Thursday, December 18th - 2025 - Thank you everyone for your continued support and reading of our little newsletter. We are 1300 subscribers strong and we love how you support the many events and organizations we spotlight each week!

Today's newsletter will be our last of 2025 - we are taking a holiday break and will be back in January for the New Year! 🎇

Please note: If you think you are getting this email by mistake, you can unsubscribe with the button at the bottom of this newsletter. But you might miss out on our weekly "basket of goodies" including from Family Friendly Fort Lauderdale, updates for friends of Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale, or supporters of our local Fort Lauderdale Children's Business Fair. Whatever you choose, we will always respect your decision. But once you unsubscribe we will no longer be able to share our updates.

Stuff You Won't Want To Miss:

1. This weekend down at Las Olas Oceanside Park, we will be celebrating Seas & Greetings (get it?). Lots going on from the markets to a Tribute to Michael Jackson on Friday night.
2. It's not too late to sign up for the annual Jingle Bell Jog (Sunday morning). The Fort Lauderdale Jingle Bell Jog 5K is an annual running event that champions all things associated with the festive winter holidays. Most events give out a shirt with your entry; not this event! All participants will receive a Santa Suit costume! You will also receive a pair of Jingle Bells to tie to your running shoes! The sights and sounds of running Santas will take over Fort Lauderdale Beach & A1A! All finishers will be treated with a Holiday themed medal!
3. Multiple showings of Frozen The Musical at the Broward Center. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, Disney’s Frozen includes all the film’s beloved songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, along with new music written exclusively for the stage.
4. The Flamingo Flea is down at the Marina for their holiday market. Browse handmade and local goods and decor for for local, beachside food hall, market, and 2 story boat bar with live DJ.
5. Enjoy a traditional Christmas at the Stranahan House (on the New River and right in the heart of Downtown Fort Lauderdale) with their Victorian Christmas tours.
6. Saturday is the annual Kwanzaa Celebration at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center. This year’s theme, “Africa Rising: Celebrating Heritage, Building Futures,” invites us to reflect on our roots, embrace the present, and envision a thriving future for the global African community.
7. Did you know that this weekend, the NHL and Fort Lauderdale will be hosting the Street Hockey Championships? This one-day, festival-style street hockey event will unite players of all ages and skill levels for fast-paced, 3-on-3 action on the asphalt.​

😉Hey - quick question. Did we miss anything? Each week we do our research but you might know of an event, an organization, or a local business that deserves some love here in our weekly basket of goodies.​

Just hit reply to this email and let us know!

Featured Fort Lauderdale

SAVE THE DATE - January 24th and 25th - Come on out and see the Grand Reopening of Huizenga Park!

The Countdown is On: Huizenga Park Reopens This January!

The wait is almost over. After months of watching the transformation from behind construction fences, we are thrilled to announce that Huizenga Park is crossing the finish line. As of mid-December, the heavy lifting is wrapping up, and the "finishing touches" are turning this construction site back into the vibrant, green heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale. This marks our final construction-focused update—from January onward, our feed will be all about the sunshine, the events, and the community.

Save the Date: Grand Reopening Weekend

We aren’t just opening the gates; we’re throwing a party! Mark your calendars for January 24–25 for a weekend packed with wellness, art, and cinema.

Saturday, January 24: The Big Reveal

• 10:00 AM: Ribbon Cutting & Official Remarks.
• 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Guided tours to show off the new features.
• 6:30 PM: "Movie on the Lawn" featuring the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival.

Sunday, January 25: Wellness & Community

• 11:00 AM: Morning Yoga with Sunny Side Up Market.
• 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Browse the Community Market.
• 5:30 PM: Muse and Meditation with Art Prevails Project.

What’s New at the Park?

While you were away, the park has been getting a major glow-up. Here are a few things to look for during your first visit:

• The LOVE Mural: Created by legendary NYC artist Cey Adams (who worked alongside Basquiat and Haring!), this vibrant gift from the Community Foundation of Broward adds a world-class pop of color to the lush flora.
• 21,000 Square Feet of Green: The Civic Lawn is officially in! We’ve laid down fresh Zoysia sod, specifically chosen for its durability, so it’s ready for picnics, play, and heavy foot traffic.
• Thoughtful Amenities: We’ve installed new benches, trash and recycling bins, and bottle-filling stations (yes, there are stations for your pets, too!).
• Enhanced Comfort & Safety: We are welcoming Clean Space for daily maintenance and GardaWorld for overnight security to ensure the park remains a pristine, safe destination for everyone.

So... You Think You Know Florida

You probably already know... it's the holiday season, and that means lot and lots of... sweet treats!

What you might not know... right in Wilton Manors is To The Moon candy shop.

A Sweet Trip Down Memory Lane: Discovering "To the Moon"

If you’re looking for a place where time seems to stand still—or at least speeds up with a serious sugar rush—you need to set your coordinates for To the Moon in Greater Fort Lauderdale.

This isn't just a shop; it’s a vibrant, neon-colored explosion of nostalgia and wonder. Whether you’re five years old or "five at heart," this local landmark is a must-visit destination that feels more like an attraction than a typical retail store.

Why You’ll Love It:

• The Ultimate Candy Fix: From hard-to-find retro classics that will transport you back to your childhood to the latest viral treats hitting the shelves today, their candy selection is legendary.
• Toys for Every Imagination: Forget the big-box aisles. Here, you’ll find an endless array of toys that cater to every age group and interest, perfect for sparking a little creativity.
• Gifts with Personality: If you’re tired of giving the same old candles or gift cards, this is your secret weapon. The store is packed with unique items and quirky finds that are guaranteed to get a genuine "Where did you find this?!" from the recipient.

Plan Your Visit

To the Moon is the perfect stop to brighten a rainy afternoon or to find that one-of-a-kind holiday gift. Because they are always adding new treasures, be sure to contact To the Moon directly for their current hours and pricing before you head out.

More Treats To Try

We don't let just anyone sponsor this newsletter. Here's who "made the cut" this week:

(Hit reply to this email if you want to reach over 1300+ local families for just $100)

• Did you know the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi offers a Holiday Lights Cruise? Starting this week and running into the first days of January. Great music and a memorable experience for all!
• 👉 Buy YOUR OWN Classified Ad Here 👈

Just hit reply to this email to get started. Work with us to reach over 1250+ Greater Fort Lauderdale families.

Quote Of The Week

​Writer Marlon James on love, and taking care of our neighbors. This past two weeks our little school has been contributing bags of canned foods and dry-packaged goods to the Jubilee Center of South Broward. With many organizations not able to support as much as years past, they are seeing more and more small donors stepping up to give. This week they will feed over 150 local families who are facing food instability as they head into the holidays.

Flotsam & Jetsam

Give Yourself the Gift of Curiosity This Holiday Season

The holidays are often synonymous with "to-do" lists: the shopping, the hosting, the endless scheduling. We spend so much time checking boxes that we rarely leave room for wonder.

What if, this year, the best gift you gave yourself wasn't something under the tree, but permission to be curious?

The Joy of the "Deep Dive"

There is a unique kind of peace found in following a trail of "why" or "how." When we let our minds wander without a specific goal or deadline, we tap into a sense of play that we often leave behind in childhood. Curiosity isn’t just about learning; it’s about the thrill of discovery.

Start with a Map

If you’re looking for a place to start your holiday "wonder-trip," look no further than the World Map of Human Ideas.

This isn't your standard geography lesson. It is a hand-crafted visualization of over 250 of the greatest ideas and inventions that shaped our civilization. From philosophy to physics, it's color-coded by fields of knowledge, allowing you to trace the birthplaces of the thoughts that built our world.

Why It’s Fun to Explore:

• Zero Pressure: You aren't studying for a test; you’re just exploring for the sake of it.
• New Perspectives: Seeing where an idea was born helps you realize how connected we all truly are.
• The "Aha!" Moment: Finding a connection between two seemingly different fields of study is a natural dopamine hit.

So, between the parties and the gift-wrapping, take twenty minutes for yourself. Open a map, pick a color, and see where a single idea takes you. You might find that getting lost in thought is the most refreshing break of all.

Word Play Of The Week

The idiom "onto something" means that someone has made a discovery or is close to discovering something important, valuable, or significant. It suggests that a person is on the right path to uncovering a key piece of information, solving a problem, or making a breakthrough.

The specific idiomatic use of "onto something" appears to have emerged in the early 20th century. It aligns with the sense of being on the trail or verge of a significant finding, akin to saying "you're on the right track" or "you've hit upon something." Early uses of the phrase can be found in contexts where someone is close to solving a problem or making a discovery, particularly in detective stories, scientific research, or investigative work. ~ Source​

Idea Of The Week

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