Fort Myers Beach Observer/The Beach Bulletin

Beach Elementary slated for Nov. 13 reopening

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

Fort Myers Beach Elementary School parents who were hoping to have their children back in the island school for the start of the school year this August, will instead have to wait until Nov 13 based on a letter sent to families by the district

Lee County School District Supt Dr Chris Bernier emailed parents May 26 w i t h t h e t e n t a t i v e d a t e o f N o v 1 3

Seeing that felt like a punch in the gut. My stomach sank when I saw November. Because we have been more than clear that there was significant urgency on our part ”

Pierless

N o time line from coun ty to re build

Fo rt Mye rs Bea ch P ie r

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

There is not one more univers a l l y r e c o g n i z e d s p o t b y those who have visited Fort Myers Beach than the Fort Myers Beach Pier Perhaps nothing will signify that the island is back from the thrashing of Hurricane Ian than the reopening of the Fort Myers Beach Pier

Yet the pier, which was ripped apart by Ian, has stood largely u n t o u c h e d f o r t h e l a s t e i g h t months The pier, which is owned by the county, sits blocked off and c l o s e d f r o m T i m e s S q u a r e almost in the same way it was closed three years ago during the COVID outbreak

And there is no timeline for when the repair of the pier will begin Lee County Government has provided no date for when plan may start to repair the pier or when construction is expected.

F o r m e r F o r t M y e r s B e a c h Mayor Anita Cereceda said she is considering the start of a petition to reopen the pier “If could be a beacon of hope by rebuilding that pier,” Cereceda said “I don’t think we’re close on what it’s going to cost and what i t ’ s g o i n g t o l o o k l i k e , ” L e e

C o u n t y C o m m i s s i o n e r R a y Sandelli (R-District 3) said

See PIER, page 11

Lee County Government has no timetable for when it will rebuild the Fort Myers Beach Pier, which was left in tatters by Hurricane Ian NATHAN

MAYBERG

Construction is expected to start Aug 1

Not everyone is happy about that

Fort Myers Beach Elementary School parent Monica Schmucker said she had “deeply mixed emotions” regarding the tentative Nov 13 reopening date Schmucker said she was frustrated “that this is where we are so late in the year, despite expressing our sense of urgency throughout this entire process

See BEACH ELEMENTARY, page 11

Boardwalk opponents speak out

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

A parade of more than a dozen speakers turned up in front of the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council Monday in person and through emailed correspondence to voice their opposition to the council’s approval of a special exception permit for a 298-feet boardwalk to cross two state lagoons that merge with the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area

The speakers called on the council to rescind its approval for the permit, which is the subject of litigation from the Florida Audubon

While the council did not do so, nor did it discuss contemplating such a move, the elected board did direct the town attorney to send the two property owners who were awarded the permit an indemnification letter seeking to shield the town of some liability if the town were to lose the lawsuit after granting a building permit.

The property owners, Ed Rood of Texas Hold’em LLC and Indiana resident Kurt Kroemer of Squeeze Me Inn LLC, have sought for the building permit to be expedited with the support of two of the town’s new councilmembers, John King and Karen Woodson, despite the unsettled lawsuit against the town for the permit

Town of Fort Myers Beach Attorney John Herin Jr warned the council against issuing the building permit while the council’s decision is appealed in county circuit court He said that if the town were to lose the suit after granting the building permit, the property owners would be required to remove the 298-feet boardwalk and the town could face legal challenges from Florida Audubon for granting the building permits The board-

See BOARDWALK, page 12

MONICA SCHMUCKER Fort Myers Beach Elementary School parent

n W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , J u n e 7 , 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

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J u n e 7 ,

W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y ,

Homework: 365 days a year, the summer rise

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

Gwyn Gittens

Guest Commentary

Summer may mean relaxing and slowing down, and children need time to relax, but it doesn’t mean stop, especially learning! Learning should be happening 365 days of the year, whether at school or at home A great aunt

Council’s decision on boardwalk will negatively impact island

To the editor:

We’d like to thank the Town Council for their tireless work on behalf of us citizens both pre and post Ian

of mine used to say, “If you don’t learn at least one new thing each day, your day was not successful ” There is an education conc e p t c a l l e d t h e “ s u m m e r slide ” It means the difference between a student’s reading scores, mainly, and other acad e m i c m e a s u r e s t h a t s l i d e downward during the summer Data shows that if children do not read over the summer, they can lose as much as three months of reading progress! Why? Because it is like any skill If you stop practicing for a period of time, your performance goes downhill A dancer or musician or singer who doesn't practice cannot perform at the same level Remember to balance and mix learning and fun

When students return in the fall, they will be tested to see how much they did “slide,” academically In order to know how much they slid, they have to know scores at the end

Letters to the Editor

of the year. Parents must know those scores, too Make sure you have talked to the teachers and have your student’s latest academic scores You should know if your child is in the achievement gap, so you can work on getting them to “rise” out of it Homework can reduce the summer slide and maybe even create a “summer rise ”

∫ Know your child’s scores, not just their end of year grade; they are different

∫ Ask for “summer learning” packets and reading lists from their school

∫ Make a summer learning plan with your child and the family

∫ Continue to ask the question, “What did you learn today?” Wait for an answer

Homework 365 days a year is a must! There are many simple, easy and fun ways to have a “summer rise” not a “summer slide” and gain academic achievement

G w y n G i t t e n s i s t h e d i r e c t o r o f G w y n E d u c a t i o n A f o r m e r L e e C o u n t y School Board member, she has experience as a K-12 educator and in adult education and has been an adjunct professor For more information, visit GwynEducation com

Poll

∫

We’ve been impressed by the extensive conversations and careful decision making that generally goes on at LPA and Town Council meetings, considering the benefits for the majority of residents and guests on the island This has not happened in the Special Exception granted to Rood and Kroemer for their “dune walkover” a boardwalk access through two lagoons and into a Critical Wildlife Area, the nesting area of several threatened species That structure and the traffic of their renters and guests will have a negative effect on our nesting shorebirds, a population already in decline before Ian struck our island

B e a c h e s a n d s h o r e l i n e s c h a n g e n a t u r a ll y a s w e l l a s a r e s u l t o f p e o p l e i m p o s i n g s t r u c t u r e s o n t o t h e m H a v i n g w a l k e d t h e b e a c h o n t h e s o u t h e n d o f t h e i s l a n d s i n c e

1 9 8 9 , w e ’ v e o b s e r v e d h o w t h e s h i f t i n g s a n d s a n d t i d e s h a v e c r e a t e d a n d t h e n f i l l e d i n t i d e p o o l s

Just north of our Bay Beach Lane access is the Leonardo Arms Preserving the beach and the buildings there seems a sensible project, but we’re bracing ourselves for the effects its rescue will have on the rest of the beach The shoreline there will change due to the gulf’s interaction with the new seawall Will that seawall serve to partition the beach

Yes

∫

Share your opinion at fortmyersbeachtalk.com

and curb the walks of our community? One of the most wonderful features of our barrier island has been the opportunity to walk the entire beach without interruption As with the Leonardo Arms seawall, the proposed lagoon walkover could alter this Considering the way the southern shoreline has shifted over the last several years, it is not at all inconceivable that the boardwalk into the Critical Wildlife area will similarly partition the beach it seeks to access

A t t h e v e r y l e a s t , t h e s t r u c t u r e w i l l a l t e r

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

a r e a i t t a r g e t s A l t h o u g h t h e c o u n c i l h a s

d e v o t e d i t s e l f t o t h e p r e s e r v a t i o n o f t h e r i c h n e s s t h a t i s F o r t M y e r s B e a c h , i t ’ s s a d t h a t t h e i r a p p r o v a l o f t h e b o a r d w a l k d e l i be r a t e l y i m p o s e s a t h r e a t t o t h e w i l d l i f e o u r b e a c h s u p p o r t s T h e C o u n c i l ’ s d e c i s i o n f a v o r e d t h e m o n e y e d i n t e r e s t s b y i n v i t i n g t h e m t o m o v e r i g h t o u t i n t o t h e n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e t h a t i s t h e b e a c h T h e c o u n c i l c h o s e t o s u p p o r t t h e r e a l e s t a t e i n v e s t o r s a t t h e e x p e n s e o f t h e e n v i r o n m e n t t h a t a t t r a c t e d t h o s e i n v e s t o r s i n t h e f i r s t p l a c e !

T o d a y t h e C o u n c i l h a s a n o t h e r c h a n c e t o d o t h e r i g h t t h i n g f o r n a t u r e P l e a s e r e c o ns i d e r a l l o w i n g t h e i r i n f r i n g e m e n t o n a n a r e a t h a t h a s l o n g p r o v i d e d f o r t h e b i r d s

We urge the Council to think of the good of the majority of the residents and guests of Fort Myers Beach and protect their ability to walk the beach and enjoy viewing a healthy, protected rare bird population

Leslie and Roger Frick

Fort Myers Beach

r, $ 6 2 C i rc u l a t i o n ( 2 3 9 ) 5 7 4 - 1 9 3 6 C l a s s i fi e d / D i s p l a y A d ve r t i s i n g ( 2 3 9 ) 5 7 4 - 1 1 1 0 Customer service hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a m to 5 p m , except major holidays Letters to the editor must be typed or hand printed Your name and phone number must be affixed to the copy In the event of an advertising error, we are responsible only for the first incorrect insertion of the ad itself We are not responsible for any credit or reimbursement after 30 days from publication Postal Information: Third class postage paid at Fort Myers Beach, FL Permit 521 Postmaster: Send address changes to the Beach Observer 19260 San Carlos Blvd Fort Myers Beach FL 33931 The Observer and Bulletin is published every Wednesday 19260 San Carlos Blvd Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 Phone: (239) 765-0400 Fax: (239) 765-0846 Web: fortmyersbeachtalk com We want your opinion Web

Town’s special exception per mit for walkover puts shorebirds at risk

To the editor:

To Town Council, Town Manager, Town Clerk, and FMB Residents:

The Special Exception for Rood and Kroemer’s 298 foot “dune walkover” should n e v e r h a v e b e e n a p p r o v e d b y a T o w n Council 3 to 2 vote The Town is now being sued by Florida Audubon and rightly so for the Council’s failure to consider the negative, life-threatening impact to the resident and wintering shorebirds

1 The 298-foot structure is a football field in length, crosses over two lagoons, and is not a dune walkover That is misrepresentitive of what will be built

2 Taken from FMB Special Exception application: “Whether the request will protect, conserve, or preserve environmentally critical areas and natural resources ” Natural r e s o u r c e s d o e s i n c l u d e s h o r e b i r d s T h i s structure located along a Critical Wildlife Area and in the Town’s EC Zone will environmentally degrade and fragment important shorebird nesting, feeding and resting habitat

One can simply spend a few hours, as I have done many times, in this area to see threatened Least Terns nesting nearby, threatened Snowy Plovers feeding in the wrack line, Wilson Plover’s on a nest right where this structure would be built, black skimmers skimming the lagoons to catch an evening

See LETTERS, page 7

n W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , J u n e 7 , 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

Mel’s Diner to hold Burgers for Barbara’s Friends

Mel’s Diner is offering a way for patrons to show support for children with cancer by hosting Burgers for Barbara’s Friends On June 8, which is also National Best Friends Day, Mel’s Diner restaurants in Southwest Florida will donate 50% from the sale of four different burgers on the menu to Barbara’s Friends, the cancer fund for Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

The fundraiser will help ensure that programs and services are available for local children diagnosed with cancer at the hospital Cancer support includes assisting with the cost of treatment, medications, mental health counseling, therapies and the addition of specialty services like pediatric neurosurgery for children with brain cancer saving families the anxiety and expense of transporting a critically ill child to Tampa or Miami

Participating Mel’s Diner locations include:

∫ Mel’s Diner Fort Myers – 4820 S Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33907

∫ Mel’s Diner Cape Coral – 1331 Pine Island Rd NE, Cape Coral, FL 33909

∫ Mel’s Diner Naples

3650 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL 34103

∫ Mel’s Diner Golden Gate

12035 Collier Blvd, Naples, FL 34116

For 18 years, Mel’s Diner held the Helping Kids with Cancer Radiothon, donating nearly $1 million through the years to Barbara’s Friends The event is no longer being held, and another fundraiser for Barbara’s Friends, Clips for Cancer, was cut short in 2022 by Hurricane Ian

“We are so grateful to Mel’s Diner for stepping up again to support children with cancer with this promotion,” said Amy Frith, Sr Director, Barbara’s FriendsChildren’s Cancer Fund

for Golisano Children’s Hospital “What better way to be a best friend to a kid with cancer then to enjoy a tasty burger with your friends and give back at the same time ”

The Barbara’s Friends fund has a 28-year history of helping kids with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders, ensuring that no child is denied treatment due to a family’s inability to pay Barbara’s Friends raises roughly one million dollars annually to support lifesaving services, programs and equipment for the young patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital to ensure no family has to face a cancer diagnosis alone Fundraisers like these are key to the success of the program

Pink Shell reopens outdoor pool

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The Pink Shell Beach Resort reopened its outdoor pool this past Memorial Day weekend, a major step in the revitalization of the Fort Myers Beach hotel since Hurricane Ian.

The pool, known as the “Octopool” opened up to hotel guests on Friday, May 26, and had a full house over Memorial Day weekend, Pink House Beach Resort Marketing Manager Matt Santoro said

One new feature of the resort is a resort pass, which allows visitors to come for the day and use resort amenities like the pool, beach chairs, and fitness room

“It's very popular with locals,” Santoro said Santoro said the Pink Shell Beach Resort has 101 of the hotel’s 195 rooms available to book

The hotel currently has rooms available in its Captiva and Sanibel buildings, and plans to reopen the remaining rooms in its main building by the end of the year once renovations to that building are completed

“We are still housing 13 FEMA registered guests at this time Beach restoration has not started on our end of the beach yet but we have sifted all of the sand of debris and groom the beach each morning before putting beach chairs out for guests to enjoy throughout the day,” Santoro said “There is a pop-up bar that serves drinks and cocktails on the pool deck on weekends only for right now with the plan to offer that daily as we get more guests are in-house ”

On Friday, Pink Shell Beach Resort will hold a grand reopening ceremony for the pool at 1 p m with Fort Myers Beach Elementary School students and parents

SBA capital disaster loans available through June 29

The U S Small Business Administration encourages small businesses in Florida with economic losses due to Hurricane Ian that occurred from Sept. 23 through Nov 4, to apply for working capital disaster loans before the June 29 deadline

Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and private nonprofit organizations in the following counties are eligible to apply: Alachua, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando , Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco,

Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Saint Johns, Saint Lucie , Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia

“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 Fleming, director of SBA Field Operations Center East in Atlanta

These federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available 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

Assistance sba gov/ ela/s/ and should apply under SBA declaration # 17645

Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, 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 mailed to: U S Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155

The Pink Shell Beach Resort outdoor pool, known as “Octopool” as seen in 2021.

From page 5

meal, or reddish egrets, snowy egrets, great egrets, green herons, white ibis and roseate spoonbills foraging in the lagoons

3 N e w s h o r e b i r d p o p u l a t i o n d a t a analysis show North American shorebird populations have declined as much as 50% due to habitat loss, degradation, and alteration The installation of Rood and Kroemer’s walkover will degrade and alter shorebird habitat Audubon knows this from scientific research and why the organization, truly committed to bird conservation, is suing the Town

4 Friends, neighbors, myself and the community at large has been severely impacted from Hurricane Ian Why when so many residents, who have been disp l a c e d a n d a r e w o r k i n g t i r e l e s s l y t o restore/rebuild their homes, have Rood

and Kroemer’s special exception application and permit to build a bridge to the beach been given undue consideration?

Why did Karen Woodson bring up the permit for Rood and Kroemer at a prior Town Council meeting suggesting that it was for some reason vitally important Why, why, why???

5 Instead of only financially benefitting two property owners by allowing them to build a private walkover on State Lands, Town Council should maximize the island’s economic recovery by highlighting this shorebird rich area and tapp i n g i n t o t h e m u l t i b i l l i o n - d o l l a r e c otourism market of which birding is a huge part

Penny Jarrett Fort Myers Beach

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties raises over $379K

STAFF REPORT

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hen Counties recently concluded its 13th season Women Build, a national initiative to en women in the effort to provide safe and d homes for families in need of affordable hous

During the 2023 Women Build season, more than 140 volunteers contributed 895 hours on seven different homes for female-led families

Fundraising teams, individual donors and local companies raised more than $379,000 and counting to fund the construction costs of affordable homes for two single moms, each

Lee Clerk to host webinar on filing small claims suit

L e e C o u n t y C l e r k K e v i n K a r n e s w i l l b e h o s t i n g a f r e e w e b i n a r o n h o w t o f i l e a s m a l l c l a i m s l a ws u i t f r o m t h e c o n v e n i e n c e o f y o u r h o m e c o m p u t e r T h e v i r t u a l c l a s s w i l l b e h e l d 2 p m o n W e d n e s d a y , J u n e 1 4 v i a Z o o m

D u r i n g t h e s e s s i o n , a t t e n d e e s w i l l b e t a u g h t a b o u t t h e e n t i r e p r o c e s s o f f i l i n g a s m a l l c l a i m s c a s e , i n c l u d i n g : ∫ W h a t c o n s t i t u t e s a s m a l l c l a i m s c a s e ∫ T h e f o r m s n e e de d t o f i l e t h e c a s e ∫ W h e r e t o g o i n t h e J u s t i c e C e n t e r i f y o u ’ r e f i l i n g i n - p e r s o n

∫ N e x t s t e p s a f t e r y o u ’ v e f i l e d t h e c a s e

∫ T h e h e a r i n g p r o c e s s & m e t h o d s o f c o l l e c t i o n p o s t - j u d g m e n t S m a l l c l a i m s l a w s u i t s a r e c i v i l d i s p u t e s o f $ 8 , 0 0 0 o r l e s s T o r e g i s t e r f o r “ H o w T o F i l e a S m a l l C l a i m s C a s e , ” v i s i t w w w l e e c l e r k o r g / l e a r ni n g A r e c o r d e d v e r s i o n o f t h e w e b i n a r w i l l b e p r ov i d e d o n t h e C l e r k ’ s w e b s i t e T h i s c l a s s i s p a r t o f t h e “ H o w T o ” s e r i e s p r ov i d e d b y t h e C l e r k ’ s o f f i c e t o e d u c a t e t h e c o m m un i t y a b o u t r e s o u r c e s a v a i l a b l e t o t h e m T h e s e r i e s a l s o i n c l u d e s t u t o r i a l s o n h o w t o a p p l y f o r a p a s sp o r t a n d m a r r i a g e l i c e n s e a s w e l l a s h o w t o s e a l a n d e x p u n g e a c r i m i n a l r e c o r d V i s i t w w w l e e c l e r k o r g / h o w t o t o l e a r n m o r e

Motorcyclist killed in Estero Boulevard crash

STAFF REPORT

A motorcyclist was killed on Fort Myers Beach Friday night while traveling on Estero Boulevard.

The 35-year-old motorcyclist, who has a North Carolina address, was pronounced dead at the scene after veering in from the southbound lane into the northbound lane near Redfish Road and colliding with a pickup truck at about 7:45 p m , according to the Florida Highway Patrol

The name of the motorcyclist was not released by the Florida Highway Patrol

The four occupants of the pickup truck, who were from Bonita Springs, were unhurt

The crash remains under investigation

ng children. Through their partnership with itat, both future homeowners will put in 0 hours of sweat equity, attend more than hours of homeownership classes, conute to their closing costs and pay an affordmortgage set at no more than 30% of their nthly income

“We are thrilled with the outcome of this ear's Women Build season and grateful to all of our supporters who helped make it h a p p e n , ” s a y s B e c k y L u c a s , C E O o f Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties. “With our area rated the most overvalued real estate market in the nation,

Habitat is meeting one of the most critical needs our county has ever faced The dedication of our volunteers and donors is truly inspiring and allows us to continue providing safe and affordable housing for families in our community ”

Women Build in Lee and Hendry Counties also celebrated the support of 131 SuperPeople, women and men who pledged at least $250 annually for five years Since 2011, Women Build in Lee and Hendry Counties has partnered with 27 families to build strength and stability for more than 68 children through local fundraising and volunteer efforts This year, the nonprofit is set to build 66 affordable homes in Lee and Hendry counties, with the majority of Habitat homebuyers being women

KLCB awarded grant to implement Cigarette Litter Prevention Program

STAFF REPORT

Keep Lee County Beautiful, Inc. was recently awarded a grant from Keep America Beautiful to implement a Cigarette Litter Prevention Program in Lee County

T h e K e e p A m e r i c a B e a u t i f u l 2020 National Litter Study estimated there are 9 7 billion butts found littered on any given day in the U S

The Cigarette Litter Prevention Program (CLPP), now in its 21st year, is the nation's largest program aimed at reducing cigarette litter. C o m m u n i t i e s i m p l e m e n t i n g a Cigarette Litter Prevention Program, consistently reduce cigarette litter by half based on local measurements taken in the first four to six months a f t e r a p r o g r a

Since its inception, the program has b e

e d i n m o r e t h a n 1,800 U S communities

An effective local Cigarette Litter

Prevention Program includes three p r o v e n , f i e l d - t e s t e d s o l u t i o n s o r strategies for reducing cigarette butt litter

∫ Raise awareness about the issue o f p r o p e r c i g a r e t t e b u t t d i s p o s a l using messaging and marketing campaigns

∫ Place ash receptacles at transition points to non-smoking area like beaches hospitals, or public parks; and

∫ Distribute pocket or portable ashtrays to adult smokers

Keep Lee County Beautiful will be placing litter stands in locations that will help promote proper cigar e t t e b u t t d i s p o s a l a m o n g a d u l t smokers The litter stands will be maintained, and the cigarette butts w i l l b e r e c y c l e d t h r o u g h t h e T e r r a c y c l e ’ s C i g a r e t t e R e c y c l i n g P r o g r a m , t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n announced

For additional information on this program and other initiatives of Keep Lee County Beautiful visit www klcb org

Community Cooperative announces June mobile food pantry times and locations

C o m m u n i t y C o o p e r a t i v e h a s released its food pantry schedule for June Now that school is out, the typical times for certain locations have changed

The Mobile Food Pantry program is one of Community Cooperative’s most innovative ways to bring food and assistance to neighborhoods with high food insecurity and that lack resources

ID is required for all attendees and bringing bags is encouraged with a limit of one mobile food pantry v i s i t p e r m o n t h p e r h o u s e h o l d address

The Community Market is open Monday through Friday from 9 a m to noon for emergency groceries at the main campus, located at 3429 Dr Martin Luther King, Jr Blvd in Fort Myers for those who cannot access a mobile site

If you are interested in financially supporting, volunteering for, or have any questions about our Growing Healthy Kids & Families program, p l e a s e v i s i t u s a t w w w C o m m u n i t y C o o p e r a t i v e c o m or call 239-332-SOUP (7687)

June 2023 Mobile Food Pantries schedule:

∫ Today, June 7 9 – 11 a m

VA Healthcare Center 2489 Diplomat Pkwy E, Cape Coral

(For veteran and veteran families only)

∫ Friday June 9 10 a m – noon

North Fort Myers Regional Park 2000 N Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers

∫ Tuesday, June 13 9 – 11:30 a m

Literacy Council Gulf Coast 26820 S Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs

∫ Wednesday, June 14 10 a m – noon (New time)

H e c t o r C a f f e r e t a E l e m e n t a r y

School 250 Santa Barbra Blvd N, Cape Coral (Park at Technical College)

∫ Thursday, June 15 10 a.m. – noon (New time) Lehigh Senior High School 9 0 1 G u n n e r y R d N , L e h i g h

Acres

∫ Friday, June 16 10 – 11:30 a m

Church 5701 Pine Island Rd , Bokeelia

∫ Tuesday, June 20 10 a m – noon

Pine Manor Community Center 5547 Tenth Ave , Fort Myers

∫

Wednesday, June 21 9 – 11 a m

VA Healthcare Center 2489 Diplomat Pkwy E, Cape Coral

(Veterans and veteran families only)

∫ Thursday, June 22 10 a m – noon

(New time)

Island Coast High School 2125 De Navarra Pkwy , Cape Coral ∫ Tuesday, June 27 3 – 5 p m

Veterans Park Lehigh Acres

5 5 H o m e s t e a d R d S , L e h i g h

Acres

∫ Wednesday, June 28 10 a m – noon

(New time)

North Fort Myers High School 5000 Orange Grove Blvd , North Fort Myers

Kevin Karnes

PHOTO PROVIDED

Guardian ad Litem volunteers needed

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Volunteers continue to be a large need for the Guardian ad Litem Office as the number of children who have been abused, abandoned and neglected remains in the thousands

Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office Director of Communications Melissa Bujeda said through the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team, they use a Guardian ad Litem Attorney, a child welfare professional and a trained volunteer

“The team provides quality independent representation while we assist the child in expressing their needs and wishes,” she said

In 2022, the office represented more than 36,000 children throughout the state of Florida As of April 30, there were 713 children appointed to the Statewide Office in Lee County Bujeda said 446 volunteers were assigned to those children, which left 267 children without a volunteer

A volunteer plays an essential role as the third person in the multidisciplinary team

“We only have so many volunteers Not every child gets the volunteer component to their team,” she said, adding that one is crucial

The volunteer builds that relationship with the child by spending time with them and understanding their wants and needs, therefore having a more in-depth under-

standing than an attorney

“Most volunteers only work with one or two children at a time Many of the volunteers have lifelong relationships with the children,” Bujeda said “It’s something very special Our volunteers become that caring adult in their life who provides a positive presence in the child’s life ”

Guardian ad Litem Office

“We are appointed to the child through the courts When the child ends up, for reasons of not their fault, due to abuse, neglect or abandonment, it goes to the dependency court The judge appoints us to represent the child Every child is assigned a Guardian ad Litem Attorney to represent their interest,” she said

Throughout Florida, they have a little under 200 attorneys on the payroll Bujeda said they are so fortunate to have hundreds of attorneys throughout the state doing pro bono work for the office

“Attorneys have their own way to give back that can truly help a child through pro bono service,” she said

Bujeda said they are appointed for everything from newborns who are drug dependent who might not be in the best situation, to children who end up in a foster care center at the age of 17

“The judge stands in the parent’s shoes The decision, the judge can only do that with information (they) receive

about the child It’s necessary to fulfill the role, so the judge gets all of the information about the child to make the best decision possible,” she said “A lot of these children have nobody in their corner A lot of them have never had that one person that is consistently in their life Someone they can depend on. Someone they can get advice from That role is so important to that young adult ”

Those who volunteer for the Guardian ad Litem Office come from all walks of life from stay-at-home mothers to military professionals Volunteers will have background screening done, as well as an interview before they have to finish 30 hours of training The training can be done online at their own pace

“They will go through a small training process with another volunteer to learn how to write the report for the court After the training period they will be assigned their own child,” Bujeda said.

The requirement is to meet with the child at least once a month, although many meet with them once a week or every other week

“It’s good for the child It’s another set of eyes to make sure the child is safe and getting his or her needs met,” she said “If we are not doing it for them, who is going to do it?”

Those interested can visit www guardianadlitem org and fill out a volunteer inquiry form Someone from the Lee County Sheriff's Office will contact the individual

Teen drivers urged to take extra care behind the wheel

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

With the school year just about in the rear-view mirror and freedom at their fingertips, what experts call the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers has commenced

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, an average of seven people are killed per day

in teen driver-related crashes, according to AAA Nationwide, 31% of deaths involving teen drivers take place over the 100-day span There are 2,341 deaths per year connected to teen crashes, with 732 coming in the aforementioned window

“Summer is historically a dangerous time for teen drivers,” AAA spokesperson

Mark Jenkins said “Now that school is out, teens will spend more time on the road, often driving with friends at odd hours of the day and night Because of their inexperience, teens are more susceptible to dangerous driving behaviors like speeding, driving distracted, and not wearing a safety belt AAA urges parents to model safe driv-

ing behavior and reinforce safe driving habits with their teen drivers to help keep them safe this summer ”

AAA officials say traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens 16 to 19 For every mile driven, new teen drivers (16-17) are three times more likely to

See TEEN DRIVERS, page 13

The school board gave the directive to e x p l o r e t h e p h a s e d r e b u i l d option months ago Many months ago ”

Despite the school board expressing support in concept for rebuilding the school back in January, it took several months for school district officials, the town’s ad-hoc committee and town officials to finalize an interlocal agreement for how the school would reopen

Schmucker said the ad-hoc committee put together a draft memorandum of understanding “that encompassed what had been discussed, addressed everyone’s concerns, and outlined what we thought we were agreeing to, and we submitted it to the district on Feb. 27.” Schmucker said the committee was “left out of the process” after that “We had silence for months While we expressed our concerns about this dragging on and it costing us precious time that our kids could be back in school, we were assured that it wasn’t delaying anything as to the physical building being ready We learned, of course, that that was not true Other than the initial remediation, the building just sat No progress was being made It is clear from the timeline we got last week that they were, in fact, waiting on this interlocal agreement to be signed before doing anything else ”

Schmucker said it wasn’t until April 19 that the committee received the district’s version of the interlocal agreement, which had been put on the school board agenda for vote for April 25 Schmucker said she objected to the school district removing the item off the April 25 school board agenda which led to further delay

From page 1

We are moving as fast as possible while also diligently adhering to state laws and standard procurement processes.”

DR CHRIS BERNIER Lee County School District Supt

Having said that, there is certainly understandable frustration by the parents of the Beach School as to why the school district didn’t start the process to rebuild immediately after the storm. If that would have occurred, the kids would be back on the island starting the school year on time on August 10 This proposed delay adds an additional hardship to parents and kids who are already suffering ”

“We asked that they please not remove it f r o m v o t e b e c a u s e w e c o u l d n o t afford more delay, but they insisted it had to come off the agenda because they didn’t have enough time to properly look it over,” Schmucker said

“Then we got the timeline last week, and it is painfully obvious that they had not been moving forward with any of the progress of rebuilding during any of this process They didn’t even have any of the plans done for the historic building; part of the future timeline included design and architecture work, and then advertising t h e s c o p e o f t h e w o r k J u n e 1 8 , ” Schmucker said

Bernier said demolition drawings for the outer buildings of the school were completed May 15 and bids for the demolition work were put out on May 14 Board approval for the demolition will be scheduled for June 13, and the demolition of the outer buildings is expected to be completed by July 14

Bernier said the district’s architect is “diligently working right now on the required documents for the renovation of the historic building We anticipate the completion of these documents on June 15 ”

“We all want to see the pier rebuilt,” Sandelli said “I think it’s one of the iconic fixtures The question is do we build it in the same place? My guess is it will be or nearby ”

S a n d e l l i , w h o s e d i s t r i c t i n c l u d e s F o r t Myers Beach, said the first few months of post-Ian have been spent trying to get the hardest-hit regions of the county “back to survivability ” Debris removal has been a major focus for the county. The county largely stopped picking up most debris on Fort Myers Beach in April, though Sandelli said the county is still handling some debris dumping

S p o k e s p e r s o n s f o r L e e C o u n t y Government would only say that the pier is on the damaged inventory list of county projects e x p e c t e d t o r e c e i v e F e d e r a l E m e r g e n c y Management Agency funding

“Our Parks and recreation sites and facilities damaged by Ian are still going through the FEMA process,” county spokesperson Betsy Clayton said.

Sandelli said the county wants to make sure it follows FEMA guidelines so it gets fully reimbursed for the work “It takes time,” he said “People are impatient and we understand it ”

Sandelli said its “frustrating that we can’t snap our fingers and make it happen ”

F o r t M y e r s B e a c h V i c e M a y o r J i m

Atterholt said "the rebuilding of the Pier is an important piece of the puzzle as the island seeks to rebuild Getting folks back to their homes and businesses remains the priority. The Lee County commissioners have been great partners in the rebuild and I envision working with them on a design that works well for both the Town and the County I think all design options should be on the table for the new pier not just replicating what was there previously "

Bernier said the renovation project for the historic building will be in front of the s c h o o l b o a r d f o r a p p r o v a l J u l y 3 1 Construction for the renovation would begin Aug 1

“Our goal is to reach substantial completion by Nov 9,” Bernier said

“Seeing that felt like a punch in the gut,” Schmucker said “My stomach sank when I saw November. Because we have been more than clear that there was significant urgency on our part There was no reason they couldn’t have voted to proceed with the renovations to the historic building while we worked out the details of the long-term arrangement and the work on the other buildings But they never put that before the board ”

The delay likely means students will have to return to attending San Carlos Park Elementary School, which parents have complained about for its lengthy commute for students off the island

Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt, who has served as the town council’s liaison to the ad-hoc committee, said “I am very thankful for the recently agreed upon interlocal agreement that h e l p s t o

Lee County School District spokesperson Rob Spicker said the district’s Nov 13 reopening date was a “very aggressive timeline set in place to accomplish that goal We have been clear all along our goal was a return to the campus in the fall and the letter is the first time we have provided a date.”

Bernier said in his letter to parents that “we are moving as fast as possible while also diligently adhering to state laws and s t a n d a r d p r o c u r e m e n t p r o c e s s e s ” f o r restoring the historic elementary school Schmucker said this upcoming school year was a big one for her children

“These kids are only in these grades once,” Schmucker said “Every year matters to them My daughter is going to be in fifth grade and my son in kindergarten This is my daughter’s last year in elementary, and it means a lot to her and her classmates My son’s first year of kindergarten, and this is a huge year for him, too They matter And it’s the school board and school district’s job to take care of these children And I am so tired of some people calling this a business That’s not how you run schools Students are not products you push for profit Sometimes some kids need more help than others, and right now, that’s our kids ”

NATHAN MAYBERG

The Fort Myers Beach Pier, the town's most iconic tourist spot, has become a haven for pelicans since the aftermath of Hurricane Ian

Boardwalk

walk would cut through vegetation

From page 1

Kroemer and Rood would not be able to build the walkover until after sea turtle nesting season ends in October at the earliest

Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt asked Herin Monday if the town was assuming the risk, or if the property owners were assuming the risk by building the walkover while the lawsuit moves through the legal system

Herin said that Florida Audubon has already suggested that it would pursue additional litigation if the building permits are issued by the town while the council’s decision was on appeal Herin said the indemnification letter would be for Kroemer and Rood to shoulder the cost of the town defending itself from another lawsuit if the building permits are issued while the case is on appeal

Atterholt also asked how long the appeals process could last in the challenge by the Florida Audubon Herin said it could potentially take as long as the legal challenges to the Margaritaville resort project, which went on for more than two years.

Atterholt and Councilmember Bill Veach asked what the town’s risks were Herin said there a multitude of legal risks the town could face by issuing building permits while the case is under judicial review

“There is no right to build the dune walkover until the special exception is final and non-appealable It has been appealed,” Herin said

Despite the legal advice, King and Woodson said they supported Herin sending a letter to Kroemer and Rood seeking an indemnification agreement for the town to begin the process of issuing the building permit

Atterholt, who had voted against approving the special exception permit, said he would support asking Herin to seek the agreement so as “not to obstruct the will of the majority ” Atterholt, said “in principle” he is not in favor of the walkover but saw the indemnification letter as a way to protect the town without obstructing the Florida Audubon from pursuing its case “That doesn’t mean I’m a big fan of issuing the permit for this dune walkover but at the same time I’m not interested in obstructing the will of the majority ”

Following Atterholt’s comments, Mayor Dan Allers said there was a majority on the council that support the letter and said that Herin had direction from the council to pursue the agreement, though later in the meeting Allers said he wouldn’t have supported that direction

We are blessed to have endangered least terns and snowy plovers, along with black skimmers and Wilson plovers breeding in the south end of Fort Myers Beach. Please use your authority to act as guardians for the wildlife and what is left of the natural beauty of this fragile island ” Fort Myers Beach property owner Gloria Abramoff, in letter to Town of Fort Myers Beach Council

Minutes after the council had already taken a position on the matter when called upon by Allers to state their positions, Allers said to Herin “I was a proponent of getting the indemnification letter ready which you have done but that was not me saying send the letter. So you have prepared the letter, you have done what we have asked you to do I, as I have stated before, believe this is a process You have to go through it My guess is just by sending it there is no guarantee they will sign it ”

Those who spoke Monday in opposition to the boardwalk warned of what they say will be environmental consequences to the town’s rich shorebird population and warned that other property owners would be emboldened to seek their own boardwalks from their properties out to the beach, further interfering with the shorebird nesting population

Town resident Jennifer Rusk said the lagoon walkover would “ruin our beach ” She said the town council “opened a can of worms Once you allow one person to have a beach boardwalk, not a walkover, but it’s a boardwalk Once you allow one person, you are going to have to let everyone and everyone will want one ”

Rusk said many homeowners and businessowners are still waiting on permits to get back into their homes and businesses, and said it was “irresponsible” to grant the permit for the boardwalk

Cyndi Johnson said that as of Thursday, the proposed boardwalk was within 50 feet of four Wilson’s plover nests and two snowy plover nests. Both are considered

If this private boardwalk that was approved is constructed, I don’t believe I could rationally explain how this project was approved by the council.”

Tony Mauriello, lead instructor for the University of Florida’s Master Naturalist Program

threatened in Florida

Tony Mauriello, lead instructor for the University of Florida’s Master Naturalist Program, said part of the program includes bringing participants to Fort Myers Beach to observe state and federally protected shorebirds The critical wildlife area attracts many bird observers, he said “If this private boardwalk that was approved is constructed, I don’t believe I could rationally explain how this project was approved by the council ”

Fort Myers Beach resident Penny Jarrett said the boardwalk shouldn’t have been approved and violated the town’s own special exception permit application, which asks if the request will “protect, conserve, or pres e r v e e n v i r o n m e n t a l l y c r i t i c a l a r e a s a n d n a t u r a l resources " Jarrett said the walkover was located in the town’s environmentally critical zone and “will environmentally degrade and fragment important shorebird nesting, feeding and resting habitat ”

Gloria Abramoff, a Fort Myers Beach property owner who has taken part in the National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas bird count on Fort Myers Beach, called on the town council to “not be responsible for degrading and possibly destroying a critical wildlife area to satisfy the greed and petulance of two beach homeowners who did not purchase homes with direct beach access but believe they are entitled to it anyway ”

Abramoff said the shorebird population “is struggling from loss of habitat We are blessed to have endangered least terns and snowy plovers, along with black skimmers and Wilson plovers breeding in the south end of Fort Myers Beach Please use your authority to act as guardians for the wildlife and what is left of the natural beauty of this fragile island ”

FILE PHOTO

Gloria Abramoff, Gayle Crabtree-Pergoli and Penny Jarrett look out over the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area during a Christmas bird count in 2021, near the area where a 298-feet boardwalk would cross two lagoons to benefit two property owners by providing them direct beach access

Teen drivers

From page 9

be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults, AAA said In Florida, 153 teen drivers on average are involved in fatal crashes each year, with 40 (26%) occurring during the 100 Deadliest Days

AAA officials said understanding the risks and knowing the facts will prepare teens for the road ahead

Risks factors for teen drivers include:

∫ Distracted driving: Distraction plays a role in nearly six out of 10 teen crashes Electronics like cell phones and in-vehicle infotainment systems are considered the second-biggest distraction to teen drivers The biggest distraction is teen passengers.

∫ D r i v i n g w i t h t e e n p a s s e n g e r s Research shows that the risk of a fatal crash increases in direct relation to the number of teenagers in a car (NHTSA) Having other passengers in the car can c o n t r i b u t e t o p e e r p r e s s u r e a n d t h e impulse to engage in dangerous habits like speeding and aggressive driving

∫ Speeding Speeding is a factor in nearly 30 percent of fatal crashes involving teen drivers

∫ Not wearing a safety belt. Teens who buckle up significantly reduce their risk of dying or being seriously injured in a crash

“The single most important thing parents can do to help their teens become safe drivers is to be involved in their 'learning to drive' process Spend time coaching your teen while they’re behind the wheel and have a serious discussion about safety,” AAA Driver Education Programs Director Rachel Wilson said “While parents can be a great teacher, it also helps to seek out professional training courses, like

those provided by AAA ”

The School District of Lee County offers classes.

“Both off and on campus, the safety of our students is our highest priority We offer Drivers Ed classes at our high schools during the school year and summer so students learn in the classroom and on the road how to drive safely We also partner with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and other community based agencies to provide educational opportunities for our students to improve their skills and understand the consequences of impaired driving,” district officials said.

At a recent news conference with the Florida Department of Transportation in G a i n e s v i l l e , A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l A s h l e y Moody urged parents and guardians to play an active role in safeguarding their teens and equipping them with the necessary tools for responsible driving

“As parents, we worry about our children’s safety,” she said “Our kids face many dangers, but one of the scariest things they do is get behind the wheel The 100 Deadliest Days pose a significant risk to teenaged drivers and all those who share the road with them That’s why I am encouraging parents to talk with their teens about safe driving habits and join us in this vital effort to protect our roadways and safe lives ”

AAA’s “How to Drive Online” course provides a foundation of the knowledge and skills necessary to reduce a teen’s risk behind the wheel For more teen driver safety tips and to register for AAA’s o n l i n e d r i v i n g c o u r s e , v i s i t www aaadriverprogram com

Council hears from Rep. Botana

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

State Rep Adam Botana (R-80) visited the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council Monday and provided an update on what kind of state aid could be available to help the island recover from Hurricane Ian Botana, of Bonita Springs, represents a district that includes Fort Myers Beach, Estero, Pine Island, Sanibel and Bonita Springs

Currently serving in his second term in the state legislature, Botana said the town could be eligible to apply for funding projects out of a pool of $117 million that will be available to his district Botana said that $117 million is part of approximately $350 million the state has set aside for Hurricane Ian projects

Adam Botana

The Florida Division of Emergency Management would be overseeing distribution of the funds, Botana said. “I have full confidence that Kevin Guthrie (FDEM director) is going to do us right,” he said Botana said “other people are like ‘why didn’t we just get $25 million for Fort Myers Beach town hall?’ Well, because No 1, we can’t spend $25 million in one year We’re going to take a chunk of that and we’re going come back next year and go again, and go again and keep it going That’s why I have faith in our DEM and Kevin Guthrie He’s going to do it the right way because we do have another pot of money that’s coming through Resilient Lee

that’s coming through the feds ”

the Town of Fort Myers Beach Fort Myers Beach Mayor

Dan Allers said the town has “12 months with a potential 6-month extension on the interest free repayment of the loan Depending on if the current proposed legislation is passed it would be 24 months with a 6-month potential extension ”

The office of DeSantis said the loan is meant to provide the town funds while it awaits further Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement

Botana said there were some politics from the governor’s office over the U S Department of Housing and Urban Development funding “The state doesn’t want to blow money that is going to be paid by FEMA ”

Botana said the $117 million could potentially cover appropriations to cover work on projects on Estero Boulevard such as lighting, replacing town hall and replacing fire stations

Botana said there is also $76 million available for infrastructure $51 million of which would go for the Sanibel Causeway, $6 million for Big Hickory Island and eye clinics There is also $14 million for water projects, he said So far, the town has received a $10 million grant from the state for upgrades to its stormwater drainage system

“This is step one,” he said Botana said once the state budget is approved by Gov Ron DeSantis, the funding would become available July 1 Botana said that in September the state legislature would return to work on the funding “We will go back with open hands,” he said

“That’s tremendous,” Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said Atterholt asked how the funds would be distributed procedurally

Botana said the Resilient Lee funding will cover approximately $1 1 billion in federal funding expected to be made available for the county through the U S Department of Housing and Urban Development to help the area recover

“We’re going to make s u r e t h a t e v e r y t h i n g i s spent the right way because obviously the state doesn’t want to be on the dime if the feds are going to pay for it,” Botana said

T h e p r o c e s s f o r t h e delivery of those federal funds would take approximately two years, Botana said

Near-average storm season now projected

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Following seven straight years of predicted “above-average” activity, top hurricane forecasters feel the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season will buck the trend

In their 40th year of forecasting the upcoming hurricane season, researchers at Colorado State University are predicting a “near-average” season for the Atlantic this year an increased description from the first report released in mid-April, which called for a “slightly below-average” season

CSU is now forecasting there will be 15 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes for the '23 season, which opened on June 1 Last year, CSU predicted 19 named storms, including nine hurricanes and four major

C S U ’ s M e t e o r o l o g y P r o j e c t t e a m anticipates the Atlantic hurricane season to be near average due to a number of factors, but uncertainty still remains

Often used to paint a picture of the upcoming season is the El Nino Southern O s c i l l a t i o n ( E N S O ) w h e t h e r t h e waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean are warmer or cooler, typically referred to as El Nino (warmer) or La Nina (cooler)

“El Nino development appears imminent, as water temperatures across the eastern and central tropical Pacific have anomalously warmed over the past couple of months,” CSU researchers stated in their second report on June 1

Tropical and subtropical Atlantic sea s u r f a c e t e m p e r a t u r e s a r e n o w m u c h warmer than normal

“Current large-scale conditions and forecasts indicate that a transition to El Nino is virtually assured in the next couple of months However, there remains uncertainty as to how strong El Nino will be,” they stated

C S U r e s e a r c h e s s t a t e d t h a t w h e n waters in the eastern and central tropical and subtropical Atlantic are warmer than normal, it tends to force a weaker subtropical high and associated weaker winds blowing across the tropical Atlantic

Botana said this is year one of the funding. He said there is still funding requests coming through for recovery projects relating to Hurricane Michael, which battered the Florida Panhandle in 2018

“We’re not going to leave you out to dry for sure,” Botana said “We all know you need the help ”

Lee County Manager to retire

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

L e e C o u n t y M a n a g e r R o g e r Desjarlais announced to the Lee C o u n t y B o a r d o f C o u n t y Commissioners that he will retire effective July 31

The board on Tuesday voted u n a n i m o u s l y t o n a m e D e p u t y County Manager Dave Harner as the interim manager effective Aug 1

Desjarlais has served as county manager the past 10 years and started his career with the county in the 1970s

Desjarlais informed the commissioners of his intent to retire in a letter dated June 1 Desjarlais highlighted the commission's efforts to reduce taxes four times during his tenure

L e e C o u n t y C o m m i s s i o n e r C e c i l P e n d e r g r a s s ( R - D i s t r i c t 2 ) t h a n k e d Desjarlais for “building a great team around you.”

L e e C o u n t y C o m m i s s i o n e r K e v i n Ruane, R-District 1, said he wanted a

“These weaker winds favor additional a n o m a l o u s w a r m i n g o f t h e t r o p i c a l Atlantic for the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season,” CSU officials stated “The w a r m e r - t h a n - n o r m a l t r o p i c a l A t l a n t i c may counteract some of the increase in vertical wind shear typically associated with El Nino The increase in sea surface temperature anomalies in the Atlantic are the primary reason for the increase in forecasted hurricane activity ”

The CSU team bases forecasts on a statistical model, as well as four models that use a combination of statistical information and model output from the European C e n t r e f o r M e d i u m - R a n g e W e a t h e r

F o r e c a s t s , U K M e t O f f i c e , J a p a n M e t e o r o l o g i c a l A g e n c y a n d E u r oMediterranean Center on Climate Change

The models use 25 to 40 years of historical hurricane seasons and evaluate conditions including: Atlantic sea surface temperatures, sea level pressures, vertical wind shear levels (the change in wind direction and speed with height in the atmosphere), El Nino (warming of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific) and other factors

CSU said that thus far, the 2023 hurricane season is exhibiting characteristics similar to 1951, 1957, 1969, 2004 and 2006

Roger Desjarlais

national search for a permanent successor to Desjarlais though the majorit y o f t h e c o u n t y c o m m i s s i o n e r s s a i d t h e y w o u l d prefer to hire within and keep someone local “We are a count y t h a t p r o m o t e s w i t h i n , ” C o m m i s s i o n e r M i k e G r e e n w e l l , R-District 5, said “We are still recovering and we are going to be recovering for years ”

L e e C o u n t y B o a r d o f C o u n t y Commissioners Chairman Brian Hamman thanked Desjarlais for his efforts, particularly through hurricanes Ian and Irma and through the covid pandemic

A contract will be negotiated between the commissioners and Harner

“Our analog seasons exhibited a wide range of outcomes, from below-normal seasons to hyperactive seasons,” Phil K l o t z b a c h , r e s e a r c h s c i e n t i s t i n t h e Department of Atmospheric Science and lead author of the report, said “This highlights the large uncertainty that exists with this outlook ”

CSU predicts this year’s hurricane activity will be about 100% of the average season from 1991-2020 By comparison, 2022’s hurricane activity was about 75% of the average season Last year’s season will be most remembered for its two major hurricanes: Fiona and Ian, which reached a Category 5 but made landfall as a Category 4 in Southwest Florida, resulting in more than 150 fatalities and $113 billion in damage

“It takes only one storm near you to make this an active season for you,” M i c h a e l B e l l , p r o f e s s o r i n C S U ' s Department of Atmospheric Science, said The CSU team will issue additional forecast updates on July 6 and Aug 3

T h e T r o p i c a l M e t e o r o l o g y P r o j e c t team also includes Alex DesRosiers, a PhD candidate in the same department Bill Gray, who originated the seasonal forecasts, launched the report in 1984 and continued to author them until his death in 2016

Keep Lee County Beauti ful organi zing June 10 cleanup on Fort Myers Beach

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 located 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

Captivaville Singers-Songwriters Weekend returns

The 'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva will host the fifth annual Captivaville Singer-Song writers Weekend on June 16-18, featuring sun, fun, good times and great live tunes

This year's lineup is the largest and most diverse set of talented musicians yet

“We've really worked to provide our island residents and guests a new taste of all that makes our islands and island music terrific,” Director of Resort Operations

Michele Berger said “Country, classic rock, reggae, blues, breezy island style and more, our guests will be in for three days of outstanding entertainment ”

The following artists are scheduled to perform:

∫ J a r r o d A d k i n s : T h i s s i n g e r - s o n g w r i t e r f r o m Southwest Florida features storytelling lyrics and a folksy-bluesy vibe

∫ S h e e n a B r o o k : L o c a l f a v e a n d l o n g - t i m e Captivaville star, Brook's country-rock sounds and powerful voice have created a national following

∫ Chris Casdia: From reggae to blues to classic rock, Casdia is a 20-year headliner across Southwest Florida

∫ Jesse Hughes: As a kid, Hughes sang to his father's Christian radio music and then he discov-

ered the guitar at 16 and has not looked back

∫ John McLane: McLane is a versatile concert keyboardist who has played with many Southwest Florida bands and brings energy to every note

∫ Danny Morgan: If Sanibel and Captiva have a Jimmy Buffet, Morgan is it and his island styles will have you singing along

∫ Peter Redpath: Beach, Motown, rock, country and sunset sounds all define Redpath's acoustic guitar stylings.

The live music will take place poolside and at The Shipyard restaurant

Resort guests will receive free access to all performances

Day passes for the general public may be available based on occupancy Those interested can contact the resort on June 14-15 at 239-472-5161 #7 to inquire No information will be available earlier

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t w w w T w e e nWaters com/Captivaville

F o r r e s o r t r e s e r v a t i o n s , v i s i t w w w T w e e nWaters.com or call 800-223-5865.

The 'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva is at 15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva

Donna the Buffalo brings ‘The Herd’ to Bonita June 8

The Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs is thrilled to announce that Donna the Buffalo will be performing live at the Performing Arts Center, Hinman Auditorium on Bonita Beach Road for the first time on June 8 The band is known for its unique mash-up of country, rock ‘n’ roll, zydeco, and reggae music, and their live shows are legendary for high energy and infectious spirit

Donna the Buffalo’s special stage presence and groovy tunes have the power to get people dancing, like their devoted festivalgoers and super-fans, who call themselves ‘The Herd ’ Their music has been described as "rootsy, soulful, and refreshingly eclectic" and their live shows are a celebration of community and joy The band has released more than 10 albums throughout their career, and their music has been featured in television shows and films

"We are thrilled to bring Donna the Buffalo to Bonita Springs for the first time,"

Fort Myers Brewing to host 2023 Summer Beer Fest June 15-18

Fort Myers Brewing Company is kicking off the hottest season of the year with its annual Summer Beer Fest from June 15-18, a four-day bash featuring live music, food trucks and more than 50 specialty beers

Gearing up for the main event, Fort Myers Brewing will also host Tie-Dye Sunday on Sunday, June 4, which will feature an early release of Summer Beer Fest commemorative T-shirts for a tiedye party led by brewery staff To reserve a time slot and supplies to tie-dye a shirt, sign up at EventBrite com/e/TieDye-Sunday-Tickets-639324164787

Registration is $35 and covers the Tshirt, tie-dye supplies and hands-on guidance, plus a voucher for a complimentary Summer Beer Fest commemorative glass, to be released during the main festival weekend

For the main Summer Beer Fest e v e n t r u n n i n g T h u r s d a y , J u n e 1 5 , through Sunday, June 18, Fort Myers Brewing is featuring four days of festivities for families, friends and pets to

e n j o y A w i d e s e l e c t i o n o f l o c a l l y brewed ales, stouts and lagers are on tap throughout the weekend Food truck rallies will feature eats from popular trucks such as Wicked S t r e a t e r y , K i n g s T a c o s & B u r r i t o s , Vesuvius Wood Fired Pizza, Mambo and Mobstah Lobstah Live performances will take place throughout the weekend featuring Chasing Denver, Rock Republic, The Rowdy Bards and more Anhorn Entertainment will be at the brewery every day with caricature entertainment The brewery is also releasing limited-edition Summer Beer Fest swag, including commemorative glasses and T-shirts, available for purchase in the taproom

The four-day celebration will be held a t F o r t M y e r s B r e w i n g C o m p a n y , 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, in Fort Myers. For more information, visit Facebook com/FMBrew or call 239-313-6576 Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, as seats tend to fill up quickly

said Christine Elzinga, Marketing Director of Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs

"Their music has stood the test of time, and we are very excited to present them to our community "

Donna the Buffalo has played at major music festivals like Bonnaroo, New Orleans Jazz Fest, and Newport Folk Festival, and they’ve opened for The Dead and have toured with Peter Rowan, Del McCoury, Los Lobos, Little Feat, Jim Lauderdale, Rusted Root, and Railroad Earth to name a few. In 2018, they were inducted into the New York State Music Hall of Fame, and their music has been recognized as an essential part of the Americana genre

Tickets for the show are available now and are priced at $35, $30, and $25 Tickets can be purchased online at artcenterbonita org, by phone at 239-4958989, or in person For more information, please visit https://artcenterbonita org /inspire events/donna-the-buffalo/

11th Annual Juneteenth Community Celebration set for June 17

The Lee County Black History Society, D

African Coalition of Southwest Florida are partnering to host the 11th Annual

t Roberto Clemente Park, 1936 Henderson Ave , in Fort Myers, from 11 a m to 3 p m , Saturday, June 17 The event is free to attend

This year’s Juneteenth Celebration will be filled with a variety of fun and entertainment for the entire family, including stage performances, music, arts and crafts, food and refreshments Event attendees will also have a chance to receive free information from community businesses in wealth, health, education, job training, employment, housing, corporate and governmental services and more

Juneteenth, which has been celebrated since the late 1800s was finally recognized as a federal holiday in 2021 A special his torical exhibit about F lorida’s E m a n c i p a t i o n D a y M a y 2 0 a n d Juneteenth will be available at Williams A c a d e m y B l a c k H i s t o r y M u s e u m a t Clemente Park at the festival and through the end of June

Juneteenth is always observed on or around June 19, the day that slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned that they had been freed, more than two years after P r e s i d e n t L i n c o l n ’ s E m a n c i p a t i o n Proclamation.

On June 19, 1865, Maj Gen Gordon Granger landed in Galveston and read General Order Number 3 to the people Celebrations started in the following years as a way for former slaves to reconnect and recount the day their freedom was announced Many of the first Juneteenth celebrations were held on the grounds of African American churches and eventually became more elaborate with rodeos, picnics, barbecues, fishing trips and family reunions.

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t h t t p s : / / w w w l e e c o u n t y b l a c k h i s t o r y s o c iety org/events/ Interested vendors or exhibitors should contact the Dunbar Festival Committee at martinbyrd@dunbarfestival org

F o r i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t L e e C o u n t y B l a c k H i s t o r y S o c i e t y o r g , o r call 239-332-8778

PHOTO PROVIDED

n W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , J u n e 7 , 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

Collaboratory invites public to Summer Night Market

Collaboratory is inviting the public to their summer themed Night Market from 6 to 9 p m on Friday, June 16, at Collaboratory’s campus at 2031 Jackson Street in downtown Fort Myers.

This Night Market will feature live music by The Line Up Band and will be included as a stop on the River District Alliance’s monthly Music Walk

“The quarterly night market was created to bring people into our collaborative space to make connections and get to know our team, our work, and resident partners,” said Kimberly Williams, Systems, Sites and Experience Lead at Collaboratory “Our mission is to solve all of the region’s social issues on an eighteen-year deadline, and it takes the community coming together for conversation to do just that ”

Collaboratory resident partners – Captains For C l e a n W a t e r , F u t u r e M a k e r s C o a l i t i o n a n d L e e County Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida - will be onsite to connect with attendees

Food trucks and food vendors include South Pizza Co , The Brunchy Bunch, Viva La Taco, Pelican S n o w b a l l s , D y n a s t y G u a c a m o l e , a n d b e e r b y Millennial Brewing Co

Retailers on site will include Amorist Jewelry, Love Muffins, Wajoli African Wear, Chaotically Copeland Creations, Buddhaful Being, The Glow Soap Co , Groovy Growing, Juicelation, Willow & Hitch, The Adventuring Nerd, SummaVitaLinx, Sugar High Cotton Candy, The Fairy Hair Lady, The House of Scout, LOTUSWEI, Jayce’s Freeze Dried Candy Shack, Personalized: by Lilly, Rabbit PawsArt and More, Wild at Heart Flower Truck, Flying Eagle Kombucha, and more

During the event, Collaboratory will be recognizing their 2023 scholarship recipients Each year, Collaboratory awards over $1 million in scholarships to local high school students, adult learners, underg r a d u a t e a n d g r a d u a t e s t u d e n t s f r o m C h a r l o t t e ,

Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties

Anyone interested in participating as a partner vendor can email smercado@collaboratory org

To R S V P please visit collaboratory org/events

About Collaboratory

Collaboratory is committed to coordinating the solving of all of Southwest Florida’s social problems on an 18-year deadline including homelessness, poverty, mental illness, racism, illiteracy and more

We plan to do this with the entire community working together including people of all ages, colors, beliefs and imaginations across all five counties

We’re committed to coordinating all of this on a massive scale, in the way NASA coordinated the hundreds of thousands of businesses, universities, institutions and people to get us to the moon in nine years

We’re not oblivious to people saying this is ridiculous, insane and crazy but we’re driven by the inspiration of all those great figures in history who have come before us to achieve things no one ever thought remotely possible Steve Jobs’ observation sums it up for us: “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do ”

We’re building the largest, most democratized living laboratory for community problem-solving in history.

C o l l a b o r a t o r y w a s f o u n d e d i n 1 9 7 6 a s t h e Southwest Florida Community Foundation It has made over $100 million in grants since then and is home to more than 400 philanthropic funds It is upon that legacy of a commitment to community we plan to fulfill on that mission at the level of its greatest expression As Collaboratory, we will finish what we started

To learn more and get involved, call 239-2745900 or visit www collaboratory org

The Laboratory Theater of Florida presents ‘Save Hamlet’ through June 24

The Laboratory Theater of Florida will present the world premiere of Mark Harvey Levine’s "Save Hamlet" from through June 24

In this joke-packed spoof of Shakespeare's most famous play, Hamlet’s friends fight against evil kings, the narrative, and with giant pool noodles to "Save Hamlet!"

In addition to the prestige of being a world premiere, t h i s s h o w w a s a r u n n e r - u p f o r t h e 2 0 2 2 L o u i s e Wigglesworth Excellence in Playwriting Award

This show opens the theater’s summer season and is included in the season pass, which is currently on sale

While this play is rated for all ages, it does have some raunchy humor

Performance dates:

∫ June 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 24 at 8 p.m.

∫ June 11, 18 at 2 p m

Special Events:

∫ June 22 at 8 p m

Sensory Friendly Performance (more information and guidelines on the at www laboratorytheaterflorida com)

Tickets are $35 each or $10 for students with valid student IDs There are half-priced previews on June 1 and 2, and there is a new Thursday night special ticket price of $27 each for adults For tickets, please call the box office at 239-218-0481 or online at www laboratorytheaterflorida com

T

“The Key To Creativity” is on display from now through June 29 in main gallery at The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, at 2301 First St , Fort Myers One piece in the juried exhibition is by artist Eric J Taubert Titled “signs | sanibel island, florida,” it is an aluminum archival dye sublimation (matte) print of a fine art photography collage. It offers a glimpse at facets of Sanibel Island imagery that were lost to Hurricane Ian in September For more information about the exhibit, visit sbdac com

“signs | sanibel island, florida”

ERIC J TAUBERT

Berne Davis Garden tours now available

T o u r s t o c o n t i n u e t h r o u g h September

T h e B e r n e D a v i s B o t a n i c a l Garden, 2166 Virginia Avenue, Fort Myers, is open for Tuesday morning garden walks from now until October between 9 a m and noon Admission and parking are both free; handicap parking is on Virginia Avenue; regular parking is on Larchmont

The botanical garden is a project of the Fort Myers Lee County Garden Council, whose headquarters are at the Virginia Avenue address The garden is staffed by Garden Council volunteers Those viewing the garden may also just walk the path and enjoy the gardens

The garden is the home of the Lorelei statue that was part of the old Fort Myers Library as well as the Mina

Edison Botanical Library

Many of the displays in the garden have been provided through the talents and contributions of the 29 local garden clubs, plant societies, and other affili a t e m e m b e r s , r e p r e s e n t i n g o v e r 1,700 members which comprise the Garden Council

T h e F o r t M y e r s - L e e C o u n t y Garden Council was formed in 1957 and now comprises various clubs, societies, and affiliate members in the area The Council is a member of t h e N a t i o n a l G a r d e n C l u b s , t h e Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, and American Public Gardens Association

For additional information about the Council, contact the president, Sylvia Swaartz, President, fmlcgardencouncil@gmail com

‘The Key To Creativity’ on display at The Sidney & Ber ne Davis Ar t Center

PHOTO PROVIDED

G a z e b o a t t h e B e r n e D a v i s Botanical Garden.

PET PALS

Busy saving lives

B y I S A B E L L E W E L L S C o - f o u n d e r o f t h e Fi n d a H o m e, G i v e a H o m e 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 W e h a v e b e e n b u s y s a v i n g l i v e s ! M e e t o u r l a t e s t l i tt l e o n e s w h o w i l l b e c o m i n g u p f o r a d o p t i o n s o o n M e e t B e l l s ( l e f t ) 5 y e a r s o l d w h o c a m e n e g l e c t e d

L i t t l e w h i t e C h i ( c e n t e r ) 1 0 y e a r s o l d w h o c a m e i n b a d s h a p e , w e w o u l d l i k e f o r h i m t o f i n d a h o m e t o s p e n d h i s l a s t f e w m o n t h s ( h e a r t w o r m p o s i t i v e ) a n d f i n a l l y t h e l i t t l e b l a c k c h i ( r i g h t ) a l s o h e a r t - w o r m p o s i t i v e o n l y 5 y e a r s o l d ) A l l a r e s w e e t h e a r t s a n d n e e d h e l p

I f y o u w o u l d l i k e t o h e l p w i t h t h e i r v e t e r i n a r i a n c a r e p l e a s e v i s i t o u r s i t e a t w w w f i n d a h o m e g i v e a h o m e c o m - t e x t o r c a l l 2 3 9 - 2 8 1 - 0 7 3 9 W e o n l y w o u l d l i k e a w o r l d w h e r e d o g s a n d c a t s a r e n o t a b u s e d a n d n e g l e c t e d

Follow us on Facebook at Find A Home Give A Home Pet Rescue and see all the amazing pets we saved these past few months

Please note our new PO Box #864, Bonita Springs, Fl 34133

You can also make a donation at www.findahomegiveahome.com using the donation tab using PayPal

Please make sure you do it through “Friends and Family” so there is no fee and all the donation comes to us directly.

Fosters needed for kittens

By Jo Knobloch Saveourstraysfmb @yahoo com

Founder of Save Our Strays Cat Rescue

a 501c3 organization on Fort Myers Beach

If you are able to foster any kittens, please call our rescue at 239-851-3485 as we are getting kittens in daily They are so fun and entertaining They do need to be in a kitten proofed room the same as human babies Electric cords and items they can get injured on must be removed Bathrooms are usually safe places for kittens They need to be held and played with also

We are also in need of wet kitten food, Fancy Feast turkey or chicken flavor. It can be left at either Pet Supermarket in the donation bin at San Carlos Boulevard store close to beach or the one at College and 41 Any help is most appreciated We can always pick up any donated items such as cat trees or other cat/kitten items

Donations are also very much appreciated as we are replacing items lost in hurricane and our vet bill is mounting with the vetting and spaying, neutering, testing of all the kittens we are rescuing Any donations can be sent to P.O. Box 5014, Fort Myers Beach, 33912

Pepper and Smoky

Pepper is an 8-week-old long-haired all black kitten He is gorgeous and so sweet and affectionate

Smoky is also an 8-week-old long-haired all black kitten He and his brother Pepper are very bonded and enjoy playing and wrestling together They will be a great pair to adopt

WHAT’S HAPPENING

certificate on the last day of camp.

The program is an affiliate of the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) This camp is a part of pre-employment transition services, which include job exploration, workplace readiness, work-based learning (job shadow) with a local business, and post-secondary counseling and tour

Interested individuals should contact their Vocational Rehabilitation counselor or their local VR office for a referral Visit www rehabworks org/student-youth/student-youth html or call (239) 278-7150 for more information

To learn more about LARC, visit www.larcleecounty org or contact Angela Katz, Executive Director, at 239-334-6285 x210 or angelakatz@larcleecounty org

Broadway Palm Children’s Theatre

presents ‘How I Became A Pirate’

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

Better Together to offer Parents’ Night Out June 9 in Fort Myers

Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to families and children, is hosting a Parents’ Night Out event on Friday, June 9 in Fort Myers

The program offers parents, grandparents and other caregivers access to a couple of hours of no-cost care for children ages infant through 17 years old Better Together will provide background-checked volunteers in addition to dinner, games and fun for children to enjoy while parents are away Parents’ Night Out will take place from 6 to 8:30 p m at First Assembly of God, located at 4701 Summerlin Road in Fort Myers

To register for Parents’ Night Out, visit BetterTogetherUS org/PNO-Registration or call 239-4702733

To learn more about how to become a volunteer, contact vanessa@bettertogetherus org, or begin the process online at BetterTogetherUS org/PNO-Volunteer

LARC to host Career Camp for students ages 14-21

Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens (LARC) will host Career Camps for students ages 14-21 in June and July Students must be currently enrolled in school and hold an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act)

“Many students are interested in jobs but don’t know where to start,” said Angela Katz, LARC’s Executive Director “Participants will explore careers and gain transferable skills in high-demand industries They will develop a resume, prepare for interviews, and more ”

Three 30-hour camps will be held; June 26-30, July 10-14, and July 24-28 Camps are Monday – Friday from 9 a m – 4 p m , with a 30-minute break for lunch Students must bring lunch Snacks will be provided The camps will be held at LARC’s Fort Myers headquarters at 2570 Hanson Street. Enrollment is free of charge to qualifying participants

Every student that successfully completes all five days of Career Camp will receive a $50 gift card, lunch, and a

B

a m e A P i r a t e ” U r g h ! G e t r e a d y t o s e t s a i l w i t h B r a i d B e a r d ’ s p i r a t e c r e w p l a y i n g s e l e c t e d m a t i n e e s t h r o u g h J u n e 3 0

“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 fulls c a l e p r o d u c t i o n s t h a t a r e g r e a t f o r a l l a g e s Performances are matinees with lunch at noon and show beginning at 1 p m The chef’s special buffet includes children’s favorites 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 are now on sale and can be reserved by calling 239-278-4422, by visiting www Broad wayPalm com, or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

Kid's Floral Design Workshop offered at Edison and Ford Winter Estates

Edison and Ford Winter Estates is partnering with floral designer, Anita Singh, to offer a Kid's Floral Design Workshop The class will be offered on June 10 and July 8 at 10 a m The workshop is for children ages six and up Children will be instructed on basic flower care and design ideas

Singh has been creating floral arrangements for more than 20 years and also makes jewelry and creates other types of art. While her designs are original and many of her techniques are self-taught, she is a certified floral designer through Penn Foster College

The workshop is for children only and will last approximately 60 to 90 minutes All materials and flowers will be provided Each child will be able to take their floral creation home Registration is required at least 48 hours before the class starts at EdisonFord org The workshop is $50 per child for Edison Ford members and $60 per child for non-members

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

G u e s t s w i s h i n g t o g e t u p c l o s e a n d p e r s o n a l w i t h s o m e o f t h e a t t r a c t i o n s c a n s c h e d u l e a W i l d W o n d e r s A n i m a l E n c o u n t e r H a b i t a t C h a t s p l a n n e d o n T h u r s d a y s a l s o o f f e r n e w a n d a d d it i o n a l e x p e r i e n c e s W i l d W o n d e r s A n i m a l E n c o u n t e r s w i l l a l l o w g u e s t s t o f e e d S u l c a t a t o r t o i s e s , R a i n b o w L o r i k e e t s a n d A m e r i c a n a l l i g a t o r s T h e A n i m a l C a r e a n d E d u c a t i o n s t a f f w i l l l e a d g u e s t s o n a n a d v e n t u r e t h a t l a s t s a n y w h e r e f r o m 3 0 m i n u t e s t o a t l e a s t a n h o u r E n c o u n t e r s a r e o f f e r e d a t t h e d i s c o u n t e d o f f - s e a s o n r a t e s o f $ 2 0 p e r p e r s o n f o r W o n d e r G a r d e n s m e m b e r s a n d $ 2 5 p e r p e r s o n f o r n o n m e m b e r s , p l u s p a r k a d m i s -

Jurassic Quest, nation’s biggest dinosaur experience, migrates to Nor th For t Myers June 16-18

N o r t h A m e r i c a ’ s m o s t p o p u l a r i n

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.

Advance ticket 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

The Lee Civic Center is at 11831 Bayshore Rd, ,North Fort Myers

s i o n G u e s t s m a y v i s i t W o n d e r g a r d e n s o r g t o v i e w a v a i l a b i l i t y a n d b o o k a n e n c o u n t e r f o r 1 1 : 3 0 a m o n s e l e c t d a y s I n a d d i t i o n , W o n d e r G a r d e n s h a s a d d e d H a b i t a t C h a t s a t 1 p m o n T h u r s d a y s H a b i t a t C h a t s a r e a n e w a n d i n t e r a c t i v e w a y g u e s t s c a n l e a r n a b o u t t h e a n i m a l s a t t h e G a r d e n s C u r r e n t l y , t h e e x p e r i e n c e c o m b i n e s a n a l l i g a t o r f e e d i n g d e m o n s t r a t i o n w i t h i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t d i e t , c o n s e r v a t i o n a n d f u n f a c t s T h e C h a t s a r e o f f e r e d f o r a l l W o n d e r G a r d e n s F o r i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t w o n d e r g a r d e n s o r g / p r o d u c t / w i l d - w o n d e r s / o r c a l l 2

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

Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday for consumers

Consumers in Florida can purchase qualifying disaster preparedness supplies exempt from tax during the 2023 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, which is running now through June 9

Qualifying supplies include:

∫ Dog and cat food if sold individually and the equivalent if sold in a box or case costing $10 or less

∫ Manual can openers, collapsible or travel-sized pet food or water bowls, cat litter pans, pet waste disposal bags, and hamster or rabbit substrate costing $15 or less

∫ Reusable ice, pet leashes, pet collars, muzzles and pads, and pet pads costing $20 or less

∫ Cat litter weighing 25 or fewer pounds costing $25 or less

∫ Laundry detergent and supplies (powder, liquid and pods), fabric softener, dryer sheets, stain removers, bleach, toilet paper, paper towels, paper napkins and tissues, facial tissues, hand soap, bar soap, body wash, sunscreen and sunblock, dish soap and detergents (powder, liquid and pods), dishwasher rinse agents, cleaning or disinfecting wipes and sprays, hand sanitizer, and trash bags costing $30 or less

∫ Portable self-powered light sources and pet beds costing $40 or less

∫ Portable self-powered radios, two-way radios, weather-band radios, gas and diesel fuel tanks, and AAcell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, six-volt and nine-volt batteries including rechargeable ones costing $50 or less

∫ Nonelectric food storage coolers and portable power banks costing $60 or less

∫ Smoke detectors and alarms, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors costing $70 or less

∫ Tarpaulins or other flexible waterproof sheeting, ground anchor systems, portable pet kennels and carriers, dog and cat food weighing 50 or fewer pounds, and overthe-counter pet medications costing $100 or less

∫ Portable generators used to provide light or communications or to preserve food in a power outage costing $3,000 or less

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t https://floridarevenue.com/disasterprep/Pages/default.as px

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

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SPORTS & RECREATION

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FWC: Reel in some Florida fun on license-free fishing weekends

T h e F l o r i d a F i s h d W i l d l i f e C o n s e r v a t i o C o m m i s s i o n i n v i t e s

Florida residents and visitors to go fishing during t w o li c e n s e - f r e e w e e kends: June 3-4 for saltwater and June 10-11 for freshwater.

L i c e n s e - f r e e f i s h i n g weekends offer a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and experience the many fishing opportunities the "Fishing Capital the World" has to offer. The F W C e n c o u r a g e s e v e r y o n e t o t a k e advantage of these weekends to spend t i m e e n j o y i n g t h e b e a u t i f u l F l o r i d a waters

“Fishing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and experience Florida’s abundant fishing opportunities,” said Roger Y o u n g , F W C ’ s E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r “License-free fishing weekends allow Floridians and visitors to get outdoors, connect with nature and create lasting memories with family and friends.”

During the license-free weekends, all bag limits, size limits and fishing regulations still apply Anglers must also fol-

F o r t

l all other fishing rules, such s gear restrictions, seasons a n d c l o s u r e s T o h e l p ensure a fun and safe fishing experience, the FWC encourages all anglers to r e v i e w t h e r e g u l a t i o n s before heading out on the water.

For current recreationa l f i s h i n g r e g u l a t i o n s , visit MyFWC com/about and click on “Rules & Regulations” or download e Fish Rules App to stay up to date on saltwater and freshwater regulations in your area

Find a location to go fishing through t h e p i e r f i n d e r t o o l o r v i s i t a F i s h Management Area Launch your vessel at a local boat ramp or access point. View the quarterly FWC’s Freshwater Fishing Forecasts by region

For more information about licensefree fishing weekends, including fishing t i p s a n d r e g u l a t i o n s , v i s i t

M y F W C c o m / L e t s G o F i s h i n g A n g l e r s can also download the Fish|Hunt FL app, available for free on Apple and Android smartphones, to access regulations, season dates, and more

More than $30,000 in prizes up for grabs in 2023 Florida Python Challenge set for Aug. 4-13

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SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

SCCF: Support new license plate to protect gopher tortoises

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Gopher tortoise

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TheBreezeNewspapers hasoneopenposition foranexperienced full-timeMultimedia AccountExecutiveto joinourhighly s uccessfulsalesteam. Thepositioniscritical inensuringsuccessfor ournewspapers, magazines,anddigital products.Thisposition isresponsiblefor generatingrevenue throughthesaleofboth printanddigital advertisingproducts. Includedareinsurance, 401Kopportunities,vacation.Basepayplus commissionalongwith assistanceoncell phoneandgasmileage. Pleaseemailan up-to-dateresumeto LRagle@BreezeNewspapers.com forconsideration

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