Holiday travel expected to hit new high
By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com
If you’re not too busy sleeping off a hefty Thanksgiving meal or catching the plethora of sports options this week, steals and deals are to be had at retailers both local and national
Yes, the Black Friday shopping holi-
c h seems to expand from just one day each year, is set
million people are planning to shop in-store and online from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday this year, according to the NRF and Prosper Insights & Analytics annual survey Officials said that figure is up from the previous record of 182 million in 2023, and more than 18 million dating back five years ago
“Even though holiday shopping continues to pull forward, some of the busiest shopping days of the year are dur-
Boating accident survivor thanks care team for miraculous recovery
B y C J H A D D A D
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A S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a w o m a n w h o s u f -
f e r e d a h o r r i f i c i n j u r y i n a b o a t i n g i n c i -
d e n t o n M a t l a c h a p r o v i d e d a n u p d a t e o n h e r r e c o v e r y i n F o r t M y e r s T u e s d a y m o r n i n g N i c h o l e H a l l l o s t h e r l e g a n d p a r t s o f h e r h i p l a s t A p r i l i n t h e a c c i d e n t , a n d h a s s h o w n i m m e n s e s t r e n g t h a n d f o c u s o n c o n t i n u i n g t o i m p r o v e S h e j o i n e d m e m -
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b a c k f r o m t h e r a r e a m p u t a t i o n t h a t n o t m a n y s u r v i v e , i n f e c t i o n s , a n d j u s t s o m et h i n g a s s i m p l e a s r o l l i n g o v e r i n b e d ,
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Dr Joseph
clinical social
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care team at Gulf Coast Medical Center. Individuals injured as critically as Hall typically do not live long enough to make it to the hospital. A rare amputation and skilled care saved her life. Her medical team also credit her strength and her dedication to recovery.
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t h e n w e w e r e a b l e t o t a k e h e r t o t h e o p e ra t i n g r o o m , c o n t r o l t h e b l e e d i n g , s t a b i -
i r s t a m a z i n g t h i n g t h a t h a pp e n e d w i t h i n t h e c o m m u n it y , ” h e s a i d “ W h e n w e h a v e p a t i e n t s t h a t a r e s o c r i t i c a l l y i l l , w e c a n t u r n t h e s t o r y a r o u n d a n d m a k e a v e r y h a p p y e n d i n g T h e r e ’ s a c t u a l l y n o r e p o r t e d s u rv i v o r s f r o m s o m e t h i n g o f t h i s n a t u r e
l i z e h e r i n t h e I C U a f t e r t h a t , a n d t h e n d o s e v e r a l m o r e a g g r e s s i v e s u r g e r i e s ” L e w i s l o o k e d o v e r a t H a l l o n T u e s d a y m o r n i n g , a n d t o l d h e r , “ I c a n t e l l y o u ’ r e j u s t f u l l o f l o v e A n d I t h i n k t h a t ’ s p a r t o f g o i n g t h r o u g h a n e x p e r i e n c e l i k e t h i s a n d t h e n c o m i n g o u t o n t h e o t h e r s i d e a n d h e l p i n g p e o p l e I t h i n k t h a t ’ s t r u l y i n c r e d i b l e ” T h e a c c i d e n t h
Nichole Hall;
Lewis, Lee Health trauma surgeon; Erika Taylor, trauma survivor network
worker;
members of Hall’s
CAPE CORAL BREE ZE
RAYMOND M. ECKENRODE Publisher VALARIE HARRING, Executive Editor CHRIS STRINE, Editor 2510 Del Prado Blvd • Cape Coral, FL, 33904
• Phone 239-574-1110 – Fax 239-574-5693
Member Florida Press Association
Happy Thanksgiving - and many thanks
Forty-one area organizations have a lot for which to be thankful, thanks to a businessman and philanthropist whose giving has long made an impact on Southwest Florida
Tom Golisano, the founder of Paychex, announced a multitude of “transformational gifts” tallying $85 million over the next few years to a diverse group of organizations that make a difference here on the homefront
The awards range from $150,000 to $10 million and span the gamut of “critical community needs” everything from health care, education and human resources to animal welfare.
Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, which bears his name, was granted $10 million Cape Coral-based Family Initiative was awarded $5 million, the Cape Coral Animal Shelter will receive $1 5 million and Guardian Angels for Special Populations will get $1 million
To say these Cape organizations are grateful would be an understatement they are grateful, indeed, and looking to put the money to good use in fulfillment of their respective missions
We add our thanks and gratitude Last Tuesday’s surprise announcement in Naples brings Mr Golisano’s philanthropy to half a billion dollars this year alone and his life-long philanthropy to $860 million, according to the Golisano Foundation
For many of us, perhaps a tad tired at seeing what the monied can buy, it’s a holiday note that illustrates what money can provide
On Thursday, we will eat, we will celebrate, and we will give thanks as we focus on what is good within our family, good within our community and there is a lot, from the large-donation entrepreneurs who care to our neighbors handing out turkeys, to the multitudes of groups and organizations arranging food and toy drives
Thank you
May you and yours have a very happy Thanksgiving Breeze editorial
This week’s poll question:
With the stipend repealed, would you vote to increase the compensation paid to members of Cape Coral City Council? * (Repeat due to holiday dedlines)
∫ Yes.
∫ Maybe It depends on the amount proposed
∫ No Their approved compensation includes annual cost-of-living increases and that should be adequate Vote at capecoralbreeze com
Previous poll question
With the stipend repealed, would you vote to increase the compensation paid to members of Cape Coral City Council?
∫ Yes 18%
∫ Maybe It depends on the amount proposed 22%
∫ No Their approved compensation includes annual cost-of-living increases and that should be adequate 60%
O c t o b e r a n d D e c e m b e r M e d i c a r e O p e n E n r o l l m e n t i s f r o m
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A c t i o n f o r C h i l d h o o d A r r i v a l s ( D A C A ) r e c i p i e n t s c a n e n r o l l i n M a r k e t p l a c e p l a n s N o m a t t e r h o w s i m p l e t h e e n r o l l m e n t p r o c e s s i s , i t c a n s t i l l b e c o n f u s i n g Q u e s t i o n s r e g a r d i n g w h a t ’ s c o ve r e d , w h a t ’ s n o t c o v e r e d , i n - n e t w o r k , o u t - o f - n e t w o r k , d e d u c t i b l e , c o p a y s a n d m u c h m o r e a r e a n a n n u a l r e f r a i n n a t i o n w i d e
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Let the judicial process move forward
To the editor:
The article in The Breeze Nov 22 “Three Fishermen” should really have the label of “Three Fishermen and their two Attorneys ” The reason is the three petitioners (plaintiffs) in the action (lawsuit) against the city are represented by two attorneys who potentially share in paying any recovery by the city.
These people brought a lawsuit against the City of Cape Coral in opposition to the removal of the Chiquita Lock That action has cost the taxpayers of Cape Coral over $1 million in legal fees, expert fees, court cost, and related expenses
Florida has a statutory law that governs the recovery of fees by the prevailing party, should the petitioner/plaintiff bring a frivolous lawsuit The purpose is to discourage frivolous lawsuits that tie up the courts and cost taxpayers or defendants significant sums of money
I am not an attorney, but it is clear from reading commentary
Fla Stat 57 105 allows someone who wins a lawsuit to recover attorney’s fees in certain circumstances. At its core, the statute allows a court to award “a reasonable attorney’s fee” to a party that wins a lawsuit based on its own initiative “or a motion of any party ” If this happens, the losing party and his or her lawyer may each be responsible for paying the prevailing party’s fees and costs
I am not sure why the “Three Fishermen” are not mentioning that their two attorneys may also be responsible for any fees awarded, maybe oversight, but it wasn’t mentioned in their comments before city council, or in The Breeze article
The central issue to decide as to whether this is a frivolous lawsuit is the responsibility of the judge, not the people in the City Council The new council has a lot on its plates, this should not be one of them Judge Suzanne Van Wyk from Tallahassee has been a judge for 12 years She took copious notes during the hearing (trial), she made her rulings throughout the discovery period and the hearing, in line with the law She is unbiased She ruled on behalf of the City of Cape Coral because the two experts presented by the petitioners and their attorneys were “irrelevant,” “his testimony was neither credible nor reliable”, “presented no substantive testimony or other evidence, including any analyses,” “during cross -examination, he (petitioner’s expert) apologized for this ‘oversight ’”
Despite the above being developed during discovery and the hearing, and the attorneys for the city of Cape Coral offering the petitioners the opportunity to withdraw their action and no recovery of fees would be pursued, the petitioners and their two attorneys pressed on causing additional expense for the taxpayers of Cape Coral In other words, they had an opportunity to withdraw and would not be in this situation, but they made a conscious decision to continue. Now they do not want to be responsible for the decisions they (or their attorneys) made
The hearing on whether this was a frivolous lawsuit is set to present evidence before Judge Van Wyk the last week of February 2025 As citizens of Cape Coral, we should allow Judge Van Wyk to hear evidence and render her opinion That is what the judicial process is for
Not allowing the judicial process to move forward would be a slap in the face to the taxpayers of Cape Coral
Dennis Costello Cape Coral
The new administration
To the editor:
Finally, I can uncross all my fingers and toes as Pres Trump whomped the ridiculous Democrat candidates and type a few thoughts As Pres-elect Trump assembles his new cabinet, it is clear he intends to carry out his campaign pledges As usual, Democrats will try to cast aspersions on some of the more controversial nominations, but a united Republican Senate should be able to pass them through if they don’t listen to the liberal press trying to interfere
More worrisome is the existing administration putting in place anything they can think of to disrupt Trump’s program. Th worst is Biden giving the Ukrainians authority at this late date to use American rockets against interior Russian targets Putin will seize on this to rattle his sabers even more We don’t need an outgoing administration to spark WWIII as they go out the door
As we watch Elon and Vivek shine a spotlight on what are obvious useless and wasteful areas of federal activities that should be cut, we will be even more happy with the outcome of the election
Dr. Larry Antonucci
Neil Miller Cape Coral
Small Business Saturday offers opportunity to make a difference in SWFL
The National Retail Federation recently published its 2024 holiday spending report, which notes the average person is expected to spend $902 on holiday gifts, food and decorations That represents a modest $25 increase over last year
Another NRF statistic worth noting is that 57% of consumers plan to make holiday purchases online this year Despite the continued proliferation of online marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy and big box retailers, that rate declined slightly from 58% in 2023
Certainly, online shopping offers convenience, competitive pricing and a vast selection of options However, online shopping also can pull money out of our local community if you’re not purchasing items from a local business Less money flowing into the local economy means less job creation and less business growth
American Express, which champions
Small Business Saturday, notes that 68 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local community Additionally, every dollar spent at small businesses creates an additional 48 cents in local activity as employees and businesses purchase local goods and services
Small Business Saturday, which is being celebrated Nov 30, is just one day of the year, but imagine if collectively we all committed to supporting local small businesses that day Here are two options for Small Business
Census estimates, if every adult in Southwest Florida spent just an extra $20 at a local business on Small Business Saturday, we would inject an additional $25 2 million into the local economy
Local businesses would use those funds to pay wages, purchase additional products and support local nonprofits, strengthening the region’s economic cycle Even national companies with brick-and-mortar stores, restaurants and hotels in Southwest Florida employ area residents – our neighbors, friends and fellow churchgoers That’s why visiting establishments in person is so important
products in brick-and-mortar stores also have e-commerce sites to reach larger audiences Norman Love Confections for example, is a Fort Myers-based business with seven chocolate salons, as well as a thriving online business Other local businesses sell their goods through Facebook Marketplace It’s entirely possible to shop online and shop local at the same time It’s not easy to run a small business There is competition from near and far There are financial pressures with inflation and recessions There are challenges posed by hurricanes, government regulations and shortages of talented workers The least we can do is agree to support the small businesses that are the lifeblood of our economy
Saturday: ake $20 to a local business: Based on U S
Shop local, but online: Many small businesses and local companies that sell their
Teri Hansen, APR, is founder, president and chief creative officer at Priority Marketing
How pharmacy benefit managers profit from health inequities
The high cost of prescription drugs isn't just a financial burden It’s a threat to public health For under-served and under-resourced families, many of whom are people of color, this threat is magnified Healthcare policy experts at the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 61% perc e n t o f B l a c k p a t i e n t s a n d 6 9 % o f Latinos worry about affording their prescription medications, compared to half of White adults
These findings provide yet more proof that America’s prescription drug delivery system is broken and unjust And a small group of powerful corporations known as pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, deserves the lion’s share of the blame
L a w m a k e r s i n W a s h i n g t o n n e e d t o a d d r e s s t h e i r a b u s e s b y d e m a n d i n g greater transparency, accountability, and fairness
PBMs don’t invent life-saving medic i n e s , n o r d o t h e y p r e s c r ib e t h e m o r administer them to patients. They don’t pay for them, either Rather, their job is
to negotiate with drug companies to secure lower prices on behalf of the insurance firms who hire them the biggest three of which are locked in ownership struc-
t u r e s w i t h t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e PBM Last year alone, drug companies offered $334 billion in discounts and rebates off the nominal “list” price of medicines, with most of t h o s e s a v i n g s f l o w i n g through PBMs
U n f o r t u n a t e l y , f e w o f those savings get passed on to patients in the form of
l o w e r o u t - o f - p o c k e t c o s t s
T h a t ’ s b e c a u s e P B M s a n d insurers pocket the rebates and discounts for themselves even as they routinely charge patients coinsurance based on the list price of the drugs, not the price they actually pay drug makers
I t ’ s n o w o n d e r o u r n a t i o n ’ s w o r s t health inequities are getting more and
more entrenched PBMs, meanwhile, are getting rich The industry h a s g o t t e n s o g o o d a t extracting money from the d r u g s u p p l y c h a i n a n d d r i v i n g u p c o s t s f o r p a t i e n t s t h a t b e t w e e n 2012 and 2022, the three l a r g e s t P B M s s a w t h e i r profits more than quadrup l e , t o $ 2 7 6 b i l l i o n a year This kind of exploitation needs to end And for that to happen, lawmakers in Washington will need to take action
F o r t u n a t e l y , a n u m b e r
o f b i p a r t i s a n r e f o r m b i l l s a r e a l r e a d y before Congress One would de-link drug p r i c e s f r o m P B M p r o f i t s u n d e r t h e Medicare Part D program In doing so, it would help make sure that PBMs can’t b o o s t t h e i r b o t t o m l i n e s b y s t e e r i n g patients towards more expensive drugs
Lawmakers are also considering legislation that, among other reforms, would force PBMs and insurers to base costsharing on a drug’s discounted price allowing patients to benefit from any rebates provided by drug firms
B o t h p i e c e s o f r e f o r m l e g i s l a t i o n deserve swift passage during this “lame duck” session of Congress In the meantime, advocates will continue to educate the public about the $27 6 billion in profits our healthcare system allocates to the three largest PBMs in exchange for zero health care provided We simply cannot allow profiteering to determine life or death for patients in need of medications
Amy Hinojosa is the president and CEO of MANA, a national Latina organization, the oldest and largest Latina membership organization in the United S t a t e s , a n d
Health Equity Collaborative
Guest Commentary: Open enrollment offers opportunities
From page 4
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e d i n t h e s a m e p l a n f o r t h e n e x t y e a r i f y o u d o n o t m a k e c h a n g e s I t i s w o r t h c h e c ki n g t o s e e i f y o u r c u r r e n t p l a n ’ s c o v e r a g e s o r p a r t i c i p a ti n g p r o v i d e r s h a v e c h a n g e d T h a t w a y , y o u c a n s e l e c t a n o t h e r p l a n i f n e e d e d
C o m m e r c i a l h e a l t h i n s u r a n c e p l a n s , l i k e e m p l o y e r o p t i o n s , m a y a l s o o f f e r v a r y i n g l e v e l s o f c o v e r a g e a t L e e H e a l t h
N o t a l l h e a l t h c a r e p r a c t i t i o n e r s w h o p r o v i d e s e r v i c e s i n L e e H e a l t h ’ s h o s p i t a l s p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h e s a m e h e a l t h i n s u r e r s o r h e a l t h m a i n t e n a n c e o r g a n i z a t i o n s ( H M O s )
t h a t L e e H e a l t h d o e s M e d i c a r e p l a n s a r e a l s o f a c i n g c h a n g e s C i g n a
M e d i c a r e A d v a n t a g e P l a n i s d i s c o n t i n u i n g i t s i n d i v i du a l P P O M e d i c a r e A d v a n t a g e P l a n i n F l o r i d a i n 2 0 2 5
F l o r i d a B l u e M e d i c a r e A d v a n t a g e i n 2 0 2 5 d o e s n o t i n c l u d e L e e P h y s i c i a n G r o u p p r i m a r y c a r e p r o v i d e r s a s p r e f e r r e d , w h i l e s t i l l i n c l u d i n g L e e H e a l t h h o s p i t a l s a n d s p e c i a l i s t s . P a t i e n t s w h o c o n t i n u e t o s e e L e e P h y s i c i a n
G r o u p p r i m a r y c a r e d o c t o r s o n t h i s p l a n m a y i n c u r a d d i t i o n a l c o s t s i n 2 0 2 5
F o r i n d i v i d u a l s u n c e r t a i n a b o u t t h e i r c o v e r a g e b y i n s u r a n c e p l a n s o r H M O s , w e r e c o m m e n d c o n t a c t i n g b o t h y o u r i n s u r a n c e p r o v i d e r a n d L e e H e a l t h ' s b i l l i n g d e p a r t m e n t t o c o n f i r m L e e H e a l t h i s a n e t w o r k o r p r ef e r r e d p r o v i d e r o n a n y p l a n T h i s p r o a c t i v e s t e p e n s u r e s
c l a r i t y f o r d e t a i l s s u c h a s c o p a y m e n t s , d e d u c t i b l e s a n d a n y a d d i t i o n a l c o s t s U n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e f i n a n c i a l a s p e c t
o f y o u r h e a l t h c a r e j o u r n e y i s c r u c i a l t o a v o i d i n g u n e xp e c t e d b i l l s S e l e c t i n g t h e r i g h t h e a l t h i n s u r a n c e t o c o v e r y o u r m e d i c a l c a r e r e q u i r e s a t h o r o u g h u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f y o u r i n s u r a n c e p l a n , n e t w o r k s t a t u s a n d a v a i l a b l e f i n a n c i a l a s s i s t a n c e o p t i o n s P r o a c t i v e l y a d d r e s s i n g t h e s e c o n s i de r a t i o n s d u r i n g o p e n e n r o l l m e n t e n s u r e s y o u c a n a c c e s s t h e s e r v i c e s y o u n e e d w h i l e m i n i m i z i n g f i n a n c i a l s t r a i n . A s t h e h e a l t h c a r e l a n d s c a p e e v o l v e s , s t a y i n g i n f o r m e d a n d e n g a g e d i n y o u r h e a l t h d e c i s i o n s r e m a i n s p a r am o u n t f o r a h e a l t h i e r f u t u r e T o c h e c k i f y o u a r e c o v e r e d o n t h e M a r k e t p l a c e w i t h L e e H e a l t h , v i s i t L e e H e a l t h o r g / O p e n E n r o l l m e n t
L a r r y A n t o n u c c i , M D , M B A , i s t h e p r e s i d e n t a n d c h e i f e x e x u t i v e o f f i c e r f o r L e e H e a l t h
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
Teri Hansen Guest Commentary
Amy Hinojosa Guest Commentary
Cape Coral Ar t League’s third annual Silent Auction
The auction runs from Dec. 2 through Dec. 18, and bids can be made at the Cape Coral Art League Monday to Thursday from 11 a m to 4 p m
B i d d e r s c a n t a k e h o m e unique and original works, as well as gift baskets and art supplies
The Auction Closes Dec. 18 at noon and the winners will be contacted at that time.
Proceeds from the auction will help raise money for the Cape Coral Art League Maintenance Fund.
For more information on the auction, call Sprague at 239-772-5657
For more information on CCAL, membership, and all of the classes offered, visit www capecoralartleague org
CCAL is at 516 Cultural Park Blvd
Cape Coral Art League’s
Silent Auction opens Dec. 2
By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com
The Cape Coral Art League’s third annual Silent Auction starts early next month, where bidders can take home unique and original works, as well as gift baskets and art supplies
The auction runs from Dec 2 through Dec 18, and bids can be made at the Cape Coral Art League Monday to Thursday from 11 a m to 4 p m
Last year, the CCAL had more than 200 items for prospective bids
Proceeds from the auction will help raise money for the Cape Coral Art League Maintenance Fund
Items up for auction include various artwork, classes, and so much more
Cape Coral Art League President Carmen Sprague said the non-profit decided to hold this year’s auction before the holidays, so people can potentially find a gift for a loved one
“We have some apparel, we have a couple of sweaters that people have painted,” Sprague said. “We’ve got a lot of original art work like oil paintings, acrylic artwork, and also some gift baskets that people donate There’s really something for everybody We try to make it so everybody can find something that’s interesting to them Some of our artists are really good at original artwork, where they will give a gift certificate to paint your pet, which was very popular last year ”
Sprague said the Art League, along with other artistic-based entities, have suffered over the past year with the cancellation of government grants
“A lot of us are trying to find creative ways to cover costs,” she said “During April through July, a lot of our teachers go elsewhere to teach because it’s quiet and slows down here There aren’t as many people that have the inclination to take a class or a workshop So the auction will help us get through the summer months and pay our bills
“We’re hoping people will come and take a look at all we have to offer ” Items up for bid come via donations from members, and individuals that support the Art League, which has just shy of 300 members (70 that are active that take classes on a regular basis)
“This is a really big deal for us We only do this once-a-year,” Sprague said “This is a creative way for us to give the community something to enjoy ”
The Auction Closes Dec 18 at noon and the winners will be contacted at that time
“We have some apparel, we have a couple of sweaters that people have painted. We’ve got a lot of original art work like oil paintings, acrylic artwork, and also some gift baskets that people donate. There’s really something for everybody We try to make it so everybody can find something that’s interesting to them Some of our artists are really good at original artwork, where they will give a gift certificate to paint your pet, which was very popular last year.”
Carmen Sprague, Cape Coral Art League president
The Cape Coral Art League offers yearround classes for adults, youth and children; eight major art exhibits each year in its gallery; other art shows, including the annual art auction; workshops with world-renowned artists
CCAL is a center for art education where children and adults can learn and develop their artistic skills All students are welcome, from the complete novice to the professional
A popular event, “open painting,” takes place every Wednesday from 1 to 4 p m until next August Admission $3 for members /$6 for non-members just pay at the door
Children’s classes are on Sundays from 1 to 4 p m for ages 6 to 13 through May
“A lot of our teachers have been with us for many years, and they’re very soughtafter,” Sprague said “We try to give our members what they want, at an affordable price ”
Membership to CCAL is $55, or $65 for up to a family of four Monthly meetings (open to the public) occur on the first Monday of the month from 11 a m to noon October through March
“There’s a really great camaraderie here,” Sprague said
For more information on the auction, call Sprague at 239-772-5657
For more information on CCAL, membership, and all of the classes offered, visit www capecoralartleague org
CCAL is at 516 Cultural Park Blvd
Shell Factory to auction collectibles & more
Historic attraction has closed; 500 lots of merchandise, memorabilia, fixtures to go to highest bidders
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The first auction, hosted by Fort Myers Auction, will b e l i v e u n t i l 7 p m Tuesday, Dec 10 Featured will be bulk lots of many u n i q u e h o l i d a y f a v o r i t e s from the Christmas store, including villages, nativity sets and ornaments Also featured will be merchandise from the retail store i n c l u d i n g T- s h i r t s , c l o t hing, toys and more.
To bid, register at: ShellFactoryAuction com
Shell’s Factory & Nature Park’s Moo finds
a new home
All of the historic attraction’s much-loved animals have been successfully rehomed
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F l o r i d a F i s h & W i l d l i f e C o m m i s s i o n a n d t h e U n i t e d
PHOTO COURTESY OF BLOSSOM & BRIE Moo, a 1,200-pound steer, is one of the hundreds of animals that have been successfully rehomed after the Shell Factory & Nature Park closed in September He is enjoying the good life at Blossom & Brie in North Fort Myers.
S t a t e s D e p a r t m e n t o f A g r i c u l t u r e t o t r a n s p o r t a n d r e l oc a t e t h e a n i m a l s a t a p p r o v e d f a c i l i t i e s w i t h q u a l i f i e d c a r e t a k e r s “ W e a r e g r a t e f u l f o r t h e c a r e a n d d e d i c a t i o n o f K a r e n S c h n e i d e r , o u r N a t u r e P a r k m a n a g e r f o r 1 6 y e a r s , w h o o v e r s a w a l l o f t h e t r a n s i t i o n s t h r o u g h t h e t w o - m o n t h p r o c e s s a n d h a s b e e n r e
Shop: Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, feature local deals
From page 1
ing the five-day Thanksgiving weekend,” said NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen in a release “Consumers are prioritizing giftgiving for the most important people in their lives, and retailers are prepared to help customers find everything on their shopping lists at great prices throughout the season.”
Officials said while consumers will distribute their shopping over various channels through the holiday weekend, Black Friday remains the most popular day to shop, with 72% (131 7 million) planning to head out to stores or shop online About 65% of Black Friday shoppers expect to specifically shop in stores that day, officials said Cyber Monday is the second most popular day, attracting 39% (72 3 million) of those planning to shop
NRF data showed that the top reasons consumers plan to shop during this fiveday period are because the deals are too good to pass up (57%), it is tradition (28%) and they like to start holiday shopping over Thanksgiving weekend (24%)
“Younger shoppers are most likely to take advantage of Thanksgiving weekend deals this year, with 89% of young adults between 18-24 planning to shop over the weekend,” Prosper Insights & Analytics Executive Vice President of Strategy Phil Rist said in a release “The social aspect of holiday shopping is also enticing to this age group, and they are most likely to shop because it’s a group activity that can be enjoyed with friends and family (20%) ”
Of those who stated in the survey that they are currently planning to shop during the holiday weekend, 51% said they could be convinced to do so if items they want
“Shopping small in Cape Coral during the holidays not only helps you find unique gift, but it strengthens the local economy. By supporting our neighbors, we keep the heart of our community thriving Every purchase makes a big difference to a small business, from helping them create jobs to supporting local families It’s also an investment in the character and charm of our city When you shop local, you’re giving back in more ways than one ”
Shannon Quinn, South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Association spokesperson
are on sale, if they are offered free shipping, or if friends or family members invite them, according to survey results
In early November, NRF forecasted that holiday spending is expected to reach
December, and will grow between 2 5% and 3 5%, totaling $979 5 billion to $989 billion
The survey asked 8,135 adult consumers about their holiday shopping plans. It was conducted Nov 1-7 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1 1 percentage points
As for which national retailers will have the best deals this holiday weekend, data according to WalletHub sees JC Penney, Macy’s, Belk, Kohl’s, and Walmart round out the top-five in terms of average percent discount
‘Season of Small Business’
Readers of The Breeze may notice the paper is a thicker this week, as the community paper offered partners a special rate to run new or larger ads in the Black Friday edition, resulting in the paper being about 33% larger
“A portion of the proceeds from the advertising promotion will be donated to a
local food pantry,” Breeze Newspapers
Publisher Ray Eckenrode said
For the numerous locally-owned and operated businesses in Cape Coral, Black Friday and Small Business Saturday are great opportunities for residents to check out and support owners who live and play in the Cape
Lots of small businesses in the South Cape will be among those participating in the holiday event, offering discounts and deals for the day or weekend
Entertainment Association spokesperson Shannon Quinn said the organization hopes residents will get out to support their neighbors
“Shopping small in Cape Coral during the holidays not only helps you find unique gift, but it strengthens the local economy,” Quinn said “By supporting our neighbors, we keep the heart of our community thriving Every purchase makes a big difference to a small business, from helping them create jobs to supporting local families It’s also an investment in the character and charm of our city When you shop local, you’re giving back in more ways than one ” Nationally, the message from the Small
Business Administration is one of encouragement to shop, dine, and entertain at local small businesses on Nov 30
Small Business Saturday is an annual event founded by American Express and celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2024 This year marks the kickoff of SBA’s second annual holiday campaign, the “Season of Small Business ”
“Small Business Saturday has become America’s call to action to support the backbone of our economy and heart of our communities our small businesses,” said head of the SBA, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, in a release. “America’s incredible entrepreneurs create jobs, drive innovation, and strengthen our communities, shaping the unique character of neighborhoods across America This year, as we continue to enjoy an unprecedented Small Business Boom, I encourage everyone to ‘Gift Big and Shop Local’ by supporting local businesses and the millions of hardworking Americans behind them ”
SBA’s “Season of Small Business” will continue through December and “encourages consumers to support small businesses throughout the holiday season ”
SBA has supported Small Business Saturday since 2011 to help drive consumer spending at independently owned small businesses in the wake of the financial crisis The day is dedicated to celebrating local businesses that create jobs, help boost the economy and enhance neighborhoods around the country According to
reported spending among U S consumers who shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday since its founding has reached an estimated $201 billion
‘Another Elf'n Pub Crawl’ set for the South Cape
By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com
The South Cape will be full of holiday fun for all ages this weekend, as the district’s nonprofit entity is putting on a pair of events to get patrons in the spirit
The South Cape Hospitality & Entertainment Association’s “Another Elf'n Pub Crawl” takes place Nov 30 from 7 to 11 p, m , where festive drink and appetizer samples will fill attendees with cheer
Wear your comfiest, funniest, or most festive onesies as crawlers stroll through South Cape, enjoying seasonal adult drink and appetizer samples along the way
Limo buses will be available to take attendees to four designated areas, where you can walk to multiple participating locations
“The South Cape ‘Another Elf’n Pub Crawl’ is more than just a night out it’s a chance to spread holiday cheer, support local businesses, and celebrate the season with your community,” said SCHEA spokesperson, Shannon Quinn “By joining in, you’re helping keep South Cape vibrant while enjoying a festive evening filled with laughs, great drinks and appetizers ,as well as good company Events like this bring neighbors together, create lasting memories and remind us of the true spirit of the holidays: togetherness and giving back ”
Quinn said attendees should get ready to deck out in their best holiday-themed attire
“Think festive onesies, ugly Christmas sweaters, Santa hats, elf costumes and all the sparkles and jingle bells you can handle,” she said “One of the highlights of the night is seeing everyone’s unique holiday get-ups. It’s like stepping into a real-life winter wonderland of creativity and fun ”
Tickets, which are $25 in advance or $30 day-of(if available)include: a wristband to
Child-oriented ‘Gift-or-Treat’ to kick off downtown’s Small Business Saturday events
By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com
While parents take advantage of Small Business Saturday sales, kids can get their stockings filled with goodies at the free South Cape Business Gift-or-Treat
South Cape businesses will be passing out candy, trinkets or one of the many treats of higher value, such as gift cards to local businesses on Nov 30 from noon to 4 p.m.
“This is a great way to celebrate the season while supporting local businesses and discovering unique gifts,” said Shannon Quinn, South Cape Hospitality & Entertainment Association spokesperson “Families can enjoy a festive community vibe and snag a free pic with Santa ”
A limo bus will also transport children and families safely across Cape Coral Parkway from Big John’s Plaza to Zak’s Jewelry
gain access to event transportation, passport of locations (get every stamp to be entered to win the grand prize), a drink sample and appetizer sample at each location, entry into the photo booth contest (winning photo receives four tickets to the Best Martini Competition Pub Crawl), and access to the official photo booth located at Dolphin Key Resort under the entry awning
Designated driver tickets are available ($20) and receive all the benefits of standard
This event falls on Small Business Saturday, making it a great opportunity to find some great deals while taking part in the gift or treat while getting to know local businesses better, Quinn said
“It’s the ideal opportunity to find great deals, discover unique treasures and connect with the amazing small businesses that make South Cape special,” she said “While enjoying the gift or treat, attendees can explore local shops, meet business owners and show support for the heart of our community There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays than by shopping local and spreading cheer all at once ”
The official photo booth with Santa is at MM Brands, at 1322 Lafayette St Unit B Holiday attire including pajamas is encouraged.
For more information and to see the full list of participating businesses, visit Eventbrite and search “South Cape Business Gift-Or-Treat ”
tickets, except for drink samples Designated drivers receive a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage, such as a bottled water or soda, at each location upon request Attendees should expect lots of entertainment, including live music, dancing, singing and more Participating locations and their samples include:
■ BackStreets Sports Bar - Gingerbread Cookie & Queso
■ Cruisers - TBD
■ The Dive - TBD
■ Dixie Roadhouse - Elf’n Apple Smash & Waffle Cookies
■ Hooked Island Grill -Rudolph’s Tipsy Punch & Hog Skin Deviled Eggs
■ Monkey Bar - Elf’s Up & Vegetable Dumpling
■ Paradise Pizza - Pizza & Rudolph's Red Sangria
■ Rack'’m Spirits & Times - Lump of Coal Margarita & Santa’s Cookies
■ Ralph’s Place - TBD
■ Rusty's Raw Bar & Grill - Winter Wonderland & TBD
■ Tiki Bar - Lemon Drop & Chocolate Bark
Of seeing the holiday-themed creations each establishment comes up with, Quinn said, “It’s one of the best parts of the pub crawl. The participating locations really go all out, crafting festive cocktails and holidayinspired appetizers that are as creative as they are delicious ”
Regular check-in is from 6 to 7:30 p m, at Big John’s Plaza (near Pinch-a-Penny) and Dolphin Key Resort (under the entry awning) Late check-in runs until 10 at Dolphin Key Resort
This is a 21-plus event Valid ID at checkin will be required, per ticket
To enter the photo booth contest, have your picture taken at the official photo booth. Photos will be uploaded to Facebook, and the public will vote To win the grand prize, have your passport stamped at all locations (no purchase necessary) and turn it in at any participating location
Tickets are available on Eventbrite com by searching “South Cape ‘Another Elf'n Pub Crawl ’”
Island Coast High School Key Club named
Key Club of the Year’ for Florida
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COMMUNITY
of the many varieties of palm trees that grow in Southwest
Magical palms
By ANN BLOCK news@breezenewspapers com
I must admit it, I’m in love with palms Imagine my surprise when we moved to Florida from the Northeast to discover so many varieties over 3,000 worldwide So how to identify palms? Looking at the shape of palm fronds (leaves) is the first step There are two basic shapes or types of fronds pinnate fronds (feather-like leaves) or palmate fronds (fan-like leaves) Also check out the trunks Some have long slender single trunks and others have short, fat trunks. Others are dwarf palms with bushy pinnate fronds and no trunk
Palms are classified as ARECACEAE Wikipedia
s t a t e s , “ T h e A R ECACEAE are a botanical family of perennial flowering plants in the mono-
c o t o r d e r A R E C A L E S
GARDEN CLUB OF CAPE CORAL
T h e i r f o r m c a n b e climbers, scrubs, tree-like and stemless plants, all commonly known as Palms Those having a tree like form are colloquially called Palm Trees ” So that gives us a formal definition, but I must say that more importantly for me palms give that magical feeling conjuring up my idea of a tropical paradise!
After researching the history of the palm “ire”, I found that the palm is a symbol of life And that some palms can last a century or more Palms go back at least 80 million years to the time of the dinosaurs Fossils have been found of many varieties from that era Experts believe that palm trees were among the earliest of all flowering trees
Here in Southwest Florida we have an opportunity to choose how to create our own island escape right in our own gardens Did you know that palms improve our air Pygmy date palms are the most effective palms for purifying the air The good news about palms is that generally the roots are not invasive There are exceptions, like the stately, beautiful royal palm This palm can break apart a deck, sidewalk or pavement, so be very careful where you plant it
Let’s talk about small palms specimens that are 20 feet or less Think that’s not small, well, some palms grow to 80 feet or more! Just a few of the small palms that we can plant and grow in our gardens are Adonidia merrillii / Christmas palms (a smaller type version of the r o y a l p a l m ) , D y p s i s l u t e s c e n s / A r e c a P a l m , Chamaedorea cataractarum / Cat Palm, Phoenix roebelenii / pygmy date palm and many more The cat palm is one the few palms that stays very small with dark green foliage with a full appearance Its growth habit is shrublike because it suckers (grows baby plants) from its base Cat palms are easy to grow They like fertilization three times a year with palm fertilizer like all palm trees Remember, there is no fertilization from June 1 to Oct 1 in Cape Coral
The Areca palm is not one of my favorites, however, they are great for inexpensive screening if you are look-
See MAGICAL PALMS, page 50
NOVEMBER
Schnars joins Cape Coral Animal Shelter as new veterinarian
The Cape Coral Animal Shelter, Cape Coral, this week announced that Dr Hanna Schnars, DVM, has joined the affordable care veterinary clinic as a full-time veteri-
clients
From an early age, it was apparent to her family and friends that Schnars would dedicate her life to the care and wellbeing of animals Originally from Fort Myers, she completed her undergraduate studies in animal science at the University of Florida While pursuing her studies in Gainesville, a little dog happened along her way, or as the story goes, he came running straight into her arms A lonesome, lost Jack Russell Terrier, he inspired her even more to pursue her veterinary degree To this day, Jack remains faithfully by her side
Schnars fulfilled her dream of becoming a veterinarian and graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2022. During veterinary school, she completed the Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Certificate Program as well as multiple shelter medicine externships
“We are so pleased to have Dr Schnars join our practice” said Cape Coral Animal Shelter Executive Director Liz McCauley “She truly enjoys general practice and
serving the community, but also has a passion for shelter medicine and the unwanted and abandoned animals we save every day With her experience, compassion, and knowledge of new and innovative practices in modern veterinary medicine, she is the perfect fit for our expanding clinic ”
Practices, and, with her leadership, the entire veterinary staff has also become certified Fear Free veterinary visits reduce fear, anxiety and stress, creating an experience that is more enjoyable and safer for pets and their people
S
include integrative medicine, ultrasonography, arthritis and pain management, feline friendly practices, and soft tissue surgery, all of which is offered at the Cape Coral Animal Shelter Veterinary Clinic
With the addition of Schnars, the Cape Coral Animal Shelter’s Veterinary Clinic is once again open six days a week, Monday through Saturday New patients are welcome, and the shelter looks forward to serving even more clients and their pets
To book an appointment, please call 239-573-2002, extension 106
DAR chapter receives Department of Defense national recognition
On Tuesday, Nov 19, the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Lawrence Kearny Chapter in Cape Coral received a Department of Defense Vietnam War
Performer ”
This was in response to the local chapter serving as
Commemorative Events A cover letter accompanying the certificate stated in part: “On behalf of a grateful nation,
Commemorative Partner! Since the inauguration of the commemorative in 2012, your organization has faithfully represented our Nation by selflessly hosting five or more events which thanked and honored our Vietnam veterans and their families As such, your team is among the TOP 15 percent of the more than 13 thousand commemorative partner organizations that have participated in this noble effort " “As a token of our gratitude, we present you with the enclosed certificate of appreciation, especially designed for Top Performer Commemorative Partners Thank you again for your incredible support of patriots, their families, and of the Vietnam Commemoration.”
Lawrence Kearny regent Maryola Dannebaum presented the certificate to Commemorative Chair Betsea Kinne during the chapter's recent member meeting Betsea has been the chapter's chair since joining Commemorative P
Caloosahatchee and Estero Island DAR Chapters have pre-
sented Vietnam War 50th Commemorative Events each year since then and honored hundreds of local Vietnam veterans and their families The final event will be held March 29, 2025, with the conclusion of this national tribute
Cape Computer Club to meet Dec. 4 via Zoom
The Cape Coral Computer Club meets over Zoom the first and third Wednesday of each month, with the next meeting being from 2-4 p m , Dec 4 The meeting topic is "AI-Artificial Intelligence - How you can best use it for creating images, text, videos and music " There will be time for questions and answers.
All skill levels are welcome For more information, visit our website: https://www capecoralcomputer club/ Use the “CONTACT US” feature to register for a com-
plimentary Zoom link If you have any questions or need help with Zoom, call 321-430-5959
Club Zoom meetings are recorded If you become a member and miss a meeting you have the opportunity to watch the presentation at a later date The Zoom format works well because you don't have to be in Florida to participate in and enjoy all of the benefits the club has to offer
Please see the website for additional information
One
Florida
ANN BLOCK
Dr Hanna Schnars, DVM
PHOTO PROVIDED
Lawrence Kearny regent Maryola Dannebaum presents the certificate to Commemorative Chair Betsea Kinne
Classic Car fest returns to Museum of History
B y C J H A D D A D
c j h a d d a d @ b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m
C a r - l o v e r s a n d t h o s e l o o k i n g f o r t h e p e r f e c t g i f t c a n c h e c k t w o b o x e s t h i s w e e k e n d i n C a p e C o r a l T h e C a p e C o r a l M u s e u m o f H i s t o r y ’ s C l a s s i c C a r F e s t a t C u l t u r a l P a r k r e t u r n s N o v 3 0 f r o m 1 0 a m t o 1 p m , w h e r e a m y r i a d o f m a k e s a n d m o d e l s w i l l b e o n d i s p l a y , a s w e l l a s a p l e t h o r a o f v e n d o r s s e l l i n g v a r i o u s g o o d s T h e m u s e u m i s t y i n g t h i s m o n t h ’ s e v e n t i n t o S m a l l B u s i n e s s S a t u r d a y
Janel Trull, museum, executive director
What: Cape Coral Museum of History’s Classic Car Fest
When: Saturday, Nov 30 from 10 a m to 1 p m
Where: Cultural Park, 544 Cultural Park Blvd.
D i r e c t o r J a n e l T r u l l “ W e h a v e o v e r 2 0
v e n d o r s , m u l t i p l e f o o d t r u c k s , m u s i c , a n d s o m u c h m o r e T h i s e v e n t i s a g r e a t
w a y t o g a t h e r a l l g e n e r a t i o n s t o e n g a g e w i t h h i s t o r y a n d s h a r e a w o n d e r f u l d a y
t o g e t h e r ”
T h e e v e n t i s f r e e a n d o p e n t o t h e p u bl i c , a n d o t h e r t h a n t h e c a r s a n d v e n d o r s ,
f e a t u r e p l e n t y o f f u l l f o r a l l a g e s , s u c h a s m u s i c , g a m e s , a n d m o r e
S
i l l h a v e s e v e r a l k i d e n t r e p r e n e u r s o n s i t e , a s w e l l a s t h o s e s e l l i n g h a n d m a d e t o t e s , b l a n k e t s , c l o t h e s , e m b r o i d e r e d a n d e n g r a v e d i t e m s , a n d m o r e .
A l l t h r e e m u s e u m b u i l d i n g s w i l l b e
T r u l l s a i d s h o p p i n g s m a l l i s a w a y t o h e l p s u p p o r t y o u r n e i g h b o r s a n d l o c a l e c o n o m y “ S h o p p i n g l o c a l l y a n d s h o p p i n g a t s m a l l i n d e p e n d e n t b u s i n e s s e s n o t o n l y h e l p s t h o s e b u s i n e s s e s s u r v i v e b u t h e l p s k e e p o u r c o
More information: For more information visit capecoralmuseum org/classic-car-fest/ or call 239-772-7037
o p e n f o r t o u r i n g , a s w e l l a s t h e M u s e u m
S t o r e w h e r e g u e s t s c a n p i c k u p l o c a l h i s -
t o r y b o o k s , v i n t a g e p h o t o s a n d m a p s , a s
w e l l a s m u s e u m b r a n d e d i t e m s m a k i n g
g r e a t h o l i d a y g i f t s “ O f c o u r s e , o u r g a r d e n s a r e a l w a y s a v a i l a b l e f o r t o u r i n g , ” T r u l l a d d e d
A n y o n e i n t e r e s t e d i n s h o w c a s i n g a
v e h i c l e c a n p a y t h e $ 1 0 f e e a t t h e e n t r y t e n t S h o w v e h i c l e s w i l l b e p a r k i n g f r o m 8 t o 1 0 a m F o
EDUCATION
Foundation for Lee County Public Schools receives grant to enhance educational programs
The Consortium of Florida Education Foundations recently awarded The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools in matching funds through the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program. The funding provided to the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools will directly support three critical programs aimed at enhancing educational opportunities across the district: the Collegium for the Advancement
o f E d u c a t i o n , C o l l e g e & C a
e s , a n d Classroom, School & District Grants These initiatives will empower educators and students alike
The Collegium for the Advancement of Education will foster collaboration among teachers to develop innovative teaching methods, while the College & Career Initiatives will guide high school students toward college readiness and vocational career paths Additionally, the Classroom, School & District Grants will provide resources for unique classroom projects and school improvements, benefiting educators and students district wide The foundation is partnering with local organizations and community leaders to further enhance the reach of these programs
“These grants reflect the partnership between the business community here in Lee County, the Florida Legislators and the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations ” said Marshall T Bower, president and CEO of the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools “They are an excellent example of leveraging public and private funding for the benefit of our students and educators Because of this great partnership, our students are given the opportunity to achieve their highest potential!”
The Consortium has received legislative matching funds which provide a dollar-for-dollar incentive for local education foundations to raise private contributions for eligible projects for more than 20 years Since the inception of the program, more than $166 million in combined private and state dollars has been provided for local projects that serve students, literacy initiatives, e n c o u r a g e S T E M a n d c a r e e r / t e c h n i c a l e d u c a t i o n , increase classroom innovation, support teachers and/or increase graduation rates.
The Consortium is the membership organization for Florida’s school district-wide local education foundations Established in 1987, the Consortium connects individuals, organizations and financial resources to build the capacity and effectiveness of local education foundations throughout the state in achieving student success The Consortium now has 62 member foundations with 1,200 business and community leaders serving as volunteer board members Collectively, the local education foundations raise $100 million annually to support students, teachers, and schools through a variety of programs. The Consortium has facilitated more than $88 million to local education foundations since 2002 through various private- and public-sector partnerships, including the State of Florida School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program
About The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, Inc is a private 501(c)(3) organization established in 1986 Its mission is to enhance and enrich the quality of public education in Lee County for students and educators through programs, resources, and experiences made possible through corporate, individual, and educational partnerships Find the foundation online at www lees c h o o l f o u n d a t i o n o r g , o n I n s t a g r a m , F a c e b o o k , LinkedIn and X T o l
statewide impact of the program, visit www educationfoundationsfl org
The participants in the recent Southwest Florida Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc mock trial event in Fort Myers.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Southwest Florida Chapter of Jack and Jill of America holds mock trial event
The Southwest Florida Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc celebrated the success of its bi-annual Mock Trial Event, held Monday, Nov 25, in Courtroom 2B of the Lee County Courthouse
This year’s event featured 19 student participants and was led by Attorney James L Holloway, III, of Hahn Loeser & Parks Attorneys at Law, who served as the event’s case author and facilitator
Holloway crafted two case scenarios, guiding the students through the intricacies of legal analysis and courtroom strategy His expertise and dedication not only set the stage for an engaging and educational experience but also inspired the participants to rise to the challenge
Myers High School), Charles Minton (Oasis Middle Charter School) and Kaitlynn Reid (home schooled)
■ Most Valuable Participant: Chloe McIntosh
■ Best Advocate: Jayden Davis (Cypress Lake High School)
The event’s success was made possible by the participants’ hard work along with the support of teens Akeem Watkins, Lydia-Joi Holloway and Jayden Davis, who helped co-host alongside their mothers Autumn Holloway, Christina Jordan and Tenisia Tyre
The event provided an opportunity for students to step into the roles of attorneys, witnesses and courtroom officials, gaining valuable skills in public speaking, critical thinking and teamwork
k i n s
“Our Mock Trial experience was a cornerstone of our e
Holloway, chapter president “By working alongside seasoned attorneys and presenting their cases in a real courtroom environment, our teens gained invaluable skills, confidence and a deeper understanding of their own strengths and abilities This experience not only showcased their brilliance but also highlighted the importance of embracing opportunities to excel and lead I am extremely proud of each of our teens for stepping out of their comfort zones and striving for excellence ”
Participants, divided into teams and mentored by local attorneys Joe North of The North Law Firm, P A ; Andrea Fraser of The Lee County Attorney’s Office; and Kristie Scott of Light Path Law Firm, P A , delivered presentations that captivated the audience The Honorable Judge Devin S George presided over the courtroom, offering insightful feedback and encouragement to the students
The award winners were:
■ Best Team: Team Fraser – Chloe McIntosh (Fort
The Southwest Florida Chapter remains committed to empowering African-American youth and preparing the next generation of leaders through innovative and enriching programs like the Mock Trial
For more information about this event or the Southwest Florida Chapter’s ongoing initiatives, please visit the chapter’s social media page or contact Autumn Watkins H
239- 898-7577
About Jack and Jill of America, Inc
Jack and Jill of America, Inc is a membership organization of mothers dedicated to nurturing future AfricanAmerican leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty Founded in 1938, Jack and Jill boasts 271 chapters nationwide, representing more than 50,000 family members For more information visit the organization’s website at JackandJillInc org
School District to host Social Lee: Coffee & Careers Dec. 6
The School District of Lee County is hosting Coffee & Careers Friday, Dec 6, from 9 to 11 a m , to provide insight on career opportunities within the District
The informational event will allow participants to speak with the talent acquisition team and learn more about open positions within the District for the 2024-25 academic year Attendees will also be able to walk through becoming certified to teach in Florida.
The event will take place at Panera Bread, located at 5037 S Cleveland Ave , in Fort Myers To register, visit LeeSchools net/Careers
The School District of Lee County is among the largest school districts in Florida and the U S with a growing
enrollment of more than 99,000 students and 116 schools New hires will receive support and necessary resources that will enable them to succeed upon entering the field of education The district offers a competitive and comprehensive compensation plan for its employees, and additional benefits and earning opportunities are also available via advanced degree supplement, summer school, athletic coaching and more. Upon hire, a personal benefits selection process will be made available to eligible employees For support or additional information, email careers@leeschools net or call 239-337-8676 To learn more about available career opportunities, visit LeeSchools net/Careers
We
Bruce Waugh’s “Fish Out of Water” won the American Sand Sculpting Championship on Sunday at the DiamondHead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach.
‘Fish
Out of Water’ captures American Sand Sculpting Championship on FMB
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com
The 34th American Sand Sculpting Championship brought more than 10,000 visitors onto the beach behind the DiamondHead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach over four days this week and a tough competition among master sand sculptors
At the end of four days of competition, the winner was veteran sculptor Bruce Waugh of British Columbia
While the Canadian contractor said sand sculpting is a “part-time hobby” for him, his passion was evident as he waved his arms and celebrated with fellow sculptors after his “Fish Out of Water” sculpture was declared the winner of the event
“It’s half an athletic endurance test and half artistic skill It’s a hobby blown out of proportion,” Waugh said
“The crowd was amazing,” Waugh said “I am looking forward to being invited back ”
Waugh, who works as a contractor renovating homes
particularly kitchens and bathrooms sculpted three fish on top of each other along with fish eggs, coral reefs and rocks as part of a display that riveted visitors
Waugh said he has been sculpting as a hobby since 1987 after being inspired by attending a sand sculpting contest at White Rock in British Columbia
“I absorbed it all,” he said of the first event he attended
Waugh sculpts his works with a number of utensils and tools including spatulas, concrete shovels and clay tools He then sprays water and glue on the sand sculptures so they aren’t blown away by the wind
Waugh said he also enjoys painting as a hobby which he credits to his success sculpting “Coming up with a great idea that you think the public is going to like” is a key to being successful at the competition, he said
Bruce Peck’s “Ascension” won third place at the American Sand Sculpting Championship on Fort Myers Beach “I did it for my daughters,” Peck said of the roaring lioness
“It represents knowing you have greatness inside of you If you just ignore everybody else and let your inner beauty shine,” Peck said of the roaring lioness inspired by his two daughters who are graduating college this
year
Peck, a retired accountant from St Louis, lives in Houston now He took some architecture classes in college and said his talent for sculpting “just kind of comes naturally,” He started out in 2016 sand sculpting by participating in the amateur competition of the American Sand Sculpting Championship on Fort Myers Beach “They have a great program for creating future master sculptors,” he said “There is nothing like it out there ”
This was the first time the event was held on Fort Myers Beach since 2019 due to COVID and Hurricane Ian
“It was greater than I could have ever hoped for,” Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce President Jacki Liszak said Liszak helped bring back the event to the island with its organizers Bill and Marianne Knight of The Sand Lovers
“This is a great event for the resurgence of Fort Myers Beach,” DiamondHead Beach Resort General Manager Neil Hopgood said “Hopefully, we will have more of these to come, more events to come ”
Hopgood said he hopes to have the event return to the DiamondHead Beach Resort next year “We hope this supports the businesses on Fort Myers Beach,” he said
Liszak thanked the event’s sponsors as well as “all the people who have supported us, for waiting through traffic and taking water taxis We even had people swim in from their boats ”
Liszak said someone said to her that the event was “bringing life back to Fort Myers Beach ”
Justin and Kelly McGrath were one of several who brought their families from Chicago to Fort Myers Beach this past weekend
Mrs McGrath called the sand sculpting championship “really cool ” Mr McGrath, originally from San Diego, said “I love a good sand castle contest ” Mr McGrath said he came down to Fort Myers Beach after Hurricane Ian to help He said Fort Myers Beach is “one of my favorite places to be It’s great to see everybody coming back around ”
Linda Robarge, of Punta Gorda, called the championship “fantastic.”
"The level of creativity was pretty amazing What a great event It's amazing Fort Myers Beach came back," Robarge said
To view more photos visit fortmyers beachtalk com
Cape High IB students donate
$10,000
to couple
Punta Gorda residents lost everything in recent hurricanes
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com
International Baccalaureate students from Cape Coral impacted the lives of a couple who lost everything from Hurricane Helene and Milton by presenting them with a $10,000 check as part of the IB Gives Back project
Staff from Cape Coral High School saw a story on WINK news about Tom and Mary Ann Bridges, who suffered severe damage after the hurricanes passed in Punta Gorda
“It was a very special event, impactful,” IB School Counselor Caroline Toadvine said of the luncheon they held on campus on Nov 22, on National Philanthropy Day
The lunch included grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, and a birthday cake for Tom, as the Vietnam veteran was celebrating a birthday
Toadvine said Cape’s color guard saluted Tom, followed by many speeches, including some from the students
“They were very overwhelmed,” she said of the couple “What was beautiful is Mary Ann hugged all the students ”
As the students watched the couple receive the check, it was evident how much they impacted the lives of the Bridges
“Sometimes we give, or do community service, but I felt they really felt this one For me, as their counselor, in trying to teach the gift of giving and teach the gift of service, there was no greater lesson than that experience It was powerful,” Toadvine said
Cape Coral High School Principal Ryan Jackson said one of the things that he loves about being in education is seeing what the students are capable of doing, work for, and how they can help the community in need
“I was excited for them to be a part of it Our kids did it out of the goodness of their hearts,” he said
As a counselor, Toadvine said one of the big areas they focus on is service After the hurricane, a good number of students approached them wanting to help
“They kind of defined what a lot of them experienced both of the storms took everything they had,” Toadvine said “A wonderful couple The students decided they wanted to adopt them and help them out We got
NATHAN MAYBERG
PHOTO
Tom and Mary Ann Bridges at the luncheon
Northwest Regional Library programs and activities for month of December scheduled
Next month’s roster of activities at Northwest Regional Library offers topics for all ages The following activities are free to the public:
Adult Programs
Tech Tuesday: One-on-One Help
2 p m , Tuesday, Dec 3
Need help with a laptop, tablet, e-reader or other device? Are you looking to gain basic technology skills? We can help with a 15-minute, one-on-one technology help session Registration required
Knit and Stitch
10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, 18
A casual, self-guided group of knitters and crocheters that join together to share projects, ideas and techniques Participants are encouraged to bring their own projects and tools Basic materials and supplies are available for newcomers
Bridgerton Diamond Ball
6 p m , Tuesday, Dec 10
Step back in time and immerse yourself
i n t h e e l e g a n c e a n d o p u l e n c e o f t h e
Regency era Join us for a night of glamour, r o m
beloved Bridgerton series Get ready to dance the night away in your finest attire, surrounded by dazzling decor and enchanti n g m u s i c . C a p t u r e t h e e s s
evening in the Regency era as we bring the pages of a Bridgerton novel to life Make sure you arrive ready to be the talk of the town
Books & Bagels
10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11
Do you enjoy robust, engaging book discussions? Join us and share your latest reading recommendations Bagels, coffee and tea will be served
Tabletop Game Time
5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17
Meet up at the library for a monthly board game night featuring modern tabletop games The library has a rotating collection of light to medium weight games or bring your own games to teach and share New and experienced players welcome
Winter Wonderland: Cozy Crafts and Cocoa
10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 19
It's beginning to look a lot like winter Forget the stress of the holidays and enjoy winter-themed activities and cozy crafts. Light refreshments will be served
Winter Wonderland: Gift Wrapping Party
1 p m , Saturday, Dec 21
Need some space from prying eyes to get your presents wrapped in time? We've got your back Enjoy light refreshments and holiday music while you wrap your gifts and make new friends All supplies will be provided, including wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, tape and scissors
Children’s Programs
Kids Read Down Fines
4:30 – 5:30 p m , Wednesday, Dec 4, 11
11 a m – noon, Saturday, Dec 21
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
Super Fun Saturday: Holiday Edition
10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 7
Come play with us at the library Enjoy holiday crafts, games and fun for the whole family
Kid's STEAM Meet-Up: Bridgerton High Tea
6 p m , Tuesday, Dec 10
Join us for a special Fandom Fest edition of our STEAM monthly meet-up During
Regency era and participating in a tea party filled with engaging science experiments
required
Melody in Motion: Holiday Hand Bells
6 p m , Tuesday, Dec 17
Learn to play favorite holiday songs with hand bells All supplies provided
Winter Wonderland: All Aboard the Polar Express
10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 19
All aboard the Polar Express We invite little ones to come in their coziest pajamas and enjoy a morning filled with festive fun
Sip on delicious hot chocolate and settle in for a screening of the film, participate in crafts and educational stations and play winter-themed games All supplies provided For children through age 5 years
Winter Wonderland: Cozy Crafts and Cocoa
10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 19
It's beginning to look a lot like winter Forget the stress of the holidays and enjoy winter-themed activities and cozy crafts Light refreshments will be served
Special Edition: Lego Club
1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 21
Join us for a special edition of Lego Club A full two hours for all ages, with building challenges the whole family will enjoy All materials are provided Noon Year's Eve Celebration 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 26
We're celebrating the end of 2024 and ringing in 2025 Everything will sparkle a little silver with the turn of 25 Join us for fun, music and dancing At 11:59 a m , we'll ring in the hour with balloons, noise and fun. All ages welcome.
Teen Programs
Kids Read Down Fines
4:30 – 5:30 p m , Wednesday, Dec 4, 11 11 a m – noon, Saturday, Dec 21
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
Spill the Tea: Bridgerton Painting Edition
6 p m , Tuesday, Dec 10
This Fandom Fest edition of painting with tea will have you coming off the wall and into your art element We'll handle the brewing, you bring your creativity to the
Former resident donates 10,000-square-foot lot to CCWT
I
Alexandra Fasulo, a former Cape Coral resident and advocate for wildlife preservation, has donated her 10,000-squarefoot lot to the Cape Coral Wildlife Trust
This land will serve as a sanctuary for the threatened Florida burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia floridana), providing a vital refuge amidst Cape Coral's rapid urban development.
F a s u l o , w h o r e c
m
Florida to upstate New York to establish an experimental aeroponics farm, is a freelance social media content creator, author and entrepreneur dedicated to protecting the environment
Cape Coral, one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, has experienced significant population growth in recent years This surge has fueled a construction boom, with the city issuing 4,388 building permits in 2021 alone nearly double the 2,464 permits issued in 2020. While
this growth benefits the local economy, it poses severe threats to wildlife, particularly the burrowing owl Listed as threatened
nesting bird of prey are losing their habitats at an alarming rate
“Watching the rapid development and s
deeply,” said Fasulo “When I realized that this piece of land could provide a permanent safe haven for these remarkable creatures, donating it felt like the right thing to do I hope this inspires others to consider how they, too, can help protect our wildlife ”
Standing about 9 inches tall, burrowing owls rely on sandy soils and open spaces for their burrows As construction accelerates, owls are being forced to nest dangerously close to roads, leading to fatal vehic
spread use of rodenticides poisons their
degrade their fragile ecosystems Community-Led Conservation Efforts
The Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife, an all-volunteer organization established in 2001, works tirelessly to combat these
organization Cape Coral Wildlife Trust, CCFW works to acquire land for wildlife habitats and enlists local residents to dig starter burrows, monitor existing sites, and install protective markers Cape Coral is home to the largest population of burrowing owls east of the Mississippi, with over 5000 owls documented this year
“Alexandra’s donation exemplifies the proactive efforts we need to ensure these owls continue to have a place in Cape Coral,” said Cheryl Anderson, president of CCWT “Every donated lot represents a step toward preserving the biodiversity that makes this city unique.”
How to get involved with Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife
CCFW encourages others to take action to protect Cape Coral’s burrowing owls and other threatened species, including gopher tortoises and bald eagles Land donations play a critical role in creating long-term solutions Both CCFW and CCWT are IRS approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and donations to them may provide a tax benefit depending on the donor’s situation
Donate Land: Donation of land may provide a significant tax benefit
Volunteer: Assist with burrow maintenance, habitat restoration, or CCFW’s annual events like the Burrowing Owl Festival
Donate: Financial contributions directly support land acquisition, wildlife protection, and educational initiatives
sofwildlife org or call 239-980-2593
CCFW to host Vertical Oyster Garden Workshop Dec. 7 at Rotary Park
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife is partnering with Calusa Waterkeeper to host a
W
h
p Saturday, December 7, from 2-4 p m , at Rotary Park, 5505 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral
Maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems is critical to CCFW’s mission of preserving C a p e C o r a l ’ s w i l d l i f e a n d h a b i t a t B y bringing this popular workshop to the residents and neighbors in Cape Coral, CCFW hopes to support Calusa Waterkeeper’s ongoing efforts to restore water quality in Southwest Florida, a need that has become even more critical due in part to climate change, increased pollution and harmful
algae blooms
Oysters play a critical role in maintaining healthy estuarine ecosystems They create habitats for a variety of marine life, support shoreline protection by providing a base for mangroves and serve as a vital
food source for fish, birds, crabs, and other animals. Remarkably, each oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, significantly improving water quality
The VOG project involves educational and hands-on instruction to create DIY vertical hanging oyster gardens using recycled oyster shells from local restaurants that would have otherwise ended up in landfills These shells are strung onto wires and suspended from docks, providing surfaces for juvenile oysters to attach and grow Space is limited to the first 30 registrants A taxdeductible donation to Calusa Waterkeeper of $25 per participant is requested to cover the cost of time and materials Each partic-
ipant will get to take their VOG home to hang from their dock. Additional oyster gardens may be purchased at the event for $25 each while supplies last
To register, go to http://weblink donorperfect com/CCFWVOG
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife is an allvolunteer organization whose mission is to preserve and enhance the habitats of protected wildlife species and to educate the community about Cape Coral’s wildlife resources If you are interested in donating to support Cape Coral’s wildlife, joining or v o l u n t e e r i n g , p l e a s e v i s i t o u r w e b s i t e ccfriendsofwildlife org or call 239 9802593
BUSINESS
October home sales and prices
mixed, inventory up
We continue to see a weekly increase in the number of active listings in the MLS for Cape Coral single-family homes, and it looks like this current trend will push us over the threshold of 3,000-plus homes on the market in the not too distant future Let that number sink into your thought process if you are trying to sell your home.
T h i s s u r g e i n listings seems to be
d r i v e n m o s t
tiree, who is finding
S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a to be growing more
u n a f f o r d a b l e , a n d who now sees hurricanes as the single b
years A large number of these retirees cite the toll – physi-
l y –that is involved in dealing with these tropical weather threats as the reason for wanting to sell their homes Many have reached the point that now, while they still have control of their lives, is the time to move back closer to where their children, grandchildren or other family members live
With the growing competition between sellers in a buyer’s market, the key to attracting a buyer is likely going to boil down to a seller's ability to accurately assess the current condition and market value of their home in the eyes of a buyer, and their willingness to price their home more aggressively than others
Active listings and pending sales
As of Monday, Nov 25, the number of active listings in Cape Coral climbed to 2,922 homes on the market and the median list price came in at $465,000 Two weeks ago there were 2,823 active listings in the MLS, and just over one month ago on Oct 21, there were 2,598 homes on the market with a median list price of $467,000 It appears that the normal January seasonal surge of sellers listing their homes for sale has arrived a couple of months early and we think there will be even more homes coming onto market after the first of the year
The number of homes going under contract with buyers as pending sales dipped from 559 homes on Oct 21 when the median pending sales price was at $399,990 to 460 pending sales in the pipeline on Nov 25, with a median pending sales price of $389,900 It should be noted that we are currently in our historically slower months of the year, and we will be closely monitoring any changes to the supply/demand trends in our market and their potential impact on home prices as we enter the new year and head towards our peak seasonal months for closed home sales in March through May
October’s closed home sales and median sales prices
In the overall Cape Coral single-family home market, there were 352 closed home sales in October, which was down 6 1% from 375 sales in October 2023, and 8.8% below the 386 sales in September of this year. In the first 10 months of 2024, there were a total of 4,492 closed sales in the Cape’s overall single-family home market, which was 1 9% more than the 4,408 closed
NOVEMBER 29, 2024
Dental implant and oral surgery office to open in Cape Coral
Cape Coral residents will soon have a new option for dental implants and oral surgery - Trenton Implants and Dental Surgery
The new practice will open Friday, Dec. 6, at 4121 Del Prado Blvd , South Trenton Implants and Dental Surgery will offer implant and surgery services including extractions, dental placement for single tooth and multiple teeth, overdenture and AOX Bone Grafting - including sinus grafting and ridge augmentation Additional services include crown lengthening, periodontal surgery, scaling and root planning,
esthetic gingivectomy and oral sedation
Trenton Implants and Dental Surgery will host an open house on Dec 6 from 126 p m for the dental community and future patients to take a tour and meet the care team
Dr. Aaron D. Broderick, D.M.D.
The office will be led by Dr Aaron D Broderick, D M D He completed his Doctor of Dental Medicine (D M D ) at Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine Following this, he pursued specialized
Southeastern University after completing
Wilmington Hospital in Delaware.
“At Trenton Implants, we collaborate closely with general dentists to offer a comprehensive range of treatments aimed at transforming our patients' smiles and
equipped with the latest dental technology, CBCT & digital X-ray equipment to
advanced and efficient treatment options
Trenton Implants and Dental Surgery is
Appointments can be made via phone 239-349-7728 or online at trentondentalimplants com The practice accepts a variety of insurances as well as Care Credit
For more information on Trenton Implants and Dental Surgery, please visit Trenton Implants and Dental Surgery or call 239-349-7728
Newest Tommy’s Express in Cape Coral offering free car washes
Tommy's Express, one of the nation’s fastest-growing car wash brand, has announced that its newest location in Cape Coral is washing cars for free through Friday, Nov 29 This is the brand’s second site in Cape Coral, at 1527 Chiquita Blvd , S , down the road from Fellowship Park
Tommy’s Express locations, renowned for their customer-centric approach, convenience and superior wash quality, have won over fans across many U S cities Their signature wash tunnels, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows along the tunnel length and a transparent roof, offer an open, bright, and welcoming atmosphere
Cape Coral guests should expect quick service even at peak hours, a three-minute journey down the car wash tunnel and a menu of products and services with free f
TommyClub unlimited wash memberships will be avail-
able for purchase via the Tommy’s Express app These memberships allow member vehicles to automatically be admitted to the wash using a proprietary license plate reader system Unlimited Club members can select from four different wash packages at varying prices
About Tommy’s Express
Tommy’s Express is a fast-growing national car wash franchise built around the Totally Tommy site model initially developed by Tommy Car Wash Systems. The more than 215 franchise locations across the U S are strongly supported with exclusive training, marketing and technical assistance and enjoy access to proprietary, franchise-exclusive developments in wash products and technology
BUSINESS BRIEFS
GMA Architects & Planners completes designs for Cali Coffee in Cape Coral
GMA Architects & Planners has unveiled its initial architectural designs for Cali Coffee and an adjacent tenant space planned in Cape Coral The design is one of the first locations for Cali Coffee planned in the area
The building, planned at 942 Pine Island Road, is a single-story, 3,900-square-foot building, with space for one or two additional tenants
The site has been planned by Avalon Engineering, and construction by GCG Construction is expected to begin in early 2025
The architectural design by GMA aims to create a dynamic contrast between modern and classic aesthetics
The first primarily drive-through-based flagship Cali Coffee was built in Hollywood, Fla , in 2017 Most locations currently are on Florida’s east coast, but additional locations are planned in Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and Fort Myers
S i n c e 1 9 8 1 , G M A A
Southwest Florida’s leading architectural design firms
The local firm has provided award-winning architectural and interior design services for a broad range of clients in the public and private sectors, including several leading
area developers For more information, call 239-2750225 or visit www GMAarchitect com
DeSantis appoints 3 to the Barbers’ Board
This week, Gov Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of John Carroll, Kenny Collette, and Stephanie Lewandowski to the Barbers’ Board
Carroll is a sergeant for the Florida State Guard A veteran of the United States Army, he is the chair of the Hernando County Housing Authority and a member of the Military Police Regimental Association He earned his bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Saint Leo University
Collette is a barber and educator at Burn the Breeze Barber Shop Previously, he was a barber and educator at Chop Barbershop He earned his barber certificate from Lively Technical College
L e w a n d o w s k i i s a n e d u c a t o r o f B a r b e r i n g a n d
Cosmetology at Cape Coral Technical College She is the recipient of the 2019 Teacher of the Year Award from the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce She earned her barber certificate from Sunstate Academy
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate
Bob and Geri Quinn Homing In
Homing In: Cape home sales, prices mixed, while inventory increases
From page 34
sales in the first 10 months of 2023
The median sales price in the overall Cape Coral singlefamily home market was $395,000 in October, or 0 8% lower than the $397,999 posted in October 2023, but 4 1% above the $379,450 in September of this year In the first 10 months of 2024, the overall median sales price for homes in the Cape averaged $399,287 per month, which was 2 6% less than the average of $409,745 per month in the first ten months of 2023
Indirect gulf access canal homes
In the Cape Coral single-family indirect gulf access canal home segment (meaning canal homes with bridges in the canal system), there were 27 closed home sales in October This was 10% lower than the 30 sales in October 2023, but 17 4% above the 23 sales in September of this year In the first 10 months of 2024, there were 411 closed sales in this segment, or 8 2% more than the 380 sales in the first 10 months of 2023
The median sales price in the Cape’s single-family indirect gulf access canal home segment was $683,000 in October, which was 7 1% below the $735,000 posted in O c t o b e r 2 0 2 3 , a n d 2 . 4 % b e l o w t h e $ 7 0 0 , 0
September of this year In the first 10 months of 2024, the median sales price in this segment averaged $760,925 per month, or 2 3% less than the average of $778,750 per
month in the first 10 months of 2023
Direct sailboat access canal homes
In the Cape Coral single-family direct sailboat access canal home segment (homes with no bridges in the canals to reach open water), there were 17 closed home sales in October This was 26 1% lower than the 23 sales in O
September of this year In the first 10 months of 2024, there were a total of 328 sales in this segment, or 1 2% more than the 324 sales in the first 10 months of 2023
The median sales price in the Cape’s single-family direct sailboat access canal home segment was $820,000 in October This was 5 8% above the $775,000 in October 2023, and 16 3% higher than the $705,000 posted in September of this year In the first 10 months of 2024, the median sales price in this segment averaged $815,150 per month, or 6 6% more than the average of $765,034 per month in the first 10 months of 2023.
Freshwater canal and lake homes
In the Cape Coral single-family freshwater canal and lake home segment, which consists of landlocked canals and lakes with no boating access to the river or the Gulf of Mexico, there were 44 closed home sales in October This was 41 9% higher than the 31 closed sales in October 2023, but down 2 2% from the 45 sales in September of this year In the first 10 months of 2024, there were 508
Cape High IB students: Helping local couple
From page 19
permission A student committee came together and each of them were challenged to raise $20 each ”
There are 430 students in the IB program
Jackson said their goal was to raise $8,000.
“We watched the story, talked about it It really got our kids excited about it That was a big deal for them to be able to give back,” he said
Toadvine said one student raised around $1,000 by herself
“It was a beautiful thing the only incentive was good will They really exceeded all of our expectations,” she said of raising $10,000
Jackson said they are going to make IB Gives Back a tradition at Cape Coral High School He said they will see what and where the need is in the community each year
“Tom and Mary Ann are fantastic They are adopted grandparents of Cape High,” he said “What they went through - so positive, so thankful that makes it worth everything you do to help them out It was fun and amazing to see what our kids can do ”
closed sales in this segment, or 15 2% more than the 441 sales in the first 10 months of 2023
The median sales price in the Cape’s single-family freshwater canal and lake home segment was $455,000 in October, or 17 3% below the $550,000 posted in October 2023, and 9% less than the $499,900 in September of this year In the first 10 months of 2024, the median sales price in this segment averaged $476,485 per month, or 8 3% less than the average of $519,544 per month in the first 10 months of 2023
Dr y lot homes
In the Cape’s single-family dry lot (non-canal) home segment, there were 264 closed sales in October, which was 9% lower than the 290 sales in October 2023, and 8 7% below the 289 sales in September of this year In the first 10 months of 2024, there were 3,235 closed sales in this segment, or 0 3% less than the 3,245 sales in the first 10 months of 2023.
The median sales price in our dry lot home segment was $377,500 in October, or 1 2% above the $372,995 posted in October 2023, and up 7 1% from $352,500 in September of this year In the first 10 months of 2024, the median sales price for dry lot homes in the Cape averaged $369,306 per month, or 1 4% less than the average of $374,377 per month in the first 10 months of 2023
The sales data for this article was obtained from the Florida Realtors Multiple Listing Service Matrix for Lee County, Fla , as of Nov 23, 2024, 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 45 years Geri has been a full-time Realtor since 2005, and Bob joined Geri as a full-time Realtor in 2014 Their real estate practice is mainly focused on Cape Coral residential property and vacant lots
Elite DNA Behavioral Health collecting toys for Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida
Elite DNA Behavioral Health, a comprehensive behavioral and mental health
c a r e p r o v i d e r , i s c o l l e c t i n g n e w a n d unwrapped toys to support the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida’s Christmas toy drive
The drive started Nov 4 and ends Dec
5
Elite DNA is collecting toys at 11
offices from Bradenton to Naples and is calling on the community for support The toys will be distributed to local children
a
Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida
The Children’s Advocacy Center's mis-
Resident ser ving aboard USS Ronald Reagan
Machinist’s Mate Fireman Aidan Martinez, from Cape Coral, serves lunch in the aft galley onboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), while underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations Saturday, Nov 9 The Ronald Reagan provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region
sion is to provide a coordinated response to child victims of abuse and neglect, and to improve the lives of at-risk children and their families through prevention services This toy drive provides the opportunity to serve a vulnerable community during a time when mental health can be challenging
Participating locations include:
■ Cape Coral: 418 S W 47th Terrace, 239-673-9034
■
Circle, 3rd floor, 239-676-0608
■ Fort Myers – Metro: 4310 Metro Parkway, Suite 205, 239-690-6906
■
Plantation Park Court, Suite 200, 239215-1025
For additional information, please visit EliteDNA com/CACHolidayDrive
Northwest Library: December
From page 21
Registration is required
Bridgerton Diamond Ball
6 p m , Tuesday, Dec 10
Step back in time and immerse yourself
Regency era Join us for a night of glamour,
beloved Bridgerton series Get ready to dance the night away in your finest attire, surrounded by dazzling decor and enchanti
evening in the Regency era as we bring the pages of a Bridgerton novel to life Make sure you arrive ready to be the talk of the town
Winter Wonderland: Cozy Crafts and Cocoa
10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 19
It's beginning to look a lot like winter
Forget the stress of the holidays and enjoy winter-themed activities and cozy crafts Light refreshments will be served
Teen Afternoon Movie
2:30 p m , Friday, Dec 20
Kick off your holiday break by joining
us for an afternoon filled with a great movie and light snacks It's the perfect opportunity to relax, hang out with friends and embrace the festive spirit For teens ages 12-18 years
T h e N o
y
s located at 519 Chiquita Blvd , N , in Cape Coral For more information about a program or to register, please call the library at 239-533-4700. 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 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 r
contact Raphaela Morais-Peroba, 239533-8782, Florida Relay Service 711, or rperoba@leegov com Accommodation will be provided at no cost to the requester Requests should be made at least five business days in advance
U S NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 3RD CLASS KEITH KNISELY
‘Holiday Nights on the Lawn’ begins Friday
City of Cape Coral launches three-day celebration to ring in the season
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C o o r d i n a t o r , T o d d K i n g . “ W e d o h a v e
t h e c i t y ’ s l a r g e s t C h r i s t m a s t r e e o n t h e l a w n a t C i t y H a l l T h i s y e a r , w e w a n t e d t o d o a m u l t i - d a y e v e n t W e h a v e a m y ri a d o f e l e m e n t s t o r a i s e p e o p l e ’ s h o l i d a y
s p i r i t s , w h i c h w e ’ r e e x c i t e d a b o u t ”
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IF YOU GO:
What:
“Holiday Nights on the Lawn” celebration
When: Nov 29 to Dec 1
Where:
The front lawn at City Hall, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd
Details:
■ Nov 29: The sounds of the Southwest Florida Symphony at 4:30 p m , followed by the lighting of the 50-foot holiday tree and menorah at 5:30 p m
As the sun sets, families can enjoy a showing of “Arthur Christmas” on the giant inflatable screen
■ Nov 30: A screening of “Elf” at 6 p m The evening concludes with a drone light show at 8 p m
■ Dec 1: The festivities continue with a showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at 6 p m
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“ A n y t i m e y o u ’ r
Transformational Gifts: Organizations to receive $85 million
From page 1
Liz McCauley said “I am getting chills thinking about it today Just incredible That donation is trans formative to an organization It changes so much for us and gets us down that path so much faster ”
The shelter will receive $1 5 million over the next few years
“ T h e a w a r d s , w h i c h r a n g e f r o m $150,000 to $10 million each, are being made to a diverse range of causes, all of which are meaningful to Golisano They span healthcare, education, intellectual and developmental disabilities, other critical community needs and animal welfare The gifts will be paid over four to five years, are unrestricted and may be used at each o r g a n i z a t i o n ’ s d i s c r e t i o n , ’ a r e l e a s e announcing the donations states
“One of my favorite sayings is ‘the only wealth you keep is that which you give away,’ and this year I’ve decided to act on that saying,” said Golisano, the founder of Paychex, in a statement “Thanks to the success of Paychex, and its employees I can make it my reality I’m glad to provide support to nonprofits across Southwest Florida, where I now call home ”
“There are so many organizations in this region doing great work and I know that it’s not easy successfully running a nonprofit I am impressed with the dedication and perseverance of the organizations that I’ve invited here today. I hope this unexpected funding helps them broaden their impact and strengthen their organizations so they can expand their services and those they serve ”
McCauley said they had no idea they were going to receive gift of $1 5 million;
adding they received a mysterious email asking for her and the board president to attend a meeting in Naples last Tuesday with no further explanation provided
When called to confirm, she asked what was going on, which received the reply that they could not say, but it would be worthwhile to attend
The money will go towards the Cape Coral Animal Shelter’s capital campaign for its expansion, which will help more people, as part of the expansion is for the clinic
“We have to raise about $5 million The new expansion costs about $8 million We have $3 million saved,” McCauley said, adding that with the gift, they have $3 5 million to raise “This was a nice step towards that ”
The shelter has received donations from The Golisano Foundation component
“One of my favorite sayings is ‘the only wealth you keep is that which you give away,’ and this year I’ve decided to act on that saying ”
“...There are so many organizations in this region doing great work and I know that it’s not easy successfully running a nonprofit. I am impressed with the dedication and perseverance of the organizations that I’ve invited here today. I hope this unexpected funding helps them broaden their impact and strengthen their organizations so they can expand their services and those they serve ”
Tom Golisano, founder of Paychex, announcing his second series of major gifts totaling $85 million to 41 area organizations The gifts bring Golisano’s philanthropy this year to half a billion dollars and his life-long philanthropy to $860 million
Bailey and Friends, which started a few
around $20,000 over the years
She actually worked for Golisano and Paychex in the ’90s
“He took great care of his employees. I got to shake his hand yesterday and thank him for supporting us in this capacity,” she said “If everyone had the kindness in their heart like he does, the world would be a better place ” McCauley said she is grateful for the support of the community throughout it all, as they rely on the community tremendously
Populations will receive $1 million in gifts
“We are going to make some board decisions on how to best utilize the money to the benefit of our participants in our
organization,” Guardian Angels for Special P
said “We don’t take our financial responsibility lightly ”
Guardian Angels is the fundraising arm for the Freida B Smith Special Populations Center.
“From our side of the house, our mission statement is three-fold help to gain volunteers, to raise community awareness for the programs offered and help develop some of the programs,” Sheldrake said “A lot of it is helping them to self-advocate The center does a lot of training, so we help to sponsor those programs ” Guardian Angels is in the process of putting together a package that will have ADA equipment at the park across the
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“We expect to see record travel numbers across the board With more people taking to the roads, skies, rails, and sea; travelers should expect congested roads and longer lines at transportation terminals. AAA encourages travelers to develop their plan now and consider travel insurance, which provides compensation for flight cancellations, delays, and lost luggage.”
Debbie Haas, vice president of Travel for AAA
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Travel: RSW urges passengers to plan ahead, arrive early
From page 42
Dave Kerner “To ensure that everyone arrives safely at their destination, those planning to travel should take precautions and check their vehicles before embarking on long journeys Once behind the wheel, d r i v e r s s h o u l d r e m a i n p a
, focused, and unimpaired”
A c c o r d i n g t o F H P , n e a r l y 3 0 % o f c r a s h e s f r o m t h e W e d n e s d a y b e
o r e Thanksgiving to the following Sunday involved rear-end collisions “These collisions can happen when a driver is following too closely, is distracted, or is speeding and suddenly brakes, leading to a crash with the vehicle behind them,” officials stated
Almost 70% of crashes happen during the day, as opposed to nighttime, and in many cases, there are no contributing road conditions or environmental factors
Data from FHP indicates that the hazards are mainly related to driver behavior rather than external conditions
“Speeding, careless driving, and aggressive driving were the most frequently issued citations during this period last year,” officials stated “Furthermore, more than 10% of crashes involved same-direction sideswipes from other vehicles, while over 15% were categorized as hit-and-run incidents "
FHP provided some safety tips for safe travels over the holiday:
■ N e v e r d r i v e i m p a i r e d : A l c o h o l , drugs, a combination of the two, and even some over-the-counter medications should
The Lee County Port Authority is expecting a busy Thanksgiving at RSW this year, and want travelers to plan ahead Officials advise travelers to be in line at their security checkpoint at least 2 hours prior to a flight departure for a domestic flight, and 3 hours before an international flight
not be used if you plan on getting behind the wheel It is not worth the risk to yourself or others on the road if you feel different
■ Limit distractions: Focus on driving and keep your eyes on the road No text is worth your life Whatever the distraction, whether it’s a phone call, adjusting the radio, or eating, put it down and concentrate on reaching your destination safely
■ Slow down, speed kills: In Florida, the speed limit is never over 70 miles per hour With increased traffic and everyone trying to get to the same place, patience is required Being calm and courteous can contribute to a respectful and considerate driving environment, ensuring that we all arrive alive
■ Plan your route: If you are traveling across the state, ensure that you have checked your route ahead of time and are aware of rest stops and gas stations This will give you a sense of preparedness and control, allowing you to fuel up or take a break if needed and ensuring a smoother
journey
■ Prepare your vehicle: Before you head out, make sure that your vehicle is safe to drive This responsible and proactive action, though it may not be a top priority in our fast-paced lives, can make a significant difference in ensuring a safe and non-eventful drive Check your tires, tire pressure, and brakes to be fully prepared
“Traveling safely this holiday season is a choice and a personal responsibility,” stated FHP Colonel Gary Howze II “Drive carefully on Florida roads, stay alert and be courteous Remember, life is about the journey as much as the destination Let's ensure every journey ends with joyful
Transformational Gifts: Meeting local needs
From page 40
Kennedy Park
They are matching funds, which includes a very sizeable donation from Golisano last year
Another Cape Coral organization, Family Initiative, received a $5 million gift
“I think all day yesterday I couldn’t articulate anything, I was in such shock It blew our mind, both Dave and I, ‘Is this real,’” co-founder and Vice President Anjali Van Drie said that day after the gift was announced
F a m i l y I n i t i a t i v e h a s w o r k e d w i t h t h e G o l i s a n o Foundation in the past and has been fortunate recipients of grants
“Knowing the way they operate their mission, passion, and support No matter what they would have said, we would have been there,” Van Drie said of receiving the email requesting their attendance
The grand gift is going to be life changing for them, she said
“We started our organization 9-1/2 years ago now We started it because we saw a need We saw a lot of families in our community that needed help,” Van Drie said “Back when we started there was not much in our community that supported family; supported the entire family.”
“When anyone in the family is having a tough time and needing support it affects the entire family Family Initiative empowers families and helps them with whatever they need ”
When the organization began, one in 101 individuals was diagnosed with autism Now it is greater than one in 36 who are on the spectrum
“We have been super fortunate to get wonderful support across the region, state, and donors The need continues to increase, numbers continue to raise,” Van Drie said
There are currently more than 100 families on the wait list for clinical services
“The need is vast in our community,” she said “This kind of support, it’s like rocket fuel for us We have the ideas, the plans to be able to execute on a much faster
timeline to help our families is everything to us I get chills even thinking about what this will allow us as an organization to help our families It still feels like a dream It is amazing, awesome, and unbelievable ”
Van Brie said being at the event was an amazing experience as there was so much joy in the room
“The way it is going to change the nature of the work so many nonprofits are able to do a chance in a lifetime to get the support like this,” she said “I was on cloud nine I still am ”
Last Tuesday’s announcement, made at Artis-Naples, brings Golisano’s philanthropy this year to half a billion dollars and his life-long philanthropy to $860 million It follows his Sept 17 announcement of 82 major gifts totaling $360 million to organizations in Upstate New York, including $52 million to the Golisano Foundation, increasing its assets to $120 million This infusion of funding increases the Golisano Foundation's giving from approximately $3 to more than $5 million annually, allowing even more opportunities for nonprofits to access grant funding
“We encourage non-profit organizations to visit our website to learn more about Tom’s philanthropy and the Foundation's mission,” said Erica Dayton, executive director of the Golisano Foundation, which Golisano founded in 1985 It has awarded more than $41 million in grants, primarily to organizations devoted to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities It also helps animal welfare organizations through Bailey and Friends, an initiative of the Golisano Foundation founded in honor of Golisano’s two dogs, both of whom were named Bailey
“We look forward to the new influx of agencies we’ll be introduced to through the widespread news of Tom’s most recent giving Understanding the needs of the communities we support and the organizations that devote their expertise to serving them is a constantly evolving process We are always looking to learn more and determine how we can be supportive with the resources availa
“It was a phenomenal day. The emotion in the room was incredible. All of us were so shocked. I am getting chills thinking about it today. Just incredible. That donation is transformative to an organization. It changes so much for us and gets us down that path so much faster ”
Liz McCauley, Cape Coral Animal Shelter executive director
The shelter will receive $1 5 million over the next few years
“We are going to make some board decisions on how to best utilize the money to the benefit of our participants in our organization We don’t take our financial responsibility lightly ”
Mike Sheldrake, Guardian Angels for Special Populations president
Guardian Angels, the fundraising arm for the Freida B Smith Special Populations Center, will receive $1 million
“The need is vast in our community This kind of support, it’s like rocket fuel for us We have the ideas, the plans to be able to execute on a much faster timeline to help our families is everything to us. I get chills even thinking about what this will allow us as an organization to help our families. It still feels like a dream. It is amazing, awesome, and unbelievable.”
Anjali Van Drie, Family Initiative co-founder and vice president
Family Initiative will receive a $5 million gift
Councilmember Lehmann to host District 2 Town Hall
Cape Coral District 2 Councilmember Laurie Lehmann invites residents to a Town Hall meeting to be held Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon at Sands Park Pavilion 1, 2718 SW 43rd Terrace
T
allow neighbors to connect and engage directly with Lehmann, a release from the city states
Residents will be able to share concerns, ask questions, and discuss ideas for the future of District 2 and the City of Cape Coral
Residents will be able to share concerns, ask questions, and discuss ideas for the future of District 2 and the City of Cape Coral
Pavilion 1, near the park’s fountain and parking lot, will serve as the gathering spot for this event. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring their own beach or camping chairs
“Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to the area, this is an opportunity to meet your neighbors and engage in meaningful conversations about the issues that matter most to you,” the release states
Councilmember Laurie Lehmann
Windward Construction in Cape Coral holding ‘Fill a Truck to Fill a Need’ campaign through Dec. 7
Windward Construction is inviting the community to help spread love and warmth this holiday season by supporting recovery efforts in the greater Asheville, North Carolina, community as it rebuilds from Hurricane Helene Through Dec 7, donors can drop off items at the Windward Construction Sales office, located at Big John’s Plaza at 1229 Cape Coral Parkway, E , in Cape Coral “Hurricane Helene caused widespread and unprecedented flooding in southern Appalachia, resulting in hundreds of fatalities and billions in property damage,” said Brian Haag, owner, Windward Construction “Having visited the area, I saw the need firsthand and was moved to help these people ”
Some immediate needs include: Funds for oil vouchers to provide heat ($150 increments), space heaters, household and kitchen supplies, small appliances, toys for young children and Walmart gift cards
Cash donations can be made at LMCU under the Fill a Truck to Fill a Need account The truck will leave Southwest Florida and make its way to Asheville, N C , on Dec 7
Founded in 2012, Windward Construction offers fully customized homes designed and built in Southwest Florida Floor plans are designed to enhance residents’ lifestyle with beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces that flow naturally together For more information, please visit imaginewindward com or call 239-985-5554
Black Friday deal for Ag Expo MEGAPASS tickets
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com
Those looking to provide an experience as a holiday present this year are in luck with the Southwest Florida Ag Expo presale of the MEGAPASS tickets
“One trend that I have noticed in the past is people want more experimental things rather than stuff for the holidays,” Southwest Florida Ag Expo spokesperson Miriam Dotson said
The MEGAPASS tickets can be purchased for $25 from Black Friday, Nov 29, through Cyber Monday, Dec. 2 at www swflagexpo com
The MEGAPASS includes gate admission and a wristband for unlimited mechanical rides for any day of choice
“That helps balance things out for families,” Dotson said “The MEGAPASS ends the moment the door opens to the event ”
The price will increase to $30 after Dec 2 until the expo begins on Feb 27
The expo will be held Feb 27 through March 9,at the Lee County Civic Center complex
D o t s o n s a i d t h e y a r e excited to hold the expo
a g a i n t h i s y e a r , a s t h e y received a great response during the inaugural year in which Lee County took over the event This year’s theme “Ag-citing Adventure” will feature close to two full weeks of rides, food, fun, creative living, and agriculture events
“There is something to
The MEGAPASS tickets can be purchased for $25 from Black Friday, Nov 29, through Cyber Monday, Dec 2 at www swflagexpo com
The MEGAPASS includes gate admission and a wristband for unlimited mechanical rides for any day of choice
be entertained or watched every day with the ag portion,” she said of activities such as the goat agility contest and horse shows
The expo will feature themed nights again this year, including a new one $2 Tuesday $2 gate admission, $2 ride tickets and $2 food items
O t h e r t h e m e d n i g h t s i n c l u d e
Community Night benefitting the Harry Chapin Food Bank and Senior Day with half price gate admission for those 50 years old and older
There will also be a sensory friendly
day from 4 to 6 p m Friday, Feb 28
There will be free admission during those hours Dotson said all the rides will not be in motion yet, providing those young and older with an opportunity to attend
As with last year, there will be an abundance of entertainment for the ag expo
Individuals can also purchase general gate admission advance tickets for $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4 to 11, and free for children 3 and younger Active and retired military personnel will receive free gate admission every day with proper miliary ID
Lee County Parks & Recreation plans holiday events
Lee County Parks & Recreation has p l a n n e d a n u m b e r o f h o l i d a y e v e n t s throughout December
Events include:
■ 9 a m - 1 p m , Saturday, Dec 7,
H o l i d a y M a r k e t , W a - K e H a t c h e e Recreation Center, 16760 Bass Road, Fort Myers
Gather the whole family for a festive Holiday Market featuring delicious food trucks, fun holiday crafts, free photos with Santa, and a selection of unique handmade items for sale
Admission is free
For more information contact the WaKe Hatchee Recreation Center at 239-5336850
■ 10 a m - noon, Saturday, Dec 7,
SantaFest, Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd , Estero
Join us for a fun-filled morning of holiday cheer Enjoy story time and hot cocoa, see the jolly ole man himself and make an ornament Bring your camera for a great photo opportunity
Admission is free. Space is limited. Preregister at www leeparks org/register
For more information contact the Estero Recreation Center at 239-533-1470
■ 6 p m , Saturday, Dec 7, Movie in the Park, Phillips Community Park, 5675 Sesame Drive, Bokeelia
Join us for a showing of the Christmas classic, “The Muppet Christmas Carol”, rated G Please bring blankets, chairs and snacks to enjoy while watching this family
favorite film Pine Island Fire Department will serve popcorn
Admission is free
For more information contact the North Recreation Center at 239-533-7200
■ 6 - 8 p m , Friday, Dec 13, Cocoa with Claus, North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 N. Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers
Bring family, friends and a jolly spirit and celebrate the season with Mr Claus and his jolly crew Activities include cookie decorating, hot cocoa and a photo opportunity with Mr Claus
Admission is free
For more information contact the North Fort Myers Recreation Center at 239-5337200
■ 10 a m - 2 p m ; 6 - 9 p m , MondayFriday and 10 a m - 9 p m SaturdaySunday starting Friday, Dec. 13, through Monday, Dec 30, Holiday Express Train, Lakes Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers
Embark on a festive journey by visiting Lakes Park for a ride on the Holiday Express The Train Village route trans-
forms into a dazzling display with holiday decorations and lighting for enchanting nighttime rides Admission is free for ages 1-5 and $6 for ages 6 and up Parking fee is $1 per hour or $5 per day The train will close at 2 p m on Christmas Eve and be closed on Christmas Day For more information visit www.leeparks.org/lakespark or call 239-533-7578
■ 10 a m - 1 p m , Saturday, Dec 14, Winter Wonderland, Veterans Park, 55 Homestead Road South, Lehigh Acres Come celebrate the season enjoying h o
booths, reindeer games and a visit with Santa and Mrs Claus for photos Each child will receive a gift Hot chocolate, cookie treats and a tree lighting will end the celebration
Admission is $5 per child ages 1-11
Pre-register at www leeparks org/register F
Veterans Park Recreation Center at 239533-7530
For additional details about Lee County Parks & Recreation locations, amenities
parks org, call 239-533-7275, or email leeparks@ leegov com Stay connected on social media by following Lee County
Facebook and Instagram To receive updates from
for the
leecountyflbocc
SPORTS
Expect more extra low tides over the weekend
If planning an early inshore trip for this coming weekend, be aware that we will experience very low morning tides Saturday’s Pineland prediction calls for a -0 3 at 8 a m and a 9 a m -0 4 tide on Sunday With lots of floating and still submerged items out there waiting for you, backing off the throttle this weekend makes good sense
M a n y d o n ’ t r e a l i z e that just one relatively small piece of floating wood can take out a prop or lower unit, which will also take a sizeable wad of money out your wallet On Saturday, the outg o i n g a f t e r n o o n t i d e offers very slow moving w a t e r c o n d i t i o n s s o you’ll probably have to hunt and peck for your i n s h o r e f i s h . S u n d a y a f t e r n o o n w i l l b e tougher
During extreme low or negative tide conditions and also depending on where you put in, be careful not to back your trailer wheels down over the end of the ramp possibly stranding you there Sometimes you can pull the trailer up and back over the end of the ramp with horsepower without causing damage, but if the ramp is slick, you probably aren’t going anywhere. Recovery services are expensive. Keep a close eye on others launching before you to gather clues
Good numbers of small snook and redfish up to 24 inches are still hanging around shorelines on both sides of Charlotte Harbor but with very low tides this weekend, morning bush hunting may be out Look to deep cuts, channels, creeks, deeper docks, passes even marinas to score, which is also where you’ll often find your schooling seatrout Experienced, patient sight anglers might do well on the flats this weekend chasing waving redfish tails, especially when quietly poling their skiffs into casting range
With water temps dropping, slow down your high speed summer retrieve and adapt Clearing water also calls for lighter lines and thinner fluorocarbon leaders Lures that can be worked slowly such as suspending hard baits and soft plastic shrimp will help you be more successful
New date set for Red Sox 13th annual Swings for the Sox golf tournament
Monies raised will provide $80,000 in scholarships for local students
Due to Hurricane Milton in October, the Red Sox Foundation rescheduled its 13th annual Swings for the Sox golf tournament from Oct 11 to its new date of Tuesday, Dec 17
The tournament will still take place at the Tiburon Golf Club’s Gold Course located at 2620 Tiburon Drive in Naples and foursomes are still available
A scramble format with prizes for the longest drive, putting, closest to the pin and more will begin at 8:30 a m after registration at 7:15 a m
A continental breakfast will be included as well as a buffet lunch
All proceeds from this year’s tournament will benefit 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 Applications are now open and available at https://www redsoxfoundation org/leecountyscholarship/ The deadline to apply is Jan 10, 2025 The scholarships are for academically talented students who have shown a commitment to community service and are pursuing a twoor four-year degree at any college or university
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 is ReRoute, a 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 joins Galloway Ford returning this year as the Golf Ball sponsor Tournament sponsorships are available from $350 Foursome player packages begin at $1,200
All golfers will receive a New Balance polo, duffle bag and custom Red Sox branded gifts There will also be highend raffle prizes for golfers to bid on
Raffle items that can be used to aid in raising money for the Red Sox Foundation’s scholarship fund and additional funds for those in need throughout Southwest Florida are being accepted
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
Voting begins for November Athlete of the Month
Breeze Staf f Repor t news@breezenewspapers com
Voting for the Cape Coral Breeze Athlete of the Month for November is now open
There were a number of top performances from studentathletes in The Breeze coverage area throughout the month and now it’s up to readers to decide who will earn top honors for the month
Nominees for November include:
■ Daniel Lynn, Senior, Cape Coral Seahawks: Lynn became the first Seahawk bowler in school history to win a FHSAA State Championship, as he swept through a field of 16 to earn top honors in the state He took down the No 1 ranked bowler along the way, and won the final match 20, out-rolling his opponent 493 to 447
■ Mason Sargis, Junior, Oasis Sharks: The Shark kicker/linebacker helped Oasis to a 19-7 win over Westminster Academy in the SSAA Football Championship bracket The junior knocked home field goals of 29 and 34 yards, had an interception, recorded a pass break up, and led the team with nine tackles including a tackle for loss and half sack
■ Hannah Busenbark, Junior, North Fort Myers Red Knights: The junior played a major role in the Red Knights' girls soccer team blazing start to the year, as they turned in a 7-0 opening-match win over Aubrey Rogers Busenbark, an Eastern Kentucky commit, netted a whopping five goals for North in the contest
■ Angel Cruz, Junior, Mariner Tritons: Cruz became the first runner in Mariner High School history to win a boys regional championship by taking the Region 3A-3 title at Buckingham Regional Park, and advanced to the state meet He crossed the finish line with a time of 16:12, a personal best, and 12 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher
■ Tyler Kerr, Senior, Oasis Sharks: The senior standout for the Sharks helped the team to an 8-0 win over Gateway, netting a hat-trick and recording two assists in the match for Oasis (4-2) Kerr also scored in two other matches last week for the Sharks, and leads with team with 13 goals so far this season
■ Kelsi Longabardi, Junior, Mariner Tritons: The junior had a big offensive output in a 10-0 win over Ida Baker, netting five goals and adding an assist in the match Longabardi leads the Tritons (6-0) with 14 goals, and is second on the team with seven assists early on in the year
Athlete of the Month nominees are comprised of the Breeze’s staff-selected Athletes of the Week for that respective month Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, and since schools across Lee County were closed, there were no Athletes of the Week selections for this week The feature will return next week
To vote for the Athlete of the Month, visit The Breeze website at www capecoralbreeze com and click the "Vote Now" icon on the homepage
PREP REPORT
Monday
Boys Basketball
East Lee Turkey Shootout
Oasis 70, Mariner 36: The Sharks (2-2) had three players scoring in double figures as they spoiled the Tritons' season opener Austin Louzao scored 12 points, Brandon Overbaugh had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Lloyd Baptiste also scored 11 points Johnny Cernuska pulled down 10 rebounds
North Fort Myers 73, East Lee County 54: The Red Knights earned their first win of the season (1-2) with a win against the tournament host
Girls Basketball
O'Halloran burned the nets for 29 points as the Vikings (2-0) rolled past Golden Gate Caroline Ward added 18 points for Bishop Verot
Capt. George Tunison
Lee BIA Builders Care’s eighth annual Charity Clay Shoot Dec. 13
Lee BIA Builders Care has announced sponsors and remaining registration for its eighth annual Charity Clay Shoot, to be held on Friday, Dec 13, in Punta Gorda LSI Companies is returning as the event’s Presenting Sponsor for the eighth consecutive year Limited registration is still available for the nearly sold-out tournament, which offers individual shooters and shooting teams an opportunity to navigate a multi-station interactive course while completing specialty challenges and competing for prizes
Remaining sponsorship opportunities include Station Sponsor at $300 Registration is $350 for individual shooters and $825 for a four-person team and includes breakfast and lunch
Additional event sponsors include All Star Equipment Rentals, Apple Roofing, Atwell, Barraco & Associates, Better Buildings, Bermont Shooting Club, Christopher Alan Homes, Clayton Contracting, Cogent Bank, Crews Environmental, Devoted Restoration, D.R. Horton, Honc Industries, Lee Building Industry Association, Lennar Homes, Liberty Aluminum, Millennial Brewing Company, Modern Tile, Nilles Design Group, ODC Construction, Old South Solutions, Preferred Materials, Premier
Portables, Priority Marketing, Pulte Homes, Roof Tile Specialist, Stock Development, Submerged Consultants, Target Roofing, Trophy Case and Williamson & Sons Marine Construction
The Charity Clay Shoot will be held Dec 13 at the Bermont Shooting Club, 40571 Bermont Road, Punta Gorda Check-in begins at 7:30 a m All participants must attend a mandatory safety meeting at 8:15 a.m., with the tournament starting at 8:30 a m
Participants can enjoy a day filled with live music, breakfast and lunch, prize drawings and an awards ceremony
The event is a signature fundraiser for Lee BIA Builders Care, with 100% of proceeds directly supporting its mission to provide provides emergency construction services at no cost to needy and deserving elderly and/or disabled homeowners, and their families, who cannot obtain repairs through traditional means
For more information on sponsorships, tournament details and volunteer opportunities, contact Builders Care at 239-938-0056 or builderscare@bia net Additional
LeeBuildersCare com/Clay-Shoot/
About Lee BIA Builders Care
The mission of Lee BIA Builders Care is to provide emergency construction services at no cost to needy and deserving elderly and/or disabled homeowners, and their families, who cannot obtain repairs through traditional means Lee BIA Builders Care offers a full range of nocost emergency construction services to improve the safety and health for needy seniors and disabled individuals of all ages by enlisting the expertise and donated services and materials of contractors, sub-contractors and businesses
To date, Lee BIA Builders Care has put more than $5 million in construction services back into the community at no cost to homeowners in need Builders Care is funded through financial donations, grants and donated services and materials to provide emergency construction services to qualified homeowners throughout the community Lee BIA Builders Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization under the charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association. Lee BIA Builders Care is headquartered at 6835 International Center Blvd #4 in Fort Myers Donations can be made online at www LeeBuilders Care org More information is available by calling 239938-0056
Extra low tides: Maneuvering through skinny water can be difficult
From page 49
Using pre-scented plastics like GULP products or adding commercial scent products ups your game Don’t
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).
be afraid to apply these scents to your hard baits as well Letting your scented soft plastics “stop and drop” occasionally for a five to 10 count sometime during the retrieve may be too much for a cold weary fish to resist.
Non-casters will find fish using live or dead shrimp and cut ladyfish chunks Determined trophy snook hunters could catch the snook of a lifetime this month and next while patiently passing the time soaking a whole dead mullet or ladyfish on the bottom in a warmer Cape canal, creek, dock or nearby bridge
While on the flats, never pass up casting in and around moving schools of mullet Redfish, trout, snook, pompano, jacks, even small cobia will often be right in there with them feeding on whatever bottom creatures are stirred up as the school continuously covers ground
Weather permitting, a large variety of near and offshore fish are looking to eat your offerings Good news! On the Nov 22, Gov DeSantis announced a weekend 17-day extension of our red snapper recreational harvest season The 28th through the 30th is the second in a series of dates with the one last occurring Dec 24th through the 31st Delicious red snapper and turkey for Christmas? Please pass the plate!
Continued cold fronts will add to the kingfish numbers now arriving so scan the skies for birds and skyrocketing fish that will show up around bait schools
Wear those life vests and be sure to attach your ECOS or emergency engine cut off lanyard to your vest or person
Chopped up by your own prop? Not pretty
Here’s hoping your turkey is tip-top, your snapper is scrumptious and your ham is hogalicious For your thalerophagous guests, a fresh salad and a big bowl of raw broccoli will keep them at the table.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Capt George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide You can contact him at 239-579-0461 or via email at captgeorget3@aol com
Magical palms: Paradise
From page 16
ing for privacy The natural color of the frond tends to be yellowish and you can expect some brown fronds if you don’t want to maintain (cut off fronds) The Christmas palm is one of the most popular palms for home use because of its remarkable appearance and small size It generally reaches only 15 feet in height This palm is easy to grow and it is self-cleaning (the old fronds fall off by themselves) One of my favorites!
All of these small palms are great for your entry, center of a circular drive, corner of the house, focal point, borders and shading sunny windows. When you plant your palm trees, always allow room for growth especially near your lanai and home entrance
In the creation of your “tropical paradise” garden, you will incorporate many different plants, shrubs and trees for color, texture, balance and rhythm Most important for me is the magic of palms
I’d like to leave you with this gardening inspiration from Claude Monet “My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece ” Happy gardening!
Ann Block is a member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral and Past President Visit www gardenclubofcapecoral com and like us on Facebook
St. James City Civic Association on Pine Island to hold concert in the park fundraiser on Dec. 7
Special event to feature Deb and the Dynamics
By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewapapers com
If you missed Deb and the Dynamics the last time they played at the St James City Civic Center, don’t worry, because they plan to play there again next weekend for the St James City Civic Association's 60th anniversary party
The celebration will be held from 2-5 p m on the SJCCA grounds
Ticket are $25 prepaid and $30 at the door Visit sjccapi org to purchase tickets in advance
Board president Cena Hamby said she wants everyone to bring golf carts, lawn chairs and an appetite for vendor foods
Ticket prices for the concert in the park are to cover the expense of a much needed new septic system
“We found out we needed a new septic system after Tropical Storm Debbie (Aug 5) exposed a huge hole We started a G o F u n d M e a n d t h e i s l a n d d o n a
$6,600 We wrestled with permitting and the Department of Health and finally got a septic system we could afford,” Hamby said
The building flooded twice recently, she said All refrigeration was lost, and the gas range was damaged, as well as the w o m e n ’ s r e s t r o o m H a m b y s a i d s h e ’ s afraid to ask what might come next, for fear that something else will need repairs
or replacement
“We been rebuilding for the last year We replaced the roof, the ceiling we’ve done it all we’ve had half our trees
Service) came and gave us a great quote and then trimmed them four days before Helene and Milton came, which was great timing,” Hamby said
Now, she said, she and the board are hoping the community will come out and support the center with this upcoming fundraiser They are ready to be done with their mission to repair and replace items and utilities in the building, she said
“We’ve done a beautiful job inside We’ve had weddings here, anniversaries, big parties with bands it’s a great venue We need people to come out, buy tickets, enjoy the island and celebrate the day with us,” Hamby said
Hamby said although their neighbors are going through this as well, making it a difficult ask from the association, they are seriously low on funds and need the island to come together and support the SJCCA, if possible, at this difficult time
The SJCCA is located at 3300 Fourth Ave , at the corner of Lemon Street, in St James City For additional information about the organization and its programs and activities, please call 239-283-0242 or visit its website at www sjccapi org
CAPE CORAL ANIMAL SHELTER
Looking for a loving home
Lambo (Oreo) is a 6 months to 1-yearold male Lambo (Oreo) is a super sweet pup with tons of energy and love to give He is all about playtime, and he'll keep you entertained with his goofy puppy antics! Lambo (Oreo) would love a family who’s ready for some fun and can keep up with his playful spirit Whether it's a game of fetch, a romp in the yard or snuggles after a long day, he is your guy
Tomato is a 6 months to 1-year-old female She is a shy little girl who’s still learning that humans can be kind and gentle We think she'd really thrive in a quiet home where she can feel safe and comfortable Having a confident kitty friend
with her would be amazing it would help Tomato see that everything is okay and humans aren’t so scary If you’ve got a cozy spot and a loving heart, maybe she could be your new best friend
If you are interested in meeting any of the animals available for adoption at The Cape Coral Animal Shelter, visit its website at www capecoralanimalshelter com for additional 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 Please call 239-573-2002 for additional information
The Breeze Athlete of the Week will return next week
Lambo (Oreo)
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Patriot Home Services
