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EARTH DAY
food trucks, live music, a K-9 demonstration, a chalk art contest, earthy vendors and a plant sale are part of the fun at this free Earth Day celebration from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
SATURDAY at Riverview Park, 650 Indian River Drive, Sebastian.
From 9 a.m. to noon, take advantage of free and safe paper and electronics recycling.
EARTH DAY AT OXBOW
Celebrate Earth Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Oxbow Eco-Center, located on a 225-acre preserve on the North Fork of the St. Lucie at 5400 N.E. Saint James Drive in Port St. Lucie.
The free event features crafts and games, music, live wildlife and hands-on activities with interactive exhibitors.
If you're feeling creative, take part in the procession of the species parade. Dress as an animal, plant or ecosystem and try to win a prize for the best individual and team costumes, youth and adult costumes and costumes made with the most recycled materials.
CRAFT FAIR
More than 100 handpicked crafters from across the country will have their work on display in Downtown Stuart from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. SATURDAY and SUNDAY . The five-piece Southern rock band Stone Senate performs 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday on the Riverwalk stage.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BULLS AND BARRELS at the St Lucie Fairgrounds on Midway Rd. SAT April 23rd. 10am-11PM
Barrel racing/bull riding/ vendors Barrel racing is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the champion bulls will be throwing riders from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Click here for the web site and information >>>BEERS AND BULLS
We (two females) went along to what we thought was the Safety Festival but we were at the Civic Center - turned out it was Pride Fest! We were very confused to start with but still enjoyed looking round.
FREE MOVIE
Pack up the kids and a blanket Friday and head to Langford Park, 2369 N.E. Dixie Highway in Jensen Beach for a free movie in the great outdoors.
The baseball fields will be converted to a theater for the evening and "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip" (PG) will start at sundown. This animated adventure will never win an Oscar but it is an inexpensive and fun way to enjoy some family time. (Keep the phones in the car.)
You can purchase pizza and popcorn or pack your own picnic dinner. Park opens at 7 p.m. For more information call 772-334-1954.
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The Southeast Florida Archaeological Society will present an archaeological tour at 10 a.m. Saturday of a Mount Elizabeth. Meet at the Mansion at Tuckahoe in Indian RiverSide Park, 1707 N.E. Indian River Drive in Jensen Beach and learn about the historic site, which includes a ceremonial and burial Indian mound estimated to be 5,000 years old.
The hourl-long presentation will include a display of artifacts as well as a short walk around the site. A second tour is being offered at Clifton "Possum" Long Nature Center, 621 S.E. Palm Beach Road in Stuart. Visit the5 -acre site from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday and check out the historic Audubon house, parts of which date back to World War II. Wine and cheese will be served.
For more information call 772-349-2702. There is no charge for either tour.
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Early risers can head to Capt Hiram's Resort, 1580 U.S. 1, Sebastian, on Sunday morning for meditation, mindfulness and mimosas.
Join some of the best yoga instructors around from 6:30 to 9:45 a.m. at the resort's Bimini Beach for three classes on the waterfront. Take a gentle, flow class at sunrise, a guided meditation class and a stand up paddleboard yoga class. Organizers have just a few paddle boards, so if you have one, bring your own. Vendors and a complimentary mimosa bar will be available.
The donation-based event benefits the Suncoast Mental Health Center. If you work up an appetite, the resort is offering a discounted price of $6.99 on its buffet brunch to those who donated at the event. Brunch is served until noon. For more information call 772-291-3210.
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FIREWORKS IN MAY
Head to Tradition Field Saturday to watch the St. Lucie Mets take on the Fort Myers Miracle. A great pyrotechnic display will fill the skies over the stadium after the game. Tickets range from $8-$10 or you can get the Blue Point Special: $15 includes a ticket to the game and all-you-can-drink Blue Points from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
For more information, visit The Official Site of The St. Lucie Mets | stluciemets.com Homepage.
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QUIET CONNECTION WITH NATURE
If you feel the need to de-stress this weekend, head to Jones Hammock Preserve on Bell Avenue in Fort Pierce at 8 a.m. Sunday for a two-hour hike with guides from St. Lucie County.
This hike is unique. It is a quiet hike, designed to maximize your probability of viewing wildlife. A guide will lead walkers silently from Jones Hammock Preserve to Platt's Creek Preserve. It's peaceful and serene and a perfect way to connect with nature. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Hikes are recommended for ages 12 and older. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
The Port St. Lucie Parks and Recreation Department will host the city’s annual Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m., Monday, May 30 at Veterans Memorial Park.
The ceremony is held each year to support U.S. military troops and to honor those who lost their lives defending American freedom.
Mayor Greg Oravec and the Port St. Lucie City Council invite all residents to be a part of the solemn ceremony as representatives from the United Veteran of Port St. Lucie and various guests-of-honor present a tribute to those who sacrificed for the nation. Also, the Port St. Lucie Community Band will perform American music.
Seating is limited, so early arrival is recommended and lawn chairs are welcome.
Veterans Memorial Park is located at 2100 S.E. Veterans Memorial Parkway.
For more information, contact:
Parks and Recreation Department
City of Port St. Lucie
(772) 878-2277
The Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens will host the Tropical Treasures Plant Sale on Saturday, May 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The sale will feature tropical plants, flowers and edibles from the Gardens, as well as a wide variety of vendors.
Find the perfect tropical plant to perk up your landscape. Learn about its care, planting and maintenance. Tour the Gardens, and enjoy.
Admission and parking are free
Florida Gopher Tortoise Day at Port Saint Lucie Botanical Gardens
Saturday, May 28
Come visit our resident Gopher Tortoises as we increase awareness and appreciation for these long lived, gentle and magnificent reptiles.
Where: Port Saint Lucie Botanical Gardens - 2410 SE Westmoreland Boulevard, PSL 34952
When: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Who: Ages 5 - 12 and their families
How: Registration Required - call 772-337-1959 to register
Cost: FREE
For more info: Call 772-337-1959
BY THE WAY.....IF YOU'RE TRAVELING ON I95 --especially this holiday weekend BEWARE ..not that any of you are bad guys, but... this was in the newspaper
Driver beware on I-95 during interdictions -aka traffic stops
All three Sheriff’s Offices on the Treasure Coast have been conducting interdiction operations on Interstate 95.
Let the driver beware.
On May 18 and 19, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s deputies — working with federal agencies near the Becker Road exit along I-95 — stopped about 250 vehicles. Twenty people were arrested for various offenses, including possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, an outstanding warrant and operating a vehicle without a driver’s license.
If you obey the traffic laws, you won’t be stopped in an interdiction zone.
At least that’s what we’re told.
“There are no random stops during an interdiction,” said St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara.
That said, the driving behavior of motorists receives heightened scrutiny during these operations. Even a seemingly minor violation, such as failure to use a turn signal when changing lanes, can precipitate a traffic stop.
And if you are stopped — and you are carrying or transporting drugs, have an outstanding warrant or an illegal firearm in the glove box — the risk of detection increases significantly.
Law enforcement has the upper hand during an interdiction — a planned operation involving multiple deputies and agencies. It begins with the location.
I-95 is the perfect place to conduct these operations. There are few exits — and these are monitored. Making a U-turn on the interstate as you approach an interdiction, as one motorist did during the recent St. Lucie County operation, is like waving a red flag and announcing: “Please pull me over.”
Deputies did. They arrested the driver after finding 1.5 ounces of marijuana in his vehicle, according to reports.
Given the fact most vehicles on I-95 travel faster than the posted 70 mph speed limit, almost every driver is a potential traffic violator. In many cases, law enforcement can simply pick and choose which “speeder” to stop.
And don’t think you’re offlaw enforcement’s radar by driving below the speed limit. Just the opposite. An article in Thursday’s Interdiction Weekly titled “10 Common Indicators for Highway Drug Interdiction” lists “cars that drive under the speed limit” as worthy of additional scrutiny.
“Drug traffickers are naturally paranoid and their paranoia willmake them do stupid things like drive 10 to 15 miles under the speed lim-it,” the article states. “Drug haulers generally will stay in the slow lane as well.”
Don’t want to be stopped during an interdiction? Set your cruise control at the posted speed limit.
Local law enforcement agencies also employ drug dogs during these operations— afactor that potentially opens the door for a thorough investigation of a suspect’s vehicle.
“The law permits a K-9 to be used to sniff the exterior of the vehicle without consent, provided that the request for and arrival of the K-9 officer does not delay the traffic stop,” Mascara said.
If the canine alerts the deputy to the presence of drugs, the deputy now has probable cause to search the vehicle.
This explains, in part, how a three-day interdiction by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office on I-95 at State Road714 in December resulted in 46 misdemeanor arrests and 19 felony arrests, including numerous drug offenses and the seizure of two handguns.
A simple traffic stop can quickly lead to much more serious charges.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office posts signs to alert motorists that a K-9 drug operation is ahead.
Not so in Indian River County, where interdictions this year by the Sher-iff’ s Office have resulted in three misdemeanor arrests, one felony arrest, 208 traffic citations and 206 written/verbal warnings.
“We did use a K-9, but did not have any signs posted as part of our operations,” said Lt. Eric Flowers, public affairs officer for the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Some readers may think I’m empowering lawbreakers to beat the system. I see it differently.
I’m all for catching bad guys, but I also believe the public has a right to know what to expect during an interdiction. Maybe this knowledge will cause motorists to drive the posted speed limit, remove illicit drugs from their vehicles and think twice about careening down the highway with an invalid driver’s license.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY
Military Appreciation Night at the Ballpark:
Free tickets for military and veterans through Vietnam Veterans of America chapter 566. 6:30 p.m. May 26.
Tradition Field, 525 N.W.
Peacock Blvd., Port St. Lucie. Tickets. 772-579-5730; vva566@gmail.com.
Navy UDT-SEAL Museum Memorial Day Ceremony: Medal of Honor recipient Edward Byers, and guest speaker will be retired Navy Master Chief Harry Bologna (SEAL), who had more than 22 years in Special Operations. 9 to 11 a.m. May 30. 3300 N. State Road A1A, North Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce.
Memorial Day Service:
10 a.m. May 30. Veterans Memorial Park, 2100 S.E.
Veterans Memorial Parkway, Port St. Lucie.
Mayor Greg Oravec and the Port St. Lucie City Council invite all residents to be a part of the solemn ceremony as representatives from the United Veteran of Port St. Lucie and various guests-of-honor present a tribute to those who sacrificed for the nation. Also, the Port St. Lucie Community Band will perform American music.
Seating is limited, so early arrival is recommended and lawn chairs are welcome.
Veterans Memorial Park is located at 2100 S.E. Veterans Memorial Parkway.
Memorial Day Picnic:
Ceremony to honor those who served and picnic lunch. 11 a.m. May 31. Sons of Italy Lodge 2594, 765 S.W. Dalton Circle, Port St. Lucie. $10.
Ticket: 772-631-3891; www.sonsofi talypsl.com
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
Classic Car Show:
Benefiting Veterans Council. 6-9 p.m. May 27. Along 14th Avenue and 23rd Street, Vero Beach. 772-643-6783; VeteransCouncilIRC.org.
Earl’s Memorial Day Ceremony and Festival Weekend: Bike parade noon. Biker’s lineup at S.E. corner of Roseland Road & U.S. 1. Veteran’s Ceremony with Col. Martin Zickert, U.S.A.F., 1 p.m.
Music: Fabulous Bees, Love Valley, Otis Cadillac and the ElDorados, Matt Schofield, Horsepower. May 28. Earl’s Hideway, 1405 Indian River Drive, Sebastian. 772-5895700.
Zero Dark 30: Teams of 5 people compete in an overnight challenge. 12 hours, one workout on the hour every hour along with remembering an Indian River County resident who died in combat with each workout. All proceeds go to helping local veterans through the programs of the Veterans Council. 7 p.m. May 28-7 a.m.
May 29. Orchid Island Crossfit, 3101 Aviation Blvd., Vero Beach.
Memorial Day Observance: Music and full military honors. Bring a lawn chair. 9 a.m. May 30, arrive by 8:30 a.m. Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary, Vero Beach. Golf cart transportation for seniors at the bridge entrance to the Island. 772-410-5820.
Memorial Day Ceremony:
VFW Post 10210 & American Legion Post 189. Featured will be representatives from the County Commission and Sebastian City Council, Sebastian River High School Navy ROTC, Sebastian River Veterans Honor Guards, dedication wreath service. 10 a.m. May 27. Riverview Park, 600 U.S. 1, Sebastian.
Vero Beach Elks Lodge Memorial Day BBQ/Music: 4 p.m. May 30. Vero Beach Elks Lodge, 1350 26th St.
Reservation: 772-562-8450; veroelks.com
MARTIN COUNTY
Lecture, book signing and art show by John Bowen: “From Vietnam War Illustrator to South Florida Painter,” 7 p.m. May 26. Elliott Museum, 825 N.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart. Regular museum admission; free to members and those in armed forces. 772-225-1961; The Elliott Museum - Let Your Mind Soar | Stuart Florida Museum.
Stuart Memorial Day Parade: Parade starts near St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and travels down Southeast Ocean Boulevard to Memorial Park, 300 S.E. Ocean Blvd. Observance ceremony to follow at the park.
Lunch & Music: Noon-4 p.m. May 30. VFW Post 10066, 1805 N.E. Savannah Road, Jensen Beach.
Schooner Lily Memorial Day Salute: Memorial Day Salute aboard the Schooner Lily. 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 6:45 p.m.
May 30. Downtown Stuart, 121 S.W. Flagler Ave. Free to $40. Reservation: 772-2677076; www.treasurecoast sailingadventures.com
Get prepped at the 2016 Hurricane Preparedness Expo, June 4
The City of Port St. Lucie and the Emergency Management Division invite the public to attend the 2016 Hurricane Preparedness Expo on Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Port St. Lucie Civic Center.
Information, resources and products for this year’s hurricane season will be on display from a wide variety of exhibitors.
Guest speakers will lead discussions giving further insight about hurricane preparedness.
Guest speaker schedule:
10:15 to 11 a.m. - Jim Hagen and Lenore Vredenburgh with American Red Cross discuss hurricane preparedness and response
11:15 a.m. to noon - Dave Wright with Butterfield Pharmacy will give some unique hurricane preparedness tips
12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m. - Meteorologist Mike Lyons with WPBF 25 News will discuss this year's hurricane forecast
1:15 to 2 p.m. - Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli with WPEC CBS 12 will discuss this year's hurricane forecast
The Civic Center is located at 9221 S.E. Civic Center Place, on the southeast corner of U.S. Highway 1 and Walton Road.
SATURDAY JUNE 4TH CELEBRATE OUR OCEANS
The Smithsonian Exhibit at St. Lucie Aquarium, 420 Seaway Drive in Fort Pierce, is celebrating World Oceans Day a little early, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. SATURDAY. Admission is buy one get one free. Seining demonstrations in the Indian River Lagoon will be at 11 a.m., noon, 1 and 2 p.m. For more information, call 772-465-3271.
TREKS AND TRACKS
Enjoy a nature walk on a lagoon island preserve early SATURDAY before the day heats up. The Environmental Learning Center, 255 Live Oak Drive in Vero Beach, will be open from 9 a.m. to noon and is offering free admission and a guided nature walk, which starts at 9:30 a.m. For more information, call 772-589-5050 or visit Environmental Learning Center - Welcome.
LEARN TO ROW
There’s a day for everything, including rowing.
SATURDAY is the 15th annual National Learn to Row Day, and the Treasure Coast Rowing Club is involved. Members will teach the technique necessary to enjoy the sport between 8:30 a.m. and noon at the new boat house, at 771 S.W. 28th St. in Palm City. This is a free event. For more information, call 772444-6006 or visit www. treasurecoastrowingclub. com.
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