Fort Myers Beach Observer/The Beach Bulletin

WEEK OF JANUARY 24, 2024

VOLUME 40, NUMBER 4

Observer 1/24/24

WEEK OF JANUARY 24, 2024

VOLUME 40, NUMBER 4

Council, LPA talk relaxing codes, parking

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

A joint meeting between the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council and Local Planning Agency regarding proposals to speed up the approval process for small businesses and allow for more deviations from town code led to some sharp disagreements between members and a new proposal to potentially eliminate parking require-

ments downtown though no action was taken.

The discussion was initially centered on proposals put forth by Local Planning Agency member Patrick Vanasse and drafted by the town’s attorney Becky Vose to speed up the approval process for small businesses and hotels, which was opposed

by Mayor Dan Allers. Allers argued that if the codes were relaxed for small businesses,

they should also be relaxed for big developments as well.

“As much as we want to save everybody, the hurricane made it so that we can’t,” Allers said.

“We are only doing this because of the hurricane,” Vanasse said.

Allers said “I am not trying to kill this” though he went on to strenuously object to the proposal and questioned how it would

help the town. He said that if the town approves the changes for small hotels, big developments will seek extra density as well.

Town planner Sarah Probst said the proposal would shorten the process by one hearing though it may complicate the review process. As an example Probst said the 7Eleven across from the Lani Kai Island See CODES, page 14

Three candidates file for Veach seat

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

Endangered state animal faces threat from 10,000 homes in Lee County

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

A

public hearing on a proposed development opponents say would constitute one of the gravest threats to the survival of the endangered Florida panther in Lee County, brought out state and national environmental groups who warned of the dire consequences that up to 10,000 homes on the eastern border of Lee County could bring to the species.

A study from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates the project

could lead to more than 20 panthers deaths on Lee County roads each year.

The project, known as Kingston, is the result of a negotiated settlement between the Lee County Board of County Commissioners and Cameratta Companies LLC after litigation over a proposed mine on the land which contains former citrus groves. The development is situated on a parcel that covers 6,675 acres including wetlands.

Environmentalists say the project would be just as disastrous to the Florida panther and other threatened animals

with the resulting traffic estimated to have the potential to kill up to 21 panthers a year according to a study by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The groups are pushing for the agency to declare that the development would jeopardize the very existence of the Florida panther. Between 120 and 240 panthers are estimated to survive in the wild, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service figures. However, a high rate of panther deaths from vehicle See PANTHERS, page 17

Three candidates have filed applications to fill the vacant seat left on the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council by Bill Veach, who resigned last month.

So far, the candidates who have submitted applications to the town council for the position are Barbara Hill, Scott Safford and Edward Schoonover.

Hill is the chair of the town’s Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board and vice chair of the town's Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board. Hill is also an art curator.

Safford is a member of the town’s Local Planning Agency, owns the Sea Gypsy Inn and owns several dozen vacation rental properties in the town. Safford is also married to Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce President Jacki Liszak.

Schoonover is the owner of a property management company.

The deadline to apply to the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council to fill the vacancy left by former councilmember Bill Veach is Jan. 30. The council is expected to appoint a replacement at their Feb. 5 meeting.

Veach resigned before the beginning of the new year over the state’s new Form 6 disclosure forms, which require all elected municipal officials to disclose the source of their income, bank information, the amount of their assets and other information regarding their financials.

Anybody serving on the town council will have to file the form or risk fines from the state and potential suspension from their seats.

To serve on the town council, you must be a resident of the Town of Fort Myers Beach and a registered voter in the town with residency for at least one year prior to qualifying for election.

The seat will be up for election in November, along with the seats of Mayor See CANDIDATES, page 20

Beach Living............................................8 insidetoday Opinions.......................................4 Business............................................6 Beach Bulletin..................................21-27

Classifieds.............29

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OPINIONS

Tips for buying rental properties Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 Phone: (239) 574-1110 Fax: (239) 574-5693 Web: fortmyersbeachtalk.com Publisher Raymond M. Eckenrode reckenrode@breezenewspapers.com Executive Editor Valarie Harring vharring@breezenewspapers.com Editor Nathan Mayberg nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

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Web Poll Previous Web Poll Results Should the Fort Myers Beach Council grant additional changes to the 2018 agreement between the town and TPI for the Margaritaville Beach Resort? ∫ Yes, 31% ∫ No, 63% ∫ Not sure/no opinion, 6%

Current Web Poll Question Should the Town of Fort Myers Beach change the name of the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area, also known as Mulholland Point? ∫ Yes ∫ No ∫ Not sure/no opinion Share your opinion at fortmyersbeachtalk.com

By Susana Alvarez Davis Buying rental properties and preparing them for tenants takes work but can be a worthwhile investment if it’s done right.

However, long-term success in the rental market requires strategic planning and careful consideration.

At Worthington Realty, we’ve worked with numerous investors to find the right property, renovate it and then lease it to a family or individual looking for a home in our community. Here are some essential tips to help you make informed decisions and set yourself up for success in the rental market: ∫ Research the Market: Before buying a property, make sure to thoroughly research the local real estate market. You’ll need to understand the demand for rental properties in the area, rental rates and the overall economic conditions. This will help your decision-making process and assist in identifying properties with strong rental potential. ∫ Set a Budget: Establish a clear budget that includes the purchase price, closing costs and potential renovation expenses. You’ll want to have a realistic understanding of your financial limits and avoid overextending yourself. Any property you purchase should align with your budget and financial goals. ∫ Location Matters: Location, location, location. Choose one that appeals to your target tenant demographic. Consider proximity to amenities, public transportation, schools

and employment centers. A well-located property is likely to attract higher-quality tenants and experience lower vacancy rates. ∫ Inspect Thoroughly: Have a licensed inspector conduct a thorough inspection of the property before finalizing the purchase.

Look for any potential issues such as structural damage, plumbing or electrical problems, and the overall condition of the property. Identifying these issues early can save you from costly surprises down the line. ∫ Calculate Potential Returns: Evaluate the potential return on investment (ROI) by estimating rental income and factoring in expenses such as property taxes, insurance and maintenance costs. A positive cash flow is essential for a successful rental property investment. ∫ Plan for Renovations: Be prepared to invest in necessary renovations and improvements. A well-maintained property not only attracts better tenants but also retains them for longer periods. You’ll want to focus on essential upgrades that add value, such as updating kitchens and bathrooms or improving energy efficiency. ∫ Understand Local Regulations: Familiarize yourself with local rental laws and regulations. This includes understanding tenant rights, rent control policies and any specific requirements for landlords. Staying compliant with local laws is crucial for a smooth and successful rental property investment.

∫ Build a Reliable Team: Surround yourself with a team of professionals, including a real estate agent, property manager and maintenance personnel. A reliable team can help you navigate the complexities of property ownership and management, ensuring a more efficient and profitable experience. ∫ Maintain Positive Landlord-Tenant Relationships: Proper tenant screening is the first step in creating a strong landlord-tenant relationship, and should include background checks, credit reports and references. A lease agreement with clear clauses and tenant responsibilities – coupled with proactive property maintenance and effective communication – sets expectations and is crucial for tenant retention and the long-term success of a rental property.

By incorporating these tips into your rental property investment strategy, you can enhance your chances of making sound decisions and maximizing the potential returns on your investment. Taking a thoughtful and informed approach is key to building a successful and profitable rental property portfolio.

Susana Alvarez Davis is a seasoned real estate professional and a proud owner of Worthington Realty, Inc, a boutique real estate company specializing in residential sales, rentals and development across Southwest Florida.

Letters to the Editor Crosswalk signs need to be replaced (Editor's Note: The following letter was shared by the author after being addressed and sent to the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council, Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager, Town of Fort Myers Beach Public Safety Committee and Lee County Board of County Commissioners.)

To the editor: On my 15-1/2-mile bike ride today I took notes at every crosswalk, and I would like to share that information with you. I am so passionate about this, because as you all know our streets are dangerous for our pedestrians.

I also know that the county and town are coming up with ways for pedestrians to use crosswalks; however, that's pretty hard to do when they aren't marked anymore. With that being said, here are my findings.

Crosswalks with NO signage: ∫ Old San Carlos Where the nonfunctioning light is located ∫ Time Square Nonfunctioning light; however, visitors think it's a crosswalk. ∫ Lani Kai ∫ Alva Dr. Beach Access 33

∫ Miramar Beach Access ∫ Palm Beach Access 30 ∫ Delmar Beach Access 28 ∫ Chapel ∫ School St.: This is the crossing for Beach Elementary students to cross Estero ∫ Lovers Lane ∫ Junkanoo and Red Coconut (Where they use to be located) ∫ Voorhis ∫ Washington Ave ∫ Connecticut Beach Access ∫ Andre Mar ∫ Gulf Island Dr. ∫ Hercules Beach Access 21 ∫ Sabal ∫ Strandview Beach Access 17 Newton Park ∫ Madera Rd ∫ Dakota Beach Access 16 ∫ Sterling Beach Access 15 ∫ Aberdeen Beach Access 14 ∫ Lanark Ave Beach Access 13 ∫ Flamingo ∫ Bahia Via ∫ Egret St ∫ Albatross ∫ Lennell Between CVS and Santini Plaza

∫ Buccaneer Dr. ∫ 7800 block of Estero In front of Sun Caper Condos ∫ 8200 block of Estero ∫ Estrellita Dr. For a total of 32 crosswalks with no signage.

Crosswalks with signage only going South on Estero (beach side): ∫ Mango Beach Access 27 ∫ Between Gulf Beach and Tropical Shores (old Topps location) ∫ Pompano Beach Access 24 ∫ Publix Crosswalks with signage only going North on Estero (bay side): ∫ Palermo (very small sign on tree; drivers can't see it ∫ 300 block of Estero ∫ Avenida Pescadora ∫ Middle of Santini Plaza ∫ Just north of Bay Beach Lane where there is a private beach access.

For a total of nine crosswalks with signage only on one side of the road.

Old crosswalks at the north end that are not striped but were crosswalks before Ian: ∫ Matanzas St. See LETTERS, page 5

We want your opinion The views expressed on the Opinions pages are just that — opinions. These pages are intended to convey a range of viewpoints; opinions printed on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. Opposing views are welcome. Letters to the Editor or guest columns may be mailed to: Fort Myers Beach Observer, 19260 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931; faxed to 239-765-0846; emailed to news@breezenewspapers.com; or posted to our Virtual Newsroom at www.breezenewspapers.com.

Letters are due no later than noon Monday. All letters and guest columns must be signed and must contain a phone number for verification purposes. You also can comment on any letter or editorial opinion online at: fortmyersbeachtalk.com.

By NATHAN MAYBERG

See LETTERS, page 4 ∫ Beach Villas 200 block of Estero ∫ Bowditch Crosswalks with signage on both sides of the street: ∫ Driftwood ∫ Wyndom and Estero Cove Condos ∫ Just south of Santini There are several accesses without crosswalks. When updating Estero with crosswalks and signage, it would be smart to have a crosswalk at the majority of the beach accesses. Those are as follows: ∫ Avenue E Beach Access 32 ∫ Bayview Ave Beach Access 19 ∫ Sea View/Bay Road Beach Access 23 ∫ Gulf Beach Beach Access 25 You should consider moving the one from in front of the old Topps to this beach access.

Last but not least are the 2 crosswalks near the elementary school.. I'm guessing that's the Town's responsibility. I'm still going to include it with this report. ∫ Oak St and Bay: Needs to be 2 sided and on both sides of the street. ∫ Oak St and School: Currently there is only a one-sided sign on one side of the street.

Again, when considering placement of crosswalks, I believe it would be best throughout the island to line them up at beach accesses when possible and when it would not be too excessive.

Bottom line, we need crosswalk signs replaced ASAP for the safety of the pedestrians as well as the drivers. Even though it would be nice to have flashing lights at each, I know that's not feasible; however, let's get the reflective signs out there before a life is lost.

Jan Fleming Fort Myers Beach

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Letters

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The office of Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, whose district encomThe decision by Gov. Ron DeSantis to passes most of Lee County, pointed to suspend his presidential campaign over statements made on Newsmax in response the weekend was a swift and remarkable to questions about the campaign. Donalds departure from the said on an appearance this Republican primary race for week that DeSantis “fought a candidate once seriously hard. He entered this camconsidered to be a formidapaign truly believing that he ble threat to capture the was going to be our nomipresidency. nee to lead our party and to DeSantis made his decihelp get our country back sion to end the presidential on track. Republican voters campaign following a defeat stood strongly behind in Iowa to former President President Trump. He made Donald Trump by 30 perthe right decision.” centage points and just days Donalds said “the time before the New Hampshire has come for Republicans Republican primary. In to unite behind President Iowa, DeSantis finished Donald J. Trump. We have Gov. Ron DeSantis only two points ahead of an enemy in the White former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. House, we have radicals through our govDeSantis put much of his resources into ernment. We have to be united as a Iowa and spent a lot of his time over the party.” past year trying to make inroads there.

Asked why DeSantis struggled to conLocal Republican party leaders said the nect with Republican primary voters, decision was the right one and urged sup- Thompson said the reason DeSantis strugport for former President Donald Trump. gled to connect was because “Donald “I think it’s a smart decision,” Lee Trump was in the race.”

County GOP Chair Michael Thompson Thompson said that DeSantis largely said. “I think it’s long overdue. I think it’s failed to separate himself from Trump time everybody rallies around President aside from disagreeing on covid policy.

Trump in order to save America.”

“We already had somebody in the race Thompson said he thinks the DeSantis putting America first,” Thompson said. campaign “struggled from day one and I In his speech announcing the suspenthink that showed. With a better strategy, sion of his candidacy, DeSantis said he I think he could have performed a little would support Trump because “we can’t better. I don’t think he would have put up go back to the old Republican guard of a serious challenge to President Trump yesteryear, a repackaged form of warmedregardless.” over corporatism that Nikki Haley repreDeSantis was initially considered to be sents.” a major threat to both Trump and Biden DeSantis said the days of “putting after his landslide victory over former America last” and “cowtowing to large Florida Gov. Charlie Crist in 2022. His corporations” and “caving to woke ideolcampaign raised more than $200 million, ogy are over.” one of the largest for a primary race. nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

Page 5 n Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Local Republican leaders react to DeSantis exiting primary

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fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024 n Page 6

BUSINESS

FILE PHOTO

Fort Myers Beach Farmer's Market organizer Linda Miller (pictured) has expanded the market at Times Square to include a Saturday market. Miller currently operates a market at Times Square on Fridays as well as a market at Moss Marina on Wednesdays.

Farmer’s market expands to Saturdays STAFF REPORT The success of the Fort Myers Beach Farmer's Market has allowed it to expand to Saturdays at Times Square beginning Feb. 3.

The market currently operates from 9 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays and will now extend to Saturdays with similar hours following approval from the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council.

"For years, locals and visitors have been asking for

a weekend Farmers Market especially since many people work weekdays and many visitors check in on weekends," Fort Myers Beach Farmer's Market organizer Linda Miller said. "This will satisfy a whole new demographic. Vendors will include fresh produce, boutique foods and bakery items, swimsuits and coverups, arts and crafts, and jewelry."

Only a few vendor spaces remain available and interested vendors can access information and the

application at 41markets.com, Miller said.

Miller also organizes the farmer's market running on Fort Myers Beach every Wednesday at Moss Marina on 450 Harbor Court. The market offers Cuban food, a wide variety of produce, FMB T-shirts, jewelry, custom jeweled, pet portraits and beach hats.

Miller is also in talks with Santini Plaza about potentially returning there something later this year.

Lee County Legal Aid Society, AARP to discuss disaster claims and fraud The Lee County Legal Aid Society with support from AARP Foundation will be hosting a free clinic for seniors on postdisaster insurance claims and contractor fraud. That 30-minute presentation will be followed by an audience question-andanswer session and then 20-minute individual appointments on any legal issue.

Three local attorneys will take part in

the discussions.

The next session is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Fort Myers Regional Library meeting room, 1651 Lee St., Fort Myers.

Advance registration is required.

Participants should email Nanci@leecountylegalaid.org with contact information, a brief description of the

legal advice being sought, and any relevant documents. The sessions are open to Lee County residents ages 50 and older.

“Civil legal aid helps level the playing field for those who don’t have the financial resources to hire their own private attorney,” said Andrew Banyai, executive director of the Lee County Legal Aid Society.

“Not all our older residents are wealthy

retirees. Many live on a fixed income, with little access to legal services.”

“We are grateful to the expert panelists who are donating their time and welcome the opportunity to again focus our community outreach on issues of elder law with the generous support of the AARP Foundation,” he added.

STAFF REPORT The San Carlos Bay Sail and Power Squadron is again offering Safe Boating Classes which are open to The Public. Our Squadron has been battling back from the hurricane that ravaged our boats and homes, but our Education Department has remained strong, and now we are offering the following courses.

∫ Saturday, April 6, 2024 ABC Part One ∫ Saturday, April 13, 2024 ABC Part Two and Exam ∫ Saturday, May 4, 2024 ABC Part One ∫ Saturday, May 11, 2024 ABC Part Two and Exam

Local Waters/ Local Charts America’s Boating Classes (ABC)

PHOTO PROVIDED

Beach Kiwanis donates to Bay Oaks

Fort Myers Beach Observer

The Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis Club donated $500 to the Bay Oaks Recreational Campus. The club handed an oversized check to Jimmy DeMilia, Youth and Teen Program Director at Bay Oaks. Demilia announced that there are about 35 students in the Beach Elementary School's after-school program which is managed by the town at Bay Oaks. The weight room and pickleball have also returned to Bay Oaks.

The funds from Kiwanis will go towards youth programs at Bay Oaks.

Kiwanis meets on the third Friday of each month at Bonita Bills Waterfront Cafe at 7:30 a.m.

Keep Fort Myers Beach beautiful...

Please recycle!

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Saturday morning classes: Check in for Saturday classes begins at 8:15 a.m. and class begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. ∫ Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 ABC Part One ∫ Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 ABC Part Two and Exam ∫ Saturday, March 9, 2024 ABC Part One ∫ Saturday, March 16, 2024 ABC Part Two and Exam

For new and experienced boaters to our area. A custom course to learn how to navigate our local waters and marinas using navigation charts.

All 2024 dates are Saturday mornings with check in at 8:15 a.m. and class at 8:30 am.

2024 classes: February 24, March 23, April 20 and May 13.

TO a register, call 239-466-4040, leave a message and our registrar will contact you.

The San Carlos Bay S&P Squadron is located at 16048 San Carlos Blvd. in Fort Myers.

Page 7 n Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Safe boating classes available

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024 n Page 8 Fort Myers Beach Observer

Beach Living

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One more day to Let it Be

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

Awards were recently announced for the Fort Myers Beach Art Association's Winter Juried Show “Let it Be,” which wraps up its eclectic show of 40 artworks Thursday, Jan. 25, at the Cape Coral Art Center. That will be the last day to view art at the show and purchase any of the works.

The arts center is the latest to spot to host a Fort Myers Beach Art Association show since the organization's home was destroyed by Hurricane Ian. The show was juried by Fort Myers Beach art curator Barbara Hill. Hill said the "exhibit offers a broad range of creative directions and innovative approaches, with each work providing the viewer with an exceptional vision."

John Rizza took home best show honors, with the Nancy Morgan Award for his oil painting "Days Catch."

Hill said "what intrigued me about this painting is the perspective and the bold use of color and special elements."

Rizza, a native of New York who lives in Fort Myers, said the work was based on a photograph of boats on Pine Island at Jug Creek Marina. The work was one of two Rizza has displayed for the show. The other is an oil painting titled "Fish Shack on Fort Myers Beach."

Look out for more of Rizza's work at the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers, which will be hosting a gallery of his art during a show from Feb. 2 through Feb. 24.

Other winners from the Fort Myers Beach Art Association include Dannica Walker, who received second place for her oil painting "Yellow Fever." Third Place went to Dana Enders for her pastel depiction of the "Remnants of Trico Shrimp." Cheryl Fausel received the Lee Ackert Memorial Award for Exceptional Use of Color for her watercolor "Palm Fronds."

Star Sherwood received the Sylvia Kasparie Award for Collage for "Living Color," featuring a bird-heavy mix that includes a pileated woodpecker, the eye of an owl, bluebird, gold finch and a warbler.

Tamara Culp received a merit award for her brightcolored pastel work titled "2716 Providence," one of a number of eye-catching pieces on display at the show.

Kathy Summer received a merit award for her pastel depiction of four birds titled "Yakety Yak." Irvin Hawkes received a merit award for his sophisticated and detailed watercolor "The Water Lily." Honorable Mention awards went to Laura Black for her acrylic painting "SWFL Sunset," Helen Kinkin for her multimedia artwork

Dannica Walker won second place for her oil painting “Yellow Fever.”

NATHAN MAYBERG

John Rizza won best in show at the Fort Myers Beach Art Association's "Let it Be" show for his oil painting “Days Catch.” He also entered in the oil painting "Fish Shack on Fort Myers Beach."

Tamara Culp received a merit award for her bright-colored pastel work titled “2716 Providence.”

Kathy Summer received a merit award for her pastel depiction of four birds titled “Yakety Yak.” "Beach Sand Fun" and Julie Nusbaum for her acrylic painting on watercolor paper titled "Crossing Over."

The show also featured a newcomer in Estero artist Christine Reichow who put on display her watercolor painting "The Artist," which is based on a photograph she took of an artist in action while she was vacationing in Fabriano, Italy.

Reichow had previously judged one of the art association's shows after Hurricane Ian and said the stories of the members who went through Hurricane Ian "touched my heart. This is a group I want to be with. I joined that day."

The Cape Coral Art Center is at 4533 Coronado Parkway in Cape Coral and is open Monday through Star Sherwood received the Sylvia Kasparie Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Gavin's Ace Hardware is sponsoring the winter juried Award for Collage for “Living Color,” featuring show. several birds.

that Beasley's work has been "instrumental in shaping the foundation into what it is today. We are truly grateful for everything she has accomplished and her absence as a board member will be keenly felt.”

Beasley said the decision wasn’t an easy one for her.

“This was a hard decision because I love this board,” Beasley said. “But I feel that our Beach kids are in good hands now.”

To keep up with what the Beach Kids Foundation Board is doing, follow the foundation on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/beachkidsfoundationinc.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Members of the Fort Myers Beach Kids Foundation gather with Santa and his elves (local electrician Mike Dagnese and firefighters from the Fort Myers Beach Fire District) at their annual toy giveaway for Beach Elementary students at Liki Tiki last month. of our beach kids, I often reflect on the remarkable contributions of the board throughout the years,” Shannon said.

Shannon recognized Beasley for her "dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of all children on Fort Myers Beach." Shannon said

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It’s a new year, and the Fort Myers Beach Kids Foundation is proud to welcome some new officers to its Board, bid a fond farewell to one person who has served our community for over three decades and share some plans for 2024 as our island continues to rebuild from the devastation of Hurricane Ian. At their last board meeting, Shannon Smith-Pineiro was elected President of the Beach Kids Foundation, Deborah Groll re-elected as Vice President, Melissa Schneider and Tiffany Kersten elected as co-Treasurers and Keri Hendry was re-elected Secretary.

As the new president of the Beach Kids Foundation, Shannon said she is excited to hit the ground running in 2024.

“As the newly appointed President of the Beach Kids Foundation, I am thrilled about the exciting things we have in store for the children in our community,” Shannon said. “Our upcoming plans include the revival of the Golden Coconut award, the provision of scholarships, and the continuation of our partnership with Beach School, ensuring that the kids of Fort Myers Beach receive the support they deserve.”

Shannon also gave tribute to outgoing Treasurer and longtime board member Linda Beasley - echoing the sentiments of everyone on the Foundation.

“While our focus remains on the future

Page 9 n Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Beach Kids Foundation welcomes new officers

Fort Myers Beach Observer

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024 n Page 10 Fort Myers Beach Observer

Schmucker named new town magistrate

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

San Carlos Island attorney Monica Schmucker has been named the new Town of Fort Myers Beach Special Magistrate. The town council approved the appointment unanimously on Monday.

Schmucker replaces Myrnabelle Roche, who resigned last year.

Schmucker is a partner in the law firm of Schmucker & Lavy. She is a past president of the Fort Myers Beach Woman's Club and is a member of the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School Parent Teacher's Organization.

Schmucker is also running for a seat on the Lee County Schools Board after working with a group of parents to help reopen the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School.

Schmucker has two children who attend Fort Myers Beach Elementary School.

In her current law practice, Schmucker said she works on mediations, arbitrations as well as some real estate transactions. Schmucker said she is still helping some clients with their Hurricane Ian claims but is winding down her litigation practice.

"I am honored to be selected to serve as the special magistrate for the Town of Fort Myers Beach," Schmucker said. "After so much disruption over the past year and four months, it's nice when we see a little normalcy return to the island, even if little by little. If I can help the town take some of those steps forward, it is a privilege to do so. I am looking forward to helping get caught up on any pending matters and resolve any future matters expeditiously and efficiently. I commit to taking this honor seriously, to always try my hardest to do my very best in what I do, and to treat everyone before me with dignity and fairness."

Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said "the Town of Fort Myers Beach is very fortunate to have

FILE PHOTO

Monica Schmucker speaks during a community roundtable in 2022 regarding the future of the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School. Schmucker was appointed by the town council as the new Town of Fort Myers Beach Special Magistrate.

Monica Schmucker available to be our special magis- Schmucker's services. trate."

The town must still negotiate a contract for

declares for District 5 seat Homeless Service Day, Veterans Fichter quality of life and the safety STAFF REPORT of the citizens.”

Alva Republican Grant Stand Down this Saturday Fichter said he also wants Fichter announced his candiSTAFF REPORT In an effort to provide the homeless and veteran populations in Lee County with access to essential goods and services, the Lee County Homeless Coalition will host the 24rd annual Homeless Service Day and Veterans Stand Down on Saturday, Jan. 27.

The event will begin at 8:45 a.m. at City of Palms Park, 2201 Edison Avenue, Fort Myers, until approximately 2:00 p.m. Services provided during the event to anyone homeless or a veteran will include provisions for food, hygiene kits, backpacks, haircuts and information on VA benefits. Referrals for substance abuse and mental health counseling will also be available.

During the event, the Lee County Homeless Coalition, along with Lee County Human and Veteran Services and many community volunteers, will complete the Annual Homeless Census, which provides critical information on the scope of homelessness in our community.

The Coalition has again partnered with the 20th Judicial Circuit Administrative Office of the Courts, Lee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, the Lee County Tax Collector and JFCS of the Suncoast to offer Traffic Court for Veterans and people experiencing homelessness to provide an opportunity to receive assistance with their unpaid court fines. A

valid government-issued ID is required, such as a DD214, VA card, or driver’s license. Attendees must register by Jan. 26 at trafficcourt2024.eventbrite .com to participate.

The effort to provide these one-stop, free services is a collaborative endeavor which includes several agencies and civic organizations. The original “Stand Down” for homeless veterans was modeled after the Stand Down concept used to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations. Stand Down afforded battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirit, health and overall sense of well-being.

The Lee County Homeless Coalition is a non-profit organization comprised of community and faith-based service providers, local businesses, people who are currently experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, and other advocates committed to ending homelessness. The Coalition’s mission is to advocate, educate and promote awareness of issues and obstacles facing homeless individuals in Lee County through community collaboration, planning, and implementing solutions.

To learn more about how you can help join the fight against homelessness, contact us at 239-322-6600. For more information on the Lee County Homeless Coalition, visit www.leehomeless.org.

to work on health care funddacy for the Lee County ing to treat mental health and Board of County addictions.

Commissioners District Five “Our canvas in Lee seat currently held by County has yet to be painted Chairman Mike Greenwell. like so many other areas A vice president of AIM around the state. We have a Engineering and Surveying, chance as a community, Fichter would need to win a based on all the lessons we primary against Greenwell. can learn from others, to Greenwell has not yet filed to ensure we have safe roads, run. enough hospital beds, enough Grant Fichter “Lee County and Florida nurses and doctors, enough are experiencing a significant population increase, making it crucial to plan schools, enough teachers, and enough public for the future. I am committed to addressing safety support," Fichter said.

Fichter said his priorities also include the challenges posed by that growth,” Fichter said in a press release. “A smart and advocating for "wisely stewarded environstrategic plan can ensure roads, hospitals, mental systems and natural resources guided schools, and public safety resources that by common sense principles of management. I want to offer my expertise to reprekeep pace with our expanding population.”

Fichter holds a bachelor’s degree in busi- sent and serve District 5 and all of Lee ness supervision and management from County with a more strategic and proactive perspective.”

Florida SouthWestern State College.

Fichter served as an Alva Fire & Rescue “I aim to correct the course of our community growth by addressing antiquated Services District Commissioner from 2020infrastructure, advocating for well-designed 2023, is a trustee of the Alva Museum, and roadways, and ensuring proper infrastructure is a board member of multiple community organizations in the Alva area. development," Fichter said.

Fichter said his family roots in Alva go “Over my 25 years as a land surveyor, I have seen cities and towns around the state back to his great-great-grandmother, who transform as growth increases, and how was a founding member of the community in decisions at the local government level can the Alva area, His great-grandfather was a determine whether they enhance the com- homesteader and citrus farmer in Alva and munity or create more significant problems,” his grandfather was a land surveyor for the “said Fichter. “Poor decisions can make the Army Corps of Engineers and a World War community too congested and decrease the I veteran.

Like the Fort Myers Beach Observer & Beach Bulletin?

Read us daily at Fortmyersbeachtalk.com! Follow us on Facebook!

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

See RELIGIOUS SERVICES, page 20

Fort Myers Beach Observer

The Town of Fort Myers Beach Council unanimously voted to authorize The Faith Center of Fort Myers to begin conducting religious services at Bayside Veteran’s Memorial Park.

John Antonucci, a pastor with the evangelical church, said the plan is to start with weekly services at the park in February and have a “month-to-month” presence at the park. He said the services will be one hour, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and will include sermons from the Bible for about 40 minutes.

Antonucci said a group from his church has been meeting at The Mound House since September. He said the Mound House is “off the beaten path and the parking is difficult.” Antonucci said the church group wants to be “downtown where the people are.” The church held a service at the park in December after renting the space from the town.

Antonucci said his church group has desired a presence on Fort Myers Beach for the last six years. “We’re looking to give,” he said.

During a council meeting Monday, Fort Myers Beach Councilmember Karen Woodson expressed concern about how the group’s services at Bayside Veteran’s Memorial Park off Old San Carlos Boulevard could interact with the presence of street preachers down the road at Times Square. Woodson suggested the location at the park wouldn’t be ideal for town residents on the southern side of Fort Myers Beach due to heavy traffic this season.

“I just don’t want it to turn into a freefor-all for you, for the people who are there to worship and just for the town there to have it get it out of hand,” Woodson said.

“It hit me just a little bit wrong, because one of my big concerns is our friend at Times Square,” Woodson said. “I think it could be even more disruptive to have it at Bayside Park and to have him there.” Woodson said she is “really concerned about the disruptive nature that can happen with our megaphone man. It’s such a prime, prime location. I don’t know, It just gnaws at me a little bit with the concern. I am not against services or anything else. I am wondering if there is a better place.”

Antonucci said he would be preaching from the Bible and offering to help people, “to see If they need prayer, if they need encouragement, if they need help.”

Antonucci said the church has helped a couple families since Hurricane Ian. The town settled litigation last year with street preacher Adam LaCroix over his use of signs. A federal appeals court found that the town violated the First Amendment rights of LaCroix. LaCroix and a group of street preachers have long engaged in confrontations with passersby at Times Square, sometimes insulting beachgoers for their beachwear and regularly shouting their views of those who don’t follow their religious beliefs.

“That’s not our method,” Antonucci

Page 11 n Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024 fortmyersbeachtalk.com

Council approves religious services at Bayside Veteran’s Memorial Park

STAFF REPORT The Fort Myers Beach Putt & Pub, organized annually by the Fort Myers Beach Woman's Club, took place Saturday to a sold out group of 77 teams hitting the putting courses at Fort Myers Beach restaurants and bars to raise money for local nonprofits. More than $55,000 was raised for local nonprofits, Fort Myers Beach Woman's Club President Dawn Thomas said. Thomas said the amount was a record for the tournament, in its 12th year.

The funds raised from the tournament benefited the Beach Kids Foundation, Friends of the Mound House, FMB Strong, Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, Fort Myers Beach Little League, Friends of Lovers Key, Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation, Fort Myers Beach Elementary School Parent Teacher's Organization and Friends of the Library.

Participating Fort Myers Beach bars and restaurants included the Beach Bar, Lah De Dah Bar, La Ola, Lighthouse Inn, Nervous Nellie's, Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant, Wahoo Willie's and Yucatan Beach Stand.

Thomas said 320 golfers took part in the putting.

“A huge thank you to our sponsors this year who joined in giving back to our island nonprofits,” Thomas said. “Our nonprofits and partnering restaurants created unique holes and fun game day prizes. Our raffle baskets supplied by each nonprofit contained some amazing gift packages this year. Between our sponsorships, registraFORT MYERS BEACH WOMAN'S CLUB tion and business partnerships, we raised more than The Flamingo Birdies won the award for best-dressed team at the Fort Myers Beach Putt & Pub. The $55,000 for local non-profits, which is our largest contriteam was comprised of Deb Collingwood Nelson, Barbara Mezeske, Melissa Wasno and Carrie bution yet."

Herbeck.

Fort Myers Beach Observer

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024 n Page 12

Putt & Pub raises record for nonprofits

FORT MYERS BEACH WOMAN'S CLUB

The Whalers took first place in the Fort Myers Beach Putt & Pub. The team featured Mike Miller, Patrick Duclos, John Cahill and Bill Wozniak.

LYN MCELHANEY

LYN MCELHANEY LYN MCELHANEY

See PUTT & PUB, page 13

The Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club announces the following winners from the contest: 1st Place - The Whalers ∫ Mike Miller ∫ Patrick Duclos ∫ John Cahill ∫ Bill Wozniak

2nd Place - Whack-A-Ball ∫ Lyn McElhaney ∫ Nick Susi ∫ Tom Susi ∫ Payton Walls

Duffers Award - Fourcasters ∫ Joan Morris ∫ Tim Morris ∫ Nancy Zellner Ziegler ∫ Mike Ziegler ∫ Jeff Williams ∫ Nan Williams ∫ Kelley Matthews ∫ Danielle Rambur LYN MCELHANEY

LYN MCELHANEY

Best Dressed Team - Flamingo Birdies ∫ Deb Collingwood Nelson ∫ Barbara Mezeske ∫ Melissa Wasno ∫ Carrie Herbeck ∫ Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach

Sponsors King Family Foundation, SunCoast Beverage, Jorge Barrera, Breeze Newspapers, Southern Glazier, Margaritaville FMB, CCMSI, Dawn and Mike Miller, Ennovation Engineering Services, John Wood Realty, George & Linda Merschman, SCNEJ, Amper Eisner, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, FMB Builders, The Bagel Factory, Babbit’s, Current Luxe Realty, Schmucker & Lavy Legal and Snaprisk.

LYN MCELHANEY

LYN MCELHANEY

Fort Myers Beach Observer

Best Hole

fortmyersbeachtalk.com

Best Team Name - Multiple Fore-Gasims

Page 13 n Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Putt & Pub From page 12

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024 n Page 14 Fort Myers Beach Observer

Codes From page 1 Resort chose a commercial planned development application process while The Whale chose to request variances from the LPA and town council from codes such as parking requirements.

LPA member Scott Safford suggested that the parking requirements were too cumbersome for the town and said The Whale shouldn’t have had to go through a process of requesting variances from the town for its parking.

Safford asked the town council and LPA members if they would support dropping all requirements for parking in the downtown district for developments over the next two years. Safford said he wouldn’t have put parking requirements on Margaritaville.

“I for one would be OK with eliminating parking in the downtown district,” Safford said. Safford said parking was one of the top issues the Local Planning Agency has to deal with when reviewing projects. “We are encouraging people not to drive, but we are telling people, businesses, you need parking for your (cars).” Safford said “we have too many cars than the road can handle,” Safford said.

LPA Chair Anita Cereceda and Vanasse said they were willing to consider it.

Vanasse said if the town were to drop parking requirements, there would still need to be a solution to the town’s parking problem.

“If the market can’t build parking lots because we don’t allow them, we have a market failure,” Vanasse said.

Vanasse, who works as a planner and who has been involved in projects such as the rebuild of the Neptune Resort, explained how the cost of going to the town to request permits and go in front of the LPA and town

“As much as we want to save everybody, the hurricane made it so that we can’t.”

-Dan Allers Fort Myers Beach Mayor council for reviews was expensive for smaller businesses. The new proposal is expected to reduce costs. For some smaller businesses, the cost could be prohibitive since some businesses will have smaller room to work with since many will have to build up higher due the new hurricane code regulations.

As an example, Vanasse pointed to Safford’s Sea Gypsy Inn, which has been looking at how to rebuild its small resort under the density restrictions.

Allers asked Vanasse “what is stopping you from doing that now for free, meeting with staff?”

Vanasse said “what do you mean meeting for free?”

Allers said “if you just take a piece of paper. … What things costs to go through the process we can control on our end, we can’t control your costs.” Allers said Safford could do a drawing or somebody could do a drawing for Safford. Allers said Vanasse could talk to town staff “anytime you want.”

Vanasse replied, “what is she going to say? For you to go for more rooms, you need to go through a CPD. And here are the requirements of the CID. TIS, architectural renderings, zoning analysis and those are the requirements. He can’t get to point A to point B without a CPD and that’s the point.”

Vanasse said he wants to get to a point where Safford could do a schematic himself.

Safford said “you don’t think my wife

has been to town hall talking about this?”

“It’s scalability Dan,” Safford said. To spend $20,000 on a traffic study to get eight to 10 rooms doesn’t make economic sense for him in addition to the increasing construction costs. “We’re in it to build back.

We’re in it to provide a neat, funky little resort for a different customer than the big boxes,” he said.

Fort Myers Beach Councilmember John King said the town can’t provide for every contingency. “I don’t think we can plan for every contingency,” King said. “I don’t think everything is a precedent.”

King said “I get tired of hearing every time we do something, ‘you are setting a precedent.’”

The proposed development agreement under discussion by the town council and LPA would allow for deviations from the development rules of the code to "facilitate approvals of developments in the best interest of the Town by the ability to consolidate all related process.”

The agreement would be an alternative method for review for request for quasi-judicial rezoning, variances, special exceptions, and/or any other deviations from the code.

Vanasse said the intent of the agreement is to “streamline” the review process and help small business owners and hotel owners "that need regulatory assistance if they are to rebuild. We on the LPA and Council have talked about helping the small business owners for over a year but have done little to provide regulatory relief."

Vanasse said he wants to "allow larger projects to obtain an expedited review and conceptual approval or denial without months of detailed engineering and design.

All these options would still require the standard public hearings but would shorten the time, effort, and cost needed to obtain an eventual yes or no from the town. That would alleviate a lot of the uncertainty out there and could benefit business owners, potential buyers and sellers, and residents alike."

Under the proposed development agreement, small hotels of 20-30 rooms could be granted additional density, units, height and reduced setbacks without having to go through a commercial planned development review process.

The agreement would also allowed for an expedited review process for larger developments to obtain conceptual approvals without having to go through a commercial planned development review process from staff, the LPA and town council. One neighborhood information meeting would be required before conceptual approval was sought from the LPA and town council. That could potentially shorten the review and approval process by six to nine months.

Following a lengthy discussion, Allers said he wanted to hire a development consultant to review the development agreement.

Fort Myers Beach Manager Andy Hyatt said the town council has already met with several development consultants that have spoken to town council though they could return to meet with the council again.

Cereceda said the LPA will take up the parking discussion at their February meeting.

Page 15 n Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024 fortmyersbeachtalk.com

Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024 n Page 16

“For an animal like the Florida panther, it is 100% loss,” -Matthew Schwartz Executive Director of the South Florida Wildlands Association

“It drives the nail in the coffin of our conservation landscape and our natural resources,” - Patty Whitehead, of Estero.

“There are only eight panthers born each year. It doesn’t take a lot of advanced math to think this is unsustainable,” -Julianne Thomas Senior environmental planning specialist with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida crossing in the plans and 12 small mammal crossings.

Matthew Schwartz, executive director of the South Florida Wildlands Association, said the project would be a death blow to the Florida panther. The panther is already struggling to survive in Florida, he said.

“For an animal like the Florida panther, it is 100% loss,” Schwartz said of the project. Schwartz said that the settlement Lee County engaged in with the

See PANTHERS, page 18

Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

developer in lieu of the rock mine was about as bad. “Either one would be bad,” he said. “It’s in the core habitat of the panther.”

The project is near Florida Gulf Coast University, off Corkscrew Road, and extends out to the Lehigh Acres area.

Schwartz said the panthers will pay a price trying to cross Corkscrew Road and the other roads built as a result of the project, which is why the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is projecting so many panthers deaths as a result of the project.

“Fish and Wildlife (Service) should be drawing a line here,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz said the agency has the ability to stop the project if it believes the development jeopardizes the survival of the species. “The project should have been denied,” he said.

Schwartz said the new development would put up to 20,000 new cars on the road.

Last year, there were 13 confirmed Florida panther deaths on the state’s roads. Most were in Collier County, while others were in Hendry County and Glades County. That was down significantly from 27 in 2022, including three deaths in Lee County. In 2021, there were 27 panther deaths on Florida roads, including eight in Lee County. There were 22 deaths in 2020, including one on Corkscrew Road.

That precipitous drop last year has environmentalists concerned that the number of Florida panthers is continuing to dwindle from their precarious population.

Combined with the possibility of 20 more panthers deaths a year from the Kingston project and alarm bells are going off among some panther advocates.

“There are only eight panthers born each year. It doesn’t take a lot of advanced math to think this is unsustainable,” said Julianne Thomas, a senior environmental planning specialist with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

The numbers tell the story. Panthers are disappearing from Lee County roads and that means they could also be starting to disappear from Lee County entirely.

The precise number of panthers left in the Florida wild is unknown. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has not completed a study that is overdue on the panther population.

Messages left with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were not returned.

Elise Bennett, Florida director for the Center for Biological Diversity, said the Endangered Species Act is meant to ensure that “no action threatens the survival of the species.” Bennett said the Florida panther needs three distinct populations to recover.

“They need every last inch of habitat in Southwest Florida to recover,” Bennett said.

Bennett said one of the problems with the review process is that the Florida DEP has taken over control of the wetlands permit review process, which used to be in the purview of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Now the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides comments but does not hold the keys to denying the permit unless it considers it to jeopardize the survival of the species.

“There is no question that this is jeopardy,” Bennett said.

Schwartz is disappointed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hasn’t taken more serious action to stop the project from moving forward.

“What I have seen of the service in 18 years of doing this work, is they just don’t say no. They don’t know how to say no.”

One of the problems he has with their review is he doesn’t believe they aren’t taking into account the cumulative effect of the various projects going through the panther habitat in Collier County and Lee County. By reviewing each project individually, and piecemeal, “they are not looking at the full picture,” Schwartz said.

Others are hopeful that the fact that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has forecasted so many deaths for the Florida panther as a result of the project, changes will need to be made by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or a court battle will likely ensue.

fortmyersbeachtalk.com

crashes in recent years could be severely depleting their population.

With major developments also currently moving through the approval process in core panther habitat in neighboring Collier County, the projects has the potential to deliver a one-two punch to one of the most endangered species in America, opponetns said.

In addition to the 10,000 homes for the Kingston project, the agreement with the county would allow up to 240 hotel rooms and 700,000 square feet of commercial space. No development orders have yet been issued for the homes or construction.

A public hearing was held in Lehigh Acres this past week over an application to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for a wetlands permit.

The Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity and Conservancy of Southwest Florida protested outside the hearing.

They called on the DEP to deny the permit and for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to invoke the Endangered Species Act and stop the development.

The Kingston project involves the construction of an internal four-lane public spine road from Corkscrew Road to State Route 82. There is just one large mammal

Page 17 n Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Panthers From page 1

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024 n Page 18 Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

Panthers From page 17 The Sierra Club has already filed suit to stop the state’s review process.

At the public hearing, some of the officials from the Florida DEP were talking up the conservation areas of the development. Unlike the public hearings some may be accustomed to, the DEP doesn’t hold forums where each speaker is heard by the room. Rather, attendees meet with DEP officials at stations with maps and discuss the plans. There is a table for public comment to be given and written comments were being accepted through this past Tuesday.

The DEP held just one public hearing on the project and did not hold a hearing close to the other side of the project near Corkscrew Road and Florida Gulf Coast University.

According to DEP officials, the agency will review the public comments and provide them to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for further review. The EPA will issue a notice to issue or a notice to deny. Based on feedback from the EPA and the comments already submitted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the DEP could approve or deny the wetlands permit, or make further conditions.

“It drives the nail in the coffin of our conservation landscape and our natural resources,” said Patty Whitehead, of Estero.

In addition to the crashes, panthers face other obstacles including a mysterious disorder that has been affecting their walking. The invasive Burmese python has been decimating panther prey in the Everglades, leading the animal to search

farther for food.

The project is close to the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in the Everglades. Florida Audubon is “very concerned about the proximity of this large development on Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary’s northern boundary,” said Brad Cornell, of Audubon Florida.

Messages left with all five Lee County commissioners regarding the project and the county commission’s settlement that set the development into motion, were not responded to.

Lee County spokesperson Betsy Clayton said that of the 6,675 acres, a minimum of 3,287 acres to be dedicated to the creation, restoration, and/or enhancement of conservation/flowway areas.

According to the DEP, approximately 1,910 acres will be restored to a natural wetland. Of the remaining wetlands, 1,163 acres will be unaffected.

The panther has been Florida’s official state animal since a referendum by voters in 1982. The Florida panther was among the first animals placed on the Endangered Species List in 1967 following the passage of the Endangered Species Preservation Act, along with the grizzly bear, bald eagle, American alligator, red wolf and manatee. That law was strengthened by the Endangered Species Act in 1973.

Schwartz said the Kingston project is the “tip of the iceberg.” Combined with the Belmar and Rivergrass projects in Collier County, thousands of acres of prime panther habitat are threatened.

Schwartz said there are about a dozen

major projects going through the area that threaten the endangered species.

“It’s not compatible with the panther recovery plan or the Endangered Species Act,” Schwartz said.

“Developers are trying to turn eastern Lee, eastern Collier into suburbia,” he said. “The continued existence of the panthers is in doubt.”

Page 19 n Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024 fortmyersbeachtalk.com

Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024 n Page 20 Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

Religious services From page 11 said. “Our method is to encourage people and to be a support to people, not to berate people or to really make people feel uncomfortable.”

Antonucci offered to go to Times Square and address the street preacher there. “I am Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said the

town should treat the services as a “pilot project” through February and then “we will reassess it after a month and see how it goes.”

The council unanimously approved allowing the church to hold services at Bayside Veteran’s Memorial Park every Saturday in February.

following link: https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/Do cumentCenter/View/21713/Combinedletter-application-calendar-for-Town-

Council-Vacancy-11124.

Candidates From page 1 Dan Allers and Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt.

The offices carry a four-year term.

In addition to attending town council meetings, councilmembers serve as

liaisons to various town advisory committees.

The link to the application form can be found on the town's website through the

WHAT TO DO

WHO TO SEE

VISIT US ONLINE FORTMYERSBEACHTALK.COM

WEEK OF JANUARY 24, 2024 2nd Annual Venezia Renaissance Faire underway In Bonita Springs —Page 22

Page 21 n Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024

WHERE TO GO

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

Lion’s Club announces parade, race expo and restaurant passport March 9-10

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

T

he Fort Myers Beach Lion's Club lost the Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival last year after Hurricane Ian and lost two years to covid. It looked like this year was going to be another washout until its members found a way to make the 66th rendition of the popular festival a reality.

"It's been a rollercoaster," Fort Myers Beach Lion's Club President Drew Yelle said. "Even a

couple months ago we were staring at the headwinds saying we don't know how we can do this. After brainstorming, we decided 'we're going to make this happen,'" Yelle said.

The festival has been scheduled for March 910. A parade will take place March 9 along with the festival's 5k race and two days of vendors.

Rather than the normal shrimp boil at Lynn Hall Memorial Park, passports will be available for purchase to a group of participating restaurants taking part in the shrimp festival.

Those restaurants will have locally-caught pink gold Gulf shrimp from Fort Myers Beach shrimp suppliers Erickson and Jensen.

Drew Yelle expects participating restaurants to be offering their own unique specials and menus from shrimp scampi to shrimp tacos and a host of other varieties. Some restaurants like Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant held their own shrimp boil on their property last year during a scaled-down shrimp crawl.

Sports & Recreation . . . . .26

What’s Happening . . . . . . .24

FILE PHOTO

insidetoday Pet Pals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

See SHRIMP FEST, page 23

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024 n Page 22 Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

‘Parent University’ begins round of in-person sessions tonight

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

Parent University will be held in-person for the first time this year, with the kick off session to be held Wednesday at Pelican Elementary School.

“The intention was always for Parent University to always be a live event,” School District of Lee County spokesperson Rob Spicker said. “Now that our families are aware of the program, we committed this year to taking the sessions to our schools. The locations were chosen to spread the opportunities across the district, so that our families would have least one session near enough for them to easily attend.”

The first session will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 24, at Pelican Elementary School, 3525 SW 3rd Ave. The session will include a presentation from Student Enrollment Executive Director Soretta Ralph and Planning, Growth and Capacity Director Dr. Adam Molloy regarding student open enrollment and middle school proximity.

“District staff will present on the Code of Conduct and FOCUS parent portals,”Spicker said. “The Arts Center at Cape Coral Parks and Rec is going to lead guests in a make-and-take-it art project that can be easily replicated at home.”

Each session includes a welcome from the superintendent, one or two board members and the host

school principal.

All the sessions will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Other sessions will include Upskill Village MicroCredentialing Program Thursday, Feb. 8, at Fort Myers Middle Academy, 3050 Central Ave.; school district employment opportunities Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Three Oaks Middle School, 18500 Three Oaks Parkway.; safety and security Wednesday, March 13, at Lehigh Senior High School, 901 Gunnery Road, N. and the Young 5 Program Thursday, March 28, at Pinewoods Elementary, 11900 Stoneybrook Golf Drive.

“The topics chosen are either timely or of frequent interest to our parents,” Spicker said. “With the Student Open Enrollment period under way for high school and about to start for elementary and middle school, we want to be available to our parents with questions. We frequently field questions about school security and job opportunities, so we scheduled those presentations. Each session will include a presentation on the Student Code of Conduct and on creating and using a FOCUS Parent Portal because both are two of the most common subjects’ parents inquire about.”

In addition, the district looks for interactive ways for parents to engage with their kids, or information that will be helpful, another component of Parent University.

“Some of our future community partners include

United Way with information about how to access their programs, The American Heart Association with a CPR lesson and LeeTran about how to use their app for bus service,” Spicker said.

Parents, guardians, and community members are invited to attend Parent University, which has been provided through the district’s online platforms for the past three school years. The virtual programs gave insight to attendees, as well as family activities and a chance to have dialogue with district staff and community guests.

A certificate of completion can be earned for each of the sessions attended. An on-site reception will be held for the school with the highest parent participation.

“Parents who completed 75% of the virtual session were presented with a diploma. We could not ask parents to attend that many live sessions, so they earn a certificate of completion for attending one of the live sessions. The school with the largest number of parents who earn certificates will host a reception in their honor later this spring,” Spicker said.

Although registration is not required, it is encouraged and can be done at www.leeschools.net/parentuniversity.

“We want to be able to let our community partners know what kind of crowd to expect,” he said.

Motown group to perform at Edison and Ford Winter Estates Jan. 26

PHOTO PROVIDED

2nd Annual Venezia Renaissance Faire underway In Bonita Springs Get ready for non-stop entertainment, musical acts, comedic characters, and of course an array of authentic medieval games at the 2nd Annual Venezia Renaissance Faire, 28001 Old 41 Rd., Bonita Springs. Patrons will witness high-energy real-life battles, vivid raw horse-to-ground takedowns, and the sheer excitement of high-speed jousts! You will witness action-packed Hollywood-worthy Tournaments and Medieval Warfare.

Feel the ferocity of thundering hooves as they rush the stage. Partake in a real-life Chess Match where there can only be one Check Mate! Enter our castle gates and feast on an abundance of foods inspired by Medieval Cuisine. Rest your soles in our Medieval Dining area and quench your thirst for a variety of libations.

Visit the Artisans Marketplace where you can find skilled potters, jewelers,

artwork, and a variety of period garb. A King’s ransom of delights awaits you with an array of handcrafted goods for all to enjoy.

The Venezia Renaissance Faire continues: ∫ Saturday, Jan. 27, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ∫ Sunday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Take advantage of discount tickets online, visit https://www.facebook.com /VeneziaRenFaire for a promo code.

Tickets are available online at https://veneziarenaissancefaire.com.

Tickets are also available for purchase on location at the box office.

Adult Day Pass: $25, Child Day Pass: $15 {ages 3-13) Adult Weekend Pass: $45, Child Weekend Pass: $25 (ages 3-13) Kids under 2 are free.

Collaboration Band will perform Motown hits on the historic Ford lawn along the Caloosahatchee River at Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Friday, Jan. 26.

This is the first Rhythm on the River concert of the new year and will be the second time that the band is performing at the Estates. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the concert starts at 6:30.

The Collaboration Band is a group of veteran musicians dedicated to performing authentic soul, R&B, and Motown.

Each member brings many years of experience: Mr. Lonza Bartlett, is the former lead vocalist with the Platters; Willie Miller plays drums, plus lead and background vocals; on guitar and vocals is Steve LaValley; Mark Gonzales plays keyboards and vocals; Zo Smith provides

vocals and the "funky bottom."

Guests can take in a beautiful river view and possibly see a spectacular sunset. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Guests should dress appropriately for being outdoors. No coolers or picnic baskets are permitted. Free parking is available in the main Edison Ford parking lot at 2350 McGregor Boulevard.

Individual tickets purchased in advance are $30 for Edison Ford members or $35 for non-members. Individual ticket holders should bring a lawn chair. A VIP seating area may be reserved by the table for $275 (for up to 5 people). The VIP ticket includes the use of a table and chairs.

Purchase tickets at EdisonFord.org.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates is at 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.

Southwest Florida Ag Expo Creative Living contest registration now open The Creative Living contest registration for the Southwest Florida Ag Expo is now open. This contest features ten divisions for crafts, culinary and horticulture exhibits.

The contest is open to adults and youth, and exhibits will be on display during the Ag Expo from Feb. 29 through March 10 at the Lee County Civic Center Complex, 11831 Bayshore Rd., North Fort Myers.

Registration is free and open to residents of Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties.

Pre-registration of all entries are required, and registration closes Wednesday, Jan. 31. To register or for more information on the various classes in the divisions, rules and guidelines visit www.swflagexpo.com.

The Ag Expo celebrates the work and accomplishments of Southwest Florida youth active in 4-H, FFA and more while offering fun, food and rides for the entire

community.

The county has created a website and social media channel for the Ag Expo.

The complete schedule of events, special promotions, ticketing and parking information will be posted at www.swflagexpo.com or visit Facebook for SWFL Ag Expo at www.facebook.com/swflagexpo.

Please bookmark the website and follow the Facebook page, as event details and information will continue to be added.

Check the website to purchase the Mega Pass in advance for $25; includes gate admission and wristband for unlimited rides on one day of your choice. Sale ends Feb. 29.

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www.leegov.com/resources/news letters. Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/lee countyflbocc.

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Read us daily at Fortmyersbeachtalk.com! Follow us on Facebook!

The second annual Purple Tea symposium, slated for Feb. 15 in Fort Myers, will convene a distinguished panel of physicians and breast health experts to discuss advancements in the prevention, screening and treatment of breast cancer.

The free event will explore new research, statistics and technology that offer encouraging signs for women in the fight against breast cancer. Attendees are encouraged to wear purple in a show of unity and solidarity.

About one in eight women in the U.S. (13%) will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. In 2024, it’s estimated that doctors will diagnose about 300,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer.

“Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in the world, and if it hasn’t affected you personally, it likely has affected a family member or friend,” said Dr. Alan Brown, a board-certified radiation oncologist with Advocate Radiation Oncology who will present at the symposium. “Purple Tea provides a supportive, inspiring

environment for women to learn about their risk factors and share their experiences so we all have a better understanding of the disease, treatment options and outcomes.”

Purple Tea, which is chaired by Gerri Ware, was created as a forum where Southwest Florida women can learn about their individual risk factors for breast cancer, including race, ethnicity, family history and genetics.

In addition to Brown, presenters at Purple Tea include: ∫ Dr. Natalia Spinelli, breast surgical oncologist at Precision Healthcare Specialists: “Modifiable Risk Factors for Breast Cancer Development and Prevention of Recurrence” ∫ Dr. Magali Van de Bergh, medical oncologist at Florida Cancer Specialists: “Racial Disparities: Update from San Antonio Breast Cancer Conference” ∫ Debra Wilson, vice president of oncology services at Lee Health: “Community Outreach Efforts” Diane Spears is the event’s honorary chair and will

deliver a keynote address. Spears began working as a patient care technician in the early 1970s and eventually became nursing director at Lee Memorial Hospital. She was the first Black woman to earn a nursing degree from Edison Community College (now Florida Southwestern State College) and later became a registered nurse.

Spears also founded the Annual Omega Health Forum in the Dunbar community of Fort Myers.

Purple Tea will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd., in Fort Myers. Tickets are free, but is required by visiting registration AdvocateRO.com/PurpleTeaParty or calling Sherri Kubesh at 239-839-6015.

Purple Tea is sponsored by Advocate Radiation Oncology, Lee Health Regional Cancer Center, Florida Cancer Specialists, Fort Myers Alumnae of Delta Sigma Theta, Florida Weekly and IFoundMyDoctor.com/Florida Healthcare News.

Six Mile Cypress Slough 2024 Digital Photo Contest is underway

2023 Grand Prize Winning Photo

by Pat Lonergan

The Friends organization is a nonprofit citizens group that provides support for the Slough’s staff and volunteers.

Membership levels in the Friends organization start at $10 for students and $25 for individuals. More information about the photo contest and membership is available on the Slough Friends website at www.sloughpreserve.org Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is over 3,500 acres of wetland ecosystem with a boardwalk trail and Interpretive Center. Animals like otters, alligators, turtles, wading birds, and more live at the Slough year-round. Others, like migrating birds and butterflies, use the Slough as a feeding area or a winter home. The Slough is managed by the Lee County Department of Parks and Recreation and is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Mound House Schedule Stories Beneath Our Feet Exhibit Reopens The Mound House announced that the Stories Beneath Our Feet exhibit has partially reopened. After being completely submerged in saltwater by Hurricane Ian in September of last year, the town has completed the necessary repairs to the exhibit to reopen the area to visitors. While there is still work to do to enhance the visitor experience with new museum components, the exhibit will be open at the same hours as the rest of the Mound House museum, Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Included with price of admission.

Eco-Kayak Tours Wednesdays and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Explore the winding mangrove creeks and go places only a kayak can go on this guided eco-tour of Estero Bay. This begin-

ner friendly tour allows you to experience and learn more about the natural beauty of a mangrove estuary and the history of the area.

Mound House kayak tours are conducted in accordance with Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism guidelines. All paddling and kayak safety equipment is provided.

Ages 12 and up. Weather permitting.

Maximum of 12 paddlers per tour. Shoes required; water strongly recommended.

Mound House members save at $20 per person, regular price $50 per person. Museum admission included.

Register at MoundHouse.org.

with the full moon rising over the mangroves. Mound House kayak tours are conducted in accordance with Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism guidelines.

Mound House kayak tours are conducted in accordance with Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism guidelines. All paddling and kayak safety equipment is provided.

Ages 12 and up. Weather permitting.

Maximum of 12 paddlers per tour. Shoes required; water strongly recommended.

Mound House members save at $20 per person, regular price $50 per person. Register at MoundHouse.org.

Moonrise Kayak Tour

Shell Mound Tours

Thursday, Jan. 25 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

This unique tour offers rare opportunity to experience the abundant life within our estuary in the quiet early evening of a full moon. Kayak tour is held the two hours before nautical twilight and ideally ends

Wednesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Discover the archaeology and history of the site and learn what clues were uncovered about this 1,600-year-old shell mound. This hands-on tour will explore the environmental and cultural history of the site and feature

replica artifact demonstrations. Mound House members save with free tours, and regular price is Museum Admission + $5.

No reservation required.

Caloosa Carvers Return The Caloosa Carvers, a group of local woodcarvers who have made accurate replicas of Calusa wooden artifacts for use in Mound House exhibits and programs, have returned to carving these replicas on the grounds of Mound House. This is a free program, and no reservations are required.

Simply stop by, chat, and learn more about wood carving between 9:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on the first and third Saturday of each month now through April.

The Mound House is located at 451 Connecticut St. on Fort Myers Beach.

Shrimp Fest From page 21 Yelle said there were several reasons the club decided not to do a shrimp boil this year, including a lack of manpower due to Hurricane Ian. Yelle said the organization also didn't want to take business away from local restaurants still recovering from Ian. A third reason was the lights being out at Lynn Hall Memorial Park at night. A fourth reason is the loss of the Lynn Hall Memorial Park restrooms, where the festival is usually situated. The facility was also the site of

the last shrimp-eating contest. There are portable restrooms at Times Square.

Yelle said about 40 vendors will be set up down Old San Carlos Blvd. Yelle said there will be fewer vendors this year due to the change in location. "I think it will be a good fit," he said. Yelle noted that the area has previously been used for events such as a "Taste of the Beach" and a pirate festival.

Despite the changes, Yelle is excited about getting the shrimp festival back on

track after it had been declared a no-go a month ago.

"A lot of people want the parade," Yelle said. "Getting the permitting was really tough," he said. But with the help of town staff and a decision to change the location of the vendors, they made new plans that are now progressing.

"It's a big draw to get people down to the Beach," Yelle said. He said the parade "makes it fel like there is progress on the Beach."

The current plan is to have the Matanzas Pass Bridge closed from 9 a.m. to noon with the race running from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and the parade going from 10 a.m. to noon. The vendors will be open for business from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

For more updates, follow the Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival on Facebook.

Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

through the art of photography.”

First, second and third place winners will be awarded in three categories: Plants and Landscapes, Birds and Animals. A Grand Prize winner will be awarded to the photo the judges deem best overall.

In addition to the regular adult contest,

there will be separate contests for youths and staff members. Youth entries are eligible for the Grand Prize.

Hoping to foster a greater love and appreciation of nature and conservation among young people, the Friends group is allowing youths ages 17 and under to participate for free. The entry cost for adults is $15.

Winning entries are on display at the Slough Interpretive Center, which is open daily except Mondays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry is free with paid parking. The photos also can be viewed on the Friends website. Winning photos from previous years, dating back to 2010, are on the website.

Last year, a total of 263 photos were submitted by 89 different entrants. The 2023 Grand Prize photo, taken by Pat Lonergan, was of a bobcat on the Slough boardwalk.

fortmyersbeachtalk.com

Entries are now being accepted for the Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve 2024 Photo Contest. The deadline is Jan. 31, 2024.

The contest is limited to amateur photographers only and, for the first time, only digital entries can be submitted.

Photos must be of native species and must have been taken at the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, which includes Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve North.

Registration and entry submissions should be made on the Friends website, www.sloughpreserve.org “Through your camera’s lens, we invite you to capture the essence of the flora and fauna that call this preserve home,” said Sabine Vandenhende, president of the nonprofit Friends organization.

“Embrace the challenge and share your artistic vision as we join together to preserve, protect, and honor this natural jewel

Page 23 n Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024

‘Purple Tea’ symposium on breast cancer set for Feb. 15

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024 n Page 24 Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

WHAT’S HAPPENING Seminole Casino Hotel to host The Lalas Burlesque, a hilarious and sexy classic rock-themed show Feb. 2 Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee welcomes back the best-ever burlesque review: The Lalas Burlesque Show Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are $44 and are available now from Ticketmaster or at www.moreinparadise.com.

The Lalas are the best in burlesque, with a show that is equally hilarious and sexy. The show is perfect for date night, girls’ night out, or just to see some empowered women rock the stage during 75 minutes of classic rock and blues music, perfectly choreographed dance moves, and fringe galore. The Los Angeles-based women on stage are all full-time working pros in the biz. No two shows are ever alike, so audiences are always in for a treat!

For more information, call toll-free 800-218-0007 or visit moreinparadise.com or facebook.com/Seminole CasinoHotel/.

Annual Antique Ford Car Show to be held at Edison and Ford Winter Estates Feb. 3 Edison and Ford Winter Estates will host its annual Antique Ford Car Show, Saturday, Feb. 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Each year, classic car owners exhibit their cars on the Ford estate lawn as a tribute to Henry Ford, the pioneer of the automobile industry. Antique Mustangs, Thunderbirds, Model Ts and others will be on display.

During the car show, there will be a DJ on site playing music, and food trucks will have refreshments available for purchase. Visitors can also tour the gardens, museum, laboratory and see the historic homes. The site includes more than 20 acres of botanical gardens along the Caloosahatchee River with plants and trees from all around the world.

This family event is free for Edison Ford members or $25 for non-members. Tickets may be purchased on the website at EdisonFord.org or at the ticket counter (purchase tickets for the self-guided tour, which includes the grounds where the car show is held).

Antique car owners wanting to participate can register their car (any Ford model, 1980 or older) for display in the show at EdisonFord.org before Jan. 27. Car registration is $30 for the first car, and $15 for each additional car and includes the self-guided tour, museum and laboratory. For more information, contact the marketing department at 239-334-7419.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates is at 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.

Southwest Florida Concert Band to perform “The Best of Broadway Concert” Feb. 4 The Southwest Florida Concert Band will perform “The Best of Broadway Concert,” with feature vocalist Janna Braun and the Brass Monkeys quintet on Sunday, Feb. 4, at 2 p.m. at South Fort Myers High School, 14020 Plantation Rd., Fort Myers.

The 40 member community band will perform a concert to celebrate the music of Broadway. The concert will start with selections from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous musicals “Jesus Christ Super Star,” “Cats” and “Phantom of the Opera.” You will hear America from Bernstein’s “West Side Story” and a dramatic medley of music from “Les Misérables.” Janna Braun will sing familiar songs from “The Sound of Music,” “Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of OZ” and “Never Enough” from “The Greatest Showman.” The Brass Monkeys quintet will perform, the band will play some Beatles music and of course there will be a march to enjoy. One of the highlights of this show will be Dr. Tim Yontz from F.G.C.U. conducting Gustav Holst’s master work, “Jupiter” from “The Planets Suite.”

It is a not to be missed performance of the newest concert band in Southwest Florida.

All concerts are FREE with donations accepted.

Information on the group, our scholarship program, and other performances can be found at www.SouthwestFloridaConcertBand.org

PHOTO PROVIDED

Guests shop for plants at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates Garden Festival.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates to host annual Spring Garden Festival Edison and Ford Winter Estates will hold its annual Spring Garden Festival Feb. 10 and 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 50 garden vendors from around the state will have exotic and native plants and trees for sale. The festival takes place outdoors, under large shade trees, where plant vendors will be spread out on several acres of the historic property. The event is sponsored by Zion Healing Center.

Vendors will have many types of plants and trees, including air plants, bromeliads, butterfly plants, cacti, fruit trees, herbs, hibiscus,

orchids, palms, succulents, and many hard-to-find species. Vendors will also offer garden art, flower pots, fertilizer and worm castings.

Plus, several food trucks will be on site and there will be live music.

In addition, the Garden Shoppe will be open and offers visitors a large selection of unusual tropical and Florida native plants that thrive in Southwest Florida. Ceramic flowerpots, vegetable and flower seeds, garden art, and gardening gift items will be available for purchase. Edison Ford members receive a discount on all Garden

After Ian: Fort Myers free legal clinic to focus on post-disaster insurance claims, contractor fraud A Fort Myers-based legal nonprofit is again hosting a free clinic for area seniors in need of no-cost, limited legal advice.

Law at the Library is a quarterly conversation sponsored by Lee County Legal Aid Society with support from AARP Foundation.

The next session is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Fort Myers Regional Library meeting room, 1651 Lee St., Fort Myers.

A panel of three local attorneys will discuss post-disaster insurance claims and contractor fraud. That 30minute presentation will be followed by an audience question-and-answer session and then 20-minute individual appointments on any legal issue.

Advance registration is required. Participants should

Shoppe purchases.

A limited number of garden carts will be available, so guests are encouraged to bring a cart or wagon for transporting plants. A designated plant holding tent and loading spot will be offered for anyone needing assistance. Parking and admission to the festival is free (tours of the homes, museum and laboratory are not included). For more information, visit edisonford.org.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates is at 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.

email Nanci@leecountylegalaid.org with contact information, a brief description of the legal advice being sought, and any relevant documents. The sessions are open to Lee County residents ages 50 and older.

Unlike in criminal law, there is no constitutional right to counsel in civil law, which includes landlord-tenant disputes, foreclosures, evictions, probate, debt collection, child custody cases, domestic violence orders of protection and more.

Law at the Library follows a similar series of free legal workshops “Just for Seniors” offered by Lee County Legal Aid Society in prior years through support from The Community Foundation.

For more information on Lee County Legal Aid Society, visit leecountylegalaid.org or call 239-3346118.

See WHAT’S HAPPENING, page 27

Find A Home Give A Home Pet Rescue

Alert for handsome Shepard

By ISABELLE WELLS Co-founder of the Find a Home, Give a Home pet rescue organization of Fort Myers Beach

fortmyersbeachtalk.com

Did you know that there are more shepherd brought in shelters than any other breeds right now?

We have two beautiful GSD dogs here that have been waiting for rescue for almost a month. We are urgently seeking placement for these two guys as they have not shown any aggression towards staff here. However, they tend to show working dog qualities and tend to get anxious if they don’t have a task to complete. They have both concentrated on ball fetching and they both take that job very seriously.

They will both sit and stay until you throw the ball, and Milo will even “drop” the ball so that you can throw it. We are really hoping they can find and adopter that can help them find a home or experienced handler that can give them work to do. We think they would do best in a home with no kids and only low-energy dogs.

Percy is 3 years old, 70 pounds and Milo 4 years old and weighs 69 pounds.

Page 25 n Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024

PET PALS

Island pets seeking forever homes

Please note our new PO Box #864, Bonita Springs, Fl 34133 You can also make a donation at www.findahomegiveahome.com using the donation tab using PayPal Please make sure you do it through “Friends and Family” so there is no fee and all the donation comes to us directly.

Save Our Strays Feline Rescue Fort Myers Beach

Donations needed

By Jo Knobloch Saveourstraysfmb@yahoo.com Founder of Save Our Strays Cat Rescue a 501c3 organization on Fort Myers Beach

We are still in dire need for kitten wet food and also Purina Cat Chow for the hurricane survivors.

Food can be dropped off at the rescue at 8273 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach or delivered there from Amazon or Chewey.

We are in the process of setting up fundraisers which are badly needed due to high vet bills and food costs. We are hoping to have one in February and one in March.

Info will be forthcoming and will be on our web page when set up.

Volunteers are needed to help with these fundraisers so if you can help please call 239-851-3485. Also need volunteers to help feed and Trista is a black kitten with white markings on face, neck and help at the rescue on Fort Myers feet. She and Marcie are siblings and love to play and wrestle Marcie 4 month old female is sibling to Trista,. and is Beach. with each other. She is 4 months old, born inside and was with white with tabby markings, a very unique combination.

She too is very affectionate and loves to run and play. mom till 8 weeks old. She is very affectionate and playful.

Visit our website at SaveOurStraysfmb.org Check out our facebook page Save our Strays Feline Rescue Email us at saveourstraysfmb@yahoo.com. Cat donations can be sent to: P.O. Box 5014, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33932

Fort Myers Beach Observer

Follow us on Facebook at Find A Home Give A Home Pet Rescue and see all the amazing pets we saved these past few months

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024 n Page 26 Fort Myers Beach Observer

SPORTS & RECREATION Lee Health to host 2nd annual Pedal for a Purpose Jan. 25 Funds raised will benefit Lee Health’s Cancer Institute’s support services and cancer care Cruise into the new year by “pedaling for a purpose.”

Lee Health Coconut Point is hosting the second annual Pedal for a Purpose fundraiser on Jan. 25 from 5 to 9 p.m. to benefit and support the Lee Health Cancer Institute and other health and wellness programs.

Hosted at Lee Health Coconut Point, Pedal for a Purpose 2024 is presented by national contractor Suffolk and powered by CycleBar. Participants will be pedaling in support of Lee Health’s Cancer Institute, offering services and care to those battling cancer in our growing community. Lee Health Coconut Point is located at 23450 Via Coconut Point in Estero.

Pedal for a Purpose teams can have between four and eight riders. There must be a rider on the bike during the entire four-hour event, but riders can switch at any time and ride as little or as much as they want.

Last year for its inaugural event, Pedal for a Purpose raised $13,125.00 to benefit the Lee Health Cancer Institute and its new Bonita Springs location.

“We are thrilled to bring Pedal for a Purpose back again for its second year. We get to have fun while raising funds and awareness for state-of-the-art cancer care.

It’s a win-win,” said vice president of oncology at Lee Health, Deb Wilson. “As our region continues to grow,

County taking registrations for annual senior games Lee County Parks & Recreation welcomes senior athletes to participate in the 2024 Lee County Senior Games, themed “Fitness Matters,” which will feature social, recreational and competitive activities.

The games will be held from Jan. 26 through March 16, with eight sports in various locations throughout the county. The Florida Games Series Qualifier Events will include: ∫ Table tennis ∫ Archery ∫ Pickleball ∫ Basketball shooting ∫ Basketball 3V3 ∫ Billiards ∫ Swimming ∫ Tennis To be eligible, participants must be 50 years or older by Dec. 31, 2024.

Medals will be presented to the first-, second- and third-place finishers of each event.

Qualifying event top finishers will be eligible to compete in the 2024 Florida Senior Games.

Registration is $15 per event.

Participants will receive one shirt that will be distributed at the event site.

To register, visit www.leeparks.org/register or call 239-533-7275.

For more information or the schedule, visit www.leeparks.org.

our oncology services need to grow with it and continue to evolve to support as many Southwest Florida residents and visitors as necessary. Events like Pedal for a Purpose help us do that while bringing the community together.”

The Lee Health Cancer Institute provides Lee County residents and visitors with state-of-the-art cancer care close to home. There are now two convenient locations in Fort Myers and Bonita Springs to support all of Lee County and parts of southern Collier.

Newly opened this past September, the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Cancer Clinic in Bonita Springs complements its sister center in Fort Myers.

They both offer oncology, nurse navigation, dietician support, genetic counseling, infusion services, cancer rehabilitation, financial navigation, disease-specific support groups for patients and families, and prosthesis and

wig fitting.

The center in Bonita Springs is located at 3501 Health Center Blvd. and the cancer institute in Fort Myers is at 8931 Colonial Center Dr. “Suffolk is honored to support the Pedal for a Purpose event, which will further The Lee Health Cancer Institute’s honorable mission of providing comprehensive resources and industry-leading care to patients, survivors and their families,” said Pete Tuffo, President of Suffolk’s Gulf Coast Region. “As a company, Suffolk is guided by our core value of caring as well as our enduring commitment to the communities where we build. It is our privilege to contribute to the critical research and compassionate care provided by Lee Health to our South Florida community.”

Hosted by the Lee Health Foundation, the event is supported by presenting sponsor Suffolk, as well as sponsors Grandezza, D Jones Family Charitable Foundation, Abbott, Exact Sciences, WellWay, Brightview, Florida Radiology Consultants, Lee County Wellness, Neogenomics, Florida Senior Consulting, and West Bay. To support this year’s event, donations can be made at leehealthfoundation.com.

Charity run to benefit colorectal cancer patients returns to Cape Coral March 16 An annual charity race and fun run to benefit colorectal cancer patients in Southwest Florida is returning to Cape Coral.

Partners in Care will host its 13th annual Scope for Hope 10K Run, 5K Run, 2-Mile Walk and Kid’s Fun Run at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, at Jaycee Park, located at 4215 S.E. 20th Place.

All money raised will benefit the locally based, nonprofit foundation and will be used for colorectal cancer education, screening and treatment in Southwest Florida. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the country.

Registration is open now. Entry fee is $30 for adults and $20 for youth 17 years of age and under.

Children under 5 years of age are free. Late registration within 10 days or less of the event will cost an additional $5, and participants must register in advance.

All participants will receive a lanyard as a participation award, and the first three male and female finishers in the 10K and 5K timed runs in each age category will receive a lanyard pin. All Kids’ Fun Run participants will receive a ribbon. Strollers and pets are allowed only in the 2mile walk.

Partners in Care offers payment for a variety of expenses that aren’t covered by medical insurance,

including gas or transportation services, respite care at home or in a healthcare setting, medical supplies or equipment, childcare, lodging or food during treatment, and more, as well as cancer screenings.

The foundation has expanded from its Florida origins to 18 states, with more than 8,000 patients supported through its programs over the past 16 years and more than $1 million in financial assistance provided.

Each spring since 2012, the foun-

dation also hosts a charitable 5K run and 2-mile walk to benefit local head and neck cancer patients in California, Colorado, Florida, North and South Carolina, Washington state, West Virginia and (new this year) Texas, in partnership with other local nonprofits. Free head and neck cancer screenings are offered at many of those events.

For more information about the Cape Coral race, to sponsor or to register, visit Partners in Care.

The Fort Myers Beach Observer & Beach Bulletin welcomes news from our community!

Send news tips & releases to news@breezenewspapers.com

Page 27 n Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024

What’s Happening From page 24

Legendary Musician Willie Nelson to perform live in concert at Seminole Casino Hotel Feb. 7 Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee welcomes country music icon Willie Nelson live in concert Wednesday, Feb. 7, with gates opening at 7 p.m. and the show beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets for this outdoor concert start at $49.50 and are available from Ticketmaster or at www.moreinparadise.com Parking is free.

Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is at 506 South 1st St., Immokalee.

Country Artist Aaron Lewis to take the Stage at Seminole Casino Hotel Feb. 8

Join us at the Sam Galloway Ford dealership on Thursday, March 7, for the 21st Annual Sam Galloway, Jr. & Friends Soup Kitchen Benefit.

The annual Sam Galloway, Jr. & Friends Soup Kitchen Benefit is an integral part of our annual fundraising. Our outreach programs including Sam’s Community Café, Mobile Food Pantries, Growing Healthy Kids & Families, Meals on Wheels, and Social Services & Education Resources are vital to tens of thousands of people. We are a key support organization to a community and fundraising dollars are what keep our doors open!

Our mission of alleviating hunger and homelessness is more important now than ever and as we enter 2024 the need will not go away. For 40 years the Southwest Florida community has kept our doors open with its generous and unwavering support and we are committed to serving and supporting our community as long as there is a need.

We are excited to gather again for this signature event to raise money to continue fighting hunger and homelessness in Southwest Florida!

Questions? Call 239-332-7687 ext. 101 or email Jade@CommunityCooperative.com.

4th Annual Airing of the Quilts Spring Fair to be held March 16 Join Saint Hilary’s Episcopal Church, Saturday, March 16, for the 4th Annual “Airing of the Quilts Spring Fair,” one of Lee County’s largest outdoor charitable quilt shows! Dozens of quilts will be hung between the oak trees in in the front yard of the church.

To view the quilts in advance please visit www.loveinablanket.com Located at the corner of McGregor & Colonial Boulevards, Saint Hilary’s is pleased to offer this free family event with the proceeds going towards the Local Outreach Ministry in their own community. Along with the quilts, there will be Craft Vendors, Farmer’s Market Vendors, Concessions, A Ministry Fair, a Spring Hymn Sing and Church Open House.

Free Onsite Parking.

Nice Guys Production and Seminole Casino to present Fakefest April 20 Get ready to rock and roll as Nice Guys Production

‘Elvis: A Musical Revolution’ now playing at Broadway Palm Broadway Palm is kicking off 2024 with an allnew musical fit for “The King, Elvis: A Musical Revolution” playing through Feb. 17. This official Elvis Presley bio-musical takes a closer look at the rock star and cultural icon whose impact shaped the history of music.

Spanning from his childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi to his triumphant 1968 “Comeback Special” and his ascent to be “The King.” This new musical explores the pivotal moments in the life of Elvis Presley through perspectives of the people who knew him best. You’ll hear iconic hits including “All Shook Up,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Burning Love,” “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee present Fakefest, an electrifying outdoor tribute concert event featuring some of the best tribute bands in the nation, on Saturday, April 20, from 2 to 10:30 p.m. Fakefest also will feature food trucks and craft vendors. Admission and parking are free.

Prepare for an unforgettable musical journey with a lineup that includes top-tier tribute bands, each paying homage to iconic rock legends: ∫ Kid Kentucky and the American Badass Band (Tribute to Kid Rock): Kid Kentucky and the American Badass Band embody the spirit and energy of Kid Rock's iconic performances. With a charismatic frontman and a powerhouse ensemble, they deliver a high-octane show that captures the essence of Kid Rock's rebellious rock and roll style. ∫ Hardwired (Tribute to Metallica): Hardwired is a tribute band dedicated to the legendary metal pioneers, Metallica. With precision and passion, they recreate the thunderous sound and electrifying stage presence that Metallica is known for. Brace yourself for a headbanging experience that will transport you back to the golden era of metal. ∫ Lovesong (The Cure Tribute): Lovesong takes you on a nostalgic journey through the haunting and melodic sounds of The Cure. With meticulous attention to detail, they recreate the post-punk and new wave vibes that define The Cure's unique musical landscape, ensuring an immersive experience for fans old and new. ∫ Razors Edge (AC/DC Tribute): For those about to

“Blue Suede Shoes” and more!

Directing and choreography Elvis: A Musical Revolution is the ever-talented Amy McCleary.

Portraying the role of Elvis is William Draper who was last seen on the Broadway Palm stage perfecting the role of Prince Eric in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”

Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Tickets are $70 to $95 with group and children’s prices available.

Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling 239-278-4422, visiting Broadway Palm.com or in person at 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers.

rock, Razors Edge delivers an authentic AC/DC experience that will leave you thunderstruck. With electrifying performances and the iconic riffs that define AC/DC's signature sound, Razors Edge pays tribute to one of the greatest rock bands in history. ∫ The Linkin Park Tribute (Tribute to Linkin Park): The Linkin Park Tribute honors the genre-blending legacy of Linkin Park, seamlessly blending rock, hip-hop and electronic elements. Prepare for an emotional and powerful performance that pays tribute to the late Chester Bennington and the groundbreaking sound of Linkin Park. ∫ Still Alive (Pearl Jam Tribute): Still Alive captures the essence of Pearl Jam's raw and emotional performances. With a dedication to authenticity, they bring to life the timeless grunge sound that defined an era. Get ready to be transported back to the '90s with Still Alive's homage to one of Seattle's most iconic bands.

Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is at 506 South 1st St., Immokalee.

Al-Anon, Al-Ateen meetings Are you concerned with a friend or family member's drinking? Let us help.

Call our 24-hour helpline at 941-564-5098 or visit www.SouthFloridaAl-Anon.org. Meetings are held every day in Lee County.

Al-Ateen meetings are also offered for ages 10-18.

Fort Myers Beach Observer

21st Annual Sam Galloway, Jr. & Friends Soup Kitchen Benefit to be held March 7

PHOTO PROVIDED

fortmyersbeachtalk.com

Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee welcomes #1 Billboard country artist Aaron Lewis performing live Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 with gates opening at 7 p.m. and the show beginning at 8 p.m. General admission tickets for this outdoor concert are $39.50. VIP tickets start at $54.50 per ticket and include reserved seating and two complimentary drinks (beer, wine or soda). Tickets will be available Friday from Ticketmaster or at www.moreinparadise.com. Parking is free.

Having recorded with George Jones, Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, Alison Krauss and Vince Gill, Lewis has put a traditionalist brand on his outlier country. His latest album, “Frayed At Both Ends,” offers the hard touring, 15million selling workingman’s country star at his most personal and unplugged, making for an intimate record that reflects his 2024 acoustic tour.

Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is at 506 South 1st St., Immokalee.

Fort Myers Beach Observer

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Fort Myers Beach Observer

Fort Myers Beach Observer

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, January 24, 2024 n Page 32

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Observer 1/24/24