CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH KEY LIME PIE, THANKSGIVING WINE SUGGESTIONS & EASY ENTERTAINING IDEAS
Unparalleled luxury on 100 ft of prime Intracoastal next to the Hillsboro Inlet! With long SE water views, this 8,546 sf all-concrete masterpiece offers soaring ceilings, panoramic impact windows, glass elevator, and full Lutron automation. Interiors feature Italian cabinetry, SubZero/Wolf appliances, smart bidets, Sonos sound throughout, and designer finishes. The master suite boasts endless water views, dual dressing rooms, Kohler shower digital system with thermostatic heads/steam shower, freestanding tub, and private balcony. Entertain in the clubroom with bar & wine cellar, or outdoors with a 50’ infinity pool, spa, fire bowls, gazebo lounge, summer kitchen, and 100’ yacht dock. Every detail delivers the ultimate modern waterfront lifestyle.
2349 NE 24TH STREET, LIGHTHOUSE POINT $5,495,000
Turnkey 2022 new construction on 100 foot of deepwater. Dock up to a 100 foot vessel less than 5 minutes to the ocean! The home offers a unique 1200 foot garage as well.
Featured listing | Lighthouse Point | 2642 NE 26th Terrace | $1,230,000 | 4 BR, 2 BA | Light and bright interior, backyard retreat with pool and large covered patio. Minutes to the Nauti Dawg. Web# F10503862
Land for sale | Fellsmere | 15355 113th Street
$299,000 | Approx. 9.26 acres of opportunity to build a farm, ranch or residential compound. Discover the freedom and flexibility of this expansive parcel previously used for farming. Web# F10501753
Luxury condo for rent | Boca Raton
100 SE 5th Avenue, 110 | $9,000/Mo seasonally or $7,000/Mo annually | 2 BR, 2 BA located in Mizner Court on the grounds of the Boca Raton. Web# F10524874
Waterfront home coming soon in Lighthouse Point. Call for details.
Sold | Lighthouse Point | 2530 NE 48th Street
$1,700,000 | 3 BR, 3 BA | This waterfront home sits on approx. 80ft of ocean access water with no fixed bridges. Totally re-imagined from top to bottom. Web# F10509649
“As a first-time home buyer, I was both excited and overwhelmed by the process of purchasing my first home. Working with Julie made all the difference. From our very first conversation, she made me feel heard, supported, and completely at ease. Julie walked me through each step with patience and clarity, always making sure I understood my options and felt confident in every decision I made. Her knowledge, professionalism, and genuine care turned what could have been a stressful experience into one I’ll always look back on with gratitude. I truly could not have asked for a better guide through this important milestone. Whether you are buying your first home or your 20th, you are doing yourself a disservice by not working with Julie!” - 2025 home buyer
Julie Adler Mahfood, GRI
Executive
Director
of Luxury Sales Sales Associate M 954.304.4424 julie.mahfood@elliman.com
2024 Ellie Gold Award Recipient (Top 15%)*
AD DESIGN BY PHOTO GRAPHIC PRESS, INC. (954) 816-3148
28 exquisite oceanfront residences rising to the clouds—designed with a single residence per floor. Nestled on a stunning stretch of Pompano Beach, appointed with oversized wraparound terraces and a suite of unmatched amenities—ARMANI/CASA Residences is a private sanctuary of incomparable style, discreet luxury, and extraordinary ocean panoramas, by ARMANI/CASA.
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Stacked Against Homeowners
When Florida’s state-backed insurer reroutes disputes away from the courts, homeowners lose – more than 90% of the time. Inside Citizens Property Insurance’s little-known arbitration system, where the company funds the judges’ salaries and wins nearly every case.
Pour, Slice and Celebrate
Whether you’re serving the right wine, whipping up a Floridastyle dessert, or streamlining your holiday prep, these ideas make your Thanksgiving deliciously simple.
Where Bright Smiles Begin- for the Whole Family
F r o m y o u r c h i l d ’ s f i r s t d e m a k e o v e r , B r i g h t Y o u n g S a d v a n c e d , c o m p a s s i o n L i g h t h
Invisalign & cosmetic smile design
We’re thrilled to introduce Dr Dila Kaya, our newest cosmetic and restorative dentist Dr Kaya brings warmth, precision, and a gentle touch to every appointment She shares our passion for helping families feel comfortable, confident, and cared for from first cleanings to smile transformations
Your Destination for Designer Jewelry & Expert Repairs
Gulry Fine Jewelry has transformed life’s joyful moments into timeless treasures. From stunning necklaces to exquisite rings, our premium, personalized designs bring your desires to life with unmatched brilliance. Visit our new curated location in Pompano Beach and discover joy that shines for years to come.
There’s much to see and do around town this month. We cover a dynamic drone show over Pompano Beach, a local holiday market, performances, and several holiday events because it seems the holidays start now.
38
Happy Snaps
The kids are alright and on the soccer field, plus photos from a concert at Frank McDonough Park.
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Personal Development
Ditching a backup plan can spark your creativity and push you to excel right from the start.
Financial Fitness
All about the Big Beautiful Bill and its impact on charitable deductions.
Legal Matters
Discover the must-have legal documents you’ll need in your toolkit.
Relationships
Cultivating gratitude can completely shift your perspective and strengthen the bond in your relationship.
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Creatively Cooking
Lasagna soup went viral a few years ago, and it’s easy to see why – it’s simple and delicious.
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Local Flavor
When the craving for a delicious meal hits, dive into our local dining guide for the best spots to satisfy your taste buds!
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Staff Pick
With the season in full swing, we’re excited to showcase the vibrant world of local green markets.
Spread Love & Kindness
CONTRIBUTORS
David Ehrenfried • Gregory Edwards • Craig Haley
Michelle Hays • Mrs. Kossenfloffer • John Piotrowski
Does your organization have an event you want people to know about? Has your event already happened? Send us your photos and we’ll put them in our upcoming issue! Email editor@pointpubs.com. Please include the name and location of the event, the names of those pictured and a brief description.
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Lighthouse Point magazine is published monthly by Point! Publishing and delivered free of charge to residents of Lighthouse Point and selected homes in Deerfield Beach. Copies of Lighthouse Point magazine are available at the Lighthouse Point Library.
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Coastal News is Point! Publishing’s complimentary semimonthly e-newsletter. Join the mailing list at pointpubs.com/newsletter. Like us on Facebook to receive hyper-local news on your feed.
letters to the editor
Drop us a line and let us know what you’re thinking. Lighthouse Point magazine is all about community. Your ideas and comments are important to us. All letters to the editor may be edited for grammar and length.
Send letters to:
Editor, Lighthouse Point magazine 2436 N. Federal Hwy. #311 Lighthouse Point, FL 33064 or email editor@pointpubs.com
Deadlines for camera-ready art and prepayment of ads are due on the first day of the preceding month of publication. All on-going ads must be canceled by the first day of the month preceding publication.
Lighthouse Point is owned and published 12 times per year by Point! Publishing, LLC. Copyright 2025 by Point! Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Point Publishing, LLC. Requests for permission should be directed to: editor@pointpubs.com.
Bridges Worth Building
Finding understanding, forgiveness, and gratitude in the relationships that matter most
BY SUSAN ROSSER
Irecall a time decades ago when I came down with a particularly draining case of the flu. At the time, I lived in Manhattan on the 23rd floor, and I can still picture myself looking down at the people hustling along the sidewalk, going about their daily lives. They didn’t have the flu; they weren’t dragging themselves around feeling miserable. I wondered if they felt lucky just to be able to walk down the street without feeling sick.
Then it struck me: I didn’t know their stories. For all I knew, someone had just worked a double shift and was on their way home, not to rest, but to care for a sick parent. Someone else might have been carrying an invisible burden I couldn’t begin to imagine. The truth is, we rarely know what people are dealing with behind the scenes.
That idea – of invisible struggles – has stayed with me. It’s possible that even the people we’re closest to have battles we don’t fully see or understand.
When a longtime friend suddenly blew me off, my husband kept reminding me that it was probably something she was dealing with – not me. And maybe he was right. Maybe I should have pressed it, asked the hard questions, but my ego got in the way. I didn’t want to seem like the one chasing after a friendship that seemed to mean more to me than to her.
Of course I am not saying that every single friendship, relationship or family connection can or should be saved. I am simply saying sometimes it’s too easy to walk away telling yourself that there was nothing more you could do.
A few years ago, I had a painful argument with my nieces, about a year after their mother – my sister – passed away. Things were tense for a while, and I wasn’t sure if we’d find our way back. A friend gently asked me if I really wanted to be one of those families who says, “Oh, we had a falling out and we don’t talk anymore.” That question
stuck with me. So, I picked up the phone and had the hard conversation. I told them why I had felt so hurt, and they shared how overwhelming their grief had been. It wasn’t easy. In fact, it was deeply uncomfortable to lay my feelings bare – but we managed to salvage a family bond that has enriched all of our lives.
Sometimes I think too many meaningful relationships –friendships, romances, and family connections – end not because they’re truly broken, but because we don’t know how to have the hard conversations. Instead, we retreat into vague phrases like “it just wasn’t right” or “something felt off,” and we let go of people we might have been able to hold onto if only we had found the words or done the work.
And that’s the thing about invisible struggles: the most brutal battles people fight are often the ones no one sees – the fears, doubts, or worries that make it difficult, sometimes impossible, to voice what’s really on their minds. But silence has a way of closing doors that might still be open. A call, a text, an honest conversation, even if awkward, can sometimes be the very thing that saves something precious from slipping away. And who knows? Reaching out might not just repair a bond – it might bring back something even stronger than before. Y
WHERE: Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach
PRICE: Free
DETAILS: From November through April, every second and fourth Saturday, step into a lively marketplace where community spirit meets fresh flavors. From farm-fresh fruits and veggies, artisanal juices, and mouthwatering baked goods, to locally sourced honey, seafood, and exotic orchids – you’ll find it all. Discover handmade crafts, art, and wellness products that make each visit a unique adventure.
• 9am – 10am | Free Yoga on the Lawn, led by Nzingah Oniwosan
• 10am - 12pm | Kids Crafts
• 12 – 1pm | Family Cultural Dance Sampler
Holiday Handcrafts Bazaar
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 | 9am – 2pm
WHERE: Charlotte Burrie Civic Center, 2669 N Federal Highway, Pompano Beach
PRICE: Free to attend
DETAILS: Start your holiday shopping at this artisan market featuring vendors selling unique handcrafted items. Or just drop by to pick up a treat for yourself.
Drone Show Extravaganza
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 | 5:30pm – 9pm
WHERE: Fisher Family Pier, 222 N Pompano Beach Blvd., Pompano Beach
PRICE: Free
DETAILS: All eyes will be over the ocean, just south of the Pier, as Firefly Drone Shows light up the skies with a dramatically choreographed presentation of brightly lit drones coordinated by world-class artists and engineers. The schedule is as follows:
• 5:30pm – 6pm | DJ Spinning the Best Beats
• 6pm – 7pm | Live Band
• 7pm | Drone Show!
• 7:15pm – 8:15pm | Live Band
• 8:15pm - 9pm | DJ closes out the night
The Drone Show is free and open to the public. Please gather on the south side of the Pier on the beach as the North side will be closed for drone staging.
The Drone Show can be seen for up to five miles with unobstructed views and agreeable weather conditions.
Visit https://www.pompanobeachfl.gov/ events/drone-show-extravaganza for shuttle and ride share information.
The Pompano Beach Fisher Family Pier will be closed on Nov. 7 for the event.
Harry Pollack is a passionate real estate agent in South Florida, specializing in luxury waterfront properties. He is deeply involved in the offshore boating community and is also a pilot who enjoys flying around the Bahamas and South Florida. Harry is known for his authenticity and down-to-earth approach, and he takes the time to show clients the waterfront lifestyle he
WHERE: Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach
PRICE: $55 and up
DETAILS: Warm, witty, and deeply moving, Steel Magnolias follows a closeknit group of strongwilled Southern women as they navigate life’s joys and heartbreaks with humor and heart. Set within the lively walls of Truvy’s beauty salon in smalltown Louisiana, the women gather for their standing Saturday appointments – where life unfolds one hairdo at a time. Over several years, relationships deepen through milestones, new beginnings, and everyday moments. When unexpected tragedy strikes, their bond is tested, and resilience and love carry them forward.
Timeless Boogie Woogie Salute
A USO Celebration
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 | 7pm – 9pm
WHERE: Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach
DETAILS: Put on your best vintage attire and boogie through history with Timeless Boogie Woogie Salute! This toe-tapping tribute during National Veterans and Military Families Month takes you on a musical journey through the iconic USO entertainment that has uplifted America’s troops from World War II to today.
From the swinging sounds of 1940s boogie-woogie piano to the unforgettable harmonies of The Andrews Sisters, this show brings the golden days of USO camp shows back to life. With a talented cast of singers and musicians in stunning period costumes, Timeless Boogie Woogie Salute blends music, patriotism, and powerful storytelling into a one-of-a-kind spectacle.
Whether you’re a jazz lover or just looking to enjoy a meaningful night, this show is guaranteed to leave you dancing in the aisles. Grab your dancing shoes, veteran pals, and get ready to boogie!
Timeless Concert Series Season
Subscription
PRICE: $80 for four shows
Step into an unforgettable musical journey with the Timeless Concert Series, four dynamic shows that celebrate the voices, stories, and sounds that have shaped our culture and hearts. From soul-stirring tributes to electrifying rock anthems and festive holiday classics, each performance brings history to life through powerful vocals, live music, and immersive storytelling. Visit https://www.pompanobeachfl.gov/events/timeless-series for more information.
Pompano Beach Elks 1898 Hoop Shoot
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 | 11am
WHERE: Dan Witt Park, 4521 NE 22nd Ave., Lighthouse Point
PRICE: Free
DETAILS: The Pompano Beach Elks Lodge and the City of Lighthouse Point are excited to bring the Hoop Shoot back on Nov. 2 at Dan Witt Park from 11am – 2pm in Lighthouse Point. There is no cost to participate in the event. The contest consists of a series of 25 free throws scored by the judges. The winners then may move up to district, state, and national contests.
Family Hayride and Campfire
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 | 6:30pm – 9pm
WHERE: Quiet Waters Park, 401 S. Powerline Road, Deerfield Beach
PRICE: $4/per person ages 3 and up
DETAILS: Have some old-fashioned fun with a hayride, a campfire and a bag of s’mores supplies. Ages 3 and up. Price includes one hayride and one bag of fixings for s’mores. Preregistration and prepayment at the park office are required for all park events. Upcoming dates Dec. 13 and Jan. 10.
Visit broward.org/parks for more information.
Movies in the Park: Lilo & Stitch
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 | 7pm
WHERE: Crystal Heights Park, 1333 SW 24th Terrace, Deerfield Beach
PRICE: Free
DETAILS: The City of Deerfield Beach Parks & Recreation Department presents Movies in the Park! Pack the car, grab your blankets and chairs, and head on over to one of Deerfield’s beautiful parks for a movie under the stars!
Gobble Til You Wobble 5K / 10K
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 | 7:30am
WHERE: Pompano Air Park, 1103 N Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, FL 33062, Pompano Beach
PRICE: $27.50
DETAILS: This exciting event features a scenic out-and-back course at the Pompano Air Park, making it the perfect opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors while getting in some exercise before the Thanksgiving festivities. Participants can choose between a 5K or 10K distance, ensuring there’s a challenge for everyone. Each participant will receive a club T-shirt, a finisher medal, and a signature bib to commemorate their accomplishment. With a finish line clock to track your time, you’ll be motivated to push yourself and enjoy the thrill of crossing the finish line. Don’t miss out on this festive event – come join the gobble gobble fun and kick off your holiday season with a great run or walk!
Spaghetti & Matzo Ball
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 | 2pm – 5pm
WHERE: Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach
PRICE: $49 and up
DETAILS: Get ready to sauce things up this November with “The Spaghetti and Matzo Ball Show”! This comedic powerhouse duo, Peter Fogel and Lou Villano, are serving up a hearty blend of humor and heart in a show that’s as irresistible as it is unforgettable. Peter Fogel, an award-winning comedian, actor, and playwright, is known for his appearances on HBO, Comedy Central, and classic sitcoms. He’s also gained recognition for his acclaimed one-man shows, “My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish… & I’m in Therapy…” and “Til Death Do Us Part… You First!”, directed by Chazz Palminteri. Meanwhile, Lou Villano has made a name for himself as a top entertainer in South Florida, delighting audiences with his diverse performances, including “The Spaghetti & Matzo Ball Show”. Together, Fogel and Villano create an evening full of laughs, stories, and charm, entertaining audiences across North America. This November, don’t miss your chance to get a taste of the fun and iconic duo!
Sunday Jazz Brunch
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 | 11am – 2pm
WHERE: Esplanade Park, 400 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale
PRICE: Free
DETAILS: This free outdoor concert series showcases the best local jazz tal ent on three different stages, held on the first Sunday of each month (Nov. 2 and Dec. 7) from 11am to 2pm. Unwind and enjoy Fort Lauderdale’s scenic Riverwalk at the Sunday Jazz Brunch.
Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome. Visitors can spread out chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets while enjoying the excellent music. Guests can also explore the historic brick-lined walkway, browse items from local merchants, and savor food from nearby restaurants — all while the jazz plays on.
Performances for the Dec. 7 Jazz Brunch
Esplanade Stage- Valerie Tyson Band
Connie Hoffman Gazebo-Jackson Bunn Group
Peck Courtyard-Alyssa Swan
One Night of Queen
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 | 7:30pm
WHERE: Pompano Beach Amphitheater, 1806 NE Sixth St., Pompano Beach
PRICE: $29.50 and up
DETAILS: For over 20 years, Gary Mullen and The Works have been performing their world-renowned One Night of Queen live concert. The band pays tribute to the stage theatrics, showmanship, and music of one of the greatest rock band of all time: Queen.
In 2000, Gary Mullen won the Granada TV program “Stars in Their Eyes” with his performance as Queen’s lead singer, Freddie Mercury. Mullen’s embodiment of Freddie Mercury resulted in him gaining 864,838 votes in the show’s Live Grand Final. The number of fans who voted for Mullen was more than double that of the runner-up, thus setting the record number of votes in the history of the program. For over two decades, Gary Mullen & The Works have performed to audiences around the world, playing more than 2,500 live shows in over 20 countries and selling out many of the same venues that Queen have. As of 2023, they are the most successful tribute band in France, playing to over 250,000 people!
Her Name Is Barbra — A Tribute Show
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025 | 2pm and 7pm
WHERE: Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach
PRICE: $25
DETAILS: Name a person who has captivated audiences for decades with their unparalleled voice, iconic roles, and unforgettable performances – Her Name Is Barbra! Starring Joy Altman, this tribute show brings Barbra Streisand to life in an unforgettable way. With over 20 years of live performance experience, Joy flawlessly channels Barbra’s iconic roles and timeless songs, from “Funny Girl” to “A Star is Born”, and everything in between.
Joy’s stunning vocals, impeccable comedy, and powerful storytelling transport audiences to the golden age of Barbra’s career, leaving them both moved and mesmerized. Joy Altman’s Broadway background and unparalleled vocal skills make her the perfect artist to capture Barbra’s unique style. Originally from Brooklyn, just like Streisand, Joy has a natural understanding of the magic that Barbra brings to the stage.
WHERE: Charlotte Burrie Civic Center | 2669 N Federal Highway , Pompano Beach
PRICE: $23
DETAILS: A four-part comedy confection as only Neil Simon can write it! Four couples separately inhabit a Beverly Hills hotel suite, bringing along their problems, anxieties, and comical marital dilemmas.
In Visitor from New York, a Manhattan magazine writer is joined by her ex-husband, a successful screenwriter, the question being with whom should their teenage daughter spend the next six months? The banter flies fast and furious.
In the Visitor from Philadelphia, a conservative businessman finds himself in a challenging position when his wife arrives at the suite, finding him in bed with a drunk hooker.
Visitors from London brings a British actress, nominated for Best Actress and is banking on the Oscar to kick-start her faltering career. So when they arrive back after the ceremony Oscar-less the fun really starts.
The Visitors from Chicago are two affluent couples ending a disastrous vacation they should not have shared.
Showtimes are Nov. 1 at 7pm and Nov. 2 at 2pm.
Yuletide on Atlantic Parade 2025
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 | 6:30pm – 9:30pm
WHERE: East Atlantic Blvd., Riverside Drive, heads west along Atlantic Boulevard, Pompano Beach
PRICE: Free
DETAILS: This festive celebration features dazzling floats, lively performances, and joyful music, transforming Atlantic Boulevard into a winter wonderland. Bring fam ily and friends to enjoy holiday cheer, treats, and a visit from Santa. The parade begins at 6:30pm from Riverside Drive, heads west along Atlantic Boulevard, and ends at SE 24th Ave. The judges’ stand and MC announcements will be at Harbor Drive and Atlantic Boulevard.
Arrive early for the best viewing along the route. Parking is avail able at Wells Fargo Bank, 2400 E Atlantic Blvd.
Road closures: North Riverside Drive from East Atlantic Boulevard to Seventh Street. Atlantic Boulevard closes at 4:30pm. The bridge will be locked down from 6:30 –9:00pm.
Fort Lauderdale Turkey Trot
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 | 5am – 9am
WHERE: Las Olas Oceanside Park, 3000 E Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
DETAILS: Start your Thanksgiving morning with the 14th Annual Fort Lauderdale Turkey Trot at Las Olas Oceanside Park. Runners and walkers of all ages kick off the holiday with a scenic beachfront course, community spirit, and festive vibes. Enjoy raceday energy, ocean views, and a feelgood tradition that supports a healthy start to the season.
Light Up the Galt
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025 | 5:30pm – 8:30pm
WHERE: North Beach Restaurants and Shoppes, A1A & Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
PRICE: Free
DETAILS: The magic of the holiday season comes to the Galt Ocean Mile as the North Beach Restaurants and Shoppes and the City of Fort Lauderdale present an enchanted evening of live music, entertainment, food, and fun for the entire family. The event features live music, a kid’s zone, plus food and drink specials from more than 15 restaurants and bars. A tree lighting ceremony takes place at 6:30pm.
Light Up the Beach
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 | 5:30pm – 8:30pm
WHERE: Las Olas Oceanside Park, A1A & Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
PRICE: Free
DETAILS: Light Up the Beach features the illumination of more than 50,000 holiday lights along the beachfront and the return of “Olas,” the 20foot beach snowman at A1A and Las Olas Blvd. Highlights include performances by the Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds and a kids’ zone with Santa, inflatables, and slides.
Hot Brass — Chicago/Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 | 2pm and 4pm
WHERE: Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach
PRICE: $45 and up
DETAILS: “Hot Brass – A Tribute Show” delivers a highenergy fusion of rock and funk, celebrating timeless hits by Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire. Led by multiinstrumentalist Debbie Pierce, the production features four lead vocalists, a sizzling horn section, and a tight rhythm section performing classics like “September,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “25 or 6 to 4,” and more.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21 ST
5PM - 8PM
Live Entertainment
Letters to Santa
Face Painting & Balloon Art
Craft Tables for the Kids
Fun For the Whole Family Free Event
Light Up Lauderdale (Get Lit)
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025
5:30pm – 8:30pm
WHERE: Esplanade Park, 400 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale
PRICE: Free
DETAILS: The holiday season kicks off as with “Get Lit,” launching Light Up Lauderdale. The evening features live holiday musical performances, kids’ crafts, a visit by Santa, and more.
Lighthouse A’Glow
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 | 6:30pm – 8:30pm
WHERE: Frank McDonough Park, 3500 NE 27th Ave., Lighthouse Point
PRICE: Free
DETAILS: At Lighthouse A’Glow, guests are invited to join in a joyful holiday celebration. They can experience enchanting activities designed for children, marvel at the dazzling tree lighting ceremony, and delight in a special visit from Santa himself. This festive gathering is filled with warmth, laughter, and holiday magic that no one will want to miss!
Light Up Sistrunk
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 | 5pm – 8pm
WHERE: Sistrunk Boulevard, Between NW Ninth and 11th Avenues, Fort Lauderdale
PRICE: Free
DETAILS: Get ready for dancing in the streets at one of the hottest holiday light up events in town with Light Up Sistrunk. This one-of-a-kind celebration features the lighting of a giant holiday tree, live bands, outstanding entertainment, a free toy giveaway, a health fair, food trucks, a kids zone complete with Santa, bounce houses, slides, and arts and crafts plus a teen area with a DJ, activities, and more.
The Story Behind The Tree House: A Family-Fueled Playground Dream
When Lorraine and Thiago Costello relocated to South Florida with their young twins, they brought with them an idea inspired by their years living overseas in Sydney, Australia. While abroad, they had discovered play cafés – welcoming spaces where parents could relax and connect while their children explored safe, imaginative play zones. These community-oriented spots quickly became essential to their lives as new parents, sparking an idea that would later take root back home.
Once settled in South Florida, the couple began exploring indoor play spaces, seeking the same balance of cleanliness, creativity, and connection they had come to love in Australia. They discovered that smaller playgrounds were pleasant yet limited, while larger ones often felt impersonal. This led to a vision for a clean, modern, family-friendly play café where parents and children could enjoy time together.
Drawing on Thiago’s background in civil engineering and construction and his wife’s experience in marketing and customer service, the pair set out to make that vision a reality. The result was The Tree House, a thoughtfully designed indoor playground that combines play, community, and comfort in equal measure.
The first Tree House location opened in Fort Lauderdale and is nearing its second anniversary. Following this success, a second location opened at Pompano Citi Centre in September. Spanning 13,000 square feet, the space includes play zones, party rooms, and a café designed for families with children ages 1–9.
The Tree House aims to provide a clean, safe, and engaging environment where kids can play freely while parents enjoy a moment to relax or connect.
For more information or to plan a visit, stop by the new location at Pompano Citi Centre.
HAPPY SNAPS
Youth Soccer
Frank McDonough Park, Lighthouse Point
PHOTOS BY JEFF GRAVES
An Evening of Art & Fun
The Shoppes at Beacon Light, Lighthouse Point
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Burn the Boats
And Unleash Your Potential
BY CRAIG HALEY
In 1519, the Spanish conquistador Hernán
Cortés led a small fleet of ships and roughly 600 men across the ocean to the shores of what is now Mexico. His mission: to conquer the mighty Aztec Empire, a civilization with tens of thousands of warriors and vast resources.
His men were far from home, standing in an unfamiliar place, facing an enemy far stronger and larger than themselves. Fear was in the air!
Cortés knew that if his men had even the slightest thought of retreat, the idea of returning to the comfort and familiarity of Cuba would diminish their determination to conquer the Aztecs. So, he made a bold and irreversible decision.
He ordered his men to burn the ships.
As the flames burned up their only way home, every soldier realized there was no turning back. There was no escape route, no safety net, and no “Plan B.” Their only option was to move forward –they had to have total commitment to the mission. By burning the boats, Cortés compelled his men to adopt an unstoppable mindset. They had to succeed ... or perish.
History tells us that this act of decisive leadership changed everything. With retreat no longer possible, the men fought with extraordinary focus, courage, and unity. Over the next two years, Cortés and his forces overcame the odds and ultimately defeated the Aztec Empire. The strategy of “burning the boats” has been an enduring military tactic for centuries and has been employed by businesspeople, athletes, and entrepreneurs with remarkable success. Why? Because it works.
Why Burning the Boats Works
When we leave ourselves a way out, even subconsciously, we often take it when things get tough. The moment doubt creeps in, the escape hatch looks increasingly appealing. However, when we eliminate that fallback plan, our energy is no longer divided between moving forward and looking back. Instead, all our focus, creativity, and determination are directed toward the goal.
This reminds me of when I quit my job at AT&T in Syracuse to pursue a career as a professional martial artist. I sold my house, motorcycle, and moved to Florida with nothing but the essentials. I only had $1,800 to my name at the time. Being successful was not a “would like to,” it was an absolute necessity. I had to pay rent and buy food! Thank God my burning the boats worked out! We enrolled 71 new students in the first month, which was June 2003!
Burning the boats doesn’t mean acting recklessly. It means making a clear, unwavering decision that success is the only acceptable outcome. It’s about removing the “maybe” and replacing it with “must.”
Think about how this applies to your own life:
• Maybe you’ve set a big fitness goal, but keep telling yourself you’ll “start tomorrow.”
• Maybe you’ve dreamed of launching a business, earning your black belt, or pursuing a leadership role, but you keep one foot in your comfort zone “just in case.”
• You may have committed to improving a relationship, but keep emotional exit strategies tucked away just in case things don’t work out.
In every one of these situations, the boats represent your excuses, your backup plans, and your safety nets. Burning them forces you to move forward with 100% commitment.
Total Commitment Transforms You
When you burn the boats, something powerful happens inside you. Fear doesn’t disappear – but it transforms into fuel. Doubt turns into determination. Comfort is replaced by courage.
You start finding solutions you never would have considered before. You become more resourceful, more resilient, and more focused. You stop entertaining “what if this doesn’t work?” and start asking “how do I make this work?”
Tony Robbins teaches that when you ask empowering questions, you get empowering answers!
This principle is not just a historical anecdote – it’s a timeless strategy for personal growth, leadership, and success. Whether in
martial arts, business, relationships, or personal development, greatness rarely happens when we give ourselves an easy way out. It happens when we commit fully.
Burn Your Boats Today – Ask yourself:
• What “boats” have I been tolerating and not moving forward?
• Where have I left myself a comfortable escape route that’s holding me back?
• How much better would your life be if you burned the boats holding you back and moved forward to a new, better, and happier situation?
When you identify those boats and set them ablaze—metaphorically, of course – you unlock your full potential. Your mindset shifts from hoping things work out to making sure they do.
As martial artists, leaders, and members of our community, let’s embrace the Cortés strategy in our own journeys. Let’s burn the boats of FUD’s (Fears – Uncertainties – Doubts) and commit 100% to becoming the strongest versions of ourselves.
We only get one trip around this track of life. Pursue what you want, create a vision, and commit to the hard work that will maximize your life and enjoyment! Y
Master Shihan Craig Haley is the Eighth Degree Black Belt instructor at Elite Force Martial Arts, eliteforcemartialarts.com.
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The Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA) and Its Impact on Charitable Deductions
BY GREG EDWARDS
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”), effective beginning in 2026, makes significant changes to the federal charitable contribution deduction rules. While philanthropy will remain a valuable component of tax and estate planning, taxpayers will need to carefully consider the new limitations and valuation rules when structuring future charitable giving.
Key Changes
1. Introduction of a Charitable Deduction Floor
• Beginning in 2026, taxpayers may deduct charitable contributions only to the extent that they exceed 0.5% of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).
• Example: With $1 million AGI, the first $5,000 of charitable gifts will no longer generate a deduction.
2. Retention of AGI Percentage Limits
• Appreciated securities contributed to public charities remain capped at 30% of AGI.
• For $1 million AGI, the maximum current-year deduction = $300,000.
• Cash contributions to public charities remain capped at 60% of AGI.
3. Reduction in Deduction Value for Top Bracket Taxpayers
• For taxpayers in the highest bracket, the value of itemized deductions is capped at 35% per dollar, even if the taxpayer is in the 37% bracket.
• Example: A $100,000 deductible gift saves $35,000, rather than $37,000 under prior rules.
4. Ordering and Carryforward Rules
• Contributions of appreciated property are applied against the 30% AGI limitation before cash contributions.
• Excess contributions continue to be carried forward for up to five years, but the 0.5% floor applies each year.
Practical Example: $1 Million AGI
• Gift of $300,000 in appreciated securities to a public charity:
• AGI limit: 30% × $1M = $300,000
• Floor: $300K − $5K = $295K deductible
• Tax benefit: $295K × 35% = $103,250 saved
• Comparison to pre-OBBBA rules:
• Full $300K deductible, no floor.
• Deduction valued at 37% = $111,000 saved.
Net impact: Deduction reduced by $5,000 annually, and each deductible dollar generates 2% less in federal tax savings.
Planning Considerations
1. Accelerate gifts before 2026 to take advantage of more favorable rules.
2. Bunch contributions in certain years to minimize the effect of the 0.5% floor.
3. Use appreciated securities to maximize tax efficiency (deduction plus capital gains avoidance).
4. Review carryforwards, ensure gifting levels align with the ability to fully utilize deductions within the five-year window.
5. Coordinate with estate and wealth transfer planning to balance income tax benefits with long-term goals.
The Big Beautiful Bill reduces the efficiency of charitable deductions by layering in a deduction floor and limiting the value of itemized deductions for high-income taxpayers. Families and individuals with significant philanthropic goals may wish to consider accelerating gifts in 2025 or restructuring their giving strategies to maintain efficiency under the new regime. Y
The OBBBA is reshaping charitable giving. Contact Greg and his team before the new limits begin in 2026 at 561-361-8140 or email gwe@lawlessedwardswarren.com.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Representatives of AIC/AAS do not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax advisor or attorney regarding your situation. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Representatives offer products and services using the following business names: Lawless, Edwards & Warren – insurance and financial services | Ameritas Investment Company, LLC (AIC), Member FINRA/SIPC – securities and investments | Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC (AAS) – investment advisory services. AIC and AAS are not affiliated with Lawless, Edwards, & Warren.
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What Legal Documents Are Most Important Now?
BY MARTIN ZEVIN, ATTORNEY
Certain legal documents are more important than ever. If you need to be hospitalized in Florida, it is imperative that you have a designation of health care surrogate and living will with proper wording so there will be no problems. Do not rely on generic forms obtained on line. Florida hospitals are requiring
one to take over your legal and financial affairs. The Florida law changed in 2011. If you have an old durable power of attorney, it should be redone. Again, do not rely on generic forms. Our current power of attorney is 26 pages to conform to Florida law.
specific HIPAA compliant language not found on generic forms. Your surrogate will be able to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to communicate. Even if the hospital does not allow any visitors, your surrogate will be able to talk to the doctors and make decisions on the phone or e-mail. Your surrogate does not need to be present in the hospital. All your surrogate needs to do is e-mail or fax a copy of your document to the hospital. If there is no hope to save you, that surrogate would be authorized to “pull the plug” based on the living will.
The durable power of attorney is also important to allow some-
If you are married, you still need to do a health care surrogate, living will and power of attorney. You can name your spouse, child or anyone that you trust. If you should die, your will or revocable living trust will determine who inherits your assets. The trust is important to consider if you own your home or other real estate, because it avoids probate. Probate can tie up your property for many months and prevent your heirs from selling without a court order. They would have to continue to pay taxes, maintenance, mortgage, utilities etc. in addition to thousands of dollars in attorney fees and court costs. A life estate deed (Lady Bird) is another option to consider to avoid probate. Your attorney can discuss the different options and the benefits of each one.
I offer free personal or phone consultations to discuss estate planning. Putting your house in order can provide peace of mind. Once you have valid documents, hopefully you won’t need them. Yogi Berra used to say: “That’s the insurance when you don’t have it, that’s when you need it.” Y
Martin Zevin is available to discuss wills, trusts, estates, probate and is available for free consultation regarding personal injury claims or car insurance coverage. For more information call 954-569-4878 or visit martinzevinpa.com.
Gratitude – the Antidote to Resentment
BY MICHELLE HAYS
November naturally stirs thoughts of gratitude. We gather around tables, share meals, and say what we’re thankful for. But gratitude is not just for Thanksgiving… it’s a daily practice, and one that can change the way we live and love.
Resentment is very sneaky. It builds when expectations go unmet, when hurts pile up, and when we focus on what’s lacking rather than what’s present. It whispers things like, “Why do I have to do everything?” or “Why am I the only one sacrificing?” Left unchecked, resentment hardens hearts and disconnects us from our partners.
Gratitude, on the other hand, softens us. It brings perspective, humility, and fosters connection. And here’s the beautiful part: we cannot feel resentment and gratitude at the same time. Did you know it’s neurologically impossible? Fact. The same space in our brain that fuels resentment cannot hold onto gratitude simultaneously. One cancels out the other.
So, when you choose gratitude, even in small ways, you starve resentment of oxygen. Think of it like wearing two different sets of glasses. With the “resentment lens,” we notice what’s missing, what’s unfair, what’s annoying. With the “gratitude goggles,” we see what’s good, what’s steady, what’s generous. Life doesn’t change, but the way we see it does. Oh, and make no mistake. It’s not denial. Gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring pain or pretending everything is fine. It means choosing to anchor yourself in what is life-giving, rather than letting resentment run the show.
I’ll be a little vulnerable here because just like you, I’m certainly not immune to resentment. Sometimes I feel overworked, unappreciated and taken for granted. I want Brian to notice, to step in, to read my mind and lighten my load. When he doesn’t, the voice of resentment creeps in. One evening, when I was folding the laundry, that narrative about me always having to “do everything myself” started playing in my head. Then Brian walked in and started matching socks. Not a grand gesture, but at that moment, I caught myself. Instead of focusing on the dozen times he hadn’t helped, I chose to be grateful for the fact that he was helping me now. I felt my shoulders soften. My frustration loosened its grip, and I smiled
at him and said, “Thank you for folding the laundry with me.” That shift didn’t magically solve everything, but it changed me somehow. I began to realize that my gratitude opened the door to connection, while my resentment had been quietly closing it.
Gratitude is a daily decision, sometimes moment by moment. Think of it like this. Gratitude is like making the bed … it only takes a moment, but it sets the tone for the whole day. Try weaving these habits into your day:
• Keep a gratitude list. Each morning or night, write down three things you’re thankful for. Big or small … everything counts.
• Express it out loud. Tell your spouse something you appreciate about them. Don’t assume “they know” … tell them out loud.
• Reframe the moment. When frustration rises, ask, “What could I be grateful for here?” Even if the answer is small, it can be enough to shift your mood.
• Notice the ordinary. Gratitude isn’t just for milestones; it thrives in everyday moments like a hot cup of coffee, a gorgeous sunset, or a shared laugh.
When we practice gratitude, trust deepens, generosity grows, and love feels lighter. Resentment erodes connection and drains joy, but it can’t coexist with gratitude. Each time we choose to be grateful, we push resentment out and pull love back in. Gratitude won’t erase life’s struggles, but it shifts our focus from what’s wrong to what’s abundant and always leads us back to what matters most … loving each other. Y
Easy Lasagna Soup
BY MRS. KOSSENFLOFFER
When your out-of-town holiday guests expect dinner the night before the feast, don’t panic. This is where a make-ahead meal comes to the rescue. This lasagna soup can be prepped in advance, stored in the fridge for a day or two, or even frozen weeks ahead of time. To make it in advance, simply hold off on adding the noodles—reheat the soup when you’re ready to serve, then stir in the broken noodles and cook until tender. Serve with a simple green salad and crusty bread for a complete meal. And if you’re not hosting a crowd this holiday season, it still makes for an easy, comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Yield: 6 servings
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 tablespoons minced garlic (from about 6 cloves)
1 pound bulk sweet Italian sausage (or sausages, with casings removed)
2 teaspoons fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper, plus more to taste
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons tomato paste
6 cups low-sodium beef broth
3 cups marinara sauce (or 1 24-ounce jar)
8 ounces dried lasagna noodles, broken crosswise into 1-inch pieces
1½ cups whole-milk ricotta
¼ cup grated Parmesan
¼ cup heavy cream
½ cup fresh basil leaves, torn, plus more for serving
Preparation
Grab a large Dutch oven and heat up that olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and let it cook until it’s translucent but not brown – about 4 to 6 minutes. Then throw in the garlic and let it sizzle for just about 30 seconds until you can really smell it.
Now add your sausage, thyme or oregano, nutmeg, crushed red pepper, 1½ teaspoons salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Break up the sausage with a spoon while it cooks until it’s nice and brown with no pink left. Pop in that tomato paste and give everything a good stir for a minute.
Pour in the beef broth and marinara sauce and crank it up to a boil over mediumhigh heat. (If you are making the soup in advance, stop at this point and refrigerate or freeze.) Add in the broken lasagna noodles, turn down the heat to medium-low, and let it bubble away uncovered for about 15 to 20 minutes. Give it a stir now and then until the noodles get nice and tender and the broth thickens up a bit.
While the soup simmers, combine the ricotta and Parmesan in a medium bowl. Add ¼ teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper, then mix well; set aside. Once the soup is done, remove from heat and stir in the cream and basil. Taste and adjust with more salt and crushed red pepper if needed.
Serve in shallow bowls, each topped with a generous dollop of the ricotta mixture and a sprinkle of torn basil leaves. Pass around the crushed red pepper for those who like it hot.
Note: You could substitute a jar of marinar for one 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes and add a touch more garlic, oregano and thyme. Adapted from Lidey Heuck, New York Times Cooking
A FLORIDA HOME INSURER WAS ALLOWED TO BYPASS THE COURTS DURING CLAIM DISPUTES. IT WON MORE THAN 90% OF THE TIME.
BY MARIO ARIZA | PROPUBLICA
Last October, Peter and Linda Kilfoil returned from an overnight trip and found water pooling in the kitchen of their Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home. The pair couldn’t pinpoint the source of the leak and had a hard time getting a plumber. So Linda Kilfoil called their insurer, Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
The call was the beginning of the Kilfoils’ journey through an alternate legal universe set up by Citizens, a quasi-governmental insurer in Florida, to reduce its staggering legal costs. In this state-sanctioned world, the judges’ salaries are funded by Citizens, the rules followed in Florida’s circuit courts don’t all apply and the insurance company almost always triumphs.
It’s a legal landscape so fraught that a Tampa judge recently paused all its proceedings — twice. But that didn’t come soon enough to help the Kilfoils.
Citizens sent an adjuster to their home the day after they called. He couldn’t pinpoint the source of the leak either but suspected it was coming from a pipe that drained wastewater from the kitchen, he said later in a deposition. He snapped photos of the warped, soggy cabinets. A short while later, Citizens denied their claim, saying that the damage to their cabinets was consistent with a long-term leak, and that their insurance contract excluded coverage of such leaks — unless they were hidden.
and construction estimates provided by her attorney.
The Kilfoils had permanently relocated to Florida from Long Island to enjoy retirement. But with Peter Kilfoil ill with prostate and skin cancer, his wife faced the prospect of handling repairs while tending to his health.
“I am a former physician,” Peter Kilfoil said in an interview from the hospital. “I’m not like some carjacker. They accuse me of letting that leak persist until it destroyed my kitchen.”
Just before Thanksgiving, the Kilfoils sued Citizens. Instead of going to circuit court, as most lawsuits against insurers would, Citizens routed their case to arbitration before the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings. On the surface, the change of venue — made possible by a provision lawmakers empowered Citizens to insert at the end of most of its policies — didn’t seem like a big deal. Legislators and Citizens executives touted DOAH as advantageous for both consumers and the insurer. Cases in the forum tend to move faster, cost less and are decided by expert administrative law judges rather than juries. But in practice, homeowners forced by Citizens into DOAH have trouble exercising key rights.
Eleven days after the denial, the Kilfoils’ plumber found the leaking pipe in the home’s exterior wall. It had been spilling water into a recess between their kitchen cabinets and slab foundation, records show. The total cost of repair has come close to $40,000, according to Linda Kilfoil
Judge Britney Horton kept the Kilfoils’ lawyer from deposing a Citizens adjuster, siding with the company after it argued it had already made another employee available and produced “all non-privileged facts.” The ruling deprived them of a fair opportunity to investigate the denial, according to their attorney. On at least 20 other occasions, DOAH judges have issued similar rulings during a dispute’s fact-finding phase.
In addition, some DOAH judges have denied motions requesting that they disclose any potential conflicts they might have as arbitrators. Some plaintiff’s attorneys say that has made it difficult to trust in the impartiality of their decisions.
And the forum’s rules make it impossible for homeowners to drop their lawsuit without Citizens’ approval,
unless they withdraw their claim, a move that can lead to court costs and attorney’s fees if not filed early in the process. Some have felt forced to go to final hearings where they lost and ended up owing thousands to Citizens.
“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out something’s wrong,” said Chip Merlin, president of Merlin Law Group, a firm that represents insurance policyholders.
In a written response to questions about the homeowners’ experiences, Citizens spokesperson Michael Peltier defended the current process.
“We believe the statute authoring the resolution of claims by DOAH provides a well-established, impartial, and efficient process for policyholders, who no longer must wait nearly two years, on average, for a resolution of their claim,” he wrote.
When it comes to depositions, the forum is not “materially different” from Florida’s circuit courts, he added. And he explained that while homeowners are barred from dismissing their cases at DOAH — a move that might allow them to pursue the claim in circuit court — they aren’t blocked from withdrawing their claim, a more terminal maneuver. (Withdrawing, though, grants Citizens an automatic win and exposes homeowners to the risk of fees if it is not done soon after a case is sent to DOAH.)
The company declined to comment on individual cases in litigation.
As of July 21, judges sided with Citizens in more than 90% of cases that made it to a final DOAH hearing where both sides presented their case, according to a ProPublica analysis of court records. (The steep odds were first highlighted by the South Florida Sun Sentinel.) In circuit court trials, Citizens has won about 55% of the time over the past five years, according to records released by the company.
Citing a procedural error in the request by the Kilfoils’ lawyers, Horton declined to push back the date of the final hearing after Peter Kilfoil had been hospitalized. She did not respond to a request for comment. Faced with long odds and failing health, the Kilfoils settled their case for the nominal sum of $500 that Citizens was offering, according to their attorney. “I was being a nurse to my husband daily,” Linda Kilfoil
said, leaving little time to manage home repairs and fight the insurer. “I couldn’t leave him.”
Peter Kilfoil died at 77 on Aug. 22, 2025.
Of the Citizens cases resolved at DOAH between March 2024 and July 7, 2025, 78% ended in a settlement, according to data released by the insurer. Half of all cases settled for $500 or less to the policyholder, according to that data. An additional 28%, according to Peltier, were settled by Citizens for an average of $30,000.
Citizens’ customers cannot opt out of DOAH. Eventually, the insurer intends to send more than 3,800 cases a year there, according to a funding proposal approved by its governing board last year. Since February 2024, it’s sent over 1,500.
A multitude of public agencies in Florida contract with DOAH, relying on the administrative law judges to resolve disputes. As part of that process, they pay the agency for the salaries of judges who decide their cases, though they don’t play a role in the hiring of them.
But the program will have to survive stiff legal challenges. The most successful so far comes from Tampa, where a circuit court judge in August reaffirmed a statewide injunction pausing DOAH hearings after a Hurricane Milton victim argued the company was violating his rights.
“Specifically, enforcement of the arbitration clause at issue compels insureds into a forum that lacks neutrality, discovery, motion practice, and meaningful judicial review,” Judge Melissa Polo wrote in her order.
Citizens moved to disqualify Polo, arguing that she violated her impartiality as a judge by ruling the DOAH process unconstitutional before arguments could be heard in the case. Polo denied the motion.
“We look forward to making our case on appeal,” Peltier wrote of Polo’s decision to pause DOAH proceedings.
As Florida’s insurer of last resort, Citizens must take all comers who can’t get affordable insurance through another carrier. It gained the ability to take disputes to DOAH in the spring of 2023, at a moment of great peril for the insurer. Successive hurricanes had gouged a hole in the Sunshine State, leaving several private carriers insolvent —
EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM, EVERYBODY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA BACKSTOPS CITIZENS.
and leaving hundreds of thousands of their customers with no choice but Citizens. By the end of that year, the not-for-profit insurer was serving more than 1.2 million homeowners as another hurricane season loomed. It also had more than 18,000 outstanding lawsuits filed against it.
The company successfully lobbied the Legislature to let it take cases to DOAH in order to buffer it against the crises. The verbiage granting Citizens this power was tucked into HB 799 — a broader Citizens bill that, among other things, allowed it to raise rates faster on some policies — just after its third reading in the Florida House of Representatives Commerce Committee in April 2023.
State Sen. Jonathan Martin, a Republican and one of the bill’s sponsors, said Citizens officials proposed the DOAH provision to him in a meeting in his Tallahassee offices. Former Florida State Supreme Court Justice Ricky Polston, who had just begun what would be a brief stint as the insurer’s general counsel, was present at the meeting, Martin said.
“He and Citizens expressed the risk that they were facing, just like all the other insurance companies out there,” Martin said.
Polston would leave Citizens that June to go into private practice. He now charges Citizens at least $500 an hour to defend it from legal and constitutional challenges, including ones to the DOAH proceedings, records show, and his firm has billed the insurer almost $430,000 this year. Polston did not respond to a request for comment from ProPublica.
That amount, according to Peltier, is minuscule compared with the $450 million the organization has spent on legal services under contracts signed in 2021 and 2022.
“The figure you mention of $430,000 reflects less than one-tenth of 1%,” he wrote.
There was little discussion of the DOAH provision in committee or in the well of the house, where the legislation initially passed 115-0. It wasn’t until HB 799 reached the floor of the Florida Senate on May 1, 2023, that two senators started asking questions.
“This very broad language is bad for the Citizens policyholders,” said Republican Sen. Erin Grall as she rose to
offer an amendment that would strike the language from the bill. Foremost among her concerns was that Citizens policyholders would be giving up valuable rights, like access to the courts, without getting anything in return (private policyholders get a premium reduction when they agree to arbitration in Florida).
After raising her concerns, she withdrew her amendment, curtailing discussion. A few minutes later, Democratic Sen. Tina Polsky asked Martin, the bill’s sponsor, to address Grall’s concerns.
“In my opinion, Citizens is specially situated,” Martin said. “Everybody in this room, everybody in the state of Florida backstops Citizens,” Martin said, referring to a provision in Florida law that allows Citizens to levy a fee on every insurance policyholder in the state, including those of competitors, should the company ever find itself short of funds.
The company’s finances have stabilized in the intervening two years. It’s aggressively shed more than half a million insurance policies, offloading them to private insurers, and is down to about 12,600 outstanding lawsuits as of this June. And its DOAH program is expanding.
Judicial Economy
Fort Lauderdale homeowners Yvonne Miller and Chaney Darric Keith wanted to stop pursuing their claim against Citizens this year.
Miller and Keith had initially claimed that their shower pan failed, a leak they said damaged walls, baseboards and floors. Citizens had denied the claim. The pair had sued, but during the course of the litigation, it became clear that at least some of the damage had come from a long-term leak from their showerhead, which would not be eligible for insurance coverage. The pair’s lawyer tried to get the case dismissed. But at DOAH, that can’t happen unless both parties agree.
“I do not want to move forward with this,” said attorney Lourdes Bloomfield at a Feb. 17 DOAH hearing. Bloomfield had already tried two times to withdraw
Miller and Keith’s plumbing claim against Citizens, filing motions to voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit and notifying the court of the withdrawal of her clients claim. Judge Terry Slusher had denied both of them, the second for being filed only one business day before the hearing.
“So just so that I can make it clear for myself, Citizens is not willing to permit Ms. Miller and Mr. Keith to withdraw their claim at this time?” the judge asked Citizens’ defense attorney, Holly Miller, a short time later.
“Those are my instructions, yes sir,” Miller replied, according to a transcript of the court proceedings.
Because the pair stated they wanted to withdraw the case and presented no evidence at their final hearing, the judge sided with Citizens and ended up ordering that the homeowners pay $10,677 in court costs.
Mary Ceron is another homeowner who attempted to quit but ended up at a final hearing against her will. As her hearing approached, her attorney said she requested a settlement where each side bore its own costs, but said Citizens did not agree. So Ceron withdrew her claim at her final hearing, and afterward she received a judgment against her for almost $45,000 in costs and fees. Citizens agreed to settle the case without collecting the money after the homeowner appealed, according to Ceron’s attorney.
The company, Peltier said, is looking for finality. Miller and Keith, he wrote, had initially attempted to quit their case in a way where it might be refiled, “and we don’t want that, we want finality.” Anyone who wants to stop their DOAH proceedings can do so, he said, by withdrawing their claim.
Citizens routinely pursues fees and costs against individuals who do not withdraw their claim early in the DOAH process. DOAH judges have granted more than 15 such requests, according to a ProPublica analysis of the agency’s docket. After being presented with a list of these cases, which
included that of Ceron, Peltier wrote that the company pursues fees against some individuals who withdraw “to discourage lawyers from pursuing claims that lack merit.” Some 11% of DOAH claims through July 7 had ended in withdrawals or voluntary dismissals, according to data provided by the company.
Experts point out that Florida’s circuit courts allow for voluntary dismissals. “I’m not saying that what they’re doing is technically not in conformity with the rules, but it’s the only time I’ve heard it in a regular general civil case, such as an insurance dispute,” said Jack Tuter, former chief judge of Florida’s 17th Judicial Circuit, who independently reviewed DOAH cases for ProPublica and spoke generally of the forum’s practice of barring voluntary dismissals that aren’t agreed upon by parties.
A ProPublica review of the DOAH docket revealed at least 32 other cases in which homeowner attempts to drop their lawsuits were met with resistance from Citizens, forcing both parties to rack up legal costs.
“I think that’s one of the most vindictive things, in the 14 years I’ve been doing this, I’ve seen an insurance company do,” said Andres Correa, a plaintiff’s attorney who felt forced to go to a final hearing after Citizens refused to agree to a settlement in which each side bore its own costs.
Settling for Less
Jeffrey McShane is a former Navy pilot and nuclear engineer. This March, as a lunar lander carrying a payload he helped design was using X-rays to observe the dance between Earth’s magnetic field and the solar wind, he was troubled by another concern: Was there any way to win against Citizens?
According to an architect’s report, in the course of two weeks in the spring of 2024, a pipe burst under the living room of McShane’s four-bedroom home, and then his roof — which had been replaced four and six years earlier — sprung a leak after a storm. The water shorted his air conditioning unit. Mold bloomed. An insurance adjuster he hired put the bill at just over $200,000.
Citizens said its policy didn’t cover some of the property damaged by the leak and said other damage was due to wear and tear and improper installation. It refused to
cover the costs. “We found no evidence to support the homeowner’s claim of water intrusion through the roof’s surface on April 3, 2024,” an engineer hired by the company wrote after visiting the property.
“I did not expect that the technical difficulty of navigating Citizens’ claims process would be far more difficult than getting a spacecraft to the Moon,” McShane wrote in an email to ProPublica.
As his final hearing approached, McShane’s learned that his chances of victory were almost nonexistent. No homeowner, up to that point, had won a DOAH case against Citizens. The insurance company was offering him $5,000 to settle. At the last moment, he decided a final hearing was too risky and took the money.
ProPublica heard from more than two dozen plaintiff’s attorneys who said their DOAH cases settled for less than what a homeowner would have gotten in state court.
Peltier, the Citizens spokesperson, offered a different perspective on settlements at DOAH. On average, cases there settle for about $18,000, compared with about $25,000 in state court. But some of that difference, according to Peltier, is due to older, pre-tort reform cases that carry more liability for the insurer.
Stainton Williams has been similarly befuddled by his interactions with Citizens.
According to his attorney, Michael Citron, a plastic tarp has covered the roof of Williams’ North Miami home for most of the past year. Williams, 92, is a Jamaican immigrant with end-stage kidney disease whose roof, parts of which are nine and 19 years old, began to leak after a period of heavy weather in late September that coincided with the passage of Hurricane Helene. On Oct. 11, 2024, Citizens denied Williams’ claim, writing that “we determined the damage sustained to your client’s property was caused by storm surge resulting from a hurricane.” (Citizens’ policies do not cover storm surge or floods.)
Williams’ home is about 3 miles from the ocean, on the opposite side of the state from Hurricane Helene’s main impacts and where no storm surge or coastal flooding were reported by the National Weather Service.
Inconsistently, an engineer hired by Citizens to inspect the property disputed that the roof was damaged by Helene, writing “there was no damage to the roof covering system or exterior envelope from Hurricane Helene.” The insurer’s spokesperson declined an opportunity to clarify this seeming contradiction.
So Williams and his daughter, who has power of attorney, hired Citron and sued. When Williams’ case was sent to DOAH, Citron filed a motion requesting, among other things, that DOAH Judge Todd Resavage disclose any potential conflicts. The motion cites a state law that requires such disclosure from appointed arbitrators.
“The disclosures were requested in our case as they would be in any arbitration case,” Citron said. “Why that becomes important in this proceeding is because we didn’t choose the arbitrator. We didn’t even choose arbitration. It was all done by Citizens. So because of that, we at least want to know who these people are, who’s overseeing our case,” he added.
Resavage denied the motion for two reasons. First, he ruled the state law Citron cited did not apply because he had not been appointed but rather given his position by law. And even if that state law did apply, Resavage wrote, it wouldn’t require his disclosure unless there were “known facts that a reasonable person would consider likely to affect the arbitrator’s impartiality.” He did not respond to a request for comment from ProPublica. At least two other judges have denied similar motions for disclosure, according to a ProPublica review of the docket.
Asked about his thinking and intentions in regards to conflict of interest disclosures by administrative law judges, Martin, the bill sponsor, responded via text with a question. “Do those judges have to file a Form 6? Like all other judges?” After being informed that DOAH judges file Form 1, a less detailed disclosure, Martin ceased responding to texts and did not answer phone calls. Y
Agnel Philip contributed data reporting.
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SLICE POUR Celebrate
GRATITUDE SEASON IS UPON US, AND WITH IT COMES THE FEAT OF PREPARING THE ANNUAL THANKSGIVING FEAST. WE’VE GOT WINE RECOMMENDATIONS (PERFECT IF YOU’RE A GUEST AND NEED TO BRING THAT OBLIGATORY BOTTLE) A FLORIDA KEY LIME PIE RECIPE, AND A FEW PRACTICAL TIPS TO MAKE THE DAY A CELEBRATION TO REMEMBER.
KEY LIME PIE
While apple, pecan and pumpkin are widely considered the Thanksgiving pie trifecta, here in Florida, why not embrace local flavors and celebrate citrus? Specifically, Key lime pie, famous for its simplicity, stands out as an exceptional choice due to its minimal ingredient list and straightforward preparation.
Ingredients
5 large egg yolks, beaten
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
½ cup key lime juice
1 (9-inch) prepared graham cracker crust
whipped cream for serving
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F
In a large bowl, combine the egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk and the key lime juice. Mix well. Pour the mixture into the crust. Bake until the filling is set, about 15 minutes. Let cool completely before slicing. Serve with whipped cream. How easy is that?
Choosing Wine for Thanksgiving
BY DAVID EHRENFRIED
Ilove the Thanksgiving holiday. My wife and I usually get together with most or all of our kids and their families, and sometimes with my wife’s sister and her family too. The gatherings often happen in different places, since we’re scattered about, which seems to be the case with many families. Fortunately, we all enjoy delicious wine in addition to fantastic food, so there’s considerable planning to ensure those aspects of the holiday meet everyone’s expectations. I’m usually in charge of wine, and I start thinking about what wines to serve many weeks in advance.
To me, Thanksgiving can be an opportunity to try new or different, if not memorable, wines. My basic criteria are simple. Wines for Thanksgiving should be enjoyable and complement rather than upstage or detract from the meal. Thanksgiving is a time for people and food to take center stage. Also, since tastes in wine vary, I try to accommodate those differences. My practice is to put out a few different wines at once — white, red, and sparkling — so guests can choose, trying them all if they
like. I think it’s more fun that way, even though that strategy might necessitate buying a little more of each wine, in case one or more of the wines prove much more popular than the others.
So, what specific kinds of wines might you serve on Thanksgiving? There are no pat answers. In my prior Thanksgiving columns, I’ve made various suggestions, partly based on whether readers wanted to serve only American wines or wines from other countries. Of course, you can serve whatever wines you prefer, or what your host might suggest you bring. But, in my experience, some wines pair better than others with a typical Thanksgiving meal, which includes roast turkey and stuffing, along with a variety of potatoes, yams, and other vegetables like green beans, asparagus, squash, carrots, and Brussels sprouts. Here are some guidelines I’ve learned to rely on for selecting such wines. I’ll focus primarily on American wines, although these suggestions can also apply to selecting Thanksgiving meal wines from other countries.
THANKSGIVING
WINE CONSIDERATIONS
BUY A LITTLE MORE WINE THAN YOU NEED.
How much wine will you need? Figure each wine drinker will have on average 2-3 glasses. A standard .75-liter bottle of wine contains between five and six 4-to-5ounce servings of wine. A standard single
glass serving, such as that served in a bar or restaurant, is often 5 ounces. Yet I suggest initially pouring less than that (i.e., 2-3 ounces), in case some guests don’t like the wine after just a few sips. If they like the wine, there’ll hopefully be more. In any
case, one bottle of wine should be enough for three adult wine drinkers to each have two glasses. Two bottles should be enough for six adults, and so forth. But buy extra. Consider that some people may have some wine before the main meal — perhaps while cooking or with appetizers. It’s a shame to run out of wine on Thanksgiving, especially the wines people end up liking most.
ly for purchasing carefully crafted wines made by smaller producers as opposed to often chemically manipulated, mass-produced wines. Those smaller American producers, especially, deserve our support. Knowledgeable wine salespeople can help point you in their direction.
TRY TO SELECT WINES WITH LESS THAN 15% ALCOHOL CONTENT.
GO FOR QUALITY.
Good food deserves good wine. Remember, cheap wine is typically made with less expensive, lower-quality grapes. So, expect to spend in the range of $15-35 per bottle (or more if you wish). I used to mention a range of $12 to $25, but wine prices have increased due to inflation and other factors. Unfortunately, recent tariffs on imported wines and the materials needed to make and package them, such as cork, glass, and even labels, have caused wine prices to increase not only for many wines produced outside the United States but also for many domestically produced wines. The economics for this are complicated, and there isn’t enough space here to discuss the many ramifications of imposing additional taxes on imported wine and wine-related products on the wine prices we’re now seeing at local wine stores and supermarkets. In any case, spending a bit more opens more wine options, especial-
Alcohol by volume (aka ABV) is listed on the front or back label of every wine. Higher alcohol wines, such as California cabernet sauvignon wines, tend to be heavier, more filling, and “hotter” than lower alcohol wines, such as pinot noir, gamay (beaujolais), cabernet franc, and most white and sparkling wines. Thanksgiving meals tend to be very filling in and of themselves, and less powerful, light-to-medium-bodied wines are less likely to make guests feel fuller than they really are. Serving lower alcohol wines also appreciates that some people might drink more wine over the course of a long Thanksgiving meal than they might during a regular, less leisurely dinner. If you prefer wines made entirely or mostly of cabernet sauvignon, grenache, or other grapes that produce more alcoholic wines, consider serving Bordeaux-style or Rhone-style blends, such as those made in Washington State or California that include these along with less prodigious alcohol-producing grapes.
GO FOR DRY, LOW-TANNIN WINES THAT HAVE PLEASANT BUT PRONOUNCED FRUIT FLAVORS AND AROMAS.
There are lots of options. White or rosé sparkling wine is terrific for Thanksgiving, and there are delicious ones that are made in many states, including California, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Virginia, and New York. French Champagne is wonderful, but you’ll need to spend $45 or more per bottle. For white wine, chardonnay should be top of mind. Look for
ABOVE An assortment of wines that would be great picks to enhance your Thanksgiving celebration: Gruet sparkling wine, Soléna pinot noir, Quivira zinfandel, Neyers chardonnay and Heron Hill reisling
chardonnays that are unoaked or minimally oaked. They’ll be a little drier tasting, but also very refreshing. My domestic favorites are those from Sonoma and Santa Barbara counties in California and from Oregon’s Willamette valley.
Riesling is one of my favorite wines, and it goes well with just about everything you might serve as part of Thanksgiving turkey supper, including dessert. Although most of the best Rieslings come from Germany and the Alsace region in France, you can buy dry or off-dry (sweeter) Riesling made in New York, California, and the Pacific Northwest. An alternative to riesling is gewurztraminer. I’m not a fan, but many people like its candied lychee fruit and other fruit flavors. If you or your guests prefer more tart, citrusy flavors, sauvignon blanc is another tasty alternative. There are some excellent sauvignon blancs being produced by smaller winemakers in California, like Dry Creek, Duckhorn, Groth, Quivira, and St. Supéry.
As for red wine, if your Thanksgiving meal will have many dishes loaded with butter, cream, meat, or other fats, very
tannic wines like recent vintage bold California Cabernet Sauvignon or Italian Barolo may be fine to serve. However, I find the tannic astringency of these and certain other wines interferes with the often dry texture of roast turkey. Maybe better to save such wines for other meals. There are plenty alternatives. Top of mind are California and Oregon pinot noir, California zinfandel, and syrah or merlot from California or Washington State. Zinfandel deserves special mention as a Thanksgiving wine. It’s quintessentially American, and the best examples are dynamic wines with wonderful cherry and berry aromas and flavors, often touched with chocolate and a mix of spices. Numerous wineries are zinfandel specialists. Among the most notable are Bedrock, Carlisle, Dry Creek, Hartford, Green & Red, Quivira, Ravenswood, Ridge, Seghesio, Carol Shelton, Sobon, and Turley. There also are many delectable blends made principally with zinfandel. For Thanksgiving, however, I suggest being a purest, but try and avoid bottles with more than 15% ABV.
TURKEY DAY TIPS
Start Early
If you’re hosting this year, begin clearing out your fridge and freezer at least two weeks before the big day. That random jar of harissa from a recipe you made three years ago? Here’s your chance to toss it. You’ll thank yourself later when you actually have room for that 20-pound turkey.
Make a Plan –and a List
Jot down your full menu, note which dishes can be made ahead, and assign oven times. Nothing keeps the chaos at bay like a simple timeline taped to the fridge.
Set the Stage
The day before, pull out your serving pieces and label each with a sticky note for its dish. It’s a small step that saves time and stress later. Setting the table early – maybe even the day before – can work wonders for your mindset. A beautiful table is a quiet reminder of what the day is all about.
Keep Appetizers Simple
Ina Garten, the famed cookbook author, says it’s perfectly fine to serve potato chips as an hors d’oeuvre on Thanksgiving. This meal is about the main event. Think nuts, olives, and chips – just enough to keep people happy while the turkey rests. And remember one of Ina’s mantras, which feels especially fitting for a holiday meal: sometimes “store-bought is fine.”
DESSERT WINES
Break the rules when buying dessert wines. When it comes time for dessert, there’s no reason why people can’t continue to drink the wines served with turkey, particularly riesling or sparkling wine. However, if you or guests prefer sweeter wine with dessert, you might consider dolce from California, a pricy sauterne-like wine made by Far Niente winery or a Port-style wine made by Ficklin Family Winery also in California. There are many choices for semi-dry or sweet (late harvest) rieslings made in Washington State, Upstate New York, California, and Virginia. There are more options for dessert wine options from Europe, such as Portuguese Port, French sauternes or barsac, French vouvray, German spätlese, auslese, trockenbeerenauslese rieslings, Italian moscato, and Hungarian tokaii, among various other late harvest wines. Most have higher than even 15% ABV, some are quite tannic, a few may shock your budget, and all will send your glucose flying. And yet, good dessert wines can be truly splendid companions for pumpkin or apple pie and other Thanksgiving sweets. Y
Delegate
Guests really do want to help. Ask someone to bring the aforementioned chips, another to bring a pie, and one more to carve or pour the wine. Sharing the workload makes the day more enjoyable for everyone. Just don’t ask anyone to bring the turkey – one of my friends was once assigned that task, and trust me, it’s a story still told every Thanksgiving.
Don’t Try New Recipes
Thanksgiving is no time for culinary experiments. Stick to the tried-andtrue and test any new ideas a week or two ahead if you can’t resist.
Speaking of Recipes
Print out all of your recipes and tape them up on your cabinets so you aren’t constantly searching for “the recipe.”
Think Drinks
Offer something festive that doesn’t involve alcohol, like sparkling cider with cranberries or a pitcher of citrus-infused sparkling water. It’s thoughtful, pretty, and keeps the atmosphere festive for all.
Set the Mood Early
A good playlist, candles, and a clean counter go a long way. Guests feel more comfortable when the host is relaxed.
Plan for Leftovers
Have take-home containers ready so guests can pack up their favorites. It’s the gift that keeps on giving – and helps you reclaim your fridge space faster.
— Susan Rosser
LOCAL FLAVOR
IN THE NORTH BROWARD BEACHES
KEY
$ Inexpensive
(under $25)
$$ Moderate
($26-$50)
$$$ Expensive
($51-$75)
$$$$ Pricey (over $75)
Have an update for us? Email additions, closings, or corrections to editor@pointpubs. com. We strive for accuracy, but recommend calling ahead to confirm details before setting out on your dining adventure.
Price categories are a general guide. Your check may vary depending on what you order.
Lighthouse Point
Bonefish Mac’s Sports Grill AMERICAN “Where You’re Eating with Friends.” Lighthouse Point’s popular spot for all ages with an extensive menu featuring large portions including seafood, steaks, appetizers, burgers, their famous Key Lime pie and more. Enjoy happy hour all day every day at the indoor and patio bars. Specials include Monday prime rib night, Tuesday kids-eat-free, weekday lunch specials and an early lite menu 2002 East Sample Road, 954-781-6227 $$
Cap’s Place SEAFOOD Lighthouse Point’s own hidden seafood joint dating back to prohibition. Take the short boat ride over to the restaurant. 2765 NE 28th Court, 954-941-0418 $$$
Fetta Republic GREEK Traditional Greek offerings close to home. 2420 N. Federal Highway, 954-933-2394 $-$$
Fish Shack SEAFOOD This restaurant used to be a “best-kept secret.” But now that they have moved into the Shoppes at Beacon Light, the word is out. The Fish Shack keeps it simple, serving fresh fish prepared in several ways. There is more to the menu, but it is called The Fish Shack. 2460 N. Federal Highway, 954-586-4105 $$
Le Bistro CONTINENTAL Classically-trained chef Andy Trousdale serves up classics and inventive new dishes at this little neighborhood gem. Fresh and local produce is always used, and vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free menu items are available. A note to the wise; the porcini mushroom soup is worth every calorie. The restaurant also offers cooking classes and wine tasting dinners. More than worthy of a special occasion. Reservations are recommended. 4626 N. Federal Highway, 954-9469240 $$$
Lighthouse Thai Sushi THAI • SUSHI This casual spot in the Shoppes of Beacon Light hits the spot when you seek a casual sushi or Thai dinner. The rolls are fresh, fun and tasty and the various Thai curries will leave you craving more. 2476 N Federal Highway, 954-532-6342 $$
Manta PERUVIAN Manta brings a vibrant Miami energy to Lighthouse Point with its sleek, modern atmosphere and creative Peruvian-inspired menu. We enjoyed a variety of impeccably fresh dishes, including Manta tortillas filled with mahi, shrimp, avocado ice cream, and miso honey. Sushi lovers can explore a range of inventive rolls, while the must-try tapas de pork belly feature tender sous vide pork served on baguette toasts with red onions and sauces. The spacious bar offers an impressive selection of cocktails, including the tangy Pisco Sour. It’s an ideal spot to relax with friends. 2410 N Federal Highway, 954-400-9859 $$-$$$
The Nauti Dawg Marina Café AMERICAN Nestled at the Lighthouse Point Marina, the Nauti Dawg is a local favorite. Start with the tuna wontons—crispy fried wonton wrappers topped with tuna tartare, seaweed salad, red pepper mayo, wasabi and a hit of sriracha. You can’t go wrong with the fresh fish sandwich—ask what the catch of the day is. They are a dog-friendly restaurant. 2830 NE 29th Ave. (at the Lighthouse Point Marina), 954-941-0246 $$
Papa’s Raw Bar SUSHI • SEAFOOD While the fresh food is the real star, the Keys-inspired decor accounts for part of their charm. The menu goes beyond typical raw bar offerings with inventive tacos and sliders. Papa’s also offers an impressive array of sushi and sashimi. And to wash it all down, they have about a zillion craft beer options and a good wine
list too. 4610 N. Federal Highway, 754-307-5034 $$-$$$
Rocca Trattoria ITALIAN This classic and cozy Italian trattoria exudes warmth and charm. The menu showcases authentic Italian cuisine, with a focus on traditional recipes. Each dish is crafted with care and attention to detail, from pasta dishes bursting with flavor to pizzas topped with fresh ingredients. The staff is friendly and attentive, ensuring that every visit is memorable. Whether you’re savoring a leisurely meal with friends or simply stopping by for a quick pizza, this charming Italian restaurant offers a taste of la dolce vita in every bite. 2014 E Sample Road, 954-876-1733 $$
Senor Ceviche PERUVIAN Don’t let the name fool you, while there is plenty of ceviche, the restaurant serves up plenty of other Peruvian specialties. 3100 N Federal Highway, 954-933-1476 $$-$$$
Sicilian Oven PIZZA • ITALIAN Coal-fired pizza, a fabulous salad and wings — what more do you need? If you do need more, the menu is loaded with Italian classics. 2486 N Federal Highway, 954-785-4155 $$
Deerfield Beach
Baja Cafe MEXICAN Locals flock to this long-established favorite for a Mexican dinner or just drinks. They are known for their margaritas and entrées, including their bandito honey bean burritos and many taco options. You’ll also enjoy their endless fresh chips served with two types of salsa. 1310 S. Federal Highway, 954-596-1304 $$
Barracuda Seafood Bar & Grill
SEAFOOD • BRAZILIAN This spot by the sea serves seafood with a touch of Brazilian flare, such as the bobo de camarao — shrimp sautéed in coconut milk, saffron, palm oil and yucca cream baked in a cast-iron skillet. 123 NE 20th Ave., 954531-1290 $$
Casa Maya MEXICAN Start with a margarita, and it only gets better from there. This is not your typical Mexican joint — it’s better. Try gobernador tacos: a combination of shrimp with diced poblanos, onions, tomatoes and cilantro on a crispy corn tortilla topped with melted cheese. 301 SE 15th Terrace, 954-570-6101 $$
Deer Creek Grille AMERICAN Enjoy the club atmosphere with gorgeous views of the lush gardens and waterfall. The restaurant offers daily lunch and dinner specials, a Sunday breakfast buffet and covered patio dining so you can dine al fresco. 2801 Deer Creek Country Club Blvd., 954-421-5553 $$
JB’s on the Beach SEAFOOD The restaurant boasts glorious beach views and a private glass room perfect for business or family affairs. 300 N. Ocean Way, 954-571-5220 $$$
Little Havana CUBAN Little Havana has fantastic lunch specials, and most of their dinner plates will feed two. Their masas de puerco frita and their Little Havana steak are two of the standout menu items, aside from
their zesty chimichurri. 721 N. Federal Highway, 954-427-6000 $$
Luigi di Roma ITALIAN The atmosphere is always lively at Luigi di Roma — mainly if you arrive during happy hour! Naturally, you will find all your favorite Italian dishes on the menu, with everything from eggplant Parmesan to shrimp scampi and everything in between. You can also order take-out online. 718 S. Federal Highway, 954-531-6151 $$-$$$
Niran’s Kitchen LAOTION Niran’s Kitchen aims to engage all your senses, creating dishes designed to please the eye as much as the palate. The menu features some beloved Asian favorites alongside a few delightful Laotian surprises. The atmosphere at Niran’s Kitchen is welcoming, offering a comfortable space if you’re out for a casual dinner. 61 S Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach, 954-708-2169 $$
Ocean’s 234 SEAFOOD Amazing views of Deerfield Beach and the pier with gluten-free options are available. 234 N. Ocean Blvd., 954-4282539 $$$
Patio Bar & Grill CONTINENTAL Enjoy cocktails just feet from the sandy beaches of Deerfield. This relaxed spot at the Wyndham serves casual fare. You can stick to the classics like wings or a shrimp cocktail. Or be more adventurous and enjoy an order of volcano spring rolls stuffed with crab and served with sriracha mayo and wakame slaw. They also serve burgers and plenty of fresh salads and savory entrees. There is often live music contributing to the energetic vibe. 2096 NE Second St., (at the Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort) 954-596-8618 $$
Patrizia’s of NYC ITALIAN At Patrizio, you will find all the classic Italian dishes we all love. The vibe is lively and the food is tasty. What more do you need? 1544 SE Third Court, 954-751-9797 $$
The Cove AMERICAN Enjoy cocktails frozen drinks, and marina views at the outdoor tiki bar — perfect for relaxing on warm Florida evenings! Indoor is also dining available.1754 SE Third Court, 954-421-9272 $$
Tijuana Taxi Co MEXICAN Perhaps it’s the all-day happy hour (Mon.Fri., 11am-7pm) with $6 signature margaritas, but as soon as you enter, the day’s weight lifts off your shoulders. There is outdoor patio seating available and a large U-shaped bar inside. The portions are generous — certainly enough for a doggie bag. And for the little ones there is kids night on Sunday after 5pm: kids eat for $1.99 from the $7.99 kids menu. 1015 S. Federal Highway, 954-708-2775 $$
Traditions FRENCH As the name implies, diners can expect traditional French cuisine. Start with the mussels and move on to the duck, or the lamb or the sole — it’s all well prepared. 626 S Federal Highway, 954480-6464 $$$
Pompano Beach
And Fish Kitchen + Bar SEAFOOD Located at the Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa, diners will enjoy a modern take on fresh seafood. The restaurant sports a contemporary and breezy ambiance. 1200 N. Ocean Blvd., 954-782-0100 $$
Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza ITALIAN • PIZZA • WINGS You can credit this place with bringing the whole “coal-fired pizza craze” to South Florida. Pizza and chicken wings — do you need any more? Try the cauliflower pizza — good and good for you. 1203 S. Federal Highway, 954942-5550 $$
Aromas Del Peru PERUVIAN With several South Florida locations, the folks at Aromas Del Peru are bring Peruvian favorites to Pompano Beach.1 N Ocean Bvd., 954-354-2323 $$$
Beach House AMERICAN • CRAFT COCKTAILS This is the perfect place to take out-of-town guests. Snag one of the stadium seating style booths overlooking the Atlantic. Enjoy the casual and relaxed ambiance
with a rooftop deck on the second floor. 270 N Pompano Beach Blvd. 954607-6530 $$
Bedda Mia ITALIAN • PIZZA An abundance of Italian fare served for lunch or dinner. If you can’t make it over to dine in, fret not; they offer free delivery. 427 S. Federal Highway, 954-943-5387 $$
Briny Irish Pub IRISH • BAR FOOD At the end of East Atlantic Boulevard stands Briny Irish Pub. There is a large beer selection plus the regular and, dare we say unique mixed drinks. The kitchen offers an array of bar food and some classics like bangers and mash and fish-n-chips. The casual atmosphere is created by an immense array of nautical artifacts and oddities that fill every inch of the pub. Music plays constantly, often live with a dance floor if one is inclined. 3440 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-942-3159 $
Bru’s Room Sports Grill AMERICAN This spot is home to the Florida State Booster Club of Broward County. Wings and plenty of bar food is available. 235 S. Federal Highway, 954-785-2227 $
Calypso Restaurant and Raw Bar CARIBBEAN Since they opened their doors in 1990, Calypso has been a local favorite. This gem of a restaurant is known for its fresh, wild caught fish, Bahamian conch dishes, Jamaican jerk and American favorites all served with an island flair. Try the house special cutter (sandwich) — sautéed shrimp with garlic butter, mushrooms and cheddar all stuffed into a hollowed-out kaiser roll. For island comfort food, don’t miss one of their curries or rotis. Fresh oysters and clams are also available. Wash it all down with a draft beer, a glass of wine or choose from over 40 different bottled beers. 460 S. Cypress Road, 954-942-1633 $$
Checkers Old Munchen GERMAN For a traditional German meal, try the wiener schnitzel — it’s divine — a lightly breaded veal cutlet sautéed in lemon butter and topped with homemade brown gravy. The spaetzle (German noodles) are a real homemade treat and not to be missed — throw a little of that brown gravy on them, and they could be a meal unto themselves. The red cabbage is both classically sweet and sour and there are other side options too including potato dumplings, potato salad and even hot potato salad. Imbibe to your heart’s content with their vast assortment of German beers. 2209 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-785-7565 $$
Chef Dee’s SUSHI • SEAFOOD A small neighborhood place with plenty of charm. Impressive sushi rolls and a varied menu with something for everyone. 3919 N. Federal Highway., 954-582-4444 $$
Dangerous Minds Brewing Co., BREWERY • ARTISINAL PIZZA Dangerous Minds is more than just a brewery. This spot at Pompano Citi Centre offers artisanal pizzas made from scratch. Their specialty is a Scotch egg, a soft-boiled egg wrapped in homemade sausage and then fried until crispy on the outside. But back to the brewery — all the beers are brewed on-site, and owners Adam and Andre hale from Germany and England — two countries steeped in beer tradition. 1901 N Federal Highway, 954-657-8676 $-$$
Darrel & Oliver’s Cafe Maxx INTERNATIONAL This restaurant is an anchor of the South Florida fine dining scene. 2601 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-782-0606 $$$$
Deep Oceanfront Dining & Bar AMERICAN Beach front dining at the Beachcomber Resort — go for the view. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 1200 S. Ocean Blvd. 954-941-7830 $$$
Deccan Spice INDIAN Enjoy the contemporary decor and take your pick from classic dishes like chicken tikka and biryani and curry dishes to some Indo-Chinese twists like crunchy stir-fried noodles. There are plenty of vegetarian options on this menu and many variations on naan — Indian flatbread. 1149 S. Federal Highway, 954-366-1847 $$
Di Farina Pasta Factory & Restaurant ITALIAN We all know that fresh-cut pasta is superior to the dried variety we have become accustomed to. But making pasta from scratch is a process. But what if you could just pick it up nearby or even have it delivered. Dreams do come
true. Di Farina offers a variety of freshly made pasta to go. And if you can’t be bothered to make a sauce, they’ve got 19 from which to choose. The restaurant also has a full menu of Italian favorites. 1915 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-953-6771 $$
Flanigan’s Seafood Bar & Grill SEAFOOD • AMERICAN Enjoy a deal every day. 2500 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-943-3762 $$
The Foundry AMERICAN Known for its artfully crafted dishes, The Foundry offers a fusion of contemporary flavors with a happening dining experience. 2781 E. Atlantic Blvd., 754-205-6977 $$
Galuppi’s AMERICAN What could be more entertaining than watching golfers swing and blimps ascend as you sip a drink at an outdoor bar? 1103 N. Federal Highway, 954-785-0226 $-$$
Gianni’s Italian Restaurant ITALIAN Gianni’s is practically a Pompano Beach landmark. Enjoy traditional Italian fare at this family-owned and operated establishment, serving everything from pasta to specialties like Chicken Gianni’s and fresh seafood. Don’t skip the romaine salad with the blue cheese. Pair your dish with a bottle of wine or cocktail from their full bar. They also offer daily lunch specials Monday – Friday. 1601 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-942-1733 $$$
Houston’s AMERICAN Enjoy this contemporary eatery for lunch or dinner. An outdoor bar and seating on the Intracoastal are available. 2821 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-783-9499 $$$
J Mark’s AMERICAN A relaxing, modern restaurant and bar with food and service to match. 1490 NE 23rd St., 954-782-7000 $$$
Kin Asian Street Food ASIAN • SUSHI Enjoy everything from inventive takes on ramen soups with pork belly and a jammy egg to rice bowls and dumplings. We swooned over the shiitake buns, mushrooms with pickled sour mustard, ground peanuts and cilantro, all on a steamed rice bun. The gyoza was also a star — the dough was light and tender with a flavorful pork and vegetable filling. The restaurant has a comprehensive sushi menu, but this is a place to order outside your comfort zone. After all, isn’t sushi the new pizza? 143 SW Sixth St., 954-532-4567 $$
La Lupe MEXICAN We tried a whole bunch of tacos, including the ever-popular birria tacos. Of course, we ordered the quesabirria because everything is better with cheese. But back to the tacos, these were the authentic Mexican variety where the fillings truly shine because the only accoutrements are a sprinkling of cilantro and chopped white onion. 625 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-933-3491 $
La Perla Di Pompano ITALIAN This small and intimate Italian eatery offers a wide selection of Italian dishes, including four different risotto dishes alone. 420 N. Federal Highway, 754-222-9174 $$$-$$$$
La Veranda ITALIAN The atmosphere is elegant, yet comfortable and warm. Inside or out, one can enjoy a special evening in the Tuscany-inspired surroundings. There is an extensive selection of pasta, entrées and traditional dishes, with new favorites to be discovered that the wait staff will happily explain. Taste the love in their homemade desserts. If you’re looking to celebrate, La Veranda is an excellent choice. Reservations are suggested. 2121 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-943-7390 $$$
Las Orquideas COLOMBIAN For an authentic Colombian meal, you don’t need to go any further than Atlantic Boulevard. Not only can you find all of your Colombian favorites, but the restaurant has a full bar with fun cocktails. 900 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-772-7272 $$-$$$
Legends Tavern and Grille AMERICAN Enjoy gastropub fare, including sandwiches, burgers, wings, salads and a huge choice of appetizers. 10 SW Sixth St. $-$$
Lucky Fish Beach Bar + Grill AMERICAN It’s places like Lucky’s that make you happy you live in South Florida. This tiki bar by the sea (just south of the pier) offers simple eats, some top-notch people watching all with an ocean view. The menu includes classic snack foods like coconut
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shrimp and fish dip to tuna poke nachos. There are also salads, sandwiches and smash burgers. You can also order to go for a picnic on the beach. 222 N Pompano Beach Blvd. $
Miraggio Italian Grill ITALIAN A gorgeous new restaurant on the Intracoastal serving classic Italian fare, including wood-fired pizzas, pastas and more. 3100 B E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-876-1066 $$$
Mora Grill MEDITERRANEAN This cozy yet modern spot is open for lunch and dinner. The menu includes a range of Mediterranean favorites, from kebobs to gyros. They offer lunch specials and family-style platters for six people served with appetizers, salads, kebobs, rice and vegetables. 3428 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-933-2003 $$
Nonna’s Bistro & Cafe ARGENTINEAN • BAKERY • CAFE Some of Nonna’s offerings include pasta frola cake, American keto salad, and a charcuterie board for two. Carryout and delivery are available. 2608 N. Ocean Blvd., 954-532-9920 $$
Oceanic AMERICAN • SEAFOOD Along with stunning ocean views, the restaurant offers a comprehensive menu emphasizing seafood. If you are looking for a standout salad, the watermelon arugula salad with grilled shrimp is a perfect choice. The shrimp and grits were prepared traditionally and packed with flavor. The baby back ribs were melting off the bone, and there was enough for a doggy bag. The restaurant boasts dazzling architecture inspired by the great ocean liners of years past. 250 N. Pompano Beach Blvd., 954-366-3768 $$-$$$
Peking Duck CHINESE Start with the bone-in spareribs, with a subtly sweet, sticky glaze. The crab Rangoon were also a treat and delightfully puffy and tender. Don’t skip the pièce de résistance — Peking Duck. Peking Duck is a culinary marvel with savory meat and crispy skin, served with steamed pancakes and accompaniments like cucumbers, scallions, and hoisin sauce. The Mongolian beef vanished within moments — a true sign of scrumptious food. Meanwhile, the Kung Pao shrimp, with a fiery kick and crispy cubed veggies, provided a delightful contrast of textures. Along with an updated menu, the new owners have revamped the interior with a blend of modern and traditional Chinese elements. 1200 E Atlantic Blvd, 954-946-0436 $$
Pho Ocean VIETNAMESE If you have never had Vietnamese food, you are missing out. This spot will delight you. Everything is so fresh. Go and have some pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), you’ll thank us. 3321 N. Federal Highway, 954-280-8709 $$
Revelry COCKTAILS • SMALL PLATES Revelry offers a unique blend of retro charm and vibrant nightlife. This hidden gem is the perfect speakeasy escape, featuring a carefully crafted ambiance and a diverse menu. Enjoy food that pairs beautifully with specialty cocktails, making dining a key part of your experience.. 227 S Federal Highway $$
Ruby’s by the Sea ITALIAN Tucked away in a small strip mall near the Hillsboro inlet is Ruby’s, serving classic Italian fare. 2608 N. Ocean Blvd., 954-933-7154 $$
Seaside Grill SEAFOOD • AMERICAN Enjoy a view of the Atlantic while enjoying fresh seafood and an icy cold cocktail. Don’t worry if you’re not a fish lover — there are plenty of entrée choices from the land. Located at Lighthouse Cove Resort on the ocean. 1406 N. Ocean Blvd., 954-783-3193 $$
Shishka Lebanese Grill MIDDLE EASTERN It’s not easy to make a good falafel, but the ones at Shishka are worth every calorie. There are plenty of other choices, too, from the classic hummus to baba-ghanouj to chicken and meat shawarma. 1901 N. Federal Highway, 954-943-2999 $$
South Bar & Kitchen CONTEMPORARY SOUTHERN South Bar & Kitchen offers an array of Southern comfort foods with a heavy Louisiana influence. 165 NE First Ave., 954-890-2000 $$-$$$
Spanx the Hog BBQ BARBECUE Spanx uses natural ingredients and offers dine in, take out, and custom catering. 147 S. Cypress Road. 954-590-8342 $
Take Sushi JAPANESE • SUSHI Fresh, authentic Japanese fair delivered to your door? Yes, please. 2714 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-785-2442 $$
The Vault AMERICAN Step back in time at The Vault, a restaurant uniquely housed in the original First Bank of Pompano. With its authentic 1920s ambiance and reverence for history, The Vault brings the spirit of the past to life through both atmosphere and cuisine. Offering a modern take on classic American dishes, the menu features small and large plates—with solo and shareable options perfect for sampling and savoring. Known for its unbeatable $10 lunches, vintage-inspired cocktails, and standout happy hour, The Vault is quickly becoming a local favorite where every visit is a taste of history. 61 NE First St., 954-218-3627 $$
Taqueria Doña Raquel MEXICAN Family-owned spot on Dixie Highway serving deeply authentic Mexican tacos with freshly made tortillas. Bustling, flavorful, and worth the detour — even the surprise tripe taco was delicious. Open kitchen vibes and no-frills focus on the food. 793 S. Dixie Highway, 954-946-4490 $
Wings N’ Things WINGS • BARBECUE It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it’s worth trying. 150 S. Sixth St., 954-781-9464 $
Yamu Thai JAPANESE • THAI A small spot by the sea with your favorite sushi and Thai and Japanese dishes. 2608 N. Ocean Blvd., 954532-7901 $$
Zuccarelli ITALIAN • PIZZA This place is more than just a pizza joint. From eggplant Parmesan to shrimp fra diavolo, you will leave quite satisfied. The portions are generous and come with a house salad. Bring your breath mints because their garlic rolls are on point. 1340 N. Federal Highway, 954-941-1261 $
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Jugo Boss SMOOTHIES • WRAPS Take a break with cold pressed juices, acai bowls, wraps and sandwiches. The menu is all-natural. 2438 N. Federal Highway, 954-586-4037
Offerdahl’s BAGELS • SANDWICHES • SALADS If you are in search of a decent bagel, this is the spot. But the menu goes far beyond bagels with tasty, inventive and healthy salads, satisfying sandwiches, and entrees. 2400 N Federal Highway, 954-788-3464
Packy’s Sports Pub SPORTS BAR If you are looking for a local spot to watch the game, Packy’s always pack them in. 4480 N. Federal Highway, 954-657-8423
Red Fox Diner DINER Treat yourself to one of the daily specials at the Red Fox and you just might be able to skip dinner. But if you are in the mood for some comforting diner food, Red Fox never disappoints. Breakfast and lunch are served daily. 2041 NE 36th St., (Sample Road) 954-783-7714
Whit’s Frozen Custard ICE CREAM If you’re looking for a sweet treat close to home, Whit’s is serving up frozen custard made fresh daily Enjoy their to-go freezer for Whitties (sandwiches made with cookies baked fresh in the store), quarts, cakes, and other special take-home treat selections! For something savory, try the Vienna beef and Chicago-style hot dogs. 4850 N Federal Highway, 954-531-6950
Have an update for us? Email additions, closings, or corrections to editor@ pointpubs.com. We strive for accuracy, but recommend calling ahead to confirm details before setting out on your dining adventure. Price categories are a general guide. Your check may vary depending on what you order.
Farmers Markets
It’s November, which means our local farmers’ markets are open for business. Take advantage of the cooler temperatures and start your weekend with a stroll through a local market. Most markets offer a variety of seasonal produce, and you can typically find items like local honey, small-batch breads, and baked goods. There are usually plenty of vendors selling candles, soaps, and other interesting items as well.
Hours and schedules can change seasonally; always confirm on the market’s official site or city page before visiting.
Boca Farmers Market
WHERE: 7900 Glades Road, Boca Raton
WHEN: Sundays, 9am–1pm
THE SCOOP: A newer weekly market in west Boca with 60+ vendors and free community yoga. Expect local produce, baked goods, microgreens, mushrooms, coffee and more. bocafarmersmarket.com
Boca Raton Green Market
WHERE: Royal Palm Place South Parking Lot, intersection of S Mizner Blvd. and Federal Highway, Boca Raton
WHEN: Seasonal Sundays (Oct.–May), typically morning to early afternoon
THE SCOOP: Downtown Boca’s seasonal market with produce, artisanal foods and crafts in a lively open-air setting. bocagreenmarket.com
Cove Farmers Market
WHERE: 1582 SE Third Court, Deerfield Beach
WHEN: Saturdays, 9am–1pm (seasonal Oct.–May)
THE SCOOP: A new seasonal market at The Cove Shopping Center featuring local produce, baked goods, sourdough, coffee, microgreens and more. covefarmersmarket.com
Pompano Beach Green Market
WHERE: Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W Atlantic Blvd,. Pompano Beach
THE SCOOP: Community-forward market with fresh produce, local vendors, yoga on the lawn, kids crafts and music. greenmarketpompanobeach.com
Yellow Green Farmers Market
WHERE: 3080 Sheridan St., Hollywood
WHEN: Saturday & Sunday, 10am–6:30pm
THE SCOOP: A massive open-air market with hundreds of vendors offering produce, prepared foods, baked goods, artisan items and more. You must pay ($15) to park, but the prices are so reasonable, you won’t mind. ygfarmersmarket.com
Las Olas Oceanside Park Market
WHERE: Las Olas Oceanside Park, 3000 E Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: Most Saturdays, morning to early afternoon
THE SCOOP: Crafts in a scenic beachside setting.
ABOVE purchasing pickles at the Yellow Green Farmers Market in Hollywood Andrew Itkoff for Lighthouse Point magazine LEFT TOP yoga on the lawn at the Pompano Beach Green Market LEFT BOTTOM Pompano Beach Green Market Jeff Graves for Lighthouse Point magazine
