Better Block Fort Lauderdale, A Dream Come True

By Christina Fermin
Politics & Society Columnist

Saturday June 16, downtown Fort Lauderdale’s Flager Arts & Technology (F.A.T.) Village community saw the vision of what downtown Fort Lauderdale could be: a walkable place where the pedestrian, the cyclist and the automobile are all equal. This event was put on by a handful of dedicated citizens in the F.A.T. Village arts district of which included Cadence Living, FAU, F.A.T. Village & UrbanMatters just to name a few.

The event was such a success everyone was asking if it would be a monthly event so that people could keep coming to downtown and enjoy all there was to offer at Florida’s first Better Block event.

Build a better block (Better Block for short) is a one day urban revitalization event held to inspire the community of the possibilities of what a rundown block that has been ignored by the city could look like. It is an event meant to inspire the individual and motivate them to go to their representatives, commissioners and city officials and demand for better places. This event filled a void in the community for the day and we hope that people take this energy and run with it, creating a livable urban space used by the community and by everyone surrounding the place.

Better Block Fort Lauderdale was closed with Fort Lauderdale’s first ever Pecha Kucha, a 20 slide presentation where presenters have 20 seconds per slide to discuss the meaning and vision behind each slide. The theme: Reimang[in]ing our city blocks, a closing that showed how we the community can create thriving urban spaces that are aesthetically pleasing while also serving purpose, form and function to all members, not just the vehicle. The presentations were a success, tickling the mind with imagination of how South Florida could be.

While I arrived early and left later than most, for the day I felt a sense of pride and saw what communities could look like. We took this block, which is located in an old warehousing district with few businesses nestled on NW 1st Avenue between NW 5th & 6th Street and created an urban city block with life featuring pop-up businesses, cafes, an urban garden, a pop-up dog park, DJ’s, a community welcome center, food trucks, art installations, wall murals and hand built street furniture which completely transformed this street and created an actual place, a destination, a location where people wanted to be for the day.

There was much to do from purchasing locally grown produce, building a terrarium, making your own Tom’s shoes, vintage clothing and vinyl records, jewelry, food, beverages, craft beers, previews to upcoming shows at the local Living Arts Studio plus an array of other things. The day was filled with shopping, socializing, eating, drinking, talking and entertainment. Friends, family and community all came by to see the hype.

All who attended left yearning for more. Better Block FTL created more than just hype, it created what so many of us yearn for, community. If you missed out on this wonderful event, please keep your eyes open for Better Block Miami.

What more info on Better Block?

betterblock.org

BetterBlockFtL


About the Columnist


With a bachelors degree in political science from Florida Atlantic University, Christina Fermin has always cultivated her love for history, politics, sociology, ancient knowledge and teachings, the outdoors, the ocean and the environment. Christina strives to make our world better by helping us all create a new reality and understanding of all taking place here and now. You can reach her at Christina@MySavvySisters.Com

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First 10 Episodes: The Rebuild Your Life Project- Los Angeles

The Rebuild Your Life Project- Los Angeles is presented by MySavvySisters.Com as the 2012 Women's Empowerment Outreach.

This year's project will teach women how to rebuild their lives by moving to a new city. Te-Erika Patterson, the publisher of MySavvySisters will film a living documentary, posted in real time on youtube, as she navigates through a relocation to a new city that she has never even visited.

Watch as she gears up for her trip, exploring the research and mental strategies women need to overcome any hurdle as they attempt to rebuild their lives.



Here are the first 10 Episodes



Episode 1


Episode 2


Episode 3


Episode 4


Episode 5


Episode 6


Episode 7


Episode 8


Episode 9


Episode 10


View the documentary in REAL TIME on www.youtube.com/embraceyourfantasy

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Why Verbal Abuse Is Your Fault

There's someone in your life who is tearing you down. They're saying all the things you wouldn't even THINK about saying to someone else. You're hurt and afraid and you feel trapped by their opinions. You would do anything for them to change their mind about you. In fact, you've tried everything. You've pleaded with them. You've tried to improve. You've gone out of your way to be the best person you could be but there's nothing you can do to get them to stop berating you. You're extremely depressed and lonely and you feel like life is just not worth living anymore.

Before you decide that your life is worthless, I have to tell you the one thing that will set you free- the verbal abuse you are experiencing is all your fault.

It is. You have decided that there is someone else whose opinion of you matters more than your own. You have the authority to decide which opinion matters most and you gave it away to someone else who is using that power to destroy you.

Why are they trying to destroy you? It's simple, you are allowing them to. You like being miserable and feeling dominated in a negative way or else you would not be in that situation. Of course it is easier to label the abuser as the monster and paint yourself as a victim because this society perpetuates victimhood. It is not okay to be a victim. It is not okay to point at anyone else and blame them for your situation. You are not a victim. You are playing a willing part in this scenario. You have to accept that.

There can be no dominance without willful mental submission. Before you become upset with me, allow me to explain how you can stop this madness.

• You have to decide that YOUR opinion matters most.
• You have to remove yourself from that situation at all costs.
• You have to understand that their WORDS only have the power that you give them.
• YOU are the authority of your life.
• YOU define who you are.
• You do NOT need anyone's acceptance or approval.
• You have to make a DECISION to believe other people who actually love you and show it by being kind to you.
• You have to believe you deserve better.

If you choose not to do the things I am suggesting then you WANT the verbal abuse, you LIKE the verbal abuse and you can no longer complain about the verbal abuse.

It's a decision to re condition yourself. You are NONE of the labels the person has slapped on you. You can label yourself. You don't need anyone's permission to do so.

You can do this. You don't have to believe their harsh words and descriptions. That person is not God but you are making them the God of your life by allowing them to define you.

You can move away from this. You can choose NOT to believe them. They are just saying WORDS and you don't have to be swayed by them.

You define who you are. You don't have to accept their definition.

You are not a loser.
You are not a worthless bitch.
You are not a cunt.
You are not a stupid slut.

You are who YOU say you are and if anyone calls you anything other than the definitions you define YOURSELF by, you can easily dismiss them. If someone says that you are PURPLE, would you cry? No. You would laugh at them and keep it moving. You can do this same thing now.

You don't deserve this. This is not all your life will be. You can make a decision to move away from this. You do not need this person's approval. This is not love. You will never be able to make it better. Give up.

Make it better with yourself. Define yourself. Live up to the new labels you will now give yourself.

Approve yourself and never allow verbal abuse into your life again.

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