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Parkland City Commission: Michael Udine, Mayor; David Rosenof, Vice Mayor; Christine Hunschofsky, Deputy Vice Mayor; Mark Weissman, Commissioner; Stacy Kagan, Commissioner. City Manager: Caryn Gardner-Young

City News

City Budget Public Hearings

Members of the public wishing to comment on the proposed City of Parkland fiscal year 2014 budget will have an opportunity to do so on September 12 and again on September 18. The September 12th budget public hearings begin at 6:00 p.m. and the September 18th hearing begins at 7:00 p.m. and are held at the City of Parkland City Hall, 6600 University Drive, Parkland, Florida. Based on the City Commission’s direction, the proposed total millage rate will decrease from 3.9999 to 3.99.

September 11th Remembrance Event
September 11, 2013 Beginning at 4:00 pm
Pine Trails Park Amphitheater 10555 Trails EndThe City of Parkland will be honoring First Responders and the memory of those who lost their lives at a September 11th Remembrance Event that will take place on Wednesday, September 11th 2013 at 4:00PM at the Parkland Amphitheater located in Pine Trails Park. The event will include the BSO Honor Guard, readings from local children and a piece of steel from the World Trade Center will be on display. The key note speaker will be Lex McMahon. For more information contact Scott Davidoff, Community Services Director at sdavidoff@cityofparkland.org.

Registration Is Now Open For the 2013 Parkland Dash 5K,10K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk
The City of Parkland will be holding the 2013 Parkland Dash 5K, 10K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk Presented by Northwest Medical Center to benefit Relay for Life and The American Cancer Society on October 20, 2013 at 7:00am. The race will take place at Pine Trails Park located at 10555 Trails End Parkland, Florida. To register please visit www.cityofparkland.org and click on the race registration link. Pre-Registration must be completed by October 17th or race day registration will be available beginning at 6:00AM. Advance Packet Pickup is strongly recommended and can be completed at Sports Authority located at 9188 Wiles Road, Coral Springs, FL on Saturday, October 19th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Participants can choose either a certified 5K course, 10K course or a 1 mile fun run/walk. 5K and 10K participants will be scored and timed by Accuchip who will be providing disposable tags for all participants. The one mile fun run/walk will be timed and can be enjoyed by individuals or families. Strollers are welcome for all courses. T-shirts will be provided for the first 400 pre-registered participants and food will be available following the race. Awards will be given for overall winners, masters and individual age groups. For more information or to pre-register please visit www.cityofparkland.org or call 954-757-4105. Thank you to our sponsors; Northwest Medical Center, Standard Pacific, Lennar, Parkland Children’s Academy, Waste Management, Toll Brothers, Organo Gold Distributer Blackscoffeellc.organogold.com, WCI, Sports Authority, North Broward Preparatory School.

Smart Start Tutoring Program To Begin In Parkland

The Smart Start tutoring program is a free, volunteer run, tutoring program to be offered in the City of Parkland. Smart Start was created to provide tutoring services for people who would not, or could not, typically pay for tutoring. Smart Start has been designed to be a supplemental program that will assist students to better grasp the subjects that they otherwise would find difficult to master. The program, founded in 2013 by Stoneman Douglas High School students, Jillian Kass and Jacob Oster will provide tutoring services in Math, the Sciences and English initially, and hopes to expand their offerings to all subject matter as they grow and add new tutors to the program. Tutoring will take place every other Saturday from 12:00pm – 3:00pm beginning September 21st. To schedule an appointment for tutoring, please email Smart Start at pleasehelp@smartstartfl.com or to find out how to become a tutor please email iwanttotutor@smartstartfl.com. Please visit their website at www.smartstartfl.com or if you have any questions and would like to speak with a Smart Start representative please email info@smartstartfl.com.

Parkland Library Events

Read With Your City Commissioners
September 16, 2013
3:30pm – 4:30pm

On September 16th, 2013 beginning at 3:30pm, City of Parkland Deputy Vice Mayor Christine Hunschofsky and Commissioner Stacy Kagan will present a back to school story time at the Parkland Library, 6620 N. University Drive, Parkland. Children and their parents are invited to join them as they share their joy of reading wonderful books to children. The program ties in with the Library’s goal of developing a love of reading and learning. Registration is recommended, and can be done by visiting the Library’s website at www.cityofparkland.org. The program is for children 3 years old and up. For more information please contact the Parkland Library at 954-757-4200.

Getting Started: Internet, Email, Typing

The Parkland Library is offering computer instruction for beginners during the month of September. Classes are held in the City Hall Training Room.

• Introduction to the Internet on Tuesday, September 10 at 5:30 PM
• Introduction to Email on Tuesday, September 17 at 5:30 PM
• Email: Next Steps on Tuesday, September 24 at 5:30 PM
• Keyboard Typing on Saturday September 21 and 28 at 10:30 AM

Cool Back to School Story and Craft (age 7 and up)
Monday, September 9th 3:30pm
Celebrate back to school with a great book then decorate a fantastic fuzzy folder for your homework.Register here or call (954)757-4207.

Chess for Adults
Wednesday, September 18th 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Are you interested in the game of chess? Come to the library and play with other chess fans! Any level of experience welcome.Register here or call (954)757-4207

Tales to Tails
Thursday, September 19th 4:00pm

Come to the Parkland Library and read to Daisy, a therapy dog. This program is developed to encourage independent reading and increase reading fluency. Each child can read for about 5 minutes. This program is for children 5 to12 years old.Register here or call (954)757-4207.

Parkland Library Reading Buddies
Beginning Mondays, September 23rd 3:30pm to 4:30pm

Would your child benefit from a Reading Buddy? Reading Buddies is a cross-age, effective method of energizing young readers. The Parkland Juniorettes have partnered with the Parkland Library to help students that are struggling with reading. The Parkland Juniorettes are high school girls dedicated to making a difference. When younger students read with older students literacy skills are picked up in an enjoyable manner. Building partnerships between our high achieving, high school students and elementary age children is an excellent way to reinforce lifelong reading success. Young students will build self-confidence and enhance literacy skills! Parkland elementary school age students are welcome to attend .Register here or call (954) 757-4207

Reader's Ring Book Club
The Witches by Roald Dahl (3rd - 5th grade)
Monday, October 28th 3:30pm

Join us for a book chat for third, fourth and fifth graders. Read the book before the book club meets. The book selection for this month will be The Witches by Roald Dahl, a fun theme for Halloween. We will talk about the book, eat a snack and make a craft. Reserve your copy of the book today! Register here or call (954) 757-4207

Parks and Recreation Events

Senior Program: Show and Tell
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
10:00AM-11:30AM
Parkland City Hall, 6600 University Drive
Registration is open now, reserve your spot today!

Come share your hobbies, talents, leisure pursuits and fortes’ over tea and cookies! Parkland residents 62 and older are invited to participate in our upcoming Show and Tell program. They say you learn something new every day. Join us for a nice morning of meeting new people and hearing interesting things about their lives. Registration can be done over the phone, by e-mail or in person at the Parkland Amphitheater. For more information, contact Tammy Lustig at 954-757-4142 or tlustig@cityofparkland.com.

Summer Fishing Derby
Saturday, September 21, 2013
8:00AM – 10:00AM
Pine Trails Park – 10555 Trails End

The City of Parkland, North Broward Preparatory School and Marrecau & Rodriguez Orthodontics are inviting all Parkland Families out to the Kid’s Fishing Derby at Pine Trails Park Fishing Pier on September 21, 2013 from 8:00-10:00am. Remember to bring your fishing poles, buckets, and bait! Each fish caught will be weighed and prizes will be awarded. This is a FREE event! For more information contact Caitlin Crossin, Program Specialist at 954-757-4113 or ccrossin@cityofparkland.org.

P.L.A.Y. Day – Parkland Loves Active Youth
Saturday, September 21, 2013
10:00AM – 1:00PM
Pine Trails Park – 10555 Trails End

The City of Parkland invites all Parkland residents out to P.L.A.Y Day at Pine Trails Park on September 21, 2013 from 10:00am-1:00pm. There will be bounce houses, a climbing wall; a soccer clinic presented by the Soccer Academy & Training as well as the North American Soccer team “Fort Lauderdale Strikers” and an obstacle course boot camp by “Fitness for Everyone”. There will also be special performances by the Lady Panther Cheerleaders, Stanley C. Panther and Mini Stanley, magician, Gary Goodman and Evolution Martial Arts. P.L.A.Y Day is open to Parkland children and the adults young at heart! Admission is FREE. For more information, please contact Caitlin Crossin, Recreation Specialist at 954-757-4113 or ccrossin@cityofparkland.org.

Teen Activity: Video Game Tournament
Saturday, September 21, 2013
12:00PM-4:00PM
Parkland City Hall, 6600 University Drive

With football season coming right around the corner come show off your video gaming skills in the City of Parkland’s very own video game tournament with Madden NFL 2013 and battle with your favorite super heroes in Marvel vs. Capcom. Registration is first come first serve, limited to the first 40 people. Participants must be between the ages of 11 to 17 years old. Entry fee is $5 in advance, $7 the day of the tournament. Please contact Miles Amos at 954-757-4122 or email mamos@cityofparkland.org for additional information or to register for the tournament.

Teen Advisory Group
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
7:00PM-8:30PM
City Hall, 6600 University Drive

Sponsored by Marraceau & Rodriquez Orthodonics

Join the City of Parkland’s Teen Advisory Group (TAG) and become a leader in your community. Create the programs and experiences you would like to see offered in Parkland for teens. TAG meetings and activities are for students aged 14-18 years old and a great opportunity to help plan social events and obtain leadership skills while receiving volunteer service hours. Throughout the school year training classes will be held on CPR, first aid, fire extinguisher usage and more. Please contact Miles Amos, Program Specialist at 954-757-4122 or e-mail mamos@cityofparkland.org for additional information or to join the group.

AARP Driver Safety Program
Saturday, September 28, 2013
9:00AM-3:00PM
City Hall, 6600 University Drive
Registration is open now, limited space available – secure your spot today!

The AARP Driver Safety Course is a 6-hour refresher course that has helped millions of drivers sharpens their defensive driving skills. Participants of the course are generally 50 and older, but anyone is permitted to register for the course. All participants will receive a certificate and those 55 and older may be able to submit the certificate to their insurance company to receive a discount. The cost to attend the class is $12.00 for members and $14.00 for non-members. Checks are written out to AARP. Advance Registration is required. Please contact Miles Amos at 954-757-4122 or email mamos@cityofparkland.org for additional information or to register for the class.

Healthy Lifestyle Class
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
1:00PM-2:00PM
Parkland City Hall, 6600 University Drive
Registration is open now, reserve your spot today!

Healthy Lifestyles is a series of classes held quarterly on the first Wednesday of the month from 1:00-2:00pm in the activity room at Parkland City Hall. These classes are for adults 18 years of age and older and educate the audience and promote healthy living from a holistic approach. This quarter’s class, sponsored by Northwest Medical Center, features Cardiologist Dr. Craig Hostig and HCA East Florida Division Care Assure Program Director Barb Dale. Their topic is "Love Your Heart Better” and they will speak about learning how to be a step ahead of heart disease by practicing proactive heart care. Complimentary Danish, fruit, snacks, coffee and water will be served. For further information or to register for the class, please e-mail Tammy Lustig at tlustig@cityofparkland.org or call (954) 757-4142.

Senior Program: Fall Fitness
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
10:00AM-11:30AM
Parkland Amphitheater, 10561 Trails End
Registration is open now, reserve your spot today!

Come start the month of October the healthy way with a relaxing yoga inspired fitness class. Parkland residents 62 and older are invited to experience a stress-free fitness class in which the basic yoga fundamentals will be taught. We’ll be outdoors and one with nature. Be sure to bring a water bottle, mat or beach towel, sunscreen and wear comfortable clothing. Registration can be done over the phone, by e-mail or in person at the Parkland Amphitheater. For more information, contact Tammy Lustig at 954-757-4142 or tlustig@cityofparkland.com.

Adult Paid Trip: Parkland Tackles the Miami Dolphins – A Super Fun Outing for All Fin Fans 21 & Over!
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Departure Time: 9AM
Registration is open now; get your tickets today - first come, first served!

It’s getting close to game time! Who’s ready for some football? Join us as we watch the Miami Dolphins play the San Diego Chargers!!! Kickoff is at 1PM, but we will have an awesome time tail-gating before the game. Your upper level sideline ticket, bus transportation to and from the stadium and a private tailgate area for our group is all included for the amazing price of just $60. (Please bring your own food and drink, small grills are allowed on the bus). We need a minimum of 50 people aged 21 and over in order for the trip to go so invite your friends and family. Once the bus is full, we go so hut hut, get your tickets today! Please contact Tammy Lustig at 954-757-4142 or email tlustig@cityofparkland.orgfor additional information or to register for this trip.