073025 Fort Myers Beach Observer/The Beach Bulletin
Estero Beach & Tennis Club #401
8TH FLOOR VISTA from the Pink Shell Resort & Marina’s White Sand Villas, located on the highly sought-after North end of the island. One bedroom, one bath unit with all the amenities this world-class resort has to offer: beachfront restaurants, multiple pools and hot tubs, boutique, spa, business center, pool bar, beach chairs and cabanas, kayak and nature tours available from the marina. Spend the day at the beach, enjoy the sunset from your balcony, head downstairs for dinner, then take a walk or trolley ride to Time Square for live music. Owners may reside 28 days per year in their unit, earning income the remainder of the year. $359,000
3BD/3BA POOL HOME in Vanderbilt Lakes featuring both formal & family living areas that open onto the pool for al fresco dining, a formal dining room to accommodate guests, as well as an informal breakfast bar. Chef Inspired kitchen. Vaulted ceilings and a Split Floor Plan for privacy. Lake & pool views make this home private and relaxing. Gated Community just south of Bonita Beach Rd., West of US41 and north of Naples, minutes to the area’s pristine Gulf of Mexico Beaches: Barefoot Beach, Wiggins Pass. & Bonita Beach. $839,000
LARGE WATERFRONT LOT allows for unobstructed Bay & canal views. Zoned mutii-family w/direct gulf access ready for a brand-new build in the “Heart of the Island”. Walking distance to the downtown Time Square/Old San Carlos area.Library, community rec center, pickleball courts, community pool & more. The public beach access is just across the street.The perfect location for a full-time residence, seasonal get-away or an income producing weekly vacation rental. Almost 12,000SF. $1.5m
EXCEPTIONAL BEACH FRONT PROPERTY zoned single family on the newly restored, expansive south end of Estero Island, where new construction of luxury homes is ongoing. Nothing will be between you and the sunset, as this property extends to the glistening Gulf waters, with the extra deep, secluded & private sandy beach at your doorstep! Close to Santini Plaza with convenient access to Bonita Beach and Naples via Big Carlos Pass. Over the bridge on Lovers Key you’ll find Flipper’s on-the-Bay for fine dining, as well as Lovers Key State Park. with kayaking, shelling & nature tours. $2.9m
WATERFRONT BEACH COTTAGE with updated kitchedn and bath, between two beach access points. Turnkey. direct Gulf access canal, this elevated waterfront property features two ensuite bedrooms,w/walk-in closets, Approved vacation rental for 2025. 7000 LB boat lift & new dock, workshop, automatic irrigation system with a well, new 200amp service with a generator, and RV circuits. This home is highly energy efficient, utilizing a three-head mini split heating and cooling system along with an instant water heater. $729,000
ENJOY SPECTACULAR WATER VIEWS from every room in this 2BD/2BA open floor plan condominium with its own private beach located across from Lover’s Key State Park. Island Beach Club Unit 704 is fully furnished with new windows and doors, recently painted, newer appliances, A/ C, heat & water heater. Tile flooring throughout. An oversized balcony is located off the main living area, and a second balcony enhances the master suite. A climate- controlled storage space is included. There is an assigned parking spot in the garage. Island Beach Club is a gated community offering boat docks, a free-standing clubhouse, parking garage, tennis court, pickleball, pool and hot tub. $775,000
Chris Loffreno Allie Henry Charlie Smith
Tracey Gore
Ronald Coveleski
Rita M. Oben Summer Stockton
Beach Theater plans up for Council review Monday
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
The new plans for the Beach Theater will be up for review in front of the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council on Monday when the council meets at the DiamondHead Beach Resort at 9 a.m.
The plans were recommended for approval by the Local Planning Agency last month.
Under the new proposal, the former
movie theater at 6425 Estero Blvd. will be converted into a steakhouse and bar on the second floor, with a second groundlevel restaurant and live entertainment indoors and outdoors.
The project requires several variances and special exceptions. The special exceptions include allowing for the consumption on premises outdoors within 500 feet of dwelling units, new outdoor entertainment in the Commercial Boulevard (CB)
zoning district, new live entertainment in the CB zoning district and new outdoor seating that is open after sunset in the CB zoning district.
A variance is required to lower the number of required parking spaces from 115 to 33.
The theater fronts Estero Boulevard. Behind the property is a residential neighborhood and canal. Residents behind the property at Curlew Street and Egret Street
ABy NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
week after meeting with FEMA officials as part of a site visit to get the Town of Fort Myers Beach off probation and back into the National Flood Insurance Program, town officials were met with a letter from the agency requesting mitigation measures, documentation and the removal of “noncompliant structures” on 252 properties by Aug. 8.
The new list of 252 properties and the new Aug. 8 deadline took the town by surprise. The town had been working towards a Sept. 23 deadline based on a state law allowing temporary trailers on
properties for 36 months since Hurricane Ian. Since then, the town has also felt the impacts of hurricanes Helene and Milton last fall.
Mom’s Home Cooking is one of the vulnerable business trailers in limbo on Fort Myers Beach as FEMA gave the town a list of 252 properties that need documentation, mitigation or the removal of non-compliant structures. The Town of of Fort Myers Beach has set a deadline of Sept. 23 for all temporary trailers to be removed from town properties. NATHAN MAYBERG
have previously expressed concern for increased boat traffic due to the dock proposed to be built for four boat slips at the property.
Under the conditions of approval proposed through the Local Planning Agency, the Beach Theater would operate from 7 a.m. to midnight. At the groundlevel restaurant, no food or drink service could be served until 10 a.m. Amplified
‘Mullet Madness Weekend’
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
Dawn Miller already has two rebuilding projects going on Fort Myers Beach as co-owner of The Whale and Sandy Bottom’s Bar & Grill, now she is organizing a townwide effort to boost summer businesses with “Mullet Madness Weekend” which will feature a mullet-tossing contest.
The contest and pub crawl tournament will take place for adults on Saturday, Aug. 2, with a children’s mullet-throwing contest on Sunday, Aug. 3.
A kickoff party will take place Friday, Aug. 1, at Margaritaville Beach Resort from 6 to 9 p.m.
The idea for the mullet-throwing contest was built on the Flora-Bama Mullet Toss in Perdido Key where contests make mullet throws over the Alabama border.
Miller said the concept came about during a brainstorming session by the newly-created business association “What’s Up FMB?”
“We built a business alliance here on the island,” Miller said. “All the businesses are getting together to get off-season business back on the island.”
More than a dozen businesses are expected to take part with mullet-throwing
See MULLET MADNESS, page 18
Live Music BEACHFRONT
Check out our August entertainment at CabaÑas Beach Bar + Grille and CŌste Island Cuisine
Wednesdays
classic roses, 5-8pm
Thursdays
high tide, 5-8pm
Fridays
8/1 steve mcdougall band, 1-4pm Pipe dream 5-8pm
8/8 steve mcdougall band, 1-4pm
8/15, 8/22, 8/29 steve mcdougall band, 4-7pm
7-10pm
Sundays
Saturdays
8/2 limited edition, 1-4pm thunder beach, 5-8pm
8/9 matt lee duo , 1-4pm | matt newbold, 5-8pm
8/16 matt meyer duo, 1-4pm edison + the rum runners, 5-8pm
8/23 matt lee duo, 1-4pm fractal brothers, 5-8pm
8/30 edison + the rum runners, 1-4pm matt newbold, 5-8pm
SUNDAYS
8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24 crossroads, 2-5pm
8/31 high voltage, 1-4pm pitbull of blues band, 5:30-8:30pm
david rojas
Wednesdays
deano + Marvilla
Thursdays
8/7 sheena brook
8/14, 8/21 devon meyers 8/28 lonza
Fridays
8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/29 pearl + CJ 8/22 james sullivan
Saturdays
8/2 berry lawrence 8/9, 8/16, 8/23 dockside duo 8/30 sheena brook
Entertainment schedule subject to change
OPINIONS
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Phone: (239) 574-1110
Fax: (239) 574-5693
Web: fortmyersbeachtalk.com
Publisher Raymond M. Eckenrode reckenrode@breezenewspapers.com
Production manager Rob Braitling rbraitling@breezenewspapers.com
Subscriptions 1 year, $65
Circulation (239) 574-1936
Classified/Display Advertising (239) 574-1110 The Observer and Bulletin is published every Wednesday Customer
You CAN help: Meaningful ways to uplift cancer patients and their families
July is Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and support for those fighting cancer diagnoses as well as to recognize the bravery and strength of those who fought the disease and won.
In 2025, roughly 2 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States according to the National Cancer Institute. Furthermore, an estimated 5,410 and 2,190 people are expected to die from soft tissue sarcoma and bone cancer, respectively. These are alarming predictions, but thanks to advances in treatment and care, more people than ever are surviving cancer and living full, meaningful lives.
and resources to ease the burden on individuals and families affected by cancer. Volunteering, fundraising and donating are gifts that make a true impact in the lives of the nearly 400 families we serve each year.
Volunteering
Volunteers are involved in several ways at CAN. From administrative client support to volunteering at CAN events, volunteers are a crucial part of our organization.
cisions. Coupled with everyday stresses and expenses, fighting cancer is one of the most challenging times in patients’ and their families’ lives.
When paying for medical treatments and visits to the doctor upend monthly budgets, CAN addresses the unique needs of each individual or family and provides financial assistance for rent/mortgage payments, utilities costs, car payments, groceries and other necessities.
However, those with a cancer diagnosis face an uphill battle that extends beyond their physical health. When medical bills compile with monthly credit card statements, and doctors’ appointments are fit within busy work schedules, these cancer warriors fight more than a terrible disease — they fight to maintain a sense of normalcy.
It takes a village to support patients and families as they navigate the physical, emotional and psychological impacts of the disease. At Cancer Alliance Network (CAN), our mission is to lend a hand to those fighting cancer by providing non-medical aid, including financial assistance, emotional support and other helpful resources, to patients and their families.
Our work is fueled by the generosity of community members who share their time, talents
Volunteers looking for hands-on and impactful ways to make a difference can help us with client activity support, by joining an event committee, supporting during a CAN fundraiser event and by joining our board of directors.
CAN also has a junior volunteer program, called KidsCAN, comprised of local high school students who are interested in being involved and giving back to the community. Each KidsCAN volunteer is asked to commit 15 volunteer hours for the academic year, and each hour can be used as community service credit.
KidsCAN focuses on community service, leadership development and fundraising.
Fundraising & Donating
Fundraisers and donations fuel CAN’s mission to provide non-medical financial support for cancer patients and their families.
A cancer diagnosis can mean overwhelming uncertainties and life-changing medical de-
A donation of $25 pays for gas for one week for one family, $50 pays for groceries for one week, $100 pays for a monthly utilities bill, a donation of $250 pays for a vehicle payment and $600 assists a family with rent/mortgage. Every amount of money makes a big impact in the lives of cancer patients fighting to make ends meet.
Fundraising events can make an even greater impact when groups, organizations and businesses unite to support CAN and the clients we serve. Events like golf tournaments, fishing tournaments, wine tastings and other fundraising initiatives are great ways to generate excitement and raise money for an important cause. Why? Because the simple act of neighbors helping neighbors has the power to transform our community, bringing support, hope and normalcy to patients and their loved ones as they face cancer.
For more information about Cancer Alliance Network and opportunities to sponsor an upcoming event, donate to our mission, or receive assistance, visit CancerAllianceNetwork.org or call 239-366-4236.
— Neftali Feliciano is the CEO of Cancer Alliance Network
The only sad part of Alligator Alcatraz are the alligator tears of the liberals who want open borders and criminals released before deportation.
Democrat-elected “officials” are like bad actors in an overly melodramatic “B” movie wailing lamentations at the facility gates, always trying to steal the scene with their ludicrous overacting.
Unfortunately, half the country think these are Oscar-worthy performances because they tug and their heart strings and they can virtue signal how “good” they are by supporting these improv political players.
Trump should initiate an “adopt a thug” program that will release one of the rapists, murderers and other felons into their custody if they sign a contract to house them in their
homes, feed them, pay their doctor fees etc. for life from their personal funds and promise to forfeit their property in the event these thugs leave their homes and again commit crimes or just kill their hosts in their sleep.
How many of these virtue-signaling liberal faux do gooders are willing to put personal skin in the game ?
Could I see a show of hands please? Yeah, thought so!
Tony Cosenza, MS MBA PhD Cape Coral
The trouble with magical thinking
To the editor:
The Texas floods are utterly devastating. They are a tragic example of magical thinking. Here’s why. On March 24, 2020, President Donald Trump announced to the world that COVID-19 would magically disappear by Easter of that year. It did not disappear. Since his unfounded wizard-like procla-
mation, more than 1.2 million American citizens have died from Covid-19, and hundreds more perish every week.
Back to the cataclysmic flooding in the hill country of Texas. Trump and his entourage, including our Gov. Ron DeSantis, don’t believe in climate change. It’s a hoax. Believing that, these politicians are dismantling the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service and almost all funding to study the effects of climate change on the planet. They believe, in their view, that if we stop studying it and stop talking about it, climate change will go the way of COVID-19. It will simply disappear.
It will not. Climate change is not impacted by opinions any more than gravity is. If you leap from a tall bridge, I guarantee you will not fall upward. No matter how hard you want to think it, will it or ignore it, you will See LETTERS, page 18
Neftali Feliciano Guest Commentary
BANKING IS BACK on Fort Myers Beach!
Fort Myers Beach, we're here!
Our new office is on the way ... in the meantime, our temporary office is open and we're ready to serve you.
For over 20 years, we've proudly served the Southwest Florida community. Now, we're thrilled to bring our trusted, community-first banking services to Fort Myers Beach. Stop in, grab a cookie and experience the SanCap Bank difference today. Visit us Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Inside Access Title Agency 100 Lovers Lane, Suite 205, Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach Temporary Office
Open Wednesdays, 9:30 am to 2 pm
100 Lovers Lane, Fort Myers Beach (we're on the third floor of the Access Title Agency building)
Locally Owned and Operated
BUSINESS Margaritaville to host benefit for My Autism Connection
Chamber to hold golfing event at Topgolf on Aug. 8
STAFF REPORT
The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce announced they will be holding a golf tournament at Topgolf in Fort Myers on Aug. 8.
The “Swing out of Summer” tournament will take place at Topgolf at 2021 Topgolf Way in Fort Myers. Participants can take part individually or as a team with six players.
There will be raffles, a beat the pro contest and a hole-in-one contest with a chance to win $10,000, the chamber announced.
The costs to participate will be:
∫ Team of Six – $1,200 includes premium drink package. Business teams will also have their company logo added to the event page.
∫ Individual player with drink package – $200
∫ Individual player – $150
∫ Spectator with drink package – $100
∫ Spectator – $50
All participants and spectators will have access to Topgolf’s Smokehouse BBQ Buffet, Dessert Trio (donut holes, lemon bar, double chocolate chip cookies), water, iced tea, sodas, and coffee. This event is open to the public. It is not necessary to be a Fort Myers Beach Chamber member to participate.
For more information visit https://www.fortmyersbeach.org/events/6th-annual-golf-tournament/.
For additional questions contact Dayla at events@ fmbchamber.com or 239-454-7500.
Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach is supporting My Autism Connection as part of the brand’s “Day of Service” next month.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 29, the resort will host a “Carnival of Fun” on the Sunset Terrace and in the Compass Rose Ballroom. The event will feature family-friendly fun, including games, activities, crafts, a variety of sensory-specific opportunities and plenty of empowering social engagement for all ages. Drink specials are available throughout the weekend, served in a limited-edition commemorative cup. $1 from each drink sale will support My Autism Connection.
Participating in the event is Madison Marilla, known for her appearances on “Love on the Spectrum.” Marilla is a 27-year-old woman from Tampa who gained recognition for her appearance on season three of the Netflix show “Love on the Spectrum.” She has autism and is known for her love of American Girl dolls, collecting beads and making bracelets. She recently founded Madizen, a handmade jewelry brand.
MAC is a Fort Myers-based nonprofit that provides a community of support for autistic adults. The organization provides teachable opportunities to develop skills towards independence, fosters authentic friendships and empowers for acceptance. In April 2025, MAC partnered
with Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach for a day of inclusivity and education, where team members learned how to create welcoming and accommodating experiences for guests with autism and their families. Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach earned its Autism Double-Checked (ADC) Certification in early 2025, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive travel, accessibility and neurodiverse-friendly hospitality.
“Our goal is to empower members to become more self-reliant, connected, and successful in their everyday lives,” said Sandra Worth, founder and executive director at My Autism Connection. “We meet our members where they are and work together toward growth, inclusion and independence.”
The “Keep the Party Going” lodging package is also available for those looking for an impactful staycation. From Aug. 1 through Sept. 25, stay two nights and get 20% off lodging rates and receive two special edition commemorative cups. Five dollars from each room night sold under this package will benefit MAC.
To book a stay through the “Keep the Party Going” package, visit MargaritavilleResorts.com/MargaritavilleBeach-Resort-Fort-Myers-Beach/Exclusive-Offers/Keepthe-Party-Going. More information on MAC and the services they offer can be found at MyAutismConnection.net.
Doc Ford’s awards gift cards for National Mojito Day
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille’s celebration of National Mojito Day was a smash, with more than 1,000 mojitos sold companywide and four lucky winners receiving $250 restaurant gift cards. The July 11 event at the restaurant’s four locations included mojito glass giveaways for every mojito sold and the culmination of a weeklong lime-guessing contest.
“National Mojito Day is a fun way to honor one of our most popular cocktails,” said Joe Harrity, a partner with HM Restaurant Group, which owns and operates Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille. “We sold a record number of mojitos and received 560 submissions for the guess-the-lime challenge.”
To enter the contest, customers estimate the number of miniature clay lime slices filling a 16-ounce mojito glass and enter their guess by scanning a QR code. Winners of the $250 gift cards are:
∫ Fort Myers Beach: Angela Switzer
∫ Sanibel: Zach Fikes
∫ St. Petersburg Pier: Sirisha Chirra
∫ Jungle Terrace: Taylor Wacker
Doc Ford’s, a popular venue for Caribbean Rim-inspired cuisine and
cocktails, offers an extensive selection of mojitos for every taste, from classic to sweet and tart. The award-winning, family friendly restaurant features food with a unique balance of flavors and is known for its sauces, spices, passion and signature Yucatan shrimp served daily.
Beloved by locals and visitors alike as a spectacular seafood restaurant delivering a legendary guest experience, Doc Ford’s is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Established on Sanibel in 2003, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille has expanded from its original location to three others: Fort Myers Beach and two in St. Petersburg, on the St. Petersburg Pier and in Jungle Terrace. The restaurant is a perennial Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice winner. The pier location was named the country’s No. 1 restaurant for Best of the Best Restaurants for Everyday Eats in 2023. Philanthropy and community outreach are engrained in HM Restaurant Group’s company philosophy. Proceeds from specialty cocktails at Doc Ford’s have raised over $133,000 to support children’s hospitals in Southwest Florida and St. Petersburg. HM Restaurant Group also supports local nonprofits dedicated to conservation, community, education and the environment. The “Ding” Darling Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament has donated over $1.57 million for conservation and water-quality research at Sanibel’s J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge since its inception in 2012.
PHOTO PROVIDED
BEACH LIVING
Coast Guard announces boat safety class
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 91 Fort Myers Beach, has announced a boating safety class for Saturday, Aug. 16. The U.S. Coast Guard, which was founded in 1790, will also be celebrating Coast Guard Day on Aug. 4.
“On Coast Guard Day, we honor the selfless men and women who serve on the front lines, ensuring the safety and security of our maritime domain,” said Robert Guenthner, Flotilla Commander, Flotilla 91 Fort Myers Beach. “Their unwavering commitment to duty, whether responding to emergencies, enforcing maritime law, or protecting our marine environment, is truly commendable. As the Auxiliary, we are proud to support their critical missions and contribute to their success.”
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, comprised entirely of dedicated volunteers, plays an integral role in supporting the Coast Guard’s missions. Locally, Flotilla 91 Fort Myers Beach actively engages in performing search and rescue support, promoting recreational boating safety, environmental protection, offering public education courses and conducting safety patrols.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 91 Fort Myers Beach, will hold a comprehensive “Boat America” safe boating class on Saturday, Aug. 16. This essential course aims to equip local boaters with the knowledge and skills to navigate safely, underscoring the critical fact from the 2024 Florida FWC accident statistic report that most boating accidents are preventable.
Far too often, boating incidents result from a lack of education or awareness. This “Boat America” course directly addresses these common pitfalls by covering fundamental topics crucial for responsible boating. Participants will learn about boating laws, safety equipment requirements, navigation rules, emergency procedures, and how to handle various on-water situations.
“We believe that an educated boater is a safe boater,” said Guenthner, Flotilla Commander, Flotilla 91 Fort Myers Beach. “The vast majority of boating accidents, injuries, and even fatalities could be avoided with proper training. This class is an investment in your safety, your passengers’ safety, and the safety of everyone on the water.”
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida consistently leads the nation in boating accidents and fatalities. The FWC’s 2024 Boating Accident Statistical Report highlights concerning trends:
∫ 685 reportable boating accidents occurred in
Fort Myers Beach Manager Will McKannay (right) threw the first pitch before the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels game against the Lakeland Tigers at Hammond Stadium
Friday. Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers (left) caught the pitch. The Single-A Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins honored town residents with discounted tickets for the game. Fireworks followed the game, which the Mighty Mussels won by a score of 8-6.
Valerie’s House second annual Sunset Soirée set for Nov. 20
Valerie’s House will celebrate its second annual Sunset Soirée Thursday, Nov. 20, at its Family is Forever home at 3551 Valerie’s House Way in Fort Myers.
The evening will include cocktails and dinner honoring families and loved ones they have lost.
“It will be our second time to host a festive event for our donors and supporters at our home,” said Valerie’s House CEO and founder Angela Melvin Churchill. “We are so looking forward to sharing our progress and hearing from the families who have been helped at Valerie’s House.”
Sponsorships of the Sunset Soirée are available from $2,500 to $25,000 that include tickets, mentions on social media, publication printing as well as branding at the event. Underwriting opportunities also are available from $1,500 to $10,000. Individual tickets are $250. More information is available at www. valerieshouse.org/events.
Valerie’s House has helped more than 6,000 children and their families since its founding in 2016 by Angela Melvin Churchill, whose mother, Valerie, was killed in a car accident in Fort Myers in 1987.
One in six children in Florida is
predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2022 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.
Valerie’s House currently offers peer support groups and other activities at locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, and Pensacola. Valerie’s House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.
About Valerie’s House 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. For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank awards mid-year bonuses
For the eighth consecutive year, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank’s board of directors and executive management rewarded bank employees with a mid-year bonus, made possible through the bank’s ongoing savings under federal tax law. The bonus reflects the bank’s appreciation for team members’ commitment and contributions. All employees, excluding executive management, were eligible to receive the bonus.
“SanCap Bank’s success is driven by the dedication and hard work of our employees,” said Kyle DeCicco, president and CEO of Sanibel Captiva Community Bank. “They’re the foundation of everything we do, and this bonus is a meaningful way to recognize their efforts and continue investing in our team.”
The bank’s workforce reflects a strong culture of stability and engagement with an average employee tenure of seven years. Nearly 60% of team members have been with the bank for five or more years; 22% have been with the bank for over a decade; and seven employees have remained since its founding in 2003.
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank fosters a workplace centered on open communication, professional growth, recognition, work-life harmony and fun. Employees are offered generous health benefits, paid personal time off, and a 100% 401(k) match up to 6%. When bank shares become available, employees are also given the opportunity to invest, resulting in more than 60% of employees currently holding ownership in the bank.
This commitment to people has helped earn the bank repeated recognition as a top employer by Gulfshore Business’ Best Places to Work, The News-Press’ Best of the Best
Fort Myers Community Choice Awards, Florida Trend, the Independent Community Bankers of America and The Institute for Extraordinary Banking.
Founded in 2003, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has nine locations open throughout Lee County. In Fort Myers, the bank’s McGregor Branch, located at 15975 McGregor Blvd., has temporarily closed to allow for final construction on a new permanent building expected to open later this summer.
On Fort Myers Beach, the bank is operating a temporary office open on Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., while its permanent full-service branch is under development.
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank is nationally ranked as a top performing community bank by S&P Global Market Intelligence and is consistently rated a 4- to 5-star institution by Bauer Financial, a trusted independent bank rating firm. With more than $1 billion in total assets, the bank is well-capitalized and generates one of the highest returns on equity of all Florida banks. The bank employs more than 120 employees, and more than 60% are current shareholders. Since 2003, the bank has contributed well over $4.5 million
Lee Clerk to host Passport Saturday
Lee County Clerk and Comptroller Kevin Karnes is hosting Passport Saturday, an event to help citizens apply for a passport ahead of the holiday travel season.
The event will be held this Saturday, August 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Clerk’s Official Records department in downtown Fort Myers, located at 2115 Second St. on the 2nd floor. The extended hours help those who would like to apply for a passport but aren’t able to make it to the office during weekdays.
Customers are encouraged to visit www.leeclerk.org/passports to ensure
they have all of the required documentation and acceptable forms of payment for both the U.S. Department of State and Clerk’s office. When applying for a passport, you must bring two separate forms of payment – one for the Dept. of State and the other for the Clerk’s processing fee. While the Clerk’s office accepts checks, credit/debit cards, cash or money orders, the Dept. of State only accepts checks or money orders for payment.
Passport photos are available on-site for an additional cost.
Appointments are not required but
can be scheduled at www.leeclerk. org/appointment for expedited service. Customers are encouraged to arrive early for the event.
To learn more about how to apply for a passport, applicants can watch an online step-by-step tutorial at www. leeclerk.org/howto. The current processing time for passports is four to six weeks..
As an official passport acceptance facility, the Lee Clerk’s office processes more than 8,000 passport applications a year.
Local chambers to host Sen. Martin, Rep. Botana
The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Sanibel Island & Captiva Island Chamber of Commerce will be hosting State Sen. Jonathan Martin and Rep. Adam Botana during a luncheon Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa.
Botana, R-Bonita Springs, and Martin, R-Fort Myers, both represent Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel in the state legislature.
The luncheon will start at 11:30 a.m. The legislative update will be moderated by Michael Nachef, Vice President of Government Relations at Lee Health. The luncheon will run
Safety class
From page 18
Florida in 2024.
∫ 81 fatalities were reported in 2024.
∫ A staggering 65% of operators involved in fatal accidents had no formal training.
∫ Drowning remains the leading cause of death, with many fatalities preventable by simply wearing a life jacket.
This class offers essential training, including the FWC Boaters Card, and is a crucial step towards a safer boating environment. Your platform has the reach and influence to inform and protect countless individuals in our community.
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive an FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) Boaters Card, which is often required for certain age groups to operate a vessel in Florida waters.
to 1:30 p.m.
Reservations are $35 in advance and can be completed online https://tinyurl.com/mrywj2ep. You can also register by calling 472-8255.
Cancellations must be 24 hours prior to the event for refund.
The Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa is located at 17260 Harbour Pointe Drive in Fort Myers.
Learn more about the Coast Guard Auxiliary at www.cgaux.org
Class Details:
∫ What: Boat America Safe Boating Class
∫ When: Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
∫ Where: Pine Ridge Community Center, 15660 Pine Ridge Road, Fort Myers, FL 33908
∫ Cost: $45 (includes FWC Boaters Card)
∫ Registration: Interested individuals are encouraged to register in advance at https://www.aux91fmb.org/safeboating/ Don’t wait until it’s too late. Take the proactive step to enhance your boating knowledge and contribute to a safer environment on our waterways.
to over 400 local, charitable causes and employees volunteer close to 1,000 hours annually.
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank’s team members provide customized individual and business banking services and specialize in residential and commercial lending. The bank offers personal and business checking, residential and commercial lending services, instant issue debit cards and a full array of digital banking products and services, including mobile banking apps, Card Hub, online bill pay, Zelle®, Positive Pay and ACH Manager. To learn more, visit sancapbank.com.
Loggerhead sea turtle nests
Fort Myers Beach Nests: 111
False crawls: 312
Relocated nests: 42
Hatched nests: 19
Bonita Beach Nests: 179
False crawls: 381
Hatched nests: 60
—Nesting data source: Turtle Time
Editor’s note: Loggerhead sea turtles are threatened in the United States and protected under the Endangered Species Act. The sea turtle nesting season on Fort Myers Beach runs through Oct. 31 and a town ordinance requires that all outdoor lights be turned off from 9 p.m. through 7 a.m. except for shielded amber, downward-directed lights. All blinds and curtains must also be shut from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Beach furniture should be removed from the beach before dusk and holes should be filled in on the beach.
Obituaries
Fort Myers Beach
Sandra (Runge) Spotts
Sandy Spotts, age 82, of Fort Myers Beach, FL died peacefully at Barrington Terrace in Fort Myers, FL on July 9, 2025
Born September 15, 1942 in Crestline, OH to the late John and Vera Runge.
Sandy graduated from Galion High School in 1960. She was active in her children’s endeavors and a volunteer for many organizations around Galion.
In the 1980’s she moved to Fort Myers Beach, FL where she really enjoyed island living and owned a restaurant then a hardware store with her husband Jeffrey Spotts. They finally retired in 2021.
She was a wonderful, adventurous and caring Mother of Mike (Shari) Fox, Ed (Amy) Fox and Sheila Tuck. Grandchildren included Taylor Long, Kasey Fox, Collin Fox, Colbey Fox, Kim Tuck and Katie Tuck, sister in law Debby Shilling and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Richard Runge and Ron Runge, and nieces Julie Runge, Bobbie Runge and April Runge.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association.
Lighting violations cause loss of hatchlings
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
Two nests of threatened loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings suffered losses on Fort Myers Beach due to disorientations this past week caused by alleged violations of the town’s sea turtle lighting ordinance, Turtle Time said.
The Town of Fort Myers Beach announced one of the disorientations this past week through a social media account. Turtle Time separately announced there had been two disorientations caused by the lighting issues.
Turtle Time founder Eve Haverfield identified the two nests as being near the 6500 block of Estero Boulevard and the other nest being near the 7300 block of Estero Boulevard.
“We did have disorientations to those two places because their lights were not in compliance. The hatchlings from two different nests crawled towards their visible lights.”
Haverfield said the lights “caused the hatchlings to disorient.”
In a statement from the town regarding the disorientations, the town said the hatchlings were disorientated and headed toward Estero Boulevard. The hatchlings instinctually cross over to the Gulf after hatching unless they are disoriented by other lights.
“Volunteers were able to recover some, but most had likely succumbed to predation and exhaustion,” the town said in its statement.
Fort Myers Beach spokesperson Nicole Berzin and Town Environmental Projects Manager Chadd Chustz did not respond to messages seeking to confirm the locations of the disorientations.
Haverfield said she couldn’t estimate the number of deaths of the hatchlings. The town had six serious disorientations of turtle hatchlings last year, some of which were also deadly.
Visible lights are prohibited on Fort Myers Beach from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. from May through Oct. 31. Outdoor lights are prohibited unless they are shielded, amber LED lights. All curtains and drapes are required to cover all windows so that lights are not visible to nesting sea turtles and hatchlings. There have been 312 false crawls of nesting sea turtles this year, part of which has been attributed to the beach renourishment equipment and pipeline of contractors working on the town’s beach renourishment project, which s more than six months behind schedule.
Loggerhead sea turtles are threatened species protected under the Endangered Species Act. Properties that violate the town’s sea turtle lighting ordinance can face fines. Individuals who harass or interfere with nesting sea turtles and hatchlings can also face fines.
Chustz did not respond to questions as to whether any properties were cited for the lighting violations. Chustz also did not respond to questions as to whether any properties in the town had been cited for lighting violations relating to the town’s sea turtle lighting ordinance this year.
Under the town’s previous administration, the town’s focus on enforcing its sea turtle lighting ordinance shifted from the issuance of citations and warnings to more softhanded educational efforts.
In 2022, the town issued 220 warnings for violations of the town’s sea turtle lighting ordinance. Of those
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings, a threatened species.
violations, the town issued 44 citations with a total of $19,050 in fines. Last year, only a handful of citations were issued by the town for violating the town’s turtle lighting ordinance in a year where the town experienced an uptick in disorientations, with six major disorientations cited by Turtle Time.
FWC guidelines for protecting nesting sea turtles
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently released some guidelines for helping to protect loggerhead sea turtles, a federally-recognized threatened species protected under Endangered Species Act:
If you are lucky enough to spot a sea turtle nesting, keep at least 50 feet away to avoid causing her to leave the beach before completing the nesting process. Give hatchling sea turtles the same space to avoid disrupting their journey from the sand to the water. If an animal changes its behavior, you’re likely too close. Remember — it is illegal to harm or disturb nesting sea turtles, their nests and eggs, or to pick up hatchlings.
Before heading home each day, properly dispose of or recycle all trash, fill in human-made holes in the sand, and remove all toys and beach furniture from the sand. Obstacles on the beach can entrap sea turtles or prevent them from nesting. Trash and other obstacles can also prevent sea turtle hatchlings from reaching the water
Lee County ranked third for recycling rate
Lee County Solid Waste has been ranked third among the state’s 67 counties by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The amount of material Lee County residents and businesses recycled in 2024 would be enough to fill 310 football fields 10 feet high.
Lee County received credit for recycling more than 1.9 million tons of the 3 million total tons of waste generated locally in 2024, according to numbers that FDEP recently released.
This brings the county’s recycling rate
to an adjusted rate of 78%. Strong participation by both residents and businesses has enabled Lee County to meet and exceed the state’s 75% recycling goal.
Lee County earns FDEP recycling credits for items such as curbside recycling by residents as well as business recycling of materials such as cardboard, yard waste, scrap metal and construction and demolition debris.
Lee County also receives recycling credit for energy produced from garbage processed at the Waste-to-Energy plant in Buckingham.
when they emerge, as well as entangle adult turtles, birds and other wildlife. Food scraps attract predators, such as raccoons and crows, that can prey on sea turtle hatchlings, as well as shorebird eggs and chicks. Fishing line can be deadly to sea turtles, waterbirds and other wildlife, so be sure to dispose of it properly. To find a monofilament recycling station near you, visit myfwc.com.
Turn off lights or close curtains after dark to ensure nesting turtles are not disturbed or disoriented as they come ashore and hatchlings do not become disoriented when they emerge from their nests. Any lighting can misdirect and disturb nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings, leading them away from the ocean and toward potential danger. If lighting is still visible, make sure exterior lighting adjacent to nesting beaches is long, low and shielded. Use natural starlight to see on the beach at night and avoid using flashlights, cell phone lights and taking flash photos after dark.
In a message posted to Facebook, the Town of Fort Myers Beach asked residents and property owners to help protect sea turtles and hatchlings by converting exterior lights to long wavelength amber and red LEDs. One long wavelength bulb option includes Sunlite Model # 80147, which is available for purchase online.
The town also called on residents and visitors to shield inside lights from the beach with a window treatment. “Blackout shades work best,” the town’s statement said.
The Mound House is the oldest standing structure on Fort Myers Beach dating back to 1906, sitting on top of a 2,000-year-old shell mound that was constructed by the native Calusa tribe who lived throughout the region for centuries. The Mound House is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Mound House is located at 451 Connecticut St on Fort Myers Beach and features a museum, tours, gift shop and serves as a public park for picnics and fishing.
∫ Park Hours: Daily 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
∫ Museum Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
∫ Calusa Tours: Wednesday-Saturday 11 to 11:30 a.m., 1 to 1:30 p.m.
Discover the archaeology and history of the site and learn what clues were uncovered about this nearly 2,000 year old shell mound.
This hands-on tour will explore the environmental and cultural history of the site and feature replica artifact demonstrations.
No reservations required. COST: Museum Admission + $5
∫ Kayak Tours: Wednesday-Saturday 9 to 11 a.m.
Ice Cream Social
On Saturday, Aug. 9, the Mound House will be hosting an ice cream social as part of a free admission day from 9-4.
There will be free ice cream for the first 50 attendees from 10-2.
Mound House Calendar
Lovers Key State Park Calendar
Lovers Key State Park has announced their program schedule for the month of August. Ticket fees include park entry. Space is limited, and advance ticket purchase is required.
To sign up, visit https://loverskey. eventbrite.com, and scroll until you find the desired event. Click on the event picture or title. You will be redirected to FOLKS Eventbrite. Fill out information on Eventbrite. Reservations are made on Eventbrite only.
∫ Friday, Aug. 1
Program: Beach and Estuary Walk
Time: 9 – 10:30 a.m.
Location: South Beach
Fee: Free with park entry fee
Instructor: Mitch (ranger)
Description: Join a park ranger for a leisurely walk over the estuary and along the beach to discover the natural treasures of the Lovers Key shoreline. Learn about seashells, crustaceans, starfish, and other creatures that can be found in our waters. Participants should be prepared to spend time in the water.
∫ Friday, Aug. 8
Program: Shorebird Stroll
Time: 9 – 10:30 a.m.
Location: South Beach
Fee: Free with park entry fee
Instructor: Mitch (Ranger)
Description: Join a park ranger on a guided walk down the shoreline and discover some of the birds that call the beach here at Lovers Key home. Learn helpful tips about how to identify these challenging birds while learning their diet, behavior and nesting habits. We recommend bringing binoculars or spotting scope.
∫ Friday, Aug. 15
Program: Walk on the Wild Side
Time: 9 – 10:30 am
Location: Black Island Trail Head (Parking Lot #2)
Fee: Free with park entry fee
Instructor: Mitch (ranger)
Description: Join a park ranger for a guided hike along our Black Island Trail. Learn about the fascinating vegetation and wildlife that reside in our maritime hammock ecosystem, explore our native butterfly garden, and enjoy a little local history along the way. Closed-toe shoes, bug spray, and water bottles are highly recommended.
∫ Saturday, Aug. 16
Program: Jr Ranger Creature Feature
Time: 10 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Community Room (Welcome and Discovery Center)
Fee: Free with park entry fee
Instructors: Mitch (Ranger)
Description: Join a park ranger for a Junior Ranger educational program and accompanying activity to explore the four components of the Junior Ranger program: natural resources, cultural resources, rec-
reation, and service. Participants will be eligible for Junior Ranger passport stamps with the successful completion of each component.
Space is limited; reservations are required. For program questions, call 239707-6328.
Lovers Key State Park is located at 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach.
PROVIDED
The Mound House is lat 451 Connecticut Street on Fort Myers Beach and features a museum, tours, gift shop and serves as a public park for picnics and fishing.
FILE PHOTO
Lovers Key Welcome and Discovery Center.
Back-to-school sales tax holiday begins Friday
Staff report
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the state’s backto-school sales tax holiday will begin Friday, Aug. 1 and run the entire month of August.
The following items will be exempt from state sales tax:
School supplies selling for $50 or less
∫ Binders
∫ Notebooks
∫ Pens and pencils
∫ Lunch boxes
∫ Clothing, footwear, and apparel priced at $100 or less
∫ Backpacks
∫ Pants
∫ Shoes
∫ Shirts
∫ Sweaters
∫ Learning aids selling for $30 or less
∫ Interactive Books
∫ Puzzles
∫ Flashcards
∫ Personal computers and accessories priced at $1,500 or less (for noncommercial home or personal use)
∫ Laptops
∫ Flash drives
∫ Printers
∫ Headphones
music would be restricted from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. Live entertainment would be limited to single or duo acts. No bands or drums would be permitted unless approved through the town’s special permitting process.
The town’s planning staff had recommended denial of the outdoor entertainment proposal due to nuisance impacts on the neighbors. Town planner Judith Frankel said the outdoor entertainment would be an intrusion into the nearby residential neighborhood.
LPA member John McClean was the lone vote against the deviation allowing a variance from the town’s Local Development Code to allow the outdoor live entertainment.
The applicants are also proposing a deck with a shade structure for restaurant seating on the first level above flood that extends toward Estero Boulevard by 15 feet, a wall along the rear of the building on the first floor to block sounds and light from the bar and entertainment area and a buffer with a fence.
In a letter to the town, Curlew Street resident Phyllis Campbell said “This project is very injurious to our ability to reside in our home.” Campbell said the Local Planning Agency “did not sufficiently address our noise or parking concerns.” Campbell said she was seeking further limits on the hours and number of days of noise intrusion to neighbors.
Campbell said music events that have occurred much farther away from the Beach Theater can be heard at her property. “This will be directly next to us.
This is not a weekly rental street and residential area continue to push out by over commercial development. We support development but at this location the development should be indoors and only limited outdoor use,” Campbell said. “These developers made no effort to discuss their plans with us, the neighbors or even consider how we use our home. We purchased here to be in a quiet neighborhood not a downtown district.
Under the new plans, there would be no plans to regularly show films anymore. The theater hasn’t shown movies since 2022, when it was purchased by Steve Boge and a group of investors
known as 4148 LLC based in Naples. The group purchased the theater as well as the Gulfview Manor across the street in a $19 million deal which valued the theater at $4 million.
Patrick Vanasse, of The Neighborhood Group, said the new owners could occasionally show an old film on a projector against the wall but would no longer use the four screens in the theater to show movies.
The new ownership group has also faced scrutiny in the community for the alleged illegal removal of mangroves at the site in a canal behind the theater in 2023. The owners installed 249 linear feet of seawall there earlier this spring. The town approved the construction of a docking facility with dredging, a seawall and new mangroves in December. The mangroves were a source of concern for neighbors who rely on the mangroves for protection during a hurricane. Under the new plans submitted by the owners of the Beach Theater, they will
Following the removal of the mangroves, the town issued citations to Estero 4148 LLC and Remove it Pros for irreparable, irreversible violations of the town code for removing the mangroves and excavating saltwater forested wetlands. Estero 4148 LLC and Remove it Pros were ordered to pay a $5,000 fine plus a $250 administrative fee. The order also threatened fines of $250 a day if the violations weren’t corrected or mitigated by obtaining mangrove alteration permitting
from the DEP and purchasing saltwater credits. The town didn’t ultimately pursue such additional fines, deferring to the DEP for formal enforcement.
According to the DEP, the agency is still pursuing formal enforcement and a consent order with the owner. The DEP sent out warning letters to Remove it Pros and Estero 4148 LLC in care of Candace and Kory Nanke in 2023 over the removal of the mangroves.
“Regarding the mangrove removal, DEP is still pursuing formal enforcement. A restoration plan is currently in development, and once finalized and approved, the Consent Order can be issued,” DEP spokesperson Brooke Keck said.
According to DEP records, 273 square feet of unauthorized mangrove removal occurred at the site in February of 2023. Red and black mangroves were removed without a permit, violating state statutes. The mangrove removal included some that were on the property of the Town of Fort Myers Beach.
Vanasse said the owners now have a permit to do work on the docks and will replant mangroves and will maintain them at 36 inches.
Despite the ongoing consent order, a permit was issued by the DEP last year authorizing the construction of a 160foot and 36-foot wooden marginal dock at the former Beach Theater property to allow four temporary wet boat slips. Overnight docking would be prohibited. Under the agreement with the DEP, all vessels would be required to operate with no wake and idle speed in the immediate vicinity of the dock.
“DEP has not received any new permit applications for additional development at the site. While the enforcement action does not prohibit separate upland construction, depending on the scope of work, the property owner may be required to obtain additional permits, such as for stormwater,” Keck said.
Mangroves are a major source of concern for neighbors who count on them for protection during storm, like after Hurricane Ian.
In regards to the removal of the mangroves, Vanasse said there was a “bit of a snafu” with the mangroves, which needed a local development order. Vanasse, who was not involved in the project at the time the mangroves were removed, said there was “miscommunication” between the environmental consultant and the ownership group.
FILE PHOTO
page 1
Town of Fort Myers Beach officials said they received a letter from FEMA last week detailing that “further enhancements and corrections are needed by August 8” to maintain compliance and support the Town’s reinstatement” in the National Flood Insurance Program.
The town lost its 25% property insurance discount for homeowners last year due to alleged permitless work after Hurricane Ian, other permit documentation issues and noncompliant structures in the flood hazard areas of the town.
The town had been told earlier this year it could be taken off probation in November depending on the outcome of a site visit and through meeting other requirements set by FEMA.
Town staff said they are currently reviewing the letter and the list of 252 properties and will be coordinating outreach and corrective actions immediately. The town recently announced that property owners can contact the town by email at FEMACAV@ fmbgov.com with their name, property address, and proof of ownership (copy of a current utility bill) to find out if they are on the list. Property owners can only inquire about their own property. Just because a property owner is on the list does not mean they are facing a citation from the town.
“We are committed to addressing FEMA’s findings and improving our floodplain management efforts,” Town Manager Will McKannay said. “Our goal is to ensure full compliance with NFIP regulations and to better protect our residents and infrastructure moving forward.”
McKannay said the latest FEMA letter “emphasized the need for the Town to provide updated documentation and a clear plan for compliance regarding temporary structures (RVs and Trailers) and flood plain management procedures.”
McKannay said he has been in communication with FEMA daily since receiving the letter. “Our understanding is that FEMA expects the Town to submit a comprehensive update by Aug. 8, including documentation on the status of each of the 252 properties, progress on compliance efforts, and any outstanding issues that may require further coordination. This is a critical checkpoint for FEMA to assess our progress and determine next steps.”
McKannay said the Sept. 23 deadline for the removal of temporary trailers remains in effect as of now.
“However, we have requested clarification from FEMA regarding their regulatory standards for RVs and Trailers in a Special Flood Hazard Area. FEMA has not yet provided a definitive answer on whether these would be permissible under current guidelines, but we are continuing to seek that clarification.”
McKannay said meeting all of FEMA’s expectations by Aug. 8 will be challenging.
“We are working diligently to meet that deadline to ensure we meet timeline requirements to apply for reentry into the community rating system,” he said.
Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers said the most recent letter from FEMA “adds yet another layer of complexity to what has already been a challenging and evolving process. The Aug. 8, 2025 deadline is specifically tied to the Town’s eligibility for reentry into the Community Rating System (CRS). Achieving CRS status would allow our residents to once again receive discounts on their National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies. This date is critical, as it determines whether we will be considered for CRS by April 1, 2026, and ultimately whether we can restore those cost savings to
our residents.”
Allers said the town is getting inconsistent messages from FEMA.
“The challenge is that we receive inconsistent messages from FEMA about what is considered compliant, especially when it comes to temporary structures. This inconsistency is why I’ve said it often feels like the goalposts keep moving,” Allers said.
Allers said it “remains uncertain” if the new FEMA deadline will supercede the state’s Sept. 23 deadline for temporary trailers. “The Sept. 23, 2025 deadline comes from State Bill 250, which allows temporary trailers and RVs for up to three years following Hurricane Ian. That is Florida law, and we are continuing to enforce it accordingly.”
Allers said the Sept. 23 deadline for temporary trailers to be removed “has been publicly discussed for some time to ensure that individuals operating under a temporary use permit have the opportunity to plan accordingly.”
Allers said that depending on the location of the property and the use of the property, “there may still be a potential path forward through the special exception process” to continue using trailers. “However, each situation is unique, and outcomes will vary based on individual circumstances,” he said.
Allers encouraged residents still living in trailers or RV’s to contact the town.
“What we all want, Town staff, residents, and likely even FEMA, is clear, consistent guidance. If we had that, I’m confident we could meet a reasonable deadline. But when the interpretation of compliance changes from one letter to the next, it becomes extremely difficult to know exactly what is expected of us by Aug. 8, or any other date,” Allers said.
“That said, our staff remains fully committed to working closely with FEMA every day. We continue to provide all requested documentation and to demonstrate that we are enforcing and updating our floodplain management practices as required.”
Allers said he has been in regular contact with federal representatives and state officials.
Fred Mallone, co-owner of Buffalo Grill at Times Square is among the local businessowners who could see their businesses wiped out if a Sept. 23 deadline for temporary trailers is followed.
“I think we need somebody that needs to learn how to fight the federal government,” Mallone said.
Mallone said the town needs to get Gov. Ron DeSantis involved.
“You need your governor involved in this,” Mallone said. “The town can’t handle it. They need the governor.”
Mallone said the closure of the business trailers and the trailers of people living on the island could impact jobs and tourism.
Mallone said he has no intentions of leaving Times Square by Aug. 8.
“I’m not leaving Aug. 8,” Mallone said. “They can go pound salt.”
Mallone is still considering options ahead of the Sept. 23 deadline.
Mallone is among a group of businessowners in town operating out of trailers. They include the owner of La Ola next door at Times Square, whose business was destroyed by Hurricane Ian. The Goodz and Mom’s Home Cooking, two businesses operating out of trailers since Hurricane Ian destroyed their former buildings, would also be affected.
“Everything I’ve done is compliant and removable based on the town code,” Mallone said. Mallone said his trailer could be packed up and removed within an hour or two if a storm was coming.
“What we all want, Town staff, residents, and likely even FEMA, is clear, consistent guidance. If we had that, I’m confident we could meet a reasonable deadline. But when the interpretation of compliance changes from one letter to the next, it becomes extremely difficult to know exactly what is expected of us by August 8, or any other date,”
—Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers
“You need your governor involved in this. The town can’t handle it. They need the governor.”
Mallone took issue with the town asking property owners to contact them to see if they are on the list. He said the town should be notifying property owners if there are issues.
“They are displacing people from homes still waiting on permits from FEMA and the town,” Mallone said. “I don’t think anybody should leave. I think everybody should stay put.”
Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said he was waiting to learn more information about how FEMA intended to enforce the new Aug. 8 deadline mentioned in the letter and what precisely it was seeking from the town in terms of 252 properties mentioned.
Atterholt had been briefed about the visit by FEMA from McKannay last week in which he was told town officials were expecting “some pretty tough news.” Atterholt said he is hopeful the town is on a path to getting back its 25% insurance discount through the National Flood Insurance Program though there is an expectation that FEMA will be “pretty stringent” in enforcing its rules. After discussions with McKannay following the visit, Atterholt said the visit “is a critical step forward on the path to regaining the discount on our island’s flood insurance.”
Atterholt said he still wants to hear more about what the process will look like based on the latest FEMA letter though he said “if we have to take some tough medicine to get us there that is OK.”
Following the FEMA letter issued to the town on Thursday, Atterholt said the town is in a “Catch 22.” If the town doesn’t comply with the FEMA regulations, it risks not only losing the flood insurance discounts but other forms of assistance from FEMA after another hurricane.
Atterholt said he was hoping the town would be granted some leeway to offer property owners who are still going through litigation with insurance companies or who have permits opened with the town to rebuild their homes, or otherwise who are in the process of rebuilding, more time to stay in trailers over those who are either absentee landlords or who aren’t active in rebuilding.
Atterholt has been told there are 145 trailers still on Fort Myers Beach properties. He said it could be a “Herculean effort” to remove the trailers by the new Aug. 8 date cited by FEMA, or even the Sept. 23 deadline the town has imposed.
“These folks have due process,” he said. “I hope we can show grace.”
The visit by FEMA last week was to ensure the town is enforcing its floodplain management regulations and meeting the minimum standards of the National Flood Insurance Program. The Town must demonstrate that all noncompliant structures are brought into compliance to avoid additional sanctions and to be reconsidered for the Community Rating System.
The town previously embarked on dozens of code enforcement citations against property owners who had temporary trailers and storage containers that were in the high flood zone. Property owners largely have since moved those structures out though the town has been involved in a contested code
—Buffalo Grill owner Fred Mallone
enforcement case with the owners of La Ola Surfside Restaurant and its property at Times Square on Fort Myers Beach for months.
The La Ola property has been in an administrative appeals process through the state for most of the year.
The Town of Fort Myers Beach approved temporary use permits for residents and businesses to utilize trailers after Hurricane Ian. Lea Crager, External Affairs director for the Office of the Regional Administrator in FEMA Region 4, referred any questions about the visit back to the town.
Atterholt said he has yet to hear from those who are still in trailers though he expects the town may hear from them soon now that the new FEMA letter has been put out by the town. “People are still getting their heads wrapped around the Sept. 23 deadline,” he said.
“My heart breaks for those people who are still in litigation with their insurance companies,” he said. “At some point they have to make some kind of decision to rebuild or sell.”
McKannay statement on Sept. 23 deadline.
A day before FEMA sent a letter to the town with a new Aug. 8 deadline for the town to mitigate or provide documentation regarding 252 properties, the town manager issued a statement on the pending deadline for residents and businesses to remove temporary trailers. As the Fort Myers Beach Observer reported last week, the town is pushing forward with a Sept. 23 deadline for temporary trailers to be removed as the town seeks to reclaim its status in the National Flood Insurance Program.
“As of September 23, 2025, the current provision allowing permits for trailers and RVs will expire. This is part of the Town’s effort to comply with FEMA regulations and restore its standing in the National Flood Insurance Program,” McKannay said.
“Finding a compliant path forward is deeply important to me—not just as a matter of policy, but as a personal mission to support our residents and businesses in their recovery. I am working closely with our elected leaders, my staff, and FEMA representatives to identify a solution that protects this vital resource while ensuring full alignment with floodplain management standards.
“Our community has come too far, and although I cannot yet promise success in this effort, I will pursue this goal relentlessly until we have exhausted all efforts.”
The announcement follows meetings with FEMA and town officials last week as part of a site visit for the town to get off FEMA probation and to get back into the National Flood Insurance Program.
FEMA officials declined to comment on the site visit when the Fort Myers Beach Observer contacted their communications office this week.
There has been some confusion among some businessowners as to whether they can still operate their businesses out of trailers if the trailers can be hauled off attached to light trucks in the event of another hurricane. Fort Myers Beach spokesperson Nicole Berzin said the town was checking with FEMA on that.
School district to provide free breakfast, lunch
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com
School District of Lee County students will again receive free breakfast and lunch for the 2025-26 school year through the district’s participation in the Community Eligibility Program (CEP), under the National School Lunch/National School Breakfast Programs.
The program is offered to every student in the district’s 82 traditional schools, four special centers and four charter school locations, including The Sanibel School on Sanibel.
“The school district qualifies for the CEP based on the percentage of students directly certified for free meals, typically through programs like SNAP, TANF or Medicaid. Using last year’s Direct Certification data, our district exceeded the 60% threshold for economic need, making us eligible to participate,” district Food and Nutrition Services Director Kandy Messenger said. “The federal government provides a formula to determine reimbursement rates for schools participating in CEP, which helps fund our Food and Nutrition Services program.”
The district has participated in the CEP since 2017.
“CEP allows all students to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost, removing the financial barrier to access nutritious meals. This program also eliminates the stigma often associated with free or reduced meal benefits,” she said. “For many of our students, school meals may be the most reliable source of food they receive each day. When students are hungry, it impacts their ability to focus and learn. By providing healthy, balanced meals, we support not only their physical health, but also their academic success and classroom behavior — benefiting both students and teachers.”
Students will be introduced to a new four-week rotating menu that follows all federal nutrition guidelines. Messenger said the menu will include fresh fruits and vegetables daily.
“We’re excited to offer several new menu items that we think students will enjoy,” she said. “The focus is
on variety, nutrition and appeal to ensure students are receiving meals they want to eat and that nourish them throughout the day.”
Last year, the district served 5,010,827 breakfasts, 10,731,470 lunches and 730,571 suppers/dinners.
“We are committed to supporting the whole child, and access to nutritious meals plays a critical role in that mission. Our team works hard every day to ensure students are well-fed and ready to learn,” Messenger said. “We’re proud of the role Food & Nutrition Services plays in supporting student achievement across the district”
The participating schools will include:
Elementary schools
∫ Allen Park
∫ Amanecer
∫ Bonita Springs
∫ Caloosa
∫ Cape
∫ Colonial
∫ Diplomat
∫ Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Littleton
∫ Edgewood
∫ Edison Park
∫ Fort Myers Beach
∫ Franklin Park
∫ G. Weaver Hipps
Gateway
Gulf
Hancock Creek ∫ Harns Marsh ∫ Hector A. Cafferata Jr.
∫ Heights
∫ J. Colin English
∫ n James Stephens
∫ Lehigh
∫ Manatee
∫ Mirror Lakes
∫ Orange River
∫ Orangewood
∫ Patriot
∫ Pelican
∫ Pine Island
∫ Pinewoods
∫ Ray V. Pottorff
∫ Rayma Page
∫ River Hall
∫ San Carlos Park
∫ Skyline
∫ Spring Creek
∫ Sunshine
∫ Tanglewood
∫ Three Oaks
∫ Tice
∫ Tortuga Preserve
∫ Trafalgar
∫ Treeline
DeSantis appoints Lee County Court Judge
STAFF REPORT
The office of Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Javier Pacheco, of Bonita Springs, to be a judge on the Lee County Court.
Pacheco has been a Partner at Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP since 2015. Previously, he was an Associate at Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Ohio State University and his juris doctor from Case Western Reserve University. Pacheco fills the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Andrew Swett.
Mullet Madness
stations. Other local business are sponsoring the contest, including raffle prizes and giveaways.
Awards for the most points will be given out to adults Saturday night along with prizes for a Joe Dirt lookalike contest. The awards for the children’s contest will follow Sunday’s tournament.
For $20, participants will be able to enter the mullet-throwing contest at each of the participating business. Participants will receive a commemorative Mullet Madness tank top and a trail card to track their progress across participating venues.
Among the local businesses expected to participate are the Alex King Group, Buffalo Grill, DiamondHead Beach Resort, Goodz, La Ola, Lee Ann’s Paradise Vacation Rentals, Margaritaville Beach Resort, Moss Marina, Mr. Wave’s Island Bar, Smokin’ Oyster Brewery, Sun n’ Fun, Tunaskin and Wahoo Willie’s.
For just $20, participants receive a commemorative Mullet Madness tank top and a trail card to track their progress across participating venues. Completed trail cards earn raffle tickets, with major prizes awarded on Sunday at Moss Marina. Credential pickup begins Friday at 9 a.m. at Current Riders and Sun n Fun.
Each location hosting a mullet throwing contest will allow each participant three throws each.
Completed trail cards earn raffle tick-
From page 4
tumble toward earth and die. If you think differently, then I encourage you to jump.
That’s why magical thinking is dangerous. It allows those in a position of power the ability to will away issues they don’t want to confront. Climate change doesn’t care about your personal or their “opinions” at all. One of the scientifically predicted impacts of climate change is that, with more moisture in the atmosphere, the
Lee County Domestic Animal Services to hold kitten adoption event
Kitten season is still in full swing and Lee County Domestic Animal Services has many kittens looking for caring homes. To assist with adoptions, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office will host Lee County Domestic Animal Services for a kitten adoption event.
The event will be held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Miromar outreach center, 10801 Corkscrew
Free lunch
∫ Tropic Isles
∫ Villas
Middle schools
∫ Bonita Springs
∫ Caloosa
∫ Challenger
∫ Cypress Lake
∫ Diplomat
∫ Fort Myers
∫ Gulf
∫ Harns Marsh
∫ Lehigh Acres
∫ Lexington
∫ Mariner
∫ Oak Hammock
∫ Paul Laurence Dunbar
∫ Lemuel Teal
∫ Three Oaks
∫ Trafalgar
From page 1
ets. Awards will be handed out Saturday at 4 p.m. at the DiamondHead Beach Resort for adults, while the raffle will take place Sunday at Moss Marina at 1 p.m. along with the awards for children.
Awards and prizes for adults who participate in the mullet contest will be announced Saturday night following the end of the tournament at the DiamondHead Beach Resort, with the winners of the raffles and prizes for the children’s contest announced Sunday at Moss Marina.
Participating restaurants and businesses throughout the island will be holding specials beginning Friday through Sunday for the event.
The kickoff party for Mullet Madness Weekends begins Friday from 6 p.m. through 9 p.m. at the Margaritaville Beach Resort. There will be live music, dancing and drink specials.
The games begin Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the mullet toss crawl. Each contestant will get three mullet throws.
Mullets, are large fish found in Florida which can reach 20 inches or more in size. They are known for their fins and rays. Each participating restaurant will have frozen mullet on site to be thrown.
Miller’s husband Mike said he expects the top throws to be between 15 to 20 feet.
Judging for the Joe Dirt lookalike con-
rainfall will not increase, but that it will rain harder and for shorter durations. The Texas floods are a perfect example of this phenomenon.
Within a matter of three hours or less, as the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry collided with a mid-level trough, up to 11 inches of rain fell into the upper headwaters of the Guadalupe River. The result was that the river went from 2 feet to 29 feet in a matter of hours. Trump and his crew had
From page 17
∫ Varsity Lakes
K-8
Road, Suite 190 in Estero. Adoption fees will be waived with an approved application.
Visit www.LeeLostPets.com to complete your application online. Find Lee County Domestic Animal Services’ social media sites on Facebook or Instagram @ leeanimalservices.
∫ North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts
∫ The Alva School
∫ The Bayshore School
∫ The Sanibel School
∫ Veterans Park Academy for the Arts
High schools
∫ Bonita Springs
∫ Cape Coral
∫ Cypress Lake
∫ Dunbar
∫ East Lee ∫ Estero
∫ Fort Myers ∫ Gateway
test will be at Mr. Waves, Diva’s & Dolls, Lani Kai, and Tunaskin to see who resembles the movie character and his infamous mullet.
The children’s tournament will be held Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a mullet toss and Joe Dirt lookalike contest. Sunday’s awards will be given out at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Moss Marina with a raffle drawing. Prizes including gift cards, events merchandise and giveaways for unique island experiences.
Miller said the prizes include $275 in boat swag, gift cards to Fort Myers Beach businesses such as The Whale, Sandy Bottom’s Bar & Grill, Mr. Wave’s Island Bar, Snug Harbor, Wahoo Willie’s, Tunaskin Aquatic Apparel, the Blue Parrot Gift Shop at the Lani Kai Island Resort and ice cream at Goodz. There will be golf cart rentals and tiki cruises given away.
“This is just the start,” Miller said of local business support for the Mullet Fest. “There is a lot more coming,” she said. Miller said she is still receiving gift cards and giveaways for the event.
Throughout the weekend, there will be photo-ops for themed selfie stations.
Live music, themed drinks, and drink specials are expected at participating restaurants.
“We’re all just eager to get the island going again. We’re trying to get some
already slashed funding for the Weather Service because they didn’t want to hear any more talk about climate change. There was little to no warning given.
As Floridians standing on the front lines of climate change, this kind of thinking is reckless and deadly. Trump recently cut the NOAA off from being able to use the U.S. Department of Defense’s weather satellites, thereby hampering their long-range forecasting of major Atlantic
∫ Ida Baker
∫ Island Coast
∫ Lehigh Senior
∫ Mariner
∫ North Fort Myers
∫ Riverdale
∫ South Fort Myers
Special centers
∫ Buckingham Exceptional Student Center
∫ Royal Palm
∫ Success Academy
Young Parent Education
Program Charters
∫ Lee Acceleration Academies
∫ North Nicholas High School
∫ Coronado High School
∫ Island Park High School
more people out” Miller said. “I think it will be a fun weekend.”
Weekend Schedule of Events
Friday, Aug. 1
∫ 9 a.m. – credential pickup opens at Current Riders Surf Shop at 19050 San Carlos Boulevard and Sun n Fun at 1821 Estero Blvd.
∫ island-wide welcome specials and promotions
∫ 6-9 p.m. – kickoff party at Margaritaville with live music
∫ $5 per child (includes Mullet Madness drawstring backpack filled with island goodies)
For more information, contact: Dawn Miller at (614) 578-2588 or by email at dawnmiller@thewhalefmb.com.
hurricanes just as peak season is getting underway. The NOAA has been using the data for 40 years, and that use ends on July 31. So, when our own rivers rise and hundreds of people are killed due to lack of information, don’t blame climate change.
Blame those who think it will magically disappear by Easter. It won’t. Charles Sobczak Sanibel
Gov. Ron DeSantis
They may be cute, fluffy and friendly, but some dogs also have an important job: protecting America’s food supply.
By deploying specially trained beagles, Labrador retrievers and Jack Russell terriers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Services’ Detector Dog Program puts elite canines to work on the front lines at international airports, mail facilities and border crossings throughout the nation.
These furry sleuths maneuver between passengers and luggage to search, locate and respond to the presence of banned fruits, plants and meats that may harbor damaging insects and diseases that threaten the country’s agricultural production and natural resources.
The program was started in 1984 and soon grew in demand. By 2009, APHIS opened a 17-acre National Detector Dog Training Center near the Atlanta International Airport. At the center, dogs and their handlers go through an 8-10-week training program to learn how to inspect passenger luggage and handbags for agricultural goods such as fruits, vegetables, beef and pork.
Detector dogs patrol ports of entry, borders and airports to keep harmful pests, like invasive fruit flies, out of the country. For example, Labrador retrievers and their handlers protect the nation’s fruit by patrolling citrus orchards along the Texas-Mexico border in search of infested or diseased crops.
Safeguarding U.S. agriculture and natural resources is part of the program’s mission, but APHIS’ Detector Dog Program also partners with countries like Canada and Taiwan to supply guidance, training and testing of canine detection. There are even detector dog teams on the job at cargo airports throughout countries in the Pacific, tasked with identifying invasive species and stopping them from reaching Hawaii. The work these dogs and their handlers do is critical to help stop the spread of invasive plant and animal pests and diseases that could ravage America’s agriculture.
A detector dog’s career spans 6-8 years before they retire at 9 years old. At retirement age, 90 percent of dogs are adopted by their handler. In the rare case they are not, the handler will recommend a good home and a successful adoption program ensures all dogs are well placed.
If you or someone you know would like to help the program grow its squad of super sniffers:
Constantly on the lookout for new pups, APHIS works closely with animal shelters, rescue groups and private individuals to find the right dogs for the job from anywhere in the country. New recruits are 1-3 years old, heartworm negative, have high food drive and are environmentally and socially friendly. The ideal candidate is often that high-energy, hard-to-handle pooch who simply needs a job and a purpose.
-- Content courtesy of USDA via Family Features
Bayside
Bongo’s
Cabanas Beach Bar & Grill
Coste Island Cuisine
Dixie Fish Co.
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
Jack’s at the Pink Shell
Junkanoo
Coastal Properties of SW FL
Coastal Vacation Properties
Distinctive Beach Rentals
Diamondhead Beach Resort
Edison Beach House
Gulf Waters RV Resort
Gullwing Beach Resort
Hilton Seawatch on the Beach
LeeAnn’s Paradise Vacation Rentals
Lighthouse Island Resort
Lover’s Key Resort
Luxury Vacation Rentals
Margaritaville Beach Resort FMB
Marina Village at Snug Harbor
Matanzas Inn
ParrotEyes Vacation Rental
Adventure
Cruisin
Copacetic Sailing Day 5 Charters
Estero Island Parasail
Everglades Day Safari
Excursions Marina
WHERE TO GO WHAT TO DO WHO TO SEE
Sizzle
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
The new Fort Myers Beach Art Association art show “Sizzle” begins Friday, Aug. 1, and runs through Aug. 19 at Cypress Square Plaza.
The show will run Thursdays through Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. at the plaza, located at 13451 McGregor Blvd, Unit #1 in Fort Myers.
The association’s new gallery is located across from the Prawnbroker Restaurant and Fish Market.
The association’s former gallery off Shell Mound Boulevard and Donora Boulevard was destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022.
For the summer season, the Fort Myers Beach Art Association is holding a Lunch-NLearn program each Saturday with presentations from some of the association’s advanced artists.
The presentations are free to members of the Fort Myers Beach Art Association.
This Saturday, from noon to 1 p.m., Tamara Culp will be presenting on large shapes to simplify portraits.
The rest of the August schedule is as follows:
∫ Aug. 9- Christine Music: Matting pictures and How to Display Your Art Effectively
∫ Aug. 16-Helen Kinkin / Suzan Lanz: Photographing Your Art for Cards and Show Entry
∫ Aug. 23-Terry Rehnborg: Wet-in-wet watercolor techniques. Exploring how light, contrast and fluid brushwork combine to create a painting that feels alive and visually unified.
Helen Kinkin’s “Sailors Delight” and “Flame Lady” are among the artworks being shown at the Fort Myers Beach Art Association’s “Sizzle” show at Cypress Square Plaza Aug. 1-19.
BIG ARTS to open sign-ups for Arts Education
By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
Registration will open this week for the upcoming season’s Arts Education program for adults at BIG ARTS on Sanibel, which includes the return of its much-loved ceramics offerings.
Set to begin in October, the classes and workshops will take sign-ups starting on Aug. 1.
“Our adult season typically runs from October through April,” BIG ARTS Arts Education Director Aimee Harrison said, noting that they will also offer some pottery classes during next summer.
For the first time since the new building opened in 2020, ceramics classes and workshops will be part of the lineup, with firing capability on site. They received a lot of requests to resume the offerings.
“We’re going to have beginner, intermediate and advanced,” she said.
“We’re going to have handbuilding and slab,” Harrison added.
A diverse collection of courses, the ceramics curriculum will include:
∫ Beginning Pottery Wheel 101: Beginning students will discover how to center a ball of clay and shape it into various objects. Those with prior experience will refine their skills and learn techniques to create more intricate forms.
∫ Intermediate Pottery Wheel 102: For those who are comfortable with the basics of throwing and are eager to learn more advanced techniques.
∫ Advanced Pottery Wheel 103: Students will engage in independent special projects. They will be encouraged to pursue their personal interests or develop and refine their pieces.
∫ Ceramics Open Studio: Students registered in the full six-week pottery sessions (101, 102 or 103) can participate in the Friday open studio classes. The open studio will be monitored by an instructor and offer current students extra time outside of class to continue and complete their artwork.
ARTS
For the first time since its new building opened in 2020, BIG ARTS will offer ceramics classes and workshops as part of the upcoming season’s lineup for its Arts Education program for adults.
∫ Handbuilding 101: The class will focus on the fundamentals of hand-building techniques: pinch, coil and slab. Specific projects will be recommended and demonstrated, so students can begin their work with confidence.
∫ Handbuilding Adventures: New ideas will abound in the class for students with some knowledge and who would
benefit from new challenges. Students will be encouraged to pursue complex and varied building techniques.
∫ Above & Beyond: Students will make pieces specific to experimenting with different glaze techniques, including slip trailing, transfers, sgraffito, stamping, underglazes, wax resist, bubble glazing and stencils.
∫ Pottery Slab & Texture: Slab construction includes designing templates forms to shape and drape and wrap clay.
Ceramics Department head and instructor Tim Smith will oversee the courses.
A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he relocated to Sanibel in 1983, where he began his career as a production potter at A Touch of Sanibel Pottery. Smith also served as an adjunct professor at Edison Community College. In 1994, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Arts Program at Cypress Lake High School’s Center for the Arts.
Over the past 31 years, Smith has dedicated himself to educating others and advocating for arts and culture. For years, he has organized trips for high school art students to experience Art Basel in Miami Beach. In 2019, Smith founded the Sanibel Pottery Studio School, which was devastated by Hurricane Ian in 2022. His work has been on display in museums and galleries throughout the country.
“We’re really excited to have the pottery classes return for our patrons,” Harrison said.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” she added.
In addition to ceramics, the Arts Education program will cover a mix of other interests.
“Fine art are your painting, drawing,” Harrison said, explaining that there is oil, watercolor, acrylics and more. “We have figure drawing with live models and still life drawing.”
There will also be fine craft.
“With fine craft, you’re looking more at basket weaving and mosaics,” she said.
Taught by Petra Kaiser, glass fusing has a big following.
“It’s kiln-fired glass projects,” Harrison said, explaining
See BIG ARTS, page 23
BIG
UPCOMING EVENTS
Lee Clerk to host Passport
Saturday Aug. 2
Lee County Clerk & Comptroller Kevin Karnes is hosting Passport Saturday, an event to help citizens apply for a passport ahead of the holiday travel season.
The event will be held Saturday, August 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Clerk’s Official Records department in downtown Fort Myers, located at 2115 Second St. on the 2nd floor. The extended hours help those who would like to apply for a passport but aren’t able to make it to the office during weekdays.
Customers are encouraged to visit www. leeclerk.org/passports to ensure they have all of the required documentation and acceptable forms of payment for both the U.S. Department of State and Clerk’s office. When applying for a passport, you must bring two separate forms of payment – one for the Dept. of State and the other for the Clerk’s processing fee. While the Clerk’s office accepts checks, credit/debit cards, cash or money orders, the Dept. of State only accepts checks or money orders for payment.
One-Man Show
Matty: An evening with Christy Mathewson by Eddie Frierson Aug. 10
Alliance for the Arts presents Matty: An Evening with Christy Mathewson on Saturday, August 10, at 2 p.m. This one man show is written and performed by Eddie Frierson, acclaimed actor, writer, and voice artist who has provided voices for such films as Wreck-It Ralph, Hotel Transylvania, The Princess and the Frog, ParaNorman, Curious George, Tangled as well as the video games
BIG ARTS
From page 22
that students will create pieces in glass by cutting and gluing designs together.
Another offering will be wine and art mixers.
“We’re going to have Raku pottery events throughout the season,” she said.
Raku is the traditional Japanese pottery-firing technique. Students will glaze their own pre-thrown clay pot, then stroll to the Malone Family Sculpture Garden for bites and wine as the work is being fired.
There will be paint and wine events and ones for mixed media.
“These are make-and-take art projects,” Harrison said. “It’s a social mixer for people to come with friends or family or neighbors and enjoy two hours of creating an art proj-
Medal of Honor: Airborne and Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes and the animated television series MÄR: Märchen Awakens Romance. Tickets are $20 general admission or $15 for members. Alliance for the Arts is located at 10091 McGregor Boulevard just south of Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers.
Partners for Breast Cancer Care to host Aug. 15 Free Breast Health Caravan
Partners for Breast Cancer Care (PFBCC), a nonprofit that funds breast screening, diagnostic testing and treatment for low-income women and men in Southwest Florida, is set to host a free Breast Health Caravan event from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, Aug. 15.
The event will take place at Samaritan Health & Wellness Center, located at 643 Cape Coral Parkway East, Unit B in Cape Coral. The Breast Health Caravan is a community health outreach event that provides free breast exams and mammogram referrals for uninsured women. Hosted several times each year, the Breast Health Caravan is part of PFBCC’s ongoing effort to reach underserved areas where individuals are not receiving regular doctor visits or mammograms.
To qualify for a funded mammogram, women must be uninsured, have a household income up to and including 400% of federal poverty guidelines, and be a legal resident of Lee, Charlotte, Glades, Hendry or Collier County. Attendees who have not pre-qualified must bring a photo ID, Social Security Card or ITIN, and proof of household income.
To find out if you qualify and to register for the event, please call 239-454-8583.
ect that they will take home.”
Early registration is encouraged.
“The classes will fill up quickly,” she said.
The public is invited to sign up.
“We’re offering so many different mediums and so many different workshop and classes,” Harrison said. “You can come for a day or two days or multiple weeks — it’ll fit anybody’s schedule.”
“Join us and be a part of our artistic community,” she added.
To register or for more information, visit BIGARTS.org/programs/workshops.
For questions, contact 239-395-0900.
BIG ARTS is at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.
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
All services now inside the sanctuary.
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
Registration is not required.
DDWS reports on refuge programming and more
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife SocietyFriends of the Refuge provided the following updates for the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, at 1 Wildlife
Drive, Sanibel: ∫ The refuge’s free Summer Programs will take place from now through Aug. 2 and include Caravan Tour on Wildlife Drive on Wednesdays at 9 a.m., Refuge Reading & Nature Craft at The Roost on Saturdays at 1 p.m., and Ranger’s Choice at The Roost on Mondays at 11 a.m.
Find A Home Give A Home Pet Rescue
Urgent call!
By ISABELLE WELLS
Co-founder of the Find a Home,
Give
a Home pet rescue organization of Fort Myers Beach
Every week, we receive heartbreaking calls and emails from people facing crises—moving unexpectedly, going through a divorce, being hospitalized— who can no longer care for their beloved pets. Sadly, without help, many of these animals face uncertain futures, and some may even end up in shelters where the stress can be too much for them to survive.
This week, two wonderful dogs are in urgent need of help. We’re hoping someone in our community can step up to foster or adopt.
If you can help or would like more information, please contact Isabelle at (239) 281-0739.
Above, meet Oreo — a gentle, affectionate 4-year-old beagle with a heart as sweet as his name. Oreo is a purebred and his family can no longer keep him. His current home is being rented out in just a few days, and without a foster or adoptive home, Oreo will have to go to a shelter — a situation that would be very hard on this loving boy. Right, Zussi is a very sweet 5 years old- 74 pounds golden/shepherd mix who is in need of a temporary foster home. She is a great dog and is so good with well-behaved children.
see all the amazing pets we saved these past few months Please note our new PO Box #864,
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
Save Our Strays Feline Rescue Fort Myers Beach
Fosters needed
By Jo Knobloch
Founder of Save Our Strays Cat Rescue a 501c3 organization on Fort Myers Beach
Please call 239-851-3485 if you would like to schedule a time to visit and meet these beautiful cats and kittens. We need fosters to help with the kittens and cats in our rescue. If you could foster one or two please call us. Food will be provided while you are fostering them. We also need help
feeding strays on and off the beach. Due to all the hurricanes we have had we don’t have many left and those few we do have need to be fed daily to keep them healthy. They keep the rats away also and we have a lot of rats now on the beach. Also there were kittens seen at an office on FMB but
unfortunately we were not called soon enough and they have disappeared. Please call us right away (239 851 3485) if you see any kittens anywhere as they need to be brought in along with their moms if she is also with them but especially the kittens as they need to be vetted and cared for inside.
Colby is a 5-month-old orange and white male kitten. He is full of fun and loves to run and play with his siblings. Orange cats and kittens are hard to come by.
Lola is a 5-month-old female calico kitten and a sibling to Colby. She is mostly white with calico colors. She looks like her mom and is very sweet and affectionate.
Katie is an 18-month-old female tabby. She is affectionate and gets along great with all the other cats and kittens.
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
Healthcare Help Wanted
Looking for home health care worker to help mother w/ hygiene and light housekeeping, Monday - Friday, 8am - 10am. Must speak english. Call 352-598-4188
Wanted To Buy
CASH PAID
I BUY Houses & Real Estate
Any Condition Probate - Foreclosure Vacant - As Is
I Also Buy
Notes - Mortgages Settlements - Annunities Ken 239-295-3820 KenBuysEverything.com
Wanted: Chrysler Convertible Prefer One Owner and Low Miles. No Dealers. Call 239-291-8350.
Recreation Vehicles
I BUY ALL RV’s I BUY ALL Boat’s HH I PAY CASH HH I will Come To You To See It Quick & Easy Sale. CASH ON THE SPOT! Vince~941-301-9946~Local
Power Boats
1984 Aquasport 222 CCP 200HP Outboard, T-Top, coffin box, VHF/GPS, 85 gal fuel, Tandem trailer, leaning post, live wells, 4 spreaders, EBox, engine bracket / dive platform, VGC. $8,500.00, CALL JAY 812-621-2710
2001 Scout, 17’ 2”, Fiberglass hull, 6 person capacity w/ 2019 yamaha 115 HP (87 hours), Powerpole, T-top, Simrad navigation, $16,500. Call 239-283-0349 Rooms For Rent
Furnished bedroom for rent, long term $800 per month. Wifi, tv & utilities included, Woman preferred, in Matlacha Isles. Please email me at jerryaske813@gmail.com Apartments & Duplexes For Rent Efficiency apartment / Mother in law suite for rent in Bokeelia/Pine Island. Water, electric, ac & wifi are included.
Handyman
WATERFRONT PRIVATE EVENTS
Bayside Private Events at Bonita Fish Company offers a space that blends laid-back atmosphere with legendary service. Whether you’re planning a casual get-together or a big celebration, we’ve got the space, the flavor and the team members to make your event memorable.
700 Fishermans Wharf, Fort Myers Beach
Owned & Operated by HM Restaurant Group
Contact Private Events Manager Joe Sletten at joesletten@hmrestaurantgroup.com or 239-788-4067 to start planning an unforgettable
