Mayor Michelle Gomez
Dear Neighbors,
The hot summer days of August are here! I hope you are enjoying this wonderful summertime weather while staying cool and hydrated as much as possible.
Congratulations to the Tamarac Fire Rescue Advanced Life Support Team, who came in 1st place at the Bill Shearer ClinCon Competition, where teams put their lifesaving skills to the test.
Teams from all over the country compete against the best, and we’re delighted that our very own Captain Boyhan, Lieutenant Mais, Firefighter Avril, and Firefighter Curbelo came out on top! Hats off to the entire Fire Rescue Department! Our City is lucky to have such phenomenal Firefighters.
Events
We’re kicking off the school season with the Back to School Splash on Saturday, August 6, at the Caporella Aquatic Complex, 9300 NW 58th St. Stop by between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to enjoy some music, games, and more by the pool. The first 60 children (ages 5-12) will receive a “back to school” goodie bag. So get there early! Admission is $5 per person. For more information, call (954) 597-3660.
Join us for a Kid’s Edition of Move with the Mayor on Saturday, August 13, from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Tamarac Park, 7501 N. University Drive. We’ve got a morning full of fun activities planned, including music and light refreshments for the whole family. Also, save the date for our next Move with the Mayor, 6:00 p.m., on Friday, September 16! Activity and location to be announced.
Live music lovers are sure to enjoy this year’s Rock N’ Ride Battle featuring a performance by the Happy Daze Band. The event also features a car show and a Battle of the Bands competition on Saturday, August 20, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Tamarac Sports Complex, 9901 NW 77th Street.
There’ll be bounce houses for the kids and plenty of food trucks to choose from. If you’d like to register your vehicle for the car show, visit cobrajoeproductions.com. Applications to participate in our first Battle of the Bands are due by August 7 and are available at https://bit.ly/3RFyWoK.
If you’re an environmental advocate and enthusiast, you may be interested in attending this month’s Green City Summit: Building a Resilient Future, presented by City Furniture. Get the latest news from sustainability experts and industry leaders and also learn about the company’s best practices in various areas, including recycling, facilities, products, and more. The event is on Thursday, August 25, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., followed by a dinner.
The event location is the Broward Performing Arts Center, 201 SW 5th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. RSVP is required and is available at https://bit.ly/greencitysummit.
Friendly reminder that Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF) is offering free income support services for residents needing help with applications for Medicaid, ACA/Obamacare, Florida KidCare, and SNAP/food stamps.
Stop by the Tamarac Community Center every Monday until October 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Se habla Español.
Workforce training through Broward College’s Broward UP Program continues all summer long. Microsoft Excel, Health Care, and Career Skill courses are available, with more to come! To learn more about education and career opportunities, visit www.Broward.edu/Browardup.
August is also early voting season in Broward County. Early voting is scheduled for Saturday, August 13 through Sunday, August 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at early voting locations. The Primary election will be on Tuesday, August 23. For a list of early voting locations and the schedule, please visit
Important Safety Reminders
August is a prime month for traveling and vacations. Here are some tips to help ensure you travel safely.
·Research your destination well before you arrive. Learn what scams are common in that region/country, what neighborhoods to avoid, and get informed on where you’ll be staying.
·Scan your travel documents before you depart. In case of theft or lost items, having a hard copy of your passport, driver’s license, or legal documents is a great way to have a backup at hand in case of an emergency.
·Inform your close friends and family of your travel plans via telephone, not through email or social media. This can include your flight information, a simple itinerary, where you’ll be staying, and any other relevant information related to your trip. Doing this will make it easier for your loved ones to get a hold of you if you’re out of range for too long.
·With COVID-19 still active in some areas, the possibility of illness can hamper any travel plans. Consider purchasing travel insurance. Please look into what it covers, and if uncertain, call to ask. Some travel insurance can help by refunding the cost of your trip, avoiding a total loss; some can protect you in case of theft or a natural disaster. Getting informed will help you decide if travel insurance is right for you.
·Please be mindful when traveling with all your cash on you. Separate your money into different areas of your pockets, and be very careful if putting it in your luggage. It is recommended to always travel with a debit/credit card in case of emergency. You can also purchase a money belt or zippered passport pocket to help secure your valuables when out and about during your travels.
Important Reminders
·Food distributions continue every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., or while supplies last, at the Korean United Methodist Church (6501 West Commercial Boulevard).
·New Hope Church will hold a food distribution on Tuesday, August 16, from noon to 4:00 p.m. every third Tuesday of the month at 545 E Campus Circle, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312.
· The Commission meetings will resume at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 24, in Chambers at City Hall.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel comfortable to reach me anytime. Happy Raksha, Jamaican Independence Day, Trinidad and Tobago Independence Day, and Happy Birthday, Mom!
Warm regards,
Michelle
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