Yoga in the forest

Thursday, July 7, 6 p.m.

Fern Forest Nature Center, 201 Lyons Rd. S., Coconut Creek, FL 33063

Every Thursday. Hatha Yoga. For 18 and up. $10. Wear loose-fitting clothing, bring mat. Registration not required. 954-357-5198.

Update your driving skills

Friday, July 8, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Century Plaza Branch Library, 1856-A West Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Presented by AARP. One-day class for auto insurance credit. Cost: AARP Members-$12, non-members-$14. Register: 954-360-1330.

Sol Children’s Theatre: “Seussical”

Friday, July 8, 2 and 7 p.m.

Olympic Heights Fine Arts Theatre, 20101 Lyons Rd., Boca Raton, FL 33434

$10. Available on www.solchildren.org. 561-447-8829.

Splash Luau at Quiet Waters Park

Friday, July 8, 6 to 10 p.m.

Quiet Waters Park, 401 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach, FL  33442

Movie, luau games and more, along with splash time in the Splash Adventure water park. $5.50-per-person admission fee does not include refreshments. Space limited. Advance ticket sales required. 954-357-5100

American Flyers cookout and open house

Saturday, July 9, noon

Pompano Beach Airpark, 801 NE 10 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Free BBQ lunch followed by facility tour given by a certified flight instructor. Tour classrooms, flight line and simulators. Flight instructor will conduct free FAA WINGS seminar, covering congested airspace considerations. Guests eligible to receive certificate for two free hours of instruction in flight simulator. Arrive 10-15 mins. early. No reservations needed. 954-785-1450 or www.americanflyers.net/about/aviation_ seminars.asp.

Best-selling author book signing

Saturday, July 9, 11 a.m.

Barnes & Noble, 2790 University Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33065

Best-selling children’s author, Laura Duksta, will be autographing and selling her popular book “I Love You More” in addition to her new book, which flips to read the title “You Are a Gift to the World” on one side, “The World is a Gift to You” on the other. If you missed her book signing in Boca, it is worth the drive to see this inspiring author. www.LauraDuksta.com.

Humane Society shelter 1-year anniversary

Saturday, July 9, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

3870 N. Powerline Rd., Pompano Beach, FL 33073

Raffles, food, animal CPR, dog agility, K-9 demonstrations and fun. No pets. www.floridahumanesociety.com.

Pancake breakfast

Sunday, July 10, 9 a.m. to noon

Elks Lodge, 700 N.E. 10 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Hosted by the Benevolent Patriotic Order of Does, Drove 142. Adults $5, children $2.50. 954-725-5192.

Deerfield Beach Democratic Club meets

Monday, July 11, 7 p.m.

Century Village, Activity Center, 2400 Century Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Speaker: Mr. Owen Walker from the Broward County Services for the elderly and Veterans Dept. RE: Veteran benefits. 954-415-5658.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

Wednesday, July 13, 10 a.m. to noon

301 NW 2 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441    

Also 20 & 27. Share experiences, become informed. Speaker: David Ruberg, MPS, Old Friends Geriatric Care Management. Topic: Medicaid and veterans benefits. 954-480-4463.

Looking for affordable quality childcare?

NE Focal Point has certified staff on hand to care for children 3 to 5 years old. Their full day program is Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It includes breakfast, lunch and snacks and a developmentally appropriate curriculum. They include art and music in their programs and have a computer lab. They have a low teacher to child ratio and a nurse on the premises. Their free VPK program is Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to noon. Family Central is welcome. NE Focal Point has an Apple accreditation, a State of Florida Gold Seal, has received the Points of Light Award and has a Broward County 5+ Star Quality Rating.

Hospice volunteers needed

VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Broward needs volunteers to make friendly visits to terminally ill patients and their families, provide relief for weary caregivers, visit veterans, accompany dog for Pet Therapy visits, sew Memory Bears, play musical instruments, sing or read to patients. Licensed hairstylists needed to give free haircuts to patients at home. Volunteers must take two-day orientation. 954-777-5396.

DEERFIELD BEACH

June 27 A victim on NW 4 Avenue had her home burglarized and $6,500 in jewelry stolen.

June 28 A home on Crystal Lake Drive had its sliding rear door broken and $1,500 in jewelry stolen.

June 29 An unidentified victim is the subject in a death investigation off NE 3 Avenue. No other information is available.

July 1 A Jaguar and a Lexus were taken from near SE 12 Ave. Two black male juveniles were arrested for this case and for another case where a shed was broken into.

July 2 A car parked near the beach had its lock punched out and a laptop, left in the side seat stolen.

July 2 A complainant on NE 10 Avenue said he woke up to gun shots outside his residence and one projectile entered a home on NE 10 Avenue. Five spent shell casings and one spent cartridge were found.

July 2 A building on SW 13 Drive had two A/C units stolen worth $5,000.

DEERFIELD — District 4

June 25 Arrest was made in a conveyance burglary at The Preserve in Deer Creek at 3:43 p.m. Deputies responded to a possible burglary in progress, where a man was seen breaking into cars. Attempts were made to locate subject or a victim with negative results. While detectives were working a burglary operational plan, detectives observed a subject matching the description of the subject listed above and contacted him. Consent to search was given and marijuana and a GPS were located. After Miranda rights were read, suspect (and his girlfriend) admitted to going into vehicles in the area. Investigation revealed two confirmed conveyance burglaries in Deer Creek — which suspects admitted to — and additional stolen items were recovered. Suspects were arrested and transported to Broward County Jail. Investigation ongoing.

June 25 Arrest was made in a grand theft at Deer Creek, 5257 W. Lakes Drive at 3:30 p.m. During an ongoing investigation, suspect was identified after taking victim’s jewelry and pawning it. Suspect agreed to come to the office. After Miranda rights were read, suspect admitted to taking victim’s property and pawning it for money. Suspect was arrested and taken to Broward County Jail.

June 26 Conveyance burglary was reported between 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at Latino Restaurant, 1745 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Victim reported she parked her vehicle at listed location, went to work there and when she returned, she observed her right passenger window smashed. Subject removed victim’s purse, containing $400 in cash, total loss valued at $650. Scene was not processed due to weather.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

June 21 The copper wiring was stolen from a business on N. Federal Highway.

June 22 A total of eight wheels, worth almost $10,000, were stolen from Sheehan Pontiac.

June 23 A suspect was apprehended at Publix after shoplifting food from the store at 3700 N. Federal Highway.

Deerfield Beach

Main Beach Parking, Ocean Way & SE 1 St. , Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Free concerts all day and a variety of food vendors. Smuggling YoYos – 1-3 p.m., Scott Ringerson, “The Elvis Experience” – 4-6 p.m., The David Ray Band – 7-9 p.m. Fireworks (off the pier) – 9 p.m. Free shuttle available – between The Cove and the beach 11 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. 954-480-4430.

Road and facility Closures

International Fishing Pier closes at noon, July 3, reopens 5 a.m., July 5. Ocean Way from Hillsboro Boulevard to SE 3 Street closes 6 a.m. July 4,  reopens morning of July 5. Hillsboro Boulevard Bridge and A1A, from NE 1 Street to SE 3 Street, will be closed to traffic 6-11 p.m. July 4. www.Deerfield-Beach.com or call 954-480-4430.

Pompano Beach

Pompano Beach Main Public Beach

222 N. Pompano Beach Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL  33062

FREE. Fireworks – 9 p.m. Blankets/chairs welcome. Refrain from bringing fireworks, glass containers, alcohol or pets. NE 14 Street Causeway and Atlantic Boulevard bridges will be in the “down” position from 9 to 11 p.m.  954-786-4111.

Rocketown celebrates 4th

371 S. Federal Hwy., Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Teens celebrate! Concert-6:30 p.m. Group 1 Crew performing with Authentik, Twenty 2 G Crew and other Christian rock/ hip hop music. $12 before, $15 at door. 954-786-1116. www.rocketownfl.com.

Boca Raton

Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, FL 33431

FREE. 4 p.m. — “1940s Radio Hour,” University Theatre on campus. 6 p.m.—family-friendly activities. 7:30 p.m. – Florida Wind Symphony plays patriotic tunes. 9 p.m. – Fireworks. Bring blankets or chairs. Food and beverage vendors on site. Bring canned or non-perishible food item to help Operation Food Bank. 561-393-7827.

FAU to test emergency alert system

Thursday, June 30, 9:50 a.m.

Don’t worry, it’s not ringing in your ears. FAU is scheduled to test its emergency broadcasting system this morning. Those near the campus are likely to hear the loud sirens and a spoken message. They will also test their toll-free emergency number – 1-888-8FAU-OWL (8328-695).

Barefoot on the Beach

Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m.

Residence Inn Marriott, 1350 N. Ocean Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Drinks by Barefoot wine. Raffles, door prizes and art will be on sale. Proceeds benefit Food For The Poor. Monies from event will specifically go to 11-year-old philanthropist Rachel Wheeler’s effort to build a school in Haiti in Rachel’s Village, a village she helped build through her fundraising efforts. $15. R.S.V.P.: 954-783-5327.

East Village Uncorked Event

Friday, July 1, 6 to 9 p.m.

Harbor Village , 2600-2700 block of E. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Free. Art and wine strolling event. Find out about planned improvements in East Community Redevelopment Agency. Free parking available. 954-786-7824.

About Boating Safety (ABS) Course

Saturday, July 2, 8 a.m.

Dixon Ahl Recreation Center, 2200 NE 38 St. , Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Presented by U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 3-7, Lighthouse Point. Cost: $45 (includes materials/lunch). Limited space. Information/registration, call Gene Cain, 954-557-0582 or auxcain@hotmail.com. www.flotilla37.org.

Fortnight of Freedom, Fourth of July sale

Saturday, July 2 to Saturday, July 16

The Book Nook, Percy White Library, 837 E. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Buy any item (books, CD’s, tapes, art, everything goes). Get a 2nd item of equal  or lesser value FREE, mix or match. Proceeds generated by the store are used to help the library. 954-360-1380.

DEERFIELD BEACH

June 20 While driving on NE 1 Terrace, an officer saw a suspect vehicle driving and chased it before two black males eventually fled the car. A BOLO was issued and the two suspects, Jagqhon Wigley and Tevin Brown were arrested for theft of the vehicle.

June 22 Thieves stole a laptop from a business on NE 2 Street.

June 22 A home on SW 12 Court had three cameras, a 42” LCD flat screen LG Television, an iMac desktop, an HP laptop, a large amount of jewelry, medals  and other items stolen.

June 23 A vacant home on NW 38 Court was burglarized and two mattresses, two fuse boxes and the compressor for the fridge were stolen. Thieves attempted to take the A/C, but were unable to.

June 24 Lukes Louis and Hannah Rodriguez were arrested for burglarizing multiple vehicles in Deer Creek.

June 26 Victim allegedly placed $17,000 worth of jewelry into a storage unit outside her apartment building that went missing.

June 26 Two A/C units were removed from behind a duplex on SW 14 Street.

June 26 A Hollywood man visiting a home on SW 6 Way was shot by three unknown black males who “appeared out of nowhere” and shot him as he tried to flee from his vehicle. Victim had one gunshot in his back, but his story changed frequently as deputies began to investigate.

FORT LAUDERDALE, May 20, 2011 – Members of the Broward Teachers Union have joined Florida public employees in filing a lawsuit today in Leon County Circuit Court in Tallahassee to stop the 3 percent pay cut otherwise known as a mandatory retirement income tax on school employees and other workers imposed by Governor Rick Scott following this year’s legislative session.

BTU President Pat Santeramo said Tallahassee Lawyer Ron Meyer on behalf of the union’s state affiliate, the Florida Education Association, filed the lawsuit today because the 3 percent mandatory retirement income tax, which amounts to a pay cut from school employees as “contributions” toward their Florida Retirement System (FRS) benefits, is unconstitutional.

“Florida’s leaders talk ad nauseam about the need to cut taxes for businesses and the state’s wealthiest residents and yet, when it comes to our police officers, firefighters and teachers, they didn’t even blink an eye when imposing this income tax increase,” Santeramo said. “Under the false premise of a retirement pension contribution, the governor and legislators are doing nothing more than trying to balance the state’s budget on the backs of public employees.”

The lawsuit alleges Florida law provides that the Florida Retirement System is one in which employees do not have to contribute part of their salaries and describes that as a contractual obligation of the State. The suit claims that the Legislature’s action unconstitutionally impairs those contractual rights.

The FRS collects retirement money for more than 900 state and local government employers in the state, covering 655,000 active employee members and providing benefits to 219,000 retired members. It has been a non-contributory plan since 1974.

The lawsuit names Gov. Rick Scott, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Attorney General Pam Bondi and John Miles, secretary of the Department of Management Services, as defendants in the lawsuit. Scott, Atwater and Bondi are the members of the State Board of Administration that is responsible for overseeing the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund and Miles runs the agency that oversees the fund.

Meyer will be representing BTU and FEA’s members in the lawsuit. He is requesting the court to segregate the money it collects from the 3 percent pay cuts and place it in an interest bearing account until the lawsuit is fully settled. If the court agrees with the claims, teachers, school employees and other public workers would receive their money back with interest.

From the Governor’s Press Office