🌅 Holiday Toy Program 🎄

Good Morning Sunland

It’s Friday—we made it! The week after a holiday always feels a little long, but soon enough, we’ll be counting down to 2025.

If you missed yesterday’s event list, you can check it out [here].

Thank you for continuing to share the newsletter and for all your thoughtful suggestions on how to make it better.

Alright...

📬 A Look Ahead in 5 Seconds:
IRSC Art Show 🖼️
Self Driving Cars 🚗
Christmas Kids Toy Program 🎄

Would you join a local film club?

🎶 What It Sounds Like: "Four Women" by Nina Simone
☀️ Day: High of 77°F with sunshine and a few afternoon clouds. Winds NW at 5-10 mph. 5% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 53°F with a few clouds. Winds NNW at 5-10 mph. 10% chance of rain.

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

WPSL Christmas Kids Toy Program - Spots Available! 🎁

If you need help with holiday gifts, The WPSL Christmas Kids Toy Program is still accepting applications from St. Lucie County families with children aged 0-12. Eligible families must be county residents receiving SNAP benefits. Note: You cannot apply if you've requested toys from another agency.

📋 Requirements: County residency, legal guardianship, current SNAP letter
👉 Apply at www.slchumanservices.org or call 772-462-1777 (Press 0)

Earn a Free Holiday Ornament by Exploring Local Festivities! 🎄 

If your Christmas tree is looking a little bare, Visit St. Lucie's new "Holiday Spirit Pass" lets you earn a custom 2024 ornament just by checking in at festive locations around town. Get the free digital pass on your phone - no app needed! ✨

👉 Get your pass here

🎉 2nd Annual SLC 4-H Opportunity for All Benefit Gala – Jan. 11

St. Lucie County 4-H is hosting its Second Annual Opportunity for All Benefit Gala on Saturday, January 11 from 5 – 9 p.m. at Adam’s Ranch (26003 Orange Ave., Fort Pierce, FL 34945). The event will raise funds for 4-H youth scholarships, supporting seniors and those attending 4-H camps and events.

The Doris M. Carter Family Foundation will match donations up to $10,000.

Tickets are limited—available through the SLC 4-H Office or Eventbrite. For more info, contact Terri Zuidema at 772-462-1285 or email [email protected].

👉 Get your tickets and support 4-H!

St. Lucie County Schedules Final Pass for Hurricane Milton Debris Pickup Through Dec. 15

St. Lucie County will begin the third and final pass for Hurricane Milton debris pickup from Friday, Dec. 13 through Sunday, Dec. 15. Contractors will focus on areas heavily impacted by the storm, including Spanish Lakes Country Club, which was also affected by a tornado prior to the hurricane's landfall on Florida's west coast.

Over the past 51 days, crews have collected over 158,684 cubic yards of debris, including vegetative debris, construction and demolition debris, and mulch, from unincorporated areas of the county. This work follows significant tornado damage to nearly 2,000 homes and businesses caused by Hurricane Milton.

For debris pickup questions in unincorporated St. Lucie County, residents can call the Debris Removal Information Line at 772-462-2302 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.).

Residents are responsible for moving debris to the edge of their property, ensuring it is separated properly. Do not block roadways, stormwater drains, or place debris near power lines or other structures. Please refrain from mixing hazardous waste or electronics with other debris.

For debris pickup in Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie, contact the respective municipalities.

👉 Learn more about debris pickup

Things To Know, Before You Go

🚕 Self-driving cars are coming to Miami via Waymo, Google's autonomous vehicle company. Starting in 2025, Waymo will test with human safety drivers before launching a full robotaxi service in 2026. The company already completes 150k+ weekly self-driving rides in San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles.

🎨 Indian River State College to showcase student digital creativity today. The Design Technology Department's Fall Portfolio Exhibition will feature graphic design, animations, gaming concepts and 3D modeling from both Bachelor's and Associate's students. The free event runs 4-7pm at Building V Atrium in Fort Pierce.

📚 Indian River State College announces free career workshops for Spring 2025. The series includes resume writing, LinkedIn networking, interview prep and more, with both virtual and in-person sessions starting January 15. Open to students, alumni and community members with no registration required. Classes held at Fort Pierce campus or via Blackboard Collaborate.

Events Recap🎉

Friday Fest with Pippin & Willin'
🗓️ December 6, 2024 | 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
📍 Marina Square, Fort Pierce
Live music under the stars.
🎟️ Free Event
👉 [Learn More]

Saturday Drive-In Movie Night: The Polar Express
🗓️ December 7, 2024 | 7:00 PM
📍 Treasure Coast Park and Watch
Family movie night at the drive-in! Event lasts 2 hours.
🎟️ $10 Admission
👉 [Read More]

Festival of Lights
🗓️ December 7, 2024 | 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 Port St Lucie Civic Center
Annual holiday celebration featuring:

• Arts and craft vendors

• Local food vendors

• Live music at 8:00 PM

• Holiday parade at 6:00 PM

• 26.5-foot holiday tree lighting ceremony

🎟️ Free Admission
👉 [Read More]

Santa's Train Coming to Fort Pierce
🎅🚂 December 7, 2024 | 12:15 PM
📍 Orange Avenue (West side of crossing), Fort Pierce
Catch the Florida East Coast Railway's Santa Train and meet Santa!
👉 [Don’t miss it!]

GrinchMas Paint Party
🗓️ December 8, 2024 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
📍 Islamorada Brewery & Distillery
Paint and sip party featuring wine or pilsner glass painting. Includes step-by-step instruction from artist Ritaa.

🎟️ $35 Admission (includes supplies)
Please arrive by 12:45 PM to check in.
👉 [Read More]

Downtown “ELFIE” Stations
🗓️ December 8-14, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
📍 Downtown Fort Pierce
Find hidden elves, take "elfies," and vote for your favorite display! Free family holiday fun.
🎟️ Free Event
👉 [Read More]

The Grinch Trivia Night
🗓️ December 8, 2024 | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Islamorada Brewery & Distillery
Test your knowledge about everyone’s favorite Christmas grump!

• Free to play

• Food from Seas the Day Gourmet Grill available for purchase

• Free bounce house for kids

👉 [Read More]

Kosmic Kulture Fest
🗓️ December 8, 2024 | 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
📍 Hop Life Brewing,
Mini music festival featuring:

• INJOY authentic Roots Reggae Band

• Soulful opening act

• Table vendors

• Food trucks

• Kids’ painting station

• Caribbean theme

🎟️ $6.25 advance | $8.51 at the door
👉 [Read More]

If you have an event, send it to me here

Dad!📸

A little inside baseball here, but I’m working on this black and white look. There’s something Florida about the pink hue. Anyway, this week has a been a little busy for me, but in a good way! I’m slowly working on a new project, that I get to share next Tuesday! Thanks for being here. Alright… see you Monday!

With love,
Ja’Min

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