OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Some exciting things are happening in Oakland Park! Watch for new developments with Oakland Park Main Street as we have turned our attention towards becoming the epicenter for major events in downtown Oakland Park.

We started the new fiscal year with our amazing fourth annual Oktoberfest, which brought 3000-plus people to downtown Oakland Park. Now, we are in the process of planning something new for Oakland Park -- quarterly tours. Beginning with our first annual holiday showcase, the tour will feature five Oakland Park homes (see article below for details). Other tours scheduled for 2009 include hidden Oakland Park restaurant gems; Oakland Park estate homes and a behind-the-scenes look at some unique and impressive Oakland Park businesses. It is our goal to highlight the best of what Oakland Park has to offer!

Watch for the third annual "Meet Me on Main Street" street-fest sometime in the first quarter of 2009. Attracting approximately 500 people, "Meet Me on Main Street" features live music, libations and a sampling of foods from Oakland Park restaurants and caterers.

With Oakland Park's new Jaco Pastorious Park open, one of our goals is to bring a piece of public art to the park. Currently, we are in the process of reviewing public arts grants as well as other fundraising ideas.

So you can see, there are good times ahead and now is an excellent time for you to get involved. This is your opportunity to join Main Street and learn the many benefits we offer including our on-line interactive map and directory. For further information, check out our web site at www.oaklandparkmainstreet.com or email me directly at mark@smark.com. Oakland Park Main Street is "at the heart of it all".

Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy a fabulous performance on the lawn by Ira Sullivan, songstress Toni Bishop, Bobby Thomas and Randy Bernsen, artists who had a personal connection to and performed with the new park's legendary namesake Jaco Pastorius.

The City selected December 1, as this was Jaco's birthday. Pastorius, who grew up near Oakland Park City Hall, showcased what would soon become extraordinary musical talents at Northeast High School. More than 20 years after his untimely death, he is still considered by many in the music industry to be the world's best bass guitarist. He performed around the world with other jazz legends including Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell, Pat Metheny and the group Weather Report.

For information on the grand opening of Jaco Pastorius Park or the free jazz concert, please call the City's Parks and Leisure Services office at 954-650-4500 or the Main Street office 954-565-2627,

(Jaco Pastorius Park is located on North Dixie Highway, just north of NE 38 Street, Oakland Park)

Oakland Park Main Street is proud to announce the first annual Holiday Homes Showcase, Saturday December 6, 2008 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm. Included will be five Oakland Park homes open for tour with tickets being sold for $10.00. Main Street is seeking sponsors for $100.00. For further information call, Caryl Stevens, 954-566-9957 or email Carylryn @aol.com.

By Tom Sukowitz

The Fourth Annual Oktoberfest kicked off at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, with the traditional procession from City Hall to the "Bavarian Village" set up this year on the festival grounds north of 38th Street in the new Jaco Pastorius Park, where the Mayor performed the official "keg tapping" and commenced the celebration! Hans Huber, owner of Fort Lauderdale's award-winning Ambry Restaurant again operated the Bavarian-style "Biergarten" and offered a delicious selection of popular German favorites.

Large tents replicated the authentic atmosphere of a Bavarian village celebration; including a stage and a dance floor, famous Oktoberfest dances, and the Royal Chessman performing the German weavers dance.

A record number of vendors in the Alpine market offered a variety of gift items, collectibles, half-pound chocolate-chip cookies and more. Kids and adults alike enjoyed Carnival rides, games and refreshments. While the weather held up, the Dachshund contestants lined up to win the popular Dachshund Dash, sponsored by Central Bark.

This year, 36 hounds competed in the race. Elvis, a four-year old dachshund took First Place. The second place winner was eight-year-old Amos of Coral Heights. This was not the first appearance of Amos in the winner's circle. Two years ago he was the first place winner, and the year before, in the first Oktoberfest race, he came in second.

The inclement weather didn't dampen the spirits of the revelers who danced to the joyous sounds of oompah and polka dance melodies under the canopy in their bare feet and soggy sneakers until the festival closed around 10:00 pm.

Oakland Park Main Street gratefully acknowledges the sponsors whose generous financial support made Oktoberfest 2008 a resounding success. We particularly want to recognize Presenting Sponsor Lipton Toyota/Scion for their generous contribution. Lipton Toyota/Scion has been a superior sponsor of Oktoberfest every year since its inception, and deserves credit for making this event possible. American National Bank, the City of Oakland Park, Comcast, Days Inn Oakland Park, the South Florida Blade (formerly the Express Gay News), 411 Magazine, Holy Cross Hospital, Graphic Banner, Kirk Colford/State Farm Insurance Agency Inc / State Farm, S.MARK Graphics, the City of Oakland Park and many others.

Cort Neiman bought the wining raffle ticket for two round trip tickets to Munich or Dusseldorf aboard AIR BERLIN. AIR BERLIN is one of Germany's leading airlines and a generous sponsor to Oakland Park's Oktoberfest for the second consecutive year. More than 3,000 people from near and far flocked to the event despite the heavy rain later in the day. The thunder and lightening that accompanied the torrential rain brought the fourth annual Oktoberfest to a close with a bang! For additional photos, click here.

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As one of the catalytic projects in the downtown area, the City of Oakland Park is proceeding rapidly with the reconstruction of NE 12th Avenue and portions of NE 12th Terrace. This $4 million project will greatly improve the appearance of the street from Oakland Park Boulevard to NE 38th Street and promote further investment and momentum toward achieving the City's vision of creating a local destination.

Roadwork with the first lift of asphalt including drainage and utility relocation has been completed on NE 12th Avenue from Oakland Park Boulevard to NE 34th Street and NE 12th Terrace from NE 34th Street to NE 12th Court. Currently the contractor is working on the segments of NE 12th Terrace from NE 34th Court to NE 35th Street and NE 35th Street from NE 12th Terrace to NE 12 Avenue.

The construction is being done with two crews, a drainage crew for the underground work ahead of the second crew that does the pavers, sidewalk, and asphalt road work. Residents and businesses in the areas may experience temporary water shut downs of 30 to 60 minutes periodically and parking and driveway closures for approximately four to six weeks. If you are experiencing particular problems directly related to the construction please contact the City's Project Manager, Ronald Desbrunes, P.E. at 954-630-4480.

Thank you for your patience during this construction project, as the finished product will greatly improve drainage and aesthetics of the downtown area.

Oakland Park Main Street, Inc. is a 501©(3) nonprofit corporation. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free 1-800-435-7352 within the State. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State.