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 6 pm, Tuesday, October
6, and Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Headlines:
Special Events: Jazz
Brunch, Youth Soccer Family Fun Day, Pan African Bookfest, Halloween
Happenings
Recreational Programming
Census 2010 – It’s In Our Hands!
Proper Swale Maintenance Is Key to Flood Prevention
Community Appearance Board Announces WOW Award Winner for June 2009
South Middle River’s Home and Garden Festival set for Saturday October 24,
2009
Guidelines for Residential Bulk Trash Program
Late September Events: Dolphin Day, Harbordale Crime Walk
Special
Events
Jazz
Brunch – First Sun day of each month
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. For more
information, please call our 24-hour hotline at 954-828-5363 or visit
www.fortlauderdale.gov/life.
The scheduled performers for Sunday, October 4, are:
Esplanade Stage – Valerie Tyson
Connie Hoffmann Gazebo – Debbie Orta Quartet
Peck Courtyard – Flute Factor with Meryl Tananger
Las Olas Riverfront Stage – Nucklebusters Quintet
Youth
Soccer Family Fun Day
Saturday, October 10,
2009
9a – 12p
Croissant Park - 245 West Park Drive
For more information, please call 954-468-1487.
Pan African Bookfest
Saturday, October 17
10a – 4p
Carter Park - 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd.
For more information, please call 954-828-5411.
Halloween
Happenings
Trick-or-Treat Party
Saturday, October 24,
2009
6p – 8p
Riverland Park - 950 S.W. 27th Ave.
Free and open to all ages
Details: 954-321-1234
Pumpkin
Patch Carnival
Friday, October 30, 2009
6:30p - 8:30p
Warfield Park - 1000 N. Andrews Ave.
Free and open to all ages
Details: 954-759-6896
Annual
Halloween Party
Saturday October 31st,
2009
4p – 6p
Croissant Park Community Center - 245 West Park Drive
Free and open to all ages
Details: 954-468-1487
Halloween
Costume Party
Saturday, October 31,
2009
5p – 9p
Carter Park Pool - 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd.
Free and open to ages
Details: 954-828-5411
Recreational Programming
Fit Kidz
After School Club
Join the club – the Fit
Kidz Club! The Fit Kidz Club, an after school program designed for
children ages 6-12 years old, was created to increase the overall health
of children with weekly fitness activities and youth sports. This
affordable program is offered at a variety of community cente rs
throughout the City of Fort Lauderdale. The program dates mirror the
school calendar from August 24 to June 9. Fees are $270 for residents and
$1,083 for non-residents. Reserve your child’s membership today! For more
information or to register, please call 954-828-PARK or visit
www.fortlauderdale.gov/life.
Carter
Park Youth Baseball - Register Now!
The Carter Park Kings
Youth Baseball Club is now accepting registrations for the fall season.
This program is open to children ages 9-14 years old. The season runs
through December 7 with practices held each Sunday from 3:30p to 7p.
Registrations are being accepted at Carter Park on Monday through Friday
from 9a to 5p. For more information, please call 954-828-5411 or
954-663-9498 or visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/life.
Stay Fit
and Active at the Beach Community Center
The Beach Community
Center offers a variety of convenient, affordable fitness classes and
other activities. Fitness offerings include power lunch crunch, yoga,
chair yoga and more. Other activities offered at the Beach Community
Center include art classes and computer classes. For more information
including class schedules and prices, please call 954-828-4610 or visit
www.fortlauderdale.gov/life.
Census
2010 – It’s In Our Hands!
The City of Fort
Lauderdale wants you to be counted! The 2010 Census is just around the
corner and we want you in the number.
Over $300 billion in federal funding is distributed to communities each
year based on Census data. Let’s make sure the City of Fort Lauderdale
receives our fair share.
The Census is important for many reasons, but the most important is
funding for our community. Every citizen counts. Just one person not
counted results in less funding for programs including Head Start, Title I
Grants, public transportation, road rehabilitation and construction,
programs for the elderly, emergency food and shelter and empowerment
zones.
Not only does the Census ensure funding for meaningful human service
programs, but it also helps the private sector determine where jobs and
job programs are needed. Corporations use population data for market
research to determine locations for commercial enterprises (e.g.: food
stores, pharmacies, other essential services). The Census determines how
many seats each state is allocated in the House of Representatives.
Next year’s Census Survey is short and simple: just 10 easy questions. All
of your information is secure and confidential.
As a City resident, your help is needed to:
Increase the response rate for the City of Fort Lauderdale
Bring together a cross section of our community to focus on and create
awareness for the 2010 Census
Make certain your neighbors don’t get left out
Make certain we are represented
Make certain we receive the funding we deserve as a community
Calling
on volunteers to serve on the 2010 City of Fort Lauderdale Complete Count
Committee
The City aims to increase
the response rate for Fort Lauderdale by bringing tog ether a diverse
cross section of our community. Volunteers on the committee will promote
strategies for ensuring that everyone gets counted.
By counting everyone, Fort Lauderdale residents will receive the benefits
of federal funding for important services.
If you would like to serve on the 2010 City of Fort Lauderdale Complete
Count Committee, please complete the application available at
www.fortlauderdale.gov, or pick-up a hard copy of the application at City
Hall, 8th floor, 100 North Andrews Avenue. To receive an application by
mail, call the Clerk’s Office at 954-828-5002.
For more information about the Census, visit the City of Fort Lauderdale’s
website – www.fortlauderdale.gov.
Proper
Swale Maintenance Is Key to Flood Prevention
Tropical storms,
hurricanes and an overall active rainy season have created flooding in
many areas of South Florida, and may continue do to so until the end of
the season this November. Stormwater management is particularly
challenging during this time of year and the need to minimize flooding,
conserve water and reduce pollution increases.
One of the major contributors to good stormwater management is a properly
designed and functioning swale. A swale is a long narrow depression, which
varies in depth from six inches to a few feet and is typically wider than
it is deep.
Swales are designed to provide water quality treatment that will reduce
pollution as well as control flooding during storm events. They retain and
treat stormwater runoff by acting as filters and intercept and convey
water to inlets or canals.
In order for swales to function as designed, maintenance is essential.
Swales that have been filled with debris will hamper the
movement/conveyance of stormwater and may cause flooding. However, swales
that have been maintained will provide storage, filtration and conveyance
of stormwater for a cleaner, safer and more efficient stormwater
management system.
Here are a few maintenance tips to help you improve potential neighborhood
flooding.
1. Maintain your swale. Keep swales on your property "open" and free of
piles of clippings, leaves, limbs and other garden debris so that nothing
obstructs the flow of stormwater drainage.
2. Do not misuse your swale. Avoid parking vehicles in the swale because
this compacts the soil and allows less stormwater runoff to soak into the
ground.
3. Let stormwater pond. When water ponds in the swale for 24 to 36 hours,
the swale is doing its job and will eventually convey water to an inlet or
allow it to percolate into the soil. Advise local officials about flooding
only if water ponds so long that swale vegetation begins to die.
4. Perform regular clean-outs of catch basins on your property to remove
built-up sediment and other potential contaminants from your system that
will impede drainage and affect water quality.
5. Make sure your property's infrastructure is maintained and that
stormwater management rules and regulations are being followed throughout
the neighborhood and community.
6. Keep an eye on neighborhood storm drains. Make sure that all debris
such as leaves, yard clippings, street trash and animal waste is removed
from storm drain openings and does not get into stormwater.
7. Sweep the debris off the storm drain. Do not use a hose, as it will
only wash more pollutants into storm drain systems.
8. Never pour household chemicals, pesticides, oil, auto care products or
paint into drainage systems. Remember, what is washed down these drains
could wind up in your water supply.
9. When landscaping your property, remember that you should never change
the grading of slopes that drain into canals, waterways or lakes. The
grading is based on state and local minimum requirements and was designed
by a State of Florida Registered Professional Engineer to meet water
quantity and quality criteria.
10. Report clogged storm drains or illegal dumping into the stormwater
system by calling 954-828-8000.
For more information about swales and stormwater treatment, please visit
the City of Fort Lauderdale's website at http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/public_services/swales/sos.htm.
Community
Appearance Board Announces WOW Award Winner for June 2009
Jenneita Higgins and
Marion Mead
Melrose Park Civic Association – District III
In 1989, Marion took a weekend trip to Fort Lauderdale to visit a friend
and get away from the cold New York weather. She immediately fell in love
with Fort Lauderdale’s tropical climate. Approximately three months after
her visit, Marion’s friend informed her that he was selling his house and
was giving her the first opportunity to purchase it. Although she was not
planning to purchase a home, Marion and her mother, Jenneita, thought this
would be a great summer home for the family.
Marion and Jennetia put countless hours into making the needed repairs to
their 2,100 square foot home in the Melrose Park neighborhood. The home’s
prominent features include the Terracotta circular driveway and the
beautiful landscape, which includes various palm trees that outline the
property.
What Marion and Jenneita enjoy most about their home is the rich soil that
enables them to cultivate numerous types of fruits and vegetables, as well
as fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, tea mint, and oregano. They feel
that it is best to eat natural, homegrown produce because it is healthier,
and they feel it is even more rewarding to grow it themselves.
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!
South
Middle River’s Home and Garden Festival set for Saturday October 24, 2009
In past years the Home
and Garden Tour at the community garden has been a highlight of the fall
season in South Middle River neighborhood. Residents and visitors have
looked forward to the home and garden tour, great food, bake sale, booths,
giant raffle, pet show and other festivities it has offered.
This year, South Middle River Civic Association, in conjunction with the
Episcopal Church of the Intercession and the Fort Lauderdale Women’s Club,
hopes to offer another great event, with active participation of members,
friends and residents from all Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods and beyond.
Booths, pet show, giant raffle, food and a tour of all the great homes and
the gardens of South Middle River will be a part of the festival.
If you’re a vendor and wish to rent a booth, please contact Jo Ann Smith
at 954-298-5607. If you wish to display your home and/or garden, contact
Carmen Smith at 754-214-3905. If you would like to volunteer to help in
the food/concession area please contact Ann Sparks at 954-763-7354.
Please join us and meet new and old friends of South Middle River
neighborhood. By attending this fun event, you will appreciate the
greatness and rich heritage of South Middle River. We look forward to
seeing you there! -- South Middle River Civic Association
Guidelines for Residential Bulk Trash Program
The City of Fort
Lauderdale offers monthly residential bulk trash service to dispose of
household items, including limited construction debris. Bulk trash crews
provide pickup service once a month on specific days for each of the
City’s neighborhoods.
Crews will pick up a maximum of 10 cubic yards, which is a pile of trash
approximately 6 feet wide, 15 feet long and 3 feet high, or equal to the
size of a full-size automobile. Anything more than 10 cubic yards will not
be picked up unless a prearranged pickup is scheduled by calling
954-828-8000. Each additional cubic yard is $13 on your service day. If
the City’s bulk trash program does not meet your needs, please call the
24-Hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000 for a list of disposal
facilities that accept bulk trash.
Items
Accepted for Pickup
The City will pick up
furniture, carpet, mattresses, toys, bicycles, refrigerators,
air-conditioner units, hot water heaters, stoves, washers and dryers. The
City will also accept a maximum of four railroad ties and four rims and/or
tires are accepted.
The City will accept construction debris from small home improvement
projects including wood scraps, cut up plywood, doors, cabinets, sinks and
toilets is accepted. Small amounts of concrete, sand, bricks, tile and
roofing material are accepted if secured in a box that weighs less than 25
pounds. No more than four boxes will be accepted. Items also accepted are
four pieces of20sheet rock cut into 4-foot lengths, four sections of wood
fence, galvanized fence with a limit of four poles with concrete bases and
a 50- foot roll of chain link fence and two gates. Note: For major
renovation projects, the homeowner or builder is responsible for
construction debris disposal via large, on-site dumpsters or contract
service removal.
Items Not
Accepted for Pickup
The City will not pick up
automotive batteries and vehicle parts, dead animals, gas and propane
tanks, hazardous waste, lawn mower engines, oil of any kind, (e.g., motor,
cooking, etc.), paint or any other liquids, (e.g., gas, acid, etc.), sand,
rock, brick or concrete, tree stumps, trash mixed with construction
debris, rock, hazardous waste, concrete, sand or yard waste.
Bulk
Trash Program Guidelines
Place bulk trash at your
curb by 7 a.m. on your pickup day, but no earlier than 24 hours in advance
of a scheduled bulk pickup.
Items must be in a pile no larger than 10 cubic yards. Bulk trash items
placed at the curb more than 24 hours in advance or remaining on your curb
for more than 24 hours after your scheduled pickup could result in a City
citation.
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