A week after the earthquake leveled the capital of Haiti, Comcast responded locally, helping families contact their loved ones.
Click on the video above to see how Comcast Cares.
South Florida, please join me in collective thought to mentally steer any tropical system that may come along this year – away from Haiti. No, I really don’t think that sheer mental will can influence the direction of a Hurricane – but it’s all we can do.
Still Picking Up the Pieces
It’s been more than six months and dozens of news cycles since an earthquake reduced Port-au-Prince and surrounding villages into connecting piles of rubble and remarkably we are still in the “clean up” stage. This phase of the recovery process is not as much of an attention grabber as the initial disaster, so we see network news updates maybe every other the week. The latest pictures from Haiti show people manually picking up stucco and brick, which use to be buildings and homes, and putting them in trucks for transportation to a nearby dump site, which is probably indistinguishable from the rest of city.
South Florida Responds
After the earthquake occurred we all saw the heart wrenching faces of the victims of this disaster and we responded. Hundreds of millions of dollars were raised to assist with the clean up and rebuilding efforts in the island nation, but in spite of the best efforts from relief agencies, here we are smack dab in the middle of the hurricane season and the rubble is still being cleared.
For weeks after the earthquake, Cynthia Gutierrez-White was the face of the American Red Cross to all of us in South Florida, talking about fund raising and recovery efforts. She is back on Comcast Newsmakers this month, giving us all an update on why the cleanup effort is taking so long and what’s in store for earthquake survivors if a hurricane should hit.
Tent Nation
What’s clear is that Haiti has turned into a “Tent Nation.” To illustrate how desperate relief agencies are, in July Sander Schrantz from Volunteer Broward was on Newsmakers asking for used banners. The strategy here is to take these banners so they can be wrapped around mesh wire to form shelters for those who have lost their homes. Tent cities are everywhere in Haiti because there are very few cement structure still standing, so if a hurricane hits Haiti – there is no shelter available to protect anyone. I can surmise most of the “banner” structure would be blown away—so the aftermath of even a minimal hurricane could result in yet another disaster with even more loss of life.
Most of those who live in Haiti are sitting ducks in the middle of hurricane alley hoping fate or kind steering currents point tropical systems away from the island for the next 4 months. I’ve never been outside while 100+ mile an hour winds were whipping about, but I would think with that velocity, raindrops from even a slight drizzle would be painful.
Living on a Prayer
The infrastructure woes which have plagued this poor country for years have now exposed those who live in Haiti to peril. So, now, when we look at all the tropical activity happening in the tropics, let’s look at it from a different perspective. Aside from routinely “willing” these destructive weather systems away from South Florida, send those good vibrations farther south to help our neighbors in Haiti. It probably won’t make much of a difference which way the tropical system goes – but it’s all we can do.
When it comes to home remodeling, working with a budget is almost as important as the design itself. As a Certified Bath Designer, I am often asked, “How do you design a great bathroom on a realistic budget?” To some, it seems like something that would be a very difficult task. There are so many different choices as well as price points in tiles, plumbing fixtures, cabinetry, etc. Well, there are some key things that you can keep in mind, to help make this process a little more budget friendly! Below are some of my favorite tips on how to design your dream bath on a BUDGET!
Tip #1 Selecting Tile
Most people feel that using natural stone in a bathroom, such as marble or travertine would be extremely expensive. This can be the case, but there is such a large variety of price points in natural stone, that some are even cheaper than ceramic tiles! You can certainly find a travertine for $2.00-$3.00 per square foot (price points vary on quality of stone) So, my advice is to find tile places that offer a large variety of price points, and find stone that is within a $2-4.00 per square foot price range to keep you on track.
Tip #2 Accents go a long way
Many love the look of glass mosaic tile, it’s always so striking and beautiful. Though at price points such as $20.00 per square foot and up, this can add up in cost quickly! So, what I tell clients who still want to incorporate this beautiful tile in the design, is to use it sparingly as an accent tile. Instead of tiling an entire shower in the mosaic, use it as a decorative border around the entire room, or around the mirror. You can still create a great design with glass tile, and the cost savings is tremendous!
Tip #3 Plumbing Fixtures
When selecting your sinks, faucets, shower systems, tubs and toilets, keep in mind that color and finish can change the price dramatically. By industry standard, chrome fixtures are much less expensive than brushed nickel, oil rubbed bronze, or other special finishes. So, designing an entire shower system in chrome fixtures will save you some money in overall cost over brushed nickel. Same goes for sinks, toilets, and tubs. Typically, white fixtures cost less than other special finishes such as almond, biscuit, or linen. So, if you are looking to save a bit on the fixtures, always go with white.
Tip #4 Countertops: Size Matters
Stone and quartz countertops can get costly…but they don’t have to be. If you have a small vanity, always check to see if the stone fabricator you are using has remnant pieces that you could select from. These are leftover pieces from big jobs, and you can sometimes get a great savings by going with one of these pieces. The challenge though, is to make sure it is available in the size you need, so have the dimensions of your cabinet on hand.
Tip #5 Pick a price, then cabinets
Cabinets can be a huge cost variance in bathrooms. There are so many price points available. Establish a realistic budget of what you want to spend on cabinets, and you should be able to find a line of cabinetry that fits that.
Tip #6 Skip the glass… for now
Custom shower enclosures are the final item that is installed in a bath before it’s complete, and it can really add onto the price of the overall project. Nothing can mimic the look of a custom glass enclosure, but it is the one item in a bathroom that can be added at a later date if you cannot make the investment for it now. (use a curtain in the meantime!) There are also many pre-fabricated glass enclosure options such as ‘sliders’ that are available for less than half the price of a custom enclosure.
Aside from the product, the labor portion of the job is also a huge cost factor when remodeling a bathroom. It is important to choose a contractor that is not only licensed and insured, but has great references. Don’t be afraid to go out and see their work in person! You should see the workmanship of the contractor you are using…..as pricing varies, so does the quality of work! Find someone you are comfortable with, in terms of both cost and ability to do the job. Most importantly, partnering up with a professional, certified bathroom designer makes the process easier!
Please stop by the Miami Home Design and Remodeling Show (Sept 3-7th, Miami Beach Convention Center) on Saturday, Sept. 4th at 3pm. Alena Capra will be part of a panel, along with fellow NKBA member and contractor John Ryba of Artistic Cabinetry & Interiors (also featured in the Newsmakers Segment), speaking about ‘Hiring a Professional Contractor’!
Selling in today’s market? The rules have changed…that’s for sure! What used to take an MLS listing and a sign in the front yard now takes creativity, persistence and patience. Long gone are the days of placing your home on the market and sifting through the offers to decide who you would sell to…. did those days really exist? Yes.. And they were great, but we need to look forward, not back.
Moving forward as a seller in today’s market may be taxing, it may be challenging, BUT IT’S NOT IMPOSSIBLE!!! You simply need to face reality and understand the market we are currently in.
It’s not easy.
I understand.
You feel as though your home is worth more.
I understand.
There is one mantra that I live by and that is….
“Market sets price, not seller”
This simply means that we cannot control what your home is worth to potential buyers in today’s or any market. Price and value in Real Estate is relative to market conditions. We can, however control factors that will allow you to obtain TOP DOLLAR in whichever market you are selling in.
Price correctly
It can be a big bullet to swallow when you hear what your home is worth in today’s market, especially since the wonderful bubble days are so easy to remember. We have to come to grips with reality however, and soon!! By overpricing you not only waste time, but you will be wasting money as well in the long run. Why? How? By overpricing your home in hopes of a buyer “negotiating down” to your true acceptance price you risk losing buyers ready to move now. When buyers or agents see overpriced listings they simply say to themselves “this seller isn’t serious” and in turn will often not waste the time or paper to make an offer. If you are serious about selling (and you shouldn’t be selling in this market if you are not) be sure to price correctly AND competitively.
So Fresh and So Clean
Inventory levels are through the roof!! With foreclosures, short sales and standard sales overstocking the “aisles” you need more then attractive pricing to lock in a buyer. What’s a simple and cheap way to stand out? Stay clean!! The amount of homes in disrepair and just plain dirty that I see on a daily basis never ceases to amaze me. How do you plan to sell a dirty house AND expect to get top dollar? It just doesn’t make sense… If you want to sell your car, you wash it right? If you want to make a good impression on a first date, you clean up, right? Why?
“You never get a second chance to make…..”
yea, yea, yea…. You know the rest. But it’s true!! And it rings truer in Real Estate then anywhere else. If potential purchasers walk in to a dirty home what do you think your impression of the house is going to be? Will it stand out in their minds? Well probably, but not for the right reasons. Listen up, buyers LOVE seeing a clean home – it gives them confidence that the home has been maintained well by you, that there will be less worries and unknowns that they will be walking into. Selling? CLEAN!!
Pssst….wanna buy the letter “M”?
Another great way to stand out and be more attractive to buyers in today’s market is to offer incentives to said buyer. Cash back at closing, pay their closing fee’s, buy them a home warranty, give them a credit for that old washer/dryer set, offer their agent a higher commission, throw in a jet-ski for that waterfront property, offer to pay for landscape service for the first year……get creative!!
Buyers know they have the power and there is nothing wrong with stroking that Ego! Let them know that you’re willing to do what it takes to make a sale go through. It may smart a bit now, but I promise you, when you sign that HUD statement at closing – you’ll be glad you did!!
Selling in today’s buyers market is not impossible. In reality it takes a gut check which many people (understandably) have a tough time doing. Just as you can’t control the stock market, you can’t control the Real Estate market. It just “is what it is”. It’s a new game people, and while you may feel like your on the losing end of the draw, with the right mindset – you CAN come out on top!
For more info and tips on selling in today’s market you can catch me on Comcast Newsmakers or visit me here.
I love politics. In essence it’s an interactive activity that ultimately results in the formation of public opinion; some positive and some negative. It’s also the process in which we elect our public officials. The folks we like, and convey our values and opinions, we elect; those who don’t, we oppose.
Running for office? First, grow some thick skin
Several years ago, I had the good fortune of running for political office, which resulted in my election to the position of Mayor of Miami Shores. The election process itself is a roller coaster ride, but the real work begins after the election. The two major things I remember about my tenure as the Village’s top elected official are:
* It’s a humbling experience to be elected, since, through their votes, so many constituents express their trust in you, to care for their city. Being a locally elected official is an awesome responsibility. Among other things, you are able to make a whole host of financial decisions that directly affecting your constituent’s personal budgets.
* No matter what decision you make, someone will not agree with you. The resulting conversation might include everything from your family lineage to how you’re using this office as a stepping stone.
Did I mention the paycheck I received as Mayor of Miami Shores was $1 a year? Most Shores elected officials never cashed those checks; we kept them as souvenirs. So, one year, when a council member did cash it, the Village Finance Department spent several months trying to figure out why there was a dollar discrepancy in its books.
There were many “take aways” from my time in office, one was; aside from the power why do people do this? Those who oppose your agenda come out in droves and are quite vocal. Those who agree with you are often in the background, usually happy with you championing their cause.
The Internet is taking politicians where they’ve never been before
Nationally, politics has been around since the first 13 colonies decided to unite. The fine art of seeking constituent support has gone through many transformations over the years but the most recent radical game-changing development to take place is the Internet. I don’t think many of those serving in public office understand how to use it – or how to respond to it.
It was only a few years ago, the masses formed opinions on public leaders through the media. Press secretaries did most of their schmoozing with newspaper reporters and electronic journalists. Now, due the magic of the Internet, for the first time, since maybe the 1st Continental Congress, voters can directly communicate with their elected representatives. This has turned out to be a blessing and a curse and for some public servants and the reason many have had to don a few new layers of Teflon.
Lately, it seems like we’ve become very polarized in our political stances and simultaneously we’ve seen the rhetoric ratchet up to new, unexplored levels through different social media vehicles and political blogs.
Welcome to the “middle of the political road”
Justin Sayfie has done his best to bring a sense of calmness back to the online political process. His Sayfie Review www.sayfiereview.com gathers all the political news throughout the state and presents it to you without commentary. It’s the web destination every Florida politician goes to in order to learn what newspapers and bloggers in Florida are saying about individuals and issues. We asked Sayfie to be on Newsmakers several years ago and enjoyed his rational, non-biased approach to politics so much that we asked back again and again.
Lately I’ve seen Sayfie on several network TV shows, commenting about Florida politics in same refreshing factual manner.
This month Sayfie makes another Newsmakers appearance talking about Florida’s volatile U.S. Senate race and the reason Governor Charlie Crist switched from the Republican Party to being an Independent. He thinks the Governor may have found a sweet spot between the Democratic and Republican candidates, but says we have a ways to go with a great deal of campaigning still remaining to take place between now and the general election in November.
One thing Sayfie said that stuck with me is; if Governor Crist’s strategy is successful and he wins the Florida Senate seat, this may be the beginning of a national trend towards a viable third party, something between very conservative Republicans and very liberal Democrats.
Again, the voters of the state of Florida will clearly be in the national spotlight as the nation evaluates another key decision this November.
Three things in life are certain, for those of us who call South Florida home: death, taxes and hurricane season.
Unforgetable Past
Some years, like in 2005, we were peppered with hurricanes all season long. That was the year we went “camping” for a few weeks after Hurricane Wilma took a right turn after hitting the Yucatan Peninsula and cut electric, cable and phone lines as well as a wide swath across South Florida. If you remember, that was also the year we ran out of, what the National Hurricane Center calls, Tropical Cyclone Names (there are only 21) and had to transition to the Greek alphabet. We ended that season with a Tropical Storm Zeta on Christmas week.
"that was also the year we ran out of ... Tropical Cyclone Names" - Spero Canton
Mental Fist Pumps
But there are other years when we watch these storm systems from afar. For the past 4 years we’ve seen various tropical systems dip south, turn north or die out due to wind shear. Every time that happens we all, at least subconsciously, do a little fist pump. We celebrate that we dodged the wrath of Mother Nature once again and quickly go back to our daily routine.
After four years of doing those mental fist pumps, all of us here in South Florida have become complacent; they call it hurricane amnesia, a condition that worries Emergency Management Directors and the folks at the National Weather Service.
Be Hurricane Prepared
Getting ready for hurricane season should be a yearly ritual for everyone in the “tropic cyclone” corridor, but, face it, we have a habit of procrastinating and waiting until “chicken little time” to get the provisions we need to ride out a storm.
Keep in mind, we all need three days worth of water, medication, food (freeze dried stuff is perfect), lots of batteries and a radio. I would also suggest a battery operated fan, a charcoal or gas grill and a good book along with lanterns for nighttime illumination. I just tell people up north that after a hurricane, we go camping in South Florida until electricity is restored.
I know you’re saying “we’ve been lucky for the past 4 years, why would things change this year?” And in reply, I’d say “the Atlantic Ocean is warm.”
Storm Science
Our newsmaker expert, Meteorologist Robert Molleida of the National Weather Service, tells us this month that the temperature of the Atlantic Ocean is the warmest it’s been in many years and La Niña, which was responsible for knocking down several storms last year with her wind shear, is taking a vacation this year. We think she’s either in Hawaii or Tahiti, so the conditions are ripe for some major hurricane activity right here in our back yard.
Hurricanes can be deadly and are always a hardship. You owe it to yourself, your family and loved ones to be prepared. Form a family plan. Gather all you need before the crowds clear off all the shelves at the local supermarket.
This year, let’s hope for the best, but prepare for worst.
It’s getting to the point where I can’t watch another news report on the uncontained oil gusher one mile beneath the Gulf of Mexico because it’s all bad news. To compound that sense of foreboding of what may come, and, in a way, mocking our inability to stop it, we have an ever-present fixed camera focused on the underwater gusher so we can all helplessly keep tabs on how fast and how much oil is leaking uncontained out of the pipes.
Spero's daughter married at the St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter
Heartwrenching Horror
New Orleans and the Gulf Coast hold a special place in the hearts of both me and my family. My wife, Chris, went to college at Springhill in Mobile, Alabama and has fond memories of spring parties on pristine Dauphin Island; two of my children obtained undergraduate degrees from Loyola, New Orleans, and I walked my daughter down the aisle at St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter. We all got to know the Gulf Coast very well over the years, so to some degree every person in my immediate family is in some phase of mourning over this situation.
Spero's sons graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans
What adds to our frustration is that even though we can see what’s happening, the environment one mile beneath the Gulf, appears to be more hostile than the surface of the moon. Even though we have ways to walk in the weightless vacuum of a lunar crater, we don’t seem to have any technology that would permit a human being to submerge to that depth. So like a page from a Marvel comic book; remote control robots have been given the responsibility of saving the areas ecosystem. Where is Aquaman when you need him?!
What’s Next?
We couldn’t reach the Superhero, but on this month’s Newsmakers we interview the next best thing and approach this issue from a “where do we go from here” perspective. Associate Dean of Research at the UM Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science , Dr. Robert Cowen, looks at probable scenarios on how all the oil and dispersants will affect fish, wildlife, and where it may go. He’s worried, not because of what we know, but because of what’s unknown. He is trying to keep track of where the all the spewing oil is going, but because of its depth (one mile beneath the surface) influences like currents going in different directions at various levels are making the plumes hard to track.
Since the earliest days of the spill UM's Center for Southeastern Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing (C-STARS) has been involved in monitoring the spill. This is an aerial view of the oil slick taken June 23, 2010.
After talking to him, it’s clear that all the speculation going on now gives us only the possibilities of what may happen, but everything, from the severity of the spill to where the oil travels, will most likely change weeks and months from now. One thing that is for certain that the repercussions of this disaster will be felt in our region for years, maybe even decades, to come.
- Spero Canton
Check out Dr. Robert Cowen’s full interviews available on Comcast On Demand > Get Local > Comcast Newsmakers
You can catch the Crime in Miami series on COMCAST ON DEMAND –> GET LOCAL –> COMCAST NEWSMAKERS. Search for MOBSTERS OF MIAMI and COURTROOM SHOCKERS.
Have you ever thought about the city or area we live in?
Miami is like a guy. Think about it. The sordid bad boy past, too many beautiful women, bad manners, and a little dirty. Miami was that guy you should never like and could never bring home to the family. A few years later, you have to see him at your high school reunion. You dreaded the idea of running into him, but when you did, you noticed a few changes. He’s cleaned up. He’s rich, not just financially; he’s rich in history. He’s cultured. Holy smokes, he’s suddenly hot! What started out as a dreaded reunion turns into a full-blow love affair.
The Magic City is like that guy you were totally disgusted by and then you run into him a few years down the line and you end up dating instead. It happened to me, and it can happen to you.
A Little Backstory
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not a big fan of Miami. It’s ironic coming from a girl born in Miami-Dade County. It may be psychological, but I’ve always felt that once I cross the county line, all of a sudden traffic gets heavier, people get meaner, and things get more expensive for NO APPARENT REASON! Yes, I hated Miami. If it were a man, I would’ve never considered dating him.
That all changed after covering a story in downtown Miami, a piece called Crime in Miami.
The Reunion
When I first drove into Downtown, I realized how much Miami has changed and cleaned up. No longer did it seem dirty. Bayfront Park looked more like Central Park. I found many young professionals walking towards Starbucks on the corner of Flagler Street and Miami Court. People were sitting outside Jimmy Johns and other great eateries having a bite to eat and enjoying the day. Right across the street was the beautiful Dade County Courthouse. It seems like any old building when you drive by, but once inside you’ll find it’s a jewel full of historical secrets.
Did you know the Dade County Courthouse was once located 10 miles north of what is Palm Beach today? In 1904, the building was moved to its current location. Then 20 years later, because of the rapid growth of the city, the courthouse was turned into the magnificent structure you see today. One of the original courtrooms is 6-1. What makes it extraordinary? It’s hosted some of the most famous and fascinating cases in American history.
We interviewed 11th Circuit Court Judge Scott Silverman. He’s also the Dade County Courthouse historian. Silverman is a plethora of knowledge of the county’s law history. I could sit and listen to him for hours. (You can see him on Comcast OnDemand under Get Local – Newsmakers). From prohibition to a 1960’s Million-Dollar Murder to political turmoil, Miami has seen it all.
Suddenly, that sordid past was captivating and alluring. It gave Miami it’s depth.
Head Over Heels
Soon after, our videographer and editor Jess and I headed over to HistoryMiami (formerly known as the Historical Museum of Southern Florida). The museum is holding an exhibit now through August called, Crime in Miami, which is where we originally got the idea to do a series for Get Local on Comcast On Demand. The museum is tucked inside the Cultural Center – a Spanish-style courtyard – along with the Miami Dade County Library and the Miami Art Museum (MAM). Once we walked up the ramp, all I could think was, “What a beautiful area!” It was then and there that it happened. I fell in love with the city I once dreaded.
* Take a look at the top of the post to see one of the interviews left on the cutting room floor. You can also see the video on our Facebook page, hence why I say “Facebook friends.”
In the U.S. wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day has long been tradition. However, in Ireland, the color was long believed to be considered unlucky. Green was considered the color of the faeries and children wearing green were thought to be vulnerable to kidnappings by the faeries. Even more interesting, the color of the Order of St. Patrick isn’t green. It’s blue, and St. Patrick wasn’t originally Irish. He was first brought to Ireland as a slave captured from Britain, and later returned to Ireland as a missionary. Lastly, custom dictates that wearing green means you sympathize with Catholics and wearing orange means you sympathize with Protestants. The idea of wearing orange on St. Patrick’s comes from Protestants being known as “oranges” after Protestant William Orange defeated the Catholic King James in 1690. The actual wearing of orange on St. Patrick’s came later, though.
Friday, March 12, 2010 and Saturday, March 13th, 2010 Show begins at 8 p.m.
See a comedy show by the Jove at the Atlantic Center for the Arts. The show will include improv sketches and musical parodies based on audience suggestions. When is improv not a good time?
Saturday, March 13, 2010 Festival begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 9 p.m. at Huizenga DDA Plaza Parade begins at 2 p.m. (Las Olas Blvd)
Cultural games, currach racing & hurling, & continuous live music, entertainment, dance performances, games, amusements, yummy Irish treats, & contests. Governor Crist will be there as the parades Grand Marshal. Heck, there’s even going to be SHEEP HERDING! To find out more about the Fourt Lauderdale St. Patrick’s Day festival, go to OnDemand, Get Local, and select Newsmakers.
Saturday, March 13, 2010 Celebrations begin at 11 a.m. at Old School Square and end at 7:30 pm.
Parade begins at 2 p.m. (Atlantic Avenue from Gleason Street to Swinton Ave)
This parade has a funny history. According to Delray Beach legend, a man named Maury Power was a bit ticked off that there was no St. Patties Day festivities in South Florida. When he shared these frustrations with his friends, his buddies did what any good friends would do: Filled him with Irish whiskey and told him to start his own parade right then. Filled with liquid courage, Maury found a top hat and shilelagh (that cane looking thing leprechauns are usually pictured with), and he took a stroll up Atlantic Avenue while his friends enjoyed a good laugh. When someone asked what he was doing, he responded “I’m having a parade!”… and there you have it. Delray Beach’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Firefighters from all over the country have been invited to participate in this year’s parade, and firetrucks will be used as part of the parade’s decor. If you ask us, it sounds pretty cool! Did we mention that beer will be $3-4 througout the celebration? Wonder if it’ll be green.
Sunday, March 14 at 1 p.m.at John Martins Irish Pub in Coral Gables.
Yes, you read right: Whiskey for Brunch. John Martins Irish Pub will be hosting an Bushmill’s Irish Whiskey Brunch tasting. Guests will taste a 10 year single malt, 16 year single malt, 21 year single malt. The tasting will end with Bushmill’s Celebratory 1608. We promise not to call you a lush.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 Street fair will take place on Salzedo & Aragon Ave. beginning at 5 p.m.
You’ve probably noticed that most of the celebrations are taking place on the weekend before St. Patrick’s. However, we found one celebration that will take place on March 17th. The Annual Irish St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, hosted by John Martins Irish Pub, the celebration will have a U2 tribute band and plenty of Irish food. John Martin’s will be serving a traditional Irish menu, and Irish street food, like corned beef sandwiches or fish and chips, will be available outdoors at the fair.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Island Queen Cruises (Bayside)
Boarding begins at 9 p.m.
Here’s something you probably haven’t done before. Instead of hanging out with a rowdy group of Irish and Irish-for-the-day in a bar, you can hang out with them on a boat! Unlimited beer and wine with Irish hors d’ouevres.
Much like the first St. Patrick’s Day parade, Corned Beef Hash originated in the U.S., not in Ireland. The traditional dish is actually Irish Bacon and Cabbage, but poor Irish immigrants began substituting corned beef hash into the dish because it was cheaper (a trick they learned from their Jewish neighbors in New York.)
We’d tell you to just “wear the green”, but seeing you dressed up as a leprechaun would be so much more fun! However, before you rent a costume, know the history of the Leprechaun. The image of a leprechaun as a happy, jolly, little fellow is, once again, an American creation. (Thanks Disney!) In Irish tradition, Leprechauns like to fly solo, are cranky, and mischievous. So if you feel like being antisocial on St. Patrick’s, you can just tell everyone you’re celebrating it as an authentic leprechaun.
This is my first blog! I’m very excited. I had to think for a while what I should write about. Then, it dawned on me while I was reading my “daily cup” of news this morning. In the Herald today, there was a story about the campaign to remove the r-word. The controversy is like the one over the n-word. The word itself has become taboo, and soon, I hope, the r-word will too.We recently had on Comcast Newsmakers 2 guests representing Best Buddies: Cynthia Gaye and Kristian Chima. Kristian is mentally disabled, but it has not stopped him from being an amazing student. He is a Buddy Ambassador and a Buddy Director at Mast Academy. When I met him at the studio, it seemed as if the room lit up. The day had been really long. I was a little tired because our taping days run from 7:30 in the morning to 6 in the evening. On those days, I get up at 5 in the morning to be at the studio by 7:00 am. I’m usually the first one to arrive and last one to leave. A typical day in a producer’s world. However, when I met Kristian, you can tell he was very excited about the show. It put the biggest smile on my face . It was refreshing to see someone so happy about a taping. Very often, we may get guests who are used to doing television interviews. They know the protocol, which, I won’t complain, is very helpful. But when I see a child like Kristian light up for his very first interview, it really does makes me feel that I am doing good in this world. Kristian did remarkably well. A little nervous, but none-the-less, very well. You can check out his interview with Cynthia Gaye of Best Buddies on Comcast Channel 29 on CNN Headline News throughout this month. If you watch it, let me know what you think of it.
It’s children like Kristian that made me rethink how I use the r-word. Kristian and others like him are everything but the r-word. They are smart, loving, cheerful and full of life.
I admit I’m guilty of using the word the wrong way, but since that interview I vowed to never use the word again. I hope you can make the same promise to SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD!
