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Cooper City High School graduate Michael Worley will start 2010 as the youngest elected member of the Miami-Dade Young Democrats’ current executive board, and the youngest executive vice president in the organization’s history.

Worley, 19, ran against incumbent Joshua Fuller, a North Miami attorney, at the Miami-Dade Young Democrats’ November elections. He will now serve as an officer in the second largest Young Democrat chapter in Florida (and one of the largest in the nation).

The political science major at Barry University currently serves as the deputy communications director of the College Democrats of America. He is also the outgoing president of the College Democrats at Barry University and sits on the Florida Young Democrats’ executive board as their College Democrat Liaison. He was a former intern to Florida House Minority Leader Rep. Franklin Sands and U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek’s U.S. Senate campaign.

-- Scott Fishman

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Front row: Andrea Haygood, Glenda Kelley, Adriana Guzman, Lori Hecker, Angela Miller, Lorraine Willson and Marilena DeFontes
Second row: Dr. John Pipoly (horticulture agent), Sandra Granson (horticulture technician), Reinaldo Cunha, Anita Youngblood, Sandra Becker, Chelsea Morando, Stephanie Montalvo, Sandi Block-Brezner and Adam Pitcher
Third row: Barbara Fischer, Susan Halliwell-Mather, Kathy Arcangeli, Kathy Johnson, Mary Pittman, Jean Kennedy, Kim Arsenault, Brian Oveson, Jared Stein, Joanne Nelson
Back row: John Phillips, Jim Sebest, Yvonne Culbreth and Wade Katros
Not pictured: Lorraine Williams

Florida Master Gardeners recently passed a three-hour written exam and a two-hour laboratory exam at the UF-IFAS/Broward County Extension Office in Davie.

The exams were the culmination of their intensive 14-week, 112-hour lecture, laboratory and and field Master Gardener training. The 29 join the ranks of 183 active Florida Master Gardeners, bringing the total serving Broward County to 212.

Master Gardeners learn about sustainable, Florida-friendly landscaping, including the use of native species, water and soil conservation, best management practices for irrigation, and integrated pest management for homes and landscapes.

The Master Gardeners receive intensive instruction in their central role of working the Public Answer Hotline -- 954-370-3725 or mastergardener@broward.org and as they serve the residents of Broward County.

The next Master Gardener training course will take place March 15-June 21. Applications and interviews for that class will be scheduled for mid-February. Information regarding the next class is available by contacting broby@broward.org or by visiting www.broward.org/extension.

For more information, call 954-370-3725.

-- Scott Fishman

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Selected students and staff at Nova Southeastern University in Davie will begin the new year with a challenge to lose weight and get in shape as NSU’s Biggest Loser returns for a fourth year.

Based on the popular NBC television show, NSU’s Biggest Loser takes 18 participants through a 16-week weight-loss program. Like the show, they will be divided into teams and participate in team and individual workouts with trainers.

Participants will have regular meetings with a nutritionist and keep journals of their daily nutrition and exercise. They will also receive motivational coaching from NSU’s Healthy Lifestyle Guided Self-Change Program.

The competition will run through May.

Prizes are awarded to the individual and the team with the highest percentage of weight lost and to individuals with the most improved blood pressure and/or cholesterol, most total inches lost and highest percentage of body fat lost.

For a look at last year's competition stacked up, visit http://www.sun-sentinel.com/health/sfl-nova-biggest-loser-challenge-sg,0,701785.storygallery

-- Scott Fishman

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Davie governmental offices will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25, as well as Thursday, Dec. 31 (closing at noon) and Friday, Jan. 1, in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Pine Island Multipurpose Center and other attended facilities will be closed on Dec. 24 and 25 and Jan. 1. On Dec. 31, the center will close at 5 p.m. The fitness center and pool will be closing at 2 p.m.

-- Scott Fishman

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Davie residents Lionel Goldstein and Anita Truettner were among the top 10 out of 1,200 honored by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts for donating in excess of 100,000 hours of community service this year, which is equivalent of an in-kind donation of more than $1 million.

More than 650 guests attended the 19th annual volunteer recognition luncheon.

Incoming Broward County Mayor and current Vice Mayor Ken Keechl wrote a letter noting that:

“The volunteer service that you provide is a great asset in our community. Please know that your work is important and greatly appreciated.”

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Nova Southeastern University will award philanthropist Don Taft and Holy Cross Hospital CEO John C. Johnson with its highest honor, the Chancellor’s Community Award, at the annual Celebration of Excellence at 6 p.m. Jan. 21.

The award is bestowed annually to individuals whose leadership and support provides the foundation for continued growth of the university.

NSU’s Celebration of Excellence has been staged at Davie’s Signature Grand each year since 1997.

-- Scott Fishman

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Davie will dedicate Southwest 65th Way to the memory of local veterinarian Michael A. Kronk at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9 at 6591 Orange Drive. Parking will be available behind Davie Town Hall.

Kronk passed away May 15 after practicing veterinary medicine for 42 years in Davie and the surrounding communities. He treated horses, cattle and numerous other farm and exotic animals. He was the only dairy cattle veterinarian in the area for many years.

He is remembered for his community work with Project Stable Foundation, Horses for the Handicapped, Friends Ranch, the town's Hurricane Large Animal Release Program and the Auburn University Foundation.

Following the street dedication ceremony, the Davie Rodeo Association and Project Stable Foundation will hold a barrel racing competition in memory of Kronk at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, 4271 Davie Road.

Admission to the barrel race is free. There will also be a silent auction, as well as other fundraisers throughout the day.

For more information, call 954-797-1153 or visit www.davie-fl.gov .

-- Scott Fishman

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Divers Cove, 2335 S. University Drive in Davie, is offering a $10 credit to customers who bring in six cans of food for the Davie food bank.

Call 954-473-1220 or visit www.diverscovefl.com or email info@divercovefl.com.

-- Scott Fishman

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To help spread holiday cheer, fifth-graders at University School in Davie have spent the past several weeks collecting hundreds of toys to benefit those in need throughout Broward County.

The students were inspired by local philanthropist Essie “Big Mama” Reed, who founded the nonprofit group Team of Life to help those in need.

Reed helped the students start their campaign to make a difference with a speech about the ability to make a difference.

Students presented her and the Team of Life with hundreds of toys just in time for the holidays.

For more information about Reed, Team of Life and the group’s mission, visit www.bigmamahelp.com.

-- Scott Fishman

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If you want to get rid of unused or old prescription drugs, the Broward Sheriff's Office will take them off your hands.

A drug disposal event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Sheriff's Office Cooper City station, 10580 Stirling Road. The event, Operation Medicine Cabinet, is a joint effort by the Sheriff's Office and the United Way Commission on Substance Abuse to curb abuse of prescription drugs. Gift cards of $5 for Walmart and CVS will be handed out while supplies last.

For more information, call 954-435-2000 or visit www.sheriff.org.

-- Chris Guanche

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-- Scott Fishman

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Davie has received Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding through the Florida Department of Community Affairs, which will go to helping home buyers with down payment, closing cost and purchase assistance.

The town is having a workshop from 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17 at the Pine Island Park Multipurpose Center, Cypress Hall, 3801 S. Pine Island Road, to familiarize real estate and related professionals with the program.

To RSVP or for more information, contact the town’s Housing and Community Development Department at 954-797-1173 or NSP@davie-fl.gov.

-- Scott Fishman

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Davie Mayor Judy Paul joined a group of other incoming mayors from large cities across the country recently at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics in Cambridge, Mass., for a three-day seminar on leadership and the issues that they will face.

Co-hosted every two years by the Institute and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the seminar introduces new mayors to the perspective of successful mayors and others who have dealt with the challenges of governing in the complex environment of urban politics.

All expenses to attend the seminar were funded by the John F. Kennedy Endowment.

“This was a great opportunity for me to network and to get a great perspective on how other cities are doing, and I must say, Davie is doing well balancing economics with quality of life,” Paul said.

-- Scott Fishman

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Nova Southeastern University’s Alvin Sherman Library in Davie has revised its hours for the holidays.

The Alvin Sherman Library will be open extended exam preparation hours from 7- 1 a.m. daily, now through Thursday, Dec. 17. Then, holiday hours will include:

* Friday, Dec. 18: 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
* Saturday, Dec. 19: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
* Sunday, Dec. 20: 7 a.m. to 12 a.m.
* Monday, Dec. 21: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
* Tuesday, Dec. 22: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
* Wednesday, Dec. 23: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
* Thursday, Dec. 24: 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
* Friday, Dec. 25: CLOSED
* Saturday, Dec. 26: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
* Sunday, Dec. 27: 7 a.m. to 12 a.m.
* Monday, Dec. 28: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
* Tuesday, Dec. 29: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
* Wednesday, Dec. 30: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
* Thursday, Dec. 31: 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
* Friday, Jan. 1: CLOSED

The library building will be closed on some days, but many of its electronic resources, databases and more are available 24/7 by visiting www.nova.edu/library/main.

-- Scott Fishman

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The Davie Economic Development Council will have its monthly meeting at noon Tuesday, Dec. 15 at the Nova Southeastern University Health Professions Building (Chancellor’s Dining Room), 3200 S. University Drive.

The agenda for the meeting will include an overview and update of the I-595 Express Corridor Improvements Project.

An update will follow on Davie's Comprehensive Plan Amendment to add residential units to the Regional Activity Center.

An economic symposium is also being planned, and potential dates for it will be discussed. Lunch will be provided by the Flashback Diner at $6 per person. To make lunch reservations, call Gay Moo Young at 954-797-1045.

-- Scott Fishman

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Cooper City residents were out in droves for the city’s annual holiday lighting event.

Light Up Cooper City attracted large crowds to the park sandwiched between the Community Center and City Hall. The three-hour evening event brought in a crowd of about 3,000, said Recreation Director Ken Richardson.

“It was as many or a little more than last year,” he said. “We were surprised with the weather, but all those people still came out.”

Candles in paper bags lit the sidewalks that ran through the park, while trees were illuminated with lights. The park was decorated with a variety of Christmas figures, including blowup snowmen and penguins. Inside the Community Center, parents and children waited in a large line that snaked throughout the entire building. They were all waiting for a chance to ride a train in a closed off area.

“The parents get in line, and the kids love it,” Richardson said.

The Community Center also hosted a craft fair, with local vendors offering Christmas-related items.

Outside, the parking lot was transformed into a music venue with students from the city’s three elementary schools and Pioneer Middle School singing holiday songs in a choir. The outdoor area was filled with family activities ranging from face painting and temporary tattoos to jumping around in bounce houses.

Resident Tamy Duensing was a first-timer at the event and brought along her 7-month-old daughter Daniele. As they waited in line for face painting, Duensing said she enjoyed the event, but wished for slightly cooler weather.

“I can’t believe what a great turnout they’ve had,” Duensing said.

For more on this, see this Sunday's (Dec. 13) Community News inside the Sun Sentinel.

-- Chris Guanche

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Caitlyn’s Corral Playground at Vista View Park, 4001 SW 142nd Ave. in Davie, was recently awarded certification from Boundless Playgrounds.

The new playground is part of the park expansion that opened to the public last month. Caitlyn’s Corral, the larger of the park’s two new playgrounds, is named for Caitlyn Munson, who died of spinal muscular atrophy in 2002 at the age of 9 months.

Her mother, Stephanie, is a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and an advocate on behalf of children with special needs.

Caitlyn’s Corral joins the more than 140 Boundless playgrounds in 26 states and Canada, with dozens more in development.

Vista View also includes a corral with a universal-access mounting block for riders with disabilities.

For more on the playground, check out http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/your-kids/sfl-vista-view-playground-110909,0,4963768.story

-- Scott Fishman

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Late Afternoon Shadows
http://bonnieshapiro.artspan.com.

The Old Davie School (6650 Griffin Road) will feature the works of local artist Bonnie Shapiro in a one-woman show beginning Dec. 18 with an opening reception with the artist from 7-9 p.m.

The reception is free, and the show runs through Feb. 26.

As a child, South Florida’s tropical beauty strongly influenced the artist, cultivating itself in her palette and subject matter as an adult. The Everglades and Florida towns that she visited in these young impressionable years are often predominate in her paintings.

For more information, call 954-797-1044.

-- Scott Fishman

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http://www0.sun.ac.za/underwater/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=52&Itemid=81

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to scuba dive?

For those who want to find out but aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into a certification course, then the Discover Scuba Diving program may be for you.

The class begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 at Davie Pine Island Pool, 3800 SW 92nd Ave.

The course teaches how to properly use scuba equipment while in shallow water and provides a quick and easy introduction to the underwater world.

Equipment will be provided by Divers Cove, http://www.diverscovefl.com/ and will include, mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy compensator, scuba regulator and wet suit.

To register, call 954-473-1220. The class is free of charge, but you must be at least 12 years old.

-- Scott Fishman

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www.ci.arlington.tx.us/.../articles_1207_09.html

Last year, the Broward County Parks & Recreation Division recycled 9,943 trees, thanks to the Chip-A-Tree program.

The free program encourages Broward County residents to remove all decorations from their holiday trees (no decorated trees will be accepted), then bring the trees to a participating park, where they are chipped and used for landscaping throughout the county park system. There is a limit of two trees per vehicle, artificial trees are not accepted, and no commercial vehicles or garbage trucks are allowed.

This season’s program runs from Dec. 26-Jan. 24. The regular weekend and holiday gate entrance fee will not be in effect for recyclers.

* Brian Piccolo Park, 9501 Sheridan St., Cooper City, 954-437-2600
* C. B. Smith Park, 900 N. Flamingo Rd., Pembroke Pines, 954-437-2650
* Easterlin Park, 1000 NW 38th St., Oakland Park, 954-938-0610
* Fern Forest Nature Center, 201 Lyons Road S., Coconut Creek, 954-970-0150
* Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise, 954-389-2000
* Plantation Heritage Park, 1100 S. Fig Tree Lane, 954-791-1025
* Quiet Waters Park, 401 S. Powerline Road, Deerfield Beach, 954-360-1315
* Reverend Samuel Delevoe Park, 2520 NW Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale, 954-791-1036
* Snake Warrior's Island Natural Area, 3600 SW 62nd Ave., Miramar, 954-964-0283
* Tradewinds Park, 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek, 954-968-3880
* Tree Tops Park, 3900 SW 100th Ave., Davie, 954-370-3750
* T.Y. Park, 3300 N. Park Road, Hollywood, 954-985-1980
* West Lake Park, 751 Sheridan St., Hollywood, 954-926-2480

For more information, call the park of your choice, or e-mail praglin@broward.org.

-- Scott Fishman

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More than 250 Special Olympics Broward County athletes and hundreds of their friends and supporters recently celebrated the grand opening of the group's new permanent offices on the main campus of Nova Southeastern University in Davie.

The festivities featured carnival games, relay and sack races, a magic show, sports demonstrations and lots of picnic food.

The day also honored SOBC athletes, families, board members, law enforcement supporters, sponsors and volunteers for their hard work and support.

"Don Taft and The Taft Foundation have helped our dreams come true in securing a permanent home for our more than 800 athletes on the campus of Nova Southeastern University," said Paul Sallarulo, chairman of Special Olympics Broward County and member of the NSU Board of Trustees.

The group moved into its new office space this fall, located in the Sonken East/Annex building on the main campus.

For more information, call 954-262-2150.

-- Scott Fishman

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Cooper City officials will be present at two upcoming meetings.

Commissioner John Sims will have a town hall meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at the City Hall auditorium, 9090 SW 50th Place. Mayor Debby Eisinger will also conduct a town hall at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Community Center, 9000 SW 50th Place. Eisinger's meeting will update residents on the Broward County School Board's proposed boundary changes for Pioneer Middle School.

For more information on both meetings, call 954-434-4300, ext. 260.

-- Chris Guanche

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The Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program is designed to assist first-time home buyers with a subordinate down payment assistance loan which can be repaid by their income tax refund.

The maximum award is up to $8,000 or 10 percent of the sales price, whichever is lower. Funds can be used for closing costs and down payment assistance for the purchase of a home.

This program is being administered by the Broward County Housing Finance & Community Development Division in partnership with Davie's Housing and Community Development Department. The town's program funds are limited and will be awarded to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-qualified basis.

Maximum income for single-taxpayer households is $75,000, and $150,000 for joint-filing taxpayer households. County staff will determine household eligibility.

Applications are being accepted through the program’s registered lenders, at www.broward.org/housing.

For more information, call 954-765-5311.

-- Scott Fishman

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Country star and army vet Craig Morgan is coming to the Round Up Country Western Club (9020 W. State Rd. 84 in Davie) at 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10.

Doors open at 6 p.m. You must be 18 and older to get in.

For more information, visit www.roundupnightclub.com .

-- Scott Fishman

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-- Scott Fishman

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Celebrate the spirit of giving this holiday season with Young At Art Museum, 11584 W. State Road 84 in Davie, during its “Soup or Art” exhibition and food drive through Thursday, Dec. 24.

During this time, the donations to the Andy Warhol-inspired, Campbell’s Soup can food drive will be displayed as a wall of pop art.

On Christmas Day, the museum will donate all of the collected canned goods to the Food Pantry of Broward, which provides food and services to seniors in need on low incomes and to grandparents raising grandchildren.

It also features a unique performance art component as the soup can “sculpture” wall will continue to grow and change as more cans are donated and displayed.

Anyone who brings a can of Campbell’s Soup to Young At Art will have the chance to autograph it and add it to the giving “can”vas wall.

A donation of a soup can will allow you to buy one full price admission ticket and receive half off a second ticket. "POP Art – The Andy Warhol Studio" exhibition is on display through Jan. 10..

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

-- Scott Fishman

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It's back.

Another amateur/ham radio operator class begins 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Davie Police Department, 1230 S. Nob Hill Road.

The free classes will be held on four successive Saturday mornings.

The material taught and learned in the class will enable the student to obtain the Amateur Technician Class license issued by the Federal Communications Commission. A test, free of charge, will be offered Feb. 20, the last day of class.

For more information, contact Rob Frailing at 954-701-3966 or frailing@bellsouth.net

- Scott Fishman

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Representatives from the Broward County Property Appraiser's office will be visiting Cooper City to assist residents in filing for a homestead exemption.

The event will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 15 at the Cooper City Community Center, 9000 SW 50th Place. Applicants will need to bring several pieces of information with them:

- Florida voter registration card or declaration of domicile.
- The warranty deed for the residence.
- Florida driver's license and car registration.
- The Social Security number for each of the residence's owners.
- Date of occupancy and permanent Florida residency.

Non-U.S. citizens will need to bring either a permanent visa or political asylum documentation.

For more information, call 954-357-6830 or visit www.bcpa.net.

-- Chris Guanche

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Davie's Forest Ridge community will present its 10th annual Tropical Winterland Parade and Fair.

Residents and guests are invited to join the fun Saturday, Dec. 5.

Line up is at noon by the Statue of Major Lauderdale at the front entrance of Forest Ridge (on Pine Island Road between Nova and Orange drives) with a prompt 1 p.m. kickoff.

VIPs in the parade will include the principals of local schools, Mayor Judy Paul, Davie police and fire chiefs, Broward Schools Superintendent Jim Notter, the Forest Ridge Woman's Club, various Girl Scout troops, Seminole Indian Princesses, marching bands, local beauty queens, Santa and more.

Following the parade is the Forest Ridge Holly Day Fair offering refreshments, hot dogs, baked goods for purchase, games and crafts for children, a frozen T-shirt contest for the men and lots of live entertainment.

For more information, visit www.hollydayparade.com.

-- Scott Fishman

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Nova Southeastern University’s Alvin Sherman Library in Davie has partnered with the city of Pembroke Pines and the Pembroke Pines Historical Museum to present the “G.I. Jive: World War II Across Three Theaters” lecture series.

The series is free and open to the public. All events feature NSU historian and genealogy expert Kim Garvey. The next topic is "Pearl Harbor Remembered" from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

For more information, call 954-262-4575 or visit www.nova.edu/library/genealogy.

-- Scott Fishman

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Photos taken by Ashley Andersen

2008 American Idol winner David Cook performed Sunday at the Arena at Don Taft University Center on the campus of Nova Southeastern University in Davie. The Script from Dublin joined Green River Ordinance as the opening acts for the Declaration Tour stop. Fellow Idol alum and South Florida resident Ramiele Malubay was also in attendance.

-- Scott Fishman

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