Workshops Scheduled to Assist
Groups with Landscaping Grants

Broward County will conduct workshops to help homeowner groups apply for the Broward Beautiful Community Grants program. Approximately $200,000 may be available for grants in 2008. Workshops dates and locations are as follows:

• Thursday, April 3, 6:30 p.m., Southwest Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan St., Pembroke Pines
• Monday, April 7, 6:30 p.m., North Regional Library, 1100 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek
• Tuesday, April 29, 6:30 p.m., African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale

The County Commission-sponsored Broward Beautiful Community Grants program provides matching grants to non-profit organizations to fund environmentally-friendly landscape projects on public property or on common areas visible and accessible to the general public. Only homeowner, condominium and civic associations, as well as religious organizations and other not-for-profit groups are eligible to apply. Grant funds are paid on a reimbursement basis following project installation by applicant.

Except in designated disadvantaged communities, applicants must match grant funds on a 1:1 basis: in cash or through in-kind services (e.g. volunteer time). No match is required for projects in designated disadvantaged communities. Applicants must provide for the perpetual care of the project or make arrangements with another entity.

Grant amounts range from $1,500 to $7,500. Deadline for submitting grants: June 6, 2008. Applications are available online at www.broward.org/bio. Click on “Broward Beautiful” and select “Community Grants.” Applications also can be requested by emailing Browardbeautiful@broward.org. For more information, visit www.broward.org/bio and click on “Broward Beautiful,” or contact Sean McSweeney at 954-519-0326.

County Agencies Schedule
April Events to Mark Earth Day

Earth Day, an observance held annually during the spring in the northern hemisphere, has been celebrated for nearly four decades to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the planet’s environment. In many countries, including the United States, the day is observed on April 22.

Broward County’s Waste and Recycling Services (including partner cities) and Water and Wastewater Services will be hosting a variety of events and activities throughout the month of April to commemorate the environmental observance.

• April 1- 30: Earth month celebration at Young at Art Children’s Museum, 11584 State Road 84, Davie. Receive one free gift with paid admission (one per family) during April.
• April 5, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free admission to the Young at Art Children’s Museum in Davie. Full day of “green-themed” activities, including a special appearance by Wacky Wild Science Adventure’s Bug Master, Native American story time by Ah Tah Thi Ki Museum, face painting, planting activities, recycled art workshops, paper- making and more.
• April 12, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Celebrate Earth Month at Whole Foods market (Fort Lauderdale—2000 N. Federal Hwy., Coral Springs—810 University Dr., and Plantation—7720 Peters Rd.). Enjoy demonstrations, earth-friendly displays and kids’ activities. Visit Broward County’s Waste and Recycling Services booth for a free prize and learn what you can do to “be green.”
• April 18 & 19, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free electronics recycling drop-off at the Best Buy Sawgrass store, 12301 W. Sunrise Blvd. Recyclers will be entered in a drawing to win a new digital television. Proof of Broward County residency required.
• April 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and April 20, Noon - 6 p.m. “Get Your Green On” Earth Day celebration, Museum of Discovery and Science, 401 S.W. Second St., Fort Lauderdale. Interactive demonstrations, games, and exciting animal encounters. Museum visitors will experience energy and lightning shows, see a solar powered race car, enjoy a special lineup of IMAX® nature films shown throughout the weekend.
• April 22 – Earth Day. An informative and educational display in the lobby of the Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), will provide information regarding drinking water, conservation and water restrictions.

Commission Sets Public Hearing
On Elimination of Transit Routes

The Broward County Commission will hold a public hearing on April 8, 2 p.m., at the Broward County Governmental Center, Room 422, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, to receive public comments on the proposed elimination of Broward County Transit (BCT) routes 15, 17, 23 and 57 (view maps at www.broward.org/bct).

These routes are scheduled for elimination effective May 4, 2008, due to budget reductions. The routes are among the transit system’s lowest performing routes. A final decision will be made at the public hearing. Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations to participate in the public hearing should call 954-357-8355 or 954-357-8302 (TTY) at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. For persons unable to attend the meeting, comments should be mailed to Broward County Transit Marketing, 3201 W. Copans Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33069. For more information about the public hearing and bus routes, call BCT Customer Service at 954-357-8400, or go to www.broward.org/bct.

Charter Review Commission
Schedules Final Public Hearing

Broward County’s Charter Review Commission (CRC) will hold its final public hearing on proposed changes to the Broward County Charter on Wednesday, April 9, 1 p.m., Broward County Governmental Center, Room 422, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. The public hearing will be televised on participating cable stations and webcast on www.broward.org. The Charter Review Commission will vote on resolutions to place issues on the November 4, 2008 General Election ballot. To review the proposed charter amendments, visit www.broward.org/charter or call 954-357-8890 to request copies.

Cultural Division Announces New
Program for Young Professionals

Broward County’s Cultural Division developed a new program aimed at cultivating young professionals to become cultural leaders in the community. The new initiative -- Emerging Cultural Leaders Program -- is designed to cultivate Broward County’s next generation of cultural leaders by focusing attention on people who have the will and desire to develop cultural leadership skills.

The initiative will enable young professionals to build community and business relationships and productively contribute to civic life and cultural development. The program targets professionals between 21 and 40 years of age, who have an interest and desire to advance the mission of the Cultural Council. Over a two year period, participants are provided with leadership development training to increase their understanding of cultural organizations and their impact on the community. Quarterly meetings, workshops and networking events are planned. Participants who successfully complete the program become eligible to receive recommendation for volunteer leadership positions within cultural organizations and councils.

The application deadline is April 30, 2008. The two-year program begins in June 2008 and runs through 2010. For additional information visit www.broward.org/arts; or call Grace Kewl-Durfey at 954-357-7869; email: gkewl@broward.org.

Symposium Scheduled to Mark
Fair Housing Month

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, Broward County’s Civil Rights Division and the Housing & Community Development Division are among sponsors of a symposium on April 4, at the Broward County Convention Center. The free event on housing discrimination will feature educational sessions and a keynote address. Pre-registration is required. A complimentary continental breakfast and lunch will be served. For details on the symposium, visit www.broward.org/civilrights or call 954-357-7800.

State Awards County Grant
To Fund Alternative to Jail

Broward County has been awarded nearly $1 million over three years for a Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). The grant is part of $3.8 million the state legislature made available to counties to create state, local and private partnerships that treat individuals with substance abuse and mental illness who are in a county jail, or at risk of entering the criminal justice system.

The grant will fund the County’s Freedom House project, which diverts individuals with mental health and substance abuse disorders to a six-bed “safe house,” instead of incarceration. At Freedom House, residents will receive substance abuse and mental health services, housing and educational/vocational training.

Child Care Licensing Agency
Wins National Accreditation

Broward County’s Child Care Licensing and Enforcement Section is the first public child care licensing regulatory agency to pursue and receive accreditation from the Council on Accreditation (COA). COA accreditation attests that an organization meets the highest national standards and is delivering the best quality services to the community it serves.

COA accredits more than 1,000 organizations that serve more than 6 million children, individuals and families in the United States and Canada.

Annual Neighborhoods Conference
To be Held in Tallahassee

The 12th annual Florida Neighborhoods Conference will be held June 26 through June 28 in Tallahassee, sponsored by the City of Tallahassee and Leon County. The annual conference focuses on improving Florida’s neighborhoods. Registration for the conference is $45, which includes workshops, meals, tours and social events. Plans are underway for chartering a bus to take neighborhood leaders from Broward County to and from the conference. Broward County is one of seven Florida counties—and a number of municipalities--on the organization’s steering committee. For additional information on the conference, residents should contact Don Stone at 954-357-6673.

Subscribe to Free Hurricane
Update eMail System

To subscribe to Broward County’s free Hurricane Update eMail System, visit www.broward.org/hurricane. The system provides residents with important information from the Broward County Emergency Operations Center before, during and after a hurricane. eMail notifications will be sent to subscribers with news about hurricane watches and warnings, evacuation orders, recommended protective actions and related public safety information.

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Please Send Email to Us

Community Update, a monthly newsletter from the Board of County Commissioners, is produced by the Office of Public Communications. Address questions concerning articles to 954-357-6990. To receive Community Update electronically, send an email to publicinfo@broward.org. Please include your first and last name and email address. Hearing impaired residents can call the TTY line at 954-831-3940 for additional information.