Fort Myers Beach Observer/The Beach Bulletin

VOLUME 38, NUMBER 2

Uncertain real estate market after Ian

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

Real estate is a major engine of economic activity on Fort Myers Beach Like other businesses on the island, Hurricane Ian crashed down on the industry In the entire month of October, there was only one closing on Fort Myers Beach Business has started to pick up though over the past month

Estero Island Historic Society rebuilding after Ian

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

Historic Society has helped tell the

through its cottage museum, old photos, paintings and artifacts

Much of that history was damaged Sept 28 by Hurricane Ian The centuryold beachfront cottage that was moved to Bay Road in 1997 to serve as the society's museum, took on seven feet of water

Many photos and other items were lost yet Estero Island Historic Society President Ellie Bunting is working to rebuild and repair the cottage museum former schoolhouse

“There is quite a bit of damage,” Bunting said The cottage and museum dates back to 1921 and is considered the second oldest home to have been built on the Beach It also served as the San Castle Kindrrgarten

The cottage museum sits at the trailhead to Matanzas Pass Preserve, the last maritime tropical hammock on Estero Island, at the end of Bay Road behind the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School

Another historic cottage next door, known as the Laughing Gull Cottage, has been used for store files, books and photos Bunting said many books and photos were destroyed by the hurricane

“The files and clippings were all drenched,” Bunting said

“It was hard” to deal with the damage from the hurricane, she said “We were happy that the buildings were still there ”

She was able to save some photos, Calusa artifacts, some old sea shells as well as some art that were high enough on the wall

There is also an original plank from the old swing bridge. There is also an old rain barrel

"There is probably enough to get started” on a new museum,” Bunting said

The rebuilding has been complicated by a house that drifted down the road

Lahaina Realty

Paula Kiker expects that activity to continue as the new year begins and insurance payments start to flow to property owners waiting to make decisions on whether to rebuild their homes or sell their properties.

“Real estate is interesting to say the least,” Kiker said She cited the recent sale of a Gulf-front home for $6 million

Man faces unlicenced contracting charge

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

A Lee County man is facing a thirddegree felony charge for allegedly conducting unlicensed roofing and demolition work on Fort Myers Beach home while fraudulently claiming to be a licensed contractor.

Caleb Veler, 33, w a s c h a r g e d w i t h contracting without a license during a state of emergency on Dec 20

According to the L e e C o u n t y S h e r i f f ’ s O f f i c e , V e l e r r e c e i v e d a $32,500 check as a deposit for the demo l i t i o n w o r k a n d repairs

According to the p r o b a b l e c a u s e s t a t e m e n t , V e l e r w a s working on a home in Matanzas Court, where he had solicited his services with a business card that stated he was a licensed contractor

Deputies were called to the residence after an argument between Veler and the homeowner about the work being done without a permit.

Veler had allegedly told the homeowner and a friend of the homeowner that he didn’t need a permit and was accused of asking for more money to pull a permit although some work had already begun A group of day laborers Veler allegedly hired, had begun working on the home

The homeowner alleged that Veler was asked to leave the property After initially refusing, Veler went into his car where

owner

I think people are waiting to see what their insurance is, what it will cost to rebuild "

TRACEY GORE

Realtor and former Fort Myers Beach Mayor

Caleb Veler

Real estate market

despite having damage from Ian and a $1 5 million sale of a property on the bay with a torn-down home as reasons for optimism Kiker said she sold a home a year ago on Fort Myers Beach for $2 1 million which is now under contract for $3 8 million on property near the former Junkanoo.

Since Hurricane Ian, there have been 26 residential properties that have closed on Fort Myers Beach For the same period last year, there were 133 closings "We currently have 14 pending transactions," Kiker said

There are 57 active listings for condo units and 83 single family homes listed for sale on Fort Myers Beach

At the same time, Kiker has been surprised that some homes which need work, but are livable, have not sold She said the properties that were once coveted as rentals, were not selling A lot of the rental homes were also wiped out by Ian. “There are plenty of people who want to rent,” she said

“I feel those that are learning more about the 50% rule or deciding they are not up for the challenges of rebuilding are deciding to sell and our inventory grows everyday The beaches were packed over the holidays, but it was either tourists just staying in town or day trippers as the showings were down,” Kiker said

“Typically, when we see investors come to town they want the investment income,” Kiker said “We lost a lot of rentals ” Some of the condo buildings which offered seasonal rentals have been closed off to guests as they make repairs, and lack working elevators. Buying a condo could also be tricky now as some condo boards could be faced with issuing hefty assessments to pay for the rebuild

Kiker said she is expecting a correction that began in the summer to continue in the first quarter if this year, though she does not expect a crash in prices as occurred in 2007 “Prices are still pretty strong,” she said “You can buy a shell of a house in Fairview Isles for $650,000 ” Before Ian, a home there would go for $1 2 million, Kiker said Prices in some cases are about 30% off pre-Ian depending on condition

She believes there could be a “saturation” of the market in the first quarter as more homes go up for sale Kiker said there are a still a lot of “derelict properties” that property owners have yet to begin working on

“I believe once folks receive their insurance funds, we will see more units hitting the market,” Kiker stated “For those that may have overpaid the last two years and need

From page 1

the rental income, may need to sell also, and the questions will be, how low will they go to get out of a mortgage?”

Kiker said an appraiser can help property owners in setting an accurate value for their home pre-Ian which can help with rebuilding through the 50% rule.

Another stumbling block for the current market is that loans are difficult to come by for homes that don’t have an intact kitchen, Kiker said

One positive note for Kiker is she has not seen a lot of “bottom feeders” and homeowners haven’t been dumping properties

Kiker’s Estero Boulevard real estate office took in six feet of water from Hurricane Ian “With the help of Randy Thibaut /LSI Companies, we were able to secure a temporary office days after the storm and we were up and working within a week And we now have a trailer in front of the office on the beach that is up and running and my agents are doing their typical floor time again So it’s not ideal, but we are making the best of it while we rebuild,” Kiker said

More work to be done

Former Fort Myers Beach Mayor Tracey Gore, a Realtor with Loffreno Real Estate, said “I’m still numb” from Hurricane Ian

Three months after Hurricane Ian left Fort Myers Beach in ruins, Gore said the Beach “looks so bad ”

While there has been a lot of progress over the past three months in cleaning up after Ian, “it is still pretty horrific,” Kiker said “There is still a lot of debris, still a lot of loss, still a lot of dirt and mold ” Those with respiratory issues may not be able to deal with the effects of buildings being torn down and mold spores being released into the air, Kiker said

Selling real estate in a town where many homes have been stripped down to the studs or demolished, can be difficult Almost every home on the island was damaged

“To me, it’s sad The people that are calling me (to sell their homes) are people that I know,” Gore said “I would rather see these people stay ”

Gore says she will try sometimes to talk friends out of selling though she believes in some cases it just boils down to finances

“They aren’t selling because they want to leave but because they have to They can’t afford it,” Ms Gore said

Gore said some of her clients lost their houses and are now looking for a home that was built to the current code and is fixable

“These aren’t fire sales People on the Beach know the value of their properties,” Gore said “I think people are waiting to see what their insurance is, what it will cost to rebuild ”

Ask questions, get educated

Kiker provided two additional thoughts on the market:

1. “I hope that buyers are asking the questions of disclosure, how was the property remediated, did they use professionals or did the homeowner do it? Will they test for mold?”

2 “I am educating sellers and agents regarding the law that states: If the homeowner took FEMA Funds (including the $2,900 rental assistance), then the property is required to have flood insurance for the lifetime of the property Most folks are unaware of that, and regret taking it now, as you only had 30 days to return it if you don’t agree to that FEMA won’t track that, but I can assure you when the next homeowner who was not aware of a prior seller not disclosing that and files a claim, FEMA will turn them down on any help (I have a friend who is in that position now) ”

The purchaser of a home won’t be able to get insurance If the property has an open insurance claim, Kiker said Kiker said she doesn’t advise clients to build if there are open claims

Challenging the need for 50% rule

Lastly, Kiker has a challenge for the town council to consider:

“I challenge the council to learn from cities like Key West, they turned down the benefits of flood insurance percentage credits and they are allowed to build on the ground and it works for them ”

Kiker suggested the town consider opting out of the national flood insurance program so that property owners can rebuild their homes without worrying if they can afford the cost to elevate their buildings to the levels required under the post-Andrew code

“If the town is worried about mega mansions, they need to look for options like this to keep our ranch homes,” Kiker said

PAULA KIKER

Lahaina Realty, at 6035 Estero Boulevard, now has a sales office trailer in place of its old office which is undergoing repairs Owner Paula Kiker has also been working out of an office on Plantation Road in Fort Myers

Rebuilding

From page 1

during Hurricane Ian and which settled near the cottage, blocking the driveway

Bunting said the two cottages were “cleaned, mitigated and dried out ” She hopes the museum can be reopened in a few months

A structural engineer has ruled the cottages safe They still need electric work done

Unlicensed work

deputies found him when they arrived According to the probable cause statement, Veler initially told deputies he was a licensed contractor but later said he was working for a licensed general contractor Veler asked deputies to speak to the licensed contractor for whom he said he was working but that individual declined to verify he was working with Veler

Bunting said the organization is selling afghans to raise money for the repairs at eohonlineshopping com

The organization has speakers lined up for meetings in February but are currently searching for a place to meet Lee County owns the property where the cottages currently sit

The nonprofit didn’t have flood insurance but has

From page 1

Veler had allegedly told the homeowners he would do roofing work, electrical work and other repairs at the home According to the probable cause statement, Veler had initially told the homeowner that he was licensed but didn’t have a license number or insurance number He received the $32,500 check for half the estimated cost of the job

received aid from FEMA Bunting said the remediation work costs $10,000 and will be another $2,000 for the deck

To learn more about the Estero Island Historic Society, visit their website at http://www esteroislandhist o r i c s o c i e t y o r g o r e m a i l esteroislandhistoricsociety@gmail com

According to the probable cause statement, Veler is alleged to have brought about $3,000 worth of materials to the home after the check was cashed and a few days later bought another $8,000 worth of materials

Veler allegedly told detectives he spent all of the money on materials minus $4,500 for labor

Bond was set at $100,000

Veler was released from Lee County Jail on Dec 22 after posting $10,000 bail

Court records show that Veler was found guilty of a misdemeanor charge of contracting without a license in 2021 after pleading no contest.

A court hearing has been set for Jan

PHOTOS PROVIDED

ABOVE: Bob Bunting, husband of Estero Island Historic Society President Ellie Bunting, works on the organization's damaged property on Bay Road in Fort Myers Beach

RIGHT: The Estero Island Historic Society is raising funds to support the repair of its Fort Myers Beach cottages through the sale of these afghans.

BELOW: The century-old cottage that serves as the museum of the Estero Island Historic Society, and the annex cottage, both suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Ian but are structurally stable and will be repaired.

e e k o f

f o r t m y e r s b e a c h t a l k . c o m

C i rc u l a t i o n ( 2 3 9 ) 5 7 4 - 1 9 3 6 C l a s s i fi e d / D i s

What high water mark data can tell us

(Editor's note: The following is part of a regularly occurring series that will explore how building coastal resilience is interwoven with a variety of local issues and topics )

H u r r i c a n e I a n ’ s p a s s i n g i n l a t e

Carrie Schuman

Paul Julian Guest Commentary

S e p t e m b e r brought record a m o u n t s o f storm surge to o u r a r e a , resulting in a t u m b l e o f w a t e r a n d w a v e s t h a t w a s h e d o v e r S a n i b e l a n d C a p t i v a Islands, significantly impacting our natural s y s t e m s a n d h u m a n c o mmu n ities Th e s t o r m ’ s w i n d and water left i n n u m e r a b l e visible fingerprints, many of which are still e v i d e n t a n d m a y b e f o r some time One of the more conspicuous signposts are high water lines or marks T h e s e m a r k s which cons i s t o f w a t e r stains or mud, d e b r i s , a n d seed lines provide a collective record of t h e h i g h e s t p o i n t s w a t e r r e a c h e d a b o v e ground.

t h e m a j o r i t y

o

When we surveyed Captiva, we found high water marks were most evident on the outside of built infrastructure While we didn’t use the same level of surveying equipment as the USGS, we were able to collect basic data at these locations SCCF hydrologic modeler Paul Julian combined the Captiva data with comparable portions of the USGS dataset for Sanibel to paint a more holistic picture of storm surge across both the barrier islands For technical and scientific uses, these measurements are often expressed as height above mean sea level However, we present the height of high water marks as measured relative to the ground

The resulting analysis is presented in two different ways The first map shows high water lines measured at specific sites in feet above ground level The second map represents the interpolation of the data across S a n i b e l a n d C a p t i v a I n t e r p o l a t i o n i s a method that allows someone to estimate a value between two or more points and its accuracy is determined by the amount of data supplied

These figures reveal certain patterns about how water affected both islands Portions of Sanibel were exposed to higher levels of water possibly up to 10 feet than

Myers Beach,

Lyn McElhaney lmcelhaney@breezenewspapers com

p

Guest Commentary

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

High water marks appeared on the outside of buildings on Captiva, as highlighted by the included arrows The left-most is an example of a seed/debris line, the middle of a mud line, and the right is of a water stain line

See DATA, page 5

Tolls resume on Sanibel

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Causeway Lee County The tolls went back into effect on Jan 1 after being suspended after a temporary bridge was installed Oct 19

The City of Sanibel ended the requirement for reentry passes on Monday The city's curfew will remain in effect between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily. A police checkpoint will be in place during the curfew hours

The county restored tolls to the Cape Coral Bridge and the Midpoint Bridge in November following the suspension of tolls on all three bridges shortly before Hurricane Ian’s landfall Sept 28

The county’s toll program called LeeWay will honor its discount programs for Sanibel residents who had them prior to the storm through Jan 31 Sanibelbased LeeWay customers are asked to renew their programs for 2023 now Residents with power and internet access can renew online at www leegov com/tolls A phone line for renewal also is available at 239-5339297

The toll cost for those with LeeWay accounts is $6 to enter the island and $9 for those without accounts

Contractors who are doing work on Sanibel should visit the LeeWay website to obtain a free LeeWay transponder and to deposit funds into an account to avoid paying the $3 administrative fee that is applied to those without transponders Transponders from other entities, such as SunPass and E-ZPass, also work Visit www leegov com/tolls for a complete list All three county toll bridges are all-electronic; no cash is accepted

DataFrom page 4

Captiva, which experienced 0-4 feet of flooding above ground in most places There is also a gradient of flooding that runs approximately north to south across the islands, highlighting that ocean-facing s h o r e l i n e s e x p e r i e n c e d m o r e f l o o d i n g than those on the bayside

Factors like surge and wave direction (which was approximately southeast as confirmed by the SCCF RECON wave buoy), the orientation of the islands, elevation gradients, and protection from natural features like mangroves and dune systems likely played a role in how water inundated Sanibel and Captiva However,

it can be hard to make firm interpretations without more information

High water marks can help us understand how high the water got in certain areas, but they only represent static snapshots in time that do not provide information on how long the water persisted at any given site Furthermore, high water marks are not an exact reflection of storm surge, which is the rise of water above normal levels due to forces like wind As storm surge moves inland, it interacts with the landscape, including natural systems and built infrastructure, in ways that can modify where and how it flows

Information on high water marks is valuable and may have additional utility when combined with other Hurricane Ian d a t a s e t s o r w h e n c o m p a r e d w i t h t h e impacts of different storm events, as no o n e s t o r m i s t h e s a m e a s a n o t h e r However, from a resilience perspective, this high water data even absent supplemental information can provide starting guidance on which areas of the islands may be particularly vulnerable to f l o o d i n g f r o m s t o r m - s u r g e d o m i n a t e d hurricanes with similar pathways through our region This can help inform aspects of pre- and post-emergency management,

while also highlighting locations that could benefit from hurricane resilience measures like elevated infrastructure and preserving coastal wetlands, dunes, and mangrove systems

Dr Carrie Schuman is the coastal resilience manager and Dr Paul Julian is the hydrologic modeler for the SanibelC a p t i v a C o n s e r v a t i o n F o u n d a t i o n

Founded in 1967, the SCCF's mission is t o p r o t e c t a n d c a r e f o r S o u t h w e s t Florida’s coastal ecosystems. For more information, visit www sccf org

A damaged causeway to Sanibel Island is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, near Sanibel Island. (AP PHOTO/WILFREDO LEE)

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION Storm surge diagram from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's SciJinks

Tax collector unveils redesigned website

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Lee County Tax Collector Noelle Branning announced the launch of the Lee County Tax Collector’s newly redesigned website, LeeTC com

The site features Edison, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) customer service agent available 24 hours a day to answer questions

The new site features an easier navigation for customers with an online payment option “This new website, along with Edison, takes the customer experience to a whole new level,” explains Tax Collector Noelle Branning. “Stakeholder feedback told us we needed to overhaul our website, so information is easier to find, and we listened "

The Lee County Tax Collector’s Office partnered with Vectra Digital, a Southwest Florida digital marketing agency, for the design and development of the website

DeSantis appoints Fort Myers businessman to E911 board

T h e U S S m a l l B u s i n e s s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n a n d F l o r i d a S m a l l B u s i n e s s D e v e l o p m e n t C e n t e r N e t w o r k a n n o u n c e d a n e w p i l o t p r o g r a m g e a r e d t o w a r d h e l p i n g b u s i n e s s e s q u a l i f y f o r S B A d i s a s t e r l o a n s T h e p i l o t p r o g r a m w i l l r e - e x a m i n e t h e a p p l i c a t i o n s o f b u s i n e s se s t h a t d i d n o t m e e t a p p r o v a l q u a l i f i c a t i o n s a n d w e r e d e c l i n e d f o r a n S B A d i s a s t e r l o a n .

“ O u r a n a l y s i s o f b u s i n e s s a p p l i c a t i o n s s h o w e d n e a r l y o n e h u n d r e d b u s i n e s s e s m i s s e d a p p r o v a l b y j u s t a h a i r W e a r e a s k i n g b u s i n e s s o w n e r s t o e x p l o r e t h e i r S B A d i s a s t e r l o a n a p p l i c a t i o n w i t h t h e S B D C t o i d e nt i f y a r e a s w h e r e t h e a p p l i c a t i o n c o u l d p o s s i b l y b e u p d a t e d t o o v e r c o m e a n y c r e d i t o r l a c k o f r e p a y m e n t a b i l i t y a n d b e s l a t e d f o r a p p r o v a l , ” F i e l d O p e r a t i o n s C e n t e r E a s t D i r e c t o r K e m F l e m i n g s a i d T h e S B A a n d S B D C a r e w o r k i n g t o g e t h e r t o a s s i s t F l o r i d a b u s i n e s s e s r e c o v e r i n g f r o m t h e i m p a c t o f H u r r i c a n e I a n B o t h o r g a n i z a t i o n s w i l l c o n t a c t t h e s e l e c t e d b u s i n e s s e s e l i g i b l e t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h e p i l o t p r o g r a m v i a p h o n e a n d / o r e m a i l t o o f f e r t e c h n i c a l a s s i s t a n c e f r o m t h e S B D C B u s i n e s s e s i n d i c a t i n g a n i n t e r e s t i n p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n t h e p i l o t p r o g r a m w i l l b e p a i r e d w i t h a n S B D C b u s i n e s s c o n s u l t a n t w h o w i l l a s s i s t t h e m i n p r e p a r i n g a r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n r e q u e s t

T h e S B D C b u s i n e s s c o n s u l t a n t s w i l l m e e t w i t h b u s i n e s s o w n e r s , d i s c u s s t h e q u a l i f i c a t i o n p r o c e s s , a n d e x p l o r e w h e t h e r t h e b u s i n e s s ’ s S B A l o a n a p p l i c at i o n m a y b e s u f f i c i e n t l y u p d a t e d t o h e l p t h e b u s i n e s s o v e r c o m e a n y c r e d i t o r o t h e r i s s u e s t h a t b a r r e d o r i g in a l a p p r o v a l T h e S B A ’ s g o a l i s t o a p p r o v e a s m a n y b u s i n e s s l o a n s a s p o s s i b l e a n d r e v e r s e a d v e r s e d e c is i o n s w h e n e v e r p r a c t i c a l

“ W e a r e e x c i t e d t o w o r k w i t h o u r S B A p a r t n e r s t o

Voting open for ‘Picture this as a Career ’ poster contest

more than one poster but only one vote per poster, per person, is permitted

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The voting for the annual "Picture This as a Career" Poster Contest is underway.

Since 2004, CareerSource Southwest Florida has challenged fifth-grade students at Southwest Florida schools to show their creativity and share their future career aspirations through the “Picture This as a Career” Poster Contest

More than 200 fifth graders from Lee, Charlotte, and Hendry County schools are participating this year and voting is now open to the public

T h e p u b l i c i s e n c o u r a g e d t o visit www careersourceSWFL com and click on the “POSTER CONTEST 2023” link You may vote for

h e l p m o r e s m a l l b u s i n e s s e s a c c e s s t h e c a p i t a l t h e y n e e d f o l l o w i n g H u r r i c a n e I a n , ” G r e g B r i t t o n , s t a t e d i r e c t o r o f t h e F l o r i d a S B D C N e t w o r k , s a i d “ W e k n o w r e s e a r c h s u g g e s t s t h a t a c c e s s t o c a p i t a l i s c r i t ic a l t o b u s i n e s s o w n e r s f o l l o w i n g a d i s a s t e r W e a r e c o m m i t t e d t o d o i n g a l l w e c a n t o h e l p b u s i n e s s o w ne r s a c c e s s t h e r e s o u r c e s t h e y n e e d t o r e b u i l d a n d r e c o v e r ”

B u s i n e s s o w n e r s m a y b e a s k e d t o p r o v i d e t h e S B D C w i t h i n f o r m a t i o n s u c h a s a r e c e n t c r e d i t b u r e a u r e p o r t , a c o p y o f t h e m o s t r e c e n t f e d e r a l i n c o m e t a x r e t u r n o r c u r r e n t f i n a n c i a l i n f o r m a t i o n A s s t a t e d i n t h e S B A d e c l i n e l e t t e r , a p p l i c a n t s d e c l i n e d f o r u n s a ti s f a c t o r y c r e d i t m a y o b t a i n a f r e e c o p y o f t h e i r c r e d i t r e p o r t A l l a p p l i c a n t s h a v e u p t o s i x m o n t h s f r o m t h e d a t e o f t h e S B A d e c l i n e l e t t e r t o p r o v i d e i n f o r m a t i o n t o o v e r c o m e t h e r e a s o n s s t a t e d b y S B A f o r n o t o f f e r i n g a l o a n T h e S B A a n d F l o r i d a S B D C N e t w o r k o f f e r t h e s e r v i c e f r e e o f c h a r g e w i t h n o o b l i g a t i o n t o p a r t i c ip a t e T h e p i l o t p r o g r a m w i l l n o t a f f e c t a b u s i n e s s ’ s r i g h t t o r e q u e s t a r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e i r d i s a s t e r l o a n

Y o u c a n s o r t t h r o u g h t h e p h o t o g a l l e r y b y county/school district and simply click on the “VOTE HERE” icon There is no cost to vote Voting is open NOW through Jan 31

“This project exemplifies the wonderful partnership CareerSource Southwest Florida has with our local school districts throughout Southwest Florida, as well as the abundance of talent and creativity our fifth-grade students demonstrate each year capturing their career aspirations in written and poster form,” says Peg E l m o r e , P r e s i d e n t a n d C E O f o r C a r e e r S o u r c e Southwest Florida

F i r s t a n d s e c o n d - p l a c e w i n n e r s i n e a c h County/District receive a $50 gift card and the teacher who submits the most posters per county/district receives a $100 gift card to help purchase items for their classroom

a p p l i c a t i o n .

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T h e d e a d l i n e t o r e t u r n e c o n o m i c i n j u r y a p p l i c a t i o n s i s J u n e 2 9

Gov Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of a Fort Myers Beach businessman to the state E911 boar Jason Shimko, of Fort Myers, is a Senior Account Director of Lumen Previously, he was the Strategic Director of Government and Education for Summit Broadband Shimko attended Florida Southwestern State College

New Y ork P hil harmoni c Str ing Q uar tet to p lay B arb ara B. Mann P erfor ming Arts Hal l Su nday

Staf f Repor t

The Fort Myers Community Concert Association will kick off its 2023 season this Sunday with a performance from the New York Philharmonic String Quartet

The New York Philharmonic String Quartet made its debut as a solo ensemble in John Adams’ Absolute Jest in New York in 2017 All four members have appeared as concerto soloists with the Philharmonic and orchestras throughout the world They are joined by acclaimed young American pianist Drew Petersen, winner of the 2017 American Pianist Award

The performance will begin at 7:30 p m on the Florida SouthWestern State College campus in Fort Myers

On Jan 16, the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine will perform at the hall in a show sponsored by the U S State Department The orchestra was established in 1902 and has hosted some of the world’s greatest conductors and musicians in classical music The orchestra is a regular participant in international festivals, has toured extensively around the world and recently completed several highly acclaimed recordings

Tickets are now on sale for each performance at the Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall on the Florida

SouthWestern State College campus in Fort Myers

Prices are $55 for orchestra and mezzanine seats, $35 for lower balcony seats and $25 for upper balcony seats

Tickets may be purchased at the Barbara B. Mann Hall box office at 239-481-4849 or visit www bbmannpah com

Both performances are at 7:30 p m at the Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall

"We have two outstanding orchestras that will be playing for us to begin the season, followed by three more in February and March We are so happy to back

STRING QUARTET, page 8

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f o r t m y e r s b e a c h t a l k . c o m

G o W i l d f o r “ D i n g ” h a s t a k e n m a n y s h a p e s t h r o u g h t h e y e a r s a s t h e m a j o r f u n d r a i s e r f o r t h e “ D i n g ” D a r l i n g W i l d l i f e S o c i e t y - F r i e n d s o f t h e R e f u g e T o m e e t t h e c h a l l e n g e s o f t h e i s l a n d s ' h u r r i c a n e r e c o v e r y s t a t u s , t h i s y e a r ' s e v e n t w i l l e v o l v e t o t a k e p l a c e o n M a r c h 6 a s G o B u l l y f o r “ D i n g ” A n E v e n i n g w i t h T e d d y R o o s e v e l t , r i f f i n g o f f o n e o f t h e f o r m e r p r e s i d e n t ' s f a v o r i t e e x p r e s s i o n s

The venue, too, has changed. The event will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p m at the Broadway Palm in Fort Myers In consideration of the hardships many island residents and business owners have suffered since the September hurricane, the DDWS has lowered the price of reservations to $75 per person this year.

The mission, however, remains the same: All profits will support the J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel, this year specifically its hurricane recovery efforts.

The evening's entertainment will feature popular refuge personality and Teddy Roosevelt reprisor Joe Wiegand He has been bringing former President Roosevelt to life for over a decade and has performed in all 50 states and overseas, including a White House performance in honor of Roosevelt's 150th birthday in 2008 He has made numerous appearances at the Sanibel refuge, one of his favorite venues

Formerly a veteran political consultant and elected public servant in his native Illinois, Wiegand is a political science graduate of the University of the South Sewanee in Sewanee, Tennessee; a former graduate assistant at Northern Illinois

U n i v e r s i t y ’ s C e n t e r f Governmental Studies; and Harry S Truman Scholar an Thomas Watson Jr Fellow

“We hope that, despite the trials of the past months, our friends will be able to join us for this delightful evening aimed to bring the refuge back to its post-hurricane glory as a wildlife haven and sanctuary for the s o u l , ” D D W S E x e c u t i v e Director Birgie Miller said “The refuge needs your help more than ever right now We are also accepting sponsorships for the event to further benefit 'Ding' Darling ”

sponsors. For more information or to make a reservation, visit gowildfording com For sponsorship information, contact April

From page 7

The Fort Myers Community Concert Association, now in its 73rd concert seas o n , i s a n a l l - v o l u n t e e r n o t - f o r - p r o f i t

organization founded by the legendary Barbara B Mann in 1949 to bring worldclass entertainment to Southwest Florida

Boehnen

event

at affordable prices The association consists of more than 1,200 members, underwriters and sponsors

String quartet

The evening will includ his entertaining performanc a n d a u d i e n c e i n t e r a c t i o n s dinner, drinks, and a liv auction A limited number o reservations, available on first-come basis, will go live starting on Jan. 11 at 8 a.m.

Go Wild for ‘Ding’ to support mission of refuge on Sanibel

Shell Point to present two concer ts

in Connie Brown Hall at the Tribby Arts Center, at 17281 On Par Blvd , Fort Myers Joined by Mike K a

o n r a d Paszkudzki on piano, Pizzarelli will play the best songs of the last 50 years

from timeless artists such as James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Queen and more. A popular folk and pop music group, the Kingston Trio helped launch the folk revival of the late 1950s and early 1960s Tickets for both concerts are $55 For more information or tickets, visit https://www tribbyartscenter com/ or call 239-415-5667

Alliance for the Arts to continue concert series

As part of its season series, the Alliance for the Arts will host an Outdoor Bluegrass concert on Jan 8 on its Green Market Stage at 10091 McGregor Blvd , Fort Myers Doors will open at 2 p m The Lonesome Rangers will play at 3

p m , with Frank Corso to take the stage at 4 p.m.

Chairs and coolers are permitted

Tickets are $15 for members and $16 for non-members

Pre-sale seating is limited to 132 and is

first come, first serve In the case of bad weather, the concert w i l l b e m o v e d i n d o o r s t o i t s F o u l d s Theatre

For more information or tickets, visit ArtInLee org or call 239-939-2787

g h S a t u r d a y a t A n i m a l Services, 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers, next to the Lee County

r o

SHELL POINT RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

ABOVE: John Pizzarelli Trio

RIGHT: Kingston Trio

ALLIANCE FOR THE ARTS

DDWS reports on refuge programming and more

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge reported that the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge's waters, lands and facilities are closed to the public until further notice due to hurricane damage Consequently, many programs and events are canceled

In addition, the DDWS provided the following updates: ∫ The Refuge Wellness team is holding a free Mindfulness Meditation Class on Wednesdays at 8:30 a m and a free Guided Mindfulness Walk on Saturdays at 10 a m at the Sanibel Recreation Center, at 3880 Sanibel-

Captiva Road, Sanibel Programs are limited to the first 25 participants.

∫ The Pop-Up Nature Store continues on Thursdays from 9 a m to 1 p m at the Coconut Point Farmer’s Market in Estero

∫ The Refuge Education Team will began its round of school visits to get students excited about the Junior Duck Stamp Contest The judging for the Florida contest is held each year at the refuge, where the program got its start

∫ The DDWS' major annual fundraiser, “Go Bully for “Ding” An Evening with Teddy Roosevelt,” will take

place on March 6 at the Broadway Palm in Fort Myers

∫ The annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament remains on the calendar for May 19 Registration will open on Jan 17 The DDWS thanked the 2023 sponsors To become an event sponsor, contact April Boehnen at aprilb@dingdarlingsociety org

∫ The 10th annual “Ding” Darling-Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest continues The deadline for entries is March 1 For information, contact DDWS Associate Executive Director Sierra Hoisington at shois@dingdarlingsociety org

Lee Health to offer self-management programs

Lee Health's “It’s All About You” a self-management resource program with the SMRC is offering the following research-based virtual programs for free to the community:

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is

designed for people ages 18 and older with chronic health conditions to help them learn ways to better manage the chronic conditions and symptoms that often accompany chronic health conditions The virtual workshops are held once a week for six weeks

Participants will receive a copy of the book “Living a

Healthier Life with Chronic Conditions ”

The program will be offered virtually on Wednesdays starting Jan 11 from 9 to 11 a m

For more information or to register for one of the programs, call 239-424-3121

Family Initiative presents next speaker for autism series

The Family Initiative’s “Redefining Autism” speaker series will continue on Jan 7 at 1:30 p m at the Christ Community Church, at 4050 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers It is free and open to the public

Dr Temple Grandin will discuss how the world needs to take a closer look at the autism community

“At the heart of that message is this: Rigid academic a n d s o c i a l e x p e c t a t i o n s c o u l d w i n d u p s t i f l i n g a mind that, while it might struggle to conjugate a verb, could one day take us to distant stars,” she said “The skills that people with autism bring to the table should be nurtured for their benefit and society’s ”

Grandin grew up with autism in the 1950s and became a professor of anim a l s c i e n c e a t C o l o r a d o State University, as well as a world-renowned autism advocate She has famously said, “If I could snap my fingers and be nonautistic, I would not Autism is part of who I am ” Grandin is an author of several books and p u b l i s h e d w o r k s , h a s a biographical movie created about her life and is an international speaker working to change the world’s perception on what it means to live with autism.

Registration is not required

For more information about Family I n i t i a t i v e , v i s i t h t t p s : / / w w w f iflorida org/

Alliance for the Arts to host circus troupe

The Alliance for the Arts will present “Citrus Circus: Into the Fruit Bowl” outdoors on Jan 7 at 7 p m at 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Gates will open at 6 p m

Citrus Circus is a local Southwest Florida circus troupe Inspired by the beauty and fun of the tropics and the sassy sweetness of delicious fruit, the familyfriendly production is sure to delight audi-

ences of all ages From hula hoops to contortion to aerial acrobatics, the show has it all

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs

Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members

For more information or tickets, visit h t t p s : / / w w w a r t i n l e e o r g / e v e n t / i n t o t h efruitbowl/

Dr Temple Grandin

The Refuge Wellness team is hosting mindfulness programs at the Sanibel Recreation Center.

Theater presenting ‘The Piano Men’

The Fort Myers Theatre is performing “The Piano Men: Stories and music of Billy Joel & Elton John” on Jan 7-8 at 7 p m at 16120 San Carlos Blvd , Fort Myers David Rode will entertain

with stories and music from Elton John and Billy Joel Tickets are $20-25 For m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a n d t i c k e t s , v i s i t https://ftmyerstheatre com/

Fort Myers Coin Club coin, currency show set

Choral Ar tistr y to per for m at the MACC

Choral Artistry will perform “4 the Love of Piano” on Jan 8 at 4 p m at the Gulf Coast Symphony's Music & Arts Community Center, at 13411 Shire Lane, Fort Myers It will feature music for hand p i a n o a n d c h o r u s , i n c l u d i n g B r a h m s '

“Liebeslieder,” Copland's “Promise of Living,” and Averitt's “Afro American Fragments ” Tickets are $10-30 For more information and tickets, visit https://gulfcoastsymphony org/

Collaboratory scholarship application open

Collaboratory’s scholarship application for the 2023-24 school year is open Scholarships are available for students seeking or continuing education at vocational and technical colleges, community colleges, and state colleges and universities

In 2022, Collaboratory awarded more than $1 million and 153 scholarships to local high school students, adult learners, undergraduate and graduate students from Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties One in five students who applied received a scholarship

Applicants may apply for multiple

scholarships and can upload a transcript, letter of recommendation, and the Free A p p l i c a t i o n f o r F e d e r a l S t u d e n t A i d Student Aid Report at https://collaboratory.org/.

All scholarships require the FAFSA f o r m , w h i c h i s a v a i l a b l e a t www fafsa gov

The scholarship application process will close on Jan 11 at 11:59 p m

FORT MYERS THEATRE

GULF COAST SYMPHONY

County announced tentative reopening of Lakes Park

Lee County reported that Lakes Regional Park, which has been used for recovery operations since Hurricane Ian made landfall, will reopen to the public after the New Year’s holiday weekend

The tentative reopening date for the public is Jan 9, however park patrons should confirm the reopening details at www.leeparks.org prior to visiting. Once open, some amenities, such as the water features, will remain closed for repairs

The county reported that it has appreciated the public’s patience as the park has been used by contractual employees for the Florida Division of Emergency Management and other responders who arrived in Lee to assist in the community’s recovery after the Category 4 hurricane hit Sept 28

The 279-acre park with a 158-acre freshwater quarry lake is among the most visited of Lee County Parks & Recreation’s sites, regarded by many as the “Central Park” of the county. Lakes Park began as a man-made area where rock was quarried during the 1960s The park’s water depths vary from a few inches to more than 20 feet The county bought the property in 1978 In 1982, ground was broken and it was developed for recreational use with the official grand opening on April 21, 1984

The county encourages residents and visitors to visit a special GIS-based map that was created post-Ian The landing page helps people better understand what is open, what is partially open and what remains closed Find it under “Hurricane Ian Parks Progress Map” at www.leeparks.org.

As of Dec 21, county beach parks remained closed Debris in the water and buried in the sand at the water's edge creates a safety hazard The county is working alongside state and federal agencies to clean and remove the debris so that beaches are safe for visitors Parks & Recreation staff is dedicated to cleaning debris off beaches daily As more debris washes ashore daily, the process is ongoing

Residents and visitors can also go to the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau site at www VisitFortMyers com and click on “What’s Open” for activities, locations and things to do.

Captains For Clean Water launches hurricane relief program

Captains For Clean Water recently launched its Emergency Disaster Relief Fund to support t h e p e o p l e a n d c o m m u n i t i e s i m p a c t e d b y Category 4 Hurricane Ian

Funds are being used to employ impacted f i s h i n g g u i d e s f o r s e r v i c e s t h a t b e n e f i t

Southwest Florida’s healing and recovery, including waterway clean-ups, fishing charters for Ian firs t res ponders and w ater-quality research trips with science partners Full-time fishing guides and boat captains who reside in Lee, Collier or Charlotte counties are invited to apply for the program at captainsforcleanwater org

“Hurricane relief isn’t what our organization was created to do, but since this directly impacts the people that fight with us for clean water, it’s our turn to fight for them,” Executive Director Capt Daniel Andrews said

“This relief fund allows us to help impacted fishing guides help our communities heal,” he added “We’ve had incredible response from organizations and brands nationwide who’ve been able to plug into this program and directly support local jobs, relief and clean-up in the wake of this disaster ”

Within the first week of the program, nearly 100 fishing guides had applied to take advantage of the work opportunities and over 400 first responders had signed up for fishing trips. Waterway cleanups are already underway and the program also supported red tide water sampling efforts in partnership with the SanibelCaptiva Conservation Foundation and FWC's Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

“Recovery is going to take years and we want this community to know we're here to help as long as it takes,” Director of Outreach and Engagement Capt Chris Wittman said “The response we've gotten from guides, first responders, and other community members just reaffirms how much this is needed.”

For information or to support the fund, visit captainsforcleanwater org

Hurricane derelict vessel removal efforts continue

Months after Hurricane Ian made landfall, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and partner agencies continue their efforts to remove vessels rendered derelict by the storm in Charlotte, Collier, Lee and Monroe counties

Imagery from the National Oceanic a n d A t m o s p h e r i c A d m i n i s t r a t i o n h a s identified over 7,500 potentially displaced vessels FWC officers had assessed over 4,200 vessels on the waters of the

state as of Dec 15

“Our deployed officers continue the mission by locating owners and delivering notification of rights packets and waiver forms,” FWC Boating and Waterways S e c t i o n R e p r e s e n t a t i v e C a p t T r a v i s Franklin said “The assessment phase is all but complete at this point, though we do have new DVs pop up here and there almost daily "

In Lee, 708 vessels were identified as

derelict and over half were removed or brought into compliance

T h e D e p a r t m e n t o f E m e r g e n c y Management has assumed the role of coordinating the removal and disposal of vessels investigated by the FWC A total of 133 derelict vessels had been turned over to the DEM for removal in Charlotte, Collier, Lee and Monroe counties as of Dec 15

The DEM has worked closely with the

FWC, Department of Environmental Protection, U S Coast Guard and local governments to identify and remove debris from waterways and upland private and commercial properties The new State Debris Cleanup Program will assist Ian survivors with the removal of displaced and abandoned titled property Residents can request the removal of debris including vehicles, vessels, motorcycles, trailers and ATVs by visiting IanDebrisCleanup.com.

FWC accepting applications for Vessel Turn-In Program

T h e F l o r i d a F i s h a n d W i l d l i f e

Conservation Commission is accepting applications for the newly created Vessel Turn-In Program, a key component of Florida’s derelict vessel prevention program

VTIP is a voluntary program designed to help owners dispose of their unwanted

derelict Upon approval of an application, VTIP will take a surrendered vessel and dispose of it at no cost to the boat owner Removing the vessel before it deteriorates into a derelict condition will prevent legal ramifications for the owner and will protect Florida’s seagrass resources, marine life, and human life, safety, and property A derelict vessel upon waters of the

state is a criminal offense and can carry serious penalties and fines or possible jail time

“Acting now is the best way to prevent legal action from occurring if the vessel becomes derelict,” VTIP Administrator Phil Horning said.

To qualify for VTIP, a vessel must be floating upon waters of the state and can-

not be determined derelict by law enforcement The owner must have at least one written at-risk warning or citation and possess a clear title to the vessel

To apply for or view program guidelines, visit MyFWC com/VTIP or call the FWC Boating and Waterways Division at 850-488-5600 for more information

PHOTO PROVIDED

A first responder shows off his catch as he enjoys a day out on the water with a local fishing guide

New Gulf initiative seeks to address ocean acidification

A team of scientists from the United States, Mexico and Cuba met recently to exchange information and begin development of a new tri-national initiative designed to address the socioeconomic impacts of ocean acidification (OA) in the Gulf of Mexico based on common needs across nations

The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System reported that the Gulf’s highly valuable and diverse marine, coastal and estuarine environments hold numerous habitats and species including shellfish, coral reefs, carbonate seafloor environments and economically important fisheries that are vulnerable to the impacts of ocean and coastal acidification In addition to the ecological threat, OA poses an economic threat to the Gulf’s blue economy, which is estimated to have a combined value of $2 04 trillion per year across Cuba, Mexico and the United States Ocean acidification is the reduction in the pH of seawater, caused primarily by uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere Marine life uses carbonate from the water to build shells and skeletons When the water is more acidic, animals that rely on carbonate have trouble building shells and skeletons and, if the water is acidic enough, these animals’ shells and skeletons can dissolve.

The Gulf of Mexico International Ocean Acidification Summit, which took place in October in Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico, and included representatives from government agencies, universities, research institutes, non-governmental organizations and students, was sponsored by the Furgason Fellowship of the Harte Research Institute for

Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

It was co-hosted by the GCOOS and the GCOOS Gulf of Mexico Coastal Acidification Network Additional organizing and hosting institutions included the United States Geological Survey St Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Centro de Investigaciones Marinas de la Universidad de La Habana, Centro de Estudios Ambientales de Cienfuegos, Universidad Nacional Auténoma de México, Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanolégicas, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California and Kalanbio A C (Mexico)

Among the topics discussed during the meeting were the challenges each country faces, including known and potential socioeconomic vulnerabilities and biological and ecosystem responses to OA The group also identified shared priorities for observational, biological, and socioeconomic research including environmental justice needs, outreach and communications, and priority geographic locations for study They also outlined longer-term actions that will need to take place to support multi-national collaborations, including:

∫ Identifying shared data and information platforms.

∫ Standardizing chemical and biological sampling methodologies

∫ Coordinating communications with regulatory agencies and resource managers

∫ Coordinating monitoring activities, collaborative research experiments, and tri-national comparison of results

Share the beach with shorebirds this winter

This winter season, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reminds beach-goers how to help protect vulnerable resident and migratory shorebirds and seabirds while enjoying Florida’s coastal habitats

Each winter, Florida’s resident shorebirds and seabirds are joined by both human and avian snowbirds coming to our state’s shorelines from colder climates Both resident and migratory shorebirds rely on Florida’s sandy beaches for important habitat and resting spots Whether you’re a fellow Sunshine State resident or a visitor to our beaches this winter, you can have a big impact on conservation of coastal birds. Help shorebirds and seabirds along our coasts by following these simple shorebird-friendly tips:

∫ Do the flock walk Instead of walking straight through, try walking around flocks of birds at the beach and stay out of posted areas Getting too close to resting shorebirds, seabirds and wading birds can cause them to flush, disturbing birds that may need important rest from long migratory flights

∫ Look for Critical Wildlife Area closures Be on the lookout for signs designating Critical Wildlife Areas on the beach or coastal islands these areas are closed to public access to protect high concentrations of wading birds and shorebirds. Boaters and beach-goers can help birds by keeping their distance and noise volumes low near CWAs

∫ Keep your pups at home Even well-behaved dogs can frighten shorebirds, causing them to panic and expend valuable energy If you bring your dog with you to the shore, go to a beach where they’re allowed and follow all leash laws

∫ Resist the urge to feed the birds Sharing snacks with birds at the beach may seem harmless or even helpful but it can be harmful to them and other wildlife Shorebirds and seabirds are healthiest when eating the natural prey they normally forage for, such as small invertebrates in the sand and fish they’ve caught themselves from the water

∫ Properly stash all trash Trash and food scraps attract predators while litter on beaches and in the water can entangle birds, turtles and other wildlife Beach-goers can help birds and other native wildlife by properly disposing of all trash, filling in manmade holes in the sand, and removing all personal gear from the beach before sunset Fishing line can be deadly to waterbirds, sea turtles and other wildlife, so be sure to dispose of it properly To find a m o n o f i l a m e n t r e c y c l i n g s t a t i o n , v i s i t mrrp myfwc com

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , g o t o MyFWC com/Shorebirds and download the “Share the Beach with Beach-Nesting Birds” brochure Or go to the Florida Shorebird Alliance website at FLShorebirdAlliance org to learn more about how to participate in shorebird and seabird conservation efforts

Updates to permitting guidelines benefit gopher tortoises

T

Officials reported that the goal of the update is to better protect gopher tortoises by incentivizing relocations to protected recipient sites, clearly defining roles and responsibilities in the relocation process, and clarifying other provisions in the guidelines

Key revisions and information included in the guidelines were presented at two public webinars where FWC staff collecte d f e e d b a c k f r o m p a r t i c i p a n t s . S t a f f reviewed feedback and incorporated edits as necessary before bringing an updated

version to the FWC commissioners for approval

The permitting guidelines support the G o p h e r T o r t o i s e M a n a g e m e n t P l a n , which was created by the FWC with the ultimate goal of restoring and maintaining secure, viable populations of gopher tortoises throughout Florida, so the species no longer warrants state listing

T h e G o p h e r T o r t o i s e M a n a g e m e n t Plan and associated guidelines provide the management framework for gopher tort o i s e c o n s e r v a t i o n G o p h e r T o r t o i s e Permitting Guidelines clarify protections, outline activities where permits are needed, provide methods and qualifications for individuals conducting gopher tortoise relocation, and outline requirements for

sites that receive gopher tortoises

The initial guidelines were approved in 2008 and several revisions over the years have allowed for continued improvement in the permitting process and in conservation for the species

In Florida, the gopher tortoise is statelisted as threatened The tortoise and its burrow are protected under state law Property owners must obtain permits from the FWC before land clearing or development takes place, and tortoises must be captured and relocated to FWC-authorized recipient areas

In October, the U S Fish and Wildlife Service announced the decision to maintain the current federal status of the gopher tortoise and not federally list this

species in the eastern portion of its range, including in Florida The decision was directly related to the FWC and partners conservation efforts, including establishing important protections for the species and collecting valuable population and life history information

The gopher tortoise occurs in parts of all 67 Florida counties and in neighboring states The tortoise is known as a keystone species, and its burrows serve as important refuges for hundreds of native animals including imperiled species such as the Eastern indigo snake and the Florida burrowing owl To learn more about gopher tortoises and the FWC program, visit MyFWC com/GopherTortoise

GCOOS

SPORTS & RECREATION

f o r t m y e r s b e a c h t a l k . c o m W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , J a n u a r y 4 ,

Tournament officials announced tickets are now on sale for the 2023 Ch presented by SERVPRO, wh ends of the game will come to e r f o r N a p l e s ’ f l a g s h i p P TOUR Champions event, Fe 16-19, 2023 at Tiburón Gol Club’s Black Course

Tickets are available for purchase now exclusively at www ChubbClassic com

T o u r n a m e n t o f f i c i a l s a l s o a n n o u n c e d t o d a y a l l military personnel (active, retired, reserve and veteran) and service personnel (police fire, EMS) and a plus one wi receive complimentary adm sion to the 2023 Chubb Cla compliments of SERVPRO will be available at Will Call t w e e k b y s h o w i n g p r o p e r i d e n t i f i c a t i o n Children under 18 also will be admitted free into the tournament with a paid adult

“The Chubb Classic is a mainstay in Naples and Southwest Florida, giving fans the unique opportunity to watch legends of the game play in one of the top golf destinations in the country,” said Sandy Diamond, executive director for the Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO “We are honored to offer complimentary admission to all military and service personnel to the 2023 Chubb Classic, who have worked so hard in our communities over the past few months "

Ticket packages for the 2023 Chubb Classic include exclusive hospitality and general admissions tickets offering a wide degree of entertainment and access All 2023 tournament tickets will be completely digital and will be emailed after purchase Tickets can be viewed on either a mobile device or printed out where they will be scanned at the main gate

There are four ticket options for fans interested in attending the 2023 Chubb Classic (**Ticket prices include all taxes and fees**):

Daily Grounds:

General admission daily grounds, valid Thursday, Feb 16 (Pro-Am), and Friday-Sunday, Feb 17-19 (tournament rounds)

∫ Thursday: $23

∫ Friday: $45

∫ Saturday: $45

∫ Sunday: $55

Weekly Grounds:

General admission daily grounds, valid ThursdaySunday, Feb 16-19

∫ $110 (Valid all days Thursday-Sunday)

∫ Michelob Ultra Legends Lounge 17th Green

Skybox:

Semi-private luxury suite offering exclusive views of the 17th green Includes lunch options, afternoon snacks, water, soft drinks and cash bar Valid competition rounds, Friday-Sunday

∫ Friday: $165

∫ Saturday: $190

∫ Sunday: $215

Hoffman Family of Companies Wine Bar – 1 8 th

Green Hospitality:

r, semi-private luxury suite king the 18th green Includes e d l u n c h , h o r s d ’ o e u v r e s , rnoon snacks and open bar a l i d c o m p e t i t i o n r o u n d s , Friday-Sunday.

∫ Friday: $375

∫ Saturday: $430

∫ Sunday: $485

A portion of the ticket proceeds will be donated to local charities throughout S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a T h e Chubb Classic has proudly supported more than 30 charible organizations since the rnament’s inception in 1988

teer Registration Now p

Volunteer registration is now open to support the 2023 Chubb Classic Fifth Third Bank, longtime partner and sponsor of the Chubb Classic, returns as the official volunteer sponsor for the 2023 edition of the championship Each year, hundreds of volunteers donate their time to serve critical needs such as marshaling, scoring, transportation, hospitality services and many other important roles In 2023, the tournament is seeking more than 700 volunteers to fill a variety of roles tournament week The $65 volunteer package ($75 after December 16) includes one official tournament branded golf shirt and tournament jacket, a hat or visor; volunteer pin; one volunteer badge allowing clubhouse access and free parking all week; four weekly grounds passes; and free breakfast and lunch for each day worked For more information on volunteering at t h e 2 0 2 3 C h u b b C l a s s i c , v i s i t www ChubbClassic com/volunteer

T h e 2 0 2 2 C h u b b C l a s s i c c e l e b r a t e d i t s 3 5 t h anniversary by returning to its traditional February dates, where Bernhard Langer went wire-to-wire to record his fourth Chubb Classic title Langer, who also won the TimberTech Championship in November, is one tournament win shy of tying Hale Irwin’s record of 45 PGA TOUR Champions victories He will join an 80-player field competing in the 54-hole championship Friday-Sunday, Feb. 17-19, for a share of the $1.8 million purse

Tiburón Golf Club, managed by Troon, the only facility to host a PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions and LPGA Tour event in the same calendar year, features two 18-hole Championship golf courses, The Gold and The Black The Black Course, which opened in 2001, has a very distinctive look with its pine strawlined fairways, crushed coquina waste areas and undulating greens nestled amidst acres of pine trees and native Florida foliage The Black Course is designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International to protect and enhance its natural surroundings

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L C E C r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e 1 1 t h A n n u a l L C E C G o b l i n G a l l o p 5 k / K i d R u n t o b e n e f i t t h e U n i t e d W a y h a s b e e n r e s c h e d u l e d f o r J a n 7 a t 7 : 3 0 a m a t t h e J a y c e e P a r k , a t 4 1 2 5 S E 2 0 t h P l a c e , C a p e C o r a l

I t w a s o r i g i n a l l y s e t f o r O c t 2 9 , b u t h a s b e e n r e s c h e d u l e d d u e t o H u r r i c a n e I a n

S i n c e i t s i n c e p t i o n , t h e G o b l i n G a l l o p h a s r a i s e d n e a r l y $ 2 4 , 0 0 0 t o b e n e f i t t h e U n i t e d W a y L C E C t h a n k e d t h e s p o n s o r s , v o l u n t e e r s a n d p a r t i c i p a n t s w h o m a k e t h e e v e n t a s p o o k t a c u l a r s u c c e s s

T h e 5 k s t a r t s a t 7 : 3 0 a m a n d t h e K i d s F u n R u n s t a r t s a f t e r 5 k e n d s

R e g i s t r a t i o n f e e s a r e $ 3 0 f o r t h e 5 K r u n / w a l k b e f o r e J a n 6 a n d $ 3 5 a f t e r T h e K i d s F u n R u n f o r a g e s 1 2 a n d u n d e r i s $ 1 5 b y J a n 6 a n d $ 2 0 a f t e r T h e V i r t u a l 5 K c o s t i s $ 3 0 b e f o r e J a n 5 a n d $ 3 5 a f t e r

P a c k e t p i c k u p w i l l b e o n J a n 5 - 6 f r o m 1 0 a m t o 5 : 3 0 p m a t T h e R u n S h o p p e , a t 1 4 0 7 C a p e C o r a l P a r k w a y , C a p e C o r a l . A l l v i r t u a l r a c e r s c a n p i c k u p t h e i r i t e m s d u r i n g p a c k e t p i c k u p

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o r t o r e g i s t e r , v i s i t u w l c e c n e t

F o r q u e s t i o n s , c o n t a c t 5 k @ l c e c n e t

Additional yoga classes to benefit animal shelter to be added

T h e C a p e C o r a l A n i m a l S h e l t e r ( C C A S ) a n d ReChargeMe Zone is pleased to announce "Yoga for the Shelter" will add weekly yoga classes from January through April to benefit the pets awaiting their forever homes "Yoga for the Shelter" will be each Wednesday, 5:30-6:30 p m in the Tiki Hut at the Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery at 131 SW 3rd Place, Cape Coral Saturday classes will continue at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village, 5951 Silver King Blvd, Cape Coral, from 9-10 a m

Robin Anne Griffiths, RYT 200 and Founder of ReChargeMe Zone, has scheduled these classes with the shelter receiving 50% of the proceeds “Each class has a focus to accommodate all levels of yoga participation, but our aim is to release tension, relax the mind and recharge our spirit,” said Griffiths The cost for each class is $10 per person, $8 for shelter volunteers

Wednesday yoga classes will be held outside under the Tiki Hut Classes will incorporate the benefits from yoga practice to improve strength, balance, flexibility as well as help with stress, relaxation, and sleep Attendees are advised to bring their own yoga mat, a large towel or sheet for ground cover, water and as an option, yoga blocks and strap if desired Prior sign-up is not required, but early arrival is advised for paperwork and set up

“Yoga for the Shelter has been an ongoing fundraising effort and has increased awareness for people who have not been to our facility or know anything about our work Since the beginning, the classes have encouraged people to visit the shelter as well as volunteer and make donations” stated Liz McCauley, Executive Director of CCAS

Capt. Dave’s Fishing Report

Mike Connealy, a long-time customer, usually fishes offshore, but with seas of three to five feet on Wednesday, Dec 28, he changed plans to fish a catch-andrelease trip in southern Estero Bay Using shrimp, we caught thirty sheepshead to 17-inches, a dozen of which were keepersize, though we released them all Mike also released a 17-inch seatrout

Captain Dave’s Fishing Tips

Fishing tip #1 : Cooler water conditions and low tides on the bays will mean changing the way you fish Water temps have begun to drop and that will drive most fish to deeper water, especially in the mornings Deeper cuts around mangroves, docks and passes will be good places to start in the mornings as the water continues to cool off As the sun comes up and the water warms, you can find the fish heading back up on the flats to feed and get warm again Redfish, especially, can be found cruising the flats during the cool-

er months of the year Pompano will be in the deeper areas from three feet and better Small jigs or live shrimp will work best for them

Fi s hi ng ti p # 2 : S l o w i n g u p y o u r retrieve is essential to success this time of year I like to take live shrimp or jerk type baits and slowly work them across the flats or around the shell bottom The slower the better as a fish’s metabolism slows down and they become less aggressive as the water gets cooler I like three to five feet of water this time of year, if you can find it Fish will stay off the edges of the flats and move up onto them as the mornings warm up Live shrimp under a popping cork is a wintertime fishing staple I like to put one out the back of the boat while, I fish around the mangroves with other baits on the bottom Gold spoons, suspending lures and jigs are all good artificial baits when the water is cooler

– Capt. Dave Hanson

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Angler Jerry Jenkins with a 14-inch triggerfish, caught on squid and released 22 miles west of New Pass on a recent offshore Fishbuster Charter.

Angler Lucas Jenkins with an 18-inch red grouper, caught on squid and released 22 miles west of New Pass on a recent offshore Fishbuster Charter.

Angler Tanner Heimrich with a 15-inch lane snapper, caught on squid and released 22 miles west of New Pass on a recent offshore Fishbuster Charter.

Angler Lucas Jenkins with a 14-inch lane snapper, caught on squid and released 22 miles west of New Pass on a recent offshore Fishbuster Charter

Fleet Manager (Fort Myers, FL)

sought by RV Rentals and Sales co., to perform and supervise vehicle mechanics, overseeing maintenance and repairs, including the inspection of physical conditions of RV vehicle fleets and equipment, as well as ordering testing, maintenance, repairs, or replacements.

Fleet manager will also manage and facilitate RV rental units. High School Diploma (or foreign equiv.) + 2Y exp as fleet manager, transportation manager, maintenance manager, or master technician.

Position requires RV Technician certification. No travel or lang. fluency req. Please send resumes by postal mail only to: Patrick Quinn, President, Adventure RV Inc. DBA SWFL RV Rentals & Sales, 1956 Dana Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33907.