Broward County Library's Each-One-Teach-One program needs volunteers throughout the county to teach illiterate adults to read and write at local libraries.

A volunteer basic tutor training workshop is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 14 at the Tyrone Bryant Library, 2230 NW 21st Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.

There are currently 42 students waiting for tutors at libraries throughout the county.

To register or find out more information, call 954-625-2820 or e-mail the learning services organization at learningservices@browardlibrary.org.

> Discuss this entry

Four Coral Springs congregations have come together for the ongoing weeklong multicultural "Festival of Caring." The event, which began last Saturday, is designed to reach out to needy people in the community.

The festival, which will conclude Saturday, is organized by First United Methodist Church of Coral Springs (First Church), the First Church Haitian Ministry (offered in the Creole language), the Tabernaculo de Refugio in Margate, and the Brazilian Alliance Church, which worships at First Church.

“Too often, churches are more focused on their members and overlook the local community,” said the Rev. Sara McKinley, pastor of First Church. “We want to turn that model inside out and make sure the needs of those who live nearby are our primary concern.”

These days, church members are busy inviting residents to the free "Festival of Caring" block party, to take place from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday at First Church, 8650 W. Sample Road. They have also been performing acts of kindness in the community.

“Everyone is welcome to the party, whether you speak English, Creole, French, Portuguese, Spanish or some other language,” said Pastor McKinley. “You can come and take advantage of health screenings and career advice, or you can bring your family and just have some fun.”

In addition to the free health fair and career workshops, the block party will include live music, multicultural food venues and a children’s playground extravaganza. The party, with all its activities and food, is free of charge. Free parking will be available at the church and several other nearby locations.

To learn more, visit www.festivalofcaring.com.

> Discuss this entry

If you or your family likes pancakes, this event is for you.

The Coral Springs Downtown Lions Club will host a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10:30 a.m. May 10 at Wings Plus in Coral Springs to help raise funds for its scholarship program for local high school seniors.

The club started the scholarship program seven years ago, said Theresa Sadowski, event co-chairwoman. "We will award five $500 dollar scholarships to graduating seniors this year," she said. "One student each will be picked from Coral Springs High School, Coral Springs Charter School, J.P. Taravella High School, Coral Glades High School, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School."

The menu for the event includes fresh strawberries, sausage, bacon, orange juice, coffee and tea. The cost for adults is $5 and $3 for children age 10 and under. Tickets can be purchased at Wings Plus or from a Coral Springs Downtown Lion member.

Call Sadowski at 954-340-6369.

Read more about this in the April 24th Coral Springs Forum.

> Discuss this entry

A bunch of students at J.P. Taravella High School who are passionate about history are busy preparing for something future generations will thank them for.

Students in Rho Kappa, the history honor society at the school, will interview 31 Holocaust survivors, listen to their stories, and record them for posterity. This is part of the club’s effort to create an educational documentary and book on the survivors. Members of the club plan to supply copies of the documentary to schools across the nation, said Katie Gillen, Rho Kappa historian.

"We feel there is a lack of knowledge on the Holocaust among school students," she said. "By sending the documentary to schools, we hope to change the situation. We plan to sell the book that we will publish and use the money to support relief programs in Darfur, Sudan."

For more, read the April 10th Coral Springs Forum, or e-mail Arun.

> Discuss this entry