Girls Too Women, Inc. - Helping Girls Transition into Women

Girls Too Women, Inc. (GTW) focus is to empower girls transitioning into women with high-quality skills and knowledge. It provides girls from 5th to 12th grade, and young ladies 18 through 25 with a wide variety of self empowering workshops. Counseling, training, educational programs and support is provided.

GTW is a 501c3 non-profit organization located at 1505 NW 47th Ave., Lauderhill, FL 33313. More information can be obtained at http://www.girlstoowomen.vpweb.com/, or 954-822-9804.

Department of Energy Releases $37,000,000 US for Efficiency Research & Technology to Small Businesses

The Federal Department of Energy (DOE) has earmarked $37,000,000 in Recovery Act funding for small businesses through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBTT) programs. The DOE's SBIR/SBTT programs will target US companies with fewer than 500 employees, and applications are currently being accepted for topic areas related to improving energy efficiency including:

· advanced building air conditioning and refrigeration, thermal load shifting, and cool roofs
· water usage in electric power generation and industrial processes
· power plant cooling
· advanced gas turbines and materials
· sensors, controls, and wireless networks
· advanced water power technology development
· smart controllers for smart grid applications
· advanced solar technologies
· advanced industrial technologies development
· advanced manufacturing processes

The deadline for applications is September 4, 2009, with approximately $8,500,000 expected to be available for new Phase I awards. (Source: Cape Fear Business News, August 23, 2009) Contact: Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Programs, US Department of Energy, (301) 903-1414, www.sbir-sttr@science.doe.gov, www.science.doe.gov/sbir

An Open Letter from Lauderhill Resident, Lisa Timmons - Winner of the Channel 4 Phoenix Project

Hello Everybody,

I know it has been awhile since you have heard from me. I am still so excited. Talk about floodgates of heaven being thrown open and pouring out so many blessings that I am still reeling from them! Hallelujah!

I am so humbled for this opportunity and cannot thank God enough for this wonderful blessing. Mind you! Had I not received this wonderful award God is still awesome!

Please forward this email to all of your friends and family who supported me and who would like to know what happened to the Phoenix! I have begun a blog at, http://www.cbs4.com/phoenixblog, so that everyone can stay up to date.

In addition, for those who receive the local news for Broward, Dade and Monroe counties (Florida), you can view a segment of the wonderful businesses and service providers (featuring me) that helped to make the Phoenix Project come alive on Channel 4, Tuesdays between 5p and 5:40p. For those that are not local you can find these businesses (featuring me :), at http://www.cbs4.com/phoenix.

May God bless you all for you all have blessed me!

Love,

Lis'

A Letter from Broward County Concerning Walking through Construction to Discovery Elementary

When the school year begins, another new elementary school serving Lauderhill will open. A lot of work has gone into preparing for its opening, and one of the issues is the construction of Pine Island Road which borders the school. The following is a letter from Broward County, who is responsible for the construction of Pine Island Road, and how they are handling the pedestrian traffic (Note: there was no attachment to this letter):

Ladies & Gentlemen,

On Monday August 17, 2009 @ 10:00 AM a meeting was held at the Construction Office at Pine Island Road & NW 50 Street. The meeting was attended by representatives of the County, Contractor, Consultant and the School Board. The purpose of this meeting was to review the temporary provisions for pedestrian traffic along the Pine Island Road corridor from the neighborhoods, to the affected schools. Attached is a schematic copy of the walk routes that will be available and anticipated completion dates.

On the west side of Pine Island Road from Oakland Park Boulevard to NW 53 Court: temporary sidewalk will be in place.
On the west side of Pine Island Road from NW 53 Court to Commercial Boulevard: sidewalk has been provided behind the fence on the school property.
On the west side of Pine Island Road from Commercial Boulevard to NW 53 Court: a temporary right turn lane will be completed into Discovery Elementary.

On the east side of Pine Island Road from Oakland Park Boulevard to NW 44 Street: temporary sidewalk will be in place.
On the east side of Pine Island Road from NW 44 Street to NW 50 Street: new concrete sidewalk is complete.
On the east side of Pine Island Road from NW 50 Street to Commercial Boulevard: new concrete sidewalk is anticipated to be complete after Labor Day.

In the interim VMS Boards will be placed at NW 52 Street and NW 53 Court advising pedestrians to use alternate routes to access the established crossing guards at NW 50 Street and Commercial Boulevard.

If I may be of any assistance Please contact me at 954-XXX-XXXX

Thank you,

Donald G Quinn, Project Manager
BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Highway Construction & Engineering Division


NOTE: Lauderhill is involved in additional discussions to resolve concerns raised from this letter. Therefore, it could be subjected to modifications.

Mayor Works To Save Money and Energy on Street Lights

On June 26, Mayor Richard J. Kaplan appeared in front of the Public Service Commission to speak on the FP&L proposed rate increases. These increases were partly to help FP&L raise funds to invest in cleaner technology. Mayor Kaplan's testimony related to investing in low lying fruit that conserves energy, rather than produce more energy to consume.

Numerous examples were given from using CFL bulbs, to buying Energy Star appliances, among others. Credit was given to FP&L in providing a rebate to residents who buy new qualified air conditioners, and the testimony supported providing more such rebates to reduce the need for more power plants.

One issue brought up was that FP&L charges cities a flat rate for street lights (since they are not on meters). The rate is set by the Public Service Commission. Being the Federal Government is providing Energy Block Grants to Cities, specifically mentioning its use to be for providing for energy efficient street lights, LED street lights seemed to be a promising area to use the funds. They save 40 to 60% of the energy, and for the city of Lauderhill, that could mean an annual savings of $100,000 to $200,000/year.

However, in Mayor Kaplan's investigation, he found that while FP&L would allow a change to LED bulbs, the reduction in energy consumed (and thereby the reduction is energy costs) would not pass through to the cities. Instead, FP&L would keep all of the profits as a windfall.

FP&L stated that they are researching out LED lights in their own parking lights in Juno Beach, but it may take another year or so to determine if it would work, and what savings there would be. This has been a common response provided throughout the US by other utilities when confronted with the same request. However, the technology has been available for some time, and has been implemented throughout the US in numerous places. A significant amount of data is already available, though FP&L has no internal data of its own, which it is requiring.

Mayor Kaplan requested the Public Service Commission investigate this matter, and as part of the rate review of FP&L, that a lower rate charged on street lights be created if LED lights were used.

For more information see the Sun-Sentinel article: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/sfl-lauderhill-lights-fpl-b081709,0,7672530.story

Needed Preparations for Storm Season is Now

Dear Residents of the City of Lauderhill,

I have NOT activated my Emergency Notification System, but I wanted to send you this message because of a possible weather condition which is a matter of concern. Presently, Tropical Storm Anna and Bill are heading in the general direction of Florida. Based upon present projections, Thursday would be when the first tropical storm would be in our area. It is always possible that the route could take a change of direction, and either head closer to Florida or away from it. It could also pick up speed, which would result with a greater impact to our area, even if it stays on its presently projected course.

Being that we cannot guarantee the direction of the Storm, it is only prudent to take appropriate actions for safety reasons. Minimally, the precautions should address the concerns of flying debris. Please start looking at your hurricane plans. Address the need to bring in items (items under 50 lbs.) which could take flight, (flower pots, lawn furniture, BBQ's, flags, tools, etc.) from outside, into a secure area. If you have loose branches, please consider removing them now without injuring yourself or touching electric lines.

Right now would be a good time to make sure you have adequate supplies, batteries, flashlights, money, food and water supplies, etc., if power is lost. Also, you may wish to make sure you have sufficient gas for your car(s) and propane for your grill (storing it safely). Consult the guides the supermarkets and TV stations have been putting out for more information.

More announcements will be forthcoming as needed. It would be appreciated if you would notify others since this system does not reach everyone. If we can be of further assistance, please let us know.

Very Truly Yours,

Richard J. Kaplan
Mayor, City of Lauderhill

Lifeguard Traning Schedule

The City of Lauderhill is conducting a Lifeguard Training Program for 2009. For those interested in become an American Red Cross trained lifeguard, the schedule for the remainder of the year is:

September 12, 13, 19 & 20
October 10, 11, 17 & 18
November 14, 15, 21 & 22
December 12, 13, 19 & 20

Typically Lifeguards are typically paid $10/hour or more, and make a great summer job.

Location is at Veterans Park, 7600 NW 50th Street, For more information call 954-572-1462.

USA invites England and Australia to play in Florida

by DreamCricket USA

By Peter Simunovich

Don Lockerbie, the USACA Chief Executive Officer, has made a rushed trip to London to meet with Australian and England administrators in a bid to get the teams to play practice matches against the US national team early next year before the T20 World Cup tournament in the Caribbean.

Australia and England are now playing in the Ashes Test series and will meet in the Second Test at Lord’s this weekend.

Lockerbie, who left the US on Monday and is expected back this weekend, has already spoken with all the other leading cricket nations, including India, the West Indies and Pakistan, about playing the US in lead up matches to the T20 tournament.

“So far they have all said they are interested, but no firm decision has yet been given by any of the countries,” Manaf Mohamed, the USACA Second Vice President and Director of Cricket Operations told DreamCricket.com in an interview.

“The idea is to give the US team the chance to play against the best players in the world before the T20 tournament in the Caribbean next year. It will also help promote the game in the US. It would be a great experience for the US team.”

The US would also get international coverage of the matches, which would also give it an opportunity to showcase its talent of players.

The matches, if agreed upon, would be played on a turf wicket at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill, which is about five miles from Fort Lauderdale. Mohamed said the stadium has 5,000 seats and can accommodate up to 20,000 with extra seating.

He said that Lockerbie also planned to talk to the top countries about using fields in Florida as practice sessions before moving to the Caribbean for the T20 tournament.

Mohamed said that Lockerbie was hoping to have the matches recognized by the ICC to add status to the contests.

US captain Steve Massiah was excited about the potential matches when he was told about them. “This is amazing,” he told DreamCricket.com.

“This is really a blessing and a great opportunity for the US team to play against the top players and the best teams in the world.

“I think this will benefit us as a team in many, many ways. It will be a confidence booster for our guys to have played against the best players and teams in the world.

“I have always believed that the better the opposition is then it raises the level of the standard of competition. This is terrific news.”

Lockerbie has said since he became the first CEO of USACA that he wants top cricket countries to visit the US to play against the national team.

His philosophy is to promote cricket in the US and give the US team the chance to play against the best and to see what it takes and how much improvement is needed to be ranked with the elite of cricket.

Fall Baseball Season - Register Now

Each Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM, and on weekdays from 10 AM to 8 PM, Parents can register their children for Lauderhill Fall Baseball. Registration is at Veteran's Park, 7600 NW 50th Street.

Children from 5-6 play T-Ball, 7-8 play Coach Pitch, 9-10 Double A, 11-12 Triple A, and 13-15 Majors. The cost is $25 for the first child, and $20 for each additional child. New paraticipants may have the cost of the uniform too.

For more information call 954-572-1459.

Hometown Democracy Question to be on November 2010 Ballot

A proposed Florida constitutional amendment that would give voters a say on how their communities grow, including such decisions as where shopping centers, homes and roads are built, will be on the 2010 ballot.

A private organization, Florida Hometown Democracy, has collected enough signature to place the question on the ballot. To be designated as Amendment 4, the petition drive has been working for a public vote for 4 years. To pass, it will require a 60 percent approval by voters.

The constitutional amendment would require local referendums on changes to city and county comprehensive plans. While intending to give local voters a say in their city and county, the result, if passed, will be staggering on voters and the economy of Florida. Ballots could exceed 50 pages, and all development would come to a halt until a successful vote occurs. The costs of local referendums will have to be paid for by taxpayers, and it is unclear how often a voter referendum on a subject matter will occur.

An interesting alliance of business and development interests, along with government and public interest groups (including environmental groups and 1000 Friends of Florida) are opposing the amendment. If passed, the amendment would be a drag on Florida's already sagging economy, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce believes it may permanent cause Florida to remain in a recession, and hopelessly complicate the planning process.

Opponents also have begun their own petition drive for a competing amendment known as Smarter Growth with a provision saying it would prevail if voters approve both. Smarter Growth would require referendums on planning changes only if 10 percent of registered voters sign a petition within 60 days.

Commission in Summer Recess

From the completion of the Annual Budget Workshops on July 14, until August 31, all regularly scheduled Commission Meetings and Workshops have been cancelled. This is the time each year that the Commission takes its Summer Recess and city staff can arrange vacations. It thereby avoids conflicts with vacations and meetings.

Our next regular Commission Meeting will be the last Monday in August (Aug. 31).