Letter from Mayor Frank C. Ortis

Dear Readers,

School is in session and that means school buses are back out on the roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the greatest risk to any child is not riding a bus, but rather approaching or leaving one. It’s important for everyone to know the traffic safety rules near bus stops, as well as near buses on the road. A few notes to remember: Children should never walk behind a school bus when approaching at a bus stop. And, parents are encouraged to visit the bus stop and show the child where to wait safely for the bus which is at least six feet (or three giant steps) away from the curb. The bus stop is not a place to run or play. If driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if driving behind a car. It will allow more time to stop once the red lights flash and the STOP arm is extended. The area 10 feet around a school bus is reportedly the most dangerous for children so it’s important for drivers to stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus.

Back to school means sharing the road with school buses, more parents taking children to and from school and even children on bikes. Please be aware of entering school zones, slow down near bus stops, be aware of children in the area, and follow bus safety rules to ensure a safe school year.

Although the summer is starting to wind down, I hope everyone had a chance to take some time to relax a bit and enjoy all the amenities the City of Pembroke Pines has to offer. Please visit the Recreation & Cultural Arts web page at www.ppines.com, check our calendars, and visit our Facebook page at www.facebook/cityofpembrokepines for exciting events and programs that are planned for the coming months.

Be sure to also check out the Carl Shechter Southwest Focal Point Community Center’s many monthly Social Service programs, created to enhance the wellbeing of seniors by providing assistance and facilitating services to them while maintain an independent lifestyle. Currents groups are Aging Healthy and Living Independently, Current Trends in Caregiving and Personal Enrichment Group. For more information, please call the Center at 954-450-6888. Lastly, we are still in hurricane season and are quickly approaching our most active time of the year. I hope everyone has their hurricane plans in place and are taking steps to prepare. This also includes pruning trees and landscaping now before a storm is on our door step. Please visit our hurricane preparedness information at www.ppines.com/hurricane to help you in your preparations. There are helpful tips, informational videos, resources etc. covering every aspect of making sure we are storm safe. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 954-450-1020, or by email at fortis@ppines.com.

From your Mayor,

Frank C. Ortis City of Pembroke Pines

AUGUST SATURDAY, AUGUST 13

SPLASH IN THE PINES

10AM-1:00PM. Make a Splash on the last weekend before school starts. Join the City of Pembroke Pines for a fun filled day of water games and activities. This new event features lots of water themed play and many surprises for the residents of Pembroke Pines. Kids and families are invited to visit the West Pines Soccer Park located at 350 SW 196 Avenue, Pembroke Pines.. Enjoy water slides, water games and lots of give-a-ways to help splash back to school. Food trucks and refreshments will be available for purchase. Contact the Special Events Office at (954) 392-2116 or visit www.ppines.com/specialevents.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 13

FISHING DERBY

8:00AM-10:00AM. Grab your fishing pole and bait and meet us at the Pine Trails Fishing Pier. The event is free and open to children ages 3 to 12. Awards are given for biggest fish caught, smallest fish caught, and the first person to catch a fish. Participants must bring their own fishing pole, bait, and supplies. www.cityofparkland.org/fishing.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 & 21

FLEA MARKET & BAZAAR

SATURDAY 8:00AM-3:00PM & SUNDAY 9:00AM3:00PM. Over 100 indoor vendors – FREE admission and parking. Southwest Focal Point Community Center - 301 NW 103rd Avenue, Pembroke Pines 33026. For information call (954) 450-6888 or visit www.ppines.com.

SEPTEMBER

SATURDAYS THROUGH MAY

YOGA IN THE PARK IN PLANTATION

9:30AM-10:30AM. Various locations. Get your weekend stretch in with Yoga in the Park! This FREE event happens every Saturday throughout various parks. Bring your own yoga mat. The schedule goes as follows: 1st, 2nd & 5th Saturdays: Liberty Tree Park | 3rd Saturday: Volunteer Park | 4th Saturday: Jim Ward Park.

THURSDAY - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 -11

DISNEY ON ICE

SHOWTIMES VARY. Step inside the magical adventures of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen and Disney Animation’s Encanto, as they come to life like never before. This adventure on ice transports fans into two of the most popular Disney films as audiences can sing-along to their favorite songs while embracing world-class ice skating, aerial acrobatics and more! Tickets are available at www.DisneyonIce.com.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 & 10

ORANGE BLOSSOM PAGEANT

11:00AM. Mr. & Mrs. Pageant: September 9 at 11am (Ages 55+); 2:00PM. Miss Pageant: September 10 at 2pm (Ages 2-18). Davie residents are invited to compete for the Orange Blossom Title. The royal court will ride in the Orange Blossom Parade and represent the Town of Davie at events throughout the year. For registration info please call Lisa Alvarez at (954) 309-3428.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

FREE BACK TO SCHOOL ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL

10:00AM-5:00PM. FREE FAMILY EVENT! Celebrate 104 Years of the Davie School—the oldest existing school building in Broward County built in 1918! Enjoy a day in the park with live music featuring Shadowcreek, children’s activities, food, vendors, and museum tours! Old Davie School Historical Museum 6650 Griffin Road, Davie. Olddavieschool.org. (954) 797-1044.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

TITO NIEVES & DANIELA DARCOURT

8:00PM at the Charles F. Dodge City Center Pembroke Pines, 601City Center Way, Pembroke Pines 33025. (954) 392-9480.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

BIOBLITZ IN PLANTATION

9:00AM-1:00PM. Come and kick off celebrating Plantation’s wildlife by getting a closer look at them! What’s a BioBlitz? This event will be held at Plantation Preserve Linear Park where community members work with park staff to create a snapshot of the variety of wildlife that can be found in our beautiful city. We use an app called iNaturalist to take pictures of plants, insects, and animals to see what wildlife is present in the park on this day! All ages, children must be accompanied by an adult. FREE.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

21ST ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11, NEVER FORGOTTEN

8:30AM-10:30AM. The City of Pembroke Pines will remember and honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives during terrorist attacks in New York, Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The City of Pembroke Pines invites everyone to attend the 21st Anniversary of 911. The ceremony will take place at Memorial Park adjacent to the Charles F. Dodge City Center, located at 601 City Center Way. The ceremony, which is free, will begin with the Presentation of Colors by the City of Pembroke Pines Police and Fire Department Honor Guards. It will also include guest speakers, community leaders and patriotic music featuring local school bands and area musicians. Tour the statues that are part of the memorial park and making sure we never forget. For more information regarding the City of Pembroke Pines observance of Patriot Day, please call (954) 392-2116.

SUNDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11-17

NATIONAL ARTS IN EDUCATION WEEK

The City of Pembroke Pines celebrates National Arts in Education Week. During this week, the field of arts education joins together in communities across the country to tell the story of the impact of the transformative power of arts in education. The City of Pembroke Pines is proud to offer a diverse collection of art programming, starting Sunday, September 11. Check in every week day for a unique art and culture related offering. For more details, visit: www.ppines.com/artsandculture.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

SPLASH BASH

9:00AM-12:00PM. Join us for fun in the sun with many water-themed activities, inflatables, slip and slides, music, games, food trucks, and more! Admission is free, bathing suits are required, and all ages are welcome. We will see you there! www.cityofparkland.org/splashbash.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

YURI BUENAVENTURA

8:00PM at the Charles F. Dodge City Center Pembroke Pines, 601City Center Way, Pembroke Pines 33025. (954) 392-9480.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

TOUCH-A-TRUCK VEHICLE EXPO

10:00AM-NOON. Get ready to explore! The Touch-A-Truck Vehicle Expo lets children have the opportunity to explore, climb and touch trucks, emergency response vehicles, heavy machinery, construction vehicles and all sorts of other equipment used for transportation. Guests of all ages also will be able to meet the personnel who serve and protect our community, including Fire and Police Officers. This learning experience will take you to another level by having one-on-one interaction with local and national transportation representatives. So get ready to sit behind the wheel and explore the vehicle’s you have always been curious about! The Charles F. Dodge City Center is located at 601 City Center Way. Free admission and parking. For more information, please call (954) 392-2116 or visit www.ppines.com/specialevents.

THURSDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 1

SOUTHERN HANDCRAFT SHOW & SALE

THURSDAY 9:00AM-8:00PM, FRIDAY 8:00AM-5:00PM, SATURDAY 9:00AM-3:00PM. 301 NW 103rd Avenue Pembroke Pines 33026. Call (954) 450-6888.

OCTOBER

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 & 2

5TH ANNUAL PETE BALCUNAS BOXING TOURNAMENT

WEIGH IN 10:00AM. Davie PAL hosts this boxing tournament every year. 2 days, 2 rings. Weigh in 8am, Doctor 10am, first bout 12pm. Location: 4300 SW 57th Her, Davie 33314. Boxer registration $35, General Admission $20, Ringside Seat $30. Register online at daviepal.org.