Fall 2006 - City of Coral Springs

A message from the City of Coral Springs
Samuel S.
Goren
Vincent M.
Boccard
Roy
Gold
Scott J.
Brook
Claudette
Bruck
Ted
Mena
Michael S.
Levinson
City Attorney Commissioner Vice Mayor Mayor Commissioner Commissioner City Manager
In August, Money magazine published an article listing the
Top 90 best places to live in the nation and Coral Springs was
named the best in Florida. Our highest scores were for parks
and safety. While the majority of the county’s crime rate is on
the rise, we’ve decreased ours by 17%. It’s a testament to all
those who serve the community and to the City’s business
model, which is based on direct feedback from residents. This
is a great accomplishment for our City, and we are striving to
do even better this fiscal year.
We’ve listened to residents and used the data in
developing our Strategic Plan and it led us to create a new
Be sure to vote
in November’s
General Election
This year’s General Election will be
held on Tuesday, November 7. With
the governor’s office open, as well
as senators and representatives, it’s
important to exercise your right to vote. Broward County
residents will also be able to voice their opinion on the
proposed penny sales-tax increase.
Please note that you will need to fill out a voter
registration application and file by Monday, October 9. You
may pick up an application at City Hall, City Hall in the Mall,
the Northwest Regional Library, or visit browardsoe.org for
details on registering and a complete list of candidates.
For more about the issues on the November ballot, see
pages 2 and 3 of this magazine.
Coral Springs • Fall 2006
General Election
November 7
strategic priority this year: Traffic, Mobility and Connectivity.
This new priority includes many efforts that are being
planned or are underway to ensure acceptable levels
of service are maintained. As in previous years, we continue
to address local roadway operational issues, and coordinate
with Broward County and the Florida Department
of Transportation for planned future improvements
within the City.
The City Commission has also approved an affordable
housing ordinance, which offers down payment assistance,
a subordinated second mortgage program, and faculty
housing on City-owned property for Charter School teachers.
The Bike Patrol will also be back this year and will patrol
places in our parks and commercial areas that are hard to
reach. Other new initiatives this fiscal year include additional
teen programming, public safety improvements, building
division customer care, and the creation of the Crisis
Intervention Team (CIT) for the mentally ill.
These initiatives will be discussed in our new Coral Springs
magazine over the course of the year to help you get a better
understanding of how the City works and what it has to offer.
On behalf of the City Commission, employees and
volunteers who proudly serve our community, we remain
loyal to the task of making Coral Springs “the nation’s premier
community in which to live, work and raise a family.”
Contact your Commissioners
The Mayor and Commissioners of Coral Springs hold office
hours throughout the year on a regular basis in order to give
Coral Springs residents the opportunity to meet with them
one-on-one to discuss their concerns and City-related issues.
To view the Commission’s current office hours, please visit
coralsprings.org/events.
Visit coralsprings.org

The Magazine for the Premier Community
in Which to Live, Work and Raise a Family
Fall 2006
features
The Future of Transportation ...................................................................................Page 2
City Charter Amendment on November 7 ballot ............................Page 3
A Day in the Life: Building Division ..................................................................Page 4
Get to Know Your Neighbor!
Slice of the Springs
city
Get to know your neighbor: Slice of the Springs .............................Page 6
Affordable housing ordinance approved ..................................................Page 6
Sign up for “SavingMinutes” .....................................................................................Page 7
community
environment
Neighborhood Meeting
Sawgrass Nature Center to open in October ........................................Page 8
Family Success Center offers many services ..........................................Page 9
My Coral Springs: Photos submitted by our readers ..................Page 9
Our water:
Where does it
come from?
Page 11
culture
business
Local businesses get in the customer service ‘game’ .............. Page 10
City seeks teams to compete in statewide competition ...... Page 10
What’s Going Up? ................................................................................................................. Page 10
Museum of Art
celebrates
tenth anniversary
Page 12
recreation
A Golden Summer:
Medal-winner
Leila Vaziri
Page 14
What’s Happening?
Page 17
Around the Town
Page 17
City of Coral Springs
9551 West Sample Road
Coral Springs, Florida 33065
954-344-1000
Want to know more
about Coral Springs?
Visit our website at coralsprings.org
Call Citizens’ Services at 954-344-1001.
TTY for the hearing impaired: 954-344-1022.
Watch In the Loop on CityTV Channel 25
at 7AM and 7PM daily, and visit
coralsprings.org/citytv25 to view
the program guide and to link to streaming
video and podcasts of the channel.
Register at coralsprings.org
for the e-News monthly newsletter.
is produced quarterly by the City of Coral Springs
Communications and Marketing Department.
If you have questions or comments regarding this publication,
e-mail editor@coralsprings.org, call 954-344-1197, or write to
Coral Springs Magazine at the address to the left.
Communications & Marketing Director
Kevin Knutson
Publications Coordinator
Christine Parkinson Jahrsdoerfer
Writer/Media Relations Coordinator
Maria Fuentes-Archilla
Photography
Maria Fuentes-Archilla • Liz Kolodney • Kevin Knutson
Kaitlyn Lees • George Miller • Christine Parkinson Jahrsdoerfer
On the cover:
All ponds, like this one near the
new Sawgrass Nature Center, allow
water to seep back into the Biscayne
Aquifer, which is a major water source
for South Florida. See page 11.
Watch CityTV Channel 25 Fall 2006 • Coral Springs • 1

features
The
Future
ofTransportation
Illustration by Traci Parrish
roward voters will decide next month whether they think traffic problems are bad enough to pay
Ban additional one percent in sales tax for improvements to mass transit over the next 25 years.
On June 6, the Coral Springs City Commission passed
a resolution supporting the sales tax increase to expand
the mass transit system. Later that month, Broward County
Commissioners agreed with a 5-4 vote to place the 1% sales
tax increase referendum on the November ballot, giving
residents the chance to be heard.
With an extra 600,000 people expected by 2030, the
advocacy group People for Progress said they are confident
that the sales tax increase is the only way to improve
traffic congestion.
Raising the sales tax from 6% to 7% would initially raise
about $260 million each year that would be spent on a
new rail service, downtown streetcars, express shuttles
to Miami and Boca Raton, shorter wait for buses and
synchronized streetlights.
The remaining sales tax increase would pay for about half
of the transit improvement costs, eventually raising $460
million a year. The rest of the cost would be paid through
fares, federal and state aid, and the money the county
currently spends on transit.
Construction would not begin until 2013 at the earliest,
but People for Progress schedule in their plans immediate
transit improvements.
Supporters say some of the money in the first year of sales
tax will be spend on express bus service from park-and-ride
lots in Miramar, Weston and Coral Springs to Boca Raton,
Hialeah and downtown Fort Lauderdale. By 2030, the
county bus fleet is expected to double, and will include
78 extra routes.
The plans also include light-rail along State Road 7
from Atlantic Boulevard to Interstate 595, with spurs into
downtown Fort Lauderdale and Sawgrass Mills by 2015.
By 2018, a commuter rail service along the Florida East
Coast Railroad corridor will be implemented.
If the referendum passes, the measure would have
a profound effect on transportation issues in the City.
Initial estimates are that Coral Springs would benefit from
approximately $1.9 million in new improvements. The City
would also receive an annual allocation through 2032.
Staff will work on a plan of how best to utilize these funds
if they become available.
Residents continue to express concerns regarding traffic
conditions and that’s why the City developed a new priority
for Fiscal Year 2007 titled Traffic, Mobility & Connectivity. An
ongoing initiative is traffic management and to support
the construction of Downtown, exclusive right-turn lanes
near the Sample Road and University Drive intersection will
be added. Broward County will also install signal mast arms
by 2008. Construction of new dual-purpose pathways for
pedestrians and bike riders will link the new Downtown,
the Medical Center, schools, churches, government offices,
library and Mullins Park.
Since the development of “The Walk”, pedestrian traffic has
increased between Starbucks and Barnes & Noble on NW
28 Street making it difficult to cross. As a result, a textured
crosswalk with in-street lighting and additional signage will
be added to make pedestrian traffic more obvious to drivers.
A new initiative is street indexing signage, which will
aid motorists in finding their way around the City’s main
commercial areas. A sample indoor sign will be installed prior
to the manufacturing of additional signs.
It’s in the voters’ hands, so get out and vote!
For more information on the proposed sales tax increase,
visit keepbrowardmoving.com.
2 • Coral Springs • Fall 2006 Visit coralsprings.org

Voters to decide on City Charter amendment referendum
This November 7, Coral Springs voters will have one
referendum question related to the City of Coral Springs on
the ballot for their consideration, relating to compensation
paid to the City Commission. The question deals with two
separate issues, how compensation should be set and how
much that compensation should be.
The referendum question asks voters to decide if they wish
to allow the Commission to change Commission salaries
by ordinance rather than by referendum and if they wish to
increase the rates to $30,000 a year for the mayor and $28,000
a year for each commissioner. An ordinance is voted on and
passed by the City Commission, where a referendum must be
approved by the voters. In addition, the proposed amounts
in the referendum question were subject to a review by a
Compensation Committee and an outside accounting firm,
and were to be set at the lesser of the amounts above or
those recommended by the committee.
The Compensation Committee, comprised of eleven
Coral Springs residents, was established in July and worked
with Cynthia Borders-Byrd, CPA, an outside accounting
consultant. The Committee convened their first meeting
on August 10, 2006. After three meetings, they reached a
unanimous recommendation, that the mayor should be paid
$30,000 annually with an increase every two years tied to the
Consumer Price Index (CPI) and that other commissioners
should receive $28,000 per year, with the same limit on
annual increases.
The main reasons for recommending this charter
amendment was to provide parity for Coral Springs’ elected
officials with other local jurisdictions and to make future
changes to Commissioner compensation through ordinance.
Research by the outside accounting firm verified that Coral
Springs’ compensation was insufficient and low by local
standards, as can be seen in the table above.
Some Commissioners have also noted that officeholders
commit a lot of time to public service, and that equitable
Referendum Question
On the November 7 ballot, the referendum question to
amend the City’s Charter will appear as follows:
“Section 4.08 of the City Charter, ‘Compensation and
expense allowance,’ is revised permitting the Commission
to amend the compensation and expense allowances
for the mayor/commissioners by ordinance, subject to
the recommendations of an outside accounting firm
and a citizen-based Compensation Committee. For the
fiscal year 2006-2007, the mayor’s compensation shall be
$30,000 and the commissioners’ compensation shall be
$28,000, or an amount recommended by the accounting
firm and Compensation Committee, whichever is less.”
Yes for Approval No for Rejection
2006 Commission Salaries
(for Broward County cities with populations greater than 50,000)
City Population Mayor Commissioners
Ft. Lauderdale 171,344 $35,000 $30,000
Pembroke Pines 151,045 44,246 22,566
Hollywood 143,025 38,000 28,000
Coral Springs 126,852 18,441 14,752
Miramar 108,387 30,796 23,800
Pompano Beach 101,712 30,000 28,500
Sunrise 89,736 32,881 32,881
Plantation* 85,157 112,142 28,000
Davie 83,762 9,179 9,179
Deerfield Beach 75,160 30,410 25,380
Weston 61,042 13,000 10,000
Tamarac 58,711 29,000 25,000
Lauderhill 58,637 24,990 19,992
Margate 54,982 29,393 28,719
*Plantation has a “strong mayor” form of government, where the mayor directs
the day-to-day operations of the City, rather than having a City Manager.
compensation would help increase the pool of qualified
candidates and at the same time recognize the level of
sacrifice demanded of elected officials.
In proposing this referendum, Commissioners have
demonstrated that the City has accomplished much over
the past decade, such as winning two Florida Governor’s
Sterling Awards, being the first Florida League of Cities City
of Excellence, being recognized by America’s Promise as one
of the 100 Best Communities for Youth, and making Money
Magazine’s Best Places to Live list as the top city in Florida, all
while holding the tax rate steady as the lowest in the County
for full-service cities. During that time, Commission salaries
went up an average of 2% per year.
In addition, the City is well-known for its conservative fiscal
management, having been reaffirmed by all three Wall Street
rating agencies with AAA credit ratings in September 2006.
For the first forty years of the City, from the institution of
the City’s charter in 1963 through 2003, salaries for elected
officials were determined by the City Commission. In 2002,
a Charter Review Committee was convened that made a
number of recommendations to change the City’s Charter.
Those recommendations were ratified by voters in fiscal year
2003. As part of their proposed slate of charter amendments,
the Commission’s compensation was made subject to
referendum, rather than by ordinance, and was locked in at
the then current rates, with increases limited to the CPI.
In the end, the Commission decided that whether the
Commissioner salaries should be set by referendum or
ordinance was a question that the voters should decide.
For more information on this referendum and answers to
frequently asked questions, visit coralsprings.org/voting or
call 954-344-1065.
features
Data provided by Cynthia Borders-Byrd, CPA
Watch CityTV Channel 25 Fall 2006 • Coral Springs • 3

features
A Day
in the Life
In the Building Division,
any day can be a hectic one
It’s 7:25AM and there is a long line of applicants already waiting for the doors to open
at 7:30AM. It’s a typical day in the Coral Springs Building Division and as the Building
Services Supervisor, Maryellen Serra has a full load of responsibilities.
A plastic toy firefighter’s hat sits on her desk
and I ask her what’s the story behind it. “I gave
everyone in the department one because in
addition to our regular tasks sometimes we
have to put out some fires along the way,” said
Serra, laughing.
There is more to building than sweat and
sawdust. Whether you are
planning on building a custom
home, putting up an addition
over the garage or remodeling
the kitchen, the Coral Springs
Building Department must be
taken into account.
“A great rule of thumb is if
the job costs more than $1,500,
a permit is required,” said Serra.
For homeowner’s protection,
Building Department staff
enforces the Florida Building Code by providing
plan review, field inspections and administrative
functions for every permit that is processed.
Since Hurricane Wilma hit last year, the
Building Department has been flooded with
permit applications, with a large amount of them
for roofs and shutters. City staff also worked with
the City Commission on creating a temporary
emergency ordinance for metal roofs, and
residents have until December 1, 2006 to get
their applications in.
Almost a year has passed since Hurricane
Wilma slammed South Florida, and the Building
Department is still not caught up with permit
requests. More than 15,000 permits have been
processed since January alone.
Staff is working diligently to reduce wait times to a
maximum of 5 working days for roof permits and 15 working
“We want homeowners to know
what’s going on with their
permits, when a contractor brings
it in and when it’s ready for
pick-up,” said Building Services
Supervisor Maryellen Serra.
days for all other permits.
“By the time the department catches up
with the after effects of last hurricane season,
another one gears up again,” said Serra.
“It’s a never ending cycle.”
Serra has been with the city for almost
six years. She spent three years in the
Community Development
Department and was later
promoted to Building Services
Supervisor in 2004. Prior to
working for the City, Serra
worked in the hotel industry
for 10 years. Her experience in
working with people is a great
benefit for the City.
Serra recalls when she
first started working in the
building division. “The first
thing I did was check if my home had any open
permits,” she said. She didn’t have one, but two.
“I was devastated to find out the pool contractor
and the screen enclosure contractor did not
complete the inspections required for the permits
to close,” said Serra, “Therefore, as a Coral Springs
resident and because of my personal experience,
I feel it’s important to educate homeowners with
the information they need to arm themselves
against such problems.”
At 9AM, she heads over to the conference room
to have their weekly staff meeting. An hour later,
she heads back to her office and checks her
voicemails and e-mails.
A knowledgeable resident left a message asking
if all of his inspections passed before paying his
contractor for the job. “I love calls like this…this is exactly
what residents should do,” she said. According to Serra, a
4 • Coral Springs • Fall 2006 Visit coralsprings.org

The Life of a Permit
1. Application is submitted along with required paperwork .
2. The building permit staff reviews application for
completeness and accuracy.
3. If something is missing or incorrect, the contractor and/or
owner/builder is asked to make corrections and resubmit.
4. Accepted permits are given a number for tracking purposes.
5. It is then plan reviewed according to code.
6. Application is given to permitting staff to enter status .
7. It is then reviewed by the discipline, such as electrical,
plumbing, etc. and the status is entered in the system.
8. Once approved, staff creates the permit, invoices the fees
and builds the inspections into every permit.
9. Contractor and property owner are notified that the permit is
available for pick-up at City Hall South.
10. Work can now begin on the project.
11. Inspections are scheduled online or on an automated system.
12. Homeowner can make final payment to contractor once
inspections are completed and the permit is closed.
6
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features
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homeowner should always check the status of their permit
before paying the contractor in full because if the job wasn’t
done properly, it is hard to get the contractor to come back
and finish the job.
In addition to her daily tasks and supervising her staff,
Serra is in the process of developing and hiring two more
employees for the new Customer Care Call Center starting
this fiscal year.
At 12:17PM, she interviews a possible candidate for the
Customer Care Center. The interview goes well, but it’s still
too soon to make any decisions. “Ideally, we’re looking for
someone with call center experience, as well as a permitting
background,” she said. “It’s going to be a hard to find a
candidate with that specific background.”
The goal of the Customer Care Center is to provide
increased customer satisfaction and a consistent serviceoriented
experience. Residents, property owners, and
commercial businesses with questions about permitting, plan
review and inspections will be able to speak with a Customer
Care Representative. In addition to answering general
permitting information, the Customer Care Center will relay
any specific inquiries to the proper office. “The Customer Care
Center will serve as a single point-of-entry to the Building
Division to improve communications with our customers,”
said Serra.
It’s 4:14PM and the front office has gotten noisier. It’s
now filled with applicants dropping off and picking up
permits before the office closes at 4:30PM. Serra hears some
commotion and decides to check it out. A resident seems to
be upset, and is raising his voice at the front desk employee.
His face is flushed and he’s asking why his permit still hasn’t
been approved. Meteorologists are predicting a hurricane is
coming our way, and he’s concerned about his home.
Serra decides to interject and see if she can help. “I know
you’re upset, but your application was returned to your
contractor two months ago and he has not yet returned it to
us,” she said. Although the resident is still upset, he realizes his
contractor is the one that has been failing him.
Early this year staff began notifying residents when a
contractor applies for a permit just to keep them in the loop.
“It’s just another part of the education process,” said Serra. It’s
important for homeowners to be involved in the permitting
process. “We want homeowners to know what’s going on
with their permits, when a contractor brings it in and when
it’s ready for pick-up.”
Homeowners can check the progress of an application
by visiting coralsprings.org and clicking on “E-Coral Springs”
in the top menu bar. Click on “Building Services” and select
“Building Services Online.” By entering your application
number, you’ll be able to view the status, as well as any
comments relating to the application.
Another busy day has flown by. “I enjoy coming to work
because I never know what the day has in store for me,”
said Serra.
To find out the requirements for applying for a building
permit, visit coralsprings.org/building, stop by the Building
Division at 9530 West Sample Road, or call 954-344-1025.
Watch CityTV Channel 25 Fall 2006 • Coral Springs • 5

city
Get to know your neighbor at a Slice of the Springs meeting
Residents who wish to improve their
neighborhood and get to know their neighbors
are invited to attend their Slice of the Springs
meeting. Key staff from all City departments
including, City Manager’s Office, Police, Fire,
Code, Building, Parks, Community Development,
and Public Works, as well as representatives from
Broward County, Water/Canal Districts and other
franchises will be available to provide information
and details about what is happening in your
neighborhood. Specific topics such as public
safety, parks, code enforcement, traffic and neighborhood
projects will be discussed during these informative meetings.
Through the Slice of the Springs, residents have the
opportunity to get involved and make a difference. The
comments and suggestions from previous meetings have
In August, the Coral Springs Commission approved the
affordable housing ordinance, making it the first city in the
County to have established an affordable housing program.
Although Coral Springs has abundant affordable housing,
studies show that the overall housing market in Broward
County is imbalanced due to the oversupply of high priced
single-family homes and condominiums, and a decrease in
rental housing.
According to the FIU Metropolitan Center Study, the
median sale price of all homes in Coral Springs is $320,512,
while the affordable purchase price is $284,411 based on a
median $71,472 income for a family of four.
“This ordinance enables us to help restore a healthy
balance of housing opportunities within our community
for the benefit of our community,” City Manager Michael
Levinson said.
Homestead Exemption
If you purchased your home before December 31,
2006, you have until March 1, 2007 to file for homestead
exemption. All new homeowners must file even if you had
homestead exemption in Broward County for your former
residence, or if you received an exemption carried over from
the previous owner. The exemption lowers the taxable value
of your home by $25,000, which can save you more than
$600 on annual property taxes. You may file your exemption
at any Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office. The
County will also offer the same service at Coral Square
Mall in front of Macy’s “Men’s, Kids, Home” on October 19,
November 9, November 30 and December 15 from 1 to
4PM. For details, call 954-341-3990 or visit bcpa.net.
Get to Know Your Neighbor!
Slice of the Springs
Neighborhood Meeting
launched programs like traffic calming and
landlord training workshops, commercial slice
meetings, neighborhood sign construction,
median enhancements and other capital
improvements.
Upcoming Slice meetings include:
October 26: Town Center at Forest Hills
Elementary; November 16: Center West at
Westchester Elementary; and December 7:
Northside at Country Hills Elementary.
All meetings are held on Thursday evenings
from 7-9PM. Residents in each “Slice” will receive a reminder
notice in the mail prior to their neighborhood meeting and
are asked to complete and return the reply card by mail or
online at coralsprings.org/slice. For more information, call the
City’s Community Development Division at 954-344-1114.
City Commission approves affordable housing ordinance
The City is implementing an Affordable Housing Trust Fund
that will be funded by a 1% fee collected from all residential
developments with five or more units. The Housing Trust
Fund will provide funding for a number of programs,
including the Subordinated Second Mortgage Assistance
Program, down payment assistance, enhancement of existing
programs and other related programs the City Commission
may implement in the future.
The Mortgage Assistance Program will help close the gap
and assist applicants in qualifying for their first mortgage. To
qualify, applicants must be a first-time homebuyer with one
of the buyers working in Coral Springs, and meet low-income
and occupational criteria outlined in the ordinance.
Mortgage Assistance Program loans will not have interest
or principle payments during the first 5 years and there is a
shared appreciation requirement, meaning that if a property
is sold, the City will be paid a proportional appreciation of the
value above the initial purchase price and re-lend the funds.
Although the ordinance became effective immediately, it
may take at least a year before the first loan is processed.
Anticipated funding for the $40,000 average second
mortgages will come from the impact fees, re-payment of
second mortgage loans, and other local, state and federal
funding sources. As the second mortgages mature, the loans’
proceeds will enable the City to originate new loans.
”Affordable housing opportunities enable the many
companies and agencies within our local economy to
successfully recruit and retain top notch employees such
as teachers, nurses, public safety professionals and young and
eager engineers,” Levinson said.
Look for more information on these new affordable
housing programs in future issues of Coral Springs or at
coralsprings.org.
6 • Coral Springs • Fall 2006 Visit coralsprings.org

From left to right: Bridie McDonnell, Helen McCluskey,
Kay D’Ambrosio, Angella Gayle, Rose & Vince DeLuca.
Not pictured: Kay Radziwon and Helen Sroka.
Volunteer Spotlight
The “A Team,” starring Catherine “Kay” D’Ambrosio, Vince and
Rose DeLuca, Helen McCluskey, Bridie McDonnell, Catherine
“Kay” Radziwon, and Helen Sroka, is one of the City’s liveliest
groups of volunteers.
They all volunteer in the Utility Billing Division of the
Finance Department once a week and also help out in other
departments if needed. Between laughs, they diligently stuff
more than 12,000 utility bills a month.
The majority of the volunteers are over the age of 80, with
the exception of Kay D’Ambrosio and Bridie McDonnell.
Angella Gayle, Rose’s aid, also lends a helping hand on
occasion and says she enjoys spending time with the “A
Team.”
“We all have a great time together,” said Vince DeLuca.
“We’re like family.”
In their spare time, D’Ambrosio loves to cook and cares for
her husband of 47 years. Vince and Rose enjoy doing crafts
together at Sartory Hall on Saturdays. Helen Sroka does water
aerobics three times a week, and Bridie enjoys walking two
hours a day.
You’re likely run into Helen McCluskey at the Hard Rock
Casino living it up or swimming at the pool with friends.
Catherine “Kay” Radziwon is 92 years young and is currently
recuperating from surgery, but still volunteers whenever she
can. She enjoys crocheting booties and golf club covers for
her son.
This team can sure put a smile on anyone’s face and the
City is grateful to have them onboard.
“They come in faithfully and if they can’t make it, they
make sure someone can cover for them,” said Senior Office
Assistant Jeanne Domerchie. “They are the best group of
volunteers anyone could ask for and they are more like an
extended family to our division instead of volunteers. We
love them all!”
For more information on volunteer opportunities with
the City of Coral Springs, contact Volunteer Coordinator Kim
Sanecki at 954-346-4430.
Summer issue article correction
In the last issue of Coral Springs, a grave mistake was
printed, stating that local resident Seth Adams had passed
away years ago after an accident while riding his bicycle
along a neighborhood street. This was not the case, and
we extend our sincerest apologies to Seth, his family and
friends. However, the Safety Town program was created
after Seth was injured, and it is now celebrating its 20 th
anniversary thanks to the residents who joined forces and
decided to teach safety in a proactive way.
Students ages 4 to 6 hear about different topics,
including seatbelt use, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and
playground and canal precautions. Students also learn
about the Police and Fire departments. This summer, over
60 kids graduated from the program. Having these lessons
under their belts will keep them safer on our streets.
Throughout the school year, more than 3,000
kindergartners participate in the program sponsored by
the Police department’s Community Involvement Unit.
Student take a field trip and visit Safety Town to learn
about safety and the precautions they can take. For more
information about the program, call 954-344-1833.
Sign up for ‘SavingMinutes’
First responders frequently arrive at a scene and try their
best to rescue those trapped inside a burning home with
little knowledge of what they will find inside. They don’t
know how many people live there or if there are any pets,
which is important information that could aid firefighters
as they make their way through an unfamiliar home layout
that may be filled with smoke and flames.
That’s why Coral Springs resident Daniel Barcy
developed “SavingMinutes,” a software program that allows
homeowners and renters to answer questions that would
help a first responder better save lives.
His vision grew from a simple Humane Society sticker on
his window that let firefighters know that he had pets. That
sparked an idea and he began to think of other questions
that might save first responders some time.
The Coral Springs Fire Department loved the idea and
launched the SavingMinutes program in June.
“We’re excited that we’re the first in the country to use
this program,” said Coral Springs Fire Department’s public
information officer Mike Moser. “This is a great asset to the
City, allowing us to provide better service to our residents.”
The service is free to residents, and the software was
offered to the City at a low cost since this is the first use of
the program. “I’m just looking forward to hearing how this
program has helped firefighters,” said Barcy.
Coral Springs residents can visit coralsprings.org/
savingminutes to sign up by answering a few questions.
All information is on a secure server directed only to the
Fire Department.
city
Watch CityTV Channel 25 Fall 2006 • Coral Springs • 7

community
A
Home
for
Nature
Sawgrass Nature Center
to open in October
For more than a decade, Joan Kohl jumped over many
hurdles to get the Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital
(SNC) up and running. The site was continuously moved to
different locations, hurricanes tried to knock it down, and
construction costs became so expensive, she almost called it
quits. But Kohl always got back up, dusted herself off and got
back to work. Her efforts have paid off and she now has the
wildlife rehabilitation center of her dreams.
“I always felt that this location was home,” said Kohl, “no
matter how many times things didn’t seem to work out.”
Kohl, founder and president of the SNC, is a former social
worker who changed career paths to become a full-time
wildlife rehabilitator. At one point, Kohl was running the SNC
out her own home with more than 150 critters.
The two completed buildings are only the beginning of
a $3 million development plan on five acres of land in the
Sportsplex donated by the City of Coral Springs. The City
also secured $650,000 in state and county grants toward
the project and oversaw the construction of the current
improvements. The Center will not only be a great addition
to Coral Springs, but it serves as an asset to the surrounding
cities, as the only other wildlife center nearby is located in
Fort Lauderdale.
By its official opening in mid-October, residents and visitors
to the SNC will be able to learn more about our unique
South Florida environment and its many wildlife inhabitants.
Adjacent to the nature center is the Wildlife Hospital, which
serves as a home to injured, sick and orphaned baby wild
birds, mammals and reptiles. These animals are given quality
care, rehabilitation and then released back into the wild.
The SNC has partnered with Sawgrass Springs Middle
School, an environmental magnet school. Students assist
with volunteer work and fundraisers, and the SNC has
assisted them with the creation of the Critter Club and their
tortoise preserve. Monthly lectures also take place at the
school the second Tuesday of each month.
Kohl and Robin Reccasina, the SNC’s educator, are also
working on writing a curriculum to meet the FCAT standards.
By making classes FCAT compatible, students will be
able to learn hands-on at the SNC and satisfy the school’s
requirements. Kohl is also planning to have programs
available for toddlers, home-schooled children, and scouts.
Additional plans include an outdoor classroom,
amphitheater, a “Wild World” interactive children’s area,
aviaries, interpretive nature trails and additional flight cages
and animal habitats. Long-range plans for the center include
an environmental learning center for students and an
observation deck for viewing the Everglades, just across the
Sawgrass Expressway.
Also in the works is the construction of an additional
wetland behind the SNC. Wetlands are recognized as an
important feature that provides numerous benefits for
people, fish and wildlife. Some of these functions include
protecting and improving water quality, providing fish and
wildlife habitats, storing floodwaters, and maintaining surface
water flow during dry periods.
“The new wetland project will replace areas disturbed
with the construction of the Sportsplex Athletic Complex
and is expected to be completed by spring of 2007,” said Tom
Messenheimer, Executive Director of the Sportsplex.
Kohl expressed pride in the efforts of so many making the
new facility a reality. “We are so excited to finally be here and
we want to make this a stepping-stone to increasing exhibits
and opportunities for the public to enjoy nature,” said Kohl.
The SNC is a non-profit organization, which doesn’t
receive any City, state or federal funding. The center is totally
dependent on donations from individuals, clubs, and local
civic groups, grants, corporate sponsorships and on other
fundraising efforts of their volunteers and board members.
Residents can also support the cause by attending the Wild
Grand Opening Gala on Saturday, October 14 at 5PM at the
Coral Springs Center for the Arts. Tickets are on sale for $60
at the SNC. The Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital
will celebrate their grand opening at a ribbon cutting
ceremony on Wednesday, October 18 at 5PM at the Center.
To learn more about the Center, make a donation, or to
inquire about its membership, sponsorship or volunteer
opportunities, call the Center at 954-752-WILD or visit
sawgrassnaturecenter.org.
8 • Coral Springs • Fall 2006 Visit coralsprings.org

Family Success Center offers
many services for those in need
Are you having a financial problem or need help locating
services to help your family in a time of need? The Northwest
Coral Springs Family Success Center is the place to go.
The facility opened in June 2005 and, yet, is still one of
Coral Springs’ hidden treasures. What was once the local
library is now the only Family Success Center west of the
Turnpike.
The Family Success Center is a one-stop source of
social services information, referrals and services to assist
individuals and families in setting goals, learning skills,
and accessing the services they need to build a stronger,
healthier and self-sufficient family.
For example, a single mother was recently evicted from her
home and was living in her car. She didn’t know where else to
go, so she paid a visit to the Family Success Center.
The center was able to place her in a hotel for two weeks,
while helping her find alternative housing. The Family
Success Center also secured her moving costs and provided
gas assistance to help her get back on her feet.
“We made sure there was adequate income, so that she
wouldn’t find herself in this situation again,” said Regional
Manager Angie Washington. Thanks to collaborative
partnerships with other Broward County Human Services
Department divisions, government agencies, and non-profit
organizations, this center provides a variety of services.
The Center also offers integrated intake, assessment and
case management, employee assistance, bus passes and
food vouchers. Services are available in Spanish and Creole.
“We want people to come here and use our services, but
our goal is to empower them so that they become self-sufficient,”
said Washington.
Hispanic Unity, also located at this site, provides a
variety of services for Spanish-speakers, including English
instruction, job placement, emergency assistance, information
and referral, health education, HIV/AIDS prevention,
children’s literacy, and senior programs.
Families in need of assistance in obtaining cash aid,
food stamp assistance and Medicaid can meet with Florida
Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) caseworkers
by appointment, referrals or simply as a walk in.
The City of Coral Springs also offers its Youth Services
Program from the Center to assist teens in learning how
to write resumes, find a job and improve interview skills.
Other service partners include Elderly and Veteran’s Affairs,
Substance Abuse and Health Care Services, and Child Care
Licensing and Enforcement.
The Family Success Center is located at 10077 N.W. 29 th
Street, near Mullins Park. The facility is open Monday
through Friday, from 8AM to 5PM.
For more information, call 954-761-2121.
“This picture of our
daughter Milan signifies
to us the beauty that
Hurricane Wilma did not
destroy. It also reminds
us of the camaraderie of
our neighbors and all the
Coral Springs residents
of how much we love our
‘beautiful’ city.....the
beauty that remains.”
– Laurette and Josh Homan
“Even the lizards and exotic creatures
seen in Florida love being able to rest
and unwind in front of a luminous
lake on a calm Sunday afternoon like
the rest of us can do.”
– Tavyia Tarsetti
“Lloyd Wicks has been a faithful security
guard at Carriage Pointe Estates for 16
years, and at the age of 86 he stills waves
and stands up to great us as we come
into the community.” – Shelia Schemtob
My
Coral Springs
Photos submitted by our readers
Coral Springs is inviting residents to submit their best photos
of Coral Springs. Submitted photos may be featured in an
upcoming issue of Coral Springs Magazine, on CityTV 25 or on
the City’s website. Please e-mail your full-resolution photographs
to editor@coralsprings.org. Don’t forget to include your name,
description of the people or places pictured, as well as why your
photo signifies what Coral Springs means to you.
View CityTV via podcasting
Coral Springs is keeping up with the times and is making
CityTV segments available via podcast and video-ondemand.
Residents who don’t have Advanced Cable can now
watch City videos, as well as listen to commission meetings.
To watch videos from the City of Coral Springs, go to
iTunes, click on podcast and run a search for Coral Springs. If
you don’t have iTunes, visit coralsprings.org and click on the
podcast link. You will be able to download iTunes for free and
then view podcasts of CityTV shows within minutes.
“The great thing about podcasts is that residents can
now get city information at their leisure, whether it’s a City
Commission meeting or a segment on how to get a building
permit,” said CityTV Editor and Videographer Alex Rodriguez.
Also available to residents is video-on-demand, which is an
interactive multimedia system that works like cable television,
but customers can select what show they’d like to watch
from a video database. Video-on-demand will be available at
coralsprings.org and through mobile devices in the future.
community
Watch CityTV Channel 25 Fall 2006 • Coral Springs • 9

usiness
Local businesses get in the customer service ‘game’
Do you want to raise the bar and offer the best customer
service in town? The City launched its Premier Customer
Service program this summer, and it was so successful that
staff plans to do another round near the holiday season.
Local businesses can sign up for a
nominal fee and receive a package
containing an entertaining
customer service training video,
posters to identify that they are in
the “premier customer service game”
and buttons for trained employees
to wear. Secret shoppers will then
visit participating businesses and
rate the service they receive. If employees provide
premier customer service during the secret shopping visit,
they will win a prize on the spot and businesses will have a
chance of being featured in local newspapers.
“As we get a reputation around the area for great service,
What’s Going Up?
Whispering Woods Center is currently under
construction on Wiles Road, between Woodside Drive
and Godfrey Road. This mixed-use development will have
almost 140,000 square feet of commercial property.
“We hope to have the exterior of the buildings
completed by the end of the year,” said Jose Saye,
Project Manager of Cubellis/SGR. Tenants have not yet
been determined, but 90% will be office space and the
remaining will be medical offices.
There are currently 53 projects going through the
approval process or under construction in Coral Springs.
Take a look at what’s coming to your area of the City
by visiting coralsprings.org/business and clicking on
the Current Land Development List to view the latest
information.
City employees posing as secret shoppers
have awarded prizes to local employees
who have demonstrated “Premier Service.”
we hope people will begin to go out of their way to come
to Coral Springs and use our businesses,” said Korey Meckes,
program coordinator.
Close to 30 local businesses participated in the first phase
of this project and were very pleased with the outcome.
“I think it would be really great if all the businesses in the
community signed up for this program,” said participant
Mona Appel, owner of Mona’s Kids at The Walk. “It’s a great
program.”
To sign up, e-mail Human Resources Coordinator Korey
Meckes at kmeckes@coralsprings.org.
City seeks teams to participate
in regional competition
Do your employees excel in all they do? Well, it’s time to
start gathering ideas for next year’s Team Showcase.
On Thursday, February 15, 2007, the American Society
for Quality (ASQ) will hold the annual South Florida process
improvement team competition. Teams from all sectors,
including private, public, service, manufacturing, are asked
to give fun stage presentations on projects that produced
breakthrough gains for their organizations.
In 2004, Coral Springs Medical Center was named winner
of the regional and state Team Showcase. In 2005, the City’s
Citation System Improvement Team was also recognized as
both the regional and state winner for the Team Showcase.
The event includes training on process improvement
and is an opportunity to learn about best practices that
can be adapted to your organization’s needs. The 2007
Team Showcase Competition will be held at the Signature
Grand in Davie in February. For more information, visit
excellenceshowcase.org or call 954-344-5912.
10 • Coral Springs • Fall 2006 Visit coralsprings.org

Our Water
Where does it come from?
Florida’s local governments are at a crossroads, and their
next steps will have enormous environmental and financial
implications. The South Florida Water Management District
(SFWMD) is limiting the amount of water available to
municipalities for drinking water and lawn irrigation because
the majority of the water is needed for the Everglades
Restoration Project.
Coral Springs draws its water from the Biscayne Aquifer,
one of the largest and highest quality ground water sources
in the country. The Biscayne Aquifer is located in southeast
Florida and generally extends from Boca Raton through
Homestead and from the Everglades to the Atlantic Ocean.
It is in the cool depths of the earth, generally between
110 and 180 feet below ground surface and is constantly
replenished by rainwater, and through canals and lakes that
are operated by the SFWMD. Most cities in South Florida “dip
their straws” into the Biscayne Aquifer, and withdraw a limited
amount of water as permitted by the SFWMD.
“According to the new rules that have been established,
the City is not allowed to withdraw any additional water
to meet our future growth from the aquifer,” said Utilities
Superintendent Dave Moore. “Unless we demonstrate that it
does not affect the Everglades restoration project.”
The State and Federal Governments have joined forces
to restore the damage that draining the Everglades has
caused over the past century. In December 2000, President
Clinton signed the Water Resources Development Act, which
included the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan
(CERP). CERP is a guide to restore, protect, and preserve the
water resources of central and southern Florida. It will take
approximately 30 years to complete the project and will cost
in excess of $7.8 billion. The Everglades Restoration Project
is affecting everyone in South Florida, as SFWMD is asking
Utility Divisions to not pull additional water from the Biscayne
Aquifer and use alternative water supplies.
Coral Springs has four different utilities that supply water
and wastewater services to residents: the City-operated
Coral Springs Utilities Division and the independentlyoperated
Coral Springs Improvement District, North Springs
Improvement District and Royal Utilities.
The City of Coral Springs Utilities Division, which serves
the central part of the City, operates a water treatment plant
that prepares the water for drinking and other potable and
irrigation uses. Nineteen wells are scattered around the
central portion of the City that draw the water from the
Biscayne Aquifer for further treatment.
The customers of the City’s Utilities service area consume
an average 7 to 8 million gallons of water a day. The water
After water from the Biscayne
Aquifer gushes up from a well in the
City, where the water is then put
through many treatment processes
before being delivered to citizens.
plant runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is able
to process up to 16 million gallons of water each day.
According to Moore, future redevelopment in Coral Springs
may require an additional 1.5 million gallons a day.
As South Florida’s increasing demand for potable water
continues, several public water utilities have turned to the
Floridan Aquifer, a slightly salty water, which requires a
reverse osmosis treatment process to make the water safe for
drinking. “The Floridan Aquifer requires a completely different
treatment process than what we use now,” said Moore. “It
would cost approximately $13 million to build that treatment
facility and it wouldn’t be a very cost effective solution since
we would only draw 1.5 million gallons a day.”
Another option for additional water supply would be water
reuse, which involves taking domestic wastewater and giving
it a high degree of treatment. The water is then used for a
new, beneficial purpose, such as irrigation. Unfortunately,
Coral Springs does not have the capabilities of reusing water
and it would cost millions to put into place.
In May 2008, the City will renew its water use permit with
the SFWMD. The City will attempt to increase the current
average daily and maximum daily allocations to meet the
expected growing population and is currently in the works of
establishing their argument.
The cost of restoring the Everglades is high and the State
and Federal governments are paying those bills. However,
that is only part of the cost and municipalities will be
required to utilize alternative water supplies for urban uses if
their water permits are not increased.
Water is becoming scarce and inexpensive water supplies
can no longer be taken for granted.
This article is the first of a series, which will
delve further into water use, the treatment process,
and how you can help by conserving water.
environment
Watch CityTV Channel 25 Fall 2006 • Coral Springs • 11

culture
Museum of Art celebrates
tenth anniversary
This fall, there are a number of exciting new programs
and exhibitions at the Coral Springs Museum of Art. The
Museum is located at 2855 Coral Springs Drive and is open
Monday through Saturday from 10AM to 5PM. For additional
information on any of the following programs, contact the
Museum at 954-340-5000 or visit csmart.org.
10 th Anniversary Year with an International Theme
A new season celebrating the 10 th anniversary of the Coral
Springs Museum of Art will feature spectacular exhibitions of
American realism and fine art crafts through November 18
along with the Museum’s permanent collection.
Artist John Whalley, an American realist, conducted a Walk
& Talk and book signing for his new book and exhibition, In
New Light. The International Woodturners will also be exhibited
for the first time in the Museum. Artists from France, Canada
and the United States are featured.
Painter Deborah Fletcher will present her work, Gilded
Memories, with a Gallery Walk & Talk on Saturday, October 7
at 3:30PM. Ceramicist Klawdia Proia will also do a presentation
about her exhibition, Joie de Vivre.
Art Classes in an Art Museum
Learn how to be your creative best at the next 8-week
program of Art Classes in an Art Museum when it begins on
Monday, October 23. In addition to the many drawing, painting
and ceramics classes, new subjects this session are Parent &
Child Ceramics, Parent & Child Watercolor, Kreative Kids (age 5),
Exploring Sculpture (ages 6-9), Art Around the World (ages 6-9)
and Open Studio Figure Drawing. Instructors are professional
artists and class size is limited. Classes are offered Mondays
through Thursdays and Saturdays.
Family Fundays scheduled for fall
Bring the entire family to the Museum of Art every second
Calebasse La Sirene
by Klawdia Proia,
Ceramic
Trio by John Whalley,
Oil on Panel
What are you reading?
Saturday of each month at 3:30PM to enjoy Family Funday.
Parents and children ages 3 and up will enjoy creating art
using the current Museum exhibition as inspiration.
Funday projects include: Trash to Treasures Recycled Art on
October 14, Pop Art Creations on November 11, and Snow
Day on December 9. The fee is $3 per person, per session.
Please reserve a Funday art space by calling 954-340-5000.
Celebrate National Arts & Humanities Month
Hundreds of arts organizations and communities across
the nation are celebrating National Arts and Humanities
Month though October.
Since 1993, events during National Arts and Humanities
Month have encouraged millions of Americans to renew or
begin a lifelong habit of active participation in the arts and
humanities through activities and programs that honor the
efforts of artists, historians, and cultural groups.
“Now is the chance to recognize and celebrate the positive
impact the arts bring to our schools and communities,” said
Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts.
Visit broward.org/arts and csmart.org and view their
calendars for events and celebrate the arts!
Chantelle Louis-Jeune
4th grade
Coral Springs Elementary
The Little Prince by
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
”My favorite part was when the little
prince traveled to different asteroids
and he discovered important things
about them. I also learned lots of
difficult words!”
Keelin Bielski, 7th grade
Coral Springs Middle
The School Story
by Andrew Clements
“The book is about Natalie Nelson, a
sixth grader, who writes a book. She
uses a pen name, lies about her age and
has it published. My favorite part is the
ending, but I don’t want to give it away!”
Thomas Korzen
8th grade
Sawgrass Springs Middle
Eragon by
Christopher Paolini
“This book is the first of the Inheritance
Trilogy, which was written by a 17-yearold
boy. Eragon is based on the times
before the middle ages and it’s a world
of magic and dragons.”
12 • Coral Springs • Fall 2006 Visit coralsprings.org

Selected artists to begin work on new public projects
With the City Commission’s approval of three new public
art proposals, artists will begin chiseling and bring their ideas
to fruition starting in the fall.
The team of Tom Askman and Lea Anne Lake of Spokane,
Washington have been selected to create a new seating area
at the Coral Springs Gymnasium. Their goal in developing
the seating area (rendering shown at right) was to create
something both functional, yet innovative and make visitors
want to spend a little more time at the Gym.
“Artists who work in the public arena tend to want to
create something that they will walk up to it, interact with it
and feel that they are in a special place,” said artist
Tom Askman.
Askman is one of the original groups of artists in the
northwest United States that integrated their artwork
with the architecture or streetscape to cause more public
interaction.
Another piece in the works is by MariaLuisa Tadei of Rimini,
Italy. She was selected to design and fabricate a unique
sculpture to welcome residents and visitors traveling north
on University Drive. The 15-foot-tall fiberglass sculpture
covered in glass mosaic tiles will be installed on the northeast
corner of University and Riverside Drive.
“Mosaic is very contemporary because it is like a television
pixel, but at the same time it’s based in the past,” said artist
Tickets will be available beginning in early
December for the City’s 17th Annual Martin Luther
King, Jr. Celebration, which will feature L. Douglas
Wilder, the first African-American Governor in U.S.
history.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “The
Legend Lives…for All”. This year’s festivities include
a student address, business luncheon, community
celebration, and V.I.P. reception.
Wilder will serve as keynote speaker for the
January 12 activities, which begin with an address
to over 1,200 middle and high school students
at 9:30AM at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts.
Following the student address, Wilder will speak at a noon
luncheon at the Coral Springs Marriott at Heron Bay, 11775
Heron Bay Boulevard. Tickets are $40 per person.
At 7PM, a community-wide celebration, featuring a keynote
speech by Wilder as well as inspirational music and dance
performances, will be held at the Coral Springs Center for the
Arts. The celebration will be followed by a 9PM VIP Reception.
Tickets for the Community Celebration are $5 for adults and
$1 for children, 17 and under. The VIP Reception tickets are
$20 each.
Tickets for the Community Celebration will be on sale at
MariaLuisa Tadei, “I like working with mosaics because it helps
me build bridges between the past and present, towards the
future.”
New York-based artist Kevin Barrett’s sculpture titled Union
One will also be permanently installed on the corner of 101 st
Avenue and Sample Road near Wendy’s.
Barrett said the turquoise sculpture represents a person he
fell in love with in 1986. He enjoys doing public art because
he says the public doesn’t always want to walk into a gallery.
Be on the lookout for these projects, as construction is
expected to be completed within a year. The City hopes
that residents and visitors alike will be inspired by these new
pieces of public art. For more details, visit coralsprings.org/
publicart.
MLK Celebration to feature former U.S. Governor Wilder
L. Douglas Wilder
Keynote Speaker
the Center for the Arts Box Office, and luncheon
and VIP Reception tickets will be available at City
Hall in the Mall and City Hall at 9551 West Sample
Road.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration continues
with an educational and inspirational Student
Workshop. It will be held at the Center for the Arts
on Monday, January 15 from 9AM to 2PM.
Students of all levels are encouraged to
participate in the Art & Literary Exhibit Contest
highlighting the theme and the life and works of
Dr. King. These entries will be judged, and winners
will be invited on stage to receive their prizes.
Students are encouraged to talk to their art and English
teachers to find out how they can enter the Art and Literary
Contest. All work must be related to this year’s theme, “The
Legend Lives…for All”. Entries will be on display at the Center
for the Arts for a couple of weeks in January.
Sponsors are still being sought for the celebration, as well
as for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship, which benefits
needy high school seniors who wish to pursue higher
education.
For more information, call 954-344-1005 or visit
coralsprings.org/mlk.
Watch CityTV Channel 25 Fall 2006 • Coral Springs • 13
culture

ecreation
A
Golden
summer
Leila Vaziri’s dream has become a reality, and many would
say she had a golden summer.
She began swimming at the age of seven, when her
mother decided to sign her up for swimming after moving
down from New York. Not in their wildest dreams did her
family know that 14 years later, Leila would find herself with a
gold medal around her neck.
Vaziri began swimming with the Coral Springs
SwimAmerica program. Within the first year, she mastered
her strokes and techniques, and coaches saw a future in her
right away. She joined the swim team and started competing.
During her senior year at Coral Springs High School, she won
the High School State Championships.
Vaziri, now 21, is a senior at Indiana University and will be
graduating in May 2007 with a bachelor’s in Communications
& Culture and a minor in Business. She also swims on the
University team.
But the past year wasn’t all fun and games for Vaziri.
Juggling school and putting in 5 hours of training each day
was starting to wear her down. “I felt like I was sacrificing so
much and I was frustrated because I wasn’t seeing results,”
said Vaziri.
All that quickly changed when something clicked and
Vaziri was once again in love with the sport. She was able to
get out of that slump and in the end came out on top.
In May, Vaziri won the 100M backstroke events ahead of
Olympic gold medallist Natalie Coughlin in the Eric Namesnik
Grand Prix at Michigan, making her a contender at the US
National Championships in August.
At Nationals, she came in once again in first place in 100M
backstroke, with a time of 1:01:69. Vaziri says backstroke is
both her favorite and best stroke. “It’s probably my favorite
only because I’m good at it and I can get away with being
shorter than most swimmers,” said Vaziri laughing. She’s only
5’6”, but she’s a bullet in the water.
In late August, Vaziri participated in the Pan Pacific
Games in Victoria, British Colombia. She competed against
Olympians and top winners from countries bordering the
Pacific Ocean, and ranked in second place for the USA team
in the 100M backstroke.
“It was incredible…to wear the official USA sweats at Pan
Pacs exceeded my expectations,” said Vaziri. “It was by far, the
greatest experience I’ve had.”
Statistics show that 70-80% of contenders who compete at
the Pan Pacific Games make it to the Olympics. Vaziri has set
her sights high and starting now, she will be training for the
2008 Olympics. Vaziri will also be participating in the World
Championships next year in Australia as the United States’
second-ranked 100M backstroke competitor.
“To see it all come together for Leila is an awesome feeling
as a coach,” said Coach Michael Lohberg, who has trained
Vaziri for the past 10 years. “If anyone deserves it, it’s Leila.”
The Coral Springs Aquatics Complex offers a variety of
swimming programs for all levels. For more information,
please call 954-345-5441.
14 • Coral Springs • Fall 2006 Visit coralsprings.org

Slide ‘n Glide playground
reconstruction nears completion
With the Slide ‘n Glide Playground’s 10 th anniversary
coming up, it was time for a change. The original playground
was built in 1997 with the help of 2,000 volunteers. Although
the playground had sentimental value to many residents, it
had succumbed to rot, vandalism and age. Children will soon
be able to enjoy the new and improved high-tech maze at
Betti Stradling Park, located at 10301 Wiles Road.
The new park layout is similar to the old park, but instead
of rustic wood beams, the new maze includes multiple decks
with fluorescent yellow guardrails and winding multi-colored
tunnels. The new playground uses metal and plastic instead
of wood. Summer downpours and Tropical Storm Ernesto
delayed construction of the $250,000 structure about two
months, but it should open by the end of October.
“The original concept came from the kids. The new
playground has a lot of decks and you can go from station
to station,” said Parks and Recreation Director Rick Engle. The
playground will also have a rubber play surface and arching
sunshades to protect kids from the hot sun. Additional shade
covers will be installed in the upcoming months.
The City and Broward County developed a park
partnership for the Slide ‘n Glide Playground. In August, the
County Commission approved Mayor Ben Graber’s proposal
for allocating $150,000 of his Commissioner’s Discretionary
Bond funds to the City for construction of the playground.
“We are very pleased to partner with the County to provide
our residents and visitors one of the best playgrounds in
the County,” said Engle. “It is a facility that will be enjoyed for
years.”
The City will provide new fence pickets bearing the names
of those who built the original playground, and residents
who purchase new personalized ones will also be displayed.
The pickets can be purchased by downloading a form at
coralsprings.org/parks. The cost is $60 for a personal picket
and $125 for a business picket. Proceeds will be used to cover
the cost of the sunshades.
recreation
Bring the kids out for a ‘spooky’ good time at Haunted Boardwalk
Bring your kids for a “spooky” good time this Halloween! The Annual Haunted Boardwalk will open to witches and
warlocks, ghosts and goblins alike on Friday, October 27 from 4:30 to 8PM at Cypress Park. The Halloween Haunted
Boardwalk is a safe, friendly, non-frightful event that is geared toward children in elementary school, from kindergarten
through fifth grade. Trick-or-treaters are encouraged to dress in their Halloween finest and enjoy
the “haunted boardwalk,” slides and clowns. The boardwalk is located at 1300 Coral Springs
Drive, on the west side of the road. Admission is $5 per child, and $1 for adults. Refreshments
will be available for purchase.
The Student Advisory Council will also be collecting used Halloween costumes to donate to
children in need. Please bring used costumes to the gate. For more information, call the Parks
and Recreation Department at 954-345-2200. If you would like to volunteer at the Haunted
Boardwalk, please call 954-345-2204.
Save the date for the annual Holiday Parade December 14
Preparations have begun for the City of Coral Springs annual holiday parade. On Thursday, December 14 at 7PM, the 2006
“Fantastic” Holiday Parade will feature decorated floats, walking groups and other entries – all with a sports theme!
The parade route will proceed as usual along Sample Road from Coral Springs Drive to City Hall. All groups, including local
schools, civic organizations, and businesses are welcome to participate.
Spectators should plan to make a night of it, as businesses along the parade route are encouraged to stay open the night of
the holiday parade to serve those watching the parade.
Much of the success of the City’s holiday parade is the result of generous corporate sponsors. Sponsorship opportunities are
now available for the holiday parade at various levels. Visit the holiday parade website at coralsprings.org/holidayparade
to download parade entry, sponsorship and vendor forms. For more information on how to become part of this event, call
954-345-2112. Volunteers are also needed to serve as parade marshals along the route and to perform other duties on the night
of the parade. To find out about becoming a parade volunteer, call 954-346-4430.
Watch CityTV Channel 25 Fall 2006 • Coral Springs • 15

ecreation
Look out for Verb Yellowball
Have you heard of Verb Yellowball? Well, it’s a big,
bouncy, world-changing idea that was created to spread
play to every kid in America. Over 500,000 Yellowballs were
scattered across the country and back in September, some
were handed out to children right here at the Coral Springs
Gymnasium.
Ian Harris, a 12-year-old Coral Springs resident, found out
about the program during his stay at an away camp this
summer. He was so impressed by the program, he decided
he wanted to help get the word out. Verb named him an
ambassador for the campaign, and he organized an event to
have Verb visit Coral Springs. “The campaign is trying to tell
kids to get out, play, be active and eat healthy,” said Harris.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s initiative
is to keep kids 9-16 physically active. The idea behind the
campaign encourages children to find their verb – such as
dance, skate, or jump.
Each ball has a code on it, and after kids play with it, they
log on to verbnow.com, enter the code online and blog
their story to the world before giving it away. Kids can use
the code to track their ball’s journey and see how other kids
have played with the same ball, and how far it travels from
their hometown. Parents have no need to worry, as the site is
secure and kids will only provide their first names.
Remember to be on the lookout, you might just find a
Yellowball around town!
Upcoming family,
teen concerts
Your entire family will not want to miss the next series
of free family concerts, held on the following Saturdays
– October 14: Breeze, classic rock; November 18: Jazzberry
Patch, jazz. More concerts are scheduled for the spring.
All concerts begin at 7PM at Betti Stradling Park, located
at the northeast corner of Wiles Road and Coral Springs
Drive. Parking and admission is free, so bring your
blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy the entertainment.
Refreshments will be available for purchase at the park
during the concert.
Also this fall, the Teen Production Group and Parks &
Recreation Department will host teen concerts. If you’d
like a recommend a band, call 954-345-2204. For the latest
details, call 954-345-2200 or visit coralsprings.org/events.
Kreul Classic attracts basketball
teams from across the nation
The Kreul Classic, a national basketball
tournament held in Coral Springs each
December, benefits the community by
both bringing national attention to Coral
Springs and funding various scholarship
programs for local students.
This year, the country’s largest and most
prestigious national high school basketball
tournament will be held December 16-23 with
boys and girls teams from Coral Springs and Coral Glades
High Schools shooting it out against powerful national
contenders. Top teams reaching the championship finals will
have the opportunity to showcase their skills regionally on
Comcast Sports Southeast (CSS) and locally on Advanced
Cable – check local listings for times and dates.
Together with the Coral Springs Basketball Club, the Kreul
will offer contests and prizes throughout the tournament
for league participants under the age of 14. Since the Kreul’s
inception 17 years ago, more than $450,000 has been
awarded to South Florida students. Specifically, the Kreul
provides funding for various non-athletic scholarships to
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) each year. This year, the Kreul
Classic, in conjunction with FAU, provided full scholarships
to two high school students – Edward Alexander and Shawn
Murray, both students from Coral Springs High School.
For a detailed game schedule, visit kreul.com or call
954-345-2200.
New classes offered at
Coral Springs Gymnasium
This fall, the Coral Springs Gymnasium is offering an
exciting lineup of classes for you and your family, including
some new programs for all ages.
Your kids will go on a voyage of discovery with the NASA
Academy of Future Space Explorers After-School Program
With unique hands-on activities, amazing demonstrations
and fun educational take-homes, this is an experience that
is really out of this world! The program is offered to children
ages 7 to 11 years of age. The registration fee is $149 per
session. Two upcoming sessions that will be offered on
Saturdays from 11AM to 1PM. The first session will begin
October 7, and the second session will begin November 4.
Other new classes available include Digital Scrapbooking,
Swing Dancing, Group Keyboarding, Beyond Beauty
Etiquette, Gymnastics, Salsa for Kids, and GoJu Karate.
Call the Coral Springs Gymnasium at 954-345-2200 or stop
by at 2501 Coral Springs Drive for the latest information on
class schedules and fees. Current program details are also
available at coralsprings.org/recreation.
16 • Coral Springs • Fall 2006 Visit coralsprings.org

September 11th
Moment of Remembrance
Around
theTown
around the town
Sandtastic Day at
Sawgrass Springs Middle
Photos submitted by Jamie Costa
What’s
Happening?
Silent Walk for Peace
First Saturday of each month • 7AM
International Peace Garden, near the entrance of the
Coral Springs Center for the Arts • 2855 Coral Springs Drive
The Fresh Market 5th Annual Wine Tasting Gala
to benefit the Museum of Art
Tuesday, October 17 • 7-9PM
The Fresh Market • 954-340-5000
Always visit coralsprings.org/events for the latest
updates and additions to this list of events happening
in Coral Springs in the coming months.
Halloween Haunted Boardwalk
Friday, October 27 • 4:30-8PM • Cypress Park • 954-345-2200
Fashion Show to Benefit the Coral Springs
Charter School Fine Arts Wing
Sunday, November 5 • 11:30AM-2:30PM • Marriott at Heron Bay
$40/person or $250/table • 954-340-4123
Annual Giving Tree and Evening of Giving
Sunday, November 19 • 6:30PM
Coral Square Mall • 954-344-1834
calendar
Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital Opening
Wednesday, October 18 • 5:30-8:30PM
Sportsplex at Coral Springs • 954-752-WILD
Original folk songs and stories with Grant Livingston
Saturday, October 21 • 3:30PM
Coral Springs Museum of Art • 954-340-5000
City of Coral Springs Annual Holiday Parade
Thursday, December 14 • 7PM • Along Sample Road
coralsprings.org/holidayparade • 954-345-2112
Holiday Haven • Play in the “Snow”!
Thursday, December 21 • 2-5PM • $5 per child
Sportsplex at Coral Springs • 954-345-2200
Watch CityTV Channel 25 Fall 2006 • Coral Springs • 17

Comedy Idols
from NBC’s Last
Comic Standing
Friday, November 10
Back by popular demand!
Dawn Wells
original Mary Ann,
Gilligan’s Island
Starring as
“Lovey” Howell
Barry Williams
Greg Brady
The Brady Bunch
Starring as
Thurston Howell III
Saturday, March 10
white version >>
Gilligan’s Island – The Musical
Extended run: February 2-11
Exclusive South Florida appearance!
Get your tickets for the
2006-2007 season now!
Shows for everyone in the family are on sale!
Scooby-Doo in
Stagefright! Live on Stage!
Saturday, November 18
The Nutcracker
Friday, December 1
and Saturday, December 2
Salute to Vienna
Sunday, December 31
Coral Springs
Center for the Arts
2855 Coral Springs Drive
www.coralspringscenterforthearts.com
For more information
call the Box Office
at 954-344-5990.
An Evening in Concert
with Tony Danza
Monday, March 19
CITY OF CORAL SPRINGS
9551 West Sample Road
Coral Springs, FL 33065
www.coralsprings.org
PRSRT STD
ECR
U.S. POSTAGE
P A I D
So. Florida, FL
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