Tuesday, April 16th - 2024 - Two big events this weekend (The Plywood Derby and Heal The Planet Day) plus a whole host of art and stage performances you will want to know about.👇

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Stuff You Won't Want To Miss:

1. Sunday is Heal The Planet Day at Esplanade Park. Come out and join us celebrate Earth Day with a day of fun, family-friendly activities. The focus is on small, local acts with a huge, global impact. Heal The Planet Day is an amazing event with a fantastic array of planned activities, live music, healthy food, and a conscious vendor village. We will be there with our "Thumb Buddy" table in the children's "Creation Station."
2. Saturday AND Sunday is the annual Plywood Regatta. With 4,613 student participants and 1,968 sheets of plywood plus 7,674 tubes of calk... what could wrong as contestants have built over 650 boats for the racing. This is one of those South Florida events not to be missed.
3. Lot's taking place on stage this week. Wednesday and Thursday at the Broward Center, Mean Girls the Musical will explore the truth about chasing popularity and staying true to yourself. On Friday the stage gets cleared for two show of Junie B. Jones The Musical. Wednesday night Tchaikovsky & Brich (Masterworks V) will be performed at The Parker by the South Florida Symphony. And Sunday back at the Broward Center, it is the 2024 Ukrainian Montage with an afternoon of authentic Ukrainian folk dance and song featuring the Ukrainian Dancers of Miami celebrating over 75 seasons in South Florida.
4. Wednesday night Broward College will be hosting Dinner at the Square for a panel discussion about Education and how public money is being used by families for more options. We will be there because the State School Choice program is a big factor in making Acton available for more people.
5. Also on Wednesday night is the 6th Annual Art & Stroll on Las Olas.
6. Friday night there is a free movie in the Park. This week it is Ferris Bueller's Day Off. That is the same evening that the Las Olas Wine & Food Festival kicks off, so the downtown will be hopping! You can also catch Rogue Theory down at Fort Lauderdale Beach as part of the Friday Night Sound Waves. There is also free and live music at Carter Park Jamz on Friday night.
7. Saturday morning is the last of the "Reimagining City Hall" Workshop Series. This one (Part 5) will be at Holiday Park from 9-11am.
8. Saturday afternoon is Sips, Sounds, and Splats if you want paint with your friends at the South Side Cultural Center. Or you can visit Esplanade Park for the Smoke On The Water BBQ Feast also on Saturday afternoon.
9. You might also want to know that "Teddy's Playground" at Birch State Park is now open. The old equipment was reenvisioned and replaced. A new ADA-accessible walkway is in place, to make it a great visit for everyone. You can read more in the Friends of Birch State Park newsletter.

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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

Sunday is Heal The Planet Day at Esplanade Park. And as part of the preparation for the big day, we visited with friend and local author Laura Duksta who will also be participating at the event.

Laura Duksta is a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and Ambassador of Love. She holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Maryland and is known for her inspirational work on human potential and transformation.

Laura is a self-appointed "Ambassador of Love", aiming to spread the message of love and kindness. She has authored several books, including "I Love You More," "You are a Gift to the World/The World is a Gift to You," and "I'll Hug You More."

Her upcoming book, "No Matter What, You Are Loved," is set for release in 2024. Laura's books have sold over a million copies in the US and are available internationally in eight languages. She has delivered presentations to thousands of students and educators globally and has been featured in various media outlets.

Laura's talks focus on empowering individuals to embrace challenges, live their best lives, and shine their unique gifts. She speaks at schools, conferences, charitable organizations, churches, and more, inspiring audiences of all ages with messages of love and empowerment https://www.lauraduksta.com/​

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So... You Think You Know South Florida?

You probably know... the Brickell name is well-known both here in Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

But what you might not know is... The Brickell Avenue in Fort Lauderdale is right downtown, most of what became downtown Fort Lauderdale was purchased by Mary and William Brickell in 1874.

"This one mile and a quarter Brickell Avenue was the Main Street of our town from the very beginning of Fort Lauderdale."

Here's the full story from CBS News on how Mary Brickell was instrumental in shaping the future of Fort Lauderdale.

Treats To Try

• Love the Family Friendly Fort Lauderdale Newsletter? Please help us support the upcoming Children's Business Fair (May 11th). We are seeking sponsors for our category vote-getters (most creative, best salesmanship, etc) with sponsorship levels of $100, $250, and $500 options. Hit reply and we will hook you up with the details.
• Last week we shared a template for a summer planner. This week we are sharing Big Life Journal's "Respect Explorer Poster" because this might be an activity you may want to do as a family.
• 🌟 Job Opportunity at Colossal Academy 🌟 Colossal Academy, in partnership with Outschool, is seeking enthusiastic individuals to join our team as Conversational English Teachers! Visit the "work with us" page for more details.
• Hey summer camp, summer school, scout troops and homeschool pods - did you know you can visit the Stranahan House in downtown Fort Lauderdale for only $7 per camper (half the cost of most other day adventures). Includes tours and hands-on activities.
• Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale is also hiring! We are interviewing folks for PT, FT, and after-school roles. If you would like to learn more, this page on the website might be helpful.

Quote Of The Week

"(Krishnamurti) didn’t mean to imply that he did not care. He simply meant that his happiness was not invested in the content of experience … It means that we are no longer seeking fulfillment in objective experience—that is in objects, substances, states of mind, activities, relationships ... He wasn’t speaking on behalf of a temporary, finite mind with all its likes and dislikes. He was speaking on behalf of awareness: I, awareness, that with which all experience is known, that in which all experience appears, that out of which all experience is made. That I, the only I that truly is, don’t mind what happens." — Rupert Spira

Flotsam & Jetsam

What do they tell you in school? You have to know your numbers.

Here are some numbers you might not already know:

• The 50 best playgrounds in America
• 10 of the world's craziest and most futuristic homes​
• ​25 Children's Toys that were banned (and for some really strange reasons)
• And 10 animals that are WAY smarter than what you think

Idiom Of The Week

Since today is the start of the NBA Postseason (go Heat!), it seems like it might make sense to explore this oft-used idiom that means that it is now someone else's turn to take action or make a decision in a particular situation.

The idiom originated from the game of tennis. In tennis, when one player hits the ball to the opponent's side of the court, it becomes the opponent's turn to hit it back. Thus, the phrase has been adapted into general usage to indicate a similar situation where someone else must take action or make a decision.~ Source​

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