Volume 1 Issue 8 - June 30th, 2025

Jess C's Mom
Jun 30
8 min read

“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!! This week starts the second half of the year and it is time to start back-to-school prep!!! Lots of things are getting added to our calendar and it becomes more important than ever to start learning how to balance and keep all the plates spinning. Let's set up a call this week to plan out your goals and set some routines in place to help build the structure we crave with the flexibility needed for life.

What's the Buzz?

Alright everyone, gather 'round the kitchen table! It's time for our weekly buzz to keep our families in the know. Here's what's happening across our communities this week:

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

Potential Economic Impact from the "One Big Beautiful Bill": According to a statement from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, a new bill could bring changes like an increased child tax credit and tax relief for seniors. This might have positive financial implications for many families across the country. The bill also aims to support farmers through tax cuts and updates to the farm safety net, which indirectly impacts the cost and availability of food. You can read more about this in the USDA press release.
Cybersecurity Awareness: U.S. law enforcement agencies have issued a bulletin regarding potential cyber threats from Iranian-affiliated actors. They advise that U.S. networks and internet-connected devices could be targets for disruptive cyberattacks. While this may sound technical, it's a good reminder for families to ensure their home networks and devices are secure and to be cautious about online activity. You can find more information in The American Legion's news summary.
Exploring American Identity: With the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation in 2026, there's ongoing discussion about the meaning of American identity. A historian, Colin Woodard, discussed the importance of understanding the nation's history and values on a program called "Story in the Public Square." This might be a good topic for family discussions, especially with the Fourth of July just around the corner. You can learn more about this on Salve Regina University's website.

Around the World - Global Events with Potential Impact

Here are some global news updates that could have implications for American families this week:

Global Economic Outlook: The United Nations indicates that while the global unemployment rate is stable, there are increasing economic uncertainties. For American families, it's worth noting that the US unemployment rate has slightly increased to 4.1% in early 2025, and projections suggest a potential slowdown in GDP growth throughout the rest of the year. This could have implications for job security and the overall economic climate. You can find more details in the UN report.
International Travel Restrictions: A recent Presidential Proclamation has placed travel restrictions on several countries. As of June 9, 2025, there's a "full" travel ban on 12 nations and a "partial" ban on 7 others. This could impact American families who have ties to these countries or are planning to travel there. More details can be found in this NAFSA report and a statement from the International Rescue Committee.
Global Health Concerns for Travelers: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its travel health notices. Dengue fever continues to be a risk in many parts of the world, and there are reports of Oropouche virus cases in the Americas. Additionally, there's a global alert for measles as it remains a risk in many countries. If your family has any international travel plans, it's important to stay updated on these health notices available on the CDC website.

Things to Keep on Our Family Radar This Week

As for general well-being, now that summer is in full swing, it's always good to keep in mind things like:

Staying hydrated: Especially with warmer weather, make sure everyone in the family is drinking enough water.
Sun safety: Remember to use sunscreen, wear hats, and seek shade during the hottest parts of the day.
Family time: With kids often out of school, this can be a good time to plan some fun family activities, whether it's a trip to a local park, a movie night, or even just some quality time together at home.

Jess C's Mom's Two Cents

Well, if I had to give my two cents for this week, I'd say it's a good time to stay informed but focus on what you can control. There's a lot of news out there, some of it a little concerning with the economy and international events. It's important to be aware, but try not to let it overwhelm you. Instead, focus on what you can do within your own family and community.

Maybe this week is a good time to:

Check in with your family: See how everyone is feeling and talk about any concerns they might have.
Plan some simple, enjoyable activities together: Whether it's a backyard barbecue, a visit to a local park, or maybe even checking out that new movie you've heard so much about. Spending quality time together can really help everyone feel more grounded and connected.
Look for ways to support your local community: Maybe there's a local food bank that needs volunteers or a neighbor who could use a hand. Connecting with your community can also bring a sense of purpose and well-being.

Basically, stay aware of the bigger picture, but don't forget to nurture what's closest to you – your family and your local community. That's often where we find the most strength and happiness.

Upcoming Events for The Hive Social Garden

Storyteller Energy Kick off Party - July 1st (Tomorrow) in the Hive at 1300 EST - Join us to learn how to jump start the second half of 2025 to reach all your goals.
The Mysterious Bea-nedict Society - First Monday of Each Month at 1400 EST in the Hive - Join us on July 7th for mentorship and coaching
- Queen Beas (25+)
- Queens-in-Training (age 18-24)
Sowing Circles - Second Thursday of Each Month at 8 pm EST in the Hive - Join us on July 10th for Show and Tell what you are working on in your garden. Whether crafting or planting, we love to share our creations!
Femme in STEM - Third Tuesday of Each Month at 1400 EST in the Hive - Join us on July 15th!
The Honey Bea Coven - Third Wednesday of Each Month at 1800 EST (Link will be emailed) - Join us on July 23rd
- Sparks (age 14-17)
- Tinker Fairies (age 5-13)
Byte-Sized Adventures - Planned adventures in time and space, exploring quantum intelligence, social engineering, and sustainable globalization... To come play with us, you have to find us first
- Pokemon Go July Community Day Classic July 5-6
- Pokemon Go July Community Day July 20th
- Pokemon Go August Community Day August 30th
- Hacker's Hyde-Away July 26th
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.

Additional Services Available to Members of the Hive Social Garden (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.
Communitique - On Communitique, you can find new or well-maintained clothes in your fit and style for free, and easily pick them up in your area.

Weekly Local Outlook

Washington, DC (20001):

Farmers Markets: If the Takoma Park Farmers Market is weekly on Sundays, you can expect it to be open on Sunday, June 29th (this past Sunday). The Eastern Market should be open this Saturday, July 5th, and Sunday, July 6th.
Library Events: The DC Public Library's "I SPY Discover Summer" scavenger hunt should still be ongoing this week. The "Celebrating Pride in D.C." exhibit at the MLK Library is also likely still available to visit. Check the DC Public Library website for any additional events this week.
News: Be aware that there was a report of a wind turbine blade that detached from a truck on I-70 in Maryland, which may have caused some traffic disruptions for those traveling in that area.

Wexford, PA (15090):

Farmers Markets: If the Farmer's Market at Pine Community Park is weekly on Sundays, it would have taken place on Sunday, June 29th. Check local listings for any additional market days this week.
News/Events: No significant local news or events were found for Wexford this week.

Leawood, KS (66206):

Farmers Markets: The Overland Park Farmers' Market will be open this week on Wednesday, July 2nd, and Saturday, July 5th.
News: The City of Leawood has announced a change to the business license term, which will move from July 1st - June 30th.

Hillsdale, NJ (07642):

Farmers Markets: The Hillsdale Farmers Market should be happening this week on Wednesday, July 2nd. Don't forget that Demarest Farms Market in Hillsdale is also open. Check their websites for their specific hours and offerings.
Library Events: The Hillsdale Free Public Library's "On Exhibit: Mixed Media, Mixed Minds" is likely still running. Check their schedule if you are interested in the Mah Jongg or Meditation Club meetings for this week. Their summer reading program, "Color Our World," kicked off last week and is likely continuing with colorful fun.
News: Local youth sports teams are making headlines, with the Park Ridge's 8U Boys Travel Baseball team having an undefeated season.

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

Library Events: The Brooklyn Public Library (Sunset Park) will likely have their Saturday Storytime on July 5th, and the Brooklyn Public Library (Borough Park) should be continuing their Summer at the Library events throughout the week. Be sure to check the Brooklyn Public Library's website for the specific schedules at each branch.
Events: While not directly in this specific Brooklyn area, NYC Parks is presenting a "Queer in Nature" art exhibition starting June 30th at the Arsenal in Central Park (Manhattan).

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

Library Events: It's always worth checking the New York Public Library (Chatham Square) website for their most up-to-date calendar of events and ongoing programs for children and families for this week.
Events: New York City beaches are now open for swimming and sunbathing as of Memorial Day weekend.

Commerce City, CO (80022):

Library Events: Check the Anythink Library (Commerce City) website to see what "mySummer" activities they have planned for this week.
News/Events: The search results were not specific to Commerce City for this week.

Ehrhardt, SC (29081) & Bamberg County:

Events: If you are interested in the Battle of Rivers Bridge guided tours, it's best to check their website for the most current schedule and availability for this week.
Library Events: The Denmark Branch Library may have additional programs planned for this week. Check their local schedule.
News: Effective July 1st, the Bamberg County Clerk of Court's Office will no longer accept child support payments, which will need to be mailed to the SC State Disbursement Unit in Columbia.