World Autism Awareness Day: April 2 - Light It Up Blue campaign

April 2 the day that people across the country and around the globe commemorate World Autism Awareness Day. It is a day of promise and a time for us to lend our hearts and minds to all who live with autism.

Living with a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects the entire family—parents, siblings, and in some families, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Meeting the complex needs of a person with an ASD can put families under a great deal of stress—emotional, financial, and sometimes even physical.

See one of my prior posts regarding past participation in World Autism Awareness Day: April 2 - Light It Up Blue campaign - for World Autism Awareness Day.

My time in a dunk tank at past Palmetto Bay picnic to raise money for Autism Speaks .

Palmetto Bay Village Hall - Lit up in blue for World Autism Day

The Light It Up Blue campaign is dedicated to raising awareness of autism. The initiative is generally associated with Autism Speaks (CLICK HERE to view the  "Light It Up Blue / Autism Speaks campaign site). It is intended to raise international awareness of autism in support of both World Autism Awareness Day and Autism Awareness Month in the United States.
#autismspeaks #autismawareness #liub #lightitupblue #palmettobay

World Autism Awareness Day: April 2 - Light It Up Blue campaign

Today is April 2 - World Autism Awareness Day - recognized by the United Nations since 2007.  This is a day that people across the country and around the globe will commemorate World Autism Awareness Day. It is a day of promise and a time for us to lend our hearts and minds to all who live with autism.

See one of my prior posts regarding past participation in World Autism Awareness Day: April 2 - Light It Up Blue campaign - for World Autism Awareness Day.

My time in a dunk tank at past Palmetto Bay picnic to raise money for Autism Speaks .

Palmetto Bay Village Hall - Lit up in blue for World Autism Day

The Light It Up Blue campaign is dedicated to raising awareness of autism. The initiative is generally associated with Autism Speaks (CLICK HERE to view the  "Light It Up Blue / Autism Speaks campaign site). It is intended to raise international awareness of autism in support of both World Autism Awareness Day and Autism Awareness Month in the United States.
#autismspeaks #autismawareness #liub #lightitupblue #palmettobay

April 2 - Light It Up Blue campaign - for World Autism Awareness Day

On April 2, 2015, people across the country and around the globe will commemorate World Autism Awareness Day, sanctioned by the United Nations in 2007. It is a day of promise and a time for us to lend our hearts and minds to all who live with autism.

Palmetto Bay joins with Autism Speaks, as part of this global effort, to sponsor the sixth annual Light It Up Blue campaign. Autism Speaks celebrates ten years of progress as the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization.

Light It Up Blue is a global initiative aiming to increase autism awareness by, quite literally, lighting the world up blue.

Last year, over 10,000 iconic buildings, businesses, and homes, spread over every continent, lit up blue. This included dozens of major city halls, state capitol buildings, and governors’ mansions in the U.S. as well as numerous landmarks such as the South Pole, Empire State Building, and even the International Space Station!

This April, we plan to expand our reach to raise awareness about autism and light up even more buildings around the globe. Consider participating in Light It Up Blue by lighting up Palmetto Bay’s neighborhood in blue lights. 

CLICK HERE to view the Palmetto Bay official web site to ;earn more about the local Palmetto Bay participation.

World Autism Awareness Day: April 2 - Light It Up Blue

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day - and it has been recognized by the United Nations since 2007. 

This is a day that people across the country and around the globe will commemorate World Autism Awareness Day. It is a day of promise and a time for us to lend our hearts and minds to all who live with autism.

See one of my prior posts regarding past participation in World Autism Awareness Day: April 2 - Light It Up Blue campaign - for World Autism Awareness Day.

Past photo of Palmetto Bay Village Hall lit up in Blue for World Autism Awareness Day, April 2

Palmetto Bay's Unique Abilities Fair / Jonathan's Day - Sat., Dec. 3rd from 10 am to 1 pm

Join us at Coral Reef Park on Saturday for Jonathan's Day. 

What is Jonathan's Day?  Watch the video from "Focus on South Florida", WBFS, MyTV33, Rudabeh Shahbazi, as Jonathan Mirzrachi, the 12 year old namesake of Jonathan's Day, talks about this event with his mother, Melinda Mizrachi, to provide details on the purpose of this wonderful event: Focus On South Florida: Jonathan's Day: The University of Miami and Nova University's 'Center for Autism and Related Disabilities' are on a mission.

You're invited to Palmetto Bay's Unique Abilities Fair -Jonathan's Day, a Day of Community Discovery, Saturday, Dec. 3rd from 10 am to 1 pm at Coral Reef Park.

Jonathan's Day will be a day filled with food, fun, and programming to raise community awareness about children with autism and other vulnerable populations and their families. Read more. RSVP with us today or click here to make a donation!

The University of Miami and Nova University’s “Center for Autism and Related Disabilities” are on a mission — to provide support and assistance to people with autism, and to help families of children diagnosed with the disorder.

 

‘Jonathan’s Day’ Returns To Palmetto Bay - December 9 from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Coral Reef Park

All are welcomed to join in and participate in this fun and information filled event!

The event is being held in conjunction with the University of Miami/Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD). CARD is a non-profit organization providing direct services to thousands of South Florida families affected by autism.

All are welcome to Jonathan’s Day on December 9 from 8:00 a.m. to noon.

CLICK HERE to view official CBS 4 online information regarding Jonathan's Day 2017.

CLICK HERE to view the official Palmetto Bay online information regarding Jonathan's Day 2017.

CLICK HERE to view a prior post regarding Palmetto Bay's first Jonathan's Day:  November 28, 2016, Palmetto Bay's Unique Abilities Fair / Jonathan's Day

The Village of Palmetto Bay is committed to fostering inclusion in our community by implementing and promoting positive programs that benefit children of all ages and all abilities.  In its 2nd consecutive year in Palmetto Bay, this day of inclusion and acceptance is named after South Florida's very own Jonathan Mizrachi, the 13-year-old son of a CBS 4 Miami News employee.  Despite being autistic, Jonathan's fearless attitude toward life defines him much more so than his condition, and his exceptional outlook is something to be celebrated.  The event serves to connect parents, friends and families to resources and information that enrich the lives of children with unique abilities in a fun and celebratory outdoor environment.

The event will take place on December 9th at the beautiful Coral Reef Park, located at 7895 SW 152nd Street, from 8 am until noon.  Everyone is welcome to Jonathan's Day; Fun in Palmetto Bay; all kids, all abilities, all ages!  Just come prepared to have a great time.  Don't miss being part of the community connection that makes Palmetto Bay the best place to live, work and play.

                                         Thank You to Our Supporters

Palmetto Bay is thankful to have the support from the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD) and the Association of Agencies (AOA), along with that of CBS 4 Miami News.  These organizations are key service providers for individuals and families with unique abilities, and they continue to pledge their commitment to these families by supporting events such as Jonathan's Day.
(information above from the Village web page for Jonathan's Day)

Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation sets legislative priorities for 2013 session

The Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation (the delegation is made up of the State Representatives and State Senators who represent Miami-Dade County) met in Tallahassee last week to set legislative and appropriations priorities for the 2013 session. 

This means that it would have been good legislative practice to make your legislative priorities known to your representatives prior to this meeting. 

The group met and priority items were set in a consensus process wherein only items that were unanimously agreed upon by all members present were included in this year’s list of critical items.  Note that the Dolphin’s Stadium upgrade funding was NOT one such item.  See the Miami Herald online, 2/7/13: Miami-Dade lawmakers mum on stadium tax deal for Dolphins, reporting that The Miami-Dade delegation of lawmakers finalized a list of 2013 priorities that is conspicuously silent on the controversial Dolphins stadium deal

What are the stated priorities? This year’s priorities involve (in no particular order) Citizen Property Insurance, affordable housing, funding for foster care, autism, and vision care through the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind. Items from last year that were retained were funding for Jackson Hospital, the FIU Medical School, and Farm Share.

Photos of the Day - April 2, 2015 - #LIUB - Dress Barn welcomed to PBay

I am proud that Palmetto Bay is participating with people around the globe to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day, Palmetto Bay Village Hall was bathed in Blue as part of this global effort, the sixth annual Light It Up Blue campaign. 

 

The Village council also welcomed a new business to our Village.  Dress Barn officially "Cut the Ribbon" on Thursday, April 2, 2015.  Welcome to the neighborhood.

(pictured right) Dressbarn (Palmetto Bay) Store Manager Melissa Heckman receives an official welcome.  Dress Barn opened at the Colonial Palms Plaza, 13605 South Dixie Highway, Palmetto Bay.

This was an event "well suited*" for coverage by MiamiHal (CLICK HERE to view the video)

CLICK HERE to view official Palmetto Bay coverage of this event

*original pun, courtesy of the official village PIO.

Focus On South Florida: Jonathan’s Day 3

Focus On South Florida: Jonathan’s Day 3: 'Jonathan's Day,' named after Jonathan Mizrachi, the son of a CBS4 Miami employee, is a station-sponsored event that supports children with autism and their families.
I was honored to appear on the public affairs show “Focus on South Florida” hosted by Rudabeh Shahbazi.  Dr. Jennifer Durocher, Clinical Dir., NSU/Card and I are part of the team working to promote the 3rd annual Jonathan’s Day (hosted for the second year here in Palmetto Bay!). Please make plans to participate.