King Tut Exhibit Now Open
At Museum of Art

Following a special presentation by officials from the Museum of Art/Fort Lauderdale before the County Commission in December, the long-awaited King Tut exhibit opened in Broward County on December 15. Tutankhamen and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs will be on display through April 23 at the museum, located at the corner of Las Olas Boulevard and Andrews Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The exhibit has already attracted national attention and is expected to boost tourism during the height of the winter season.

The exhibit opened in the United States in Los Angeles in June of 2005 and drew nearly a million visitors. The exhibition will include 50 major objects excavated from Tutankhamen’s tomb, including his royal diadem—the gold crown discovered encircling the head of the king’s mummified body that he likely wore while living—and one of the gold and precious stone inlaid canopic coffinettes that contained his mummified internal organs. King Tut’s burial chamber was discovered in 1922. More than 70 objects from other royal graves of the 18th Dynasty (15555 B.C.-1305 B.C.) will also be showcased.

The cost of adult tickets to the exhibit range from $25 during the week to $30 on weekends and holidays. Discounted tickets are available to senior citizens, military personnel, students and groups. To purchase tickets, contact the Broward Center for the Performing Arts at 877-787-7711 or Ticketmaster at 877-888-8587 or visit the museum lobby. For additional information, visit the museum’s website, www.moafl.org.

Jules Verne Exhibit
On Display at Main Library

An exhibit of renowned science fiction author Jules Verne’s personal artifacts, including original manuscripts and posters, is now on display at the Broward County Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. The exhibit runs through the end of January.

The collection is the property of Amiens Metropole, a city in France, and was originally assembled by Piero Gondolo Della Riva, one of the world’s foremost collectors of Jules Verne items. It focuses on the life of this extraordinary writer as well as his imaginary explorations into the worlds of science, technology and exploration that resulted in his world-famous novels that inspired international pop culture. Included in the exhibit are Verne’s model of Captain Nemo’s Nautilus, and other one-of-a-kind memorabilia.

“This is an incredible opportunity for the community to see rare memorabilia from such a remarkable collection. I recommend people see this exhibit since it is only in the United States for a brief time before it returns to Europe,” said Robert E. Cannon, director of the Broward County Library.

The free exhibit was arranged through the French Embassy in the United States, the France Florida Foundation for the Arts, and the Miami-Fort Lauderdale Alliance Francaise. For more information, including library hours, visit www.broward.org/library and click on the Journey through the Imagination of Jules Verne button.

Library Programs Celebrate
Martin Luther King’s Legacy

In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, observed this year on January 16, Broward County’s libraries have planned a number of programs, exhibits and events:

• African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale—January 14, 1-3 p.m., King birthday celebration with spoken word artists and group craft; January 15, 2 p.m., Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. film

• Jim Moran Collier City Learning Library, 2800 N.W. 9 Court, Pompano Beach—January 1-15, a display on King’s life.

• Lauderhill Mall Branch, 4257 N.W. 12th Street, Lauderhill—January 1-31, a display of books relating to King; January 11, 6:30-7 p.m., discussion on How to Keep Dr. Martin Luther King’s Dream Alive.

• Lauderhill Towne Centre Library, 6399 W. Oakland Park Boulevard, Lauderhill—January 10, 6:30 p.m., a movie, Our Friend, Martin.

• Margate Catharine Young Branch, 5810 Park Drive, Margate—a display on King’s life and a multiethnic diversity exhibit.

• Northwest Regional Library, 3151 Univeresity Drive, Coral Springs—January 1-31, a display on King’s life; January 6, 3-4 p.m., King celebration for children.

• Pembroke Pines Branch/Walter C. Young Resource Center, 955 N.W. 129 Avenue, Pembroke Pines—January 1-31, a display on King’s life.

• Pompano Beach Branch, 1213 E. Atlantic Boulevard, Pompano Beach—January 13, 3:30-4:30 p.m., King celebration with arts and crafts for children.

For additional information, pick up a copy of the January 2006 edition of Bookings at any Broward County Library or visit www.broward.org/library.

Public Art & Design
Marks 30th Anniversary

In celebration of Broward County’s thirtieth anniversary of its public art and design program, which incorporates artwork and aesthetic architecture into public buildings and facilities, a kick-off celebration is planned for January 23, 5 p.m., Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. Featured at the reception will be a presentation of public artist Dan Corson’s spectacular “lighting project,” commissioned specifically specifically for the 30-year anniversary. The artwork will be completed and revealed to the public in a grand finale “light-up” event in December 2006.

Over the course of the year, there will be a number of key events that salute the public art and design program: tours of the public art collection throughout the county; an exhibition at the Art and Culture Center in Hollywood; and, a six-lecture/speakers forum which will rotate throughout the county.

Broward County’s Public Art and Design collection began in 1976 with the direct purchase of 24 artworks, installed at the South Regional Courthouse in Hollywood. In 2002, Eldridge Appraisals Inc., appraised the 172-piece collection at more than $11 million. Today, Broward County is home to 208 titled works of public art.

To RSVP to the January 23 event, visit www.broward.org/arts and click on Workshops or call 954-357-7457.

Management & Efficiency Group
Seeks Public Input on Hurricanes

The Broward County Management and Efficiency Study Committee (MESC) is conducting a series of public hearings to allow residents to express their views on hurricane preparedness. The group’s goal is to solicit personal opinions on what went right, what went wrong, and what can be done to improve Broward County emergency services before the next hurricane season begins in June.

In mid-December, MESC conducted a public hearing in Pembroke Pines. Three additional hearings have been scheduled, all to be conducted from 6 to 8 p.m.:

• Wednesday, January 11, Emma Lou Olson Civic Center, 1801 N.E. 6th Street, Pompano Beach

• Wednesday, January 25, Fort Lauderdale City Hall (Commission Chambers), 100 N. Andrews Avenue

• Wednesday, February 8, South Florida Regional Planning Council, 3440 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 140, Hollywood

The Management and Efficiency Study Committee is authorized and empowered by the Broward County Charter to conduct a comprehensive study of County government with the goal of seeking more effective and efficient means to provide services to residents. The committee, an advisory board to the County Commission, was activated in June 2004 and will issue a final report in June. For additional information, visit www.broward.org/efficiency.

Updated Citizen’s Guide
Available Online and in Print

The 2005-06 edition of Broward County’s Citizen’s Guide to Government is now available online and in print. The 36-page guide includes the names and contact information on elected officials representing Broward County, from the White House to local municipalities. In addition to addresses and telephone numbers, the guide also lists e-mail and web site addresses. Fold-out maps of County Commission, U.S. Congressional, Florida Legislative and Broward County School Board districts are also included in the reference guide. In addition to facts about Broward County, the publication contains the phone numbers for all taxing authorities in the county. The online version will be updated on a regular basis. To view Citizen’s Guide to Government, visit www.broward.org or call the Broward County Public Communications Office at 954-357-6990 to request a copy or copies.

Broward County Transit
Enhances Services January 15

Broward County Transit (BCT) is announcing several enhancements to bus service on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays on several routes beginning Sunday, January 15. Several new departures have been added and many schedule times have been adjusted. The following routes are affected: 1, 6, 9, 18, 22, 30, 34, 36, 55,72, 83 and 88. Passengers are encouraged to refer to the new timetables of the BCT Service Improvements brochure (datted January 15, 2006) for additional information. Details are also available from BCT Customer Service at 954-357-8400 or online at www.broward.org/bct.

Public Transit Ridership
Continues to Increase

Bus ridership in September 2005 increased by 23 percent over last year’s numbers, according to statistics released by Broward County Transit (BCT). Total ridership for September 2005 was 3,124,488. Ridership for the fiscal year ending in September showed an increase of 3.3 percent over the previous year. Community bus service, with a ridership of nearly 8,000 passengers a day, increased by 19 percent. The community buses, operated in partnership with 20 municipalities, connect to most BCT fixed routes. The Water Bus, operated through a contract with Water Taxi, Inc., also showed an increase with approximately 760,000 passengers.

Statistics Show Decrease
For Unincorporated Areas

Broward County’s unincorporated population has dropped to approximately 23,000 residents, as more than 40 neighborhoods have been annexed or incorporated into 13 municipalities since 2000. The unincorporated residents now constitute less than one percent of the county’s 1.7 million residents. The statistics are contained in the December 2005 edition of Broward-by-the-Numbers, a monthly electronic information service of the Department of Urban Planning & Redevelopment’s Planning Services Division. Visit www.broward.org and click on Broward-by-the-Numbers.