BK Life
How to Help this Holiday Season: Volunteer & Giving Opportunities in Brooklyn
- Details
- Parent Category: Newsflashes
- Category: Newsflash, Volunteer Opportunities - Local Organizations, Thanksgiving in New York City
As we head into a most unusual holiday season, we at PSP hope you’ll join us in supporting those who have been hit hardest by the pandemic and its effects on poverty, food insecurity, and housing insecurity. No matter your age, skillset, or availability, there’s an opportunity for you to donate some time or money to lend a hand this holiday season.
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
- Details
- 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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- Category: BK Life
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: BK Life, 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 Brooklyn
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- Category: BK Life
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 (formerly Mike & Tony's, now, 2019 Haenyeo) 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 f 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."
30) The Duplex, 2003, a movie with Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore. Harvey Firestein has a great supporting role! Pretty sure it’s interior and exterior scenes are 240 (?) Berkeley Off 8th avenue.
31) Smoke with Harvey Keitel and Willam Hurt and Forest Whitaker was filmed on 16th street at PPW in a cigar shop that is now Dubs Pies.
32) As Good As It Gets with Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt filmed on Howard Place and also Regina’s Bakery when it was on PPW.
33) This is far back, but the outdoor scenes in “Dog Day Afternoon” (1975) were filmed in Windsor Terrace on Prospect Park West between 17th and 18th Sts.
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."
The Americans one of the last episodes looked like it was filmed at Smiling Pizza on 9th and 7th ave. I know
The Americans filmed quite a bit in Park Slope (and Gowanus?) The one scene I ever recognized it in was the one where Stan Beeman was at what was supposed to be a Roy Rogers (actually Smiling Pizza at 7th Ave/9th St.)
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."
13) The TV show “Billions” films all over the city, including in Prospect Park.
14) The Last O.G. has filmed several times in central Park Slope. Last year summer, a Rolie Polie Guacalole concert was cancelled because Tracy Morgan and crew were filming by the picnic area at JJ/3rd Street.
15) Sesame Street I remember when my oldest was a baby, Murray (the orange puppet) from Sesame Street was outside the Old Stone House interviewing neighborhood kids for an episode! Lots of Park Slope shots in Murray had a Little Lamb! Look for learning how to ride a bike episode. And lots of 4th Ave murals show up in Sesame Street, too.
100 People, Places, and Things that Made 2016 An Awesome Year for PSP
- Details
- Category: BK Life, About Park Slope Parents
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
- Details
- Category: BK Life, Animal Advice
Looking for a a new addition to the family? PSP members have advice on 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 member–recommended shelters here!
Top Tips for Tick Bites
- Details
- Category: BK Life, Prospect Park, Safety in the Slope, Child & Family Safety
It’s once again the time of year to protect yourself against tick bites, particularly if you’re in a rural area and/or one where Lyme disease is more prevalent. There’s no need to panic, as Lyme is often avoidable and treatable, but knowledge is key—so be sure you’re informed, and tuck those pants into your socks before tromping out into the forest!
Pictured above is a wood tick, which does not carry Lyme disease, but is nevertheless gross.
Top Tips for Mosquito Control
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- Category: BK Life, Home Life, New York Life, Safety in the Slope
Plagued by skeeters? PSP members have tips to keep your yard clear so that you can hang outdoors without unwittingly turning yourself into a feast.
Neighborhood Contact Info
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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Important Neighborhood Stuff, BK Life
Stay connected with the Hood - via Facebook!
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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Important Neighborhood Stuff, Hood Pages, BK Life
Staying Safe & Reporting Crime in Prospect Park
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- Parent Category: BK Life
- 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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- Parent Category: BK Life
- 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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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Prospect Park
Local parents share how they've had a BBQ in Prospect Park
Join the Prospect Park Alliance Junior Volunteer Corp!
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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Prospect Park
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.
Volunteer to help out PSP!
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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Volunteer Opportunities - Local Organizations
Prospect Park Alliance
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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Volunteer Opportunities - Local Organizations
Help our biggest park stay our best park!
JJ Byrne Park and the Old Stone House
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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Volunteer Opportunities - Local Organizations
Help our 5th Avenue Park, where we've had many a PSP Event, grow better and stronger!
Family Justice Center
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Volunteer Opportunities - Local Organizations
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
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Volunteer Opportunities - Local Organizations
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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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Volunteer Opportunities - Local Organizations
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
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Volunteer Opportunities - Local Organizations
A new neighborhood organization committed to the protection and enhancement of quality of life in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Parents for Peace
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Volunteer Opportunities - Local Organizations
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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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Volunteer Opportunities - Local Organizations
Help make the Prospect Park Playgrounds better!
Brooklyn DA's Office (Community Programs)
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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Volunteer Opportunities - Local Organizations
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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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Volunteer Opportunities - Local Organizations
Questions & Answers about Volunteering
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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Volunteer Opportunities - Local Organizations
The Park Slope Parents Guide To Cleaning Stuffed Animals
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Volunteer Opportunities - Local Organizations
How to clean those stuffed animals for donation to a charity (or your own use).
Volunteering: Making It Part Of Family Life
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Volunteer Opportunities - Local Organizations
Become a Foster Home for a Dog or Kitty
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Volunteer Opportunities - Local Organizations, Animal Advice
Interested in Fostering a kitty or dog?
PSP Marching On: What Next
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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Volunteer Opportunities - Local Organizations
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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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Hood Pages
Sustainable Eating Resources
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Hood Pages
Local CSAs (Most CSA’s run May/June through November.)
Going to Ikea? Some info from the boards
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Hood Pages
Tips for Subletting and Home Exchanges
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Hood Pages, Home Management Advice
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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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Hood Pages, BK Life, Party Advice
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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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Hood Pages
PSP CLOTHING SWAP FAQs
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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Hood Pages
Frequently askes questions about PSP clothing swaps.
The Buy Sir Patrick a Baby Stroller Campaign!
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Hood Pages, BK Life
Crossing Guard Appreciation Day 2015!
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- Parent Category: BK Life
- 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: BK Life
- Category: Managing Urban Life
For helping to get rid of the little vermin... we highly recommend... A PYTHON.. Or a Mongoose!
APRIL FOOLS 2019!
(but really-- if you need to rid yourself of mice-- read on....)
The Baby Exchange and Other Threads
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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Managing Urban Life
One Mom talks about baby transitions as seen from the Baby Yahoo Groups.
Fruit Fly Infestation
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- 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: BK Life
- 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: BK Life
- 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!
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- 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
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- 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)
Wondering when - and how - to offer a seat on subway/bus politely and without causing offense?
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- 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: BK Life
- 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
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- 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
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- 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
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- 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:
How to Winterize your Home
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Managing Urban Life
We asked our members about how to winterize NYC homes and here are their helpful replies...
Tools that are handy for rental listings
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Buying / Selling a Home
Real Estate 101: FSBOs -- Getting Ready to Sell
- Details
- Parent Category: BK Life
- 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
- Details
- Parent Category: Advice - Activities
- Category: Party Advice, Important Neighborhood Stuff, Hood Pages, BK Life
The event application process - from the 76th Precinct Community Newsletter
Parking while on vacation
- Details
- 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
- Details
- 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
- Details
- 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
- Details
- 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
- Details
- 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
Top Tips for Buying/Leasing a Car during Covid
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- Parent Category: Home Life
- Category: New York Life, Managing Urban Life
Despite daily disinfection and mask protocols, public transportation still feels like a risky option right now, and many families are weighing their options when it comes to buying or leasing a car. The uptick has been a dramatic one: Cars.com reported that through June, walk-ins at New York City-area car dealerships were up 38% this year, compared to an overall nationwide increase of 6%. If you’re in the market for a four-wheeler, read on for tips from PSP members on everything from no-contact car purchases to handling the risks of street parking. And if you’re still deciding, first check out our article on To Own or Not To Own A Car in New York.
Idiosyncrasies of Urban Life: Things to Know for Life in NYC/Brooklyn
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- Parent Category: Home Life
- Category: New York Life, Managing Urban Life
Just arrived in the wild and wonderful world of NYC? Read on for must-know tips and life hacks from your new neighbors. And even if you're a seasoned New Yorker, you might just learn something new!
Spoiler alert: Our top tip is to join Park Slope Parents if you're a parent in Brooklyn! Since 2002, PSP's powerful, passionate, and caring community of 6,500+ member families has shared advice online and IRL on everything from child care to health care, summer camps to haircutters, and coping with teething, terrible twos, and the tween/teen years. Head HERE to meet your new community!
Want more? Download the full Park Slope Guide to the Neighborhood, including neighborhood resources, local "bucket list" activities, and more, HERE!
Top Tips for Adopting a Cat
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- Parent Category: Home Life
- Category: Animal Advice, BK Life
Looking to add a four-legged friend to your family? PSP members have all the recommendations you need for the purr-fect cat adoption.
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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