First Rabies Case of 2006
Confirmed in Fort Lauderdale

The state's Broward County Health Department extended the existing Rabies Alert Area following an incident on March 17 involving a raccoon bitten by a dog in southwest Fort Lauderdale. Officials confirmed the raccoon was captured and tested positive for rabies. The new Rabies Alert Area extends from U.S. 1 on the east to U.S. 27 on the west and from Southwest/Southeast 17th Street on the north to Sheridan Street on the south. The latest confirmed rabies case is the first incident this year in Broward County and the 35th reported case since July 2000.

Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Division officers are now canvassing the neighborhood where the raccoon was found-in the vicinity of Southwest 10th Avenue and Southwest 22nd Street-to advise residents of the occurrence and to distribute literature on safety precautions. All cats and dogs in Broward County, four months or older, are required to be licensed and vaccinated for rabies. To report any sick or injured animals, residents are advised to call Animal Care Dispatch at 954-359-1313, ext. 400, from 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m., weekdays; on evenings and weekends, residents should call Fire Central Dispatch at 954-765-5124.

Low Cost Rabies Vaccinations
Available for Pet Owners

Broward County's Animal Care and Regulation Division will hold a Low-Cost License and Rabies Vaccination clinic on Saturday, April 29, Margate Catharine Young Branch Library, 5810 Park Dr., from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The $15 cash only fee includes the rabies vaccination and county animal license. To qualify, pet owners must be Broward residents, meet certain income guidelines and provide proof of residency. Dogs must be on leashes and cats in carriers. A clinic for rabies vaccinations (no County licenses issued at this event) will be held on April 15, Osswald Park, 2220-2225 N.W. 21 Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information about the rabies clinics, call 954-359-1010.

Broward Beautiful Accepting
Landscape Grant Applications

Grants from $1,500 to $10,000 are available from Broward County to provide financial assistance to qualified public entities for landscaping projects. The 2006 Community Grants Program is administered by the Broward Beautiful Advisory Board, appointed by the County Commission. Homeowner, condo and civic groups, schools, governments and non-profit agencies are eligible. Applicants are required to match grant funds on a one-to-one basis. The match can include cash, donations or in-kind services, such as volunteer time. No match is required for projects in designated disadvantaged communities. The deadline for submitting grant applications is Wednesday, May 24, 2006. For additional information, call Lorraine Bertone, 954-357-6626, or e-mail BrowardBeautiful@broward.org.

Training Courses Offered
For Condo/Co-op Residents

A free educational training program for condominium and cooperative board members and unit owners will be offered on Wednesdays-April 5, 12, 18, 28 and May 10-at the Hallandale Beach branch library, 300 South Federal Highway. Classes begin at 9:30 a.m. and run through 12:30 p.m., except for the May 10 class which runs until 1:30 p.m. Registration is not required but is strongly recommended. Participants can register for one or more courses.

Community Associations Institute (CAI), the designated condominium and cooperative educational provider for the State of Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Florida Land Sales, Condominiums, and Mobile Homes, will offer the courses for condominium and cooperative unit owners. The courses include Financial Management (April 5), Spanish-Condominium Operations (April 12), Condominium Operations (April 18), Spanish-Financial Management (April 26) and Regulations (May 10). The state is required to provide training programs pursuant to Florida Statutes. To register for a class or learn more about CAI's condominium and cooperative courses, visit www.caionline.org/florida. For additional information, call 727-525-0962 or e-mail Fleducation@caionline.org.

Partnership Creates
Affordable Housing Complex

A new, 148-unit rental town home community opened in Pompano Beach on March 17 at 801 North Powerline Road, just north of Atlantic Boulevard. Pinnacle Village, a unique public-private partnership, contains one, two and three bedroom units. The units range from 770 to 1,446 square feet and will rent from $641 to $880 a month, depending on family income. To be eligible, residents must have incomes of 60 percent or less than the County's median income. Amenities at the new development include a gated entrance, waterfront views, a clubhouse, a fitness center, a business center, swimming pool, lighted walking paths and community courtyards.

Pinnacle Village was built on the site of the old Holiday Lakes Apartments, a failed U.S. Department of Housing and Development (HUD)-subsidized project that was demolished in 2003.The Pinnacle Housing Group of Miami, real estate developers, created and built the community at a cost of approximately $20 million, in cooperation with the City of Pompano Beach and its Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

Free Vehicle Inspections
Offered During Car Care Month

In recognition of Car Care Month in April, the County's Environmental Protection Department's Air Quality Division is partnering with public and private entities to encourage motorists to maintain their cars and evaluate their driving habits to reduce air pollution. Through a partnership with the Sheridan Technical Center, Broward County will provide free vehicle maintenance inspections and a free car maintenance seminar:

--- Emissions and Safety Inspections, April 7, Sheridan Technical Center, Sheridan Street and North 54 Avenue, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. ASE-certified master technicians and technicians-in-training from Sheridan Technical Center will provide free emissions and safety inspections.

--- Car Maintenance Seminar, April 18, South Regional Library/Broward Community College (BCC) campus media auditorium, 6:30-8 p.m. A free car maintenance seminar with David Clark, master technician and instructor, at Sheridan Technical Center.

For tips on how to drive and maintain your car to save money and keep the air clean, visit www.broward.org/air and click on Car Care Month.

Commission Approves
Airport Cell Phone Lot

The Broward County Commission recently approved plans to construct a 50-space, short-term parking lot for motorists waiting for deplaning passengers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The free parking lot will enable residents with cell phones to park their automobiles while they wait for a phone call to pick up arriving passengers. The lot is expected to relieve congestion at the airport, caused in part by motorists circling the facility until planes land. Last year, more than 16,000 citations were given to drivers who parked their cars illegally along roadways leading to the airport terminals while waiting for passengers to arrive. The lot will take several months to build, at an estimated cost of $283,000. Miami and Palm Beach International airports have similar cell phone parking lots.

Registration Begins April 15
For Summer AdventureCamp

Registration begins April 15 for Broward County's Parks and Recreation Division's popular AdventureCamp program, designed for children between the ages of six and 12. The weekday program features a diverse range of activities, including swimming and athletics, under the direction of an experienced, professional recreation staff. The camp programs consist of five two-week sessions beginning on May 30 and running through August 4. The cost is $190 per session. Hours of operation are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, with early (7:30 a.m.) drop-off and late (6 p.m.) pickup options available for a slight additional fee. Participants can bring their own lunches or purchase lunch meals. AdventureCamp is available at Markham Park in Sunrise and Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. For additional information, call Markham Park at 954-389-2000 or Quiet Waters Park at 954-360-1315 or visit www.broward.org/parks and click on AdventureCamp.

Women's Resource Directory
Available from County

Broward County's Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), a board appointed by the County Commission, has produced a Women's Help Organizations Directory, which contains a list of organizations that have programs geared specifically for women and their families. The directory is a tool that will assist women in addressing and resolving the unique concerns that they face daily-at home, at work and in the community. To obtain a free copy of the directory, contact Broward County's Civil Rights Division at 954-357-6050.