Shopping & Services

Gourmet coffee bar? Check. Cozy faux fireplace blazing in the background? Check. Access to an iPad and free internet to explore the World Wide Web? Check. No, it's not your best friend's living room. It's Cactus Car Wash, where customers are pampered in a Southwest-style lounge while their rides get spiffed up. An exterior-only wash will set you back only $5.95, or you can splurge on a traditional full-service car wash for $29.95. On top of that, special detailing and restoration options are available to make your car look extra showroom-shiny. Pick a package, sit back, and relax.

When it comes to buying a car, nobody likes a hustler. It's no fun to sign a deal only to realize your jalopy didn't come with floor mats. Or a stereo. Or doors. But South Florida is a cutthroat kind of place, with as many sharks in the dealership lots as there are offshore. Not, however, at Holman Honda. From the showroom floor to the service department, you'll be hard-pressed to find a dealership that competes on their level. They don't drive a hard bargain on floor mats (or doors!), and they won't upsell you on more vehicle than you can drive. That's why customers keep coming back for oil changes and tire rotations, even after they've paid off their Accords. Got a weird, oily leak in your steering column? Don't throw a fit. They'll check your warranty before sending your car off for work and give her a bonus wash while you wait.

Readers' choice: JM Lexus

Kovac Automotive has served Broward County for over 40 years; owner Joe Kovac's mother, Joan, even served as mayor of Davie in the late 1980s. Joe himself has served on the MathWorks Automotive Advisory Board and been president of the Florida tire dealers' association. That is some VIP material. This family-owned business has a loyal following because of its clean, organized shop and fair prices. Friendly staff will explain exactly what the issue is with your vehicle and be transparent about the services they perform. Become a member and you'll receive a ten percent discount, and there are always coupons available on their website. Schedule your next oil change here and have a complimentary donut and cup of coffee, and use their Wi-Fi, while you wait.

The first thing you'll see upon entering this little Lake Worth shop will be one of the Relentless crew bearing down on repairs in the store's work area like an alchemist bringing new life to old wheels, spokes, and gears. Intensely focused on all things pedal-powered — with awesome service, a high level of expertise, and a whole range of bikes, parts, and paraphernalia — this shop can be a bit intimidating on the casual cyclist's first visit. But the tough facade conceals a deep commitment to customer care and education. Relentless is deeply embedded in the community as a center for news of two-wheel activities throughout South Florida and a sponsor of local cultural events like the L-Dub Film Festival. Don't miss out on their annual Christmastime pig roast — and burn those calories off on the ride home.

The only thing more expensive than buying a boat is maintaining a boat. From anchors to zinc, Boat Owner's Warehouse has you covered. At BOW, they may not make the repairs, but you can bet your fiberglass they'll stock the parts you need or will have them ready for pickup pronto. They have three locations in Broward and Palm Beach counties (Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Riviera Beach) and a service division for maintaining bigger toys. Their inventory catalog is as thick as the Yellow Pages was back when landlines were a thing. Their prices are also a fraction of what competitors charge, enabling you to trim your motor but not your budget. If you walk in covered in dust from a day spent sanding your hull, they won't frown; this isn't Weekend Warrior's Warehouse. It's a store for boat folks, by boat folks.

We live in an area where it's easy to get hooked on a lot of things: gambling, fishbowl margaritas, flakka. Luckily, at LMR they're addicted to only one thing: fishing. At this top-notch tackle shop, they stock everything from custom rods to kites, as well as mullet that's rigged and ready to snag that snook you've been itching to catch (within season, of course). They even host an "Every Saturday One Fish Tournament" for a little weekend fun. Here's how it works: LMR announces Saturday's catch on Friday evenings via Facebook. Snag that species of fish on Saturday and show up for weigh-in by 7 p.m. to see if you're the winner of some serious LMR gift cards.

Going to the dry cleaner is one of the most dreaded household chores. Picking up or dropping off clothes is one more thing to tick off a to-do list, and the bill is enough to make you consider just buying a new blouse. And no one likes the strong stench of "perc" — perchloroethylene, the petroleum-based cleaning compound used by most dry cleaners — a solvent that's also considered a possible carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency. That's where Dryeco Green Cleaners comes in: Call or fill out a form online, and a Dryeco staff member will collect your soiled items anywhere that's convenient for you, be it your home, your office, or even your yacht. From there, everything (from your favorite leather jacket, to your wedding dress, to a blazer, to household items like rugs and blankets) is washed in an eco-friendly, chemical-free, German-made cleaning solvent known as Solvon K4 that should keep your whites white, your dry-clean-only clothes looking brand new, and your favorite wool blanket from shrinking to midget size. Items are folded or hung and wrapped in biodegradable packaging, then promptly delivered right back to you. Next-day service is available, but normal turnaround is typically three days. Not too shabby. You even get two free laundry bags to keep all your dry-cleanable items safe in. Pickup and delivery are free, and prices are reasonable (a basic dress shirt is cheapest at $3.19, while the most expensive item, a tuxedo jacket, will cost you $22.95). They cover all of Broward County and south Palm Beach County.

In addition to bouquets filled with lilies, sunflowers, roses, carnations, and hydrangeas, this store features a flower bar — the perfect place to get crafty. The interactive experience allows guests to create their own arrangements with step-by-step instructions from a floral expert. Choose to create an arrangement with pre-picked flowers and containers, or design your own from start to finish by roaming the store and snagging whatever catches your eye. Small bites and bubbly are offered as you work, making it a welcome alternative to picking a premade arrangement.

Imagine your wildest sweat session. There's a good chance Ellen's Ultimate Workout can match it. With spinning, yoga, Pilates, ballet barre, stretch, and even rhythmic spin with weights, the Davie-based gym is a one-stop shop for anyone who wants to mix up group exercise classes and solo training days with machines and weights. The studio itself is more than 7,000 square feet and offers more than 150 classes per week, including the "Ultimate Workout." The gym's signature workout, the Ultimate fuses high-intensity training on a treadmill with weight routines and core work. With a $99-per-month membership to Ellen's, gym-goers can take advantage of eight classes per month and the full-service gym.

Readers' choice: Orangetheory Fitness

We get our nails done for two reasons. First, we like to look good. We liked it in 3000 B.C., when the practice was first recorded in China, and in the time of ancient Egypt, where even low-ranking citizens felt obliged to spruce up with a modest nude coat. We like it now, willingly subjecting our hands to repeated blasts of concentrated UV light and harsh acetone soaks in exchange for two full weeks of gelled, chip-free, perfectly glossy fingertips. The other reason we get our nails done is that we love to pamper ourselves. The mani-pedi is a bimonthly ritual to which we gladly sacrifice two hours and an expense we very rarely call into question, lest we tumble down the slippery slope that is YouTube DIY nail art tutorials. Thus, finding a great nail salon is like coming home. At Venetian Nail Spa in Fort Lauderdale's Flagler Village, home is a nearly 4,000-square-foot Eden with high ceilings, arched entryways, gauzy curtains, and flatscreen TVs streaming endless episodes of Barefoot Contessa and Pioneer Woman. Dedicated receptionists (not a technician juggling the phone and his next wax appointment) check you in and offer you a cold beverage as you select a polish. Walk-ins are welcome, and if you're looking to book a large group (wedding parties, anyone?), Venetian's airy space with four sectioned-off pedicure areas provides the perfect luxe, clean, and calm atmosphere without the Boca price tags. Gel manis start at $36, a basic spa pedi costs $26, and a regular mani-pedi starts at $40.

Readers' choice: Tipsy Salonbar

The box says "honey blonde," but the mirror clearly says "brassy tuba." What now? It's time to call the professionals at M. Evans Salon. There's a deep, sacred bond between client and stylist. You make a conscious decision to trust him or her with fast-moving, potentially deadly scissors mere inches from your face. The stylists at M. Evans salon respect this relationship, and maintaining the quality of your precious locks is always a top priority. The staff routinely goes through training workshops to deliver hair perfection with all the hot trends like ombre and balayage. Updos created here are nothing less than art. Whether your damaged hair needs a desperate save, you need a trim, or you just want to update your look, the stylists at M. Evans are on standby to help you look your best. On your way out, be sure to pick up a bottle of Marula Oil for only $40 to keep your cut looking shiny and fresh.

Readers' choice: Incognito Salon

The spa experience should be about getting away from the mean streets of South Florida and forgetting about your heinously busy schedule for a few hours. The new spa at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott in Pompano Beach, SiSpa, is a tranquil escape right on the ocean. Book an appointment at this resort, and you are welcome to enjoy the pool or beachfront area for the day. Guests sit in white, cozy lounge chairs with a spectacular ocean view while waiting for their service and enjoying a cup of tea or cucumber water. SiSpa has three treatment stations named after oceans and seas around the world and monthly specials featuring all-natural products. Pick the Indian Si Scrub, Atlantic Detox Body Envelopment, or Remineralizing Sargasso Body Treatment. While you do need to get pampered once in a while, SiSpa encourages guests to give back by purchasing specific treatments that donate a percentage of profits to a charity of your choice. Take your rejuvenation a step further with onsite yoga classes. This small but cozy getaway is the perfect prescription for when you're feeling stressed.

Readers' choice: Bliss Spa at W Fort Lauderdale Hotel

As with transmission repairs and hair styling, massage is best left to the professionals. Sure, your friend/lover/large pet can try kneading your back, but to really find a solution to your muscular woes, you need someone who knows your knots, soothes your strains, and can give you the best 60 minutes you've ever had lying down. Boris Bohachevsky has the hands that can work the kinks out of your life. And if you're stuck on your rump all day at a nine-to-five desk job, Bohachevsky can make the cramps in your bum melt like butter — because butt cramps are a thing, and you shouldn't suffer in silence anymore.

Yoga studios are, by their nature, usually lovely spots full of lovely people, and Fort Laudy is lucky to have a bunch of them. That said, it’s the little things that make some studios a bit more inviting than others. The Yoga Joint has all the key details nailed: an immaculately clean, airy space; natural light and hardwood floors; and showers! They also boast a signature style (“hot fusion flow”), multiple locations, and a solid crew of instructors who are as friendly as they are competent (including co-owner Paige Held, who has graced the cover of Yoga Journal). But where the Yoga Joint really blasts the competition is its unbeatable pricing structure: A drop-in class is a pretty standard $20, but the better-value packages come with no expiration date. You can spring for that ten-class pass ($140) without a second thought or splurge on $360 for 30 classes, which drops the price to just $12 per session. For newcomers, the welcome special is a no-brainer: $40 for unlimited classes for two weeks. And for those of us with young’uns, there’s that magic word: babysitting. Ommmm my gosh, sign us up!

Readers' choice: The Yoga Joint

From the outside, LaLa Couture doesn't look like much. It's situated in an unassuming shopping plaza off Sunrise Boulevard. Inside, though, LaLa Couture is reminiscent of Marie Antoinette's closet. Each wall is a different shade of pink, and an ornate chandelier lights the store. Frilly cocktail dresses, geometric tops, distressed jeans, and crocheted bikinis hang off racks. Stilettos and sandals line the walls and are displayed on shelves. Necklaces, earrings, and bracelets are on display near the counter. The owner, a friendly woman named Molly Carey, opened an online shop after moving to Florida from Los Angeles. Eventually, her store became so popular that she opened up a bricks-and-mortar. Molly is often spotted near the register and is always happy to offer fashion advice based on either the occasion or your personal style. Since pieces cost about $100 to $300, you'd better come here after a birthday or bar mitzvah.

Readers' choice: A Nose For Clothes

The best bookstores offer a sense of community. You want to feel like the staff has read everything in the store and can predict what you're in the mood for just by getting a whiff of your cologne. When it comes to books about death and intrigue, store manager Joanne Sinchuk is the bookseller of your dreams (er, nightmares?). Murder on the Beach specializes exclusively in mystery novels, and Sinchuk was even the former president of the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association back when, she remembers, there were between 60 and 70 mystery-only bookshops in the nation. Now, there are barely 30. "We had to disband the association two years ago," she says morosely. But her passion for the genre hasn't waned. There's no better place to dig into a good mystery novel than the beach, and if you're a collector, Murder on the Beach sells signed books online to people all over the world. "We've got a big client in Finland," Sinchuk says. Luckily, you won't have to travel that far to get your fix.

Readers' choice: Murder on the Beach Bookstore

Your butt is sunken in on one of two black couches in the front of the parlor while your eyes move shiftily around the surrounding walls from drawing to drawing and painting to painting. Trophies and awards line the shelves. Whether it's your first or 50th time getting inked, you have no reason for jitters at No Hard Feelings. The owner, Chris Blinston, was on the sixth season of Ink Master, where his commitment to quality and attention to detail were broadcast to a national audience. All five of the shop's artists are exceptionally skilled at realistic as well as traditional-style tattoos, delivering custom masterpieces on the daily. What's more, they're as friendly and professional as they are talented. Whether you're looking to get a few stars on your ankle or a blue-ringed octopus from shoulder to elbow, going to No Hard Feelings for it is a no-brainer.

Readers' choice: Kreepy Tiki Tattoo

It's easy to miss Joy's Liquors. It's located in a shopping center in Tamarac beside a quiet nail salon. Most shoppers en route to Publix quickly dart by, heads turned down as though focused on their weekly grocery lists, and miss it. But those of us paying attention will see the tiny window storefront — a collage of Heineken, Coors Light, and Sam Adams signs. At the door, a statue of a life-sized turkey with a medal hanging around its neck keeps watch. A friendly and knowledgeable attendant is typically pacing the store's three tall, narrow aisles that display the inventory of beer, wine, and spirits. Their supply of Caribbean rums and gins is a point of pride. Regulars are called out by name. In the back, a vending machine sells cigars. It's also acceptable to ditch your shopping cart full of groceries outside and stop in on your way back to your car from Publix.

At Cosmic Charlie's, it's business in the front, party in the back. By "business," we mean shelves packed with Bob Marley and Grateful Dead memorabilia, incense, and huge tie-dye tapestries like the one your first high school boyfriend had covering the window in his bedroom. And by "party," we mean a ROOR-ing good time (wink wink). Need some glassware for your 420-friendly party? Charlie's got you covered. Interested in vaporizing some of that, uh, tobacco? They've got a Volcano stocked that's ready to erupt. Best of all, it's right next to Mojo Donuts and North Perry Airport, so you can dish on some of Broward's best donuts while catching the red-eye flight in the parking lot.

Readers' choice: Peace Pipe

Sex sells... and so do rubber vaginas, penis pumps, anal beads (with the always-appreciated lube accompaniment), and various other sexual paraphernalia. From childhood to the grave, people love their toys. They also love the secret and not-so-secret perversions in which adult toys allow them to engage. Sensations Video in Hollywood offers a wide array of erotic knickknacks as well as a killer selection of porn DVDs and sexy outfits and a spirit that harkens back to the days of Boogie Nights and Debbie Does Dallas. Although the store is clean and crisp, there's an undeniable naughty underground feel that's equal parts gratifying and grimy. It's pre-Giuliani New York in the '80s, but cleaned up and sanitized. Come for the ball-gags and strap-on dildos, and stay for the video arcade section with private viewing booths and glory holes.

The perfect tattoo for a woman's lady parts should read "Handle With Care." (Or, if you're anything like a certain ex, "Insert Here.") Even if just for an annual exam, women all have to go into an office with pants off and legs spread once in a while. Of course, this may be a familiar pose for some (like the aforementioned ex) — but not for all of us. Fortunately, Dr. Lebow is the doctor that makes a trip to the gyno quick and painless. She takes her time to answer any questions ("Is that smell normal?" "Does this look infected?") but keeps visits to the point and doesn't try to banter about who just died on Game of Thrones or how good "Lemonade" was. And yes, thank goodness, that smell is normal. The same isn't true for that ex, though...

Leading psychologists and the entire staff of HGTV agree: Home decor is important for one's well-being. Fill a home with funky furniture, and life will be more fun. While it may be tempting to get lost in the wonderland/hell of IKEA, let us steer you instead to a better option: Preview Mod. Located in Fort Lauderdale's North Beach Arts District, this shop specializes in midcentury modern goodness that any collector would swoon over, including art and lighting as well as chairs and credenzas. The prices may be a little north of that Fjalkinge shelf you saw next to the Swedish meatballs, but the shop's rare designer finds — many authenticated and certified — will make you want to drop some coin. Just call it an investment in your mental health. You won't go loony putting a goddamn bookshelf together.

Making your way through the narrow, twisting hallways of Bethesda Bargain Box, the environment seems a little dated, and hardly anything on offer is from the modern era. That means there are surprises around each winding corner: discounted appliances, board games, books, clothes, furniture, records, shoes, and more. Now when we say "discounted," that sounds like an occasional sale. At BBB, they seem to have forgotten that sales have end dates. Things are perpetually cheap. A stack of books, let's say seven, might run you fewer than five bucks. Also, the employees are so unsettlingly kind and helpful, it seems too good to be true. As if burdening your shopping bag while barely opening your wallet isn't enough of a reason to visit, bargain hunting at BBB is good for the soul as well. Unlike at Goodwill, all the proceeds from Bethesda Bargain Box do actually go to a good cause as the funds are used to buy equipment for Bethesda Hospital and to fund medical scholarships for local students. It's a win all around — for both the area and people's homemade Halloween costumes.

Readers' choice: Out of the Closet

We'll admit that hearing the words "cash-only ceviche" and "Swap Shop" in the same sentence may sound like the formula for a rip-roarin' case of vibrio. But head to the west side of the Swap, beyond the God Is Good Shoe Store (where the motto is "Nothing Comes Before the Time"), past the produce stands and aisles of coco frío, and stop at El Tiburon for some of the best mixed ceviche $12 can buy. If the Swap is open, so are they. Walking in from the parking lot, the first thing you'll hear is the music: Spanish guitar humming over a PA and live acts on the weekend. Next, the smell of crisp, deep-fried shrimp draws you closer. Minutes later, you're up to your neck in longneck Coronas and baskets of jalea. El Tiburon is far enough from the vendors with whom you regret making eye contact that you don't feel awkward taking your wallet out. It's also partitioned by large potted palms and cooled with large overhead fans, like its own little oasis in the Swap swamp. How will you have the energy to fuel your trek through the endless isles of car stereos and train horns, socks on socks on socks, oversized Sunshine State towels, white old lady porn, knives, and assless outfits only a prostitute would wear, without a belly full of raw fish and a Michelada (or three)? Lord knows you can't be sober and at the Swap Shop on a weekend.

What's the mark of a great market? A variety of veg, a cadre of crafters, and someone selling chilled coconuts. At the Yellow Green Farmers Market, you've got all that under one helluva sturdy metal roof that keeps you shaded and rain free in the summer. From sunflower seed sprouts and local honey to fresh fish and cow femurs for Fido, the vendors at this market have something for every palate. And if you're looking for some culinary inspiration, stop at Chillbar for a mimosa and an Original Chill Salad before shopping for ingredients for your at-home, grass-fed, free-range, organic, local creation.

Do you find it therapeutic to pace shiny, waxed floors? Are you getting a Michael Kors for Summer '16 on mamma's debit card? Then look no further than this glittering ode to capitalism on Sunrise Boulevard. From Neiman Marcus to the Capital Grille, it's the perfect place to go when you have money to blow (or want to pretend you do). There's a newly opened Free People — where the clothes are cute and anything but free — and a wig stand that sells something called "Cruise Hair." This mall is consistently clean and quiet(-ish) and has a Bank of America conveniently located in its parking lot for that extra line of credit you'll need after a few too many minutes inside of Mayor's Jewelers. And yes, there's an Apple Store.

Readers' choice: Town Center at Boca Raton

Sure, regular exercise and a nutrient-rich diet are essential for good health, but if you ask a scuba diver, it's vitamin "sea" that matters most. Odd as it sounds on paper, breathing air through a tube with a tank strapped on your back several meters underwater is relaxing. The world within the big ocean blue is mesmerizing, and diving it is always wondrous if done safely. Since the human body wasn't built to thrive at 20 psi for extended periods of time, it's important to have good gear. Force-E Pompano Beach is the best place to find new and used equipment for your next underwater outing. The knowledgeable staff are friendly and attentive from the moment you walk through the door, which is especially helpful for beginners trying to navigate, and they almost always have rental gear in good condition available for your last minute needs.

While living in Hawaii, Vivian Caylor kindled an interest in the ancient tradition of standup paddleboarding. The sport was fun but challenging, and ceremonies on boards were peaceful odes to nature. Here in Lake Worth, Caylor has tried to re-create her experiences. Her shop rents and delivers paddleboards to any lake or dock in Palm Beach County for $65 a day without any delivery fee. Life vests and leashes are also included. Instructors certified by the American Canoe Association offer two-and-a-half- to four-hour lessons for $35 to $45. They teach form, paddling skills, and safety. Caylor's business also runs group ecotours through the Lake Worth Lagoon. There are sunset and full moon tours of the Snook Islands, Bingham Islands, and Spanish Bay near Boynton Beach. If anyone takes a real liking to the sport, Caylor sells paddleboards online from $1,145 to $1,295.

It ain't easy to make it these days as a small business owner with a brick-and-mortar shop. But for four years, Groove has triumphed over all challengers. It has competed with the TJ Maxxes of the world selling Volcom and undercutting prices. It's drawn loyal customers even though they could pick up sunscreen at Wings. It's even outlived crazy road, bridge, and casino construction in Dania Beach. That's because they stock the shop with quality gear like old Thrasher logo tees ($21.95), Sector 9 and Santa Cruz skateboards (about $200 for completes), and surfboards, leashes, and travel bags. Staff greets customers, even groms who are getting their first boards, with friendly hellos instead of acting too cool for school. Heck, they're especially nice to kids. So when you're in the market for some new boardshorts, or Junior or Juniette needs a deck, go here — not Walmart, please. You've probably driven by; next time, stop in. They also do repairs, offer lessons, and rent paddleboards.

Spotify, Tidal, and Apple Music be damned. Some of us have got a serious emotional attachment to our music, and we miss holding it in our hands, carefully rubbing off its little smudges, and hugging its sleeve close as we cry into our pillows or dream about the big world outside. As most of us volunteer every last piece of our lives to the ravenous content cloud above, we know that special things deserve to exist and survive IRL. Great music deserves to be prized, cared for, and collected, not just as a blip of data streaming through space, but a physical token of the aural art it is. Launched in September 2015, Hollywood Vine-nyl Society's quarterly pop-up record store in downtown Hollywood is the latest encouraging sign for modern music lovers embracing the old vinyl format. Helmed by walking music encyclopedia Steve Toth, the meet-up brings together vendors and collectors for a few fleeting hours four Sundays a year to exchange wares, enjoy DJs and live music, sip craft beer and wine, and celebrate a culture that in some ways is dying off, but in others is finding all-new life. Local legend Bob Perry of Blue Note Records, Michael Dean of Yardbird records, and "Doc" from Jack's House of Wax have all set up shop at the event, which makes its home at the casual local wine shop Hollywood Vine. "It's Hollywood. We don't really have a record store or a bookstore here," Toth says. "So, for one day every three months, we have the best record store in town."

Readers' choice: Radio-Active Records

Music is universal, moving, and magical. It can make you cry during a sad movie scene, lift your spirits after a stressful day, or hype you up for an intense workout. Listening to music is an emotional experience, and creating it is even more rewarding. This is why Dagmar Kardell has been teaching piano at her clients' homes for over 40 years, 20 of them in Broward County. The German-born workaholic offers lessons, typically 45 or 60 minutes, for all styles including classical, contemporary/pop, jazz (except improvisational), and music theory. Whether you've never laid your fingers on the ivory keys or you're musically trained at the collegiate level, Dagmar has the experience and skill set to take you to the next tier. Her genuine love for the instrument fused with a passionate desire to see her students master it make her the perfect teacher. Her schedule is generously flexible with availability seven days a week.

"Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys" is what the old song teaches, but there's no harm in letting your kid celebrate a birthday in the countryside — which is exactly what Davie Ranch allows. The ten-acre equestrian facility is the anti-Chuck E. Cheese. There is a petting zoo filled with baby animals, including sheep, goats, miniature horses, hedgehogs, and chicks, with which your kids can get up close and personal. Pony rides, as well as face painting, bounce houses, a treehouse, and a tree swing can all be made available for your little one's special day. Also intriguing to city slickers is the rustic 6,000-square-foot stable where your kid can blow out his or her birthday candles. If that wish comes true, you might be back at Davie Ranch again soon.

OK, they also have these other mammalian quadrupeds for your consideration. But really: Cats rule, dogs drool. You know it. Even you caninophiles know it, deep in your hearts. So with that out of the way, get serious and consider the awesome range of services offered by this West Palm shelter/complex and its 20 or so satellite adoption venues. Action central is at the league's 13-acre suburban campus, where at any given time, hundreds of furry companions are lovingly sheltered and cared for. More than 6,000 felines were spayed and neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped last year — free to the public — and almost 5,000 interspecies bondings led to adoptions. The league's been at this business since 1925. It's gotten damned good at it. In fact, almost purr-fect.

South Florida is known for its sexy people... but sometimes the "sex" part comes with trouble. Broward is second in the nation (after Miami-Dade) for new cases of HIV infections. Which means that thousands of times a year, the newly diagnosed are freaking out. Thankfully, Poverello Food Bank and Thrift Store is here to help. For nearly three decades, this nonprofit in Wilton Manors has assisted low-income folks living with HIV/AIDS. Though Poverello is known for its food bank — it feeds 2,500 eligible residents per year — it also offers supportive programming: a full-service gym, quit-tobacco counseling, a Reiki group, massage, chiropractic care, and even acupuncture.