Moscow. Red Square. St. Basil’s Cathedral. When I first saw these pictures next to each other, I didn’t notice anything striking. Only later did I realize that they were taken one year apart, and consider the differences between the two years, the two days, the two photos.

Usually, in the first week of August as my birthday approaches I’m thinking about the past year and what lies ahead, as I’ve written in past newsletters. I love the month and, being a true Leo, I never underplay the excitement of a birthday! This year, that first week of August was quite different. This year, my visit to Moscow coincided with the horrific fires surrounding the city, which were major news around the world. The picture you are looking at was taken on the only day during my visit that the Cathedral was clearly visible from even a few meters away, due to the fires and smoke that covered the city.

Moscow was already suffering from a heat wave. The extreme heat of over 100ºF lasted longer than ever recorded, in a city where air conditioning is a pure luxury, rarely available. Then, as devastating fires surrounded the city, it became shrouded in smoke. Each morning that I was there, I woke up with the windows shut tight against the choking odor of burning turf, which smelled like a mixture of poison and dirt.

Despite many leaving the city, Moscow still lived. Tourists walked on Red Square taking pictures of Lenin’s Tomb and St. Basil’s Cathedral. The salsa club organized thousands of dancers for an evening of salsa lessons in the park by the Moscow River. I saw construction workers continue renovations at the historic Bolshoi Theatre.

Things got scarier when I saw increasing numbers of people on the streets wearing masks to protect their breathing. However, people continued to go about their lives despite the heat and smoke. Those who could stand the intense heat of public transportation traveled to work from their small apartments (some just 300-500 square feet for a whole family). Some chose, instead, to spend the nights at their manufacturing plants to avoid public transportation, and have the extra breathing room of a bigger space.

It is always inspiring to witness or learn about the commitment and dedication – to their family’s survival, their work and their responsibilities – people can maintain when their character and courage are put to the test, going far above and beyond what one can imagine when not put in extreme situations. It’s hard to know true limits of our strength when we aren’t faced with tremendous challenges.

Remembering the devastation, danger and sense of helplessness of my time in Moscow this August, my deepest sympathy goes to all the families whose homes and even lives have been affected by the fires. I have deep respect for everybody who continued to work to maintain Moscow’s operations, including continued manufacturing of dance shoes for Russian Pointe’s dancers. Here in Chicago, I have a new appreciation for cold water in the shower and the fresh air of Michigan Avenue.

Despite the fact that my 33^rd birthday didn’t include a glamorous celebration and festivities like I had planned, I feel that these were days that would make a difference in my life – affecting the way I value life, safety and family. So, as I look at these two pictures again, I am moved by the differences between two such similar images. In one, I see the threat that was hanging over everyone in Moscow in August 2010, while the May 2009 photo radiates nothing but a happy summer night on the beautiful Red Square. Together, they remind me of how fragile and delicate our safety and security can be, the care and appreciation we should have for these valuable gifts, and the strength that we can find in ourselves when facing adversity.

Raya had traveled from Oregon (where she studies at Eugene Ballet Academy) with her mother, Eve, and was visiting Chicago before beginning the American Ballet Theatre summer intensive in Detroit. Her summer intensive experience also includes Alonzo King LINES Ballet, and this fall she’ll start at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet in New York! Raya found Russian Pointe through recommendations from other dancers, and bought her first pair at San Francisco Dancewear.

I was pleased to receive this note after the fitting:

We want to thank you and the staff at Russian Pointe for sharing [your] time and expertise with us, and making us feel so welcome. It was the highlight of our trip to Chicago, and the pointe shoes have been working great for my daughter at her ABT intensive. We will definitely stop by if we are ever near Chicago in the future. Thanks again!! Eve and Raya Terran

I will never forget doing my first fitting, 12 years ago when I started my business. Each fitting was an opportunity for discovery and learning for me.

Now, fittings take me back to the roots of my business. I still discover something each time, but it’s a different kind of discovery. Now, I re-discover  – firsthand – how much Russian Pointe shoes mean to the dancer, how they help her develop her technique and artistry, and how they enhance her passion and pride in dancing.

My sister Elizaveta and I joined the new Auditorium Theatre Junior Board at a kick-off cocktail party on July 26 at the Hard Rock Cafe. Auditorium Theatre calls the Board “a group of dedicated young professionals that will be committed to carrying out the legacy of the Theatre and making their mark in history.”

After a longstanding relationship with Auditorium Theatre, a National Landmark that is the venue for so many of Chicago’s most thrilling performances, I’m excited to take this step forward in support of their outstanding arts and education mission.

Photo: Aleksandra with Amanda Martinez, Development Associate, Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

The journalists are traveling around the country for a program showcasing small businesses with unique concepts, to air in Russia and possibly the United States.

Russian Pointe was recommended to them by the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office and WorldChicago. I spoke about the history, mission and operations of Russian Pointe, and took the journalists on a tour of our offices, Boutique, warehouse and shipping department.

It is an honor that learning about my experiences with Russian Pointe could be useful for those in my home country. It is rewarding to know that small business opportunities are being supported by the Russian government and media, and that the U.S. is able to facilitate this. Projects like this one help put passion and vision into reality.

She’ll appear on Project Runway Season 8, premiering tonight – Thursday, July 29 – with Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn. (Visit her Project Runway page here.) We’re all looking forward to watching her throughout the season!

On July 12, I attended a reception for supporters of Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University,  at Trattoria No. 10 on North Dearborn in Chicago. By invitation only, the reception was a “thank you” to donors, sponsors, subscribers and others who support the vibrant and varied program of performing arts. Executive Director Brett Batterson spoke about Auditorium’s exciting upcoming season, and introduced three singers from Too Hot to Handel, which will play in January, 2011. Their wonderful impromptu performance was a highlight of the evening.

I’ve just returned from my first visit to Asia, with a group of fellow businesspeople and friends. It was remarkable to discover a new part of the world, to experience cultural events and traditions I wasn’t familiar with before.

In my roles with Chicago Sister Cities and as President of Russian Foundation of Chicago, cultural awareness, education and exchange are always on my mind, and facilitating and enriching cultural activities are always on my agenda. My time in Asia was a valuable learning experience, as well as a true pleasure!

It was an honor to attend the Chicago Consular Corps Ball on June 2, held in the Hilton Chicago Grand Ballroom on South Michigan Avenue. The annual Ball honors the Chicago Consular Corps, representing about 80 countries, and is announced by invitation from Mayor Richard M. Daley and Maggie Daley, and Dean of Consular Corps Patricia Maza-Pittsford and Philip Pittsford.

This year for the first time the Ball was hosted by Chicago Sister Cities International (of which I co-chair the Moscow Committee), in honor of its 50th anniversary. This is an elegant evening of dining and dancing that I look forward to each year.

Elizaveta Efimova was invited to attend a River North Chicago Dance Company rehearsal on July 13. She has become a big fan of this company, calling the dancers and choreography “extremely athletic, with such a balance of emotion and grace.”

She continues:

Watching the company rehearse was such an honor. I had seen some of the pieces before, and seeing them up close in this intimate setting gave me such a different perspective. It was almost as if I were in the dance myself, hearing their breath and even feeling the heat from their bodies as they moved. One of their new pieces is danced to a Russian song. It was very moving, and will be gorgeous on stage.

It was also – and always is – a pleasure to see Artistic Director Frank Chaves. He is such a warm and genuine person, and his company must love working with him.

I’m thrilled to announce my graduation from Harvard Business School! Saying goodbye on Friday, March 26, was both exciting and sad. When I first applied two years ago, I had high hopes but couldn’t fully imagine how the OPM Program would meet and exceed my expectations. Looking back, I know that I will always remember those weeks of intensive study with both fondness and satisfaction, and that my Harvard experience will be with me throughout every aspect of my life.

As I return to Chicago this week (after traveling to New York and D.C.), what’s first in my mind is how I will implement everything I learned at Harvard, from my brilliant professors, fascinating classmates and in-depth studies. I’ve already brought much of this learning into my everyday work with Russian Pointe, and I look forward to developing the company even further.

I miss Harvard already, but I’m happy to be home, and eager to “roll up my sleeves” at the office, at the Boutique and on the road!

View slideshow of my Harvard experience on my website: www.efimova.com>