Volume 1 Issue 6 - June 16th, 2025

“Here’s what I know: Time must be explicitly managed, like money. You can always change your plan, but only if you have one. Ask yourself: Are you spending your time on the right things? Develop a good filing system. Rethink the telephone. Delegate. Take a time out. Time is all you have. And you may find one day that you have less than you think.” - Randy Pausch

Happy Monday!! I know delegation and planning can be difficult and overwhelming. Many of you have been with me along this journey of building my own business and I want to ensure that I am bring added value into your life. Because of this, I would like to schedule a strategy and planning call with each of you before the end of June. We are going to create a family roadmap with your needs and goals for the second half of this year. We are going to work to understand all of your needs and proactively plan the coming school year.

We are also going to make additional services available to you (Let me know if you'd like to get started with these):

• Family Album - Organize your pictures and share securely with family!! Also order photo gifts.

• PrivacyBee - Cleaning up your digital footprint and protecting you against spam, doxing, fraud, scams, extortion, identity theft, and cyber bullies!!

• Monarch Money - Budgeting and Savings!! Protecting your bottle line from subscriptions that you no longer use, are of no use to you, and are difficult to cancel because you have to make 47 calls to cancel.

What's the Buzz?

Good morning, sunshine! Let's catch up on what's been happening this week.

On the Home Front - National News & Your Family's Well-being

It looks like the economy is still the main topic of conversation. We're seeing continued discussions around inflation and how it impacts our family budgets. With the latest inflation data, including the CPI and PPI for May, showing modest rises, it's a good time to be mindful of your spending, especially with core inflation potentially accelerating. Keep an eye on those grocery prices, honey, and look for ways to save where you can! Also, consumer sentiment and inflation expectations are being closely watched, so it's a good idea to stay informed about how these trends might affect your household finances.

What about the protests?!?

Oh, honey, that's a really important question to bring up, especially when we're talking about how things affect families. Protests, no matter what they're about, can certainly impact daily life and create a lot of questions for parents.

When protests happen, especially in a big city like Los Angeles, families might experience a few things:

• Disruption to routines: Roads might be closed, public transportation could be affected, and if protests are near schools or childcare, it could mean changes to drop-off or pick-up. Even just getting around for errands can become tricky.

• Safety concerns: Naturally, as parents, our first thought is always about safety. While many protests are peaceful, sometimes there can be confrontations or situations that aren't safe for children to be around. It's important for families to be aware of where and when protests are happening to make informed decisions about their own movements.

• Emotional impact on kids: Children are sponges, and they pick up on the emotions and anxieties around them. Seeing protests, hearing news about them, or even just feeling the tension in the air can be unsettling. It's a good opportunity for parents to talk with their kids in an age-appropriate way, answer their questions, and reassure them. This aligns with The Hive Social Garden's mission to help families navigate an ever-evolving world and foster understanding.

• Community dialogue: On the other hand, protests are often a way for communities to voice concerns and advocate for change. While they can be disruptive, they can also spark important conversations within families about social issues, justice, and the power of collective action.

For families with loved ones in Los Angeles, staying informed about protest locations and times, and having open conversations at home, can help everyone feel a bit more secure and understand what's going on. And remember, The Hive Social Garden is all about promoting mutual understanding and building equitable communities, so these conversations, even when difficult, are part of that process.

Around the World - Global Events with Potential Impact

The ongoing situation with Ukraine and Russia continues to be a significant global event, along with an escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran. While the direct impact might not be felt immediately in our daily lives here in the U.S., these kinds of situations can sometimes influence things like global oil prices, which then, in turn, can affect gas prices at the pump for us, or even the cost of goods due to shipping expenses. We've seen how global events can contribute to larger economic narratives, like inflation, which is something we're already keeping an eye on for our family budgets. Economic shifts or widespread health concerns, can ripple out and affect families everywhere.

Here are some of the main things causing those ripples:

• Geopolitical Tensions and Trade Policies: This is a big one. The ongoing conflicts, like the one in Ukraine and Russia, and tensions between Israel and Iran, can reshape trade routes, cause delays, and increase shipping costs. Plus, there's been a lot of talk about new tariffs, with the U.S. imposing them on goods from places like China, Mexico, and Canada. This means companies might face higher manufacturing costs, and that can eventually translate to higher prices for us, the consumers.

• Climate Change and Extreme Weather: Unfortunately, mother nature is also playing a role. Things like hurricanes, floods, and even changing rainfall patterns can disrupt agriculture, damage transportation infrastructure, and affect ports. This can lead to shortages or delays in getting certain goods.

• Cybersecurity Threats: It might sound a bit technical, but cyberattacks are a real concern for supply chains. These digital threats can disrupt operations, especially with smaller suppliers, and could potentially lead to delays or even price hikes if systems are compromised.

• Labor Shortages and Skills Gaps: There are ongoing challenges with having enough skilled workers in logistics and manufacturing, which can slow things down and increase costs.

• Regulatory Changes: New rules about things like environmental compliance and ethical sourcing mean companies have to adapt, and sometimes that adds to the complexity and cost of getting products to market.

Essentially, all these factors mean businesses are having to find new ways to operate, and sometimes that means higher input costs or delays in product delivery. So, while the immediate impact might not always be obvious, it's part of the bigger picture of why we're continuing to be mindful of our spending and keeping an eye on those grocery prices.

As I mentioned before, the conflicts in Ukraine and Russia and the tensions between Israel and Iran are both significant global events that contribute to the overall "geopolitical instability" impacting supply chains. These situations, along with changing trade policies and tariffs, are creating a more "volatile and uncertain landscape" for how goods move around the world.

It's a reminder that we live in an interconnected world, and what happens far away can still have a quiet effect on our daily lives. Staying informed helps us navigate it all as families!.

Things to Keep on Our Family Radar This Week

• Juneteenth (June 19th): This is a really important day that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It's a federal holiday, and many communities have celebrations, educational events, and reflections on freedom and history.

• Father's Day (Yesterday): Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!!!

• Pride Month (All of June): While not a single holiday, the entire month of June is dedicated to celebrating LGBTQIA+ pride. Many cities, including our own, have parades, festivals, and educational events throughout the month to promote inclusivity and acceptance, which is something The Hive Social Garden is all about, supporting inclusive communities.

Jess C's Mom's Two Cents

It seems like being mindful of our spending is still important. Remember to check in with your loved ones and neighbors. Community support, just like The Hive Social Garden promotes, is always important! It helps us all build more sustainable and inclusive communities.

Upcoming Events for The Hive Social Garden

FreshFarm Farmer's Markets are happening in June!

• Columbia Heights Market: Wednesdays from 3 pm to 7 pm

• Ballston Market: Thursdays from 3 pm to 7 pm

Sowing Circles: Second Thursday of Each Month at 8 pm EST in the Hive - Join us on July 10th!

Virtual Summer Camp is in full swing!! - The goal is to fund our Mobile Innovation Center while educating the public on how to secure their private information and intellectual property, share their experiences in non-judgmental environments, and build a more sustainable and equitable future for all. All of this is part of our larger goal of helping work towards the United Nations Sustainability Goals for Agenda 2030.

More information: Exploring Space: A Space & Military Intelligence Learning Experience

Weekly Local Outlook

Washington, DC 20001:

• Government: The Council of the District of Columbia has a Committee of the Whole Meeting on Tuesday, June 17th.

• Farmers Markets: Takoma Park Farmers Market is on Sunday, June 22nd. Eastern Market is open on Saturday and Sunday.

• Library Events: The DC Public Library has an "I SPY Discover Summer" scavenger hunt ongoing. There's a "Celebrating Pride in D.C." exhibit at the MLK Library.

Wexford, PA 15090:

• Government: Pine Athletic Complex has various events.

• Events: Northland Public Library has Northland NerdCon on Saturday, June 14th (Past).

• Farmers Markets: The Farmer's Market at Pine Community Park is on Sunday, June 22nd.

Leawood, KS 66206:

• Farmers Markets: Overland Park Farmers' Market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

• Library Events: Johnson County Library (Leawood Pioneer Branch) has a Book Discussion on Thursday, June 19th and Play Lab on Friday, June 20th.

Hillsdale, NJ 07642:

• Government: Wyckoff Township Committee Meeting on Tuesday, June 17th.

• Library Events: Hillsdale Free Public Library has various activities this week, including "On Exhibit: Mixed Media, Mixed Minds" (ongoing), Mah Jongg, and Meditation Club.

• Farmers Markets: The Hilldale Farmers Market is on Wednesday, June 25th. Demarest Farms Market in Hillsdale is open.

Brooklyn, NY 11220 (Sunset Park/Borough Park/Dyker Heights):

• Farmers Markets: The 4th Ave Sunset Park Greenmarket opens on Saturday, July 19th.

• Library Events: Brooklyn Public Library (Sunset Park) has Saturday Storytime. Brooklyn Public Library (Borough Park) has various Summer at the Library events.

New York, NY 10002 (Lower East Side, Manhattan):

• Government: Manhattan Community Board 3 has an Executive Committee meeting on Wednesday, June 18th.

• Events: Free Yoga at Corlears Hook Park on Monday, June 16th.

• Library Events: New York Public Library (Chatham Square) has NYPL After School on Monday, June 16th and Tuesday, June 17th, and Mandarin Bilingual Storytime on Tuesday, June 17th.

Commerce City, CO 80022:

• Government: Commerce City Council has a Regular Meeting on Monday, June 16th at 6:00 PM.

• Farmers Markets: There's an Open Air Market + AdventHealth Fair on Saturday, June 21st in Aurora.

• Library Events: Anythink Library (Commerce City) has "mySummer: miniThinkers Create Musical Memories" on Wednesday, June 18th.

Ehrhardt, SC 29081 & Bamberg County:

• Events: Battle of Rivers Bridge has guided tours on various dates in June, including June 21st.

• Library Events: Denmark Branch Library has "Science Heroes" on Wednesday, June 25th.

Fairfax, VA 22030:

• Government: City of Fairfax Council has a Special Meeting on Tuesday, June 17th.

• Farmers Markets: City of Fairfax Farmers Market on Saturday, June 21st.

• Library Events: Fairfax County Library branches like Herndon Fortnightly Library have STEAM programs on Tuesdays and Wonder Wagon on Wednesday.