Looking for a place to dine in North Broward? It’s time to join FeedingFrenzee.com, a restaurant discount community and customer loyalty network which brings you events and deals from many local restaurants. Observer favorites (check out our reviews on our website) such as Hot Tomatoe, Galuppi’s and Spanx BBQ-The Hog have all partnered with FeedingFrenzee.com. The new Lighthouse Kitchen in Shoppes of Beacon Light is offering buy one get one free on crepes with your FeedingFrenzee card (get it for free at the restaurants or sign up online at FeedingFrenzee.com). Dandee Donut’s in Pompano Beach is giving 5% off if you show the card.

Diners can join the FeedingFrenzee.com community for free and get a discount card that entitles them to benefits at all restaurants in the FeedingFrenzee community. For example, dine at Galuppi’s and buy one entrée, get the second one 50% off with your card or use in Deerfield Beach at Café Med by Bice for 15% off. Amasianing in Lighthouse Point is offering free soup or eggroll with lunch/free glass of wine with dinner if you use the card.

Owned by Tinka Hooper, a Pompano Beach resident, FeedingFrenzee was started as a way to help local restaurants increase exposure to local residents and also to help them build a regular loyal following through the discount card.

“Diners love the card because they are saving at great local restaurants,” said Hooper who, together with her team custom developed the software that sends out weekly updates to diners about specials and events in the local community. “It’s really important to support local businesses and this is one way to help them grow.”

Learn more or sign up for your FeedingFrenzee card at www.feedingfrenzee.com.

Reports from the National Weather Service have indicated an extremely wet and windy weekend, and while we here at Observer Newspaper aren’t meteorologists, take precautions as you travel this weekend. Report below from National Weather Service: http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=FLZ172&warncounty=FLC011&firewxzone=FLZ172&local_place1=Pompano+Beach+FL&product1=Short+Term+Forecast

In short, look at the image to the right and the blue and red indicates high levels of rain, wind and moisture headed to South Florida.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MIAMI HAS ISSUED A
* FLOOD WATCH FOR A PORTION OF SOUTH FLORIDA...INCLUDING THE
  FOLLOWING AREAS...COASTAL BROWARD...COASTAL MIAMI DADE...
  COASTAL PALM BEACH...FAR SOUTH MIAMI DADE...INLAND BROWARD...
  INLAND MIAMI DADE...INLAND PALM BEACH...METRO BROWARD...METRO
  MIAMI DADE AND METRO PALM BEACH.

* THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING

* PLENTY OF DEEP LAYER MOISTURE SPREADING NORTH OVER THE LOCAL
  AREA WILL LEAD TO A PROLONGED PERIOD OF RAIN THROUGH THE
  WEEKEND. RAINFALL TOTALS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH THE 3 TO 6 INCH
  RANGE THROUGH THIS TIME WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS
  POSSIBLE...ESPECIALLY OVER THE COASTAL AND METRO LOCATIONS.
  RAINFALL TOTALS OVER THE PAST 12 TO 24 HRS HAVE ALREADY REACHED
  THE 1 TO 2.5 INCH RANGE. THESE SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL AMOUNTS
  COULD CAUSE FLOODING OF ROADS AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS THROUGH
  THIS TIME.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE
FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE
PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.

Broward County commissioners have passed the FY 2012 budget, keeping the tax rate the same as last year’s. Despite no increases, the budget will be lower by $7768.7 million and the combined millage rate for the county is 5.553 or $5.553 per $1,000 in taxable value. The flat millage rate means the county takes in about two percent less, or $20 million than last year for a total reduction of $257 million since 2007.

The major of taxpayers will experience either flat or reduced taxes on the Broward County portion of their tax bill. Some may see an increase, but typically only if their property value has increased or the homestead recapture rule allows for a three percent increase.

The FY2012 budget provides funding to reopen County parks full time, extend library hours and maintain public transportation and social services.

Other service enhancements include the mid-year opening of the Young at Art Museum and Children’s Library whose operations will be primarily funded by Young at Art. In addition, the Northeast Transit Center will be opening in the fall. This center will provide seamless transfers between four Broward County Transit fixed routes and two municipal community bus routes and will serve as a drop-off location for commuters. There is also a full year budget for the new Inspector General’s office, mandated by voters last year.

Broward County Commissioners want to save the Broward County postmark, prevent hundreds of lay-offs and insure that mail is processed locally.

Today, Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution opposing the closure of the Pembroke Pines and Fort Lauderdale U.S. Postal Processing Centers.

The Postal Service is studying the closures and consolidations of 252 post offices nationwide in an effort save $3-billion a year.  The Fort Lauderdale and Pembroke Pines facilities are among those on the chopping block.

“This means that mail sent from Broward County to a local address could take up to three or more days to arrive.  Legal documents, such as tax documents facing postmark deadlines will be jeopardized and the delivery and processing of absentee ballots and voter information could face lengthy delays as mail volume increases during these periods,” said Commissioner Barbara Sharief, the sponsor of the commission resolution.

“Mail service will be slow, people will lose their jobs adding to unemployment and the Broward postmark will be history, literally,” said Broward County Mayor Sue Gunzburger, co-sponsor of the resolution which will be delivered to the Broward Congressional Delegation, the U.S. Postal Service and posted to the County’s website at www.broward.org

The first of a six public workshops addressing the redistricting of Broward County Commission districts takes place tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Emma Lou Olson Civic Center, West Banquet Room, 1801 N.E. Sixth Street in Pompano Beach.   Commissioner Chip LaMarca will attend tonight’s meeting.

The Broward County Commission is preparing a new Commission District map based upon 2010 Census data. Redistricting is required by the Broward County Charter to balance the populations of the nine single member districts and ensure residents have equal representation on the County Commission.
The public is invited to participate in the process by attending the workshops and by submitting maps of their own for the Commission’s consideration.

The six public workshops are:

Tuesday, September 6, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Emma Lou Olson Civic Center, West Banquet Room, 1801 N.E. Sixth St., Pompano Beach

Monday, October 3, 5 – 7 p.m.
West Lake Park – Anne Kolb Nature Center, 751 Sheridan St., Hollywood

Several map options have already been prepared by County staff for the Commissioners to consider.  All eligible maps must meet the “Fair Districting” principles for Federal congressional and State legislative districts which were added to the Florida Constitution by voter referendum in the November 2010 election. Submitted maps that meet Fair Districting Standards will be sent to the Commission and all maps sent to the Commission will also be posted at www.broward.org/redistricting.

Residents are encouraged to participate in any of the workshops and submit their own suggestions for redistricting, by submitting paper maps or maps created in a web-based software, My District Builder.

The Division of Forestry at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services enacted today a temporary statewide restriction prohibiting open campfires on all state lands due to extreme drought conditions and increasing wildfire threats.

This temporary restriction against open campfires prohibits all fires placed openly on the ground until further notice or until the threat of wildfire is significantly diminished.  Cooking fires contained in commercially-designated apparatuses such as grills and embedded metal fire rings are not prohibited at this time.

“The Florida Division of Forestry is committed to providing safe and quality recreation areas for the public,” said Jim Karels, Director of the Division of Forestry. “However, we need the public’s help in keeping visitors and natural resources safe by refraining from lighting campfires on state lands.”

The restriction applies to state forest lands and public lands managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Department of Environmental Protection and regional Water Management Districts.

In the past six months, Forestry personnel have responded to more than 3,300 wildfires and battled almost 200,000 acres of burning wildlands across the state. While the majority of these fires were caused by lightning strikes, a large number were acts of arson or human carelessness.

For more information regarding the campfire restrictions on state lands or Florida wildfire activity and to learn how you can help, visit www.fl-dof.com or contact your local Division of Forestry office.

Hurricanes Karl, Igor and Julia (from left to right on Sept. 16) were part of the onslaught of Atlantic storms last hurricane season (2010). (Photo credit: NOAA)

The Atlantic basin is expected to see an above-normal hurricane season this year, according to the seasonal outlook issued by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center – a division of the National Weather Service.

Across the entire Atlantic Basin for the six-month season, which begins June 1, NOAA is predicting the following ranges this year:

• 12 to 18 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which:
• 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including:
• 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher)

Each of these ranges has a 70 percent likelihood, and indicate that activity will exceed the seasonal average of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

“The United States was fortunate last year. Winds steered most of the season’s tropical storms and all hurricanes away from our coastlines,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “However we can’t count on luck to get us through this season. We need to be prepared, especially with this above-normal outlook.”

Climate factors considered for this outlook are:

• The continuing high activity era. Since 1995, the tropical multi-decadal signal has brought ocean and atmospheric conditions conducive for development in sync, leading to more active Atlantic hurricane seasons.
• Warm Atlantic Ocean water. Sea surface temperatures where storms often develop and move across the Atlantic are up to two degrees Fahrenheit warmer-than-average.
• La Niña, which continues to weaken in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, is expected to dissipate later this month or in June, but its impacts such as reduced wind shear are expected to continue into the hurricane season.

“In addition to multiple climate factors, seasonal climate models also indicate an above-normal season is likely, and even suggest we could see activity comparable to some of the active seasons since 1995,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

NOAA’s seasonal hurricane outlook does not predict where and when any of these storms may hit. Landfall is dictated by weather patterns in place at the time the storm approaches. For each storm, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center forecasts how these weather patterns affect the storm track, intensity and landfall potential.

“The tornadoes that devastated the South and the large amount of flooding we’ve seen this spring should serve as a reminder that disasters can happen anytime and anywhere. As we move into this hurricane season it’s important to remember that FEMA is just part of an emergency management team that includes the entire federal family, state, local and tribal governments, the private sector and most importantly the public,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.

“Now is the time, if you haven’t already, to get your plan together for what you and your family would do if disaster strikes. Visit ready.gov to learn more. And if you’re a small business owner, visit www.ready.gov/business to ensure that your business is prepared for a disaster,” added Fugate.

Hurricane impacts are not limited to the coastline; strong winds and flooding rainfall often pose a threat across inland areas along with the risk for tornadoes.

May 22-28 was national Hurricane Preparedness Week. To help prepare residents of hurricane-prone areas, NOAA is unveiling a new set of video and audio public service announcements featuring NOAA hurricane experts and the FEMA administrator that are available in both English and Spanish. These are available at http://www.hurricanes.gov/prepare.

The National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. It operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy. Visit us online at weather.gov and on Facebook.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us on Facebook.

Jim Karels, Director of the Florida Division of Forestry at the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, issued a warning today about the wildfire danger leading in to Memorial Day weekend.  The danger of wildfire is very high throughout Florida due to lack of rain, low humidity and windy conditions.

The entire state of Florida is suffering from drought conditions and everyone should use extreme caution with any type of fire this weekend,” said Karels. “Under these current conditions, and without the proper resources, fires can get out of control quickly and may cause damage to property, homes and even lives.”

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) which measures the amount of moisture in the top three feet of soil reveals an average statewide reading of 569 on a scale of 0 to 800, with 0 equivalent to flood-like conditions and 800 to desert-like conditions.

Burn bans are in place in several counties including Baker, Citrus, Flagler, Glades, Hendry, Marion (voluntary), Martin, Nassau, Osceola, Palm Beach (East), Putnam, Seminole, St. Lucie, and Volusia. The Division of Forestry encourages residents to contact local government officials for up to date information on burn bans.

Individuals and families planning to visit forests or parks over the holiday weekend are advised to call ahead to learn whether or not campfires and charcoal grills are permitted. These activities may be restricted in certain areas until the fire danger decreases.

The Division of Forestry also released fire safety tips for Floridians to keep in mind this Memorial Day:

• Never leave a fire unattended
• Dispose of charcoal briquettes properly
• Use dedicated campfire rings where possible
• Clear vegetation to bare soil within 10 feet of your campfire
• Make sure a fire is dead out before leaving unattended
• Be very careful when operating equipment such as lawn mowers, tractors, chainsaws, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) as any spark can start a wildfire under the current conditions
• Avoid parking cars among tall grass that can easily be ignited from a hot catalytic converter

Since January 1st, of this year, 2,664 wildfires have burned 128,675 acres throughout Florida. This figure represents nearly twice as many fires as the Division of Forestry responded to during the same period last year.

To report a wildfire, please call 9-1-1 or the local Division of Forestry office.

For more information on burn bans, current wildfires or fire prevention measures, please visit http://www.fl-dof.com/wildfire/information.html or contact the local Division of Forestry office.

For more information about the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com or follow Commissioner Putnam on Facebook, www.facebook.com/adamputnam, or Twitter, @adamputnam.