June 2006 - The Parklander Magazine

A note from the publisherSome WellDeserved KudosThere were two recent events that the Parklander wasproud to co-sponsor. One was the inaugural “Unity in ourCommunity” program presented by One Planet United(OPU), a non-profit organization devoted to bringing unityand understanding to all people. Jack Bloomfield,Executive Director of OPU, and his committee are to becongratulated on their work which produced such aninspiring and rewarding event (see page 88).The other was Broward County’s First Annual ArthritisWalk, held at Pine Trails Park in Parkland. Kelly Skidmore,Director of the Arthritis Foundation's Broward region, andGail Michaels, Chairperson for the Broward County 2006Walk, did a phenomenal job and achieved a great result(see page 74). Plan now to be part of next year’s Walk.The Parkland Chamber of Commerce has been goingthrough a renaissance since its new Board of Directors tookoffice. An example of this is the Taste of Parkland event heldat the Parkland Town Center (see page 86). This event wasa fantastic success, considering that it was competing withSunFest and the Air-Sea Show. It not only demonstratedwhat the Parkland Chamber is capable of achieving, it alsoshowed what a terrific venue Parkland Town Center is forthis and other events, something that has been advocatedby the Parklander. Chairperson David Dweck and hiscommittee did an outstanding job.During the last school year we participated in theCoral Springs Charter School and ACE Academy ExecutiveInternship Program along with 25 other corporate sponsors.The aim of the program is to allow selected students to gainhands-on experience in what will hopefully prove to be theircareer choice. As our intern, Camille DeLosa, could tell you,the students really work and learn. Sandy Castro, ACEAcademy Director, Diana Sierra, ACE Internship Instructor,and Paul Cawley, Director, Coral Springs EconomicDevelopment Foundation have organized and shaped thisprogram into a great building block for the students.The first Father's Day was observed on June 19, 1910in Spokane, Washington. At about the same time in varioustowns and cities across American other people werebeginning to celebrate a “father’s day”. But it was not until1966 that President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidentialproclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday in June as Father's Day.Father's Day is a day of commemoration and celebrationof Dad. It is a day to not only honor your father, but all menwho have acted as a father figure in one’s life - whether asstepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, or "Big Brothers”. JorgeGarrido, a Parkland resident, is a wonderful example ofa father figure and we admire and applaud his efforts as afather, as a mentor and as president of Broward County’sBig Brother Big Sister Program (see page10). And pleaseenjoy the various articles throughout the magazine relatingto Father’s Day. We wish Jorge and all the other fatherfigures a happy Father’s Day.6the PARKLANDER