🌅 💘 Giant Heart, Bigger Opinions

Good Morning, Sunland

It’s Friday. What a week.

There’s been a lot of love and support for the newsletter lately. Our coverage on Dan McCarty and the St. Lucie County School Board really popped off, and it’s brought a lot of new folks into the mix. So if you’re new here, welcome again! We’ll keep following that story and others we think matter, while also shining a light on what’s already happening right here at home. Alright…

🌡️ Weather Update: A heat-heavy Friday with a sultry breeze and clear skies to close it out

🌤️ Day: High of 89°F | Sun and clouds mix with a breeze out of the SE at 10–20 mph
🌙 Night: Low of 76°F | Mostly clear and warm with a few clouds.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:25 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 8:17 PM
🎵 Sounds like: “Only You” by Steve Monite 🌀💫

💘 The Main Squeeze: The Heart is officially open in Tradition.

Twelve couples said “I do” yesterday under a 73-foot-tall sculpture. The Heart in the Park is officially open in Tradition. After months of being fenced off, the city held a ribbon cutting Thursday — and turned it into a full-blown celebration. Weddings, vow renewals, the whole thing. The sculpture was created by Jefré, a public artist known for large-scale installations. He’s not from St. Lucie County, but the city commissioned him to build this as a signature piece.

📍 It now stands as the largest heart sculpture in the world — and according to Mayor Shannon Martin, it’s expected to draw visitors, boost local tourism, and bring in more tax dollars.

🎯 But not everybody’s sold. Some say it should’ve been a local artist. Others are just not into the mirror-like design.

💬 “It’s just a really big mirror” was one of the more common takes in our comments.

🎥 Watch our video:
Instagram clip here

📰 WPTV coverage:
Read the full story

🗳 What do you think?
❤️ Love it
🤔 Still deciding
👎 Should’ve been a local artist
Leave your vote or comment here

🍊 Press Round: Local Motion

🚄 Brightline’s Still on Pause

Shoutout to Sunland reader and supporter Elia, who emailed asking about Brightline. Here’s the latest — Martin County is still waiting on a $45 million federal grant to build the Stuart station. That’s three-fourths of the $60 million needed. Clock’s ticking, but the deadline to open is September 2028. Catch up here

💵 $695 Million in Hurricane Loans and Counting

The SBA has loaned out nearly $695 million across Florida for hurricane recovery — including $29 million right here on the Treasure Coast. St. Lucie County received the most locally with $13.8 million. Businesses still have until July 11 to apply. Details here

🍋 Lemonade and Bookbags

Ten-year-old Andrew Lijoi and his sister Vanessa are running a lemonade stand to collect school supplies for local students in need. Drop off supplies at Pistachio’s Ice Cream in PSL and you’ll get a free glass. They’re aiming for 100 backpacks, and with your help they might double that. See the story

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🎉 This Week Around Town: Top 5 Events

Friday, June 13

• 🌙 Adult HipHop Dance – Come join us for a fun night of grooving and moving to the latest hip-hop beats with other adults li in Fort Pierce | 6 PM – 7 PM | Details

• 🌙 Drive In Movie Nights | Friday The 13th – Treasure Coast Park And Watch Is Fort Pierce's Newest Outdoor Drive In Cinema Where The Entire Famil in Fort Pierce | 8:30 PM | Details

Saturday, June 14

• 🛍️ Second Saturday Market – 2nd Saturdays in the Eau Gallie Arts District! Join us for an evening of fun and community as we tra in Melbourne | 4 PM – 9 PM | Details

• 🎸 Rock & Pop Music Concert at Riverside Park Live band, open-air bar, and food trucks. 5:30–8:30 PM at Vero’s Live in the Loop series. 📍 3250 Riverside Park Dr, Vero Beach 🌐 Details

Sunday, June 15

• 🥞 Father’s Day Brunch at Pepe’s – PSL Bottomless mimosas, sangrias, and Mexican brunch classics. 11:30 AM–3 PM. 📍 5363 NW East Torino Pkwy, Port St. Lucie Details

If you have an event, send it to me here
Want more events? Go here

💧 The Last Drop: 🌴 Quick Hits

1. 🌿 Mangroves Are Off Limits

   Cutting them without a permit can mean jail time. Here’s what to know

2. 📈 Still Pays to Get That Degree

   Port St. Lucie’s top-paying jobs mostly require a bachelor’s. See the list

3. 💰 401(k) Savings Hit a New High

   Workers are saving 14.3 percent on average for retirement. Read more

📸 This is Sunland: ✌️ Before I go

See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min

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