🌅🏈 The Showdown

Good Morning, Sunland!

It’s Tuesday! About a week ago, I took a poll in the newsletter, and two things stood out: everyone loves knowing what events are going on around town, and people wish there was more live music in the area. I couldn’t agree more. So, I’m dedicating Tuesdays to live music, where I gather all the performances happening in the area and put them right here in the newsletter.

If I’m missing any, just let me know—but I’d say this list is pretty solid. Alright…

👀 Caught My Eye: IRSC got a $4M grant to turn the Blackburn Building in Lincoln Park into a community hub with job training, telehealth, and free Wi-Fi. Expected to open in 2026.

 🌮 New Restaurant Watch: Looks like a Del Taco is moving into the old Burger King spot on US 1 near Sam's Club. Think Moe’s vibe meets Taco Bell convenience. (Source: Chambers of Commerce)

Ja’Min Brown
Writer, Filmmaker, and Publisher

Sunland Games 🕹️

After the opening of Fort Pierce Central and Westwood High Schools, which high school was the next to open in St. Lucie County?

Yesterday's Poll Results: Why Would (or Wouldn’t) You Attend a City Meeting?
🤔❓

📰 To stay informed — 67%
🗣️ To voice an opinion — 17%
⏰ Too busy — 8%
😴 Not interested — 8%

Weather TL;DR: "Just Once" by Quincy Jones 🎶
Cloudy and a Bit Moody with Some Showers Rolling Through 🌥️🌧️

🌞 Day: 84°F, Cloudy skies with a few afternoon showers. Winds E at 15 to 25 mph, with a 30% chance of rain and higher gusts possible.
🌜 Night: 77°F, Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph, with a 70% chance of rain.

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

The Showdown & Some History

Last Friday night, the 45th Showdown between Central and Westwood took place at Lawnwood Stadium in Fort Pierce, Florida. Thousands of people turned out—current students, alumni, vendors, and food trucks all came together, making it part game, part festival.

Family Tradition
Growing up in a family full of Westwood alumni, I remember the tradition of getting custom shirts made and gearing up for the game every year. But it wasn’t until recently that I began to wonder just where this rivalry began—and how, 45 years later, it’s still going strong. So, I started asking questions and digging into the history, and here’s what I found.

History and Beginnings
“There were only two high schools back then,” my mom explained when I asked why the rivalry between Westwood and Central runs so deep. Up until the late 1960s, there were no integrated high schools in St. Lucie County. White students attended Dan McCarty High School (now a middle school), while Black students went to Lincoln Park Academy (now a 6th-12th grade school). That changed in 1970 when Dan McCarty ceased being a high school, and students from “both sides” began attending the newly established Fort Pierce Central.

As Fort Pierce continued to grow, Westwood opened in 1977 to accommodate the increasing number of students. Just one year later, in 1978, the first Showdown took place—and the rivalry was born.

The Score Today
That brings us to today—or, rather, to last Friday! The game was a nail-biter, coming down to the final moments, with Westwood ultimately pulling out a victory, 31-27. This brings the series to 22-21, with Central still leading by one game. (For the math people, two games were missed in 2004 and 2005 due to hurricanes that hit Florida.)

More Than a Game
Westwood will have a chance to even the score next year, but what always attracts me most to events like this is the people. The people tell the story, and we captured that spirit in a special video showcasing some of those who came out to celebrate this community tradition. Be sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel—the video will be live tonight at 7 PM!

🎶 Bluegrass & Folk

• Sunrise City Bluegrass Jam
  🗓️ Nov 5 | 🕕 6-9 PM | 📍 Pierced Cider, Fort Pierce
  Join the weekly jam session with top bluegrass artists. Bring your instrument to join in!
  🎶 Join the Jam!

• Justin Shapiro at Little Jim Bait & Tackle
  🗓️ Nov 5 | 🕐 1:00 PM | 📍 Fort Pierce
  Alternative and folk tunes by Justin Shapiro.
  🎸 Catch the Tunes!

🎤 Open Mic & Interactive Nights

• Music Bingo
  🗓️ Nov 5 | 🕖 7-9 PM | 📍 Hop Life Brewing Company, Port St. Lucie
  Play music bingo, win prizes, and have a fun night. 21+ only.
  🎉 Get Ready to Play!

• Open Mic Night at Pineapple Joe's
  🗓️ Nov 6 | 🕡 6:30-9:30 PM | 📍 Pineapple Joe’s Grill & Raw Bar, Fort Pierce
  Step up to the mic every Wednesday with Steven Phillipe or just enjoy the local talent.
  🎶 Show Your Talent!

• Open Mic at Harmony Music Lounge
  🗓️ Nov 7 | 🕖 7:00 PM | 📍 Fort Pierce | 🎟️ Free
  Support local talent or take the stage yourself!
  🎤 Show Your Talent!

🎷 Jazz & Blues

• Blues Jam at Harmony Music Lounge
  🗓️ Nov 5 | 🕖 7:00 PM | 📍 Fort Pierce | 💵 $3 Cover
  An evening of blues jams with local musicians.
  🎶 Feel the Blues!

• Joe Gee at Harmony Music Lounge
  🗓️ Nov 6 | 🕖 7:00 PM | 📍 Fort Pierce | 💵 $4 Cover
  Smooth jazz and blues piano tunes by Joe Gee.
  🎹 Unwind with Jazz!

• Jazz & Blues Night w/ Muffy Charles
  🗓️ Nov 6 | 🕖 7-10 PM | 📍 Sweet Desires Dessert Lounge, Vero Beach
  Enjoy a cozy evening of jazz and blues.
  🎶 Reserve Your Spot!

• Saxy Fridays at Sweet Desires Dessert Lounge
  🗓️ Nov 8 | 🕖 7-10 PM | 📍 Vero Beach
  A night of live saxophone performances to kickstart your weekend.
  🎷 Check it out!

• The Gabe Stillman Blues Band at Harmony Music Lounge
  🗓️ Nov 8 | 🕗 8:00 PM | 📍 Fort Pierce | 💵 $25 Cover
  Enjoy powerful blues music with Gabe Stillman and his band.
  🎸 Experience the Blues!

🎸 Rock & Classic Rock

• Andrew Morris Band
  🗓️ Nov 5 | 🕗 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM | 📍 Square Grouper, Fort Pierce
  A self-taught artist with an authentic acoustic rock vibe.
  🎸 Catch the Show!

• Jason Craig
  🗓️ Nov 6 | 🕗 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM | 📍 Square Grouper, Fort Pierce
  High-energy pop, country, and rock hits.
  🎸 Enjoy the Hits!

• Brad Brock Duo
  🗓️ Nov 7 | 🕗 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM | 📍 Square Grouper, Fort Pierce
  Acoustic rock, folk, and soul blended into a unique style.
  🎶 Don't Miss It!

• B.J. Parks at Crawdaddy’s
  🗓️ Nov 8 | 🕖 7:00 PM | 📍 Jensen Beach | 🎟️ Free
  A mix of rock, country, and pop in a lively atmosphere.
  🎸 Enjoy the Tunes!

• Checkmate Band
  🗓️ Nov 9 | 🕗 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM | 📍 Square Grouper, Fort Pierce
  Classic rock by Treasure Coast’s finest.
  🎸 Rock On!

• Jon Sills
  🗓️ Nov 11 | 🕗 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM | 📍 Square Grouper, Fort Pierce
  Alt-rock energy with familiar songs to keep you engaged all night.
  🎸 Feel the Vibe!

For all Square Grouper Shows, Click Here

🎉 Party Bands & 90s Throwback

• Wonderama Band
  🗓️ Nov 8 | 🕗 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM | 📍 Square Grouper, Fort Pierce
  Top 40 hits and party classics to get everyone dancing.
  🎉 Party All Night!

• Back to the 90s Concert
  🗓️ Nov 9 | 🕖 7:00 PM | 📍 MIDFLORIDA Event Center, Port St. Lucie
  A nostalgic ’90s night featuring All-4-One, Color Me Badd, and Digital Underground.
  🎟️ Tickets: $45 + tax/fees
  👉 Buy Tickets

🎶 Laid-Back Afternoon Tunes

• A.J. Lora
  🗓️ Nov 8 | 🕒 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM | 📍 Square Grouper, Fort Pierce
  A relaxed afternoon of rock, pop, and country classics.
  🎤 Afternoon Tunes!

• Bobby Owen Band
  🗓️ Nov 10 | 🕑 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM | 📍 Square Grouper, Fort Pierce
  Chill with an eclectic set of timeless tunes.
  🎶 Relax and Enjoy!

• Josh Horton
  🗓️ Nov 12 | 🕗 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM | 📍 Square Grouper, Fort Pierce
  Acoustic favorites for a laid-back vibe.
  🎤 Wind Down with Great Music!

For all Square Grouper Shows, Click Here

This is Sunland 📸

Just a peek behind the curtain! I’m thinking about putting together a book of all these images I take for the newsletter. My reason? The newsletter is great, but documenting these moments in physical form seems like a way to mark them in time. What do you all think? Let me know below. Alright, see you tomorrow!

With Love,
Ja'Min

Would you be interested in a book that captures all the images and moments from the newsletter?

👋 Thanks for reading! If you found it useful, consider sharing it with a friend.

📱 Keep up with the Sunland News on Instagram. Send comments & suggestions to [email protected]

🤝 Looking to Advertise? Reach Out!

🌴 All tip jar proceeds for October will be donated to Reviving Anointed Word (RAW) Ministries