POD - a little family time - Spring Break R & R - side trip to Hoboken NJ

Family time. One is away at college. The younger had her spring break last week.  Fun times in New York, seeing several shows and a day trip with my daughter to Hoboken, New Jersey, while Alex tended to some business.

"Cake Boss" - Carlo's Bake Shop.  A fun side trip.

Daughter meeting one of the family members.

Earth Hour 2014 - are you in?

Is anyone in Palmetto Bay participating in Earth Hour tonight?

I have always enjoyed promoting this very simple event. It only takes dimming your lights for a single hour to make a statement (but promotes activities and conservation that should be practiced throughout the year). When I served as Mayor, I enjoyed invitations to enjoy some great candlelit outdoor parties to jointly mark the event.  Fun times for a great purpose.

 

Cities around the world have dimmed their lights to take part in WWF’s Earth Hour over the years. Sydney’s Harbor Bridge and the Opera House had their illuminating lights turned off for an hour as part of the annual environmental campaign to encourage people to turn off unnecessary lights and waste less energy. London landmarks including the Palace of Westminster, the London Eye and the Gherkin are set to dim their lights for an hour starting at 8.30pm on Saturday.

 

Go to Earth Hour.org for more information.

 

New York is participating. The Intercontinental Barclay has posted this sign proudly annoucing its participation:

 

Thinking locally, in considering a great place to spend Earth Hour, I am thinking that it would be a great night to take the family to Bill Sadowski Park,and Nature Preserve a County Park in Palmetto Bay, 17500 SW 78th Ave, where the Southern Cross Astronomical Society puts out its telescopes each Saturday evening from 8 - 10:00 PM, "weather" permitting. It is a great event to come to view, solo or with friends and/or the family. 

St. Patrick’s Day - 2014

lá sona ú Pádraig

From History dot com:   St. Patrick’s Day

Every year on March 17, the Irish and the Irish-at-heart across the globe observe St. Patrick’s Day. What began as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland has become an international festival celebrating Irish culture with parades, dancing, special foods and a whole lot of green.

Photo of the day - 3-11-14 - biking home the road less travelled

My route has much less traffic. Lately, I have been taking the South Dade Bike Trail between my Palmetto Bay home to the office at Datran II, weather permitting.

Important breaking news from FOX news: Pug Picks Fight With K9, SWAT Team During Standoff

As reported on FOX NEWS - This is most important video you’ll watch all day. A pug took on a SWAT team that was trying to negotiate with an armed suspect who barricaded himself in his Phoenix home.  In the middle of the four-hour standoff, the pug broke through the police barrier and started a fight with a K9 dog.

CLICK HERE to view.

Time moves forward Sunday - daylight time begins in the United States. Set your clocks back one hour Sat night/Sun AM, March 9: How to Spring Forward - ABC News

Ready or not – so brace yourself: This Sunday AM, March 9, 2014, the second Sunday in March, we lose an hour as clocks are set ahead one hour at 2:00 a.m. local standard time, which becomes 3:00 a.m. local daylight time.

Good morning! Don't worry, we get that hour back in November.

Safety note: It's also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke alarms.

Spring forward? The next few weeks will be even more challenging to those of us that find it tough enough to get our kids up and off to school on time.
Do you know when the U.S. and Canada established time zones and for what reasons? Click “Read more” below to find out the history and official information posted on the Naval Oceanography Portal, The United States Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC)

CLICK HERE to read the full history of Daylight Time in the U.S. as posted on the Naval Oceanography Portal, The United States Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC).

Are you one who can ‘remember when’? (again, from NMOC) During the "energy crisis" years, Congress enacted earlier starting dates for daylight time. In 1974, daylight time began on 6 January and in 1975 it began on 23 February. After those two years the starting date reverted back to the last Sunday in April. In 1986, a law was passed that shifted the starting date of daylight time to the first Sunday in April, beginning in 1987. The ending date of daylight time was not subject to such changes, and remained the last Sunday in October. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 changed both the starting and ending dates. Beginning in 2007, daylight time starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

Daylight Saving Time 2014: How to Spring Forward - ABC News

This article hits it hard. "For most people, a 23-hour Sunday means a mildly sleepy Monday. But for some -- particularly those who aren't big on mornings to begin with -– daylight saving time takes a toll on mood and productivity, earning blame for car accidents, workplace injuries and stock market dips."

How long does it take you to "recover" from the 'Spring forward' time change?

Sucker e-mail? Looks like someone is phishing. I recommend that you pass.

I delete so many e-mails both at work and on my home e-mail.  Can this be anything other than a phishing expedition? Who falls for this? E-mail me in 24 hours to see if I was wrong and blocked from further e-mail use (the classic "threat" to get you to participate).

CLICK HERE to see the definition of "Phishing" and the harm it will cause.
_____________________________________________
From: Yahoo! Member Service <kvl@bellsouth.net>
To:
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2014 5:59 AM
Subject: E-Mail Upgrade

Due to the recent upgrade in our SSL server to serve you better, Please note that all users are mandated to update their login details in other to enjoy the new upgrade. You would be blocked from sending and receiving emails if not confirmed within 24hrs of receiving this automated mail.

You are required to update through the link below.

UPDATE

Thanks for using Yahoo!
Yahoo Team.

________________________________________________

See Microsoft Safety and Security center for more information on: How to recognize phishing email messages, links, or phone calls

Phishing email messages, websites, and phone calls are designed to steal money. Cybercriminals can do this by installing malicious software on your computer or stealing personal information off of your computer.

Cybercriminals also use social engineering to convince you to install malicious software or hand over your personal information under false pretenses. They might email you, call you on the phone, or convince you to download something off of a website.

Keeping it light today - Happy Fat Tuesday

It was an intense day yesterday so I am keeping it light today. This may be all I post for torday.

Happy Fat Tuesday

Check out Mardi Gras New Orleans for more information about out this day is celebrated in the "Big Easy."

CLICK HERE to view information regarding the Catholic Roots of Mardi Gras provided through American Catholic.org.

Lent starts tomorrow with Ash Wednesday.  The Easter celebration coincides this year for both Western and Eastern Orthodox faiths.

A great day for a picnic - Palmetto Bay celebration - March 1, 2014

The Village is now up to the Twelfth Annual Celebration Picnic and it was held on Saturday, March 1st.  Thank you to our first Vice Mayor Linda Robinson and the original Special Events Committee for starting such a wonderful tradition.  Fun was had by all who attended.

As we have done annually since our first year of incorporation, Palmetto Bay holds this signature event as our way of saying “thank you” to all of the residents.  This year’s picnic offers something for everyone - entertainment provided by local schools, children’s activities, rides, demonstrations by local agencies, and, of course, food - including everyone’s favorite roasted corn on-the-cob.

Alexandra and I arrived at noon and the tents were set up and staff/volunteers were working to make the event a success.

Our bikes were safely left with the Green Mobility Bicycle Valet - also seen at larger events such as the Deering Seafood Festival. It was a beautiful day to take our bikes to the park and we avoided any parking issues.  Thank you Green Mobility Network and PBay resident Eric Tullberg! I was told that there were 77 bicycles checked in at the Bike Valet for this event.  Great work!

The Palmetto Bay Policing Unit also gave away approximately 250 bicycle helmets.

Games were ongoing upon our arrival - kids playing yard tennis.

My brother and his family were also in attendance (I am pictured with my sister-in-law and my niece is hidden by the corn on the cob).

Again, a beautiful day for a picnic.  Attendees had a great time meeting up with friends.

All good things have to come to an end. The 2014 PBay Celebration Picnic closed down at 2:00 PM sharp. Those who stayed to the end were treated to a take away of delicious Krispy Kreme donuts - seen on the racks to the right of the photo. I am unfortunately off donuts and I was 'unable' to take my share home to the kids - one of the few drawbacks to taking the bicycles to the PBay celebration.

Village Staff were on hand to assist village residents in taking the DRTF survey.  Take the survey and be entered to win a grill.