Old Friends New Faces&
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Main Street Focus PRSRT STD 122 AE Backus Ave. US POSTAGE Fort Pierce, FL 34950 PAID WEST PALM BCH FL PERMIT NO 4595 & old friends old new faces new Historic Downtown Fort Pierce Welcomes Pierce Fort Downtown Historic August, 2020 August, 1 No. 16, Volume 2 MAIN STREET FOCUS AUGUST 2020 AUGUST 2020 MAIN STREET FOCUS 3 Stay Informed with MainStreetFortPierce.org by Sue Dannahower ast month Main Street Fort Pierce have dressed up their parklets with seating, plants, merchandise Llaunched their new website. It con- and decorations to give shoppers and diners more space. The tains beautiful photos of downtown Fort parklets took center stage during the Christmas in July event Pierce, links to our partners and business last month when shoppers took selfies in them in exchange for members, upcoming event information, tickets to enter the downtown shopping spree raffle. and much more. Tickets for events such as Main Street Fort Pierce continues our commitment to the October’s Ghost of Fort Pierce Past walk- downtown businesses and restaurants. We are promoting on- ing tour will now be available online through our website, so line shopping, posting hours of operation on our Facebook page we encourage you to visit and keep checking mainstreetfort- and our website. At this time, we are planning to resume host- pierce.org to keep informed. ing our monthly and annual public events once it is deemed If you have been in or driven by downtown Fort Pierce re- safe for the public and our volunteers to gather. We miss all of cently, you certainly noticed that the streets are adorned with our supporters and hope to see you back at our events soon. parklets to help downtown restaurants and businesses expand Please continue to support our wonderful downtown busi- their usable space. Businesses have embraced this concept all nesses by shopping and dining in beautiful Historic Downtown over the country and many of our local retailers and restaurants Fort Pierce. ❖ Volume 16, No. 1 August 2020 Publisher Main Street Fort Pierce Inc. Editor Joanne Blandford Advertising Director Main Street Fort Pierce Inc. 2020 – 2021 Officers, Board of Directors & Staff Graphic Design Susan M. Roberts Contributing Writers Britt Anderson, Joanne Blandford, Sue Dannahower, Sue Dannahower Britt Reynolds Patti Craft Dave Miller Pam Gillette, Michael Howard, Mayor Linda Hudson, President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Anne Satterlee, Holly Theuns, Doris Tillman Board of Directors Photography John Culverhouse, Mary Ann Ketcham Charlie Hayek Dana McSweeney Donna Sizemore Jeremiah Johnson Michelle Miller-Morris Copyright © 2020 Main Street Focus Inc. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Main Street Fort Doris Tillman Michelle Cavalcanti Mimi Ewan Joanne Blandford Pierce. Contents may not be reproduced without prior written permission Manager Marketing Manager Finance Focus Editor of Main Street Fort Pierce Inc., 122 AE Backus Ave., Fort Pierce, FL 34950. PHONE 772-466-3880 • FAX 772-466-3917 • [email protected]. Phone: 772.466.3880 • mainstreetfortpierce.org 4 MAIN STREET FOCUS AUGUST 2020 AUGUST 2020 MAIN STREET FOCUS 5 Keeping You Safe Fort Pierce by Linda Hudson, Mayor, City of Fort Pierce �ayor’s �essag�id you know that the primary kind of chal- Drole of municipal government lenge we must is public safety? We keep you safe with face. St. Lucie our Fort Pierce Police Department, County enacted which is usually about one-third of a requirement the city’s budget. The majority of the for face masks police budget goes for salaries and ben- for most business efits, which include pension and health employees who insurance. Operational costs cover police cars, body cameras, cannot practice uniforms, and other equipment. Our FPPD emphasizes com- social distancing, munity policing, officers interacting with the public in a positive particularly those manner, like Courageous Kids and Front Porch Roll Call. who serve food. We keep you safe: With our building department making sure Customers are that structures are safely built in our city; With monitoring and not required, but maintaining our roads, bridges and sidewalks; and, with best fi- are encouraged, nancial, employment and business licensing practices. to wear masks. The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) keeps you We continue The Fort Pierce Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard participated in Operation Dry Water, safe by providing high-quality electric, water, wastewater to hold regularly to keep boaters safe over the 4th of July holiday. and gas services to keep the lights and water on in your scheduled Safe boating includes life jackets for all on board, having safety equipment and a plan and not homes and businesses. commission boating under the influence. Stay dry and safe. Our city remains committed to keeping all residents and meetings, with visitors safe during pandemics, hurricanes and any other social distancing and citizen input in person or via written communication. We continue to keep our citizens informed on COVID-19 developments. Our city is experienced in preparing for, enduring, and re- covering from hurricanes. We keep you informed and work with St. Lucie County to open shelters for all citizens, includ- ing special needs and pets. Our staff physically surveys all WHY A REVERSE MORTGAGE? part of the city to make sure to minimize flying debris and • Eliminate monthly mortgage payments other dangers. Law enforcement throughout the county are (You must pay taxes and insurance) on duty 24/7 and are the first on the scene after winds subside • Establish a line of credit that can grow over time to evaluate damage and ensure safety of the streets. • Fund your home renovations, consolidate debts or keep the money for emergency Personal responsibility in all things, but especially in emer- LEON GUS NICHOLS gencies like a pandemic or hurricane, is a hallmark of a civil so- Mortgage Loan Originator / Attorney at Law ciety. Please take personal responsibility to complete the 2020 Office 772-228-8600 • Cell 772-925-5456 • NMLS #1642700 census. It’s a quick, easy way to help Fort Pierce and all our “We highly recommend Leon for this type of mortgage!” residents for future. ❖ 6 MAIN STREET FOCUS AUGUST 2020 Are You Prepared? by Jann Widmayer e’ve all been If you plan to evacuate Wconsumed by to a shelter, update yourself the news surround- on local public shelters. ing the COVID-19 They may be different this pandemic and how to year due to the pandemic. protect ourselves and Know which shelters are others against the risks for special needs or are of infection, but we pet friendly. Most areas should also give some require early registration attention and energy for a special needs or pet- to preparing for a nat- friendly shelter. ural disaster. We are in If you plan to evacuate the midst of the 2020 to another state, be sure Hurricane season and NOAA (National Oceanic & At- you know the COVID-19 guidelines for that state. mospheric Association) has predicted a very active sea- If you plan to stay with family or friends, confirm that they son, with 13-19 named storms, 6-10 of which could be are still an available destination. Discuss how you will maintain hurricanes, including 3-6 major hurricanes. In late July, social distancing and stay protected. tropical storm Hannah was the eighth named storm of Make a plan for all of your pets. If you have to evacuate, the season! We are all familiar with the damage a hur- never leave them behind. ricane, or even a strong fast-moving thunderstorm can PREPARE cause. Because this hurricane season is like no other, your Prepare a list of emergency numbers and post in a conve- plans may differ due to the coronavirus pandemic. NOW nient location, such as on the refrigerator door. is the best time to plan, prepare, and take the extra steps Prepare your Hurricane Emergency Supply Kit now. Basics necessary to help you and your family stay safe during include enough food and water to last at least 3 days. Have a this unusual hurricane season. two-week supply of prescription medicines and medical sup- EXAMINE YOUR RISK plies. Don’t forget to pack food and supplies for your pets. Are you in an area that is prone to storm surge and storm Flashlights, battery operated radio, and extra batteries should tide? Are you in an area that could experience inland flooding be included in your kit, along with some cash. (Banks may be from heavy rainfall? High winds, rip currents and tornadoes are closed and ATMs will not work if there is a loss of power.) also major hazards associated with hurricanes. If you are in an evacuation area, prepare a ‘go kit’ with per- MAKE YOUR PLAN sonal items you cannot do without (including bedding). Ad- Find out if you live in an evacuation zone. Develop an emer- ditional recommended items this season include face masks, gency plan that includes your evacuation route. Experts recom- hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, disinfecting wipes and trash mend preparing an alternate route as well. Share your plans bags. If you have to evacuate, be sure to take your emergency with someone that is not in the path of the storm. supply kit along with your ‘go bag’. Plan your evacuation destination. Remember that hotels Prepare your home and yard. Do any needed maintenance have new guidelines under COVID-19, so call ahead and, if on anything that might pose a problem or danger during a needed, be sure they accept pets. storm, such as tree trimming. AUGUST 2020 MAIN STREET FOCUS 7 Review insurance policies and photograph/catalog belongings.