or Thomas E. Shipp Jr., some of his best days are when clients write him a note saying thank you.
Shipp, an attorney with more than 30 years of experience in wills, trusts and estate planning, said he works with families dealing with difficult situations when a loved one passes.
“They’re relying on their confidence in me,” Shipp said.
Shipp, who has worked in Southwest Florida since 1980, recently joined the Martin Law Firm’s principal office in Cape Coral. He said he’s very happy with the new affiliation.
“It’s very exciting to go from a history of a solo practice and small partnerships to an organization that’s a group practice where a client can get many services under one roof,” Shipp said.
The Martin Law Firm is run by husband and wife team Steven E. Martin and Eviana J. Martin. The firm also has offices in Fort Myers and Naples. Steven Martin said he’s glad to have Shipp’s level of experience added to his firm.
“Tom’s been in practice for 30 years and we haven’t,” Martin said. “It’s exciting for us to get Tom’s depth and breadth of experience.”
Eviana Martin agreed, adding, “It’s important to get someone with experience in wills and trusts.”
Shipp, who has been at the firm for almost two months, said with a laugh that he’s getting all the old man jokes in the office. He said that in some firms, lawyers can be territorial but at the Martin Law Firm it’s more like a family.
“What’s really impressed me here is Steve and Eviana created a tight team, working together and helping each other out. I think it’s very unique,” Shipp said.
Although he jokes around in the office, Shipp is serious about his profession. He said that he focuses on the needs of clients in order to gain their trust because they rely on him to make the proper arrangements. He said you don’t get that reassurance when you prepare the documents yourself on the Internet.
“I want to be here when a person decided I need an attorney for a will or a trust,” Shipp said. “It’s part of the ability (of the client) to sit down and get personal advice from someone you have confidence in. With us, you don’t get a printed set of directions, or a toll-free number to call, you get a person.”
Shipp said some of the hardest hurdles he has to overcome are documents that were not properly prepared and he said these documents often affect the family members who have been left behind.
“It’s not just about the money the people inherit based on those documents,” he said. “It’s about the relationship of the family and how conflict can tear those relationships apart or how this moment could bring people closer together.”
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Kids get gift of sight in combined effort
The Cape Coral Eye Center teamed up for a second year with the Lee County Salvation Army Christmas Cheer Program to give local children the gift of sight for the holiday season.
The center provided less-fortunate children with free refractive eye exams and glasses. The center gave away 20 pairs of glasses on Dec. 21 and another 30 to 40 pairs on Dec. 23. Some children who received the eye exams didn’t need prescription glasses.
Dr. Farrell Tyson, owner of Cape Coral Eye Center, said the goal was to help children who might not be able to get glasses otherwise.
“We decided to get involved with it because in our area we saw that the recession was hitting the families but more importantly the children,” Tyson said.
Russell Reider, resource management director for The Salvation Army, said the organization appreciates Cape Coral Eye Center’s efforts in helping needy children.
“If it wasn’t for them, there would be a lot of children who couldn’t afford eye exams,” Reider said.
The eye exams were done at Cape Coral Eye Center’s North Fort Myers office off Bayshore Road. Participants made appointments at the center and were seen by Dr. Jennifer Gallo, who specializes in pediatrics. After the exam, the children could pick out their favorite frames and the families will return soon to pick up their new glasses.
Gallo said that for some children this was their first eye exam. For Mari Kumar, 7, this was her first time getting her eyes checked. The shy second-grader said she wasn’t nervous going into the doctor’s office.
“I have good eyes,” she said.
Her mom, Laurie Kumar, waited patiently in the lobby. She said her family heard about the program through The Salvation Army.
“I have heard such great things about this eye center, I was very appreciative,” Kumar said.
Angel Moreno, 13, came with his dad because he needed a new prescription. The eighth-grader, who has been wearing glasses for three years, said the eye exam was a little difficult.
“It was a little bit hard to see the letters,” Moreno said.
He was hoping for a new pair of lenses in a black plastic frame.
Mark Geary, marketing manager for the center, said the program ran smoothly.
“Everybody seemed gracious that we’re doing this for the children and in a great mood,” said Mark Geary, marketing manager. “It’s a nice change of pace for the staff to be able to come in, work with children and give back to the community during the holiday season.”
Tyson had a similar feeling about giving back during the holidays.
“Christmas isn’t about getting, it’s the giving and it’s a great way to help out the community,” he said.
Tyson expects Cape Coral Eye Center to participate in the program in the coming years.
“Every year we’re learning how to be more efficient and help more people and I believe we will be able to continue to participate,” Tyson said.
The center provided less-fortunate children with free refractive eye exams and glasses. The center gave away 20 pairs of glasses on Dec. 21 and another 30 to 40 pairs on Dec. 23. Some children who received the eye exams didn’t need prescription glasses.
Dr. Farrell Tyson, owner of Cape Coral Eye Center, said the goal was to help children who might not be able to get glasses otherwise.
“We decided to get involved with it because in our area we saw that the recession was hitting the families but more importantly the children,” Tyson said.
Russell Reider, resource management director for The Salvation Army, said the organization appreciates Cape Coral Eye Center’s efforts in helping needy children.
“If it wasn’t for them, there would be a lot of children who couldn’t afford eye exams,” Reider said.
The eye exams were done at Cape Coral Eye Center’s North Fort Myers office off Bayshore Road. Participants made appointments at the center and were seen by Dr. Jennifer Gallo, who specializes in pediatrics. After the exam, the children could pick out their favorite frames and the families will return soon to pick up their new glasses.
Gallo said that for some children this was their first eye exam. For Mari Kumar, 7, this was her first time getting her eyes checked. The shy second-grader said she wasn’t nervous going into the doctor’s office.
“I have good eyes,” she said.
Her mom, Laurie Kumar, waited patiently in the lobby. She said her family heard about the program through The Salvation Army.
“I have heard such great things about this eye center, I was very appreciative,” Kumar said.
Angel Moreno, 13, came with his dad because he needed a new prescription. The eighth-grader, who has been wearing glasses for three years, said the eye exam was a little difficult.
“It was a little bit hard to see the letters,” Moreno said.
He was hoping for a new pair of lenses in a black plastic frame.
Mark Geary, marketing manager for the center, said the program ran smoothly.
“Everybody seemed gracious that we’re doing this for the children and in a great mood,” said Mark Geary, marketing manager. “It’s a nice change of pace for the staff to be able to come in, work with children and give back to the community during the holiday season.”
Tyson had a similar feeling about giving back during the holidays.
“Christmas isn’t about getting, it’s the giving and it’s a great way to help out the community,” he said.
Tyson expects Cape Coral Eye Center to participate in the program in the coming years.
“Every year we’re learning how to be more efficient and help more people and I believe we will be able to continue to participate,” Tyson said.
Santaland culitvates Christmas Spirit
hristmas carols poured through the speakers as visitors walked through a lighted tent filled with holiday figures. And that was only the beginning.
Once past the entry gate, guests hopped aboard Santaland’s very own polar express. The train, actually more of a hayride, drove visitors through an arch of twinkly Christmas lights and into Christmas town.
Santaland was a holiday experience in its third year, but the first year the operators paired with the City of Cape Coral’s Parks and Recreation Department. The event ran Dec. 20-23.
“It’s a great holiday experience for families and kids. We didn’t want it to not happen,” Todd King, special events coordinator for the department, said of the partnership.
He estimates that 5,000 people visited the park during the week it was open on the SunSplash property. Santaland operator Ryan Colmer said the event was created to bring something special to the area and that SunSplash was the perfect venue.
“It is a great, signature place to have it because everyone knows where SunSplash is in the county,” Colmer said.
This year, Santaland went through a few changes with fewer rides and more of a Christmas experience, according to King.
The park had a lighted enchanted forest filled with Christmas lights and holiday lighted figures that led guests into Christmas town. Claymation Christmas favorites played nightly on a big inflatable screen. A lighted, green tinsel tree was the park’s centerpiece.
Santaland also featured some kiddie rides, an arts-and-crafts tent and reindeer games for the children. The s’mores pit and a visit with Santa Claus were favorites among the crowd.
Leigh Tilman brought her family for a second year in a row. She said they returned because her children had so much fun last year.
“This year, there’s a lot less rides,” Tilman said. “They didn’t have the movie last year and I think they have more crafts this year.”
Her children Emily, 5, and Joey, 8, clad in red and green T-shirts, had a visit with Santa in his tent. Emily said she told Santa she hoped for a doll this Christmas, whereas Joey said he’s just excited to open presents on Christmas Day. His eyes lit up when he saw the large s’mores pit from across the park grounds.
The s’mores pit was continually packed and manned by volunteer elves who helped the children roast their own marshmallows. Families also enjoyed the arts-and-crafts tent and the reindeer games.
Volunteer Arinelle Lewis said the most popular reindeer game at her tent was by far the pin the nose on the Frosty game. Children were blindfolded and had to pin a carrot nose on the snowman.
“I think some of them can see but I’m not sure,” Lewis said, laughing.
After each game, the player wins a candy cane.
King said the city hopes to grow and expand the Santaland experience in the coming years. He said he wants to focus on the light displays and the tinsel tree centerpiece. King said the age the park is trying to reach is elementary school children.
“They believe in Santa and have the Christmas spirit in their hearts. Watching it in the children’s eyes is what it’s all about,” King said.
Once past the entry gate, guests hopped aboard Santaland’s very own polar express. The train, actually more of a hayride, drove visitors through an arch of twinkly Christmas lights and into Christmas town.
Santaland was a holiday experience in its third year, but the first year the operators paired with the City of Cape Coral’s Parks and Recreation Department. The event ran Dec. 20-23.
“It’s a great holiday experience for families and kids. We didn’t want it to not happen,” Todd King, special events coordinator for the department, said of the partnership.
He estimates that 5,000 people visited the park during the week it was open on the SunSplash property. Santaland operator Ryan Colmer said the event was created to bring something special to the area and that SunSplash was the perfect venue.
“It is a great, signature place to have it because everyone knows where SunSplash is in the county,” Colmer said.
This year, Santaland went through a few changes with fewer rides and more of a Christmas experience, according to King.
The park had a lighted enchanted forest filled with Christmas lights and holiday lighted figures that led guests into Christmas town. Claymation Christmas favorites played nightly on a big inflatable screen. A lighted, green tinsel tree was the park’s centerpiece.
Santaland also featured some kiddie rides, an arts-and-crafts tent and reindeer games for the children. The s’mores pit and a visit with Santa Claus were favorites among the crowd.
Leigh Tilman brought her family for a second year in a row. She said they returned because her children had so much fun last year.
“This year, there’s a lot less rides,” Tilman said. “They didn’t have the movie last year and I think they have more crafts this year.”
Her children Emily, 5, and Joey, 8, clad in red and green T-shirts, had a visit with Santa in his tent. Emily said she told Santa she hoped for a doll this Christmas, whereas Joey said he’s just excited to open presents on Christmas Day. His eyes lit up when he saw the large s’mores pit from across the park grounds.
The s’mores pit was continually packed and manned by volunteer elves who helped the children roast their own marshmallows. Families also enjoyed the arts-and-crafts tent and the reindeer games.
Volunteer Arinelle Lewis said the most popular reindeer game at her tent was by far the pin the nose on the Frosty game. Children were blindfolded and had to pin a carrot nose on the snowman.
“I think some of them can see but I’m not sure,” Lewis said, laughing.
After each game, the player wins a candy cane.
King said the city hopes to grow and expand the Santaland experience in the coming years. He said he wants to focus on the light displays and the tinsel tree centerpiece. King said the age the park is trying to reach is elementary school children.
“They believe in Santa and have the Christmas spirit in their hearts. Watching it in the children’s eyes is what it’s all about,” King said.
Almost every day someone new walks into Bill Hannong’s Amazing Tattoo Studio on Cape Coral Parkway.
Hannong said that since opening Dec. 12, he’s seen potential clients come into his new store and ask about his tattoo work. Hannong’s tattoo parlor is just one of the 54 businesses that have opened in or near downtown Cape Coral since July, according to the Cape Coral Community Redevelopment Agency.
John Jacobsen, executive director of the Cape Coral CRA, said these new businesses include three restaurants, five retail stores and 46 professional and personal services establishments. Jacobsen thinks this is a good sign for the Cape Coral economy.
“We believe we’ve turned a corner in the recession,” Jacobsen said.
He said he’s very encouraged about the progress downtown Cape Coral is experiencing.
“I think people are cautiously optimistic,” Jacobsen said. “2012 is going to be a much better year than last year.”
Hannong is also optimistic about the new year.
“Actually, for a new business it’s been doing relatively well,” Hannong said.
Hannong has been a tattoo artist for 35 years. He said many Cape Coral residents are loyal and that his clientele has followed him to his new venture. This isn’t a unique occurrence.
Jim Scully, owner of Upper Crust Pizzeria and Wine Bar on Del Prado Boulevard, said that many customers from his past restaurants have followed him to his new venue. Scully was a former owner of Sal’s Pizza Parlor and also owned the now closed Bella Sera restaurant. Upper Crust opened in October.
“We do have a following with the Sal’s and Bella Sera reputation,” Scully said.
Scully said that business has been slow starting in these times and in a favorable economy more people will come out and try what he has to offer. He said he’s trying to differentiate Upper Crust from other pizzerias in the area in order to bring in business.
“We tried to do a restaurant that did not feel like you were committed to have dinner but that’s more upscale than your typical Cape Coral style pizza joint,” Scully said.
Scully said he’s also having daily specials to bring customers in the door. Jen Velez, owner of Melux Hair Studio on Southeast 47th Terrace, is using online special deal websites in hopes of drumming up business for her new hair salon.
Melux, a full-service hair salon, opened in early December. Velez said the salon has done well during the holidays. Velez was a hairstylist at another Cape Coral salon for six years before opening her salon. She said that many of her clients followed her to the new location but she hopes that deal sites such as Groupon will help bring in new customers.
“It (the salon) just sells itself,” Velez said. “It’s what you make it. We’re looking forward to meeting new clients.”
Jacobsen said that it’s going to take a while for new businesses to get their engines running, but he’s hopeful. He remarked that driving into work he’s seen businesses with “now hiring” signs. He added that people are starting to patronize businesses again.
“They’re out spending — that’s a very healthy and good sign,” Jacobsen said.
Hannong said that since opening Dec. 12, he’s seen potential clients come into his new store and ask about his tattoo work. Hannong’s tattoo parlor is just one of the 54 businesses that have opened in or near downtown Cape Coral since July, according to the Cape Coral Community Redevelopment Agency.
John Jacobsen, executive director of the Cape Coral CRA, said these new businesses include three restaurants, five retail stores and 46 professional and personal services establishments. Jacobsen thinks this is a good sign for the Cape Coral economy.
“We believe we’ve turned a corner in the recession,” Jacobsen said.
He said he’s very encouraged about the progress downtown Cape Coral is experiencing.
“I think people are cautiously optimistic,” Jacobsen said. “2012 is going to be a much better year than last year.”
Hannong is also optimistic about the new year.
“Actually, for a new business it’s been doing relatively well,” Hannong said.
Hannong has been a tattoo artist for 35 years. He said many Cape Coral residents are loyal and that his clientele has followed him to his new venture. This isn’t a unique occurrence.
Jim Scully, owner of Upper Crust Pizzeria and Wine Bar on Del Prado Boulevard, said that many customers from his past restaurants have followed him to his new venue. Scully was a former owner of Sal’s Pizza Parlor and also owned the now closed Bella Sera restaurant. Upper Crust opened in October.
“We do have a following with the Sal’s and Bella Sera reputation,” Scully said.
Scully said that business has been slow starting in these times and in a favorable economy more people will come out and try what he has to offer. He said he’s trying to differentiate Upper Crust from other pizzerias in the area in order to bring in business.
“We tried to do a restaurant that did not feel like you were committed to have dinner but that’s more upscale than your typical Cape Coral style pizza joint,” Scully said.
Scully said he’s also having daily specials to bring customers in the door. Jen Velez, owner of Melux Hair Studio on Southeast 47th Terrace, is using online special deal websites in hopes of drumming up business for her new hair salon.
Melux, a full-service hair salon, opened in early December. Velez said the salon has done well during the holidays. Velez was a hairstylist at another Cape Coral salon for six years before opening her salon. She said that many of her clients followed her to the new location but she hopes that deal sites such as Groupon will help bring in new customers.
“It (the salon) just sells itself,” Velez said. “It’s what you make it. We’re looking forward to meeting new clients.”
Jacobsen said that it’s going to take a while for new businesses to get their engines running, but he’s hopeful. He remarked that driving into work he’s seen businesses with “now hiring” signs. He added that people are starting to patronize businesses again.
“They’re out spending — that’s a very healthy and good sign,” Jacobsen said.
Cooking Camp
A waft of cinnamon emanated through the kitchen along with bursts of children’s giggles. Tortillas were brushed with butter and sprinkled with cinnamon-sugar, prepped for a few minutes in the oven.
Seven children participated in the Cape Coral Yacht Club’s cooking camp, which ran from Dec. 26-30.
Every day of the camp brought a new recipe. The children learned to make flourless peanut butter cookies, savory and sweet pita chips and omelets in a bag. The week culminated with the children baking their own bread.
“It’s just teaching kids more or less some healthy snacks they can make for themselves,” said Christine Rogers, camp operator.
Rogers said the camp also teaches kitchen safety and kitchen sanitation, as well as having the kids learn about healthy choices.
“I’m learning a lot about healthy food,” said Anthony Onorevole, 8.
Rogers said the campers enjoyed themselves.
“The more hands-on, the more they seem to enjoy it,” she said.
The cooking camp was for children age 7 to 13.
“We don’t want them too young being around knives and hot stoves but too old and they aren’t interested,” Rogers said.
Tiana Osowski, 10, and Alexia Cedrone, 9, worked together on their pita chips, sprinkling the tortilla triangles with a spattering of garlic salt. The girls said they like to make things in the kitchen, especially brownies and cookies. They both said their favorite part of the camp was the omelets in a bag.
“You just put whatever you want in there and you shake it up,” Alexia said.
“Then you put it in boiling water,” Tiana chimed in.
The omelets were a favorite among the group and each one put in a different set of toppings. Rogers laid out ham, cheese, peppers, onions and tomatoes for the children to create their own special breakfast.
“Mine had cheese, ham and a little bit of onions,” said Tori McGary, 10.
Alexia giggled, saying hers had everything.
Rogers said the campers learned a lot about teamwork and worked together well in the kitchen. She said she purposefully made some ingredients scarce for the children to learn how to share and work in a group.
“The only day we didn’t work together was with the omelets,” she said.
The campers also created their own menus for fictional eateries. The room was filled with proprietors of bakeries, ice cream shops and Italian restaurants. Tiana’s menu consisted of food that was completely free, whereas Anthony’s menu was a little pricier.
“Mine wasn’t the cheapest,” he said. “It was mostly $1,100 and $2,000.”
Rogers said the boys were a little bit silly with their eateries while the girls really latched onto the idea.
The children finished off the cooking camp experience with the chance to make their own bread. The dough was prepped on a Thursday and rose overnight. That Friday, the kids kneaded the dough and baked their own loaves.
“They really like the mini-loaves of bread,” Rogers said. “The bread always smells so good when it’s cooking.”
Seven children participated in the Cape Coral Yacht Club’s cooking camp, which ran from Dec. 26-30.
Every day of the camp brought a new recipe. The children learned to make flourless peanut butter cookies, savory and sweet pita chips and omelets in a bag. The week culminated with the children baking their own bread.
“It’s just teaching kids more or less some healthy snacks they can make for themselves,” said Christine Rogers, camp operator.
Rogers said the camp also teaches kitchen safety and kitchen sanitation, as well as having the kids learn about healthy choices.
“I’m learning a lot about healthy food,” said Anthony Onorevole, 8.
Rogers said the campers enjoyed themselves.
“The more hands-on, the more they seem to enjoy it,” she said.
The cooking camp was for children age 7 to 13.
“We don’t want them too young being around knives and hot stoves but too old and they aren’t interested,” Rogers said.
Tiana Osowski, 10, and Alexia Cedrone, 9, worked together on their pita chips, sprinkling the tortilla triangles with a spattering of garlic salt. The girls said they like to make things in the kitchen, especially brownies and cookies. They both said their favorite part of the camp was the omelets in a bag.
“You just put whatever you want in there and you shake it up,” Alexia said.
“Then you put it in boiling water,” Tiana chimed in.
The omelets were a favorite among the group and each one put in a different set of toppings. Rogers laid out ham, cheese, peppers, onions and tomatoes for the children to create their own special breakfast.
“Mine had cheese, ham and a little bit of onions,” said Tori McGary, 10.
Alexia giggled, saying hers had everything.
Rogers said the campers learned a lot about teamwork and worked together well in the kitchen. She said she purposefully made some ingredients scarce for the children to learn how to share and work in a group.
“The only day we didn’t work together was with the omelets,” she said.
The campers also created their own menus for fictional eateries. The room was filled with proprietors of bakeries, ice cream shops and Italian restaurants. Tiana’s menu consisted of food that was completely free, whereas Anthony’s menu was a little pricier.
“Mine wasn’t the cheapest,” he said. “It was mostly $1,100 and $2,000.”
Rogers said the boys were a little bit silly with their eateries while the girls really latched onto the idea.
The children finished off the cooking camp experience with the chance to make their own bread. The dough was prepped on a Thursday and rose overnight. That Friday, the kids kneaded the dough and baked their own loaves.
“They really like the mini-loaves of bread,” Rogers said. “The bread always smells so good when it’s cooking.”
Learning about Nature
Some campers, knee-deep in mud and net in hand, dig around the oyster shell beds looking for tiny crabs.
Others turn their gaze to the murky calm water to catch minnows and other small fish with their homemade fishing poles.
“This is more fish feeding than fish catching,” Bridget Curry, head counselor, said laughing.
The campers, age 7 to 14, were participating in Rotary Park’s holiday nature camp. The camp, in its third year, aimed to teach children about the environment around them. The campers embarked on nature hikes, fish in the ponds and off the pier and make homemade nature crafts.
“The kids enjoy the ability to come out and be outdoors,” Curry said. “We do a lot of active stuff. We don’t sit around.”
The campers spend most of their time outside. On Dec. 29, the group embarked on a hike from the Rotary Park Environmental Center to the Glover Bight trail. Walking the trail, the children saw spiders spinning their intricate webs.
The tour ended at the pier, where the counselors encouraged the children to hop off the boardwalk and into the muck below.
“If it’s muddy that’s all the better for us,” Curry said. “We love to get muddy and yucky because most kids like messy. There’s no way around it.”
Once down in the dirt, the campers dug through the mud looking at tiny crabs, small clear shrimp and any other small marine life they could find. The campers also went fishing using English muffins as bait. Their homemade fishing poles were taped together. The poles were made out of sticks, had paper clips for hooks and fishing line. Some even used feathers to help catch the eye of a minnow.
Anonda Rapp, 11, said she was hoping to use something a little more substantial than bread as bait.
“I learned the fish like ham and cheese,” Anonda said. “When you put the ham in (the water) the sun fish go crazy.”
The fifth-grader said she was having a lot of fun at camp and would miss going outside once school resumed. Runa Chernik, 9, said she’d also miss the camp.
“My yard isn’t as fun,” she said.
Curry said she wanted the camp to focus on the old-fashioned values of having kids go outside and explore. The campers spent up to six hours out of an eight-hour day outside, either playing on the playground, around the pond or walking the various trails.
The nature camp concluded with a long hike through the park grounds.
“We basically follow the trail, then forage our way through the mangroves,” said Megan Fauci, assistant counselor. “Last year we got stuck in the mud up to our hips.”
Curry said the campers meander through the park, getting dirty, before eventually reaching the riverbed. Once they reach their destination, the campers start to explore the river.
This was Tre Cooper’s first time at the nature camp. The 10-year-old said he was excited to go on the hike.
“We’re going to hike for six hours and we don’t know where we’re going, it’s really fun,” Tre said.
Ethan Locklin, 9, was also looking forward to the adventure.
“I like going on the hikes,” he said, while trying to catch a crab in his small green net.
Ethan, a veteran camper, said his favorite part of the camp is getting messy and catching things.
Curry said the campers make up names for the areas they discover along their trek. She said there’s a beach named Monkeys and a part of the Rotary Park named Russia, according to the campers.
“We have very creative kids, it’s awesome,” Curry said.
Others turn their gaze to the murky calm water to catch minnows and other small fish with their homemade fishing poles.
“This is more fish feeding than fish catching,” Bridget Curry, head counselor, said laughing.
The campers, age 7 to 14, were participating in Rotary Park’s holiday nature camp. The camp, in its third year, aimed to teach children about the environment around them. The campers embarked on nature hikes, fish in the ponds and off the pier and make homemade nature crafts.
“The kids enjoy the ability to come out and be outdoors,” Curry said. “We do a lot of active stuff. We don’t sit around.”
The campers spend most of their time outside. On Dec. 29, the group embarked on a hike from the Rotary Park Environmental Center to the Glover Bight trail. Walking the trail, the children saw spiders spinning their intricate webs.
The tour ended at the pier, where the counselors encouraged the children to hop off the boardwalk and into the muck below.
“If it’s muddy that’s all the better for us,” Curry said. “We love to get muddy and yucky because most kids like messy. There’s no way around it.”
Once down in the dirt, the campers dug through the mud looking at tiny crabs, small clear shrimp and any other small marine life they could find. The campers also went fishing using English muffins as bait. Their homemade fishing poles were taped together. The poles were made out of sticks, had paper clips for hooks and fishing line. Some even used feathers to help catch the eye of a minnow.
Anonda Rapp, 11, said she was hoping to use something a little more substantial than bread as bait.
“I learned the fish like ham and cheese,” Anonda said. “When you put the ham in (the water) the sun fish go crazy.”
The fifth-grader said she was having a lot of fun at camp and would miss going outside once school resumed. Runa Chernik, 9, said she’d also miss the camp.
“My yard isn’t as fun,” she said.
Curry said she wanted the camp to focus on the old-fashioned values of having kids go outside and explore. The campers spent up to six hours out of an eight-hour day outside, either playing on the playground, around the pond or walking the various trails.
The nature camp concluded with a long hike through the park grounds.
“We basically follow the trail, then forage our way through the mangroves,” said Megan Fauci, assistant counselor. “Last year we got stuck in the mud up to our hips.”
Curry said the campers meander through the park, getting dirty, before eventually reaching the riverbed. Once they reach their destination, the campers start to explore the river.
This was Tre Cooper’s first time at the nature camp. The 10-year-old said he was excited to go on the hike.
“We’re going to hike for six hours and we don’t know where we’re going, it’s really fun,” Tre said.
Ethan Locklin, 9, was also looking forward to the adventure.
“I like going on the hikes,” he said, while trying to catch a crab in his small green net.
Ethan, a veteran camper, said his favorite part of the camp is getting messy and catching things.
Curry said the campers make up names for the areas they discover along their trek. She said there’s a beach named Monkeys and a part of the Rotary Park named Russia, according to the campers.
“We have very creative kids, it’s awesome,” Curry said.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Lifeline Family Center: Help for moms
Katherina Gonzalez, 19, said she never really got excited about Christmas before this year. Sitting near her 10-month-old Mila’s high chair clutching an accounting textbook, she talks about how her excitement for Christmas has changed.
“Now I have a reason to be excited,” she said. “It’s the birth of Christ so you have that spirit and with the baby it’s so much fun.”
This is Gonzalez’s first Christmas as a new mother and her second at Lifeline Family Center.
Lifeline is a charity that supports and houses unwed mothers and is home away from home for many young women this holiday season, most left with nowhere to go after they became pregnant.
This holiday, local churches have stepped in to help fulfill these women’s holiday wish-lists. For many, this is their first Christmas with their child as a new mother.
“We have been blessed with a ton of donations for the girls and the babies,” said assistant director Jenna Steffel. “With the little ones they really get into the spirit.”
Lifeline’s lobby is decorated with a Christmas tree and angel ornaments. Its conference room is filled with donated toys and baby items for the families living in the center.
Some of those items will be wrapped and stored under the tree for baby Mila. This is her first Christmas. Gonzalez said Mila’s first visit by Santa Claus was not a happy experience for the 10-month-old.
“She didn’t like him,” she said laughing. “She wouldn’t stop crying. She didn’t like him at all.”
Right now, Lifeline is hosting 11 women, with three expecting, and 11 babies. Some of the young women came in with toddlers. Gonzalez has been living at the center for about 15 months.
“When I got pregnant, I went to this clinic,” Gonzalez said. “I didn’t know what to do.”
She said a nurse at the clinic told her about the Lifeline program.
“She told me about it and it was like a miracle,” Gonzalez said.
During the year, the center provides food and shelter while encouraging the young women to continue their education. Once the baby is born, the new family stays at the center and is welcome until their child’s second birthday.
“So they can build a better life for them and their baby,” Steffel said. “It’s a personal journey. They become more focused on their schooling, then going out into the real world.”
Since being at the center, Gonzalez has obtained her GED and is now in an accounting program.
“I never thought I’d be good at math,” Gonzalez said. “I just started liking it and got better and better at it.”
Steffel said one of Lifeline’s main goals is the women’s education and that all are working for their GED or a program in higher education.
Steffel said a center this size could not operate without support and she said they have about 70 to 80 volunteers. They assist with everything from working in the nursery, to tutoring, to helping with mailings and promotional items .
Volunteer Dee Schuster has been working with the center since last March .
She said the nursery has touched her heart and that’s where she spends the most time. “It’s where I want to be. When I started, there were three kids but now there are 11,” Schuster said. “It’s a full house.”
“Now I have a reason to be excited,” she said. “It’s the birth of Christ so you have that spirit and with the baby it’s so much fun.”
This is Gonzalez’s first Christmas as a new mother and her second at Lifeline Family Center.
Lifeline is a charity that supports and houses unwed mothers and is home away from home for many young women this holiday season, most left with nowhere to go after they became pregnant.
This holiday, local churches have stepped in to help fulfill these women’s holiday wish-lists. For many, this is their first Christmas with their child as a new mother.
“We have been blessed with a ton of donations for the girls and the babies,” said assistant director Jenna Steffel. “With the little ones they really get into the spirit.”
Lifeline’s lobby is decorated with a Christmas tree and angel ornaments. Its conference room is filled with donated toys and baby items for the families living in the center.
Some of those items will be wrapped and stored under the tree for baby Mila. This is her first Christmas. Gonzalez said Mila’s first visit by Santa Claus was not a happy experience for the 10-month-old.
“She didn’t like him,” she said laughing. “She wouldn’t stop crying. She didn’t like him at all.”
Right now, Lifeline is hosting 11 women, with three expecting, and 11 babies. Some of the young women came in with toddlers. Gonzalez has been living at the center for about 15 months.
“When I got pregnant, I went to this clinic,” Gonzalez said. “I didn’t know what to do.”
She said a nurse at the clinic told her about the Lifeline program.
“She told me about it and it was like a miracle,” Gonzalez said.
During the year, the center provides food and shelter while encouraging the young women to continue their education. Once the baby is born, the new family stays at the center and is welcome until their child’s second birthday.
“So they can build a better life for them and their baby,” Steffel said. “It’s a personal journey. They become more focused on their schooling, then going out into the real world.”
Since being at the center, Gonzalez has obtained her GED and is now in an accounting program.
“I never thought I’d be good at math,” Gonzalez said. “I just started liking it and got better and better at it.”
Steffel said one of Lifeline’s main goals is the women’s education and that all are working for their GED or a program in higher education.
Steffel said a center this size could not operate without support and she said they have about 70 to 80 volunteers. They assist with everything from working in the nursery, to tutoring, to helping with mailings and promotional items .
Volunteer Dee Schuster has been working with the center since last March .
She said the nursery has touched her heart and that’s where she spends the most time. “It’s where I want to be. When I started, there were three kids but now there are 11,” Schuster said. “It’s a full house.”
Friday, December 23, 2011
Cape police officers help children with gifts
Cape Coral 10-year-old Arrissa Kubis was on a Christmas mission to find the perfect gift for her mother.
Equipped with an empty shopping cart and a Santa hat, she searched the jewelry section of the Walmart on Del Prado Boulevard looking for the perfect bauble.
Arrissa was one of the 35 children given opportunity to shop for free at the ninth annual Cape Coral Police Department’s Shop with a Cop event Thursday.
Arrissa’s eyes lit up when she found the perfect pair of earrings for her mom. She also picked up a sketchbook and a paint-by-numbers set to be placed under the tree for herself to open on Christmas day. She was accompanied by Cape Coral Police Chief Jay Murphy on her hour-long shopping spree.
“It was easy,” said Cape Coral Police Chief Jay Murphy, who was chaperoning her. “She knew what she wanted; she’s very pragmatic. I think we did it in record time.”
Each child roamed the aisles with an officer looking for toys and gifts, not just for themselves but also for their families. The department said 178 family members will be impacted by the gifts.
The morning started with officers picking up the children at their homes and taking them to breakfast at Perkins restaurant. After breakfast, the children received gift cards provided by Walmart and Capital Bank and were then free to roam the store with their officer. Murphy said most of the children don’t spend all the money on toys but instead focus on clothes, shoes or other necessities for their families.
“Quite often, most of these children stick to the basics,” he said.
For Arrissa, she said her favorite part of the shopping was buying for others, and she wasn’t alone. Eleven-year-old Payton Johns bought presents for her mother and grandmother.
“But first, I’m shopping for me,” she said, laughing, in the toy aisle.
Payton said the first thing she wanted to check off her list was Play-Doh.
The holiday shopping is as much fun for the officers as it is for the children.
“I try to do this every year I can,” said detective Alisha McDonald. “The kids are awesome, and I like being able to shop with them and help their families. I do it for them more than anything.”
Deputy Chief Bart Connelly shares the same sentiment.
“It’s a part of what we do as police officers. It’s giving,” Connelly said. “It’s helping others, who’re less fortunate, to have a good Christmas.”
After the shopping, the children went back to the police station to wrap their gifts and have a pizza party.
The children were scurrying around the wrapping room helping to pick out gift wrap for their family’s gifts. Murphy said what he likes most about the day is the transformation of the childrens’ demeanor.
“When they show up at eight in the morning you have to pry the words out of them. Now, they’re running around smiling,” he said.
Equipped with an empty shopping cart and a Santa hat, she searched the jewelry section of the Walmart on Del Prado Boulevard looking for the perfect bauble.
Arrissa was one of the 35 children given opportunity to shop for free at the ninth annual Cape Coral Police Department’s Shop with a Cop event Thursday.
Arrissa’s eyes lit up when she found the perfect pair of earrings for her mom. She also picked up a sketchbook and a paint-by-numbers set to be placed under the tree for herself to open on Christmas day. She was accompanied by Cape Coral Police Chief Jay Murphy on her hour-long shopping spree.
“It was easy,” said Cape Coral Police Chief Jay Murphy, who was chaperoning her. “She knew what she wanted; she’s very pragmatic. I think we did it in record time.”
Each child roamed the aisles with an officer looking for toys and gifts, not just for themselves but also for their families. The department said 178 family members will be impacted by the gifts.
The morning started with officers picking up the children at their homes and taking them to breakfast at Perkins restaurant. After breakfast, the children received gift cards provided by Walmart and Capital Bank and were then free to roam the store with their officer. Murphy said most of the children don’t spend all the money on toys but instead focus on clothes, shoes or other necessities for their families.
“Quite often, most of these children stick to the basics,” he said.
For Arrissa, she said her favorite part of the shopping was buying for others, and she wasn’t alone. Eleven-year-old Payton Johns bought presents for her mother and grandmother.
“But first, I’m shopping for me,” she said, laughing, in the toy aisle.
Payton said the first thing she wanted to check off her list was Play-Doh.
The holiday shopping is as much fun for the officers as it is for the children.
“I try to do this every year I can,” said detective Alisha McDonald. “The kids are awesome, and I like being able to shop with them and help their families. I do it for them more than anything.”
Deputy Chief Bart Connelly shares the same sentiment.
“It’s a part of what we do as police officers. It’s giving,” Connelly said. “It’s helping others, who’re less fortunate, to have a good Christmas.”
After the shopping, the children went back to the police station to wrap their gifts and have a pizza party.
The children were scurrying around the wrapping room helping to pick out gift wrap for their family’s gifts. Murphy said what he likes most about the day is the transformation of the childrens’ demeanor.
“When they show up at eight in the morning you have to pry the words out of them. Now, they’re running around smiling,” he said.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Cape Coral builders group chips in
The city of Cape Coral’s Special Populations program received an early holiday donation from the Cape Coral Construction Industry Association on Wednesday.
The association donated more than $2,000 worth of paper goods, baby wipes, cleaning supplies and arts and crafts supplies to the Special Populations program.
“They needed some assistance and I couldn’t think of a better organization that needed the help,” said Jeremy Johnson, CCCIA president.
Special Populations is a part of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and provides people with developmental disabilities a variety of programs aimed to help promote independence and life skills. The program has around 100 participants who attend five days a week. Program activities including art and music therapy, job skills training and social and life skills.
The donations were off Special Populations’ “needs list” that was circulated to CCCIA members through email and at meetings.
“Their members really rallied and came through with donations this year and last year,” said Sara Sansone, Special Populations supervisor. “It’s nice they continued this year as well. We’re pleased with our new partnership.”
This year, the association also had a holiday luncheon of turkey with all the fixings at the Special Populations center. Members interacted with program participants sharing laughs and conversation.
“It was their idea to spend lunch with us,” Sansone said. “(They’re) getting to know them and seeing some of their needs.”
Johnson said he first met with the Special Population participants at a city leadership program and spent time at the center. He said that experience helped him to decide to have a CCCIA donation drive to help Special Populations.
“We got to meet them and it was really enlightening,” Johnson said.
The association is looking to make this donation drive an annual event and they hope to work with the center on future construction projects.
“I’m looking forward to carrying out the tradition,” said incoming vice president Anthony Greco Jr. “To help them out and raise awareness to what the city is doing with this great program.”
The association donated more than $2,000 worth of paper goods, baby wipes, cleaning supplies and arts and crafts supplies to the Special Populations program.
“They needed some assistance and I couldn’t think of a better organization that needed the help,” said Jeremy Johnson, CCCIA president.
Special Populations is a part of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and provides people with developmental disabilities a variety of programs aimed to help promote independence and life skills. The program has around 100 participants who attend five days a week. Program activities including art and music therapy, job skills training and social and life skills.
The donations were off Special Populations’ “needs list” that was circulated to CCCIA members through email and at meetings.
“Their members really rallied and came through with donations this year and last year,” said Sara Sansone, Special Populations supervisor. “It’s nice they continued this year as well. We’re pleased with our new partnership.”
This year, the association also had a holiday luncheon of turkey with all the fixings at the Special Populations center. Members interacted with program participants sharing laughs and conversation.
“It was their idea to spend lunch with us,” Sansone said. “(They’re) getting to know them and seeing some of their needs.”
Johnson said he first met with the Special Population participants at a city leadership program and spent time at the center. He said that experience helped him to decide to have a CCCIA donation drive to help Special Populations.
“We got to meet them and it was really enlightening,” Johnson said.
The association is looking to make this donation drive an annual event and they hope to work with the center on future construction projects.
“I’m looking forward to carrying out the tradition,” said incoming vice president Anthony Greco Jr. “To help them out and raise awareness to what the city is doing with this great program.”
Monday, October 17, 2011
Building a Mystery
Contemporary art goes live at the inaugural Wynwood Art Fair, Oct. 21-23, taking over N.W. Sixth Ave. between 23rd and 29th Streets. Internationally acclaimed artists, from all over the world and working in a variety of mediums, aim to create spontaneous works as they invite fairgoers to become a part of the creative process. The proceeds benefit Lotus House, a non-profit organization that aims to provide housing for homeless women and children. Come get artistic! Here are some of the weekend's can't-miss happenings…
VIP Launch Party, Oct. 21
Guests mingle with artists and sponsors at the Margulies Art Warehouse for the Opening Night VIP Launch Party. The event features a live Sotheby's Benefit Art Auction. Tickets $500. 591 NW 27th St.
Performance Pieces, Oct. 21-23
Performance pieces litter the street during the weekend. Be on the lookout Friday and Sunday for "Magic, Luck and Friendship!" an installation by Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III of Friends With You. These brightly colored inflatable figures will parade through the streets of Wynwood putting smiles on the most skeptical of fairgoers.
Others to watch for…
New York-based artist Ellen Fisher is sure to please with whimsy. Fisher will create a relaxing story-salon at which fairgoers will be absorbed into a world visualizing classic stories that emphasize the heart.
The Intimacies Project is an ongoing collaboration between Marinov Dance and Red Dress Films. This multimedia event features dancers expressing the emotions of love to the sound of original music and poetry.
Collectors Brunch, Oct. 23
The final day of the fair will feature a special Collectors Brunch presented by Paramount Bay in the VIP lounge. Champagne will be poured while guests are privy to exclusive performances. Mingling is strongly encouraged. Tickets $150.
Fair hours are from 10AM to 6PM. General admission $10. N.W. Sixth Ave. between 23rd and 29th Streets, wynwoodartfair.org
This article was published online for Miami Magazine
VIP Launch Party, Oct. 21
Guests mingle with artists and sponsors at the Margulies Art Warehouse for the Opening Night VIP Launch Party. The event features a live Sotheby's Benefit Art Auction. Tickets $500. 591 NW 27th St.
Performance Pieces, Oct. 21-23
Performance pieces litter the street during the weekend. Be on the lookout Friday and Sunday for "Magic, Luck and Friendship!" an installation by Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III of Friends With You. These brightly colored inflatable figures will parade through the streets of Wynwood putting smiles on the most skeptical of fairgoers.
Others to watch for…
New York-based artist Ellen Fisher is sure to please with whimsy. Fisher will create a relaxing story-salon at which fairgoers will be absorbed into a world visualizing classic stories that emphasize the heart.
The Intimacies Project is an ongoing collaboration between Marinov Dance and Red Dress Films. This multimedia event features dancers expressing the emotions of love to the sound of original music and poetry.
Collectors Brunch, Oct. 23
The final day of the fair will feature a special Collectors Brunch presented by Paramount Bay in the VIP lounge. Champagne will be poured while guests are privy to exclusive performances. Mingling is strongly encouraged. Tickets $150.
Fair hours are from 10AM to 6PM. General admission $10. N.W. Sixth Ave. between 23rd and 29th Streets, wynwoodartfair.org
This article was published online for Miami Magazine
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Miami Spice
Filet Mignon with creamy béarnaise sauce, seared red snapper with a leek ragout, lavender crème brulee and chocolate soufflé grace the tables of the chicest restaurants in Miami.
For the average college student the thought of a gourmet dinner is food porn. However, now until September 30th Miami is celebrating Miami Spice, the city’s restaurant month.
The event is organized by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and the restaurants are grouped into four districts. The event offers three-course fixed-price meals at some of Miami’s best restaurants including South Beach, Midtown, Coral Gables and Coconut Grove.
This year is the event’s 10th anniversary and Jennifer Diaz, associate vice president of Media Relations & Promotions for bureau said in an email that this year is more exciting than ever with 142 restaurants participating. She said it’s a great way to try new restaurants.
“Miami Spice is an excellent opportunity to venture out and explore a new culinary experience with minimal risk because of the discounted rate,” Diaz said. “The program makes a foodie out of anyone.”
“It’s cool because it’s fancier food,” senior Sabrina Ginete said. “It’s nice for an average college student, who’s a little broke, to experience fine dining.”
Ginete went to El Gran Inka in Brickell last week with friends for dinner. She said the menu was amazing.
The Miami Spice menu is only $22 for lunch and $35 for dinner, perfect for students with tight budgets. A word of caution-- not all restaurants participate for both meals and some do not include weekends. It’s best to explore the extensive website of restaurants and menus to find what your taste buds are lusting after.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to try different restaurants,” senior Asha Agrawal said. “Since they have the restaurant list I’m more likely to try a restaurant I wouldn’t have known about.”
She said she plans on going to BLT Steak in South Beach with some friends. Their menu features an heirloom tomato and watermelon salad as a starter. Diners can chose between top sirloin and yellowtail snapper for their main course.
Junior Nicholas Taubes agreed “The best dinners at cheap prices is the best thing that a student could ask for. A lot of these restaurants would have remained completely foreign if it hadn’t have been for these promotions.”
Over 100 restaurants are participating this year, from steak houses to sushi restaurants to tapas bars. The Miami Hurricane found some sure bets for a great meal.
The Royal at the Raleigh Hotel- The Royal serves up American fare with elegant presentation. Miami Spice diners can sample duck breast with morels while overlooking the Raleigh’s baroque pool. The Royal is participating weekdays for lunch. The special dinner menu is available Sunday through Thursday. 1775 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. 305-612-1163.
Mercadito Midtown- Mercadito’s Miami Spice menu is perfect for groups. Diners chose different tacos, ceviches, guacamole and desserts for the table while those over 21 sip an included cocktail. The lunch and dinner menus are the same so go midday for ultimate savings. The Miami Spice menu is available weekdays for lunch and every day for dinner. 3252 NE 1st Ave., Midtown. 786-369-0430.
Red Koi Thai and Sushi Lounge- Red Koi is located on Miracle Mile and is known for it’s Asian fusion and specialty sushi rolls. Miami Spice diners can chose from lemongrass chicken, short ribs of the Havana roll for their main course. The menu is available for lunch and dinner Sunday through Thursday. 317 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. 305-446-2690.
Shula’s 347 Grill- This restaurant is perfect for freshman, it’s walking distance from campus. A 12 ounce flat iron steak with chimmichurri is on the menu along with grilled salmon and tenderloin tips. Dessert is capped off with cheesecake or key lime pie. The Miami Spice menu is available for both lunch and dinner weekdays. 6901 Red Road, Coral Gables. 305-665-9661.
For the average college student the thought of a gourmet dinner is food porn. However, now until September 30th Miami is celebrating Miami Spice, the city’s restaurant month.
The event is organized by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and the restaurants are grouped into four districts. The event offers three-course fixed-price meals at some of Miami’s best restaurants including South Beach, Midtown, Coral Gables and Coconut Grove.
This year is the event’s 10th anniversary and Jennifer Diaz, associate vice president of Media Relations & Promotions for bureau said in an email that this year is more exciting than ever with 142 restaurants participating. She said it’s a great way to try new restaurants.
“Miami Spice is an excellent opportunity to venture out and explore a new culinary experience with minimal risk because of the discounted rate,” Diaz said. “The program makes a foodie out of anyone.”
“It’s cool because it’s fancier food,” senior Sabrina Ginete said. “It’s nice for an average college student, who’s a little broke, to experience fine dining.”
Ginete went to El Gran Inka in Brickell last week with friends for dinner. She said the menu was amazing.
The Miami Spice menu is only $22 for lunch and $35 for dinner, perfect for students with tight budgets. A word of caution-- not all restaurants participate for both meals and some do not include weekends. It’s best to explore the extensive website of restaurants and menus to find what your taste buds are lusting after.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to try different restaurants,” senior Asha Agrawal said. “Since they have the restaurant list I’m more likely to try a restaurant I wouldn’t have known about.”
She said she plans on going to BLT Steak in South Beach with some friends. Their menu features an heirloom tomato and watermelon salad as a starter. Diners can chose between top sirloin and yellowtail snapper for their main course.
Junior Nicholas Taubes agreed “The best dinners at cheap prices is the best thing that a student could ask for. A lot of these restaurants would have remained completely foreign if it hadn’t have been for these promotions.”
Over 100 restaurants are participating this year, from steak houses to sushi restaurants to tapas bars. The Miami Hurricane found some sure bets for a great meal.
The Royal at the Raleigh Hotel- The Royal serves up American fare with elegant presentation. Miami Spice diners can sample duck breast with morels while overlooking the Raleigh’s baroque pool. The Royal is participating weekdays for lunch. The special dinner menu is available Sunday through Thursday. 1775 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. 305-612-1163.
Mercadito Midtown- Mercadito’s Miami Spice menu is perfect for groups. Diners chose different tacos, ceviches, guacamole and desserts for the table while those over 21 sip an included cocktail. The lunch and dinner menus are the same so go midday for ultimate savings. The Miami Spice menu is available weekdays for lunch and every day for dinner. 3252 NE 1st Ave., Midtown. 786-369-0430.
Red Koi Thai and Sushi Lounge- Red Koi is located on Miracle Mile and is known for it’s Asian fusion and specialty sushi rolls. Miami Spice diners can chose from lemongrass chicken, short ribs of the Havana roll for their main course. The menu is available for lunch and dinner Sunday through Thursday. 317 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. 305-446-2690.
Shula’s 347 Grill- This restaurant is perfect for freshman, it’s walking distance from campus. A 12 ounce flat iron steak with chimmichurri is on the menu along with grilled salmon and tenderloin tips. Dessert is capped off with cheesecake or key lime pie. The Miami Spice menu is available for both lunch and dinner weekdays. 6901 Red Road, Coral Gables. 305-665-9661.
Friday, August 19, 2011
More here take ACT, but their scores fall
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
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
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.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
MangoMania on in Cape Coral
The annual festival of the tropical orange and green hued fruit continues today.
MangoMania, a two-day celebration of all things mango hosted by the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, can be found at the German American Social Club in Cape Coral.
Lisa Benton, executive director of the chamber, said she expects 11,000 people this weekend.
The festival features food and craft vendors, a children’s area, live music, plant sales and a tasting station.
At the station, Benton said, “They’ll get to taste different varieties of mangos.”
Doug Flowerree, owner of the Mango Factory, is helping to man the station. He said valencia pride and kent mangos are in season but keitt mangos will come in in a few weeks.
Gina Celso, a Cape resident, said she was surprised to find different varieties of mangos.
“I thought a mango was a mango was a mango, but I was wrong.” Celso said.
Tropical plants and mango trees also can be found at the festival. Ross MacDonald, director of the Koreshan Botanical Society, brought different varieties of mango trees to sell.
He said mango trees are a hearty plant, and summer is a great time to plant them.
“We’re almost sold out of half of them already,” MacDonald said.
A highlight of MangoMania is the noontime crazy hat parade.
Participants create crazy mango hats and strut their stuff in a parade led by the Mango Queen, Melissa Koferl.
Koferl was riding on her carriage, a golf cart, greeting her subjects Saturday. “It’s really turning out to be a really good day,” she said.
MangoMania, a two-day celebration of all things mango hosted by the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, can be found at the German American Social Club in Cape Coral.
Lisa Benton, executive director of the chamber, said she expects 11,000 people this weekend.
The festival features food and craft vendors, a children’s area, live music, plant sales and a tasting station.
At the station, Benton said, “They’ll get to taste different varieties of mangos.”
Doug Flowerree, owner of the Mango Factory, is helping to man the station. He said valencia pride and kent mangos are in season but keitt mangos will come in in a few weeks.
Gina Celso, a Cape resident, said she was surprised to find different varieties of mangos.
“I thought a mango was a mango was a mango, but I was wrong.” Celso said.
Tropical plants and mango trees also can be found at the festival. Ross MacDonald, director of the Koreshan Botanical Society, brought different varieties of mango trees to sell.
He said mango trees are a hearty plant, and summer is a great time to plant them.
“We’re almost sold out of half of them already,” MacDonald said.
A highlight of MangoMania is the noontime crazy hat parade.
Participants create crazy mango hats and strut their stuff in a parade led by the Mango Queen, Melissa Koferl.
Koferl was riding on her carriage, a golf cart, greeting her subjects Saturday. “It’s really turning out to be a really good day,” she said.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Young rapper Bizzy Crook inspired by Disney: Island Coast High grad's career gaining traction
By Nancy Oben
noben@news-press.com
Lazaro Camejo, aka Bizzy Crook, is a 2010 Island Coast High School graduate who is pursuing a career in hip-hop.
The 19-year-old is looking to make it big in the music industry.
His single, "This is Me," off of his EP, "P.S. I'm Sorry," is gaining buzz for sampling Demi Lovato, a Disney starlet.
The song has a positive message. He wants listeners to know that you don't have to be what people expect you to be - just be content with who you are.
"I like to be different," he said. "I want to tell people you don't have to be someone else."
The artist wanted to sample Lovato because he likes the movie, "Camp Rock."
"I like Disney movies and musicals," he said. "I like music in general."
Many new fans heard about his music through Lovato, he said, but remain fans because they like his style.
"This is Me" has garnered about 20,000 plays on YouTube.
"I hope the 'This is Me' track will get me to where I want to be," he said. "That song is me. It represents the artist I want to be."
Jermaine "Romello" Smith, the artist's mentor and owner of Mellow Music Group, thinks "This is Me" has something special.
"I just think he created something that is different, that's a fresh sound," Smith said. "I think he's found his lane."
Camejo knew from a young age that he wanted to be a rapper.
"Since I was 6, I was always recording," he said. "Being a rapper, a musician, is the American dream."
Camejo's cousin Abigail Viera, 19, grew up with him.
"When we were little, he would record on his boom box with little cassette tapes," Viera said.
Camejo said he lived in the Cape for about four years. Camejo was raised in Miami and lives there now. He started off at Mariner High School but transferred to Island Coast his senior year.
"I didn't know too many people," he said. "I had a house studio where I stayed in and worked on my music."
He said he recorded every day, and also participated in rap battles in the lunch room and at football games. Viera said everyone knew about him.
Island Coast is still buzzing about Camejo. His sister, Linnette Camejo, 15, a junior, said all of her classmates come up to her asking about him.
"At first they didn't believe that he was my brother," she said. "They think it's cool."
Success, though, sprung from a hard road. Crook was offered an independent music contract after he graduated from high school but the deal fell through.
"Someone disagreed every time someone agreed," he said.
There was one bright side, though. He met Smith, who recognized his talent instantly.
"I heard his music almost on accident," Smith said. "Once I heard him I needed to meet him."
Smith signed him to his independent label, Mellow Music Group. The pair was introduced to Mona Scott-Young and Bizzy Crook recently signed with her company for management. Scott-Young represents some major clients, including Missy Elliott.
Camejo is now back in the studio working on his next mix tape. His EP, "P.S. I'm Sorry," will be released within the next two weeks on his website - bizzycrook.com.
The rapper's career appears to be gaining traction. After "P.S. I'm Sorry" releases, Camejo will fly to New York to meet with major record labels.
"His whole family is really behind him," Viera said. "We have the highest hopes for him. He's going to go far."
special to the news-press
Rapper Bizzy Crook is gaining buzz for his new single "This is Me." He is a 2010 graduate of Island Coast High School.
Want to know more?
- Website: bizzycrook.com
- Facebook: Bizzy Crook
- Twitter: @bizzycrook
- Youtube: bizzycrook
This article was published on July 28th in the Cape Life section of the News-Press, a Gannett paper located in Ft. Myers, FL.
noben@news-press.com
Lazaro Camejo, aka Bizzy Crook, is a 2010 Island Coast High School graduate who is pursuing a career in hip-hop.
The 19-year-old is looking to make it big in the music industry.
His single, "This is Me," off of his EP, "P.S. I'm Sorry," is gaining buzz for sampling Demi Lovato, a Disney starlet.
The song has a positive message. He wants listeners to know that you don't have to be what people expect you to be - just be content with who you are.
"I like to be different," he said. "I want to tell people you don't have to be someone else."
The artist wanted to sample Lovato because he likes the movie, "Camp Rock."
"I like Disney movies and musicals," he said. "I like music in general."
Many new fans heard about his music through Lovato, he said, but remain fans because they like his style.
"This is Me" has garnered about 20,000 plays on YouTube.
"I hope the 'This is Me' track will get me to where I want to be," he said. "That song is me. It represents the artist I want to be."
Jermaine "Romello" Smith, the artist's mentor and owner of Mellow Music Group, thinks "This is Me" has something special.
"I just think he created something that is different, that's a fresh sound," Smith said. "I think he's found his lane."
Camejo knew from a young age that he wanted to be a rapper.
"Since I was 6, I was always recording," he said. "Being a rapper, a musician, is the American dream."
Camejo's cousin Abigail Viera, 19, grew up with him.
"When we were little, he would record on his boom box with little cassette tapes," Viera said.
Camejo said he lived in the Cape for about four years. Camejo was raised in Miami and lives there now. He started off at Mariner High School but transferred to Island Coast his senior year.
"I didn't know too many people," he said. "I had a house studio where I stayed in and worked on my music."
He said he recorded every day, and also participated in rap battles in the lunch room and at football games. Viera said everyone knew about him.
Island Coast is still buzzing about Camejo. His sister, Linnette Camejo, 15, a junior, said all of her classmates come up to her asking about him.
"At first they didn't believe that he was my brother," she said. "They think it's cool."
Success, though, sprung from a hard road. Crook was offered an independent music contract after he graduated from high school but the deal fell through.
"Someone disagreed every time someone agreed," he said.
There was one bright side, though. He met Smith, who recognized his talent instantly.
"I heard his music almost on accident," Smith said. "Once I heard him I needed to meet him."
Smith signed him to his independent label, Mellow Music Group. The pair was introduced to Mona Scott-Young and Bizzy Crook recently signed with her company for management. Scott-Young represents some major clients, including Missy Elliott.
Camejo is now back in the studio working on his next mix tape. His EP, "P.S. I'm Sorry," will be released within the next two weeks on his website - bizzycrook.com.
The rapper's career appears to be gaining traction. After "P.S. I'm Sorry" releases, Camejo will fly to New York to meet with major record labels.
"His whole family is really behind him," Viera said. "We have the highest hopes for him. He's going to go far."
special to the news-press
Rapper Bizzy Crook is gaining buzz for his new single "This is Me." He is a 2010 graduate of Island Coast High School.
Want to know more?
- Website: bizzycrook.com
- Facebook: Bizzy Crook
- Twitter: @bizzycrook
- Youtube: bizzycrook
This article was published on July 28th in the Cape Life section of the News-Press, a Gannett paper located in Ft. Myers, FL.
Cape Coral blood centers face summer shortages
Blood donation centers in Cape Coral need donors.
Florida's Blood Centers and Lee Memorial Blood Center, the two centers in Cape Coral, are experiencing a shortage this summer.
"It's a very challenging time," said Susan Forbes, vice president of marketing for Florida's Blood Centers. "Donors may be on vacation but the need for blood remains — it doesn't go on vacation."
It's harder to receive donations in the summertime, said Nancy Hendrick, community development coordinator for Lee Memorial Blood Center. That's because there are no high school and college blood drives during the summer, and many donors are seasonal.
"We're still experiencing shortages of O negative, B negative and A negative," Hendrick said. "We're also experiencing a B positive low."
Hendrick said it's hard to accurately measure the need for specific units of blood. Right now they are low on B positive because a patient needed 60 units of blood. A unit is one person's donation and that equals approximately a pint of blood. The body has 10-12 pints of blood. It took 60 people to donate in order to help that one person in need, Hendrick said.
Florida's Blood Centers needs all donations and O negative is always in high demand.
"(It's) one of the hardest ones to keep on the shelf," Forbes said.
O negative is so much in demand because it is universal. That blood type can be given to any patient. Only about 7 percent of the U.S. population has O negative blood.
"The need is real," Forbes said. "It's a 24/7, 365 process."
Forbes said that after the blood is tested, it is typically transfused in 48 to 72 hours.
"It doesn't hang around," Forbes said.
Blood donors receive incentives for their good deed. Florida's Blood Centers now offers a $10 Darden Restaurant Gift Card, which can be redeemed at Olive Garden, Red Lobster and other chain restaurants, for center donations. Mobile donations receive a movie ticket.
At Lee Memorial, all donors receive a T-shirt. A meal ticket is given for donation at a donor center.
"We try to make sure they have a pleasant experience so they come back," Hendrick said.
Donna Agostinelli, a Cape Coral resident, loves to give blood. She has made more than 137 donations, totaling 17 gallons. She said she donates to help people in need.
"You can't make it — it has to come from us," she said.
Agostinelli is in the minority of America. Forbes said only 5 percent to 10 percent of people donate blood, while almost 40 percent of the population is eligible.
"It's one of the highest callings you can do for the community," Forbes said. "(It's) literally giving someone a second chance at life and that's very powerful."
If You Go
Florida's Blood Centers
Where: 601 Del Prado Blvd. N., Unit 6
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; closed Wednesday and Sunday
Call: 574-3170
Website: floridasbloodcenter.org
Lee Memorial Blood Center
Where: Cape Coral Hospital, 636 Del Prado Blvd.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday
Call: 424-2400
Website: leememorial.org/bloodcenter
Who can donate?
• Anyone 17 years and older, 16 with parental consent
• Over 115 pounds for Lee Memorial, 102 pounds for Florida's Blood Center
• Photo ID is required for new donors
Florida's Blood Centers and Lee Memorial Blood Center, the two centers in Cape Coral, are experiencing a shortage this summer.
"It's a very challenging time," said Susan Forbes, vice president of marketing for Florida's Blood Centers. "Donors may be on vacation but the need for blood remains — it doesn't go on vacation."
It's harder to receive donations in the summertime, said Nancy Hendrick, community development coordinator for Lee Memorial Blood Center. That's because there are no high school and college blood drives during the summer, and many donors are seasonal.
"We're still experiencing shortages of O negative, B negative and A negative," Hendrick said. "We're also experiencing a B positive low."
Hendrick said it's hard to accurately measure the need for specific units of blood. Right now they are low on B positive because a patient needed 60 units of blood. A unit is one person's donation and that equals approximately a pint of blood. The body has 10-12 pints of blood. It took 60 people to donate in order to help that one person in need, Hendrick said.
Florida's Blood Centers needs all donations and O negative is always in high demand.
"(It's) one of the hardest ones to keep on the shelf," Forbes said.
O negative is so much in demand because it is universal. That blood type can be given to any patient. Only about 7 percent of the U.S. population has O negative blood.
"The need is real," Forbes said. "It's a 24/7, 365 process."
Forbes said that after the blood is tested, it is typically transfused in 48 to 72 hours.
"It doesn't hang around," Forbes said.
Blood donors receive incentives for their good deed. Florida's Blood Centers now offers a $10 Darden Restaurant Gift Card, which can be redeemed at Olive Garden, Red Lobster and other chain restaurants, for center donations. Mobile donations receive a movie ticket.
At Lee Memorial, all donors receive a T-shirt. A meal ticket is given for donation at a donor center.
"We try to make sure they have a pleasant experience so they come back," Hendrick said.
Donna Agostinelli, a Cape Coral resident, loves to give blood. She has made more than 137 donations, totaling 17 gallons. She said she donates to help people in need.
"You can't make it — it has to come from us," she said.
Agostinelli is in the minority of America. Forbes said only 5 percent to 10 percent of people donate blood, while almost 40 percent of the population is eligible.
"It's one of the highest callings you can do for the community," Forbes said. "(It's) literally giving someone a second chance at life and that's very powerful."
If You Go
Florida's Blood Centers
Where: 601 Del Prado Blvd. N., Unit 6
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; closed Wednesday and Sunday
Call: 574-3170
Website: floridasbloodcenter.org
Lee Memorial Blood Center
Where: Cape Coral Hospital, 636 Del Prado Blvd.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday
Call: 424-2400
Website: leememorial.org/bloodcenter
Who can donate?
• Anyone 17 years and older, 16 with parental consent
• Over 115 pounds for Lee Memorial, 102 pounds for Florida's Blood Center
• Photo ID is required for new donors
Festival is Dedicated to All Things Mango
With mango tasting, pie eating and an appearance by her majesty the Mango Queen, thousands this weekend will celebrate all things mango.
MangoMania is making its 15th appearance Saturday and Sunday.
The tropical fruit festival, which is hosted by the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, draws 11,000 people each year, according to Jennifer Jennings, the chamber's chairperson for the event.
Vendors line the German American Social Club, 2101 Pine Island Rd., with mango ice cream, mango hot sauce, and savory and sweet mango treats.
Lovegrove Gallery and Gardens will serve a mango julius, Paradise Gardens will supply mango jams, jellies and chutney and Pine Island restaurants will set up tents and serve crab cakes, ice cream and other items. There will also be mango-related wares, Jennings said.
Melissa Koferl, this year's Mango Queen, said the festival is all about the green and orange hued fruit.
"(We're) trying to promote mangoes and the mango growers," Koferl said.
MangoMania features a mango tasting station where visitors can sample different varieties for free. Other tropical fruits such as lychees and starfruit will make appearances at the festival. Educational talks about growing mangoes and native plants occur throughout each day. Koferl said to check the program guide for times.
Doug Flowerree, owner of the Mango Factory, a 25-acre mango plantation in Bokeelia, said Pine Island mangoes are unique from the supermarket variety because of the tropical microclimate the area enjoys.
"If they've gotten mangoes from the grocery store they don't know what mangoes look like," Flowerree said.
He said his mangoes are sweet and each variety has a unique taste. Flowerree sells seven types of mangoes but Valencia Pride, Kent and Keitt mangoes are his best sellers.
Flowerree will staff a booth at the tasting table during the festival on Saturday and answer any questions about mangoes.
"This year there is a pretty abundance of mangoes. There will be a lot to try," Flowerree said.
The festival will also offer a recipe contest. The contest has amateur and professional categories.
"We've had everything from mango coleslaw to mango dumplings," Koferl said.
All entries must contain mango. The amateur competition judges mango desserts, preserves, breads and marinades. The professional competition judges restaurant appetizers, entrees and desserts.
The tropical fruit festival is not just about eating mangoes, it's also about having fun with the fruit.
MangoMania features a crazy hat parade daily at noon. Participants dress up their hats with the wildest mango colors and silly accessories and strut their stuff to the delight of festival visitors.
Kids can climb a rock roll, jump in a bounce house and play other games such as Mr. Mango Head, a play on Mr. Potato Head, and mango toss during the two-day event.
Jennings said the festival is an event for the whole family and will highlight local music and dance acts.
"We're having Soap Box playing, Stringtown and in between the breaks we have the Arthur Murray Dance Troupe, our famous Hot Flash dancers and the Calendar Girls," Jennings said.
There is always something to do at the festival.
"I believe it's a one of a kind experience," Jennings said. "If you love mangoes in any which way, this is where you'll find it."
MangoMania is making its 15th appearance Saturday and Sunday.
The tropical fruit festival, which is hosted by the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, draws 11,000 people each year, according to Jennifer Jennings, the chamber's chairperson for the event.
Vendors line the German American Social Club, 2101 Pine Island Rd., with mango ice cream, mango hot sauce, and savory and sweet mango treats.
Lovegrove Gallery and Gardens will serve a mango julius, Paradise Gardens will supply mango jams, jellies and chutney and Pine Island restaurants will set up tents and serve crab cakes, ice cream and other items. There will also be mango-related wares, Jennings said.
Melissa Koferl, this year's Mango Queen, said the festival is all about the green and orange hued fruit.
"(We're) trying to promote mangoes and the mango growers," Koferl said.
MangoMania features a mango tasting station where visitors can sample different varieties for free. Other tropical fruits such as lychees and starfruit will make appearances at the festival. Educational talks about growing mangoes and native plants occur throughout each day. Koferl said to check the program guide for times.
Doug Flowerree, owner of the Mango Factory, a 25-acre mango plantation in Bokeelia, said Pine Island mangoes are unique from the supermarket variety because of the tropical microclimate the area enjoys.
"If they've gotten mangoes from the grocery store they don't know what mangoes look like," Flowerree said.
He said his mangoes are sweet and each variety has a unique taste. Flowerree sells seven types of mangoes but Valencia Pride, Kent and Keitt mangoes are his best sellers.
Flowerree will staff a booth at the tasting table during the festival on Saturday and answer any questions about mangoes.
"This year there is a pretty abundance of mangoes. There will be a lot to try," Flowerree said.
The festival will also offer a recipe contest. The contest has amateur and professional categories.
"We've had everything from mango coleslaw to mango dumplings," Koferl said.
All entries must contain mango. The amateur competition judges mango desserts, preserves, breads and marinades. The professional competition judges restaurant appetizers, entrees and desserts.
The tropical fruit festival is not just about eating mangoes, it's also about having fun with the fruit.
MangoMania features a crazy hat parade daily at noon. Participants dress up their hats with the wildest mango colors and silly accessories and strut their stuff to the delight of festival visitors.
Kids can climb a rock roll, jump in a bounce house and play other games such as Mr. Mango Head, a play on Mr. Potato Head, and mango toss during the two-day event.
Jennings said the festival is an event for the whole family and will highlight local music and dance acts.
"We're having Soap Box playing, Stringtown and in between the breaks we have the Arthur Murray Dance Troupe, our famous Hot Flash dancers and the Calendar Girls," Jennings said.
There is always something to do at the festival.
"I believe it's a one of a kind experience," Jennings said. "If you love mangoes in any which way, this is where you'll find it."
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Marcella Schmidt chosen to reign over Oktoberfest
Six ladies clad in formalwear anxiously awaited the results of the 23rd annual Ms. Oktoberfest Pageant on Saturday at the German American Social Club.
The votes were tallied and Marcella Schmidt, 21, of Cape Coral was crowned the 2011 Ms. Oktoberfest. She be an ambassador for the social club during her yearlong reign, said Teresa Kohl, pageant director.
Schmidt took home a $750 jewelry gift certificate as well as a year membership to the club.
Rachael Hazelwood, 23, of Cape Coral was crowned first runner-up and Amanda Dusick was second runner-up.
The pageant had a full house at the club and there was dinner and dancing prior to the competition. Kohl said this event is a highlight for club members.
This pageant isn't your average beauty pageant with a talent and swimwear portion. Rather, it's based on personality and interest in learning about the club and the culture.
Kohl said the club looks for "a girl with a good personality and good with the public."
Ms. Oktoberfest reigns over the club's biggest event - Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest, a nod to German culture with traditional music, dancing food and beer, will be the last two weekends in October at the social club. The festival draws more than 30,000 people to Cape Coral.
Many contestants spoke about the fun times they have had at prior Oktoberfests and their love for the German culture.
Each contestant was given two questions, one picked out of a hat and one asking why she wanted to be Ms. Oktoberfest.
Marcella Schmidt, 21, of Cape Coral was crowned Ms. Oktoberfest 2011 during the 23rd annual Ms. Oktoberfest pageant July 16 at the German American Social Club.
Hazelwood was most nervous about the questions.
"I'm hoping for a good question and to not be too nervous to answer," she said.
Hazelwood wanted to be in the pageant because she has seen Ms. Oktoberfest through the years. This was her first pageant.
Lori VanWinkle, 43, was also nervous about the questions. She said a couple of people urged her to compete and she applied.
"Why not, it sounds like fun," VanWinkle said. "I'm glad I did it."
Schmidt said she has always had an interest in Ms. Oktoberfest.
"I remember being a little girl and wanted to take a picture with Ms. Oktoberfest," she said.
Schmidt waited until she was 21, the minimum age for contestants. Schmidt was born in Germany but moved to Cape Coral at age 5. She is bilingual and a dual citizen, qualities she thought helped sway the judges.
Schmidt said the win was unexpected.
Ms. Oktoberfest will have many commitments throughout the next year. She will reign over all club events, represent the club at the Edison parade and appear in advertising and marketing for the club. Schmidt thinks she is ready for her new duties.
"I got a lot ahead of me but I can do it," she said.
Kohl is happy with Schmidt being crowned but said that all the candidates were qualified.
"The judges did a great job. They had a difficult job," Kohl said. "I wish they had six queens but that is not possible."
The votes were tallied and Marcella Schmidt, 21, of Cape Coral was crowned the 2011 Ms. Oktoberfest. She be an ambassador for the social club during her yearlong reign, said Teresa Kohl, pageant director.
Schmidt took home a $750 jewelry gift certificate as well as a year membership to the club.
Rachael Hazelwood, 23, of Cape Coral was crowned first runner-up and Amanda Dusick was second runner-up.
The pageant had a full house at the club and there was dinner and dancing prior to the competition. Kohl said this event is a highlight for club members.
This pageant isn't your average beauty pageant with a talent and swimwear portion. Rather, it's based on personality and interest in learning about the club and the culture.
Kohl said the club looks for "a girl with a good personality and good with the public."
Ms. Oktoberfest reigns over the club's biggest event - Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest, a nod to German culture with traditional music, dancing food and beer, will be the last two weekends in October at the social club. The festival draws more than 30,000 people to Cape Coral.
Many contestants spoke about the fun times they have had at prior Oktoberfests and their love for the German culture.
Each contestant was given two questions, one picked out of a hat and one asking why she wanted to be Ms. Oktoberfest.
Marcella Schmidt, 21, of Cape Coral was crowned Ms. Oktoberfest 2011 during the 23rd annual Ms. Oktoberfest pageant July 16 at the German American Social Club.
Hazelwood was most nervous about the questions.
"I'm hoping for a good question and to not be too nervous to answer," she said.
Hazelwood wanted to be in the pageant because she has seen Ms. Oktoberfest through the years. This was her first pageant.
Lori VanWinkle, 43, was also nervous about the questions. She said a couple of people urged her to compete and she applied.
"Why not, it sounds like fun," VanWinkle said. "I'm glad I did it."
Schmidt said she has always had an interest in Ms. Oktoberfest.
"I remember being a little girl and wanted to take a picture with Ms. Oktoberfest," she said.
Schmidt waited until she was 21, the minimum age for contestants. Schmidt was born in Germany but moved to Cape Coral at age 5. She is bilingual and a dual citizen, qualities she thought helped sway the judges.
Schmidt said the win was unexpected.
Ms. Oktoberfest will have many commitments throughout the next year. She will reign over all club events, represent the club at the Edison parade and appear in advertising and marketing for the club. Schmidt thinks she is ready for her new duties.
"I got a lot ahead of me but I can do it," she said.
Kohl is happy with Schmidt being crowned but said that all the candidates were qualified.
"The judges did a great job. They had a difficult job," Kohl said. "I wish they had six queens but that is not possible."
Seminar Provides Hurricane Training
About 50 Cape Coral residents attended a hurricane seminar at the Cape Coral Yacht Club on July 13 to learn more about how to prepare for the powerful storms.
The seminar was sponsored by television station WINK and Jim Farrell, its chief meteorologist. Representatives from Cape Coral Fire Department, Lee County Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Financial Services were on hand to educate the crowd about hurricane preparedness.
"The turnout was very good - essentially had a capacity crowd," Farrell said. "I would guesstimate about 80 percent are brand new residents to Southwest Florida."
Marge Nation, a new Cape Coral resident, said she is now more aware of the dangers.
"We did not have shutters so we're getting shutters, getting our documents together," Nation said. "And most important is the pets."
Farrell led the seminar, talking about hurricanes from a meteorological perspective. After residents learned about the storms they learned how to better prepare for them.
Thomas Tomich, division chief of operations for the Cape Coral Fire Department, told the audience the fire department's objective is to make every effort to be a first responder but that it's also important for residents to be prepared.
"Shelter from wind and run from water," Tomich advised.
He said to look at the garage door, which can be sucked in or blown out during a hurricane. After the garage door is gone it is more likely the roof will be damaged.
After discussions on wind
damage, Gerald Campbell, chief of planning for Lee County Emergency Operations Center, spoke about evacuations. Campbell stressed the importance of leaving if an evacuation order is given.
"To ignore an evacuation because you think you know more than us, you're gambling your life," Campbell said.
"You need to have a plan," he said.
Emphasis was placed on the new evacuation map, which was recently updated. Instead of having colors related to hurricane strength, the new map features evacuation zones from A to E. Cape Coral has zones A, B and C. Knowing your zone will be crucial if that letter is asked to evacuate prior to a storm.
"I was just concerned," said Lois Proko, a northwest Cape resident. "When they tell you you should evacuate, you should heed that warning."
Proko said she had thoughts of riding out a potential storm but now will evacuate when asked. She lives in Zone A, the first to evacuate in a storm.
Around 50 people were at the session to hear the message that they should heed the evacuation orders if one is given prior to a storm, but Campbell said the entire population of Cape Coral needs to hear it as well.
"If we ask you to leave then please leave. Your life is in danger," he said.
The Season So Far
The 2011 hurricane season forecast
2011 hurricane forecast, according to the National Weather Service.
- 12 to 18 named storms
- Six to 10 hurricanes
- Three to six major hurricanes
The 2011 season so far has had one named storm, Tropical Storm Arlene. Hurricane season started June 1 and ends Nov. 30. The busiest time of hurricane season is August through October, with maximum activity in early to mid September, according to the National Weather Service.
For More Information
For more information on hurricane preparedness or to get the 2011 Hurricane Preparedness guide visit news-press.com/hurricane.
The seminar was sponsored by television station WINK and Jim Farrell, its chief meteorologist. Representatives from Cape Coral Fire Department, Lee County Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Financial Services were on hand to educate the crowd about hurricane preparedness.
"The turnout was very good - essentially had a capacity crowd," Farrell said. "I would guesstimate about 80 percent are brand new residents to Southwest Florida."
Marge Nation, a new Cape Coral resident, said she is now more aware of the dangers.
"We did not have shutters so we're getting shutters, getting our documents together," Nation said. "And most important is the pets."
Farrell led the seminar, talking about hurricanes from a meteorological perspective. After residents learned about the storms they learned how to better prepare for them.
Thomas Tomich, division chief of operations for the Cape Coral Fire Department, told the audience the fire department's objective is to make every effort to be a first responder but that it's also important for residents to be prepared.
"Shelter from wind and run from water," Tomich advised.
He said to look at the garage door, which can be sucked in or blown out during a hurricane. After the garage door is gone it is more likely the roof will be damaged.
After discussions on wind
damage, Gerald Campbell, chief of planning for Lee County Emergency Operations Center, spoke about evacuations. Campbell stressed the importance of leaving if an evacuation order is given.
"To ignore an evacuation because you think you know more than us, you're gambling your life," Campbell said.
"You need to have a plan," he said.
Emphasis was placed on the new evacuation map, which was recently updated. Instead of having colors related to hurricane strength, the new map features evacuation zones from A to E. Cape Coral has zones A, B and C. Knowing your zone will be crucial if that letter is asked to evacuate prior to a storm.
"I was just concerned," said Lois Proko, a northwest Cape resident. "When they tell you you should evacuate, you should heed that warning."
Proko said she had thoughts of riding out a potential storm but now will evacuate when asked. She lives in Zone A, the first to evacuate in a storm.
Around 50 people were at the session to hear the message that they should heed the evacuation orders if one is given prior to a storm, but Campbell said the entire population of Cape Coral needs to hear it as well.
"If we ask you to leave then please leave. Your life is in danger," he said.
The Season So Far
The 2011 hurricane season forecast
2011 hurricane forecast, according to the National Weather Service.
- 12 to 18 named storms
- Six to 10 hurricanes
- Three to six major hurricanes
The 2011 season so far has had one named storm, Tropical Storm Arlene. Hurricane season started June 1 and ends Nov. 30. The busiest time of hurricane season is August through October, with maximum activity in early to mid September, according to the National Weather Service.
For More Information
For more information on hurricane preparedness or to get the 2011 Hurricane Preparedness guide visit news-press.com/hurricane.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Cape Coral parks strut their stuff at open house
Cape Coral's Parks and Recreation Department hosted an open house today at the Yacht Club to celebrate National Parks and Recreation month.
Representatives from city parks and programs were on hand to help visitors learn more.
"We did it a little differently this year," said Barbara Dickinson, manager of the yacht club. "We decided to bring all the facilities together in one spot, so people can see what all the recreational facilities have to offer."
In years prior, each park hosted its own open house. Susan Edward, supervisor of Four Freedoms Park, likes the new format.
"It was a very wise decision," Edward said. "We thought it would be convenient for our citizens if we were together in one location."
The open house was in the yacht club's beach-side pavilion. There were performances of ballroom dance and Zumba, with kayak and fishing demonstrations on the beach.
Rotary Park brought butterflies, a turtle, a snake and other animals to showcase the environmental aspects.
"I see some stuff that I'm interested in," said Julia Hartlieb, a Cape Coral resident. Her children have taken swim lessons at the Yacht Club pool.
"Like they (the parks department) said, it starts in the park," Hartlieb said.
Rosie Perez, a Cape resident, said she brought her family to look for programs for her children during the summer and school year.
"To have everyone in one location is very convenient," she said. "When you talk to the people they give you better insights of what the have to offer."
Dickinson said the parks are trying to get the word out to residents: "We have a lot to offer, a lot more than people realize."
More information
Visit Cape Coral's Parks and Recreation website at capeparks.com.
Representatives from city parks and programs were on hand to help visitors learn more.
"We did it a little differently this year," said Barbara Dickinson, manager of the yacht club. "We decided to bring all the facilities together in one spot, so people can see what all the recreational facilities have to offer."
In years prior, each park hosted its own open house. Susan Edward, supervisor of Four Freedoms Park, likes the new format.
"It was a very wise decision," Edward said. "We thought it would be convenient for our citizens if we were together in one location."
The open house was in the yacht club's beach-side pavilion. There were performances of ballroom dance and Zumba, with kayak and fishing demonstrations on the beach.
Rotary Park brought butterflies, a turtle, a snake and other animals to showcase the environmental aspects.
"I see some stuff that I'm interested in," said Julia Hartlieb, a Cape Coral resident. Her children have taken swim lessons at the Yacht Club pool.
"Like they (the parks department) said, it starts in the park," Hartlieb said.
Rosie Perez, a Cape resident, said she brought her family to look for programs for her children during the summer and school year.
"To have everyone in one location is very convenient," she said. "When you talk to the people they give you better insights of what the have to offer."
Dickinson said the parks are trying to get the word out to residents: "We have a lot to offer, a lot more than people realize."
More information
Visit Cape Coral's Parks and Recreation website at capeparks.com.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
All Dogs Can Go to Heaven at Shell Factory
The ramps and tunnels are in place, the pool is cold and the racetrack is waving the green flag.
Doggy Heaven, a new dog park in the Shell Factory in North Fort Myers, is holding a grand opening from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday with demonstrations and fun for everyone.
"People love their dogs and they want to come," said Richard Dunmire, chairman of Doggy Heaven. "It's like bringing your child to a picnic or a time out together."
The event will start off with a half-hour non-denominational Doggy Church for pets and their families. Church services will become a weekly occurrence at the park, Dunmire said.
After services, local dog clubs plan demonstrations. Doggy Heaven houses the Southwest Florida Wiener Dog Club, Suncoast DockDogs and the Calusa Dog Agility Club, as well as holding obedience classes.
The park also has a public area that is always available to dogs and their owners.
Doggy Heaven has bleachers, picnic tables and shade trees where spectators can watch the action and enjoy the event.
"It's so much fun to watch," Dunmire said.
Each club has a special area of the park and brings a unique aspect to Doggy Heaven. For example, wiener dog club members will race their dachshunds on a small track.
"(It's) the cutest thing to watch them run," said club president Peggy Kay. "They're pretty quick."
She has two dachshunds, Botsey and Bailey.
Suncoast DockDogs will have a large pool set up and will be hosting "Your Dog Can Do This," where the club will be showing visitors the dock jumping competition. Club president Vicki Tighe said that if there's interest, the club will host "DockDog 101" later.
The agility club will have "Agility 101" as well for those unfamiliar with the sport. In agility, dogs maneuver around a course with ramps and tunnels and other obstacles.
Thinking about getting your dog in on the action? The consensus among all the clubs is to test out the sport before getting too committed.
"Try it to make sure your dog likes it," Tighe said.
The dog clubs have a friendly relationship, often recommending new members to the club that fits them best.
"We have a calendar, we don't interfere with each other because we're in different spots," pet trainer Kelly Legarreta said. "(We're) trying to promote each other."
The idea for the park came about a year ago and the clubs really helped the park's progress, Dunmire said.
"We started this all together," Kay said. "(We have) different interests but the main interest we have in common is that we love our dogs."
The Shell Factory is happy to have the dog park. Tom Cronin, owner of The Shell Factory, said the store and the restaurant are dog-friendly.
"We see more and more people adopting dogs," Cronin said. "There is a market for it and we're going to cater to it."
Doggy Heaven, a new dog park in the Shell Factory in North Fort Myers, is holding a grand opening from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday with demonstrations and fun for everyone.
"People love their dogs and they want to come," said Richard Dunmire, chairman of Doggy Heaven. "It's like bringing your child to a picnic or a time out together."
The event will start off with a half-hour non-denominational Doggy Church for pets and their families. Church services will become a weekly occurrence at the park, Dunmire said.
After services, local dog clubs plan demonstrations. Doggy Heaven houses the Southwest Florida Wiener Dog Club, Suncoast DockDogs and the Calusa Dog Agility Club, as well as holding obedience classes.
The park also has a public area that is always available to dogs and their owners.
Doggy Heaven has bleachers, picnic tables and shade trees where spectators can watch the action and enjoy the event.
"It's so much fun to watch," Dunmire said.
Each club has a special area of the park and brings a unique aspect to Doggy Heaven. For example, wiener dog club members will race their dachshunds on a small track.
"(It's) the cutest thing to watch them run," said club president Peggy Kay. "They're pretty quick."
She has two dachshunds, Botsey and Bailey.
Suncoast DockDogs will have a large pool set up and will be hosting "Your Dog Can Do This," where the club will be showing visitors the dock jumping competition. Club president Vicki Tighe said that if there's interest, the club will host "DockDog 101" later.
The agility club will have "Agility 101" as well for those unfamiliar with the sport. In agility, dogs maneuver around a course with ramps and tunnels and other obstacles.
Thinking about getting your dog in on the action? The consensus among all the clubs is to test out the sport before getting too committed.
"Try it to make sure your dog likes it," Tighe said.
The dog clubs have a friendly relationship, often recommending new members to the club that fits them best.
"We have a calendar, we don't interfere with each other because we're in different spots," pet trainer Kelly Legarreta said. "(We're) trying to promote each other."
The idea for the park came about a year ago and the clubs really helped the park's progress, Dunmire said.
"We started this all together," Kay said. "(We have) different interests but the main interest we have in common is that we love our dogs."
The Shell Factory is happy to have the dog park. Tom Cronin, owner of The Shell Factory, said the store and the restaurant are dog-friendly.
"We see more and more people adopting dogs," Cronin said. "There is a market for it and we're going to cater to it."
Find unique gifts, art at Coastal Elements
Coastal Elements is a new store in the Resort at Marina Village in Tarpon Point Marina that offers unique gifts.
The southwest Cape store, which opened Feb. 19, prides itself on being an eclectic gift shop with artisan housewares and jewelry.
Business has been sporadic so far, but people are starting to notice, said owner Victoria Wilenski.
"The gift selection is good and her prices are reasonable," said Ron Gilmore, a Cape resident. He added that Wilenski is very knowledgeable about jewelry and decorating.
Coastal Elements specializes in hand-carved wood statues from Indonesia, hand blown glass, as well as art pieces from Cape Coral artists. The store also sells a variety of pearl, mother of pearl and Murano jewelry. Agraria candles and other specialty items can also be found in the shop.
"I bought a blown glass heart for a friend of mine and it was favorably received," Gilmore said.
Wilenski, who said she loves every item in the store, wanted to fill the place with items she would like to purchase.
"(What) I really like is the talent of the artists," Wilenski said.
The wood statues are art pieces. The artists use only traditional hand tools to complete their sculptures.
For those looking for a unique gift, buy an oyster. Customers can crack open an oyster to find their own Akoya wish pearl. The oyster, along with a silver necklace and holder charm, is $34.99.
Wilenski hopes to have an oyster shucking station in the store soon so customers can find their pearls on-site.
"A lot of people have fun with the pearls," she said. "They like the experience."
Wilenski has been in the retail industry for 12 years, working for a home improvement store, but this is her first time having a shop of her own.
"I wanted to be my own boss," she said.
Wilenski has big plans for growth and expansion. In addition to the oyster station, she hopes to add new products. Plush animals and creating her own blown glass are high on her list.
The shop is mainly visited by those staying at hotels and other tourists, but Wilenski hopes that will soon change.
"Hopefully the locals will support us here," she said. "It's nice and peaceful right here and if you want to get out of the regular Cape Coral crowd, this is the place to be."
The southwest Cape store, which opened Feb. 19, prides itself on being an eclectic gift shop with artisan housewares and jewelry.
Business has been sporadic so far, but people are starting to notice, said owner Victoria Wilenski.
"The gift selection is good and her prices are reasonable," said Ron Gilmore, a Cape resident. He added that Wilenski is very knowledgeable about jewelry and decorating.
Coastal Elements specializes in hand-carved wood statues from Indonesia, hand blown glass, as well as art pieces from Cape Coral artists. The store also sells a variety of pearl, mother of pearl and Murano jewelry. Agraria candles and other specialty items can also be found in the shop.
"I bought a blown glass heart for a friend of mine and it was favorably received," Gilmore said.
Wilenski, who said she loves every item in the store, wanted to fill the place with items she would like to purchase.
"(What) I really like is the talent of the artists," Wilenski said.
The wood statues are art pieces. The artists use only traditional hand tools to complete their sculptures.
For those looking for a unique gift, buy an oyster. Customers can crack open an oyster to find their own Akoya wish pearl. The oyster, along with a silver necklace and holder charm, is $34.99.
Wilenski hopes to have an oyster shucking station in the store soon so customers can find their pearls on-site.
"A lot of people have fun with the pearls," she said. "They like the experience."
Wilenski has been in the retail industry for 12 years, working for a home improvement store, but this is her first time having a shop of her own.
"I wanted to be my own boss," she said.
Wilenski has big plans for growth and expansion. In addition to the oyster station, she hopes to add new products. Plush animals and creating her own blown glass are high on her list.
The shop is mainly visited by those staying at hotels and other tourists, but Wilenski hopes that will soon change.
"Hopefully the locals will support us here," she said. "It's nice and peaceful right here and if you want to get out of the regular Cape Coral crowd, this is the place to be."
Softball league like family to octogenarian
Ray Tibbs, 85, has stepped onto the mound with the 50-plus Softball League of Cape Coral for 18 years.
On July 5, he was inducted as the inaugural member of the league's Hall of Fame.
"He represents all the good things of softball," Steve Dougherty, vice president of the league said to the gathered spectators.
Tibbs received a catcher's mitt shaped trophy and a varsity style jacket for his service to the league.
Tibbs accepted his award and said to the group that he doesn't have immediate family down in Cape Coral but the league is now his family. He is originally from Cincinnati.
He was honored for his participation and sportsmanship.
Tibbs has played in leagues for close to three decades. He made his start in Ohio and continued playing when he moved down to Southwest Florida nearly 20 years ago.
The honor was also a part of his birthday celebration. He turned 85 on July 3.
"It's great," Tibbs said. "There's nothing I had in my life that compares to it."
"(He's) real inspiring," said Jennifer Ford, a member of the league. "You don't see many 85-year-old people playing ball."
Ford said Tibbs has a great attitude and is very spirited. He helps morale.
"He's what sportsmanship is all about," Ford said.
Tibbs is a valuable player, too. He's the pitcher for his team, Fifer Orthopedics. Teammate Steve Sonnenberg said Tibbs is an excellent hitter as well.
He won the Senior-Softball USA Nationals in the 70s division as the manager of the Lawson's Products team in 2008. The team was based in Cape Coral.
Tibbs also had success 15 years ago at the Senior Olympics in Norfolk, Va. He hit a grand slam helping his team, FC Industries, clinch victory in the 65 age division.
Tibbs said he doesn't play in leagues just for the game.
"(I come) for the softball and for the camaraderie," Tibbs said. "The players are nice guys."
Tibbs said he watches baseball with guys and sometimes goes up for Ray's games. He also plays golf with his teammates.
Tibbs practices three days a week and plays four days a week. When he is not on the field, Tibbs is in the gym, Sonnenberg said.
"His character is as strong as his body," Sonnenberg said.
"It mainly keeps me in shape," Tibbs said. "And I think it adds years to your life."
He said he encourages seniors to play ball and to be out in the sunshine.
And Tibbs figures he has more to give to the game.
"I'm going to continue playing until I'm able," Tibbs said.
On July 5, he was inducted as the inaugural member of the league's Hall of Fame.
"He represents all the good things of softball," Steve Dougherty, vice president of the league said to the gathered spectators.
Tibbs received a catcher's mitt shaped trophy and a varsity style jacket for his service to the league.
Tibbs accepted his award and said to the group that he doesn't have immediate family down in Cape Coral but the league is now his family. He is originally from Cincinnati.
He was honored for his participation and sportsmanship.
Tibbs has played in leagues for close to three decades. He made his start in Ohio and continued playing when he moved down to Southwest Florida nearly 20 years ago.
The honor was also a part of his birthday celebration. He turned 85 on July 3.
"It's great," Tibbs said. "There's nothing I had in my life that compares to it."
"(He's) real inspiring," said Jennifer Ford, a member of the league. "You don't see many 85-year-old people playing ball."
Ford said Tibbs has a great attitude and is very spirited. He helps morale.
"He's what sportsmanship is all about," Ford said.
Tibbs is a valuable player, too. He's the pitcher for his team, Fifer Orthopedics. Teammate Steve Sonnenberg said Tibbs is an excellent hitter as well.
He won the Senior-Softball USA Nationals in the 70s division as the manager of the Lawson's Products team in 2008. The team was based in Cape Coral.
Tibbs also had success 15 years ago at the Senior Olympics in Norfolk, Va. He hit a grand slam helping his team, FC Industries, clinch victory in the 65 age division.
Tibbs said he doesn't play in leagues just for the game.
"(I come) for the softball and for the camaraderie," Tibbs said. "The players are nice guys."
Tibbs said he watches baseball with guys and sometimes goes up for Ray's games. He also plays golf with his teammates.
Tibbs practices three days a week and plays four days a week. When he is not on the field, Tibbs is in the gym, Sonnenberg said.
"His character is as strong as his body," Sonnenberg said.
"It mainly keeps me in shape," Tibbs said. "And I think it adds years to your life."
He said he encourages seniors to play ball and to be out in the sunshine.
And Tibbs figures he has more to give to the game.
"I'm going to continue playing until I'm able," Tibbs said.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Islands Yogurt Opens Up on Del Prado
Islands Yogurt is serving up healthy treats in a laid-back atmosphere.
The self-serve frozen yogurt shop opened less than two weeks ago on Del Prado Boulevard in southeast Cape Coral, just north of the Walmart.
"People are flowing into the store," said Bree-Ann Compos, co-owner. "I've even had some customers that have come in twice in a day."
Compos owns the shop with her fiance, Benjamin Waller. The couple recently relocated to Cape Coral from San Diego, Calif. This is a new venture for them - Compos worked in the medical field and Waller was in construction before opening the shop.
Islands Yogurt is having a soft opening and many customers are coming in because of word-of-mouth.
Compos wanted to open a self-serve yogurt shop for years but California was too expensive. The couple started to look in Florida to find a great place to relocate.
"I fell in love with Cape Coral," Compos said. "I love all the canals and all the water."
The Cape seems to be loving her back. Compos said sales have grown every day since the store opened June 24.
"I've been waiting for one to come to the Cape," said resident Taylor Simms. "It's delicious."
The shop offers 10 non-fat or low-fat flavors that rotate weekly on five yogurt machines, some flavors featured now are red velvet cupcake, old fashioned peanut butter, tropical sorbet and no-sugar-added tahitian vanilla. Islands Yogurt makes sure one machine always has a non-dairy sorbet in order to give customers options.
"I think the community would welcome something new and health conscious," Compos said.
The shop also carries more than 40 toppings ranging from candy and gummies to fresh fruit and marshmallow topping.
Customers pay 45 cents an ounce for their frozen yogurt creation and the average treat costs around $3.
"When I heard this place opened here, I got really excited," said Virginia Wolf, a Cape Coral resident. "It's a healthy treat."
The new spin on frozen yogurt began in 2005 with the opening of Pinkberry in California. Now the self-serve frozen yogurt trend has hit Southwest Florida. Coconut Point and Gulf Coast Town Center already have self-serve shops. Islands Yogurt is the only such shop in the Cape.
"(We're) with the wave," Compos said.
Islands Yogurt was expected to open much sooner, but was delayed because of construction issues.
"It was really hard on us," Compos said. "This is our money, our heart, our soul."
Islands Yogurt is hoping to be an interactive eatery. Customers can suggest flavors and toppings to the owners and it's active on Facebook.
Compos said that many of her new customers came in because of Facebook. Customers can "friend" the yogurt shop and see special deals and new flavors directly in their news-feed. The shop also sends out text alerts when the flavors are about to change.
"It's been a gamble," Compos said. "I only hope that it keeps getting better."
The self-serve frozen yogurt shop opened less than two weeks ago on Del Prado Boulevard in southeast Cape Coral, just north of the Walmart.
"People are flowing into the store," said Bree-Ann Compos, co-owner. "I've even had some customers that have come in twice in a day."
Compos owns the shop with her fiance, Benjamin Waller. The couple recently relocated to Cape Coral from San Diego, Calif. This is a new venture for them - Compos worked in the medical field and Waller was in construction before opening the shop.
Islands Yogurt is having a soft opening and many customers are coming in because of word-of-mouth.
Compos wanted to open a self-serve yogurt shop for years but California was too expensive. The couple started to look in Florida to find a great place to relocate.
"I fell in love with Cape Coral," Compos said. "I love all the canals and all the water."
The Cape seems to be loving her back. Compos said sales have grown every day since the store opened June 24.
"I've been waiting for one to come to the Cape," said resident Taylor Simms. "It's delicious."
The shop offers 10 non-fat or low-fat flavors that rotate weekly on five yogurt machines, some flavors featured now are red velvet cupcake, old fashioned peanut butter, tropical sorbet and no-sugar-added tahitian vanilla. Islands Yogurt makes sure one machine always has a non-dairy sorbet in order to give customers options.
"I think the community would welcome something new and health conscious," Compos said.
The shop also carries more than 40 toppings ranging from candy and gummies to fresh fruit and marshmallow topping.
Customers pay 45 cents an ounce for their frozen yogurt creation and the average treat costs around $3.
"When I heard this place opened here, I got really excited," said Virginia Wolf, a Cape Coral resident. "It's a healthy treat."
The new spin on frozen yogurt began in 2005 with the opening of Pinkberry in California. Now the self-serve frozen yogurt trend has hit Southwest Florida. Coconut Point and Gulf Coast Town Center already have self-serve shops. Islands Yogurt is the only such shop in the Cape.
"(We're) with the wave," Compos said.
Islands Yogurt was expected to open much sooner, but was delayed because of construction issues.
"It was really hard on us," Compos said. "This is our money, our heart, our soul."
Islands Yogurt is hoping to be an interactive eatery. Customers can suggest flavors and toppings to the owners and it's active on Facebook.
Compos said that many of her new customers came in because of Facebook. Customers can "friend" the yogurt shop and see special deals and new flavors directly in their news-feed. The shop also sends out text alerts when the flavors are about to change.
"It's been a gamble," Compos said. "I only hope that it keeps getting better."
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Freedom 5K runs smoothly
The 197 runners in Monday night's Centurylink-Prism TV Freedom 5k hosted by Red, White and Boom raced across the Cape Coral Parkway Bridge, through the toll plaza, turned around and ran back to the finish line.
And when it was done, familiar faces were the first to cross.
Ryan Stafford, 18, placed first overall with a time of 17:08. Stafford, a recent Fort Myers High School graduate who will run cross country for FGCU, trains six days a week.
"It was tiring on the way back but I pushed through it," said Stafford.
Fort Myers' Marcus Dumas, 36, was in second place with a time of 17:57, while Bishop Verot's John Gargano, 16, was third at 18:53.
The first place overall female winner was 16-year-old Kacy Smith, Estero High' Class 2A state cross country champ, with a time of 19:47.
Canterbury's Emily Edwards, 15, was second with 20:26. Long-time Fort Myers coach Kelly Britton, 33, was third at 20:55.
The run, sanctioned by the Fort Myers Track Club, was a new event for the Red, White & Boom, which was sponsored by the Re/Max Realty Team.
"It was a great success," said Ed Ramos, Race Director of the Freedom 5k.
"As a first time race, there is always a learning curve," said Ramos.
He thanked the volunteers for helping the event run smoothly.
"It's a fun challenge," said Charlotte Edwards, 42, masters overall female winner. "It's a beautiful run."
Edwards' three daughters also ran the race with her.
"It's something we all can do together," Edwards said.
Charles Martinesi of Cape Coral was going to try and keep his breathing on pace.
"I'm not going to kill myself," said Martinesi. "I'm going to do what I need to do to get back."
Overall, there were 92 awards handed out in 14 age categories.
"After the event, the chamber is going to sit down and see if it's something to continue," said Ramos.
He said the outlook is looked favorable.
And when it was done, familiar faces were the first to cross.
Ryan Stafford, 18, placed first overall with a time of 17:08. Stafford, a recent Fort Myers High School graduate who will run cross country for FGCU, trains six days a week.
"It was tiring on the way back but I pushed through it," said Stafford.
Fort Myers' Marcus Dumas, 36, was in second place with a time of 17:57, while Bishop Verot's John Gargano, 16, was third at 18:53.
The first place overall female winner was 16-year-old Kacy Smith, Estero High' Class 2A state cross country champ, with a time of 19:47.
Canterbury's Emily Edwards, 15, was second with 20:26. Long-time Fort Myers coach Kelly Britton, 33, was third at 20:55.
The run, sanctioned by the Fort Myers Track Club, was a new event for the Red, White & Boom, which was sponsored by the Re/Max Realty Team.
"It was a great success," said Ed Ramos, Race Director of the Freedom 5k.
"As a first time race, there is always a learning curve," said Ramos.
He thanked the volunteers for helping the event run smoothly.
"It's a fun challenge," said Charlotte Edwards, 42, masters overall female winner. "It's a beautiful run."
Edwards' three daughters also ran the race with her.
"It's something we all can do together," Edwards said.
Charles Martinesi of Cape Coral was going to try and keep his breathing on pace.
"I'm not going to kill myself," said Martinesi. "I'm going to do what I need to do to get back."
Overall, there were 92 awards handed out in 14 age categories.
"After the event, the chamber is going to sit down and see if it's something to continue," said Ramos.
He said the outlook is looked favorable.
Red, White & Boom a success despite downpour
People clad in red, white and blue ventured down to the Red, White & Boom celebration in Cape Coral on Monday.
The annual Fourth of July party featured a fun zone with inflatable rides for the kids, a street festival of vendors, a 5K run and live musical acts.
"We're here on vacation and it sounded like fun," said Marlene Falkerson of Louisville, Ky.
The event was dampened a bit when rain poured for two hours Monday afternoon, but the weather improved and things kept rocking.
The headliner this year, Heidi Newfield, was presented by Cat Country 107.1.
"Cat Country brings in really great talent," said Elmer Tabor, chairman of Red, White & Boom.
Newfield rocked the Roger Dean Chevrolet stage with her new single "Stay Up Late," and also sang her prior hits and some songs from when she was lead singer of the band Trick Pony.
The event was capped with a 20-minute fireworks display. The fireworks almost didn't make it after the truck carrying them broke down in Bradenton, but with hard work, everything was set up in time, Tabor said.
"The kids love the fireworks," said Catherine Coleman, a Cape resident.
After the fireworks display was an "American Tribute," which featured a 21-explosive salute and Harley-Davidson motorcycles and was dedicated to veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The names of Southwest Florida soldiers who died in those wars were read off as the Harleys were shut down one by one, until there was silence.
"It's easy to forget what the Fourth of July is about," Tabor said.
He noted it's not about the hot dogs and the festivals, but about freedom and honoring the soldiers who fought for it.
Red, White & Boom could not be successful without all the volunteers, Tabor said. The event had more than 130 volunteers who started at 6 a.m. and worked well into Tuesday morning.
"I know the job inside and out, and the volunteers know the job inside and out, too," Tabor said.
Many of the Boom volunteers have been working at the event for years, and Tabor said that's why the event runs so smoothly.
The annual Fourth of July party featured a fun zone with inflatable rides for the kids, a street festival of vendors, a 5K run and live musical acts.
"We're here on vacation and it sounded like fun," said Marlene Falkerson of Louisville, Ky.
The event was dampened a bit when rain poured for two hours Monday afternoon, but the weather improved and things kept rocking.
The headliner this year, Heidi Newfield, was presented by Cat Country 107.1.
"Cat Country brings in really great talent," said Elmer Tabor, chairman of Red, White & Boom.
Newfield rocked the Roger Dean Chevrolet stage with her new single "Stay Up Late," and also sang her prior hits and some songs from when she was lead singer of the band Trick Pony.
The event was capped with a 20-minute fireworks display. The fireworks almost didn't make it after the truck carrying them broke down in Bradenton, but with hard work, everything was set up in time, Tabor said.
"The kids love the fireworks," said Catherine Coleman, a Cape resident.
After the fireworks display was an "American Tribute," which featured a 21-explosive salute and Harley-Davidson motorcycles and was dedicated to veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The names of Southwest Florida soldiers who died in those wars were read off as the Harleys were shut down one by one, until there was silence.
"It's easy to forget what the Fourth of July is about," Tabor said.
He noted it's not about the hot dogs and the festivals, but about freedom and honoring the soldiers who fought for it.
Red, White & Boom could not be successful without all the volunteers, Tabor said. The event had more than 130 volunteers who started at 6 a.m. and worked well into Tuesday morning.
"I know the job inside and out, and the volunteers know the job inside and out, too," Tabor said.
Many of the Boom volunteers have been working at the event for years, and Tabor said that's why the event runs so smoothly.
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