🌞 Welcome To TheNew Year (good to see you 2022) and New Project To Share

Goooood morning... Fort Lauderdale 🌞

In today's Family Friendly FTL Newsletter:

• Lot's of open air markets and art activities
• Move your body or fill your belly (with Seafood!)
• See what's going on in the coming week that you definitely don't want to miss! Suns up... Thumbs up! 👍

The Story Behind FFFTL (why do we do it?)

With the New Year comes a new project - here's the story behind our story.

When our family moved to Fort Lauderdale this past July, we were AMAZED at all the cool things happening in FTL, but we often felt like we learned about them after the fact. Or if we were lucky... we would stumble on a memorable event while walking on the Riverwalk.

It was a bit confusing... and overwhelming at the same time.

There are other great organizations who share updates on what's happening in the city (the DDA newsletter is a personal favorite) but...

... we were looking for one source that would be helpful to see which events we shouldn't miss, with a specific focus on stuff the whole family can enjoy.

That was our inspiration to start Family Friendly Fort Lauderdale! We figured we are going to look up the info anyways, so why not share it with other families like... YOU!

Oh, and one more thing 😉

Did you know we are a student-driven media project? Or should I say... we will be. These first newsletters are a passion project (I/Tobin have been doing newsletters as part of my work for over a dozen years).

But our new K-12 micro school is opening in Old Fort Lauderdale Village next month, so very soon you will be seeing news stories (and editing, and interviews) flowing from our bit-sized reporters learning to do real-world projects as part of their learning.

Shortlist of Things To Not Miss This Week:

*Stories are notated as (Free) to participate, or ($$) if they require paid access. We will always let you know if something is paid or sponsored.

>> Last chance to catch The Lost Daughter at Savor Cinema (Jan 5th-6th at 5pm or 7:15pm). If you haven't watched a film at Savor, it is a true gem right here in our backyard. Savor, Gateway, and Cinema Paradiso are all great places to catch a show and provided by team at FLIFF - the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. ($$)

>> Visit ArtServe on Friday night January 7th, for Student Jazz Musicians jamming with the Jazz pros of First Friday Night Jazz. 7:30-9:30pm (Free)

>> Or pop on over to Lauder Night Market, a street bazaar, fashioned after the famous Temple Street in Hong Kong. Peter Feldman Park, Friday, January 7th from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. (Free)

>> Wake & Shake for the American Cancer Society on Fort Lauderdale Beach on Saturday, the 8th from 10am to noon. ($$)

>> MUST SEE: Browse the booths at the 34th Annual Las Olas Art Fair from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, January 8-9th. (Free)

>> Get your hands deep in the clay with a 2 hour beginner's pottery class. Multiple dates and times available between January 7-14. ($$)

>> Or if having fun with a Scavenger Hunt is more your speed, multiple days and times are also available for this local play time by Puzzling Adventures. ($$)

>> Seafood on the Riverwalk! Saturday, January 8th from 11am to 4pm. Stop by the Riverwalk Stone Crab & Seafood Festival for signature seafood dishes of conch, shrimp, crab, lobster, fresh fish and more, deliciously barbequed, boiled, broiled, baked, fried or sautéed. (Free or $$)

>> MODS (Museum of Discovery & Science) is getting wild on the weekends, with Wild Florida Weekends in January. Animal encounters plus make and take building activities for children of all ages. ($$)

>> Yes, Look Up (see what we did there 😉) and take a Birding Class on Sunday, January 9th at the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. 2pm to 5pm. ($$)

>> On Sunday the 9th, come browse the crafts and food at the New River Open Air Market on the Riverwalk at History Fort Lauderdale. (Free)

>> Also on Sunday the 9th, the Sunny Side Up Market returns to MASS District from noon to 4pm. (Free)

>> Monday, January 10th is Black and White Night at The Museum from 6-8pm. This elegant black and white themed cocktail party at NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale will feature exclusive exhibit tours, live entertainment, light bites and a decadent dessert table. ($$)

>> Lastly - if you just want to get outside and breath the fresh air, drop by for a walk and tour in lush green spaces of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Open from 8am to 7pm. (Paid)

Classifieds:

Got a message you would like to share with the community? Drop us a note and we will work you into our Announcements section.

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WANTED: Fort Lauderdale families who want something more for their children.

New K-12 Non-Traditional Micro School Coming To Downtown Fort Lauderdale

Opening in February, Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale will be joining the downtown Riverwalk District at the historic Bryan House of Old Fort Lauderdale Village.

With over 300+ Acton Academy locations worldwide, Acton is known for its learner-driven approach. Students progressively take over ownership of their own education, and are ultimately responsible for the day-to-day operations of the school.

Founders Tobin and Martina Slaven shared, “this is the kind of approach to school that we wish we could have experienced growing up. We wanted this for our daughter and we wanted to bring it to Fort Lauderdale. It is entrepreneurial, with a focus on building the character and skills needed for the real world.”

In December 2021, Acton Academy hosted Fort Lauderdale’s first Children’s Business Fair at Esplanade Park. For more information visit www.ActonAcademyFL.com

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Do YOU paddleboard?

What's your favorite spot to put in?

New River? Victoria Park? North Beach?The State Parks?

SEEKING: Other paddleboarders to gather a Paddle Club for river and ocean exploration. Drop an email to [email protected] if you are interested in gathering to paddle.

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This newsletter is a student media project started by Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale. In this short interview, you can read more about the what, who, and why behind the FFFTL newsletter.

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ADD YOUR STORY: We love writing and researching for this local newsletter for you, and for free. If you like reading it (and want to share your family-friendly updates) please consider becoming a paying member.