Family Friendly Fort Lauderdale

Meet One of Fort Lauderdale's Innovative Entrepreneurs, Julie Janides of Toy Trader App (@toytradermama and @toytraderapp). She saw a problem and a potential solution for that endless line of requests - "can I buy a toy?" What if instead of buying... your children started trading? Join us as we dig into how the app got started. https://toytraderapp.com/

So excited to bring on this week's guest, Jairo Ibarra, Executive Vice President of the Florida Renaissance Festival. We will be talking about new attractions this year, the contagious spirit of Ren-Fest performers and guests, plus a whole lot more. Make sure you check out www.Ren-Fest.com for their themed weekends!

What Does The Future of Fort Lauderdale Look Like? You can see all the building, but what is happening behind the scenes at the City level to help promote and innovate for all this growth. Today we spoke with Ben Sorensen, former Vice Mayor of Fort Lauderdale, and president of Sorensen Consulting.

There's lot's going on at the NSU Art Museum, including workshops for all ages and certain days when you can visit free of charge. Have you been to the NSU Art Museum lately? https://nsuartmuseum.org/

These days stressful days and busy schedules (holidays, etc) can be a lot... for all of us, but especially for children who are highly sensitive. In today's episode we explore how to help them manage the overwhelm, with guest Nicole Zimmerman of Sensory Mama.

Drive down Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale and you can miss the spire for the First Baptist Church and its full block campus holding sway over the downtown. But did you know about all the events they have planned for the New Year? That's the topic of today's podcast with Danny Somers, Head of Outreach for the church community.

Did you know that the Broward Center educational programming has a number of SmartStage events where home-schooling families can see a show and then participate in a workshop at a discounted price. In this episode we will meet with Jacob Aronin, Director of Education at the Broward Center to talk about SmartStage, their slate of spring classes, and their upcoming Open House on January 21st.

On Saturday, January 28th 11AM - 4PM, AOTA Visual Arts Festival and Heal the Planet 501c3 will be producing a full day of kids' art and conservation activities on the outdoor patio of Sistrunk Marketplace ( 115 NW 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311).

This week we are talking to Patrick Harris of Go Riverwalk about the 13th Annual Stone Crab & Seafood Festival at Esplanade Park on January 7th, 2023.  This highly anticipated event showcasing the best of South Florida seafood restaurants and gourmet food trucks.  Dive into mouth-watering signature seafood dishes of conch, shrimp, crab, lobster, fresh fish and more, deliciously barbequed, boiled, broiled, baked, fried or sautéed. There’s even landlubber fare available.

Earlier this year, we had the wonderful opportunity to meet and visit with Kerry McDonald of the LiberatED podcast. Kerry was in Fort Lauderdale visiting a number of the innovative micro-schools that make up South Florida's bourgeoning environment for alternative education. This podcast is a replay of the conversation with Kerry after her visit to Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale. You can listen to more LiberatED episodes on: https://go.fee.org/liberated

School is out over the holiday break - so what is there for the younglings to do? How about visit your local library. I think you will be surprised how much programming is available. We visit with Kim White - the Youth Services Coordinator for Broward County Public Libraries.

With Over $34 Billion In Annual Economic Activity, Port Everglades is the hub of cruise ships and transportation in South Florida. Today we are talking with Jonathan Daniels, the Port Director and Chief Executive of Port Everglades.

Recently, our ES learners at Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale explored the communication medium of podcasting. Completion of the "Writer's Workshop" Badge included being published to the Family Friendly Fort Lauderdale podcast channel. In this episode, we hear from each about what they learned from their experience. As our learners improve their communication skills, in future years they will be able to apprentice with the FFFTL media team for regular contributions to the channel.

Recently, our ES learners at Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale explored the communication medium of podcasting. Completion of the "Writer's Workshop" Badge included being published to the Family Friendly Fort Lauderdale podcast channel. In this short episode, Savannah shares her research into the tornado that hit Cooper City recently.

Recently, our ES learners at Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale explored the communication medium of podcasting. Completion of the "Writer's Workshop" Badge included being published to the Family Friendly Fort Lauderdale podcast channel. In this short episode, Massimo shares his interest and what he is learning about the Live Oak (known as Grandfather Tree) and its Biome on the AAFTL campus. As our learners improve their communication skills, in future years they will be able to apprentice with the FFFTL media team for regular contributions to the channel.

Recently, our ES learners at Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale explored the communication medium of podcasting. Completion of the "Writer's Workshop" Badge included being published to the Family Friendly Fort Lauderdale podcast channel. In this short episode, Divya talks about her love of playing cello in the Florida Youth Symphony. As our learners improve their communication skills, in future years they will be able to apprentice with the FFFTL media team for regular contributions to the channel.

Recently, our ES learners at Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale explored the communication medium of podcasting. Completion of the "Writer's Workshop" Badge included being published to the Family Friendly Fort Lauderdale podcast channel. In this short episode, Dillen talks about his love of playing basketball. As our learners improve their communication skills, in future years they will be able to apprentice with the FFFTL media team for regular contributions to the channel.

Recently, our ES learners at Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale explored the communication medium of podcasting. Completion of the "Writer's Workshop" Badge included being published to the Family Friendly Fort Lauderdale podcast channel. In this short episode, Ayla talks about her love of playing softball. As our learners improve their communication skills, in future years they will be able to apprentice with the FFFTL media team for regular contributions to the channel.

The annual Winterfest Boat Parade Is One Of Those Uniquely Fort Lauderdale Events that can only happen when your city is known as the Venice of America. With holiday lights, music, and dancing, this parade of the waterways attracts big crowds eager to celebrate the season. In this episode we talk with Winterfest planning board member, Brewster Knotts about all things Winterfest: https://winterfestparade.com/

People come from all over the world to explore the wonderland that is Fort Lauderdale and its beaches. So why not savor a "staycation" this holiday season, and take in all the things that draw our 14M visitors each year. In this episode we will talk with Arianne Glassman from "The Loop" at Fort Lauderdale Beach to talk about what you won't want to miss in December.Visit www.TheLoopFLB.com for more information.

You remember what middle school was like, right? Not easy. But what if you could attend the coolest middle school in town? Colossal Academy Offers An Alternative Approach To Fort Lauderdale Middle Schools - with Founder Shiren Rattigan. You can learn more at https://www.colossal-academy.com/

Every month there are new events and happenings at MODS. The Museum of Discovery & Science is a Fort Lauderdale hub of experiential learning for families and school groups. For today's podcast, we will be talking with Elspeth Walker, Asst. Manager of Public Programs and one of the MODS team you will see at their ever-changing events.

What's more Fort Lauderdale, than cruising Millionaire's Row to see all the decorated homes from the water. You can do that this holiday season with the Water Taxi. In this episode we talk with Chloe Dossett and learn all the different ways you can go by water.

100 Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale Before You Die offers an insider’s look at all the best ways to make the most of your next vacation. Visitors can order a Dom Perignon breakfast at The Floridian on bustling Las Olas Boulevard, kayak through the mangroves, enjoy the New River’s waterfront mansions by Water Taxi, indulge in contemporary art at the NSU Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, watch the mermaid show at the storied Wreck Bar, take part in the area’s annual traditions like the Winterfest Boat Parade―and that’s just the beginning.  As a seasoned journalist who has lived in the Fort Lauderdale area for more than a decade, including being a regular contributor for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Visitors & Convention Bureau, author Christiana Lilly leads readers through the city’s historic landmarks, dining gems, quirky shops, and culture scene that makes the city so special. You can buy Christiana's book here: https://www.amazon.com/100-Things-Fort.../dp/1681063840

With the holiday season upon us, we will be talking with Tim McGovern of Fort Lauderdale Parks & Rec to learn more about the many different Light Up Lauderdale events that are planned to bring holiday cheer to the greater FTL area.

We've been watching the School of Rock House Band perform at a number of local events, so we are excited to welcome Burny Pelsmajer of School of Rock Broward to the Family Friendly Fort Lauderdale podcast. We talked about how the movie inspired the growth of a network of schools across the country, and how the students grow their passion with music they love. You can learn more about our local musicians at https://www.schoolofrock.com/locations/fortlauderdale

Did you know that each week we publish a fun newsletter of what's going on in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area? These are the events that you don't want to find out about AFTER they happened... so we send out a curated basket of goodies each week. Use this link if you want to make sure you get your copy every Thursday: https://familyfriendlyfortlauderdale.com/