Cub reporter and congrats
My nephew Chris Valcarcel coaching on the sidelines, an intense look on his face.
This week, I kick off the blog with a huge congratulations to my nephew Chris Valcarcel who has been named Head Coach at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton, FL where he was an assistant coach and is also a great history teacher. Congrats Chris! Click here to read the article in the Herald-Tribune.
Nick and Geno at the Best Buddies Friendship Walk.
Now, here’s some fun stuff that happened this past week, starting with the annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk, at LoanDepot Park. Thanks to my sisters Ana and Mari, my great niece Haley and Monica for coming out and walking with us. Of course, we were the last ones to leave because Nick had to stay and dance until the DJ packed up his gear!
Yissy Garcia, far right on the drums and the all-star line-up of guests closing out the Women on the Drums show.
On Saturday night I went to the Miami Beach Bandshell to the Women on the Drums concert featuring a whole bunch of amazing female drummers and bongo players. It was one long jam session with headliner Yissy Garcia and a bunch of special guests she brought out on stage to play with her. The opener Marypaz & Electro-Percussion were great too. Click on the link above to see what’s coming up at this cool waterfront venue.
Delicious chocolates on display and for sampling at the F&B@Sea convention in Wynwood.
I have to give a special shoutout to my husband Vance who recommended me for a great writing gig this week. Wednesday and Thursday I transformed into Josie Gulliksen, on site reporter at the F&B@Sea convention, a sister event to the yearly Sea Trade Cruise Shipping Convention at the Miami Beach Convention Center. It was fun but also lots of pressure because I had to produce two stories when I got home on Thursday and finish a third one today. And I’ve got one more to write, a big feature article encapsulating the two days. Click here to read one and click here to read the other. It was great having Vance edit the articles before I submitted them, his expertise really helped polish them up!
Of course, I can’t write my blog without mentioning the outcome of our weekly trivia night and I’m happy to report we took first place!
Aside from the cruise food and beverage articles, I also wrote a few articles for the Biscayne Times this week. They aren’t published yet but I’m very proud of them and will share the links when they are. They’re about a couple of artists — the late Ray Rolston from Key West and local artist Rosa Henriquez who is a longtime friend — whose stories I felt honored to tell.
I can say that I’m already looking forward to Sunday when we’re heading to Islamorada for the day for a stop at Robbie’s Marina. I’ve been wanting to get away to the Keys for a while and a little day trip for some lunch and to feed the tarpon from the dock there is always a good time.
Hazel with her walking stick on the trail
Pooltime for Joaquin “Jojo”. I think he’s having a good time right? Just look at that smile!
And lastly, a few adorable parting shots of my great niece Hazel on a hike with her Dad, my nephew Tony, in Seattle and adorable Joaquin (Jojo) Elena (my niece) and AJ’s son having some pooltime in the backyard, bubbles and all.
See you all next week and until then… be kind, be well and spread love. Peace out…
