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WEEKEND EDITION, FEBRUARY 9, 2024
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CC BREEZE 02/09/24
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Weekend Edition, February 9, 2024
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Groundbreaking set for Crystal Lake Park By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
The city of Cape Coral is gearing up to break ground on another new park. The groundbreaking for Crystal Lake Park will take place on Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. at 4307 N.W. 36th St. The anticipated construction date had been the summer of 2023. John Brashaw, who lives in northwest Cape Coral, is among those happy the
The main park area will have a multiuse path, beach, scuba diving area, hill overlook, pavilion shelters, shaded picnic areas, fitness stations and a kids fitness playground on the eastern portion of the site. The second part of the site, on the western portion, includes a boat ramp and kayak launch to Flagstone Canal connecting to the North Spreader Waterway. groundbreaking is happening. “I am excited to see it happening and excited about what it is going to look like
at the end,” he said. The excitement stems from there not being a lot of amenities in the far north-
west corner of the city. Brashaw said the fact that the city is dedicating some of the $60 million GO Bond funding to put a park in is very exciting. The demographics in the city are changing, he said, as more young families continue to move into the city. “There are a lot of young families, and it is just great the city is dedicating some of the funds to provide amenities
See PARK, page 8
CCHS literary magazine earns national honor
AOW
Expressions wins first place from the American Scholastic Press Association for the second year running The Cape Coral Breeze presents Athletes of the Week
By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
— Page 48
INDEX Business........................38 Commentary....................4 Education......................36 Pets of the Week................47 Puzzles..........................49 Real Estate....................14 Sports..........................46 Weekly Recap...............19 Your Health..............30-33
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First installment of the new year to be held Saturday By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
O
ne of Cape Coral's most popular reoccurring events is set to hit the entertainment district this weekend for its first installment of the new year. Cape Coral Bike Night is back on Feb. 10 along Southeast 47th Terrace for the second chapter of the ’23-24 season. Music and motor enthusiasts can rev their engines for an evening full of fun from Coronado
Parkway to Vincennes Boulevard from 5 to 10 p.m. Bike Night is free for attendees and features tons of vendors, food, custom builds, and of course, rockin’ live music. “It’s a long-standing tradition,” said city Special Events Coordinator, Todd King. “Our residents love it. There’s live music, good food, cold adult beverages, and just a lot of fun to enjoy the vendors and the community and celebrate that See BIKE NIGHT, page 16
Expressions, Cape Coral High School’s literary magazine, won first place from the American Scholastic Press Association for its 2023 edition, making it the second year running the magazine has won the national contest. This magazine previously won first place for 10 years in a row under the guidance of Sue Propert, a retired English teacher in the mid-2000s. Expressions, which features poems, short stories, and art by students, is the official literary magazine for Cape High, journalism teacher Aaron Smoly said. They try to publish the magazine twice a year. The 2022-2023 magazine is published on Amazon for $18 with proceeds going to the Cape High’s Sunshine Fund, which helps families in need at Cape High School. The magazine is 50 pages longer than the previous edition, which is why there has been an increase in price. Propert, Smoly said, was the class sponsor that taught creative writing in the 2000s. He
See EXPRESSIONS, page 18
February 9, 2024 ■ Page 2
By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
The School District of Lee County currently has received $11.44 million from FEMA for emergency work. Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier said this week the district has been blessed, with the help of the federal delegation, to have received an avenue to have FEMA on the phone with them during conversations regarding recovery updates from Hurricane Ian. “It does help us to be in the position to talk directly to FEMA leadership,” he said, adding that it has been very valuable to the district, and he is very thankful. The current projection of funding for the district is $5.2 million for flood insurance coverage, $75 million for property insurance coverage, FEMA Public Assistance Cost Share of $116.8 million, state public assistance cost share of $12 million, Lee County shelter claim reimbursement for $1.2 million and legislature – capital appropriation of $17.5 million. The district’s estimated out of pocket expense is $48.4 million, which includes tax revenue losses and
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School district provides update on Hurricane Ian funds The current projection of funding for the district is $5.2 million for flood insurance coverage, $75 million for property insurance coverage, FEMA Public Assistance Cost Share of $116.8 million, state public assistance cost share of $12 million, Lee County shelter claim reimbursement for $1.2 million and legislature – capital appropriation of $17.5 million. The district’s estimated out of pocket expense is $48.4 million, which includes tax revenue losses and estimated cost of Hector A Cafferata Elementary School transitioning to a K-8 school. estimated cost of Hector A Cafferata Elementary School transitioning to a K-8 school. Bernier said with public institutions, FEMA requires the school to be put back in place as it originally was. He said the addition of sixth, seventh, and eighth grade is aligned with their capital plan. “We want to be transparent that building a K-8 that we will get a lot of money to rebuild but won’t get it all,” Bernier said, adding that there is an out-of-pocket expense to add middle school grades to the school. “We want to note that you are getting a K-8 when only lost an elementary school.” He said the former Hector A Cafferata Elementary School has not been taken down yet because they are waiting for full approval from FEMA. “If we take it down without their final approval, we run the risk of them saying we would like to look at one more thing,” Bernier said. Imperium Consulting Group Director Joseph Mascali said although the district did have campuses impacted by flooding, the majority of the damage was wind and rain driven damage. The NFIP flood insurance coverage was for Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, Sanibel Elementary School, Lexington Middle School, and Diplomat Middle School. Total payments so far include 81 checks for $5.2 million. He said the FEMA public assistance is the payer of last resort. “Since our last meeting, FEMA cost share, which
typically is 75 cents on the dollar has increased to 90 cents on the dollar. It helps yield some additional funding quicker through FEMA through the state,” Mascali said. He said normally the state will pay half of the remaining cost share. “In a 75%, 25% scenario, the state would pick up 12.5%. Since it moved from a 90% to 10% disaster, they would normally pick up 5%,” Mascali said. With a piece of legislation passing for a waiver program, he said, it allows the opportunity for the remaining 5% to be paid for by the state. Mascali said this effectively makes the district whole for eligible expenses made through the FEMA pipeline. Mascali said the district has issued $110 million for purchase orders. “The district has made some significant payments of approximately $20 million to workers out in the field,” he said. “This has created a bit of a deficit. Currently based on receipts of funds there is a $5.85 million shortfall.” Mascali said there is money on the way. “The state has everything it needs from the district — how to distribute the funds and dot some I’s and cross T’s. We are hoping in short order back in the black,” he said with some windfall funding. Mascali said they are working with the federal delegation on a few issues pertaining to FEMA claims. He said they have reviewed their calculations, one of which is the project that pertains to remediation to contracts that came in immediately after the hurricane. “FEMA was not taking into account the district’s deductible,” Mascali said, which equates to $3 million of additional funding for the project. Imperium Consulting Group Managing Director Kipp Nelson said there were more than 1,000 damage elements at different locations that were initially identified. That number was calculated down to 800, which again decreased. There are 192 active FEMA projects, which are projects that FEMA, Florida Department of Emergency Management and the district have agreed upon. “We have gone through 94 site inspections,” Nelson said. He said $11.44 million has been received in emergency work, which includes such areas as cleaning debris and temporary work to stabilize buildings.
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Cape Coral Breeze Vol. 63, No. 12
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Cape Coral Breeze
February 9, 2024 ■ Page 4
OPINIONS CAPE CORAL BREEZE RAYMOND M. ECKENRODE Publisher VALARIE HARRING, Executive Editor CHRIS STRINE, Editor
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2510 Del Prado Blvd. • Cape Coral, FL, 33904 • Phone 239-574-1110 – Fax 239-574-5693 Member Florida Press Association
A fine line: Protocols, rules & free speech Cape Coral City Council updated its Council Agenda Rules of Protocol on Wednesday. Approved without discussion as part of the Consent Agenda, the changes clarify penalties for members of the public who break Council’s rules of decorum and are so asked to leave the meeting or who are escorted out. They are pretty stiff penalties. What Council clarified Wednesday night is its ostensible ability to bar residents who fail to follow the elected board’s rules of decorum from attending future meetings. According to the new rules, those who are “boisterous or disruptive in any manner to the conduct of a meeting” and so asked to leave will find themselves issued a trespass warning and barred from future meetings, with the length of the ban dependent on whether the person was also arrested. Those removed but not arrested will be barred from all meetings for 30 days from the date of removal for a first offense as determined by the mayor or other presiding member of Council. They will be barred for 60 days for a second offense. A third offense within a year of the first violation will result in being barred for 90 days and will require the person to petition Council “stating the reasons why they can attend Meetings without violating these Rules.” Council then will decide whether that person will again be “allowed” to attend Council workshops and meetings. If arrested, the person is barred until a final disposition of the criminal charges related to the ouster. After disposition by the court, the person is required to petition Council “stating the reason(s) why they should be permitted to attend future Meetings with City Council to then “decide whether the person is permitted to attend future Meetings of the City Council.” A couple of things, first on the rules and then on their placement on the Consent Agenda where Council discussion goes to die as policy is set and millions — millions upon million — of tax dollars are spent. First, we understand our elected board’s desire for decorum. Free speech is guaranteed. Free-for-alls that disrupt the public’s business are not. Reasonable rules to address disruptive behavior — we will return to reasonable — are not only allowed, but recommended and supported. The problem is that the line between free speech and disruptive speech can be a fine one and official actions — particularly policies that restrict future access for a decorum transgression for which a governing body acts as judge, jury and rules executioner, can be problematic, problematic to the point that they are unenforceable, i.e. not reasonable. The Florida League of Cities, an organization to which the city belongs and whose expertise Council touts, has addressed the issue of what governments may and may not do ... “to remain committed to finding ways to increase civility, build bridges, and adopt rules of See EDITORIAL, page 6
THE BREEZE FEBRUARY 9, 2024
New state requirements help protect your home from property fraud ed transaction and investigate fraudulent Criminals shouldn’t be able to steal your activity. We are leading the state in preventhome or property. Yet, for many years, thieves ing property fraud, and I’m extremely hopehave illegally recorded fraudulent deeds to take ful this will have a huge impact on protecting a property’s ownership from its rightful owners, homeowners. and the law required the Clerk’s Office to Even though these are very positive steps accept these documents without any exception. in preventing property fraud, one of the best Once the document was recorded, someone things you can do if you own a home or land could rent or sell the property for profit to an in Lee County is to register for our Property unsuspecting customer, evict a rightful homeFraud Alert service. owner, or place liens on the property. It is a free service that emails notifications On Jan. 1, new state requirements went into within 24 hours to subscribers when a deed, effect to help law enforcement investigate this mortgage or other land record with their regcrime and potentially keep it from happening. istered name on it has been recorded into the In addition to the previously required two county’s Official Records. To sign up, visit witness signatures, property deeds now must Kevin Karnes www.leeclerk.org/fraudalert. It’s a very simhave the post office address of each witness legple process that just requires your name and ibly printed, typewritten, or stamped on the email address. You can even register from deed. This statewide change is a result of HB your phone. This free service is a more trust1419, which state lawmakers and I initiated to ed alternative to certain companies you may make it harder to file fraudulent deeds. It’s just see advertised on TV or online, which are one more layer of protection for property ownfor-profit entities that sometimes make guarantees they cannot ers. Another key part of HB 1419 is the Title Fraud Prevention fulfill. You can also register properties owned by a business or Through Identity Verification Pilot Program, which requires those held in a trust. You’ve worked really hard for your home. It’s where you all persons listed on a deed to provide a government-issued photo ID before the deed is processed. Lee County was cho- raise your families and build positive memories. Someone sen to be the state’s pilot location for the program, and my shouldn’t be able to steal it by recording one fraudulent docuoffice launched it over the summer. The ID requirement ment. — Kevin Karnes is the Lee County Clerk of the Circuit through the program will make it easier for law enforcement to verify the identity of the parties engaged in a property-relat- Court and Comptroller
Guest Commentary
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR $60 million parks GO Bond should be reduced to $49 million To the editor: When we voted for the $60 million Parks GO Bond in November 2018, the city sold the referendum to the voters as having $11 million allocated to Yacht Club Enhancements. The City Council removed the Yacht Club Enhancements from the Parks GO Bond in March 2022 by a Consent Agenda Resolution. After five years, the city is now ready to share with the public that it believes the Parks GO Bond will end up costing $88.5 million (without the Yacht Club). The city should not be allowed to offset the overrun of the bond issue by using the $11 million that was advertised to the public for improvements to the Yacht Club Park. The city also promised that the 10 new parks would be completed by the end of 2021. Only four parks are completed as of today. The property owners in the city will be paying off this debt for the next 15 years and we are paying for something we were promised that we did not get. This is simply another example of city leadership, the mayor, and the city council doing the wrong thing for the citizens of Cape Coral. We are all sickened by the yearly stipend to our mayor and city council of $340,000. We should be more upset for paying $11 million for Yacht Club Enhancements that we did not receive. Reduce the bond Issue repayment to $49 million. Maybe someday they will finish the parks, but who knows how much they will really cost or when they will be done. Thomas Shadrach Past Budget Review Committee Chair Cape Coral
Threatening protest by politicians creates fear To the editor: When a local political party leader calls his fellow partisans from across the state to a protest rally attacking a teacher under the pretense of resolving a complaint, I am alarmed! Attacking one teacher in this way threatens all teachers, spreading chaos and fear throughout the school
system. This negatively impacts students, at a time when achievement is already declining. This threatening action is not only destructive to the learning environment, but wastes hundreds of hours of professional time, and costs thousands of tax payer dollars. To what end? The District has a complaint procedure, was aware of the situation and was working toward “a satisfactory resolution.” Politicians intruding again and for whose benefit? Obviously, their own. Samuel B. Stewart, Ed.D retired Superintendent of Schools, NJ Fort Myers
Don’t compromise the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve To the editor: Rep. Adam Botana and Sen. Jonathan Martin are proposing a pair of bills ( HB 957 and SB 1210 ) to shrink the size of the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve to allow for dredging and facilitate development on San Carlos Island. Botana claims that the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve boundary around San Carlos Island is ambiguous and needs to be clarified. Botana’s Bill would exclude the Island and some of the surrounding waters from the Preserve completely. Such an approach carry a threat of unintended consequences. Botana suggests that removing San Carlos Island from the Aquatic Preserve would help the shrimp industry rebuild from the devastation of Hurricane Ian. It is of paramount importance to help the shrimp industry as a unique and valued commercial business but, without compromising the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve. The San Carlos Island community have worked really hard over the years to achieve the status of a Working Waterfront Community. The designation provides opportunities for grant funds for infrastructure improvements to enhance the economic benefits of a viable and sustainable commercial fishing industry. A Working Waterfront Community can and should receive expedited local and state permitting which would achieve the objective of facilitating the restoration of the
See LETTERS, page 6
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Cape Coral Breeze
February 9, 2024 ■ Page 6 www.capecoralbreeze.com
Get involved: Together, our schools can rise to new heights I am deeply honored to serve as a School Board Member for the School District of Lee County, representing the interests of our students, families, and dedicated staff. It fills me with immense pride to witness the unwavering commitment of our District towards fostering student success. Achieving excellence in education, empowering our students to reach their full potential, is indeed a formidable endeavor. Yet, our collective determination, demonstrated by our District and school leaders, teachers, and support staff, persists in propelling us towards our goal of becoming a world-class school district. Recently, our District, in collaboration with the School Board, has revitalized our Strategic Plan, Envision 2030. This initiative has outlined five crucial District priorities: ■ Preparing ALL Students for Life after Graduation ■ Enhancing a Safe Learning and Workplace Culture ■ Recruiting, Developing, and Retaining Highly Effective Staff ■ Strengthening Student, Family, and Community Partnerships ■ Improving Internal Operating Systems
journey, equipping them with Under each of these priorthe tools needed for success. ities, our District staff has The upcoming months will meticulously crafted objecpass swiftly, and we will soon tives with associated actions, witness the 2024 graduating all of which will be closely class take center stage. Our monitored through key perstudents and staff are toiling formance indicators. To relentlessly to reach that miledelve deeper into the details stone, and we take immense of our Strategic Plan, stay pride in their continued sucupdated by attending School cess. Board meetings and visiting As our graduates embark our website at on their futures, our District leeschools.net/superintenremains committed to shapdent/strategic plan. ing the future of our commuIn the face of adversity, Debbie Jordan nity. With our population we often speak of grit and steadily increasing, our determination. Our students responsibility to serve more and staff have demonstrated students continues to grow. their resilience in the afterThis underscores the signifimath of hurricane Ian, and cance of the half penny sales their unwavering committax, which benefits our entire ment to excellence shines through in our latest state scores and the community. It enables us to construct new remarkable 2023 graduation rate. These schools, revamp aging facilities, upgrade achievements, in the face of daunting chal- technology, and enhance security across all lenges, underscore the progress we make as our campuses. As we march forward, I urge our families we personalize each student’s educational
Guest Commentary
to remain informed and engaged. Here are some essential points to consider: ■ Get involved - Explore the various committees within the district, and become an active participant. ■ Engage with your child’s school Volunteer, join PTA, and participate in various school activities such as Parent University. ■ Stay focused - Keep yourself updated on your student’s progress and involvement. ■ Be aware of the upcoming Student Code of Conduct - Read it thoroughly and don’t hesitate to seek clarification if you have questions. ■ For additional information, visit www.leeschools.net. I am confident that our District will persist in its unwavering commitment to academic excellence and community development. Reach out to your schools, get involved, and together, let’s elevate our school district to new heights. — Debbie Jordan represents District 4 on the Lee County School Board.
Cape Coral Breeze
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR From page 4 shrimp dock facilities. Such an approach to benefit water dependent uses, as with the shrimp fleet operations, would avoid the future possibility of the construction of high-rise condominiums, should the protection of the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve be removed. Ray Judah Former Lee County commissioner
Keep liberal ideologies out of the classroom To the editor: Last week I read a Guest Commentary in The Breeze titled, “Everybody’s an Expert,” who wondered why teachers get no respect for being experts. It is because many teachers, with elitist attitudes, have their own hidden liberal agendas meant to change the ideological opinions many children are taught at home. Let us consider the flag posted in a classroom at Riverdale High School
emblazing the slogan, “Hate has no home here.” Under the slogan are symbols of various liberal ideologies that are morally offensive to many parents and students in Lee County. The flag falsely teaches indirectly the message that we must embrace these ideologies, for if we do not, we hate. This message is clearly not true. We can hate an ideology. Hating people has no home anywhere. It would have been better, if the teacher was only interested in spreading love, to simply post the words of Christ: “These things I command you, that you love one another,”
John 15:17. Clearly, the advance of the woke ideologies is emblazoned on this flag. Parents can question teachers and protest teachers who propagate their liberal ideology upon the children in Lee County. If teachers want respect, they should keep their liberal ideas to themselves and focus their expertise only on the subjects being taught. Teachers, keep your liberal ideologies out of the classroom and you will be given respect you seek in your expertise. Arthur E. Amidano Cape Coral
Editorial: Consent agenda: Where discussion goes to die From page 4 parliamentary procedure that reinforces positive and equitable outcomes for the city and the community, while balancing the public’s right to participate and attend public meetings.” On Jan. 1, 2023, David Cruz Deputy General Counsel Florida League of Cities, Inc., provided some insight in a “Respectful Public Meetings Memorandum.” The memorandum, which also provides applicable case law, addresses a variety of topics, including what constitutes disruptive behaviors. Examples cited include interruption of a meeting or the utterance of “fighting words;” being repetitious or speaking on arguments unrelated to an agenda topic or issues unrelated to the governing body’s business; going beyond the allotted time and refusing to leave the podium. It also provides “Remedies for disruptive behavior,” again providing case law for each: “You MAY remove disruptive speaker from a public meeting. “You MAY turn off microphone to a disruptive speaker.” And a third: “You CANNOT ban persons who have exhibited disruptive behavior from attending or speaking at future meetings. The government cannot prohibit future expressive activity because of past unlawful conduct.”
The case law cited is Brown v. City of Jacksonville, 2006 WL 385055 (M.D. Fla. 2006). Interesting. But we don’t profess to have legal expertise. We know that case law can change or be interpreted differently. Perhaps the city has a more applicable reference that gives it — and the taxpayers — a comfort level should a chair-determined rules-transgressor who feels their rights have been abridged challenges being bounced and then barred from future meetings without other redress. We’d like to hear it before we have to pay for it. In fact, it would have been nice to hear any final discussion from Council in answer to those who had questions at public input. Not everything belongs on the consent agenda. So yes, please answer the unruly public input crowd the rules are intended to control. Those angry residents are not going away. Not when they feel they are not being heard. Not when too many decisions are being made by “consent.” Not when there are questions hanging.
This week’s poll question: Should members of the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard be deployed to Texas to assist Texas with efforts at the boarder. ∫ Yes. ∫ No.
Previous poll question Should Florida align its child labor laws for 16and 17-year-olds with federal regulations? ∫ Yes. — 81% ∫ No. — 19.25% * 166 votes at press time Poll results are not scientific and represent only the opinions of Internet users who have chosen to participate. Vote at capecoralbreeze.com.
— Breeze editorial
Agree? Disagree? Weigh in! Letters, guest opinions, comments welcome The views expressed on the Opinions pages are just that — opinions. These pages are intended to convey a range of viewpoints; opinions printed on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. Opposing views are welcome. Letters to the editor or guest columns may be e-mailed to vharring@breezenewspapers.com. All letters and guest opinions must be signed and must include a phone number for verification purposes. Readers are also invited to comment on any letter or editorial opinion online at: capecoralbreeze.com.
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Cape Coral Breeze
February 9, 2024 ■ Page 8 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze
Walk for the Poor set for Feb. 17 By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
A non-profit organization that aids and accommodates individuals in Cape Coral needing assistance is once again sponsoring a walk to benefit its mission. The third Annual Walk for the Poor, hosted by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Andrew Conference, takes place next Saturday, Feb. 17, at St. Andrew Catholic Church starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 1 p.m. The Walk for the Poor fundraiser has raised more than $15,000 for each of the last two years, and has raised public awareness of individuals in need within Cape Coral. “We put on the walk, in part, to raise money for the neighbors that we serve, and also because we want to raise awareness for the society,” said SVdP St. Andrew Conference President Mary Bauer. “There are plenty of people in need in Cape Coral to serve.” Bauer said their services are needed more and more as the years pass, especially after Hurricane Ian and the current cost of living. In 2023, SVdP processed 1,176 calls from individuals requesting assistance. Generous parishioners of St. Andrew, as well as grants from other conferences and the SVdP national office, the St. Andrew Conference distributed more than $96,000 in assistance to 541 families, including 491 children. “The need is still there, and the number of calls are up,” Bauer said. “We’re averaging about 100 calls each month from people in the Cape.” The St. Andrew Conference was founded in 1970 in Cape Coral. For over half a century, SVdP volunteers, referred to as “Vincentians,” have provided tangible assistance to Cape Coral neighbors in need in the form of food vouchers, water and electric utility assistance, prescription, rent and tempo-
rary lodging, thrift store vouchers, bus passes, job resources, and referrals to other agencies and organizations. Bauer said in just electric bills last year, the conference paid nearly $42,000, and $15,000 for water bills. “We also gave out $22,000 in food assistance,” Bauer added. “We paid a few hotel bills after Ian when someone fell through the FEMA cracks. We gave out furniture, and helped people with car payments and car insurance. “We have a lot of working people now who can’t quite make ends meet because utility bills have gone up, food has gone up.” There is no set distance participants have to walk. They may choose to walk as much or as little as they would like around St. Andrew Church. There will be refreshments served under the school “airnasium.” “If they want to do one loop around the block, that’s fine,” Bauer said. “And some people go for two hours.” SVdP provides assistance to Cape Coral neighbors in need regardless of religion, age, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic status. All staff are volunteers. “We’re more than a thrift store,” Bauer said. “People see the thrift store, and it is the most visible sign of St. Vincent de Paul, but the thrift store is really the smallest part of what we do. We go into people’s homes and help them assess their needs and budget. We see a growing number of people where people seem to be making just a little bit less than what they need to meet expenses. We also see the ability to budget dropping. How to make sure they have everything and how to set money aside to pay for the necessitates. We do some education on that as well.” Those interested in walking or making a donation can visit www.go.rallyup.com/capesvdp. St. Andrew Catholic Church is at 2628 Del Prado Blvd.
Park: To include lakefront beach, trails From page 1 that they will enjoy,” he said. On Wednesday, Cape Coral City Council approved a project total of $9,089,298.96 for the construction of Crystal Lake Park to Pavement Maintenance, LLC. The consent agenda item was not pulled for discussion and had a unanimous vote with Councilmember Jessica Cosden excused from the meeting. With Council approval, the contract is to be completed in 360 calendar days, which includes substantial completion within 330 days. In 2018, Cape Coral voters approved the $60 million General Obligation Bond for parks, agreeing to tax themselves a tad more to improvement and expand the city’s parks system. Among the promised projects was the construction of Crystal Lake Park. Amenities will include two main areas, both of which will have separate parking lots and restroom facilities. The main park area will have a multiuse path, beach, scuba diving area, hill overlook, pavilion shelters, shaded picnic areas, fitness stations and a kids fitness playground on the eastern portion of the site. The second part of the site, on the western portion, includes a boat ramp and kayak launch to Flagstone Canal connecting to the North Spreader
Waterway. The original concept plan had included a food truck area with utilities, outdoor dining seating and an aqua park. Amenities Brashaw is looking forward to includes the boat launch, beach, and the walking trail around the park, as well as the big hill on the western end. “From that hill you can actually see Charlotte Harbor and on a clear day you can see Boca Grande Pass,” he said. Brashaw said the water in Crystal Lake is really pretty amazing, as it is very deep, blue fresh water. “When you stand on the top of the hill and look down at the lake, it is really a great view. The water is very inviting. Anytime you are near the water it is a good thing,” he said. Brashaw became involved in the process early on when the city began soliciting input from the residents and incorporating that feedback into the park. He said what is unique about the park is it borders the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park, as it butts up against the residential neighborhood. “You can take some walking trails — they are rough — and you can walk all the way to Charlotte Harbor from Crystal Lake Park,” Brashaw said. The original concept plan had included a food truck area with utilities, outdoor dining seating and an aqua park.
By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
www.capecoralbreeze.com
having the most species (877) ever photographed in the U. S. David and Tammy are also SW Florida Bird Alert administrators. David is on the board of the American Birding Association,” she said. Tickets are $65 (which includes admission to the Burrowing Owl festival) and must be purchased ahead of time at ccfriendsofwildlife.org. Space is limited. “We want the community to experience and appreciate the beauty of our local wildlife,” Windisch said. “We want them to feel the joy of finding a beautiful bird in its natural habitat and to snap that one perfect photo.” CCFW’s Burrowing Owl Festival Wildlife and
Environmental Expo is also on the 24th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rotary Park. The festival features children’s activities, live animals by Adam’s Animal Encounters, wildlife education, silent auction, food and beverages, vendors, butterfly house tours and more. A $5 donation is suggested for visitors ages 12 or older. Funds raised will be used to support CCFW’s mission to preserve and enhance the habitats of protected wildlife species and to educate the community about Cape Coral’s wildlife resources, with a special emphasis on acquiring land to preserve as wildlife habitat in Cape Coral.
Cape Coral Breeze
Local wildlife photographers can experience a one-of-akind experience alongside experts later this month. As part of the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife’s 22nd Annual Burrowing Owl Festival, the local non-profit is offering a Birding Bus Tour for those that enjoy snapping pictures of local creatures. Participants will have the opportunity to view and photograph local birds alongside Master Birders Eary and Jennifer Warren, as well as David and Tammy McQuade. In addition to the adorable burrowing owls, possible sightings include bald eagles, purple martins, monk parakeets, eastern meadowlarks, loggerhead shrikes, wading birds such as the great blue heron, and maybe even mangrove cuckoos. “We all know that Cape Coral and Southwest Florida have beautiful wildlife, but it’s not always straight-forward to find birds,” said CCFW spokesperson Janet Windisch. “As a birder myself, I know that some days you go out and see lots of birds and other times they are hard to find. This is an opportunity for some of the best birders in the area to show you their favorite places, and to use their knowledge of the habitat and bird habits to observe and photograph birds. The tour guides spend many hours in local parks and they know where the hotspots are. Burrowing owls can almost always be observed at their burrows in Pelican Baseball Complex or the library, but other birds are trickier to find.” The four-hour, air-conditioned bus tour begins at 7 a.m. on Feb. 24 at Rotary Park, 5505 Rose Garden Road. The Warrens set the Florida State “Big Year” record in 2019 for the most bird species found in that year, all while working full time. “Eary also holds the Lee County ‘Big Day’ record,” Windisch added. “Eary is a native Floridian, Cape Coral resident, and an administrator of the Southwest Florida Bird Alert on Facebook. He and Jennifer can often be found with binoculars and cameras in one of Lee County’s many great parks.” Of the McQuades, Windisch said David and Tammy have observed more than 700 species of birds in the U. S. in each of the last four years. “David now has the distinction of being No. 1 on e-Bird,
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Signups under way for birding bus tour
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Upskill Village offers ‘soft skills’ micro-credentials By MEGHAN BRADBURY
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Adult learners now have the opportunity to register for Upskill Village, which will teach behaviors and non-technical skills to help interact with colleagues and clients. “Today’s employers are looking for people not just with the skills required to do the job, but the soft skills to manage the workplace,” School District of Lee County spokesperson Rob Spicker said. “Upskill Village offers employees the means to learn advanced, additional skills in something they’re already familiar with. The micro-credentials earned demonstrate their proficiency. Micro-credentials are a nationwide trend, and the district received an Economic Development grant to offer these classes to Lee County residents 16 and older for free.” The classes are offered from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays. Upskill Village, available through the district’s Adult and Career Education Department, will offer eight micro-credentials, at no cost to the individual who registers. The soft skills to be taught include oral communication, empathy, critical thinking, resilience, intercultural fluency, collaboration, creative problem solving and initiative. “The eight soft skills offered are specific asks from local business about what they need in new hires and current employees. The courses are designed to fill the gap between what skills employees have and the skills employers expect,” Spicker said. Certified teachers who are assigned to Adult and Career Education will teach the courses. The courses will be both in-person at the district office on Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers and virtually offered anytime
“The courses in Upskill Village are free to any Lee County resident over 16. Whether entering the workforce or already employed, the micro-credentials are a way to improve your skill set and make your resume stand out in a crowd. We believe the time taken to pass one or all the courses will create new opportunities for success in the workplace.” — Rob Spicker, School District of Lee County spokesperson
and anywhere. The in-person courses are limited to 25 people; the virtual have no limit of participants. “In-person courses have already started but have rolling enrollment for new sessions. The virtual courses are available to start at any time,” Spicker said. “The classes remain available through the rest of the school year.” Registration is required for both in-person and virtual courses and can be done at www.leeschools.net/cms/one.aspx?portalld=676305&pageld=140312939. “The courses in Upskill Village are free to any Lee County resident over 16. Whether entering the workforce or already employed, the micro-credentials are a way to improve your skill set and make your resume stand out in a crowd. We believe the time taken to pass one or all the courses will create new opportunities for success in the workplace,” Spicker said.
Council passes travel policy By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
Cape Coal City Council approved travel policy Wednesday,allowing for up to $2,000 for roundtrip airfare. Director of Financial Services Mark Mason said the Florida statutes provide an opportunity for the city to adopt and approve its own travel policy, which was done through a resolution in 2004. He said the ordinance was amended in 2018. Council voted on the resolution during Wednesday night’s meeting, as they had to readopt the policy pursuant to the Florida statute, as well as a 2021 audit that had several findings that needed amendments. Mason said one section of the resolution was changed to provide policy that would cover City Council and all charter officers. One resident spoke during the hearing, asking for a debate regarding a $2,000 ceiling for airfare cost per roundtrip. The costs for two bags, and any costs “considered unavoidable” will be reimbursed, according to the ordinance. Mason said it is common to have a ceiling in a policy, which is a living document that will stretch over a period of time. “The cost of travel changes. It may end up being that much five years from now. It depends on the time of year you are traveling. Traveling during the holidays — the cost can be double of what it might be during the summer months. I have seen some roundtrip fees that have come across that have approached $1,500,” he said. Mason said the price can also differ depending on if reservations are made in
Director of Financial Services Mark Mason said the Florida statutes provide an opportunity for the city to adopt and approve its own travel policy, which was done through a resolution in 2004. The ordinance was amended in 2018. advance or in a short timeframe. “Two thousand dollars is reasonable and yes, we did evaluate the prices,” he said. According to the resolution, it was established for a clear understanding of “authorized business travel, approval authority to direct travel, expense reimbursement procedures, articles for which travelers may be reimbursed and an expectation of accurate and timely expense reimbursement in the performance of city travel.” The ordinance also touched upon city vehicles, which “may not be authorized for travel outside the state of Florida.” Privately-owned vehicle travel “may be approved for local area travel, or outside the local area when deemed the most economical means of transportation. Meal and incidental expense allowance is also included in the resolution for overnight travelers. The resolution states that the traveler “is eligible to receive per diem” for daily meals. The resolution states that the traveler has five business days upon return to submit travel reimbursement.
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REAL ESTATE
THE BREEZE FEBRUARY 9, 2024
City rights of way Condo sales sluggish in 2023; along my canal? listings, pendings up with season Dear Mr. Feichthaler, I live in the Yacht Club area and bought five years ago. Unfortunately, I made the decision to obtain an adjustable rate mortgage at the time, which saved me .25% on the rate. So, I did great for five years, but now I have to refinance. With rates at 3% long gone, I was not looking forward to this. Now, the bank is telling me I have a problem with title. They are saying we don’t actually own part of the property in the back that borders the canal, and they won’t refinance without this being fixed. I don’t understand how this is even possible, who could own a threefoot strip of property between us and my dock and lift? And if it is possible, what do I do? —Steven N. Dear Steven, In what should be a very dull world of real estate law, Cape Coral seems to bring drama like no other city. What you have described is, unfortunately, not unique to your property. This issue is not the fault of the city, rather the initial developer, Gulf American. In prior Eric P. Feichthaler columns, I discussed the concept of “right of way,” which is an area of property the city controls and can use for municipal purposes. Typically, the primary purpose for right of way is for roads. However, in Cape Coral, we have hundreds of miles of a different kind of right of way — canals. Typically, these canal rights of way will meet up with your property line and seawall, just like they do in your front yard for the road. However, in certain areas of the city, notably the older parts of the city, the canal was not excavated to the property line. This has left several feet of land between the back of your property and the canal itself that is also city right of way. A bank may object to this, in that your property is not technically waterfront, and the assets like your dock and seawall may not be your property. Unfortunately, the answer on what to do is somewhat costly. An application must be made to vacate this unexcavated canal right-of-way, which will require City Council approval. This application must include surveys, approval letters from all utility companies, advertising costs and other items. The process will take months, but should result in a successful transfer. Before proceeding, it is highly advisable you meet with an attorney or with city staff to discuss what is necessary. Attempting to proceed without that guidance could cost you a lot of wasted time and money. In the meantime, you are not prohibited from using your dock and canal, you will simply traverse a few feet of city right of way to reach it.
Real Estate Law
Eric P. Feichthaler has lived in Cape Coral for over 35 years and graduated from Mariner High School in Cape Coral. After completing law school at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., he returned to Cape Coral to practice law and raise a family. He served as mayor of Cape Coral from 2005-2008, and continues his service to the community through the Cape Coral Caring Center, and Cape Coral Kiwanis. He has been
See CANAL RIGHTS OF WAY, page 15
Generally speaking, the Cape Coral which was down 4.4% compared to the condo market was on the sluggish side 113 sales in the fourth quarter of 2022, in 2023, as the number of active listand 1.8% below the 110 sales in the ings coming onto the market continued third quarter of 2023. For the year, to increase while pending sales softened there were a total of 521 condos sold throughout the year. We are currently overall in the Cape during 2023, or seeing an influx in the number of condo 22.4% less than the 671 units sold for listings in the MLS as the “seasonal the year in all of 2022. sellers” stream into the market. Despite The December median sales price the seasonal pick-up in the number of was $267,000 in the overall Cape pending condo sales, we expect the Coral condo market, which was 2% competition between sellers trying to below the $272,450 posted in attract a buyer to be fierce in what has December 2022, and it was 9.9% become a high inventory buyers market. lower than the $297,000 in November As of Tuesday, Feb. 6, there were 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2023, 408 active condo listings in Cape Coral the median sales price averaged Bob and Geri Quinn through the MLS at prices ranging from $276,333 per month in the Cape’s $157,000 to $3.9 million, with a medioverall condo market, down 1.7% from an list price of $299,450. The number the average of $281,117 per month in of condo listings have increased by the fourth quarter of 2022, and 0.21% 12.7% from 362 units on the market below the average of $276,920 per just over a month ago on Jan. 2, and they are up by month in the third quarter of 2023. For the year, the 138.6% from 171 listings thirteen months ago on Jan. 5, median sales price averaged $280,145 per month in our 2023, when the median list price was at $320,000. overall condo market during 2023, or 1.1% above the Back on Jan. 5 of 2023, there were 41 condos in the average of $276,967 per month for the year in 2022. Cape listed at $275,000 and under, with eight of those Gulf access canal condos units priced below $200,000. At that time, there were In the Cape Coral gulf access canal condo segment, also a total of 23 units listed at $500,000 and above, which includes all saltwater canal condos, there were 17 including seven above $1 million. As of this week, there were 150 condos listed for sale closed sales in the month of December. This was 54.5% in the Cape at $275,000 and under, including 41 below higher than the 11 condos sold in December 2022, $200,000 to go with the 51 condos listed at $500,000 which was in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, and up and above, which included 15 units at $1 million and 30.8% from the 13 sales in November 2023. In the above. The number of currently pending sales has fourth quarter of 2023, there were a total of 43 closed increased by 57% to 66 condos under contract on Feb. condo sales in this segment, up 26.5% versus the 34 6, from 42 pending sales a month ago on Jan. 2, and up sales in the fourth quarter of 2022, but 4.4% below the from 54 pending sales back on Jan. 5, 2023. The current 45 sales in the third quarter of 2023. For the year, there median pending sales price is at $266,000 with about were a total of 231 gulf access condos sold in the Cape 70% of our pending sales priced at $325,000 and under, during 2023, which was 20.6% less than the 291 units and eight condos under contract at $508,500 and above, sold for the year in all of 2022. The December median sales price came in at including two units above $1 million. Moving into the year-end 2023 sales numbers, in the $315,000 for the Cape’s gulf access condo segment, overall Cape condo market there were 37 closed sales in which was 33% below the $470,000 posted in the month of December, which was 15.9% lower than December 2022, and 8% lower than the $342,500 in the 44 condos sold in December 2022, and they were November 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the even with the 37 sales in November 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2023, there were 108 closed condo sales, See 2023 CONDO SALES, page 15
Homing In
From ‘For Sale’ to ‘Sold’ Tips on maximizing your property’s ability to sell Amidst the ever-evolving real estate market, Southwest Florida homeowners are gearing up for strategic moves to make the most of current conditions. Before putting their homes up for sale, sellers must first know how to stand out. Optimal timing, realistic pricing, value-added enhancements and effective marketing are critical elements to navigating Florida’s dynamic marketplace.
Understand the optimal time to sell Understanding the seasonality of the market and the broader economic landscape is key to strategically timing the sale of a property. Local inventory has been on the rise. However, as interest rates are likely to decline this year, buyers are likely to take advantage of the newfound stability in home pricing. This shift makes it even more crucial for sellers to be strategic and well-prepared before listing their homes. Today’s sellers should leverage this trend by ensuring that their properties are priced competitively and are in optimal condition to attract discerning buyers. Set realistic, competitive pricing Competitive pricing is a cornerstone of a successful
Michael Davis
Guest Commentary
home sale in today’s market. To set a realistic and competitive price, start by conducting a comparative market analysis. This involves researching recent sales prices of comparable homes in your neighborhood, considering similar square footage, amenities and age of your property. Make informed decisions and price with your head, not your heart. An unbiased opinion of a real estate agent or a pre-appraisal can offer you an objective assessment. “With competitive inventory and a shifting market, it’s critical to be
See ‘FOR SALE’ TO ‘SOLD,’ page 15
From page 14 median sales price averaged $349,167 per month in this segment, which was 6.7% lower than the average of $374,150 per month in the fourth quarter of 2022, but 5.6% above the average of $330,583 per month in the third quarter of 2023. For the year, the median sales price for gulf access condos averaged $342,722 per month in 2023, which was 0.4% above the average of $341,454 per month for the year in all of 2022.
Dry lot condos In the Cape Coral dry lot (non-canal) condo segment, there were 18 closed
sales in the month of December, which was 25% lower than the 24 sales in December 2022, but up 38.5% from the 13 sales in November 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2023, there were 51 closed condo sales in this segment, which was 15% below the 60 sales in the fourth quarter of 2022, but 4.1% higher than the 49 sales in the third quarter of 2023. For the year, there were a total of 231 dry lot condos sold in the Cape during 2023, which was down 26.2% versus the 313 units sold for the year in all of 2022. The December median sales price came in at $220,500 for the Cape’s dry lot condo segment, which was 7.6% above the $205,000 posted in December 2022, and 0.23% more than the $220,000 in November 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the median sales price averaged $222,000 per month in this segment, which was 7.8% lower than the average of $240,833 per month in the fourth quarter of 2022, and 8.2% below the average of $241,917 per month in the third quarter of 2023. For the year, the median sales price for dry lot condos in
the Cape averaged $240,266 per month in 2023, which was 3.1% above the average of $232,940 per month for the year in all of 2022. The sales data for this article was obtained from the Florida Realtors Multiple Listing Service Matrix for Lee County, Fla., as of Feb. 5, 2024, unless otherwise noted. It was compiled by Bob and Geri Quinn and it includes information specifically for Cape Coral condominiums, townhouses, and villas, and it does not include any single family homes, short sales or foreclosures. The data and statistics are believed to be reliable, however, they could be updated and revised periodically, and are subject to change without notice. The Quinns are a husband and wife real estate team with the RE/MAX Realty Team office in Cape Coral. They have lived in Cape Coral for over 44 years. Geri has been a full-time Realtor since 2005, and Bob joined Geri as a full-time Realtor in 2014. Their real estate practice is mainly focused on Cape Coral residential property and vacant lots.
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Direct sailboat access canal condos In the Cape Coral direct sailboat access canal condo segment, which is a subgroup of gulf access condos with no bridges in the canal system, there were 13 closed sales in the month of December. This was 116.7% higher than the six condos sold in December 2022, and up 62.5% from the eight sales in November 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2023, there were 25 closed condos sales in this segment, up 47.1% versus the 17 sales in the fourth quarter of 2022, and even with the 25
sales in the third quarter of 2023. For the year, there were a total of 129 direct sailboat access canal condos sold in the Cape during 2023, which was down 26.3% from the 175 condos sold for the year in all of 2022. The December median sales price came in at $340,000 for the Cape’s direct sailboat access condo segment, which was 37.3% below the $542,450 posted in December 2022, and down 1.8% from $346,250 in November 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the median sales price averaged $397,083 per month in this segment, which was 5.5% lower than the average of $419,983 per month in the fourth quarter of 2022, but 7.4% above the average of $369,633 per month in the third quarter of 2023. For the year, the median sales price in this segment averaged $385,425 per month in 2023, which was 1.3 % higher than the average of $380,638 per month for the year in all of 2022.
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2023 condo sales: Sluggish year, but listings, pendings now up
‘For Sale’ to ‘Sold’: Tips on maximizing your property’s ability to sell From page 14
Develop a strategy that adds value Let’s face it. We all want to get the most return on our investment. If you’re not happy with the sale value of your home, consider strategies that get you closer to where you want to be.
home appear small and messy. Caravello recommends, “When you decorate or design, you are putting the owner’s personality into the home. When you’re staging, you’re taking it out because you want people to imagine themselves in that house, not the other way around.”
Market, market, market First impressions matter when promoting your property, and effective marketing is the key to creating a lasting one. First looks typically happen online before a seller even gets to your front door. Invest in eye-catching, high-quality photography that offers a comprehensive look at your property and promote your property across various channels, including online listings and social media, to get in front of a larger audience. Further enhance the viewer experience beyond standard photos by incorporating virtual tours and video. Informative home descriptions help set the scene before an in-person visit.
Emphasize the features that make your home stand out. If your property has a waterfront view or spacious yard, your listing should showcase these attributes. Finally, you never know when a potential buyer may drive past your home. Enhance curb appeal with a fresh coat of paint, landscaping and a prominent for-sale sign out front. A well-thought-out sales strategy goes a long way in positioning yourself for success. An experienced real estate professional can keep you informed and help you navigate the current market landscape. With proper planning and execution, you’ll be ready to unlock the full potential of your property. Michael Davis is an owner of Worthington Realty, a boutique real estate company specializing in residential sales, rentals and development across Southwest Florida. For more information, call 239437-3334, email info@worthingtonrealty.com or visit WorthingtonRealty.com.
Canal rights of way: Revelation puts resident in financial quandary From page 14 married to his wife, Mary, for 22 years, and they have four children. He earned his board certification in Real Estate Law
from the Florida Bar, and primarily practices in real estate law and wills and trusts. He is AV Preeminent rated by MartindaleHubbell for professional ethics and legal ability, and is a Supreme Court Certified
Circuit Civil Mediator. He can be reached at eric@capecoralattorney.com, or 239542-4733. This article is general in nature and not intended as legal advice to anyone.
Individuals should seek legal counsel before acting on any matter of legal rights and obligations.
Cape Coral Breeze
priced well and prepared before putting your home on the market,” advises Brian Rodgers, owner and broker at Worthington Realty. “Be realistic in seeing how it compares to others on the market, as this helps provide a baseline for your sale price.” Factor in closing costs and ongoing costs of owning the property while on the market before determining your ideal sale price and leave wiggle room in your price for negotiation. “Consider your goal. Are you looking for the maximum profit, or are you hoping to sell quickly? Or do you want to find the sweet spot for both?” Rodgers added.
Many sellers can add value by investing in home improvements. Take a thorough look at your home, or complete a home inspection, to identify what repairs are needed. Fixing that leaky faucet or touching up paint makes a difference. Professional home staging helps to showcase your property’s potential by highlighting its best features. “People shouldn’t be disappointed when they go inside a home. The price tag should be reaffirmed by what they see inside the house,” advises Ruth Caravello, president of Carastudio Home Staging. “They have to fall in love, and they’ve got to imagine themselves in there. It can happen as quickly as 10 seconds when they walk into the house.” Caravello said her greatest piece of advice is to deep clean and declutter. While family photos and personal items may seem minor, they distract buyers from seeing the potential of a space. Too many knickknacks and personal mementos can also make your
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School Distict nears adoption phase for textbooks Public can review the materials on district website, public hearing set for March 5 By MEGHAN BRADBURY
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The School District of Lee County has revised its process for textbook adoptions to align with the state releasing its short, vetted list. High School Secondary Curriculum & Instruction Director Candace Allevato said the district purposely held off a year, so they could take the full year to review the materials for social studies textbooks. “We would go through our adoption cycle at the same time the state does to purchase,” she said. “We waited until the state gave a fully vetted list — the state released list. That is a shift from how we have typically done business.” The same process will be done for science textbook adoption. “We will hold until the state comes out with a short list and next year we will adopt science,” Allevato said. Allevato said the public now has the chance to review the materials as well, which is available on the district’s website, www.leeschools.net. “On March 5 we have a public hearing only to receive comments — any feedback on the materials which are being recommended from the committee,” she said of the school board’s action meeting. The school board will then vote on the
“We would go through our adoption cycle at the same time the state does to purchase. We waited until the state gave a fully vetted list — the state released list. That is a shift from how we have typically done business.” — Candace Allevato, High School Secondary Curriculum & Instruction director adoption of the social studies instructional material on March 26, followed by objection form on March 27, which is open for 30 days. If no objections, on April 25, Allevato said they will begin ordering materials before the school year is over. She said teachers like to have the material in hand before the summer, so they can start to plan. “Our goal is once we get through April 25 to begin ordering materials, so we can begin our professional development,” Allevato said. The textbook adoption begins in the fall when the district meets with publishers and hosts a publisher showcase, which is available to any teacher, community member, or family. There were four social studies committees, which were comprised of teachers, administrators, students, parents, and com-
munity members. The committee makes a recommendation based on benchmarks, student, and teacher needs. “Once we have a recommendation and approval of the board, we begin negotiations,” Allevato said. The price provided at the beginning of committee work, may not be the price at the end. “We take the packages off the table and don’t look at the cost because it changes throughout the entire process,” Allevato said. “We will build a custom package.” The elementary school social studies recommendation was Teacher Curriculum Institute – Social Studies Alive! for an estimated cost of $3,508,894 for print and digital. Elementary Curriculum & Instruction Director Dr. Bethany Quisenberry said the recommendation for the elementary school
textbook was due to the realistic and student-centered opportunities with hands-on activities, including access points for ESE and multi-language students. It was also expressed that the program was more age appropriate for primary students. The middle school social studies and civics recommendation is Teacher Curriculum Institute – History Alive! and Civics Alive! for an estimated cost of $2,329,260. Secondary Curriculum & Instruction Director for Middle School Lori Houchin said the textbooks provide text translation and the ability to edit presentations allowing teachers to make them their own. There are also formative assessments that the committee felt were aligned with state assessments and benchmark standards. The high school economics and United States government textbook recommendation is Teacher Curriculum Institute Econ Alive! and Government Alive! for an estimated cost of $1,250,122. The high school U.S. History and World History textbook recommendation is Savvas – Florida History Interactive for an estimated cost of $1,924,538. Allevato said the textbook aligns with end of course exams and is inquiry based and project based making it alive with charts, graphs, and real world.
Bike Night: Live music, competitions, all things motorcycle draw crowds From page 1 spring is coming. It’s a good reason to come out, wear your leathers, and ride your motorcycle.” The popular slow bike races begin at 8 p.m. on Southeast 11th Place next to Dixie Roadhouse. “In October, the return of the slow bike race was a resounding success,” King said. “Anyone that has a bike and wants to see ‘how slow can you go,’ we want them to join us for the race.”
This Bike Night’s music lineup features “Relentless Fire” from 6:30 to 8, and “Completely Unchained,” a Van Halen tribute band, from 8:30 to 10. “The Van Halen tribute is going to blow the lid off of it,” King said. “Completely Unchained is going to be one of our best headliners ever.” Bike Night will also feature the Rockstar Harley-Davidson VIP Parking, which is free for Harley-Davidson bikes
and automatically enters the driver for a chance to win a $100 gift card. King said even if you don’t have a bike of your own, it’s great to be able to come down and check out some unique builds and enjoy an entertaining night with live bands. “Even if you’re not a motorcycle owner, people are fascinated with the motorcycle, and we have all kinds of unique motorcycles parked along the street,” King said.
“People like to show off their custom builds.” Organizers encourage the use of ride share services (Lyft/Uber/taxi) for both responsible drinking and to assist guests in getting to the venue in the safest, most efficient way. There is limited parking on-site, including motorcycle parking at two different locations until 11 p.m. The final Cape Coral Bike Night takes place April 13.
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Expressions: CCHS earns first From page 1 said two years before she retired, the school’s IB numbers became so huge, she could not teach anything but IB English and creative writing was cut. “I wanted to teach creative writing,” he said, adding that the class has had a lot of success since. This is the third year in a row they have published Expressions. “The first year the magazine was good, but it wasn’t competition worthy. We managed to win first in the nation and received another award last year,” Smoly said. “The fact that the students put that much time and effort into writing poetry and short stories, that are competition worthy and win awards, makes me feel great.” He said for students to express themselves in a literary fashion is amazing, as students are constantly Tweeting and posting to Instagram. To expand their verbiage and write larger poems and win awards, makes him feel amazing, he added. The latest Expressions magazine, 130 pages, features the works of 30 students. “My favorite part of working on Expressions is working with everyone on our writing. I love seeing their poetry and having them comment on mine. Knowing that people are reading my poems is really cool,” said senior poet and third year Expressions writer Justine Crowder in a prepared statement. “I’m also excited to have my book of poetry published this year.” A lot of the work comes from the creative writing class, although students in the school are encouraged to submit work through the Expressions Google Classroom. The six-person editor staff team chooses which submissions will be showcased in the magazine.
“The first year the magazine was good, but it wasn’t competition worthy. We managed to win first in the nation and received another award last year. The fact that the students put that much time and effort into writing poetry and short stories, that are competition worthy and win awards, makes me feel great.” — journalism teacher Aaron Smoly “It’s a completely student-run publication, similar to the school newspaper,” Smoly said. The 2023 edition Editor-in-Chief was Jaylen Marrero, who now attends the University of South Florida. This year’s Editor-in-Chief is Lion Canter. “I learned a lot from last year’s staff. Their writing and presentation were excellent, but I believe that we have it in us to surpass that and maintain this level of excellence,” Canter said in a prepared statement. Crowder and Canter, as well as four other students, are on pace to have personal books of poetry and short stories published on Amazon for their Capstone projects this April. The creative writing program at Cape Coral High School requires all third-year students to have a book published. Cape Coral High School students Brielle Robinson had a book of poetry, “12-18” published two years ago and Anthony Longstreet had his book “I’m Proud to be Different: A Children’s Book about Autism” published last year. The next edition of Expressions will be available in April.
Expressions editorial staff holds up their first in the nation award. Pictured are Copy Editor Nanami Constantin, Art Director Broderick Mann, Poetry Editor Lucas Rowzer, and Editor-InChief Lion Canter) At right, the winning edition of Cape Coral High School’s literary magazine, Expressions. PHOTOS PROVIDED
Cape named Municipal Youth Council Video Competition winner makes their city special and emphasize the invaluable contributions youth councils make to enhance their communities.” This year’s video competition asked councils to address what makes their city, town or village great; what their community offers its residents, businesses and visitors; and how their youth council helps to make their community great. The Cape Coral Youth Council video highlights the city's scenic locations, wildlife, population growth and community events. Their video depicts community involvement with residents coming together to enjoy live music in their local park. The video also speaks to the council members' passion for service through their monthly volunteering opportunities, such as Adopt-A-Road, to keep their city
By CHUCK BALLARO
news@breezenewspapers.com
CHUCK BALLARO
Six more weeks of winter? Cape Coral’s ground owl sees her shadow news@breezenewspapers.com
It has been an unusually cool winter here in Southwest Florida. And it may continue to be cool for some time to come. That is what Athene, the city’s official burrowing owl, told NBC2 meteorologist Rob Duns on Friday as the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife and Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department presented the sixth annual Ground Owl Day at Pelican Baseball Complex, Cape Coral’s version of Groundhog Day. Athene saw her shadow as she emerged from her burrow, signaling six more weeks of winter, whispering it in Duns' ear before he held up a “Yes” sign, signaling the news that spring isn’t coming early. Punxsutawney Phil arose without seeing his shadow, signaling an early spring in Pennsylvania. We will soon see who’s right. Janet Windisch, spokesperson for the Friends of Wildlife, said the Cape Coral event is to raise awareness of the burrowing owl, the city's official bird and one that is considered a threatened species. “We’re trying to build momentum and get the awareness of the community about our events and the importance of the burrowing owl to us,” Windisch said. The event also is a prelude to the Burrowing Owl Festival to be held Saturday, Feb. 24, at Rotary Park. Last year’s festival raised more than $60,000.
Nearly 200 people, including city dignitaries, came out for Ground Owl Day, which included comments from the Friends of Wildlife hierarchy regarding how 2023 went and a proclamation by Mayor John Gunter. Duns, once again the master of ceremonies, and Athene, who took time out of her busy schedule for numerous photo ops, along with the other feathered neighbors outside the fences of the complex. Gunter talked about the importance of the Friends of Wildlife organization and how it protects the nearly 2,500 owl nests in the city limits and how it helped the city potentially get a grant to relocate and designate areas for the owls, a first for the state. “We’re one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and it’s important to find a balance between our environment, wildlife and the explosive growth we have,” Gunter said. The Friends of Wildlife have provided a great service to the city, not only for the owls but for gopher tortoises and other threatened animals. “Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife was founded in 2001 for the purpose of preserving and protecting wildlife, to educate and engage the community on the city’s wildlife, and the importance of wildlife habitat within the city,” said Judy Mitchell, president of Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife. Money raised goes toward purchasing land with wildlife habitat. Several lots have already been donated.
When the Habitat for Humanity ReStore cut the ribbon at its North Fort Myers flagship store to celebrate its reopening, it was expected to be a nice gathering with a nice group of people coming in and buying some of the many things they had stocked. What was not expected was the need to find parking spaces for the hundreds of people who came ready to get some great deals on everything from glassware to furniture to appliances. Lines to the checkout aisle stretched all the way to the back of the store, leaving some to wonder if there would be anything left by the end of the day. Friday was a special day for Habitat for Humanity for Lee and Hendry Counties as it reopened its main ReStore just off Business 41, which was severely damaged in September 2022 by Hurricane Ian, destroying all its merchandise, putting a hole in its roof and severely restricting its ability to do its mission. Becky Lucas, CEO of Habitat for Humanity for Lee and Hendry Counties, said after sustaining more than two feet of water and finding part of its roof in the parking lot, the decision was to rebuild it, with the fruits of their 16month efforts celebrated. “This is our flagship store and we lost 30,000 square feet of merchandise. Everything here had to go to the Dumpster,” Lucas said. “Over the last two months we’ve asked the community not only to help us rebuild but restocking the store.” The store has merchandise that’s better than ever in a store that looks better than ever, Lucas said. The result was standing room only, with volunteers helping shoppers to find a place to park. “We hoped the community would come out to support the opening. Never did we realize we would see such generosity and so many of our longtime customers come back,” Lucas said. The other ReStores in Lee and Hendry counties took up some of the slack, but the flagship location is where much of the money is made to build the houses they sell to qualifying homeowners in need. In 2021, the flagship store allowed Habitat to build three homes just from the revenue that came from this store in one year, Lucas said. Nearly 20% of its revenue came from the stores. Elisha Baird, vice president of strategic partnership, said this day is long-awaited after the experience of Ian. “It’s nice to see all of the staff’s hard work that they put in to make this day possible,” Baird said. “I couldn’t imagine having four parking lots packed and having volunteers manage the parking.”
Cape Coral Breeze
Ian-wrecked Habitat ReStore reopens to huge crowds
NBC2 meteorologist Rob Duns tells the public that Athene the Ground Owl saw its shadow at the sixth annual Ground Owl Day at Pelican Baseball Complex on Friday.
By CHUCK BALLARO
looking clean and inviting. They go above and beyond and are one of the first youth councils in the state to adopt a strategic plan and lay out their goals to develop their council. The Miramar Youth Advisory Council and Pinellas Park TeenWorkX Youth Council were also named winners in the statewide competition. Winners will be recognized on the League’s website, social media platforms and by the League’s Quality Cities magazine and receive a monetary award and a trophy. Additional information about the winning videos will be available on FLC’s website at flcities.com/youthcouncils. Founded in 1922, the Florida League of Cities is the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments. For more information, visit flcities.com.
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TALLAHASSEE – The Florida League of Cities, the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, announced the Cape Coral Youth Council as one of three winners of the 2023 Municipal Youth Council Video Competition. The annual competition aims to provide a way for Florida’s youth councils to showcase their ideas, creativity and commitment to their communities. Municipal youth councils are special councils that typically serve as an advisory board to the local government. They are composed of high school students within the city and are sometimes referred to as youth corps, teen advisory boards or mayor’s youth councils. “This competition has been a remarkable platform for Florida’s youth to express their creativity and passion for their communities,” said FLC President Greg Ross, mayor of Cooper City. “These videos capture what
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SalusCare participates in program to benefit health care workers measure adaptation to stress and enviTraining designed to reduce employee burnout and improve effectiveness toronmental demands. More than 30 members of management and staff at SalusCare, the largest nonprofit mental health and substance abuse treatment agency in Southwest Florida, are participating in a pilot program designed to decrease stress and burnout of health care workers. The weekly training from January through April aims to improve job satisfaction and ability to meet the area’s growing needs for mental and behavioral health services. The pilot training uses evidence-based techniques developed through research since 1991 by the HeartMath Institute. It trains people to be able to pull out of fight or flight responses to shift from stress, dysregulation and incoherence to self-regulation, coherence and resilience, resulting in less anxiety, stress, fatigue and greater energy, health and fulfillment. According to a 2022 study by the Centers for Disease Control, 46% of health
workers reported feeling burned out often or very often, compared to 32% in 2018. In addition, Florida is facing workforce shortages across facilities that provide mental health services, according to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. “With a workforce shortage, it’s critical to take care of our employees so they can be effective and passionate, even as demands on them increase,” said Stacey Cook, CEO of SalusCare. “We believe we have a responsibility to help heal the workers who are charged with healing the community but are tired and burned out after COVID, Hurricane Ian and increased needs.” Data collected at the start of the weekly program in January and at the end of the pilot in April will evaluate success. The program has been used nationwide for employees of the military, hospitals and
first responders. Cook connected with Jamie Linn Stuart, a Certified Resilience Advantage Trainer, about the pilot opportunity at a meeting of the Collaboratory’s Healing Healthcare Workers Coalition. Stuart is leading the SalusCare training for Resilience Advantage, a program that teaches practical day-to-day techniques to evaluate experiences to achieve coherence, a state of synchronization between the heart, brain, emotions and nervous system. Over time, these techniques help participants connect with courage, care, focus, gratitude, dignity and kindness in all aspects of their lives. Participants in the pilot program use non-invasive Heart Rate Variability monitors that use biofeedback to help participants reach and measure “heart coherence,” to balance mind and emotions. The monitor measures naturally occurring beatto-beat changes in heart rate/heart rhythms
Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida to host free COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinic Feb. 16 in Fort Myers The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida will be partnering with Disability Rights Florida to organize a nocost clinic for COVID-19 and flu vaccines. This clinic is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 16, from 9 a.m. to noon, and will offer both Moderna COVID-19 and flu vaccines to older adults (60+), and adults with disabilities. To secure a spot, individuals can register in advance through the provided link: AAASWFL Vaccine Clinic February 16,
2024 (smartsheet.com). Additionally, AAASWFL will be handing out gift cards to the first 15 individuals who sign up and receive a vaccine. The clinic will be in the main conference room at the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida is at 2830 Winkler Ave., Suite 112, Fort Myers. The vaccines are free for older adults (60+), and adults with disabilities. The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida is a nonprofit organiza-
tion serving Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota counties. AAASWFL is the state's designated Aging and Disability Resource Center for Southwest Florida. The organization is committed to connecting older adults and adults with disabilities to resources and assistance for living safely with independence and dignity. More information is available at https://www.aaaswfl.org or by calling the toll-free Helpline at 866-41ELDER.
After the pilot program, Cook and Stuart hope grants and philanthropic support will expand the training to other health care workers, first responders, teachers and others in the community. “We hope ultimately to bring the program to area nonprofits in health care to help build resilience and heal extreme burnout,” Stuart said. “We hope to reignite passion, increase energy levels and diminish symptoms of fatigue, sleep disturbances and stress, allowing people to be more efficient and effective in every place in their lives.” About SalusCare SalusCare is a Fort Myers-based, notfor-profit mental health and substance abuse service provider incorporated in 2013 after the merger of Lee Mental Health Center and Southwest Florida Addiction Services to ultimately improve care for children and adults by utilizing one seamless system of care. “Salus” means health, prosperity and safety, reflecting the focus of the organization. SalusCare has six locations with more than 350 employees throughout Southwest Florida, bringing hope and recovery to nearly 16,000 adults and children each year. All substance abuse programs and most mental health services are accredited by CARF International, an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. SalusCare is funded in part by the Florida Department and Children and Families, Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, Lee County Board of County Commissioners and United Way of Lee, Hendry & Glades counties. For information, visit saluscareflorida.org or call 239-275-3222.
Valentine’s Day: members provides happiness and love to all parties. ■ Reflect: Get together with a group of friends ■ Platonic love: Love whose significant others and affection from friends is have also passed away. just as important as the Meet over lunch or dinner, romantic kind. For seniors bring out old photo albums aging at home, organizing a and reflect on past moments day with close friends prowith your spouse, such as vides opportunities to mainweddings, vacations and tain healthy relationships. even your most memorable Exchange Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day. cards and complete an activOftentimes, reminiscing ity together, like watching a about our favorite memomovie, cooking a meal or ries helps us to feel closer to playing a game of cards. Rachel Byrd that person. Quality time with those who make you laugh can bring a ■ Quality time: Take ray of joy to your day. time to connect with family members, such as children, ■ Local events: Seek out grandchildren and siblings. Valentine’s Day events hapSet up a FaceTime or phone pening near you. Senior livcall to catch up on life, or even invite a ing communities often host parties and family member or close friend to lunch or a events to celebrate the holiday. Those livcup of coffee. Connecting with family ing at home can check the local library,
Guest Commentary
YMCA or church for Valentine’s Day themed events, such as trivia nights, movie screenings and speed-friending. Celebrating Valentine's Day without your life partner is understandably challenging. That’s why it’s important to be intentional in surrounding yourself with the love and friendship of those in your inner circle. One of the best ways to combat loneliness is through socialization. Reconnecting with old acquaintances and meeting new friends offer great opportunities to stay active, upbeat and engaged on Valentine’s Day or any other day of the year. Rachel Byrd is the Regional Manager of Florida Senior Consulting in Lee/Collier County and is licensed as a Certified Dementia Practitioner, a BC-AAP with the Activity Professionals National Credentialing Center and CORE certified as an assisted living administrator.
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The rise in red hearts, teddy bears and boxed chocolates on display at retail stores can only mean one thing – Valentine's Day is approaching. Although Valentine’s Day is a universally recognized day of love, not everyone looks forward to Feb. 14. Those who have lost a life partner can experience a roller coaster of emotions on the “Hallmark Holiday.” This is especially true for widowed seniors, many of whom experience isolation and a lack of companionship on a regular basis, let alone a day when love is supposed to be the air. Many senior living communities offer activities that are geared for supporting seniors during holidays such as Valentine’s Day. Additionally, seniors who live at home can take matters into their own hands by purposefully planning activities that will help minimize feelings of sadness or loneliness. These four activities offer a great opportunity for seniors to surround themselves in positivity and friendship on
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Seniors can embrace connections and beat loneliness this Valentine’s Day
HEALTH NOTES
Malaina Mote has been hired as director of development at Lee Health Foundation, a role in which she will focus on generating donor support including major gifts for the Lee Health Musculoskeletal Institute.
Mote, a resident of Bonita Springs, is a native of Southwest Florida and a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University. Previously, she was director of donor development for Habitat for Humanity. Prior to that, she held development roles at the Collaboratory and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. She received Florida Gulf Coast University’s Soaring Eagle Award in
2021. Mote will guide fundraising initiatives as Lee Health develops a program of excellence with a vision of becoming the regional and national destination for preventing, treating and rehabilitating musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. With a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, state-ofthe-art technology and high-value patient
care, Lee Health’s musculoskeletal services include orthopedics, spine, arthritis and sports medicine. For additional information about the role of philanthropy at Lee Health or to donate, visit LeeHealthFoundation.org or call 239-343-6950.
See HEALTH NOTES, page 22
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Lee Health Foundation hires Mote as director of development
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Sponsorships, registrations, award nominations available for Lee Health Cancer Institute Fashion Show March 12 Registration and sponsorships are available for the Lee Health Cancer Institute Fashion Show and Luncheon to be held March 12 at Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club in Fort Myers. At the annual event, formerly known as “Colors of the Sea,” Lee Health Cancer Institute will recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to cancer care in Southwest Florida, offering unwavering support to individuals undergoing cancer treatments. Nominations are due by March 5. Awards include:
■ Angel Award, for a non-family member supporting cancer patients through treatment. ■ Guardian Award, recognizing a family member supporting a cancer patient through treatment. ■ Phoenix Award, recognizing a community member who has reshaped cancer care in the community through education or development of new resources. ■ Big Heart Award, recognizing cancer survivors who have given back to the community.
Available sponsorships for the fashion show include Title Sponsor for $10,000, High Reception Sponsor for $5,000, Shop ’Til You Drop Sponsor and Centerpiece Sponsor for $2,000. All sponsorships include recognition and tickets and satisfaction of supporting cancer care expansion in the community. Individual tickets are $75. Attendees can bid on dozens of silent auction baskets that include gift certificates, cruises, food and wine, electronics, rounds of golf, hotel stays, spa treatments, fashion accessories,
jewelry, chocolate and more. The lively fashion show will feature contemporary and stylish apparel modeled by residents and provided by Razzle Dazzle of Cape Coral, House of Wu of Fort Myers, Dillard’s Edison Mall, Fort Myers and Chico’s at Daniels Marketplace in Fort Myers. To register, sponsor or nominate a cancer hero please visit LeeHealthFoundation.org/FashionForCancer.
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Anfuso named top WeCare provider by United Way Dr. Anthony Anfuso, FACS, a head and neck surgeon at Precision Healthcare Specialists, was named a 2023 top provider through the WeCare Program managed by United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades. WeCare taps into a network of generous health care providers and corporate partners to connect qualifying individuals with medical care at no charge. In 2023, Anfuso treated 18 patients through WeCare, providing services valued at $58,405. Anfuso focuses on the surgical management of malignant and benign tumors of the mouth, throat, larynx, neck, salivary glands, thyroid, parathyroid and skin. He also performs reconstructive sur-
gery to correct defects of the head and neck, including microvascular reconstructive surgery. Anfuso is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) who earned his doctor of medicine degree from the Medical College of Georgia. He then completed a residency in otolaryngology at West Virginia University and a fellowship in head and neck surgical oncology and microvascular reconstruction at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. Anfuso sees patients at Precision Healthcare Specialists’ office at 13691 Metro Parkway, Suite 300, in Fort Myers. In 2023, United Way reported that local WeCare providers served 332 patients and provided services valued at $9.1 million. For more information, please visit PHSpecialists.com or email
Admin@PHSpecialists.com.
Precision Healthcare Specialists adds Smith Shauna Smith, APRN, has joined Precision Healthcare Specialists as a nurse practitioner providing multidisciplinary breast care to women across Southwest Florida. Board-certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Smith has more than 10 years of experience and collaborates with breast surgeon Dr. Natalia Spinelli in Precision Healthcare Specialists’ office in Fort Myers. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Nurse Association, American Association of Critical Care Nurses and Oncology Nursing Society. Smith holds a nationally accredited breast care nursing certification
that encompasses the entire spectrum of breast care nursing practice. Prior to joining Precision Healthcare Specialists, Smith was a critical care registered nurse with Lee Health, where she provided patient care in the surgical trauma intensive care unit. She also has experience as an instructor and manager with Pure Barre, nursing supervisor with Park Center for Procedures and registered nurse with Lee Health. Smith earned an associate of science degree in nursing from Edison State College and a master of science degree in nursing from Frontier Nursing University. Smith sees patients at Precision Healthcare Specialists’ office, 13813 Metro Parkway, Suite C, in Fort Myers. For more information, please visit PHSpecialists.com or email Admin@PH Specialists.com.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR CCFW to discuss preparations for Burrowing Owl Festival The Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife will hold its next General Meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13, starting at 6:30 p.m., at the Rotary Park Environmental Center, 5505 Rose Garden Road in Cape Coral. This meeting will be dedicated to the preparation for the upcoming Burrowing Owl Festival. The meeting will begin with a meet and greet, followed by the CCFW General Membership Meeting at 7 p.m. That will be followed at 7:30 p.m. with information about the Burrowing Owl Festival, questions and answers, and then individual group discussions to plan and train volunteers for the festival. For more information or to volunteer for the Burrowing Owl Festival, which will be held Saturday, Feb. 24, visit ccfriendsofwildlife.org.
Gulf Coast Writers Association meeting to feature president of Orange Blossom Publishing Arielle Haughee, president and owner of Orange Blossom Publishing, will present her insights into the publishing business at Gulf Coast Writers Association’s meeting Saturday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m., at Word of Life Church, 6111 South Pointe Blvd., in south Fort Myers. The meeting of Southwest Florida’s 29year-old forum for writers, editors and their associates is open to the public. A six-time Royal Palm Literary Awardwinning author, Haughee (Hoy) is, besides a publisher, an editor, speaker and writing coach who was previously the executive vice president and marketing chair of the
Florida Writers Association. In 2021, her book "Pling’s Party" received FWA’s Royal Palm Literary Award as Best Children’s Book of the Year. At Orange Blossom, based in Maitland, Fla., she brings to market books about love, humor and wellness for women and children. It is currently taking art and blog submissions. The company’s website is orangeblossombooks.com. Numerous authors attest to Orange Blossom’s assistance in helping them with their books. "The more I see how things are going in the world of the big publishing houses, the more grateful I am for my traditional publishing experience with Orange Blossom Publishing,” said Tamatha Cain, author of "Song of the Chimney Sweep" (2022). “Individual support, industry connections, depth of knowledge. Don't sleep on what this small press has to offer...." And Stephania Thompson, author of "Woven" (2022), said, “What a gift to have a publisher who believes in the story as much as I do. . . The team at Orange Blossom is professional, proficient, and best of all, fun to work with.” Besides running Orange Blossom, Haughee also provides developmental, content, line and copy editing. She is the author of "The Complete Revision Workbook for Writers."
Garden Tour at the Cape Coral Museum of History Wednesday This month's Garden Tour at the Cape Coral Museum of History will be held Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 1-4 p.m. No reservations are required and the tours are free. Master Gardeners will conduct the tour
and talk about the FFL University of Florida program for Florida Friendly Landscapes. The museum is at 544 Cultural Park Parkway in Cape Coral. You can contact the museum at 239-772-7037.
First Assembly in Fort Myers to host Lift Your Voice Tour performance Feb. 24 Grammy winners Jason Crabb and David Phelps will join dynamic sibling trio The Martins and popular comedian Mickey Bell to present an enjoyable evening of spirit-lifting music and laughs Saturday, Feb. 24, at First Assembly at 4701 Summerlin Road in Fort Myers. Presented by Next Big Live and sponsored by World Vision, the Lift Your Voice Tour will feature sounds crossing varying musical genres, as well as laughter and fun that promises to be enjoyable for the entire family. The show begins at 6 p.m. Crabb, a Kentucky-born Grammy winner, has earned nearly two dozen Dove Awards including artist and male vocalist of the year, along with song of the year. Since his first solo release in 2009, he has performed at many of the world’s most prestigious stages such as Carnegie Hall, the Grand Ole Opry, the Brooklyn Tabernacle and Billy Graham’s final crusade in New York City. Phelps, a childhood musical prodigy from Tomball, Texas, earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Baylor University. Perhaps best known as the tenor for the multiple Grammy and Dove Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band, a group he traveled with for nearly two decades, Phelps has performed at venues across the globe,
including the White House, New York’s Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House in Australia. The Martins are a musical family who grew up in rural Arkansas and rose to national and international success showcasing their distinctive harmonies before audiences on the multi-award winning Gaither Homecoming Video and Concert Series. Over the years, the trio has garnered multiple Dove Awards and numerous Grammy nominations, including the 2019 Grammy nomination for Best Roost Gospel Album for their "Still Standing" recording. Complete information regarding the Lift Your Voice Tour stop on Saturday, Feb. 24, is available by visiting https:// famfm.com/events or by calling 239-9366277.
Shake, Rattle and Roll Daddy Daughter Dance to benefit Christian Life Academy Christian Life Academy will hold a Shake, Rattle and Roll Daddy Daughter Dance for the school Saturday, March 2, at 5:30 p.m. The annual dance is for fathers (or any male role models) and their daughters. This special evening will be filled with food, dancing, prizes and much more. Dress in your 1950s best and help us raise funds for a brick and mortar school. If you can’t come, please consider a donation. The academy is at 1150 S.W. 20th Ave., near Christian Life Fellowship, Cape Coral. For additional information, call 239-298-1022, or visit https://clawarriors.com/
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Versatile succulents
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news@breezenewspapers.com
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“It is so gratifying to see our community coming together to help those less fortunate, especially during these economic times. The need has never been greater.” — The Rev. Dr. Paul deJong of First Presbyterian Church Pantries, and serves 14,000 individuals and families with homeless and comprehensive case management services through its Social & Education Resource Centers. A proud United Way partner, Community Cooperative serves Lee and Collier Counties. In addition to Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing, First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers also annually presents the Christmas Carol Sing in December. Both events benefit Community Cooperative, which was founded by First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers along with other churches in 1984. For more information about Community Cooperative, call 239-332-SOUP or visit www.communitycooperative.com. For more information about First Presbyterian Church, call 239-334-2261 or visit www.fpcfortmyers.org.
German American Club to hold first of two Biergartenfests of the year Feb. 17-18 Proudly celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, the German American Social Club of Cape Coral is opening its Bavarian Gardens to replicate the fun of Oktoberfest and to celebrate its German heritage on the weekend of Feb. 1718. After the huge success of its 38th Oktoberfest last year, the club members cannot wait to celebrate good times and sunshine, teaming up to get the festivities back into full swing for its Southwest Florida Freunde. With German music performed by the Manni Daum Trio throughout the day, the Bavarian Gardens will be bustling, and the organizers anticipate a crowd of dancers or foot tappers on the dance floor at the pavilion, raising their cups and enjoying a potato pancake or a brat. Once again, the members of GASC are working hard to prepare for the first of the two outdoor Biergarten festivals planned this season. The party for the community will be held Bavarian-style with two fun-filled afternoons of German food, beer or wine, music, and, above all, what everyone’s come to understand as Gemütlichkeit. Throughout the day, the gardens will be filled with German traditional music and the aroma of typical German
fare such as bratwurst, knockwurst, schnitzel and potato pancakes. With fun planned for kids and grownups alike, there’s plenty to look forward to as the community can enjoy the shaded gardens with friends and family. And from 5-8 p.m. Saturday night, the club will be featuring the international blues and rock duo Martini Russa, a virtuoso guitarist Martini (Brazil/Spain) and vocalist and rhythm guitarist Anastasia (Russia/USA). Their repertoire spans over 100 years, comprising of unique acoustic-electric renditions of blues standards, classic rock ballads, and fiery originals. Tickets are $5 and parking is free, as are children ages 12 and under! And it doesn’t stop there. Marking halfway to this year’s 39th annual Oktoberfest, another festival is planned for April. Check out the club’s website at www.gasccapecoral.com for more information on the various events being offered. The club opens its doors to members and the public for dinner and dancing every Friday night at 5.30.
Tickets on sale for 11th Annual South Cape Mardi Gras Trolley Event The 11th Annual South Cape Mardi Gras Trolley Event is Saturday, Feb. 17, from 7-11 p.m. This 21+ nightlife celebration takes participants to eight locations to enjoy a Mardi Gras-themed night, with drink and appetizer samples at each participating South Cape hot spot. Festive attire is encouraged! Trolley hosts will keep guests entertained along the way with holiday trivia and giveaways. Or, you can always walk to each location. All-inclusive tickets are just $30 in advance ($25 for designated drivers). Each attendee will be provided a passport to have stamped at all eight locations. To enter the grand prize drawing, participants can leave their completed passport on a trolley or at a participating location. Tickets are available via Eventbrite. Check-in begins at
6 p.m. at Big John's Plaza or the Dolphin Key Resort. Guests can have their picture taken at the official Mardi Gras photo booth located at the Dolphin Key Resort (under the front awning) and they'll automatically be entered in the Photo Booth Contest. The prize is four tickets to the St. Patrick's Trolley Event Saturday, March 9. Participating locations and samples include: BackStreets Sports Bar, Mardi Gras Kiss & Crab Fritters with Remoulade; Cruiser's Lounge, Tropical Cyclone & Jambalaya; The Dive, Hurricane & Crawfish; Dixie Roadhouse, Royal Peach & Zapp's New Orleans Kettle Style Chips; Monkey Bar Steak & Seafood, Hand Grenade & Chicken Gumbo; Rack’em Spirits & Times, Fat Tuesday Punch & Kings Cake Candy; Rusty's Bar & Grill, Passionfruit Hurricane and Andouille Sausage, Rice & Beans; and Tiki Bar, Purple Hurricane & Hush Puppies.
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Succulents are a varied and unique group of lowmaintenance plants that are fun and easy to grow in Southwest Florida’s abundant heat and sunshine. With more than 60 plant families containing approximately 10,000 species worldwide, succulents offer a wide range of sizes, shapes and colors to add diversity and interest to your gardens. Succulents are characterized by their fleshy stems and leaves that are ARDEN designed to store water and are often found in harsh or LUB OF dry climates. Since our climate is characterized by APE ORAL humidity and a rainy summer season, succulents are ideally suited for containers with a coarse sandy potting medium and controlled irrigation. But you can also locate succulents in welldrained areas of your landscape since they are welladapted to the harsh conditions associated with brick, concrete and asphalt in urban settings. Most people think of familiar plants such as sedum or "hen and chicks" when they hear the word succulents, but you might be surprised to discover that there are Florida native succulents such as native yuccas that can be found in coastal dunes or other sandy areas with little available water. In fact, all cacti are succulents, and this includes many of the widely known succulent families such as agave, yucca and aloe. Other succulent families include varieties such as the Desert Rose, Sansevieria (snake plants), Kalanchoes and Euphorbia such as Crown of Thorns and Pencil Plants. The versatility of the many forms of succulents is matched by the creative ways you can incorporate these plants in your gardens. Container gardens are an extremely popular way to grow and display succulents; you will often see containers already planted with a mixture of various succulents for sale in garden centers. Since succulents require full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day), they are well suited for beds near sidewalks, roads and driveways or south-facing walls. Succulents can also be tucked into chicken wire in a frame and used as a wall hanging or inserted among rocks and borders since they need little soil and thrive in sandy conditions. I enjoy adding succulents to my mixed pots on the lanai since they require little maintenance and don’t shed leaves or flowers that land in the pool; most will develop trailing habits and they add a unique dimension and texture. Most succulents also produce flowers which can be quite unique and colorful. Now that you are hopefully interested in adding suc-
Residents who attended the Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers Tuesday, Feb. 6, contributed food and funds to help Sam’s Community Kitchen & Café of Community Cooperative feed the hungry in Southwest Florida. About 792 pounds of non-perishable food along with more than $5,100 in cash contributions were collected at the 34th Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing, which was sponsored by the Galloway Family of Dealerships and Susan Bennett Marketing & Media. “It is so gratifying to see our community coming together to help those less fortunate, especially during these economic times. The need has never been greater,” said the Rev. Dr. Paul deJong of First Presbyterian Church. About 1,200 people attended the two performances, which featured members of the First Presbyterian Church Choir, and guest musicians. Community Cooperative is an innovative nonprofit organization made up of social service entrepreneurs fighting to end homelessness and hunger in the community. It provides more than 26,000 meals each month through Sam’s Community Café, Meals on Wheels programs and school programs, distributes more than 2.1 million pounds of groceries through its Mobile Food
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Food, funds collected for Sam's Community Kitchen & Café at 34th Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing
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February 9, 2024 ■ Page 36 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze
EDUCATION EDUCATION NOTES Veterinary Assisting Dog Wash Saturday at Cape Coral Technical College The Veterinary Assisting Dog Wash will be held Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Cape Coral Technical College Campus at 360 Santa Barbara Blvd., N., in Cape Coral. Follow the signs to the campus. The cost for small and medium dogs is $15, and $25 for dogs 40 pounds and over. Ear cleaning and toenail trips are included with the bath. Cash only, please, for this fundraiser. For additional information, call 724-984-8734.
Hyet receives degree from University of Wisconsin-River Falls RIVER FALLS, Wis. - The following local resident was among 722 students receiving degrees from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls following fall commencement in December 2023. Bachelor's degrees were awarded to 307 undergraduates, while 36 students received graduate degrees. ■ Sidney Hyet of Cape Coral, bachelor of science, biomedical and health science, Senior Merit At graduation, four types of merit awards are recognized: Senior Merit - Graduating seniors who have maintained a 3.500 grade point for their last 60 credits at UWRF. Cum Laude - Graduating seniors with a minimum cumulative 3.700 grade point average for their entire college career at all institutions. Magna Cum Laude - Graduating seniors with a minimum cumulative 3.800 grade point average for their entire college career at all institutions. Summa Cum Laude - Graduating seniors with a minimum cumulative 3.900 grade point average for their entire college career at all institutions. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls is a studentcentered institution that provides excellent accessible academic programs serving the needs of our region, the state and beyond. For more, visit www.uwrf.edu
Barager earns academic honors from Florida Institute of Technology MELBOURNE, Fla. - The following local student has been named to the Fall 2023 Dean's List at Florida Institute of Technology: ■ Vincenzo Barager of Cape Coral To be included on the Dean's List, a student must complete 12 or more graded credits in a semester with a semester grade point average of at least 3.4. A private technological university in the Southeast, Florida Tech offers more than 150 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in engineering, science, computing, aeronautics, business, psychology and the liberal arts. The university is located in Melbourne in the heart of the "Space Coast," where students have been watching rocket launches from campus since the dawn of the Space Race. Learn how Florida Tech is making history and shaping the future at floridatech.edu.
Cape Coral Youth Council announces ‘Excellence Awards’ program The Cape Coral Youth Council has announced its “Excellence Awards” program, honoring Cape Coral students who excel in five categories: Leadership, Arts, Civic Engagement, Academics and Athletics. Youth Council Award Applications are being accepted now and are due by 3 p.m., Friday, March 1. Full submission details can be found in the award application at To be eligible, students must: ■ Be residents of Cape Coral but can attend any high school. ■ Have an unweighted GPA of 3.0 ■ Be in good behavioral and academic standing with their school One student will be selected as a winner for each cat-
See EDUCATION NOTES, page 37
THE BREEZE FEBRUARY 9, 2024
District nursing supervisor honored as Florida Association of School Nurses Administrator of the Year The School District this week announced that Wally Colon has been selected as the 2024 Florida Association of School Nurses Administrator of the Year. Colon is the assistant director for Health Services and supervises the School District’s nursing staff. “It was a great honor to stand in a room full of exceptional school nurses and administrators from all over Florida,” Colon said. “Many of them have been instrumental in my professional growth and have mentored, taught and supported me throughout my career. Our school nurses play a crucial role in bridging the gap between healthcare and education. They provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care and promote ethical and evidence-based practices through interdisciplinary collaboration to help students achieve their full potential. I am proud to represent the School District of Lee County at the state and national levels.” Colon has been instrumental in creating and fostering relations with outside organizations to ensure schools have access to epinephrine, Narcan and LifeVac anti-chocking devices. She has updated seizure protocols and increased the number of AEDs and opportunities for staff to become CPR-trained. Colon has also facilitated back-to-school health drives so students can get required immunizations and physicals. “She empowers us daily to make changes, be a voice for our students and impact our community,” said School Nurse Melissa Wallace in her nomination letter. School Nurse Misty DeSomma added, “She truly leads by example and is the epitome of what a leader should be.” While Student Services Executive Director Jessica Duncan said, “Her passion for school nursing is contagious, and she has increased the respect and understanding of the role of school nurses across our district and community.” The School Nurse Administrator of the Year award recognizes a nurse administrator who exhibits excellence in school nursing practice and leadership in school health. The criteria are based on the Framework for 21st Century School Nursing Practice, which provides structure and focus for the key principles and components of currentday, evidence-based school nursing practice. These five key areas include: ■ Standards of Practice ■ Care Coordination ■ Leadership ■ Quality Improvement
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Wally Colon, the Lee County School District’s assistant director of Health Services, holds her Florida Association of School Nurses Administrator of the Year award. ■ Community and Public Health Colon was presented her award at the Florida Association of School Nurses annual conference in Tampa. She will be recognized by the School Board of Lee County for the honor at a future meeting. In June, Colon will represent Florida as a Nurse of Excellence at the National Association of School Nurses' 56th Annual Conference.
Deadline Feb. 20 for Garden Club of Cape Coral Merit Scholarship Awards applications With awards of up to $2,000 to each winner, the 2024 application period for Merit Scholarship Awards, offered by the Garden Club of Cape Coral, is now open and available at https://www.gardenclubofcapecoral.com/meritaward/ Science teachers, environmental club sponsors, counselors, career specialists at high schools that enroll Cape Coral residents and some youth organizations also have information related to this opportunity. Completed applications must be emailed to meritaward@gardenclubofcapecoral.com no later than midnight, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. These annual awards were established in 2011 as a civic project for the purpose of assisting eligible graduating seniors to obtain college degrees. Applicants are required to be residents of Cape Coral and to have demonstrated active, ongoing participation related to environmental issues, horticulture, agriculture, natural resources and conservation through classes, extracurricular activities and work or volunteer experience. Career goals compatible
with the purpose of the awards, fostering environmental action, can be a factor in award decisions, but current involvement has more weight. Since 2011, 52 awards have been earned by students participating in environmental programs and projects at Bishop Verot, Cape Coral, Canterbury School, Florida SouthWestern Collegiate, Ida Baker, Island Coast, Mariner, North Fort Myers and Oasis Charter high schools. Other schools, which enroll students who reside in Cape Coral, are included on the application distribution list of school contacts. Yearly success of the club’s annual major fundraiser March in the Park event, a juried plant and garden show and sale held at Jaycee Park since 2009, supports the GCCC Merit Scholarship Awards. The Garden Club of Cape Coral meets at 5:45 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month from September through May at the Lake Kennedy Center, 400 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral. For more information, visit its website at https://www.gardenclubofcapecoral.com/
The IMAG History & Science Center has announced its Super-Spectacular Spring Break Camp Monday, March 18 through Friday, March 22. When school is out, camp is in. IMAG camps bring inspiration to life for campers with science, technology, engineering, art and math. This week of camp promises to be super-spectacular with live
animal encounters, museum explorations, interactive science experiments, Scienceon-a Sphere shows and tank-time at the StingRay Bay Touch Tank for campers to discover the wonders of sea life. In addition, Camp IMAG has many special activities planned for campers including its Stones and Bones (geology and paleontology) Workshops, Tech Trek Inventor
Events (using Spheros, Hex Bugs, and Makey Makey), Ooops-or-Ahhh Egg-Drop Challenges (engineering protective “egg vessels”) and the IMAG Aerodynamics Lab where inspiration takes flight as campers let their imaginations soar. Campers can also participate in the Green Grow Garden Party where they plant seeds, learn how plants and flowers grow and celebrate the sensa-
tion of nature. Camp IMAG camps are inspiring, fun and educational for your child with handson activities, explorations, events, and fun. The IMAG History & Science Center is at 2000 Cranford Ave. in Fort Myers. To register for camp, please visit theIMAG.org. For additional information, call 239-243-0043.
EDUCATION NOTES From page 36
FSW to host virtual information designs for prospective adjunct professors
Dedicated Artists of Southwest Florida scholarship available The Dedicated Artists of Southwest Florida Inc., a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit club, is committed to inspire and support the visual arts field in the local community. Its annual $1,000 scholarship award will be paid directly to the art school or college the recipient will attend. Eligibility requirements include that the applicant be (1) a graduating senior of a public or private high school OR a college student currently enrolled in a visual
The countdown is on for high school seniors in the School District of Lee County to apply for the $10,000 Remarkable Achievements Recognized Everyday (RARE) Scholarship, a student award sponsored by business and IT consulting firm Executive Option. Students who are eligible include seniors attending any high school that is a part of the Lee County School District in Fort Myers. High school seniors are invited to complete their applications for the scholarship no later than Feb. 29, 2024. In partnership with the Public Education Foundation, the RARE Award aims to recognize exceptional students who not only excel academically but also students that demonstrate excellence beyond the classroom. This initiative celebrates students who have demonstrated remarkable accomplishments, overcoming challenges along the way. Students can apply and learn more on the following website, https://executiveop-
FSW branch in Punta Gorda announces public observatory sessions Florida Southwestern State College has announced its upcoming series of public observation sessions at the college obser-
vatory. Offering a captivating journey through the cosmos, these sessions provide a unique opportunity for the community to explore the wonders of the night sky. Observation sessions typically commence 30-45 minutes after dusk, allowing stargazers to marvel at celestial marvels as long as they wish. Please note that prior to complete darkness, access to the observatory is restricted as equipment setup and alignment with the stars are essential preparations. However, early arrivals are encouraged to relish the picturesque views of the lake and campus scenery from the lakeside picnic tables. These public sessions, held at no cost, are scheduled monthly from September through May, contingent on favorable weather conditions. Mark your calendars for the upcoming sessions on the second Friday of each month: Feb. 9, March 8, April 12 and May 10. Additionally, be on the lookout for extra openings — most notably, the next Solar Eclipse occurring on Monday, April 8. For more information or for a full schedule of observatory events, call 941637-3518, or visit https://www.fsw.edu/ charlotte/observatory.
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Florida SouthWestern State College will host virtual information sessions for individuals interested in pursuing a career as an adjunct professor. The virtual sessions will take place Thursday, Feb. 22, offering two time slots for participants' convenience – one from 5-6 p.m. and another from 6-7 p.m. These virtual information sessions aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities available for adjunct professors at Florida SouthWestern State College Representatives from the various schools of study will also participate in the virtual sessions, sharing insights into their programs, curriculum, and the collaborative academic community at Florida SouthWestern State College. To participate in the virtual event, interested individuals are encouraged to visit FSW's website at FSW.edu/humanresources/adjunctemployment and follow the registration instructions. Florida SouthWestern State College annually serves nearly 20,000 students globally, offering a variety of career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees and professional certifications. Study and travel abroad opportunities are available for students through FSW’s Center for International Education. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.
RARE Scholarship application deadline Feb. 29
tion.com/rare-sdleecounty/. Executive Option, LLC specializes in delivering end-to-end solutions, complex, high-risk and high value initiatives, and projects to its partner clients. It specializes in providing salvage expertise and resuscitation services for distressed projects. A minority- and U.S. veteran-owned company, Executive Option, under the direction of President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Del Prado, has a successful record of providing technological and operational solutions while maintaining core values of partnership, innovation, integrity and transparency. Headquartered in Southern Nevada, Executive Option provides services for mid-size companies to billion-dollar organizations in more than 30 countries around the globe. For more information about Executive Option, visit www.executiveoption.com
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egory by a vote of the Cape Coral Youth Council. An award ceremony honoring the winners will be held Friday, April 12, at 3 p.m., at the Cape Coral City Council Chambers, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd. For questions about the awards program, please contact Connie Griglin at 239-574-0436.
arts program (2) a Lee County resident pursuing a major in any visual arts field (3) a legal resident of the United States. Applications, which must include references and photographic samples of art work, must be submitted by April 15. Applications may be found at DASFartists.com or on the Lee County School website, leeschools.net. For more information, please email jmacl6771@aol.com.
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IMAG’s Super-Spectacular Spring Break Camp March 18-22
February 9, 2024 ■ Page 38 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze
BUSINESS
THE BREEZE FEBRUARY 9, 2024
BUSINESS BRIEFS 2023 Cape Coral Leadership Class to host Casino in the Cape fundraiser The Leadership Cape Coral Class of 2023 will host the 13th Annual Casino in the Cape, Friday, March 22, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., at the Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral. All proceeds and donations from the event will support three local charities, Cape Coral Caring Center, Thrive SWFL and Guardian Angels for Special Populations. This time-honored tradition by the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities. The chamber developed the Leadership Cape Coral program to educate local business leaders about the city’s infrastructure while encouraging community stewardship. This Vegas-themed fundraiser will feature popular casino games like craps, roulette and blackjack. Guests will also have the opportunity to win and bid on items in the raffle and silent auction, including a chance to win a .5-carat diamond drop from Diamond Dave’s Creative Jewelry, priced at $3,000. Tickets for the event are $75 per person. Each ticket includes a meal, drinks, casino cash and live music. Tickets can be purchased through the Cape Coral Chamber website www.capecoralchamber.com, or at the event. Sponsorships and donation of raffle items are still available for this event. For more information contact Taylor at 239-246-2468.
Jeep Night at Fort Myers Hooters on Valentine’s Day Jeep owners and enthusiasts can spend their Valentine’s Day at Hooters for a special Jeep Show and Shine. The Fort Myers Hooters location at 4411 Cleveland Ave. is hosting its monthly Jeep Night Show on Wednesday, Feb. 14 from 5-9 p.m. Guests can spin the bottle during Jeep Night for your chance to win great prizes on Valentine’s Day. Visit Hooters during Jeep Night and present your Jeep key for 15% off food and non-alcoholic beverages and an entry for the giveaway. LTP Management, a franchisee of Hooters of America, owns and operates 15 locations in South Florida. For more information about South Florida Hooters and its community involvement, please visit www.HootersFlorida.com or follow it at Twitter @HootersFlorida, Instagram @SouthFLHooters and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hootersflorida/.
Canterbury elevated as Henderson Franklin’s next managing lawyer Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., has announced the election of Edward Canterbury as managing lawyer for a three-year term beginning in May. Since his arrival at Henderson Franklin in 2005, Canterbury has showcased his leadership skills, previously serving on the firm’s Executive Committee, leading both the Associate and Expansion Committees, and contributing significantly to the Recruiting Committee. A Florida Bar Board Certified Real Estate legal expert, Canterbury represents a diverse clientele, including developers, builders, governmental agencies, lending institutions, non-profit corporations, and national title insurance underwriters. His practice spans commercial and residential development, acquisitions, finance, survey matters, title insurance, and commercial leases. Canterbury received his law degree from Ohio Northern University, summa cum laude, and his undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University. He may be reached at 239.344.1275 or via email at edward.canterbury@henlaw.com. Henderson Franklin has offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and Naples. With a team of over 50 dedicated attorneys, the firm provides business and tax planning, estate planning, family law, civil litigation, eminent domain, workers’ compensation, employment law, real
See BUSINESS BRIEFS, page 39
James Chaney, center, is photographed with previous General Manager of the Year award winners from other South Florida Hooters locations. PHOTO PROVIDED BY SOUTH FLORIDA HOOTERS
Cape Hooters Managing Partner Chaney honored by LTP Management Hooters of Cape Coral Managing Partner James Chaney received the General Manager of the Year award from LTP Management on Jan. 25. Chaney has worked for LTP Management for over 23 years. He has managed both the Fort Myers and Cape Coral Hooters locations. In 2016, Chaney was promoted to General Manager at Hooters of Cape Coral. In 2022, Chaney was made Managing Partner of Hooters of Cape Coral. This is the first time he has received the Manager of the Year honor. Chaney is involved in giving back to the local community including supporting the Cape Coral Little League, Oasis High School football team and local charities.
“We are very thankful to James Chaney for his commitment to Cape Coral Hooters including his commitment to our customers, staff and the community. We are proud to announce and recognize his accomplishments,” said LTP Management Director of Marketing Kristi Quarles. LTP Management, a franchisee of Hooters of America, owns and operates 15 locations in South Florida. For more information about South Florida Hooters community involvement please visit www.HootersFlorida.com or follow us at Twitter @HootersFlorida, Instagram @SouthFLHooters, TikTok @southflhooters and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hootersflorida/.
Farmer Joe’s 2nd Annual Strawberry Festival Feb. 24 Farmer Joe's 2nd Annual Strawberry Festival will take place Saturday, Feb. 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festival will be held at Farmer Joe's, located at 1401 S.W. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. This popular event celebrates Florida agriculture and demonstrates support for this vital industry. Farmer Joe's 2nd Annual Strawberry Festival promises a delightful experience for attendees of all ages. Visitors will find hundreds of pounds of farm-fresh strawberries, tasty strawberry jams and jellies, made from scratch strawberry pies and pastries, and an array of other strawberrythemed treats. The festival is a family-friendly environment, where both locals and visitors can come together to appreciate Florida's agricultural heritage.
“We are thrilled to host our 2nd Annual Strawberry Festival and welcome the community to join us in celebrating Florida agriculture,” said Farmer Joe's owner Lee Snyder. “This event is not only about enjoying delicious strawberries and treats but also about honoring the hard work and dedication of our local farmers who contribute immensely to our region's prosperity.” In addition to the strawberry treats, the festival will feature local vendors, further strengthening our community. More information on activities and vendors will be announced. For the latest information, please visit Farmer Joe’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/farmerjoesofficial
Checkers and Rally’s opens new location in Cape Coral Checkers and Rally’s, the double drive-thru burger and fries’ brand, just announced its most recent restaurant opening situated at 1628 Skyline Blvd. in Cape Coral. This new restaurant is owned and operated by multibrand and multi-unit operators Jason Setzer and Michael Quinn. With an portfolio of 13 other Checkers locations across Florida and Mississippi, Setzer and Quinn are expanding their footprint with this latest addition. “Jason and I are long-standing business partners and our deep involvement with Checkers and Rally’s made opening another restaurant in Cape Coral an easy decision,” said Quinn. “We are confident that Checkers and Rally’s will be the ultimate go-to destination for the Cape Coral community, seeking not just convenience and affordability, but also to experience bold flavors.” Before joining Checkers and Rally’s, Quinn accumulated 20 years of experience working for Walmart Corporate, while Setzer brought his expertise from leadership roles at McDonald’s and various private restaurants. Additionally, both entrepreneurs have over a decade of operational experience and ownership with Pizza Hut. Today, they own and
operate multiple brands in addition to their Checkers and Rally’s restaurants, including Pizza Hut and Moe’s. “We’re thrilled to continue expanding our presence in the Southeast Florida market with seasoned operators,” said Robert Bhagwandat, senior director of Franchise Development at Checkers Drive-In restaurants. “Jason and Mike have the passion and drive to grow Checkers and Rally’s across not one, but two states. Our team is confident in their skills to lead the new restaurant while also fostering relationships with the Cape Coral community.” Merged in 1999 to form one concept, Checkers and Rally’s primarily operates through a proven franchise model, in which owners benefit from the brand recognition, operational support and marketing resources. Checkers and Rally’s current strategy is targeting select markets throughout the United States, particularly in Wisconsin, Ohio, New York New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, Las Vegas, Arizona, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. To learn more about Checkers and Rally’s franchise opportunities, visit checkersfranchising.com.
hair technique of pottery decoration. Chuck Koucky and some of his pottery students will be demonstrating this method for creating random lines and patterns on the surface of a red-hot raku clay pot using the hair from a tail or mane of a horse. All works by participating artists will be available for purchase. This small venue provides a welcoming environment to meet local artists, inquire about their craft and learn about opportunities in the area for classes and workshops. Be sure to ask for a tour of the on-site pottery studio. The Pine Island Potters Guild shows are held on the second Saturday of each month, November through April, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the courtyard of Koucky Studios at 5971 Bay Point Road, in Bokeelia, at the corner of Bay Point and Stringfellow Roads, just after Mile Marker 11, on the east side of Stringfellow. For additional information about the Potters’ Guild Valentine's Day Show and Sale, please call Nancy Koucky at 239233-3003 or email her at nrkdesigns@ gmail.com.
estate and land use and environmental law, For more information on Canterbury or Henderson Franklin, please visit www.henlaw.com.
tions, graphic design, social media and email marketing, media planning, web solutions, event planning, video production, digital advertising and more. For more information, please call 239-267-2638 or visit PriorityMarketing.com.
Priority Marketing adds Mudd as project manager
Johnson joins The Preserve as director of sales and marketing
Chase Mudd has joined Priority Marketing as a project manager for client services to help plan, organize and execute marketing campaigns and projects for a variety of clients. In this role, Mudd coordinates marketing initiatives for multiple clients across a spectrum of industries. His primary duties include creating and managing project tasks, organizing assets, managing schedules and deadlines, evaluating campaign success, preparing client-facing documents and meeting agendas, and supporting the firm’s client services team. Before joining Priority Marketing, Mudd operated as an independent marketing consultant, specializing in guiding businesses and nonprofits through the launch phase, including brand development, messaging and website creation. Additional experience includes serving as a multimedia account executive with Adams Publishing Group, holding marketing director and product marketing manager roles at Mudd Advertising, and fulfilling responsibilities as business development and marketing manager at M&S Machining. He also contributed to various organizations, serving as a territory manager and inside sales representative for Republic Services, marketing and producer services coordinator for Seminole Energy Services, and web developer for organizations such as the University of Kentucky and Weyerhaeuser. Mudd earned a bachelor of science degree in integrated strategic communications from the University of Kentucky. Founded in 1992 by Teri Hansen, APR, Priority Marketing is a Southwest Florida full-service marketing, advertising, public relations, website development and digital marketing agency. The firm services include brand development, public rela-
The Preserve, a senior living community in Fort Myers, has hired Courtney Johnson as its director of sales and marketing. In her role, Johnson will be responsible for serving as the primary liaison between The Preserve and the local community. Johnson will also facilitate the admissions process with prospective residents and their families, organize community tours and she will be responsible for coordinating admission inquiries from referral sources and the public. Additionally, Johnson will foster and maintain relationships with residents in assisted living, memory support and longterm care. Johnson began her career with seniors in 2016 as a certified nursing assistant. In addition, she has experience in directorial positions within assisted living and memory care communities in the Southwest Florida area. In 2021, Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree in gerontology from the University of Nebraska Omaha and a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the same university. She is a Florida Certified Nursing Assistant, CPR Certified and is a CORE certified assisted living administrator. Located at 14750 Hope Center Loop, at the corner of Six Mile Cypress Parkway and Plantation Road, The Preserve offers 75 private skilled nursing suites for senior residents with specialized or advanced health care needs, as well as 21 boutique assisted living apartments and 17 memory support suites. Trained staff members and licensed professionals provide continuous medical support and foster a culture of caring and hospitality, creating specialized programs focused on rehabilitative and restorative care. For more information, visit www.ThePreserveVOA.org.
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Ready for Valentine’s Day with a gift of local art? The Pine Island Potters Guild's February showing will be held Saturday, Feb. 10, at Koucky Studios from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Avoid off-island traffic, come to the show in the outdoor courtyard of Koucky Studios (there is ample parking). Meet island artists and craftsmen and find perfect gifts for your sweethearts in a relaxed and fun environment. The Valentine's showing will feature the works of Pine Island artisans in various mediums: pottery, jewelry, woodworking, ready-to-wear art, paintings, glass, books, gourmet jams, hot sauces and more, scents and candles, mustards and hot sauces, local honey and island-themed home décor. Fresh baked goods will be available for a snack or to take home for a special addition to any meal. Each show this season has new artisans setting up. Please stop by and see what the wonderful island artists and shops have to offer. At 11 a.m. check out the raku pottery firing demonstration, featuring the horse-
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Pine Island Potters Guild February show, sale at Koucky Studios Saturday
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Ribbon-cutting ceremony set for opening day of 2024 Southwest Florida Ag Expo on Feb. 29 The public is invited to attend an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 29, at the Lee County Civic Center Complex, 11831 Bayshore Road, for the opening day of the 2024 Southwest Florida Ag Expo. Gates will open at 4 p.m., following the ceremony. The ceremony will feature brief remarks by Lee County Commissioners and other officials. The Ag Expo celebrates the work and accomplishments of Southwest Florida youth active in 4-H, FFA and more while offering fun, food and rides.
Lee County Commissioners earlier this year announced county staff would operate the Ag Expo at the Civic Center. Commissioners are committed to maintaining the popular experience. Whether you go for the animal exhibitions, the steer auction, the midway thrills or the sweet and savory treats, Lee County invites one and all to the Ag Expo from Feb. 29 through March 10. The county invites ribbon-cutting ceremony attendees to plan to stay after the ceremony and celebrate Opening Day, which features $1 admission and $1 ride tickets
as the promotion for Feb. 29. Throughout the 11-day event, themed promotions are offered, such as Community Night, Senior Day and Latin Night. Learn more about the promotional nights at www.swflag expo.com. Tickets for promotional nights are only offered at the gate. General admission tickets can be pre-purchased online. Also available for online purchase now is the $25 MEGAPASS. It includes gate admission and a wristband for unlimited mechanical rides on one day of your choice. Get your MEGAPASS early; sales end when the Ag Expo begins at 4 p.m.
Feb.29. General gate admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-11. Children 3 and under are free. Retired and active military receive free gate admission all day, every day. Must present Military ID, service members only. The county has created a website and social media channel for the Ag Expo. The complete schedule of events, special promotions, ticketing and parking information is listed at www.swflagexpo.com, or visit Facebook for SWFL Ag Expo at www.facebook.com/swflagexpo.
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SPORTS
THE BREEZE FEBRUARY 9, 2024
Dealing with One night, two milestones potentially dangerous Newson, just a sophomore, scores 69 points to lead puffer fish and lionfish North to district win, tops 1,000 points for his career New to flats fishing? Why am I getting bites and losing soft plastic paddle and grub tails but still aren’t catching the fish that’s obviously biting? Welcome to puffer world. These sharp-toothed soft plastic bait killers are out in force these days following and chewing on lures. Other than moving from your spot there’s not much you can do about it except carry plenty of plastic. The IGFA even lists records for 15 or so varieties of puffers with a 9pound, 10-ounce jumbo caught off Port Canaveral, which is also the home of Florida’s largest tripletail like the huge 40-pound, 8-ounce Florida state record. If you happen to hook a puffer fish and are thinking about throwing it in the live well to try later on the grill (or after inflating, tossing it around like a ball), it’s not a good plan as puffer fish are the most poisonCapt. George ous fish on the planet, Tunison carrying the lethal toxin tetrodotoxin which can easily kill humans within 4-6 hours. That’s from eating it or being stuck by its spines when handling. Even so, puffer is still consumed and in Japan the dish called fugu is considered a delicacy. Chefs must be specially trained to prepare this meal so customers are capable of returning to the restaurant. Puffer is also prepared and served in the USA but requires special licensing to do so. I’ll pass on the fugu but do enjoy eating the venomous spined invasive species called lionfish, which has become a huge problem here in Florida as well as warm water reef systems worldwide. Good news is if you know how to clean them and avoid getting stung, lionfish tastes great and there's no limits on kept fish. On the plate lionfish are considered a healthier choice than traditional menu items like grouper and others due to higher Omega-3 content and lower mercury levels. When collecting, handling or preparing to fillet, if you get pricked or stung by one of the alive or dead fishes' many quills or spines, it will be painful, for some very painful, with the best remedy being to simply soak the sting area in the
See POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, page 47
TIDES CHART Tide Time
at Cape Coral Bridge Height Sunrise Moon Time Feet Sunset
Day
High /Low
Sa 10 10 10 10
High 2:33 AM Low 11:00 AM High 4:51 PM Low 9:53 PM
1.0 -0.4 0.5 0.3
7:07 AM 6:16 PM
Su 11 11 11 11
High 3:28 AM Low 11:33 AM High 5:04 PM Low 10:53 PM
1.0 -0.3 0.6 0.2
7:07 AM 6:17 PM
Sa 10 10 10 10
High 2:01 AM Low 10:26 AM High 4:19 PM Low 9:19 PM
2.0 -0.7 0.9 0.5
7:08 AM 6:17 PM
Su 11 11 11 11
High 2:56 AM Low 10:59 AM High 4:32 PM Low 10:19 PM
1.9 -0.5 1.1 0.3
7:07 AM 6:18 PM
Rise 7:52 AM Set 7:19 PM
% Moon Visible 0
Rise 8:31 AM Set 8:27 PM
0
Rise 7:52 AM Set 7:20 PM
0
at Matlacha Pass (Bascule bridge)
Rise 8:31 AM Set 8:28 PM
0
By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
Isaiah Newson needed just six points to reach the 1,000 point mark in his high school career heading into Tuesday night's district playoff against Ida Baker. The Red Knights' sophomore scored his six points early in the first quarter, and went on to make even more history. Newson dropped a whopping 69 points, a North Fort Myers single-game record, on the way to a 111-81 win at home. The point guard made a total of 27 field goals, including seven three-pointers, as he led the Red Knights into the next round of the FHSAA District 6A-11 championships. “First off, I just want to thank my God, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Newson said. “He has given me everything -- just the opportunity to play basketball at the varsity level. He just gave me all the tools. I want to thank my teammates, my mom and dad -- especially my dad. He's been pushing me to be the greatest player I can be off the court, on the court, in school, just all-around. I'm just grateful for everything. This is an amazing time right now.” Newson and his squad got off to a hot start out of the gate, holding a 32-12 advantage at the end of the first, with the sophomore contributing 24 of those points. Newson added 10 more in the second quarter, and turned it on even more in the second half. He admitted he came into the game “not really feeling it,” but once the game got going, he settled in. Newson scored 41 versus Fort Myers the week before, a precursor to his record-setting night. “I hit my first couple shots and I knew it was game time,” Newson said. “I was just ready.” North head coach Rondell Newson shares a special bond with his leading scorer. He's Isaiah's father. He said it's been a pleasure to watch Isaiah grow and get better
PHOTO PROVIDED
North High’s Isaiah Newson, left, with his father and head coach Rondell Newson. each and every game. “It's amazing to see it,” Rondell said. “It's special. A lot of time us parents don't get a chance to coach their kids, so we have to take advantage of those opportunities. And See TWO MILESTONES, page 47
PREP REPORT Highland Prep (Wednesday)
Tuesday
Girls Soccer Boys Basketball
Region 3A-2 First round Bishop Verot 6, Oasis 0: Katie Pelkofski and Jillian Haataja scored two goals each for Bishop Verot. The Vikings (171-1) earned another home playoff match with their win against Oasis (10-4-3); Bishop Verot, the second seed in the region, will play host to third-seeded Tampa Berkeley Prep on Friday. Berkeley Prep 7, Windermere Prep 3
District 6A-11 First round North Fort Myers 111, Ida Baker 81: Isaiah Newsom scorched the nets for a Red Knights-record 69 points as North Fort Myers (8-14) moved on to face No. 1 seed Charlotte in Thursday's semifinals. District 5A-11 First round Island Coast 55, Dunbar 47: The Gators (12-12) will meet top-seeded Mariner in Thursday's district semifinals.
Boys Soccer Region 3A-2 First round Bishop Verot 4, Four Corners 0: Where Verot (11-51) will play in Friday's region semifinals depends on the winner of Wednesday's match between No. 2 Lake Highland Prep and Calvary Christian. If Lake Highland Prep wins, the Vikings will have to travel. Should Calvary Christian pull the upset, the semifinal would be at Bishop Verot. Anthony Becker scored twice to lead the Vikings on Tuesday. Calvary Christian at Lake
MARK CLIFFORD
Bishop Verot guard Leroy Roker (22) slips between Canterbury’s Collin Meagher (0) and Kyle Scharlau (10) and puts up an acrobatic shot in the Vikings’ 53-16 win Tuesday night.
District 3A-12 First round Bishop Verot 53, Canterbury 16: Gavin Williams scored 16 points and Leroy Roker had 14 points for Bishop Verot. The Vikings (21-5) travel to First Baptist Academy in Naples for Thursday's semifinal game. Community School of Naples 68, Oasis 49: The season ends at 15-10 for the Sharks,
See PREP REPORT, page 47
From page 46
From page 46 hottest water that you can stand. Hopefully, it’s your hand or arm. Inshore sheepshead still gets top billing and locally sold fiddler crabs and shrimp will get the job done. For fun, grab one of the ultra-realistic fiddler crab lures and try it against live bait presentations. It’s also rat or small redfish time with an occasional slot-size fish in the mix along with lots of small trout, snook, whiting and pompano to chase. With a predicted low chance of rain, light winds and 81 degrees by Sunday, this weekend should be a good time for a near or offshore trip before the coming week's predicted cool front. Fat snappers are always welcome on the table. For those that enjoy competitive fishing, there still might be time to register to fish in Miceli's four-man-team tournament held this Saturday in Matlacha. A captains meeting takes place today at 6 p.m. and may be your only chance to sign up. Call 407-754-6303 for info and fees.
Another tournament also takes place this Saturday as the Flatsmaster Winter Series Tournament takes off in Punta Gorda. This event is lures only with a $300 entry fee and three anglers per boat. Call 941-628-0702. Good news for the fish! In many tournaments, fish are not only caught, but then housed, transported around all day in a bouncing, sloshing, live well, bagged up, weighed, then released often to later die from the stress or weakened becoming dolphin and shark snacks. This is a catch, photo and release tourney using the FISHDONKEY app. Each participant has the app on their phone and allows for cell pictures showing the caught fish, measurements and a video of its live release, then sent to the tourney judges for verification and scoring.
Bishop Verot's Eddie Gore (12) and Anthony Cedeno (30) trap Canterbury’s Collin Meagher on the sideline and force him out of bounds — with the help of Viking fans. Verot won the game, 53-16. MARK CLIFFORD
PREP REPORT Girls Tennis
From page 46 while CSN faces top seed Gateway Charter on Thursday.
Girls Basketball District 3A-12 Canterbury 38, First Academy 32
Baptist
Oasis 5, Canterbury 2: Singles: Sophia Pollard (O) won 6-0, 6-0; Sophia Abreu (O) won 6-0, 6-0; Cecilia Menendez (O) won 6-0, 6-0; Emily Feichthaler (O) won in a tiebreaker. Suzanne Greco (O) won 6-0, 6-0. Doubles: Canterbury won both matches.
CAPE CORAL ANIMAL SHELTER
Capt. George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide. You can contact him at 239-282-9434 or via email at captgeorget3@aol.com.
Succulents: Popular local plants From page 35 culents to your gardening repertoire, what else do you need to know to ensure success? First, you need to use a well-draining potting mix (not potting soil); you can add inorganic materials such as perlite and sand to ensure good drainage. If you use a container, start with a shallow pot with good drainage holes. Once your succulents are planted you only need to water them when the soil is almost completely dry. Fertilizer should be applied in the spring using diluted (1/2 strength) liquid fertilizer. Succulents can be pruned to keep them the size you want, and to prevent them from becoming too leggy. Propagation is simple; leaf succulents such as hens and chicks and aloes self-propagate by producing offshoots or “pups.” Succulents also grow well from cuttings or division of
clustering species; cuttings or divisions should be allowed to sit for several days to form a “callous” on the cut end before planting. Once you discover the interesting variety of shapes, textures and colors available in the succulent families, I am sure that you will be inspired to add these beautiful plants to your landscape or as a unique and stylish green accent in your home. You will be rewarded with beautiful and interesting plants that require minimal maintenance – a true gardener’s dram! --Don’t miss the Garden Club of Cape Coral’s biggest fundraiser Saturday, March 9, at Jaycee Park, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cathy Dunn is a Lee County Master Gardener Volunteer and Garden Club of Cape Coral vice president.
Stew
Quintin
Looking for a loving home Stew is a 1 to 3-year-old male. He is the scruffalicious wonder dog, here to bring a dash of charm and a whole lot of scruffiness into your life. Yes, his fur might look like I he's been through a storm, but trust me, it adds character! He might need a bit of patience and time to warm up to his new digs, but once he does, get ready for a lifetime of tail wags and paw-high-fives. Quintin is a 1 to 3-year-old male. He is a pro at soaking up all the love and attention you can throw his way. Lanai lounging is his jam - watching the world
hustle and bustle, you know? Just a heads up, Quintin is feline leukemia positive, but that doesn't stop him from being the charming furball you've been missing. If you are interested in meeting any of the animals available for adoption at The Cape Coral Animal Shelter, please visit its website at www.capecoralanimalshelter.com for additional information. The shelter is located at 325 S.W. 2nd Ave., Cape Coral, and hours of operation are Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 5 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
Cape Coral Breeze
Potentially dangerous: Spiny fish
Harassing defense
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what it does is build a bigger bond with you and if that's your son or daughter.” Of being on the court and looking over to the sideline to see his father coaching, Isaiah said, “It's a special feeling. Not many people can get that. Just having the opportunity of having my dad on the bench, him celebrating for me, coaching me, talking me through things, letting me be on the same page as him, just is amazing. I'm just truly grateful. “Me and my dad have a really good connection. We go home, we talk about basketball. I think our bond is really strong on the court, off the court, at home -- we're really chill as a family. I really love him, and our bond is really good.” Rondell said what sets Isaiah apart is the drive he has to get better every day. “It's his commitment to want to be the best,” Rondell said. “I push him as far as I can push him. And he has a drive a lot of kids don't have these days. And if they do have it, you see where they end up at in most cases. It's just fun to watch the growth pattern.” Newson certainly dazzled on the court Tuesday night. The 6-foot guard had it all going on -- driving into the paint and contorting his body to finish, or hitting jump shots from deep after shaking his defender. “I think my game is very effective when
I'm coming downhill, because I can make that pass, and I'm a pretty good finisher, I think,” Newson said of his game. “I think I need to work on communicating, and trying to take that leader role. I feel like I'm pretty quiet, but I feel there's a leader role that I can really get into.” Naturally, Newson has goals of playing at the next level and beyond. And he's certainly on the right track. This season, he’s averaged 25 points per game, and is sitting at 550 total points scored on the year. “I'm just trying to be the best I can be at every given moment,” Newson said. “Every day just working hard towards my goals of making it to 'the league.' Just working hard every single day. Every moment I get on this court, every moment I'm in the classroom -- just working my tail off.” When asked what it means to have reached the 1,000 point plateau and set a single-game scoring record in the same night, Newson said, “I just can't describe it. There's too many emotions going on. I'm happy. I almost cried breaking 1,000 points. And then hitting 60 points. My grandma was here. It's just an amazing moment.” Next up, North (8-14) will travel to Charlotte tonight to take on the top-seeded Tarpons (13-10) for a chance to play for the district championship.
Page 47 ■ February 9, 2024
Two milestones: Newson’s night
February 9, 2024 ■ Page 48 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze
Cape Coral
Breeze Athletes of theWeek (Selected by the Breeze Sports staff)
Page 49 ■ February 9, 2024
Lost & Found
Help Wanted
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Garage Sale Corner of Cornwallis & Del Prado Blvd S Friday & Saturday 2/9 & 2/10, 8AM - 2PM Boating/Fishing Equipment, Furniture, Tools, Household Items, Clothes, Toys, Knick-Knackás & Much More
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February 9, 2024 ■ Page 50
Sprinkler Tune-Up Special
$29.99
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