Greetings from a newcomer

I'm kind of in the same boat. But not by choice. My job was eliminated because of budget cuts on January 13th. I am looking for a job, but the economy and tight job market are working against me. I have taken a temporary job with the US Census which has exposed me to much more of my neighborhood, and Brooklyn in general, than I ever expected. It's fun, interesting, but it will probably end soon. I agree that we need a better grocery store in the area. Key Foods and Met have improved immensely in the five years that we've lived in the Nostrand/Park Place area, but there's still a lot of room for improvement. I have been doing some photography for the website Nostrand Park http://nostrandpark.com/ along with others and you may find some interesting architecture there.

A belated welcome!

Foodtown on Fulton is best bet for general grocery shopping. However, there is a small corner grocery at Franklin and Sterling (I think it's Sterling.) You'll know it by the fresh cut flowers they sell outside. Anyway, if you have not been, it's worth a look. I hadn't been in there in a couple of years but went in just a few days ago and I was utterly surprised! They have a wide selection of interesting items that you will not find at the other local groceries and their prices were very reasonable. On sale this week were blackberries and raspberries - $1.00 a package. (That's what caught the eye!)

Also, if you haven't been to Golden Place on Nostrand near St. John's, - not to be confused with Silver Place across the street - you should. The doubles (chickpeas wrapped in a what's kind of akin to a huge flour tortilla) - are delicious, huge, and only $1.50 each. I also love the boneless chicken roti - $7.00.

Have fun getting to know your 'hood!

Hi There, I am in the "process" of being on Permanent Disability and am learning to fall in love with my neighborhood(s), i.e., Prospect Heights, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, Clinton Heights, Crown Heights, Bed-Stuy, etc. It is wonderful to go to a block association meeting, learn about tree pits and local gardens, find wonderful talent (i.e., the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music), visit churches, Greenwood Cemetery, hop on buses to neighborhoods I never really visited.

Of course, there is the Food Co-op which can be a blast for some and not for others. The wonderful library, great alternative health practitioners, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Prospect Park, etc. There are so many volunteer jobs to get an "inside scoop" on Brooklyn activities and of course...neighborhood politics.

It is a pleasure to reacquaint myself with my home of more than 20 years (with a six or seven year stint in Manhattan). It was a shock to not hop on the train every morning and go into an office environment for 9-10 hours a day but if I had to be somewhere, thank goodness it is here.

Welcome and enjoy the ride!