Port St. Lucie, FL June 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!

Hey Port St. Lucie,

First and foremost, can you believe it’s already June? We’re officially at the start of Florida’s hot summer & hurricane season! Make sure to keep up with your hurricane preparation check list... or, well, if you’re like us, you just go with it and ride out the storm. Either way, it’s here! Always good to keep items on hand like water, flash lights, canned goods, and spare batteries!

Moving on to the fun stuff, who enjoyed our premiere issue last month? It was so surreal to see all of our hard work, time and planning come to life. Our goal for each issue is to promote positive and inspirational stories and things to do around the community. We hope that after the last issue you have plans (or have already gone) to check out some of the featured places we highlighted!

This month, we’ve aligned our content to be geared more toward being a men's issue, in celebration of Father’s Day - although it can certainly be enjoyed by all. Have you heard about Cars & Coffee? If not, make sure to read the article and check out one of their upcoming events. It’s a great way to meet people, do something different, and support some local vendors.

We are always looking for new charities to support, businesses to partner with, or unique events to feature, so please reach out if you have any suggestions or ideas! Corey and I love hearing from you and getting to meet more people around town. You can reach out to either of our emails to connect!

June 2023

PUBLISHER

Corey Smith | corey.smith@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Alexa Smith | alexa.smith@citylifestyle.com

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 Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

Want to be seen in the magazine?

Tag your Instagram photos with @portstluciecitylifestyle

NextGen Photography offers luxury all inclusive studio sessions in your very own home! Be one of the firsts on the treasure coast to participate in a one of a kind experience. Motherhood and Family Portraiture is a specialty close to our hearts. We provide our clients with an unforgettable experience from start to finish. From lighting and backdrops to wardrobe and props, all you need to do is open the door! What are you waiting for!?

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Redefined & Refreshed!

We have changed our name from OBL skin boutique to Haus of Skin Boutique Spa. This change is reflected in our service offerings. We will be introducing more wellness centered treatments such as far infrared detox sauna wrap and body treatments and natural beauty enhancements facial threading, lash lifts and tints, brow laminations and henna. We are still a holistic spa and will continue to offer bespoke facials, aromatherapy, Korean skin treatments, and our signature premier experience. https://thehausofskinfl.com/

Celebrating Two Years

Genesis Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is excited to celebrate two years being open. After years of Professor Wendel Gabetta training and working to achieve his black belt, he then made his dream come true when he opened the doors to his own gym in 2021. In just two short years, he's been able to create a family on and off the mats. No matter your age, gender, or story, Jiu Jitsu is meant for everyone. https://genesisbjjcenter.com/

A Decade of Success

SouthState Mortgage Lender, Vanessa Coniglio, is proudly celebrating ten years with SouthState Bank! Throughout her time here, she's been able to help so many families looking to refinance or purchase a home, in a time where it may not feel easy. Vanessa even wrote her own article "Is Now A Good Time To Refinance Your Mortgage?" With her vast amount of experience & ten years with the company, we congratulate her for all of her success!

Want to be featured?

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

CARS & COFFEE

A group of people turning a passion into an experience.

Shift Culture was created to do exactly that - shift the culture.  Founder and owner of Shift Culture, David Lloyd created this company with an end goal of changing the mindset on how people see car events and communities. David has always been a big-time car enthusiast, traveling to other areas with his friends for different races, car shows, and events.   After years of doing this, he decided it was time to bring one to his own area.  With a business background of planning and running large events and tradeshows, he figured he could put his experience and talent to the test to create events for car fanatics and families like his.

CONTINUED >

Two of the largest monthly events around our town are Street Dreams and Cars & Coffee. David wanted to ensure that there’s “something for everyone” when creating these events, so you’ll see how different the dynamic is between them.  Street Dreams of the Treasure Coast is an event that happens the second Thursday of every month from 6-9pm in downtown Fort Pierce.  The downtown area turns into a block party where the restaurants and breweries join in, a DJ gets people dancing in the streets, there’s lots of great vendors and, most importantly, CARS! They showcase the best in classics, tuners, muscle, and exotic cars.  It’s a great family nighttime event where you can get out and do something different.

Switching gears (see what I did there?) to Cars & Coffee, this is an event you can attend right in our local town here in Port St. Lucie.  Cars & Coffee was held for years in Palm Beach County until one day David was approached to bring it to Mets Stadium. Naturally, David responded with a quick “Heck yeah, I would love that opportunity!”  In February of 2023, David launched his first Cars & Coffee event at Clover Park. The first event had 200 cars and is continuing to grow.  This event is a great way to network and meet new people. It’s held the last Sunday of every month from 8am-12pm. The diversity of this event makes it suitable for all age groups, offering different vendors, food trucks, and of course FREE coffee!

When I asked David to describe the experience of Treasure Coast Cars & Coffee for our readers, he said, “I believe in making sure that wherever we hold our events, it’s a safe environment and it’s for everyone. There is no nonsense, we have police there, and it’s so important to create an event that people can both enjoy and feel included.” They create a ‘Kids Zone’

with activities such as a video gaming trailer, laser tag, and bounce houses and feature raffles such as 50/50s to give back to local nonprofit organizations.  The entire event is run by volunteers, which is a great way to give back to the community. Our own PSL residents spend so much time putting these events together for others to be able to come out and enjoy and bring a new event to the community.

Another fun fact for our fellow car enthusiasts is Shift Culture does not put guard rails around these cars to just be looked at.  Always wanted to see what it would be like to sit inside of the brand new Lamborghini? You can! David feels that cars like these “aren’t meant to be hidden in a garage, but to let people experience them.”  Not only can the car owners showcase their prized possessions, but others who have that passion for cars can truly experience the feeling and excitement of being in them and snapping some great photos!

It’s a wonderful time to bring our community together through a unique and different experience, suitable for anyone and everyone.  Between the two different events, there’s a variety of days and times to try and accommodate all schedules. So, find a date that works for you, mark your calendars, gather your family and friends and come check them out! We can’t wait to see you there.

Don’t forget, new vendors are always welcome to help contribute to maximizing the events! Interested in being a vendor or learning more about the events? Check out their websites for more information. Navigate over to treasurecoastcarsandcoffee.com to learn about the Cars & Coffee events at Clover Park or check out shiftculture.co to learn more about Street Dreams in downtown Fort Pierce.

“These aren’t made to be hidden in a garage, but to let people experience them.”

Peach Chipotle Glaze Pork Chop

A RECIPE THAT WILL LEAVE YOUR TASTE BUDS SCREAMING TO TRY...

I had the opportunity to speak with the owners of Simple Indulgence Catering LLC who own and operate Kool Runninz Food Truck, Richard Whitmore and Danica Bahadur-Whitmore & get this recipe to share with you! Their Food Truck specializes in Caribbean and Southern Style dishes (with their main seller and must try dish being their Jerk Chicken) but their catering business caters all different types of cuisine.

The husband and wife team, both born in Jamaica, started catering smaller events together in 2012. It started as a side business as they continued working full-time jobs.  When Covid19 hit, Richard said it “spearheaded a lot of things for him.” It forced him to be creative in his job, as everything became remote, and businesses were being affected dramatically. He started doing consulting and seeing a lot of success, and he realized he could start a venture of his own, especially with his passion for cooking and being creative within the food industry. He delved into the idea of a food truck, in addition to his catering business, and decided to purchase a trailer and run with the idea – and it has been successful ever since.  The team has done catering of all sizes for many different occasions which even includes coming to your home and cooking a delicious, romantic meal for two.

View their Food Truck Instagram by going to @kool_runninzft

A Delicious Twist of Caribbean & Southern

Style Food

ingredients: Pork Brine

• 1 Gal Water

• ½ Cup Kosher Salt

• 4 Tbsp Brown Sugar

• 2 Tsp Peppercorns

• 2 Each Bay Leaf

• 3 Sprigs Rosemary

• 3 Tbsp Juniper Berries

• 2 Cloves Garlic

ingredients: Peach Chipotle Glaze

• 2 Tbsp Blended Oil

• 1 Cup Chopped Onions

• 18 Oz Frozen Peaches

• ¼ Cup Chipotle Puree

• 2 Cup Orange Juice

• 2/3 Cup Red Wine Vinegar

• 2 Oz Lime Juice

• ¼ Cup Chopped Cilantro

• 2 Cup Brown Sugar

• 1 Tsp Kosher Salt

• 2 Cup Water

• 1 Tsp Cumin

• 1 ½ Cup Orange Blossom Honey

directions: Pork Brine

1. In a medium stock pot combine water, salt & sugar, and mix well until they are completely dissolved, add remaining ingredients, and bring to a simmer for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat & allow to cool for about 2 hours. Place in container, in cooler to finish the cooling process. Add pork to brine and brine for a minimum of 2 hours.

directions: Peach Chipotle Glaze

1. Heat oil in sauce pan then add onions and sauté until soft, add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and blend until smooth, strain mixture using a china cap strainer in a plastic storage container.

directions: Cooking Pork Chop

A Mentor in the Community

Leading a team, helping those in need

It was such a pleasure meeting with one of the most inspirational men in our community, Will Armstead. In honor of Father’s Day this month, we’d like to introduce someone who’s not only a father himself but also a leader and role model to the children of our community.

Will Armstead is the CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County, located in Fort Pierce. Originally born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, we were blessed to get such an inspirational figure to bring his passion and loyalty here to the kids of our county. Prior to working here, Will served sixteen years in the Army. In addition, he was quite the businessman. Between serving in the military and his experience working for large corporate companies, the mix of

learned discipline with a business mind made for a great background to enter this field.  He decided to follow his passion for helping those in need, along with providing a future for our very own children.

The almost 30-year organization, Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County, is the leading youth development agency on the Treasure Coast. They work with kids anywhere from 6-18 years old and provide them with afterschool care, summer and outreach opportunities. They offer programs ranging from financial literacy, workforce readiness, heathy living, Passport to Manhood, and SMART Girls, all designed to teach kids how to better their lifestyles by staying healthy, learning new skills, and getting involved. CONTINUED >

Will plays such an important role in the lives of these kids. He was a board member for some time before he officially became part of the team. After a few years on the board, he started as the interim CEO where he was able to really see behind the scenes instead of only looking in from the outside as a board member. He started realizing the dedication, loyalty, passion, sweat, and hard work that went into the everyday lives of being a staff member here. Will says that he started observing and said to himself, “Wow, these people work hard, and they work with a purpose”.  The team has a vision of following 3 things; live a healthy lifestyle, build character and citizenship, and be on track for graduation.  He started realizing how this wasn’t just something that is said or written to showcase a ‘vision’ but how it’s embedded into the team to truly abide by.  Will was presented the offer to come on board officially, and he happily accepted.  It has now been eight years that he has been sitting in the chair of CEO for Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County.  Currently, he has nearly 200 staff members on his team, and something that really got to me was when he said, “200 staff members on my team, and I haven’t found one that doesn’t have true passion or go above and beyond for these kids.”

Will is such a kind person with a big heart and it’s easy to see from just one quick conversation with him.  He truly cares about his team, the kids, and their own personal growth

and success. Something unique to Boys & Girls Clubs in St. Lucie County is how they work with local companies who are willing to help these kids learn and grow in their careers. They partner with some local companies to provide entry level opportunities to shadow business leaders to help jumpstart their career. Some incredible partners to assist in this program are companies such as Bank of America, City of Fort Pierce, City of PSL, The Mets, A&G Concrete Pools, GL Homes and Southern Eagle Distributing.

On top of the family Will has created for himself through his career, he is also a husband to his wonderful and supportive wife, Rachel, and father to their ten kids! Will and Rachel have seven of their own children and adopted three.  Once their seven children were grown, they wanted to do something to continue helping children in need.  In 2018, they fostered three children – two of whom are brothers – and ultimately adopted all three!  Will says how lucky he is to have a wife that shares the same passion and values as he does to allow this to happen for their family.  “It’s not about being smart or being the best, it’s about who you are as a person, and that’s the legacy I want to leave.” Will, along with the team he’s put together, gives the children of our community such bright futures, and it’s a blessing to be able to be a part of it. Interested in volunteering, donating, or getting involved? Feel free to check out their website at https://bgcofslc.org/

“It’s not about being smart or being the best, it’s about who you are as a person, and that’s the legacy I want to leave.”

Cucumber Cooler

A Refreshing Cocktail for the Hot Summer Days

More often than not, people get comfortable with their “go-to” drinks. They grab that cold beer because it’s easy or mix up that vodka tonic once again. I’m a culprit! (That cold Bud Light does wonders for me). So, if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for something new & delicious to try and step out

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Medium Sized Cucumber Chopped in Small Pieces

• ¼ Cup Fresh Mint Leaves, Chopped

• 4 oz Vodka

• 2 Cups Lemonade

• Ice

of your comfort zone. During these hot summer months, what better is there than finding that refreshing cocktail to enjoy? One of our new Port St. Lucie residents and experienced Catering Director, Meghan Stricker, shared with me one of her favorite go-to cocktail recipes; Cucumber Cooler.  You can try

DIRECTIONS:

01. In a pitcher, muddle together fresh cucumber and mint leaves.

02. Add in vodka and stir.

it as a mocktail if you prefer, simply just omit the vodka for a tasty cucumber lemonade.  This drink pairs well with grilled flatbreads or a lighter option like hummus dip!

Try it at home and tag us in your photos. Be sure to let us know what you think… Cheers! @portstluciecitylifestyle

03. Add in lemonade and stir.

04 . Garnish with a cucumber slice wrapped inside the glass, add ice, pour in beverage, top with a mint leaf, and enjoy!

GiM GREYHOUNDS in MOTION

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.

The Ultimate Garage

Make Your Dream Garage Become A Reality

Let’s talk about a man who took his passion and made a self-claimed career out of it. Erik Thompson, the owner of Garage Exotica, has been a major car fanatic all his life. Whether it be cars, car products, or the space in which he worked on his car, there was always interest. One day he realized “If I like it, I’m sure there’s one or two other people out there who like it” and came to the decision that it was time to start his own business for people with a passion for cars just like him.

The Navy Reservist US Navy Lieutenant opened Garage Exotica LLC in 2020. The military owned company is run by Erik & his father, Phil Thompson.  The fatherson business was founded on passion, service, dedication, and hard work, in which every project they do and person they meet reflects these core values.  Being a family-built business, they strive to treat their clients the same way – like part of the family.

Starting this new business in 2020 was right around the time that Covid19 rocked our world. For Erik & Phil, they didn’t allow this to force them to give up, rather to take the time to game plan and make their business the best it could be. With Phil being a licensed general contractor and Erik being the car fanatic that he is, what better than to put the two skills together to really allow their business to take off?  Garage Exotica now offers storage solutions, car care products, car lifts, specialty lighting and overall makeovers to your garage space.  They strive to use only American made products and never settle for lesser quality, no matter the cost.  His mission is to ‘Make your dream garage become a reality” and he has many finished projects and happy clients to portray the truth to this mission.  We love not only supporting local businesses, but military AND family-owned businesses, too! Check him out by visiting garageexotica.com

MAKE AN IMPACT FOR DAD

What do you buy for the man who has everything? Perhaps an experience oriented around what dads value most – time together – is just what he needs. Fathers and father figures are invaluable in our lives. They help shape and mold us. They’re there for us and support us. If you haven’t already planned something special, take a look at our list of ideas and circle your favorites. If you have kids, let them join in the fun too!

Whether you decide to spend a day at home or enjoy a day on the town, these innovative celebration ideas will include fun for the whole family and make Dad feel loved. Whatever activity or surprise you land on to show your dad, husband, brother or father figure your appreciation for all they do, the most important thing is that you all get to spend some quality time together.

Memorable Ways to Celebrate The Father Figure in Your Life

LEARN ABOUT HIS FAMILY TREE

Family heritage websites can offer insight into dad’s past and be an interesting way to study the history of your family. Present Dad with a report on his ancestors or dig in together!

PLAN A STAYCATION

You don’t need to go very far to have a great time with Dad! Explore a new neck of your own woods with a family staycation. You can go out on the town, stay at a fancy hotel and maybe even enjoy some room service!

GO BIRD WATCHING

Lay out a blanket in your backyard and grab your binoculars for a peaceful, naturefilled day. Make a list of how many different kinds of birds you see and guess if you can identify them.

GO BOWLING

Bowling is a timeless classic Dad is sure to enjoy. Bonus if the bowling alley has an arcade, chicken wings and Dad’s favorite beverage of choice.

PLAY FRISBEE GOLF AS A FAMILY

Find a local frisbee golf course and grab a slot for the family to play. This activity is fun for both young and old and helps you take advantage of being in the beautiful outdoors together.

SPOIL HIM WITH BREAKFAST IN BED

Breakfast in bed isn’t just for Mother’s Day. Dads can enjoy it too! Whip up some of his favorite brunch treats and start Father’s Day off the right way.

06 09

HAVE A WINE AND PAINT NIGHT

Sign up for an artistic experience at a local wine and paint shop so Dad can let his creative side show and you can have a custom piece of art for years to come.

TACKLE A TASK TOGETHER

Is Dad a hands-on guy? Why not spend the day constructing a tree house or painting a birdhouse? Or better yet, help him organize the garage or start a garage redesign.

DO A FITNESS CLASS TOGETHER

Consider signing him up for a fitness class together. Whether he likes cycling, boxing or HIIT, encourage him to be adventurous and try something new.

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08

FIRE UP THE BACKYARD GRILL

There’s no greater way to get to a Dad’s heart than the word “barbecue”. Grab extravagant meats like a rack of ribs or wagyu beef burgers and go to town.

CONSTRUCT SOMETHING OUT OF LEGOS

Harken back to Dad’s childhood with a specialty kit of legos. Embark on a family project of helping Dad build models of favorite movie props like the Death Star or Hogwarts castle.

HAVE AN OUTDOOR FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT

07 10 11 13

COOK SOMETHING ADVENTUROUS

If some of Dad’s role models include Gordon Ramsay and Bobby Flay, consider thinking outside the box and create a meal with something you wouldn’t usually go for like bison burgers or grilled octopus tentacles. Tackling a complex recipe may seem challenging but the memories and the meal will be worth it.

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

Food Truck Friday in Tradition

TRADITION SQUARE; SW MEETING STREET, PORT ST. LUCIE | 5:00 PM

The 1st and 3rd Friday of each month, Tradition has their awesome event with local food trucks, vendors, and music. Grab your friends and family and come on out.

Sunset Yoga at Botanical Gardens

2410 SE WESTMORELAND BLVD. PORT SAINT LUCIE FL 34952 US | 7:00 PM

Recurring on Monday nights, take advantage of the incredible sunsets Florida provides us with and enjoy Sunset Yoga. No matter what level you are, please feel free to join us. Dress comfortable and come check it out! In addition check out our other Wellness Programs which include Yoga for Healthy Aging, Yoga for First Responders and Veterans, Tia Chi and Mindfulness Meditation. Registration is required, so navigate over to https://www.pslbg.org/ and head to the calendar to view more details or sign up!

Open Mic Night

SIDE DOOR BREWING COMPANY; 1419 SE VILLAGE GREEN DR, PORT ST. LUCIE, FL 34952 |

6:00 PM

Every Monday come out to Open Mic Nights featuring music and comedy! Check out house made craft beer, snacks and more at a local brewery right in our town.

JUNE 10TH

Want to be featured?

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

Bacon, Burgers and Beer Festival

CAUSEWAY COVE MARINA; 601 SEAWAY DR., HUTCHINSON ISLAND FORT PIERCE | 9:00 AM

A family friendly event that last all weekend. Come out Saturday and/or Sunday for music, vendors, artists, and of course - bacon, burgers & beer delights! Come hungry!

JUNE 14TH JUNE 25TH

Special Populations Dance

COMMUNITY CENTER; 2195 SE AIROSO BLVD. PSL, FL 34984 | 6:00 PM

A country style evening filled with drinks, snacks and lots of fun. Only $5 to enter and free for caregivers!

Treasure Coast Cars & Coffee

CLOVER PARK; 31 PIAZZA DR., PORT ST. LUCIE, FL 34986 | 8:00 AM

Join us and meet new people, enjoy free coffee, food trucks, vendors and fellow motorists. A great event to start off your Sunday morning.

Food Truck

Favorites

In & Around Our Town

01 @KETCHAFIREJERKANDSEAFOOD. Offer lunch and dinner with their authentic spices and jerk style entrees .  // 02 @BLUEWATER.BARBECUE. is known for their finger licking BBQ food and comfy environment located in Hobe Sound. / @DOGPOUNDDOGS. Owned by a Chef who serves us with the most unique specialty hot dogs in town! / 04 @ITALBOWLS. has the most nutritious and delicious acai bowls, smoothies & more for that healthy snack.  / @NORTE_FOODTRUCK. Offering a variety of tasty options from ribeye tacos to barbacoa nachos to smoked pork pho. / 06 @LABBYSFOODTRUCK. Focuses on Italian specialties such as gourmet pinwheels, meatball sliders and Zeppoles!