🌅🚀 New Sunland Events Site is LIVE!

Good Afternoon, Sunland

It’s Tuesday! And I’ve got something for you.

It’s still in beta, but I promise—this will be the best local events site we’ve had. Right now, if you visit events.sunland.news, you’ll see the early version of a local events website I’ve been building over the last week.

It’s simple and straightforward for now, but the goal is to keep it packed with everything happening locally. And since I built this from scratch, I can take it as far as I want.

Thinking about adding:
📲 Text reminders for upcoming events
🔖 Save events to your profile
📩 Get email/text alerts so you never miss them

Check it out, let me know what you think I should add here, and stay tuned for what’s next!

📢 Shout-out: Shoutout to a kind Redditor who put me on to this—Everbridge, a site where you can opt in for real-time safety alerts from local agencies. We’re talking emergency notifications, road closures, weather updates—the stuff you actually want to know about. Check it out and stay in the loop! Sign up here.

🚗 Trivia Time: What’s the farthest you’d be willing to drive for a weekend event?

🍋 The Main Squeeze: 🏃‍♂️ Running for a Legacy

TL;DR: The Slate Rocks 5K took place on March 15, and I finally get to write about it. This wasn’t just any race—it was a community-driven event in honor of my late uncle, Darin Slater (aka Slate Rock), who we lost to colon cancer over a year ago. Seeing the love, support, and turnout for this event was a reminder of why community matters—and why his legacy continues to inspire.

Saturday, March 15, started early, but the energy at the Slate Rocks 5K was unmatched. Friends, family, and the Westwood High Class of ‘89 came out strong. Commissioner Arnold Gaines was in the crowd. And at the heart of it all? Slate’s Angels—Iman, Tori, Riley, and Reagan— who put this event together to honor their father and raise awareness for colon cancer.

For me, this run was personal. My uncle Slate Rock wasn’t just my uncle—he was a pillar of the community, a mentor, and one of the biggest reasons Sunland News even exists. He taught me early on that community isn’t just something you live in—it’s something you build. And this event? It was a perfect reflection of that.

💙 March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, but taking care of your health isn’t just a one-month thing. I’m grateful we were able to share resources and bring attention to something so important. And I can’t wait to see this 5K grow into something even bigger in the years to come.

🙏 A massive thank you to everyone who showed up, supported, and donated. You made this event special.

👕 Still want a Slate Rocks 5K shirt? We’ve got a few left! Grab yours here.
📺 Watch the commercial we made for the 5K

🥳 What’s Happening: 8 Out of Town Events

I’ve been getting requests to cover events happening just outside the county, so starting today, I’ll be adding a few each Tuesday that might be worth checking out. Let me know if there’s one you think should make the list!

Friday, March 28

🎭 Back In the Building: The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Musical – Celebrate Elvis’ 90th birthday with a high-energy tribute featuring jumpsuits, leather, and swiveling hips at the King Center for the Performing Arts. | 8 PM | Details

🎨 Art After Dark at the Norton Museum of Art – Experience live music, performances, art workshops, and reduced admission at the Norton Museum’s weekly after-dark event. | 5 PM–10 PM | Details

🎶 FREE! Downtown Beach Bash Dance Party with Riptide – Enjoy live music, food trucks, and vendors at this beachside dance party in Downtown Vero Beach. | 6 PM–9 PM | Free | Details

📖 Tell HER Story: Celebrating National Women’s Month – A night of networking, storytelling with author Christella François, and a vision board party at Rosalind’s Uptown Fitness. | 6 PM–9 PM | RSVP Here

Saturday, March 29

🎨 Melbourne, FL Spring Art & Craft Expo – Browse 300 booths filled with arts, crafts, and creativity at Wickham Park in Melbourne. Free admission & parking. | 10 AM–5 PM | Free | Details

🛍️ Spring Craft Fair – Shop for unique handmade goods and sweet treats at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. | 10 AM–4 PM | Free | Details

🎶 Dirty River Jam 2025 – An all-day festival with live bands, food, and drinks, benefiting the Environmental Studies Council at Tako Tiki Jensen Beach. | 11 AM–11 PM | $5 | Details

🎸 Punk Show! – A raw and energetic night featuring SiKE!, Goat Rope, and Constant Throw at The Stamp Bar in Vero Beach. | 9 PM | Ages 21+ | $5 | Details

If you have an event, send it to me here

🍹The Refill: Cafe 772 Review

I finally tried Cafe 772 in Fort Pierce, and I gotta be honest—it was amazing. If you’re not familiar, they recently opened a new spot in Fort Pierce, right off Orange Avenue in the Senoko Plaza, and they’re bringing serious heat to the local food scene.

I went last week and had their carne asada tacos. First impression? Incredible. The flavors were on point, the corn tortillas hit just right, and the quality was undeniable.

Now, I won’t lie—a little pricier than their counterparts . And anybody who knows me knows my go-to spot is Super Taqueria on US1 in Fort Pierce. Nothing against the other locations or taco joints, but that’s my place. If you’re ever looking for me and I owe you something, I’m probably at Super Taqueria—come find me. 😂 

Final Verdict: 8.5/10—great tacos, great spot, definitely one to watch.

Tried Cafe 772 yet? Let me know what you think! Check out the menu here.

🥛 Last Drop: Around the State in a day
3 Headlines For The Road!

1. ⚽ World Cup 2026: Miami’s Price Tag Jumps

   Miami-Dade may cut services to fund an extra $10M for World Cup prep. The county has already invested heavily, and now, more spending could be on the way. Read more

2. 🤧 Allergy Season Getting Longer

   If your allergies feel worse each year, it’s not just you. Climate change is extending allergy season across major U.S. cities, making symptoms last longer. Check the data

3. 💸 Fraud Cases Surge in Florida

   Floridians lost over $12.5 billion to scams last year—a 25% spike from 2023. Miami ranks among the worst-hit areas for fraud and identity theft. See the report

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