Aventura Celebrates 26 Years: As A Tree City USA At The Annual Earth & Arbor Day Celebration Fri Apr 07 2023 16:07:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Good Or Sweet? How Do You Like Your Year?! Fri Sep 20 2024 16:08:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Arabian Nights Music Fest Returns After 20+ Years South Florida Sun Times May 14, 2026 After More Than Two Decades, One Of Opa-locka’s Most Memorable Cultural Celebrations Is Making Its Long-Awaited Return. The Arabian Nights Music Fest Will Take Center Stage As Part Of The City Of Opa-locka’s 100th Year Anniversary, Bringing An Exciting Lineup Of Nationally Recognized Artists, Regional Performers, Food Vendors, Artisans, And Family-Friendly Programming Together For A Vibrant Community Celebration. Set against the historic backdrop of Opa-locka, the festival will take place on Saturday, May 16th, 2026, at Sherbondy Park, 380 Bahman Street, Opa-locka Florida 33054, with gates opening at 3:00 p.m. and performances starting at 5:00 p.m. Headlining the festival is two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and actress LeToya Luckett, alongside Miami’s own chart-topping rapper and singer-songwriter Ball Greezy. The festival will also feature additional regional and local performers across multiple genres, highlighting the dynamic cultural sounds of South Florida. Mayor’s Quote: “This festival represents more than great music, it represents the energy, resilience, and cultural vibrancy of our 100-year-old city,” said John H. Taylor Jr., Mayor of The City of Opa-locka. “Opa-locka has always been a place where creativity and community thrive. The Arabian Nights Music Fest will bring people together to celebrate our 100 years, our culture, support local businesses, and showcase the incredible talent that connects our city to audiences across South Florida and beyond.” The festival will transform the park into a multi-zone cultural experience celebrating the city's Moorish Revival heritage, diverse community, and creative spirit. Festival Highlights: • Live music across genres: R&B, Hip Hop, Reggae, Latin, Afrobeats • Artisan marketplace featuring local makers • Global and hometown cuisine • Family-friendly creativity and storytelling • Evening light experiences • Centennial tributes and legacy moments Festival Event Zones Rhythm Realm The heartbeat of the Arabian Nights Festival. Rhythm Realm brings together the sounds that shape Opa-locka – R&B, Hip Hop, Reggae, Latin, Afrobeats, spoken word, and more. This is where the city’s global rhythms come alive, celebrating the cultural diversity that has defined Opa-locka for 100 years. Expect high-energy performances, community pride, and a stage that feels like home. Artisan’s Way A curated pathway of local makers, artists, and small businesses showcasing the creativity of Opa-locka. From handcrafted goods to cultural art pieces, Artisan’s Way highlights the talent and entrepreneurial spirit of the community. This zone honors the city’s legacy of craftsmanship and provides a platform for artists to shine during the centennial celebration. Local and regional entrepreneurs and creatives are encouraged to participate. Spaces are expected to fill up quickly and are $400, which includes a 10x10 tent. The Spice Court A central hub of global and local cuisine inspired by the flavors that have shaped Opa-locka’s multicultural identity. The Spice Court brings together food vendors, chefs, and culinary storytellers offering dishes that reflect Caribbean, Latin, African, and American traditions. It’s a place to gather and experience the city’s cultural richness through food. Local and regional food vendors and restaurants are encouraged to participate. Spaces are limited and are $750, which includes a 10x10 tent. Discovery Den A family-friendly space designed for creativity, play, and reflection. Discovery Den blends hands-on activities, storytelling, and historical moments to help families explore Opa-locka’s past and imagine its future. This zone invites children and adults to learn, create, and connect through interactive experiences rooted in the city’s 100-year journey. Discovery Den will also feature commemorative merchandise for purchase to preserve a piece of Opa-locka’s 100th year history. The Night Garden An evening activation filled with light, ambiance, and immersive design inspired by the magic of Arabian Nights. As the sun sets, The Night Garden transforms into a glowing, atmospheric space of visual installations that honor Opa-locka’s Moorish Revival heritage. It’s a place to wander, take in the evening’s beauty, take pictures, and experience the festival’s most enchanting moments. Previous Next

Hollywood's New Virtual Parking Permit Program Thu Sep 29 2022 16:07:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Best Of Barbra, The Tribute March 10, 2023 Share World Renowned Touring Tribute Artist Sharon Owens has been recreating the sound and style of Barbra Streisand for over three decades, and now you can see her and her band at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center on Saturday April 21st, 2023 at 8:00 p.m. This show includes beautiful backgrounds and stage props making it visually astounding as Sharon sings all of Barbra Streisand’s Hits. The Artist Sharon began her career as a Streisand Tribute for the multi-million dollar production show Legends in Concert. She then continued on to Berlin, Germany performing for “Stars in Concert.” Her uncanny resemblance of both her voice and looks propelled her career to the status of headlining in her own show “Barbra and Frank, The Concert That Never Was.” The 10 year running show still remains on the Las Vegas strip to sell out audiences and standing ovations nightly. During her time impersonating Streisand, she won a national competition in 2005 on Fox TV called “Performing As…” as well as making it to the Finals in 2007 of the ABC Hit Show “The Next Best Thing.” She has performed for Access Hollywood, Extra, been seen in People Magazine and TV Guide as one of the best “impersonators” in the world. In 2010, Sharon spent a 6 week engagement on the West End of London selling out 32 shows to a very pleased and impressed critical London theater audience. She also tours Australia, Canada, Holland, Belgium and Asia as well as the Northwestern United States. In addition to regular corporate and private parties, Sharon’s credits include European tours, headlining aboard Royal Caribbean, Princess & Norwegian Cruise Line, The Queen Mary as well as performances with many symphony orchestras throughout North America and Canada. Voted Best of Las Vegas in 2008, her Award Winning Show ran for 6 years in succession on the Las Vegas Strip, ending only when the Riviera changed ownership of property and closed for renovations. She has won numerous awards as well as being selected for the Vegas Entertainment Living Legends Award for Excellence in Entertainment. Her incredible voice does mimic the sound of the incomparable Streisand style yet her voice as a solo artist, has a style all her own. She masters the American Songbook as well as sings her favorite standards of all time. She has her Master’s Degree from Chapman University and a BA from the University of South Florida. College-educated, world-traveler and a veteran of the entertainment business, Sharon Owens “Tribute To A Funny Girl” will bring back “Memories” and be an audience favorite for your series. Tickets Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Buy tickets online at: www.aventuracenter.org By phone at: (877) 311-7469. Or: (954) 462-0222. Or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each performance. For Group Sales, please call: (954) 660-6307. Tickets start at $49. Parking Free parking is available in the lots adjacent to the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center in front of the Aventura Community Recreation Center and the Aventura City of Excellence School. Valet service is available for most performances at $20 per vehicle. Valet parking is located at the main entrance of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center in the circular drive. There is a convenient drop-off area in front of the building. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at: 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, Florida 33180. Join the conversation, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram @aventuracenter or #aventuracenter < Previous News Next News >

Inside The Brain: South Florida PBS Health Channel Explores Memory, Resilience, And Mental Health In New Special Programming South Florida Sun Times May 14, 2026 The South Florida PBS Health Channel Is Bringing The Conversation Around Brain Health And Mental Well-Being To The Forefront With Two Powerful Programs: The Resilient Brain And Memory & The Mind: What Science Tells Us About Brain Health Town Hall. Together, These Specials Explore The Science Of The Brain While Offering Meaningful Insight Into How Mental Health Is Shaped, Supported, And Strengthened Throughout Life. The Resilient Brain is a compelling documentary that dives into the extraordinary adaptability of the human brain. Through the voices of scientists, patients, and families, the film reveals how the brain responds to trauma, Neurological Disease, and life’s most complex challenges. From Veterans recovering from traumatic brain injuries to children with rare neurological conditions and older adults navigating Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s, the documentary highlights resilience as both a biological and emotional force. As the film underscores, understanding the brain is key to understanding ourselves. As Dr. Ken Miller of Columbia University’s Zuckerman Mind, Brain & Behavior Institute notes, “If you want to understand who we are, then you want to understand the brain.” This perspective is echoed throughout the documentary, with experts emphasizing both the mystery and promise of Neuroscience. Dr. James Galvin of the University of Miami adds, “The next great mystery to be solved is why the brain does what it does, why people develop diseases of the brain and what we can do to make a difference.” The documentary also reinforces the importance of prevention and lifestyle in maintaining Brain and Mental Health. “If you’re trying to prevent Dementia, manage your Vascular Health: manage your Blood Pressure, your Cholesterol, your Thyroid Disease, your Obesity, your diet, your exercise—all of that,”explains Dr. Raphael Wald, Neuropsychologist at Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care. These insights highlight how closely Physical Health and Mental Well-Being are intertwined. Viewers are also reminded of the personal impact of Brain Science. As Dr. Nicole Baganz of FAU’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute shares, “Understanding the Brain Science helped me understand myself and my family.” Meanwhile, Dr. Gavin Rumbaugh of the Wertheim UF Scripps Institute points to the field’s rapid evolution: “I think we’re now where Cancer Biology was 25 years ago.” Complementing the documentary, Memory & the Mind: What Science Tells Us About Brain Health Town Hall brings together leading experts for an engaging and informative discussion on memory, cognitive aging, and brain resilience. Hosted by Pam Giganti, the town hall features: • Daphna Shohamy, PhD – Director & CEO, Zuckerman Institute, Columbia University • Paul Kenny, PhD – Director, The Friedman Brain Institute, Mount Sinai Health System, NY • Vidhya Rangaraju, PhD – Research Group Leader, Rangaraju Lab, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience During the discussion, experts emphasize the unprecedented pace of discovery in Brain Science. “We by far know more now than we ever did before, and it’s a time of rapid expansion of knowledge and an enormous amount of discovery,” says Dr. Shohamy. The town hall also focuses on actionable steps people can take to support their Brain and Mental Health. “It’s hard to overstate the positive impact of exercise on Brain Function,” notes Dr. Paul Kenny, while Dr. Vidhya Rangaraju highlights the critical role of rest: “Sleep is very important. It’s important to consolidate memories, clear waste, and recharge the mitochondria so that brain cells can be healthy.” As Mental Health continues to be a national priority, these programs provide viewers with both knowledge and empowerment, connecting cutting-edge neuroscience with everyday actions that support emotional and cognitive well-being. Stream The Resilient Brain and Memory & the Mind: What Science Tells Us About Brain Health Town Hall at: https://AllHealthTV.com . About the Health Channel: AllHealthGo is South Florida PBS’ exciting new digital health media venture that is building a trusted source of health and wellness information for consumers hungry for information and understanding. Through AllHealthGo’s Health Channel, the only 24/7 health and wellness TV channel in the country, we connect you with Medical and Well-Being specialists in real-time, promoting healthier lifestyle options. In partnership with prestigious organizations, the service aims to empower you with the most up-to-date information, enabling you to take more control of your and your family’s health. To complement the live interactions with medical and well-being specialists, AllHealthGo offers a robust companion digital platform that provides access to specialized services. Previous Next

2025 The Year The Government Stopped Pretending It Cared About Freedom By John & Nisha Whitehead Jan 7, 2026 Some Years Chip Away At Freedom. Others Tear The Mask Off. 2025 was the year the government stopped pretending it was constrained by the Constitution—when executive power expanded openly and unapologetically, surveillance became ambient, dissent became dangerous, and the machinery of militarized government embedded itself into daily life. Under Trump 2.0, the erosion of civil liberties gave way to something more brazen: the dismantling of constitutional government itself. What made 2025 different was not any single abuse of power, but the relentless accumulation of them. The losses mounted week by week, crisis by crisis, executive order by executive order, until exhaustion itself became a political condition. Outrage no longer led to accountability; it simply rolled into the next emergency. What follows is not a list of grievances or a catalogue of partisan disputes. It is a record of the year freedom lost its guardrails—and of a nation torn apart from within by the very individuals and institutions entrusted with preventing such tyranny. Donald J. Trump entered his second term promising revenge, retribution, and sweeping transformation. In that regard, he has been utterly successful. Where he has failed—spectacularly—is in honoring his oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution. From the outset, Trump treated the Constitution not as a governing framework but as an obstacle—something to be maneuvered around, ignored, or rewritten by executive fiat. Indeed, he signed more executive orders in his first month than any other president had signed in their first 100 days. The warning signs appeared immediately. Within days of his inauguration, the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights disappeared from the White House website. While the administration later insisted the documents would be restored, the timing and symbolism were impossible to ignore—especially as executive orders poured out at a pace designed to bypass the very rule of law those documents exist to preserve. Almost immediately thereafter, Trump declared two national states of emergency, announced his intention to disregard the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee of birthright citizenship, established new federal agencies without congressional authorization, and pushed for an expansion of the death penalty. Constitutional boundaries were not merely tested; they were treated as optional. At the same time, the presidential pardon—intended as a tool of mercy—was transformed into a currency of loyalty. Political allies and insiders were shielded from accountability, signaling that allegiance to the president now mattered more than fidelity to the law. Economic governance followed the same pattern. Trump unilaterally launched tariff wars against longstanding trade partners, seizing Congress’s power of the purse and throwing already fragile markets into turmoil. Constitutional process was no longer a prerequisite for national policy; presidential will was sufficient. Immigration enforcement soon revealed just how far the rule of law had eroded. Despite campaign promises to target violent offenders, Immigration and Customs Enforcement expanded dragnet-style raids that swept up undocumented immigrants with no criminal history. In a calculated effort to evade judicial review and human rights obligations, detainees were secretly flown out of the country to foreign prisons beyond the reach of U.S. courts. As public opposition mounted, the government’s response was not restraint but force. The National Guard was deployed first to Washington, D.C., and then increasingly to states across the country, under the pretext of addressing crime and unrest. Civil liberties organizations warned that the line between civilian law enforcement and military occupation was rapidly disappearing. The administration pressed on regardless. By this point, the nation was teetering on the brink of a constitutional crisis. The president openly embraced the notion that “I have the right to do whatever I want as president.” Abroad, constitutional limits collapsed just as readily. The United States carried out preemptive military strikes against Iranian nuclear sites without congressional authorization. Drone strikes escalated in Yemen. Civilian boats were targeted under the banner of counterterrorism and drug interdiction. Trump openly threatened land invasions of Venezuela. The Founders’ fear of a standing army turned inward—and war powers exercised without consent—was no longer theoretical. It had become standard operating procedure. Domestic tragedy did nothing to slow this consolidation of power. Crisis after crisis was folded into an ever-expanding rationale for centralized control, rather than prompting accountability, restraint, or reflection. By midyear, even the machinery of government itself was being dismantled. Under the banner of “efficiency,” the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) began shuttering agencies and hacking away at public services. In practice, the initiative cost taxpayers more than it saved, hollowed out institutional expertise, and left Americans with fewer protections and fewer remedies. The government became less capable of serving the public—and more capable of policing it. At the same time, the surveillance state reached a new level of sophistication and reach. Government agencies consolidated financial records, biometric identifiers, communications metadata, travel histories, and online behavior into centralized intelligence systems, often facilitated by private contractors. Artificial intelligence tools generated risk scores and predictive profiles, flagging individuals not for crimes committed, but for behaviors, associations, and speech deemed suspicious. The presumption of innocence gave way to the logic of pre-crime. Due process eroded accordingly. Habeas corpus—the oldest safeguard of liberty—lost meaning as Americans were detained first and forced to justify their innocence later. Political speech itself was increasingly treated as a public-safety risk. Incarceration, meanwhile, became national infrastructure. Predictive policing systems fed people into the system at the front end, while bureaucratic cruelty defined life inside it. Justice became mechanical, impersonal, and deliberately unforgiving. Federalism collapsed in parallel. Local police forces were federalized in practice if not in name. National Guard units were commandeered. Federal enforcement authority expanded into states and cities once shielded from centralized power. The balance between local self-governance and federal authority—one of the Constitution’s most important safeguards—was steadily erased. Oversight mechanisms fared no better. Inspectors General were sidelined. Congressional subpoenas were ignored. Whistleblowers were punished rather than protected. Transparency collapsed as Freedom of Information Act requests were delayed, denied, or buried. Routine documents were classified. Internal communications vanished. None of this happened overnight. That is the point. The damage was cumulative, calculated, and exhausting by design. The goal of 2025 was not merely to expand power, but as I make clear in Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, to normalize its abuse, to wear the public down until resistance felt futile. The question for 2026 is not whether this trajectory will continue, but whether the American people will reassert the constitutional limits that make freedom possible—before those limits disappear entirely. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an attorney and author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of constitutional law, human rights and popular culture. John Whitehead's commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org . Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at: www.rutherford.org Previous Next

Mayor Joy Cooper: Better Safety At Our Schools Fri Aug 23 2024 16:03:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

You’d Better Watch Out - You’d Better Not Cry: The Surveillance State Is coming To Town, and You’re Already On Its Naughty List By John W. Whitehead & Nisha Whitehead December 16, 2021 Share Santa’s got a new helper. No longer does the all-knowing, all-seeing, jolly Old St. Nick need to rely on antiquated elves on shelves and other seasonal snitches in order to know when you’re sleeping or awake, and if you’ve been naughty or nice. Thanks to the government’s almost limitless powers made possible by a domestic army of techno-tyrants, fusion centers and Peeping Toms, Santa can get real-time reports on who’s been good or bad this year. Consider just a small sampling of the tools being used to track our movements, monitor our spending, and sniff out all the ways in which our thoughts, actions and social circles might land us on the government’s naughty list. Tracking you based on your health status. In the age of COVID-19, digital health passports are gaining traction as gatekeepers of a sort, restricting access to travel, entertainment, etc., based on one’s vaccine status. Government agencies are also preparing to use virus-detecting canine squads to carry out mass screenings to detect individuals who may have COVID-19. Researchers claim the COVID-sniffing dogs have a 95% success rate of identifying individuals with the virus (except when they’re hungry, tired or distracted). Tracking you based on your face: Facial recognition software aims to create a society in which every individual who steps out into public is tracked and recorded as they go about their daily business. Coupled with surveillance cameras that blanket the country, facial recognition technology allows the government and its corporate partners to identify and track someone’s movements in real-time. Similarly, biometric software, which relies on one’s unique identifiers (fingerprints, irises, voice prints), is becoming the standard for navigating security lines, as well as bypassing digital locks and gaining access to phones, computers, office buildings, etc. Scientists are also developing lasers that can identify and surveil individuals based on their heartbeats, scent and microbiome. Tracking you based on your behavior: Rapid advances in behavioral surveillance are not only making it possible for individuals to be monitored and tracked based on their patterns of movement or behavior, including gait recognition (the way one walks), but have given rise to whole industries that revolve around predicting one’s behavior based on data and surveillance patterns. One smart “anti-riot” surveillance system purports to predict mass riots and unauthorized public events by using artificial intelligence to analyze social media, news sources, surveillance video feeds and public transportation data. Tracking you based on your spending and consumer activities: With every smartphone we buy, every GPS device we install, every Twitter, Facebook, and Google account we open, every frequent buyer card we use for purchases, and every credit and debit card we use to pay for our transactions, we’re helping Corporate America build a dossier for its government counterparts on who we know, what we think, how we spend our money, and how we spend our time. Consumer surveillance, by which your activities and data in the physical and online realms are tracked and shared with advertisers, has become big business. Tracking you based on your public activities: Private corporations in conjunction with police agencies and fusion centers throughout the country have created a web of surveillance that encompasses all major cities in order to monitor large groups of people seamlessly, as in the case of protests and rallies. They are also engaging in extensive online surveillance, looking for any hints of “large public events, social unrest, gang communications, and criminally predicated individuals.” Tracking you based on your social media activities: Every move you make, especially on social media, is monitored, mined for data, crunched, and tabulated in order to form a picture of who you are, what makes you tick, and how best to control you when and if it becomes necessary to bring you in line. The FBI, CIA, NSA and other government agencies are increasingly investing in and relying on corporate surveillance technologies that can mine constitutionally protected speech on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in order to identify potential extremists and predict who might engage in future acts of anti-government behavior. Tracking you based on your phone and online activities: Cell phones have become de facto snitches, offering up a steady stream of digital location data on users’ movements and travels. Police have used cell-site simulators to carry out mass surveillance of protests without the need for a warrant. Tracking you based on your social network: Not content to merely spy on individuals through their online activity, government agencies are now using surveillance technology to track one’s social network, the people you might connect with by phone, text message, email or through social message, in order to ferret out possible criminals. What this creates is a “guilt by association” society in which we are all as guilty as the most culpable person in our address book. Tracking you based on your car: License plate readers are mass surveillance tools that can photograph over 1,800 license tag numbers per minute, take a picture of every passing license tag number and store the tag number and the date, time, and location of the picture in a searchable database, then share the data with law enforcement, fusion centers and private companies to track the movements of persons in their cars. Tracking you based on your mail: Just about every branch of the government—from the Postal Service to the Treasury Department and every agency in between—now has its own surveillance sector, authorized to spy on the American people. For instance, the U.S. Postal Service has been photographing the exterior of every piece of paper mail for the past 20 years. Clearly, Big Tech wedded to Big Government has become Big Brother. Every second of every day, we are being monitored, surveilled, spied on and tracked in more than 20 different ways by a vast network of digital Peeping Toms, electronic eavesdroppers and robotic snoops. As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, in the government’s hands, these surveillance weapons add up to a society in which there’s little room for indiscretions, imperfections, or acts of independence. In an age of overcriminalization, mass surveillance, and an appalling lack of protections for our privacy rights, we can all be considered guilty of some transgression or other. So you’d better watch out—you’d better not pout—you’d better not cry—‘cos I’m telling you why: this Christmas, it’s the Surveillance State that’s coming to town, and you’re already on its naughty list. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an attorney and author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of constitutional law, human rights and popular culture. John Whitehead's commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org . < Previous News Next News >

"The Most Urgent Movie of 2022": The Aventura International Film Series Presents “Happening” Thu Oct 27 2022 16:07:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Halloween Events In Hollywood Offer Spooky Fun For The Whole Family By City Of Hollywood Oct 22, 2025 The City Of Hollywood Is Kicking Off The Spooky Season With A Full Lineup Of Frightfully Fun Events For All Ages. Candy, Costumes And Entertainment Await With Free Festivities Happening Across The City From This Weekend Through Halloween. Boo Bash & ArtsPark Movie Night ArtsPark at Young Circle – 1 Young Circle, Downtown Hollywood, Florida 33020 Friday, October 24th, 2025 | 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Bring the kids to Boo Bash for some spirited fun at ArtsPark in Downtown Hollywood. The evening begins at 5:00 p.m. with music and kids’ activities, followed by a costume fashion show at 7:00 p.m. and movie night at 8:00 p.m. Admission is free and food will be available for purchase. ArtsPark Movie Night Feature: Hotel Transylvania: Goosebumps Bring a blanket or beach chair and enjoy a free family-friendly flick under the stars. Hollyweird Halloween Downtown Hollywood Block Party Downtown Hollywood Saturday, October 25th, 2025 | 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Hollyweird is South Florida’s premiere Halloween festival, featuring live music, drink specials and an adult costume contest with more than $10,000 in prizes. Admission is free. Visit: www.hollyweirdfestival.com for details. Please note: This event is for adults. A Haunting We Will Go Driftwood Community Center – 3000 North 69th Avenue, Hollywood, Florida 33024 Thursday, October 30th, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Enjoy snacks, drinks, a haunted house and Halloween festivities for the whole family. For more information, call: (954) 967-4241. Youth Light the Night Halloween Spectacular Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center – 2400 Charleston Street, Hollywood, Florida 33020 Friday, October 31st, 2025 | 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This free family event includes Trunk “O” Treating, bounce houses, a haunted house, food, games and music. For more information, call: (954) 921-3412. As a reminder, the City of Hollywood is plastic and foam free. Single-use items such as plastic water bottles and utensils are prohibited at City parks and facilities. Please bring a reusable water bottle. For more information on these and all upcoming events, visit: www.hollywoodfl.org . Operation Paintbrush Saturday, October 25th, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Noon Give your home a fresh coat for free! Hollywood residents can pick up up to 10 gallons of recycled exterior paint at the Department of Public Works, 1600 South Park Road, Hollywood 33021. First-come, first-served while supplies last. Bring a photo ID and utility bill showing a Hollywood address. Previous Next

Did You Have Recent Flood Damage? Homeowners & Renters Can Apply For Any Losses Due To The Storm By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper August 1, 2024 Share As our residents continue to recover from the flood on June 12th, the Federal Government has finally stepped up and announced a much-needed relief program for residential properties. The program is being implemented by the Small Business Administration. Homeowners and renters can apply for any losses due to the storm to their property contents and even automobiles. The program application period will be open only until August 30th. It is very important for individuals to apply as soon as possible. If you have insurance, you may apply. They are providing up to $500,000 to repair your home and up to $100,000 for contents. The Loan Rate will be 2.688 percent for Residential and 4 percent for Businesses. They also have programs for Businesses. Businesses can apply for Property and Economic Losses from Business Interruption. The rate and terms for Businesses and NonProfits are a bit higher. There is a $2-Million-Dollar Cap and the Businesses pay 4 percent and Non-Profits pay 3.25 percent. The program will cover uninsured and uncompensated disaster losses. Any insurance proceeds which are required to be applied against outstanding mortgages are not available to fund Disaster Repairs and do not reduce Loan Eligibility. However, any insurance proceeds voluntarily applied to any outstanding mortgages do reduce Loan Eligibility. Secondary homes, personal pleasure boats, airplanes, recreational vehicles and similar property are not eligible, unless used for business purposes. Property such as antiques and collections are eligible only to the extent of their functional value. Amounts for landscaping, swimming pools, etc., are limited. If you have received assistance before from the SBA and did not comply with their terms you can apply but may not be eligible, this includes borrowers who did not maintain Flood and/or Hazard Insurance on previous SBA Loans. The law authorizes loan terms up to a maximum of 30 years. However, the law restricts businesses with credit available elsewhere to a maximum 7-year term. SBA sets the installment payment amount and corresponding maturity based upon each borrower’s ability to repay. Borrowers may be required to provide collateral. The information on the program and application can be found online at: www.SBA.gov/disaster Budget continued: I have written about our current budget process Tax Rate a few articles back. I shared that we would be lowering our tax rate this year to 7.999 and there was a possibility it could be reduced further. There is good news that we will be able to reduce our rate to roll back to 7.729. The Rollback Rate I explained was the rate set to provide the same level revenue we collected in the previous year. This means Homesteaded Properties will be seeing a reduction on their taxes. Non Homesteaded Properties depending on their Taxable Value may also be seeing a reduction. Staff reviewed all the staffing levels in every department to see if positions that were not filled needed to remain in the Budget. It was found approximately $500,000 could be cut from salaried positions. At the writing of this article, I did not have the specific positions, but the cuts will not interfere with our level of services. The Fire Fee that I reviewed in the same article will not be changed this Budget Year. We do need to address the rate moving forward. At our next meeting in August, we will be provided a report on our Fire Services. I have requested that an outside consultant evaluate the department and the level of services we provide. Fire and Emergency Services have continued to evolve over the years. I have discussed our BSO Contract over the years since, it did not increase the staffing levels and cost approximately more than $1 Million Dollars in costs than having our own department. There was value added in the ability to retain positions, expand training hours and inspection services. The move to the Florida Retirement System did also reduce pension costs. The audit’s information will provide a better basis and understanding of the true needs within our City as we enter BSO Contract negotiations. Our next meeting on the Budget will be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday August 7th. Immediately following will be our regular Commission Meeting which starts at 5:30 p.m. As always feel free to contact me anytime with your questions and concerns by email: jcooper@cohb.org . Or at: joycooper@aol.com . I always can be reached by phone or text at: (954) 632-5700. Working for you! Always Have! Always will! < Previous News Next News >