By Larry Bailey
Correspondent
Monday, January 28, 2008
FORT PIERCE — Food, fun, and entertainment captivated those who attended the Farmers' Market in downtown Fort Pierce Saturday morning.
Debra Yatsko, a longtime market patron, said her family members do so well selling photography at the market that she is considering a venture for herself.
"It is high spirited, full of positive energy, and a great opportunity to make money," she said.
The Fort Pierce Farmers' Market, designed to bring more customers to businesses and help showcase downtown area, attracts large crowds. According to market chairwoman Linda Hudson, the market draws 12,000-15,000 people into downtown Fort Pierce every Saturday. The mood was especially festive on Saturday as the market celebrated 11 years of success.
Patrons of the market come to feast on the varied cuisines while they sit on the sea wall that overlooks the Indian River Lagoon. Foods offered at the market include soup to nuts, crepes, cakes, sandwiches, Mexican and Jamaican dishes, gyros, jellies, and fruit. There is also a large display of arts and crafts that includes pottery, painting, and jewelry.
The market also features entertainment. On Saturday, the Avenue D Boys Choir offered up soulful gospel songs and solo singer Maury Stauffer followed with memorable mellow folk ballads from the 1960s and '70s.
Market manager Bobbi Spencer, of Fort Pierce, said participating vendors come to Fort Pierce because they believe it's the best farmer's market in south Florida.
"Our beautiful waterfront location draws many people," she said.
Beverly Loureiro, a customer from of Fort Pierce, said "I have been coming to the market for many years, we often start here with breakfast and end here with lunch, I come for bread and my husband comes for sticky buns."
Saturday morning regular Mary Ann Bryan, of Fort Pierce, said, "The market on the waterfront is a Fort Pierce treasure."
Both patrons and vendors get up early to participate in the Saturday morning tradition of activities offered by the market.
"It is worth getting up at four in the morning to get my peanuts ready for my customers because I do well in this market," said Barbi Motisi, of Stuart.
The Fort Pierce Farmers' Market is open every Saturday year-round from 8 a.m. to noon.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Indian River County: What's ahead in 2008
Here are a few New Year predictions and prognostications for Indian River County and the Treasure Coast
Monday, December 31, 2007
IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
Orioles snatch up Dodgertown
Dodger blue will give way to Oriole orange when officials announce that Baltimore will move its spring training facility from hectic Fort Lauderdale to laid-back Vero Beach. Keeping the historic training facility occupied will help stabilize Indian River County's economy by bringing new life — and new dollars — to the tourist trade.
Estefan opens Vero Beach hotel with concert
Gloria Estefan will open her long-awaited luxury hotel in Vero Beach and commemorate the event with a free community concert. Vero Beach won't nix the concert this time around because local candidates want to usurp the event for their campaigns. They will be booed by residents just looking for rhythm, not rhetoric.
Wild Turkey mine defeated by riled residents
Angry residents will wear down the owners of the Wild Turkey property, and they'll give up plans to mine the land — either willingly or after being bought out by the county or neighbors. In the battle, lawsuits will be filed, letters to the editor will be written and the growth debate in Indian River County will have a new epicenter.
Guthrie finally cleans up
Acting on a New Year's resolution, singer Arlo Guthrie will clean and rebuild his ruined Roseland house. Once he's out of hot water with county code enforcement officers, Guthrie will try to make amends with his neighbors who will be civil, but refuse to support his bid to turn the place into the new Alice's Restaurant.
Piper stays, but isn't quite welcomed
After months of waffling, Piper executives will decide to keep the 1,100 jobs in Vero Beach. But the company's relationship with Indian River County residents and officials will remain strained. Some workers will leave anyway, worried their jobs could be in jeopardy again.
Officials reach historic annexation deal, but residents aren't happy
Fellsmere, Sebastian, Vero Beach and the other Indian River County governments finally hash out a deal — the first of its kind on the Treasure Coast — showing how much land each city eventually will annex. Officials say it will prevent land grabs. But residents won't like the plan, fearing the extended city outlines just mean unsustainable growth, and will lash out at incumbent candidates during the election.
ON THE TREASURE COAST
Failing real estate market cripples local, national economy
The continued free fall of housing prices, combined with skyrocketing foreclosures, will leave more Treasure Coast workers out of work. Treasure Coast governments, as both commercial and residential growth slows to a trickle, also will be scrimping for cash. Worry, panic and stress over the recession will make the economy a significant issue in every election, from presidential down to local campaigns.
Voters lash out at governments over high taxes, poor economy, extra fees
Local governments, crimped by property tax reform passed by voters in January and the failed housing market, will enact new and higher fees on many services with a backlash against incumbent candidates in the elections. Incumbents who manage to eke out another term will have to promise tighter budgets.
'Research Coast' lands another biotech company
Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research, a Santa Clarita, Calif.-based biotech organization, likely will be the next tenant of the Florida Center for Innovation at Tradition in Port St. Lucie. The Mann Research Center, which has ties to the Mann Foundation, already has signed a contract with developer Core Communities to buy 22 acres at Tradition. Another research organization could be the one bright spot in the Treasure Coast economy.
Monday, December 31, 2007
IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
Orioles snatch up Dodgertown
Dodger blue will give way to Oriole orange when officials announce that Baltimore will move its spring training facility from hectic Fort Lauderdale to laid-back Vero Beach. Keeping the historic training facility occupied will help stabilize Indian River County's economy by bringing new life — and new dollars — to the tourist trade.
Estefan opens Vero Beach hotel with concert
Gloria Estefan will open her long-awaited luxury hotel in Vero Beach and commemorate the event with a free community concert. Vero Beach won't nix the concert this time around because local candidates want to usurp the event for their campaigns. They will be booed by residents just looking for rhythm, not rhetoric.
Wild Turkey mine defeated by riled residents
Angry residents will wear down the owners of the Wild Turkey property, and they'll give up plans to mine the land — either willingly or after being bought out by the county or neighbors. In the battle, lawsuits will be filed, letters to the editor will be written and the growth debate in Indian River County will have a new epicenter.
Guthrie finally cleans up
Acting on a New Year's resolution, singer Arlo Guthrie will clean and rebuild his ruined Roseland house. Once he's out of hot water with county code enforcement officers, Guthrie will try to make amends with his neighbors who will be civil, but refuse to support his bid to turn the place into the new Alice's Restaurant.
Piper stays, but isn't quite welcomed
After months of waffling, Piper executives will decide to keep the 1,100 jobs in Vero Beach. But the company's relationship with Indian River County residents and officials will remain strained. Some workers will leave anyway, worried their jobs could be in jeopardy again.
Officials reach historic annexation deal, but residents aren't happy
Fellsmere, Sebastian, Vero Beach and the other Indian River County governments finally hash out a deal — the first of its kind on the Treasure Coast — showing how much land each city eventually will annex. Officials say it will prevent land grabs. But residents won't like the plan, fearing the extended city outlines just mean unsustainable growth, and will lash out at incumbent candidates during the election.
ON THE TREASURE COAST
Failing real estate market cripples local, national economy
The continued free fall of housing prices, combined with skyrocketing foreclosures, will leave more Treasure Coast workers out of work. Treasure Coast governments, as both commercial and residential growth slows to a trickle, also will be scrimping for cash. Worry, panic and stress over the recession will make the economy a significant issue in every election, from presidential down to local campaigns.
Voters lash out at governments over high taxes, poor economy, extra fees
Local governments, crimped by property tax reform passed by voters in January and the failed housing market, will enact new and higher fees on many services with a backlash against incumbent candidates in the elections. Incumbents who manage to eke out another term will have to promise tighter budgets.
'Research Coast' lands another biotech company
Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research, a Santa Clarita, Calif.-based biotech organization, likely will be the next tenant of the Florida Center for Innovation at Tradition in Port St. Lucie. The Mann Research Center, which has ties to the Mann Foundation, already has signed a contract with developer Core Communities to buy 22 acres at Tradition. Another research organization could be the one bright spot in the Treasure Coast economy.
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