The U.S. State Department has selected two Nova Southeastern University medical school professors as Fulbright scholars.

Leonard Levy, professor and associate dean for education, planning and research, and Naushira Pandya, associate professor and chair of the department of geriatrics at the College of Osteopathic Medicine, were named Fulbright Specialist Scholars. Pandya is also the director of the medical school’s Geriatrics Education Center.

They are the first faculty members ever selected for this program from their medical school. Levy and Pandya will travel to Comenius University School of Medicine in Bratislava.

While there, Levy plans on helping build relationships between the Slovakian medical school and NSU College of Osteopathic Medicine’s medical, public health and biomedical informatics programs.

Pandya is going to create a working relationship with the Slovakian’s medical school’s geriatrics program. She will also be teaching geriatrics and exchanging information about elder care in each country.

-- Scott Fishman

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Western High School student Cassie Haley and a number of other students spent their summer with 60 children at the DeGeorge Boys & Girls Club in Davie hosting a drama workshop.

The young actors, singers and dancers were ages 7 to 13. Haley and the other teens helped the kids prepare as they put on a talent show and performed numbers from High School Musical before an audience.

Everything from the sets to the costumes came from donations from Haley and local businesses.

The children will be doing another performance at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18 at the Florence DeGeorge Boys & Girls Club, 1220 SW 133rd Ave.

Tickets are $5 and those interested in attending can call the club at 954-236-2790.

-- Scott Fishman

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Below is a trailer for The Devil Came on Horseback, a documentary being shown Sept. 9 during the symposium at NSU.

A Darfur native whose parents have been displaced to a refugee camp will join experts and other speakers examining the crisis and conflict in the region during a symposium Sept 8-12 at Nova Southeastern University's Knight Auditorium in the Carl DeSantis Building, 3301 College Ave. in Davie.

Darfur Calling will feature presentations, panel discussions and movie screenings. The event is free and open to the public.

For complete details, visit www.nova.edu/darfur or call 954-262-6254.

-- Scott Fishman

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The Round Up Country Western Club will be out Saturday afternoon, Sept. 12 at Sunset Feed & Supply (7650 SW 117th Ave.) in Miami for a rally to stop horse slaughter.

There will be discounts on equine supplies, food and hay. A portion of the proceeds will go to a reward fund to help protect horses.

Round Up staff members will be on hand giving out free admission passes to everyone who participates in the rally as a thank you for their support.

"The Round Up is just beginning to get involved with this cause by spreading the word to raise awareness with our Internet subscribers and patrons," said Christopher Bruan.

Bruan said they also are planning on attending another rally coming up in Davie at Town Hall.

Last night, Davie had a strong turnout at Town Hall concerning the formation of a Community Barn Watch program.

For more on the story, visit http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/sfl-horses-barnwatch-082609,0,7687536.story

-- Scott Fishman

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Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater (R-North Palm Beach) will be the keynote speaker at Nova Southeastern University’s Health Profession Division’s commencement at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30 at the Don Taft University Center, located at NSU’s Davie campus.

Atwater was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2000. In 2002, he was elected to the Florida Senate. Atwater’s District 25 seat encompasses parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties. He was elected Senate president in 2008.

A total of 639 graduating students from NSU’s College of Allied Health and Nursing will have their degrees conferred.

-- Scott Fishman

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Nova Southeastern University’s Alvin Sherman Library reopened today after closing due to yesterday's water leak.

The library will resume regular hours tomorrow (opening at 7:30 a.m.), but all events scheduled for Aug. 27 and 28 have been canceled.

The leak is believed to have been caused by a sprinkler head which was hit while a meeting room was being set up for an event. The sprinkler head triggered an additional part of the building’s sprinkler system, causing water to flow through the fourth to first floors.

There was no damage to library materials or books, but two conference rooms were affected and are being cleaned.

For more information on the library, visit: www.nova.edu/library/about/reghours.

-- Scott Fishman

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Cooper City residents will soon have a chance to see the city's budget for the 2010 fiscal year.

The 2010 budget will be unveiled to the public at 5 p.m. Sept. 6 at City Hall, 9090 SW 50th Place. The City Commission will then hold two budget hearings at 6 p.m. Sept. 15 and 21. The 2010 fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

For more information, visit www.coopercityfl.org or call 954-434-4300.

-- Chris Guanche

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Nova Southeastern University’s Alvin Sherman Library is closed today (Aug. 26) due to a water leak.

The leak was caused by a sprinkler head that was hit while a meeting room was being set up for an event. The sprinkler head triggered an additional part of the building’s sprinkler system, causing water to flow through the fourth through first floors.

Since the building’s electrical components are located on the first floor, as a safety precaution the building’s electricity was shut down and the building was evacuated.

The library will reopen tomorrow morning.

-- Scott Fishman

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Davie Mayor Judy Paul joins other city leaders from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties in pledging their commitment to participate in the South Florida Living Green Fair Mayors Challenge.

The kickoff will take place at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28 at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park, Parking Lot Two, Manatee Pavilion near Loggerhead Café (6503 N. Ocean Drive) in Dania Beach.

Through the Mayors Challenge, residents from each participating city will be encouraged to sign up for the Wyland Clean Water Challenge, which provides guidelines for cleaner choices in homes, cars and yards to positively benefit the ocean environment.

The city with the most participants registered will win the rights to display a 45-foot mural by marine artist and conservationist Wyland commissioned at the South Florida Living Green Fair (Nov. 14-15, 2009) for one year.

Other cities committed to the challenge include Coconut Creek, Miami Gardens, Homestead and Dania Beach.

-- Scott Fishman

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If you have questions about foreclosure, a Cooper City seminar could provide some answers.

A foreclosure defense seminar with an attorney and financial planner will take place at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Cooper City Pool and Tennis Center, 11600 Stonebridge Parkway. The Pool and Tennis Center will also host an Oct. 1 seminar entitled "Bankruptcy and How it Affects Your Property."

For more information, call 954-434-4300 ext. 255.

-- Chris Guanche

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Mayor Judy Paul with campers and staff member at Potter Park camp event. (submitted picture).

Davie’s Potter Park hosted a final camp event for the summer program run by Memorial Healthcare System and the Davie Police Athletic League.

Mayor Judy Paul attended the MOST 2009 Award Ceremony and Talent Show.

“It is a pleasure to see the campers having so much fun performing for their friends and family who cheered them on,” she said.

-- Scott Fishman

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To celebrate the new school year, the UM-NSU CARD (University of Miami - Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities) will host its Third Annual “Community Connections” Open House on Saturday, Aug. 29.

The open house is intended to help families connect with one another and with the numerous free community resources available for those with autism and related disabilities.

The day’s theme is Art, Music, Work, Recreation & Leisure, and from 1-4 p.m. participants can:

* Meet the center’s staff and tour the UM-NSU CARD Mobile Clinic
* Connect with other families, community representatives and legislators
* Learn more about the free services the center provides to the community
* See a performance and work created by artists with special needs
* Get information about music therapy, cartooning, drama and other arts-related activities
* Participate in a GameXite and teen video game tournament

The rock band the Exiles will be the opening and closing act at the open house. The Exiles are a four-piece rock group with members ages 13 to 16.

The open house will be at the center’s Clinic for Speech, Language and Communication at NSU’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services, 6100 Griffin Road in Davie.

For more information, call 954-262-7111.

-- Scott Fishman

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Students came back Aug. 19 for the first day on campus with University School's largest expansion project to date, including the new $7 million Epstein Center for the Arts.

-- Scott Fishman

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Broward County residents interested in signing up for the next Master Gardner training session can do so.

The course runs 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Wednesdays from Sept. 2 to Dec. 16.

Participants will receive 102 hours of classroom and field training from University of Florida professors, horticulture professionals, gardening specialists, and Dr. John Pipoly, urban horticulture agent.

Upon successful completion of the course, Master Gardeners are expected to volunteer in the Extension Education office, answering plant and pest questions for Broward County homeowners, and to participate in municipal and county environmental events. A nominal fee covers the cost of educational materials distributed during the course.

Applications are available at www.broward.org/extension/hrmg.htm, or by e-mailing sgranson@broward.org or broby@broward.org.

Candidates should contact Brenda Roby at 954-370-3725 to schedule interviews, which will be conducted on Aug. 20, 21 and 24 at the Extension Education office (3245 College Ave.), which is also where classes are held.

-- Scott Fishman

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Davie joined forces with Lowe’s to install 30 free smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors at homes in the Park City Estates Mobile Home Community.

Thanks to the Lowe’s Heroes program, the material used was free. Davie off-duty firefighters and Lowe’s employees volunteered their time to complete the installations. The town’s Housing and Community Development Department also worked on the project and helped with coordination.

“A smoke detector can mean the difference between life and death, especially in a mobile home,” said Fire Chief Joe Montopoli.

Davie has one of the largest mobile home communities in South Florida, with 7,000 mobile homes and about 20,000 residents.

Both of the detectors play a crucial role in enabling residents to be safe.

-- Scott Fishman

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Can't make it to the community barn watch meeting in person?

Then catch it 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26. Davie residents can watch the meeting live on Davie TV Comcast Channel 78.

For those viewers who do not live in Davie, the meeting can also be seen on the Web at Davie TV Live Streaming Video. The link is http://www.davie-fl.gov/Phttp://www.davie-fl.gov/Pages/DavieFL_PIO/DavieTV.

Residents can get a barn watch sign by filling out an application at http://www.davie-fl.gov/Pages/DavieFL_SpclPrjcts/BarnWatchSign.pdf

For more on the barn watch program, visit http://www.davie-fl.gov/Gen/DavieFL_BBoard/I014C05BA.

-- Scott FIshman

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Nova Southeastern University will recognize Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) by celebrating and learning about the Latin culture through a series of events for children, adults and families.

One highlight of the series will be the free Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10.

It will feature a meet-and-greet with a favorite Explorer-Gal, authentic mariachi music by Mariachi Pancho Villa and the storytelling performance of Pura Belpré and award-winning author Lucia Gonzalez.

These events will be held at the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center on NSU’s main campus at 3301 College Ave.

For a full listing of events, visit http://www.nova.edu/cwis/pubaffairs/news/july-sept2009/hispanic_heritage_month.html.

-- Scott Fishman

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Davie's website is a little bit greener, with its newly added Green Housing Initiative Resource Guide that encourages residents to be more energy-efficient in their homes. The guide is filled with tips, ideas, solutions and other resources.

The Housing and Community Development Department asks residents to visit the guide at http://www.davie-fl.gov/Pages/DavieFL_HousingCDv/GreenInitiative/index.

Some of the topics available are Five Projects under Fifty Dollars, Common Home Problems and Solutions, What is Energystar?, Green Retrofit Checklist, Green Cleaning Tips, Recovery Act of 2009 and Green Glossary.

For more information, call 954-797-1173.

-- Scott Fishman

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Ever wonder where to go to learn how to become an amateur (ham) radio operator?

Well, the Davie Police Department is giving the general public the chance to do just that, with four free Saturday classes starting Sept. 12. The course will run from 8 a.m.-noon at 1230 S. Nob Hill Road.

Course material can satisfy the requirements to obtain the Amateur Technician Class license issued by the Federal Communications Commission.

Ham radio operators can communicate with those close by or on the other side of the world using voice, Morse code and digital modes.

For more information, call Rob Frailing at 954-701-3966 or e-mail Tango486@yahoo.com.

-- Scott Fishman

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Macy Jarvis is still getting used to seeing her picture inside a shoe store.

The 13-year-old Cooper City resident won a contest that has literally made her the face of a line of girl’s shoes at Rack Room Shoes locations across the country. It all started last summer when Macy and her parents were shopping for clothes and supplies ahead of the new school year. During a chance visit to a Rack Room Shoes store in Pembroke Pines, a contest grabbed her attention. The company was looking to create a new line of shoes and wanted a name to start the line with.

Interested, Macy took the entry form home and filled it out. The name that she settled on and submitted: Cupcake Couture. Macy conjured the name from two everyday elements of her life.

“My favorite brand is Juicy Couture,” she said. “My family bakes a lot, and I love cupcakes.”

The “Cupcake Couture” name beat out more than 2,000 other entries from across the country.

“I couldn’t believe that out of the whole U.S., I won,” Macy said.

After being informed of her win, it took Macy several more months to see the finished product. The company designed an entire line of shoes, boots and bags featuring cupcake and flower designs with bright pink and other colors

“It’s so her,” said mother Jennifer Jarvis.

For more on this, see this Sunday's (Aug. 16) Community News inside the Sun Sentinel.

-- Chris Guanche

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Nova Southeastern University researchers are producing corals to restore damaged reefs throughout South Florida.

Researchers from NSU’s National Coral Reef Institute are heading into the ocean from Saturday to Thursday to observe the once-a-year phenomenon known as coral spawning.

After the full moon every August, corals release millions of sperm and eggs into the ocean at night. NSU researchers collect some of the fertilized eggs to grow corals in their laboratory.

When lab corals reach a minimum size, researchers will return them to the ocean to help restore reefs that have been physically damaged by events such as anchors and ship groundings.

Coral populations have been declining in South Florida and throughout the world for decades. Their decline negatively impacts the rest of the ecosystem.

-- Scott Fishman

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Nova Southeastern University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine has expanded medical residency programs throughout South Florida to address the shortage of doctors.

Lasting between three to seven years, medical residencies are required training for medical school graduates to become board-certified doctors.

NSU’s medical school is working with local health care partners to create residencies that will help to offset this physician shortage.

NSU’s medical school has partnered with the following health care entities to create new residencies.

* Larkin Community Hospital in South Miami
- Family Medicine Residency
- Family Medicine/Neuromuscular Medicine
- Psychiatry Residency

* Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah
- Internal Medicine Residency
- Cardiology Fellowship

* Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale
- Internal Medicine Residency
- Palliative Care Fellowship

* Columbia Hospital in West Palm Beach
- Internal Medicine Residency
- Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Residency

* Florida Department of Corrections
- Correctional Medicine Fellowship

* Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office
- Forensic Pathology Fellowship

-- Scott Fishman

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When hot summer days end, Cooper City families have some nighttime fun at a community pool.

The Family Fun Pool Night will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Cooper City Pool and Tennis Center, 11160 Stonebridge Parkway. Admission is free.

For information, call 954-433-8673.

-- Chris Guanche

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An upcoming Cooper City construction project will reduce traffic and water hazards on Stirling Road.

The project area includes the south swale stretching from Flamingo Road to North Lake Boulevard. The project will install new drains and gutters along the road. The work is needed because even a typical rainstorm affects the right eastbound lane, said Utilities Director and City Engineer Michael Bailey.

The street has been the site of several traffic accidents, but Bailey said it wasn’t clear if standing water was the determining factor. But the high level of standing water is a traffic hazard regardless, he said.

For more on this, see this Sunday's (Aug. 9) Community News inside the Sun Sentinel.

-- Chris Guanche

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Davie invites residents to discover their inner artist by signing up for youth drama classes on Tuesday nights, Sept. 8-Oct. 13.

The six-week session will be at the Pine Island Multi-Purpose Center, 3801 S. Pine Island Road.

New drama instructor Ilyssa Galloway will be teaching the classes. Galloway is an experienced singer, actor and model.

The age groups and respective class times are:
“Stars,” ages 6-9, 3:45–4:45 p.m.
“Legends,” ages 10-13, 4:45–5:45 p.m.

Cost for the six-week session is $120. Interested parents should contact Matthew Mlodzinski at 954-797-1076 or visit www.davie-fl.gov.

There must be 10 students enrolled for the class to start. Classes may be combined due to lack of students.

-- Scott Fishman

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The gymnasium at the Pine Island Multipurpose Center will be closed for two to three weeks beginning on Aug 24, due to scheduled painting and floor maintenance.

For more information, call 954-797-2082.

-- Scott Fishman

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Davie is seeking craft vendors for the Labor Day Family Splash on Monday, Sept. 7. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Booth spaces are 10-by-10-feet outdoor spaces and cost $45.

The event will be in the aquatic center at Pine Island Park, 3801 S. Pine Island Road. The event will include entertainment, a Free Pool Splash, arts and crafts displays, face painting, sand art, a puppet show and more.

For more information or to get a craft booth space, call Matt Mlodzinski at 954-797-1076 or visit www.davie-fl.gov.

-- Scott Fishman

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Davie will be offering Wee Wiggle and Sing Music & Movement classes 9:30-10:15 a.m. Fridays Sept. 11-Oct. 30 at the Pine Island Multi-Purpose Center, 3801 Pine Island Road.

Along with an accompanying parent or caregiver, children will meet weekly for a 45-minute class and enjoy singing, moving, listening, interacting socially and playing simple instruments.

The price for the eight-week session is $80. Anyone interested should contact Matt Mlodzinski at 954-797-1076 or visit www.davie-fl.gov or www.wewiggleandsing.com for more
information.

-- Scott Fishman

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