The school year is over, and that means plenty of children will be left activity-less.

Not anymore, thanks to Pembroke Pines’ slew of daily sport and art summer camps running simultaneously beginning June 8 through Aug. 21.

Eight parks and recreation centers throughout Pines will be chock-full of hyperactive youngsters for 11 weeks as they engage in sports like soccer, basketball, football and baseball, or a variety of fine art activities like keyboarding, guitar-playing and drama acting workshops.

Most walk-in registrations run through June 3 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at TownGate Recreation Center, 901 NW 155th Ave. or Pines Recreation Center, 7400 Pines Blvd. Parents should remember to bring photo ID, a recent Pines utility bills, the camper’s birth certificate and a registration form that’s already been previously notarized.

To register, call TownGate at 954-450-6895, Pines Recreation at 954-986-5022, Fletcher Art and Cultural Center at 954-986-5027, or visit www.ppines.com.

Parents can also download a pricing schedule for the summer camps.

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For several Pembroke Pines artists, the days of crafting art in cramped garages and spare rooms may be numbered.

The city is supplying South Florida’s brigade of painters and sculptors with massive, low-cost studio spaces beginning Sept. 1. Tentatively called the Laundry Room Art Colony, this 11,800-square-foot workshop provides ample room for local artists often burdened with converting their homes into claustrophobic makeshift studios.

The Artist Colony is slated to open at Howard C. Forman Human Services campus on the intersection of University Drive and Pembroke Road, on a slab of concrete once reserved for a mental hospital, said Pines Parks and Recreation Director Dean Combs.

The retreat includes 28 indoor and outdoor studios, three classrooms and art galleries to cull visitors to new exhibitions. Ideally, Combs added, the colony would yield profits from local foot traffic and tourists catching a glimpse of artists taking paintbrush to canvas, attending opening receptions or enrolling in specialty classes like jewelry-making.

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department are now creating waiting lists for those willing to rent studio space inside the Art Colony.

For more information, call Fletcher Art Center at 954-986-5027 or e-mail Jill Slaughter at jslaughter@ppines.com.

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After months of drainage repairs, Pembroke Falls Aquatic Center reopened this month.

The 7,500-square-foot water playground at 1361 NW 129th Ave. is home to a multipurpose pool, a lap pool, a 13-foot deep dive well and various water slides.

The park currently offers a water aerobics class designed to improve muscle tone and promote cardiovascular endurance for $3 every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The aquatic center is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until June 6, when the park will operate daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 954-538-3646, or visit www.ppines.com.

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While some residents take a well-deserved break from work and school, Pembroke Pines will spend the Memorial Day holiday honoring its war veterans.

Pines’ Memorial Day Ceremony runs 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. May 25 at Pembroke Pines City Hall, 10100 Pines Blvd.

The gathering of visitors, families, guest speakers and decorated vets will pay tribute to fallen soldiers of wars past and present with a presentation of colors by the Pines’ Police and Fire Department Honor Guard, followed by the pledge of allegiance and national anthem sung by local artist Joselyn Rivera.

A speech from guest speaker Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Nathanial Greenwich precedes a benediction and a playing of Taps, said special events coordinator Francie Novo.

For more information, call 954-435-6525, or visit www.ppines.com.

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One fundraiser is giving supporters a shot at aiding loved ones suffering from chronic fatigue and other pain illnesses this Saturday, May 23 during the inaugural P.A.N.D.O.R.A., Inc. 5K “Walk In My Shoes” walkathon at C.B. Smith Park.

The Patient Alliance for Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders Organization for Research & Advocacy (or P.A.N.D.O.R.A.), a Coral Gables-based nonprofit advocate, is throwing the benefit to help residents plagued with , fibromyalgia, Gulf War illness, multiple chemical sensitivities, environmental illnesses, and chronic Lyme disease, said Marly Silverman, P.A.N.D.O.R.A.’s founder.

Caregivers and families can drop by to support those patients suffering from those chronic illnesses, whose symptoms include full-body pain, fatigue and cognitive impairment, among others, she added.

Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit chronic illness research.

The cost to register for the 5K walk, which runs 7:30 to 11 a.m., is $40. For more information, call 714-970-2268, or visit www.pandoranet.info.

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One Walter C. Young Middle School student is $500 richer thanks to her Hawaii vacation.

Kaylen Sanders, 13, of Pembroke Pines wrote a 1,000-word essay on the topic, “My Favorite Vacation,” and received her reward this month during a ceremony at Walter C. Young/Pembroke Pines Branch Library Literary Fair, 955 NW 129th Ave.

Fifty-nine students in Walter C. Young’s creative writing classes submitted entries for the contest; Jessica Degen, 13, and Ariadne Hernandez, 12, both of Pembroke Pines, also picked up $100 apiece for their honorable mentions.

“The kids’ teachers picked the best three essays and asked me to pick the winner,” said Jacob Marzouca, president of Pines-based Travel Leaders of Broward County. “This is a good example of how businesses can become involved as resources to schools, with both parties benefiting.”

Sanders’ teacher also received a check for $200 toward school supplies, added Marzouca, whose company awarded the prize money.

The public can read the students’ winning entries online beginning next month at www.travelleaders.com/experts.

For more information, call 954-704-0034.

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Pembroke Pines residents eager to institute new art programs within the city now have a chance to influence local government.

City commissioners aim to fill the recently-gutted Arts and Culture advisory board with volunteers this Wednesday during tonight’s commission meeting at Pembroke Pines City Hall, 10100 Pines Blvd. The meeting runs from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Commissioners vacated the all-volunteer city board in the wake of complaints of meetings dragging on too long, unprofessional banter during sessions and several member absences despite a high member capacity.

Officials are resizing the board from 17 to five voting members and two alternates. To apply or for more information, call 954-435-6500, or visit www.ppines.com.

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The season for saluting small businesses has arrived.

The Pembroke Pines/Miramar Chamber of Commerce is paying tribute to companies existing in both cities this May 19 at the Renaissance Hotel, 1230 S. Pine Island Road, Plantation.

The Pinnacle Award ceremony luncheon and installation, which runs 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., toasts businesses that demonstrate ethical leadership, responsibility and corporate stewardship throughout their community.

The Ed Minaya Lifetime Achievement Award will fête Senator Steven Geller from Greenspoon Marder, Penn., the Vicki Coceano Community Leadership Award will honor Pembroke Pines City Commissioner Iris Siple, the Corporate Stewardship Award heads to a Pines Wal-Mart and the Small Business of the Year kudos goes to Blue Waters Holistic Spa.

The Pinnacle Awards also celebrate the installation of the chamber’s 2009-2010 board of directors.

For more information, call 954-432-9808, or visit www.miramarpembrokepines.org.

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They’re no Tony Awards, but two Pines residents were recently acknowledged for their theater prowess last month at Archbishop McCarthy High School, 5451 S. Flamingo Road in Southwest Ranches.

Both students at Archbishop, 11th-grader Erica Ramos and 12th-grader Kevin McCartney earned Best Lead Actress and Best Group Ensemble, respectively, for their performances during the production of “The Curious Savage.”

Both Maverick players pocketed trophies at the Cappies, a national awards program recognizing the thespian accomplishments of high school theater students. The Cappies host an annual Tony-esque gala rewarding outstanding student work, said Archbishop theater director Cindy Keegan.

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The free jazz concert series in Pembroke Pines might be taking a hiatus until September, but not before one last hurrah May 17.

Visitors can enjoy a relaxing afternoon at William B. Armstrong Dream Park, 1700 Dykes Road, of jazzy tunes with the family from 5 to 7 p.m.

There will also be vendors offering hot dogs, soda and various snacks to hungry Pines residents. For more information, call 954-435-6525, or visit www.ppines.com.

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Three Pembroke Pines elementary schools gave the “green” treatment to recycling bins last month in celebration of Earth Day.

Palm Cove, Lakeside and Pembroke Lakes Elementary each crafted their own recycling bins from recycled construction paper and non-lead-based paints for this year’s Design a Greener Future Contest.

Sponsored by Broward County Waste and Recycling Services and NBC6, the top 10 schools received an ice cream party. Other prizes included a field trip to the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale and an Aventura Mall gift certificate for the teacher of the first place class.

The projects from Giselle del Barrio's fifth grade class at Palm Cove Elementary, Tracey Prezeau's second grade class at Lakeside Elementary and Jerry Byxbe's fifth grade class at Pembroke Lakes Elementary also joined seven other schools for the chance to exhibit their decorated bins at Young At Art Children’s Museum in Davie.

To view the decorated recycling bins, visit www.nbcgreenerfuturecontest.com.

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The arts will walk hand-in-hand with autism at 7 p.m. May 16 at Susan B. Katz Theater of the Performing Arts, 17189 Sheridan St.

“Breaking Free,” a one-night performance donated by New York-based theater company Wake Up Marconi!, headlines the extravaganza to benefit Pembroke Pines Charter Schools’ Exceptional Student Education department.

Also during the fundraiser, painter Lucia Romano will exhibit her “Plein Aire Paintings for Santa Fe to Collier (New Mexico USA to South Eastern France)” collection to ticket buyers, said ESE director Shelley Yeckes.

Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the ESE Department, which is dedicated to autism awareness and research.

Tickets cost $25. For more information, call 954-499-4244, or visit www.pinescharter.com.

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The Southwest Focal Point Senior Center, 301 NW 103rd Ave., is rolling out a jamboree of song, dance and nostalgic events geared for the over-65 crowd all this May.

Visitors can expect to witness seniors and center staff hitting the dance floor, bursting out into song, performing slapstick, reading poetry and executing reenactments of TV shows in full costume, in addition to other activities.

Beginning at 10:30 a.m. through this Friday, seniors are homaging such American game shows as “What’s My Line,” “Password” and “You Bet Your Life.” During the week of May 18, the center’s throwing a Spaghetti Luncheon Fundraiser from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to benefit senior programming and will launch comedy activities like the “Secret Phone Game” at 10:30 a.m. on May 18 and the All-American Derby at 10:30 a.m. May 21.

The week of May 25, center staff pays tribute to black-and-white films with a performance from an all-senior acting class and a screening of 1931's “The Public Enemy,” starring James Cagney.

The salute to seniors culminates in a variety show beginning at 12:30 p.m. May 27, which promises costume dress-ups, crooning from seniors and staff and plenty of slapstick comedy.

For more information about volunteering, call 954-450-6888.

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By school year’s end, the second and third grade students of Pembroke Pines Charter East Elementary will be wildlife heroes.

The Wildlife Care Center in Fort Lauderdale is dropping by the campus at 10801 Pembroke Road to teach the budding environmentalists with presentations from 9 to 9:45 a.m. May 14 and 19.

Students will learn about food chains during an ecological assembly and how living things interact with their environment, which compliments the kids in-class project: raising various animals and insects inside the classroom.

During a second assembly, students will receive prize giveaways and learn about environmental responsibility, said Liz Mesa, a campus administrative coordinator.

After students attend both presentations, they’ll be crowned Wildlife Heroes.

For more information, call 954-443-4800, or visit www.pinescharter.com.

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Thanks to a discount at C.B. Smith Park, people can camp for a bit cheaper this summer.

Running this month through Sept. 30, camping enthusiasts and Pines residents alike can knock $5 off the camping fee at the campgrounds inside the park, at 900 N. Flamingo Road.

Each camping site includes picnic tables, grills, electricity, running water, restroom access and full hookups for RVs. The discount also applies to Easterlin, Markham, T.Y. and Quiet Waters parks.

For more information, call 954-437-2650, or visit www.broward.org/parks.

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Ten years ago this month, Pembroke Pines Branch library graced the Walter C. Young Resource Center, and now the branch is marking the feat in style.

The branch is hosting the Pembroke Pines Library’s 10th Anniversary Program at 6:30 p.m. May 11 at the Resource Center, 955 NW 129th Ave.

The celebration features a puppet show called “The Sky is Falling,” plus story time for kids and arts and crafts. In addition, there’s a free cake celebration, and live music performances from Walter C. Young Middle School’s marching band.

Librarians also plan to offer a tour of the library while speakers like Harriet Bookbinder, associate director of Broward County Libraries, Libraries Regional Manager Ellen Lindenfeld and former library branch managers will be in attendance to reminisce about the founding of the library, said Alicia McHugh, Pines’ branch manager.

For more information, call 954-437-2635, or visit www.broward.org/library.

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One school year has passed since West Broward High School opened in Pembroke Pines, and school officials recently celebrated the inaugural occasion.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on the campus at 500 NW 209th Ave. to congratulate students and teachers for completing one year.

The $107 million, 43-acre property is home to more than 1,800 ninth, 10th and 11th-grade students and the only pre-Veterinary program in Broward County.

Once pre-Vet students graduate, they receive a certificate that qualifies them for entry-level positions in animal clinics and shelters. The Culinary Arts and Hospitality and Early Childhood Education programs also offer a hands-on curriculum.

Broward Schools constructed West Broward High last year to ease overcrowding at nearby Cypress Bay, Everglades, Flanagan and Miramar High.

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Thanks to one Pembroke Pines program, groups of elementary students are learning the ropes of the job market early.

The Pembroke Pines Kids and the Power of Work, or KAPOW, is schooling Pines Charter FSU Campus children about the importance of community involvement, leadership teamwork and various job skills.

Through May 11, more than 200 second- and fifth-grade elementary students from the school at 601 SW 172nd Ave. are field-tripping to the city’s fire, police and recreation departments for hands-on training and special scenarios.

Various lessons include how water is piped into Pembroke Pines homes, how streets are constructed, how to care for senior citizens and protecting residents from crime and fires, said KAPOW Regional Direcot John Casbarro.

On May 6, students will visit City Hall’s Human Resources Department to examine job openings and take job “interviews.” Then, they’ll drop by the Fire Department Dispatch Center to practice with fire extinguishing equipment and later the police department to train with officers.

On May 7, kids will participate in a tennis clinic at TownGate Recreation Center, learn about pool water testing and about fertilizer chemicals on sports fields. Afterward, they head to Pines Public Services Complex to learn about the AutoCad program, billing, customer service and sewage treatment.

On May 11, Pines’ Finance Department will teach children how to compute budgets, process invoices and enter data.

For more information, call 954-680-3916, or visit www.kapow.org.

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Pembroke Pines residents can add one more activity to their summer’s to-do list: belly dancing classes.

Dancer’s Dream, 7909 Pines Blvd., is offering a Belly Dance 101 course with instructor Silvana beginning May 4 for six weeks.

The introductory course teacher students a progressive methodic system of basic movies and execution. Each class touches on combinations, proper body posture, hand and arm positions, Middle Eastern rhythms and instruments, props, finger cymbals and the history of belly dance.

The class costs $72. For more information, call 954-966-3838, or visit www.dancersdream.net.

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City commissioners are still wary about hiring a professional fundraiser to save Pembroke Pines’ charter schools.

Three months after city risk management director Daniel Rotstein and his consultant Paula Taylor pared down two candidates for the fundraising gig, some commissioners eager to finally hire one voiced concerns during a recent commission meeting.

The charter school system is failing because both the Florida Department of Education slashed funding last February by $600,000, and Broward County Schools reduced its per-student allocation by $1,052,000, said city controller Aner Gonzalez. Without that revenue, commissioners have speculated that the charters will bankrupt.

The professional fundraiser, or “development director” if hired, would drop by local businesses, family homes and organization and cull donations full-time.

Risks over losing money on the fundraiser’s salary and the bad economy stalled commissioners like Jack McCluskey from reaching a decision.

“This is a different beast than a nonprofit like Broward House,” said McCluskey. “This is a school. I’d rather use existing staff to fundraise that hiring a person for $75,000. We’re in a box here because we can’t make a commitment.”

Despite City Manager Charles Dodge’s warnings that hiring the fundraiser could translate to expensive start-up costs, Vice Mayor Angelo Castillo believes doing nothing spells danger for the charter system.

We can’t just rely on golf tournaments and game show fundraisers anymore,” said Castillo. “We need some quick cash so we don’t have to let go teacher’s associates. The time to hire was yesterday, and I’m a firm believer in trying. If you don’t take the risk, you can’t get the reward.”

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Hundreds of donors, patients and families are gearing up to promote organ donation during the 5K Miracle Walk from 8 to 11 a.m. May 3 at C.B. Smith Park, 900 N. Flamingo Road.

The walk-a-thon benefits the Transport Foundation, a Miami-based nonprofit that provides financial assistance for organ transplant patients. Proceeds from the Miracle Walk are funneled into helping patients pay for medication, pre- and post-operative housing, transportation and utilities.

Before the walk-a-thon, registered visitors can grab breakfast before hitting the path. Afterward, Miracle Walk is tossing in lunch, a health fair, live music and entertainment.

Each walker or participating team also fundraises for Miracle Walk; the group who banks the most wins a Caribbean cruise for four, tote bags, pedometers, polo shirts and restaurant gift certificates.

Preregistration is $25 and $40 the morning of the event. For more information, call 305-817-5645, or visit www.miraclewalk.kintera.org.

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Pembroke Pines’ South Regional/Broward College Library, 7300 Pines Blvd., is having a housing workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. May 2.

City of Hollywood housing counselor Kristina Fausel will be on hand to school homeowners on dodging foreclosure and improving home values with her seminar, “Housing in Today’s Market and How to Avoid Foreclosure.” There will be a question-and-answer session afterward.

For more information about the free discussion, call 954-201-8825, or visit www.broward.org/library.

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