🐝 Issue # 20 - July 3, 2025

Plantation News & Events

Welcome to Issue #20 of the Plantation Buzz! Our free weekly 5 min read email newsletter about Plantation.

I'm Aston Bright, publisher of the Buzz (Plantation Firefighter 10 yrs & resident for 15 yrs). I started this newsletter to enhance the city’s community spirit, promote togetherness and shine a light 🔦 on the AMAZING people & businesses here in our great community.

Check your inbox every Thurs and get buzzed! First time reading, Subscribe here.

We are getting ready for the Fourth of July! There are A LOT of events in the city tomorrow for the holiday celebrating our country’s Independence Day. I’ll be in the Parade tomorrow with the Fire Department. If you see me make sure to say hello! Happy Fourth of July!

🧠 Fun Fact: John Adams, one of the Founding Fathers, believed the independence holiday should be celebrated on July 2nd, not the 4th. He felt this way because the Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2nd, though the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted on July 4th.

Another fun fact is according to the National Sausage and Hot Dog Council (NHDSC), Americans are expected to eat 150 million hot dogs over the July 4th holiday.

🌭 This is part of an estimated 7 billion that are expected to be eaten during the summer season from Memorial Day to Labor Day. We’ll see if this fact helps hot dogs in today’s reader poll. “What’s your favorite thing to eat at a Fourth of July BBQ? 🇺🇸🔥🍔” Make sure you vote at the bottom of today’s issue.

🔋 🚙 Freebee is LIVE. This is a FREE, on-demand EV ride service, you can take around Plantation Midtown. City officials were on hand to officially launch the service! Right now it is only in Midtown, but eventually the goal is for city wide coverage. Stay tuned to the Buzz for details on the expansion of this incredible microtransit free service. Download the APP and start riding for FREE!

🚒 Plantation Fire Department has a new recruitment class. The Fire Dept is starting a new candidate class in September. If you’re interested in joining the Fire Dept as a Volunteer you can still get in this upcoming class. Sign up today and someone will contact you with details. Click Join Us on their webpage.

💧 Eye On Water App will allow you to keep track of your city water usage on your phone. Sign up for leak alerts and water usage notifications. Contact the Utilities Dept with any questions 954-797-2290.

⛈️ Hurricane Season is in full swing! If you haven’t made preparations yet, it is not too late. Make sure you start preparations now! Here is a Prep Checklist.

🚲 Learn to ride a bike with Pedal Yard. July 26th for 2-5 yr olds from 9AM-Noon at Dave & Busters Hollywood, FL Learn more here. 1-833 KID-BIKE (543-2453)

SAVE THE DATE

National Night Out August 5th @ 5p. Pine Island Soccer Park

🦷 Take Care of Your Teeth! Need dental care? NSU Dental School is now accepting new patients—FREE for veterans and reduced fees for everyone! Third-year dental students are ready to help, but there’s a 6-month wait unless you contact a student directly. Reach out to Jack Reckner (954-613-2417) or James Alberts (754-777-895)for an appointment—call or text today for no judgment, just great care. Tell them you heard about this in the Plantation Buzz. NSU Dental School, 3050 S University Dr, Davie. Don’t wait—your smile will thank you!

🍜 I ate at Zuru Ramen bar this week for the 1st time, with Plantation Fire Department Battalion Chief Jeff Weinstein who joined me. He actually recommend this joint!

They deliver a standout dining experience for anyone craving authentic Japanese comfort food (Ramen). The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by a modern, inviting space with friendly staff who make you feel right at home. I actually felt like I was back in Japan!

The menu centers on rich, flavorful ramen bowls that are both satisfying and beautifully presented. Favorites include the Tonkotsu Ramen, with its creamy, slow-cooked pork broth and tender chashu, and the Spicy Miso Ramen, which packs just the right amount of heat. Each bowl features perfectly cooked noodles, fresh toppings, and a depth of flavor that shows real attention to detail.

Beyond ramen, Zuru offers tasty appetizers like gyoza, takoyaki, and crispy karaage chicken, plus a variety of rice bowls and Japanese small plates. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, making it easy for you to find something you’ll love.

They’re located in the Plantation Towne Square Publix Plaza (69th & Broward).

#TBT THROW BACK THURSDAY

Thank you Officer Thomas Butt

🧑‍💻👩‍🔧 Plantation Job Board! The City of Plantation is hiring! We need great people working for the city. That is you, so LET’S GO!!! Apply today: Available jobs.

🍗 Where in the World is Dr. Bob Plantation Buzz reader Rdakota1134 sent in a question for Dr. Bob and he wanted to answer her question in his column this week. She wanted to know if he’s ever been to the Mission BBQ in Nashville at the Opry Mills Mall. He has! Thank you for writing in to ask and here is his response! Dr. Bob is also hosting the Fourth of July Parade at City Hall tomorrow. He’s the voice of the parade! Make sure you say hello if you’re there!

Mayor’s Minute Update with Nick Sortal week of June 30th

👨‍⚖️ City of Plantation Social Media Pages Stay up to date on official city info by following Plantation on all of their social media sites. 

🏆 Community Spirit Award Winner 🇺🇸 The 4th of July Parade Grand Marshal this year is Miki Ostendorf (Ms. Miki). She is a National Treasure, a jewel of our city and our Spirit Award Winner for this week.

As the libraian at the Helen B. Hoffman Library she reads stories to children, teaches them how to read, and makes our library a fun place to visit. Check out the video by JoJo from Parks & Rec as he talks to her about the impact she’s had on our city and what we can expect when we see her at the parade tomorrow. We’ll see you there Ms. Miki!

📕 Bonnie’s Book Club This week she reviews Broken Country.

⛳️ Golf Brings Friends Together Golf tip of the week: Danny Maude gives an amazing routine for getting off the tee box, making a great approach and throwing darts at the green.

🎸 Live Music/Entertainment

DAER Hard Rock Guitar Hotel - Upcoming Entertainment Schedule 

The Casino at Dania Beach - Upcoming Entertainment Schedule 

Thursday 7/3

Hard Rock Live 8p

FRIDAY 7/4

SATURDAY 7/5

Sunday 7/6

Central Park Tennis Clay Courts

The Casino at Dania Beach

In Other News…

2025 Bulk Pick Up Schedule

EAST of University: July 7 - 12 WEST of University: July 14 - 19

To find your exact scheduled bulk pick-up day, check out our interactive map and simply type your address in the search bar: www.plantation.org/MapMyTrash.

For a complete list of Eligible items, year schedule and more information, please visit www.plantation.org/Bulk

Final Thoughts

Let’s find out what is really important - Vote in this week’s reader Poll.

What’s your favorite thing to eat at a Fourth of July BBQ? 🇺🇸🔥🍔

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Last Week’s Poll Results: 

How many pictures/videos do you have on your cell phone? With 34% of the vote, the winner in the closest poll we’ve ever had was: Over 10,000!

Thank you for reading today’s 🐝 Plantation Buzz. Your support is so appreciated. Before you go: Please vote in our FEEDBACK poll down below.

Invite your friends to subscribe to the Plantation Buzz. Send them this link. It’s free to sign up and you can cancel anytime. And don’t worry we’ll never spam you.

If you want to contact us just reply to this email. 

That’s all for this week. Be well, stay safe, and we’ll see you next Thursday!

👨‍🚒 Aston Bright (Plantation Firefighter since 2014, resident since 2010)

Publisher, 🐝 The Plantation Buzz

What did you think about today's issue?

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SAVE THE DATE: 7/11 Daddy Daughter Dance, Volunteer Park • 7/11 Freestyle Free For All, Hard Rock Live • 7/11 Given to Fly The Pearl Jam Experience, Black Box Boca • 7/11 A Tribute to the Women of Rock, The Casino at Dania Beach • 7/12 Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships, Hard Rock Live • 7/12 Pandora’s Box Tribute to Aerosmith, The Casino at Dania Beach • 7/19 Darius Rucker, Hard Rock Live • 7/19 Back to School BBQ, FREE school supplies for Plantation Residents: Jim Ward Community Center • 7/20 Miss Tracy Sings, Plantation Walk Plaza • 8/3 “Wishes” Disney Pin Trading Event, Davie • 9/5 KC & The Sunshine Band Hard Rock Live • 9/24 Nate Bargatze World Tour Hard Rock Live

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