Oral Rabies Vaccine Targets Wild Animals
Beginning this month, Broward County is launching a new five-year program to curb the spread of rabies among wild animals, primarily raccoons. The Oral Rabies Vaccine Program (ORVP) is being initiated by the County Commission to lower the incidence of rabies among raccoons and reduce the threat of rabies to residents and their pets. With 30 rabies cases confirmed in Broward County since July 2000, controlling the spread of rabies among wild animals is increasingly important.

To administer the vaccine to raccoons, bait made of fish meal will be used. The oral vaccine is placed inside small pouches contained in each piece of bait. When an animal bites into the bait, the pouch breaks and a dose of rabies vaccine is released. The first batch of bait was distributed on March 2. The process will continue through 2009, with baiting scheduled to take place in February and March of each year. More than 200,000 pieces of bait will be distributed throughout the County in areas dense with wildlife, including County parks. In sparsely populated areas of the County, Broward Sheriff’s Office helicopters will be used to drop the bait.

The oral vaccine is not dangerous to people, pets and livestock. However, residents are urged to avoid direct contact with exposed vaccine and to supervise children and pets, should they come in contact with the bait. For additional details on the program, visit: www.broward.org/animal.

Water Matters Day Scheduled for March 19
Broward County’s third annual Water Matters Day will be celebrated on Saturday, March 19, 2005, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tree Tops Park, 3900 S.W. 100th Ave., Davie.

The environmental event is part of the overall campaign: Water for Everyone. People, Plants, Animals. The program encourages homeowners to understand their role in managing water resources at home and in the community. Broward Water Matters Day, which attracted more than 2,000 visitors last year, will feature giveaways and a series of mini workshops to help residents learn how to maintain beautiful yet environmentally friendly yards, addressing issues such as landscaping, gardening, and pest control.

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 displays 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.

Event sponsors include Broward County, City of Fort Lauderdale, Town of Davie, City of Cooper City, City of Coconut Creek, the South Florida Water Management District, the Central Broward Water Control District and RainBird.

Broward County Transit Ridership Increases
For the eighth consecutive year, Broward County Transit (BCT) has experienced an increase in the number of riders using BCT buses. Statistics released this month show that BCT had a 5.5 percent increased in ridership for Fiscal Year 2004, which ended September 30. BCT reported more than 36 million rides were taken during the year.

State Road Projects To Begin in Spring
The Florida Department of Transportation will begin a number of highway projects this spring, beginning in March with the repaving of Commercial Blvd., from Powerline Rd. to N.E. 19 St. Median revisions will also be included in the 2.1 mile stretch of highway. Hallandale Beach Blvd., from Dixie Hwy. to Three Islands Blvd., will be repaved, with new lighting and landscaping. Work will begin in April. In early spring, U.S. 1 from Sample Rd. to Hillsboro Blvd. will be repaved, and Commercial Blvd. from N.W. 31 Ave. to Powerline Rd. will be repaved along with median revisions.

Beach Restoration Project to Begin in April
The Broward County Commission awarded a $23.8 million contract in February to the Great Lakes Dock and Dredge Company to restore six miles of the County’s 25-mile coastline.
“We expect to start beach construction in Hallandale Beach, Hollywood and Dania Beach in April and work all summer on that,” said Steve Higgins, the County’s beach erosion administrator. He said the John U. Lloyd Beach State Park section of the project can not begin until November 1 because of the sea turtle nesting season. The entire first phase of the project, know as Segment III, should be completed by February 2006. It is the first beach restoration effort in Broward County in more than a decade. Broward County has received $17 million in state and federal grants and is in the process of asking the federal government for an additional $6 million.

Sand will be dredged off the north Broward coast and hauled by hopper dredge to the County’s southern coast. It will be piped to the beach, adding 30 to 250 feet of beach to the coastal communities. After completion of Segment III, the impact of the restored beach on marine resources will be studied over an 18-month period. A report will be prepared for the Florida Department of Environment Protection, which will forward its recommendations to the governor and the cabinet. If approved, Segment II of the beach restoration plan can proceed, which involves the restoration of beaches in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding communities. It is projected that this phase of beach restoration will begin in late 2008.

New Dog Park Facility Opens at Markham Park
Grand opening ceremonies are planned for a new Broward County dog park facility at Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise, on Thursday, March 17, 3 p.m. The public is invited to the ceremony. Light refreshments will be served, including canine treats for pets.

The new facility occupies 2.73 acres of Markham Park, located just west of the park’s entrance. The dog park has a section reserved for large dogs and an area set aside for smaller animals. Bermuda sod, which provides a smooth and even surface for dogs to run, walk and play, is utilized throughout the facility. Eight-foot-wide asphalt paths have been constructed for owners to walk their pets. There are three shelters, two with refrigerated drinking fountains and separate fountains for pets. The park contains a centrally located dog washing area, with a separate section set aside for large animals. The entire park is irrigated and is fully ADA accessible. Rules and regulations are posted at the entrance of the park.

The dog park will be open during park hours, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., during daylight-saving time. The park’s regular weekend and holiday gate entrance fee of $1 per person (children 5 and under free) will be in effect. For further information, call the park at 954-389-2000.

Libraries Celebrate Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month will be celebrated with a variety of free events, including author appearances, book discussions, films, and exhibits throughout March at many Broward County Library branches.

Angela Buxton will discuss Bruce Schoenfeld’s book The Match, Althea Gibson & Angela Buston: How Two Outsiders—One Black, the Other Jewish—Forged a Friendship and Made Sports History on March 12, 2 p.m., Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. The book focuses on Buston’s 40-year relationship with Althea Gibson. Both women encountered prejudice on the tennis circuit. On March 26, 2 p.m., Main Library, Marni M. Williams, spoken word artist, author and former prosecutor, will share her comments about her new book, Mere Presence. For a complete list of Women’s History Month events, pick up a copy of Bookings at any library branch or visit www.broward.org/library.

Grant Funds Available for Public Landscaping
Broward County’s Broward Beautiful Advisory Board is now accepting applications for GreenSHADE grants. The grants program is designed to provide funding for municipal governments to landscape public properties using shade trees.
Grants are available for any amount up to $15,000. Municipalities are required to match 50 percent of the grant funds. The program is a partnership between Broward Beautiful and the Broward County Tree Preservation Trust Fund.

Grant applications are available online at www.broward.org/dni01442.pdf. Applications should include supporting materials. To assist agencies in preparing the application, a special meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 23, 2 p.m., Broward County Governmental Center, Room 302, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.

Attendance at the application preparation meeting is not mandatory. However, anyone interested in applying for a grant is strongly encouraged to attend. The deadline for applications is May 6, 12 noon. The complete application package should be submitted by the deadline to: Broward Beautiful/GreenSHADE, Broward County Environmental Protection Department, Biological Resources Division, 218 S.W. First Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. For more information, contact Sean McSweeney at 954-519-0327.

VisionBROWARD Begins Series of Town Hall Meetings
Following a successful Town Hall meeting on February 24 at Hollywood City Hall, VisionBROWARD officials are planning additional Town Hall meetings around the County. VisionBROWARD, a public/private initiative created in 2003, recently issued a report of its goals and recommendations for the County’s long-term economic future and quality of life. The report includes input from nearly 700 Broward County residents, business, government and academic leaders who participated in meetings and workshops throughout 2004.

The next scheduled Town Hall meetings will be on May 26, 6-8 p.m., Weston Community Center, 20200 Saddle Club Rd.; June 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Lauderdale Lakes City Hall, 4300 N.W. 36th St.; and, October 6, 6-8 p.m., Coconut Creek City Hall, 4800 W. Copans Rd. Additional meetings are planned, including one in Fort Lauderdale. For more information on VisionBROWARD, visit www.visionbroward.org or contact Project Manager Devin Avery at 954-357-6155.