Broward News Briefs

New Edgar P. Mills Multi-Purpose Center Now Open

Five years after Hurricane Wilma destroyed Broward County’s Edgar P. Mills Multi-Purpose Center in 2005, a long-awaited new facility has emerged at the original site, located at 900 N.W. 31 Ave., Fort Lauderdale, and received its first clients on December 6. The new center houses the following Broward County agencies: Broward County Addiction Recovery Center Assessment and Outpatient units; Central Family Success Center; Community Action Agency; Family Success Administration; Housing Options; Elderly and Veterans Services representatives; as well as Broward County Health Department Women, Infants & Children Physician & Dental Services and Pharmacy; and a comprehensive array of community stakeholders who will occupy what is commonly referred to as “provider row.” A grand opening will be scheduled in the spring. Call Family Success at for more information.

Registration Open for Florida Master Naturalist Training

Broward County Parks and Recreation’s Natural Areas Program and Extension Education Section are offering the Florida Master Naturalist program for professionals and volunteers to receive national and state certification as part of the UF-IFAS Master Naturalist Program. The course consists of 40 contact hours and fieldwork involving hiking, observing and recording of data. For more information, email Dr. John Pipoly, Broward County Extension Education, at .

Premium Bus Pass Now Available Online for 95 Express Service

Broward County Transit offers a new, premium 31-Day bus pass that can now be purchased online for $85. The pass allows unlimited rides for 31 consecutive days on the new 95 Express bus service, and is accepted on all regular fixed route buses. Also available is a premium 10-Ride bus pass for $23.50, good for up to 10 rides at any time. For more information on routes and fares, visit www.broward.org/bct.

Port Everglades Receives International Recognition

Seatrade Insider, one of the world’s foremost cruise industry trade publications, named Port Everglades “Port of the Year.” The accolade is awarded to a port that has made significant improvements to its handling facilities and cruise-tourism infrastructure over the past 12 months. Port Everglades partnered with Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL) to build a modern 240,000-square-foot facility, Cruise Terminal 18, the largest single cruise ship terminal in the world and home of RCL’s Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. Cruise Terminal 18’s expansive design for these Oasis-class ships simultaneously allows arriving guests to check-in for boarding while disembarking guests are gathering their luggage and being processed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Historical Commission Exhibit Focuses on World War II

The Broward County Historical Commission, located at 301 S.W. 13th Ave., in Fort Lauderdale, has mounted an exhibit focusing on the activities in Broward County during World War II. The free exhibit is open to the public, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday from now until next spring. The war effort profoundly altered Broward County, transforming it from a sleepy agrarian community to a booming metropolis as many returning service men and women who trained or were stationed here decided to make it their permanent home. For more information, call

Recycle Your Christmas Tree and Help the Environment

The Parks and Recreation Division’s annual Chip-A-Tree initiative begins Sunday, December 26, and will continue through Sunday, January 23. Last year the Division recycled 9,225 trees, representing 115 tons of material that would otherwise have gone to landfills, and this year your tree can join those recyclable thousands. The free program encourages Broward County residents to remove all decorations from their Christmas trees (no decorated trees will be accepted), then bring the trees to a participating park, where they are chipped and used for landscaping throughout the County park system. There is a limit of two trees per vehicle, artificial trees are not accepted, and no commercial vehicles or garbage trucks are allowed. Thirteen Broward County parks are participating in the Chip-A-Tree program. For further information, call the Parks and Recreation Division at or visit www.broward.org.

Libraries Division Expands E-Reader Program

Broward County Libraries customers can now reserve and borrow a Kindle, Nook or Sony electronic reader at the following library locations: Deerfield Beach Percy White Branch in Deerfield Beach, North Regional/Broward College Library in Coconut Creek, Northwest Regional Library in Coral Springs, South Regional/Broward College Library in Pembroke Pines and Weston Branch in Weston. The new service is a part of the Libraries Division’s commitment to demonstrate continuous improvement, technological advancement and innovative service delivery. For more information, visit www.broward.org/Library.

Homeless Point-in-Time Count to Take Place January 24-25

The Broward County Homeless Initiative Partnership and volunteers will be out between the hours of 12 p.m. Monday, January 24, through 11:59 a.m. Tuesday, January 25, for the purpose of counting individuals and families on the street and in sheltered facilities. Broward County is charged with counting every homeless person in the County and asking them to complete a survey. The count is used for all federal and state grants and a good count helps Broward County get needed resources to the homeless.

Rabies Clinics Scheduled in Broward County for 2011

Broward County Animal Care has scheduled its 2011 Rabies Clinics, which give families the opportunity to get their pets vaccinated against rabies as well as licensed with the County. Twelve clinics will be held. All Friday clinics are from noon until 5 p.m. and Saturday clinics are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $15 (cash only) for a one-year rabies vaccination and Broward County Pet License. To qualify, a pet owner must prove they are a Broward County resident by producing a valid Florida driver’s license or a current utility bill. No appointment is necessary and customers are taken on a first-come, first served basis. All dogs must be on leashes and all cats must be in carriers. The first clinic will be held Saturday, January 22, at Sunset Lakes Community Center, 2801 S.E. 186th Ave., Miramar. To view the complete list of 2011 Rabies Clinics, visit www.broward.org/animal and click RABIES CLINICS.

County’s “365 Food Drive” to Continue in 2011

Broward County’s “365 Food Drive,” which was launched last year, will continue in 2011. County employees and the public are encouraged to participate. Collection points include government centers, main and regional courthouses and Broward County libraries. All non-perishable food items, such as canned meat, vegetables and fruit, peanut butter, jelly or jam, soups, pasta and toiletries, are welcome at any time. For more information, visit www.broward.org/fooddrive.

Members of Broward Legislative Delegation Get Committee Positions

Eight members of the Broward Legislative Delegation were recently appointed to chair or vice chair committee positions for the 2011 State Legislative Session. These are: Sen. Nan Rich, vice chair of Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Appropriations; Sen. Christopher Smith, vice chair of Banking and Insurance; Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, chair of Finance and Tax Subcommittee; Sen. Jeremy Ring, chair of Governmental Oversight and Accountability; Sen. Eleanor Sobel, vice chair of Health Regulation; Sen. Maria Sachs, vice chair of Regulated Industries; Sen. Gwen Margolis, vice chairman of the Reapportionment Committee and the Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations; and Sen. Larcenia Bullard, vice chairman for the Agriculture Committee and the Education and Pre K-12 Committee. House of Representative members appointed are Rep. Matt Hudson, chair of Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee, and Rep. Eddy Gonzalez, vice chair of Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee and Health and Human Services Committee. For more information, call the Legislative Delegation at or visit www.broward.org/legislative.

Severe Weather Awareness Week to be Observed January 31 to February 4

Florida will observe Severe Weather Awareness Week January 31 to February 4. The Broward County Emergency Management Division reminds all County residents that severe weather can happen at any time and everyone needs to be prepared year-around. All residents are encouraged to learn and review the proper safety precautions necessary for protecting their lives during severe weather. For more information, visit www.floridadisaster.org/SWAW/2011.

FLL Offers Daily Nonstop Service to Chicago and Denver

Passengers will find new travel options from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) International Airport to Chicago O’Hare and Denver International via Continental Airlines in 2011. Beginning February 17 Continental will offer daily flights for Chicago at 11:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. and at 5:25 p.m. for Denver.

Related posts:

1. Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance business news briefs
2. Parkland news briefs
3. Broward County Chip-A-Tree program saves more than a hundred tons from going to landfills
4. Broward League Supports Education with Ambassador Program
5. NFL Super Bowl Grant Supports NatureScape Broward Initiative

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