Events Calendar July 18 – July 28

Friday, July 19

Moon Day at the Library: Learn about Space Travel and where it’s headed with NASA Aerospace Engineer George Haddad, 2 – 3 p.m. at Fort Lauderdale’s Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Avenue, 6^th Floor. Highlights include NASA Artifacts, pictures, prizes and moon pie. All ages are welcome. Call 954-357-7443.

Young at Art Teen Comic Convention:  Calling all cartoon enthusiasts, video gamers and superheroes. Young At Art (YAA)  Museum presents the seventh annual Young At Art Teen Comic Convention from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the museum, 751 S.W. 121 Ave., Davie. Local teen artists will display and sell their colorful, animated artwork, including from YAA's summer cartoon camp. Event activities include an Anime Gaming Experience; Quick Draw Contest; Cosplay Costume Contest; display by Tate's Comics, Inc.; Superhero and cartoon workshops; animated short screenings and more. Admission is $13 per person; $12 for seniors and children over age one.  Call 954-424-0085 or visit youngatartmuseum.org

Saturday, July 20

Desmond Howard Football Clinic: DIBIA Athletic Development will host the first annual Desmond Howard Football Clinic featuring the former Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl XXXI MVP to cultivate the next generation of athletes. Howard joined forces with Brandon Okpalobi, CEO of DIBIA, to host an inclusive football camp for South Florida youth ages six to 14 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Ransom Everglades School, 3575 Main Highway in Coconut Grove. Admission is $50. Visit dibiaathletic.com

Health Fest: Your body is a temple and Praise Tabernacle International wants you to treat it like one! Join them from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. for free medical advice on nutrition, living a healthy life, chiropractic and wellness and ionic foot, 1050 N.W. 43rd Avenue in Plantation. Call 954-792-0367.

Family and Friends Bahamian Picnic in the Park: All are invited to enjoy great food, fun and fellowship, 12 – 5 p.m. at Amelia Earhart Park, 401 E. 65th St., Hialeah. Call 305-373-6295.

Financial Empowerment Workshop: Get advice on how to change the thought process around self and money, taking responsibility for personal financial direction and making the right financial decisions for you and your family, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Sheraton Suites Plantation Hotel, 311 N. University Dr. RSVP with Suzette Rochester at 1-877-770-8627.

Thursday, July 25

Christmas in July: The Miami Rescue Mission/Broward Outreach Centers will hold their annual celebration at 10 a.m. at their three campuses in Miami, Hollywood and Pompano Beach for formerly homeless men, women and children. The celebration will include showers, free haircuts and clothing giveaway to all adults, brand new sneakers for over 600 children, free health screenings, a children’s corner, a great barbeque style meal and live entertainment including local bands and the Regeneration Singers, a group comprised of the homeless residents of the mission. Visit miamirescuemission.com

Junkanoo Rush Featuring Freeport Classic Dancers: Celebrate the Bahamas’ 40^th Anniversary of Independence with native music and culture in two locations:  401 N.W. 12th St. in Overtown at 5 p.m., and 4490 N.W. Second Ave. in Miami at the Bahamian Connection Restaurant at 8 p.m. Call 305-576-6999.

Frankly Speaking About Side Effects: Gilda’s Club South Florida hosts a session that teaches how to manage and prevent side effects of cancer treatment such as fatigue, nausea, low blood cell counts, and other symptoms, 6 – 8 p.m. For other info and to RSVP call 954-763-6776 or email betsy@gildasclubsouthflorida.org

Friday, July 26

The Blue Party: The Miami Dade Democratic Party presents a night for Miami's progressive community to celebrate the city and the work being done to make Miami a more vibrant, just and sustainable place to live. Drink, eat cake, hear awesome live music from local bands, win prizes and celebrate. Tickets are $20 ($25 at the door) and come with one free drink ticket. VIP tickets are $50. Doors open at 6 p.m. Email theblueparty@miamidaddedemocrats.org

Gospel Extravaganza: Praise the Lord while celebrating the Bahamas’ 40^th Independence Anniversary, 7:30 p.m. at Sure Foundation Ministries COGOP, 5530 S.W. 20th St., West Park. Call 786-417-5900.

South Florida Book Festival: National best-selling African-American writers and world-renowned basketball players Earl “The Pearl” Monroe and Tim Hardaway will highlight July 26-27 at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd. in Ft. Lauderdale. Highlights include a Mystery Writing Workshop, Evening with the Stars and more. Call 954-357-5950 for a detailed listing of events.

Saturday, July 27

Gun Buy Back Events: Miami Dade County and the City of North Miami invite individuals to drop off a firearm with no questions asked at its Safer Communities Gun Buy Back Events, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Biscayne Landings Sales Office Site, 15045 Biscayne Blvd., and at Goulds Park Gym, 11350 S.W. 216 St. In exchange for turning in a gun, individuals may receive a gift card(s) for local retailers up to $200. Free gun locks for safe gun storage will also be provided for those interested. Call 305-940-9980.

Women’s Health … A Conversation: Jamaican Women of Florida invite ladies to talk about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle while juggling work and family, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tao Sawgrass Social Room, 2561 N. Flamingo Rd. in Sunrise. Registration required. Cost is $10 for non-members. Visit jamaicanwomenofflorida.com

National Association of the Bahamas Black Tie Gala: Ladies and gents are invited for a night of elegance and entertainment, 7 p.m. at Doubletree By Hilton, 711 N.W. 72 Avenue in Miami. Call 305-521-7345.

P.H.I.R.S.T Impressionz: Enjoy a thought provoking night of interactive open mic at the 11^th anniversary of this evening dedicated to spoken word and other artistic talents at 7:30 p.m. at Eclectic Miami, 13227 N.W. Seventh Ave. Admission free; Haitian food and soul food will be on sale. Visit islandfaith.com

Sunday, July 28

African Nations Day: Enjoy an evening celebrating African culture, music, dance, fashion and food featuring Sounds of Positively Africa, 4 p.m. at St. Paul AME Church, 3345 Haverhill Rd., West Palm Beach. Wear your African attire. Call 561-242-0001.

South Florida Black Professionals Monthly Mixer: Spend the evening mixing with New York Times and nationally best-selling authors at the  African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. The $20 donation includes food, wine, music and a complimentary autographed book from an author of your choice. Cash will be accepted at the door. Visit sfbpnetwork.com

Ongoing

Priscilla Taylor Coffee Talk: Call toll-free at 1-877-960-9960 and join the Palm Beach County commissioner from 8 – 9 a.m. Sunday mornings on 95.9 FM, 960 AM and 106.9 FM.

Free Yoga at UM: Close the work week with a little relaxation at the UM Life Science & Technology Park, 1951 N.W. Seventh Ave., Miami, by taking free yoga classes every Friday this summer from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. on the first floor of the park. Once class ends, head over to the restaurants located at the park for a healthy post-yoga meal. Visit umlsp.com

AmeriCorps Recruiting: Workers are needed for Communities in Schools of Miami. Workers are required to commit to one year of service tutoring kids and will receive a stipend of about $480 twice a month and an education award of $5,500. Call Keysha Mercedes, Americorps-Vista Volunteer Coordinator, 305-694-4889 ext. 239, 786-286-8386 or email kmercedes@cismiami.org

Art Exhibitions: Enjoy two new exhibitions, Six Degrees of Separate Nations: Ebony G. Patterson and Peterson Kamwathi, and Borders of Paradise: In the Eyes of Explorers, through Sept. 8 and Aug. 25, respectively at FrostArt (The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum at Florida International University), 10975 S.W. 17^th St., Miami. Call 305-348-2890 or visit thefrost.fiu.edu.

Donate for Back to School Supplies: Your donation of only $30 can outfit a child with supplies, uniforms and shoes. Make checks payable to: Community Foundation of Broward “The Children Services Council of Broward Charity Fund” and send to the council at 6600 W. Commercial Blvd., Lauderhill. Contact Sandra Bernard-Bastien at 954-377-1000 or email sbernard@cscbroward.org

Portraits by Caribbean Artists: Through July, the museum/gallery of the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, will host works by local artists Phillip Curtis, Shernett Muhammad, Melissa Aldana and Courtney Henderson. Call 954-357-5950.