For some of the students at Cooper City’s Griffin Elementary School, a typical day can involve editing photos and music, or creating videos for a presentation.

Technology takes center stage as part of Global Learning Initiative through Digital Education for Students, or GLIDES, an experimental program created by Broward County Public Schools. Initially rolled out as a pilot program in four schools in 2005, the program has since expanded to include 70 schools around the county.

“The goal is to train teachers to implement project-based learning using 21st century technology,” said Leonid Rabinovich, a Broward Schools technical analyst.

What that translates to for students is using technology to tackle a long-term project and create a presentation that addresses a specific question. For Griffin’s fourth-grade students in teacher Debbie Chmura’s class, that question was how the scientific method affected people’s lives on a daily basis. Other classes covered issues such as how population growth has affected the Everglades, or how technology has impacted marine animals.

Griffin Elementary is a new participant that joined the program for the 2008-09 school year. As the lead GLIDES teacher, Chmura said her students were assigned their project at the beginning of the school year and recently presented their final results.

“The focus is to change a teacher from an instructor to a facilitator,” Chmura said. “Each group tailors their own learning.”

Working in three groups, Chmura’s students learned how to edit together movies, or create photo stories that combine pictures with music. For one of the movies, students edited together clips from the popular Discovery Channel show “MythBusters” to illustrate examples of the scientific method.

The school district also runs a Wiki-based site which is filled with information about the program and the tools that students use.

-- Chris Guanche

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News from the NSU Current:

Sophomore Scott Difford beat out 11 other finalists to be named winner of NSU's Got Talent - the university's spin-off of the NBC television show "America's Got Talent."

The competition was separated into two nights last month and were held on the patio of the Athletics and Student Affairs building. Winners received prize money for the organization they represented.

Difford got the crowd going with a dance number showcasing his tap and hip-hop abilities. He won a $1,000 prize that will go to the executive floor of The Commons residence hall.

Sheena Howell earned second place and $500 for the College of Dental Medicine for singing Kelly Pickler's hit "Red High Heels."

Athena Lightburne won $250 for her sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha and a third-place finish for her take on Jennifer Hudson's hit "Spotlight."

Psi Chi and the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences donated more toys for the toy drive Toys in the Sun for Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital.

-- Scott Fishman

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Celebrate the festival of lights with the Ashira-A Family Chanukah Concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23 at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center 5850 S. Pine Island Road in Davie.

The talented trio of Cantor Arianne Brown, Laura Lenes and Leah Tehrani combines their magnificent voices in three-part harmonies, singing contemporary and traditional songs in a repertoire of English, Hebrew, Yiddish and Ladino music.

Tickets are $5, free for children 4 and younger.

Call 954-434-0499, ext. 336

-- Scott Fishman

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The 2009 Waste Management Bulk Collection contains the upcoming schedule and map, special tips, bulk waste requirements, items that will not be taken, condo/multi family schedule, important phone numbers and contact information.

To view or print the brochure click Download file

-- Scott Fishman

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It's been a roller coaster year for Palma Nova, one of Davie's largest mobile home parks.

Lawsuits have been filed, heated town meetings have taken place, with plenty of tears shed. Thousands of residents and hundreds of families affected by this have been forced to find somewhere else to live by the end of February.

http://cbs4.com/video/?id=67751@wfor.dayport.com

However, there have been a few bright spots for some of the remaining residents during this time of year. Hawkes Bluff Elementary recently donated food and toys to the families of Davie Elementary, many from the Palma Nova mobile home park. The Kiwanis Club also provided hundreds of bikes to some of the children and other items to the men, women and children living through constant uncertainty.

Davie’s Housing and Community Development Department has now stepped in with its Relocation Assistance Program. The program is open to any income-eligible Palma Nova resident that needs relocation assistance.

The program will provide financial assistance in the form of a grant for relocation/financial assistance on behalf of income-eligible Palma Nova Mobile Home Park residents, to assist in their relocation to suitable and sustainable housing.

Davie will provide direct payments on behalf of eligible Palma Nova residents for storage, temporary housing and permanent housing. Other relocation assistance grants will be provided on behalf of clients on a case-by-case basis.

This relocation grant will not exceed $3,000 per qualified applicant. For more information click Download file.

Background info:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-palmanova0825,0,1698481.story

http://www.corallakemhp.com/txthouse/ss09042008b.html

http://www.topix.net/forum/city/davie-fl/TD8JIOD6T6OOICILD

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/news/davie/sfl-flbpalmasuit1217sbdec17,0,3660018.story

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/news/davie/sfl-1204davietenant,0,3817623.story

-- Scott Fishman

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Cooper City residents can take advantage of a free county garbage disposal service.

The service, offered by Broward County Waste and Recycling Services, allows residents of most Broward cities (except Pembroke Pines, Parkland, Hallandale Beach and Pompano Beach) to drop off yard and bulk waste at one of three trash transfer stations every Saturday. Residents can take advantage of the free disposal up to four times per month. Some of the bulk waste the stations will accept includes furniture and appliances.

The stations are open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For Cooper City residents, the Central Station is at 5490 Reese Road in Davie. Residents are required to bring proof of residency, including a driver’s license or photo ID card, as well as a utility bill and tax notice.

Call 954-765-4999.

-- Chris Guanche

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Browsing YouTube the other day, I came upon a video someone posted of Galaxy Skateway (3737 N. Davie Road Extension).

I pass the building on many occasions heading to University Drive, but watching the video conjured up memories of when I was younger. The cheesy house music blaring from the loudspeakers. The strobe lighting. Galaxy was the place to be in the 1990s.

For a time, it seemed I was there quite often. My school always took field trips to the skating center. My friends would hold Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle pizza parties for their birthday there.

I had a lot of great moments. The time I actually won one of the skate races they used to hold sticks out to me in particular. I forgot if they gave me the money I used to buy the large soda or if they just gave me a ticket for a free drink. Either way, the Coke I drank that day never tasted better.

There was also the first time I got something from the claw machine. It was a Bart Simpson doll. I held on to it for so many years, but today I don't know what happened to it.

I remember the day I thought I was so cool hitting the rink with my new neon green, purple and black rollerblades. They were a gift I got from my parents and were a turning point for me because it meant I didn't have to rent the regular four-wheel skates they had.

It's probably been more than a decade since I've been to Galaxy. I'm not sure how much it's changed, but maybe it's time I stopped by. They might have that Bart Simpson doll.

For information on Galaxy's skating centers, visit http://www.skatingcenters.com/

-- Scott Fishman

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Adult, child, and infant CPR/AED (cardiopulmonary resuscitation/automated external defibrillation) training is offered the first Tuesday of each month from 6-10 p.m. at the Davie Fire Rescue Administration building, 6901 Orange Drive.

This comprehensive course includes:
* How to recognize and care for breathing and cardiac emergencies
* Rescue breathing
* Airway obstruction/choking
* Infant/child and adult CPR
* How to use an AED on an adult

Davie Fire-Rescue’s training program has been updated to reflect the standards as outlined by the Emergency Cardiac Care Committee.

Classes are taught by skilled instructors who teach the correct procedures and students are given the opportunity to practice new skills on a realistic mannequin.

Course fee is $30 for town residents, $35 for nonresidents. Payment must be received by Davie Fire-Rescue before the day of the class. Please make payment by personal check, money order or cashiers check made out to the Town of Davie. This class is not for health-care provider certification.

To register for the class, call 954-797-1213.

A video from http://www.cprflorida.net

Photo from http://flickr.com/photos/sunrise954/335575574/.

-- In related news, Davie Fire-Rescue will now provide training for a Community Emergency Response Team.

Anyone who lives or works in Davie, and is over 18 years old, is eligible for the training classes that are scheduled to begin in early 2009.

The CERT program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.

Using the training taught in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when public safety personnel are not immediately available to help.

More information about CERT, including the application form, is available at www.davie-fl.gov, or call 954-797-1213.

-- Scott Fishman

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At its first 2009 meeting, the Cooper City Commission will consider the creation of a new business advisory board.

The meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at City Hall, 9090 SW 50th Place. If the City Commission approves the creation of the board, it will appoint 10 members to serve on it. Appointments will be made either during the meeting or at the next City Commission meeting.

Residents interested in serving on the board are required to complete a Citizen Resource Sheet. The form can be dropped off at the City Clerk’s office or faxed in to 954-434-5099.

-- Chris Guanche

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Gad/Gabel

The University School for the Performing Arts Alumni Show: the Tradition Continues will feature performances from musical theater classics at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27 at the Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale

The show showcases four decades of the Davie school's history. Included are Josh Gad from the movie 21 and the Tony award-winning Putnam County Spelling Bee, as well as Seth Gabel from television shows like CSI and Dirty Sexy Money.

Numbers from Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof and A Chorus Line will be performed.

Tickets range from $15-$100 and can be purchased at the Parker Playhouse Box Office, online at http://www.parkerplayhouse.com, or by phone at 954-462-0222.

Seth Gabel talking abut his role in Dirty Sexy Money on ABC.

Josh Gad in trailer for The Rocker, which was released in theaters this past summer.

-- Scott Fishman

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The Old Davie School is returning to its Everglades roots, as the art images of Peter J. Nolan grace the walls of the Museum Gallery from Dec. 19 to Jan. 23.

A Floridian since his early childhood, Nolan has worked as a conservation photographer since 2001. Preferring the time-honored 4x5 wooden field camera, Nolan traverses the South Florida landscape capturing the interplay of water, land and sky.

With his work primarily focused on South Florida, the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve, Nolan is motivated by ecological concerns. He hopes that through his work, people will gain a greater appreciation for the natural landscape that surrounds them.

Davie Councilman and Old Davie School Board of Trustees member Mike Crowley said, “I have always enjoyed viewing Mr. Nolan’s works, which reflect the beauty of the 'River of Grass,' also known as the Everglades. It is with great anticipation that we await this one-man show at the Old Davie School.”

A reception with the artist will be held from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19 at the Old Davie School Historical Museum, 6650 Griffin Road. For more information, call 954-797-1044 or visit http://www.olddavieschool.org.

Spring Shower, Peter J. Nolan.

-- Scott Fishman

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Regulator visitors to the Southwest Regional Library in Pembroke Pines have probably noticed the rotating monthly art displays near the first-floor stairwell.

But the December art display is a bit different from what the library usually features.

That’s because some of the artists featured in the display don’t even use their hands –- some use their mouths or feet. These artists are part of an art program at Schott Communities, a Cooper City-based nonprofit that provides assistance to disabled people.

Situated on 27 acres donated by the Archdiocese of Miami, Schott also provides some live-in services and helps about 350 people annually, said Nancy Vidaurre, Schott’s director of programs and grants.

Vidaurre said the art display at the library came out of a grant Schott received several years ago. This is the second time Schott artists have been featured at the library, at 16835 Sheridan St. Vidaurre said the library display and other art shows are something the artists look forward to.

“It gives them motivation to complete a painting,” Vidaurre said.

One such artist is Ford Gechtman. Wheelchair-bound with cerebral palsy, Gechtman has been painting since 1999. His favored technique is to use a sponge brush and masking tape. Gechtman’s past paintings cover a wide variety of subjects, including bird silhouettes and psychedelic abstracts. Gechtman said one of the things he enjoys about painting is the unpredictability of where a painting goes when he starts a new one.

“I find painting free and tranquil,” he said. “I hope my paintings make people more happy than when they started looking at it.”

For more on this, see this Sunday's (Dec. 21) Community News inside the Sun Sentinel.

-- Chris Guanche

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Nova Southeastern University will open a new pediatric dental clinic at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

The clinic will treat special needs patients with cleft, craniofacial, HIV and other physical and mental challenges. It will be staffed with one faculty member and two pediatric residents from NSU.

“It’s bringing available dental care closer to the people who don’t have a place to go,” said Robert Uchin, D.D.S., dean of NSU’s College of Dental Medicine, which will run the clinic.

“Since the clinic is located at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, children will have access to special dental care as well as a full range of medical care services.”

The clinic was made possible by a federal grant from the U.S. Bureau of Health Professions to train dental students to treat special-needs pediatric patients. The grant provides the college with $1.3 million over three years.

NSU has dental clinics throughout Broward County that provide pediatric dental services for children, including those who suffer from physical, developmental, mental, behavioral, cognitive and emotional impairment. The challenges facing these children include autism, cerebral palsy and craniofacial disorder, among others.

-- Scott Fishman

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Young At Art Children's Museum in Davie recently announced a $500,000 challenge gift from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

The museum was the only organization in Broward County to receive funding in the visual arts category. The gift will be used for the construction of the new 55,000-square-foot, LEED-certified YAA museum and children’s reading center in Davie.

The museum was one of more than 1,600 organizations submitting applications for the $4 million in grant money under the first year of the foundation’s Knight Arts Partnership competition.

The Knight Arts Partnership will offer the South Florida arts community $20 million in matching grant money over the next five years.

“Nothing defines us more — or better — than our diversity. But the challenge of that diversity is to build a sense of community that is inclusive based on experiences and values we share. The arts in South Florida have the power to fuse culture, raise standards and enrich our collective life,” said Alberto Ibargüen, president and CEO of the Knight Foundation.

In a public-private partnership, the YAA and Broward County will build the new $21 million museum and children’s reading center.

With this gift, the new museum will include the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Exhibition Gallery, featuring nationally recognized traveling exhibits.

“As we prepare to launch Phase II of the capital campaign, this amazing support for the project is so much appreciated. As a lead donor to the Art Answer Capital Campaign, I do hope this gift inspires the entire community to get involved with this exciting project,” said Holly Hudson Bodenweber, a member of the museum's board of directors.

For more information on the museum, call 954-424-0855 or visit www.youngatartmuseum.org.

-- Scott Fishman

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Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy researchers discovered that information regarding potentially harmful prescription medications have been omitted from the online encyclopedia Wikipedia.

NSU pharmacy professor Kevin Clauson and his colleagues evaluated the quality and completeness of Wikipedia’s drug entries by using 80 questions dealing with pharmaceutical-related topics and patient care. Of those questions, Wikipedia was missing information about drugs on 48 of them.

An example of the incomplete information posted included the fact that Arthrotec, a prescription anti-inflammatory drug, can cause pregnant women to have a miscarriage. Even an over-the-counter supplement such as St. John’s wort can cause severe health problems if used with the HIV drug Prezista.

The drug information posted on Wikipedia was found to be factual, according to the researchers. However, Clauson says consumers who rely on drug information solely from Wikipedia are putting themselves at risk because of the information that was omitted.

“While it can be an easy first step in finding drug information, neither patients nor healthcare professionals should consider Wikipedia as a final or authoritative source,” Clauson said. “There are plenty of high-quality Web sites such as MedlinePlus, WebMD, Medscape Drug Reference or the Mayo Clinic.”

Wikipedia, a site that covers millions of topics in more than 250 languages, allows its users to create, edit and delete information. Clauson and his colleagues decided to investigate drug information on Wikipedia because one-third of those who have access to the Internet seek drug information online. If they do a Google search, Wikipedia is usually one of the first Web sites to pop up.

-- Scott Fishman

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University School student Chase Book will be recognized in pre-game ceremonies of the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers game, which starts at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at Dolphins Stadium.

He will be presented with a check for $3,000 to put toward his University School project, the Adopt-a-Family for the Holidays program.

The grant he submitted dealt with the Neighbors 4 Neighbors Adopt-A-Family 4 the Holidays, the program he promotes at the Davie school. For more than 15 years, Neighbors 4 Neighbors has worked to match needy families with caring businesses, organizations and individuals through the school's Adopt-A-Family 4 the Holidays program. The adopters provide gifts, decorations, food and, more importantly, friendship, to these families.

The Miami Dolphins Foundation and the National Football League run a grant program in communities around the country where NFL franchises are located. The Junior Community Quarterback Award Grant seeks to encourage leadership, innovation and commitment among young people to community improvement and charitable works.

The program recognizes young people who create innovative public service programs to improve the communities in which they live. NFL Charities will award grants to the 501(c)3 organizations created or served by the winners.

Chase lives in Plantation and was notified by the Miami Dolphins that he was the winner of this grant program judged by the football players, as well as in-house staff from the team and the NFL.

For more information, visit http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/communityrelations/nflgrants.asp

-- Scott Fishman

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Courtesy of voiceofdance.org.

Behind the Scenes at the Ballet featuring the Miami City Ballet School is set for 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 at Nova Southeastern University's main campus, 3301 College Ave., Davie.

The Rose and Alfred Miniaci Center hosts the behind-the-scenes look at the ballet, with 22 costumed dancers performing excerpts from the Nutcracker. There also will be a Q&A session. The event also will feature children’s crafts, refreshments and a meet-and-greet with the cast at the Alvin Sherman Library afterward.

Free tickets are available while supplies last at the services desk in the Alvin Sherman Library.

This event is a part of the “Live at the Library: An Interactive Fine Arts Series,” presented by the Charles P. Ferro Foundation. The series is designed especially for children and families to give them a fun, interactive look at the fine arts. All events are free and open to the public.

-- Scott Fishman

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If you need help in filing a homestead exemption, you can get it in Cooper City

Representatives from the Broward County Property Appraiser’s office will be at the Cooper City Community Center, 9000 SW 50 Place, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. They will help you file homestead, senior and other tax exemptions.

Broward residents who want to file will need to bring several pieces of documentation, including property deed, voter registration or declaration of domicile, driver’s license, Social Security numbers for all owners, and dates of occupancy and permanent Florida residency. Non-U.S. citizens will need to bring their permanent visa or political asylum documentation.

Call 954-357-6830.

-- Chris Guanche

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Included are sights from the annual Lighting of the Greens celebration held over the weekend at Davie Town Hall.

-- Scott Fishman

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Image from Imagination in Action - Theatre Arts

Changes to the bus schedule went into effect Dec. 6.

The route will be reduced from two buses to one on weekdays and Saturdays. Transportation to and from Everglades Mobile Home Park will become a permanent feature every Saturday.

Click here for the updated schedule.

The changes to the Blue route occur during the lunch hour between 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Click here for the updated schedule.

Information about the bus service is available on Davie's Web site at http://www.davie-fl.gov or by calling Susan Dean at 954-797-1042.

-- Scott Fishman

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Courtesy of moodyradiopaulbutler.wordpress.com.

Find out how to research your family tree at a free genealogy workshop, "Publish or Perish: Getting Your Family Story Down on Paper," set for 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center, 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd. in Davie.

This one-day workshop will teach:
- How to transition genealogy from charts to written word
- How to develop basic narrative with family history and lore
- How to format your work for publication

The workshop will also give publication options and how to add pictures and documents to enliven your book. The end result will be a lasting tribute, with the finished product something for loved ones to cherish.

For more information, visit http://www.nova.edu/library/genealogy/ or call 954-262-4613.

-- Scott Fishman

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Davie presents the annual Holiday Lighting of the Greens from 6:15 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 at Town Hall, 6591 Orange Drive.

Mayor Tom Truex and members of the Town Council will turn on more than 250,000 holiday lights and decorations officially proclaiming it holiday time in Davie.

There will be 50 holiday trees, menorahs and kinaras adorned with decorations depicting the “Going Green for the Holiday” theme. Santa Claus will arrive by fire engine at 6:15 p.m., followed by a horse parade down Orange Drive at 6:30. The tree lighting will take place at 6:45.

For those of you who miss snow, 20 tons of the “white stuff” will be blown for the enjoyment of the children. Admission to the Snow Blow is free and will take place during the Lighting of the Greens.

There will be two supervised snow play areas: one for ages 1 to 5 and another for ages 6 to 12. Parents will not be permitted in the Snow Blow area.

Have your picture taken with Santa for $5 or just visit him for free. There will also be candy canes while supplies last.

Hot and cold drinks, as well as homemade cookies, will be served for free while supplies last. There will also be food items available for sale.

Other activities include face painting (at a cost), Girl Scout crafts (at a cost), a petting zoo, a climbing wall, holiday magic show, holiday bounce house, and holiday tunes with Mary Jane.

For more information call 954-797-1163 or visit http://www.davie-fl.gov/Pages/index

-- Scott Fishman

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http://www.toysfortots.org

Davie has four drop-off locations where you can donate unwrapped toys for children from now until Dec. 19.

The drop-off locations are:
* Town Hall, 6591 Orange Drive
* Fire Administration, 6901 Orange Drive
* Pine Island Multipurpose Center, 3801 S. Pine Island Road
* Police Department,1230 S. Nob Hill Road

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community.

For information about Toys for Tots, go to www.toysfortots.org.

-- Scott Fishman

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Davie is inviting schools and civic groups to participate in the annual Holiday Tree, Menorah & Kinara Decorating Contest. Last year, more than 45 schools and groups participated in this holiday event.

The contest starts from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3 and runs through noon Friday, Dec. 5 at Town Hall, 6591 Orange Drive.

A free holiday lunch will be included for teams and chaperons on Wednesday until 1 p.m.

Each school or civic group is asked to choose six to 10 of their most creative students or members to represent them. Trees, menorahs, kinaras and lights are furnished by the town.

Teams will be assigned to decorate one six-foot tree, a menorah or a kinara. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated trees, menorahs and kinaras in the following classifications: preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, children’s nonprofit organization and adult nonprofit organization. Each group will receive a participation ribbon for their efforts.

This year’s theme is "Going Green for the Holidays."

Awards will be presented to winning teams on Sunday, Dec. 7 during the Holiday Lighting of the Greens reception at Town Hall.

Call 954-797-1163.

-- Scott Fishman

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People in need of driver’s license services can get everything done outside City Hall at Cooper City.

Florida Licensing on Wheels, or FLOW, will be at the parking lot outside City Hall, 9090 SW 50th Place, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 9. The FLOW mobile unit, an initiative organized by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, offers license renewals, replacements, address changes, identification cards and handicapped driver placards.

Call 954-434-4300.

-- Chris Guanche

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