Plantation Sports & Activities Directory by Sports & Activities Directory

what’s inside... AROUND TOWN..................... 9 – 16 Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County Celebrate 50 Years..............11 I Care I Cure Offers Ways for Students to Support Kids with Cancer.....12 CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS DIRECTORY........................................14 Girl Scout Troop #10863 Makes a Difference in the Community..........16

EVENTS................................. 17 – 26

EVENTS DIRECTORY............................................................ 18 – 19 21 Fall Family Fun Runs........................................................ 20 – 21 BIRTHDAYS & SPECIAL EVENTS DIRECTORY....................................22 Broward Children’s Center Forms Kids Committee..............................23 City of Plantation Kids News................................................. 24 – 25 Debbie “Wonder Woman” Meitz...................................................26

Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

DIRECTORY............................ 27 – 46

SPORTS DIRECTORY................................................................. 28 – 34 ACTIVITIES DIRECTORY............................................................. 34 – 39 Kumite Martial Arts – Got Fitness?........................................................ 40 Plantation Patriots Recreational Lacrosse Opens Registration for 2017........ 42 THANKS COACH............................................................................ 44 Hit Fit Boxing Academy – Fitness & Training for the Entire Family............... 45 Larry Saffer: Disability…Are You Really Covered?................................... 46

FAMILY HEALTH...................... 47 – 54 Dr. Lucas: How Soon Can We Tell If Your Child Needs Braces?...........48 Sage Dental’s 4th Annual Food Drive..............................................50 HEALTH PROVIDER DIRECTORY............................................. 52 – 53 Common Kids Sports Injuries..........................................................54 Jodi Cohen: Know How to Hover...................................................54

SCHOOLS............................. 55 – 72 Educando A America Brings Spanish to Your School’s Aftercare...........56 Broward County 2016 – 2017 School Calendar..............................56 Letter from School Board Member Laurie Rich Levinson........................58 Broward County School System Facts..............................................58 Letter from School Board Member Robin Bartleman............................62 Letter from School Board Member Donna Korn..................................62 Letter from Superintendent Robert Runcie...........................................63 2016 – 2017 SCHOOL INFORMATION............................... 64 – 65 ACADEMIC DIRECTORY...................................................... 66 – 67 Mirror Lake Elementary is “FIN”TASTIC............................................67 Welcome Back to a New School Year at Plantation Park Elementary.....68 Plantation High School Points of Pride Updates.................................68 Seminole Middle School News......................................................69 Tropical Elementary Takes A Leap Into Fall........................................69 BCASC Raises Money for Honor Flight............................................70 South Plantation Students Preparing for Life After High School...............71 Huntington Learning Center Superstars.............................................71

Our Team

MARGOT LYONS PULERI President / Publisher (954) 806-9714 Direct MargotPuleri@gmail.com MELISSA HARLESS Managing Director of Publishing (423) 304-8051 Direct MelissaSports1@aol.com

Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

LINDA LOMBARDI Territory Representative (305) 989-9380 Direct LindaSports1@aol.com

TINA STRAUSS School Liaison (954) 347-3992 TinaSports1@aol.com NIKKI READING Area Publisher Davie/Cooper City/SW Ranches (954) 296-3285 Direct NikkiSports1@aol.com KIM KADEL Area Publisher Coral Springs & Parkland (954) 803-2140 CSPDirectory1@gmail.com JENNIFER GOWENS Creative Director raskugroup@aol.com SPECIAL THANKS TO: Contributing Writers: • Debby Teich • Tina Strauss • Julie Kasper Contributing Photographers • Patrick Green • Tadd Fisher • Linda Lombardi • Sabrina Morell Mittler TOP SPIN PUBLISHING, INC. Sports & Activities Directory (954) 806-9714 Office 2114 N. Flamingo Road, #1269 Pembroke Pines, FL 33028 Website: www.sportsandactivities.com

Dear Readers,

Summer is gone, vacations are over and we have catapulted our families back into schedules and routines as we begin another school year. It can be daunting for many of us to let go of those carefree, adventurous, relaxed and fun days. However, as I reflect on my own summer, maybe some of my thoughts and ideas can help you look at the school year ahead a little differently. I had a crazy fun summer of traveling to places I have never been before. In the preparation for the travel, I researched countless websites, consulted with family and friends who had been to these places before, studied maps and tours, and planned out many activities and adventures. With the excitement building as the trips neared, more and more details fell into place resulting in my actual experiences meeting or exceeding my expectations. As a sidebar to this, I also allotted unplanned days during the trips for free time. Needless to say, I was thrilled with my summer, my travels and my adventures. So now I am back to work putting together this incredibly informative guide of things families can do in their own cities or towns and I have come to the following realization. My favorite experiences, the ones where lifelong incredible memories were made, were the planned ones, the ones that were researched, detailed and executed. So why are summers and school breaks the only time we seem to put in the effort to plan adventures? Why don’t we put a little effort, planning and research into ‘staycations’ and check out some adventures close to home during the school year? As I was on a Hop On Hop Off bus in Dublin, Ireland, a native Dubliner was on the tour bus for the first time ever. He was commenting on how many interesting and fun things there were to do in his own town that he never knew about. As we South Floridians may use our vacations to travel to Europe, islands, mountains or other countless exotic locations, people all over the world come to South Florida to do the same thing! We have as much, if not more, to see and do right here as any place in the world. It seems that we take for granted the beauty, the interesting history and the adventurous things offered right here in Broward County. It just takes a little planning, research and willingness to put a plan into action. With that said, here are some suggestions for finding some adventure, taking in the sites and learning about our own area’s beautiful surroundings and fascinating history. 3Head out on a chartered boat to fish for marlin, see dolphin and manatees. 3Go scuba diving/snorkeling on our reefs. 3Get on the Water Taxi and spend a day hopping on and off to fun locations and restaurants as you cruise the Intracoastal Waterways. 3Bring the family on The Jungle Queen adventure boat ride. 3Sign up for a haunted walking tour of old Ft. Lauderdale. 3Parasail or jetski on our own beautiful beaches. 3Visit our Museum of Discovery & Science and learn about the sea turtles. 3Go on a guided airboat ride and have close up encounters with alligators and our other native wildlife. 3Pack up your bikes or rent them and hit Hollywood Beach Broadwalk or any one of our countless beautiful parks. 3Hire a chef to conduct a Taste of Tuscany cooking class at their restaurant, cooking school or better yet...at your own home. The idea is to block out a few hours, a day or an entire weekend, plan something you are excited to do with your spouse, family or friends, and then attend to the details so that your experiences match your expectations. Voila! You will have mastered the staycation, saved a bunch of money otherwise spent on traveling, and hopefully created some magical lifelong memories right in your own home town! Give it a try, and then let Sports & Activities Directory know about it so we can share some of your adventures with our readers. Wishing you and your families a wonderful school year ahead. Don’t be daunted by the planning, preparation and schedules of the school year. Instead, embrace it all! Just make sure you block out the time for your staycations as well. As they say in Ireland, “Sláinte!”… or just ”Cheers!” right here in South Florida. My best to you, Margot

Special thank you to our Issue Sponsor

Lucas Orthodontics

NOTE: All information supplied by organizations. Please contact the organization directly for additional information. The Sports & Activities Directory does not endorse the organizations directly. No material published herein may be reproduced in any manner, be it for print or online Web site use, whatsoever without specific prior written authorization from Sports and Activities Directory and Top Spin Publishing, Inc. © Copyright by Top Spin Publishing, Inc. All content is protected under copyright. All Rights Reserved.

Plantat ion S por ts & Activit ies Dire cto ry | Issu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

AROUND TOWN

oys and Girls Clubs of Broward County (BGCBC) have been providing at-risk youth with hope and opportunity since 1965, when the first club opened its doors to more than 550 boys from the surrounding area. Fifty years later, it has grown to an organization with 12 facilities that serve more than 12,500 children and teens, both boys and girls. It is a home away from home, offering youth a safe place to learn and grow – all while having fun. “While much has changed over the years, the commitment from the community – the driving force behind the creation of that first club half a century ago – remains strong, perhaps stronger than ever,” said Brian Quail, President/CEO, BGCBC. “With support from the residents, businesses, foundations and local governments within Broward County, we’re able to focus programs in three key areas – Academic Success, Good Character & Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles – and the lessons learned stay with many of these young people for the rest of their lives.” Founded in 1860, Boys and Girls Clubs of America help enable young people, especially those who need the most help, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Nationally, the club serves more than 4 million young people every year through membership and community outreach. BGCBC is the 5th largest Boys and Girls Club in the nation. Its dedicated staff is committed to providing a positive, safe, and healthy environment for children and providing programs that help youth achieve academic success, develop good character and citizenship and lead a healthy lifestyle. The Broward County facilities are located in low income or impoverished areas, where the majority of youth are on free or reduced lunch and the parents or guardians work. For only $15 per year, members have access to the clubs 247 days a year. All of the facilities have a game room with foosball, air hockey and pool tables, a library, computer lab, and a media lab. Ten facilities have a gymnasium, two have their own football field and two also have swimming pools. Before members are allowed to engage in any fun activities, they are required to complete their homework to reinforce the message that education comes first. The clubs offer 25 different academic programs to help them

increase grade-level advancement and reduce high-school dropout rates. Some of these include Art with a Heart, SAT prep and technology training. The club offers other programs that are designed to reduce juvenile crime rates and reinforce good character and citizenship. The programs empower youth to support and influence their club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image, participate in the democratic process and respect their own and others’ cultural identities. The club also offers programs that encourage healthy behavior and decrease drug use among youth. These programs help youth engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well being, set personal goals and live successfully as self-sufficient adults. They can participate in athletic programs like basketball, baseball, cheerleading, tennis and golf to help them stay active and healthy, helping to reduce obesity. They also learn about proper nutrition and the components of a healthy diet. Members can also receive a healthy snack and hot supper daily. BGCBC is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) private agency that relies on funding raised by its Board of Directors, Women’s Divisions, special events, general donations, corporate sponsors, foundation support, endowments, and the Broward County government. The organization also relies on volunteers who help by serving as board members, as well as assisting with tutoring, athletics, fundraising events and more. BGCBC matches each volunteer’s availability, skills and interests with a club that is close to work or home. “We are like an extended family for our members and our volunteers are part of that,” said Quail. “Volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club can provide adults with new experiences and skills, while they are serving as role models to kids and positively impacting the communities in which they live.” What is the plan for the next 50 years? BGCBC will build more clubs to serve more youth with a particular focus on teens and their needs. The Club’s vision, however, will remain the same. “The vision set forth by our founders 50 years ago still guides us today, as we make a positive impact on our community,” said Quail. “It will continue to guide us for the next 50 years.” For information, visit www.bgcbc.org or call (954) 537-1010.

Plantat ion S por ts & Activit ies Dire cto ry | Issu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

By Debby Teich

AROUND TOWN

By Debby Teich

Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

he I Care I Cure (ICIC) Childhood Cancer Foundation is a 501c3 dedicated to raising awareness and funds for research for targeted and less toxic cures and treatments for childhood cancer. It was established by the Besner family in memory of Ian Besner, who died at the age of 11 of complications from the toxic medications used to treat leukemia. It offers many ways for students to get involved, including school clubs, Mitzvah projects and more. It is a classic example of “children helping children.” ICIC service clubs started in the middle and upper schools at NSU University School, where Ian attended. Last year, ICIC organized and expanded the clubs to other schools in Broward County and throughout the U.S. Over 200 students are involved in clubs at Western High School, City of Plantation, Cypress Bay High School, Nova High School, Dartmouth College, Indiana University, Duke University and many more. Several other schools and religious school groups have already expressed interest in forming new clubs. To help them get started, students are given a manual that contains ideas and a presentation for administrators, as well as promotional materials and support. A representative from ICIC is also available to speak to the group. Club members volunteer at ICIC main events and sponsored activities at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital; create activities and collect items for the pediatric oncology patients; host fundraisers at area restaurants and in their schools; promote awareness for childhood cancer through social media and much more. In September, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, many of the students will be hosting projects. During the 10th Annual I Care I Cure I Run, ICICI’s signature event that is typically held in February, all of the school clubs will participate, either as entrants or volunteers. They will also assist in planning many of the events leading up to the race. “Students are our future and getting them engaged can perhaps one day encourage one of them to help find a cure,” said ICIC Executive Director Babette Ferre-Kosar. “The ICIC clubs allow students to be entrepreneurial in their approach to spreading awareness and raising funds, as well as helping patients in the hospital. They get

experience in creating and organizing events and projects. They also enhance their resumes for colleges and future careers.” Seventeen-year-old Benjamin Leach played with Ian at a young age and knew him well. He has been involved in ICIC since he was a child and founded the ICIC club at Western High School during his freshman year. He has participated in the 5K run, visited sick patients at Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital and more. “Once I was old enough to understand the causes behind Ian’s death, I felt as if it was my duty to help support his family’s honorable cause,” said Benjamin. “I don’t want to see other children suffer through the harsh treatment involved with cancer. Knowing that children can attend school and live a normal life while battling cancer keeps me dedicated to helping ICIC. It is an amazing feeling knowing that my efforts are directly benefiting sick children.” Sixteen-year-old Dylan Kahn, who founded the ICIC club at Nova High School, has participated in the 5k every year, as well as several other fundraisers. “I know the Besner family personally and I want to support them,” said Dylan. “I feel like everybody should be involved in some sort of organization that helps positively impact other people’s lives.” Many Bar/Bat Mitzvah students have also chosen ICIC as their project through their synagogues. ICIC created a Mitzvah Project Pack and sample letter to help the kids with fundraising efforts. Students have raised money by hosting events at local restaurants, organizing trivia contests, holding bake sales, asking for donations in lieu of gifts, and more. Peyton Ronkin loves to bake and created “Dipped with Love” for her Mitzvah project. For a minimum donation of $25, she sold a box of 18 assorted chocolatecovered pretzels, all dipped with love. The project was such a success that Peyton decided to keep it going. “I used my love of baking to help make a difference and raise money for I Care I Cure,” said Peyton. For information, visit www.icareicure.org, send an email to info@icareicure.org or call 800-807-8013.

Plantat ion S por ts & Activit ies Dire cto ry | Issu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

AROUND TOWN

PLA NTATION

Clubs & Organizations BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF BROWARD COUNTY

Do you love animals? Do you want to learn more about taking care of dogs, cats and other pets? Do you want to help the homeless animals? Then join Lopster’s Kids Club at the Humane Society of Broward County. The Club meets once a month, for an hour and a half, after school. Lopster has two clubs: The Lil Pups, ages 6 to 9 years old, and The Big Dogs, ages 10 to 13 years old. To sign up download a registration form at www.humanebroward.com. (954) 989-3977.

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF BROWARD COUNTY

MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Special focus on at-risk youth between ages 7-18 years old, with 12 facilities serving 12,000 registered members. To learn more about becoming involved with the local Boys & Girls Clubs visit their website at www.bgcbc.org - Rick and Rita Case Unit: 7525 N.W. 33rd St., Davie, FL 33024. (954) 433-9000.

FRIENDS OF THE HELEN B. HOFFMAN PLANTATION LIBRARY

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A small group of friends, who shared a common interest in books, formed this club in 1970. Their mission was to: “Promote and foster the use and growth of the Plantation Library.” Meetings are the 2nd Monday of each month. Coffee is served at 9:30AM and the meeting begins at 10:00AM Book Sales: 1st Saturday, 3rd Saturday, and 3rd Friday of each month. 501 N Fig Tree Ln., Plantation, FL 33317. (954) 797-2140.

LOPSTER’S KIDS CLUB

Help children reach their full potential, through professionally supported, and one-to-one relationships with measurable impact. To learn more about becoming a mentor, enrolling your child into the programs, or making a donation, visit their website at bbbsbroward.org info@bbbsbroward.org. 4101 Ravenswood Road, Suite 123, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. (954) 584-9990.

GFWC PLANTATION WOMAN’S CLUB The Club, founded in 1949, is proud of its many contributions to residents, city parks, police and fire departments. The Club sponsors students who are Plantation residents at Florida’s public colleges and universities with financial scholarships. They donate to public schools and promote a wide variety of community improvement projects. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, September through May, at Deicke Auditorium, 5701 Cypress Road, Plantation 33317. For more information contact: President Darlene Vlazny at (954) 295-0754, Membership Chair Pat Hinde at (954) 661-3830, or visit their website at: www.gfwcplantationwomansclub.com.

GIRL SCOUTS OF BROWARD COUNTY The Girl Scouts of Broward County provides informal educational programs, for girls between ages 5-18. It is a safe, and fun place for girls to discover, connect, and take action. Girl scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. For more information visit their website at www.gssef.org - 4701 NW 33rd Avenue, Oakland Park, FL 33309. (954) 739-7660.

THE GREATER PLANTATION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Chamber serves as a catalyst for the economic success of its members, and the dynamic City of Plantation. Providing opportunities for growth, leadership, community partnership, and a voice for the business community. Meetings: Free Networking Mornings - Leads Groups Monthly Membership Breakfasts - Special Events. For more information visit their website at www.plantationchamber.org - 7401 NW 4th Street, Plantation, FL 33317. (954) 587-1410.

HEALTHY MOTHERS, HEALTHY BABIES COALITION OF BROWARD COUNTY Dedicated to reducing infant deaths by providing resources, education to pregnant women, parents, and their families. A community leader in providing services to pregnant women, teens, and families for more than 20 years. Provides access to prenatal care, education, advocacy, and public awareness for all families in Broward County, especially for those who are unable to afford private care. For more information visit their website at www.hmhbbroward.org, (954) 765-0550.

KIDS IN DISTRESS AUXILIARY KIDS is a local non-profit agency, providing a full continuum of care, dedicated to the treatment and prevention of child abuse. The KID Auxiliary is a warm hearted volunteer group, which supports educational, and social events, while raising public awareness through their ongoing fundraising efforts. For further information on meetings and on how to get involved visit their website at www.kidaux.org - kidaux@yahoo.com, (954) 252-3365.

KIWANIS CLUB OF PLANTATION The KIWANIS Club of Plantation has served the community for more than 58 years. The club provides scholarships to high school students and various items for food banks. They also sponsor KIWANIS youth organizations in elementary, middle and high schools and collages. The Club meets at 12 noon on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th Wednesday of every month at Duffy’s Sports Grill, 811 S. University Drive in the Fountains Shopping Center. On the 4th Thursday they meet at the Deicke Auditorium for dinner at 6:30PM. For more information, contact Bill Harber, club secretary, harberlights@hotmail.com or (954) 720-4755.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS The Fraternal Order promotes enhancing the community through service. Meetings are each Wednesday at 7:00pm. The organization is for men and it is non-sectarian, fraternal order. Membership dues are $50 annually and all moneys raised go 100% to charities. To become a member, donate, or contact the Knights, contact Allan Fogelman. (954) 770-3437.

Each wish experience exceeds even the child’s expectations, transporting them from a world of doctors, and hospitals, to a world where anything is possible. The foundation grants wishes to children between the ages of 2-18 with life-threatening health conditions. 4491 South State Road 7, Suite 201, Davie, FL 33314. www.sfla.wish.org. (954) 967-9474.

MOMS CLUB OF PLANTATION

A support group designed just for the stay-at-home mother of today! If you want a variety of activities for you and your children, and if you are proud of your choice of stay-at-home mothering, this is the club for you. There’re meetings daily, weekly, and monthly, for various activities. momsclubplantation@yahoo.com.

PLANTATION HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Plantation Historical Society meets every 4th Thursday of the month, at the Plantation Historical Museum at 511 North Fig Tree Lane, behind the Plantation Library. They coordinate new exhibits, collect historical information, run tours of the museum, and conduct extensive research. Free Admission. Contact them for membership information. (954) 797-2722.

THE PLANTATION JUNIOR WOMAN’S CLUB

The club focuses their efforts toward parks, and recreational facilities. Founded in 1960 to provide cultural interests and community service for the City of Plantation. A non-profit, non-political, and non-sectarian organization of women. All prospective members and their friends who reside in Plantation or nearby communities are invited to attend a New Member Orientation. General meetings are the 3rd Wednesday of the month. For more information visit their website at plantationjuniorwomansclub.org or write to info@pjwcfl.org. Membership information: membershipinfo@plantationjuniorwomansclub.org. (954) 797-9762.

PLANTATION UNIT OF PARLIAMENTARIANS

Established in 1985, for people interested in parliamentary law, and in learning how to preside over a meeting. They are members of the Florida State Association of Parliamentarians & National Association of Parliamentarians. Meetings are the first Tuesday of each month, from 7:00PM to 9:00PM at the Broward Government Center. Meetings are free to the public. - Broward Government Center: 1 University Drive, Plantation, FL. (954) 791-2156.

ROTARY CLUB OF PLANTATION

An organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide. Provides humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. The main objective of Rotary is service in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. For more information and to learn more about membership visit their website at www.plantationrotaryclub.org, (954) 261-2113.

SOUTH FLORIDA JUBILEE CHORUS

A women’s singing organization that rehearses every Thursday night in Plantation, and performs a cappella four-part harmony around the South Florida Area whenever it gets the chance! South Florida Jubilee Chorus is a local, award winning chapter of Sweet Adelines International (SAI) a worldwide organization of women singers dedicated to preserving the barbershop style. Singing a cappella music, ringing chords, and hearing those close harmonies is a honed skill that our members enjoy, and learn at each rehearsal and at music schools that are provided by the International organization. We are accepting new members, and also are available for bookings. Call (954) 678-4223 or go to www.southfloridajubilee.com for more information.

VOICES FOR CHILDREN OF BROWARD COUNTY Nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money for and awareness of the Guardian Ad Litem Program, which provides an advocate for abused and neglected children. Children benefit greatly from the advocacy of a Guardian ad Litem, a trained volunteer from the community, who simply wants to make sure the best interests of the children are served. The Guardian ad Litem program recruits, trains and supervises volunteers who work one on one with these children. To join and support Voices for Children, or to learn more about volunteering as a Guardian Ad Litem, visit their website at www.voicesbroward.org or email info@voicesbroward.org.

MORE ORGANIZATIONS - CITY OF PLANTATION - WWW.PLANTATION.ORG • • • • • • •

Broward on Broadway: (954) 805-2192. ChildNet: (954) 414-6001. Community Outreach (Crime Prevention Officers Assoc.): (954) 916-5602. Plantation Art Guild: (954) 475-1406. Plantation Elks & Elkettes: (954) 742-8840. Plantation Orchid Society: (954) 584-4796. S.P.C.A. Wildlife Care Center: (954) 524-4302.

Plantat ion S por ts & Activit ies Dire cto ry | Issu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

AROUND TOWN

AROUND TOWN Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

By Debby Teich

irl Scouts of Southeast Florida serves more

them all their lives, like leadership, strong values,

than 10,000 girls ages 5–17. It builds girls of courage,

social conscience, and conviction about their own

confidence and character, and provides them with a safe

potential and self-worth. They also provide the girls

place to discover more about themselves and the world

with opportunities for fun and friendship.

around them, to connect with others, and to take action

The girls have participated in the Community Read-

to make the world a better place. Girl Scouts offers every

Along at IKEA, formed a team for Relay for Life in

girl a chance to do something amazing. For the past four

Weston, attended a Halloween party with the kids at

years, the girls in Troop #10863 have reaped the benefits

JAFCO, celebrated Easter at an orphanage in Pembroke

of being a member of a troop. “The girls discover so

Pines, volunteered at Dan Marino Children’s Hospital

much about themselves,” said Marite Ricardo, troop

and more. They also convinced the City of Lauderhill to

leader. “They find ways to express themselves both

color a fountain and “light it up blue” in support of World

creatively and intellectually.”

Autism Awareness Day.

There are currently 57 girls in the troop in

“We encourage the girls to focus on what they can do,

kindergarten through 11th grade. Most live in

instead of what they can’t do,” said Ricardo. “We are not

the Weston area. They meet once a week to work

a troop. We are a family.”

on badges and plan projects that will make their

Girl Scout round ups are typically held soon after school

community a better place. The activities are designed

starts, but membership is open throughout the year. For

to help the girls develop qualities that will serve

more information, visit www.gssef.org.

EVENTS

AUGUST

EVERY TUESDAY IN AUGUST

DISNEY’S 101 DALMATIANS KIDS: A SUMMER THEATER CAMP PRODUCTION

Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

6:00PM. Keep your pups on their leashes! The fur-raising adventure of kidnapping villains and courageous puppies features a high-spirted score and lovable characters to delight audiences of all ages. Our adorable 6–9 year-old summer campers set their paws on stage for this entertaining performance your whole family will enjoy. Located at the Broward Center for Performing Arts, 201 SW 5th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312. Visit browardcenter.org for more details.

SECOND TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH

CONCERTS IN THE PARK CONCERT SERIES –

6:00PM – 9:00PM. The Town of Davie hosts its “Concerts in the Park” concert series on the second Thursday of every month. The concerts will be held in the band shell at the Old Davie School Historical Museum. The concerts are FREE. The events will include food trucks, a bounce house, petting farm, vendors and sponsor displays. Taste of Davie will be featuring a different Davie restaurant at each concert. Bring your blankets and chairs, enjoy dinner and live music.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5

MOTHER-SON TAILGATE PARTY

7:00PM – 9:00PM. Mothers and their sons, 6–12 years old are invited to put on your favorite team jersey and join us for a night of music, pizza and tailgate games! $20 per couple (1 Mother, 1 Son); $8 per extra son. Tailgate tickets available July 25 – August 4 at Plantation Central Park, 9151 NW 2nd Street and Deicke Auditorium the evening of the event. For more information, call (954) 452-2510.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6

HOLIDAYS TO SPARE BOWLING TOURNAMENT

11:00AM – 2:00PM. Deliver the Dream is hosting Holidays to Spare! Holiday Mash Up Bowling Tournament. All bowlers will enjoy entry into the tournament, food, beverages, tournament t-shirt, fun holiday trivia, a chance to win exciting prizes, a costume contest where guests can dress as any holiday they’d like, and a colored pin challenge. The team that hits the most colored pins in the tournament will win a special prize! Teams and local businesses can pre-register by calling Deliver the Dream at (954) 564.3512 or by emailing ksaussy@deliverthedream.org.

MONDAY, AUGUST 8

ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE NEW RIVER

6:00PM. Join us as we host a community conversation with Dr. Robert Carr about the importance of the historic preservation process. Dr. Carr will provide insights from his years of archaeological investigation, policy and analysis in South Florida. We will highlight the lesser known history of the archaeologically sensitive zones along the New River including the sites of the third actual Fort Lauderdale, Lewis Landing, Brickell Drive, and Rivermont House. Admission is Free and open to the public. RSVP requested and donations welcome.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, AUGUST 13 & 14

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

2:00PM. Climb your trucks and start your engines! As one of the country’s premier live motorsport events, Monster Jam features the biggest, baddest monster trucks in the business going at it in bone-crushing races and freestyles. BB&T Center in Sunrise. ticketmaster.com

7:00PM. Central Park Gymnasium, 9151 NW 2nd Street. $10 per person (non-refundable). AGE DIVISIONS: 7&8 – 9&10 – 11&12. Register at Central Park. Sign up early as space is limited. For more information, call (954) 452-2510.

MONSTER JAM

YOUTH HOT SHOT BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

11:00AM – 2:00PM. Come join the Town of Davie and the South Florida Cloggers for this annual Davie event at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds. Show off your singing and dancing talents by participating in the “Davie Idol” singing contest or one of the dancing or clogging demonstrations. Come for family fun and stay for a good ol’ fashioned country hoedown, games and entertainment! Help the South Florida Cloggers raise travel money for clogging competitions by bidding on silent auction items. The registration fee for “Davie Idol” contest is $20. Prizes will be awarded to the winner. Call Rebecca Vetter at (954) 347-5207 for more information.

12:00PM – 5:00PM. 9-11 Memorial Fundraiser benefiting Impact Broward American Legion Post 321, 9081 SW 51st Street, Cooper City, FL 33328. $8 for 13 & over/adult; $3 for children age 3 to 12; Free for Children 2 & under. For more info, call Ken or Jackie, (954) 484-7117.

DOWNTOWN HOEDOWN

TUESDAY, AUGUST 30

AC/DC ROCK OR BUST WORLD TOUR

CHILI COOKOFF

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

SEPTEMBER 11TH MEMORIAL CEREMONY

8:00AM. The City of Pembroke Pines remembers and honors all those who faced terrorism on September 11, 2001. The FREE event will be held at our 911 Memorial located at City Center, 10300 Pines Boulevard. For more information, please call (954) 435-6525.

8:00PM. Current line-up of Angus Young, Cliff Williams, Stevie Young, Chris Slade and Axl Rose are set to continue their global trek with a return, for the final leg, to the USA. BB&TCenter, Sunrise. ticketmaster.com

THURSDAY – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 – 18

SEPTEMBER

8:00PM. Featuring Disney Pixar’s Record-Breaking Animated Hit Finding Dory and Disney Pixar’s Inside Out. BB&TCenter, Sunrise. ticketmaster.com

SECOND TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH

CONCERTS IN THE PARK CONCERT SERIES –

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 GEORGE LOPEZ: #THASTRUECOMEDY TOUR

8:00PM. Hard Rock Live in Hollywood. ticketmaster.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 ART SEARCH – GRADES K–12

A visual arts competition for students in grades K–12, sponsored by The Plantation Junior Woman’s Club and the City of Plantation Parks & Recreation Department. At a formal awards ceremony, first, second and third place winners will be presented with award ribbons and gift cards in each grade level. All winning pieces will be displayed November 12th & 13th at Art in the Park, held at Liberty Tree Park. Afterwards, the winning pieces of art will be displayed in the Plantation General Park for one year. Any medium may be used with the exception of sculptures. All entries should relate to the 2016 theme, “A Celebration of Art.” Artwork must be 12”x18” (mounted size), must be labeled on the back side with the entrant’s name and phone number and must be submitted with an entry form; only one entry per person. For more information, please call (954) 452-2510.

DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS FOLLOW YOUR HEART

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 RIVERWALK FALL FESTIVAL

12:00PM – 4:00PM. Join us at Esplanade Park in Downtown Ft. Lauderdale as we say goodbye to the summer and welcome fall fun at the 2nd Annual Riverwalk Fall Festival. Spend the day with fall carnival themed games, activities and competitions. An assortment of vendors and food trucks will also be on site for your enjoyment. This FREE event is open to all ages and well-behaved pets too (on leash). Feel free to bring along your lawn chairs to enjoy this afternoon of fun and live music. For more information about becoming a sponsor or vendor at this event, please contact us at (954) 468-1541, ext.205.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

JAZZ IN THE PINES CONCERT SERIES

5:00PM – 7:00PM. Join the City of Pembroke Pines for a relaxing afternoon at William B. Armstrong Dream Park, 1700 Dykes Road (NW 160 Avenue). Don’t forget a comfortable chair or blanket. For additional information contact the Special Events Office at (954) 435-6525.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

STRIKES 4 KIDS MIAMI BOWLING CLASSIC

6:00PM – 8:30PM. Join us for the 3rd Annual Strikes for Kids Miami Bowling Classic, presented by Above .500 Inc. The event is hosted by Dolphins’ Pro Bowl Safety Reshad Jones and will take place at SpareZ Bowling Center located at 5323 S. University Drive, Davie, FL 33328. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Strikes For Kids Scholarship Program. $20 for spectators, $35 per bowler or $200 per lane for up to six (6) bowlers. For more information, call (559) 241-4412 or visit www.strikesforkidsmiami.com.

EVENTS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

ADOLESCENT & JUVENILE VIOLENCE CONFERENCE

OCTOBER

SECOND TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH CONCERTS IN THE PARK CONCERT SERIES –

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5 PETER FRAMPTON RAW: AN ACOUSTIC TOUR

7:30PM. Parker Playhouse, Ft. Lauderdale. ticketmaster.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9

RENT 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

10:00AM. Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center, Ft Lauderdale, FL. ticketmaster.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 BOW WOW WEEN

9:00AM – 1:00PM. Prepare yourselves for a paw-sitively good time! Your furry friends won’t be spooked this Halloween with this event catered just for them. The City of Pembroke Pines invites you to join us at the 3rd Annual Halloween Event for dogs. The bark-tacular event will take place at the Pembroke Pines Dog Park, 9751 Johnson Street (just east of Palm Avenue). The event will feature a costume contest for all sizes and different categories, games, prizes, and pet related vendors. For event information, exhibitor or sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Special Events office at (954) 435-6525.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 BACON BASH

1:00PM – 5:00PM. Bacon Bash returns to the Esplanade Park located at 400 SW 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. The goal of this event is to bring together residents, businesses and visitors for a bacon-filled afternoon while raising funds for two local charities: Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale and Covenant House Florida. For a $25 prepaid donation ($35 day of the event) VIP guests will be able to sample beverages and small bites in the VIP area at the event. There will also be a cash bar available outside the VIP area with a limited selection of beverages for purchase. Attendees will also enjoy entertainment and fun activities for all ages throughout the day. For information about being a sponsor or vendor at this event, please contact Cristina at Cristina@GoRiverwalk.com.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11

MIAMI HEAT VS. BROOKLYN NETS

7:30PM. American Airlines Arena, Miami. ticketmaster.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21

JOSEPH J. MONTOPOLI MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

1:00PM SHOTGUN START. The tournament is dedicated to the memory of Fire Chief Montopoli who passed away unexpectedly on February 1st, 2016 after serving the Town of Davie for over 10 years. Fire Chief Montopoli believed in providing strong mentorship with old school values and leaves behind a legacy of profound leadership that will influence generations to come. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Davie Fire Rescue Benevolent Association, a not-for-profit fraternal organization that assists firefighters in times of need, as well as the community at large, with various projects throughout the year. The Davie/Cooper City Chamber of Commerce will receive a portion of the tournament proceeds. Tournament fee: $500 per foursome (includes: greens fee, food and beverage, golf shirt and gifts). Sponsorship opportunities available! Call (954) 797-1146 or (954) 581-0790 for more information.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 GOVERNMENT DAYS

9:30AM – 3:30PM. The Florida League of Cities, an association of member municipalities throughout Florida, is sponsoring an educational program called “My city: I’m part of it; I’m proud of it.” The program is designed to educate school-aged children about city government functions. In the spirit of the program, the Town of Davie will celebrate Florida City Government by providing school-aged groups educational tours of Davie Town Hall. Tours are designed to educate and inform students about their local government. We would like to invite your school to participate in our program. To participate, call Anna Francis, Crew Leader, at (954) 797-1181. All groups will check in behind Town Hall, 6591 Orange Drive.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22

A FAMILY HALLOWEEN & SAFETY FESTIVAL

10:00AM – 2:00PM. Ages 2 years and older. $5 per person. Located at Volunteer Park, 12050 W. Sunrise Blvd. Some activities include: Children’s carnival, games & activities, costume contests for children and adults, police and fire safety exhibits, inflatables & face painting, food and safety products, free candy and Halloween bags for kids. Sponsored by the City of Plantation Parks and Recreation Department and the Plantation Police Department. For more information, please call the Police Department at (954) 797-2602 or the Parks and Recreation Department at (954) 452-2510.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22 & 23

SESAME STREET LIVE: ELMO MAKES MUSIC

10:30AM & 2:00PM. Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center, Ft Lauderdale, FL. ticketmaster.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29 HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS

1:00PM – 5:00PM. Includes a pumpkin patch, free games and prizes, a petting farm, bounce houses, climbing wall and a Halloween costume contest at 4:00pm. The South Florida Cloggers will be hosting a family-friendly haunted houses. This event will be held at Robbins Lodge Open Space Park, 4005 Hiatus Rd., Davie.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29 BOOVILLE

6:00PM – 9:00PM. Join us for some family fun and spooky activities including a costume contest, pumpkin patch with prizes, shows, rides, trick or treat stations, spooky strolling characters and many more surprises. The event will be held at the Pines Recreation Center, 7400 Pines Blvd. Admission is $2 per person. For more information, contact the Special Events Office at (954) 435-6525.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29

SIA WITH MIGUEL & ALUNA GEORGE

7:00PM. Five-time GRAMMY Award nominee and multiplatinum selling artist/songwriter/hitmaker Sia, will bring her North American Nostalgic For The Present Tour to BB&T Center with special guests Miguel and Aluna George. BB&TCenter, Sunrise. ticketmaster.com

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

JAZZ IN THE PINES CONCERT SERIES

3:00PM – 5:00PM. FREE! Join the City of Pembroke Pines for a relaxing afternoon at William B. Armstrong Dream Park, 1700 Dykes Road (NW 160th Avenue). Don’t forget a comfortable chair or blanket. For additional information, contact the Special Events Office at (954) 435-6525.

NOVEMBER SECOND TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH

CONCERTS IN THE PARK CONCERT SERIES –

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1

BONNIE RAITT: DIG IN DEEP TOUR 2016

8:00PM. Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center, Ft Lauderdale, FL. ticketmaster.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5

MOONLIGHT MOVIES IN THE PARK: ZOOTOPIA

8:00PM. In a city inhabited by animals who live together in a civilized coexistence, uptight rabbit police officer Judy Hopps is forced to work with charismatic fox con-artist Nick Wilde to solve a major case involving the mysterious disappearance of some carnivorous citizens. When a few of the missing critters reappear, it exposes existing prejudices among the city’s residents that threatens to wreak havoc on their diverse metropolis. (Animation / PG / 108 minutes). Bring lawn chairs or blankets and relax… the movie is on us! The full-length feature film is projected onto a giant inflatable screen. For more information, please call (954) 389-4321 or visit Westonfl.org.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17

CARRIE UNDERWOOD - THE STORYTELLER TOUR

7:00PM. Seven-time Grammy winner and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Carrie Underwood is extending The Storyteller Tour- Stories in the Round and making a stop at BB&T Center, Sunrise. ticketmaster.com

Plantat ion S por ts & Activit ies Dire cto ry | Issu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

9:00AM - 3:30PM. Why children do the unthinkable. Please join us for eye-opening, insightful panels and presentations on the influence of our youth in today’s world and the effect it is having on our society. Meet some of the brightest minds in the fields of psychiatry, Psychology, Neuroscience, Criminology, Behavior Health Sciences and more. Learn the warning signs that will help prevent violent acts from happening. Westin Hotel, 400 Corporate Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334. Register at BrowardCrime.org or call 954-746-3117.

EVENTS

AUGUST

SATURDAY, AUGUST 13TH

Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

DOWN2EARTH 5K & 10K CROSS COUNTRY RUN

We are a company dedicated to promoting positive attitudes, fun and adventure. Giving ordinary people and experienced athletes the chance of a lifetime. We offer competitive races for participants of all ages who are up for a challenge. WARNING: NO WHINERS! As a Down2Earth company, we have absolutely ZERO TOLERANCE for WHINING. 5K Runners will run 1 loop of the course and 10K Runners will run 2 loops. Location: John U. Lloyd State Park, 6503 N. Ocean Drive, Dania Beach | Time: 7:00am | Cost: 5K $30–$35, 10K $40–$45 | Website: www.worksmartplayharder.com

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28TH

I TRI’D 5 TO 15 KIDS TRIATHLON

This event is to encourage kids to live a healthy lifestyle by participating in a little swimming, biking and running. This is a kids only triathlon. Your child will swim in a pool and bike/run on a closed course. We are encouraging groups to register as a team as team awards will be given. The entry fee will cover race goodies. Location: Pompano Beach Aquatic Complex, 820 NE 18th Ave., Pompano Beach | Time: 6:30am | Cost: $35 | Website: www.itzevents.com

SEPTEMBER

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH 2016 LABOR DAY TRIATHLON

All finishers will receive a custom designed finisher’s medal declaring you as a triathlon or duathlon finisher! We feel that finished a triathlon or duathlon of any distance is a great accomplishment that you should be proud of. In addition, awards are given to the top 3 finishers in all categories. Those receiving overall and master awards are removed from their age groups, bumping everyone else up in the age group standings. All participants will also receive a custom designed Race Shirt at Packet Pickup. Collect them all! Location: Tradewinds Park, 3600 W. Sample Rd., Coconut Creek | Time: Race 7:00am | Cost: Individual $89, Relay $139 | Website: www.multirace.com

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH

CORAL SPRINGS 9/11 REMEMBRANCE 5K

As we approach the 15th Anniversary of the attacks on America, the City of Coral Springs remains committed to honoring the victims and families left behind. Awards will be given to the top 3 overall male/female in age appropriate categories. Postrace party: vendors will be surrounding the finish line so make sure to stick around after the race to have some fun. Location: Northwest Regional Library, 3151 University Dr., Coral Springs | Time: 7:00am | Cost: 19 & under $15, Individual $20–$25| Website: www.active.com

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH

RUNNER’S DEPOT FIRE HERO 5K FOR 9/11

The Runner’s Depot Hero 5K Run for 9/11 begins at Charnow Park on Hollywood Beach. It is a flat and fast, out and back, 3.1-mile race along the beautiful Hollywood Beach Boardwalk. An oversized race beach towel will be given to all those who pre-register! Proceeds from this event will be donated to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Location: Charnow Park, 300 Connecticut St., Hollywood | Time: 7:00am | Cost: $25 – $35 | Website: www.active.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH 5K RUN AGAINST VIOLENCE & CRIME

This 5K Run is to bring awareness to the outrageous levels of crime and violence plaguing the urban communities in the State of Florida, in particular, South Florida Communities. First 50 to register will receive T-shirts. No packet pick up needed. Race bibs & T-shirts/ giveaways will only be available on race day. Location: Charnow Park, 300 Connecticut St., Hollywood | Time: 7:30am | Cost: Adults $25, Children (Age 5–12) $10 + $2.50 Sign Up Fee | Website: https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/FL/Hollywood/

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH YOUR NEXT STEP IS THE CURE

Our Your Next Step is the Cure events raise much-needed funds for the patient services and clinical research projects of the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation. Each event provides fun, family-friendly activities, including a kid’s dash, music, 5K event awards and more. Whether you want to walk, jog or run, or if you choose to participate as an individual or as part of a team, we believe that Your Next Step is the Cure! Location: Charnow Park, 300 Connecticut St., Hollywood | Time: 7:00am | Cost: Standard Pre-Registration $30, Youth (Age 5–12) & Seniors (Age 60+) $15 | Website: www.activel.com

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH ST. JUDE WALK/RUN TO END CHILDHOOD CANCER

Sign up, form a team, and invite your friends and family to join. Thanks to committed fundraisers like you, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since the hospital opened in 1962. We won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. Location: Tamiami Park, 10901 SW 24 Street, Miami | Time: 7:30am | Cost: Varies | Website: fundraising.stjude.org

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH TEAL 5K – STRIDE AGAINST GYNECOLOGIC CANCER

The purpose of the event is to celebrate the National Ovarian & Gynecologic Cancer Month, the survivors, the fighters the strength of their families who have been touched by the disease, and to raise much needed funds for education, awareness, cancer research and the Teal Teen Project™. This is an event for your entire family! There will be prizes for the top runners, raffle giveaways, snacks, music, live entertainment, DJs, bouce house, kidz zone, dominos & card games, health booth, yoga, children activities, refreshments, face painting and more. Location: C.B. Smith Park – Shelter 6, 900 N. Flamingo Rd., Pembroke Pines | Time: Start time 7:00am | Cost: $30 + $2.50 Sign Up Fee | Website: kindahfoundation.org/event/teal-5k-walk-run/

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH OPTIME ONE CAUSE 5K

Optime ONE CAUSE focuses on creating goodwill initiatives to empower our community. Run/Walk to help children & adults with developmental disabilities reach their greatest potential! Join us after the run as we raffle off various prizes from our Sponsors to all participating runners! Proceeds go to UCP. Registration includes iconic t-shirt, finisher medal, free parking, power snacks and fun for the entire family! Location: Markham Park, 16001 West State Road 84 – Shelters 5, 6 & 7, Sunrise | Time: 7:30am | Cost: Adults $35 – $45, Students (Ages 17 & Under) $20 | Website: www.optime5krun.com

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH RACE FOR HUNGER 5K

Hunger is a problem we all wish to end someday. NuevaLife is a non-profit organization that has been developing humanitarian projects in Latin America for over 9 years. This year we are inviting you to Run/Walk our 5K to raise funds for two important projects that aim to bring nutrition to two different regions in Columbia, South America (La Guajira and Buenaventura). With 272 acres of green rolling hills and meadows, Visa View Park is the perfect area in South Florida to help us achieve this mission. Location: Vista View Park, 4001 SW 142 Ave., Davie | Time: 7:00am | Cost: $20 + $2.50 Sign Up Fee| Website: runsignup.com/Race/FL/Davie/RaceforHunger5K

OCTOBER

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1ST BE A HERO, RUN FOR A KID

Kakes 4 Kids is a local, non-profit organization that provides birthday celebrations to over 300 foster and underprivileged kids in South Florida every month. In order to continue to spread joy, we need your help! Be a Hero! Run for a Kid! Awards to follow after race for overall male and female winner and top 3 male and female in each age division. Location: Charnow Park, 300 Connecticut St., Hollywood | Time: 7:30am | Cost: Adults $25, Children under 18 $20 | Website: kakes4kidsflorida.org

TO HAVE YOUR RUN/WALK EVENT LISTED HERE FOR FUTURE ISSUES, PLEASE EMAIL MELISSASPORTS1@AOL.COM.

3.5 miles and over 20 obstacles! 100% of the proceeds from this event go to support the children’s homes at Sheridan House. Sheridan House is committed to offering community services, which give children and families the opportunity to reach their full, God given potential; opportunities that might otherwise not be available due to impeding circumstances in the home. Location: 1700 S Flamingo Rd., Davie | Time: 7:30am | Cost: Individual $69 - $89 + $15 Insurance, Spectator $10 | Website: www.goliathgauntlet.com

Presented by Northwest Medical Center and benefitting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Packet Pick Up is at Coral Springs Runners Depot. This is a 5K and 5-mile course USATF certified on a flat, fast course. Scoring by Accuchip USA. Location: Park Trails Park, 10555 Trails End, Parkland | Time: 7:00am | Cost: TBD | Website: www.cityofparkland. org/843/Parkland-Dash-5K5Mile-RunWalk

GOLIATH GAUNTLET

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2ND DUNN’S RUN

The 20th Annual Dunn’s Run benefits The Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. The Dunn’s Run has earned its reputation as the race that signifies the start of the running season, attracting over 2,000 runners, walkers and participants. One of the largest racing fields in the Tri-County. This event is fun for everyone regardless of ability and attracts the masses as the entry cost is only $35 or less. Location: 2098 SE 2nd St., Deerfield Beach | Time: 7:30am | Cost: Adults $30 - $35, Kids (Ages 3-6) $10 | Website: www.dunnsrun.com

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2ND JOG FOR DOGS 5K RUN/WALK

The Jog for Dogs is a unique, family-friendly event that takes place on a very pleasant loop course around the beautiful campus of Nova South Eastern University in Davie. With comfortable Fall weather and a fun atmosphere, this is a great event for experienced runners and complete novices alike – plus everyone in between! Proceeds of the event will be shared between Best Friends Animal Sanctuary’s Guardian Angel Sponsorship Program and the Humane Society of Broward County. Teams are encouraged to represent local animal rescue organizations with a percentage of race registration fees going to the rescue of their choice! A post-race entertainment area is also great fun for participants and friends of participants as well. Location: Nova Southeastern University, College Avenue, Davie | Time: 7:30am | Cost: $25 - $30 | Website: www.active.com

PARKLAND DASH 5K

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15TH

SUSAN G. KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series is the world’s largest and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer ever created. This Race is unique in the fact that 100% of the net proceeds are allocated to our mission. You can register to run or walk a 5K with your family and friends, start a team, fundraise, or even become a sponsor of the Race. Location: Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami | Time: 7:30am | Cost: Runner $30 - $45, Tot Run: Child Age 2-7 $10, Child Age 8-17 $20 | Website: www.miamiftl.info-komen.org

SATRUDAY, OCTOBER 15TH DOWN2EARTH 5K & 10K CROSS COUNTRY RUN

We are a company dedicated to promoting positive attitudes, fun and adventure. Giving ordinary people and experienced athletes the chance of a lifetime. We offer competitive races for all adult participants who are up for a challenge. Races are either mountain biking, running, adventure racing, triathlons or a combination of all of the above. Bring your energy and enthusiasm and get ready to have FUN! Location: John U. Lloyd State Park, 6503 N. Ocean Dr., Dania Beach | Time: 7:30am | Cost: $30 - $45 | Website: www.active.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15TH PURSUIT OF HONOR, COURAGE, COMMITMENT 5K

Support two great causes – the Wounded Warrior Project and

the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps Youth Program with a sunrise run on beautiful Hollywood Beach. Kids Fun Run, Awards Ceremony and post-race breakfast to follow. Pre-Race Pasta Dinner on Friday, October 14th, 6pm – 8pm at 300 SW 25th St., Fort Lauderdale. Race Location: Charnow Park, 300 Connecticut St., Hollywood | Time: 7:30am | Cost: Active Duty Military $5, Running $25, Student under 18 $15, Kids Fun Run $10 | Website: www.active.com

EVENTS

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9TH

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22ND HAIR PEACE 5K

Women of H.O.P.E. (Health Occupations Promoting Education) in collaboration with Paradise Spa Salon will be hosting Hair Peace 5K Run/Walk. The main goal of this run/ walk is to help bring awareness and support to those who live with autoimmune diseases that result in devastating hair loss. This life changing event aims to bring people together to celebrate the lives of those currently battling an auto-immune disease, remember loved ones lost and helping to raise funds for hair prostheses (wigs) for women and men with hair loss due to an autoimmune disease(s). We invite walkers, runners, joggers and strollers of all ages to come out and participate. Even if you can’t join the race, come support a great cause and have a good time doing so! Location: Miramar Regional Park, 16801 Miramar Pkwy., Miramar | Time: 7:15am | Cost: Individual $30 – $35 | Website: www.hairpeace5k.com

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23RD LIFE ALLIANCE RUN 4 LIFE 5K

Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency (LAORA) fourth annual Run 4 Life is for runner, walkers, and the entire family to honor the lives or organ, eye and tissue donors. Celebrate the lives of organ, eye and tissue recipients and recognize those waiting for a lifesaving transplant. The 5K Run/Walk event is 3.1 miles and runs around Hollywood Beach strip starting and ending at Charnow Park. Say “Yes” and register today to save lives through organ and tissue donation. Location: Charnow Park, 300 Connecticut St., Hollywood | Time: TBD | Cost: $25 | Website: www.active.com

Plantat ion S por ts & Activit ies Dire cto ry | Issu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1ST

EVENTS

BIRTHDAY PARTIES & SPECIAL EVENTS TAG USA GYMNASTICS & TRAMPOLINE Private TWO HOUR parties with very large spectacular 1000 sq. foot party rooms and glass viewing areas TAG’s LARGEST Gym has the most equipment, inflatables, rope swing, tumble floors, foam pits, and trampolines. No extra charges for bounce houses, slide inflatables, indoor basketball / soccer court. Your choice of Mommy & Me, Trampolines & Gymnastics, or Boys Sports parties with structured stations or open gym style. Visit our facility & compare at www.TagGymnastics.com... You gotta see it to believe it! 1951 North Commerce Parkway, Weston. Call (954) 384-9393 to reserve your party.

FLORIDA TRIPLE THREAT ALL-STARS

Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

Competitive Cheer and Dance Facility. Come build a Pyramid for your next Birthday Party! A Human Pyramid, that is. Enjoy a 2-hour private party on a Sunday with all your friends. You can tumble on the spring floor and tumble trak, and bounce on the trampoline. Prices are only $15 per child. (954) 514-7250. www.Fla3threat.com.

BROWARD BASEBALL ACADEMY (BBA) Book your baseball or softball themed party with Broward Baseball Academy (BBA), a year-round baseball and softball training facility, with two lighted fields and 3 covered batting cages and pitching machines. Our birthday party package can include batting cage time; field time and games can also be arranged. Food can be catered or bring your own. Located on the David Posnack JCC Campus, 5850 S. Pine Island Rd. Davie. Director – Wayne Stofsky, Wayne@BrowardBaseballAcademy.com. (954) 683-7747.

DANCE FX PARTY Bring your party to our studio. Dance, fun, music and more. Currently in its 17th year, Dance FX has more than 50 dancers on its award winning competition team that travels all over the country, AND we are the home to the ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ runner up, Tiffany Maher 2012 & Alexis Juliano Top 14 2013! Bring your party to our studio. Call for available dates: (954) 742-3114.

SUPER TUBE & SURF PARTIES Looking for something new? Want to be the coolest parents on earth? Have a super party at CB Smith Park. Ride the Chariot warbird, flying saucer and banana boat. New this year is wakesurfing behind our new boat that makes an endless surf wake. Peg the fun meter and hear “that was the best day of my life!” Covered pavilion and large play area for yard games. Water mat and music box included. Ages 3 to 84. Reserve today at (954) 292--3953, for pictures and details go to www.browardski.com.

BRIGHT & SMART – ROBOTICS & CODING BIRTHDAY PARTIES Robotics Birthday Parties are sensational! They are fun, educational, memorable and unique experience that will engage your child and his/her friends. This perfect party activity will bring the excitement of creating something with their hands, the thrill of seeing their imagination come to life and the satisfaction of being successful with their creation. We come to you for a 90 minute robotics birthday party supplying all of the material and equipment needed so each child is able to take a hands-on role in building and coding a robot! (954) 816-3346, info@BrightAndSmart.com, www.BrightAndSmart.com, like us @ facebook.com/BrightAndSmart.

FLORIDA PANTHERS Host your next group outing or party at a Florida Panthers hockey game! Whether you are hosting a birthday party, celebrating a business milestone or another special event, the BB&T Center is the place to be! Specially priced tickets and party spaces are available for groups of 10 or more. Call (954) 835-7825 for more information.

WHAT’S YOUR GAME? INC. Customized Youth Sports Birthday Parties, Special Events and Corporate Picnics. We hold exciting, action packed parties and events that are different, fun and affordable. Any day you choose, anywhere you choose, Coach Len and staff will keep guests fully entertained! Popular party events include: dodge ball, relay races, water balloon fun, flag football, soccer, basketball, messy games, tug-of-war, sac races and more! Try something different this year for your next special event! Call Games Master, Coach Len Papproth at (954) 593-5949 to reserve a date!

HUMANE SOCIETY OF BROWARD COUNTY Party like an Animal and have your next birthday party at the Humane Society of Broward County. What better way to celebrate your child’s birthday! Not only will your child have fun, but they will also learn about how they can help the homeless animals. Plus, your birthday fee will go directly to the Humane Society of Broward County to help care for the thousands of homeless animals received each year. (954) 266-6848 or www.humanebroward.com.

4KIDSINNEED.ORG “BE A HERO & HIRE A HERO” Movie grade costume characters come to life! Available for your next birthday party, Sweet Sixteen, Quince, Corporate event etc. Offering characters such as Batman, Batgirl, Darth Vader, Obi wan, and even a life size remote control R2D2 robot with lights & sounds. Kids both big and small love R2. It’s more than an appearance, we offer a hero training with a message along with an autograph session with your hero. Working to help “Change the world one child at a time!” Contact us: 4KidsInNeed.Org, (954) 439-1878. Heroes with a mission.

PROMOTIONAL ITEMS SHIRTS R US Shirts R Us & More is truly a ONE STOP SHOP. We offer reasonable prices on silk screening, embroidery, full color laser printing, car magnet signs, banners & promotional items. We print everything custom to your needs. One shirt? No Problem. Bar/Bat Mitzvah and Birthday party favors are some of our many specialties. We are a family owned business for almost 25 years and are conveniently located on 441 just a 1/2-mile north of 595. We have a fully trained sales staff, graphic arts department and the equipment on premises. This will insure that your order is done on time. 1861 South State Rd. 7, Ft. Lauderdale 33317. (954) 533-4695, www.ShirtsRus.biz.

CUSTOM RHINESTONES Designed by Michael. Let your next special event shine with customized apparel. Perfect for Birthdays, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Bridal Showers, Weddings, Cheer/Dance Groups, Gymnastic Teams, Schools, Sports Teams and even Business Logos. This unique way to express yourself is elegant and affordable. Want to create your own design or need a little help? Michael offers FREE artwork and a FREE sample. We also carry a full line of tops and bottoms ready to embellish with your unique design. If Bling is your Thing, contact Michael at (954) 270-7474, www.DesignedbyMichael.com.

EVENTS

roward Children’s Center (BCC) is a non-profit organization that delivers high quality medical, educational, therapeutic, and recreational services to some of the most medically fragile and technologically dependent infants, children, and young adults in the nation. BCC recently formed a Kids Committee to provide a way for children under age 15 to give back. It is an opportunity for the average child to engage in fun activities with the children who currently reside at BCC. “When children get involved in volunteering at a young age, their empathy for others in need begins to develop and becomes a value to them,” said CEO Marjorie Evans. “As they grow up, they are more understanding of the struggles that other children face, which makes them better people by helping them to understand the importance of giving back.” There are currently 26 children on the committee, ages 3 to 13, which participate in recreational activities at the Center. They support their new friends by showing their compassion; accepting each other no matter what race, color, creed or disability; encouraging their peers to be kind; and participating in fundraising initiatives. They have tackled volunteer projects that include: collecting gifts and funds for scholarships, therapy, renovations and emergency respite services; gardening; arts and crafts; Special Olympics event support and more. Eleven-year-old Ava Sklar (a.k.s Ava Claus) is currently president of the Kids Committee. She volunteers at BCC on a regular basis, collects toys for the children, and participates in art activities, birthday parties, and Special Olympics. She even learned a little sign language to communicate with some of the children at the Center. “I love volunteering and realize that giving back is contagious,” said Ava. “I love to see the smile we put on other kids faces when we make them happy. It makes my heart happy and it feels great. I encourage everyone to give back. It’s easy – give love, be happy, make friends!” All of the children at BCC attend school, as long as they are able. Depending on the fragility of the child, it might be at BCC or in public school. Through September 9, BCC will be running a Back to School campaign to raise awareness and funds for its preschools, private school, and K–12 programs. All of BCC’s children will be

part of the campaign. “Without educational funds, the children wouldn’t be able to attend school,” said BriA’nna Ploude, development specialist. “We wouldn’t be able to provide transportation or send nurses with them to school. There would be no curriculum to follow and no way to educate them.” BCC’s annual signature event, Miles for Smiles, will be held on November 5, from 8am – 12noon. The 5K and festival raises funds for BCC’s medical, educational, therapeutic and recreational services. Last year, the event raised just over $63,000. Organizers are hoping to raise $75,000 this year. In another fundraising program, Hector Picard will be competing in 25 triathlons around the United States – each in the name of a child at BCC. In 1992, at the age of 24, Picard almost lost his life in a work related accident that left him in a coma. As a bi-lateral amputee, he was forced to encounter obstacles he’d never have imagined. He started dontstopliving.org – a resource and support system for all individuals with obstacles in life. He wants everyone to know that no adversity is too great when you embrace life through hard work and positive thinking. Picard’s goal is to raise $50,000 for BCC, while raising awareness for children with disabilities. For each race that Hector competes in, he wears a photo of the child he’s racing for around his neck. Following each race, he has an award ceremony at the Center to present the medal to the child he raced for. BCC is always looking for volunteers to help create a greater quality of life for those it serves. It is actively recruiting volunteers for: Kids Committee, Teaching pals (homework help, reading time, etc.), Play pals (read and rock the infants, play basketball and more outside on the playground or inside the rec room, arts & crafts), recreational support/day trips (chaperone day trips, preschool summer camp), graphic and web design, fundraising, landscaping, administrative work, event support, music therapy (bring in your instrument and play for the kids or teach the children how to play an instrument) and more. For information, visit bcckids.org, or follow BCC on social media: Facebook: bcckids; Twitter: @bcckids; Instagram: @browardchildrenscenter; or LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/broward-children’s-center.

Plantat ion S por ts & Activit ies Dire cto ry | Issu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

By Debby Teich

EVENTS

Plantation Parks & Recreation Facilities

Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBERS

PLANTATION ATHLETIC LEAGUE (PAL) UPCOMING SPORTS REGISTRATIONS For more information, visit the sports directory of this publication or the PAL website at www.palsports.org.

AUGUST – NOVEMBER: BASKETBALL, AGES 6–13 FLAG FOOTBALL, AGES 5–14 TACKLE FOOTBALL & CHEERLEADING, AGES 5–14

ONGOING REGISTRATIONS BASEBALL (STARS & TRAVEL), SOFTBALL (TRAVEL)

AQUATICS COMPLEX Central Park, 9151 NW 2nd Street 954-452-2525 CENTRAL PARK 9151 NW 2nd Street 954-452-2510 PLANTATION WOODS PARK 5555 Palm Tree Road 954-452-2510 EQUESTRIAN CENTER 1451 NW 118th Avenue 954-476-4316 VOLUNTEER PARK 12050 W. Sunrise Blvd. 954-452-2558 VELTRI TENNIS CENTER Central Park, 9101 NW 2nd Street 954-452-2530 JIM WARD COMMUNITY CENTER 301 NW 46th Avenue 954-585-2346

EVENTS

PLANTATION ATHLETIC LEAGUE (PAL)

UPCOMING EVENTS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

MOTHER-SON TAILGATE PARTY

YOUTH HOT SHOT BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 ART SEARCH – GRADES K–12

MONDAY, OCTOBER 3 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28 EQUESTRIAN

KIDS’ SAY OFF

9:30AM – 4:30PM. Bring a lunch, drink & snack. Extra drinks are available for purchase. Residents: $65/session, plus tax & $5 registration fee. Non-residents: $75/session, plus tax & $5 registration fee. For more information, call (954) 476-4316.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22 A FAMILY HALLOWEEN & SAFETY FESTIVAL

Plantat ion S por ts & Activit ies Dire cto ry | Issu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

EVENTS Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

ave you ever wondered what makes a person’s switch flip to accomplish something extraordinary, when their accomplishments prior to that moment were ordinary? This inspirational story is about that switch that flipped inside the head, heart and body of Debbie Meitz, transforming her into a modern day Wonder Woman. Debbie has battled with her weight/size/shape her whole life from childhood, through her wedding and through birthing and raising two boys. At 5’3” in her 30‘s, she topped the scale at 250 pounds. She had yoyo’d her way up and down through the years by dabbling in Weight Watchers and running but the motivation to maintain and continue on the healthy path did not stick. As a self-described compulsive personality, Debbie tried everything to extremes. When she ate, she consumed large quantities. When she ran, she ran a marathon. At 180 pounds, after a weight loss binge that began after the birth of her first child, Debbie ran her first marathon and finished within the time limits. That, in and of itself, seems amazing to just about anyone! However, the switch hadn’t flipped yet. When she became pregnant with her second child, she lost her stride and suffered through the common side effect of obesity and high blood pressure. As a Registered Nurse, this was something with which she was all too familiar. At 32 years old, three years after the birth of her second child, Debbie again joined Weight Watchers and got back into running. She fluctuated around 200 pounds even though she was diligent in her training. She joined friends in a training group and described herself as the “slow fat friend” in the group. In 2010 she competed in a ½ Iron Man in Miami and made the podium under the “Athena” category, for heavier people. “I was so sick of being slow and heavy,” Debbie recalled. “Every time I was running to the finish line, there were hundreds of people on the sidelines giving me the ‘pity’ clap, it was horrendous.” One race morning, Debbie was checking in at the registration tent with her very supportive husband, Terry, and the person didn’t even look at her. In fact, they assumed it was Terry checking in even though Debbie was in her race attire and he was in street clothes. Boom! The switch flipped. “It made me so mad! My goal was to never be overlooked as a racing competitor again,” she said. With a goal weight in her mind of 135 pounds, Debbie found a trainer who took her seriously and so began her immense transformation into the woman I interviewed... Debbie “Wonder Woman” Meitz. She learned that she couldn’t simply exercise away her weight, she had to change her diet. The binging stopped and she adopted the tried and true healthy eating regime: only complex carbs, fruit, vegetables and lean protein. She learned that training with weights was critical to increase strength for her racing and her muscle definition. Flash forward to today and Debbie Meitz is now a member of the Fort Lauderdale Triathletes Club She learned that where she finds an incredibly supportive group that she couldn’t simply inspires her to get up at 3:30am to make sure she exercise away her can get all her training done before she needs to be a work or home for the kids. “I still struggle day to weight, she had to day, that other person I used to be is still inside me change her diet. and stays with me,” said Debbie. She finds that by being involved in such a diverse group of athletes

keeps her challenged and on track to meet and surpass her goals. “We are all inclusive and have athletes of all levels and types, so it is not an intimidating group to join. I found myself as a role model to new comers and it was through this club that I learned that I love coaching others,” she added. Debbie’s children have also found inspiration through her personal successes. Her oldest, Aaron, has done three Sprint triathlons, four half marathons and 1 full marathon. Luke, her 13 year old, has competed in three 5Ks and a duathlon race. Running apparently runs in her family, as Debbie’s father has been a runner his whole life, too. “I still struggle Today, Debbie has maintained 135 pounds of lean muscle for over a year. She has completed day to day. 9 half Iron Man races, 3 full Iron Man races, 25 That other person marathons, 9 half Triathlons and has earned her ISSA Personal Fitness Coach certification I used to be is for personal training. She is now finishing her still inside me Triathlon Coaching certification and has launched and stays with me” a multisport, strength and nutritional coaching business called 3 Times Fitness. At age 46, Debbie continues to train with Fort Lauderdale Triathlete Club while setting her personal goals. She is working towards becoming a top 25% Ironman, a Bronze all world athlete for her age group and qualifying for Nationals in her age group. I guarantee the person who checks her in a Nationals will not have any doubts that Debbie “Wonder Woman” Meitz is THE competitor! To learn more about Fort Lauderdale Triathletes, please see their ad in this publication and view their listing under MultiSport Training or visit www.fltri.com. To reach Debbie Meitz, visit her website at www.3timesfitness.com or find her on Facebook at 3 Times Fitness.

DIRECTORY

SPORTS BASEBALL & T-BALL BROWARD BASEBALL ACADEMY (BBA)/HAL’S POWER ALLEY NOW REGISTERING FOR FALL LESSONS AND CLASSES! BBA, a year-round baseball training facility, specializes in private instruction, small group lessons and team sessions for hitting, fielding & pitching. BBA also runs camps throughout the year, including camp days when schools are closed. We offer facility rentals including two lighted fields and Hal’s Power Alley, our COVERED BATTING CAGES with pitching machines and bullpen mounds. Located on the David Posnack JCC Campus, 5850 S. Pine Island Rd., Davie. Director – Wayne Stofsky, Wayne@BrowardBaseballAcademy.com. (954) 683-7747.

PLANTATION ATHLETIC LEAGUE

Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

Affiliated with Little League Baseball. Ages: 5–18. www.palsports.org • PAL RECREATIONAL BASEBALL PROGRAM: Resident $115, NonResident $165. Season of Play: February thru June. Registration: November, Ages 5 thru High School, Saturdays 9:00am – 2:00pm at Plantation Central Park Gym. Participation: Maximum of 3 times per week for all ages. • PAL PLANTATION STARS TRAVEL BASEBALL PROGRAM: Registration and tryouts: 8th Grade – High School. Resident $175, Non-Resident $225. Season of Play: Year Round Depending on Teams. Registration: after tryouts to see if accepted.

BASKETBALL ADULT BASKETBALL LEAGUES Ages 18 +. Tuesdays: $520 per team/10 games & playoffs, $20 late registration fee. Call (954) 452-2508 or visit www.plantationadultathletics.com.

PLANTATION ATHLETIC LEAGUE (PAL) Visit www.palsports.org. • PAL YOUTH BASKETBALL – RECREATIONAL: Resident $110, Non-Resident $160. Registration: April at Plantation Central Park Gym. Season of Play: August thru November. Ages: 6 to 13. Participation: Maximum of 3 times per week for all ages. • PAL BASKETBALL 10ft. – RECREATIONAL: Ages 13 to 16. Resident $110, Non-Resident $160. Season of Play: February thru May. Registration: November, Saturdays 9:00am – 2:00pm at Plantation Central Park Gym.

MVP–MENTORING VALUABLE PROTÉGÉS BASKETBALL Learn and develop dribbling, shooting, passing, rebounding, defense and strategies. For more information call (305) 749-6090. Ages 5–8: Boys & Girls Skills Academy, Thursdays 6:00pm – 7:00pm. Ages 9–12: Boys & Girls Skills Academy, Thursdays 7:00pm – 8:00pm. Resident $125/10 weeks, plus $5 registration fee. Non-Resident $135/10 weeks, plus $5 registration fee. • ADVANCED GROUP TRAINING: Ages 13 & up. Enhanced Basketball IQ with drills for skills training. For more information, call (305) 749-6090. Thursdays 8:00pm – 9:00pm. Residents $200/10 weeks, plus $5 registration fee. Non-resident $210/10 weeks, plus $5 registration fee.

BOXING HIT FIT BOXING ACADEMY Hit Fit Boxing Academy is a certified, licensed and insured USA Boxing affiliated Club. Instructed by coaches that meet all the requirements set by The USA Boxing organization. Hit Fit is dedicated to the positive development of young athletes and their performance in and out of the ring. Our purpose is for young people, through the dedication and discipline acquired through the sport, be able to set goals and have the confidence needed in accomplishing them. 1269 S. Pine Island Rd, Plantation, FL 33324 or call (954) 947-6823.

CHEERLEADING FLORIDA TRIPLE THREAT ALL-STARS Come be a part of the back-to-back National Champions in competitive all star cheerleading! Fully air conditioned building featuring two spring floors, tumble trak, rod floor and trampoline. All Ages, All Skill Levels! Everyone makes a team! LAST CHANGE FOR ALL STAR TEAM PLACEMENTS: AUGUST 15-19. 2290 SW 71st Terrace, Davie 33317. (954) 514-7250. www.Fla3threat.com.

FLORIDA SUPERSTARS Florida Super Stars offer a high-energy combination class with instruction in dance, cheerleading & baton twirling. Over 20 locations, $55 per month for unlimited classes. Year round performances are optional. Feature performances include: Miami Heat, Dolphins, Hurricanes, Disney World, Super Bowl, and Orange Bowl! Summer Dance Jam Camp also offered. (954) 438-2075 or www.floridasuperstars.com.

TAG USA GYMNASTICS & TRAMPOLINE ALL NEW CHEERLEADING PROGRAM! Taught by Adrian Butler World Cheer Champion. Walk in evaluations for Team levels. Daily classes for beginners to advanced in cheer & performance, stunts, stretch & strength, flying and tumbling. Schedule a visit & compare at www.TagGymnastics.com…You gotta see it to believe it! 1951 North Commerce Pkwy, Weston. Call (954) 384-9393.

PLANTATION ATHLETIC LEAGUE (PAL) Visit plantationwildcats.org. • PAL CHEERLEADING TACKLE/TRAVEL: Residents $125, NonResidents $175. Registration begins in April at Plantation Central Park Gym. Practice begins July at the PAL Field. Season of Play: July thru November. Ages 5 thru 15. (954) 804-2926. • PAL COMPETITIVE “PRIDE” CHEER TEAM: Residents $125, Non-Residents $175. Ages 10–18. Season of Play: November – March. Registration in December.

DIRECTORY

CYCLING & BIKING TEAM MEMORIAL ROAD BIKING Team Memorial is a bicycle club founded by Memorial Healthcare System, a non-profit healthcare organization based in Hollywood, Florida, and created to serve the community by promoting the many health benefits of bicycling. Team Memorial’s mission is to encourage everyone to participate in bicycling - whether for recreation, transportation, fitness or competition. Team Memorial hosts rides regularly throughout the South Florida area for participants of intermediate and advanced levels. Ride listings can be viewed on our ride schedule. www.teammemorial.com.

TEAM MEMORIAL MOUNTAIN BIKING

DISC GOLF DISC GOLF What do you get when you cross good old-fashioned golf with the sort of flying disc most commonly known as a Frisbee? You get disc golf. Four of disc golf courses are located in Broward County parks. Gamers attempt to traverse an 18-hole course from beginning to end using the fewest disc tosses. The courses are open free to the public, and you have to bring your own gear, although the park offices provide course maps and scorecards. • EASTERLIN PARK: 1000 NW 38th Street, Oakland Park. (954) 357-5190. • MARKHAM PARK: 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise. (954) 357-8868. • PLANTATION HERITAGE PARK: 1100 S. Fig Tree Lane, Plantation. (954) 357-5135. • TRADEWINDS PARK: 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek. (954) 357-8870.

DIVING & SPRINGBOARD CENTRAL PARK AQUATIC COMPLEX 9151 NW 2nd Street, Plantation, (954) 452-2525. • SPRINGBOARD DIVING LESSONS: Ages 5 & up. Learn springboard diving techniques. Must be water safe. Classes begin first Tuesday of any month April through September. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:00pm – 5:45pm. $125/month plus tax (8 classes) plus a $20 annual AAU Diving registration. • SPRINGBOARD DIVING TEAM: Ages 5 & up. The Springboard Diving Team is for divers who have been trained in competitive diving through the Swim & Dive program or through Diving Lessons. Call for more information on how you can become part of the Diving Team. Continuous enrollment. Pool membership required. Team trains Monday – Saturday. Times TBA. • SWIM & DIVE: Ages 4–9. Learn proper swimming and diving skills with emphasis on safety. Classes begin first Tuesday of the month, April – September. 2:30pm – 3:15pm or 6:00pm – 6:45pm. $125/ month plus tax (8 classes) plus a $20 annual AAU Diving registration.

FOOTBALL TACKLE AND FLAG NATIONAL FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Join the Nation’s #1 Flag Football Program for Boys & Girls Ages 4–14! The safer alternative to tackle football! Six Broward County locations with one near you! Practices held one hour before games on weekends only. Teams formed by school and grade. No tryouts or drafts. Eightweek session. Coaches screened and trained. Registration fee starting at $125* includes NFL Logo Jersey & Flag Belts for all players to keep (*+3.5% processing fee). FALL SEASON begins October 15 & 16. REGISTRATION DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 17, 2016. (954) 248-2090. Register online at www.NationalFlagFootball.com.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Your Miami Dolphins are a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division in the NFL. They play their home games at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens. The stadium has undergone a major renovation to include a state-of-the-art, open-air canopy to offer dramatically increased shade and protection from the elements, four HD video boards and improved audio, all new seats and new seating experiences, improved food and enhanced concourses in the 100/300 levels, 300 level patio bars with field views beneath all four video boards. Season tickets on sale now. Individual game tickets available. Reserve your spot to be a part of the action! www.miamidolphins.com.

BRUCE ZONE: CROSSFIT FOR FOOTBALL

Certified Crossfit Training for amateur to professional football players. Come in for your FREE CLASS today. You will be hooked after just one class. The workouts are intense, and the results speak for themselves. Isaac Bruce, a former NFL Los Angeles Rams wide receiver, has taken football conditioning to the next level building upon his own training and experience with the latest proven and effective training methods. Build muscle & coordination, increase speed & stamina. One-on-one and group classes. When you have a goal, We have a plan. Call (954) 605-6969. 3400 Davie Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale. brucezone.com.

PLANTATION ATHLETIC LEAGUE (PAL)

Visit www.palsports.org. • PLANTATION WILDCATS TACKLE FOOTBALL: AGES: 5–14 years. FEES: $200/Plantation Residents, $250/Non-residents. SEASON: July – November. TRYOUTS: July. Registration begins in April at Plantation Central Park Gym. (954) 895-6549, catayala@aol.com, www.plantationwildcats.org. • PAL FLAG FOOTBALL – RECREATIONAL: Residents/$110, NonResidents/$160. Season of Play: August – November. Ages: 5 thru High School (Based on Sept 1st Birth date). Registration begins in April at Plantation Central Park Gym. Participation: Maximum of 3 times per week for all ages. www.leaguelineup.com/palflagfootball

ADULT FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE Ages 18+. Tuesday nights: $470 per team/10 games & playoffs, $20 late registration fee. Call (954) 452-2508 or visit www.plantationadultathletics.com.

Plantat ion S por ts & Activit ies Dire cto ry | Issu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

An offshoot of Memorial Healthcare System’s road biking group, which was founded 23 years ago and includes hundreds of cyclists that participate in rides throughout West Broward. Mountain biking members join through the road biking group and wear the same Team Memorial outfit. Some are motivated by the competition, while others ride for the fun of it. All levels are welcome. Members meet at one of the many parks in the area that offer mountain biking, such as Oleta River State Park, Markham Park, Quiet Waters Park, Virginia Key Beach Park, and Amelia Earhart Park. Most of the parks have extensive trail systems, ranging from 7 to 17 miles, which offer a challenging experience at any level. www.teammemorial.com or email ppasche@mhs.net.

DIRECTORY

GOLF PLANTATION PRESERVE GOLF COURSE & CLUB

7050 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation, (954) 585-5020. Beginning golfers and seasoned pros will be challenged by the 18-hole championship golf course, approximately 7,000 yards in length playing to a par 72. Every hole has been constructed with 5 sets of tee boxes, allowing players to set their own level of difficulty. At this public facility, everyone will enjoy a country club atmosphere with country club service! Driving Range, Lessons, Memberships, Public Daily Golf. HOURS: Pro Shop Hours - 7 days: 7:00am – 6:00pm; Driving range - 7 days: 7:00am – 5:30pm; Restaurant (breakfast) - M – F: 8:00am – 11:00am: Sat: 7:00am – 11:00am; Restaurant (lunch) - M – Sun: 11:00am – 3:30pm; Limited Menu: M – Sun 3:30pm – closing; Friday Brunch Buffet: 11:00am – 1:30pm; Sunday Brunch Buffet: 9:00am – 1:30pm.

GOLF ACADEMY AT PLANTATION PRESERVE

Ages 6–15 & ADULTS. PGA professionals Barry Fitzpatrick and Nick Pincket are providing the finest clinics, private instruction and Junior golf programs in South Florida. They will be running camps all season long for your child to advance his or her game. We also offer adult education classes and private video instruction. Call (954) 914-3731 for details.

100 PLUS GOLF

Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

Average Golfer? Love the game? 100 Plus Golf is for you! 100 Plus Golf is a Recreational Organization for Men and Women who love to play golf for the pure enjoyment of the game and shoot about 100. Beginners and seasoned players welcome. 4 Person Team Scramble format. Play some of the finest golf courses in South Florida. Membership: $99.99 includes Logo Polo Shirt, Logo Golf Hat, Logo Tees and Magnetic Hat Clip. Discount Greens Fees and preferred Tee Times. A portion of our proceeds are donated to one of the fine charities we support. For more information, call (954) 540-4966.

GYMNASTICS TAG USA GYMNASTICS & TRAMPOLINE

Nationally known “progressive” gymnastics programs for boys and girls. TAG’s difference: Largest facility, most equipment, class lesson plans, Class Managers, full cleaning staff, fingerprinted coaches. Awarded Programs for: Lil Tumblers (age 6 weeks), Preschool (age 3+), Beginners (age 5+) to Advanced Classes with State - Regional - NATIONAL

CHAMPION Competitive teams for Girls & Boys gymnastics and Coed Trampoline. Also: Two-Hour BIRTHDAY PARTIES / Popular Saturday Night OPEN GYM / Gym & Sports DAY CAMPS. NOW OFFERING CHEERLEADING PROGRAMS! Schedule a visit & compare prices at www.TagGymnastics.com…You gotta see it to believe it! 1951 North Commerce Pkwy, Weston. Call (954) 384-9393.

GYMNASTICS

Ages 3–11. Classes held at Central Park, 9151 NW 2nd Street, Plantation. Children are introduced to vaulting, balance beam, mini trampoline, round mats, incline mats and bars. Everything is modified for beginner to intermediate gymnastics. The cost of a 45-minute class is Residents $92/10 weeks, Non-residents $102/10 weeks, plus $5 insurance fee and $5 registration fee. The cost of a 55-minute class is Residents, $100/10 week, plus $5 insurance and $5 registration fee and Non-Residents, $110/10 weeks, plus $5 insurance fee and $5 registration fee. Classes are offered Tuesdays or Thursdays. (954) 255-7508.

HOCKEY FLORIDA PANTHERS Playing in the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Eastern Conference, the Florida Panthers are a part of the Atlantic Division. With a roster of promising young players and championship-level veterans, a growing excitement surrounds the Panthers. Don’t miss all of the action at the BB&T Center next season. For tickets call (954) 835-7825 or visit www.floridapanthers.com/ticketcentral.

HORSEBACK RIDING & EQUESTRIAN PLANTATION EQUESTRIAN CENTER 1451 NW 118th Avenue, Plantation, (954) 476-4316. pec@plantation.org. Facility hours: Thursday – Monday, 8:00am – Dusk, Tuesday & Wednesday, closed. Two stables that house 96 stalls, each with its own wash rack, one lighted main ring and two additional show rings, two practice rings (one lighted), turn-out paddock areas. • SUNDAY SHARE-A-PONY: Plantation Equestrian Center (954) 476-4316. Ages 4–12. A small group of beginner riders learning the art of horsemanship in a fun confidence-building atmosphere. Children will learn basic skills that will enable them to control a horse in a safe and trusting manner. Sundays, 9:30am – 11:30am. $35/ per class, plus $5 registration fee, Non-residents $45/per class, plus $5 registration fee. Package of 4 sessions you may use at anytime, $125/ Residents, $135/Non-residents, plus tax and $5 registration fee. • CHILDREN’S GROUP RIDING LESSONS: Plantation Equestrian Center (954) 476-4316. Ages 6–16. A small group of beginner riders learning the art of horsemanship in a fun confidence-building atmosphere. Children will learn basic skills that will enable them to control a horse in a safe and trusting manner. Hourly sessions Thursdays, 4:00pm & 5:00pm.

LACROSSE PLANTATION PATRIOTS

All levels and beginners welcome. Focusing on giving players of all skill levels a quality learning experience and an opportunity to have fun playing lacrosse. Players work on agility, conditioning, team work, and the skills necessary to play lacrosse. They are taught to respect the game, as well as the other players. Recreational teams will travel to compete against other teams in the South Florida Youth Lacrosse League. Boys and girls teams U7, U9, U11, U13 and U15 – approximately 25 kids per team. Teams will practice twice per week, with games on Saturdays. Practices and home games will be held at Pop Travers Park. Registration begins September 1st. For information, visit www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=plantationlacrosse; www.facebook.com/plantationpatriotslacrosseor or email ph@plantationlacrosse.com.

DIRECTORY

MARTIAL ARTS KUMITE MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

Classes for Ages 4 to Adult. Catering from beginner to advanced and teaching a variety of styles of martial arts including kickboxing, wrestling and jiu jitsu. Our skilled instructors are dedicated in teaching our students the fundamentals of self-defense in a fun and safe environment while getting a full body workout. Free trial class. 4150 Peters Road, Plantation 33317. www.kumitemartialarts.com. (954) 321-0029.

TAI CHI FOR SENIORS

Ages 18 & up. Classes held at Central Park, 9151 N.W. 2nd Street, Plantation. (954) 452-2508. This Tai Chi class is specially designed for older adults. Tai Chi is a gentle form of physical activity ideal for seniors who have uncertain balance and a fear of falling. If you are looking for a way to reduce stress, consider this class. Tai Chi is sometimes described as “meditation in motion” because it promotes serenity through gentle movement, connecting the mind and body. Free to seniors 60+ through the Aging and Disability Resource Center, Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the City of Plantation. Classes are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30am – 10:30am. Space is limited. Begins in March.

KARATE/MARTIAL ARTS

GOJU KARATE

Central Park, 9151 NW 2nd Street, Plantation. Ages 6 & up. USA Goju is a traditional Japanese style of karate consisting of hard style techniques and soft style techniques. USA Goju encompasses the traditional aspects of Japanese martial art while introducing the student to a wide variety of reality self-defense and street-smart technologies. Much emphasis is put into developing our children both mentally and physically. Goju Karate teaches self-discipline, self-confidence, selfcontrol and a competitive spirit that allows the individual to become all they can be. Instructors: Michelle Ratthe, Chantalle Jwied, Sarunas Rackauskas, Laura Frank, (954) 244-8890. Ages 6–12, Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:00pm – 7:00pm, Ages 13 & up, Mondays 6:00pm – 7:00pm and Wednesdays, 7:00pm – 8:00pm. Residents $40/month/2 classes per week, plus $5 registration fee, Non-residents $50/month/2 classes per week, plus $5 registration fee.

MULTI-SPORT TRAINING CLUBS FORT LAUDERDALE TRIATHLETES (FLT) Ready to join a club, but not sure where to begin? Florida, with its ideal weather, is a mecca for triathletes and FLT is one of the newly formed training clubs to meet growing demand. FLT was formed to perpetuate a healthy lifestyle, through the collaboration of Multi-Sport athletes. It is based on a culture of inclusion, support, and fellowship, through training, racing, and social interaction. In only one season, it has grown to 75 athletes strong thanks to support of the membership and its generous sponsors. Fort Lauderdale Triathletes is an official USAT (USA Triathlon) and IRONMANTM TriClub team. Members enjoy regular clinics/socials and “voluncheering” for each other and the tri-community at large. All members receive discounts from the sponsors and on select endurance races. Find out more at www.fltri.com or on Facebook (Fort Lauderdale Triathletes).

PARKOUR FLORIDA TRIPLE THREAT PARKOUR We have the most experienced staff and safest program and we were the FIRST in Broward County! Beginner to advanced Parkour, Free Running, Tricking now available at Florida Triple Threat. Ages 8 and up. Friday nights 7:00pm – 9:00pm there is a structured class teaching the skills and the art of Parkour. Newly added obstacles to simulate the outdoors. (954) 514-7250. www.fla3threat.com.

RUGBY OKAPI WANDERERS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

Ages 6 to high school. We also have a Men division and Old Boys division. Season begins in October. Competitive Youth, Middle School and Junior Varsity and Varsity teams. No experience necessary. Tequesta Trace Park. For more information and for registration go to www.okapiwanderersrugby.com or email info@okapiwanderersrugby.com.

PINES RUGBY CLUB

Riptide Rugby is an adult (18+) men’s team. We do not discriminate based on skill, experience or athleticism; however we do suggest you begin a strength and cardiovascular fitness program prior to coming out as our practices are highly physically demanding. We WILL teach you the fundamentals of rugby, and you will get playtime at any matches we hold. Contact: chris.munoz@riptiderugby.com, or visit www.RugbyFL.com.

FORT LAUDERDALE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S RUGBY No experience necessary. All play is at Mills Pond Park. Call (954) 543-6287 (men’s division) or (201) 787-6503 (women’s division) or visit www.ftlrugby.com.

SCUBA DIVING SCUBA DIVING LESSONS Become a PADI certified SCUBA diver. Class is comprised of home study (Text, video and self-tests), classroom instruction, 3 sessions at Plantation Aquatic Complex to learn use of equipment and underwater skills and 4 ocean dives at coral reefs with instructors over 2 days, leading to certification. Includes instruction, student kit, use of rental gear and video, pool use, boat fees and PADI certification card. Student provides mask, fins, snorkel and weights. For more information or to register for class, call or visit Diver’s Cove, 2335 S. University Drive, Davie, (954) 473-1220. $399 and up.

SOCCER ADULT SOCCER LEAGUE Ages 18+. 6 x 6. Sunday mornings, Friday & Sunday nights. $450 per team/10 games & playoffs, $20 late fee. The City of Plantation Parks & Recreation Department – Athletic Division: (954) 452-2508 or visit www.plantationadultathletics.com.

WOMEN’S OVER 30 RECREATIONAL SOCCER LEAGUE $150 Registration Fee for the entire year includes team shirt and socks. Sunday afternoon games. Seasons: September – December and January – May. Beginners are welcome, individuals only. For more information, call (954) 445-8367, send an email to browardrecsoccer@comcast.net or visit browardrecsoccer.com.

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Jim Ward Community Center, 301 NW 46th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale. Ages 5 & up. Designed to introduce children to physical fitness and basic principles of self-defense. Karate as self-defense works well for all ages and both genders and teaches development of mind, body and spirit with emphasis on respect and exercising discipline at all times. Advance students attend classes twice weekly. Sensei Keith Lester – Senior Instructor, Sensei Gutemberg (Ken) Demond and Sensei Shona Eiland. Kids Karate (954) 258-2957. Continuous. Beginners Ages 5 & up, Saturday 10:00am – 1:00pm. Beginners Advanced, Saturday 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Resident $35/month* Non-Resident $45/month plus $5 registration fee and $20 paid to instructor at first class for uniform.

DIRECTORY

(SOCCER CONT.) WOMEN’S OVER 40 SOCCER LEAGUE Registration will be held on Wednesday, August 17 and Friday, August 19, from 6:00pm – 8:00pm in the Multipurpose Building at Bamford Park, 3801 S. Pine Island Road in Davie. Games will be played on Friday evenings at 6:45pm and 8:00pm, and the league will start on Sept. 16. Individuals only; no team sign-ups. Beginners are welcome. Cost is $70 per player. For further information, please call Patsy Gibbs at (954) 494-9633.

PLANTATION ATHLETIC LEAGUE (PAL)

Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

Visit www.palsports.org. • PAL SOCCER – RECREATIONAL: Residents/$110, NonResidents/$160. Registration: August 20, 2016, Saturday 9:00am – 2:00pm at Plantation Central Park Gym. Season of Play: November thru February. Ages 6 thru 17. Participation: Maximum of 3 times per week for all ages. • PAL SOCCER CLINIC – RECREATIONAL: Ages: 4 and 5. FEES: Residents/$75, Non-Residents/$125. Registration: August 20, 2016, Saturday 9:00am – 2:00pm at Plantation Central Park Gym. Season of Play: November – January. Participation: 2 times per week, Friday night and Saturday morning. • PAL SOCCER (EAGLES) – TRAVEL: AGES: 8–17. Residents $1000 – $1200, Non-Residents $1050 – $1250. Tryouts (boys & girls) begin in May at Central Park. Season: Year Round. Registration: Online in June.

PLANTATION ATHLETIC LEAGUE (PAL)

• PAL GIRLS RECREATIONAL SOFTBALL: Visit www.palsoftball. com. AGES: 4–16. SEASON: February – May. Registration: November, Monday – Thursday 8:30am – 8:00pm and Fridays 9:00am – 3:00pm at Plantation Central Park Gym. Register Online at parks.plantation.org/ FEES: Residents/$115, Non-residents/ $165. Participation: Maximum of 3 times per week for all ages. • PAL PRESSURE GIRLS TRAVEL SOFTBALL: Visit www.plantationpressure.com. Ages 7–18, Year Round. FEES: Vary by team. Teams usually hold tryouts in January and February and again in August, or on as-needed basis.

ADULT SOFTBALL LEAGUES Adults 18+. $480 per team/10 games & playoffs. $20 late registration fee. Monday (Co-Ed), Tuesdays (Divisions 1, 2 & 3), Thursdays (Open), Sunday mornings. Call (954) 452-2508 or visit www.plantationadultathletics.com.

WOMEN’S OVER 30 RECREATIONAL SOFTBALL Registration will be held on Thursday, August 18 and Friday, August 19, from 6:00pm – 8:00pm in the Multipurpose Building at Bamford Park, 3801 S. Pine Island Road in Davie. Games will be played on Sunday mornings at 9:00am and 10:15am, and the league will start on September 18. Individuals only; no team sign-ups. Beginners are welcome. Cost is $70 per player. For further information, please call Patsy Gibbs at (954) 494-9633.

SOFTBALL

SWIMMING

BROWARD BASEBALL ACADEMY (BBA)/HAL’S POWER ALLEY

THE SWIM ACADEMY – AQUATIC CENTERS

NOW REGISTERING FOR FALL CLASSES! BBA, a year-round softball training facility, specializes in private instruction, small group lessons and team sessions for hitting, fielding & pitching. BBA also runs camps throughout the year, including camp days when schools are closed. We offer facility rentals including two lighted fields and Hal’s Power Alley, our COVERED BATTING CAGES with pitching machines and bullpen mounds. Located on the David Posnack JCC Campus, 5850 S. Pine Island Rd., Davie. Director – Wayne Stofsky, Wayne@BrowardBaseballAcademy.com. (954) 683-7747.

Providing Learn to Swim programs year round, including FREE 3–6 month BABY CLASSES*! We specialize in Private, Semi-private, Small Group and Parent & Me lessons. We also offer Birthday Splash Parties, Safety Presentations and Water Safety education. We teach techniques that will help swimmers of all ages in a safe, fun and educational environment. Our goal is to instill a lifelong love and respect of the water, “One Splash at a Time.” Starting from babies, toddlers, and preschoolers to school age students, we focus on a family’s individual needs while educating parents. Free Swim Evaluations available for qualified programs. To enroll, call us today at (954) 384-4500 or visit us at: www.TheSwimAcademy.com and for aquatic news & promotions, join us at www.facebook.com/westonswimacademy. Two locations with large HEATED POOLS at Weston, 1570 Sagemont Way, Weston, FL 33326 and Pembroke Pines, 14900 NW 20th St Pembroke Pines, FL 33028. *3–6 month Baby Classes are free Parent & Me with paid registration fee.

CENTRAL PARK AQUATIC COMPLEX

9151 NW 2nd Street, Plantation, (954) 452-2525. www.Plantation.org. Two Olympic size pools, each 50 meters by 25 yards, and a 500 square foot water playground for toddlers. • POOL HOURS APRIL 1 – SEPTEMBER 30: Monday – Thursday 9:00am – 9:00pm, Friday 9:00am – 8:00pm, Saturday & Sunday 8:00am – 4:30pm, Holidays 9:00am – 4:00pm. FEES: Memberships Available or Daily Gate Fees Apply. Members may swim as early as 7:30am, Monday – Friday from April 1 – September 30. • POOL HOURS OCTOBER 1 – MARCH 31: Monday – Thursday 11:00am – 8:30pm, Friday 11:00am – 5:00pm, Saturday 8:00am – 4:30pm, Sunday 10:00am – 2:00pm, Holidays: 9:00am – 4:00pm. • PLANTATION SWIM TEAM: Known as the Piranhas, the Plantation Swim Team (PST) is a City-sponsored, year-round U.S. Swimming team offering instruction, fitness and endurance training and competition for all ages and abilities (Age-Group through Masters Swimming). TRYOUTS: Monday – Thursday, 3:30pm & 4:45pm. Child’s swim skills are evaluated for placement in the appropriate group. Child needs bathing suit and towel. Call for fees. (954) 452-2526. www.swimpst.com. • TRIATHLETE TRAINING & U.S. MASTERS SWIM TEAM: Designed for health, fitness, mental and physical well being, along with swim stroke improvement. Must be able to swim 25 yards. Training for competitive swim meets and training for triathletes, if so desired. Nationally accredited USS Certified Staff Coach. Call (954) 452-2526 for fees and times. • SWIM BABIES SWIM: Ages 6 months – 3 years. Babies learn to surface and float on their backs, should they accidentally fall into the water. Young children learn to surface and swim to the edge and to breathe by positioning themselves onto their backs, then swimming until they reach safety. Six lessons total. For more information or to make reservations, call voicemail (954) 663-6518. Please leave a message and your call will be returned. Resident $175 and NonResident $210, plus $40 registration fee.

Plantation is the number one place for children to learn to swim. The well being and swimming education for your child is priority number one with FLSwimming. The instructors are certified ASCA/USA Registered Swim Coaches. Register in person at the Central Park pool, Monday – Friday, 3:00pm – 5:00pm. For more information, call (954) 393-7269 today! $35 for Broward County residents who meet financial need eligibility requirements.

TENNIS VELTRI TENNIS CENTER

9101 NW 2nd St., Central Park, Plantation. (954) 452-2530. Featuring 26 lighted Har-Tru tennis courts and 2 lighted hard courts. Courts are reserved on the hour and half hour basis. Winter, Spring & Summer Camps available. HOURS: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 9:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 8:00am – 5:00pm. Call for holiday schedule and for fees/availability. • WOMEN’S BEGINNER TEAM CLINIC: Thursdays 9:00am – 10:30am, $20/class. • 10 UNDER RED: Ages 4–6. Tuesday – Friday, 4:00pm – 5:00pm, Saturday, 9:00am – 10:00am, $110/10 classes, $200/20 classes, $13/class. • 10 UNDER ORANGE: Ages 7–9. Tuesday – Friday 5:00pm – 6:00pm and Saturday 10:00am – 11:00am, $110/10 classes, $200/20 classes, $13/class. • ROOKIE GROUP: Ages 9–14. Tuesday & Thursday 4:30pm – 6:00pm and Saturday 11:00am – 12:30pm. $185/10 classes, $330/20 classes, $20/daily. • ADULT CLINICS: Ages 17 & up. Monday – Thursday, 7:00pm – 8:30pm, Sunday 8:30am – 10:00am. $185/10 classes, $330/20 classes $20/class. • WHEELCHAIR TENNIS: Visit pctc.plantationtennis.org for calendar updates. All ages. 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, Youth, 6:00pm – 7:00pm and Adults, 7:00pm – 9:00pm. FREE. • PICKLEBALL: Ages 16 & up. Tuesday – Thursday, 8:30am – 10:00am and Saturday 8:00am – 10:00am. Organized Play.

PLANTATION WOODS TENNIS

5555 Palm Tree Road, Plantation. Hours of Operation: Monday – Thursday, 8:00am – 9:00pm, Friday – Sunday, 8:00am – Dusk.

VOLLEYBALL WILDFIRE VOLLEYBALL ACADEMY

Broward’s Premier Girl’s Volleyball Club. Ages 6 and Up. Over 20 years coaching experience at College, High School and Juniors levels. Year round Recreational, Travel, Elite and College Level training. Ongoing camps and evaluations. Located at Sagemont Upper School, 2585 Glades Circle, Weston 33327. (954) 439-1852. www.wildfirevolleyball.com.

SOFLO VOLLEYBALL Gold Medal Squared Certified Club with USAV Safe Sport Certified Coaches, offers experienced coaching from High School Varsity, Collegiate Division I players and Professional Beach players. Volleyball Camps, Small Group Clinics, Youth Development, Year Around Sand & Beach Training PLUS Local & Travel Club Teams. SoFLO Volleyball also is host to AAU local tournaments and participates in USAV & AAU Regional and National tournaments. Learn more at soflovolleyball.org or call (954) 600-9810. • CLUB TEAMS: Regional and National teams. Club Season is November - April with National Season continuing thru June. Beach Season runs March – August. Fall Season runs August – October. Athlete ages are 7 -18. • DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: Ages 5 - 15. Beginners who want to learn the fundamental skills with technical training in small group setting. Each session focuses on and builds upon specific skills: passing, serving, ball control, hitting, and court positions. Fridays 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Ongoing August - May. • BEACH SAND VOLLEYBALL: Year around training in the sand for beginning to very advanced level players, passing, hitting, serving, blocking and game strategy is taught. Practice twice a week at local Parks or at a local Beach. Learn more at soflovolleyball.org or call (954) 600-9810.

MVP–MENTORING VALUABLE PROTÉGÉS VOLLEYBALL

Boys and Girls, Ages 8–17. Strength and conditioning, plus agility and footwork. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced in groups together. Skill development in proper skill level groups. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Thursdays from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Resident $205/8 weeks, plus $5 registration fee. Non-Resident $215/8 weeks, plus $5 registration fee. For more information, call (305) 749-6090.

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FLSWIMMING SWIM LESSONS

DIRECTORY

• WATER AEROBICS: All ages. A high energy, low impact exercise class performed in the water to music. Offers a total body workout to improve muscle strength, flexibility and provide an efficient cardiovascular workout. No swimming skills are needed for these classes. One FREE introductory class. USWFA Certified Instructor. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 11:00am – 11:50am. Call for prices. • AMERICAN RED CROSS-LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM: Swim lesson sessions consist of 6 lessons. Makeup lessons are scheduled only when the facility has cancelled a lesson. All courses are taught by American Red Cross certified Water Safety Instructors (WSI). Call for class schedules. • LEVEL I – INTRODUCTION TO WATER SKILLS: (Age 6 & up) $62/$78 • LEVEL II – FUNDAMENTAL AQUATIC SKILLS: (Ages 6 & up) $62/$78 • LEVEL III – STROKE DEVELOPMENT: (Ages 6 & up) $62/$78 • LEVEL IV – STROKE IMPROVEMENT: (Ages 6 & up) $62/$78 • ADULT BEGINNER SWIM LESSONS: (Adults 16 & up). Designed for adults who want to conquer a fear of water and learn to swim. A total of 6 classes. Seniors welcome. $62/$78 • PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS: Ages 3–Adult. One-on-one swim lessons taught by American Red Cross certified Water Safety Instructors (WSIs). Package consists of (6) lessons. $175/$210

DIRECTORY

WALKING WALKING CLUB Meet new people and stay healthy at the same time. Come join your fellow walkers for this free activity at Central Park or Volunteer Park. Non-structured walks will take place in the lake area at Central Park. Distance maps will be posted so you can track your progress. Simply fill out a registration form at Central Park’s front desk. Once you are registered, your name will appear on a weekly sheet. Just post your mileage and we will keep track for you each week. FREE. Call (954) 452-2510 for more information. Central Park, Monday – Friday, Sun up until 9:00pm, Saturday & Sunday, sun up until sundown: Volunteer Park, Tuesday – Sunday, 8:00am – sundown.

WATER POLO

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PLANTATION PIRANHAS WATER POLO CLUB

Ages 10 & Up Male & Female. Plantation Aquatic Complex, 9151 NW 2nd Street, Plantation. Come enjoy one of the fastest growing sports in South Florida! Get in shape and meet new friends in a safe and fun environment. For more information or questions, contact (954) 452-2526. $40 annual team registration fee, $70 USA Water Polo registration and monthly fees as shown below. • WATER POLO INSTRUCTIONAL TEAM: No experience necessary! Learn all the rules, skills and strategies to become a successful water polo player. Youth Team. Monday – Thursday 6:30pm – 8:30pm. $70/month plus $50 team registration fee and annual USA Water Polo registration. • WATER POLO COMPETITIVE TEAM: Faster, stronger, better! Improve skills, knowledge and gamesmanship. Train and compete in local, national and international camps and tournaments. Monday – Thursday Dryland Water Polo 6:30pm – 8:30pm, Non-Game day Saturdays, 10:00am – 12 noon. $70/month plus $50 team registration fee and annual USA Water Polo registration.

WATERSKIING, WAKEBOARDING & WAKE-SURF WATERSKIING & WAKEBOARDING LESSONS

Waterski & Wakeboard lessons and now Surfing at CB Smith Park. Beautiful, private, fresh water lake, New Surf boat to make endless surfing possible. Slalom, Kneeboard, tube rides, birthday parties, camp field trips, surfing, etc. All equipment supplied. Open year round. Call Mike for appt. & information at (954) 292-3953, www.browardski.com.

YOGA BRUCE ZONE YOGA ACADEMY

Prospering minds and bodies! Come in for your FREE CLASS today. Tayrn Allen offers yoga classes for all levels and yoga certifications for those looking to teach. Practice and learn from one of the best instructors in town. Safe and healthy practices for beginners through instructor level. Call (954) 605-6969. 3400 Davie Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale. brucezone.com.

ACTIVITIES ACTING & DRAMA BROADWAY KIDS STUDIO – PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 9042 West State Road 84, Davie 33324 (Same Plaza as Kabooms and RoundUp). BKS offers group and private lessons in Acting, Singing, Dancing, & Musical Instruments (Piano, Drums, & Guitar). Additionally, we have an After-School Program, Camps, Dance Competition and performance opportunities (Plays and Musicals). Look out for opportunities to audition for one of our many productions, dance competition team or Star Performers. Contact us at (954) 693-7500 or www.BroadwayKidsStudio.com.

ADULT PROGRAMS SOFLO VOLLEYBALL Play coed indoor volleyball pick-up games with adult players of different ages and skill levels. Everybody plays. Wednesdays 8:00pm – 10:30pm at David Posnack Jewish Community Center, 5850 S. Pine Island Rd, Davie 33328. For more information on different locations call or text (954) 600-9810. JCC Members $5 / Community $7 per evening, open to the public, men and women.

AFTERSCHOOL & DAY OFF CAMPS TAG USA GYMNASTICS & TRAMPOLINE www.TagGymnastics.com, 1951 N. Commerce Parkway, Weston. Call and Register over the phone, (954) 384-9191. • AFTERCARE SCHOOL PICK UP & PARENT DROP OFF: Pick up from all Weston and Cooper City Public and Charter Schools directly to gym or Parent Drop Off. Starting at $210/month includes: Five day pick up, two classes per day, and snack. On site licensed teacher for homework help. Drivers are Background checked, Licensed, & Certified. Spots are limited! Register by phone. • DAYS OFF SPORTS CAMP: Action packed camp days for kids! For BOYS: Indoor Basketball & Soccer, Trampoline, and Flips & Pit. For Girls: Gymnastics, Tumbling, Trampoline, & Cheer. Only $45 per day! Half Day Preschool Camp available!

DIRECTORY

BROADWAY KIDS STUDIO – PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

9042 West State Road 84, Davie 33324 (Same Plaza as Kabooms and RoundUp). Broadway Kids Studio After-School program has two options. The first includes transportation from select local schools for $285/month or a drop off option for $260/month. The program entitles students to up to 15 classes per week in all aspects of the performing arts. Classes are from 3pm-6pm daily (ages 5–11) or 4pm – 7pm (ages 12+). The program allows for homework time and is deeply discounted over the normal group class rate. Private lessons in singing, acting, dancing, and instruments are also available for additional fees. Contact us at (954) 693-7500 or www.BroadwayKidsStudio.com.

BROWARD BASEBALL ACADEMY (BBA)/HAL’S POWER ALLEY

BBA offers an after-school class on Tuesdays from 3:30pm – 4:30pm at its facility on the campus of the David Posnack JCC, located on the corner of Stirling and Pine Island Roads. This program is for beginners between the ages of 5 and 11 years old and will teach the fundamentals of hitting, fielding and throwing. BBA is a year-round baseball and softball training facility, with two lighted fields and Hal’s Power Alley, 3 covered batting cages with pitching machines. Please call (954) 683-7747 for more information and pricing or you can email Wayne@browardbaseballacademy.com. BBA is Located on the David Posnack JCC Campus, 5850 S. Pine Island Rd., Davie, FL 33328. The Director is Wayne Stofsky.

KUMITE MARTIAL ARTS

IMACS – MATH, COMPUTER PROGRAMMING & LOGICAL REASONING ENRICHMENT

Take your child’s logical reasoning skills to the next level! IMACS gives students a competitive edge by teaching them how to think critically in a fun environment. Call (954) 791-2333 or visit www.imacs.org to schedule a FREE Placement Class. Weekly After-School/Saturday classes. Grades 1–12. Weston, Plantation, Boca, Fort Lauderdale, and Delray.

BROWARD BASEBALL ACADEMY (BBA)/HAL’S POWER ALLEY

PLAY10 ACADEMY

Movement Education & Sports Development Program. “Initial Stages” Program for Girls & Boys, Ages 3-5. Coordination, Suppleness, Gross Motor Skills, Fine Motor Skills. Brain Centered Learning and Guided Discovery. Fun activities that encourage problem solving, ownership, and experimentation. Long Term Athlete Development Philosophy (LTAD). “PLAY” – Children in control of the environment. 6 week sessions ongoing, morning and evening programs available at Plantation Central Park. Also offering Afterschool / Day Off / Camp Programs and Coaching Clinics. Play10Academy.com, play10inc@gmail.com. (407) 917-PLAY (7529).

HIT FIT BOXING ACADEMY

Hit Fit Boxing Academy After School Amateur Boxing (ASAB) only $40 a week. School pick-up with a healthy snack is an additional $40 a week and home drop-off service is offered locally for an additional $40 a week. Classes are from 3pm – 5pm or 5pm – 7pm. We also offer parents the opportunity to watch their child perform live through our HD video feed. Here at Hit Fit, our Certified USA boxing coaches will teach boxing fundamentals consisting of theory and practice, youth calisthenics and cardiovascular workouts. 1269 S. Pine Island Rd, Plantation, FL 33324. For more information contact Coach Warren @ (954) 947-6823 or visit us @ hitfit.us.

CHESSART ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

Chess Classes. Improve your child’s academic performance, concentration, reasoning skills, logical and critical thinking. Small groups. Afterschool classes Monday to Friday. Davie, Weston, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Ft. Lauderdale & Coral Gables. Chess tournaments available once a month. www.chessartkids.com, info@chessartkids.com, (954) 650-2562.

EDUCANDO A AMÉRICA – SPANISH SCHOOL Our school offers a 100% Spanish Immersion afterschool program for children from 3 to 16 years old. Our focus is the acquisition of the Spanish language in reading, writing as well as speaking. Based on a 3-hour/week program, we offer classes in different locations such as Pembroke Pines Charter Schools, Imagine Charter at Weston, Beachside Montessori Village in Hollywood, Virginia Shuman Young in Ft. Lauderdale, and West Pines preschool. Monthly tuition begins at $85. Private tutoring is also available, as well as adult and teenager’s classes for advanced students. Visit www.educandoamerica.com or write to ea@educandoamerica.com. Call about our Dive Into Spanish Immersion Summer Camp and for our different locations, days and times for each program (954) 261-2432.

CITY OF PLANTATION DAY OFF CAMPS • KIDS’ DAY OFF AT CENTRAL PARK: AGES 5–11. A wide variety of activities planned at Central Park for non-school days. Bring a bag lunch and drink. Extra drinks are available for purchase. Call (954) 452-2510 for more information. Pre-registration is required. Registration is held at Plantation Central Park, two weeks prior to actual Kids’ Day Off. Program Hours: 7:00am – 6:00pm. Structured Activities: 9:00am – 4:00pm. Residents $25, Non-residents $38, plus $5 non-refundable registration fee. Kids’ Day Off Dates: October 28 and November 8, 2016. • SHARE-A-PONY KIDS’ DAY OFF: AGES 4–12. Plantation Equestrian Center, 1451 N.W. 118th Avenue, Plantation. (954) 476-4316, pec@ plantation.org. Bring a snack, lunch & drink. Residents, $65 per day, plus tax, plus a $5 registration fee. Non-residents, $75 per day, plus tax, plus a $5 registration fee. Equestrian Kids’ Day Off Dates: October 3, 12, 28 and November 8, 11, 23, 25 from 9:00am – 4:30pm.

ART ART WORKSHOPS – CHESSART Teaching students to express themselves through the arts. Our program offers unique art experiences that promote your child’s confidence and creativity. Drawing. Painting. Cartooning. Printmaking. Ceramics. Group and private workshops. After school programs. Portfolio development for students from 9th and 12th grade. (954) 534-3771. www.chessartkids.com, info@chessartkids.com

PRIVATE ART LESSONS After school art lessons for kids and teens! Lessons are tailored to kids just starting out learning a variety of mediums to teens building portfolios for specialized art schools. In a Private Lesson we focus on challenging an artist’s existing skills and taking them to a more advanced level, while introducing them to new techniques, materials and styles in fine art. Your little artist will see results, build confidence and have a fun experience, too! Over 15 years of experience helping kids realize their artistic potential! $45 hr. for 1 student or $35 hr. (per student) for small group instruction (2–5 students). Lessons are located in Plantation. (954) 445-7272 Jennifer Brittingham, angelmaker1@bellsouth.net.

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Our one of a kind After School program caters to Ages K–12. Students are transported directly from school to our state of the art facility where they will also participate in a daily martial arts class (for an additional fee) where they will not only get fit, they will learn valuable self-defense techniques. Our school has a strong emphasis on building important life skills such as focus, respect, discipline, confidence and teamwork. From $185/Month. 4150 Peters Road, Plantation 33317. www.kumitemartialarts.com. (954) 321-0029.

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(ART CONT.) ART THERAPY: SELF-ESTEEM BUILDING GROUP Central Park, 9151 N.W. 2nd Street, Plantation. Ages 6–14. Self-Esteem Building Group that is a hands on art making group designed around children that would like to work on self-esteem building through art. All projects are designed to foster success, creativity, growth and autonomy. All sessions are conducted by a master’s level board certified art therapist and certified grief counselor with over 12 years of experience. All projects are age appropriate and use a variety of art materials including: collage, paint, fabric, printmaking, tile making, mask making and more. Saturdays 9:00am – 10:00am for ages 6–9. Resident $250/8 weeks, plus $5 registration fee, Non-resident $260/8 weeks, plus $5 registration fee plus $25 materials fee paid to instructor during first class. Saturdays 10:00am – 11:30am for ages 10–14. Resident $275/8 weeks, plus $5 registration fee, Non-resident $260/8 weeks, plus $5 registration fee plus $25 materials fee paid to instructor during first class. Contact: Sonia at (954) 856-3110 or visit Brushstrokesarttherapy.com.

ATHLETIC WEAR & SPORTING GOODS

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SHIRTS R US

Shirts R Us & More is truly a ONE STOP SHOP for all of your uniform needs from Soccer to Football to Basketball and more. We offer reasonable prices on silk screening, embroidery, full color laser printing, banners and fundraising items at special discounted prices. We print everything custom to your needs. We are a family owned business for almost 25 years and are conveniently located on 441 just a 1/2mile north of 595. We have a fully trained sales staff, graphic arts department and the equipment on premises. This will insure that your order is done on time. 1861 South State Rd. 7, Ft. Lauderdale 33317. (954) 533-4695, www.ShirtsRus.biz.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS THE BB&T CENTER

The BB&T Center is the premier sports and entertainment venue in South Florida. Located in Sunrise, the BB&T Center plays host to more than 200 events annually including Florida Panthers hockey. For further information and a schedule of events please visit www.thebbtcenter.com. The BB&T Center is the Center of it All.

SPLASH ADVENTURE WATER PARK AT QUIET WATERS PARK

This interactive children’s water playground features slides, tunnels, turn valves, wheels and levers, water curtains, crawl tunnels, and a huge bucket that fills and empties onto the playground below at regular intervals. The depth of the pool ranges from zero at its edges to 12 inches at its deepest. Lifeguards are on duty whenever the water park is open. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. $5/person per session when sessions are in effect, $5/person per day when sessions are not in effect. Children under 1 year of age are admitted free. The park’s regular gate entrance fee of $1.50/person (children 5 and under free) is also in effect on weekends and holidays. Applicable Florida sales tax will be added to all fees except gate fee. SESSION TIMES: Session I – 9:30am – 1:20pm. Session II - 1:30pm – 5:20pm. 401 S. Powerline Road, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442. (954) 357-5100.

CASTAWAY ISLAND WATER PARK AT T.Y. PARK

Castaway Island offers two interactive water playgrounds: one for smaller children, with climbing features and a small slide, and the other with features more suitable for older children, including buckets that regularly fill with water and then dump it out onto the playground below. In 2007, the water park’s original sand-bottom lagoon was replaced with a zero-entry, hard-bottom Swim Lagoon with a waterfall at one end. The recently renovated aquatics complex also includes a marina that provides boat rentals. $8/person for the entire day; $5/person after 3pm. Children 12 months and under are admitted free. An individual season pass (Find It All card) is available for $64 per person, which includes admission to Tropical Splash, Splash Adventure, and Castaway Island water parks. The park’s regular gate entrance fee of $1.50/person (children 5 and under free) is also in effect on weekends and holidays. Applicable Florida sales tax will be added to all fees except gate fee. 3300 N. Park Road, Hollywood, FL 33021. (954) 357-8811.

PARADISE COVE WATER PARK AT C.B. SMITH PARK

Paradise Cove is the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division’s largest aquatics facility, offering family fun for everyone. $9.50+ tax/ person for all-day admission and $6.50+tax/person after 3 p.m. Children under 1 year of age are admitted free. The park’s regular gate entrance fee of $1.50/person (children 5 and under free) is also in effect on weekends and holidays. 900 N. Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines, FL 33028. (954) 357-5161. • Paradise Pipeline: features four five-story-tall waterslides, enabling riders to experience corkscrew rides exiting into the four-foot-deep plunge pool. The 32-inch wide-open body slides vary in length from 395–430 feet. The 400 gallons of water per minutes move riders down the slides for an incomparable experience. Riders must be 42 inches tall, weigh less than 250 pounds, and be able to swim. • Sharky’s Lagoon: is the water playground for all ages, featuring an 18-inch-deep pool that includes many interactive play elements, as well as three waterslides that vary in length from 83–125 feet. • Parrot’s Point: is the water playground for ages 5 and under, featuring a 12-inch-deep pool with two small water slides and many interactive play elements. • Crazy Creek: is the 410-foot-long meandering tube ride with interactive elements along the route.

CHESS CHESS FOR KIDS: CHESSART

Learning to think outside the box. Chess is a useful educational tool. Chess is a tool that improves your child’s confidence, imagination, concentration and intuition. Chess also develops critical and logical thinking. Chess improves schoolwork and grades. Ages 4 and up. Chess is fun! After School Programs: Montessori schools, Imagine Charter. Group lessons: Weston Community Center, Davie Pine Island Park Multipurpose Center, Pembroke Isles, The Ridges, Private lessons, tournaments. www.chessartkids.com | info@chessartkids.com (954) 650-2562 or (954) 534-3771

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OPEN CHESS

Adults & children, novices & experts. Get in the game! Come with a partner or play with who is here. No formal instruction offered. Fridays 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Helen B. Hoffman Library, 501 N. Fig Tree Lane, Plantation (954) 797-2140.

CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT BRIGHT & SMART ROBOTICS

Central Park. Ages 7–12. A fun enriched program that offers girls and boys a complete engineering experience that facilitates higher cognitive skills through hands-on robot assembly, computer programming and teamwork. Kids will discover and learn new skills in this interactive approach that fosters problem solving and critical and creative thinking skills. For more information, call (954) 816-3346. Saturdays from 10:00am – 11:30am. Residents $210/8 weeks, plus $5 registration fee*, Non-Resident $220/8 weeks, plus $5 registration fee* *Plus a $30 fee for materials paid to instructor.

PLAY10 ACADEMY

BABY & ME CLASSES AT TEMPLE DOR DORIM

Temple Dor Dorim’s Early Childhood Center offers baby & me classes for ages 3 months - 3 years. Complimentary 8 weeks of classes for your new arrival! Open to the Community. 2360 Glades Circle, Weston 33327. (954) 389-1232, www.dordorim.org. • EYES WIDE OPEN (3–9 MONTHS): Fridays, 11:00am – 12:00pm. Give your child the experiences that are necessary for development during those early years of life through touching, feeling, smelling and tasting. Our Baby & Me teacher will provide these opportunities through circle time fun, finger plays, sensory experiences, and motor development activities. (One 8 week session is complimentary to newcomers) • DISCOVER MY WORLD (10-26 MONTHS): Fridays, 11:00am12:00pm. Through touching, tasting, seeing and hearing, explore different sensory experiences with your child. We will be cooking, making playdough, finger painting, playing instruments, and making “Ooey Gooey” creations. Time to get messy! • CHALLAH CLUB (12 MONTHS - 3 YEARS): Fridays, 9:00am -10:30pm. Come join us for a morning of motor, sensory and Judaic art experiences and yes...Shabbat! Let’s begin teaching our children the traditions of our Jewish heritage through music, movement and art activities. Mom/Dad bring the siblings and enjoy Shabbat with our ECC family at Temple Dor Dorim.

LIL STARS SPORTS

Kids ages 18 months – 6 years old can learn new skills and have a blast learning Soccer, Baseball, or Basketball. Lil Stars Sports utilizes proven curriculums, experienced coaches, and provides small class sizes to prepare your kids for the little leagues! Classes offered at Fitness 1440 in Plantation, All Sports Kids in Sunrise, and Soccer Fever in Weston. For more details visit www.LilStarsSports.com or call us at (954) 680-6861. Lil Stars Sports – the perfect combination of learning and FUN!

KIDOKINETICS Central Park. Ages 3–10 years. The “Fun Way to Fitness.” Your child will learn a new sport each week and be introduced to the basics of each sport in a fun and non-competitive atmosphere. Activities include soccer, hockey, tennis, basketball, volleyball, football, golf, hula-hoops, obstacle courses, T-ball and more. Led by experienced coaches who provide a fun and safe environment for learning. Kidokinetics focuses on individual achievement to improve the child’s self-confidence. (T-shirt can be purchased for an additional $8) Ages 3–5: Wednesdays, 4:15pm – 5:00pm. Ages 18 months–3 years: Wednesdays, 5:00pm – 5:45pm. $40/month, plus $5 registration fee, Non-residents $50/month, plus $5 registration fee.

DANCE DANCE FX 10057D Sunset Strip, Sunrise 33323. www.DanceFXSunrise.com. Currently in its 17th year, Dance FX has more than 50 dancers on its award winning competition team that travels all over the country, AND we are the home to the ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ runner up, Tiffany Maher 2012 & Alexis Juliano Top 14 2013! Classes are for ages 18 months–Advanced level in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical and acrobatics. And NEW Barre Body classes for adults. Visit our studio – your first class is free! We host birthday parties and silk classes. Boys’ scholarships available. No recital fees. Joan Bartoletti (954) 742-3114.

BROADWAY KIDS STUDIO – PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 9042 West State Road 84, Davie 33324 (Same Plaza as Kabooms and RoundUp). BKS offers group and private lessons in Acting, Singing, Dancing, & Musical Instruments (Piano, Drums, & Guitar). Additionally, we have an After-School Program, Camps, Dance Competition and performance opportunities (Plays and Musicals). Look out for opportunities to audition for one of our many productions, dance competition team or Star Performers. Contact us at (954) 693-7500 or www.BroadwayKidsStudio.com.

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(DANCE CONT.) FLORIDA SUPERSTARS Florida Super Stars offer a high-energy combination class with instruction in dance, cheerleading & baton twirling for ages 5–12. Over 20 locations, $55 per month for unlimited classes. Year round performances are optional. Feature performances include: Miami Heat, Dolphins, Hurricanes, Disney World, Super Bowl, and Orange Bowl! Summer Dance Jam Camp also offered. (954) 438-2075 or www.floridasuperstars.com.

STELLA’S DANCERS STUDIO Classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary & musical theater for ages 2 ½ and up. Beginner through professional. www.stellasdancers. com. 9470 Griffin Rd, Cooper City. (954) 434-8401.

CITY OF PLANTATION DANCE CLASSES Ages 3 & up. Central Park. Classes build strength, flexibility, memory, and confidence. Beginning Dance and Beginning Dance I are for beginners. Level II classes require a minimum of one year in dance in that subject. Tap-Jazz-Ballet & Hip-Hop classes. Class times run late afternoon and early evening. 30 & 45 minute classes, Residents, $75/10 weeks, Non-Residents, $85/10 weeks, Residents, 60 min. classes $85/10 weeks, Non-Residents, $95/10 weeks, plus a $5 registration fee and a $5 insurance fee. Joan Bartoletti (954) 742-3114 or (954) 444-1298.

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HIP HOP DANCE & BATON

Volunteer Park. Ages 6–12. An action packed class that teaches the basics of baton twirling, hip hop dance, Poi spinning flags, light balls and hula hoops. Routines will be choreographed and community performances offered. Batons and props may be purchased from instructor. Wednesdays: 6:15pm – 7:00pm. Residents $70/10 weeks, Non-residents $80/10 weeks, plus a $5 registration fee and a $5 insurance fee paid to instructor. Glynna Deaner (954) 236-4404.

DOG OBEDIENCE TRAINING BASIC DOG OBEDIENCE CLASS Dogs 5 months & up. Join Blue Grace Training at the Plantation Equestrian Center for our reward-based training program that is FUN for both the human and canine. Reward based training provides clear and concise communication with your dog and fosters a healthy relationship. We address basic household manners, jumping, leash pulling and other fun exercises to help strengthen that relationship. Dogs must be 5 months of age and you must provide proof of vaccinations before beginning class. Instructor: Christine Goschwill, (954) 326-0798. Call for class schedules. Registration deadline is 3 days before each class. Thursdays 6:00pm – 7:00pm. Resident $145/5 classes, plus $5 registration fee, Non-Resident $155/5 classes, plus $5 registration fee.

FAMILY PROGRAMS FOOD TRUCK NIGHTS The food-truck phenomenon that has swept the U.S. over the course of the past few years can be traced, according to Smithsonian Magazine, to various food trends in Los Angeles, with the result that, “...food trucks are the new incubators of culinary innovation.” The food trucks have caught on in our parks, three of which now offer regular Food Truck Nights. Contact the park of your choice for additional details. • Brian Piccolo Sports Park & Velodrome: 9501 Sheridan St., Cooper City 33024. (954) 357-5150, BrianPiccoloPark@Broward. org. 3rd Wednesday of the Month, 5:00pm – 9:30pm. • Plantation Heritage Park: 1100 S. Fig Tree Lane, Plantation 33317. (954) 357-5135, HeritagePark@Broward.org. Tuesdays, 5:30pm – 9:30pm. • Quiet Waters Park: 401 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach 33442. (954) 357-5100, QuietWatersPark@Broward.org. 1st Thursday of the Month, 5:00pm – 10:00pm.

FISHING & BOATING KIDS FISHING CLUB

Want to learn how to fish? Looking for a great way to reconnect with the kids? Then join The Kids Fishing Club! Our club is family oriented and non-competitive. Both parents and kids will have a great time and learn. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Bring the whole family, parents can fish, too. We teach kids how to cast, tie fishing knots and all about fishing in South Florida. Thanks to Fish Florida, all kids receive a FREE FISHING ROD to keep. Rods, bait, tackle; drinks and snacks are included at every event. The majority of our events are shore based and in the freshwater lakes of West Broward. Special events include the everglades, kayak fishing, pier fishing and deep-sea fishing. Student volunteers are needed, no experience required. Events are once a month, late afternoon on Saturday or Sunday. For more information or to join visit www.kidsfishing.org.

BOAT RENTALS: BROWARD COUNTY PARKS

Visit broward.org/parks for details on types of boats available, addresses & costs. • Central Broward Regional Park & Stadium: Paddleboats • Everglades Holiday Park: Johnboats • Plantation Heritage Park: Paddleboats • Tree Tops Park: Paddleboats • T.Y. (Topeekeegee Yugnee) Park: Paddleboats, johnboats, kayaks, and canoes. Stand-up paddleboard classes available. • Quiet Waters Park: Paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes • West Lake Park: Kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards

DOG PARKS

MOVIE THEATERS & MOVIES

DOG PARKS IN BROWARD COUNTY

AUTONATION® IMAX 3D THEATER

Usage fees may apply. Please contact the dog park of your choice prior to arriving for more information. • Barkham Park At Markham Park: (Broward County Parks), 16001 W. State Rd. 84, Sunrise 33326. (954) 357-8868. Dog Park pass required. Proof of current vaccinations must be provided. www.broward.org/parks. • Dog Beach at Hollywood Beach: (City of Hollywood), between Pershing St. and Custer St., Hollywood 33019. (954) 921-3404. Friday, Saturday & Sunday only. 3:00pm – 7:00pm. Daily and 6 month passes for purchase. dboh.org. • Happy Tails Dog Park: (City of Plantation): 6500 S.W. 16th St., Plantation 33317. (954) 452-2510. 7:00am – dusk daily. Wednesdays noon – dusk. www.plantation.org/parks-recreation • Pembroke Pines Dog Park: (City of Pembroke Pines): 9751 Johnson Street, Pembroke Pines. (954) 435-6520. 8:00am – dusk. ppines.org.

401 SW Second Street, Fort Lauderdale 33312. (954) 467-6637 or (954) 463-IMAX (4629), www.imax.com/movies. The IMAX Experience in 70MM 2D Film Format. SHOWS DAILY.

MUSIC & VOICE BROADWAY KIDS STUDIO - PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

9042 West State Road 84, Davie 33324 (Same Plaza as Kabooms and RoundUp). BKS offers group and private lessons in Acting, Singing, Dancing, & Musical Instruments (Piano, Drums, & Guitar). Additionally, we have an After-School Program, Camps, Dance Competition and performance opportunities (Plays and Musicals). Look out for opportunities to audition for one of our many productions, dance competition team or Star Performers. Contact us at (954) 693-7500 or www.BroadwayKidsStudio.com.

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LEARN TO PLAY THE PIANO

Volunteer Park. Ages 6–13. Allow your children to experience the joy of learning to play the piano! Exposure to music may benefit your child’s IQ, reading ability and stress relief. Availability of a piano or keyboard needed for daily practice. Some additional lesson materials are needed and are available through the Instructor, Iliana Kalish, (954) 391-3956. Lessons are 30 minutes each, once a week. Resident $160/8 weeks, Non-resident $170/8 weeks, Resident $80/4 weeks, Non-Resident $90/4 weeks plus a $5 registration fee. Tuesdays: 3:30pm – 6:00pm, Wednesdays: 3:30pm – 6:00pm.

MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN

Held at Volunteer Park. Ages 6–10. Music Education consists of listening to music, singing, rhythm through body movements and percussion instruments, basic concepts of counting, music notation and learning how to play the recorder. Students will discover the joy of playing in a small group as well as develop habits of self-motivation, discipline and the value of teamwork. Students need to bring their own recorder. Instructor: Iliana Kalish, (954) 391-3956. Thursday, 4:00pm –5:00pm. Residents $150/8 weeks, NonResidents, $160/8 weeks, plus a $5 registration fee.

FLORIDA SINGING SONS

SKEET & TRAP SHOOTING MARKHAM SKEET & TRAP CLUB

Markham Skeet & Trap Club sponsors a Youth Program offering free trapshooting instruction and gun safety training every Monday night from 6:00pm – 9:00pm at the Markham Park Gun Range (Markham Park is located at the intersection of Weston Road and State Road 84). Ages 10–17 are welcome to join at no cost. The program provides shotguns to those who do not have them. This six-year-old program is the largest in the state of Florida with over 500 youth shooters having passed through the program. We start with the basics of gun safety and how to shoot all the way up to competing on a state and national level. All of our instructors are certified NRA Safety Officers and many are also certified at higher levels by the ATA, NSSA, and NSCA. For more information contact: Steve Norris at (754) 264-9584.

SPECIAL POPULATION PROGRAMS: SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES THERAPIES 4 KIDS [T4K] & BRIGHT STEPS FORWARD Therapies 4 Kids (T4K) & Bright Steps Forward provides PT/OT/SLP/ ABA to children with developmental disabilities. Services include direct treatment, patient education, and specialized programs to meet the growing health needs of the community. Therapies 4 Kids has become the leader in Pediatric and Adult programs for neurological disorders such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism, & Stroke. Diagnostic testing for Autism & ADHD. Medicaid & Most Insurances accepted. OPEN SATURDAYS. 4 Locations; 10261 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines 33025, 2233 N. Commerce Parkway #1, Weston 33326, 1750 N. University Drive, Suite 105, Coral Springs 33071, 218 Almeria Avenue, Coral Gables 33134. www.therapies4kids.com. (954) 356-2878. Private School K-12 now taking applications: www.brightstepsforward.org – NO WAITING LIST.

PAL DYNAMITES

PAL Dynamites is a sports program for Broward County persons with special needs, both physical and mental, ages 5–24. For more information, contact league director Luz M. Sementelli at (954) 270-4455.

CITY OF PLANTATION AQUATICS SPECIAL NEEDS

For information about Aquatic classes for children and adults with special needs, including those with physical disabilities, please call (954) 663-6518. • SPECIAL NEEDS RECREATIONAL EXERCISE PROGRAM: SENIORS WELCOME. This exercise program accommodates individuals unable to be independent in the water and is designed to increase strength, balance, flexibility and movement for disabled children/adults. Pre-registration is required. By appointment only.

For more information and appointments, call (954) 663-6518. NOTE: This is not a physical therapy program. Each session consists of six, 30-minute lessons. Residents, $175/session – Non-Residents, $210/session. • SPECIAL NEEDS PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS: SENIORS WELCOME. Swim lessons accommodate individuals unable to be independent in the water. The lessons are designed to increase swimming skills. Pre-registration is required. By appointment only. Class schedules are set with the instructor. NOTE: This is not a physical therapy program. Residents, $175/session – Non-Resident, $210/session.

SOCIAL COMMUNICATION STATION

Jim Ward Community Center. Grades 4–9. Course for students with a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome, Social Communication Disorder, High Functioning Autism, ADHD, or other undiagnosed social challenges. We teach our students how to better understand the thoughts and feelings of others and how to improve listening skills. Students also practice conversation skills and learn problem-solving strategies. Our classes integrate group activities with the Social Thinking curriculum. Course instructors are nationally certified speech-language pathologists. www.socialcommunicationstation.com. Grades 4–6: Thursdays 4:30pm – 5:30pm. Grades 8–9: Thursdays 5:30pm – 6:30pm. Resident $300/8 weeks, plus $5 registration fee. Non-Resident $310/8 weeks, plus $5 registration fee.

TEEN PROGRAMS CIVIL AIR PATROL UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AUXILIARY

The CAP Cadet Program is a year-round program where Cadets ages 13-18 fly, learn to lead, hike, camp, get in shape and push themselves to new limits. Cadets meet 2.5 hours per week and one Saturday per month, on average, and also have opportunities to attend leadership encampments, career academies, and other activities during the summer. If you’re dreaming about a career in aviation, space, or the military, CAP’s Cadet Program is for you. Visit http://FL011.flwg.us or call (954) 594-9185 for more information.

TEENAGE POLICE ACADEMY

The Plantation Police Department is now offering its Teenage Police Academy. 6:00pm – 8:00pm at the Plantation Police Department, 451 NW 70th Terrace, Plantation. This 8-week course is free of charge and open to all young adults, ages 13–18 who live, work or attend school in Plantation. The course includes K-9 demonstrations, firearms instruction, Explorer program info, crime scene investigation, participating in a D.U.I. scenario, viewing a robbery scenario, gang awareness, and much more. Teens who are interested in a career in law enforcement will benefit greatly. The purpose of this course is to create a partnership between teens and the Police department and its operations. (954) 916-5601.

BABYSITTING BASICS

Teaches youth ages 11 through 15 skills for preparation to care for infants and children. Class includes CPR demonstration and hands on practice. Creating and managing a babysitting business is discussed. Parent must sign a permission form for the youth to participate and an adult must bring child to class. Class leads to certification as a certified babysitter. Fee: $20 per student. To register for a class parents can email Child’s Name, Child’s Date of Birth, Address, Phone Number & Parent’s Name to family@mhs.net or call (954) 265-4484 to register. Class location: Esther Grossman Women Center: 4320 Sheridan St., Hollywood, FL 33021. Call for dates.

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Come Sing With Us! Boys from 3rd Grade to High School and from all over Broward County share an all-around musical experience. The boys engage in music theory, vocal production and stage performance. Annually, the senior choirs tour nationally or internationally. For upcoming concerts, check us out on Facebook and at www.singingson.org. Interested in auditioning? 1229 NE 37th Street, Oakland Park, 33334. Contact us at (954) 563-2697.

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KUMITE MARTIAL ARTS GOT FITNESS? Well, the diversity of the programs at Kumite

Martial Arts offers that AND much more for children and adults. Whether your goal is to get in shape, stay in shape, learn self-defense, train to compete or just to have a safe positive environment for your child, Kumite MMA has a program for you. WHY MARTIAL ARTS? Martial arts, such as that taught at Kumite MMA, not only teaches the skills necessary to defend yourself, it also teaches discipline, respect, humility, and self-confidence. And it’s also FUN and can help with weight loss and muscle tone! Here are our most popular classes and programs. MMA/KICKBOXING CLASSES Led by head MMA instructor and Pro, Scott Mukaddam. Kids and Adult classes are available. Teaching variety of skill such as kicking, punching, takedowns and basic submission.

BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU Led by Master “Toco” Albuquerque, a Carlson Gracie Senior 5th degree Black Belt instructor. Kids and Adult classes are available 3x and 5x week programs. Competition team. Teaching Gi and No Gi Brazilian jiu jitsu skills and submissions. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM Pick up available from most local schools. Homework time, snack time and activities. Children are encouraged to be active with games and others activities held. Classes available. Day Camps, Summer, Spring and Winter Camps also available. And the best part of all? Affordable rates are offered at Kumite Martial Arts! Kumite Martial Arts is located at 4150 Peters Road, Plantation FL 33317. Please call us at (954) 321-0029 for more information. Or you may email us at kumitemma@gmail.com or visit our website at www.kumitemartialarts.com.

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By Debby Teich Photo credit: Christie Cohn

Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

acrosse continues to grow in popularity in South Florida. Nicknamed “the fastest sport on two feet,” lacrosse combines basketball, soccer and hockey. Athletes of all ages, skills and sizes can play the sport, which is action-packed with plenty of scoring. It is very easy for new players to pick up the game, especially if they start at a young age. On September 1, at Central Park, Plantation Patriots Lacrosse will begin registering players for the 2017 season, which runs from January to April. “Being on a lacrosse team is fraternal,” said Patrick Hauser, vice president of Plantation Patriots Lacrosse. “The kids come to love being around each other and form a bond that cannot be explained.” This is the second year of the program. For years, the only option was to play lacrosse in another city. Organizers wanted to make sure that Plantation residents had an opportunity to play in their own city. “If you live in the City of Plantation and your child plays lacrosse in a neighboring city, we hope that you come participate in the city that you live in and support this great program,” said Hauser. “We have some amazing things planned for next season! We have worked very hard to get this program off the ground and provide a place where kids can learn this great sport.” The Plantation Patriots offer recreational teams that travel to compete against other teams in the South Florida Youth Lacrosse League. The program focuses on giving players of all skill levels a quality learning experience and an opportunity to have fun playing lacrosse. Players work on agility, conditioning, teamwork, and the skills necessary to play lacrosse. They are taught to respect the game, as well as the other players. This year, the Patriots will expand the program to include boys and girls teams at all levels – U7, U9, U11, U13 and U15 – with approximately 25 kids per team. Teams will practice twice per week, with games on Saturdays. Practices

and home games will be held at Pop Travers Park. Experience is not a requirement to join, just a willingness to learn and have fun. In fact, last season, most of the players picked up a stick for the first time. To encourage new players to try the game, the Patriots will be offering several free clinics for new players starting in September. The clinics will focus on the fundamentals of throwing and catching, as well as picking up ground balls. “The clinics are designed to have kids working on the fundamentals, so that when they start playing they have a basic understanding of how the fundamentals tie into the game,” said Hauser. Many of the players in the league end up playing at the high school level, as well as for colleges and universities. Hauser says that is one of the reasons they started the program. “We wanted to provide a higher caliber of player into the high schools in the City of Plantation,” said Hauser. “A lot of times players in high school play football and naturally pickup lacrosse, because their friends are playing or due to the need for high school players. Our hope was to get the kids started younger, so that by the time they get to high school they are prepared to compete at that level.” Since all recreational programs are run by volunteers, from the coaches to the administration, Hauser says they are always looking for volunteers and will teach them everything they need to know about the game. The Patriots need coaches, with or without experience; team moms/ dads; people to help with scoring and set up during home game weekends; and more. Students who need service hours are also welcome to help with coaching or in other areas. For information, visit www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=plantationlacrosse, like our facebook page at plantationpatriotslacrosse or send an email to ph@plantationlacrosse.com.

Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

DIRECTORY

FITNESS & TRAINING FOR KIDS, AMATEURS, PROS & PARENTS

earning the sport of boxing, training for amateur boxing status, defending yourself or simply getting fit are the goals of the clients at Hit Fit Boxing Academy, the newest USA Boxing Organization Certified gym to open in Plantation. Doing any of these things at Hit Fit Gym, and you will find yourself trained by a highly certified, professional staff in a safe and encouraging environment. Hit Fit Boxing Academy, located at the NW corner of Pine Island Road and I-595 in Plantation, is owned and managed by Coach Warren Sweeney. Coach Warren boxed in the Bronx as a teen and he found success in the sport he loves. He is a testament to the fact that boxing can have a very positive influence in one’s life. He relocated to Florida in 2008 to become a chief boxing training assistant. During that time he became licensed by the State of Florida Boxing Commission and worked as a Corner Cut Man while training and preparing boxers for their bouts. He went on to become licensed by the State of Florida as a Professional Boxing Manager in 2013 and a Professional Chief Trainer in 2015. Just recently, Coach Warren met the rigorous requirements to become certified as a Level 1 USA Boxing Amateur Coach which allowed him to open Hit Fit Boxing Academy in early 2016. “This prestigious certification allows me to develop children from the beginning stages of the sport all the way to competing in the Olympics,” said Coach Warren. Parents can be comforted in the fact that USA Boxing safety and training parameters are rigorously adhered to and beginners will not see sparring in the ring until they have met all standards for preparation which factor in age, weight and ability. “My commitment is to give my best as a coach and as an individual to the positive development of our children so they can be at their best both in and out of the ring,” he added. Hit fit Boxing Academy has a full service transportation van to pick up children from local schools and deliver them safely to their afterschool program where they are allotted time for homework, snacks and boxing training. They will also be offering camp in the summer. To add some peace of mind as to how their children are being coached and supervised, parents may also log into a closed captioned

By Margot Puleri

video feed at any time their children are at Hit Fit Boxing Academy through a password protected link. Live video cameras are located throughout the gym and outside the gym where cardio training and fitness classes often take place. In addition to being a home and training facility to amateur and aspiring professional boxers, adults looking for a great fitness program are welcomed to join the high intensity workouts which include boot camp, fitness training, cardio kickboxing and personal boxing. Hit Fit Boxing Academy also has a circuit of fitness stations for their regulars to come in and get a great workout done in a short period yielding maximum results! Diet and nutrition counseling, along with positive motivational and reinforcement philosophy are part of the education to get fit and stay fit! “My mission at this time is to simply serve the children and families of our community through the wonderful sport of boxing,” said Coach Warren. Learn more about the amazing things happening at Hit Fit Boxing Academy by calling 954-947-6823 or stop by their location at 1269 S. Pine Island Road, Plantation, FL 33324.

Plantat ion S por ts & Activit ies Dire cto ry | Issu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

HIT FIT BOXING ACADEMY

DIRECTORY

Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

hen the topic is group disability insurance, master swordsman Inigo Montoya from the 1987 movie “Princess Bride,” might reply: “You keep using that word ‘covered.’ I do not think it means what you think it means.” Montoya’s skepticism is justified. What is considered “covered” by an employer’s group disability plan may leave some employees far more exposed to financial hardship than they assume, when they are told the policy will replace 60 percent of income. It’s not until you get answers to the question “60 percent of what?” that you can be sure your income is protected.

A QUICK OVERVIEW OF DISABILITY INSURANCE METRICS: • If disability insurance benefits fully replace one’s income, there is a potential moral hazard: It may be more desirable to collect disability than work. Consequently, insurance to replace 60 percent of one’s income is an industry benchmark for most group disability plans. • Insurance companies assess premiums in keeping with the benefits they anticipate having to pay. To control costs, a group plan usually places limits on benefits, either by imposing a cap on monthly payments, or by limiting the definition of income to base salaries while excluding variable compensation like bonuses. • If the premiums are paid by the employer, any benefits received by an employee are considered taxable. Conversely, when the employee pays the premiums (typically through payroll deduction), benefits are non-taxable. From just these three factors, it’s easy to see how critical it is to understand “60 percent of what?”. Is it 60 percent of base salary? What items are included in the base? Is there a monthly benefit cap? Are benefits taxable or non-taxable? Calculating benefits can be complex and confusing. Some employees with incomes on the lower end of the payroll might receive 60 percent of compensation in the event of disability, while others – in the same plan – could be covered for as little as 20–30 percent of their net take-home pay after taxes. Consider this example, provided by Gary Terry in an April 2013 trade publication article:

The vice president of sales for a consumer products company makes $400,000 per year, which includes a base salary of $250,000 and a bonus of $150,000. He is suddenly hospitalized for complications from diabetes and he goes out on long-term disability. It’s his belief that his monthly disability income will be $20,000 per month ($400,000 x 60% divided by 12 months). Think of his surprise when a monthly check shows up in the amount of $12,500 ($250,000 x 60% divided by 12). For this vice president, his 60-percent-of-income benefit is actually 37.5 percent – and it might be lower. If the group plan has a monthly benefit cap of $10,000, or these benefits are taxable because the employer paid the premium, the net benefit drops to around 25 percent. To repeat: “Covered” may not mean what you think it means. Completing your coverage with individual disability insurance: Employees, especially those with high and fluctuating incomes, should consider addressing potential group plan shortfalls by securing additional coverage through a individual disability income replacement policy. This can not only fill the gaps in a group plan, but may allow the total disability benefit to exceed the 60 percent group threshold. Better still, in many cases, a single individual policy can provide a lifetime of valuable income protection. - Most individual disability policies are non-cancelable and guaranteed renewable; as long as you pay the premiums, the benefits can’t be changed or eliminated. - Individual disability insurance is portable; if you change employers, you can take the policy with you. - Benefits from a individual policy usually are not diminished or coordinated with benefits that may be paid by worker’s compensation or Social Security. Adding individual disability protection is a personal project, not an employer-sponsored benefit. Most individual policies involve underwriting; an application will be submitted, a medical exam and income documentation may be required. And premiums will typically be paid by the insured, not the employer.

FAMILY HEALTH Pl ant ati on S p orts & Acti viti es Dir ect ory | Is su e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

any parents want to know just how early we can tell if a child needs braces. That’s a fair question and one that should not go unanswered. You need to feel comfortable and confident with the information you are receiving regarding whether or not your child needs braces. According to the American Association of Orthodontics, all kids should have their first orthodontic check-up by the age of seven. I second that notion and find that the age of 7 is the perfect for an orthodontic visit. This is an important step in helping to ensure that your child’s teeth are off to a great start and that they will have a healthy and attractive smile that will last a lifetime. By taking the child to an orthodontist at age 7, we are able to see things that you may not be able to see on your own. By this age, children’s teeth have developed to the point that we can see even small problems that may be associated with such things as emerging teeth or jaw growth. For most 7 year olds, their visit with the orthodontist is nothing more than an exam. However, there are a small number of children, around 5 to 10 percent, who can benefit from what we refer to as “interceptive orthodontics.” There are potentially dangerous problems that we find and address including: • • • •

Jaw alignment problems Impacted teeth Chipped or fractured teeth Gum tissue recession

By addressing these issues above, we also help alleviate social issues, where children may be the victim of teasing or bullying simply because of the appearance of their teeth. A child’s teeth and smile can have a major impact on their wellbeing as they grow. With a beautiful smile, they are more likely to be confident and social, as well as gain a host of health benefits.

What Can Go Wrong at an Early Age? As a parent, you may believe that you can look at your child and see if there is a problem with their bite. Sometimes that can happen, but there is a lot that cannot be seen, especially to the untrained eye. And it is these issues that make it important for a child to see an orthodontist for an exam. Here are some of the possible problems that can go wrong at an early age: • Thumb-sucking • Difficulty with chewing or breathing • Losing baby teeth too early or too late • Having teeth that are crowded, loos, or have been blocked out • Upper and lower teeth that do not meet properly • Improper jaw alignment • Impacted teeth • Tongue thrusting • Severe crowding, with stripping of the through the gum tissue • Cross bites As you can see, there is actually a lot that can go wrong, even at an early age. The best way to provide yourself, and your child, with a great smile and peace of mind is to opt for an exam with the orthodontist by the age of 7. Most of the time, children don’t start getting necessary treatment at least until the age of 9, but it’s important to catch problems early, so they can be corrected and won’t lead to additional problems as time goes on. Taking your child to the orthodontist by the age of 7 gives you the best head start on identifying and addressing any problems, so your child can have a healthy, beautiful smile!

How Many Patients Benefit From Early Treatment? At this point, you may be thinking that all children will need to have orthodontic treatment early on. Relax, that’s simply not the case, so don’t spend your time worrying so much about all the “what ifs” associated with helping your child to get, and keep, a healthy and beautiful smile. In our orthodontic experience, we have examined many children and found that the number of them needing early treatment is quite low. In fact, out of the roughly 7,000 orthodontic patients we have seen, only 5 to 10 percent of them have required early treatment. Keep in mind that while it’s been less than 10 percent for the number of children we see, this number can vary, as it is influenced by a variety of factors. Such things as geographic location and ethnicity, for example, can sometimes play a role and lead to a higher or lower number of children who benefit from early orthodontic treatment. Generally speaking, most children do not need early orthodontic treatment, but unless your child is screened, you don’t know if you fall into that 10 percent or the 90 percent. The key factor here is early detection, making it essential that children have their first visit with an orthodontic specialist by the time they are 7 years old. Like most other health issues that can arise, being able to detect them early is the best way to address them. The only way you can detect them early is with an orthodontic examination. If your child has not yet seen the orthodontist, now is the time!

FAMILY HEALTH Pl ant ati on S p orts & Acti viti es Dir ect ory | Is su e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

ating a nourishing meal is something that many of us take for granted. Did you know that in South Florida, nearly one million people struggle with hunger, one in four children go to bed hungry and one in seven seniors face the choice between paying rent, buying medication or eating a healthy meal? A critical component of a high-quality life is good health, which starts with eating right. Unfortunately, lack of access to healthy and fresh foods is a very real problem that exists right here in our own backyard. Lack of food can lead to serious problems. In children, it can lead to behavioral issues and decreased performance in school, as well as immediate and long-term health complications including diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. For seniors, lack of food and poor nutrition can lead to memory loss and increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and kidney failure. In addition, seniors living on a fixed income are often forced to make the choice between vital medications and groceries. For the fourth year in a row, Sage Dental is teaming up with Feeding South Florida to help make a difference in the lives of those who struggle to put food on the table. Having collected a combined total of almost a ton of food in past year’s food drives, Sage Dental is now on a mission to collect even more food this year for South Floridians in

need. From October 24th through December 8th, Sage Dental will be collecting non-perishable food items at all of its 35 South Florida dental offices. All of the food collected will be donated to Feeding South Florida for distribution within South Florida communities to families and individuals in need, food pantries, youth programs, senior centers and direct service programs. “We are thrilled to be giving back to our local communities. We already make people smile by helping them with improved overall oral health and it is further rewarding to help put smiles on faces of families because we are providing food to live,” explains Rebecca Longo, Vice President of Marketing. Together with Feeding South Florida and sponsors WSVN-TV (FOX 7), WPBF-TV (ABC 25), Alpha Media (WRMF-FM 97.9, WMBX-FM 102.3, WIRK-FM 103.1, WEAT 107.9, BEATZ 96.3, WFTL 850, WMEN 640), Sports & Activities Directories, COX Radio Miami (WFEZ Easy 93.1, WFLC HITS 97.3), Treasure Coast Newspaper/TCPalm.com, Ocean Media Solutions, Valpak, Palm Beach Post Newspaper/ PalmBeachPost.com, MoneySaver Coupons, Refresh Local, and YOU, Sage Dental wants to help end hunger in the South Florida community. To l e a r n h o w y o u c a n h e l p , v i s i t www.mysagedental.com/feeding-south-florida/. If you would like to make a monetary donation or volunteer your time, please visit FeedingSouthFlorida.org.

Plantat ion S por ts & Activit ies Dire cto ry | Issu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

FAMILY HEALTH

HEALTH PROVIDER DIRECTORY ASTHMA & ALLERGY CARE THE ASTHMA & ALLERGY CARE CENTER OF FLORIDA

In private practice since 1999 serving the Plantation community, and now also serving Pembroke Pines, our practice has built a reputation to provide personalized, premium, and professional care in a comfortable and family style setting. We are accepting new patients and we welcome you to our office. We look forward to treating you and your family! Whether you suffer from chronic asthma, or need allergy testing, immunotherapy or this year’s flu shot, Dr. Shahnaz Fatteh and the physicians at The Asthma and Allergy Care Center of Florida can help you. 817 S. University Dr., Ste. 106, Plantation, FL 33324 and 18503 Pines Blvd. Suite 207 Pembroke Pines, FL 33029. (954) 723-0334. www.asthmaallergycare.com

DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & ORTHODONTICS

Pl ant ati on S p orts & Acti viti es Dir ect ory | Is su e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

SAWGRASS ORTHODONTICS

BRACES and INVISALIGN treatment for children, teens and adults. We are moms ourselves, and we emphasize making each patient’s experience a pleasant one. We pride ourselves in treating each patient as if they were our own children. We offer COMPETITIVE PRICING and FLEXIBLE PAYMENT PLANS. More importantly, we are very DETAILORIENTED. Our EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE and beautiful state-of-the-art facility sets us apart from other offices. INTEREST-FREE inhouse FINANCING available. Most INSURANCES accepted. We now accept Medicaid. Evening appointments available. Visit us at www.SawgrassOrtho.com. Call now for your FREE CONSULTATION with mention of this ad. (954) 514-2111. Located in front of IKEA at 175 NW 136th Ave, Sunrise 33325. Se habla Espanol.

SAGE DENTAL

Sage Dental is the leading provider of dental health services in South Florida. Sage Dental provides cosmetic dentistry services, preventive dental treatments, general, reconstructive and specialty dentistry. With the motto, “All Dentistry…One Place”, the Sage Dental team is equipped to serve all of your dental needs – under one roof. Whether you’re looking for a general dentist or a cosmetic dentistry specialist such as an orthodontist, oral surgeon, endodontist, periodontist or a pediatric dentist, we do it all. We have 35 convenient locations in South Florida including Sage Dental of Plantation, 8440 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation, FL 33324. Call (855) 375-1926 to schedule an appointment.

LUCAS ORTHODONTICS

Dr. Albert Lucas and his talented orthodontic teamwork hard to create beautiful, healthy smiles that last a lifetime. Offering the latest in orthodontic treatment options available today including: Leading edge metal braces that reduce treatment time and discomfort; Clear ceramic braces to improve aesthetics during treatment; Invisalign and Invisalign Teen for teens and adults. Dr. Lucas has designed over 15,000 spectacular Lucas smiles designed since 1994! All patients are treated in semi-private suites and take comfort in the Lucas Smile Satisfaction Guarantee. Call for your complimentary Lucas Smile Analysis. Two convenient locations: Plantation (954) 475-1177 and Pembroke Pines (954) 432-7223. www.lucasorthodontics.com.

BRACES BY DR.COHEN-SASSON

YourOrthodontist – Dr. Kenneth Cohen-Sasson, DMD, specializes in Invisalign, Braces, growth guidance & development. With state-of-theart technology, we strive to treat every patient like family. During your COMPLIMENTARY consultation, you’ll receive digital impressions and simulation outcomes, with our iTero scanner. Immediate results show your potential new and beautiful smile. Dr. Cohen-Sasson and his staff encourage patient/parent participation and are always available to answer any questions about treatment. Flexible payment options are available with 0% interest in house financing and ALL Insurances are accepted. Day, Evening and Saturday appointments are available at both of our convenient locations: 7500 NW 5th Street, Suite 107, Plantation, FL 33317 and 8311 N Pine Island Road, Tamarac, FL 33321. Please call (954) 682-8000 or visit our website www.your-orthodontist.com to schedule your FREE consultation today.

FITNESS & WEIGHT LOSS FACILITIES & PROGRAMS BRUCE ZONE

Come in for your FREE CLASS today. You will be hooked after just one class. The workouts are intense, and the results speak for themselves. We have constructed a facility where everyone will feel welcome — from the Elite level Athlete to the novice who wants to exercise for the first time. At Bruce Zone we believe that getting fit should be fun, challenging, and affordable. Our certified instructors take time to understand you, analyze your needs, and develop a personalized fitness program that will help you reach your goals. If you like classes, Bruce Zone offers the most exciting classes in town: Crossfit, Crossfit for Football, Zumba, yoga, boot camp, and so much more! When you have a goal, we have a plan. Call (954) 605-6969. 3400 Davie Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale. brucezone.com.

HIT FIT BOXING ACADEMY

For a healthy mind & body based on proper nutrition, exercise and coach Warren’s boxing philosophy that “one is required to pay for each pound of flesh brought to the ring.” Visit us @ Hit Fit Boxing Academy, 1269 S. Pine Island Rd, Plantation, FL 33324 or call (954) 947-6823. For hours and directions log on to hitfit.us.

PLANTATION ADULT FITNESS CLASSES • PILATES: Adults. Participants must provide own mat one inch thick. (954) 236-4404. SENIORS WELCOME. Mondays: 7:00pm – 7:45pm at Jim Ward. Tuesdays: 6:00pm – 6:45pm at Central Park. Wednesdays: 7:15pm – 8:00pm at Volunteer Park. Resident $70/10 weeks, Non-resident $80/10 weeks. All participants add $5 registration fee and $5 insurance fee. • YOGA: Adults, seniors welcome. Classes held at Central Park and Volunteer Park, morning and evening classes. Call for schedule. Instructor: Beth Budnick (954) 255-7508. Resident $70/8 weeks/ Non-Resident $80/8 weeks. Resident $80/10 weeks / Non-Resident $90/10 weeks. Plus $5 registration fee and $5 insurance fee. • ZUMBA: Ages 9 & up. Come join us at Central Park for this awesome and fun class that combines Latin dance moves and aerobics. We will be dancing to the rhythms. Instructor: Zee Steele. Saturdays, 11:30am – 12:15pm. Resident $30/10 weeks, plus $5 registration fee, Non-Resident $40/10 weeks, plus $5 registration fee. • SENIOR AEROBICS BREAKFAST CLUB: Central Park. (954) 4522510. Continuous. Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 9:00am. Daily fee: Resident $6.50, Non-Resident $8. Senior (8 Visits): Resident $17, Non-Resident $29. • SENIOR FUNCTIONAL FITNESS: Jim Ward Community Center. Ages 62 & up. A more advanced program to tone and strengthen your entire body. (954) 585-2344. Continuous. Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9:00am – 10:00am. FREE for Plantation residents only. Proof of residency is required. • SENIOR GENTLE AEROBICS: Jim Ward Community Center. Ages 62 & up. A complete overall gentle aerobics class using both steps and light weights. (954) 585-2344. Continuous. Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00am – 10:00am. FREE for Plantation residents only. Proof of residency is required. • ZUMBA: Ages 18 & up. Easy to follow Latin dance moves combined with aerobic movements, creates a fun cardio workout that will make you burn off tons of calories while having a blast. Space is limited. Instructor: Mayra Villalona (954) 512-3237. Tuesday & Thursday, 7:00pm – 8:00pm, Central Park. Friday, 9:45am – 10:45am, Central Park. Resident $60/10 weeks/2 classes per week. Non-Resident $70/10 weeks/2 classes per week. Resident $30/10 weeks/1 class per week. Plus $5 registration fee.

Plantation Central Park Aquatics Complex, 9151 NW 2nd Street, Plantation. (954) 452-2525. AMERICAN RED CROSS LIFEGUARD TRAINING COURSE: Ages 15 & up. Learn to master water safety skills that can be useful in recreational swimming and employment in the Lifeguarding field. Course includes Automated External Defibrillation (AED) training, certification in CPR for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid skills also necessary for employment. Must be able to swim 300 yards to enter class. Minimum enrollment is 6. Certification is valid for 2 years. Registration at pool office. This class meets 3 days a week. Taught by Certified Lifeguard Training staff instructor. Classes: August 2–20, Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:00pm – 9:00pm & Saturdays 9:00am – 12:00pm. Residents $221, Non-residents $226.

A MATTER OF BALANCE

Jim Ward Community Center, Ages 60 & up. Many adults experience concerns about falling and resist their activities. A MATTER OF BALANCE is an award winning program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. You will learn to view falls as controllable, set goals for increasing activities, make changes to reduce fall risks at home and exercise to increase strength and balance. This class is free to seniors 60+ through the support of the Aging and Disability Resource Center, Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the City of Plantation. Tuesday, 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Space is limited.

HOSPITALS & URGENT CARE FACILITIES PLANTATION GENERAL HOSPITAL Named one of the nation’s Top Performers on Key Quality Measures in 2015 by The Joint Commission, Plantation General Hospital is a 264bed, acute care hospital. Our facility provides easy access to the vast resources of the HCA Hospital Network, which includes surgeons who excel in minimally invasive surgery with an intense focus in Women and Children’s Services. Within minutes of the Florida Turnpike, I-595 and I-95, Plantation General Hospital offers emergency rooms and intensive care units designated for children, pregnant women and adults. Visit www.browardhospitals.com to find your local ER. You can even text ER to 32222 to obtain our current average wait times!

WESTSIDE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

BRUCE ZONE

Isaac Bruce is proud to be an AdvoCare and Youngevity distributor! Since 1993, AdvoCare® has been a world-class nutrition company specializing in health and wellness, weight management, vibrant energy and sports performance. Products are formulated by an elite Scientific and Medical Advisory Board with over 200 years combined experience in pharmacology, toxicology, nutrition, sports performance and pediatrics. Product endorsers include professional athletes, champion amateur athletes, and acclaimed entertainers. Youngevity has been a public company for over 17 years with cutting edge products for life enhancing products including beauty & skin care, health & wellness, food & beverage and more. Call (954) 605-6969. 3400 Davie Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale. brucezone.com.

OBSTETRICS - GYNECOLOGY - MATERNITY SIMON WEISS, MD – SPECIALTY OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

Our group of physicians treats patients as individuals. Every patient is impacted by her medical problem in a unique way. To treat our patients correctly, we have to understand not only the medical condition, but also her perspective on the problem, her obligations and concerns about her family and work, and her goals for life. Only at this time are we ready to offer her the options that best suit her. Communicating all this and helping the patient make the best decision is the true art of medicine. Locations in Miramar (954) 538-1300 & Hollywood (954) 518-4100. www.obgdoctor.com.

ORTHOPEDICS SOUTH FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF SPORTS MEDICINE

Treatment of Pediatric Adolescent and Adult Sports Medicine. Our highly trained board certified physicians, physician assistants, and physical therapists use a comprehensive team approach in treating sports injuries by integrating Orthopaedics, Podiatry, and Physical Rehabilitative Medicine. “Our Goal Is To Return Every Athlete Back To Their Highest Level Of Sports.” Dr. Al DeSimone, Dr. Tony Moya, Dr. Alexander Bertot, Dr. Mark Fishman & Dr. David Shenassa. 1600 Town Center Blvd., Suite C. Weston, FL 33326 (954) 389-5900 17842 N.W. 2nd St., Pembroke Pines, FL 33029 (954) 430-9901 220 S.W. 84TH Avenue, Suite 102, Plantation, FL 33324 (954) 720-1530

SPEECH, PHYSICAL & OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY THERAPIES 4 KIDS [T4K] & BRIGHT STEPS FORWARD

Founded in 1974, Westside Regional Medical Center has evolved into a 224-bed medical center and healthcare complex continuously expanding and bringing on the latest technology that enables us to provide leading edge services to the population we serve. Our medical services, combined with programs in specialties varying from oncology to cardiology, from surgery to emergency care, illustrate why we are one of the leading healthcare facilities in South Florida. Our kid-friendly ER and experienced emergency care team are here for your family 24/7. Visit www.westsideregional.com to find your local ER. You can even text ER to 32222 to obtain our current average wait times!

Therapies 4 Kids (T4K) & Bright Steps Forward provides PT/OT/SLP/ ABA to children with developmental disabilities. Services include direct treatment, patient education, and specialized programs to meet the growing health needs of the community. Therapies 4 Kids has become the leader in Pediatric and Adult programs for neurological disorders such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism, & Stroke. Diagnostic testing for Autism & ADHD. Medicaid & Most Insurances accepted. OPEN SATURDAYS. 4 Locations; 10261 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines 33025, 2233 N. Commerce Parkway #1, Weston 33326, 1750 N. University Drive, Suite 105, Coral Springs 33071, 218 Almeria Avenue, Coral Gables 33134. www.therapies4kids.com. (954) 356-2878. Private School K-12 now taking applications: www.brightstepsforward.org. – NO WAITING LIST.

WESTSIDE EMERGENCY SERVICES IN DAVIE

SUPPORT GROUPS

Westside Regional Medical Center’s off-site emergency room on Nova Southeastern University campus is located in the University Park Plaza shopping center. Westside Emergency Services in Davie provides the same level of care as Westside Regional Medical Center’s main campus emergency room located in Plantation, FL. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the 12,700 square foot facility offers kid-friendly care and a commitment to minimal wait times. Visit www.westsideregional.com to find your local ER. You can even text ER to 32222 to obtain our current average wait times!

MASSAGE THERAPY INTUITIVE TOUCH LOMI MASSAGE From the Islands of Hawaii, Lomi Lomi is a sacred healing art, utilizing rhythmic strokes which integrate the use of forearms and elbows for a profoundly unique, therapeutic experience to meet individual needs. All massage treatments include aromatherapy, revitalizing scalp massage, hot stones, reflexology and steamy hot towels. Serving Broward County, please book in advance. Seven days a week, daytime and early evening hours. Call Lori at (754) 234-3466. Learn more at IntuitiveTouchLomiMassage. com. Licensed Massage Therapist.

FAMILY HEALTH

LIFEGUARD TRAINING

NUTRITION

ART THERAPY SELF ESTEEM BUILDING GROUP – CENTRAL PARK

Central Park. Self-Esteem Building Group is a hands-on art-making group designed around children that would like to work on self-esteem building through art. All projects are designed to foster success, creativity, growth and autonomy. All sessions are conducted by a master’s level board certified art therapist and certified grief counselor. Saturday 9:00am – 10:00am. Ages 6–9. Resident $250/8 weeks, plus $5 registration fee, Non-resident $260/8 weeks, plus $5 registration fee plus $25 materials fee. Saturday 10:00am – 11:30am, Ages 10–14. Resident $275/8 weeks, plus $5 registration fee, Nonresident $285/8 weeks, plus $5 registration fee plus $25 materials fee. (954) 856-3110, BrushStrokesArtTherapy.com, SoniaThomas@BrushStrokesArtTherapy.com.

CAMP ERIN

Camp Erin is a weekend bereavement camp for children who have experienced the death of a loved one. The Camp is free of charge and provides children a safe place to tell their story, express their feelings and learn healthy coping strategies for their grief journey. Camp Erin provides a safe setting to assist children dealing with their grief through activities such as music therapy, pet therapy, art therapy, sports and memorial service including a bonfire and s’mores. All activities are designed and facilitated by a staff of professional clinicians. For more information, contact Ann Mclemore at (305) 351-7026 or email Amclemore@catholichospice.org.

Plantat ion S por ts & Activit ies Dire cto ry | Issu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

HEALTH & SAFETY CERTIFICATION TRAINING

FAMILY HEALTH Pl ant ati on S p orts & Acti viti es Dir ect ory | Is su e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

hen your child plays sports, you know they may come home with the occasional bump or bruise, but do you know what to do if something more serious happens? Each year about 1.35 million kids end up in the ER from sports-related injuries. Find out how to keep your student athlete safe with advice from Dr. Jaroslaw Parkolap, an emergency room physician at Westside Regional Medical Center in Plantation. Schedule a Sports Physical: Make sure they have a routine sports physical. Your doctor will take a detailed account of any previous injuries, medical conditions and a family history. “We also ask about what kind of sports your child will be playing,” says Dr. Parkolap. It’s also the time where your child can get the routine vaccines they need. Know What to Do: Next time your child gets hurt, be prepared. Here are four common sports-related conditions, their symptoms and treatment: Sprains and Strains - What’s the difference? A sprain is an injury causing stretching or tearing to the ligament in the joint. A strain (a.k.a. pulled muscle) is an injury that causes stretching or tearing of the muscle. “Strains are typically treated with rest, heat or cold, physical therapy can sometimes help, too,” says Dr. Parkolap. “With sprains, rapid physical therapy and the return to range-ofmotion exercises is important, because it gets kids back to their regular activities faster than using crutches or bed rest,” says Dr. Parkolap. In severe sprain cases, your child’s doctor may suggest surgery based on the location of the sprain and condition of the ligament. Heat Exhaustion: “Heat illnesses are best prevented by avoiding being outside during the hottest parts of the day,” says Dr. Parkolap. If that’s not possible, make sure your child wears loose clothing, sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays, and stays hydrated. Water is fine for activities that last less than an hour; for longer activities, try electrolyte replacements like Gatorade. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include weakness, headache, heavy sweating and cool, clammy skin.

Move your child to a cool place and rehydrate. If symptoms don’t improve within 30 minutes, call the doctor. Heat Stroke: “Heat stroke is a serious condition that requires emergency care,” says Dr. Parkolap. Symptoms include hot, dry skin, a high fever, vomiting and possibly loss of consciousness. If your child shows these signs, take them to the ER immediately. Concussion: Concussions happen when a blow to the head or other part of the body causes the brain to be jostled inside the skull. Symptoms include headache, dizziness and blurry vision; more severe signs include seizures and worsening headaches, as well as pronounced confusion or strange behavior. If your child has had a possible concussion, have them evaluated at the ER. Fortunately, most concussion cases are mild and symptoms usually go away after a week. The best treatment is rest. “Your child should avoid watching TV or using tablets, computers and video games, which stimulate the brain and could cause concussion symptoms to reappear or worsen,” says Dr. Parkolap. Over time they can slowly return to normal activities and sports, once the doctor gives the okay. Raising a young athlete is a team effort that includes the parents, coaching staff and doctors all teaching your child the importance of regular, safe sports practice, including strength-training, conditioning and flexibility.

IT’S A NEW SCHOOL YEAR…

KNOW HOW TO HOVER By Jodi Kurry Cohen, MS.Ed, Director of Early Childhood Programs, Temple Dor Dorim

e’ve heard about them. We may claim to know some but no one seems to own up to being one…they walk among us, share our same circles, sit on the same baseball bleachers and visit the same Starbucks. What I’m talking about is the notorious “helicopter parent” aka “the hoverer.” This parent is known for being super uberly involved in every aspect of their child’s life. They may have given a jump-start to their child while in utero, by playing Rosetta Stone CDs on mom’s belly or used flashcards to teach sight words at mealtimes in the high chair. This parent makes pre-arranged play dates but they are difficult to schedule around their child’s hectic after school activities of Mandarin, Suzuki and Modern Art. They are persistent in being part of every decision making process from picking their child’s class each year to telling a teacher what grade their child’s Science Fair Project deserved. Life experiences are examined with excruciating detail before being “considered,” as this parent carefully weighs the impact each experience will have on their child’s self-esteem. It’s ok to admit if you’re a helicopter parent. What’s wrong with wanting the best for your child? Guilty as charged! After all, aren’t we all entitled to some degree of “hovering”? The answer is definitely yes, but that’s contingent upon when and over what we choose to hover.

Figuring out every playground conflict, managing every detail of every project and over supervising their relationships can end up being detrimental to our children’s growth. That being said, children’s success is largely based on parent involvement. It’s finding the right balance that’s key. Showing you want the best for your child by providing whatever support you can to ensure their success is great…Class placement, after school activities, extra tutoring and opportunities are all important aspects of being an “involved parent.” Being truly involved however, means going beyond the surface fluff and “hovering over” the moments of parenting that aren’t so grand… remedial tutoring, sessions of speech, necessary therapy or helping your child accept defeat if they don’t make the team. Parenting is all about finding the right balance between teaching and learning and deciding what moments call for which one. It’s a juggling act of judgment calls and the uncertainty that comes with not knowing how or to what degree each decision we make will impact our children’s lives. As parents, we can help lighten this heavy load put on our shoulders if we periodically stop and make ourselves listen to what our gut is telling us is really most important for our individual child. It’s not easy or as painless to help mend your child’s heart as it is to pump it full of pride. It’s not as glorious or popular to help your child get “on track” as it is to have them on the accelerated track. Acknowledging and advocating that your child needs a different class is much harder than demanding they be in “THE” class…these are the times in your child’s life, when they really need you to hover.

SCHOOLS

SCHOOL

CALENDAR Broward County Public School Calendar* Changes may be made. Visit www.browardschools.com for updates. WHY LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE? • Because languages expand your world. • Because you can communicate with more people and go to more places. • Learning a second language improves the student’s creativity, concentration, abstraction, problem solving and conceptualization. WHY LEARNING A LANGUAGE IN ELEMENTARY LEVEL? • The sooner in life you learn a language, the better you will speak it as an adult. • A true bilingualism requires many years of learning in reading, writing and speaking a language.

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WHY SPANISH? • Spanish is the largest growing language in the US: 53 millions speak Spanish in the US today. • Living in Florida, speaking Spanish is extremely important. • In recent years the importance of the Spanish language has grown significantly in American society.

WHY AFTERSCHOOL? • Our afterschool program helps parents with their everyday schedule. Children stay at school at least for one more hour and busy parents don’t need to run to pick them up and drop them off at other afterschool activities. WHY ENRICHMENT AND NOT AFTERCARE? • We offer an academic program that enriches the student’s learning and ultimately their life. WHY A LEARNING PROGRAM AND NOT A CLUB? • Because we are serious about learning and having fun. • Parents get a report every quarter to follow their child´s progress in the language. • Our program is divided by levels of acquisition. Each student works at his/her proper level of learning. • We offer a maximum of three hours per week to ensure a complete learning. • We follow up very closely the student, we help with their weaknesses and emphasize their strengths. WHY AT A SCHOOL AND NOT IN A LANGUAGE CENTER? • Educando a América, escuela de español, provides a learning environment with experienced teachers that cares for the student´s academic achievement throughout their learning years, and the best place to achieve this is at school. • Our goal is to make the best of each child, not only as a language learner but also as a human being. WHY EDUCANDO A AMÉRICA AT MY SCHOOL? • Because, as educators we are your partners, giving the best of our efforts to ensure students are learning in a safe and caring environment. • Because your school will be recognized in the avant garde supporting bilingual education in the US. • We have created a program that since 2004, aims to develop oral skills as well as reading and writing for beginners AND for Spanish speakers. • We are already teaching in 9 schools with a constant base of over 200 students that learn with us. • Our impressive 80% of returning students proves the satisfaction of students and parents. • Because we love what we do, we are passionate about teaching Spanish to children. And, we are sure that you will love what we can do for your school. Find out more about how your school and your students will benefit from the proven successful EDUCANDO A AMÉRICA afterschool program. CALL TODAY TO ARRANGE A MEETING: 954-261-2432 or visit educandoamerica.com.

2016 - 2017 SCHOOL CALENDAR FIRST QUARTER

Monday, August 22.............................Start 1st Quarter & First Day of School Monday, September 5 . ......................Holiday - No School Thursday, September 15.....................Early Release Thursday, September 22.....................Interim Reports Issued Monday, October 3.............................Day Off Wednesday, October 12......................Day Off Thursday, October 27..........................Early Release Friday, October 28..............................Employee Planning - No School

SECOND QUARTER Monday, October 31...........................Start 2nd Quarter Tuesday, November 8..........................Employee Planning Friday, November 11..........................Holiday - No School Thursday, November 17......................Report Cards Issued Wednesday, November 23..................Day Off Thursday, November 24......................Holiday - No School Friday, November 25..........................Day Off Thursday, December 1........................Interim Reports Issued December 26 - January 6...................Winter Break - No School Thursday, January 12.........................Early Release Friday, January 13.............................Employee Planning - No School

THIRD QUARTER Monday, January 16...........................Day Off Tuesday, January 17...........................Start 3rd Quarter Thursday, February 2..........................Report Cards Issued Thursday, February 16........................Interim Reports Issued Monday, February 20.........................Holiday - No School Thursday, February 23........................Early Release Thursday, March 23............................Early Release Friday, March 24................................Employee Planning - No School

FOURTH QUARTER Monday, March 27..............................Start 4th Quarter Monday - Friday, April 10 - 14............Spring Break - No School Thursday, April 20..............................Report Cards Issued Thursday, May 4.................................Interim Reports Issued Monday, May 29................................Holiday - No School Thursday, June 8................................Early Release & Last Day of School Friday, June 9....................................Employee Planning - No School Wednesday, June 28...........................Report Cards Issued for Fourth Quarter * Year-Round Schools Follow Different Calendars.

Plantat ion S por ts & Activit ies Dire cto ry | Issu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

SCHOOLS

SCHOOLS Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS DEBATE INITIATIVE By Laurie Rich Levinson

here are no cheerleaders, screaming fans, scoreboards, or bright lights, but across Broward County, one of the fastest growing competitive sports is not really a sport at all. Broward County Public Schools is proud to boast the largest countywide debate program in the country. With an anticipated participation of over 12,000 students for the 2016-2017 school year, the Broward County Public Schools Debate Initiative, now approaching its fifth year, is just getting started. Since its inception in 2012, “Debate Broward” has reached over 50,000 students from over 60 schools. For the upcoming school year, every BCPS high school and middle school, 12 elementary schools, all three technical colleges, and three alternative education centers will have full-fledged debate programs. Even more exciting, Broward County is the first in the country to stand behind the idea that all students and all grade levels are capable of participating in debate. With the addition of the elementary schools and alternative centers, Debate Broward will be reaching a population that can benefit the most from basic critical thinking and public speaking skills. The competitive events in debate range from one-on-one verbal battles about immigration reform to seven-minute impromptu speeches about what the Brexit means for the global community, as well as a ten-minute poetry performance which breaks

down the #blacklivesmatter movement. Coordinator of the Debate Initiative, Megan West, suggests that these topics are a large part of why access to this activity is important. West explains, “Our students are living in a constantly changing world where issues like gun control or women’s rights are dramatically shaping their futures. Debate gives them an outlet to talk about these topics in an educational forum where they can not only share their opinions, but influence others.” Besides the global awareness, the Broward County Public Schools Debate Initiative already has a proven track record of increased test scores, improved attendance rates, and an almost perfect graduation rate. Debate is one of the best activities for our students to join. They will reap the benefits for many years to come when they are applying for college, interviewing for internships, and ultimately, excelling in their chosen careers. While there may not be physical cheerleaders at debate competitions around the county, the growth of the Initiative is due in large part to support of many community leaders, such as Former U.S. Senator George LeMieux, Florida Bar Association Past President Eugene Pettis, and U.S. State Attorney Mike Satz. Across the community, local law firms, businesses, the Broward Education Foundation, and individuals have made donations and collected business attire for distribution to students, affording all students the opportunity to compete, regardless of their socio-economic background! For more information about how you can get involved with the Broward Debate Initiative, please contact Megan West at megan.west@browardschools.com.

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SCHOOLS

SCHOOLS Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

am excited to welcome students, parents and families to the 2016/17 school year. Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is proud to offer a wide range of high-quality educational options for students. From our youngest learners in pre-kindergarten programs, through our elementary, middle and high schools – to our adult and continuing education programs, there is something to meet every student’s needs. As a countywide School Board member, I am honored to serve the diverse families of our District. Our focus remains on educating all of our students to reach their highest potential. We are committed to providing the resources and support necessary for our students to be college and career ready, as well as responsible members of our community. Our schools consistently receive state and national recognition for their outstanding academic, performing arts and athletic programs. Among the recent honors: 26 BCPS high schools were recognized as “America’s Most Challenging” by The Washington Post and 16 BCPS high schools were ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. In addition, in 2016, 10 of our District’s magnet programs earned the prestigious National Merit Awards from Magnet Schools of America. Through initiatives such as Choose Peace Week and the Above the Influence March and Rally, we promote learning environments that are free from bullying, violence and negative influences, while encouraging tolerance and positive

“E

ducation is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom,” said George Washington Carver. As your Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) Countywide School Board Member, I know this creed to be true. As our students, families and employees prepare for the new school year, this message serves as our guiding principle. Each and every student must have access to the best educational opportunities to lay the foundation for success in life. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of our students and families, returning and new, to the 2016/17 school year, and share some of the exciting initiatives underway in our District. One of the new opportunities for our families and community members this year is an improved BCPS mobile app. It is free to download and, over the coming months, will feature real-time information regarding students’ attendance, grades, school lunch accounts and even bus tracking information. The School Board invested in this app with the goal of continuing to improve effective communication, as one of the three pillars identified in our Strategic Plan. We are also continuing our focus on our two other Strategic Plan pillars: highquality instruction and continuous improvement. Evidence of our dedication to these areas will be highlighted during our District’s re-accreditation this year. BCPS is proud to be Florida’s first fully accredited K–12 school system, a distinction the District has held since 1962. We look forward to working with our students,

change. BCPS also leads the nation in school discipline reform and increasing positive outcomes for students through mentoring and intervention programs. As a former special education teacher, meeting students’ individual needs is a strong focus for me and for our District. With our “Just Do It…I Did!” awards program, we celebrate the exemplary achievements of students with disabilities. The District’s Autism in Flight program provides students with Autism Spectrum Disorder unique opportunities to practice airport travel experiences with the goal of reducing stress on actual flights. This school year, we are expanding many of our District’s educational initiatives. Our Digital Classrooms personalized learning program is expanding to 100 schools, an increase from 27 schools just three years ago, and nine more BCPS elementary schools, for a total of 35 schools, will begin offering Dual Language Programs. Computer science also continues to grow among elementary and middle schools and is offered at 100% of the District’s high schools. BCPS students can also participate in magnet and innovative programs, earn industry certifications through the District’s Career & Technical Education programs, participate in dual enrollment, Advanced Placement, Cambridge – AICE, “First Move” scholastic chess at the elementary level, and so much more. As a parent of two Broward County Public Schools students, it is wonderful to see the incredible learning opportunities across the District. It is always inspiring to see the excitement and enthusiasm in our students as we welcome them back for another successful school year.

parents, community members and staff during this important process, as we strive to provide the highest-quality school system for our students. Our mission is to educate all students to reach their highest potential. We are proud to be home to many of the best high schools in the nation and state. According to U.S. News and World Report, 16 of our high schools rank among the best high schools in the nation. In addition, a majority of our high schools, 26 in all, earned placement on The Washington Post’s list of America’s Most Challenging High Schools for 2016. BCPS also has a large and growing portfolio of educational opportunities throughout the District. BCPS offers Montessori, Cambridge and STEM magnet programs; kindergarten – eighth (K–8) grade campuses; Advanced Placement courses and Dual Enrollment; the largest Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (JROTC) cadet program in the nation; innovative programs; the arts; technology and computer science programs; Scholastic Chess; athletics; and mentoring groups, just to name a few. We also have the largest debate initiative in the country, with debate programs in every high school and expanding to include all middle schools. These are just some of the incredible programs and initiatives offered across our District. You can learn more about BCPS by visiting our website at browardschools.com. As we begin this school year, I wish the greatest success for all of our students. I encourage families to stay engaged, seek learning opportunities throughout your community and take advantage of all of the incredible educational opportunities available at our schools.

SCHOOLS Looking ahead to the 2016/17 school year: •

•

The District is expanding its Digital Classrooms program, which provides students with a blended, personalized learning environment, to include 100 BCPS elementary schools. This is an increase from 27 schools in the program’s inaugural 2013/14 school year. Through the Digital Classroom initiative and its focus on providing a one-to-one student to computer ratio, we are creating curriculum content that fits students’ individual needs to maximize their learning. The District is launching Dual Language Programs at nine additional schools, for a total of at least 35 elementary schools. Dual Language Programs are an educational approach in which students learn two

•

• •

languages in an instructional setting to promote biliteracy, cross-cultural awareness and high academic achievement. Computer science continues to grow among elementary and middle schools, and is now offered at all of the District’s high schools. BCPS recently became a Professional Learning Partner with Code.org to increase the capacity to train teachers and build a local community for computer science. Additionally, through this partnership, 34 high schools and centers are offering the new college-level Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles course in 2016/17. The District is increasing Montessori, magnet programs and K-8 schools, giving families more educational options for their children. BCPS continues its strong focus on early learning and ensuring children have the skills they need to start school. We are strengthening our collaboration with families, communities and early child care providers to support a solid academic foundation for our youngest learners.

For all of our students to be successful, we must work together to create learning communities that support students’ academic needs, while making it easier for parents and families to be involved in their child’s education. In 2016/17, we are excited to continue rolling out the Naviance – Family Connection for our middle and high school students. Through Naviance – Family Connection, students are able to align their strengths and interests to their postsecondary goals, while exploring career options and learning about college preparation. We are also excited about upgrades to our District’s free mobile app, which over the next few months, will allow parents to monitor grades, attendance, assignments, cafeteria menus and account balances, bus routes, and more– all in one place, making it easier than ever for parents to stay informed. You can download the District’s free mobile app by visiting your app store from your smart phone or mobile device. These are just some of the exciting initiatives underway in Broward County Public Schools. As we look forward to our next 100 years of educational excellence, I encourage you to learn more about our District by visiting our website, browardschools.com, which includes important information on our schools and programs. Also on our website is our Back to School toolkit, which connects students and parents with a variety of resources. We look forward to welcoming students back to school on Monday, August 22, 2016.

Plantat ion S por ts & Activit ies Dire cto ry | Issu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

t is with great pride and excitement that I welcome you to the 2016/17 school year. I hope that all of our students and families enjoyed quality time with friends and loved ones over the summer break and are now looking forward to the start of another successful school year. Across Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), I am proud of the work we are doing to serve our students and families. We are inspiring our students to take on academic challenges, engaging young minds to master logical thinking, preparing students for college and careers, closing achievement gaps and collaborating with the community for educational priorities. At the heart of everything we do is the belief and knowledge that every student deserves a world-class education. Education opens doors to the future and levels playing fields, allowing our youth to grow and develop into responsible, productive adults who are empowered to pursue their dreams and become the leaders of tomorrow. From our youngest pre-kindergarten learners – through elementary, middle and high school – to our adult education students, we are working hard to educate all students to reach their highest potential. Our schools continually receive recognition for their commitment to excellence in education. In 2016, 26 BCPS high schools were recognized as “America’s Most Challenging” by The Washington Post, 16 BCPS high schools were ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, and 10 of our District’s magnet programs earned the prestigious National Merit Awards from Magnet Schools of America. In addition, the District’s overall Advanced Placement pass rate is the highest in more than 10 years. Our schools also offer nationally ranked debate programs, the nation’s largest JROTC program, outstanding performing arts programs, and top-ranked athletic programs, including multiple state championships in 2016.

SCHOOLS

2016 -2017

School

INFORMATION INFORMATION CURRENT AS OF 7/15/16. VISIT WWW.BROWARDSCHOOLS.COM FOR UPDATES. FACEBOOK.COM/BROWARDSCHOOLS. ALL SCORES RECEIVED FROM WWW.FLDOE.COM.

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PLANTATION SCHOOLS

CENTRAL PARK ELEMENTARY

PRINCIPAL: Cherise Coleman WEBSITE: centralpark.browardschools.com FACEBOOK: facebook.com/Central-Park-Elementary-School 777 N. Nob Hill Road, Plantation 33322 PH: 754-322-5700, F AX: 754-322-5740 HOURS: 8:00am - 2:00pm 2016 SCHOOL GRADE: B 2016 FSA MEAN SCORES GRADE ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS MATH SCIENCE 3 308 308 4 317 323 5 330 332 204

MIRROR LAKE ELEMENTARY

PRINCIPAL: Marlen Veliz WEBSITE: mirrorlake.browardschools.com FACEBOOK: facebook.com/Mirror-Lake-Elementary-School 1200 NW 72nd Avenue, Plantation 33313 PH: 754-322-7100 , FAX: 754-322-7140 HOURS: 8:00am - 2:00pm 2016 SCHOOL GRADE: B 2016 FSA MEAN SCORES GRADE ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS MATH SCIENCE 3 302 303 4 307 309 5 323 327 196

PETERS ELEMENTARY

PRINCIPAL: Joyce Krzemienski WEBSITE: peters.browardschools.com FACEBOOK: facebook.com/ 851 NW 68th Avenue, Plantation 33317 PH: 754-322-7900 , FAX: 754-322-7940 HOURS: 8:00am - 2:00pm 2016 SCHOOL GRADE: B 2016 FSA MEAN SCORES GRADE ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS MATH 3 300 296 4 308 319 5 315 328

PLANTATION ELEMENTARY

PRINCIPAL: Judith Pitter WEBSITE: www.broward.k12.fl.us/plantationelem/ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/Plantation-Elementary-School 651 NW 42nd Avenue, Plantation 33317 PH: 754-322-8000 , FAX: 754-322-8040 HOURS: 7:45am - 2:45pm 2016 SCHOOL GRADE: C 2016 FSA MEAN SCORES GRADE ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS MATH 3 290 293 4 292 299 5 308 310

SCIENCE 187

PLANTATION PARK ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL: Julie Gittelman WEBSITE: plantationpark.browardschools.com FACEBOOK: facebook.com/Plantation-Park-Elementary 875 SW 54th Avenue, Plantation 33317 PH: 754-323-7150, FAX: 754-323-7190 HOURS: 8:10am - 2:10pm 2016 SCHOOL GRADE: C 2016 FSA MEAN SCORES GRADE ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS MATH 3 305 301 4 314 317 5 321 318

SCIENCE 197

TROPICAL ELEMENTARY

SCIENCE 193

PRINCIPAL: Erik Anderson WEBSITE: www.tropicalelementary.net FACEBOOK: facebook.com/Tropical-Elementary-School 1500 SW 66th Avenue, Plantation 33317 PH: 754-323-7750 , FAX: 754-323-7790 HOURS: 8:25am - 2:25pm 2016 SCHOOL GRADE: B 2016 FSA MEAN SCORES GRADE ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS MATH 3 307 307 4 315 324 5 322 330

SCIENCE 199

SCHOOLS PLANTATION MIDDLE

GRADE 6 7 8

2016 FSA MEAN SCORES ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS MATH 319 317 324 325 331 335

SCIENCE

194

SEMINOLE MIDDLE

PRINCIPAL: Kathryn Marlow WEBSITE: seminolemiddle.net; FACEBOOK: facebook.com/SeminolePTA 6200 SW 16th Street, Plantation 33317 PH: 754-323-4200 , FAX: 754-323-4285; HOURS: 8:10am - 2:40pm 2016 SCHOOL GRADE: B GRADE 6 7 8

2016 FSA MEAN SCORES ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS MATH 329 326 332 332 341 341

SCIENCE

198

PLANTATION HIGH

PRINCIPAL: Alona DiPaolo WEBSITE: plantationhigh.browardschools.com/ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/Plantation-High-School-PTSO 6901 NW 16th Street, Plantation 33313 PH: 754-322-1850 , FAX: 754-322-1980; HOURS: 7:40am - 2:40pm 2016 SCHOOL GRADE: C GRADE 9 10

2016 FSA MEAN SCORES ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS 336 342

SOUTH PLANTATION HIGH

PRINCIPAL: Christine Henschel WEBSITE: www.southplantation.org FACEBOOK: facebook.com/South-Plantation-High-School 1300 Paladin Way, Plantation 33317 PH: 754-323-1950 , FAX: 754-323-2080; HOURS: 8:05am - 3:00pm 2016 SCHOOL GRADE: C GRADE 9 10

2016 FSA MEAN SCORES ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS 339 346

CHARTER SCHOOLS IMAGINE SCHOOLS SOUTH CAMPUS PRINCIPAL: Ethiel Calvo-Portuono WEBSITE: imagineschoolsatplantation.com FACEBOOK: facebook.com/Imagine-Charter-at-Plantation 8200 Peters Road, Plantation 33324 PH: 954-358-4200, FAX: 954-472-1994 HOURS: Elementary 8:00am - 2:30pm; Middle 8:00am - 2:45pm 2016 SCHOOL GRADE: B GRADE 3 4 5 6 7 8

2016 FSA MEAN SCORES ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS MATH 315 308 317 316 321 331 335 328 334 327 338 330

SCIENCE

203

200

RENAISSANCE CHARTER SCHOOL OF PLANTATION

PRINCIPAL: Lori Butler WEBSITE: www.plantationcharter.org FACEBOOK: facebook.com/Renaissance-Charter-School-Of-Plantation 6701 W. Sunrise Blvd., Plantation 33313 PH: (954) 556-9700 , FAX: 954-556-9701 HOURS: K: 8:00am - 2:20pm; 1st - 4th: 8:00am - 2:30pm; 5th - 8th: 7:45am 2:45pm. 2016 SCHOOL GRADE: D GRADE 3 4 5 6 7 8

2016 FSA MEAN SCORES ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS MATH 294 285 305 305 307 306 316 305 315 308 334 318

SCIENCE

183

192

*Algebra, Algebra 2, Geometry, History, Biology, Civics & History scores are available at www.fldoe.org. Private School information located in the Academic Directory in School Section.

Plantat ion S por ts & Activit ies Dire cto ry | Issu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

PRINCIPAL: Sherri Wilson WEBSITE: plantationmiddle.browardschools.com 6600 W Sunrise Boulevard, Plantation 33313 PH: 754-322-4100 , FAX: 754-322-4185; HOURS: 9:30am - 4:00pm 2016 SCHOOL GRADE: C

SCHOOLS Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

ACADEMIC DIRECTORY ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT & CONTINUING EDUCATION

PRIVATE SCHOOLS & PRESCHOOLS

BRIGHT & SMART – ROBOTICS & CODING PROGRAMS

THE SAGEMONT SCHOOL

NOW OFFERING IN-SITE FIELD TRIPS TO SCHOOLS, AFTERSCHOOL & CAMP PROVIDERS! Tailored to meet the STEM curriculum and Common Core objectives, children will learn hands-on robot assembly and coding in a fun-filled experience that fosters teamwork, critical and creative thinking, and problem solving skills. Robotics Afterschool & Saturday Programs, Spring/Winter/Summer and One-Day Camps also offered for girls and boys, 7–14 years old, at various locations. Afterschool Programs are held in weekly on-going sessions. Register for an Introductory Trial Class today! (954) 816-3346, Info@BrightAndSmart.com, www.BrightAndSmart.com, and like us @ facebook.com/BrightAndSmart.

The Sagemont School promotes academic excellence from preschool through 12th grade. Our college prep curriculum includes quality opportunities in athletics, the arts, extra-curricular activities and community service. Middle and High School students receive valuable individualized college entrance guidance. Accredited by SACS, AISF & NCPSA. Lower School Campus (PreK3–Grade 5): Call (954) 384-5454 Ext. 2502, located at 1570 Sagemont Way, Weston 33326. Upper School Campus (Grades 6–12): Call (954) 389-2454 Ext. 366, located at 2585 Glades Circle, Weston 33327. We give campus tours daily. www.sagemont.com.

IMACS – MATH, COMPUTER PROGRAMMING & LOGICAL REASONING ENRICHMENT Take your child’s logical reasoning skills to the next level! IMACS gives students a competitive edge by teaching them how to think critically in a fun environment. Call (954) 791-2333 or visit www.imacs.org to schedule a FREE Placement Class. Weekly After-School/Saturday classes. Grades 1–12. Weston, Plantation, Boca, Fort Lauderdale, and Delray.

PLAY10 ACADEMY ATTENTION PRESCHOOL DIRECTORS! We bring our Movement Education & Sports Development Program to your school! “Initial Stages” Program for Girls & Boys, Ages 3-5. Coordination, Suppleness, Gross Motor Skills, Fine Motor Skills. Brain Centered Learning and Guided Discovery. Fun activities that encourage problem solving, ownership, and experimentation. Long Term Athlete Development Philosophy (LTAD). “PLAY” – Children in control of the environment. Play10Academy.com, play10inc@gmail.com. (407) 917-PLAY (7529). Introductory session FREE, call us to schedule today!

HIGH SCHOOL & GRADUATION SERVICES HERFF JONES BROWARD COUNTY / CHUCK PULERI & ASSOCIATES (954) 693-0006. 8230 West State Road 84, Davie 33324. High School Rings, Championship Rings, Caps, Gowns, Tassels, Cords, Graduation Announcements, Graduate Name Cards, Thank You Notes, Class Year Merchandise, Diploma Plaques and more. Conveniently located in the heart of Broward County on State Road 84 between Pines Island Rd. & University Dr. Online shopping available via our website www.HJBroward.com.

LANGUAGE SCHOOLS & PROGRAMS ESOL – ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES This class is for bilingual members of our community to become proficient in English. Enrollment and classes are continuous. Held at Jim Ward Community Center, Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 2:00pm. Call the Plantation Community School for more information (754) 322-1953.

TEMPLE DOR DORIM EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Beginning Your Child’s Journey Through Excellence in Education. A NATIONAL AWARD WINNING EARLY CHILDHOOD Center, NAEYC Accredited and VPK program provider with scores among the highest in the state. Ages 3 months – 5 years. Now offering full time Infant Care. Mommy & Me and Transition Classes Available. Before & Aftercare and Enrichment classes to age 8. Summer Camp, travel and nontravel camp program for 3 months through 5th grade. Complimentary Temple Membership for ECC Families. Discounts for new families! Hablamos Espanol. Open to the Community. 2360 Glades Circle, Weston 33327. (954) 389-1232, www.dordorim.org.

WESTLAKE PREPARATORY SCHOOL & ACADEMY K–12th Grade. Offering academic excellence for over 20 years, Westlake Prep has relocated to a 10-acre campus in the heart of Cooper City. Highly qualified, certified teachers and administrators welcome all students seeking smaller class sizes, individualized instruction, college preparatory curriculum and a selection of three distinct academic pathways. Serving high achievers, average students and special needs. Full athletic program. Chapel and religious studies available. No bullying zone policy. Accredited by SACS & FCIS. Members of the FHSAA. Title 1 approved. MCKAY and SUFS accepted. Speech and OT therapy are offered on campus. Call us today to schedule a tour. See for yourself if Westlake is the right school for your student. 8950 Stirling Road, Cooper City. (954) 236-2300.

BRIGHT STEPS FORWARD Bright Steps Forward is a private school (K– 12) for special needs children focusing on Spectrum Disorders & children with Cerebral Palsy. We are enrolling students for the 2016-2017 year & accepting McKay and Step Up Scholarships. Our program focuses on developing motivation and an ability to share experiences with others, flexible creative thinking, problem solving, communicating feelings and meaning. Instructional and related services are provided based upon goals and objectives written in IEPs. In addition to regular progress reports, our staff logs progress daily and weekly to record goal progress, demeanor, behavior, and social interactions. 10261 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines 33025, 2233 N. Commerce Parkway #1, Weston 33326, 1750 N. University Drive, Suite 105, Coral Springs 33071 & 218 Almeria Avenue, Coral Gables 33134. (954) 356-2878.

SCHOOLS SUMMIT-QUESTA MONTESSORI SCHOOL

PLAY10 ACADEMY Attention Preschool Directors! We bring our Movement Education & Sports Development Program to your school! “Initial Stages” Program for Girls & Boys, Ages 3-5. Coordination, Suppleness, Gross Motor Skills, Fine Motor Skills. Brain Centered Learning and Guided Discovery. Fun activities that encourage problem solving, ownership, and experimentation. Long Term Athlete Development Philosophy (LTAD). “PLAY” – Children in control of the environment. Play10Academy.com, play10inc@gmail.com. (407) 917-PLAY (7529). Introductory session FREE, call us to schedule today!

e are Fun, Innovative, and Nurturing. Here is how we are “FIN”tastic: We are FUN, with our themed monthly parental involvement activities, such as Grandparent’s Day, Constitution Day, Student of the Month, Book Fairs, Character Parade, Drama Club, Diversity Day, Caribbean Celebration, Fall Harvest, and Jumpstart to Read, just to name a few. We are INNOVATIVE in our technological programs, such as having Digital 4 and 5 Classrooms, Reflex Math, Mathletics, iReady for both reading and math, as well as our STEM hands-on lab. We are NURTURING because we meet the needs of all of our learners. This year we have made significant academic gains. For example, we increased 9% in students meeting proficiency in ELA (English & Language Arts), 7% increase in Math and outstanding learning gains across all subjects

READING STORY TIME AT HELEN B. HOFFMAN LIBRARY 501 N Fig Tree Lane, Plantation 33317, (954) 797-2140, mknapp@ plantation.org. Wednesdays: 10:30am for ages 2–4, and Thursdays: 10:30am for ages 2–4, 4:00pm for all ages. Baby lap time: Wednesdays at 10:00am for ages 3 months–11 months. Read Aloud with a Therapy Dog by appointment. Call (954) 797-2145 to schedule. Call for Summer Story Times.

TUTORING SERVICES HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER Grades K–12. Huntington will pinpoint your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses and tailor a program just for your child. Reading, Math, Writing, Phonics, Study Skills, Florida Statewide Assessment, HS Entrance Exam Prep, Tutoring in any subject. College SAT/ACT Prep. Locations: Pembroke Pines East (954) 436-3330; Pembroke Pines West (954) 431-4443; Plantation (954) 474-4144.

and in all subgroups. We are eagerly waiting for our school grade since our preliminary calculations have us increasing a letter grade. What makes us more super “FIN”tastic is our diverse population and the cultural differences that are embraced throughout the school year, which has made us a nationally recognized Welcoming School. This year, our PTO and After School Program (ASP) will be supporting various school programs and events such as Slime the Assistant Principal, Let’s Get The Principal Stuck for A Buck, Farmer’s Market, Holiday Bazaar, Thanksgiving Feast, Quarterly Awards, Family Chess Night, Autism Awareness activities, School Beautification, School Dances, Hispanic Heritage, Family Cooking Night, Barnes & Noble Night, Parent Curriculum Nights, and many other community and family functions.

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Judy Dempsey - Head of School. Nationally Certified Montessori Teachers, Preschool - Grade 8. Beautiful 10-acre Campus, Butterfly and Organic Gardens, Gymnasium and Pools, Strong Leadership Program. American Montessori Society Full Member; Accredited Montessori Teacher Training Center; Accredited by AISF, Advanced/SACS, MSA, Ai, NCPSA and Recipient of Gold Seal Award of Excellence. 5451 SW 64 Avenue, Davie 33314. www.summit-questa.com, info@summitquesta.com. (954) 584-3466.

SCHOOLS Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

“Bright Past, Brilliant Future” celebrating our 50th Anniversary at

Plantation Park Elementary! We are truly a school that excels due to the dedication of the teachers and staff, student body, parents, and the great City of Plantation. Plantation Park Elementary provides a strong curriculum within a safe, supportive environment. Our emphasis on student achievement and positive student interactions make PPE a school where learning and fun go hand in hand. In addition to the enriched curriculum provided, we have many special programs at the school such as our award winning chorus, FREE after school enrichment clubs such as violin, chess, cooking, science, coding, math club, AAA tutorial camps, wireless computer labs, digital classrooms, and a beautiful butterfly garden outdoor classroom.

• 2016 IB Graduates attending: Cornell University, University of Penn, UF, UCF, Miami, Nova Southeastern University, Northeastern University, FIU, FAU, USF, The Citadel Military College, University of Alabama, Boston University, FSU, Rutgers, Columbus State University, and UNF • Placed 6th place at the National Finals of the Team America Rocketry Challenge in Virginia. Worked under the supervision of NASA engineers and scientists to launch a payload-carrying rocket to a mile altitude. Won the Altitude Award for NASA’s Student Launch. Designed autonomous flying vehicles for experimental applications. Manufactured and programmed multiple innovative products with industry professionals using an AT&T STEM @Work grant. • The Plantation Army JROTC Drill Team placed 2nd in the State for Platoon Drill for the second year in a row. • Marching Band, Concert Band, and Jazz band all received Superior ratings from the Florida Bandmasters Association for the 3rd consecutive year. The PHS “Lights Out” Drumline won back-to-back championships at

Plantation Park Elementary is a thirty-two year recipient of the Golden School Award for volunteer hours. These honors exemplify the commitment to excellence in education through strong parent involvement, community support, and faculty dedication. With some 550 students, we are small enough to combine a very personal understanding of every child’s unique gifts, and yet enjoy the extensive resources of a much larger school. When visiting, it will give you a sense of warmth and a better understanding of our professionalism and commitment to our students. Stop by and take a look! Plantation Park Elementary is located at 875 Southwest 54th Avenue, Plantation, FL. For more information please call (754) 323-7150.

the Sound Off Drumline competition. • Our Student Government Association won the Gold Medallion for the 27th year in a row. • Plantation High School placed 3rd in the 2016 Congrés State French Competition. • DECA students participated in the International Career Development Conference in Nashville, finishing in the top 5% in their competition category receiving two medals. • Key Club took 1st Place for Digital Poster at States. In addition to these exciting accomplishments, for the 2016-2017 school year we will be offering a Law Studies track. Students will study historical antecedents and purposes for laws, the impact of social values on the establishment and interpretation of laws, causes and consequences of crime, evaluation of the adult and juvenile justice systems, and significance of the Bill of Rights to the American legal system and elements of constitutionalism, civil and criminal law, family and consumer law. This path also includes the district initiative of Debate. For more information on Plantation High School news and events, visit our website at www.plantationhigh.browardschools.com.

SCHOOLS

TROPICAL TAKES T

reading to all levels, both on campus and at the Jim Ward Community Center. Our athletics department has competed for District finals in basketball, track & field, soccer, volleyball, and flag football. Each year students have opportunities to attend fieldtrips to New York or Washington D.C., NASA, Disneyworld, Islands of Adventure, theatre performances, etc. If you are looking for a school that offers diversity, both socially and academically, and where students have every opportunity to get involved and achieve at their highest level, Seminole Middle School is the place to be. Our teachers are innovative and use the latest technology to ensure the playing field is level and everyone has the chance to succeed.

ropical Elementary congratulates teachers, students, and parents for a smooth transition into the new school year! We welcome new and returning teachers, staff members and students. We celebrate the 2016–2017 school year with great pride from our A grade and look into the future with great promise.

Tropical students are in full academic swing. We are meeting the reading and math challenges, learning how real scientists work through lab experiments, and expanding our digital knowledge through technology. We are also proud of our students who have been honored for the monthly Character Traits. Tropical has several clubs from which our students may chose to participate – they include the Just Say No Club, Art Club, Music Club, Science Club, Jump Rope Club, and the Yearbook Club. Participation in these clubs helps our students gain other skill sets in addition to improving their sense of self. Tropical’s in-house after school activities continue to enrich our school as well. The next few months will be busy for the Tropical Family. As the year

LEAP INTO FALL!

progresses, we are becoming test ready! Our school grade of an “A” this past year only pushes us as a team to continue striving for greatness in every way into this school year. Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students will meet the challenge of the FSA and we will continue to develop our reading, math, writing, and science skills. Our primary grades are working hard to meet the rigors of the Florida Standards through reading, writing and math. Tropical Elementary’s PTA is a huge part of our success. Through fundraisers, the PTA has been able to support our Tropical Reading Challenge incentives, Toucan Math Market and the Book Exchange, as well as classroom support for students and teachers. We are so very proud of our volunteers who give their time to help students and teachers at Tropical! The 2016–2017 school year brings many challenges and opportunities to Tropical Elementary. With the support of our community, we are ready to face them because Tropical “Toucans” CAN do it!

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eminole Middle School, the premier middle school in Plantation, offers a plethora of opportunities to students at all levels. The Division of Enhanced Communication and Law (DECAL) is a program exclusive to Seminole Middle School and the students within its boundary, where advanced and gifted students can earn up to 10 high school credits while still in middle school. For students interested in after school programs, our clubs are not only fun and engaging, but they compete in State Competitions and have been awarded the highest accolades. These clubs include Junior Thespians, Band, SECME, Gamer’s Guild, Robotics, and Code.org, just to name a few. We also offer free tutoring in math and

SCHOOLS

By Debby Teich Photos: Courtesy of Honor Flight South Florida

Pl anta tio n S po rts & A ctivi tie s D ire ctor y | I ssu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

very 90 seconds, one WWII veteran passes away, along with his/her stories. Thanks to the generous donation of Broward County Association of Student Council (BCASC), a group of Veterans recently had an opportunity to visit Washington D.C. on an Honor Flight to see the National World War II Memorial that was erected in their honor. Because it was built 60 years after the war ended, most veterans have never seen it. The Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans. It includes approximately 140 hubs throughout the country. Since Honor Flight South Florida (HFSF) was formed in 2012, it has organized eight flights for 451 veterans. Many of the veterans describe the trip as the “best day of their lives.” The program transports America’s veterans free of charge on a one-day trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifice they have made on behalf of our country. Top priority is given to America’s most senior heroes - survivors of World War II and any veteran with a terminal illness. The program will naturally transition to Korean War, Vietnam War and all other veterans who served. In Washington D.C., the veterans are accompanied by a police escort as they visit Arlington Cemetery for front row seats at the Changing of the Guard, WWII Memorial and Vietnam Memorial Wall; eat lunch at the Knights of Columbus building and much more. During

mail call on the airplane ride home, they receive heartfelt letters and thank you notes from family members, students, teachers and business people and there is not usually a dry eye in the crowd. As they exit the terminal, they are met by thousands of people giving them the homecoming that they never received. “If not for these veterans, we wouldn’t be here right now,” said Ryan Paton, HFSF Director of Operations. “It is very important for all of us to serve those that wear the uniform and protect our country.” This is the 3rd year that BCASC has raised money for Honor Flight. Throughout the year, Broward County Public School students sold doughnuts and American flags, held dodgeball/kickball tournaments and more. In return, World War II veterans visited the schools to give the students firsthand accounts of WWII. Many of the students learned about the war for the first time. At a school board meeting, BCASC president Brandon Frantz, who will be attending the United States Naval Academy in the fall, presented a check for $40,100 to Rick Asper, chair of HFSF. Asper explained that the money, along with donations from airline partners, was enough to send an entire flight of veterans to Washington D.C., including 80 veterans from both World War II and Vietnam. Veterans who are unable to travel can attend a Virtual Honor Flight, which is held at South Plantation High School and run entirely by Broward County students. The event includes dinner, bands, performances, and guest speakers, as

well as a movie that takes them on a virtual trip to the same places the other veterans visit in Washington D.C. At the end of the event, they exit to a parade of more than 2,000 people cheering and waving flags. HFSF’s next flight will be held in October aboard one of the biggest passenger planes in the world. The plane will accommodate 200 Veterans, instead of 75. Organizers are still looking for 100 WWII veterans to fill the plane. “Everyone knows a WWII veteran or comes across them throughout the day,” said Paton. “This would be one of the best days of their lives. Every step of the way, they are treated like royalty. Everything is covered and they have a personal Guardian who is with them all day, taking care of everything they need. We encourage people to talk to their family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, church members, temple members, and club members to let them know that we need to get our local WWII veterans on this trip of a lifetime for what they have done for our country.” HFSF is always looking for guardians to fly with the WWII Veterans. They can be family members, friends or just those interested in supporting the Veterans. Guardians must pay a $400 fee, which covers their airline ticket, meals, snacks and Honor Flight materials. There are a few restrictions, which are listed on the HFSF website. “I wish that everyone could have the opportunity to be a guardian,” said Paton. “It is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do. Our guardians learn so much and get to experience the best of America. They forge a lifelong friendship with the WWII veterans and their families.”

For information, visit www.honorflightsouthflorida.org.

SCHOOLS

have a score to go to a college of their choice and hopefully achieve the Bright Futures Scholarship from the state of Florida to use in college,” Kasper said. Speakers on a plethora of careers are also helpful. Students need to explore as many different careers as they can. “It is so important for our students to find something they LOVE to do. The JFG program, Jobs for Florida Graduates, will help students hone in on what they can excel at and hopefully build a wonderful career for themselves,” Kasper added. Our College and Career Fair will be held at South Plantation in January. Over 1,000 juniors and seniors will tour the fair. If you are interested in having a FREE table and set up, please contact the school at (754) 323-2049 and ask for Julia Kasper.

ACADEMIC SUPERSTARS!

untington Learning Centers has started an academic Superstars of the Month program with Sports and Activities Magazine! This program gives students recognition for their achievements. There are many different types of students with many different academic obstacles in their path. These are just a few of their stories: Makayla Lewis-Sutton (10 yrs. old going into 5th) (pictured below) needed improvements in fluency, comprehension, writing, and math in 4th grade. She struggled the first half of the year then enrolled in Huntington in December 2015. Soon after that she started improving in all areas. (The teacher at school, who was concerned, was so proud of her improvements; she passed!) She is now enrolled for the summer to be better prepared for 5th grade, and she has a whole new outlook on academics! Cody Arch (11yrs old going into Middle School (pictured below) had been struggling in school from the very beginning. Although he excelled in athletics, school was never his strength. He enrolled in Huntington a couple weeks before 5th grade started. By the middle of the school year, he had gone from struggling to being in the 85th percentile for his grade. He finished the year, passing with flying colors and a greater confidence in himself and his abilities. Next step: getting ready for Middle School.

We also wanted to share some testimonials from other students and families. “Huntington has taught me so much throughout the years. I’m so glad I had them for my High School experience.” – Samantha (pictured below). “I am thrilled and this just confirms the decision I made to pull her back to 4th grade and enroll her in Huntington. This is definitely a program that works and worth every penny! Most importantly, she is proud of herself. Thanks so much!” – Lynne R. “We are so happy to let you know Uri got a 34 on his ACT! Thank you so much for your help.” – The Zejerman Family Call or visit a Huntington Learning Center location for a free consultation.

Phone: 800-CAN LEARN PLANTATION : 10125 Cleary Blvd. PEMBROKE PINES, EAST: 10044 Pines Blvd. PEMBROKE PINES, WEST : 18277 Pines Blvd.

Makayla Samantha

Cody

Plantat ion S por ts & Activit ies Dire cto ry | Issu e 39 | Au gu st - Oct o b e r 2016

tudents should begin planning for life after school on the first day they step into high school. From the 9th grade, students should know what they need to graduate, and what they will be required to have to enter a technical program, college or a career. The four-year course selection is very important. “I like to work backwards with my students,” said Julia Kasper, the Job’s for Florida Graduates educator for South Plantation High School. “We need to see where they want to be at the end of high school and what direction they wish to head in so we can make sure they take the correct classes to get there.” For most students, the decision about what to do after high school has not been made when they are 14 years old and entering the 9th grade. It is important to begin having discussions with your children in elementary and middle school. The more career choices they are exposed to, the better idea they have of what they may enjoy or not enjoy. To help students reach a career choice or plan of action after high school, South Plantation works with students on the college entrance tests, the ACT and the SAT. “Our students take the PSAT in the 9th and 10th grade and by the time they finish the 11th grade they should