This Saturday, November 11th, is when we take time to honor the veterans and soldiers of this country who have made great sacrifices to protect the citizens and ideologies of America. On this day in 1919, President Woodrow Wilson issued a message to his countrymen on the first Armistice Day expressing his pride and respect for the American soldiers who fought for victory in World War I. On June 1st, 1945, Veterans Day became an official holiday to honor all members of the military.
On Saturday, numerous events will be held to celebrate veterans and those actively in service. I have put together a list of how various venues will honor Veterans Day:

Broward County

Nov. 11

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Veteran’s Day Ceremony, 10 a.m., Town Hall, 4501 N. Ocean Drive, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. Patriotic music, honor guards and refreshments.

Boynton Beach Veterans Day, 10 a.m., Boynton Veterans Memorial, 411 N. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach. Ceremonies start at 10 a.m. and close with Taps at 11 a.m. sharp. Celebrating veterans from many wars since World War II, Korea, Desert Storm as well as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Tamarac Veteran’s Day Ceremony, 10:30 a.m., Veterans’ Memorial Park, 7825 Southgate Blvd.

Wilton Manors Veterans Day Ceremony, 11 a.m., Hagen Park Community Center, 2020 Wilton Drive. Listen to readings of stories and letters from soldiers in each of the U.S. wars.

Miramar Veterans’ Day Ceremony, 11 a.m., Miramar’s Veterans Park, Southwest 64th Avenue and 33rd Street. Presentations from the Miramar High School JROTC and Miramar’s Police and Fire Honor Guards.

City of Fort Lauderdale and The American Legion Post 36, 11 a.m., Sandy Ninninger Statue located on RiverWalk in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Immediately following, there will be barbecue at Post Headquarters, 1600 Marina Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.

Hollywood Veterans Day Barbecue, Noon-3 p.m., TY Park, Corporate Pavilion #12, 3300 N. Park Road. Featuring a banner plane fly-over with a message of thanks to Veterans and a Map of Service to honor our local service heroes. Prizes will be raffled off. Event capacity is 500 people. Military ID required for entrance into the barbecue and free entrance into the park.

Pembroke Pines Veterans Day Ceremony, noon, City of Pembroke Pines Memorial Park, 601 City Center Way, Pembroke Pines. The annual ceremony honors members of the United States Military with the presentation of colors by the Pembroke Pines Police and Fire Department Honor Guard, guest speakers from the United States Southern Command, patriotic music played by band students from the Pembroke Pines Charter Middle School West Campus, and lunch for veterans and guests.

Broward County Libraries will be open normal hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and many branches are hosting special programs, including:
-- Veterans Day Storytime, 11-11:45 a.m., Hallandale Beach Branch, 300 S. Federal Highway, Hallandale.

-- Veterans: your community thanks you, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Southwest Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan Street, Pembroke Pines. Presentation of the colors from the Civil Air Patrol, how to create a quick release paracord bracelet, how to knit/ crochet a scarf or hat to be donated to Operation Gratitude.

-- Honoring Our Country’s Veterans Past and Present, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Miramar Branch Library & Education Center, 2050 Civic Place, Miramar. Featuring a presentation of colors, music from Everglades High School Gator band, and guest speakers. Followed by a specialized tour of Soaring: The Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen in South Florida exhibition at the Miramar Cultural Center.

-- Honoring Our Troops and Veterans, 12-4 p.m., South Regional Broward College Library, 7300 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines. Create a paracord survival bracelet to send to an active-duty service member or write a letter of gratitude to a veteran; light refreshments will be served; book discussion: “The Things They Carried.”-- Film Appreciation: The American Military, 1-3 p.m., Stirling Road Library, 3151 Stirling Road, Hollywood.

--Vietnam, America's Forgotten Patriots, 1-2:30 p.m., Main Library, 100 S Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Fred Singer presents a film on veterans sharing their stories about the Vietnam War and how it affected their families and their lives.

-- Honoring Our Veterans: Paracord Survival Bracelet Craft for Operation Gratitude , 4:30-5:30 pm.Carver Ranches library, 4735 SW 18th St., West Park.

I thank all veterans and military members for their part in protecting this country, and wish all of you a Happy Veterans Day!

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It’s my favorite time of year, when boat enthusiasts from all over the world travel to Fort Lauderdale, the Venice of America, to admire some of the most amazing yachts and watercrafts the world has ever seen! Spanning more than 3 million square feet across seven locations, including Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel & Yachting Center, the Hall of Fame Marina, Las Olas Municipal Marina, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Sails Marina, Hyatt Regency Pier 66 Marina, and the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, the 58th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is sure to be iconic!

One big question surrounding the boat show this year, taking place November 1-5, is if attendance and sales will be affected by Hurricane Irma. At this point, the answer seems to be a resounding no, as the five day extravaganza is planned to draw over 150,000 attendees. Additionally, early indicators show that consumer confidence is high and 2017 has already been a strong year for boat sales. In fact, online ticket sales for the show are already 16% ahead from last year, and changes have had to be made to the show because some boats have now been sold! All of this, combined with the fact that people will be looking to replace boats damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Irma, provide strong evidence that this year’s show will provide quite the boost to the South Florida economy.

This year’s show will feature about 1,600 boats and 1,400 exhibitors from more than 40 countries. Over $4 billion will be showcased in various watercrafts including small vessels, yachts, high-performance boats, center consoles, cabin and express cruisers, catamarans, ski boats, trawlers, electronics, marine accessories, and of course, the multimillion dollar superyachts that always steal the show! Several enhancements have been made to the show this year in an effort to improve attendee experience. This includes a mile of new floating docks, new “cushy” waterproof flooring in most exhibition tents, and new electrical equipment. To help visitors navigate the thousands of boats at such a huge show, directional signage has been affixed to metallic totem poles and color-coded zones added as well. Finally, new digital software now enables visitors to print a downloadable “walking list” of exhibitors and products.

Grab your family and take part in one of the coolest Fort Lauderdale traditions! Expect to pay between $8 and $10 at various lots. Water taxis will also be running from 9 am- 9 pm through the week and until 8 pm on Sunday. Buses, shuttles, and the Sun Trolley are also available.

For more information about the 58th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, please click here!

I wish you all a wonderful and safe time!