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Photo courtesy of town of Davie: from left, Mayor Tom Truex, Councilwoman Susan Starkey, and Councilman Mike Crowley holding son Trevor Crowley.

Team Davie, a group of town employees and Old Davie School, as well as residents gave support to the Special Olympics Broward County by participating in the 2009 Sallarulo’s Race for Champions at Nova Southeastern University in Davie.

This year, the 5K run/walk was held in memory of Katie Crowley, daughter of Davie Councilman Mike Crowley who passed away in September at age 19.

The Crowleys have worked hard to support Special Olympics Broward County and are honorary board members of the group. Katie, an alumna of Davie Elementary, Driftwood Middle and Nova High, served with the Girl Scouts, Davie Police Explorers and Nova High’s ROTC. She was also involved with Special Olympics Broward County, Boys & Girls Club, and other charitable organizations.

Crowley, his wife Heather, and their twin sons Trevor and Cody walked the race along with Mayor Tom Truex, Councilwoman Susan Starkey, and many other town officials, employees and residents.

Runners and walkers of all ages competed for prizes while raising funds for the athletes of Special Olympics Broward County. The run/walk began at 8 am and ended with an awards ceremony.

-- Scott Fishman

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Before

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(Carey Wagner, Sun Sentinel / October 21, 2008)

After

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(Mike Stocker, Sun Sentinel / February 19, 2009)

What a difference a few months can make. A place once filled with life has now become a relative wasteland, memories left behind.

The much talked about Palma Nova mobile park will officially close on Saturday.

The decision to close the park has forced thousands of people to find new places to live.

Six months ago, this was a bustling community, filled with 940 mobile homes and more than 3,000 people. Today, it is more like a ghost town. Fewer than 100 stragglers remain.

For more information surrounding the mobile park's closing, check out the latest story by the Sun Sentinel's Susannah Bryan at http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/news/davie/sfl-flbpalma0226sbfeb26,0,2839021.story .

-- Scott Fishman

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Residents of Cooper City and Davie can take part in an upcoming Relay for Life to help in the fight against cancer.

The Davie-Cooper City Relay for Life will take place March 21 to 22 at Cooper City High School, 9401 Stirling Road. The theme for this event will be comic book and cartoon characters, said Elliot Kleiman, the relay chairman.

The event will begin at 3 p.m. and feature several events: a survivor’s lap, a survivor's dinner and the luminaria lighting ceremony to remember people who have died from cancer. Dancers, gymnasts and martial artists will perform shows throughout the day, and the relay will continue until 9:30 a.m. March 22.

Kleiman said this year’s relay is facing an obstacle he hasn’t encountered in the past: the economy.

“It’s been difficult getting volunteers and raising money because of the economy,” Kleiman said.

The 2008 relay brought in about $122,000, but this year, Kleiman said he’d be happy to raise even half of that amount. Despite the difficulty so far in fundraising, Kleiman remains optimistic because many donations come in as the event draws nearer. Anyone wishing to volunteer or donate can do so at the official Web site.

Kleiman said the community effort from volunteers is important.

“It doesn’t matter how much we make or how much we don’t,” Kleiman said. “It’s the idea that people have gotten together as a community to fight cancer.”

For more on this, see this Sunday's (March 1) Community News inside the Sun Sentinel.

-- Chris Guanche

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Young At Art Children’s Museum hosts Dr. Seuss’ Art-Rageous Birthday Party Celebration from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8, in honor of the birthday of Theodor Geisel, best known as the beloved Dr. Seuss.

Face painting, story time, special games and art activities, meet the Cat in the Hat and more. The birthday celebration is free with paid admission, and the first 100 children each day receive a free surprise gift. Young At Art is at 11584 W. State Road 84 in Davie.

General admission is $8 and children under 2 get in free.

The exhibit prominently features the unconventional characters and wacky environments of Dr. Seuss. Each of the gallery’s 20 activities is set in an environment reflecting scenes from one of five featured books: Oh, The Places You’ll Go!, Green Eggs and Ham, Horton Hatches an Egg, If I Ran the Circus and Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?

For more information, call 954-424-0085 or visit www.youngAtArtMuseum.org.

-- Scott Fishman

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Photos were submitted by NSU.

Nova Southeastern University recently had the opening ceremony of its sixth annual African Presence Art Exhibition. This year’s exhibit is "Power Revealed," which is comprised of selected works from the collection of the Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale, a division of NSU.

The exhibit will be on display through March 18 in the Second Floor Gallery of the Alvin Sherman Library, 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd. in Davie.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. Hours are 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays.

-- Scott Fishman

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Nova Southeastern University’s Black Heritage Council will celebrate Black History Month with the Fifth Annual Carrie P. Meek Outstanding Education Leadership Achievement Award Ceremony.

The awards ceremony will be held 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 at the Signature Grand, 6900 State Road 84, Davie. The event is hosted by the Black Heritage Council of NSU’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services, in honor of former Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek’s work as an educator and public servant.

The event draws hundreds of educators, government officials and community leaders from Miami-Dade and Broward counties each year for an evening of entertainment and recognition honoring the lives of individuals whose work has positively impacted the African American community.

This year’s honorees are A. Louise Harms, former principal of North Twin Lakes Elementary and Community School in Hialeah, and Fran Rubinstein, principal of Tedder Elementary School in Pompano Beach. Both steered their schools from failing grades to sustaining exceptional grades of As and Bs over the past five years.

Local community activist Rodney Baltimore of HOT 105 will also be recognized for his efforts in supporting educational and community initiatives.

Coach Ken Carter will serve as keynote speaker. He made national news in 1999 when he benched his undefeated varsity basketball team for failing to honor contracts each player signed promising to maintain a 2.3 GPA, attend every class and wear a jacket and tie on game day.

His unwavering determination to hold the team accountable for their commitments and the controversy surrounding this event led to the film, Coach Carter (2005), where actor Samuel L. Jackson portrayed Carter.

Tickets are $50 a person or $500 for a table. Proceeds will go to the FSEHS Black Heritage Council Scholarship Fund.

To purchase tickets and for more information about the awards ceremony and the Black Heritage Council, visit www.fischlerschool.nova.edu/bhc.

-- Scott Fishman

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Cooper City will encourage family fitness with a running and walking event March 8.

The runs and walks will begin at the Cooper City Sports Complex, 10298 Stirling Road. Participants can register before March 2 at the Cooper City Community Center, 9000 SW 50th Place. The planned events include:

* A 5K run starting at 7:30 a.m. at the Sports Complex. Registration is $20 in advance or $25 on race day and includes a T-shirt. Roller skates, bicycles and headphones are not permitted during the run.

* Two- and one-mile fitness runs starting at the Sports Complex. The two-mile race begins at 7:35 a.m., and the one-mile race starts at 8:15 a.m. Registration for either race is $10 in advance or $15 on race day and includes a T-shirt.

Participants can pick up their race packets from March 3 to 7 at the Community Center, or at 6:30 a.m. on race day. Awards will be presented to the top runners in several categories.

Call 954-434-4300, ext. 259.

-- Chris Guanche

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Davie recently rolled out its Walk-Thru Permits program that will expedite the permitting process for many applications submitted pertaining to single-family homes.

From 9-11 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, staff from the Building, Engineering, Planning & Zoning, and Landscape Divisions will be available to review and approve plans for those applications.

The Building Division is at 6591 Orange Drive. For more information, call 954-797-1111.

-- Scott Fishman

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Nova Southeastern University announced the naming of its 366,000-square-foot University Center in honor of businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist Don Taft in recognition of a gift from the Taft Foundation.

NSU President Ray Ferrero Jr., J.D., made the announcement during homecoming ceremonies.

“We are deeply gratified that the Taft Foundation has honored NSU with this gift. Don Taft joins a number of distinguished citizens, philanthropists and organizations who all share a common belief in NSU,” Ferrero said.

The Don Taft University Center contains the University Center Arena, home to NSU’s NCAA Division II athletic teams, the University Student Union, and a wellness and fitness center. The center also houses the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences’ Performing and Visual Arts departments and performance venues.

Proceeds from the foundation’s gift will be used to construct an addition to the Noel P. Brown Sports Center, located on the grounds of NSU’s K-12 University School. Activities of the Special Olympics Broward County will be held in the Sports Center.

“We are honored that the Taft Foundation has helped our dreams come true in building a permanent home for our athletes. This extraordinary gift will provide our athletes with resources that will enable them to be the very best they can be,” said Paul Sallarulo, chairman of Special Olympics Broward County and member of the NSU Board of Trustees.

During the ceremonies, NSU also unveiled a 17-foot-high bronze mako shark sculpture with stainless steel teeth at the Don Taft University Center entrance. This major creation, commissioned by NSU students, was crafted by famed international wildlife sculptor Kent Ullberg. It depicts a leaping mako shark –- the university’s mascot -- rising above a wave in a 10-foot-high fountain.

-- Scott Fishman

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The South Florida Veterans Multi-Purpose Center in Davie presented a free fun-filled day for veterans and their families who want to learn more about how horses can help folks suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder.

-- Scott Fishman

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Cooper City is looking to fill some vacancies on its education advisory board.

Residents interested in applying will need to fill out a Citizen Resource Sheet. The completed form can be dropped off at the city clerk's office at City Hall, 9090 SW 50th Place, or faxed to 954-434-5099.

City Hall will be closed Monday in observance of President's Day. The City Commission will review applications and make appointments during a regular meeting.

-- Chris Guanche

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If you live in Cooper City and want to make some space inside your garage, an upcoming garage sale might be the solution.

The garage sale will take place from 7 a.m. to noon March 7 at the Cooper City Sports Complex, 10298 Stirling Road. Only Cooper City residents are allowed to register as vendors. Residents must register in person at the Cooper City Community Center, 9000 SW 50th Place.

Call 954-434-4300, ext. 233.

-- Chris Guanche

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A fashion show is being held by the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 at the Miniaci Performing Arts Center at Nova Southeastern University in Davie.

Now in its fourth year, the show raises money for the Davie-Cooper City Relay for Life, which supports the American Cancer Society. Last year, the event raised $3,000.

The show is done in collaboration with the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale’s Fashion Design School. The design school students design the clothes that are modeled by NSU and Art Institute students.

-- Scott Fishman

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The ninth annual Jewish Film Festival continues tonight and runs through Feb. 17 at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center, 5850 S. Pine Island Road in Davie.

General admission is $7 per film, and the Movie Lover's Package is $36 (one ticket to each event). Here's the schedule:

Monday, Feb. 9 • 7:30 p.m.
The Secrets
Recipient of eight Israeli Film Academy Award nominations

Naomi, a studious, devoutly religious daughter of a prominent ultra-orthodox rabbi, convinces her father to postpone her marriage for a year, so that she might study at a Jewish seminary for women in Safed. Her quest for individuality takes a defiant turn when she and her new friend Michele, a free-spirited, headstrong fellow student, befriend a beautiful, mysterious older woman, who may have committed a crime of passion.

Contains mature subject matter.
Directed by Avi Nesher – 2007, France/Israel, Hebrew with English subtitles
Running time: 127 minutes

Thursday, Feb. 12 • 7:30 p.m.
Strangers
• Winner, Grand Jury Prize, World Cinema Competition, 2008 Sundance Film Festival

A discussion with Nava Dushi, B.F.A., M.A., assistant professor of film in the College of International Communications, Lynn University, follows the film.

Star-crossed complications ensue when an Israeli man and a Palestinian woman fall in love during the 2006 World Cup soccer finals in Berlin. Eyal (Liron Levo) and Rana (Lubna Azabal) are seated across from each other on the subway. Mixed-up backpacks lead to a chance meeting, and they are immediately swept up in the dual frenzies of soccer mania and desire. Their relationship is tested by their differing cultures and opinions on the situation in their homelands and their allegiances to friends.

Contains mature subject matter.
Directed by Erez Tadmor – 2007, English/Hebrew/French/Arabic with English subtitles
Running time: 85 minutes

Sunday, Feb. 15 • 7:30 p.m.
Beau Jest
Starring Lainie Kazan, Seymour Cassel and Willie Garson

Playwright James Sherman's popular tale about relationships, romance and intrigue moves from stage to screen, starring Robyn Cohen, Lainie Kazan, Seymour Cassel and Willie Garson. In this romantic comedy, Sarah Goldman, a young school teacher, is dating Cris Cringle, a great guy with just one apparent flaw — he's not Jewish. So Sarah invents the perfect boyfriend and delights her parents with stories about the man of her mother's dreams. When her parents insist on meeting this nice Jewish surgeon, Sarah resorts to desperate measures. Enter Bob, an actor, to play the role of her new beau.

Directed by James Sherman – 2008, United States, English
Running time: 98 minutes

CLOSING EVENT
Tuesday, Feb. 17 • 7:30 p.m.
Emotional Arithmetic
Starring Susan Sarandon, Christopher Plummer and Gabriel Byrne

Based on the novel by Matt Cohen, Emotional Arithmetic follows the fateful reunion of three friends after 40 painful years of coping with the aftermath of World War II.

During the Nazi occupation, three strangers formed a life-long bond while being held at Drancy, a French detention camp. Melanie and Christopher, two young children separated from their families, are taken under the wing of Jakob (Max von Sydow), a kind, gentle-spirited man. Now an elderly poet, Jakob is released from a Russian psychiatric hospital and visits Melanie (Susan Sarandon) for the first time since Drancy. Melanie, who continues to battle a life-long bout with depression and anxiety, currently lives witn her son (Roy Dupuis) and well-meaning husband (Christopher Plummer) on a farm in Quebec. Much to Melanie's surprise, Jakob has brought along Christopher (Gabriel Byrne), who has never relinquished his love for Melanie.

Directed by Paolo Barzman – 2007, Canada, English
Running time: 99 minutes

For information and tickets, call 954-434-0499, ext. 336.

-- Scott Fishman

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The 2009 Sallarulo’s Race For Champions in memory of Katie Crowley and benefiting Special Olympics Broward County will take place on Feb. 15. The 5K run/walk begins at 8 a.m. at Nova Southeastern University's main campus in Davie.

Registration packet pick-up is from 6:15-7:55 a.m. Race numbers and ChronoTrack tags will only be distributed to those registered by 7:30. The awards ceremony will start at 8:45.

A variety of food and drinks will be available for all participants.

Registration is $20 in advance, $25 on race day, free for Special Olympics athlete registration.

Applications can be picked up at the following stores:
Runner's Depot, 2233 S. University Drive, Davie
Running Wild, 1133 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale

Registration by mail:
Make check payable to Special Olympics Broward County and mail to: Split Second Timing, Inc., 2211 Charleston, Weston, FL 33326

Register on-site and pick up race packets on 6 to 7:15 a.m., Feb. 15 in front of the Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center at NSU.

-- Scott Fishman

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Built in 1918, the Old Davie School is renowned for being the oldest existing school in Broward County built in the Everglades.

Today, the school is part of an historical campus. Features include the Old Davie School Historical Museum, a replica pioneer home, the Viele and Walsh-Osterhoudt homes, and a Seminole chickee hut.

Several events are planned at the museum, 6650 Griffin Road:

-- The Davie School Foundation is inviting residents to a complimentary social to meet new friends and neighbors from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 at the Old Davie School Historical Museum campus.

There will be a reception to introduce residents to the museum with refreshments and appetizers served. Enjoy docent-guided tours and savor the stories of a time when Broward County was new.

-- The museum will also host the 10th annual Pioneer Dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. Drinks and tours of the museum will also be offered. A fried chicken dinner will be served with homemade fixins. Home-baked cakes and pies will follow for dessert.

The Pioneer Dinner, which honors a Davie pioneer family each year, will salute the family of Maxwell and Margaret Roberts this year. A short video that captures their stories will be shown after dinner.

Tickets are $10, $4 for children.

For more information, call Patti Koch at 954-797-1044.

-- Scott Fishman

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A Cooper City meeting will offer seniors information on health insurance.

The meeting takes place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Cooper City Pool and Tennis Center, 11160 Stonebridge Parkway. The meeting is part of Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, or SHINE, a program run by the state's Department of Elder Affairs. The meeting will address topics such as Medicare.

Call 954-436-7300.

-- Chris Guanche

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The IRS has opened a temporary office in Broward County for several Saturdays to assist people with their tax returns:

The office is at 7850 SW Sixth Court in Plantation.

The IRS office will be open from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 and Feb. 21.

This year, free filing is available to anyone with an adjusted gross income up to $56,000. It is available online at www.irs.gov .

-- Scott Fishman

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-- Up to 100 low-income children will receive free dental services from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 from Nova Southeastern University’s College of Dental Medicine.

Known as Give Kids a Smile, the event will provide services such as X-rays, exams, cleaning, prophylaxis, fluoride treatment, sealants and restorations to children who have been referred to the College of Dental Medicine from the Boys & Girls Club, local elementary schools and churches.

It will be held at the university’s Health Care Centers’ dental clinic at the corner of 30th Street and University Drive.

Give Kids a Smile is an annual national event sponsored by the American Dental Association. The idea is to provide free dental care to children do no have dental insurance or Medicaid.

-- The Florida film premiere and discussion of My Nappy Roots: A Journey through Black Hair-itage, will take place in Nova Southeastern University’s Carl DeSantis Building’s Knight Auditorium from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7.

The award-winning documentary on black hair features Kim Fields, Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Vivica A. Fox. Connect with the film's director, Regina Kimbell, fans and a panel of experts during a community discussion on the historical, professional and personal accounts of the black hair journey.

-- Scott Fishman

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New sidewalks, landscaping and traffic signals will eventually be coming to Flamingo Road under a state construction project.

The Florida Department of Transportation project covers Flamingo Road starting at Johnson Street in Pembroke Pines, running through Cooper City and ending just north of Griffin Road in Davie. The $7.3 million project will probably begin construction in January 2011, said Donovan Pessoa, an FDOT project manager.

Pessoa said the project would entail milling and resurfacing the road, re-striping the lanes to include a bike lane and replacing the hanging wire traffic signals at several intersections with newer mast-arm types.

“They’re deficient,” Pessoa said of some of the traffic signals. “We’re going to change out the ones we find deficient in terms of clearance and things like that.”

The project will also add new turn lanes at some intersections, new bus stop accommodations and replace landscaping damaged by Hurricane Wilma in 2005. It will also add new sidewalks along the western side of Flamingo Road.

“We talked to the cities and see what they would like in terms of filling in those [tree] gaps,” Pessoa said. “They didn’t grow back in, so we’re taking this opportunity to put them back.”

After FDOT plants the new landscaping, it will become the responsibility of the respective city. Pessoa said the project would probably take a year and a half to complete, but during that time, all lanes will remain open during regular hours and rush hour.

For more on this, see this Sunday's (Feb. 8) Community News inside the Sun Sentinel.

-- Chris Guanche

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Art and artifacts depicting concepts of power from the rich cultural heritage of Africa will be on view Feb. 4-March 18 in the second-floor gallery at Nova Southeastern University's Alvin Sherman Library, 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd.

The exhibit’s opening reception is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, beginning with African vocal and dance performances in the Miniaci Courtyard adjacent to the library. The celebration will then move to the library’s second-floor gallery for the unveiling of the exhibit.

The exhibit is free and open to the public, starting Thursday, Feb. 5. Hours are 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays.

For more information, call 954-262-5309. For more information about NSU’s Black History Month events, visit www.nova.edu/blackhistory

-- Scott Fishman

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Student organization Project STATIC (Stop Texting and Talking In Cars) recently brought driving simulators into University School in Davie.

Hundreds of students, faculty and parents who used the simulators got a chance to experience what the consequences are when driving while talking or texting on cell phones. The group, founded by Rocky Kaller, plans to expand STATIC into other schools.

Kaller created STATIC to raise awareness for safe driving, and hopes to have the program incorporated into the state DATE course required of new teenage drivers before they can get their permits.

-- Scott Fishman

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The earned income tax credit is a special tax benefit for people who work full- or part-time, whose income is below established government levels.

EITC mobile units will be visiting the following sites in Davie:

Feb. 5, 2–7 p.m.
Potter Park Multipurpose Facility
4300 SW 57th Ave.

Feb. 19, 2–7 p.m.
Davie’s One-Stop Service Center (Jenmar Building)
4700 SW 64th Ave.

Feb 21, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Davie Town Hall
6591 Orange Drive
Davie, FL 33314

March 4, 2–7 p.m.
Rick & Rita Case Boys & Girls Club
7525 NW 33rd St.

March 12, 2–7 p.m.
Flamingo Elementary School
1130 SW 133rd Ave.

This credit will reduce the amount of taxes owed, resulting in a rebate (or credit) back to your family. Your income and family size determine the amount of the credit, as follows:

Families with children who earned less than $41,646 can get up to $4,824. Workers with no children who earn less than $15,880 can get back up to $438.

The EITC can be claimed retroactively back for three years.

For information on additional EITC mobile sites or Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites, call 211.

-- Scott Fishman

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