Officials in Coral Springs and Parkland are busy finalizing strategy on the University Drive extension issue, following reports that political considerations might play a key role in the outcome that has the two cities taking different stands.

Coral Springs Mayor Scott Brook, who is a member of the South Florida Regional Planning Council, is banking on the committee supporting his city’s stand. “I’ve asked the council to do a study on University Drive. The plan is to get their support, “he said.

“We also need to speak to Broward County commissioners to get support for extension of University Drive,” Brook said. “That way, we will have two other things for the other side to consider before a final decision is taken.”

Parkland Mayor Michael Udine wanted the commission to stay vigilant. “Things are moving in our favor due to the stand take by Palm Beach County. I don’t think the road is going to be built. Annexation will be complete and we will get the wedge.”

“Palm Beach County has removed the right of way for the road and submitted it to the [Department of Community Affairs]. We recently had a meeting with developers of the wedge. They want us to get more involved. The rest of [Broward County] wants the road to go through. They don’t care. I don’t think they have the money to build the road. But we want to make sure the road stays off the map.”

Commissioner Jared Moskowitz wanted members of the City Commission to attend future meetings of the Broward MPO. “If we attend the meetings and start showing our faces, it will make it difficult for them to push their agenda.”

As decided by the commission, Udine and Mark Weissman, the new Parkland Vice Mayor, will attend the next meeting of the Broward MPO.

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It has been 10 years, but Carol Miller still remembers the moment her life changed forever, leaving her to face a mountain of challenges.

Ten years after the accident, life has almost come full circle for Miller. Last month, she took part in the Livestrong Challenge of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) in Austin, an event that raises funds for cancer research. She is now in town, after successfully covering 65 miles on her bike in 5 hours and 13 minutes.

“It was a very worthwhile cause," she said. "I recently lost a family member to cancer. I have had some friends win the battle against cancer. I, myself, had a melanoma removed two years ago. It is also the 10th anniversary of my accident and I wanted to do something special. I was also able to raise $8,289 for the foundation.”

Her accident took place a few yards from her home when she was hit by a car while riding her bicycle with her husband on Westview Drive in Coral Springs.

“I was thrown off 140 feet. I was told that when paramedics reached the site, I had no pulse,” Miller said. “My helmet saved me. Ever since the accident, I get angry whenever I see someone riding a bike without a helmet.”

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The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Eagle Regiment marching band has been in roaring form this season, winning three grand championship titles. None of the members are taking success for granted, however, as they prepare for the state championship at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg this Saturday.

Kristen Berman, captain of the woodwind section of the band, is hoping all the hard work will pay off. “Practice is running the way it is supposed to run,” she said. “It feels really great this year. We have been able to get the results we wanted to so far.”

The Eagle Regiment is the defending Class 3A state champion.

"We feel pretty confident about retaining the title,” said Berman, a 12th-grader. “We have something else on our minds, too. We want to achieve the record high score for the school this time. We will be creating history that way.”

The third of the band’s three titles of the season came at the latest success for the band came first in percussion, color guard, music, visual performance, and general effect. The band was also given an overall superior rating.

The band’s performance this year is based on the theme "In the Shadow of Dragons,” said John Rusnak, band director.

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Today and Saturday, J.P. Taravella High School will have its first dance marathon.

The event will start at 8 p.m. today in the school's cafeteria, 10600 Riverside Drive, and it will continue until 8 a.m. Saturday.

The money from the 12-hour event goes entirely to Miami Children's Hospital, which is part of the Children's Miracle Network. One hundred percent of the The program started at Penn State University and more than 80 percent of the nation's leading universities now participate.

About 150 dancers are expected to participate in the Taravella event. There will be a variety of music and entertainment while each dancer is on his or her feet for 12 hours.

The public is welcome to stop by to encourage participants.

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A variety of tennis activities are available in Coral Springs in the upcoming months.

This Saturday, the Coral Springs Tennis Center will organize the Winterfest charity Pro-Am tournament from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. All proceeds will benefit the Coral Springs Community Chest. At 11:30 a.m., there will be a hit-for-prizes contest, followed by a fast serve contest. The cost is $15 and includes lunch. Spectators are welcome and anyone may have lunch for $10.

Registration is also open for group tennis lessons this fall at the center and Cypress Park. Sessions begin the week of Nov. 17 and go through Dec. 13, with no class on Thanksgiving Day.

Group classes will be offered for all ages and skill levels. USPTA certified tennis professionals instruct all classes. Junior classes are offered weekdays after school and on Saturdays, while adult classes are scheduled weekday mornings and evenings.

Holiday break camp also is offered for children, ages 4 to 16, from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 22 to 24 and again Dec. 29 to 31. Participants will be grouped by age and ability. Advanced registration is required.

For more advanced junior players, the city offers its Junior Tennis Academy for three levels – advanced, competitive and elite training. An evaluation from one of the tennis professionals is required to enter the academy.

Call 954-344-1840.

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Coral Springs has come up with a novel idea to further increase its tree canopy.

The city’s new program, “Growing Together,” will allow families to watch their child and tree grow together. Residents can celebrate a child’s birth by planting a tree in his or her honor.

Anyone interested in the program can purchase trees from the city. Trees available are the Pink tabebuia ($288), live oak ($272), royal poinciana ($264.50), bald cypress ($236), mahogany ($207.50), gumbo limbo ($210), red maple ($185.50), and golden shower tree ($275).

Checks for trees should be made out to the "City of Coral Springs." City staff will plant and maintain the tree. Parents can also provide a 5-foot by 7-foot plaque to identify the tree. The plaque must be metal, bronze in color with a black background. The city will install the plaque, but residents are responsible for the maintenance.

All trees will be planted along the pathway at Oakwood Park, 10284 SW First Court. Trees will be planted quarterly throughout the year. Call 954-345-2200.

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Coral Springs Museum of Art will begin its next five-week program of “Art classes in an art museum” on Nov. 17.

To make the classes interesting and interactive, instructors will incorporate discussions of the current exhibits. All classes are age appropriate.

The classes attract art lovers in the community, said Sheri Adanti, museum associate director. “We get a good response, both from kids and adults," she said. "Some of the kids who have attended our classes have gone on to pursue art careers. Some come back as teen volunteers, while a few even become paid teachers at our summer camps.”

Children’s classes include acrylic painting, drawing techniques, ceramic hand-building, cartoon art, comic book design, exploring sculpture, photography, drawing for the young, “Kreative Kids”, and “Ready, Set Van Gogh!” Adult classes include oil and acrylic painting, abstract painting, wheel techniques for clay, watercolor, techniques of drawing, and figure drawing.

“Ceramics is one of the favorites. There are many people interested in painting and drawing as well,” Adanti said. “Comic book design is big with the kids. We have 17 teachers. All of them are either professional artists or have degrees in art, or both.”

Children’s classes are held after school and on Saturdays. Classes for middle school students begin at 4:15 p.m. Adult classes are held mornings, evenings and on Saturdays. All supplies are included for children’s art classes, but adults will need to bring their own supplies, except for clay classes.

Call 954-340-5000 or fax the registration form to 954-346-4424. Visit www.csmart.org.

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Coral Springs Swim Club members and other people in the community are coming together to support head coach Michael Lohberg who suffers from aplastic anemia.

A 3K Family Fun Run-Walk-Stroll to benefit Lohberg will take place from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. on Nov. 16. The event will begin and end at the Coral Springs aquatic complex.

Lohberg was diagnosed with the serious blood disorder just days before he was to leave for Beijing to join Dara Torres, Kazakhstani Olympian Vlad Polyakov, and six more international swimmers who trained under him. Lohberg was sent to the National Institute of Health for treatment. He is now better and back home with his family and team.

"I am very grateful for all that they are doing for me," said Lohberg. "It shows what kind of a team we have. A lot of other teams are also helping out. All I can say is that i am very thankful."

Luz Campo, who is among the core team organizing the event, is expecting at least 250 to 300 participants. "The city is supporting us; there are a lot of people who are involved. We hope to raise at least $5,000."

Registration will be at 6:30 a.m. Food, drinks, and a raffle drawing for an athlete's basket will be provided for participants. Registration forms can be found on www.csscswim.com. Registration fees are $15 for adults, and $11 for children 2 and under. Same day registration is $18 for everyone.

Donations for Coach Michael's Fight should be sent to Bank Atlantic, FBO Michael Lohberg, 4695 N. University Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33076, with checks payable to Michael Lohberg Account number 006066580.

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The Coral Springs Museum of Art is giving art lovers in the community an opportunity to have fun, with family members in tow.

The museum organizes a Family Fun Day at 3:30 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month. The theme for today's event is "2D into 3D." Participants will be able to create 3D sculptures from a variety of 2D (flat) objects. Cardboard, wire, wood, paint and glue will be some of the supplies used for the project.

"Family fun days are very popular; we get more than 60 people every month,' said Jan Riznikove at the museum. "We have different themes for each month. The event will be held again on Dec. 13 and Jan. 10. The Dec 13 event will have Dale Chihuly's sculptures as the theme."

The program is appropriate for children ages 3 and up with a parent(s) or guardian(s). Participation fee is $4 per person. Call 954.340.5000 for reservations.

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Santa Claus is coming to town, and early.

Coral Springs residents and people living in nearby cities will be able to catch an early glimpse of Santa this event at the Coral Square mall. Families can join the parade.

Santa will be perched atop Coral Springs fire department’s shiny red fire truck and will be accompanied by the Coral Springs Police Department’s motorcycle division. The Taravella High School Drum Line will herald Santa’s arrival in the mall parking lot. The parade will follow.

“We are expecting hundreds of families,” said Elisha Sova of the Coral Square Mall marketing department. “We always do a Santa arrival but this is the first time in a while that we are working with the police and fire departments.”

“We will provide bells for the kids to ring as they welcome Santa,” said Sova. “Santa will be here for the entire season. Families can come and have photos taken with Santa. Those who have pets can have photos taken of their pet with Santa from 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 17 and Dec. 8.”

The event will begin at 6 p.m. today at Coral Square Mall, 9469 W. Atlantic Blvd. The holiday parade will be at 6:30 p.m. Call 954-755-5552.

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