We Want To Hear From You! Hollywood Marina Master Plan Underway Thu Sep 09 2021 04:09:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The City Of Aventura Is Hosting Senior Sunrise: Inspiring & Healthy Living Lectures For Seniors Wed Oct 18 2023 16:16:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Securing Our Infrastructure In Hallandale Beach By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper South Florida Sun Times Mar 20, 2025 Hallandale Beach Continues To Address The Rehabilitation Of Our Sewer Infrastructure. This Citywide Modernization Will Not Only Improve Our System But Make It More Resilient During Hurricanes And Flooding. In January, We Asked For A Release Of $16.9 Million Dollars Of Community Development Block Grant Funding From The State. These Funds Are Over And Above The Traditional CDBG Funding We Receive Through A Disbursement Agreement With Broward County. Residents may recall that Governor DeSantis approved a large grant for our city to replace our old lift stations particularly in areas that are prone to flooding. He announced the award when he kicked off the first tranche of Everglades Restoration Funding and Water Projects. This funding will go towards retrofitting five lift stations and installing two main pipelines. These improvements are designed to increase system capacity, prevent sewer spills, and reduce public health risks. Work will be carried out across various locations, including Northeast 12th Avenue, Northwest 8th Street, Southwest 4th Avenue, Southwest 8th Street & 9th Avenue, Northwest 10th Terrace, Northeast 7th Avenue and Northeast 14th Street. These improvements are designed to increase system capacity, prevent sewer spills and reduce public health risks. The City will also be adding a new telemetry system, it will be integrated to enable remote monitoring and emergency response capabilities. Our city crews have also been working on a pump system that is located off 12th and 2nd. During an assessment of the area, a pump was located by our engineer. It is not certain when it was installed. Our City did not have a Geographical Information System GIS in place to ensure we had an inventory and location of all our systems. At first, it was thought that the system was to boost drainage to the outfalls. Staff began with the rehabilitation of the three pumps and found they were tied to an injection system. Obviously, we are extremely excited to uncover this neglected system. Currently, staff has cleaned out the system and rehabbed the pumps. The next steps will be to evaluate their capacity and research if others can be tied in. As Hurricane Season is right around the corner, I will be working alongside our Fire Chief, Fucci and our new Emergency Response Coordinator on a Hurricane Preparedness Forum with a focus on how residents can work on flood proofing and preparing for natural disasters. We are looking forward to a date in May. We will continue to address Infrastructure on the City side but I encourage all our residents to begin to look at the many ways to harden your homes for storms. We need to not simply think about wind but flooding. As Mayor, I have always worried more about floods than the winds. Hurricane force winds are certainly a start but flooding particularly flash flooding can kill. Our City has reinstated sandbags after I pushed and Commissioner Lima Taub raised the issue at a meeting. Sands bags are ok but heavy & cumbersome and not easy to transport. I did some research last year and found many resources online. Reusable Flood dams are one such finds. They can help secure doors and garages. Please save the date and join us at the CRA Meeting on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns and ideas to make our City a better place on my Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org . Please visit me on my Facebook page at Mayor Joy Cooper. Like! Follow! And Share! Previous Next

The South’s Newest Culinary Gem - West Palm Beach - The City Welcomes A Surge Of Culinary Excellence For Locals & Visitors Alike Aventura Digest Dec 18, 2025 Tourism’s Rising Star, West Palm Beach, Is Not Only Tripadvisor’s Top Trending Travel Destination In The United States In 2025, But Is Also Emerging As A Top Culinary Community. As Tourists Clamor For Immersive Experiences And Locals Demand Diverse Options At All Price Points And Access To Fresh And Organic Ingredients As Well As International Delicacies, Food Tourism Has Taken Off Throughout The Us And Certainly In The State Of Florida, Which Is Now Host To Multiple Cities That Have Restaurants And Hotels Receiving Michelin Recognition. A Robust Display Of Dining And Beverage Offerings Can Be Found Throughout The City’s Myriad Of Neighborhoods, Making Way For Continued And Expanded Culinary Experiences. As home to James Beard Award-nominated chefs like Clay Conley and Lindsay Autry, and the recent arrival of the Michelin Foundation, the dining scene is scaling new heights. Just this year, restaurants Aioli and Palm Beach Meats received the coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand, with Moody Tongue Sushi, and Buccan’s Sandwich Shop also receiving a recommendation in the dining guide. USA Today recognized Mary Lou’s as one of the best – and most celebrity-visited – bars in the country in 2025; while standout wine bar The Blind Monk was included in Travel + Leisure's roundup of top wine bars in the United States. Recognition has continued in highly respected regional media outlets such as Modern Luxury, where Elisabetta's Ristorante, Felice, Grato, and Il Bellagio were named as Palm Beach County's Top Italian Restaurants and the Palm Beach Post’s designation of Sour Seed Bagels as the king of local bagel shops. Creativity and sustainability go hand in hand for locals and travelers these days, who are interested in learning about regional foods and food sourcing. Local farms like Bedner’s personify the farm-to-table ethos that so many are interested in exploring, being the go-to source for organic local produce for chefs throughout the state. And with the recent opening of Eataly at CityPlace, in the historic Harriet Himmel Theater, a new marketplace for Italian gourmet foods provides yet another location for high end quality ingredients. Meanwhile, the West Palm Beach GreenMarket, one of the top farmers markets in the United States, (crowned #1 for three consecutive years, and #2 in 2024) occupies prime downtown real estate on Clematis Street. Celebrating its 30th year, what was once a small neighborhood vegetable stand has grown into a 130-vendor seasonal Saturday staple for locals and visitors that has become so popular that there’s a Mornings in the Market tour for culinary adventurers seeking curated tastings at the market. West Palm Beach Food Tours also hosts popular tours in downtown West Palm Beach and a Historic Neighborhood Food Tour which goes beyond downtown and into the city’s historic neighborhoods to sample everything from authentic Cuban cuisine, celebrity chef offerings and amazing barbecue. Explore farm-to-table fare at local haunts such as Fern, True Food Kitchen and Avocado Grill. The City of West Palm Beach continues to evolve, with its culinary renaissance as no exception. Locals’ favorites showcase the variety of cuisine available – from upscale comfort food at The Blue Door in SoSo, to the Queen of Sheba for Ethiopian food in the historic Northwest. Tropical Smokehouse serves up barbecue in two locations, while acclaimed taco truck Tacos El Viejon boasts lines year round. With eclectic dining destinations like Malka’s – a high-end Kosher restaurant that is one of the toughest reservations in town – to the oldest and potentially most beloved steak house in Florida – Okeechobee Steakhouse, and more culinary destinations on the horizon including nationally renowned New York imports like H&H Bagels and Pastis in up and coming The Nora District there’s something delicious for everyone today, tomorrow, and to come. Previous Next

Enjoy the New Year at the Aventura Arts and Cultural Center Aventura Digest December 18, 2024 Share Ring in the New Year with a unique lineup of performances for audiences of all backgrounds at the Aventura Arts and Cultural Center. The stage comes alive with an exciting mix of performances including, Magic & Mayhem – LIVE, Tango Apasinado, The Dean Martin Story, and more. Prepare to be impressed as The City of Aventura presents Tango Apasionado on Saturday, January 4 at 8 p.m. and a matinee performance on Sunday, January 5 at 2 p.m. This beautiful marriage of two styles of dance features the only tango and ballet fusion dance company in the world, PointeTango, performing with the superstar tango ensemble Payadora. These two amazing companies come together on this journey through the streets of Buenos Aires bringing drama, intensity and romance. Audiences will be surprised and engaged by Payadora's varied repertoire and wowed by PointeTango's artistry and athleticism. Critically acclaimed and award-winning PointeTango was created by Prima ballerina Erin Scott Kafadar and the incredible choreographer and director Alex Richardson. Dean Lives presents The Dean Martin Story on Saturday, January 11 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The Las Vegas headliner Drew Anthony stars as Dean Martin as he delivers the story, the music and the memories. Destined for Broadway, the musical covers Martin's career including his beginnings with Jerry Lewis, the glory days of Las Vegas and the beloved Dean Martin Show. The show features all the hits and appearances from stars such as Johnny Carson, Marilyn Monroe and Peggy Lee. Miami International Piano Festival presents Croatian Pianist Kemal Gekic, on Sunday, January 12th at 5:00 p.m. Gekic made his U.S. debut in 1999 at the Miami International Piano Festival and was later appointed as the artist-in-residence at Florida International University. Renowned for his exceptional performances, extensive repertoire and influential mentorship, Gekic is regarded as one of the most significant piano virtuosos of our time. His performances consistently earn critical acclaim, showcasing a daunting technique paired with intelligence, poetic vision and artistic imagination resulting in some of the most thrilling interpretations of classical repertoire today. A strong advocate for diverse and eclectic music programs, Gekic believes that modern and future musicians must be well-rounded and informed professionals. Performing globally from a vast repertoire, he delivers captivating, uncompromising and ever-evolving interpretations that consistently generate frenzied audience enthusiasm. The City of Aventura showcases one of the greatest voices of our times, Linda Eder on Friday, January 17th at 8:00 p.m. With a diverse repertoire that spans Broadway, standards, Pop, Country and Jazz, she moves back and forth between genres with ease. The New York Times applauded, "What do we mean when we use the word perfection? The question arises every time I watch the pop singer Linda Eder…." Eder launched her recording career in 1991, quickly establishing herself as one of America's most popular and acclaimed interpreters of Pop, standards and theatrical music. She starred as the tragic character Lucy in the original Broadway production of Jekyll & Hyde, where her powerful rendition of signature songs like “Someone Like You” and “A New Life” captivated audiences at New York City’s Plymouth Theatre eight times a week. Her Broadway debut earned her a Drama Desk nomination and solidified her status as one of America’s most beloved singers and dynamic live performers. A VIP post-show meet-and-greet experience and photo opportunity may be added to any ticket. Cirque Journey Entertainment presents Magic & Mayhem – LIVE! Witness The Impossible! on Saturday, January 18th at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Dizzy the Trickster, the lead magician from The Illusionists - Live From Broadway, delivers an immersive, interactive and unbelievable night of wonder and laughter. Joined by Jana, the duo bend reality with mischievous charm, sleight of hand, mentalism and audacious audience interactions. This show of side-splitting comedy and mind-boggling mysticism is a family-friendly event perfect for the whole family. Tickets to all shows are on sale now. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Buy tickets online at: www.aventuracenter.org - By phone at: (877) 311-7469. Or: (954) 462-0222. Or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. Noon to 5:00 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each performance. For Group Sales, please call: (954) 660-6307. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at: 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, Florida 33180. Join the conversation, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram @aventuracenter or #aventuracenter. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts manages the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, a 14,864-Square-Foot, 330-Seat Waterfront Complex that hosts performing arts, cultural and educational programming for all ages. < Previous News Next News >

Slow Burn Theatre Company Presents “Parade,” at The Broward Center For The Performing Arts January 29, 2025 Share Slow Burn Theatre Company presents “Parade,” a powerful and poignant musical revival based on the true story of the trial and lynching of Leo Frank, as part of its 2024/2025 Season supported by American National Bank and Visit Lauderdale Saturday, February 8 – Sunday, February 23 in the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, including an open captioned performance on Sunday, February 16 at 2 p.m. and a series of post-performance chats with an ADL representative on Saturday, February 15, at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 16, at 2 p.m. Winner of the 1999 Tony Awards for Best Score (Jason Robert Brown, who also wrote the lyrics) and Best Book of a Musical (Alfred Uhry) as well as the 2023 Tony for Best Revival of a Musical, “Parade,” co-conceived and directed on Broadway by Harold Prince, follows a newlywed Jewish couple, Leo and Lucille Frank, who are struggling to make a life in the old red hills of Georgia. When Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime, it propels them into an unimaginable test of faith, humanity, justice and devotion. Hailed as an “an essential American musical” by Variety, “Parade” is a “phenomenal production that feels more poignant and powerful than ever,” according to Entertainment Weekly. Time Out New York writes, “What you hear at this Parade…will echo for a long time to come.” Directed by Slow Burn Theatre Artistic Director and Carbonell Award winner Patrick Fitzwater and presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI), Slow Burn’s riveting and gloriously hopeful production features lead actors Justin Albinder* (Leo Frank) and Mikayla Cohen (Lucille Frank) joined by Kevin Patrick Martin* (Hugh Dorsey), Michael Hunsaker* (Britt Craig), Erik Schark* (Judge Roan/Old Soldier), Jessica Balton (Mary Phagan), Joel Hunt (Frankie Epps), Kareema Khouri* (Minola “Minnie” McKnight/Angela), Chaz Rose* (Newt Lee/Jim Conley/Riley), Michael Materdomini (Governor John Slanton), Landon Summers (Tom Watson/Detective Starnes), Ana Marie Calise (Mrs. Phagan), Nolan Montgomery (Young Soldier/Fiddlin John/others), Bridget Rose Pirrota (Iola Stover), Erica Gouldthorpe (Monteen/others), Sofie Poliakoff (Essie/others), Allyson Rosenblum (Sally Slanton), Steven Ross-Dybash (Mr. Peavy), Eli Jacobson (Officer Ivey/others), Austin Gladstone (Luther Rosser/others), Elizabeth Sackett (Nurse/others), Sam Hoffman (Mr. Turner/others) and Sara Sun Park (Nina Formby/others). The creative team features direction and musical staging by Fitzwater joined by Music Director Travis Smith, Lighting Designer Eric Norbury, Scenic Designer Nikolas Serrano, Costume Designer Rick Peña, Technical Director Timothy Dickey, Production Stage Manager Jeffry George* and Assistant Stage Manager Jolie Rubinchik*. Performance times vary with an open captioned performance on Sunday, February 16 at 2:00 p.m. Following the performances on Saturday, February 15, at 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 16, at 2:00 p.m., an ADL representative will present a 15-minute talk with a Q&A. Single tickets to Slow Burn Theatre’s 2024/2025 Season are on sale now. Supported by American National Bank and Visit Lauderdale, the season continues in the new year with “Something Rotten!” (March 29 – April 13) and “The Bodyguard The Musical” (June 7 – 22). Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Broward Center and The Parker. Buy tickets online at: www.BrowardCenter.org - Or: www.Ticketmaster.com - By phone at: (954) 462-0222. Or in person at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 Southwest Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information visit: www.BrowardCenter.org - Like us on Facebook at: www.Facebook.com/BrowardCenter - And: www.Facebook.com/BrowardCenterEducation - Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @BrowardCenter. Subscribe to our channel at: www.YouTube.com/user/BrowardCenter - And join the conversation with: #BrowardCenter. Major support of Slow Burn Theatre Company is provided by the Broward County Cultural Division, the Cultural Council and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. Sponsored in part by American National Bank and Visit Lauderdale. Student and community complimentary tickets are subsidized and underwritten by the Salah Foundation and the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation. The Broward Center 2024/2025 Season is supported by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation, AutoNation, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, Spirit and Nicklaus Children’s Health System. * Member of the Actors' Equity Association (AEA). The Broward Center for the Performing Arts One of America’s premier performing arts venues, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents more than 850 performances each year to more than 600,000 patrons, displaying a wide range of exciting cultural programming and events. Guest experiences at the Broward Center include the all-inclusive Spirit Club Level, the Nicklaus Children’s Health System Intermezzo Lounge, special events in the Huizenga Pavilion, waterfront dining at Marti’s New River Bistro and innovative classes and workshops for all ages at the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center. With one of the largest arts-in-education programs in the United States, the Broward Center serves more than 100,000 students annually. The Broward Center also manages The Parker, an iconic Fort Lauderdale venue, the Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center on the campus of Nova Southeastern University, and the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center in Miami-Dade County. The Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. receives and maintains funds to sustain, develop and secure the future of the Broward Center. For more information, visit: www.BrowardCenter.org < Previous News Next News >

The Secret Is Out And It Is Spectacular! - Bar Betty Speakeasy & Lounge Is Now Open At The Sunness Supper Club Aventura Digest Mar 16, 2026 When Restaurateur Michael Stanley First Toured The Space That Would Become Sunness Supper Club, Located At 2465 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304, It Wasn’t Just The Spacious Downstairs Dining Room And Expansive Kitchen Space That Titillated Him. Upstairs He Discovered A Warren Of Anterooms And Tucked Away Chambers That Mystified As Much As They Intrigued. “I Was Already Sold On The Space For The Restaurant But The Second Floor Had So Much Potential And Spirit That My Desire To Turn It Into A Speakeasy And Lounge Was Immediate,” He Notes. In The Winter Of 2024, Sunness Supper Club Opened Its Doors To Much Critical And Popular Acclaim And Now, Almost A Year To The Day Later, Bar Betty – The Restaurant’s Second Floor Speakeasy And Lounge – Has Officially Made Its Grand Debut. Open Tuesday through Saturday evenings beginning at 7:00 p.m., Bar Betty (named after Michael’s grandmother, as Sunness is named after his grandfather) is accessible via a hidden interior staircase (and elevator) linking the two floors. Once upstairs, guests will feel utterly transported, ensconced in a contemporary space that simultaneously nods to the building’s past as a once well-known Chinese restaurant, Jade Palace. In fact, the overall decor and design encompass two wildly different aesthetics. The foyer, upon entering, evokes a Far East-leaning look and feel, complete with red lanterns, and a mammoth stone buddha, rescued from the original space and refinished to gorgeous new glory. Playing off the unique dragon wallpaper, the entrance to Bar Betty is nothing but dramatic. From there imbibers enter the bar through a red door, which gives Great Gatsby vibes from the dropped tin ceilings and black walls to the moody lighting and Art Deco-style wallpaper. All this combines to make the perfect, shadowy setting for Bar Betty’s nightly entertainment, from live Roaring 20’s style torch singers to the new Thursday night burlesque show. But what of the drinks? Of course, the decadently-decked bar is ready to deliver any perfectly-executed cocktail but imbibers should not ignore its signature sips. Top sellers thus far include James and the Spicy Peach (Ghost tequila, Cointreau, agave, Ancho Reyes, lime juice, and peach syrup) and Fluffy Dream (No. 3 Gin, zesty syrup, lemon juice, Aquafaba, Luxardo Apricot Liqueur, elderflower and citrus bitters). For those seeking a non-alcoholic but palate-pleasing but still flavor-packed pour, Bar Betty features three NA options including the Black Betty (Black Market THC Liquor, guava puree, and lime juice). Bar Betty is located upstairs from Sunness Supper Club at 2465 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304. Bar Betty is open Tuesday through Saturday from 7:00 p.m. to midnight. The restaurant is open daily for dinner beginning at 5:00 p.m. Happy Hour is offered daily from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. For more information on Bar Betty please visit: www.sunnesssupperclub.com/bar-betty . Telephone: (954) 491-6611. Follow on Instagram: @BarBettyFtl | @SunnessSupperClub. Previous Next

COVID ZOMBIES: A High School Teachers' Aide Journey Through the Pandemic Thu Jul 08 2021 04:05:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Guardian Angel Drone Pilot Program Launches In Three Florida School Districts South Florida Sun Times Dec 17, 2025 Recently, Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas Announced That Three School Districts, Broward, Leon And Volusia, Will Participate In The New Campus Guardian Angel Pilot Program, Increasing The Safety And Security Measures In These Districts. The Campus Guardian Angel Program Uses Drones To Distract Active Shooters While Providing Real-Time Audio And Video Feeds To Guardians And Law Enforcement During Potential Threats On School Campuses. The Program Will Also Be Fully Integrated With The Alyssa Alert Platform In Each Participating District. “Ensuring students and teachers have a safe and secure learning environment is one of my top priorities as Commissioner. Florida remains the national leader in school safety because we continue to invest in solutions that protect students and support a rapid, coordinated response,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “The Guardian Angel Program is an important step in expanding the safety tools available to our districts. I thank Governor DeSantis for driving these efforts forward and ensuring our schools have the resources they need.” “Broward County Public Schools keeps safety at the forefront of everything we do. The integration of the Guardian Angel Program will strengthen our ability to respond swiftly and decisively in the event of a threat,” said Dr. Howard Hepburn, Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools. “We are grateful to Governor DeSantis and Commissioner Kamoutsas for their leadership in this initiative.” “As we join the Campus Guardian Angel Pilot Program, Leon County Schools is embracing another layer of protection that enhances rapid response, real-time awareness and coordinated action,” said Laurie Cox, Chair of the Leon County School Board. “We appreciate the state’s commitment to equipping our district with advanced tools and look forward to this partnership helping ensure every campus remains a place of learning and safety.” “Volusia County Schools is proud to be a part of the pilot for the Campus Guardian Angel Program. By participating in this program, we are reinforcing our commitment to proactive safety measures and smart, coordinated response. This is another important step in ensuring our campuses not only teach students well, but also protect them well,” said Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Superintendent of Volusia County Schools. Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has made historic and sustained investments in school safety with more than $1.3 Billion dedicated to strengthening campus security. This commitment continues with $557,000 directed to the Campus Guardian Angel Program, ensuring schools have access to advanced, life-saving technology that supports rapid and effective emergency response. Florida continues to lead the nation in school safety thanks to the efforts championed by Governor DeSantis to ensure every campus is better protected, including: • In 2019, House Bill 7030, required implementation of a standardized behavioral threat assessment instrument and ensured the expedited transfer of student records to support school safety continuity. • In 2020, House Bill 70 required all public schools to implement Alyssa’s Alert, a mobile panic alert system capable of real-time coordination with multiple first responders. • In 2021, House Bill 590 enhanced requirements related to involuntary examinations of students and guaranteed parents timely notification and access to safety data. • In 2022, House Bill 1421 required the development of model family reunification plans, strengthened Law Enforcement involvement in active assailant drills and updated statewide emergency drill requirements. • In 2023, House Bill 543 created a statewide behavioral threat management system, updated SESIR reporting to ensure proper law enforcement notification and launched the Florida Safe Schools Canine Program for firearm detection dogs. • In 2024, House Bill 1473 expanded Guardian eligibility to former law enforcement officers, strengthened access control requirements for gates and doors and required clearly marked safe shelter areas within instructional spaces. • In 2025, Senate Bill 1470 enhanced Guardian certification, required additional reporting at the state and district level, established updated access control standards for instructional and common areas and required all substitute teachers to review safety protocols before beginning work. For additional information about the Florida Department of Education’s mission to support districts in providing a safe learning environment for all students and teachers, please visit the Safe Schools page of the Department’s website. It's the Florida Department of Education’s mission to support districts in providing a safe learning environment for students and educators. (Credit: https://www.fldoe.org/safe-schools/ ) Previous Next

Ignite Your Senses: At Brand International's Independence Day Sale Thu Jun 29 2023 16:07:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Sister Act: “This Is a Musical That Hits All The Right Spots” Thu Feb 24 2022 05:04:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Celebrate Safely This Season - Holiday Fire Safety Tips By City of Hollywood Dec 17, 2025 The Holiday Season Brings Plenty Of Cheer, From Festive Decorations And Sparkling Lights To Candles And Cozy Gatherings At Home. While Decorating Is Part Of The Fun, It Can Also Increase The Risk Of A House Fire If Some Precautions Are Overlooked. Here Are Some Preparations The Department Of Fire Rescue & Beach Safety Encourages Residents To Have At The Top Of Mind To Keep The Season Merry And Bright. Use Candles with Care Candles add warmth and ambiance, but they are also a leading cause of home decoration fires in December, with Christmas Day seeing the highest number of incidents. Consider using battery-operated flameless candles whenever possible. If you do use real candles, keep them at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn and never leave them unattended. Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to sleep. Light Up Responsibly Before hanging holiday lights, inspect them for frayed wires, cracked sockets, or broken bulbs. Damaged strands should be replaced right away. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how many strands can safely be connected and avoid overloading outlets. Turn off holiday lights and decorations before going to bed or leaving the house. Using a timer can make this easy and help reduce electrical risks. Keep Trees Fire Safe A dry Christmas tree can ignite quickly and burn intensely. Keep both natural and artificial trees at least three feet away from candles, cooking appliances, electronics, and other heat sources. Make sure your tree does not block doorways or exits. More than one in five Christmas tree fires are caused by a heat source placed too close. If you have a real tree, water it daily and dispose of it promptly after the holidays or once it becomes dry. Tree recycling locations in Hollywood are listed below. Be Smart Around Heat Sources Even in South Florida, homes often use candles, fireplaces, grills or warming appliances during the holidays. Never use outdoor grills or fire pits indoors, and keep decorative items well away from stovetops and ovens during holiday cooking. After enjoying a fire feature or cooking for guests, double-check that everything is fully turned off before heading to bed. For more information on preventing winter and holiday fires, visit: www.usfa.fema.gov/holiday - And: www.nfpa.org/winter. A few simple steps can help keep your home and family safe throughout the holiday season. Tree Safety: A dry Christmas tree can burn very hot and very fast. Make sure your tree is at least 3 feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles or heat vents. Also, make sure your tree does not block exits. More than one in every five Christmas tree fires were caused by a heat source too close to the tree. Get rid of your tree after Christmas or when it is dry. (See below for tree recycling locations in Hollywood). For more information on how to prevent winter fires, visit: www.nfpa.org/winter . Chip-a-Tree After the holidays, Broward County Parks & Recreation is offering the annual Chip-a-Tree tree recycling program, where you can bring your tree to one of multiple Broward County parks to be recycled for free. Hollywood Location: West Lake Park, 1200 Sheridan Street: (954) 357-5161. This season's program runs daily from Friday, December 26th, 2025, through Monday, January 19th, 2026. Hours vary; call the park of your choice for details. For additional information, visit: www.broward.org/Parks/Pages/ChipATreeProgram.aspx . Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk - Saturday, December 20th Visit restaurants, galleries, and shops, while enjoying art, music, murals, outdoor markets, and more! • Artisan Market, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. • DJ, 6:00 p.m. • Karaoke, 6:30 p.m. • Live Music, 8:00 p.m. • Mural Tour, 6:00 p.m. • Gallery Tour, 7:00 p.m. • Magic Show, 9:00 p.m. For more information, visit: https://www.hollywoodcra.org/312/Downtown-Hollywood-ArtWalk If you have a real tree, water it daily. Previous Next