Cape Coral Weekend Breeze

INSIDE: Oktoberfest begins today Cape Coral’s Community Newspaper Since 1961

WWW.CAPECORALBREEZE.COM

WEEKEND EDITION, OCTOBER 20, 2023

$ 1.00

CC BREEZE 10/20/23

Cape Coral’s Community Newspaper Since 1961

www.capecoralbreeze.com

Weekend Edition, October 20, 2023

$1.00

$120 million Bimini Basin project breaks ground

By CHUCK BALLARO

news@breezenewspapers.com

For nearly 20 years plans and concepts were proposed for the area in downtown Cape Coral called Bimini Basin.

For 20 years, nothing came of them.

Until now.

Thursday, a ceremonial groundbreaking was held at the location of the planned $120 million Bimini Basin project that’s expected to include apartments, retail and office space, a medical facility, boat slips,

Located on Cape Coral Parkway, just west of Four Freedoms Park, Bimini Square will be home to luxury apartments, a Deep Lagoon waterfront restaurant, a Lee Health medical facility and a variety of retail shops. access by car or boat and much more.

Community leaders and project partners came together to celebrate the new mixeduse development coming to Cape Coral in

fall 2025.

Located on Cape Coral Parkway, just west of Four Freedoms Park, Bimini Square will be home to luxury apartments,

a Deep Lagoon waterfront restaurant, a Lee Health medical facility and a variety of retail shops.

Larry Nygard, president of Crown Development, which will be building the project, said it was incredible to celebrate this milestone, as ground will be officially broken in the coming days.

Also incredible is the support the project has received.

See BIMINI BASIN, page 17

Design contract approved for Jaycee Park concept plan

KUDOS!

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

Best of Cape Coral winners feted at awards luncheon.

Two-weekend bash starts today in Cape

— Page 6

INDEX Athletes of the Week.........47 Classifieds.................48 Community................18 Coupon Corner.......37-41 Editorial & Letters..........4 Pets of the Week..........46 Puzzles.........................48 Real Estate..................14 Sports.......................45

Today’ s Ad Inserts*

By CJ HADDAD

cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

ne of the largest events in Southwest Florida returns to Cape Coral today, bringing with it the tastes and sounds of an authentic German experience.

The 38th annual Oktoberfest, hosted by the German-American Social Club of Cape Coral, arrives at the club’s Bavarian Gardens where it will be held this weekend and next.

This staple event across Southwest Florida transforms the grounds into a Munich-like atmosphere complete with giant beer tent, bands from Europe, and tastes that will remind anyone with German roots of home.

This year is especially sweet and sure to be filled with gemutlichkeit -- a German word that conveys the feeling of warmth, friendliness, and good cheer -- as last year’s six-day festival had to be put off due to Hurricane Ian. “We had a very successful event two years ago, and we really were having some positive momentum, and last year we obviously couldn't host it,” said GASC President Stephen Bauer. “We shut down until early January and have held a lot of outdoor festivals this year. We're happy to be back on, and to more than a full capacity. We're going to be bigger than we've been before.”

O

See OKTOBERFEST, page 35

After weeks of listening to resident pleas and protests, Cape Coral City Council moved forward with plans to revamp Jaycee Park.

The board voted 7-1 Wednesday to have Pennoni Associates begin design and engineering services at a cost of $573,565 for the design component of the proposed $12 million project.

Councilmember Jessica Cosden cast the dissenting vote.

“I have an issue with this,” Cosden said.

“I have shared my reasons for my concerns with the park. I can’t bring myself to support $600,000 on a design when I know I might not support it in the end. If I don’t think I will support the final project I can’t support this.”

Wednesday night’s vote is a first step.

Awarding the design service to an engineering firm begins the design of the final concept, tweaked to include larger pavilions and more trees than the original.

Once the design is complete, Council will decide if they want to put appropriate funds towards the project, or debt proceeds to fund the actual construction, City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn explained.

“It’s only for the design,” Ilczyszyn said.

“It’s not $12 million to build or award a construction contract.”

See JAYCEE PARK, page 35

October 20, 2023 n Page 2

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

The School District of Lee County continues to boost the safety and security of its campuses.

Safety, Security & Emergency Management Executive Director David Newlan discussed some of the district’s best practices in terms of school safety and security during the school board’s Tuesday afternoon meeting, as a result of the Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool, which is intended to identify threats, vulnerabilities, and appropriate safety controls for schools.

Newlan said practices include security camera upgrades in such areas as exterior parking lots, blind spots and enhanced single point of entry.

He said access control will be completed this year for exterior and interior doors.

Law enforcement also has access to the school cameras and access control in case of an emergency.

“Every single law enforcement officer, if had to respond to a school, had immediate access to that school,” Newlan said.

“That has been completed. An officer can get into that school immediately.”

Schools also have interior and exterior Knox boxes at the

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

School district provides updates on school safety efforts “Every single law enforcement officer, if has to respond to a school, has immediate access to that school. That has been completed. An officer can get into that school immediately.”

—David Newlan, executive director, School District Safety, Security & Emergency Management

school sites that provide law enforcement officers direct access to secure areas of the school.

Law enforcement also has Collaborative Response Graphics, grid mapping of the schools, enabling them to understand the layout of a campus, so they know where to respond. Newlan said this offers law enforcement with the ability to explain and describe where to go.

Other practices include the Bosch security alarm system, or the intrusion alarm system, which will be completed this year at all of the district’s schools.

Another safety and security roll out this year has been the OPENGATE weapons detection device. Newlan said they are working on their third deployment, which should be done by the first week of November. More than 50 schools have OPENGATE at every entry.

The goal is to have an OPENGATE at every school before the end of the school year.

A force multiplier has also been added to campuses as another layer of safety and security through the Guardian Program. Newlan said they have received positive comments from both the public and staff about the implementation of the program.

“We will continue to monitor the program,” he said.

Newlan said it’s layers of security, rather than just one thing that enhances safety and security. That security is based on the design of the school and walk throughs with different departments to figure out the best fit for the school.

The review of the completed FSSAT reports for schools on future safety and security requests include: n Looking at additional fencing for various school sites, construct enclosed walkways at some schools n Continue upgrading security cameras for the second phase to include exterior areas n Lighting improvement at night in parking lots n Additional safety and security specialist position request n Continuation of high-liability training and other staff training throughout the school year to improve on standardized procedures for threat assessment, active assailant, reunification, legal issues, tactical communications and procedural training.

“We are always looking to add enhancements to schools every year,” Newlan said.

School board continues discussion on superintendent compensation

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

The School District of Lee County’s first elected superintendent since the ’70s will be district’s top-paid administrator and will receive full-time employee bene-

Cape Coral Breeze Vol. 62, No. 84

fits, including raises comparable to those granted unionized staff.

The School Board this week approved a policy for “discretionary compensation,” meaning that elected body will determine annually what the elected superintendent will earn.

According to the policy, “the superintendent’s base salary shall be based on and adjusted at the beginning of each fiscal year in the manner prescribed by Florida Statutes. The superintendent shall be entitled to all salary increases and supplements allowable by law.”

The policy further states that the superintendent is entitled to full-time employee benefits and shall not make less than any other employee at any given time.

“Therefore, the superintendent’s final salary shall be more than the highest administrator’s salary per the administrative salary schedule,” the policy states.

The policy also addressed when the superintendent is entitled to salary increases, or bonuses.

School board member Melisa Giovannelli said they needed to include SPALC and TALC, as far as when considering an increase in pay.

“Administrators received a pay increase when staff did not,” she said. “We did give an administrative salary increase when SPALC and TALC did not get one at the time. It is important. I wanted to make sure it was in this actual policy.”

Page 3 ■ October 20, 2023 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Cape Coral Breeze

October 20, 2023 n Page 4

OPINIONS CAPE CORAL BREEZE RAYMOND M. ECKENRODE Publisher VALARIE HARRING, Executive Editor CHRIS STRINE, Editor 2510 Del Prado Blvd. • Cape Coral, FL, 33904

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

• Phone 239-574-1110 – Fax 239-574-5693 Member Florida Press Association

Oktoberfest — A favorite returns There’s a touch of crispness in the air today.

But the real signs of autumn — Southwest Florida style — is not the weather.

It’s crisp potato pancakes.

Schnitzel freshly fried and drippin’ with gravy.

And beer.

By the pitcher and by the stein.

Cape Coral's six-day Oktoberfest opens today at the German-American Social Club on Pine Island Road where what has become the largest such celebration in the state will draw thousands over this weekend and next.

The event, the Cape’s largest and certainly one of its best, will mark its 38th year Oct. 20-22 and Oct. 27-29 on the social club’s grounds.

Dirndl or lederhosen is not required dress but expect dancers aplenty dressed in traditional garb as they step to the schuhplattler or, for those of us a tad less talented, the everpopular chicken dance. (Yes, it is likely you will be able to buy — and wear — a chicken hat.)

We always have a great time — and if hometown festivals are your thing, this is one you won’t want to miss, even if you have attended every one since 1975.

This year’s event, all the more awaited as Ian forced a cancellation last year, will feature three stages with continuous live music, including local favorites and bands from Germany.

There will be two areas for dancing.

New this year is an additional sponsor — Jaegermeister — and limited VIP tickets featuring admission, special seating, drink specials, a sit-down meal inside in the Von Steuben Hall, a glass Hofbrauhaus beer stein, refills, and more.

As always, there will be multiple vendors offering not only the traditional potato pancakes and schnitzel but authentic German sausages and sides.

More typical food truck indulgences like pizza, burgers, dogs and gyros, and a kids area with rides add to the family atmosphere.

We thank the German-American Social Club for its efforts, and we thank the organization for its contributions to the community, which have had a big impact.

Events like these make Cape Coral the great place that it is to live.

Gemutlichkeit.

— Breeze editorial

This week’s poll question: Is City Council listening to the residents? ∫ Yes. ∫ Sometimes. ∫ No.

Previous poll question What do your think of President Biden, Gov. DeSantis and other national leaders vowing to stand by Israel? ∫ I agree. It’s the proper position for the U.S. and for Americans. 14% ∫ I’m just hoping for a quick peace. 14% ∫ There’s blame to be had on both sites. 28% ∫ I disagree. 27% ∫ Other. 17% * 369 votes at press time

Poll results are not scientific and represent only the opinions of Internet users who have chosen to participate.Vote at capecoralbreeze.com.

THE BREEZE OCTOBER 20, 2023

For 20 years, help is just 2-1-1 away In the year 2000, the Federal the complicated and fragmented systems for Communications Commission designated 211 veteran services currently in place. Mission as a non-emergency dialing code for the purUnited serves as a single phone point of entry pose of providing citizens with community utilizing the 211 number to help local active information and referral services. Shortly after, military, veterans, and their families in Lee, United Way agencies throughout the U.S. Hendry, and Glades counties navigate and began adopting the number to connect people access needed services. in the communities they serve with valuable Throughout the years, United Way 211 has local resources to meet basic needs like housexpanded throughout Lee, Hendry and Glades, ing, food, transportation and healthcare responding to meet our community during resources. crises, including response to hurricanes, tornaUnited Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades does, floodings, red tide, the pandemic, the now celebrates 20 years since the launch of government shutdown, and more.

Jeannine Joy 211 in our community, reaching an even Most recently during Hurricane Ian, United greater milestone — 1 million contacts since Way 211 became the Emergency Information its inception in 2003.

Hotline operating at Lee County Emergency Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Operations Center. United Way’s 211 hotline United Way 211 is a free non-emergency received over 25,000 calls in the days followhelpline with a comprehensive database of over ing the storm and continues to be a lifeline for 1,245 agencies and programs that enable the 211 Community those seeking information and assistance. Even today, nearly Resource Specialists to meet the needs of people in our com- one year after the storm, United Way 211 continues to advomunity. cate for those impacted by the storm and needing resources.

More importantly, United Way 211 is a lifeline to help More than celebrating this milestone anniversary, we can’t people navigate their way through the maze of human and emphasize enough that it’s okay to ask for help. We’re here, social service agencies in Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties we’re ready, we’re listening, and we’ll guide you in the right by providing the most adequate resources for their situation. direction.

Calls and outreach to 211 include everything from families To speak with a United Way Community Resource looking for their next meal who are connected to food pantries Specialist please dial 2-1-1 or 239-433-3900. If dialing 2-1and social services to folks looking for employment services. 1 does not work from your mobile device, please try 239Situations vary greatly in our community, and resource spe- 433-3900. Chat services are also available online at cialists are there to help and direct callers to the organization UnitedWayLee.org/need-help/ Monday through Friday from or resource to best meet their specific needs.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to assist you with resources.

For veterans, 211 offers specially trained Veteran Care From hello to help, 211 is here for you.

Coordinators to assess their needs. United Way’s Mission United is an initiative that uses the existing United Way 211 — Jeannine Joy is the CEO of United Way of Lee, comprehensive information and referral database to address Hendry, and Glades.

Guest Commentary

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Save Jaycee Park and its trees To the editor: According to Cape Coral’s 2016 10-year park plan, Jaycee Park was designated as a neighborhood park.

According to the City’s own consultants hired in 2020, the City had far too few Neighborhood Parks and they strongly recommended setting up more of them throughout the city.

Jayce Park is said to be one of the gems of Cape Coral.

It is a much-loved and highly-utilized neighborhood park.

According to the gift from the donors, which the city must honor, it is to be used as a park for recreation. No businesses should be in a neighborhood park. And, as designated, the 5,000 signatures on the petition should suffice as notifying the council that the neighborhood residents are against not only the renovation, but also against the removal of our pine shade trees, which, by the way, are drought-tolerant, salt-tolerant, low maintenance, energy efficient, storm resilient and provide a beautiful unique vista.

The statutes to remove these pines were initially enacted to protect commercial agricultural interests. Jaycee Park has none of these interests. In 1992 in Gulf Stream, Fla., the 2-mile stretch of North Ocean Boulevard and the accompanying pine canopy, were designated by the Florida Legislature as a State Historic Scenic Highway. As such, the historic canopy continues to be preserved and maintained. Other cities that still have these pines are Ft. Lauderdale and Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West. The Florida Park Service will only remove Australian pines in

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park if the pines have died, are toppled by windstorms or constitute a public safety hazard.

The seniors in this neighborhood need a safe, shady place to exercise; taking that away is going make us less healthy and more exposed to the sun in our later years. And many of us don’t have 5-10 years to wait for newly planted trees to create a shade canopy. Therefore, I urge the city to request an exemption for the Australian pines from the state as the pines have proven to be needed and useful.

It is cheaper to keep these pines and request an exception, than take them down and plant more trees. Please save OUR $12 million dollars. We are against this renovation.

Sallie Troutman Cape Coral

Recent Council meeting disturbing To the editor: I was very disturbed when listening to Councilmember Hayden, when he said that he understands the public’s dissatisfaction with the city’s proposal for Jaycee Park.

Maybe I misunderstood his statement when he said that he knew better. Please tell me I misunderstood or he must be voted out because he’s forgotten what a representative form of government is .

Kurt Evenson Cape Coral

Agree? Disagree? Weigh in! Letters, guest opinions, comments welcome The views expressed on the Opinions pages are just that — opinions. These pages are intended to convey a range of viewpoints; opinions printed on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. Opposing views are welcome. Letters to the editor or guest columns may be e-mailed to vharring@breezenewspapers.com. All letters and guest opinions must be signed and must include a phone number for verification purposes. Readers are also invited to comment on any letter or editorial opinion online at: capecoralbreeze.com.

Page 5 ■ October 20, 2023 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Cape Coral Breeze

October 20, 2023 n Page 6 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

Covid & Ian behind them, Cape businesses celebrate success at awards luncheon

By CRAIG GARRETT

news@breezenewspapers.com

Ray Eckenrode best summarized Wednesday’s Best of Cape Coral, the annual celebration honoring the city’s best businesses and their staff as decided by voters.

Eckenrode recalled that merchants and locals in this growing enclave had first survived the pandemic and its toll, then took another punch to the nose with Hurricane Ian, the super storm that devastated much of Southwest Florida.

Nearly everyone at Wednesday’s event, which had about 300 winners and several new categories, had a story on how Ian had touched them, many still picking up the pieces.

While talk would circle back to Ian, things at Best of Cape Coral celebration were joyful, the place fairly humming with hope that life is back on track.

“It almost feels normal,” said Eckenrode, publisher of the Breeze Newspapers, Best of Cape Coral sponsor and business host of Wednesday’s luncheon and awards event at the Torched Bar & Grill, which itself was chosen by voters for the Best Vibe award and other accolades. “Next year will feel more normal. I’m just thrilled (The Breeze) could reflect the Cape’s business community.”

The Breeze, for a generation, has asked readers to nominate businesses they felt did the best job at making ribs, seafood, burgers or pizza, the best cocktail or appliance store, the best doctors or pool services, real estate people, chiropractors, massage therapists and boat rentals, electricians or salons, the best ice cream or the most dog-friendly, for instance.

Communities served by the Breeze Newspapers each year recognize these businesses with a plaque and an event like the one Wednesday.

The winners gather to pause, take a breath and start fresh.

These Breeze awards find prominent spots on social media and website platforms, certainly at storefront entryways, said Pete Della Porta, owner of Cape Collision Center, voted best in his category. It is, in fact, what draws new business, he added of the award.

“It’s a big deal, tells us that we’re doing something right,” said Della Porta, whose wife Sara was selected in the Best of Cape Coral contest for her AR Workshop, a DIY craft store that relocated after Ian swept through town.

A couple of new Best Of categories this year included the city’s best bookkeeper and the best title agency, for example, as again decided by voters.

“To get recognized, it’s great,” said Crystal Reyes, owner and general partner at Realty Title Solutions, adding that in her office people “walk in my door and we know their name, very hometown, very mom and pop.”

“A blue ribbon attached to any business is great for marketing … it’s amaz-

Above: Photographer Suzie Thompson of Lady in Pink Photography takes photos of Best of Cape Coral winners with their recognition plaques./CRAIG GARRETT Below: Senior account Executive Lyn McElhaney with Best of winner Damon Pine of Dockside Juicery.

Below right: Lyn McElhaney with Best of winner Victor Cerna of Monarcas showing of a pair of wins.

ing,” said Caroline Passmore, owner of CRP Specialists Inc., the bookkeeping firm, adding that in her profession, or any business, for that matter, “building relationships is how I gain clients.”

Freedom Boat Club manager Roger Hoyt said it was “nice to be acknowledged” by Best Of voters in Cape Coral.

In the member-driven business, he added, “we always knew we were the

best…now everyone else does.”

Torched Bar & Grill owner Jeremiah Kusloc said hosting Wednesday’s event gave the participants a “chance to forget about (Ian) for a day. And, man, that’s a great feeling.”

And then there was Dr. Mel Youngs, a Best Of winner for 22-plus years in her Chiropractic Physicians & Associates firm along Cape Coral

Parkway, the same structure once occupied by her father Rich and his ice cream shop, Yums, also a Best Of winner.

“Same building, same phone (number), good juju,” Mel Youngs said of her location, a string of metal butterflies in her hair and a bright grin on her face recounting that family story.

Page 7 ■ October 20, 2023 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Cape Coral Breeze

October 20, 2023 n Page 8

CRA eyes use of ‘leftover’ funds Funds allocated to Palm Tree Median Beautification Project

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

news@breezenewspapers.com

The South Cape may see some additional median landscaping.

The Community Redevelopment Agency board this week approved an amendment to its fiscal year 2023 operating budget to include funds allocated to the Palm Tree Median Beautification Project.

Budget Administrator Nicole Reitler said any excess cash at the end of the year must be allocated, hence the special meeting.

“With the final cash estimate for FY ’23 at $1.334 million, the city manager has proposed that we use those funds for the Palm Tree Median Beautification Project,” she said.

The approved CRA budget for 2023 was $4.4 million. With the budget amendment, Reitler said they were asking for an increase of $1.2 million for a total overall budget of $5,657,000.

The CRA Trust Capital Projects Fund budget began at $888,747. With the increase of $1,334,961 the amended capital project budget includes a total of $2,223,708.

Vice Chair James Brantley said when the additional end-of-the-year funds were first brought to their attention, it was his desire to look into where they stood with the privately owned old golf course acreage, as it is part of the CRA. “Because it is in the CRA, if we have excess revenue sources available, is there something at least on the horizon, that is there for us to commit those funds towards bringing the parties to the table to see if there is a way to move forward on that property. It’s a huge drain, in my opinion, on the CRA and property values,” he said.

CRA Executive Director Mike Ilczyszyn, also the city manager, said there was a phone conversation with the legal counsel that is representing the city on monitoring the status of the golf course remediation, or identification of environmental hazards on the site.

“We have a good understanding of where that is. They are not complete yet,” he said.

There has been identification of where “plumes” of certain contaminants are, which has environmental controls on the water side, Ilczyszyn said. There are still some earth issues that are to be resolved by them before the city knows what they were getting into.

“We are now in the process of setting up a meeting with them to understand how far they believe they were going to go,” Ilczyszyn said.

There is a bloom in the groundwater, but as long as it is not brought to the surface will live out life and environmental issue there, he said.

Ilczyszyn said monitor wells have been put in to keep an eye on the issue to make sure it is not shifting and coming off site. There is also a contaminant on the ground side that came from fertilizer and pesticide, he said, which is at a level from a park perspective, that the City could not have active recreation there.

“We have not really done anything to eliminate the slum and blight in the area. So, the values there, while they are increasing, they are not increasing at an increasing rate because people are driving in there and say wow that is a beautiful neighborhood.

The idea is to try to get that pop in the neighborhood to generate additional value.”

— Mike Ilczyszyn, CRA executive director Ilczyszyn said the way he understands it is the property owners are looking for institutionalized control.

“It’s not really remediating the site, basically leaving it in situ for the next person who takes over with these development constraints. That is something we really need to flush out with them to understand where the site would sit,” he said.

When the $1.334 million became available, Ilczyszyn said he initially had three ideas come to mind — set aside to begin funding a parking garage due to parking issues in the CRA; additional funds for land acquisition or improve median by the golf course.

“Understanding what we have learned from our legal counsel on how far we think they have to go, I think there is still some time for us to appropriately budget and be thinking about that,” he said.

“Plus, we have a decent sum of money, several million, in land acquisition. I thought rather than getting ahead of the parking study, applying this to improve the neighborhood around there who was promised when we included that whole section into the CRA to improve the slum and blight, which has never materialized for those residents.”

Board member Thomas Slaughter asked if that was part of the consideration to prime some of the area around the golf course.

“The purpose of CRA is to eliminate slum and blight. That median is reflective of the golf course. It has sat there stagnate since 1970 and has not brought value to the community,” Ilczyszyn said.

“This is the last remaining median that would be left in the CRA to add value to the community.”

He said the goal, the whole concept of bringing in that golf course area was to generate additional tax dollars so they can do some of the larger land acquisition and larger structure parking.

“We have not really done anything to eliminate the slum and blight in the area.

So, the values there, while they are increasing, they are not increasing at an increasing rate because people are driving in there and say wow that is a beautiful neighborhood. The idea is to try to get that pop in the neighborhood to generate additional value,” Ilczyszyn said.

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmaybery@breezenewspapers.com

piano and bass during the concert. With R.E.M., Mills would also play piano, accordion, vibraphone, organ and even the harpsichord in addition bass.

“They all flow from the piano,” Mills said.

Largely unknown is his contribution on piano to the

Cape Coral Breeze

PHOTO PROVIDED

Mike Mills, of R.E.M.

www.capecoralbreeze.com

It’s been 40 years since the rock band R.E.M. shook up college radio with their debut album “Murmur” and helped pioneer alternative rock to the point they helped define popular rock in the mid-to-late 1980s and 1990s with hits like “Losing my Religion,” “The One I Love,” “Stand,” “Man on the Moon” and “It’s the End of the World as we Know It (And I Feel Fine).”

On Saturday, Mills will bring a special performance of “R.E.M. Explored” which will team him with the Southwest Florida Symphony and Grammy-nominated violinist Robert McDuffie for a fresh interpretation of R.E.M. hits along with a performance of Mills’ “Concerto for Violin, Rock Band, and Orchestra” which he co-wrote and helped arrange.

Mills doesn’t want to give away which R.E.M. songs will be performed Saturday. Part of the fun is for the crowd to figure out which songs the orchestra is playing, he said.

Mills and his group also will play several R.E.M. songs without the orchestra.

From 1983 to 1988, R.E.M. played six criticallyacclaimed albums before their biggest hit in 1991 with “Out of Time,” which won a Grammy Award.

“We were a very busy band and loved to write songs,” he said. Along with singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck and drummer Bill Berry the group kept the same lineup for their entire career and all album songwriting groups are credited to the group entirely.

Mills said the sharing of songwriting credits “kept the band together.”

Mills said Stipe was responsible for much of the lyrics.

The group was successful in merging a number of different genres together from the up-temp post-punk rhythms in their early days with songs like “Radio Free Europe” to melodic songs with a folk rock sensibility like “Fall on Me.” A talented multi-instrumentalist, Mills will play guitar,

Smashing Pumpkins song “Soma” on their 1993 landmark album “Siamese Dream.”

A standout bassist, Mills was known for his shifting rhythm patterns and melodic bass parts in a way that contemporaries like Adam Clayton is known for with U2.

Mills cited Gang of Four and The English Beat as contemporary groups to R.E.M. that the group respected.

The son of a U.S. Marine, Mills said his parents Frank and Adora were both musical. Frank was a “classical tenor” who liked to sing at parties and at church, Mills said. His mother played the guitar and piano. Mills grew up in the 1960s listening to AM radio and the sounds of The Allman Brothers, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, the Zombies and country music.

R.E.M. has not played together since touring in 2011.

The chances of them reforming are unlikely, Mills said.

“We’ve done the best we could,” he said.

Mills also said it would be a “monumental undertaking” to reform the Backbeat Band, a 1990’s supergroup that he played with and recorded the soundtrack to the independent film “Backbeat,” based on the early days of The Beatles. The group included members of Nirvana, Sonic Youth, The Afghan Whigs, Gumball and Soul Asylum.

“It would be fun,” he said.

“It’s hard to get them together” again, he said. Mills called the group “serious players” and “kind of underappreciated.”

Looking back at R.E.M., the group he played with for more than 30 years, Mills said he is most proud that they had a “long, successful career and we had integrity.”

Mills thanked the symphony for “taking a chance on this. It’s a new thing and a lot of orchestras aren’t willing to step out and do something different. We are just trying to bridge the gap between classical and rock and roll and show people you can like one and you can like the other.

We are trying to show people they aren’t necessarily as separate as people thing they are.”

Page 9 n October 20, 2023

Special Exploration: R.E.M. bassist, Southwest Florida Symphony to play Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

October 20, 2023 ■ Page 10

Page 11 ■ October 20, 2023 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Cape Coral Breeze

October 20, 2023 n Page 12 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

Christmas Day Celebration toy drive now under way; donations & volunteers needed Dr. Piper Center initiative now in its 108th year

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

A tradition that is now going into its 108th year is seeking the community’s support in purchasing new toys for the Christmas Day Celebration, as well as elves and volunteers to help make the special event a success.

The Dr. Piper Center Chief Executive Officer Melissa Bonner said the Christmas Day Celebration event began by Dr. Ella Mae Piper’s mother, Sarah Williams, in 1915, at Dr. Piper’s home. They gave out gifts and had a prepared meal for kids and their families in the Dunbar community.

What began with helping 15 little girls has now grown to helping more than 400 children on Christmas morning.

Children, on a first-come, first-serve basis, are given the opportunity to pick out their own toys Christmas morning at the Dr. Piper Center.

“Anyone can come to our event on Christmas morning,” Bonner said. “It’s not just the Dunbar community. It has expanded beyond this community. It really opened to anyone who needs it.”

The need remains, especially with families still struggling with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. When Williams passed away, and then Dr. Piper, the community carried on the event.

“We took over in the ’70s and carried it on. It has gone on uninterrupted since 1915,” Bonner said. “It really is a tradition in the community. People really look forward to it.”

COVID was their biggest obstacle as the event had to be moved outdoors to overcome social distancing.

“Last year it was really cold. Again, we still had a good turnout with 300 kids last year,” she said, adding that whatever obstacle is thrown their way there is always a plan put into place, so there is no break in the Christmas Day Celebration.

The event has attracted many generations, as some are now bringing their grandchildren.

“It’s an event that the entire community wraps their hands around,” Bonner said.

That support comes in many forms — the community donating new toys and bikes for the children, to giving their time to help before the event, and the day of the event.

Elves are sought from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Dr. Piper Center, 2607 Dr. Ella Piper Way, in Fort Myers, to help assemble bikes and sort through toys. Those who wish to help are asked to RSVP to Irvine Bourdeau at Irvine@DrPiperCenter.org.

Those interested in volunteering can also call (239) 332-5346.

Bonner said last year they had between 85 to 90 volunteers who were in attendance Christmas morning helping — either assisting with registration, manning the toy table, taking care of the bike raffle and escorting children into the room of toys.

“We have people who have been volunteering for 50 years or longer,” she said.

“This is their Christmas tradition. Some of them bring their children and have their entire family here. A lot of people who collect toys and donate also come and volunteer on Christmas morning.”

Bonner said that special moment is

“We have people who have been volunteering for 50 years or longer. This is their Christmas tradition. Some of them bring their children and have their entire family here. A lot of people who collect toys and donate also come and volunteer on Christmas morning.”

— Melissa Bonner, Dr. Piper Center CEO when volunteers see the excitement of the children when they pick a gift they may have donated.

“They see the impact of their donation,” she said.

To make the Christmas Day Celebration a success, The Dr. Piper Center is asking for the community’s assistance in collecting new toys.

“An agency or business can offer to be a toy collection site to promote to clients and employees. We would bring the collection box to their office,” Bonner said.

Individuals can also personally donate new toys to the cause.

The collection of toys has begun and will continue until a week before Christmas.

“We have children from newborn to age 16 who come to the event; boys and girls,” she said. “They don’t have to wrap the toys. All the toys will be displayed, so they can pick out what they want.”

Another portion of the Christmas Day Celebration is a bike raffle, as they do not receive enough bikes to give to every child who attends the event.

“Last year we had about 170 bikes. We usually have about 300 to 350 children,” Bonner said.

The hope is to have enough bikes, so every child receives one this Christmas, as children do not understand the concept of a raffle and are sad when they leave without a bike.

The Dr. Piper Center also has an Amazon list available on their website, www.drpipercenter.org, for those who wish to donate something, but is unsure of what to purchase.

The items will be shipped directly to their office.

Dr. Piper Center for Social Services, Inc. Development Director Irvine Bourdeau said they also provide the kids with a snack bag as they begin lining up at 6 a.m. Christmas morning.

The doors open at 8 a.m. and kids are provided toys on a first come, first serve basis. Food has been donated for the past two years.

The 2023 Christmas Celebration sponsorships are also available and range anywhere from the title sponsorship of $10,000 to a Christmas sponsor of $1,000. Those interested can email irvine@drpipercenter.org, or call (239) 332-5346 ext. 400 for more information.

The funds raised will support the event, purchase anything they need to make it a success, as well as support the center’s programs, which works with frail homebound seniors and at-risk children.

Page 13 ■ October 20, 2023 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Cape Coral Breeze

October 20, 2023 n Page 14 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

REAL ESTATE You can reapply for homestead exemption when you move Dear Mr. Feichthaler, We have lived in our “starter home” for 15 years in Cape Coral, and recently purchased a larger home to accommodate several more kids, and another dog. Do we need to reapply for homestead, or will it automatically carry over to our new home.

— Sherrill J. Dear Sherrill, Congratulations on your new home!

Homestead provides significant property tax savings to thousands of families in Cape Coral due to the $50,000 taken off assessed value each year.

Homeowners that have owned their homes for many years save even more through the “Save Our Homes” reduction.

This feature caps the Eric P. Feichthaler amount a homesteaded property can increase each year for tax purposes. Currently, value cannot increase more than 3% annually, even when actual property values go up more. This savings is particularly impressive for those that owned their homestead during the financial crisis, which resulted in a very low taxable value between 2010-2012, and was capped under 3% each year since.

First, you do need to apply for homestead on your new home for the standard reduction in property taxes.

For you, an even greater benefit is the ability to transfer the savings you had on market value to your new home.

This is done through a “Transfer of Homestead Portability” application, which is attached to the main homestead application. Since you have purchased a larger home, it is likely the entire amount of “Save our Homes” savings will transfer to the new property.

Between the two, you should save thousands of dollars on your property taxes every year.

Remember, for this to apply for the next tax year (2024), you need to apply by the end of this coming February. But, there is no need to wait. Apply for homestead and transfer of the save our homes savings as soon as possible, confirm with the property appraiser they have received them and look forward to a continued break on property taxes! More information can be found on homestead and portability at the Le

Real Estate Law

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 Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., he 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 239-542-4733.

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.

THE BREEZE OCTOBER 20, 2023

Cape’s luxury home sales, prices sluggish, but treading water It is time once again for our tip of the was a decline of 35.6% from the 295 hat to Robin Leach, the late great host of luxury homes sold in the first nine “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” as months of 2022, when sales prices we offer up another toast of champagne ranged from $1 million to $5.3 million. wishes and caviar dreams by taking a The median sales price in our luxury look back at the Cape Coral luxury home home segment came in at $1.275 million market for the first nine months of 2023. over the first nine months of this year, For the record, our definition of the sinwhich was down 3.8% compared to the gle-family luxury home market segment median sales price of $1.325 million in Cape Coral consists of homes that are from January through September 2022. at prices of $1 million and above.

A total of seven of the 190 luxury home Looking back to our column from sales so far in 2023 were sold at prices of about 15 months ago, on July 15, 2022, $3.175 million and above, while eight we were noting our concerns about the homes were sold at $3.1 million and market shifts we were already seeing on above in the first nine months of 2022, the ground in Cape Coral, along with the with four of those sales at $4 million and Bob and Geri Quinn looming challenges that the real estate up. market was facing in the second half of Breaking these luxury home sales last year. At that time, the Federal down on a quarterly basis, the number of Reserve was in the early stages of its then closed sales hit their peaks during the newly declared war on inflation as it second quarter in both years. In 2022, moved to aggressively increase interest rates. there were 129 sales recorded in the second quarter as the The landscape in our local market changed quickly as “post-COVID” sales boom was quickly winding down. In home prices started softening from their peak levels, the the third quarter of 2022, sales plunged by 60.5% from the supply of homes listed for sale and sitting unsold on the second quarter, dropping to only 51 sales as the impact of market started to increase rapidly, while the number of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes hit the market closed home sales declined. One of the biggest changes we along with Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28. This year, the numwere seeing back then was with the attitude of potential ber of closed luxury home sales reached their peak level of homebuyers who suddenly realized they could take their 75 sales in the second quarter, before declining by 29.3% time to look for the “right home at the right price,” without to 53 closed sales in the third quarter, as mortgage rates blindly rushing to make aggressive above-list-price offers. suddenly spiked above 7%.

On the other hand, home sellers struggled to adjust to the As of Tuesday, Oct. 17, the number of active listings in fact that buyers were no longer willing to buy their home the Multiple Listing Service for Cape Coral single-family at “any price.” homes climbed to a total of 2,177 homes on the market The headline of our July 15, 2022, column read, “Huge ranging in price from $249,900 to $11.9 million. The first half for luxury home sales, challenges ahead” as we median list price dipped a bit to $504,900 from $512,999 recapped the luxury home sales results for the first six on Oct. 10. As a point of reference, based on our weekly months of last year. The “challenges ahead” part of that market survey, the median list price hit its peak level of headline have since come true and they are showing up in $610,000 on April 19, 2022. There are currently 247 the market numbers shown below. Right now, instead of active listings in the Cape for homes priced at $1 million posting record sales numbers and new all-time record high and above, which is up from 242 homes a week ago. Back sales prices, the leading indicators in our housing market on Jan. 3 of this year, we had a total of 1,330 active sinconsist of sellers making price reductions, less traffic in the gle-family home listings, which included 151 homes on form of showing appointments and longer days on the mar- the market for $1 million and above. ket to get a home sold.

The number of homes currently under contract with Realtors have gone back to holding more open houses buyers as pending sales as of Oct. 17, totaled 610 homes and looking for buyers after several years of juggling mul- at prices ranging from $175,000 to $3.395 million, with tiple offers. For their part, new home builders are aggres- the second lowest-priced pending sale at $215,000. The sively competing for buyers by offering more discounts current median pending sales price was at $400,000. Of and increasing their incentives as they hope to lure buyers the 610 pending sales, a total of 18 luxury homes were to their growing supply of spec homes and away from the under contract at $1 million and above. Back on Jan. 3 of existing home market. It is important to note that homes this year, there were a total of 522 pending home sales in are still being sold, but the pressure has shifted to the sell- the Cape, with 23 luxury homes under contract at $1 miler’s side of the equation and their willingness to be more lion and above. aggressive in pricing their home to the current market.

One of the more notable items regarding our luxury In the first nine months of 2023, there have been a total home market was that the second highest priced home curof 190 luxury single-family homes sold in Cape Coral at See TREADING WATER, page 15 prices ranging from $1 million to $3.925 million. This

Homing In

Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association holds 2023 RPCRA Realtor Trade Show The Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association has announced that the 2023 RPCRA Realtor Trade Show, held Oct. 12 at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, was a huge success. The “Night at the Movies” themed event was highly anticipated and exceeded expectations this year, offering a venue for Realtors to connect, learn and grow their network alongside local and national businesses.

Attendees enjoyed movie-themed booth displays manned by costumed representatives, cash prize drawings, awards handed out by special celebrity lunges, District 2 County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass and Trevor Daley, a former NHL defensemen and current special

assistant to the president of hockey operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins National Hockey League team.

Attendees had the opportunity to explore a wide range of products and services from industry-leading exhibitors, showcasing innovative property management solutions, trusted lender services, and much more.

Congratulations to the evening's exhibitor booth winners: n Most Creative: Aubuchon Homes n Most Informative: Chapman Insurance n Best Overall: Premiere Title Services, LLC For more about the Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association, visit https://rpcra.org or call 239-936-3537.

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

is yes, the complaint is launched.

The report of waste, fraud and abuse would most likely go through the Clerk’s Office general hotline.

“I love moving waste, fraud and abuse outside of the district entirely,” Board member Chris Patricca said. “You don’t need to worry about retaliation when you are reporting to someone completely independent from the district.”

Other board members also agreed that it would be beneficial to move waste, fraud and abuse audits to an outside entity, as it would provide a level of comfort for employees and the board.

Karnes said he could work with the Board Attorney Kathy Dupuy-Bruno on putting together a transition plan with a date, so they have the appropriate checks and balances in place before the new superintendent takes office, which will be following the 2024 General Election.

Karnes said it allows subject matter experts to focus on what they do well.

“It sets expectations going into the election,” he said of the elected superintendent position.

Karnes said this is his statutory and constitutional duty and taxpayers are already paying for this service.

“My initial inclination is a no cost structure for the district,” he said.

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier said the board has already directed staff to hire an auditor that would report directly to the board. He said they are planning on bringing a recommendation on the matter in November.

Karnes said there are three different types of audits – financial, operational and performance.

“This is the world of risk and you kind of focus on how to add value on entities of doing their job. You come in a business unit as an external use of eyes and give recommendations to consider implementing,” he said. “Auditors provide an assurance, a reasonable assurance based upon what they saw.”

Karnes said there is always room for improvement even with recommendations made by internal and external auditors.

New Lifelong Learners series of classes to kick off Oct. 23

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

Another session of Lifelong Learners kicks off next week offering new classes for adult learners.

“This program has been running for more than 30 years to enrich the hobbies and interests of Lee County adult residents,” Adult & Career Education Teacher on Assignment Lifelong Learning Coordinator Marliss Brockington said.

The sessions, which begin Monday, last for six weeks, although the Tuesday night

session will run a week shorter due to Halloween. It is $53 per session, except for the Smokin’ Hot BBQ course, which is $145 to also cover the cost of students prepping, smoking and eating the barbecue.

The classes are offered at Cape Coral High School, 2300 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cypress Lake High School, 6750 Panther Lane, and the Lee County Public Education Center, 2855 Colonial Blvd.

New classes this session include yoga, photography, conversational French and

sewing. Some returning classes include family crochet, cake decorating, Hulafit, U.S. Citizenship Civics test prep course and Microsoft.

Those being offered at Cape Coral High School include ceramics (Tuesdays), watercolor painting techniques (Thursdays), Ukulele (Tuesdays) and conversational Spanish: beginner (Tuesdays) and conversational Spanish intermediate (Thursdays).

Those interested can register at www.leeschools.net/llc, or call (239)

939-6321 for more information.

“Ever since we have brought the program back since taking a three-year break from COVID, we have had a great response with conversational Spanish and computer basics being our most popular courses,” she said. “Classes are based on teacher availability.”

Brockington said for those who have a hobby they would like to teach, or a class they would like to see offered to email her at marlisskb@leeschools.net.

Treading water: Cape’s luxury home sales and prices are sluggish From page 14 rently listed for sale in Cape Coral had a price reduction back on Oct. 10. This new construction riverfront home was initially listed for sale on Aug. 14 at $7.59 million, and after 57 days on the market the list price was lowered by $690,000 to $6.9 million. This 9.1% price reduction is just one of the many illustrations of the downward pressure on home prices that is occurring on a daily basis throughout Southwest Florida.

The highest priced closed home sale in the third quarter of this year was for $3.3 million, which put it into a tie for the second highest priced home sale in the Cape

so far in 2023. This was a new construction home built in 2023, located off of the east side of Chiquita Boulevard and just north of El Dorado Parkway, W. The seller actually purchased this direct sailboat access canal property, which included an older 1981 built home, back in June 2021 for $550,000. A demolition permit was issued to tear down the old home in August 2021, and a new home construction permit was issued in March 2022. Based on the records, it looks like the new home was first listed for sale in August 2021, while it was under construction at an initial price of $2.59 million. The price was increased to $2,799,995 six days later, with the home eventually taken off of the market unsold

in December 2021. It came back on the market for $3,799,995 on Sept. 2, 2022, and was again taken off of the market unsold in December 2022. It went back on the market for $3,499,995 in January of this year, with a price reduction to $3,399,995 in April, before going under contract with a buyer on July 4 and closing in a cash deal for $3.3 million.

The sales data for this article was obtained from the Florida Realtors Multiple Listing Service Matrix for Lee County, FL, as of Oct. 15, 2023, unless otherwise noted. It was compiled by Bob and Geri Quinn and it includes information specifically for Cape Coral single-family

homes, and does not include condominiums, 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 44 years. Geri has been a full-time Realtor since 2005, and Bob joined with Geri as a full-time Realtor in 2014. Their real estate practice is mainly focused on Cape Coral residential property and vacant lots.

Cape Coral Breeze

news@breezenewspapers.com

www.capecoralbreeze.com

The Lee County Clerk of Courts has offered to audit of school district operations, likely without charge.

With the district moving from an appointive superintendent to one who is elected, Clerk of Court & Comptroller Kevin Karnes brought the concept forward for the board’s consideration during Tuesday’s board meeting.

“This is not a specific ask — a concept for your consideration. I am going to walk through this concept and you all can decide if it’s valuable for you all or not,” he said.

Karnes presented an organizational chart, where the superintendent’s office would be an elected position and the world of audits would be through a multi-layered strategy. He offered his office as a potential option for the board to consider.

“I might be able to provide assistance with fraud, waste and abuse,” Karnes said of the multi-layered approach to make sure entities are providing value in areas of specialty.

The approach was broken down into the entity and audit scope: n Internal Auditor – performance and compliance n External Auditor – financial statements n RSM – special/complex n Clerk’s Office – fraud, waste and abuse “I really put this together to make sure the board has the proper checks and balances in place before the election. It’s a transparency tool for the citizens we serve.

You are going through massive amounts of change to move quickly from superintendent’s office for a preemptory checks and balance,” Karnes said. “It will allow us some time to work together on that change.”

Karnes said when they do an investigation at the Clerk’s Office there are three likely outcomes for findings: substantiated, not substantiated, and unfounded. He said there is a 10-day period where a certified inspector general is doing that review to make sure fraud, waste and abuse determination is made. If the answer

Page 15 n October 20, 2023

Clerk of Court offers school district audit services

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

October 20, 2023 ■ Page 16

Page 17 n October 20, 2023 www.capecoralbreeze.com

CHUCK BALLARO

LEFT: An artist rendition of the planned $120 million project overlooking Bimini Basin to include 218 residential units and more than 58,000 square feet of non-residential space as well as boat slips and a 500-car parking garage./PROVIDED

Bimini Basin: Project heralded From page 1 “You’re going to find most of the neighbors here today endorsing the project.

That’s part of the win/win of this,” Nygard said. “We’re happy to be here and excited to take this step.”

One of the main tenants will be Lee Health, which will have numerous medical services available.

In two buildings they will have medical services for adult primary care, pediatrics, cardiology, behavioral health, breast health, imaging and lab services,” said Kris Fay, chief officer of community-based care for Lee Health.

“The goal is to offer the convenience, so if you go see your physician and need a lab, you can get it all at the same time,” Fay said. “We recognize the growth in the Cape and we want to grow along with it. This is an example of our desire to expand our footprint.”

Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter called the event a great moment for the city as a transformational project that has been talked about since he moved to the city in 2007 takes flight.

“The process is difficult, but we look at

the stakeholders involved. Each is a firstclass organization and that’s why we have a first-class project,” Gunter said. “It brings the need of services to the community.

There’s a great opportunity to bring revitalization to the area.”

Overlooking Bimini Basin, the site consists of six acres and will include 218 residential units and more than 58,000 square feet of non-residential space. Boat slips and a 500-car parking garage will allow guests to travel by land or water.

The project is expected to have its first tenants in October 2025, with a price tag of about $120 million.

Residents who came to the event expressed encouragement for Bimini Square.

Bobby Jenkins said it appears property values would go up as a result and that most residents agree with that assessment.

Others said this will be a definite plus for the community after years of talk.

“It’s great for Bimini and great for the city. Another project moving forward,” Timothy Wynne said. “A lot of people here are for it. I haven’t talked to anyone who’s against it.”

Cape Coral Breeze

ABOVE: City officials and dignitaries break ground on the Bimini Square project at a ceremony held Thursday in downtown Cape Coral./

October 20, 2023 n Page 18

COMMUNITY cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

www.capecoralbreeze.com

OCTOBER 20, 2023

Second annual Cape Coral Trunk-or-Treat Friday at City Hall

By CJ HADDAD

UF/IFAS PHOTO

Redbud flowers.

Selecting a tree for your landscape

By CATHY DUNN

news@breezenewspapers.com

Cape Coral Breeze

THE BREEZE

Trees are vital to our environment. As the largest plants on earth, they provide us with oxygen, store carbon, stabilize soil, conserve energy through shade and shelter wildlife. Trees are also a fundamental part of every community; our streets, parks and backyards are filled with trees that create a peaceful and welcoming environment. And trees are an integral part of creating a "sense of place;" what says Southwest Florida more eloquently than a beautiful Royal Palm?

Adding trees to your yard can not only enhance your existing landscape, ARDEN but also help establish a theme or foundation for LUB OF your home’s environment.

While palms may be one of APE ORAL the first varieties to spring to mind, there are many other tropical and native trees that you can incorporate into your landscape. No matter what variety of tree you decide to plant, there are some important considerations to use in choosing the most appropriate tree for your situation.

My personal mantra for gardening is “The Right Plant in The Right Place.” This is particularly important when choosing a big-ticket landscape investment such as a tree. Trees thrive when they are matched to site conditions, and there are a few easy ways to aid you in evaluating your site. First, you can drive around your neighborhood to identify tree species that are growing well in similar sites in your area. You can also visit local public gardens and nurseries to discover different types of trees that are recommended for your area. Finally, there are vast resources in libraries and on the internet that can provide specific information about selecting and planting trees in your area.

The University of Florida has identified five components critical to choosing trees for a site: 1) Site attributes both above and below the ground 2) potential site modifications 3) tree maintenance capabilities. Once these components are explored and noted you can 4) choose desirable tree attributes and 5) select appropriate trees for the site.

Critical site attributes include factors such as the hardiness zone of the planting site; average annual rainfall; light exposure; soil pH; water drainage and available irrigation; soil texture and density. Site features such as swimming pools, buildings, driveways, curbs and sidewalks and overhead wires and lights will also influence your tree selection. Finally, you need to consider the necessity and frequency of pruning and other maintenance.

Once you have determined the characteristics of your

G C

C

C

See SELECTING A TREE, page 46

An annual city event giving residents a ghoulish good time takes place next Friday at City Hall.

The second annual city of Cape Coral Trunk-or-Treat runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 27, featuring candy, music, a movie on the lawn and lots of other Halloween-themed fun.

“Last year’s Trunk or Treat brought the community together in a big way,” said city spokesperson Lauren Kurkimilis. “Seeing families create magical memories right here at City Hall was uplifting for everyone involved, and we wanted to bring that back for everyone to enjoy.”

The event is free for all ages, with the goal of offering a safe environment to come together and celebrate the start of the holiday season. Trunk-or-Treat will include candy giveaways from different city departments (while supplies last), games and a showing of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" at 7 p.m. (running until 9 p.m.).

“Trunk or Treat offers a safe, controlled environment for families to enjoy the Halloween festivities, and with the event taking place the Friday before Halloween, it gives

“Trunk or Treat offers a safe, controlled environment for families to enjoy the Halloween festivities, and with the event taking place the Friday before Halloween, it gives the community the chance to don their costumes more than once.”

— City spokesperson Lauren Kurkimilis the community the chance to don their costumes more than once,” Kurkimilis said. “Trunks are provided by various departments from the city of Cape Coral, as well as the Cape Coral Police and Fire Departments.”

All of the spooktacular fun goes down in the visitor's parking lot at City Hall.

“This year’s event aims to be spookier and more spectacular,” Kurkimilis added. “With more than 35 trunks to visit and 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' playing at 7 p.m., the evening is sure to be a fun and memorable Halloween experience for all.”

City Hall is at 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.

Spooky Splash at Sun Splash Oct. 28

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

Grab your swimsuits and head to Sun Splash next weekend for the inaugural Spooky Splash, complete with a pool pumpkin patch.

Sun Splash Administrative Manager and Activities Director Hollie Reed said they wanted to hold the first Spooky Splash last year, but Hurricane Ian put a damper to those plans. So, this year they decided to make it bigger and better.

With the city of Cape Coral’s Parks and Recreation Department wanting to do something fun and exciting for Halloween, the two joined forces.

“We were on the same page separately. It became this perfect partnership. I am so excited. We want to make this an annual event,” Reed said.

Spooky Splash will kick off at 5 p.m. and run until 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28. Tickets are $14.99 per individual.

“I don’t know where else you can go and have full access to a waterpark,” Reed said of the admission price, as all regular attractions will be open during the event.

Spooky Splash is free for ticket pass holders.

“You are going to be able to use it for Spooky Splash for free,” Reed said, which includes the pumpkin patch, balloon animals and face painting. “Kids will get a Spooky Splash swag bag. It’s a whole Halloween event for free.”

Spooky Splash offers an abundance of fun for the family to enjoy.

There will also be a one-of-a-kind attraction – the family pool being turned into a pumpkin patch.

“Where else can you go swim out into a pool of 900 pumpkins bobbing – meet Duncan the Scarecrow and get your picture taken. I cannot wait for my own kids to go,” Reed said.

There will also be a balloon artist on hand, a face painter and a deejay spinning spooky tunes for attendees to dance to.

Sharky, who Reed said is their main man, will be at the event, along with a pirate crew and other characters for a

meet-and-greet for the kids. She said out in the field there will be a 36-foot inflatable obstacle course and inflatable ski ball for attendees to enjoy.

There will also be specialty food offerings at Sharkey’s Cobweb Cafe, such as mummy dogs and boo burgers, and creepy cocktails at the Pirate’s Oasis Bar. The Spooky Splash is “extra time to make memories as a family in a safe place and in a fun way,” she said. “It is hot during Halloween. No one wants to be baking in a hot dusty pumpkin patch.”

Also, on Saturday, Sun Splash will be open during normal operating hours, also offering some Halloween fun.

She said kids and family should come in costume, as the winners of the costume contest will receive prizes – including Sun Splash 2024 season tickets. Be sure to check out the Ohana Games tent, as there is a Trick-or-Treat and Scavenger Hunt from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Reed said the kids will receive a treasure map and as they go around to different attractions, they will receive a stamp. Before leaving the park, the youngsters can trade in their treasure map and receive a goodie bag of candy to go.

Reed said they are donating some of the profits from the special events to the Cape Coral Animal Shelter, which is their next-door neighbors.

“We love them and are so appreciative of what they do,” she said.

During the day, Reed said the Cape Coral Animal Shelter will have a couple four-legged friends, some in costumes, available for adoption.

“The community has been through a lot with Ian just destroying everything,” Reed said, adding that they wanted to come back with an event and that it is a blessing to the animal shelter, community and families. “People have been through a lot. We wanted to put it in a price point where people can come and enjoy, and it wouldn’t be out of people’s reach.”

Sun Splash is at 400 W. Lake Kennedy Drive. Tickets are available at www.sunsplashwaterpark.com.

‘Trick or Treat for Animals of CCAS’ Oct. 28-29 Each year, the Cape Coral Animal Shelter hosts “Trick or Treat for the Animals of CCAS” Oct. 28-29. Kids and their parents are encouraged to come visit the cats and dogs residing at the shelter and give them treats. The shelter encourages kids to come in costume and they will also receive treats after they treat the animals.

The Cape Coral Animal Shelter is quickly approaching its 4,000th adoption since opening in March 2020. The affordable care clinic provides veterinary services to thou-

sands of animals each year, many of whom would not have seen a vet without the services provided at CCAS. Plans have been announced for a major expansion, with the addition of a 18,000-square-foot shelter and a renovation of the existing clinic to service more patients.

The shelter is located at 325 S.W. 2nd Ave., Cape Coral (near Sun Splash). Trick or Treat will be Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. on both days. For more information, visit www.capecoralanimalshelter.com.

LARC breaks ground on group home in Cape

By CHUCK BALLARO

news@breezenewspapers.com

home,” Katz said.

The cost of the house is around $1 million, with much of it coming from insurance, money saved for renovation on the old house and the sale of the property. They are still trying to raise around $200,000 to fund the remainder, Katz said.

The site was given to LARC years ago and the organization considered building a home there in 2021.

However, the timing wasn’t right. Katz said the hurricane made the decision an easy one.

Currently, those who lived in the old house, who lost everything including mementos, are with their families or are bunking with LARC’s other residents in Fort Myers.

They will move to a transitional home next week.

The new home is being built with the help of Stephen R. Bowen Construction and Dwayne Bergmann Interiors.

Bowen, who has worked with LARC for a while, said this is a big day.

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

CCTC celebrates 30-year anniversary

By CHUCK BALLARO

news@breezenewspapers.com

When Cape Coral Technical College opened in 1993, only about 45,000 people lived in Cape Coral and its location in the middle of the city was considered the sticks.

Thirty years later, CCTC serves a city with more than 200,000 people and offers numerous programs in fields the city (and county) desperately needs.

On Monday, city dignitaries and school personnel gathered at the school’s cafe to celebrate this milestone with a luncheon, guest speakers and a look at the past, present and future of the school.

The school currently has programs in agriculture, business healthcare, hospitality and technology, giving students an opportunity to become anything from nurse and veterinary assistants to chefs, cosmetologists and barbers.

Charlie Pease, director of CCTC, was excited to celebrate all the school has done, is doing now and will be doing in the future.

“We’re doing architectural design work right now and wrapped up conceptual design work,” Pease said. “We’re going to be adding auto service, marine service technology, welding, HVAC, building trades such as plumbing and masonry, and a potential associates degree in nursing.”

A new building to house these programs is expected to be built where the old Cafferata Elementary School was located. The current school is on CCTC land in portable classrooms.

The event featured the former director of the school,

Mike Schiffer, as well as stories from current and past students, awards for some of their longest service faculty and plans for what the school will become in the future as it offers new programs.

Schiffer, who served as director from 1998-2015, said the school has always been on the cutting edge of technology. The problem has been the technology has grown so fast that it doesn’t take long for things to be not-so-cuttingedge anymore, as he learned quickly when he became director.

“We had to replace computers and technology every two or three years. It moves so quickly and it will move even faster with AI,” Schiffer said, who joked when he started as director, AI were two vowels you could buy on “Wheel of Fortune. “It’s mind boggling what it can do and can be helpful in many areas, like health and engineering.”

Among the many dignitaries was cape Mayor John Gunter, who praised the school for how it trains people for careers that pay well and are in high demand.

“It’s a great part of our community and I look forward to them expanding into other areas that will benefit our community,” Gunter said. “Not all students go to college.

A technical college is another avenue we can offer the community.”

Charlie Pease, director of Cape Coral Technical College, discusses the future of his school during the 30-year celebration Monday.

CHUCK BALLARO

The office of Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Sunday that Project Dynamo transported nearly 300 evacuees to Florida from Israel as part of an executive order announced by his office to bring back Americans from Israel.

Israel is currently in the midst of a war with Hamas, after the terrorist group invaded Israel and killed more than 1,400 people while kidnapping approximately 200 Israelis and international citizens including Americans.

At least 30 Americans were killed by Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.

According to DeSantis’ communications office, more than 270 Americans were transported to Tampa and seven to Orlando Sunday afternoon. It was not immediately clear how many were Floridians.

DeSantis issued the executive order on Thursday to bring home Americans and Floridians from Israel who were unable to leave due to commercial flight cancellations.

According to a statement, there are approximately 20,000 Americans inside Israel seeking to leave.

DeSantis announced that the state is sending medical supplies, hygiene products, clothing and children’s toys to Israel.

“Just a few days ago, I signed an Executive Order to allow Florida to carry out logistical, rescue and evacuation operations to bring Floridians back home and provide important supplies to our valued ally, Israel,” DeSantis said. “I am proud of how quickly we have been able to activate resources and do what the federal government could not — get Floridians and other Americans back home, reunited with their families, free of charge.”

Bryan Stern, Project Dynamo CEO and founder, said the organization responds to crisis situations around the world.

“It’s truly heart-wrenching to watch the destruction unfolding in Israel. We’re so grateful to Governor DeSantis for partnering with us on this mission, to save every American in need,” Stern said in a statement.

The executive order signed by DeSantis allows for the logistical, rescue and evacuation operations to keep its residents safe. Specifically, this order enables the Florida Division of Emergency Management to bring Floridians home and transport necessary supplies to Israel.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management will lead efforts for additional flights which will take more supplies to Israel and continue to bring Floridians back home, according to the office of DeSantis.

DeSantis has also expanded law enforcement resources upon request to prevent violence at demonstrations and protect Jewish schools and synagogues.

Cape Coral Breeze

Florida partners with Project Dynamo to transport Israeli evacuees

www.capecoralbreeze.com

A little over a year ago, Hurricane Ian wiped out the North Fort Myers riverfront house that adults with developmental disabilities have called home for more than 25 years. Five adults were displaced and are now living in temporary housing.

Come April, those adults with special needs will again have a place they can call home.

On Thursday, LARC — Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens — held the groundbreaking on a new group home in Cape Coral which will replace the home that was destroyed.

Angela Katz, LARC executive director, said this “dream home” will house six residents and will serve as a sanctuary for some of Lee County’s most vulnerable people who have physical and/or intellectual disabilities.

“It will be a haven to the residents we serve. Some of

the residents have been with us for more than 20 years and many of those who live with us do so their entire lives,” Katz said. “They have a range of ages and a range of abilities. The more they age, the more assistance they need.”

Austin Clinton, president of LARC’s board of directors, said the road leading to this was bumpy and shattered the sense of security the residents had.

“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter, a testament to our commitment to those we serve. A significant step forward in rebuilding our home and independence to our residents,” Clinton said.

The house will have six bedrooms, four baths and 4,800 square feet of living space. It will be ADA compliant and will create the highest level of independence and provide its residents with a sanctuary.

“We want to go home at night and feel comfortable and safe with our family. It’s no different than any other

Page 19 ■ October 20, 2023

Weekly BREEZE Recap

October 20, 2023 ■ Page 20 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

November programs at the Cape Coral Lee County Public Library Next month’s roster of activities at Cape Coral Lee County Public Library offers topics for all ages. The following activities are free to the public:

Adult Programs Book Discussion: “Our Missing Hearts” by Celeste Ng 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 1 In a society consumed by fear, 12-year-old Bird Gardner, after receiving a mysterious letter, sets out on a quest to find his mother, a Chinese-American poet who left when he was 9 years old. He is led to New York City where a new act of defiance may be the beginning of much needed change.

Download Drop-In 11 a.m., Thursdays, Nov. 2, 16, 30 Receive personalized help downloading e-books, movies, music and more from Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla, two of Lee County Library System’s largest online content providers. Bring your fully charged digital device for this hands-on help session. Note: Please bring any passwords you may need for downloading apps.

Kindle users will also need an Amazon account and their password for accessing it.

English Café 10 a.m., Fridays, Nov. 3, 17 6 p.m., Tuesdays, Nov. 7, 14 Free, informal conversation sessions for adult ESOL/ESL students.

Spanish Conversation Club 2 p.m., Wednesdays, Nov. 8 Improve your Spanish fluency by chatting with other adults. Join us as we practice speaking with others on a variety of topics, including current events and everyday situations. Intermediate to advanced Spanish-speaking skills are recommended in order to get the most out of the session.

Crafts at Cape: DIY “Owl Night Watch” Painting 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 9 Follow step-by-step instructions to recreate this painting. Supplies and instructions will be provided. Registra-

tion is required and is guaranteed until the start of the program.

Family Movie Night 4 p.m., Monday, Nov. 13 Celebrate loved ones, past and present, with a special family movie and themed craft. Snacks will be provided.

Now, let's get un poco loco. Rated PG.

Children’s Programs Toddler Tales 10:30 a.m., Wednesdays, Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29 For ages 18-36 months and caregivers. Toddlers and caregivers move and groove during this interactive storytime. First come, first served. Space is limited. Please arrive early and pick up a ticket at the Youth Services desk.

Lego Club 4 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 1 Children and families of all ages are invited to drop in for building challenges the whole family will enjoy. All materials are provided.

Baby Rhyme Time 10:30 a.m., Thursdays, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 30 For babies up to 18 months. Babies and caregivers wiggle and giggle in a supportive environment. Space is limited. First come, first served. Please arrive early and pick up a ticket at the Youth Services desk.

Kids Read Down Fines 1–2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 4 5:15–6:15 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 15 Children and teens can earn a $2 credit on overdue fines for every 15 minutes they read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session. Please bring your library card.

Please check in at the Youth Services Reference Desk.

Thanksgiving Turkey Craft 3:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 6 For ages 5-7 and an accompanying adult. Are you ready to “gobble” up your Thanksgiving? Celebrate with us by creating a paper turkey craft. All supplies provided.

Registration begins Oct. 11.

Preschool Storytime 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays, Nov. 7, 14, 28 For ages 3-5. Children attend this program independently while parents and caregivers wait nearby. First come, first served. Space is limited. Please arrive early and pick up a ticket at the Youth Services desk.

STEAM Club 4 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 8 For ages 5-11. Be ready for fun experiments and projects as we explore the world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math). Dress for a mess. Registration is required and is guaranteed until the start of the program. All materials will be provided.

Family Movie Night 4 p.m., Monday, Nov. 13 Celebrate loved ones, past and present, with a special family movie and themed craft. Snacks will be provided.

Now, let's get un poco loco. Rated PG. Family Storytime 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 18 For children through age 5 years and caregivers.

Families with young children enjoy a variety of stories, songs, rhymes and movement. First come, first served.

Space is limited. Please arrive early and pick up a ticket at the Youth Services desk.

Teen Programs Lego Club 4 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 1 Children and families of all ages are invited to drop in for building challenges the whole family will enjoy. All materials are provided.

Nevermore Academy Masquerade Mystery 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 2 Teens are invited to a Nevermore Academy School Dance with an escape room twist. Come ready to dance and solve the mystery together. Themed outfits are encour-

See CAPE LIBRARY, page 34

and live music seven days a week in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Rumrunners is open 7 days a week starting at 11 a.m., offering online takeout and delivery at rumrunners.cc The restaurant features a glass wall along the back that looks out on the waterway and protected mangroves across the channel. Diners can also eat and take in the view alfresco on the decks along the water.

Surrounding Rumrunners is a treasure trove of antiques, memorabilia, activities including a beach, mobile tiki bars and much more.

There is also free parking or boat dockage at Rumrunners’ docks.

The 20th anniversary celebration events are all free and open to the public. There will also be free giveaways at the events.

Some of the upcoming events include:

■ Sunday, Oct. 29 - “Trunk or Treat” with live music.

Wear your favorite costume and come dressed to impress.

Free candy will be provided by some of our local businesses and the Lee County Sheriff's Department will be participating as well.

■ Tuesday, Oct. 31 - Halloween Party starting at 5 p.m. with food and drink specials with live music.

■ Monday, Nov. 20 - Fall Fest starts at 1 p.m. with live music all day, Water Slide, and exhibits from the Lee County Sheriff's Department with special guest Robbie the Robotic Dog and the Sheriff’s own ice cream truck.

■ Saturday, Dec. 2 - “Rock the Dock” with “American Made,” the classic rock band, from 1-4 p.m.

■ Sunday, Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24 - Santa and the Grinch from 1-4 p.m. Fun for the whole family, bring your camera and take photos with Santa and the Grinch.

For additional information, please call 239-790-5786.

10th Annual South Cape Spooktacular Trolley Event Saturday 5th Annual South Cape Business Trick or Treat Event tomorrow The 5th Annual South Cape Business Trick or Treat Event will be held Saturday, Oct. 21, from 1-4 p.m.

Residents and visitors can bring the kids to have their bags filled with goodies at South Cape businesses! Each location will be passing out candy, trinkets or one of the many great treats of higher value - like gift cards to awesome local places.

A limo bus will safely transport children and families across Cape Coral Parkway and to the Photo Booth at Pizza Parma (4643 Coronado Parkway) to take a spooky picture for free!

Participating South Cape businesses include Art in the Cape, Cape Coral re:MADE, Cape Coral Mattress, John Michael's Diamond & Jewelry Studio, Karma & Coconuts, Lee County Laundromat, Lehne Burger, No. 3 Craft Brews & Beer Bar, Pizza Parma, RE/MAX Nautical Realty, Revolution Records, Sidecar Treats, Starbucks, Trebing Tile & Carpet and Zaks Jewelry See the complete map of the South Cape at bit.ly/southcapeTOTmap Visit the Facebook Event or Eventbrite for additional information.

Michael Diamond & Jewelry Studio, Monkey Bar Steak & Seafood, Pizza Parma, Rack'em Spirits & Times, Ralph's Place, Rusty's Raw Bar & Grill and the Tiki Bar You an get your tickets online via Eventbrite: https://www. eventbrite.com/e/10th-annual-south-capespooktacular-drink-or-treat-trolley-event-tickets717268107217

Early check in is from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Big John's Plaza (near Pinch-a-Penny) or Dolphin Key Resort (under the front awning). Late check in runs 7:30-10 p.m. at Dolphin Key Resort (under the front awning).

All ticket holders must be present with ID to receive a wristband, passport and check-in trinket.

Cape Coral Breeze

The 10th Annual South Cape Spooktacular Trolley Event is this Saturday, Oct. 21, from 7-11 p.m. This 21+ nightlife celebration takes guests to 11 locations to enjoy a spooky, themed night with drink samples and candy samples at each participating South Cape hot spot.

Take the trolleys or walk to each location to enjoy treats and samples (included in ticket price) and get your passport stamped.

Enjoy a night of spooktacular fun. Each attendee will be provided a passport to have stamped at all 11 locations.

To enter the grand prize drawing for a cooler and goodies, sponsored by Kona Big Wave, leave your completed passport on a trolley, limo bus or at a participating location.

Trolley hosts will keep you entertained along the way with spooky trivia and giveaways!

You can also enter the costume contest and get your picture taken at the official Photo Booth for a chance to win $500 cash!

All-inclusive tickets for the spooky fun are just $22 in advance ($17 for DDs).

Participating locations include BackStreets Sports Bar, Cruiser's Lounge, The Dive, Dixie Roadhouse, John

www.capecoralbreeze.com

Rumrunners Waterfront Restaurant, a Cape Coral landmark, is celebrating its 20th anniversary of offering the community seafood, live music and waterfront views.

Rumrunners invites its loyal customers and new visitors to join the festivities with a series of concerts and events that will run until the end of the year. The first event will be a concert by “American Made,” a classic rock band, Saturday, Oct. 28, from 1-4 p.m.

Rumrunners opened its doors on Nov. 12, 2003, at 5848 Cape Harbour Drive, Cape Coral, in the Cape Harbour community at the south end of Chiquita Boulevard. Rumrunners is grateful for the warm welcome and support from the community and is proud to give back by sponsoring these free events.

Rumrunners is situated on a waterfront property in Cape Coral, which has over 400 miles of canals. The restaurant offers fresh seafood, daily brunch, lively events

Page 21 ■ October 20, 2023

Rumrunners Waterfront Restaurant celebrating 20th anniversary

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

October 20, 2023 ■ Page 22

Quarter Auction benefit planned for young girl battling leukemia

PHOTO PROVIDED

American Legion Post 90 outreach committee members George Laman, Bill McKernan, Commander Keith Berres, Chairman Ted Clark and members Jeff Zambrana, Harry Fink and Hector Gomez with the city award.

The Quarter Auction Queens are teaming with Over the Moon Room to hold a benefit for Cape Coral Police officers and parents Kelsey Meadows and Nicholas Bezanson, whose 2-year-old daughter Hayden is battling leukemia.

Proceeds from the quarter auction will help remodel Hayden's bedroom to make it fresh and fun.

The fundraiser, which will be held from 6-10 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 25, at Rusty's Raw Bar and Grill at 4631 S.E. 10th Place in Cape Coral, will be a fun Halloween party complete with a costume contest, live

music, beverages and silent auction.

Guests will receive a paddle for $3 to use to bid on the auction items. Bidders can win items for 1, 2 or 3 quarters that are values up to $75. Local vendors will provide items to be auctioned. There will also be a Chinese auction and 50/50 raffle.

Guests should bring rolls of quarters and their friends to help support the special event.

Over the past 11 years, the Quarter Auction Queens have raised money for local non-profits and other charities. For additional details, call 239-541-8720.

City of Cape Coral presents award Florida SouthWestern campuses set to host family-friendly Halloween events to American Legion Post 90 The city of Cape Coral has presented American Legion Post 90 with a Community Recognition Award.

Mayor John Gunter and city Public Information Specialist Lauren Kurkimilis presented the post with an engraved crystal plaque. Receiving the recognition were Post 90 Commander Keith Berres, Marketing Committee Chair Ted Clark and committee members.

Post 90 has a very active outreach program for veterans and their families.

Efforts include support for veterans in need, children’s programs, student programs and other community support

efforts. Since Cape Coral and all of Lee County are growing rapidly these outreach efforts are especially needed, post officials said.

Post 90 Commander Berres stated that Cape Coral's rapid growth includes many veterans moving into the city and they can take advantage of American Legion Post 90 benefits and also get to know the community through their membership.

For more information about Legion Post 90, call 239-540-8128 or contact alpost90@yahoo.com or Ted Clark, PR officer, at 845-527-7948 or tedclark12@gmail.com.

Ghosts and goblins of all ages are invited to haunt all Florida SouthWestern State College locations during family-friendly Halloween events this month. All events are free and open to the public.

Southwest Florida community partners, FSW departments and student clubs will decorate tables, host activities and give out candy. Guests are invited to wear costumes and enjoy balloon art, face painting, crafts, treats and more.

Please note that only children ages 12 and under are allowed to wear masks or carry fake weapons at these events.

Attendees are also requested to use discretion in choosing costumes, ensuring they are appropriate for a family-friendly

environment.

■ Fort Myers Campus: Tuesday, Oct. 24, 5-7 p.m., at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena, 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers ■ LaBelle Center: Wednesday, Oct. 25.

5-7 p.m., 1092 East Cowboy Way, LaBelle ■ Naples Campus: Thursday, Oct. 26, 5-7 p.m., on the M Lawn, 7505 Grand Lely Drive, Naples ■ Punta Gorda Campus: Friday, Oct. 27, 5-7 p.m., on the Lawn behind Building B, 26300 Airport Road, Punta Gorda For more information about the Halloween events, please contact the FSW Office of Student Engagement at 239-4899246 or email engage@fsw.edu.

Page 23 ■ October 20, 2023 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Cape Coral Breeze

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

October 20, 2023 ■ Page 24

Page 25 ■ October 20, 2023 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Cape Coral Breeze

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

October 20, 2023 ■ Page 26

Page 27 ■ October 20, 2023 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Cape Coral Breeze

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

October 20, 2023 ■ Page 28

Page 29 ■ October 20, 2023 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Cape Coral Breeze

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

October 20, 2023 ■ Page 30

Page 31 ■ October 20, 2023 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Cape Coral Breeze

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

October 20, 2023 ■ Page 32

Page 33 ■ October 20, 2023 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Cape Coral Breeze

October 20, 2023 ■ Page 34 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

‘Drinking Habits’ production underway at the Belle Theatre in Cape Coral The Belle Theatre is currently presenting “Drinking Habits.”

Accusations, mistaken identities and romances run wild in this traditional, laugh-out-loud farce. Two nuns at the Sisters of the Perpetual Sewing have been secretly making wine to keep the convent's doors open, but Paul and Sally, reporters and former fiancées, are hot on their trail. They go undercover as a nun and priest, but their presence spurs paranoia throughout the convent that spies have been sent from Rome to shut them

down. Wine and secrets are inevitably spilled as everyone tries to preserve the convent and reconnect with lost loves.

The production is on stage now through Nov. 5, with matinee performances at 2 p.m. and evening performances at 7:30. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students with a valid ID. Tickets are available at www.The BelleTheatre.com or by phone at 239-323-5533.

The Belle Theatre is at 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd., #135, in Cape Coral.

A scene from The Belle Theatre production of “Drinking Habits,” which runs through Nov. 5 at the Cape theater.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Cape Library: Programs and activities set for month of November From page 20 aged. All supplies and snacks are provided. Sponsored by the Friends of the Cape Coral Library. Registration is required. This program is intended for teens ages 11-18 to attend independently. Please speak with staff before the program if caregiver assistance is needed.

Family Movie Night 4 p.m., Monday, Nov. 13 Celebrate loved ones, past and present, with a special family movie and themed craft. Snacks will be provided.

Now, let's get un poco loco. Rated PG.

Kids Read Down Fines 1–2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 4 5:15–6:15 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 15 Children and teens can earn a $2 credit on overdue fines for every 15 minutes they read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session. Please bring your library card.

Please check in at the Youth Services Reference Desk.

Random Acts of Tech: Code-A-Chariot 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 16 Join us for the final program in this series and learn about coding and robotics with sphero SPRK+ robots.

Each month we will build on the skills we have learned from the previous activity. All supplies provided. This program is intended for attendees ages 11-18 to attend independently. Please speak with staff if caregiver assistance is required.

What the Craft?

Sharpie Tie-Dye T-Shirts 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 9 Try this new take on tie-dyeing a T-shirt with sharpies and rubbing alcohol. All supplies provided while they last.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Cape Coral Library. This program is intended for teens ages 11 to 18 to attend independently. Please speak with staff before the program if caregiver assistance is needed.

Reading Buddies Teen Volunteer Interest Meeting 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 30 This is a volunteer opportunity for high school students.

We will discuss the Reading Buddies program, which will be implemented in January 2024. Teen volunteers will learn about the program and the volunteer application process. Snacks will be provided. Please be on time. Due to the nature of the upcoming volunteer program, this meeting is intended for teen students to attend independ-

ently. All attendees must have completed eighth grade and be in high school.

The Cape Coral Lee County Public Library is located at 921 S.W. 39th Terrace in Cape Coral. For more information about a program or to register, please call the library at 239-533-4500. Check the Lee County Library System’s website at www.leelibrary.net to find out about programs at other locations. Call the host library, or Telephone Reference at 239-479-INFO (4636), for more information about a specific program.

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www.leegov.com/resources/ newsletters.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lee County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its services, programs or activities. To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a reasonable modification to participate, contact Joan LaGuardia, 239-533-2314, Florida Relay Service 711, or jlaguardia@leegov.com.

Accommodation will be provided at no cost to the requestor. Requests should be made at least five business days in advance.

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

The city of Cape Coral will spend $3.8 million on a property purchase to consolidate the Development Services and the Parks & Recreation staff into one location.

Cape Coral City Council on Wednesday approved the purchase of a near 3-acre site at 2107-2119 Santa Barbara Boulevard, which currently is Heritage Charter Academy. The funds will be taken from the city’s Building and General Fund reserves with a closing cost

not to exceed $7,000.

The $3,807,000 contract is between International Capital Investment Company III, LLC, a Florida Limited Liability Company, and the City of Cape Coral.

The property is 2.8 acres and consists of two buildings with a total of 34,843 square feet. The 2006 two-story building has approximately 19,467 square feet, while the 2013 one-story building has approximately 15,376 square feet.

The initial offer for the property was $3,450,000 with the seller counteroffer at $3,800,000, which remained firm

throughout the negotiations. According to the city, “in addition to the purchase price, the city will pay its pro rata share of the 2023 non-ad valorem fees associated with the property at closing.”

The council also approved: n An agreement with Kisinger Campo & Associates, Corp. for three additional intersections for the Traffic Signal and Roadway Improvement Design.

Those intersections include Chiquita Boulevard North and Embers Parkway West, Santa Barbara North and Tropicana

Parkway West and Andalusia Boulevard and Diplomat Parkway East. The agreement is not to exceed $396,437.51. With this first amendment to the contract, it will increase to $488,852.51.

The original contract was for the intersection at Del Prado Boulevard North and Averill Boulevard at an amount not to exceed $92,415 on Nov. 21, 2022. n Acceptance of the Hurricane Housing Recovery Program funding in the amount of $6,676,929 from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

and more.

“We’re getting good traction on the VIP tickets,” Bauer said. “There’s roughly 200 for each day. Saturdays are usually the busiest, so if you want to go then, I would get it in advance.”

As the club morphs into the festival-like atmosphere of Munich, beers will be poured in abundance, copious amounts of food are to be consumed, and music and dancing takes place late into the evening.

Oktoberfest is a special event for those that attend, and is something people mark on their calendars to not miss. Members of the Maselheimer Musikanten, the big band that the community welcomed in 2017, will attend, joined by KaBeGL, also from Germany “It’s one of the largest, grandest events in Southwest Florida,” Bauer said. “This is the event that has true international flavor.

And with our massive tent, you get that outdoor beer hall feel you just don't get anywhere else.”

This year’s dates are Oct. 20, 21, and 22

and 27, 28, 29 — the last two full weekends of the month. Organizers say all should come out, whether for a brat and beer to sit with family in the Bavarian Gardens, to join in on the fun and dance under the big tent, or for a full German meal of Sauerbraten or Schnitzel inside the Von Steuben Hall.

The event will also feature local favorite entertainers such as The Boots, Deb & the Dynamics, A’Finnity, and award-winning acts such as Pitbull of Blues and new this year, Dottie Kelly Band, an IBC Memphis finalist. Also, Cape Coral’s own Hafenkapelle, Manni Daum Trio, and many more. There will be non-stop foot-tapping music on three stages in the tent, the gardens, and inside in the Edelweiss Hall; something for every ear.

Attendees can also stop for a photo-op with Lissette Ortiz-Teleweck, Ms. Oktoberfest 2023, or with one of several Ms. Oktoberfests from previous years wearing their pretty dirndls and elegant blue sashes.

Opening hours are Fridays from 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturdays from noon until midnight, and Sundays from noon until 8 p.m.

“It’s going to be our biggest effort with more offerings than ever before,” Bauer said. “We’ve expanded it in the off-year we’ve had to make it even bigger.”

Advance tickets to the event are $8 and can be purchased at The German American Social Club, Trebling Tile, the European Grocery Market in Cap Coal, Farmer Joe’s, the European Food Market in Fort Myers, Kallis German Buter in Port Charlotte, and Geier’s Sausage Kitchen in Sarasota. You may also purchase tickets at the gate for $10. Children 12 and under are admitted free and all event dates are rain-or-shine.

The German American Social Club is at 2101 Southwest Pine Island Road in Cape Coral. For more information, including VIP tickets, visit www.CapeCoralOktoberfest.com.

Jaycee Park: Residents remain unhappy as revamp plans move to design phase From page 1 Many citizens who spoke asked the council to share their motivation on changing their neighborhood park to become more “commercialized.”

“I talked to the city manager wanting to know a little more about our invasive pine trees and he explained it to me,” Councilmember Patty Cummings said. “I also heard that we spend money to clean up the seeds that the invasive pine trees put up throughout the city. State law says that we have to clean it up. Over the last 10 years (we have spent) almost $7 million to clean it up. That is one of the reasons why I was more open to move forward — upgrade the park, make it look better and save money from cleaning up the seeds. I am with removing invasive pine trees. If we can replace them that won’t cost money, I am for that.”

Councilmember Dan Sheppard said his motivation came from listening to residents saying they want more places along the water to go with their families.

“The point is we have to share. The city is growing and the needs are growing. We have to create places, so all of our citizens can enjoy the waterfront,” he said. “We have a difficult job up here. We have to vet when ideas come forward. We all listen. We agree with a lot of things you are saying. It’s still in design. We don’t know the final outcome.

We have no idea when we will obtain funding, or when the job will actually be done.”

Councilmember Bill Steinke said his motivation was to further activate the waterfront, as Cape Coral considers themselves as a waterfront wonderland.

“Not everyone can afford to live on the water, so they have to go to public places to enjoy the water,” he said. “They all enjoy it in different ways. We have to accommodate

“The point is we have to share. The city is growing and the needs are growing. We have to create places, so all of our citizens can enjoy the waterfront. We have a difficult job up here. We have to vet when ideas come forward. We all listen. We agree with a lot of things you are saying. It’s still in design. We don’t know the final outcome. We have no idea when we will obtain funding, or when the job will actually be done.”

— Councilmember Dan Sheppard all the different ways in the facilities that we have available to us.”

More shade, both from to-be-planted native trees, and sunshades, was the key change in the updated concept which still calls for removing the Australian Pines from the property, an issue with many park users.

Other feedback items that were incorporated into the tweaked design include addressing concerns about the north parking lot, the desire for additional seating options, accessibility to the waterfront for those who have access needs, additional bike racks, grills, EV charging stations and dog cooling options.

There are six pavilions with grills in the concept, an addition of three more than are currently on site. The plan also calls for dog drinking areas and “mister stations” for dogs as well.

The plan also includes a band shell; a food truck court with bar, newly dubbed a bistro/piazza; a splash pad and boat docks with slips for water access.

During citizen input, residents continued to enumerate the issues they have with the city’s plans for the park at the end of Beach Parkway.

“Cape Coral loves working backwards,”

said Brian Poelker, one of the many who spoke.

He said the impact on the environment has not been addressed.

“Cape Coral should keep these spaces green, not gray,” Poelker said, adding that he is mostly afraid of changing the climate by destroying native habitat.

Another citizen said that nobody is against change — change is welcome for the greater good — but they are against the willingness to jeopardize the future ecology of the park.

Another sentiment echoed among many other citizens: research before planning.

“It’s very easy to find a developer to draw pretty pictures for a park. Responsible people do the research first,” another resident said.

“I hope you have consulted environmentalists of endangered plants and species. Start talking to the Corps of Engineers to talk about docks available in the area.”

As far as the environmental studies and permitting goes, Ilczyszyn said all of that is part of the design and permitting process. He said as they work through that stage, such things as endangered species will be identified, as well as regulatory needs.

“A lot of the questions being asked —

questions (that) are valued — will be answered when we go through the process,” Ilczyszyn said.

Ilczyszyn said issues will be identified at the 30% mark, before moving into buildings, structures and hardscapes as you proceed to 60% completion. He said Council will know how big the buildings are and how it fits into the park, as well as resolving any conflicts and working through environmental issues.

“When you go into design, (you are) taking the concept and bringing finality to it, so you know when to bid it with contractors they know exactly what they are building and bidding on and what they have to construct,” Ilczyszyn said.

Other citizens spoke about the money to be spent on transforming the park.

“You are on the course to spend over $10 million to provide a transformed park that the public rejects,” he said. “You ignored the strong and vocal opposition to Pennoni’s plan and set on proceeding on an unwanted plan. Those of us that use our neighborhood park don’t want food trucks, band shell, or alcohol in the park. I urge the Council to have the courage and foresight to step back and start over. This time decide with the community what is wanted and needed and pay the experts to make it happen.”

One man asked Council members to join them Sunday at 9 a.m. at Jaycee Park.

“Reevaluate this so-called plan. Really get in touch with the constituents here. We don’t want to turn it into a concrete jungle.

It’s the only sanctuary these people have.

They love this place. Have a heart,” he said.

“Take us into consideration. Come and join us this Sunday morning. I would like to see at least a few of you there.”

Cape Coral Breeze

From page 1 With COVID-19 restrictions still in place the last time Oktoberfest graced Cape Coral, Bauer said the club is finally able to bring back German bands that will travel thousands of miles to perform for Southwest Floridians.

“We have two bands coming from Germany,” Bauer said. “And they will mainly be in the big tent. That will be the first time now in four years we’ll have visiting bands, not just domestic.”

A new sponsor that has jumped on board which Bauer and attendees should be excited about, is Jaegermeister.

“In addition to our beer sponsors, we have Jaegermeister which will be featured at all of our bars that serve cocktails,” Bauer said. “We’ll also have a dedicated bar and VIP area.”

The brand-new VIP program features admission, special seating, drink specials, a sit-down meal inside in the Von Steuben Hall, a glass Hofbrauhaus beer stein, refills,

www.capecoralbreeze.com

Oktoberfest: Six days spread over two weekends — Oct. 20-22 and Oct. 27-29

Page 35 n October 20, 2023

City to purchase Heritage Charter Academy site

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

October 20, 2023 ■ Page 36

Page 37 ■ October 20, 2023 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Cape Coral Breeze

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

October 20, 2023 ■ Page 38

Page 39 ■ October 20, 2023 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Cape Coral Breeze

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

October 20, 2023 ■ Page 40

Page 41 ■ October 20, 2023 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Cape Coral Breeze

October 20, 2023 n Page 42 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

School district legislative program focuses on deregulation

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

An updated legislative priorities platform was approved by the School Board of Lee County Tuesday, just in time for the board and key district personnel to travel to Tallahassee for the beginning of the legislative session.

Deregulation is a key point of the district position.

“The umbrella statement for deregulation is to request for all public schools to

“This is something we all have been talking about for a long time. The same and fair with charter schools and private schools. The expectation is the same for all. A student, all means all, no matter where they go to school. We want the best education and opportunities for them. “ — Board member Melisa Giovannelli have the same statutory flexibility,” Communications & Government Relations Chief Angel Gomez said.

The highlights for deregulation include: n All schools have the same level of flexibility as high performing districts and charter schools. n Funds following the students between school choice options in a timely manner. n Eliminate “cost per student station.” n Amend Florida Statute 1012.56 “to provide superintendents with the statutory flexibility to determine whether a classroom teacher may be retained for an extended period if the teacher has not yet passed the General Knowledge Exam within a 5% passage rate window.” n Give superintendents flexibility when necessary to increase teacher compensation based on years of teaching experience.

n Amend Florida Statute 1012.22(1)(c)3 “to provide district school boards flexibility to award advanced degree supplements to instructional personnel or school administrators hired on or after July 1, 2022, regardless of the individual’s area of certification.” n Amend Florida Statute 1003.433.

This addresses English Speakers of Other Languages students who have been enrolled in the program for less than two school years that have met all requirements for the standard high school diploma, except the passage of the B.E.S.T. Algebra 1 EOC assessment requirement. n Remove the four-year millage limitation, allowing voters the opportunity to support public school improvements for up to 10 years.

Board member Melisa Giovannelli said she was appreciative of the recognition of the deregulation piece.

“This is something we all have been talking about for a long time. The same and fair with charter schools and private schools. The expectation is the same for all. A student, all means all, no matter where they go to school. We want the best education and opportunities for them,” she said.

The 2024 legislative priorities also include increase student achievement, safety, teacher certification and retention, post Hurricane Ian recovery and school facilities utilization.

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

into Council in the wake of the real estate collapse, whiping out much of its source of revenue, subsequently was reestablished one property values went back up.

The CRA is funded by Tax Increment Financing funds, property tax dollars between the base at which the CRA was created, and current values. TIF funds are intended to go back into the district to help pay for improvements to properties there.

“It made more sense to go the way we went. I recommend keeping it the way it is,” Cosden said.

Welsh and Hayden had similar sentiments of the board remaining the same, appointed individuals.

Welsh said there are two members of the CRA leaving — members that

Lee Board of County Commissioners to hold special meeting The Oct. 24 special meeting is open to the public and also available on LeeTV, at www.leegov.com or via the county’s livestream at www.youtube.com/@LeeCountyFLBOCC. Commissioners voted to hold the special meeting during their regularly scheduled Board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 17.

To watch the Board discussion and vote, go to https://youtu.be/UsMNAJFNxC0

Cape Coral Breeze

The Lee Board of County Commissioners will hold a special meeting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in Commission Chambers at the Old Courthouse, 2120 Main St., Fort Myers.

The purpose is to discuss adoption of a resolution from the BoCC opposing any future legislation pertaining to an elected county executive (administrator, manager, mayor).

brought a wealth of knowledge of what needs to be done in the CRA. “I value their opinion. I would be against us taking over the CRA,” he said.

Welsh said he did not think any of the current CRA board members knew about the plan for termination. He said to terminate without talking to them, or talking to the community is a disservice.

Hayden said it was just another attempt to remove citizens from the

process of the community and government. He said he was against Council taking over something, as the district continues to move forward.

City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn, who also is the CRA’s executive director, said with the CRA meeting every other month, instead of adding additional meeting dates and times, Council could place the CRA meeting in front of the Committee of the Whole meeting, or at the end of a City Council Wednesday night meeting.

The meetings could “fold it into your meeting days already, so it doesn’t add any additional time requirements,” Ilczyszyn said.

www.capecoralbreeze.com

The South Cape Community Redevelopment Agency is to come back under the auspices of the Cape Coral City Council.

Council voted Wednesday to terminate members of the appointed board as of Nov. 30 with plans for Council to assume their responsibilities.

“I will be bringing back an ordinance in two weeks for an introduction regarding the City Council becoming the CRA,” City Attorney Aleksandr Boksner said in response to the action.

Those opposed to the CRA takeover were council members Robert Welsh, Jessica Cosden and Tom Hayden.

“I honestly think it is better the way it is now,” said Cosden said, as CRA board members are appointed professionals.

Cosden said at the beginning of her first term in office, Council acted as the CRA commission.

Things became contentious and political at times, she added.

The CRA board, which was absorbed

The Cape Coral City Council voted Wednesday to terminate members of the appointed CRA board as of Nov. 30 with plans for Council to assume their responsibilities. The city attorney will bring an ordinance to that effect back to Council in two weeks for its consideration.

Page 43 n October 20, 2023

Cape Council to bring CRA under its wings

October 20, 2023 n Page 44

Showcase event to continue at the Civic Center in 2024; Parks & Rec will host festivities The Lee County fair will go on in 2024 at the same location, the Lee Civic Center.

“The 2024 Lee County fair will happen as planned at the Lee Civic Center,” the county said in a release issued Thursday afternoon.

Lee County Parks & Recreation will host the event with assistance from a third-party vendor and volunteers.

“The Lee Board of County Commissioners has a long-standing commitment to the 4-H program, the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program and the Lee County fair,” the release states.

“Lee County Parks & Recreation has extensive experience hosting large-scale special events year-round. Lee County is working with an entertainment and ride vendor — and long-time fair volunteers — to bring the classic fair experience and enhancements to the community.”

— Lee County officials in a prepared statement “As part of that commitment, the Board has never wavered that the 100th fair would happen in 2024 and will con-

tinue for years to come. Lee County assumed operation of the fair to ensure that long tradition continues uninterrupted after the previous organizer’s contract expired Sept. 30 despite efforts to negotiate a contract extension.”

The county’s parks department has the expertise to make sure the organizational transition goes smoothly, officials said.

“Lee County Parks & Recreation has extensive experience hosting large-scale special events year-round. Lee County is working with an entertainment and ride vendor — and long-time fair volunteers —to bring the classic fair experience and enhancements to the community,” the release states.

Earlier this week, the Board received an update related to the fair and Civic Center. The discussion at the regularly scheduled Tuesday, Oct. 17, meeting included a vote to: n Authorize staff to continue to work with 4-H partners to prepare an agenda item for a regularly scheduled Board meeting that will identify the cost of the equipment that is needed to maintain the 4-H youth activities. n Authorize staff to negotiate with the third-party fair show vendor for Lee County to host the 2024 Annual Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair; prepare an agenda item for Board approval once terms and conditions have been determined.

To watch the discussion and video v i s i t : www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELs2Z7TJ WXs. More information about the Board’s commitment to the Civic Center and its activities as well as an interactive map, video to past Board discussions and more are available at www.leegov.com/civiccenter.

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

County to stage Lee County’s 100th Anniversary Fair

Like The Breeze?

Read daily news updates online.

Follow us on Facebook.

OCTOBER 20, 2023

Deep water red Red Sox 12th annual Swings for the snapper trips possible Sox golf tourney raises over $70,000 Funds to benefit scholarship program for Lee County students this weekend

TIDES CHART at Cape Coral Bridge Height Sunrise Moon Time Feet Sunset

Day

High /Low

Tide Time

% Moon Visible

Sa 21 21

High Low

6:53 AM 4:56 PM

1.2 0.0

7:30 AM 6:54 PM

Rise 2:10 PM

34

Su 22 22

High Low

8:16 AM 6:13 PM

1.1 0.0

7:31 AM 6:53 PM

Set 12:40 AM Rise 3:00 PM

45

Sa 21 21

High Low

6:21 AM 4:22 PM

2.2 0.1

7:31 AM 6:55 PM

Rise 2:11 PM

34

Su 22 22

High Low

7:44 AM 5:39 PM

2.1 0.1

7:32 AM Set 12:41 AM 6:54 PM Rise 3:01 PM

at Matlacha Pass

PREP REPORT Friday

Football Cardinal Mooney at Bishop Verot Estero at Mariner Lehigh at North Fort Myers Island Coast at Gateway St. Stephen's at Oasis.

Cape Coral idle.

Wednesday

Volleyball District 5A-11 Thursday's championship North Fort Myers at Braden River, 7 p.m.

Boys Golf Oasis 327, Bishop Verot 346 At Stoneybrook Golf Club, Estero Par 72 Individual: Gabriel Gair (O) 73, Job Woodby (O) 78, Wade Swartz (BV) 83, Tyler Wyman (BV) 84, Rhys Skillrud (O) 85. JC Iglesias (BV) 89, Brody Evanoski (BV) 90, Corbin Odjick (O) 92, Juan Pagan (O) 95, Paul Reilly (BV) 96.

Tuesday

Girls Golf Lee County Athletic Conference At Ibis Landing Golf & Country Club Par 36 (front nine) Team: Estero 189, Fort Myers 202, North Fort Myers 253, Bonita Springs 291, Riverdale 310.

Top 25 and ties: Jensi Krampel (E) 39, Ameila Alonso (FM) 41, Sadie Johnson (E) 47, Sophia Reed (E) 48, Jada Kohlmeier (M) 48, Isabella Lauzon (CC) 50, Richelle Britto (FM) 51, Megan Waters (NFM) 53, SeiNaChappell (FM) 54, Kaitlyn Mancini (E) 55, Addison Berta (FM) 56, Sydney Caldwell (NFM) 57, Sofia Passos (E) 59, Sophia Till (BS) 62, Keren Farhart (M) 66, Evalyn Klein (CC) 67, Lucy Molloy (NFM) 69, Annabella Damsey (E) 69, Nina Perez (FM) 73, Jennifer Lopez (SFM) 73. Ellie Zink (NFM) 74, Ava Costello (R) 75, Grace Sand (NFM) 75, Maci Tumbleson (BS) 75, Kaydance Hytonen (L) 76, Emma Erfourth (CL) 76, Kailyn Dyer (BS) 76.

(Bascule bridge)

45

socially-driven manufacturing, sales and distribution company that aims to change the game on what and where some of the things you buy are made. ReRoute products are made of fully recyclable plastics or agave. They are made of compostable materials in humane conditions.

ReRoute joined Galloway Ford as well as Aramark, National/Enterprise, Lee Health, DeVoe Automotive, Sunbelt Rentals, and Chouinard, Massie, Reilly, CPAs. The Red Sox Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official team charity of the Boston Red Sox. The foundation’s primary focus locally is in serving the health, education, recreation and social service needs of children and families across Southwest Florida. The Red Sox Foundation is one of the most successful in all of Major League Baseball.

For more information, call 239-226-4783 or email swingsforthesox@redsox.com.

Volleyball District 6A-12 Tuesday's semifinals Fort Myers 3, Palmetto Ridge 1

Riverdale 3, Ida Baker 1: Baker's season concluded at 13-13 after a 25-21, 25-15, 25-22 loss to the secondseeded Raiders.

Thursday's championship Riverdale at Fort Myers, 7 p.m.

District 5A-11 Tuesday's semifinals North Fort Myers 3, Port Charlotte 2: The secondseeded Red Knights advanced to Thursday's district title match with a 25-17, 25-20, 12-25, 25-16 victory for their 19th win (19-6).

Braden River 3, Parrish Community 0 Thursday's championship North Fort Myers at Braden River, 7 p.m.

District 3A-12 Tuesday's semifinals First Baptist Academy 3, Bishop Verot 0: The Vikings were knocked out of the district tourney, 25-16, 25-20, 25-11. Keegan Habing had 15 kills and Sidney Blackwood made 15 assists for Bishop Verot. Despite a No. 24 state ranking, the Vikings (20-7) are long shots to make the playoffs in a powerhouse region. Ten of Florida's top 23 3A teams are ranked ahead of Verot in Region 3A3.

Canterbury 3, Community School of Naples 1 Thursday's championship Canterbury at First Baptist Academy, 7 p.m.

Boys Bowling Bishop Verot 4, Bonita Springs 1: The Vikings (10-4) were led by CJ Carranza's 216 game. Nolan Wagner rolled a 192.

Oasis 5, Community School of Naples 0 (forfeit): Chris Reyes had a season-best 117 game, while Charles Broadley led the Sharks with a 130.

Gateway 3, Mariner 2: Mariner (863) -- Andre Enslin 218, Bo Laventure 135, Mike Testa 188, Chris Smith 213, Seth Schulte 109.

Girls Bowling Bishop Verot 5, Bonita Springs 2: Mia Brooks bowled a 123 as the Vikings improved to 12-2.

Oasis 5, Community School of Naples 0 (forfeit): Emma Neujahr and Lexi Lenius led the Sharks in the Baker matches.

Mariner 5, Gateway 0: Mariner (531) -- Malia Araujo 136, Regan Tucker 112, Alyssa Jenkins 88, Delaney Tucker 74, Samantha Contino 121.

Cape Coral Breeze

See RED SNAPPER, page 46

The Red Sox Foundation’s 12th annual Swings for the Sox golf tournament in October raised $71,690.

This was the year’s biggest tournament with 132 golfers and took place at the Tiburón Golf Club’s Gold Course in Naples.

As part of the Red Sox’s continuing community outreach efforts, all proceeds from this year’s tournament benefits the Lee County Red Sox Scholarship program. Each year, the Red Sox Foundation awards a $5,000 college scholarship to one deserving student from each of the public high schools in Lee County and one student from a Lee County charter and ALS school for a total of 16 scholarships worth $80,000.

To date, the Swings for the Sox has raised more than $615,000 for local charities and specifically $530,000 for the scholarship program.

Once again, this year’s title sponsor was ReRoute, a

www.capecoralbreeze.com

Most forecasts call for decreasing winds this weekend hopefully making a red snapper trip possible for those able to access the 100 to 120-foot zones.

In closer, bonito, Spanish macs, grunts and snapper are willing to bend your rod. If lite tackle, drag burning, “I can see the spool!” action gets you going, then by all means start scanning the skies for feeding birds hopefully leading you to a bonito feeding frenzy often with blackfin tuna underneath. Take along some ultra-lite set-ups in Capt. George case your crew encounTunison ters schools of Spanish on a feeding rampage.

Tie spoons on with 40pound fluorocarbon or light gauge single strand wire if you keep losing lures to razor teeth.

If you wire up, here’s your chance to master the Albright Knot to connect your wire to mono or fluorocarbon, and the Haywire Twist to attach your wire to the lure. See YouTube or the net for tying instructions.

Small spoons like Kastmasters or Clark spoons will work well cast or trolled along the edges for either bonito or Spanish. Small white bucktail jigs also work well for the bonito, but obviously not for toothy macs, and fly rodders can also have a ball with both species.

If you can’t get any fly action from the speedily feeding bonito, make a long cast, stick the reel in your armpit, then bring the line and lure in as fast as possible with both hands and hang on. After the strike, quickly clear the windblown line from your around your ankles, feet, deck hardware, trolling motors and any other annoying fly line grabbing gremlin, and get the fish back on the reel.

Offshore fly casters, reduce line management frustrations by using a belt worn or deck-mounted stripping basket because quite often once you pick up a fly rod so does the wind. It’s the way it is, so get used to it and learn to use it to your advantage. Throwing a high, open loop cast with the wind will greatly increase your casting distance while a fast and lower, tight looped cast helps fight the wind. If you’re new to saltwater or any fly fishing, make sure you're using the right fly line taper for the job.

For most saltwater or bass bug fishing, you’re looking for a “weight-forward” type taper fly line which also fights wind and allows you to cast larger and heav-

Page 45 n October 20, 2023

SPORTS

THE BREEZE

October 20, 2023 n Page 46 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

Heritage Cares Foundation, Harry Chapin Food Bank partner for ‘Drive Out Hunger’ tournament on Oct. 30 Harry Chapin Food Bank, the largest hunger relief organization in Southwest Florida, has partnered with the Heritage Cares Foundation, the charitable arm of the Heritage Golf Group, to host the “Drive Out Hunger” golf tournament Monday, Oct. 30. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. and will be held at The Club at Pelican Preserve, 9802 Pelican Preserve Blvd. in Fort Myers.

“This golf tournament is an opportunity to continue to raise awareness about the impact of food insecurity on families in our community and our mission to end hunger in Southwest Florida,” said Stuart Haniff, the chief development officer at Harry Chapin Food Bank. “We are excited to partner with the Heritage Golf Group, the

Heritage Cares Foundation and The Club at Pelican Preserve to spend a day on the greens to ‘Drive Out Hunger’ in our communities.”

Harry Chapin Food Bank has announced that Seminole Casino Hotel is the title sponsor for the 2023 “Drive Out Hunger” golf tournament. Located in Immokalee, the Seminole Casino Hotel offers an experience unique to Southwest Florida. Shaw Development has signed on as the silver sponsor.

The tournament begins with registration at 11:30 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Cocktails and dinner follow at 5.

Heritage Golf Group is one of the fastest growing country club companies with 33 clubs located across the United

States, including The Club at Pelican Preserve in Fort Myers. Originally created to support employees in crisis, the Heritage Cares Foundation has expanded to support local nonprofits throughout each club in its portfolio.

The Club at Pelican Preserve was designed by Florida golf course architect Chip Powell and boasts 27 holes of championship golf weaving throughout 1,110 acres of natural preserve surroundings.

Registration for the “Drive Out Hunger” golf tournament costs $125 per person or $450 for a foursome. Golfers can register online at me-qr.com/l/PelicanGolfHCFB. About Harry Chapin Food Bank Harry Chapin Food Bank, a member of

Feeding America, rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and distributes it to children, families and seniors who are hungry through a series of food distribution programs that feed more than a quarter of a million people each month.

Harry Chapin Food Bank distributed $61.5 million worth of food in fiscal year 2022. Through its food distribution programs, the food bank has supplied 34.7 million pounds of food and other grocery items, including 12 million pounds of fresh produce. The food is the equivalent of 29 million meals distributed to those who are hungry.

For more information or to make a gift, please call 239.334.7007 or visit harrychapinfoodbank.org.

Matlacha fishing pier repair contract approved by Lee Board of County Commissioners The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to award a contract to repair the fishing pier at Matlacha Community Park, an important step in the ongoing restoration of the park after it was damaged by Hurricane Ian on Sept.28, 2022.

The park and boat ramp reopened in February. The park also hosted a Comfort Station for residents in the months following the storm, offering restrooms, laundry

facilities and showers.

The pier, built more than 50 years ago and rebuilt in 2020, has long been a popular spot for tourists and anglers. The contractor, Infinite Construction LLC, will remove and replace the deck and railings, benches, lighting, fish-cleaning stations and waste cans.

The work is expected to be completed

by May 1. The short repair timeframe is due to the fact that the project does not

involve the pier’s underlying structure.

The $388,219 project will be funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Relief Fund.

To learn more about repairs and recovery at Lee County Parks & Recreation sites, visit www.leegov.com/parks. Click on “Progress in Parks” or “Hurricane Ian Park Progress Map.” For example, at nearby Pine Island Commercial Marina –

another Parks & Recreation site – the boat ramp will reopen for recreational boater use at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11.

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters.

Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.

Red snapper: Decreased winds mean deep water trips are possible From page 45 ier flies and bugs. There are tons of fly line choices and taper combinations so a little research before you buy that $85-

120 fly line will go a long way.

Nothing gets the seatrout bite going better than first cold fronts cooling hot water, so break out the popping corks and shrimp, fly rods and ultra-lights for fast

CAPE CORAL ANIMAL SHELTER

school action. Bend down barbs for reduced damage and never handle these fine-scaled fish with dry hands or towels.

It’s a good bet that a Florida seatrout over 5 pounds, or a “gator,” is a rarely caught fish in these parts and is a real trophy while north Florida anglers don’t get excited unless they reach double digits in weight.

Large solitary seatrout and redfish will often travel the flats with mullet schools and will wolf down a large top-water plug in the early dawn.

Hone your boat polling skills this month as you scan the surface for redfish tails in thin water; approach silently and make the perfect quiet entry cast then

hang on as you hold your rod high while the reel’s drag starts singing that sweet tune all anglers love. Try it with a fly rod and gold spoon flies, lightly weighted Clouser’s and shrimp imitations. Reds will also eat surface poppers and bass bugs.

Bridge and dock structure anglers throwing large plugs, and live and dead baits at night have a real chance at a monster-sized snook catch and healthy release this fall.

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.

Selecting a tree: What to choose From page 18

Shandy

Phenix

Looking for a loving home Shandy is 8 to 11-years-young female. She may be a senior, but let me tell you, she's got more energy and spunk than most pups half her age! Shandy is not a fan of sharing her humans love, so she'd prefer to be the only pet in the home. If you're ready for a companion who's young at heart and ready for new adventures, then look no further!

Phenix is an 8 to 11-years-young female. Miss Phenix is a chill lady who enjoys naps on the sofa while her daytime soap operas play in the background. And don't let her age fool you, while she may

not be crazy like a kitten, she isn't one to lay around all the time either. Phenix does enjoy a play session with toys and her people from time to time as well.

If you are interested in meeting any of the animals available for adoption at The Cape Coral Animal Shelter, please visit its website at www.capecoralanimalshelter.com for more information.

The shelter is located at 325 S.W. 2nd Ave., Cape Coral, and hours of operation are Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 5 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

site, you can look for appropriate trees that will perform best in your setting. There are literally hundreds of tree varieties that will thrive in SW Florida. The University of Florida website provides data sheets with information on the growth habits, soil requirements, and flowering/fruiting characteristics for 680 species of trees! The site also provides a tree selector tool that you can use to identify trees that meet your requirements.

Trees that are identified by the University of Florida as “standout selections” include familiar Southern standards such as the “D.D. Blanchard” magnolia and the “Cathedral” live oak. The “Natchez” crape myrtle is a beautiful summer blooming tree with spires of white flowers. There are also many native trees to consider including Florida Elms, Maples and Pines, Flowering Dogwood, Fringetrees, Holly, Gumbo-Limbo, and Redbuds.

Because planting trees in your landscape can be both challenging and expensive, you should minimize the risk of fail-

ure by making informed decisions on the optimal species for your garden.

Fortunately, we can rely on the vast resources of the University of Florida website to assist us in making these decisions and identify the perfect tree for our site.

You can find all the information you will need for your tree selection process at: https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/index.shtml Trees are an essential aspect of our environment that provide beauty to our landscape, clean air, shade, fruit, and habitats for wildlife and birds. When carefully selected, planted, and maintained, trees can provide many years of enjoyment and enhancement in our landscape. While the selection process can seem daunting, we have an excellent online resource through the University of Florida to assist us in our decision-making. So, take the plunge and begin your tree selection process – I am confident that you will be rewarded for your efforts!

Cathy Dunn is a Lee County Master Gardener Volunteer and Garden Club of Cape Coral member.

Page 47 n October 20, 2023 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Breeze Athletes of theWeek (Selected by the Breeze Sports staff)

Cape Coral Breeze

Cape Coral

October 20, 2023 ■ Page 48 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

(3,85=24@482 "9@08, >9 '> ?/0 :9=>60 ,8/ !,<>C< 2<0,> 48 @4<>?0 ,8/ <4.3 48 74<,.60= 80,< 548=7,8 91 0=?= 3<4=> 1,4>31?6 48>0<.0==9< 91 ,66 A39 48@950 C9?< =:0.4,6 :,<>98 ,20 48 >470 91 800/ (9 C9? 3,@0 <0.9?<=0 1<97 >30 /0:>3 91 7C 30,<> ,8/ 3?7-6C -02 >9 A397 9/ 3,= 24@08 =?.3 2<0,> :9A0< >9 .970 >9 7C ,==4=>,8.0 06: 70 48 7C :<0= 08> ,8/ ?<208> :0>4>498 8 <0>?<8 :<974=0 >9 7,50 C9?< 8,70 589A8 ,8/ .,?=0 C9? >9 -0 48@950/ '> ?/0 :<,C 19< ?= ,8/ ,66 A39 48@950 C9?< ,4/ 708 ',C >3<00 #?< ,>30<= >3<00 ,46 !,<C= ,8/ 69<4,= $?-64.,>498 7?=> -0 :<97 4=0/ (34= "9@08, 3,= 80@0< -008 589A8 >9 1,46 3,@0 3,/ 7C <0;?0=> 2<,8>0/ $?-64.,>498 :<974=0/

Wanted To Buy

&

Pets & Supplies

Garage Sales

Recreation Vehicles (+

$

(+ 9><0< %0,6 <=,=0

6<9

>B

&

Golden retriever puppies 9 weeks old & ready to go to their new homes. AKC certified with champion pedigree bloodlines, dewormed, health certificate & first vaccine. Passed the OFA test for elbows, eyes, heart & hips. $1550. Call 305-479-8890

08

08 >B< ?0;B=3482 .97

Help Wanted

Household Goods

'9?>30<8 #,5= '0849< 4@482 ,<0 , .,<0 :<9@4/0< 0=>,-64=30/ 48 9<> !C0<= 69<4/, 9:0<,>482 ,= ,8 ==4=>0/ 4@482 ,.464>C 4= 6995482 19< , 40>,<C 0,/ 9< 99</48,>9< ,-60 >9 :0<19<7 /0=428,>0/ A9<5 ,8/ .60,8482 <9?>480= 19< >30 40>,<C 0:,<>708> ,8/ 4= ,..9?8>,-60 >9 >30 4<0.>9< 91 99/ '0<@4.0 8 >30 ,-=08.0 91 >30 4<0.>9< 91 99/ '0<@4.0 >30 40>,<C 0,/ 9< 99</48,>9< A466 =?:0<@4=0 >30 =0<@ 4.0 =>,11 ,= /4<0.>0/ -C >30 4<0.>9< 91 99/ '0<@4.0 !4847?7 /?.,>498 4= 423 '.3996 4:697, 9< 8?70<4.,6 ,-464>C 4= 0==08>4,6 19< :<9:0< 70,=?<482 91 .60,8482 ,208>= ,8/ .3074.,6= ,= A066 ,= 299/ 79>9< .99</48,>498 ,8/ 7,8? ,6 /0B>0<4>C ,<0 <0;?4<0/ 19< @,<49?= A9<5 <9?>480= !?=> -0 1,7464,< A4>3 ,66 1,.464>C :964.40= ,8/ :<9.0/?<0= !?=> -0 ,-60 >9 .977?84.,>0 0110. >4@06C 48 A<4>482 ,= A066 ,= @0<-,66C -464>C >9 48>0<,.> A4>3 <0=4/08>= >304< 1,74640= 9>30< ,==9.4,>0= ,8/ 2?0=>= !?=> :9==0== 9< <0.04@0 ' &)',10 0<>414.,>0 A4>348 /,C= 91 34<0 (9 ,::6C .98>,.> ?/C (,C69< !9<<4= ,>

!9?482 >;84=>;0 19; <,60 482 0/<997 =0> 48.6?/0= 30,/ -9,</ 199>-9,</ =4/0 <,46= 8423> =>,8/= /<0==0< A 74<<9< 48482 <997 >,-60 A .3,4<= 60,1 19< >30 >,-60 *,66 08>0<>,48 708> .08>0< '91, A .3,4=0 ,8/ 9>>97,8 !?=> '066 @,46,-60 '?8/,C ,66 $4.>?<0= ,@,46,-60 -C >0B>

%)C<

$ + & A466 970 (9 +9? (9 '00 > %?4.5 ,=C ',60

#" '

)48.0 D

,:0 9;,6 " =3 ?0 &,= ,7 :7 >;84=>;0 69=30< 4=.308 ,=3 ?0;B=3482 7><= 29 >66 .98=08=< 91 3970

,:0 91 =>?11

9<,6 ',>

'

>3 '> <4 ,7 :7 9>=

Cape. 1704 SW 12th Terrace.

Fri. Oct 20th & Sat. Oct. 21st.

8am-1pm. Collectors Sale. Furniture, Antiques & Collectibles.

Medical & Health

Get your

Medical Marijuana Card Fast Easy Appro-val call for a FREE EVALUATION BY PHONE

239-236-5311 CMMDR.COM

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).

U

S O L

D

U

O

T

K U

D

(+

# '&

&

&$#'

$ + & A466 970 (9 +9? (9 '00 > %?4.5 ,=C ',60

#" '

)48.0 D

S

9.,6

&$#'

Power Boats

Cryptoquip Solution:

Religious

I O N

9.,6

D

CLASSIFIED 574-1110

qq q q AFFORDABLEq

q FREE ESTIMATESq q

Air Conditioning

C o n c r e t e Contractors

Painting

Plumbing

New Installation Includes Permit 2 Year Warranty Rain Bird Contractor Installation & Repair Licensed & Insured

Residential/Commercia l Full Service General Contractor

24óHOUR SERVICE NO OVERTIME CHARGES FAMILY OWNED/OPERATED Lic#CAC1817070

TOMáS CONCRETE, INC

(239) 573-2086

Specializing in

àn Tractor Service

Concrete Slabs Drives Patios Sidewalks

Free Estimates on Replacement Systems

âNo Job Too Smallã BackHoe - Grading - Fill Top Soil - Rock - Bush Hogging Pond Digging - Land Clearing We fix Drainage Problems

Laborers Wanted

239-543-3700 Boat Lifts & Docks

CUSTOM DOCKS & BOAT LIFTS

Cell 239-849-5375

Contractors

Ultra Plumbing & Drain Cleaning, Inc

239-560-5448

g Walls / Ceilings g Wall / Ceiling Texture g Woodwork Painting Always Free Estimates

bestorcontracting.com

Joe 651-336-4423

Plumbing Installations Service and Repair 24/7 Emergency Services Drain Back-Ups Pipe Bursts Residential & Commercial Honest - Professional Affordable Veteran & Senior Discounts

30 Years Experience Veteran Owned

Licensed & Insured License #CGC1532266

HAWLEY CONSTRUCTION OVER 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE ALL IN LEE COUNTY.

Facebook and Instagram @ultraplumbingservice

%

Licensed & Insured Lic#CFC1430549

<=47,=0<

D'9: &946 D 466 4;= D ;,/482 D&3066 &=980 D ;9<498 98=;96 D 9= .;0,20 !9@482 D ;4?0@,B< %9,/< D <:3,6= $,=.3 &0,6 D >6?0;= $4:0< D ,8/ 60,;482

FREE ESTIMATES

D&96>=498< =9 :996482 @,=0;

You Can Trustã Residential ¯ Commercial New Construction Remodels ¯ Repairs Room Additions

Free Estimates

www.marinedocks.net

239-707-0654

Call (239) 561-8074

BulldogBuildersInc.com

CBC026058

Bonded - Lic CBC058576 - Insured

qq q q AFFORDABLEq

Cleaning

Professional Housecleaner

+0,;< A:0;408.0 119;/,-60 $;4.482

,66 30;40 19; ;00 <=47,=0<

4.08<0/ ,8/ 8<>;0/

q FREE ESTIMATESq q

New Installation Includes Permit 2 Year Warranty Rain Bird Contractor A+ RATED - ANGIES LIST

Installation & Repair Licensed & Insured FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1981 LEE#LSO200031 CAPE#06938 Sanibel #S11-000923

Free Estimates

239-203-7047

-<96>=06B

D 960< ,6982 &0,@,66<

âNo Bull - Just Quality Work

Cape Coral Resident Insured / Bonded

Fill & Dirt Grading

D 8?,<4?0 A9=4. %079?,6

WE BUILD QUALITY DOCKS

FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1981

Interior Painting 33 years Experience Commercial / Residential

One-Man Painting Company Interior & Exterior Detail Oriented Tidy and Personal No Job to Large or Small And Always Free Estimates References Furnished

4.08<0/ 8<>;0/ @@@ .,7:4986,8/<.,:0 .97

Thank You In Advance

Steve

Handyman

(239) 339-7361

4.

8<>;0/

(<47 (<00= '>?7: &079@,6 9> 60,<482 ,8/=.,:482 &0=4/08>4,6 9770<.4,6

"9@ #110;482 $,?0; 8<=,66,=498

4.08=0/ ,8/ 8=?<0/

Screening '4: '9: %0<.;008 $996 &.;008 %0:,4; %0<.;008 ,8/ %0:,4; 19; ,8 119;/,-60 $;4.0 ,66 9; +9>; ;00 <=47,=0

$ $

"& "&(% *#% %& #!$ #) % #!! % % & "'

% '# &! '% *#% &'(!$ % !#)

4.08<0/ ,8/ 8<>;0/

( ' '%( & %)

"C& & % " % $ %

*## $$ % & %)

$%#!$' $%# && #" & %)

* "' '# +#(% '% (+

! #% * ' ) % +#( "

"9@ 4;482 A:0;408.0/ &.;008 8<=,660;<

0= 70 :>= 7B B;< 91 0A:0;408.0 =9 @9;5 19; B9>

;7,8/9C< ';00 &0;?4.0

4.08<0/ 8<>;0/

Plants & Trees

*4664,7 %4803,;= ,8/B7,8

;00 <=47,=0<

Tree Service

% &' ! ' &

qq q q AFFORDABLEq

&9114=< >==0;< 9@8<:9>=< D$;0<<>;0 *,<3482 D$,48=482 D ,;:0= D ,748,=0 699;482 D'460 "0@ %0:,4; %02;9>=482 D 97:60=0 *99/@9;5482 D 99; *48/9@ %0:,4; D)48B6 08.482

LEE#LSO200031 CAPE#06938 Sanibel #S11-000923

% &' ! ' &

Tony’s Tree Service

q FREE ESTIMATESq q

The Highest Rated Screen Company in Southwest Florida!

New Installation Includes Permit 2 Year Warranty Rain Bird Contractor

Voted Best of Cape Coral in 2022 & 2023!

A+ RATED - ANGIES LIST

Installation & Repair Licensed & Insured FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1981 LEE#LSO200031 CAPE#06938 Sanibel #S11-000923

10% off Complete Rescreens $80 Roof Panels $60 Side Panels Restrictions May Apply Call For Details Repairs/Complete Re-Screens New or Replace Soffit & Fascia Custom Built Railings and Entryways

Call For Our Specials On: Pet Screen Solar Screen Super Screen 3 Year Warranty On All Work 6 Months Interest Free (W.A.C.)

239-772-2242 www.dr-screen.com License & Insured with Workmanás Comp

';00 %079?,6 ';00 ';477482 &=>7: ;48/482

Your Tree Guy g Trimming g Removals g Sidewalls g Hedges Serving all your outdoor needs

239-244-7271 Show this ad for a 10% discount!

Cape Coral Breeze

INSTANT REBATES AVAILABLE óAir Purification Systems óHigh Efficiency Systems óDuct Cleani ng

Stucco - Landscape Curbing Spray Crete - Keystone

*Additions *Remodels *Renovations

www.capecoralbreeze.com

A+ RATED - ANGIES LIST

Page 49 ■ October 20, 2023

Sprinkler Systems & Irrigation

October 20, 2023 ■ Page 50 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Death Notices * +-. *3% +" ,! +- ( (+-% , ..!

2 3 /+ !-- *#!)!*/. !*/-0./! /+ !! +0*/3 -!) /%+* !-1% !. ,! +- ( )3 +0 /'%..+* +" ,! +- ( , ..! 2 3 -- *#!)!*/. 3 !! +0*/3 -!) /%+* !-1% !. *#!( *%!( +--%.% +" ,! +- ( , ..! 2 3 +* /+ !-- *#!)!*/. -! 3 +- ( % #!

0*!- ( +)! !)!/!-3 * -!) /%+* !-1% !. ,! +- ( (! .! 1%.%/ 222 +- (-% #!"0*!- ($+)! +) "+%/%+* ( %*"+-) /%+* % $+( . +0'+. +" ,! +- ( , ..! 2 3 +* /+ !-- *#!)!*/. -! 3 +- ( % #!

0*!- ( +)! !)!/!-3 * -!) /%+* !-1% !. ,! +- ( (! .! 1%.%/ 222 +- (-% #!"0*!- ($+)! +) "+%/%+* ( %*"+-) /%+* #-%,%*+ +. +" ,! +- ( , ..! 2 3 +* /+ !-- *#!)!*/. -! 3 +- ( % #!

0*!- ( +)! !)!/!-3 * -!) /%+* !-1% !. ,! +- ( (! .! 1%.%/ 222 +- (-% #!"0*!- ($+)! +) "+%/%+* ( %*"+-) /%+* *%!( !-1% !.

Cape Coral Breeze

(!# !-1% !.

+-/!. +" -- *#!)!*/.

3

!-./&0' +" -- *#!)!*/.

3

,!

,!

!!

+- ( , ..!

2 3 +0*/3 -!) /%+*

!!

+- ( , ..!

2 3 +0*/3 -!) /%+*

() %(% * +" ,! +- ( , ..! 2 3 +* /+ !-- *#!)!*/. -! 3 +- ( % #!

0*!- ( +)! !)!/!-3 * -!) /%+* !-1% !. ,! +- ( (! .! 1%.%/ 222 +- (-% #!"0*!- ($+)! +) "+%/%+* ( %*"+-) /%+*

Page 51 ■ October 20, 2023 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Cape Coral Breeze

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

October 20, 2023 ■ Page 52

CC BREEZE 10/20/23

CC BREEZE 10/20/23