This week, I start with a homeownership lesson from my own Fort Lauderdale water-meter mess. After the smart meter replacement, debris found its way into faucets, shower heads, and toilet lines, and one little shutoff valve turned into a much bigger headache. I share what I learned, why I decided not to push my luck with an aging valve, and why John the Plumber earned a genuine local recommendation after getting everything flowing again.

Then I get into the local changes that may affect your plans this week. Fort Lauderdale City Commission meetings are moving to the new Police Department headquarters, king tides could complicate travel in low-lying areas, and speed cameras are starting around nine local schools. I also talk about possible e-bike rules, Common Room’s arrival in downtown Hollywood, and several Broward events worth adding to your calendar.

=== Chapters

• 00:23 Smart Water Meter Fixes
• 04:13 City Hall Changes
• 05:52 Tides And School Cameras
• 08:45 E-Bike Rules Loom
• 10:09 Hollywood’s New Dinner Spot
• 11:41 Weekend Events Roundup
• 14:29 Guinness Records Science Event

=== Local Businesses / Organizations / Nonprofits

• John the Plumber: https://johntheplumberfl.com/
• City Commission meetings are moving to the new police headquarters: https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/Residents/City-News/New-City-Commission-Meeting-Location
• FixIt FTL: https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/Government/Departments/Strategic-Communications/FixIt-FTL
• Fort Lauderdale School Zone Safety Program: https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/Government/Departments/Transportation-and-Mobility/Transportation-Division/Programs-Policies-and-Initiatives/School-Zone-Safety-Program
• Common Room: https://commonroomfl.com/
• Sunny Stroll Market: https://www.goriverwalk.com/greater-fort-lauderdale-events/sunny-stroll-market
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: https://www.browardcenter.org/events/detail/after-work-players-2026
• After Work Players: https://www.browardcenter.org/events/detail/after-work-players-2026
• Old School Saturdays @ Backyard: https://www.universe.com/events/old-school-saturdays-backyard-tickets-H3ZXC0
• Backyard Fort Lauderdale: https://www.backyardftl.com/
• Summer Jamz: https://www.goriverwalk.com/greater-fort-lauderdale-events/summer-jamz-5
• The Science of Guinness World Records: https://mods.org/exhibit/the-science-of-guinness-world-records/
• Fort Lauderdale Beach Sweep: https://www.goriverwalk.com/events/greater-fort-lauderdale-event-calendar/page/248?long_events

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE

• Title: Happy Epic And Confident Corporate Background Piece To Suit Health Or Dynamic
• Item ID: 195889930
• Publisher: Saowakhon Brown
• Composer: Saowakhon Brown
• License: Individual License, Commercial
• Stock Media provided by TheSaoLady / Pond5

This week, I start with a homeownership lesson from my own Fort Lauderdale water-meter mess. After the smart meter replacement, debris found its way into faucets, shower heads, and toilet lines, and one little shutoff valve turned into a much bigger headache. I share what I learned, why I decided not to push my luck with an aging valve, and why John the Plumber earned a genuine local recommendation after getting everything flowing again.

Then I get into the local changes that may affect your plans this week. Fort Lauderdale City Commission meetings are moving to the new Police Department headquarters, king tides could complicate travel in low-lying areas, and speed cameras are starting around nine local schools. I also talk about possible e-bike rules, Common Room’s arrival in downtown Hollywood, and several Broward events worth adding to your calendar.

=== Chapters

• 00:23 Smart Water Meter Fixes
• 04:13 City Hall Changes
• 05:52 Tides And School Cameras
• 08:45 E-Bike Rules Loom
• 10:09 Hollywood’s New Dinner Spot
• 11:41 Weekend Events Roundup
• 14:29 Guinness Records Science Event

=== Local Businesses / Organizations / Nonprofits

• John the Plumber: https://johntheplumberfl.com/
• City Commission meetings are moving to the new police headquarters: https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/Residents/City-News/New-City-Commission-Meeting-Location
• FixIt FTL: https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/Government/Departments/Strategic-Communications/FixIt-FTL
• Fort Lauderdale School Zone Safety Program: https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/Government/Departments/Transportation-and-Mobility/Transportation-Division/Programs-Policies-and-Initiatives/School-Zone-Safety-Program
• Common Room: https://commonroomfl.com/
• Sunny Stroll Market: https://www.goriverwalk.com/greater-fort-lauderdale-events/sunny-stroll-market
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: https://www.browardcenter.org/events/detail/after-work-players-2026
• After Work Players: https://www.browardcenter.org/events/detail/after-work-players-2026
• Old School Saturdays @ Backyard: https://www.universe.com/events/old-school-saturdays-backyard-tickets-H3ZXC0
• Backyard Fort Lauderdale: https://www.backyardftl.com/
• Summer Jamz: https://www.goriverwalk.com/greater-fort-lauderdale-events/summer-jamz-5
• The Science of Guinness World Records: https://mods.org/exhibit/the-science-of-guinness-world-records/
• Fort Lauderdale Beach Sweep: https://www.goriverwalk.com/events/greater-fort-lauderdale-event-calendar/page/248?long_events

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE

• Title: Happy Epic And Confident Corporate Background Piece To Suit Health Or Dynamic
• Item ID: 195889930
• Publisher: Saowakhon Brown
• Composer: Saowakhon Brown
• License: Individual License, Commercial
• Stock Media provided by TheSaoLady / Pond5

Website: https://www.letstalklauderdale.com/

Let’s Talk Lauderdale is hosted by Marvin Bee & Jen Stewart.

Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes Lauderdale stories and pass this episode along—because every Fort Lauderdale memory deserves an audience.

This week, I ask a straightforward local question: when a new development receives public incentives, what should the public expect in return? I look at The Cove project on North Federal Highway, which is bringing hundreds of apartments and workforce units to the area, along with the Bayview Drive project near the Galleria. Both stories show how changes in ownership, approvals, density, commercial space, and parking can directly affect the neighborhoods around them.

I also share why Broward Animal Care’s crowded kennels are a community issue, not simply an adoption issue, and why the Broward Housing Council meeting is an opportunity for residents to weigh in before priorities are locked in. Then I shift to some of the good stuff: Dine Out Lauderdale, local music, culture, food, and events that make this place special. Whether you live here, work here, own a business here, or just love Lauderdale, I hope this episode gives you a few reasons to pay attention and get involved.

=== Chapters

• 00:23 Host Update and Local Weather
• 02:39 Housing Development and Incentives
• 06:52 Animal Shelter Capacity Crisis
• 08:14 Broward Housing Hearing
• 10:13 Dine Out Lauderdale Events

=== Local Businesses / Organizations / Nonprofits

• Affiliated Development: https://affiliateddevelopment.com/
• The Cove: https://affiliateddevelopment.com/thedune-comingsoon-1
• Procacci Development Corporation: http://procacci.us/
• Willow Bridge Property Company: https://www.willowbridgepc.com/
• Broward County Animal Care: https://www.broward.org/Animal/Pages/default.aspx
• Broward County Housing Finance Division: https://www.broward.org/Housing/Pages/Default.aspx
• Broward Housing Council: https://www.broward.org/Housing/Pages/Default.aspx

=== Events / Attractions / Venues

• Dine Out Lauderdale: https://www.visitlauderdale.com/dineout/
• First Fridays at YOLO: https://yolorestaurant.com/
• Starlight Musicals: https://www.parks.fortlauderdale.gov/special-events/special-events/starlight-musicals
• Shane Duncan Band: https://shaneduncanband.com/
• Remake Yourself: Tribute to Incubus and Jane’s Affliction: Tribute to Jane’s Addiction
• https://www.jointherevolution.net/concerts/remake-yourself-tribute-to-incubus-janes-affliction/
• Association of Indians in America: India Independence Day: https://www.browardcenter.org/events/detail/india-independence-day-2026

=== Resources / Books / Podcasts / Apps

• Florida Live Local Act: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/102
• Broward County Consolidated Plan: https://www.broward.org/Housing/Pages/PlansReports.aspx
• Community Development Block Grant: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/cdbg
• HOME Investment Partnerships Program: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/home

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE

• Title: Happy Epic And Confident Corporate Background Piece To Suit Health Or Dynamic
• Item ID: 195889930
• Publisher: Saowakhon Brown
• Composer: Saowakhon Brown
• License: Individual License, Commercial
• Stock Media provided by TheSaoLady / Pond5

Website: https://www.letstalklauderdale.com/

Let’s Talk Lauderdale is hosted by Marvin Bee & Jen Stewart.

Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes Lauderdale stories and pass this episode along—because every Fort Lauderdale memory deserves an audience.

Fort Lauderdale just wrapped a wild World Cup run, even without hosting a single match, and the ripple effects were huge for Broward’s hotels, bars, and neighborhoods. Inter Miami’s Florida Blue Training Center quietly became one of the busiest national team bases on the planet, while watch parties from Sunrise to Hollywood packed arenas and downtown streets with fans repping Colombia, Scotland, and more. If you live or work in Greater Fort Lauderdale, this summer was a preview of how global events can pump millions into local businesses, hospitality, and tourism.

We also get closer to home with the smart water meter rollout, because those surprise bills and pressure issues are hitting actual neighbors, not just headlines. I share what happened at my own house, why communication broke down, and the phone numbers you need if your meter swap goes sideways. From a neighborhood bagel stop like Bagels & Co to the stalled 901 North redevelopment in Flagler Village, this conversation stitches together how big plans, small places, and city decisions shape everyday life in Fort Lauderdale. If you care about where Broward is headed, this is the kind of local update that helps you ask better questions, support local spots, and stay plugged in.

=== Chapters

• 00:16 Welcome Back to Let's Talk Lauderdale
• 02:07 World Cup Windfall
• 06:03 Smart Meter Growing Pains
• 11:08 Bagels and Local Favorites
• 13:22 Sears Site Redevelopment
• 17:23 Upcoming Events Rundown

=== Local Businesses / Organizations / Nonprofits

• Fort Lauderdale Smart Water Meter Program: https://spotlightftl.com/smart-water-meter-program
• Bagels & Co: https://bagelsandco.com/locations/fort-lauderdale-7th-street
• Old Searstown (901 North): https://www.rwerealestate.com/2026/04/24/the-redevelopment-of-901-north-federal-highway-_-the-old-sears-town/

=== Events / Attractions / Venues

• NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale Neighbor Day: https://nsuartmuseum.org
• YOLO First Fridays: https://yolorestaurant.com/happy-hour-menu/
• The Chili Poppoers with American Idiots: https://www.jointherevolution.net/concerts/the-chili-poppers-with-american-idiots/
• Lionel Richie with Earth, Wind & Fire: https://casino.hardrock.com/hollywood/events/lionel-richie-and-earth-wind-and-fire
• Adam Ray Stand-Up at The Parker: https://www.parkerplayhouse.com/events/detail/adam-ray-2026
• Visit Lauderdale Events Calendar: https://www.visitlauderdale.com/events

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE

• Title: Happy Epic And Confident Corporate Background Piece To Suit Health Or Dynamic
• Item ID: 195889930
• Publisher: Saowakhon Brown
• Composer: Saowakhon Brown
• License: Individual License, Commercial
• Stock Media provided by TheSaoLady / Pond5

Website: https://www.letstalklauderdale.com/

Let’s Talk Lauderdale is hosted by Marvin Bee & Jen Stewart.

Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes Lauderdale stories and pass this episode along—because every Fort Lauderdale memory deserves an audience.

Fort Lauderdale is not the same sleepy beach town you remember, and this week we unpack why it suddenly feels like the city hit fast forward. I walk you through everything from the Florida Air and Sea Show roaring over the coastline to the Great American Beach Party on Las Olas, plus the big economic headline about a Fortune 500 logistics company eyeing a headquarters move to our backyard with 150 high-paying jobs on the table.

We get into the nuts and bolts of the projects that will actually change how you move through the city: a controversial new city hall price tag, a fifth terminal at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and Broward County’s multi-billion-dollar Primo transit network connecting downtown to Miami, the airport, Port Everglades, and more. If you care about traffic, commuting, or where the next business hubs will pop up, this is your roadmap.

Then we zoom into the neighborhoods, from the half-billion-dollar Fat Village redevelopment in Flagler Village to luxury living along the Riverwalk with projects like Six and Rio and Astor Park. I round things out with your summer game plan: Caribbean American Heritage Month celebrations, concerts at the War Memorial and Hard Rock, recurring jazz brunches, waterfront markets, trivia nights, art museum evenings, and events in Pompano and beyond that keep the region feeling like one big community.

Chapters

=== Summer Recurring Events

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE

Website: https://www.letstalklauderdale.com/
Let’s Talk Lauderdale is hosted by Marvin Bee & Jen Stewart.

Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes Lauderdale stories and pass this episode along—because every Fort Lauderdale memory deserves an audience.

I had a powerful conversation with Children’s Harbor Chief Development Officer, and Fort Lauderdale local, Vanessa Seltzer about what foster care really looks like in Broward County, far from the postcard beaches most of us picture when we think about South Florida. We talked about the thousands of kids in Florida’s foster care system, the teens who have bounced through 20 different placements before landing at Children’s Harbor’s eight‑acre, family‑style campus in Pembroke Pines and what it means for them to “age out” at 18 with no safety net.

Vanessa walked me through how Children’s Harbor runs two campuses, including Browns Harbor’s affordable apartments for 18 to 23 year olds who still get life coaching, mental health support and a boutique where they can pick out furniture and clothes for their first real place. We dug into their family strengthening program that steps into real Broward homes after loss, job changes or trauma to keep kids out of foster care, and we talked about simple ways you and your business can help, from monthly gift card drives and mock interviews to hosting workshops on LinkedIn, taxes, credit and entrepreneurship. We also highlighted the Harbor Social at Palm Garden in East Broward, a June 25 event where your ticket turns directly into mission support so Children’s Harbor can keep kids safe, stable and seen as more than just a statistic.

Chapters

=== Guest: Vanessa Seltzer, Children’s Harbor

=== People Mentioned

=== Events / Attractions / Venues

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE

Website: https://www.letstalklauderdale.com/
Let’s Talk Lauderdale is hosted by Marvin Bee & Jen Stewart.

Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes Lauderdale stories and pass this episode along—because every Fort Lauderdale memory deserves an audience.

Fort Lauderdale just experienced one of its most turbulent weeks in recent history. Spirit Airlines abruptly ceased operations on May 2nd after 34 years, eliminating roughly 29,000 annual flights from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and devastating about 17,000 jobs, most held by Broward County workers. 

Within hours of the collapse, JetBlue announced an aggressive expansion, adding 11 new cities to its Fort Lauderdale schedule starting July 9th and pushing its summer operations to nearly 130 daily departures, making it the dominant carrier at FLL. 

While the airport was in chaos, Fort Lauderdale Beach transformed into a front-row seat for the 2026 Florida Air and Sea Show on May 9th and 10th, featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, F-22 Raptor demo team, Navy's F-18 Super Hornet, and Red Bull helicopter aerobatics. 

Off the beach, Uncle Marv attended Artful Minds, NAMI Broward's fifth annual fundraiser at Mad Arts in Dania Beach, where art, music, fashion, and theater came together to support mental health programs serving thousands of Broward residents.

Chapters

Artful Minds Fundraiser

Previous Podcast Episodes Referenced

Upcoming Events in Fort Lauderdale & Broward County

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE

Website: https://www.letstalklauderdale.com/
Let’s Talk Lauderdale is hosted by Marvin Bee & Jen Stewart.

Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes Lauderdale stories and pass this episode along—because every Fort Lauderdale memory deserves an audience.

News Chapters

SPIRIT AIRLINES ON THE BRINK

THE WATER DISTRICT: FORT LAUDERDALE’S BOLD NEW WATERFRONT VISION

FORT LAUDERDALE OPEN SWIMMING: WORLD-CLASS COMPETITION IN OUR BACKYARD

WHAT’S COMING UP

FORT LAUDERDALE AIR SHOW ⭐ TOP PICK

Skinny Louie — Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale Opening: Spring 2026 

The Taco Stand — Sawgrass Mills, Sunrise Opening: May 4, 2026 (Cinco de Mayo week!) 

Hula Kai Tiki Bar — 17th Street Causeway, Fort Lauderdale Type: Two-Story Tiki Bar & Restaurant | Opening: Coming Soon

ViceVersa at Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale 

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE

Website: https://www.letstalklauderdale.com/
Let’s Talk Lauderdale is hosted by Marvin Bee & Jen Stewart.

Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes Lauderdale stories and pass this episode along—because every Fort Lauderdale memory deserves an audience.

If you’ve ever looked at your jam‑packed closet and thought “too many clothes, nothing to wear,” this one is for you. In the studio with me is Fort Lauderdale luxury realtor and hanger founder Donna Zalter, who saw messy closets in million‑dollar South Florida properties and decided to tackle the problem starting with the hanger. We talk real estate cycles, e‑commerce reality, AI, and why All Hung Up Hangers is built from the ground up right here in Broward.

Chapters

Guest: Donna Zalter, 

People, Places and Events Mentioned

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE

Website: https://www.letstalklauderdale.com/
Let’s Talk Lauderdale is hosted by Marvin Bee & Jen Stewart.

Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes Lauderdale stories and pass this episode along—because every Fort Lauderdale memory deserves an audience.

South Florida is full of people with big ideas and side hustles, but turning that into a real business is where a lot of locals get tripped up. In this episode, I’m joined by Coral Springs and Parkland business attorney Matthew Fornaro to talk about what it actually looks like to start, grow and protect a business in Broward County, Palm Beach and Miami‑Dade.

We get into the good, the bad and the ugly of business formation, partnerships, contracts and commercial real estate in a market that never seems to stop building. Whether you’re working out of your spare bedroom in Fort Lauderdale or signing a lease on that storefront you’ve been eyeing, this conversation will give you some local perspective before you sign anything.

Chapters

Guest: Matthew Fornaro

People, Places and Events Mentioned

Website: https://www.letstalklauderdale.com/
Let’s Talk Lauderdale is hosted by Marvin Bee & Jen Stewart.

Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes Lauderdale stories and pass this episode along—because every Fort Lauderdale memory deserves an audience.

Melanie lays out the vision for the fifth annual Artful Minds and how it has grown beyond a traditional gallery show. Every ticket, sponsorship, and piece of art sold sends funds back into NAMI Broward’s free programs for individuals and families here in Broward County.

Brian shares how he always saw himself as an artist first, even while playing at UCLA and in the NFL.  He also gives us a peek into the Lux Neon space: a 4,500‑square‑foot front gallery and event venue, plus a big workshop in the back where they design and build custom LED art, signs, and installations for homes, businesses, and events across South Florida.

=== Chapters

Guest: Melanie Hoffman, NAMI Broward County

Guest: Brian Poli‑Dixon, Lux Neon Art Gallery

People, Places and Events Mentioned

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE

Website: https://www.letstalklauderdale.com/
Let’s Talk Lauderdale is hosted by Marvin Bee & Jen Stewart.

Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes Lauderdale stories and pass this episode along—because every Fort Lauderdale memory deserves an audience.