Good Morning, Sunland
It's Tuesday! I just want to take some time to thank everybody who have become People Pass members, who have supported this newsletter emotionally, financially, from both close and far. It's been incredible. You've been amazing. I thank you so very much. Y'all literally keep this going and I can't thank you enough. If you want to join, support here.
Alright, let's jump right in!
🎨 Caught My Eye: "Florida Boys" exhibit at Baker Hall – Josh Aronson's solo show features local photography through November 22nd.
Ja’Min Devon
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✈️ The Main Squeeze: St. Lucie County Airport Still Looking for an Airline
The Treasure Coast International Airport in St. Lucie County is wrapping up renovations and actively negotiating with airlines to bring commercial service to the area.
What's happening now: The airport is finishing construction on the terminal building and parking lot, with work expected to be done by the end of the year. While that's happening, county staff are in talks with several airlines.
"We are still having active negotiations with several airlines about offering commercial service," said Erick Gill, St. Lucie County's communications director.
What it means: Once commercial service starts, the county expects more jobs at the airport, additional lease revenue, and potentially other development projects that typically come with commercial airports.
A hotel too? Commissioner Cathy Townsend mentioned on a Port St. Lucie podcast that developers have been asking about building a hotel at the airport. Nothing formal yet, just early conversations about lease agreements and what's allowed.
Gill says it makes sense for any airport: "Weather's unpredictable, especially in Florida. So flights get delayed. Sometimes tourists either coming or going may need to spend the night somewhere."
No timeline yet: The county isn't saying when commercial service might start. They're focused on getting the facility ready so that when they land an airline partner, everything runs smoothly.
🥳 What’s Happening: 5 Out of Town Events
Friday, Oct 31
🎃 Malloween at Treasure Coast Square – Family Halloween fun with festive crafts, photo moments, trick-or-treating throughout the mall, games, and surprises from Elev8Fun in Jensen Beach. | 4–6 PM | Free | Details
🎃 Monster Mash on Main Street – Halloween Downtown Friday street party with live music by The Anderson Council, trick-or-treating, local vendors, food trucks, and bar crawl in Vero Beach. | 6–9 PM | Free | Details
🎃 Generation Church Fall Block Party – Food trucks, inflatables, treats, pumpkin trail, carnival games, face painting, and photo ops in Jupiter. | Check time (2 hrs) | Free | Details
Saturday, Nov 1
🍺 Treasure Coast Brew Fest – Largest craft beverage festival with 55+ breweries, cideries, distilleries, 10 food trucks, live music, and spirits from Florida distillers at Stuart Memorial Park. | 1–5 PM | $45 | Details
⭐ Jensen Under the Stars – Star party with Treasure Coast Astronomical Society viewing Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and stars at Savannas Preserve State Park. Bring chairs and cellphone for telescope photos. | 7–9 PM | $3 park admission | Details
🌊 LagoonFest – Family waterfront festival with wildlife presentations, animal encounters, hands-on exhibits, scientist-guided boat cruises, and Kids Zone in Downtown West Palm Beach. | 8:30 AM–1:30 PM | Free | Details
⛵ Indian River Marine Flea Market and Boat Sale – Weekend of boats, bargains, vendors, and fun at Indian River Fairgrounds in Vero Beach. (Runs Nov 1–2) | Check time (21 hrs) | Check pricing | Details
Sunday, Nov 2
💡 TEDxVeroBeach 2025 – "Breaking Barriers: Systems That Challenge the Status Quo" with 12 visionary speakers including world-renowned champions, educators, and AI pioneers at The Emerson Center. | Check time | Ticketed | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
🍋 Show Review: I Saw The Wiz at Kravis Center This Weekend.
It Was Great!
I'm trying to do more event reviews, so if you want me to check out your event, especially something that happens annually or regularly, let me know.
This weekend I caught "The Wiz" at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, and it was a solid night out.
The venue: The Kravis Center seats 2,100 people, though my showing was set up for about 1,600. Great atmosphere, good crowd, solid production value.
The show: Really good. Strong performances throughout, though the cast seemed to lose a little steam after intermission. They finished strong though, and overall it was an enjoyable night.
The tickets: I paid $125 for my seat, grabbed it last minute. Probably could've gotten better seats if I'd booked earlier, but the view was solid.
Worth the drive: The Kravis Center is 100% worth it. From Fort Pierce it's maybe 45 - ish minutes south, under an hour (Traffic permitting…). If you're into theater and shows, check out what's coming up.
Bad timing: "The Wiz" just ended Sunday, October 26th. But they've got plenty of other shows on the schedule.
🧾 Last Drop: Mike Mortell Terminated!
📚 School voucher expansion creates $47M budget hole – Payment delays hit public and private schools as 27,000 students double-counted in system. One County had to cut $16M mid-year, forgoing teacher raises. Funding crisis
🛒 SNAP benefits delayed by shutdown – 2.9 million Floridians won't receive November food assistance until federal funding restored. Food resources
🏛️ Stuart fires city manager in 3-2 vote – Commission terminates Mike Mortell citing internal friction. Taxpayers will pay $85,000 severance for firing without cause. Mortell says he moved out of office last week. Termination details
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