[🌞 #FFFTL] Hey Miami… Who Are You Calling “Weird?" Plus Vintage Estate Sales, and Outdoor Movies

ABC’s new Carl Hiaasen series brings Hollywood (and a bit of chaos) to Fort Lauderdale. Plus: 11 weekend events you won't want to miss.

May 28, 2026

Thursday, May 29th, 2026 - Want to hunt for hidden treasures in Boca or catch a movie on the lawn? Plus, why Hollywood production trucks are suddenly shutting down Broward county streets... 👇👇👇

Stuff You Won’t Want To Miss:

TONIGHT | Paint and Sip with Constance Ivana. A fun workshop that will bring out the artist in you.
Friday Night | Movie On The Lawn at Huizenga Park. See the live action version of Lilo & Stitch. There will also be a performance from Polynesian Proud Productions and a hula hoop party.
Saturday Morning | Yoga and The Market at Fort Lauderdale Beach. An eclectic array of homemade & handmade fare ranging from fresh produce and fruit to global flavors, made-to-order foods, and unique items to wear and decorate your home.
Saturday | Sound Bath Meditation at Huizenga Park. A calming experience with soothing sounds and frequencies of crystal singing bowls and other therapeutic instruments.
Saturday | Fort Lauderdale Fire & Safety Museum. Open the second and last Saturdays of each month. You can also sign up for private tours to bring your class, scout troop, or community group for a hands-on learning experience at historic Fire Station No. 3.
Sunday | Fort Lauderdale Neighbor Day at the NSU Art Museum. Every LAST Sunday of every month, Fort Lauderdale residents receive FREE admission to NSU Art Museum as part of Fort Lauderdale Neighbor Days.
Sunday Afternoon | Flamingo Flea at Tarpon River Brewing. Craft beer, vendors, brunch and live music at Tarpon River Brewing.
Weekend | Want something a bit more eclectic to do? There are two massive Estate Sales happening in both Hollywood and Boca. The Hollywood sale is a massive local estate featuring art, vintage electronics, and unique home goods. Just a few minutes north in Boca, there is a massive three-day estate sale running through May 31 packed with vintage Weller, McCoy, and Robinson Ransbottom pottery, old-school artwork, and collectibles. For security reasons, the exact street addresses for these private homes aren't published until the morning of Thursday, May 28th on EstateSales.net.
Tuesday and Thursdays | Quill and Quest After School Club at Colossal Academy. A place of adventure where storytelling, D&D, creativity, and collaboration come alive.
Tuesday (June 2) | MindTravel Live-to-Headphones Silent Piano Concert in Fort Lauderdale. Composer and pianist Murray Hidary creates an unforgettable evening of soothing, improvisational music designed to quiet the mind, open the heart, and connect you more deeply to yourself and those around you.
Wednesdays | Trivia Night at Huizenga Park. Described as Think & Drink Trivia, a midweek mix of brainpower, fresh air, and a little friendly competition.

😉 Hey - quick question. Did we miss anything? Each week we do our research but you might know of an event, an organization, or a local business that deserves some love here in our weekly basket of goodies. Just hit reply to this email and let us know!

Featured Fort Lauderdale

Have you been watching ABC’s new series RJ Decker, set in Fort Lauderdale?

As the Miami Herald put it, the show is promoting a ‘Magnum PI’ style detective show along with Fort Lauderdale’s own unique kind of weird. Hey Miami… who you calling weird? 🙃

Whether you first saw the big promotional billboards along 95 or noticed production trucks, street closures, or a sudden influx of Hollywood star power around Fort Lauderdale and Broward County recently, you aren’t imagining things. Hollywood has officially rolled into town, and they are bringing a classic piece of homegrown Florida literature with them.

ABC’s highly anticipated midseason drama has officially made its debut, cementing Broward County’s growing reputation as a premier backdrop for major television and film productions.

The series is deeply rooted in local lore. It is adapted from Double Whammy, the 1987 satirical crime novel by legendary former Miami Herald investigative reporter and columnist Carl Hiaasen. Raised in Plantation, Hiaasen has spent decades capturing the bizarre, sun-soaked, and crime-riddled eccentricities of South Florida.

Now, showrunner Rob Doherty (the mastermind behind CBS’s Elementary) is bringing that specific brand of “Florida Gothic” to life. The series stars Scott Speedman (Grey’s Anatomy, Felicity) as R.J. Decker, a disgraced former newspaper photographer and ex-con trying to rebuild his life as a private investigator. Instead of straightforward cases, Decker finds himself navigating a maze of South Florida’s strangest crimes, corrupt local politics, and a highly unconventional web of personal relationships.

RJ Decker airs Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. EST on ABC, right after Will Trent and High Potential. If you miss the live broadcast, episodes are available for streaming the next day on Hulu.

Did You Know? Author Carl Hiaasen, whose book Double Whammy inspired the show, was born and raised right here in Broward County (Plantation) and graduated from Plantation High School in 1970 before his award-winning journalism career at the Miami Herald. He serves as an Executive Producer on the show to ensure the series keeps its authentic, hilariously chaotic Florida roots!

So... You Think You Know South Florida

You probably already know... Fort Lauderdale is warm and tropical, with many different species of plants and animals.

What you might not know... South Florida is a literal paradise for butterfly espionage?

Beyond the world-class, immersive experience at Butterfly World (Coconut Creek), families can go on a free scavenger hunt at Snyder Park’s 'Circle of Life' garden or Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.

🦋 South Florida Has Butterfly Bragging Rights

We are Home to America’s Only “Social” Butterfly. Most butterflies are solitary loners, but Florida’s official state butterfly, the Zebra Longwing is incredibly social. They actually gather in groups at night to sleep together in the exact same branches of trees (called “communal roosting”). Older butterflies even “wake up” the younger ones in the morning by fluttering over them! Kids love looking for these butterfly slumber parties in local hardwood hammocks.

While most butterflies only live for a few weeks, the Zebra Longwing can live for up to six months! Their secret? Unlike other butterflies that only drink nectar, they can actually eat and digest pollen, giving them a massive protein boost.

The World’s smallest butterfly is also right here. Keep your eyes peeled at Snyder Park for the Eastern Pygmy-Blue. It is one of the smallest butterflies in the entire world, with a wingspan that is barely the size of a thumbnail (less than half an inch!). It’s a fun “I Spy” game for kids to play while exploring the gardens.

The caterpillar of the Giant Swallowtail (frequently seen fluttering around South Florida’s citrus trees) has a hilarious defense mechanism. When threatened, it sticks out two bright orange, antenna-like horns called an osmeterium that emit a foul odor resembling rancid butter. To top it off, the caterpillar is completely camouflaged to look exactly like bird droppings so predators leave it alone!

More Treats To Try

We don’t let just anyone sponsor this newsletter. Here’s who “made the cut” this week:

(Hit reply to this email if you want to reach over 1300+ local families for just $100)

👉 Buy YOUR OWN Classified Ad Here 👈
The Opulent Reset. For the woman who built it all, and forgot herself inside of it. A private four-day return to yourself on the white-sand shores of Turks & Caicos.
Did you know the business of travel agents is making a resurgence? And you have local options for the experience of a lifetime. Visit R_N_R_Vacations and ask for Fanya.
Children heading off unhappily to school for another dreary day? Have you looked at Acton? The model is pretty different from a traditional school, and it seems to click for many who are not thriving in a standard classroom. Book a visit to see for yourself.

Just hit reply to this email to get started. Work with us to reach over 1300+ Greater Fort Lauderdale families.

Quote Of The Week

“In a world of change, the learners shall inherit the earth, while the learned shall find themselves perfectly suited for a world that no longer exists.” ~ Eric Hoffer, philosopher and author

This one seems especially relevant to our fast changing times in today’s world. And I love that he used the word “learners” which is what we used to describe a young person at Acton. We do not have students (or teachers, or homework) at Acton.

Flotsam & Jetsam

This week’s ‘floating debris’ falls in the category of “was this will power over the body, or pure patriotism?”

Want a mind-blowing fact for your next happy hour? Two of America’s greatest frenemies, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, literally willed themselves to stay alive for the country’s 50th birthday.

On July 4, 1826, both men passed away within hours of each other. They were old, frail, and holding on by a thread, but their shared obsession with reaching the Golden Jubilee kept them breathing.

While it’s a myth that people only lived to 44 back then (high infant mortality rates skew that average—if you survived childhood, living into your 70s or 80s was totally normal!), making it to 90 like Adams did was still a massive feat.

Adams’ last words were “Thomas Jefferson survives” - not knowing Jefferson had actually died five hours earlier. Now that is poetic timing.

Word Play Of The Week

“Under The Weather”

This week I was feeling a bit “under the weather” - which made me wonder about where that saying originated.

The idiom comes from 19th-century nautical slang. When sailors or passengers on old wooden ships felt seasick or ill, they would go below deck to escape the harsh elements and rest, placing themselves literally “under the weather”. ~ Source

‘Under-The-Radar’ Openings Job Board

Here’s a new section that we are debuting this week with our transition to Substack.

EcoExplorers Internship Program in Environmental Education and Workforce Training at MODS. A yearlong paid internship for students entering grades 10-12 at eligible Broward County public high schools in environmental education and workforce development.
Do you love animals? And you have leadership skills? Pet Alliance - the leading animal welfare organization is looking for a new CEO.
Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS). Science Facilitator: Sea Turtle Walks Lead (Full-Time).
Boat Canvas Person. Sam’s Canvas and Upholstery Inc. Top pay for the right person.
NSU Athletics is looking for a Strength & Conditioning Coach. Extensive knowledge of individual and team skills with the ability to teach these skills.

Lastly… One Big Idea For Your Week

Is there something you’ve been avoiding?

Tell Us How We Are Doing

Every week we are working to improve #FFFTL every week, both for your reading experience and to provide a cutting-edge media apprenticeship opportunity for our learners.

We want to hear from you. What do you love? What could we do better FOR YOU? And most importantly, what FTL businesses and experiences should we be highlighting?

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