UNITOWN 2009 YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM

Sponsored by the Coral Springs Multi-Cultural Advisory Committee
A Unique Workshop in Diversity ~ Community Values ~ Leadership

“A place to learn how each of us is different and discover how each of us is alike!”

WHEN: SATURDAY morning, February 14th to MONDAY afternoon, February 16th 2008

WHO: Approximately sixty students in the 9th,10th and 11th grade from public and private high schools in the cities of Coral Springs and our partner cities. A team of trained volunteer leaders from the community, the high schools and area colleges will direct the program.

WHAT: UNITOWN is a weekend retreat for high school students where they receive training and enlightenment on issues involving diversity, community values and leadership. It brings together a group of diverse high school students from many racial, religious and cultural backgrounds in a controlled setting to interact with each other with a carefully selected, skilled and equally diverse adult/student volunteer staff. Students who attend will be sharing experiences of their own culture, gaining a better understanding of other groups and preparing themselves for leadership roles in their schools and in our community.

PURPOSE: UNITOWN will train youth for effective leadership in a pluralistic democracy without bigotry or discrimination and without compromise of distinctive faiths or identities. The objectives are:

**To learn about prejudice and discrimination and the effect they have on others within our society;
**To achieve greater understanding and respect for one’s self through interaction with persons of different ethnic origins;
**To develop skills needed to help solve individual and group problems in human relations;
**To help students understand and respect cultures different from their own; and
**To give direction to young people’s convictions and ideas regarding society.

COST: Although the program costs $150 per person, the student is only asked to pay a $40 Registration fee, which will be refunded to the student upon attendance and completion of the Camp. This includes room and board for the weekend (including snacks), facilitators’ fees, T-shirts, materials, photographs and reception. The program is subsidized by funding as recommended by The City of Lauderhill Commissioners.

WHERE: Gold Coast Christian Camp is located in Lake Worth, Florida. The delegates will stay in cabins. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with snacks will be provided.

TRANSPORTATION: Bus transportation will be provided to and from the Camp for the Lauderhill student representatives.

QUESTIONS: Call Joy or Ruth at City of Lauderhill (954) 321-2450

To You and Yours,

Chip-A-Tree Program Returns

County residents who are not sure what to do with the tree after the holidays are directed to the County’s Parks and Recreation Division’s Chip-A-Tree program. The free program encourages residents to bring their Christmas trees (no decorated trees will be accepted) to a participating park, where they are chipped and used for landscaping throughout the county park system. Last year, the Division recycled 10,561 trees, representing 132 tons of material that would otherwise have gone to landfills.

The program begins Friday, December 26, and runs through Sunday, January 18. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at various locations. Regular weekend holiday gate entrance fee will not be in effect for recyclers.

Chip-A-Tree Drop Off locations www.broward.org/parks/pr45.htm.

Happy Hanukah

Construction on New Lauderhill City Hall

New Art Sculpture for Ilene Lieberman Botanical Garden

The city has approved a new sculpture for the Botanical Garden designed by Mark Fuller. The funds to pay for this piece of art comes from the Public Art fee charged to developers (which cannot be spent for anything but public art), and is not from general tax revenues.

Space Heaters Can Be Dangerous

Its that time of year when we see cooler temperatures. Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires during the winter months. According to the most recent NFPA research report, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 62,200 reported U.S. home structure fires, causing 670 civilian deaths, 1,550 civilian injuries, and $909 million in direct property damage.

To help keep our community safe and warm this season, here are some recommended guidelines:

• Space heaters need space. Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
• Turn portable heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
• Plug power cords only into outlets with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord.
• Inspect for cracked, frayed or broken plugs or loose connections. Replace before using.
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. For the best protection interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home — when one sounds, they all sound. Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
• Never use an oven to heat your home.

As the City's Fire Marshal the use of portable space heaters in the workplace is discouraged, however if they are permitted please make sure that it is used in a safe manner and turned off at the end of the day, better yet just unplug it.

Have a safe a Holiday Season.

Marc Celetti
Deputy Fire Chief
Operations & Fire Prevention Bureau
Lauderhill Fire Rescue

Notes of the Commission Meeting, CRA Meeting, Special Commission Meeting and Workshop Meeting of December 8

On December 8, the City Commission met and held a Regular Commission Meeting, CRA Meeting, Special Commission Meeting and Workshop Meeting. The following is some points of interest from those meetings:

CRA MEETING:

1) CLOSING N.W. 19 STREET - to make it into a greenway, from the Turnpike to just east of Renaissance Plaza.

2) MASTER PLAN TASK FORCE REPORT - The Task Force has been meeting, and have developed an a plan to submit recommendations to the Commission at the Annual Retreat.

3) REDEVELOPMENT CAPITAL PROGRAM FUNDS - $5 1/2 million allocated to CRA's from the County. Projects are presently stalled due to economic reasons, so we need to determine how to use these funds. These funds must be spent by 2011. The recommendation was to use them towards the Cultural Arts Center, followed by a track/football facility at the regional park, and then a garage at the regional park.

4) DIRECTOR’S REPORT
A. ULI EXPO went well, and we are getting more response from new business inquiries.
B. NEW MARKETS TAX CREDITS - 1 in 7 get funded, so it may take a couple years to get.
C. CANNON POINT AMORTIZATION - Will be on Jan. 12 agenda.


WORKSHOP MEETING:

1. PRESENTATION BY MALCOLM PIRNIE REGARDING THE MANAGEMENT OF WATER SYSTEMS IN SOUTH FLORIDA (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN). South Florida Water Management has capped the water supply usage. Cities like Lauderhill will have to find ways to obtain water from alternative sources if they wish to exceed the cap of 8.9 Million gallons/day, or they will have to stop growth. The proposed plan for a reverse osmosis plant to draw from the Floridan Aquifer for Lauderhill is $40 Million. In conjunction with the Broward Water Resource Task Force, that the Mayor is a member, the city is seeking alternative ways to avoid this large an expenditure of funds. Conservation and reuse of water are two of the ways. The city will have to commit to decisions during 2009, and thereafter to implement.

2. PRESENTATION BY BROWARD COUNTY PLANNING SERVICES DIVISION STAFF ON STATUS OF MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL BROWARD BOULEVARD CORRIDOR REDEVELOPMENT PLAN. THOR (Transit/Housing Oriented Redevelopment) & TOC (Transit Oriented Corridors). County is looking to do it on Broward Blvd. in the unincorporated areas since Broward Estates is not interested at this time. Lauderhill instead could look at a Greenway system, and consider development on a case by case basis. It will have to brought to the neighborhood to consider before proceeding. In the future the county is looking at Oakland Park Blvd.

3. DISCUSSION OF ELIMINATION OF DEPUTY VICE MAYOR. The Commission decided to create a Alternate Presiding Officer for occassions when the Mayor and Vice Mayor is absent, so that the Commission can conduct a meeting when there still remains a quorum. The person will not have a title, and will be appointed annually by the Commission.

4. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE NO. 080-08-140 TABLED AT THE SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING.

ORDINANCE NO. 08O-08-140: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ARTICLE IV, DEVELOPMENT REVIEW REQUIREMENTS, SECTION 5.3. SITE PLAN REVIEW PROCESS, SUBSECTION 5.3.1, DEVELOPMENT REVIEW; ADDING SUBPARAGRAPH A.8. AND REQUIRING AN INTERACTIVE VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (IVCS) UNIT BE DISPLAYED ON THE SITE PLAN; ADDING SUBPARAGRAPH B.2. AND REQUIRING THE IVCS UNIT BE DISPLAYED ON THE ARCHITECTURAL PLANS; PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN). The Commission consensus was to keep it tabled for further information and action by the County.

5. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE NO. 080-08-141 TABLED AT THE SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING.

ORDINANCE NO. 08O-08-141: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS SCHEDULE E, ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND PROVISIONS FOR SPECIFIC USES; ADDING SECTION 3 TO REQUIRE WITHIN NEW DEVELOPMENTS EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEMS IN ALL COMMERCIAL OFFICE (CO), COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (CC), GENERAL COMMERCIAL (CG), AND LIGHT INDUSTRIAL (IL) ZONING DISTRICTS AND IN THE TRANSIT ORIENTED CORRIDOR FUTURE LAND USE MAP SERIES DESIGNATION, TO REQUIRE EXISTING BUSINESSES TO INSTALL SUCH SYSTEMS WITHIN FIVE YEARS, TO ADD NUISANCE REQUIREMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION; PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN). The Commission consensus was to keep it tabled for further information and action by the County.

6. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE NO. 08O-09-152 TABLED AT THE SEPTEMBER 8, 2008 COMMISSION MEETING.

ORDINANCE NO. 08O-09-152: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 7 ½ CODE ENFORCEMENT, TO CREATE A NEW ARTICLE III ENTITLED “ABANDONED REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY,” SECTIONS 7 ½ - 40 THROUGH 7 ½ - 50 TO INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, PROVIDING FOR PURPOSE AND INTENT; PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES; PROVIDING FOR MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY VICE MAYOR HAYWARD J. BENSON, JR.). Discussion concerning the proposed state law was brought up. That law would supercede local laws if passed. Mayor Kaplan drafted the law, and State Rep. Porth is sponsoring it in the Legislature. However, action to proceed was agreed to. Several questions came up as to provisions of the proposed ordinance, which the City Attorney and Mayor Kaplan will discuss before moving it forward to be voted upon.

7. WRAP UP DISCUSSION OF BROWARD CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL, INC. (BCCI) (REQUESTED BY VICE MAYOR HAYWARD J. BENSON, JR.). Concerns were addressed over parking issues at the event.


SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING:

Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-272: DECLARING THE INTENT TO USE THE UNIFORM METHOD FOR COLLECTING NON-AD VALOREM SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS LEVIED WITHIN THE INCORPORATED AREA OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL FOR THE COST OF PROVIDING STORMWATER SERVICES; PROVIDING FOR ANNUAL BILLING IN LIEU OF MONTHLY BILLING FOR SUCH FEES; STATING A NEED FOR SUCH LEVY TO COVER THE ACTUAL COSTS FOR SERVICES. The stormwater service is self funded and cannot run at a deficit. Right now the newly annexed areas stormwater service fee is being paid for by the rest of the city.


CITY COMMISSION MEETING:

PROCLAMATIONS:

A. A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JOEL WAUL, A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FOR BEING ENTERED IN TO THE “GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS” FOR THE BIGGEST RUBBER BAND BALL IN THE WORLD.

B. A PROCLAMATION EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO JOEL LESHINSKY FOR HIS THOUGHTFUL PARTICIPATION IN PREPARING A THANKSGIVING FEAST FOR EMPLOYEES OF LAUDERHILL WHO HAD TO WORK ON THE HOLIDAY.

C. A PROCLAMATION EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO PRESTIGE AUTO WASH AND SALON FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATION OF THE FOOD FOR THE THANKSGIVING FEAST FOR EMPLOYEES OF LAUDERHILL WHO HAD TO WORK ON THE HOLIDAY.


PRESENTATIONS:

A. A PRESENTATION BY POLICE CHIEF, KENNETH PACHNEK IN RECOGNITION OF LAUDERHILL POLICE OFFICERS FOR THEIR EXCELLENT POLICE WORK WITH THE “DUNKIN DONUTS” ROBBERIES.


ORDINANCES --- SECOND READING:

1. Approved ORDINANCE NO. 08O-11-157: Adoption of Zoning District Map by changing from General Commercial (CG) to Commercial Entertainment (CE) the zoning district of two parcels more commonly described as the former Prempart Motors Used Car lot.

2. Approved ORDINANCE NO. 08O-11-158: Amending the LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, BY ESTABLISHING A MINIMUM ONE-MILE SEPARATION DISTANCE BETWEEN GAME ROOMS AND BINGO HALLS RETROACTIVE TO OCTOBER 28, 2008.(REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER M. MARGARET BATES).

3. Approved ORDINANCE NO. 080-11-159: Amending the LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, BY ALLOWING WITHIN THE COMMERCIAL WAREHOUSE (CW) ZONING DISTRICT A PRIVATE CLUB, LODGE HALL, AND FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION AS A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER DALE V.C. HOLNESS).


RESOLUTIONS

COMMISSION

4. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-282: A RESOLUTION APPROVING PAYMENT OF THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES TO THE BROWARD LEAGUE OF CITIES IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,288.00 FOR THE 2008-2009 FISCAL YEAR; PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 001-101-5410.

5. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-283: APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BROWARD COUNTY AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL REGARDING THE BROWARD COUNTY LAND STEWARDSHIP GRANT PROGRAM FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE JOHN E. MULLIN PARK EXTENSION IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,000.00; PROVIDING FOR THE INSTALLATION OF IRRIGATION, PLAYGROUND, LANDSCAPING, LIGHTING AND SIGNAGE FOR THIS PROJECT; AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF CITY MATCHING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,000.00 THROUGH THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 305-361-6540; PROVIDING THAT BROWARD COUNTY SAFE PARKS AND LAND PRESERVATION BOND FUNDS WILL MATCH THE ADDITIONAL $75,000.00.

6. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-284: APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BROWARD COUNTY AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL REGARDING THE BROWARD COUNTY LAND STEWARDSHIP GRANT PROGRAM FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE OLD CITY HALL PARK ON 47th AVENUE IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,000.00; PROVIDING FOR THE INSTALLATION OF IRRIGATION, PLAYGROUND, LANDSCAPING, LIGHTING AND SIGNAGE FOR THIS PROJECT; AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF CITY MATCHING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,000.00 THROUGH THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 305-361-6232; PROVIDING THAT BROWARD COUNTY SAFE PARKS AND LAND PRESERVATION BOND FUNDS WILL MATCH THE ADDITIONAL $75,000.00.

7. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-295: INDICATING THE OFFICIAL INTENT OF THE CITY TO ISSUE TAX-EXEMPT BONDS TO FINANCE THE COST OF ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPPING AND INSTALLATION OF VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS DETAILED IN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL’S FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND TO USE A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH BONDS TO REIMBURSE EXPENDITURES PAID OR INCURRED PRIOR TO THE DATE OF ISSUANCE THEREOF.

8. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-296: APPROVING THE LICENSE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE HAZELLE P. ROGERS TO OCCUPY AND MAINTAIN AN OFFICE IN CONNECTION WITH HER OFFICIAL BUSINESS AS STATE REPRESENTATIVE LOCATED AT CORPORATE PARK, 3800 INVERRARY BOULEVARD, SUITE 307.


POLICE DEPARTMENT

9. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-286: APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $51,695.00 FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE “CRIMEVIEW SERVER” SOFTWARE FOR CRIME ANALYSIS AND MAPPING FROM THE SOLE SOURCE SUPPLIER, THE OMEGA GROUP.

10. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-287: APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $41,335.99 FOR THE PURCHASE OF DUTY AND TRAINING AMMUNITION FROM THE SOLE SOURCE SUPPLIER, FLORIDA BULLET, INC.

11. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-288: APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE PIGGYBACK OF THE BROWARD SHERIFF’S OFFICE CONTRACT #07C-206; APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,139.25 TO PURCHASE REPLACEMENT RADIO SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT FROM MOTOROLA, INC.

12. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-289: APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE PIGGYBACK OF THE MARTIN COUNTY FLORIDA CONTRACT PRICING; APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,590.20 TO PURCHASE EMERGENCY VEHICLE LIGHTING AND EQUIPMENT FROM LOCAL SUPPLIER EMERGENCY VEHICLE SUPPLY (EVS).

13. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-290: A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,000.00 FOR THE PURCHASE OF A REQUIRED UPGRADE TO THE CURRENT POLICE DEPARTMENT RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND TO PROVIDE FOR DATA TRANSFER DURING THE UPGRADE; PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 110-683-9936.

14. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-291: A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,229.00 FOR THE PURCHASE OF EVIDENCE RETENTION SUPPLIES FROM SIRCHIE FINGERPRINT LABORATORIES; PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 110-683-9936.

15. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-292: APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT STATE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND (LETF) IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,424.14 FOR THE PURCHASE OF EMERGENCY VEHICLE LIGHTING AND EQUIPMENT FROM LOCAL SUPPLIER EMERGENCY VEHICLE SUPPLY (EVS) FOR THE SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM VAN, BASED UPON THE MARTIN COUNTY FLORIDA CONTRACT PRICING (#AR-2007-2066.

16. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-293: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPROVING THE DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,500.00 FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT STATE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND (LETF) TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL MLK TASKFORCE TO SUPPORT THE 2009 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION FESTIVITIES.


QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS:

QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS, FIRST READING:

17. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-294: GRANTING TO PRECISION DIAGNOSTIC, INC. A LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDER, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW WITHIN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL (CG) ZONING DISTRICT, A TEMPORARY STORAGE AND USE OF A MOBILE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE (MRI) UNIT ON PROPERTY MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE LAUDERHILL SQUARE OUTPARCEL LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF NORTH STATE ROAD 7 AND N.W. 24th STREET, LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA.


NEW BUSINESS

A. SET DATE FOR CITY COMMISSION RETREAT. January 30, 2009 at 9:00 AM at the Lauderhill Golf Center.

Walls on Pine Island Road Scheduled to Start

For several years, the City of Lauderhill has tried to work with Broward County on new walls on Pine Island Road when the county widens the road. Funding for the road widening is from county gas tax revenues, and Lauderhill has been unable to stop the county from going forward.

Following the wishes from the residents in the area, the city worked to mitigate the problem as much as possible to provide as much safety and privacy as it could. Since this project is owned and managed by Broward County, Lauderhill has been told that construction will start in Jan '09 and that Contractor will start first with the west side (southbound) widening. It is anticipated that construction along Lauderhill's side will start after April '09.

The City did obtain an agreement with the County to erect the wall while the road work is done in the city's boundary, so Lauderhill is expected to finish the design plans by mid January '09 in order to facilitate the construction process. The new wall barrier will be placed as a replacement of the existing fence/wall.

"This Christmas the Musical" - A Hilarious Stage Play where Motown meets Hip Hop

ENCORE Performing Arts Center Inc. (ENCORE PAC Inc.) will hold its Grand Finale Fundraising Event at Parkway Middle School of the Arts ▪ 3600 NW 5th Court ▪ Lauderhill, Florida 33311.

Saturday, December 13, 2008 ▪ Showtime 2pm

It's Christmas Eve in the small town of Musicville and Ms. Mabel, a longtime Musicville resident, is preparing a big dinner for her family. What started out as just a few snowflakes, turned into the worst storm Musicville had ever seen! There would be no family in town for Christmas dinner this year.

Just when Ms. Mabel thought she'd be all alone on Christmas… there was a knock at the door!

What happens next is a MUST see!

Tickets only $10 ea.(donation) - Ask about group rates
To order tickets: call: (954)253-5115 (954)309-5665 (754)234-3481
email: encorepac@gmail.com
Mail payment to: PO Box 771354 ▪ Coral Springs, FL 33077

About ENCORE Performing Arts Center Inc.:

ENCORE Performing Arts Center Inc. is a non-profit children's theater group committed to providing a safe environment and creative outlet for South Florida's youth. ENCORE was founded in 2006, by Kyla Maull, Georgette Belton and Nicole Nelson, longtime advocates of children's involvement in the performing arts. Every Saturday, 10am-3pm, children ages 6-19, selected through an audition process, participate in a performing arts workshop at the Herbert G. Sadkin Community Center in Lauderhill, Florida. Through technical acting, dance and vocal training children are exposed to creative expression, critical thinking, public speaking and more. In addition to appearing in ENCORE's original productions, twice a year, they also perform at many events throughout South Florida. (ENCORE alum have also successfully auditioned for Nickelodeon and Producer/Director Tyler Perry and may appear in upcoming productions). Unlike other performing arts schools whose services are too expensive for most families, ENCORE is FREE for children ages 6-19yrs, regardless of household income, welcoming all children from Broward, Dade and Palm Beach counties.

Partners/Sponsors/Participants include: Mayor Richard J. Kaplan & the City of Lauderhill, The Herbert G. Sadkin Community Center, WQHT Hot 105 FM, DemoWorld Entertainment, Vintage Diversity.

ENCORE Performing Arts Center Inc.
PO BOX 771354
Coral Springs, FL 33077
954-309-5665
encorepac@gmail.comwww.myspace.com/encorepac

ENCORE Performing Arts Center Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to providing a safe environment and creative outlet for South Florida's youth.Encore Performing Arts Center Inc. is recognized by the IRS as a 501 c(3) Non-profit corporation.

Mayor's State of the City Speech - 2008

On December 8, at 6:30 PM, and during subsequent times afterwards in December, the Mayor will be giving his State of the City Speech on Comcast TV. It should be broadcasted on Channel 12 and/or 78. The text of the speech will also be available at under "Lauderhill Links" on the right side of this web site.

Donate Your Toys To The Needy

Again this year, the Fire-Rescue Department is supporting the PALS effort to help our residents in need. Starting Monday, 12/01/08 through12/15/08, we will be collecting food and toys for the holiday season.

If you would like to help, we will be accepting new / unwrapped toys and NON-PERISHABLE food items until Monday, 12/15/08, in time for distribution on Wednesday, 12/17. Sorry, we will not be able to accept any items after Monday, 12/15. To donate, you may take items to any of our FOUR fire stations:

Station 57 (Headquarters - 1980 NW 56 Ave.)
Station 30 (1181 NW 41 Terr, - right next to the Sadkin Center)
Station 73 (7801 NW 50 St - In front of Veteran's Park)
Station 110 (3120 NW 12 Place - Our newest station, on NW 31st Ave & NW12th Place)

Or, if you would like to donate and cannot make it to one of our stations, please call me and I will make arrangements to have things picked up (954-730-2950). Here's wishing you and yours a safe and healthy holiday season.

Tim Hautamaki
Assistant Fire Chief
Lauderhill Fire-Rescue

Lauderhill Garden Club has Formed

Photo by Jody Leshinsky at the Ilene Lieberman Botanical Garden

Volunteers have come forward to form the Lauderhill Garden Club. Meetings are on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month at Veterans Park, starting at 9:30 AM. The club will work with the city to find areas of the city to landscape.

Anyone with a green thumb, or would like a green thumb, and would like to volunteer, please attend the meetings. For more information you can also call Jennifer Tai, at 954-742-9457.