And they were armed with paintbrushes, not hockey sticks.

The Panthers — a few hours before their Winter Classic outdoor game at the Miami Marlins’ ballpark against the New York Rangers — unveiled a couple dozen panther sculptures, all painted in a unique way and now being auctioned off with hopes of raising $1 million for cancer research.

Gretzky commissioned a sculpture that displays some of his stats, Johnson arranged one depicting a scene from Augusta National, Bublé’s is adorned in rhinestone braille, the NBA’s Heat commissioned a pair of sculptures with some of the team’s themes, artist Romero Britto painted one as well and Navratilova didn’t technically paint hers — she dipped tennis balls into paint and then served them into the panther, creating a polka-dotted splash of various colors.

“To be able to have the privilege to reach out and make those contacts and have those folks say, ‘Of course,’ what a gift that was,” Panthers general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito said. “It’s just so neat.”

About $700,000 has been raised already, Zito said. The idea for the fundraiser — “Panthers on the Prowl,” they call it — is loosely built around Chicago’s “Cows on Parade” art project. Zito and his wife Julie co-chair the Panthers’ project; she is a breast cancer survivor, and Zito has lost a number of relatives to the disease.

“It was my wife Julie’s idea,” Zito said. “And we lived in Chicago during ‘Cows on Parade,’ and then Romero Britto said we should auction them. I can’t take credit for any of it.”

Many of the panthers were on display at LoanDepot Park on Friday, where about 35,000 fans attending the Winter Classic would see them.

“There’s a tear and a smile,” Zito said. “And then you think, you know what, there’s a reason that everybody is engaged. There’s a reason that everybody gave their time and their talent. And it’s because it works and it’s right.”

The park, currently fenced off in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale at 32 E. Las Olas Blvd., is expected to draw crowds when it officially reopens on Jan. 24 after a two-year redesign.

Those who stroll through the popular gathering spot along the New River will find a modern new 3.6-acre space with 88 new shade trees, lush landscaping and a series of distinctive outdoor “rooms” that have something for everyone.

The long-awaited transformation includes a fenced dog run, a play area with rolling, climbable hills and Sweetwaters, a stylish two-story restaurant.

The restaurant, built by the same group that owns the Rusty Pelican in Key Biscayne, is currently under construction and expected to open in fall 2026.

A special grand opening for the park is planned with a weekend of activities on Jan. 24 and Jan. 25. Alongside the grand reopening, the park plans to host a year of free events.

Fort Lauderdale’s Downtown Development Authority, owner of the park, spearheaded the transformation, leveraging its ownership of the land and securing public, private and philanthropic support for the $15 million makeover.

Fort Lauderdale chipped in $5 million. The state contributed $1 million. Private donors and the DDA provided the rest.

Huizenga Park, first built by the Downtown Development Authority in the late 1990s, has been a key downtown destination for decades. In 2003, the park was named after the legendary entrepreneur and philanthropist Wayne Huizenga, former owner of the Miami Dolphins. A self-made billionaire, Huizenga built his fortune by turning Waste Management, Blockbuster Video and AutoNation into corporate giants.

Developer Charlie Ladd, DDA board member and owner of Barron Real Estate, says the new Huizenga Park is just what downtown needs.

“As someone who has lived and worked downtown for years, I’ve seen how vital public spaces are to the life of our community,” Ladd said. “The renewed Huizenga Park brings fresh energy to the heart of the city, with lush green spaces that invite people to linger, connect and enjoy the riverfront. That vibrancy supports nearby restaurants, shops, and offices, strengthening our local economy and reflecting the bright future of our city.”

The DDA will manage the park, Ladd told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

“There will be on-site security and an attendant in the restrooms,” he said. “There will be a groundskeeper there daily to keep the park clean, similar to Bryant Park in New York City.”

The park is filled with intimate spots where you can sit and relax in the shade, Ladd said. But he thinks the waterfront restaurant Sweetwaters will be the crowd favorite.

The DDA plans to lease land to the restaurant. The 20-year lease — with two five-year extension options — will help finance the makeover of the park as well as ongoing operations and maintenance.

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said he also thinks the restaurant will be a major draw.

“When the park is opened and the new design revealed, we’ll find an open space with new amenities and a world-class restaurant there for everyone to appreciate,” he said. “Its reopening is a clear example of how strategic investment in public spaces enhances community life and preserves the energy, spirit, and character that make Fort Lauderdale unique.”

Grand opening activities

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24. The ceremony will be followed by guided park tours and a programming showcase until 2 p.m.

The showcase will spotlight the park’s three programming pillars: Arts & Culture, Health & Wellness, and Dogs & Pets, developed in partnership with local organizations and sponsors. Visitors are invited to return in the evening for a movie on the lawn at 6 p.m.

The festivities will continue on Sunday, Jan. 25, with the Sunny Side Up Market from noon to 4 p.m. along with an 11 a.m. yoga session and a guided meditation at sunset to officially welcome the community back to the park.

What you’ll find at the redesigned park:

Sweetwaters: A modern, two-story waterfront restaurant is expected to open in late 2026.

Poppy’s Play Patch: A landscape of rolling, climbable hills that invites children to explore, jump and let their imaginations run wild. Please note: Adults are permitted in the play mounds only when accompanied by a child. The following items are not allowed: Bikes, rollerblades, skates, food and chairs. Pets are also not permitted in the children’s play area.

The Dog Spot: A haven for dogs, perfect for playtime and outdoor fun. There will be some rules to follow, however. Pet owners will be expected to remain in control of their dog to prevent biting, fighting and excessive barking. Dogs that are sick, unvaccinated, in heat or have a history of dangerous behavior should be kept home.

Civic Lawn: Huizenga Park’s central greenspace.

Head with Butterflies Sculpture: A whimsical sculpture by artist Manolo Valdes that showcases the natural beauty of the park.

LOVE Mural: Painted by renowned graphic artist Cey Adams, the mural encourages park visitors to lead with love.

Spirit of Fort Lauderdale Fountain: Iconic cascading jets surrounded by benches make this corner of the park a great spot for respite and relaxation.

The Nook: Currently under construction, The Nook will open in 2026 as a hub for outdoor dining and impromptu meetups.

The park will open at 7 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com . Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan

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Fort Lauderdale Police confirmed Friday that the teen’s name was Josh Gipson Jr.

Gipson Jr. was a football player with aspirations of playing in the NFL, according to an online fundraiser, which described him as “a compassionate, kind-hearted, and family-oriented young man.”

“The shock and pain of losing Joshua in such a sudden and senseless way has left his family and friends heartbroken,” the fundraiser said.

Officers were called to 17 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, where they found Gipson Jr. with a gunshot wound, Sgt. Patrick O’Brien, a spokesperson for Fort Lauderdale Police, had said in a statement on Thursday.

The teen was taken as a trauma alert to Broward Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Additional information about the shooting and what led up to it have not been released as of noon Friday.

O’Brien said detectives believe the shooting was isolated and there is no threat to the public.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Homicide Unit Detective J. Sanchez at 954-828-4900 or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.

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Now La Torretta Italian Grill, a comforting staple of the Indian Trace neighborhood, is scheduled to permanently close Jan. 11, management confirmed with the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Tuesday. Manager Martha Vasalo said new landlords in the Weston Lakes Plaza planned to “dramatically” increase rents beyond what longtime owners Fabrizio and Vita Russo could handle.

“Silent investors from California have decided to raise us,” said Vasalo, adding that La Torretta marked its 34th anniversary in business in early December.

La Torretta’s imminent closing marks Weston’s second closing of a longtime comfort-food icon in recent months, after Lucille’s American Cafe shuttered in late August after 26 years. It also bookends another particularly brutal year for local dining, adding to the tally of longtime eateries that met their demise after grappling with doubled rents, increased food and labor.

Regular diners who heard about La Torretta’s choice to close took to social media in waves of shock and anger, listing their favorite dishes while bemoaning the hardship that legacy restaurants face to stay alive.

“We have been ordering from La Torretta for 27 years!!!” commenter Lisa Cole wrote. “What a loss to Weston!”

“We had a large group for dinner after my mom’s funeral and they treated us very well. Hate to see this when they were one of the first restaurants in Town Center,” commenter Linda Palmer said, adding, “We really miss Lucille’s as well.”

“I guess we’ll be ordering there a few more times before they close,” Traci Caruso-Borkowski wrote. “I’ve never had a bad meal there.”

At its peak, La Torretta operated two locations — one in Weston Lakes and a second 3 miles east, with a slightly altered menu, at 1352 Weston Road in the Country Isles Plaza. Here, La Torretto turned out a carousel of Italian-American classics in its spacious dining room and pink column-wrapped patio, including manicotti, ravioli and lasagna, chicken fortified with Marsala wine, mussels marinara and calamari.

La Torretta faced recent setbacks, among them being temporarily ordered shut July 30 by state inspectors for a handful of dirty dining issues.

La Torretta Italian Grill, at 308 Indian Trace, in Weston, expects to close Jan. 11. Call 954-389-0551 or go to LaTorrettaWeston.com.

It’s the same ice where the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers will meet on Friday in the 2026 NHL Winter Classic, the league’s famed annual outdoor games.

The game is more associated with snowy locations in historic hockey strongholds like Toronto and Chicago than our beach-friendly winter, but with Broward’s Florida Panthers as the current two-time champions, South Florida became impossible to ignore.

The league is turning to two men, Derek King and Andrew Higgins of the league’s facility and hockey operations team, to defeat the oxymoron that is outdoor hockey in South Florida.

“ I think it’s a pretty bold move by the league. Why not Florida? Florida is an amazing hockey market. So for us to bring the game here, I think it’s pretty exciting,” said King.

“ For us and our crew, it’s just a new challenge. We’ve been in warmer markets before, but really nothing as south or as warm as this.” said Higgins.

The ice is just part of the massive production planned for Friday night’s game. LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, has been completely transformed. The field has been split into two halves, one sunny and the other snowy to highlight the clash between South Florida’s warm weather and the sport’s cold weather origins.

“ Half the field is gonna be Miami Beach, lifeguard stands, umbrellas, cabanas and swimming pools, and the other side is as if a huge snowstorm has hit Miami … We’re gonna have cast members on the field. Half of them will be in parkas, the other will be in bikinis and speedos,” said Steve Mayer, president of NHL events and content.

Mayer hinted at a few other surprises for the fans on game day, especially those on the icy side.

“You may get snowed on…  we like to make it an interactive experience from the time you walk in the building to the time you leave,” he said.

Getting the ice ready

But none of the fanfare can happen without the ice in peak condition.

Two weeks before the puck drops, the rink build begins. King and Higgins’s team marks out the space, stretching end to end across the infield, and lays down a laser-leveled stage deck. Then the crew brings in 253 aluminum pans to cover the surface. Those pans are connected to two truck trailers in centerfield that pump glycol, which removes heat from water, through the pans. About a week before the game, water is misted on top of the pans, allowing it to freeze in layers.

The process is helped by LoanDepot Park’s retractable roof, which allows the team building the rink more control over the conditions before the game. But the plan is to play with the roof and the sliding floor-to-ceiling windows in left field open, which puts the ice at the mercy of the elements.

“ Once you open the roof, all bets are off. I’m looking at the weather just like everybody else,” said Mayer.

There is a difference between ice and professional grade ice — any bumps, bobbles, or soft spots on Friday could ruin the whole affair — but the team can monitor the ice and adjust the coolant coming from the truck trailers on the fly. They’ve also created a sheet that’s between two and two and a half inches — an inch thicker than the ice at Amerant Bank Arena, where the Panthers play, to give themselves more of a buffer.

And to make things even better, there’s a cold front due this week. Temperatures at puck drop could be in the mid to low 60s.

Up next for the NHL events team might be an even greater challenge. Next month, they’ll head to Tampa for the NHL Stadium Series where the Tampa Bay Lighting will play the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium, where there is no roof.

This article was originally published by WLRN Public Media.

That’s where Life Time West Boca steps in. The upscale fitness space, which recently opened at the popular Uptown Boca shopping center along Glades Road, caters to a wealthier demographic, said Susan Setna Mistri, the senior general manager for Life Time in West Boca, Palm Beach Gardens and Boca Raton.

“They are looking for that little clout in the neighborhood,” she said. “It’s like, ‘Oh I drive a BMW, I go to Life Time.'”

Life Time is the latest offering to open at the popular West Boca shopping destination — giving a sense that a significant puzzle piece for the center is now in place. Earlier in 2025, the center welcomed two other large tenants, Whole Foods Market and Homesense, a homeware store.

Life Time is occupying part of a space that once was originally meant for a movie theater, which was set to be a cornerstone project until the COVID-19 pandemic halted construction and reduced the popularity of movie theaters in general.

That led Uptown Boca years ago to look elsewhere to fill it. Eventually, the perfect fit came with Life Time.

On a recent weekday morning, a light stream of people filtered in and out Life Time, some to work out and others for a tour. Life Time describes itself as an “athletic country club” rather than a gym.

For $339 a month, Life Time West Boca members can attend workout classes, sink into a cold plunge, use the sauna or buy a post-workout meal from Life Time’s cafe. And for an extra fee, members can book a massage.

It will join many other Life Time locations in Florida, including in Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Coral Gables and Miami. Nearly 200 Life Time sites exist across the United States and Canada, and some even feature co-working spaces and child care.

The other businesses and brands situated in Uptown Boca are “like-minded,” Setna Mistri said, making Like Time’s placement very fitting.

“It’s a very vibrant lifestyle hub in West Boca,” Setna Mistri said. “We thought we definitely had an opportunity to capture the West Boca market.”

Other Uptown Boca tenants include Just Salad, Yoga Six, Carmela Coffee Bar, 3Natives, Lynora’s, Tipsy Nail Bar, Sephora, Zoom Tan, Zen Sushi, BurgerFi, Paradise Grills, REI, Sloan’s Ice Cream and more.

Uptown Boca’s success is emblematic of the growth West Boca has seen in recent years.

As new tenants were added to Uptown Boca’s roster, new people continued moving into the area and have wanted places to eat, shop and work out.

Just north of Uptown Boca is Lotus Edge, a GL Homes community, part of which currently is under construction and will offer hundreds of new homes when completed. And earlier this year, homebuilder Lennar proposed more than 700 homes for the nearby 27-hole Boca Lago golf course.

“This has been a very successful plaza,” said Michelle Soudry, a publicist whose firm represents Life Time West Boca.

The human circus — eschewing animal acts for dazzling derring-do from acrobats and athletes — is making its South Florida debut Jan. 9-19 in a big-top tent to be set up in Miramar Regional Park. And unlike other circuses that crisscross Broward and Palm Beach counties, Paranormal Cirque is not for the whole family.

“We’re bringing our R-rated horror circus with a haunted attraction pre-show,” says Steve Copeland, a comedian and spokesman with Cirque Italia, the show’s Bradenton-based producer. “It’s rated R cuz there’s lots of bad language, there’s adult humor, there’s skimpy and revealing costuming. No nudity, unless you maybe buy the performers a couple drinks, but no nudity in the show itself. Miramar better get ready for a heck of a good time.”

According to Copeland, some of the acts include:

• A juggling Beetlejuice.
• A motorcycle on a thin wire “… high above your head with a lovely lady performing on a trapeze hanging underneath.”
• “A woman who can shoot a bow and arrow with her feet.”
• “A woman hanging by her hair.”
• “A duo performing amazing acrobatics on roller skates.”
• There will also be comedy, magic illusions and more.

“We’re a strictly non-animal circus, although some of our performers do eat like animals,” he adds. “You’re going to see awesome acrobatics, beautiful aerial acts, you’re going to see feats of strength and daring and death-defying death stunts — all with a horror theme. So all of the acts are performed by zombies, by ghosts, by werewolves, by vampires. There’s also a lot of comedy, which people don’t expect. In fact, a lot of the R rating comes from the comedy.”

Children under the age of 13 are not allowed to see Paranormal Cirque, but teenagers (ages 13 through 17) can attend as long as they have an adult guardian.

Copeland continues, “And in addition to two hours of Vegas quality R-rated power circus entertainment, you get a haunted attraction free show that begins an hour before show time and it’s free with the admission ticket. So, you don’t have to pay anything extra, it’s included in the price of the ticket. And it’s a walk-through haunted house starring the same performers that you’re going to see in the show. They’re going to scare the heck out of you. So, maybe bring a change of underwear.”

The show’s parent company, Cirque Italia, was started by Manuel Rebecchi in 2012 and now has seven touring companies. Rebecchi is the nephew of the late Moira Orfei, a famous Italian circus performer and actor.

Paranormal Cirque runs Jan. 9-19 at Miramar Regional,16801 Miramar Parkway. Tickets range from $20-$65. To purchase, go to paranormalcirque.com.

AND HERE ARE MORE CIRCUSES COMING SOON TO BROWARD AND PALM BEACH COUNTIES

• Water Circus Atlantis (also a Cirque Italia production): Jan. 2-12 at Broward Mall, 8000 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation. Tickets are $15-$65. cirqueitalia.com/Water-Circus.
• Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey, Jan. 23-25 at Amerant Bank Arena, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise. Tickets are $38-$83. amerantbankarena.com.
• Luzia by Cirque du Soleil, Feb. 19-April 25 at Gulfstream Park, 901 S. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach. Tickets are $38-$310. cirquedusoleil.com/LUZIA.
• Shen Yun Performing Arts
  — Feb. 2-3 at Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Tickets are $103.50-$230. kravis.org.
  — Feb. 17-18 at Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $106.20-$236. browardcenter.org.
• The Great Mr. Swindle’s Traveling Peculiarium and Drink-Ory Garden (adults only)
  — Feb. 12-22 under the big top tent at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. Tickets are $55-$95. mrswindles.com.
  — Feb. 26-March 22 under the big top tent near Seabreeze Amphitheater at Carlin Park, Carlin Park, 750 South A1A Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway, Jupiter. Tickets are $55-$90

The slower speeds — already approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — are part of an effort to improve safety in one of South Florida’s most heavily trafficked boating corridors, Fort Lauderdale officials say.

The new minimum-wake zone covers the Intracoastal between the Oakland Park Boulevard bridge and the Sunrise Boulevard bridge.

Slow speed is usually considered to be between 5 mph and 9 mph.

The state expects to change the posted speed limit signs in early February.

Speeding boaters will be given warnings for a period of 30 days. The new speed will also apply to personal watercraft, commonly known by the brand name Jet Skis.

Fort Lauderdale has been pushing for the new speed restrictions for months, said Mayor Dean Trantalis.

“Many of the people who live along that area have long complained about the speeding boats and Jet Skis in that area,” he said. “If we can slow down the speed we can improve the safety.”

Fort Lauderdale’s Marine Advisory Board and the Fort Lauderdale Police Department have expressed strong support for regulating vessel speeds, emphasizing the need to address public safety concerns in this area.

“This new zone will have a meaningful impact and create a safer waterway for all,” said Police Chief Bill Schultz.

The new zone connects two idle speed minimum-wake areas near the bridges and overlaps with a seasonal manatee protection zone.

A 13-year-old girl on a family vacation from New York was killed in August while riding a personal watercraft on the Intracoastal Waterway. She and her older sister were on a guided tour. They jumped a wake, lost control and hit a concrete dock.

“That’s the first time we’ve seen a fatality on the water,” the mayor said. “But why should we wait for more accidents to happen before taking the initiative and doing the right thing?”

Not everyone is going to be happy about the new speed zone, predicts John Fiore, who chairs the Broward County Marine Advisory Committee.

“There’s 47,000 registered boats in this county and this is going to mainly affect people with smaller boats,” Fiore said. “People with 60-foot yachts are not opening up their boats and running. It’s the smaller, faster boats that are going to have to slow down and wallow along at 5 miles an hour.”

Fiore questioned the motive behind the new speed zone in that particular section of the Intracoastal.

“They’re saying it’s to make it safer,” Fiore said. “But how many accidents have there been? I think it’s because the people who live there don’t want to hear the noise.”

The current boating speed in that area is now 25 mph, Fiore said.

“We wanted to increase it to 30,” he said of the county’s marine advisory board. “Boats plane better at that speed and the wake decreases. I think it’s going to piss off a lot of boaters because now they’re going to have to wallow for 2 miles at 5 miles an hour.”

Fort Lauderdale requested the slower speed along that section of the Intracoastal because that’s where the city was getting the most complaints, the mayor said.

“Our goal is to make the waterway enjoyment available to everyone, whether you live on the water or enjoy being on the water,” Trantalis said. “We have to seek a proper balance. If people want to speed on the water, that’s what the ocean is for.”

Safety tips for operating a water scooter:

— Wear a life jacket and helmet.

— Know and observe the speed limit.

— Stay away from alcohol. It can impair your judgment and slow your reaction time.

— To avoid a collision, be aware of other boats and vessels sharing the waterway. Stay to the right when approaching an oncoming vessel.

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan