Free Trees Available
At County Parks

Broward County is continuing its free tree giveaway program on weekends at five county parks. The free trees will be available every weekend (while supplies last) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at:

• C. B. Smith Park, 900 N. Flamingo Rd., Pembroke Pines, 954-437-2650
• Plantation Heritage Park, 1100 S. Fig Tree Lane, Plantation, 954-791-1025
• Rev. Samuel Delevoe Park, 2520 N.W. 6 th Street, Fort Lauderdale, 954-791-1036
• T. Y. Park, 3300 N. Park Road, Hollywood, 954-985-1980
• Tradewinds Park (South), 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek, 954-968-3880

Sunrise Family Wins
NatureScape Yard Makeove

Hundreds of Broward County residents submitted drawings, photos, videos, and even original poetry to show why their yards deserved a makeover. On Friday, January 13, the Burdeen family of Sunrise was chosen from 550 entrants in the NatureScape Makeover contest. The family will receive a $50,000 yard makeover, which will begin this month.

County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs broke the good news to Blake and Debbie Burdeen and their 9-year-old daughter, Debbie, on Friday, January 13. The Blakes also have a 6-month-old son, Jonathan. Their barren lawn will be transformed into a beautiful water-wise urban oasis. Plans for the makeover include:

• Mulched beds of beautiful native plants that require little to no water or fertilizer
• Wildlife habitat including a water feature for butterflies and birds
• Ultra-efficient irrigation system that waters in zones according to plant needs
• Solar powered decorative lighting
• Driveway and walkway laid with permeable pavers that allow rainwater to soak into the ground and reduce stormwater runoff
• Installation of native, wind-tolerant trees

A team of landscape experts have designed the Burdeen’s yard according to NatureScape Broward landscaping principles. The NatureScape Broward program focuses on simple ways to create and maintain Florida-friendly yards that conserve water, reduce pollution and provide native habitat for wildlife.

There are nearly 1,100 certified NatureScape yards, schools and businesses in Broward County. In October, Broward County was recognized nationally as the first County to be certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For more information about NatureScape Broward call 954-519-0317 or visit www.broward.org/naturescape.

Water Quality, Conservation
Focus of Water Matters Day

Broward County will celebrate its fourth annual Water Matters Day on Saturday, March 11, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Tree Tops Park, 2900 S.W. 100th Avenue, Davie. The event is a part of the overall campaign: Water for Everyone. People. Plants. Animals. Last year, more than 2,000 residents attended the event.

Water Matters Day will feature giveaways and a series of mini-workshops on a wide range of water-related topics including the “do's and don'ts” of irrigation, the impact of global warming on water resources, stormscaping to help hurricane-proof your landscape, and landscaping for wildlife. This year's event will also feature activities highlighting the County's recent certification as a Community Wildlife Habitat.

Admission to the event is $1 per person and free for children 5 and under. Event participants who visit at least 10 of the education exhibits on display at the park will be eligible to receive FREE trees, plants, mulch, rain gauges, and bottled water.

Folk singer Grant Livingston will provide live musical entertainment, and children can enjoy face painting with clowns and making their own bird house.

Organizations and businesses interested in sponsorships, making a donation, or having an exhibit table at the event, should contact Asif Ali, at AALI@broward.org or call 954-519-1222.

County Parks Celebrating
50th Anniversary in 2006

Broward County’s Parks and Recreation Division are marking their 50th anniversary in 2006 with a number of celebrations planned during the year. Established in 1956, the parks system has grown from a County beach, three undeveloped areas and an operating budget of $10,000 into a system that includes 17 regional parks, four nature centers, 18 natural area sites, and a number of neighborhood parks. The entire parks system totals more than 6,500 acres and has an annual operating budget of $40 million. Amenities available at parks include horseback riding, swimming, picnics, boating, basketball, tennis, skating and a dog park. For more information on Broward County parks, visit www.broward.org/parks.

Free, Outdoor Internet Service
Available in Downtown Area

Broward County has launched a new wireless broadband network, a technology popularly known as “WiFi,” that provides free Internet access to anyone using a laptop computer or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) at several outdoor hot spots in the government/university campus area downtown:

• Stranahan Park adjacent to the Main Library
• Along S.W. Second Street from the Governmental Center through the Old Himmarshee area
• Along Las Olas Boulevard, beginning at Andrews Avenue and continuing east to approximately S.E. 10th Avenue

This area was chosen as the initial location of WiFi hot spots because it is home to the Governmental Center , the Main Library, campuses of Broward Community College and Florida Atlantic University , and a variety of businesses and restaurants in the Las Olas and Himmarshee entertainment districts.

The WiFi network makes it easy to surf the Internet without being connected to network cables. It is part of a pilot project that can easily be expanded to other locations throughout the County. Broward County earlier announced the availability of indoor WiFi service in key areas of the Governmental Center in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Last year, free WiFi service became available at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. For additional information, visit www.broward.org .

Free Bus Service Available
Along Broward Boulevard

A new, free transit service—Broward East/West Express—is now available for residents traveling along Broward Boulevard, from Fort Lauderdale to Plantation. The service links the Broward County Government Center West, located at One University Drive in Plantation, to the County’s Governmental Center in downtown Fort Lauderdale. One stop along Broward Boulevard at N.E. 27 Avenue will provide access to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Two 20-passenger shuttle buses, powered by bio-diesel fuel, are being utilized to provide the express service. The service operates every 30 minutes, weekdays, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The service is being funded with a grant from the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Broward County Eligible
For Homeland Security Funds

For the first time, Broward County has been declared eligible to directly apply for and receive federal funding from the Department of Homeland Security Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI). Previously, the County’s funds were part of a package for the metropolitan South Florida area. The UASI provides grant funding to enhance local governments' ability to prepare for and respond to terrorism threats and incidents. In 2006, UASI will spend more than $765 million for equipment, training, planning in 35 “high threat” urban areas.

Budget and Select Committees
Begin Review of County’s Budget

In an effort to enhance Broward County’s budget process and maximize the delivery of services and programs to residents, the County Commission began a series of weekly meetings on January 23. Mayor Ben Graber appointed Commissioners to eight budget subcommittees and eight select committees. The committees will meet through the winter and spring, before forwarding their recommendations to the full County Commission. The new process is designed to increase Commission participation in developing programs and services and incorporating the proposals into the final budget. The entire process is being conducted within the framework of the Commissioners’ Five-Year Workplan, which incorporates eight major goals. Residents can follow the committees’ progress by visiting the County’s website, www.broward.org, and clicking on 2006 Budget and Select Committees.

Register to Vote:
Deadline February 13

The deadline to register to vote in the March 14 municipal elections is Monday, February 13. There are contests in 15 of Broward County’s 31 municipalities on election day. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will not be early voting locations. In addition, three unincorporated areas will be voting on annexation: Pine Island Ridge (Davie), Country Acres (Coral Springs or Parkland) and Broward Estates (Lauderhill).