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Hey Fort Lauderdale, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Timeless Tropics exhibition, a gated waterfront estate, and free bar poker + lots of fun things to do for free.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Park access made simple: As of mid 2026, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale charges $6 per vehicle up to eight people, or $2 per person without one, though rates may change -- read the full details.
Florida’s shifting landscapes: History Fort Lauderdale’s Timeless Tropics is now on view, featuring David Paulo’s neighborhood photos from Sistrunk, Lauderhill and Dania Beach alongside Tim Forman’s Everglades oil paintings through September 13 -- explore the exhibition details.
Quick local transfer guide: Sailing from Port Everglades? This guide shows routes between the port, Fort Lauderdale Beach, and FLL. Rideshares take 10 to 15 minutes and cost $10 to $20 in light traffic -- see the best route tips.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Treat yourself this week: La Cake makes celebrations feel special with custom showstoppers, pocket-size bento cakes, cupcakes, and rich brigadeiros, all with a Brazilian twist. The chef even appeared on Netflix’s Sugar Rush, so your cake will look the part and taste like it means business.
Fuel your arts fix: ArtServe is Fort Lauderdale’s creative hub, blending gallery exhibitions, hands-on classes, and community events that actually feel like community. Pop in to get inspired, learn something new, or even rent a space for your next project, then brag that you discovered it before everyone else.
Treasure hunt for grownups: Fort Lauderdale’s home decor treasure hunt lives at Encore Interiors, a massive 25,000-square-foot consignment gallery where stylish furniture, rugs, lighting and art rotate constantly in a gallery-like setting. Drop in this week to browse the ever-changing mix and you’ll probably leave with something you never knew you ever wanted.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🐾 Panther Preview @ Dillard High School | Wednesday (8/5) at 8:30 AM – Whether your kid is a brand new sixth grader, a wide eyed freshman, or new to Dillard, Panther Preview is the warm up lap. Meet the magnet programs, get the academic scoop, roam the campus, and tune that Panther pride, maps included, panic optional.
🚶 Walk in Wednesday @ All Ways Caring HomeCare | Wednesday (8/5) at 10:00 AM – Wednesday is for people who get stuff done. Walk in for on the spot caregiver interviews, bring your CNA, HHA, LPN, or RN, CPR, and the usual I-9 and background, then walk out closer to work that helps our neighbors. They can help with HHA.
🧠 Trivia Nation @ Bru's Room (Pompano Beach) | Wednesday (8/5) at 7:00 PM – Bru's Room in Pompano is doing what it does best, pouring cold drinks and fueling competitive banter, with free weekly team trivia from Trivia Nation and $100 in prizes. Put that vault of 80s lyrics, movie quotes, and state capitals to work, then gloat politely.
✊ Juneteenth Experience - Where We Stay @ Daisy Arts Center | Thursday (8/6) at 12:00 PM – Swing by Daisy Arts Center for a free opening curated by Tayina Deravile, where nine Broward artists explore what home means in Black communities and salute Sistrunk’s legacy, including Dr. James and Daisy Sistrunk. Consider it a neighborhood housewarming, no gift required.
🃏 Free Bar Poker @ World Of Beer Coconut Creek | Thursday (8/6) at 6:30 PM – Free-to-play Texas Hold’em at World of Beer Coconut Creek, where your bankroll stays safe, your pride is optional, and the beer list is 500 deep. Earn league points and prizes with friendly dealers, tip accordingly, and yes, newbies, you’re welcome.
🧹 Beach Clean Up @ Fort Lauderdale Beach | Saturday (8/8) at 8:00 AM – The City of Fort Lauderdale’s Beach Sweep is corralling neighbors every second Saturday to rescue our shoreline from bottle caps, straws, and rogue flip-flops. Expect good company, salty air, and guilt-free cardio, plus free parking, civic pride, and fewer microplastics than your average salad.
🃏 Free Texas Hold'em Bar Poker @ The Federal | Sunday (8/9) at 3:30 PM – Free Texas Hold’em at The Federal, tucked inside the Baptist Health IcePlex, means wings, rotating craft brews, and happy hour all night. Friendly, professional dealers keep it smooth, you stack league points and prizes, and beginners can bluff guilt free. Weekly bragging rights included.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Fort Lauderdale report Weather forecastToday — High: 91°F — Low: 79°F — Precip: 44%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy. High near 91, with temperatures falling to around 86 in the afternoon. Heat index values as high as 103. South wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 79. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tomorrow — High: 90°F — Low: 80°F — Precip: 54%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. East wind 3 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 80. East wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. This house is wildThis gated Idlewyld waterfront estate delivers more than 21,000 square feet of high-drama living, with 11 bedrooms, a grand great room, theater, fitness center, chef’s kitchen, and a luxe primary suite. A private VIP guest residence, rooftop terrace, heated pool, 159 feet of waterfront, and a 110-foot dock complete the scene, minutes from Las Olas and Fort Lauderdale Beach.
Take a peek inside → |
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