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🐝 Issue # 24 - July 31, 2025

🐝 Issue # 24 - July 31, 2025

Plantation News & Events

Aston Bright
July 31, 2025

Issue #24 of the Plantation Buzz. I'm Aston Bright, publisher of the Buzz (Plantation Firefighter 10 yrs & resident for 15 yrs). Thank you for reading today’s issue. Please share it online and with your family and friends. That helps us get the word out about our amazing city.

I started this newsletter to enhance the city’s community spirit, promote togetherness, inform you about events, and shine a light 🔦 on the AMAZING people & businesses here in Plantation.

Check your inbox every Thursday and get buzzed! First time reading, Subscribe here. If you would like to read previous issues you can find them here.

🧠 Fun Fact

🛍️ From Swamp to Shops: The Story Behind the Galleria Mall 🛍️

Before it was the stylish Galleria Mall we know today, it was once Florida’s very first shopping mall—the Sunrise Center! Built on a 140-acre mangrove swamp, the mall opened in 1954 with just 37 stores and a glamorous dedication that included a helicopter arrival by Magda Gabor (yes, Zsa Zsa’s sisater - that Gabor family!).

Over the years, it grew into a retail giant featuring iconic names like Saks Fifth Avenue, Jordan Marsh, and the Sunrise Cinema I & II—one of the first twin mall cinemas in the country.

By the 1980s, a major makeover began. With a new Burdines, Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus, and a full enclosure, Sunrise Center was officially transformed into the Galleria Fort Lauderdale, complete with art installations and upscale flair.

📌 Other area malls that shaped local shopping history:

Lauderhill Mall (opened in 1966): One of the first fully air-conditioned indoor malls in the region.

Lakes Mall in Lauderdale Lakes (1973): Brought big-name retail closer to the northwest suburbs.

Through boom times, store closures (RIP Saks & Neiman Marcus), and now a proposed $750 million redevelopment featuring residences, rooftop gardens, and green spaces, the Galleria remains a symbol of South Florida’s retail evolution.

We hope this history lesson helps you with this week’s reader poll, “If you just won a $500 mall gift card. Where are you blowing it first?”

🚔 Plantation Police National Night Out is this Tuesday! Aug 5th from 5p-9p at Pine Island Soccer Park. It is an amazing event: helicopter landing, Fire Dept extrication demonstration, food trucks, PD’s Band, “The Fuzz” will be playing, and lots of fun activities for the kids.

I’ll be the MC of the Fire Dept’s extrication demonstration where you will see the “Jaws of Life” in action showing how we cut up a car to safely remove someone trapped after an accident.

This is a major community event. You don’t want to miss this. Hope to see you there. Check out the sizzle reel here.

🧳 Plantation Shows Up for Foster Kids There are over 4,500 foster children in Broward County 🥹 and thanks to our city, many of them now have something better than a trash bag to carry their belongings; when they have to move to a new home in the middle of the night.

The Plantation Fire Department partnered with Mary Ann’s Foster Closet to collect gently used luggage, so foster kids have dignity and comfort when transitioning between homes. Over 30 suitcases were donated by our generous community!

Want to help? Drop off any used luggage at Plantation Fire Station #4 (8200 SW 3rd St, 33324). If no one is there, feel free to leave it at the front door. You can also reply to this email to arrange a pickup.

Thank you, Plantation, for making a real difference! 💼❤️

Thank you to all who donated to help the kids. ❤️

💧 Water Chlorination Maintenance Aug 24 – Sept 7. The City of Plantation will temporarily switch to free chlorination to maintain water quality. Water remains safe to drink, cook with, and bathe in. Slight taste/smell changes or hydrant flushing may occur. ⚠️ Dialysis patients: consult with your doctor. 📞 Info: 954-797-2209 plantation.org/utilities

🚓 Plantation Police Chief Announces Retirement After serving for 42 years (16 years as the Chief of Police) Howard Harrison announced his retirement. He will be leaving on December 5, 2025.

I know the Chief very well, and he is just an amazing person and has really done a lot for the City. I’m going to miss seeing him at the City Council meetings and at city events. Thank you for standing guard over us all. We ❤️ U, Chief Harrison!

🚌 Back to School back to school events happening all around South Florida.

⚽️ 🏀 🥎 ⚾️ 🏈 Plantation Athletic League (PAL) sign up your kids for youth sports

✏️ Scholarship Opportunity for 1 Lucky HS Student ‼️ ONLY 1 DAY LEFT TO APPLY FOR THIS REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

The Aden Perry Good Samaritan and Scholarship Fund is parterning with Greenbaum College Advising to present this AMAZING scholarship opportunity to a class of 2026 college-bound high school senior!

Apply here www.adenperrygoodsamaritanandscholarshipfund.org. All applications must be submitted by August 1st - Tomorrow!

🚨 WPLG 10 is leaving ABC in only 4 days. ABC will now be on Channel 18. Latest details and their programming schedule for Ch. 10

🚲 Learn to ride a bike with private lessons at Pedal Yard. All ages can learn to ride and ride to live. Learn more here. Call Susan & Marc for more info at 1-833 KID-BIKE (543-2453)

🍽️ Where in the World is Dr. Bob He was at Catfish Dewey’s – A Southern Fried Favorite Since 1984.

Dr. Bob recently made his first visit to Catfish Dewey’s in Oakland Park, and he’s already planning his return. Family-owned and serving up Southern-style seafood, this local gem is known for its warm hospitality and seriously good food.

As a fried catfish fan, Dr. Bob went straight for the house specialty and it didn’t disappoint. Crispy, golden, and perfectly seasoned, the catfish hit the mark. He called it “outstanding” and said he’ll definitely be back to explore more of the menu.

With favorites like all-you-can-eat shrimp, oysters, hush puppies, and crab legs, there’s no shortage of reasons to return. For over 40 years, Catfish Dewey’s has earned its reputation with great food and friendly service that keeps folks coming back.

📍 Catfish Dewey’s – 4003 N Andrews Ave, Oakland Park, FL 🌐 catfishdeweys.com

Whether you’re a seafood lover or just hungry for something hearty, this place is worth a visit!

Bring your appetite and maybe some extra napkins!

🧑‍💻👩‍🔧 Plantation Job Board! The City of Plantation is hiring! We need great people working for the city. Apply today: Available jobs.

Throwback Thursday #TBT

1991 Plantation Police Officers Don Caridad and Brian Pillado.

Mayor’s Minute Update with Nick Sortal week of July 28th

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🏆 Community Spirit Award Winner - Plantation PD’s K9 Arco is retiring after 8 years of dedicated service. During his career, Arco was responsible for 174 criminal apprehensions and 55 detection finds.

Arco will now spend his days relaxing at home with his handler, Officer Morrissey and his family. We hope his days are filled with comfort, play, lots of yummy bones, and plenty of opportunities to bark at the mail carrier.

Thank you for your service K9 Arco! Congrats on being this week’s Community Spirit Award Winner.

Such a good boy!

📕 Bonnie’s Book Club all of the books she read in July. She recommends them all.

⛳️ Golf Brings Friends Together This guy is AMAZING! Which is why I feature his tips every week. Try this if your irons could use some improvement. This tip really helped to level up my iron shots and I’m now back in the 80’s!

🎸 Live Music/Entertainment

Boca Black Box, Boca Raton - Schedule

DAER / Rooftop LIVE Hard Rock Guitar Hotel - Schedule

The Casino at Dania Beach - Schedule

07/31 David Lee Roth Hard Rock Live 8p TONIGHT

08/01 Mother-Son Party Rumble in the Jungle Volunteer Park 7p. FRIDAY

08/01 Life in Technicolor – Tribute to Coldplay Revolution Ft. Lauderdale 7p

08/01 Shania Twain Hard Rock Live

08/02 Pretty Please Fly Guy + All Day K, Hard Rock Guitar Hotel Rooftop LIVE. 5p-11p

08/02 Shania Twain Hard Rock Live. SATURDAY

08/02 Guns N’ Roses Tribute Band w/ Jane’s Affliction Revolution Live 7p

8/3 “Wishes” Disney Pin Trading Event, Davie. SUNDAY

8/5 National Night Out Pine Island Soccer Park 5p-9p TUESDAY

8/6 KenTheMan Kinda Famous Tour Revolution Live 7p WEDNESDAY

08/07 A.R. Rahman: The Wonderment Tour Hard Rock Live 7:30p

In Other News…

We are over 100,000 residents! More details below.

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Final Thoughts

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

If you just won a $500 mall gift card. Where are you blowing it first?

Last Week’s Poll Results:

You're dealt in! What card game are you choosing every time? Poker was the run away winner. And if you haven’t played Cards Against Humanity yet. You should. Very fun game. But let’s just say it’s a little risque. 😅

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Poker

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Blackjack

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Spades

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Uno

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Cards Against Humanity 👀

Thank you for reading today’s 🐝 Plantation Buzz. Our little newsletter is smashing! Thank you all for your support. It is so appreciated. But 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.

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

👨‍🚒 Aston Bright - Publisher, 🐝 The Plantation Buzz

P.S. Also, follow us: Aston Bright, Editor’s Instagram, The Plantation Buzz Instagram, The Plantation Buzz Facebook