Port St. Lucie, FL May 2023

Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles and Boats are a staple of American Life and enthusiasts dedicate extensive time and financial resources toward fulfilling their dream of having the coolest, most exotic vehicles and garages with which to house them; GARAGE EXOTICA exemplifies the means with which these vast number of enthusiasts can fulfill their desire to have the best!

Thank you to our Founding Partners.

Corey Smith Port St. Lucie City Lifestyle Publisher

Busy G Bookkeeping Solutions busygbooks.com

Caring Estate Solutions, LLC caringestatesolutionsllc.com

Diamonds By Terry diamondsbyterry.com

Elysian by mod elysianbymod.com

Extra Mile Carpet & Tile extramiletreasurecoast.com

First International Title, Inc. firstintitle.com

FoxHaven Roofing Group foxhavenroof.com

Garage Exotica garageexotica.com

Genesis Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Center genesisbjjcenter.com

Greyhounds in Motion greyhoundsinmotion.com

Journaventure Travel & Tours journaventuretravel.com

Kelita’s Cork kelitascork.com

Mavit Stone Services, LLC mavitstone.com

Meating Street Seafood & Steakhouse meatingstreet.com

NextGen Photography Instagram- @_nextgenphotography_

Palm City Insured palmcityinsured.com

SouthState Bank - Mortgage Office southstatebank.com/vanessaconiglio

Spruce Painting LLC sprucedpainting.com

Sugar Lumpz sugarlumpz.com

Super Custom Glass & Mirrors supercustomglass.com

The Kelly Team @ Keller Williams kellyteam.kw.com

The Haus of Skin thehausofskinfl.com

Tradition Plumbing traditionplumbingpsl.com

Yolanda’s Boutique shopyolandasboutique.com

Hey Port St. Lucie,

Cheers to the first issue of Port St. Lucie City Lifestyle being launched!

We are so thankful for all of our residents and business partners who have supported us along this crazy journey to making this publication possible. Launching this magazine has been the most challenging, yet incredible and life-changing experience for our family and we can't wait to give back to our amazing community each and every month!

We're a local husband and wife who are always looking to meet new people, stay up to date with our town & support local businesses and charities. Born and raised in New Jersey, we moved to Florida together about 7 years ago to enjoy all the sunshine our beautiful state has to offer. We never expected to fall so in love with our town here in Port St. Lucie!

Just over six months ago we had our first child, Riley. Having her made our decision that it was time to create something that we can call ours, while being able to give back to the community and bring people together at the same time. This led us to where we are now, creating this magazine for our town and helping local businesses support one another. We have had the pleasure of meeting with such incredible people during the making of this first issue and cannot wait to continue making new connections.

Our goal is to bring the community together, and we're always open to new ideas! If you or anyone you know has interest in being a sponsor, does something special that could be a feature for the community, or just wants to connect with us, please don't hesitate to reach out! We are also always looking for great local charities to help support.

We can't wait to hear from you and we hope you enjoy everything our first issue has to offer. Thank you to all of our incredible sponsors for helping make this happen and bringing this beautiful magazine to your home each month! It wouldn't be possible without each and every one of you. PS. With it being the month of Mother’s Day, we want to wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all our mama’s out there!

Gratefully yours,

COREY SMITH, PUBLISHER | ALEXA SMITH, MANAGING EDITOR @PORTSTLUCIECITYLIFESTYLE

May 2023

PUBLISHER

Corey Smith | corey.smith@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Alexa Smith | alexa.smith@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Leah Corbett

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Jayme Emery

FOSTER. ADOPT. TRANSPORT. DONATE. EDUCATE. SHARE.

Greyhounds in Motion is a registered 501c3 non-profit, providing transportation and accommodations for greyhounds — and sighthounds alike — to assist them on their journey to their forever homes.

Many hounds are brought from overseas into the United States and driven to their adopting family with the help of volunteers.

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

1: Enjoy a chiller and a shake, when it’s too hard to decide! 2: Indulged into this sweet snack at Traditions Food Truck Friday. 3: Another successful event from Elena, making handmade pasta at home. 4: A beautiful sunset while hitting some golf balls!! 5: Jenni giving a powerful message to her audience.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @portstluciecitylifestyle

6: Behind the scenes image from The Cottages Tradition - Clubhouse is making great progress!! 7: Perfect day for a birthday party with a petting zoo!!

@GOODVIBESPSL

@BUNNBOHCHURROS

@CF.PSL

@EATPLAYSAILFISH

@PASTABYPOLLIO

@THECOTTAGESTRADITION

@MYFIESTAFAIRY

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

A Market with a Purpose

Kelly DaRosa is the owner of Kelita's Cork. In addition to this, she wanted to do more; something with a purpose. She decided to start a Farmers Market of her own and help support small businesses and raise raffle money for charities. She opened this market January of 2023 and thanks to the support from her vendors and the community who attended it, she's now doing it monthly. Check it out the second Saturday of every month.

A Year of Success... And Great Hair!

After a lifelong desire to open a salon of her own and 9 years as a stylist, the dream came true for Samantha Johansen in 2020. Just shy of two years later, due to quick success & growth, the opportunity to expand presented itself and she jumped on it.  Elysian by Mod opened in May of 2022 and now has 5 stylists, a coordinator and an assistant. Read more about their welcoming environment & organic color line at elysianbymod.com. Happy One Year!

New Image, New Brand

NextGen Photography is rebranding to Gen & Co. Studio, because she is finally on the path to opening a studio! In the near future, she will not only provide travel studio services to her clients, but also create a luxury experience for expecting mothers in a beautiful private studio. Her goal is to provide moms with an incredible experience that not only results in amazing photographs, but gives them the opportunity to relax and get pampered!

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/PortStLucie

Fine Dining Meets Trendy Fun

ARTICLE BY ALEXA SMITH

PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANCESCO AVITTO-MARKETING MEDIA GROUP

Let’s talk about one of our favorite hot spots in PSL!

If you are anything like me, you’re constantly looking for somewhere good to eat. Some nights you might want to listen to music and dance, while others you may want to get dressed up and enjoy a nice, fancy dinner. Luckily, we have a place right here in town that can offer you both, situated in the heart of the thriving community of Tradition.

One of the most talked-about restaurants in Port St. Lucie is Meating Street Steak & Seafood, owned by Chef Pasquale Lamarra, his wife Joanna and his brother Carmine. Pasquale and Carmine grew up in

New Jersey where they started working alongside their father in their restaurant at a young age. Over the years, Chef Lamarra began mastering his skills and learning different positions within the restaurant industry. Throughout his childhood, he gained an understanding of the lifestyle of a restaurant owner, and he realized that was what he wanted for himself.  After moving to Florida, he knew it was time to open a restaurant of his own. He initially opened a restaurant in West Palm Beach, followed by a pizzeria in Stuart, but luckily for us, he eventually settled in Port St. Lucie.

For those readers who are not familiar with Meating Street, it’s a perfect gathering place for friends and family. The fine dining establishment offers an elevated dining experience with indoor dining, ample bar space, dim lighting and ‘date night’ vibes. In addition to this, the welcoming outdoor patio overlooks the pond and fountain of Tradition in a lively, trendy environment. The covered patio has a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights, creating a lively experience with dinner, cocktails, and dancing. Meating Street offers Sunday brunch, where not only is the food phenomenal, but you can also enjoy bottomless mimosas. If you fancy light bites or sampling their staple menu items, stop in for daily happy hour where you can find a ‘Fried Green Tomato Stack’ or ‘Clams Casino’ available. The mix of the indoor and outdoor spaces makes this restaurant suitable for all ages and enjoyable for whichever mood you might be feeling. Whether it be a fancy, romantic night consisting of good food and specialty drinks or a lively, fun day out in the sun – you have options!

As if that isn’t enough, the couple also owns Pastaio.  Pastaio opened in November of 2019, a year before Meating Street.  Opening Pastaio in November of 2019, just months before a global pandemic, was terrifying as business owners. They decided to come up with different ideas to keep customers engaged, including DIY meal kits, cocktails to go, a mini market, and overall take out options. Joanna Lamarra stated that she “could not

have seen the success happen had it not been for the support of our community.” Having customers who supported them the way they did is what contributed to getting them through the pandemic and brought them to where they are now.

Pastaio offers a warm, cozy, yet modern environment with aromas of fresh garlic! Pastaio consists of authentic Italian cuisine, including handmade pasta and generations-old specialty sauces, plus a remarkable cocktail list and extensive wine menu. They source the freshest ingredients and seasonal produce from local suppliers. Taste their Eggplant Stack, Zuppa Di Pesce or a specialty pie from their brick oven, to name a few staples. Enjoy your meal indoors or on their outdoor patio overlooking the hustle and bustle of Tradition.

It’s a great feeling seeing successful restaurant owners who have had a passion for the industry since they were kids.  It showcases the level of service they expect for their customers.  Seeing these restaurants thrive right in the heart of our own town, is a testimony to the support Port St. Lucie residents provide to businesses throughout the community.  The growth this town has already seen over the past few years, and will continue to see, comes from us!

After reading this, hopefully you’ll be tempted now to make a reservation! Find the information on the next page to go ahead and do so. We hope you enjoy Meating Street Steak & Seafood and Pastaio, and maybe one night soon, we’ll see you there!

“Whether it be a fancy, romantic night consisting of good food and specialty drinks or a lively, fun day out in the sun - you have options!”

MEATING STREET STEAK & SEAFOOD:

10553 SW Meeting St., Port St. Lucie, FL 34987

772-348-3805

PASTAIO HANDMADE PASTA & PIZZA:

10472 SW Village Center Dr., Port St. Lucie, FL 34987

772-800-5999

“We could not have seen the success happen, had it not been for the support of our community.”

MAKING AN IMPACT

One Family; Helping Hundreds

Where do I start when it comes to Travis O’Neal? What a prominent figure he is to our community!  Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and raised in Dallas, Texas, how did we get him and his family to end up here in our neck of the woods?

Travis is the Pastor at one of our local churches, Christ Fellowship. After graduating with a Business Degree at Taylor University, a small Christian school in Indiana, he took some time to figure out what he wanted to do with his career. He turned down multiple opportunities, knowing in his heart he wanted to find something that would provide him with eternal value.

He and his wife, Jenni, decided that they wanted to start fostering children.  They loved the idea of doing something meaningful, so they applied at Place of Hope to be foster parents and felt lucky when they were offered the opportunity.  Over a span of 8 years, they fostered 35 different kids.  During this time, they were living in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. After many years as a foster dad, he applied for a Pastor role in 2011 at Christ Fellowship and was offered the position.

Travis served at this location for 18 months before heading up this way to pursue a new opportunity. He transferred to the Stuart church for about 4 years before Port St. Lucie opened

“I cannot fathom my life, had I not come here”

their doors and he was called to join their team in 2016.  Travis said “I cannot fathom my life, had I not come here.” The families and friends he’s made, helped, and transformed are in the hundreds. He has connected families, supports multiple local charities, and is always looking for a way to make a difference in the community.

Most recently, Travis and scores of volunteers (of which there are over 500) put together nearly 3,000 diaper kits to send to those families in need in Turkey and Syria. The kits consisted of wipes, diapers, lotions, soaps, and a rubber ducky. He and the volunteers have worked with Boys & Girls Clubs, law enforcement, school systems, and other nonprofits donating time and energy to put together appreciation kits, cook meals for families, and handle beautification projects. In addition to all of this, here’s a fun fact about Travis. Can you guess what his favorite thing to do is during Sunday services? Traffic team. That’s his favorite part! Travis loves being involved in that first experience and having that initial connection with the community upon their arrival. This is a perfect reflection of Travis, showing how he does not try to be different or more special than anyone. He wants everyone to feel included, equal, and confident, no matter what their position is.

A ‘Home Run’ for Port St. Lucie

ARTICLE BY ALEXA SMITH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HELENE HAESSLER (@BHAESSLER4)

Being a resident of the Port St. Lucie community, chances are you know The Mets by now. Maybe you haven’t been to a game yet, but you know they are a staple to this town.  But the question might be, how? Or, why? Let me tell you a little bit about this amazing stadium and all they have brought to our community.

The New York Mets moved here in 1988 for spring training, we’re talking Port St. Lucie before exit 121 even existed! St. Lucie West was nonexistent and bringing this stadium here was the start of creating the vision our county had, which was to morph our town into what it is now.

Fast forward to today, and the St. Lucie Mets have put Port St. Lucie on the map for people all around the country. St Lucie West, the once vacant acreage nestled between the Florida Turnpike and i95, is now thriving with shopping centers, delicious restaurants, beautiful neighborhoods, and great schools. Now, Clover Park, with the St. Lucie Mets, has become the most sought-after destination of this beautiful suburban community.

So, let’s talk baseball! The St. Lucie Mets are the New York Mets’ Single-A minor league team. St. Lucie Mets players are in the range of 18-22 years old. Some are directly out of high school, others right out of college, making this the potential start of their major league career. For some of the players, Port St. Lucie is the first experience of the United States. They land in Miami Airport and head to our town; being brought here to play baseball. When speaking with General Manager, Traer Van Allen, about the upcoming Season, he stated, “Fans can expect to see a young,

exciting version of baseball being played this Season”.  After winning the Florida State League Championship last year, the goal for Traer and his team was to see the players progress through levels and advance, which is exactly what happened.  “There’s a good chance a lot of those guys won’t be here, so it will be a whole new team of young guys looking to make their mark and accomplish this same goal” says Traer.

In addition to watching the talent on the field, Clover Park itself holds multiple different things to do and keep you entertained.  Not only is it a safe, family friendly environment, but it’s a great place to walk around, support local charities, grab a hot dog and a cold beer or soda and socialize with friends (without breaking the bank)! They host a wide range of events, both small and large, from concerts to food bank distributions, car shows to various walks/runs.

Regarding supporting local charities, did you know how much the Mets Stadium gives back to our community? For example, in the Summer, every Saturday home game features a different local nonprofit group.  The players wear special themed jerseys supporting the chosen nonprofit group, in which they then autograph and auction off, and 100% of the proceeds go to that foundation. This program has been happening for nearly 8 years, which means they have represented hundreds of different nonprofit groups, anywhere from Autism to Breast Cancer to Military Appreciation.  One of my personal favorite themes is Christmas in July, where the team wears a themed Christmas jersey, such as ugly sweater jerseys, and proceeds go to Christmas for kids.

“The Mets moved here in 1988, we’re talking Port St. Lucie before exit 121 even existed!”

If this wasn’t enough to grab your tickets for the next game, they also feature firework nights on Saturdays, Thursday dollar beers, teacher appreciation events, and more. It’s always nice to find something different to do, especially when you can be outside appreciating the Florida weather, in a safe environment for all ages.  We

suggest getting your tickets to the next game so you can check out the talent and watch some players transform into professionals, right out of our own town!

Fans can find all the information they need about the team, including tickets and promotions, on www.stluciemets.com or their social media channels @stluciemets.

“ Grab a hot dog and a cold beer or soda and socialize with friends (without breaking the bank)!”

An Outdoor Experience

Through the Savanna Preserves

As many of you know by now, the Savanna Preserves are a beautiful staple of Port St. Lucie and surrounding areas. The preserves are a Florida State Park that runs along the coast from Jensen Beach to Fort Pierce, spanning over 10 miles and more than 6,000 acres.  This means that the preserve is the largest remnant of Florida’s east coast savannas! The basin marsh is preserved and protected for our visitors to explore and our wildlife to keep their homes.

Visiting the preserves gives you a variety of different activities to do.  It’s a beautiful spot for photographers to capture imagery from wildlife to sunsets, for people to enjoy a picnic at one of the picnic tables or pavilions throughout the trails, or to do outdoor activities from horseback riding, to fishing, or hiking with your dog!

On your way into the preserve, stop by the education center where you can take away a more in depth understanding of the habitats and history. You can also stay up to date with their calendar to learn about upcoming events they may be offering.

Wondering why it’s the ‘Savanna’ preserves? Here’s a fun fact - the term ‘Savanna’ comes from Lt. Colonel Benjamin Pierce. In the 1835-1842 Second Seminole War, he used this term to describe a series of ponds and marshes from here.

Let’s continue to learn in a little more detail some of the activities you can do throughout these preserves.

Bicycle:

If you’re a cyclist, you can enjoy 15 miles of trails throughout the preserves. Depending on the season and weather, trails could be wet since they wind through the marshes! Be sure to pack accordingly when planning your ride. We suggest throwing in sunglasses, sunscreen and a water bottle when going on a long ride during these Summer months. Don’t forget that Florida law requires riders under the age of 16 to wear a helmet.

Photo Credit: Lisa Silk, Shots By Silky

Hiking: Fishing: Kayaking:

With more than 17 miles of hiking trails available, guided tours are offered at the preserves. You can book a guided hike by either looking at the events portion on their website or scheduling one at any of the main entrances to the park. Regardless of what you’re looking for, there are different guided tours to accommodate any level of difficulty or distance. Should you choose not to do a guided tour, you can simply enter at your own leisure and be on your way!

Excellent freshwater fishing is available, as long as you have your Florida Freshwater Fishing License. You can find species ranging from different Bass and Gar to Catfish and Sunfish, with everything in between! Access the freshwater fishing through access points on Canoe Launch Road at the main Walton Road entrance, or the Evans Creek entrance off US1 and Crosstown. Enjoy the beautiful sunrises and sunsets offered at these natural preserves, and some helpful things to have on hand include your typical sunglasses, sunscreen, hat and fishing gear!

Every Friday & Saturday, you can book a guided kayaking tour. This 1.5-2 hour tour consists of paddling through the freshwater marsh as you learn about the preserves. While pointing out multiple wildlife animals such as different birds and turtles, you’ll also be educated on the importance of protecting the habitat and learning about the species that inhabit the area. You also have the option of launching your own kayak/canoe, just head toward the same access points as fishing!

ARTICLE BY ALEXA SMITH

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA SILK; SHOTS BY SILKY

your new date night

“YOU JUST NEED YOUR HANDS AND A ROLLING PIN”

Pasta by Pollio is a new date night idea, right in the comfort of your own home! Elena created this in honor of her late grandparents, who moved to the US from Italy to pursue the American Dream. This 2-3 hour interactive event is a fun way to learn how to hand make your own pasta! She brings all the tools and ingredients you’ll need, and even pairs it with a light, Italian imported wine sampling and history overview. Check out her personal recipes! @pastabypollio

ARTICLE BY ALEXA SMITH

Handmade Pasta Dough

ingredients:

• 1 Cup All Purpose, Unbleached Flour

• 1 Tbsp Salt

• 1.5 Tbsp Olive Oil

• 2 Eggs

tools:

• Flat Counter OR Silicon Mat

• Rolling Pin

• Fork and Pastry Cutter or Butter Knife

• Plastic Wrap

directions:

1. Evenly mix flour and salt and make a large well in the middle of the flour mound with two fingers, resembling a volcano.

2. Crack (2) eggs in the middle of the well, then add olive oil on top.

3. Take your fork and begin to scramble the eggs.

4. Slowly, bring in the flour from the walls and add/scramble into egg mixture with fork only.

5. Continue the process slowly until a ball begins to form.

6. Once ingredients are almost fully incorporated, you may use your hands to mend together.

7. *Do not at any point cut or separate the dough*

8. Resembling the motion of making a snowball, use the heat and your body weight to knead and mend the dough for about 5 minutes, until you have a ball you can pick up.

9. Some dough/flour will be lost – that is OK. Push it to the side.

10. Once your ball is formed, wrap it up in a reusable kitchen towel or plastic wrap for 15-20 minutes.

11. Remove dough, roll out for 15-20 minutes. Once rolled thin, you may cut dough into desired shape - Long for fettuccine, or use for ravioli fillings!

After making our pasta from scratch, we’ll need that perfect sauce to top it off! Let’s learn how to make Elena’s sauce recommendation to top on your authentic, handmade pasta for the perfect dish. Don’t forget to pair this with one of your favorite wines for the final touch!

Olio d’Oliva Tradizionale Sauce Recipe

makes:

4 servings

ingredients:

• 1/3 Cup Olive Oil

• 5 Garlic Cloves

• Handful of Fresh Italian Parsley

• Dash of Salt and/or Red Pepper Flakes

• Choice of Grated Cheese to Top (Recommend Parmesan or Percorino Romano)

directions:

1. Pour olive oil into a pan on low-medium heat

2. Crush garlic and add to oil - stir until lightly brown

3. Add salt and red pepper flakes to your desire

4. When plating, assure sauce is warm - pour on top of pasta OR mix pasta and sauce together in the sauce pan

5. Add your choice of grated cheese to top

6. Enjoy!

GET INSPIRED EAT & DRINK SHOP LOCAL

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

St. Lucie Mets Games

CLOVER PARK - 31 PIAZZA DRIVE, PORT ST. LUCIE | 6:00 PM

We have multiple home games to check out at the stadium through the month of May. Games typically start at 6:10pm, Tuesday-Sunday, although dates and times will vary. You can view a detailed list by visiting stluciemets.com and clicking on "Schedule".

The PSL Heavy Metal Flea Market

HOP LIFE BREWING; 679 NW ENTERPRISE DR. SUITE 101 | 12:00 PM

Join us for the second annual PSL Heavy Metal Flea Market at Hop Life Brewing. Come out and enjoy multiple vendors, artists, live music, craft beer and great food!

Kelita's Market

6255 SW TRAVERS ST, PALM CITY, FL 34990 | 9:00 AM

Not an average market, but a market with a purpose! Every month they choose a cause in which all raffle contributions and donations go towards. Come out and enjoy local vendors, face painting, yoga, food, kid friendly activities and more. Come support your local small businesses, the second Saturday of the month.

Fleet Feet PSL 3rd Annual Dreamin' of the Keys 5k

THE GAZEBO ON MEETING STREET NEAR TRADITION SQUARE | 5:00 PM

This evening race will be Key West themed; we're talking grass skirts, straw hats, stuffed parrots and Hawaiian leis! Let's bring the Key West vibe to our town!

Haitian

Flag Day Festival

9221 EVENT CENTER PLACE, PORT ST. LUCIE | 2:00 PM

Join us at the Midflorida Event Center as the Treasure Coast Cultural Festival presents another successful Haitian Flag Day Festival!  Bring your friends and family to celebrate this special event.

Island Days with Hot Sauce Moon

TRADITION SQUARE, PORT ST. LUCIE | 3:00 PM

A tropical event free to the public, with specialty food, cocktails and more.  Come out and mingle with friends while enjoying live music from Hot Sauce Moon & The Landsharks Band, performing a Jimmy Buffet Tribute live on stage in Tradition Square.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/PortStLucie

happy hours

An extended welcome to join in on some of my personal favorite local Happy Hours!

ARTICLE BY ALEXA SMITH

01 @HOPLIFEBREWING has great weekly events like brewery tours or bingo & beer specials with their incredibly delicious craft beers. // 02 @THEHOWLINROOSTER holds happy hour five days a week, 11am-7pm.  That’s a long time to be happy!!! // 03 MEATING STREET offers food and drink specials EVERY DAY at the bar area! // 04 @WATERFRONTSTUART is new and improved, offering a gorgeous new place to go relax on the water. Not to mention, their happy hour is 50% off drinks! // 05 @CONCHYJOESSEAFOOD offers the “Almost Free Happy Hour Menu” with buy one get one drinks from 3-6pm. In addition, they offer food specials and live music on the weekends. // 06 @TIDEHOUSESTUART never fails with the incredible view, delicious food & great specials. Happy hour is offered Tuesday-Friday, come cheers us!