It has had a not-so-great first year, but Young at Art Children’s Museum is trying hard to make a success of its alliance with Parkland.

Mindy Shrago, Young at Art executive director, appeared before the City Commission recently seeking a change to the original contract by which the museum would get 90 percent of the gross revenue as compensation for services.

The City Commission was willing to go a step further.

Mayor Michael Udine said he was in favor of the city waiving the recovery of fees from the beginning of the contract to May 2009. The others agreed.

“Let us give them a chance to try and succeed,” Udine said. We are all in tough times. "We want Young at Art to stay. It will cost us much more to run a similar program on our own.”

Young at Art, which was ranked the number one children’s museum in the state this year, will work to market its programs better, Shrago said. “We do want to make this work, to give it our all. We haven’t been able to reach out audience. We are thinking of ways to reach the kids in the community. We need to at least break even.”

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Shortly after he returned from a disability convention in Orlando, Garrett Mayersohn, a wheelchair bound eighth-grader at Westglades Middle School in Parkland, wrote a letter to his school principal.

Gov. Charlie Crist, Garrett wrote, had signed a bill asking Florida public schools to recognize the first two weeks of October as disability history and awareness weeks. During that period, the school should offer programs that create awareness about disability among its students, he said.

Christine Flynn, the principal, and staff were only too willing to oblige.

“These are exciting times for us,” Flynn said. “All through this week, we have programs that create disability awareness. A lot of our clubs have embraced the idea. We are doing this for the first time but I’m sure this will become an annual tradition here. In the coming years, the scope will broaden further, too.”

Garrett, understandably, is a happy young boy. “I’m glad they are doing so much. People sometimes make fun of those with disabilities. Creating awareness will prevent that from happening. My friends treat me like a regular kid, but not every child with a disability is as lucky as I am.”

The commission has tried to bring in as many programs as it can for special needs children, Mayor Michael Udine said. “I am not surprised that Garrett took the lead in making this happen. He is an unbelievable kid and a very good friend. He is going to be a leader.”

Disability history has been largely ignored in curricula at the elementary, middle school and high school levels, said Robert Mayersohn, Garrett’s father. “This is a step in the right direction. Twenty-five years ago, there was a lot of segregation between kids with disabilities and mainstream children. Some schools even used to hide children with disabilities.”

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The Parkland pumpkin patch is returning to its original location - Old City Hall.

Debra Rowars, a resident who is organizing the event this year after the Parkland Woman’s Club decided it no longer had the resources to make a success of it, had earlier picked the field next to the city’s Equestrian Center as the venue. However, her appearance before the City Commission last week led to a change of plan.

“The Parkland Woman’s Club lost $10,000 last year because the event was moved to Liberty Park,” Rowars said. “If we moved to the field next to the city’s Equestrian Center, it would have been the third location in three years. I’m glad we have Old City Hall. I’m a resident since 1983. I hope we can always enjoy fun family times in the shade of some of our older country settings.”

“We are still accepting applications for vendors to join us on our second weekend, Oct 18th and Oct 19th, for our harvest festival. We also hope to get adult volunteers for unloading the pumpkins at 8:45 a.m. on Oct. 11 and Oct. 18,” Rowars said.

The Parkland Pumpkin Patch will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Oct. 11 to 26 at Old City Hall, 6500 Parkside Drive, Parkland. E-mail bewitched96@mac.com.

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Parkland Mayor Michael Udine has had enough of residents not turning up at public workshops on the budget.

“I don’t want to deny anyone the right to participate, but no one goes to them,” said Udine. “And I don’t think it’s fair to staff to stay extra nights. For citizen’s meetings instead of 2 or 3 we should have 1 or 2 to save money. Every time staff stays here it costs more money.”

Udine certainly has a point. At two public workshops on the budget for fiscal year 2008-2009 that the city held, one man - Bob Meyersohn - turned up.

Last week, the City Commission adopted the budget with no increase in the fire assessment fee or the millage rate. Like most other cities, Parkland also had to make cuts in all its departments due to the increasing costs of providing services to its residents and the slowing economy that has impacted all cities across Florida.

However, the city is increasing public safety personnel. The city will pay for an additional School Resource Deputy and overtime pay will be provided for additional police presence within the city.

“It was a difficult budget year," Udine said. I’d like to say that I hope it gets better next year, but I doubt that.”

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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.

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The Parkland pumpkin patch, which was in danger of fading into history, will stay at least one more year, thanks to the efforts of a resident and a few of her friends.

Debra Rowars took it upon herself to organize the community event after the Parkland Woman’s Club decided it no longer had the resources to make a success of it. Budgetary constraints have forced the city, which had in earlier years lent a helping hand, to stay away this time.

Rowars said she couldn’t bear to see one of the city’s true community events disappear. “I’ve been involved with the event for 12 years now. Over the years, it has taken on a life of its own. We have people coming in from other cities, sometimes even from places as far off as Jenson Beach. I must be crazy to take this on, but I want to try.”

The success of the 16-day event will depend on the number of volunteers, Rowars said. “We will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. We will need many volunteers to get the pumpkins off the truck on Oct. 11 and 18. We are looking for vendors to rent booth space during the weekend and for sponsors to underwrite the cost of the event.”

The Parkland Pumpkin Patch will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Oct. 11 to 26 at 8500 Holmberg Rd, the field next to the city’s Equestrian Center. E-mail bewitched96@mac.com.

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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.”

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Parkland wants to make its playgrounds and fields a safer place for children.

Next month, the city will soon join the growing list of cities that have instituted mandatory criminal background checks for all volunteers involved in city-recognized sports leagues. The city’s decision comes in the wake of the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) and the National Alliance for Youth Sports recommending a comprehensive screening process for all volunteers.

The mandatory background check will apply to all adult managers, coaches, and other person 16 years or older who have supervisory or coaching responsibilities. League board members will also have to go through the process that will cover the whole gamut from sex offenses, felonies and misdemeanors. Volunteers will be screened on an annual basis.

Once the City Commission adopts the ordinance at its next meeting, sports organizations utilizing city space will have to provide the names of all volunteers to the city and pay $20 for each volunteer for the background checks. Southeastern Security Consultants Inc. (SSCI) will be in charge of the comprehensive screening process. SSCI has an impressive track record, performing background checks for the U.S. Army, national governing bodies, law enforcement agencies and churches.

“This is exactly what we were looking for,’ said Commissioner Dave Rosenof. “I would like the city to see of volunteers can be given ID cards. Parents need some affirmation that the person coaching their children has passed a background check. In Fort Lauderdale, they have ID cards for volunteers.”

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The burial of a time capsule containing a slice of the city’s past and present, a birthday cake big enough to feed 2,000 people, and old fashioned family-oriented games will be the main attractions when Parkland celebrates its 45 birthday this Saturday.

While the city will ring in the day with a renewal of Parkland Days at the Equestrian Center, the Parkland Historical Society will give a time capsule to the city.

The time capsule is to be opened in 2063, when the city turns 100. Although most of the items inside it will remain a secret, it will contain the city seal, a printed copy of the city's Web page, a message from the mayor, and photos of various historical landmarks.

The 45th birthday bash will be at the Equestrian Center, 8350 Ranch Road in Parkland. The event is free and open to all city residents.

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

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Some cities in Florida have voted in favor of a four-day workweek, primarily as a cost-savings measure, but Parkland officials do not think the idea suits the city.

“Switching over to a four-day week will have a positive effect on the environment,” said Barbara Hastings, city finance and administrative services director. “It will decrease the city’s electric bill by $12,000. It will also increase employee productivity. There will be less absenteeism.”

Vice Mayor Jared Moskowitz said a savings of $12,000 was not sufficient to justify changing over to a four-day week. “I was willing to let economics dictate my decision, but we are not saving much. I don’t see it as a good policy.”

Mayor Michael Udine said Parkland did not have the employee base to warrant a change. “It’s a good concept," he said. "I can understand bigger cities doing it. Coconut Creek has a significant number of employees. I don’t think we should be doing it.”

Margate city administrative offices will work only four days a week starting Sept. 29 while Coconut Creek switched over about a year ago.

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

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All schools in Parkland will have their own school resource officers during the current academic year.

The two elementary schools, middle school and high school in the city had their own SROs last year as well, but city officials had recently discussed the feasibility of making the two elementary schools share a SRO. The other officer was to add to BSO’s presence on city roads.

At a recent budget workshop, Mayor Michael Udine said, “This year, every school will have SROs. It’s paid for; it is budgeted. The issue is pretty much resolved.”

Udine’s comment came in the wake of the safety sub-committee of the city’s education advisory board asking the commission to ensure all schools in Parkland have an SRO each.

Becki Eikevik, EAB chairperson, expressed happiness at the commission’s decision. “We have been told that the new elementary school that is coming up will also have an SRO," she said. "Many parents were upset when they heard the commission might make the existing elementary schools share an SRO."

Read the full article in the Coral Springs Forum on Aug. 28. Arun can be reached at 954-574-5339.

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The Parkland building department has not seen much activity over the last year with the real estate market being what it is, but the city is not planning to outsource its operations. At least, not yet.

"The city does not need to outsource the department, but it needs to operate better," City Manager Caryn Gardner-Young said at a budget workshop Wednesday. "We will be implementing uniforms for staff. Jeans, shorts or sneakers won't be permitted. Internal coordination and customer contact will be improved. We will have an ombudsman and also shorten the time period for processing permits."

Vice Mayor Jared Moskowitz said he would let the economy dictate his decision. "Last year, we had 5,400 permits. This year, it is 2,300. If the number goes down further, the department will become a significant expense to the city. Let us see where we are in January," he said.

Mayor Michael Udine also wanted to see what the situation would be in January. "I would like to see how it works out," he said. "I also like the idea of an ombudsman."

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With constraints in the 2007-2008 budget, the Parkland Library was forced to reduce its hours from 57 per week to 46. This year will be better for the library, which will operate 52 hours a week.

The increase in number of hours is due a $21,000 grant to the city by Friends of the Parkland Library, an organization that has worked for the expansion of the library since 1992. The money will be used to pay salaries until September 2009. The library has 10 employees, six of which are part time staff.

Existing part-time employees will get some of the hours they had lost, said library director Suzi Hayes. “Most libraries are reducing hours. In the current climate, it’s unusual for a library to be expanding its hours. It’s wonderful to have such a great support group. Last year, they spent $50,000 for the construction of the library patio.” Natalie Bigio, Friends of the Parkland Library president, said the organization did not want the library to suffer due to budget cuts. “We had the money because we have no administrative expenses. When this need came, we had to act, and we did."

The library will now be open from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

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Schools in Parkland will have more space to accommodate students by 2009-2010.

When school reopens sometime in September 2009, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School will have 30 additional classrooms and six new science labs. Westglades Middle School will grow too, adding 24 classrooms. The new elementary school that will open in time for the next academic year is expected to provide relief to Riverglades and Park Trails, the existing two elementary schools in the city.

The addition of classrooms at the high school is part of the plan for class size reduction, school board member Stephanie Kraft said. “School enrollment, in general, has gone down in the area as people are moving out of South Florida. Our goal is to have a class size of 25 students in a high school, 22 in middle school and 18 in elementary schools.”

Douglas High principal Ann Kowalskis said she was excited by the classroom addition. “The classrooms will be ready at the end of this year or the beginning of the next academic year. We’ve needed this ever since we had critical overcrowded status. We have 38 portables on campus now; we may end up keeping them. We are continuously growing; enrolment continues to increase.”

Parkland School Advisory Board chairwoman Becky Eikevik welcomed the classroom addition at the high school and middle school. “It’s something we have needed for quite a while. There is growth in Parkland and our schools needed to grow too. If the city gets the wedge, we will need new schools.”

Read the complete article in the Coral Springs Forum on Aug. 21. Reach Arun at 954-574-5339.

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It's a long time coming, but Parkland will finally have its third elementary school.

Elementary School “Z,” to be located on 12 acres of land, will open in time for the 2009-2010 school year and will have space for 960 students. The new school will be the first one in the county to have a photovoltaic roof system that collects solar energy as a source of electricity. Special energy efficient transformers have also been included in the school’s design.

Skanska USA Building Inc. will be the construction manager for the project.

The opening of the 126,376-square-foot school is expected to provide relief to Riverglades Elementary School and Park Trails Elementary, both of which have experienced overcrowding in recent years. The new school had been a part of the school board’s plans for the last few years and would have opened earlier if not for a decision to switch sites.

The new school would be great for Parkland, Mayor Michael Udine said. “It is a big, big benefit for the city. The schools in our area are so good that they are getting overcrowded. Anything that can be done to provide relief is a big win for Parkland. The building will use solar energy; that fits right in with what we are trying to do.”

Read a longer version of the story in the Aug. 14 issue of the Forum. Reach Arun at 954-574-5339.

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Two Parkland teenagers are giving the city a good name while making life better for those at the Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Fort Lauderdale.

It all began with Ben Gajus deciding to put his summer to a worthwhile use. After a few years of going to the Coral Springs Medical Center with his mother during Christmas time to donate toys, the teenager wanted to take the next step. Bill Strode, his friend and teammate on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School football team, was excited to become involved.

Over the last few weeks, Ben and Bill have been collecting gently used items for the children at the Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center. The medical facility provides care for uninsured and under-insured children with chronic illnesses like HIV, diabetes and cancer.

“The economy is so bad that they need all the help they can get,” Ben said. “We are trying to get as much stuff as we can. We have fliers that we have put all over our neighborhood. Every week, we solicit soliciting used clothes, shoes, toys, games, books, sporting equipment, and baby items. We have had some really great days and some so-so ones.”

The two teenagers have already collected about 6,000 toys and clothes items after visiting about 250 houses in the neighborhood. Bill is hoping the school football team will make it a tradition in the coming years.

Read the full story in the August 7 issue of the Coral Springs Forum. Arun can be contacted at 954-574-5339.

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Top Priority, a South Florida classic rock band, will enthrall music lovers in Parkland Aug. 9 at Pine Trails Park Amphitheater, 10561 Trails End. The concert, which starts at 7 p.m., is free and open to Parkland residents only.

The concert is the latest in a series presented by JM Lexus. Until this year, such events were organized by the city, but following a decision by the City Commission, staff has been trying to rope in sponsors for as many events as possible.

Top Priority has Brian Beauvais (lead vocals, guitar and keyboards), Ben Robinson (lead guitar and vocals), Danny Kelley (bass and vocals), and Greg Sherman (drums and vocals.) The band members have played together for about 20 years, making it one of the longest surviving bands in South Florida.

Residents can bring lawn chairs and blankets to the event, but tents, pets and alcohol are not allowed.

For more information, call Colleen O’Dea at 954-757-4120 or e-mail codea@cityofparkland.org.

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If you are one of those who likes shelling money out for a good cause and enjoys good food and fun in return, this one is for you.

Parkland resident Lisa Beggs and Ellen Tacher of Coral Springs, two women whose lives have been affected by blood cancer, will organize an event on Oct. 3 at the Parkland Golf and Country Club. The event will raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of South Florida. The fundraiser and cocktail party will feature dancing, live entertainment, food and music.

“Our special guest, Tito Puente Jr., will pay a musical tribute to his father, Tito Puente Sr. We will also have a very popular band from the Bahamas playing,” Tacher said.

Tacher said she hopes the event raises more than $100,000. "We need all the help we can get to battle blood cancer,” she said.

The event will go from 7 p.m. to midnight.

For more information, call Lisa Beggs at 754-245-0029 or e-mail her at lisagbeggs@aol.com. Ellen Tacher is available at 954-709-9606 or by e-mailing ellentacher@hotmail.com.

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The Parkland YMCA is starting a Kidz Club after school program.

The program provides transportation from various schools in Parkland and Coral Springs. Between 2 and 5:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, students participate in homework time, fun and fitness activities, youth sports and arts and crafts. They also get a healthy daily snack.

The cost for members is $240 a month per child. Non-members pay a month per child. There also is a $55 registration fee per family.

Call 954-384-9622.

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The Parkland Women's Club is looking for vendors to participate in Parkland Promenade, formerly known as Arts and Crafts in the Country.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 4 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, 5901 Pine Island Road in Parkland.

The club is looking for vendor items that include artwork, crafts, embellished, buy-to-sell or "green market" items.

Space fees range from $60 to $100. Net proceeds go to charitable organizations supported by the Parkland Women's Club.

Call Pat Mirabello at 954-662-5770 or visit www.parklandwc.com.

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The Parkland Library got hit with budget cuts this year and faces more of the same next year, but the news is not all bad. The library has managed to rope in a sponsor for its popular summer reading program.

The program, which features segments for children, teens and adults, is based on the book, “The Wizard of Oz” and will continue until mid-August. “Oz” memorabilia, on loan from city residents and the Cornell Museum in Delray Beach, has been displayed to create a museum-type atmosphere.

“We have never had a sponsor before,” said Michele Andrews, library program coordinator. “We are happy National City Bank has come forward to help us. We’ve really transformed the entire place.”

The library is offering prizes to readers this time, Andrews said.

It also encourages people to read and bring new members to the library, said Kathy Buchko, a Parkland resident. “Things are in jeopardy after the budget cuts and the library needs all the help it can get,” she said. “I have been a member since the beginning. It is a great place. I love the hometown atmosphere.”

Read the complete article and see more photos in the July 10 issue of the Coral Springs Forum.

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PHOTO: The Parkland Library recently had a "Wizard of Oz"-themed show. Library Staff Michelle Andrews, library program coordinator, greeted visitors. Staff photo/Marta Mikulan Martin
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