Author: Karina DiGregorio

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SoFlo BUZZ: Area seventh-grader wins second place in state essay contest

Isabella Renert, a seventh-grade student at Coral Springs Middle School, has won second place in the Florida League of Cities “If I Were Mayor” essay contest.

Her essay was among 291 submitted state wide. The first place winner was Rithika Shankar from River City Science Academy Mandarin in Jacksonville.

“I am extremely proud of Isabella,” said Bettania Opthof, Isabella’s 7th Grade Teacher. “This young lady is every teacher’s dream student.

“To say that she is highly gifted is undeniable, but what makes her truly special is her kind heart and love of family, friends, and community. With future leaders like Isabella, I feel confident that our great country will be in good hands.”

Isabella’s essay began, “If I were mayor for a day, I would help the homeless, make sure the city is clean, and make sure the schools are safe.”

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Rewind: Keeping seniors connected with loved ones during times of isolation

The Alzheimer’s Association has partnered with the State of Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs to keep seniors connected with loved ones during social isolation. Through Project: VITAL (Virtual Inclusion Technology for All), senior-friendly tablets from engagement technology provider iN2L will be distributed to nursing homes and assisted living facilities (ALFs) throughout the state.

“There are more than 580,000 people in Florida living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Approximately two-thirds of the people living in ALFs have some form of dementia,” said Alzheimer’s Association Florida Regional Leader, Angela McAuley. “Project: VITAL has provided the Association the opportunity to extend our reach to not just those living with dementia, but to all seniors in Florida who are vulnerable to the negative effects of social isolation.”

During the pilot phase, the Alzheimer’s Association will work with 150 care communities, 40 of them in South Florida, supplying two tablets per community, as well as virtual training on how to use the equipment and platform. The tablets are preloaded with software programming from iN2L, enabling residents to connect with their loved ones via video chat with a simple tap on the home screen.

The tablet further fosters connection with family by creating individual profiles for every resident, with the added ability for family to add personal photos and videos to those profiles for residents to view whenever they like.

Also included on the tablet is an easily-personalized library of applications that supports cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual wellness for the ultimate person-centered engagement experience.

“We are excited to be working alongside the Alzheimer’s Association to provide the technology and tools for Project: VITAL.” said Lisa Taylor, iN2L CEO. “We know how important meaningful connection is to older adults’ health and well-being, and during COVID-19, it is absolutely critical.

“Our tablets are a connection care package for senior living residents, equipped with one-touch video chat tools for virtual family visits, as well
as over 1,000 content applications to connect residents to their interests and passions – all designed to keep them healthy, happy, and entertained during these uncertain times and beyond. We are thrilled that more seniors in the state of Florida will benefit from this solution,” she added.

“We’re hoping the use of these customized tablets will facilitate critical connections with the families, especially during these times – but, we want to use them for sustainable models for the future,” said Richard Prudom, Secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. “We want to ensure the safety of our vulnerable seniors while keeping their loved ones connected.”

The first 50 tablets were shipped on Friday, April 24 with the remaining 100 tablets on May 1.

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Broward County Library wins top state award

The Broward County Library has been named 2020 Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association.

“Broward County Library is dedicated to providing  our customers with the very best library services and resources available,” says Broward County Library Director Kelvin Watson. “We’re honored that our efforts and initiatives have been recognized by our peers and we’ll continue striving to reach and engage our community in innovative and meaningful ways.”

The association said the award “recognizes a Florida library that has demonstrated outstanding service to its community” by providing creative or innovative programming that can be emulated by other libraries and by expanding library services to the community it serves.

Broward’s “Air, Land and Sea,” campaign increased services to new residents of Broward, explored current social issues and provided our community with free access to current technology including virtual and augmented reality gear, Watson said.

The campaign expanded library service points to unusual and unexpected places in the community, including buses, parks, businesses and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Other awards the library received from the association was its “Excellence in Marketing and Public Relations Award” for the branding/public awareness campaign of its airport branch, and the “Library Innovation Award” for “Project Welcome,” an initiative that supports English-language learners and newcomers to Broward County.

Makiba Foster, regional manager of Broward’s African American Research Library and Cultural Center, received the association’s “Outstanding Scholarly Contributions” award for her article “Navigating Library Collections, Black Culture, and Current Events,” published In Library Trends Journal.

Earlier this month, Foster and Watson were selected by Legacy South Florida magazine as among of South Florida’s “50 Most Influential and Powerful Black Professionals of 2020.”

Nationally, Broward County Library Community Engagement Manager Roslyn Dean was named one of  Library Journal’s 2020s “Movers and Shakers” in the digital developers category.

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CORAL SPRINGS COMMISSION

When we started the year, no one knew what 2020 would bring to our nation, our state, or our city. One thing is for certain – this has been an unprecedented year, and the challenges we face are not over yet.

This year, we struggled with the global impacts COVID-19 has had on our health and economy, we have experienced the disappointment of missed milestone celebrations and the grief of losing so many lives as a result of the Coronavirus. We then saw a nation in turmoil, with anger and frustration turning to protest against police brutality as a result of the death of George Floyd, while being placed under arrest in Minnesota.

While this year has been challenging, we also saw our community come together to assist others. Through weekly food distribution events, we provided groceries to nearly 6,000 families. We launched a Give Where You Live Campaign in partnership with the Coral Springs Community Chest to assist struggling families. And, our Economic Development Office launched a grant program, connecting businesses to grants and loans totaling more than $1 million.

When faced with adversity, as citizens we need to remember the very foundation our nation was built upon, freedom. Freedom of speech and the freedom to exercise your right to vote! We urge our residents, especially our young adults, to register to vote and cast their ballots in the upcoming elections in August and November. Also, we remind residents that much of the federal funding we receive for hospitals and schools are a result of the numbers provided by the census. So remember, Coral Springs Counts, please complete your 2020 Census.

All of us who work for the City of Coral Springs are public servants who strive to find solutions to our problems. One of those is the reimagining of events during the COVID-19 pandemic. For Memorial Day, we proudly hosted a virtual ceremony to honor the men and women who lost their lives in service to our nation. As we approach July 4th, one of our greatest traditions is the fireworks display at Mullins Park. Due to social distancing, that event is not possible, so we came up with a new way to honor our nation’s independence, while promoting community spirit.

We invite our residents and businesses to join our Wave & Drive By Parade on July 4th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Festively decorated city vehicles representing each department will visit all of our Coral Springs communities. We will be providing a timeline of arrival so residents can enjoy the parade from their driveways and front lawns. Remember to wave your flags as we pass by. Visit our website for more details and route information, www.coralsprings.org/events.

Stay tuned and up to date by visiting www.coralsprings.org, following our social media accounts and make sure to text the keyword CORALSPRINGS to 888-777 for important updates.

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Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL, 22nd District)

Dear Friends!

The COVID-19 pandemic has left a tremendous impact on our daily lives. The public health and economic toll of the virus has been devastating to many residents of South Florida – some even more than others. As we move toward a sense of normalcy, we must remember to look out for one another.

This unprecedented moment in history has renewed our focus on helping one another and solidified our sense of community. Throughout this crisis, I have seen many members of our community answer the call to help others. These heroes, including frontline workers, non-profits, local businesses, and everyday citizens, have displayed tremendous amounts of selflessness and devotion to our community during difficult times. While we must continue to be cautious of renewed outbreaks and be prepared for future challenges, we must continue to stand united as a community to protect the safety and livelihood of our neighbors and friends.

During challenging times, we have shown the potential to unite for a greater cause. As we celebrate the 244th anniversary of our country, let us reflect on the promise of a united nation that strives for freedom and equality.

As always, please feel free to reach out to my office if we can be of assistance.

Warm Regards

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Zoom into Coral Springs art camps

 

The Coral Springs Museum of Art kicked off this summer with a digital camp program,“Zoom into the Studio,”which began June 15, and continues through August 14.

Artists ages 6 to 17 will be able to explore a number of studio art classes online on Zoom, where they will meet children with similar interests, and have fun developing their artistic skills in an interactive and engaging atmosphere.

Ninety-minute classes run Monday through Friday. Fees for members range from $54 to $60, with a $5 sibling discount. For registration information, visit museuminfo@coralsprings.org. Upcoming week-long classes include:

JULY 6 – 10

AGES 6 – 9
Pop Art

Instructor: Deborah Gregg

Young artists will jump right into designing colorful POP art pieces inspired by everyday images and comic books.

 

AGES 9+
Comic Book Design

Instructor: Cory Laub

Young artists will learn the finer points of designing comics, including character design, drawing techniques, and plot development. A lively discussion on the history
of comic books and their characters add to the fun.

AGES 12+
Teen Drawing

Instructor:Deborah Fletcher

Young artists will begin mastering techniques of drawing by adding dimension, value, and structure to their work.

JULY 13 – 17

AGES 6 – 9
Life Under the Sea

Instructor: Isabel Perez

This class allows young artists to experiment with different paper and painting techniques. They will learn about color, composition, texture and shapes, all while exploring life under the sea.

AGES 9+
Exploring Watercolor

Instructor: Pamela Keen

Learn about color, composition, texture and shapes in this out of the ordinary watercolor design class. Artists have fun experimenting with paint to make their own masterpiece. Demonstrations, classroom time for Q & A, and individual interaction will help you create beautiful paintings.

 

JULY 20 – 24

AGES 6–9

Art Around the World

Instructor: Deborah Gregg

Young artists will become world travelers as they learn about different cultures and their art. Throughout the week they will explore a variety of techniques and materials as they take a virtual trip to different destinations around the globe.

AGES 9+
Chibi Character Art

Instructor: Simone Spade

Young artists will learn how to create their own “chibi” character and critter using different art techniques like drawing and watercolor.

AGES 12+
Teen Creative Storytelling

Instructor: Cory Laub

In this class young artists
will learn the multiple ways
in which stories can be told. They will read and discuss short stories, create written work of their own, and learn how to adapt those stories into visual media like comics or movies. They will learn the basics of building a writing outline and plotting a story, the important differences between a prose story and a film or TV script, and what needs to be considered when creating a visual storyboard.

AGES 12+
Sketching Animals

Instructor: Simone Spade

Young artists will learn to properly sketch and complete drawings of animals in this exciting class. Young artists will learn how to properly map out proportions of animals and add details to their drawings in their own creative way.

JULY 27 – 31

AGES 6 – 9
The Wild Things

Instructor: Simone Spade

Young artists will take a walk on the wild side as they master the basics of creating animals using pencil and paint, while also exploring the natural world with a different type of animal featured each day.

AGES 9+
Cartooning

Instructor: Cory Laub

In this class young artists will learn how to draw popular cartoon characters step-by- step. They will practice cartoon drawing techniques and learn about anatomy, perspective, movement, how to create their own characters, and world- building philosophies.

AGES 12+
Teen Painting

Instructor: Simone Spade

This class is all about the exploration of painting. Young artists will enjoy learning different step-by-step skills of completing a work of art where both drawing and painting techniques will be covered.

AUGUST 3–7

AGES6–9
Art Studio

Instructor: Isabel Perez

This class is perfect for the budding artist. During this fun and exciting class the young artist will explore all things drawing and painting. They will be encouraged to use their imaginations as they discover their inherent talent.

 

AGES 9+
Art of the Animal

Instructor: Deborah Fletcher

This fun class will help young artists master the basics
of drawing animals as they explore the creative side of
the natural world and develop skills of bringing their creations to life.

AGES 12+
Painting Illustrations

Instructor: Pamela Keen

Explore the world of painting illustrations. Learn how to convert ideas drawn from various sources of texts into stunning, illustrative watercolor paintings.

AUGUST 10 – 14

AGES 6-9
Multicultural Art

Instructor: Isabel Perez

Young artists will spend the week creating art inspired by different cultures, while also learning about different traditions used to make art around the world.

AGES 9+
Exploring Watercolors

Instructor: Pamela Keen

Learn about color, composition, texture, and shapes in this out of the ordinary watercolor design class. Artists have fun experimenting with paint to make their own masterpiece. Demonstrations, classroom time for Q & A, and individual interaction will help you create beautiful paintings.

 

AGES 12+
Teen Drawing

Instructor: Isabel Perez

Young artists will begin mastering techniques of drawing by adding dimension, value, and structure to their work.

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Commissioner Michael Udine (3rd District, Broward County)

It has been a long winter/ spring due to the pandemic, and now Broward is getting

used to its new normal. Businesses are taking the appropriate measures to

welcome customers back. Summer camps are opening, sports leagues are restarting, and pro sports are resuming under strict protocols. All our efforts are being made to get everyone back to our daily routines. Get out and experience all that our community has to offer this summer.

This year’s Teen Political Forum, hosted by the City of Coral Springs, utilized Zoom to connect Northwest Broward’s young people with community leaders. Participation in the event was exceptional, and the questions asked ranged from updates on county projects to questions about the direction of the country. This event provides students with a way to apply the civics lessons learned in school with their real-world application. I value hearing the opinions of these young leaders and look forward to seeing them as they grow and bring new ideas forward for our community.

I am proud to support the Broward Arts Relief Supplemental Grant Program to distribute bridge funds to non-profit arts programs. These funds allow the community to continue
to enjoy the arts and protects the great people that work at the various venues. Funds come from license plate fees on vanity plates that support the arts. Whether a museum, a local theater, or a musical ensemble, we are aiding these important organizations of our community during this critical time. Grants are awarded to those partners who have applied under strict parameters based on need for these one-time funds.

The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is ready for takeoff, but with a new look and safety precautions to protect travelers. Since the pandemic FLL has instituted its “FLLy Safer, FLLy Smarter, FLLy Better” campaign. When
you visit you will notice new acrylic shields protecting both passengers and gate agents, space markers to promote social distancing, and continuous deep cleaning of high traffic areas throughout the day. All these precautions are meant to help get the public back in the air safely. As flights continue to be added and people feel more comfortable flying, we look forward to seeing you at FLL!

As we return to a new normal this summer please join me by utilizing our wonderful parks and beaches throughout Broward County. Go fishing, sit on the beach, or have a cookout with family. Enjoy life! Have a great 4th of July as we celebrate our nation’s independence.

  • Email: mudine@broward.org
  • Phone: (954)357-7003
  • Facebook: @CommissionerMichaelUdine
  • Twitter and Instagram: @MichaelUdine
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