Wondering who might be a part of your family tree?

Get answers and meet three genealogy superstars during a series of free heritage events Oct. 4, 11 and 18 at Nova Southeastern University’s Alvin Sherman Library, 3301 College Ave. in Davie.

Events include:

* German-American Genealogy, 1-3:15 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4
Come learn about how to trace German genealogy with national expert John Humphrey. The program will include “Finding Your German Ancestor's Place of Origin” from 1-2 p.m. and "The WWW (World Wide Web) of German Genealogy” from 2:15-3:15 p.m.

* Italian-American Genealogy, 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11.
For Columbus Day, learn to uncover your Italian heritage with renowned national expert and author of They Came in Ships, John Colletta. The program will include: “Discovering Your Italian Heritage, Part 1: U.S. Sources” from 1-2:15 p.m., part 2 from 2:45-4 p.m., “Your Ancestors from Italy: How to Discover and Record Their Stories” from 4:30-5:45 p.m., and aook signing with John Colletta from 5:45-6 p.m.

* Polish-American Genealogy, 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18
October is also Polish-American Heritage Month. Join speaker John Cagney of the Polish Genealogical Society of America for an exploration of resources leading to your Polish American roots.

All programs are free and open to the public. Space is limited, so sign up early by visiting www.nova.edu/library/genealogy or calling 954-262-4575.

-- Scott Fishman

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A construction project in the planning stage will eventually expand part of Palm Avenue in Cooper City.

It’s a project that has been in the works for several years. In 2003, the City Commission passed a resolution asking Broward County to expand Palm Avenue from two to four lanes in the stretch between Stirling and Griffin roads. The goal: Reduce car congestion.

“There’s a bottleneck in each direction,” said Julio Gurrea, a project manager with the county’s Highway Construction & Engineering Division.

Drivers coming south of Griffin Road on Palm Avenue, which is called Nob Hill Road in Davie, find themselves suddenly merging from two lanes into one. Drivers heading north on Palm Avenue have the same problem past Stirling Road. The county contracted with design firm EAC Consulting to work on the project. EAC in turn subcontracted with Dickey Consulting Services to handle a recent public meeting on the project.

Gurrea said the meeting’s purpose was to publicly present the design, which he estimated was about 60 percent complete. It was also an opportunity to hear input from residents on the design.

“The new road will be a great improvement, and traffic will flow easier,” Gurrea said.

For more on this, see this Sunday's (Sept. 27) Community News inside the Sun Sentinel.

-- Chris Guanche

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The Broward County Transit Division is looking to hear from residents at its community forum, set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5 at Davie Town Hall, 6591 Orange Drive.

The forum is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.broward.org/bct or call 954-357-7713.

-- Scott Fishman

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Cooper City will be hosting its biannual community garage sale.

The garage sale will take place from 7 a.m. to noon Oct. 3 at the Cooper City Sports Complex, 10300 Stirling Road. Vendor slots are limited to residents. Vendors must provide proof of residency and register in person at the Cooper City Community Center, 9000 SW 50th Place.

For more information, call 954-434-4300, ext. 233.

-- Chris Guanche

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He's more than the face on the penny.

The “Abraham Lincoln: A Man of His Time, A Man for All Times” exhibit at Nova Southeastern University’s Alvin Sherman Library (3301 College Ave. in Davie) will explore the man behind the legend.

The free exhibit opens to the public Friday, Oct. 2 and runs through Oct. 26.

The national traveling exhibition was developed by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. It is also a part of the library’s year-long celebration marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.

Hours are:
* Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
* Saturdays, from 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
* Sundays, from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

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

-- Scott Fishman

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In an effort to improve customer service, Davie has developed the Building One Stop Shop.

Personnel from the Building Division, Engineering and Business Tax Receipts (formerly known as Occupational Licenses) are in one place to facilitate permitting and other processes. Questions can be answered in one location without having to go from one building to the next to try to get information.

Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. For information, call 954-797-1111.

-- Scott Fishman

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Some of the most iconic pop art by Andy Warhol will be featured at Young At Art Children's Museum, 11584 W. State Road 84 in Davie, during "POP Art: The Andy Warhol Studio" national traveling exhibition opening Saturday, Oct. 17.

The exhibit runs through Jan. 10 and was created by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

Visitors can step into an interactive environment to create their own unique works of art similar in style to Warhol’s infamous depictions including Mickey Mouse and the Wicked Witch of the West.

This is a chance to learn about Warhol’s life and view his artwork, as well as for younger visitors to don costumes of some of his famous characters.

Cost is $8.

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

-- Scott Fishman

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Attention bargain hunters:

Deals on pre-owned textbooks, fiction and nonfiction hardcover and paperbacks, children's books, CDs, DVDs, and video cassettes will be available at Nova Southeastern University’s Alvin Sherman Library, 3301 College Ave. in Davie.

The semiannual sale starts Thursday and runs through Saturday, Sept. 26.

Sale items will be on display in the Atrium and in Room 2053 during the following times:

* Noon-6 p.m. Thursday
* 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday
* 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday

Cash and checks only. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the library.

If you are interested in donating items to the library, please send them to the Collection Development Department or drop them off at the Circulation Department on the first floor.

For more information, visit www.nova.edu/library/main, or call 954-262-4542.

-- Scott Fishman

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Harry Venis, the former mayor of Davie, will once again trade in the political ring for a wrestling one when Coastal Championship Wrestling returns to the Davie Police Athletic League Gym, 4300 SW 57th Terrace, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19.

Venis, who serves as the promotion's commissioner, will team up with CCW Dok Rivers to battle The Cash Money Brothers in a Texas Tornado Match.

Former World Wrestling Entertainment stars The Patriot and Chaz, who was Headbanger Mosh, and the 6-foot-10 Isis The Amazon, the world's tallest female wrestler, will also make an appearance.

Cost is $10.

Visit www.coastalchampionshipwrestling.com.

For more on Venis' wrestling career, visit http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBiosV/venis_mayor_00sep19.html for a story that ran a few years ago.

-- Scott Fishman

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The Old Davie School, in partnership with the Humane Society of Broward County, is holding a free Pet Storytime for ages 6-12 between 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24. The museum is at 6650 Griffin Road.

Youngsters can read their favorite story to certified animal-assisted therapy and education dogs. These animals are accompanied by their human companions, who are volunteers with the Humane Society.

A volunteer will read an animal-related story, followed by the children reading to the dogs. Participants may select a book from the Humane Society’s collection or bring their own book to share.

The program not only promotes literacy but can help youths overcome their fears of reading in front of people.

For more information, call 954-797-1044.

-- Scott Fishman

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A long-planned Cooper City park may eventually get its funding kick started by state grant money.

The unnamed park, on Flamingo Road south of Stirling Road, has sat undeveloped because the city hasn’t had money to build it. The 27 acres that make up the park property were provided to the city by Broward County and the developers of the stalled Monterra housing community. Having lacked funds until now, the city is looking to a state grant as a possible first funding source for the project.

The city has submitted an application for the $200,000 Florida Recreation
Development Assistance Program grant. The grant is for use in developing outdoor public recreation. Applicants who receive the grant are required to provide matching funds at different levels. Because Cooper City’s request exceeds $150,000, it will have to provide 50 percent matching funds if it receives the grant.

Receiving a grant isn’t a sure thing, in particular with this program, where the state Legislature didn’t allocate any funds for the fiscal year running from July 2009 to June 2010. However, the city is applying for a grant in the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

“We needed to make our application in case they start funding projects,” said Parks and Recreation Director Ken Richardson.

For more on this, see this Sunday's (Sept. 20) Community News inside the Sun Sentinel.

-- Chris Guanche

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Volunteers 13 and older can clean up trash, plant native plants and remove non-native invasive plants during an Eco-Action Day 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 10 at the Long Key Natural Area and Nature Center, 3501 SW 130th Ave. in Davie.

This is also an opportunity for students to earn community service hours for graduation and college scholarships, while others can help improve and preserve the environment.

Volunteers are asked to wear long sleeves, long pants and closed-toe shoes that can get dirty. Participants should bring gloves, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and drinking water. Extra tools such as shovels, rakes and hand pruners are welcome. A volunteer form must be filled out in order to participate.

For more information, call 954-327-8797.

-- Scott Fishman

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There are a series of free lacrosse clinics being offered for beginners and experienced players at Pine Island Park (3801 Pine Island Road) at the Bronco Field.

Experienced players are asked to bring full equipment. There will be loaner sticks for new players. Sneakers or cleats are required.

Dates for the clinic are:

* Sunday, Sept. 20, noon to 2 p.m.
* Sunday, Oct. 18, noon to 2 p.m.
* Saturday, Nov. 14, 3 to 5 p.m.

Pete Dunne, president and founder of Davie Lacrosse, uses these clinics to garner interest and recruit talent for the upcoming season beginning in January. He has seen the program grow 165 percent in the past year, with plans to create a girls team in the works.

For more information, call 954-916-9580, e-mail davielax@earthlink.net, or visit www.davielacrosse.com.

-- Scott Fishman

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The Florida Department of Transportation is hosting a public meeting 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 at the Southwest Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan St. in Pembroke Pines.

The meeting is in relation to the Project Development and Environment Study for I-75 looking to find improvements to relieve existing and future congestion by providing additional capacity and transportation models from the Palmetto Expressway to I-595, as well as a transit analysis in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

They are also looking for feedback from residents. For more on the study, visit http://www.i-75vision.com/

-- Scott Fishman

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Ana M. Viamonte Ros, Florida Department of Health secretary, will be speaking at Nova Southeastern University 3:30-4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 during a daylong Elderly Falls Prevention workshop.

The workshop takes place from 8:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m. and will feature the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Florida Department of Health, NSU, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control and others.

For more on Ros, visit http://www.doh.state.fl.us/statesurgeongeneral.htm.

-- Scott Fishman

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Submitted photo
Mayor Judy Paul and Fire Chief Joe Montopoli are surrounded by Davie firefighters standing in front of a Twin Towers replica at Western High School.

Western High School joined the rest of the country in mourning the loss of America’s fallen heroes during a 9-11 memorial.

Davie Fire Rescue members and Mayor Judy Paul showed their support.

“Attending the memorial always saddens my heart, but remembering is part of our responsibility,” she said. "Heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. We all observed this in the aftermath of 9-11. ... We must always appreciate our everyday heroes. They often toil among us and go unnoticed.”

-- Scott Fishman

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An upcoming event aimed at Cooper City high school students will offer coffee and entertainment.

The city's coffee house night will take place from 8 to 10 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Cooper City Community Center, 9000 SW 50th Place. Tickets cost $3 and can be purchased at the community center 10 days prior to the event. The event will feature coffee, tea, gaming and other entertainment.

For more information, call 954-434-4300, ext. 259.

-- Chris Guanche

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Nova Southeastern University's seventh annual "A Day for Children" health fair is set for 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13 on the grounds in front of the Alvin Sherman Library, 3301 College Ave. in Davie.

The fair is free and open to the public.

"The health fair is a fun-filled day which focuses on free health care for children ages birth to 15 years. It includes screenings for medical, speech, behavior and dental health as well as physical and occupational therapy," said Ronnie Oller, event chairperson.

All health services are provided through NSU's Health Care Centers, and there will be more than 75 booths.

The event will also feature a bounce house, face painting, storybook characters, supervised sports activities, arts and crafts, games and food.

Davie Police and Fire Departments will provide fingerprinting and demonstrations on the installation of child car seats.

For more information call 954-678-2273.

-- Scott Fishman

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To celebrate the new school year, the University of Miami - Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities hosted its third annual “Community Connections” Open House on Aug. 29.

More than 150 people toured the facilities, connected with one another and received information on the numerous free community resources available for those with autism and related disabilities.

The day also included music by teen rock band the Exiles, performances and work created by artists with special needs and a GameXite teen video game tournament.

The center is based at the Clinic for Speech, Language and Communication at NSU’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services (6100 Griffin Road in Davie) .

For more information about the Open House or services offered by the UM-NSU CARD, call 954-262-7111.

-- Scott Fishman

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Students from Nova Southeastern University’s Oceanographic Center are working with Broward County to organize a beach cleanup at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park in Dania Beach from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 19.

The event will run in conjunction with the 24th Annual International Coastal Cleanup, which was created by the Ocean Conservancy, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.

-- Scott Fishman

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Liebe Entertainment Group is moving forward on reopening the Ridge Plaza Cinema in Davie. They are working with the town on the necessary paperwork that goes into the permitting process.

They are hoping for a late October or early November opening.

The LEG website currently has a few pictures and info on what patrons can expect when they open its doors. Visit http://www.liebeentertainmentgroup.com/ridgeplaza/.

Those looking for a job at the theater can apply at http://www.liebeentertainmentgroup.com/employment/.

-- Scott Fishman

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Starting today, budding performing and visual artists have a new venue to help them hone their skills.

The University School Art Institute, on the campus of Nova Southeastern University in Davie, will offer classes in the performing and visual arts, no matter the age.

Areas of concentration include acting, dance, play writing and more. Classes take place after school, on weekday evenings, Saturday mornings, during vacation breaks and over the summer. Fees vary depending on each class.

Current featured offerings include:
* Beginning violin for all ages
* Individual piano lessons for age 5 and older
* Class voice and applied voice for age 14 and older
* Playwriting Workshop I for age 14 and older
* Composition of Performance Poetry I for age 14 and older
* Improvisational acting for ages 12-17, and a second session for age 18 and older
* Monologue preparation for age 12 and older
* Broadway jazz for age 12 and older
* Dance aerobics for age 12 and older

There will be five, eight-week sessions offered in 2009-2010. Space is limited, and more information can be found at www.uschool.nova.edu/artinstitute.

For more information on the institute or the new Epstein Center for the Arts, visit http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/davie/sfl-fluniversity0906cwsep06,0,3993486.story

-- Scott Fishman

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To celebrate National Library Card Sign-Up month, Nova Southeastern University's Alvin Sherman Library (3301 College Ave. in Davie) will host a “Take a Bite Out of the Library” fall kickoff bash from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.

Festivities include:
* Meet Elmo and Princess Reads Alot from 1-2 p.m.
* Groove at Mr. Brian and the Boppets’ Rock and Roll puppet show at 2 p.m.
* Get help from NSU cheerleaders and NSU mascot Razor to sign up for a library card from 1-3 p.m.
* Win special prizes such as tickets to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts’ upcoming Family Fun Series, and the Sesame Street Live Elmo’s Green Thumb show.

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees can also sign up for Sharkey’s Reading Club, which lets participants set reading goals and collect a new prize each month after reaching their target. Any child can join the club with an Alvin Sherman Library card.

The Ancestors Roadshow table will be open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for a free genealogy consultation to learn how to find out about your family’s tree.

Teens are invited to attend the “Get Carded” Back-to-School Dance from 7:30-10:30 p.m. by showing their Alvin Sherman Library card or by completing an application.

For more information, visit www.nova.edu/library/cardmonth, or call 954-262-4577.

-- Scott Fishman

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Spend a day outdoors with music, food and fun at Old Davie School Museum's (6650 Griffin Road) second annual Back to School Bluegrass and Bar-B-Que, set for 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20.

At the event, presented by the museum and the South Florida Bluegrass Association, residents will get a chance to listen to Alternative Tradition, Southern Shores, Corn Country and Old Tyme Jammers.

Food, arts and crafts vendors, a rummage sale and tours of the museum will be offered. The Humane Society of Broward County will be on hand for mobile adoptions.

Cost is $1, and parking on site with admission is $5.

Parking at Davie Town Hall is free as is motorcycle parking on the museum campus.

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

-- Scott Fishman

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Young At Art Children’s Museum has received a one-year Museums for America "Engaging Communities" research grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to prototype exhibits for its new 55,000-square-foot museum and children's reading center, scheduled to break ground in Davie next year.

According to Young At Art, the project, "Prototyping A New Model: The Art Museum for Children," will explore the concepts and methodologies designed to bolster their vision to create an art museum for children.

“This grant will allow us to strengthen Young At Art’s main message that art is a medium for communication, collaboration, problem solving and calling attention to social and ecological issues, as we explore and encourage many different ways to view and interpret art and stimulate creativity,” said Mindy Shrago, executive director of Young At Art.

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

-- Scott Fishman

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The Davie Pro Rodeo presents Championship Bull Riding at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8 at the Bergeron Rodeo Arena, 4271 Davie Road.

Gates open at 6:30 p.m. For information, call 954-680-3555 or visit www.davieprorodeo.com.

-- Scott Fishman

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