Community Centers are the heart of their community. They offer classes, exercise, can be rented out…read morefor events, and they can even give a helping hand through their many programs staffed by city employees. A good community center offers varied opportunities for its residents of all ages. This community center is located in Pompano Beach and was named after Pompano Beach city pioneer, Elijah Pat Larkins. Mr. Larkins grew up during segregation and fought for civil rights. He became the first African-American Mayor of Pompano Beach where he served seven terms as mayor nineteen years as a City Commissioner. I stopped by the E Pat Larkins Community Center for a tag sale called Nana's Closet. I chance to peel inside and was impressed with how nice this community center is. It has a main auditorium with a stage and dressing rooms that can be rented for banquets. There is also a classroom. Upcoming events include a movie might, bingo, line dancing, game night, intergalactic bead show, and painting with a twist. Stop in and the friendly staff will be more than happy to let you know about the latest Pompano Beach happenings.

This community center is named after Elijah Pat Larkins, an ex-mayor of Pompano Beach. Larkins was…read morethe city's first African-American mayor as well as a long-time commissioner. He passed away in 2009. We stopped by here recently to get information on an upcoming event (Nana's Closet). It's quite easy to find as it's located just a few blocks north of Atlantic Boulevard. The grounds and inside of the building were pristine. Everything was so immaculate you'd think the building was brand new. The staff inside were very helpful. We also picked up some brochure on other upcoming Pompano Beach cultural and art events. Inside the community center, they have a large main auditorium used for meetings and banquets. They also offer various classes like yoga, et al, senior prom, bingo nights, and many other events.

I love discovering the historical markers around Ft. Lauderdale which give insight into its rich…read morehistory. This marker is along A1A in front of Bahia Mar at the spot where Native Americans used to haul over their canoes from the New River into the Atlantic Ocean. Some of the other history related to this site includes a fort built in 1838 during the Second Seminole War named for Major William Lauderdale, a House of Refuge in 1876, and a Coast Guard base in 1926 that was active against Rum Runners during prohibition and which searched for U boats off the Florida coast during WWII. In 1947 this land became a public yacht basin and park. Marker F-285 was erected in 1978 by Bahia Mar Hotel and Yachting Center and Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, Inc. in cooperation with Department of State.

The Link Trainer Building #8 marker is part of the Florida Historical Marker Program, one of the…read moreDivision of Historical Resources' most popular and valued public history programs. It raises awareness of Florida's cultural history while enhancing the enjoyment of historic sites for residents and tourists. The historic markers tell the stories of the people and places that were important to Florida's history and they can be found in front of schools, roads, archaeological sites, battlefields, cemeteries, churches, colleges, historic districts, and historic buildings like this one. Historic marker F-878 was installed in 2015 by the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Historical Association and the Florida Department of State. The Ft. Lauderdale Naval Air Station Museum is housed in Link Trainer Building #8 built in 1942. It was one of 200 buildings built at the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale on Merle Fogg Field to teach aviators how to fly torpedo bombers for combat during WWII. In 1943 when he was nineteen, pilot Ensign George H.W. Bush who later served as president of the United States, trained here. Link Trainer #8 was moved on May 20, 1998 from it's former location to where it sits now on perimeter road. In 1979 Allan McElhiney, a WWII sailor founded the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Historical Association. McElhiney along with other naval history enthusiasts were able to have the link building added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. They worked to save the building from demolition and in 1999 Broward County commissioner Lori Parish was able to get a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Transportation Department which allowed the building to be saved and refurbished as a museum. If you have not visited this museum I highly recommend it. it contains a treasure trove of military history including the story of Flight 19. On December 5, 1945, during a routine training mission the flight of five Avengers disappeared into what became known as the Bermuda Triangle. Link Trainer Building #8 is the only building left from the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale and this is the only military museum in Broward County.

Several of the businesses here operate on appointment only concept which consume a majority of the…read morefree parking for thirty minutes to an hour. The Your Patio Store is the anchor of the plaza. There are a few eateries which include Porfa Coffee, Times Square Pizza and PS Green Cafe but parking is a frustrating disaster with decrepit ancient meter parking monitored by the City of Fort Lauderdale - unsure if they actually work. The traffic is influenced by the intersection of the Coral Ridge Mall. Not a fan of this plaza, although a few decent businesses. A weak three stars is pushing the limit.

Located at one of the busiest intersections in Broward County, N Federal Hwy and East Oakland Park…read moreBlvd, you will find this MiMo gem, the Times Square shopping center. MiMo refers to the architecture style Mid-century modern. Started in Germany after WWII, it is a style that was popular from the mid-1930s to mid-1960s. The hallmarks of the design are simplicity and functionality. Expect to see sleek lines, little ornamentation, gentle organic curves, and mixed materials. Mid Century Modern is considered Broward's signature architecture. The Time Square shopping plaza was designed by architect Charles McKirahan in 1954 and built in 1957. McKirahan was one of the most noted mid-20th-century architects in Fort Lauderdale. He married his architect school girlfriend and together they founded a firm with more than 100 architects which they expanded internationally. McKirahan's architectural studio was located in the shopping center. He is responsible for the stunning A-frame of the the original Mai-Kai. For this plaza his design elements included screen block walls, geometric forms and glazed curtain walls. Sadly he passed away at the young age of 44 in a car accident. His son Charles "Chuck" McKirahan followed in his parents footprints and also became a celebrated architect. While the Ft. Lauderdale historical society did a great job of preserving the pioneer history of Ft. Lauderdale along the New River, this shopping center did not receive the same treatment from the Historic Preservation Board. It was renovated in 2019. The most prominent building on U.S. 1, a curved building with red brick screen wall, had the defining wall removed and replaced with sliding glass doors. Today you can still see some of the MiMo design elements McKirahan added but it is looking a little run down. The plaza has a furniture store, Times Square Pizza, and Smarty Pants, a bar to name a few of the businesses. If you are a local you have probably passed this plaza a thousand times without a second glance on your way to the beach. True fans of architecture and history know however that is worth a second glance.

Very cool community center in Deerfield Beach, with Tai Chi and other activities. Kids playground…read moreand ball field. Classy center with friendly staff.

The Johnny L Tigner Community Center is located in the the Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex, a…read more15 acre park with sports fields, a walking trail, gym, picnic areas, and a playground. The beautiful, state of the art, Johnny L. Tigner Community Center is a crown jewel for Deerfield Beach. It was named in honor of Johnny L. Tigner who was born in Georgia but grew up in Deerfield Beach. He was well regarded for spearheading many city initiatives including Big 3 Basketball, Family Kickball, Family Fun Day, and Women's Flag Football. He worked at many athletic events in positions as varied as selling concessions, officiating games, or operating the PA system in his distinctive voice. He especially had a heart for the youth in the community and strived to make Deerfield Beach a better place to live. Community Center amenities include a BSO sub station, ballroom, kitchen, and outdoor patio. Upstairs there is a multipurpose room, dance studio, and a production studio. The community center is available for private rentals with a discounted price for Deerfield Beach city residents. I attended an event in the ballroom that was created to benefit the Deerfield Beach Historical Society. Titled George Was Here, it was a photographic exhibit of pictures of former Beatle George Harrison and his then wife Pattie Boyd and the Beatles' assistant Mal Evans on a 10 day trip to Deerfield Beach in November of 1970. It took place after the break up of the Beatles. Harrison came to visit his aunt and uncle and he stayed at the Shore Road Inn, now known as Pier Walk. Just before the trip he put the finishing touches on his solo album, "All Things Must Pass." In 2024, 18 never-before-seen photographs of Harrison were found at a Deerfield Beach apartment building owned by his maternal uncle and aunt, Edmund and Mimi French. To protect his privacy, many locals kept the secret of Harrison's visit for over 50 years. Fun fact, Florida has another Beatles break up connection. John Lennon signed the legal papers dissolving the Beatles on December 29, 1974, while staying at the Polynesian Village Resort at Disney World in Orlando. The event was very interesting and it benefitted a great organization which strives to preserve the history of the city. I also enjoyed checking out this new community center. In addition to the photographs and historical information, there was light bites from the Deerfield Beach Historical Society, beer, wine, and soda for sale, event posters for sale, and a live band playing George Harrison's music. This was a reminder of just how much Deerfield Beach has to offer. George Was Here is for two nights only, concluding today.

A twelve foot tall solid steel 19th century British Admiralty Anchor (possibly from the wreckage of…read morethe British cartel ship sunk November 1, 1804) proudly standing along the historic Riverside park with amazing river views. It was placed in honor of Capt Peter Throckmorton the father of Marine Archaeology - THE END

Along Riverwalk Plaza in front of the historic New River Inn which is now a museum is another bit…read moreof interesting history. Mounted along the river is an British boat anchor that may have belonged to the L'Athenaise, a British cartel ship that sunk November 1, 1804. On the boat were 174 French prisoners of war. The anchor was discovered in 1967 off the Barefoot Mailman hotel in Hillsboro Beach. Given credit for the discovery along with several other people including his wife Deo, is Mel Fisher who famously discovered the Nuestra Señora de Atocha. The anchor was placed by the Marine Archaeological Council in honor of Capt Peter Throckmorton (1928-1990) "father of marine archaeology An admiralty anchor is a type of large vessel fluke anchor also known as a fisherman. This type of anchor has been used since ancient times. On one end of the shank of the anchor is a ring for attaching rope or chain through it to the boat. On the other end of the shank are the two flukes that once dropped, will dig into the sea floor to anchor the boat in place. One fluke digs in and one remains up which sometimes dislodges the boat and then it needs to be reset. I have watched people pass by without giving the anchor a second glance but if you stop and read the plaque you will see what a cool piece of maritime history this is. There is quite a bit of the past to be discovered along Ft. Lauderdale's Riverwalk.

Coral Springs Oktoberfest 2025 happening tonight on the Coral Springs City Hall Lawn. This event is…read morebecoming one of the most awaited events here in Coral Springs. City Hall is a beautiful building and there is free parking at the parking garage just behind City Hall very convenient specially for town events. The event is highly organized and brings tons of local vendors and food trucks. I noticed about 11 food trucks including beer trucks. I tried some churros with nutella from one of the food truck. Beer mug $18 really cold beer! Vibrant celebration of Bavarian culture. Live music by the Brussels sprouts Polka Band. There was also a weiner dog dash race really cute and getting all the attention from the crowd. Nice to see the community spirit amongst our residents. Looking forward to next year's Oktoberfest.

It's ridiculous that the City of Coral Springs is allowing ITG Communications to do such an…read moreincredibly destructive job while installing fiber for Comcast. Throughout my neighborhood, crews have torn up lawns and landscaping with little regard for homeowners' property. What is most frustrating is the placement of the utility boxes. In many cases, they are installed right in the middle of people's front yards, creating an eyesore and making lawn maintenance more difficult. Many of these boxes could have easily been placed along property lines, near hedges, or in other less intrusive locations with just a little planning. Residents take pride in maintaining their homes and landscaping, yet ITG Communications and Coral Springs seem to have little consideration for the long-term impact their work has on the appearance and usability of our properties. Installing infrastructure shouldn't come at the expense of unnecessarily damaging neighborhoods. Comcast and the City of Coral Springs should hold their contractors to a much higher standard. Fiber upgrades are important, but they should be completed with professionalism, respect for homeowners, and thoughtful planning--not by leaving behind damaged yards and poorly placed utility boxes. I have tried reaching out to Coral Springs and I have also called the two numbers that were posted on the electronic billboard in my neighborhood. The mailbox is full on one of the numbers and the other number has not called me back. Coral Springs has not responded to ANY of my concerns or requests.

Lauderdale-by-the Sea is the cutest little beach town. The founding of the town begins it's history…read morein the 1920's during Florida's land boom years. Many wealthy northerners invested in land in sunny, warm Florida. This was the case here when Boston businessman and developer William F. Moran purchased Lauderdale-by-the-Sea from Henry S. Moody and John C. Gregory. Indiana investor and builder Melvin I. Anglin, who the Anglin Fishing Pier is named for, purchased the platted land from Moran with the intention of staring a new beach side town. The Hurricane of 1926 brought a halt to building but only a year later the town bounced back and Anglin became it's first mayor. Lauderdale-by- the- Sea was incorporated on November 30, 1927. During the Great Depression in 1933 the State of Florida revoked its charter but with the help off Glen Friedt Sr. who came to live in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea in 1938, the town was able to be reincorporated on November 30, 1947. Before Melvin Anglin and his wife Sarah passed away, they give the city the land for the town hall and a park to the west of it. Through its years of growth, one of the ways Lauderdale-by-the-Sea has kept its charm is by limiting the height of buildings. While a lot of beach towns allow tall buildings by the beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea incorporated a a building height limit into their charter in 1973. As a result the town has maintained a kind of quaint 1950's look with it's low mid-century modern architecture. Today a mere 6,000 people call Lauderdale-by-the-Sea home. The highlight of the town is the gorgeous beach and the town holds the title of being Florida's number one beach diving capital. There is a coral reef only 100 yards off the beach and the wreck of the SS Copenhagen, a 19th-century British steamship that sank in 1900 after striking a coral reef lies in 25 feet of water off the coast. People enjoy fishing off Anglin's Pier, paddle boarding, kayaking, diving, and snorkeling. El Prado Park is the area's most popular beachfront park. There are a lot of great places to eat off of Anglin's Square including a Mulligans beach House, Anglin's Beach Cafe, and Aruba Beach Cafe. On of my favorite restaurants in town is the Sea Watch located in a historic house on the beach. If you are a tourist there are boutique hotels and resorts steps from the beach. The town's official motto is "Relax...You're Here." That is exactly how I feel every time I come here, refreshed and relaxed. Whether you are a tourist or local you will love this Old Florida beach town.

This has been, and will probably always be my favorite city in Broward County, Florida. Though…read moreproperty can be higher than most other oceanside businesses and residences, it's well worth the price. Within the past 20 years, there has been steady growth and tourism, but somehow they manage to keep the hometown feeling that so many of us love and thrive in. There is so much to do; you can pick and choose from online by viewing their Event calendar--year round! It's more than a quiet relaxing surf-side town. Check it out for yourself, I dare you! ;) Anglin's Square is my top favorite spot and it just doesn't get old for me. Speaking of, I pray I can retire in LBTS; but until that season, you're still sure to find me there on the sand, shopping, bike riding, eating, drinking, dancing, AND...!