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, May 4 and Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Headlines:

• Mayor's Volunteer Challenge - A Year of Giving Back

• Where The Boys Are / Connie Francis’ Great American Beach Party

• Summer Parks Programs for a Sensational Summer!

• Sunday Jazz Brunch, May 2

• 2010 AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix

• Join a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

• Walk for Haiti set for June 5

• Residents Invited to Attend Budget Advisory Board Meetings

• Late April reminder: Make A Splash at Family Fun Day at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex

• Proper Pet Waste Disposal Protects our Waterways

Mayor's Volunteer Challenge - A Year of Giving Back

100,000 Volunteer Hours to Celebrate the City's First 100 Years

The City of Fort Lauderdale is swiftly approaching its Centennial Celebration. In honor of our 100 years of incorporation, the Mayor is asking our citizens to give back to the community by volunteering for community service projects.

Genia Duncan Ellis, Chair of the Citizens Volunteer Corps (CVC), has agreed to track the hours earned from projects completed by civic, religious, fraternal, school, neighborhood and other organizations that want to be included in the 100,000-hour count.

A barometer has been placed in the City Hall lobby to track our progress toward reaching our goal of 100,000 hours of community service hours over the next year. Use the online form at www.fortlauderdale.gov to submit your hours, or send them to:

Maxine Singh
Volunteer Challenge
City Hall, 8th Floor
100 N. Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33301
E-mail: volunteerchallenge@fortlauderdale.gov
For more information, call 954-828-5005.

Give back to your community and join us by stepping up to the 100,000-hour community service Volunteer Challenge!

Where the Boys Are / Connie Francis' Great American Beach Party

On Memorial Day Weekend, the City of Fort Lauderdale invites everyone “Back to the Beach” for a one-of-a-kind nostalgic event to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the classic 1960 hit movie Where The Boys Are.

The inaugural “Where The Boys Are / Connie Francis’ Great American Beach Party,” will take place on Saturday, May 29, 2010, and will feature a day and evening full of exciting activities on Fort Lauderdale Beach.

The Beach Party will begin at approximately 11:30 a.m. when a portion of world famous A1A will be transformed into an entertainment mecca, featuring music, live performances, and activities for the entire family.

Live bands will perform classic hits from the 50s and 60s throughout the day in the vicinity of A1A and Las Olas Boulevard.

Children and adults will enjoy an array of activities including hula hoop contests, limbo and dance contests, beach games, bounce houses, face painting, and more.

The event will also feature a Classic Car Show.  Vintage automobiles from the 40s, 50s and 60s will line A1A giving beach-goers an up close look at more than 50 hot rods, rag tops and muscle cars that made the era famous.

A special Reunion Area will be set up where local high schools, sororities, and fraternities can gather to welcome back alumni and reconnect with old friends and acquaintances.

A history and exhibit area will feature nostalgic photos, artwork and collectibles on display for all to see.

The event will be highlighted by a special appearance from Where The Boys Are star Connie Francis, who will be presented with a special award from City of Fort Lauderdale Mayor John P. "Jack" Seiler.

To top off the evening, event-goers will be treated to a special 50th Anniversary screening of Where The Boys Are presented by the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.  The movie will be shown on a larger-than-life screen set in the sand off the corner of A1A and Las Olas Boulevard.  The film will run from approximately 8:00 to 9:30 p.m.

“With the support of residents, visitors and the local business community, we’re anticipating a tremendous turnout for what promises to be a fun and exciting event that celebrates a special time in Fort Lauderdale’s history,” said Mayor Seiler

Make plans now to join us for this exciting, fun-filled event on Memorial Day Weekend!

For more information, visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/news/2010/boys.htm

How to Volunteer

The City of Fort Lauderdale is seeking volunteers to serve on a variety of event planning committees.  To volunteer, please call the Parks and Recreation Department at 954-828-PARK (7275).

Summer Parks Programs for a Sensational Summer!

Community and Specialty Camps

The City of Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce our 2010 Summer Camp programming. The Summer 2010 Community and Specialty Camp Guide is now available at: www.fortlauderdale.gov/summer/SummerCampGuide.pdf

Our summer community and specialty camps are action-packed with playtime, creative expression and friendly competition. Arts and crafts, sports and fitness, swimming and field trips are some of our many camp activities!

Many of our programs fill quickly, so register early to secure your spot!

Swimming and Water Fun

The City of Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation Department encourages all children and adults to be responsible swimmers. We offer many aquatic safety programs, which follow the American Red Cross Learn to Swim curriculum. Additional programming includes water aerobics and recreation and lap swimming.

More Information
For more information, please download our Summer Community and Specialty Camp Guide or call (954) 828-PARK (7275).

SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch, May 2

Jazz Brunch, Sunday, May 2, 11a to 4p (Extended hours in May!)
Along the Riverwalk from Esplanade Park to Riverfront

Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, 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 4p 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 610 WIOD and 93.9 WMIA. For more information, please call our 24-hour hotline at (954) 828-5363 or visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/life.
 

2010 AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix

Come see the top divers from around the world compete at the 2010 AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix set for May 6-9 at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex.
Twenty countries will be represented.  Seven members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team will compete for Team USA.
Tickets are just $10 per day for adults; children 5 and under are free.

Schedule

THURSDAY, MAY 6
10a - Men's 3-Meter Preliminaries
Followed by - Men's 3-Meter Semi-Final "A”
Followed by - Men's 3-Meter Semi-Final "B”  
 

3p - Women's Platform Preliminaries
Followed by - Women's Platform Semi-Final "A”
Followed by - Women's Platform Semi-Final "B”  
 

FRIDAY, MAY 7
10a - Women's 3-Meter Preliminaries
Followed by - Women's 3-Meter Semi-Final "A”
Followed by - Women's 3-Meter Semi-Final "B”  
 

3p - Men's Platform Preliminaries
Followed by - Men's Platform Semi-Final "A”
Followed by - Men's Platform Semi-Final "B” 
 

SATURDAY, MAY 8
12p - Men's 3-meter Final
Followed by - Women's Platform Final
2:30p – Men's Synchronized 3-meter Final
Followed by - Women's Synchronized Platform Final

 
 

SUNDAY, MAY 9
12p - Women's 3-meter Final
Followed by - Men's Platform Final
2:30p - Women's Synchronized 3-meter Final
Followed by - Men's Synchronized Platform Final  
 

For tickets and information, call 317-237-5255 or visit www.usadiving.org

Join a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Free classes taught by City of Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue personnel on two consecutive Saturdays

With CERT training, you will learn to safely assist yourself, your family and neighbors using basic emergency response and organizational skills. As a volunteer, you will work closely with emergency personnel and other CERT members serving residents in your own neighborhood and if you choose to be involved further, you will be eligible for disaster assignments throughout the City.

June 12 & 19, 2010 (both Saturdays)
8a - 5p
Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue Station 53
2200 Executive Airport Way
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309

For more information contact: Carladean Ferguson

Email: carladeanf@fortlauderdale.gov Phone: 954.828.6700

Walk for Haiti - Organized by Parking & Fleet Services

Let’s see how many homes we can build!

January’s earthquake in Haiti claimed more than 200,000 lives, caused countless injuries and destroyed homes of struggling Haitian families. Now, thousands of families are living in tents and makeshift shelters.

Together, we can make a difference. For every $3,100 raised, we can fund the construction of a house with a latrine.

Please join the City of Fort Lauderdale's Parking & Fleet Services Department for this enjoyable and heartwarming 5KWalk/Run fundraising event.

Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 8a
Snyder Park
3299 SW 4th Avenue
Fort Lauderdale
$20 entry fee

All proceeds to fund home construction through Food for the Poor.

How to Register

To register, visit: www.foodforthepoor.org/walkforhaiti

Onsite registration on the day of the event begins at 7a.

For more information, please contact Kim Sisler at 954-828-3700.

Residents Invited to Attend Budget Advisory Board Meetings

The City of Fort Lauderdale Budget Advisory Board reviews revenue and expenditure projections and submits recommendations to the City Commission. The City invites residents to attend the upcoming Budget Advisory Board Meetings to hear discussions about the budget for next fiscal year.

All meetings are open to the public and take place at City Hall, located at 100 North Andrews Avenue. Upcoming meetings include the following:

May 11   7p   Commission Chambers, 1st Floor City Hall

Public Hearing on Budget

 

May 19   6p.   8th Floor Conference Room

Presentation - Public Works Department

 
 

May 27   6p   8th Floor Conference Room

Review of Public Works Information

 

June 16   6p   8th Floor Conference Room

Presentation - Parks & Recreation Department

 

June 30  6p  8th Floor Conference Room

Review of Parks & Recreation Information

Late April reminder: Make A Splash at Family Fun Day at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex

Looking for something safe, fun and affordable to do with your family? The City of Fort Lauderdale has you covered! Make a splash at the third annual Aquatic Complex FREE Open House from 9a to 2p on Saturday, April 24.

Family Fun Day is a fantastic event for residents of all ages! Sign up for summer programs, try out for the swim and dive teams, watch safety demonstrations, or just splash around in the pool! Spend the day with us, or drop by to pick up information on all of the programs offered at the Aquatic Complex. Don’t forget your swimsuit!

The Aquatic Complex is located at 501 Seabreeze Boulevard on Fort Lauderdale Beach. For more information, call (954) 828-4580.

Proper Pet Waste Disposal Protects our Waterways

How we maintain our properties and manage our daily activities can affect the quality of our drinking water and local swimming and fishing areas.  Many of our daily activities have the potential to cause stormwater pollution, and small sources of pollution can create large water quality problems.  Pet waste is one of those small sources.

The risk of stormwater pollution increases when pet waste that accumulates in animal pen areas or that is left on sidewalks, streets, swales or driveways is transported to water bodies.  Rainwater collects and carries pet waste, and other potential pollutants, from every street, parking lot, sidewalk, driveway, yard and garden into a storm drain or catch basin that drains to the nearest body of water. 

Droppings from dogs, cats and other commonly kept animals, such as exotic birds, rabbits, goats and chickens that reach water bodies can impact their natural balance in a variety of ways:

• Pet waste contains nutrients that can promote the growth of algae if they enter streams, lakes and estuaries.  Algae absorb oxygen in the water that fish and other aquatic animals require to live. 

• Animal droppings contain intestinal bacteria and disease-causing parasites that can make nearby lakes and bays unsafe for fishing, wading and swimming after storms. 

• In areas with very porous soils or geology, such as South Florida, pollutants such as pet waste can also reach groundwater.  As a result, pet waste should not be used as a fertilizer or hosed into the ground.

Pet waste should be collected in newspaper, paper bags or bio-degradable plastic bags and disposed of with your regular garbage.  You may also dispose of it in designated containers reserved for pet waste.

Proper disposal of pet waste helps prevent stormwater pollution, keeps our waterways healthy, makes neighborhoods more inviting for those who enjoy outdoor walks and is respectful of other people’s property. 

In much the same way that small sources of pollution add up to become a larger problem, small efforts on your part can add up to become a component of the overall solution to improve the quality of our water sources. The problem can only be solved with everyone's help.

 
 
 

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

 
 

      Matt Little, PIO

      City of Fort Lauderdale

      101 NE 3rd Avenue, Suite 300

      Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

      or email to:

      mlittle@fortlauderdale.gov