🌅🏟️$765M Mets Star Coming to PSL

Good Morning Sunland,

It’s Wednesday. A few days ago, I skimmed a headline that read, “Juan Soto signs for $765 million with the New York Mets.” It didn’t hit me at first—I’m a pretty passive baseball watcher. But then I thought of my friend Darius, one of my favorite people on earth and a die-hard Mets fan (he’s from Queens, and trust me, they never let you forget).

So, I asked him about it, and we laughed, tossing around jokes about whether Soto might be some long-lost cousin. Then it hit me: in about T-minus 70 days, he’ll be here in Port Saint Lucie for spring training.

And just like that, I’m on Operation: Become a Mets Fan (and maybe interview Juan Soto, aka Juan Solo). If you’ve got any tips on how to pull this off, send them my way—and, of course, wish me luck.

Alright, let’s get it...

Weird Stat 💔: Port St. Lucie can’t catch a break. Just last month, WalletHub ranked us as one of the least sinful cities in America. Now, we’re also the worst city for singles in 2025. Nothing about Fort Pierce though, so there’s still hope!

👩‍🍳 Shout-out: Yesenia Guadarrama-Casarez (Ft. Pierce Westwood Academy) and Adiel Mazariengos-Cordoba (Indian River State College) for winning this year’s Sunshine Kitchen Competition. Their dish wowed the judges and earned them each a $1,500 scholarship. WESTWOOD ON TOP! 🎉

📬 A Look Ahead in 5 Seconds:
🅿️ Beach parking fees coming
🏪 Al's Family Farms reopening
🎄 8 weekend holiday events

🎶 What It Sounds Like: "Silent Night" by The Temptations

☀️ Day: High of 84°F with partial cloudiness early, scattered showers, and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Winds SW at 15-25 mph. 60% chance of rain with possible higher wind gusts.

🌙 Night: Low of 48°F with clear to partly cloudy skies. Winds NNW at 10-15 mph. 20% chance of rain.

🌡️ Check Full Weather Report Here 
🚗 Check The Traffic Before You Leave

What You Might Have Missed

HEALTH
Martin County loses its only labor and delivery unit
Cleveland Clinic’s decision to consolidate women’s health services means expectant mothers in Martin County will need to travel to Palm Beach or St. Lucie for hospital births. The move has sparked concerns over accessibility and staffing impacts, as Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital transitions its focus to outpatient gynecological services. A Change.org petition is underway to challenge the decision. 👉 Read more.

COMMUNITY
Al’s Family Farms aims to reopen by the holidays
Hurricane Milton left Al’s Family Farms in ruins this October, but the Schorner family is rebuilding with plans to open the iconic Fort Pierce store by December’s end. Matt Schorner, the third-generation owner, credits community support for making the comeback possible. Fruit packing for Christmas is already underway. 👉 Check it out.

BUSINESS
Crunch Fitness opens $5M gym in Port St. Lucie
A brand-new, state-of-the-art Crunch Fitness facility is launching in PSL this winter. Located on South U.S. Highway 1N, the gym features 55,000 square feet of premium equipment, group classes, and amenities like HydroMassage beds and saunas. Exclusive membership deals kick off on December 14. 👉 Learn more.

🏖️ Fort Pierce May Charge Residents for Parking After Grant Issue

Why it matters 🌊 

A federal grant tied to beach nourishment may force Fort Pierce to charge all visitors—locals included—for parking at city parks like Jaycee and Jetty. This could impact access and raise questions about funding priorities.

Key Facts

• ⚠️ The issue: Federal beach-nourishment funds require equal access for all, complicating plans to offer free parking for locals while charging non-residents.

• 📜 Grant background: St. Lucie County agreed in 1998 to maintain equal access to beaches as a condition of federal funding.

• 💰 Proposed rates: $3/hour, max $20/day, with discounted annual passes under consideration.

🌟 Why This Matters to Our Community

The city needs parking revenue to maintain parks like Jaycee and Jetty, which are facing deteriorating conditions. However, charging locals raises concerns about accessibility and equity.

📋 Options on the Table

1. 🚧 Proceed as planned: Charge non-residents only, risking federal funding.

2. ⚖️ Charge everyone equally: Implement parking fees for all visitors, with potential discounts for residents.

3. 🔄 Mixed approach: Keep Jaycee Park free for locals while charging at other locations.

🌍 Community Impact

• 🛠️ Park maintenance: Funds are needed to address safety hazards and improve facilities, including the state of Jetty Park bathrooms, described as "horrible" by Commissioner Michael Broderick.

• 📉 Revenue concerns: Initial estimates suggest parking fees might still fall short of covering costs unless locals are charged.

⏭️ What’s Next

• 📅 Decision pending: City leaders await further input from St. Lucie County and ongoing negotiations with PCI Municipal Services.

• 💡 Likely outcome: Paid parking for residents is expected, with details of rates and passes still under discussion.

🗣️ Community Voices

• Michael Broderick, Commissioner: "I was against charging residents from Day One, but it appears we have no other choice."

• Arnold Gaines, Commissioner: "Initial calculations showed this program wouldn’t cover maintenance costs, but charging locals could close the gap."

✅ Action Steps

1. 💬 Share feedback: Residents can contact city officials to voice opinions on the parking proposals.

2. 🔔 Stay informed: Watch for updates at upcoming commission meetings.

3. 📢 Advocate for transparency: Ask how revenue will be used to improve park facilities.

👉 Want all the details? Read here.

Weekend Events Ahead 🎉

🚤 St. Lucie County Boat Parade
📅 Saturday, December 14 🕛 5:00 PM
📍 835 Seaway Dr, Fort Pierce
Watch the boat parade from a prime waterfront spot! Enjoy delicious BBQ and seafood while taking in the festive lights on the water. Reservations are encouraged—call 772-776-4227. 👉 Learn More!

🎨 Peacock Arts Fest
📅 Saturday, December 14, 9:00 AM - Sunday, December 15, 3:00 PM
📍 Cool Beans Brew, 1115 Delaware Ave, Fort Pierce
Celebrate local art at the Peacock Arts Festival! Explore over twenty curated artisans featuring painting, mixed media, jewelry, and more. Stop by this historic coffeehouse for art and community vibes. 👉 Learn More!

🎥 Saturday Drive-In Movie Night: How The Grinch Stole Christmas
📅 Saturday, December 14 🕛 7:30 PM
📍 601 Seaway Dr, Fort Pierce
Bring the family for a festive drive-in movie experience featuring How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Enjoy snacks, holiday cheer, and this classic holiday film under the stars. 👉 Get Tickets!

🚗 Golden Ponds Annual Christmas Drive-Thru
📅 Saturday, December 14 🕛 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 W Angle Rd, Fort Pierce, FL
Drive through over 5,000 luminaries lighting the streets of Golden Ponds. This enchanting event includes the sights and sounds of Christmas, featuring appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Claus. 👉 Learn More!

🎁 Christmas Bazaar at Tradition Square
📅 Saturday, December 14 🕛 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
📍 Tradition Square, 10806 SW Meeting St, Port Saint Lucie
Celebrate the season with a festive day of holiday shopping, food trucks, live music, and snowflakes. Explore unique vendors for perfect holiday gifts. Free admission and parking. 👉 Learn More!

🚗 Christmas Trunk or Treat
📅 Saturday, December 14 🕛 11:00 AM
📍 Islamorada Brewery & Distillery, 3200 St Lucie Blvd, Fort Pierce
Get ready for holiday fun with a festive Christmas Trunk or Treat event. Enjoy holiday activities and treats for the whole family at this popular Fort Pierce location. 👉 Learn More!

❄️ Whiskers in Wonderland
📅 Saturday, December 14 🕛 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 8890 Glades Cut Off Rd, Port Saint Lucie
Join the Humane Society of St. Lucie County for their annual holiday bazaar featuring a faux snow patch, cat adoptions, shops, prizes, and more. A perfect family outing to kick off the holiday season! 👉 Learn More!

🎄 Christmas Block Party 2024
📅 Sunday, December 15 🕛 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 115 NE Solida Dr, Port Saint Lucie, FL
Join Family Church Port St. Lucie for their 5th annual Christmas Block Party! Enjoy festive treats, fun activities, and a snow-filled experience perfect for the whole family. 👉 Learn More!

If you have an event, send it to me here

Things To Know, Before You Go

🚛 Park-It Market
Fresh food on the go from Treasure Coast Food Bank.
📍 Church of Nazarene, 611 Gardenia Ave, Fort Pierce, FL
🗓️ Thursday, December 12, 2024, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
🛒 Limited supply – First come, first serve, walk-up style.
👉 Learn more here

🔥 Prescribed Burn at Indrio Savannahs
The preserve will be closed Thursday, December 12, as staff burns 20 acres to improve habitat and reduce wildfire risks.
📍 Indrio Savannahs Preserve, just off U.S. 1 in northern St. Lucie County
📅 Expected reopening: Saturday, December 14

💳 Payment System Outage Alert
Fort Pierce Utilities Authority is upgrading its systems this weekend.
🛑 No payments available from:

• Friday, December 13, 5:00 PM

• Until Monday, December 16, 8:00 AM
  📮 Need to pay? Use the drop box at 206 South 6th Street, Fort Pierce, FL.

🌟 Join the FPUA Board!
The City of Fort Pierce is seeking civic-minded applicants to serve on the Utilities Authority Board.
📅 Meetings: Twice a month at 4:00 PM
📌 Qualifications:

• Registered voter in Fort Pierce

• Resident within city limits

• No business relationship with FPUA

🗓️ Deadline: December 27, 2024
👉 Apply here

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