🌅🍋 Al’s Family Farms: Back and Better

Good Afternoon, Sunland

It's Tuesday! I was scrolling through the Port St. Lucie Reddit group, my personal favorite local community, when I saw someone ask "What's on fire?" It's a valid question, as there are all types of controlled burns in the area. I wanted to share this map of controlled burns in case you're ever wondering if you smell something out of the ordinary. Take a look! Alright….

🍕 Want to Try: Ah-Beetz is bringing New Haven style pizza to PSL! Watch for their opening with brick oven pizzas, sandwiches, and more. Stay tuned for location details.

📢 Shout-out: The Port St. Lucie Home Show is back this weekend, January 18th and 19th. If you're like me and enjoy browsing home appliances you don't need, plus other cool gadgets, get the details here.

🍋 The Main Squeeze: Al’s Family Farms is Back Open!

🔑 Big Picture: After months of recovery and a soft launch in December, Al's Red Barn Grill officially resumed full operations on January 14th, marking a triumphant return following October's tornado damage.

📍 Key Details:

• Operating from Little Red Barn location across the driveway

• Full menu and store items now available

• Fresh citrus and signature juice production back in swing

💬 Behind the Comeback: "It was tough. I don't think I could have done it on my own," owner Matthew Schorner shared during their initial soft opening phase. "I have a good faith in God, and God got me through it."

👥 Community Response:

• Strong local support since yesterday's official reopening

• Regular customers celebrating the return

• Third-generation business tradition continues

🔜 Looking Ahead: While the grill and store are fully operational, work continues on the historic Big Red Barn packing house.

👉 See the announcement they made here!

🎸Live Music: 10 - ish Live Music Events in the Area

Tim Kyle Carpenter’s Open Mic
📅 Wednesday, Jan 15 | 7:00 PM
📍 The Thirsty Turtle, Fort Pierce
An evening of acoustic and rock music, where local talents take the stage. Admission is free!
👉 Discover the Talent

Al Di Meola at The Lyric Theatre
📅 Wednesday, Jan 15 | 7:00 PM
📍 The Lyric Theatre
A world-renowned guitarist performing a captivating show at an iconic venue.
👉 Get Your Tickets

Da Blues w/Vince Love
📅 Wednesday, January 15 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 44 Royal Palm Pointe, Vero Beach, FL 32960
Enjoy soulful blues with Vince Love at this cozy live music night. Admission is free!
👉 Reserve Your Spot

Ladies Night Out
📅 Thursday, January 16 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 44 Royal Palm Pointe, Vero Beach, FL 32960
Half-off bottles of wine and a cozy lounge atmosphere.
👉 Plan Your Night

Open Mic Night
📅 Friday, January 17 | 7:00 PM
📍 Cool Beans Brew
Doors open at 6:30 PM for sign-ups. Enjoy a creative evening with local artists.
👉 Join the Fun

Chris MacDonald’s Memories of Elvis at the Sunrise Theater
📅 Saturday, Jan 18 | 7:30 PM
📍 Sunrise Theater
An engaging performance honoring Elvis at the Sunrise Theater
👉 Experience Elvis

Soulful Saturday
📅 Saturday, January 18 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 44 Royal Palm Pointe, Vero Beach, FL 32960
Relax with live soulful melodies at Sweet Desires Dessert Lounge.
👉 Feel the Vibes

East Harbor at the Square Grouper Ft. Pierce
📅 Saturday, Jan 18 | 8:00 PM
📍 Square Grouper, Ft. Pierce
A local favorite bringing energetic indie-rock vibes.
👉 Catch the Energy

Always Loretta (Tribute to Loretta Lynn) at the Sunrise Theater
📅 Sunday, Jan 19 | 7:00 PM
📍 Sunrise Theater
Celebrate the legacy of country icon Loretta Lynn with this heartfelt tribute.
👉 Celebrate the Legend

KOSMIC KULTURE FEST - JAMAICA
📅 Sunday, January 19 | 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Terra Fermata, Stuart, FL
Enjoy Jamaican food and reggae by INJOY and Royal Pains. Advance tickets are $6 or $9 at the door. Support CAREBAG with personal care donations for the homeless.
👉 Groove to Reggae

If you have an event, send it to me here

💭 Your Turn... Results, Feedback, & Follow-Up

📊 💬 Top Poll:
How many area codes does Florida have?

• 🟨 A) 10 (16 votes)

• 🟩 B) 16 (20 votes)

• 🟨 C) 21 (11 votes)

• 🟨 D) 23 (13 votes, Correct Answer)

Thanks to the 60 readers who voted! Turns out Florida loves its area codes—did you guess it right?

💭 How you are feeling about the newsletter:

• "A sweet read. Concise, interesting."

• "Information on the area… good eye on the Fort."

• "Lots of variety including a tip on a couple jobs in PSL."

🔗 We’d Love to Hear From You!
Got thoughts on the newsletter? Want to share ideas or suggestions? Take a moment to fill out our feedback form – your input helps us keep improving!
👉 Share Your Feedback

🔍 Follow-Up:
A reader shared a great idea for the community! Evelyn writes:
"I follow several local groups on FB where I have been posting the link to request a Trader Joe's in our area. Hoping you'll put it in your newsletter... because who doesn't want Trader Joe's?"

If you agree with Evelyn and want to see a Trader Joe’s in our area, let’s make it happen:
👉 Request a Trader Joe's Store

✨ Your Turn:
Have feedback, critiques, or a question you'd like me to explore? Or maybe a way I can make this newsletter even better? Don’t hesitate to reply and let me know!

🍹The Refill: 🍽️ Golden Chopsticks! J'Qwan's Take!

Friend and Sunland News collaborator recently tried the local restaurant Golden Chopsticks and here's his take...

📖 The Spot: Golden Chopsticks is a new buffet that's been hot in the area. Standing room only during the Sunday after-church crowd, with a “30-minute wait”.

📸 Looks vs. Reality: After telling J’Qwan his photos were "amazing as always" I asked if they matched the food experience? "No, it did not."

🍜 The Food: "Mainly Asian food" with "American sprinkled through." However, deserts not plentiful "to say the least."

💰 Size & Price: J'Qwan confirmed it's a "pretty big buffet" with "lotta lotta options." Sunday afternoon price: $20.99 per person.

⭐ Real Talk: When asked if it's one of the better buffets: "No, it's not one of the better ones."

🤝 Grace Note: "Granted, you know, I will offer some grace. Probably like week 3 or 4 being open... they gotta pump the food out as quick as they can, you know?" J'Qwan mentioned he'd give it another try, possibly during the middle of the week.

🎯 Want to try it yourself? Despite the mixed first impression, Golden Chopsticks' extensive options and reasonable pricing might be worth checking out, especially as they work out their opening month kinks. Stop by during mid-week for potentially shorter wait times!

Support Sunland News

Last Drop: 📖 MLK Events for the Road!

🔑 Big Picture: Fort Pierce's Black Greek organizations are coordinating a full day of interconnected MLK Day events, showing strong community collaboration.

📍 Key Details:

• Three major events are scheduled for January 18, 2025

• All events are centralized around Dreamland Park and nearby venues

• Different Greek organizations each leading distinct commemorative activities

⏰ Timeline:

• 8:00 AM: Awards Breakfast ($25/ticket)

• 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Blood Drive

• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Wreath Laying Ceremony

🤝 Community Impact: The events bring together diverse leadership, including education officials, tax administrators, and community leaders, demonstrating broad civic engagement.

📱 Want to learn more? Click here for full event details.

Alright… see you tomorrow!

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