Brookwood Florida-East, a home for teen girls that have been abused, neglected and abandoned in Coral Springs, is offering people in the community an opportunity to sweat for a worthy cause.

The non-profit will organize its fourth annual 5K "Steps to Independence" walk/run on Oct. 18 at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. For the group home, much hinges on the success of the event as state funding has come down substantially following budget cuts.

Brookwood site director Stacy Constantine is hoping for a good turnout at the event. “Last year, we raised about $13,000. This year, we are hoping to raise at least $20,000. We hope to get sponsors as well. All the money raised from the event goes directly to the 14 girls that we have here.”

“The deficit per day per child is between $30 to $40 after the money that we get from the State was reduced,” Constantine said. “We give the girls everything they need; it takes a lot of money. Any help that we can get from the community is great. We look for small grants too.”

The girls in the group home have been abused mentally or physically, neglected or abandoned. “They are all in the 13 to 18 age group; some of them stay here for years,” Constantine said. “This becomes home for them; you can see their behavior changing with time. We teach them social skills, job skills, education sills. The idea is to get them ready for independent living.”

Register for the event by calling 954-757-3833, visiting www.nwbrr.com or by turning up at Quiet Waters Park at 7 a.m. on Oct. 18.

> Discuss this entry

A passionately involved audience listened intently as candidates running in the 19th and 22nd congressional districts took aim and directed barbs at each other at a candidates' forum in Coral Springs Monday night.

The event was jointly organized by the League of Women Voters of Broward County and the Coral Springs Customer Involved Government Committee. There was palpable excitement in the air, and the moderator did not have much success in her attempts to get the audience to be quiet as the candidates spoke.

With approval ratings at an all time low, it is not the best of times to be a Congressman. And so it proved for U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton, seeking to retain the 19th district, and U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, D- Boca Raton, who is seeking re-election in the 22nd district. Their challengers seemed to enjoy plenty of crowd support.

"People are hurting; foreclosure rates in Florida are too high," said Wexler, kicking off the debate. "It is time to pass universal health care. It is time to bring troops home responsibly from Iraq. We need to focus on our true enemies in Afghanistan and Pakistan."

Ben Graber, an independent, spoke of the "culture of corruption in the congress" and "Wexler's friends in Wall Street." Criticizing politicians in Washington for the bailout, he said, "They created the problem themselves. Anyone who voted for the bill last week is irresponsible. Lobbyists control both parties. Special interests are in control. The economy is in shambles but Wexler voted to support the war in Iraq."

It is "absolutely horrendous" that the congress has an approval rating of 9 percent, Republican challenger Ed Lynch said. "The financial crisis was caused by politicians in Washington. Too many people have no clue what the problem is. A party has been going on too long in Washington at taxpayers' expense. Bipartisanship is twice as bad as partisanship. Wasteful spending needs to stop."

Wexler was quick to counter. "It's baloney to say some of us are part of the problem. The economy we have is an economy engineered by President Bush."

Responding to questions on stability in the Middle East and the Iraq war, Graber said it was important to realize who the enemy is. "The enemies have been smarter than us so far. They are playing chess and we are playing checkers. We are allowing Iran to dictate policy. We should negotiate with Iran but with pre-conditions. War is the failure of diplomacy."

Lynch had a different view on the issue. "We need to win in Iraq and Afghanistan. We had a good reason to go to Iraq. We need to take care of business there. We need to set the tone. Then, we need to address Iran."

Wexler spoke about the benefits of "direct diplomacy." "America works best when it engages from a position of strength. I'm against pre-emptive war. We need to focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan; we have not won the war against Al-Qaeda. Let us get Osama Bin Laden."

Wexler said he was in favor of a new nuclear non-proliferation treaty "as the current treaty had not served as well as it should." "We had to sanction India, a partner and ally. We must not put our head in the sand."

There are a lot of rogue nations in the world these days, Graber said. "We cannot negotiate with these kind of people. We need a new kind of diplomacy; we need out of the box thinking." America needs to be forceful, Lynch said."Rules are for people who are willing to follow rules. We need to be America, the strongest nation in the world."

The Klein-Allen West debate, that followed, also saw some interesting moments. Judging by the reaction, West had more supporters in the audience.

Klein said he would keep voting for common sense solutions that will bring the country back on track. "We got here because of eight years of greed. A lot of mistakes have been made in the last eight years. It was a very difficult vote (on the Wall Street bailout) but I did what I thought was right."

West said he would not have supported the bailout plan. "There are other things they could have done. They showed they are not leaders. Washington is a place so infested with corruption, incompetence and irresponsibility."

The candidates also answered questions on Israel, energy, the Iraq war, illegal immigrants and the economy.

Wexler's district covers parts of Coral Springs, Margate, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, and Coconut Creek mostly west of I95. District #22, Klein's district, covers parts of Deerfield Beach, Coconut Creek, Oakland Park, Cooper City, Boca Raton, Parkland, Coral Springs, Davie, Plantation and Ft. Lauderdale.

> Discuss this entry

Here is some news you can use.

Deputy Appraisers will assist with homestead, senior and other property tax exemption applications, as well as answer questions on property taxes, from 3 to 5 p.m., on Oct. 8 at the Northwest Regional Library, 3151 University Dr, Coral Springs. The event is open to the public.

Applications for Portability will be entertained at the program. The outreach program is designed to provide convenient and accessible service to the residents of Broward County. Documents required to file a Homestead Exemption include a current Florida driver's license or Florida identification card, and a current voter registration card or declaration of domicile. Non-US citizens must also provide proof of permanent residency.

Qualified residents 65 years of age or older as of January 1 this year can apply for the additional senior exemption. Eligible seniors must have a total household adjusted gross income not to exceed $24,916. Documents required for the Senior Exemption include a 2007 income tax return or, if one does not file income taxes, a copy of the 2007 Social Security 1099 Form.

Visit www.bcpa.net, call 954.357.5579, or e-mail kbrown@bcpa.net to find out details.

> Discuss this entry

The League of Women Voters of Broward County and the Coral Springs "Customer Involved Government Committee" is offering you a chance to listen live to the incumbents and challengers in two Broward congressional districts.

The "Congressional Candidate Forum" will be held 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs. Interest in the event has increased following the absence of Democratic incumbents at a Palm Beach County forum last week. The incumbents remained in Washington to vote on the Wall Street bailout.

U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton, Republican challenger Ed Lynch and independent Ben Graber are running in the 19th Congressional District. They will be joined at the "Congressional Candidate Forum" by U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, and his Republican challenger, Allen West, who will contest the 22nd District.

Wexler's district covers parts of Coral Springs, Margate, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, and Coconut Creek mostly west of I95. District #22, Klein's district, covers parts of Deerfield Beach, Coconut Creek, Oakland Park, Cooper City, Boca Raton, Parkland, Coral Springs, Davie, Plantation and Ft. Lauderdale, mostly along the coast but inland in certain communities.

The event is just one of the activities of the League of Women Voters during election time, said Stephanie Pearson. "We have a very active speakers bureau. Our speaking engagements address the 16 ballot amendments - both state and county. We do take positions on issues but only after studying them and arriving at a consensus. We have earned a name for being thoughtful and non partisan."

"We do a lot of work during election time; we encourage informed and active participation of citizens in government,," Pearson said. "Our members are interested in politics, no question about that, but none of the leaders are allowed to work for political parties."

For information about the Forum, call Stephanie Pearson at 954-752-2713.

> Discuss this entry

What’s the lesser evil if you have a young child at home, a PlayStation or a computer?

Eric Ackerman, Nova Southeastern University professor, believes gifting the child a PlayStation would be a better idea than letting them use the computer at home. “There are people out there who want to prey on your children. PlayStation is good. Predators don’t get into them,” he said at a “safety night” organized by Riverside Elementary PTO last Friday.

Computers should be kept only in an open and common space at home, Ackerman said. “Don’t shelter your children from the fact that there are bad people in the world. Second or third grade is a good time to tell them a bit about the dangers out there. Educating children early about Internet safety is important.”

“There are many social networking sites on the Internet," Ackerman said. "Children from 8 to 16 dominate such sites as they like to make friends online. Create an account and see how it works. Talk to your children about the information they can share with others online. Using parental control software is a good idea, but don’t rely on that alone.”

Sixty five percent of the content on the Internet is sex, Ackerman said. “That is what makes money. Sex offenders on the Internet, on average, are white males in the 25 to 55 age group. They belong to the middle to upper class and are often professional employees. Many are involved in children’s activities,” he said.

Riverside Elementary is implementing many programs to combat bullying, school assistant principal Sherry Rosen said. “We don’t have a problem with bullying but we teach children how to be nice towards each other and how to stand up for themselves. It’s all about having respect for each other.”

Grace Stambaugh, PTO secretary, said the event was organized to empower parents. “We wanted to give them as much information as we can to keep their kids safe. This year, we have focused our efforts on parental participation in our activities.”

> Discuss this entry

If you love books and live in and around Coral Springs, now would be a good time to support the only library in the city.

The Northwest Regional Library has had its hours and number of staff reduced following the budget cuts, Mimi Hershenson, Regional Library manager said. “Prior to August this year, we were open 70 hours a week. That has been cut back to 58. We have lost positions too. Five positions that fell vacant last year were eliminated this year. Four of our staff members were reassigned to other libraries.”

While many of the other libraries in the county get adequate support from their respective Friends of the Library group, the Friends in Coral Springs could do with a bit of help themselves.

The Friends of the Coral Springs Libraries has only about 40 active volunteers, president Mary Riley said. “Most of the other libraries have many more. A lot of our members have died or either grown old. We need more support from the community.”

Libraries in the county are counting a lot on the Friends in the current economic climate, Friends vice president Brad Roth said. “We fund a lot of programs. The number of active volunteers that we have has begun to drop. We would also like to have younger members who are willing to spend time for the library.”

To know more about the library or to become a member of the Friends of the Coral Springs Libraries, call 954-341-3900.

> Discuss this entry

Coral Springs officials and staff believe spreading the good word about the city is a great way to attract new businesses and ensure economic development.

At a recent workshop, Christine Verdi-Sarwar, Director of Communications and Marketing, presented a status report on the city’s branding effort to the commission. The idea is to sell the city’s strong points, with an eye on attracting new businesses and maintaining a strong sense of community pride.

The city’s branding efforts are paying off, City Manager Mike Levinson said. “We’ve come a long way. This is not about balloons, t-shirts or coffee cups. This is about using the Baldrige award to validate our community of excellence approach. This is all about return on investment.”

Mayor Scott Brook was convinced that the city had the right strategy. “We want to have successful development of business so that we can diversify our tax base. We have to use Baldrige to promote our city as the location of first resort for both residents and businesses.”

Commissioner Ted Mena did not like the idea.

“It looks like we are blowing our horns a bit too much," Mena said. “The more we do that, the more people hate us. They think we are too elite. Why do we have to brand our city? Shouldn’t we be humble? Are we going a little overboard with how great we are?”

In the coming weeks, city staff, in partnership with the Economic Development Foundation, will develop prospectus materials as part of the branding efforts. Although the branding efforts will hinge on the Baldrige award, the city’s low crime rate, AAA credit rating, A-rated schools, the presence of Olympians in the community, and performance awards will also be used to create a buzz.

> Discuss this entry

Life is easier these days for Lori Danielson.

After countless phone calls, meetings with representatives of the school board, hours of worrying and finally, getting a lawyer to fight for her, the Coral Springs resident can sit back and relax when her daughter, a Type 1 diabetic, is in school.

With a nurse around for four hours a day at the school to monitor her blood sugar and give her insulin shots, she knows Ali, a fifth-grader at Eagle Ridge Elementary, is safe.

For more than a month, that wasn’t the case.

“There was a full-time nurse last year, but on Aug. 6, the school principal told me that the nurse would be in school only for two hours due to Broward County school district budget cuts,” Danielson said. “There are other students with health issues in the school, but no one needs constant monitoring as Ali does. I feared for her life; without a nurse, there wouldn’t be anyone qualified to help her if her blood sugar level was to drop to a major low.”

Calls to at least three school board members did not bear any result, Danielson said. “The school authorities tried to help but their hands were tied. I had a meeting with health services. There wasn’t any help coming my way. That’s when I decided to seek legal help. On Sept. 3, we filed an emergency injunction against the School Board of Broward County. That was the only option I had.”

When the case came up before Broward County Judge Cheryl Aleman, the school district of Broward County was initially in a mood to fight. It took the position that the Circuit Court did not have jurisdiction to hear the case. But with the two parties having arrived at a compromise, Danielson can breathe again.

> Discuss this entry

I was recently at the Dr. Paul's Memorial Dog Park in Coral Springs and came back impressed. Mightily impressed.

It is not just the facilities, the ambiance or the manner in which most of the dogs were on their best behavior; there is more to the place. There is plenty of quality in the humans out there too. People smile at each other quite a lot and seem to take genuine interest in others' pets.

Bill Garrett, a retired pilot who comes to the park almost every day with Pilot, a Doberman Pinscher, and two Standard Poodles - Pika and Shadow, likes the time he spends at the park. "This is perhaps the only place in Coral Springs where people smile and say 'hi' as they walk past. The dogs love being here too; there is plenty of place for them to run about."

Rob Lacey, another man I met at the park, knows more about dogs than many. His dog, Alex, is a rat terrier. Smaller than most of the dogs at the park, he moves around like a king. The other dogs seem to treat him that way too. He throws his weight around sometimes, but his companions don't seem to complain too much.

Rottweilers, said Lacey, were used by the Roman army. "They accompanied the troops to battle. They are really good at guarding things. I once had one, and if I had him in my car, I was never worried if I left stuff behind. He wouldn't let anyone else even come near."

Lacey also corrected a misconception I had. "The Great Dane is not the biggest dog; Irish Wolfhounds are the tallest dog breed. Some of them are as big as a pony. They are nice; sweet-tempered, and patient."

I also bumped into Mark Schult, who was at the park with Baby, his 18-month-old Pitbull. "They say Pitbulls are nasty, but Baby plays with the two kittens that I have. She treats them like they are her children."

I don't have a dog, but I've a feeling I will go back.

PHOTO: Pilot, a Doberman Pinscher, spends a quiet moment at Dr. Paul's Memorial Dog Park in Coral Springs.
Photo/Arun Sivasankaran
_____________________________________

> Discuss this entry

What do you think about Coral Springs and Parkland coming together to observe national day of prayer? How about the two cities joining Tamarac, Parkland, Lauderhill, Coconut Creek and North Lauderdale in one big July 4 celebration?

It just might happen.

Coral Springs and neighboring cities have started discussions on the possibility of coming together to organize events jointly, sharing financial resources, staff and volunteers.

Officials and staff from Tamarac, Parkland, Lauderhill, Coconut Creek and North Lauderdale attended a meeting held in Coral Springs last week to discuss the idea that was mooted by the city’s multi-cultural advisory committee. The idea is to save money in the current difficult economic climate.

Staff from each city who are in charge of organizing special events are likely to get together soon to discuss the feasibility of the proposal and work out the logistics.

Following that meeting, the idea will be discussed by the city officials of each city before a decision is taken.

Coral Springs Commissioner Ted Mena, who heads the committee, said everyone who attended the meeting was “very receptive” of the idea. “They all agreed the idea has some merit and were willing to look at it. Unfortunately, we did not have anyone representing Margate, but we want them to be a part of this too.”

Coral Springs Mayor Scott Brook said he favored the idea of cities working together and combining events to save some money. “We observe national day of prayer; Parkland don’t have something like that now. We can ask it to join us in organizing the event. By joining Tamarac for Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day Celebrations, we can be a part of a larger community gathering.”

“It was just an introductory meeting,” Udine said. “I want to discuss the idea with the City Commission and staff.

> Discuss this entry

Coral Springs resident Bob Gillan hates it every time the postman comes to drop certified mail and he is not home.

For most city residents, it would mean a trip to the nearest post office. For Gillan and others in the city who live in areas falling under the 33076 zip code, it involves going to a post office in Coconut Creek Parkway, east of 441.

“For me, it is a 22-mile round trip,” said Gillan. “It has happened to me three times in the last 60 days. It is really annoying, and it is not happening to me alone. I estimate that there are about 2,000 families who are affected.”

Gillan, who was a member of the city’s planning and zoning board, appeared before the commission recently to take up the issue. “I speak for a number of my neighbors,” he said. “I know it is not a city issue, but it needs to be addressed again. The city has addressed the issue and tried to solve the problem but it has slipped off the radar now.” The postmaster general has “significant powers” that are difficult to touch, City Attorney Sam Goran said. “He is answerable only to the Congress.”

The city has been trying to get the issue resolved for at least 12 years, Commissioner Roy Gold said. “There have been group efforts and individual efforts as well. When I joined the commission, I sent letters to three Congress people. I was told there is nothing we can do."

> Discuss this entry

If you come across baby changing stations in Coral Springs restaurants some time in the future, thank Vice Mayor Vince Boccard.

Boccard, whose daughter Sophia was born in April, recently spoke of his travails as he went to a restaurant in the city with his wife and child. "You know what babies do; they eat, sleep and do something else. We wanted to change her diaper but there wasn't any baby changing station in the restroom, " he told the City Commission.

Boccard also suggested the city look into the possibility of an ordinance that makes baby changing stations mandatory in new and remodeled restaurants. Staff took a look around and came back with good news.

"There is an ordinance in Miami-Dade that we have looked at," City Attorney Sam Goran said.

The Baby Diaper-Changing Accommodations Ordinance (Section 8A - 114 of Miami Dade County Code) requires certain new and remodeled business establishments to have baby changing stations accessible to men and women.

Apart from restaurants in the county with a seating capacity of at least 50, theaters and movie houses, stadiums, sports arenas, libraries, passenger terminals, and shopping centers of more than 25,000 square feet are also required to have baby changing stations.

> Discuss this entry

Roy Gold, who was re-elected unopposed to the Coral Springs City Commission, wants to focus on green initiatives and improving the quality of life in the city.

“The city’s new public safety building at Mullins Park will be green," Gold said. "We have a number of issues with downtown. I want to work with schools and for increasing public safety. I am satisfied with the support I got from the commission on environmental initiatives and sustainability issues.”

Gold said he felt pretty relaxed while on the campaign trail. “You never know until the end. I assembled a nice group of people and had [more than] 100 signs all over the city," he said.

Residents are concerned about increasing foreclosures in the city and about foreclosed homes not being cared for, Gold said.

“That’s one thing I heard from many people," he said. "They really value the appearance of the city and property values. The city is coming out with a new plan to tackle the problem. We want residents to inform us when they see a home in a bad state. We want them to help us do a better job.”

> Discuss this entry

Tom Powers, who will replace Ted Mena on the Coral Springs City Commission in November, does not intend to wait for residents to come to him with complaints.

"There is nothing better than meeting residents and talking to them about issues that are close to their heart," Powers said. "I intend to continue walking neighborhoods and talking to people even after becoming a commissioner. I will randomly knock on people’s doors and ask them if there is something I can do to help them.”

Powers said he was happy to get the chance to make a difference in the lives of people in the city. “I know this position requires you to put in many hours and the pay is nothing compared to the effort you put in, but this is a great time to help people," he said. "I want to help stimulate the economy, attract businesses to the city and help existing businesses stay afloat.”

Powers, who lost a close election last time, was not taking any chances this time. "We got a lot of endorsements," Powers said. "After a while, we knew there wasn't anyone else in the race, but you still have to go through the motions. This one surely felt a lot different from last year."

Powers said Mena has done a wonderful job. “He played a significant role in the improvements the city has been in recent years. I look forward to working with the other commissioners and our staff. There is incredible dedication here.”

> Discuss this entry

Candidates in most local elections within Broward County are pulling out all stops to ensure they end up winners, but their counterparts in Coral Springs and Parkland have made it without even facing the voters.

All three candidates in Coral Springs, Mayor Scott Brook, Commissioner Roy Gold (seat 3), and Tom Powers (seat 5), won’t be on the ballot in November. The same goes for Parkland commissioners Dave Rosenof (district 3), and Mark Weissman (district 4). Since no one qualified to run against them, all five automatically won seats.

Brook said he was elated at having another chance to serve the city. “I am happy the residents have confidence in me, and I will work hard to see the city progress," he said. "My primary focus will be economic development and phase two of the downtown area."

Brook said next year's budget will be a challenge because of the economy and the legislature. “We will meet the challenge head on," he said. "Over the course of this year, we will work creatively so that we will be able to reduce the amount of cutbacks in future.”

> Discuss this entry

Whole Foods Market in Coral Springs will turn 10 this Saturday, and it wants the community to be a part of its celebrations.

Among the events planned as part of a free arts and music festival that day are natural and organic food sampling, cubism and cartooning workshops for kids, and champagne tasting and toasting. The Coral Springs Craft Guild will organize craft workshops, with lessons on weaving, decorative painting, wire-wrapping jewelry, stamping and decorative plant pots. The Coral Springs Museum of Art, and the Coral Springs Artist Guild will also be part of the celebrations.

Coral Springs residents and other customers can expect a fun, interactive afternoon, said Jonny Rose, Whole Foods marketing & community relations specialist. “We have been planning this for several months now," he said. "We thought entertaining our customers with music and arts would be a good way to mark the day. We expect a large turnout.”

The activities and performances will begin at 3 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m. The Drum Circle, led by the Broward Drum Circle, will begin at 5:30 p.m. The store will allow customers who bring a musical instrument to join in. The celebrations will end with customers sampling varieties of champagne between 8 and 9 p.m.

Whole Foods Market is located at 810 University Drive in Coral Springs. Call 954-753-8000.

> Discuss this entry

College students in Coral Springs now have an official platform to air their views on the improvements they would like to see in the city.

The City Commission recently decided in favor of including college students in the city’s student advisory council. The committee, which now includes 20 members representing the five high schools in the community, encourages young citizens to become involved in community affairs.

It was Mayor Scott Brook who broached the idea. “Many college students live in the community," he said. "They don’t get an opportunity to speak out on issues close to their heart. I want to invite them to be a part of our council. Let’s see what happens at the next meeting of the council,” he said.

Not everyone on the commission thought it was a good idea. Commissioner Roy Gold said he was not in favor of having 14 year olds mix with those who are 22.”

“The city can think of having a separate college advisory council," Gold said. "If we include college students in the existing council, they may not like it at all.”

Commissioner Claudette Bruck said she preferred college students in the city joining the customer involved government committee. “I don’t know if college students will like to be part of a council comprising teens. I like them going with an older group,” she said.

Commissioner Ted Mena voted in favor of including college students to the council but said he believed Gold had a point. “When you are 20, you don’t want to be called a teen. The issues of teens in high school and college students are entirely different. There is a big difference in maturity levels.”

The student advisory council will be working on a teen survey this year and will expand the city’s "What to Do Guide." The next meeting of the council, which is open to college students as well, will be at 4 p.m. on Sept. 23 at the Coral Springs Gymnasium, 2501 Coral Springs Drive.

> Discuss this entry

Just how good can you be in golf at 13? Incredibly good, as Coral Springs resident Carly Ray Goldstein keeps proving.

The 13-year old won her 55th, 56th and 57th championship golf titles respectively at the nationally recognized Pompano Beach Junior Golf Classic, the South Florida Professional Golf Association Season-Opening Championship, and the Palm Beach Gardens Tournament. At the rate she has been winning tournaments, she might run out of shelf space for her trophies.

Carly was swinging a cut-down club when she was 2 and hasn't looked back since. Inspiration, as she readily admits, came from her father. “My dad is a big part of my success,” Carly said. “I just work hard, and I love the game. That always leads to good things.”

Carly recently reached a small milestone in what promises to be a great career with the Coral Springs City Commission recognizing her recent achievements.

“We're always looking to recognize young people who are doing something incredible in our community, and so we take this opportunity to congratulate you,” Mayor Scott Brook said.

> Discuss this entry

Vera Sacken, 101, has a simple piece of advice for anyone wanting to reach the three-figure mark in life.

"When you want to live long, you live long. Remember that. I also don't smoke or drink," the Coral Springs resident told city residents at a recent City Commission where she, along with other centurions in the city, were honored.

Catherine Goldsmith, 101, was born in Cincinnati and got married 56 years ago to Ferdinand Goldsmith. She was always active in sports and credits her long life to "no stress and healthy genes."

Jeanette Natt, 103, was born in Brooklyn. Her marriage to Jules Natt produced two children, five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Age has played havoc with her sight and hearing, but she said she is grateful to God for leaving her mind.

Grace DuBois, born in Rolla, North Carolina, got married in 1927 to Lester DuBois. The couple has a son. She said she credits her longevity to "the good Lord who continues to be kind," while Leah Forman, 101, "just cannot figure out why I've lived so long."

Commissioner Claudette Bruck said she hoped honoring centurions would become an annual tradition in the city. “On behalf of the commission and our residents, I want to thank our senior citizens for all they have contributed and for all of the wisdom that they bring to our community.”

Frieda Mark and Sarah Panella were the other residents who were honored.

> Discuss this entry

Esther Wolfer, mother of Major Stuart Wolfer who was killed in Iraq this April, often thinks she and her family members are part of a movie and that someone will soon say, “cut.”

“Stuart was in the green zone; we believed he was safe,” Esther said. “We try not to be sad, but our lives have changed. We now fly the American flag with greater pride.”

Esther was speaking at an event organized by J.P. Taravella High School Thursday to pay tribute to its fallen heroes, as well as the police and fire personnel serving the community, on the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 twin attacks. Stuart died April 6, leaving behind his wife Lee, three daughters Lillian, Melissa, and Isadora, parents, and sister.

The school has lost four of its graduates -- two in the attacks and two in the war against terror that followed. The high point of the ceremony came when their parents set butterflies free in memory of their children.

School principal Shawn Cerra said he was proud of the planning committee and the students who had put the event together. “We felt it was important for the parents of our fallen heroes to understand that they play an important role in our lives and the community. We will make this an annual affair; however I hope and pray we won’t have to pay special tributes to anyone else. We don’t want to lose any of our children.”

Later during the day, both Coral Springs and Parkland organized their own events to mark the day and to remember those who had lost their lives.

> Discuss this entry

Brookwood Florida-East, a home for teen girls that have been abused, neglected and abandoned in Coral Springs, is offering people in the community an opportunity to sweat for a worthy cause.

The non-profit will organize its 4th annual 5K "Steps to Independence" walk/run on Oct. 18 at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. For the group home, much hinges on the success of the event as state funding has come down substantially following budget cuts.

Brookwood site director Stacy Constantine is hoping for a good turnout at the event. “Last year, we raised about $13,000. This year, we are hoping to raise at least $20,000. We hope to get sponsors as well. All the money raised from the event goes directly to the 14 girls that we have here.”

“The deficit per day per child is between $30 to $40 after the money that we get from the State was reduced,” Constantine said. “We give the girls everything they need; it takes a lot of money. Any help that we can get from the community is great."

The girls in the group home have been abused mentally or physically, neglected or abandoned. “They are all in the 13-18 age group; some of them stay here for years,” Constantine said. “This becomes home for them; you can see their behavior changing with time. We teach them social skills, job skills, education sills; the idea is to get them ready for independent living.”

Register for the 5K "Steps to Independence" walk/run by calling (954) 757-3833, visiting www.nwbrr.com or by turning up at Quiet Waters Park at 7 a.m. on Oct. 18.

> Discuss this entry

If being a successful artist means being a part of every worthwhile art lover’s collection, Yuri Gevorgian is in an enviably comfortable position.

Gevorgian, or Yuroz to lovers of art, is a much sought after artist, with his paintings, charcoals, ceramics, sculpture and jewelry a part of private and corporate collections in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South America. Some of his murals, including “Respect for Refugees” have been reproduced by the United Nations as commemorative stamps. Some have even seen traces of Picasso in Yuroz’s neo-cubist style.

Fame has wrecked many artists before him, but Yuroz has a foolproof way of preventing it from standing in the way of creativity. “Fame is a jacket. Put it in a closet and go to work. That’s what I do,” he said at a recent trip to the Coral Springs Museum of Art where an exhibition of his works will be on till Nov. 15.

Yuroz’s works have been exhibited at the museum earlier, museum executive director Barbara O’Keefe said. “His works deal with people and life. He is a tireless worker for peace as well. We thought it would be a good idea to celebrate peace month by holding a retrospective of his works.”

The museum is located at 2855 Coral Springs Drive. Call 954-340-5000.

> Discuss this entry

Reported discussions between Palm Beach County officials and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on the University Drive extension issue have made Coral Springs officials and staff sit up and take notice.

While the city is confident that all the data available vindicates the stand, the city has taken in support of extending University Drive to link Broward and Palm Beach counties, it remains wary of political considerations swaying the decision on the matter. Officials and staff, however, believe the department of community affairs will not endorse any proposal that is not good for the entire region.

The issue came up for discussion at a City Commission meeting last week, with City Attorney Sam Goran informing officials about the parleys between FDOT and Palm Beach officials. “If Palm Beach strikes a deal with FDOT, DCA (department of community affairs) will have to subscribe to it,” Goran said. “We have a problem then. But there are other strategies we will seek to employ.”

Opening University Drive is the only feasible solution,City Manager Mike Levinson said. “Whatever compromise they reach will have to be better or at least as good as the University Drive extension option. If they come up with something that is good for the entire region, we won’t oppose it. But the reality is that there is no alternative that is as viable as the one we are backing.”

Mayor Scott Brook wanted the city’s stand to be heard on the issue. “Let’s play a part, be active. Let’s be vocal. It’s important that the Broward MPO weighs in,” he said.

Coral Springs and Coconut Creek are in favor of extending the road, Parkland and Palm Beach oppose the plan vehemently. Parkland officials say extending University Drive will cause destruction of existing neighborhoods.

> Discuss this entry

Eight years after he started learning karate and two years after he started competing, Coral Springs resident Kyle Montagna knows how it feels to be a champion.

Kyle, a ninth-grader at J.P. Taravella High School, recently won the 14 to 15 year old boy’s creative weapons division in the US Open Karate Championship. Competing against him were black belts from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and South Africa.

“I just wanted to do well. Winning was not on my mind at all,” said Kyle, a black belt since 2005. “I’ll never be able to explain what I felt when I won. Now that I know how great it feels to win, I want more.

Read the full article in the Sept. 4 issue of the Coral Springs Forum. Arun can be reached at 954-574-5339.

> Discuss this entry