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Announcing the 2016 King Holiday Celebration
 
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee and the City of Fort Lauderdale are proud to present the 2016 King Holiday Celebration, an extraordinary line-up of events with programs for the entire family.
 
2016 King Holiday Event Line-up:
  • Dr. King Children's Birthday Celebration: 10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Friday, January 15th at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center
  • MLK Day of Service and Young Leader's Summit: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Saturday, January 16, African American Research Library and Cultural Center
  • King Holiday Parade and Unity March: 10 a.m., Monday, January 18, beginning at Sistrunk Boulevard and NW 5th Avenue
  • King Holiday Celebration of Unity and Multicultural Festival: 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Monday, January 18, Huizenga Park, 32 E. Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale 
For more information, please call 954-828-5323 or visit www.kingholidaycelebration.com 
Join us on Fort Lauderdale United Day
  

On Monday, January 18, 2016, join the City of Fort Lauderdale and the L.A. Lee YMCA Family Center for Fort Lauderdale United Day! Volunteers both young and old will kick off the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service by honoring Dr. King's legacy of civic engagement.

 

YMCA teams, Adopt-A-Street groups, and volunteers will walk our neighborhoods removing litter, promoting recycling, assisting seniors in need, and supporting healthy communities. The event will also include preparation of care packages for local veterans and a free tree giveaway.

 

For details or to volunteer, contact Jorg Hruschka, Chief Service Officer, at jhruschka@fortlauderdale.gov or 954-828-5568.  
MLK Day of Service set for January 16th
 
The City of Fort Lauderdale is teaming up with the Kids Ecology Corps to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King through a volunteer program on Saturday, January 16th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, 1100 Seabreeze Boulevard.
 
The theme of the event is "Save one little fish at a time." Volunteers will be asked to collect small pieces of plastic debris found on the beach.  Plastic can injure small fish and other marine life and it pollutes the ocean. Volunteers will re-use the plastic to create a beautiful work of art to be displayed publicly to inspire others to be environmentally aware.  
 
Kids Ecology Corps will provide pickers and pails for the clean-up as well as T-shirts, snacks and water. KEC's Eco Art Director Susie Q Wood and Marine Biologist Christa Jewett will discuss the importance of preserving and protecting our local marine life. Under Ms. Wood's direction, volunteers will create a piece of art using the repurposed plastic. Everyone will have the opportunity to participate. Ms. Wood plans an exhibition, which will include the plastic art, at Fort Lauderdale City Hall in April 2016.
 
For registration and information, visit www.kidsecologycorps.org/
Get ready for the Sistrunk Parade and Festival!
  
The Sistrunk Parade and Festival returns on Saturday, February 27. The parade departs from Lincoln Park at 9:00 am and travels east down historic Sistrunk Boulevard to NW 9 Avenue featuring marching bands, twirlers, step teams, classic cars, decorative floats and more!  Immediately following the parade, join us for the Urban Music Festival, a celebration of our rich cultural heritage and diversity featuring live bands and outstanding entertainment performing on two stages on Sistrunk Boulevard between NW 9 and NW 12 Streets.
 
Help support the Sistrunk Parade and Festival by participating in our fundraising event on Thursday, January 28 from 6:30 - 9:00 pm aboard the Anticipation Yacht, located at the Riverfront Dock (300 S. Andrews Avenue).  Tickets are $100 per couple which includes yacht cruise, cocktails, and hors d'oeuvres.  Only 100 tickets will be sold for a chance to win the grand prize trip to South Africa valued at over $3,000!  For details, contact Tracy Roach at 954-828-5011 or troach@fortlauderdale.gov   
Household hazardous waste, household goods, electronics and clothing drop-off event set for January 23rd
 
The City of Fort Lauderdale is offering neighbors a convenient and responsible opportunity for disposal of hazardous waste, electronics, clothing and household goods. Unwanted items will be collected at a drop-off event at Mills Pond Park from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2016.
  
Household hazardous waste (HHW) includes common household items that contain toxic chemicals and therefore need proper handling during disposal.
  
The Salvation Army will be onsite to collect items in good condition, including:
  • Clothing
  • Shoes
  • Linens
  • Small household items
  • Small kitchen items, and
  • Dishes
No furniture, mattresses or other large items will be accepted.
  
Proof of residency in the partnering cities of Fort Lauderdale, Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach or Tamarac is required (driver's license or utility bill) for hazardous waste and electronics drop-off.
  
There is no residency requirement for donations to The Salvation Army.
  
These drop-off events are critical to protecting the environment by reducing the volume of waste in landfills and preventing the contamination of ground water.
  
Mills Pond Park is located at 2201 NW 9th Avenue (Powerline Road) in Fort Lauderdale.
  
For drop-off guidelines, visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/hhw
or contact City of Fort Lauderdale Customer Service at 954-828-8000.   
Upcoming CERT classes
  
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes provide training on two Saturdays for two weeks by City of Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue personnel. The classes are free.
  
As a volunteer CERT member, you will learn life-saving skills for major emergencies including hurricanes, floods, and/or fires. You will also learn fire suppression and
injury care for everyday situations. As a CERT graduate, your skills will be valuable to you, your family and your community in the event of a major disaster. CERT members may be assigned to a team in their neighborhood where they will play an important community safety role, as well as assist Fire-Rescue professionals in the event of an emergency.
  
Upcoming classes are set for March 19 and 26, 2016 (both Saturdays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue Station 53, 2200 Executive Airport Way, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309.
  
Pre-registration is required. To register, please contact Freddy Zelaya at 954-828-6700 or Carladean Ferguson via email at carladeanf@fortlauderdale.gov
 
A Chili Cook Off where you are the judge!
  
Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale proudly announces the Riverwalk Chili Cook Off on January 31, 2016. The family friendly event is scheduled for 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Esplanade Park,400 SW 2nd Street. The competition is open to amateurs, part-time cooks and professionals.
  
Unlike other chili cook offs, here, you not only get to actually taste the chili, YOU ARE THE JUDGE. The champion chili chef will be decided by popular vote.
  
Come join us for live music, refreshing cold beverages and activities for all ages.
  
For sponsorship information, to register as a competitor or to become a vendor submit your application to Cristina Hudson at cristina@goriverwalk.com
or 954-468-1541 ext. 205. 
Save the Date for the St. Patrick's Parade & Festival
  
Get ready to paint the town green! On Saturday, March 12th, the Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick's Parade and Festival returns to the streets of downtown featuring fun and excitement for the entire family!
  
This free event has quickly grown into one of Fort Lauderdale's largest and most anticipated festivals, attracting thousands of spectators for a one-of-a-kind celebration of all things Irish.
  
Follow us @FTLCityNews@StPatsFtL and @playlauderdale for up-to-date information and visit http://www.stpatsftl.com/  
Relax at JM Lexus Sunday Jazz Brunch February 7 

The first Sunday of each month enjoy the smooth sounds of local jazz with family and friends at the free, outdoor JM Lexus Sunday Jazz Brunch live concert series from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. along Fort Lauderdale's scenic Riverwalk.
 
One of Fort Lauderdale's most popular community events, the JM Lexus Sunday Jazz Brunch invites everyone to bring their blankets, chairs and picnic baskets along with well-behaved, leashed pets to the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District for the best in local jazz.
 
Parking for the JM Lexus Sunday Jazz Brunch is available at the county garage located on S.W. 2nd Street between S.W. 2nd Avenue and Brickell Avenue or at the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District parking garage at S.W. Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. This event is produced by the Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation Department.
Green Your Routine: Avoid products with microbeads
  
Microbeads are tiny plastic beads used in over-the-counter beauty products like exfoliating creams and body washes. Unfortunately, the beads do not biodegrade and, when they are rinsed off, they flow down the drain and eventually into waterways.
  
Fish and other marine life consume the beads. Congress passed and the President approved a law to phase-out the use of microbeads. Until they are completely banned in 2019, consumers can protect the quality of our Fort Lauderdale waterways, ocean and aquatic life by avoiding products with microbeads.
  
For more information on how you can Green Your Routine, visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/GYR 
Growing Our Green Canopy
  
Growing our green canopy is, without a doubt, the longest running sustainability effort by the City of Fort Lauderdale. Our "canopy" is the layer of leaves, branches and stems that cover the ground when viewed from above. It's a beautiful sight! Fort Lauderdale is a lush, green city representative of its semi-tropical location and a proud Tree City USA for over 35 years.
  
While permits are not required to prune a tree in Fort Lauderdale, tree pruning must be done according to acceptable national tree pruning standards, and a commercial tree trimmer must have a Broward County Tree Trimmer's license to prune within Fort Lauderdale.
  
When is a tree removal permit required?
  
For a developed single family residential lot where no redevelopment is anticipated, a tree having an 8" or greater trunk diameter or a Coconut, Royal or Phoenix Palm with 8' of clear trunk is required to have a tree permit.
  
All other properties where a tree having 3" or greater trunk diameter or a palm having 8' or greater of clear trunk is required to have a tree permit.
  
Free Tree Giveaway for City residents
  
The City's next Quarterly Tree Giveaway is at Riverland Park from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Saturday, March 19, 2016.
  
For more information, visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/gyr  
Beach Renourishment Underway
  
Vista Park has temporarily closed to allow crews beach access for beneficial and long-awaited beach renourishment project.
  
Efforts are already underway to prepare Fort Lauderdale Beach for 500,000 cubic yards of sand along a 3.56 mile area, between Terramar Street and Commercial Boulevard.
  
The vital Broward County project will increase the size of Fort Lauderdale Beach, enhancing our natural assets and protecting our shoreline. We apologize for any inconvenience while work is underway. For more information, please visit
or call 954-828-8000.
Neighborhoods, USA Opens Annual Awards Competition
  
Neighborhoods, USA (NUSA) is now accepting applications for its 2016 Awards program, which honors neighborhood efforts and initiatives with four categories:
  • The Neighborhood of the Year Award
  • The Best Neighborhood Program Award
  • Neighborhood Newsletter Competition
  • Who's Who in America's Neighborhoods  
Entrants must submit a completed application with the appropriate application fee postmarked by February 1, 2016. Eligibility requirements and application guidelines can be downloaded from the NUSA website at AwardsProgram@nusa.org
  
  Send in your award application and entry fee before Feb 1, 2016 to:
2016 NUSA Awards Application
Attn: Hal Barnes, Neighbor Support
City of Fort Lauderdale
100 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 
Featured exhibit of the month for January
 
This month's exhibit in the City Hall Lobby is titled "Faces of Volunteerism."
 
The nine photos of individuals embody the spirit of volunteerism in the City of Fort Lauderdale. Each represents the thousands of neighbors who make a special effort to give back to our neighborhoods and our City every year. We commend all those neighbors who donate their time, talent, and resources to their homeowners associations, City Advisory Boards, Volunteer Leadership Council, youth athletic leagues, CERT, COP, and our countless community volunteer initiatives to make the City of Fort Lauderdale the best place to live, work, play, and raise a family.
Become a Riverwalk Ambassador
  
Riverwalk Trust and the City of Fort Lauderdale are looking for energetic, outgoing, and enthusiastic volunteers to serve as Riverwalk Ambassadors on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (three hour shifts).
  
 As an Ambassador you will have an opportunity to:
  
  • Welcome neighbors and visitors, answer questions, and hand out brochures from a Riverwalk Kiosk.
  • Provide information about restaurants, shops, events, and activities in downtown and along the Riverwalk.
  • Enhance Riverwalk's identity as a vibrant, engaging, downtown Fort Lauderdale destination.
  • Earn community service hours for your school, nonprofit, or philanthropic organization.
  
For more information, contact JoAnn Smith at club10@aol.com or 954-298-5607 or Jorg Hruschka, jhruschka@fortlauderdale.gov
or call 954-828-5568.
A night dedicated to Fort Lauderdale's Neighbors
  
Neighbor Support Night, sponsored by the City of Fort Lauderdale and the Council of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations will take place on Thursday evening, February 11th from 5:30pm until 8:00pm.   The event is held in the parking garage and lot directly east of City Hall, 100 N. Andrews Avenue.
  
Neighbor Support Night provides an opportunity for Fort Lauderdale's neighbors to join together with their City to strengthen community ties, elevate public spirit, and build civic awareness in a fun, casual, exciting block party type of atmosphere.
  
Join us for this an interactive, exciting event with fun for the entire family.
Paying utility bills is now more convenient
  
While many customers have become accustomed to paying water bills at the drive-thru adjacent to City Hall, there are other more convenient ways to pay:
  
Payments can be made online with a credit card or debit card at https://utilitybilling.fortlauderdale.gov/
  
At the website above, you will find information to set up for Automatic Bill Payments. Just complete the form and submit it with a "voided" check for the account you are using.
  
The Lauderserv mobile app also provides an option for paying utility bills.
  
At the Utility and Billing Department inside City Hall, a new digital queuing system and updated amenities in the utility billing area provide both ease and comfort.
  
Customers may also use a new computer kiosk at City Hall to make payments.  
FREE Uptown Block Party! 
 
Join Envision Uptown on the second Saturday of every month for a night of FREE Family Fun and Entertainment - the Uptown Block Party.
  
Presented by LUTN (Light Up The Nights) and Xtreme Action Park, the excitement takes place from 6:00 pm to midnight on January 9, February 13, and March 12 at Fort Lauderdale's newest family-friendly entertainment center, located at 5300 Powerline Road.  Highlights include a 200-plus outdoor car show, vendor pop up shops, local artists, gourmet food trucks, a DJ jamming to your favorite hits, huge LED board stage, and giant Electric Robot Show provided by #LUTN.  Then, come inside and race the fastest indoor go karts, find your balance on a challenging ropes course, plus, bowling, video games and more!  Visit Xtreme Action Park online for more details and check out the video!
Find Flood Zones in a Snap
  
Making Fort Lauderdale a resilient community is a top priority.
  
As we implement measures to strengthen Fort Lauderdale's resilience, we have made an effort to raise awareness regarding the local flood hazard so neighbors can prepare in accordance with their flood risk.
  
Neighbors can use a new interactive GIS application to look up their property flood zone quickly and easily- no passwords required! Simply visit the online City of Fort Lauderdale Property Reporter at http://gis.fortlauderdale.gov/FemaFloodZones/, enter a property address, and the program will display the property flood zone.
  
The Federal Emergency Management Agency identifies flood zones according to varying elevation and associated risk of flooding.
  
The flood zone can be used to determine flood insurance rates and help neighbors determine the vulnerability of their property so they can determine what protection measures may be appropriate.
  
By sharing information and raising awareness of our flood risk, the City hopes to facilitate critical adaptation measures and bring Fort Lauderdale closer to achieving the vision of being a stronger and more resilient community. 
Free Tax Prep
 
The City of Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation Department will provide valuable free income tax preparation to help hard-working families in our community. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program provides FREE tax preparation services for qualified individuals with an income of less than $54,000. Services are offered through April 12 at Carter Park, located at 1450 W. Sunrise Boulevard. Hours are Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary. For more information, please call 954-828-5411.
Help Develop the Parks Master Plan
  
We need your ideas! The City of Fort Lauderdale is developing a Parks and Recreation System Master Plan. Tell us how you'd like to use your parks, open spaces, trails, and athletic facilities by taking a brief survey. For more information, call 954-828-7275 (PARK) or visit www.playfortlauderdale.com
and join the conversation today! 
FLPD launches Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety campaign
  
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has partnered with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to launch a comprehensive traffic safety and accident prevention campaign that runs now through May 2016.
  
The campaign is designed to improve traffic and pedestrian safety through high visibility enforcement, with an emphasis on education. It also supports the City's Vision and Strategic Plans, and Vision Zero Fort Lauderdale, a community action plan geared toward achieving zero fatalities and severe injuries on City streets.
  
In the coming weeks and months, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department will conduct high-visibility traffic enforcement waves, saturating areas where traffic crashes involving bicycles and pedestrians are statistically most frequent. All those who are contacted by our officers will receive safety tips and educational brochures, which will provide the link to www.AlertTodayFlorida.com which is an interactive website established by the FDOT.
  
The campaign will consist of three stages. During the initial stage, violators will receive safety tips and educational brochures to assist them with being safer during their travels. The second stage will involve the issuance of written warning violations to violators, in addition to receiving safety tips and educational brochures. In the final stage of the campaign, violators will receive traffic citations as well as safety tips and educational brochures.
  
Please do your part to create safer streets for our families, neighbors, and visitors. Slow down! Be visible! Be predictable!
  
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