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Navy SEAL Museum names new executive director
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Commander Grant Mann, USN SEAL (Ret.)
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FORT PIERCE – The Navy SEAL Museum is proud to announce that Grant Mann has been named the new executive director of the nonprofit. Mann succeeds Rick Kaiser, who held the position for the last eight years.
Mann joins the museum following retirement from NSWDG in Virginia Beach, VA. Kaiser, who dynamically transformed the museum from its humble beginnings into a museum of national eminence, will transition into the role of chief operating officer. This will allow him to further expand the scope and breadth of the museum’s outreach and growth. The museum anticipates that Mann will leverage Kaiser’s countless achievements to continue the organization’s trajectory of growth and success in Fort Pierce.
“The entire team at the museum is looking forward to Grant’s leadership at Fort Pierce,” said Rick Kaiser. “As we enter this next exciting phase, we are fortunate to welcome a trusted comrade, who brings with him great knowledge of the community and exceptional fortitude to guide the museum.”
Grant Mann begins his tenure as the nonprofit implements an aggressive plan of strategic growth in fundraising, development and outreach, and building on the success of Fort Pierce as the museum expands its presence with an additional location in San Diego, California.
“I am honored to have been selected to backfill Mr. Rick Kaiser,” said Grant Mann. “Under his leadership the museum has expanded its vision, gained critical historic artifacts, and increased support to the Naval Special Warfare community and numerous other charities. My first of many visits to the museum started in 1991 after returning from Desert Shield/Storm, and I am amazed at the advancements Rick and the staff
have made under his leadership.
“As incoming executive director,” Mann continued, “I look forward to leading the team to continue building on the successes of the museum staff, and to continue to enhance the museum experience, while increasing support to our special operators through our Trident House Charites Program.”
About Commander Mann
Commander Mann was born in Toronto, Canada. He was raised in Vero Beach, FL, and enlisted there in 1986. He immediately reported to Boot Camp and was subsequently assigned to the USS Harry W. Hill (DD 986), homeported out of San Diego, California. After two years on board, he was selected and attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training Class 162, graduating in October 1989.
Commander Mann’s enlisted operational assignments include two tours onboard DD 986 as a Boatswain Mate, two deployments at SEAL Team FIVE, and seven years at Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG).
Upon commissioning in November 2000, he was assigned to Naval Special Warfare Unit ONE in Guam as the training officer. He returned to NSWDG in June 2004 and was assigned as the command training officer overseeing the assessment, selection and training of all command personnel. In May 2012 he was assigned to NSW Group-2 Training Detachment and completed his XO tour. He returned to NSWDG in 2015 and assumed Mobility Squadron Commander, then in 2016, he moved departments to fill the Selection Training & Enhanced Performance (S.T.E.P) director position. He subsequently returned to the Command Mobility Squadron in 2018, serving as the squadron commander until his retirement in May 2020.
His operational overseas deployments were in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Bosnia, Philippines, Iraq, Afghanistan, and East Africa. He trained with foreign forces from Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Canada, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Japan, Korea, Tonga, France, Germany, and the UK. Commander Mann is the recipient of numerous awards over his 34 years of service.
He and wife Wendy have been married for 34 years and have a daughter, Savannah, and son Breton.
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Amendment 6: Homestead Property
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 ST. LUCIE COUNTY – When voters review their ballots for the November 3rd General Election, they will be asked to vote on Amendment 6. “The amendment would allow a homestead property tax discount to be transferred to the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran,” stated Michelle Franklin, Saint Lucie County Property Appraiser.
Amendment 6 officially reads: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ARTICLE VII, SECTION 6, ARTICLE XII AD VALOREM TAX DISCOUNT FOR SPOUSES OF CERTAIN DECEASED VETERANS WHO HAD PERMANENT, COMBAT-RELATED DISABILITIES.
It provides that the homestead property tax discount for certain veterans with permanent combat-related disabilities carries over to such veteran's surviving spouse who holds legal or beneficial title to, and who permanently resides on, the homestead property, until he or she remarries or sells or otherwise disposes of the property. The discount may be transferred to a new homestead property of the surviving spouse under certain conditions. If approved, the amendment would take effect on Jan. 1, 2021.
A "yes" vote supports allowing a homestead property tax discount to be transferred to the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran.
A "no" vote opposes allowing a homestead property tax discount to be transferred to the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran.
It is important to understand the language to make an informed decision. If voters have questions about how Amendment 6 could potentially affect benefits on property, they are encouraged to visit the Saint Lucie County Property Appraiser’s website at paslc.org.
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— SPONSORED CONTENT —
St. Lucie Jewelry & Coins a Treasure Coast fixture
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St. Lucie Jewelry & Coins recently opened up its third location. The new store is at 1335 St. Lucie West Blvd. next to Publix.
The company opened in 1994, first concentrating on estate jewelry. At that time there was no store that existed in St Lucie or Martin counties buying and selling estate jewelry.
"We rapidly grew and quadrupled outside within two years,’’ says owner Hawk Levy, an estate specialist since 1980. "We expanded to include coins and collectibles. As we expanded we embraced a full coin and bullion trading business, including rare coins, paper money, stamps, and gold and silver bullion trading. In 2017 we expanded to include our international online auction platform, Confiscated Assets Auctioneers, facilitating about 10 online-only auctions per year specializing in fine jewelry rare coins bullion and select high grade watches.’’
In 2015, St. Lucie Jewelry & Coins opened up a pawn location in Jensen beach, and this May opened the new location in St Lucie West. St. Lucie Jewelry & Coins has served more than 150,000 customers since opening in 1994. |
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St. Lucie Jewelry & Coins locations:
• 9168 S. U.S. 1, in the East Port Plaza, Port St. Lucie. 772.337.4700.
• 1335 St. Lucie West Blvd. next to Publix, Port St. Lucie. 772.336.2050.
St Lucie Jewelry & Pawn location: 1100 NE Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach. 772.232.6377.
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City opens COVID-19 grant application for residential home repair
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PORT ST. LUCIE – The City of Port St. Lucie has opened applications for its COVID-19 Emergency Home Repair Grant Program, which may provide up to $10,000 in-home repair assistance for qualifying Port St. Lucie residents who have suffered hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant program will be administered in partnership with St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity. To find out more and apply, visit www.StLucieHabitat.org. Eligible homeowners may apply for small to medium emergency life-safety repairs and improvements where the damage occurred on or after March 1, 2020.
“We’re proud to partner with St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity to provide relief to Port St. Lucie residents during this difficult time,” said City Manager Russ Blackburn. “We hope that these small-dollar awards can help our community build resilience and preserve home ownership.”
The program will make approximately 20 to 35 grants available, depending on the types of repairs, from a total of $270,00 in money received through the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Administered by the Florida Housing Coalition.
Eligible grant improvements:
· Roofing
· Windows and doors
· Heating and cooling
· Electrical
· Plumbing
· Kitchens
· Bathrooms
· Flooring
· Foundation and structural repairs
“Having provided critical home repairs for 69 homeowners in need of assistance over the past two years, we are grateful to provide additional critical repairs, through the CARES program, for eligible Port St. Lucie homeowners affected by the pandemic,” said Bob Calhoun, executive director, St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity. “Partnering with the City of Port St. Lucie, we have opened our resources and hearts to help strengthen homes in this time of great need.”
Port St. Lucie residents will be asked to demonstrate a negative impact on their financial income and qualify based on the requirements outlined in the program guide. Applications are being accepted until funding has been exhausted. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-ready basis. All applicants must meet the program eligibility criteria. If the application is not complete, the application will not be eligible for processing. For additional information or support, contact St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity by calling 772-464-1117, ext. 104, or by emailing application@StLucieHabitat.org. The closing of the program will be announced online at www.StLucieHabitat.org and www.cityofpsl.com.
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Dr. and Mrs. Nick Coppola present son’s cello to Gifford Youth Orchestra board member, Wilfred Hart
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It was time. As Dr. and Mrs. Nick Coppola sat watching the soloists perform at the Gifford Youth Orchestra’s gala fundraiser back in March, they realized it was time to pass on the musical instrument their son, Cole, had played when he was younger. They told GYO Founder, Dr. Crystal Bujol, of their plan just before posing with her at this event, creating big smiles.
But the pandemic intervened and it was only this month that Dr. Coppola was able to present the cello, in perfect condition, to his longtime friend and GYO board member, Wilfred Hart.
Cole, just 16, had died as a result of injuries suffered after being hit by a car while riding his bike.
The Coppolas had supported the GYO for more than a decade. But the pandemic intervened and it was only this month that Dr. Coppola was able to present the cello, in perfect condition, to his longtime friend and GYO board member, Wilfred Hart. More than a decade, attending concerts, getting to know teachers and staff and generally sharing the pride that all parents feel when children — no matter whose — demonstrate the progress that hard work produces. They knew where Cole’s cello would find the right kind of home.
“Cole attended middle school at Master’s Academy, which had a particularly strong music program,” Dr. Coppola said. That’s where he decided to start cello lessons, perhaps inspired by his admiration for the celebrated American cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who had begun his performing career at the age of four and a half.
Dr. Coppola, however, turned to the GYO not solely out of generosity. He has created a foundation to honor his son’s memory called “Live Like Cole.” Its mission is, among other things, to foster self-worth in children. That dovetails perfectly with the goals of the Gifford Youth Orchestra, which promotes — among many other things — building self-respect, self-confidence and dignity, all of which are contained in self-worth.
Truly, Cole’s cello has found its home with the Gifford Youth Orchestra
For more information about the GYO, visit www.gyotigers.org
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Remember Treasure Coast nonprofits
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If you are in a position, consider a gift to a Treasure Coast nonprofit affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Find the needs of many area nonprofits and how to give at treasurecoastnonprofits.com
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As a service to readers and restaurants on the Treasure Coast, Indian River Magazine Inc. has created a website directory of restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries in St. Lucie, Indian River and Martin counties. The site includes hours of operation, if carryout/delivery is available, as well as popular dishes. See the site at treasurecoastrestaurants.com
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Does your business have news of a reopening or change in operations due to COVID-19 that you would like us to share with readers of this newsletter?
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Promote your business where it matters
NEXT ISSUE PUBLISHES IN OCTOBER
Limited space — Reserve today!
 If you would like a copy of Treasure Coast Business, click here. To advertise click here or contact your advertising representative. To report news about your business click here. |
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Let us help you promote your business in Indian River, the largest and most widely distributed magazine on the Treasure Coast, and on our Web sites, indianrivermagazine.com and tcbusiness.com, and through this weekly e-newsletter and our widely followed social media pages. Become an Indian River partner today.
• In Vero Beach and Port St. Lucie contact Lisa Crawford at lisa@indianrivermag.com or 516.721.0848.
• In Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach and Hobe Sound contact Marsha Lange at marsha@indianrivermag.com
or 772.237.1717.
• In Fort Pierce contact Sunny Gates at sunny@indianrivermag.com or 772.204.5043.
• Outside the Treasure Coast, contact Publisher Gregory Enns at enns@indianrivermag.com or 772.940.9005.
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