This Civic Packet contains news and information about events and programs available to residents, businesses and visitors in the City of Fort Lauderdale.

Regular City Commission meetings are scheduled for
6p, Tuesday, February 2 and Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Headlines:

• SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch Celebrates Black History Month

• Noon Tunes: Every Wednesday in February and March

• Remembering Our Roots – February 13

• Kijiji Moja Celebration Set for February 20

• Joseph C. Carter Park Features Programs and Events for All Ages

• Beach Community Center Announces Programs and Events

• A1A Marathon set for Sunday, Feb. 21

• Annual Sistrunk Parade & Festival set for Saturday, Feb. 27

• Water Matters Day is March 13

• Volunteers Needed for 33rd Annual Waterway Cleanup

• Community Appearance Board Announces November ‘WOW Award’ Winner

• Thanks to Downtown Countdown Sponsors

• Save the Date: St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival Set for Sat., March 13

• 2010 Census Reminder

• NW Commercial Project Public Meeting

February SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch Celebrates Black History Month

Sunday, February 7
11a – 2p 
Along the Riverwalk from Esplanade Park to Riverfront

Celebrate Black History Month at the SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch! The SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch is an ideal way to relax and enjoy Fort Lauderdale’s scenic Riverwalk.  Listen to the soulful sounds of outstanding local jazz artists on four stages from 11a to 2p on the first Sunday of each month.

The SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch is produced by the City of Fort Lauderdale and is sponsored by SunTrust, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Las Olas Riverfront, News Radio 610 WIOD and 93.9 WMIA.

The scheduled performers for Sunday, February 7, are:

Esplanade Stage – Ruby Baker
Connie Hoffmann Gazebo – The Stamps Jazz Quartet
Peck Courtyard – Riverside Band
Las Olas Riverfront Stage – Moose and the Bulletproof Blues and Jazz Band

For more information, please call the 24-hour hotline at (954) 828-5363 or visit www.fortlauderdale.gov.

Noon Tunes: Every Wednesday in February and March

Start your lunch hour on a high note with the City of Fort Lauderdale’s 6th Annual Comcast Noon Tunes, a free lunchtime concert series. The 2010 Noon Tunes will be presented every Wednesday, from February 4 through April 1 (except March 31), from 12p to 2p at Stranahan Park, located at 100 E. Broward Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

The concert series offers a wide variety of music and features a different live performer each week. Come have lunch and relax at one of the many picnic tables that will be placed throughout Stranahan Park. From jazz to classic rock-n-roll, Noon Tunes has it all.  Pack your lunch and come enjoy nature and music together!

Noon Tunes is sponsored by Comcast and produced by the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Parks and Recreation Department. For more information, please call the 24-Hour Special Events Hotline at (954) 828-5363 or visit www.fortlauderdale.gov.

Remembering Our Roots – February 13

Riverland Park is celebrating Black History Month with Remembering Our Roots on Saturday, February 13 from 3p to 5p, at 950 SW 27th Avenue.

This free program will feature live performances from several different musical, dance and specialty groups. Appearances will include the Riverland Elementary Chorus, the Riverland Fit Kidz Club children, the Warfield Park Double Dutch team and the Roots and Culture dance team. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, please call (954) 321-1234.

Kijiji Moja Celebration Set for February 20

The City of Fort Lauderdale invites you to join us for Kijiji Moja, a celebration in recognition of Black History Month, on Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 1p to 5p at Carter Park, 1450 W Sunrise Boulevard.

Kijiji Moja is Swahili for “one village.” Communities unite through live entertainment, drumming circles, ethnic crafts, tribal storytelling and other inner-attainment. The event is free for the entire family. For more information, please call (954) 828-5411.

 

Carter Park Features Programs and Events for All Ages
1450 W. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
Phone: (954) 828-5411

Carter Park Tiny Tots

This program is for potty-trained toddlers ages 2-3 years old that may be ready for school, but are not old enough. Toddlers will learn skills such as letter and number recognition, counting and all skills needed to ensure that they are ready for that next step in their pursuit of a great education. Children attending should bring a daily snack. For more information, call (954) 828-5411 or (954) 828-4544.

Monday – Friday
8:00a – 12:30p
Ages 2-3 years old
Residents $20/month
Non-Residents $30/month

 
Sunland Senior Club

Come out and join other retirees on the first and third Tuesday of every month! There will be games, special presentations and outings. This is a great way to enhance your golden years with new friends and fun. Refreshments will be served.

Now through June 2010
11a – 1p
Residents $45
Non-Residents $67.50
Meetings held in the JCCP Annex

Men’s Open Basketball League

Tuesday and Wednesday Evenings
January 5 – March 9
7p, 8p, and 9p
Residents $400/team
Non-Residents $600/team

Women’s Open Basketball League

Thursday Evenings
January 7 – March 11
7p, 8p, 9p
Residents $350/team
Non-Residents $525/team

Beach Community Center Announces Programs and Events

3351 N.E. 33rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Phone: (954) 828-4610

Party Bridge

Wednesdays and Thursdays
12:30p – 3:30p

Water Color

Participants will explore a variety of watercolor painting techniques and themes in this class, from the beginning artist to the accomplished painter. Unlock and explore your personal, creative side.

Session II
Fridays, January 29 through February 26
12p – 2:30p
Residents $66
Non-Residents $100

A.A.R.P. Drivers Safety Program

Get a discount on your auto insurance while learning how to improve your safety on the road in a classroom setting. RSVP (954) 501-5030.

Session II
February 15 and February 17*  
9a – 1p
*Must attend both classes

Adult Trips and Tours

The winter brochure is now available. Stop by to pick one up or download one at http://fortlauderdale.gov/life/guides/TripsandTours.pdf. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please call (954) 828-4610.

 
Beginning Bridge Lessons

Learn to play the fascinating game of bridge from our expert, Margery Pecoraro!  Learn sample hands to play and basic bidding. No partners are needed.  Please register early.

January 5 – February 23
Tuesdays (8-week class)
9:30a – 11:30a
Residents $50
Non-Residents $75

 
Mahjongg Lessons

Learn to play Mahjongg, an engaging game of Chinese tiles. Golda Levitan will instruct this social game of skill, strategy, intelligence, calculations & luck.

Session II
Fridays, February 5 - 26
9:30a – 11:30a
Residents $35 per session
Non-Residents $52.50 per session

Line Dance

Enjoy ballroom dancing? The line dance classes teach the step patterns which will enable you to follow or lead a partner in ballroom dance. The basics of Waltz, Latin and Swing are incorporated into the classes along with line dance rhythms.

Wednesdays
All Skill Levels Invited
6:30p – 8p
Residents  $5
Non-Residents $7.50
Instructed by Sandra Balestracci             

Thursdays
Beginner Level
9:30a – 10:30a
Residents $4 / Non-Residents $6  

Thursdays
Intermediate Level
10:30a – 12p
Residents $5 / Non-Residents $7.50

A1A Marathon set for Sunday, Feb. 21

Starts 6a
A1A Seabreeze Boulevard and Harbor Drive

The Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon/Half Marathon will once again be hitting the scenic streets of Fort Lauderdale on February 21, 2010.

From the Florida Keys to Daytona Beach, the beautiful coastal State Road A1A offers you the best views of the Atlantic Ocean from your car or as a marathon course! The Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon Presented by Publix is a fantastic dream come true for any enthusiast from Florida or around the world. Saddled by beautiful beaches, lined with palm trees and overlooking vibrant blue Atlantic waters, you just might forget your running a marathon!

With the ideal venue set right off the ocean for just about every inch of the course, this magical run will stir the soul and captivate the imagination. Making its way up and down the coast, runners and spectators will be amazed at the beauty of South Florida.

The Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon Presented by Publix is bringing you the thrill and challenge of a great marathon along with the entertainment and beauty that encapsulates Fort Lauderdale. There is no compromise when it comes to having some of the best entertainment along with a vibrant nightlife to house this premier event. Our better than a fantasy approach will knock you out of your socks once you have made the Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon Presented by Publix a stop on your race schedule.

Being one of the world's most attractive destinations, Florida beaches will serve as the ultimate backdrop for all the festivities surrounding our race event. We feel that everyone is a winner for showing up a supporting the sport they love so deeply and for that alone we aim to make everyone experience the thrill of being number one.

To pursue the vision of exciting running and first class service the Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon Presented by Publix hopes to cool your legs with a post race party in paradise like no other right on the Beach as you cross the finish line. Not only that, but the party will start early as live bands and spirit squads take you from concert to concert along the course. When all is said and done we hope that every memory from the A1A is lasting and enjoyable, join us as at the starting line to see what awaits!

In its 5th year, the Fort Lauderdale Marathon/Half Marathon continues to build on its success.  Registration and information is available online at www.A1Amarathon.com

Annual Sistrunk Parade & Festival set for Saturday, Feb. 27

Honoring Our Past, Embracing Our Future!

The Parade

The Annual Sistrunk Parade celebrates the rich diversity of our communities and brings everyone together for a day of celebration along historic Sistrunk Boulevard.

Beginning at 8:30a at the New Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 400 Northwest 9th Avenue, the parade travels down Sistrunk Boulevard, and ends at Delevoe Park.  The event is free to observers.

The Festival

Sistrunk Historical Festival is a cultural organization that celebrates the accomplishments of people of African descent. The organization is named in honor of  Dr. James Sistrunk, one of the first African-American Physicians in Broward County.  Annual activities provide educational, historical, and recreational events in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area. The event attracts thousands of participants from the tri-county area and other parts of the State.

Rain or shine, the event will be held from 11a – 6p, along the streets of Sistrunk Boulevard from 22nd Road West to 27th Avenue.

The festival provides a day for the community filled with music, food, child-centric activities, a health fair, and a performance by a national recording artist.  The 2010 headline entertainer is Ginuwine.  Admission is free.

For more information, visit the event website at www.sistrunkfestival.org or call 954.687.3472.
 

Water Matters Day is March 13

Learn about the role you can play in managing and protecting water resources in your home, yard and community by attending the eighth annual Water Matters Day event.

The City of Fort Lauderdale is partnering with Broward County and other local governments, environmental organizations, and businesses to sponsor this daylong event.

Water Matters Day will take place on Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 9a to 3p at Tree Tops Park, which is located at 3900 S.W. 100th Avenue/Nob Hill Road in Davie. Admission to the park is $1.50 per person.  Admission is free for children 5 and under.  

The theme for Water Matters Day is “Saving Makes Sense,” which focuses on NatureScape principles to help homeowners save time and money while conserving water resources.

The event will feature a variety of information, activities, and giveaways, including:

• Workshops and educational exhibits on NatureScape principles, pest control through integrated pest management, stormwater management, and water conservation

• Free plants and trees for attendees who visit at least 12 of the educational exhibits

• Live musical entertainment and fun activities for children including craft activities, clowns and face painting

Fort Lauderdale residents may visit the City’s Environmental Services booth to learn about stormwater pollution prevention, water conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping and more.

For more information about Water Matters Day, please call Broward County's Natural Resources Planning & Management Division, at 954.519.0328 or visit www.broward.org/watermatters.

 
 

Volunteers Needed for 33rd Annual Waterway Cleanup

The City of Fort Lauderdale is proud to be a Site Sponsor for the 33rd annual Waterway Cleanup, being held Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 9a to 1p at 30 Broward County locations.  The Waterway Cleanup is an annual event spearheaded by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF). The event aims to clean up Broward County’s canals and waterways and promote environmental responsibility.

Last year, an estimated 2,800 volunteers worked at locations across Broward County to clean nearly 41 tons of trash and debris from our waterways, rivers and canals.

Volunteers are needed to make this effort a success.  People of all ages from all communities and neighborhoods are invited to participate by boat or on foot to remove debris from the waterways and shorelines. 

Becoming a Waterway Cleanup volunteer is simple. To register online, visit www.waterwaycleanup.org and click on the “Volunteers” link at the top of the page.  Volunteers may also register by calling MIASF at 954-524-2733.  Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Community Appearance Board Announces November ‘WOW Award’ Winner

The WOW Award for November 2009 was presented to Dr. Ivan and Kristi Puente, residents of the Coral Ridge Association, which is located in Commission District I.

Ivan and Kristi’s house has undergone many transformations since it was originally built in their Coral Ridge neighborhood in 1989. The previous owner renovated the home in 1997. In 2005, Hurricane Wilma entered through the windows of two balconies, imploded the home and took the roof with her. As a result, everything from the electricity to the drywall had to be rebuilt inside the home and all of the landscaping had to be replaced outside the home. 

Kristi and Ivan have since rebuilt their home, which features a unique combination of stainless steel and glass. The eye-catching stainless steel front doors are surrounded by a glass entryway and finished with a new stainless steel overhang. 

Kristi and Ivan had the two bedroom balconies removed from the back of the home and closed in the large windows with solid walls, which expanded one of the bedrooms. A second floor bedroom above the garage was also expanded and made flush with the front of the home. An office loft was constructed at the opposite end of the second floor.  These improvements resulted in an additional 450 square feet of living space for the Puente’s.

In addition, seventy percent of the home’s windows have been replaced with hurricane-resistant impact glass windows, and the entire property was re-landscaped. The highlight of Kristi and Ivan’s landscaping is their collection of Palm trees, most of which are native to Florida. 

Although there was significant damage to their home, Kristi and Ivan took advantage of the opportunity to make several structural improvements to safeguard it for the future.  Not only have they made their home safer, they made it more enjoyable for their family.

The Fort Lauderdale City Commission and the Community Appearance Board proudly present the WOW Award to Nora and Al, and thank them for enhancing their community and the City of Fort Lauderdale.
 

WOW Award Recognizes Stellar Fort Lauderdale Properties

If you see a house that makes you stop and say “WOW,” or you think your house has the “WOW” factor, nominate it for a monthly WOW award. The Community Appearance Board recognizes residential properties throughout the City that contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the neighborhood through its WOW Award Program. Board members nominate homes for a WOW award; however, residents may nominate their homes or a neighbor’s home for an award.  Nominations may be for landscaping, renovation, property maintenance, overall exterior beauty and style, and neighborhood enhancement.

If a property is selected as a WOW winner, the homeowner will receive special recognition at a City Commission meeting, a gift certificate from a program sponsor, and a WOW Winner yard sign to display on their property. The owner’s home will also be featured on Channel 78, the City’s government access cable station, and possibly be featured in local and City publications.

For more information about the WOW Award Program or to nominate a home for an award, please visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/neighborhoods.  Nominations can be made online!
 

Save the Date: St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival Set for Saturday, March 13

Mark your calendars for March 13, 2010 and join us for the 2010 Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival!

The Festival will include cultural games and events, such as sheep herding, currach racing and hurling, as well as live music, entertainment, and dance performances.

A special children's area will feature games, storytelling, amusements, delicious treats, contests and other activities.

Additional Festival highlights include historical education and ancestry areas, trivia, cooking demonstrations, authentic Irish cuisine and much more!

St. Patrick’s Day Events on Saturday, March 13, 2010

Festival - Noon to 9p
Huizenga Plaza and along the Riverwalk to Riverfront

Parade – 2p – 3p
Along Las Olas Boulevard

For more information, please call 954-828-5985 or visit www.ftlaudirishfest.com.

Parade Application
To participate in the parade, please download the parade letter and application form at www.ftlaudirishfest.com.
 

The City of Fort Lauderdale would like to thank its sponsors for their participation in this year’s Downtown Countdown.

AT&T – Title Sponsor

Ford, FPL, Yellow Cab, CBS 4, My 33, Heineken, Bacardi, Jack Daniels, Keith & Schnars, DDA, and Tarpon Bend
Thank you for making a great event even better!
 

2010 Census – It’s in Our Hands!

The 2010 Census is coming!  U.S. Census forms will be mailed to every City of Fort Lauderdale household in March 2010.  The form takes only 10 minutes to complete and it’s completely confidential.  Future community funding is based on census results. The City of Fort Lauderdale is counting on you to be counted on Census day, April 1, 2010!

Remember: 2010 Census – It’s in our Hands!  Don’t let the City of Fort Lauderdale go uncounted!

For more information visit our website at www.fortlauderdale.gov.

      Public Meeting
      NW Commercial Project
      2p, Saturday, January 23, 2010
      Location: NW Commercial Property
      (Intersection of Sistrunk Boulevard & N.W. 7th Avenue)
      Parking available onsite.
      For more information call 954-828-4514

Please help us keep the Civic Packet mailing list current.  Following civic association elections, please send new contact information to:

      Matt Little
      City of Fort Lauderdale
      101 NE 3rd Avenue, Suite 300
      Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
      or email to:
      mlittle@fortlauderdale.gov