My 1-Minute Conversation w/Michelle Obama: Pt. 1

Over a week ago, my dear husband bought me a ticket to a political fundraiser out here on Long Island with Michelle Obama as the speaker.  Little did I know that the table I was to be placed at filled with strangers would be dead center in front of the stage where a woman whom I deeply admire as a woman, wife, and mother would stand a few feet away.

FLOTUS is holding my hand....

After she spoke to the room firing us up for this year’s election, she told us that this election was about 4th graders (all students).  It’s about making sure the Pell Grant was available so that our 4th graders can attend college and not graduate with massive debt like both Michelle and I.  It is about empowering and keeping teachers in the classroom.  This election is about jobs, and much more.  This speech really got my attention because I want to see all children succeed in life. When her speech ended, after she shared her love for Barack and how she fell in love with his character, as I did my husband, she left the stage and began to shake hands with the audience.  I was one of those people thanks to Lynbrook swim coach T.J. Moore who graciously gave me his space in the receiving line.

Still talking...

As I stood patiently waiting for FLOTUS to reach me, I sat there wondering what in the world am I going to say to her?  To my immediate left was former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi who I need to apologize to.  I knew who he was but was so focused on FLOTUS that I didn't fully engage in conversation with him the way I should have but, I was star struck at the moment.  The last time I saw her in the White House, I asked her to come closer to take a photo with me, but being that I was in the second row of the auditorium, I was unable to.  She said I needed to come down a row, but had to keep moving.  I missed that opportunity.  I wasn't missing out on this one.  I didn’t just want to say,“Thank you.”  I didn’t want to miss out on an opportunity to make this meeting with the first African American First Lady of the United States significant.  I wanted to have a story to tell my daughter, to tell my children and grandchildren about the time I met an historical icon.  I met the FIRST African American First Lady of the United States.

The morning of this event, I had just attended a PTA meeting where the parents were hammering the speaker about the new school lunch mandate.  Bingo!  That’s what I can talk with her about.  And that’s what I did. I'll tell you how the conversation went...tomorrow. Gotta run!

Follow Valley Stream Mom on Facebook or on Twitter @valleystreammom.

Get Bubbled @ Bubblemania

My friend over at Every Child Matters is inviting you and your family to a pretty awesome event this Saturday, June 23rd from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. at Hofstra University's Student Union Building.  Bubblemania will be the featured performance for those in attendance.  

Come out and have some fun with other Long Islanders while letting our future President know that Long Islanders want to know where he will stand on kids issues.  Hopefully one day "she" will also know where we stand.  I'm just saying.

A small donation gets you in the door, but if you write at least one letter to the future President per family about any children's issues, you get in free! Explain its importance on the lives of children and why it needs support. To register your family, fill out this online form.  You may also call (631) 885-8044.

Request a free bumper sticker

Follow Valley Stream Mom on Facebook or on Twitter @valleystreammom.  

Election Day

Those who follow politics or read the paper know that today is Election Day.  For what?  There are two unopposed Trustee seats up for re-election and only two candidates.  One candidate is a Valley Stream mom.  So why vote if the two candidates are going to win anyway?  It's all about the numbers.  The numbers in each election district let officials know who voted, where the votes are coming from, and votes = power.  You may think your vote doesn't matter as much this time around but don't forget that there is an election n November and candidates will definitely take notice.

You may also know that the two candidates running are part of the United Community Party.  What is that?  It's a team of both Republicans and Democrats who run jointly here in Valley Stream, like in last year's election, to bring somewhat of a balance.  Well, not exactly but almost.  The team is running pretty well and with the voice of a woman on the board, we women know that we at least have one female voice of reason.  In my opinion, it would be great to have more women in government on every level, but that's a different blog post for another day.

Go vote.  Take your kids with you.


Follow Valley Stream Mom on Facebook or on Twitter @valleystreammom.

Mayors for A Day Winners



Photo courtesy of LI Herald

Congratulations to Dever Elementary School's Marken Suaza and Carbonaro Elementary School's Kayla Gonsalves who both won the Mayor of the Day, or should we say Co-Mayors, contest right here in Valley Stream.  It's good to see elected officials who show interest in getting children involved in government the way Mayor Fare and his administration does.  Who knows, maybe Mayor Fare just trained his replacement(s).

Read the full story on in this week's LI Herald.


Follow Valley Stream Mom on Facebook or on Twitter @valleystreammom.

Repost: Vote for Kids

EveryChildMatters.org

It's campaign season and another election is just six days away.  Last year, my husband and I took our children with us to the poll as a family for the first time.  Yard signs, posters, politicians knocking on doors, and television debates are everywhere you turn if you live on Long Island.  Our children watched each of us vote.  After we voted, we took a family photo which will be forever etched in our minds.  We also supported our local candidates by placing yard signs on our lawn, asking friends to do the same, and volunteering where we can.  Our children, at the ages of 5 and 3, have an idea of what voting means and how important it is to take part in the political process. Open the door, hear what the candidate has to say.  It only takes a few minutes to learn how they plan to work for you.

Last year, a Huntington mom friend of mine invited my family to attend an event hosted by Every Child Matters Education Fund. a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization working to make public investments in children, youth, and families a national political priority.

What makes ECM different is that their focus is on raising the visibility of children’s issues during elections.  The organization urges candidates to support, and the public to demand, greater investments in programs that address the needs of America's families.  I am also proud to announce that ECM will be at the "Wear it Again" Costume Party this weekend with crafts, balloons, bumper stickers, and other takeaways for those in attendance.

Returning to my soapbox, I encourage you to form your own opinion on which candidate to vote for by not just reading the newspaper (many facts are wrong and never corrected), but by attending candidates forums and/or debates (televised or live), viewing candidate's websites, and volunteering your time with candidates.   I encourage you to vote for the candidates who have your children's best interests in mind, and not because they're a part of a certain political party, have held the position for years, or because you don't know the opponent.  Vote for the best candidate for today's issues.  To learn about the candidates in our area, click here.

Election Day - Tuesday, November 8th
Get your free bumper sticker by clicking here

Follow ValleyStreamMom on Facebook or on Twitter @valleystreammom.

Last night I attended an event where President Obama and his lovely wife, Michelle, were in attendance.  While I was in absolute awe of Michelle Obama as she spoke about various topics and managed to speak about "the girls" as they affectionately call them, I am amazed at how physically fit she is.  I think we can all take a page from her handbook and remember to keep ourselves looking good at all times.  However, another famous mother was also on the program.  Alicia Keys, performed some of her recent hits including New York which the crowd loved.  However, for the sake of this blog, I was reminded of one of my favorite children's songs, "Almost Everything is Boinga Here" which Keys sings as a martian on Nick Jr.'s "Backyardigans."  Here's the video.  Enjoy!

Election Day 2011 - Tuesday, March 15th

Tomorrow is Election day and if you're like most people, you may not know there is an election. I mean, didn't we JUST have an election? Yes, we did but this election is for a new Mayor, and two Village Trustees here in Valley Stream. Click here for a complete list of candidates. Our current and first female Mayor of exactly 30 days, Joanne Antun, is not seeking election after being appointed Mayor after the death of Mayor Edward Cahill who passed away late last year. For Mayor Antun to be the first woman ever to serve as Mayor in Village history I'm not sure why a bigger deal wasn't made of it than it was. I mean, it is Women's History month, isn't it? The Village put out a brochure that had the story on the second page, bottom section of the brochure. Really? Shame on the public relation's team for not making it known to the masses. Don't forget to vote at your normal polling location (where you voted in the last election back in November 2010 or November 4, 2008 being that could have been the last time some of you voted. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. You have plenty of time so please, make your vote counts or you have no right to complain when the Village official you didn't vote into office makes a move you don't agree with. Click here for your polling locations. VOTE!