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- 🐝 Issue #8 - Lost Pet (Shadow), Pickleball Clinic, GFWC Woman's Club Awards, & Aden Perry Hero 5k Race
🐝 Issue #8 - Lost Pet (Shadow), Pickleball Clinic, GFWC Woman's Club Awards, & Aden Perry Hero 5k Race
Plantation News & Events
Aston Bright
April 10, 2025
In partnership with
Welcome to Issue #8 of the Plantation Buzz! Thank you Plantation readers for supporting our free weekly 5 min read email newsletter about our city.
I'm Aston Bright, publisher of the Buzz (Plantation Firefighter 10 yrs & resident for 14 yrs), and city patriot. I started this newsletter to promote the good news & events happening around town. And to enhance the city’s community spirit, promote togetherness and shine a light 🔦 on the AMAZING people who live here and the businesses in our community.
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If you know of an upcoming event in the city, reply to this email with the details. Most importantly, check your inbox every Thurs and get buzzed! It’s written 100% 🚫 steroid free! 😂 First time reading, Subscribe here.
Fun fact: The City of Plantation is 22 sq miles and we have 3,618 fire hydrants. There is 1 fire hydrant every 300 ft! And when you take a shower later tonight, the water sprinkling on your body traveled through 327 miles of water main pipes (maintained by the Utilities Dept) to get to your home! Thank you Utilities folks. We love nice and clean water. This is the same water that is pumped to all those fire hydrants!
You don’t have to love Blue Bags to ❤️ love the City of Plantation! 😂 And this might actually might surprise you, but Blue Bags are very popular! 👀 Plantation has been using them since Mayor Jim Ward started the program in 1965.
If you don’t ❤️ the City of Plantation, then take this as your warning: you’re going to HATE this Newsletter 😂. The Buzz is a love note to our wonderful community. And we know Plantation isn’t perfect, Facebook covers all of that 🙄.
So, we decided to focus only on the good things, great people, and wonderful businesses here. You won’t see any complaining about too much traffic due to a new building just approved. Or hear any bit*#ing and moaning about Blue Bags. Not in the Buzz! Only positive highlights to brighten your day and lift your spirits. And don’t forget to shop local. 🙏
Special shout out to avid readers Jack Reckner & Sophie. Thank you for the support every week. We ❤️ you!
Issue #8, here we go!
🍝 Seminole Middle Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser TONIGHT 6p. Tickets or Donations: $12 advance & $15 at the door. This is a great way to support their Drama Program. If you can’t attend, please consider making a tax deductible donation via Zelle. The 🐝 Plantation Buzz is a sponsor of this event!
🥁 SPHS Band 4th of July Parade! The South Plantation High School Marching Band has been selected to represent our state in the prestigious National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C., this July 4th! They’re close to their goal. Help them get there with a donation.
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🏃🏃♀️ City of Plantation Employees Run in 5k Corp Race 50 City of Plantation employees including the Mayor Nick Sortal and a City Council member ran in the Fort Lauderdale race. Some of our fastest runners were Councilmember Eric Anderson, Indyli Brown, and Michele Casado! Great job to all of the runners/walkers. Plantation was one of the few cities that fielded a team. Thanks for representing us! |  Team Plantation turnt up! Thank you to all of the city employees and elected officials for participating in this race. You did an amazing job representing our beautiful city. What a good looking group! |
🐶 Lost Pet - Shadow is missing. Plantation Park East area, near the Jim Ward Community Center. He’s chipped. His owner Jonathan thinks he got out when the exterminator was at his home. It was thundering/raining at the time. He’s out there somewhere and probably scared. Please help us find and locate him. So he can get back home safely. Email the Plantation Buzz if you locate him [email protected] |  |
👩💻 👨💻 Understanding America’s Labor Shortage There are 8 million job openings in America right now, but only 6.8 million unemployed workers avail to fill those positions. So there is a 1.2 million person labor shortage. Great article to better understand this trend.
👟 Pickleball Tip of the Week with Coach Jelani It is the fastest growing sport in America. Have you every wanted to try Pickleball? The Plantation Buzz is sponsoring a free Pickleball clinic. So, now is your opportunity to learn how to play and try it. Or, improve your skills if you’re already playing. The 1st clinic is being scheduled soon with Coach Jelani (all skill levels welcome). To sign up & join us for FREE reply to this email with “Interested in Pickleball.” |  Coach Jelani |
✈️ Where in the World is Dr. Bob? Updates on Honor Flight’s 34th flight Welcome Party at FLL, updates on his 101st Mission BBQ opening. Honor Flight South Florida is a 100% all-volunteer organization, dedicated solely to honoring all veterans in Broward, Dade, and Monroe counties. In the final chapters of their lives, it’s a race against time to fly these veterans to Washington D.C. to visit and reflect at the memorials built in their honor. Dr. Bob’s next Honor Flight appearance will be on 5/17 (Armed Forces Day) at Fort Lauderdale International Airport Terminal 4 (Spirit Airlines). Follow Dr. Bob on IG. |  |
🤩 SPHS 5th Annual First Responder Drive-Thru Appreciation Event Students and faculty host an event in Plantation where first responders can drive through to be thanked and rewarded for their service. Plantation Police and Fire Trucks will also drive-thru. The event features students and cheerleaders, offering food and items, goodie bags, popcorn, to all first responders. It is an AWESOME event. If you're a first responder who lives in Plantation, it's a great event to attend. Just drive thru, you don’t even have to get out of your vehicle. Wed, 4/16 9a-12p at South Plantation High School.
⚾️ Mayor’s Cup Plantation High School Baseball South Plantation defeated Plantation High and they have retained the Mayor’s Cup, city champions, for another year. It is noted that Plantation High has usually won the Mayor’s Cup in football. So their revenge will be sweet come the Fall football season. We’ll keep you posted on this friendly intra-city rivalry.
🏞️ Plantation Parks - Peter Pan Mother’s Day Weekend 5/10. Fly off to Neverland on a bus that leaves from Plantation Community Center, to the Broward Center for Performing Arts! $35 per person. Secure your tickets! For more information please call (954) 797-2180.
Plantation Small Businesses Band Together! Tanner Kavrik (native son of Plantation - resident here for 34 yrs / SPHS graduate) has created The Plantation Spotlight in order to help local small Plantation businesses join together for their advantage using direct mail to 10,000 homes. Watch for more details! Contact Tanner to get in the next mailing!
🎭 South Plantation HS Drama Program “Suite Surrender” show is opening 4/17. Other dates: 4/18, 4/19, 4/25, 4/26, & 4/27. Learn more about the Drama Program
🍿 Netflix & Chill 50 best movies on Netflix. Any movies we should add? Reply to this email and let us know.
⚽︎ Women’s Pro Soccer Fort Lauderdale United FC Saturday, April 12th vs DC Power Football Club 7:30p. Beyond Bancard Field at NSU. Theme: Pride Night
🛍️ Mall-Chella at the Broward Mall is a shopping, music, and style event features a blend of DJ-driven music ambiance, festive photo ops, face painting, special drinks, food deals, VIP access to a DIY workshop, and unique shopping experiences. Sat 4/26, 1p-4p
🐣 Pet Photos with Easter Bunny Broward Mall 4/12-4/19. Schedule
🥗 New Restaurant Opening - Just Salad is a delightful addition to Plantation. Just Salad offers a diverse menu featuring chef-designed salads like the Honey Crispy Chicken Salad and the Earth Bowl. Beyond salads, they provide warm bowls, wraps, and avocado toast, catering to various tastes. Their focus on eco-friendly dining is commendable, making healthy eating both accessible and environmentally responsible. Use code PLANTATION5 for $5 off your 1st order online or in person.
👨🍳 First Watch & Cava are opening soon in the same plaza as Just Salad: Plantation Pointe (Motorola property - Sunrise and University).
🍔 Food Trucks Wednesdays at Volunteer Park there are 12 of the best food trucks, a DJ playing music, games & activities for the kids, and an artisan vendor. This is a great event for the family. Wed 4/2 from 5 pm - 9 pm. Come get some great eats.
🧑💻👩🔧 Plantation Job Board! The City of Plantation is hiring! Apply today: Available jobs.
🏆 GFWC Plantation Woman's Club Congratulations to all of the honorees at the 2025 volunteer of the year event! Great job by the event co-chairs Lou and Judy and to President Karinne Bernstein and to all of the people that put the program together. We have so many amazing organizations and volunteers in our community. Thank you for your service and dedication to our great city. Way to go #TeamPlantation! |  2025 Honorees: Donna Ewert, Daphne Pinnock, Joan Khan, Jeannette Smith, Linda Marino, Paul Lucas & Luna, Joel Vailloo, Marc Kinsman, Claire Clemente |
🦸♂️ Aden Perry Scholarship Fund 5k Race is awarding $14,000 in scholarships to High School students! Race is Apr 12, 8a (Register here) at the Amerant Bank Arena (FL Panthers Arena). This foundation formed to honor Aden Perry. He is a true hero who died trying to save the life of someone who was drowning in a canal off Flamingo Rd. The 🐝 Plantation Buzz is a sponsor of this event!
🛝 Plantation Parks Superintendant Mike Ambrosio was featured on the cover of the FRPA Journal (Florida Recreation Parks & Rec Association), for an article about Honoring Florida’s Natural Beauty. Thank you for shining a light on Plantation’s 42 parks!
👨⚖️ Mayor’s Minute Update covers the Midtown Bridge, city meeting schedules, & Plantation Walk Easter Car Show from Mayor Nick Sortal.
🚒 Become One of Us! The Plantation Fire Dept is currently looking for Volunteer Firefighters and members for our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Call 954-797-2150 or click here to apply.
🚙 Car Shows Supercar Saturday over 300 cars including 100 exotics, Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hollywood, FL Sat 4/12, 9a-12p • Cars & Kicks by the Canal 1340 Stirling Rd, Dania Beach Sat 4/12 4p-8p • Easter Car & Truck Show Plantation Walk Sun 4/13, 11a-2p • Jets Pizza Davie Car Show April Mega Meet “Domestic vs Import” Sat 4/19, 6p-11p • Cars & Coffee Palm Beach Boca Raton Sun 4/27, 8a-12p
🎸 Live Music/Entertainment
TONIGHT
4/10 Chris Tucker. Hard Rock LIVE. Seminole Hard Rock Casino. 8p
FRIDAY
4/11 Fists of Fury Series. World Championship Boxing. Hard Rock LIVE. Seminole Hard Rock Casino. 7p
4/11 Noches De Neón with ILEGALES Dance poolside at the Guitar Pool. Seminole Hard Rock Casino. 8:30p
4/11 So Good The Neil Diamond Experience. Dania Beach Casino. Doors 7p. Show 8p
4/11 Plantation Walk Artisan Market. Vendors & Live Music 5p-9p.
SATURDAY
4/12 Chicago. Hard Rock LIVE. Seminole Hard Rock Casino. 8p
4/12 Miami Salsa Scene Latin Night DJ Charun. Dania Beach Casino. Doors 7p. Show 8p
SUNDAY
Easter Car & Truck Show Plantation Walk Sun 4/13, 11a-2p
In Other News…
🐊 Florida Gators win the NCAA National Basketball Championship! Great video recap sent to us by Henry Benard. The University of Florida is the 1st Division 1 school to ever win 3 titles in both basketball and football. Quite a feat. And it just got a lot harder to get into UF. Thank goodness I attended there before our football and basketball teams got so good! 😅 Go Gators!
Final Thoughts
Facing Anxiety: America’s Most Common Mental Health Challenge
Anxiety affects over 40 million Americans each year. It can show up as racing thoughts, sleepless nights, panic attacks, or a lingering sense of unease—even when nothing seems wrong.
The Good News? Anxiety is Treatable. And You're Not Alone.
With the right support and tools, you can manage anxiety and live a full, thriving life. Here are a few ways to move forward:
Get Professional Help: Therapy, especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), helps reframe anxious thoughts. Medication can also be helpful when prescribed by a doctor.
Practice Mindfulness: Just 5–10 minutes of meditation or focused breathing daily can reduce stress. Apps like Calm or Headspace make it easy to start.
Move Your Body: Gentle, regular movement—like walking or yoga—can lift your mood and calm your nervous system. Parks & Rec offers free Yoga classes.
Stay Connected: Talk to friends, join support groups, or connect with others who understand. These are free resources. You don’t have to face this alone.
Celebrate Progress: Every small step counts. Living with anxiety doesn't mean you're broken—it means you're doing your best.
You are not your anxiety. Many people live, work, love, and thrive with it. Healing is possible—and asking for help is a powerful first step.
Thank you for reading today’s 🐝 Plantation Buzz. Your support is so appreciated. For event tips or feedback, please reply to this email. Please vote in our feedback poll 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.
That’s all for this week. Stay safe, be well and see you next Thursday!
👨🚒 Aston Bright (Plantation Firefighter since 2014, resident since 2010)
Publisher, 🐝 The Plantation Buzz
P.S. Also, follow us: Aston Bright, Editor’s Instagram, The Plantation Buzz Instagram, The Plantation Buzz Facebook
What did you think about today's issue? |
SAVE THE DATE: 4/25, Relay for Life at Central Park • 4/25 Legends Tavern & Grill Comedy Show • 4/26, 1p Artis Jack Hall Golf Klassic at Jacaranda Golf Club 4/25 • 4/26 Mall-Chella Broward Mall • 5/3 & 5/4 Ft. Lauderdale Air Show