Cape Coral Weekend Breeze

Hurricane brings wind, rain, street flooding

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Unlike the “I” named storm that impacted Florida nearly a year ago, Southwest Florida, for the most part, was unscathed by Hurricane Idalia

Outer bands from the Category 3 storm brought strong winds and heavy rains to parts of the region with flooding some serious experienced in pockets of Lee and Charlotte counties

Cape Coral officials, while prepared for

“We have some battle wounds to heal We did a great job preparing the city for what could have been worse ”

the storm, were thankful Idalia did not have direct impacts on the city or surrounding area

During Wednesday’s City Council Meeting, interim City Manager Michael

Ilczyszyn thanked staff that prepared the city for Hurricane Idalia starting on Monday He said they pulled down awnings, canopies and lowered the weirs to prepare for flooding

Residents weigh in on Jaycee Park

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Droves of Cape Coral residents came out to Mercola Market Thursday afternoon to give their input on the fluid project design of Jaycee Park

The city of Cape Coral hosted the open-house style forum, with city and project officials in attendance to answer questions and concerns from the public

The proposed new designs of the park, which will be carried out by Pennoni and Associates, have

come under contention from many residents who say it’s “too much” for the 8-acre location overlooking the Caloosahatchee River

See JAYCEE PARK, page 34

Barbara and Michael Schiffer fill out a comment card at Thursday’s info session and open house on Jaycee Park

CJ HADDAD

Ilczyszyn reported to Council that there was no major damage within the city

“We have some battle wounds to heal,” he said “We did a great job preparing the city for what could have been worse ”

Power outages were kept to a minimum over the last few days, as Lee County Electric Cooperative crews were quickly responding to scattered outages LCEC representatives said crews worked throughout the evening

See HURRICANE, page 12

‘Her fight is our fight’ CCPD toy drive under way

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

The Cape Coral Police Department is asking the community to help put a smile on a child’s face via a toy drive that hits close to home

Throughout the month of September, CCPD will be collecting toys at departm e n t h e a d q u a rters that will be d e l i v e r e d t o y o u n g s t e r s b a tt l i n g i l l n e s s a t G o l i s a n o C h i l d r e n ’ s Hospital

The drive has been named, “Her F i g h t i s O u r Fight,” in honor o f H a y d e n B e z a n s o n , a 2 - y e a r - o l d g i r l b a t t l i n g leukemia Hayden is the daughter of CCPD o f f i c e r s N i c k B e z a n s o n a n d K e l s e y Meadows September is also nationally r e c o g n i z e d a s C h i l d h o o d C a n c e r Awareness Month

“Our department was so eager to meet the needs of Hayden and her family,” said CCPD Public Affairs Officer Mercedes Phillips “Pulling together as a department,

See TOY DRIVE, page 35

Michael Ilczyszyn, interim City Manager

Cape tot’s illness spurs effort to help other child patients

w w w . c a p e c o r a S e p t e m b e r 1 , 2 0 2 3 ■ P a g e 2 Cape Coral Breeze Vol. 6 2 , No. 7 0

Cape Council approves higher assessment levies

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T h u r s d a y , S e p t 7 , a t 5 : 0 5 p m i n t h e C i t y C o u n c i l C h a m b e r s , 1 0 1 5 C u l t u r a l P a r k B l v d

T h e f i n a l p u b l i c h e a r i n g i s s e t f o r T h u r s d a y , S e p t

CAPE CORAL BREE ZE

RAYMOND M. ECKENRODE Publisher VALARIE HARRING, Executive Editor CHRIS STRINE, Editor

2510 Del Prado Blvd • Cape Coral, FL, 33904

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

Thank you to recovery’s driving force

The U S Department of Labor sums up the observance of Labor Day succinctly

Celebrated the first Monday of September, the holiday Congress made official in 1894 is “dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country ”

Just shy of 130 years later, Hurricane Ian hammered that message home

Literally

It is labor that brought Southwest Florida out of the wreckage

From the lineworkers who restored power in the immediacy of post-storm dangers to the feet on the street those who cleared and repaired roads and bridges; ran traffic without lights or signals; searched for the injured and those we lost; brought in gas, food, water and supplies and filled shelves; set up temporary housing and made emergency repairs; collected debris by the ton the “American worker” labored on despite personal loss for many

It is labor that continues to drive recovery

Roofers, demolition crews and contractors of every type and specialty are rebuilding our communities, our towns, our cities

This Labor Day, American workers our friends, family and neighbors continue to bring it on

We are grateful and we thank you

Looking for a little down time?

Labor has that covered, too.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Rumrunners to herald the agency’s Marine Division substation at Cape Harbour

Labor Day festivities are scheduled to run from 1 to 4 p m on Monday and will feature exhibits and demonstrations including antique police cars, Marine Division boats, an ice cream truck and more

Rumrunners will have outdoor grilling, food specials, a 24-foot water slide, Patriotic Pet Contest, live music all day, games for kids, local vendors, specialty cocktails, and more

The Cape Coral High School Jazz Band will play from 3 to 4 p.m.

We wish you a safe and happy Labor Day weekend Breeze editorial

No DCF Responsible Fatherhood Initiative Grant Award for SWFL

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

If you don’t have all the facts, get them before taking a position

T o t h e e d i t o r :

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I f a s k e d h o w m u c h t h e N a t i o n a l D e b t i n c r e a s e d u n d e r T r u m p a n d y o u d o n ’ t k n o w j u s t s a y s o . A n d t h e n o f f e r t o r e s e a r c h i t I l o o k e d i t u p T h e n a t i o n a l d e b t r o s e b y a l m o s t $ 7 8 t r i l l i o n d u r i n g T r u m p ’ s t i m e i n o f f i c e A b o u t $ 2 4 , 0 0 0 i n n e w f e d e r a l d e b t f o r e v e r y p e r s o n i n t h e U S A n d h e w a s e n a b l e d b y R e p u b l i c a n s i n t h e H o u s e a n d S e n a t e D i d y o u v o t e f o r t h e m ? W i l l y o u a g a i n ?

W a s h e a g o o d b u s i n e s s m a n ? I d o n ’ t k n o w H e n e v e r s h a r e d h i s t a x r e t u r n s b u t t h e s e l f - d e s c r i b e d b i l l i o n a i r e i s b e g g i n g f o r d o n a t i o n s t o p a y h i s l a w y e r s t o d e f e n d h i m i n f o u r i n d i c t m e n t s f o r f e d e r a l c r i m e s a g a i n s t t h e c o u n t r y h e s w o r e t o d e f e n d I n d e e d

I s h e g u i l t y a s c h a r g e d i n t h e s e i n d i c t m e n t s ? I d o n ’ t k n o w A n d n e i t h e r d o y o u W e m u s t w a i t f o r t h e t r i a l s a n d h o p e t h a t t h e y a r e t e l e v i s e d s o w e c a n a l l s e e t h e m i n r e a l t i m e W o u l d y o u b e l i e v e t h e r e s u l t s i f y o u s e e t h e t r i a l s w i t h y o u r o w n e y e s ? W o u l d y o u w a t c h t h e m ?

W h e n w i l l o u r v o t i n g c i t i z e n s t i r e o f t h e l i e s a n d d r a m a a n d c o s t t o o f u s a l l t h a t w a s i n f l i c t e d b y y o u r s u p p o r t o f c h a r l a t a n s p o s i n g a s R e p u b l i c a n s a n d C h r i s t i a n s ? W h a t a r e y o u r c o r e v a l u e s ? C a n t h e y c o n y o u a g a i n ? I d o n ’ t k n o w D o y o u ?

L y n n A . H a g e d o r n C a p e C o r a l

Bus driver shor tages boil down to basic math

To the editor:

While our new $255,000-per-year Lee school administrator Dr Bernier bemoans his mysterious inability to get teachers or hire bus drivers at $17 50 an hour, parents are left to absorb the salary cost saving to the school district by picking up the slack It is every mom for themselves squiring the little darlings off to their taxpayer-paid-for educational experience That apparently suits Bernier just fine Just think of the cost cutting he could get if parents would also do the janitorial duties!

The Teamster contract at UPS will raise their $23 minimum hourly driver rate by $7 50 when ratified; congratulations and happy Labor Day

It is expensive to live in Florida A bus driver “shortage” when you insist on only offering half the going pay rate should suggest the problem has a mathematical solution

There were 1,702,000 unemployed people in Florida looking for work at the beginning of August There were 248,000 newly laid off workers added the next week Those who qualify for Florida’s meager benefits are willing, able and actively looking for work and were laid off by their employer through no fault of their own The myth of a “shortage” of labor is belied 2 million times over Instead of being distracted by book banning and bigots screaming at transgendered children, could we get less silly with the education of the next generation?

Lee County parents would be well served to share some of their outrage at Lee administrative cost cutting Offering ridiculously low wages to teachers and bus drivers shortchanges the education of the youth

Ellen Starbird Cape Coral

d o n thi s pag e do no t ne c e s s ari l y re f l e c t the v i e w s o f thi s ne w s pape r. Oppo s i ng v i e w s are w e l c o me . Le tte rs to the e di to r o r g ue s t c o l umns may be e - mai l e d to v harri ng @ bre e z e ne w s pape rs . c o m. A l l l e tte rs and g ue s t o pi ni o ns mus t be s i g ne d and mus t i nc l ude a pho ne numbe r f o r v e ri f i c ati o n purpo s e s . Re ade rs are al s o i nv i te d to c o mme nt o n any l e tte r o r e di to ri al o pi ni o n o nl i ne at: c ape c o ral bre e z e . c o

Member Florida Press Association

Dedicated to delivering a resilient, world-class resort

As a native Floridian, growing up my family used to vacation on both Captiva and Sanibel Islands, and I was that 9-year-old kid riding his bike around with a fishing pole in my hand heading to Blind Pass for the day Some of my favorite memories include enjoying the beach, riding my bike around the islands, rushing to eat my Dairy Queen ice cream before it melted, and watching the most amazing sunsets During those trips, I had an opportunity to stay and visit at South Seas many times and made many special memories It was, and will be again, a place where families make wonderful memories

When the opportunity came along in late 2021 to purchase this iconic property, it was more than a business deal – it was a homecoming for me and a chance to give back to the people and places that I have come to know and cherish on Captiva Blessed with incredible partners at Wheelock Street Capital and Ronto Group who shared our vision for the resort, Timbers Company was able to close on South Seas and immediately get to work on our quest to make South Seas the No 1 multi-generational resort in the United States We knew fully well that in order to accomplish this task we would need to invest significant physical, emotional, and intellectual capital to turn around this resort that had been under-invested in and neglected for so long We have never deviated from this plan, even after Hurricane Ian devastated South Seas causing significant damage to the hotel, resort grounds, vehicles and amenities including the golf course, marinas, T-dock and tennis courts.

Those who know us will tell you that our team at South Seas and the South Seas Resort Ownership Group are honorable people who share the community’s sense of pride, resilience and commitment to “building back better than ever ” Our Timbers’ team prides itself on blending into the fabric of the communities we operate in and on our ability to

be “authentic to the place” where our resorts are located

Immediately after the storm, South Seas turned our attention to neighbors in need and invested our own dollars to clean up not only our greater South Seas community, but surrounding areas throughout Captiva We literally did not charge anyone a single dollar for using our equipment, marina, fuel, and property in the aftermath of the storm nor have we charged any of the associations that make up South Seas a single dollar despite cleaning up over 100 million pounds of debris and providing security and other critical support To keep them working and earning a living, we hired mainly South Seas resort employees to assist with cleanup rather than hiring outside contractors. Taking care of our employees has been a priority, and we have assisted them with not only employment opportunities, but housing assistance and insurance deductible support as well Since the storm, South Seas has re-employed approximately 15% of our workforce and looks forward to bringing more employees back to the resort as our operations ramp up Without our employees there is no South Seas and somewhere in this whole debate the fact that employees, several of which that have worked at South Seas for over 20 years, are the ones that are the most impacted by uncertainty of our ability to get the resort back fully reopened

Greg Spencer Guest Commentary

plants, reconstruction of a community fishing pier and restoration of resort owners’ residences at cost with no profit to the resort We also prioritized our team members and residents whose homes, belongings and lives were impacted by the storm

Only now are we beginning to turn the page to the next chapter – the redevelopment of South Seas Like every resident and visitor to Captiva, we loved our island and resort and are resolute in doing our part to restore the experience for all

However, if you look back at its history, South Seas has evolved over the past 75+ years, and Timbers is honored to lead this next chapter

As we look to rebuild, we continue to focus on building back better with a focus on resiliency. While we wait for Lee County’s decision on the much-needed Land Development Code (LDC) changes, South Seas is proceeding with restoring the property and buildings that are not subject to proposed code amendments For example, the golf course rebuild is underway with a new stormwater management system that will reduce flooding, improve drainage and control runoff This is just one of many examples of resilient practices that will better protect us from future storms

three habitable floors, and many structures on Sanibel Island are four floors over similar spaces This is not out of character with the surrounding community on both islands

Before Hurricane Ian, our property was showing its age Now, we have a once-in-ageneration opportunity to rebuild South Seas so it’s among the finest luxury resorts in the country, which will help fuel the local economy and increase property values

We strongly believe resiliency must be the driving force for our community’s redevelopment This is why we commissioned and funded the first Resiliency Study for the entire island of Captiva, which was completed 12 days before Hurricane Ian’s landfall

South Seas has continued to dedicate its own funds to recovery efforts, such as restoration of the Redfish Pass rock revetment, implementation of a more sustainable golf course design, cleaning out and significantly upgrading our storm water capacity, replacement of invasive species with native

We want to build a world-class resort that mirrors the character of the surrounding community and as we have stated, we do not believe anything over three habitable floors over parking/resort service spaces would be the right look for South Seas The reality is that 55% of the residential product within South Seas is already three habitable floors over parking/support space and there are many structures on the rest of Captiva that are

Honoring labor’s history, paving its future

We must build back in a manner that avoids a repeat if another major hurricane comes our way Lee County’s proposed LDC changes are needed to protect property values within the resort and the rest of the county’s coastal areas, for now and the future to provide clarity, consistency, and certainty to those needing to rebuild and redevelop without jeopardizing property rights Our vision for South Seas is to build an updated, world-class property that seamlessly fits within a world-class community We are routinely meeting with community groups, concerned citizens, businesses, and homeowners, and look forward to continuing the conversation when we actually submit our plans to Lee County for consideration and follow the well-defined zoning process outlined by the County I believe we all have the shared goal of protecting and preserving the paradise that is the islands of Sanibel and Captiva while positioning both for future generations to enjoy, and encourage you to visit our website for updates at southseas com/community-information/

Greg Spencer is the president of the South Seas Ownership Group

This week’s poll question:

F o r m a n y , 1 3 6 y e a r s o f h i s t o r y h a v e c l o u d e d t h e r e a s o n s b e h i n d t h e L a b o r D a y h o l i d a y M o r e t h a n a t i m e f o r c o o k o u t s , P r e s i d e n t G r o v e r C l e v e l a n d s i g n e d l e g i s l at i o n i n 1 8 9 4 t h a t s e t a s i d e t h e f i r s t M o n d a y i n S e p t e m b e r t o r e c o g n i z e U S w o r k e r s ’ c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o t h e n a t i o n ’ s s t r e n g t h , p r o s p e r i t y a n d w e l l - b e i n g T h e h o l i d a y c e l e b r a t e s h o w A m e r i c a ’ s w o r k f o r c e h a s r a i s e d t h e n a t i o n ’ s s t a n d a r d o f l i v i n g a n d p r o v i d e d t h e l a b o r t h a t h i st o r i c a l l y h a s m a d e U S p r o d u c t i o n t h e e n v y o f t h e w o r l d B a c k e d b y t h e o r g a ni z e d l a b o r m o v e m e n t , w o r k e r s h a v e f o u g h t a n d , i n s o m e c a s e s , d i e d f o r b e t t e r w a g e s , s a f e r w o r k p l a c e s a n d p a i d b e n e f i t s f o r a l l w o r k e r s T h e s e s a c r i f i c e s f u e l e d m o v em e n t s t h a t e v e n t u a l l y l e d t o t h e c r e a t i o n o f t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r ’ s W a g e a n d H o u r D i v i s i o n i n 1 9 3 8 a n d i t s O c c u p a t i o n a l S a f e t y a n d H e a l t h A d m i n i s t r a t i o n i n 1 9 7 1 I t b r o u g h t u s c l o s e r t o t h e r e a l i z a t i o n o f o u r t r a d i t i o n a l i d e a l s o f e c o n o m i c a n d p o l i t i c a l d e m o c r a c y B a s e d o n t h e s e a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s , t h e n a t i o n p a y s t r i b u t e o n L a b o r D a y t o t h e c r e a t o r o f s o m u c h o f t h e n a t i o n ’ s s t r e n g t h , f r e e d o m a n d l e a d e r s h i p –t h e A m e r i c a n w o r k e r T h e s e g a i n s n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g , t h e r e ’ s s t i l l m o r e t o d o T h o u s a n d s o f p e o p l e s u f f e r f a t a l i n j u r i e s o n t h e j o b e a c h y e a r a n d m a n y m o r e a r e i n j u r e d i n i n c i d e n t s t h a t c o u l d b e p r e v e n t e d i f t h e i r e m p l o y e r s e s t a b l i s h e d s a f e t y a n d h e a l t h a s a c o r e v a l u e a n d f o l l o w e d f e d e r a l w o r k p l a c e s a f e t y s t a n d a r d s I n w o r k p l a c e s a r o u n d t h e n a t i o n , p e op l e a r e w o r k i n g i n c o n d i t i o n s t h a t e x p o s e t h e m t o r i s k s o f s e r i o u s i n j u r i e s o r w o r s e : c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s a r e

Kurt

Petermeyer

Guest Commentary

e x p o s e d t o d e a d l y f a l l s ; h e a l t h c a r e w o r ke r s a r e t h r e a t e n e d b y p a t i e n t s ; w a r e h o u s e w o r k e r s r i s k s u f f e r i n g a i l m e n t s f r o m r e p e a t e d l y m o v i n g m e r c h a n d i s e ; t e m p or a r y f a r m w o r k e r s f a c e t h r e a t s a n d u n s a f e l i v i n g c o n d i t i o n s i n e x c h a n g e f o r h o u r s o f h a r d w o r k t e n d i n g t o c r o p s i n t h e h o t s u n N o t a b l y , w e h a v e s e e n a n i n c r e a s e d n u m b e r o f y o u n g p e o p l e a n d e v e n c h i ld r e n w o r k i n g i n d a n g e r o u s c o n d i t i o n s , a l m o s t 1 0 0 y e a r s a f t e r f e d e r a l c h i l d l a b o r p r o t e c t i o n s b e c a m e l a w I s s u e s l i k e t h e s e c a n a n d m u s t b e a d d r e s s e d A m i d i t s m a n y f u n c t i o n s , t h e d e p a r t m e n t e x i s t s t o e n f o r c e t h e r i g h t s o f e v e r y o n e a n d e n s u r e s a f e t y a n d h e a l t h p r o t e c t i o n s a r e a p p l i e d e q u a l l y t o a l l w h o w o r k i n t h e U S T h e s e i n c l u d e t h e r i g h t t o a s a f e w o r k p l a c e a n d t h e r i g h t t o b e p a i d f u l l w a g e s a n d b e n e f i t s W h e n t h e s e r i g h t s a r e v i o l a t e d , t h e d e p a r t m e n t a c t s t o u p h o l d t h e l a w a n d h o l d e m p l o y e r s a c c o u n t a b l e w h e n t h e y d i s r e g a r d t h e i r o b l i g a t i o n s

A s m a n y o f u s e n j o y a d a y t h i s L a b o r D a y , r e f l e c t o n h o w m u c h b e t t e r y o u r w o r k i n g c o n d i t i o n s a r e b e c a u s e o f t h e w o r k e r s w h o c a m e b e f o r e y o u a n d w h o d e m a n de d c h a n g e W e o w e t h e s e p e o p l e o u r c o m m i t m e n t t o d o o u r p a r t t o m a k e s u r e a l l U S w o r k e r s r e c e i v e a l l t h e i r h a r d - e a r n e d w a g e s a n d t h a t n o o n e e v e r h a s t o j e o p a r di z e t h e i r s a f e t y , o r l i f e , i n r e t u r n f o r a p a y c h e c k .

K u r t P e t e r m e y e r i s t h e O S H A S o u t h e a s t r e g i o na l a d m i n i s t r a t o r

What do you think of the city’s concept plans for Jaycee Park?

∫ Love it Can’t wait to see all the new amenities

∫ Some things I like, others I don’t Mostly, it’s OK

∫ Some things I like, others I don’t Mostly I don’t

∫ Hate it Maybe a few small upgrades; otherwise leave the park alone

∫ Why even offer an opinion It’s a done deal, like it or not.

Previous poll question

Is remote attendance at Cape Coral City Council meetings a concern?

∫ Yes, council members should be present to take part 60.7%

∫ No I’ve seen no abuse of the privilege 5 6%

∫ If the member’s only option is attend remotely or not attend at all, I’m OK with remotely If there is abuse, errant members are accountable to the public and I would have no problem calling them out. 30.35%

∫ Why is this an issue? 3 4%

(89 votes at press time )

Previous poll question

What is your opinion of Council’s decision to allocate up to $1 million for the demolition of the Yacht Club’s various buildings?

∫ I agree Tear it down and build new 26%

∫ I disagree The money should be used to repair and retain the historic ballroom. Improvements to the park are a separate discussion to be had 74%

(160 votes at press time )

Residents rally in opposition of Redfish Pointe proposal

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

N i n e t y - t w o r e s i d e n t s f i l l e d C a p e C o r a l C i t y C o u n c i l c h a m b e r s W e d n e s d a y n i g h t t o s h a r e t h e i r o p p o s i t i o n t o t h e p r op o s e d R e d p o i n t P o i n t e d e v e l o p m e n t w i t h m a n y v o i c i n g t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f k e e p i n g t h e m a n g r o v e s , a s i t p r o v i d e s p r o t e c t i o n . P a u l B o n a s i a , w h o l i v e s o n P e l i c a n B o u l e v a r d N o r t h o f R o t a r y P a r k h a s a t t e n d e d C o u n c i l m e e t i n g s f o r t h e p a s t t h r e e m o n t h s v o i c i n g h i s o p p o s i t i o n “ T o d a y I w o u l d l i k e y o u t o m e e t m o r e r e s i d e n t s t h a t o p p o s e R e d f i s h P o i n t e e v e n t h o u g h R e d f i s h P o i n t e i s n o t o n t h e a g e n d a a n d t h e p r o j e c t h a s n o t r e a c h e d C o u n c i l , ” h e s a i d “ I t h a s b e e n 1 1 m o n t h s s i n c e H u r r i c a n e I a n a n d m a n y a r e s t i l l r e c o v e r i n g f r o m w i n d a n d f l o o d d a m a g e W e h a d a s c a r e l a s t n i g h t f r o m H u r r i c a n e I d a l i a . ” B o n a s i a s a i d , t o h i s k n o w l e d g e , h e h a s n o t h e a r d a n y o n e c o m e t o C o u n c i l t o s t a t e t h a t t h e y w a n t m o r e t r a f f i c , i n c r e a s e d f l o o d i n g i n t h e i r n e i g h b o r h o o d a n d t h e c o m p r o m i s e o f R o t a r y P a r k e c o lo g y a n d w i l d l i f e “ W h a t I h a v e h e a r d i s t h e s i t e h a s m o r e v a l u e t o t h e c i t i z e n s o f C a p e C o r a l i f i t i s l e f t , ” h e s a i d R e d f i s h P o i n t e , w h i c h s i t s j u s t e a s t o f T a r p o n P o i n t , w i t h 3 5 0 - a c r e s , h a s m o r e t h a n 4 , 5 0 0 l i n e a r f r o n t a g e a l o n g t h e C a l o o s a h a t c h e e R i v e r T h e “ R e d f i s h P o i n t e M i x e d U s e P r e s e r v e D i s t r i c t , ” F u t u r e L a n d U s e t e x t a m e n d m e n t , w a s s u b m i t t e d t o t h e C i t y o f C a p e C o r a l T h e 1 1 0 2 2 a c r e s f o r d e v e l o p m e n t i m p r o v em e n t p l a n s f e a t u r e s a 9 0 3 7 - a c r e m i x e d u s e s i t e t o i n c l u d e 8 0 0 r e s i d e n t i a l u n i t s , r e s o r t h o t e l , r e s t a u r a n t s , r e t a i l s h o p s , o f f i c e s p a c e , p a r k i n g g a r a g e a n d b o a t s l i p s J o s e p h B o n a s i a , w h o a l s o s p o k e d u ri n g p u b l i c i n p u t , h i g h l i g h t e d t h e i m p o rt a n c e o f m a n g r o v e s , w h i c h h e s a i d r e d u c e f l o o d d a m a g e b y 2 5 5 p e r c e n t H e s a i d d u r i n g H u r r i c a n e I r m a m a n g r o v e s a v e r t e d $ 1 5 b i l l i o n i n s u r g e - r e l a t e d f l o o d d a m a g e , a s t h e y a r e t y p i c a l l y t h e f i r s t l i n e o f d e f e n s e A n o t h e r r e s i d e n t s p o k e a b o u t t h e p s yc h o l o g i c a l a n d e m o t i o n a l t r a u m a s h e h a s e n c o u n t e r e d o v e r t h e p a s t 1 1 m o n t h s s i n c e H u r r i c a n e I a n m a d e l a n d f a l l S h e e x p e r i e n c e d t w o f e e t o f s t o r m s u r g e , t h e l o s s o f v e h i c l e s a n d e v e r y t h i n g o n h e r f i r s t f l o o r T h e r e s i d e n t s a i d s h e i s i n c o n s t a n t p r o b l e m - s o l v i n g m o d e , w h i c h o f t e n t i m e s t a k e s a w a y s l e e p i n t h e m i d -

Redfish Pointe, which sits just east of Tarpon Point, with 350acres, has more than 4,500 linear frontage along the Caloosahatchee River. The “Redfish Pointe Mixed Use Preserve District,” Future Land Use text amendment, was submitted to the City of Cape Coral The 110 22 acres for development improvement plans features a 90.37-acre mixed use site to include 800 residential units, resort hotel, restaurants, retail shops, office space, parking garage and boat slips.

d l e o f t h e n i g h t “ E v e r y o n e h e r e i n o p p o s i t i o n h a s t h e i r o w n h o r r o r s t o r i e s o f l o s s a n d s u r v i v a l , ” s h e s a i d “ W h e n t h a t t i m e c o m e s t o m a k e a d e c i s i o n o n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t , I a m a s ki n g , b e g g i n g , p l e a s e s t a n d w i t h u s t o s t o p t h i s u n w a n t e d a n d p o t e n t i a l l y d a n g e r o u s d e v e l o p m e n t ” O t h e r w o r r i e s r e v o l v e d a r o u n d e x p e c t e d t r a f f i c i s s u e s , w h i c h o p p o n e t n s s a y w o u l d b e a r i s k f o r c h i l d r e n , p e d e st r i a n s a n d b i k e r i d e r s i n t h e a r e a , a s w e l l a s i m p a c t i n g R o t a r y P a r k w h e r e p e o p l e b i r d , h i k e , b i k e a n d t a k e w i l d l i f e p h o t o gr a p h y “ T h i s r o a d w o u l d c u t t h r o u g h a c o ns e r v a t i o n e a s e m e n t , ” w h i c h s h e s a i d i s d e f i n e d a s a l e g a l a g r e e m e n t t h a t p e r m an e n t l y l i m i t s t h e u s e o f t h e l a n d t o p r o t e c t i t s c o n s e r v a t i o n v a l u e “ T h e c o n s e r v a t i o n e a s e m e n t i s d e s i g n e d t o p r o t e c t R o t a r y P a r k ” A n o t h e r r e s i d e n t s a i d d e v e l o p m e n t w o u l d t a k e a w a y t h e v i e w f r o m t h e o b s e r v a t i o n t o w e r a t R o t a r y P a r k , w h i c h p r o v i d e s v i s i t o r s w i t h t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o s e e w i l d l i f e , a n d r e p l a c e i t w i t h t h e s i g h t o f c o n d o m i n i u m s “ A l l o w i n g d e v e l o p e r s t o c o n s t r u c t a r o a d w o u l d c u t o f f t h e a b i l i t y t o w a l k s a f e l y f r o m o n e s i d e o f R o t a r y P a r k t o a n o t h e r , ” s h e s a i d A f t e r m a n y s h a r e d t h e i r o p i n i o n s , C o u n c i l m e m b e r D a n S h e p p a r d t h a n k e d e v e r y o n e f o r c o m i n g

“ I l i s t e n Y o u r i n p u t i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t a n d k n o w l e d g e y o u f i n d o u t i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t T h a n k y o u f o r c o m i n g o u t , b e i n g i n v o l v e d a n d b e i n g p r o f e s s i o n a l i n t h i s m e e t i n g , ” h e s a i d

Trash collection to get earlier start

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

To better protect workers from extreme weather, trash collection will begin an hour earlier in Cape Coral

The Cape Coral City Council approved a resolution Wednesday night that will allow Waste Pro to begin collection an hour earlier to beat the extreme heat

The resolution authorizes a temporary modification of Was te P ro’s collection schedule until Oct 31, allowing collections to begin at 5 a m

I n t e r i m C i t y M a n a g e r M i c h a e l

Ilczyszyn received a letter on Aug 17 from Waste Pro requesting the one hour earlier, start due to the heat index injuries and deaths.

That letter from Division Vice President

A Cape Coral City Council approved resolution authorizes a temporary modification of Waste Pro’s collection schedule until Oct 31, allowing collections to begin at 5 a m

years These deaths are preventable, and we need to take action to protect workers from heat exposure ”

According to the city, the resolution “authorizes the temporary modification of Waste Pro’s collection schedule and noise e x e m p t i o n d u e t o e m e r g e n c y c i r c u mstances and pursuant to Section 12-22(h), C a p e C o r a l C o d e o f O r d i n a n c e s , a n d authorizing Waste Pro to begin collecting refuse at 5 a m through Oct 31 ”

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B y C J H A D D A D c j h a d d a d @ b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m A n a n n u a l f o o d e x t r a v a g a n z a s e e s a r e c o r d n u m b e r o f p a r t i c i p a n t s f o r i t s 2 0 2 3 e v e n t , w i t h p r o c e e d s b e n e f i t t i n g a l o c a l n o n - p r o f i t t h a t a d d r e s s e s c h i l d h u n g e r S i z z l e D i n i n g r u n s f r o m S e p t 7 t o 2 7 a n d g i v e s p a r t i c i p a n t s t h e c h a n c e t o s a mp l e S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a f l a v o r s a n d d e l e ct a b l e c u i s i n e s T h i s y e a r , f o o d i e s w i l l h a v e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o d i n e a t 9 5 r e s t a ur a n t s t h r o u g h o u t t h e m o n t h , f o r l e s s S i z z l e D i n i n g f e a t u r e s a s e t - p r i c e m e n u a t $ 1 9 o r $ 2 9 f o r t w o - c o u r s e l u n c h e s , a n d $ 2 9 , $ 3 9 , o r $ 4 9 f o r t h r e ec o u r s e d i n n e r s T h e c h a r i t y - d r i v e n p r o m o t i o n g i v e s r e s i d e n t s t h e e x p e r i e n c e o f n e w r e s t a ur a n t s , h i d d e n g e m s t o b e d i s c o v e r e d , a n d e s t a b l i s h e d f a v o r i t e s a r o u n d B o n i t a S p r i n g s , C a p e C o r a l , E s t e r o , F o r t M y e r s , M a r c o I s l a n d , N a p l e s , S a n i b e l I s l a n d a n d B a b c o c k R a n c h E a c h p a r t i c i p a t i n g l o c at i o n w i l l o f f e r s p e c i a l S i z z l e D i n i n g m e n u s , s o c u s t o m e r s c a n t r y d i f f e r e n t t y p e s o f f o o d m a y n o r m a l l y b e o u t s i d e t h e i r c o m f o r t z o n e p r i c e - w i s e “ T h i s i s a s p e c i a l e v e n t t h a t t a k e s p l a c e i n t h e r e s t a u r a n t w h e r e e v e r y o n e f r o m t h e d i s h w a s h e r t o t h e v a l e t , h o s te s s e s , c o o k s , c h e f s , a n d o w n e r s p a r t i c ip a t e s , ” s a i d S i z z l e D i n i n g f o u n d e r G u y C l a r k e “ I t ’ s a w a y f o r t h e m t o g i v e b a c k a n d d o s o m e t h i n g “ I t ’ s h e a r t w a r m i n g , ” h e a d d s “ T o g e t t h e k i n d o f p o s i t i v e f e e d b a c k w e r e c e i v e a n d t o s e e t h e d o n a t i o n c h e c k s e a c h r e s t a u r a n t s e n d s t o t h e c h a r i t y , k n o w i n g

h o w h a r d e v e r y o n e i s w o r k i n g T h a t ’ s w h y S i z z l e D i n i n g i s a s u c c e s s ” F o r e v e r y S i z z l e D i n i n g l u n c h o r d i nn e r m e a l p u r c h a s e d d u r i n g t h e t h r e ew e e k e v e n t , e a c h r e s t a u r a n t d o n a t e s $ 1 d i r e c t l y t o B l e s s i n g s i n a B a c k p a c k o f S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a , a l o c a l c h a p t e r o f a n a t i o n a l 5 0 1 c 3 c h a r i t y t h a t f e e d s 7 , 5 0 0 f o o d - i n s e c u r e e l e m e n t a r y - a g e d s t u d e n t s e v e r y w e e k e n d i n L e e a n d C o l l i e r C o u n t i e s d u r i n g t h e 3 8 - w e e k s c h o o l y e a r . “ B l e s s i n g s i n a B a c k p a c k i s a n o b v io u s c h o i c e , ” C l a r k e s a i d “ W e ’ r e i n t h e i n d u s t r y a n d w e f e e d p e o p l e e v e r y d a y B u t t h e r e a r e c h i l d r e n i n o u r c o m m u n i t y w h o d o n ’ t h a v e a c c e s s t o f o o d o n a d a i l y b a s i s ” L a s t y e a r ’ s h u r r i c a n e - s h o r t e n e d S i z z l e D i n i n g e v e n t r a i s e d m o r e t h a n $ 2 0 , 0 0 0 f o r t h e n o n - p r o f i t “ I t ’ s b e e n a w o n d e r f u l p a r t n e r s h i p i n t h e s e n s e t h a t w e a r e a b l e t o p u l l t o g e t he r t h e r e s t a u r a n t c o m m u n i t y a n d g i v e b a c k t o h e l p s u p p o r t c h i l d r e n , ” s a i d C e c i l i a S t A r n o l d , B l e s s i n g s i n a

B a c k p a c k e x e c u t i v e d i r e c t o r , i n a p r ep a r e d s t a t e m e n t C r e a t e d t o c a t e r t o e v e r y t y p e o f p a l a t e a n d d i n e r , o p t i o n s r a n g e f r o m s m a l l , i n d e p e n d e n t l y o w n e d s p e c i a l t y r e s t a u r a n t s t o h i g h - e n d d i n i n g e s t a b l i s hm e n t s S i z z l e D i n i n g p r o v i d e s c u s t o m e r s w i t h t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o d i s c o v e r a n d t r y n e w t h i n g s , w h i l e r e s t a u r a n t s g e t t o s h o w c a s e t h e i r b e s t m e n u i t e m s T h e m e n u i s w h a t t e n d s t o b e t h e d e c i d i n g f a c t o r w h e n c u s t o m e r s a r e c h o o s i n g w h a t r e s t a u r a n t s t h e y w a n t t o v i s i t , C l a r k e s a i d D e c i d i n g w h a t t h e m e n u w i l l f e a t u r e , i s n ’ t a l w a y s e a s y f o r p a r t i c i p a t i n g r e s t a u r a n t s F a c t o r s t o c o n s i d e r i n c l u d e s t a y i n g w i t h i n b u d g e t , a d j u s t i n g p o r t i o ns i z e , a n d k e e p i n g t r u e t o t h e b r a n d o f t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t “ I c o n s i d e r o u r e x i s t i n g p r o d u c t i o n l o a d , t h e s e a s o n a l i t y o f l o c a l p r o d u c t s , a n d t h e f e e l o f t h e g r o u p o f i t e m s w i t h i n o u r e x i s t i n g c u l i n a r y i d e n t i t y , ” s a i d G e n e r a l M a n a g e r M a r c u s P r e e c e o f C i e l o o n S a n i b e l I s l a n d , i n a p r e p a r e d

s t a t e m e n t H e n o t e d t h a t o n e o f C i e l o ’ s $ 4 9 S i z z l e D i n i n g d e s s e r t c o u r s e s e l e ct i o n s w i l l f e a t u r e a c l a s s i c c a r a m e l i z e d v a n i l l a b e a n c u s t a r d , s e r v e d w i t h t h e b o u n t y o f f r e s h f r u i t s a n d b e r r i e s f r o m S o u t h F l o r i d a t h i s s u m m e r S i z z l e D i n i n g w a s f o u n d e d i n N a p l e s i n 2 0 1 6 b y C l a r k e , w h o a l s o i s t h e c r ea t o r o f B a c o n F e s t N a p l e s a l o n g w i t h h i s w i f e E r i n C l a r k e , a c u l i n a r y s c h o o lt r a i n e d c h e f a n d r e s t a u r a n t m a n a g e m e n t c o n s u l t a n t T h e p r o m o t i o n a l e v e n t o r i g in a l l y l a u n c h e d w i t h 2 6 r e s t a u r a n t s a s d i n n e r o n l y T o d a y , S i z z l e D i n i n g h a s g r o w n i n t o a 2 1 - d a y e v e n t t h a t d r a w s t h o u s a n d s o f v i s i t o r s t o r e s t a u r a n t s “ L a s t y e a r , w e r e a l l y f o c u s e d o n t h e p o w e r o f c o l l a b o r a t i o n , ” C l a r k e s a i d “ T h r o u g h S i z z l e D i n i n g , r e s t a u r a n t o w ne r s s e e t h a t t h e b e s t w a y t o p i v o t i s t o p i v o t t o g e t h e r i n s t e a d o f s e e i n g t h e r e s t a u r a n t d o w n t h e s t r e e t a s a c o m p e t it o r ” C a p e p a r t i c i p a n t s i n c l u d e B u o n A p p e t i t o C a p e C o r a l , F a t h o m s , G a t h e r , J u n g l e B i r d A u t h e n t i c T i k i , M a r i a ’ s P i z z e r i a & R e s t a u r a n t , M a r k e r 9 2 , T h e N a u t i M e r m a i d , N e x t D o o r , P i n c h e r s –C a p e C o r a l , P o i n t 5 7 , P r i m e 2 3 9 S t e a k h o u s e a n d T e x a s T o n y ’ s – C a p e C o r a l T o s e e t h e f u l l l i s t o f t h e r e c o r db r e a k i n g 9 5 p a r t i c i p a t i n g r e s t a u r a n t s ( m e n u s a d d e d d a i l y ) , v i s i t w w w s i z z l ed i n i n g c o m a n d m a k e y o u r r e s e r v a t i o n d i r e c t l y w i t h e a c h r e s t a u r a n t F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o n B l e s s i n g s i n a B a c k p a c k , v i s i t s w f l b l e s s i n g s i n a b a c kp a c k o r g

Labor Day expected to be heavy travel weekend

FHP ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign troopers to be out in full force

B y C J H A D D A D c j h a d d a d @ b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m W i t h H u r r i c a n e I d a l i a i n t h e r e a r v i e w m i r r o r w i t h m i n i m a l i m p a c t s t o S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a , m a n y w i l l m a r k t h e e n d o f s u m m e r o v e r t h e h o l i d a y w e e k e n d f o r L a b o r D a y O f f i c i a l s w i t h A A A - T h e A u t o C l u b G r o u p , s t a t e t h a t b o o k i n g d a t a f o r f l i g h t s , h o t e l s , r e n t a l c a r s , a n d c r u i s e s a r e a l l u p c o m p a r e d t o l a s t y e a r , e s p ec i a l l y i n t e r n a t i o n a l b o o k i n g s “ L a b o r D a y w e e k e n d w i l l b e t h e b i g s e n d o f f t o w h a t h a s b e e n a n e x t r e m e l y b u s y s u m m e r t r a v e l s e a s o n , ” s a i d D e b b i e H a a s , v i c e p r e s i d e n t o f T r a v e l f o r A A A , i n a r e l e a s e O f f i c i a l s s a y F l o r i d a d e s t i n a t i o n s a r e p o p u l a r n o t o n l y f o r t h e i r b e a c h e s a n d t h e m e p a r k s b u t a l s o f o r t h e i r c r u i s e p o r t s i n C e n t r a l F l o r i d a , F o r t L a u d e r d a l e , T a m p a , a n d M i a m i A A A d a t a s h o w e d d o m e s t i c c r u i s e b o o k i n g s o v e r L a b o r D a y w e e k e n d a r e u p 1 9 % c o m p a r e d t o l a s t y e a r I N R I X , a g l o b a l p r o v i d e r o f t r a n sp o r t a t i o n d a t a a n d i n s i g h t s , e x p e c t e d T h u r s d a y a f t e r n o o n t o b e t h e b u s i e s t t i m e o n t h e r o a d s d u r i n g t h e l o n g L a b o r D a y w e e k e n d T o d a y i s a l s o e x p e c t e d t o h a v e h i g h e r t h a n n o r m a l t r a f f i c v o l u m e s b e t w e e n 1 1 a m a n d 9 p m “ T h e b e s t t i m e s t o t r a v e l b y c a r o v e r L a b o r D a y w e e k e n d a r e e a r l y i n t h e m o r n i n g o r i n t h e e v e n i n g , ” s a i d B o b

Labor Day at Cape Harbour

Public invited to help celebrate new LCSO Marine substation

T h e L e e C o u n t y S h e r i f f ’ s o f f i c e i s p a r t n e r i n g w i t h R u m r u n n e r s t o b r i n g a L a b o r D a y c e l e b r a t i o n t o C a p e C o r a l T h e f e s t i v i t i e s r u n f r o m 1 t o 4 p m , a n d c e l e b r a t e t h e n e w S h e r i f f ’ s M a r i n e D i v i s i o n s u b s t a t i o n a t C a p e H a r b o u r T h e S h e r i f f ’ s o f f i c e w i l l h a v e e x h i b i t s a n d d e m o n s t r a t i o n s i n c l u d i n g a n i c e c r e a m t r u c k , a n t i q u e p o l i c e c a r s , t h e M a r i n e D i v i s i o n a n d m o r e R u m r u n n e r s w i l l h a v e o u t d o o r g r i l l i n g , f o o d s p e c i a l s , a 2 4 - f o o t w a t e r s l i d e , P a t r i o t i c P e t C o n t e s t , l i v e m u s i c a l l d a y , g a m e s f o r k i d s , l o c a l v e n d o r s , s p e c i a l t y c o c k t a i l s , a n d m o r e T h e C a p e C o r a l H i g h S c h o o l J a z z B a n d w i l l p l a y f r o m 3 t o 4 p m

P i s h u e , t r a n s p o r t a t i o n a n a l y s t a t I N R I X , i n a r e l e a s e “ I f y o u m u s t t r a v e l d u r i n g h e a v y t r a f f i c , n a v i g a t i o n a p p s a n d l o c a l d e p a r t m e n t s o f t r a n s p o r t a t i o n c a n h e l p s t e e r d r i v e r s a r o u n d l o n g d e l a y s ”

A A A o f f i c i a l s a l s o r e m i n d m o t o r i s t s t o h a v e a f u l l v e h i c l e i n s p e c t i o n d o n e b e f o r e t r a v e l i n g f o r a l o n g r o a d t r i p , a n d t o m o v e o v e r f o r e m e r g e n c y v e h i c l e s A c r o s s t h e s t a t e s , A A A e x p e c t s t o r e s c u e

R u m r u n n e r s i s a t 5 8 4 8 C a p e H a r b o u r D r i v e

m o r e t h a n 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 s t r a n d e d m o t o r i s t s o v e r t h e h o l i d a y w e e k e n d

F H P t o e n f o r c e i m p a i r e d d r i v i n g W i t h A u g 1 8 m a r k i n g t h e s t a r t o f t h e n a t i o n w i d e “ D r i v e S o b e r o r G e t P u l l e d O v e r ” c a m p a i g n , F l o r i d a H i g h w a y P a t r o l a n d N a t i o n a l H i g h w a y T r a f f i c S a f e t y A d m i n i s t r a t i o n i s p l a c i n g a n e m p h a s i s o n d r i v i n g u n i m p a i r e d

O f f i c i a l s s a i d t h a t h i s t o r i c a l l y , t h i s t i m e o f y e a r s e e s a n i n c r e a s e i n i m p a i r e d d r i v i n g d e a t h s , w i t h t h e g o a l o f t h e c a mp a i g n , t h a t r u n s u n t i l S e p t 4 , t o r e d u c e f a t a l i t i e s F H P s t a t i s t i c s s h o w t h a t d u r i n g t h e

2 0 2 2 L a b o r D a y h o l i d a y w e e k e n d , m o r e t h a n 5 0 % o f a l l t r a f f i c d e a t h s w e r e a r e s u l t o f a n i m p a i r e d d r i v e r - - a n i n c r e a s e o f o v e r 2 5 % f r o m 2 0 2 1 “ T h e r e i s a b s o l u t e l y n o e x c u s e t o g e t b e h i n d t h e w h e e l i m p a i r e d , a n d t h e d e va s t a t i o n , p a i n , a n d d e a t h i t c a n c a u s e i s p e r m a n e n t , ” s a i d F L H S M V E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r D a v e K e r n e r i n a r e l e a s e “ T h e F l o r i d a H i g h w a y P a t r o l i s p a s s i o n a t e a b o u t t a k i n g i m p a i r e d d r i v e r s o f f t h e r o a d a n d t o j a i l , a n d t h e y a r e f u l l y e m p o w e r e d t o t a k e w h a t e v e r a c t i o n i s n e c e s s a r y t o k e e p t h e p u b l i c p r o t e c t e d f r o m t h e h a r m i m p a i r e d d r i v e r s c a u s e ” F L H S M V a n d F H P e n c o u r a g e t h e p u b l i c t o e x e r c i s e s o u n d j u d g m e n t y e a rr o u n d a n d d o t h e i r p a r t t o s a v e l i v e s “ F H P T r o o p e r s a n d o u r l a w e n f o r c em e n t p a r t n e r s a c r o s s t h e s t a t e w i l l b e a g g r e s s i v e l y l o o k i n g f o r i m p a i r e d d r i ve r s , ” s a i d C o l G a r y H o w z e , d i r e c t o r o f t h e F l o r i d a H i g h w a y P a t r o l “ T h e r e w i l l b e z e r o t o l e r a n c e f o r i m p a i r e d d r i v e r s a l w a y s h a v e a d e s i g n a t e d d r i v e r o r a r i d e - s h a r e s e r v i c e a v a i l a b l e ” R e p o r t i m p a i r e d d r i v e r s b y c o n t a c t i n g l a w e n f o r c e m e n t o r d i a l i n g * F H P ( * 3 4 7 )

Substance abuse disorders on the rise among older Lee Countians

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

There has been a rise of addictive behaviors and mental health issues among the senior population since COVID and the devastation of Hurricane Ian

Post Hurricane Ian, centers of all types have seen an increase in addiction and substance abuse disorder in the older adult demographic, LPG Behavioral Health System Director Dawn Belamarich said, adding increases have been seen at outpatient clinics, hospitals and SalusCare since September,

“The trauma of the storm and COVID, there has been a rise in alcohol use disorders and addictive behaviors as well,”

Belamarich said

The increase is not limited to prescription drugs

Although Lee Health’s numbers are not broken down by age, from April 2022 through March 2023, they have conducted 24,605 visits with patients needing mental health and addiction treatment, both inpatient and outpatient care During that same period, 3,580 visits were in Lee Health’s addiction medicine clinic.

According to a study in the peer-reviewed journal, JAMA

Psychiatry, hospitalizations for opioid overuse among Medicare beneficiaries increased by 10 percent each year between 1993 and 2012 with an average 211,200 patients hospitalized every year

In addition to substance abuse and mental health issues, smoking and alcohol use is also on the rise for seniors

In Southwest Florida there is more of an island kind of vibe, a vacation vibe where drinking more sociable is acceptable and is normalized in the culture, Belamarich said

The path to take when someone suspects an addiction, or substance abuse is to speak up and talk to the person, to have a conversation and show support

“Ask those questions, so we can line them up with the correct resources based on their needs,” Belamarich said “The more we can talk about it, the more we can find resources to get them the help they need.”

Addiction lives in the shadows and people do not talk about it openly but addiction is a disease and there is no shame in reaching out for help, she said

Loved ones should look for behaviors that are not typically representative of that individual, or if they start doing things outside of their routine Those with an addictive use disorder

can also become isolative by checking out off friend and social groups

“The biggest trigger is a change in the norm,” Belamarich said

If there is addiction or substance abuse, she encourages people to call the Behavioral Health Program at Lee Health There are outpatient services that provide medication and counseling to help stabilize an addictive disorder

There also is a mobile for crisis response team for mental health, Center for Progress Excellence Belamarich said the licensed workers will deploy to the home for a mental health emergency

There also are support groups for families and individuals struggling with substance abuse, as well as inpatient treatment if needed There are Nar-Anon and Al-Anon meetings for the individuals who are taking care of their loved ones.

For additional information, visit www leehealth org

Other resources include:

■ Dubin Center: https://dubincenter com/

■ The Rizzie Difference: https://www therizzidifference com/

■ Ellie Mental Health: www elliementalhealth com

Hurricane: Damage in the billions across Florida’s hard-hit Big Bend

From page 1

hours to restore power to those that lost it, and that “the electric system held up extremely well to the heavy wind and rain ”

LCEC encourages residents to continue practicing caution while driving, clearing debris and other storm-related activities LCEC crews will be made available to other utilities in need as Idalia recovery continues across the heavy-hit Big Bend area where the storm made landfall in Keaton Beach as Category 3 hurricane

Lee County Government reopened for business on Thursday, while crews from Solid Waste, Utilities, and Department of Transportation were out Wednesday to identify areas experiencing flooding or drainage

obstructions

Bridges are being assessed by county and state entities, and the Sanibel Causeway has been inspected and cleared by authorities

On Wednesday morning, individuals and families began leaving the Safe Havens at Estero Recreation Center and North Fort Myers Recreation Center As of 8 a m Wednesday, there were 72 people in the Safe Havens – 24 in Estero and 48 in North Fort Myers, along with seven dogs and one cat The overnight peak was 101 residents The shelters closed later that day Any residents who have concerns post Idalia can call 2-1-1 United Way is assisting Emergency Operations in helping connect people to available resources

According to preliminary data from AccuWeather, the estimated total damage and economic loss from Hurricane Idalia in the Southeastern U S sits between $18 to $20 billion

The storm devastated the Big Bend area of Florida with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, bringing record storm surge

“Assessing the damage from Idalia, we see tremendous flooding in the Big Bend region along with many trees and power lines down,” stated AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter, in a release “It will take weeks for some parts of Florida to get power back after this devastating storm ” Porter also shared concern that, “With the insurance industry in Florida still

reeling from major storms like Ian in recent years and some companies even pulling out from offering insurance in the state, premiums are becoming unaffordable for many Floridians and this latest damage from Idalia might exacerbate the problem.”

The impact from Idalia was also felt across the U S , he added, “As hundreds of flights were cancelled this week in the Southeast, that had a domino effect on flight cancellations and delays throughout the nation ”

Compared to Hurricane Ian last year, impacting a much more densely populated area, the total damage and economic loss of the storm was $180 to $210 billion

REAL ESTATE

Attorney should review couple’s deeds, life estates

(Editor’s note: the following column has been published previously in The Breeze )

Dear Mr Feichthaler,

I am in my second marriage and may need some help When I first bought our home, my wife and I were not married, and we contributed uneven amounts We tried to write deeds to reflect this, showing one of us holding a one-third interest, the other two-thirds interest Later, we attempted to grant each other a life estate in our respective interests, to make sure the other wouldn’t lose the house We have now b e e n m a r r i e d f o r f i v e years, and just want the simplest way to allow for the survivor to own the house outright, and be able to sell it if they wish What is the best way to handle this?

George S

Dear George,

In my practice, I frequently have situations where owners of property attempt to write their o w n d e e d s t o a c c o mp l i s h c e r t a i n g o a l s

A two-year look at July Cape condo sales and prices

About one year ago in this column when we analyzed the July 2022 results for the Cape Coral condominium market compared to July 2021, we summed things up by saying, “what a difference a year makes!” Today we are going to take a look at the number of closed sales and median sales prices for the month of July, along with the current active listings and pending sales for our condo market compared to the same time frames in 2022 and 2021.

51 condo sales in July 2022, and 64 4% below the 87 closed condo sales two years ago in July 2021 The number of closed sales this July were also down 41 5% from 53 sales in June of this year In the first seven months of this year, there were a total of 333 condos sold overall in the Cape, down 28 4% from 465 sales in the first seven months of 2022, and 48 8% below the 650 condo units sold in the first seven months of 2021

Eric P Feichthaler

Real Estate Law

Many times, those deeds do not result in the desired outcome, and sometimes complicates the chain of title to the point where legal action may be required to determine what rights are owned by various parties

Assuming all of the deeds were properly witnessed and notarized, the key will be for both of you to transfer all of your interests, both direct ownership and the life estates The description of the ownership interests are vital, with the naming of the two of you as Husband and Wife as grantee This will allow the surviving spouse full ownership of the house

If all interests are not properly described in the deed, the surviving spouse may own something other than full ownership of the property, which may preclude them from selling or refinancing

Also, with title issues, probate is much more likely upon the passing of both owners I recommend you have all deeds reviewed by an attorney to ensure your wishes are met.

Eric P Feichthaler has lived in Cape Coral for over 35 years and graduated from Mariner High School in Cape Coral After completing law school at G e o r g e t o w n U n i v e r s i t y i n W a s h i n g t o n , D C , h e returned to Southwest Florida to practice law and raise a family He served as mayor of Cape Coral from 2005-2008, and continues his service to the community through the Cape Coral Caring Center, Cape Coral Museum of History, and Cape Coral Kiwanis He has been married to his wife, Mary, for over 20 years, and they have four children together He earned his board certification in Real Estate Law from the Florida Bar. He is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell for professional ethics and legal ability, and is a Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator He can be reached at eric@capecoralattorney com, or 239-5424733

This article is general in nature and not intended as legal advice to anyone Individuals should seek legal counsel before acting on any matter of legal rights and obligations

We will begin with the number of active listings and pending sales in our condo market As of Tuesday, Aug 29, there were 295 condos listed for sale in t h e M L S a t p r i c e s r a n g i n g f r o m $138,000 to $3 9 million The current median list price for condos came in at $325,000 and there were 61 condos listed for sale at $250,000 and under, with 59 units listed at $500,000 and above, including 11 condos priced at $1 million and up There are currently 47 Cape Coral condos under contract with buyers as pending sales at prices ranging from $167,900 to $575,000. The current median pending sales price came in at $269,900 and 36 of the 47 pending sales were priced at $300,000 and under, including 19 units at $250,000 and under The two highest-priced pending sales were at $525,000 and $575,000 So sales in our high-end luxury condo market are virtually non-existent right now

Bob and Geri Quinn Homing

About one year ago on Sept 6, 2022, there were 162 active condo listings in Cape Coral through the MLS at list prices ranging from $154,900 to $5 million The median list price was $310,000 and there were 35 condos listed at $250,000 and under, with 14 units priced at $500,000 and above including only four condos listed for sale above $1 million We had 64 pending condo sales in the pipeline at prices ranging from $169,000 to $1,635,000 with 25 units under contract at $250,000 and under At that time there were three condos pending at $599,000 to $949,000 and only one condo under contract above $1 million

Two years ago on Aug 31, 2021, we had 63 active listings for condos in Cape Coral with 62 units at list prices ranging from $92,200 to $625,000 and one condo listed at $1 1 million The median list price on that date was $239,900 and there were 82 condos under contract with buyers as pending sales

In the overall Cape condo market, there were 31 closed sales in the month of July, which was 39.2% lower than the

REIS to host 2023 Real Estate Symposium Sept. 21

Developers, investors, government officials and real estate experts will address the dynamics of population growth and real estate development at the 2023 Real Estate Symposium on Thursday, Sept 21 The annual halfday program is presented by the Real Estate Investment Society in partnership with the Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University.

FGCU President Aysegul Timur and REIS President Lori Moore will provide opening comments, followed by insight on regional economic trends by the Regional Economic Research Institute (RERI) A series of panel d i s c u s s i o n s w i l l f o l l o w , a d d r e s s i n g “ W o r k f o r c e Development,” “Building Materials – Supply and Cost Issues” and “Hospitality Industry Recovery ”

REIS President Lori Moore, notes that "Southwest Florida is adapting to new market trends and economics and REIS is pleased to provide a forum with knowledge and ideas that will help our members and our community leaders succeed in this dynamic environment The presen-

In

The July median sales price came in at $285,000 for the overall Cape Coral condo market, which was 5 6% above the $270,000 posted in July 2022, and 32 6% above the $214,900 from back in July 2021 This July edged slightly higher from $284,500 in June of this year In the first seven months of 2023, the median sales price averaged $283,854 per month in our overall condo market, up 3 2% from the average of $275,036 per month in the first seven months of 2022 It was also 38% above the average of $205,521 per month in the first seven months of 2021

Gulf access canal condos

In the Cape Coral gulf access canal condo segment, which includes all “saltwater” canal condos, there were 9 closed sales in July This was 57 1% below the 21 condos sold in July 2022, and 74 3% lower than the 35 condos sold in July 2021 The number of closed sales this July was also down 66 7% from the 27 sales in June of this year In the first seven months of 2023, there were a total of 152 saltwater canal condos sold in the Cape, or 29 3% less than the 215 units sold in the first seven months of 2022, and down 48 6% from the 296 condo units sold in the first seven months of 2021.

The July median sales price came in at $415,000 for the Cape’s saltwater canal condo segment, which is the peak month for prices so far this year This was 6 4% above the $390,000 posted in July of 2022, and 66% higher than the $250,000 from July 2021 It was also 18 6% more than the $349,900 in June of this year In the first seven months of 2023, the median sales price in this segment averaged $355,487 per month, up 7 1% from the average of $331,786 per month in July 2022, and 45 3% higher than the average of $244,607 per month in the first seven months of 2021

See JULY, page 15

REAL ESTATE BRIEFS

ters are all leading experts who will share their expertise with property owners, government officials, and real estate development professionals who attend ”

The symposium will begin at 8 a m and conclude at noon Sept 21 in the Cohen Center ballroom at Florida Gulf Coast University Admission is $35 for REIS members and $50 for all other interested persons There is no charge for FGCU students Registration is required at www reis-swfl org

Roetzel & Andress is the title sponsor of the symposium Busey Bank, Morris-Depew Associates, Seacoast Bank, Rycon Construction, and First Horizon Bank are the Gold Sponsors, with LandQwest Commercial Property Management and Zonda being Silver Sponsors

REIS is an independent professional organization, dedicated to assisting members in the effective utilization of real estate through networking, education, public service, and a common voice on pertinent issues. REIS information and program schedule are available at www reisswfl org

See REAL ESTATE BRIEFS, page 15

From page 14

CRE Consultants' real estate transactions

CRE Consultants | Brokerage Services has announced the following area transactions:

■ Ironbridge RE Holding, LLC purchased a 2 21-acre industrial corner site at 3623 Ironbridge Blvd , Fort Myers, from

L y n d o n I n v e s t m e n t s U S A , I n c f o r

$935,000 stan stouder, CCIM of CRE

C o n s u l t a n t s r e p r e s e n t e d t h e s e l l e r a n d

Jimmy Saint Pere of RP&G Realty represented the buyer in negotiating the transaction

■ Yankier Sarabia purchased a 0.14acre corner site at 2931 Evans Ave , Fort Myers, from Becky Polatsek for $27,000

F r e d K e r m a n i , C C I M , A I A o f C R E

Consultants represented thseller and Nicole Outten of RB Real Estate represented the buyer in negotiating the transaction

■ B o l a n o s T r u x t o n , P A l e a s e d a

3 , 5 0 4 - s q u a r e - f o o t o f f i c e s p a c e i n

U n i v e r s i t y P a r k a t 1 2 8 0 0 U n i v e r s i t y

D r i v e , S u i t e 3 5 0 , F o r t M y e r s , f r o m Uccello University Enn Luthringer, CCIM

of CRE Consultants negotiated the transaction CRE Consultants | Brokerage Services is at 12140 Carissa Commerce Court, Suite 102 Fort Myers For additional information, please call 239-481-3800

Heatherwood Construction, community volunteers restore cour tyard for Dr. Piper Center

H e l p i n g d r i v e t h e s u c c e s s o f Heatherwood Construction Company is its commitment to the community Nowhere is that better illustrated than at the Dr Piper Center, where a donation of supplies and volunteer hours helped create a new patio area for the Fort Myers non-profit

With the help of several community partners, donating all the supplies and volu n t e e r i n g t h e i r t i m e , H e a t h e r w o o d Construction Company renovated the patio at Dr Piper Center, tearing up old, moldy concrete pads and replacing the area with new pavers, planter areas, picnic tables and umbrellas, along with a fresh coat of paint o n t h e e n t i r e b u i l d i n g H e a t h e r w o o d C o n s t r u c t i o n C o m p a n y d o n a t e d a n d

assembled the two weather-resistant picnic tables with umbrellas and installed a new lock for the door leading to the patio Employees teamed up together to paint the courtyard on Aug 19

The patio is important for the Dr Piper Center Many of its events, like training lunches and programs, take place there

The companies that partnered with Heatherwood Construction Company and donated materials and labor include: Suntech Electrical Contractors, Inc and Tom Czajkowski - security light; Impact Group, LLC and Kyle Barrett - removal of existing concrete slabs; CL Noonan Disposal IncDumpster; Creative Hardscapes and Cade Middleton - pavers and installation; and Ryan Hammond Inc and Rudy Cox - paint and labor

Heatherwood Construction Company is a full-service, commercial general contractor serving the west coast of Florida from Marco Island to the Panhandle Since 1980, the firm has provided complete construction services, including site search and selection, feasibility analysis, site development, value engineering, vertical construction, LEED certification, and more Recent projects include schools,

multi-family, retail, restaurants and community amenities For additional information, visit https://heatherwoodconstruction com/ or call 239-949-6855 \

Carollo Engineers opens

new For t Myers office

Carollo Engineers, a leading national

opened a new office in Fort Myers to better serve municipal and private sector clients in the region Located at 9160 Forum Corporate Parkway, this location marks the firm’s eighth office in the state Carollo opened its first Florida office in 2001 Since then, the company has provided planning, engineering, and construction services for more than 1,700 projects, benefiting 60 municipal utilities across the state

For 90 years, Carollo Engineers has provided a full range of innovative planning, design, and construction management services to meet the water, wastewater, and reuse needs of municipalities, public agencies, private developers, and industrial firms

To learn more about how Carollo is Working Wonders With Water® call (800) 523-5826 or visit www carollo com

July: A two-year review of condo sales and prices in Cape Coral

From page 14

Direct sailboat access canal

condos

In the Cape Coral direct sailboat access canal condo segment, which is a subgroup of gulf access condos where boaters have no bridges to go under in the canal system, there were 7 closed sales in July This was down 41 7% from the 12 condos sold in July 2022, and 66 7% below the 21 units sold in July 2021 It was also down by 30% from the 10 units sold in June of this year In the first seven months of 2023, there were a total of 86 condos sold in this segment, which was 37 7% below the 138 units sold in the first seven months of 2022, and 47 6% less than the 164 units sold in the first seven months of 2021 T h e J u l y m e d i a n s a l e s p r i c e w a s

$449,900 for the Cape’s sailboat access condo segment, which was the peak month for prices so far this year This was 3 1% higher than the $436,250 posted in July 2022, and 42 8% above the $315,000 in July 2021 This July was also 25% higher than the $359,950 in June of this year In the first seven months of 2023, the median s a l e s p r i c e i n t h i s s e g m e n t a v e r a g e d $396,407 per month, up 7 3% from the average of $369,386 per month in the first seven months of 2022, and 27 3% above the average of $311,386 per month in the first seven months of 2021

Dry lot condos

In the Cape Coral dry lot (non-canal) condo segment, there were 16 closed sales in July, which was 33 33% lower than the 24 condos sold in July of 2022, and 55 6% below the 36 units sold in July 2021 Sales this July were also 30 4% below the 23 sales in June of this year In the first seven months of 2023, there were a total of 146 dry lot units sold in the Cape, which was 30 5% less than the 210 units sold in the first seven months of 2022, and 47 5% below the 278 sold in the first seven months of 2021

The July median sales price came in at $228,750 for the Cape’s dry lot condo segm e n t , w h i c h w a s 5 2 % a b o v e t h e $217,500 posted in July 2022, and 43% higher than the $160,000 in July 2021 But this July came in 8 5% below the $249,990 in June of this year In the first seven months of 2023, the median sales price in this segment averaged $245,391 per month, which was 7 2% above the $228,939 per month in the first seven months of 2022, and 55.6% more than the average of $157,706 per month in the first seven months of 2021

The sales data for this article was o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e F l o r i d a R e a l t o r s ® Multiple Listing Service Matrix for Lee County, Fla , as of Aug 28, 2023, unless

otherwise noted. It was compiled by Bob and Geri Quinn and it includes information specifically for Cape Coral condominiums, townhouses, and villas, and it does not include any single-family homes, short sales, or foreclosures The data and statistics are believed to be reliable, however, they could be updated and revised periodically, and are subject to change without

notice. The Quinns are a husband and wife real estate team with the RE/MAX Realty Team office in Cape Coral They have lived in Cape Coral for over 43 years Geri has been a full-time Realtor since 2005, and Bob joined Geri as a full-time Realtor in 2014 Their real estate practice is mainly focused on Cape Coral residential property and vacant lots

American Legion Post 90 Auxiliary makes donation to Children's Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida

F o r t h e s e c o n d y e a r i n a r o w , t h e American Legion Post 90 Auxiliary Unit collected over $700 in school supplies c o n s i s t i n g o f n o t e b o o k s , c o m p o s i t i o n books, pencils, pens and crayons for donation to the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Fort Myers

Hosted by the Post 90 Auxiliary Unit, the event provided over 30 boxes of school supplies intended for distribution to children ages 5 to 12 by the CAC With a core belief of “Be Kind,” this is one of a variety of donations to local charities that the auxiliary provides, primarily in the Cape Coral area, to meet its commitment to the community

In addition to the auxiliary, the Cape Coral Police Department was instrumental in assisting in collecting school supplies t h r o u g h i t s C o m m u n i t y P o l i c i n g U n i t Sargeant P Lamana stated that they often receive donations at the police station and offer programs such as “Shop With A Cop” and holiday turkey drives Officer J Kuhn said, “The partnership with the auxiliary and the Advocacy Center creates a great partnership and an opportunity to give back to the community for their support.”

The president of the auxiliary, Nita Keeling, stated, “It was a wonderful drive a n d t w i c e t h e v o l u m e t h a n l a s t y e a r

Several Dollar Tree stores acted as initial collection points and helped reach our goal I’m very proud of the additional effort by members of the auxiliary to exceed last year’s goal ” R a c h a e l P e a c o c k , t h e d i r e c t o r o f

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

Plants for your water garden

By DEBORAH HAGGETT news@breezenewspapers com

Creating a water garden in the form of a small pond in your yard may take a bit of effort, but brings hours of enjoyment In my previous article, I wrote about how to construct and care for water gardens Today, we’ll look at several possible plants to enhance a backyard pond, from completely submersed plants to carnivorous plants and showstoppers

T h e r e a r e

t h r e e t y p e s o f aquatic plants to

PHOTO PROVIDED

of the auxiliary is much appreciated ”

The mission of the Children's Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida is to provide for child victims of abuse and neglect and improve the lives of at-risk children and their families through prevention services

The American Legion Auxiliary comprises male and female spouses, grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and direct and adopted female descendants of members of the American Legion The auxiliary administers dozens of volunteer programs, gives hundreds of hours to its communities and veterans, and raises thousands of dollars to support its programs and other worthwhile charities in Cape Coral and Fort Myers It is all accomplished with volunteers

For additional information about the auxiliary, contact President Nita Keeling at k e e l i n g n i t a @ a o l c o m o r M e m b e r s h i p C h a i r S h e r r y B a k e r a t i b s w f l 1 8 @gmail com

Poinciana Garden Club to meet Sept. 12

The Poinciana Garden Club meets the second Tuesday of each month, September through May Club events include Trash Off Trails walks (Thursdays), Cups of Cheer, programs, field trips, garden hops, flower shows, bus trips, plant taffies and more

The next meeting is Sept 12, at 9:30 a m , at the Berne Davis Gardens, 2166 Virginia Ave , Fort Myers, across the street from Edison Ford Winter Estates

The Poinciana Garden Club is a not-forprofit

garden club

Questions? Email PoincianaGC@outlook com or 239-994-

c o n s i d e r f o r your pond: sub-

m e r s e d , e m e r -

g e n t a n d f l o a ting A mix of all three is prefer-

a b l e S u b -

mersed plants add oxygen to the pond water and provide a protective space for fish, frogs and other wildlife Emergent plants, also known as marginal plants, have roots below the water surface and produce shoots that emerge above the surface There are two types of floating plants: floating-leaved plants and floating plants Floating-leaved plants have roots anchored below the water surface a n d l e a v e s f l o a t i n g o n t h e s u r f a c e Floating plants are not anchored to the sediment and have leaves which float freely on the surface of the water

Two popular submersed plants are Fanwort and Hornwort They are native Florida aquatic plants known as oxygenators Both provide a resting and hiding place for fish Fanwort has underwater, fan-shaped leaves while Hornwort has fan-shaped leaves which emerge from the stem in a whorl arrangement

On rare occasions, Fanwort develops f l o a t i n g , d i a m o n d - s h a p e d l e a v e s a n d small, half-inch wide white to purplish flowers Hornwort differs from Fanwort as it does not have roots and floats freely in the water Both grow quickly and may need to be thinned Some gardeners p l a n t F a n w o r t i n b a s k e t s t o c o n t a i n growth When removing Fanwort, it’s best to compost, bury, or burn it since in some states it is considered invasive Blue Flag Iris and Pickerel Weed are two examples of emergent or marginal plants These native perennials can be aggressive Planting them in pots with no drainage holes helps keep them contained Blue Flag Iris is a clumping plant with light green leaves and showy lavender-blue flowers Pickerel Weed has shiny, green leaves and purple tubular flowers emerging on spikes The flowers attract butterflies and bees while its seeds are a food source for birds Below the surface, these plants provide food and a safe haven for fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Water lilies are floating-leaved plants which are planted in soil and in pots with

See WATER GARDEN, page 38

Top row: Pam Clark, Judy Lindquist, Sherry Baker, Officer Kuhn and Sargeant Lamana CCPD, Sharon Fisher, Jan Nordquist and Karen Homer; and bottom row: Pat Pytlik, Carol Berres, Rachel Peacock, director CAC, and Nita Keeling, Post 90 Auxiliary.

EDUCATION

SEPTEMBER

‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Society awards over $29,000 for environmental studies scholarships

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife SocietyFriends of the Refuge (DDWS) on Sanibel this summer awarded $29,200 in conservation education scholarships to 13 students from the surrounding five-county area During its 18-year history, the DDWS Environmental Scholarship Program has awarded a total of $262,400 to deserving students.

Of the 13 scholarships, three are perman e n t l y e n d o w e d I n d i v i d u a l s p a s s i o n a t e about helping students make a difference in all areas of conservation donate the other scholarships on an annual basis

The Richard Bailey Scholarship, named in memory of a longtime refuge volunteer and donated by his family, went to Stanley Carter Oleckna, a graduate of Imagine High School in North Port He is pursuing a major in biology with minors in chemistry and clim a t e c h a n g e a t F l o r i d a G u l f C o a s t University in Fort Myers.

The Mike & Terry Baldwin Scholarship, named for a DDWS past president and his wife, an emeritus board member, went to Chase Qurollo, a Cape Coral High alumnus who is heading to the University of Central Florida in Orlando to study environmental engineering

High and FGCU graduate entering his first year of F G C U ’ s e n v i r o n m e n t a l science master’s program, received the Dr Andrew a n d L a u r a D a h l e m Scholarship The Dahlems live part-time on Sanibel Island; their family honors them with a named scholarship E l l a G u e d o u a r , a n E s t e r o H i g h a n d F G C U a l u m n u s e n t e r i n g t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h Florida’s integrative biology Ph D program, received t h e D r H R a n d a l l D e m i n g E n d o w e d Scholarship for Conservation & Environmental Studies Deming’s family established the scholarship in 2016 as a permanently endowed scholarship in his memory.

Liliana Salazar-Juarez graduated from Immokalee High and will represent the first generation in her family to attend college She will study wildlife biology at Florida State University in Tallahassee and received the “Ding” Darling Conservation Scholarship, made possible by an anonymous donor

T w o L e s l i e & H a n s

F l e i s c h n e r S c h o l a r s h i p s went to Chloe Lowman, a Cypress Lake High graduate intending to study environmental science and law at UCF; and Fort Myers High School graduate Elise Brown, planning to doublem a j o r i n e n v i r o n m e n t a l engineering and music at the University of Florida in G a i n e s v i l l e T h e Fleischners were part-time S a n i b e l r e s i d e n t s w h o s e love of the island’s environment has inspired them to sponsor the scholarships for several years

Tori Guarino, an alumnus of Golden Gate High in Naples and now attendee at FGCU majoring in biology with minors in environmental education and chemistry, r e c e i v e d t h e M a r y E l a i n e J a c o b s o n Memorial Scholarship, made possible by the Sanibel-Captiva Audubon Society

Established as a permanently endowed scholarship by the estate of longtime DDWS board and Education Committee member and her husband, the Win and Marilyn Kloosterman Memorial Scholarship went to Blade Kalikow, a Community High School of Naples alumnus He studies environmental engineering at Northeastern University in Boston, Mass

E m e l i a V a l e n t z , a g r a d u a t e o f P o r t Charlotte High who will attend USF to double-major in pre-architecture and computer science, received the Barry & Francine Litofsky Scholarship, in memory of two for-

mer refuge volunteers made possible by their children

The Tarpon Bay Explorers Scholarship went to Mark Leone, who graduated from E s t e r o H i g h a n d i s a t t e n d i n g S t a n f o r d University in California, where he is pursuing a degree in engineering for extreme e n v i r o n m e n t s T a r p o n B a y E x p l o r e r s ,

“Ding” Darling’s recreation concession, started the original DDWS scholarship program in 2006

Two Jane Werner Endowed Environmental Scholarships, established in 2011 as DDWS’ first permanently endowed scholarship fund, went to Dara Craig, a Cypress L a k e H i g h a n d V a n d e r b i l t U n i v e r s i t y (Nashville) alumnus earning her doctorate at the University of Oregon in environmental science, studies, and policy; and Mallory Poff, an alumnus of Barron Collier High (Naples) and Elon University in North Carolina starting work on her master’s degree in mechanical engineering and materials science at Duke University in North Carolina

The late Jane Werner, who volunteered at the refuge for 25 years, established the permanent scholarship fund prior to her death

DDWS will be awarding scholarships starting at $1,000 each at the end of the 2023-2024 school year High school seniors and college students from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades, and Hendry counties pursuing careers in biology, conservation, and environmental studies are eligible

For an application and to read full descriptions of 2023 scholarship winners and donors, visit dingdarlingsociety org/ articles/student-scholarships

Teacher writes children’s book

Megan Sopko, a local children’s book author who lives in Fort Myers, has written a new book, "Penelope Jones Just Wants to go Home!"

" P e n e l o p e J o n e s J u s t W a n t s t o g o Home!" is about a little girl who doesn't appreciate the things she has - like her toys, friends and her dog Instead of playing with them, she decides to sit in her room and pout Finally, the week came where she would go and spend time with her grandparents, leaving everything at home After being at her grandparents house, she real-

izes that she actua l l y m i s s e s t h e t o y s , h e r f r i e n d s and her dog that she did not want to p l a y w i t h P e n elope learns a great lesson - to appreciate the things that she already has in her life!

Sopko is an elem e n t a r y s c h o o l

E S E ( E x c e p t i o n a l

Megan Sopko

Student Education) teacher at a school in Cape Coral and loves inspiring her students She graduated from Kean University with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and from NJCU with a master’s degree in special education with a focus on autism

S h e s a i d w r i t i n g a n d p u b l i s h i n g

"Penelope Jones Just Wants to go Home!" is a great accomplishment and she hopes to inspire the many more children who read it

T h e b o o k i s i l l u s t r a t e d b y S t e p h e n Sopko, who is an award-winning artist and illustrator who lives in New Jersey He a t t e n d e d T h e S p e c t r u m I n s t i t u t e f o r

Advertising Art and his major was illustration. His eclectic artwork reflects impressionists and the wonders he has witnessed t h r o u g h o u t h i s l i f e S i n c e r e t i r i n g , h e spends his time traveling and creating works of art for people and art galleries

Robert Marlin Smith, a North Fort Myers

We e k ly B R E E Z E R e c ap

Information gathering meeting for Disaster Recover Funds held on Pine Island

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

A resident participation meeting was held Thursday, Aug 24, at Pine Island Elementary School to receive public comment and input on the Draft Action Plan for the $1 1 billion Community Development Block Grant –D i s a s t e r R e c o v e r y f u n d s r e c e i v e d f r o m t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H o u s i n g a n d U r b a n D e v e l o p m e n t (HUD) Assistant County Manager Glen Salyer said HUD has a process which needs to be engaged before Pine Island -- or any other communities in the area -- receives funds allocated for Lee County

“We’re going through their specified process right now to put together an eye-level spending plan and that plan is going to encompass lots of housing assistance, some infrastructure, rebuilding, some planning, some public services, by way of case management for Ian-impacted households and mental behavior health capacity building it’s going to be a while before we know exactly what lands in Pine Island proper,” Salyer said

Although there have been no detailed program design plans yet for damaged or destroyed mobile homes to be replaced or converted to modular homes, CDBG-DR Program Director Jeannie Sutton said there are currently

no HUD regulations prohibiting the replacement or conversion of these homes

“We do anticipate being able to serve households that have mobile homes,” Sutton said Salyer also reported $239 million will be recommended for critical public infrastructure projects This will be open to proposal by eligible applicants which will go through a scoring process to be ranked and awarded by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners

“We don’t know what projects will come of that money, but we do have a lot of funding for public infrastructure,” Salyer said CDBG-DR funds may be spent on a limited number of eligible activities related to impacts from Hurricane Ian that include housing, infrastructure, economic revitalization, public services and planning At least 70% of the grant must be used for projects that benefit low-to-moderate income households, which HUD defines as a family at or below 80% of area median income For example, in Lee County a single-person household would qualify at $47,700 or less per year, whereas the limit for total household income is $68,100 per year for a family of four

Sutton said, in an effort to clarify any confusion regarding the availability of funds, the hope is that applications

Hurricanes Idalia and Franklin

Taken Tuesday morning, this satellite image shows Hurricane Idalia in the Gulf of Mexico, at left, headed toward the Florida Panhandle and Hurricane Franklin in the Atlantic, on the right, nearing Bermuda

Shell Museum provides update on post-Ian recovery

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel recently updated on its restoration efforts

When staff first accessed Sanibel four days after Hurricane Ian, they discovered most of the equipment that runs the aquariums, such as the pumps, heat exchangers and filters, had been destroyed Officials reported that staff salvaged what was reusable for future use and new equipment was ordered In early summer, the “back-of-house’’ rooms that house the systems were fully repaired with new walls, ceilings, floors and electrical In July, the new aquarium systems were installed with the assistance of Aquarium Reef Illusions The systems and aquariums in the galleries have been cleaned, sanitized and filled with water to begin preparations to receive new marine life

Officials continued that despite being located on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, the museum makes its own saltwater for the aquariums, instead of pumping it in from the surrounding area. It helps control optimal conditions for salinity and water quality for the animals Each holding 1,000 gallons, the museum's two water reservoirs are strapped to the ground with heavy cables and plumbed into cement

Ian's storm surge snapped the cables and plumbing and

tossed the reservoirs into the wetlands behind the museum In the months following the storm, the reservoirs were retrieved, tested for leaks and sanitized and the plumbing was flushed out as it had been filled with storm debris During the summer, the plumbing was reconnected and the museum is again able to make clean, safe saltwater with the proper elements for its future animals

Officials also reported that among the “back-ofhouse,” aquarium support rooms is the research lab, where in addition to performing research and animal care, staff manages a system of quarantine tanks for newly arrived animals

The lab received over 5 feet of water in the storm and had to be gutted In the spring and summer, with the help of Aquarium Reef Illusions, the lab's systems and equipment were replaced and reconnected

The museum is currently closed for post-storm reconstruction. Its reopening will be phased, with the goal of restoring the Living Gallery of aquariums, lobby and museum store by the end of this year

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is at 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel For more information, visit https://www shellmuseum org/

will be available in early 2024, but as the Lee County Manager’s office continues to go through the required HUD process, applications cannot be accepted until this process is complete

Communication is a priority, Salyer said, which, he added, can only be ascertained by having an on-island presence to make the public aware of their options This could be accomplished by such means as having mobileapplication units, direct mailers or door-hangers as assistance programs are being rolled out

“We’ll have to do everything possible to get the word out, so people are aware of the opportunity for assistance,” Salyer said

The CDBG-DR webpage will continue to serve as an

visit www leegov c o m / r e c o v e r y / c d b g - d r f o r u p d a t e s T h e C D B G - D R Project Table can be found at https://www leegov com/ r e c o v e r y / D o c u m e n t s / L e e % 2 0 C o u n t y % 2 0 C D B GDR%20Project%20Table pdf

Comments can be emailed to recovery@leegov com, or mailed to Lee County Administration in care of the Office of Strategic Resources, 2115 Second St , Fort Myers, FL, 33901.

Lee County MPO Citizen Advisory Committee to meet in Cape Coral Sept. 7

The Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizen Advisory Committee will meet Thursday, Sept 7, at 3 p m at the Cape Coral Public Works Building, 815 Nicholas Parkway East, Cape Coral Agenda topics for the meeting include the review and approval of the Transportation Improvement Program R o l l F o r w a r d A m e n d m e n t s , t h e u p d a t e d P u b l i c Involvement Plan, the Shared Use Non-motorized (SUN) Trail priorities and the Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan Scope of Services

The committee will also be asked to review and e n d o r s e t h e L e e C o u n t y P o r t A u t h o r i t y A v i a t i o n Priorities In addition, a presentation will be given on the F l o r i d a D e p a r t m e n t o f T r a n s p o r t a t i o n D i s t r i c t O n e Freight and Mobility Plan

For information, please visit www leempo com

Hurricane forecasting topic of Friends of Cape Coral Library program on Sept. 16

All are invited to the Friends of the Cape Coral Library General Meeting Saturday, Sept 16 The morning will begin at 9:30 with light refreshments The business portion of the meeting will start at 10 a m , and followed by the program featuring guest speaker Greg Rule, WINK News Meteorologist.

Rule will give a presentation on hurricane forecast-

Hurricane Ian, what was learned and what can be done better if another major hurricane hits our area He will also give us a look at real time satellites and radar and what-- if anything-- is brewing in the tropics

FOCCL General Meetings, which take place in the large meeting room of the Cape Coral Library at 921 S W 39th Terrace, are free and open to the public

For more about the Friends of the Cape Coral Library, visit www capefriends org and follow the group on Facebook

NOAA GRAPHIC

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre accepting video submission for roles in ‘Elf the Musical’

Broadway Palm is currently accepting video submissions for the role of Michael Hobbes and children’s ensemble roles in their upcoming production of “Elf the Musical.” They are also accepting submissions for LOCAL adult musical theatre performers for the 2 0 2 3 /2 0 2 4 s eas on:

“ E l f , ” “ E l v i s A M u s i c a l R e v o l u t i o n , ”

“Beautiful The Carol King Musical,” “The Addams Family” and “Mary Poppins ”

The theater is seeking the following:

■ Michael Hobbes (12 - 13 years old) -

Buddy’s stepbrother who is excited to have a new friend and brother Funny and smart, he quickly bonds with Buddy and is determined to share a great Christmas with his entire family. Must have an unchanged singing voice Vocal range top: G5; vocal range bottom: F3

■ Ensemble Children (8 - 14 years old) - dancer/singer/actors with bright personalities to play elves, citizens of New York and ensemble roles

■ Adult Ensemble (18 and above) -

dancer/singer/actors The theater is specifically looking for actors with housing in the Fort Myers area Must be strong dancers Tap and partner dancing are a plus Actors of all ethnicities and types are welcome to submit - we are specifically looking for actors of color for all roles These are paid positions

For children, the rehearsal period will be Oct 26 through Nov 10 Rehearsals

will be after school hours (4-7 p m ) with a few earlier afternoons (12:30 start time) during tech week (Nov 7- 9) Actors must commit to the full rehearsal schedule to be considered. All children’s roles will be double cast

For adults (18 and above), the rehearsal period for Broadway Palm productions are full rehearsal days (10 a m to 6 p m ), with a 12:30-10 p m schedule during tech week Actors must commit to the full rehearsal schedule to be considered

The performance schedule for "Elf" is Nov 10 to Dec 25, with evening shows Tuesday through Saturday as well as varying matinees and twilight shows Sunday evening. For the complete show schedule p l e a s e v i s i t https://broadwaypalm com/shows/elf/

For the role of Michael, please submit a video with the following materials along with headshot, resume and audition form- Michael Side #1, Michael Side #2 and “There is A Santa Claus” - song selection

botwszsa02lo72/h?rlkey=xwkfny64oxczk ai9uwri8kz8m&dl=0

For children’s ensemble roles, please submit a video with 16 bars of an up-tempo musical theatre song of your choice along with a headshot, resume and audition form

For adult roles (18 and over), please submit any vocal and dance reels you have on file, along with headshot, resume and audition form

A u d i t i o n f o r m s a r e a v a i l a b l e a t https://www dropbox com/scl/fo/kfsf2od2 x b k 1 6 2 7 r 6 5 1 d l / h ? r l k e y = 6 i s w t y s n h y r tni71313zksqy9&dl=0

Submissions are due by Sept. 15please send to brian@broadwaypalm com (artistic producer) and amy@broadwaypalm com (director/choreographer)

For additional information, please email b r i a n @ b r o a d w a y p a l m c o m o r amy@broadwaypalm com

School District’s rescheduled Virtual Recruiting Fair set for Thursday

The School District of Lee County has rescheduled its Aug. 17 Virtual Recruiting Fair for Thursday, Sept 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 p m This is an opportunity for job seekers interested in working with the School District as teachers, school counselors and instructional professionals for the 2023-2024 school year to meet and interview with school administrators

Anyone interested in attending must

register in advance at https://app brazenconnect.com/a/leeschools/e/jPeDy

A current list of School District job openings is available at https://www lee schools net/careers The webpage also provides information on job des criptions , salaries and how to apply

Teacher and School Counselor candidates eligible to attend must meet one of the following criteria:

■ Hold a valid standard teaching certificate (Florida or out-of-state) OR

■ Expected to graduate from a college of education by August 2023 OR

■ Hold a bachelor's degree in an area where certification can be obtained or any degree major and a passing score on a subject area exam

■ School Counselors must hold a master's degree in the proper area

To see if a bachelor's degree can lead towards certification, applicants can visit the Florida Department of Education's website If a degree major does not equate to a certification area, those interested can register to take a subject area exam

For support or additional questions, job a p p l i c a n t s c a n s e n d a n e m a i l t o Careers@leeschools net or call 239-3378676

Dedicated Artists of Southwest Florida exhibit featured at Cape Coral Library through Oct. 30

A wide array of two and three-dimensional work by members of The Dedicated Artists of Southwest Florida Inc will fill the gallery walls and display cases of the Cape Coral Library from Saturday, Sept 2, through Monday, Oct 30 This marks the seventh time that the local club of artists will be featured at the library located at 921 S.W. 39th Terrace, off Mohawk Parkway

DASF members have been working on new pieces of art to display, and the variety of their designs and the surfaces on which they paint is extensive That’s no doubt why the club’s exhibit of members’ latest artwork is always eagerly anticipated by Library patrons and visitors

The DASF is a local club with approximately 60 members who are full or part-time residents of various cities within the local tri-county area People of all ages and levels of ability -- from those with no experience up to accomplished artists -- are welcome to join DASF members attend monthly meetings (held in the Cape Coral Art League building) that feature different painting projects in acrylic, oil, watercolor or colored pencil and are conducted by talented instructors For more information about membership, meeting schedules, location, projects, seminars and events visit www DASFartists com

While learning and teaching the art of painting is integral to the club, members also perform an impressive amount of community outreach As a 501(c)(3) public charity, DASF philanthropic projects support the Harry Chapin Food Bank, an annual scholarship for a graduating Lee County student who wants to pursue the visual arts, donation of wall art for youngsters leaving the foster system at age 18, a Suitcase Project that provides decorated cases for the Children’s Network of Southwest Florida, and a Memory Box Project that donates hand-painted keepsake boxes to various hospitals around the state for grieving families to hold remembrances of a child lost

To support its community projects, DASF holds an annual Winter Luncheon fundraising gala for 150 guests at the Legends Country Club, and the 2023 luncheon is

scheduled for Saturday, Dec 9, starting at 11 a m It will include a silent auction of DASF members' beautiful artwork and theme baskets, plus a boutique with stocking stuffers for sale To get details about the December fundraiser, visit www DASFartists com, go to HOME on the menu, then fill out the form under “Contact Us ”

Changing art exhibits in the Library’s gallery are spon-

sored by the Friends of the Cape Coral Library and are designed to afford local artists the opportunity to share their work in this public forum

For information contact Monica Rahman, Art Gallery C h a i r p e r s o n a t g a l l e r y @ c a p e f r i e n d s o r g o r v i s i t www capefriends org Follow “Friends of the Cape Coral Library” on Facebook

PHOTO PROVIDED

Members of the Dedicated Artists of Southwest Florida display some of the canvas wine totes they painted

Cape volunteers to distribute special edition of ‘The Watchtower’

At a time when the desire for better government is on the minds of people the world over, Jehovah’s Witnesses will launch an international campaign to bring attention to a universal solution The Witnesses will f e a t u r e a s p e c i a l e d i t i o n o f “ T h e Watchtower” magazine, available in over 780 languages in print and online, with the theme “What Is God’s Kingdom?”

Local volunteers from Cape Coral will distribute this special-edition magazine during the month of September

“I am excited to share this special magazine with our neighbors since God's kingdom is such a universally appealing topic No matter what I am going through, God's kingdom gives me real hope,” said Eva Domby, a resident of Cape Coral “With a shortage of good news nowadays, my hope is to help comfort and encourage our neighbors and be a bright spot in their day.”

Throughout the centuries, millions of Jesus’ followers have prayed the words “thy kingdom come” but wonder what that kingdom is, what it will accomplish and when it will come To answer those age-old

questions, the Witnesses’ special-edition magazine will reference key Bible passages The clear and simple explanations have been designed to appeal to both new and experienced Bible readers

“It’s no secret that many people feel we need better rulership, but few can agree on how to achieve this,” said Rudy Romero, s p o k e s p e r s o n f o r J e h o v a h ’ s W i t n e s s e s .

“The good news is, Jesus will be the perfect ruler who can and will solve all the problems we are facing here on earth Our campaign will bring this much-needed message of hope to our communities ”

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jehovah's Witnesses distributed millions of this special-edition magazine through letters, even sending copies to thousands of government officials worldwide Now that they have returned to their door-to-door public ministry post-pandemic, this will be the first in-person campaign where they will have the opportunity to discuss the important and very timely subject with their neighbors

A free digital copy of this special issue

Cape Friends of Wildlife to meet Sept. 12

The Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife will hold a general meeting Tuesday, Sept 12, at the Rotary Park Environmental Center, 5505 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral C a r r i e S c h u m a n , P h D , c o a s t a l resilience manager for the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation will be the featured guest speaker, discussing the “Impact of Hurricane Ian and Climate Change on S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a ’ s E c o s y s t e m s a n d

Wildlife ”

In her role as SCCF coastal resilience manager, Schuman assists the communities

of Sanibel and Captiva in achieving coastal resilience as they plan for future stressors of climate change including warming temperatures, sea level rise, and increased precipitation and storm intensity

The evening begins at 6:30 with a meet and greet, followed by Schuman's prevention at 7 p m At 7:50, the CCFW will hold its general membership meeting All are welcome to attend

For more information, visit ccfriendsofwildlife org or on Facebook: CCFW Friends of Wildlife

of “The Watchtower,” as well as informat i o n a b o u t t h e a c t i v i t i e s o f J e h o v a h ’ s Witnesses, is available at jw org The

Witnesses’ site offers practical Bible-based content for people of all ages and beliefs in over 1,070 languages

LCEC public relations team wins at FPRA Golden Image Awards

The LCEC public relations team took home two awards at the 2023 Florida Public Relations Association 66th Annual Golden Image Awards gala held on Aug 8, at the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando The team took home an Award of Distinction for the “LCEC Response to Hurricane Ian” and an Award of Distinction for the “LCEC Intranet Design ”

The Golden Image Awards competition is conducted annually by FPRA to

r e c o g n i z e o u t s t a n d i n g p u b l i c r e l a t i o n s programs in Florida and to encourage and promote the development of public relations in our state The Golden Image Awards have become a standard of excellence in the state of Florida Winners demonstrate the very best examples of innovation, planning, and design

An Award of Distinction is presented to entries that meet the standards of excellence set by a panel of judges

PHOTO PROVIDED

The LCEC public relations team with its award

Cape Council modifies remote attendance policy; allows for emergencies

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Cape Coral City Council members who have an emergency will continue to be allowed to request remote attendance at meetings

The elected board voted Wednesday to include emergencies in its attendance policy for remote attendance, deciding such requests could be made the night of a meeting through a Council vote

City Attorney Aleksandr Boksner said the added verbiage would allow remote a t t e n d a n c e , w i t h C o u n c i l a p p r o v a l , f o r those whose situation would not allow them to make the request in advance at a voting meeting

In addition, language was added for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Councilmember Tom Hayden was not present Mayor John Gunter voted against the added language Councilmember Bill Steinke said since Council was making this rule permanent, he thought it would behoove the board to include a provision for an emergency situation

“Since we meet typically every two weeks something could come up as an emergency,” he said.

Gunter said they could “what if” all day long

“To me it is going to be extremely dif-

ficult What is an emergency for you might not be an emergency for me I don’t know what the definition of an emergency is,” he said Steinke said since Council votes for remote attendance anyways, an emergency could be voted on by Council to approve, or deny

Other proposed changes to attendance rules included that requests to attend a meeting remotely “shall be submitted no later than the regular City Council meeting immediately prior to the meeting in which the member requests to appear remotely ”

Council then would approve, or deny the request

In addition, language was added for c o m p l i a n c e w i t h t h e A m e r i c a n s w i t h Disabilities Act

A council member could contact the city attorney, or designee and provide the necessary information for a legal determination regarding “reasonable accommodation” to attend remotely The city attorney, or designee then would confirm whether the request is legally consistent and notify Council and the city clerk of the date the council member would attend remotely The council member could vote and participate while attending remotely

,

S e p t e m b e r

Collaboratory’s Night Market to celebrate literacy

B y M E G H A N B R A D B U RY

n e w s @ b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m N e x t w e e k ’ s N i g h t M a r k e t i n

D o w n t o w n F o r t M y e r s w i l l f e a t u r e c e l e b r i t y r e a d e r s a n d a c t i v i t i e s t o m a r k

I n t e r n a t i o n a l L i t e r a c y D a y T h e e v e n t , t o b e h e l d f r o m 6 t o 9 p m

o n F r i d a y , S e p t 8 , o n C o l l a b o r a t o r y ’ s c a m p u s , m a r k s t h e f o u r t h N i g h t M a r k e t s i n c e t h e e v e n t s t a r t e d l a s t y e a r a s a m e a n s f o r C o l l a b o r a t o r y t o e n g a g e w i t h t h e c o m m u n i t y “ W e c r e a t e d t h e N i g h t M a r k e t t h a t w o u l d b e c o o l , f u n a n d p e o p l e c o m e t o , b u t a l s o t o g i v e u s a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o e x p o s e t h e c o m m u n i t y t o t h e w o r k o f C o l l a b o r a t o r y , ” s a i d C o l l a b o r a t o r y S y s t e m s S i t e s a n d E x p e r i e n c e L e a d K i m W i l l i a m s “ T o h a v e a f u n p a r t y w i t h t h e p h i l a nt h r o p i c s o c i a l v i b e , ” s h e s a i d “ I t ’ s r e a l l y k i n d o f c o o l t o s e e p e o p l e o n t h e c a m p u s j u s t h a n g i n g o u t a n d c h a t t i n g I t ’ s a s o l i d c o m m u n i t y e v e n t w h e r e p e o p l e a r e c o nn e c t i n g a n d m a k i n g c o n n e c t i o n s ” T h e e v e n t s , w h i c h i n c l u d e c o m m u n i t y a n d b u s i n e s s p a r t n e r s , a r e h e l d q u a r t e r l y “ I t ’ s v e r y f a m i l y f r i e n d l y , ” W i l l i a m s s a i d T h e e v e n t w i l l i n c l u d e l i v e m u s i c a n d f o o d t r u c k s “ W e h a v e p a r t n e r e d w i t h t h e L i n e U p

B a n d f r o m t h e b e g i n n i n g , ” W i l l i a m s s a i d , a d d i n g t h a t s h e h e a r d t h e g u y s p l a y y e a r s a g o a n d l o v e s t h e i r v i b e “ T h e y a r e p e r f e c t ”

F o o d t r u c k s a n v e n d o r s w i l l i n c l u d e V e s u v i u s W o o d F i r e d P i z z a , C a r i t o s

G o u r m e t E m p a n a d a s , F o r e v e r G r o u n d e d

C o f f e e , S o u t h e r n S n o b a l l s , T h e D a w g

P o u n d , B r o o k e s N u g g e t W a g o n , F l y i n g

E a g l e K o m b u c h a a n d D y n a s t y

G u a c a m o l e

A s f a r a s r e t a i l e r s , v e n d o r s w i l l i n c l u d e A m o r i s t J e w e l r y , L o v e M u f f i n s ,

W a j o l i A f r i c a n W e a r , C h a o t i c a l l y

C o p e l a n d C r e a t i o n s , H e n n a M a g i c k ,

G r o o v y G r o w i n g , W i l l o w & H i t c h , T h e

A d v e n t u r i n g N e r d , T h e H e r b A p p e a l ,

S u m m a V i t a L i n x , S u g a r H i g h C o t t o n C a n d y , J a y c e ’ s F r e e z e D r i e d C a n d y S h a c k , C i t r u s C i r c u s , P e r s o n a l i z e d : b y L i l l y , R a b b i t P a w s - A r t a n d M o r e a n d W i l d a t H e a r t F l o w e r T r u c k “ W e h a v e a c o u p l e y o u t h e n t r e p r en e u r s , ” W i l l i a m s s a i d L e e C o u n t y L i b r a r y B o o k m o b i l e w i l l b e o n s i t e , a s w e l l a s B u i l d i n g T a l e n t F o u n d a t i o n a n d P a t t y ’ s P l a c e F u t u r e M a k e r s w i l l h a v e a n a c t i v i t y r o o m s e t u p f o r c h i l d r e n a n d t h e i r f a m il i e s w i t h p e o p l e w h o a r e e x t r e m e l y p a ss i o n a t e a b o u t r e a d i n g a n d l i t e r a c y . “ T h e r e w i l l b e s o m e c e l e b r i t y g u e s t s r e a d i n g b o o k s T h e F o r t M y e r s f i r e c h i e f a n d c h i e f o f p o l i c e w i l l b e t h e r e t o d o s o m e r e a d i n g , ” F u t u r e M a k e r s C o a l i t i o n D i r e c t o r T e s s a L e S a g e s a i d “ T h e r e a r e a l o t o f w a y s t o h a v e f u n a n d e n g a g e a r o u n d l i t e r a c y ” T h e N i g h t M a r k e t a l s o p r o v i d e s a n o p p o r t u n i t y f o r C o l l a b o r a t o r y t o s u p p o r t s m a l l b u s i n e s s e s i n t h e c o m m u n i t y , a s s p a c e s a r e p r o v i d e d w i t h o u t c h a r g e I n a d d i t i o n , t h e e v e n t p r o v i d e s r e s id e n t p a r t n e r s t h a t a r e d o i n g s o c i a l l y a l i g n e d w o r k i n t h e b u i l d i n g t h e o p p o r t un i t y t o a l s o e n g a g e w i t h t h e c o m m u n i t y

T h e p r e v i o u s t h r e e e v e n t s h a v e b e e n s u c c e s s f u l , a s W i l l i a m s h a s s e e n a n u p w a r d s o f 4 0 0 p e o p l e a t t e n d

“We created the Night Market that would be cool, fun and people come to, but also to give us an opportunity to expose the community to the work of Collaboratory ” Collaboratory Systems Sites and Experience Lead Kim Williams

T h e N i g h t M a r k e t i s t y p i c a l l y a l i g n e d w i t h M u s i c W a l k H o w e v e r , t h i s q u a rt e r ’ s N i g h t M a r k e t , i n s t e a d o f b e i n g h e l d d u r i n g M u s i c W a l k , w i l l b e h e l d o n

I n t e r n a t i o n a l L i t e r a c y D a y

C o l l a b o r a t o r y ’ s c a m p u s i s a t 2 0 3 1

J a c k s o n S t r e e t , D o w n t o w n F o r t M y e r s

I n t e r n a t i o n a l L i t e r a c y D a y

L e S a g e s a i d t h e r e i s a r e a l s t r u g g l e t h r o u g h o u t F l o r i d a a n d d e f i n i t e l y i n S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a w i t h t h e l i t e r a c y r a t e S h e s a i d l e s s t h a n 5 0 p e r c e n t o f t h i r d g r a d e r s a r e p r o f i c i e n t i n r e a d i n g “ O u r s c h o o l - a g e d c h i l d r e n a n d f a m il i e s h a v e b e e n t h r o u g h s o m u c h w i t h

C O V I D a n d H u r r i c a n e I a n W e a r e a t a c r i t i c a l p o i n t w h e r e w e n e e d t o c o m e t o g e t h e r a s a c o m m u n i t y t o s t a r t t o s h i f t t h e t i d e s o n o u r r e a d i n g p r o f i c i e n c y o u tc o m e s , ” L e S a g e s a i d “ I t i s g o i n g t o t a k e a l l o f u s t o t u r n t h i s a r o u n d T h e r e i s a l o t o f w o r k t o b e d o n e W e r e a l l y a r e a l l r e s p o n s i b l e f o r m a k i n g s u r e o u r s t u d e n t s a r e a c h i e v i n g t h e i r e d u c a t i o n o u t c o m e s , s o t h e y c a n b e c o m e p a r t o f a s k i l l e d w o r k f o r c e a n d h a v e a r e a l l y s t r o n g c o mm u n i t y g o i n g f o r w a r d ” W i t h t h e N i g h t M a r k e t , t h e i d e a i s t o h e l p f o l k s u n d e r s t a n d t h i s i s a n i s s u e , a s w e l l a s b r i n g t o g e t h e r c o m m u n i t y p a r tn e r s t h a t a r e w i l l i n g t o h e l p s t u d e n t s i n c r e a s e t h e i r r e a d i n g p r o f i c i e n c y , s h e s a i d “ T h e r e a r e o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r f o l k s t o i n v e s t i n p r o g r a m s a n d s o m e o f t h e w o r k F u t u r e M a k e r s i s d o i n g t o t r y t o c r e a t e o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r p a r t n e r s h i p s w i t h o u r s c h o o l s a n d o t h e r n o n p r o f i t o r g a n i z at i o n s t o s u p p o r t t h e l e v e l o f e n r i c h m e n t t h a t i s n e e d e d r i g h t n o w t o i n c r e a s e r e a di n g p r o f i c i e n c y , ” L e S a g e s a i d “ N i g h t M a r k e t i s a g r e a t p l a c e t o c o m e a n d g e t i n v o l v e d ” T h e y a r e t r y i n g t o r a i s e f u n d i n g t o c r e a t e o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r p u b l i c , p r i v a t e p a r t n e r s h i p s w i t h s c h o o l s T h e y a l s o w a n t t o t r a i n v o l u n t e e r s s o , w h e n t h e y e n t e r t h e s c h o o l s , t h e y c a n a d d r e s s t h e n e e d s o f s t u d e n t s “ F u t u r e M a k e r s i s w o r k i n g w i t h p a r tn e r s t o s e e w h a t o r g a n i z a t i o n s w o u l d w a n t t o g o i n t o t h e s c h o o l s o n a r e g u l a r b a s i s a s v o l u n t e e r s a n d b e t r a i n e d a n d s u p p o r t t h e s t u d e n t s ’ a d d i t i o n a l r e a d i n g n e e d s , ” L e S a g e s a i d “ I d e a l l y , i f w e g e t t h e f u n d i n g w e n e e d t o d o t h i s , w e a r e l o o k i n g t o h a v e a v o l u n t e e r c o o r d i n a t o r t o h e l p s u p p o r t t h i s e f f o r t a n d s u p p o r t o u r l o c a l s c h o o l s I f e n o u g h p e o p l e a r e i n t e r e s t e d a n d r a i s e e n o u g h m o n e y , F u t u r e M a k e r s C o a l i t i o n c o u l d t a k e o n t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i v e w o r k o f m a k i n g s u r e

See NIGHT MARKET, page 35

HEALTH

Understanding, managing and treating arthritis

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 24% of all adults in the United States have arthritis This means 58 5 million Americans suffer from the condition

Arthritis affects everyone differently, but it hinders mostly anyone who has it They may feel a painful sensation of bones rubbing against each other i n t h e i m p a c t e d j o i n t , almost like lubrication is required Even seemingly mundane activities, such as walking up or down stairs, typing on a computer, writing or even holding a coffee cup, can become t i r e s o m e , p a i n f u l a n d a l m o s t i m p o s s i b l e , d epending on the severity of the condition and the joint involved

Are there different types of arthritis?

The two main types of arthritis (osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis) damage joints in different ways However, in both cases, people may experience joint pain, tenderness, stiffness, and warmth and swelling

Osteoarthritis is more common and involves wear and tear to the joint’s cartilage Cartilage cushions the ends of the bones and allows for frictionless joint motion, but enough damage can allow the bone to grind directly onto the bone, which causes pain and restricted movement

If someone develops rheumatoid arthritis, which is a very common form of inflammatory arthritis, the body's immune system attacks the capsule surrounding the joint, along with the other important anatomic structures that provide joint stability. Consequently, the unstable joint becomes deformed, and function is altered Additionally, the inflammatory cells within the joint itself cause swelling and eventually destruction of cartilage and bone

How is arthritis diagnosed?

Arthritis is normally diagnosed during a physical exam A physician will check the joints for swelling, redness and warmth They will ask you to move your joints and do some exercises or functional activities Blood tests can frequently confirm inflammatory arthritis as can analysis of joint fluid Additionally, doctors may first request X-rays, occasionally followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an ultrasound or a computerized tomography (CT) scan

Lee Health primary care physicians, rheumatologists or orthopedic specialists can diagnose arthritis and work together to get you treatment and on the path to recovery

To learn more, visit https://www leehealth org/patientresources/for-patients/schedule-an-appointment

Can common sports injuries cause arthritis?

Sports injuries, such as sprains, strains or fractures can potentially lead to an increased risk of osteoarthritis

Sports injuries often affect the joints, especially the wrist and hand, ankle, knee and hip. This is because fast, vigorous activities that involve jumping, twisting, turning and gripping can damage the joints and cartilage When this cartilage is healthy, it absorbs shock and together with the normal joint fluid, allows joints to move smoothly, with minimal friction and wear But when the cartilage layer is damaged, it becomes easier for someone to develop osteoarthritis

Some ways to help safeguard against sports injuries

The Preserve, Gulf Coast Village offer outpatient services for seniors

The Preserve in south Fort Myers and Gulf Coast Village in Cape Coral are offering outpatient clinics to treat Southwest Florida seniors needing physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy services to maximize t h e i r w e l l n e s s B o t h o r g a n i z a t i o n s a r e s p o n s o r e d b y

Volunteers of America National Services, a nonprofit, mission-based organization dedicated to helping those in need, including seniors, live healthy, safe and productive lives

The Preserve, a skilled nursing, assisted living and memory care community, features a state-of-the-art medical clinic that promotes and maintains fitness, health and quality of life for residents and local seniors

Gulf Coast Village, a continuing care retirement community in Cape Coral offers personalized care in both an inpatient and outpatient setting focusing on compassionate treatment, safety and independence

Outpatient services help patients achieve a variety of treatment goals, including achieving a heightened sense of wellness, increased functional ability and independence, improved communication ability, reduced risk of falls and injury prevention

Outpatient services focus on three core areas:

■ Physical therapy: evaluation and assessment; gait and transfer training; pain management; therapeutic exercises to increase function and strength; orthopedic and musculoskeletal rehabilitation; and vertigo and other balance deficits

■ Occupational therapy: assessment and instruction of daily living and self-care; therapeutic exercise to increase range of motion, function and strength of upper extremities;

hand therapy and fine motor rehabilitation; instruction and assistance with splints and orthotic devices; and functional training with adaptive equipment

■ Speech therapy: assessment and identification of speech, hearing and language disorders; instruction to i m p r o v e v e r b a l a n d n o n v e r b a l c o m m u n i c a t i o n s k i l l s ; assessment and treatment of dysphagia and other swallowing disorders; assessment and treatment of cognitive and memory disorders, including dementia and related diagnoses; and Vital Stim treatment for dysphagia

“Our residents have benefited from these services since we opened three years ago, and they have seen remarkable improvements in their overall health and wellbeing,” said Ryan Keller, executive director at The Preserve

“Our teams of physical, occupational and speech therapists have the capacity to serve additional seniors wishing to benefit from these vital services,” added Greg Anderson, executive director of Gulf Coast Village

Both The Preserve and Gulf Coast Village offer the latest equipment and technology in a modern, well-equipped environment The clinics are fully licensed and Medicare certified Most health insurances are accepted

Gulf Coast Village is located at 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral. For more information, call 239-7721333 or visit GulfCoastVillage org

The Preserve is located at 14750 Hope Center Loop, at the corner of Six Mile Cypress Parkway and Plantation Road For more information, call 239-264-4400 or visit www ThePreserveVOA org

Cape Coral Hospital now offers the ARTIS Icono Ceiling Angio System

Lee Health has acquired the Siemens ARTIS Icono Ceiling Angio System, making it the first health system in the southern United States and the second in the country to have this technology The system, which is now available at Cape Coral Hospital, gives physicians the ability to perform more complex procedures, helps them provide more specialized and targeted care and improves outcomes for patients

With the addition of the Siemens ARTIS Icono Ceiling Angio System, Cape Coral Hospital can now perform interventional and vascular procedures, such as intervent i o n a l o n c o l o g y p r o c e d u r e s , l i v e r - t a r g e t e d t h e r a p i e s , embolization procedures, and aortic endo leak procedures

This advanced system provides patients with access to the latest technology for image-guided procedures It offers 3D images that are rendered faster than any other s y s t e m , p e r f o r m i n g m o r e c o m p l e x p r o c e d u r e s w h i l e increasing quality care outcomes It also helps operators navigate complex anatomies more consistently and predictably, which ensures accuracy in device positioning

The Siemens ARTIS Icono Ceiling Angio System offers movement flexibility and faster rotational speed, resulting in shorter time for 3D images It also features self-adjusting algorithms that regulate image quality at the lowest possible dose, customizable procedure workflows, and user-friendly tableside controls

The system's contrast-based exposure control, OPTIQ, enhances visibility of small vessels and devices in 2D imaging The system is also equipped with Omni Spin,

Chr ysallis Wellness Center to host open house event Sept. 7

Cape Coral Hospital

which optimizes flexibility, speed, and precision

“The acquisition of the Siemens ARTIS Icono Ceiling Angio System is a significant investment that allows Lee Health to continue delivering exceptional care to the Southwest Florida community,” said Eric Vazquez, director of radiology for Cape Coral Hospital “With this advanced technology, Cape Coral Hospital can now perform more advanced procedures with improved accuracy, more diverse applications, and less radiation exposure, ensuring better outcomes for patients in Cape Coral and Lee County ”

To learn more, please visit www leehealth org

HEALTH NOTES

Commerce

Chrysallis Wellness Center, a community-based nonprofit mental health agency, is celebrating its expansion from 4-7 p m , Thursday, Sept 7, with an open house and ribbon-cutting with the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of

The Chrysallis team is helping address the shortage of mental health services in Southwest Florida through inperson, group and telehealth experiences During the event, guests may tour the newly remodeled wellness cen-

See HEATH NOTES, page 36

Dr Thomas Hunt

Jaycee Park: Cape Coral residents can still take part in online survey

From page 1

“It’s a diversified, generational population that enjoys the park, and that is what they’re going to destroy,” said 40-year Cape resident Karen Neis “If they want to be a family town, a family area, they’re going to do away with that by turning the park into a raucous entertainment center ”

Neis said she’s seen so many enjoy the park along Southeast 20th Place over the year, celebrating birthdays, weddings, family gatherings and more She’s worried about the bench dedicated to her late husband, who was a business owner in the city for decades

“I don’t know what they’re going to do with that,” she said with tears in her eyes

Plans for the future of Jaycee Park include a waterfront overlook (meaning the removal of invasive Australian Pine trees along the waterfront), 24 boat slips, 150 give-or-take parking spots, 250-plus new trees, a bandshell, playground and splashpad, beach volleyball court, pavilions, picnic tables, and piazza for food, drink and desert

“I think some of us look at Jaycee Park, and we see what it could be,” said Assistant City Manager Connie Barron “And we also know that there are other people who look at Jaycee Park and want it to stay just as it is But when we put together this concept, we took the concept to the point of ‘this is what Jaycee Park could be ’ It could be a beautiful waterfront park with magnificent views of the water that can provide a place for family and friends to come, enjoy some of the amenities, grab a bite to eat, and if mom and dad want a glass of wine or a beer while they’re sitting there enjoying the views, we think that would make a nice park for the community

“When we look at Jaycee Park, that’s what we see At least some of us see that I’ve been here for a number of years, and every time I’ve gone down to Jaycee Park, I’ve always thought, ‘Man, this could just be better ’ There’s a lot of untapped potential.

“What we want to do with this concept is to bring the park to life -- add a little more life to it -- and not destroy or impact the quiet enjoyment of the park We’re trying to enrich the enjoyment of the park for the community as a whole There is no doubt this is an ambitious plan and concept And if it comes to fruition, I think in the long run folks will look back and say ‘What was all the fuss about?’”

The park is one of few public waterfront properties in the city, and potential upgrades started three years back when it was determined there were unused boat slips allocated

“I think some of us look at Jaycee Park, and we see what it could be And we also know that there are other people who look at Jaycee Park and want it to stay just as it is. But when we put together this concept, we took the concept to the point of ‘this is what Jaycee Park could be ’ It could be a beautiful waterfront park with magnificent views of the water that can provide a place for family and friends to come, enjoy some of the amenities, grab a bite to eat, and if mom and dad want a glass of wine or a beer while they’re sitting there enjoying the views, we think that would make a nice park for the community ”

Assistant City Manager Connie Barron

to the shoreline City officials say during the budget process roughly two years ago, City Council included funding for the design and construction of new boat slips for the park Council then approved the funding for the design portion, looking at overall needed improvements and additional amenities City staff presented the current plan to Council at its winter retreat this past January

City officials will take input gathered at the forum and via online survey, compile it, and provide a report to Council at the Sept 13 workshop meeting At least one public involvement session is included as part of the design process at the 30% design stage

The estimated cost of the project is $10 to $12 million, and the city is not using proceeds from the GO Bond According to the city, officials state it is the intention to issue debt to pay from the project, while seeking grant funding assistance to offset some project costs The current annual interest rate to issue debt for the Jaycee Park project is roughly 4 5% Barron said design will take about a year, and then go out for bid An optimistic timeline would see construction begin at the end of 2024

Permitting will have to be done on both the land and water side of the property

Many points of contention over the new design and changes to come have drawn the ire of some residents Neis, along with many others present at the open house, feel the essence of the park will be changed There were also concerns regarding traffic, the environment, and how the trees along the shoreline provided a buffer from Hurricane Ian

“The atmosphere will be totally destroyed,” Neis said “Plus, the environment will be affected There are wildlife and fish specifically in that area that won’t have a home to go to And the trees are a buffer for the hurricanes We didn’t get destroyed over there because of those trees being there (The city) can get a permit from the state to keep (the invasive trees) Why is it all of a sudden

they're concerned to get rid of them?”

To the point of trees being removed, and serving as a potential a buffer for storms, Barron said, “They are exotic, invasive species City ordinance requires we remove of them for any site development plan We’ve already had to remove quite a few Australian Pines on our GO Bond projects.

“And I understand that there’s a love affair with those trees for people who have been here a long time, and I know they provide shade, but that is probably the only redeeming factor for these trees (They don’t provide buffer from a storm in a way) some people think they have The damage that they do to the native plants, insect, and animals, far exceeds the value they provide with shade ”

New trees expected to be planted will be “Florida-friendly” trees Part of the forum on Thursday was to give residents the option of “this or that ” Input was asked when it came to what type of trees residents would like to see planted? What kind of walkways? What style of markers for walking trails? What kind of splashpad or dining area?

Some residents showed disappointment in being given option of “this or that” rather than an option of “do you even want this to begin with?”

“The purpose of this open house is to present the concept to the community and have them provide input on the amenities,” Barron said “‘Which amenities do you like?’ It’s not ‘do you want them or don’t want them?’ It’s ‘this is the concept as we are presenting it to you, what is your desire?’”

Barron said residents, of course, have the opportunity in the comment section to let it be known they do not want a specific amenity or feature

“Some people have said we’re not asking that question (whether residents want an amenity or not) because we don’t want to hear the answer, but it’s actually the other way around,” Baron said “We don’t need to ask that question because we already know

the answer We know that there is a contingent of residents out there that want absolutely nothing done at Jaycee Park What we’re trying to do is get the residents that have an open mind to this, and even some that are absolutely opposed, to at least come in and say ‘If this project moves forward, what trees would you want to see planted? What amenities would you like to see?’”

Cape couple Michael and Barbara Schiffer have lived in Cape Coral since 1981, and came out on Thursday to voice their opinion on the number of changes proposed for the park

“I believe we have enough parks spread around, boat slips, food trucks, already in existence,” Michael said “This is more of a quiet park, a strolling park to look at the water and nature It’s beautiful as is it ”

Barbara remembers having their daughter’s birthday party at Jaycee Park when she was younger, and has always enjoyed the surroundings it provides

“We want to go there to relax,” she said “Can we preserve just once? Once we destroy the quiet beauty there, it’s gone forever ”

Neis and the Schiffers say they aren’t opposed to renovations at the park, just not ones they say are so drastic

“Put grills back in for the families that use them,” she said “Renovate the pavilions that are there Yes, put in a splash pad for the kids and cover the playground area. Improve the gym area Fix the grass But leave the trees and plant more ”

Michael added, “I could see some improvements for safety, but they’re doing too much "

Both Neis and the Schiffers also say they are worried that current City Council is not putting what the residents want first, also referencing the Yacht Club

“I think that they’re just ignoring everybody and doing what they want to do,” Neis said “They are not taking the citizens into account And what’s sad is they’re all in it until 2024 or 2026 ”

Barbara said of the open house and being given choices, “This is not really an input meeting, this is just to calm us down. We thought we’d be coming to voice our opinion and let people know how much we love Jaycee Park, instead, we’re appalled at this ”

For more information on the proposed changes to Jaycee Park and to participate in the survey, visit www capecoral gov/jayceepark

CJ HADDAD

The city of Cape Coral is giving residents an opportunity to weigh in on amenity elements for Jaycee Park via an online survey. To take part, visit www.capecoral.gov/jayceepark.

Toy Drive: ‘Race for Life’ fund raiser also set to aid CCPD family

From page 1

w e s a w a l o t o f o t h e r f a m i l i e s i n t h e c o m m u n i t y a l s o i n n e e d o f s u p p o r t W e f i g u r e d o u r c o m m u n i t y w o u l d b e t h e b e s t p e o p l e t o a s k f o r s u p p o r t ” H a y d e n w a s d i a g n o s e d w i t h A c u t e L y m p h o b l a s t i c L e u k e m i a t h i s m o n t h , a n d w i l l u n d e r g o a m a r a t h o n o f t r e a t m e n t s , i n c l u d i n g c h e m o t h e r a p y “ H a y d e n i n s p i r e s u s S h e p u t s a s m i l e o n e v e r y o n e ’ s f a c e a l l t h e t i m e a n d h a s t h e b e s t h e a r t , ” P h i l l i p s s a i d “ W e s u p p o r t H a y d e n a n d e v e n t h o u g h t h e b a t t l e w i l l b e l o n g , s h e w i l l n e v e r b e a l o n e ” T o y s c a n b e d r o p p e d o f f a t a c o l l e c t i o n b o x i n t h e d e p a r t m e n t ’ s l o b b y T h e o n l y s t i p u l a t i o n f o r d o n a t i o n s i s t h a t t o y s m u s t b e n e w d u e t o t h e f a c t t h e d o n a t i o n s c o u l d b e g o i n g t o c h i l d r e n w i t h s u p p r e s s e d i m m u n e s y s t e m s “ W e a r e h o p i n g t o g e t s o m a n y t o y s t o b r i n g o v e r t o t h e k i d s w i t h c a n c e r a t 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 , ”

P h i l l i p s s a i d “ I f w e h a v e t o t a k e t o y s o v e r b y t h e t r u c kl o a d , w e w i l l W e a r e a i m i n g b i g t o p u t t h e b i g g e s t s m i l e s o n t h e i r f a c e s ”

T h e C a p e C o r a l P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t i s a t 1 1 0 0

C u l t u r a l P a r k B l v d

Race for Life

Cape Coral BMX will host a “Race For Life” on Sept 23 at its home track, where proceeds will benefit Hayden’s family to help cover medical expenses

The race will start at 7:15 p m , with entry for riders being $20 There will be a silent auction, and special Hawaiian cuisine being served

“She is Cape Coral’s little warrior,” said event coordinator Layla Viernes. “We are in hopes that this event will help Hayden’s parents with bills, treatment plan, and every day needs and care

“Hayden’s parents are police officers that work hard to protect and serve our community, and we at Cape Coral BMX feel that it’s time for us and the community to serve and protect their little girl ”

Bracelets will also be available for $10, and will be available for pickup at the Ice Cream Club of Cape Coral at 2384 Surfside Blvd , or shipped for an additional charge

Viernes said 100% of proceeds from the event will go to Hayden’s family.

Cape Coral BMX is at 1410 Southwest 6th Place

Night Market: Guest readers, food, vendors, live entertainment featured

From page 32

t h e v o l u n t e e r s a r e c o n n e c t e d w i t h s c h o o l s a n d g e t t h e t r a i n i n g t h e y n e e d ” T o g e t i n v o l v e d w i t h F u t u r e M a k e r s ’ R e a d i n g S u p p o r t I n i t i a t i v e , c o n t a c t K a l e i g h R o d d e n a t k r o d d e n @ c o l l a b o r at o r y o r g L e S a g e s a i d F u t u r e M a k e r s i s a r e g i o n a l f i v e - c o u n t y c o a l i t i o n m a d e u p o f a b o u t 1 5 0 c r o s s - s e c t o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s w o r k i n g t o g e t h e r t o t r a n s f o r m t h e S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a w o r k f o r c e “ W e b e l i e v e t h e w o r k f o r c e d e v e l o p -

m e n t s t a r t s b e f o r e k i n d e r g a r t e n , ” s h e s a i d . C o l l a b o r a t o r y C o l l a b o r a t o r y , f o r m e r l y t h e S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a C o m m u n i t y F o u n d a t i o n , h a s b e e n i n t h e r e g i o n f o r n e a r l y 5 0 y e a r s “ T h e f o u n d a t i o n h a s e v o l v e d s o m u c h s i n c e I s t a r t e d , ” s a i d W i l l i a m s , w h o s t a r t e d 1 2 y e a r s a g o “ W e h a v e g r o w n l e a p s a n d b o u n d s T h e r e c o n t i n u e s t o b e n e w o p p o r t u n i t i e s a n d s p a c e f o r g r o w t h T h e w o r k , w h a t w e a r e d o i n g , y o u c a n

d e v o t e y o u r l i f e t o a n d b e p r o u d o f i t T h e r e ’ s a l o t o f p a s s i o n a t e p e o p l e h e r e p u t t i n g e v e r y t h i n g t h e y h a v e i n t o i t a b o v e c a p a c i t y ” C o l l a b o r a t o r y e v o l v e d o v e r t h e y e a r s W h i l e t h e y d o a l l t h e g r a n t i n g o f f u n d s t o n o n p r o f i t s a n d s c h o l a r s h i p s , t h e y a l s o s p e n d t i m e o n s y s t e m a t i c c h a n g e s t h a t n e e d t o h a p p e n “ F o r e x a m p l e , o u r g r a n t i n g h a s s h i f te d t o s u p p o r t c o a l i t i o n s , c r o s s - s e c t o r

o r g a n i z a t i o n s w o r k i n g t o g e t h e r t o s o l v e a p a r t i c u l a r i s s u e v e r s u s o r g a n i z a t i o n s t h a t a r e w o r k i n g i n s i l o s , ” W i l l i a m s s a i d

C o l l a b o r a t o r y a l s o h a s t h e p h y s i c a l s p a c e a s a r e s o u r c e f o r t h e c o m m u n i t y . T h e l a s t f i s c a l y e a r t h e y h a d a p p r o x im a t e l y 1 4 0 d i f f e r e n t o r g a n i z a t i o n s u s e t h e s p a c e O r g a n i z a t i o n s c a n c o m e i n , s i t d o w n a n d g e t t o w o r k i n a b u s i n e s s s p a c e “ T h e y c a n g e t a g r e a t c u p o f c o f f e e o n u s T h e C o l l a b o r a t o r y t e a m i s a l l a b o u t h o s p i t a l i t y a n d s u p p o r t i n g t h e w o r k o f t h e n o n p r o f i t s u s i n g o u r s p a c e , ” W i l l i a m s s a i d

p t e m b e r

w w w . c a p e c o r a l b r e e z e . c o m C a p e C o r a l B r e e z e

“Cape Coral’s little warrior” Hayden Bezanson, 2, is undergoing treatment for a form of leukemia

The CCPD has started a toy drive, Her Fight is Our Fight, to benefit Golisano Children’s Hospital. Mom and dad are CCPD officers.

Arthritis: Understanding, managing and treating common ailment

From page 33

i n c l u d e m a i n t a i n i n g f l e x i b i l i t y a n d strength, heat and stretching before and ice and stretch after exercise and sporting events, using proper techniques and taking time to rest, ensuring that you heal completely if you develop pain or other symptoms

Other recommendations include wearing protective equipment, staying hydrated, wearing the right shoes or gear, taking your time and consulting your physician to get proper treatment if you injure yourself

How is arthritis managed?

Thankfully, there are a variety of treatment options and ways to manage arthritis

Treatment options help improve joint function and relieve symptoms For some people, it may take some trial and error to see what types of treatments or combinations of treatments work best Physicians may prescribe:

■ Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil or Aleve to help

From page 33

ter and enjoy live music, tapas and beverages For more information or to RSVP please email info@chrysalliswellnesscenter org

Founded by Scarlett Olivares in 2000, Chrysallis Wellness Center ensures that all vulnerable individuals and families have access to high quality behavioral healthcare Multilingual counselors are on staff providing therapy services as well as trauma informed care for victims of crimes,

reduce inflammation and pain

■ Corticosteroids like prednisone to slow joint damage and reduce inflammation

■ Counterirritants in the form of creams and ointments that contain capsaicin or menthol to help reduce pain

■ D i s e a s e - m o d i f y i n g a n t i r h e u m a t i c drugs (DMARDs) to slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and save the joints and other tissues from permanent damage

■ Physical therapy exercises that can help improve range of motion and strengthen muscles surrounding and supporting the joints

■ Braces, wraps or walking assistive devices

I f t h e a b o v e m e t h o d s d o n o t h e l p improve symptoms and pain is persistent over time, doctors may eventually suggest surgery For those with joint damage that is not directly correctable, an alternative that is highly effective is joint replacement, known as arthroplasty

Traditional arthroplasty versus robotic-

assisted arthroplasty

Arthroplasty or joint replacement surgery is a surgical procedure designed to reduce pain and restore the function of a joint This involves resurfacing the bones and inserting an artificial joint or prosthesis

Normally, the whole joint is replaced with an artificial joint made of ceramic, heavy-duty plastic or metal Recovery time from traditional arthroplasty varies from person to person, depending on the joint that was replaced, the type of procedure and the person’s age

I n s o m e i n s t a n c e s , r o b o t i c - a s s i s t e d arthroplasty may be a better option when compared to traditional arthroplasty

Some surgeons consider it to be more precise and customizable to each patient By using a CT scan before surgery, a physician can plan exactly how much bone should be removed and ensure the accuracy of the alignment of the new joint

The robot helps ensure that the individual components of the artificial joint are in the best possible alignment, so they mesh

HEALTH NOTES

such as sexual assault and domestic abuse

Chrysallis Wellness Center is located in the Gateway area of Fort Myers at 11932 Fairway Lakes Drive For more information, visit chrysalliswellnesscenter org or call 239-237-2801

9th Annual Chiropractic

Awareness Day Sept. 16

T h e N i n t h A n n u a l C h i r o p r a c t i c Awareness Day to celebrate families and children under chiropractic care and build

awareness to the community about its safety and effectiveness as a growing primary healthcare option will be held Saturday, Sept 16 A special event will be held at Lakes Regional Park in Fort Myers, from 9 a m to noon in Shelter D-1 area

The free event offers a location close to Lakes Park splash pads and playground, a bounce house, face painters, inflatable axe t h r o w i n g s t a t i o n , s t i l t w a l k i n g b a l l o o n twister, tie-dying, music, grass games, food and, of course, information about chiropractic care

together and work smoothly

Since the technology was acquired last year, Lee Health has performed 586 robotic-assisted arthroplasties Our data indicates that patients stay in the hospital one day less than traditional surgery with a 2% rate of readmission at 30 days after surgery c o m p a r e d t o 7 % w i t h t h e t r a d i t i o n a l approach So far, robotic-assisted arthroplasty at Lee Heath has not resulted in surgical site infections

It’s important to mention to your physician as soon as possible if you think you’re e x p e r i e n c i n g a n y a r t h r i t i s s y m p t o m s There are a variety of nonoperative treatments and solutions available, but the key is to obtain a proper diagnosis

To learn more about any potential risks a n d t r e a t m e n t o p t i o n s , p l e a s e v i s i t h t t p s : / / w w w . l e e h e a l t h . o r g / p a t i e n tr e s o u r c e s / f o r - p a t i e n t s / s c h e d u l e - a n -

appointment

Dr Thomas Hunt is chief physician e x e c u t i v e o f t h e L e e H e a l t h Musculoskeletal Institute

Over 35 local businesses contributed great prizes which have become a favorite to the attendees This event encourages anyone curious about chiropractic care or those under care to come out and support the profession and bring friends and family, as this is a non-solicitation, awareness building event

For additional information contact the Pediatric & Perinatal Chiropractic Center at (239) 887-3283 visit or visit Pediatric & P e r i n a t a l C h i r o p r a c t i c C e n t e r o n Facebook

Now’s a good time to do some maintenance

Hope everyone came through the storm without too much damage My heart goes out to those still stressed, tarped and damaged from the last big blow

With the waters wind-stirred, it gives you a couple days to do some well-needed basic maintenance before getting back on the water As the year-round population continues to rapidly grow and with season coming, expect to wait weeks, even months to get service, so learning to do simple maintenance makes sense

H e r e a r e t h r e e b a s i c chore groups to perform at home to keep your wallet fuller and you and your crew on the water

Summer’s heat takes a toll on batteries Make sure to top yours off with distilled water only but do not overfill them For best performance and long life, keep b a t t e r i e s c h a r g e d u s i n g a s m a r t c h a r g e r E x p e n s i v e lead acid batteries sitting for long periods uncharged have a shortened life span

50th annual City of Palms Classic scheduled for Dec. 18-23 at FSW

Mariner High, Charlotte High among schools participating in tournament

The City of Palms Classic, celebrating its 50th year, will be held Dec 18-23 at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers

The tournament's Classic Bracket features Mariner

Montverde Academy, Paul VI, Long

s h o p S t e p i n a c , Archbishop Ryan, McEachern, Don Bosco Prep, North Mecklenburg, Richmond Heights, Millennium, Cannon School and Westminster Academy

The Signature Series has Charlotte High from Punta Gorda and Buckhorn, Lyon County and Lexington

The Sunshine Series includes Mater Dei, Riviera Prep, Victory Christia and Windemere Prep

Local squads Fort Myers and Bishop Verot will square off in the Hugh Thimlar Tribute Game

In addition to some of the nation's top teams, this year's City of Palms Classic features 41 of the nation's top prospects, including 17 top 40 seniors, several top 25 juniors and five top 25 sophomores

Capt George Tunison

While you’re under the hood topping off batteries, inspect all connections and replace or clean any questionable issues Often small wire terminal connections look perfectly good but one small tug of the wire and they break off from internal corrosion Find them now instead of later. I'm waiting to hit the lottery so I can replace my 4 onboard heavyweight lead-acid batteries with modern lightweight Lithium models which hopefully will continue to come down in price

Boat fuel tanks breathe through the vents and while breathing they also suck moisture-rich air into the tank and into the ethanol-laced fuel creating an eventual sludge which is eventually pumped into your motor clogging up the works, causing hard starting, rough running and likely shutting down with your next trip inland to the repair shop, just to un-gum the works With ethanol/water related problems accounting for roughly 50% of all local boat repairs, besides always buying ethanol-free fuel, the easiest way to save money on engine repairs is to change your fuel/water separator filter on a regular basis, especially if you’re stuck buying fuel with added ethanol which we now find does more harm than good even driving up food prices

This 15-minute, low cost, easy-to-perform-by-anyone

See MAINTENANCE, page 38

TIDES CHART

This year, there will be 28 ESPN top ranked seniors including 18 in the top 40 for the class of 2024. These top players include: Cooper Flagg (#1, Montverde), Dylan Harper (#2, Don Bosco), Airious “Ace” Bailey(#3, McEachern), Tre Johnson (#4, Link Academy), V J Edgecombe (#8, Long Island Lutheran), Boogie Fland

( # 9 , A r c h b i s h o p S t e p i n a c ) , D e r i q Q u e e n ( # 1 1 , Montverde), Liam McNeeley (#12, Montverde), Asa Newell (#15, Montverde), Pat Ngongba (#18, Paul VI), Isaiah Evans (#19, North Mecklenburg), Khani Rooths (#22, IMG), Labaron Philon (#32, Link Academy), Jalen Shelley (#36, Link Academy), Jase Richardson (#37 Miami Columbus), Cameron Scott (#39, Lexington), Curtis Givens (#40, Montverde), Donavon Freeman (#43, I M G ) , R o b e r t W r i g h t I I I ( # 4 7 , M o n t v e r d e ) , A u s t i n Swartz (#50, Cannon School), Thomas Sorber (#52, Archbishop Ryan), Darren Harris (#56, Paul VI), James Brown (#63, Link Academy), Tyler McKinley (#70, Link Academy), Isaiah Abraham (#80, Paul VI),Garret Sundra (#93, Paul VI) and Chase McCarty (#95, IMG)

C l a s s o f 2 0 2 5 : C a m e r o n B o o z e r ( # 1 , C o l u m b u s ) Jasper Johnson (#10, Link Academy), Darius Acuff (#18, I M G ) , A a r o n R o w e ( # 2 1 , L i n k A c a d e m y ) , C a y d e n B o o z e r ( # 2 4 , C o l u m b u s ) , A l e x L l o y d ( # 3 5 , Westminster), Dorian Jones (#37, Richmond Heights), Dante Allen (#46, Riviera Prep) and Kiyan Anthony (#51, Long Island Lutheran)

Class of 2026: Caleb Holt (#3, Buckhorn), Alex Constanza (#7 Westminster), Jordan Smith (#15, Paul VI), T J Crumble (#19, Richmond Heights) and Cameron Holmes (#23), Millennium

For information and tickets, visit https://cityofpalmsclassic com/

Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club to host 12th Annual Putt & Pub Jan. 20

Mark your calendars, the always popular “Putt & Pub” is returning to Fort Myers Beach The Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club will be hosting the 12th annual Putt & Pub – Saturday, Jan 20, on Fort Myers Beach

Sponsored by The King Family Foundation, this day event draws over 300+ “golfers” and hundreds of spectators to the center of Fort Myers Beach, while promoting 10 nonprofit organizations and supporting local bars and restaurants for a full day of putt-putt golf and outdoor excitement

“We are proud to be able to support this event once again,” said local Realtor Alex King “For over 60 years,

The King Family has made their home on Fort Myers Beach We are still committed after Hurricane Ian to continue our support We are s p o n s o r i n g t h e F o r t M y e r s B e a c h Women’s Club Putt & Pub because we feel that they are the BRIDGE to so many organizations and causes who give back to our island ”

The Putt & Pub is hosted by the Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support all area non-profit organizations through events and fundraisers

See PUTT & PUB, page 38

Fish & Wildlife seeking public input on new information for

snook regional management

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is seeking public input on new recommendations for snook recreational fishing regulations The FWC is adopting a holistic management approach for snook that includes a review of several environmental and human factors such as habitat, fishing effort and stakeholder feedback to evaluate the fishery at a more local scale Newly released data and recent public feedback suggest additional regulation changes may be warranted. D

review the new data and recent public feedback and seek input on potential regulation changes to respond to this information The possible additional regulation changes that will be presented include:

■ Making snook catch-and-release only in the Tampa Bay Region beginning in 2024

■ Adding September to the closed season for the Southwest Region

■ Establishing a 2-fish vessel limit statewide The commission will consider this feedback when making their decision on a final rule at an upcoming Commission meeting

The virtual workshop will start at 6 p m (EDT) Thursday, Sept 7 Connect to the meeting by going to MyFWC com/Marine and clicking “Rulemaking: Submit a Comment/Attend a W

Workshops ”

If you are unable to attend the virtual meeting, you can still submit comments online by visiting the Saltwater Public Comments page A recording of the presentation will be available by Thursday, Sept 7, on the FWC Saltwater Fishing YouTube channel For information on public workshops, call 850-487-

Maintenance: Routine chores for your boat, fishing equipment

From page 37

maintenance chore, may be the number one way to save money in small boating

Remember to mark the install date on the new filter body Be sure to lightly oil the filter gasket rubber seal before installing and by all means do not over-tighten the filter Hand-tighten then inspect for leaks after starting the engine and don’t forget to treat the fuel with a fuel conditioner A boat sitting for months with a tank a third full of

untreated fuel in the summer’s heat is asking for trouble

Lastly, if like me you’re cursed with boat trailering, when’s the last time you not only greased those wheel bearings but actually replaced them? Way under-inflated tires, sidewalls cracked and ready to disintegrate at 60 mph while riding on the burning blacktop? Ever actually put air in your spare tire? Do you have a spare tire? Trailer bunk carpeting all gone and now riding on now warped and splintering wood? Are you

down to one flickering running light with both brake lights MIA? Trailer brakes, a rusted out mess? Since you’ve owned the trailer at any time during the last decade have you taken out your socket set and actually gone over and tightened all the nuts holding the thing together? You may be very surprised at what you find

Learning easy to do simple home maintenance saves big money and wasted time

With tarpon scattered throughout the area, the beaches still snook party central,

and nearshore reefs hosting a variety of fish from snapper to cobia, there are near endless angling possibilities

The biggest inshore news is early redfish s c h o o l i n g t h r o u g h o u t t h e a r e a T o t h e diehard flats angler the sight of heads down, tails up feeding fish, is what it’s all about

Capt George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide You can contact him at 239-282-9434 or via email at captgeorget3@aol com

Water garden: There are a number of plants to use in your pond

From page 16

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

Pebbles are placed on top of the soil to hold it in place They are positioned with the pot rim just below the surface of the water allowing their round leaves and colorful flowers to float on the surface Similarly, the American Lotus is a floating-leaved plant with circular leaves and large, fragrant yellow or pink showy flowers They a r e a s h o w - s t o p p e r i n l a r g e p o n d s

Fortunately, there are dwarf cultivars for the small ornamental home pond.

Two examples of floating plants include D u c k w e e d a n d P u r p l e B l a d d e r w o r t Duckweed, a tiny clover-like floating plant with flat, smooth green leaves, may look like a floating island of algae Instead, it is the smallest flowering plant, so small its flowers are microscopic It is known as a bioremediating aquatic plant as it removes excess nitrogen and phosphorus from water sources Once absorbed, these nutrients

Putt & Pub: Beach golf event

From page 16

Each year, nine local non-profit groups and nine area bars and restaurants, create a championship “golf course” throughout the north end of Fort Myers Beach Teams of four come in costume to compete for one of the many coveted prizes and to have a great day eating and drinking at the beach

“Each hole is manned by a participating non-profit organization and features drinks

s p e c i a l s , g a m e s , a n d o t h e r f u n d r a i s i n g opportunities,” stated Dawn Thomas, this year’s co-chair and Woman’s Club president. “Proceeds are divided between the participating non-profit groups This year, we will hold our awards ceremony at the new Margaritaville Sun Deck This is one beach event you won’t want to miss ”

To register your team and receive additional information about the event, please go to https://www fmb-wc org/

m a k e D u c k w e e d a n u t r i e n t - r i c h f o o d source for fish, birds and other wildlife. It is grown for livestock as well

P u r p l e B l a d d e r w o r t f l o a t s o n t h i c k , underwater stems Its small, lavender to purple flowers form upper and lower lips which open and close on unsuspecting small insects, including mosquito larvae, making it an aquatic carnivorous plant Its flowers also attract pollinators to your home water garden

There are numerous aquatic plants to

l i v e n u p y o u r o r n a m e n t a l h o m e p o n d These are just a few possibilities. For more details on the plants listed above and a plant directory, please visit the following w e b s i t e s : g a r d e n s o l u t i o n s i f a s u f l e d u ; edis ifas ufl edu; plants ifas ufl edu Happy gardening!

D e b o r a h H a g g e t t i s a L e e C o u n t y Master Gardener Volunteer and a member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral Visit us at www gardenclubofcapecoral com

Lee County Domestic Animal Services offering $25 adoption rate through September

Don’t get that empty nest feeling when t h e c h i l d r e n g o b a c k t o s c h o o l L e e

County Domestic Animal Services is here to help Through Sept 30, adoption fees for all cats and kittens and dogs more than four months of age will be reduced to just $25 In addition, cats and kittens are twofor-one; adopt one and take home a second feline friend at no additional charge

The adoption package includes spay or

n e u t e r , m i c r o c h i p , u p - t o - d a t e v a c c i n ations, county license and a 10-day health check This is a $600 package

Volunteers and staff are waiting to introduce your new family member to you Stop by the adoption center 10:30 a m t o 3 : 3 0 p m , M o n d a y t h r o u g h Saturday, at 5600 Banner Drive in Fort Myers For information, call 239-5337387 or visit www LeeLostPets com

(Selected by the Breeze Sports staff)

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

DrillSergeantConstruction

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