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It’s Friday, Fort Lauderdale! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: A lifesaving reunion, Star Princess’s high-tech debut, and St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Fort Lauderdale 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

Honoring quick-thinking lifesavers: After collapsing at a Fort Lauderdale school in January, Broward school district videographer Dino DeCesare reunited at William Dandy Middle with the nurse and staff credited with saving his life — see how they saved him.

First new class in years: Princess Cruises’ new Star Princess, touted as the most advanced and spacious in its fleet, will sail from Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades before heading to Alaska, with glass-rich views — get all the details.

Addressing a chronic shortage: ParkPro will open hundreds of reservable truck parking spaces at Sunrise’s Amerant Bank Arena this summer, billed as the first US sports venue with dedicated truck parking — 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.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Sip martinis and help adoptable pups
• Sing along to American folk classics
• Experience Tommy Emmanuel’s Living In The Light
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Creative pit stop: Whether you’re restocking paints and sketchbooks or finally framing that piece you love, I.D. Art Supply & Custom Framing has the goods and guidance to keep you creating. Friendly, local, reliably stocked. A quick detour when inspiration taps your shoulder is worth it.

Backyard upgrade, anyone? In Fort Lauderdale, Sea Turtle Construction brings decks, docks, pergolas, and patios to life, handling design and permitting, then building with weather-tough materials like Trex, TimberTech, WearDeck, and Ipe, so you can go from splintery maybe to shady hangout without DIY drama.

Seafood with sunset views: Midweek dinner slump? Coconuts, a relaxed Fort Lauderdale staple, sets the scene as boats drift past and plates land with coconut shrimp, local fish, and frosty drinks. Flip-flop casual yet still a treat, it pairs breezy waterfront views with unfussy flavor and easygoing vibes.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

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 →

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 →

Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →

Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →

📆 Around town this weekend

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.

🧘 Yoga & Sound Bath + ZIM Sculptor Exhibit @ Bonnet House Museum & Gardens | Friday (3/13) at 9:00 AM – Take a break from errands and roll out a mat on Bonnet House’s veranda for yoga, a sound bath, and a stroll through the Zim sculpture exhibit. Morning calm, forest bathing, and actual parking. $30 covers class and grounds, $45 adds the museum tour, pre-register.

🎨 Art13 Sip N Paint @ Breakers Avenue | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Gallery600FTL is hosting an Art13 Sip N Paint with Constance Ivanna, so yes, you can finally call that second glass “creative courage.” She guides, you swirl and swish, and by the end you’ve got a canvas, a buzz, and bragging rights. Low stress, high vibe.

🏃 2026 GO2 Walk/Run & Kite Fly @ Hollywood North Beach Regional Park | Saturday (3/14) at 7:00 AM – Trade the to-do list for the 12th Annual 5K Walk/Run and kite fly at Hollywood North Beach Park, where cardio meets ocean breeze. Walk or run, snag a complimentary kite and free all-day parking, and help turn lung cancer stigma into hope.

♻ Beach Clean Up @ Fort Lauderdale Beach | Saturday (3/14) at 8:00 AM – Join the monthly Fort Lauderdale Beach Sweep and tidy up our backyard before the sun gets bossy. Second Saturdays, we meet at 300 S. Lauderdale Beach Blvd, free parking for volunteers, and bragging rights included. RSVP on Eventbrite, then enjoy a guilt-free cafecito.

🍀 St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival @ Las Olas Boulevard Fort Lauderdale | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Head to Las Olas for the annual green takeover, with a parade of floats, bagpipers, marching bands, and classic cars, then a festival loaded with live music, a kids zone, games, and Irish eats and drinks. Everyone’s a little Irish, and beer absolutely qualifies.

🐮 Highland Cow Experience 2 @ Dangerous Minds Brewing Company (Pompano Beach) | Sunday (3/15) at 1:00 PM – Think your camera roll can handle more fluff? For eleven bucks, you get ten glorious minutes in the pen with Highland cows, petting, mingling, and snapping wholesome glamour shots. Tickets are scarce, so grab one now, then brag like a seasoned ranch whisperer.

🎩 Michael Carbonaro: Wonderboy @ The Parker | Sunday (3/15) at 7:00 PM – Nothing beats watching reality get politely mugged by a magician in real life. Michael Carbonaro, the sly prankster from The Carbonaro Effect, is onstage with clever illusions, deadpan laughs, and wait what moments. He makes cars vanish, but probably not our parking rates.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/13 Get The Led Out @ Pompano Beach Amphitheater – The Amp – 8:00 PM
• 3/14 Hell’s Kitchen @ Au-Rene Theater at Broward Center for the Performing Arts – 8:00 PM
• 3/14 Guy Bavli: Master of the Mind @ Riverside Hotel – 8:00 PM
• 3/14 Heated Rivalry Night @ War Memorial Auditorium – 9:00 PM
• 3/15 Nova Singers @ Christ Church – 4:00 PM
• 3/15 Wide Awake @ Galuppi’s (Pompano Beach) – 6:00 PM
• 3/15 Aaron Chen @ Fort Lauderdale Improv (Dania Beach) – 6:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Fort Lauderdale report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 81°F – Low: 70°F – Precip: 58%

A chance of rain showers before 9am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and 10am, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 10am and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Northeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2am and 5am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. East wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

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Tomorrow – High: 81°F – Low: 72°F – Precip: 67%

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. East wind 2 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 5am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

This house is wild

This one-of-a-kind half-floor flow-through penthouse at the 5 Diamond Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale spans 8,800 square feet with dramatic water views in every room. One of two on the floor, the 3-bed plus den, 3.5-bath layout pairs finishes with a 4,826-square-foot terrace. Amenities include a 10,000-square-foot spa, club lounge, direct beach service, a heated pool, spas, and cabanas with butler service.

Take a peek inside →

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