BloomAgainBklyn: A Neighborhood Organization Expands The Lifespan Of Cut Flowers And Brings Joy To Local Seniors

 Caroline Gates Anderson of BloomAgainBklyn  'refurbishing' flowers for seniors

Caroline Gates Anderson delivering flowers to a neighborhood senior health center

(photos above courtesy of BloomAgainBklyn)

Just yesterday, I learned about BloomAgainBklyn, a wonderful community-based, non-for-profit organization that was started by Carroll Gardens resident Caroline Gates Anderson in 2014.  I though you might want to know about them as well, so that we may support her efforts.
The mission of BloomAgainBklyn is based on a simple but beautiful idea, to bring "new life to flowers and joy to others." To do so, Caroline and her volunteers extend the lifespan of unsold cut flowers that would normally end up in the trash by rearranging  them into beautiful new bouquets and arrangements.
The flowers are then delivered to local senior health centers, homebound seniors and people in need.

The flowers are donated to BloomAgainBklyn by Opalia Flowers on Atlantic Avenue and by Trader Joe's on Court Street.
The organization’s goal "is to create an uplifting experience for those who may not regularly have visitors or receive flowers, and also facilitate positive interactions between volunteers and recipients.
BloomAgainBklyn also fulfills an ecological purpose by extending the lifespan of flowers by using them in a more environmentally productive way before the flowers are discarded and composted."

This past Wednesday, March 9th, BloomAgainBklyn held a flower arranging workshop for the residents of Cobble Hill Healthcare Center in Cobble Hill. The smiles on the faces of the residents in the photos below speak for themselves, no?

(photos above courtesy of BloomAgainBklyn)

I am sure you will join me in thanking Caroline and her volunteers for all they do.
If you would like to donate or become a BloomAgainBklyn volunteer, please visit the organization's web site here.



Read more

PMFA Reader Mail: Blocked Sidewalk In Front Of Trader Joe's On Court Street

A few days ago, a reader left the following comment on PMFA:
"How about a story on the new sidewalk fruit stands outside of Trader Joe's at 130 Court Street? Last week there was just one, but now this morning there are TWO fruit stands blocking the sidewalk and mucking up the pedestrian pathway. Combine this with the usual alternative energy folks, a food truck and the clothing/records/comic book sellers, which all makes it difficult to walk. I know our neighborhood won't ever be quiet and sleepy again, but can't we at least walk on the sidewalks? They set up the fruit stands at or before 5:30am, which is when I pass by on the way to the gym, and they take up the sidewalk with fruit boxes and their trucks unloading the fruit.
Help!"

The reader subsequently called 311 and logged a complaint with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the agency responsible for giving out licenses to sidewalk vendors.
I took the photos below on Tuesday at about 1:30 pm.  The two new fruit vendors were set up right in front of the entrance to Trader Joe's and were doing a brisk business.  A jewelry vendor was also displaying his merchandise just a few feet away from them.
That particular corner is obviously highly desirable for street vendors because of the foot traffic generated by Trader Joe's. But I do agree that it is getting very difficult to walk along that stretch of sidewalk. Perhaps it would be a good idea to space the vendors and their carts out just a bit more along Court Street.

Do you have an opinion?

Read more

Best Time To Shop At Trader Joe's On Court Street? The Day AFTER A Blizzard

I couldn't believe it. After weeks of long lines snaking around all the way back to the vegetable aisles at the Court Street Trader Joe's in Brooklyn, the almost deserted store on Thursday morning at around 11 AM took me rather by surprise.
The place was practically deserted. What was even better was that the shelves were fully stocked.
I was in and out of there in record time.
Had people stocked up so well before Wednesday's blizzard and therefore did not need to go shopping for groceries?
I will have to remember to shop here the day AFTER a major snow storm.
Oh, and one more thing!

This is a little reminder to you guys out there. Now you can buy your sweetheart a dozen roses at Trader Joe's for Valentines. A dozen long stemmed red roses for under $20? You certainly have no more excuse to come home empty handed on February 14th! Just thought I would let you know, dear Reader.
Read more

Judging By The Empty Shelves, Brooklyn's Trader Joe's Seems Recession Proof

Shelves At Trader Joe's On Court Street

January 3rd , 2009

Yes, I know, I should be on a diet after the last week of holiday eating and drinking, but a blogger girl still needs essentials such as milk, bread and salad. So, I stopped by Trader Joe's on Court Street on Saturday to pick up some food stuff.
Judging by the long line and empty shelves in the store, the holidays have been very, very good to Trader Joe's on Court Street in Brooklyn.
The store was sold out of quite a few items.
Not a humus was left on the shelves, not a whole wheat bread in sight and the meat department was almost empty.
I am certain that they will be fully stocked again by Monday. But it appears that business is booming at that location.  Brooklyn's Trader Joe's seems to be recession proof.


Read more

Trader Joe's: After First Week-End, Restocking Is A Pain!

I must admit, I haven't been to Trader Joe's yet though it is just a few block away from my house. First, I don't really like crowds, secondly, I don't like waiting in line. I have no problem letting a few days go by before attempting a first shopping expedition.
After the first reports of the opening celebration, I have heard the first grumblings, too.

Friends happened to be at the corner of Court Street and Atlantic Avenue at 9:30PM this Saturday and were amazed by a line of huge trucks all idling along Atlantic Avenue. There was trash and a lot of blue plastic restocking bins on the sidewalk. My friends were a bit taken aback by the scene, but confessed that they had never really thought about the fact that Trader Joe's won't have a loading dock.

Then yesterday, a friend and faithful reader sent me a photo of the intersection, cluttered by the same blue bins. Here is his observation:
Hi Katia

You may be interested by this picture of Trader Joe's modifying the neighborhood. Just cases and cartons at this time as it did just open yesterday, but soon trash and rats, I guess."

Just out of curiosity, I would love to know what impact this has on the residents in those new apartment buildings next door and across the street.

Read more