JENSEN BEACH — Country singer Chuck Wicks made his case as a good boyfriend Saturday night after his girlfriend Julianne Hough came down with the flu and couldn’t perform at the 22nd annual Pineapple Festival in downtown Jensen Beach.

In a surprise last-minute move, Wicks played in Hough’s place — and said he scored some brownie points with his better half — to cap off a breezy Saturday filled with rides, traditional festival food and drink, daredevil BMX trick shows, parades and music.

“It was touch-and-go all day,” said Ron Rose, Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce executive director. “A lot of people went out of their way to make it happen. I just thank God he (Wicks) was on his way to Homestead and turned around.”
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STUART — MecaFresh Café has opened for business at 4203 SE Federal Highway in Stuart, offering what the restaurant calls “a globally inspired” café menu.

MecaFresh will be hosting a ribbon cutting event with the Stuart Chamber of Commerce today at noon.

Customers may choose from handcrafted panini, salads, gourmet wraps, noodles and homemade soups, along with espresso creations, and beer and wine. MecaFresh offers eat-in, takeout and catering. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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