Albert C. Jones Appointed New District 9 Broward County Commissioner

The Governor’s appointment of Albert C. Jones to serve as Broward County Commissioner for District 9 officially went into effect Monday, November 30, 2009. He was sworn in on Tuesday, December 1, during the regularly scheduled County Commission meeting. Commission District 9 includes portions of the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderhill, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Pompano Beach, Sunrise, Tamarac and Plantation. More…

Broward County Offers Free Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Training

In response to multiple inquires from municipalities about developing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventories, the Broward County Pollution Prevention, Remediation and Air Quality Division is inviting representatives from all cities and towns within Broward County to a free training session on the topic. The training will be held on Friday, December 11, from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the auditorium at the South Regional/Broward College Library, 7300 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines. More…

Food Drive Continues

As our local community continues to struggle with the effects of a bad economy, requests for help continue to grow. Today, food pantries are serving 100 percent more clients than they did two years ago, yet our local food banks are experiencing a decline in donations. Broward County is holding a Food Drive to benefit local food banks in time for the holiday season.

Members of the public are encouraged to drop their food donations by collection boxes at the following locations:
• Governmental Center – Main and West lobbies and Third Floor Parking Garage Walkover,
115. South Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale
• Government Center West – 1 N. University Drive, Plantation
• Main Courthouse - 201 S.E. Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale
• North Regional Courthouse – 1600 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach
• South Regional Courthouse – 3550 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
• West Regional Courthouse – 100 N. Pine Island Rd., Plantation
• All Broward County libraries

Record-Breaking Year for Broward County Library; Cybrary Now Open

More than ever, Broward County residents are utilizing books, digital video discs, compact discs, video games and audio books available from their local library. Broward County Library circulated more than 11 million items in Fiscal Year 2009 − a new record and an increase of 8 percent from 2008.

Broward County Library also recently opened its Cybrary, the largest public computer center in the County, located on the seventh floor of the Main Library in downtown Fort Lauderdale. It includes 72 new Dell computers with flat screen monitors and free Internet access. Customers can use the new terminals with custom seating that includes tables that can be easily adjusted higher or lower with just one hand.

Extension 4-H Helps Preserve the Environment

A goal of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners is to “Preserve the environment as a globally competitive value and promote benchmark improvements to our stakeholders.” This goal serves as the framework under which the Broward County 4-H Junior Master Gardener (JMG) program uses research-based information to build leadership, citizenship, and life skills in young people ages 5 to 17 through hands-on environmental education. This two-year program, operated by Extension Education of the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division, develops awareness, knowledge and appreciation for the natural environment among youth, and also develops their ability to recognize community needs and meet those needs through service.

County Commission Meeting Rebroadcast Moves to New Day and Time

The rebroadcast of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners weekly meeting has moved from Sundays at 5 p.m. to Fridays at 5:30 p.m. The meeting can be viewed on Comcast channels 7, 12 or 77 (depending on where you live) and on Advanced Cable channels 25 and 64 (Weston and Coral Springs). Comcast will begin televising Broward County programming at 4:30 p.m. each Friday to ensure there are no technical difficulties and will begin the Commission meetings at 5:30. The day and time of the rebroadcast does not conflict with any other government meeting schedules.

Broward County Extension Helps Reduce Water Consumption

The South Florida Water Management District reports that South Florida residents consume 179 gallons of water per person per day – the highest water usage in the state. Broward County Parks and Recreation Division and UF-IFAS Extension trains volunteer Master Gardeners to deliver educational programs on Florida-Friendly Landscaping in a variety of settings. Residents are taught Florida Friendly Landscape principles that include a number of specific ways for conserving water, such as the use of organic mulch, “right plant-right place,” proper irrigation methods, retaining water on properties to decrease runoff, and water harvest through the use of rain chains and barrels. For further information about this and other Urban Horticulture programs in Broward County, call Dr. John Pipoly at 954-370-3725 or email jpipoly@broward.org.

Economic Development Launches eNewsletter

The new Office of Economic and Small Business Development has launched a monthly electronic newsletter that will feature the latest economic development and small business news from Broward County. The new agency consolidates the former Office of Economic Development and Small Business Development Division. The primary objective of the consolidation is to more fully integrate small business development efforts into the County’s broader strategy for economic development. More…

Broward County Plants Trees to Offset NFL Super Bowl Carbon Footprint

NatureScape Broward recently received two NFL Super Bowl Urban Forestry and Community Grants through the National Football League’s (NFL) Environmental Program to plant native trees at Broward County Public Schools – Whispering Pines School and New Renaissance Middle School, both in Miramar. These grants were promoted to reduce/offset the greenhouse gas produced in connection with the upcoming Super Bowl XLIV game and activities, scheduled for February 2010 at Land Shark Stadium in Miami Gardens. Schools were selected based on their proximity to the stadium and the grants provided funding for native tree installations on each of the school’s campuses. More…

Property Tax Exemption Filing Dates Announced For December 2009

The Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office hosts a series of community outreach events each month throughout Broward County. Deputy Appraisers will be available to assist with Homestead and other property tax exemption applications, as well as answer questions on assessments and property taxes. The outreach program is designed to provide convenient and accessible service to the residents of Broward County. For further information visit www.bcpa.net or contact the Outreach Department by phone at 954-357-5579 or email at kbrown@bcpa.net.

First U.S. Cricket Tournament Comes to South Florida

Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill was the site of the First U.S. Cricket Open, December 4 through 6, in the park’s cricket stadium, the only facility in the United States certified by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The stadium features a circular, lighted main event field with 5,000 covered seats and additional seating for 15,000 spectators possible. More than four dozen cricket teams competed throughout the year to qualify for the final field of eight teams. For further information on cricket in Broward County, call Central Broward Regional Park at 954-321-1170, or visit www.cricketcouncilusa.com.

Free Literacy and Homework Help Offered at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center

The African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, has launched two different literacy-oriented programs. Each is offered free of charge during the school year for young people in the afternoon and adults in the evening. These classes are English Café, and Got Homework? The classes focus on the needs of new Americans, those who don’t speak American English as their primary language, and children in kindergarten through 12th grade who need help with their homework. For more information on any of these programs, call 954-625-2821.

NatureScape Broward to Host Event at Tequesta Trace Middle School

NatureScape Broward will host an Environmental Community Outreach Event on Saturday, December 12, from 9 a.m. to noon at Tequesta Trace Middle School, 1800 Indian Trace, Weston. This event is open to the public and will offer demonstrations of how to create environmentally friendly landscapes that can improve water quality, conserve water and create habitat for wildlife. For more information on this event or NatureScape Broward, call Victor Suarez at 954-519-1239 or visit www.broward.org/naturescape. NatureScape Broward is a program of the Broward County Commission - Natural Resources Planning and Management Division.

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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.