Broward’s Beaches: Open and Beautiful!

Broward County’s 23 miles of award-winning, Blue Wave beaches and its waterways remain unaffected by the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. There is no oil in our area and there are no advisories or precautions against travel, fishing, diving or water recreation in South Florida. County officials continue to closely monitor the situation in the Gulf and are prepared to respond to local impacts, if any. For the latest updates, visit www.broward.org, Top Stories. This comprehensive Web site offers links to trajectory maps, live beach Web cams, inlet protection strategies and the latest Broward County activities. More...

Broward County Commission Approves Climate Change Plan

Broward County joins a handful of counties in the country that have created a comprehensive plan to address the effects of climate change. Broward County Commissioners approved the Broward County Climate Change Action Plan that provides 126 recommendations for adapting to rising sea level changes, protecting water supplies from salt water intrusion and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Forty-two of the recommendations are initiatives already adopted by Broward County. The complete report is available at www.broward.org/climatechange.

Find Summer Fun – At a 4-H Camp

What’s cool in hot weather? Enrolling in a Broward County 4-H Summer Camp. University of Florida faculty, staff and trained 4-H volunteers offer fun and educational summer day camps to Broward County youth. If your kids want to get away from city life, check out Camp Cloverleaf. This weeklong residential camping experience helps young people gain independence and knowledge of the environment in a hands-on setting. 4-H is a nationwide, project-based learning program for ages 5 to 18 that helps young people develop leadership, citizenship and life skills by participating in research-based, hands-on educational activities. For more information or a registration packet, call 954-370-3725, or e-mail 4-H@broward.org.

June is “Learn to Dive Month”

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau is promoting June as “Learn to Dive” month. The program features online training through local dive operators and shops to help anyone get suited up, trained and certified to dive in an easy and safe program. Our local community is home to natural tiered coral reefs and 80 artificial reefs, and beautiful dive sites from Deerfield Beach in the north to Hallandale Beach in the south. Some dive sites begin in 20 feet of water just 100 yards from shore. For details, visit www.sunny.org/learntodive.

C.B. Smith Park Receives $18,000 in Stimulus Grant Funding

Broward County’s C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines is the beneficiary of an $18,000 grant through the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services’ Florida Forest Health Improvement Initiative. The money will be used to remove hazardous trees at the park and replant native trees, eliminating a safety hazard while providing a sustainable canopy and wildlife habitat. For further information, contact Julie Brown at 954-437-2650.

Condor Airlines Resumes Non-Stop Service from FLL to Germany

Condor Airlines has resumed twice weekly flights from Fort Lauderdale to Frankfurt, Germany, on Tuesdays and Fridays. As the only airline with non-stop service to Germany from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. For more information on this new service and other services visit www.fll.net. More...

Residents Can Receive Air Quality Alerts

Broward County Air Quality Program reminds residents that, through a partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EnviroFlash program, there is an alert system to promptly notify subscribers, via email or pager, when there is poor air quality in Broward County, and provide information on what precautions should be taken. To register for this free service, visit www.broward.org/air and click ENVIROFLASH. Broward County was the first county in Florida to offer this service.

Christmas In July is Coming!

Broward County is once again partnering with Kiwanis Divisions 23 and 24 for the annual Christmas in July project. Christmas in July brings together nearly 1,000 area homeless children to enjoy a day away from the harsh reality of being homeless and receive much needed clothing and supplies. At the Christmas In July event, the children receive new clothing, shoes, socks and school supplies. This is all made possible through the generosity of County employees and residents. Due to the downturn in the economy, area homeless shelters are at capacity and the need is greater than ever. County residents can leave contributions in donation boxes located at the Governmental Center, Government Center West, all County Courthouses and branch libraries through July 9. More...

Tri-Rail Introduces Rail Rewards Program

Residents who purchase a Tri-Rail monthly ticket will get even more for their money with “Rail Rewards,” a new program which provides special offers and coupons from South Florida attractions, restaurants and retailers. Visit www.tri-rail.com for more information. More...

Family Success Center Opens Office in Davie

Broward County Family Success Administration’s South Regional Family Success Center in Hollywood has opened a satellite office at 4700 Davie Road in the Town of Davie’s new Neighborhood Service Center. Broward County Family Success Centers are a one-stop source of social services information, referrals and services to assist individuals and families in setting goals, learning skills and accessing the services they need to build a stronger, healthier and self-sufficient family unit. More...

Property Tax Exemption Filing Dates Announced For June 2010

The Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office hosts a series of community outreach events open to the public each month throughout Broward County. At the events, deputy appraisers are available to assist with Homestead, senior and other property tax exemption applications, as well as answer questions on property taxes. Applications for portability are accepted. More...

Government Meeting Updates Now Posted Online

Changes in Broward County government meeting dates, times and locations are now posted online on the County’s Web site, so that residents wishing to attend can easily access the most current information. To view the posting, visit www.broward.org and click SUNSHINE MEETINGS under the “Hot Picks” section. All advertised or “sunshined” meetings are listed on this Web page. Meetings with changes in the date, time or location will have the word “updated” next to the meeting listing. By clicking on the “update,” you can view all the changes that were made.

Jellies, Jams and Joy for June

Broward County’s yearlong 365 Food Drive continues through the month of June with a focus on the sweet jellies and jams that make for an incredible peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Spread the joy in June by donating these delicious items and don’t forget the peanut butter and marshmallow fluff! Visit any of the 12 collection sites across the County and donate your favorite non-perishable food items. Broward County’s 365 Food Drive has resulted in 4,632 pounds of food collected since January. Visit www.broward.org/fooddrive for more information.

Adopt Two Felines for the Price of One

Adopting a furry feline friend for life just got twice as nice due to special adoption fees for cats and kittens approved by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. Now through September 30, 2010, residents will be able to adopt two cats at the single adoption fee of $74.95.

The adoption fee for both cats includes a health exam, vaccinations, feline leukemia/AIDS test and spaying or neutering. Each cat will also receive a Broward County pet license. There is a 14-day return policy on all adopted pets. However, if a family wishes to return one of the adopted cats, they will not receive a refund unless both cats are returned.

To take advantage of the special rate, families are encouraged to visit Broward County Animal Care and Regulation, located at 1870 S.W. 39th St., Fort Lauderdale. Adoption hours are Monday through Friday, 1 to 6:30 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents can also visit the Broward County Animal Care and Regulation facility in Pompano Beach, 3100 N.W. 19th Terrace. Adoption hours are Wednesday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday,10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cats and kittens are also available for adoption at the special rate at all Broward County Pet Supermarket stores. For more information about the agency, visit www.broward.org/animal.

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.