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Hey Pembroke Pines, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Students top state averages, a monkey sanctuary warehouse fight, and a food and wine fest turns 20 + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Pembroke Pines protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Rising achievement amid challenges: Broward students are topping state averages in math and English, with big gains in 4th and 5th grade, offering good news as the district confronts a $94 million budget gap — get the numbers and context.

Local flavors take center stage: Miramar Pembroke Pines Chamber’s A Sip of Wine … A Taste of Heaven turns 20 on March 14 at Miramar Regional Park Amphitheater, featuring Zuru Ramen Bar, Pubbelly, and more — get ticket and lineup details.

Environmental protections face challenge: Broward commissioners voted last week to reject a 62,000-square-foot warehouse near a monkey sanctuary after resident pushback. The developer now looks to Dania Beach, meaning the fight may continue — get all the details.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Funkin Grateful plays Hollywood Beach Bandshell
• Enjoy family stories, songs, and crafts
• Win big and fund scholarships

🫶 We got your back

Serious deli craving? At Doris Italian Market & Bakery, the full-service deli builds made-to-order Italian subs with fresh-sliced cold cuts, marinated veggies, and house-made mozzarella. The bakery covers dessert needs, and since 1947 they’ve delivered that real-lunch feeling, no frills, just flavor.

Level up your toy hunt: Korka Comics packs shelves with comics, trading cards, Funko Pops, statues, plush, and toys, plus gaming staples from Magic to Pokémon. Easy-to-roam aisles make it a laid-back treasure hunt for collectors and curious fans chasing their next favorite find.

Fresh-air upgrade: C.B. Smith Park makes midweek resets simple, with wide walking and biking paths, roomy picnic nooks, and the seasonal Paradise Cove splash area. Year-round camping keeps it close to home overnight, and it’s perfect for lingering with friends and snacks.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🧠 Trivia Nation @ Throwback Tavern | Tuesday (3/10) at 7:00 PM – Tuesday at 7 at Throwback Tavern in Pembroke Pines means proving those Jeopardy reruns were research, not a phase. Free to play team trivia with Trivia Nation, $100 in prizes, and bragging rights. Bring a crew, or join a table, snag the free answer online.

🏴 Pirate Preschool Open Gym Party @ Gravity Gymnastics (Hollywood) | Wednesday (3/11) at 10:00 AM – This free pirate-themed preschool open gym at Gravity Gymnastics in Miramar lets your 1–5-year-old climb, jump, and sing without turning your living room into a shipwreck. Parents stay aboard, registration is required, and spots go faster than Goldfish crackers at snack time.

🐝 Broward Beekeepers Association March Monthly Meeting @ UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center (Davie) | Thursday (3/12) at 7:00 PM – Whether you run a backyard hive or just love honey, Dave Westervelt is breaking down spring prep, hive health, and keeping girls happy when blooms show up uninvited. Expect a Davie crowd, a raffle, free entry for members, and newbies welcome.

🆓 Friends Come Free Weekend @ Crunch Fitness – West Pembroke | Saturday (3/14) at 7:00 AM – Grab that friend who always balks at the guest fee, then flash this at the front desk, and their $15 is history. It happens every weekend, so no excuses, just quality hang time, familiar faces, and zero sticker shock. Ages 18+, club rules apply.

🐢 Magic: The Gathering – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles March Commander Party @ Cool Stuff Games – Hollywood | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Dust off your deck, channel your inner turtle, and slide into CSG Hollywood for a free MTG Commander hang where the only sewer smell is sweet nostalgia. Snag a TMNT promo while supplies last, linger for raffles, and yes, bring the Companion app.

🎵 Song Swap @ Together We Stand (Hollywood) | Sunday (3/15) at 2:00 PM – Together We Stand is hosting a laid-back song swap where you can play, sing, or just nod like you meant to practice. All acoustic, zero ego, and totally free. Bring a guitar, a fiddle, or just your ears, and trade tunes with neighbors.

📦 Don777 Garage Sale @ Davie Self Storage | Sunday (3/15) at 2:00 PM – If you love a good treasure hunt, Don777 is unloading a haul of auction finds at a sprawling garage sale. Think tools, vintage knickknacks, maybe that one casserole dish you regret donating, and plenty of oddities you did not know you needed.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Pembroke Pines report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 85°F – Low: 71°F – Precip: 5%

Sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 2 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. East wind 6 to 12 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 85°F – Low: 71°F – Precip: 1%

Sunny, with a high near 85. Southeast wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind 6 to 12 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Florida but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This 4-bed, 2.5-bath home in coveted Silver Lakes touts a 2019 roof, impact windows, a 2019 AC, a 2021 water heater, and a generator transfer switch for storm season confidence. A renovated kitchen elevates the interior. Outside, a 10,937 sq ft lot offers a private backyard with room for a pool and outdoor kitchen, close to top schools and shops.

Take a peek inside →