Something to consider when attacking cattle industry
The challenges faced by the cattle industry in Florida continue to grow, says Matt Pearce, president of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, who will address the Martin County Taxpayers Association at noon on Thursday, Oct. 24, at Miles Grant Country Club in Port Salerno.
The cattle industry represents nearly a $1 billion impact to the state’s economy, according to the University of Florida, and provides half a million jobs. Its six million acres of grazing landscape also plays a vital role in ecosystem management, a fact often overlooked. With around 1,000 people a day moving into Florida, ranch land is being squeezed out by urban sprawl, Pearce says, which also means the loss of water storage, filtration and wildlife habitat.
When it’s lost, it will be lost forever.
“More of our time is being consumed defending all the positive contributions we make as stewards of the land,” Pearce says. “The one thing that is evident is that the fight won’t get any easier.”
Pearce’s address is open to the public. Tickets, which include the noon meal, are $27.50, and can be purchased at the Martin County Taxpayer website, www.MCtaxpayers.org through PayPal or a credit card. The deadline for reservations is Tuesday, Oct. 22, by 5 p.m. Contact Darlene for more information at 772-285-7447.
Oops, Martin County Currents made a mistake
The food truck invasion at Hobe Sound is no longer the third Saturday of the month, as Currents reported recently. It’s the fourth Friday of every month at J.V. Reed Park at 9004 SE Athena Street in Hobe Sound, according to Lainey Muenich, executive director of the Hobe Sound Chamber of Commerce, sponsors of the event.
The new venue for “Chow Down Hobe Sound” offers more parking and more room for activities in addition to around a dozen food trucks and numerous vendors. They plan to have a DeeJay
and a tiki bar from 5 pm-9 pm. Admission is free. The family dog is welcome to attend, too.
Chow Down Hobe Sound begins Friday, October 25, and will continue through April 24.
“Families are welcome to attend this fun-filled laid-back party,” Muenich says. “Bring chairs and picnic blankets to hang out on the football field under the stars.”
Mark your calendar now for these Chow Down Hobe Sound food truck events on fourth Fridays: Oct. 25; Nov. 22; Dec. 27; Jan. 24, 2020; Feb. 28, 2020; March 27, 2020; and April 24, 2020.
Other events coming up:
Thursday, Oct. 24
Halloween Dance
Get your best Halloween costume – ghoulish or glamorous – out of mothballs now to have it ready for the first annual Halloween Dance at the Kane Center, 900 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the best costumes. Daryl Magill will lead the festivities. Menu planned by Chef Chris is chicken florentine, infused wild rice, fire-roasted corn and dessert. Cash bar available. Tickets: $15 per person or $80 for table of eight. Call 772-223-7800 or go to kanecenter.org.
Oct. 24, 25, 26, 27
‘Matilda’ at StarStruck
Youngsters up to age 18 will show off their acting, singing and dancing talents in “Matilda,” a Tony Award-winning musical at the StarStruck Academy Theatre, 2101 S. Kanner Highway, Stuart, Oct. 24, 25, 26 and 27. The musical is based on the 1988 children’s novel by Roald Dahl who also wrote “Willy Wonka.” In the plot, Matilda is an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Tickets: $19.99-$39.99. Shows are at 7 p.m. Oct. 24, 25, 26, 27 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 26. Show is suitable for all ages. Go to www.starstruckfl.com or call 772-283-5246.
Friday, Oct. 25
Food Truck & Movie Night
Get your Halloween fun in a few days early with the Food Truck and Movie Night on Friday, Oct. 25, 5:30 to 9 p.m., at Sandsprit Park, 3443 S.E. St. Lucie Blvd., Stuart. Movie is “Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween,” to be shown on a 20-foot tall screen. FREE admission to the movie which starts at 7 p.m. Bring blankets, chairs, insect spray. Food trucks will be onsite. Call Carlos Morales at 772-221-1430.
Saturday, Oct. 26
11th Annual Palm City Fall Fest
Cooler weather is on the way, which makes strolling among various fall festivals more enticing. Palm City Chamber of Commerce is preparing its 11th Annual Palm City Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Citrus Grove Community Park, 2507 S.W. Citrus Boulevard. Offered will be food for sale, live entertainment, arts and crafts, children’s area, car show & cruis, community and business booths and more. Admission: FREE. Go to www.palmcitychamber.com/
Saturday, Oct. 26
Hobgoblins on Main Street Costume Parade/Family Festival
They could be scary but in the afternoon, at least, they’re cute. And they’re going to be walking down Osceola Street to Haney Circle during the Annual Hobgoblins on Main Street Costume Parade and Family Festival on Saturday, Oct. 26, 1 to 4 p.m. Featured is the annual merchant trick-or-treating and the parade. Youngsters in costume are invited to join the fun by assembling first at the Riverwalk Stage by the City Hall Annex parking lot, 300 St. Lucie Ave., Stuart. Downtown merchants will be stationed outside shops for fun, safe trick-or-treating. FREE. Call 772-286-2848.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Creepy Creature Feature: Nocturnal Night at the Museum
Meet the animals who are awake during the night during the Creepy Creature Feature: Nocturnal Night at the Museum on Saturday, Oct. 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Hobe Sound Nature Center, 13640 S.E. U.S. 1, Hobe Sound. You’ll get to meet exotic live nocturnal animals visiting from the Palm Beach Zoo and live animals housed at Hobe Sound Nature Center. Also planned are face painting, crafts and games. Costume contests for adults and children are planned. Recommended for families with children ages 4 and up. Adults without kids are welcome. FREE. Call 772-546-2067 or go to www.hobesoundnaturecenter.
Sunday, Oct. 27
Treasure Coast Halloween Half
It’s happening in the daytime but you can pretend that there’s a “ghoul” chasing you in the Treasure Coast Halloween Half marathon, set for Sunday, Oct. 27, 6:30-11:30 a.m., at Stuart Memorial Park, 300 S.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart. Cost: $25-$65, depending upon the event. Medals will be awarded to all finishers. Refreshments and costume contest are planned. Register: www.tchalloweenhalf.
Sunday, Oct. 27
Stuart Community Band
The five-concert season of the Stuart Community Band gets off to a patriotic start with “United We Stand,” on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Kane Center, 900 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart. Among the featured pieces to be performed will be “Chester Overture,” “When Jesus Wept,” “The Free Lance March,” “American Salute,” “Armed Forces Salute” and “Capitol Hill March.” Tickets: $10. Call 772-223-7800.
Thursday, Oct. 31
Sheriff’s Halloween Trunk or Treat
One of the most popular events in Martin County is intended to keep kids safe and off the streets on Halloween night by offering dozens of decorated car trunks filled to the brim with treats. This is a FREE family event.that will include a bounce house, popcorn, snow cones, hot dogs, hamburgers, food trucks and special treats at the Martin County Public Safety Complex at 900 SE Monterey Road in Stuart from 5 until 9 p.m.
