The Coral Springs City Commission has approved land development code amendments that would revise certain aspects of the city’s corporate park code.

The amendments, which were initially reviewed at a commission workshop on April 27, are to encourage sustainable development of vacant and underutilized parcels within the corporate park. The park currently includes about 345 businesses with active licenses.

The proposed amendments focus primarily on permitted and conditional uses. A Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-based zoning incentive was created to encourage redevelopment by allowing higher density in exchange for development that is designed to achieve LEED Silver certification and thus promote sustainability.

The city collaborated with the Property Owners Association of the corporate park on the new land development regulation to improve the look, function and marketability of the park. Service-based uses will be allowed along the perimeter of the park to add amenities that will meet park employers’ and employees’ needs. Other changes include allowing hotels to increase the maximum height from 50feet to 75 feet for flexibility in design and limiting new self-storage development to the interior of the park.

“The owners like the new flexibility in uses and the option to achieve a higher lot coverage, which translates to more square footage,” Commissioner Roy Gold said. “In return the city gets a more sustainable development that will also enhance our tax base.”

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Indians in South Florida and Indophiles in the region are expected to come together in big numbers this Saturday at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts to celebrate Indian Independence Day.

The event, organized by Association of Indians in America with the support of other Indian organizations in the region, is being held exactly a week after Indian Independence Day. Entry is free; there will be different varieties of Indian food for sale.

The event will be a celebration of Indian heritage, customs and arts, said Amita Singh, event chairwoman. “We have a nice variety of cultural programs; there will be Rajasthani, Punjabi, Telugu, Tamil and Marathi dance performances. We also have singers and of course, good Indian food.”

“We will also have a 15-minute fashion show that will be based on the theme – traditions of India. It is not just for youngsters; we even have a seventy plus woman taking part. We have a few surprises in store as well. Nirvana, the organization of Indian students in Florida Atlantic University, is helping us in a big way this time,” Singh said.

Karan Munuswamy, association president, said he was excited by the opportunity to be a part of the event that highlighted the unique qualities of the largest democracy in the world. “Preparations are going on well; there is a lot of energy. All the programs will obviously have patriotism as the theme. We expect a good turnout; we have flyers in Indian stores and other places.”

The event will be from noon to 3 p.m. on Aug. 22 at 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs. Admission is free.

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Vutec Corporation, a leading international manufacturer of video projection screens and lighting industry products, has relocated it headquarters to Coral Springs. Vutec brings a 32-year record of growth and industry accomplishments to the city.

Vutec, currently in Pompano Beach, will occupy a 102,195-square-foot facility in the Coral Springs Corporate Park at 11711 W. Sample Road. The new facility will house the company’s offices and its vertically integrated manufacturing operations. Vutec’s complete line of state-of-the-art, award-winning video projection screens and accessories will be manufactured there.

“We are pleased to welcome a global technology leader to Coral Springs and continue the planned expansion of the Corporate Park,” Ralph Merritt, chairman of the Coral Springs Economic Development Foundation, and Mayor Scott Brook said in a joint statement.

To help facilitate the company’s relocation, the City Commission approved the issuance of Industrial Development Revenue Bonds in the amount of $4.2 million to help finance the cost of this project. IDB’s provide a source of long-term, below-market-rate financing of capital requirements for new or expanding manufacturing facilities. The bonds will not constitute a debt or financial obligation on the part of the city.

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Organizers for the 2009 Coral Springs Festival of the Arts are calling for artists to submit works for consideration to be the signature artist for the annual event. The event will on March 21 and March 22, 2010, at The Walk on University Drive in Coral Springs.

Each year, a piece of art is chosen to be showcased on festival posters, t-shirts, in event advertising, and at the event before an expected crowd of 50,000 people. The deadline for submission is Sept. 30.

The chosen artist will receive a $500 stipend, a complimentary festival booth, and a virtual gallery on the festival’s website. The piece submitted should represent the South Florida area, and special consideration will be given to any work depicting Coral Springs.

The Coral Springs Festival of the Arts, now in its sixth year, is produced by Howard Alan Events. The event features more than 250 art and craft booths, live musical and performing arts entertainment throughout the weekend and literary workshops.

Contact Gisele Rahael at 954-340-5930 or d-mail grahael@csfoa.org.

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If you are living in Parkland or any nearby city and have a heart that beats for needy children, here is one for you.

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Parkland, is supporting the foster children of SOS Children’s Village by hosting a Household Drive, Sept. 12 – Oct. 5. The store will be collecting donations of household cleaning supplies and paper goods from shoppers throughout the month. The donations will help provide for the 72 boys and girls who reside in Village of twelve homes.

Included on the village wish list is laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, dishwasher detergent, tin foil, and plastic bags, sandwich and quart size). For more information about SOS, visit www.sosflorida.com

BJ’s Wholesale Club is located at 5901 W Hillsboro Blvd., Parkland. Contact Vickie Walter at 954.420.5030 or e-mail vwalter@sosflorida.com.

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Coral Springs will focus its efforts and sharply-limited resources in three priority areas: aesthetics, public safety and education.

At a fiscal year 2010 business planning workshop and special City Commission meeting held recently, City Manager Mike Levinson and city staff presented city officials with an outline of nearly 40 potential new business plan initiatives.

Among the proposed initiatives are implementation of phase II of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program which offers foreclosure assistance to low and middle income people, continuation of the city’s CSBizAssist program, a business tax amnesty that will enable first-time applicants to avoid penalties for operating businesses prior to Oct. 1 this year, and a code enforcement lien reduction initiative.

To improve public safety, the city will implement a red light and security camera pilot which will ensure increased safety at major intersections by using red light cameras for law enforcement and traffic management purposes. The safe driving initiative will promote overall safe driving habits and reducing the speed of vehicles on major roads and neighborhood streets, while an educational campaign to prevent prescription drug abuse will target the dangers of illicit prescription drugs.

Additional city initiatives for the next fiscal year will focus on continued improvement of city workforce productivity and continued investment in capital improvements. Visit www.coralsprings.org.

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Luis Miguel will know in a couple of weeks if he has done enough to become an Eagle Scout, but the Coconut Creek resident believes he has already been rewarded for the work he did to be in contention for scouting’s highest honor.

Miguel, who is a member of scout troop 372, recently presented 26 needy residents of St. Andrews Towers in Coral Springs with emergency preparedness kits. Their response, he said, warmed his heart.

“I’m very proud of the job I’ve done,” Miguel said. “It was very rewarding to see the people who we were able to help. They were very thankful; seeing how grateful they were made me feel happy. Some of the residents who got the kits had not been able to get ready for the hurricane season. Now, they will feel better.”

“We were able to give the residents quite a lot of food, fruit juice, milk and water,” Miguel said. “We were able to make it happen with the help we got from local organizations. The Coral Springs Parkland Rotary Club, American Legion Post 178, Coral Spring CERT, and CVS Pharmacy helped us achieve our goal.”

St. Andrews Towers, a government subsidized housing facility for senior citizens who are 62 and older, has 432 units and more than 400 residents. Many of the residents are on fixed, limited income and are recipients of the meals on wheels program, said Tracy Ansonia, social worker at the housing facility.

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The organization he founded has donated 13,000 pounds of food to hungry people in Broward in just two years ago, but James Flaig is not about to rest on his laurels.

“This is the time to do as much as we can,” said Flaig, who is Joey to his friends. “Because of the economy being the way it is, the number of people needing help is increasing by the day. Quite a few of my friends have parents who have lost their jobs due to the recession. Food banks are taking a hit too. They are not getting as much donations as they used to.”

Can-Teens, which is dedicated to providing hunger relief by supporting food banks in Broward, wants to donate 20,000 pounds of food this year, said Flaig, a Coral Springs resident. “There is no reason anyone should go hungry. Luckily, there are many people and organizations trying to help people in need. I believe Can-Teens plays a big role; we are a big part of the answer.”

The organization currently has 50 members. “The number has steadily increased in the last few months. We support the Cooperative Feeding Program, Broward Outreach, Pantry of Broward, Jubilee Center, and the City of Sunrise Food Pantry. We are also involved with Volunteer Broward’s “Field the Food Program.”

After making Can-Teens work in his school, American Heritage School in Plantation, Flaig has now set his eyes on expanding the program all over Florida. “My goal this year is to find a way for every high school in the State to adopt a food bank. I have spoken to State Rep. Ari Porth and we intend to make it happen.”

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Coral Springs Medical Center is the first and only hospital in Broward, and among the few in the nation, to acquire the da Vinci surgical system.

The state-of-the-art robotic platform, designed to enhance the capabilities of surgeons, provides a new, minimally invasive approach to a series of complex surgeries, including hysterectomies and myomectomies, prostate and other urologic procedures; as well as cardiothoracic, colorectal, bariatric surgeries.

The robotic arms have been engineered to precisely mimic the movement of the surgeon’s fingers, wrists and hands and can only operate when commanded by the surgeon.

Benefits to patients typically include less blood loss, less chance of infection, a shorter hospital stay, less pain, less scarring and faster recovery. The first surgery at the hospital using the robotic platform was a laparoscopic hysterectomy performed by Boniface Ndubisi.

The system, which was recently featured on ABC’s Good Morning America, is the latest addition to the da Vinci Surgical System product line by Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

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To help make sure all children are prepared for success, Coral Springs is collecting school supplies for economically disadvantaged children in the community.

At the end of last school year, there were 113 homeless students in Coral Springs, and the School Board predicts that number could rise in light of the faltering economy. The city is working with the Broward County School’s Homeless Education staff to target Coral Springs students in need of supplies.

Some of the items needed include: pens, pencils, crayons, double pocket folders, composition books, backpacks, tissues, hand sanitizer, rulers, scissors, glue, and loose leaf paper.

Donations can be dropped off at Volunteer Services inside Mullins Park, 10000 NW 29th St. or Citizens Services inside City Hall, 9551 W. Sample Road. Cash donations also are accepted toward supplies and uniforms. Call 954-346-4430.

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The Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital at Sportsplex Park in Coral Springs is seeking adult volunteers, 18 and older, to help with planning, decorating and collecting items to be auctioned off at the 12th annual Evening in Paradise fundraiser for the center.

The center is also looking for donations for the raffle and auction, and ads for the souvenir journal. Sponsorships and underwriting opportunities are also available. The event, to be held Nov. 7 the La Quinta Inn, will feature dinner, drinks, special entertainment by The Resolvers.

The center cares for injured, sick and orphaned wild birds, mammals and reptiles and provides environmental education for children and adults. Call the center at 954-752-9453 or send an e-mail to sncvolunteers @gmail.com.

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You cannot leave vehicles abandoned in Parkland and get away with it anymore.

The City Commission recently adopted an ordinance that establishes new regulations relating to the placement of abandoned vehicles.

Since the storage of abandoned vehicles outside residences and businesses adversely affects neighborhoods, the City Commission adopted regulations which allow the city to proceed with a code enforcement action if an abandoned vehicle is stored for more than three days after notice is posted. A fine up to the amount of $250 per day can be imposed.

Call Broward County Sheriff’s Office Parkland District at 954 753-5050.

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The Coral Springs Police Department is offering a self-defense program for women over the age of 13. Rape Agression Defense classes are free and are offered at the Northwest Regional Library , 3151 N. University Drive. Upcoming classes will be held for four consecutive Tuesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. starting Sept. 15.

RAD is a nationally-recognized program designed to teach realistic self-defense techniques to women. The classes build educational and physical skills, which can be used in the practice of self-defense, through emphasis on simple strikes, kicks, blocks, and defensive posture.

The instructional objective of RAD is to develop and enhance the options of self-defense, so they may become viable considerations of the woman who is attacked. This 12-hour comprehensive program seeks to empower women to be able to reduce their likelihood of becoming a victim, while teaching them the skills to survive should they be caught in such a situation.

Space is limited to 20 participants per course. To register, call 954-346-1227 or e-mail pdjl@coralsprings.org.

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After blitzing all opponents in the state under-11 basketball championships and performing creditably at the national level despite injuries to many key players, Broward Warriors, a team of players mainly from Parkland, is looking ahead to an even stronger season next year.

Head coach Steve Israel is confident that next year would bring even better results. “The goal for next year is to repeat as state champions and to win the nationals. Many of our players fell sick when we were playing the nationals; if everyone was fit, we would have won the whole thing or at least finished in the top three.”

Broward Warriors started strongly at the national level, winning its first three games in the Amateur Athletic Union National Tournament in Cocoa Beach, Israel said. “We beat state champs from Louisiana, Alabama and Maryland; it was a great start. We also defeated the team from New York and ended the competition with a 4-2 record. We finished 11 in the nation.”

The team got a chance to compete in the nationals after getting the number 1 ranking in division II of the United States Specialty Sports Association by winning the state championship with a 5–0 record in Lakeland, Florida. Broward Warriors was the only team from the county to compete at the national level.

Hank Hunter, one of the players on the team, said he was happy with his performance. “I played all the six games at the nationals; it was a great experience. We want to do better next year. I love basketball and enjoy being a team member. We are all friends; most of us go the same school.”

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The Coral Springs Multi-Cultural Advisory Committee is havings its annual International Dinner Dance at 7 p.m. on Sept. 26 at the Coral Springs Marriott at Heron Bay, 11775 Heron Bay Blvd.

“This is one of our most popular community events,” Community Relations Manager Joyce Campos said. “It gives people a chance to have fun and enjoy each other while learning about different cultures and cuisines at the same time.”

The theme this year is European Rendezvous, and cultural dress is encouraged. The event features dinner, dancing and entertainment - all with a multi-cultural flair. Tickets are $50 per person. Cocktails and a cash bar start at 7 p.m., followed at 8 p.m. by dinner, live entertainment and a silent auction. Dinner is served with complimentary wine.

Tickets can be purchased at City Hall, 9551 W. Sample Road, or City Hall in the Mall, 9239 W. Atlantic Blvd. For details, or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, call Lydia Cutz at 954-344-1063 or Gladys Castro at 954-802-3125.

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