Pine Island Eagle

Locals reach agreement to purchase Alden Pines

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

A group of residents of the Alden Pines community in Bokeelia, as well as some other concerned citizens, signed an agreement Friday, June 30, to purchase the A l d e n P i n e s C o u n t r y C l u b g o l f c o u r s e f r o m t h e Robertson family of Sarasota

Alden Pines resident and media relations expert Lance Van Auken said the purchase is not being made by the homeowners association (HOA), which holds no stringent guidelines or directives, but has, thus far, been more communal by nature

“You can live there and not be a member and you can live there and not follow its rules it’s more of a social

“Even though it’s very early in the process, this group wanted to get the word out to people that the course is going to be 18 holes again and it’s even going to be lengthened to more than 6,000 yards ”

Alden Pines resident Lance Van Auken

group, but it was a way to get people together to guage their interest in proposals that were made,” Van Auken said

One proposal for Alden Pines, he explained, came from a developer, who had intentions of utilizing part of the golf course to build homes and to reduce the number

M/PIFCD firefighters conduct training on donated house

Group's session dealt with 'Reading the Smoke' and vertical ventilation

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

On Thursday, July 6, Capt Cliff Simer of the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District led a training session in vertical ventilation Simer, who has been with the department for 32 years, said this is one of the steps that fire departments take to decrease the chances of a flashover or a backdraft during a fire

“A flashover and a backdraft happen when the fire burns so hot that it runs out of oxygen so it’s in a ready state, so that if you open a door or a window, all that oxygen is going to rush in and it pretty much creates an explosion,” Simer said

There are “Reading the Smoke” signs to let someone know these things might occur, he said, such as heavy flowing smoke, dark windows and no longer seeing flame At that point, the structure needs to be ventilated

This is done by cutting a 4X4 hole in the roof, to allow smoke and gasses to escape from the top He went on to explain that this is done because the fire won’t pull oxy-

gen back in through the roof, since hot air rises

This life safety training session was done at the home of Bob and Kim Russell, who donated the residence specifically for the use of fire training

“This is our second one in the last year We did one just before Hurricane Ian, in Cape Coral,” Simer said

Whenever an opportunity arises for a place permitted to have safety training, it helps the fire department to stay current and active in safety measures that ultimately protect islanders This particular training session included 12 firefighters, he said An amazing feat, he said, since these sessions can arise with very little notice

See TRAINING, page 14

PHOTOS BY ASSISTANT CHIEF DAVIS

of holes on the course In an effort to prevent sacrificing the golf course land to more new houses being built, he said the group made a plan to raise enough money to buy the golf course

“Even though it’s very early in the process, this group wanted to get the word out to people that the course is going to be 18 holes again and it’s even going to be lengthened to more than 6,000 yards,” Van Auken said

One aspect in discussing a solution for the community of Alden Pines was that a natural consequence of building more homes would be bringing more traffic on and off the island This agreement will soon put that issue

See ALDEN PINES, page 14

MangoMania set for Saturday

Island celebration to be held at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Bokeelia

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce board member Cynthia Welch said the board is very excited to announce Pine Island’s tropical fruit fair, MangoMania, for this year, where over 70 island businesses will be represented

“This event celebrates our wonderful tropical island Even Hurricane Ian can’t keep Pine Islanders from celebrating the beauty of the mango,” Welch said “Pine Island may look a bit different, but our spirit is the same so, we’re hoping many come to MangoMania to support local farmers and businesses The island’s tropical fruit farms suffered losses but the local growers will be present at MangoMania this year along with numerous

See MANGOMANIA, page 20

Mangoes and other locally grown fruit will be featured Saturday at MangoMania, the islands’ tropical fruit fair.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CYNTHIA WELCH

The M/PIFCD firefighters involved in the training line the roof of the home

Florida Department of Health issues warning about blue-green algae blooms

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County is cautioning the public of the presence of blue-green algae blooms in the Caloosahatchee River – end of Canal Circle, Whitecap Circle Dock, Coral Point Drove and end of Southeast 13th Ave Blooms have the potential to produce toxins, and what triggers them to do so remains poorly understood Since bloom conditions can change at any time, it is important to exercise caution as if the bloom were toxic, even if toxin presence has not yet been confirmed

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

■ You should not drink, swim, wade, water ski or engage in activities that may cause you to come in direct contact with waters where there is a visible bloom

■ Exercise caution when using personal watercraft or boating, to avoid stirring up or contacting the algae or the affected water.

■ Avoid getting affected water in your eyes, nose or mouth

■ Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water

■ You should keep pets and livestock away from the waters in this location

n Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well

■ You should not eat shellfish from this location.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and partners collect algae samples from reported bloom locations for toxin analysis Once completed, the results will be posted on the DEP Algal Bloom Dashboard, and c a n a l s o b e v i e w e d o n t h e P r o t e c t i n g F l o r i d a Together website, where you can sign up to be notified of the latest conditions

What is blue-green algae?

Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria that is common in Florida’s freshwater environments A bloom occurs when rapid growth of algae leads to an accumulation of individual cells that discolor water and often produce floating mats that emit unpleasant odors

Some environmental factors that contribute to bluegreen algae blooms are sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions and excess nutrients Blooms can appear year-round but are more frequent in summer and fall Many types of blue-green algae can produce toxins

Is it harmful?

Blue-green algae blooms can impact human health and ecosystems, including fish and other aquatic animals

For additional information on potential health effects of algal blooms, visit floridahealth gov/environmentalhealth/aquatic-toxins.

Find current information about Florida’s water quality status and public health notifications for harmful algal blooms and beach conditions by visiting Protecting

FloridaTogether gov Protecting Florida Together is the state’s joint effort to provide statewide water quality information to prioritize environmental transparency and commitment to action

What do I do if I see an algal bloom?

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection collects and analyzes algal bloom samples To report a bloom to DEP, call the toll-free hotline at 855-305-3903 or report online

To report fish kills, please contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute at 1-800-636-0511

Report symptoms from exposure to a harmful algal b l o o m o r a n y a q u a t i c t o x i n t o t h e F l o r i d a P o i s o n Information Center, call 1-800-222-1222 to speak to a poison specialist immediately

Contact your veterinarian if you believe your pet has become ill after consuming or having contact with bluegreen algae contaminated water

If you have other health questions or concerns about blue-green algae blooms, contact the Florida Department of Health in Lee County at 239-690-2100

Kindergarten registration for upcoming school year continues at Pine Island Elementary

Pine Island Elementary School is registering all upcoming kindergarten students for the 2023-2024 school year If your child will be 5 years old by Sept 1, 2023, they are ready to start school Please stop by the school office to register them for kindergarten

When registering your child for school, please bring the child’s birth certificate, proof of residence, driver’s license and current physical with Florida immunization

records A Lee County School Registration Form will need to be completed also This form is located online at pie leeschools net or parents can stop by the school office to pick one up If you have any questions about school registration, please contact Rosie Perez at 239283-0505

Pine Island Elementary is located at 5360 Ridgewood Drive in Bokeelia, just east of The Center

OPINIONS

Mission possible

Fax: (239) 283-0232 Web: pineisland-eagle com

Publisher Raymond M Eckenrode reckenrode@breezenewspapers com

Executive Editor

Valarie Harring vharring@breezenewspapers com

Editor Paulette LeBlanc pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Advertising Director Laurie Ragle lragle@ breezenewspapers com

Advertising Sales Charlene Russ cruss@breezenewspapers com

Design & Layout Chris Strine cstrine@breezenewspapers com

Debbie

Last March, Gov Ron DeSantis signed legislation its proponents said would eliminate “high-stakes” testing in public schools

h e l e g i s l a t i o n r e p l a c e d t h e F l o r i d a S t a n d a r d s A s s e s s m e n t s w i t h s o m e t h i n g called progress monitoring, a series of three tests administered to students throughout the school year to measure student progress in pretty much the same areas as the old FSAs language arts and math as well as other core subjects

The new Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) tests provide reports to families as to how their child is doing as they work to meet, at minimum, grade level Florida Benchmark for Excellent Student Thinking (BEST) content standards (yeah, we know) as all Florida schools transitioned to the new program.

So instead of one “high-stakes test,” students take one at the beginning of the school year, one at the midpoint and one at the end with the last one being the most important

The concept makes sense and School District of Lee County officials said last year that it actually has been using progress monitoring for years

There’s good and bad in the first-year n u m b e r s j u s t r e l e a s e d b y t h e F l o r i d a Department of Education

The good?

Here in Lee County there was significant progress from the first monitoring assessment and the third in both language arts and math

Eagle Editorial

Overall and across the board, the needle moved as expected As the FDOE explains, each testing period measures “the full year’s content expectations” and so scores get better as “students are exposed to the content and i n s t r u c t i o n i s a d j u s t e d t o m e e t s t u d e n t needs ”

In language arts the number of students on grade level or above in grades 3-10 shot from 30 percent in the first assessment to 37 percent in the second to 46 percent in the third or final test

In math, the number of students on grade level or above in grades 3-8 went from 13 percent in the first monitoring period to 27 percent in the second to 54 percent in the final

The bad?

Overall, 54 percent of students in grades 3-10 are not reading at grade level and 46 percent are not on grade level in math

While the numbers vary by grade, we will look at two In grade three, the year where students “stop learning to read and read to learn,” only 42 percent were reading on grade level at the end of the school year; 58 percent are not Fifty-five percent are onlevel for math; 45 percent are not

Only 45 percent of 10th graders were reading at grade level; 55 percent were not

The FDOE has said these numbers should n o t b e c o m p a r e d w i t h l a s t y e a r ’ s T h e

achievement levels for the 2022-23 school year are provisional and will be reported on a new scale after the State Board of Educations adopts new student achievement expectation in the fall, the FDOE’s results charts state Fair enough

We will not make comparisons to years past

W e w i l l , t h o u g h , p o i n t o u t t h a t L e e County students continue to lag behind their peers statewide where 50 percent of students in grades three to 10 were on grade level in reading at the end of the year with 56 percent at grade level in math in grades three to eight

In Collier County to the south, the numbers were 54 percent at grade level in reading compared to Lee’s 46 percent; 69 percent in math compared to Lee’s 54 percent

In Charlotte County and Sarasota County to the north, the numbers were 52 percent 59 percent respectively in reading; 58 percent and 66 percent respectively in math.

It is fair to say Hurricane Ian impacted student learning this year in Lee County with students displaced from their homes and even from their schools as they doubled up on campuses elsewhere

B u t t h e g a p i n a c h i e v e m e n t a m o n g Southwest Florida’s coastal counties is consistent, no matter the monitoring method of

See MISSION POSSIBLE, page 6

Web Poll

Previous Web Poll Question:

Are you concerned about hurricane season?

■ Yes, because we haven’t recovered from Hurricane Ian yet 44%

■ Yes, more now than in year ’s past 0%

■ Concerned but cautious 26%

■ No, we’re ready 30%

Current Web Poll Question:

Are you prepared for the hurricane season?

■ Yes, always

■ Yes - when a storm heads this way, I’m outta here!

O l d e r g e n e r a t i o n s o f t e n c h a r a c t e r i z e today’s youth as spoiled After all, you don’t have to look far to see teens driving nice cars around town, making social media videos on their new iPhones and sporting designerlabel threads Many teens hear “yes” all the time

Mom, can you buy me a new dress for homecoming, and maybe some jewelry, too?

Dad, can you give me $20 so I can go out to eat with my friends?

N o t e v e r y c h i l d h e a r s “ y e s , ” t h o u g h . Hidden across Southwest Florida are children and teens who have been hearing “no” their whole lives No, you can’t buy new clothing No, you can’t go to the movies No, you can’t get a cellphone

Many children who are abused, neglected or abandoned and living in foster homes or temporary shelters are hesitant to even ask the question; they know “yes” is not possible

The Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th

Judicial Circuit, developed its Children’s Needs Program to say “yes” to vulnerable youth

C o u r t - a p p o i n t e d v o l u n t e e r c h i l d a d v o c a t e s c a n r e q u e s t funding for “extras” like birthday parties, tutoring, summer camp programs, movie tickets and registration fees for clubs and sports It’s all about creating a sense of normalcy for children whose lives have been anything but normal

R e c e n t l y , t h e f o u n d a t i o n developed the concept of a Yes

D a y T h r o u g h s u p p o r t f r o m

Jessica Stanfield Guest Commentary

M a c y ’ s , t h e f o u n d a t i o n s ’ Board of Directors and private donors, the foundation would take a group of teens to Macy’s Coastland Center for a day of shopping the latest styles, walking the red carpet and exploring new looks through

We want your opinion

mini-makeovers The plan was to register 25 youth for Yes Day, but those slots filled within 15 minutes The foundation t h e n o p e n e d 2 5 a d d i t i o n a l slots, and those filled in 40 minutes

On May 20, a total of 58 teens had an opportunity to feel special at Yes Day A Macy’s p e r s o n a l s t y l i s t a c c o m p a n i e d them while shopping for shoes, dresses and jewelry They had a cosmetologist choose complem e n t a r y c o l o r s a n d a p p l y makeup They had opportunit i e s t o t r y o n n e c k l a c e s , bracelets and earrings Yes Day provided those 58 teens with new clothing, shoes and accessories, but it also provided a huge emotional boost and raised the students’ sense of self-worth

When teens browsed through clothing racks at Macy’s Coastland Center, they heard “yes” a lot Yes, you can buy those jeans Yes, you can have that purse Yes, you can get those sneakers Yes, you have worth Saying “yes” to a teen in foster care is not spoiling them It’s showing you care for them, and that’s exactly what these children need in their lives

Jessica Stanfield is executive director of the Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit For more information, visit VoicesForKids org

‘Yes Day’ helps spoil teens (and that’s OK)

Governor ’s criminal ‘justice’ vetoes are unjust

Gov Ron DeSantis’ recent vetoes of two criminal justice bills, both of which passed the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, demonstrate once again that politics currently trump good policy in the Governor’s office

One of the vetoed bills (HB 605) would have allowed eligible adults to expunge a criminal record despite having used one prior juvenile expungement The legislation was narrowly written and applied only in cases where an individual was not charged, had charges dropped, or was acquitted of the charges Legislators described the effort as a workforce issue which would have assisted individuals who had never been convicted of a crime to obtain employment

The barriers to employment for those caught up in the justice system and the demonization of people arrest-

ed, even if the charges are unfounded hurt our economy and should be an affront to Floridians Gov DeSantis could have worked to right this systematic failure, but he chose instead to pander to the “tough on crime” crowd. It’s stunning that bills with unanimous and near unanimous legislative support are not good enough for the current governor

T h e s e c o n d b i l l v e t o e d b y G o v DeSantis (SB 1478) passed unanimously in both the House and Senate It sought to, through the use of alternative sanctions, reduce jail populations for technical violations of probation deemed “low risk ”

Vetoing SB 1478 means more people

Luke Newman Guest Commentary

will be in jail for a longer time It costs

t h o u s a n d s o f d o l l a r s t o u n n e c e s s a r i l y house these folks in jail These are people who could be productive members of society

Gov. DeSantis offered no rationale for these vetoes, which were announced by form letter after regular business hours

The veto decisions undermine the clear consensus crafted, through hard work, by Florida’s elected representatives

Luke Newman is the president of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

By Sanibel-Captiva

Conser vation Foundation

Florida’s $116.5 billion 2023-24 budget was signed by Gov Ron DeSantis two weeks prior to the beginning of the state fiscal year, which starts July 1

The good news

The budget includes a record $1 6 billion for the e n v i r o n m e n t , i n c l u d i n g $ 3 5 6 5 m i l l i o n f o r t h e Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), $850 million for lands within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and $100 million for the Florida Forever land acquisition program

The bad news

Mission possible

choice, no matter the place in time

Unfortunately, some of the budget’s environmental gains will be offset by an effort from the fertilizer industry to prevent cities and counties from enacting their own environmental protections Included in the budget is an appropriation to study seasonal fertilizer bans, while also prohibiting local governments from passing any new fertilizer bans or amending any existing ones after July 1 This language to limit fertilizer bans was added outside of the normal committee process, pre-

From page 4

Too many of our kids are struggling to attain not proficiency, but to just keep up, to feel successful so they can feel confident taking on the next educational challenge and the next

Let us point out that while the new tests/progress monitoring reports may not be “high stake” one-shots, as with the old FSAs, students must pass certain tests to be promoted to the next grade, must pass certain tests to graduate, must know how to read and do rudimentary mathematics to be successful in whatever path they choose after high school

That number for third graders not reading on level as they head into fourth grade, that 58 percent? Each point

represents hundreds of children who hit their first key educational benchmark and were unable to jump the hurdle

Despite monitoring Despite progress

And yes, despite the efforts of an education team led now by a superintendent whose efforts to improve not just the district’s internal processes but its educational emphasis on the classroom should be acknowledged

The district has some inherent challenges: Student absences and out-of-classroom time compounded first by COVID and then by Hurricane Ian Teacher absences and teacher shortages which can hamper the learning process

A student demographic that represents the diverse

venting any public input

DeSantis signs state budget: The good and the bad Guest Commentary

“Regulating fertilizer application during the rainy season has been widely studied and proven effective,” S a n i b e l - C a p t i v a C o n s e r v a t i o n F o u n d a t i o n Environmental Policy Associate Holly Schwartz said “Fertilizer regulation should remain an important tool for local governments to protect water quality ”

Founded in 1967, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation

F o u n d a t i o n ' s m i s s i o n i s t o p r o t e c t a n d c a r e f o r Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems For more information, visit www.sccf.org.

community that is Lee County

A student demographic that represents the economic reality of Lee County

We agree with educators who say there are few easy solutions and we’ll go so far as to say the district’s vision “to be a World-Class School System” is and has been a pretty far stretch

The district’s mission, though, is both possible and laudable: “to ensure that each student achieves his/her highest personal potential.”

May that be, at the very least, on grade-level achievement for each child, each student, each step of the way Eagle editorial

Hurricane season is here, are you prepared?

Control District Community Emergency Response Team is providing a series on disaster preparedness for islanders )

By NARCISSUS E MAGTURO and KAREN TITOLO, CERT members

Welcome to your CERT team’s series of disaster preparedness articles

Special Needs and Pet-Friendly shelters

■ A shelter is a safe place to be during an evacuation But, consider alternative evacuation locations before choosing to use a shelter

■ Who needs a Special Needs shelter:

● People with medical impairments or disabilities who are medically stable but require medical assistance

● People who require mobility assistance, such as those who use walkers, canes, or need assistance walking on uneven terrain

● People who may have temporary mobility issues, such as a broken leg

● People who require electricity for oxygen, IV pumps or other medical equipment

● People who are on dialysis or have conditions like advancing Alzheimer’s or neuromuscular disorders

● People who have low vision or are blind, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and elderly/frail people

● If your care exceeds basic first aid provided at a public shelter or you need assistance with basic, everyday tasks

● Many conditions not mentioned here are also covered If you are not sure if you should consider a Special N e e d s s h e l t e r , c a l l t h e L e e C o u n t y S p e c i a l N e e d s Program at 239-533-0640 for assistance

■ If you plan to use a Special Needs shelter:

● Register with the Special Medical Needs Program. This can be done online at the EOC website, https://shelterapp leegov com/

● If you do not have access to a computer, you can

CERT Update

a l s o r e g i s t e r b y c a l l i n g L e e C o u n t y E m e r g e n c y Management at 239-533-0622

● Register early registrations will not be taken once Lee County enters the five-day hurricane forecast cone

● Once registered, you must update your information every year

● Make arrangements for a caregiver or friend to accompany you This is a requirement of Lee County Caregivers will need to bring shelter survival supplies for themselves

● Have your Go-Kit ready

● If you do not have a vehicle or a ride to get to a Special Medical Needs shelter you can indicate you will need transportation when you register for a Special Needs shelter

● You will receive a call to let you know when Lee County is opening the Special Medical Needs Shelter

■ Pet-Friendly Shelters and Service Animals

● Make sure your pets are microchipped.

● Service animals are allowed in all shelters

● You can bring your dog or cat with you to a Special Medical Needs shelter

● Animals are housed in a different area but you will have access to feed, walk and spend time with them

● Pet-friendly shelters will be available for every storm, although locations may vary No registration is required Although all Shelters were designated PetFriendly during Hurricane Ian, this may not always be the case Please verify before going to a shelter with your pet

● Pet Go-kit supplies should include:

-- Water and food bowls

Food and treats for at least one week, plus spoon and can opener if needed

Water (1 gallon per day, per animal, for at least 1

week) -- Litter and litter box for cats; waste bags for dogs

-- Crate or pet carrier large enough for your pet to stand, turn and lie down; cat crates must be large enough to include a litter pan

-- Collar, and leash with ID and rabies tags for cats and dogs

-- Prescriptions and other medical supplies your pet needs

-- See a full list in the Lee County 2022 All Hazards Guide

REMINDER: Practice and maintain your Family Emergency Plan

Below is the summary list of actions you can take now, ahead of a storm, to be prepared Use this list as a reminder each week of actions you can take now to be better prepared

Prepare Now actions:

Know your evacuation zone Matlacha, Pine Island, and most coastal areas are Zone A

Make an Emergency Plan (article #1)

Know your warnings and alerts (article #2)

Register now, ahead of time, with Lee County if you have Special Needs - online at https://shelterapp lee-

required!

Review important documents (article #4)

Strengthen your home (article #3)

Get tech ready (article #4)

Help your neighborhood

Gather supplies (article #2)

Have questions about this article? You can contact the M / P I

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3 9 - 2 8 3 - 0 0

0 , M o n d a yFriday, 7:30 a m to 4:30 p m Station #1 is at 5700 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia

M/PIFCD’s 60th anniversar y celebration Friday

The Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District will be hosting a 60th anniversary celebration this Friday, July 14, from 5-8 p m , at Station #1, at 5700 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia, just west of The Center. There will be free food from Mission B B Q a n d i c e c r e a m , a l o n g with a live vehicle extraction d e m o n s t r a t i o n , g a m e s a n d m u c h m o r e F o r a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n , c a l l

Lee County Parks & Rec celebrating July as National Park and Recreation Month

Free admission to Pine Island Community Pool included

L e e C o u n t y P a r k s & R e c r e a t i o n w i l l o f f e r f r e e p o o l a d m i s s i o n a n d f r e e p a r k i n g o n S a t u r d a y , J u l y 2 9 , a n d S u n d a y , J u l y 3 0 , i n r e c o g n i t i o n o f N a t i o n a l P a r k a n d R e c r e a t i o n M o n t h L e e C o u n t y P a r k s & R e c r e a t i o n s i t e s o f f e r i n g f r e e s w i m m i n g o r f r e e p a r k i n g i n c l u d e : P a r k s - - L a k e s P a r k , M a n a t e e P a r k , H i c k e y C r e e k M i t i g a t i o n P a r k , C a l o o s ah a t c h e e R e g i o n a l P a r k , S i x M i l e C y p r e s s S l o u g h P r e s e r v e , C a l o o s a h a t c h e e C r e e k s P r e s e r v e B e a c h s i t e s - - B o w m a n ’ s B e a c h a n d T u r n e r B e a c h ( n o r t h s i d e o n l y o f B l i n d P a s s )

B o a t r a m p s - - A l v a , M a t l a c h a , D a v i s ,

L a v e n d e r ’ s L a n d i n g a n d I m p e r i a l R i v e r

P o o l s - - L e h i g h C o m m u n i t y P o o l , N o r t h F o r t M y e r s C o m m u n i t y P o o l , P i n e

I s l a n d C o m m u n i t y P o o l a n d S a n C a r l o s C o m m u n i t y P o o l B o n i t a B e a c h A c c e s s e s N o . 1 a n d N o .

1 0 , B o n i t a B e a c h P a r k , L y n n H a l l M e m o r i a l P a r k a n d S a n C a r l o s B a y -

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

w i t h l i m i t e d a m e n i t i e s R e s i d e n t s a n d v i s i t o r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o a l w a y s w e a r b e a c h s h o e s w h e n v i s i t i n g b e a c h p a r k s D e b r i s c o n t i n u e s t o w a s h o n s h o r e a n d q u i c k l y m a y b e o b s c u r e d b y s a n d O t h e r r e c r e a t i o n a l s i t e s w i t h i n L e e C o u n t y t h a t a r e o w n e d o r m a i nt a i n e d b y o t h e r g o v e r nm e n t e n t i t i e s a r e n o t i n c l u d e d i n t h e f r e e s w i m / f r e e p a r k i n g w e e k e n d . T h e s e i n c l u d e : B a r e f o o t B e a c h , b e a c h a c c e s s p o i n t s m a n a g e d b y t h e T o w n o f F o r t M y e r s B e a c h , a n d C i t y o f S a n i b e l s i t e s , i n c l u d i n g t h e s o u t h s i d e o f B l i n d P a s s T h e f r e e p o o l / f r e e p a r k i n g w e e k e n d h a p p e n s a n n u a l l y L e e C o u n t y C o m m i s s i o n e r s o n J u n e 2 0 v o t e d t o a p p r o v e a r e s o l u t i o n d e s i g n a t i n g J u l y a s N a t i o n a l P a r k a n d R e c r e a t i o n M o n t h i n L e e C o u n t y I n t h e r e s o l u t i o n , c o m m i s s i o n e r s r e co g n i z e d t h a t L e e C o u n t y P a r k s & R e c r e a t i o n t o u c h e s t h e l i v e s o f i n d i v i d ua l s , f a m i l i e s , g r o u p s a n d t h e e n t i r e c o mm u n i t y a n d p o s i t i v e l y i m p a c t s t h e s o c i a l , e c o n o m i c a n d e n v i r o n m e n t q u a l i t y o f t h e c o u n t y F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t L e e C o u n t y P a r k s & R e c r e a t i o n l o c a t i o n s , a m e n i t i e s a n d s p e c i a l e v e n t s , p l e a s e v i s i t w w w l e e p a r k s o r g , c a l l

2 3 9 - 5 3 3 - 7 2 7 5 o r e m a i l l e e p a r k s @ l e e g o v c o m T o r e c e i v e u p d a t e s f r o m L e e C o u n t y G o v e r nm e n t , s i g n u p f o r t h e n e w s l e t t e r h e r e : w w w l e eg o v c o m / r e s o u r c e s / n e w sl e t t e r s F o l l o w L e e C o u n t y G o v e r n m e n t o n F a c e b o o k , w w w f a c e b o o k c o m / l e e c o u n t y f l b o c c

PHOTO PROVIDED

GPICA continues conducting post-Ian survey

It's been nearly nine months since Hurricane Ian caused catastrophic damage to the island community

The Greater Pine Island Civic Association is conducting a survey to assess how post-Ian recovery is going for members of Matlacha Isles, Matlacha, St James City, Pine Island Center, Pineland and Bokeelia

Please tell the GPICA how you're doing, whether you have unmet needs and what your most pressing concerns are The organization will share this information with long-term recovery groups working on the island to

demonstrate the community's needs in order to seek additional support and resources

Visit this link to take the survey -- https://forms gle/ vcHin7voo76m5fGx9

S p e c i a l n o t e : T h e G P I C A w i l l n o t s h a r e e m a i l addresses with any other group or agency unless you give us explicit permission to do so in the second question of the survey

Also note that the GPICA is only collecting names of those islanders who are seeking help from long-term recovery groups so that information can be passed on to recovery groups working on the islands

Breast health education event held at FruitScapes in Bokeelia

A breast health education event, organized by Family Health Centers and United Way's WeCare Program, took place at FruitScapes in Bokeelia Organizers have expressed their gratitude to owner Steve Schneider for hosting this event for his employees

The primary objective was to offer employees valu-

First Baptist Church of Pine Island sets

2nd Vacation Bible School July 17-19

First Baptist Church of Pine Island will be hosting a 2nd Vacation Bible School Monday, July 17, Tuesday, July 18, and Wednesday, July 19, from 6:30-8:30 each evening The cost is free and ages kindergarten to 12th grade are welcome to attend

First Baptist Church of Pine Island is located at 5363 Avenue D, in Bokeelia, across from Pine Island Elementary School.

If you have questions, please contact the church office at 239-283-1737

able breast healthcare education and conduct basic health screenings, especially for those who face challenges in finding the time and resources to visit a doctor regularly.

If you are an agricultural or service employer interested in hosting a similar event for your employees, con-

tact Amy Singer, the program director for WeCare of United Way Lee, Hendry, and Glades, at amy@united waylee org She can provide you with further details and assist you in organizing a health event tailored to your employees' needs

MicroEnterprise Institute to conduct small business training program starting July 31

Classes to meet at Public Works Building in Cape Coral

Individuals who are thinking about starting their own business and have not developed a plan to guide their start-up or strengthen an existing business, can attend Goodwill’s SWFL MicroEnterprise Institute, scheduled for July 31 until Sept 7

The MicroEnterprise Institute is a six-week training program to help emerging entrepreneurs start new ventures and grow small businesses Graduates will complete a feasibility plan and management training course, working with mentors who are successful businesspeople, and hear from subject matter experts in areas of accounting,

Works Building, 815

Parkway, East, Cape Coral.

The Goodwill Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute is administrated by the nonprofit Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida and is part of Goodwill’s mission of providing life-changing opportunities toward independence for those with disabilities and disadvantages For more information about Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, visit www goodwillswfl org

When “Reading the Smoke” signs arise, there are certain tactics called on by the engineers and firefighters, he said Special tools used for combatting a fire are utilized and also used in training, such as a chain saw with a carbide blade This blade will cut through what is known as “dirty wood,” which is wood that may contain objects like nails

The firefighters are also required to wear protective gear, which can increase the heat index normally experienced For instance, if the temperature feels like 115 degrees, the gear will raise the temperature to 130 degrees, since you can add 15 to 20 degrees to the temperature, he said For this reason, rehabilitation is required, to ensure the health and hydration after an exercise, or an actual emergency

Assistant Chief Cody Allen was in charge of rehabilitation in this particular training exercise, Simer said

“That’s the part that a lot of people don’t realize It’s

fun, but it’s very taxing and demanding on the system I volunteered to do this type of training because we’ve got a lot of new staff and they don’t get that opportunity, except at fire school and it’s nothing as in-depth as our training I would rather have these guys trained up in a training evolution rather than the have the first time they do it be on an actual roof That’s what training is about in my book,” Simer said M/PIFCD officials thank Bobby and Kim Russell for the use of their home for this training exercise

The vent that the M/PIFCD firefighters cut in the roof of the home during their recent training The vent is cut to allow smoke and gasses to escape to help firefighters battle the blaze inside the home.

FWC to meet July 19-20 in St. Petersburg

T h e F l o r i d a F i s h a n d W i l d l i f e C o n s e r v a t i o n Commission will meet in person Wednesday and Thursday, July 19-20, at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront, 333 First Street, S E , St Petersburg, FL 33701 The meeting begins at 8:30 a m each day and is open to the public

The FWC is committed to providing opportunities for public input There are several opportunities prior to the commission meeting to provide comments Also, time is allotted for public speakers at the commission meeting

Additionally, at the end of the second day, July 20, the commission will provide time for public comment on subjects not on the agenda Those people who wish to offer comments during this period will be asked to ensure their comments are not related to any agenda item The deadline for registration to speak on items not on the agenda is 9:30 a m on July 20

Public speaking is organized using a speaker registration process and time limits To accommodate as much input as possible from those attending, the chairman reserves the right to designate the amount of time given to each topic and speaker

For the full July 19-20 agenda and links to background reports, go to MyFWC com/Commission and select “Commission Meetings ” Those who cannot attend can follow coverage at Twitter.com/MyFWC ( @ M y F W C ) a n d s i g n u p f o r n e w s u p d a t e s a t MyFWC com Check the Florida Channel for possible live video coverage at TheFloridaChannel org

Alden Pines

From page 1

to rest, as they want to begin working on the golf course as soon as possible, he said, adding that an opening date is likely to be sometime in 2024

To Van Auken’s knowledge, the preservation of Alden Pines has been a well-received message, as the future of the island’s only golf course has been a question on the mind of many islanders He describes this plan as a great story of people coming together to find a solution and executing it

“We think this will be the best thing not only for the residents of Alden Pines, but for the people of Pine Island, and even the people off-island who come to play golf It’s a really nice, natural area we see bald eagles almost every day, otters all kinds of animals Before I moved here, I couldn’t believe a place like Pine Island still existed, and we want to see it stay that way,” Van Auken said

Another week of hot summer fishin’

Summer heat was in full f o r c e o v e r t h e p a s t w e e k L i g h t w i n d s b r o u g h t c a l m , f a v o r a b l e s e a s offshore Fishing was good at t i m e s , s l o w a t t i m e s a n d u n p r e d i c t a b l e f r o m d a y t o day, but that’s normal for the time of year

Red grouper up to 30 inches were caught over hard bottom in depths beginning at 8 f e e t R e d s n a p p e r r e p o r t s c a m e f r o m d e p t h s s t a r t i n g around 120 feet and deeper

The deeper the water the bigger the snapper A mix of m a n g r o v e , l a n e , v e r m i l i o n , y e l l o w t a i l s n a p p e r , p l u s p o r g y a n d s c a m p g r o u p e r came from the same areas

On the Water

Public or man-made wrecks and reefs in the 50 to 100-foot depths yielded hard

f i g h t i n g f i s h i n c l u d i n g a m b e r j a c k , g o l i a t h grouper, bonito, cobia, barr a c u d a a n d s o m e l a r g e sharks Most are catch and release, but fun and challenging Fishing nearshore reefs at depths from 25 to 50 feet, anglers report a v a r i e t y i n c l u d i n g s n o o k , s n a p p e r , m a c k e r e l , b a r -

r a c u d a , s h a r k s , g o l i a t h grouper, small red and gag grouper, and permit The Spanish mackerel bite was off and on outside the gulf passes and the gulf s i d e o f t h e S a n i b e l

C a u s e w a y S m a l l s i l v e r spoons with a fast retrieve were the top method while on the drift Live pilchards, herring, pinfish, or shrimp also worked well Ladyfish often picked

up the slack if the mackerel bite was off

S p a n i s h m a c k e r e l w e r e a l s o c a u g h t around bait schools in Charlotte Harbor near Bokeelia, and off bar edges inside Redfish and Captiva passes With snook in their summer spawn pattern, the best action came from areas near and around the gulf passes Fish up to 40 inches were caught and released from

Blind Pass north to Gasparilla Island, including the beaches, passes and structure between Bait choices included live pinfish, pigfish, pilchards, sardines, herring and hand-picked shrimp Schools of small snook from 20-26 inches were sighted fished along the surf of Sanibel, Captiva and Cayo Costa Islands Small white jigs and flies, plus live shrimp, pilchards and small pinfish were top baits The best a c t i o n w a s a h e a d o f t h e heat over the early morning hours

The inshore mangrove snapper bite has remained consistent week after week Some days are better than others, but with a little time and effort most anglers are returning with a limit Fish up to 15 inches were boxed in and around the gulf passe s a n d n e a r b y m a n g r o v e s h o r e l i n e s a n d d o c k s S h o r e - b o u n d a n g l e r s hooked snapper from Blind P a s s a n d t h e M a t l a c h a D r a w b r i d g e B a i t s o f c h o i c e i n c l u d e l i v e a n d

Capt Bill Russell

PHOTO PROVIDED

A good day offshore The AC Medic 911 boys enjoyed a day off and came home with a fish box full of a variety of tasty fish They were fishing with Capt Scotty Darna at Salty Boy Charters out of Jug Creek Marina in Bokeelia See SUMMER FSHIN’, page 17

Lee County Domestic Animal Services participating in national ‘Empty the Shelters’ effort through July 31

Lee County Domestic Animal Services and BISSELL Pet Foundation Partner with MetLife Pet Insurance for summer national 'Empty the Shelters' July 6-31

Lee County Domestic Animal Services and the BISSELL Pet Foundation, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness, are excited t o a n n o u n c e t h e y w i l l t e a m u p w i t h M e t L i f e P e t Insurance for the foundation’s upcoming “Empty the Shelters” waived adoption fee event. With the shared goal of helping pets find and stay in loving homes, this collaboration will save lives by expanding the foundation's reach to include more shelters across the country

www leelostpets com

S i n c e t h e 2 0 1 6 i n c e p t i o n o f B I S S E L L P e t Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters,” nearly 158,000 pets at 669 animal welfare organizations in 49 states and Canada have received second chances An average of 1,200 shelter pets are adopted each day during each quarterly national event Through this partnership and continued support, the foundation is looking forward to reaching more pets in more shelters and communities during this upcoming event

“ W e a r e e x c i t e d t o t e a m u p w i t h M e t L i f e P e t Insurance to offer 30 days of pet insurance at no cost to

invaluable to our agency and community ”

BISSELL Pet Foundation and Lee County domestic Animal Services urge families to do their research about the pet they are interested in adopting, as well as adoption requirements For more information on adopting or donating to “Empty the Shelters,” visit www bissellpetf o u n d a t i o n o r g / e m p t y - t h e - s h e l t e r s a s w e l l a s www LeeLost Pets com or call 239-533-7387 (LEEPETS). You may also submit an adoption application online Adoption hours are 10:30 a m to 3:30 p m Monday through Saturday at Animal Services, 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers, next to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office off Six Mile Cypress Parkway

Animal Services will participate July 6-31, at 5600 Banner Drive, offering waived adoption fees for adult dogs and all cats and kitten with an approved application

All interested adopters can find more details online at

Summer fishin’

dead shrimp, pilchard’s dead or alive, and frozen sardines There are a lot of catfish around, at times it’s hard to get dead bait past the cats to hook a snapper When this occurs, it’s often better to just move on and fish another spot

Spotted seatrout were widespread across grass flats from 4 to 8 feet deep across north Matlacha Pass to Bokeelia, off the western wall of Charlotte Harbor, in Pine Island Sound south of Cabbage Key, and between Rocky Channel and Hemp Key Either targeting channel edges or drifting worked for trout to 20 inches Many are running undersize, but limits of good fish were caught Silver or gray trout up to 17 inches were also mixed with spotted seatrout in areas of Charlotte Harbor near Bokeelia

Make sure and stay up to date with fishing regulations by visiting www myfwc com Also, upload the Fish Rules app on your phone It has current regulations with pictures to help identify fish

Summer gives us the potential for nasty thunderstorms to appear daily and develop rather quickly When storms develop, have a plan If the lightning starts popping, get to a sheltered or protected area Pulling up against a mangrove island or shoreline is far safer than remaining over open water It’s more challenging offshore, but with advance notice you can generally run around a storm Make your boat as low profile as possible Get the fishing rods (graphite lightning sticks) out of the rod holders and down low While rain is just an inconvenience, lightning is deadly, please take it seriously

If you have a fishing report or for charter information, contact Gulf Coast Guide Service at 239-410-8576 (call or text); on the web at www fishpine island com; or via email at gcl2fish@ live com

Have a safe week and good fishin’

As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters around Pine Island and Southwest Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for the past 23 years

the adopter, as well as the opportunity to purchase an annual pet insurance policy, which could make a difference in helping adopters deal with their pet’s unexpected illness or injury," said Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation "Veterinary costs add up quickly, and too often, pet owners forgo care or surrender their beloved pets when they can't afford treatment This collaboration could help to enable more pets in more communities to be adopted through 'Empty the Shelters' and can help facilitate adopters seeking treatment to keep their pets healthy and in their new homes.”

“Lee County Domestic Animal Services is honored to once again partner with the BISSELL Pet Foundation to find homes for our shelter pets,” said Pablo Adorno, director of Animal Services “Their continued support is

Some out-of-state driver ’s licenses no longer recognized in Florida

New law that is aimed at undocumented migrants went into effect July 1

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

C e r t a i n c l a s s e s o f d r i v e r l i c e n s e s Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island and Vermont are no longer valid in Florida

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has published a list of out-of-state license classes that are invalid as of July 1 in accordance with Senate Bill 1718.

Each of the five states has classes of licenses that are invalid, including “limited purpose driver’s license,” “limited purpose instruction permit,” “limited purpose p r o v is io n al d r iv er ’ s licen s e” an d “n o t valid for use for official federal purposes” for Hawaii

T h e b i l l s p e c i f i c a l l y p r o h i b i t s t h e issuance of a driver’s license to anyone who does not provide proof of lawful presence in the U S

“Someone who is in our country illegally and has violated our laws should not possess a government-issued ID which allows them access to state-funded services and other privileges afforded to lawful residents,” Gov Ron DeSantis said in a prepared statement this week “The Biden administration may continue to abdicate its responsibilities to secure our border, but Florida will stand for the rule of law Even if the federal government refuses, Florida will act decisively to protect our citizens, our state, and our country.”

DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1718 earlier this year In addition to prohibiting the issuance of a driver’s license to anyone

“Someone who is in our country illegally and has violated our laws should not possess a government-issued ID which allows them access to state-funded services and other privileges afforded to lawful residents The Biden administration may continue to abdicate its responsibilities to secure our border, but Florida will stand for the rule of law. Even if the federal government refuses, Florida will act decisively to protect our citizens, our state, and our country.”

who does not provide proof of lawful presence in the U S , it “specifies that outof-state driver licenses issued exclusively to illegal aliens are invalid in Florida ”

“ F L H S M V a n d i t s d i v i s i o n o f t h e Florida Highway Patrol are prepared to s t r i c t l y e n f o r c e S e n a t e B i l l 1 7 1 8 , ” Executive Director Dave Kerner said in a prepared statement “This legislation supports two of our primary goals: to enhance homeland security and to interdict criminal activity It communicates our state policy that Florida will not provide incentives to undocumented immigrants, while reminding criminal cartels and those who a r e p l a n n i n g t o u n l a w f u l l y c r o s s o u r national border that Florida should not be their destination of choice Florida will not accept driver licenses from those who cannot provide proof of lawful presence in the United States By doing this, we commit to a safer Florida ”

L e e G O P C h a i r m a n M i c h a e l

Thompson said this means that Florida residents are going to be even more protected. He said there is nothing wrong with protecting the residents of your state

“It is unfortunate that he had to take these measures It’s unfortunate that he had to have an immigration bill as well,” He said

The root cause is that Florida has no border from the southern border, which is allowing DeSantis to come in and take control over the security of Florida residents, Thompson said He said there were none of these bills two to three years ago

“They are there for a specific reason. We don’t need to look too far from the southern border,” Thompson said

H e d o e s n o t b e l i e v e i t w i l l s t o p tourism, or put Florida’s economy into question

“This is the state of freedom The people that want to be here have to follow the law,” Thompson said

The Lee Democratic Party had a different outlook of the bill

L e e D e

h a i r K a r i Lerner said the State of Florida has the right to whatever requirements they want on driver’s licenses, which she said is discriminatory and hateful

She said the driver’s license is a very small portion of the bill As a former legislator, she read through the entire bill and is surprised there are not other sections being talked about, such as a requirement of hospital’s collecting immigration status of patients

“They are required to report quarterly to the state, the immigration status of each and every patient that comes to the hospital,” Lerner said “The part that says anyone that transports an undocumented individual can be charged with human trafficking Those are pretty terrifying aspects of this bill ”

She said every single person that goes to the hospital is going to be reported to the state

“

Y o u a r e a l s o , a s a n i n d i v i d u a l American citizen, going to be reported to the state every time I go to the hospital That is incredibly invasive and intrusive to each and every person in the state of Florida,” Lerner said

She said the bill does not only impact immigrants

“Think about what this requirement is It should chill each and every person in this state. The invasiveness and intrusiveness of this legislation,” Lerner said

T h e l i c e n s e l i s t i s a v a i l a b l e a t flhsmv gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/visiting-florida-faqs/

Cape Coral resident celebrates her 104th birthday

By FRAN THOMAS news@breezenewspapers com

In 1919, when Eleanor Evett was born, W o o d r o w W i l s o n w a s p r e s i d e n t , t h e Green Bay Packers team was founded, and Congress established Grand Canyon National Park

On July 5, 2023, Evett celebrated her 104th birthday

Residents of The Windsor of Cape Coral, where Eleanor has made her home for six or seven years, gathered to give

gifts and share cake

The years haven’t dimmed Evett’s wit When asked her advice for a long, happy life, she replied, ”Just keep breathing ” She acknowledged she had a good mother and father and a happy marriage She and her husband Bud were married for 61 years and had two sons. They met Christmas caroling; got engaged on July 5, 1940; and married the following July Her secret for a happy marriage is to refrain from picking on each other

Several of the gifts Evett received were candy

“

C h o c o l a t e , c h o c o l a t e , c h o c o l a t e Nothing is better than chocolate I know what I’m going to eat tonight,” she said

A nearby staff member corroborated that Evett has a big-time sweet tooth

T h e C h i c a g o n a t i v e w a s a c h a r t e r member of Grace Baptist Church in 1983 and still attends services weekly She also w a s i n v o l v e d i n t h e f o u n d i n g o f t h e Children’s Baptist Foster Home

Her faith is very important to her, and her belief is that if someone belongs to something they should keep it going

As with many people as they age, time passes rapidly As she read a card men-

tioning her 104th birthday, Evett said, “Boy, that came up fast ”

Thanking those who came to celebrate with her, she said she plans to continue to enjoy life to its fullest

“Make your life what you want it to be,” she said “It’s up to you ”

She’s “a favorite among the residents at The Windsor for her wit and wisdom ”

“We’re very blessed to have Eleanor at The Windsor,” said Residence Director Gina Rath, CDP “She’s always happy, complains to no one and is kind of heart and soul We just love her She’s an inspiration and we're thrilled to celebrate her 104th with guests from the local media ”

PROVIDED PHOTO

Eleanor Evett, a favorite among the residents at The Windsor of Cape Coral for her wit and wisdom, celebrates her 104th birthday.

other island businesses ”

The event is this Saturday, July 15, and will showcase local entertainment, she said, as the music begins at 9 a m , featuring DJ Isaac, and island favorite, Rudy Cox, will be on stage at 12:45

M a n g o M a n i a c o n t e s t s t h i s y e a r include Pine Islands Biggest Mango, food contests, Mr Mango Head contest, for which one can bring one or create one on site. Contest winners will be announced a t 1 2 : 3 0 S e m i n a r s w i l l b e o f f e r e d throughout the day

Although Welch said she’s hoping this

What: MangoMania

When: Saturday, July 15

Hours: 9 a m to 4 p m.

year’s MangoMania won’t be much different than last year’s, the event is important, because of all the island endured last fall

“The hurricane taught us that we are s t r o n g e r t o g e t h e r T h e C h a m b e r o f Commerce is very proud of our business members they have been able to work together to get back open These festivals are a great opportunity for people to come out and see all the hard work that we have done and support these businesses that have struggled to get going and are struggling to keep going,” Welch said

If you go:

Where: Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, 12175 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia

Welch said the Chamber has really ramped up the education aspect of the e v e n t w i t h s e m i n a r s t h i s y e a r I s l a n d

experts can be found at the Seminar Tent, for anyone interested in learning more about the mango

This fun-filled family event will include tropical plants and trees for sale, tropical fruit for sale, recipe contests, biggest mango contest, creative mango games for kids of all ages, dunk tank, live music, mango and tropical fruit food and beverages, planting seminars with m a n g o t a s

island businesses

A $5 donation is appreciated to benefit the island's PILOT (Pine Island leaders of tomorrow) program Children under 10 are free Call 239-283-0888 for additional i n f o r m a t i o n o r v i s i t w w w M a n g o ManiaFL net

Mangos at an earlier MangoMania tropical fruit festival.

Schedule of events:

9:15 a m -- Steve Cucura of FruitScapes History of Pine Island Mango

10:15 a m -- Jay Reynolds of Treehouse Permaculture Farm: How to choose a ripe mango

10:45 a m -- Mango Tasting by FruitScapes Learn about and taste the different mango that are available at this time of year

11:15 a.m. -- Har Madeem: How to choose the right mango tree for you

12:30 p m -- Har Madeem: The art of Grafting your mango tree

1:30 p m -- Mango Tasting by FruitScapes Learn about and taste the different mango that are available at this time of year

2 p.m. -- Donna Schneider of Pine Island Tropicals: Cooking with Mango

See additional information about the i s l a n d s ’ t r o p i c a l f r u i t f e s t i v a l o n www MangoManiaFL net

Project Hope Resource Clinic, Support Groups meeting at Pine Island Community Church

CPE

l i n i c a n d S u p p o r t G r o u p s every Thursday from 5-8 p m at the Pine Island Community Church, which is located at 5320 Doug Taylor Circle, St James City,

The Resource Clinic will be held from 5-6 p m

The Women's Support Group meets from 6-7 p m

The Men's Support Group will meet from 7-8 p m

Free autism screening July 21 in Fort Myers

G o l i s a n o C h i l d r e n ’ s H o s p i t a l o f Southwest Florida, in partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida, offers a free monthly autism spectrum disorder screening for toddlers 18 months to five years of age

The next screening will be held on July

21, from 9 a m to 2 p m , at the Pediatric Specialist Office, 15901 Bass Road, Suite 102, Fort Myers

A physician referral is not required To schedule a screening, please call 239343-6838

Cat of the Week

Those big blue eyes and innocent expression help Henry get away with a lot at the shelter He came to us with a permanent head tilt Since we don’t know his history, we can only guess what caused it Some think he had an inner ear infection, but I like to think he accidentally ate a skink. Our sweet Henry would never have eaten it on purpose That m e a n o l d s k i n k p r o b a b l y forced Henry to chomp him up If I’m going to be completely honest, Henry probably should be an only cat. The other cats complain that he is a bit of a bully, but all it takes is one look at that sweet face and I melt Henry is a 3-yearold flame point Siamese mix

He loves to watch out the window, especially now that we have a peacock that likes to visit. If you are looking for a best friend, he will have you wrapped around his paw in no time. Call Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary at 239-283-9100 to meet this adorable kitty. If you’d rather just donate, our address is 10060 Mallory Parkway, E., Unit D, St. James City, FL, 33956 or there’s always our website www helpingpawsanimalsanctuary com

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