Features reporter

Kari Barnett

Kari Barnett has been a journalist with Sun Sentinel for more than 20 years, with a majority of her career spent as Community News editor. She features the reader-voted winners of the Sun Sentinel's Best of South Florida Dining series. She also reports on weekly restaurant inspections in Broward and Palm Beach counties. She writes about upcoming events and holidays as well as ways to save money in South Florida. In addition, she oversees the Families & Savings newsletter (sign up here) and compiles City & Shore Magazine's monthly calendar. Reach her at kabarnett@sunsentinel.com.

The South Florida Strawberry Festival will return Jan. 17-19 to Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park in Boca Raton.

The calendar for January 2026, and beyond

January 1, 2026 at 7:00 a.m.

JANUARY 8 29th annual History Makers fundraiser, presented by Alligator Ron & Ali Bergeron, Miles & Tara Forman and Murphy Family Charitable Trust, honoring the back-to-back Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers....

70 rodent droppings in kitchen, 72 flies in pizza joint: 5 South Florida restaurants, 1 food truck shut

December 26, 2025 at 12:58 p.m.

State inspections found flies on pizza boxes and a pan of cookies — as well as one sitting on an apple pie! — at South Florida restaurants last week.

Here's a cool option during this winter break: Take a spin in the LED Ice Bumper Cars at Boca Ice. (Boca Ice/Courtesy)

‘Mom, we’re bored!’ The 10 coolest ways to spend winter break in South Florida

December 26, 2025 at 9:54 a.m.

What is there to do in South Florida during this period of festive limbo, before the new year begins? Well, we've got you covered with a roundup of 10 family...

‘Rodent came from back entrance door, collapsed on the floor and died’: 7 South Florida restaurants shut

December 18, 2025 at 12:57 p.m.

Rodents and their droppings continued to cause issues at South Florida restaurants last week. Other violations included rising wastewater and cockroach infestations.

Top 5 Chinese takeout finalists: Time to vote for South Florida’s favorite spot

December 17, 2025 at 7:57 a.m.

Chinese takeout food delivers more than just containers filled with piping hot wonton soup or savory fried rice. For many, it's comforting, convenient — and a popular culinary choice during...

Palm Beacher Simon Doonan, former creative director of Barneys New York, accentuated a vanity desk mirror in his own style as part of the exhibit. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Death of the department store? Maybe not — Flagler Museum reminds us why we still show up to shop

December 17, 2025 at 7:00 a.m.

New exhibit "May I Help You, Madame?" shows how society's love affair with department stores began.

3 dead rodents, hundreds of rodent droppings (including in frying pan): 11 South Florida restaurants shut

December 13, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.

State inspectors discovered dead rodents or signs of rodents at more than half of the 11 restaurants temporarily ordered closed last week. One employee was seen cleaning rat droppings with...

A Kwanzaa candleholder with seven candles is called a kinara. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel file)

South Florida’s holiday magic continues: Find light displays, Kwanzaa celebrations & more

December 26, 2025 at 2:15 p.m.

We've been celebrating with shows, parades, tree lightings and pop-up bars since well before Thanksgiving, but now's the time to really kick things into holiday overdrive.

27 flies buzzing around kitchen at fast-food grill: 1 South Florida restaurant shut

December 3, 2025 at 1:08 p.m.

Only one Palm Beach County restaurant was forced to temporarily close last week after a state inspection found more than two dozen flies flying around the kitchen and food preparation...

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