October 2010 Issue of the Circle Gazette

THE CIRCLE GAZETTE

Volume 2, Issue 01

OCTOBER 2010

A Newspaper by Children for Children

The Mayor of the Best City in Florida

by Ismail Ercan, Age 13 Coral Springs, FL I am living in the best city in Florida.

If you also live in Coral Springs, consider yourself lucky.

Coral Springs was recently announced in an article by Money Magazine as the best city in Florida to live in and was ranked

forty-fourth overall in the nation. The article Best Places to Live is published once a year by Money Magazine, a part of CNN Money.com. The magazine analyzed data from eight hundred U.S. cities with populations between 50,000 to 300,000. Each city was evaluated on characteristics such as economic opportunity, income, job growth and affordability, quality of life, crime rate,

quality of schools, arts and leisure, park space, and finally stress-related ailments.

This is the second time that Coral Springs

Although Coral Springs did not officially become a city until 1963, people have been using the land since the early nineteen

“Coral Springs was recently announced as the best place to live in Florida by Money Magazine and was 44th overall in the country.” was ranked best city in Florida, and the third time that we have been ranked within the top hundred cities in the nation. Money Magazine’s article praised Coral Spring’s excellent public schools, racial diversity, air quality index, and lower-than-average median home prices. But what really stood out was the Sportsplex, Coral Spring’s excellent park facility which includes ice rinks, skate parks, swimming pools, tennis courts, and much more. We are so fortunate to live in such a great city that has a low crime record, great park facilities, and one of the lowest tax rates in Florida.

hundreds. In 1911, Henry “Bud” Lyons acquired 20,000 acres of marshy wilderness in Northwest Broward County. He cleared and drained the land himself, with the help of workers from the Bahamas. Most of the land was used to grow beans, earning him the nickname “Titan of the Bean Patch.”

After he died in 1952, his family decided to convert the land to ranching so they brought in 5,000 head of cattle. Can you imagine the land that your home sits on today, was once used for cattle?

During the 1950’s there was a big real continued on page 11

THE HEART AND SOLE DANCE TEAM SPECIAL COVERAGE

by Daniela Carolina Gomez, Age 10 and Sara Ikta Cross, Age 10 On August 3, 2010, the Heart and Sole Dance Team was born for homeschoolers, in Broward County, Florida. Mrs. Dawn Michaels, the founder of the program, started this project because of the need in

year old Brittany Kernohan contacted her and offered to teach dance to this new generation of homeschooled kids. When she heard of a dance class for children who, like she once did, ‘school at home’, Miss

Ismail Ercan from The Circle Gazette meets Scott Brook, Mayor of Coral Springs. “This was my first interview of this magnitude, so I was very nervous.”

Kids & Politics Election Drama Continues

by Bilal Amodu, Age 13 Deerfield Beach, FL Hello reader! Even though the primary elections are finished, the bitter battles and the drama are just starting. There are two battles going on in the two separate elections, the battle between career politicians and outsiders, and the age old battle between the differences of the two political parties.

To begin with the senate race, it was about five months ago when our current governor Charlie Crist announced that he was leaving the Republican Party to become an independent candidate in the Senate election. Ever since then, he has been criticizing the actions of both the Democratic and the Republican parties saying that, “Instead of coming together to fix the economy, the party bosses in Washington draw a line in the sand,”.

He complimented Republican candidate Marco Rubio on his plan to cut taxes and Democratic candidate Kendrick Meek on his ideas to invest in clean energy saying that both republicans and democrats have good ideas, but they can’t talk about both of their ideas the way he will say it in an honest way.

The other candidates are campaigning on issues they feel are important to the electorate. Rubio is against the stimulus issues by President Obama in 2009, say-

ing that it will be an eight billion dollar debt that the future generation will have to pay off. On the creation of jobs, Rubio states that, “The people in charge have no idea on how jobs are created,” and that it is not politicians who create jobs. Rubio is also saying that he is the only candidate who will go to the Senate to change the agenda that is heading us in the wrong direction. Meek, on the other hand, opt to support jobs that help the environment, commending himself as the only candidate against offshore drilling before and after the Gulf spill. In the Rasmussen Reports, Rubio is in the lead with 41% followed by Crist with 30% and then by Meek with 24%.

In my opinion, Meek seems to have the right idea on issues concerning people’s welfare, while Crist and Rubio appear to be floating ideas of vested interest.

Rubio does not realize that the stimulus package actually saved 20,000 educators’ jobs which could have been lost. As for Crist, he was elected as a Republican Governor and then changed overnight as an Independent Candidate due to his imminent rejection by the party; therefore, he is not in a position to insult the party system.

Now let us turn to our Gubernatorial Elections between Republican candidate, businessman Rick Scott and Democratic continued on page 2

“The Heart and Sole Dance Team was born for homeschoolers, in Broward County” the homeschool community to have dance classes that were at a convenient time for them. She also wanted a more wholesome dance environment, for there are a number of things in regular dance classes that she felt were not necessary. Things like hip hop music, heavy makeup, and inappropriate clothing.

Mrs. Michaels also wanted to create a benefit for the community so that the group could go and perform at charity events. She decided on the name Heart and Sole because she thought that it was a really cute name that has the ‘soul’ in it; and since it was dance, Heart and Sole was just perfect.

Soon after Mrs. Michaels posted that she was in need of a dance teacher, twenty-two

Brittany was happy to mentor!

Ms. Kernohan started learning ballet, tap, and jazz when she was three years old, at a studio in Davie called “Dance Explosion”. Later in her life, she finished her training at the “New World School of the Arts” in Miami.

Miss Brittany has been teaching people how to dance since she was 17 years old; she used to teach classes in the afternoon, “but now I don’t anymore”- she said. Fifteen dancing homeschoolers is her limit, “That’s where I would put a cap on it.” Ms. Brittany added.

When Mrs. Michaels spread the news that a dance class was opening for children who stay home and study, Mrs. Kelly continued on page 8

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THE CIRCLE GAZETTE

OCTOBER 2010

A word from the editor: Connecting Lives Dear readers, writers and artists,

Welcome to a new year of stories, poems, articles and art!

Our reporters are out there getting involved in their community and bringing stories from everywhere.

This month we have a public figure from Coral Springs, Mayor Scott Brook.

We live in fantastic times of opportunity and abundance. 200 years ago, not too long in history’s eyes, people in Asia (that were not explorers or tradesmen) could only imagine what lay beyond their land. Only few Americans ever crossed the Atlantic to visit Europe. Very few people from Virginia ever got to know how the west coast looked like. We live in times in which with a bit of planning and some savings we could get ourselves in a few hours anywhere in the world. Better yet, we can virtually connect with people and events everywhere with a click of our mouse. Whereas before people might have needed to save for years to afford small luxuries such as an ice box or a straw hat for the summer, we can now easily afford to go to big discount stores and get pretty much anything under the sun, at a reasonable price.

All this perceived advantages bring also a different rhythm to our life and a paradoxically a certain disconnection from what surrounds us. Kids, adults and elderly people are separated in different spheres day to day. I dare you kids to write to me and tell me how aware you are on how much does a gallon of milk cost, who is running for the school board in your district and who’s the Mayor in your city. All this of course, from the top of your head. No Google.

You may argue, but why do I need to know this if I can Google it?

At the Circle Gazette, we believe in the power of this awareness. Let’s be active members of our communities.

Meet the Mayor of Coral Springs through the interview and research of reporter Ismail Ercan and get inspired. Go in an interview spree and send your articles in.

And remember… it’s that time of the year again: Renew your subscription!

KEEP AN EYE ON… … New Feature in our web page A new section in be launched in October: EDITOR’S PICK OF THE MONTH. This section will feature one piece from the current issue that was selected by the editorial Patty Gómez, Editor-In-Chief team for its quality and originality!

ART CONTEST NOW OPEN Artsy Tales & Rhymes

We are working with our great collection of stories, poems and art from the first year to create the first “Artsy Tales and Rhymes©- A Collection of Great Stories by Children for Children.” All submissions to The Circle Gazette between October 2009 and September 2010 will be automatically considered by the editorial team and a distinguished group of qualified guests to be included in that special publication.

For the cover of “Artsy Tales and Rhymes©” a contest is now open: Submit your art (any media, anything). Deadline to be considered for the cover is November 15. Art that is submitted in this contest will qualify to be included in The Circle Gazette from October 2010 and forward. You can send:

• ORIGINALS (snail mailed to 7551 Normande Ct. Margate, FL 33063).

• High quality PDF and JPG files, emailed to: info@enrichmentcircle.com Artsy Tales and Rhymes© will be for sale for $14.95. Reserve your copy today. Numbers of copies will be limited. Every child whose work is featured will receive 50% discount on one copy of the book.

The Circle Gazette reaches out to the community!

COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS

by Bilal Amodu, Age 13 Deerfield Beach, FL Guess what is new at The Circle Gazette! Yes, your very own newspaper is taking a step forward. While you are contributing your work to be part of this publication and sharing something

with the community, The Circle Gazette is awarding you in recognition for your hard work with Community Service Hours.

I think that is a great incentive and motivation for us. It makes me feel so important and useful.

The paper has not only given us kids a voice, but a good reason for

Election Drama Continues

by Bilal Amodu, Age 13 Continued from page 1

The Enrichment Circle

A Non-Profit Organization for the Advancement of Education

candidate, Chief Financial Officer of Florida, Alex Sink. Scott has spent millions of his own fortune on television and radio ads condemning career politicians. In one ad he stated, “How will the politicians solve the problem? They won’t, they can’t,” An interesting thing is that even though Scott is running for governor, he has issued many attack ads on President Obama. In one of his ad, he shows Obama giving a speech when he visited Florida, saying he would do whatever

it took to make Sink the next governor. Scott has a 7-7-7 plan which he says should take seven steps to create seven thousand jobs in seven years. Sink on the other hand, has criticized Scott’s plan calling it, “a proven failure.” Sink says she has an edge over Scott on actual issues.

She also attacked Scott on his own attacks on President Obama vs. stating what he plans to do as governor.

More strongly than ever, I think Sink deserves to be the next Florida Governor because she knows how to handle our economy. Sink is currently leading Scott 49%-41%. I

being part of this prestigious publication. So, The Circle Gazette is helping us build our writing skills and it makes me feel that we are building a community of readers and writers. Get your Community Service Hours with us!

So keep dreaming … and keep writing! also have a concern on Scott’s aggressive style. During the Republican primaries, Scott showed the same attitude against the Attorney General Bill McCollum, accusing him of hiding his plan as inevitable failure as an airplane crafted out of cardboard. Now, with McCollum out of his way, Scott is resorting to the same tactic to attack the President, in order to hide his futile plans.

Remember, this election is important for our community and your parents’ votes could either help or hurt Florida. “Voice your Choice”,

by November 2, and help rescue Florida from its problems!

OCTOBER 2010

THE CIRCLE GAZETTE

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Sanibel Island:

Green Tip of the Month A Nature Experience

by A.J. Cross, Age 13 Boca Raton, FL

It is now October. This is a good time to get your landscape maintained so it is free of weeds and creepy crawly pests. Pesticide and herbicide are the seemingly best option for landscape maintenance.

They are cheap and effective, but most pesticide and herbicide are worse for your landscape than the bugs and weeds it kills! Here are some hazards of these awful chemicals and some green alternatives…

Do not spray chemical pesticide! This extremely environmentally unfriendly product is probably much worse than you think. Synthetic chemical pesticide kills all bugs and creepy crawlies it touches, including the spiders, earthworms, ladybugs, and bees that you want in your garden. Many species of bees are on the endangered species list or the threatened species list and these pesticides are a contributing factor. Pesticide is designed to kill pests on contact, and in a just few months you have to spray again! Americans put an estimated 62.7 million pounds (28.5 million kilograms) of pesticides into their homes and yards each year! If you spray enough pesticide on your landscape then wildlife like birds will avoid your property.

This poison does more than enough damage to the environment sitting on the lawn, and it does not stay there! When it rains, the pesticide from the lawn gets washed into the nearest lake or pond. Pesticide harms more than just bugs; the fish and other water animals from that body of water get seriously ill, or even die! And that’s not all! The whole food chain is affected when any part of it goes wrong. Also the pesticide can sometimes flow out of the lakes and ponds through rivers and streams, and will eventually end up in the ocean.

The ocean is the largest body of water on Earth. In fact, nearly 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water! Be sure to watch out for pesticide that includes MCPA or 2-methyl-4chlorophenoxyacetic acid.

What to do then? When it comes to keeping your garden alive, a regular plant inspection can help reduce the amount of damage to your foliage. During inspection, you should check for bug damage to see if your plants are affected. Any bugs that you find should be removed immediately. Also remove any dead leaves or flowers on the plants so bugs are not attracted to them. In addition, you can scatter baking soda on the plants so bugs will stay away from them. Other things to do include stripping old fruit from vines and trees to keep insects from laying their eggs in the old fruit, and to get rid of snails and slugs pour beer into a flat tray and place it in an infested area. To get rid of

by Felipe Sanz, Age 11 Boca Raton, FL

My family and I were driving across Sanibel Causeway to Sanibel Island, Florida for a short sum-

roaches, set out a dish containing equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar, set out a dish of equal parts oatmeal flour and plaster of paris, and/or spread boric acid powder around infested areas. If your lawn and/ or garden is still getting eaten up, buy Earth friendly pesticide.

Herbicides are in the same level of un-greenness as pesticide. Like pesticide, herbicide harms more than just weeds and can flow off the lawn into lakes and ponds, through rivers and streams, and into the ocean. The chemicals in conventional herbicide can cause wildlife like birds and frogs to be unhealthy and even die.

For humans, high exposure to herbicide can cause diseases like cancer, and long-term diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. A common chemical in herbicide is glyphosate or N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine.

Be sure to avoid herbicides that contain it. Research at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University shows that the amount of kids that have cancer is rapidly increasing due to exposure to herbicide and insecticide. Kids more than other people are exposed to high amounts of these chemicals in parks, playgrounds, and just playing outside their houses!

Here are some Earth friendly herbicide options…

Pour boiling water over weeds. Please note, this method does not work on all weeds.

Pour boiling water over different kinds of weeds to find out what growing pests are not immune to this. Also be careful not to pour it over plants you want because it might kill them, too.

Lay out old newspaper (not the Circle Gazette) over a patch of weeds that you want dead. Please note: this method will kill all plants you put the newspaper over. Be careful not to put the paper on top of a plant you want.

Dump cornmeal over weeds.

Please note: this method does not kill weeds, but it stops plant roots from developing and, therefore, seeds from sprouting. Make sure all the plants you want are already established before you lay out the cornmeal.

Buy Earth friendly herbicide from commercial companies.

Visit www.gardensalive. com to order green pesticide and herbicide. There are other green landscape care companies, but this is the one my parents order from and they seem quite impressed.

Sanibel Island is shaped like a cantaloupe wedge.” mer vacation. As we were crossing, we saw a half sunken ship in the San Carlos Bay. Its waters were calm and flat like a gigantic blue mirror. It was noon time when we arrived. The sun was hanging in the sky like a glowing god. I thought to myself: “this is the most shimmering island I have been to.” There were not many tourists because the vacation season was almost over. We enjoyed the feeling that we could explore the island more freely because we are homeschoolers and we can go to new destinations while most children are in school.

Sanibel Island is shaped like a cantaloupe wedge. It is known for its beautiful birds and abundant shells. There are so many different types and sizes of shells such as the Lion’s Paw, Junonia, Lettered Olive, and many more. Also, there are live snails, conchs, and many types of mollusks.

My family and I stayed at a hotel named The Sundial Resort. Behind the resort was a beach. When we got there, the sun was setting. I saw a couple of sea urchins, some jumping mullets and dolphins about 20 ft away feeding on the mullets. One of the dolphins play-

fully flipped a mullet up in the air and it landed right into my hands!

Some people were interested in the fish and then I proudly showed it to them. They were astonished!

As I left the beach, I saw a box turtle stuck between the poles of the pool gate, so I carried it to the beach and it disappeared into the bushes. I laughed because the “little box” raced to the bushes.

After so much swimming and exploring we were famished. For dinner we went to The Midnight Café. Inside, the place was dimly lit and each table contained a colorful candle. The food was delicious! There is also a good place to have a calming tea or a luscious gelato called Poco Loco’s. There is a section where you can pick your gelato flavor. You can also choose 3 flavors of a relaxing, hot tea.

Although the island is very touristic because it has a lot of souvenir shops, the island does have a wealth of nature preserves, such as the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. At the refuge, you can take a tour tram, or drive in your own car to see wildlife. In the main building, there was an observatory, and hands on activities,

and an exhibit about Mr. Darling’s studio (the refuge founder). I learned that Mr. Darling was a cartoon artist and journalist (October

“There are so many different types and sizes of shells such as the Lion’s Paw, Junonia, Lettered Olive, and many more.”

21, 1876 - February 12, 1962). He informed and influenced people about conserving land for wildlife.

He even went to Washington in the 1930s to speak with the president to convince him to save the wildlife habitats. Mr. Darling started the Wildlife Refuge Federation and inspired many people, including me to protect wildlife and habitats.

So you see Sanibel is a capturing island where you can relax and experience nature. I would love to go back soon!

Collecting shells in Sanibel Island

Free Fridays at Young At Art!

by Alizdair Sebastien Ray, Age 6 Davie, FL My family has had a membership to Young At Art children’s museum since I was two. I’m 6 now and I still love going to the museum. I love the classes, and geography is the best. I learned all my continents from that class.

We told our friends about going in to the museum for free. I think

“I love the classes, and geography is the best. I learned all my continents from that class.”

all kids should go to the museum.

You learn and have fun.

I am a homeschool second

grader. I have the best mommy and daddy. They are my teachers and they teach me well. I’m happy to have them. I want to thank my mommy and daddy, they give me so much. I love them a lot.

“You learn and have fun”

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A House That Screams “Buy Me” HALLOWEEN REAL ESTATE

by Dakota Haberland Age 12 Davie, FL Are you dying for a house, a scary haunted house? Well, stop digging your grave and pay attention to me. If you want a place where you don’t need to decorate and cleans up all on its own, then here it is!

This house comes complete with its own staff. Chucky is in charge of keeping the garage clean. Frankenstein will handle all electronic devices and fill the house with spooky sounds.

Dracula runs the kitchen and will make your food and drinks. You might want to check first before you drink! Jack O’ Lanterns are in charge of toys, and goblins are in charge of keeping the bedrooms neat. Werewolves will lick the dishes clean as the witches sweep the floors with their brooms.

Zombies will dust the furniture and the Mummies are in charge

“Do you also want a house which will give kids goose bumps?” of the toilet paper, of course.

Do you also want a house which will give kids goose bumps? If so, you will want to bring the little ones as you tour this property! As you enter the yard watch your step. Be careful not to trip over the gravestones of the previous owners. Keep your heads

down because there are low flying bats. Make your way to the front porch, just watch out for the snakes. They are hard to see in the fog. Character is added to this house with the deep cracks in the walls, broken windows and stairs that creek with every step. Slime and blood ooze out of every crack. Man, I am already getting the heebie heebies! It will scare your kids for sure.

If you want to have the best Halloween party on the block, this is the perfect place. There are skeleton’s hand cups filled with Dracula’s blood red punch.

I told you, you should check what you drink. There are also human fingers, legs, brains and hearts for snacking. For dessert, you will be served human hand soufflé.

So if you want a house that you don’t have to decorate, clean up, will give kids goose bumps, and is a scary place to party, call me at 6-6-6-SCREAM. It’s to die for!

Great Catches!

Halloween Delights – Boo..k a Ghost!

by Bilal Amodu, Age 13 Deerfield Beach, FL Hello readers! It is now fall, but that does not mean that good books are not there. The month of October brings many things: Fire Safety Awareness month, Hispanic Heritage month, as well as Halloween. I am positive that you will enjoy the books I have to recommend for a nice fall afternoon, while you hear the rustle of the dry leaves or for bedtime while you see the harvest moon watching you! Following are some “Spooktacular” book-o-lanterns for you. Enjoy!

describing two children who live in the woods and try not to interact with humans after a terrible accident. That changes when the older girl, Diana, befriends a girl who is the daughter of the caretaker of an abandoned old house that the children had a bad experience in. One thing I feel it’d be appropriate to tell you about the children is that they are ghosts.

The Ghost’s Grave Author: Peg Kehret Age level: 4th grade and up Rating:

The Old Willis Place Author: Mary Downing Hahn Age level: 6th grade and up (2 hooks to kids Rating: 5th grade or lower)

HALLOWEEN CRAFT Get a fat quarter of fabric (for quilters) in orange print. Put a double sized toilet paper roll in the middle and pull the sides of the fabric up and stuff them in the hole. Take a small brown paper bag and twist it into a stem, making green stripes on it and stuff it into the top hole. Make eyes, nose, and mouth out of black felt and put on a face. After Halloween, take the toilet paper out, fold up your square, and save it for next year!

OCTOBER 2010

I don’t advise young children to read this book. I read it when I was in fifth grade and it gave me a hard time sleeping. This is a book

Scary

ACROSS 3 Watch 5 Spears’ tot 6 Limbs 7 Moakler of pageants 9 James’ “The Turn of the _____” 11 Zilch 12 Lynn of country music 13 Scary of The Spice Girls, aka 14 “One _____ Hill” 17 _____ Disease 18 Leave 23 Rhythm and blues singer _____ Keys 24 Two people 25 Colossus of Rhodes; god 27 New York hotel (2 words)

DOWN 1 Cast a ballot 2 Dirt 4 Cutting tool 5 _____ Boulevard 8 Cow 9 Film Festival 10 “Cape _____” 12 Poe’s “_____” 13 Southeast Asian nation 15 Fear of death 16 The _____ 19 Mesmerize 20 _____ dunk 21 Weather _____ 22 _____ Mars 26 Decay

This book may be a ghost story, but it is so funny that you will not even think that it is scary. With his mom and step dad away in India, thirteen year old Josh must go to Carbon City to live with his great aunt for the summer. Soon, his vacation takes an exciting twist when he meets a ghost of a coal miner from over a century ago who has an odd and somewhat disturbing task for Josh, a task that soon gets Josh into trouble with a greedy bank official.

Bunnicula Author: James Howe Age level: 3rd grade and up Rating:

Since vampires are becoming very popular in today’s culture, here is one vampire story young kids will just eat up. In a house like any other, things shake up when the Monroe family bring home a bunny rabbit they find at the movie theater. Soon, when all of the vegetables in the house start to lose their color, Chester, the house cat is quick to blame the rabbit and begins to suspect that the cute and cuddly rabbit may just be a vampire.

OCTOBER 2010

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I’m in the Show!

by Christian Frost, Age 15 Coral Springs, FL The Sound of Music is a classic and wonderful show known by most-from grandparents to young kids. We’ve all heard its wonderful music. So when it was announced that my school was doing it for their fall show, I could not wait to audition!

The process of auditioning was simple yet challenging. When I got to the audition, I sat in a room and waited patiently for my name to be called. For my audition piece, I prepared a one minute song called “If I Loved You” from another classic show called Carrousel. When I finished, I felt happy and confident that I sang

well. The next day, the auditions continued with a “cold reading”, which is when you read from the script of the show. This gives the director a better idea of who to choose for what role. You might get to do this several times, with different people and you might have to read for different roles.

So you get nervous, not knowing exactly what the director is thinking.

A few days later, everyone was waiting very impatiently by their computers, since the cast list was being posted on the drama club’s website. There were so many people online that the director was not able to log in! So they posted the list on the clubs Facebook page. I was looking down the list to see my name, I found

Who was Charles Dickens?

by Andy Hernandez, Age 10

trate. Despite this, he became famous and very well known during the Victorian times and was one of the most famous novelist writers in England.

“...one of the most famous novelist writers in England.”

Who was William Morris?

by Andy Hernández, Age 10 Caracas, Venezuela

William Morris was a painter, designer, and poet. He was born in Walthamstow, Essex.

He went to school and col-

“William Morris was a painter, designer, and poet”

lege and planned to enter the church. But the social commentaries led him to be an artist. Once, a friend asked him to design his house. Morris was annoyed because there wasn´t any traditional furniture to do it. So he decided to design his own materials.

He then founded a company named Morris and company.

William Morris´s wife was Jane Burden. They became engaged in 1858 and got married at St Michael and the Northgate, in Oxford, in 1859.

They had two daughters: Mary and Jane Alice. Some of William Morris´s poems include The Earthly Paradise and The Well at the Worlds End. He died in 1896.

we rehearse with the orchestra.

Then we will add in lights and scenery and sound during “tech week”. Dress rehearsals soon follow, and it’s quite exciting because you run through the show without stopping; with full costumes, makeup and props. These rehearsals give us the preparation we need to do the show with confidence. Finally the show!

Performing the show is the best feeling ever, you feel like you are on top of the world. I can’t wait for the production of The Sound of Music…I’m in the show!

“Performing the show is the best feeling ever!”

Theatre World A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings

by Daniela Gómez, Age 10 Margate, FL

Caracas, Venezuela

Charles Dickens was born on the 7th of February, 1812.

He spent most of his childhood in Kent, London, which often appears in his novels.

He started school at the age of nine, but his studies were interrupted because his father was sent to jail for not paying his debts. As an adult, Charles Dickens and his wife, Catherine, had 10 children! Later, he became famous for his novels, which include: Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations and lots more. Charles Dickens was preoccupied a lot by combing his hair. He did it a hundred times a day. Also, if his furniture wasn’t exactly placed, he could not concen-

it! I got the role of Rolf, the messenger boy. I was so happy and excited because that was the role I was hoping to get.

Music rehearsals started promptly the next day. I got to learn my song “Sixteen going on Seventeen”, with my friend Meghan, who plays my girlfriend Leisl. Once we get the music down, we will move on to rehearsing scenes, and then when all the individual scenes are done, we begin to do the acts. After the acts are together, we do a sitzprobe; that’s when

I went to the Playground Theatre for the first time last spring to watch a play called A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings.

It started with people in veils explaining that people lived in a town that was unknown to other human beings (or something like that). One day a brother and a sister, Fefe and Momo, find a ‘very old man with enormous wings’ fallen on the ground, he cannot speak through his mouth but Fefe and Momo can tell what he means to say by looking at his eyes! He tells them he had forgotten his name, the two children thought he must have been an angel and they rename him “Afar’’. People come from all over the town to pose their problems to the ‘Angel,’ hoping he will make a dream come true, Afar, however, doesn’t seem to have the power to grant all these grand wishes and they went away disappointed! But to Fefe and Momo, Afar is the one who needs help and they know he must go back to where he came from, but first they must help him put his “Enormous Wings” to good use.

This performance was stunning! I loved the creativity such as the use of puppets, people popping into pieces of fabric with holes for them cut out of it, actors and actresses wearing fat headpieces and masks and the interesting costumes! This show is a musical, I like the song (and opening number) “La la la la la la La Luna”, when La Luna, (The Moon in Spanish), rides her bike and sprinkles sparkly dust into the audience! Another favorite scene is the one in which Fefe and Momo show their family (mom, dad and baby) how they have been trying to teach Afar to fly! He threw paper airplanes into the air for us (the audience) to catch and play with and the family moved curtains of colorful pipes that made a rustling, gurgling sound like rain “shshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhshshshshssooooo, tltltltltltltltltl tltltltltltltl”. At the end the ‘Very Old Man with Enormous Wings’ disappeared into the night sky!

A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings is based on a story

by Gabriel García Márquez,

adapted by Nilo Cruz, directed

by Stephanie Ansin, sound design

by Luciano Stazzone, lights by S. Ryan Schmidt, choreography by Octavio Campos, original music

by Luciano Stazzone, Fernando Diez and Luciana De Oto. The costumes were done by Yana Glushanok and the sets and puppet designs were thanks to Emil Kapelush!

I like this show not only because of the strange-but-beautiful setting and costumes, but because the acting was superb and believable. A show can have a lovely set and bad actors, and they don’t get away with it! You could believe that Fefe and Momo really wanted to help Afar with all they could, you could feel sorry for the townspeople’s different reasons of grief, the mother whose baby was sick, the parents whose daughter cried forever so on and so forth…

I think the play is about dreams coming true and the belief in what seems impossible because hey, do very old men with enormous

wings land in a poor village every day? No. It is what most consider ‘impossible’ but in this play, in this story, it happened! Afar fell into this village and into their care! To believe that everything is possible is a VERY good moral to both children and adults!

The PlayGround Theatre might present this performance again, if they do, I recommend it! Go to: www.theplaygroundtheatre.com for more information on their other performances that include Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and The Love of Three Oranges.

The later is another great show and I will review it next month.

The Playground Theater is located at 9806 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33138. Register at the Enrichment Circle webpage: (www.enrichmentcircle.com) to get a group discount for some of the performances. Go and enjoy The Playground Theatre’s new season shows and come with me as the lights go out.

“… to Fefe and Momo, Afar is the one who needs help and they know he must go back to where he came from, but first they must help him put his Enormous Wings to good use.”

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THE CIRCLE GAZETTE

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OCTOBER 2010

“C” is for Crab

by Sofia Serrano, Age 4 North Lauderdale, FL

Hurricane Madness

by Shadya Amodu, Age 10 Deerfield Beach, FL

Thunder storms, winds and rain Are all signs of hurricane Get ready and prepare For your own safety and care.

Be ready, get your things And leave when the humming bird sings.

Go far, far away, Maybe to Paraguay.

And if not, go to Vermont You can’t stay home even if you want.

Is it over? Is it done?

What is that booming hum?

Tornadoes? Oh no……….!

Pack up again and get ready to go!

The World From an Eagle’s Eye

by Audrey Mason, Age 12 Parkland, FL

Crabs can crawl They crawl in circles.

Crabs have claws They can click and they can clap.

Crabs click to friends They clap to predators.

Crabs live in canals, caves, and camp

grounds.

Crabs are cold-blooded.

They eat clams and crustaceans.

Illustration by Sofia Serrano, Age 4. Tempera on paper.

Soaring over the mountaintops, their tips are oh so high, I am an eagle, bird of prey, flying through the clear blue sky.

Resting on the mountaintop is gorgeous pure white snow, How long will it stay like this, does anybody know?

The answer is, I hate to say, this paradise certainly will not stay, Pollution has come to our habitat, and it’s surely not here to play.

Instead of seeing beautiful blue sky, the world is turning gray, The only sunlight that I can see comes from very far away.

And that is just where I fly, in search of scenic beauty, But everywhere the sky is gray, as if it’s a little bit moody.

Smoke rises up to the sky, from near and from far, It comes from the factory, the bus and the car.

I can’t escape, although I restlessly fight, My world has gone from rainbow colors to black as dark as night.

And where to sleep at the end of day.

OCTOBER 2010

THE CIRCLE GAZETTE

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I Am From History and Luscious Lavender Scented Oil

By Sharon A. Hammer, Age 12 Weston, FL

I am from scented candles And friends around a coffee table I am from the sight of old yellow paged books that are dull due to age In my study’s shelves I am from the saying “(something) is a pain in the farangandunge” on the rare occasion when the scent of my grandmother’s spicy and juicy meatloaf spreads everywhere around the house.

I am from European Crusaders and Merchants I am from history of those who made and make history.

I am from the uncomfortable feeling of slime-like fluid when a bottle of lavender oil spills on the floor.

My urge to learn and absorb facts may be strange But I enjoy doing it anyway That is where I am from.

Our Solar System

by Sara Cross, Age 9 Boca Raton, FL

Eight spinning planets and the sun, when they come together like one.

And combine with comets and moons, and stars popping out of the gloom.

Our solar system they do make, spinning planets is all it takes.

THE ROOM

WAS A MESS

by Andrea Hilera, Age 9 Coral Springs, FL

The kitchen was a mess!

The trash can was overflowing with used paper towels, banana peels and empty food boxes.

The dishes were piled high in the sink and the floor was caked with mud.

The leftovers from breakfast three days ago were still on the table, and I could smell the sour milk and the rotten, crusty eggs.

Illustration by Andrea Hilera.

Color pencils on paper.

Illustration by Sara Cross. Markers and color pencils on paper.

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THE CIRCLE GAZETTE

OCTOBER 2010

THE HEART AND SOLE DANCE TEAM SPECIAL COVERAGE

by Daniela Carolina Gomez, Age 10 and Sara Ikta Cross, Age 10 Continued from page 1 DiLorenzo said she signed up her daughter Isabella because she really wanted to learn the art. She says that her daughter practices and shows the little boy across her street some of the steps she learns. Mrs. DiLorenzo thinks that Miss Brittany is wonderful and enjoys that she not only approves of homeschooling, but that she also had been homeschooled herself. Mrs. DiLorenzo thinks that her daughter can learn a lot more than dancing in this class, things such as: creative expression, health, and discipline, good things to know throughout life!

Isabella is a happy dancer in the Heart and Sole Dance Team and her favorite dance style is Ballet.

‘Pasei’ (pronounced: pasay) is her favorite step. She is six years old and is very excited to learn the amazing art of dancing.

Liora Elkoby, an eight year old girl who participates in the Heart and Sole Dance Team, says that

she had been in another dance class when she was little and that now her mother found the information about this class through the Alternative Homeschoolers Support Group. Liora thought it was going to be a fun experience for her to meet other kids.

Her mother thought her daughter would enjoy it so she did not hesitate to sign her up. Liora tells us that her favorite dance style is Jazz, and she likes the step “jazz square.” Her favorite part of dancing in the Heart and Sole Dance Team is the teacher, Miss Brittany. She likes how she teaches. Mrs. Elkoby likes Miss Brittany just as much as Liora does. She explained to us that Liora practices and shows her steps at home to her family.

She really thinks that this dance class teaches more than just dancing. She says it shows how to work together as a team.

The Heart and Sole Dance

Team is a great class for kids who want to learn to dance or just start a fun source of exercise.

The class is being held at the Coral Springs Gymnasium at 2501 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33065. The class is very affordable. You don’t have to worry about buying special shoes or costumes for the class to start, whatever you have is good enough. The class is for kids of all ages and genders.

The Heart and Sole Dance Team is the perfect place for the young homeschoolers to meet other kids and make friends.

Parents, if your kids are interested in this class, please email Mrs. Dawn Michaels at northbrowardhomeschoolers@ yahoogroups.com to sign your child up for this exciting adventure that teaches dancing to young, homeschooled children.

Mrs. Michaels, daughter Marissa and teacher Brittany Kernohan.

“this dance class teaches more than just dancing…”

“The class is for kids of all ages and genders.”

OCTOBER 2010

THE CIRCLE GAZETTE

MY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: Chronicles of a 6th Grader Ashley Paige Ingram, Age 11 Boca Raton, FL I can’t sleep. Tomorrow is my first day of middle school and my birthday. It’s 12:00 am and I still can’t sleep. I am so nervous, yet excited. T.V shows I have seen present kids in middle school having several classes all in one day! It looks so difficult.

It’s morning. I open my eyes. It looks like I actually was able to sleep some last night.

Whenever I am supposed to go somewhere I have to wake up early. I wake right up thinking: “I hope I don’t miss the bus.” My parents sing happy birthday to me, and remind me that we will celebrate my birthday later, because of school, of course. I get ready and eat my breakfast, which I can barely taste because of the butterflies flapping, and frogs jumping in my stomach. I am so excited because this year I will be rolling a roller bag and bringing lunch to school. I say bye to my parents and I am out the door.

I meet a girl at the bus stop. She looks so confident. I ask her if she is in seventh or eighth. She says sixth but as soon as she does she looks nervous also. I meet this other girl I have seen around before. I tell her it’s my birthday. She says “Happy Birthday.”

When we arrive at our school, a lady pops up on the bus. She says that our first period is on the bulletin outside. She also said that our first period teacher will tell us our other five periods. If there is noth-

ing for your first period then you have to go to the media center. I am hoping that I wouldn’t have to go. I went up to the bulletin. Guess what? My name wasn’t on there.

I didn’t know where the media center was and I didn’t want to get lost finding it.

I drag myself to the media center. I ask a bunch of teachers which way. When I get there, there was a sea of kids! A lady with curly brown hair asks may she help me? I told her about my name not being on the bulletin outside. We walk all around the school. Finally, we were in what’s called student services. There is a man with dark black glasses. After a short while the lady and I walk out of the office. She says she has my schedule. I am so happy! I tell her it is my birthday and how terrible it would be to spend my day waiting for my parents to come because nobody could find a proof of me even being registered here. She tells me about my first period class.

My classmates sing happy birthday to me. I don’t want to tell every class that today is my birthday so I keep quiet for the rest of the day. I eat the fabulous lunch my mom made. All throughout the day I was accidentally, tripping people with my bag.

I thought that since there were two higher grades, the older grades would bully a lower grade like mine. Today is not like that. I have had such a great day.

Did You Know... ... that Jack Nicklaus and Former President Gerald Ford golfed together at Eagle Trace Country Club? ... that President Ford and President Reagan visited Coral Springs? ... that on July 10, 1988 Coral Springs held two Guinness World records for one year after they celebrated the city’s 25th anniversary by making the world’s biggest hamburger and the world’s largest milkshake

by Glen Oglesby, Age 14 Margate, FL

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THE CIRCLE GAZETTE

“WASP” The Black Fairy!

by Daniela Gómez, Age 10 Margate, FL

Name: Wasp Age: 100 (Fairies live forever) Size: 3 ½ in. (Taller than most fairies) Least Favorite Thing: Being teased Hobbies: Looking for large animals in the park Favorite Bird: Anhinga Favorite Insect: Paper Wasp Favorite Arachnids: Rose-hair Tarantula and all scorpions Animal Friends: Queen (Paper Wasp), King (Paper Wasp), Prince (King Scorpion) and Princess (RoseHair Tarantula) Home: Old, broken down (human) car in Pixie Place, a fairy town Favorite Flower: Rare black Cosmos found only in FairyLand Favorite Accessory: Her scorpion necklace It wasn’t just any day in my calendar; it was the day I was turning 100 years old! And let me tell you about how special that is.

Fairysayers (fairy soothsayers) say that when a fairy turns 100 years old, this means good luck!

It signifies that a fairy is to have a long life, as they have lived to see a century go by and let me tell you, a century is quite some time, even for fairies who live forever unless, they’re killed in some way!

Hi I’m Wasp, I came to this part of FairyLand 15 years ago and I was pretty shy. An evil witch cast a spell on every fairy for fun and they were all mean to me!

As a result of the curse, I turned against every fairy! I’m nice today thanks to a particular fairy, Jay, the Blue Fairy. You see; all fairies have a special color, for instance: mine is Black. Jay is Blue and she has comforting powers, but then again, in a way, we are similar, because of the relation of our colors. Jay is now my best fairy friend, because I have animal friends.

I stuck my head out of my black and white, old-fashioned four-poster bed and sighed with utmost content “Ah, my 100th birthday will be fun indeed!”

I couldn’t wait to get out and to explore Oak Meadow Fairy Park, I’d heard that fairyrangers were planting a new PixiePumpkin Patch and that all fairies were invited to help plant the seeds grow the Pixie-Pumpkins!

I might as well explain what ‘Pixie-Pumpkins’ are: just fairy-

size pumpkins that are the color of the fairy who plants and waters them. Mine are the prettiest black Pixie-Pumpkins anyone has ever seen, including you! You might say “Ugh! You’ve got bad taste!” but my Pixie-Pumpkins aren’t ‘shriveled-like’, they are pitch-black like the darkest night, sometimes they even have stars because I like them! (hee hee!).

I rubbed my eyes and hopped out of bed to see my King Scorpion, Prince, scuttle in with a package wrapped in baby-blue spider silk, a note small and navy, dangled out on the side, “Oh Jay!” I jumped in excitement and beckoned to Prince to bring the package; I opened it eagerly and found an FM (fairy medium) chain, polished bright with a large, black, King Scorpion on the end! Sculpted out of fairy gold, which changed to whatever color the sculptor wants it! I was really, really shocked! Jay, the Blue Fairy, was so nice! I turned to the letter. It read: My Dear friend Wasp, Happy Birthday! Good Luck! I’m coming to the planting of the PixiePumpkins, I hope you come too!

Did you like your necklace? I made it for you!

Yours Sincerely, Jay, Blue Fairy.

I pulled the scorpion necklace out of its case and strung it around my neck cheerfully, then I changed into a dress that was made out of the petals of a rare Black Zinnia that you can only find in FairyLand! Despite its color, this dress looked happy, I liked that about this dress, it demonstrates that black doesn’t have to be scary, it can be really sweet!

Yes sweet! I mean S-W-E-E-T! I set of on one of my Paper Wasps, Queen; a pretty female who always tries to look her best!

Then I was off to Oak Meadow Fairy Park!

“Hello” a soft voice hovered above me; I looked up and saw a large dragonfly with a broken wing flying in circles atop my head, Queen looked up and chattered “Hi Jay!” I called up to the only fairy that I knew who flew on a broken-winged dragonfly “How are you Dragonwings?”.

“He’s fine!” Jay called to me in her melodious and flowing voice “And you?” I felt my scorpion banging against my chest “Thanks so much for the necklace, Jay” I pulled Queen up and we flew side-by-side for a while, Jay looked at my neck where the

present hung, then she looked at me as if she were trying to decide what to say “It’s nothing” she shrugged “Nothing?!” I shrieked lifting the fairy gold sculpture up so it glinted in the sunlight. “THIS is ‘nothing’?” at this Jay smiled then she burst out laughing and we landed at the new stretch of land that would be the new PixiePumpkin Patch. Dragonwings, the dragonfly flapped his broken wing awkwardly and walked over to greet Queen, neither Jay nor I were worried at this, Queen had saved both Jay and Dragonwings in the same accident that shaved off part of his wing. They were best friends and I wouldn’t blame them. Then again the species are different, which makes other fairies stare. I flew over to a cluster of fairies; the rangers were handing out pouches of seeds and equipment and explaining what to do. After that I walked with my friends: Jay, Magma (the Red Fairy), Doe (the Brown Fairy) and Sawgrass (the Green Fairy). We found a large spot and split it into fifths, I pulled out my Pixie Dust Pouch and dumped half of it into my area, you would think ‘don’t waste Pixie Dust’ right? The truth is: I can’t! My pouch will fill up again unless I use the Dust to do something bad and as far as I’m concerned, planting PixiePumpkins isn’t anything ‘bad’.

“Pixie-Pumpkin bed, please!” I requested, a neat planting bed appeared out of the grass, I opened my seeds pouch and took out a few, I tucked them in carefully and then poured the rest into my Dust Pouch. Jay was sprinkling her Pixie Dust/Pixie-Pumpkin seed mixture in a formation that I recognized as a dragonfly with a broken wing and a Bluejay, her favorite bird! Doe was planting her seeds in the shape of a deer’s antlers (deer were Doe’s favorite animals) and pinching the soft earth with Dust so that it would

OCTOBER 2010

Illustration by Daniela Gómez. Watercolor pencils on paper. stay fertile. Sawgrass was making grass grow in between the places where her Pixie-Pumpkins would grow and Magma was making a red rose design with her seeds and I grabbed my scorpion necklace, my Pixie Dust Pouch, sprinkled the Dust/seed mix in the soil and commanded: ‘copy my scorpion!’ I could feel the seeds, under soft earth, rearrange themselves in scorpion formation them, little shoots began to grow and Jay came over and doused everything in my fifth of space including her and me, “thanks Jay” I sputtered but my plants were much happier with their water than I was, they

grew like crazy!

I was inside the Oak Meadow Fairy Park Nature Center, eating lunch with my friends, when Sawgrass noticed my scorpion necklace “Where did you get that? It’s beautiful.” I told them about Jay’s present. Magma pulled a box out from nowhere, “Here” she said “I almost forgot” I opened the box and inside was a shirt and a skirt colored black with red stripes, green, brown and blue! “Happy Birthday!”

All my friends cheered! I stared at the clothes, then at my friends and I said “Thank you so much, all of you”!

doesn’t eat every morsel of her poisonous stuff. After deciding to skip breakfast, I went to see the Blackberry Mrs. Davis gives her employees and checked my morning chores.

I had three duties for the day, feeding and putting her grandson to sleep, buying food at Maximum supermarket and using every penny of my wages to buy her a big, fancy and expensive gift. Thankfully, I had to relocate myself before doing the third task.

First I went to attend to her grandson Jeffery. Jeffery was, like most infants who are forced to sleep on solid gold cribs rather than soft and comfy ones, very miserable. He howled so loudly he sounded like a wild beast, rather than a fourteen month old infant. Feeding him Mrs. Davis’s cooking was like feeding vegetables to a wolf. I actually pity that unfortunate child and who he will turn out to be when he grows up. I put him to sleep by clanging on silver bells eight times.

I went to the supermarket to fetch the groceries. It was 11:00 by then. I went down the produce aisle, the frozen isle and the pastry aisle. When I went to the spice aisle, I asked

a worker where to find paprika (Mrs. Davis wanted to use it in a chicken recipe) and he turned around and punched me in the face, knocking me unconscious. When I woke up, I was in the storage room and I looked around. I saw things with two eyes, so then I realized my disguise had been terminated -this word means revealed to my enemies- and I looked around and discovered that I was surrounded by my enemies.

“Well, well, well’” said a man whose name tag said Carl, though he was probably not really Carl. “Look what we have here.”

“He can’t escape now,” said a woman who had put a beard on her face and wore a name tag which said “Ernest”.

Just when it looked that I may finally be defeated, I jumped up and ran. I turned on all of the fire alarms and went to the water fountain. After texting my resignation to Mrs. Davis, I tossed the Blackberry in and watched it short circuit.

Then I took the first bus out of that town. I wandered to a river and set up a camp on the banks.

Until next time...

S.L.T

X Journal

by Bilal Amodu, Age 13 Deerfield Beach, FL

Dear Journal, Today has been a crazy day.

It all started when I woke up in the home of Ophelia Davis in a hideous set of striped pajamas.

When I looked at the eye patch on my bedside, I realized that I was not a wanted journalist S.L.T (who had to run to the house of a rich and greedy widow and get a job as a butler) but Frank Mikes, an army veteran who had injured his eye and leg in a war of some sort and had to get a job as a butler.

When a person like me wakes up, it is difficult to remember that he is in disguise. I put on my eye patch and put on a metallic leg (it was so uncomfortable, I don’t think I will use this item in my disguises again) and limped down the stairs to pour myself a cup of coffee for breakfast. Though she was rich, Mrs. Davis insisted she would do her own cooking and apparently, she can cook as well as a three legged man can dance.

Worse of all, she forces her staff and family to eat her horrendous meals and she either fires or disinherits anyone who

OCTOBER 2010

THE CIRCLE GAZETTE

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11

The Mayor of the Best City in Florida

by Ismail Ercan, Age 13 Continued from page 1 estate boom in South Florida. Coral Ridge Properties, a land development firm was developing communities in Broward County.

They had run out of land in North Lauderdale and were seeking opportunities further west. James Hunt, one of the founders of the company, started to eye a piece of land on the Northwest corner of Broward County that was then owned by Lena Lyons. It perfectly suited Hunt’s vision for a community.

On December 14, 1961, Coral Ridge Properties purchased 3,860 acres of Ms. Lyon’s land for $1 million.

In order for the land to be considered as a city under the Florida law, Coral Ridge Properties moved 3 wooden shacks onto the land along with 5 employees to officially make it a city. The City of Coral Springs was chartered on July 10, 1963. Other names that were considered were: “Curran Village”, “Quatermore” and “Pompano Springs”.

The first structure that was built within the city was the Covered Bridge. The forty foot long bridge has a single steel pan and has withstood many hurricanes since it was built in 1964. It is the only covered bridge in Florida along the public-right-of-way.

The bridge is still in use today and remains as one of the original structures in Coral Springs.

Over the years, Coral Springs has blossomed like a cherry tree in late March in

“The forty foot long bridge has a single steel pan and has withstood many hurricanes since it was built in 1964.”

Washington D.C. During the last three decades of the twentieth century, the population increased rapidly, adding 35,000 new residents each decade. In response, Coral Springs built nineteen public schools, a regional mall, shopping centers, and many parks to keep up with the population. Currently, this city has a total area of 24 square miles and a population of nearly 130,000 people after just 47 years! One can only wonder how this magnificent city will grow and prosper in the next decade!

A few weeks ago, I went to interview the Mayor of Coral Springs, Scott Brook. As my dad and I entered his office, I could literally feel my heart pounding in my chest. This was my first interview of this magnitude, so I was very nervous. As we peeked through the doorway, we saw him on the phone. He saw us and beckoned us in and we quietly scurried in. After he hung up, he smiled and we introduced ourselves to each other.

The interview went like this: HOW DID ALL START? Ismail for the Circle Gazette: As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

What inspired you to be mayor?

Mayor S. Brook: When I was 5 and 21, I wanted to be president. Hmm, let’s see… during my teenage years I pursued football, however this dream was crushed when I went to college and discovered that other kids my size were much faster than I was.

I was inspired to be mayor by my will to improve the community and my love for my family.

Ismail for the Circle Gazette: During your first election, what was the hardest challenge to overcome?

Mayor S. Brook: For city commissioner, I was running against a 12 year incumbent, who was well known and liked by the people. My biggest challenge was getting to be known and distinguished by voters. It took a lot of door to door knocking and volunteer work from friends, I ended up winning by 25 points.

Ismail for the Circle Gazette: Can you describe a normal day as being mayor?

Mayor S. Brook: There is no normal day!

Sometimes, I’ll be meeting with citizens for the whole day, others I will be at home re-

laxing with my family.

THE CITY Mr. Brook believes that Coral Springs’s unique citizens, amazing park program, committed special employees, and citizen’s love for the city, made Coral Springs be the best city in Florida. Coral Springs was recently announced as the best place to live in Florida by Money Magazine and was 44th overall in the country.

CITY GOVERNMENT The City of Coral Springs received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in Washington D.C. on April 23, 2008, for meeting the extraordinary standards required by this prestigious award for performance excellence. Coral Springs is the first state or local government in the country to be awarded this presidential honor.(**) Ismail for the Circle Gazette: Can you describe to me your experience winning the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award?

Mayor S. Brook: It was a once in a life time experience! I got to meet President Bush in private. I got to sit where world leaders once sat. He liked joking around with Bush for twenty minutes with other city commissioners.

HOW ABOUT EDUCATION? Ismail for the Circle Gazette: How is the education overall in Coral Springs?

Mayor S. Brook: Excellent! 90% of schools in Coral Springs are ‘A” schools.

Ramblewood Elementary won the Governor’s Sterling Award in 2006. Ramblewood Elementary was the first school in Broward County to win the award.The Governor’s Sterling Award recognizes organizations and businesses in Florida that have successfully achieved performance superiority within their management and operations.

I couldn’t help but bring the FCAT issue up. I wanted to know what was his view on the FCATs. Is there too much pressure on the students to succeed, or too much pressure on the teachers to have good results for the schools? – I asked. Mr. Brook thinks that FCATs are results of bad educational policies. He thinks elementary school students have too much pressure to succeed. At the high school level, he thinks it’s OK to have this kind of testing, but elementary students are just too young for this kind of pressure.

He knows that teachers and administrators focus on the tests too much. “If we do keep the FCAT” - he added – “We should put it at the end of the year, instead of the middle so that we can focus on different things at the beginning of the year, start preparing later.”

Ismail for the Circle Gazette: What did you think about Governor Charlie Crist vetoing Bill 6?

Mayor S. Brook: “GOOD MOVE!” COMMUNITY AND HEALTH My next questions were about kids’ community involvement and health issues.

The Mayor proposes several ways to increase our youth’s population interest to get involved in the community, and those are: Joining the Mayor’s team task force Joining the City Commissioners team advisory Joining the Student Advisory Council Looking for volunteer opportunities at the Coral Springs website Obesity being a major epidemic in the US, Coral Springs organizes regular heath promoting activities. Mr. Brook mentioned a local event and a webpage with resources to promote overall health in the community: “Walk with the Mayor” September 26, 9:30 am at Mullins Park to promote exercise.

“Let’s move” at www.letsmove.gov.

America’s Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids.

In June, Scott Brook completed a halfmarathon in San Diego. It was his second half-marathon and it was in honor to a childhood friend who died of leukemia and to raise money for a local leukemia charity.

ENVIRONMENT The City of Coral Springs is going “green” and as part of this plan, at certain parks the city has purchased artificial turf that will save money and will lower water usage in the future. Fire station 80 is LEED certified at the silver level. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification “is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies intended to improve performance in metrics such as energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and

President George W. Bush personally congratulated City Manager Michael S. Levinson, Mayor Scott J. Brook, and Vice Mayor Vincent M. Boccard at the White House stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.”(*) Mr. Brook thinks that there is a more conscientious effort to help the environment than before. Also Coral Springs has invested in water free toilets and done certain investments in “green” lighting.

ECONOMY Ismail for the Circle Gazette: What is your biggest concern with Coral Springs at the moment?

Mayor S. Brook: Economy and jobs.

Mr. Brook believes that it will take about another year for the economy to improve and feels that the impact of foreclosures on the economy of the city if quite big. “A lot bigger now than it was in 2009” –he pointed out.

AT THE END OF HIS TERM As Mr. Brook comes to his last few months of being Mayor he wants to particularly focus on the youth. He wants to Host Teen Task Forces meetings that “Help young people to be fortified for the future.”

He also wants to help young people find financial aid for college.

Ismail for the Circle Gazette: What will you miss the most about being Mayor of Coral Springs?

Mayor S. Brook: Day to day contact with people. I really love to read to young children visiting schools and telling them: “You are my boss.”

When I asked him what legacy would he want to leave behind and what would he want people to remember his administration by, Mr. Brook said that he’d want to people to remember his work by the integrity with which he led the city these four years. He feels that he has put the citizens first, and that they were listened to. He would want to have made the people feel more connected to their local government.

ELECTIONS This is election year and although Mr. Brook respects Governor Charlie Crist, his support this coming Senate elections for the Senate seat vacated by Mel Martinez, will be for Kendrick Meek. “He has more experience than his opponents, at a surprisingly young age”- he remarked.

Mayor Brook has begun his race for Florida House of Representatives (District 96), signaling an early start on the 2012 elections.

Ismail for the Circle Gazette: Why do you want to go to the state House of Representatives?

Mayor S. Brook: I want to continue to improve and help the community.

Ismail for the Circle Gazette: What are your goals to achieve in the State House of Representatives, should you be elected?

Mayor S. Brook: I want to contribute to

the education reform.

Mr. Brook wants young people to learn about civics and local government.

SUPPORT Ismail for the Circle Gazette: In the website www.liveworkplaylearn.org I found (under “Learn”) the following: “The city’s strong partnerships with our schools and numerous educational outlets allow residents to continuously expand their horizons.”

Would the city of Coral Springs consider partnering with the Circle Gazette? This newspaper is, after all, a great educational outlet to children of all ages, like me.

Mayor S. Brook: YESSSSS! You need two city commissioners to agree to sponsor the Circle Gazette. I would be more than glad to sponsor your newspaper.

If we kids have any questions, comments and suggestions that relate to the Coral Springs government, Mr. Brook is willing and happy to listen to us. His e-mail address is sbrook@coralsprings.org or at his cell phone (954) 494-9872.

Coral Springs is a unique city that has grown rapidly over the past 47 years. There are so many things that it offers to its citizens, from great schools, to its park facilities, to its safety. Also there are many youth programs in Coral Springs that are great for us to get involved in such as: The Mayor’s Team Task Force, The City Commissioner’s Team Advisory, and The Student Advisory Council. Mayor Scott Brook and the city commissioners have done an excellent job keeping the city in such a great shape. The quality of life, economic opportunity, average income, job growth, affordability and the arts and leisure opportunities just make more reasons for people to move here. No wonder it is the best city in Florida! * Wikipedia **City of Coral Springs Webpage (www. coralsprings.org) Acknowledgments I would like to thank Mayor Scott Brook for allowing me to interview him a few weeks ago. I have learned a tremendous amount of things over the past few weeks about our city. Even though I have lived in Coral Springs all of my life, I did not know half of what I know now. For example, until a few weeks ago, I had never crossed the covered bridge before. In fact, I did not even know there was a covered bridge in Coral Springs (it is located spanning the canal on Northwest 59th Avenue just south of Wiles Road).

Finally, I would like to thank my parents on helping me a great deal with all of the research needed to make this article and for accompanying me to the interview with the mayor.

“Mr. Brook believes that it will take about another year for the economy to improve”

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THE CIRCLE GAZETTE

OCTOBER 2010

Still life by Hannah Jaffe, Age 12. Weston, FL. Charcoal on paper.

Fairy by Hannah Jaffe, Age 12. Weston, FL. Oil pastels on paper.

Fingerpaint by Alizdair Ray, Age 6. Alizdair attends art classes at the Young At Art Museum in Davie.

My Kitty. Pencil on paper by Liora Elkoby, Age 9

RAINBOW UNICORN Wet on Wet Watercolors by Valentina Sanz, Age 4. Boca Raton, FL

“Naval Scene” by Brian Jaffe, Age 15. Weston, FL. Pencil and color pencils on paper. This was drawn by artist at the age of 12.

Tree. Mutimedia Art by Alizdair Ray, Age 6

“Seals and a Walrus” by Brian Jaffe, Age 15. Weston, FL. Pencil and color pencils on paper.