Cape Coral Weekend Breeze

Roach proposes state takeover of wind coverage

Insurance bill

lacks sponsorship in the Florida Senate To

While his bill had a hearing at the current state legislature session, there is no companion bill in the State Senate.

That puts the proposal out to the next legislative session at the earliest Roach criticized fellow Republican legislators who control both chamber, for failing to act quicker to stem the state’s property insurance crisis

“My residents are ready with the torches and the pitchforks They have a right to be angry ”

State Rep. Spencer Roach, R-76, who says Florida is in “the worst property insurance crisis we have ever faced.

“We are undergoing the worst property insurance crisis we have ever faced,” Roach said “What we are doing is not working ”

22nd Annual Burrowing Owl Festival to take place Saturday at Rotary Park

The 22nd Annual Burrowing Owl Festival Wildlife & Environmental Expo, put on by the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife and the city Parks and Recreation Department, takes place this Saturday at Rotary Park from 10 a m to 4 p m

The day offers educational programs, live animal exhibits, food, access to the butterfly house, silent auctions, and bus tours to nearby owl burrows Parks and Recreation will host free activities for children, such as ice painting and kids

See BURROWING OWL, page 40

The 22nd Annual Burrowing Owl Festival Wildlife & Environmental Expo takes place this Saturday at Rotary Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.\FILE PHOTO

Roach said he is thankful to State House

See WIND COVERAGE, page 41

■ 4-H: A passion passed from generation to generation

■ S o u t h w e s t Florida Ag Expo to s h o w c a s e y o u t h involvement

Pages 12 & 13

School district sees bump in ‘disruptive behavior’

The School District of Lee County has seen an increase in disruption, insubordination and disrespect and skipping classes since the 2019 school year

The information was presented to the school board this week as part of a discuss on campus safety and how campus safety is perceived

Safety, Security & Emergency Management Executive Director David Newlan discussed the KPI 5 1 score card, which is based on a scale of one to five He said they are looking for a four to five rating of students and teachers feeling safe

The accreditation survey questions were “adults make us feel safe for elementary students,” “adults make decisions to keep us safe for secondary students” and “at my institution, we think of everyone’s safety when making decisions” for the teacher survey

“A raw baseline was created from the spring accreditation data,” Newlan said.

The raw baseline was 88% for grades 3-5 students, 71% for grades 6-8, 65% for grades 9-12 and 88% for employees Newlan said the four-year performance target is to go up 2%

Disruptive behavior in the local codes have seen a significant increase from 8.2% from 2019 to 17 2% in 2022-2023 Insubordination and disrespect also increased from 8 2% to 13 9 percent for the same time frame and skipping classes increased from 4 5% to almost 9%

each year

They look at layers of security at every school site such as monthly drills, OPENGATE weapons detection system, School Resource Officers, Guardian Program, law enforcement access to schools, access control and auto locks and training Newlan said there are zone security inspections done at every school site to complete a school security compliance report

Once the fall survey responses are collected in October, he said they will look at the level and individual schools to break down the responses that were a three or below

“We must take a deeper look by follow-up questions we have created,” Newlan said, so they can make necessary changes before the next survey

Student behavior

The presentation also dove deeper into student crime, violence, and disruption

Constituent Services and Student Discipline Director Ron Iarussi said the official baseline is 4 79% of the total student population, which represents 4,749 incidents

The top five School Environmental Safety Incident Report incidents are fighting, tobacco, drug use/possession, simple battery, and disruption on campus

Fighting went from 5% in 2019-2020 to 8% in the 2022-2023 school year

Tobacco saw an increase from 5% in the 2019-2020 school year to 1.1% in the 2022-2023 school year.

Drug use and possession saw an increase from 3% in the 2019-2020 school year to 9% in the 2022-2023 school year There was an increase to 7% during the 2021-2022

school year

Simple battery also saw an increase from 2% in the 2019202 school year to .6% in the 2022-2023 school year.

Disruption on campus saw a decrease from 2% in 20192020 to 1% in the 2022-2023 school year

“The number of incidents have increased, but increased proportionately for population,” Iarussi said

With that said, disruptive behavior in the local codes have seen a significant increase from 8 2% from 2019 to 17 2% in 2022-2023

Insubordination and disrespect also increased from 8 2% to 13 9 percent for the same time frame and skipping classes increased from 4 5% to almost 9%

The referrals are now documented into FOCUS

“It’s no longer a paper process of getting loss When you refer an issue to another individual, you transfer the responsibility to them now to deal with it,” Superintendent Dr Christopher Bernier said

The goal overall is to see the numbers continue to decline, even when the population increases

“We specifically chose to present the information as local codes because some of the expression of the board When you think about some things that impact teacher and employee feelings about wanting to be in school classroom disruption, insubordination and whether or not kids are in the classroom (Those are) some factors that drive a less than positive feeling about the work environment,” Bernier said

Iarussi said they will be making more recommendations of restorative practices they are working on in the near future, adding they will tie some of those restorative practices to see the effects and measure the effectiveness

Graduation dates, locations, changed for Cape High, Ida Baker

The days and venue for three schools, two of which are in the West Zone, have changed for this year’s graduation class

Superintendent Dr Christopher Bernier said the district and one local arena were not able to come to a contractual agreement for graduation, specifically over liability insurances

“Therefore, we are no longer using the graduation venue for the graduation seasons Both the high school and the legal team worked hard to land a particular contract. Without a contractual agreement, we can no longer graduate at one of the facilities,” he said

Fort Myers High School, Gateway High School, and Lehigh Senior High School graduate at one of the largest venues the district has in place

“Those graduation ceremonies will now move to the second largest where we can still accommodate schools and guests to Alico Arena,” Bernier said “The ceremonies will be on the same date, but at a different location ”

Due to this move, three schools Cape Coral High School, South Fort Myers High School and Ida S Baker High School’s graduations have changed in location and date Bernier said three days have been added to the graduation schedule – Thursday, May 16, Monday, May 20, and Tuesday, May 21

Bernier said there are cost savings associated with the change

“The larger arena has been very expensive for us to utilize, but that is not the reason It was about accommodating the classes, schedules,” he said

The other graduation dates are set for Friday, May 17, Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19

e b r u a r y 2 3 ,

0

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

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: SCHOOL POLICIES

When you know better, do better

To the editor:

Are you kidding me? Gov DeSantis now blames “activists” for “hijacking” the process of banning books He is now in support of a proposal that will limit book bans in schools He even argues that the idea that he enabled book bans is a “hoax” and “fraud” stating that books bans a r e “th e ate r ” an d “p e r f o r mativ e ” R ea lly G o v e r n o r ? You’re saying this now after 126,000 books were pulled from Lee County classrooms and libraries, 50,000 of which are still waiting to be vetted? I guess public opinion is, indeed, powerful Or maybe it was the successful PEN America lawsuit against the district of Escambia for banning 1,500 books, violating First Amendment rights

Think of the ramifications of your actions, Governor It’s too late for the hundreds of classrooms that are without teacher-purchased classroom libraries, and the hundreds of teachers who have resigned or taken early retirement due to fear of reprimand, termination and loss of certification Case in point is the North Fort Myers 30-year, award-winning veteran teacher who resigned because he could no longer work under such exclusive, restrictive conditions How many other teachers wish they could do the same, but are financially forced to remain, working in fear?

It’s too late, Governor, for the districts that have spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars to purchase thousands of “acceptable” books for each classroom after removing thousands of teacher collections It’s too late for the taxpayer money spent to pay hundreds of staff hours for book challenges Will you now use more taxpayer funds to reimburse districts for these wasted expenditures?

And spare me from hearing the word “indoctrination” one more time Teachers teach period They follow the approved Florida curriculum (the subject of a whole different issue!), create approved lesson plans, and TEACH In no way, shape or form do they indoctrinate students! Come on folks. Children do not become LGTBQ by proximity or words It is biological, not choice So stop using a term that has absolutely no application, implication or sense

This is NOT 1930s Nazi Germany Or is it? Book bans, prohibition of employee preferred pronouns, examination of what personal items can be displayed, restriction of what teachers can/cannot say to students, potential policing of staff due to their personal identities? Must some teachers refrain from displaying family pictures simply because their families do not conform to the “norms” as defined by hatred?

Our parents warned us to “think before you act.” We cannot allow government officials to panic and crumble under the demands of verbally abusive religious and political groups Once a decision is made, it is too late to take back words without leaving behind a path of injustice and ruin I implore legislators and school board members to do what’s right for our children In the words of Maya A n g e l o u , “ W h e n Y o u K n o w B e t t e r , D o B e t t e r ” Apparently, Gov DeSantis is doing just that

Jill Pellis, Lee County resident retired public school principal & member of The Purple Group of Lee County

Lee County School Board

Proposed Policy #3281, Personal Proper ty of Instructional Staff

To the editor:

I am a resident of and practicing attorney in Lee County and a Florida resident since 1952 I am writing this letter in the hope that it will be read and acted upon by the Lee County School Board which is considering a drastic new effort to prevent our teachers to express any individual thought in their classrooms, including expressions of their “personal ethics ”

I have read with interest the recent backpedaling by our G o v e r n o r w h o , a f t e r w o r k i n g i n c o n c e r t w i t h t h e Legislature to enact vague and extreme educational policies, realizes that these measures are unworkable, wasteful and, frankly, an embarrassment

I would add laughable were it remotely funny, but it is not

Sadly, the Lee County School Board is on the same course and it appears that the goal is to turn our wonderful educators into automatons who cannot be trusted to think for themselves or to pass on their individual wisdom to their students

Perhaps they are fearful of crossing vague red lines observable only to those who see a communist under every rock, or perhaps some of the School Board members actu-

ally are those people?

Either way, they and other Florida school boards will drive away the best educators who will not return when the pendulum swings back to normal

Trust your educators You are the ones who hired them, remember?

Would any School Board member want to work in the environment they are creating? I doubt that very much

My sincere message to all Florida school boards is get off this destructive train before you do more damage Instead of attacking good and hardworking educators, call your representatives and tell them to dial back the political performance art and then do the same yourselves!

It is hurting your employees AND the children

Just stop it!

Woke ideology has no home in Lee County

To the editor:

A group known as “The Purple Group” has been formed in Lee County They spread their woke agendas under the umbrella of education advocates All Lee County residents must be concerned. I have read and seen “The Purple Group” sending its followers to the Board of Education meetings dressed in purple, writing letters to local papers, and giving talks spreading their woke agendas in education sectors

A New Jersey Retired Superintendent of Schools wrote in a Letter to Editor in The Breeze dated Feb 9, 2024, criticizing the political party leader who organized a rally against the indoctrination of woke ideology in our Lee County schools He accused the party leader of attacking a teacher I am sure the retired superintendent knows the political party leader was not attacking the teacher but was opposing the illegal propagating of woke ideology in the school.

“The Purple Group” strikes again but we know the purpose of the rally It was to ensure the Lee County Board of Education requires our teachers to follow the law and educate our children in their respective subject matters, not propagate them with woke ideology “The Purple Group” and woke ideology has no home in Lee County Schools

10 commandments for Lee County teachers: A modest proposal

To the editor:

In the last two years after a plethora of new state legislation focused on education, such as “Don’t say gay,” elimination of unapproved books from the classroom, and woke concepts, our teachers are tasked with navigating a veritable minefield of vaguely written laws

As a result of these laws, the Lee County School Board developed a series of new policies that need further explanation to be followed correctly After a review of the laws and policies, these 10 commandments for Lee County teachers were developed

1 Thou shalt not provide, furnish, supply, or maintain any materials, bulletin boards, lectures, videos, slide presentations, or personal items in a classroom or on a desk, that do not explicitly follow the Florida curriculum and standards or Lee County “District Speech ”

2 Thou shalt not wear any clothing, shoes, or jewelry that another individual, including a student, a parent, a teacher, a community member, school staff, school board member would find offensive; including but not limited to rainbows of any color, more than two colors in combination, commercial logos, or religious paraphernalia, such as a cross, Star of David, Egyptian Ankh, witchcraft, or any mythological or fictional symbolism

3 Thou shalt not dye hair that could be mistaken for religious, political, social, or personal ethics, including, but not limited hair of multiple colors or totally black dyed hair This also includes hair that could be construed as cultural or ethnic as well

4 Thou shalt not participate or be seen in close proximity to any banned book, including a club, purchase, or merely looking at a banned book dealing with any sexual content, historical facts, scientific evidence or any topic that has not been previously approved by the Governor’s Curation Committee

5 Thou shalt not provide any unapproved learning materials, bulletin boards, artwork, literary works or lecture on objective historical facts or scientific evidence that may damage the egos of learners, their parents, or the community at large

6 Thou shalt not apply any accepted learning theories

or pedagogy that could be considered divisive in the classroom, especially if the concepts could be indoctrination into any specific mindset that could be considered harmful to a child

7 Thou shalt not engage in nor teach the skills of critical thinking as teachers and learners can only do what they are told, or what to think, or how to feel to avoid any type of mental health issue or psychological stress in a classroom

8 Thou shalt not participate in toxic positivity which is defined as dismissing all negative emotions or critical feedback anyplace on school property, in public areas, or in private homes and buildings

9 Thou shalt not ignore the criticisms of parents or the community who know better how to teach children; it is also required to ignore any and all evidence-based research regarding the study of education as it is heresy

10 Thou shalt not engage in any activities outside the school or the home, which include sporting events, shopp i n g , r e l i g i o u s s e r v i c e s , o r c o m m u n i t y s e r v i c e n o t approved by legislature or the school board, to avoid termination through the capricious whims of the educational overlords

In the 19th and 20th Century teachers were expected to follow a series of rules of behavior becoming their profession For example, in 1872, after 10 hours in school, teachers could spend the remainder of their time before bed in reading the Bible or other accepted books In 1915, teachers were expected to be at home daily between the hours of 8 p m and 6 a m unless attending a school function Other expectations were no smoking, drinking, dressing in bright colors, or travelling beyond the city limits without permission of the school board Different rules, but with the same expectations that teachers must be controlled so they cannot indoctrinate the minds of our children

Separation of school & state

To the editor:

The following letter has been sent to Dr Bernier, Attorney Bruno, and School Board Members:

You really can’t make this up According to many news sources Governor DeSantis is now saying that “ some school districts have overreacted and are incorrectly interpreting state laws ” He belittles a Manatee teacher for covering the books in her classroom library so that students can have no access to them

Why would a teacher or a district restrict access to classroom libraries? Well hello, Governor - you signed a bill into law in 2023 and it’s now a State Statute 1006 28 Remember that one? That law says that all books in a teachers’ classroom library may not be available to students until they are “vetted” by a Qualified Library Media Specialist Teachers are professionals trained to select books for students Experienced teachers use their libraries for those teachable moments and find the perfect book, for a student, at the perfect time We used to believe that an outstanding classroom was a place rich in books that represented all the students and their families in our community

But, it’s a law. Let’s vet all those books because the state doesn’t trust those professionals we hired, whose classrooms we visit, whose lesson plans we review, those teachers we see with students and talk with every day and have known for years The “state” assumes the worst based on NO DATA

“Vetting” should be easy enough? BUT Wait In Lee County alone more than 130,000 classroom books were either removed or covered waiting for the vetting necessitated by law to take place In Lee we have 16 Certified Library Media Specialists Who used to have other responsibilities At this point in the school year there are still approximately 50,000 books not “vetted ” Teachers were told by Principals who, I guess were told by their “superiors,” that if they allowed students access to those classroom books they might lose their license to teach anywhere Principals also were told they could lose their license How would you react? Just the way these educators did they need to feed their families, they value their careers they covered the books

Now the Governor wakes up to the fact that keeping books from students is both an administrative nightmare (costing thousands of dollars in teacher/ administrator time spent on useless activities while reading scores plummet) and a public relations nightmare would you like to go down in history as the governor who presided over 1,406

See LETTERS, page 7

From page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: SCHOOL POLICIES

book bans in the 22/23 school year? What does he do? He blames the school administrators and teachers, calls them “bad actors” and warns that the DOE will find a way to punish them

I could go on But, here is the best way for the Governor to do away with this egregious law and save face at the same time Tell your friends in the legislature to deregulate statute 1006.28. Give teachers back control over their classroom libraries by removing them from the statute

We stand up for public schools, students, parents, and educators in Lee County Let the teachers do their work Keep politicians out of our schools

Madelon V Stewart, Ed D

For The Purple Group Fort Myers

Personal proper ty policy, like book-banning rules, ill-conceived

To the editor:

I have submitted the following letter to Lee County School Board Members:

I am a resident of Bonita Springs, a registered voter (who votes), and have started attending Lee County School Board meetings now that I am fully retired

I am writing to you today with a sense of urgency and profound concern regarding the proposed “Policy #3281, Personal Property of Instructional Staff ” After reviewing the details of this policy, it is clear that its implications extend far beyond the simple regulation of personal items within the school environment This policy, as it stands, is not only unnecessary but also a potential legal quagmire, an enforcement nightmare, and a direct affront to the principles of educational diversity and freedom of expression

First and foremost, let’s address the elephant in the room: Policy #3281 blatantly exceeds state rules and opens the door wide to litigation, along with the legal costs that accompany such disputes Are we so flush with funds

Agree?

that we’re looking for ways to squander resources on avoidable legal battles? The policy’s vague language and broad sweep set the stage for subjective interpretation and inconsistent enforcement, practically inviting legal challenges

And why the rush to pass this policy? What imminent threat does a teacher’s personal coffee mug or a motivational poster or a banner teaching positive values pose that necessitates such hasty action? This policy seems to be: a) a solution in search of a problem, prioritizing censorship over the genuine needs of our educational system, and/or b) rushing to pander to those who fear information and education that doesn’t suit their political views

Speaking of enforcement, who exactly has been tasked with policing the personal spaces of district staff? Will we now divert valuable educational resources to fund the “Personal Item Patrol?” One can only imagine the absurdity of administrators creeping around with rulers, protractors to measuring viewing angles and magnifying glasses, to determine whether an item is too political and/or shocking a student The prospect is as ludicrous as it is wasteful Moreover, I must question the origin and motivation behind this policy Who authored this proposal names, please: We are the Sunshine State! and what exactly are they hoping to achieve? Is the goal truly to foster a neutral educational environment, or is it to sanitize and control the narrative to which our students are exposed? The timing and nature of this policy raise serious questions about its underlying intentions It doesn’t pass the smell test

Finally, and most importantly, the Lee County School Board should be focusing its efforts on education and the broadening of young minds, not on censoring the diverse views and expressions that enrich the learning experience Our students deserve to be prepared for a world that is far from black and white, where critical thinking and exposure to a wide range of perspectives are essential for success

Disagree? Weigh in! Letters, guest opinions, comments welcome

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

In light of these concerns, I strongly urge you to either dismiss Policy #3281 outright or, at the very least, table it for further review and consideration What’s the rush? Even DeSantis now acknowledges that book-banning rules were POORLY thought through and are being abused by individuals with a political agenda vs the education and well-being of our children

Our district’s resources, attention, and efforts should be directed towards enhancing the quality of education we provide, not restricting the (limited) freedom of expression of our dedicated instructional staff

Thank you for your attention to this matter I look forward to your prompt and thoughtful response ”

This week’s poll question:

Are politics impacting the education of our children?

∫ Yes, to the better

∫ Yes, to their detriment.

∫ No.

Vote at capecoralbreeze com

Previous poll question

When it comes to addiction and recovery, which comes closest to your opinion? *

∫ Addiction is a choice and addicts suffer as a result of their choice 31 25%

∫ Addiction is a disease and needs to be treated as an illness. 65%

∫ I don’t know. 3,75%

* The Breeze poll question above is a sample question from a survey being conducted by SalusCare as part of the Addiction Policy Forum’s Anti-Stigma Initiative To take part in the survey to “help identify challenges to addiction treatment” visit https://bit ly/49ruqT4

* 80 votes at press time

Poll results are not scientific and represent only the opinions of Internet users who have chosen to participate

Policies concerning political activities, personal property items, to come back to school board for more discussion

Controversial policies regarding political activities and use of employees’ personal property at school did not pass during the Lee County School Board’s meeting Wednesday

Those two issues, addressed with six policies, were among other policies for board approval

For new policies to go into effect, they must pass with four votes; pre-existing amended policies must receive five votes to pass The board members who voted yes to pass all of the policies included Chairman Sam Fisher, Melissa Giovannelli, Armor Persons, and Vice Chair Jada LangfordFleming Those who voted against the motion included Board members Chris Patricca, Debbie Jordan, and Cathleen Morgan

The six policies pertaining to political activities and employee’s personal property at school will be brought back to the board for a pre-briefing for additional discussion at an upcoming meeting

The policy that drew the most discussion during the afternoon meeting dealt with employee personal property at school Board Attorney Kathy Dupuy-Bruno said the use of employee personal property at school policy has been in place for a while Prior language included staff members who wished to bring personal property to school is either for reasons associated with professional responsibilities or use for off duty time

The policy that was not approved stated “employees shall not display in plain view or in the line of sight of students personal items that are not part of an approved curriculum or in accordance with Board Policy that reflects politics, religion, social movements, and/or personal ethics A small personal item such as a 5x7 framed family picture is acceptable The display of any items in workplaces and workspaces may be considered district speech and may be regulated in accordance with this board policy ”

The school board had a very lengthy debate over the policy, sharing their personal viewpoints of why they thought it was either a needed policy, or should not go forward

The first question after the vote took place was Persons stating that he was not sure where the issue of the flag dispute at Riverdale High School left off

“Does this mean the flag will stay up in Riverdale? Is the policy strong enough that you can have the flag taken down, or the signs that have the safe place with gay pride stickers behind them,” he asked the superintendent.

Langford-Fleming said a tighter policy needs to be put into place regarding the policy, especially if the flag was asked to be taken down and it is still up

Superintendent Dr Christopher Bernier said the stickers have a replacement, which will be given to principals at a Friday meeting

He said it was his understanding that the policies were never an attempt to deal with a particular item at Riverdale High School

“It was a change and desire for overall classroom neutrality position,” Bernier said.

The conversation about personal property stemmed from Persons stating that when he ran his campaign, it was about getting back to basics in education

“I thought back to when I went to school, we never had any displays that were contro-

The six policies pertaining to political activities and employee’s personal property at school will be brought back to the board for a pre-briefing for additional discussion at an upcoming meeting.

The policy that drew the most discussion during the afternoon meeting dealt with employee personal property at school

versial,” Persons said, adding that he had no idea what political party his teachers were a part of “I think it’s a good policy ”

Patricca said the policies were brought forward because a flag that was considered political was hanging at a school and brought to the board’s attention

“We are responding with a political policy This is just not an issue It’s an issue because distraction was based on one thing, in one classroom in a massive district,” she said “The introduction of this policy was born out of a flag in a classroom ”

Morgan said essentially public sector employees have no First Amendment rights in the first place She said the second part of that is state laws determine what neutrality is by spelling out what is personal politics, social movement, and ethics

“There is no First Amendment rights for teachers in the classroom The state has determined what is neutral My concern is I don’t know how the superintendent can enforce this Nobody will know what is neutral,” Morgan said.

Bernier said the translation that would be critical for him is telling his 118 principals what to look for when enforcing the policy

“I want to make sure it is done fairly,” he said “If all seven walked (through) the classroom with me, we might see very different things How on Friday, do I direct them what to be looking for? What is acceptable and what is not with only viewpoint neutral?”

Giovannelli thought it to be pretty simple a guidance for good judgement

“When in doubt leave it out,” she said, adding that if a teacher questioned something to be put into a classroom, they should ask “It’s being held accountable and not necessarily micromanaging We have to have some policies Not everyone has the same judgement ”

Jordan said they already have policies in place now

“We can all walk into a classroom we are going to see things in a different lens from everyone I don’t want to be that person to have policies to say we have policies,” she said.

“If this were to pass, how much time is taken away from their job for student outcome If we know this is already happening and he (Bernier) has heard here very clearly that we want that tightened up with policies in place, why are we even having this conversation?”

Fisher said he did not want to overcomplicate things, but if it is related to curriculum and education of the students, it’s fine Outside of those, he does not think it belongs

War of the Food Truck & Beerzarre Fest this weekend

30 food vendors, more than 40 craft beers on tap, live music and more

The largest food truck competition and charity fundraiser on Florida’s west coast returns to Cape Coral this weekend for two days of good eats and craft drinks

T h e “ W a r o f t h e F o o d T r u c k & Beerzarre Fest” takes place on the grounds of the German American Social Club of Cape Coral this Saturday and Sunday

Hours are 11 a m to 5 p m on Saturday and 11a m to 4 p m Sunday

The event, presented by Biz Net Cares Foundation, will see 30 food trucks and more than 40 craft beers on tap The family-friendly fun also features raffles, a live deejay, vendors, “kidz zone,” ax throwing, and more

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring it back, and even more so to bring it back d u r i n g s e a s o n , " s a i d L C B N C h a p t e r President Brian Sauls “Last year, due to (Hurricane Ian), we weren’t able to do it in February We brought back the same charities as last year, that are great local charities that do a lot for the area ”

This is the first time in three years the War of the Food Trucks will span two days, and also the first time craft beer will be highlighted

“We’re excited to add craft beer, which we've had a lot of people ask for in the past,” Sauls said

Dishes from each of the food trucks will be ranked and voted on by both a panel of judges, and attendees The Lee County Board of Elections will provide voting booths for the People’s Choice Awards at

the event

Sauls said awards will be given to the top three trucks voted on by the judges, the top three fan-vote, and a top three combined total

Live music will hit the stage throughout the event, as “Mockingbird” performs Saturday, with Royce Allgood and “Last Train” playing Sunday

“People can expect good classic rock and country music,” Sauls said Proceeds from ticket and beverage sales will be donated to multiple local charities, i n c l u d i n g V a l e r i e ’ s H o u s e , F a m i l y I n i t i a t i v e , a n d H e a r t s a n d H o m e s f o r

Veterans

“Our goal between our non-profit Biz Net Cares and LCBN is to put on events like this to help raise money for local charities without them having to put money up,” Sauls said “Some of these charities don’t have the budget or the staffing, so we run and manage the event and just ask for volunteers to assist ”

Tickets for entry can be found online or purchased at the door for $10 Craft beer will be available for purchase by buying tickets at the ticket booth for $8 each All food and non-alcoholic drinks at the food trucks can be purchased with cash or credit No pets are allowed (only registered service animals)

For more information, including raffle prizes, participating food trucks, and more, visit www warofthefoodtrucks com

The German American Social Club is at 2101 Southwest Pine Island Road

, 2

F e b r u a r y 2

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

4-H: A passion passed from generation to generation

4-H runs deep for one North Fort Myers family whose passion for the program has passed from generation to generation

Mandy Rice, a mom with kids now in the program, said she was in 4-H in Punta Gorda, as well as the Charlotte Senior FAA Club (Future Farmers of America) when she was younger She had a great teacher and 4-H leader, who gave her a good experience when she was younger

“My 4-H leader has remained very involved in the 4-H clubs and kids at the fair in the past. She was in charge of the steer barn,” she said

Now the Rice family lives on 10 acres in North Fort Myers, which has given the kids a great opportunity to get involved in 4-H

“We lived in Cape Coral for a while and, as our children got older, we decided we would like to be out away from the city and let them have more of a rural experience That is when they got involved in 4-H, when we moved to North Fort Myers,” she said

At one time, Mandy said she had four children in the program, before her oldest graduated out of the 4-H program with another one of her kids graduating this year

“It has been a family event for quite some time My little one gets a little confused because he has been in it since he was born,” she said

John, 8, is involved in both Peewees of Southwest Florida and 4-H He will be showing his goat, Fluffy, for the Peewees of Southwest Florida, as well as his chicken Brenda and rabbit Rex

He said he enjoys working with his goats because of their horns and how they act John has three goats Fluffy, Cookie and Sheep

“I give them food, water and hay and I sometimes help my sister clean my goat pen I walk them around their pen I have to practice a lot,” John said of getting them ready to show

As far as taking care of his rabbit and chickens, John spends time giving them water and hay Extra time is spent with the chickens to ensure they have clean water

“I do agility with my rabbit and do the costume contest at the fair,” he said

Kami, her 15-year-old daughter, became involved in 4-H when she was 8 This year she will show a steer, chicken and a goat during the Southwest Florida Ag Expo

“When we first started, my mom told us we could do pigs I really liked animals and I

Events for the Livestock Show include:

• Thursday, Feb. 29

6 p m Goat Agility Show

• Friday, March 1

6 p m Goat Costume Contest

7 p m Feathers Fun Costume Contest

• Saturday, March 2

11 a.m. Performance Horse Show

2 p m Goat Showmanship Contest

6 p m Beef Breeding Show and Showmanship Competition

6 p m Feathers Showmanship Competition

• Sunday, March 3

11:30 a.m. Goat Show & Awards

1 p m Feathers Awards –Showmanship and Show

• Wednesday, March 6

6 p m Swine Show and Showmanship Competition

6 p m Fur Showmanship Competition

• Thursday, March 7

6 p m Steer Show and Showmanship Competition

7 p m Fur Awards –Showmanship and Show

7 p m Horse Costume Contest

• Friday, March 8

5 p m Steer Grooming Show

6 p m PeeWees of SWFL & 4-H Cloverbud Awards

6:30 p m Horse Speed Show

7 p m Small Animal Auction

• Saturday, March 9 Noon Fur Fun Costume Contest

2 p m Fur Fun Show - Agility

2 p m Market Animal Auction (Steer & Swine)

6 p m Horse Fun Show

• Sunday, March 10

11 a m Horse Awards

really like to talk a lot,” she said.

Kami enjoyed meeting the kids that enjoyed the same things, lived on farms, and grew up in an environment similar to hers

“It was very welcoming,” she said

One of the first animals Kami worked with was a pig, which unfortunately did not make weight for the fair She was left without any backup animals to show

See

Southwest Florida Ag Expo to showcase youth involvement

Fair favorites, including rides, midway & entertainment, return as county-rebranded celebration returns to its roots

The Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair, a tradition for generations, has been rebranded this year as the Southwest Florida Ag Expo to put the spotlight on area youth

It's an exciting change, said event spokesperson Miriam Dotson of the Visitor & Convention Bureau

Set for Feb 29, through March 10, the Ag Expo will feature 4-H, a program involves the youth, education and activities with 373 participants this year

4-H has a long and rich history in Lee County

A Cattle Club, the first 4-H club in Lee County was established on Pine Island in the 1920s

Lee County hired the first 4-H agent in 1972

Lee County Parks & Recreation Operations Manager Lisa Weaver said after speaking with members of the community after the county took over the fair operation their interest was apparent showcasing the youth and livestock portion while highlighting the agricultural community

The event is intended to spotlight the kids who are working really hard on their projects and showing off their animals, she said

“That is the whole real reason to showcase these kids, so they feel like the VIPs of the event,” Weaver said

“It is going to be a good show,” Weaver added “Many of them show multiple animals ”

Other fair favorites, including the midway, will be included as well

Reithoffer Shows Inc , which does numerous events in the state of Florida, is bringing in some rides that have not been showcased in the circuit yet, Weaver said, adding they have been a really good partner, and they are excited to bring something new to the community

There also will be skills exhibits featuring a variety of artisans

“There will be a midway with rides, creative living events quilting, knitting and crafting,” Dotson said as they want to pay attention to the arts as well

Live entertainment also will return

This year's lineup includes The Del Prados; One Man

Another new component of the expo is work to expand parking and overflow parking which, in the past, has been one of the biggest challenges

“We are working on providing additional overflow parking across the street on 31 We are really excited to be able to offer that All parking on both sides will be free, no parking charges,” Weaver said

The expo will continue the mega passes, $25, which can be purchased until Feb 29

“That is your gate admission, as well as unlimited rides for one single day,” Weaver said

General gate admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 4 to 11 years old and free for children 3 and younger

Promotional nights will include:

■ Opening Day, Thursday, Feb 29, gates open at 4 p m for $1 gate admission

■ Sensory Friendly Day, Friday, March 1, gates open at 4 p m From 4-6 p m sensory friendly $0 gate admission and at 6 p m regular gate admission

■ Moonlight Magic, Friday, March 1, and Friday, March 8, from 8 p m to midnight $30 admission, which includes ride wristband

■ Community Night, Monday, March 4, gates open at 4 p.m. Free admission with three canned food items for Harry Chapin Food Bank, $5 gate admission, $25 ride wristband

■ Senior Day, Wednesday, March 6, gates open at 4 p m , regular admission, and $5 for 50 years old and older, $25 ride wristband

■ Latin Day, Sunday, March 10, gates open at 11 a m , regular admission and $40 ride wristband

The expo will be held at the Lee County Civic Center Complex, 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers

For more information visit swflagexpo com, or follow its Facebook page, SWFL Ag Expo

Felk’s Tinsmithing Show; Kids Foam Zone & Gameshow; Porkchop Revue; Pirate Man Down; Agricadabra Magic & Hypnosis Show and Roger Arahamson the Giant Bowl Turner and Reggie Delarm East Knoll Pottery

“We recommend people bookmark the website We will continue to add more information – entertainment lineup, pass information, tickets will all be available on the website,” Weaver said, adding to also check Facebook, as they will be pushing information out there as well

REAL ESTATE

Make sure wording in contract protects your interests

(Editor’s note: The following column was published previously in The Breeze )

Dear Mr. Feichthaler,

We contracted to purchase a home that was not yet complete The contract provided we close 10 days after the house was ready, shown by the certificate of occupancy Due to the uncertainty on time, we told our lender to be ready to close once the CO was issued The Certificate of Occupancy was issued on Feb 3, but we didn’t know until the 10th The builder said we had to close by the 13th, or we would lose our deposit and not be able to buy the home Our lender could not complete their appraisal in time, so we couldn’t close on the 13th Now, the builder will not answer our calls or emails, and we still want to buy it What can we do?

John and Dorothy,

This is a situation I am hearing more and more First, builders are having challenges finishing homes when expected due to lack of labor and materials In the meantime, prices have soared over the past year, which has led some sellers to attempt to get out of contracts so they can sell for a higher price This brings me to the number one priority for anyone signing a contract -- are you protected from something like this?

John and Dorothy R

Real Estate Law

Although the standard contract provides for some protections if financing doesn’t come through, they are very specific, and designed to allow the buyer to exit the contract, not to extend the time There are different contracts used, so there may be additional items that can assist in this situation Generally, though, without better wording on the closing date, the contract likely did require you to close by the 13th More protective wording would have stated that the time “started ticking” when you were actually provided notice of the certificate of occupancy, and would also have given more than 10 days Banks, like many service providers, are overwhelmed and understaffed We always want to ensure the contract doesn’t create an unnecessary hardship The clause you had in this contract was not designed to protect your interests

Keep in mind, every situation is unique, and you may have rights pursuant to the contract that could allow you to enforce it, or at least obtain your deposit back In the meantime, if they ask you to sign a cancellation and release, I would recommend you seek legal counsel to determine your specific legal rights before doing so

Eric P Feichthaler has lived in Cape Coral for over 35 years and graduated from Mariner High School in Cape Coral After completing law school at Georgetown University in Washington, D C , he returned to Cape Coral to practice law and raise a family He served as mayor of Cape Coral from 2005-2008, and continues his service to the community through the Cape Coral Caring Center, and Cape Coral Kiwanis He has been married to his wife, Mary, for 22 years, and they have four children He earned his board certification in Real Estate Law from the Florida Bar, and primarily practices in real estate law and wills and trusts He is AV Preeminent rated by MartindaleHubbell for professional ethics and legal ability, and is a Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator He can be reached at eric@capecoralattorney com, or 239-5424733

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

January closed sales tepid, but seasonal activity increasing

Now that we are into the eighth week of 2024, the main takeaways in the Cape Coral single-family home market involve some of the more typical winter month seasonal patterns We are seeing an influx of active listings coming onto the market as the inventory of homes listed for sale in the MLS continues to build, creating even more competition between sellers in what has clearly become a buyer’s market

January’s closed home sales numbers were on the tepid side, which is not necessarily out of the ordinary Fortunately, we started to see the number of homes going under contract with buyers as pending sales spike seasonally higher beginning around mid-January and continuing to ramp up into February At the same time, the leading daily market statistic continues to be price reductions being made by sellers hoping to find a buyer in a crowded field of homes on the market New construction “spec homes” being built by a wide range of local and national builders are providing stiff competition to the existing home sale segment of our market with about 40% of the current number of pending home sales in the Cape going to newly built homes The bottom line decision for a lot of buyers seems to be coming down to the combination of competitive prices and incentives that builders are offering to beat out “regular” sellers of older homes

Homing In

Tuesday, Feb 20, the number of active listings in the MLS had reached 2,797 Cape Coral homes on the market, with the median list price settling in at $499,999

The seasonal surge in pending home sales in the Cape has jumped from only 427 homes under contract with a buyer on Jan 1 of this year, to 764 pending home sales in the pipeline on this past Tuesday, Feb 20 The current median pending sales price, which reflects the pricing pressures in our market, came in at $410,450

Surprising to many, a total of 300 of the current 764 pending sales in our market are for new construction homes, with 73% of these 300 new construction sales priced at $450,000 and under Back on Feb 21, 2023, there were a total of 803 Cape Coral homes under contract with a buyer, and two years ago on Feb 22, 2022, there were 1,025 pending sales in the pipeline

To give you a sense of the significant change in the dynamics of the Cape Coral single-family home market, two years ago on Feb 22, 2022, there were only 424 active listings in the Multiple Listing Service and the median list price was $597,450 At that time, as soon as most homes came onto the market as a new listing they were swarmed in a form of panic buying the likes of which we had never seen here locally, in what turned out to be the final stages of the sweeping surge higher in our post-COVID market boom Asking prices were immediately bid-up above their initial list price in a multiple buyer, multiple offer bidding war frenzy

Based on our weekly market surveys, the median list price for homes in the Cape peaked at $610,000 on April 19, 2022, about a month after the Federal Reserve launched what turned out to be its most aggressive series of interest rate hikes in history By Feb 21 of last year, we were up to 1,349 active single-family home listings in the Cape through the MLS and the median list price had dropped to $519,000 As of this past

In the overall Cape Coral single-family home market, there were 273 closed home sales in January, which was 16 3% lower than the 326 closed sales in January 2023, and 29.3% below the 386 closed sales in December The median sales price in the Cape’s overall single-family home market was $425,000 in January, or 6 3% higher than the $400,000 posted in January 2023, and up 9 1% from $389,400 in December The monthly supply of unsold homes in the overall Cape home market came in at 13 months in January, which was up 85 7% from 7 months of supply in January 2023, and 62 5% above the 8 months of unsold supply in December

This was the highest supply of unsold homes in our overall market since the 16 months of supply back in January of 2009

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 32 closed home sales in January

This was 52 4% higher than the 21 closed sales in January 2023, and 88 2% more than the 17 closed sales in December

The median sales price in this segment was $772,500 in January, which was 0 3% lower than the $775,000 posted in January 2023, and it was 9% below the $849,000 in December. The monthly supply of unsold homes in this seg-

REAL ESTATE BRIEFS

Ruiz joins Stevens Construction

Stevens Construction Inc. has expanded the Fort Myers special projects division with the addition of Assistant Project Manager Fabio Ruiz, announced Joseph Cimilluca, special projects division manager

Ruiz is an accomplished manager, bringing 17 years of experience in customer service, sales and operations As assistant project manager, Ruiz is responsible for preconstruction initiatives such as creating proposals and coordinating with subcontractors, as well as supporting the field team during construction

With revenues growing 73% from 2022 to 2023, the special projects division was launched in 2018 to serve projects under $1 million. This division provides self-performance with a team of skilled tradespeople allowing more flexibility with schedule, an ability to perform tasks on demand and with cost control Special projects include tenant improvements, additions, renovations, repairs and specialty projects

With offices in Fort Myers, Sarasota and Orlando, Stevens Construction specializes in providing construction management, general contracting and consulting services to clients and design professionals Other services include site and design team selection, budgeting, project scheduling, permitting, cost and quality control and warranty service The company builds healthcare, commercial and hospitality facilities For information, visit www stevensbuilds com or call 239936-9006.

Fowler Construction & Development unveils rebranding reflecting growth and tradition

Fowler Construction & Development has unveiled a new logo, tagline and website that gives a nod to its strong history while focusing on a future highlighting unique and transformational projects in the marina, restaurant and hospitality industries

As Fowler Construction & Development continues its 55year evolution, the company's brand is also evolving to reflect Fowler's generational excellence, growth, expertise and gold-standard commitment to serving clients at the highest level

The new logo maintains the vintage "F" that originated over 50 years ago and represents Fowler's equity and continuity With an eye to the future, the remaining letters are designed in a new, modern font, with the blue color highlighting Fowler's scope of work and expertise in the marina sector while also working in the company's familiar red

Past and current projects are on display on the new website at fowlercompany com

Founded in 1968 by Robert Fowler Sr and now directed by Robert Fowler, Jr , Fowler Construction & Development has delivered hundreds of projects through the decades for clients in many industries, including marine, restaurant and

Habitat for Humanity announces Women Build 2024 Kickoff Party

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties has announced the start of its Women Build 2024 campaign, set for Thursday, Feb 29, in Fort Myers

The Women Build 2024 Kickoff Party will feature beer, wine, heavy hors d’oeuvres and an array of raffle items, with all proceeds to benefit Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build campaign that empowers female-led families through affordable homeownership The Kickoff Party will be held from 6-8 p m at The Club at Pelican

From page 14

hospitality Built on a rich history, Fowler has built numerous fire stations, restaurants, condominiums, docks and piers, and restored historic landmarks

To learn more about Fowler Construction & Development, go to fowlercompany com or call 239-275-7000

CCIM Institute to host 23rd Annual Commercial Real Estate Outlook Conference

Southwest Florida's District of the Global CCIM Institute and its Certified Commercial Investment Members will host its highly anticipated 23rd Annual Commercial Real Estate Outlook Conference Wednesday, Feb 28, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs

This year's conference is set to surpass

Preserve, 9802 Pelican Preserve Blvd in Fort Myers

The annual Women Build campaign engages women and men in the effort to provide safe and decent homes for female-headed households Since 2011, support for the campaign has built 27 affordable homes in partnership with female-led families This year, 75% of families actively partnering with Habitat to build a home are led by women, highlighting the critical need for affordable housing for women and their

children

The Women Build 2024 campaign is presented by title sponsor FineMark National Bank & Trust for the fourth consecutive year Additional sponsors include Victory Layne Chevrolet, Aubuchon Homes, Edison National Bank, Habitat for Humanity ReStores of Lee and Hendry Counties, The Landings Yacht, Golf & Tennis Club, Inc , The Legends Golf & Country Club, Mark Loren Designs, Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva, Royal Palm Coast

REAL ESTATE BRIEFS

expectations, featuring a lineup of distinguished keynote speakers, including Brad O’Connor, CCIM CRE; Chief Economist at the Florida Association of Realtors Brian Bailey Sr., Financial Policy Advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta; and Richard Swank, associate general counsel at the Florida Association of Realtors, among other notable figures in the Southwest Florida commercial real estate community Esteemed sponsors such as The CoStar Group, RPCRA, NABOR, CRE Consultants, Lee County Economic Development, and Maxwell Hendry Simmons Real Estate Appraisers & Consultants further underscore the event's significance

Each year, this flagship event draws hundreds of influential local business leaders, investors, property owners, brokers, managers and other stakeholders with an interest in the thriving commercial real estate landscape of Southwest Florida

The CCIM Institute shares a common mission of providing members with leading-

edge knowledge, tools, access to renowned experts, innovative technology, and a global network The CCIM Designation is likened to a PhD in commercial real estate

Visit www.flccim.com/events/southwestdistrict-23rd-annual-commercial-real-estateoutlook-conference to guarantee your participation in this landmark event Act now your future in commercial real estate awaits

REIS scholarship program receives boost from Vulcan Materials

The Real Estate Investment Society will be offering 10 additional scholarships to students at Florida Gulf Coast University, thanks to the generosity of Vulcan Materials Company The firm has donated $25,000 to the REIS Scholarship Foundation, which funds scholarships for outstanding students pursuing degrees in real estate, finance, engineering and construction management The presentation took place at the REIS Jan 9

Realtors Association, Suffolk, Sun Country Homes of Florida, Inc , Suncoast Credit Union, Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida, Robert and Ann Arnall, Lynne Birdt, George Byam, Cundall Family Fund, Alan Einhorn and Vicki Cooper, John and Lesley Hill, Ed and Connie Lizak and Schenian Family Foundation, Inc

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties’ Women Build Campaign, visit www habitat4humanity org/WomenBuild

luncheon

The scholarships each provide $2,500 toward tuition and books The recipients also receive honorary membership in REIS for one year and may attend meetings on a complimentary basis

Vulcan Materials Company is one of the nation’s largest producers of construction aggregates primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel and a major producer of aggregates-based construction materials, including asphalt and ready-mixed concrete The firm has a large presence in Southwest Florida with extensive land holdings and mining operations, primarily in eastern Lee County

Information on contributing to the REIS scholarship program is available at the REIS website at www reis-swfl org or by calling Bev Larson at 239-281-1290 Criteria, school contacts and other information on the program are also available on the REIS web site

Closed sales: January market numbers, seasonal activity update

From page 14

ment was up 27 3% to 14 months in January, compared to the 11 months of supply in January 2023, but down 36 4% from the spike to 22 months in December

Direct sailboat access canal homes

In the Cape Coral single-family direct sailboat access canal home segment (meaning canal homes with no bridges in the canal system to get out to open water), there were 27 closed home sales in January This was 27% lower than the 37 closed sales in January 2023, but 17 4% above the 23 sales in December The median sales price in this segment was $840,000 in January, which was 25 4% above the $670,000 posted in January 2023, and 4% higher than the $808,000 in December. Keep in mind that the median sales price numbers for last January were skewed lower than normal due

to the distressed sales of storm damaged homes which created some price distortions in this segment The monthly supply of unsold homes in this segment was up 133% at 14 months in January, from the 6 months of supply recorded in January 2023, and it came in equal to the 14 months of supply posted in December

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 access to the river or to the Gulf of Mexico by boat, there were 33 closed home sales in January This was 6 5% higher than the 31 closed sales in January 2023, but down 5 7% from the 35 closed sales in December The median sales price in this segment was $490,000 in January, or 4.3% above the $470,000 posted in January 2023, but 2% lower than the $500,000 in December The

monthly supply of unsold homes in this segment came in at 12 months in January, up 50% compared to 8 months of supply in January 2023, and 20% higher than the 10 months of supply in December

Dry lot homes

In the Cape Coral single-family dry lot (non-canal) home segment, there were 179 closed home sales in January, which was 23 8% lower than the 235 closed sales in January 2023, and 42 3% below the 310 closed sales in December The median sales price in this segment was $380,000 in January, or 6 4% above the $357,300 posted in January 2023, and up 1 3% from $375,000 in December The monthly supply of unsold homes in this segment came in at 12 months in January, up 71 4% compared to the 7 months of supply in January of 2023, and 100% higher than the 6 months of unsold supply in December

The sales data for this article was o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e F l o r i d a R e a l t o r s Multiple Listing Service Matrix for Lee County, Fla , as of Feb 18, 2024, unless otherwise noted It was compiled by Bob and Geri Quinn and it includes information specifically for Cape Coral singlefamily homes, and does not include condominiums, short sales or foreclosures

The data and statistics are believed to be reliable, however, they could be updated and revised periodically, and are subject to change without notice The Quinns are a husband and wife real estate team with the RE/MAX Realty Team office in Cape Coral They have lived in Cape Coral for over 44 years Geri has been a full-time Realtor since 2005, and Bob joined Geri as a full-time Realtor in 2014 Their real estate practice is mainly focused on Cape Coral residential property and vacant lots

A preliminary 2025 budget for the School District of Lee County was discussed during a workshop Wednesday afternoon

The working document currently does not include the same full-time equivalent student enrollment numbers as the state

Budget Director Kelly Letcher said the state has not come to a final decision yet r e g a r d i n g f u l l - t i m e e q u i v a l e n t s t u d e n t enrollment The district is recommending 107,642 for FTE, a 3.88% growth over the third calculation of this year, which is 4,016 students

“Currently we have seen this year’s growth of 3,576 students,” Letcher said, adding it’s a 3 57% increase “We do expect that to continue to grow ”

The largest increase the district is looking at right now is the English for Speakers of Other Languages, or ESOL, population, which is what staff is going back and forth with the state about

Letcher said the governor’s budget, at the time it moved forward, showed the district at 106,632 FTE, which is about 1,010 students under what the district is projecting for the student population next year

She said the budget also showed a base s t u d e n t a l l o c a t i o n o f $ 5 , 2 4 7 0 2 , a n increase of $107

“In his budget, he did indicate a decline in our tax roll I don’t believe we would be seeing a decline It does appear it would be going up,” Letcher said

In addition, the governor’s recommend-

ed budget has a total overall proposed increase of $33 7 million The current year is $77 million

“The governor’s budget really is no indication of where we will end up,” Letcher said

The House and Senate budget also was discussed during the presentation, which did not include a breakdown by individual counties.

“I can only make assumptions,” Letcher said, adding that neither have finalized a FTE number

Both the House and Senate are recommending a base student allocation increase of about $175

“It seems like that is probably where we will land at,” she said

The House is proposing that there will be no increase in the safe school and mental health allocation, while the Senate is proposing an increase for both areas

Letcher said the House is showing an increase in educational enrichment and Exceptional Student Education, or ESE, guarantee allocation, both of which would be beneficial to Lee County

Lee County is 3 46% of the total state allocation in the governor’s budget

Using that logic, Letcher said the House would be an increase of approximately $54 9 million and the Senate a $51 8 million increase

C h i e f F i n a n c i a l O f f i c e r D r A m i Desamours said between now and June the school board will hear additional information as they continue to build on the budget of Fiscal Year 2025

p o r t i o n o f t h e m e e t i n g t o f u r t h e r d i s c u s s i o n a n d w a s p a s s e d u n a n im o u s l y T h e c o n t r a c t i s w i t h B u r k e C o n s t r u c t i o n G r o u p , I n c b a s e b i d a m o u n t i s $ 1 6 , 9 8 0 , 9 3 9 6 3 w i t h a 5 % c i t y - c o n t r o l l e d c o n t i n g e n c y o f $ 8 4 9 , 0 4 6 9 8 f o r a t o t a l p r o j e c t a m o u n t o f $ 1 7 , 8 2 9 , 9 8 6 . 6 1 . T h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f

F e s t i v a l P a r k i s a d j a c e n t t o A r g o s y L a k e a n d S e a h a w k P a r k T h e p r o j e c t i s p a r t o f t h e N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 8 a p p r o v e d G e n e r a l O b l i g a t i o n f u n di n g o f $ 6 0 m i l l i o n f o r p a r k i m p r o v em e n t s F e s t i v a l P a r k w i l l h a v e t w o m a i n a r e a s – f o u r f e n c e d m u l t i - u s e s p o r t s f i e l d s w i t h l i g h t i n g a n d a n a m p h i t h e a t e r w i t h g r a s s s e a t i n g T w o o f t h e s p o r t s f i

e r n o n - c o m p e t i t i v e g a m e s T h e w h o l e c o m m u n i t y i s i n v i t e d a n d a s k e d t o b r i n g n o n - p e r i s h a b l e f o o d i t e m s t o d o n a t e t o t h e c a u s e a s w e l l a s a l a w n c h a i r t o e n j o y t h e f e s t i v i t i e s “ H e l p u s f e e d t h e h u n g r y r i g h t h e r e i n o u r o w n n e i g h b o r h o o d , ” o r g a n i z e r s s a i d J a y c e e P a r k i s a t 4 2 1 5 S E 2 0 t h p l a c e a t t h e e n d o f B e a c h P a r k w a y

Cape Coral Vegan Street Fest set for Sunday

A local non-profit is looking to open the eyes of the community when it comes to eating green by serving up a day of great eats and educational demonstrations

Lifestyle Solutions Healthy Planet, Inc is bringing back the Cape Coral Vegan Street Fest this Sunday, packed with free samples, cooking demos, food vendors, and guest speakers.

The free-to-attend festivities will take place from 10 a m to 4 p m at 915 Southeast 14th Place between Viscaya Parkway and Southeast 10th Street in the industrial park The day boasts live music, deejay, animal friendly and environmentally friendly vendors, and a kid's zone

“It’s wonderful to be able to expose people to other options,” said Lifestyle Solutions Healthy Planet board member Marlies Laaper “We’ll have lots of different options

“There’s so many people that think that vegan food is ‘pretend’ such as meat But vegan food is vegetables and plantbased food featured in so many beautiful ways And this is a great event to be able to experience that and go and see all of the options out there It’s for anyone who is looking to explore or learn a bit more about how to follow a plant-based diet ”

Those who turn up can get to taste just about any kind of plant alternative they’d like, as there will be 25 food vendors that will be serving purely plant-based dishes

Cooking demonstrations will be done by: Brittany Devine, owner of Vibrant Beat Cafe; Justin Connely, executive chef at

Shell Point; Erika Graziani, registered dietitian at Lee Heath; Sam Wood, head chef at Cafe YOU; and Michelle McMann of PlateYourPlant com

“Not only will attendees get to watch the cooking demonstration, they’ll get a copy of the recipe and a chance to sample the food,” Laaper said Educational speakers will give talks throughout the event highlighting a specific category of expertise Speakers and their topics include: Dr Richard Bloy - My Wellness Journey; Dr Rebecca AcostaB u i l d i n g O p t i m a l H e a l t h ; D r S a l

L a c a g n i n a - F o o d a s M e d i c i n e ; a n d Melissa Furman - How to Achieve Health & Wellness

“There’s so many opportunities to learn about not only the benefits, but the possibilities food-wise,” Laaper said “It extends even beyond the food, as we’ll have yoga and Pilates studios present ”

Attendees can also immerse themselves in a world of vegan products and services, with nearly 40 other vendors championing a plant-based lifestyle that benefits personal health, the environment, and animal welfare

“It’s going to be a great day out jampacked with educational speakers, cooking demos, live speakers, and live music acts,” Laaper said. “Our kid zone is fantastic with exercises for youth geared towards health and wellness ”

The event is animal-friendly and parking is free

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o n L i f e s t y l e S o l u t i o n s H e a l t h y P l a n e t , v i s i t

LifestyleSolutionsHealthyPlanet org

Author puts Cape Coral on the murder mystery map

Carol Freeman signed her latest book, “The Cape Coral Pickleball Murders,” at the Cape Coral History Museum Tuesday

It’s the latest in a six-book series for the local author who began writing her Cape Coral series in her 70s as she believed it was never too late to chase after a dream and step out of your comfort zone

The book follows recurring characters, Charlie and Ellen, two 70-year-old amat e u r s l e u t h s w h o g e t h e l p f r o m t h e i r friends, “The Bird Watchers,” as they pursue a killer on the loose

The newest novel involves a combination of theater and pickleball when a fellow pickleball player/actor is murdered The “Bird Watchers” try to protect their friends, but they become as reckless as the friends they are watching.

Freeman’s motivation for writing a mystery series started in a hot tub

“Quite simply, it all started in the hot tub OK, it was back in 2018 With Bill, my husband and partner in crime, we rented a house in Cape Coral for a month, and this house had a lanai with a rather spectacular hot tub on it,” Freeman said “Bill had just finished reading a murder mystery novel, and when I asked him how he liked it, he said it was OK, but I could do better, and I took that as a challenge.”

Originally from New York State, the couple visited Cape Coral in 2018 for vacations and sightseeing While on these trips, Freeman’s writing muse was spiked, and she began creating her first book, “The C a p e C o r a l C a p e r : M u r d e r o n t h e Caloosahatchee ”

“ I f o u n d a l o t o f i n s p i r a t i o n f r o m Agatha Christie and the cozy mysteries she creates,” Freeman said “My characters are very eccentric, and I let the characters drive the narrative These characters provide much of the comedic relief.”

T h e w r i t i n g p r o c e s s f o r F r e e m a n involves a method she describes as looking at a bullseye, a process that takes at least four months to create and four months to edit to have a book finished

“I try to develop the plot by imagining a target with a bull's eye The victim is in the center of the bull’s eye What I try to do is create different characters, each with a motive to murder the victim I work hard to keep the characters remaining true to themselves,” Freeman said Freeman describes her husband Bill as her biggest fan and harshest critic The main characters, based on Carol and Bill, are in every book Their collaboration is an integral part of the writing process

“Every night when I finish writing a

section, Bill wants me to read it to him He will sit there and say, that character would never do that, or you nailed it He is brutally honest with me and helps me keep the characters true to themselves,” Freeman said Inspiration for her writing grew from her experience as a school psychologist Writing in the school newsletter for parents to help give advice and a laugh motivated her to continue writing and creating joy for an audience

“ T h e N a t i o n a l M i d d l e S c h o o l Association approached me to write a short book, and I got to work The book, ‘A Parent’s Guide to Surviving Adolescence,’

was created more from a parent’s point of view than a psychologist. I then wrote another one about how to survive high school,” Freeman said

Cape Coral has always been a special place for Freeman; all the places and people they met helped shape the murder mysteries The couple has been visiting back and forth for the last six years and takes pride in their love for Cape Coral and the community they have met here

“I love thinking about Cape Coral and where we go I try to make my cozy mystery have much local color and include our favorite places At the back of my books, I have a note section that lists all the restau-

rants and points of interest I’ve mentioned People say they use it as a guide to the area, although the early books may be outdated now as places come and go,” Freeman said.

Freeman is the author of eight books and her newest book plays close to her heart because of her growing love for pickleball and how much she feels her writing has progressed

“The pickleball murders are so close to my heart because I became a total pickleball addict Anybody who plays knows that you don’t just play, you’re addicted,”

F r e e m a n s a i d “ E a c h b o o k I w r o t e I thought was my last, and then something would trigger an idea. I might start laughing about something I see happening in a restaurant or some absurd behavior that I think is perfect ”

Making the reader unsure of who the killer is and giving everyone a motive to kill is an iconic part of Freeman’s writing Her writing includes twists and turns, leaving the reader on the edge of their seat Freeman inspires anyone who wants to follow their dream to pursue it and pursue what they are passionate about, regardless of age

“I think, especially as women of my g e n e r a t i o n , w e t e n d t o m i n i m i z e o u r accomplishments and make a lot of selfdeprecating remarks As readers and writers, we know how important words are So I just hope that that you'll all value yourselves Be proud of your accomplishments, and let your words reflect those feelings,” Freeman said

Her books which include “The Cape Coral Collector: The Art of Murder,” “The C a p e C o r a l C a p e r : M u r d e r o n t h e C a l o o s a h a t c h e e , ” “ T h e C a p e C o r a l Casanova: Murder on the Crimson Court,” “The Cape Coral Cameo: Murder Without a Clue” and “The Cape Coral Cannoli: A Taste of Death” are available in the Lee County Public Library system and can be purchased on Amazon

The mysteries may be read in any order

Freeman is a self-published author, and while her books can’t yet be found in a bookstore, she sells them and grows her following through word of mouth This hasn’t stopped her from reaching success Freeman has sold thousands of her books and received book orders from Germany and Japan

Freeman plans to stay local for the next four weeks and encourages readers to visit her at the Cape Coral Farmer’s Market and stay tuned for her books in the works

To check out the series, you can visit her Amazon page or email her:carolbrianfreeman@gmail com

EDUCATION

Local student joins Albion College Wilson Institute for Medicine, Brown Honors Program

A L B I O N , M i c h - - C a p e C o r a l s t u d e n t K a m i l a Gonzalez-Sarrain was recently accepted into Albion College's Lisa and James Wilson Institute for Medicine and the Prentiss M Brown Honors Program

The Wilson Institute supports and prepares students to be physicians, dentists, veterinarians and other healthcare professionals Through an innovative academic curriculum and immersive clinical, research and community service initiatives, Wilson students strive to become leaders in healthcare

Gonzalez-Sarrain is a first-year student at Albion College and is a graduate of Island Coast High School

Albion College is a private liberal arts college of approximately 1,500 students For more about the college, visit www.albion.edu.

Florida SouthWester n State College to hold Spring Open House events at four campuses

Florida SouthWestern State College has announced its upcoming Spring 2024 Open House events, inviting prospective students, families and the community to explore educational opportunities and offerings across its campuses

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with faculty, staff and current FSW students to gain insights into academic programs, student support services, financial aid, study abroad opportunities, honors programs and campus life

The Open Houses will take place from 3:30-6:30 p m on the following dates and locations:

■ Naples Campus: Wednesday, Feb 28, 7505 Grand Lely Drive, Naples

■ Punta Gorda Campus: Thursday, Feb 29, 26300 Airport Road, Punta Gorda

■ Fort Myers Campus: Friday, March 1, 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers

■ LaBelle Center: Friday, March 1, 1092 E Cowboy Way, LaBelle

For more information about the Spring 2024 Open H o u s e e v e n t s o r t o r e g i s t e r , p l e a s e v i s i t www fsw edu/openhouse

Florida SouthWestern State College annually serves nearly 22,000 students globally FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees and professional certifications Study and travel abroad opportunities are available for students through FSW’s Center for International Education Visit www FSW edu for more information

Echevarria Jimenez inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

BATON ROUGE, LA -- Yilian Echevarria Jimenez of Cape Coral was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most s e l e c t i v e a l l - d i s c i p l i n e c o l l e g i a t e h o n o r s o c i e t y Echevarria Jimenez was initiated at Florida Institute of Technology

Echevarria Jimenez is among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter Only the top 10% of seniors and 7 5% of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10% of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction

Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi has chapters on more than 325 select colleges and universities in the United States, its territories and the Philippines The Society's mission is “To recognize and advance excellence in all fields of higher education and society ” For additional information about the society, please visit www PhiKappaPhi org

2023-24 students’ tag art designs ready for purchase

Need some new bling for the front of your car? Buy a decorative tag designed by fifth graders in the School District of Lee County.

The Lee County Tax Collector and the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools have opened the online ordering portal LeeTC com/Kids-Tag-Art/2023-24 The portal features 3,460 student designs from 42 different schools All proceeds from the sales go back to participating art teachers to purchase supplies and introduce new techniques, like 3D art, to their students

Kids Tag Art was started in Lee County in 2016 and inspires fifth grade students to design their own license plates fashioned after Florida’s specialty plate program Students learn how these license plates support deserving causes, like environmental protection, health initiatives and public education Then, their designs are turned into

decorative tags that can be placed on the front of a vehicle or on a bike Key fobs, mouse pads and mugs are also available.

Since the program’s inception, more than $200,000 have been raised and given to participating art teachers in Lee County

County Electric Co-op (LCEC), Edison Bank/Bank of the Islands, Grant Street Group, First Horizon, Dprint, JP Morgan and The Community Foundation

For more about the Lee County Tax Collector, visit https://leetc com/

For additional information about the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, please visit leeschoolfoundation org

Beach Community Foundation scholarship

The Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation has begun accepting applications for its scholarship program

Anyone who lives on the beach or whose parent or guardian lives or works on Fort Myers Beach may apply, according to criteria listed on the organization's website

The scholarships are for students attending college, or who are enrolling in certificate courses, trade schools, pre-requisite classes or a general equivalency diploma

The scholarships are available to any student who lives

March programs set at Cape Coral Lee County Public Library

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

Adult Programs

English Café

10 a.m., Fridays, March 1, 8, 15, 22

6 p.m., Tuesdays, March 5, 12, 19, 26

Free, informal conversation sessions for adult ESOL/ESL students

Book Discussion: “Last Train to Paradise” by Les Standiford

11 a.m., Wednesday, March 6

T h e f a s t - p a c e d a n d g r i p p i n g t r u e account of the extraordinary construction and spectacular demise of the Key West Railroad: one of the greatest engineering feats ever undertaken, destroyed in one fell swoop by the strongest storm ever to hit U S shores

Crafts at Cape: Squeegee Art

10 a.m., Thursday, March 7

10 a.m., Saturday, March 30

Using a squeegee and acrylic paints, explore the abstract art form of Squeegee Art Space is limited to 20 Registration is required and is guaranteed until the start of the program Participants may only register for one class

Spanish Conversation Club

2 p.m., Wednesday, March 13

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

Download Drop-In

11 a.m., Thursdays, March 14, 28

Receive personalized help downloading e-books, movies, music and more from Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla, two of Lee County Library System’s largest online content providers Bring your fully charged digital device for this hands-on help session Note: Please bring any passwords you may need for downloading apps Kindle users will also need an Amazon account and their password for accessing it

Meet Local Author Carol Freeman

11 a.m., Thursday, March 21

In pickleball, standing in the kitchen is undeniably a fault But in “The Cape Coral P i c k l e b a l l M u r d e r s , ” s t a n d i n g i n t h e kitchen is undeniably deadly Join author C a r o l F r e e m a n a s s h e i n t r o d u c e s h e r newest book in the “Cape Coral Murder” series

John Russell Family Magic Show

2 p.m., Saturday, March 23

A comical upbeat magic show that will be fun for the whole family All ages are welcome. Sponsored by the Friends of the C a p e C o r a l L i b r a r y R e g i s t r a t i o n i s required

Children’s Programs

Family Build It

4 p.m., Thursday, March 7

For all ages Drop in for building challenges the whole family will enjoy All materials are provided

Bein' Green Storytime

10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 9

C e l e b r a t e S t P a t r i c k ' s D a y a n d a l l things green at this special storytime For

children through age 5 Please arrive early and pick up a ticket at the Youth Services desk as space is limited

Kids Read Down Fines

1 – 2 p.m., Saturday, March 9 5:15 – 6:15 p.m., Wednesday, March 20

Children and teens can earn a $2 credit on overdue fines for every 15 minutes they read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session Please bring your library card. Please check in at the Youth Services Reference Desk

Stuffy Storytime Sleepover

3 p m , Monday, March 11

For children ages 2-7 Bring your second (or third) favorite stuffy to the library for a special afternoon storytime We will make pillows for our stuffed animals and complete other crafts and activities before saying good night Then, reunite with your friend at our Storybook Character Festival Wednesday, March 13, and discover what exciting adventures your stuffy had during the sleepover All supplies provided while they last

Storybook Character Festival

10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 13

Children are invited to celebrate their favorite storybook characters at this special festival All supplies provided while they last

PreK Build It

10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 20

Try out new and fun manipulatives to practice those engineering skills For ages 2-5 This program will be held in the youth services room

STEAM Club

4 p.m., Thursday, March 21

For ages 5-11 Be ready for fun experiments and projects as we explore the world o f S T E A M ( S c i e n c e , T e c h n o l o g y , Engineering, Art and Math) Dress for mess Registration is required and is guaranteed until the start of the program All materials provided

John Russell Family Magic Show

2 p.m., Saturday, March 23

A comical upbeat magic show that will be fun for the whole family. All ages are welcome Sponsored by the Friends of the C a p e C o r a l L i b r a r y R e g i s t r a t i o n i s required

Help Me Grow: Books, Balls, & Blocks

10 a.m., Wednesday, March 27

For families with children through age 5 Children will participate in games and activities while parents complete a screening to ensure that their children are developmentally on track Parents will also be provided with resources for activities they

Rare, intimate portraits of Beatles legend John Lennon on display through Sunday at HW Gallery in Naples

It has been more than 43 years since the world lost John Lennon, one of the most important musicians of the 20th century, to a gunshot by a stranger in December of 1980 outside his New York City home

Just a few years earlier, May Pang had spent a year and a half living with Lennon in New York and Los Angeles during his separation from wife Yoko Ono

And Pang has the photos to prove it She will be bringing her traveling exhibit of candid photos with Lennon taken during their romance between 1973-1975 to the HW Gallery in Naples The show, which runs from Feb 22 to Feb. 25, documents a period in his life where he reunited with his son Julian and headed out to Los Angeles to work on his “Rock and Roll” album and returned to New York for the “Walls and Bridges” album

The show includes more than 30 limited edition photos of Lennon, including pictures with his son Julian at D i s n e y W o r l d , a n d o n v a c a t i o n i n P a l m B e a c h o n Christmas May Pang will appear at the exhibition to

meet fans and talk about her time with Lennon

Nearly all of the photos were taken by Pang except for the ones with her in them Some were taken with a Polaroid camera while others were taken by a 35 mm lens “This is the John that I saw, that I knew,” Pang said

T h e p h o t o s i n c l u d e o n e s n e v e r s e e n b e f o r e w i t h Lennon and McCartney in 1974 after Pang encouraged them to reunite after their breakup from the Beatles They took part in a jam session for the first time since the breakup.

Pang started working with Lennon and Ono as a personal assistant while an employee of Allen Klein and Apple Records in 1971 “I was thrilled to get out of the office,” Pang said “I didn’t have to wear a dress ” Her first job was working on securing 350 people to lend their legs to a photo shoot Ono wanted to do as part of an antiwar message

She soon witnessed the recording of Lennon’s landmark 1971 song “Merry Xmas (War is Over),” a Vietnam War protest song She was there for Lennon’s seminal albums “Mind Games,” “Rock and Roll” and “Walls and Bridges ”

Pang said it was never her intention to go off with Lennon during his separation from his marriage with Ono The trouble started during the recording of the album “Mind Games ”

“They were having problems,” Pang said “There was tension, you could feel it ” Pang said Ono asked to speak with her and told her “He is going to start seeing other people ” Pang said she thought that meant other girlfriends might start stopping by their home, not realizing they were separating Ono then asked Pang if she would go out with Lennon I said ‘I don’t want to go out with him ’ She walked out of the room I was wondering what was going on?”

Pang said Lennon pursued her even though she said she initially rejected his advances They eventually began seeing each other often

Pang said much of the “Mind Games” album was written by Lennon in his office over a span of over two weeks The iconic title track, perhaps one of Lennon’s greatest solo tracks, had origins dating back to Lennon’s time with the Beatles and includes anti-war references with a hypnotizing mellotron played by pianist Ken Ascher and a slide guitar and clavichord played by Lennon

“Rock and Roll” was the first album Lennon worked on as a solo artist after his split from Ono after he and Pang left New York for California The album produced a memorable version of “Stand by Me” though it was marred by production difficulties with producer Phil

See JOHN LENNON, page 30

2

F e b r u a r y

w w w . c a p e c o r a l b r e e z e . c o m 3 , 2 0 2 4 ■ P a g e 2 2

■ F e b r u a r y 2 3 , 2 0 2 4 w w w . c a p e c o r a l b r e e z e . c o m C a p e C o r a l B r e e z e

3 , 2 0

F e b r u a r y 2

w w w . c a p e c o r a l b r e e z e . c o m 2 4 ■ P a g e 2 4

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

F e b r u a r y 2 3 , 2 0 2

w w w . c a p e c o r a l b r e e z e . c o m 4 ■ P a g e 2 6

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

2

F e b r u a r y

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

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

John Lennon: Rare photographs on display at HW Gallery in Naples

From page 21

Spector The album featured a “who’s who” of studio musicians from drummers Hal Blaine and Jim Keltner to piano players Leon Russell and Ken Ascher, and Bobby Keys Even the great songwriters Jeff Barry and Barry Mann picked up horns to play on the record The recording in Spector’s studio was a bit chaotic to say the least “We had no idea who was showing up,” Pang said Pang was around it all and saw it all crash after Spector fired a gunshot at the ceiling in the studio one day for no apparent reason “He was not an easy person to work with,” said Pang

One thing Pang wants people to know about Lennon during this period is he wasn’t the guy who headed out to Los Angeles to party as has sometimes been described After running into producer Phil Spector out there, he decided to work there on his “Rock and Roll” album which was a collection of covers of early rock and roll and R&B songs

“When we went out to California, the plan wasn’t to do anything but to take a break,” Pang said “He was not as out there partying as everybody thought he was. He wasn’t a drinker like everybody thought he was ” Lennon enjoyed blueberry pancakes, Pang said “He loved IHOP ”

W h i l e P a n g s a i d t h e r e w e r e s o m e nights of partying Lennon had with musician friends during his time in California, the Lennon she knew mostly liked to relax and watch television His favorite program was the Johnny Carson Show His musical creativity would arrive in spurts He would pick up his Martin acoustic guitar from time to time to record a chord change, or his notepad to jot down some lyrics “He always had a notepad close by,” Pang said.

He didn’t have a regular routine for writing music, Pang said “The man was definitely a genius ”

When they returned to New York, they finished up “Rock and Roll” in part by rehearsing in a farm owned by record producer Morris Levy in the rural countryside of the upstate New York town of Ghent Pang was credited on the next album as p r o d u c t i o n c o o r d i n a t o r o n “ W a l l s a n d Bridges,” helping to arrange the assembly of a star-studded cast of musicians and studio bookings, on an album that featured the collaboration of Lennon with Elton John on the classic “Whatever gets you through the night” and Pang’s own vocal

c “ # 9 Dream ” She is the one whispering to Lennon along with backup vocals with the “44th St Fairies ”

Pang said Elton John was “fun-loving, very playful I got to try on a few of his glasses ”

The album featured work from legendary studio musicians like pianist Nicky Hopkins “I was at his second wedding He was very nice a quiet guy He was a brilliant player,” Pang said. Pang credited saxophonist Bobby Keys with arranging the horn players for the album – recruiting sax players Ron Aprea, Howard Johnson and Frank Vicari

The record was one of the first to feature a young budding engineer named Jimmy Iovine who went on to work with Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and U2 among others

“He was just starting out, learning how to be a musician,” Pang said

Pang has been credited with helping Lennon reunite with his Beatles bandmate Paul McCartney after their breakup, leading to a jam session. The show

Pang will be in attendance at the gallery to meet with fans of Lennon She said she picked locations for the show that would bring her to “middle America ” She said she “gets jaded” living in New York City, where she was born and where she met Lennon

Pang has never been shy about her time with Lennon She wrote three books about the time period including “Loving John,” “John Lennon The Lost Weekend” and “Instamatic Karma” featuring photos from her private archives. Some of those books are “hard to find” or cost a premium, Pang said Some of the photos showcased in those books will be available at the show, but in much more viewer-friendly 16x20 prints

“When you see them up close and on the wall, it’s a big difference,” Pang said Pang’s photo gallery coincides with the digital release of the documentary film

“The Lost Weekend:A Love Story” about her relationship with Lennon Pang promises the movie answers all the questions Lennon fans wants to know about their time together and what he was like For more answers, visit Pang and her photo gallery in Naples

“The best thing is for people to come down and see,” Pang said

Million Dollar Day for Scouting March 14

Local event in Marian Hall at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Fort Myers

The general public is invited to enjoy b r e a k f a s t , s u p p o r t s c o u t i n g a n d h e a r keynote speaker Danny Kanell, a former FSU standout and NFL quarterback, at the Million Dollar Day for Scouting event

Thursday, March 14

The Million Dollar Day for Scouting is about celebrating the positive effects the Scouting Movement is having in local communities Over 500 business and civic leaders are expected to attend this prestigious event where the positive impacts of scouting’s values-laden programs will be

emphasized

Kanell is a college football analyst and is currently the host of "Dusty and Danny in the Morning" on Sirius XM and he is a member of the Florida State University Hall of Fame His athletic expertise spans both the collegiate and professional level in multiple sports After playing quarterback at Florida State for four years, he was drafted into the NFL by the New York Giants in 1996 and played for the Atlanta Falcons and the Denver Broncos until 2004

The Million Dollar Day for Scouting events will be held simultaneously at several locations starting at 7:30 a m:

■ Fort Myers -- Marian Hall at St Cecilia Catholic Church (5632 Sunset Drive)

■ Bradenton -- Manatee Performing Arts Center

■ Sarasota -- Marina Jacks

■ Naples -- Royal Poinciana Golf Club

Each will have its own emcee and program Kanell's presentation for the groups will be via Zoom:

To register to attend the event, please v i s i t h t t p s : / / d o n a t i o n s s c o u t i n g o r g / # / council/088/event/491/register?origin=Tr aditionalor

About Southwest Florida Council, Boy Scouts of America

Southwest Florida Council serves more than 11,000 youth and families throughout 7 counties in Southwest Florida Find out about scouting in your hometown or neighborhood by calling 239-936-8072 or visiting www swflcouncilbsa org The council office is at 1801 Boy Scout Drive, Fort Myers.

Cape Coral Library: Activities, programs for the month of March

From page 20

can do at home with their children In partnership with Healthy Start of SWFL/Help Me Grow

Teen Programs

Family Build It

4 p.m., Thursday, March 7

For all ages Drop in for building challenges the whole family will enjoy All materials are provided

Kids Read Down Fines

1 – 2 p m , Saturday, March 9

5:15 – 6:15 p m , Wednesday, March 20

Children and teens can earn a $2 credit on overdue fines for every 15 minutes they read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session Please bring your library card Please check in at the Youth Services

Reference Desk

Teen Thursdays

4 p.m., Thursday, March 14

Teens are invited to hangout, tinker around, and geek out with something new each month

This month, get your groove on by making art, and then playing music from that art, with specdrums All supplies provided while they last Snacks provided This program is intended for attendees ages 11-18 to attend independently Please speak with staff if caregiver assistance is needed

John Russell Family Magic Show

2 p.m., Saturday, March 23

A comical upbeat magic show that will be fun for the whole family All ages are welcome. Sponsored by the Friends of the C a p e C o r a l

required

Teens Create

4 p.m., Thursday, March 28

Teens, ages 11-18, are invited to get those creative juices flowing by making handheld mazes with 3D pens All supplies provided while they last. Snacks provided. This program is intended for attendees ages 1 1 - 1 8 t o a t t e n d i n d e p e n d e n t l y P l e a s e speak with staff if caregiver assistance is needed

The Cape Coral Lee County Public Library is located at 921 SW 39th Terrace i n C a p e C o r a l F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n about a program or to register, please call the library at 239-533-4500 Check the Lee County Library System’s website at www.leelibrary.net to find out about programs at other locations Call the host

library, or Telephone Reference at 239479-INFO (4636), for more information about a specific program

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

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lee County will not disc r i m i n a t e a g a i n s t q u a l i f i e d i n d i v i d u a l s with disabilities in its services, programs or activities To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a r e a s o n a b l e m o d i f i c a t i o n t o p a r t i c i p a t e , contact Joan LaGuardia, 239-533-2314, F l o r i d a R e l a y S e r v i c e 7 1 1 , o r j l ag u a r d i a @ l e e g o v c o m A c c o m m o d a t i o n will be provided at no cost to the requestor Requests should be made at least five business days in advance.

, 2 0

F e b r u a r y 2

■ F e b r u a r y

3 , 2 0

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

Cape Museum of Histor y car show highlights

The Cape Coral Museum of History hosted another of its monthly Classic Car Fests Saturday, Feb 17, on the grounds behind the museum on Cultural Park Boulevard The show featured a number of classic cars and featured vehicles on display from private owners and club sponsors: Cape Coral Cobra Club, Hot Chili Rods, the Edison Ford Southwest Florida Model A Club and VW Aircooled Group of Southwest Florida. Also on hand were food trucks and vendors offering a variety of items and collectibles for sale. Lee Health also had a booth there providing free health checks and offering CPR instruction. Visit capecoralmuseum.org for more information about the shows and upcoming events

Project Lifesaver relaunched by CCPD

T h e C a p e C o r a l P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t i s r e l a u n c h i n g P r o j e c t L i f e s a v e r , a p r o g r a m designed to track down anyone who wanders or gets lost Frequent wandering is often associate d w i t h a n A l z h e i m e r ’ s , D e m e n t i a , D o w n Syndrome, or Autism diagnosis

Project Lifesaver uses a wristband transmitter that emits a unique radio signal to help locate wandering or lost adults and children If someone enrolled in Project Lifesaver wanders, their caregiver can call 911 to trigger a rapid response search by trained Cape Coral Police Officers They use radio frequency receivers to find the wristband transmitter signal Radio frequency tracking is reliable, practical, and is proven effective The average location time using this system is less than 30 minutes

Our officers know how to approach people who have Alzheimer’s Disease or related disorders, gain their trust and put them at ease while they are being returned to their family

To make sure the equipment functions properly, Project Lifesaver team members check the w r i s t b a n d t r a n s m i t t e r a n d t h e c l i e n t battery/transmitters tester every 60 days

Project Lifesaver currently receives support from the Pilot Club of Fort Myers and Private Donors

People who want to enroll in the program or provide financial support to Project Lifesaver can email ProjectLifesaverProgram@capecoral gov

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

Cape Coral City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn points to a map during a roundtable discussion on industry

Friday at City Hall

Cape Coral’s Business and Industry Roundtable Series fosters communication

When Cape Coral City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn started holding business round tables a year ago, the goal was to get a finger on the pulse of what business leaders were concerned about and how the city could help improve the business climate

On Friday, at City Hall, Ilczyszyn had business leaders in the industrial field meet in Conference Room 200A to hear both frustrations and needs While every business genre has its own specific issues, there has been a growing theme throughout the seven meetings the city has had

The Business and Industry Roundtable Series aims to allow industry leaders to discuss challenges specific to Cape Coral; provide a forum for the economic outlook and opportunities for industries; and determine future initiatives needed to retain businesses and industries to strengthen the local economy

Ilczyszyn said the result was another productive meeting and that a lot was accomplished

“They gave us some good guidance on what we can focus on to keep their businesses here and expand and bring new business here as well,” Ilczyszyn said

The residential-to-commercial ratio in Cape Coral has been around 92% residential to 8% commercial for years, with manufacturing being an express need

Ilczyszyn would like to get the business side of the score in the double digits

Meanwhile, the city and manufacturing have some unique challenges here that most major cities don’t have

One problem that is unique to manufacturing is that most residents, when they hear manufacturing, think of smokestacks and pollution

Most existing manufacturing in the city is clean, with no pollution occurring

Rob Harris, executive director of Southwest Regional

Manufacturers Association, said education on the subject and the job opportunities afforded needs to start early, and middle-school students need to understand that

“They understand housing, but they don’t understand what manufacturing means We need more kids interested in getting into manufacturing,” Harris said

The city’s unique challenge is one of proximity here is no interstate highway going through Cape Coral, no light rail or airports nor any major universities

The Cape’s pre-platted emphasis on single-family residential during the city’s development phase is also a challenge

The labor pool attracting and maintaining talent and affordable housing for also are common thread

“We need more workforce housing and workforce development Those two things seem to be the recurring themes, whether in finance and banking or marine and housing,” Ilczyszyn said

Ilczyszyn said the city is going to have to start leveraging its contacts with developers to bring that kind of housing for both the local economy and to better position themselves for workforce development

And the city is better by knowing this

“The business leaders are engaged They’re willing to work with the city and I’m proud we can come together and spend a few hours talking about how Cape Coral can be a partner with them,” Ilczyszyn said Harris said there were conversations that needed to be had.

“I just wish there were more manufacturers in the room We talked about workforce skills, housing, expansion and the need for it It’s something the cities and counties need to be involved with,” Harris said

The next roundtable is scheduled for Friday, March 15, and will target leaders in the home services industry

Cape theatrical students earn top honors at international fest

A Cape Coral based performing arts troupe once again earned national recognition on a large stage

Melody Lane Performing Arts Center and its students received awards and accolades at the 2024 Junior Theater Festival West in early February at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento, California

Melody Lane took home a Freddie G Award for Excellence in Acting, as students Logan King and Liam Martinez were named Performance All-Starts, getting to take part in a special workshop and performance

Each group at the festival showed its stuff over a 15minute performance of a “Broadway Junior” musical for judges

Melody Lane performed a piece from “Disney’s Moana JR ” for actor Sawyer Smith; playwright, director, and producer and arts educator, Nina Meehan; and director Coy Middlebrook.

Melody Lane took home a Freddie G Award for Excellence in Acting, as students Logan King and Liam Martinez were named Performance AllStarts, getting to take part in a special workshop and performance

“The heart and talent poured into Moana Jr by Melody Lane PAC was unforgettable it will stay with me for a long time!,” Smith said in a prepared statement “They showed their dedication to storytelling through movement, song, and dance that was pure magic ” Meehan stated: “This group had terrific ensemble work and were committed to their storytelling Melody Lane Performing Arts Center is teaching kids to work together as a team and collaborate ”

JTF West featured groups from five different countries, with the U S represented by groups from 14 states and Washington, D C Nearly 2,000 students, parents, directors and supporters traveled to participate in the festival

The mission at Melody Lane Performing Arts Center is “to educate young people in not only acting, singing, and dancing, but confidence, self-expression, empathy, ensemble learning skills, public speaking, and other vital life skills ”

Since 2017, Melody Lane has produced over two dozen youth musicals, including three pilot productions for Disney. Melody Lane staff said through audition, education, and performance opportunities, students gain acting, singing, dancing, and ensemble skills as well as create art

The group has experienced success at JTF in past years, having earned recognition and major awards at each festival dating back to 2019

Charity car show set for Saturday at Mariner High School

One of Southwest Florida's largest charity car shows returns this Saturday to Mariner High School

The eighth annual Cape Coral Charity Car Show, sponsored by Cape Coral First Methodist Church, takes place from 9 a m to 3 p m on Feb 24

The event is expected to be packed with more than 300 different makes, models and styles, with 100% of the pro-

ceeds going directly to the Cape Coral Caring Center

The fundraising goal is $100,000

The day-of-show entry fee is a $20 donation for show cars; parking is $5 for spectators.

The event will be held rain or shine Pets are not permitted

Cape Coral Caring Center, which serves more than

12,000 people in need in the community providing more than 143 tons of food can turn a $1 donation into $8 worth of food

Mariner High School is at 701 Chiquita Blvd., North. Visit capecoralcharitycarshow com for more information

March in the Park

What is “March in the Park”? It’s the Garden Club of Cape Coral’s major fundraiser! This will be our 16th annual plant, garden and art sale

Our special event is being held at Cape Coral’s beautiful Jaycee Park, 4125 S E 20th Place, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The Garden Club of Cape Coral is a non-profit organization with all the events proceeds going to high school senior scholarships, Habitat for Humanity projects, local middle school and high school garden projects, and other club objectives

GARDEN CLUB OF CAPE CORAL

There will be over 40 vendors with plants of all k i n d s , t r e e s , p a l m s , s h r u b s , g r o u n d c o v e r , n a t i v e p l a n t s a n d , o f course, the Garden Club w i l l h a v e o v e r 1 5 0 0 p l a n t s g r o w n b y m e mbers There will be garden a r t , e s s e n t i a l a n d f r agrance oils, glass reflections, fish faces, metal works, stepping stones and an assortment of planters

A kids’ booth, with a face painter, will have activities and take-home projects for all ages Come and enjoy the food and music There will be opportunity drawings throughout the day Best of all admission and parking are FREE

A little background on the Garden Club of Cape Coral The formation of the non-profit Garden Club was 1997 The club was founded by Master Gardener Marty Ward and longtime gardening friend Beverly Ray The 23 paid members had their first meetings at Wards' home under the direction of President Sherie Bleiler The club quickly established affiliations with the National Garden Clubs Inc , Florida Federation of Garden Clubs and the Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council Inc.

Early on, the club participated in many projects, including planting and maintaining planters along Cape Coral Parkway and maintaining the Tiny Tots Garden for children at Four Freedoms Park

As membership grew, meetings were moved to a local church, then to bigger venues The group also has an important part of history on its side It maintains the prestigious Rose Garden at the Cape Coral Museum of History on Cultural Park Boulevard The roses were originally part of a national tourist attraction, called Cape Coral Gardens, which also included the famous Waltzing Waters, lakes and water ski shows, plus hosted many celebrities such as Bob Hope The garden included more than 40,000 roses The attraction, facing funding issues, closed in 1969, giving way to development It is now the site of Tarpon Point But the roses were soon to bloom again In 1990, Lois Herbert wanted to pay tribute to the memory of her father, Russell Herbert, and asked the museum to pay tribute to him and to the roses A new rose garden was redesigned in 2007 with raised flower beds A team of garden club members visit the rose garden to take care of the precious flowers.

The Garden Club continues to educate the community about important landscaping and environmental techniques through various events and in our weekly column in the Cape Coral Breeze newspaper

Mark your calendars March 9 9 a m until 3 p m for a huge plant sale You won’t want to miss this fun event for the entire family It’s March in the Park at Jaycee Park, 4125 S E 20th Place For more information, visit gardenclubofcapecoral com

I’d like to leave you with Audrey Hepburn’s inspiration “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow ”

Ann Block is Past President of the Garden Club of Cape Coral

The four first-place winners in Keep Lee County Beautiful’s annual “Leave the Scene Clean” student art contest

Four winning artworks selected in ‘Leave the Scene Clean’ contest

After hundreds of entries were submitted from local students, Keep Lee County Beautiful Inc , chose four winners, one of which was from Oasis Middle School and another North Fort Myers High School, for the 35th annual “Leave The Scene Clean” art contest

The first-place winners were broken down into four different grade groups, which included Antonella DaRosa from St Francis Xavier for K-3; Oliva Baker from Oasis Middle School for grades 4-6, Mia De La Cruz Matos from North Fort Myers High School for grades 7-9 and Jennifer Cedeno from Dunbar High School for grades 1012

“I was shocked I was super tired when I found out I thought I was dreaming,” Matos said after she checked her email and saw that she had won “I didn’t think I would be allowed to win twice in a row I mainly did it because I wanted to see my own improvement I wasn’t expecting first again ”

Last year, she entered the contest for fun after her teacher encouraged her to submit her assignment from class

“I was really surprised My teacher didn’t know I was going to enter I turned it in last minute I wasn’t expecting much,” Matos said of the contest this year

Matos said for her artwork she used bright colors, as well as animals native to Florida -- such as an alligator, bird, frog and butterfly She said she wanted to show that nature is beautiful, and everyone should protect it and keep things the way they are instead of ruining the environment

“I wanted to make it more creative and add my own personality to it,” she said. “I love painting with different col-

Honorable Mention winners

Grade K-3

■ Elena Aristizabal - St Francis Xavier

■ Dailyn Dambrose - St Francis Xavier

■ Diego Guzman Lopez - Mirror Lakes Elementary

Grades 4-6

■ Mara Burnside - St Francis Xavier

■ Sadie Siggs - Orangewood Elementary

■ Sara Aristizabal - St Francis Xavier

Grades 7-9

■ Julianna White - Harns Marsh Middle School

■ Akeiyah Givens - Trafalgar Middle School

■ Olivia Kulchawick - Oasis Middle School

Grades 10-12

■ Alex Davis - Dunbar High School

■ Brody Ellis - Cypress Lake High School

■ Emma Corbin - Cypress Lake High School

ors and making things colorful ”

The painting included acrylic paint, watercolors, alcohol markers and ink pens

Matos said her teachers, all three of them, have inspired her and helped her improve her art through studio art, drawing, fine arts and crafts

“I am so happy to be in the art program at this school I tried my best and I got into the program,” she said

Keep Lee County Beautiful Communications and Special Events Manger Tisha Bayne said the goal of the

Lee Health’s HealthPark Medical Center

named among top 50 hospitals for heart care in the

L e e H e a l t h ’ s H e a l t h P a r k M e d i c a l Center has again been named a top performing hospital in the 2024 PINC AI 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals study, joining some of the most elite hospitals in the country that provide top-tier heart care This marks the 11th year that HealthPark Medical Center has won the award

Formerly known as the IBM Watson award, the PINC AI 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals represent the highest standard of cardiovascular care in the United States Premier Inc acquired the distinction from Merative, formally IBM Watson HealthPark Medical Center is one of only five hospitals in Florida and the only hospital in Southwest Florida to earn the designation

This year's study included more than 900 U S hospitals with cardiovascular service lines To create the list, an objec-

tive, quantitative analysis of publicly available data was conducted to identify the top cardiovascular hospitals.

The primary purpose of the PINC AI 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals program is to inspire hospital and health system leaders to pursue a higher performance and deliver added value to patients and communities Organizations do not apply to participate in the study and award winners do not pay to market their honor Award winners demonstrated significantly higher survival rates associated with cardiac care, with fewer readmissions and complications

The 2024 PINC AI 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals provide higher quality clinical care and are more efficient than their peers This year’s top performers displayed:

■ 28% fewer acute myocardial infarc-

U.S.

for the 11th time

tion (AMI) deaths and 50 % fewer coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) deaths

■ 32% fewer percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and 38 % fewer CABG patients with complications Higher 30day survival rates for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF) and CABG patients (0 3 to 0 7 percentage points higher)

■ Lower 30-day readmission rates for AMI, HF and CABG patients (0 4 to 0 8 percentage points lower)

■ S h o r t e r a v e r a g e l e n g t h s o f s t a y between patient groups – 0 3 for AMI, 0 6 for HF, 0 3 for PCI and one full day for CABG

■ $2,503 to $9,931 less in total costs p e r p a t i e n t c a s e ( t h e s m a l l e s t d o l l a ramount difference was for HF and the largest was for CABG)

■ Patients had a better experience at top

p e r f o r m i n g h o s p i t a l s c o m p a r e d t o t h e remaining peer hospitals, with a top-box Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) score of 71% versus 67%

If all United States hospitals’ cardiovascular service lines performed at the level of study winners, more than 7,600 additional lives and over $1 billion could be saved, and over 6,700 additional bypass and angioplasty patients could be complication-free

The Lee Health Heart Institute is the largest heart program in Southwest Florida Based at HealthPark Medical Center, it specializes in everything from primary and specialty care, advanced cardiac imaging, cardiac rehabilitation and more

For more information about the Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals ratings program, visit PINC-AI

Leave the Scene Clean: Student art contest winners announced

From page 36

contest is to encourage students to think creatively about how we can all work together to keep our community clean and protect the environment

“It is an opportunity for students to showcase their artistic talents while also learning about the importance of taking care of our environment,” she said “Our volunteer group of judges selected the artwork based on artistic execution and originality as well as environmental theme ”

April Gibson, Oasis Middle School visual arts teacher, said this is the fourth year she has participated in the art contest

as an art teacher

“I really enjoy using this as a lesson -thinking about the environment in the local area A lot of times they think about penguins and polar bears This was our way to make sure they realize right here in Lee County is an area of environmental issues There are endangered animals in our own community,” she said

All of the students in the school’s two art classes participated in the contest, as it was a graded project

“We sent about a dozen art entries from our school alone,” she said

Baker said her artwork was of a turtle that has a six-pack plastic ring around its

neck in the ocean

“When I first think of Leave the Scene Clean, I think of the ocean I feel like a lot of animals in the ocean are getting hurt and we need to stop that,” she said

Baker said she enjoyed creating the turtle due to the shading she added to the animal

She was surprised when she won first place because she did not feel her work was the best out there

“I was happy because I did it a few years ago and I did not win,” Baker said

The student’s artwork will be enlarged and appear on the side of a Lee County Waste Pro truck, as well as printed on

released in the fall and will be available through participating Lee County schools for a $5 donation The proceeds will support on campus environmental projects

In addition, the overall winners, as well as honorable mention artwork will be on display during April at the Fort Myers Public Works/Community Development building in honor of Earth month

An awards reception will be held from 5-7 p m Monday, April 1, at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates Caretaker’s House

The artwork will be exhibited, and the winners will receive their awards

BUSINESS

LCEC to par ticipate in Cape Chamber of Commerce Business Market Saturday

LCEC will attend the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral monthly Business Expo at the Cape Coral Farmers' Market at Club Square from 8 a m to 1 p m , this Saturday, Feb 24 Representatives from the LCEC Energy Services and Member Programs departments will be on site to answer questions and provide informational materials LCEC will also be raffling off a surgeSENSE to a lucky winner

Southwest Florida Inter national Airpor t repor ts Januar y traffic numbers

D u r i n g J a n u a r y , 1 , 1 0 8 , 1 9 0 p a s s e n g e r s t r a v e l e d through Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers This was an increase of 19 percent compared to January 2023

The traffic leader in January was Delta with 221,629 passengers Rounding out the top five airlines were Southwest (169,031), American (150,376), United (146,044) and Frontier (102,780)

Southwest Florida International Airport had 10,082 aircraft operations, an increase of 18 percent compared to January 2023 Page Field saw 15,827 operations, which was an 8% decrease compared to January 2023

Southwest Florida International Airport served more than 10 million passengers in 2023 and is one of the top 50 U S airports for passenger traffic For more information, visit flylcpa com or facebook com/flyRSW

Waste Management to hold hiring event

Waste Management will hold an onsite hiring event in Lee County Friday and Saturday, March 8-9 WM Career Day aims to fill CDL driver and mechanic job openings in Lee County over two-day event

Benefits include education benefits for eligible team members, their spouses and dependents

Through its Your Tomorrow Program, WM will pay 100% of benefits-eligible team members' tuition, books and fees for 135+ education programs WM will also contribute up to $12,000/year for 40+ master’s programs that often covers the entire program cost And now, spouses and eligible dependents are able to take advantage of this benefit, too

The March 8 session is from 7 a m to 3 p m The March 9 session is from 8 a m to noon

WM of Fort Myers is at 11990 State Road 82, Fort Myers

Prior to the event, certified CDL drivers and mechanics can pre-register and apply for opportunities in their area at www.wm.com/WMCareerDay to be scheduled for an onsite interview For candidates unable to pre-register online, walk-in interviews will be held contingent on qualifications and manager availability

SWFL Inc. welcomes West as the new vice president

SWFL Inc recently announced that Rachel West is its new vice president In her role, West will bring her extensive experience in fundraising, donor relations and community engagement to further elevate SWFL Inc ’s mission and impact

West joins SWFL Inc. from her previous position as the director of donor relations at Habitat for Humanity Lee and Hendry Counties, where she played a pivotal role in leading large-scale fundraising campaigns Her responsibilities included overseeing volunteers, managing events and fostering strong relationships with donors, contributing significantly to the organization's success

A Florida native, West was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale She relocated to Southwest Florida to pursue her bachelor's degree in communication at Florida Gulf Coast University, graduating in 2013

SWFL Inc is a Five-Star Accredited Chamber of Commerce serving businesses in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties. Its services are designed to help the Southwest Florida business community connect through networking, advertising opportunities, and educational workshops

Visit www swflinc com for additional information

Requests for home care services continue to increase across country

Home Instead one local company offering assistance for older adults

As many families gathered for the holidays this past year, bringing out-of-towners to celebrate with their aging parents and loved ones, Home Instead services have been requested at a higher rate than a year ago

According to a Home Instead Inc survey in January, one out of five Americans saw a noticeable decline in their aging loved one’s well-being while together for the holidays

The survey also found that more than 90% of older adults want to age in their own home for as long as possible, which becomes challenging, and often dangerous, as cognitive and mobility changes occur with aging

“It’s important that families look for and recognize these changes when spending time with the older adults they love,” Lakelyn Hogan Eichenberger, gerontologist and caregiver advocate for Home Instead Inc , an Honor Company, said in a prepared statement “In our survey, one out of three people said they noticed changes but will wait to see if they get worse before doing anything to help We urge families to act immediately if they notice someone is not quite as capable as they used to be, and ensure they are set up to safely thrive at home ”

Home Instead Cape Coral office owner John Ruehle said they have been open for 17 years this July serving the Cape Coral and North Fort Myers area He said they have 63 care pros on staff and five folks that work in the office

With the baby boomers getting older, as well as the heavy demand and influx of people seeking help, Ruehle said they could use another 25 to 30 care pros on the staff

“We are definitely in need of more care pros willing and wanting to help seniors in need,” Ruehle said “The more care pros we have the more people we can reach. We have quite a few clients – always open for more We don’t want to just hire 100 care pros tomorrow – we want the right people to make good matches ”

The website, www homeinstead com, is the best place to go to fill out a questionnaire so the recruiter can schedule an interview Individuals are also welcome to call the direct line at 239-541-4133

“One of our biggest things with recruitment efforts is we don’t require certifications of any kind Experience is great, it is not a requirement because we have paid ongoing training,” he said, adding that they will walk them through everything they need to know to succeed

“Even if you have been experienced, you might come across someone with a certain illness, disease or physical disability With over 17 years, there is not much we haven’t seen We have been in most situations It is comforting to know there is back-office support to go out there with you,” he said

“We are available 24/7. We get calls throughout the day In January we received three times as many phone calls for service than the year before ”

Home Instead Cape Coral office owner

He said with Cape Coral being very seasonal, a good number of their clientele have families that do not live in the area, but rather up north, resulting in a lot of calls from their kids Home Instead clientele also come from referrals from providers in the area – hospitals, case managers and assisted living

“We are available 24/7 We get calls throughout the day In January we received three times as many phone calls for service than the year before,” Ruehle said

That increase stems from children coming down for the holiday and noticing a significant difference in their parents, leading them to seek a service to provide them with help.

One of the best services offered by Home Instead is companionship

“Someone is there with you, someone to chat with,” he said Services can also include meal preparation, light cleaning and laundry

“We tailor every service plan towards the client Not everybody needs help with a shower Where they might need help – taking them to the doctor, or grocery store,” Ruehle said

To tailor the services needed, a care consultation is provided before service begins

“It depends on the person and how willing they are to share what goes on in their daily life We take that and tailor it,” he said “The care pros go into it open minded because everyone is different, and they have to adjust to that person ”

In addition to the care pros, Ruehle said they work with the whole care team – families, neighbors, doctors He said they work alongside Hospice, nurses, and occupational and physical therapists

“We work with everybody to develop the best plan for each client,” he said, adding that they work as little as three days a week or 12 hours a week “Anything less than that they don’t get the value of the services offered.”

Anita Farren joined Home Instead four years ago, as she has been taking care of people her whole life She obtained her physical therapy degree but does not have a license

See HOME INSTEAD, page 39

Achieva Credit Union Paws for-a-Purpose

donation drive set to begin on March 1

In honor of National Puppy Day, Achieva Credit Union will host a dog food donation drive called Paws for-a-Purpose beginning March 1

Each Achieva branch will accept dog-friendly donations, including any brand of unopened dog food (dry and canned), blankets, towels and sheets and pet safe cleaning supplies

Anyone dropping off donations on National Puppy Day, Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 9 a m to 1 p m , at an Achieva branch will receive a puppy water bottle and a dog treat, while supplies last

In addition, Achieva will match community donations up to 500 pounds

According to PetSmart Charities, 30 million pets in the U S face hunger each year Their recent survey

revealed that 66% of pet parents would share some of their food if they were struggling to feed their pet and 83% would forgo their own meals to make sure their pet has enough to eat

Achieva Credit Union welcomes dogs in the workplace and employees are encouraged to bring in their furry friends

Donations from Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties will be distributed to local pet shelters including Gulf Coast Humane Society

Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today it is over 25 branches serving more than 194,630 members For more information, visit http://www achievacu com

Home Instead: Requests for home care services continue to climb

From page 38

“There was a car accident, father died and then COVID happened Everything was nuts for a while Meanwhile I still needed to pay the bills My husband suggested this,” Farren said, as he told her she was good with people, compassionate and patient “Home Instead was the first place I called ”

She said the job has become very rewarding, as she is another set of eyes and ears looking after someone to ensure their well-being.

“You go in with an open mind and positive attitude You are a guest in their home, and you actively watch and listen to what needs to be done and you find ways to

address the needs, or find resources to help those needs if it is out of the scope of what I can do,” Farren said

The help she provides runs the gamut from working with people with disabilities, helping with hygiene, transferring a client from one spot to another, to providing companionship so someone is not alone

She said if she notices any changes she alerts the company, and the relatives

“If nobody cares about you, you lose motivation and interest If someone is around that sees you on a regular basis, you will thrive more,” Farren said “You become a part of the family most of the time I have met some of the most wonderful, beautiful people in this job They are so

grateful to have hep, they treat me like family and that is the most wonderful thing.” She said it is rewarding when she sees something or has done something to make a dramatic difference or impact

“Actions create a ripple effect Families

have more quality time with their parents and siblings,” Farren said. “Some of the bonds I have made with the clients have changed my life because they taught me things I wouldn’t have learned in other situations ”

LCEC Environmental Funding Awards available

The deadline to apply for an LCEC Environmental Funding Award is Friday, March 15 Applicants must meet certain criteria to be considered for an award Visit www lcec net/about-lcec/community-and-education/environment to apply

LCEC Environment Funding Awards are awarded twice annually with deadlines happening on March 15 and Sept 1 More than $265,000 has been awarded since the program’s inception in 2013 Contact pr@lcec net with questions

Burrowing Owl: Festival a major fundraiser for CC Friends of Wildlife

From page 1

crafts Admission is a $5 donation and free for children 12 and under

“We’re really excited for this, and it looks like the weather is going to be great,” said CCFW spokesperson Janet Windisch “We have so much going on, and we’re really happy to celebrate the burrowing owl and wildlife in our area with the community ”

Festival highlights will include environmental and wildlife organizations with educational exhibits and live animals, informative burrowing owl exhibits, presentations by environmental and wildlife speakers, live Florida animal presentations, tours of the park’s butterfly house, flora and fauna tours of the park, and owl and photography bus tours in Cape Coral It takes more than 200 volunteers to make this event possible, and thousands turn out each year

“The day is about education and awareness, family fun, and a fundraiser for the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife,” Windisch said “There’s such a variety of activities, and it’s all around nature There’s so much to interact with

“The thing about Southwest Florida is how people love being outdoors, and love the nature and environment, and this is a chance for families to get to experience that ”

The Cape is home to the largest known population of the Florida burrowing owl, which is a state threatened species according to Florida Fish and Wildlife These pintsized birds burrow underground where they nest from early February through mid-July The constant development in one of the fastest-growing cities in the country is impacting the habitats of these friendly birds

“Wildlife is the thing that many of us come to Florida to enjoy,” Windisch said “We want people to understand that issues and learn more about them, and urge people to focus a little more on the protection of the environment ”

Residents can get involved by setting up starter burrows in their yard for the small creatures to inhabit

“Lots are being developed, there’s fewer places for these poor little owls to build their homes,” Windisch said

If You Go:

What:

22nd Annual Burrowing Owl Festival Wildlife & Environmental Expo

When: Saturday, Feb 24, from 10 a m to 4 p m

Where: Rotary Park, 5505 Rose Garden Road

More information: For more information visit www ccfriendsofwildlife org

Funds raised will be used to support CCFW’s mission to “preserve and enhance the habitats of protected wildlife species and to educate the community about Cape Coral’s

wildlife resources ” A major focus is the acquisition land for wildlife habitat through CCFW’s sister organization, Cape Coral Wildlife Trust To date 69 lots totaling over 8 acres have been acquired in Cape Coral where numerous gopher tortoises and burrowing owls reside

“We want to provide open space so these creatures can continue to live in our city and call this place their home,” Windisch said “Some of the lots we purchase are also inhabited by gopher tortoises ”

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o n t h e f e s t i v a l , v i s i t www ccfriendsofwildlife org or call 239-980-259

Rotary Park is at 5505 Rose Garden Road

Bird Watching Tour

As part of the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife’s 22nd Annual Burrowing Owl Festival, the local non-profit is offering a Birding Bus Tour for those that enjoy snapping pictures of local creatures

Participants will have the opportunity to view and photograph local birds alongside Master Birders Eary and Jennifer Warren, as well as David and Tammy McQuade In addition to the adorable burrowing owls, possible sightings include bald eagles, purple martins, monk parakeets, eastern meadowlarks, loggerhead shrikes, wading birds such as the great blue heron, and maybe even mangrove cuckoos

The four-hour, air-conditioned bus tour begins at 7 a m on Feb 24 at Rotary Park

Tickets are $65 (which includes admission to the Burrowing Owl festival) and must be purchased ahead of time at ccfriendsofwildlife org Space is limited

Online Auction

Along with a silent auction in-person at the festival, CCFW is also running an online auction with more than $55,000 worth of items The online auction closes at midnight on Feb 25

To view items for auction and bid, visit biddingforgood com

Insurance: Lee rep proposes universal wind coverage under Citizens

From page 1

Speaker Paul Renner for giving his bill a hearing on the state insurance and banking committee He believes the legislation does have “some traction” and will be the future of wind storm insurance in the state

“I think it will catch on fire,” he said

Florida has the highest property insurance rates in the country, with approximately 80% of the nation’s property damage claims. Property insurance rates have been rising in Florida since Hurricane Ian and many homeowners are still struggling to recoup losses

Several major condo buildings on hardhit Fort Myers Beach, for example, remain entangled in litigation with their carriers over shortfalls in insurance reimbursements from Hurricane Ian damage

Roach said at least two insurance carrie r s i n t h e s t a t e h a v e a n n o u n c e d r a t e increases of more than 50%

“Some people are paying more for their premiums than their mortgages,” he said

Many homeowners holding flood insurance have struggled to be reimbursed for claims from the hurricane that are blamed on wind damage

“Florida needs universal wind storm coverage,” Roach said

California and Texas have similar staterun wind storm insurance programs

The aim of the legislation is for the state to handle wind claims and move those with flood insurance through Citizens, the property insurer of last resort in Florida, to the National Flood Insurance program or to private insurers

“The National Flood Insurance Program is really the best deal around,” Roach said “Almost 100% of the people I heard from were satisfied under the National Flood

Florida House Bill 1213 has some bipartisan support and is co-sponsored by Rep Hillary Cassel, D-101 Under the legislation sponsored the Rep Spencer Roach, R-76, anybody in Florida could obtain wind coverage through Citizens. While he thinks premiums would initially be high, they would be lowered as the pool expanded. California and Texas have similar state-run wind storm insurance programs.

Insurance Program but nobody had anything good to say about their homeowners insurance policies ”

There have been several bills floating in the state legislature to deal with aspects of t h e p r o p e r t y i n s u r a n c e p r o b l e m T a x exemptions, a bill to limit coverage to what is owed on a home and an expansion of Citizens Property Insurance have been proposed

The bill proposed by Roach, Florida House Bill 1213, has some bipartisan support and is co-sponsored by Rep Hillary Cassel, D-101 Under the legislation, anybody in Florida could obtain wind coverage through Citizens

While Roach thinks premiums would initially be high, they would be lowered as the pool expanded

In addition, Roach said he thinks private i n s u r e r s w o u l d b e n e f i t b y h a v i n g a n increased pool of property owners seeking flood insurance

“Private insurers would make a fortune,” he said

Roach said he is concerned that under the current insurance climate, “fly-bynight” companies are collecting premiums and “paying extreme amounts to executives” but are under-capitalized and then go belly-up when a hurricane hits, unable to pay out claims

Some of those involved in such companies, reappear after the hurri-

cane under different business names, he said

“It’s criminal," Roach said “It’s a ponzi-scheme ”

Business and personal

For Roach, the insurance issue is also personal

His North Fort Myers home took in m o r e t h a n t w o f e e t o f w a t e r f r o m Hurricane Ian flooding as well as damage to his roof He says he lost almost everything they had

“Every piece of furniture, every piece of clothing was gone,” he said

His carrier, UPC Insurance, initially left him “high and dry” after it was unable to pay out his claim and went into receivership Roach was eventually paid by the state on his claim

He noted that many residents still have tarps on their roofs and trailers in their driveway as they away reimbursements

“ M o s t h o m e o w n e r s d o n ’ t h a v e $20,000 to put on a new roof and wait for insurance ” Roach said some insurance companies are waiting homeowners out as payouts are challenged, hoping property owners will “take pennies on the dollar or sell your house ”

A lot of residents didn’t have any insurance at all Property owners who had houses worth $600,000 only received $37,000

in money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, he said That is the maximum offered by FEMA, he said

“A lot of people in my neighborhood were seniors who paid off their home and dropped their flood insurance They lost everything,” Roach said “It’s been hard ”

Costs and inaction

U n d e r s o m e e s t i m a t e s , t h e c o s t t o expand Citizens Insurance to handle wind insurance property claims would be in the billions while repurposing the state away from flood insurance

Roach said a proper financial analysis hasn’t yet been completed He thinks the state’s involvement in wind insurance will lower the cost of premiums

“It certainly would be lower than it is now.”

Meanwhile, Roach is surprised by the inaction of his fellow legislators and his party He said his colleagues are taking a “wait-and-see approach ”

“I haven’t seen any other attempt to addres s this is s ue,” Roach s aid “The Republican party is tone deaf if you don’t address issue ”

Roach noted that state legislators have passed favorable legislation to assist property insurance companies in the state, shielding them from litigation and making it harder for companies to be sued, and providing companies with a bailout after Hurricane Ian

“I’m not aware of a single insurance carrier whose premium has gone down,” he said

“My residents are ready with the torches and the pitchforks,” Roach said “They have a right to be angry ”

Ag Expo: Lee County departments work to rebrand, refocus, annual event

From page 1

Communications & Community Engagement, Visitor & Convention Bureau, Public Safety, Animal Services and LeeTran are working together to put on the event, now officially called the Southwest Florida Ag Expo

Weaver said it was recognized by all levels of the organization, that the Lee Civic Center facility and site off Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers is one that the community loves

“It’s an event that has nostalgia and brings the community together It’s a fun project to get involved with,” she said

When the county assumed operation of the site on Oct 1 the work began from replacing animal pens to running fiber cables to use WiFi and conduct business.

In addition to rerunning the cables, the parking lot resurfacing was just approved to provide safer day-to-day operation

“Every day we are doing more on this property The majority is completed or is in completion,” she said “Step one was what do we need to put back into the site to operate every single weekend to big events ”

The primary focus became the livestock component, as the 4H kids to take part in the Ag Expo have been working on their projects since last year

“The goal was to provide as little of an interruption and make it a seamless transition,” Weaver said “Once that kind of got set up and handled we moved into a larger event ”

She said they purchased 160 swine and goat pens, which are utilized year-round Cages for poultry and rabbits had to be purchased as well

“We had 319 birds,” Weaver said

Bleachers, tables and chairs were also purchased for the grounds something else that will be used year-round

“Every weekend, but maybe Christmas weekend, since Oct 1, there has been an event on the property,” Weaver said “From an entire county perspective administration to commissioners it is such an asset to the community It was very important to assume operations and keep it here for the community long-term.”

The next component was to figure out the rides and the concessionaires that have been there for years as part of the Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair as well as the Creative Living component From there, the county moved into the

event layout and marketing

“We are really proud of it and excited,” Weaver said “It was a big undertaking of all the departments.”

One of the most eye-opening things over the last full year was the amount of community engagement the county received for the Lee Civic Center property

Weaver said the property is not just isolated to one area, but is of interest to residents from around Lee County

The property provides an opportunity for the agricultural side to learn how the industry works

“It’s such neat property that is very unique in the area,” Weaver said “Proud to have it and provide it back to the community ”

Weaver said there are 236 full-time employees and more than 100 part-time employees who make up the county’s Park & Recreation Department. There are more than 150 locations countywide

In the wake of Ian

The department continues to be in hurricane recovery mode, as there was $26 million in damage caused by

Hurricane Ian

“During and following the storm, both parks and staff went into an emergency management roll,” she said, as areas became base camps for emergency service workers, shelters, and staff worked in roles of distribution, staging, and recovering “It became our recovery for our department that we currently are still in ”

Hurricane Ian wreaked havoc on all the county’s locations with some still needing assistance, such as Matlacha, Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Beach and Pine Island

Among the work still to be done is the Fort Myers Beach pier, Crescent Beach and the rebuilding of Matanzas Pass Preserve Weaver said the beach areas, whether it is vegetation, infrastructure, restrooms, boardwalks and walkways taken out, are now all shoreline creating a harder process to go through and rebuild

The Matlacha Community Center remains closed.

Weaver said they are looking at late summer to start construction on the interior for both the Matlacha Community Center and art building The pier will hopefully be done in April of this year and the playground should reopen in February The boat ramp, she said, is currently operating

The Wakehatchee Recreational Center, which experienced extensive damage, is looking to reopen in time for summer camps

The athletic field lighting at Lee County Parks & Recreation sites also experienced damage with the majority of the sites up and running as of December The facilities were closed use at nighttime since the hurricane until November

Another major project are the splash pads at Lakes Park. The pads were completely flooded, which included salt water under the pads damaging all the components and piping –leaving behind $2 million in damages

“The two splash pads are complete rebuilds We are hoping to go out to bid for repairs here in the next couple of months,” Weaver said “When it’s not working it impacts people It is something we take seriously It provides that little bit of relief on the weekends ”

The silver lining – parks and recreation continued to be a vital part of the community and an integral part of everyday life Weaver said the parks provided some kind of normalcy after the hurricane – a place to go and play.

4-H: Young members work year round to prepare for Ag Expo showcase

From page 12

“So, I was just at the fair,” she said “It wasn’t fun ”

The following year the Rice family had a steer on the property, which Kami showed during the fair Shadow, the 400-pound steer she got in April, will be shown this year He needs to be at 1,000 pounds for the expo Shadow has to gain at least 2 pounds a day

Kami said she works with Shadow by feeding him, making sure he has water as steers drink a lot, and brushes him In addition, she ties up Shadow, so he gets used to the tug on his breaking halter, so it is easier for her to walk him

“I brush him every day He really likes being brushed,” Kami said, which turns into Shadow liking her and enjoying their walks together

As a backup, she will also show a chicken and goat

“The goat I have is fat and happy, so he is OK,” Kami said of Cookie “I have shown him for four years He’s pretty good with me and is used to me They are a little easier than market animals Market animals you get at the beginning of the year and have to go through the whole process ”

She explained that goats can become sick extremely easily, so she has to watch for signs to prevent the sickness from becoming harmful Some of those signs could be their eyelids turning light pink or white, or they stop eating and drinking

Her chicken, Princess, takes a little more attention to get ready for the expo Kami feeds her and cleans the pen on a regular basis as chickens produce a lot of waste She also handles Princess so she becomes used to being held and practices putting her in a cage

4-H for Kami has taught her a lot, especially since her club is outdoor based One of the top takeaways from being involved is responsibility

“When you have animals, you have to be responsible because your parents aren’t the ones taking care of the animals,” she said, adding that she has to feed the animals and make sure they have water and are not living in filth “You have to make sure they have the best life ”

In addition to taking care of the animal, Kami is also in charge of keeping a records book, which is turned into 4-H

She has also stretched her wings to encompass the Executive Board, where she has been on the planning com-

“When you have animals, you have to be responsible because your parents aren’t the ones taking care of the animals. You have to make sure they have the best life.”

Kami Rice, 15, who became involved in 4-H when she was 8 This year she will show a steer, chicken and a goat during the Southwest Florida Ag Expo

mittee to promote and get information out about events

“They have to be selected and there is an application process,” Mandy said “This year it was a very competitive year to be placed on an executive board ”

In addition, Kami also participates in the Creative Living portion of the event, as well as horticulture

Mandy said she is excited that the annual fair has rebranded to the Southwest Florida Ag Expo this year.

“My children have shown in other livestock shows throughout the year, including the state fair at one time I personally hope to see some more state fair type of agriculture 4H activities in the future being represented at the Ag Expo,” she said

Mandy said it’s such a great opportunity for the kids who are involved in 4-H and FAA that participate in the expo, but also provides an opportunity for the community to see and learn

Although there are many qualities the youths learn from being involved in 4-H, the top one for Mandy’s children has been confidence She said 4-H requires public speaking in front of their peers, which provides a great learning opportunity

Mandy encourages those who might be interested in 4-H to reach out and learn more, as there are many different avenues to get involved in – animals, horticulture and arts and crafts

Council bumps employee salary structure

Cape Coral City Council approved a resolution Wednesday night that bumps the city’s employee salary structure, omitting general employee bargaining positions and ranges which are pending union negotiations

The resolution only impacts non-bargaining unit employees, which includes exempt and management personnel

City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said they received a letter from the general union and, as a result, they removed any impacts to the general employees’ positions and ranges

“We are only advancing the non-bargaining positions and grades this evening,” he said. The non-bargaining increases were for three categories

The positions in ELT1 pay grade include the city auditor, city clerk, development serv-

ices director, director of capital improvements, human resources director, ITS director and parks and recreation director The minimum pay was $117,374 40, which was raised to $124,592 The maximum was $193,648 and is now $205,587 20

The positions in the ELT2 pay grade include financial services director, fire chief/emergency management director, police chief, public works director and utilities director The minimum pay was $124,592 and is now $137,072. The maximum was $205,587 20 and is now $226,158 40

The assistant city manager is the ELT3 pay grade The minimum pay was $137,072 and is now $150,779 20 The maximum pay was $226,158 40 and now is $248 768

The changes are based on the city’s latest wage study The increases will cost $300,000 for the remainer of the budget year

Once you’re out at the 80-foot and beyond mark, red grouper, mangrove and lane snapper, porgies and grunts are already waiting for you and the crew to drop down treats Closer to the coast GPS numbers will still put you on the best sheepshead fishing of the year but it won’t last too much longer as change is in the air

Migratory saltwater fish and the baitfish that sustain them are on the move along both sides of the peninsula as well as inland in places like Lake Okeechobee where the shad spawn will draw l a r g e m o u t h a n g l e r s t o the lake for fast action

During the spawn, shadlooking Rattle Trap lures can really put lots of bass of all sizes in the boat

Locally the trout bite keeps getting better but in this part of Florida expect lots of action but not a lot of bigger or “gator” sized specimens as you would encounter in north Florida Our deli c a t e j u v e n i l e f i s h deserve protection and healthy release practices and, by all means, release the larger fish to keep those genes in the pool Bending down tissue-tearing hook barbs may be the number one way to help small trout survive catch and release Rough handling with dry hands, wrapped in towels, dropped and/or flopping around the bottom of the boat isn’t good for any fish, especially small delicate scaled fish like trout Best bet is to not handle the fish at all

Again, start by crushing the barb on your hook After playing the fish to the boat, keep it in the water then release it by simply grabbing the hook shank with needlenose pliers, turn your hand over and the fish simply slides off and back to freedom without being touched

Larger local snook are still wearing insulated snow suits but starting to daydream about their upcoming s w i m t o t h e G u l f a n d b e a c h - s i d e s u m m e r f l i n g s Actually as it warms up, the first order of snooky business will be to put on the feed bag to fatten up for the trip and soon fresh net caught baits will start a feeding frenzy along the right shorelines Lure anglers will do well with white bait imitating suspending twitch baits

46

North girls down Mariner to earn regional soccer title

Red Knights to take on Lincoln High in state semifinal Tuesday

The North Fort Myers Red Knights girls soccer team toppled the top seed on the road Wednesday night, capturing the FHSAA 5A-3 Regional Championship and punching its ticket to the State Final Four

The Red Knights (17-3) snuck out a 10 win over rival and No 1 seed in the class, Mariner (20-4), taking down a squad that had come out on top in two prior meetings this year, including the 5A-11 District Championship

North now heads to the Final Four for the first time since the 2020-21 season

"It's awesome It's just super happy for the girls," said Red Knights head coach Nick Erickson. "Based on the way we had played in the district final, to be honest, I didn't know if we'd get back to this game

"We had a little self-meeting as a team after that, and asked 'What do we really want from the rest of the season?'

"I think they took that to heart, and had great leadership from Evie (McCarthy), Sophia (Kerns), Cami (Nunn) and Gigi (Gerke) These seniors want to play And they came to play They really were the aggressors yesterday and it showed "

A terrible arm injury to a standout defender in Nunn just shy of 40 minutes into a scoreless contest could have proved costly for the Red Knights, but they gathered and put the pressure on Mariner -- pressure that paid off

"It was go time at that point," Erickson said "Cami is

Wednesday Baseball

one of the toughest kids I've ever been around, and I told them you know exactly what she'd be saying -- she'd say 'Go play the game '"

Coming out of the half, Erickson said the feeling and effort on the field was possibly the most "electrifying" he'd witnessed in his 11 years coaching

It was Red Knights' leading scorer Kerns that netted the decisive goal in the 59th minute Kerns is playing great soccer at this point especially in the season, having come up with crucial goals for the Red Knights throughout the tournament

"It's just great to see her playing her absolute best soccer at North in these final games as a senior," Erickson said "She just doesn't realize how talented of a player she actually is

"She knows how she wanted to leave her mark, and she's not going down without anything but her best "

North will head to Deland to play at SpecMartin Stadium ranked as the No 2 seed, where the Red Knights will take on No 3 ranked Lincoln (Tallahassee, 16-5-1)

The State Semifinal match takes place Tuesday, Feb 27, at 10 a m If North advances to the State Championship, the title game will take place Friday, March 1, at 4 p.m.

"If we bring the effort that we've brought throughout these three regional games, we can play with anybody in the state," Erickson said "Mariner was ranked number one and gunning for them And if we can play like that against the number one team in the state, then why can't we win the next two games? That's the way we look at it We're not going up there to lose "

PREP REPORT

1 at home this season Seminole edged Braden River 5149 in Tuesday's other semifinal

Bonita Springs 5, North Fort Myers 2: Thomas Eisminger and Aiden Estrada drove in runs for the Red Knights Eisminger and Jacob Wagner scored

Bishop Verot 10, Canterbury 4: Jason Bello doubled, scored twice and drove in three Bishop Verot (2-0) runs Braylon Sheffield, Joey Lawson and Grayson Carpenter had an RBI each Maddix Simpson, Sheffield and Lawson scored two runs apiece Lawson got the pitching win with four scoreless innings of relief

Softball

Ida Baker 4, Naples 2: Down 2-0 early in their season opener, the Bulldogs rallied for a win Alyssa Auger, Oliviah Slywestrek and Makayla Nieves each had two hits and scored a run Kiarah Saldana also scored

Girls Lacrosse

Fort Myers 10, Cape Coral 3: Mikala Allen scored two goals and made an assist for the Seahawks (1-2), while Abigail Cudnik had a goal and an assist

Barron Collier 15, Bishop Verot 4: Lily Lockard scored two goals, Daphne O'Hara had a goal and two assists, and Ava Byrd also scored for the Vikings (1-2)

Tuesday Boys Basketball

Region 5A-3 Semifinals

Mariner 76, Barron Collier 60: The Tritons (20-9) will be home Friday night for a 1-2 showdown with Seminole (18-7) for the Region 5A-3 title and a trip to the FHSAA Final Four. Corey Hunter Jr. scored 21 points, while Kevin Jiminez had 14 points Mariner improved 11-

Baseball

Island Coast 8, Lemon Bay 4: The Gators scored eight runs on eight hits to win their season opener Jacob Fowler and Hunter Fretwell had two RBI each Jordi Guerrero collected two hits, two stolen bases and two runs scored Anthony Ruiz, the first of five Island Coast pitchers, went 4 1/3 innings for the win. Ruiz struck out eight.

Bishop Verot 17, Gateway Charter 0 (4 innings): Blake Lavenia pitched a four-inning no-hit, no-walk game with eight strikeouts as the Vikings rolled to a win in their season opener The only Griffins runner to reach was a hit batsman Maddix Simpson had a huge night at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a triple, five RBI and three runs scored Braylon Sheffield doubled twice, driving in four runs Jason Bello and Owen Raredin each had two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored

SW Florida Christian 8, Oasis 1: Gabe Gait scored the Sharks' run

Softball

Island Coast 16, Dunbar 5 (5 innings): An eight-run third inning propelled the Gators to a season-opening victory

Charlotte 2, Mariner 0: Tritons pitcher Gabi Winters allowed two runs (one earned) and struck out 11 in a complete game Kylie Dominello was 2-for-3 at the plate for Mariner

DeSoto County 6, Oasis 3: The Sharks (0-1) had a 20 lead in the middle of the fourth inning, but the Bulldogs scored five in the bottom half and added another in the fifth to put the game out of reach Brooklyn Simison had a

Learn how to catch the ‘silver king’ at Cape Tarpon Hunters’ annual ‘free’ public meeting this Tuesday

The Cape Coral Tarpon Hunters Club will hold an introductory public presentation for prospective members Tuesday, Feb 27, at 7 p m , at the Lake Kennedy Center at 400 Santa Barbara Blvd , Cape Coral

The presentation is free and open to the public During the introductory meeting,

guests can learn the history of the largest tarpon fishing club in the world, gain knowledge about the “Silver King” and learn how the club promotes ethical tarpon catch and release

As the club enters its 54th season, its members have caught over 10,000 tarpon and welcomes the chance to introduce new

members to this exciting pastime Subsequent meetings will provide club members with detailed instructions on rod/reel selection, terminal tackle rigging, bait prep and on-water etiquette necessary to get your name in the club’s record books Monthly club meetings offer the opportunity to interact with world class tar-

pon fishermen and women, and feature presentations by local tarpon fishing experts on a variety of tarpon fishing techniques suitable for use in local waters

For additional information about the club, please visit www CapeCoralTarpon Hunters com

Motorists alerted about double home games during Spring Training

S p r i n g T r a i n i n g i s b a c k , a n d L e e C o u n t y ’ s T r a f f i c O p e r a t i o n s C e n t e r r e m i n d s m o t o r i s t s t o b e p r e p a r e d f o r increased traffic near the stadiums at game t i m e , e s p e c i a l l y w h e n t h e M i n n e s o t a Twins and the Boston Red Sox take to their respective fields at the same time on the same day

This year, DOT advises motorists to avoid the Daniels Parkway corridor on the afternoon of three specific dates this season

n Sunday, March 3, is the first double home game of the 2024 spring training season The Sox will host Toronto Blue

From page 45

ground-ball RBI for Oasis and walked twice Jetta Fisher had a hit, stole two bases and scored a run, while Charlee Turney had two steals and scored

Girls Lacrosse

Bishop Verot 16, Palmetto Ridge 9: Ricky Swift led the Vikings (1-0) with five goals and three assists Trey Toscano and Wade Swartz had four goals and two

Jays at JetBlue Park and the Twins will h o s t T a m p a B a y R a y s a t H a m m o n d Stadium.

n Saturday, March 16, is the second double home game for 2024 The Sox will host its Spring Breakout Prospect match with Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox prospects at JetBlue Park and the Twins w i l l h o s t t h e T a m p a B a y R a y s a t Hammond Stadium

n Sunday, March 24, is the third double home game for 2024 The Sox will host Atlanta Braves at Jet Blue Park, and the Twins will host Baltimore Orioles at Hammond Stadium

The three games start at 1:05 p m The peak traffic congestion is anticipated to between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 1 p m , and then again between 3:45 and 4:30 p m

The DOT operations center has special programming for traffic-signal timing to help keep vehicles moving The county’s traffic specialists also coordinate with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the baseball teams

The Boston Red Sox train at JetBlue Park, 11500 Fenway South Drive, Fort Myers, and the Minnesota Twins train about six miles away at the Lee Health

PREP REPORT

assists each, while Paul Reilly scored twice and made two assists

Flag Football

Ida Baker 27, Gateway 0: Olivia Mena ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns and Evette Some rushed for 82 yards and a score as the Bulldogs won their first game Q u a r t e r b a c

Porchelli intercepted a Gateway pass and ran it back for a pick-six

Monday

Change is in the air: Local fishing

From page 45

like MirrOdines

Won’t be long before we see reports of tarpon off Knapp’s Point but if you just can’t wait to do battle, the Keys are calling your name Trailer down or hire a guide service as it’s already on. While there, go shallow and try for a bonefish or permit for an incredible angling thrill on light tackle

Many other excellent winter opportunities are within a few hours’ drive The east coast sailfish bite is still going strong A friend just invited me over to the east coast for the “running of the rays” when giant mantas cruise the beaches with jumbo hungry cobia riding their backs looking to smash your colorful jig What a thrill that

is! Good to live in the fishing capitol of the U S A

Always a great sign to see lots of juvenile redfish and snook around the bushes on both sides of Charlotte Harbor this season but small is the winter word right now with an occasional slot-sized snook or red mixed in

We have the fish now trying to survive but pollution woes continue to degrade the local underwater environment promoting deadly summer red tide events and serious human health hazards Now add the everincreasing population, pollution and press u r e o f h u n d r e d s o f n e w b o a t e r s a n d anglers each year all wanting to enjoy local waters Soon we may have to cast up into the trees to catch fish hiding in the woods

As long as we continue year after year to be the dumping ground for Lake O toxic discharges plus our o w n c o n t a m i n a t e d s t o r m w a t e r r u n - o f f a n d s e p t i c c o n t r i b u t i o n s a n d e v e r i n c r e a s i n g a n g l i n g a n d boating pressure, a rocky road could lie ahead

Capt George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide You can contact him at 239-282-9434 or v i a e m a i l a

rget3@aol com

Girls Basketball Region 3A-3

Semifinals

Tampa Catholic 60, Bishop Verot 32: Second-seeded Tampa Catholic downed Bishop Verot to earn a showdown with No. 1 seed Sarasota Cardinal Mooney. The Vikings ended their season 21-7, their b

e W a r d s c o r e d 1 6 p o i n t s f o r

Bishop Verot on Monday, and Cameron O'Halloran had 10

Sports Complex, 14100 Ben C Pratt/Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers

F o r e m e r g e n c y o r n o n - e m e r g e n c y questions about the traffic signal operat i o n , c o n t a c t t h e T O C K a t LeeTrafficTOC@leegov com or call 239533-5762 For more information about t h e L e e C o u n t y D e p a r t m e n t o f T r a n s p o r t a t i o n , v i s i t www leegov com/dot

For more information about Spring Training in Lee County, visit www leegov com/parks/athletics/spring-training

Baseball

Charlotte 8, Mariner 0: Baseball season opened on a sour note for the Tritons Xavier Muentes had Mariner's lone hit Charlotte took advantage of 13 walks and five errors

Boys Lacrosse

Bishop Verot 16, Barron Collier 9: The Vikings opened the 2024 season with a win, dropping Barron Collier to 1-2 on the year

CAPE CORAL ANIMAL SHELTER

Looking for a loving home

Raven is a 3 to 5-year-old female It only takes a few moments with her to realize what a beautiful, full-of-life lady she is! Raven's deal home would have a fenced yard where she could run and play with toys She really loves hanging out with her people here, sharing stories of the biggest stick she ever fetched Millie is a 5 to 7-year-old female Millie is a little on the shyer side, but will warm up to new friends with time and love Loud noises scare her right now, so a calm and quiet home to spend her

“ r e t i r e m e n t ” d a y s w a t c h i n g d a y t i m e game shows and a soap opera or two, would be ideal

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

Coral Breeze Athletes Week of the

Craft Shows

PioneerVillage

Religious

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

Help Wanted

,8/C7,8 *,8>0/ 9.466, =,8/ 6?- 950064, !9<8482= 39?<= :0< A005 423> ?>C 98>,.> '98C

Skilled Trades

,8/C7,8 19< A9<5 ,> , !,8?1,.>?<0/ 970 %0=4/08>4,6 ==9.4,>498 98 &,8 ,<69= =6,8/ $,<> >470 :9=4>498 &970 160B4-464>C A4>3 =.30/?60 "9 >A9 /,C= ,6450 ,8/ C9? A466 700> , -?8.3 91 2<0,> ,==9.4,>498 707-0<= $60,=0 >0B> C9?< ;?,6414.,>498= >9 &>0@0 ,>

Wanted To Buy

Garage Sales

4-Wheel Drive Vehicles :< &-71 C #A91< :<0 &?;1< ?>C -<5-> & + ?<3?90C A5>4 >-9 71->41< 59>1<5 :< #97C 8571= # # !(&' & -77

Recreation Vehicles

*48,-,29 )9C,20 9:>498= 3,==4= 7460= @0<C 299/ .98/4 >498 ,66

Marine Parts/Supplies

% D 6982 *,>0<A,C 9,> .9@0< 1<,70 B.06608> .98/4>498 +9? <079@0

Obituaries

Death Notices

Death Notices

e b r u a r y

3 , 2 0

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