031925 Fort Myers Beach Observer/The Beach Bulletin
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Stockton
Residents to staff: Keep comp plan the same
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
Town of Fort Myers Beach planning personnel were at the reopening ceremony for the Fort Myers Beach Public Library on Sunday to get feedback and input on the town council’s plans to review its comprehensive plan and potentially make updates this spring and summer.
From the looks of many of the notes posted onto the table, the verdict was
quite clear: Keep the plan the way it is. Asked by staff to write out one-sentence visions for the future of Fort Myers Beach, residents wrote things like “no more high-rise development,” “no changes to the comp plan,” “keep supporting local businesses,” “no to Seagate,” “no food truck parks,” “no high-rises in residential areas” and “low-rise buildings,” “no e-bikes on the beach” and “protect our environment.”
Sarah Propst, a senior planning consultant for the town, said Sunday’s session was important to gathering input for the community’s vision.
Propst said the town’s updates to the comprehensive plan will address questions like “How do we keep the residents? How do we get back the residents?”
Propst listened to the input, which included many thoughts on the traffic situation.
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
It was clear as day when the Fort Myers Beach Public Library reopened to the public for the first time since Hurricane Ian on Sunday, that this was one of the most important and anticipated moments for many islanders.
Since the reopening of the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School more than a year earlier, no other event held the hopes for the future and the feeling of getting back to normalcy quite like the ability for families to once again go into a world of books, intellectual exploration and learning.
The library’s grand opening captured the heart and spirit of the scores who visited Sunday and took a tour of the library, met with local nonprofit groups, grabbed a bite to eat from
Fort Myers Beach Public Library Assistant Director John Lukow, Operations Manager Liz Mullenax, cataloging assistant Deborah Ashby, processing clerk Anne Hellrung, circulation clerk Berta Voelker, circulation clerk Mary Stepaniuk, circulation clerk Sandi Dalziel, circulation clerk Yamile Perryman, Director Cletus Poser and Circulation Clerk Lee Tvedten. NATHAN MAYBERG
“The biggest problem now is the traffic,” said Fort Myers Beach resident Dennis Alfieri, who attended with his wife Mary Lynn. “You are trapped here at a certain time of the day and you can’t get off,” he said.
“I am happy people are coming out and giving input,” Propst said.
Propst is expecting to hold additional community meetings on the comprehen-
Protect FMB backing suit against town
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
The lawsuit filed against the Town of Fort Myers Beach over the town council’s approval of the Seagate Development Group condo building project is being backed by dozens of residents who formed the concerned citizens group “Protect FMB” in January following the vote by the council a month earlier.
Protect FMB, a nonprofit with a board, was founded after the town council resisted pleas from members of the community to take up a reconsideration vote of their decision in December to approve a multi-building condo development that would rise more than 250 feet with 17 stories near a single-family home neighborhood where the Red Coconut RV Resort once operated.
The town’s land development code limits developments on the bay side of Estero Boulevard to three stories and 30 feet unless devations are approved.
Town council provided the developers height deviations which would allow the six buildings totaling 141 units. The buildings would be the tallest ever constructed in the town. Nearly all of the town’s high-rises were constructed before the town voted in 1995 to incorporate — which led to the height restrictions being institutionalized.
Former Town of Fort Myers Beach councilmember Bill Veach sits on the board. He said the plaintiffs who filed the suit have homes closest to the development but many more members of the group are supporting the lawsuit due to the detrimental impact to the community they believe it will bring.
“Our demand is they redo this,” Veach said of the group’s goals for the suit. He said the town council erred in supporting a project that deviated from the local development code and comprehensive plan without explaining what public benefit the town would receive in exchange for
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OPINIONS
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Web Poll
Previous
Web Poll Results
Do you support the vote by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners to stop adding fluoride into drinking water supplied by Lee County Utilities, including for Fort Myers Beach?
∫ Yes, I don’t believe fluoride is necessary to be added to the water, 34%
∫ No, fluoride helps protect against tooth decay and is needed in the water, 58%
∫ Unsure/no opinion, 8%
Current Web Poll
Do you support the lawsuit seeking to overturn the Fort Myers Beach Council’s approval of the Seagate project?
∫ Yes.
∫ No.
∫ Unsure/no opinion.
Elderly feeling the brunt of scammers
In today’s digital age, scams targeting seniors are seemingly everywhere – from phony tech support staff to fraudsters impersonating distant grandchildren or overzealous government officials.
Worldwide, seniors lost a combined $3.4 billion to financial scammers in 2023 alone, the National Council on Aging reports, by gaining the trust of vulnerable older adults more susceptible to manipulation.
Here in Florida, more than 400,000 consumer complaints of fraud and identity theft were lodged with the Federal Trade Commission in 2023 alone, regardless of age; only California tallied more.
These scams can be financially devastating, leaving victims not only with significant monetary losses but also with long-term emotional and psychological harm. Here are some of the most common senior scams to look for:
∫ Grandchild in distress
The grandparent scam is so effective because it exploits people’s emotions. In this scam, fake grandchildren ask for help with car repairs, late rent, a medical emergency, or even to post bond to get out of jail.
In other versions of this scam, a caller claims to be an arresting police officer, doctor, or lawyer trying to help the grandchild. They prey upon emotions to pressure victims into sending money as quickly as possible – and now often rely on artificial intelligence to mimic the authentic voices of actual relatives.
People who run grandparent scams often ask to be paid through gift cards or wire transfers, which don’t always require identification to collect.
∫ Financial services
Per the National Council on Aging, these cons work because they appear to come from a legitimate financial institution: a bank, mortgage company or debt collection agency.
Scammers may claim that a checking or savings account has been compromised and
Sometimes a loss can turn into a big gain. It certainly was for Donald Trump.
The Democrats and the media had been beating up on Donald for four years and would have continued for another four if elected in 2020. The FBI, DOJ, and even lesser justice systems had done everything
ask for personal information, such as a password or Social Security number. Some seek to intimidate or even threaten arrest for unpaid medical bills.
∫ Tech support
Tech support scams feast on the doubts and discomforts that many older adults have around technology in general, in particular computers and cell phones.
In some cases, a person’s computer or phone screen will freeze or go blank, with a pop-up message offering a phone number to dial for help. When the user calls, the fake tech support worker on the other end will ask for permission to log on to the device remotely, demanding a fee to repair the phantom issue.
∫ Phony government agents
In government impersonation scams, callers pretend to be from the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration or Medicare, threatening to cut off benefits unless the victim provides personal information, which can then be used for identity theft.
Government imposters may demand prepaid debit cards, cash or wire transfers as payment while calling from a “spoofed” phone number of a government agency or the same ZIP code (202 for Washington, D.C., for example). This can trick some people into thinking the caller is from a valid source.
∫ Fake romance
With the prevalence of online dating – including among older folks - romance scammers create fake social media profiles to gain trust and steal money from their digital paramours.
They may ask their victims to pay for visas from abroad, medical emergencies and travel expenses to come to the U.S. The FTC found that in 2023 alone, more than 64,000 people reported falling prey to a so-called sweetheart scam, with losses totaling $1.1 billion.
∫ Play it safe
In response to the growing problem of
possible to find a way of putting Donald in jail including manufacturing evidence and selecting issues ignored when anyone else did it. The prosecutors, such as Soros-funded Bragg of NYC, and many judges are avid Democrats and devoted to this cause. Forget the murders, rapes, robberies, and assaults happening in their communities, Trump’s indictment was the ultimate goal.
Then Donald lost to Biden in a pandemic election that relaxed the election rules. The
senior scams – and Grandparent Grifts in particular – Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody recently compiled a digital resource guide to help detect and prevent such efforts. Tips include:
∫ Resist the urge to act immediately. Hang up and verify the caller’s story with the grandchild or other family members.
∫ Be wary of anyone demanding payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers. Legitimate entities do not use these methods.
∫ Understand that scammers may use information from social media to make their stories seem credible.
∫ If a scammer requests an in-person meeting to collect money, hang up and contact local law enforcement immediately.
At Lee County Legal Aid Society, we work to narrow the access to justice gap among those who cannot afford a private attorney in civil cases – including seniors.
Unlike in criminal law, there is no Constitutional right to an attorney in civil law, which includes landlord-tenant disputes, foreclosures, evictions, probate, debt collection, child custody cases, domestic violence orders of protection and more.
Our quarterly “Law at the Library,” a free clinic for seniors in need of limited legal advice on civil matters, will next be held on Wednesday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to noon at Meeting Room A, North Fort Myers Public Library, 2001 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers, 33903. It is open to Lee County residents ages 50 and older.
The panel’s 30-minute presentation will be followed by an audience question-and-answer session and then 20-minute individual appointments with volunteer attorneys on any legal issue, excluding criminal cases, beginning at 10 a.m.
Advance registration is required. Participants should email Nanci@leecountylegalaid.org or call 239-334-6118 and provide contact information, a brief description of the legal advice being sought, and any relevant documents. Participants should also bring those documents to the meeting.
Amir Cyrus is a housing attorney with Lee County Legal Aid Society
country watched senile Biden prove to be the worst president since Buchanan before the Civil War according to Bill O’Reilly who sold 18 million books just on presidents. Biden’s catastrophic work even swayed many who vote emotionally or tradi traditionally.
Millions of taxpayer dollars, if not billions spent to attack Donald were wasted. Donald now sits in the White House. The
Amir Cyrus Guest Column
Letters
From page 5
Republicans own Congress and the many harmful executive orders by Biden were erased. Donald was free to write his own executive orders to close the border, open up our energy, do away with the industry called DEI, take men out of women’s sports, tackle the insane job of clearing the swamp and provide American leadership once again to the world — negotiating trade and peace.
Many extremists are still trying to attack him but the liberal media is weak-
ened. The regular audience has seen through their selective news and turned them off. Layoffs, salary cuts and for sale signs are abundant with the liberal media. Some notable liberal personalities are being replaced. If Donald would have been elected in 2020, the attacks would have continued, the media would have flown high transmitting every possible negative story they could invent and his effectiveness would have been lessened. Biden failures caused people to realize Trump was the one
New paint for town hall
The Town of Fort Myers Beach put on a new coat of blue paint on its new town hall, which is expected to open in the near future. Town officials had been aiming to move in sometime in January though there have been delays.
NATHAN MAYBERG
speaking truth.
The extra four years has prepared Trump for another term. He now knows Washington and how to staff the appointments, what needs to be done and how to do it. His motive is to make America great again.
Democratic failure has happened before: Reagan after Carter, Bush after Clinton and Trump after Obama. Even Nixon after LBJ. Although Nixon was known for the Watergate scandal, his accomplishments were major. O’Reilly’s
book evaluating all the presidents listed Carter #7, Biden #2, and Lyndon Johnson #3 as three of the worst presidents of all 47.
In my lifetime three of the worst were America’s leader and they are all Democrats. Seems as if Republicans always prosper after Democrats have shown how not to govern.
Nothing like a big loss to find a bigger gain.
John Benedict Cape Coral
BUSINESS
Grace’s Cafe the latest, greatest addition to Lani Kai
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
On the first floor lobby of the Lani Kai Island Resort, one of the iconic mainstays of the island, coffee begins to be served at 7 a.m. at the new Grace’s Café where hotel guests and visitors can enjoy dining from sunrise to sunset. The café, named after the resort’s late co-founder Grace Conidaris, is the newest edition to the hotel following its reopening after Hurricane Ian.
The cafe, which is split into two sections on either side of the lobby, is part of a startling remodeling of the lobby floor since repairs from Hurricane Ian was completed. There is a dining area and tables with a view out to the Gulf on one side, with a lounge area and diner counter top for those looking for a more casual setting.
For early risers, the coffee options range from espressos to cappuccino, French vanilla and café mocha. Hot chocolate and chai tea are available for those who don’t partake in coffee rituals.
At 8 a.m., breakfast is served at Grace’s Café at 1400 Estero Boulevard. Pancakes, breakfast burritos, cheese danishes, bagels, sausage patties, home fries, fresh fruit and yogurt are all part of the menu.
“It feels so great when you hear patrons step into our lobby for the first time and go ‘whoa’ and ‘wow.’ It makes all that hard work over the last two-plus years really worth it, hearing the happiness of our patrons and hotel guests again is a wonderful thing,” Lani Kai Island Resort Marketing Director Melissa Schneider said.
The sandwich menu at Grace’s at Lani Kai includes two-handed fish sandwiches, lobster rolls, crab rolls, shrimp rolls, the surf and turf lobster burger, Angus burgers, chicken cutlet sandwiches, Chicago Italian beef sandwiches and sirloin steak sandwiches.
As the sun goes down you can enjoy dinner which features pasta marinara, fettuccine Alfredo, shrimp bruschetta, fish and chips.
For appetizers, there are chowder fries, Buffalo tavern chips, spicy beef rolls, street tacos, calamari, nachos,
The raw and steamed bar features oysters, clams, blue point oysters, clams and shrimp.
The homemade soups include the resort’s clam chowder and pasta fagioli. Salad dishes include Caesar salad, steak salad, citrus shrimp salad and arugula and shrimp salad.
Top off your meal with New York Italian cheesecake or key lime pie.
The Lani Kai also continues to work on rebuilding and redesigning its rooftop restaurants the Island View and the Sun Deck, Schneider said.
New Board Chair announced for Valerie’s House
A new chair of the Board of Directors and two new board members have been announced by Valerie’s House, a nonprofit organization in Southwest Florida helping children grieve the loss of a loved one.
Fort Myers Attorney Kristalyn Loson Atwood will lead the Valerie’s House Board of Directors as its new chair, succeeding local Realtor Mike McMurray, who will now serve as past chair and board member.
Atwood, a founding board member, has been actively involved with Valerie’s House since its inception nine years ago.
Kristalyn Loson Atwood
“Kristalyn has been a long-time volunteer for Valerie’s House beginning with our very first group night in 2016. She and her family have remained dedicated supporters ever since,” said Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin Churchill. “Her passion for our mission combined with her knowledge as a non-profit attorney are an asset to Valerie’s House.”
Two new members of the Board of Directors have also been elected:
Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson –Anderson played a pivotal role in helping Valerie’s House secure the land where the Fort
Myers Family is Forever Home now stands. The mission of serving grieving children is also deeply personal to him since his mother died when he was just four years old.
Fort Myers Attorney Ty Roland, senior partner and co-founder of Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan, said the firm carefully selects the charities it supports, and Valerie’s House stands out as the only organization in the area providing these essential services.
Valerie’s House opened its doors in Fort Myers in 2016 with 20 children and has now served more than 6,000 children and their families in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Sarasota and Escambia counties. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has three Southwest Florida locations: 3551 Valerie’s House Way in Fort Myers, 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples, and 233 East McKenzie Street in Punta Gorda. Valerie’s House also expanded into Northwest Florida in 2021 with a house in downtown Pensacola. For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org
NATHAN MAYBERG
BEACH LIVING
St. Patrick’s Day parade returns to Fort Myers Beach
The Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club brought back the St. Patrick’s Day parade to the island for the first time since before Hurricane Ian. The parade down Estero Boulevard this past Saturday brought out large crowds, concluding with an after-party on the Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club property off Sterling Avenue.
GAYLE
Christine Brickman
Christine Brickman
GAYLE CRABTREE-PERGOLI
GAYLE CRABTREE-PERGOLI
Keep Lee County Beautiful announces plans for beach cleanup
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
Keep Lee County Beautiful, Inc has announced plans for a cleanup of Fort Myers Beach on Saturday, March 29, as part of the “Great American Cleanup.”
The organization has scheduled cleanup activities at three separate locations beginning at 8 a.m. simultaneously at Bowditch Point Regional Park, Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, Lynn Hall Memorial Park and 18450 San Carlos Boulevard.
For a full list of cleanup plans on Fort Myers Beach and throughout Lee County visit https://www.eventbrite. com/o/keep-lee-county-beautiful-79562333883.
The “Great Amerciclean Cleanup” will cover waterways, shorelines, roadways, and parks around Lee
County including Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres and Matlacha.
The event is open to volunteers of all ages, and anyone can participate, including individuals, families, schools, groups, places of worship, businesses, and government organizations. To register and learn more, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/o/keep-lee-county-beautiful-79562333883 or call 239-334-3488 for additional information.
Last year, volunteers with the organization removed more than 7,000 pounds of litter and debris from around Lee County, according to a news release from the group. To learn more about how to get involved or support Keep Lee County Beautiful’s initiatives, visit www.klcb. org or call 239-334-3488.
Mound House Calendar
Park Hours daily 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Museum Hours- Wednesday-Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The Mound House is located at 451 Connecticut St., Fort Myers Beach Calusa Tours
Discover the incredible history of the Calusa, the original stewards of Southwest Florida, on this 30-minute guided outdoor tour at Mound House. Learn how this powerful and innovative Indigenous society thrived across the region for centuries, leaving an enduring legacy still visible today with their shell mounds. Explore how the Calusa shaped their environment
and uncover the stories revealed by archaeologists through hands-on activities such as an atlatl demonstration. The price is free for Mound House Members and $15 for the public. Price includes museum admission. No reservations required.
Kayak Tours
266 Curlew 7944 Estero Lot 6035 Estero Blvd 4911 Santa Monica
∫ Wednesday-Saturday 9 - 11 a.m.
Discover the natural beauty of Florida on a guided kayaking tour of Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve. Visit places only a kayaker can go as you glide over seagrass beds, and paddle through a timeless landscape of native flora and fauna. Kayak Tours included two hour guided experience, kayak, paddle, lifejacket, and
museum admission. Secure footwear required, and bottled water strongly recommended. Mound House Members: $15, Public: $45. Register at MoundHouse. org.
Sunset Kayak Tours
∫ Fridays two hours before sunset. Check MoundHouse.org for times and availability.
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of a guided Sunset Kayak Tour. Paddle through a pristine landscape as golden hour transforms the Estero Bay into a picturesque wonderland. Your journey concludes at the historic bayside Mound House, where the sun sets behind the museum, creating a stunning backdrop
for an unforgettable evening. Kayak Tours included two hour guided experience, kayak, paddle, lifejacket, and museum admission. Secure footwear required, and bottled water strongly recommended. Mound House Members: $15, Public: $45. Register at MoundHouse.org. Community Conversations: Weeds and Seeds – A History of Dining in Southern Florida
A presentation with Natalie De La Torre Salas from the Florida Public Archaeology Network.
Bayfront 3000+ sq.ft. Home on a peninsula lot. Uninterrupted 280 degree panoramic Estero Bay views. Privacy & Serenity! 4BD/3.5BA. Open concept. Pool w/spillover spa. 2 car garage. Extended dock w/ lift.
This lot is located on the southern end of Fort Myers Beach. Property offers a private beach feel in it’s back yard with seawall towards lagoon/beach area. Weekly rentals would be an option for maximum income.
Baz getting into gear for Rays
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
Before the Tampa Bay Rays found pitching phenom Shane Baz in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates back when he was a minor league prospect who had been drafted in the first round, they had another phenom named Blake Snell.
Like Baz now, Snell was entering his sophomore season in the big leagues back in 2017 when he had a couple rough games in Spring Training. Snell shrugged off one of the bad starts, telling reporters after the game he was just working on his changeup. Snell would go on to win two Cy Young Awards.
Enter Baz this week in Spring Training, heading into his sophomore season in the big leagues off a brilliant rookie campaign and he too had a rough couple outings in Spring Training. First against the Twins last Friday and then on Thursday he gave up two homers and four runs on five hits over four innings while striking out two against the Washington Nationals at the Rays’ Spring Training home in Port Charlotte. There is still plenty of time for Baz to win his Cy Young Award even if his stat line Thursday didn’t show it.
Baz saw the positive signs from his outing on Thursday. He felt healthy and said he didn’t feel any fatigue. His fastball was live and his offspeed pitches resulted in awkward swings and takes from the Nationals batters.
“That was the best four-run game I’ve ever pitched,” Baz said afterwards. “Execution could have been a lot better the first three batters,” he said. “That’s the best I have felt this year so far. Happy that I attacked the whole time.”
Despite the two home runs he gave up on a windy afternoon during a 14-4 victory over the Nationals, his velocity on his fastball was rocking between 95 and 97 mph. He gave up no walks.
The Nationals jumped on him early when James Wood hit his third homer of the spring on a three-run shot off a first-pitch fastball over the plate from Baz.
But Baz would settle in after that, throwing a lot of curveballs and sliders — two pitches that he throws with above-average velocity and movement and which have helped make him one of the hardest pitchers in baseball to hit. His curveball was registering up to 85 mph Thursday while his slider hit between 86-87 mph.
He sent Paul DeJong down swinging on an 85 mph curve after the homer by Wood. When Wood came back up to the plate in the third inning, Baz sent him back to the dugout looking at an 84 mph curveball. Baz said having his curveball this sharp in the spring and seeing how he can freeze a batter on the pitch has him thinking about how he can set batters up more. “It gives you a little more confidence in it,” he said. Baz said his curve and slider felt “as good as ever” Thursday.
CJ Abrams hit the second homer off Baz on an 88 mph changeup on a 1-2 pitch that hung over the plate. After the Abrams homer, Baz retired seven of the next eight batters before being taken out of the game in the fifth inning after reaching his pitch limit. The changeup is usually the toughest pitch for batters to connect on against Baz or any other pitcher in the majors. Last year, major league hitters posted an anemic .115 batting average against his changeup, which Baz throws at 88 mph - about the same speed as the fastball his opposing pitcher DJ Herz was throwing Thursday.
Baz said he is focused on executing more now in Spring Training like a regular season game rather than tinkering with his pitches. “Staying in my throwing lane, kind of finishing everything, just trusting it,” he said.
Baz said his start Thursday was something he could build off on. After pitching three scoreless innings in his Spring Training debut against the Twins in Fort Myers March 2, Baz gave up his six hits, six earned runs and walked four while striking out none in his follow-up outing in Port Charlotte against the Twins five days later.
“The delivery was a little out of sync,” Baz said. “Definitely cleaned that up in my mid-week bullpen a lot. Today just felt way different. I was kind of putting the ball where I wanted a lot more.”
Baz said he was tunneling his pitches off his fastball more Thursday. “Makes life a lot easier. Just gives you more weapons to use,” he said.
“It’s been a good buildup. I haven’t had any fatigue in the games. I haven’t felt any soreness,” he said. Baz credits his strength this spring to spending three months in the offseason weightlifting, working on injury prevention
NATHAN MAYBERG
Shane Baz pitches for the Rays against the Nationals in a Spring Training game in Port Charlotte on Thursday.
and conditioning. “It’s nice to go to the gym and just enjoy my program,” he said. He called the program “priceless.”
While his 9.64 ERA over three starts in Spring Training might not look shiny, it’s what Baz does during the regular season that counts. Most importantly for Baz is staying healthy as his talent has spoken for itself as evidenced by his 3.09 ERA during his rookie season last year.
Armed with a slingshot of an arm and built with the legs of a thoroughbred, Baz limited Major League Baseball hitters last year to just a .200 batting average. He posted a 1.06 WHIP and 6.5 hits per nine inings, which didn’t qualify for the statistical leaders since he only threw 79 innings but if it had — Baz would have finished in the top 10 in the majors for all of those categories.
To give more definition of just how good his curveball and slider was last year, batters hit just .164 against his slider and hit .169 against his curve. Baz posted a 31% whiff percentage with his curveball.
Taken with the 12th pick in the 2017 MLB Draft out of Concordia Lutheran High School in Texas, Baz is still just 25. He possesses the poise and assassin spirit on the mound that gives him a chance to be a great pitcher. Off the field after the game, he is down to earth and shows a lighthearted side but also the mental toughness and awareness that separates pitchers in the big leagues.
After throwing out in the sun for four and one-third innings, a group of reporters offered to have him meet them in the shade to stay cool outside the clubhouse. Instead, Baz said that this was his kind of weather. That’s exactly what Tampa Bay Rays fans will like to hear for a team that will play through the toughest parts of the Florida spring and summer without the benefit of the fiberglass roof of Tropicana Field after it was blown off last fall by Hurricane Milton. They will instead play at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, which is the Spring Training home of the Yankees. The field has less capacity than Tropicana Field and news broke today the Rays are pulling out of a deal for a new stadium in St. Petersburg which put the team’s long-term future in Florida in question.
Baz seems to have that inner fortitude that won’t shake or rattle him no matter the circumstances. His go-to song is
the Alice in Chains grunge classic “Rooster” which he said gets him “in the zone” and he grew up looking up to some of the toughest Texas fireballers around in Nolan Ryan, who he said was his “No. 1” favorite pitcher, as well as looking up to Roger Clemens, Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt and the action-packed delivery of Dontrelle Willis. Baseball gripped Baz at a young age. His favorite position player was Astros third baseman Morgan Ensberg, who was having his best years when Baz was 5 and 6 years old. His maturity as a young pitcher is also part of having come up at the end of 2021 as a 22-year-old and pitching in the playoffs after just three games as a major leaguer. After six games pitching in 2022, his season was short-circuited due to an elbow injury that led to Tommy John surgery. His return last year was delayed by an oblique injury which he categorized as a “freak injury.”
When he returned, Baz was nothing short of being masterful at the mound leaving fans to only wonder what his ceiling could be.
Rays offense explodes
The story on Thursday wasn’t all about Baz, though.
The defense behind Baz and the rest of the Rays’ pitchers was spectacular. On play after play, Rays’ fielders made exceptional plays almost look routine from a sliding catch in left field from their offseason acquisition Eloy Jimenez to a brilliant dive and throw from shortstop Taylor Walls. Second baseman Brandon Lowe and third baseman Coco Montes also made great defensive plays.
Undeterred by a 4-0 deficit heading into in the bottom of the third inning, the Rays’ bats came alive with a solo homer off the red-hot bat of Brandon Lowe off Nationals southpaw DJ Herz.
The Rays put up five runs in the fourth inning led by a bases-loaded double by Walls that cleared the bases and then a grand slam in the fifth inning by Montes off Nationals reliever Evan Reifert that blew the game open as part of a seven-run inning.
The Rays improved to 8-8 in Spring Training while the Nationals fell to 9-9.
South Fort Myers High School student, Beach worker killed in car crash
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
Jaciey Hogan, a 17-year-old student at South Fort Myers High School and an employee at Nervous Nellie’s on Fort Myers Beach, died March 12 in a tragic car crash on the way to school.
Hogan was a passenger in a sedan driven by an 18-year-old Fort Myers male who ran a red light at the intersection of Gladiulus Drive and Maida Lane and collided with an SUV, according to a preliminary report by the Florida Highway Patrol provided by Lt. Greg Bueno.
The crash occurred at 6:47 a.m. and Hogan was pronounced dead at the scene.
Both the driver of the sedan and driver of the SUV were transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
According to a report from Bueno, the sedan Hogan was traveling in was heading east on Gladiolus Drive, in the center lane, approaching a red traffic signal at Maida Lane. The sedan was initially stopped on Gladiolus Drive, in the left turn lane. As the traffic signal changed to a green arrow, the SUV proceeded to turn left. The sedan “failed to stop for the red traffic signal and entered
the intersection,” Bueno said in his report. The front of the sedan collided with the right side of the SUV.
The SUV was redirected to the east and collided with a wastewater lift station. Another vehicle was also damaged by crash debris.
The crash remains under investigation, Bueno said.
Hogan’s mother also works on Fort Myers Beach.
The DiamondHead Beach Resort, where Hogan’s mother Trisha Johnson works as a server, held a fundraiser over the weekend that raised approximately $7,000, DiamondHead Beach Resort General Manager Neil Hopgood said.
“It’s very, very said,” Hopgood said.
Hopgood credited the hotel’s guests with responding to the fundraising efforts that were promoted by the resort’s live acts over the weekend. A two-night stay at the hotel was auctioned off to support Johnson.
Lee County School District spokesperson Rob Spicker provided a letter sent from South Fort Myers High School Principal Angel Gomez to families in the school which said “our hearts go out to all affected.”
Gomez said the district is offering counseling services
for both students and staff who may need emotional support.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Johnson at https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-loving-jaciey
According to an online obituary, Hogan had an “adventurous and courageous nature. Her hard work and commitment were evident in all she undertook. Jaciey was a dedicated motocross racer, showcasing her daring spirit and unwavering determination. This reflected her larger personality: a fearless daredevil with a heart full of love. She was a true friend, always ready with a smile and a helping hand, cherishing the bonds she shared with those fortunate enough to call her friend.”
In addition to her mother Trisha Johnson, she is survived by her father Jeremy Hogan and brother Leighton Hogan.
“As a cherished daughter and sister, Jaciey brought immeasurable joy to her family. She possessed a boundless capacity for love and had so much to give. Her warmth, kindness, and unwavering optimism touched everyone she met,” the obituary reads.
Local artist’s work being showcased at Arts for ACT Gallery this month
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
Fort Myers Beach Art Association
Rizza’s paintings are being featured all this month at the Arts for ACT Gallery in Fort Myers this month.
The 14-piece showcase of oil paintings by Rizza is part of the gallery’s
focus this month on “characters and captures... recording our people and places” and runs through Monday, March 31.
The works on by Rizza focus mainly on portraits as well as some landscapes.
“I am honored to be selected as the guest artist for this month. Hopefully I will help raise funds for this great asso-
ciation that has been helping people for over 25 years,” Rizza said. “It’s for a great cause.”
Arts for ACT is a nonprofit organization devoted to serving victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking for over four decades. The gallery helps support its mission.
Arts for ACT Gallery is located at 2265 First Street in the Arcade Building in Fort Myers. The gallery’s hours are 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and on Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.
ARTS FOR ACT
Fort Myers Beach Art Association artist John Rizza’s work is being featured at the Arts for ACT Gallery in Fort Myers through March 29.
artist John
Comp plan From page 1
sive plan, including one at an open house once the new town hall opens.
Propst said a new comprehensive plan update could take shape within the next six months, following discussions, a hearing and a vote by the Local Planning Agency as well as two hearings that would be held by the town council as well as a vote. Propst said there could additionally be a joint meeting of the town council and LPA.
Jason Smalley, a senior planner with the town, said Sunday’s event brought the “engaged people of the community here. We are planning pop-up activities similar
to this. We will be at Santini’s Market.”
Smalley said the town is also interested in reaching out to those who may not live here full-time such as those who own timeshares or “who come here for two weeks for vacation every year.”
“We really need to hear from everybody,” Smalley said. “Sometimes people are upset but they are upset for different reasons.”
Smalley said “this discussion is just the beginning.”
Fort Myers Beach resident Cindy Johnson said such updates and reviews to the land development code and
Comprehensive Plan should have been discussed before the town council voted to approve projects that required deviations from the land development code such as the Seagate Development Group condo project. Johnson said the town’s leadership has failed to listen to residents who have opposed “commercial intrusions” into residential neighborhoods.
“They do not have the data so they have no idea if they are causing more harm than good with the increased density and intensity they are giving away,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the town should have
addressed how it could use the land development code protecting itself against future hurricanes first.
“There have been no questions on resilience. This is the first step for most towns. Where do we need to restore or increase our natural barrier island protections from storm surge?”
The Corradino Group is helping to facilitate the discussions and updates to the comprehensive plan and urges those who could not attend Sunday’s tabling, to voice their opinions through a survey at https://www.menti.com/alcrzncpucs2?source=qr-page.
NATHAN MAYBERG
the deviations. Veach said the council also made a major mistake in citing the testimony of non-experts when approving the project, such as Councilmember John King referring to Local Planning Agency board member Jim Dunlap’s opinions about the economic impact the development would bring to the town.
Veach said the development order the council approved “mentions public benefits but doesn’t define public benefits.” Veach said the public benefits offered by Seagate did not get enough scrutiny from the town council.
Veach downplayed the linear park that Seagate Development Group has promoted as one of the public benefits. The offering was denounced by Estero Island Garden Club President Cathy Turner described the proposed park as “a plot of garden between two sidewalks.” Veach said part of the park would be a sidewalk, another part would be a drop-off area and another area remains in question over the ownership rights. The beach access on that property belongs to Gulf View Colony. Seagate was in talks to purchase the Gulf View Colony but pulled out. A member of the board of directors for Gulf View Colony called on the town council to protect the neighbors from the potential intrusion onto their property during a public hearing on the Seagate project in December.
Greg Scasny, a Protect FMB board member and former candidate for town council, said the opposition to Seagate “extends well beyond” the plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit. He said Protect FMB “was formed by concerned residents and property owners to protect the island that our elected officials have refused to protect.”
Scasny, who lives close to the project and whose view would be impacted, said the residents who have joined the group included those who spoke out against Seagate and who “have tried with public comment, phone calls, emails, in-person discussions to plead with our Town Council not to divide our island, to not bring more stress and hardship to residents and deny Seagate’s proposal. Those pleas were ignored and dismissed. The fault for this lawsuit lies strictly with the three councilors who
“We have tried with public comment, phone calls, emails, in-person discussions to plead with our Town Council not to divide our island, to not bring more stress and hardship to residents and deny Seagate’s proposal. Those pleas were ignored and dismissed. The fault for this lawsuit lies strictly with the three councilors who voted in favor of this ordinance.”
—Protect FMB Board Member Greg Scasny
voted in favor of this ordinance.”
Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers, who voted against the project, declined to comment on the lawsuit. Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt and Councilmember John King, who both voted in favor of the development, also declined comment, citing the pending litigation. Councilmembers Karen Woodson, who also voted in favor of the Seagate project, didn’t respond to an email seeking a comment as of press time.
While Protect FMB is not a party to the suit, Scasny said they are “the funding and organizational arm, to assist the residents most affected by this development. Our goal is first to stop this development and subsequently ensure that all future development is consistent with Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.”
The group has been fundraising to support its efforts, a daunting task for a town that was ripped apart by Hurricane Ian in 2022 and which was subjected last fall to major flooding damage from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
“Protect FMB is not anti-development,” Scasny said. “Quite the contrary. We are for responsible development. Development that will allow our island to move forward, without turning our back on the past and protecting the one thing the town needs more than anything — residents.”
The six-building project will be located on the site of the former Red Coconut RV Resort off Donora Boulevard near Shell Mound Boulevard and the Matanzas Pass Preserve.
Protect FMB has started a website at www.ProtectFMB. org and a Facebook page.
Veach said he doesn’t think any development should be allowed over three stories on the former Red Coconut RV Park property.
“The people who wrote the Comprehensive Plan were very sympathetic to the neighborhoods,” Veach said. “They didn’t want large buildings up against a residential neighborhood.” Veach said he didn’t think those voting to support the project quite understood the impact the buildings would have on the neighborhood, including the impacts to privacy and to the views of residents.
Veach criticized councilmembers for meeting with Seagate representatives prior to holding any public meetings or hearings on the plans. “If you came into that meeting (public hearing on Seagate) cold, I don’t know how you could have approved it,” Veach said in referring to the lopsided opposition to the plans at town council meetings.
Veach is hopeful the lawsuit will be successful but not as hopeful about the town council reversing course. The town also doesn’t have to worry about a budget in defending the lawsuit, as its attorney Becky Vose has told councilmembers that her firm doesn’t charge the town to represent it from lawsuits.
“We’re just a group of citizens,” Veach said. Seagate, Veach said, “really hit a home run with this town council.”
Representatives of Seagate Development Group did not respond to messages seeking comment on the lawsuit.
Library From page 1
the Cubano Café food truck, listened to the sounds of the Pearl Street Band and stopped by the town’s planning staff table to offer their input on the town’s future.
The library’s complete restoration was evidenced from the first steps inside as a stunning, dreamlike mural created by artist Kim Goins greets visitors, featuring images of sea turtles, fish and birds painted along a wall heading up the stairs. Goins had crafted the previous mural that greeted visitors at the library before Hurricane Ian damaged it.
In addition to the mural by Goins, local artist Summer DeSalvo contributed a mural for the children’s room.
“Today was a perfect day,” Fort Myers Beach Public Library Director Cletus
Poser said. Poser thanked Alex King for providing donations to support the food trucks that supplied food and refreshments for all of the attendees of the reopening.
“This library is one of a kind,” Poser said.
“We’re overwhelmed by the support of the community coming out to the library’s grand opening,” Fort Myers Beach Public Library Director John Lukow said. Lukow has spent more than two years helping to oversee the library’s restoration. It’s one he had hoped would have been completed more than a year earlier if not for delays from the elevator company.
Delays in elevator repairs have been encountered throughout Fort Myers Beach since Hurricane Ian. “The elevator was
holding up everything,” Lukow said.
“It’s been a lot of work for everybody here,” Lukow said. “We’re blessed we have a good staff.”
Approximately 9,500 books, DVDs, CDs and other items were destroyed by the 14-feet high storm surge which flooded the first floor of the library during Hurricane Ian in 2022. Every book that was on the first two levels of shelving on the floor was ruined.
Despite about $5 million in estimated damage, the library itself stood strong. About 75,000 books and other items survived despite all the water taken in.
The elevator was shot, its roof was damaged, new flooring, shelves and furniture were needed, but compared to the damage of many other structures on the island, the library held up remarkably well.
While the library has technically been closed since Hurricane Ian, library members were able to take out books through a pickup and dropoff arrangement online though the library was not open for visitors to peruse the aisles and skim the thousands of titles of books and DVDs the way they can now.
“It’s a wonderful day for the island,” said Ellen Vaughan, President of the Friends of the Mound House. “It looks wonderful to see all the people. It looks like everybody is here.”
“It’s amazing,” said Kelly Smith, a director on the Friends of the Fort Myers Beach Public Library Board. “It’s been such a wonderful turnaround,” Smith said.
Jan Fleming, a board member of the Friends of the Fort Myers Beach Public Library, and manager of the library’s bookstore, said she hopes the library will
get a lot of use from the community. In addition to its reading and movie offerings, the library has community rooms on its third floor that Fleming hopes will be used by local community groups and associations.
“It’s a big step forward for Fort Myers Beach,” Fleming said.
On Sunday, several of those groups were tabling on the third floor. Everyone from the Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club to the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, Beach Elementary School PTO, the Fort Myers Camera Club and Estero Bay Buddies.
Terry Cain, president of Estero Bay Buddies, was busy talking about the importance of the group which supports the public access and protection of the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve — the first such preserve in Florida. The group also monitors the water quality of the preserve.
Jan Raushel, of Minnesota, brought her granddaughter Myla and Eloise to the library for a visit. They did some coloring and had their images drawn by local artist Chester Rogers.
“I’m very excited,” Raushel said of being able to visit the library again. “It’s been a long wait.”
One great sign that the library is back to normal will be the return of children’s reading time with operations manager Liz Mullanex for pre-schoolers. The first class for “Storytime with Ms. Liz” returns Wednesday, April 2, at 10 a.m. The class features two stories with arts and crafts.
The library’s hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
NATHAN MAYBERG
Kim Goins stands in front of the mural she painted for the Fort Myers Beach Public Library’s reopening. Goins also painted the mural that welcomed visitors before Hurricane Ian damaged it. The new mural is its replacement.
The Pearl Street Band performs at the Fort Myers Beach Public Library. From left to right is Bill Veach, Clark Johnson, Mike McMillan, Bob Williams and Kevin Murphy.
WHERE TO GO WHAT TO DO WHO TO SEE
BIG ARTS Annual Benefit featuring tribute to Motown’s greats Page 22
Archaeologist to discuss local diet during time of the ancient Calusa
STAFF REPORT
When the shell mound was constructed approximately 2,000 years ago at the site of the Mound House on Fort Myers Beach, what were the local tribespeople eating?
Archaeologist Natalie De La Torre Salas, Public Archaeology Coordinator of the Florida Public Archaeology Network Southwest Regions, will discuss how humans and plants influenced each other in the early history of Southwest Florida during a presentation at the Mound House on Wednesday, March 26.
Before cattle and citrus were introduced by the Spanish colonialists, the natives of the Southwest Florida region subsisted on a different type of diet
formed by the native environment.
The upcoming discussion titled “Community Conversations: Weeds and Seeds – A History of Dining in Southern Florida” Southern Florida,” is presented by the Mound House.
The topics of the discussion will include the environment, flora and fauna, archaeological research, and historical documents all come together to answer this question.
The Mound House, located at 451 Connecticut Street on Fort Myers Beach, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Doors open at 6:30pm. The lecture starts at 7 p.m. Tickets to the community conversations includes museum admission and light snacks.
If You Go:
What:
“Community Conversations: Weeds and Seeds – A History of Dining in Southern Florida” Southern Florida,”
When:
Wednesday, March 26
Doors open: 6:30 p.m., lecture begins at 7
Where:
Mound House, 451 Connecticut St., Fort Myers Beach
Details:
Members: Free | Public: $5 Light refreshments and museum admission included! Register at https://moundhouse.org/event/weeds-and-seeds/
BIG ARTS to present Annual Benefit featuring tribute to Motown’s greats
By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
Tickets are still available for a fundraiser that will benefit and support the arts on the islands.
BIG ARTS will present its Annual Benefit on March 22 starting at 6 p.m. at its campus on Sanibel. This year’s event will feature a performance by Shadows of the 60s, plus food, drinks and more.
“BIG ARTS’ Annual Benefit is a time-honored experience that has been happening since our early days in the 1980s,” Executive Director Lee Ellen Harder said. “It is our one and only fundraiser each year and is important in helping us to meet our annual budget.”
The evening will kick off with an open bar and preshow mingling with cocktails.
Development Director Elizabeth Gromko explained that Jamie’s Cuisine will have multiple chef-manned gourmet stations set up, to include char siu braised short rib, Maryland-style crab cake sliders, a turkey carving station, a salad station and various sides, along with an assortment of small bites.
“His stuff is phenomenal,” she said of Chef Jamie Crisp and his creations. “We surveyed all of our friends to find out what their favorites are.”
Shadows of the 60s will then take the stage for an electrifying tribute to Motown’s legendary supergroups in the Christensen Performance Hall. The interactive production will bring the rich musical legacy to life with top-tier musicians, dazzling choreography and beautiful
If you go
What BIG ARTS Annual Benefit
When March 22 starting at 6 p.m.
Where BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel
Details
Tickets are $325
costumes.
The group will perform timeless hits from musical icons like The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and more.
“Everything,” Gromko said. “It is really a tribute to all of the Motown greats.”
Following the show, there will be a selection of dessert bites and a coffee station available.
Attendees can also enjoy a dance party in the Malone Family Sculpture Garden.
“We’ll have a deejay — and we’ll convert our garden area into dance floor,” she said. “For everyone who wants to participate in the afterparty.”
There will also be a photo booth to create fun memories.
Event supporters include Gustav and Vibeke Christensen and Jim and Gaye Pigott as platinum star sponsors, The Malone Family Foundation as a chart-top-
ping sponsor, and Judy and Barry Bronstein, Barb and Tom Dunham, The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, and Bob and Kathy Wiesemann as golden hits sponsors, along with additional sponsors.
“This is possible due to the generosity of our supporters, our sponsors,” Gromko said.
Tickets cost $325 per person. The deadline to reserve one is March 21.
The community is encouraged to get theirs.
“The Annual Benefit is a wonderful way to introduce people to BIG ARTS and to discover all that we are about,” Harder said. “All in all, a wonderful way to participate in supporting the arts in our community, while having a great time.”
For tickets, contact the box office at 239-395-0900.
For more information, including sponsorship opportunities, call Gromko at 239-472-9700, ext. 308.
BIG ARTS is at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.
Sixth annual Big Green EGGfest set for March 22 in Bonita Springs
Sunshine Ace Hardware’s sixth annual Big Green EGGfest will be held March 22 at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs. The family-friendly event, which raises money for local nonprofits, celebrates the art of grilling while crowning Southwest Florida’s unofficial Grill Master of the Year.
Guests at Big Green EGGfest enjoy all-you-can-eat food samplings, grilling demonstrations, live music, beer, wine and hard seltzer drinks. Attendees also serve as judges and vote for their favorite chef-prepared meats, vegetables and side dishes.
Chefs compete in amateur and professional divisions using a Big Green Egg to prepare their culinary dishes. A Big Green Egg is a multi-functional ceramic charcoal barbecue cooker that can be used as a grill, oven or smoker. Chef Asif Syed of 21 Spices, a three-time Professional Grill Master of the Year winner, will join
Big Green Egg grilling blogger Shannon Morgan and Big Green Egg YouTube grilling instructor Ron Dimpflmaier in leading cooking demonstrations. Moonstone Riders, a Naples-based group inspired by the music of jam bands, funk, classic rock and country, will play on the main stage at Riverside Park.
Since its inception, EGGfest has generated more than $130,000 to support local nonprofits.
“Over the past five years, Big Green EGGfest has become one of Southwest Florida’s premier outdoor events centered around food, music and fun,” said Michael Wynn, president of Sunshine Ace Hardware. “It’s a great event for parents and children to enjoy a little family bonding time and groups of friends to reconnect while enjoying a beautiful springtime day.”
The 2025 Sunshine Ace Hardware Big Green EGGfest will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March
22, at Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St. in Bonita Springs.
Taster tickets are available for $20 at SunshineAceEGGfest.com and include event attendance, all-you-can-sample food and three votes for the People’s Choice Award. VIP tickets are $50 and include event attendance, all-you-can sample food, three People’s Choice votes and access to a VIP seating area with an open bar. All ticket options allow tasters to direct their donation to one of four beneficiaries: Northside Naples Kiwanis Club, United Way of Collier and the Keys, Rotary Club of Bonita Beach Sunset and Leadership Collier Foundation.
Event sponsors include NCH Emergency Department (Bonita Springs), BKS Partners, Florida Gulf Coast University, Lee Health, PBS Contractors and Priority Marketing.
BIG ARTS
The BIG ARTS Annual Benefit on March 22 on Sanibel will feature Shadows of the ‘60s.
Lee BIA Builders Care announces food, music lineup for BBQ, Bands & Brew on March 30
Lee BIA Builders Care has announced this year’s lineup of barbecue, food and music for its popular BBQ, Bands & Brew fundraising event, returning on Sunday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in downtown Fort Myers.
During the 14th annual event, Southwest Florida’s top pit masters will compete for the title of “Best BBQ in Town,” accompanied by a lineup of live performances including Riverside, Soapy Tuna and headliner Ben Allen Band, numerous vendors and fun-filled activities for all ages, including a children’s play area with a bounce house, balloon artist, face painting, games and more. The event will be emceed by Big Mama.
Some of the region’s top pitmasters will be competing for the title of “Best BBQ in Town,” including Big Smoke BBQ & Catering, Gator Creek BBQ Company, Herb’s BBQ and Rubs, Not Your Mama’s Kitchen, Smokin’ Crow’s BBQ and That BBQ Place. Additional food and sweet treats will be available from The Brunchy Bunch, Love Boat Ice Cream and Taterz.
Three bands will take the stage throughout the day, including Riverside from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Soapy
Tuna from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m., and headliner Ben Allen Band from 3 to 6 p.m.
Proceeds from the event support Builders Care’s mission to provide emergency construction services at no cost to needy and deserving elderly and/or disabled homeowners, and their families, who cannot obtain repairs through traditional means. To date, Lee BIA Builders Care has helped more than 500 Lee County households and provided over $5 million in emergency construction services and materials at no cost to families and local homeowners in need. Since its inception, the event has raised over $880,000 in support of Lee BIA Builders Care.
All Star Equipment Rentals & Sales is returning as presenting sponsor for BBQ, Bands & Brew. Major & Official sponsors include Blue Water Construction, Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, City of Fort Myers, eAtlantic Engineering, Florida Install, FUSE Specialty Appliances, Gulfcoast Engineering, Gulf Star Marina, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Luminary Hotel & Co., Plumbing Solutions, Priority Marketing, Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association, Submerged Consultants
and Titan Contracting. Promotions sponsors include Big I Fly’s, Big Mama, Carter-Pritchett Advertising and Happenings Magazine. Supporting sponsors include American Commercial Group; Aubuchon Homes; Caloosa Cooling; Christopher Alan Homes; Distinctive Shower, Glass & Mirror; Drake Ready Mix; Extreme Temp Air Conditioning & Heating; Florida Stairworks & Carpentry; Jim Jett Photography; LCEC; Lennar; Liberty Aluminum; LSI Companies; M.J. Flaherty Builders; MY Shower Door; ODC Construction; and Stickboy Software & IT.
Limited sponsorship opportunities are still available at the VIP Sponsor Seating ($1,000) and BBQ Sauce Sponsor ($525) levels, offering a variety of benefits.
The 2025 BBQ, Bands & Brew will be held at Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, 2101 Edwards Drive in Fort Myers. Tickets are $15 online and at the gate for adults and free for children 12 and under.
To purchase tickets and learn more about remaining sponsorship opportunities, visit LeeBuildersCare.com/ BBQ-Bands-Brew or call 239-938-0056.
Alliance for the Arts to host Feast for the Senses fundraising event
The intimate dining experience will feature five course prepared by five famous local chefs
Experience an unforgettable culinary adventure as the Alliance for the Arts presents Feast for the Senses on Saturday, April 5, at 6:30 p.m.—a one-of-a-kind dining event where flavor, artistry, and innovation collide. This provocative dining experience brings together five of Southwest Florida’s top chefs—Harold Balink (Harold’s), Ralph Centalonza III (Sage on 47th), Lauren Daniels (Southern Charm Bistro), Brian Roland (Crave Culinaire), and Tim Yoa (aRTISAN eATERY)—each crafting a course inspired by one of the five senses. Elevate your evening with distinctive wine pairings curated by Gina Birch and cultivated elements that enhance the sensory experience of each course. An unforget-
table night of flavor, artistry, and innovation awaits!
Alliance for the Arts board member Pamela Beckman of BonSoiree Events, who conceptualized Feast for the Senses, shares her excitement for the event:
“After spending 20 years working with the Naples Winter Wine Festival and some of the finest chefs in the country, I’ve come to truly appreciate the incredible depth of talent right here in Southwest Florida. Convincing these five top chefs to join me in bringing this bold idea to life has been a dream come true. Sitting down with them all at once and witnessing their passion was like capturing lightning in a bottle. And the best part? It’s all in support of the Alliance for the
Arts as they celebrate 50 years of enriching our community. This is more than just an unforgettable dinner—it’s a chance to make a lasting impact. You won’t want to miss it!”
About the Chefs
Brian Roland – Crave Culinaire
Chef Brian Roland is the creative force behind Crave Culinaire, bringing innovation, surprise, and a passion for crafting unforgettable dining experiences. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, he has worked under renowned chefs like Daniel Boulud and Patrick Verré before making his mark as an Executive Chef in top Florida
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See FEAST FOR THE SENSES, page 26
Fort Myers River Fest promises a weekend of music, food & waterfront fun
March 21–23 in Historic Downtown Fort Myers
Mark your calendars for an unforgettable weekend of live music, mouthwatering cuisine, and vibrant waterfront festivities at the Fort Myers River Fest, happening March 21–23, at 1400 Hendry Street in historic downtown Fort Myers. This highly anticipated event is free to attend and offers an exciting mix of flavors, sounds, and local culture.
Event Hours:
∫ Friday, March 21: 4 – 10 p.m.
∫ Saturday, March 22: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
∫ Sunday, March 23: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
A Feast for Every Palate
Savor a wide selection of freshly prepared seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes, all crafted by top local vendors using premium ingredients. From Florida-sourced seafood to flavorful side dishes and decadent desserts, there’s something to satisfy every craving. Quench your thirst with a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic bev-
erages, including refreshing fruit drinks and cocktails. Unforgettable Live Music
Enjoy a dynamic lineup of performances spanning R&B, rock, jazz, reggae, and Caribbean beats. The line-up includes:
∫ 8:30 – 10 p.m. Full Throttle Band (Country, Rock)
Sunday, March 23
∫ 12:30 – 2 p.m. Kettle of Fish (Rock)
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Gardening Classes offered at Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Edison and Ford Winter Estates (EFWE) is offering gardening classes for new and experienced gardeners looking to explore many tropical plant varieties and learn about the care and uses of those plants. Classes are designed to include the latest information on pests and products recommended for sustainable and Florida Friendly gardening. Both classroom instruction and onsite garden observations are included.
Registration is open for the following classes:
∫Shade Gardening
March 22, 10 a.m.
This class will teach how to brighten a dark corner of a garden or shaded balcony with a striking array of foliage, form and texture. A palette of tropical and sub-tropical plants that thrive in a low-light environment will be discussed. Seasonal options, as well as perennial choices, and how to place a tree or two to create a shady spot will all be covered. A garden tour of the shady enclaves at the Estates is included. Cost: EFWE members: $45; non-members: $60
∫ABCs of Tropical Fruits
April 15, 1:30 p.m.
This time of year is a good time to plant fruit trees. Participants will learn about avocados, bananas, and citrus. This class will cover recommended varieties to grow in Florida soils, how to plant, how to prune, and how to develop the healthiest and most productive trees. The class will also cover how to recognize common diseases and pests and address any issues. What citrus greening is, how to recognize it, and how to choose and grow citrus will also be covered. The discussion will continue in the fruit groves, following the classroom presentation. Cost: EFWE members: $45; non-members: $60
Classes are held in the air-conditioned Fort MyersLee County Garden Council building next to the Estates (enter across from the Estates’ parking lot on Larchmont Avenue). Wearing comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and a hat is recommended, along with bringing drinking water. All participants will receive a 20% discount coupon good toward plants in the Garden Shoppe. Printouts of the teaching materials are provided. Registration at EdisonFord.org is required for all classes.
Tommy Bohanon Foundation to host Playmakers Tailgate Party Scholarship fundraiser returns to The Ranch April 11
Get ready for a night of music, comedy, food and fun in support of youth scholarships at the 2025 Playmakers Tailgate Party, hosted by the Tommy Bohanon Foundation. This exciting annual event will take place on Friday, April 11, from 6-10 p.m. at The Ranch Concert
Hall and Saloon in Fort Myers.
The evening will kick-off at 6 p.m. with a pre-party featuring live music, followed by a comedy set from cohost and comedian R.C. Smith. Afterward, scholarship awards will be presented. Guests can also take part in silent and live auctions, with all proceeds supporting local youth athletes.
All funds raised will help local youth athletes in Southwest Florida achieve their potential, both on and off the field. Proceeds from ticket sales, auctions, and raffles will provide essential resources for young athletes between the ages of 5 and 18.
Tickets are available for purchase at tommybohanonfoundation.org/playmakers/.
‘Taste of Love Goes Hollywood’ — A Star-Studded Evening to Benefit Special Equestrians!
Mark your calendars for a night of glamour, excitement, and culinary delights at “Taste of Love Goes Hollywood.” An exclusive wine and food extravaganza supporting Special Equestrians. Join us on Sunday, March 23, from 5-9 p.m., at The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, for an unforgettable evening where you can shine as a star for a worthy cause.
Tickets: $125 each. Sponsorships are available for those looking to support in a larger way.
Purchase tickets or sponsorships online by visiting TOL2025.givesmart.com.
Saint Hilary’s to host Kentucky Derby Fundraiser
Saint Hilary’s Helping Hands Outreach Ministry is hosting our 2nd Annual Kentucky Derby Fundraiser to support Lee County School Children.
This Kentucky Derby Fundraiser planned for Saturday, May 3rd, at 5:30p.m. in Browning Hall (5011 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers), is a special event that combines fun and philanthropy, with all proceeds benefiting underserved children at Orange River, Orangewood, Manatee, Villas Elementary Schools and Riverdale High School in the Lee County area.
Supporting Children In Need. Saint Hilary’s Episcopal Church, through its Helping Hands Outreach Ministry, has spent the past four years providing essential items; including school supplies, uniforms, backpacks, clothing, and shoes, to students in need. Many of these children come from food-insecure and homeless families, living in tents, cars or unstable housing situations.
The ministry works closely with school social workers who identify students requiring assistance. One recent case involved a four-year old boy placed in the care of his grandmother and aunt after his parents were arrested.
∫ 2:30 – 4 p.m. Gas House Gorillas (Rock)
∫ 4:30 – 6 p.m. Deb & the Dynamics (Blues, Jazz, R&B, Soul)
Shop, Explore & Enjoy
In between sets, browse the festival’s unique marketplace, featuring an eclectic mix of arts, crafts, specialty foods, and handmade treasures from local artisans. Whether you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind souvenir or simply want to stroll along the scenic waterfront, River Fest has something for everyone.
Plan Your Visit
Admission is free, and festivalgoers are encouraged to bring friends and family for a weekend of good vibes and great flavors. Please note: outside food and drinks are not permitted.
For event updates, artist announcements, and more, visit www.paragonfestivals.com or follow us on social media.
Join us at the Fort Myers River Fest – where great food, live music, and waterfront fun come together for an unforgettable experience!
Religious Services
Services at Beach Baptist Church
Beach Baptist church at 130 Connecticut St., Fort Myers Beach Service at 10:30 every Sunday
All are welcome, we are pet friendly! 239-463-6452
https://beachbaptist.org
Services at St. Peter Lutheran Church
St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at 3751 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach
Outdoor Services under the tent Every Sunday 9 a.m.
All are welcome, we are pet friendly 239-463-4251 stpeterfmb@gmail.com www.stpeterfmb.com
YouTube - St Peter Lutheran Church Fort Myers Beach FL
In cooperation with former Chapel by the Sea and Beach United Methodist Church.
Services at St. Raphael’s Episcopal Church
St. Raphael’s Episcopal Church welcomes the public each Sunday at 10 a.m. for services in its parish hall at 5601 Williams Drive in Fort Myers Beach. For more information regarding services, contact 239-463-6057 or email office@straphaelschurch.org
Arriving at school in clothes and shoes that were too small, he received new clothing and a spider- man sneakers, bringing a big smile on his face.
How the community can help. By attending this event, the community can make a direct impact on local children’s lives. Those unable to attend can still contribute through tax-deductible donations payable to: SAINT HILARY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH memo:(Helping Hands)
For more information, please contact Ilona Leffingwell, Chairperson, Saint Hilary’s Helping Hands, ilonaleffingwell@gmail.com 239-936-1000.
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.
PET PALS
Buddy and Sammie
By ISABELLE WELLS
Find A Home Give A Home Pet Rescue
please you at all time. Would make a great buddy to take on long walk. Buddy will stay by your side like a gentleman and wants to enjoy life Please text or call Isabelle at 239-281-0739. He had a dental already and fully vetted, neutered and microchipped. Buddy is approximately 12 years old and 55 pounds.
Buddy was an owner surrender. He has a great disposition and good with other dogs. He is a sweetheart. He has some white hair on his face but don’t let him fool you, he has pep. Walks great on leash and so happy to be alive. Just a happy boy with a big heart — he wants to
Sammie is an owner surrender and we hope to find a suitable home for her. She is a Mini Aussie and they need a special home with lots of mental and physical exercise. YOU MUST KNOW THE BREED AND HAVE A HISTORY WITH IT. She would be perfect for AGILITY since she is well trained already. No young children and if you are senior please consider another breed. Sammie is fully vetted and spayed, weighs 21 pounds and is 21/2 years old. She is now with a trainer to polish her skills and social skills. She is top notch. Thanks for your understanding.
Sammie Sam, that’s what we call her. She was born in California and we went out to get her when she about 4 months old, her beautiful brown tricolor fur white blaze on her face and polkadots are the best! She is sweet girl and wants to please. Sammie loves playing Frisbee, and rolling a ball around with her nose, human interaction is huge for her. She is fast and agile and is always ready to go! She always getting compliments on how pretty she is. With her walking collar and leash we walk a lot, outside is her favorite place. Sammie is crate trained, house trained, and been to obedience school. She knows hand signals for playing fetch and when to sit or come as well as many commands. Sit lay-down roll over and walking on her hind legs are so cute and she knows every toy by
name! Her kisses are the sweetest and is a lover but also there is an independent streak that make her personalty so delightful! She grown up in a loving environment, and is gentle when she gets treats and loves them. Sammie very healthy. Please call or text Isabelle 239-281-0739
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.
Fundraiser this Sunday at Lighthouse Resort
Come join us at the Lighthouse Tiki Bar area this Sunday, March 23, for a pool party fundraiser for Save Our Strays Rescue. There will be a silent auction plus quarter auction to bid on various items. There will be a disc jockey providing music for the event. Come and support our rescue and enjoy the fun. We will also be selling
By Jo Knobloch
50/50 tickets.
Congratulations to J.C. who runs the hat booth on Thursdays at the Santini Craft fair who won the 50/50 drawing at our Santini Plaza event this past Saturday. And a special thank you to Debbie H. who decorated six golf carts for our rescue to participate in both the Shrimp parade and St. Patricks
Ched is a very affectionate male kitty who is only 1 - 2 years old. He was rescued as a stray on south end of Fort Myers Beach by a tourist renter who was feeding him when he came to her porch nightly. Unfortunately, he had no microchip so an owner could not be found. This is why it is so important to always chip your pets. He is very special and a lap kitty so he definitely was someone’s pet. Hopefully they did not just move and leave him behind but it is a possibility which happens too often. Call 239-851-3485 if you would like to meet Ched and other cats and kittens we have available for adoption.
parade and thanks to Debbie H. and the volunteers who helped at our Santini plaza fundraiser on March15, and also those who participated in walking the two parades getting donations for our rescue. You are all so appreciated!
Relay For Life celebrating 40 Years of impact
In 2025, the American Cancer Society is celebrating 40 years of impact through Relay For Life. Founded by Dr. Gordy Klatt in Tacoma, Washington, in 1985, Relay For Life unites over 1,200 communities across 35 countries to celebrate people who have been affected by cancer, remember loved ones lost and take action for lifesaving change. Since 1985, Relay For Life has raised $6.9 billion (about $21 per person in the US) to help save lives from cancer.
In 2025, the United States is expected to surpass two million new cancer diagnoses, with almost 172,000 expected to occur here in Florida. Cancer continues to be the second most common cause of death among Americans, after heart disease.
To help end cancer as we know it for everyone, the American Cancer Society will be hosting two Relay For Life events in our community:
∫ Relay For Life of Greater Lee
Feast for the Senses
kitchens. As the owner of Crave Culinaire Catering and Events, Crave Management Group, and Crave Event Staffing, he has redefined catering, restaurant operations, and event staffing in Southwest Florida. A celebrated chef and philanthropist, Brian has cooked for high-profile figures, appeared on Restaurant Startup, and earned numerous accolades, including Best of the Gulfshore for 11 consecutive years.
This event marks Chef Roland’s first time back in the kitchen for a public fundraiser since his tragic accident in 2021.
Harold Balink – Harold’s Chef Harold Balink, a seasoned culinary expert with over 35 years in the industry, is renowned for his innovative approach to American cuisine. Raised in the restaurant business and exposed to fine dining and wine from an early age, he honed his craft through apprenticeships at Le Cirque, The Flagstaff
Saturday, March 29
NeoGenomics. NeoGenomics Way, Fort Myers
∫ Relay For Life of Greater Collier
Friday, April 4
Aubrey Rogers High School, 15100 Patriot Place, Naples
More than just a fundraising walk, Relay For Life is a beacon of hope, uniting communities in the fight against cancer. For 40 years, this movement has empowered individuals to make a difference, celebrating victories, honoring loved ones, sharing their stories, and striving for a world free from cancer. But we still have work to do. Every 15 seconds someone hears the words, you have cancer. Join the movement today as we strive to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.
Dollars raised each year by more than 1600,000 Relay participants across the country help support the American Cancer Society’s mission in count-
From page 23
House, and The Greenbrier. Holding degrees from Johnson & Wales and Boston University, as well as an Advanced Level Sommelier certification, he expertly blends food and wine pairings. His latest venture, Harold’s, embraces the farm-to-table movement and has earned numerous accolades, including Florida Trend’s Golden Spoon Award and Best Restaurant in Fort Myers.
Ralph Centalonza lll – Sage on 47th
Ralph Centalonza III is currently the Owner of Sage on 47th with 34 years experience as a Chef in Lee County at a variety of restaurants that includes Rumrunners, The Joint, RunAgrounds, Cork Soakers, Old Hickory Country Club, The Thistle Lodge and Tootie McGregor’s. Born in Biloxi, Mississippi but has spent the last 44 years in SW Florida. Graduate of Bishop Verot High School and The School of Hard Knocks.
less ways, including funding and conducting breakthrough research, providing education, and advocating for the needs of cancer patients and their families, and providing essential services throughout their cancer journey.
There are many ways to get involved in Relay For Life, including:
Join: Join a Relay community to connect with survivors, caregivers, and others impacted by cancer in our community.
Sponsor: It’s never been easier to raise money for Relay For Life and invest in the American Cancer Society’s vision. Every dollar raised fuels the fight against cancer.
∫ Visit RelayForLife.org/greaterleefl or http://www.relayforlife.org/greatercolliercountyfl to get involved and join your community in the fight against cancer.
Lauren Daniels –Southern Charm Bistro
Chef Lauren Daniels, owner of Southern Charm Bistro in Fort Myers, is a self-taught chef whose journey from homemaker to entrepreneur showcases her passion and perseverance. She began by founding Little Chefs In Training, a culinary program for kids, before pivoting during the pandemic to establish Southern Charm Bistro, a speakeasy-inspired restaurant known for its comforting Southern cuisine. Daniels also launched Pearl’s Southern Biscuits, a handcrafted biscuit brand honoring her grandmother. With her innovative approach and dedication to quality, she has built a beloved dining destination and is set to expand with a second location in 2026.
Tim Yoa – aRTISAN eATERY
Artisan Eatery proves you can combine great food, casual dining, and quick ser-
vice. In fact, Artisan Eatery co-owner, Chef Timothy Yoa, graduated from the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Philadelphia. He also trained in the city’s top restaurants. After 25 years there, Chef Yoa became sous chef at Naples Grande Beach Resort. Now, he brings his amazing cooking talents to Fort Myers. aRTISAN eATERY collaborates with local and national farmers and purveyors to provide the best quality, best tasting, freshest ingredients possible. The chef-driven restaurant aims to provide carefully and thoughtfully prepared food in a quick-serve environment and strives to deliver a made-from-scratch menu.
Tickets are $500 each, or a table of eight (8) for $5,000. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, please email Melissa@artinlee.org
FORT MYERS
Community Thrift Store
15501 Old McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
Fort Myers CVS
15550 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
Gavin’s ACE Hardware
16025 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
Gulf Point Square
15660 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
Love Boat Ice Cream
16475 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
McGregor Bar & Grill
15675 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
Pickles Pub
15455 Old McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
Walgreen’s
15601 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
Walters Automotive
15135 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
FORT MYERS BEACH
Chamber of Commerce
100 Lovers Lane, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
CVS Store
7001 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Bonita Bill’s
702 Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Diamond Head (Lobby)
2000 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Doc Ford’s
708 Fisherman’s Wharf Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
FMB City Hall
2731 Oak St. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Lahaina Realty
6035 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Lani Kai
1400 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Lighthouse Restaurant/Bar 1051 5th St. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Loffreno Real Estate Inc, 7317 Estero Blvd. C1, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Matanzas Inn
414 Crescent St. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Nervous Nellies 1131 1st St. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Parrot Key
2500 Main St. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Pincher’s Crab Shack
18100 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Pink Shell Resort
275 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Post Office
200 Carolina Ave. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Santini (Marina) Plaza
7205 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Sea Gypsy 1698 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Snook Bight Marina/Junkanoo’s
4765 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Summerlin Café
11370 Summerlin Square Drive, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Sunflower Café 11410 Summerlin Square Drive, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Sunset Grill
1028 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
(News box out front)
Snug Harbor
645 San Old Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Parking Lot BOX
Tina’s Dive Bar
19051 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Wahoo Willie’s
645 San Old Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Wal-Mart
17105 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
7/11
7120 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Lost & Found
Lost: Gold and silver mens bracelet. Very sentimental. Lost at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church on March 2nd. Reward for return. Call 239-292-2923
Professional
BUSINESS ANALYST, in Lehigh Acres, FL. Req. U.S. Bach in Business Admin w/major in Business Analytics. Proficiency in R, SQL, Excel, Python, MongoDB, Neo4J, and Tableau. Resumes to Gladys Cruz, President, MYLAND REALTY INC. to 1418 Homestead Road N., Lehigh Acres, FL 33936 or email gladyscruzrealtor@outlook.com
Household Goods
For Sale: Antique round oak dining table with 6 oak chairs, $875; White wicker bedroom set includes headboard, nightstand, 6 drawer chest & 4-shelf bookcase, $250; marble top round coffee table with 2 end tables, $150. Call 716-485-1958
I will Come To You To See It Quick & Easy Sale. CASH ON THE SPOT! Vince~941-301-9946~Local
Power Boats
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Open House
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