Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Dear Daughter, Here's Why I Work

Dear Daughter, Here’s Why I Work
By Sasha Emmons • April 26, 2013
Dear Chloe,
Not long ago you asked me if I love work more than I love you and your brother.The question breaks my heart, and as you are almost eight, I’m pretty sure it was designed to. Don’t worry; I don’t hold it against you. Daughters are meant to know and agitate their mother’s vulnerable spots—it’s part of the special intimacy we share. I did the same thing to my mom, giving her the business for going back to work part-time when I was even older than you, after she’d spent years at home raising me, my brother and sister.
I’ll be sure bring our conversation up over and over again when you’re an adult and facing the same kinds of comments from your own daughter, like my mom does to me. (P.S. Mom, really sorry—again!)You’ve never really known a time when I stayed home. I went back to work when you were three months old, and save for the eights months I was at home when your brother was born, it’s always been that way for you.
Although it felt surreal to walk out the door and leave you behind the day my maternity leave ended, and I couldn’t quite believe I was doing it until I was, it was also a relief to relax into some normalcy after the wondrous upheaval you brought to my life.Some people work to earn a living, and some people are lucky to get paid to do what they love. I am lucky to be one of the latter.
I knew what I wanted to do the day my eighth grade teacher read my story to the class and told me I was a writer. I still get flushed cheeks and fluttery insides when I’ve managed to wrestle the words to outline the shape of my thoughts. I think I recognize the same blissed out look on your face when you’re painting, but maybe there’s an even bigger passion in you waiting to be discovered.
What if I told you it was your art… or me? Sure, you’d choose me (I hope) if you had to, but wouldn’t that feel like an unfair choice to make? Right now you say you don’t want kids thanks to the most annoying brother in the whole wide world. Maybe you’ll change your mind. And if you do, I hope your love of creating doesn’t get sacrificed for the people you love, whether you make money from it or not. I hope you choose a partner that wants that for you too.
But back to your original question. There are many reasons mommies work—and they might not be what you think they are. These are mine.
I work because I love it.
I work because scratching the itch to create makes me happy, and that happiness bleeds over into every other area, including how patient and engaged and creative a mother I am.
I work because this nice house and those gymnastics lessons and those sneakers you need to have are all made possible by two incomes.
I work because I want you and your brother to be proud of me.
I work because I did this before you were born, and I’ll still want it to be there after you go off to college.
I work because—despite my being the parent who’s almost always the one walking through the door at 6pm, the one who rarely travels for work, the one who’s keeping track of the fact that the permission slip for the field trip is due tomorrow­—you’d never ask your father why he works. His love is a given that long hours at work do nothing to diminish.
I work because even at your young age you’ve absorbed the subtle message that women’s work is less important and valuable—and that the moms who really love their kids don’t do it.
I work because by the time you have your own daughter, I cross my fingers this will not be so.
So, to answer your question: I do love work, but of course I love you and your brother much, much more. If I had to choose, I would choose you guys.But I’m so happy I don’t have to. And I hope you never do either.
Love,Mom

Thursday, August 1, 2013

City of Coral Gables News!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2013

Implementation of Zone Patrol

Last week, the Police Department partitioned the City into 12 geographically-defined beats, referred to as zones.  Each Patrol Officer is now being permanently assigned to an individual zone, as opposed to 4 large sectors referred to as areas (e.g. North of Bird) as was previously the practice since 2007.  Whereas before, officers could patrol different areas, now they have specific beats that they are assigned to on a long term basis. This is being done to cultivate community based policing, as officers are empowered to address issues and needs in the neighborhoods they are responsible for and work each day, resulting in a sense of ownership on the part of each officer and greater visibility in the community.  Officers will now be more accountable and expected to develop strategies or call on resources as needed to further improve the neighborhoods they patrol as they concentrate on community concerns and crime trends specific to their zones.
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The Palace Opens In Downtown Coral Gables

Helen and Jacob Shaham, founders of The Palace Group, hosted a grand opening ceremony last week to officially welcome the first luxury senior living facility built in Downtown Coral Gables. The Palace at Coral Gables is a public-private partnership with the City of Coral Gables. The City awarded the company a 99-year land lease with the provision that a parking garage for public and private use also be built. The nine-story facility draws its inspiration from Mediterranean influence and the urban fabric of Coral Gables. The architecture was inspired by the world-renown George V Hotel of Paris, recreating its luxury and ambiance while providing optimum attention to the most intricate of details. “In addition to bringing a beautiful facility that enhances the Coral Gables’ downtown, the project provides significant financial benefits to the City and its taxpayers,” said Mayor Jim Cason.” The building location steps away from Miracle Mile offers residents the benefits of an urban village location that provides every comfort and amenity for senior living without having to move from the city they love. For more information, click here
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Your Input Is Needed For Trolley Online Survey

The City of Coral Gables has initiated a study to develop improvements and possible expansions of the popular Trolley program. Currently, the Coral Gables Trolleys run along Ponce de Leon Boulevard from the Douglas Road Metrorail Station to Flagler Street. Trolleys pick up and drop off passengers at 55 stops weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Gallery Night (first Friday of the month) until 10 p.m. As part of that study, a survey is being conducted to better understand how customers use the trolley and what could be done to better serve the public. You are invited to participate in this survey as your input is very important! Individual responses will be kept confidential. Your participation will help direct any changes to future service. For more information, contact the Trolley Division at 305-460-5070. To take the Trolley online survey, click here.
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Miami Spice Brings Meal Deals To Coral Gables Foodies

Miami Spice 2013 is back with its mouth-watering promotion beginning August 1 through September 30. Coral Gables foodies have two full months to take advantage of specially priced three-course meals. Downtown Coral Gables is a Miami Spice hot spot with 18 restaurants participating so far. Top local restaurants will offer three-course meals for special prices: lunches for $19 or $23, and dinners for $33 or $39, featuring signature dishes created by world-renowned chefs. To see a listing of participating restaurants, click here.
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Coral Gables Chamber Presents
International Business Forum

On Friday, August 9, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce will host the 6th Annual International Business Forum luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 50 Alhambra Plaza in Coral Gables. This forum will provide insight into the state of our ports and ways to leverage and identify key international markets from local industry experts. PortMiami Director Bill Johnson will serve as keynote speaker, along with panel of experts Duray Akar from the Istanbul Cultural Center, Chris Mango of the Miami International Airport and Diane Sanchez of eMerge Miami. This event is sponsored by PortMiami and RightSpace2Meet, and is organized in partnership with The Beacon Council, Miami Council for International Visitors (MCIV), Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) South Florida and South Florida Business Journal. For more information, click here.
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Fundraising Event At Biltmore
Raises Awareness On Healthy Eating

It’s all about helping families learn the importance of making healthy food choices. The local non-profit Florida Introduces Physical Activity and Nutrition To Youth (FLIPANY) is hosting a fundraising event at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue, on Friday, August 9 with NBC6’s Roxanne Vargas as the evening emcee. Notable South Florida chefs will put their best food forward as part of the Chefs Up Front dinner where they will present a delicious five-course signature meal. Local participating chefs include: Chef Gregory Pugin of The Biltmore Palme d’Or and the hotel’s banquet Chef Scott Downs; Chef Phil Bryant of Swine Southern Table and Bar; Chef Adrianne Calvo of Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar; Chef Nuno Grullon of Iron Side Café; Chef Cindy Hutson of Ortanique on the Mile; Chef Makoto Okuwa of Makoto; and Chef Jason Smith of Steak 954. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a silent auction and reception, followed by dinner and program at 7 p.m. To date, FLIPANY nutrition and fitness professionals have educated more than 30,000 participants, worked with more than 500 volunteers and partnered with more than 60 community agencies to combat childhood hunger and obesity. For more information, click here.

Chef Adrianne Calvo
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Submit Your Best Artwork For Senior Art Show

August 31 is the deadline to submit your best photograph, sculpture, painting or other artwork to be considered for the popular Dr. William M. Schiff Senior Art Show. If you are 55 years or older and live in the City of Coral Gables, you can showcase your talent and be part of the art show which will take place on October 11 at the newly opened The Palace at Coral Gables.  For more information on how to enter, call 305-460-5622.
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Coral Gables Firefighters Distribute
School Supplies To Needy Children

Members of Coral Gables International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1210 joined the Amigos For Kids this past Sunday for the annual Back to School Drive which distributed school supplies to hundreds of needy children. The event took place on Sunday, July 28 at Jose Marti Park. This annual program identifies less privileged children who would not have these basic supplies on their first day of school. Our Coral Gables firefighters, along with other volunteers, helped distribute the supplies during a Family Fair event held at the park.