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The Beaches News Briefs and Meetings

July 4,  - August 31,  2007

WATER RESTRICTIONS - PHASE II

Phase II water restrictions are in effect for  Miami-Dade County including Miami Beach. Residential water use is limited to outdoor water use such as lawn watering and car washing.

TWO days a week

4:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.:

Wednesdays and Saturdays for addresses that end in an odd number; Thursdays and Sundays for even-number addresses.

Water restrictions do not apply to the use of 100 percent reclaimed water (reuse).

For more details, go to South Florida Water Management or call 1.800.432.2045.

Below average rainfall over the past several months and rapidly receding Lake Okeechobee levels prompted the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board to issue water shortage orders.

Phase I water restrictions are in effect for eastern Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Water users are to limit outdoor water use. Phase I restrictions allow lawn watering and car washing three days a week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. for addresses that end in an odd number; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. for even-number addresses. Water restrictions do not apply to the use of 100 percent reclaimed water (reuse).

For more details, go to South Florida Water Management or call 1.800.432.2045.

City of Miami Beach 305.604.CITY (2489)

It's Hurricane Season -  Prepare Now

Hurricane season is June 1 - November 30

 EARLY REGISTRATIONS

Emergency Evacuation Assistance for Special Needs

Residents that require special care and/or special transportation to a special needs shelter have to pre-register with the Miami-Dade County Emergency Evacuation Assistance Program immediately. The number is 305.513.7700 or 305.468.5402 TDD (hearing impaired).

 Preparing Your Pet

Miami-Dade County now offers two pet-friendly evacuation centers for families to go with their furry friends, up to three pets per family. You must pre-register with Miami-Dade County if you plan on using the pet-friendly evacuation center. However, this does not guarantee placement. To register, call the Miami-Dade County Answer Center at 311 or go to miamidade.gov .

 Attention: Social Security Check Recipients

The U.S. Department of the Treasury advises Social Security check recipients who live in hurricane prone areas to switch to direct deposit to ensure seamless delivery of their federal benefit payments in the days following a hurricane or severe weather event. People who receive federal benefits by check in the mail can switch to direct deposit by calling the Go Direct helpline at 1.800.333.1795 (English and Espanol), signing up online at www.godirect.org (English) and www.directoasucuenta.org (en Espanol) or visiting their local bank or credit union.

 HOW TO PREPARE

Click here for more important information for Miami Beach residents on hurricane preparations and your local weather.

Property Tax Relief for Seniors

In an effort to bring more financial tax relief to senior citizens, Miami Beach, last week, became the first city in Miami-Dade County to approve a greater homestead exemption for qualifying Miami Beach residents. Persons 65 and older who meet eligible household income requirements may be eligible for up to a $25,000 additional exemption. This exemption applies only to county taxes and city taxes. The tax savings based on 2006 adopted millage rates would have equaled to a $385.00 savings. For more information on how to qualify and to apply, contact the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser's Office  or at 305.375.4125.

Gay & Lesbian Pride Month

City Hall Art Gallery Exhibit

ArtCenter/ South Florida is proud to present "Over the Rainbow," an exhibition honoring Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. The exhibition opens on Wednesday, June 6 and runs through July 27, 2007 and will be on view on the fourth floor gallery at Miami Beach City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive. Miami Beach City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Financial Empowerment for Women

Summer Series of Workshops

With Investment Counselor Linda R. Lawrence          

At Miami Beach Botanical Garden 

2000 Convention Center Drive 

 12Noon to 1:30 PM

Bring Your Own Lunch

 Wednesday, July 11

Session 2: Getting in tune with the financial universe. The different types of investments, their characteristics, and how to choose the right ones to meet your goals.

 Wednesday, August 15

Session 3: Putting it all together. We will figure out retirement expenses, develop a plan to meet these expenses, discuss and set goals for this plan and develop an asset allocation strategy to fund these goals.

 With an MBA from Wharton, Linda Lawrence has 29 years of experience as a registered investment advisor and handles the retirement plans for both the Miami Beach and Coral Gables Chambers of Commerce. 

 For information, telephone Linda at 305-447-1106

 Securities offered through Securities Service Network, Inc., Member NASD/SIPC, Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction 252 344 4216  2922 Skyline Drive, Inverness, Fl 34450