Good Morning, Sunland! It’s Monday!

Welcome to Sunland News — the newsletter that’s like a pre-2000 car: simple but reliable. Something you can always count on. Built to last.

Before we dive in, I just wanted to share how much fun I had at Friday Fest this past weekend. I was tempted to send out these great photos right away but decided to hold off until today. It was awesome to see everyone having a good time, and I even got to meet a few new faces and spread the word about the newsletter. If you’re one of those people, welcome aboard! Glad to have you here.

Now, let’s dive in!

— Ja'Min

In Today’s Sunland News ☀️🗞️:

1. 🚌 Travel is getting easier. Take a Bus from PSL to WPB for 3$

2. 🚆 Stuart Set to Make Final Brightline Decision Today

3.  🎉💼 Treasure Coast Hospitality Networking Event

📚 Read Time: 5 Minutes
Also, did somebody forward you this, if so subscribe here 👉 Subscribe

Question of the Day: "What’s the greatest sitcom of all time?"

Weather TL;DR: "Rain, Rain Go Away!" Expect scattered thunderstorms with some heavy rain later—Sigh!

🌞 Day: High of 89°F
🌙 Night: Low of 75°F
🌅 Sunrise: 7:04 AM
🌇 Sunset: 7:32 PM

☔ Rain: 100% chance during the day, 50% at night.
Get your umbrella ready, stay dry, and enjoy the sound of rain!

Check Full Weather Report Here

🚌 Take a Bus from PSL to WPB for 3$

Growing up, I remember my father making the daily commute to Palm Beach, and let me tell you, the difference between leaving at 5:00 AM versus 5:05 could mean an extra 30 minutes stuck on the road. I was part of a few of those early morning treks, and they left a lasting impression. Fast forward 20 years, and something big is happening—there’s a shift in the air.

Just like how the internet has connected us over the past 30 years, shrinking the world in many ways, we’re now seeing something similar happening offline. The physical gap between where we are and where we want to be is closing fast. Traveling up and down the coast is becoming easier, and with initiatives like this new Palm Tran express bus service between downtown West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie, that progress is undeniable.

Starting September 23, the Palm Tran express bus will offer rush-hour commuters a 50-mile journey in less than an hour for just $3. Not only does this fare help reduce the number of cars on the road, but it also makes moving up and down the coast that much more convenient.

The service will use rented charter buses equipped with WiFi, bathrooms, and comfortable seating, making it a smooth ride for those early mornings or evening trips. Buses will run on weekdays during rush hours, with the 55- to 60-minute route leaving the park-and-ride at 6:05 AM, 6:30 AM, 7:00 PM, and 8:00 PM. Meanwhile, departures from the West Palm Beach train station are set for 5:00 AM, 5:25 AM, 5:50 PM, and 6:50 PM.

Stops include the West Palm Beach Intermodal Transit Center and the Port St. Lucie Park-and-Ride on Gatlin Boulevard. The project, which costs $396,000, is funded for a one-year trial run. This initiative was born out of a survey that saw 63% of respondents showing strong interest in the service.

If this goes well, who knows what else could be possible? The future is moving fast, and it’s connecting us in ways we never thought possible.

🚧 Fort Pierce Traffic Alert 🚧
Starting Tuesday, September 10, 2024, eastbound and westbound SR A1A between CR 605/ Old Dixie Highway and SR 5/ US 1 will be closed around the clock through late 2026 for major roadway and bridge construction.
[Read More]

🎨 ArtSpace Exhibit at Kilmer Branch Library 🎨
Stop by the Kilmer Branch Library now through November 30 to experience the ArtSpace Exhibit featuring works by two members of the St. Lucie County Library staff: Nico Rovito and Doris Campos. Their artwork is on display throughout the library during regular hours:
[Read More]

🚗Check the current traffic situation via Google.

🚆 Stuart Set to Make Final Brightline Decision Today

Let’s keep this travel vibe going. Quick update: Stuart is set to make its final decision on whether to move forward with a Brightline station near its historic downtown. On August 26th, Stuart city commissioners voted to reconsider their deal with Brightline after several residents expressed concerns about the potential $30 million cost the station could bring to taxpayers.

Meanwhile, Fort Pierce is gearing up to resubmit its proposal (you can check it out here) to bring the station downtown.

A quick anecdote—while chatting with some Fort Pierce residents over the weekend, it’s clear that people see the massive opportunity of having a Brightline station here, making it easier to zip up and down the coast. However, not everyone’s sold on the idea, with concerns about the increased traffic that could come with it. What do you think? Would a station in Fort Pierce be a huge win, a headache, or something in between? Reply and let me know!

🚤 TREASURE COAST AT LARGE

🚨 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! 🚨
The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) is proud to announce that Veryl R. Moore (my former teacher 💪) has been recognized as a Certified Athletic Administrator! 🎉
[Read More Here]

🍊 FLORIDA AT LARGE

🏈 Dolphins star Tyreek Hill detained by police on way to stadium for season opener

[Read More Here]

🌍 WORLD AT LARGE

🎤🎙️”Big as the What?” Big as the Superbowl 

The 17 Grammy, Pulitzer Prize Kendrick Lamar is set to perform at the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show. Interesting that they made the announcement so early, but people are excited nonetheless

[Read More Here]

📷 My Friend Kay’s Newsletter “Kreation Space”

My friend Kay writes a beautiful newsletter all about art, and I truly enjoy reading it! If you love reading, discussing, or creating art yourself, this is the perfect newsletter for you! 🖼️🎨

📢 Got a Story?

You can now submit a story for Sunland News to cover! Whether it's news, events, or anything you think deserves attention, just click the button below to share it with us. Thank you for being part of Sunland News! 🙏

🖼️ Friday Fest!

Something I’ve heard my whole life, and still hear today, is: “There’s nothing to do here.” It’s a narrative I believed for most of my life—until I realized that there’s actually plenty to do, if you know where to look. I started Sunland News to prove myself and others wrong in that regard, and to help create the news, if you will. The goal is to build an audience around the beautiful things to do here. One day, people will be craving to come and experience all that our city and county have to offer. That’s the vision for Sunland.

With love,
Ja’Min

🎉 YMCA Celebrity Chef Show 👨‍🍳🔥🍴
🗓️ Monday, September 9, 6 PM - 9 PM
📍Fujiyama Stuart Japanese Steak House, Stuart, FL
Enjoy a night of fun, great food, and laughs while supporting the YMCA of the Treasure Coast. Tickets include a Celebrity Chef Hibachi Show and a meal of your choice. [Read More]

🧘‍♂️ Restorative Yoga at The Gardens
🗓️ Monday, September 9, 7 PM - 8 PM
📍Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, Port St. Lucie, FL
Make your Monday magical! Join the restorative yoga session at the gardens to relax, refresh, renew, and reset. Happening every 2nd Monday of each month.

🎉 Monthly Deck Party - Food & Entertainment
🗓️ Thursday, September 12, 6 - 9 PM
📍Causeway Cove Marina, Fort Pierce
Enjoy free food, live music, and cool drinks at the Wet Whistle bar, plus a potluck! [Read More]

🎉 Treasure Coast Hospitality Networking Event
🗓️ Thursday, September 12, 5 - 7 PM
📍Cobb's Landing, Fort Pierce
Join industry leaders at Cobb's Landing for the Treasure Coast Chapter of FRLA for an exciting hospitality networking event. [Read More]