Friday, September 28, 2012

Weekend roundup of free or cheap events

Looking for some ideas on what to do this weekend never fear "Out and About with EC" is here to give you the 411 on all sorts of free and cheap events.  Check them out and as always Enjoy!!!!

Weekend roundup of free or cheap events

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

When Facebookers Attack

http://www.inthepowderroom.com/read/home-time/2012-09-when-facebookers-attack.html



"Warning contains some explicit language but I just couldn't resist!"

There was a photo going around Facebook last week of a mother posing with her four children presumably on the first day of school. The mom was jumping for joy in the air; the four backpack-clad kids were scowling (except for one, who was clearly trying not to laugh.)
The photo was "liked" and shared as though it were the cure for cancer.

But if you looked closer at the nearly ten thousand comments underneath the photo you would've seen something very unsettling churning below the surface-The Mommy Wars-yet again.

The vast majority of the comments were overwhelmingly positive: "Where is the LOVE button?" and "Yep, that was me last week!" for instance. But scattered between many approving quips were more than a few people, mostly women, expressing their disapproval of the mother in the photo.

The last time I wrote about The Mommy Wars I used humor to lighten the topic, poke fun at myself, and encourage a live-and-let-live attitude.

This time I'm not feeling quite so charitable or good-humored.

Frankly, I'm sick of Facebitches who clearly never learned the proverb "if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all."

Take Martha, who so condescendingly stated: "Sad in so many ways . . . When did children become a nuisance instead of a blessing? Some day your season of life as a mom will be over and you'll wonder where all that time went."

Really Martha? Well some day your season as a crotchety Facebook commenter will be over and you'll wonder why your husband is banging your next-door neighbor. Don't you have anything better to do besides rain on people's parades?

Lucinda snipped: "Even if this is a staged joke the mother should be ashamed. I hear too many parents at my son's school discuss their children like they are a burden. Maybe they should of really considered if parenting was for them before."

Really Lucinda? Well maybe YOU should have considered that "should of" isn't a phrase before you left such a judgmental and poorly constructed comment. I suggest you bone up on your grammar with some of the time you waste being such a snatch on Facebook.

A woman named Missy clucked: "How sad. We homeschool our children and consider it a blessing, joy and privilege to have them home with us. It is awesome to spend time with them and watch them learn!!"

Well isn't that nice Missy. How wonderful for you!! (Double exclamation points all around-whooohoooo!) Hey, do you have any openings in your homeschool classroom? Just curious, because my children need some tutoring in spelling bee strategies and feeling superior to others.

Mary tsk-tsked: "If she is so happy to see them go, why did she bother having them in the first place?"

Lovely. You know what Mary? Go scoop your litter box and call me after you've had a human child or FOUR. It's called satire. Look into it.

Listen Facebitches, it obviously doesn't take much courage or brainpower to talk smack about some anonymous mother behind her back. You want to pick a fight? Bring your judgmental and grammar-challenged ass over to my Facebook page and I'll show you what "Back-to-School" really means.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Gables dining scene gets new restaurants, more options


http://www.gableshomepage.com/2012/09/17/gables-dining-scene-gets-new-restaurants-more-options/

Already a dining mecca, Coral Gables has attracted nearly 20 new restaurants, offering everything from fast casual to upscale dining. Several venues opened in recent months and more will be opening soon, according to business leaders and the city’s Economic Sustainability Department.
“It is my sincere belief that the high number of quality restaurants that people have known and loved for years in the Gables provides the perfect motivation for new concepts and ventures to open here,” said Mark Trowbridge, president and CEO of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. “What better way to launch a new restaurant business than in an environment that already attracts foodies and educated diners in significant numbers?”

With more than 220 restaurants, Coral Gables’ flourishing dining scene also commands the attention of national restaurant chains, such as Shake Shack and BrickTop’s. Another is the fast-food chain and healthy lifestyle promoter Energy Kitchen, which is leaving its Pinecrest location and opening next month in the Gables.

Along with arrivals to the Gables dining scene are some departures, including Caramelo, Gables Diner, Smoke’T, and Uva.

The newest members of the Coral Gables restaurant community include:
  • Bon Fromage – 1533 Madruga Ave. (French)
  • Gourmet Table — 4555 Ponce de Leon Blvd. (Delicatessen & imported foods)
  • Pao Town – 2624 Ponce de Leon Blvd. (Asian)
  • Shake Shack – 1450 S. Dixie Highway (Hamburgers & milkshakes)
  • Zielo – 264 Giralda Ave. (Peruvian, French & Italian fusion)
  • 100 Montaditos – 230 Miracle Mile (Spanish)
Arriving soon:
  • Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza – 2626 Ponce de Leon Blvd. (Italian)
  • Arabian Nights – 382 Miracle Mile (Middle Eastern)
  • BrickTop’s – 2418 Ponce de Leon Blvd.  (American)
  • Cabo Flats Cantina & Tequila Bar – 260 Aragon Ave.  (Mexican)
  • CG Burgers & Coal Fired Pizza – 320 San Lorenzo Ave. (Italian & hamburgers)
  • Diane’s Kitchen – 153 Giralda Ave. (Health-conscious)
  • Energy Kitchen – 2626 Ponce de Leon Blvd. (Health-conscious)
  • Open Stage – 2325 Galiano St. (Open microphone lounge)
  • Pincho Factory – 30 Giralda Ave. (Hamburgers, hotdogs, & kebabs)
  • Siga la Vaca – 121 Alhambra Plaza (Argentinian)
  • Sushi Samba – 180 Aragon Ave. (Japanese & South American fusion)
  • Swine Southern Table & Bar – 2415 Ponce de Leon Blvd. (Southern BBQ)
  • Vivaldino – 162 Alcazar Ave. (Peruvian)

Tired of Mommy Wars?

http://www.mamapedia.com/voices/tired-of-mommy-wars



I haven’t had a lot of ‘free’ time on the Internet for far too long, thanks to my job at ‘The Firm,’ with it’s long hours, daily commute, and decision to block/monitor the Internet.
It’s totally their prerogative, and I didn’t abuse the Internet like others did, but I used to use my lunch hours to get some freelance stuff done, reply to emails, or read/comment on posts.
I have no desire for them to know how I spend my free time, so I’ve stayed offline until the evenings, which means that I’m trying to meet deadlines between putting my kids to bed and taking my husband to bed. Ahem.

When I do sit down to read, it seems that the same debates that were out there when I started blogging seven years ago are still going strong.

I know that everyone’s trying to drive traffic and I know that these may be new topics for first-time moms, but all of the judgment being flung in the name of page views makes me sigh. And roll my eyes.

The working mom/SAHM/WAHM debate. Dudes. Parenting is THE HARDEST JOB ON THE PLANET. Your work situation is just a peripheral issue. I have been all of the above and you know what? You throw little beings into your life who rely on you to KEEP THEM ALIVE, and we’re all hanging on for dear life.

The “picky eaters” vs. those who are smug about how there kids eat ALL THE THINGS. My kids fall on the picky side of the spectrum, but get all of the food groups during the day. I get them to try the less ‘mainstream’ dishes that I make, but I don’t push it. I was picky until I was in my twenties, but the fact that I’m sitting here typing this at the ripe old age of 37 is a testament to the fact that, 1) I DIDN’T DIE, and 2) PREFERENCES CHANGE. Also, 2b) My oldest (age 9) tries new stuff all of the time and likes it. There is hope!

Breast vs. Bottle. SO MUCH RAGE from either side. Full disclosure: I was strictly formula fed, and have no allergies or any other possible side effects from formula. Full disclosure, part two: I was the smug mother-to-be during my first pregnancy; my kids would be strictly breastfed and never have formula.

My first child was great breast-feeder, but at about six weeks old, I was planning for a hair appointment and he WOULD NOT take a bottle. We tried about ten different bottle nipples until he would take one. My personal belied that the spiel of “nipple confusion” is BS…unless you’re referring to my first-born. With babies number two and three, Daddy took one feeding in the night to give me a longer stretch of sleep. My kids had formula for their supplemental feeding and, hey. They’re perfectly FINE.

Co-sleeping vs. babies sleeping in their own bed. People shout statistics from either side. Side one: Co-sleeping is better! Side two: Sleeping on their own is better! Me: DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!

When my babies were itty-bitty newborns, they would spend the first few weeks in a bassinet in our room. Or sleeping on my or my husband’s chest. Then they went to their own room, right next to ours. My firstborn was a great back sleeper; the other two got to about eight weeks old, and would wake up out of a dead sleep and WAIL if I put them on their backs. So I (gasp!) let them sleep on their tummies. Many of my friends did the same. It’s like a secret club. (whisper) My baby sleeps on her stomach.

(Related: When our kids are sick/have bad dreams/etc., we will let them sleep with us. And they will wedge toes in my ribs, smack me in the face ten times and keep inching over so that I am somehow ‘sleeping’ in a space five inches wide, while holding onto the edge for dear life so that I don’t fall to the floor. Kudos to those of you who co-sleep every night. It’s not for me.)

Dad on Duty: Home Alone with the Kids

http://www.mamapedia.com/voices/dad-on-duty-home-alone-with-the-kids-part-v



The Wife is back home and all has returned to ‘normal’ around here. Last week’s solo parenting adventure went pretty well. Of course, what would any installment of Daddy on Duty be without a climactic ending?

After a couple days without Mom, we were actually on cruise control. I was feeling confident, cocky even, so I took the kids outside for a cookout and dinner on the porch. No problem. I even managed to get the kids to eat a few mouthfuls of vegetables. I started to think, Have some, doubters! I’ve got this down.

That’s when my hubris bit me in the ass, and everything came unraveled like a Greek tragedy.
It started when my 17-month-old daughter, who we’ve affectionately dubbed Godzilla for very good reason, unloaded a diaper-bulging deuce while finishing up her dinner. She just dropped it like nobody’s bidniz, right there at the table. A little rude? Yes, but I was willing to make allowances because she’s on the cute side.

Godzilla was immediately upset by the act of sitting in her own filth, as any reasonable human being should be, so I picked her up and started heading inside to change her. Before entering, I asked my two-year-old son, a.k.a. Lil’ O, if he wanted to come with us or stay outside and play. As he does with every single question he’s asked, he pondered for about a minute and a half, carefully weighing the options, and then responded, “I will stay outside and play with trucks.” There were no trucks outside, so his response was a little concerning, but I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. I had a changing pad and diapers stashed in the family room, just on the other side of some large windows that would allow me to supervise him, so I ducked into the house.

This is where things started to get ugly. As soon as I put Godzilla down on the changing pad, she started screaming and kicking, because throwing random temper tantrums when people are trying to help you is sooooo cool these days in the toddler community. She was flailing about, grabbing at anything within reach, kicking me in the family jewels —basically, all the behavior that makes you happy to be a parent of a toddler.

I got her diaper off and was trying to clean her up when she caught hold of the dirty diaper and – that’s right! – flung it across the room. I won’t say that the sh*t hit the fan, only because there isn’t a fan in that room. Otherwise, it would have, because it hit everything else.

At that exact moment, my son started pounding on the back door and howling, “Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!” I could see him through the glass, and he appeared to be in one piece and not bleeding profusely, so I told him to hang on a minute. I was literally elbow-deep in poo at this time, and Godzilla was trying desperately to wipe her filthy cheeks all over the furniture, so my options were limited.

The pounding and howling continued.

“Hang on!”

More pounding and screaming.

“Be patient!”

I got Godzilla reasonably clean and reassembled, and stormed over to the back door.

“WHAT?” I growled as I opened the door.

“I have to go poo-poo.”

I took one look at the way he was standing, and I could tell that I was too late. Now I felt like a big pile of the stuff that was starting to ooze out of my son’s shorts. I took him to the bathroom and stripped off his soiled shorts, as well as his shirt, just for good measure. I tried cleaning him up with some diaper wipes, which I’d carried with me from the Godzilla diaper change debacle. It wasn’t working. I sacrificed a hand towel in an effort to mop up the poo. No luck. There was So. Much. Crap. It was like trying to clean out an industrial pig farm with a handful of wet Kleenex. I was just pushing around the mess.

So back outside we went. It was a warm evening, so I didn’t feel too bad about spraying him down with the garden hose. It was really the only option. Plus, he loved it. He danced around and made such giddy noises that I didn’t even notice Godzilla charging into the scene until it was too late. As I was spraying off Lil’ O (with the gentle “shower” setting, mind you), she just came zipping right in front of the hose; fully clothed, giggling hysterically. Okay, not ideal, but this would save me the trouble of trying to bathe both kids by myself – which in this house, is like trying to wrestle two overgrown salamanders covered in hydrogenated vegetable oil. So I pulled off Godzilla’s drenched jumper and proceeded to spray down both kids as they ran around the yard screaming with joy.
Now I had two soaked kids, and just as I noticed my neighbors peering at the scene suspiciously from their window, I realized I had no towels. So I grabbed both wet kids and carried them, dripping, into the house. That’s when Godzilla decided it would be a perfect time to pee. All over my shirt. Are you kidding me? Why does stuff only happen when I’m alone?

Off went the shirt, back outside to repeat the previous hosing off exercise, only this time with a shirtless dad thrown into the mix. The neighbors were starting to dial Social Services now, for sure, so I packed up the entire operation and brought the whole sodden mess inside to ruin a few more towels.

By the time I finally got everyone dried and dressed, it was time for the kids to hit the sack. My son was so exhausted from the excitement that he actually put himself to bed. That never happens, and I made a mental note to repeat the entire ridiculous ordeal the next time he was being a pill at bedtime. Then I carried Godzilla into her room to lay her down. As I was putting her in her crib, she looked up at me, eyes fluttering with fatigue, and just said, “Happy.”

I sighed.

“Me, too, baby girl. Me, too.”

But I can’t wait for mommy to get home.

Too busy to teach your child to ride a bike? Outsource it!



"So, are we really that busy people that we need to outsource someone to teach our child to ride a bike? I mean really, is this what this world is coming to, come on!"  Oh well enjoy I guess!


http://moms.today.com/_news/2012/08/31/13571962-too-busy-to-teach-your-child-to-ride-a-bike-outsource-it?lite

Teaching your child to ride a bike is so passé. You may think it’s your job to teach balancing, pedaling, and braking, but busy parents now have options.

Canadian writer Rebecca Eckler recently confessed to hiring a professional bike-riding counselor to school her daughter in the ways of training wheels and banana seats. Oh, the horror, right? What’s next — a professional Tooth Fairy and an after-school nurse to kiss boo-boos?

The future of parenting is outsourcing!

Nick Pavlakis from Vancouver, B.C.-based Pedalheads says the bicycle instruction business is booming because parents don’t have time and they lack skills. “A lot of parents come to us and they’ve tried on their own and found it to be quite a struggle.”

 
In Eckler’s case, squeamishness drove her to seek help. She couldn’t stand the thought of watching her kid fall, and argues in a post on Mommyish that hiring someone to teach bike riding is no different than doing the same for swimming or music. “At the end of the day, she knows how to ride a bike. End of story,” she told TODAY Moms. But her post sparked mommy judgment. Why? “I think it’s just because a lot of people don’t know something like this is available,” she said.

Bike New York offers free bike-riding programs in city parks, summer camps, and after-school programsin New York City. No one seems to be outraged about that. Communications Manager Dan Suraci says demand for instruction is huge. Their weekend classes — and the waitlist — are always full.
“Our instructors teach every weekend so they know the common problems and can easily teach to overcome those,” Suraci said. He also credits the group dynamic. “Kids have a way of relating to other kids. When they get something and are energized about it, they share with each other.”

Bike riding and big moments
Rhonda Franz of Parenting Squad is a mother of three and holds a Master's Degree in Education, specializing in early childhood development. She doesn’t think it matters who teaches a child the actual skill of riding a bike. She agrees with Pavlakis and Suraci that it's often easier for children to learn together with their peers than it is for mom or dad to teach a skill.

“We teach them so much, and they're just tired of us,” says Franz. “If another person can more effectively teach a child a skill rather than a parent, who can argue with that?”

Still, she said, it does matter who's present for that major milestone in a child's life.

“The experience creates a memory for parents and children — something they'll miss out on if it is outsourced,” Franz said. She encourages moms and dads to consider that before handing off the responsibility to someone else. 


Diane Mizota told TODAY Moms she might have hired out if she’d known she had the option, but is happy that she didn’t. As a single working mom in Los Angeles, Mizota always thought her ex-husband would be the one to teach their son to ride a bike. When that didn’t happen, she questioned whether she was up for the challenge. 
Remembering the moment she finally let go of that seat, she writes, “I'm still claiming a major mommy victory. I overcame my mental block and earned the bragging rights  and discovery that there is no feeling in the world like watching your kid ride a bike for the first time.”

Parenting is not as easy as riding a bike
Parents know that teaching a child to ride a bike can be difficult. Maybe that’s because you can’t really teach them. All we can do is support them while they learn. As in all things parenting, we are powerless over what happens after we let go. Sometimes we have to watch them fall. We can’t outsource that.

But what do I know? I subcontracted the whole thing to my husband.

Should Parents and Teachers be Friends on Facebook?



Back-to-school is in full swing, and with more than 50 percent of the U.S. population currently on Facebook, many parents and teachers are wondering: is it appropriate to be friends with each other on social media sites?

Jill Schulman-Riemer has taught nursery through third grade, and is currently a private tutor and educational consultant in New York City. She says teachers and parents should keep their distance outside of the classroom, particularly online. 

The trouble goes both ways, she warns. “Parents friending teachers and teachers friending parents can be a slippery slope. You put a lot of  trust in your children’s teachers. We all need to stay in our professional roles with each other, and Facebook just isn’t a place for that.”

So what should a teacher do if a parent’s friend request pops up in their inbox?
 “Talk to them off line,” Schulman-Riemer advises. “Don’t use email or Facebook messenger. Try an actual face-to-face conversation. Explain that, of course, you’re always happy to talk to a parent about their child or anything school-related, but your policy is that you don’t friend parents on Facebook, and you prefer in-person conversations.”

Sure, friending your kid’s teacher may sound like a nice way to have a more personal connection with someone who’s an important part of your family’s daily life. But information on people’s Facebook pages can easily be misread or blown out of proportion. And while teachers recognize that they’re being judged on student performance and how they present themselves in the classroom, they shouldn’t be held accountable for old college pictures, or late-night comments posted on their timeline after someone’s bachelorette party.
If you go out and friend a teacher on Facebook, or accept their friend request, you do so at your own risk, says Carrie Mize, who’s been on both sides of the fence, as a parent of three young children, and a teacher of pre-school and elementary grades in Michigan, Virginia, and Connecticut. 

“If you choose to open up the personal side of things, you have to understand that it’s their personal life and you may see things you don’t like,” She says. “A teacher’s Facebook page doesn’t have anything to do with your child. The teacher doesn’t have their teacher hat on, and if you see something inappropriate, you just have to let it go.”

Aaron Goldschmidt, a teacher in New York City for more than ten years, says, he hopes parents don’t use Facebook to spy on him. “If you friend me,” he explains, “then you need to be prepared to see it all…I’m an excellent teacher because of who I am and my lifestyle, not in spite of it.”

Of course, you always have the option of defriending them if you don’t like the pictures or statuses they post— or if you generally find yourself losing respect for your child’s teacher because of some of the stuff they’re tagged in. 

Psychotherapist and Parenting Coach, Andrea Nair , tells clients in her practice to defriend a teacher if they discover a post or picture that makes them uncomfortable.

“Tempting as it might be to call another parent to tell them, just ignore it,” she says.

But she warns parents: do not discount any post that leaves you feeling uncertain about a teacher’s well-being, or that shows a teacher venting about a student (yours or someone else’s). “If a teacher posts something like, ‘I’d like to knock some sense into [him or her]’— making any reference on that level about a student is not okay even in general terms. Either thinking about or talking about actual harm to a child is never appropriate on Facebook or anywhere else,” Nair explains.  In this case, she tells parents: print out the post and share it with a school administrator.

But it’s not just parents who are concerned about what teachers post on Facebook.  Teachers, too, might be uncomfortable with some of the things they see about a student’s family online. And a teacher could face the same dilemma about when to say something if they ever thought a parent was venting inappropriately about their child or engaging in unsafe behavior. 
While it’s tough to formally restrict Facebook friendships between two consenting adults, some states have started regulating how students and teachers interact on social media sites.

Starting this school year, Missouri’s new “Facebook Law” requires every school district to have a formal policy in place about online interactions between students and school employees. (The original bill prevented teachers from using social media to interact with students at all, unless parents and administrators also had access, but was thought to be overly restrictive, and portions of the law were partially repealed.)

Similarly, last spring, the New York City Department of Education issued social media guidelines to provide “guidance regarding recommended practices for professional social media communication between [Department of Education employees] and students.”

Lisa Corrigan, PhD, a professor in the department of communication at the University of Arkansas, agrees that a consistent policy at the beginning of the school year is the way to go. 

“If I were a K-12 teacher, I would send home a note at the beginning of [the] semester praising parents for getting involved in their kids’ education,” she emailed. “But [I would] politely indicate that Facebooking is not the most productive avenue for the parent-teacher relationship. I would reiterate that face-to-face conferences and phone calls remain the best ways for parents and teachers to work in tandem to meet the needs of each student.”

With all the potential pitfalls of teachers and parents friending each other online, it’s easy to forget what a great tool Facebook can be for families and teachers to stay in touch long after a student has graduated. Sarah Rinaldi, who teaches art and preschool in New York, uses Facebook to keep up with the teachers she had when she was a kid. Now as a teacher herself, she says, “I love seeing [parents] post pictures of my past students and watching them grow.”    

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Pinecrest Gardens - Let the Fall Activities Begin...

September Events are in Full Bloom!Jazz Subscriptions; Gardens Gallery Exhibit & Art Opening; Lectures; Children's Art Workshop; International Day of Peace; Farmers Market
Jazz at Pinecrest Gardens 2012-13
Subscription Series Tickets Now on Sale
Click image to purchase tickets
Click image to purchase tickets
Select your seats on-line today for the Gardens’ signature performing arts series; Jazz at Pinecrest Gardens beginning next month. Our line-up of national and international jazz artists this year will include Big Band, Electro-Funk Fusion, Latin Jazz, Bebop and Swing, Brazilian/Caribbean, Straight Ahead Jazz and Salsa. Seven sensational shows at a 25% discount for full season subscribers; $140 for premium seating (rows A-F) or $105 (rows G-M) for standard seating. Click here for the full season line-up.
From the Ground Up...A Garden Re-ImaginedTwo Fabulous Workshops This Month
Gardens Gallery, Hibiscus Room
Click image for full schedule
Click image for full schedule
Organic Gardening Techniques
Wednesday, September 12, 10:00 a.m.
From fragrant fresh flowers, to tasty restorative herbs, to juicy fresh fruit and delicious vegetables--when you grow your own its true organic! Join us when Horticulturist Craig Morell shows you a range of gardening methods to help you turn your dream organic garden into reality and keep it growing all year long. Tree Trimming Primer
Thursday September 27, 6:30 p.m.

Tree trimming is important not only for aesthetic reasons but also to encourage the growth of strong, healthy trees. Horticulturist Craig Morell will again, take you on a journey touching upon topics that include; the best time to trim, basic pruning techniques and tree trimming safety. Tree care is a whole lot less daunting when you have the basics under your belt. Both lectures this month are in the Hibiscus Room and are free for all.
The Gardens Gallery Presents Sarah Michelle Rupert, “In the Air//On the Screen”
September 7 - October 7
Click image for information
Click image for information
Sarah Michelle Rupert is a visual artist living and working in South Florida. Using photography, video, collage, drawing and design, her work revolves around consumer-driven mass-communication and television culture in contemporary experience. Sarah’s work has recently appeared in exhibitions at Locust Projects and David Castillo Gallery in Miami, The GalleryBar in New York City, and at the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood. She received an M.A. in Visual Arts Administration from New York University and a B.F.A. in Photography from the University of Florida. Opening reception is Friday, September 7th 6:00-9:00 p.m. For more information visit www.sarahmichellerupert.com
Children's Animation Expression Workshop
Sunday, September 30, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Visual artist Sarah Michelle Rupert will lead a children's workshop in Stop-Motion Animation at the Gardens Gallery on Sunday, September 30th from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Groups will create short films with stories about activities in the Gardens from experiences at the petting zoo to feeding the fish. The workshop is open to children ages 5-14 and will involve use of scissors and glue. Space is limited and reservations are necessary. Price is $20 and includes a take-home DVD! Any questions please contact the artist by email at: sarahmichellerupert@gmail.com. Participants are encouraged to bring their own digital cameras.
International Day of Peace
Friday, September 21, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Celebrate and commemorate Peace Day at the Gardens when students from Pinecrest Public Schools perform a concert of music, theater, dance, and drum circles. Also featured on the Banyan Bowl stage will be an extraordinary program of mixed-ability dancing featuring the Karen Peterson Dancers. There will be crafters and other vendors, activities for the whole family and a special peace-art exhibit in the Gardens Gallery presented by award-winning artist Phil Fung. Admission is Free.
PV101: Solar Electric Design and Installation
October 8-12, 2012
Historical Entrance at Pinecrest Gardens
Solar Energy International will offer a comprehensive five-day workshop on the fundamentals of solar electric. The goal of the PV101 Workshop is to create a fundamental understanding of the core concepts necessary to work with all PV systems. Since 1991, Solar Energy International has taught more than 20,000 alumni in renewable energy technologies. Tuition for this five-day event is $995. Register online at www.solarenergy.org or call to register at 970-963-8855.
Farmers Market: Fresh Produce & More
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Click image for information
Click image for information
Enjoy the fresh air while selecting your fresh produce, spices, home-baked breads, hand-made pastas, organic products and much more at the Pinecrest Gardens' Farmers' Market, every Sunday. Taste the amazing produce of local farmers. Enjoy cooking demonstrations. Enjoy fresh baked goods by artisan bakers. While visiting the market take a small detour and experience a magnificent stroll through the Gardens, a picnic and some family-fun.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

NEW Children's Parties @ Flamingo Gardens





http://flamingogardens.org/Birthdays.html

Children's Birthdays

What better place to celebrate a child's special day than at Flamingo Gardens? Celebrate a birthday, Kindergarten graduation, or any special day with the feathered and furry friends of Flamingo Gardens!

BIRTHDAY PACKAGE

Children's parties includes ad
mission to Flamingo Gardens for the day, a private Birthday Chickee, narrated tour by tram, live Wildlife Encounter Show, photo of the birthday child, take home plant for each child, lunch and cake for children (adult menu available).

Only $19.50
per child
(minimum 10 children)
Adults $15.00 per person (price does not include adult food)

Menu upgrades and adult menues are available at additional rates.

For more information and reservations 
call Michelle or Karen at:
954-473-2955 x136 o
r email rentals@flamingogardens.org

For Adult Party or non-food party options, please see Venue Rentals.
_______________________________________________________
$200 non-refundable deposit due at booking. Additional charges due day of. 

No outside food permitted in Flamingo Gardens, but you are allowed to bring a cooler for additional beverages if you like. No Beer, Wine, or Alcoholic beverages allowed at Children Parties.

Cash and Credit Card only.

Subject to 6% Florida Sales Tax. 

Prices subject to change without notice.

Date Set for the Grand Opening of Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom


http://www.mommymusings.com/grand-opening-fantasyland-date/



I remember sitting in awe when I first heard the news about the Fantasyland expansion at the Magic Kingdom. I think that was back in 2010, and the renderings presented were unbelievable. Among the list of additions were Beast’s Castle from Beauty and the Beast and an attraction featuring The Little Mermaid, much to my daughter’s delight.

What’s even more unbelievable is the Grand Opening of Fantasyland is right around the corner — with an official date set for December 6, 2012! Previews will begin on November 19, for those that want a sneak peek ;)

Since I have been away for most of the summer, I haven’t seen any of the transformation going on at the Magic Kingdom, which should make for an even more impressive reveal! I’ve been told that Storybook Circus is open with the new dueling Dumbo, the Flying Elephant ride, The Great Goofini coaster (formerly Barnstormer), and Casey Junior’s Splash and Soak area.

The main attractions that I’m looking forward to are The Little Mermaid Ride and Be Our Guest Restaurant (food counts as an attraction, right!?) in Enchanted Forest … thankfully, I won’t have to wait much longer!
The Grand Opening of Fantasyland will include:

Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid Ride


Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid is a major attraction where guests will travel with Ariel and her friends through their exciting adventures above and below the waves – all against a musical backdrop of songs from the film. The new attraction combines the enduring appeal of a classic Disney “dark ride” with wonderful technological innovations to offer guests a personal journey into the scenes of the film. Adventurers will feel as if they are descending below the ocean’s surface. Once “under the sea,” guests will find themselves immersed in the story of “The Little Mermaid,” sharing Ariel’s adventure through a magical cast of characters and a captivating musical score that will entice everyone to sing along.  The fun continues at “Ariel’s Grotto,” a meet-and-greet with the mermaid heroine herself.

The Castle of the Beast


The Be Our Guest Restaurant will feature a lavish dining experience in the elegant ballroom, gallery, and mysterious “West Wing” of the castle. With seating for 550, this magnificent facility will offer “great food fast” service by day and full table service dining in the evening. Nearby in Belle’s Village, guests will find the rousing Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.

Enchanted Tales with Belle


The adventure begins in Maurice’s workshop, where a magical mirror is the doorway to a captivating new kind of storytelling experience: guests will be transported to the Beast’s library to meet Belle and Lumiere, and share in a lively, interactive re-telling of the “tale as old as time.”
Are you excited as I am about the opening of the new Fantasyland? What feature/attraction are you most looking forward to?
Photo(s) credit: Walt Disney Co.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween 2012


http://www.mommymusings.com/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-2012-dates/



Can you believe September is right around the corner? And it’s almost fall?

Even though the weather in Florida indicates otherwise, in just a few short weeks Halloween events are set to begin. One of my favorites is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World.
Beginning September 11, 2012, guests are invited to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes for trick or treating and more from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Magic Kingdom.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween 2012 Party Dates:

September: 11, 14, 18 21, 25, 28, 30
October: 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23, 25, 28, 30 and 31
November: 2

In addition to trick-or-treating, meet and greets with Disney characters donning Halloween costumes, and entertainment unique to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, many popular Magic Kingdom attractions – including, The Haunted Mansion, of course – are available to experience.
Nightly entertainment features the twice nightly “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade” led by the infamous Headless Horseman, followed by  “HalloWishes,” a green and orange fireworks display complete with Disney villains.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a hard ticket event and is not included with regular theme park admission. There’s an advance savings of $6 per ticket for select dates. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.disneyworld.com/halloween.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

September Events

September Events : September may mean the official end of summer in Miami, but it is still hot and sometimes rainy. Nevertheless, there are still some interesting events going on this month.


Labor Day Weekend Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer, but it's still a time to celebrate! Get out and have some fun! In this article, we look at five great ways you can spend Labor Day weekend in Miami




Kids: Biltmore Family Movie NightEvery Friday at 8pm in September, catch the Harry Potter series with food, refreshments
and popcorn served at Cascade Restaurant, poolside
at the Biltmore Hotel. http://www.biltmorehotel.com


Sunday, September 2
The Great Grove Bed RaceThe annual Great Grove Bed Race returns to the streets of Coconut Grove
with a little mattress mayhem as home-made beds careen down the street at breakneck speeds.



FOOD TRUCKS, SHOPPING & CHARITY@
Saturday, Sep 1 11:00a to 5:00p
at Festival Flea Market Mall, Pompano Beach, FL
Join Festival Flea Market Mall and 18 local favorite food trucks for a day of food, treats and fun benefiting the Broward Outreach Center, a homeless assistance center.



Bank of America's Museums on Us September 1-2
Saturday, Sep 1 10:00a
at Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach, FL
Bank of America’s Museums on Us is helping cardholders celebrate Labor Day weekend by offering free admission this weekend, September 1 and 2, to several Miami museums: Bass Museum of Art, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Miami Art Museum, Miami Children’s Museum, Miami Science Museum, Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale, Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and Museum of Discovery & Science.



Earth From Space: The Magic Planet
Saturday, Sep 1 10:00a to 6:00p

at Miami Science Museum, Miami, FL




image
Signing Guidelines: Mr. Wade will only sign books, absolutely no memorabilia allowed. One book per person, or as a family. He won't have time for personalizations or posed photos. Photos must be taken in passing, by giving your camera to the store's designated photographer who will snap a photo of you with Mr. Wade while he signs your book.

Beats After Sunset | September
Friday, September 7 at 8:00pm at Bass Museum of Art



Fashion's Night Out
Sept.6 2012
Miami Design District 6-10pm



Florida Marine Flea Market and Seafood Festival
Friday, Sep 7 9:00a to 6:00p
at South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center, West Palm Beach, FL
The 2nd Annual Florida Marine Flea Market & Seafood Festival will be held September 7-9, 2012 at the South Florida Fairgrounds 9067 Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33411



First Friday Gallery Night
Friday, Sep 7 6:00p to 9:00p
at Coral Gables Museum, Coral Gables, FL
Join us for the public opening reception for Upcycled: new life for discarded materials and Arte Nuevo/Ciudad Antigua: contemporary art from sister city La Antigua, Guatemala, in conjunction with First Friday Gallery Night. Live music and a cash bar will be available on the Museum Plaza.


Sep 8 2012 1:00 pm
Family Day on Aragon: Bear has come up with the perfect way to say thanks—a nice big dinner! When Bear decides to throw a feast, his friends show up one by one with different platters of delicious food to share. There’s just one problem: Bear’s cupboards are bare! What is he to do? Karma Wilson’s playful text and Jane Chapman’s charming illustrations bring to life Bear Says Thanks, a celebration of family and friendship. Young readers will delight in discovering the special gift Bear has to share.  Karma Wilson has had more than 30 books accepted for publication. Many of those are on the shelves of libraries and bookstores around the world. Her books have received numerous state and national awards, been translated into dozens of languages, and a few have made an appearance on the New York Times bestseller list. Karma sincerely hopes that her books bring joy to children and families everywhere. 

Location: 265 Aragon Avenue Coral Gables, FL 33134


Barnacle, Books, Birds & Boats
Sunday, Sep 9 11:00a to 3:00p
at The Barnacle Historic State Park, Coconut Grove, FL
Celebrates Adult and Family Literacy Month with educational activities, games and prizes, ranger story time and bring a good book to read in the shade plus blanket or lawn chair. Picnics encouraged, but no alcohol, please.


Wine by the Bay Presents a Champagne and Wine Tasting
Thursday, Sep 13 7:00p to 8:30p
at Wine by the Bay, Miami, FL
Guests will travel the world to taste the best and brightest of the great sparkling regions, including a few surprises! RSVP is required. Wine by the Bay is Downtown Miami’s best source of wine for all tastes and budgets, Champagne, exotic beer, Foie Gras, and caviar. Plus art exhibits and cultural events!



Disney On Ice Worlds of Fantasy Miami
Friday, Sep 14 10:30a
at American Airlines Arena, Miami,


Celebrating Julia's Birthday Bash
Saturday, Sep 15 5:00p to 7:00p
at The Freedom Tower, Miami, FL
Celebrate Julia Child's 100th Birthday at the Freedom Tower. Small plates,sweets,festive libations and an exciting culinary/travel-themed silent auction to benefit Les Dames d'Escoffier Miami Legacy Awards and Miami Dade College/Miami Culinary Institute's Scholarship Fund.


Kids Expo
Tuesday, Sep 11 9:00a to 6:00p
at War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Hispanic Heritage Fair
Sunday, Sep 16 11:00a to 6:00p
at Robert King High Park, Miami, FL
Community Performing Arts Association invites the community of South Florida to come out to celebrate the independence of Nicaragua and other Central American countries and Hispanic heritage. Dance, music, art, food, beverage and entertainment for the whole family. Free admission.


Miami Spice Restaurant Month - The annual Miami Spice restaurant month sponsored by the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor's Bureau offers fabulous deals during the months of August and September. Enjoy fixed-price lunches for $20.06 and dinners for $30.06 at some of the area's finest restaurants!
http://www.ilovemiamispice.com/index.asp


  • The International Ballet Festival (August 24-September 16, 2012) brings some of the world's top ballet performers to Miami and Fort Lauderdale.




The Miami Home Show (August 31-September 4, 2012) hosts dozens of home design companies displaying their expertise and products to help you renovate or build your dream home.




The South Florida Dragon Boat Festival (September 29, 2012) is a unique cultural event that brings an authentic Chinese festival to the shores of Miami.





Movies on the Plaza: The Vow
Thursday, Sep 13 8:00p
at Brickell World Plaza, Miami, FL
Movies on the Plaza is a free, family-friendly event sponsored by Brickell World Plaza each month.
This month, Brickell World Plaza presents The Vow.








Barnacle Under Moonlight
September 14, 2012
A concert held on the second Friday of the month at the Barnacle Historic State Park in Coconut Grove.
 

Miami International Wine Fair
September 14-16, 2012
Guests will have the opportunity to taste more than 1,500 different wines from 20 countries.


Science Rocks (Geology Weekend)
Saturday, Sep 22 12:00p
at Museum of Discovery and Science, Fort Lauderdale, FL



Old Time Dance
September 23, 2012
Learn to dance like it's 1891 at the Barnacle State Historic Site.

16th Annual Americas Food and Beverage Show
Monday, Sep 24 8:00a
at Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL
Read more here: http://events.miamiherald.com/miami_beach_fl/events/show/274785447-16th-annual-americas-food-and-beverage-show#storylink=cpy



Brickell Art walk
Tuesday, Sep 25 5:00p to 11:00p
at Mary Brickell Village, Miami, FL
The Last Tuesday of each month
The Brickell Art Walk will serve as a vehicle to inject culture and give the opportunity for Brickellians to meet some of the greatest artists/collectors in the world, up-close and personal. Every venue will feature a new artist therefore taking Brickellians on a journey.




Viernes Culturales / Cultural Fridays
September 28, 2012
Free monthly cultural event and street fair on the last Friday of each month showcasing music, dance, poetry, and the visual arts.



Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch Festival
Saturday, Sep 29 10:00a to 6:00p
at Peacock Park - Coconut Grove, Miami, FL
Billed as a wonderFALL autumn celebration, event features fun activities and rides for the whole family plus a Foodie Feast area serving breakfast, lunch and snacks. In addition, a professional photography station will be set up in the patch to capture memories for you.




Going Green Festival
Saturday, Sep 29 12:00p to 4:00p

at Miami Children's Museum, Watson Island, FL Saturday, September 29th 2012
12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Green is a scream! Become a part of Miami Children’s Museum’s Green Team! Learn little things you can do to help keep our Earth a healthy place for you and me.
For more information, please call (305)373-KIDS (5437) or visit www.miamichildrensmuseum