More Southwest Florida students than ever are taking the ACT, but scores are declining and falling below state and national averages.
Some 3,073 Lee County seniors took the college aptitude test last year, 367 more than in the previous year, a 13.5 percent increase.
The rise can be attributed to a plan the district started two years ago that registers all seniors for the ACT who have not completed Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test requirements.
"In this past year's class we had about 200 graduates based on ACT scores who didn't pass the FCAT," said Richard Itzen, director of accountability for the Lee County School District. "Two hundred who were able to get their diploma."
Lee County's composite score, an average of the four subject
tests, declined a tenth of a percentage point to 18.9. ACT scores are broken down into four subject areas: English, reading, math and science reasoning, with a scale of 1 to 36.
The statewide composite score was 19.6; the national composite score was 21.1.
"It's all relative," Itzen said. "Eighteen or 19 is probably a low score if you're wanting to get into a selective college. If you want to satisfy the graduation requirements a 19 would do it."
Erin Harrel, dean of the school of education at Edison State College, said the dip in scores makes sense with students taking the ACT without having passed the FCAT.
"If they didn't do well on one test it's probable they won't do well on the other test," she said.
Harrel said the data would have to be examined further to see a true correlation in scores.
The ACT scores to graduate in 2010-11 are 18 for reading and 15 for math. The county's average for reading and math are 19.7 and 19.0, respectively.
Charlotte County also has seen student participation in the ACT increase. Some 810 seniors took the test last year, and Michael Riley, manager of adult education for Charlotte schools, said in a press release that more than 300 Charlotte students who had not passed parts of the FCAT graduated because of their ACT score. The mean composite score for the Charlotte County School District was 20.5.
Collier County schools had 61.5 percent of the graduating class, or 1,778 students, take the ACT and the district achieved a mean composite score of 19.5. More information about Collier's scores will be released this morning, according to Joe Landon, executive director of communications and community engagement for Collier schools.
Florida's composite score of 19.6 ties the state with Kentucky for 48th place in the nation. Only Tennessee and Mississippi achieved lower scores.
Comparisons between states can be difficult. Some states require the test of all high school students while in others, the test is generally limited to high-achieving students with an eye on attending the most selective colleges.
Florida's participation ranked higher than many states. In all, 117,575 graduates took the test. That's 66 percent of the graduating class, ranking 22nd nationally.
All told, 49 percent of the nation's high school seniors took the ACT last year.
- The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Southwest Florida Scores
- Charlotte County: 20.5
- Collier County: 19.5
- Lee County: 18.9
Friday, August 19, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Celebrity Chef Night supports charity for children with cancer
Three hundred guests walked the grounds of Rumrunners in Cape Harbour on Wednesday night, sampling fine dining and bidding in live and silent auctions.
It was all to raise money for Barbara's Friends, a charity dedicated to helping children with cancer.
The eighth annual Celebrity Chef Night featured culinary talent from across the area, including Chefs Todd Johnson and Ralph Centalonza of Rumrunners and The Joint, Chef Fabrizio Aielli of Sea Salt, Chef Harold Balink of Cru, Norman Love of Norman Love Confections and culinary teams from Yabo and Chef Brooke's Natural Cafe.
"People were here before 5 o'clock because it's so popular," said Duane Higgins with the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation. "The quality of the chefs, the food, the wine. ... It's a fun night."
The foundation and Johnson have helped plan the event since 2004. Johnson said the foundation approached him wanting to do a benefit dinner with celebrity waiters.
Barbara's Friends is part of the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation. The charity - named in honor of Barbara Haskell, who died of breast cancer at 32 - is dedicated to providing local treatment for children with cancer at The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida.
To make a donation, call 343-6950 or visit leememorial.org/foundation and click on Barbara's Friends to learn about donating online.
Instead, he modeled the event after a benefit he attended in Aspen, Colo.
Guests at Rumrunners went from station to station in three different rooms sampling scallops, beef tenderloin, tuna and chocolate bread pudding. They mingled and meandered through the restaurant while sipping on wine and top-shelf liquor.
Johnson said last year, the night raised $48,000 for Barbara's Friends, and this year's goal is $60,000.
This year, the night had its first Child of Hope. Caliah Russell, 4, was all smiles decorating cookies and eating vegetable scones during the event.
"She went straight for the Norman Love chocolate," joked Caliah's mom, Mindy Russell.
Caliah has acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She has recently gone into remission, but still needs about 15 months of treatment. She has just started voluntary prekindergarten and resides in Cape Coral.
Russell said it's an honor Caliah was chosen.
Emad Salman, medical director of the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida and the oncology center, said treatment of ill children often creates huge demands financially and emotionally.
"Events like this help build facilities, help pay for some of the expenses and make sure we can take care of every patient and not turn one away," Salman said.
He said Barbara's Friends and the hospital have a symbiotic relationship.
"We can't survive without the other," Salman said.
It was all to raise money for Barbara's Friends, a charity dedicated to helping children with cancer.
The eighth annual Celebrity Chef Night featured culinary talent from across the area, including Chefs Todd Johnson and Ralph Centalonza of Rumrunners and The Joint, Chef Fabrizio Aielli of Sea Salt, Chef Harold Balink of Cru, Norman Love of Norman Love Confections and culinary teams from Yabo and Chef Brooke's Natural Cafe.
"People were here before 5 o'clock because it's so popular," said Duane Higgins with the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation. "The quality of the chefs, the food, the wine. ... It's a fun night."
The foundation and Johnson have helped plan the event since 2004. Johnson said the foundation approached him wanting to do a benefit dinner with celebrity waiters.
Barbara's Friends is part of the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation. The charity - named in honor of Barbara Haskell, who died of breast cancer at 32 - is dedicated to providing local treatment for children with cancer at The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida.
To make a donation, call 343-6950 or visit leememorial.org/foundation and click on Barbara's Friends to learn about donating online.
Instead, he modeled the event after a benefit he attended in Aspen, Colo.
Guests at Rumrunners went from station to station in three different rooms sampling scallops, beef tenderloin, tuna and chocolate bread pudding. They mingled and meandered through the restaurant while sipping on wine and top-shelf liquor.
Johnson said last year, the night raised $48,000 for Barbara's Friends, and this year's goal is $60,000.
This year, the night had its first Child of Hope. Caliah Russell, 4, was all smiles decorating cookies and eating vegetable scones during the event.
"She went straight for the Norman Love chocolate," joked Caliah's mom, Mindy Russell.
Caliah has acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She has recently gone into remission, but still needs about 15 months of treatment. She has just started voluntary prekindergarten and resides in Cape Coral.
Russell said it's an honor Caliah was chosen.
Emad Salman, medical director of the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida and the oncology center, said treatment of ill children often creates huge demands financially and emotionally.
"Events like this help build facilities, help pay for some of the expenses and make sure we can take care of every patient and not turn one away," Salman said.
He said Barbara's Friends and the hospital have a symbiotic relationship.
"We can't survive without the other," Salman said.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Making pizza spices up kids' lives in Cape Coral
Dough was tossed, toppings were placed, pizza was cooked and kids snacked with a smile.
Three children from the Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida received a welcome from Chef Todd Johnson in Cape Harbor on Saturday for the third annual Cooking with Todd event. Johnson created the event to help give children with cancer and other illnesses a diversion from treatment.
Pizza-making started with high fives, followed with flour being poured into an industrial size mixer. The children formed the dough, spread the sauce and placed toppings on their very own pizza.
“She’s been looking forward to it for a few weeks now,” Mindy Russell said about her 4-year-old Caliah.
Caliah said she was looking forward to making the dough. She created a mushroom and pineapple pizza. Caliah has acute lymphoblastic leukemia which has recently gone into remission.
“She’s a little trooper. She’s been amazing through all of it,” Russell said.
After the kids ate their fill, the group went to Run Agrounds, a gelato shop in Cape Harbor, to learn how to make their own gelato. The kids mixed vanilla and cinnamon gelato adding their favorite toppings to create a special flavor.
Duane Higgins, with the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation, said this event is a precursor for the Celebrity Chef Night fundraiser Wednesday at Rumrunners in Cape Harbor. The night benefits Barbara’s Friends, a part of the foundation dedicated to providing local treatment for children with cancer.
“It’s really about these kids,” Higgins said. “That’s why we raise the money, have the night and we don't want the purpose of that to get lost.”
Johnson has helped host the Celebrity Chef Night for eight years.
“For me it reinforces where the money goes, we really enjoy it,” Johnson said.
He said he thought of making pizza with children after reminding himself of the time he worked at Pizza Hut when he was 15. The restaurant brought in kids from the March of Dimes to help Johnson make pizza.
“To see the enjoyment the kids have on their faces making pizzas, it always stuck with me,” he said.
Three children from the Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida received a welcome from Chef Todd Johnson in Cape Harbor on Saturday for the third annual Cooking with Todd event. Johnson created the event to help give children with cancer and other illnesses a diversion from treatment.
Pizza-making started with high fives, followed with flour being poured into an industrial size mixer. The children formed the dough, spread the sauce and placed toppings on their very own pizza.
“She’s been looking forward to it for a few weeks now,” Mindy Russell said about her 4-year-old Caliah.
Caliah said she was looking forward to making the dough. She created a mushroom and pineapple pizza. Caliah has acute lymphoblastic leukemia which has recently gone into remission.
“She’s a little trooper. She’s been amazing through all of it,” Russell said.
After the kids ate their fill, the group went to Run Agrounds, a gelato shop in Cape Harbor, to learn how to make their own gelato. The kids mixed vanilla and cinnamon gelato adding their favorite toppings to create a special flavor.
Duane Higgins, with the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation, said this event is a precursor for the Celebrity Chef Night fundraiser Wednesday at Rumrunners in Cape Harbor. The night benefits Barbara’s Friends, a part of the foundation dedicated to providing local treatment for children with cancer.
“It’s really about these kids,” Higgins said. “That’s why we raise the money, have the night and we don't want the purpose of that to get lost.”
Johnson has helped host the Celebrity Chef Night for eight years.
“For me it reinforces where the money goes, we really enjoy it,” Johnson said.
He said he thought of making pizza with children after reminding himself of the time he worked at Pizza Hut when he was 15. The restaurant brought in kids from the March of Dimes to help Johnson make pizza.
“To see the enjoyment the kids have on their faces making pizzas, it always stuck with me,” he said.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Chefs team up to help charity: Area's best culinary artists unite for cause
Succulent lobster paired with a creamy risotto, a margarita bar, surf and turf and various wine stations are just some of the culinary offerings at the 8th annual Rumrunners Celebrity Chef Night set for Wednesday, Aug. 17, at Cape Harbour.
The night benefits Barbara's Friends, a charity whose goal is to help children fighting cancer and other serious illnesses.
The event will feature a wealth of local culinary talent including Chefs Todd Johnson and Ralph Centalonza of Rumrunners and The Joint, Chef Fabrizio Aielli of Sea Salt, Chef Harold Balink of Cru, Norman Love of Norman Love Confections and culinary teams from Yabo and Chef Brooke's Natural Cafe.
"It's a privilege for us to participate each and every year," Norman Love said. "It provides us an opportunity to give back to needy children and their families."
Love plans to bring his signature truffles and confections, as well as gelato. He said there will either be a plated dessert with gelato or mini gelato cones.
Johnson said he came up with the idea for the night in 2004. The charity came to him in hopes of having a benefit dinner.
He told them, "Lets really do something special and make it a great event."
Johnson said he modeled the event after one he and his wife attended in Aspen, Colo. Food and wine stations were set up around the property and guests mingled and meandered to each station.
"It was awesome," Johnson said.
The event is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. but Johnson said people come early and stay late. Since there is no set time frame for a sit-down dinner like a traditional benefit, guests can eat and drink when they please. He said some go straight for dessert first.
"If you come at 7 you missed nothing, you melt into the crowd," Johnson said.
In the first year, the event was postponed due to Hurricane Charley.
"We didn't lose one reservation," Johnson said. "Every year since then, I've tried to make the event better than the previous year."
The event sells out every year. Johnson said $48,000 was raised last year and his goal for this year's night is $60,000.
"We will raise more than ever," said Duane Higgins with the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation.
Tickets are $150 per person and include food, refreshments and the chance to bid on items. The event has had a silent auction in the past but this year a live action has been added.
A highlight of the live auction is a nine-course private dinner for 10 prepared by Balink, Johnson and Love.
"It's a unique item and we hope people will bid high," Higgins said.
About Barbara's Friends
Barbara's Friends is part of the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation. The charity, named in honor of Barbara Haskell, who lost her life to breast cancer at the age of 32, is dedicated to providing local treatment for children with cancer at The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida.
To make a donation please call 434-6950 or visit leememorial.org/foundation and click on Barbara's Friends to learn about donating online.
If You Go
What: Rumrunners Celebrity Chef Night
Where: 5848 Cape Harbor Drive
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: $150
Attire: Caribbean casual.
Contact: To register to attend call 343-6950.
The night benefits Barbara's Friends, a charity whose goal is to help children fighting cancer and other serious illnesses.
The event will feature a wealth of local culinary talent including Chefs Todd Johnson and Ralph Centalonza of Rumrunners and The Joint, Chef Fabrizio Aielli of Sea Salt, Chef Harold Balink of Cru, Norman Love of Norman Love Confections and culinary teams from Yabo and Chef Brooke's Natural Cafe.
"It's a privilege for us to participate each and every year," Norman Love said. "It provides us an opportunity to give back to needy children and their families."
Love plans to bring his signature truffles and confections, as well as gelato. He said there will either be a plated dessert with gelato or mini gelato cones.
Johnson said he came up with the idea for the night in 2004. The charity came to him in hopes of having a benefit dinner.
He told them, "Lets really do something special and make it a great event."
Johnson said he modeled the event after one he and his wife attended in Aspen, Colo. Food and wine stations were set up around the property and guests mingled and meandered to each station.
"It was awesome," Johnson said.
The event is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. but Johnson said people come early and stay late. Since there is no set time frame for a sit-down dinner like a traditional benefit, guests can eat and drink when they please. He said some go straight for dessert first.
"If you come at 7 you missed nothing, you melt into the crowd," Johnson said.
In the first year, the event was postponed due to Hurricane Charley.
"We didn't lose one reservation," Johnson said. "Every year since then, I've tried to make the event better than the previous year."
The event sells out every year. Johnson said $48,000 was raised last year and his goal for this year's night is $60,000.
"We will raise more than ever," said Duane Higgins with the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation.
Tickets are $150 per person and include food, refreshments and the chance to bid on items. The event has had a silent auction in the past but this year a live action has been added.
A highlight of the live auction is a nine-course private dinner for 10 prepared by Balink, Johnson and Love.
"It's a unique item and we hope people will bid high," Higgins said.
About Barbara's Friends
Barbara's Friends is part of the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation. The charity, named in honor of Barbara Haskell, who lost her life to breast cancer at the age of 32, is dedicated to providing local treatment for children with cancer at The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida.
To make a donation please call 434-6950 or visit leememorial.org/foundation and click on Barbara's Friends to learn about donating online.
If You Go
What: Rumrunners Celebrity Chef Night
Where: 5848 Cape Harbor Drive
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: $150
Attire: Caribbean casual.
Contact: To register to attend call 343-6950.
Cafe true to French-Italian roots: Bistro in Vivo builds following in Cape
French tarts, apricot oreillettes and quiche are handcrafted at Bistro in Vivo in southeast Cape Coral.
The French-Italian coffee cafe opened in May at 4825 Milton St., near the Sweetbay store off Cape Coral Parkway.
Veronique Frelier co-owns the shop with her mother Canelle. They relocated to the area from France this past year.
"We came to be close to the sea," Frelier said.
A family tree on the wall of the eatery showcases the restaurants, pizzeria and other ventures the family has owned in France and Italy. Their first restaurant has been in the family for three generations. This is their first cafe venture.
Bistro in Vivo serves breakfast and lunch along with dinner on Fridays.
All the entrees have a French influence.
Quiches are filled with goat cheese and spinach or brie cheese and sausage.
French baguette sandwiches and paninis delight customers with names from regions of France and Italy. French specialities of crocque monsieurs and madames, crepes and a croissant au jambon can also be found on the menu.
Bo Kagan dined on a croque monsieur, a hot ham and cheese sandwich served with bechamel sauce, for lunch. He said the food is fantastic. She's done a great job bringing in authentic French food, Kagan said.
This is his second visit and he plans on coming back.
"(I'm) real eager to try the other things that they have," Kagan said.
Fridays feature special sunset pricing. For iced drinks and frappes it's 5 percent off the first drink, 10 percent off two drinks and 15 percent off three drinks.
Frelier said that even though she's seen a dip, her cafe opened to strong numbers.
"It's a low season," Frelier said. "It's true that July is slower than others."
She said she looked at other locations in Fort Myers and on Sanibel but ultimately chose the Cape.
"There is nothing like this in Cape Coral," Frelier said.
She said she likes the area because it's quiet, safe and the city wants to improve.
"They try to make it nicer and grow this city," Frelier said.
Hot pink hued walls and large windows give the cafe an inviting feel. French posters and images of the Eiffel Tower create an eclectic vibe.
Chyrsti Castillo said the colors drew her in to the cafe.
"The atmosphere is very intimate, not like anything we have here. A taste of Europe," Castillo said.
Frelier said in the winter the cafe will have longer hours. She also hopes to have special dining of French and Italian specialties on Friday and Sunday evenings during season.
The French-Italian coffee cafe opened in May at 4825 Milton St., near the Sweetbay store off Cape Coral Parkway.
Veronique Frelier co-owns the shop with her mother Canelle. They relocated to the area from France this past year.
"We came to be close to the sea," Frelier said.
A family tree on the wall of the eatery showcases the restaurants, pizzeria and other ventures the family has owned in France and Italy. Their first restaurant has been in the family for three generations. This is their first cafe venture.
Bistro in Vivo serves breakfast and lunch along with dinner on Fridays.
All the entrees have a French influence.
Quiches are filled with goat cheese and spinach or brie cheese and sausage.
French baguette sandwiches and paninis delight customers with names from regions of France and Italy. French specialities of crocque monsieurs and madames, crepes and a croissant au jambon can also be found on the menu.
Bo Kagan dined on a croque monsieur, a hot ham and cheese sandwich served with bechamel sauce, for lunch. He said the food is fantastic. She's done a great job bringing in authentic French food, Kagan said.
This is his second visit and he plans on coming back.
"(I'm) real eager to try the other things that they have," Kagan said.
Fridays feature special sunset pricing. For iced drinks and frappes it's 5 percent off the first drink, 10 percent off two drinks and 15 percent off three drinks.
Frelier said that even though she's seen a dip, her cafe opened to strong numbers.
"It's a low season," Frelier said. "It's true that July is slower than others."
She said she looked at other locations in Fort Myers and on Sanibel but ultimately chose the Cape.
"There is nothing like this in Cape Coral," Frelier said.
She said she likes the area because it's quiet, safe and the city wants to improve.
"They try to make it nicer and grow this city," Frelier said.
Hot pink hued walls and large windows give the cafe an inviting feel. French posters and images of the Eiffel Tower create an eclectic vibe.
Chyrsti Castillo said the colors drew her in to the cafe.
"The atmosphere is very intimate, not like anything we have here. A taste of Europe," Castillo said.
Frelier said in the winter the cafe will have longer hours. She also hopes to have special dining of French and Italian specialties on Friday and Sunday evenings during season.
Sun Splash credits success to marketing: New social media strategy helps increase attendance
Using tweets, likes and status updates, Sun Splash garnered the power of social media to make a splash this summer.
Sandie Greiner, water park manager, said revenue is up roughly $89,000 this season. She credits it to the new marketing strategy.
"We followed a very good marketing plan," she said.
The new marketing firm, 3i Advertising, has 20 years experience with water parks, said Greiner, who has also been using Facebook and Twitter to connect with Sun Splash visitors.
The Facebook page has almost 5,000 likes while the Twitter page has a little under 200 followers. Both pages send out information about events and specials going on in the park.
"It's the coolest intervention to get your name out there and get people into the park," Greiner said. "It's absolutely fantastic."
Sun Splash has conducted photo contests, offered buy one get one free coupons and had Wacky Wednesdays, where parking was free for fans and followers. It normally costs $5 to park for cars.
Emmy Sanchez, a Cape Coral resident, has seen the page and thinks the online deals are a great idea.
"I think it would be worth it because of the price of parking and admission," Sanchez said.
Aqua Theater and Family Fun nights have also been a success this season. There are two of each left before the park closes for the year.
"(We're) always looking for added value to bring people in and it worked," Greiner said. "Families love to sit there in the pool and watch a movie."
The park did have some rough weeks due to inclement weather but Greiner said the park has caught up. Last week was the peak week, she said.
"(Last) week we hit $2 million for the season in revenue generation," Greiner said.
Brian White, of Sebring, came to Sun Splash with his family. He said she hasn't seen the Facebook page but thinks it's a good idea. This is his second time to Sun Splash this summer and he likes the park because it's affordable.
"It's the closest park to come to that's not $50 a person," White said.
Sun Splash has 17 operating days left. The park closes for the season on Sept. 25.
"This is a long road to the finish," Greiner said. "You can't be too critical, just keep up with your plan and stick to it."
Park Schedule
Sun Splash has some special events remaining this season.
- Family Fun Night: Saturday, Aug. 13, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Aqua Theater Night: Friday, Aug. 26, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The park will show "Rango."
- Family Fun Night: Saturday, Sept. 10, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Aqua Theater Night: Friday, Sept. 23, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The park will show "Despicable Me."
If You Go
What: Sun Splash Family Waterpark
Where: 400 Santa Barbara Blvd.
When: weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $12.95 for Cape Coral residents; $10.95 for children 2-12 and seniors who are residents. Non-residents add $4 to the ticket prices.
Website: sunsplashwaterpark.com
Facebook: facebook.com/ sunsplashcc
Twitter: @SunSplashCC
Sandie Greiner, water park manager, said revenue is up roughly $89,000 this season. She credits it to the new marketing strategy.
"We followed a very good marketing plan," she said.
The new marketing firm, 3i Advertising, has 20 years experience with water parks, said Greiner, who has also been using Facebook and Twitter to connect with Sun Splash visitors.
The Facebook page has almost 5,000 likes while the Twitter page has a little under 200 followers. Both pages send out information about events and specials going on in the park.
"It's the coolest intervention to get your name out there and get people into the park," Greiner said. "It's absolutely fantastic."
Sun Splash has conducted photo contests, offered buy one get one free coupons and had Wacky Wednesdays, where parking was free for fans and followers. It normally costs $5 to park for cars.
Emmy Sanchez, a Cape Coral resident, has seen the page and thinks the online deals are a great idea.
"I think it would be worth it because of the price of parking and admission," Sanchez said.
Aqua Theater and Family Fun nights have also been a success this season. There are two of each left before the park closes for the year.
"(We're) always looking for added value to bring people in and it worked," Greiner said. "Families love to sit there in the pool and watch a movie."
The park did have some rough weeks due to inclement weather but Greiner said the park has caught up. Last week was the peak week, she said.
"(Last) week we hit $2 million for the season in revenue generation," Greiner said.
Brian White, of Sebring, came to Sun Splash with his family. He said she hasn't seen the Facebook page but thinks it's a good idea. This is his second time to Sun Splash this summer and he likes the park because it's affordable.
"It's the closest park to come to that's not $50 a person," White said.
Sun Splash has 17 operating days left. The park closes for the season on Sept. 25.
"This is a long road to the finish," Greiner said. "You can't be too critical, just keep up with your plan and stick to it."
Park Schedule
Sun Splash has some special events remaining this season.
- Family Fun Night: Saturday, Aug. 13, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Aqua Theater Night: Friday, Aug. 26, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The park will show "Rango."
- Family Fun Night: Saturday, Sept. 10, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Aqua Theater Night: Friday, Sept. 23, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The park will show "Despicable Me."
If You Go
What: Sun Splash Family Waterpark
Where: 400 Santa Barbara Blvd.
When: weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $12.95 for Cape Coral residents; $10.95 for children 2-12 and seniors who are residents. Non-residents add $4 to the ticket prices.
Website: sunsplashwaterpark.com
Facebook: facebook.com/ sunsplashcc
Twitter: @SunSplashCC
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Camps Inspire Bonding
Weights clank to the floor in tune with grunts and smack talk on a balmy Wednesday evening.
The summer heat creeps into the orange-and-blue weight room and the sticky aroma of sweat begins to fill the air.
Motivational posters line the wall of the Cape Coral High School facility. Varsity football players bond, ribbing and encouraging each other to push harder, lift more.
These players have been in the weight room since mid-June, working on getting ready for the first game, a home game Aug. 26 against Palmetto Ridge. Freshmen and junior varsity players have the morning shift while varsity work in the evening.
"We're bonding together as a team, working hard together," said Kyle Young, a senior center whose been on the varsity team for three years.
Young said they alternate days between upper body and lower body and generally work for an hour and a half each day.
Trey Daniels, a junior cornerback and linebacker, hopes the team will go far this season.
"(We're) trying to go to states and go undefeated, 10 and 0," Daniels said.
Coach Brad Metheny said he gave the team a break after school ended but now they're working hard in the weight room.
"(We) try to build that team camaraderie and gain strength to carry over to the performance on the field on game day," Metheny said.
Young and Daniels will be key players for the Seahawks this year, Metheny said.
Across the school in the band room on an early Tuesday morning, the competition marching band members trickle in.
Thirty-four students geared up for the second day of band camp with water bottles and sheet music. A light smell of sunscreen permeated the room. The band is working on its opening number.
Most of these teens are entering their second week of band camp. Cape Coral High is having two marching bands this year, a competition and a show band.
Stacey Green, Cape High's second-year band director, said the different bands are new this year and the competition band requires a lot more dedication. The members practice long hours to perfect their halftime show.
Ben Wiener, a sophomore tuba player, likes the new system.
"This year, we're doing a lot of things different and it seems to be working," Wiener said.
With two weeks of band camp on top of a short summer, Napoleon Galang, a sophomore alto sax player, said band camp has been hard but at the same time fun because you can see all your friends again.
The competition band practices from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during band camp, while the week prior the show band stopped at 5 p.m.
Green said the competition band's show this year is on the chaos theory and the butterfly effect. Band members will mimic molecules pulling back and forth through formations on the football field.
She said this band will travel to competitions throughout the state, and its halftime show will be used for away games. The show band's tribute to Bill Chase, a jazz musician, will play to the home crowds.
Island Coast High School's 16-member band was also working on its halftime show on a recent Tuesday.
Patrick Gray, a senior tuba player, joked that they were the smallest band in Florida. He said he likes marching band because he likes to work with others to accomplish something.
"The smaller the band the harder we have to work," Gray said.
The Gator band's show will have a Latin feel. During the school year, the band practices three times a week in the afternoons.
Band director Kenneth Trapp said it's hard to have a full sound with a small band, but the group has done well in competitions. This is Island Coast's third year with a marching band.
"If you're tiny like that you can't do the same show that a big band does," Trapp said.
The summer heat creeps into the orange-and-blue weight room and the sticky aroma of sweat begins to fill the air.
Motivational posters line the wall of the Cape Coral High School facility. Varsity football players bond, ribbing and encouraging each other to push harder, lift more.
These players have been in the weight room since mid-June, working on getting ready for the first game, a home game Aug. 26 against Palmetto Ridge. Freshmen and junior varsity players have the morning shift while varsity work in the evening.
"We're bonding together as a team, working hard together," said Kyle Young, a senior center whose been on the varsity team for three years.
Young said they alternate days between upper body and lower body and generally work for an hour and a half each day.
Trey Daniels, a junior cornerback and linebacker, hopes the team will go far this season.
"(We're) trying to go to states and go undefeated, 10 and 0," Daniels said.
Coach Brad Metheny said he gave the team a break after school ended but now they're working hard in the weight room.
"(We) try to build that team camaraderie and gain strength to carry over to the performance on the field on game day," Metheny said.
Young and Daniels will be key players for the Seahawks this year, Metheny said.
Across the school in the band room on an early Tuesday morning, the competition marching band members trickle in.
Thirty-four students geared up for the second day of band camp with water bottles and sheet music. A light smell of sunscreen permeated the room. The band is working on its opening number.
Most of these teens are entering their second week of band camp. Cape Coral High is having two marching bands this year, a competition and a show band.
Stacey Green, Cape High's second-year band director, said the different bands are new this year and the competition band requires a lot more dedication. The members practice long hours to perfect their halftime show.
Ben Wiener, a sophomore tuba player, likes the new system.
"This year, we're doing a lot of things different and it seems to be working," Wiener said.
With two weeks of band camp on top of a short summer, Napoleon Galang, a sophomore alto sax player, said band camp has been hard but at the same time fun because you can see all your friends again.
The competition band practices from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during band camp, while the week prior the show band stopped at 5 p.m.
Green said the competition band's show this year is on the chaos theory and the butterfly effect. Band members will mimic molecules pulling back and forth through formations on the football field.
She said this band will travel to competitions throughout the state, and its halftime show will be used for away games. The show band's tribute to Bill Chase, a jazz musician, will play to the home crowds.
Island Coast High School's 16-member band was also working on its halftime show on a recent Tuesday.
Patrick Gray, a senior tuba player, joked that they were the smallest band in Florida. He said he likes marching band because he likes to work with others to accomplish something.
"The smaller the band the harder we have to work," Gray said.
The Gator band's show will have a Latin feel. During the school year, the band practices three times a week in the afternoons.
Band director Kenneth Trapp said it's hard to have a full sound with a small band, but the group has done well in competitions. This is Island Coast's third year with a marching band.
"If you're tiny like that you can't do the same show that a big band does," Trapp said.
Parents, staff banking on Cape Prep's success: Charter school has hands-on approach
A new charter elementary school is opening in Cape Coral.
Cape Coral Preparatory and Fitness Academy, 2103 Santa Barbara Blvd., will open its doors Monday for the new school year.
"We have done a great job getting our staff together," said Dr. Myrrha Satow, CEO of Performance Academies, the company in charge of the charter school.
The building underwent renovations to convert the former TIB bank into a school. Just a few finishing touches may still remain.
"(We're) trying to preserve the beauty of the prior building," Satow said. "It looks fantastic."
The main work done was to divide the building into classrooms.
The new academy is a public charter school and thus has no tuition.
Performance Academies runs two other schools in the Lee County School District, in Fort Myers and Bonita Springs, and company officials noticed many parents who lived in Cape Coral driving their students across the bridge. They saw a need for a charter school in the Cape with small class sizes and a hands-on approach.
"(Parents) really expressed a need for a school with a similar focus and we responded to that," Satow said.
Cape Coral Preparatory and Fitness Academy will likely have more than 100 students enrolled when it opens.
"As a parent, my whole reason to look at the school was to find a good fit," said Carla Goode, a North Fort Myers resident.
Her grandson Dedrick, 10, attended the Fort Myers academy and is transferring to the Cape location.
The new schoolhouse for Cape Coral Preparatory and Fitness Academy at 2103 Santa Barbara Blvd. is undergoing renovations. The building used to house a bank.
Goode said she liked the small classes and family atmosphere.
The school limits its classes to 18 students and has two hours of reading and writing, 90 minutes of math and 90 minutes of science and social studies daily.
"His teacher gave me her personal cellphone number - that is unheard of in public school," Goode said.
Teachers have also been visiting students' families at their home before school starts.
This K-5 school has an extended school day, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and offers one hour and 15 minutes of martial arts or physical fitness daily.
"Anybody can teach reading and writing," said Principal Theresa Kern. "But not everyone has the niche that we have of martial arts and physical fitness."
The daily fitness program sets the Cape academy apart from other elementary schools.
"The fitness obviously was a big thing for me," Goode said. "Kids get bored sitting around all day."
The academy also focuses heavily on academics.
"We have a strong back-to-basics curriculum," Satow said.
Their methods appear to work. Both academies in Lee County achieved an "A" rating.
"We're very proud of that," Satow said.
For more information, call 989-2807 or visit performanceacademies.com and click on the Cape Coral link from the drop-down menu.
Cape Coral Preparatory and Fitness Academy, 2103 Santa Barbara Blvd., will open its doors Monday for the new school year.
"We have done a great job getting our staff together," said Dr. Myrrha Satow, CEO of Performance Academies, the company in charge of the charter school.
The building underwent renovations to convert the former TIB bank into a school. Just a few finishing touches may still remain.
"(We're) trying to preserve the beauty of the prior building," Satow said. "It looks fantastic."
The main work done was to divide the building into classrooms.
The new academy is a public charter school and thus has no tuition.
Performance Academies runs two other schools in the Lee County School District, in Fort Myers and Bonita Springs, and company officials noticed many parents who lived in Cape Coral driving their students across the bridge. They saw a need for a charter school in the Cape with small class sizes and a hands-on approach.
"(Parents) really expressed a need for a school with a similar focus and we responded to that," Satow said.
Cape Coral Preparatory and Fitness Academy will likely have more than 100 students enrolled when it opens.
"As a parent, my whole reason to look at the school was to find a good fit," said Carla Goode, a North Fort Myers resident.
Her grandson Dedrick, 10, attended the Fort Myers academy and is transferring to the Cape location.
The new schoolhouse for Cape Coral Preparatory and Fitness Academy at 2103 Santa Barbara Blvd. is undergoing renovations. The building used to house a bank.
Goode said she liked the small classes and family atmosphere.
The school limits its classes to 18 students and has two hours of reading and writing, 90 minutes of math and 90 minutes of science and social studies daily.
"His teacher gave me her personal cellphone number - that is unheard of in public school," Goode said.
Teachers have also been visiting students' families at their home before school starts.
This K-5 school has an extended school day, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and offers one hour and 15 minutes of martial arts or physical fitness daily.
"Anybody can teach reading and writing," said Principal Theresa Kern. "But not everyone has the niche that we have of martial arts and physical fitness."
The daily fitness program sets the Cape academy apart from other elementary schools.
"The fitness obviously was a big thing for me," Goode said. "Kids get bored sitting around all day."
The academy also focuses heavily on academics.
"We have a strong back-to-basics curriculum," Satow said.
Their methods appear to work. Both academies in Lee County achieved an "A" rating.
"We're very proud of that," Satow said.
For more information, call 989-2807 or visit performanceacademies.com and click on the Cape Coral link from the drop-down menu.
Program Shows Off Plants
Visitors learned how to make their yard "Florida friendly" at Rotary Park's Eco Friendly Gardening Program on July 22.
The program was hosted by Kraig Hankins, environmental biologist with the city's Public Works department. He spoke to participants about the best way to use their yard in the Florida climate.
Hankins used the Florida Yards and Neighborhood program from the University of Florida as a guideline. The program defines a Florida-friendly yard as one that uses less water, fertilizer and pesticide and relies on native plants and ground cover, which require less maintenance.
"It makes a lot of sense," Hankins said. "A lot of research behind it from Gainesville."
There are nine steps to a Florida-friendly yard, Hankins said, and each landscape is unique. A yard can be a neatly manicured haven or a wild kingdom of native plants and shrubs.
"It's a behavioral thing, not necessarily what plants you use, it's how you work in your yard," Hankins told the class.
Most participants came to the program to learn about local plants and low-maintenance gardening.
"We want to set up a low-maintenance native landscaping," said Richard Podkowik.
He came to the class to find out how to do it. He said the information helped.
About halfway through the program the group went outside to learn more about the native plants on Rotary Park's grounds.
Armed with bug spray, jokes and funny stories, Hankins showed participants a variety of native plants, shrubs and trees. He explained the benefits of each one the group came across.
Back inside the environmental center, Hankins talked about the environmental benefits of using native plants in your home's landscape. They use less fertilizer and pesticides because they are accustomed to living in the area.
Sandi Gibson attended the program to learn more about native plants that she can add to her yard.
"I'm interested in not having all these fertilizers and the pesticides and ruining the environment," Gibson said.
She said she learned a lot about plants she does not have in her garden. She already uses native plants in her home's landscape.
Hankins said to start small when you start working with adding natives to your yard.
"It's easy to get overwhelmed," Hankins said. "It's nice to take an area and work from that."
Rotary Park offers many programs about native gardening and its environmental benefits.
"A lot of people are involved with this (native planting)," Hankins said. "They're knowledgeable and willing to share."
For more information about Rotary Park programs, call 549-4604 or visit capeparks.com.
If you're interested in making your yard "Florida friendly" visit floridayards.org.
Steps to Making Your Yard Florida Friendly
1. Right plant, right place
2. Water efficiency
3. Fertilize appropriately
4. Mulch
5. Attract wildlife
6. Manage yard pests responsibly
7. Recycle yard waste
8. Reduce storm-water runoff
9. Protect the waterfront
Source: University of Florida's Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program.
The program was hosted by Kraig Hankins, environmental biologist with the city's Public Works department. He spoke to participants about the best way to use their yard in the Florida climate.
Hankins used the Florida Yards and Neighborhood program from the University of Florida as a guideline. The program defines a Florida-friendly yard as one that uses less water, fertilizer and pesticide and relies on native plants and ground cover, which require less maintenance.
"It makes a lot of sense," Hankins said. "A lot of research behind it from Gainesville."
There are nine steps to a Florida-friendly yard, Hankins said, and each landscape is unique. A yard can be a neatly manicured haven or a wild kingdom of native plants and shrubs.
"It's a behavioral thing, not necessarily what plants you use, it's how you work in your yard," Hankins told the class.
Most participants came to the program to learn about local plants and low-maintenance gardening.
"We want to set up a low-maintenance native landscaping," said Richard Podkowik.
He came to the class to find out how to do it. He said the information helped.
About halfway through the program the group went outside to learn more about the native plants on Rotary Park's grounds.
Armed with bug spray, jokes and funny stories, Hankins showed participants a variety of native plants, shrubs and trees. He explained the benefits of each one the group came across.
Back inside the environmental center, Hankins talked about the environmental benefits of using native plants in your home's landscape. They use less fertilizer and pesticides because they are accustomed to living in the area.
Sandi Gibson attended the program to learn more about native plants that she can add to her yard.
"I'm interested in not having all these fertilizers and the pesticides and ruining the environment," Gibson said.
She said she learned a lot about plants she does not have in her garden. She already uses native plants in her home's landscape.
Hankins said to start small when you start working with adding natives to your yard.
"It's easy to get overwhelmed," Hankins said. "It's nice to take an area and work from that."
Rotary Park offers many programs about native gardening and its environmental benefits.
"A lot of people are involved with this (native planting)," Hankins said. "They're knowledgeable and willing to share."
For more information about Rotary Park programs, call 549-4604 or visit capeparks.com.
If you're interested in making your yard "Florida friendly" visit floridayards.org.
Steps to Making Your Yard Florida Friendly
1. Right plant, right place
2. Water efficiency
3. Fertilize appropriately
4. Mulch
5. Attract wildlife
6. Manage yard pests responsibly
7. Recycle yard waste
8. Reduce storm-water runoff
9. Protect the waterfront
Source: University of Florida's Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program.
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