Community Update - A monthly Newsletter for Broward County Residents

July 2013

Broward County Office Closings for July 4

Broward County governmental offices will be closed Thursday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. There are a few agency exceptions such as Parks and Transit. Many online services such as ePay, can be accessed at broward.org. More...

null

Don’t Miss Spectacular Fireworks at Vista View Park

To get the best seat in Broward for an Independence Day fireworks display, be sure to visit Vista View Park in Davie. Arrive early and claim your spot at the highest man-made elevation in the County. Dependent on weather conditions, Independence Day viewers may be able to see the firework displays from Davie, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Sunrise and possibly Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood. The park entrance fee is $1.50 per person before 7:30 p.m. and $2 per person afterwards. Most of the shows are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. on July 4. For more information, call the park at 954-357-8898.

null

New “Look Before You Lock” Billboards Unveiled

New billboards located throughout the County send a message to “Look Before You Lock,” an alert to anyone who transports children and runs the risk of leaving them locked inside a vehicle for any length of time. County Commissioners recently passed an ordinance requiring all child care centers and family child care homes to install safety alarms in vehicles carrying six or more passengers. More...

null

Commissioners Approve New Regulations on Aggressive Dogs

Broward Commissioners have given the green light for stronger regulations governing aggressive dogs and their owners. The regulations aim to provide resources, education, training and protocols to reduce aggressive, roaming and mistreated dog incidents throughout Broward County. New ordinances are being considered and will be reviewed by the Commission and set for a public hearing at a future date prior to their approval. More...

null

Vacation in Your Own Backyard: Enjoy Broward County 2-for-1 Summer Savings!

Looking for a deal this summer? The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, along with their hospitality industry partners, are now offering 2-for-1 experiences, from arts and entertainment to transportation and spa treatments. Residents can visit sunny.org/summer to view more than 30 special summer 2-for-1 deals through September 30. To take advantage of the deals, you must show either a printed coupon or a summer savings card when you visit each attraction.

null

Hurricane Kit Shopping Guide Provides Handy Preparedness Tips

We've already seen two named storms and the National Hurricane Center is calling for a very active hurricane season. Given the extreme weather we’re seeing all across the country, now is the time to prepare. Broward County’s Hurricane Kit Shopping Guide provides hurricane preparedness tips such as how to purchase hurricane food and supplies over an eight-week period, create an effective hurricane plan, assemble a first aid kit as well as a pet survival kit.

null

AARLCC to Host South Florida Book Festival July 26-27

Popular African-American writers and two world-renowned basketball players are heading to Fort Lauderdale on Friday, July 26, and Saturday, July 27, for the South Florida Book Festival hosted by the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC), located at 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Friday’s events begin with writer Angela Henry conducting a workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. on how to write mystery stories. There is a $10 fee and seating is limited. Saturday, July 27, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., is family day and special guest, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe - a legendary basketball player with the Baltimore Bullets and the New York Knicks - will talk about his book, Earl the Pearl: My Story. For more information, contact Rinata White at 954-357-6210, or riwhite@broward.org. More...

null

New Courthouse Rising as Construction Hits Rapid Pace

Work on the new Broward County Courthouse continues as construction crews have already topped off the seventh floor of the concrete superstructure. The imprint of the building is now evolving as work picks up at the Southeast Sixth Street and Southeast First Avenue site. As the 20-floor project continues to rise, work on the parking garage and the renovation of the adjacent Midrise building is following closely behind. Project managers say the projects are on schedule. For more Courthouse construction updates, visit broward.org/newcourthouse. Be sure to check-out the live camera views of the Broward Courthouse from the on-site webcam.

null

View Sea Turtle Hatchling Release

The Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park, 751 Sheridan St., Hollywood, presents the popular, long-running summer program Sea Turtles and Their Babies at 8 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays, July 3 through August 30. This educational series covers a variety of topics related to the beleaguered sea turtles and their plight to avoid extinction. Following an hour-long video presentation and lecture, participants accompany a naturalist on a hatchling release to see what these tiny creatures face during their first crucial minutes of life. More...

null

Coming Soon! Creative Changes at the Airport

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport’s (FLL) Terminal 3 is being modernized and reconfigured to provide passengers with a more efficient and creative experience. One of the biggest visual changes is the replacement of carpeting with modern terrazzo flooring containing brass and aluminum floor art. More...

null

BCT Launches Public Education Campaign

Broward County Transit (BCT) is introducing a public awareness campaign, Keep Your Bus On Time, to encourage passengers to follow best practices and safety measures when using the bus system. The campaign also provides riders with ways they can assist to keep their bus on schedule. The campaign consists of five key messages: Plan Your Trip Ahead, Arrive Early at Bus Stop, Move to the Back of the Bus, Load and Unload Bike Quickly, and Leave Safely. More...

null

Libraries Offer Free Summer Classes: How to Download Music, Magazines and eBooks

This month, 11 Broward County libraries will host free workshops and classes in digitally downloading free hit music, bestselling eBooks and your favorite magazines. Bring your own eReader or get hands-on experience on one of the library’s eReaders. Topics will include downloading free magazines, iPad for beginners, downloading free music, and an introduction to eReaders. The classes are free and open to the public. More...

null

County Recognizes Winners of High School Public Speaking Competition

Pollution Prevention, Remediation and Air Quality Division, in partnership with the Broward County School Board and Florida Atlantic University, recently sponsored a public speaking competition for County high school students. Students were asked to play the role of appointees for the state of Florida Energy Office and devise a plan to increase the use of solar energy within the state and later present their results. Rachael Rosier and Marcelo Asmat, both from Coral Glades High School in Coral Springs, took first and third place honors, respectively. Jordan Friedman from Cypress Bay High School in Weston, placed second. More...

null

Celebrate “Where the Wild Things Are” at Young At Art/Broward County Library

Unleash your inner wild thing during the “Where the Wild Things Are” celebration, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, at Young At Art Museum/Broward County Library, 751 S.W. 121 Ave., Davie. Children ages 5 and up and families are invited to attend this free, public event which includes hands-on arts and crafts and other activities, “wild” music and even special prizes! Registration is required, call 954-357-8585 to reserve a spot. More...

null

Not Already a Subscriber to Community Update?

Be sure to get the latest news about your community delivered to your email inbox each month. To subscribe, email PublicInfo@broward.org. Homeowner associations please pass this newsletter along to your members, or invite them to subscribe.

null

Broward Residents Can Take the "Bite Out of Mosquitoes" 

 null

Community Update, a monthly newsletter from the Board of County Commissioners, is produced by the Office of Public Communications. Address questions concerning articles to 954-357-6990. To receive Community Update electronically, send an email to PublicInfo@broward.org. Please include your first and last name and email address. Hearing impaired residents can call the TTY line at 954-831-3940 for additional information.

null
null Home
null Living in Broward
null Doing Business
null Visiting
null County Government
 
Video Central
News Center
null