Patti Roth

Games, bounce houses, and face painting are included at a block party at a YMCA in Fort Lauderdale. The block party in 2024 is 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday May 18, and entry is free. RSVP online. The YMCA is at 1409 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 33311. Sign up for the South Florida on …

Information about bicycle safety and an opportunity to receive a free bike helmet are featured at a Bicycle Safety event in Weston. The safety program is presented by Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Department and Safe Kids Broward. The event in 2025 is 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 3, and reservations are required.  Bring your helmet for …

For free family entertainment, Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation is offering outdoor films at Bass Park pool. Lounge by the pool. Or watch a movie with a dip in the water.  Films featured in 2024  include: 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 10: “Spiderman Across the Spider-Verse” 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 14: “Super Mario Bros. Movie” Feel …

Residents are able to receive vaccinations, nutritional advice and other free health resources while a health van is based at recreation facilities in Hollywood. The health van is in Hollywood to April 30, and is offered different days at different venues. The resources are for kids and adults. Here is the schedule: 9 a.m. – …

For folks who want to relish the outdoors on Earth Day, parks in South Florida are ideal. For Earth Day in 2024, several Broward regional parks that usually require an entry fee on weekends and holidays are waving the fees, which represents a savings of $3 per vehicle for up to eight people. Parks waiving …

Residents who volunteer to rescue and foster homeless kittens are valuable in South Florida. Some of the rescued kitties are newborns. Others are wandering streets and neighborhoods. For folks interested in rescuing abandoned kittens or fostering them until they’re old enough to be adopted, free information and workshops are offered at Broward Library branches. Kitten …

Free paper shredding and safe prescription disposal are offered by Broward Sheriff’s Office exclusively for Broward residents. Shred-A-Thon events are intended to avoid identity theft by shredding personal papers with private information.  The events also accept old unused prescription medications for safe disposal.  In fact, incentives are offered for turning in prescriptions. The reward is …

Please phone the park to verify the farm is open the day you want to go  The farm attraction may be temporarily paused    Tradewinds Park in northwest Broward features an educational farm with sheep, a pig, and other animals. Farm tours are usually offered on weekends for $3 a person. Entry is free for …

Pondhawk Natural Area is among the delightful areas of wilderness within the urban and suburban fabric of South Florida. It’s open to the public for free. It includes wetlands and a fun StoryWalk and is in Boca Raton. For insider info, Lee Lietzke of Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) offers his …

Plenty of fun things to do with kids in Broward are free or relatively inexpensive. That’s perfect for enjoying Spring Break. Broward Libraries Broward libraries offer a wealth of free resources including birding gear, high-tech equipment and robotics. Libraries also offer entertainment and activities for kids, teenagers and adults. Browse events at different branches online. …

For reducing energy use in your South Florida residence, Florida Power & Light offers free online resources. Using less electricity helps save money on utilities fees. FPL Rebates Air-conditioning rebate of $150 for energy efficient units and following the program requirements Ceiling insulation rebate of $220 for eligible projects FPL Tips Turn off your overhead …