by Matt Little, Public Information Specialist
The City of Fort Lauderdale is timing new warnings aimed at preventing underage drinking to coincide with the busy season at the beach. The City is targeting messages at businesses that sell alcohol and minors seeking to buy it.
Letters from the Police Department have been mailed to all of the 600+ businesses that sell alcohol in the city. “Failure to check for valid identification can result in significant criminal sanctions and the loss of a license to sell alcohol,” the letter warns, followed by a promise of undercover stings. With funding from a federal underage drinking prevention grant, the letter was also inserted as a display advertisement in the Sunday, February 17th edition of the Sun-Sentinel.
To reach minors, the Police Department corresponded with colleges, universities and high schools to raise awareness of Fort Lauderdale’s “zero tolerance” rules prohibiting alcohol on the beach, underage drinking and open containers in public places. “Violation of ordinances may result in arrest or issuance of a Notice to Appear before a judge,” students were warned.
The City is also partnering with businesses along A1A to get the message out. City liaisons are making personal visits to businesses, offering free posters and table tent cards with messages like “Watch where you drink…we are,” and “If you’re headed out, leave the drink behind. It’s the law.”
Electronic signs have been posted at major arteries leading to the beach, reminding visitors of ordinances relating to alcohol.
The underage drinking prevention program is a component of Fort Lauderdale’s 2008 Spring Break initiative aimed at protecting public safety, promoting a clean and orderly environment on the beach and protecting the quality of life for residents, visitors, business owners and employees.
Approximately 6,000 people, under the age of 21, die in the United States each year due to underage drinking. Underage drinking is the leading cause of death for persons under age 21.
2008 HISPANIC WOMEN of DISTINCTION ANNOUNCED
7th annual sell-out luncheon celebrates 12 Latinas from South Florida on August 15th
The 7th annual charity luncheon honoring 12 Latinas and a Latina Pioneer will take place on Friday, August 15th at the Signature Grand in Davie, Florida from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Presented by Bank of America and Latina Style Magazine, the nation's leading publication for Hispanic women, this high-powered, entertaining salute to distinguished Hispanic-American women will benefit the March of Dimes and ASPIRA of Florida,a Hispanic youth-mentoring and drop-out prevention program.
Last year over 800 people attended and this year is expected to be even bigger. In addition to a silent auction, raffles and complimentary "mojitos" and tapas, a runway fashion show during lunch presented by the Hispanic students at the Art Institute with Latina pageant models and choregraphed by fashion designer and boutique owner, Zola Keller of Las Olas, will entertain the audience. The event also officially kicks-off Hispanic Heritage Month, VIVA BROWARD!
The highlight of the day will be families and business associates honoring the 2008 Honorees who were selected among more than 50 applicants by 7 judges. Nominations were made by former Hispanic Women of Distinction honorees and community leaders. This year's honorees are:
2008 HISPANIC WOMEN of DISTINCTION
Maria Ivelisse Castro
Loan Processing Manager , United Mortgage Lending Group
Resides in Miami, Florida
Mayte Padron Cordones
Care Force Reporter, Producer, WPLG Local 10 News
Resides in Miami, Florida
Maria Lina Diaz, M.D.
Head Ambulatory Gynecology, Cleveland Clinic Florida
Resides in Davie, Florida
Viviana A. Coriat
VP Public Relations & Marketing, Mavericks in Education
Resides in Parkland, Florida
Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz
Partner, Broad and Cassel, P.A.
Resides in Coral Gables
Marlene Dijols
CEO, Marz Marketing
Resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Lissette Egues
Sr.Marketing Manager, The Miami Herald
Resides in Pembroke Pines, Florida
Wilma Robles de Melendez, PhD
Program Professor, Nova Southeastern University
Fischler School of Education & Human Services
Resides in Pembroke Pines, Florida
Marlene Figueroa Ross
Director Community Affairs, WXEL TV
City Commissioner
Resides in Boynton Beach, Florida
A. Celina Saucedo
Construction Management Administrator, Broward County Public Works/Transportation
Resides in Plantation, Florida
Dora Vilk-Shapiro, D.M.D. PA
President, Dental Visions
Resides in Coral Springs, Florida
Aleida Ors Waldman
Attorney at Law
Resides in Coconut Creek, Florida
In addition to the 12 honorees, each year a special award is presented to a Latina Pioneer. This woman has paved the way for others to follow and has made a mark on American society, while retaining her own culture and traditions. The 2008 Latina Pioneer Award will be presented to:
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
A leader and representative, defender of human rights, scholar, mother and wife.
Tickets to the luncheon are $75 per person. Sponsorships and program advertising is also available. Visit the website www.wedoevents.net for updates or call (954) 527-0627.
Florida Department of Revenue
Free Tax Seminars
Call 954-967-1821
March 3: Unemployment Compensation Tax Seminar, 10am., Hollywood Beach Culture & Community Center, 1301 S. Ocean Dr., Hollywood Bch.
March 5: sales & use Tax Seminar, 10am., and 1pm, Documentary Stamp Tax Seminar. 6565 Taft St, Hollywood.
March 7: corporate income Tax Seminar, 12pm., SW Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan St., Pembroke Pines.
March 10: Unemployment Compensation Tax Seminar, 12pm., Hollywood Beach Culture & Community Center, 1301 S. Ocean Dr., Hollywood Bch.
March 12: sales & use Tax Seminar, (1pm in Spanish) Davie/Cooper City Library, 4600 SW 82 Ave, Davie.
March 14: corporate income Tax Seminar in Spanish, 12pm., SW Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan St., Pembroke Pines.
March 17: sales & use Tax Seminar IN SPANISH, 10am, Hollywood Beach Culture & Community Center, 1301 S. Ocean Dr., Hollywood Bch.
Art Teachers’ Work on Display at The Fort Lauderdale Art Institute
The Broward Art Education Association Annual Art Teacher Exhibit will showcase twenty-six art teachers artwork from 18 different Broward County Public Schools at the Fort Lauderdale Art Institute, 1799 SE 17th St. through February 29th from 8am to 5pm. Free.
The Lagrant Foundation Will Award a Quarter of a Million Dollars to Minority Students Studying Advertising, Marketing or Public Relations
The Lagrant Foundation (TLF) is now accepting applications for a quarter of a million dollars ($250,000) in scholarships, which will be awarded in the 2008/2009 academic year. The scholarships are for ethnic minority students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in advertising, marketing or public relations.
In 2008, TLF will be celebrating its 10th year and awarding 36 scholarships. Scholarships will be awarded to 22 undergraduate students in the amount of $5,000, and 14 graduate students in the amount of $10,000.
“Since its inception in 1998, The Lagrant Foundation has awarded $520,000 to 100 exceptional minority college students,” said Founder/Chairman, Mr. Kim L. Hunter. “In 2008, TLF will celebrate 10 years in existence. I’m humbled by the undivided support from corporations, agencies and individuals who have supported the Foundation and my dream of increasing the number of minorities in advertising, marketing and public relations. It is indeed a dream come true!”
TLF scholarship requirements are as follows: student must be of African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino or Native American descent; must have a 2.75 GPA if undergraduate or 3.2 GPA if graduate; must be seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited college or university; must be enrolled in one of the three programs mentioned above; and must make a commitment to maintain contact with TLF for assistance with professional development.
“It’s great to see the level of success The Lagrant Foundation has achieved since it was established just 10 years ago,” said Bill Imada, chairman and CEO of IW Group, a board member of TLF and advertising industry specialist. “When I meet the future leaders of our industry, representing a myriad of backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities, I can see firsthand that the Foundation is making a significant impact.”
Applications may be obtained through The Lagrant Foundation’s website, www.lagrantfoundation.org, or by calling Programs Manager Ericka Avila at 323.469.8680, ext. 223 or erickaavila@lagrant.com.
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