Fort Myers Beach Observer/The Beach Bulletin

VOLUME 38, NUMBER 21

Council squabbles over attorney, walkover

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

With one week before the deadline for proposals to be received by Fort Myers B e a c h f o r i t s l a w f i r m p r o c u r e m e n t p r o c e s s , t o w n C o u n c i l m e m b e r K a r e n Woodson unsuccessfully attempted to replace longstanding town attorney John Herin Jr with a law firm recommended by the outgoing town manager to vet the proposals

I would think town staff could manage this process without additional cost to the taxpayers of Fort Myers Beach ”

JIM ATTERHOLT Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor

Open h ouse this T hursday o n wo rkfo rce ho using , co ndo pro posal

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

In the midst of Hurricane Ian’s storm surge, Beach Baptist Church Pastor Shawn Critser says an eight-foot wave that crashed through the church ended up doing the most damage In addition to totaling the church, the hurricane took out the church’s food pantry, the home of Critser’s father and half of his own house

With no insurance, Critser has come up with an ambitious plan for his Fort Myers Beach congregation to not only rebuild their church but to add on 36 units of workforce housing and an eight-story high condo tower with about 40 units It’s part of a partnership with an Atlanta-based developer would

finance the cost of the church, provide the congregation control over its workforce housing units while allowing a developer to earn income off the condo units Critser envisions a deli and coffee shop on the bottom level of the condo tower which would be open for business to the community

See BEACH BAPTIST, page 11

Beach Baptist Church, once one of the most recognizable churches on Fort Myers Beach overlooking Estero Boulevard and Connecticut Street, was decimated by Hurricane Ian The congregation is seeking to rebuild the church along with workforce housing and condos

NATHAN MAYBERG

Woodson previously sought to solicit a Fort Myers firm to represent the town in January which led to the request for proposals Woodson made the move near the end of a meeting in which Herin earned praise from Fort Myers Beach Elementary School parents for his efforts on an interlocal agreement with the Lee County School District to reopen the school Herin has been the town’s attorney for the past seven years

See COUNCIL, page 10

A packed house of residents listen in during an open house Monday at the P ink S hell Beach Resort & M a r i n a r e g a r d i n g t h e p r o p o s e d Arches Bayfront project

Public gets look at Arches Bayfront proposal

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers com

The Fort Myers Beach community had its first in-person look last week at the biggest commercial development to be presented since Hurricane Ian and since Margaritaville, during a packed open house meeting at the Pink Shell Beach Resort from the developers of Arches Bayfront Ben Freeland, owner of Moss Marina, presented plans for three hotels and other commercial uses as part of the redevelopment of the site down the road from the P i n k S h e l l B e a c h R e s o r t o n H a r b o r Court

T h e p r o p o s e d d e s i g n i n c o r p o r a t e d public opinion from more than 350 survey respondents, who wanted to see a modern project that can withstand another Ian while maintaining the charm and beauty of the community, the developers said

Freeland, whose family has owned Moss Marina for the past four decades, plans to develop a mixed-use bayfront c o n n e c t e d w i t h a w a l k w a y d o w n t o Bayside Park with a complement of restaurants, shops, cafes, hotel rooms, and bayfront access

“We started thinking about what’s

See PROPOSAL, page 11

CHUCK BALLARO

3 n W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a y 2 4 , 2 0 2 3 f o r t m y e r s b e a c h t a l k . c o m F o r t M y e r s B e a c h O b s e r v e r

P u b l i s h e r R a y m o n d M E c ke n r o d e re cke n ro d e @ b re e z e n ew s p a p e rs c o m E x e c u t ive E d i t o r Va l a r i e H a r r i n g v h a r r i n g @ b re e z e n ew s p a p e rs c o m E d i t o r N a t h a n M a y b e rg n m a y b e rg @ b re e z e n ew s p a p e rs c o m A d ve r t i s i n g D i re c t o r L a u r i e R a g l e l rag l e @ b re e z e n ew s p a p e rs c o m

Advertising Sales

Lyn McElhaney lmcelhaney@breezenewspapers com

O b i t u a r i e s D e b b i e C a r l e t t i o b i t s @ b re e z e n ew s p a p e rs c o m P ro d u c t i o n m a n a g e r R o b B r a i t l i n g r b ra i t l i n g @ b re e z e n ew s p a p e rs c o m S u b s c r i p t i o n s

By Mar tin Dyckman

The governor said it wasn’t his bill, but he was plainly happy to sign it Not long after a few strokes of his pen, he flew off into a new darkness

The news media promptly found Ron DeSantis in Iowa, where he was campaigning full-tilt for the Republican presidential nomination, having yet to actually announce that he wants it

He left behind in Tallahassee a new law that draws an iron curtain of secrecy over where he and certain other state officials travel and who they might be seeing on their trips and at home CS/SB 1616, enacted by the ruling Republican supermajority in the Legislature, forbids the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other police agencies from releasing any records pertaining to those officials’ travels or security arrangements DeSantis is the most conspicuous beneficiary

Those documents have been the public’s goto resource when governors have failed to post their travel itineraries and visitor logs DeSantis is the most secretive governor yet

The new law also shields, at their request, the comings and goings of the lieutenant governor, elected members of the Cabinet, the chief justice and the House Speaker and Senate President. It extends to anyone else they may designate The entire bill is retroactive in its application

So if the public wants to know, for example, who may have provided private corporate air travel to Florida’s public officials, it will be harder than ever to answer that question The failure to report such freebies would break other laws, of course, but there is now one fewer way to expose potential violations of law

The travel secrecy bill, enacted on the fraudulent premise that to disclose where people have been would endanger their future security, is just the worst of the 18 new exemptions from the public records and open meeting laws enacted during the 2023 legislative session That is the most since the 2014 session, when there were 22 The Legislature also renewed nine other exemptions, an action required under the Open Government Sunset Review Act

The Constitution emphasizes the importance of Government in the Sunshine by requiring a two-thirds vote in each legislative house to enact or renew an exemption But virtually all of the proposed exemptions pass unanimously or nearly so to oblige politicians and bureaucrats who dread sunlight like fictional vampires fear the dawn

Another significant new exemption, in CS/SB 404, shields photos or videos of the killing of children under 18 and of their corpses The media as a rule doesn’t intend to publish such tragic material, but there are times when investigative journalists and public

watchdogs do need to see the photos and videos to determine whether the government has been doing its job On rare occasions, publication serves a public purpose The picture of Emmitt Till, the 14-year-old victim of a racist lynching in Mississippi, lying in his coffin, his face grotesquely battered, inspired the civil rights movement His mother had insisted on publicizing the photo to show the world what had been done to her son

The new law allows a parent not blamed for the death of a minor to view and release a photo or video. It also allows a court to order release for good cause such as “the public evaluation of governmental performance ” How that works in practice will tell whether the Legislature did right or wrong

Notably, the new law applies only to public agencies Citizens who take cellphone videos of a fatal incident involving a child under 18 would be free to do what they wish with those videos

As enacted, CS/SB 404 is better than its original version, which prohibited the release of autopsy reports of minors. Autopsy reports have been a key resource for journalists investigating the shortcomings of the government agencies tasked with protecting dependent children

Another dubious new exemption (CS/CS/SB 238) covers up complaints against businesses, schools or government agencies accused of discriminating against employees or customers over their “health care choices ” That particular new DeSantis legislation is aimed at discouraging masking and vaccination, an issue where the Governor is far to the right of even former President Trump The exemptions would expire when the investigations are complete, but some investigations could be endless and the targets of the complaints could be endlessly harassed in the meantime

In a similar vein, CS/SB 1542 conceals the names of victims in cases studied by the teams that review cases of elder and vulnerable adult abuse The exemption is overly broad and could create an obstacle in monitoring how well or poorly those agencies are doing their jobs

Innocuous, perhaps, but facially unconstitutional, is HB 1127, which serves as a virtual blank check to conceal anything the state receives from an interstate commission to license teachers in other states The problem is that it vaguely exempts “other matters as set forth by the commission’s bylaws and rules ” The Constitution does not permit the Legislature to delegate its exemption authority, and it should not get into the habit of writing legislation as loose as this

In the small favors department, nine exemption bills were marked dead on adjournment. One of them would have revived an expired law that concealed the home addresses and tele-

phone numbers of certain present and former armed service members, their spouses and dependents The definition was restricted to those who were in special operations or who had access to information classified as secret or higher, but there are a lot of them

Another failed bill would have allowed local governing boards to meet secretly with their attorneys to discuss claims under the Bert Harris Act from land owners claiming that government regulation has depressed the value of their property The Bert Harris Act should be repealed, but at least the 2023 session didn’t make it worse

Something else the Legislature didn’t do, regrettably, was close the giant loophole created by last year’s law that made secret all but the “finalist” stage of a state college or university presidential search Applicants have been gaming that by refusing to be identified as anything but the only finalist

That’s already happened at two of Florida’s major universities: Florida International University and the University of Florida It’s how Ben Sasse, a Republican senator from Nebraska, became the new UF president

More recently, Rep Randy Fine, a stridently right-wing Republican from Brevard County, said he’s been approached about the presidential vacancy at Florida Atlantic University

Former House speaker and education commissioner Richard Corcoran, who’s now the acting president at New College, is the odds-on favorite for the permanent job there if he wants it

State Rep Fred Hawkins, R-St Cloud, was left as the only finalist at South Florida State College after three identified finalists withdrew Hawkins, a second-term House member best known for being Gov Ron DeSantis’s spear carrier for an anti-Disney bill, is qualified only because the school’s trustees waived the requirement for a terminal degree a Ph D or its equivalent He has only a bachelor’s degree

According to the Tampa Bay Times, one of the trustees freely conceded the situation was political

“You have to understand that we are political appointees, and they were all Democrats,” said trustee Louis Kirschner, speaking of the withdrawn finalists “The governor doesn’t appoint all Republican trustees and expect us to select a Democrat ”

The Legislature was warned that the secret presidential search bill would lead to politicians becoming the presidents of Florida’s colleges and universities

That’s probably why they passed it

This commentary is reprinted with the permission of The Florida Trident, a publication produced by the non-profit Florida Center for Government Accountability

Pass the budget, support families with autism

Autism It’s a hard diagnosis to swallow A lot of my hopes and dreams for my son, Kolby, changed after that diagnosis

Without many programs for children or young adults with autism, it was a difficult journey until we found Family Initiative, which believes every child, young adult and family has the chance to thrive

The nonprofit Florida-based organization supports families like ours, providing social skills programs, clinical services and education with a very personalized focus on each individual child and family Family Initiative listens to the families they serve, and together, we are very strong advocates for children on the autism s p e c t r u m , a n d w e h a v e v e r y c l e a r l y defined one of our greatest areas of need a private educational setting for young people on the spectrum Another moment of clarity came after Hurricane Ian Our region needs a special needs shelter that can adequately protect our children and families in the event of another natural disaster

Jessica Van Hart

Guest Commentary

Thrive Academy has been piloted as a micro school in the 2022 school year and will serve high school students with autism Currently, 10 children on the autism spec-

trum are enrolled, and we will be ready to e

Additionally, Thrive Academy will provide wrap-around specialized education, vocational training and clinical support The funding will support the acquisition, renovation or construction, and operations for Thrive Academy

As we pursue our goal of creating

the budget in 2022, with the idea that it would be fully developed later The next step is for lawmakers to approve the funding

The Thrive Academy and special needs shelter will give young people on the autism spectrum the opportunity to become more self-sufficient using their unique talents These true public servants have embraced this project and strengthened it by including a special needs shelter designed specifically for families with special needs This project will build on what was started last session and will provide protection for families in an emergency We are immensely grateful, and we thank the delegation and Gov Ron DeSantis for empowering parents to make educational decisions impacting our children and for protecting us in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian

Family Initiative parents and board members applaud these leaders for establishing a safer, brighter, more independent future for young people on the autism spectrum while also protecting families needing shelter from another big storm The budget, as recently agreed to by the House and Senate budget chairs, includes $5 million for the acquisition and construction of a school and special needs shelter in Southwest Florida The Legislature authorized the planning and development of a school in

Thrive Academy will fill a huge gap in our education system, and as a result, our children will thrive They deserve a chance to learn in a setting that’s best suited for their needs, and we are inspired for the launch of Thrive Academy They will learn so much, and so will we Kolby has certainly taught us a lot He has taught me to be more open, more patient and to advocate for what’s best for him

Jessica Van Hart is a board member with Family Initiative For more information, visit https://www fiflorida org/ or call 239-910-0712

Kiwanis Club extends deadline for scholarship applications

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis Club has extended its deadline for scholarship applications to June 15

This year, the Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis Club is expanding its scholarship offerings With the loss of residents to

Hurricane Ian and a population of students that has decreased in recent years, Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis Club Secretary Paula McCarthy said the organization wanted to expand the pool

The Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis Club is accepting scholarship applications from any student planning to attend college or

trade school who lives on Fort Myers Beach, or has a parent, grandparent or guardian who lives or works on Fort Myers Beach

“We expanded the criteria last year because it’s getting more difficult for young families to live on the island,” McCarthy said

“Last year we gave out 16 scholarships,

both new and renewals, for $2000 each This year we hope to be able to give $1,000 for the first semester,” McCarthy said

To apply for a scholarship, visit the Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis Club’s website at fortmyersbeachkiwanis org

For any questions, contact McCarthy at pmcfmb2003@yahoo com

Community Foundation award brings thanks

Members of the nonprofit Keep Lee County Beautiful, Inc expressed their gratitude for recently being chosen as one of the Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation grant recipients

Keep Lee County Beautiful Executive Director Trish

F a n c h e r s a i d 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 Foundation has been a strong advocate for protecting the beach and the environment by being a Keep Lee County Beautiful Adopt-A-Shore group

“Driven by our mission and volunteer partners, our goal is to improve the health of the environment and create a sense of pride and ownership,” Fancher said "We believe that having a sense of community pride and ownership alive within our neighborhoods, will sustain the improvements made by our local volunteers.”

For more than 30 years, the Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation has hosted a cleanup on Fort Myers Beach on New Year’s Day and has helped run the

h Elementary School for the Great American Cleanup and International Coastal Cleanup organized by Keep Lee County Beautiful (KLCB)

"Keep Lee County Beautiful is very grateful for the s u p p o r t f r o m 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 Foundation as they share their commitment to the environment and their love of Fort Myers Beach and look forward to future collaborations as we continue to clean up and restore the beach," Fancher said.

Keep Lee County Beautiful organizes several community-wide cleanup events which take place at multiple locations across the county with hundreds of volunteers The dedication of the volunteer site captains such as the foundation make the events possible. If you would like to be a site captain for the upcoming International Coastal C l e a n u p t a k i n g p l a c e o n S e p t 16, email Sarah@klcb org

Chamber receives large gift from Sanibel Captiva Community Bank

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

A $50,000 donation from Sanibel Captiva Community Bank will help the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce open a temporary office, after its building was destroyed by Hurricane Ian

“We were absolutely surprised and delighted with the generous donation,” Fort Myers beach Chamber of Commerce President Jacki Liszak said.

“The donation will allow the Chamber to continue operations and allow us to open our new temporary office and to replace some of the office items lost in the storm,” Liszak said

The new Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce building will be located at Lovers Lane at Suite 2E

T h e o l d o f f i c e w a s o n E s t e r o Boulevard, across the street from town hall It was destroyed by Hurricane Ian, taking the chamber's computers and a host of other materials

“We lost everything, right down to the last paperclip,” Liszak said

Liszak said the large donation “will also allow us to continue advocating for our community” and operating the Roxie Visitor Information Center located on Times Square “The Chamber team and Board of

Directors would like to sincerely thank everyone who has stepped forward to

assist us as we work to recover and rebuild our island,” Liszak said

The bank hopes the funds will help the chamber and local businesses recover from Hurricane Ian.

“We felt a responsibility to help our friends on Fort Myers Beach continue to recover and rebuild from Hurricane Ian,” said Kyle DeCicco, president and CEO of Sanibel Captiva Community Bank “The chamber has been helping beach businesses get back on track since the storm and we wanted to support their important work ”

S a n i b e l C a p t i v a C o m m u n i t y B a n k experienced impacts from Hurricane Ian a s w e l l . I t s m a i n o f f i c e , a t 2 4 0 6 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel, experienced storm damage and is scheduled to reopen this month The staff there has been working out of the branch boardroom MondayFriday, 9 a m to 4 p m The Periwinkle branch, at 1019 Periwinkle Way, has sustained considerable storm damage and is projected to reopen in early 2024 Staff at the bank's McGregor Boulevard branch in Fort Myers have been operating out of a temporary mobile banking unit due to major flood damage to the existing building

SBA capital disaster loans available through June 29

T h e U S S m a l l B u s i n e s s Administration encourages small businesses in Florida with economic losses due to Hurricane Ian that occurred from Sept 23 through Nov 4, to apply for w o r k i n g c a p i t a l d i s a s t e r l o a n s b e f o r e the June 29 deadline.

S m a l l b u s i n e s s e s , s m a l l a g r i c u l t u r a l c o o p e r a t i v e s , s m a l l b u s i n e s s e s e n g a g e d i n a q u a c u l t u r e , a n d p r i v a t e n o n p r o f i t o r g a n i z a t i o n s i n t h e f o l l o w i n g c o u n t i e s a r e e l i g i b l e t o a p p l y : A l a c h u a , B r a d f o r d , B r e v a r d , B r o w a r d , C h a r l o t t e , C l a y , C o l l i e r , D e S o t o , D u v a l , F l a g l e r , G l a d e s , H a r d e e , H e n d r y , H e r n a n d o , H i g h l a n d s , H i l l s b o r o u g h , I n d i a n R i v e r , L a k e , L e e , M a n a t e e , M a r i o n , M a r t i n , M i a m i - D a d e , M o n r o e , O k e e c h o b e e , O r a n g e , O s c e o l a , P a l m B e a c h , P a s c o , P i n e l l a s , P o l k , P u t n a m , S a i n t J o h n s ,

S a i n t L u c i e , S a r a s o t a , S e m i n o l e , S u m t e r a n d V o l u s i a

“To serve the economic interest of the community, we have an extended application timeframe of nine months which enables businesses to assess the effects of the disaster before applying for working capital loans As the June 29 deadline is approaching, we urge potential applicants to take action right away,” said Kem F l e m i n g , d i r e c t o r o f S B A F i e l d Operations Center East in Atlanta

T h e s e f e d e r a l E c o n o m i c I n j u r y

Disaster Loans are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are avail-

able even if the business did not suffer any physical damage

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 3 04 percent for small businesses and 1 875 percent for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via

the SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan

A s s i s t a n c e s b a g o v / e l a / s / a n d s h o u l d apply under SBA declaration # 17645

Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of h e a r i n g , o r h a v e a s p e e c h d i s a b i l i t y , please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services), or by sending an email to Disaster CustomerService @sba gov Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA’s website at sba gov/disaster Completed applications should be m a i l e d t o : U S S m a l l B u s i n e s s A d

PHOTO PROVIDED Keep Lee County Beautiful Executive Director Trish Fancher (center) received a grant from Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation President Robin Bush (right)

Jacki Lisak, Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce executive director and Amy McQuagge, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank vice president and director of marketing

n W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a y 2 4 , 2 0 2 3 f o r t m y e r s b e a c h t a l k . c o m F o r t M y e r s B e a c h O b s e r v e r

Beach Living Art association hires architects for rebuild

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The Fort Myers Beach Art Association took the first step towards rebuilding its home on the island, signing a contract with MK Architecture to design a new building for the organization on its property off Shell Mound Boulevard and Donora Boulevard

The organization’s home of more than 50 years was destroyed by Hurricane Ian. “It’s taken a toll on everybody’s psyche,” Fort Myers Beach Art Association President Sue Simoneau said

The replacement building will be a 3,500-square-foot, two-story concrete building to house the association’s gallery and working art studio

Simoneau said the firm will first recreate the associat i o n ' s o l d b u i l d i n g s o t h e F e d e r a l E m e r g e n c y Management Agency can determine how much the association is eligible for in funding

The next step will be drawing renderings of the new building at the same property

“It is going to be a raised building like everything on the beach with an elevator (to be compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for commercial/public uses),” Simoneau said

“It will be nothing fancy but slightly improved by what we had,” Simoneau said

While it may not be fancy, preliminary estimates put the cost of construction in the neighborhood of $1 million to $2 million in part to meet FEMA’s safety guidelines, Simoneau said

“We'’e hoping it can be something we can afford," she said Simoneau said the organization has raised about half the funds necessary for the construction, with donations accumulated over the years, including some since Hurricane Ian They will also be applying for grants It could take at least a year to rebuild, she said

“If we had to start from zero, I don’t think we would be talking now,” Simoneau said She said the organization is further ahead in their rebuilding efforts than she thought they would be at this time “We are in a far, far better place than anybody expected ”

Since Hurricane Ian, the work hasn’t stopped for the Fort Myers Beach Art Association Simoneau said she has been on the phone with FEMA every week since the hurricane. “There is a lot of red tape and bureaucracy,” she said “We don’t really know what they want and we are not sure they know what they want,” she said Simoneau herself splits her time between Estero and New Hampshire

After Hurricane Ian tore apart their building, the art

association was first working out of the Alliance for the Arts building in Fort Myers, where they held their first post-Ian show, and now are based out of the Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ where they hold classes and work out of a studio They recently held a show in Sanibel Their next show will be the summer show, to be held at the Shell Point Tribby Arts Center Membership in the art association has dropped by about one-third since Hurricane Ian due to members relocating or unable to return due to damage to their homes or to the closure of their condos Membership is at about 1 2 0 p e o p l e , c o m p a r e d t o a b o u t 1 5 0 b e f o r e I a n Simoneau said they are still gaining members

Those wishing to help the Fort Myers Beach Art Association can do so by visiting their website at Fort Myers Beach Art Association & Gallery – Come Play With Us

“An awful lot of people are helping us and I never would have predicted it,” Simoneau said Simoneau hopes the new building will be able to have the same “incredible light coming in” as the association’s last home had in the working gallery from the ceiling “You want to get the northern light coming in,” she said The association’s old home was designed by an architect who was a member The land had been donated to the association

Beach Kids play Times Square

Fort Myers Beach Elementary School students performed at Times Square this past week. The songs included one written by fourth grade and fifth grade students

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Fort Myers Beach Art Association took the first step towards rebuilding its home on the island, signing a contract with MK Architecture to design a new building for the organization on their property off Shell Mound Boulevard and Donora Boulevard

e 9 n W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a y 2 4 , 2 0 2 3 f o r t m y e r s b e a c h t a l k . c o m F o r t M y e r s B e a c h O b s e r v e r

Wilkins declined to name the firm he had recommended to vet the law firms applying to be the town’s counsel when contacted by the Fort Myers Beach Observer and refused to discuss the firm

A day after last week’s town council meeting on May 16, that firm of Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson submitted a proposal to the town to vet the law firms seeking to work for the town at a cost not to exceed $25,000 with contingencies for potentially being higher along with reimbursements for such expenses as travel Not all of the councilmembers said they were even aware the town would be charged by the firm

Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said he was under the impression the firm was going to be handling the vetting “pro bono” and if not, said the town manager’s office should be able to handle the vetting “If this is not the case and we are paying a law firm, I would think town staff could manage this process without additional cost to the taxpayers of Fort Myers Beach,” Atterholt said

Asked how the firm was chosen to handle the vetting, Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers said “I did not have a conversation with Keith about why this firm was selected ”

Allers said he supported hiring the firm nonetheless “It is important to have a law firm help us through the process of vetting and implementation of any legal contract With our current firm potentially responding to the RFP, we need outside representatives to vet them,” Allers said

The May 16 proposal letter sent by the firm was addressed to new town manager Andy Hyatt, one day after Wilkins said he served his last day with the town Hyatt said he doesn’t know how Wilkins and outgoing town manager Chris Holley selected the firm for the work “I cannot speak to how they were chosen,” Hyatt said

Councilmember Bill Veach said he was not even made aware of the firm until last week’s council meeting and the name of the firm was not given to him

Councilmember John King, who engaged in conversations with another firm in January to replace Herin, said he had been told by the town manager’s office not to comment “We’re still in a cone of silence for the RFP,” King said “I was advised that I shouldn’t comment until after 2 p m on Thursday,” King said

The bid responses from the law firms are due to be opened by the town on Wednesday at 2 p m

Woodson could not be reached for comment as of press time

Wilkins recommends law firm to vet law firms

Wilkins told the council that he and Holley “felt like it was appropriate to bring in another law firm to vet those candidates” and narrow the list of candidates down to five law firms It is not yet clear how many firms responded to the town’s request for proposals or why the town council needs the list narrowed down

At the meeting, Wilkins didn’t name the firm he said

was available to assist the town

That firm is Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson, who have offices in Tallahassee, Tampa and Plantation According to their proposal letter addressed to Hyatt, they would charge the town either $200 an hour or $300 an hour for their services depending on their use of partners or associates for the vetting work

Hyatt signed the agreement the next day on May 17

Questions on process

Veach asked Wilkins if “this is the typical process for looking for legal services to get an independent firm that is not in the running for the services to evaluate the candidates?”

Wilkins said the firm is not in the running to represent the town as its legal firm, though later in the meeting he said they would be available to do just that “I don’t know that it’s a typical process, I don’t know that there is a typical,” Wilkins said “Our ordinance just says a short list will be provided to council and how do you get to that short list? Certainly council could do that, could vet the candidates,” Wilkins said “But what it does do is bring that kind of third-party element and it does not put the town manager into the position of evaluating a lateral staff person ”

Veach asked if there will be a financial impact analysis of the firms Wilkins said the request for proposals did not request the rates the firms would charge the town “Those are to be negotiated,” Wilkins said

Woodson makes attempt to replace Herin

Woodson asked Wilkins if the firm he recommended to vet the firms responding to the request for proposals, could actually be the town’s new counsel Woodson asked “what would keep them from stepping in to do day-to-day?”

“They are available to do that if the town council desires,” Wilkins said.

Allers said “now is not the time to do that ” Allers said he is in favor of the law firm vetting the candidates but wasn’t prepared to have them replace Herin

King said “I support councilor Woodson that a change should be made immediately ”

Atterholt said that although he would be open to utilizing a local, qualified law firm for the town’s legal services, he didn’t support replacing Herin at this time unless there was some urgent need “I would prefer a much

more professional and exhaustive search for that counsel, assuming we can find someone that is qualified,” Atterholt said

Wilkins, who was on his last day working for the town, said “a change should be made ”

Veach said “I don’t agree with some sense of urgency to get rid of John ” Veach cited Herin’s work on the Beach Elementary School in supporting Herin

Woodson criticizes Herin

At the council meeting, Woodson criticized Herin over the town having not yet issued a special permit for Kurt Kroemer and Eddie Rood to construct their 298-feet boardwalk near the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area Herin referenced litigation from the Florida Audubon Society challenging the town’s approval of the permit Woodson said the permit should still be issued Herin said he would seek an indemnification letter from Kroemer and Rood to hold the town harmless if the permit is issued and the town’s permit approval is struck down in court King asked Herin about the indemnification letter and conversations with town staff regarding the letter in a line of questioning that Herin said was based on incorrect statements Herin said that an indemnification letter was necessary to protect the town if Kroemer and Rood build the boardwalk and the approval is struck down, they would have to tear the boardwalk down, Herin said The permit cannot be issued with an effective date until after turtle nesting season ends in October

Woodson still pushed for the permit to be issued “That’s in line for what we have asked to be done,” Woodson said “If we need the letter, we need to get that letter ”

Allers said “circumstances have changed” since the town’s vote approving the special exception permit due to the pending litigation against the town “I do not see the rush,” Allers said. “I don’t see there is any expediency in getting that permit issued ” Allers said there was no harm in sending an indemnification letter to the property owners and supported Herin drafting the indemnification letter for Kroemer and Rood

Veach said “I don’t see any rush ” Veach said “the town council may want to consider changing our decision” in approving the special exception permit for the walkover

“I

did not have a conversation with Keith (Wilkins) about why this firm was selected.”

Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers on utilizing a law firm to vet applications from law firms seeking to be the town’s new counsel

FILE PHOTOS

Councilmember Karen Woodson

Former town manager Keith Wilkins

Habitat for Humanity holds dedication for FEMA housing site in Heritage Heights

STAFF REPORT

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties recently held a land dedication ceremony in the Heritage Heights neighborhood in Harlem Heights, marking the launch of a temporary housing site in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist families displaced due to Hurricane Ian.

Habitat for Humanity staff, volunteers and community leaders joined representatives with FEMA and U S

Beach Baptist

From page 1

“We want to build the church back and we want to build workforce housing,” Critser said Critser will be holding an open house at 3 p m Thursday at the Connecticut St church to provide the community more information and get feedback on the plans He said he has already heard complaints from some in the community that the condo tower would be “too tall and too dense ” Still, Critser believes the project can work while bringing in needed families into town to increase enrollment at the Beach Elementary School

Critser said he thinks the housing can be a “great asset to the community.”

Among the approvals the project would need from the town would be a variance from town code for the height of the tower in its location, Critser said An application has not yet been made to the town’s Local Planning Agency

“I lost almost all of my belongings,” Critser said of Hurricane Ian’s impact on himself and his family “My dad’s house washed away ” The elder Critser has been living in a camper a few hours away in Plant City, he said The pastor said he was able to save some clothes and personal items Before the hurricane, his daughter and son-in-law were living with him, now it is just him

Proposal

Army Corps of Engineers near the site’s property line on Golden Journey Road in Fort Myers

“We are truly grateful for the opportunity to support the families still displaced by Hurricane Ian through this important FEMA project,” says Becky Lucas, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties “At Habitat for Humanity, we believe that everyone deserves a safe and decent place to call home, and we are committed to helping those in need, especially in times of crisis ”

In search of available land for a temporary housing

If you go:

What:

Open house for redevelopment plans at Beach Baptist Church

Where:

130 Connecticut St , Fort Myers Beach

When: Thursday, 3 p m

and his wife Sherri

The 2019 Fort Myers Beach Observer Humanitarian of the Year said the evolution of his plans to put housing on the church property, were formed after discussions with lifelong Atlanta friend Aaron Coe. Coe runs a ministry-based consulting firm Future City Now that works on rebuilding churches and getting them “back on their feet,” Critser said Critser, who has been on Fort Myers Beach since 2004 when he moved from Kentucky, said the congre-

From page 10

best for this property If we want to put something significant, we have to put t o g e t h e r a n ‘ A ’ t e a m t o d o i t right,” Freeland said

The project is named Arches Bayfront in honor of the famed historical arches that once welcomed people to Fort Myers Beach when they crossed the bridge, which Freeland said he would like to incorporate heavily throughout the project

The project is anticipated to have a 1,000-foot-long community bay walk, multiple view corridors to the water, walkability, small business friendly, with the marina, bars, restaurants and shopp i n g , p u b l i c p a r k i n g , a w a t e r f e r r y , Farmers Market, playground, parks and

green space

It is also expected to be resilient, with the first floor of the complex to be several feet above the storm surge where Ian hit

“We don’t want something that lasts three to five years and have people ask why we did this,” Freeland said “We all want to keep our best memories Let’s keep some of that and let’s plan for the future We have a chance to rebuild and build it right We want to be a better version of what we were ”

Galina Tachieva, managing partner of DPZ CoDesign, talked at great length about the plan, while Rick Hill, traffic engineer said the project would have little minimal impact on local traffic

community, FEMA reached out to Habitat for Humanity about establishing an agreement to lease a portion of undeveloped property within phase two of the Heritage Heights development The lease will allow FEMA to provide and maintain temporary housing on Habitat’s property until families can safely return home The site will include a separate road to access housing units for 58 families, enclosed by a privacy fence

See DEDICATION, page 12

gation wants “to be a part of the community by providing workforce housing, walkable retail and other community facing benefits ” Coe connected Critser with Steve Collins, of S J Collins Enterprises, an Atlanta-based developer and Aaron Forther of Canvas Planning, a city planner, to work with the church on their plan

Despite the damage to the church, Critser has continued to hold Sunday services out of his garage though most of the congregation follows online He has put in an application with the town for a tent to hold services

The food pantry moved onto the church basement and has been feeding approximately 2,800 people a month since January, Critser said That is up nearly three times f r o m h o w m a n p e o p l e u t i l i z e d t h e p a n t r y b e f o r e Hurricane Ian, he said Critser said the church has been providing about 150 hot lunches a day through a partnership with FK Your Diet of Fort Myers In the early days after Hurricane Ian, Critser said the church was providing as many as 500 hot meals twice a day

Thursday’s open house will be held on the church property at 130 Connecticut St

“Our goal is to explain our heart and why we need (the housing) and why we are doing it,” Critser said

Among the things people said they w a n t e d d u r i n g p u b l i c c o m m e n t w e r e rooftop bars and lobbies open to the community, a water ferry, retail shops, a marina green space and a farmers market, all of which was supported by at least half the respondents

T h e A r c h e s B a y f r o n t p r o j e c t h a s received a lot of support from the community with some concerns, but many understand the need to rebuild the island, and projects like this are a great way to do so

“The project is great and it’s in a nice area My concern is the deliveries and will they come through the neighborhood in the middle of the night,” said resident Lea Gregg “I think this will be a goldmine ”

Jacki Liszak, president of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, was pleased with the attention and time that was put into the plan

“I think the family is listening They have incorporated things into this design that the residents and neighbors have asked for,” Liszak said “I’m happy someone wants to put something on the Beach that will not only answer our needs but last into the future ”

Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt was encouraged by the public benefits

“I see this beautiful baywalk linear park that will increase the amount of public access to the bay tenfold,” Atterholt said “I’m also excited about the water ferry Most people who live south on the island won’t go north because of the traffic If you take a boat, all the money going to Bonita and Naples will stay on the island ”

Freeland did not know what the anticipated cost would be but said the finished product would take a while He said that ground would be broken in a couple years, with the project completed by the end of 2026

CHUCK BALLARO Ben Freeland, owner of the propert y f o r t h e p r o p o s e d A r c h e s Bayfront project, speaks during an open house Monday at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina.

“I was pleased with the turnout The recommendations and concerns were list e n e d t o O v e r a l l , i t w a s v e r y positive,” Freeland said “We’re trying to address the concerns up front before we get into the hard zoning ”

In the meantime, public comment is s t i l l w e l c o m e a t w w w A R C H E S B a y f r o n t c o m w h e r e you may also find a rendering of the proposed project

Rick Hill, traffic engineer, speaks while Galina Tachieva, managing partner of DPZ CoDesign listens during an open house Monday at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina regarding the proposed Arches Bayfront project.

DeSantis signs law to shield travel records from public view

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

Where Gov Ron DeSantis travels to if he runs for president as expected, will be shielded from being accessed through Florida law enforcement records through a law recently signed by the governor after the bill passed the state legislature The bill was passed along party lines at a time when DeSantis has been crisscrossing the nation and globe ahead of the expectation that he will imminently announce his candidacy for president Senate Bill 16, approved by Lee County’s entire Republican delegation, provides an exemption from public records requirements for records held by a law enforcement agency relating to certain security or transportation services which show where and when DeSantis traveled to (as he is provided security through state law enforcement on his travels) The measure does so retroactively, thus shielding any public information requests from the past, from being public

The law states that the records being shielded are being done so since allowing them to be made public may jeopardize the security of DeSantis and his transportation detail by impairing “the ability of the law

Dedication

From page 11

The site is a few miles outside of Fort Myers Beach past Summerlin Road “

r

i t h

for Humanity on this project and deeply grateful for their support,” said

t

g Officer Robert Fogel “It's a huge win for

enforcement agency to ensure the safety and security of the protected person ” The law states that making the records public “could also endanger the law enforcement agents and personnel providing the security or transportation services ”

The bill was opposed by open government advocates such as the Florida Center f o r G o v e r n m e n t A c c o u n t a b i l i t y , w h i c h argued that the records held by law enforcement are the only means by which the public and media can access where he has been going and who he has been meeting with, and how state funds are being used for the travels of DeSantis DeSantis has been making trips across the nation regularly in recent months in what is widely seen as president i a l c a m p a i g n i n g , i n c l u d i n g a r e c e n t t r i p t o N e w Hampshire DeSantis is expected to only increase his travel as he embarks on his presidential campaign

The communications office of DeSantis responded to questions about which security issues existed preventing the disclosure of his travel records by referring them to the Florida Division of Law Enforcement

Gretl Plessinger, spokesperson for FDLE, said the department “will provide public records in accordance

the families that are still suffering and dealing with the impacts of Hurricane Ian. This temporary housing site will provide a safe and secure environment for those still displaced, so they can get back on their feet to where they were before the storm ”

with Florida’s Public Records laws. The threat picture has changed significantly over the last decade with violence and attempted violence against elected and appointed officials nationally Releasing protective operations details represents a risk not only to those we protect, but also, FDLE agents and citizens attending events ”

The legislation was co-sponsored in the state legislature by State Senator Jonathan Martin (R-33), whose district encompasses Fort Myers Beach and a large section of Lee County

Martin did not respond to messages seeking comment

The travels and meetings of DeSantis are often not made public by his office despite a daily schedule sent out to the media to inform the public of his activities

A visit to Fort Myers Beach in September for a campaign event was not announced to the media in the daily briefings and official schedule sent out to outlets to announce his daily schedule At the time, DeSantis spokesperson Bryan Griffin said “his official schedule reflects his official events ”

Griffin said the reason the office did not announce the visit was because “Governor DeSantis was not in Fort Myers on official state business We do not coordinate or advise his campaign appearances ”

In Lee County, FEMA has provided $468 million to families and survivors of Hurricane Ian. Of those needing FEMA temporary housing options, 66% are homeowners who suffered the loss or significant damage to their homes, and the remaining 34% are renters As a

faith-based housing ministry, Habitat’s hope is to work alongside those homeowners through hurricane recovery home repairs and renters by offering a path to affordable homeownership

Governor Ron DeSantis

n W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a y 2 4 , 2 0

3 f o r t m y e r s b e a c h t a l k . c o m F o r t M y e r s B e a c h O b s e r v e r

WHERE TO GO WHAT TO DO WHO TO SEE

WEEK

Page 23

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

Volunteers are needed to help pluck litter from the Fort Myers Beach mangroves June 10 as part of a cleanup of the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve being organized by Keep Lee County Beautiful

The cleanup, in coordination with the Mound House and Town of Fort Myers Beach, will begin with a kayak launch from the Mound House at 8 a m The cleanup will run from noon

The cleanup will focus on litter and debris caught in the mangroves, with the organization tagging larger items for removal

Volunteers must be 18 or older

Parking is at 216 Connecticut St with the Mound House a short walk away at 451 Connecticut St Keep Lee County Beautiful is encouraging carpooling Parking is limited to 40 vehicles

P

, visit www signupgenius com/go/805094aaaaa2ca4f4920232#/

The organization is looking for pontoon boats, flats boats and skiffs to help transport heavier items to the Mound House for disposal Keep Lee County Beautiful offers the following rec-

ommendations and requirements for those participating in the cleanup:

∫ Must wear closed-toe shoes

∫ Bring reusable water bottle, sunblock, & bug spray

∫ Bring extra thick gloves if you have them

∫ Will be required to wear a safety vest (provided by us)

∫ Water refill stations and cleanup supplies will be provided

insidetoday Pet Pals 19 What’s Happening 20 Sports 22

W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a y 2 4 ,

f o r t m y e r s b e a c h t a l k . c o m 2 0 2 3 n P a g e 1 6

Refuge, DDWS to host inaugural Art in the Wild

In celebration of National Wildlife Refuge Week and Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling's 146th birthday, the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge and J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge will introduce Art in the Wild on Oct 21 at the Sanibel refuge The refuge originally scheduled the inaugural event for last year, but canceled it after Hurricane Ian closed the refuge in September

There will be free art activities honoring the 2023-24 Duck Stamp artists and legacy of “Ding” Darling, the refuge's namesake and a Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist during the early 20th century.

T h e f a m o u s H a u t m a n b r o t h e r s , m u l t i p l e F e d e r a l D u c k S t a m p C o n t e s t w i n n e r s , w i l l m a k e p e r s o n a l a p p e a r a n c e s A s p e c i a l e x h i b i t i o n o f t h e i r n a t u r e a r t a l s o w i l l b e o n d i s p l a y i n t h e V i s i t o r & E d u c a t i o n C e n t e r a u d i t o r i u m d u r i n g t h e m o n t h J o e H a u t m a n w o n t h e 2 0 2 3 - 2 4 c o n t e s t a n d w i l l b e s i g n i n g h i s w i n -

REFUGE/DDWS

J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Artist-in-Residence Jacqui Roch is scheduled to lead a nature journaling walk for Art in the Wild

n i n g s t a m p d e p i c t i n g t h r e e t u n d r a s w a n s Refuge Artist-in-Residence Jacqui Roch will be on hand to lead nature-art demos and workshops, plus expect the announcement of the 2023 “Ding” Darling Amateur Photo Contest winners, unveiling of The Roost outdoor pavilion, and a traveling Federal Duck Stamp exhibit, which will be on display Oct. 10-29. Admission to Wildlife Drive will be free on Oct 21

“This will become an annual fall tradition to celebrate 'Ding' Darling’s art legacy and role in creating the

Federal Duck Stamp Program, which has continued for nearly 90 years and preserved six million acres of sensitive wetlands and wildlife habitat,” Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland said

The DDWS is seeking event sponsors For more information, contact April Boehnen at aprilb@dingdarlingsociety.

For more information about Art in the Wild, visit dingartinthewild com

GCHS to host Alumni Reunion for past shelter dog adopters May 28

Adding a forever friend through adoption is a special deed any family can do

For that reason, the Gulf Coast Humane Society is celebrating those forever families who have adopted their K9 from the shelter by h o s t i n g a n A l u m n i

Reunion, Sunday, May 28, at Stevie Tomato’s, l o c a t e d a t 4 4 2 0

C o l o n i a l B l v d , F o r t Myers from 4-8 p m

G C H S s u p p o r t e r

G o l d s t e i n , B u c k l e y ,

C e c h m a n , P u r t z a n d

Rice P A is sponsoring the event

Tickets for the event are $10 (open to everyone) and can be found

Scan QRcode to purchase tickets.

a t h t t p s : / / e g i v e s m a r t com/events/wHY/ Tickets include one beer ticket (if over 21 years of age), a goody bag and an Alumni photo There will be vendors, dog pools, dog agility, raffles, a 50/50, dog accessories and alumni t-shirts

“This is a fun way to gather the GCHS family and show your support for adopting shelter animals,” said GCHS executive director Gary Willoughby “For GCHS staff and volunteers, it also will be enjoyable to see all the past shelter dogs who have been adopted We thank Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Purtz and Rice P A for sponsoring this enjoyable event ”

Celebrate your choice of adopting, and not shopping and attend the GCHS Alumni Reunion!

About Gulf Coast Humane Society: Gulf Coast Humane Society is a regional organization dedicated to helping companion pets find their forever homes, no matter how long it takes GCHS provides an

adoption center, spay-neuter and veterinary clinic, as well as education and awareness to the public about the welfare of homeless pets

GCHS’ mission is to care for companion pets in need by offering safe refuge, providing medical care and facilitating adoptions GCHS promotes the concept the

“Adopt, Don’t Shop” and help educate the community about proper and responsible animal care, while providing quality, affordable veterinary care

To learn more about GCHS, visit its website at www gulfcoasthumanesociety org

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Reba adopted at Gulf Coast Humane Society. Champ adopted at Gulf Coast Humane Society.

County reports on schedules for Memorial Day holiday

M o s t L e e C o u n t y a d m i n i s t r a t i v e operations will be closed on May 29 in observance of Memorial Day

T h e c o u n t y ' s h o l i d a y s c h e d u l e adjustments are as follows:

∫ Domestic animal services

Lee County Domestic Animal Services, at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers, will be closed on May 29 It will resume regular business hours on May 30

∫ LeeTran

LeeTran will not run bus, trolley or Passport service on May 29 Services will resume on May 30 Route schedu l e s a n d m a p s a r e a v a i l a b l e a t www.rideleetran.com.

∫ Parks & Recreation

L e e C o u n t y P a r k s & R e c r e a t i o n offices and recreation centers will be closed on May 29 and will reopen on May 30 Parks, pools and preserves will remain open on May 29 For a list of open locations, visit www leeparks org

The county asks park patrons to remember that no alcohol is permitted in county parks It also reminds residents and visitors that the Causeway Islands Park on the Sanibel Causeway remains

closed to watercraft, pedestrian and bicycle traffic due to the active construction zone

∫ Solid waste

Garbage, recycling and yard waste c o l l e c t i o n s i n u n i n c o r p o r a t e d L e e County, city of Bonita Springs, village of Estero and town of Fort Myers Beach will take place one day after the regularly scheduled collection day for the week beginning on May 29 If the regular collection day is Monday, the truck will pick up material on Tuesday Tuesday's regularly scheduled pickups will occur on Wednesday and so on for the rest of the week through June 3. Regular collection schedules will resume on June 5

Lee County Solid Waste facilities and offices will be closed on May 29 It includes operations at the: Household Chemical Waste Collection Facility, at 6 4 4 1 T o p a z C o u r t , F o r t M y e r s ; R e s o u r c e R e c o v e r y F a c i l i t y o n B u c k i n g h a m R o a d ; a n d L e e / H e n d r y Regional Solid Waste Disposal Facility

Residents are urged to recycle plastic, metal and glass containers from holiday weekend activities.

Southwest Florida Symphony announces lineup for 63rd season

The Southwest Florida Symphony, Lee County’s only professional orchestra, featuring musicians who have studied at the world’s most prestigious conservatories, is excited to announce an innovative and diverse lineup of performances for the 2023-24 season Acclaimed music director, Maestro Radu Paponiu leads the orchestra through its 63rd season of class i c a l m u s i c ’ s m o s t c e l e b r a t e d w o r k s , many of which are woven with groundbreaking pieces

The symphony opens the season on Oct 21 with Brave New Pops, “R E M E x p l o r e d ” f e a t u r i n g s e l e c t i o n s f r o m

R E M ’s legendary playlist newly imagined for the orchestra, with R E M ’s Mike M i l l s p e r f o r m i n g h i s e p o n y m o u s

“Concerto for Violin, Rock Band and Orchestra” alongside Grammy-nominated violinist Robert McDuffie

O n N o v 4 , t h e o r c h e s t r a f u s e s a M a s t e r w o r k s a n d B r a v e N e w P o p s Concert, blending classic Masterworks with jazz The symphony and Marcus Roberts Jazz Trio will perform a jazz arrangement of “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin in honor of the piece’s 100th anniversary Also on the program a r e A a r o n C o p l a n d ’ s i c o n i c “ F o u r

Episodes” from “Rodeo,” John Williams’ “ S t a r W a r s S u i t e ” a n d L e o n a r d

Bernstein’s “Symphonic Dances” from “ W e s t S i d e S t o r y ” T h e r e m a i n i n g

Masterworks classical concert series will feature extraordinary guest artists such as Time for Three violinist Charles Yang, l o c a l l y b e l o v e d p i a n i s t A l e x a n d r a

Carlson, Southwest Florida Symphony

Concertmaster Orin Laursen, and Sphinx

Competition winner and cello prodigy

Sterling Elliot

Alliance for the Arts to host

The third and final 2023-24 Brave New Pops Concert will take place May 18, 2024, and delight audiences with a nostalgic throwback to the 80s and 90s featuring tunes from the days of music television’s acoustical concerts, with returning guest Maestro Andrew Lipke Additionally, Lipke will present the symphony’s special Holiday Pops program at four venues throughout Lee and Charlotte counties Season subscriptions and single tickets to select concerts are currently on sale

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

About Southwest Florida Symphony

T h e S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a S y m p h o n y made its debut as a community orchestra on April 15, 1961, playing in schools and community centers, with a roster of only 24 volunteer musicians Today, the symphony boasts a roster of 70 world-class p r o f e s s i o n a l m u s i c i a n s , a n d i s L e e County’s only fully professional orchestra a n d f o u r t h o l d e s t i n t h e s t a t e T h e Southwest Florida Symphony’s 63rd year continues the orchestra’s tradition of artistic excellence and innovation as Music Director Maestro Radu Paponiu leads another season of spectacular performances Maestro Paponiu, the sixth music director in the organization’s history, also serves as the associate conductor and youth orchestra director for the Naples Philharmonic in addition to guest-conducting with orchestras throughout the United States and Europe

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e Southwest Florida Symphony, upcoming season performances and subscription and ticketing information, visit swflso org or call 239-418-1500

3rd

Annual LunaFest Film Screening

Traveling film fest features films made by and about women

The Alliance for the Arts is bringing LunaFest back for the third year on May 26, beginning at 7 p m The traveling film fest, sponsored by Luna Bars, is dedicated to elevating women in the filmmaking industry

LunaFest celebrates a powerful and diverse set of women filmmakers and helps expose their short films to national audiences Since 2001, LunaFest has empowered and shared the work of more than 175 women filmmakers giving them the opportunity to tell their stories and opening the door for filmmakers who might not otherwise be given the chance to show their art.

This year's LunaFest features seven (7) short films, light refreshments and the opportunity to interact with others in the community Tickets are $15 and available on EventBrite More information is available at ArtInLee org or by emailing

events@artinlee org

Alliance for the Arts is at 10091 McGregor Boulevard just south of Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers

About Alliance for the Arts

The Alliance for the Arts is a nonprofit community visual and performing arts center located in the heart of Fort Myers, Florida Since 1975, the Alliance has been committed to transforming lives and improving community through the arts The Alliance campus and galleries are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 9 a m to 1 p m on Saturdays Located For more information, please call 239-939-2787, visit us at www ArtInLee org, find us on Facebook, Instagram or follow us on Twitter

Broadway Palm Children’s Theatre to present ‘How I Became A Pirate’

2 - 3 0

t i n e e s J u n e

“How I Became A Pirate” tells the tale of Jeremy Jacobs as he gets invited to join Braid Beard’s pirate crew, he thinks the pirate life is for him

Until he realizes that the simple things in life, like a kiss and a warm tucking in at night, are those that are most important. Set sail for a fun-filled journey as Jeremy learns that the most important things in life are worth more than buried treasure

Broadway Palm Children’s Theatre presents full-scale productions that are great for all ages Performances are

matinees with lunch at noon and show beginning at 1 p.m. The chef’s special b u f f e t i n c l u d e s c h i l d r e n ’ s f a v o r i t e s like pizza, chicken nuggets, french fries, pasta and more

Ticket prices for the buffet and the show are only $25 for all ages Group rates are available for parties of 20 or more Tickets a r e n o w o n s a l e a n d c a n b e r e s e r v e d b y c a l l i n g 2 3 9 - 2 7 84422, by visi t i n g w w w B r o a d w a y P a l m c o m , o r b y s t o p p i n g b y the box office a t 1 3 8 0 C o l o n i a l B o u l e v a r d i n Fort Myers

Not easy but worth it

p e t re s c u e o rg a n i z a t i o n o f Fo r t M y e rs B e a ch I t w a s n o t e a s y b u t t h e s e a r e t h e d o g s w e s a v e d t h i s c o u p l e o f w e e k s T a k i n g o v e r f i v e d o g s h a s b e e n a c h a l l e n g e b e t w e e n c o o r d in a t i n g a l l t h e f o s t e r s / a d o p t e r s S o m e o f t h e m f o u n d h o m e s a n d s o m e a r e s t i l l f o s t e r e d A l l a r e s t i l l a d j u s t i n g H e a r tw o r m p o s i t i v e f o r h a l f o f t h e m t h i s w i l l b e a c h a ll e n g e f o r t h e n e x t f e w w e e k s O n e l e f t t o s a v e , w e a r e h o p i n g s o m e o n e w i l l b e i n t e r e s t e d i n F o x y , s t i l l a t t h e s h e l t e r . S h e i s f i n e w i t h o t h e r d o g s a n d f r i e n d l y w i t h p e o p l e J u s t t o o t e n s e i n t h e s h e l t e r

Foxy

F o x y i s 6 years old Please let us know if you w o u l d l i k e t o s a v e h e r p l e a s e c o n t a c t u s v i a phone or text at 239-281-0739

Keep Lili at the beach!

Lili (10 years old) has been on the beach for the last few years with her dad and would love to stay there and still enjoy playing in the sand Give her a chance Call or text Isabelle at 239-281-0739

Donations, volunteers needed

By Jo Knobloch Saveourstraysfmb

Volunteers are also needed to feed the few cats we have left on Fort Myers Beach and also in the Pine Ridge/Summerlin area.

Please contact Save our Strays 239-851 3485 if you can help a day or two a week

Food can be provided

Fosters are also needed to foster kittens as there are so many that need rescued and saved

Evie needs a home - she is a small brown tabby and very sweet Evie is just 2 years old and likes to play and chase with the other cats in rescue She would be a great companion to have in your home.

Lily and Willy are adorable male and female black and white 8-week-old kittens They look very much alike and could be twins They are very playful and having a great time with their litter mates and are very entertaining

Taz is a 4-month-old male gray and white kitten and is part of a litter of four He and his sister Maya are now at the Pet Supermarket store on College Pkwy and 41 and can be seen there. Both are very sweet and affectionate kittens and look alike. They would be a great pair to adopt or singly if another cat or kitten is in the adoption home to play with.

Ricky and Vicki are also part of an 8-week-old litter and both have longer hair and are so fluffy and cute They enjoy their play times with each other and their litter mates Ricky is gray and white and Vicki is a brown tabby.

Nino and Grayson who were featured in last week’s pet page are now at the Pet Supermarket store at Majestic Palms Boulevard off San Carlos Boulevard near Gladiolus and can be seen there They are beautiful 4-month-old kittens

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Seventh Annual ‘Stage It! Ten-Minute Play Festival’ to be held through May 21

The Seventh Annual “Stage It! Ten-Minute Play Festival”*- will r u n t h r o u g h M a y 2 1 , a t t h e P e r f o r m i n g A r t s C e n t e r , M o e Auditorium & Film Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Road. All tickets are $35

New exhibit opens at Shell Point’s Tribby center

“Seven Months Since: Shell Point Artists and Writers Reflect on Ian” is on display now through June 22 in the Shell Point, Legacy, and Overlook Galleries at the Tribby Arts Center, at 17281 On Par Blvd , Fort Myers The exhibition invited resident artists and writers to express their experience and thoughts of Hurricane Ian

It displays artworks in a wide variety of mediums and printed photos by 66 artists and photographers. The gallery screens also display digital photography by 14 photographers and written submissions ranging from haikus to short narratives recounting the experience by nine writers In addition, there is also a large kinetic artwork titled “Aurora” that was made by artisans of the Shell Point Woodshop for a 2021 exhibition

The galleries are open for free from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

For more information, visit www shellpoint org

Animal Ser vices to host Friday Foster Friendzy

Lee County Domestic Animal Services will host Friday Foster Friendzy on May 26 from noon to 3 p m at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers, to identify foster families who will care for animals not yet ready for adoption

Participate in a day of matchmaking shelter pets with a perfect foster Foster families are essential to care for kittens or puppies who are too young for adoption or for nursing mothers and their little ones Other animals needing foster care may be recovering from an injury Needed medical care is provided free of charge by Animal Services

Visit www.leegov.com/animalservices/adopt/adoption-application to complete a foster (adoption) application ahead of the event A foster counselor will see what kind of pet may fit best in your home At the event, prospective fosters will meet a few ideal candidates Anyone who finds a match will be able to take the foster home

T h e r e w e r e 4 6 8 s h o r t p l a y s entered in this year’s competition from 38 states and 8 countries There are thirty winning plays that will be published in Volume 7 of t h e S t a g e I t ! T e n - M i n u t e P l a y s series The book release will coincide with the festival copies will be available for purchase during the event or from online retailers This y e a r ’ s w i n n i n g p l a y w r i g h t s h a i l from around the globe, from Florida to New York and across the nation t o C a l i f o r n i a , p l u s A u s t r i a , A u s t r a l i a , C a n a d a , C z e c h i a , Germany, Japan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom The Stage It! Festival will feature 10 of the winning plays, performed throughout both weekends

During the Stage It! Festival, five directors utilizing local talent

will present plays of varying styles of comedy and drama, and all very theatrical Subjects involve nautical lore, women supporting women, s u p e r h e r o e s , s w a m p m o n s t e r s , death, office politics, and as always, l o v e A f t e r t h e p e r f o r m a n c e s actors, directors and attending playwrights are available for a brief talkback

Q u e s t i o n s c a n b e e m a i l e d t o AAcevedo2@leegov com Anyone who is unable to attend the event but still wishes to foster a pet is invited to visit www leelostpets com and complete the application Animal Services will contact you after the application is processed

For more information call 239-533-7387 (LEEPETS) or visit the shelter in Fort Myers Find Lee County D o m e s t i c A n i m a l S e r v i c e s ’ s o c i a l m e d i a s i t e s o n Facebook or Instagram @leeanimalservices

Contemporary, dark comedy, ‘Lobby Hero’ now playing at Florida Repertory Theatre

Florida Repertory Theatre closes out its 25th anniversary season with “Lobby Hero” by Kenneth Lonergan The production runs in the ArtStage Studio Theatre now through May 21. Tickets may be purchased online at www.floridarep org or by calling the box office at 239-332-4488 or toll-free at 877-787-8053

Florida Repertory Theatre is at 2268 Bay St , Fort Myers

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preser ve hosting classes

The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is offering Tiny Tots Yoga and Guided Meditation classes for the spring season at the preserve's Interpretive Center, at 7751 Penzance

Blvd , Fort Myers

The audiences get their say in the Stage It! Festival’s outcome by voting for their favorites the playwright whose work receives the most votes will win the honor of being “Audience Favorite,” which will be announced during the talkback after the final performance on May 21 For more information visit artcenterbonita org/stage it/

∫ Now through May 3 1 : Tiny Tots Yoga on Wednesdays from 1 0 to 1 1 a.m.

Guardians and toddlers up to age 5 can enjoy meditation, movement and songs in an active, family-friendly yoga class Taught by certified yoga instructor Mariela Gómez, the class uses music, yoga play props and stories to help children establish a connection with their caretakers while benefiting from active movement Participants must bring their own gear, including yoga mat, blanket or towel, and water bottle Provided props will be disinfected thoroughly both before and following the class.

The cost for a full session of four classes is $40 or $10 for a single class

A paid parking fee of $1 per hour per vehicle is required

Preregister at www leeparks org; walk-ins welcome if there are open spaces

For more information, visit www leeparks org/sixmilecypress or call 239-533-7555

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

Organization seeking former USS Intrepid crew members

T h e I n t r e p i d S e a , A i r & S p a c e Museum reported that Aug. 16 will mark the 80th anniversary of the commissioning of USS Intrepid (CVS-11), the World War II-era Essex class aircraft carrier that is now the centerpiece of the New York City museum To mark the occasion, the museum will put out a coast-to-coast “all call” for Intrepid former crew members to b e r e u n i t e d a t a s p e c i a l 8 0 t h

Commissioning Anniversary Celebration on board the ship T h e m u s e u m i s a l s o s e e k i n g a n d accepting donations of personal artifacts and memorabilia from former crew members and their families The museum noted that each item added to the collec-

tion helps it perpetuate, honor, express and interpret Intrepid’s stories of service, and to fulfill its mission to honor, educate and inspire millions of people each year

The museum reported that the homecoming will feature a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of Intrepid’s commissioning on Aug 16, honoring former crew members from all eras of the carrier’s service, who will reunite and share stories of their tours of duty It will host a special former crew member dinner event that evening and guided tours of the ship For some former crew members, it will be the first time they have been aboard their ship since the completion of their service While the museum recognizes the ship’s

commissioning anniversary every year, the 80th celebration promises to be the largest gathering of former crew members since the 75th anniversary in 2018

The museum added that the Intrepid’s 8 0 t h C o m m i s s i o n i n g A n n i v e r s a r y Celebration is open to the public, and will feature events specifically tailored for former crew members and their families, as well as opportunities for members of the public to interact with the visiting former crew members

Now a national historic landmark, the aircraft carrier Intrepid was one of the most successful and stalwart ships in U S history Nicknamed “The Fighting I” by its crew, it served in the Pacific during

World War II, surviving five kamikaze attacks and one torpedo strike. It later conducted submarine surveillance in the North Atlantic during the Cold War and served three tours of duty off Vietnam It was also one of the primary recovery vessels for NASA during the Mercury and Gemini missions, and retrieved astronauts Scott Carpenter, Gus Grissom and John Young after their respective orbits and splashdowns in the Pacific

To learn more about the commemoration and for registration information, former crew members and their family members can visit intrepidmuseum org/80 or contact fcm@intrepidmuseum org

PHOTO PROVIDED

Last Laugh-by Luke Herzog.

KURT GULLEDGE

“Beginning Again”

Jurassic Quest, nation’s biggest dinosaur experience, migrates to North Fort

Myers – tickets on sale now

Walk among the dinosaurs as North America’s most popular, can’tmiss dinosaur adventure stomps to Lee Civic Center, June 16-18

North America’s most popular interactive dinosaur experience is BACK, BIGGER and BETTER than EVER! Fort Myers-area families can walk among the nation’s biggest herd of photorealistic dinosaurs when Jurassic Quest opens at the Lee Civic Center for one weekend only, June 16-18

Loved by millions, only Jurassic Quest can bring families memories this BIG! Walk through 165 million years of the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods to learn about the creatures that ruled the Earth! In addition to life-like dinosaurs, Jurassic Quest’s classic experiences for the whole family include some of the largest rideable dinosaurs in North America, live dinosaur shows, interactive science and art activities including a fossil dig and real fossils like T-Rex teeth, a triceratops horn and lifesize dino skull, a “Triceratots” soft play area for our littlest explorers, bounce houses and inflatable attractions, photo opportunities, and more

New for 2 0 2 3 ! Jurassic Quest is bringing more handson activities, education and fun This evolution, Jurassic Quest includes an expanded Excavation Station and more Jurassic-themed rides and inflatables Even our animatronic herd has expanded to include fan favorites, the Utahraptor and Giganotosaurus In addition to “The Quest,” a self-guided scavenger hunt style activity where b u d d i n g p a l e o n t o l o g i s t s c a n b e c o m e J r D i n o s a u r

Trainers, Jurassic Quest has launched a new video tour that’s already getting “roaring good” reviews from families and features our star dino trainers: Safari Sarah, Dino Dustin, Prehistoric Nick and Park Ranger Marty (available onsite and on your phone via QR code)! All expanded activities are included with general admission

The Jurassic Quest herd of animatronic dinos – from

the largest predators to playful baby dinos – are displayed in realistic scenes with some that move and roar, allowing guests to experience them as they were when they roamed Earth millions of years ago. Jurassic Quest works in collaboration with leading paleontologists to ensure each dinosaur is painstakingly replicated in every detail, from coloration to teeth size, to textured skin, fur or feathers, drawing on the latest research about how we understand dinosaurs looked and moved Families also have the unique opportunity to meet the babies, hatched only at Jurassic Quest: Cammie the Camarasaurus, Tyson the T-Rex and Trixie the Triceratops

Year-round

Dino

Fun Wherever You Are!

Even after the dino herd moves out of town, you can find dinosaur fun at home anytime with Jurassic Quest virtual resources Join the Jurassic Quest dino trainers as they celebrate Dino Day, Fossil Day and more Dino-tastic days with activities such as Dino Storytime, Show & Tell, fossil lessons and more HERE Families also can access craft activities, word searches, coloring pages and more provided for free HERE, as well as the extensive Jurassic Quest dino directory HERE And, the Jurassic Quest theme song HERE is newly remastered with captions so families can sing along!

Tickets & logistics

Advance purchase online recommended to ensure desired date and availability at www jurassicquest com, or tickets are available on-site, and include a 100% ticket guarantee that in the event of a show cancellation or postponement for any reason, ticket purchases will be automatically refunded for the full purchase amount

General admission tickets include access to the dinosaur exhibits, arts and crafts activities, and dinosaur shows There are rides and activities that require activity tickets available on site, or guests can upgrade to the Kids Unlimited Ticket (the best value for children ages 2-10) Entry is free for children under age 2

Guests can walk through the dinosaur experience at their own pace, and strollers are permitted Socks required for inflatable attractions Some venues may have wheelchairs for use, but please contact the venue in advance to make arrangements.

About Jurassic Quest

Jurassic Quest is the largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibition in North America Since 2013, Jurassic Quest has been touring epic dinosaur experiences treating millions of people across North America to an as-close-as-you-can-get look at the giants that ruled the Earth and sea millions of years ago Developed with leading paleontologists, each dinosaur has been painstakingly replicated in every detail including the most realistic likenesses, movement and sound Whether their prehistoric counterpart had skin that was scaly, feathers or fur, Jurassic Quest has spared no expense in bringing the dinosaurs to life Jurassic Quest sold more than one million tickets in 2019, and hosted more than 2 5 million fans at its Jurassic Quest Drive Thru beginning in 2020 Jurassic Quest now operates three touring versions of its classic indoor event, welcoming fans in 41 states and four provinces in the U S and Canada over the past year For more information and tickets visit www jurassicquest com

SPORTS & RECREATION

BoatUS Foundation: 5 ways to be seen and heard when you really need to summon help National Safe Boating Week is May 21–27

When you have an emergency on the water, how do you get help? For National Safe Boating Week, May 2127, the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is reminding boaters that having the ability to be seen and heard is critically important Here are five ways boaters can prepare for a safe summer on the water and, if necessary, summon rescuers to your location

∫ VHF Radio – A VHF (Very High Frequency) radio is the most reliable way to communicate with other boats and emergency responders on most waterways New Digital Selective Calling (DSC) radios with a red distress button can even send an emergency call and other important information such as your location to authorities automatically when properly installed and registered.

∫ Emergency Beacon – An emergency beacon, such as an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) or PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) can be activated to send a distress signal to satellites and rescue authorities These devices are designed to work in remote areas where cellphone coverage is not available EPIRBs and PLBs can be rented from the BoatUS Foundation

∫ Sound-Producing Device – A sound producing device, such as an installed horn, a handheld air horn, and even a whistle, can be used to signal for help Five or

more blasts from a horn or a whistle indicate danger or a d a n g e r o u s s i t u a t i o n i s u n f o l d i n g S o u n d - p r o d u c i n g devices are required by law on most boats and can be

heard over a considerable distance

∫ Visual Distress Signals – Visual Distress Signals (VDS) such as pyrotechnic flares and certain batteryoperated SOS light beacons can be used to signal for help when you’re out on the water Flares and Coast Guardapproved distress lights can be seen from several miles away and are an effective way to signal for help when other methods of communication are not available

∫ Distress Flag – A distress flag is an orange flag with a black square and a black circle If you’re in distress, you can hoist the flag to signal other boats that you need assistance This is a good alternative for use on small, wet watercraft, like kayaks and personal watercraft where traditional flares could get wet or storage aboard is a challenge

About the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water:

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating Funded primarily by donations from the more than 800,000 members of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the nonprofit provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America's waterways and keeping boating safe for all A range of safe and clean boating courses – including the nation's largest free online boating safety course – can be found at BoatUS org/Courses

PHOTO PROVIDED

Visual distress signals can be very effective for summoning help from those assets closest to your location – fellow boaters – potentially shortening response time

Tarpon Bay Explorers adjusts kayak, tram tour schedule for off-season

Tarpon Bay Explorers reported that it has dialed back its tour schedule with the end of season

Kayak Trail Tours will be offered on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Lasting an hour and a half with an experienced naturalist, the guide takes participants through the Commodore Creek Tram Tours of the J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge will take place on Thursdays at 10 a m and 1 p m

“Commodore Creek didn’t move anywhere,” TBE Managing Partner Wendy Schnapp joked

“Though the trail’s mangroves did experience some damage, the trail is fully accessible as it has been in the past,” she added “The water clarity lately has been fantastic and we always want locals and

visitors alike to experience the trail’s beauty and our knowledge of the ecosystems and its inhabitants ”

The concession to the refuge, TBE prov i d e s e c o - t o u r s a n d w a t e r r e c r e a t i o n rentals

It also operates a nature-themed gift shop

TBE is open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a m to 5 p m

The last rentals for the day go out at 3 p m

For more information or reservations, visit www tarponbayexplorers com or call 239-472-8900

Tarpon Bay Explorers is at 900 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel

May ‘Murph’ Award

T h e M a r i n e a n d Environmental Resource

T a s k F o r c e ( M E R T F ) aka “Murph” is an advisory committee for the Town Council of Fort Myers Beach The meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month and are currently being h e l d a t 1 0 a m a t

D i a m o n d h e a d B e a c h Resort MERTF presents “Murph” award to people who are seen demons t r a t i n g g o o d e n v i r o nmental stewardship.

This month’s Murphy award goes to Ed and Kim Ryan of Beach Talk R a d i o W h i l e t h e y offered information duri n g t h e i r w e e k l y Saturday morning radio broadcasts from Times

S q u a r e , f o l l o w i n g Hurricane Ian, they provided valuable information on where vital necessities could be acquired, such as water and food They also gave residents and business owners the time they could return to Fort Myers Beach, the documentation needed, and the curfew regulations

As time has passed, they increased their communication with the public

T h e y n o w d i s t r i b u t e t w o w e e k l y newsletters, breaking news on their F a c e b o o k a c c o u n t , w e e k e n d w a l k arounds and bike arounds They cover

the Town of Fort Myers Beach government topics, local business updates, and community events

A d d i t i o n a l l y , E d a n d K i m R y a n orchestrated a fund raiser to resupply the Marine and Environmental Resource Task Force pop-up tent with a new tent, tables, display cases, plastic storage bins, etc The tent has supplied locals as well as tourists with a wealth of information on sea turtles, vegetation, shorebirds, shelling, lighting, manatees, butterflies, plus more!

Share the beach with sea turtles this holiday weekend

This World Turtle Day, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reminds the public that as we enjoy our beaches this Memorial Day weekend, everyone can help sea turtles have a successful nesting season by giving them space, removing beach furniture at night, keeping beaches clean and dark, and never disturbing their nests

F l o r i d a ’ s s a n d y b e a c h e s p r o v i d e important spring and summer nesting habitat for several species of federally threatened and endangered sea turtles, including loggerhead, leatherback and green sea turtles, with occasional nesting by federally endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles

Getting too close (50 feet or less) to nesting sea turtles can cause them to leave the beach before they complete nesting

All species of sea turtles and their nests are protected and should not be disturbed

it is illegal to harm, harass or take nesting sea turtles, their eggs and hatchlings

In addition to giving space to sea turtles and their nests, beachgoers can help with sea turtle nesting success every time they visit the shore:

∫ Clear the way at the end of the day!

P r o p e r l y d i s p o s e o f a l l t r a s h , f i l l i n h u m a n - m a d e h o l e s i n t h e s a n d , a n d remove all beach toys and furniture from the beach before sunset Obstacles on the beach can prevent sea turtles from nesting Trash and other obstacles can also prevent sea turtle hatchlings from reaching the water once they emerge from their nests Food scraps attract predators, such as raccoons and crows, that can prey on sea turtle hatchlings, as well as shorebird eggs and chicks Litter on beaches can

e n t a n g l e s e a t u

wildlife

∫ Lights out! Turn off lights or close curtains after dark to ensure nesting turtles are not disturbed or disoriented as they c o m e a s h o r e a n d h a t c h lin g s w il l n o t become disoriented when they emerge

from their nests Make sure exterior lighting adjacent to nesting beaches is long, low and shielded Avoid using flashlights or cell phone lights and taking flash photos after dark on the beach For more information about nesting sea t u r t l e s a n d h o w y o u c a n h e l p , v i s i t

PHOTO PROVIDED

MyFWC com/SeaTurtle or see the FWC’s “Be a Beach Hero” brochure You can also help sea turtles by reporting anyone disturbing a sea turtle or nest, as well as sea turtles that are sick, injured, entangled or dead to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922)

PHOTO PROVIDED Ed and Kim Ryan of Beach Talk Radio

TARPON BAY EXPLORERS

Community Concert Association announces 2024 Season

Tickets now on sale for five rare performances

Internationally-acclaimed performers from the Ukraine, Spain, Bulgaria and Canada will headline the five concerts planned for 2024 by the Fort Myers Community Concert Association

Tickets are now on sale for the fiveperformance season, which organizers say brings the best in symphony orchestras, song and dance to Southwest Florida All performances will be at the Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall on the Florida SouthWestern State College campus in Fort Myers

“We are so happy to continue with a full slate of performances for our 2024 s e a s o n , ” s a i d C o m m u n i t y C o n c e r t Association President Mary Lee Mann

“Community Concert Association members and guests will love seeing the Kyiv Virtuosi Symphony Orchestra from the Ukraine as well as our other artists from around the world ”

All five concerts are included in one ticket price, which ranges from $165 for prime orchestra and mezzanine seats to $155 for other orchestra and mezzanine seats, $85 for lower balcony seating and just $65 for upper balcony There is limited $165 orchestra seating still available, Mann said

F o r m e m b e r s h i p i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t www fortmyerscommunityconcerts org or e m a i l M L M a n n C o n c e r t s @ a o l c o m Tickets to individual performances are not available at this time.

The five performances all begin at 7:30 p m :

∫ Canadian Brass – January 7, 2024

Since its formation in 1970, the Canadian

Brass has been playing for audiences throughout the world with a repertoire that ranges from Bach and Handel to Joplin, Gershwin and Ellington The group has received a combined total of 24 G r a m m y a n d J u n o n o m i n a t i o n s a n d played Carnegie Hall, toured China and performed before five prime ministers

∫ Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra –J a n u a r y 1 6 , 2 0 2 4 O f f i c i a l l y n a m e d Bulgaria’s national orchestra in 1945, The Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra has roots going back to 1892 The orchestra has long established itself as one of Bulgaria’s leading cultural institutions and has garnered substantial world-wide recognition The Philharmonic’s repertoire comprises works from the entire historically available range of music from classical to contemporary opuses, including performances of numerous works by Bulgarian composers

∫ G r e a t V o i c e s f r o m O p e r a t o Broadway – February 5, 2024 Concerto S o l o i s t s I n t e r n a t i o n a l e r e t u r n s t o t h e Community Concert Association with all new music, featuring popular highlights from grand opera to Broadway to pop performed by international soloists from four continents with a live on-stage orchestra and an emcee

∫ Barcelona Flamenco Ballet – March 7, 2024 Known for its outstanding and unforgettable productions, the Barcelona Flamenco Ballet offers an innovative combination of both traditional and more m o d e r n a n d c o n t e m p o r a r y f l a m e n c o dance set to musical styles ranging from classical to jazz to conventional flamenco

∫ Kyiv Virtuosi Symphony Orchestra

– March 19, 2024 Years of friendship and collaboration between a group of tale n t e d U k r a i n i a n l a u r e a t e s a n d w o r l d f a m o u s c o n d u c t o r a n d c e l l i s t D m i t r y

Yablonsky led to the creation of the Kyiv Virtuosi Symphony Orchestra During this year’s “Tour of Freedom,” the orchestra will be joined by MultiPiano, a unique piano ensemble ranging from one piano with four hands to several pianos in a variety of multi-hand combinations

About Fort Myers Community Concert Association

The Fort Myers Community Concert

Association, now in its 74th concert seas o n , i s a n a l l - v o l u n t e e r n o t - f o r - p r o f i t organization founded by the legendary Barbara B Mann in 1949 to bring worldclass entertainment to Southwest Florida at affordable prices. The association consists of more than 1,200 members, underwriters and sponsors Performers brought to Fort Myers in the past by the association include The Israel Ballet, The Boston Brass, Violin Virtuoso Itzhak Perlman, Cleveland Orchestra, Vienna Boys Choir, Pianist Andre Watts, Violinist Joshua Bell with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and many others

PHOTO PROVIDED

Canadian Brass

Tony’s Tree Service

n W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a y 2 4 , 2 0 2 3 f o r t m y e r s b e a c h t a l k . c o m F o r t M y e r s B e a c h B u l l e t i n