newsletter
Parking while on vacation
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- Parent Category: Travel Advice
- Category: Before You Travel, Travel Advice, New York Life, Managing Urban Life
While owning a car in New York City has many advantages, one of its disadvantage is parking - and dealing with alternative street parking, especially when you gone for a long period of time and won't be around to move it. What do you do? Here are PSP member tips for parking while on vacation. 
Pregnant on the Subway
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- Category: Pregnancy and Childbirth, Managing Urban Life
PSP members share their experiences, tips and stories about riding the subway (and trying to get a seat!) while pregnant.
Subway Safety: Kids Riding Alone
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- Parent Category: Parents of Tweens
- Category: Tween Advice from Parents, Safety, Managing Urban Life, Tween/ Teen Safety
From train safety to travel manners, here are tips and suggestions for what to do when your Tween/Kid is ready to ride the Subway alone.
Dealing with Street Harassment
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- Parent Category: Parents of Tweens
- Category: Tween/ Teen Safety, Safety in the Slope, Managing Urban Life
PSP members talk about how to handle street harassment (like cat calling, sexual remarks, lewd comments, leering).
Tips to Avoid Bed Bugs
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- Parent Category: Home Life
- Category: Home Management Advice, Managing Urban Life
Bed bugs have infested hotels, movie theaters, public transportation, schools, dorms, etc., etc. They also are showing up in the apparel in retail stores, likely brought in from overseas in the original shipment. The bugs are hitchhikers and frequently lay eggs on, or find their way into, clothing, luggage and furniture. Note: to protect yourself entirely from bed bug exposure is practically impossible, but there are many efforts that can significantly reduce your chances of bringing them into your home.
Taking Care of Your Tree Pits
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- Parent Category: Home Life
- Category: Home Management Advice, Managing Urban Life
Tips for taking care of your tree pits.
Being the Noisy Neighbor
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- Parent Category: Home Life
- Category: Home Management Advice, New York Life, Managing Urban Life
So your neighbors said you are too loud. What should you do when you’re the one making the noise?
How to be a GREAT neighbor when Sleep Training
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- Parent Category: Home Life
- Category: Home Management Advice, Managing Urban Life
Sleep training your child can be an anxious experience in itself. This anxiety is emphasized in New York, where many parents get nervous about upsetting their neighbors with their crying baby in the early hours of the morning. What can you do to keep the peace with your neighbors?
Bad Landlords and Bed Bug Disclosure
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- Parent Category: Home Life
- Category: Moving, New York Life, Managing Urban Life
A guide to helping you find bad landlords and bed bug history in the house hunt!
Moving beyond Park Slope
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- Parent Category: Home Life
- Category: Moving, New York Life, Managing Urban Life
Are you currently agonizing over moving out of the ‘hood and exploring what options there are beyond Park Slope?
Tips for Noisy Neighbor
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- Parent Category: Home Life
- Category: New York Life, Managing Urban Life
Block Party Planning Time!
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- Parent Category: Holidays and Special Events
- Category: Misc Special Events , Party Advice, Hood Pages
Thinking about summer and Block Parties? Since it can take 60 days (or 90 in some areas), you might need to get crackin’ on plannin’.
Here’s some information about throwing a great party as well as links to applying in Community Board 6 and CB7.
Member Discussion About Being Street Smart: What Would You Do?
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Slope, Managing Urban Life
"Hey All,
I receive lots of emails, some funny, some serious, and some that I feel are useful to post so that our members can learn from other people’s experiences.
I’d love to know what YOU would do in this situation as a way to discuss best practices and action plans. While it’s sometimes hard to think clearly when things like the below scenario happen, having a discussion about it might just help you come up with ideas if it were to happen to you down the road.
Here’s the situation....
To Own or Not To Own A Car in New York
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- Category: Classic PSP Discussions, New York Life, Managing Urban Life
To own a car, or to not own a car in Brooklyn - that is the question...
What are the 7th Ave Stores and Businesses you LOVE?
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- Category: Classic PSP Discussions, Hood Pages
PSP members recently shared their favorite local businesses to the Advice List.
Don't forget to shop local when you can, don’t forget to take advantage of the 600+ discounts available as part of your PSP membership, and support our local businesses & community!
image via a Creative Commons license
Here are PSP member favorite local spots:
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