Residents and Businesses Encouraged to Conserve Energy

Mayor Kristin Jacobs is encouraging Broward County residents to conserve both fuel and electricity as the nation recovers from Hurricane Katrina.

Broward County has directed its employees to take some simple steps to save both electricity and fuel, including: carpooling to and from work; turning off lights and computers when offices are not in use; encouraging teleconferencing instead of traveling to meetings; and monitoring and adjusting County government buildings when employees are not present.

The County is also investigating additional opportunities to practice conservation. These may include assisting employees in locating carpooling partners and increasing use of Broward County hybrid vehicles.

The Broward Emergency Management Agency emphasizes that there is not an imminent threat of a fuel shortage in Broward County. “We don’t want people to panic; we’re just encouraging them to be proactive and conserve,” said Mayor Jacobs.

In an average day, Floridians use 23 million gallons of fuel. Suggestions for conserving energy can be located on the Broward County web site at www.broward.org. For questions, contact the Broward County Call Center at 954-831-4000.

Residents Urged to Report Polluting Vehicles

The Broward County Environmental Protection Department’s Air Quality Division is encouraging residents to help protect Broward’s air quality by reporting motor vehicles that contribute to air pollution.

The County’s Smoking Vehicle Program encourages residents to report any vehicles that emit visible smoke from the tailpipe for more than five continuous seconds. When a vehicle is reported, the owner is issued a warning notice and given 30 days to repair the vehicle. Along with the warning notice, vehicle owners receive educational materials to help them identify mechanical problems that could lead to high visible emissions.

The County started the Smoking Vehicle Program after the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles eliminated emissions tests for vehicle registration renewals in 2000. The goal of the program is to reduce the potential for air pollution and ensure clean air quality for all residents.

To report a smoking vehicle, call 954-519-1499, or you can fill out a complaint online at www.broward.org/air. Reports should include the vehicle’s Florida license number, the make or model of the car, the color of the car, the date and time of the violation, and the location where the vehicle was seen.

Libraries Celebrate Hispanic Heritage

As part of a month-long celebration in honor of Hispanic heritage, Broward County Library is presenting a series of more than 60 programs for children and adults. The theme for this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15, honors the 400th anniversary of the classic novel Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes.

Events celebrate the wide variety of cultures in Latin America and South America. Visit your library to learn salsa, sample traditional foods, party with a piñata, or watch movies. Check out a bilingual program on planning for college or listen to a psychologist speak on immigrant acclimation. Children can also attend classes to learn Spanish. Hispanic Heritage Month festivities will conclude with a closing extravaganza on October 15 at Main Library in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

For more information, check the Library’s newsletter Bookings or visit www.broward.org/library.

Rabies Alert Area Extended after Rabid Fox Reported

The State Department of Health Miami Regional Laboratory confirmed on September 1 that a fox tested positive for rabies.

The fox was trapped and euthanized after it attacked a worker at the NavalAir Station Museum at 4000 W. Perimeter Road in Fort Lauderdale. As a precaution, the worker is receiving the post-exposure series of rabies vaccinations.

This is the fifth rabies case in 2005 in Broward County. It is also the 34th animal infected with rabies and the easternmost case of rabies in Broward County since July 2000.

The Broward County Health Department has extended the rabies alert area from Federal Highway west to U.S. 27 and from State Road 84 south to Sheridan Street. This area includes the municipalities of Cooper City, Davie, Southwest Ranches, and Weston with portions of Dania Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Hollywood. Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Division will increase surveillance in the rabies alert area and pick up stray dogs and cats.

Animal Care and Regulation will hold a Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination and License Tag Clinic on Saturday, September 17 at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center located at 2400 Charleston Street in Hollywood from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The $15 cash only fee includes the rabies vaccination and county animal license tag. Proof of financial eligibility is required.

For information on upcoming clinics and tips on how you can protect you and your pets from rabies, visit www. broward.org/animal.

Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collections Resume

Regular operating hours at Broward County’s household hazardous waste and electronics collections sites have resumed.

The collections sites are located at 2780 N. Powerline Road, Pompano Beach, and 5601 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Hollywood. Regular operating hours are Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

With proof of County residency through a driver’s license or tax bill, Broward County residents can safely dispose of unwanted electronics items and household hazardous waste. Acceptable electronics items include computers, monitors, keyboards, computer mouses, and televisions. Acceptable household hazardous waste items include used motor oil, paint, pesticides, pool and lawn chemicals, and household cleaners.

Enter to Win a NatureScape Makeover

Homeowners can enter to win a Florida-friendly makeover for their yard through a special NatureScape Makeover contest open from September 1 to 30.
NatureScape is an environmentally sensitive and Florida-friendly approach to landscaping that encourages water conservation and pollution reduction through beautiful landscapes. NatureScape yards also provide a habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife by using native plants and shade trees.

Entry forms are available online at www.broward. org/naturescape, or stop by any Broward County Library or one of several Starbucks locations to fill out an entry form. Submit your completed application form along with videotapes, photos or drawings of your yard and a description (100 words or less) of why your yard deserves a makeover.

The winner will be announced in November and the makeover will begin in January. For more information, call 954-519-0317.

Happy Birthday, Broward County!

Broward County turns 90 on October 1, 2005! There will be activities for residents throughout the month in celebration of this important milestone in the County’s rich history.

The Broward County Commission kicks off the celebration at its September 27 meeting at 10 a.m. The kick-off coincides with the 33rd Annual Broward County Pioneer Days, hosted by the Broward County Historical Commission and the Broward County Main Library. There will be a reception and awards ceremony on Saturday, October 1 at the Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, at 1:00 p.m. honoring local individuals and groups for their efforts of historical merit.
On October 1, 1915, Broward County was created from portions of Dade and Palm Beach County as Florida’s 51st county with 4,700 residents. The Broward County School Board was created almost immediately after, and celebrates its 90th birthday on October 15. October 2005 also marks the 100th anniversary of Napoleon B. Broward’s term as Governor of the State of Florida (1905-1909).

Local history buffs and long-time residents are invited to attend the Broward County Historical Commission’s Brown Bag Lunch Program on Thursday, September 15 at noon for a retrospective look at Broward County’s early inhabitants and major events that shaped the County’s development. To share your memories or to obtain more information, call Broward County historian Helen Landers at 954-765-4670.