Find Summer Fun – At a 4-H Camp

What’s cool in hot weather is 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, a weeklong residential camping experience that 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 designed to help young people develop leadership, citizenship and life skills by participating in applied research-based activities. For more information or a registration packet, call 954-370-3725, or e-mail 4-H@broward.org.

Christmas In July is Here

Broward County is once again partnering with Kiwanis Divisions 23 and 24 for the annual Christmas In July project, which brings more than 1,000 area homeless children to enjoy a day away from the harsh reality of being homeless. This year, donations of new socks, shoes and underwear for boys or girls, infant to age 18, is the urgent request, but other clothing and school supplies are also needed.

Donation boxes are located in County facilities, including the Governmental Center, Government Center West, the Main Courthouse and all three Regional Courthouses, Broward County Libraries, Port Everglades, Aviation Department, Water and Wastewater Services in Pompano Beach and Child Care Licensing and Enforcement in Fort Lauderdale. The donation drive continues through July 1. For more information, contact Alinda (Ali) Montfort, Public Communications, 954-357-6946, or amontfort@broward.org.

Broward County Launches New “Search as you Type” Web Site Feature

Broward County has launched a new “Search as you Type” feature on its Web Site, www.broward.org, which provides viewers with a convenient, time-saving search option that expedites queries regarding Broward County programs and services. The new feature is one of many steps Broward County government has recently taken to further its commitment to providing residents with access to open, transparent government. The “Search as you Type” feature is easy to use. Simply begin typing the topic of interest in the search box located in the Web Site’s masthead. A drop-down menu of popular search options automatically appears. The user can now select one of those options to expedite the search, or continue typing to originate a new search. All Broward County web pages are available in multiple languages. More...

Summer Program Introduces Residents to Sea Turtles

Residents and visitors of Broward County can witness the beginning of life as endangered sea turtles gather during the summer nights between the months of March and October to lay eggs. The Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park in Hollywood offers the “Sea Turtles and Their Babies” summer program, from 8 to 9:30 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays from July 1 through August 31. Following a presentation, participants can accompany a naturalist for a hatchling release to see what these tiny creatures face during their first crucial minutes of life. Participation is $7 per person with preregistration required due to space limitations. For more information or reservations, call 954-357-5161.

Residents Can Receive Air Quality Alerts

Broward County Air Quality Program, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, offers residents the opportunity to subscribe to an air quality alert system which notifies them via email or pager when air quality is poor and what precautions should be taken, if necessary. To register for this free service, visit www.broward.org/PollutionPrevention and click ENVIROFLASH. Broward County was the first county in Florida to offer this service.

2011 Redistricting Process Underway

The Broward County Commission is preparing a new Broward County Commission district map based upon recently released 2010 Census data. Redistricting is required by the Broward County Charter, to balance the populations of the nine single member districts and ensure residents have equal representation on the County Commission.

Several map options will be prepared for the Commissioners to consider, using “Fair Districting” principles for Federal congressional and State legislative districts which were added to the Florida Constitution by voter referendum in the November 2010 election. The public is invited to participate in the process by attending a series of public workshops in September, public hearings in October and November, and by submitting maps of their own for the Commission’s consideration. A software program to assist in drawing custom maps, called “MyDistrictBuilder,” is expected to be available in July 2011. For more information, including dates and locations of public workshops, visit www.broward.org/redistricting.

Broward Voters Encouraged to Complete Voter Participation Survey

The Broward County Supervisor of Elections Office seeks input from Broward voters through an online voter participation survey designed to identify voter preferences. Voter feedback is important as the office prepares for the 2012 election season. To complete the survey, visit the Supervisor of Elections’ Web site, www.browardsoe.org.

Fish Tournaments Allow Kids to Angle for Largemouth Bass

Eight times a year Broward County Parks and Recreation’s Bass Fishing Kids Trail offers dozens of kids, ages 16 and under, the opportunity to fish for largemouth bass in competitive tournaments at four of the County’s regional parks: C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines, Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, and T.Y. Park in Hollywood. Participants compete in two age groups: ages 10 and under in the Small Fry Division, and ages 11 through 16 in the Juniors Division. Six tournaments are qualifying events, one is a “wild card” event, and the Kids Classic, in December, is for the top qualifying anglers. At the end of each tournament a fishing clinic is held, hosted by a selected local pro-bass-tournament angler. For further information or to preregister, call Bob Newland, at T.Y. Park at 954-357-8816.

Sound Insulation Construction For Airport Neighbors Begins

Construction to the homes included in the Broward County Aviation Department’s Voluntary Residential Sound Insulation Pilot Program has begun and will continue through the summer. As part of the Airport Expansion Program, the Pilot Program involves the installation of sound insulation materials to 48 residential units, which are located in the City of Dania Beach and close to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Acoustical improvements for these properties include upgrades to the “noise paths” into a home, particularly windows and doors. For information about the program or to see samples of the acoustical products, contact the Pilot Program Outreach Center at 954-924-2224.