“NOT VOTING”? We all know someone making excuses not to vote in the Nov. elections. In fact, 40 percent of Americans who were eligible skipped the 2016 presidential election. Continuing our Community Conversation we are asking you, South Florida: What wisdom have you for those saying they plan to waste this precious right of citizenship? Tell them, in roughly 100 words, to appear in next week’s (Oct. 22) edition. (No fair quoting Fred Sanford to Lamont: “You big dummy!” Be constructive.) Include full name, city or town, phone number, and a preferred head shot if possible, in email by Saturday Oct. 17, subject line: VOTE, to news@sfltimes.com.

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JAMAICAN WOMEN OF FLORIDA (JWOF) HIGH SCHOOL FORUM OCT. 27:

 The 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. event will include information on the college application process, tips on selecting the ideal college, attaining academic success in a virtual environment, getting involved on campus, and maintaining scholarships. A panel of Jamaican women who are leaders in their respective fields will include past recipients of the JWOF scholarship program. Moderator will be Dr. Monique Blake Roswell, dean of Libraries, and Academic Success Centers at Broward College. Immediately following the forum, JWOF will begin accepting applications for its “Powerful Women…Next Generation” scholarship. The $5,000 ($1,250 yearly) scholarship is awarded annually to a first- or second-generation, Jamaican-American female graduate of a high school in Florida, to attend a postsecondary institution in the Fall of 2021. Register at jamaicanwomenofflorida.com/events

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPADY MUSEUM

"JAZZ, THE JOAN CARTWRIGHT COLLECTION”: The Spady Museum’s newest exhibit displays the contents of the noted South Florida musician/scholar’s vault, which includes photos, paintings and artwork by Charles Mills. The exhibit also features instruments and albums from local Delray Beach donors. The museum at 170 NW Fifth Ave. in Delray Beach showcases the contributions of members of the African Diaspora to Florida and the U.S. Call 561279-8883 or visit spadymuseum.com.

RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM RE-OPENED: Phase two (ERAP2) of the Miami-Dade County program is allowing those struggling to pay rent due to COVID-19 to apply for up to three months of assistance. Applications will become available online at any of four locations. Email erap@miamidade.gov or call 305723-1815.

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TIKIMARKET AT THE MARINA IS BACK TO SUNDAYS! 

But earlier, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and also selling fruits and vegetables in addition to other products. Facemasks and social distancing now will be required, but the island vibe will still be the same. Vendors can sign up by calling 561-352-6626, by sending an email to tikimarketrb@gmail.com, or by visiting tikimarketrb.com. The event is sponsored by the Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency. And did we say the TikiMarket is free? Yeah, mon!

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REGIONAL REEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE HUB: 

CareerSource South Florida (CSSF) is continuing to operate the Regional Reemployment Assistance Hub (RRAH), in partnership with Miami-Dade and Monroe County officials and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, to afford South Floridians (MiamiDade and Monroe Counties) alternative unemployment filing methods. The program helps residents find employment, training opportunities and support services resources during this critical time. The RRAH Call Center is operating five days a week (Monday – Friday) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For access to a computer in order to complete your Reemployment Assistance needs, contact your nearest CareerSource South Florida center to make an appointment. Visit careersourcesfl.com/career-center/ to find the nearest location. The RRAH provides assistance in three languages – English, Spanish and Creole. For assistance call 305-929-1547.

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OWN A BUSINESS? GET CITY WORK: 

If your business is small or owned by a minority or a woman, the Riviera Beach Subcontracting Workshop is for you. Actually, it’s workshops: Thanks to social distancing concerns, there will be two hourlong workshops onsite, at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., on Oct. 20. Attendees can sign up for either. The city project seeking skills is scheduled to start in November within the Palm Beach Isles neighborhood on Singer Island, where three bridges will be worked on, and finish two years later. To attend, register by email to purchasing@rivierabch.org. Lots of different skill sets are needed – from laying asphalt to irrigation to rebar installation. The general contractor is Brothers’ Construction, Inc.

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WEST PALM BEACH GREENMARKET HAS RETURNED: 

The county’s centerpiece farmer’s market, with a pandemic-ready theme – “Lettuce Shop Safely” – will run every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through April 17 along the city’s downtown waterfront. Admission is free. The market is dog-friendly (dogs must be on short leashes). Free, two-hour parking is available in nearby city garages before 1 p.m.The focus on safety also means: more space — at least 10 feet — between the market’s estimated 90 vendors; masks are mandatory; market-goers will find hand-sanitizing and washing stations scattered about and a designated walking path to follow, quick shopping is encouraged.

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NEW WEB PORTAL IS LIVE: The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners web portal has a new streamlined look. The revamped site at miamidade.gov/commission features an easy-to-navigate, mobile friendly and ADA-compliant format, along with eye-appealing graphics and photo links to all 13 commissioners’ individual web pages. The Chamber Gazette – the County Commission’s official quarterly publication – is prominently displayed, and visitors to the site can continue to search legislation and access all the commission’s agendas and meeting minutes going back to 1996. The website redesign, which was completed and went live Oct. 5, is the result of nearly two years of effort including numerous meetings and extensive feedback from stakeholders and residents. “My congratulations to all those who worked to make the website as user-friendly as possible for our residents and constituents,” said Chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson.

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SEND YOUR CORONA-NNOUNCEMENTS: To news@sfltimes.com