🌅 🧪 $25M science center for the kids

Good Morning, Sunland

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🌡️ Weather Update: Cool breeze today!

☀️ Day: High of 81°F | 🌤️ Partly cloudy with N winds at 10–20 mph.
🌙 Night: Low of 61°F | 🌙 Clear skies and light NE winds at 5–10 mph.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:55 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 7:47 PM
🎵 Sounds like: “Ribbon in the Sky” by Stevie Wonder 🌌🎶

🍋 The Main Squeeze: Big Plans at the Children’s Museum

The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast is thinking big. Like, $25 million big.

They’re planning a major expansion that would bring a science center and planetarium to Jensen Beach by 2028. And if the sketches are any indication, this is not just a small upgrade — it’s a whole new experience.

💡 The vision: A new 16,000 square foot building with 12,000 square feet of exhibit space. The science center will focus on middle and high school students, while the planetarium will be open to all ages. The museum hopes it can double as a community space too, with a stage for presentations and local events.

💰 The breakdown:

• $10 million for construction

• $5 million for permanent exhibits

• $5 million for rotating exhibits

• $5 million to create an endowment for operations and upkeep

🚌 How they’re building buzz: A $40,000 “STEAM On the Go” van is already visiting schools to drum up excitement and get feedback from students. They’ve also got an inflatable planetarium making its rounds — all in hopes of turning this idea into something real.

👀 Why it matters: This could become one of the biggest science-based destinations for young people in our region. Right now, there’s some but not much in the way of hands-on, interactive STEM learning for teens between West Palm and Vero. If successful, this fills a real gap.

🔗 Check out the full story here.

🍊 Press Round: Sound, Sightings & Sadness

📢 Stuart Keeps the Music Playing

After pushback from musicians and locals, Stuart won’t be changing its noise ordinance for now. The arts district lives to play another day.

Read more

🦊 Coyotes Spotted in Port St. Lucie

Residents around Airoso and Crosstown are sounding the alarm. Coyotes are showing up more often. FWC says they’re everywhere in Florida.

See photos

🛥 Search Called Off After Boat Capsizes

Heartbreaking update: The Coast Guard has suspended its search for five missing people after a boat capsized off St. Lucie Inlet.

Full story

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🎉  Weekender
Your Frid, Sat Gameplan

Friday, April 18

🐰 Easter Bunny Breakfast – French toast, goodies, and a photo with the Easter Bunny for kids ages 2–6. | 9:30 AM – 11 AM | $5 per person | Community Center, PSL Register here

Saturday, April 19

🥚 Eggstravaganza at Whispering Pines – 60,000 eggs across five fields, plus bunny photo ops. Ages 11 and under. | 9 AM | Free | Whispering Pines Park, PSL Details

🎉 Easter Festival – Vero Beach – Outdoor Easter celebration hosted by The Community Church of Vero Beach. | 10 AM – 12 PM | Free | 1901 23rd St, Vero Beach Details

🎶 FORT20 Fest 2025 Downtown – 420 celebration with live music, vendors, DJs, and community vibes. | 3 PM – Midnight | Free–$30 | Downtown Fort Pierce Event Page

🛍️ Peacock Arts Market – Monthly market in the Peacock Arts District with local creators. | 8 AM – 3 PM | Free | 1115 Delaware Ave, Fort Pierce Details

🐣 Easter on the Farm – Egg hunt, Easter Bunny, and more at Eastside Acres Ranch. | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM | $50+ | 6740 Ideal Holding Rd, PSL Book Now

🎊 Easter Eggstravaganza – Central Baptist – Egg hunts, bounce houses, games, prizes, and food. Open to all. | 10 AM – 12 PM | Free | 202 SW Tulip Blvd, PSL Event Link

🤝 Business Impact Group (B.I.G.) – Entrepreneurs networking over brunch. Hosted by RUFS Foundation. | 10 AM – 12 PM | Up to $20 | Best Western, PSL Register

🗓️ Want more local events?

Check out the full, ever-growing list at events.sunland.news – your go-to for everything happening in and around St. Lucie County. If you have an event, send it to me here

💧 The Last Drop
3 Headlines for the Road!

1. 🏠 Free First-Time Homebuyer Workshop – April 17

   Learn about credit, budgeting & more at River Walk Center.

   Register

2. 👟 More Than a Game still going strong

   Community-led basketball & mentorship continues weekly in Fort Pierce.

   Join in

3. 📈 Mapped: Average tax refunds

   Florida led the U.S. with $3.9K refunds last year.

   View the map

📸 This is Sunland

See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min

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