WATERFRONT LOT WITH MULTIPLE OPTIONS across from Lanai Kai in the unique Santos Zoning district. Whether you build a private home, office building, duplex, bed & breakfast, or become the first water taxi working the island since Ian, you will make money with this property! It is zoned WEEKLY RENTAL, within walking distance of the beach, dining, shopping & live music at Time Square for fantastic vacation rental potential. $1,499,000
NORTH END LUXURY at the Pink Shell Resort & Marina’s White Sand Villas 1BD/1BA unit w/private screened balcony overlooking the Gulf & white sand beach. Amenities include 3 swimming pools, hot-tubs, marina, fishing pier, kids’ programs, onsite restaurants, top-of-the-line Spa, Tiki pool bar w/waterfall, conference center, & more! Owners have use of their condo up to 28 days a year; 14 days in season, 14 days out of season & receive a portion of the rental income. Interiors redone 2023. $359,000
a neighborhood park & pier on the bayside, located close to the Publix Grocery Store, waterfront restaurants, Marina, Newton Park & Mound House. Bike to Times Square, Old San Carlos and the north end Downtown entertainment venues. $750,000
living area. Primary suite has a large slider for a beautiful view of the Bay. Under Building parking near entry door & storage. Boat docks available. $479,000
NEWLY REMODELED BEACHFRONT CONDO W/ PANORAMIC VIEWS of Estero Bay on the prime north end of island! Soak up the sun by the beachfront pool or walk to the famous powder white sand beach just downstairs. Studio-style unit w/on-site rental mgt. office. Updated interior w/all new furnishings includes kitchenette, bath & new impact slider. TURNKEY. Unlimited owner use. Dues include electricity, cable, internet, phone system & more! North-end location affords easy island ingress & egress via the Matanzas Pass
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
The Town of Fort Myers Beach Council greenlighted the plans of the owners of the Beach Theater to convert the former movie house into two restaurants, while granting variances from town code to allow outdoor dining and entertainment.
The council voted 4-1 to grant the owners variances from parking requirements by reducing the required parking
spaces from 115 to 33. The owners have pledged to provide additional parking down the road at the Dolphin Inn, which includes some of the same owners of the Beach Theater. Mayor Dan Allers was the lone vote against the variances.
Opponent Christine Madden, who owns a home on Egret Street behind the Beach Theater, countered that the Dolphin Inn property is for sale and argued that the outdoor entertainment would be injurious
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
Not long ago, trying to travel up along the right lane on San Carlos Boulevard to cut into the line waiting to get onto the Matanzas Pass Bridge, would be one easy way to get pulled over for a traffic ticket.
Now traveling in the right lane of San Carlos Boulevard towards Main Street will give you the option of turning right to head down Fishermans Wharf for the generous food options or to keep going straight onto the Matanzas Pass Bridge and onto Fort Myers Beach.
The bridge now has a right lane for those turning right off the bridge to Fifth Street as they cross over Matanzas Pass and onto Fort Myers Beach, and a left lane for those continuing onto Estero Boulevard when entering the island.
That option of going onto the bridge is a move planners with the Florida Department of Transportation hope will make the driving and traffic a little smoother onto Fort Myers Beach. To be extra careful, the department has also put up traffic lights at the four-way Main Street intersection before the bridge.
That intersection has long been the center of accidents as motorists on San Carlos Boulevard attempt to navigate traffic exiting and entering Main Street. The lights are not yet operational and officials with the FDOT have not yet announced when they will go into effect. It remains to be seen how the lights will impact traffic coming off of the Matanzas Bridge onto San Carlos Boulevard, where vehicles are often travel-
to the residential neighborhood. A canal runs behind the Beach Theater between two streets — Curlew Street and Egret Street.
At Monday’s meeting, local planning consultant Patrik Vanasse said the new outdoor dining and entertainment venue at the theater will be buttressed around a concrete block wall which will serve as a buffer between the residential neighborhood in the rear of the property. Vanasse
said the buffer will help protect neighbors from the sound, including the outdoor entertainment which could include live music, as well as ambient music.
Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt asked at Monday’s hearing how tall the wall would be. Vanasse said renderings have not yet been completed. Vanasse said it will cover the back portion of property.
Madden said the wall wouldn’t be fully
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
The Town of Fort Myers Beach Council has approved a tentative budget that will increase the town’s millage rate from .99 mills per thousand dollars of assessed property value to 1.255 mills per thousand dollars of taxable property value, an increase of approximately 26%.
The council voted 4-1 Monday on the rate increase. Town Councilmember John King was the lone vote against the tentative millage rate hike. The town has scheduled budget hearings for Sept. 11 and Sept. 24 at the new town hall chambers at 5:01 p.m.
The council could still vote to enact a lower millage rate though not a rate higher than the one voted on Monday, Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt questioned Finance Director Joe Onzick on where the revenue shortfalls were coming from causing the tax hike.
Onzick, who just recently returned to the town after retiring in April, said that while the town is seeing higher revenue in this year’s budget due to higher property tax values, the town’s parking revenue, sales tax numbers and code enforcement revenue have not yet returned to the numbers seen before Hurricane Ian. The town has also seen greater expenses such as liability insurance, health insurance and other projects.
Onzick said the millage rate hike will cover a $1.4 million revenue shortfall.
Among the town’s increased expenses are a matching $1.2 million state grant the town received from the state to make repairs at one of its water towers, repair road infrastructure and drainage repairs. The town has to spend $1.2 million to gain the $1.2 million.
Since Hurricane Ian, the town has been using part of an $11.9 million bridge loan that Gov. Ron DeSantis approved in 2023
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
The Town of Fort Myers Beach has responded to the legal challenge from Protect FMB over the town council’s controversial approval of the Seagate condo tower project, by outsourcing its response in Lee County Circuit Court — to Seagate.
Rather than provide their own rebuttal to the writ of certiorari filed by the citizen group Protect FMB, the town’s attorneys filed a notice of joinder in which Gretchen R.H. Vose of the Vose Law Firm wrote “To save legal fees and preserve public resources for the Town of Fort Myers Beach, and for judicial economy, the Town desires to “piggy-back” on and join Seagate’s Response to Order to Show Cause.
“To save legal fees and preserve public resources for the Town of Fort Myers Beach, and for judicial economy, the Town desires to “piggy-back” on and join Seagate’s Response to Order to Show Cause.”
—Gretchen R.H. Vose, of Vose Law Firm, in Fort Myers Beach response to legal challenge over Seagatre condo project
In the 72-page response to the legal filing by Protect FMB, Seagate’s attorney Christopher Donovan moved to deny the writ of certiorari by claiming the petitioners “lack standing” and “because their arguments are either unpreserved or do not meet certiorari’s stringent standards.”
Donovan, an attorney based in Estero, does not work for the town and is not being paid by the town for its services. The Vose Law Firm, when they were hired by the town in 2023 to replace former Town Attorney John Herin Jr., told the town council they do not charge extra to handle lawsuits.
Tom Brady, who heads Protect FMB, the group that filed the writ of certiorari against the town over its Seagate approvals, said he was surprised the town signed off on the Seagate response to the group’s suit.
Speaking in front of the town council on Monday, Brady said he was “disappointed by the town’s echo response.”
For the town “to sign up to every argument was a little strange of me.” Brady asked if anybody on the town council had reviewed the document before the town’s attorney signed off on it. The town council never voted on responding to the lawsuit by Protect FMB.
Councilmember John King said the town acted to jointly file its response to the lawsuit through the outside attorney working for Seagate in the same manner that the
town relied on the legal services of an attorney working for Kurt Kroemer and Ed Rood to help defend the town from a lawsuit filed in 2023 by Florida Audubon over the lagoon walkover.
Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said the Town Attorney, Becky Vose, “worked directly with the Seagate attorneys. The Town Council played no role in the drafting of the response.”
It’s not clear how Vose received her direction to essentially back the response issued by the attorney working for Seagate.
Mayor Dan Allers referred questions about the lawsuit to the town attorney.
Vose did not return a message seeking comment by press time.
In the response from Donovan to the writ of certiorari challenging the town’s approval of the Seagate project, the attorney claimed that the town had followed its Land Development Code for development agreements to approve the Seagate plans. The town council approved a new process for approving development agreements in April of 2024, which gave developers the option of going through a potentially less cumbersome process than a Commercial Planned Development review.
In Seagate’s legal filing, Donovan wrote “Seagate chose the Town’s development-agreement process because it provided the most flexibility to propose public benefits and negotiate with the Town given Seagate was deviating from height, not density or uses,”
Donovan and Seagate contend that the town’s new development agreement process approved by the town council in April of 2024 allowed the council to approve deviations to the town’s own Land Development Code for height.
Protect FMB has countered that the town council blew right through its own code limiting developments on the bay side of the island to no more than three stories when it allowed the Seagate condo towers to reach 17 stories.
See LAWSUIT, page 17
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
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
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Having a newborn is one of the most memorable and transformative experiences. It’s a time filled with precious moments and many important firsts, from the joy of first smiles to the challenges of learning new skills, such as changing diapers and creating a safe sleep environment.
Among all the new responsibilities, ensuring your baby’s safety while they’re sleeping is especially important. Unintentional suffocation is the leading cause of injury-related death among children under one year old. Nearly three-quarters of suffocation deaths among infants are from accidental suffocation or strangulation in bed. Understanding these risks is crucial to creating a safe sleeping space for babies.
unexpected infant deaths (SUID) happen in the United States. These deaths occur among infants less than a year old and have no immediately obvious cause.
Continued education and community support can help parents learn to adopt safe sleep practices.
A safe and supportive birth environment helps new parents understand and implement safe sleep habits.
Lee Health’s Cape Coral Hospital, Golisano Children’s Hospital and HealthPark Medical Center are goldlevel certified by the national organization Cribs for Kids. The safe sleep program is led by Vilmarie Colon, a Pediatric Injury Prevention Specialist in the Child Advocacy Department.
It is a common misconception to assume that babies need blankets, pillows or other items for sleeping. While our first instinct may be to ensure that the baby is as comfortable as possible, he or she does not need anything to ensure a good night’s sleep. Nothing should be in the crib with the baby.
This includes:
∫ No toys
∫ No blankets
∫ No breathable blankets
∫ No pillows
∫ No bumper pads
In the last quarterly meeting, the Circuit 20 Child Abuse Death Review Team found that four infants in our region died from unsafe sleep, and they were all under one year old. Two of the four had case notes indicating that the infant used a “breathable blanket.” According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is not safe for babies under one year old to sleep with blankets, even if they are marketed as being breathable.
Although numbers reflect only a limited number of sleep-related tragedies, many more likely go unreported. According to the Florida Department of Children and Families, there were 69 sleep-related fatalities reported to the department’s hotline in 2019, the most recent year for which complete data is available.
Each year, more than 3,500 sudden
Safe sleep certification from Cribs for Kids is the highest national recognition a hospital or community can receive for its commitment to safe sleep practices.
“When we educate new parents about safe sleep practices before they leave the hospital, we equip them with the knowledge to create the safest sleep environment for their newborns,” Colon said. “Unsafe sleep environments often result from babies sharing a bed with another person or being surrounded by excess blankets, pillows or toys. Suffocation happens when a baby’s airflow is blocked because of their sleeping position or something obstructing their breathing. Always be sure to practice the ABCs to ensure the baby sleeps safely and soundly. Education and empowerment can help us bring these numbers down.”
Follow the ABCs
A – Alone. Infants should always sleep alone. Have the baby share your room, not your bed.
B
– On their Back. Place your baby on his or her back for all sleep times, including naps and at night.
C
– In a Crib. Use a firm sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib.
Here are some more safe sleep tips:
∫ Use a sleep sack or build layers of clothing to keep the baby warm.
∫ Babies should not sleep on beds, sofas, recliners, chairs, soft surfaces, bouncy chairs or baby swings. If this hap -
pens, make sure to return your baby to a safe sleep environment as soon as possible.
∫ Soft bedding can block a baby’s airway during sleep. A firm mattress covered with a tight-fitting crib sheet is all that’s needed to give the baby a good night’s sleep.
∫ Ensure the infant’s crib, bassinet or portable crib/play yard conforms to recommended safety standards
∫ Only mattresses and fitted sheets designed for the mattress should be used so that there are no gaps between the mattress and the side of the bed
∫ Avoid overheating and do not use head coverings while baby is sleeping
∫ Infants should not sleep on beds, couches, chairs, or waterbeds. Portable bed rails should also not be used.
∫ Sitting devices such as car seats, strollers, swings, infant carriers and slings are not recommended for sleep. If an infant falls asleep in a sitting device, they should be removed from the product and moved to a crib or other appropriate flat surface as soon as possible.
∫ When infant slings and cloth carriers are used, ensure that the infant’s head is up and above the fabric, the face is visible, and the nose and mouth are not against the adult’s body or sling
∫ Room sharing with the parents is recommended, but bed sharing is not recommended
∫ Breastfeeding is recommended to help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but it should be done in a safe place outside of the bed. If a caregiver is feeling exhausted or tired, it’s important to ask someone for support to help prevent accidents.
∫ Be sure to check for recalls on your baby’s products by visiting www.gov/recall.com
At Lee Health, we’re proud to lead the way in safe sleep practices. From the moment a baby is born, our mission is to provide every new parent with the knowledge and support they need to help prevent sleep-related infant injuries and mortalities.
For more information about infant safety education, please visit www.leehealth.org or call the Golisano Children’s Hospital’s Child Advocacy department at 239-3435101.
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
The employees of the Nauti Pirate BBQ had their smoker cooking at Moss Marina on Sunday for Mullet Madness. The owners lost their former business after Hurricane Ian but have since restarted on the water where they are docked at Moss Marina. They offer ribs, brisket, chicken and pulled pork from their smoker.
Pictured left to right is Claire Scherzer, Kaidee Nichelson, Katie Noble, Jacob Peckham and owner Chris Scherzer.
NATHAN MAYBERG
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 Rum Bar & Grille celebrates National Rum Day with the chance to win a tabletop rum barrel infuser and Doc Ford’s branded rum flight board. Customers who order the featured Doc’s Old Fashioned Mojito or a rum flight receive raffle tickets for the grand prize during the Aug. 16 holiday.
“We love putting our own spin on national days like National Rum Day, National Mojito Day and National Yucatán Shrimp Day, and offering customers a special experience and contests,” said Joe Harrity, a partner with HM Restaurant Group, which owns and operates Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille’s four locations. “This
year we’re partnering with Republic National Distributing Company for a tabletop rum barrel infuser and Doc Ford’s is offering the rum flight board, which is branded with the Doc Ford’s logo. They’re unique keepsakes, something rum lovers will appreciate.”
The tabletop rum barrel infuser is a small wooden aging barrel designed to add personalized flavor to rum. By pouring rum into the barrel and allowing it to infuse over several days or weeks, the spirit develops enhanced character and complexity for a custom-aged experience. The accompanying rum flight board is designed to showcase and sample
multiple rums in style, making it a perfect pairing for rum-lovers’ tastings and entertaining.
Patrons who order the Doc’s Old Fashioned Mojito or the rum flight will receive one raffle ticket. Winners will be selected at each location and notified by phone or email Aug. 17.
Doc’s Old Fashioned Mojito features premium Flor de Cana aged rum muddled with lime, mint, orange, bitters and simple syrup, and soda water.
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, a popular venue for Caribbean Riminspired cuisine, offers a variety of rums and rum-based cocktails – from See DOC FORD’S, page 10
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:
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
A new business group (What’s Up FMB?) was looking for a way to bring some summer traffic onto Fort Myers Beach and found it.
“Mullet Madness,” which was organized by Dawn and Mike Miller (owners of The Whale and Sandy Bottom’s), brought out mullet throwers, Joe Dirt lookalike contestants and some very happy raffle winners who went home with some generous gifts and prizes from the local business community.
Mrs. Miller said Saturday’s event brought out about 150 people who took part in the mullet throwing at local businesses, as well as the Joe Dirt contest and raffles.
Sunday’s mullet-throwing event for children at Moss Marina brought a smaller group though one which was showered in prizes and gifts, amid a barbecue and snow cones.
“In five short weeks (of planning), we made this a knockout,” Mrs. Miller said.
Miller credited Marcel Chartier, DiamondHead Beach Resort Director of Food and Beverage, with envisioning the need for a summer event to draw people to the island in what is the slowest months of the year for business as snowbirds head back up north and tourism slows down.
A group of businesses got together and formed a nonprofit to start making plans for events and advertising to reach out to the rest of Lee County and beyond.
“We’re off and running,” Miller said.
“In such a short amount of time to put the team together it worked out really well,” Mr. Miller said.
Miller said the plan for next year is to combine the event into one day and reach out to the community for what kind of event they would like to see on the beach.
He said the plan was for the group to work with the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce on events.
“We’re really getting the business community together. We are all in this together,” he said. “In season we are good but we need people here in the offseason. We want to make it where there are no seasons.”
The Millers are finishing work on rebuilding The Whale and Sandy Bottom’s. The Whale could open as early as October.
Miller says he sees a lot of progress on Fort Myers Beach since Hurricane Ian devastated the community and destroyed the businesses he had bought just months before the storm. “Every week I see change,” he said.
at the DiamondHead Beach Resort.
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
By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
Getting prepared for the upcoming school year?
Throughout August Floridians can save at the checkout line, as Florida’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday runs from Aug. 1 through 31.
During the annual sales tax holiday period, tax is not due for the retail sale of:
∫ Clothing, footwear, wallets, bags, handbags, backpacks, fanny packs, and diaper bags with a sales price of $100 or less per item.
∫ Certain school supplies with a sales price of $50 or less per item.
∫ Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of $30 or less.
∫ Personal computers and certain computer-related accessories with a sales price of $1,500 or less, when purchased for noncommercial home or personal use.
“Proud to deliver additional sales tax holidays, including the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday that begins on Aug. 1,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis at a press conference in Panama City Beach on Monday. “With the new school year just around the corner, Florida families can save on back-to-school shopping during the tax holiday for the entire month of August. By cutting taxes, empowering parents, and growing our economy, we’re making it easier for people to live, work, and thrive in the Free State of Florida.”
There is no option for dealers to opt-out of the annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday.
No tax is due on the sale or purchase of any school supply item with a sales price of $50 or less per item. The exemption does not apply to sales of school supplies within a theme park or entertainment complex, public lodging establishment, or airport.
“School supplies” means pens, pencils, erasers, crayons, notebooks, notebook filler paper, legal pads, binders, lunch boxes, construction paper, markers, folders, poster board, composition books, poster paper, scissors, cellophane tape, glue, paste, rulers, computer disks, staplers
Florida’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday runs from Aug. 1 through 31.
During the annual sales tax holiday period, tax is not due for the retail sale of:
n Clothing, footwear, wallets, bags, handbags, backpacks, fanny packs, and diaper bags with a sales price of $100 or less per item.
n Certain school supplies with a sales price of $50 or less per item.
n Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of $30 or less.
n Personal computers and certain computer-related accessories with a sales price of $1,500 or less, when purchased for noncommercial home or personal use.
For more information and to view lists of qualifying items, visit www.FloridaRevenue.com/ BackToSchool.
and staples (used to secure paper products), protractors, and compasses.
No tax is due on the sale or purchase of any learning aid or jigsaw puzzle with a sales price of $30 or less. The exemption does not apply to sales of learning aids
or jigsaw puzzles within a theme park or entertainment complex, public lodging establishment, or airport.
“Learning aids” means flashcards or other learning cards, matching or other memory games, puzzle books and search-and-find books, interactive or electronic books and toys intended to teach reading or math skills, and stacking or nesting blocks or sets.
“Personal computers and certain computer-related accessories may qualify for the exemption,” as stated by the Florida Department of Revenue.
The exemption applies to an eligible item with a sales price of $1,500 or less, when purchased for noncommercial home or personal use.
“This exemption does not apply to sales of personal computers or computer-related accessories for use in a trade or business, or to sales within a theme park or entertainment complex, public lodging establishment, or airport,” DOR officials said.
“Personal computers” includes electronic book readers, calculators, laptops, desktops, handheld devices, tablets, or tower computers. The term does not include cellular telephones, video game consoles, digital media receivers, or devices that are not primarily designed to process data. “Personal computer-related accessories” includes keyboards, mice (mouse devices), personal digital assistants, monitors without a television tuner, other peripheral devices, modems, routers, and non-recreational software, regardless of whether the accessories are used in association with a personal computer base unit. Computer-related accessories do not include furniture or systems, devices, software, monitors with a television tuner, or peripherals that are designed or intended primarily for recreational use.
When it comes to clothing, tax exempt items are any article of wearing apparel, including all footwear (except skis, swim fins, roller blades, and skates), intended to be worn on or about the human body. Clothing does not include watches, watchbands, jewelry, umbrellas, or handkerchiefs.
The Lee County Tax Collector’s Office is hosting a back-to-school supply drive in support of local educators.
From Aug. 4 through Aug. 15, the community is invited to drop off school supplies at any of the office’s six service center locations. Donation boxes will be located inside each office to collect in-demand items like pencils, pens, crayons, arts and crafts supplies, puzzles, dry erase markers, and glue sticks. To find a nearby location, visit LeeTC.com/Locations.
The drive aligns with Florida’s Backto-School Sales Tax Holiday, “making it a great time to purchase,” organizers said.
“As a community, we have a chance to support the teachers who show up every
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classic rum punch to rum runners and mai tais. Its premium sipping rums, available in flights, include 15 select Caribbean and South American brands.
The award-winning, family friendly
restaurant features food with a unique balance of flavors and is known for its sauces, spices, passion and signature Yucatán shrimp served daily. Beloved by locals and visitors alike as
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∫ 685 reportable boating accidents occurred in 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 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
a vessel in Florida waters. 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
day for our kids,” saidd Noelle Branning, Lee County Tax Collector and Executive Board Member of the Foundation, in a prepared statement. “We’re honored to host this drive again and support an organization that’s making a tangible difference in local classrooms.”
All donations will benefit the Education Resource Center at The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, which provides teachers with free supplies to help students succeed in the classroom.
For those unable to drop off items in person, donations can also be made via the Foundation’s Amazon Wishlist, with items shipped directly to the Education Resource Center.
expanded from its original location to Fort Myers Beach, the St. Petersburg Pier and in Jungle Terrace in St. Petersburg. The restaurant is a perennial Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice winner.
∫ 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.
Fort Myers Beach
Nests: 111
False crawls: 315
Relocated nests: 42
Hatched nests: 23
Bonita Beach
Nests: 185
False crawls: 386
Hatched nests: 78
—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.
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. 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, recreation, 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 239-707-6328.
Lovers Key State Park is located at 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach.
On July 30, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) reported that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) excavated the crocodile nest on Sanibel the previous week to evaluate its condition. Staff found a clutch of 25 eggs that were not viable. In late April, the SCCF shared photos of courting behavior of two crocodiles that raised had hopes for a successful hatching.
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, 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 LunchN-Learn 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.
Lee County Solid Waste is holding a household chemical waste drop-off event for residents of the Town of Fort Myers Beach on Wednesday, Aug. 6.
The drop-off times will be from 8 a.m. to midnight at the parking lot of
By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
The lifeblood of the Sunshine State — water and water quality — should always be at the forefront of decision making and a priority in local communities, environmental experts say.
This year, Florida Governmental Utility Authority and water utilities around the nation are celebrating the 20th anniversary of National Water Quality Month, which was founded in 2005 by the Environmental Protection Agency and backed by the United Nations. The goal of this concerted annual campaign which occurs every August is to promote the value of this natural resource, encouraging action at the household and community level to ensure access to safe, clean drinking water for generations to come.
Southwest Florida in particular relies on clean water to harbor endangered marine life, sustain local business, and bring in tourism dollars that greatly impact the economy.
One of the biggest advocates for clean water in the region, the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, puts out a weekly water report that ties into water management decision, especially regarding Lake Okeechobee,
“We’re collecting all that data and talking with stakeholders and partners in the region, and packaging it into those reports that we then can give out to the general public and media, and concerned individuals who want it,” said SCCF Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis. “That also goes to water managers so that they understand what’s happening in our part of the system, and hopefully that weighs in when they’re making their decisions.”
As far as the current water quality levels in Southwest Florida go, despite a lack of releases from Lake Okeechobee, there are still high levels of nutrients in the water from other sources.
According to data from Protecting Florida Together, which is a consolidated source of information about Florida’s efforts to protect and improve water quality, tidal segments one, two, and three of the Caloosahatchee River are all designated “waters not attaining standards.”
In the Caloosahatchee area in Cape Coral, waters are “attaining standards.”
Protecting Florida Together is a partnership among the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Department of Health. It is the state’s commitment to keeping the public informed about statewide water quality and restoration efforts, as well as simple steps all Floridians can take to help prevent excessive nutrients from entering waterways.
On July 21, sampling for cyanobac -
teria by the Lee County Environmental Lab reported Microcystis and cyano filaments as “present” at the Alva Boat Ramp, appearing as “sparse, light streaks.”
Also on July 21, satellite imagery of Lake Okeechobee showed the presence of an algal bloom covering about 160 miles, or 34% of the lake.
DePaolis said there are a couple of key components to water quality in the Caloosahatchee Estuary in our area.
First is the water management decisions on how release from the lake are happening.
“And those hopefully in the future just got a lot easier because we had the opening and ribbon cutting for the C-43 Reservoir,” DePaolis said. “What that is going to do is hold water, provide limited treatment of that water, and then when we’re in the drought conditions of the dry season when we need water, we’re not getting water from the lake, we’ll be able to put water into the river from that reservoir, and hold and establish that salinity gradient in the estuary without contending for water to other users in the system.”
Second is the general impairment of water from a more direct source.
“That’s something that we are constantly thinking about, and that has a huge impact on the grand scheme of things — how we’re being impacted by clean or not-so-clean water here in this area” DePaolis said.
Having a water quality-focused month is a positive in DePaolis’ eyes, as he said getting people to pay attention to and understand water quality outside of when there’s red tide or large harmful algae blooms can be a challenge.
“There are times like these when water looks good — it’s much harder to get people to understand we’re that we’re still being impacted by water pollution,” he said.
When waters are talked of being impaired in areas across Southwest Florida, DePaolis said most of that impairment is regarding nutrient pollution such as nitrogen and phosphorus that’s coming from watershed, agriculture, septic, stormwater, and home fertilizer and irrigation.
“I think the scope of the problem is large, and it is a little confounding because we have the Clean Water Act which requires labeling of these water bodies as impaired when they’re not meeting the standards needed for the uses of the water,” he said. “And if you look at our water bodies, a lot of them are impaired around here. That means the Federal Government acknowledges them as impaired, and they’re not as clean as they should be. State government acknowledges they’re not as clean as they should be.”
DePaolis said there are Basin
Management Action Plans that are supposed to provide tools to clean up the water.
“But what we’re seeing is there’s a lot of time being spent on BMAPs, there’s a lot of money, there’s a lot of talking about these problems, and it’s really odd because this is not an issue that has multiple sides,” DePaolis said. “There’s no one saying ‘I don’t want clean water.’ Everyone is on the side of clean water. But when it actually comes down to making our water cleaner, we’re not using metrics that result in cleaner water.
“We’re talking about it more, we’re spending more money, everyone is pulling for clean water, but the trends we’re seeing are continual degradation of our water sources.
“There’s this issue that we’re seeing that on paper, our water’s getting cleaner… but when you actually go out and measure and monitor the water and the pollution in the water, that’s not the trends we’re seeing on the ground. Clearly there’s a disconnect somewhere between the laws as written, the planning for enforcing those laws, and actual enforcement.”
DePaolis said there’s no “silver bullet” solution to improving water quality, as there’s no single-source of water quality issues. He said Lake Okeechobee discharges get the crux of the blame, as the lake is “incredibly polluted” and has been used as the “dumping ground for agriculture fertilizer for the last hundred years.”
The lake in constantly blooming with algae, and when discharges happen, impaired water is coming directly into the mouth of local estuaries.
“If that interacts with a red tide, that’s hugely problematic for our communities,” DePaolis said.
While discharges can be detrimental, DePaolis said overall, the amount of nutrients that are loaded into Lee County estuaries from watershed sources is greater on an annual basis than the amount of nutrients from Lake Okeechobee.
When water is not clean, especially visually, there are heavy economic and health impacts to both human and wildlife.
“We have a tourism-based economy down here in Southwest Florida,” DePaolis. “Clean water is the driver of our real estate market, of our tourist industry, of all of the supporting industries, and it’s really the driver of our growth down here. We’re putting that all at risk when we can’t protect our water.”
SCCF partnered with local advocacy groups in Conservancy of Southwest Florida and Captains for Clean Water a few years back and released an economic analysis that was “conservative”
and focused just on coastal zip code areas of Collier, Charlotte and Lee Counties.
The analysis looked at the potential economic impact of just one harmful algal bloom, and showed that the event could cost those three counties $5 billion in lost economic output, as well as cost 43,000 jobs.
How can members of the community play their part?
Community members are encouraged to not fertilize — especially during rainy season —and to use sprinklers less. It’s also important to ask those making decisions not just whether they support clean water, but how they’re supporting the initiative.
“The community is the one that are picking our leaders, and the ones that are empowering people to be making these decisions about our water,” DePaolis said. “I think it’s really necessary that people first and foremost become educated about the issues. It’s really easy to not do that. These issues are complex and nuanced and difficult, and they really require people being engaged and caring about what the future of Florida is going to look like. People need to understand they play a role right now, today. A lot people that you talk to in South Florida are shocked at the pace of development they’ve seen — from people that have been here five years ago, to their whole lives. It’s necessary for people to ask their leaders what the future plans are, and what development looks like — and how are we going to develop in such a way that protects the resources that are import to us.”
DePaolis added that now is the time, and that there’s a real opportunity to protect some of the last areas in Lee County — especially western Lee County — from development that will put further strain on waterways and wildlife.
“We have some of the most productive waters in the world in Florida — at least they were,” he said. “We have amazing waterways here in Lee County that are home to some of the most unique species on the planet. We have one of the most productive sawfish pupping grounds in the world here for that endangered species. I think that’s something to be proud of. If we can’t protect the water and the wetlands, then we’re going to lose not only that species, but (will see a negative impact) on all of the species that rely on them that aren’t endangered.”
For more information on SCCF and to view their weekly reports, visit www. SCCF.org.
For more information on Protecting Florida Together, visit www.protectingfloridatogether.gov.
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 wil run 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.
Cancelations must be 24 hours prior to the event for refund.
The Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa is at 17260 Harbour Pointe Dr., Fort Myers.
The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to award a contract to repair or reconstruct boardwalks at four Lee County Parks & Recreation sites across the county including the Matanzas Pass Preserve at 199 Bay Road in Fort Myers Beach.
The boardwalk at the preserve, like several others throughout the county, was destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022.
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enclosed to protect the neighborhood from the sound and “will cause a nuisance and be injurious to the low density neighborhood.” Madden expressed concern for the outdoor dining, outdoor bar and entertainment, which were all prohibited by town code for the current zoning.
Madden said she and her husband John have owned their property for 39 years.
“We intentionally sought the quiet south end of the island, comfortably away from Santini Plaza in a low-density neighborhood with a family-friendly atmosphere,” Madden said.
The town’s planners had recommended denial of the outdoor entertainment and outdoor dining variance from town code due to its potential impacts on the nearby residential neighborhood.
“We’re not expecting a big party scene here,” Vanasse said. Vanasse said there won’t be a PA (public address sound system) though there will be speakers for the live music and ambient music controlled by management. There would be an outdoor seating balcony.
Co-owner Steve Boge said there could be events and dinner parties.
After a request from Allers to limit the hours of ambient music, Boge and Vanasse said they would cut off ambient music at 9 p.m.
The request from the property owners for a variance to lower the required parking from 115 to 33 was not supported by Allers, though the plans gained the approval of the rest of the town council.
By building a ground-level restaurant, the theater property will lose the parking spaces that it had when it was a movie theater. The plans for expansion will also take additional spaces. When the property was used for a movie theater until 2022, Vanasse said there were 65 spaces, or roughly twice the number the owners are seeking now.
Instead, Vanasse said the owners have a commitment from the Dolphin Inn (which has some common ownership as the Beach Theater) to allow for an additional 45 spaces, which will bring the total number of spaces to 78 that are available. The Dolphin Inn was torn down last year, two years after incurring damage from Hurricane Ian.
The owners said they would offer valet parking during the busy parts of the season.
In turn, the town council sought guarantees that the owners would provide valet parking during the town’s tourist and snowbird season.
The group which purchased the Beach Theater also acquired the Gulfview Manor across the street in a combined deal for $19 million. Vanasse said the Gulfview Manor could potentially be another source for parking for the Beach Theater.
A Naples limited liability company owns the Beach Theater property and includes Steve Boge, Kory and Candace Nanke. Kory Nanke also operates restaurants in Iowa.
The other boardwalks include:
∫ Caloosahatchee Regional Park, 18500 N. River Road, Alva
∫ Galt Preserve, 3841 Stringfellow Road, St. James City
∫ Royal Palm Park, 300 Royal Palm Park Road, Fort Myers
The $3.86 million contract with Stokes Marine, Inc. will be funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Relief and Florida Department of Emergency Management Legislative Appropriations Program Funds.
The repair work is expected to begin this fall and, weather permitting, be completed in about a year.
Vanasse said he also talked to town councilmembers about potentially using the town hall lot down the road in the evening, which could mean revenue for the town.
Vanasse said in the event the Dolphin Inn were to be sold, the owners would be required under the town’s approvals, to find additional parking for customers at the Beach Theater.
All employees would park at the Dolphin Inn under the plans.
Allers expressed about the parking situation and traffic potentially backing up on Estero Boulevard. Madden and her husband John also worried about the traffic impacts to Egret Street as well as Estero Boulevard.
Allers said the lack of parking at the theater property could lead to people parking on Egret Street.
Councilmember Scott Safford said he believed the town code was generally too restrictive on restaurants, requiring more parking than he was needed. Safford suggested the town consider changing its code to allow less parking for restaurants.
Vanasse took some questions on the boating slips at the dock the owners constructed on the property along the canal this year. The dock was approved for up to four boating slips.
Vanasse said the dock would only allow boats owned by the owners, their friend or family to dock there. Vanasse and the owners agreed to make signs noticing that the dock was not open to the public and restricted for private use.
There were some concerns raised by Allers and Town Attorney Nancy Stuparich about how the town would know if the dock was being used by friends of the owners or not.
Vanasse and the owners denied a request from Allers to restrict the dock from accepting water taxis. Vanasse said water taxis would be something every resident along a canal would be open to utilizing. Vanasse said the boating docks would not be open to water ferries, though.
Vanasse said the owners were not seeking to commercialize the canal. “We don’t want to prohibit water taxis. We don’t want to attract more boating traffic. Water taxis will be available to any residents and we don’t want to be restricted,” he said.
Safford said he thinks the owners should meet with neighbors.
Boge said he was happy to give his phone number out to neighbors and speak with them.
Coucilmember Karen Woodson asked the owners if they have any idea for a name for their restaurants. “Otherwise
it will forever be the Beach Theater. It would be nice if it had a respectable name,” Woodson said.
While the Beach Theater hasn’t shown movies since it was purchased before Hurricane Ian in 2022, Atterholt asked Boge if he would still consider using one of the four screens for movies. Boge said they were “still looking into that.” Under a presentation to the Local Planning Agency, Vanasse said the plan was to not show any new movies though occasionally show an old film on a projector against the wall.
Under the plans approved by the council, food could begin being served at 10 a.m.
The Beach Theater owners had faced scrutiny from neighbors and town residents in the past for illegally removing mangroves from the rear of their property in the canal. Since then, the owners have installed a seawall, docks for boating slips with plans to plant new mangroves. They face an ongoing consent order process with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the removal of the mangroves – a key protector of coastal communities from hurricanes and flooding. The town separately fined the owners and the contractor who did the work.
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The 141-unit towers will rise to a maximum height of 235 feet above base-flood elevation, making them the tallest buildings on the island.
In Seagate’s filing, Donovan said that “the agreement creates certainty in the development process by establishing the outer conditions and specific deviations from the Land Development Code that Seagate can rely on to develop its property.”
Further, Donovan argued that the town’s Comprehensive Plan allowed for heights larger than three stories at the former Red Coconut RV Park property where the Seagate condo towers have been approved for. Seagate’s response also states that other projects can build higher than three stories if they are surrounded by tall buildings, in the firm’s interpretation of the Comprehensive Plan.
The town’s incorporation in 1995 was led by residents to gain control over the island’s zoning and led to zoning regulations that restricted condo towers from being built again in the town. Since then, only a couple towers with prior approvals before the zoning regulations went into effect, have been built in the town.
Donovan claims that the petitioners to the writ of certiorari, a group of residents living near the Seagate property, lack standing because they were not considered an official party to the proceedings at the time of the Seagate hearings. Instead, Seagate and Donovan refer to those who did speak up at the public hearings against the Seagate project as “participants” to the hearing and not “parties.”
“Less due process is required for participants,” Donovan writes for Seagate in its response which is supported by the town.
Donovan further alleges that of the eight town residents suing the town over the Seagate approvals, only two spoke at the public hearings over the Seagate approvals.
Donovan challenges any claim that residents were denied due process.
“Most of the residents squandered those opportunities by not appearing at any of those hearings,” Donovan said
“According to Resolution 24-247, the agreement ‘may allow for approval of… deviations… from the Town’s Land Development Code, and, if appropriate under the provisions of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, relief from the building height 38 limitations in the Comprehensive Plan.’”
—Christopher Donovan, attorney representing Seagate in a response to Protect FMB’s legal challenge to the Seagate project, which the attorneys for the Town of Fort Myers Beach have endorsed
“Seagate’s high-paid attorneys and consultants are very skilled at pulling favorable phrases from our Comprehensive Plan while ignoring the parts that don’t support their project, and they continue to do so in this response.”
—Protect FMB member Greg Scasny
in his filing for Seagate, which is being backed by the Town of Fort Myers Beach.
Greg Scasny, an opponent of the Seagate project who helped form Protect FMB, the group that filed the lawsuit against the town over its Seagate approvals, said he “expected the weak arguments (Seagate) provided and the just plain inaccuracies provided by them and their lawyers and consultants. They continue to belittle and dismiss the concerns of the residents of this great island, going so far as to say ‘Residents squandered those opportunities by not appearing at any of those hearings’ when referring to the public’s outcry at Town Council meetings against this horrendous development, when we all know there were more residents present and in writing to comment against this than any other matter in recent history. Seagate’s high-paid attorneys and consultants are very skilled at pulling favorable phrases from our Comprehensive Plan while ignoring the parts that don’t support their project, and they continue to do so in this response.”
Scasny, who unsuccessfully ran for town council in 2024, said that Seagate’s attempt to deny residents affected by the development their standing in the suit “is almost laughable, if it wasn’t so offensive.”
What is more concerning to Scasny is that the town enjoined Seagate in the firm’s response submitted by an attorney hired by the firm, rather than submit a separate response by the town.
“This is seriously a slap in the face from our Town,” Scasny said. “Instead of again trying to bring our community together, they doubled down, taking the easy road of just agreeing with a developer that is tearing our community apart.”
In an email, Scasny said “Seagate’s response basically states (and our Town agrees) that some residents’ comments don’t matter because they lack specific legal terminology and specificity. Residents get three minutes of public comment. Developers and their high paid attorneys and consultants get unlimited time in front of Council. Seagate is trying to get off on a technicality and the Town agrees with them. They are telling residents that unless they speak in proper legalese in public comment, their voices don’t matter. It’s no wonder our community has lost interest in trying to stand up for our island - no one is listening to us, only to developers and their attorneys and consultants.”
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ing at higher speed than the other directions.
The work by the Florida Department of Transportation is part of a larger project for the Matanzas Pass Bridge to
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to make up for lost revenues. The loan has to be repaid by 2033 at 10% interest.
Town leaders have hoped that the governor or the state legislature could act to forgive the loan but that has not happened.
“That optimism diminishes each year,”
widen the traffic lanes and bicycle/pedestrian lanes while also removing an alternating light at Buttonwood Drive and San Carlos Boulevard.
Atterholt said.
Mayor Dan Allers, who went to Tallahassee this year to lobby state legislators for assistance, said he was told by state legislators not to ask for loan forgiveness. “We were pretty much told ‘don’t.’”
Allers and Atterholt said the town has to plan for the loan to not be forgiven.
Onzick said the town also used about $800,000 in American Recovery Plan Act funds last year to help balance its budget.
While Atterholt said the town needs to get its “fiscal house in order,” Allers said the number of town employees today is less today than before Hurricane Ian.
King called the budget projections “disheartening.” King called for the town to find more revenue streams through its visitors to help residents.
King said he goes to Maui each year and gets “jacked” by local charges.
Asked why he voted against the increase in the millage rate, King said “I do not believe we should be increasing taxes on property owners and businesses still suffering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Ian. Even without the millage rate increase, the Town will see an increase in ad valorem taxes. The Town has been bailed out since Ian. Who is bailing out taxpayers?”
Councilmember Scott Safford said that the town’s fiscal situation has come to a
head after not raising taxes the last three years. Safford said he and members of the town’s Audit Committee have been surprised the town didn’t raise taxes the last three years.
Safford said the town needs to ensure it has enough reserves in the case of another hurricane. He said the town also has to plan to save for canal dredging in the future.
Safford said he thinks the town also needs to look at the operations of its mooring field, which he said was losing the town money.
Mayor Dan Allers said he expects the town council to have more discussions on the budget at a Thursday work session. Allers said he expects the budget will be “refined to ensure we’re funding priorities while being mindful of the tax burden on residents. I anticipate some adjustments as we receive updated figures. Those changes could help reduce the potential for an increase before final adoption, but our focus will remain on maintaining essential services and supporting ongoing recovery.”
Kitten, canine and clear-theshelter events need community support Page 20
STAFF REPORT
On Saturday, Aug. 9, the Mound House will host 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.
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.
Mound House schedule
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 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
∫ Kayak Tours: Wednesday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
For more information about the Mount House, contact 239-765-0865.
By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
It’s been a busy season for felines in the Southwest Florida area, with local shelters seeing an influx of kittens and cats.
Lee County Domestic Animal Services is hosting a pair of events this August, as has joined a national initiative to help find its pets new homes.
To assist with kitten adoptions, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, will host LCDAS for a kitten adoption event.
The event will be held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 7 at the Miromar outreach center, at 10801 Corkscrew Road, Suite 190 in Estero. Adoption fees will be waived with an approved application.
“Lee County Domestic Animal Services is the stray facility for Lee County,” said LCDAS’ Karen Hoel. “As such, LCDAS can see an intake upwards of 25 cats or kittens each day. Adoptions help LCDAS to care for incoming felines each day.”
Hoel said LCDAS saw a 60% increase in the number of kittens in its care this June alone over last year.
“The year-round warm climate allows cats to breed almost year-round,” Hoel said. “Warmer temperatures beginning earlier in the year caused an earlier breeding season. Owner surrenders also have increased.”
At Cape Coral Animal Shelter, Executive Director Liz McCauley said it seemed like this year kitten season started a bit slower, but went into overdrive quickly.
“Not a day has gone by since spring that we have not been asked to take kittens,” she said. “It most definitely has to do with the lack of spay/neuter resources available in our community. TNVR, (trap-neuter-vaccinate-return) while controversial, makes an undeniable impact on the number of kittens being born to outdoor or feral cats, and then rescued and brought to shelters.”
Since January, CCAS has taken in more than 290 kittens, and right now, 65 are still in their care. While those numbers match last year’s, McCauley said the reality is
The event will be held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Miromar outreach center, at 10801 Corkscrew Road, Suite 190 in Estero. Adoption fees will be waived with an ap proved application.
CCAS is still a small shelter with very limited space.
“Every day, we have to make the heartbreaking decision to turn away people trying to surrender kittens they’ve found,” she said. “The sad truth is, our community simply doesn’t have enough resources or capacity to meet the overwhelming number of unwanted animals — especially vulnerable kittens.”
When it comes to how the community can play a role in the overpopulation of kittens, McCauley said fixing your pets is the single most effective way to stop the cycle.
“Encourage friends, family, and neighbors to do the same,” she said. “If you see outdoor cats, reach out to your local shelters and we can direct you to groups who will help trap and fix them.
“Consider fostering kittens. Besides being a lot of fun, fosters save lives. Shelters are overwhelmed, and kittens need a safe place to grow until they’re adoptable.”
McCauley added that those looking for a new addition to the family should adopt, not shop.
“Choosing to adopt instead of buying from breeders helps reduce shelter overcrowding and gives kittens already in need a second chance,” she said. “Shelters could not do what they do without volunteers and donors. Lend your time or contribute supplies, food, or funds to local shelters and rescue organizations. Every bit helps provide
care for more animals.”
More than cats & kittens
Cats and kittens are not the only creatures testing the capacity limits of local shelters — there are plenty of canine companions available for adoption, too.
On Aug. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon, CCAS and Cape Coral Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram will partner for a dog adoption event. For every adoption, and every vehicle sold that day, the dealership will donate $100 to CCAS. Adoption forms can be filled out on CCAS’ website, and all adoptions must be finalized at the shelter.
Lee County Domestic Animal Services has joined NBCUniversal Local’s 11th annual Clear The Shelters pet adoption campaign that runs throughout August and includes a waived adoption fee event on Aug. 23.
Animal Services will reduce adoption fees beginning Aug. 21 to $20 with an approved application.
For the highlight of the Clear The Shelters event, adoption fees will be waived from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 23, at 5600 Banner Drive in Fort Myers.
Since its 2015 inception, Clear The Shelters has helped nearly 1.2 million pets find new homes.
The benefit to adopters?
“Unconditional love and companionship,” Hoel said. “They are proven to reduce stress and anxiety. They can also teach children responsibility and care for others.”
Visit www.LeeLostPets.com to complete an application online. Find Lee County Domestic Animal Services’ social media sites on Facebook or Instagram @leeanimalservices.
LCDAS is located at 5600 Banner Drive in Fort Myers.
Cape Coral Animal Shelter is located at 325 SW 2nd Ave. For more information, visit www.capecoralanimalshelter.com.
Cape Coral Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram is at 2200 N.E. Pine Island Road.
The School District of Lee County will host Social Lee: Coffee & Careers on Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 9 to 11 a.m. to provide insight on career opportunities within the District.
The informational event will allow participants to speak with the talent acquisition team and learn more about open positions within the District for the upcoming academic year. Attendees will also be able to walk through becoming certified to teach in Florida.
The event will take place at Panera Bread, at 5037 S. Cleveland Ave. in Fort Myers. To register, visit LeeSchools.net/Careers.
New hires will receive support and necessary resources that will enable them to succeed upon entering the field of education. The District offers a competitive and comprehensive compensation plan for its employees, and additional benefits and earning opportunities are also available via advanced degree supplement, summer school, athletic coaching and more. Upon hire, a personal benefits selection process will be made available to eligible employees. For support or additional questions, email careers@leeschools.net or call 239-337-8676. To learn more about available career opportunities, visit LeeSchools.net/Careers.
The IMAG History & Science Center invites families, friends and kids of all ages to the “IMAG 30th Birthday Celebration” on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Admission for the celebration is 30% off for adults and children are free.
In addition to celebrating IMAG’s 30 years of bringing Southwest Florida history, science, technology, engineering and math to life, it’s also the 30th birthday celebration of Percy, IMAG’s 110-pound African Spurred Tortoise resident. And what better time to commemorate 30 years of Percy and the IMAG than to also celebrate backto-school with a Fall Kickoff?
For its celebration, IMAG is planning several hands-on activities, animal shows,
exciting demonstrations, a science show and a “Super-Fantastic Foam Party.” You will need to bring a towel if you plan on having fun in the foam!
In addition to food trucks and fun crafts, IMAG will also be providing a preview of its new Fall STEM Programs for Homeschools, Science Saturdays, IMAG at Night activities and Scout Programs. So, come prepared to party with Percy and the IMAG Gang, celebrate 30 years, learn what’s new at the IMAG, and let’s have a blast!
The IMAG is located at 2000 Cranford Ave., Fort Myers.
For additional information about the center or the celebration, please call 239243-0043 or visit the IMAG.org.
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 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.
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. Registration is not required.
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.
‘Let’s Get Three-Dimensionally Creative’ presented by IMAG At Night Sept. 19
he IMAG History & Science Center invites families, friends, and kids of all ages to “IMAG At Night” as it presents “Let’s Get Three-Dimensionally Creative” on Friday, Sept. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. Bringing inspiration to life, “IMAG At Night” evenings are fun-filled, family-friendly programs that feature the science, technology, engineering, and math of various select topics. During “IMAG At Night” evenings, guests participate in
Wednesday, Aug. 6
“Oops! We’re a Troupe, A Musical Improv Comedy Show,” Venturino’s Comedy Club, Estero
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $20
Where: Venturino’s Comedy Club inside Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Myers Estero, 10450 Corkscrew Commons Drive, Estero
More info: eventbrite.com
Thursday, Aug. 7
Big City Kids play session, Big City Kids, Bonita Springs
When: 9:30 a.m., noon, 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $20
Where: Big City Kids, 12601 Trade Way Drive, Bonita Springs
More info: bigcitykidsfl.com
Friday, Aug. 8
Guided kayak tour, Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve, Cape Coral
When: 10 a.m.-noon
Cost: $40
Where: Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve, 2220 SE 21st Ave., Cape Coral
More info: capecoral.gov
Friday, Aug. 8
The Molly Ringwalds, Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, Fort Myers
When: 6 p.m.
Cost: $38 and up
Where: Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, 2101 Edwards Drive, Fort Myers
More info: caloosasoundamp.com
Saturday, Aug. 9
Back to School Ice Cream Social, Mound House, Fort Myers Beach
When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
Where: Mound House, 451 Connecticut St., Fort Myers Beach
More info: moundhouse.org
Saturday, Aug. 9
Summer Festival, Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, Fort Myers
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $7-$13
Where: Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers
More info: calusanature.org
Sunday, Aug. 10
SWFL Anime-Fest Summer 2025, DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops, Fort Myers
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $23
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, Fort Myers
More info: eventbrite.com
Source: Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods
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
hands-on activities, work on special takehome projects, get engaged in interactive displays, and enjoy learning about the evening’s topic while having fun.
Planned for our “Let’s Get ThreeDimensionally Creative” evening, we will enter the STEM “3-D / cube world” of Minecraft video games with logic puzzles, word searches and scrambles, learn how to make three-dimensional paper cubes, and create our favorite Creeper and Pig
pop-ups to take home at the end of the evening. In addition, we will have fun with Perimeter Project / Design a Village, binary coding pictures, and other engaging activities. We look forward to having you join us for this creative evening of fun.
The IMAG is at 2000 Cranford Avenue, Fort Myers. For more information, please call: 239-243-0043 or visit: theIMAG.org.
Sponsors are needed for the second annual Partners Pink Run, a 5k run at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers.
Presented by Worthington Realty, the Partners Pink Run benefits Partners for Breast Cancer Care, a Southwest Florida nonprofit that funds breast screening, diagnostic testing and treatment for underserved women and men in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties.
The nonprofit Partners for Breast Cancer Care receives no federal, state, county or city funding — all funds are raised in the community.
Over the past 10 years, Partners for Breast Cancer Care has helped more than 4,640 people receive no-cost breast care. The organization has funded 7,402 breast care procedures at a cost of more than $1.1 million.
“Through our mission, 125 people were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past 10 years, and we celebrate 125 lives saved thanks to the generosity of sponsors and donors!” said Janet Darnell, executive director of Partners for Breast Cancer Care. “Every dollar counts toward our mission of ruling out or diagnosing breast cancer in unin-
sured women and men across Southwest Florida.”
In addition to presenting sponsor, Worthington Realty, sponsors include ServPro of North Naples, Redline Athletics Fort Myers, Apex Physical Therapy, Premiere Plus Realty Company, Lee Health, Fleet Feet Fort Myers, Bell Tower Fort Myers, Absolute Gains Personal Training, and Redline Demolition Services, Inc.
A variety of sponsorship opportunities are still available.
For a full list of sponsors levels and benefits or to register for the run, visit RunSignUp.com/Race/FL/FortMyers/ PartnersPinkRun.
About Partners for Breast Cancer Care
Partners for Breast Cancer Care (PFBCC) is a nonprofit and United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades partner agency that funds breast screening, diagnostic testing and treatment for underserved women and men in Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Hendry and Glades counties. To learn more, visit PFBCC.org, call 239-454-8583 or email pfbcc2004@yahoo.com.
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
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
Cruisin
Copacetic Sailing Day 5 Charters
Estero Island Parasail
Everglades Day Safari
Excursions Marina
Co-founder of
By ISABELLE WELLS
the Find a Home, Give a Home pet rescue organization of Fort Myers Beach
They were both a part of my home, and just like all the dogs we rescued, they will always live on in my heart. Their presence brought warmth, love, and loyalty that can never be forgotten.
“I got my beautiful girl, Scarlett from you in 2013 after I was diagnosed. She became my emotional support animal, and we were inseparable. We flew together, and she participated in my son’s wedding in Nebraska in her pretty white wedding dress. She developed a two tumors in her neck, lost so much weight, became very weak, and last Friday she crossed the Rainbow Bridge. With her, went my heart. She was my heart. From the day I got her from you we were inseparable and she never had to be leashed, because she always stayed with me. My baby girl. I just wanted to let you know, we had a good life.”
—Vicki
“We adopted Brownie from Find A Home Give A Home in 2018. He was the sweetest boy. Very well behaved. Loved everyone. Good with adults and little kids. He was a great car rider. We traveled to IL in summer and FL in winter. He loved to travel. He enjoyed basking in the sun poolside. We lost Brownie in March due to heart failure. We miss him so much.”
—David and Linda
Call 239-851-3485 if you would like to
of these three tuxedoes.
Stan is a 3-year-old tuxedo male cat that is very playful and affectionate. He loves to chase cat balls and jump in the air to catch them. He is a very entertaining cat. He is also fond of chasing the laser light.
Scarlett Brownie
By Jo Knobloch
Nan is a female 3-year-old tuxedo cat and loves to eat. We recently put her on special food to get some weight off. She is affectionate like her brother Stan and loves to be out in screened in pool areas.
Fran is a female 3-year-old tuxedo cat and sister to Nan and Stan. They are all three great cats and would be nice if all three could be adopted together or just Nan and Fran as all three have been together since birth.
A
Gulf Coast Symphony is excited to launch a charming new tradition at the Music & Arts Community Center: Apple Pie Concerts, an afternoon blend of beautiful music, engaging conversation, and warm community.
Our debut event, Trumpet Talk, takes place on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. and features acclaimed trumpeter Cindy ScaruffiKlispie. With an international career that includes performances with the Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, and Rome Opera, Cindy will lead a fascinating exploration of the history and evolution of the trumpet, illustrated with live music and personal insight.
It’s the perfect afternoon for anyone who loves classical music, is curious to learn more, or simply wants to enjoy great company and conversation.
After the concert and talk, enjoy apple pie and coffee in the lobby with fellow music lovers.
Includes concert,
Come for the music. Stay for the pie. We’d love to see you there.
For more information visit https://gulfcoastsymphony.org/.
The Music & Arts Community Center is at 13411 Shire Ln., Fort Myers.
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
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
Appliances
For sale: GE Chest Freezer, Large, white in very good condition, good seals. 4’ 3” long, 25” deep, 33” tall. $400. Call 239-945-1240 Garage Sales
Sat8/9&Sun8/10,8amto3pm 1911SE44thSt (OrchidareaoffDDelPrado) Collector,Vintage&New Furniture&HomeDecor. Fabulouspaintings,prints, china,glassware&linens. Kitchenfull,Designer clothes,purses&jewelry. Nantucketbasket&mold collection. ThreebigscreenTvás, concretestatuary,hospital bed&electricscooter. Vintageitemsthroughout. Garage&Workshopfull. Lanaifurniture,small fridge,washer,dryer& officemiscellaneous. Afabuloussale. Donátmissit! Besuretoseethephotos! Pictures: facebook.com/RedBarnCapeCoral 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
Annual Rentals
Annual Rental 3 bedroom 3 bath Newly renovated. East end of Sanibel. Pool home on a canal $4,000 a month. Contact Art 239-223-2421
2 br/2 ba, nicely furnished. Beautiful retirement village, NFM, pool & all amenities included in lot rent. No pets. $1900 mo. Call 239-5742509
Sanibel - Lakefront 3/2 + pool. Cul-de-sac, full remodel. Gorgeous. $3750 / mo Gulf Beach Properties, Inc., Paul Zimmerman, Realtor. 239-472-6747
50 years of Island Rental Experience!
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
