Gilda's Club in Park Slope: A Little-Known Resource

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10-12-16_pp1-16_Layout 1 12/15/10 9:24 PM Page 1010 December 16, 2010 Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NYContemplating RetirementBy Joan ArnoldIam standing at the cashier waitingto pay. He notices my membershipnumber, knits his brow and looks up.“Fifty-five?” Yes, that’s my number.“Were you one of the first members?”he asks. I see his surprise that I’m relativelywell preserved.“No, I was one of the first to get aphoto ID. I joined in ’79.” Then I mightregale him with a picture of How It Usedto Be. “We just had the store upstairs.You had to pre-order your vegetables.We had no carts. You loaded up yourbox and kicked it around the store.”I am a baby boomer. I am a lattésipping,arugula-munching, granolachomping,Washington-marching,organic-eating New York Jewish liberal,dyed in the wool Coop material. Imoved to Park Slope in 1979 to joinfour other 30-something women in abrownstone on Garfield Place, downthe street from the boarded-up buildingsthat are now snazzy condos.Membership was a requisite for joiningthe household.Over all the intervening years ofworking and shopping, I have witnessed,from a distance, the wranglingover new products. Could we sellPepperidge Farm cookies? Whitesugar? Meat? I have seldom joined inthe weighing of our many controversies:the descent from upstairs todownstairs, the acquisition of Cline’sCarpet for expansion, the question ofexpansion itself. And latest to bedebated and decided was the unthinkable:liberation from the work shift.With the exceptions for pregnancy,parenting and disability, the Coop’sbasic tenet is that everyone who canworks. That strikes a deep chord. Ibelieve that participation in themechanics of our food supply affirmsmy connection to the world, andmakes the Coop successful. When Iheard I could actually retire from myshift, I felt giddy. As a self-employedbodyworker, this is probably the closestto retirement I’ll ever get. Still, thefact that I can shop without workingdoesn’t sit that well.You’d think I’d be relieved. Who hasnot, except the most compulsiveamong us, unthinkingly missed a shift?Who has not slapped his or her foreheadwith the horrified realization thathe or she would now have to do twoshifts? The first time I saw my new husbandin the depths of despair was sucha time, as he contemplated an endlessfuture of multiplying makeups.But in fact, I love working at theCoop. For all these years, I’ve done an8:00 a.m. shift. I’ve floated in and outof squad leader-hood. I made the leapfrom weighing vegetableson hangingscales to the whiz ofthe scan system. I’vefought with checkoutpeople when I was ina bad mood or theywere. I’ve seen thecrazies and theunfailingly cheerful.When my doctor leftthe medical professionto raise organicbeef upstate, I lost adiagnostician butgained a reliable proteinsource. I’ve been grateful for thevegetables that nearly jump off theshelves, for the research, screeningand selection of good local sources.I’ve been alarmed at normal grocerystores, with their groaning vegetablesand the inevitable sticker shock.I’m amazed that an organizationof 16,000 human souls actuallyworks, that by cooperatively shoulderingthe burden of an essentialservice we can make it economicaland life-enhancing. And what a community!On Thursday mornings Icatch up with the yoga teacher, thetheater actor/director, the fitnesseditor/writer,the philosopher/rockclimber and the guy with the greatestIPod lineup, laying down a groove forour morning.And now I can retire. I am over 60with 30 years of membership. No one’sforcing me. There are too many membersand too few workslots, so I couldbow out for the next generation. Iapplaud those who do. We’ve paid ourMemberContributiondues. And I could use that 2½ hours.But I feel the tug of community, tobeing a participant, not just a shopper.The Coop provides endless opportunitiesfor drama and satire, and I haveshared belly laughs or sadness at someof the hilarious or tragic collisions thatoccur in a multi-ethnic, variously sane,multi-everything collection of realhuman beings, trying to get somethingimportant done.But the fact is, we do. When ouronce-hopeful democracy is breakingour hearts with dysfunction, we arehere in a Brooklyn bubble. We getgood food at good prices. We getentertainment value. We have amazingconversations.Ask me again in a couple of years,but for the moment, I’m staying. ■Joan Arnold is a writer and teacher of theAlexander Technique and Anusara Yoga.Winter Holiday HoursChristmas Eve, Friday, 12/24Christmas Day, Saturday, 12/25New Year's Eve, Friday, 12/31New Year's Day, Saturday, 1/18:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.The Membership Office will be CLOSED onSaturday, December 25, and Saturday, January 1.COMMUNITY CALENDARCommunity calendar listings are free. Please submit your event listing in 50 words or lessto GazetteSubmissions@psfc.coop. Submission deadlines are the same as for classifiedads. Please refer to the Coop Calendar in the center of this issue. An asterisk (*) denotes aCoop member.CarrotmanPHOTO BY JULIE GABRIELSUN, DEC 19Brooklyn Public Library ChamberPlayers: Free Concert in theDweck Center at the CentralLibrary at Grand Army Plaza.Music of Schubert and Ewazen.Adela Pena and Harumi Rhodes,violin; Ah Ling Neu, viola;Roberta Cooper, violoncello;Peter Weitzner, double bass. 4p.m. www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org.WED, JAN 5FOLK OPEN SING: Come singwith us the first Wednesday ofevery month. Bring voice, instruments,friends. Children welcome.Cohosted by the FolkSociety of NY, the Ethical CultureSociety & the Good Coffeehouse.At the Ethical Culture Society, 53Prospect Park West. 7:30–10:00p.m. Info: 718-636-6341.SAT, JAN 8Peoples’ Voice Cafe: Reggie Harris;John Fromer. 8-10:30 p.m.,Community Church of New York,40 E. 35th St. (between Madison& Park). Info: 212-787-3903 orpeoplesvoicecafe.org. Suggesteddonation: $15 general/$10member/more if you choose,less if you can’t/no one turnedaway.SAT, JAN 15Peoples’ Voice Cafe: Tony Bird.8-10:30 p.m., CommunityChurch of New York, 40 E. 35thSt. (between Madison & Park).Info: 212-787-3903 or peoplesvoicecafe.org.Suggesteddonation: $15 general/$10 member/moreif you choose, less ifyou can’t/no one turned away.Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.com
10-12-16_pp1-16_Layout 1 12/15/10 9:24 PM Page 11Park Slope Food Coop, Brooklyn, NY December 16, 2010 11BED & BREAKFASTTHE HOUSE ON THIRD St. B+Bbeautifulparlor floor thru apt.Queen bed, private bath, kitchen,deck, wi-fi, sleeps 4 or 5 in privacyand comfort. Located in the heartof the Slope. Call or visit us onthe web. Jane White at 718-788-7171, houseon3st.com. Let us beyour Brooklyn Hosts.CLASSES/GROUPSARE YOU THE PARENT OF ACHILD WHO LOVES TO DRAW?Award-winning illustrator JulietteBorda teaches drawing to kids age7-12 at Brooklyn Society forEthical Culture. After-schoolclasses begin week of Jan 10. justdrawingforkids.tumblr.comE-mailjustdrawingforkids@gmail.com formore info or a registration form.ONE-DAY ANIMATION WORK-SHOP for kids age 10-14. January8th, 12-4. Instructors: RobertaBonisson, Laurie O’Brien. Contactus at info@theshedspace.org.Call 347-522-1804 or visitwww.theshedspace.org.PRIVATE INSTRUCTION AVAIL-ABLE for infant massage classes.Learn how to soothe colickybabies, increase and promotenurturing touch, promote bondingexperiences, relaxation andbetter sleep. santosojeannine@yahoo.com.YOGA FOR BEGINNERS on Fridaymornings. Beautiful, pristine studioone block from the Coop.Small classes, personal attentionand a 10% discount on class cardsfor PSFC members! For details onthis and other classes, visitJenniferbrilliant.com.TUTOR AVAILABLE K-5. Retiredpublic school teacher. 30 yearsexperience. All subjects: E.L.A.,math, literacy, test prep, art,high school portfolio prep.South Slope location or yourhome. www.risajohnsontutoring.com,www.risajohnson.com,718-369-0647.DE-CLUTTER SUPPORT GROUPforming in January. Start 2011 bycreating more space in your homeor office. Learn to manage paper;file and dispose of unwantedclothes and possessions to makeroom for new things entering yourlife. E-mail Susan Kranberg atsusan@simplesolutionsny.com orcall 718-965-1809 for details.CLASSIFIEDSCOMMERCIALSPACECOLON HYDROTHERAPY officeavailable. Great Park Slope location.Near F, G, R trains.Separate entrance and waitingarea. Large comfortable treatmentroom. Set up and equippedfor gravity. For more details,please call: 718-965-9458.PART TIME OFFICE SHARE.Beautiful, cozy office space availableon garden brownstone blocksteps from Coop. 2 treatmentrooms, consult room, waiting area& restroom. Available M/F 3-9, W3-6 & all day Sunday. ContactSally @ 718-398-5284 orsally@sallyrappeport.com.SERVICESTOP HAT MOVERS, INC., 145 ParkPlace, Bklyn. Licensed andInsured Moving Co. moves youstress-free. Full line of boxes &packing materials avail. Free estimates718 965 0214. D.O.T. #T12302. Reliable, courteous, excellentreferences & always on time.Credit cards accepted. MemberBetter Business Bureau.EXPRESS MOVES. One flat pricefor the entire move! No deceptivehourly estimates! Careful, experiencedmover. Everything quiltpadded. No extra charge forwardrobes and packing tape.Specialist in walkups. Thousandsof satisfied customers. GreatCoop references. 718-670-7071.ATTORNEY—Experienced personalinjury trial lawyer representinginjured bicyclists and other accidentvictims. Limited caseload toensure maximum compensation.Member of NYSTLA and ATLA. Norecovery, no fee. Free consult.Manhattan office. Park Slope resident.Long time PSFC member.Adam D. White. 212-577-9710.ATTORNEY—Personal InjuryEmphasis—30 years experience inall aspects of injury law.Individual attention provided forentire case. Free phone or officeconsultation. Prompt, courteouscommunications. 20-year ParkSlope Food Coop member; ParkSlope resident; downtownBrooklyn office. Tom Guccione,718-596-4184, also at www.tguccionelaw.com.DO YOU or a senior you love needto downsize & move? Or just getorganized? We are a senior movemanager here to help: create afloor plan of your new home, sell& donate possessions, pack &unpack and manage the move.Insured. 917-374-1525. Email:Katie@papermoonmoves.com orvisit www.papermoonmoves.com.MADISON AVENUE HAIRSTYLISTright around the corner from theFood Coop. So if you would like areally good haircut at a decentprice, please call Maggie at 718-783-2154. I charge $60.PAINTING & WALLPAPERING. 25years experience restoring crackedwalls & ceilings. Zero-VOC paintsavailable. Call Fred Becker 718-853-0750.ELECTRICIAN, ART CABRERA.Celebrating 38 yrs. Wiring P.S.Bklyn. “Can’t do not in ourLexicon.” Add an outlet, light,switch or wire your entire home orbusiness. Trouble shooting specialist,L.V., phone or cable. 110 or220 v. Patching + painting provided(additional). 718-965-0327.Emrg. 646-239-5197.artcab16@gmail.com. PEACE.HAIRCUTS HAIRCUTS HAIRCUTSin the convenience of your homeor mine. Color hilights, lowlights, hot oil treatments. Adults$35 Kids $15 Call Leonora 718-857-2215.BOOKKEEPING ASSISTANCEfrom an accounting professional.If you are self-employed andtracking your business finances isa hassle, I can help. JuliaFitzgerald 718-853-0424 orjulia@fmsimplified.co. Slidingscale starting at $50/hr.SERVICES-HEALTHHOLISTIC DOCTOR in Naturopathystimulates body’s naturalability to heal chronic conditions,allergy, skin, muscle, cancersupport with homeopathy,physical & chelation therapies,bioenergetic acupuncture, labtests, hair analysis & more.Research Director. 20 years exp.As Featured in Allure magazine.Dr. Gilman 212-505-1010.Classified advertising in the Linewaiters’ Gazette is available only to Coop members. Publication does not imply endorsement by the Coop.Read the Gazette while you’re standing on line OR online at www.foodcoop.comTo Submit Classified or Display Ads:Ads may be placed on behalf of Coop members only. Classifiedads are prepaid at $15 per insertion, display ads at $30.(Classified ads in the “Merchandise–Non-commercial” categoryare free.) All ads must be written on a submission form.Classified ads may be up to 315 characters and spaces. Displayads must be camera-ready and business card size (2" x3.5" horizontal).Submission forms are available in a wallpocket near theelevator in the entrance lobby.THERESE BIMKA LLSWLICENSED PSYCHOTHERAPISTExp. w/ Children, Adolescents +Adults. Compassionate, interactive+ experienced integrativeapproach using strong clinicalskills + diverse modalities such asJungian Sandplay Therapy,Expressive Arts, GuidedVisualization + RelaxationTechniques. Park Slope 718-622-5220. www.ThereseBimka.com.LIFE COUCH LEAP INTO 2011Classify goals, identify andrelease blocks. Discover yourinner radiance. Move into action.Experienced, wise coach. CallMina 917-881-9855.YOGA FOR EVERY BODY Stressedout? Baby boomer feeling stiff?Yoga can relieve back pain, achingknees, arthritis...and get strong,energized, flexible. ConvenientPark Slope studio or in your ownhome. Call Mina 917-881-9855.WHAT’S FOR FREEMason & Hamlin upright piano.Steelcase desk, 30 x 60, 6 drawers.Pair arched doors with raisedmolding each 28 x 95 (short side)& 101 (long side). DowntownBrooklyn, Eleanor, 718-522-3561.ADVERTISE ON THE WEBIf your ad would benefit from broader exposure, try theCoop's web page, www.foodcoop.com. The ads are FREE.
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Gilda's Club in Park Slope: A Little-Known Resource

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