Happy Tuesday, Fort Lauderdale. In today’s edition: More help in classrooms, Victorian Christmas tours, It’s a Wonderful Life live radio play, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

More help in classrooms: South Florida schools secured $5.25 million in federal funds to expand mental health services, including training pipelines and school psychologists over four years in Miami-Dade and Broward — get all the details.

Two blazes became one: Lightning-sparked Everglades wildfire that scorched close to 50,000 acres in Broward County has been fully contained, with smoke impacts easing and no properties threatened, according to the Florida Forest Service — get all the details.

Sweeping school changes proposed: Broward County’s superintendent released a blueprint to close and consolidate seven schools amid steep enrollment declines, including a four-day magnet at Hallandale Beach High. The school board votes in January — read the full story.

Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since January. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per 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

• Celebrate Rustin’s legacy of intersectional justice
• Experience the legendary Les Misérables
• Experience Victorian Christmas at Stranahan House
• Celebrate the season with Black Nativity
• Sip tropical cocktails and shop local
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 30% off

🫶 We got your back

Shifting renter hotspots emerge: Ft. Lauderdale has edged out Miami as Florida’s renter favorite, landing No. 14 nationally in RentCafe’s Q3 2025 tracker after a year of top-30 showings. Saved searches there rose 93%. Miami didn’t crack the top 30 but jumped to No. 35, with favorites up 113%. National leader: Cincinnati. See how Florida cities stack up.

Logistics boost for food relief: Boynton Beach has approved a site plan for Feeding South Florida’s final campus phase at Quantum Corporate Park, clearing the way for a 32,000-square-foot warehouse. The new building will link to the existing 25,775-square-foot facility, adding dry, cold, and freezer storage, more docks, and shared access to better serve Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties. Get all the details.

Put the algorithm on pause: Swap your couch for the stained glass sanctuary at Savor Cinema, run by the Broward County Film Society, curating foreign, indie, and retro picks inside a 1926 church with 212 plush stadium seats and a breezy courtyard. Perfect for a low-key, actually good movie night this week.

Hear me out: My mom’s been asking people to repeat themselves 5,281 times too many for years. She always avoided hearing aids like the plague — they’re clunky, obvious, expensive, not really worth it. I always thought “she’s not wrong” until I saw these new invisible hearing aids going viral. In the same boat? Now’s a great time to check them out before unused health benefits expire on the 31st.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now + you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

🛍️ Artisan Market @ Herb Skolnick Center | Tuesday (12/16) at 10:00am – Start your morning with a dose of cozy charm as local makers roll out their best handmade goods. Think unique jewelry, natural skincare, sweet treats, and steaming cups of coffee as you wander through a buzzing, creativity-packed market. It’s the perfect spot to find a gift, treat yourself, or just soak up feel-good community vibes.

🎄 Victorian Christmas Tours @ Historic Stranahan House Museum | Tuesday (12/16) at 5:10pm – Skip the mall and step into Stranahan House for a Victorian Christmas tour, with decked halls, a tinkling 1900s piano, and docents who tell the good stories. Learn how pioneers celebrated, support preservation, then pair it with the Water Taxi’s Holiday Lights.

📻 A Live Radio Play @ General Provision Downtown | Thursday (12/18) at 8:00pm – New City Players brings It’s a Wonderful Life to life as a live radio play with foley and a nimble cast playing dozens. Every time a bell rings, another voice appears, and the room feels more like Bedford Falls, in the best way.

🔥 Fired Arts Collection @ Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts | Friday (12/19) at 10:00am – Trade the beach for a different kind of heat at WMODA in Hollywood, where fiery red ceramics steal the show. From Ming Dynasty oxblood to flambé experiments by Royal Doulton and Moorcroft, it is history with sizzle, free parking, and blessed air conditioning.

🍽️ Holiday Nosh @ Lauderdale Manors Park Pool | Friday (12/19) at 11:30am – Snack, socialize, and soak up some holiday cheer as you taste your way through a spread of savory treats. With festive games and a selfie station ready for action, it’s a midday celebration made for laughter and laid-back fun

This weekend

🥕 Farmer’s Market @ The PATCH Garden | Saturday (12/20) at 9:00am – PATCH Farmer’s Market serves up fresh produce, garden starts, and hands-on workshops, so you can shop, learn, and pretend your basil survives past July. It is low-key, local, and full of neighbors you actually like, plus plenty of shade, snacks, and plant talk.

🎸 Ry Rivers @ W Fort Lauderdale | Saturday (12/20) at 7:00pm – Ry Rivers is sliding into W Fort Lauderdale with a Blue-Eyed Country Soul acoustic duo, serving stories, originals, covers, and a few holiday classics in a breezy beachside setting. Think less honky-tonk, more toes-in-sand, cocktail-in-hand, quality time. Even your holiday playlist deserves a tan.

🎤 Anthony Nunziata @ Sunshine Cathedral | Saturday (12/20) at 8:00pm – Whether you’ve been humming carols since Halloween or waiting for the good stuff, this is your proper holiday kick-off. Carnegie Hall crooner Anthony Nunziata delivers Italian, Broadway, and Christmas classics with the Sunshine Cathedral Community Choir, plus a new album, and yes, vinyl.

🎤 Laura Goodstone @ Voodoo Bayou | Saturday (12/20) at 9:00pm – Take a break from pretending you like new pop and hear Laura Goodstone rip through classic rock, 80s, 90s, and today with The Kameleons. Argentine-born with credits alongside Jon Secada and Rudy Pérez, she brings powerhouse vocals, real musicianship, and a night that feels alive.

🎅 The Guardians of Christmas @ Savor Cinema | Sunday (12/21) at 1:00pm – Think “holiday Avengers,” but with more snow and emotional damage. Watch as three mythical icons go from bickering to battling an impending Christmas Armageddon after a girl wishes the holiday out of existence.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/16 Frozen @ Broward Center – 7:30 pm
• 12/16 Les Miserables @ Broward Center – 7:30 pm
• 12/18 The Nutcracker @ The Parker – 10:30 am
• 12/18 Modestep @ Kemistry – 10 pm
• 12/18 Jon Pardi @ Hard Rock Live – 8 pm
• 12/18 Mark Orintas @ Wilton Collective – 8 pm
• 12/18 Crazy Dave Duo @ Original Fat Cats – 11 pm
• 12/19 A Cappella Holiday Concert @ Sunshine Cathedral – 7:30 pm
• 12/19 Black Nativity @ Broward Center – 7:30 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Vinny Catalano (EXP Realty LLC)

Mid-Century Modern lines meet single-family scale in Coral Ridge. Over 4,000 square feet with wide-open rooms, soaring ceilings, custom built-ins, designer treatments, fully outfitted closets, wet bars, a walk-in pantry, and automatic blackout shades. Seamless flow to a plunge pool, outdoor shower, and summer kitchen. Primary suite adds a private terrace.

Detached two-car garage with a private guest suite above. Southeast exposure fills the home with sunlight all day, and secure gating keeps it private. Fort Lauderdale convenience with a Coral Ridge address, plus entertaining ease from the wet bars and the effortless indoor-outdoor plan.

Take a peek inside →