In The Press

The Dania Beach PATCH Farm and Market Launches Apprenticeship Training Program

Tuesday, June 20, 2017 - 4:31pm

Dania Beach, FL – The PATCH Apprenticeship Training Program (PATP), a forty-hour program, is a collaborative effort championed by the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, Broward Regional Health Council, SURG Consulting, LLC and PATCH CAN.  The program will kick-start on Saturday July 15th, 2017 offering opportunities for six qualified participants to receive a paid apprenticeship. The application deadline is June 30th by 5PM and interested persons should email Jaime Castoro at JCastoro@BRHPC.org outlining why you are interested in the apprenticeship, what experience, if any, you have in farming and what qualities you think you will bring to the team.

“This is a great opportunity for the right individual to have an immersive experience in the operation of an organic farm and market. Our promise to you is thorough training of all farm tasks, a safe and welcoming environment, opportunities to learn from other farmers with different systems, and opportunities to assist at the farmer’s markets and with PATCH sponsored community activities,” states Rachel Bach, Dania Beach CRA Executive Director.

Class days are every Saturday and Sunday beginning on Saturday, July 15th through Sunday, August 6th from 7:30AM – 1:30PM. This program has been specifically designed for the PATCH Farm and Market with hopes to train individuals for Dania Beach and other cities looking to launch similar projects.  This first of its kind in Broward County Apprenticeship Program will provide participants the opportunity to discover how food production connects communities and builds health and wellness; how to select, grow and harvest crops; about market operations and how to maximize harvests; and how to supply fresh local produce to your community. Through this Apprenticeship, participants will develop the job skills that could lead to employment at local farmer’s markets and urban farms or nurseries.

The PATCH Farm and Market is located at 1201 W. Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania Beach, FL. The market is open to the public every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every 3rd Saturday of the month the PATCH hosts special family events.   For more information call 954-924-6801.

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DANIA BEACH ANNOUNCES NEW ART DISPLAY IN CITY HALL ATRIUM FEATURING ARTIST ANA MARIA AGUERREVERE

Wednesday, June 14, 2017 - 4:07pm

Dania Beach, FL: Visitors to Dania Beach City Hall may notice new colorful and brightworks of art hanging in the atrium: a series of paintings transmitting realism using bright colorsand the contrast of lights and shadows are on display. The current showing at City Hall in the Atrium Gallery showcases works of art created by Ana Maria Aguerrevere.  This gallery is open during City hours and is free and accessible to the public. An open reception will be held onSaturday June 24th from 2PM – 4PM with an opportunity to meet the artist and members of the Dania Beach Creative Arts Council with light refreshments being served.

The City Hall Atrium Art Gallery is a project of the Dania Beach Creative Arts Council.  Led by Henriette "Kitte" Arnold, Chair and volunteer curator of the gallery, the Council raised money to purchase the hardware to transform what once served as a bare bones lobby into a public gallery with revolving exhibits in the atrium at City Hall, located at 100 West Dania Beach Blvd.  The Council featured several different displays from local artists and the response from the public and the city hall staffers has been very positive. “I am so excited to have this space to share local artistic talent to the community of Dania Beach. Art is inspiring and important – it is essential to the human spirit,” states Kitte.

About the artist:

Ana Maria has an impressive resume with 30 years of academic studies and practicalexperience, ranging from music and art to interior design and architecture. She studied at BrivilAcademy of Design and at the Central University of Venezuela. She has a degree in Interior Design and Architecture.

“I am the fourth in a family of seven children, and grew up surrounded by art. I have always considered my parents, who are very good artists, to be the best art teachers I could ever have,” states Aguerrevere.

She has two passions, music and painting; she sings in two choirs Amazonia Vocal Ensemble and St Katharine Drexel, and paints in Studio 18 in the Pines and teaches at The Art Institute of Weston.

Ana Maria is an artist who developed her own style. She dedicates her time to making and selling corporate gifts and useful objects using her paintings as part of her designs. She has worked with watercolors, pastels, graphite and acrylics. But, at the present time, oil is her favorite technique.

Her exhibitions have taken place in many locations, including Caracas, Venezuela; New York; and South Florida. She has also participated in different shows, including lnvedin in 1995-2000, the Art Show in New York in 2007, The Art Walk in Weston in 2008-16, The Art festival at Pembroke Pines 2011-17, Art Fest in Boca Raton 2011-12, Mainsail at St Petersburg 2012-15, Maitland at Orlando 2013-16, Santa Fe College Art Festival at Gainesville 2014-16 and others, winning several awards. Exhibitions in the Art Institute of Weston and Studio 18 in the Pines 2010-17.

She is currently teaching Drawing and Painting from beginning to advanced level.

Stay tuned for future revolving art displays at the Dania Beach City Hall Atrium. ​

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The Dania Beach PATCH Urban Farm and Market Honors its Volunteers

Tuesday, June 13, 2017 - 2:43pm

Dania Beach, FL – On Saturday June 17th from 9AM – 1PM, the PATCH Urban Farm and Market celebrates and honors the volunteers that have ‘dug in’ and made a difference in the community. Between the months of January – May 2017, volunteers have contributed 743.5 hours at the PATCH, a testament to the dedication of the community in providing a network of secure, healthy food sources. During the event, top volunteers will be awarded shirts and prizes honoring their tireless efforts in maintaining the PATCH Garden and its fresh, healthy, and pesticide-free fruits and vegetables.

 “The PATCH provides a platform for education, cultural growth, community participation and economic development. Our volunteers are passionate about access to local, healthy and affordable food, offering their time, expertise and philanthropic giving to create more sustainable communities, and we’re proud to support their volunteer and charitable efforts,” states Rachel Bach, Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Executive Director.

There are numerous ways volunteers can get involved in the PATCH. Gardening volunteers assist by planting, mulching, spreading dirt, weeding, cutting grass, and cleaning up at the PATCH. Greenmarket volunteers help with at-market promotions like cooking demonstrations, kid’s activities, and community outreach. In addition, the PATCH offers a variety of soft skills volunteer opportunities to include programs for youth focused on entrepreneurship and community engagement. To volunteer your time, sign up online here: http://www.handsonbroward.org/register.

The PATCH Farm and Market is located at 1201 W. Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania Beach, FL. The market is open to the public every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every 3rd Saturday of the month the PATCH hosts special family events.   For more information call 954-924-6801.

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The Dania Beach PATCH Urban Farm and Market: 2017 Kids Crown Nominee!

Wednesday, May 31, 2017 - 11:38am

Dania Beach, FL (May, 2017) – The Dania Beach PATCH Urban Farm and Market has been nominated for the 2017 Kids Crown Best Farmer’s Market in Broward County. This annual contest is sponsored by South Florida Parenting Magazine with various categories throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. The PATCH was nominated by readers, who live, work and play in the tri-county area. The ballot is divided into FOUR major sections: Family Outings & Activities, Important Matters, Family Eating and Family Shopping & Services. Readers may vote for as many categories as they would like ONCE per hour.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be nominated by our loyal customers and family’s in Broward County as the Best Farmer’s Market in Broward County,” states Rachel Bach, Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Executive Director. “The PATCH is the ideal candidate for this nomination since we are dedicated to facilitating meaningful connections between all residents of the community, including gardeners, educators, students, family’s and researchers on things pertaining to gardening and community health while providing opportunities to strengthen neighborhoods, improve access to nutritious foods, and enjoy family fun activities. We encourage everyone to vote for us as the Best Farmer’s Market in Broward County!”

The PATCH hosts numerous family-friendly activities and events and has become the primary destination for environmental and health education. The PATCH also provides opportunities for adult and children’s education, through workshops, it’s community garden and field trips and tours for local schools and organizations in order to utilize the garden as a mechanism to introduce students to science, environmental stewardship and entrepreneurship.

The PATCH Farm and Market is located at 1201 W. Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania Beach, FL. The market is open to the public every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every 3rd Saturday of the month the PATCH hosts special family events. For more information call 954-924-6801.

Voting started at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 1 and closes at 11:59 p.m. on May 17. Click here to vote: http://tiflorida.secondstreetapp.com/l/2017-Kids-Crown-Voting.

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The DBCRA Invites Neighborhood Ambassadors to Get an Exclusive First Look at the Place at Dania Beach.

Wednesday, May 31, 2017 - 11:34am

Dania Beach, FL (5.15.2017) - The Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (DBCRA) will be hosting the second Neighborhood Ambassadors Event of the year on May 25th at the Place at Dania Beach located at 180 East Dania Beach Blvd from 6-8PM. Attendees will catch up on all happenings in the City of Dania Beach, gain “insider” knowledge on upcoming business events, new developments and plans for City Center improvements AND GET VIP BEHIND THE SCENES ACCESS TO THE PLACE AT DANIA BEACH!

The Place at Dania Beach will play a key role in the development of Downtown Dania Beach and East Dania Beach Boulevard. This project will create a new urban experience within in the City of Dania Beach and is the first mixed use development to open Downtown. The design integrates first floor storefronts, that the developer, AHS Development Group, hopes to fill with restaurants, coffee shops and small scale retail and service establishments. The project also includes 144 rental units within 5 floors that also includes townhome-style residences with direct access along S.E. 2nd Avenue as well as 1 and 2-bedroom apartment style units. The buildings geometry emphasizes a circular lobby, step backs, geometrical shapes, balconies and detailing that accomplishes a contemporary design concept. Amenities will provide for a luxury living experience including an expansive gym, 243 car garage, recreation room, roof top pool, sundeck, barbeque area with bar, and street-level shops. Residents will enjoy a beautiful and exciting environment at this landmark new development, The Place at Dania Beach.

Rachel Bach, Executive Director of the DBCRA said, “We are very excited to be hosting this sneak preview of the Place at Dania Beach prior to leasing! This project will be a dynamic addition to Downtown Dania Beach and will be a destination for City residents and businesses.”

To RSVP contact Kisha Payen kpayen@daniabeachfl.gov. For more information, contact the CRA at 954-924-6801.

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