Are you a teen and like to cook? Coral Springs Florida annual Teen Cook Off is coming Living here in Coral Springs, you may recall me reporting to you over the past 2 years about the fun & tasty Coral Springs Teen Cook Off.  The third cook off event is going on this coming weekend February 4th at 10:00 a.m. Where is the Coral Springs Teen Cook off? This year, all the measuring, mixing and preparation is taking place at Coral Spring's Sportsplex, located at 2575 Sportsplex Drive. The theme this year is Barbequeing where all of the participants will be given the same ingredients provided by Whole Foods Market on University Drive in Coral Springs.  What's on the menu? How does Barbeque Ribs and a side dish sound? The teens will have a grill for them to cook on and will simply need to brin... 01/31/2012

Local teens are invited to show off their culinary skills at the City's third annual Teen Cook Off. Teams will be given the same ingredients, provided by Whole Foods Market Coral Springs, and will be making barbeque ribs and a side dish. Grills will be provided but participants must bring their own charcoal. Prizes will be awarded in different categories. Participants can be in grades 9 through 12 and must be a Coral Springs resident or attend school in Coral Springs. Teams may be made up of two to six participants and will compete outdoors at the Sportsplex, located at 2575 Sportsplex Drive. The cooking competition will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 4. Judging will take place at 2 p.m. Interested students must fill out an application, which is available at www.CoralSprings.org... 01/30/2012

Founded in April 1973, Broward County’s largest public library, Northwest Regional Library in Coral Springs once again opens its doors on Sundays. The library is open seven days a week which allows residents of Coral Springs to access its over 150,000 items including books, journals, videos, and historical artifacts.   The library discontinued its service in Fall 2010. Adjustments of library hours, staffing and days of services have been made to make Sunday services possible once again. You may now visit the library from: ·      Mondays to Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and, ·      Thursdays to Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.   Broward County Northwest Regional Library is located on the Southeast corner of University Drive and Sample Road in Coral Springs, Florida.   For m... 01/25/2012

I participated in this event last year and have to say it was very well organized.  Also a GREAT Opportunity to start the year right by cleaning out your garage. So come and dispose of your household chemicals and other items that are hazardous to the environment. Grahic Courtesy of | SmartSign.com On Sunday, January 29, the City of Coral Springs and Broward County are partnering to host a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will be held in the rear parking lot at City Hall South, 9530 West Sample Road. City and County residents are encouraged to bring their old paint, used motor oil, batteries, household cleaning supplies and other hazardous wastes to the collection site for proper disposal. Other items accepted at Household Hazardous Waste Collecti... 01/23/2012

Imagine yourself sitting on your chair, having a cup of coffee, in a tranquil community with lush tropical landscaping. Simply enjoying the warmth of the peaceful sun setting over the lake right at your windows…..this dream can be a reality at Wyndham Lakes in Coral Springs Florida! Wyndham Lakes is a beautiful planned community situated in the Northwest section of Coral Springs, just south of Heron Bay and bordered by The Sawgrass Expressway, Wiles Road, and Coral Ridge Drive. There are many types of properties for you in Wyndham Lakes. Whether you are looking for a starter home or an estate home with a pool, this wonderful community has the home that’s just right for you. There are a variety of models and styles in Wyndham Lakes including one or two stories, 1400 to over 4000 square f... 01/21/2012

  The Coral Springs Police Department has a new mapping program available to the public through a web-based company, RAIDS Online. RAIDS Online is a public interactive crime-mapping program that provides crime mapping, anonymous tips and neighborhood watch e-mails at no cost to law enforcement or to the public. Two years of crime data will be available. The crime mapping program can be accessed here. This program is accessible on any computer. RAIDS Online is very user friendly as it allows the user to search by address, date range filters and 27 different crime categories. Individuals can also sign up for neighborhood crime activity reports and emergency alerts sent directly from local law enforcement. Please visit the website and explore the different mapping capabilities and function... 01/20/2012

Volunteering in schools or other organizations brings so much more to your own life.  I have been an avid volunteer in the city of Coral Springs ever since I moved here 26 years ago.  It doesn't have to be for the same situation every year, but sign-up and your own life is made better. The city of Coral Springs encourages residents to mentor.  Each year, the City hosts mentor training to pair responsible adults with community youth during the school year. Mentors must commit one hour per week for the school year, and all sessions take place during school hours on Broward County school campuses.Training dates available at City Hall for the 2011-2012 school year are: Wednesday, February 8 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Finance Conference Room Wednesday, March 7 from 1 to3 p.m. in the East Wi... 01/20/2012

If you have ever shredded your own documents....it can take hours and hours of work.  Let the city help you out at the City's next Shredathon event is scheduled for Saturday, January 28 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in front of City Hall, 9551 W. Sample Road. Please note that there is a limit of five boxes per person. Each additional box of paperwork will be accepted for a $5 donation toward the Special Olympics. Please refrain from bringing paperwork in plastic bags, binders or clamps. Once the truck is full, no other paperwork will be accepted. The Shredathon is co-sponsored by the Coral Springs Police Department, Coral Springs Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, and Data Shredding Services of Ft. Lauderdale. There is no cost to drop off documents. For more information, call 954-344-1833. 01/20/2012

Come sit under the stars and enjoy music with your family and friends at the City's free Family Concert Series. The Brat Pack will feature a mix of 80s rock on Saturday, January 21. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Betti Stradling Park. Parking and admission is free. Blankets, lawn chairs and coolers are welcome, and refreshments will be available for purchase.   Please refrain from bringing glass containers, alcohol and pets. Betti Stradling Park is located at 10301 Wiles Road, at the northeast corner of Wiles Road and Coral Springs Drive. For more information, call 954-345-2200. 01/20/2012

Italian Restaurant In Coral Springs You have to try Sophias in Coral Springs. Large portions of true Italian meals. Delivered right to your Coral Springs door. Chef Agostino and wife Vilma have been doing just that since 2007. Everything is made fresh every day. The aroma the minute you open their door validates that. They only use the finest ingredients to make their mouthwatering meals. This habit comes from being born in Sicily, Italy. Chef Agostino believes in only homemade and a family friendly environment. He can boast about the marinara sauce, the thin crust pizza, the Chicken Saltimbocca, the Zuppa di Pesce and the eggplant parmigiana. Come try this taste of Italy, they are located on 760 Riverside Drive, Coral Springs. You can call them at 954-796-0405. Terri Poehler -Coral Spr... 01/19/2012

Selling home in Coral Springs? Did you hear what sold at years end December 2011? Coral Springs single family home sales Increased this month by just under 30% to 79 homes sold; a very nice increase as compared to last months. Typical holiday slow downs sure didn't play out this month with that kind of increase; playing a huge part to this increase in home sales is due to lingering Short Sales and Foreclosures that gained Lender approval and closed during December. Many Lenders will do their best to get this bad debt off their records at a years end hoping to start off better for the new year. Of these Coral Springs homes listed for sale below, almost 23% of them sold as a Short Sale, which is a slight reduction from last month sales of 27%. Whereas, almost 13% of the homes sold were RE... 01/17/2012

Where everybody knows your name...Whole Foods Market of Coral Springs Florida. Okay, so maybe I'm fudging it just a bit, but many do at least know my face as I love Whole Foods Market for my grocery shopping. Do you? I use the reusable shopping bags and I'm happy when I haven't forgotten them at home.  Whenever you use your own shopping bags, Whole Foods Market will donate 10 cents to a few Charities that you can select from and now beginning today, January 15th, you can select to "Donate your Dime" to Coral Spring's own, Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital.  Have you ever visited Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital? They're great! They rescue and care for so many wildlife animals. You should meet the kind and generous staff who run on help from a lot of volunteers.  In f... 01/16/2012

Good news for Coral Springs residents! The US Air Force Reserve Band is coming to town for a free concert! The band gives over 400 concerts a year and we will be fortunate enough to see them right here in Coral Springs. The concert happens Friday January 27th 2012 starting at 7:30pm at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear some great music for free. Coral Springs families are allowed up to four tickets each. See  coralsprings.org  for more information. Sounds like a good time!   Tickets are available here: ·      Coral Springs City Hall, 9551 W. Sample Road, ·      Coral Springs City Hall in the Mall, 9239 W. Atlantic Blvd, and at the ·      Coral Springs Center for the Performing Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive   01/14/2012

This has to be the best part of my job!  Helping someone obtain their part of the American dream of owning a home. Certainly it takes a lot to get to the point of closing and much to cover during the process, but the end result is so often heart-warming! I am always impressed with young adults that plan wisely for their future so that they can become a homeowner and I was certainly impressed with Marty and Jackie! I hope they will enjoy many happy years in their piece of real estate they'll call home!                                                                                  01/14/2012

  Family Concert In Coral Springs Park At the Coral Springs Betti Stradling Park at 7:00pm January 21st, 2012, a group called the Brat Pack will be playing a mix of the 80s Rock! Everythings free!! Just bring your blankets, chairs and coolers. There will be refreshments for purchase. But poochie has to stay at home along with the glass bottles of wine. Betti Stradling is located at 10301 Wiles Road in Coral Springs. For more info please call 954-345-2200 Coral Springs Property Search Terri Poehler -Coral Springs, FL Real Estate Expert – Making it Happen for Home Buyers & Sellers! Interested in buying a home in Coral Springs, FL? In our inventory, we have a variety of properties to choose from to fit your individual lifestyle, budget and needs, including: I personally live in Coral Sprin... 01/11/2012

The City's annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration events will be held on Friday, January 13, sponsored by the Coral Springs Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee and Citibank, as the Title Sponsor. This year's keynote speaker is Willie Gary, a leading trial attorney and humanitarian from Stuart, Florida who will share his personal story of triumph. Gary's vast appeal stems from his desire to be the best and a passionate work ethic he learned through his humble beginnings. Known as a businessman, humanitarian and philanthropist, Gary is deeply involved in charity and civic work. Serving as a role model to young children, he is committed to education and enhancing the lives of young people through education and drug prevention. Business Luncheon - Friday, January 13, 11:30 a.m.A business ... 01/08/2012

  Welcome to 2012! A New Year is upon us, and it could be the Year of the Snowbird! The reasonable home prices in Coral Springs, Florida are putting second homes in reach of more winter-weary buyers! It's no wonder that vacation homes are popular here. While the North is dealing with falling temperatures and freezing lakes, our average temperatures will be in the mid-70's for the next three months. Boating, swimming and golfing do not stop with the season in Coral Springs! Our active, family-friendly communities have it all. You may be thinking that financing a second home is tough these days. Financing for anything is a little tight right now, but it's easier when you know what the bank is looking for. While we are not bankers ourselves, we have some rules of thumb to pass along. Here ... 12/30/2011

The New Year is coming right up, and now is the time to set goals and make plans for the upcoming year! Maybe you’ve been thinking about buying your own Florida home, but haven’t been sure about your chances of getting a mortgage. Or maybe you’re thinking the whole process is just too hard. The fact is, if you get good information up front and work with reliable, experienced professionals, you can put yourself on the path to home ownership in Coral Springs. You’ll need to start by looking at your financial picture. Before speaking to a mortgage lender, you should organize some information about yourself, like: Income tax returns for past two years Last 3 months bank statements, including checking, savings, investments, retirement funds Amount of current monthly rent Current check stubs ... 12/22/2011

Hey Coral Springs! - Do you want to know what neighborhoods are selling in Coral Springs?  What sold in November 2011? Coral Springs single family home sales decreased this month again by 18% to 61 homes sold; a large decrease as compared to last months. You will typically see a decrease in people selling and buying homes during the last two months of the year as seemingly it's all about the holidays and spending time with family and friends; homes can wait! Of these Coral Springs homes listed for sale below, almost 27% of them sold as a Short Sale, which is in line from last month sales of 27%. Whereas, almost 23% of the homes sold were sold as REO/Bank owned which increased up from last month's 19%.  Almost 50% of homes sold in Coral Springs were distressed properties during November ... 12/20/2011

Please help Coral Springs Florida family You might have heard about the Recchis family and the terrible tragedy that hit their family.  Tina Recchi's son Matthew suffered from an awful accident while getting out of his car that had run out of gas on a highway in Los Angeles; a distracted driver hit Matthew back in June. The driver was texting ( this is a whole other story in regards to texting and driving as we see this tragedy time and time again.)  Ever since, he's been in the hospital with brain injuries. Tina Recchi wants to bring her son home to Coral Springs as she's been going to Los Angeles every 2 weeks to be by his side. It has been said that 33 year old Matthew has been on and off of a ventilator, is fed through a tube, he opens his eyes but it's not known whether or not he ... 12/15/2011