http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Rio-Vista-Car-Show--New-River-Raft-Race---more---.html?soid=1101870827549&aid=CtSY4pXl7Ts

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Rio-Vista-Car-Show--New-River-Raft-Race---more---.html?soid=1101870827549&aid=CtSY4pXl7Ts

Croissant Park General Meeting-February 2014

Happy Mardi Gras Neighbors,

Our Mardi Gras February meeting started at 7:05pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Board members in attendance were President Pat Rathburn, Michelle DiMaria, Joe Russell, Rhonda Kramer, Heather Cunniff, Manny Carrera, and Virginia Russell.  We had a great turnout of 35 neighbors.

FLPD Officers Stevens and Lee were here to give us our crime statistics for January.  There were 3 residential burglaries, one of which involved the theft of 2 bicycles and a TV from a front porch.  Another house had a motor scooter stolen.  A stolen vehicle on SW 17th Street involved a Chevy passenger van.  All in all, Ofc. Stevens reports that our crime was somewhat reduced this past period and that we are doing well in comparison to other neighborhoods.  FLPD will be using our neighborhood social media site Nextdoor.com to communicate with us in the near future.  There will be flyers going out to explain more.  Starting April 1st the Citizen on Patrol Forum will be initiated for residents who are interested in being additional “eyes” for the neighborhood, driving around the area in an official car (not a police cruiser).  More information can be found online at www.fortlauderdale.gov Check it out, it’s a great website full of all sorts of valuable and interesting info about our city and upcoming events.

Our next speaker was a neighbor from the Citrus Isles, Mary Sessions, who came to inform us about the All Aboard Florida (AAF) passenger train from Miami to Orlando that will be starting up in 2015.  Concerned groups such as the marine industry and the real estate industry are troubled by the number and frequency of the trains that will be transiting through the center of Fort Lauderdale on the FEC tracks. The New River FEC Railroad Bridge will be required to close to river traffic an additional 32 times per day, tying up traffic on the river. There will also be 32 more closings at each railroad street crossing, specifically SR 84, SW 22nd, 17th, 15th Streets and Davie Bl.  Another issue is the added noise from whistle signals the trains are required to make when they pass those intersections.  Quiet zones to eliminate the need for horn blowing have been recommended but they will have to be funded by our taxes, not FEC.  Mary maintains that AAF will detrimentally impact those of us on the west side of the tracks with additional noise, decrease in property values and increased congestion on the roadways and river. Watch for articles in various publications as this is a hot button issue.  

So, now for the Mardi Gras doings:  neighbors brought several different versions of chilis, and beans & rice, including some with meat, without meat and even a vegan version. We topped our chili bowls with a handful of Fritos (yum).  Our King’s Cake contest winner was Diane Scully with her scrumptious King’s Cake cupcakes that won her the $25 Publix gift card prize.  Suzy Brown brought a luscious bread pudding with Bourbon lemon sauce.  Coffee was generously provided by our favorite coffee drive-thru Expresso on Andrews Ave. Thanks again, Suzy Ludlum.

This month’s 50/50 raffle prize was won by Paul Ruble who donated it back to the Association. Thanks, Paul. Trees provided by Michelle DiMaria were won by Amy Miller and Ted Sanderson.

Our next Croissant Park General  Meeting will be Tuesday, April 29th.  See you then.

Minutes by Virginia-Sec’y

Neighborhood Meeting - Tuesday, February 25

I almost forgot the BIG PRIZE for tomorrow night.  In order to make the evening a truly Mardi Gras evening, we need King Cake.  So...... there will be a $25 Publix gift certificate to the best (or only) home-made King Cake that you bring to the meeting.  I went on-line to find a recipe and decided it was definitely something my Mom could make, but maybe not me.  Oh geez she's looking down from that cloud saying "just do it".  So - game on - can you make a King cake?  I know for sure there will be lots of chili (chile?).  We will have membership applications for those of you who would like to get your dues in for 2014 ($20 per household).  Come on by - 7:00 in the Community Center.

And - discussion about All Aboard Florida and how it will affect our area & neighborhood crime report from our local Police Officers.

See you there.

HELPFUL CONTACTS

Building Services 954-828-6520 700 NW 19th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311-7834

City Manager's Office 954-828-5013

Code Enforcement 954-828-5207

A citizen can report a code complaint by calling the Code Enforcement Division at 954-828-5207 or sending an e-mail to code@fortlauderdale.gov .  Please provide information regarding the location and nature of the violation. The inspector assigned to the area will conduct an inspection of the property and if it is determined that a violation exists, will enforce accordingly. Residents are encouraged to report possible code violations (such as overflowing dumpsters, overgrown lawns, tenants living in housing that fails to meet minimum housing standards), other municipal code violations that affect the health, safety, or aesthetics of the community, and criminal code violations.

Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau 954-765-4466

City of Fort Lauderdale Customer Service Center (24-hour) 954-828-8000

For inquiries regarding water, sewer, storm repairs, maintenance, solid waste/trash, and recycling. The City provides 65-gallon garbage carts for all household garbage, 90-gallon carts for yard waste, and recycling bins for newspapers and other recyclables. This is also the number for Public Works.

Dogs/Canine Beach Permits 954-828-7275

Driver's Licenses (State of Florida) 954-497-1570

E M E R G E N C I E S Dial 9-1-1

EMS (For Non-Emergency Medical Services) 954-828-7421

Graffiti Hotline 954-828-6402 Contact the FLPD graffiti hotline to report graffiti.

Information (City of Fort Lauderdale): City Hall 954-828-5000 Public Information Office 954-828-4746

Mayor's Office/City Commission Office 954-828-5003

Parking Services 954-828-3700

Parking Services provides: Resident Beach Parking Cards to residents for free and reduced cost beach parking, information on Sun Trolley which runs every 10 minutes and costs 50 ¢ and citation payment.

Police Department (Non-Emergency) 954-828-5700

Property Appraiser's Office (Broward County) 954-357-6830

Sewer Repairs (24 Hours) 954-828-8000

Call to report sewer problems, backups, sewage in the roadway, or emergency repairs.

Street Lights  954-828-8000

You no longer have to call FPL to report problems with Street Lights, you can call the City of Fort Lauderdale.

Croissant Park General Meeting- January 2014

Happy New Year, Croissant Park neighbors,

We kicked off the new year with a huge turn out for the January Potluck Supper meeting.  The meeting began at 7:05 with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Board VP Michelle.  Other Board members present were our President Pat, Heather, Joe, Beth, Virginia, and our new Board member Manny.  We were glad to see our ex-President John McNamara and his wife Shakira here for the first meeting of 2014. 

Fort Lauderdale police Officers Stevens and Dejo gave us our crime report.  Starting with the November figures, there were 2 home burglaries and two vehicle break-ins.  December had 4 home burglaries, 2 vehicle break-ins.  January (to date) has had 2 home burglaries, 1 vehicle break-in and 1 business burglary.  According to Ofc. Stevens, our crime numbers are down, and when asked how we are doing in comparison to other local civic associations, she tells us we are doing really well, that our crime numbers are low in comparison.  One neighbor asked how FLPD goes about responding to a 911 call.  Ofc. Dejo tells us that they park their cruiser a few houses away, so as not to scare off the perpetrator, and then they surround the premises.  Homeowners are asked to stay back, never enter your house if you believe there might be someone inside.  Let the police do their job without interference.  Neighbors asked what we can do to prevent break-ins:  close and lock any gate that leads to side and backyards, don’t leave any valuables outside.  The same goes for cars: keep valuables out of sight and always lock your car.  Regarding the helicopter activity and police street blockage at 11pm last Wednesday night, neither officer had any infomation to offer.

After the FLPD report we chowed down at the long buffet table full of all sorts of casseroles, stews and chilies, noodle, quinoa and caesar salads, assorted interesting items and lovely desserts.  Once we had our fill, we got down to business and talked about a few things that affect our neighborhood.

First up was the 15th Street near 6th Ave project that is going to be on the Planning and Zoning Board agenda in March.  Pat will let us know exactly when that is so that those of us interested in attending and putting in our 2 cents‘ worth, can do so.  

The Monitor lizards are back!!  A few have been spotted and it is their egg laying season, so be on the lookout.  They can be nasty when protecting their territory.  If you happen to get bitten, treat with antibiotics right away.

A neighbor brought up the issue of trains and how we will be dealing with many more trains once the commuter starts from Miami to Orlando.  There is concern that we need to have the types of gates that eliminate the train horns from blowing though out the night.  The Board will look into this and see what can be done.

A discussion ensued about speed humps on certain streets that create more traffic for the adjacent streets. More discussion to follow.

The age-old issue of dog owners who don’t pick up after their dogs has raised its ugly head yet again.  We will be posting signs that include the enforcement code that addresses this problem.  A question was asked about what other neighborhoods do and we believe it is a universal problem in the area, judging by the numerous different types of signs spotted in all the neighborhoods. 

It has been suggested that if you have abundant fruit from your fruit trees, put a notice on Nextdoor to share with your neighbors.  This could discourage people from taking fruit that doesn’t belong to them.  One neighbor on 17th Street had a man climb her coconut tree to help himself to the coconuts, without her permission.  Or you could do what Jack Timmins, owner of T&T Realty did, he dropped off a huge basket of avocados from his trees to share with everyone. Thanks, Jack.

Let’s all make an effort to try a little kindness towards our neighbors on the Nextdoor website.  There has been a rash of snarky comments flying around, causing at least one longtime resident to remove herself from the site.  The purpose of this website is to share information. 

For the 50/50 raffle we had some extra bonus items to give away, thanks to the generosity of Ralph Clark.  Mary Lou won a wall clock, Bob Simac won a “Baby Cakes Mini-Cupcake Maker” (we might see some mini-cupcakes from Bob in the future),  Joy Stafford had the winning tickets for a camera and a set of garden tools, Norm Kublin and Jo Bowker each won a Ft Lauderdale License tag thing-a-ma-bob, and our Grand Prize winner was Alan McClung who won the 50/50 cash of $46 and promptly donated it back to the Association. Thank you, Alan.   And thanks to Ralph for all the fun raffle prizes.

Suzy from Expresso on Andrews Avenue supplied the coffee, as she always does at our meetings.  Thanks again, Suzy.

And a big thank you to all of you who contributed and participated in our Pot Luck Supper.  The food was great and it was a terrific way to see old friends and meet new neighbors!

All the best for 2014.

Virginia Dill Russell-Secretary CPCA

Minutes of the Croissant Park Neighborhood Meeting 11/19/2013

Croissant Park Civic Association

General Membership Meeting Minutes

Novembere 19, 2013 

Meeting called to order at 7:05 p.m.

Board Members Present:  Patricia Rathburn, Heather Cuniff, Rhonda Kramer, Michelle Di Maria

Motion was made and carried to appove September meeting minutes as posted on the blog.  

Treasurer’s Report was made to the membership at hand.

Police Report: None

Motion was made and carried to approve the slate for Board of Directors for the 2014 year.  (Manny Carrera, Loren Colburn, Heather Cuniff, Michelle Di Maria, Beth Falkenhagen, Rhonda Kramer, Patricia Rathburn, Joe Russell, Virgina Russell)

Old Business: None

New Business: 

Suggestions were requested by the Board for future speakers.  Manny Carrera suggested we have a “refresher” course on how to keep your home safe. 

Lauren Colburn stated she is starting a committee to look in to what we, as a neighborhood want in terms of zoning and creating a plan for the neighborhood.

Discussion of the Neighborhood Yard Sale included great feedback, and the suggestion that we hold another one in the Spring.  The Gore-Betz Park was suggested as a possible location.  

A concern was brought up by a neighbor regarding the traffic in front of the elementary school.  It was recommended that she contact the principal.

Carlos, a local firefighter, stated that he is seeing a lot of crime in the neighborhood.  He inquired if there was an officer assigned to the area that we could call directly.  He suggested that we all be diligent and call the police when we see suspicious person in the neighborhood.  There is generally a fast response time to these types of calls.

Pat Rathburn stated that there are only 4 officers assigned to our district, although we do not get dedicated coverage, we do get coverage.

A suggestion was made that we request an off duty car be parked in the neighborhood as many other neighborhoods have done.  

Next General Membership Meeting Tuesday, January 28, 2014.

MIchelle Di Maria

Monitor lizard