Fort Myers Beach Observer/The Beach Bulletin

FEMA places 30-day pause on insurance decision

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayburge@breezenewspapers com

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will give Fort Myers Beach 30 days to gather documentation to respond to the agency’s decision to strip away the 2 5 % d i s c o u n t o n N a t i o n a l F l o o d Insurance Program policies for local property owners

Lee County Government, which is responsible for responding to FEMA for the management of properties in unincor-

porated Lee County including San Carlos Island, will also have 30 days to respond

The cities of Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and Village of Estero are also facing the loss of their 25% discount on flood insurance policies and have received the same “pause” in FEMA’s retrograding of the local entities Community Rating System classes to the lowest possible a 10 thus eliminating any discount for on NFIP policies

Back in December, FEMA requested

documentation for permits on 105 sites in the Town of Fort Myers Beach

Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager Andy Hyatt said the request was part of an audit for documents relating to appraisals for 50/50 evaluations, flood building code and building permits for repairs

H y a t t s a i d f i v e o f t h e a d d r e s s e s requested by FEMA in December were addresses that didn't exist, two were not in the town's jurisdiction, four were found to be compliant, five had potential substan-

tial damage that needed enforcement, 28 a d d r e s s e s h a d c a s e s o p e n f o r c o d e enforcement required, five addresses had no work completed and 51 properties were compliant

Hyatt said the town has been on top of its responses to FEMA

“We’re really at a loss as to why this happened,” Hyatt said “There’s some sort of miscommunication in certain areas ”

See

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The Island Winds Condominium Association has lifted its ban on Florida Audubon from using their property to monitor shorebird nesting

Dave Nusbaum, president of Island Winds Condominium Association, said the association’s ban was lifted after the settlement between the nonprofit and property owners Kurt Kroemer and Ed Rood over their lagoon walkover near the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area, and for Audubon dropping the lawsuit against the Town of Fort Myers Beach over the town council’s approval of a special exception permit for the 298-feet bridge

Nusbaum, who was appointed to the Fort Myers Beach Marine Environmental Task Force last fall by the town council in which two standing members of the advisory committee were replaced, said Florida Audubon’s “entire membership” is now welcome on the Island Winds property Nusbaum said he planned to reach out to other neighbors to follow suit

Florida Audubon had not previously named Island Winds as one of about a dozen properties along the beachfront on the southern end of Fort Myers Beach that blocked its access to monitoring shorebirds last fall after Rood organized the action during the lawsuit As part of the lawsuit agreement, Rood and Kroemer agreed to encourage neighboring property owners to rescind their letters barring Florida Audubon from their properties

The Gas is Back Island Winds reverses its Audubon ban

Julie Wraithmail, president of Florida Audubon, confirmed access had been restored Nusbaum “personally prohibited our access (wasn’t clear if it was the board or him personally), but he sent a note restoring access after the suit was resolved,” Wraithmail said in an email

Florida Audubon has taken a strong interest in Fort Myers Beach as it is the only location outside of the peninsula where all

Raising awareness of a risk for those on autism spectrum

April is Autism Awareness Month, or Autism Acceptance Month, as the Autistic Self-

A d v o c a c y N e t w o r k p r e f e r s

According to the CDC, recogn i z i n g t h i s m o n t h “ r a i s e s awareness about autism acceptance and promotes inclusion and connectedness for people with autism ”

Another benefit to creating a dedicated time to learn more about autism and uplift autistic p e o p l e i s t h a t t h i s a t t e n t i o n urges researchers and policymakers to consider issues that are relevant to autistic people when they may not have otherwise That is especially relevant when it comes to suicide prevention among autistic individuals because recognizing that an autistic person may not display the same warning signs of suicidal ideation as a non-autistic person could save lives

Month and to raise awareness about the ways that suicidal ideation may look different in a young autistic person, here are three different warning signs that a young person might be considering suicide and some ways to support them This list is not exhaustive and will not cover every individual

1 Previous attempts:

The risk of death by suicide increases with each attempt If you know that a young person has struggled with thoughts of suicide before, and especially if you know they have made a suicide attempt, consider them to be at risk of another attempt

person appearing depressed or anxious may not be a reason in itself to be concerned about suicide However, it is vital to recognize when signs of depression or anxiety continue for long periods of time (usually two weeks or more) and when they extend outside the realm of what is standard for the individual

In some individuals, isolation may be an indication that a person is depressed For others, perhaps in a young autistic person who gets overstimulated in certain situations, isolation may be a way of self-regulating In this case, the concern would be if isolation happens more frequently or if signs of depression occur alongside other changes in behavior that are out of character

3 Lack of interest:

According to a review of the literature surrounding suicidal ideation and behaviors, autistic youth are six times more likely to make a suicide attempt than their non-autistic peers Additionally, autistic youth are twice as likely to die by suicide than their nonautistic peers These numbers are heartbreaking and indicate that suicide prevention spaces and research may not include autistic people in the conversations about suicide as much as is necessary

I n o b s e r v a n c e o f A u t i s m A c c e p t a n c e

a n d t h e l i s t i s g e t t i n g longer than expected ” Well, to quote Samuel Jackson in Pulp Fiction, “Allow me to retort ”

This is far from what the statistics show Let’s look at gas prices. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reveals that gas prices more than doubled between 2020 and April 2022 from $1 84 a gallon to $4 11

These gas prices have a direct effect on how Americans view the economy (Washington Post, “Biden’s economy vs Trump’s in 12 charts, Abha Bhattarai, Dec 23, 2023)

It is also crucial to watch for self-injury Though self-injury does not necessarily indicate suicidal intent, it could mean that a young person is struggling with emotions that are overwhelming and uncomfortable Especially in autistic young people who may have trouble clearly expressing or verbalizing emotions at a distressing time, the presence or increase if some selfharming behavior is typical in self-harming behaviors may suggest a crisis

2 . Depression and anxiety:

It is not uncommon for an autism diagnosis to occur alongside mental health conditions like depression or anxiety Research shows that as many as 70% of autistic youth also have a co-occurring mental health condition Because of this fact, a young autistic

N o w , l e t ’ s l o o k a t t h e B i d e n

A dminis tration’s effect on home prices

Again, according to the Census Bureau and t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H o u s i n g a n d U r b a n Development, home ownership has become f a r l e s s a c c e s s i b l e d u r i n g t h e B i d e n Administration with home prices rising an incredible 49% during the Spring of 2020 to the Fall of 2022 Moreover, mortgage rates have doubled in the past two years!

M o v i n g o n t o i n f l a t i o n , T h e B i d e n Administration has accomplished the highest rate of inflation in more than 40 years The U S consumer has been hit with higher costs for just about everything including groceries, gas, cars and health care (Washington Post, ‘Biden’s economy vs Trump’s in 12 charts, Abha Bhattarai, Dec 23, 2023)

Let’s now look at this administration’s

A young person showing a lack of interest in things that used to excite them is always an indicator that a caregiver or other adult should keep an eye on the young person’s well-being A change in special interests may be more noticeable in an autistic youth who frequently engages in or discusses a particular interest If a young person has stopped talking excitedly about a topic that used to bring them joy and comfort, it is wise for the adult to consider why this may be

If the young person feels comfortable discussing their thoughts with you, you could ask if another interest has captured their attention or what kind of things they enjoy doing instead Often, a lack of interest in one prominent area will extend to other areas of their life For example, you may notice things like changes in appearance, atten-

See AUTISM, page 5

accomplishments on interest rates During the Biden presidency, the central bank has raised interest rates 11 times! Currently around 5 25 to 5 5% which is the highest in 22 years (Ibid) To make matters worse, the federal deficit grew by 23% in the last year alone, leaving the U S with a $1 7 TRILL I O N s h o r t f a l l ( T h e U S O f f i c e o f Management and Budget)

All one has to do is look at their food, utility bills and the overall cost of living since President Biden has taken office to realize things are moving in the wrong direction For the average American consumer there doesn’t appear to be any reason to celebrate Biden’s accomplishments

Steven Salz Cape Coral

Falcon Mansfield Guest Commentary

‘Extremely active’ hurricane season predicted

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

While all was quiet on the Southwest Florida front when it came to the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane season, early indications from forecasters are scripting a different story for '24

Researchers at Colorado State University, one of the leading entities in hurricane season forecasts now in its 41st year are predicting an “extremely active” season in their initial 2024 estimate

The team points to record warm tropical and eastern subtropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures as a primary factor for the high number this year

The CSU Tropical Weather and Climate team is predicting 23 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov 30 Of those, researchers forecast 11 to become hurricanes and five to reach major hurricane strength (Saffir/Simpson Category 3, 4 and 5) with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or greater

“Our analog seasons were all very active Atlantic hurricane seasons,” Phil Klotzbach, senior research scientist in CSU's Department of Atmospheric Science and lead author of the report, wrote “This highlights the some-

County clerk seminar on small claim’s court

L e e C o u n t y C l e r k a n d

C o m p t r o l l e r K e v i n K a r n e s a n n o u n c e d a f r e e v i r t u a l c l a s s f o r t h o s e i n t e r e s t e d i n l e a r ni n g a b o u t s m a l l c l a i m s c o u r t T h e h o w - t o c l a s s w i l l b e h e l d t h r o u g h t h e o n l i n e p l a tf o r m Z o o m o n A p r i l 1 0 f r o m

2 - 3 p m S m a l l c l a i m s l a w s u i t s a r e c i v i l d i s p u t e s i n v o l v i n g m o n e y d a m a g e s w h e r e t h e a m o u n t a t i s s u e d o e s n o t e x c e e d $ 8 , 0 0 0 e x c l u d i n g c o s t s , i n t e r e s t a n d a t t o r n e y s ' f e e s E x a m p l e s i n c l u d e c o nt r a c t d i s p u t e s , p r o p e r t y d a ma g e a n d d e b t c o l l e c t i o n D u r i n g t h e h o w - t o s e s s i o n , a t t e n d e e s w i l l b e t a u g h t a b o u t t h e e n t i r e p r o c e s s o f f i l i n g a s m a l l c l a i m s c a s e w i t h t h e c o u r t s , i n c l u d i n g w h a t c o n s t it u t e s a s m a l l c l a i m s c a s e , f o r m s , f e e s a n d h o w t o f i l e a c a s e e l e c t r o n i c a l l y o r i n - p e rs o n . T h e h e a r i n g p r o c e s s a n d m e t h o d s o f c o l l e c t i o n p o s tj u d g m e n t w i l l a l s o b e d i sc u s s e d A r e p r e s e n t a t i v e f r o m t h e L e e C o u n t y L e g a l A i d S o c i e t y w i l l b e a v a i l a b l e f o r a q u e st i o n a n d a n s w e r s e s s i o n f o ll o w i n g t h e p r e s e n t a t i o n T h e c l a s s i s f r e e , b u t r e g i st r a t i o n i s r e q u i r e d P a r t i c i p a n t s c a n r e g i s t e r a t w w w l e e c l e r k o r g / s e m i n a r

Autism

From page 4

what lower levels of uncertainty that exist with this outlook relative to our typical early April outlook ”

CSU experts state their outlook for the season is based on extremely warm Atlantic temperatures and high probability of La Nina conditions, or when temperatures in the Pacific are lower than long-term normals, causing implications across the Atlantic This is the highest prediction for hurricanes that CSU has ever issued with its April outlook, though the team stresses that the April outlook historically has the lowest level of skill of CSU’s operational seasonal hurricane forecasts, given the considerable changes that can occur in the atmosphere-ocean between April and the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season from August to October

CSU predicts that hurricane activity in '24 will be about 170% of the average season from 1991-2020 By comparison, last year’s hurricane activity was about 120% of the average season

The CSU team bases forecasts on a statistical model, as well as four models that use statistical information and model predictions of large-scale conditions from various domestic and international models CSU states these models use 25-40 years of historical hurricane seasons and evaluate conditions including: Atlantic sea surface

temperatures, sea level pressures, vertical wind shear levels (the change in wind direction and speed with height in the atmosphere), El Nino (warming of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific), and other factors

The CSU team will again issue forecast updates on June 11, July 9 and Aug 6

Weather experts and forecasters with AccuWeather are predicting a potentially “explosive” season on the horizon, also pointing to warm water temps They are also pointing to a swift change from El Nino to La Nina conditions

Experts said La Nina results in wind shear, or “less disruptive winds,” over the majority of the Atlantic basin.

“It can be helpful to visualize a stack of pancakes,” AccuWeather lead hurricane forecaster Alex DaSilva explained in a report “When there is a high amount of wind shear, the top of a tropical system can be pushed and tilted away from its base, causing it to become lopsided If a mature hurricane is in place, it may weaken but will not necessarily dissipate A tall, neat stack is what a tropical system wants to be, but wind shear can cause some pancakes to be displaced and the stack could fall over ”

Read the full article for free online by visiting www fortmyersbeachtalk com

Paddleboard beach fun

dance, friendships, and relationships, or sleeping and eating patterns

Each individual will vary greatly in how they display warning signs of suicidal ideation, but they often do give some sort of indication that they are struggling either through their words or actions The important takeaway is to watch for major changes in behavior that last for several weeks at a time

If you or someone around you is considering suicide, there is help available!

You can call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 from anywhere in the U S , and you will be routed to a communication center in your area The lifeline can provide resources and advice on next steps You can also use SAMHSA’s facility locator to find behavioral health and substance use treatment that is accessible to you at www findtreatment gov For more information about warning signs and risk factors of suicide in young people, The Jason Foundation has a wealth of resources available on their website at www jasonfoundation com

Falon Mansfield is the division director at The Jason Foundation

ABOVE: Brother and sister Eivin (left) and Anika Elmquist (right), of Tennessee, enjoy paddleboarding in the Gulf of Mexico off Fort Myers Beach.

LEFT: Eivin Elmquist, of Tennessee, was enjoying the Gulf of Mexico water off Fort Myers Beach on his paddleboard during a family vacation

NATHAN MAYBERG

BUSINESS

Lani Kai offers beach fun as it phases in its re-opening

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

It has been a year and a half since Hurricane Ian temporarily closed the Lani Kai Island Resort Since the beach icon withstood the Category 5 storm surge, the resort has made a comeback by reopening its beach bar with lunch and bar-to-beach service

The resort says it continues to make progress in its repairs from Hurricane Ian, having just completed another successful spring break season despite not yet opening its hotel guestrooms

Marketing Director Melissa Schneider said there is still work to be done “There are so many moving parts,” Schneider said “Things we thought would be a 100-piece puzzle ended up being 1,000! But we’re continuing to stay focused and determined ”

The reopened beach bar, which first opened at the Lani Kai back in 1978, is offering an affordable lunch menu with many Sun Deck favorites In addition to offering barto-beach service, the resort offers wind and water sports rentals on its beach property along with daily beach furniture rentals, parasailing and other watersports

Every Thursday and Friday, the resort sets up its merchandise stand by the bar with several popular Lani Kai designs, as well as others not available on its website

“It’s another fun way to welcome back our wonderful friends and patrons, and help our continued recovery and rebuild,” Schneider said

The resort is following the footsteps of its founder Bob Conidaris, who first built the Lani Kai in 1978, opening in phases, a little at a time, Schneider said

“Our next phase is to open a batch of guestrooms,

along with another beach bar, the lobby and lobby-level restaurant, and then go from there, a little at a time ”

There is not an official estimate on when the next phase will be ready but Schneider says the hotel’s owners, the Conidaris family, hope it will be soon

“We are so excited to show everyone all that we’ve been working on, and all of the amazing updates and upgrades we’ve done throughout the entirety of our hotel,” Schneider said

The Lani Kai has opened its beach bar and barto beach service.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

The Lani Kai Island Resort is working on preparing to open its guestrooms while it offers lunch and drinks at its beach bar, bar-to-beach service, beach furniture rentals, parasailing and water sport rentals.

Beach Living Back on track at Batiki West

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

“This is a great comeback story,” said Brian Smith, president of the Batiki West Condominium Association

Like many other condo buildings on Fort Myers Beach, Batiki West was uninhabitable for more than a year after Hurricane Ian It needed a new roof It still needs a new elevator

While many other buildings are still waiting to reopen though, Smith has been able to open Batiki West just in time for condo owners to get a taste of spring on Fort Myers Beach again Island pastimes like enjoying Fort Myers Beach Lion’s Club Shrimp Festival were once again renewed at the Estero Boulevard property

“It’s shocking we have gotten this far,” Smith said

Of the 60 units in the building, 37 are now occupied again Another 15 are expected to be reoccupied in the next couple of weeks About 7,000 sheets of drywall have been installed

The place has come a long way since the storm surge from Hurricane Ian flooded much of the first floor and caused a lot of damage, taking out the sidewalks and damaging the pool

Despite the damage, the condo building withstood the onslaught from the Category 5 storm largely intact Located across from the Lani Kai Island Resort, the property is largely shielded from view by landscaping and fencing on prime real estate near the heart of the downtown district Smith thinks if residents had been allowed back on the island quicker, the roof damage could have been temporarily fixed in time to avoid further harm to condominiums inside

That’s in the past though. Smith is looking to a bright future

Smith and the Batiki West are condo owners are fortunate in that they settled with their insurance company on favorable terms something eluding many Fort Myers Beach condo owners “They took care of us,” Smith said “I’m very satisfied ” Smith said their insurance carrier paid out 70% of the insurance funds early on, aiding in the association’s rebuild

“I feel like I am the lone ranger out here,” Smith said “I’m not fighting anybody I’m not fighting the city, the owners, the insurance companies ”

The past 18 months was a stress test that required some heavy duty lifting on Smith’s part that involved him working with contractors and engineers to get the condo building repaired as quickly as possible

He partnered early on with Belfour Restoration to oversee the general contracting

“We were very fortunate to get them the day after the hurricane,” he said, adding if you didn’t start early, you

were’t first in line

At the time Hurricane Ian, most of the condo owners and inhabitants of the building had left though three residences had people staying there. They were all uninjured

Mike Riccio, spends half the year in Pennsylvania and the other half on Fort Myers Beach in a condo in the building, said his 96-year-old dad’s condo in the building was left uninhabitable after Ian

“We lost everything,” Mr Riccio said That included his Chevy Blazer “He loved that thing ”

Both Riccios have now moved back into their condos

The elder Riccio has owned a condo there since the building opened “He lost a lot of personal stuff,” Riccio said “We survived We are lucky that this is just a sec-

ond home I feel bad for people who lost their homes and jobs, everything ”

The younger Riccio said he has been coming to Fort Myers Beach since the 1970’s. It’s where he and his wife honeymooned

Back then, there was not much to do, he said

V i c k i e N e l s o n , t h e a s s o c i a t i o n ’ s v i c e p r e s i d e n t , bought a condo in the building after being a longtime vacation renter She and her husband helped out with repairs at the condo building after Hurricane Ian, assisting in painting the halls and some demo work

Nelson credited West with saving the building and getting it repaired

“Not too many people could sacrifice (nearly) two

See BATIKI WEST, page 9

Batiki West Condominium Association Vice President Vickie Nelson (left) and President Brian Smith (right) helped oversee the reopening of the condo building after repairs to Batiki West along Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach after Hurricane Ian.

Batiki West

From page 8

years of their lives to take care of this,” Nelson said Nelson said Smith’s phone doesn’t stop ringing as he continues to finish up work on the building

In the early months after Hurricane Ian, Smith said he would average getting 60 calls a day

Smith said a friendship with another Fort Myers Beach condo owner, Roger Hamilton, helped both see what was going right and what could go wrong by working together

S m i t h t h a n k e d b o a r d members, renters and owners at Batiki West for a team effort to get the building back open “ T h e y h e l p e d m e through this whole project, t a k i n g m a n y t r i p s d o w n here and have spent endless hours helping,” Smith said “It’s emotional.”

Like most places on Fort Myers Beach, Batiki West still needs an elevator for its seven floors Residents are getting some good exercise in the meantime

“We’re getting there,”

Smith said

The Batiki

West outdoor pool looks as good as new after incurring extensive damage from Hurricane Ian

Securing the seas panel to be held at DiamondHead

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office will hold a “Securing the Seas” event on April 23 at the DiamondHead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach

A panel consisting of the Lee County Sheriff’s Marine Unit, U S Coast Guard and the Lee County Sheriff’s Crime Prevention Unit will present their insights and expertise on topics involving law enforcement on local waterways

lations, burglary and theft prevention

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at t h e D i a m o n d H e a d B e a c h R e s o r t o n 2 0 0 0 E s t e r o Boulevard in Fort Myers Beach

The event aims to shed light on the role law enforcement plays in detecting and disrupting illegal activities such as drugs, human trafficking, new laws, safety regu-

Following the presentations there will be an interactive session where the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with the panelists

“We believe that this event will provide valuable information and foster a better understanding of the efforts being made to ensure the safety of our community,” officials said

Sailing lessons returning to Pink Shell Beach Resort

STAFF REPORT

The Offshore Sailing School will be resuming sailing lessons and courses at the Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina beginning May 2

“We are delighted to return to this favored destination on Fort Myers Beach in our company’s 60th Anniversary year, said Offshore Sailing School President and CEO, Doris Colgate The company s u s p e n d e d o p e r a t i o n s o n F o r t M y e r s Beach due to marina damage at the Pink Shell from Hurricane Ian

“We know our students will enjoy the many enhancements the Pink Shell Beach Resort has made in the past 18 months to its facilities, marina, beachfront pool area, and restaurants overlooking the Gulf of Mexico,” Colgate said

Offshore Sailing School instructors will teach basic sailing lessons, three-day Learn to Sail certification courses, as well as its popular Fast Track to Catamaran Cruising seven-day course, combining learning to sail aboard a Colgate 26 sailboat and training aboard a big yacht, such as a Leopard 40 catamaran The company offers the same courses on Captiva Island at ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa aboard a Colgate 26- and 40-foot monohull yacht

Coastal and Offshore Passage Making c o u r s e s a r e a l s o o f f e r e d a t t h e s e Southwest Florida resort locations Team

building and corporate group sailing and racing events are available at both locations aboard a fleet of Colgate 26 sailb o a t s , d e s i g n e d b y c o m p a n y founder/Chairman Steve Colgate

The school also offers US Sailing certification courses in St Petersburg and Key West, Florida, and Scrub Island in the B r i t i s h V i r g i n I s l a n d s T h e c o m p a n y teaches a US Powerboating certification

Coast Guard Auxiliary announces

T h e F o r t M y e r s B e a c h C o a s t Guard Auxiliary is bringing attention to a new tool to help boaters who may find themselves in emergencies when far off the coast

The National Safe Boating Council is promoting gadgets called 406 MHz beacons through their Saved by the Beacon campaign These beacons are like a life-

line in emergencies at sea, the Coast Guard Auxiliary said in a recent news release

The gadgets work by sending out signals that satellites pick up, helping search and rescue teams find you quickly

The NSBC has books, posters, and even videos that explain how to use

E m e r g e n c y P o s i t i o n I n d i c a t i n g R a d i o

Ostego Bay Foundation to hold oil spill responder class

STAFF REPORT

The Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center will be holding hazardous material technician certification classes for oil spill first responders this month

The classes will be held April 23-25 from 9 a m to 5 p m

The classes on April 23 and April 24

w i l l b e h e l d a t D i v e r s i f i e d Y a c h t Services off Fishermans Wharf on Fort Myers Beach

On Thursday, April 25, the class will be held at Salty Sam’s Marina at 2500

Main St on Fort Myers Beach The eight-hour refresher course will also be held on this day

The cost for the 24-hour course is $350 for members and $400 for nonmembers The cost for the eight-hour refresher is $150 for members and $200 for non-members.

Registration and payment must be made in advance to the Ostego Bay Foundation, 792 Oak St , Fort Myers Beach, 33931

For additional information, contact Joanne Semmer at 239-470-4993

The Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina will host sailing lessons and courses again starting in May

PHOTO PROVIDED

course aboard a Moorings power catamaran from The Moorings base on Tortola, British Virgin Islands Students receive textbooks to study in advance and can earn US Sailing certification to skipper a boat up to 50 feet all in just one week Resort accommodations are included with the sailing course packages and the company also has no-lodging rates for area residents and those with alternate accommodations nearby.

Offshore Sailing School offers all levels of US Sailing and Powerboating certification courses, racing and refresher courses, Women-only sailing courses, racing events, team building and leadership development programs For more information, visit https://www.offshoresailing com/

Saved by the Beacon campaign

Beacons for your boat or Personal Locator B e a c o n s f o r y o u r s e l f a t SavedbytheBeacon com

In these videos, folks like Scott Smiles, John Silverwood, and David Hope share their stories of being saved by these beacons

The NSBC wants to remind everyone to register their beacons with NOAA so

they’re ready to use when needed Southwest Florida Boaters may also learn more about beacons and the Global Maritime Distress System at the Fort M y e r s B o a t A m e r i c a C l a s s o n Responsible Boating on April 20th Learn m o r e a b o u t t h e c l a s s a t https://www aux91fmb org/safeboating/

Beach Kids Foundation announces scholarships

STAFF REPORT

The Beach Kids Foundation is currently accepting scholarship applications for the 2024-25 school year and welcome local college-bound students to apply Every year, the foundation helps as many children as possible, through scholarship funding and through providing families at Beach Elementary School with supplies and other necessities to ensure the healthy growth and development of our youth

To apply, students must live on Fort

Myers Beach or have a parent, grandparent or guardian who lives or works within the Fort Myers Beach area (33931 zip code)

To receive a scholarship application, email chairman Deborah Groll at summerinoh@aol.com. The deadline to submit an application is June 15 Over the years, the Beach Kids Foundation has provided hundreds of Fort Myers Beach students receive college scholarships

Atterholt to appear at chamber ’s power hour

STAFF REPORT

Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt will take part in the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce “Power Hour” at the Roxie this Friday

Atterholt is scheduled to speak at the Roxie from 9 a m to 10 a m to discuss village business with the chamber at their Times Square booth

The chamber’s power hour takes place each Friday morning at Times Square

Rocking for the Arches

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The sounds of country and rock and roll music at the two-day Rock the Arches music and art festival this past weekend was the product of a longtime effort to recreate an arches replica on Fort Myers Beach

At the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers, 11 rock and country bands took the stage, while various vendors catered to crowds in support of the goal to create a mini replica of the famed arches on Fort Myers Beach

The Fort Myers Beach Arches was constructed 100 years ago and stood for more than 50 years as the gateway to Fort Myers Beach and a draw bridge until being bulldozed in 1979 to make way for the Matanzas Pass Bridge

The original arches stood 26-feet high and 104-feet wide while the replica to be built at Bowditch Point Park will be 10-feet and six-inches high, and 20-feet wide

Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches founder Ray McDonald, who now calls Arizona home, organized the festival this past weekend

“It was a little bit below expectations,” McDonald said “When the dust settles, we’ll know ”

W h i l e t h e L e e C o u n t y B o a r d o f C o u n t y Commissioners had at one time supported funding the arches replica, McDonald has committed to fundraising for the work The county has agreed to construct the replica and landscape the park for the arches, while Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches will pay for the construction of the replica along with etched bricks which have been fundraised for

See ARCHES, page 13

NATHAN MAYBERG

Rock the Arches volunteer Sally Cole (left), Vice President Darcy Bowman and founder and president Ray McDonald.

Native Gems & Rock Shop owner Sharon Tinnin

The country and rock band Hillbilly Ryezin played songs from Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tim McGraw and others at the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers as part of the Rock the Arches festival.

Arches From page 12

He has set a goal of $94,217 50 to build the arches using some of the same s t o n e s f r o m t h e o r i g i n a l a r c h e s McDonald said he couldn’t say for certain Sunday where the organization stood in its fundraising since they spent approximately $30,000 for the concert

Meanwhile, work has yet to commence at Bowditch Point Park on the arches replica as the county awaits permission from the Federal Emergency Management t o c o n d u c t m a j o r w o r k a t t h e p a r k , McDonald said McDonald said there is

currently no timeline for when the project will start

“We have been working on this for seven years,” McDonald said Moss Marina pledged to match the amount raised by the organization at the concert and has named their proposed hotel redevelopment on Fort Myers Beach Arches Bayfront.

McDonald said the timing of the festival may have been off, with a concert Saturday night nearby featuring Cheap Trick and REO Speedwagon He said this

was the best weekend for the concert, near the end of season and spring break after a holiday weekend

“There is a lot going on this weekend” he said

“It was not the event I hoped it was to get the arches built,” McDonald said

A m o n g t h e v e n d o r s w e r e D e n n i s

Anderson, owner of Better Cars Service Center in Fort Myers Anderson donated gift baskets that were raffled up for the

festival. Anderson said he wanted to help Fort Myers Beach in its recovery from Hurricane Ian His shop was looted of many of its tools in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian along with one vehicle, he said “We struggled back,” Anderson said “We are trying to help the community "

Asked if there will be another Rock the A r c h e s m u s i c f e s t i v a l n e x t y e a r , McDonald said “I am hoping we don’t need to ”

NATHAN MAYBERG

Paula and Dennis Andersen of Better Cars Service Center in Fort Myers

Kim Pompeo (left) and Rachel Pompeo of Rachel’s Beaded Creations of Estero

Calusa Waterkeeper recognizes champions for clean water

Hannon named Advocate of the Year

C a l u s a W a t e r k e e p e r , a n o n - p r o f i t organization dedicated to the protection, p r e s e r v a t i o n a n d r e s t o r a t i o n o f t h e Caloosahatchee River and its watershed, presented its annual champions for clean water awards to individuals who have worked tirelessly in the fight for clean water

The award presentation took place at the Calusa Waterkeeper’s annual meeting, "Our Water, Our Future, Ours to Protect"

Sunday, March 24, at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village. The featured guest speaker was award-winning conservationist and fishing guide Capt Benny Blanco, who spoke on the state of the water and local residents fight to protect and restore it

T h e g a t h e r i n g b r o u g h t c o m m u n i t y leaders, environmentalists and supporters together to celebrate the organization's achievements over the past year and discuss upcoming initiatives to safeguard the region's vital waterways

Mary Kay Kralapp and Dan Carney were both presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award for their service on the ranger leadership team, development of new curriculum for the ranger program, tabling at public events and assistance in important advocacy initiatives such as the Right to Clean Water bill and Chiquita Lock hearing

Mike Hannon was named Advocate of

the Year for his tireless effort challenging the removal of the Chiquita Lock, providi n g t h o u s a n d s o f p r o - b o n o h o u r s Petitioners maintain that the removal of the lock will have negative impacts on water quality, endangered species and their habitats in the Caloosahatchee estuary

Holly Schwartz received the Friend of Calusa Waterkeeper of the Year Award for the important roles she plays for Southwest Florida advocacy and vigilance of local policy-making and public notices. She was the first to sound the alarm on the surprise proposal to change the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve boundary.

Blanco thanked all guests for being “water warriors” and challenged each of them to continue the vital fight for clean water

The annual meeting and awards luncheon was sponsored in part by Manatee & Eco River Tours, Florida Gulf Coast University, Aubuchon Homes, Wicked D o l p h i n , A r t h u r P r i n t i n g , S u n c o a s t Beverages and Cat Chase Media

Calusa Waterkeeper invites individua l s , b u s i n e s s e s a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n s t o become champions for clean water to support its science-based programs and initiatives that help protect and restore the C a l o o s a h a t c h e e R i v e r , f r o m L a k e Okeechobee to local coastal waters, Boca Grande to Bonita Beach Ongoing projects throughout the year include Vertical Oyster Gardens, Ranger Training, Water Q u a l i t y T e s t i n g a n d A i r Q u a l i t y Monitoring, which focus specifically on water quality’s impact on human health, ecosystems and aquatic life

About Calusa Waterkeeper Inc.

Calusa Waterkeeper Inc is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection, p r e s e r v a t i o n , a n d r e s t o r a t i o n o f t h e Caloosahatchee River and its watershed CWK’s jurisdiction covers four counties in Southwest Florida and encompasses 1 ,

Through advocacy, education, community engagement and science-based programs and research, Calusa Waterkeeper strives to ensure clean water for current and future generations that is drinkable, fishable and swimmable

For more information about Calusa Waterkeeper visit calusawaterkeeper.org or call 239-899-1440

PHOTO PROVIDED

Calusa Waterkeeper Capt Codty Pierce, left, and Board President Chuck Avery, right, present the Advocate of the Year Award to Mike Hannon

Kenneth Savage appointed interim superintendent of

B y M E G H A N B R A D B U RY n e w s @ b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m D r K e n n e t h S a v a g e , t h e c h i e f s t r a t e g y o f f i c e r f o r t h e S c h o o l D i s t r i c t o f L e e C o u n t y , w a s s w o r n i n t o o f f i c e T u e s d a y a s t h e n e w i n t e r i m s u p e r i n t e n d e n t a f t e r t h e s c h o o l b o a r d v o t e d o n a s e p a r a t i o n a g r e e m e n t w i t h D r C h r i s t o p h e r B e r n i e r o n M o n d a y A f t e r t h e o a t h o f o f f i c e w i t h H o n o r a b l e J o h n S . C a r l i n , S a v a g e b e g a n h i s r e m a r k s b y “ g i v i n g a l l g l o r y t o m y c r e a t o r ” “ I w a n t t o t h a n k m y f a m i l y w h o h a s b e e n t h e r e t o s u p p o r t m e b o t h m y f a m i l y a n d m y w i f e ’ s f a m i l y a n d a l s o m y c h i l d r e n w h o g i v e m e t h e i n s p i r a t i o n . T h a t i s w h a t t h e w o r k i s a l l a b o u t , n o t j u s t m y f a m i l y , m y f a m i l y ’ s c h i l d r e n , e v e r y o t h e r c h i l d , a n d f a m i l y o u t t h e r e d e p e n d i n g o n t h e d e c i s i o n s w e m a k e e v e r y d a y T h a t i s t h e t r u e n o r t h o f s o m a n y p e o p l e s i t t i n g i n t h i s r o o m I w a n t t o t h a n k t h e b o a r d W h a t a t r e m e nd o u s o p p o r t u n i t y o f t r u s t t h a t y o u h a v e g i v e n t o m e t o d o t h i s t h e s e c o n d t i m e a r o u n d , ” h e s a i d . “ I a m s o g r a t e f u l f o r y o u r f a i t h , n o t j u s t m e , b u t t h e t e a m w e h a v e a s s e m b l e d a t t h i s d i s t r i c t o f f i c e ” S a v a g e s a i d t h e r e a r e t e a c h e r s o u t t h e r e d o i n g t h e

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School Board approves separation agreement for Bernier

2 0 - w e e k p e r i o d , ” s t a t e d t h e a g r e e m e n t T h e s e p a r a t i o n a g r e e m e n t a l s o i n c l u d e s a 2 0 % c o n t r i b u t i o n t o h i s R e t i r e m e n t I n v e s t m e n t A c c o u n t , a s w e l l a s c o n t r i b u t i o n s f o r h e a l t h a n d o t h e r i n s u ra n c e p r o d u c t s D u r i n g t h i s 2 0 - w e e k p e r i o d , B e r n i e r w i l l s e r v e a s a n a d v i s o r f o r t h e i n t e r i m s u p e r i n t e n de n t “ I f B e r n i e r s e c u r e s o t h e r e m p l o y m e n t a s s u p e r i nt e n d e n t , o r p o s i t i o n a t a c a b i n e t - l e v e l w i t h i n t h e 2 0w e e k s o u t l i n e d h e r e i n , a l l o b l i g a t i o n s u n d e r t h i s a g r e e m e n t s h a l l c e a s e i m m e d i a t e l y , i n c l u d i n g s a l a r y p a y , p a y m e n t o f h e a l t h i n s u r a n c e , a n d r e t i r e m e n t

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M o n d a y d u r i n g t h e s p e c i a l m e e t i n g

schools B y M E G H A N B R A D B U RY n e w s @ b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m T h e S c h o o l B o a r d o f L e e C o u n t y o n M o n d a y a p p r o v e d a s e p a r a t i o n a g r e e m e n t f o r S u p e r i n t e n d e n t D r C h r i s t o p h e r B e r n i e r , w h i c h w e n t i n t o e f f e c t T u e s d a y , a n d k e e p s h i m o n t h e p a y r o l l f o r 2 0 w e e k s “ T h i s c a m e a b o u t v e r y q u i c k l y , o b v i o u s l y , a n d i t w a s u n e x p e c t e d , ” B o a r d C h a i r S a m F i s h e r s a i d ” B o a r d m e m b e r D e b b i e J o r d a n s a i d t h e y h a d t w o d a y s t o t r y t o c o m p r e h e n d e v e r y t h i n g t h a t h a d t a k e n p l a c e i n t h e s e t t l e m e n t “ A s s t e w a r d s o f t h e d i s t r i c t a n d t h e m o n e y , I w a n t t o m a k e s u r e w e a r e d o i n g t h e r i g h t t h i n g , ” s h e s a i d “ I k n o w w e c a n n o t e x p l a i n w h a t h a s t r a n s p i r e d a n d I d o a p p r e c i a t e a l l t h e w o r k D r B h a s d o n e h e r e a t t h e d i s t r i c t ” T h e b o a r d s t a t e d t h a t i t w a s n o t a t e r m i n a t i o n o f B e r n i e r , b u t r a t h e r j u s t a s e p a r a t i o n a g r e e m e n t A c c o r d i n g t o t h e a g r e e m e n t , “ B e r n i e r w i l l r e m a i n o n p a y r o l l f o r 2 0 w e e k s s u b s e q u e n t t o A p r i l 9 ,

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Trailways Camp registration open

Trailways Camp has d registration for campers fo upcoming sessions Camp will be held on Oct 1417, Nov 18-21, Jan 2023 and Feb 17-20 at the R i v e r s i d e R e t r e a t , a t 7305 County Road 78, Labelle. Trailways Camp provides overnight camp ing experiences for adu with special needs Each sion is packed with activities for campers that provide opportunities for fun, creating friendships and establishing connections as a community of diverse individuals To register, visit https://www trailwayscamps org/register/ For more information, contact Camp Director Jamie Senkeleski at trailwayscampsdirector@gmail com

FEMA

From page 1

Hyatt said the town has followed the proper training that FEMA required

Hyatt said at a town council meeting last week that the town had still not been served with an official notice by FEMA of the pending downgrade He said the town was given notice as part of a phone call c o n v e r s a t i o n a t a m e e t i n g i n v o l v i n g FEMA and the other municipalities the previous week. On Monday, Hyatt said the town had received the 30-day notice

Hyatt said the town has been in talks w i t h t h e L e e C o u n t y M a n a g e r D a v e Harner about strategies in responding to

FEMA that could involve filing a lawsuit

"There is a lot of things that are moving very quickly," Hyatt said There have been numerous communications between FEMA and the town since February of 2023, Hyatt said Hyatt s a i d t h o s e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s i n c l u d e d FEMA advising the town to use alternative methods to how it was appraising properties for the purposes of 50/50 rule calculations that determine whether more than 50% of the value of a property has been damaged and would thus need to be built back to newer FEMA codes

Town of Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers said the town has been following FEMA procedures

"We have done everything that was asked of us," Allers said "If we did something wrong, please tell us We will correct it "

T h e “ r e t r o g r a d i n g ” o f F E M A ’ s Community Rating System class from a five to a 10, announced recently by the a g e n c y , r e m o v e d b e n e f i t s r e s i d e n t s receive for their National Flood Insurance Program policies

“We are committed to helping commu-

n i t i e s t a k e a p p r o p r i a t e r e m e d i a t i o n actions to participate in the Community Rating System and remain in good standing with the National Flood Insurance Program,” FEMA said in a release

The Town of Fort Myers Beach, along with the three other communities and Lee County will have an additional 30 days to gather requested documentation to help retain their standing in the Community Rating System The city of Sanibel and Fort Myers were not effected by FEMA’s decision and did not have their ratings downgraded

PHOTO PROVIDED

Audubon ban

four state threatened bird species nest American oystercatchers, black skimmers, least terns and snowy plovers all nest on the island Wilson’s plovers and roseate spoonbills are also among the bird populations Florida Audubon closely monitors due to their population status

Though the Florida Audubon has received letters from some of the property owners and condo association boards rescinding letters that blocked their access to the area near Carlos Pointe and around the critical wildlife area, some properties haven’t signed off on allowing Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers on their beachfront to observe and monitor shorebird nesting The FWC also historically ropes off areas where shorebirds are known to nest Audubon has been partnering with property owners for more than a decade and a stewardship program between property owners and the FWC dates back three decades

“Staff continue to actively work with the community to coordinate on shorebird posting and monitoring activities,” FWC Lt Adam Brown said

Nusbaum said he and other Fort Myers Beach beachfront property owners on the south side of the island have met numerous times with the FWC over the past year “Some landowners have written agreements with FWC and some verbal understandings We are all working to cooperate with each other and move forward,” he said

Though the Island Winds property is much further down from the main section of the critical wildlife area than some other properties involved in blocking Audubon access, it was a popular shorebird nesting site last year

Nusbaum said the reason his condo association barred Florida Audubon last fall was

From page 1

its lawsuit challenging the town council’s approval of the special exception permit

“In support of the town, the property owners on the south end individually contacted the Audubon and told them their members were not welcome on their particular property until the lawsuit was withdrawn,” Nusbaum said

Before the town council approved the special exception permit, Rood and Kroemer had filed lawsuits against the town challenging previous denials of their walkover Rood had also filed an Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuit against the town which was dismissed Kroemer and Rood had at one time also threatened to file a Bert Harris Private Property Rights Protection Act lawsuit against the town and had sued the State of Florida challenging the state’s ownership of the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area As part of the lawsuit settlement with Audubon, Kroemer and Rood agreed to drop their lawsuit against the state.

Rood and Kroemer wrote to neighboring property owners and condo associations in February following the settlement of the lawsuit, encouraging the restoration of property access to Florida Audubon “for the purpose of assisting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s shorebird nesting and seabird monitoring programs ”

In the letter, Rood said “we acknowledge the many benefits the Audubon’s conservation efforts have contributed to the community and look forward to a cooperative relationship with the Audubon moving forward ”

In an email Tuesday responding to questions as to how the effort was going to encourage property owners to rescind letters barring Florida Audubon, Rood said “It’s up

to the Audubon going forward to repair their relationships with the property owners "

“As a member of the MERTF committee, I have always stated my goal is to find a workable balance between environmental and property owner concerns I believe the agreement that was reached by the two parties involved was just such a compromise,” Nusbaum said “The property owners on the south end got involved to support our neighbors and our town Apparently, it helped bring both parties to the table and reach a compromise Which in the end, is what we all strive for ”

Nusbaum, along with Bill Althoff, was

one of two Fort Myers Beach condo board presidents who were voted onto MERTF last fall by the town council despite not being registered to vote in town at the time of their appointments Nusbaum and Althoff replaced town residents Gregory Fossum and Wendy DeGaetano on the MERTF board after several split votes by the council

Under the terms of the settlement, Kroemer and Rood agreed to close the boardwalk if an imperiled bird nest is found within 150 feet of the bridge Florida Audubon was also allowed access to the Gulf side of the Kroemer and Rood property

FILE PHOTOS Island Winds Condominium Association President Dave Nusbaum, stands along the expansive beachfront property of the condo association facing the Gulf of Mexico The association has lifted its ban on Florida Audubon from using the property to monitor shorebird nests

Snowy plovers, one of the most threatened bird species in Florida, nest on Fort Myers Beach.

WHERE TO GO WHAT TO DO WHO TO SEE

Mighty Mussels announce fireworks dates, giveaways

Co mmu nity Foun dation bringing casin o nigh t fundraising ga la to DiamondHead

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation, integral to the recovery efforts on Fort Myers Beach after Hurricane Ian and to helping those devastated with a lifeline through gift cards and other assistance, is bringing back its annual gala with some lighthearted casino fun

The Fort Beach Community Foundation will be presenting "Viva Las Vegas" on Saturday, April 13 at the DiamondHead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach

The event starts at 6:30 p m and will run until about 9:30 p.m.

This is the first gala the Community Foundation has held since before the covid pandemic The organizers promise this year’s annual fundraiser will be a fun and entertaining evening of high stakes, high style and high rolling at the “King’s Casino” at DiamondHead Beach Resort to benefit the Community Foundation

" T h e C o m m u n i t y F o u n d a t i o n h e l d a G a l a a t DiamondHead for many years, until covid," Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation member Kelly Smith "We’re excited to be bringing it back with this new twist," Smith said

Held in partnership with the King Family Foundation, the event will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, live music, and casino gaming Players are encouraged to wear their fun Vegas attire Registration begins at 6 p m with gaming tables open at 6:30 p m The event will have signature cocktails at the swanky cash bar

There will be three-card poker, roulette, blackjack and a signature drink the "Dean Martini" and other special drinks Those who win the most at the tables will be eligible for the most raffle tickets for gift baskets "There will be lots of special surprises," Smith said Smith said the gala will help raise funds for the foundation to aid in the organization's distribution to local nonprofits in May, along with its scholarship fund There were six applicants for scholarships this year The foundation has also contributed $68,000 to an endowment at Florida Southwestern State College

The foundation's final meeting of the season will be May 7 in a skybox at Florida Southwestern State College's arena

The foundation has been raising funds through its sale of #WeAreFMB merchandise every Friday at the Fort Myers Beach Farmer's Market at Times Square and more recently with a pickleball tournament in conjunction with the town at Bay Oaks.

The foundation is also working on a new cookbook

Most recently, the foundation was honored with an award from Keep Lee County Beautiful as the outstanding site captain for its efforts in the Great American Cleanup

The foundation stepped up during Hurricane Ian along with the Fort Myers Beach Woman's Club to help raise more than $900,000 to provide needy Fort Myers Beach residents with gift cards During covid, the foundation raised more than $60,000 to aid island workers who were out of work

Tickets for Saturday's gala are $100 per person and includes “$2,000″ in gaming chips Tickets are only available online for the event. To purchase tickets, visit https://fmbcommunityfoundation com/ Those unable to attend can also donate to the foundation online

"It's a way for the community to come together," Smith said

Janeen Paulauskis, of the Barefoot Event Group, is helping to organize the event

“Barefoot Event Group is excited to once again be w o r k i n g w i t h t h e F o r t M y e r s B e a c h C o m m u n i t y

Due to the damage from Hurricane Ian to local homes and the inability of many foundation members to return to their condos, not every foundation member has been able to return to partaking in the group's activities "They still want to be a part of the community foundation, staying involved from afar," Smith said In addition, Smith said the foundation has gained new memberships

Foundation on their annual fundraising campaign This will be their first annual fundraiser since January of 2020," Paulauskis said Paulauskis said she hopes the community can attend "a night of fun, friendship and fundraising "

There will be live music from Deano and Miravella with the sounds of “old Vegas” songs by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley

“We are grateful to the King Family Foundation, DiamondHead Beach Resort, Dr Nancy Bouchard, along with the many businesses who have donated to our prize baskets," Paulauskis said There was also a generous anonymous donor to help make the event possible

Paulauskis can be reached at 239-208-5574 for more information or sponsorship opportunities

Mighty Mussels announce fireworks dates, giveaways

The Fort affiliate of th dates for 13 p fan giveawa baseball seas Fireworks night sky af game, with t n i c s s h o w b e i n g h e l d July 4 as pa t e a m I n d e p e n d e D a y c e l e b r tion Nearly e v e r y S a t u r d a y home game f e a t u r e s g i v a w a y s o f

M u s s e l s - b swag

“We want walk away f Stadium at t

United Way joins forces with Mighty Mussels for Star Wars fundraiser

U

e F o

M y e r s M i g h t y Mussels are joining forces in a galaxy not so far, far away for an exciting ‘Star W a r s ’ - t h e m e d b a s e b a l l g a m e a n d fundraiser on Saturday, April 27

United for a Cause, taking place at Hammond Stadium, will feature costume character appearances and specialty jerseys worn by Mussels players. Jerseys will be available for auction to benefit United Way

Gates for the game open at 5 p m with first pitch at 6:05 p m

Tickets start at $15 00 at https://fevoenterprise com/event/UnitedLee and for every ticket sold, $5 00 will be donated to United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades

Enjoy a great night of baseball under the lights with family and friends, all for a worthy cause Sponsorships are still available! If you are interested, please contact Barbara Alderson at 239-600-6283 or BAlderson@UnitedWayLee org

The For t Myers Beach Obser ver & Beach Bulletin welcomes news from our community! Send news tips & releases to news@breezenewspapers.com

m e t h i n g it could e a soue n i r , u l b a l l , M u s s e l s swag or j u s t

m e m of a great h family ds,” said M u s s e l s s Peters. launch ght field of the e games ows will dates:

∫ June 14

∫ June 28

∫ July 4 (Independence Day)

∫ July 5

∫ July 12

∫ Aug 2

∫ Aug 16

∫ Aug 30

Giveaway quantities are limited and presented to early-arriving fans for select Saturday games, including:

∫ April 5: Magnet schedule

∫ April 6: Tank top (fans 21+)

∫ April 27: Replica jersey

∫ June 1: Camo hat

∫ June 15: Grilling apron

∫ June 29: Coin bank

∫ July 6: Red, white and blue hat

∫ July 13: Pit viper sunglasses

∫ Aug 3: Pickleball paddle

∫ Aug 17: Pennant (fans 21+)

Mighty Mussels tickets start at $10 and are available at MightyMussels com

Southwest Florida Symphony, cellist Sterling Elliott to perform ‘Cryptic Symphony’

The Southwest Florida Symphonyis excited to announce acclaimed cellist Sterling Elliott will perform the final Masterworks concert of the season on

Saturday, April 13.

Conducted by Maestro Radu Paponiu, “Cryptic Symphony” celebrates the transformative power of music, delighting both long-time aficionados and newcomers to t h e s y m p h o n i c s c e n e w i t h a j o u r n e y through diverse musical landscapes that will captivate and inspire. The concert opens with the contemporary allure of Ke-chia Chen’s “Ebbs and Flows,” which masterfully captures the r h y t h m i c d a n c e o f t h e o c e a n ’ s t i d e s t h r o u g h i t s e x p r e s s i v e m e l o d i e s . T h e evening then brings the spotlight onto Elliott, whose cello breathes life into Tchaikovsky’s “Variations on a Rococo Theme ” This piece, known for its ele-

gance and lyrical beauty, is elevated by Elliott’s emotive and nuanced performance, offering a rare blend of virtuosity and grace After a reflective intermission, the profound intensity of Shostakovich’s “Symphony No 5 in D minor” will provide a powerful statement of resilience, dramatic narrative and emotional depth It’s a work that resonates with the enduring human spirit, making for a deeply moving musical experience

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers

The Southwest Florida Symphony’s Masterworks series is sponsored by Uhler Vertich White Advisors and the Thomas Kooyumjian Foundation

To purchase tickets or learn more, visit swflso org/tickets/

Grampy’s Charities Tennis Tournament at Beachview Tennis Club to benefit LARC

Grampy’s Charities, an organization that raises funds to support organizations transforming children’s lives, is presenting The Beachview Tennis Club Open Doubles T o u r n a m e n t t o b e n e f i t t h e L e e A s s o c i a t i o n f o r Remarkable Citizens (LARC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)

The event will be held on Saturday, April 27, for men’s and women’s doubles 3 0, 3 5, and 4 0 and on Sunday, April 28, for mixed doubles 3 0, 3 5, and 4 0 at The Beachview Tennis Club, 1101 Par View Drive, Sanibel Island

The entry fee is $100 per person for Saturday or Sunday or $150 for combined Saturday and Sunday play per person All entrants will receive t-shirts and lunch on Saturday and Sunday Winners and runners-up will receive awards

The tournament provides participants with a fun and meaningful way to contribute to an important cause while enjoying a day of outdoor recreation

Beachview Tennis Club is conveniently located near the Gulf of Mexico on Sanibel Island The picturesque facility has five HydroGrid clay courts

“LARC has been making an impact in Southwest Florida for 70 years,” said Angela Katz, Executive

Director of LARC “LARC is committed to providing vocational training, residential services, and community inclusion programs aimed at helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) lead fulfilling lives

By participating in the tournament or becoming sponsors, individuals, and businesses can directly contribute to LARC’s mission of empowering individuals with IDD to achieve their full potential

“I chose LARC to benefit from this tournament

because I feel it is important to support local nonprofits, especially those like LARC,” said Toni Halski, tennis pro and owner of Beachview Tennis Club. “They play a critical role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities in Southwest Florida

LARC serves more than 300 individuals annually, and participants range from 14 to 81 Its main campus is located at 2570 Hanson Street, Fort Myers LARC also operates two Residential Group Homes in Fort Myers and Cape Coral

Contact Toni Halski at 239-472-9099 to register for the tournament

For sponsorship information, contact Nickole Hendra at 239-334-6285 x 229 or nickolehendra@larcleecounty.org or visit www.larcleecounty.org/tennis.

About LARC

Established in 1954, LARC is a training center for success for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities LARC serves more than 300 individuals annually, and participants range from 14 to 81

LARC offers vocational training, youth programs, community residential and employment services, and a wide array of other state-of-the-art community inclusion services on a full-time, year-round basis Its main campus is located at 2570 Hanson Street, Fort Myers LARC also operates two Residential Group Homes

Sofia Talvik to grace the stage at ACMA April 13

Get ready for an enchanting evening of music, Fort Myers! Folk/Americana artist

Sofia Talvik will be gracing the stage at t h e A m e r i c a n a C o m m u n i t y M u s i c Association (ACMA), on Friday, April 13 at 7 p m Returning for her second performance at this esteemed venue, Sofia is excited to reconnect with the audience and share her heartfelt melodies once again

Born and raised in Sweden, Sofia's musical journey has taken her across 48 states, shaping her unique sound with influences from coast to coast With her captivating melodies and heartfelt story-

telling, Sofia promises an engaging and memorable performance

ACMA, known for its dedication to promoting Americana music and fostering a sense of community, provides the ideal backdrop for Sofia's concert ACMA is committed to supporting original independent music and musicians with programs that expand community appreciation and education while fostering the crea t i v i t y a n d d i v e r s i t y t h a t i n f l u e n c e

A m e r i c a n a a n d R o o t s m u s i c S o f i a expressed her excitement, saying, "I'm thrilled to be back at ACMA for another

performance It's always a pleasure to see familiar faces in the audience and share my music with this wonderful community "

Opening the evening is local artist Kim Mayfield, featuring her original music Better known as half of the Americana duo Reckless Saints along with husband Roy Schneider, Kim Mayfield's music has been described as “haunted by Patsy Cline. Together Sofia and Kim will offer a one of a kind concert experience

For Fort Myers residents seeking an a u t h e n t i c m u s i c a l e x p e r i e n c e , S o f i a

Talvik's concert at ACMA is not to be missed Come and enjoy an evening of great music in a welcoming and intimate setting, surrounded by friends old and new

For more information or to purchase t i c k e t s v i s i t https://www americanacma org/ Tickets are $12 for ACMA members and $18 for general public

The the Americana Community Music Association is at 2756 McGregor Blvd , Fort Myers

Unique summer camps offered at Edison and Ford Winter Estates

Edison and Ford Winter Estates is offering several summer camp options for children in grades K-5 Students are separated into groups according to grade level (K-2 and 3-5) The camps are educational and focus on science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM), and incorporate fun activities. Campers get to invent, design, build, and learn in the same location where famous inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford invented some of the world's best-known products Summer camp starts on June 3 and runs from 9 a m to 4 p m daily

Most of the camps are available for both age groups; camps for younger students are less complex Summer camp is sponsored by Captains for Clean Water, Fred and Gingy Quinn, Scientists' Society o f S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a , a n d T r i C i r c l e Pavers Additional sponsorships are available Camp options are listed below

Camps:

∫ Kitchen Chemistry

June 3-7

Ordinary kitchen ingredients will be used to conduct science experiments and campers will learn about chemistry and reactions

∫ Fundamental Physics

June 10-14

From the sound waves of the phonograph

to the mystery of light in a bulb, this camp explores the wild world of physics Campers will learn how to conduct experiments and learn about the world around them

∫ Wired Wizardry

June 17-21

Students will learn why Edison was called “the Wizard of Electricity” in this exciting camp In this crash course of electronics, campers learn about watts, amps, volts, and the power of circuits The week concludes with campers designing a light system in their own miniature model house

∫ LEGO Explorers

June 24-28

Campers will explore rapid prototyping and mechanical designs using LEGOs They will also begin to explore robotics using modular LEGO parts

∫ Space and Rockets

July 1-3

This camp is part space science, and part rocket science Campers will learn about their place in the universe as they design and launch a water-powered rocket

∫ Roving Robotics

July 8-12

Campers will combine mechanics with code as they solve a variety of challenges K-2 Campers will design interactive moving models using motors, lights, and savvy coding Campers in 3rd-5th grade

will tackle the most recent LEGO competition field as they learn alongside Edison Ford robotics coaches who will teach the tricks of the trade

∫ Innovation and 3D Design

July 15-19

Students will learn how to design anything by using CAD (computer aided design) and a 3D printer They will learn how to think and design in 3D as their creations take shape

∫ Mechanical Marvels

July 22-26

C a m p e r s w i l l l e a r n a b o u t s i m p l e machines, mechanical advantages, and gear systems in this fast-moving camp

∫ Art and Creativity

July 29 – August 2

Students will unleash their creativity through various art forms such as painting, sculpting, and mixed media They will also create their own art exhibition

∫ Code Camp (Grades 3-5 only)

August 5-9

Campers will explore the world of code as they develop their own program in Scratch, a word block coding language They will learn new skills each day that can be added to their library of code, allowing them to develop their own original programs

∫ Eager Engineers (Grades K-2 only)

August 5-9

T h i s c a m p i s f o c u s e d o n S T E M (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education It offers a range of activities and experiences designed to s p a r k c u r i o s i t y , f o s t e r c r e a t i v i t y , a n d develop critical thinking skills

Camp Pricing

Three-day camps are $135 for Edison Ford members and $150 for non-members Five-day camps are $225 for Edison Ford members and $250 for non-members

Scholarships Available

Support from private donors make it possible for the Estates to offer one scholarship for each camp A committee will determine scholarship eligibility based on financial need so that underprivileged children can experience camp The deadline to apply for a scholarship is two weeks before the desired camp Parents or guardians can apply through the website a t h t t p s : / / w w w e d i s o n f o r d w i n t e r e s t a t e s org/education/camps/

Throughout the year, other camps and classes are offered when school is closed, including one-day camps and spring and w i n t e r b r e a k E d i s o n F o r d m e m b e r s receive a discounted rate For registration and additional information, visit edisonford org

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Florida Rep presents:

Hank Williams - Lost Highway

Florida Repertory Theatre will stage “Hank Williams: Lost Highway,” by Randal Myler and Mark Harelik, through April 14, in the Historic Arcade Theatre Tickets start at $69. Tickets may be purchased online at www floridarep org or by calling the box office at 239332-4488 or toll-free at 877-787-8053

Evening performances are offered at 7 p m Tuesday through Saturday Matinee performances are offered at 2 p m on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays Plus, all new this season, 2 p m matinees on 2nd and 3rd Fridays (Arcade Theatre productions only) Florida Rep's parking lot opens 2 hours before each performance and offers guests Free parking across the street from the Arcade Theatre

Florida Repertory Theatre is at 2268 Bay St, Fort Myers

Garden Tea Party at Edison and Ford Winter Estates April 11

In celebration of Clara Ford's birthday, Edison and Ford Winter Estates will hold a garden tea party on April 11, from 2-4 p m History character, "Clara Ford," will talk about the ongoing restoration of her summer home, Fair Lane in Dearborn, Michigan while sharing some insights into her life with Henry and how she used her gardens to promote her favorite charities

Finger sandwiches, choices of hot and cold tea, and pastries will be prepared and served by the onsite Banyan Café (included in ticket cost) There will also be a silent auction of original artwork on antique glass Clara will be available for photos Proceeds will help restore the gardens on the Ford estate property at Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers

Registration is required online at EdisonFord org Tickets are $50 for Edison Ford members and $65 for non-members The tea party will be held in the garden space next to Thomas Edison's caretaker's house Guests are encouraged to dress for a tea party, with dresses and garden hats

Edison and Ford Winter Estates is at 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.

Foodie aler t: Big Green EGGfest

to be held in Bonita Springs April 13

The fifth annual Sunshine Ace Hardware Big Green EGGfest will be held April 13 at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs, where BBQ-lovers will celebrate the art of grilling while bestowing the title of Grill Master to their favorite local chefs

The family-friendly event includes all-you-can-eat food samplings, grilling demonstrations, live music, beer, wine and hard seltzer drinks Attendees also serve as judges for amateur and professional chefs who must use a Big Green Egg to prepare meats, vegetables and side dishes for a culinary competition Big Green Egg is a multi-functional ceramic charcoal barbecue cooker that can be used as a grill, oven or smoker

EGGfest beneficiaries in 2024 include Northside Naples Kiwanis Club, United Way of Collier and the Keys, The Foundation of Bonita Beach Sunset Rotary a n d G r e a t e r N a p l e s C h a m b e r ’ s L e a d e r s h i p C o l l i e r Foundation

Big Green EGGfest will be held from 11 a m to 3 p m on Saturday, April 13 at Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St. in Bonita Springs.

TASTER TICKETS: Tickets are $20 and include entrance to the event, food samples and three votes for the People’s Choice Award VIP tickets are $50 and include entrance, food samples, three votes, an open bar and access to VIP Pavillion with seating Children under age 11 do not require a ticket Taster tickets are available at SunshineAceEGGfest com/register and allow tasters to direct their donation to one of the four event beneficiaries

CHEF REGISTRATION: Amateur chefs, home cooks and nonprofits can register for $25 Registration for professional chefs, which includes trained chefs, caterers and restauranteurs, is $150 Chefs can enter with a team of up to three other individuals as sous chefs and servers Chefs can earn prize packages and titles of EGGhead Grill Master Pro, EGGhead Grill Master Amateur and People’s Choice Award winner

SPONSORSHIPS: Sunshine Ace Hardware is the title sponsor; BKS Partners, PBS Contractors, Florida Gulf Coast University and Lee Health are Head Chef sponsors; NCH Healthcare System is the Grill Master Elite sponsor; and KGT Remodeling, Sauna House Bonita Springs, Priority Marketing and Milwaukee Tool are Sous Chef sponsors Additional sponsorships are available starting at $500 and include event tickets, an opportunity to provide items for swag bags and public recognition

COOKING CLASSES: A trio of talented chefs – Asif R Syed, Ron Dimpfmaier and Shannon Morgan – will lead demo cooking classes during Big Green EGGfest F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , p l e a s e v i s i t SunshineAceEGGfest com

‘Grow

Fort Myers’ Plant Sale and Workshops at Edison and Ford Winter Estates April 13

On April 13, Edison and Ford Winter Estates will hold it's annual "Grow Fort Myers" Plant Sale and Workshops event This community-oriented program provides an opportunity for summer gardeners to learn new ways to enhance their gardening experiences, and find some unique plants to add to their gardens

The workshops will start at 9:30 a m and will take place on the museum porch, near the Garden Shoppe There is no charge to attend the plant sale; however, a ticket is required to attend the workshops

Workshop schedule:

∫ 9:30 a m – Growing Summer Edibles

This year, ECHO North American Impact Center, located in North Fort Myers, will share their knowledge on growing edibles Southwest Florida's sub-tropical climate is ideally suited to their efforts as the largest percentage of the world’s population lives between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer ECHO will teach participants which edibles will do well during the summer months with tips and recommendations They will also have seeds and plants available for purchase

∫ 10:30 a m – Filling the Summer Vase from your own Garden

This program will be presented by Debbie Hughes, Director of Horticulture at Edison and Ford Winter Estates She will discuss how to select cut flowers and foliage from a home garden for a summer arrangement She will also discuss container selection, tips on conditioning the flowers and foliage, new trends, and offer some unique ideas

∫ 11:30 a m – Lunch break; food trucks on site

∫ 12:30 p m – The Fascinating World of Aroids

Owner and horticulturist, Kelly Alexander from Plant Love 4 Me will share her knowledge on aroids Guests will learn about the best growing tips from an international grower known for selecting the best and rarest aroids She will provide an overview of the plants and explain what makes them so interesting and appealing to collectors Many aroids can be grown outdoors in Southwest Florida; however, she will provide tips on how to grow these plants indoors as well. Plants will be available for sale to suit beginners as well as experts

∫ 1:30 p m – Meet the Favorite Plants of Edison Ford Horticulturists

The horticulture team at Edison and Ford Winter Estates will present this program The team propagates and maintains hundreds of tropical plants and trees at the Estates Each year, new hybrids are introduced, new pests can interfere, and weather challenges can frustrate the most seasoned horticulturists There are a few plants and trees that have risen to favorite status The team is going to provide insight into the tried-and-trues based on firsthand experience. This is a great program for not only experienced gardeners but will help new-to-Florida gardeners get a solid footing when creating or amending an inherited garden

ECHO North America Impact Center, the Cocolobba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, and Plant Love 4 Me will all have plants available for sale The Garden Shoppe at the Estates will be fully stocked with an enormous selection of plants and garden décor for summer gardening The Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and the Lee County Master Gardeners will both have information tables

Tickets may be purchased online at EdisonFord org or at the ticket counter. Tickets do not include admission to the museum, lab or riverside of the property Guests are encour-

aged to bring their own garden cart, as only a limited number will be available Event tickets are $20 for Edison Ford members; $30 for non-members (the ticket provides access to the four workshops)

Edison and Ford Winter Estates is at 2350 McGregor Blvd , Fort Myers

Pace Center for Girls, Lee to host

16th annual Grande Dames Tea April 18

Pace Center for Girls, Lee has announced its 16th annual Grande Dames Tea, taking place from 1 to 3 p m on Thursday, April 18 at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd in Fort Myers

Each year, Pace’s Grande Dames Tea honors women who exemplify the organization’s guiding principles and have made a significant impact through their roles in business, community and philanthropy The inspirational event recognizes the unique perspectives and powerful insights that these women have gained throughout their life journeys, and the importance of passing this knowledge along to future generations With the event’s theme, “The Wisdom of Time – Honoring the Female Spirit,” honorees will share their wisdom during a Q&A session led by the young women of Pace Guests will also enjoy special performances by the Pace girls, and a raffle featuring an array of packages from local businesses

The 16th annual event is co-chaired by Jennifer Nelson and Holly Wilson The 2024 Grande Dames honorees will be announced in the coming weeks

A Friends of Pace table for six is available for $600 S p o n s o r s h i p o p p o r t u n i t i e s a r e a v a i l a b l e , i n c l u d i n g Presenting sponsor for $10,000, Golden Teacup sponsor f o r $ 7 , 5 0 0 , S i l v e r T e a c u p s p o n s o r f o r $ 5 , 0 0 0 , Fascinator sponsor for $2,500, Silver Teaspoon sponsor for $1,500 and in-kind sponsorships

Proceeds from the event benefit Pace Lee and its strength-based programs that guide Pace girls in finding their voice and achieving their potential Programs are based on the belief that all girls and young women, regardless of race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status, should be uniquely cared for, supported and encouraged to become the best versions of themselves through a path of healing and recovery

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit P a c e C e n t e r o r g / L o c a t i o n s / F l o r i d a / L e e / 2 0 2 4 - G r a n d eDames-Tea or call 239-425-2366.

Nice Guys Production and Seminole

C a s i n o t o p re s e n t F a k e f e s t A p r i l 2 0 G e t r e a d y t o r o c k a n d r o l l a s N i c e G u y s P r o d u c t i o n a n d S e m i n o l e C a s i n o H o t e l I m m o k a l e e p r e s e n t F a k e f e s t , a n e l e c t r i f y i n g o u t d o o r t r i b u t e c o n c e r t e v e n t f e a t u r i n g s o m e o f t h e b e s t t r i b u t e b a n d s i n t h e n a t i o n , o n S a t u r d a y , A p r i l 2 0 , f r o m 2 t o 1 0 : 3 0 p m F a k e f e s t a l s o w i l l f e a t u r e f o o d t r u c k s a n d c r a f t v e n d o r s A d m i s s i o n a n d p a r k i n g a r e f r e e P r e p a r e f o r a n u n f o r g e t t a b l e m u s i c a l j o u r n e y w i t h a l i n e u p t h a t i n c l u d e s t o p - t i e r t r i b u t e b a n d s , e a c h p a y i n g

h o m a g e t o i c o n i c r o c k l e g e n d s : ∫ K i d K e n t u c k y a n d t h e A m e r i c a n B a d a s s B a n d ( T r i b u t e t o K i d R o c k ) : K i d K e n t u c k y a n d t h e

A m e r i c a n B a d a s s B a n d e m b o d y t h e s p i r i t a n d e n e r g y o f K i d R o c k ' s i c o n i c p e r f o r m a n c e s W i t h a c h a r i s m a ti c f r o n t m a n a n d a p o w e r h o u s e e n s e m b l e , t h e y d e l i v e r a h i g h - o c t a n e s h o w t h a t c a p t u r e s t h e e s s e n c e o f K i d R o c k ' s r e b e l l i o u s r o c k a n d r o l l s t y l e ∫ H a r d w i r e d ( T r i b u t e t o M e t a l l i c a ) : H a r d w i r e d i s a t r i b u t e b a n d d e d i c a t e d t o t h e l e g e n d a r y m e t a l p i on e e r s , M e t a l l i c a W i t h p r e c i s i o n a n d p a s s i o n , t h e y r e c r e a t e t h e t h u n d e r o u s s o u n d a n d e l e c t r i f y i n g s t a g e p r e s e n c e t h a t M e t a l l i c a i s k n o w n f o r B r a c e y o u r s e l f f o r a h e a d b a n g i n g e x p e r i e n c e t h a t w i l l t r a n s p o r t y o u b a c k t o t

What about a dog park on Fort Myers Beach! Happy Nellie

By ISABELLE WELLS

Co-founder of the Find a Home, Give a Home pet rescue organization of Fort Myers Beach

Last Monday, on April 1, I went to the Town Council and thought it might be a great idea to have a dog park on Fort Myers Beach Since we are in the re-planing phase of some part of the island it is a good time now to think about our furry friends There are dogs parks everywhere in every cities and sometimes there are multiple It would be so great to go for a playtime especially when you don’t have a fenced yard I bring my foster and personal dogs to the dog park in Bonita Springs every day, what a treat to see them playing! I know there is dog beach but many dogs there should not be there and I have seen some people drinking and not taking care of their dogs I only go very early in the morning If you are interested in helping us m a k e t h i s h a p p e n p l e a s e c a l l o r t e x t Isabelle at 239-281-0739

Tanner

Tanner is such a sweet heart He was confiscated after his owner was found deceased Great with dogs and loves people This little guy is 26 pounds and will be a great addition to your family

Call or text Isabelle at 239-2810739.

Nellie is a great girl who spent the first seven y e a r s o f h e r l i f e i n a house full of urine and c o - h a b i t a t e d w i t h 1 3 other dogs. She is a 7 year old Lab mix, 48 pounds, who needs a home She will be best being the only child after what she experienced Very affect i o n a t e , s h e i s h o u s e trained and very friendly

C a l l o r t e x t 2 3 9 - 2 8 10739

Saving others!

We just took others in our rescue All were scheduled to be euthanized and will be in need of a home very soon

Happy is 2 years old- Shepherd- Call or text 239-2810739

A special thanks to fundraiser volunteers

fundraiser volunteers who helped on March 22 and also at the latest on April 5 It is a lot of work setting up silent and quarter auctions a big thanks to the following who worked at the auctions: Debbie H , Joy, Terri, Deb P , Kris and our auctioneer Dennis.

Also a special thank you to Chris, Mgr Liki Tiki and all his staff who made us so welcome

Nan and Fran

Nan and Fran are 2-year-old female tuxedo cats that are also siblings They are very sweet and affectionate They love to be around people and are good with other cats also They do need to be adopted together as are very bonded Call 239-851-3485 if you would like to meet them

Imperiled Beach Nesting Birds (IBNB)

Ft Myers Beach and the CWA

i d e l i n e t o p r o t e c t i m p e r i l e d

b i r d s g o e s i n t o e f f e c t A t i t s J u l y 2 0 2 2 m e e t i n g , t h e

From page 24 I

∫ C h i c k s u r v i v a l d e c r e a s e s w h e n h u m a n a c t i v i t y i n c r e a s e s

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S i t e

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Bill Althoff Shoreline Spotlight

∫ H a r m i n c l u d e s s i g n i f i c a n t h a b i t a t m o d i f i c a t i o n a s w e l l a s i n j u r y o r m o r t a l i t y

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S i t e s , k e e p i n g t h e s e s p e c i e s f r o m b r e e d i n g o r r e a r i n g b r o o d s

W h a t c a n re s i d e n t s d o ?

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E n v i r o n m e n t a l s u c c e s s e s t h i s y e a r :

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∫ T u r t l e h a t c h i n g - 7 1 n e s t s w i t h 5 9 h a t c h e d f o r a n 8 1 % s u c c e

What’s Happening

Youths Foundation (GYF) to provide aid and assistance, support and critical resources to people in need across the globe Each year GYF programs serve hundreds of young people, seniors, families, and communities with transformative outreach initiatives supporting health and education, sports and arts, community-building and fundamental social services. For more information, visit ghettoyouthsfoundation org

S e m i n o l e C a s i n o H o t e l I m m o k a l e e i s a t 5 0 6 S o u t h

1 s t S t , I m m o k a l e e

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S e m i n o l e C a s i n o H o t e l I m m o k a l e e w i l l h o s t c o u nt r y m u s i c e n t e r t a i n e r B i l l y C u r r i n g t o n p e r f o r m i n g l i v e F r i d a y , M a y 3 1 a t 8 p m T i c k e t s f o r t h i s o u t d o o r c o n -

c e r t s t a r t a t $ 5 2 . 5 0 a n d a r e a v a i l a b l e f r o m

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S t e p h e n M a r l e y B r i n g s H i s ‘ O l d S o u l To u r

U n p l u g g e d ’ w i t h S p e c i a l G u e s t I n n e r

C i rc l e t o S e m i n o l e C a s i n o H o t e l M a y 4

Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee welcomes eight-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter/producer Stephen Marley and his “Old Soul Tour Unplugged” with special guest Inner Circle Saturday, May 4 at 8 p.m., with gates opening at 7 p m Advance tickets for this outdoor concert are available from Ticketmaster or at http://www moreinparadise com starting at $55 Parking is free

$1 of every ticket will benefit the mission of Ghetto

T i c k e t m a s t e r o r a t w w w m o r e i n p a r a d i s e c o m P a r k i n g i s f r e e P o s s e s s i n g o n e o f t h e s m o o t h e s t a n d m o s t d i s t i n c -

t i v e v o i c e s i n a n y g e n r e o f

Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee welcomes legendary bass player, songwriter and vocalist of The Moody Blues and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Lodge as he “Performs Days of Future Passed” Friday,

g o v e r n m e n t d o ? ∫ E d u c a t e l o c a l s - M E R F T p o p u p i s g r e a t t o o l . ∫ S t r o n g e d u c a t i o n p o s t i n g s f o r v i si t o r s f o r k n o w l e d g e a n d a w a r e n e s s ∫ A c t i v e c o n s e r v a t i o n e d u c a t i o n & o u t r e a c h p r o g r a m ∫ F o s t e r r e c r e a t i o n a l p r a c t i c e s c o mp a t i b l e w i t h w i l d l i f e ∫ P o l l l o c a l p r o p e r t y o w n e r s - a s s e s s w h a t i s r i g h t o r n e e d s c h a n g e ∫ M a r k e t e c o - t o u r i s m o r b i r d i n g t o u r i s m ∫ O b t a i n a ‘ b i r d f r i e n d l y ’ d e s i g n at i o n ∫ E n c o u r a g e v i s i t o r s t o p r a c t i c e w i l d l i f e f r i e n d l y b e a c h e t i q u e t t e

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∫ M a n a g e h a b i t a t f o r m a x i m u m b e n e f i t I B N B

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s a n d y b e a c h f o r n e s t i n g

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m e n t s

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A g e n c i e s ( F W C ) n e e d p r o p e r t y o w n e r p e r m i s s i o n f o r

m g m t a u t h o r i t y o r c o n s e r v a t i o n e a s e m e n t

∫ O b t a i n t h e p r o p e r p e r m i t s , e s p e c i a l l y f o r ‘ t a k e ’

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S e a b i r d s , a n d t u r t l e p r o g r a m s r e l a t e d t o h u m a n a c t i v it i e s a n d v e g e t a t i o n m a n a g e m e n t W o r k w i t h T o w n o f

F M B e n v i r o n m e n t a l i s t a n d s t a f f t o d e v e l o p t h e b e s t

s i t e s p e c i f i c p l a n s f o r t h e p r o p e r t y o w n e r a n d w i l d l i f e W e n e e d a b a l a n c e d a p p r o a c h f o r h a r m o n i o u s c o e x i st e n c e b e t w e e n p e o p l e a n d o u r n a t u r a l e n v i r o n m e n t

B i l l A l t h o f f , M a r i n e & E n v i r o n m e n t a l R e s o u r c e

T a s k F o r c e A d v i s o r y B o a r d

Aug 2, 2024 with doors opening at 7 p m and the show beginning at 8 p m Tickets start at $55 and are available f r o m T i c k e t m a s t e r o r a t w w w m o r e i n p a r a d i s e c o m Parking is free

The concert was originally set for February 2024 but had to be postponed Tickets for that show are still valid unless a refund was requested.

Lodge’s “Performs Days of Future Passed’’ show encompasses a first set of electric Moody Blues’ classics featuring fan favorites such as “Isn’t Life Strange,” “Legend of a Mind,” “I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band),” “Ride my See-Saw,” and much more The second set will see Lodge and his band performing the iconic album “Days of Future Passed” in its entirety and in full symphonic sound “Days of Future Passed” was released 56 years ago and was arguably the start of progressive rock These songs began the long standing cross-over between rock and classical music There are exciting changes from the original show, with new classic songs and deep cuts, enhanced video and dazzling lighting, all coming together to make a very special evening of great music and Moodies memories The show takes a journey back in time with Lodge and his 10,000 Light Years Band as they create audio alchemy for the audience’s listening and visual pleasure

S e m i n o l e C a s i n o H o t e l I m m

Al-Anon, Al-Ateen meetings

Are you concerned with a friend or family member's drinking? Let us help

Call our 24-hour helpline at 941-564-5098 or visit www SouthFloridaAl-Anon org Meetings are held every day in Lee County Al-Ateen meetings are also offered for ages 10-18

REDBARN

Estate/DemolitionSale

Sat,April13-Sun,April14 8amto3pm 1053SW57thSt (OffCapeCoralPkwyatSkyline toElDorado,followsigns)

24óHOURSERVICE

NOOVERTIMECHARGES FAMILY OWNED/OPERATED Lic#CAC1817070 (239)573-2086

INSTANTREBATES

Musical Instruments

Tearingdownabeautiful homefullofTommy B ahamaStyleFurniture& HomeDecor.King,Queen &TwinSets,Sectional Sofas,LanaiFurniture, RaisedPanelDoors,Fans, LikeNewAppliances, Cherrycabinetsw/Granite Bathroomvanities& Fixtures,AlmostnewA/C, PoolHeater,PoolPumps, ElectricShutters,Dock w/Lift,KayakDock, Shrubs&Trees,Pavers, Rock&Stones,Youwill beamazedatallthe lovelyitems.

BringMeasurements& Tools Pictures: facebook.com/redbarnestate anddemolitionsale

Boat Trailers

Rental/Sales