Playgrounds and City Hall Lobbies Opening as of June 1, 2020

Playgrounds:  Starting Monday, June 1, 2020, the City of Port St. Lucie is removing the barriers to the 20 playgrounds located inside City parks. The City understands that recreation is a good way to relieve stress, get some fresh air and vitamin D, stay active, and safely connect with others. While playgrounds can offer health benefits, it is important that everyone follows the steps below to protect our community from COVID-19:

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    • All playgrounds have limited access to 10 people or fewer
    
    
    • Stay at least 6 feet away from others (“social distancing”)
    
    
    • If one playground is crowded, explore a new playground; there are 20 in the City
    
    
    • Continue to follow good hygiene practices and have kids avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth
    
    
  
  

 

Before opening on June 1, 2020, all City playground structures will be cleaned and disinfected. Once re-opened, all playground structures will be cleaned and disinfected once per week. If staff encounters larger than normal usage during the week, city employees will provide an additional cleaning service and disinfect to the playground for added protection.

The City does not recommend that parents bring household cleaning supplies to clean or disinfect the playgrounds, as we would not want to inadvertently expose others to potentially unapproved chemicals or potential subsequent damage to City equipment.

Manned Facilities: Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset daily

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    • Jessica Clinton Park, 3200 SE Southbend Blvd.
    
    
    • Lyngate Park, 1301 SE Lyngate Drive
    
    
    • McChesney Park, 1585 SW Cashmere Blvd.
    
    
    • Sandhill Crane Park, 2355 SE Scenic Park Drive
    
    
    • Sportsman’s Park, 201 NW Prima Vista Drive
    
    
    • Whispering Pines Park, 800 SW Darwin Blvd.
    
    
  
  

 

Un-Manned Facilities: Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset daily

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    • Charles E. Ray Park, 5626 NW Manville Drive
    
    
    • Fred Cook Park, 400 SE Glenwood Avenue
    
    
    • Girl Scout Friendship Park, 315 NW Heather Street
    
    
    • Jaycee Park, 1301 SW Bayshore Blvd.
    
    
    • Kiwanis Park, 1320 SE Floresta Drive
    
    
    • Milner Tot Lot, 5160 NW Milner Drive
    
    
    • Oak Hammock Park, 2983 SW Villanova Road
    
    
    • PSL Elks Lodge Friendship Park, 2264 SE West Blackwell Drive
    
    
    • River Place Park, 690 NW Bayou Country Lane
    
    
    • Rotary Park, 2101 SE Tiffany Avenue
    
    
    • Swan Park, 700 SW Carmelite Street
    
    
    • Turtle Run Park, 1945 SW Cameo Blvd.
    
    
    • Whitmore Park, 474 SE Whitmore Drive
    
    
    • Woodland Trails Park, 1485 SW Calmar Avenue
    
    
  
  

 

City Hall Lobbies: The lobbies of City Hall Building A and the Port St. Lucie Police Department, at 121 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd, re-opened to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Staff will see citizens and customers by appointment only. The lobby of Building B (Building, Public Works and Planning & Zoning Departments) did not re-open this week. Those visiting City Hall are asked to keep in mind:

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    • The side entrances to Building A will remain closed to public access until further notice. Please use the main entrance.
    
    
    • Arriving visitors may ask questions and/or request an appointment as all meetings will be by appointment only at this time.
    
    
    • The main entrance of the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center will remain closed to the public through the duration of all summer camp programs. Approved Parks & Recreation programming may use the designated entrances.
    
    
    • Customers and citizens are encouraged to continue to use online and remote access to City services whenever possible.
    
    
    • Visitors are asked to observe CDC guidelines and social distancing and are requested to wear a mask or facial covering when entering City Hall.
    
    
    • Anyone entering City Hall may have their temperature taken via a thermal scanner. Those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, should please refrain from entering the building.
    
    
  
  

Economic Impact Payments being sent by prepaid debit cards

Economic Impact Payments being sent by prepaid debit cards, arrive in plain envelope; IRS.gov answers frequently asked questions

IR-2020-105, May 27, 2020

WASHINGTON – As Economic Impact Payments continue to be successfully delivered, the Internal Revenue Service today reminds taxpayers that some payments are being sent by prepaid debit card. The debit cards arrive in a plain envelope from “Money Network Cardholder Services.”

Nearly 4 million people are being sent their Economic Impact Payment by prepaid debit card, instead of paper check. The determination of which taxpayers received a debit card was made by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, a part of the Treasury Department that works with the IRS to handle distribution of the payments.

Those who receive their Economic Impact Payment by prepaid debit card can do the following without any fees.

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    • Make purchases online and at any retail location where Visa is accepted
    
    
    • Get cash from in-network ATMs
    
    
    • Transfer funds to their personal bank account
    
    
    • Check their card balance online, by mobile app or by phone
    
    
  
  

 

This free, prepaid card also provides consumer protections available to traditional bank account owners, including protection against fraud, loss and other errors.

Frequently asked questions continually updated on IRS.gov

Here’s an Internal Revenue Service alert regarding some recently delivered stimulus payments: Pay attention if you get a plain envelope in the mail that’s marked “Money Network Cardholder Services.”

A relatively small group – nearly 4 million people – are going to receive their Economic Impact Payment via prepaid debit cards, according to the Internal Revenue Service. That prepaid cards, which started rolling out May 18, are being used for some instead of a paper checks.

No, folks, it’s not a scam. It’s real stimulus cash.

The envelope contains a prepaid debit card that is loaded with your stimulus payment. Do not throw out this envelope or toss aside this card, as it can contain up to $1,200 for single taxpayers.

The cards are marked Visa debit card and the back of the card has the logo for MetaBank.

No, nothing seems to be simple about the rollout of the stimulus money that’s being issued as part of the coronavirus relief effort.

The federal government said it has already delivered stimulus payments totaling $239 billion to more than 140 million Americans. The money has arrived in a variety of ways ever since April, including direct deposit to bank accounts, Direct Express cards connected to other federal programs, and by receiving a paper check in the regular mail.

The IRS has two sets of frequently asked questions to help Americans get answers about their Economic Impact Payments, including those arriving on prepaid debit card. These FAQs include answers to eligibility and other many common questions, including help to use two Economic Impact Payment tools.

Get My Payment, an IRS online tool, shows the projected date when a direct deposit has been scheduled or date when the payment will be mailed by check or prepaid debit card. The Non-Filers Enter Payment Info Here tool helps taxpayers successfully submit basic information to receive Economic Impact Payments quickly.

The IRS regularly updates the Economic Impact Payment and the Get My Payment frequently asked questions pages on IRS.gov as more information becomes available. Taxpayers should check the FAQs often for the latest additions.

Here are answers to some of the top questions people are asking about the prepaid debit cards:

Can I have my economic impact payment sent to my prepaid debit card?

Maybe. It depends on your prepaid card and whether your payment has already been scheduled. Many reloadable prepaid cards have account and routing numbers that you could provide to the IRS through the Get My Payment application or Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool. You would need to check with the financial institution to ensure your card can be re-used and to obtain the routing number and account number, which may be different from the card number. If you obtained your prepaid debit card through the filing of a federal tax return, you must contact the financial institution that issued your prepaid debit card to get the correct routing number and account number. Do not use the routing number and account number shown on your copy of the tax return filed. When providing this information to the IRS, you should indicate that the account and routing number provided are for a checking account unless your financial institution indicates otherwise.

Will IRS be sending prepaid debit cards?

Some payments may be sent on a prepaid debit card known as The Economic Impact Payment Card The Economic Impact Payment Card is sponsored by the Treasury Department’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service, managed by Money Network Financial, LLC and issued by Treasury’s financial agent, MetaBank®, N.A.

If you receive an Economic Impact Payment Card, it will arrive in a plain envelope from “Money Network Cardholder Services.” The Visa name will appear on the front of the Card; the back of the Card has the name of the issuing bank, MetaBank®, N.A. Information included with the Card will explain that the card is your Economic Impact Payment Card. Please go to EIPcard.com for more information.

Can I specifically ask the IRS to send the Economic Impact Payment to me as a debit card?

Not at this time. For those who don’t receive their Economic Impact Payment by direct deposit, they will receive their payment by paper check, and, in a few cases, by debit card. The determination of which taxpayers receive a debit card will be made by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS), another part of the Treasury Department that works with the IRS to handle distribution of the payments. BFS is sending nearly 4 million debit cards to taxpayers starting in mid-May. At this time, taxpayers cannot make a selection to receive a debit card. Please go to EIPcard.com for more information.

Watch out for scams related to Economic Impact Payments

The IRS urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for scams related to the Economic Impact Payments. To use the new app or get information, taxpayers should visit IRS.gov. People should watch out for scams using email, phone calls or texts related to the payments. Be careful and cautious: The IRS will not send unsolicited electronic communications asking people to open attachments, visit a website or share personal or financial information. Remember, go directly and solely to IRS.gov for official information.

Quick links to the Frequently Asked Questions on IRS.gov:

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    • Economic Impact Payments: www.irs.gov/eipfaq
    
    
    • Get My Payment tool: www.irs.gov/getmypaymentfaq
    
    
    • Please go to EIPcard.com for more information about prepaid debit cards.
    
    
  
  

Pirate Radio Station Hosted Exclusively By Retirees

Pirate Radio Station Hosted Exclusively By Retirees Has Been Cheering Isolated Seniors Across the US

 

While many seniors have been forced to wait out the COVID-19 outbreaks in isolation, these retirees have managed to find connection and comfort through the airwaves.

Radio Recliner is an online pirate radio station that is hosted exclusively by elderly DJs from assisted living communities across the United States.

The project was launched by marketing firm Luckie back in April as a means of keeping lonely seniors entertained and optimistic during the pandemic.

The company only planned on airing new 60-minute shows every day for one month—but since the station has garnered more and more listeners, Radio Recliner has also attracted a team of 18 senior DJs to continue recording new segments.

In addition to new shows being aired every day at noon, the station now streams a continuous loop of old content to keep its fanbase entertained. On the Radio Recliner website, listeners can also submit song requests and ask the hosts to broadcast audio messages and shoutouts to friends and family members.

“For this generation, radio was the original social media,” Luckie chief creative officer Mitch Bennett told The Tennessean. “Dedicating a song to someone you love, and having them hear it along with everyone else, is a special way of connecting. It’s a great time to bring that feeling back.”

Need more positive stories and updates coming out of the COVID-19 challenge? For more uplifting coverage, click here.

IKEA Released Instructions on How to Build the 6 Best Blanket Forts

After spending several months in self-isolation with their kids, some parents might be running out of ideas on how to keep their kids entertained for the remainder of quarantine.

Thankfully, IKEA has published a set of how-to guides for the perfect family activity: building blanket forts.

Now just like every other set of IKEA furniture, there is some assembly required—but the Swedish company made sure to include illustrated instructions for each of their designs.

The Russian IKEA Instagram page published 6 blanket fort designs earlier this month, all of which can be made using such household items as pillows, chairs, tables, standing lamps, laundry pins, and—of course—blankets.

The designs range from classically modern blanket structures—like the Höuse and the Cåmping Tent—to more fantastical setups like the Cåstle and the Förtress. For a more outdoorsy housing design, blanket architects could try building the Wigwåm or the Cåve.

Although IKEA used a lot of their own furniture products for the designs, they did encourage parents to replace them with whatever home furnishings and supplies are at their disposal.

IKEA Russia developed the blanket fort illustrations in collaboration with advertising agency Instinct as a means of encouraging families to stay at home during quarantine—because after all, who doesn’t love blanket forts?

If you’ve also happened to work up an appetite from building your elaborate blanket fort structure, IKEA also released a recipe for Swedish meatballs so that families in quarantine could enjoy the delicacy from home.

Need more positive stories and updates coming out of the COVID-19 challenge? For more uplifting coverage, click here.

Honoring Memorial Day

Today we honor the memory and dedication of the men and women who sacrificed their lives in the name freedom.

Today we recall their selfless devotion and outstanding courage that inspire us to make their sacrifice meaningful.

Today we remember our fallen heroes for they are the reason that we are free.

Today we recognize the America Spirit present in each and every one of us.

Today our resolve to work together during tough times makes us eternally grateful to all who go above and beyond.

And most of all, Today we salute with pride, the men and woman who gave their all on this Memorial Day.

Thank You from your Friends at the Mortgage Masters Group.

The Saints Golf Course Driving Ranges to Reopen on Friday May 22

DRIVING RANGE – Reopens Friday, May 22, 2020

 

Driving Range Rules

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      1. All range balls will be distributed from the Pro Shop only. No tokens will be sold.
      
      
      2. Social distancing measures are in place to ensure 6 ft. distancing between each range station.
      
      
      3. All range balls distributed to each individual MUST be hit. If you have remaining balls, please return them to the pro shop, to avoid sharing range balls with other customers.
      
      
      4. Please return baskets to the starter’s shack or to the pro shop so they can be disinfected for the next customer.
      
      
   
   

 

Thank you for complying with the regulations. We are proud to be able to share this amenity with you again.

DRIVING RANGE HOURS OF OPERATION

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      • Friday-Tuesday, 7 a.,. to sunset
      
      
      • Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
      
      
      • Thursday, 8 a.m. to sunset
      
      
    
    
  
  

Port St. Lucie Dog Parks Reopen

The City of Port St. Lucie’s three dog parks reopened to the public on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.

 

At each of the three Port St. Lucie City dog parks, Lyngate Park, McChesney Park and Woodland Trails Neighborhood Park, sanitation protocols will include: benches, access gates, pet waste stations, and other frequently touched locations will be sprayed with disinfectant each morning prior to opening to the public. Staff will spray the benches and other frequently touched locations in the afternoon, in an effort to reduce the potential spread of germs.

Staffing levels at each of our three City dog parks vary.

LYNGATE PARK

At this time, Lyngate Park, which is a 16-acre property, has three staff (two FT and PT) onsite to monitor the park. There is no one stationed at this Park, specifically the Dog Park section, to consistently monitor that social distancing and allowed capacity is followed. Signage will be prominently displayed, though, advising patrons to follow the protocol of no more than 10 people per dog compound within Lyngate Dog Park.

McCHESNEY PARK

McChesney Park, which is a 24.5-acre parcel, is also staffed with a total of three FTE’s. The same staffing protocols will take place at that dog park as described above for Lyngate, and, most specifically, for the dog park located within McChesney Park. Again, while signage will be prominently displayed, when the two (at most) staff members are onsite, they will be monitoring the dog park area, however, this is no one assigned to be present at the entrance to the dog park area.

WOODLAND TRAILS NEIGHBORHOOD PARK

Lastly, at Woodland Trails Neighborhood Park, which a 13-acre property, there is no onsite staff present. Rather, this park, similar to the vast majority of our neighborhood parks, is unmanned and is monitored, on a “roving” basis, by our Parks Crew. There will be an added assignment for the crew to more closely frequently Woodland Trails, to ensure that, while signage is in place directing that CDC protocols to be followed, social distancing is maintained in each of the two dog compounds.