022825 Cape Coral Weekend Breeze

Februrary 28, 2025

Cape animal shelter expansion underway

By CJ HADDAD

cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

It was a milestone day for the Cape Coral Animal Shelter, as ground was officially broken for its expansion that will help serve more four-legged companions throughout Southwest Florida.

Many supporters, volunteers, and dignitaries gathered Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the occasion, as the new, 19,000-square-foot facility will sit right

Cape Coral Breeze

As of Tuesday, the Cape Coral Animal Shelter has helped 5,145 animals get adopted and find forever homes since its inception in 2020. They have also served more than 6,000 animals in its low-cost clinic.

next to CCAS’ current location at 325 Southwest 2nd Ave.

The expanded shelter will significantly increase capacity, allowing CCAS to care for more abandoned and unwanted animals

and find them loving homes. Along with the larger shelter, the existing building will be revamped into a more extensive, lowcost community veterinary clinic, enhancing services with additional exam rooms,

ABy CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

two-day event celebrating inclusion and being one’s true self hits the South Cape this weekend.

PRIDE Cape Coral returns to Southeast 47th Terrace this Saturday and Sunday, where members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies paint the town all colors of the rainbow.

The weekend includes a festival on Saturday from 3 to 10 p.m., with a parade stepping off at 4,

and a brunch on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

“It’s always a good time, and it’s fun to bring something unique to this area,” said PRIDE Cape Coral Board Member Melissa Moore. “The event is to signify unity, and being proud of who you are no matter where you come from.”

The parade starts at Southeast 47th Terrace and Vincennes Boulevard, and works its way down the street to Southeast 9th Place. Parade participants include local businesses, individuals, and organiza-

page 30

surgical suites, and recovery areas to serve residents in need of affordable pet care.

Founder and Board President JoAnn Elardo said with the growth of Cape Coral and Southwest Florida, the need to expand was imminent.

“The Cape Coral community is expanding so rapidly, (and) we’re trying to get ahead of that,” she said. “That’s one of the reasons why we’ve started, and started

See SHELTER, page 28

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

Congressman Byron Donalds, a Naples Republican whose district includes most of Lee County as well as Collier, announced Tuesday night that he is running for governor of Florida.

Byron Donalds

Donalds made his announcement following an endorsement from President Donald Trump a week earlier for the governorship, which will be up for election in 2026. Donalds hasn’t been endorsed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is term-limited, and who said Monday he would support his wife Casey DeSantis for governor. During a press conference Monday, DeSantis said the District 19 representative “hasn’t been a part of any of the victories we have had here over the left over the past year. He’s just not been a part of it. He’s been in other states campaigning doing that and that’s fine. But OK well than deliver results up there. That’s what I want to see.” Elected this past November to a third term in Congress, Donalds made his announcement Tuesday night on Fox News with Sean Hannity.

Donalds, a New York native, said “I got to Florida when I was 17 years old off of

Bid to extend Waste Pro contract gets little support

Cape City Council consensus is to seek new requests for proposal for solid waste collections

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

A contract extension for the city of Cape Coral’s solid waste contractor may be unlikely without an exploration of other providers.

Only two members of Cape Coral City Council supported extending the contract with Waste Pro at a workshop Wednesday while the remainder of the eight-member elected board supported seeking requests for proposals from other vendors.

“For me, the cost isn’t really a concern. I would rather have great service and pay for that — especially with trash,” Councilmember Jennifer Nelson-Lastra said. “It’s all about the service because that is what we will hear from the residents.”

The two council members wanting to extend the Waste Pro contract were Rachel Kaduk and Dr. Derrick Donnell.

Solid Waste Manager Terry Schweitzer said the city contracted with Waste Pro in 2010 for curbside collection, at that time for 59,414 households. Now, in February 2025, there

“For me, the cost isn’t really a concern. I would rather have great service and pay for that – especially with trash. It’s all about the service because that is what we will hear from the residents.”

— Councilmember Jennifer Nelson-Lastra

are more than 94,000 households.

The initial contract was for five years with a five-year extension. In June 2010 a seven-year extension, set to expire Sept. 30, 2027, was executed.

Schweitzer said the average rate in 2022 was $25.26 per month, per home, and Cape Coral was $12.06.

“That is what Waste Pro is charging us. The rate for this current year is $13.72,” he said. “In fiscal year 2024 we increased solid waste 10% annually.”

Schweitzer said in July last year city staff presented two options to Council, one of which included negotiating an extension with Waste Pro. He said the early extension with Waste Pro for five additional years was not wanted under the current terms.

Negotiations were held to talk about service level improvements and transparency. Within those conversations it was discussed that the residential rate will increase by either 72% or 94% and the commercial rate will increase by 29.6% or 62.7%.

Waste Pro Division Vice President Bill Jones said one of the benefits of an extended contract is you do not have any transition issues — no unknowns.

“The new agreement brings the current agreement up to industry standards,” he said as the current contract which is 15 years old. “The new agreement — increase accountability, transparency. We agree with all of those. They make sense.”

Jones said they tried to write the extension to be for the

future.

“The last 15 years we have been together, we have had peaks and valleys. The pandemic was a tough time for all of us,” he said that they overcame after finding accredited drivers. “We have a solid plan and have been great since then.”

Jones also addressed the older fleet, which they were committed to replacing with $6.5 million set aside.

The remaining council members agreed they city should go out for an RFP with a new service start date that would begin on Oct. 1, 2027. The city expects to get four to six proposers. The estimated new rates would be between $25 to $30 a home.

Schweitzer said it would be an 18-month process, so things are not rushed. The city would develop an RFP for consulting services with an awarded contract being done in October/November time to get the RFP developed and on the street.

“Give vendors from October through February to develop proposals,” he said, adding staff would negotiate any issues with awardee and give them time to transition with new work starting in 2027.

A collection contract would be awarded March 2026.

He said the biggest risk of going out for an RFP and bringing in a new vendor is the transition phase.

“The transition phase is probably the most difficult part of the whole process,” Schweitzer said, adding that is part of the scoring component – the transition plan and how to ensure service runs smoothly.

Jones said they would read the RFP and entertain it, but he cannot guarantee Waste Pro-business would bid on it. He said it all depends on what it looks like.

Lehmann to hold Town Hall this Saturday

Cape Coral District 2 Council Member Laurie Lehmann will hold a Town Hall meeting from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 1, at Rotary Park, 5505 Rose Garden Road.

Matt Williams, city of Cape Coral Public Works director, will join this March 1 Town Hall to discuss plans and visions for the city and answer citizens’ questions. Residents are encouraged to share their concerns, ask questions, and discuss ideas for the future of District 2 and the city of Cape Coral. The pavilion closest to the Environmental Center building will serve as the gathering spot for this event. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring their own beach or camping chairs.

Laurie Lehmann

The breeze OpiniOns

Cape COral breeze

RAYMOND M. ECKENRODE Publisher

VALARIE HARRING, Executive Editor

CHRIS

STRINE,

Editor

2510 Del Prado Blvd. • Cape Coral, FL, 33904

• Phone 239-574-1110 – Fax 239-574-5693

Member

Florida Press Association

Due diligence

If Cape Coral City Council’s consensus stands, the city will take a look at solid waste service providers who would like to collect trash, yard waste, recyclables and other refuse within the city limits.

Waste Pro, which has serviced the Cape since 2010, has requested a five-year contract extension for their agreement set to expire Sept. 30, 2027.

A council majority says it favors going out for requests for proposal, a type of bid for services.

We agree that is a good choice.

This opinion is not a based on Waste Pro’s performance. It is simply fiscally prudent.

The cost of doing business for, well, everyone, has spiraled. In terms of trash collection, Cape Coral residents and businesses are looking at a substantial increase — possibly as high as 94% for residential pickups, according to numbers provided by city staff related to their contract extension negotiations with Waste Pro.

The current residential rate equates to $13.72 per month this year.

According to the city’s solid waste manager, Terry Schweitzer, it was discussed that the residential pickup rate would increase by either 72% or 94% while the commercial rate would increase by 29.6% or 62.7%.

Those are pretty big hikes.

They are, though, not unexpected as Waste Pro’s contracted rate in the city is about half of what is average, according to Mr. Schweitzer.

This means a rate hike is likely whether the city extends its agreement with Waste Pro or finds a new provider.

So why does it make sense to spend the time — and money— required to vet potential vendors?

Fifteen years without a competitive analysis is a long time for any vendor-based contract. Twenty years, to which a contract extension would bring the city is, literally, a generation.

Taking into account the city’s 94,000 households alone, this is a huge contract.

Going through the RFP process is more than fiscally prudent: It’s due diligence for those who pay the rates.

Waste Pro, which says it has the advantage of no transition period and “unknowns” is, as city officials pointed out, welcome to join what, hopefully, could be a crowd.

—Breeze editorial

This week’s poll question: Do you agree with President Trump’s assessment and position on the war between Russia and Ukraine?

∫ Yes.

∫ No.

Vote at capecoralbreeze.com.

Previous poll question

Should Florida replace property taxes with an increase in sales tax or other consumption-based levy?

∫ Yes. 39%

∫ Maybe. I’m interested in seeing the proposal explored. 39%

∫ No. 21.75%

* Total votes at press time: 53 votes. Percentages are “rounded.”Poll results are not scientific and represent only the opinions of Internet users who have chosen to participate.

February 28, 2025

Continued support of Ukraine is important to U.S. security

On Monday, Feb 24, 2025, the day that marked three years of Putin’s brutal fullscale invasion in Ukraine, I along with my husband and three children took the opportunity to meet with the office of Congressman Byron Donalds in Washington, D.C .as a part of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America.

During the meeting we discussed continued support for Ukraine with Rep. Donald’s staff.

Some of the key issues made clear to us was the Congressman’s concern about aid gone accounted for. As a huge proponent of military aid to Ukraine, I have never shied away from the issue of accountability. In fact, I have been outspoken on proactive transparency measures in Ukraine well before Russia’s full-scale invasion, and you can read my 2018 article for the Borgen Magazine titled “Preventing Corruption in Foreign Assistance to Ukraine” and again in 2023 for The Breeze titled “Aid to Ukraine Necessary, and Well Watched.” And while Rep. Donalds’ staffer cited claims such as those made by Tucker Carlson who asserts that weapons are being sold on the black market, I let the staffer know these are not credible reports, especially given the fact

Guest

Commentary

that no source has backed them up. The fact is, it is quite impossible to sell American weapons on the black market, and I know this through firsthand knowledge of my volunteer work not only with U.S. military budget analysts with Protect Ukraine Now, but also with humanitarian military affairs organizations such as Ukraine Defense Support, in which I have had the opportunity to raise thousands of dollars in our own community to ship non-lethal military aid directly to Ukraine’s front lines. Through this work, I have also had the opportunity to meet defense contractors within Rep. Donald’s very own constituency who ship heavy artillery and munitions to Ukraine. Both myself and my friends in both Ukraine’s and our US defense industry can assure the American public, those are solid defense logistical chains. Nevertheless, I explained to Rep. Donald’s staffer my personal belief that the inherent wastage in government spending does not outweigh our national security interest

See GUEST COMMENTARY, page 6

Letters to the editor

Protect our Wetlands March

To the editor:

Cape Coral families have been concerned about the proposed Redfish Pointe development among wetlands south of Rotary Park since 2021. Hurricane Ian, in 2022, of course, heightened our alarm, because it revealed what the future looks like for Cape Coral, which is one of the nine cities in the nation most at risk from future storms.

Indisputably, coastal wetlands provide significant storm protection and flood control. The city’s own website says so. This development would compromise the storm protection these wetlands provide and put our hundreds of families at greater risk of harm and hardship.

Additionally, those hundreds of acres provide critical habitat for wildlife, including protected species. Rotary Park is hugely popular. The development will permanently harm its natural character and allure and will also violate the intent of a conservation easement meant to preserve these wetlands forever. Traffic down Pelican Boulevard and the burden upon the city’s infrastructure will also be significant. All will erode the quality of life that makes living in this area of southwest Cape Coral desirable.

We urge residents to join us on Saturday, March 1, at 8:30 a.m, to march from Rotary Park to the proposed road entrance at Rose Garden Road and Southwest 6th Place.

The march is held just days before the Planning and Zoning Commission is potentially scheduled to address the issue. We urge residents to attend and to tell the committee that this property is zoned “Preserve” for good reasons and that designation should not be changed.

Mary Kay Robbins-Kralapp

Cape Coral

City needs to admit it was wrong & start over on Jaycee Park

To the editor:

I attended the Cape Coral City Council meeting of Feb. 19. I listened to city staff talk about Jaycee Park.

As a human being with a conscience it’s hard to wrap my head around how the swindling of Jaycee Park was orchestrated from its finest citizens. There was never a compromise. The city took everything and gave us nothing.

Our plan, the citizens’ plan, offers the most to the

neighboring condo associations, ADA, picnicking families, veterans, AA groups etc. It would even be more profitable to the concessioner. Instead we are getting commercial enterprise.

I suggest now that Jaycee Park is a blank canvass that we modify the design to favor everyone. Governments waste money all the time on flawed projects, this being one of them.

Redoing the design is priceless and would be worth the wait.

It would be a win-win for everyone.

Cape Coral city projects

To the editor:

Anthony Karp Cape Coral

First off, kudos to the five newly elected city council members for following through with their promise to get rid of the stipend that almost doubled the salary of the previous board and mayor. The stipend was not voted on by the citizens of Cape Coral.

Now in November 2026, we citizens need to vote to get rid of the last two council members and the mayor from the previous board. That board pushed the redevelopment of Jaycee Park despite the objections of thousands of local voters to leave the park alone. Particularly irritating was the District 1 councilman pushing the redevelopment of his area park and going against the wishes of his District 1 voters. He is one of the two board members up for re-election in November 2026.

The previous board awarded the Jaycee Park contract in 2024 and made sure all the beautiful Australian Pines were cut down right before the election last November. The park is bare of trees now and sealed off with a six-foot fence. That previous board knew they were going to lose in November. This redevelopment project was estimated to cost $12 million in October 2023 when the previous board decided they wanted to do this project. Only one board member cast the lone dissenting vote. The citizens did not vote for this project. The project cost is now about $18 million and will turn a once beautiful park into, guess

See LETTERS, page 6

Alexandra Zakhvatayev

Guest Commentary: Ukraine is key to international & U.S. security

From page 4

for Ukraine is a matter of national security interest, as it is not only our moral obligation to defend smaller countries who wish to align with American’s principles in freedom and democracy, but also, our defense obligation, as punctuated by the ‘90s-era Budapest Memorandum. Ukraine as a sovereign nation should be able to pursue a cooperative partnership with the United States, irrespective if it contradicts the Russian regime’s objectives, as Russia has actually been declared a top security threat to our nation. It is counter to U.S. policy to abandon Ukraine, which has been a key defense ally since the 1940s, when they helped the allies defeat Nazi Germany, as well as during the fall of the Soviet Union where the Ukrainians were a critical intelligence source for the CIA. Since 2014 the U.S.Ukraine defense alliance was further solidified as we provided the Ukrainians military training in both Ukraine and in later years, the U.S. And In 2017 we began our lethal assistance, where President Trump himself was the first to send the Ukrainians American-made javelins. Our defense partnership continues strong under Ukraine-NATO interoperability, as well as American defense stakeholders building industry partnerships, not to mention, Ukraine’s active defense measures provide critical military lessons

From page 4

what, a park!! Was there no economic analysis performed by the city to justify this project?

The Yacht Club redevelopment is another fiasco in the making by the previous board. The citizens voted in 2018 for a $60 million GO bond to create new parks and improve older parks. The Yacht Club area was earmarked for about $13 million of that $60 million. Since then, this project was stripped out of the GO bond and last week’s Breeze reported that this project is now estimated to cost an astounding $120 to $150 million! The city blames Hurricane Ian for the expanded costs, but their insurance company estimated the damage to the Yacht Club building to be only $25,000. They said the city did not maintain the building. The city then razed the Yacht Club building and senior center for about $1 million, and now it is vacant land.

The new city council should call a time out and re-evaluate these ever-increasing costs. They need to down-size their plans and just get back to the basics of providing open space and recreation for its citizens. The area needs to get the fire-destroyed Boathouse back in business, add a second restaurant and rebuild the pier, which was destroyed by Ian. The new community center, resort-style pools and huge four-story parking garage were all added “features” that the previous board wanted, with probably some encouragement by developers.

Another project the city embarked on last year was buying up most of four city blocks of homes and apartment buildings just northeast of Bimini Basin for about $40 million. They are now in the process of razing all those buildings at a cost of $1 million in order to entice developers to buy this land and create, no doubt, a highly- dense project. Let’s hope the city sells this land and gets our $41 million back, but I disagree with the concept of the city doing this type of buying and razing properties for the benefit of developers. They should be reining in developers.

The board seems to favor dense developments in all four quadrants of the city. The city is over developed as it is and traffic is now a major problem and soon potable water for the city will become a major problem too. The maximum build-out of Cape Coral was once estimated at about 220,000 citizens. I recently heard that maximum is now over 300,000 people. The old laid-back Florida of just 10 years ago is now gone in Cape Coral, taken over

for both U.S. and European defense alliances.

These are lessons which should be acted upon, such as, Ukraine’s innovative SEAD tactics which use “long range” drone technology which were developed in spite of the fact that the U.S. has already provided long-range weapons to Ukraine but, are not able to be used to their full capacity due to the utter hypocrisy of the U.S. ban on longrange strikes — restrictions which I strenuously implore to be lifted by our American politicians.

Geopolitically, western naval superiority is critical in the Black Sea region, which is enshrined in U.S. defense policy but which is now extremely insecure due to the entire Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory which can be characterized as a landbridge feeding Russian and North Korean infantry into Crimea, starting from the Donbas-Luhansk region (where my great friend Commander Yuri is currently stationed), all the way down to the Black Sea ports.

This is precisely why Ukraine must regain all of its territory. Any peace deal should involve the rejection of Russian occupation, as well as security guarantees which are necessary to achieve long-lasting peace in Ukraine. And this does not necessarily need to be Ukraine’s NATO entry — it can mean a country/any group of countries that will sign a defensive pact/guarantee. As a global military

Letters

to the editor

by greedy developers who come in and build the largest, densest project they can, make their money and move on to the next one.

The one recent bright spot in Cape Coral was the city buying the defunct golf course between Palm Tree and Country Club Boulevards for $10.4 million in October 2024. Let’s hope the new board keeps it as open space parkland for recreation for its citizens.

Ken Kendrick Citizen of Cape Coral

City spending policies for the birds

To the editor:

$900,00 for owls and none for the people who live here? I don’t believe the city wants to spend that much money on the owls and no money for the homeless in the city. What kind of people are in charge in this city they have more feelings for the birds than people?

Now they won’t even let those who are homeless pitch a tent in a park — they can face getting locked up and even jail.

If the city doesn’t know what to do with all the money they are taking in why not give the taxpayers a refund?

After all, we are ones paying all these fees they charge residents. After all, they are suppose to be working for us not the other way around.

Roy Spegele Cape Coral

Support the right to clean water

To the editor:

Just 10 years ago our canal in Fort Myers had schools of mullet, sheepshead, and mangrove snapper. Mullet fishermen used to come with their boats and nets and haul up lots of mullet. Nice-sized redfish were common, and I once hooked, but did not catch, a tarpon. These were all exciting moments that I will never forget. But these moments are now rare, and I can only imagine how wonderful the waters used to be 30 or more years ago.

As quoted in the Feb. 16 Views section of the regional daily, “The Spanish called the land La Florida for it lush landscape…The natural environment (was) a unique ex-

leader, the U.S. must be a part of Ukraine’s defense.

Since Congressman Byron Donalds is a good friend of President Donald Trump, I asked his staffer to ensure my message gets not only to the Congressman, but to the president himself.

Many know I have been critical of Rep. Donalds over the years, just as he has been critical of U.S. support to Ukraine. However, important issues require us to have tough conversations, and I was honored to have the opportunity to meet with Rep. Donalds’ Office to promote a working relationship and on behalf of my family and friends, I offer our sincere gratitude to his staff for this very special privilege to advocate for our U.S. national security interests in the war in Ukraine.

Lastly, I want to thank the Cape Coral Breeze for helping me give voice to our people during these very difficult past years. It means the world...

—Alexandra Zakhvatayev, a resident of Cape Coral, was proud to represent Florida during the “Ukrainian Days” advocacy event as part of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America”

ample of the magic to be found in the New World.”

The current dismal state of our waters was also described earlier in the same Views section by John Cassani in his article “Mismanagement Destroying Florida’s Coastal waters.” The title pretty much tells it all.

Despite high levels of public money spent on restoration of waters, without proper regulation and enforcement, it is not money well-spent. His conclusion: the Florida Right to Clean Water petition “may be the only hope for meaningful reform.” If you go to https://bit.ly/FRTCW-petition, you can print out a pre-filled petition that only needs your signature and mailing. You can then become part of the solution. Please help us make our waters better.

Mary Tracy Sigman Fort Myers

Do not board my ship

To the editor:

“... Officers currently can stop boaters without probable cause to conduct routine safety checks...” according to a recent news story in the regional daily.

I did not know this, even though I am a law professor and a former director-at-large of the Libertarian Party of Florida (LPF). In other words, I have been asleep at the wheel (and so have you, editor). IMHO, it is absolutely outrageous that an officer thinks he can board anyone’s simply because he FEELS like it.

I think that, if he wants to poke around in the litter on the deck, he’d better have permission from the owner, or probable cause, or (best of all) a lawfully-issued search warrant.

BTW, the 2022 platform of the LPF says: “... IV. Public Safety ... 10. Probable Cause ... searches without probable cause should be abolished ... “

Happily, the story goes on to note that Gov. DeSantis has drafted a bill that would end this abuse of authority. Good for you, Governor. You have my whole-hearted support on this. As we say in my home state of New Hampshire, Live Free or Die.

Larry Gillis Cape Coral

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

Giallombardo proposes bill to sunset CRAs

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

A state bill that could sunset Community Redevelopment Agencies was discussed at Cape Coral City Council’s workshop Wednesday .

State Rep. Mike Giallombardo filed HB991 on Feb. 24.

The proposed legislation provides “for the termination of community redevelopment agencies on a specified date, removing an exception, prohibiting community redevelopment agencies from performing certain actions on or after a specified date, revising provisions relating to any outstanding bonds of a community redevelopment agency, prohibiting the creation of community redevelopment agencies on or after a specified date, authorizing existing agencies to continue to operate, providing an effective date.”

According to the bill “a community redevelopment agency in existence on July 1, 2025, shall terminate on the expiration date provided in the agency’s charter on July 1, 2025, or on Sept. 30, 2045, whichever is earlier.”

As far as outstanding bonds as of July 1, 2025 “that do not mature until after the termination date of the agency, or Sept. 30,

“In our discussion, I let him know that in the Cape we use our money for projects – The Cove, parking garages, Bimini project, streetscape and Bimini East and how we are utilizing TIF money to take down buildings and put property back out. He was open to some ideas to send to him.”

— City Manager Mike Ilczyszyn

2045, whichever is earlier, remains in existence until the date the bonds mature.”

An agency could not be created on or after July 1, 2025.

Cape Coral has such an agency, the South Cape Community Development Agency, and Cape Coral City Council acts as its governing commission. It is funded with tax increment financing, or TIF funds. TIF revenue is basically the amount between baseline property tax revenue and revenue from increased valuation after development of the property. The “increment” is used by the CRA for other projects or rebated to a developer for projects that enhance the district.

City Manager Mike Ilczyszyn said he spoke with Giallombardo on the bill and, as

of Wednesday, there was no Senate companion bill. He said what he understands is that they are looking at some of the CRAs and what they are doing with funding.

Ilczyszyn said meaningful reform and change could come in the form of using the tax dollars that fund CRAs solely for infrastructure, private development to make projects work and eliminating things such as funding for special events.

He said he will give Giallombardo a list of ideas from the Cape that they use to refocus the basics.

“In our discussion, I let him know that in the Cape we use our money for projects –The Cove, parking garages, Bimini project, streetscape and Bimini East and how we are utilizing TIF money to take down buildings

and put property back out,” Ilczyszyn said. “He was open to some ideas to send to him.”

He said the city receives TIF dollars from Lee County for the South Cape CRA.

“We would lose the direct funding from the county and hurt ability to gain momentum in the CRA,” Ilczyszyn said.

Mayor John Gunter said he also spoke with Giallombardo and told him that they have to make sure they are spending tax dollars appropriately – infrastructure, roads, bringing in private development. He said having trolley events and different types of nonprofits having events – is all well and good, but it should be for roads and sidewalks.

“There are other municipalities that are even worse than what we are spending dollars on and getting out of hand,” Gunter said. “We are partly to blame. We can do a better job than what we are doing.”

Ilczyszyn said there might be some other opportunities for a revision to the language that will refocus the tax dollars to the original purpose of the CRA, which was to correct and prevent blight in the Cape’s original downtown.

Giallombardo could not be reached for comment by press time.

FSW Dental Hygiene program to host annual Give Kids a Smile Day at Lee Campus

Florida SouthWestern State College’s Dental Hygiene program will host its annual Give Kids a Smile Day from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 1, in Building A-154, at the FSW Lee Campus, 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers.

FSW Dental Hygiene students, faculty and staff along with dentists from the Lee County Dental Society will provide free dental hygiene services to children ages 3-17.

The free dental hygiene services will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Services include dental examinations, X-rays, dental cleanings, and dental sealants.

For more information, contact the FSW Dental Hygiene program at 239-985-8334.

Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest institution of higher education. Annually

serving nearly 19,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, 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 additional information.

A dream space to call her own

Make-A-Wish, Aubuchon Homes team up to provide Cape teen with

By CASEY SHEPHERD news@breezenewspapers.com

A Cape Coral teen had her wish for a personal place where she could write, prepare art projects and just relax came true last week, thanks to a nonprofit and a local builder.

Teagan Walker’s wish for a “she shed” was granted last Thursday by Make-A-Wish Southern Florida with the help of Aubuchon Homes.

The 15-year-old has been living with congenital heart disease since birth and has been through five surgeries. During a recent hospital visit, a nurse informed the Walker family that Teagan could be a Make-A-Wish candidate.

“Her nurse at All Children’s approached us, I was like ‘what do you mean? Make-A-Wish?’” said Lauren Walker, Teagan’s mother.

After this encounter with the nurse, the plans for Teagan Walker’s journey to her dream space were put into motion.

“Our volunteers asked Teagan what she wanted and she could choose anything in the world and this is what she chose. She’s an art enthusiast, she writes, and she supposedly has an entertainment company coming, and so this was the perfect wish for her,” said Richard Kelly, the chief operating officer for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida.

Make-A-Wish is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that works with children and teens who are experiencing “critical illnesses” to make their dreams come true.

Make-A-Wish teamed up with Aubuchon Homes, a Cape Coral home builder that has worked with Make-A-Wish and other charitable organizations in the past.

“When Make-A-Wish approached us, it seemed like a perfect fit, because Teagan was looking for a home away from home, if you will. And that’s what we do here at Aubuchon Homes, is we build dream homes,” said Justin Einstein, vice

a custom ‘she shed’

Teagan Walker looks out the doorway of her brand new “she shed,” a Make-A-Wish project. See MAKE-A-WISH, page 9

CASEY SHEPHERD

MAKE-A-WISH

SOUTHERN FLORIDA

Left: Teagan Walker gets her first look at her new “she shed.”

Above: Teagan Walker holds a Make-A-Wish Southern Florida Tshirt along side wish granters (left) and her parents.

Make-A-Wish: Aubuchon Homes constructs mini home-away-from-home

From page 8

president of Aubuchon Homes.

Teagan was included in the design of the shed, laying out the requirements and creative direction, in the form of a beach theme.

Make-A-Wish and Aubuchon Homes made sure that the “she shed” was kitted out for all of Walker’s needs, with a couch to relax and watch TV on, and a large art desk

for drawing.

“It’s really useful, it has a shelf so I’m not always just leaning over,” Teagan said.

She already has plans to put the new art studio to use for her show on her YouTube channel.

“It’s a medieval-themed show, and it’s kind of a fantasy and it’s really cool. We’re almost done with season one,” Teagan said

After a six-month wait for construction,

the Cape Coral community rallied behind Teagan and the rest of the Walker family, with more than 20 people attending the unveiling last week.

“I’m very surprised how many folks showed up just to celebrate this occasion, and as you can see, she’s all lit up and excited about this,” said Bruce Walker, Teagan’s father.

As for her condition? Teagan and her

family are taking it day by day.

“We try to be as light hearted about this as we can. This is our everyday. We’re just thrilled and blessed to have her,” Lauren Walker said.

For more information on Make-A-Wish Southern Florida or to make a donation or otherwise become involved https://www. wish.org/sfla .

Cape Coral Breeze

The Courts, Cape Coral rebrand is now official

Ribbon-cutting, grand reopening, attract a crowd to city’s pickleball, tennis facility

By CASEY SHEPHERD news@breezenewspapers.com

The grand reopening and rebranding ceremony for “The Courts, Cape Coral” took place last Saturday with officials touting the benefits to the community and pickleballers praising the facility.

“These courts are fantastic, very well organized, laid out really nice, people are fantastic,” said Cape resident Elizabeth Herman.

A city-owned, privately-operated public facility, The Courts, Cape Coral features 32 pickleball courts and an additional 12 tennis courts as well as a pro shop where paddles, racquets and apparel can be purchased.

The construction at what was Lake Kennedy before the rebrand was planned by Kimberly Horn, a nation-wide consulting firm.

“We’ve built probably 150-200 pickleball courts across Southwest Florida the past two or three years, but none to the scale or complexity as this project,” said James Bankonin, a representative from Kimberly Horn.

Among those attending was Cape Coral City Councilmember Joe Kilraine and Parks and Recreation Director Joe Petrella. Kilraine undertook ribbon-cutting duties and each emphasized the benefits of pickleball for both individuals and the community.

The expansion was funded as part of the voter-approved $60 million GO bond for park improvements throughout the city.

The Courts follows a membership-based business model, offering annual, semi-annual and monthly memberships for either singles, couples, or families. Single-day passes are also available. The Courts charges an additional fee for all packages for non-Cape Coral residents.

“With the funding for this facility, the goal is for it to fund itself so it didn’t become something that required taxpayer subsidy to continue running,” said Adrian Moses, regional general manager of the Sports Facilities Company, which is the contract manager of The Courts. “That means that the facility uses through fees, membership fees, and the purchases

Pickleball paddles belonging to players waiting for an available court lined up in order of arrival.

that they make on site from this facility for itself, that’s also supplemented by the large tournaments that we will bring in as well as two major tournaments that we’ve already brought to this facility, which is going to help fund the facility. In addition, we can’t forget our valued sponsors who allow us to operate the facility in a way that is of great value to local residents.

Memberships quickly exceeded both initial expectations and projections.

Since the initial opening last November, The Courts has already brought in over $238,000 in membership fees.

To keep track of who goes next on the 32 courts and make sure the court turnovers go smoothly, The Courts uses paddle ambassadors.

“I meet a lot of people, it’s very social and everyone is very nice,” said paddle ambassador Ken Jefferson.

PPA Tour to make debut in the Cape with the Veolia Cape Coral Open

The first-ever Veolia Cape Coral Open will come to The Courts, Cape Coral next week, inviting pickleball fans of all ages to witness the best professional players in the sport with tickets still available.

The pro tournament takes place from March 5 to 9 at the facility at 420 Southwest 2nd. Ave.

“This event presents an amazing opportunity for fans to witness the top professionals compete for the biggest payouts in the sport,” organizers said in a release. “Among the competitors will be teenage-phenom Anna Leigh Waters, who has medaled in an astonishing 62 consecutive PPA Tour events. She will be competing against superstar players like Florida residents Parris Todd, Hurricane Tyra Black, Anna Bright and former Wimbledon finalist Genie Bouchard. Also in the field is Olympic Gold Medalist Jack Sock, the GOAT of pro pickleball, Ben Johns, and the most electrifying player on tour, Tyson McGuffin.”

In addition to the pro tournament, fans can come out and watch the Collegiate Pickleball Showcase event featuring the pickleball clubs from Florida State University and the University of Florida.

Additionally, the Junior PPA will participate in the tournament.

“Dedicated to fostering youth pickleball players through competition events, development opportunities, and social activity, the Junior PPA offers a spotlight for youth athletes around the world to showcase their talents, develop physical and mental skills, and compete against other top juniors in the rapidly growing pickleball community,” organizers said.

Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/ppa/events/ppacape-coral-125721 for tickets, the full schedule and more information.

The

Courts, Cape Coral: 32 pickleball courts, 12 tennis courts — and a whole lot more

Top left, Cape Coral City Councilmember Joe Kilraine cuts the ribbon for The Courts, Cape Coral Saturday. Above and at left, attendees take part in the rebrand ceremony held at the city-owned/ privately operated facility at 420 S.W. 2nd Ave. Memberships and day-play opportunities available at the facility.

PHOTOS BY CASEY SHEPHERD

City eyes restrictions for electioneering at the polls

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

Cape Coral is looking at municipal restrictions related to campaigning at poll sites within the city limits.

Draft language will be brought back to a future Cape Coral City Council workshop after Mayor John Gunter brought the issue forward Wednesday, saying residents felt “harassed” during the recent municipal election and that state restrictions which say campaigning cannot be done within 150 feet of the precinct entry point may not be enough.

“I almost think the polling station is a neutral zone,” Gunter said.

Council opinion went in both directions with some council members supportive of being more restrictive and others stating the city should not become involved.

Draft language will be brought back to a future Cape Coral City Council workshop after Mayor John Gunter brought the issue forward Wednesday, saying residents felt “harassed” during the recent municipal election and that state restrictions which say campaigning cannot be done within 150 feet of the precinct entry point may not be enough.

pability,” he said, adding he would not be in favor of changing anything.

Also against moving forward were

Councilmembers Dr. Derrick Donnell and Laurie Lehmann.“

“You can’t control what other people do,” Lehmann said. “There were a lot of instances of people jumping on cars and sticking heads in people’s cars. You can only control what you did. I’m not in favor of making it more restrictive.”

Councilmembers Bill Steinke and Keith Long were in favor of hearing more ideas.

“I would have no problem in a restriction that allowed our voters to vote in peace,” he said.

Councilmember Joe Kilraine said it is

Councilmember Rachel Kaduk said she was open to either side, as she did not do any campaigning at the polls.

vital to have access at the polls. He said bringing an exclusion zone at the polls favors candidates who have more financial capability.

“I think it is a basic right for a candidate to be able to communicate in that way. It’s important to manage the abusive actions as opposed to reframing from having that ca-

Councilmember Jennifer Nelson-Lastra said she is open to recommendations, as there should be a way to compromise.

“Grassroots is everywhere. It doesn’t need to be at the polling places. In favor of entertaining other solutions,” she said.

Cape Council to consider ‘holistic approach’ to commercial parking

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

The city of Cape Coral may be ready to tackle citywide commercial parking regu-

lations.

Mayor John Gunter added commercial vehicle parking to Cape Coral City Council’s Wednesday’s workshop agenda, saying there should be holistic approach for the entire city.

That sentiment was acknowledged by council members.

There are a variety of commercial vehicle restrictions throughout Cape Coral with some of them pertaining to certain streets. “Commercial vehicles” were established as

“I wanted to have a discussion to see if the council had a preference. We have been talking about this for at least the last seven years to have a city approach for commercial vehicle regulations.

“We have several ordinances where this particular roadway can’t park here during these times, another roadway during these times.”

—Mayor John Gunter

those greater than a ton.

“I wanted to have a discussion to see if the council had a preference. We have been talking about this for at least the last seven years to have a city approach for commercial vehicle regulations,” Gunter

said. “We have several ordinances where this particular roadway can’t park here during these times, another roadway during these times.”

Gunter said there are no regulations for rights-of-way for residential or commercial

areas.

“We will put signs up on this street –they move to the next street, or block. That is not he greatest approach,” he said.

Many council members agreed that it would be valuable to have a citywide approach.

Councilmember Bill Steinke said he was in favor of that to stop migration from one to another street but would also like to spend time and effort in finding solutions to the problem.

City staff agreed to bring back with alternatives as well as bring back the regulatory component at a future workshop.

CCFD provides update on accreditation compliance

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

The Cape Coral Fire Department has completed its required accreditation compliance report, which was presented to Cape Coral City Council Wednesday.

Acting Fire Chief Mike Russell said accreditation benefits the department by increasing operation efficiency and accountability, enhancing public trust, providing additional rationale for funding and industry best practices and standards, as well as wellness and safety for the department and members and identifying any gaps in service.

The accreditation is engaged daily and ingrained into the department’s business best practices.

“There are 311 accredited agencies internationally. Florida leads the way with 27 — only two in Lee County currently,” Russell said.

In February 2024, the CCFD received accredited status from theCommission on Fire Accreditation International in February 2024 and in May 2024 they hired a third-party consultant to assist with recommendations. The department received the consultant’s evaluation in August and in January, the internal action plan for recommendations and annual compliance report was completed.

Russell said there were 16 recommendations out of 250 performance indicators, and they implemented 11 internally and rejected one based on the consulting firm saying it

was not a valid recommendation.

“We have to present the annual compliance report to council. That annual compliance report is a requirement ensuring we are aligning with your strategic vision and data driven decisions,” he said. “It’s a clear expectation for the department – a continuous improvement process.”

The presentation also highlighted gaps in service delivery.

Russell said the department is making great strides in response times, but in various areas they are still struggling to meet agency benchmarks for times.

“If we don’t continue to address them and we continue to grow as a city we will continue to lag behind,” Russell said, adding

that they are monitored daily.

Station 2 remains their largest station and Station 13 helped tremendously with Station 5.

Mayor John Gunter said it is so important for the fire department to be accredited.

“You have an outside independent board that looks at our department and makes recommendations and outlines what the best practices could be and efficiencies and if there is any improvement,” he said. “It’s a great checks and balances for us and helps us become a better department. We want to make sure we give you the tools and resources you need to be better, but (also be) one of the best.”

SWFL Eagle Cam fans wait for what’s next after eaglet deaths

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers.com

It’s been about a month since the two eaglets being raised by Southwest Florida’s most eagle pair died from a strain of bird flu.

After great concern about whether M15 and F23 would come out OK following exposure to the virus, there are signs that things are returning to normal for the eagle cam stars who nest at the Pritchett Farm in North Fort Myers.

The hot topic is whether the pair might give parenthood another try this year.

The eagles have been seen resuming their normal routine, said Ginnie Pritchett McSpadden, co-founder of the SWFL Eagle Cam, which has shown the exploits of the eagles and their broods since 2012.

“We’ve started to see them rebuild the nest and even bond and mate. Those are great signs the eagles are recovering and hopefully thrive now and in the seasons to come,” Pritchett-McSpadden said.

The female, F23, laid two eggs in early November, which hatched in mid-December. The eaglets were about 6

weeks old when they died, presumably after eating a duck that may have contained the bird flu virus.

Pritchett-McSpadden said following the eagles in the aftermath left them concerned for the future.

“Those first 10 to 14 days after they started showing signs of the avian flu were crucial because it is normally a deadly disease to all raptors,” Pritchett-McSpadden said. “Once they showed signs of recovering, CROW said they believed the (adult) eagles had strong antibodies and immune systems. They have shown they have fully recovered.”

Pritchett-McSpadden said it is also possible that the eagles were mourning the eaglets’ deaths, perhaps not ill.

Will there be a second clutch?

That’s anyone’s guess.

Pritchett-McSpadden said it depends on pair: Are they strong enough and is there enough time left in the nesting season?

A second clutch is not unprecedented.

In 2019-20, M15 and then-mate and original eagle cam matriarch Harriet had a second clutch after one of the

eggs was no viable and the hatched eaglet died about four weeks later. That clutch came in late February about a month after the eaglet died. Both eaglets fledged successfully, although late, in early summer.

Harriet, who disappeared and, it is believed died, in February of 2023, and M15 were a seasoned pair.

F23 is about seven years old and less experienced. This makes it more of a watch-and-see situation.

Pritchett-McSpadden said many have wondered if the eagles can handle a second clutch or if the season would blend into summer too long and for the family to deal with more severe weather.

Even if the eggs were laid today, hatching would not occur until the beginning of April, with a fledge not happening until possibly early July.

“It’s an unknown. If we see a second clutch, it will be something researchers and our team can document and learn from because it is so rare,” Pritchett-McSpadden said. “We’ll watch and see.”

The Southwest Florida Eagle Cam may be viewed at https://dickpritchettrealestate.com/ .

‘Sensory room’ opens for Twins’ Spring Training fans at Hammond Stadium

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

A Cape Coral based organization aimed at inclusion and education for those on the spectrum celebrated the opening of a special room at the home of the Minnesota Twins Spring Training facility.

A partnership with the Twins, Lee Health’s Golisano Children’s Hospital and Family Initiative, Inc., resulted in a ribbon-cutting ceremony held last Friday that unveiled a state-of-the-art sensory room — believed to be the first of its kind in the Grapefruit League.

“We’re thrilled,” said Family Initiative President and co-founder David Brown. “The partnership with the Twins and Lee County; just to have the vision and execution to make this a reality for our families and the families that we love, it’s just been an awesome experience.

“Baseball is a huge part of our community in Southwest Florida, and to make it accessible and inclusive for everybody was an unbelievable opportunity to work together to make it happen. It’s a great feeling.”

An afternoon or evening out at the ballpark is a great way to spend some time with the family, and now, those with individuals on the spectrum can come to the park and have a place to go if the sights and sounds of the game overwhelm a member of the group.

“We feel Lee County has been very progressive in trying to build an atmosphere in every aspect of our community that allows for inclusion,” Brown said. “Pursuing this was a no-brainer for us. It’s another logical

A partnership with the Twins, Lee Health’s Golisano Children’s Hospital and Family Initiative, Inc., resulted in a ribbon-cutting ceremony held last Friday that unveiled a state-of-the-art sensory room — believed to be the first of its kind in the Grapefruit League.

step forward. The county’s ascending view is to be an inclusive place for families with special needs. We’re honored to be on this project. A lot of our dads grew up playing baseball, and have passion for the sport. For a lot of different reasons related to their situations, they were reluctant to bring the whole family out to a ballgame. There’s a lot going on at a baseball stadium. Sensory wise, it can be tough for individuals on the spectrum.”

Every game will have clinicians working

in the room to assist those that may be having a challenging time with the atmosphere of a game. The room is located right off of the third base line behind sections 115 and 116 at Lee Health Sports Complex. During the first game the room was open, there were 91 individuals who used the space.

The room features the ability to dim the lights, has crash pads, headphones they can take out to their seats, sensory and fidget toys, fiber optics, and more tools designed to

meet varying needs of sensory domains that may be triggering.

From vision to execution, Brown said the project took only seven to eight months.

“The space is beautiful,” Brown said. “A lot of different features are through it that highlight baseball and the Twins’ commitment to special-needs families. I think families will be over the moon to get to use this space and have it available.”

Brown had nothing but positive things to say about the partnership with Lee County and the Twins, and is proud that Family Initiative is getting out in front on inclusivity. At Target Field in Minnesota, there also is a sensory room for families to use. Now, there’s one at the club’s spring home. Brown said he’s already received messages from other teams asking Family Initiative on how they set up the sensory room, and potential partnerships in creating one at their ballpark.

“It’s great to be able to set the tone and put this conversation out there across baseball,” Brown said. “What else can teams do to make sure the game is inclusive for everyone?”

Established in 2015, Family Initiative is a nonprofit organization based in Cape Coral, dedicated to supporting children, teens, and young adults impacted by ASD through innovative programs and evidence-based therapies. Family Initiative provides clinical services, educational programs, and community support, empowering individuals and families across Southwest Florida.

For more information about Family Initiative, visit FI-Florida.org or call 239910-0712.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LEE COUNTY

Weekly B reeze Recap

The Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife’s 23rd annual Burrowing Owl Festival drew a crowd to Rotary Park Saturday.

PHOTOS BY JOHNATHAN MINEHAN

23rd Burrowing Owl Festival provides fun, advocacy

By JOHNATHAN MINEHAN news@breezenewspapers.com

The Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife’s Burrowing Owl Festival always brings a hoot to the community.

The 23rd annual event was no exception, bringing a day of fun while providing insight into the city’s official bird and how the public can help keep habitats protected.

Saturday’s event included live animal exhibits, educational programs, food and beverages, silent auctions, access to the butterfly house and bus tours to nearby owl burrows.

Proceeds from the event help support CCFW’s mission to preserve and enhance wildlife and their habitats and educate the community about the wildlife found in Cape Coral.

Adam’s Animal Encounters attended the Burrowing Owl Festival to teach the attendees about reptiles.

“I think it’s a great event to bring the community together and raise awareness about owls,” said CCFW volunteer Brendan Kulhawy, who enjoyed the event and the community it brought to the Cape. “Although it’s hot outside, we are helping the community come together and get to experience what the festival has to offer.”

Thanks to volunteers and organizers, attendees were able to learn about some of the ways they can do their part to help the burrowing owls, including:

n Raising awareness about protecting nest sites from construction

n Maintaining artificial burrowing owl nests

n Researching the burrowing owls and sharing this information with friends and family

n Maintaining the environment through healthy habits

n Avoid the usage of pesticides around burrowing owl habitats.

Numerous speakers and related organizations also took part.

Guest speaker Adam Brame, recovery coordinator for the endangered smalltooth sawfish and the threatened oceanic whitetip shark, NOAA Fisheries, U.S. Department of Commerce, spoke about conserving the smalltooth sawfish and other marine species at risk.

Joseph Bonasia, Florida Rights of Nature Network

& Operations and communications director, spoke about the decline in local water quality and the critical importance of clean water in safeguarding the local community, wildlife and environment.

Adam’s Animal Encounters attended to teach the guests about reptiles, as well as to provide an opportunity to purchase merchandise.

Information provided ranged from the life span of tortoises to how docile alligators — known for their lightning attacks on the unwary — can be. The community had the opportunity to pet the alligators with Adam Pottruck giving a demonstration and facts about each species.

Tandria Burke, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge outreach and administration ranger, spoke about her experience at the refuge and how they wanted to inform attendees about the wildlife.

“What we’re doing at the refuge, we manage 27,000 acres of habitats before the panthers, and we just want to get the word out about panthers in general,” Burke said. “Everyone’s always interested in learning more.”

While Burke and the refuge are working in Immokalee, they still wanted to see that growth of awareness in Cape Coral.

“I think that wildlife is super important and super important to get the community out, because there is not a lot of places to learn about wildlife unless you reach out to the people,” Burke said. “It’s very important to engage in community involvement, and just getting involved in the community and letting them learn about things, but also doing it in a fun way that interests someone that’s not necessarily honed in on wildlife.”

Event sponsors included Jason’s Deli, Cape Coral Wildlife Trust, Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Partnership and several others.

The Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife is “Dedicated to Protection, Preservation and Education.”

More information about burrowing owls may be found at https://ccfriendsofwildlife.org/. Donations are always welcome.

Coast Guard rescues boaters off Captiva Island

Coast Guard crews located and rescued three overdue boaters Sunday near Captiva after their vessel capsized.

A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 helicopter aircrew found the three boaters sitting on top of their capsized vessel in reportedly good health.

The aircrew vectored in a Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach boat crew who arrived on scene and safely transferred all three boaters aboard. The rescued boaters were brought to awaiting emergency medical services at the Coast Guard station.

The cause of the capsize is unknown at this time and a safety marine information broadcast was issued for the hazard to navigation.

A family member called Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders at approximately 1 a.m. Sunday, reporting their last contact with the three boaters was at 8 p.m., Saturday, and they were on a 20-foot center console.

“We were able to locate and rescue the three boaters thanks to the quick coordination of the Coast Guard and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, along with the use of critical search tools,” said Chief Warrant Officer Dennise Werre, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg in a prepared statement. “Completing a float plan with a loved one prior to going out on a vessel is critical. Float plans provide first responders with information such as the intended route, how many people are aboard, and what safety equipment may be available.”

Source: U.S. Coast Guard

Season’s last Music and Arts Fusion Walk March 15

The city of Cape Coral will host this season’s last Music and Arts Fusion Walk March 15 from 5-9 p.m.

The family-friendly show-case of local musicians and artists will take place on Southeast 47th Terrace between Vincennes Boulevard and Southeast 15th Avenue. This section of Southeast 47th Terrace will be blocked off to traffic starting at 1:30 p.m. on event day and reopen at 9:30 p.m.

Artists, designers and crafters with original work are invited to participate in the Music and Arts Fusion Walk. Acceptable categories are candles, clay, digital, glass, jewelry, leather, living plants, mixed media, paintings, photography, soaps/lotions and woodwork. Email seclerk@ capecoral.gov if you are interested in becoming a vendor. For information, visit the Music & Arts Fusion Walk event page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/

Gulf Coast Harmonizers to present Broadway Barbershop concert

The Gulf Coast Harmonizers will present a Broadway Barbershop concert Saturday and Sunday, March 15-16, at Cypress Lake Presbyterian Church, 8260 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers. The concert will also feature a performance by Secret Best Friends, an award-winning Baltimore-based quartet

The cost is $25 general admission, $20 for senior and $15 for students. Tickets may be purchased online at gcharmonizers.com or by calling 855-425-3631.

The Gulf Coast Harmonizers is a membership organization of singers who meet regularly to practice, perform, socialize and have fun. According to its website, the group typically has 25 to 40 singers from all walks of life and all parts of Lee and the surrounding tri-counties. The Harmonizers, a chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, a non-profit organization of approximately 24,000 members in choruses and quartets worldwide, has been entertaining Southwest Florida since 1992.

The breeze CommuniTy

February 28, 2025

March in the Park

By ANN BLOCK news@breezenewspapers.com

Get ready for the largest gardening event in Cape Coral! “March in the Park” is the Garden Club of Cape Coral’s major fundraiser for Cape Coral high school senior scholarships! This fun festival is free and will be our 17th Annual Plant, garden, and art sale. Mark your calendars…March 8… Saturday, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m… It’s a huge plant sale!

Our special event, for the first time is being held at Cape Coral’s beautiful Rotary Park, 5505 Rose Garden Road. The Garden Club of Cape Coral is a non-profit organization with all the festival’s proceeds going to high school senior scholarships, local middle school and high school garden projects and other club community projects.

St. Onge’s paintings, Johnson’s fused glass to be displayed at Cape Library

Changing exhibitions in the Cape Coral Library’s expansive art gallery are sponsored by the Friends of the Cape Coral Library and are designed to afford local artists the opportunity to share their work in this public forum and to sell their art directly without commissions. The library is located at 921 S.W. 39th Terrace, off of Mohawk Parkway, and the latest exhibit will be open during their regular business hours from March 5 through May 5.

Garden Club of Cape Coral

There will be over 40 garden vendors with plants of all kinds, trees, palms, shrubs, ground cover, native plants and, of course, the Garden Club will have over 1,000 plants grown by members…garden art, essential and fragrance oils, glass reflections, fish faces, metal works, stepping stones. and an assortment of planters.

A kids’ booth with a face painting and activities, along with take-home projects for all ages. Come and enjoy the food and music. There will be opportunity drawings throughout the day. Best of all admission and parking are free.

A little background on the Garden Club of Cape Coral…The formation of the non-profit Garden Club was 1997. The club was founded by master gardener Marty Ward and longtime gardening friend Beverly Ray. The 23 paid members had their first meetings at Ward’s home under the direction of president Sherie Bleiler. The club quickly established affiliations with the National Garden Clubs Inc., Florida Federation of Garden Clubs and the Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council Inc. Early on, the club participated in many projects, including planting and maintaining planters along Cape Coral Parkway and maintaining the Tiny Tots Garden for children at Four Freedoms Park.

The club now maintains four gardens…one is the prestigious Rose Garden at the Cape Coral Museum of History on Cultural Park Boulevard. The roses were originally part of a national tourist attraction, called Cape Coral Gardens, which also included the famous Waltzing Waters, lakes and water ski shows, plus hosted many celebrities such as Bob Hope. The garden included more than 40,000 roses. The attraction, facing funding issues, closed in 1969, giving way to development. It is now the sight of Tarpon Point. But the roses were soon to bloom again.

In 1990, Lois Herbert wanted to pay tribute to the memory of her father, Russell Herbert, and asked the museum to pay tribute to him and to the roses. A new rose garden was redesigned in 2007 with raised flower beds. A team of Garden Club members visit the rose garden weekly to take care of the precious flowers. The second garden is at Eco Park with the Blue Star Memorial Marker, third is the butterfly garden at the southwest library, and the fourth garden is at Sands Boulevard.

The Garden Club continues to educate the community about important landscaping and environmental techniques through our monthly Tuesday evening meetings at the Episcopal Church on Del Prado available to local residents. And in our weekly column in the Cape Coral Breeze newspapers. Our membership is open to anyone interested in learning about Southwest Florida gardening.

Mark your calendars…March 8… 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., for a huge plant sale. You won’t want to miss this fun festival for the entire family. It’s March in the Park…Rotary Park, 5500 Rose Garden Road.

See MARCH IN THE PARK, page 35

Artwork by Pat St. Onge will be on display on the walls of the library’s gallery. St. Onge’s constantly evolving “tool-box” of painting techniques has grown out of her years of experience in both fine and commercial art. Having worked in a variety of media, she states that her favorite medium is usually in whichever one she is currently using. Recently, she’s enjoyed incorporating paint-pouring methods with traditional brushwork.

St. Onge finds teaching and sharing her knowledge a great source of satisfaction - and a lot of fun. She has taught classes for adults and children at various venues since the 1970s. She grew up in Lakewood, Ohio, where she attended Cooper School of Art in Cleveland for her foundation classes. She earned her BFA at Quincy University in Illinois, and her MA in Art History at the University of Findlay in Ohio. She studied digital art pre-press and basic web design while attending Rhode Island School of Design in Rhode Island.

Querulous Cormorant.

In 2016, St. Onge and her husband retired to Fort Myers. She continues to expand her skills via classes in oils under Dennis Morton at the Cape Coral Art League, where she also teaches beginner and intermediate acrylics. Her

gallery associations have included Wild Child Art Gallery, The Gallery of Matlacha, the Alliance for the Arts, Matlacha Menegerie and, most recently, Sea Legs Art Gallery in Tarpon Springs, Fla. - in addition to shows at the Cape Coral Art League where she’s been awarded many ribbons for her artwork.

Visitors to the library gallery will enjoy seeing glass creations by Pat Johnson in the three display cases. Johnson is a fused glass artist as well as a managing member at Harbour View Gallery in Cape Coral. She received her associates in art and science degrees from a local community college in Western Massachusetts. She continued her education at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Mass., majoring in art education.

Johnson’s experience and expertise in visual arts is quite varied. She started her journey in art using pencils, charcoal and oils and then moving to acrylics, clays, all aspects of photography and glass fusion. In the early days of her career, she could be found working in several photography labs supervising art departments and working with many local photographers. Retouching, airbrushing, negative retouching and restoration of old photographs were all done by hand. She also worked in the furniture industry as a store manager and buyer, and later ran a small business in the interior design field.

These various positions throughout her life revolved around her creative and artistic background and her ability to work with the general public. Her love of glass fusing was sparked when she first came to Cape Coral and took classes through the Cape Coral Art Center. She knew immediately that this was the medium for her, started using glass as a means to express herself, and has now been working on her craft for about 15 years.

For information about library exhibits, contact Art Gallery Chairperson Monica Rahman by email to gallery@ capefriends.org or visit www.capefriends.org. Follow “Friends of the Cape Coral Library” on Facebook.

Cape Coral Art League schedule for March/April

The Cape Coral Art League has scheduled the following classes and programs for the months of March and April:

Open Painting

n Wednesdays, September through July, from 1-4 p.m. Members $3 / non-members $6. Open to the public

Student Sundays

n Sundays, October through June, from 1-4:00 p.m. All materials provided. Ages 6 - 14. $20 cash or check only. Open to the public, pre-registration not required, just come 15 minutes before class starts

March shows and events

Simply Red

n March 6 through April 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Opening reception and presentation of awards March 6, 5-6:30 p.m. Free parking and entry.

Class Act

n March 6 through April 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Opening reception on March 6, 5-6:30 p.m. Free parking and entry.

Art Supplies - Garage Sale & Miscellaneous

n March 28-29, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free parking and entry.

April shows and events

Celebrating Color

n April 10 through May 1, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Opening reception and presentation of awards on April 10, 5-6:30 p.m. Free parking and entry

Season Highlights

n April 10 through May 1, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Opening reception on April 10, 5-6:30 p.m. Free parking and entry.

Workshop: Resin Pour

Judith Nickerson

n April 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free parking and entry

Workshop: Babcock Ranch Eco Tour

Carmen Sprague

n April 25 Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free parking and entry

March & April Classes

(See CapeCoralArtLeague.org for details and to register)

n Beginning Acrylic – Mondays, 10 a.m. to noon

n Intermediate Acrylic Painting – Mondays, 12:303:30 p.m.

See CAPE CORAL ART LEAGUE, page 35

PHOTO PROVIDED

Pat Johnson’s Rainbow on Wrought Iron.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Pat St. Onge’s

22nd annual Sam Galloway Jr. & Friends Soup Kitchen Benefit set for March 6

BY MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

Everyone is welcome at the 22nd annual Sam Galloway Jr. & Friends Soup Kitchen Benefit for Community Cooperative.

“I always say there is room for one more. We have a big table,” Community Cooperative CEO Stefanie Ink Edwards said. “I feel like it continues to get better and grow and bring new people to the table. We haven’t really changed anything. That’s the beauty of this event — simplicity. The gathering of likeminded, community-minded people who come together and want to raise money to fight hunger in Southwest Florida.”

The benefit will take place Thursday, March 6, at the Sam Galloway Ford in Fort Myers.

The venue is unique: The event is held in the service garage at Sam’s Galloway Ford and attendees could be sitting at a table next to a car lift with a car on it.

“The Sam Galloway team does a great job of cleaning up. We do all of that in one day,” she said, adding that it is turned into a party spot one evening and then wrenches are being turned by 7 the next morning. “It’s the most unique event in Southwest Florida.”

Tickets are $200 a person for an individual seat at a table with a buffet-style served dinner. Tickets, as well as sponsorship opportunities, can be found at www. CommunityCooperative.com/events/sam-galloway-jrfriends-soup-kitchen-benefit-5/.

The event will feature 20 local businesses and individuals who have donated food, beverages and support to help execute the event.

“I have a handful of vendors that have been with us all 22 years. We have a couple of new ones that have come onboard this year,” she said. “Everybody is local. We like the mom-and-pop local businesses and we always encourage people to patronize those local businesses because they are the ones that support us.” This year’s menu will showcase southern cuisine.

If You Go:

What:

22nd annual Sam Galloway Jr. & Friends Soup Kitchen Benefit

When: Thursday, March 6

Where:

Sam Galloway Ford , 1800 Boy Scout Dr., Fort Myers

More information: Visit www.communitycooperative.com.

Donors

Appetizers — Chris and Kaitlin Whitaker of Garden Goddess & LYNQ and Brian and Chef Gloria Jordan of Jordan’s.

Garden salad — Will Prather and Maureen GreenPrather of Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre.

The main course includes a plethora of dishes from smoked pork to southern fried shrimp and cheese grits.

BBQ chicken and green beans — Vickie and Andre Jones of Jonesez BBQ; smoked pork and swamp cabbage — Wesley Hansen Jr., and Deanna Hansen; meatloaf and mashed potatoes — Sam’s Community Cafe & Kitchen; smoked brisket and baked beans — Mike Gavala, Wally Thomas and Brian Gear of Nevermind Awesome Bar & Eatery; southern fried shrimp and cheese grits — Tim and Healy Yoa of Artisan Eatery; collard greens, okra and tomatoes — Chip and Betsy Barnwell of The Farmer’s Market Restaurant and mac and cheese — Chef Calcedonio and Genevieve Bruno of Bruno’s of Brooklyn.

The desserts are donated by Norman Love Confections; Sandy Stilwell Youngquist of Keylime Bistro and Uncle Charlie’s Cookies Ministry.

The beverages are donated by Mast Family Culligan; the Mitchell Family of Suncoast Beverage; The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon and Seed & Been Market.

Those who attend are asked to prepare for a large crowd as last year there were more than 750 attendees, which does not include the 150 volunteers, or vendors.

The staffing is provided by Mike and Karen Gavala of G3 Catering.

Why the event is held

The need to fight hunger continues to grow in the community, as the population of Southwest Florida continues to grow, especially with the macro impacts of inflation, food costs, and housing issues, and not to mention natural disaster impacts and coming out of an election year.

“The cost of doing business for us is continuing to grow just like every other business in Southwest Florida,” Ink Edwards said, adding that it is harder as a nonprofit because they are not selling a service that she can increase in price. “We rely on philanthropy.”

Giving is down, but the need is up – math that does not always work, she added.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the benefit will go right back into their feeding programs as they do not rely on government dollars to run their programs.

Those programs include the Sam’s Community Café, Meals on Wheels, Mobile Food Pantry, social services and education programs.

“On any given day, through all of our programs, we are cranking out close to 1,200 to 1,500 meals a day and that is just prepared food. It doesn’t count food given away at our mobile food pantries,” Ink Edwards said.

Community Cooperative is also seeking volunteers to help — from delivering Meals on Wheels to helping with a baby program. She said they have something for everyone.

For more information, visit www.communitycooperative. com.

The breeze business

February 28, 2025

Business Briefs

Strategies for growth and economic development in Cape topic of REIS meeting

The Real Estate Investment Society’s March luncheon will be held Tuesday, March 11, at 11:30 a.m., at Osprey Room in Pelican Preserve Clubhouse on Treeline Avenue at Colonial Blvd., one mile east of I-75 at exit 136.

The featured presentation will be city of Cape Coral — Strategies for Growth & Economic Development with Sharon Woodberry, Economic Development Manager, city of Cape Coral.

Registration and payment required by March 7. All registrations must be made on the website, even if paying by check. Register at www.reis-swfl.org

The cost is $30 for members, $45 for non-members; and $20 for college students. MasterCard, VISA and American Express accepted on web site

You may register on the website and mail check, payable to Real Estate Investment Society, to P.O. Box 86, Fort Myers, FL 33902-0086.

Nominations now being accepted for INCredible Awards 2025

SWFL Inc. has announced that nominations are now open for the INCredible Awards 2025. This annual celebration shines a spotlight on the businesses, nonprofits and individuals whose hard work and dedication make Southwest Florida an exceptional place to live and work.

The Southwest Florida region thrives because of the visionaries, innovators, and changemakers who go above and beyond to drive progress and create lasting impact, according to organizers. The INCredible Awards recognize those who not only excel in their industry but also contribute to the prosperity and vibrancy of our community.

At the INCredible Awards, we will recognize winners of the following awards: SWFL Citizen of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, INCredible Award, Innovation Award and VeteranOwned Business of the Year

To make a nomination for the INCredible awards at https://www.swflinc.com/2025-incredible-awards. Award applications close Friday, March 21.

To purchase tickets for the awards luncheon to be held Tuesday, May 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs, visit https://www.swflinc.com/events/2025-incredible-awards/register

Vantage Construction Services selected for renovation project for iHeartMedia Studio in Fort Myers

Vantage Construction Services in Cape Coral has been selected to lead the renovation of iHeartMedia’s new studio location in the Commonwealth Building on College Boulevard in Fort Myers. The project encompasses a comprehensive 3,722-square-foot tenant improvement initiative for the leading audio company.

The scope of work includes selective demolition followed by a specialized build-out featuring state-ofthe-art soundproof studios, modern office spaces, and employee amenities. The project showcases Vantage Construction Services’ expertise in technical construction, particularly in acoustic engineering and broadcast facility requirements.

The renovation is scheduled for completion in early June, when the space will be turned over to iHeartMedia’s engineering team. The new facility will serve as a key broadcast hub for iHeartMedia.

Vantage Construction Services LLC is a client-focused general contracting company serving Southwest Florida providing consulting, pre-construction, general contracting, construction management and design-build services for commercial construction in Southwest Florida. www.vantageconstructionllc.com Vantage, which is at 1309 Cape Coral Parkway, E., in Cape Coral, is experienced in new construction, renovation, remodeling and tenant improvement.

For more information, call 239-313-6603.

Hurricane Grill & Wings’ Witker, Martinez honored for community commitment, dedication

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

A Cape Coral restaurant was recently recognized for its success and commitment to the community.

Hurricane Grill & Wings Cape Coral owner Dave Witker was awarded a certificate of appreciation for his commitment to the Cape Coral community and his dedication to the success of his restaurants from Hurricane Grill & Wings corporate. General manager Elmer Martinez was also recognized for what he brings to the team.

“When it’s done right, it’s easy to spot,” Witker said regarding why his Hurricane Grill & Wings location has found such success. “I’m lucky I’ve got a really good manager (Martinez). It’s much easier to manage if you think the same and have the same philosophy.”

Witker’s Hurricane Grill & Wings location consistently leads the franchise in sales, which features award-winning wings in 35 flavors.

“People want consistent, good food,” Witker said. “It’s that simple. I guarantee you could have your favorite place that you go to, and you get one bad meal, and you might not go back. You get two (bad meals), and you won’t go back. You’ve got to be consistent, and we do that.”

Witker has been in the restaurant business for quite some time, originally starting off as a country club manager in Fort Pierce. The establishment in Fort Pierce eventually franchised into the first Hurricane Grill & Wings, and Witker pivoted to the restaurant franchise space and opened his first location in Naples in 2007. He then opened the Cape Coral location in March 2014 with a dream to become the best restaurant in Cape Coral for many years to come.

Witker’s vision for the restaurant started when he visited the space on Pine Island Road, as it was formerly a Shrimp Shack.

“My wife and I are sitting around on a Friday night, and we decided to go out and look at the place,” he recalled. “I walked in, stood at the front door, and went, ‘uh oh.’ And I saw how to make it work.”

A major component of what Witker saw was knocking down a wall and having the central bar be accessible by bartenders both inside and outside, serving patrons on both sides.

“We re-did everything inside,” he said. “We figured out how to attack the kitchen.

“It was scary when we opened. But we found quick success. It just boomed.”

Witker strived to create a culture of tasty, consistent food and outstanding service which has led to the restaurant becoming a staple in Cape Coral over the last 11 years.

Witker said the restaurant gives a Caribbean feel, and is almost like being on the water. He said it’s all about creating the right atmosphere. Hurricane Grill & Wings recently added a new patio space as well.

“You’ve got to have the lights, and the temperature, and the music right,” Witker said. “You want the energy to be the same both inside and out. You’ve got to fight every battle, and that’s really what makes us good. And I’m surrounded by people who are smart.”

Witker said his establishment “sells fun.”

“It’s community,” he said. “Where people don’t have to stress out about getting the right food. It’s just making people relaxed and having a good experience. We have bright colors -- blues, orange, yellow, green. We have a spotlight on every table. It makes the table pop, and it’s on a track light so if you move tables, you can turn them. It just takes so many different things to make it work.”

Witker said he’s a student of the game, studying franchises and independent restaurants for what works and what doesn’t.

Hurricane Grill & Wings Cape Coral owner Dave Witker, right, with general manager Elmer Martinez. Both were recently recognized by the franchise for their success and commitment to the Cape Coral community.

“It’s always on the owner,” he said of what makes the difference between successful and unsuccessful restaurants. “You have to look at everything. When there’s something wrong, it’s probably something the (owner) did wrong. You’ve got to have it going right to make it right.”

Witker credits local residents, and his employees, for their unwavering commitment. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, to being the first to open after hurricanes Ian and Irma to feed the community, the restaurant has been there through times both good and bad.

“We looked at the negative as a positive,” Witker said. “Those are opportunities.

“When we had those storms, we opened in eight days. Our staff was so good during those times. We helped serve those who had nowhere to go. But what was better was getting back to normal. People want normalcy, and that’s what we gave them.”

Hurricane Grill & Wings has also sponsored various leagues throughout the city.

There’s entertainment every night at Hurricane Grill & Wings, which operates from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. each and every day. You’ll find drink specials at an affordable rate. Kids also eat free on Saturdays.

“Most restaurants offer something like that on a slow night,” Witker said. “I said, ‘no,’ I want to get us customers on a busy night. Why not let people enjoy it. It’s just the right thing to do.”

As for what Witker wants residents to know that have never stopped into Hurricane Grill & Wings: “We care,” he said. “Our mantra is the relentless pursuit of perfection. We want to make customers happy and come and have a genuinely good experience. We appreciate our customers. The Cape has been really good to me, and we want to leave a legacy.”

For more information on Hurricane Grill & Wings, visit www.hurricanewings.com.

Hurricane Grill & Wings Cape Coral is located at 756 S.W. Pine Island Road, just east of the intersection of Skyline Boulevard.

Siesta Lakes development in Cape Coral nearing completion

Shoreham Capital’s Siesta Lakes project in Cape Coral, a 412-unit luxury rental community, is on track for completion in the coming months, according to the developer.

The two-story clubhouse and four apartment buildings within the community, located at 186 Tierra De Paz Loop, Cape Coral, are complete, with the remaining five apartment buildings scheduled to be ready by April. Offering one-, two- and three-bedroom units, each designed with

modern finishes, Siesta Lakes is described as “the perfect place to call home.”

In partnership with Bridge Investment Group and Wynkoop Financial, Shoreham Capital acquired the 26acre development site in June 2022 and construction began in 2023. Curran Young Construction is the general contractor. For more, visit https://www.siestalakesapts. com/?utm_knock=gmb

PHOTO PROVIDED

26th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival comes to downtown Fort Myers this Saturday

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

Twenty-six authors will be featured at the 26th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival in Downtown Fort Myers this weekend.

“Connecting readers with the writers is a magical moment. It plants the seed for more reading to come in the life of the kids,” festival coordinator Melissa Baker said.

It’s also great for adults as authors provide the story behind the story and what motivated them, providing a deeper understanding of the stories that they love. The newest book –the inside scoop – provides a richer experience because they now have more story “behind the story,” Baker said.

The Southwest Florida Reading Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at Fort Myers Regional Library.

“The book signings and presentations are the biggest thing,” Baker said.

Literary fiction, thriller, humor and romance are among the mix of adult genres.

“There are several authors that do the Hallmark-style including the queen of Hallmark, Debbie Macomber,” she said. “She is going to draw a crowd for sure.”

In addition, Lisa Genova will make an appearance. Baker said her book, “Still Alice,” was adopted into an Oscarwinning film. The characters have neurological conditions, which help raise awareness for the various neurological conditions through fiction that helps create empathy.

“There are so many great ones. It is hard to name drop –too many,” Baker said. “There is always a variety, and something that is going to click with every reader.”

The adult authors include Tracy Clark, Reed Farrel Coleman, Jenny Colgan, Eli Cranor, Alison Gaylin, Genova, Ali Hazelwood, R.J. Jacobs, Stephen Mack Jones, Jean Kwok, Elinor Lipman, Sarah MacLean, Macomber, Viola Shipman, Julie Soto and Annabelee Tometich.

As far as the teen writers, Baker said the biggest author is

Karen M. McManus.

“She is a big fantasy writer for teens,” she said.

The teen authors include Renee Ahdieh, Kristy Boyce, McManus, Angela Montova, and Ginny Myers Sain.

As far as the children’s authors, there are quite a few

good ones including Molly Idle, the author of “Flora and the Flamingo,” and Kate Hanagan, who writes graphic novels and historical fiction.

Another author attendees may recognize is Karyn Parson, who played Hillary Banks on “Fresh Prince of Bel Air.”

“I think people are going to be excited to meet Karyn. Her books are great. She is going to be fun,” Baker said.

Other children’s authors include Nicole D. Collier and Kate Messner.

This year, Baker said they wanted to try something a little different at the festival, so the event will wrap up with a classic guitar performance by Edwin Culver of music from Around the World at 3 p.m.

“He will perform different songs from various countries. It’s a nice way to wind everything down,” she said.

The festival also will include crafts for kids and teens, Way Too Tall Torrie who will make balloon animals from noon-2 p.m., festival merchandise, the mobile outreach van, and a little reader zone.

A free book will be offered to every child and teen who attends the event.

Student writers – kindergarten through 12th grade – also will be highlighted at the event during the Aspiring Authors Awards. The elementary awards begin at 2:15 p.m. and secondary at 3:15 p.m.

Baker said she is excited about the T-shirt this year, as Artist Rachel Pierce’s palm tree painting is incorporated into the logo of the festival.

“The shirts are beautiful,” she said.

The merchandise booth includes an opportunity for attendees to enter the name and character raffle. Baker said it buys an individual chances to have their name in an upcoming book by participating festival authors. There are both teen and adult authors participating.

The festival will shed light on all of the resources the

See READING FESTIVAL, page 25

Artist Rachel Pierce’s palm tree painting is incorporated into the logo of the festival this year as well as on the official festival T-shirt.

Big Bounce America Tour coming to Bonita

‘World’s biggest bounce house,’ seven inflatables event, set for March 7-9

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

Adults and kids alike can soon experience a one-of-a-kind experience in Fort Myers full of childlike wonder and fun.

The Big Bounce America 2025 tour is bringing the bounciest, most action-packed experience of the year to Sports Challenge America from March 7 through March 9. Featuring “The World’s Largest Bounce House,” Big Bounce America is the biggest touring inflatable event in the world and includes seven massive inflatable attractions.

Noa Visnich, tour manager of The Big Bounce America, said Lee County is the first stop on the venture’s latest tour.

“We’re super excited to start in Fort Myers,” she said. “With hopefully some sunshine and warm weather. We’re excited to see everyone and have everybody out.”

The septet of inflatables includes the newly expanded 24,000-square-foot World’s Largest Bounce House; the incred-

ible 900-plus-foot-long obstacle course The Giant; the customized sports arena Sport Slam; a unique, three-piece, space-themed wonderland airSPACE; and the newest addition, a deep-sea foam party inflatable dubbed OctoBlast. The Big Bounce America aims to turn up the wow-factor and push the limits of family-friendly entertainment to new heights.

The best part? It’s not just for children, but for adults as well.

“It’s for all ages, and we do an adult-only session as well,” Visnich said. “Adults can come be big kids themselves. Our adult sessions are pretty much our busiest sessions. It’s so much fun and a great experience that gets everybody outside. It’s something the whole family can do together. It comes around once-a-year, so it’s definitely worth coming to check out when we’re in your city.”

The World’s Largest Bounce House stands 32 feet tall at its highest point. Inside you’ll find giant slides, ball pits, climbing

towers, and basketball hoops beside fun, friendly, oversized characters of various colors, shapes, and sizes. At the center is a custom-built stage where the resident deejay turns up the party by playing music tailored to each age group while hosting games and competitions.

“It combines so many great things inside one inflatable,” Visnich said. “It’s my favorite out of all of them. It’s such a great time and everyone loves it.”

All-Access Tickets are available online. These tickets include a three-hour pass to the event, including a timed session on The World’s Largest Bounce House, as well as unlimited access to OctoBlast, Sport Slam, The Giant, and airSPACE.

At over 900 feet in length, The Giant is a fun and energetic experience. There are 50 different obstacles to overcome as attendees make their way from the starting line to the grand finale monster slide. Whether you’re looking for some fun competition between

family and friends or just want to bounce around the weird and colorful inflatable landscape at your own pace, The Giant is not to be missed

Overall, Visnich said the The Big Bounce brings some much-needed joy to those who participate.

“We need more fun in the world, and what better way to bring that into 2025 than with a 24,000 square-foot bounce house,” she said. “The Big Bounce America is the perfect event for kids and adults alike to get out of the house and enjoy an outdoor event like they’ve never experienced. So, we invite all kids, and kids at heart, to kick those sneakers off and party on.”

Attendees must wear socks, and athletic wear is encouraged.

Sports Challenge America is at 28120 Race Track Rd., Bonita Springs

For tickets and a complete description of all of the inflatables, visit www.thebigbounceamerica.com.

Reading Festival: Popular event held at the Fort Myers Regional Library

From page 24

library has to offer, such as genealogy, and Libby and Hoopla.

Baker said in past years, they have livestreamed parts of the reading festival.

“Now we have a new Online Author Series website that presents livestreamed author interviews all year long,” she said. “We have some big upcoming authors like Jodi Picoult and Gregg Hurwitz. Plus fans can enjoy watching past recordings of author interviews on demand.”

Those can be seen at https://libraryc.org/leelibrary.

The best way to keep up-to-date with the schedule and all reading festival information is either online at www.readfest. org, or by downloading the app – SWFL Reads.

“The mobile app is super intuitive,” she said, as individuals can favor different events and customize their own schedule.

The app also provides the menus for the food trucks that will be on site – Forever Grounded, Pelican’s Snoballs, Plaka on Wheels, Price Panzarottis and Eli’s Mini Cravings. Jasons Deli will also have beverages, snacks, and meals.

A printed schedule will be handed out on the day of the

CCB0000836.crtr - Page 1 - Composite

event, which includes a map.

“The other thing I wanted to note is that we have a new festival email newsletter that people can sign up for at the bottom of our website: www.Readfest.org. It publishes monthly in season, to highlight the festival. It is another great way to stay up-to-date beyond just downloading the mobile app,” she said.

The Fort Myers Regional Library is at 2450 First St. in Fort Myers.

Concert in the Park set for March 6

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

The latest installment of free live music showcasing Cape Coral green space is set for next week.

The city of Cape Coral’s Concert in the Park returns next Thursday at Cultural Park, running from 5 to 8 p.m. Attendees can enjoy entertainment, from music to food, all while enjoying one of the city’s most popular destinations.

“The city hopes attendees enjoy a relaxing evening of live music, great food, and community connection,” said city spokesperson Kaitlyn Mullen. “These free events allow res-

Attendees can enjoy entertainment, from music to food, all while enjoying one of the city’s most popular destinations., Cultural Park.

idents to experience our beautiful parks while enjoying a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket as they sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds.

“No Wrong Turn,” an acoustic duo, will perform from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. From 5 to 8 p.m., Hot Off the Press food truck, serving grilled sandwiches and paninis, and Chef R71, serving Cuban food, will be on site.

“No Wrong Turn is an acoustic duo

known for their engaging performances and diverse setlist,” Mullen said. “They play acoustic covers of various genres, including country, pop, alternative, and more, making them an excellent fit for this event. Their style complements the laid-back, welcoming atmosphere of the Concert in the Park series, ensuring a great night of music for all ages.”

Mullen added that the Concert in the Park series is a perfect way for residents to enjoy live outdoor entertainment while exploring

Cape Coral’s beautiful parks.

“They create a sense of community, encourage residents to take advantage of our public spaces, and highlight our parks’ amenities,” she said.

Each concert features a selection of food trucks offering delicious options. Mullen said the city works to bring in a variety of vendors that offer high-quality, crowd-pleasing options to enhance the concert experience.

For more information on this event and the final concert on April 3, visit www.capeconcerts.com.

Cultural Park is at 528 Cultural Park Blvd., in Cape Coral.

Shelter: Expansion sorely needed as Cape Coral continues to grow

From page 1

early, because we see the need. We know the need is coming, and we want to be ready for it. We don’t want to be falling behind at all.”

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Elardo spoke to the mission of CCAS: to save animals and put them in a loving home. She said at the moment, the current facility is unable to keep up with current demands, and that the expansion will give CCAS the ability to assist so many more abandoned pets, as well as serve more local pet owners via its veterinary clinic.

As of Tuesday, CCAS has helped 5,145 animals get adopted and find forever homes since its inception in 2020. They have also served more than 6,000 animals in its low-cost clinic.

“That’s why (our facility) needs to be bigger. We could double that,” said CCAS Executive Director Liz McCauley, adding that the shelter is at capacity every day. “We just do not have enough space for veterinarians to handle all of the animals that need our services. Many of the clients that come to us can’t afford to go anywhere else, and some of them have never been to a vet. That’s why we’re here, to help animals in the community.

“It breaks my heart when people reach out to me to (take an animal) and we can’t because we don’t have the room. We’re going to change that.”

CCAS has performed thousands of spay/neuter operations in its facility, many being free of charge thanks to grant funding. They also assist Lee County Domestic Animal Services, as well as other rescues across Florida, in taking in dogs and cats.

Currently, there are more than 1,200 active volunteers at CCAS who have devoted a total of 240,000 hours to the organization.

“We could not do what we do without our volunteers,” McCauley said.

Elardo added, “If we didn’t have our volunteers, we would be nothing. I mean, this is really a community shel-

Cape Coral Animal Shelter leadership celebrates the groundbreaking of an $8 million expansion that will allow the shelter to take in, as well as care for more animals.

ter. There’s nothing more than the love that we’re getting from our volunteers and our team members, and they’ve built us to this level.”

As for the timeline for the expansion, Elardo said while she wishes they could open tomorrow, she hopes that if all goes well, they can begin operating out of the new facility by the end of next summer.

There is still some fundraising to do for the $8 million project.

“We’re probably looking to raise at least another million, million-and-a-half to two million dollars,” Elardo said. “We’re more than halfway there.”

CCAS’ recent Capital Campaign Fundraiser is a major source of fundraising dollars. The shelter is also looking

See SHELTER, page 29

CJ HADDAD

Shelter: Fundraising drive continues as CCAS adds space to its facilities

From page 28

for naming rights.

“There are few opportunities in life where you can donate directly to your community and see the tangible difference your contribution makes,” Elardo said. “By supporting our naming rights program, you’ll create a lasting legacy. Years from now, your children, grandchildren, friends, and family can visit the shelter, see your name on a plaque, and know that you were part of something truly special.”

Elardo noted that, besides the great impact the shelter has had on the animals, the organization, in general, has contributed so much to Cape Coral.

“We are proud to employ 28 dedicated staff members, and more than 1,000 volunteers find the time they spend at the shelter to be incredibly rewarding,” she said. “As we expand, both of these numbers will continue to grow. The new building will be constructed by local contractors, suppliers, and craftsmen, further strengthening our community ties. This shelter is truly an asset, and we are committed to ensuring its continued impact. This has always been my vision for CCAS.”

Elardo’s message to those thinking about adopting a pet?

“When you come into a place like the Cape Coral Animal Shelter, our dogs have been vetted,” she said. “They’re well taken care of. They are medically looked at. They get all their shots. They’re spayed and neutered. We actually put them through even a little bit of training. They’re out with volunteers every day and used to people. We’d like for you to come

on in, because we have a beautiful number of cats and dogs.”

The Cape Coral Animal Shelter &

Left: Volunteers bring some of its four-legged friends out to celebrate the shelter’s expansion groundbreaking.

Above: Cape Coral Animal Shelter President and Founder JoAnn Elardo holds a shelter dog in her arms, while a volunteer shows the pup some love.

Veterinary Clinic is at 325 S.w. 2nd Ave.

For more information about CCAS, its events, to become a volunteer, to inquire

about its veterinary services, or to adopt, visit www.capecoralanimalshelter.com.

PRIDE: Parade, family-friendly festivities, brunch and more scheduled

From page 1

tions which are encouraged to build floats or march with a team.

This year’s grand marshal and headline act is Trinity Taylor, who was featured on “Ru Paul’s Drag Race.”

Also featured will be Jai Rodriguez, star of the original “Queer Eye,” who will deliver a special performance during the parade and take the stage later in the evening. Additional entertainment includes DJ Mad Mel and performances from local and national drag entertainers, all hosted by Axel Andrews.

The festival will include a vendor village — the largest one yet at a PRIDE event in the Cape — as well as a performance by “Collaboration Band” from 3 to 4:15 p.m.

Moore said the event is often misunderstood by the community and that its purpose is simply to bring equality and people of all different walks of life together.

“We want people to celebrate people being themselves,” Moore said. “Oftentimes events like this can put a bad taste in some people’s mouths, but I think it’s just due to the lack of understanding of what our message is.”

PRIDE is free to attend, though there are VIP and meet-and-greet opportunities at a cost. Individuals of all ages are welcomed and there will be family-friendly activities, though some performances may contain mature themes.

Moore said inclusion for all is incredibly important in Southwest Florida, and that PRIDE Cape Coral has grown to be an

“This event really is a no judgment zone. Everyone is there to celebrate and be themselves, and really embrace who they are and support each other. It’s an opportunity that’s very seldom in the day-to-day lives of many of the people that are a part of this community, so we encourage them to come out and experience it and get to live their life the way that they want to, and with other people who are choosing to do the same.”

— Melissa Moore, PRIDE Cape Coral board member

event for the LGBTQ+ community across the region.

“Being a part of this organization has really opened my eyes to see and experience a community that I’ve never been fully immersed with in the past,” said Moore, who is a heterosexual woman. “It’s been such an eye-opening experience to witness first-hand the beauty that comes from the community and the people in it. It’s just a positive and beautiful community.

“I don’t understand why people being themselves and being happy, and wanting to be equal, makes people angry,” she added.

The PRIDE VIP experience includes private seating and cocktails tables, secure VIP entry, exclusive VIP souvenir cups, VIP menu, open bar, air conditioned bathrooms, prime stage access and VIP meet and greet with the entertainers. Limited VIP tickets are $125. Meet-and-greet tickets are $25.

PRIDE Cape Coral will offer an evening full of fun and live entertainment.

The main stage will be located on Southeast 10th Place.

There will be food trucks, beer and liquor tents, and a wellness village.

“It’s a blast,” Moore said. “We have various entertainers that will perform, and it’s an array of entertainment from those that are local, and from all over the country.

“Word is spreading. So many people from other areas know about Cape Coral and our PRIDE event. It’s really rewarding to be a part of this and continue to allow our community to experience diversity and inclusion, and just all-around support for everyone in our community.”

On Sunday, brunch will be provided by Cruisers Lounge, Nice Guys Pizza, Perk & Brew, and Stuff a Bagel. Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, with the event located at the corner of Southeast 47th Terrace and Southeast 10th Place.

Brunch features a special performance by Rodriguez, local drag queens, and will be hosted by Andrews and Mad Mel. Tickets are $45.

“It’s such a heartwarming event to see people that sometimes feel like they can’t

openly celebrate their individuality and who they are — to see them have the opportunity to live out loud and be themselves and enjoy it with other like minded people... it’s just a diverse experience and really enjoyable,” Moore said.

Organizers hope all who feel they don’t always have the chance to be their true self, can come out to PRIDE and do just that.

“This event really is a no judgment zone,” Moore said. “Everyone is there to celebrate and be themselves, and really embrace who they are and support each other. It’s an opportunity that’s very seldom in the dayto-day lives of many of the people that are a part of this community, so we encourage them to come out and experience it and get to live their life the way that they want to, and with other people who are choosing to do the same.”

For more information, a full lineup of entertainment, and to purchase VIP and meet and greet tickets, as well as brunch tickets, visit www.pridecapecoral.com.

Cape Coral Breeze

From page 1

a Greyhound bus with just a trunk full of clothes. Over the rest of my time in Florida, I built a family, I built a career, 17 years in financial services. I joined the Tea Party movement, was in the Conservative movement. I was able to serve four years in the state legislature, four years in Congress. Now is the time to now take the mantle and lead our state into the future,” Donalds said.

“Now is the job is to keep the best state in the country the best state in the country.”

Donalds said in response to questions from Hannity that his agenda would include tackling the state’s insurance costs. Donalds cited his professional background in banking, insurance and financial services as a way to bring the stakeholders “to the table.” Donalds said he wants to stabilize the costs of

SUDOKU SHEFFER CROSSWORD

Fill in the blank cells using numbers 1 to 9. Each number can appear only once in each row, column, and 3x3 block. Use logic and process of elimination to solve the puzzle. The difficulty level ranges from Bronze (easiest) to Silver to Gold (hardest).

Cryptoquip Solution:

insurance in the state. Costs for insurance across the board have risen in recent years particularly for homeowner’s insurance, flood insurance and car insurance.

“We have an insurance problem in this state,” Donalds said.

Donalds said he wants to make Florida the “financial hub of the world and to make Florida the most “business-friendly” state in the country.

The former financial services advisor said he wanted to take the lead on cryptocurrency.

“I would even consider having crypto being a part of the state’s financial portfolio,” Donalds said.

A second candidate has also announced his bid to seek Donald’s congressional seat in 2026.

The Rev. Howard Sapp announced on Wednesday that he will run.

“It’s time for a change. The change people thought they were gonna get just didn’t pan out. We need honesty and integrity in Congress and I’m ready to serve,” said the Fort Myers native who will seek the seek as a Democrat in a prepared statement,

“I see a great opportunity to help Southwest Florida through strong, compassionate, and unyielding leadership. Folks in our community have real concerns and we need someone that is going to be present and work for them,” he said.

Sapp is a “retired Air Traffic Controller, an award-winning gospel artist, and a proud father and husband, “his provided bio states. He is “committed to the success of his hometown and the good people who call Fort Myers home. He is a CEO of a local nonprofit that houses and cares for at-risk youth,” the release states, adding that Sapp also is involved in the men’s ministry at his church.

… “fighting for our education system, jobs, clean water, and protecting women’s rights to the fullest extent,” are among his stated issues.

League of Women Voters sets session on FEMA’s community rating system

The League of Women Voters of Lee County invites the public and League members to Building Resilience —Discounting Insurance Through the Community Rating System from 9-11 a.m. March 1, at the Collaboratory, 2031 Jackson Street, Fort Myers and Virtual via zoom.

The Community Rating System discounts flood insurance premiums community-wide for property owners from 5% to 45% based on efforts to reduce flood risks. The discounts are an incentive for communities to reduce and avoid flood damage to insurable property, strengthen the insurance aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program, and foster comprehensive floodplain management

Speaker Lori Lehr helps communities achieve flood insurance discounts by improving public safety, National Flood Insurance Program compliance, economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and cost-effective floodplain management programs.

Register with this link: https://communityratingsystem. eventbrite.com OR Email: lwvlee@lwvlee.org Or call 239278-1032.

Howard Sapp

Cape

The breeze SporTS

February 28, 2025

Better get out on the water now if you want to catch sheepies

With hot weather and water right around the corner, sheepshead fishing will soon start to fade away. For now, get them while you can and enjoy some fine eating. Boca Grande dock structures have been and continue to be a hotter spot unless a red tide bloom pauses the fishing. Nearshore reefs and wrecks are a great fallback option and are often loaded up with sheepies.

Alleged recruiting violations in North High girls soccer program investigated

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

The North Fort Myers High School girls soccer team is being investigated for alleged recruiting violations.

Florida High School Athletic Association spokesperson Kelvin Richardson in an email to The Breeze stated, “We were informed that there was an internal investigation conducted by the Office of Professional Standards in Lee County.”

Spicker told The Breeze in an email, “We received an allegation and have provided our review to the FHSAA for their determination.”

The North girls soccer team, coached by Nick Erickson, just put together a 21-3 season and reached the FHSAA 5A state semifinal game.

The Breeze reached out to Erickson, and he declined to comment on the situation until the conclusion of the investigation.

Capt. George Tunison

For newbies, rigging for sheepshead can be as simple as loading a lite jighead with a small, as in small, chunk of shrimp and lowering it down right next to a piling, or try adding a hook to a leader and a split shot a foot above the hook, or try a set-up using an adjustable slip bobber for accurate depth control. Use small, thin wire, ultra-sharp hooks to get in between those dentures, although a big sheepie might crush your thin hook with its powerful human-like molars. Lighter line fools more smart fish.

When the winds permit a safe trip, mangrove snapper and grouper await you on your favorite offshore ledges and rock piles. Mangrove or grey snapper will eat just about anything you toss their way and love a well presented chum slick but are also very line shy. Use the lightest test you can get away with and typically the deeper you go out, the bigger they get. A 10-pounder puts up a great fight so tackle up accordingly.

On the way back in, poke around the pass edges with lite tackle and small, shrimp-tipped jigs hopped off the bottom to hopefully add some delicious pompano guests to your snapper cooler. Goofy jig setups in pink or yellow are a great choice. Just remember to keep making contact with the sand or bottom during the retrieve to make it more enticing for these delicious little fighters. Definitely one of my favorite eating Florida fish.

Trout are trout and still biting around the area. The cooler the weather the deeper you fish. Five to 6 feet on a chilly morning then move shallower as the sun warms the flats later in the day. With soft plastic paddletails, slow your retrieve in the deeper water while adding commercial scent products ups your score, although the traditional cork and live shrimp rig is always hard to beat. Best to experiment with your retrieve to find out where they are in the water column. Next to bottom? Mid-depth or near the top? Let the fish tell you, by offering different depth and speed retrieves.

See SHEEPIES, page 35

Tide CharT

1

2

2

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School District of Lee County spokesperson Rob

Voting begins for Cape Coral Breeze Athlete of the Month for February

Voting for the Cape Coral Breeze Athlete of the Month for February is now open.

There were countless top performances from student-athletes in the Breeze coverage area to start the new year and now it’s up to readers to decide who will earn top honors for the month.

Nominees for February include:

n Alex Sanchez, senior, Cape Coral Seahawks: The senior standout has been off to a hot start scoring for the Seahawks (2-1) to open the year. Over the first three games, Sanchez has nine goals, including a 4-goal and 5-goal performance against Immokalee and Riverdale respectively.

n Isaac Lopez, senior, Island Coast Gators: The senior has been busy driving in runs for a Gator team off to a great start to the year (6-1). The shortstop has driven in a team-leading 13 runs, is slugging .600, and hitting .400 through his first seven games with a home run.

n Tiffany Cole, senior, North Fort Myers Red Knights: Cole was the Lee County Athletic Conference Wrestling champion in the 170-pound division for a Red Knights team that won the competition as a team.

n Izaiah Bacchus, senior, Island Coast Gators: The senior has had a strong showing over the final weeks of the season for a Gator (17-11) team that has won six out of its last seven games to end the year, including a 4A-12

District Championship. Bacchus led the team with 13 points in the District title game, a 48-46 win over LaBelle. He added eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

n Camila Castellon, senior, Bishop Verot Vikings: The senior has had a great postseason in the FHSAA 1A 110-pound division in girls weightlifting. Castellon finished first in Olympic and second in Traditional at Districts. She followed that up with a first-place finish in Traditional (215 lbs.) and third in Olympic (195 lbs.) at Regionals.

n Frederick Harley Jr., senior, Oasis Sharks: Harley Jr. has been a standout for the Sharks on the wrestling mat. The senior was tops in the 215 lb. division in the District 1A-12 Championships, and also the Southwest 10 Conference champion. Harley Jr. was named Outstanding Wrestler at the Southeast 10 Conference event, voted on by coaches.

n Mike Luma, senior, Ida Baker Bulldogs: Luma took home a first place finish for the Bulldogs in the long jump (6.45 meters) and triple jump (12.90 meters) at the Ida Baker FD Invitational.

Athlete of the Month nominees are comprised of the Breeze’s staff-selected Athletes of the Week for that respective month.

To vote, visit www.capecoralbreeze.com and click the “Vote Now” icon on the homepage.

PreP rePorT

Wednesday

Baseball

Bishop Verot 3, Community School of Naples 2 (11 innings): Five Verot players doubled, with Owen Rardin and Brody Baxmann driving in a run each. Carter Chalder had three hits. Four Vikings pitchers combined to hold CSN to one earned run while striking out 10. Boston Selig had seven strikeouts in five scoreless innings.

Softball

Bishop Verot 7, Lake Placid 0: Paige Bettermann and Crimson Lawrence combined to shut out Lake Placid while striking out 16 batters. Offensively for the Vikings (2-0) Jaelyn Riley stole four bases and drove in two runs. Lawrence, Willa Pagnutti and Alexalys Torres had an RBI each.

Beach Volleyball

Mariner 5, Ida Baker 0: The Tritons swept all five pairings by 2-0 scores in the season opener for both teams.

Boys Tennis

Lemon Bay 7, Oasis 0: The Sharks were scheduled to play at Community School of Naples Thursday.

Tuesday

Baseball

Island Coast 2, South Fort Myers 0: Senior Grady Schweizer pitched a perfect game, striking out eigh. Schweizer faced the minimum 21 batters over seven innings, making a total of 76 pitches. Offensively, the Gators managed two runs on three hits, stealing five bases and taking advantage of five South Fort Myers errors.

North Fort Myers 10, Cape Coral 0 (6 in-

nings): North’s Harrison Kabel struck out 11 Seahawks in four innings, allowing two hits and a walk. The Red Knights won their fourth game in a row (4-2 overall). Matthew Blasena, Caeden Conn and Karter Long had two RBI each. Canterbury 14, Mariner 0 (6 innings): The Cougars (5-2) posted 10 runs in the top of the sixth inning to put the game out of reach. The Tritons (5-2) were held to two hits.

SW Florida Christian 12, Oasis 1 (6 innings): The Sharks’ slow start reached 0-5.

Softball

Ida Baker 10, Cypress Lake 0 (6 innings): Kaiden Nealeigh and Maya Hall combined on a no-hitter, allowing one walk while striking out 13. The Bulldogs earned their first win of the season (1-2). Pela Kolinski drove in two runs for Ida Baker.

Mariner 10, DeSoto County 0 (6 innings): Gabi Winters struck out 14 batters, allowing one hit and three walks over six innings. Rylie Moore was 3-for-5 with a double, driving in two runs and scoring twice. Brooke Parramore went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. North Fort Myers 8, North Port 2: Kaliyah Williams knocked in three runs and struck out 13 batters as the Red Knights improved to 4-0. Abigail Hynes went 4-for-4 with an RBI, while Audrie Florenzano and Bella Miceli scored two runs each. Williams limited North Port to three hits and one earned run.

SW Florida Christian 8, Oasis 7: A three-run rally in the top of the seventh wasn’t quite enough as the Sharks (2-2) fell a run short. Faith Tilley had two RBI for Oasis, while Kyra Cavender went 3-for-4, scoring twice and driving in a run. Meesha Neujahr and Emma Neujahr had an RBI each, with Emma Neujahr scoring twice.

March programs set at Northwest Regional Library

Next month’s roster of activities at Northwest Regional Library offers topics for all ages. The following activities are free to the public:

Adult Programs

Tech Tuesdays: One-on-One Help

2 p.m., Tuesday, March 4

Need help with a laptop, tablet, e-reader or other device? Are you looking to gain basic technology skills? We can help with a 15-minute, one-on-one technology help session. Registration is required.

Knit and Stitch

10 a.m., Wednesday, March 5, 19

A casual, self-guided group of knitters and crocheters that to share projects, ideas and techniques. Participants are encouraged to bring their own projects and tools. Basic materials and supplies are available for newcomers.

Controlling Your Cholesterol

10:30 a.m., Monday, March 10

Checking and controlling cholesterol levels is important in maintaining a healthy heart and reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. At this 30-minute presentation, participants will learn the role of cholesterol in the body, the difference between “good” and “bad” cholesterol and how to make small changes to manage cholesterol. The presenter will be available for questions. Registration is required.

Chess at the Library

5:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 11

Enjoy chess at the library in a casual environment. Chess boards will be provided, but you can also bring your own. People of all ages and skill levels are invited.

Books and Bagels

10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 12

Do you enjoy robust, engaging book discussions? Join us and share your latest reading recommendations. Bagels and coffee

will be served.

Baseball in Southwest Florida 11 a.m., Thursday, March 13

Learn about the history of baseball in Southwest Florida from the start of America’s Pastime to the present day.

Tabletop Game Time

5 p.m., Tuesday, March 18

Meet up at the library for a monthly board game night featuring modern tabletop games. The library has a rotating collection of light to medium weight games or bring your own games to teach and share. New and experienced players welcome.

Adult Crafternoon: Petals & Pottery

1 p.m., Thursday, March 20

Join us for a fabulous, floral craft to usher in spring. Create a trinket dish using air-dry clay, pressed flowers and paint. Dress for mess. Registration is required.

Children’s Programs

Kids Read Down Fines

4:30 – 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 5, 12

11 a.m. – noon, Saturday, March 15

Children and teens can earn a $2 credit on overdue fines for every 15 minutes they read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session. Please bring your library card.

Life-size Games: Candy Land

10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 6

Go on a whimsical journey to Candy Castle by playing our life-sized version of Candy Land. Experience one of your favorite board games in a new magical way.

Chess at the Library

5:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 11

Enjoy chess at the library in a casual environment. Chess boards will be provided, but you can also bring your own. People of all ages and skill levels are invited.

STEAM Meet-Up: Music Edition

6 p.m., Tuesday, March 11

Join us for a STEAM monthly meet-up: Music Edition. During this session we will be learning how sound is made while making a water xylophone and drums. Registration is required.

Family Storytime

10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 15

For children through age 5 years and caregivers. Families with young children enjoy a variety of stories, songs, rhymes and movement.

LEGO Club

1 p.m., Saturday, March 22

Drop in for building challenges the whole family will enjoy. For all ages. All materials are provided.

Baby Rhyme Time

10:30 a.m., Monday, March 24, 31

For babies up to 18 months. Babies and caregivers wiggle and giggle in a supportive environment. Space is limited. Arrive early and visit the Youth Desk to check in.

Books and Blankets

6:15 p.m., Tuesday, March 25

Join us with your blankies and pajamas for this nighttime edition of storytime. Your whole family is invited to this enjoyable, all-ages storytime that encourages the development of pre-reading skills through songs, rhymes, fingerplays and stories.

Toddler Tales

10:30 & 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 26

For ages 18-36 months and caregivers. Toddlers and caregivers move and groove during this interactive storytime. Space is limited to 14 tickets. Arrive early and visit the Youth Desk to check in. First come, first served.

Preschool Storytime

10:30 & 11:30 a.m., Thursday, March 27

For ages 3-5 years. Children attend this

program independently while parents and caregivers wait nearby. Space is limited to 14 tickets. Arrive early and visit the Youth Desk to check in. First come, first served.

Teen Programs

Kids Read Down Fines

4:30 – 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 5, 12 11 a.m. – noon, Saturday, March 15

Children and teens can earn a $2 credit on overdue fines for every 15 minutes they read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session. Please bring your library card.

Chess at the Library 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 11

Enjoy chess at the library in a casual environment. Chess boards will be provided, but you can also bring your own. People of all ages and skill levels are invited.

The Northwest Regional Library is located at 519 Chiquita Blvd., N., in Cape Coral. For more information about a program or to register, please call the library at 239-533-4700. Check the Lee County Library System’s website at www.leelibrary. net to find out about programs at other locations. Call the host library, or Telephone Reference at 239-479-INFO (4636), for more information about a specific program. To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lee County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its services, programs or activities. To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a reasonable modification to participate, contact Raphaela Morais-Peroba, 239-533-8782, Florida Relay Service 711, or rperoba@ leegov.com. Accommodation will be provided at no cost to the requester. Requests should be made at least five business days in advance.

Cape Coral Art League: Exhibits and class schedules for March and April

From page 18

n Learn to Draw – Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon

n Creative Watercolor for the Beginner and Above, Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon n Pastel Painting for Beginners –

tables at an earlier March in the Park.

PROVIDED

March in the Park: Garden sale set

From page 18

A limited number of carts will be available, so guests are encouraged to bring their own. You won’t want to miss this! I’d like to leave you with Audrey Hepburn’s inspiration… “To plant a gar-

den is to believe in tomorrow.”

Ann Block is Past President of the Garden Club of Cape Coral. Visit www. gardenclubofcapecoral.com and like us on Facebook

Tuesdays, 12:30-3:30 p.m.

n The Art of Zentangle – Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m.

n Oil Painting for All Levels –Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

n Digital Photography & Graphics (Adults 16+) – Wednesdays, 3-5 p.m.

n Hooked on Watercolor – Intermediate – Thursdays – 9 a.m. to noon (currently on hold)

n Intermediate and Advanced Pastel Painting – 9 a.m. to noon

The Cape Coral Art League on Cultural Park Boulevard is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. It is an independent community of local artists who support, encourage, and inspire each other through classes, workshops, exhibits, and open painting sessions. The league is a place to explore your artistic side; learn from exceptional educators; make new, life-long friends; and enjoy fellowship. For more information, please visit CapeCoralArtLeague. org or phone the Art League at 239-7725657.

Sheepies: Time to catch ‘em is now

From page 34

Good numbers of smaller snook and reds are around on both sides of the harbor along with bonnethead sharks that like shrimp and surprise trout anglers with good runs on lite tackle.

Since I don’t have the boat or desire to take advantage of our good to excellent offshore angling here in Southwesst Florida, I stay shallow. Since this isn’t the best time of year to work the local flats and oyster bars, I gas up and head south usually to Key West to take advantage of the early spring outstanding fishing for a ton of different species both inshore and near-shore. Early tarpon action, flats and harbor permit, dolphin, the biggest kingfish in the USA, a huge variety of sharks and beautiful high jumping sailfish. Although

many seasoned salts will groan when I say this but (the same snooty group that hold their noses at catching powerhouse, jack crevalle), I love big, shallow-water barracuda on light spin and fly tackle. Amazing drag-burning runs and huge leaps and jumps keeps me coming back for more of this “trash” “by-catch” species. Maybe the lowest cost charter in the Keys, I’m barracuda ready to go all the time. Don’t knock it till you try it. Guaranteed grins.

The Keys has gotten quite expensive but worth all the fishing memories you’ll make there in early springtime.

Capt. George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide. You can contact him at 239-579-0461 or via email at captgeorget3@aol.com.

Harley Jr. has been a stand out for the Sharks on the wrestling mat over the past few weeks. The senior was tops in the 215 lb. division in the District 1A-12 Championships, and also the Southwest 10 Conference champion. Harley Jr. was named Outstanding Wrestler at the Southeast 10 Conference event, voted on by coaches.

"Nobody wants to put in the work it takes to win, but someone has to do it. Might as well be me.”

Luma took home a first place finished for the Bulldogs in the long jump (6.45 meters) and triple jump (12.90 meters) at the Ida

“It felt really great winning the long jump and triple jump. Now that we have our new track I am able to get a lot more practice in for the jumps. I have been working on the offseason to get better as well.”

Frederick Harley Jr. Senior Wrestling

Mike Luma Senior Track & Field

Baker FD Invitational.

Garage & Bake Sale

March 1st, 7:30am - ? Corner of Pine Island Rd & Veterans Pkwy

CapeRoyal HugeCommunityYardSale 11731RoyalTeeCircle SatMarch1st,7:30am-? Over150BeanieBabies, BrandnewChicosclothes &LotsMore

PineLakesWomenásClub AnnualTreasureSale 10200PineLakesBlvd FriFeb28th8:30am-1pm ProceedstobenefitLee CountyCharities

Recreation Vehicles I BUY ALL RV’s I BUY ALL Boat’s HH I PAY CASH

Cape Coral

Edward Thomas “Eddie” Barth, 66, of Cape Coral, FL passed away on February 17, 2025. Arrangements entrusted to Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Service. www.fullermetz.com

Jorge Hernandez, 84 of Cape Coral, passed away on February 9, 2025. Arrangements are by Coral Ridge Funeral Home, Cemetery and Cremation Services, Cape Coral. Please visit www.coralridgefuneralhome.com for additional information.

Oswald Edmund Fargnoli, 93 of Cape Coral, passed away on February 11, 2025. Arrangements are by Coral Ridge Funeral Home, Cemetery and Cremation Services, Cape Coral. Please visit www.coralridgefuneralhome.com for additional information.

Sharon Lynn Hegley, 69 of Cape Coral, passed away on February 19, 2025. Arrangements are by Coral Ridge Funeral Home, Cemetery and Cremation Services, Cape Coral. Please visit www.coralridgefuneralhome.com for additional information.

Donna Maria Rachel, 61, of Cape Coral, passed away Thursday, February 20, 2025. Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

Jeffery Jensen, 46, of Cape Coral, Florida passed away February 18, 2025. Arrangements entrusted to Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Services. www.fullermetz. com

Karen D Brown, 58 of Cape Coral, passed away on February 23, 2025. Arrangements are by Coral Ridge Funeral Home, Cemetery and Cremation Services, Cape Coral. Please visit www.coralridgefuneralhome.com for additional information.

Kimberlee Joy Kitchen, 57, of Cape Coral, FL passed away on February 23, 2025. Arrangements entrusted to Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Service. www. fullermetz.com

Death Notices

Cape Coral

Theodore A Danko, 82 of Cape Coral, passed away on February 20, 2025. Arrangements are by Coral Ridge Funeral Home, Cemetery and Cremation Services, Cape Coral. Please visit www.coralridgefuneralhome.com for additional information.

Catherine Rita Coppola, 85 of Cape Coral, passed away on February 23, 2025. Arrangements are by Coral Ridge Funeral Home, Cemetery and Cremation Services, Cape Coral. Please visit www.coralridgefuneralhome.com for additional information.

Joyce Erny Fruneaux, 74 of Cape Coral, passed away on February 18, 2025. Arrangements are by Coral Ridge Funeral Home, Cemetery and Cremation Services, Cape Coral. Please visit www.coralridgefuneralhome.com for additional information.

Richard Bruce Petrulavage, 87 of Cape Coral, passed away on February 9, 2025. Arrangements are by Coral Ridge Funeral Home, Cemetery and Cremation Services, Cape Coral. Please visit www.coralridgefuneralhome.com for additional information.

Richard Hernandez, 82 of Cape Coral, passed away on February 22, 2025. Arrangements are by Coral Ridge Funeral Home, Cemetery and Cremation Services, Cape Coral. Please visit www.coralridgefuneralhome.com for additional information.

Robert Charles Guedon, 89 of Cape Coral, passed away on February 13, 2025. Arrangements are by Coral Ridge Funeral Home, Cemetery and Cremation Services, Cape Coral. Please visit www.coralridgefuneralhome.com for additional information.

Fort Myers

Peter Franz Heller, 80, of Fort Myers FL. passed away February 24, 2025. Arrangements entrusted to Harvey Engelhardt Funeral Home.

Fort Myers

Deborah Jean Smith Ford, 74, of Fort Myers FL. passed away February 23, 2025. Arrangements entrusted to Harvey Engelhardt Funeral Home.

North Fort Myers

Jacqueline Anne Ross, 71, of North Fort Myers, passed away Thursday, February 20, 2025. Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

MONDAY

Lemon Rosemary Slow Roasted Chicken served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. $15.99

TUESDAY

Buttermilk Fried Chicken served with coleslaw, mashed potatoes and gravy. $15.99

Stuffed Peppers stuffed with rice and Black Angus ground beef. Served with mashed potatoes. $15.99

WEDNESDAY

Full Rack of Baby Back Ribs served with french fries and coleslaw. $16.99

Stuffed Cabbage served with mashed potatoes. $15.99

Thursday

USDA Choice Beef Stroganoff served over egg noodles. $15.99

FRIDAY

Fish N’ Chips served with french fries, coleslaw and tarter sauce. $15.99

Fresh catch of the day. Ask your server for today’s special. Market Price

Saturday

Grouper Oscar Florentine grilled Gulf of Mexico Grouper topped with fresh steamed spinach, half crab cake and key lime sauce. Serve with rice and steamed vegetables. $19.99

Sunday

Slow Roasted Homemade Duroc Pork Loin served with Granny Smith apple stuffing, mashed potatoes, red cabbage and applesauce, topped with mushroom gravy. $15.99

Februrary 28, 2025

The importance of escrow agents

Dear Mr. Feichthaler:

I have a situation I hope you can help with. I bought a home with my partner when we moved here from Connecticut 10 years ago, which we each held 50%. Although it was his intention for me to own the home if he died, we never changed the deed to be jointly held, and I wasn’t named in his will. As a result, his two children inherited his half when he passed away in 2021.

There wasn’t a lot of equity in the home, so I offered them $20,000 in exchange for them quitclaiming the property to me. We signed an agreement to that effect. I sent them the $20,000 in 2021, and I assumed that they took care of preparing and the loan, I discovered they are still on 50% ownership of the property.

I have tried to reach out to them, but they are not responding back. I thought our relationship

Real Estate Law

A rundown on scarifying

Scarifying helps to remove thatch, which can hinder grass growth by blocking water and nutrients from reaching the soil.

To those unfamiliar with lawn maintenance, the term “scarify” might sound like something horror movie directors hope to do to audiences who watch their

green and healthy lawn.

- Ashley P.

Dear Ashley:

I am disappointed to hear you are in this situation, as it appears you tried to do everything to reach the correct result. Based on the facts presented, you entered into a legally binding agreement to purchase their interest in the property. First, I would make another attempt to reach them and ask them to meet their obligations under the agreement. The Agreement should be read carefully to determine who is responsible for the costs of completing these tasks, who is responsible for documentary stamps, etc. It is possible you are required to prepare these documents. If so, I recommend you have an attorney review the agreement and prepare the necessary documents to provide you full ownership of the property.

If the two other owners refuse to cooperate, your only other option is to pursue legal action in our courts. Actions could include breach of contract, quiet title, and other potential causes of action to gain full ownership. Again, a full review of the agreement and other facts is required prior to proceeding.

The lesson you have learned, unfortunately, is the importance of an escrow agent in any real estate transaction. In every real estate transaction I conduct, one major role is to acquire all necessary documents and funds from both sides, and only then complete the transaction, record deeds, and send funds to the seller. When a party sends money directly to the other, it could lead to situations just like this where the only recourse for the aggrieved party is in the courts. Given the high value of the

a lawsuit. Litigation is expensive, time consuming, and results are never guaranteed.

I wish you a speedy and amicable result!

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 married to his wife, Mary, for 22 years, and they have four

and primarily practices in real estate law and wills and trusts. He is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell for professional ethics and legal ability, and is a Su-lattorney .com, or 239-542-4733.

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.

What does it mean to scarify a lawn?

remove dead organic matter that can build up on a lawn over time. When such thatch develops and settles in on a lawn, it can hinder growth by blocking water and nutrients rake in a smaller lawn or one where thatch buildup is not water and nutrients, such as those which are often found in fertilizers.

Lawn and garden tools make yard work easier, and a compared to more costly machines like lawn mowers and easier, some homeowners might be able to get by with a spring-tined rake. However, it’s less labor-intensive to

Are there additional reasons to scarify?

Thatch buildup also can promote the growth of moss, so scarifying can decrease the chances that healthy grass is pushed to the side by sponge-like moss that can quickly overtake a property.

Is there anything I should know about scarifying?

produce a substantial amount of thatch, which can be made up of old grass clippings, leaves and moss. Though the thatch, such baskets tend to be rather small and a considerable amount of time to the job. If possible, buildup might want to scarify without the bucket attached.

Eric P. Feichthaler

Doing so will leave lots of piles of dead organic matter strewn about the yard, but the job is likely to go more quickly if

Homeowners also should not expect their lawns to stun after a scarifying session. The lawn will likely look worse, but that’s only temporary. Once the dethatched lawn gets some water and fertilizer, the soil beneath will be more ready to receive them, and the lawn will soon look much better.

products. They also will need to negotiate around the cord, which should be a lengthy extension designed for outdoor use. to come by than their electric counterparts, and could be considerably more expensive as well.

Various lawn professionals recommend scarifying a lawn at least once per year, and springtime is a popular season to do so. Scarify prior to an initial fertilizer application so that does not block the lawn from getting the nutrients in the fertilizer. A second scarifying session may be necessary in fall.

Scarifying can be an important step in creating a stunning and healthy lawn.

Article from Metrocreativeconnection.com.

from Shutterstock.com

Photos

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Source: Lee County Property Appraiser

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

January condo results for Florida and the Cape

Before we get into the January sales numbers and the current active and pending sales data for the Cape Coral condo market, let’s take a quick look at the numbers for Florida’s overall condo market. This information is from a Feb. 21, 2025, article in the Florida Realtors online newsletter written by Marla Martin, titled, “Florida’s January Housing: New Listings, Inventory Rise.” The data, compiled by the Florida Realtors Research Department, showed that there were 5,787 existing condo sales in Florida during January, which was down 3.7% from January 2024, while the statewide median sales price for condo/townhouse units was $312,500 in January, or 2.3% lower than a year ago. The year-over-year growth in new listings for condos in January was muted, up only 6.7%, but the 18,865 condos that came onto the market broke the record for the most new listings ever for condos in a single month in Florida dating back to January 2008 when the Florida Realtors Association

up 39.3% this January compared to January 2024, as Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor noted the growth in condo listings continued to outpace sales. The report also showed that there was a 9.1-month supply of condos on the market throughout Florida in January.

Active Cape Coral condo listings

As of Monday, Feb. 24, there were 499 active condo listings in the Cape

the current median list price for condos came in at $259,900. On Jan. 1 of this year, there were 422 active condo listings ranging in price from $135,000 to $1.67 million and the median list price was at $266,000. One year ago on Feb. 27, 2024, we also had 422 condos listed for sale in the Cape ranging in price from $149,000 to $3.9 million and the median list price was higher, at

and to one year ago, while the median list price is down 2.3% since Jan. 1, and it is 13.1% lower than a year ago. As a point of reference, on Jan. 2, 2024, there were 362 condos listed for sale in the Cape ranging in price from $158,700 to $3.9 million and the median list price was $299,000. Two years ago on Feb. 28, 2023, we only had 224 active condo listings in

median condo list price is down by 18.8%, after dropping by $60,050 in the last two years, while the number of condos listed for sale in the Cape have increased by 122.8%.

Just to dig a little bit deeper into the current active listing data for Cape Coral condos, as of Feb. 24, a total of 291 of

were priced at $275,000 and under, including 118 condo units listed for less than $200,000. About eight weeks ago on Jan. 1, there were 232 condos listed at $275,000 and under, with 87 of these units priced below $200,000. At the other end of the price spectrum, there are currently 64 condos listed at $500,000 and above, including 15 condos at $1 million and above. Back on Jan. 1 of this year, there were 60 units listed at $500,000 and above, with 13 of these 60 priced above $1 million. Looking back about 14 months ago on Jan. 2, 2024, there were only 135 Cape Coral condos listed at $275,000 and under, with only 31 of those units priced below $200,000. At that time, there were 44 condos on the market for $500,000 and above, with 14 of these units listed above $1 million.

Current number of pending condo sales

January, which was 29.6% higher than the 27 condo sales in January 2024, and 6.1% above the 33 sales in December. The January median sales price came in at $259,000 for the overall Cape Coral condo market, which was 8.2% below the $282,000 posted in January 2024, but 2% higher than the $253,900 posted in December. The overall monthly supply of unsold condos in the Cape came in at 16 months in January, which was 11.1% lower than the 18 months of supply registered in January 2024, but up 6.7% from the 15 months of supply in December.

Gulf access canal condos

In the Cape Coral gulf access canal condo segment, which includes all “saltwater” canal condos, there were 20 closed sales in January. This was 81.8% above the 11 condos sold in January 2024, and 33.33% higher than the 15 sales in December. The January median sales price came in at $307,450 in this segment, which was 0.8% below the $310,000 posted in January 2024, but 3.2% higher than the $298,000 in December. The unsold supply was 14 months in January, which was 30% less than the 20 months in January 2024, and 12.5% below the 16 months of supply in December.

Direct sailboat access canal condos

In the Cape’s direct sailboat access canal condo segment, which is a subgroup of gulf access condos where boaters have no bridges to go under in the canal system to reach open water, there were 15 closed sales in January. This was 150% more than the six sales in January 2024, and 25% more than the 12 sales in December. The January median sales price was $410,000 in this segment, or 20.6% above the $340,000 from January 2024, and 36% higher than the $301,500 this past December. The level of unsold supply came in at 11 months in January, which was 45% below the 20 months of supply in January 2024, and even with the 11 months of unsold supply in December.

Dry lot condos

In the Cape Coral dry lot (non-canal) condo segment, there were 12 closed sales in January, which was even with the 12 condos sold in January 2024, but 25% below the 16 sales in December. The January median sales price was $205,500 in this segment, or 3.3% below the $212,500 posted in January 2024, and 2.6% lower than the $211,000 in December. The unsold supply was at 19 months in January, which was 5.6% more than the 18 months of supply in January 2024, and 46.2% above the 13 months of unsold supply in December.

The sales data for this article was obtained from the Florida Realtors® Multiple Listing Service Matrix for Lee County, Fla., as of Feb. 23, 2025, unless otherwise noted. It was compiled by Bob and Geri Quinn and it includes information

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

Geri has been a full-time REALTOR since 2005, and Bob joined Geri as a Cape Coral residential property and vacant lots.

As of Monday, Feb. 24, there were 62 Cape Coral condos under contract with buyers as pending sales at prices ranging from $85,000 for a small one-bedroom unit to $1.67 million. The second lowest priced pending sale was for $134,000 and the current median pending sales price for Cape condos is $244,900. A total of 44 pending condo sales were priced at $275,000 and under, equaling 71% of the market, with 18 of these units below $200,000. There were nine condos under contract above $500,000 and three of these units were pending for more than $1 million. On Jan. 1 of this year there were 39 pending condo sales in the pipeline at prices ranging from $125,000 to of this year, there were 22 pending sales at $275,000 and under, with eight

sales has increased by 59% since Jan. 1, and the number of pending sales at $275,000 or less is up by 100%, with the number of units priced below

$500,000 including two units above $1 million on Jan. 1.

The Cape’s overall January condo numbers

In the overall Cape condo market, there were 35 closed sales in the month of

Fri. 2/28/2025 12-4pm 2926 SW 1st Ave, Cape Coral, FL 33914 $385,000

Fri. 2/28/2025 10-12pm 1213 Chiquita Blvd N, Cape Coral, FL 33993

Fri. 2/28/2025 11-4pm 1110 Lorraine Ct, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Fri. 2/28/2025 11-1pm 1320 SE 22nd Ter, Cape Coral, FL 33990

Fri. 2/28/2025 10-6pm 2527 Gleason Pkwy, Cape Coral, FL 33914 $999,000 Ava Bahnam EXP Realty

Fri. 2/28/2025 11-4pm 2139 SW 4th Ct, Cape Coral, FL 33991

Fri. 2/28/2025 1-4pm 5513 Merlyn Ln, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Fri. 2/28/2025 12-3pm 14811 Hole In One Cir #307 Ft. Myers

Sat. 3/1/2025 10:30-1pm 1223 NW 14th Ave, Cape Coral, FL 33993

Sat. 3/1/2025 11-4pm 1110 Lorraine Ct, Cape Coral, FL 33904 $1,890,000 Brad Peska Experience Real Estate Group

Sat. 3/1/2025 11-1pm 1004 NW 33rd Ave, Cape Coral, FL 33993 $554,000 Brittany McCormack Florida Complete Realty

Sat. 3/1/2025 11-2pm 240 SE 30th Ter, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Sat. 3/1/2025 12-2pm 1905 NW Embers Ter, Cape Coral, FL 33993

Sat. 3/1/2025 12-2pm 225 SW 12th Ter, Cape Coral, FL 33991

Sat. 3/1/2025 11-1pm 1137 SW 44th Ter, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Sat. 3/1/2025 12-3pm 1200 SW 38th St, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Sat. 3/1/2025 12-3pm 1208 SW 18th St, Cape Coral, FL 33991

Sat. 3/1/2025 2:30-4:30pm 208 SW 15th St, Cape Coral, FL 33991

Sat. 3/1/2025 10-4pm 2139 SW 4th Ct, Cape Coral, FL 33991

Sat. 3/1/2025 2-4pm 5513 Merlyn Ln, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Sat. 3/1/2025 12-3pm 1811 Savona Pkwy W. Cape Coral

3/1/2025 12-3pm 3445 NE 21st Ave Cape Coral

$778,000 Kelly Elen-Lavery Experience Real Estate Group

Lindsey Svarczkopf Coldwell Banker Realty Sat. 3/1/2025 12-3pm 3418 SE 19th Ave Cape Coral

Sun. 3/2/2025 11-2:30pm 2043 SE 29th St, Cape Coral, FL 33904