Thursday, March 26th - 2026 - Hey quick note to all our readers (over 1300+ of you). We are about to make a round of improvements to your FFFTL experience - both behind the scenes, and some you will see as well. We have a new partner and we are excited about the coming year. Welcome to the team Pol!

My question to you is - knowing we are going to make a bunch of updates - what do you MOST want to see? What should we change (if anything)? And what should we definitely NOT change? I promise I will personally respond to each and every person who HITS REPLY.

~ Tobin

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Stuff You Won't Want To Miss:

1. TONIGHT | Last chance to see Swan Lake on stage at The Parker. Featuring a cast of 50 international dancers, over 150 radiant hand-sewn costumes, and stunning hand-crafted sets.
2. Friday Night | Movie on the Lawn at Huizenga. The movie on tap is Hop! The fun kicks off at 6:00 PM with pre-movie activities, including: a bunny petting zoo, Face painting, Photos with the Easter Bunny, Spring flower cart, Easter egg hunt (for kids 10 & under) and Kilwins ice cream!
3. Friday from 4-7pm and Sunday | Enjoy spring egg hunts at multiple neighborhood parks. Highlights include photos with the Spring Bunny, an egg hunt, arts and crafts, food, games, music, and more! Please remember to bring your own basket.
4. Friday Night | Yappy Hour with Barkyard & the Humane Society of Broward County at Huizenga Park. In addition to all the fun of our regular Yappy Hour—social playtime, friendly pups, and a welcoming community—DogDrop will be onsite providing complimentary dog treats and sharing tips on canine enrichment, care, and socialization.
5. Friday Night - Friday Night Sound Waves - Spread The Dub. Come out and celebrate family-friendly concert celebrating 10 years of community vibes at The Loop.
6. Saturday | Family Fun Day at the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. Explore the historic house museum, filled with a delightful collection of art and personal treasures from the Bartlett family; wander the nature trails rich with native plants, trees, and wading birds; and take part in hands-on activities, live performances, interactive history experiences, art projects, and more—all designed for guests of every age.
7. Last Saturday of Every Month | Visit the Fort Lauderdale Fire & Safety Museum. During open-house weekends, guests can meet retired firefighters, see live demonstrations, and take photos beside the restored 1922 American LaFrance engine.
8. All Weekend | 3-Day Barbie Dream Fest. Life-size DreamHouse, interactive exhibits, panels featuring real-life Barbies, autographs, photo ops, and more. Through March 29 at the Broward County Convention Center.
9. Something Extra | Want to get your hands into clay? Twice each month at the Bailey Contemporary Arts Center in Pompano. One hand-built object will be made during class. Underglaze (color) will be added during class by the student, work will be cleaned up and bisque fired after work has dried, clear glaze will be applied by the instructor after first firing, and a second firing to finish the piece will be run immediately after.
10. Extra Extra | Wanting to get your little one's first photo with the Easter Bunny? Proof that he was always real? Visit the Galleria Mall until next weekend.
11. And one more unique experience (until June) | See the Sistine Chapel here in Fort Lauderdale. Step inside Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition® – a breathtaking re-creation of the Sistine Chapel — where Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling paintings are brought down to eye level, hosted by History Fort Lauderdale.

😉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

This weekend (3 days) Barbie owns Fort Lauderdale!

Pack your pinkest suitcase—the wait is over! This weekend, March 27–29, the first-ever official Barbie Dream Fest is transforming the Broward County Convention Center into a high-fashion, high-energy paradise. Whether you’re a lifelong collector or introducing the next generation to the world of Barbie, this is the ultimate fan experience.

Here is your insider guide to the "pinkest" weekend in Fort Lauderdale history:

The Main Attractions

You don't just look at the world of Barbie here; you live in it.

• The Life-Size DreamHouse: Step inside a massive, interactive recreation of Barbie’s iconic home. Every room is a curated, walk-through experience—perfect for that ultimate selfie.
• "Totally Hair" Glam Bar: Get a festival-ready makeover inspired by decades of Barbie style. Think glitter, colorful extensions, and serious nostalgia.
• 80s Disco Roller Rink: Grab some skates and hit the neon-soaked floor for a throwback vibe that would make 1980s Barbie proud.

Real-Life Role Models & Stars

This isn't just about dolls; it’s about the women who inspire them. The weekend features star-studded panels and autograph sessions with:

• Serena Williams: The inaugural Icon Award Honoree (appearing Saturday).
• Angel Reese: The WNBA star known as "Bayou Barbie" (appearing Friday).
• Cast Members: Meet the voices behind Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse, including the voices of Ken, Raquelle, and Skipper.
• The Designers: Get a rare look behind the curtain with Mattel doll and packaging designers.

Pro Tips for Families

• The Marketplace: Budget some time (and space in your car!) for the Marketplace, which is packed with exclusive merchandise and rare collector finds you won't see anywhere else.
• Early Starts: Kick off your morning with Dream Flow Yoga to center yourself before the crowds arrive.
• Ticketing: If you’re coming for the full experience, the General Pass covers all three days, while the Family Pack offers a discounted rate for two adults and two children.

So... You Think You Know Florida

You probably already know... Fort Lauderdale is the 'Venice of America' — famous for its canals and beach. What you might not know is that just two blocks from the Atlantic, hidden behind a quiet stretch of North Birch Road, sits one of the most remarkable estates in South Florida.

What you might not know... The Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is a 35-acre tropical oasis built in 1920 by artist Frederic Clay Bartlett as a winter retreat. The estate somehow survived 100+ years of development pressure — today it's a National Register of Historic Places property surrounded by high-rise condos, which makes it feel all the more surreal when you step inside.

Kids under 5 are free. Tickets start at $8. Self-guided tours let you wander at your own pace. And this weekend is their Family Fun Day - giving extra motivation to see this unique real estate right next to Fort Lauderdale Beach.

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)

• What are your plans for summer fun? Studies show kids can lose 2–3 months of academic progress over summer break. The summer slide is real but it’s preventable. But when kids build robots, create, and problem-solve, they’re still using math, logic, reading, and teamwork - just in a different way.That’s not a brain-drain summer. That’s a brain-building one. It’s summer camp that actually counts. Learn more at www.esteamlearninglabs.com.
• 👉 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

Mark Twain (1835–1910) was the American author whose works like Adventures of Huckleberry Finn defined American storytelling. He had a gift for capturing universal truths in simple sentences — which is probably why this one still shows up everywhere, 115 years later.

Flotsam & Jetsam

Map Your Memories: Create Custom Poster Art with TerraLink

Ever looked at a map of your hometown, the street where you bought your first house, or the winding roads of your favorite vacation spot and thought, "That would look amazing on my wall"?

Meet TerraLink, the design tool that turns geography into gallery-ready art. Whether you're looking to decorate your home or level up your social media aesthetic, TerraLink makes professional cartography accessible to everyone.

Design Your Story

TerraLink isn't just a GPS—it’s a digital studio. You can take any location on Earth and apply a level of customization that fits your personal style:

• Minimalist & Modern: Choose clean lines and high-contrast monochrome for a sleek, gallery vibe.
• Vintage & Classic: Use warm tones and retro typography to give your map a historic feel.
• Total Color Control: Match your map to your living room’s color palette or your brand’s social media kit with fully custom hex codes.

From Street Level to Skyline

The power of TerraLink lies in its precision. You can zoom all the way down to building-level detail (up to 50m!) to highlight a specific city block, or zoom out to capture the iconic silhouette of a mountain range or coastline.

More Than Just a Poster

While TerraLink is a go-to for high-resolution printed posters (up to 24×36"), it’s also a secret weapon for creators:

• Social Media: Generate stunning, stylized backgrounds for Instagram stories or travel blogs.
• Digital Gifts: Create a meaningful digital "map of us" for anniversaries or housewarming cards.
• Wallpapers: Export custom-fitted maps for your phone or desktop background.

Ready to start? Head over to the TerraLink web app and see your favorite place in a whole new light. Whether it’s the place you’re from or the place you’re going next, make it a piece of art.

Word Play Of The Week

To enjoy two different advantages at the same time, getting the benefits of two different things without having to sacrifice one for the other. Often attributed to William Blake (late 18th century). Gained widespread usage in the 19th century and today appears everywhere from parenting advice to real estate listings. ~ Source​

One Big Idea For The Week

Tell Us How We Are Doing

Every week we are working to improve #FFFTL every week, both for your reading experience and to provide a cutting-edge media apprenticeship opportunity for our learners.

We want to hear from you. What do you love? What could we do better FOR YOU?

And most importantly, what FTL businesses and experiences should we be highlighting?