How will this affect you? Most likely you will see certain bus routes minimized to shuttle services provided by the city, or eliminated completely if the city cannot afford it.  Public libraries will be closed on Sundays, and most public parks will be shut down at least one additional day per week. 

The budget cuts in Broward County will be seen across all departments, from the cutting of social assistance programs, to reducing or removing routine county services.  Still, the final debate remains with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, where if too many cuts are made,  many streets will be left un-patrolled and unmanned, possibly producing great public safety risks. Let’s hope that the negotiations with the Sheriff’s Office ends well…

The sculpture itself, created by an Italian sculptor named Marialuisa Tadei, is called ‘Woman from the Future’, and was made from over 20,000 hand-cut pieces of  glass and marble tiles.  The artist says that the piece was made to evoke happiness, and she hopes that Coral Springs residents and visitors will find a moment of joy every time they drive by.

The location of the sculpture will be the center of several other additions, including a new paved plaza with benches and lanscaped trees, and a new welcoming sign into the city of Coral Springs.

This grant allows the money to be used in five ways.  This includes the purchase and rehabilitation of foreclosed homes.  The establishment of financing mechanisms for the purchase and development of foreclosed and residential properties is another option.  The others include the demolition of impaired structures, the redevelopment of vacant and demolished properties, and the creation of a land bank.  A land bank is a public authority that is established to proficiently hold, manage, and develop tax-foreclosed property.

The city already offers rehab and purchase assistance programs for residents and although foreclosures are occurring, most houses are not in bad condition.  This means that the option for providing funds for demolition of impaired structures is not relevant for Coral Springs.

As good as over $3 million in funds sounds, the grant is not being welcomed with open arms.  The grant would put the city in the housing business.  Some of the City Commission members are afraid of what will happen when they have spent that money.  Eventually, if buyers are not found for these properties, the city would have to pay to maintain them until they are purchased.  The basis of the worry is the market; you cannot truly predict when the market will turn around.  Some commission members, like City Manager Mike Levinson and Vice Mayor Vince Boccard, worry that it may be years.  Other members, like Commissioner Roy Gold are uncertain about the right course.  However, Mayor Scott Brooks is confident that the market will turn around before the city has to spend too much money on maintaining the homes.

The pros and cons need to be weighed.  Although the program puts the city at some risk, risk is often necessary if changes and progress are to be made.  If you live in Coral Springs, be sure to give your input.

An idea being tossed around at the time is increasing the number of classes students currently have from 6 to 7 periods in a day.  Teachers in the county would have to teach 6 of the 7 periods of the day, instead of the current 5 out of 6 periods. Though the length of the school day would remain the same, the number of students a teach would have would be increased, of course resulting in one additional classroom full of term papers and grading.  This issue is predicted to be the heat of discussion amongst high school educators once the idea is officially presented.

But with many other issues on the line such as the halt in school construction, including that for schools in need of expansion and construction of new schools in areas where there are just too many students, will Broward County be able to keep up the highly rated schools? And will struggling schools fall even farther behind?

Recently the Autism Program was recognized for its outstanding commitment to its students. Teachers in the program were recognized individually with small gifts and awards, and noted for their great program with students who do well and enjoy the program .  Students also received small gifts as well, putting a smile on each child’s face!

Though several cuts have come to the school’s budget, and the teachers often times feel this impact the greatest, these committed and resourceful individuals keep these programs in the schools effective and successful. The recognition and thanks to them all is well deserved!

 If you are searching for free internet access in Broward County, head on over and try out the WiFi in Fort Lauderdale.  The coverage, as shown in the map to the left, covers certain downtown Fort Lauderdale areas, and the University campus areas.  Students at FAU and BCC can enjoy free internet service while strolling off campus. How convenient!

Students and visitors alike can access this hot-spot in Stranahan Park or Bubier Park, as long as your computer is enabled with a wireless internet card.  The signal can also be reached on a long stretch of Las Olas Blvd, where many tourists have found this free service to be quite useful.

The Fort Lauderdale downtown library patrons also enjoy access to the service, which is adjacent to the Stranahan Park.

The map to the left is a general guide to where coverage can be found, however, you can also view more details about access to this WiFi area on the Broward County webpage.

Books and school aside, much of practical learning is also done outside of the classroom, but with no time outside from homework, school hours, and sleep, it is not likely any child in Broward County will see too much outside learning during the school year.

So Broward County parents, keep up the fight to have your children’s time back.  Besides, how can you even try to have a conversation with your child during dinner if he or she has her math or science book open in the meantime? 

New guidelines were recently developed, but guidelines are just guidelines…and who knows what will happen from there.  The new guidelines set by the Broward County School Board gives a basis of 10 minutes of homework per grade level. So 60 minutes for a 6th grader, and up to 2 hours for a senior in high school.  The guidelines also urge teachers to somehow be sure not to schedule large projects in different subjects at the same time.

In its 16th year here in Florida, the festival will be held in its usual location at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, on the weekends from February 7th until March 8th, 2009, starting at 10am and finishing at sunset on each weekend day.  Voted as the “Best Family Festival” in 2006 by the South Florida Parenting Magazine, this Deerfield Beach festival is a must for families!  Adult tickets are $17, and children’s are $6. 

Firetrucks, farming tractors, mobile cranes, box trucks, dump trucks, bulldozers and more! This is a guaranteed day of fun in Hollywood for you and the entire family.  So grab your hard hat and head off play!

This free event in Hollywood is scheduled to take place from 11am until 4pm, on January 25th, 2009. TY Park in Hollywood is located at 3300 North Park Road.

This years featured artist is Alan Jackson, and will also include Jessica Simpson, and Little Big Town. There will also be a few other surprise artist show up, so you are in for a treat this year.

This years event will take place on Sunday, January 25th, at CB Smith Park in Pembroke Pine, Florida.  The gates open early at 8:30am, so for those who love to be in the front row and in the middle of all the action, be sure to arrive early with your lawn chairs and blankets.