We are in the final quarter of 2020 and what a year this has been. We started 2020 with optimism, and then as life would have it, a pandemic infected the world and life as we knew it, was basically shut down. As we enter this last quarter of 2020, let's pivot forward and end the year with a bang! Fall is here and we begin to feel the weather change, leaves begin changing colors on the trees, and we begin to celebrate all the fall holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas too. This is such a special time of year that allows us to celebrate with our family and friends, making memorable moments and new traditions that will last a lifetime. I know the holiday season can be hectic, but staying organized and planning early can help eliminate the stress the holiday season can bring.
As your District 8 Commissioner, I am thankful to have the opportunity to continue serving you and all of our residents in Broward County. Together we have made our neighborhoods, business community, and local tourist attractions some of the best our County has to offer. Broward is a great place to live, work, and play, and as we end 2020 and begin 2021, I look forward to our continued success!
Although the primary election is over, we are still in campaign season, which is a time that warrants everyone’s participation. It is a time when each registered voter in Broward County can actively participate in the political process, which ultimately shapes the future outcomes of our local communities. Voting is a privilege that every American citizen has, and to have your voice heard, you must vote. The General Election is on Tuesday, November 3rd. During the General Election, we will vote and confirm local elected officials and our next President of the United States. No matter your political affiliation, your participation is encouraged. I look forward to seeing you at the polls, and wish you a safe, joyful, and prosperous holiday season!
~ Barbara
I welcome your comments and want to hear which issues are important to you. Send an email to me at
bsharief@broward.org or call my office at 954-357-7008. Also, check out the Barbara Sharief Facebook page at
Facebook.com/barbara.sharief.3 or follow me at
Twitter.com/bestmom39 or on Instagram at
@barbarasharief.
BE A SUPPORTER OF BROWARD! #PROUDSOB
HELP US RESTART BROWARD'S ECONOMY SAFELY
We’ve all heard it. And seen it. And that is why it stands out. Using three simple letters, we twist the meaning from (well, you know) to mean something different.
Being a Supporter of Broward (SOB) means making a lasting impact on our local businesses and in the lives of hundreds of thousands of our neighbors, friends, children, grandparents, and generations to come.
Here is how you can be a SOB:
• Buy local!
• Get takeout/delivery – Tip big!
• Like and share social media posts of your favorite local businesses.
We are all in this together, and together we will make Broward County better than ever before.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month marked in countries across the world every October, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection, and treatment, as well as palliative care of this disease. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States, affecting every 1 in 8 women. It also affects every 1 in 833 men in the U.S. While you cannot prevent breast cancer, it is important to be proactive about your health. Early detection is key in the treatment of breast cancer and can be done by performing yearly mammograms and monthly breast self-exams.
2020 Election Cycle
The General Election will be on
November 3, 2020. Only registered voters can vote in the General Election.
Visit
Browardsoe.org to request your Mail-By-Vote Ballot by the deadline October 24, 2020.
Voter Registration deadline for the upcoming election:
• General Election – October 5, 2020
Voters may cast their ballot at any of these
Early Voting locations:
Hallandale Cultural Community Center
410 S.E. Third Street
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
| Miramar Branch Library
2050 Civic Center Place
Miramar, FL 33025
|
South Regional Library/BC
7300 S. Pines Blvd.
Pembroke Pines, FL 33024
| Southwest Regional Library
16835 Sheridan Street
Pembroke Pines, FL 33331
|
The
Early Voting election dates and time for the General Election:
• General Election (14 days): October 19, 2020 – November 1, 2020, 7AM to 7PM
On Election Day:
The polls are open from 7AM to 7PM on election day. Vote only at your assigned polling place which can be found in your voter information card.
Check your Voter Status before voting on Election Day or Early Voting!
• Have you moved recently?
• Have you changed your name?
• Do you know your assigned polling place location?
Human Trafficking
Coronavirus and demonstrations for rights of people have been going on for months, but lurking in the dark is another scary pandemic being swept under the carpet. Human Trafficking, a billion-dollar industry, forcefully kidnaps children as young as 12. Florida’s ranked third in the nation for human trafficking and South Florida is one of the state’s top regions for this horrific crime. The National Center for Exploited/Missing Children reports child abductions increased 90.46% since the lockdown. The issues of human trafficking should create moral outrage. Victims must be helped, traffickers must be punished, law enforcement needs better training, and as a nation we must work to prevent it. If you suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking, call the FLORIDA ABUSE HOTLINE 1-800-96-ABUSE.
Veterans Day
On Wednesday, November 11th, we will observe Veterans Day. Formerly known as Armistice Day, it was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Holiday Activities for the Whole Family
Engage your family and friends in a little competition to get everyone's adrenaline pumping and keep the post-holiday doldrums at bay. Best of all, many activities involve crafting or DIY, so the games are just as much fun to make as to play.
• The Saran Wrap Game
• Holiday Charades/Pictionary
• Candy Cane Hunt
• What's in Santa's Hat? Game
• Oven Mitts Game
For more ideas visit
Goodhousekeeping.com.
Feeding South Florida
On September 10th, I was honored to present Feeding South Florida with a Proclamation designating September 2020 as "Hunger Action Month" and September 10, 2020 as "Go Orange Day." In Broward County, nearly 339,925 people, or 17.1 percent of the County’s population does not know where they will get their next meal. Sadly, approximately 107,000 children in our county go to bed hungry every night. Hunger Action Month is a time when the community comes together to end hunger one bite at a time. Last year was a big success for us and we were able to get donations of more than 1,000 pounds of food to feed over 800 families in Broward County. This year we are leading the challenge once again, and I know together, we can do even more. I am encouraging all Broward County employees, residents, businesses, and local governments to take action to help solve this growing problem, which is even worse because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Broward County will lead a food collection drive, throughout the month of October, with all donations given to Feeding South Florida. Find out how you can be part of the solution at
FeedingSouthFlorida.org or visit
Broward.org/FoodDrive for county sites accepting food donations.
The Holidays are Around the Corner!
Plan to make these Mini Eggnog Cheesecakes with your family.
Ingredients
• 16 ginger snap cookies
• 2 (8-oz.) blocks cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup eggnog
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 tbsp. flour
• 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 Pinch kosher salt
• Whipped topping, for serving
• Caramel, warmed, for serving
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line 2 muffin tins with paper liners. Place a ginger snap cookie at the bottom of each cup.
- In a large bowl using a hand mixer beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggnog and vanilla and beat until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition until just blended, then add flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, and pinch of salt. Divide batter between muffin cups, filling 3/4 full.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until they only slightly jiggle in the center. Refrigerate until chilled, about 3 hours.
- Remove cheesecakes from muffin pan and discard paper liners. Dollop whipped topping onto each cheesecake and drizzle with warmed caramel.
Recipe courtesy of
Delish.com.
