2010 Hurricane Season Update:
Residents Must Reregister for Special Medical Needs Shelters

If you are presently registered for a special medical needs shelter that you plan on locating to in an emergency, such as a hurricane, it is important that you reregister for this service prior to the 2010 hurricane season, which begins June 1. Reregistration is not normally required, but is necessary this year because there has been a change in the medical provider at the shelters, from the Broward County Human Services Department to the Broward County Health Department.

Current registrants should have already received a letter and application form from Human Services Department advising them of the change. New applications are also available online. Visit www.broward.org/atrisk, click MEDICAL NEEDS tab and select SHELTER AND TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE APPLICATION.

New applications, which require the input and approval of the applicant’s physician, should be returned to:

Broward County Human Services Department
115 S. Andrews Ave., Room 303
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33301

Applications will be evaluated using Florida Department of Health eligibility criteria. For questions, call Broward County Human Services Department at 954-357-6385 (TTY 954-357-5608 for the hearing-impaired). For more information on emergency preparedness, visit www.broward.org/hurricane, or www.broward.org/atrisk.

Sea Turtle Nesting Season Has Begun

The 2010 sea turtle nesting season – March 1 through July – has begun and Broward County Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department encourages beach residents and beach users throughout Broward County to be aware that these large marine reptiles are visiting our beaches at night with regularity.

If you wish to participate in organized tours to witness the nesting ritual, contact the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program at 954-519-1255. If you see hatchling turtles heading in the wrong direction, call the sea turtle emergency response cell phone at 954-328-0580.

County Dedicates Herman and Dorothy Shooster Preserve

If things had gone differently back in the mid-1980s, the 19.78 acres that make up the Herman and Dorothy Shooster Preserve might have ended up as an office park. As it was, the original developers abandoned their plans after some preliminary construction. The land then passed into the hands of the Shooster family, from whom it was later acquired for $4.15 million of the funds approved by nearly 75 percent of County voters in the 2000 Safe Parks and Land Preservation Bond Referendum.

The Herman and Dorothy Shooster Preserve, located on the south side of Southwest Seventh Court between U.S. 441/State Road 7 and Southwest 64th Terrace in Margate, was dedicated on May 7. For more information call 954-357-8114.

Employment Application Support Center Has Relocated

Looking for a career opportunity with Broward County Government? The Employment Application Support Center, previously located on the corner of Andrews Avenue and Broward Boulevard, has been relocated to Room 301 of the Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.

Human Resources staff are available to assist applicants Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon; and Wednesdays and Fridays from 2 to 5 p.m. Applicants are advised to arrive no later than one hour before closing to allow time to complete the process. Call the Broward County Jobs Hotline at 954-357-JOBS. For those who do not have computer access, County libraries have computers available for public use and applicants can apply online on the County’s Web Site at www.broward.org/careers. For additional information and telephone support, interested applicants can call 954-357-6444, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

365 Food Drive Seeks Mom’s “Comfort Foods” for May

Broward County’s yearlong 365 Food Drive to benefit area food banks continues in May with a focus on foods that remind you of mom in honor of Mother’s Day May 9. While all non-perishable food items are appreciated, there is a special call for comfort foods. Collection boxes are located at the Governmental Center, Government Center West, main and regional courthouses, all Broward County libraries, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Administration building, and Port Everglades Administration building. Visit www.broward.org/fooddrive.

NatureScape Broward Hosts Event at Silver Trail Middle Schools

NatureScape Broward will host a family friendly event at Silver Trail Middle School offering demonstrations on how to create environmentally friendly landscapes that can improve water quality, conserve water, and create habitat for wildlife.

The event supports the County’s NatureScape Broward Program and the Environmental Partnership Agreement between the Broward County Commissioners and the School Board of Broward County, and is open to the public – Saturday, May 15, 9 a.m. to noon, at Silver Trail Middle School, 18300 Sheridan St. in Pembroke Pines. For more information on this event or Nature Scape Broward, call Victor Suarez at 954-519-1239 or visit www.broward.org/naturescape.

Special Week Set Aside for Tourism Appreciation

In recognition of National Tourism Appreciation Week, May 8-16, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau offers the following interesting facts about our community:

• Twenty-five percent of all Greater Fort Lauderdale visitors are Floridians. Visit www.sunny.org for summer deals and coupons.

• In 2009, Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomed 10.5 million visitors who contributed more than $8.4 billion to Broward’s economy.

• Last year, Broward welcomed 2.27 million international visitors with Canadians as the top international market.

• There are more than 33,000 hotel rooms available in more than 565 Broward hotels.

• Port Everglades, the world’s cruise ship capital, serves 48 ships and is the home of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis ships, the largest in the world, hosting 5,400 passengers each.

• In 2009, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport serviced 21,060,144 passengers.

Learn to Become a SKYWARN Storm Spotter

The Broward County Emergency Management Division will host a training class for SKYWARN Storm Spotters on Saturday, May 22, at the Broward County Emergency Operations Center, 201 N.W. 84th Avenue in Plantation. The class is intended for those interested in becoming a Storm Spotter or those who are spotters and want to sharpen their skills.

Classes for beginners and advanced Storm Spotters will be taught in a combined class by a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Preregistration by Friday, May 15, is required as only 60 seats are available. The class is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Attendees must be at least 14 years old and accompanied by an adult. Attendees need to make their own lunch arrangements. To register, call 954-249-5343 or email: n4hhp@comcast.net. SKYWARN Storm Spotters are a nationwide network of volunteers who report observations of significant weather and damage resulting from severe weather to the National Weather Service.

It’s Always Time for Best Management Practices – With Your Lawn

Landscape Best Management Practices are guidelines that keep landscapes visually attractive while conserving water resources, reducing pollution and protecting South Florida’s fragile environment. In Broward County, landscape best management practices are part of the NatureScape Broward Initiative and also promoted by Broward County Parks and Recreation Division Extension Education.

The five areas of Best Management Practices that homeowners can incorporate into their lawn care program are:

Irrigation Management, Fertilizer Management, NatureScapes, Vegetation Management and Storm Water Management.

For more information on lawn care visit www.broward.org/naturescape and click KNOW THE FLOW.

Port Everglades Seeks Volunteers to Paint Recycled Oil Drums

Broward County’s Port Everglades is inviting volunteers of all ages and talents to test their creativity and painting skills in a community service project to transform recycled petroleum drums into decorative trash and recycling bins that will be used throughout the Port. The event will be held Saturday, May 22, from 8 a.m. to noon, in Parking Lot 19 in the center of Port Everglades.

For more information, visit Volunteer Broward at www.volunteerbroward.org or contact Port Everglades Corporate & Community Relations at 954-468-3509 or email: porteverglades@broward.org.

Input Sought on Needs of HIV-Positive Residents

The Ryan White Part A Program Office is conducting its annual survey to determine service needs and funding for HIV-positive consumers. The survey is voluntary and strictly confidential. For more information, call 954-357-5390. Visit www.positiveoutcomes.net/brhpc to complete the survey.

Community Update, a monthly newsletter from the Board of County Commissioners, is produced by the Office of Public Communications. Address questions concerning articles to 954-357-6990. To receive Community Update electronically, send an email to publicinfo@broward.org. Please include your first and last name and email address. Hearing impaired residents can call the TTY line at 954-831-3940 for additional information.