calendar_web.jpgThursday, Jan. 13

Broward Aware: A collaborative of local agencies, government officials and residents in Broward will launch “Broward Aware: Protecting Our Children,” a child abuse prevention campaign from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holiday Park Social Center, 1150 G. Harold Martin Dr. in Ft. Lauderdale. For more information about the program and upcoming events, visit www.2-1-1-broward.org

Friday, Jan. 14

Graduation Symposium: From 6-9 p.m. The Black Educators Caucus of Palm Beach County in partnership with Talk To Me Broadcast will present “The Nexus: Connecting for Success, Continuous Improvement Model,” a community event to support education and raise the graduation rate among African-American students. The event will feature Chika Akua, Dr. Maryanne Dupont and Bernadette Kelly and takes place at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. For more information, call Carl Muhammad at 561-856-7722 or Ron Leonard at 561-209-7773 or email him at Ron-Leonard@hotmail.com.

Saturday, Jan. 15

MLK Weekend Celebration: From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., join the City of Hollywood at the MLK Community Center, 2400 Charleston St. in Hollywood, for a family-fun event that will include bounce houses, music, food, and a high school step competition. The day will continue at 5:30 p.m. with a rededication of Dr. King’s Hollywood memorial, a choral competition and a free concert by gospel singer Táta Vega. Then on Sunday, Jan.16 from 8 to 10 a.m., there will be a memorial service and tribute at Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center located at 1770 Monroe Street.  The guest speaker is Reverend Donnell Peterman.

Good Charlotte’s Benji and Joel Madden at Macy’s: At 2 p.m. the band Good Charlotte will be coming to the Macy’s Fashion Store at Miami’s Aventura Mall, 19535 Biscayne Blvd., for a free rockin’ performance, meet and greet and autograph signing. Customers who make a $50 purchase from American Rag, available exclusively at Macy’s, will get VIP access to meet the Maddens and receive a download card featuring an exclusive acoustic version of Good Charlotte’s new hit single, “Like It’s Her Birthday.”

Sunday, Jan. 16

Miami Pan-Hellenic Step Show: The 7th Annual NPHC Miami-Dade Chapter Alumni Step Show will be held at 7 p.m. at Florida Memorial University’s Chester A. Robinson Athletic Center, 15800 NW 42 Ave. in Miami Gardens. Admission is $15 in advance and $20 at the door.  You may purchase your tickets at D&N Sports (North and South), and from any NPHC Committee Members. If you are interested in being a vendor please contact Tyrone Francis at 305-788-2736; Anderson Elridge at 786-326-2279; or Martin Edmonds at 305-299-4990.

Free Spay/Neuter for Feral and Free Roaming Cats: Animal Services, The Cat Network and the Humane Society of Broward County with the support of the City of Miami-Beach will offer free spay/neuter surgeries for cats only at the parking lot located at 5300 Collins Ave. on Miami Beach. There is a limit of four cats per person and walk-ins are welcome.  All cats will be vaccinated against rabies, sterilized, de-wormed and ear tipped but the veterinarian may decline surgery due to health reasons. For appointments, please call 305-805-1603.

Wednesday, Jan. 19

ASPA Luncheon: The South Florida Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration presents a luncheon discussion with Karls Paul-Noel, Assistant Chief of Miami Dade Fire Rescue from 12-1:30 p.m. at the Casa Juancho Restaurant, 2436 SW 8th St. in Miami. Please RSVP to aspasouthfla@yahoo.com or call Roslyn Alic-Batson at 305-375-5658 by Monday, Jan. 17.

Taste of the Garden: From 6:30 to 9 p.m. the Miami Beach Botanical Garden and Miami Beach Garden Club present this sixth annual outdoor dining experience that will showcase many of South Florida's premiere chefs and restaurants with fine wines, lively entertainment and complimentary valet parking. A silent auction offers a fabulous selection of spa and pampering packages, a private air flight, hotel and travel adventures, consultation and services, and dining certificates. Reserve early:  limited to 300 guests. Tickets are $60 in advance and $75 after Jan. 14. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.mbgarden.org.

Thursday, Jan. 20

Miami Dade Public Library System 40th Anniversary Kickoff: Help the system begin its year-long commemoration at 12 p.m. with a 70s Disco Dance Party at the Main Library, 101 West Flagler St. The day’s festivities will continue at 6:30 p.m. with Reception and Art Exhibition Opening. For more information, please contact the Marketing and Media Relations Division at 305-375-5180 or visit www.mdpls.org.

Broward County Historical Commission Brown Bag Lunch: The Commission will host its lunch at 12 p.m. at the historic West Side Grade School, 301 S.W. 13th (Harmon) Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. This month's program highlights the many activities that will be included in the Fort Lauderdale Centennial celebration. For more information on the program, call Broward County Historian Helen Landers at 954-357-5514. For information on parking, call the Historical Commission at 954-357-5553.

Saturday, Jan. 22

Saturday Storytelling Series at Museum of Art: Family audiences are invited to Broward County Library’s once-monthly Saturday Storytelling Series: One World, Many Stories, held at 2:00 p.m. at the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale’s Horvitz Auditorium, One East Las Olas Blvd. in Ft. Lauderdale. The series will continue on Feb. 26, March 19 and April 23. Each program in the free series will feature music, tales and storytellers from around the world. The programs begin with a locally famous storyteller, followed by a nationally prominent storyteller and a musical interlude, suitable for all ages. For more information, call 561-297-0042 or 954-357-7406.

Rabies Clinic: Broward County Animal Care and Adoption will host a Rabies Clinic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sunset Lakes Community Center, 2801 S.W. 186th Ave. in Miramar. At the clinic, dogs and cats will be able to receive a one-year rabies vaccination and a Broward County pet license. Cost for the vaccination and license is $15 per pet with cash only payment accepted. To qualify to attend the Rabies Clinic, a pet owner must prove they are a Broward County resident by producing a valid Florida driver's license or a current utility bill. No appointment is necessary and customers are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. All dogs must be on leashes and all cats must be in carriers. For more information, visit www.broward.org/animal.

Sunday, Jan. 23

Orchestra Concert: The Miami Symphony Orchestra (MISO) will perform its signature annual concert, “An Evening in Vienna,” at 8 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The concert will include great overtures, waltzes and dances, and feature MISO's concertmaster violinist Daniel Andai as soloist. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.themiso.org.

Ongoing:

Financial Literacy Volunteer Speakers Needed: WJ Bryan Elementary needs volunteers to come and teach their students about financial literacy on their career day from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, Wednesday, Jan. 26. The school is located at 1201 NE 125 St. in North Miami. To volunteer, email sgalvin@jamiami.org.

Teen Photography Contest: Young adults, 12-19, are invited to enter the Miami-Dade Public Library System’s 3rd Annual Black History Month Teen Photography Contest. The contest began on Jan. 8 and continues through Saturday, Feb. 5. The grand prize winner will receive a Canon PowerShot A480 digital camera, courtesy of Pitman Photo Supply. Photographs must capture an aspect of African American architecture, art or lifestyle in Miami-Dade County and may be black-and- white or color. Print submissions should be un-mounted and no larger than 8”x10.” Digital entries can be submitted via the library’s Facebook page at www.mdpls.org. Files must be 2 MB or smaller and must be in JPEG format and accompanied by the release provided in the official entry form. Entries will be judged on technical quality, artistic merit and visual impact. For entry forms and complete rules, log on to www.mdpls.org or visit any branch of the library.

The community calendar is published each Thursday. Please submit your community event to empyrealcommunications@gmail.com the preceding Friday at 10 am.