At times like these we must remind ourselves of Scarlett’s credo that “Tomorrow is another day!”, because there is hope. Last week my sister sent me an email. In Big, Shiny Bold Letters followed by many exclamation points was this statement - GONE WITH THE WIND IS A MUSICAL!!!! Oh what bliss! My immediate reply - WHO? WHEN? WHERE? I didn’t bother to wait for her answers. I quickly googled “Gone With the Wind Musical” and was immediately dealt a crushing blow. For the moment it is only playing in London. LONDON! I felt like Scarlett when she had to watch another woman marry her beloved Ashley! How come they get to have it and not us?

Well, I immediately set about trying to convince my husband that it was absolutely necessary for us to travel to London this summer. Needless to say, he was a little skeptical. “Maybe you should read the reviews first honey.” He might as well have said “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” I wanted to scream “I’m going to London if I have to walk every step of the way! … If I have to Lie, Cheat, Steal or Kill…” Fine, if I must! … I checked the reviews. Sigh. They were all over the place. Some said the Musical bordered on ridiculous, others thought it was mediocre at best and some people absolutely loved it and thought the Actors were “Brilliant!”. Hmmmm. Maybe I’ll wait until it comes to Broadway….

If you have heard anything about this, I would be grateful for the input. I think the Musical is still in the previews stage and they are probably still trying to work out all the kinks. I would appreciate any opinions or information you might have about the show! I’m still holding out for London!

Sienna Villas is located just across from the Miccosukee Golf and Country Club, perfect for avid players. Residents also take advantage of the marked path around the course for walking, running, roller-blading and bicycling. A few miles down the road is the area of Horse Country for those who enjoy riding. Listed at just $260,000, this Townhouse is a Spectacular deal. Own this Spacious 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath home in Sienna Villas and enjoy everything Kendale Lakes has to offer.

The “A” rated Whispering Pines Elementary is within walking distance of most homes. While the Whispering Pines Lake is private to residents who live on the lake, it has become the standard route for a pleasant morning or evening walk. The lake is also the hot spot for Halloween Trick-or-Treating and the route for the annual 4th of July bike parade which ends with a picnic at Whispering Pines Park. Also located within Whispering Pines are several natural Pineland Preserves.

It’s convenient location between US1 and Old Cutler Road makes it an easy commute to Dadeland, Coral Gables, Downtown and the Beaches. Located within Cutler Bay are two Publix shopping centers, Southland Mall with the new Regal Cinemas, and Black Point Marina. Also, it’s just a 45 minute drive to Key Largo!

My new listing has the best that Whispering Pines can offer. It’s a charming 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath home located on a large corner lot just two blocks from Whispering Pines Elementary, Park and Lake. The Updated Kitchen with Wood Cabinetry and Stainless Steel Appliances, Bonus Room that can be used as a 4th Bedroom, and the Sparkling Pool with Slide and Tiki Hut make this an ideal home for a growing family who likes to have fun and entertain. Don’t miss this opportunity to live the Whispering Pines Lifestyle!

You know the old saying - “It takes a village to raise a child”, well Palmetto Bay has decided it would rather be the Village that Rips Off a child. I was present at the Village of Palmetto Bay council meeting last night (September 10, 2007) to show support for the Palmetto Bay Broncos, a non-profit Football and Cheerleading organization. Since 1972 the Palmetto Bay Broncos have provided a valuable service to their community. Their organization promotes Scholarship, Sportsmanship, Discipline, and Team Spirit, all valuable qualities to be instilled in our children. My daughter is Cheerleading for her third season with the Broncos this year. Every person who works with this organization is a Volunteer. They dedicate 20 to 30 hours a week of their time towards a valuable community service.

The Village Council does not see it this way. Apparently, Mayor Eugene Flinn does not think an organization that provides organized, structured activity for 450 children, 3-4 days a week is a valuable community service. He’d rather have the money. He is proposing that the Village should charge each child $15.00 for the privilige of using a public park. He also wants to charge fees for using the picnic tables and taking pictures in the park. Maybe $15.00 doesn’t sound like a lot to you. However, some people have more than one child and some people live paycheck to paycheck. Unexpected expenses such as these can throw off an already tight budget. In a community were residents are already feeling the crunch of high taxes, high mortgages and high insurance rates, is it really fair to charge them twice for a park that should be free to the community? Are they going to start charging for the air we breath next?

Throughout the meeting Mayor Flinn kept harping on his self-proclaimed slogan for the Village. It’s the Village of Parks! It’s the Village of Parks! Well it is now. There is a brand new Dog Park and Meditation Park. Not to mention all those beautiful new roadsigns that will make beautiful projectiles the next time a storm blows through. And how about those gorgeous new gazebos that were placed at the far end of Coral Reef Park? They have since rusted and had to be removed so they can be replaced. What exactly do they need all this money from our children for? I’ve been going to that park for over twenty-five years. It is the same beautiful park its always been. There have been a few minor changes but on the whole I cannot see any reason to start charging people who have been using the park for thirty-five years.

About twenty people - professionals, parents & children - stood up to speak against this proposal and even more came to the meeting to show their support. All of them were ignored. The council has their own plans for their Village. It’s the Village of Parks - for those who can afford to pay.