Southwest Spotlight, March 1, 2013

Page 5Page 4 www.swspotlight.comMarch 1-15, 2013

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary

Arts & Entertainment

Community

Restaurants

Business & Real Estate


Do you currently owna life insurance policywith a death benefit of$1 million or more?

Are you consideringcancelling the policyor letting it lapse?

Did you know that yourlife insurance policymay have a hiddenvalue that could farexceed the cash orsurrender value?

To see if your policyqualifies for a freeappraisal, please callus at (239) 898-0033.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOURLIFE INSURANCE POLICY IS TRULY WORTH?

If your policy qualifies for acash offer, you will receiveTRUE MARKET value.

Actual RecentPurchase Offers

68 year old male:Policy type: TermPolicy: $4,000,000Surrender Value: No cash valueCash Offer: $1,400,000

82 year old female:Policy Type: Universal LifePolicy: $2,000,000Surrender Value: $31,500Cash Offer: $180,000

www.cbcteam.com

LIFE INSURANCE ALERT FOR SENIORSYou can sell your unwanted and unneeded life insurance policies for cash!

HERE ARE THE FACTS:• Investor groups and financial institutions are paying cash to buy

unwanted life insurance policies. • Whole life, universal life, term life, survivorship, variable universal life,

and key-man life may qualify.

• Unwanted policies can be worth far more than the surrender value.• To obtain a free policy appraisal, you must be at least 65 years of age,

and have current life insurance coverage of $1 million or more.

Please call (239) 898-0033 for more information.

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



News & Features

S O U T H W E S T™

Cover photo credit: Ken Conger at Lake Clark – photo by Jose Hernandez/Contributed by Ken Conger – Special to the SpotlightGovernor Jeb Bush and Colomba Bush – Contributed | Special to the Spotlight

Southwest Spotlight, LLC — Locally owned and operated since [email protected] | PO Box 1946, Bonita Springs, FL 34133

(239) 287-6474 swspotlight.comPublisher & Editor: Peter A. O’Flinn, [email protected]

Advertising SalesNancy HolloranKathy O’Flinn David Ziccarelli

Office ManagerKatie O’Flinn

Contributing PhotographersDavid MichaeL

Contributing WritersCharles J. CavaliereD.K. ChristiMartha CriderMeghan EasterlyMark GeneralesChris Griffith Dorota Harris Max Harris

Joyce McDonaldJosh MusselmanBen Nelson, Jr.Peter R. O’FlinnStan J. Strycharz, Psy.D.

BOOK YOUR REMODELPROJECTS TODAY!

Complete Kitchen & Bathroom RenovationsTile • Marble • Granite

• Quartz • Wood • CarpetGlass

25150 Bernwood Dr. #7 • Bonita Springs

239-948-1570

classiccoorsbonita.comCall to book your remodel projects today!

Lic. #32183 #32184

8 Bush Family and O’Reilly at the Hyatt

Celebrities gathered for the 13th An-nual Celebration of Reading

11 Congressman Radel At City Hall

He sports a “can-do” attitude for the country’s problems

11 Coconut Road Hospital Proposed

Lee Memorial plans to build on 33 acres behind Community Health Center

11 Ben Nelson Is New Head of CREW Board

The organization stewards the 66,000-acre watershed north and west of town

12 A Positive Market PulseReserve Bank President points to good market signs

16 Larry Kiker on Impact Fee Debate

The Lee County Commissioner pres-ents his views for change

17 Café of Life Site ApprovedCity gives formal blessing to Rose-mary Park proposal

20 Neighbor SpotlightJacke and Arden McCurdy have been giving back to Bonita since the 1990s

32 Then and NowOldest Home in Bonita is new to the City.

36 Bonita Students Win Essay Contest

The DAR sponsors the yearly eventCommentary24 Bonita and Estero

Councilwoman Martha Simons on a Tale of Two Cities

25 Nick Batos on Impact FeesECCL’s head on a moratorium’s negative impact

25 Editorial-Bonita Impact FeesCity Council should rethink impact fee waivers on Old 41

Arts & Entertainment26 Calendar

What’s happening around town?

27 Big Dogs Are ComingNeil Rogers award–winning sculptures arrive March 15

28 Photography FocusKen Conger captures wildlife around the world

30 Playing the BluesBonita Blues Festival expected to draw thousands

Restaurants41 Restaurant Guide

Business14 Fine Dining at Bellissimo

The Benevides family’s fine touch

15 Tennis “R” UsThe David’s know the game

18 Bonita Estero Association of Realtors

Al Speach to power BEAR for some heavy lifting

Columns

33 GooberGoober and the Fox Squirrels

34 The Other BenWhen the world moved slowly on the Tamiami Trail

37 Bonita’s Best FriendsThe Dog Walkers of Buenos Aires

38 Tee Box Tips Small Angles make a big difference

39 Bold BotanaAdam’s advice: wear shorts to bed

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



24201 S. Tamiami Trail #1Bonita Springs, FL 34134

SW Florida’s new premier car audio shop, specializing in designing and installing the perfect audio/video system for your car, truck, or boat.

www.audiointerventions.comHours: 10 - 6pm, Mon - Sat

239-495-0586

RADAR DETECTORSPECIALS!

Come see thespecialists!

iPod andBluetooth

HEADQUARTERS

CUSTOM AUDIO INSTALLATION FOR YOUR CAR OR BOAT

TOWN TALK

Contributed | [email protected]

The Spotlight Goes SkiingThe Spotlight is everywhere! Bonita Springs dentist Brian Olitsky took your favorite news magazine to the top of Keystone Mountain in Colorado. Send us your photo with the Spotlight around town, or anywhere in the world and over 40,000 Spotlight read-ers will see you in the next issue.

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Celebration of Reading Raises Funds to Promote Literacy

By D. K. [email protected]

Bonita Springs — A large, brown and black German shepherd helped the U.S. Secret Service with their sweep before the quiet Hyatt Coconut Point Resort halls and ballroom filled with the elegantly attired partici-pants for the 13th Annual Celebration of Reading re-cently. Former Florida Gov-ernor Jeb Bush, Mrs. Barba-ra Bush, Doro Bush Koch, Jeb Bush, Jr. and celebrities, Bill O’Reilly, Harlan Coben,

Andrea Beaty and Dr. Ar-thur Agatston headlined a celebrity-filled program.

The Barbara Bush Foun-dation has supported Fam-ily Literacy for 24 years

literacy in the United States. Christine Ad-kison, a young mother from Lake Wells, Flor-ida told her emotional story of a changed life

More than 30 million people are functionally illiterate in the

United States today.

Claudio Marinesco | Special to the Spotlight

Harlan Coben, best selling author, was one of the featured speakers at the recent Celebration of Reading at the Hyatt Coconut Point Resort and Spa.

Contributed | Special to the Spotlight

Author and television personal-ity, Bill O’Reilly, spoke at the An-nual Celebration of Reading at the Hyatt Coconut Point Resort and Spa.


Governor Jeb Bush, pictured with his wife Columba, is the co-chair of the Barbara Bush Foundation which supports Family Literacy. Governor Bush spoke at the Celebration of Reading.

with Mrs. Barbara Bush as Chair. Former Governor Bush and Doro Bush Koch became co-chairs this year and set goals for 100 percent

as a single parent with Family Literacy sup-port. “I brought my chil-dren to school with me where they were helped with their homework and cared for while I did my studies. I passed my GED in one year and today I am teaching pre-school and working on my Bachelor’s Degree,” she said through tears. “I can’t thank the Barbara Bush Foundation and my teach-ers enough.”

Governor Bush unveiled the “Gap Map,” “show-ing the literacy gap in each state, a picture of child and adult illiteracy in one place,” he said, “so we have the data we need to get financial sup-port for reading initiatives. Thanks to those commit-ted to Literacy in Southwest Florida and to making a dif-ference, we raised $1.1 mil-lion in cash and $1.5 million in-kind,” he added. Grace Place in Naples, Florida begins Family Literacy this

year. More than 30 million people are functionally il-literate in the United States today, he explained.

Governor Bush and his mother shared remarks praising the Foundation. Their mutual respect and pride in each other’s ac-complishments were evi-dent. “I may go back to col-lege now that Jeb and Doro have taken over the Foun-dation leadership,” joked former First Lady Barbara Bush who also shared posi-tive information about her spouse’s improving health and told humorous stories about his socks.

Arthur Agatston, M.D., said he became the “acci-

dental author” of the South Beach Diet seeking preven-tion measures for patients in his active cardiology practice. “President Ken-nedy’s health issues might have been linked today to Celiac disease,” he revealed. Andrea Beaty, Florida’s Sunshine Award winner, is just compelled to write children’s stories. Harlan Coben delighted the audi-ence with humor about his motivation: “despera-tion.” He claimed to have no other talent, yet every novel is a New York Times bestseller. The O’Reilly Fac-tor’s star, Bill O’Reilly, said his books, Killing Lincoln and Killing Kennedy have

youth versions with details like President Lincoln’s guard stepping off watch. He encourages appreciation for history and financially supports the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Lit-eracy.

Coben said reading “entertains, enlightens, changes a life and opens the world.” The cozy stage designed for a fireside chat in a home library set an informal ambiance, and the audience reacted with frequent standing ovations during the entertaining and enlightening program. Next year’s program is scheduled at the Hyatt again for Feb-ruary 14, 2014.

Largest Audited Circulationin the Greater Bonita Springs Area

www.swspotlight.com

It’sEverywhere

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



DOWNTOWN NAPLES747 5th Avenue South

239-262-8771 OPEN MON-SAT 9-8

SUN 11-6

BONITA SPRINGS28194 Tamiami Trail S.

Just S. of Bonita Beach Rd, next KFC

239-948-5828

NAPLES3652 Tamiami Trail N.

Located Behind Mel’s Diner239-403-8771

KENNEBUNKPORTMAINE

9 Western Avenue207-967-8771

www.bestofeverythingnaples.com

Just Listed Marsh LandingSingle family home with lush tropical

lanai with connecting ponds and waterfalls.Must see. $287,000

Just Reduced West Bay Club

Beautiful former model, marble floors, large yard with resort style pool. $799,900

Brenda Bergin, RealtorDowning-Frye Realty, Inc.

239-248-7284

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Licensed & Insured CGC1513358

Impact Sliders Hurricane Windows Roll Down Shutterswith Mitered Crown Hood

Complete Lanai Enclosure

33,869 people can’t be wrong.

Expertly installed by Rollsecure’s team of installers.We use our own electrician. No subcontractors.

with this ad new orders only

with minimum purchase of $5,000Expires 3/31/13

$500OFF

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Up and Down The Trail

Fort Myers • Bonita Springs • Naples • Palm Beach • Scottsdalewww.fi nemarkbank.com • 239-405-6700 • Member FDIC • Equal Housing Lender

Trust and Investment Services are not FDIC insured, are not guaranteed by the bank and may lose value.

Learn More

a name you know & trust.

Shelley AndersonManaging ExecutiveFineMark National Bank & Trust, Bonita Springs

Shelley Anderson has a proven track record; serving the Southwest Florida market for more than 30 years. At FineMark National Bank & Trust, Shelley understands what it means to build deep relationships and deliver exceptional service.

“We want you to be in the best position possible to reach your goals, whatever those goals may be. At FineMark, we believe that means getting to know you and your family. Only then can we truly serve you.”

– Shelley Anderson

News and ViewsBy Peter R. O’[email protected]

Congressman Radel at Bonita City Hall

Congressman Trey Radel quickly set the tone at a packed town hall meeting at Bonita City Hall on February 19.

“Tonight is not about being Republicans and Democrats,” he said. “It’s about being American.”

And so it was. Radel said plenty that un-derscored his conservative Republican bona fides, but his approach was one of a “can-do” problem solver with a laser-like focus on issues that transcend parties.

His principal theme throughout the eve-ning was the need for “adults in both par-ties” to work together to solve issues.

“For too long in Congress people have been yelling at each other, and nothing is be-ing accomplished,” Radel said. “You would not do that in the private sector, would you? There is new blood that I think will work to-gether to find solutions to get things done.”

Radel has reached out to Democratic members of the Florida Congressional Delegation, including Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Alan Grayson and Patrick Murphy, who unseated Alan West. “I am a Florid-ian like you, I want to find ways that we can work together,” Radel said he told them.

“Our problems are numbers,” Radel told the City Hall crowd. He flipped through charts showing that 64 percent of the fed-eral budget is dedicated to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. “Until we can find a way to wrap our arms around those num-bers, we are in for some serious trouble.”

Radel addressed many issues in his col-loquy with constituents. Here are some highlights. Radel’s statements are in quotes:

Tax code: Radel is a proponent of a sim-plified flatter tax code. “The tax code today has been manipulated by both parties to curry favor with certain industries.” He also believes that, with a “fair tax”, lobbyists can no longer say, “I need this deduction. I need this loophole.”

Environmental Protection: Radel is con-cerned with situations where the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers unduly slow down port and other projects. But, he cited areas like reducing red tide, “where the EPA makes tons of sense for us in Florida.”

Afghanistan war: “We have had an endless war. Our brave men and women have shed blood and lost their lives in that country. The problem most of the time is in Washington with no clear direction as to what we are doing…What we have seen from both Presidents is that somehow the United States is going to show up, and, par-don me for being crass, someone with an M-16 is going to walk into a cave hut, with people who have been living in a tribe for 2,000 years, and hand them a constitu-tion…That is absurd.”

Sequestration: “It originated in the White House. But let’s be honest. Republi-

cans signed on to it right away.”Term limits: “I believe in term limits be-

cause it will change the culture of Washing-ton.”

Dave Grothaus, former Bonita mayoral candidate and retired ATF agent, helped Radel address one woman’s concern. Her worry was that Janet Napolitano, head of the Homeland Security Department, was “buying enough ammunition to kill every American five times over.” Grothaus ex-plained that the ammunition is needed for basic and quarterly training by law enforce-ment agencies, like the Secret Service and ATF. “I can assure you this is not some big stockpile they are gathering to attack us,” said Grothaus. “I have ordered much of that ammunition myself.”

Coconut Road Hospital Proposed

Lee Memorial Hospital’s announce-ment on February 20 that it plans to build an 80-bed hospital on Coconut Road came as welcome news to South Lee County Hos-pital Committee, co-chaired by Mayor Ben Nelson and former Estero Council of Com-munity Leaders (ECCL) Chair Don Eslick.

“This is a tribute to Bonita and Estero working together,” said Nelson. “It’s very gratifying.”

“The Hospital Committee has been working on this for four years,” said Nick Batos, new Chair of the ECCL. “We had a meeting with the hospital about a month ago and expressed our frustration.

“Lo and behold another hospital came into the picture,” he said, referring to a re-cent proposal by Health Management As-sociates for a south Lee County hospital. “We were happy to see that, because it sort of forced the issue.”

In a written statement, Lee Memo-rial said that the economic downturn had slowed earlier plans to build the hospital, to be located on a 33-acre parcel near the Boni-ta Community Health Center on Coconut Road, east of U.S.41.

Both Nelson and Batos expressed sup-port for Lee Memorial’s plans.

“Having a quality hospital within 5 or 10 minutes is a really good thing,” said Nelson. “It adds to the quality of life, especially in communities where the average mean age is probably 59. It’s going to add so much to the infrastructure and our identity, who we are,” he said.

Approvals are required from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Nelson and Batos said they are hopeful that construction could begin in about two years. “It’s too early to know at this point,” emailed Mary Briggs, Lee Memorial spokesperson, when asked about timing of construction.

One great wildflower walk Mayor Ben Nelson recently became the

Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Cork-screw Regional Ecocenter Watershed Trust,

Continued on page 17

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants

Business & Real Estate Page 13Page 12 www.swspotlight.comMarch 1-15, 2013

Market Pulse from the Top

David Michael | Special to the Spotlight

Market Pulse speakers pose with Nigel Fullick, Market Pulse chair, Sandra Pianalto, Federal Reserve Bank 4th District Presi-dent, Brad Hunter, Chief Economist and National Director of Consulting with Metrostudy, and Dr. Gary Jackson, Director of the Regional Economic Research Institute and Assistant Pro-fessor of Economics at Florida Gulf Coast University.

By D.K. [email protected]

FGCU – The Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Com-merce recently presented the most current economic information from the top authorities. Market Pulse Keynote Speaker and Fed-eral Reserve Bank 4th District President Sandra Pianalto told a recent sold out audience at Florida Gulf Coast University, “the role of the Federal Reserve is to ‘counter-balance’ the economy” and outlined the specific, national monetary policies implemented to support economic recovery.

“The aggressive and creative policies were un-precedented because the recession was the worst in the memory of most in the room today,” she added. “Some lost wealth is being restored through the mar-ket and rising home prices. The size of the Fed’s balance

powered with Brad Hunter, Metrostudy’s Chief Econo-mist and Na-tional Director of Consulting and Dr. Gary Jackson, Di-rector of the Regional Eco-nomic Re-search Institute and Assistant Professor of Economics at Florida Gulf Coast Uni-versity. Their presentations were rich in details for the State of Florida, Southwest Florida and specifically Bonita Springs and Estero. Their message, support-ed by current charts and graphs, was positive.

All three speak-ers emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility, however, for long-term eco-nomic growth. Local eco-nomic indicators such as

sheet, however, could bring future concerns. We need to carefully analyze every ac-tion going forward because we don’t want to harm the market.” She emphasized the non-partisan role of the Federal Reserve, one of the first Central banks in devel-oped nations that operates independently from the na-

housing starts for certain “A” (choice) areas with a rise in the medium price of homes, a strong tourism in-dustry, population growth and retail sales growth indicate an upturn in the economy. Available low in-terest home mortgages are a home-buying incentive. The unemployment rate is dropping slowly with a pos-itive impact on consumer spending. Job creation is critical. In some areas,

college graduates,” she said.Pianalto described four

areas that affect the rate of economic growth: 1) con-sumer spending, 2) busi-ness spending, 3) lending policies and 4) government sector spending. Consumer confidence is growing but spending represents two thirds of the Gross Nation-

however, there are labor shortages to keep up with demand, such as the resur-gence of housing starts in choice locations.

A climate of consumer and business caution actu-ally slows economic growth. Statistics show a rise in con-fidence in both areas and cautious optimism predicts continued, steady economic improvement. Market Pulse delivered good news to its receptive audience.

All three speakers emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility, however, for long–term

economic growth.

tional government. “What does it take to

become a bank president?” asked one of the Florida Gulf Coast University stu-dents.

Pianalto graciously outlined her path of 30 years banking experience, and humbly expressed the honor she felt in service to the nation. “There are many paths to the Federal Reserve and many opportunities for

al Product (GNP). Busi-ness spending represents fifteen percent of the GNP, and businesses are holding back. Lenders are cautious and using higher lending standards. Cities and gov-ernments have less revenue and cut back spending. These actual events provide a counter-balance challenge to the Federal Reserve.

The warm up to the keynote was equally high

“Without a doubt, Rock Management out performs any previousManagement Company we ever had.”

—Carroll Thurston, President, Bonita Beach Plantation House

Is it time to consider ROCK SOLID, stress free management?

Open Saturdays,Emergencies Seen Promptly

Most Dental Insurance AcceptedInterest Free Financing Available

El Dentista habla Español

www.familydentistryofbonita.com

239-949-1655

“Creating Healthy Smiles for Children and Adults”

28315 Tamiami Trail, Suite 102, Bonita Springs, FL 34134-3209

New PatientSPECIAL

Cleaning, Exam & X Rays

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants


NAPLES FINEST FLOORING SHOWROOMROYAL COVE PLAZA • 13250 TAMIAMI TRAIL NORTH

ONE MILE NORTH OF IMMOKALEE ROADNAPLES, FLORIDA 34110

239-596-5959 • NAPLES.ABBEYCARPET.COMMONDAY - FRIDAY 9 - 6 • SATURDAY 9 - 5

USE THIS CERTIFICATE FOR AN EXTRA 20% OFF THE SALE PRICE OF ANY AREA RUG IN-STOCK.

* ONE CERTIFICATE PER PURCHASE. OFFER EXCLUDES PRIOR PURCHASES AND DISCONTINUED AREA RUGS. EXPIRES 03-31-13.

239-596-5959NAPLES.ABBEYCARPET.COM

ROYAL COVE PLAZA 13250 TAMIAMI TRAIL NORTH

20% OFFAdditional

ABBEY CARPET & FLOOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS, MISTAKES OR MISPRINTS. 734

COME VISIT THE FLOORING

EXPERTS

48 STYLES IN STOCK AND READYFOR IMMEDIATE INSTALLATION

15 DIFFERENT WOOL STYLES IN STOCKPRICES STARTING AT $4.99 INSTALLED

*Includes Furniture Moves and removal of old carpet & pad.

$4.99*Sq. Ft.

Installedwith ourBest Pad

The Softness

of Silk

The Softness

of Silk

$4.89*Sq. Ft.


$4.29*Sq. Ft.


$3.99*Sq. Ft.


$2.99*Sq. Ft.


Heavy70oz.

Texture

Karastan 70oz.

Texture XtraSoft™

Cut & Loop

Pattern

PinDot

Pattern

Pet Resistant Texture

COME SEETHE NEW

SMARTSTRANDSILK

ON SALE!

COME SEEOUR NEW

STAINMASTER TRUSOFT NYLON

ON SALE!

Hurry! Sale Ends 03/31/13

OverTen Million Dollars of Rugs on DisplayFrom Runners to

Mansion Size

The Best Prices

The Largest Selection of In Southwest FloridaFine RugsFine RugsSpring Flooring Sale!

BIGGEST Carpet SALE OF THE YEAR!

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants


Bonita Business Beat

Bellissimo Translates to a Fine Dining Experience

‘We always wanted a family business.’

— Andre Benevides

Staff | [email protected]

Helma, Andre and Jose Benevides are the owners of this new Bonita Springs restaurant.


Bonita Springs – The col-orful murals in Bellissimo Ristorante depict a seaside Italian town and a stair-case to an imaginary bal-cony, decorated with plants. Shiny tabletops invite guests for a full lunch menu that includes pizza. “The previ-ous owners had a following of pizza lovers, and we serve the same New York Style, Brooklyn Oven Pizza. It’s a very popular take-out item all day and into the evening since it is served at the table just for lunch,” said Andre Benavides, one of the own-ers.

A full wall wine rack hints at the variety served with meals. White linen and

china for the evening trans-form the casual café into a fine dining room beginning at 5 p.m. This new addition to Bonita Springs is located at Bay Crossings Center, 26250 S. Tamiami Trail.

The variety of delicious

food promised by the three-member Benavides fam-ily is a labor of love. They saved their money from a combined 30 plus years of experience as chef and cook at the finest Italian restau-rants in Southwest Florida since they arrived from Ec-uador in the 1990’s. It was time to fulfill their dream.

Their personal touch cre-ates a unique menu that is mostly Italian, but includes specialty items with an in-ternational flair. A close family already, owning the restaurant as partners was a good fit for Jose, Helma and their son, Andre.

“Mom makes original soups that are unlike any in the local area,” said Andre. “We encourage our custom-ers to try the quinoa, fava bean and minestrone soups. She also creates the des-serts from tiramisu, served in a custard glass, to tropi-cal sorbets frozen in mango and orange shells that de-light the eye as well as the palette,” added her proud son. The crème brûlée comes in flavors.

“Chef Jose, my dad, is

the force behind the con-sistently delicious entrées where it’s difficult to choose the best. I recommend Sca-loppini Di Vitello Al Borello and Cavatelli Pasta, his sig-nature dish.” The Bolo-gnaise sauce is Chef Jose’s own recipe and he makes all sauces fresh, all meals start with the best ingredients. Beef, fish, poultry and pas-ta, alone or in combinations offer a diverse choice.

Andre is in charge of the “front of the restaurant.” He

handles the administrative details from greeting guests at the door to personnel, menus, and insuring that the restaurant meets quality expectations.

“We always wanted a family business. My dad called me in Tampa and said he found a potential site for our restaurant in Bo-nita Springs on Craig’s list. After weeks of preparation, they opened in July of 2012, purposely wanting to build a local clientele in the sum-

mer before winter season. “Word of mouth spread, and we are grateful for our regular customers who ap-preciate the care and expe-rience that our family puts into the meals we serve,” said Andre.

“It’s our goal to make our customers happy. They can rely on consistently de-licious food to share with family and friends,” add-ed his mother. Chef Jose agreed. It’s a family deci-sion.

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants


Office Space Designed byProfessionals for Professionals

www.waterford-centre.com

(239) 948-1823Waterford Executive Centre, LLC27911 Crown Lake Blvd., Suite 201Bonita Springs, FL 34135

• Experience the difference!

• A new feel in luxury Executive Office space

• Ideal for the professional seeking sophistication at competitive pricing

• In the Heart of Bonita Springs ( US 41 and Bonita Beach Rd)

• Call to secure one of only 15 suites

WATE1186 GSB 4.91x6.11.indd 1 1/9/13 11:18 AM

Bonita Business Beat

Tennis “R” Us Knows The Game

Joshua Roberts | Special to the Spotlight

Abbie David is a restringing specialist at Tennis “R” Us.

Joshua Roberts | Special to the Spotlight

Jan David, owner of Tennis “R” Us and custom-er Paul Nicholson.


Bonita Springs – In a time when big box stores are squeezing out the little guy, why start a business that competes with them? Jan David, owner of Tennis “R” Us believes he has some-thing unique to offer. Tennis “R” Us is a locally owned store that offers se-lection in equipment and salespeople who know the game and who are trained to fit the tennis player. David knows that selection of the right racquet is an invest-ment in future enjoyment. “Many potential tennis in-juries may be prevented by the right racquet choice,” explains David.

With an engaging smile he adds, “I went into the ten-

nis business after 20 years as an entrepreneur to keep our family in equipment and ap-parel.” His seven children, six girls and one son, are all talented tennis players. Family members work in the business, sharing their experience and expertise.

Bonita staff also includes Joshua Roberts, Marketing Manager, a Bonita Springs native. Store Manager Tammy Hallam is a 4.0 ten-nis player and a member of sanctioned leagues.

At Tennis “R” Us, cus-tomers can select demo racquets from 400 choices. That’s not the only offering that’s expansive at this new

tennis store on US 41 across from Bonita Bay and Pelican Landing in Bonita Com-mons. The spacious store will soon have over 4500 square feet of selling space catering to the tennis enthu-siast with racquets, apparel and accessories.

The “racquet wall” pro-vides over 130 racquets from every major manu-facturer. A demo program gives potential customers the chance to try two rackets every three days to find the right one. “We compare the demo plan to test driving a potential new automobile, “ said David.

Racquets are grouped in four categories from the novice to the pro. Each cus-tomer’s personal consulta-tion with a Tennis “R” Us professional starts the selec-

tion process. “This is our second

tennis store, the first is in Naples. This is the largest, with new ideas for area ten-nis players,” said David. We want to be an integral part of the community, the area’s ‘tennis network’ that brings players together,” said Da-vid. They are developing a website which will include a tennis players social net-work to connect players, coaches, events, clubs, les-sons and everything spe-cific to the local tennis scene. Players will be able to

schedule courts and teams and more with the tools at the site.

Customers can come in for the free one year Tennis “R” Us membership which entitles members to 20 per-cent apparel discounts and 10 percent shoe discounts. “Members also get free stringing of a new racquet and free labor to restring racquets purchased at Ten-nis “R” Us for the life of the racquet,” explained David. They specialize in 24 hour stringing with a free demo racquet if needed. These

are services that make them stand out from the big box stores.

Doors opened in No-vember and they already expanded to include pickle ball and volley tennis, also called beach tennis, equip-ment and accessories to meet the demands of an older population that seeks competitive alternatives to traditional tennis. Tennis “R” Us believes the future is bright in Bonita Springs with a strong community spirit and a healthy business climate.

Customers can select racquets from 400

choices.

Diana Coyle

Room to spare with more than 3650 SF, 4 Bedrooms + Den and 4 Baths, Large Lanai & Pool. $759,000

239-220-4534www.dianacoyle.com

Amazing Opportunityat West Bay Beach & Golf

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants


Fine Cabinetry for the Home

Across from the Promenade onU.S. 41 in the Highlands CenterBonita Springs, Florida 34135

(239) 489-0018www.KitchensByAmbiance.com

FREEIn Home

Remodeling Analysis

Call Today

Lee Commissioner Larry Kiker on Impact Fee Debate

By Peter R. O’[email protected]

Fort Myers — At its mid February meet-ing, the Lee County Commission met to consider a two-year moratorium on County impact fees, the one-time charge builders pay on new construction to help fund gov-ernment infrastructure projects.

The Commissioners appeared poised to approve the moratorium, by a 3-2 vote, when Commissioner Larry Kiker, one of its chief proponents, called a time out. Kiker proposed, and the Commission agreed, to postpone the decision until March 12 to give those on either side of the controversial issue more time to talk.

“I’ll tell you what happened,” said Kik-er when asked about the postponement. “I heard several voices out there. One was (Bonita Mayor) Ben Nelson who said, ‘If you have already made up your mind, don’t waste our time.’”

“People believed that we had our minds made up and were not listening,” said Kiker. “That’s not me, and not what good govern-ment is all about.”

“Bonita and Estero came out very strong

against this. I want to make sure they are getting their questions answered. They should not have to eat my biases with their Cheerios in the morning.”

Nelson and Estero Council of Commu-nity Leaders Chair Nick Batos have given Kiker plenty to chew on. The economy is turning, building is heating up and impact fees are needed to fund critical projects, they say. Growth should continue to pay for growth and, they say, studies show that reduction of impact fees does not stimulate

Construction growth in Lee County has almost flat lined for five years, he said. “That is not good, it’s a big part of our economy.”

Recent statistics that show a 48% in-crease in building activity can be misinter-preted, he said, because prior activity was very low. “Even if it tripled, you are still at only 1,500 permits. For a county this big, is that the real objective? The answer is no.” In the early 2000s, permit activity reached 7,000 per year, he said.

Kiker also discounted studies on the ef-fect of impact fee reduction on economic activity. “I can give you a study that says it does, and I can give you a study that says it does not,” he said. “At the end of the day, you need to figure it out yourself.”

Kiker said he is contemplating several alternatives that he is discussing with com-munity leaders. “We have a lot of smart minds, so we all ought to check our biases and get to the best solution.”

“There is one thing that needs to be addressed no matter what,” he said. “Lee County has one of the highest impact fee rates in the state. $12,000 may not sound like so much in Estero, but go to Lehigh Acres.” Over six hundred inexpensive lots

are for sale in Lehigh, he said. “Who is going to buy a $10,000 lot and then pay $12,000 of impact fees to build a $120,000 house? Let’s be realistic.”

Kiker also discussed a framework where impact fees would apply to rapid growth. “That is what impact fees were supposed to be for,” he said. Under this proposal, fees would escalate as economic growth contin-ues. Alternatively they would kick in once a certain dollar threshold of development was met.

Lee County does not collect impact fees in Bonita Springs, which levies its own im-pact fees. City concerns about County fund-ing for the County’s Beach Road widening are misplaced, Kiker said. Road impact fees for the entire county totaled only $2 million last year, he said. Kiker is also prepared to address Bonita concerns that the County might dip into the gas taxes it shares with the City.

Kiker was elected to the County Com-mission last fall with 64 percent of the vote. “For ten months, I ran on economic develop-ment, which included an 80 percent reduc-tion on impact fees for houses,” he said. “This should not be a surprise to anyone.”

‘We all ought to check our biases, and get to the

best solution.’ — Larry Kiker

the economy. Hundreds of Estero residents emailed the County Commission in protest (see Batos’ commentary on page 25).

“Message sent. Message received,” said Kiker. “But I am also listening to some oth-er people who are not doing very well right now.”

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants


3/31/13

With Affiliate stores…Tampa, FL, Oklahoma City, OK, Grand Rapids, MI

Interested in becoming an affiliate? Contact: [email protected]

better known as CREW. CREW is the non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the stewardship of the 66,000-acre wa-tershed east and north of Bonita Springs owned by the State of Florida.

Plans are in the works for Bonita to be a “Gateway to the CREW,” said Nelson. Hik-ing trails will be developed off east Beach Road, and Bonita Nature Place will be con-nected to CREW.

Nelson’s relationship with CREW started on a lucky day, 16 years ago, when he drove to its Corkscrew Road trails for a wildflower walk. A CREW employee, Lori, signed him in. The next weekend they had their first date, exploring the western ever-glades in Nelson’s jeep. “It’s too soon,” she said a year later when Nelson proposed. Then, on another wildflower walk, Lori pointed to a sign in the distance. Nelson fo-cused his binoculars to read, “Ben, will you marry me?”

Ben and Lori Nelson married where they met, amidst the wildflowers on CREW land.

At Long Last Leitner As previously reported, City Council

voted last fall to accept Café of Life’s gift of a $500,000 public park on a currently over-grown lot in the Leitner neighborhood at the back of Rosemary Park. It will include a pavilion, basketball courts, play areas, a playground, picnic tables, grills and rest-

rooms. The Café, a 600 member volunteer organization, will serve hot meals to the needy there on weekday mornings, an ac-tivity that has caused some controversy in town. Currently the Café serves at the City’s Banyan Tree Park on Old 41.

In late February City Council formally approved, by a 5-2 vote, the necessary lease of the park property to the Café, as well as other legal documents. Peter Simmons, who had voted “no” in October, approved the project this time. “I support the mission, I support the people involved,” said Sim-mons when asked why he changed his vote. “I love what they are doing. Its unfortunate, but it’s a needed service in our community.” Simmons said he still did not favor the new location. “It was a weighing of the balances,” he said. “My original ‘no’ vote was based on location, my ‘yes’ vote this time was based on mission.”

Meanderings…Motorists driving on US 41 may have noticed the quick demolition of the vacant retail building just south of Tuffy’s in the Center of Bonita Springs shop-ping center. A new Chase Bank is slated for the spot, according to Community Develop-ment Director John Dulmer. Bonitians may remember the jewelry store that used to oc-cupy the spot. It held “going out of business” sales for two consecutive years. More im-provements are in the works at the Center. The vacated Bealls building will be demol-ished, and a new Publix will be constructed on that spot, according to Dulmer.

Continued from page 11

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants


B.E.A.R. isGetting Stronger


Al Speach, President of BEAR, Bonita Springs–Estero Association of Realtors, during his record 340 pound bench press and the ring that was presented to him for winning the World Power Lifting record in his age and class.

‘Getting Stronger” is the motto of Al Speach’s presidency, appropriate since he

is also a record–winning power lifter.

By D. K. [email protected]

Bonita Springs — “Power-ful” covers a lot of territory when applied to Al Speach, President of the Board of Directors for BEAR, Bonita Springs-Estero Association of Realtors. Beginning with his youth, Speach played sports. He began power-lifting at age 40 and held the record by age and weight for the states of New York and New Jersey before moving to Florida. Competition in Florida among his age group was greater, but he contin-ued to win.

He recently traveled back to his birthplace, Nor-folk, Virginia, and set a world record of 340 pounds bench press at 67 years old, winning first place in the Se-nior Division and receiving a World Power Lifting Fed-eration Record ring to com-

memorate the feat. His next major event is this March, and he continues competi-tions in his age and weight class in spite of some physi-cal “reminders of aging,” he says.

Speach and his wife made Florida their home in 2002 after selling his New York garment indus-try business. He and his of-

fice staff saw where the first plane struck during the 911 disaster and witnessed the second. The experience initiated a major life refo-cus. BEAR figured early in Speach’s Florida career. He started with a mortgage bro-ker’s license but added real estate later at the urging of the BEAR president. He vol-unteered for and chaired the

BEAR community relations committee several years, overseeing their many phil-anthropic community con-tributions. Next, he tackled the BEAR presidency, once in 2010 and again in 2013.

This term, “getting stronger” is the motto of Speach’s presidency, appro-priate since Speach is also a record-winning power lifter.

their political Realtors Po-litical Action Committee to help defeat fees for services, a potential new tax.

Education adds strength, especially locally taught courses such as Internation-al Certified Property Spe-cialist (CIPS) designation and Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE). The former provides the knowledge, research, network and tools to globalize real estate business. The latter, CNE, trains for the art of nego-tiation so buyers and sellers win during the transaction.

The Young Professionals Network (YPN) empowers younger real estate profes-sionals with contacts and tools for success.

Last but far from least, “getting stronger” was il-lustrated in mid-February at the annual Golden Bear Awards. Seventy-four of the top-performing real-tor members were hon-ored for their $5 million or more in closed sales. Since the awards were first given, award recipients have grown: 39 in 2009, 41 in 2010, 62 in 2011 and 74

in 2012. Of the eighteen companies with award re-cipients, John R. Wood was first with Royal Shell a close second. The highest volume recipient came from Pru-dential Florida Realty. The market is getting stronger.

Speach smiles and adds, “the discipline, the eye on goals, the mental acuity and the perseverance re-quired for power-lifting are the same skills that ‘grow-ing stronger’ at BEAR il-lustrates.” Leadership and empowered members create a powerful impact.

“Stronger” is seen in the ex-pectation that BEAR and multiple southwest Florida boards are merging into one Multiple Listing Service to make it very efficient. “We hope this will be in place by the end of the year,” com-mented Christine Bauder, recently appointed Associa-tion Executive. The mem-bership of 900 strong used

OF BONITA SPRINGS • Sales• Leasing• Repotting• Boarding• Orchid Classes

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants


Dorota HarrisRealtor®

16 year Bonita Springs [email protected]

Ph: 239.273.4927Fx: 239.495.4143

www.DorotaHarris.comwww.DorotaHarris.com

Bonita Bay3400 Oak Hammock Ct.

JUST LISTEDOffered at$1,895,000

• I know the SW Florida Area• I know its Housing Market• I am always pleased to talk about Real Estate

Please call me if you would like todiscuss your Real Estate plans

henlaw.com • 239.344.1100 • Blog: www.legalscoopswflre.com

Fort Myers • Bonita Springs • Sanibel • Naples*

©2013 Henderson Franklin Starnes & Holt, P.A.

Adapting. Changing. Moving forward.

* By appointment only

Serving the Commercial and Residential Real Estate Needs of Southwest Florida

REAL EStAtE LAW

Our goal is to ensure a smooth closing process, protection of our clients’ investments, and peace of mind. Henderson Franklin’s real estate attorneys, several of whom are Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Real Estate Law, handle all aspects of commercial and residential real estate, including:

• Purchase and sale of residential and commercial properties

• Property tax appeals

• Evaluation of distressed properties, foreclosures and short sales

• Title Insurance and resolution of title issues

• Condominium and homeowners’ association law

• Eminent domain and condemnation

• EB-5 investment visas

• Land use, zoning and environmental issues

HydrotechPool.com

- New Custom Pools and Water Features- Pool Repair and Renovation- Monthly Service and Maintenance- Leak Detection and Repair- Leak Detection and Repair- Paver Decks - Cool Decks - Spray Deck- Consulting - Inspections- Heat Pumps, Solar and Gas

3.31.13

3.31.133.31.13

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Continued on next page

Neighbor Spotlight

Jacke andArden McCurdy

Sharing a Passionfor Community


Jacke and Arden McCurdy share an enthusiasm for community involvement.

To say that these two dynamos practice what they preach is an understatement.

By Mark [email protected]

Bonita Springs — As I was leaving sisters Jacke and Arden McCurdy, I asked a final question “What would you say to your fel-low Bonita residents is most important?” With-out a pause they both said, “Give back to the commu-nity”.

This was a fitting end to a wonderful couple of hours the sisters had given me, squeezing me in between morning ap-pointments and the FGCU Presidents Gala benefitting students with scholarships taking place that evening.

To say that these two dynamos practice what they preach is an under-statement. Having grown up in the Baltimore area, they have been a solid part of Bonita since the late 90’s. I hesitate to list the number of Boards the sisters have

sat on and do sit on and in many cases Chair, multiple times, as it would take half the space I have to tell their story. From Hope Hospice to Center for the Arts, let’s just say they are very busy.

Jacke’s professional career included her own law practice, being a state rep in the Maryland leg-islature, a senior staff member of the Distilled Spirits Council of the US in Washington and then Associate General Counsel and finally Vice President of State and Industry Re-

lations for Seagram’s. Her final role had her traveling the globe better than 80 percent of the time.

Arden was long into her management career in re-tail when her uncle passed away and she took the reins of the family business

same as the east coast of Florida. Once she experi-enced Bonita, she was sold and eventually joined Jacke here in retirement.

Knowing all that they have done here I asked, how in the world did you get started? You have to

go back to the flood in 1995 when 171 homes were damaged with eight de-stroyed, 51 suffering major damage and 1,700 residents evacuated. Local residents created the Community Foundation in response. Jacke participated and so began almost two decades of giving back to Bonita.

Today, Jacke tells us the SWFL Community Foun-dation is finalizing its sur-vey work with the goal of

assisting the non-profits it donates to in becoming more efficient with their work and thus better ac-countable for the grants they receive. Meanwhile, Arden is hard at work with the Bonita Assistance of-fice and her passion at the Southwest Florida Speakers Assembly.

As I was about to leave, I asked what they did when there was that rare mo-ment of free time? Well,

heading their property man-agement firm in Baltimore.

While at-tending a busi-ness session in Naples in the early 1990’s, a friend of Jacke’s showed her little Bonita and she fell in love with the area. It took a bit for Arden to follow as she presupposed southwest Florida was the

four trips to Africa, Alaska, Newfoundland and for Jacke, a passion in photog-raphy.

If you are involved in Bonita, you already know the McCurdy sisters. If you are just getting into things here, you will get to know them. Jacke and Arden Mc-Curdy, professionals whose personal skills and passion helped form and drive Bo-nita into the wonderful place we call home.

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Letters continued on page 28

Opportunities to Give BackYMCA of Bonita SpringsOur local Y offers numer-ous programs including sports, aquatics, gymnastics and many opportunities to volunteer. Help your local Y fund scholarships for fami-lies and children. To donate contact Michelle Butler 941-375-9104.

Gift of Life“Fun Raiser”On Wednesday, March 20, the Bonita Springs Ro-tary Club will host its third “mini golf tournament” at Congo River Golf in Es-tero from 3:00 – 10:00 P.M. While the $12 cost of tick-ets is the same as always at Congo River, part of the ticket price will be donated to the Gift of Life Fund. Rotarians will offer prizes, hole sponsorships, and bev-erage sales to raise addition-al funds to assist future Gift of Life patients. The Rotary helps pediatric heart sur-gery patients from develop-ing countries. Funds raised will help for transporta-

tion, lodging and medical expenses for the next little one who needs lifesaving surgery. For tickets or more info call Bob Lombardo 239-628-8800.

Bonita Springs Lions ClubTheir weekly farm markets, thrift store and pancake breakfasts during season help them operate a charita-ble eye clinic and contribute to the support of many local charitable organizations. For more information visit their website bonitalions.org.

Café of LifeThe Café of Life has be-come a fixture in Bonita Springs, serving luncheon meals Monday through Friday to individuals and families from all walks of life. Volunteers con-tribute over 10,000 hours in shopping for grocer-ies, preparing and serv-ing meals, serving on

the Board of Directors, arranging special events such as Thanksgiving and Christmas luncheons. To donate or volunteer email volunteer@cafeof life.org or call 239-495-9325.

Center for the Arts Bonita SpringsBecause of the Annual Fund and generous contri-butions from caring donors, thousands of deserving children and adults receive scholarships and for many more it helps keep the arts affordable. Make a pledge or send in a contribution. Call 495-8989 or visit www.artcenterbonita.org.

Habitat for HumanityHelp make home owner-ship a reality. Sponsor a project, volunteer to help build by calling 239-652-1684 or donate used furni-ture to the Bonita Springs Habitat Restore. Visit www.habitat4humanity.org for more info.

Licensed Board Certified Pedorthist on Staff

Chris Cole’s

FREE Foot Assessment

with this coupon $75 valueIncludes gait analysis, pressure map read-

ing, digital foot scans and much more.Expires 3/31/13 SWS

If you can’t wait to get out of your shoes…

Why shop in the big boxstores when you can get

a personal fitting?

you bought them at the wrong place.

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Continued on next page

Maxine Saul | [email protected]

Maxine Saul took this sunset photo at Bonita Beach. Send your best sunset photos to [email protected] and your photo could be the next Spotlight Sunset.

Spotlight Sunset

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Tired of Boat Maintenance? Join the Club!

17 Boats AvailableDon’t Wait Any Longer JOIN TODAY!

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED 5124 Bonita Beach Road S.W. • Bonita Springs, FL 34134

239-495-0455 Open everyday 8 am to 5:30 pm

You Will Not Have to Worry About...The cost of storage, insurance, cleaning and maintenance. The biggest decision to worry about is...”Which Boat Do I Want Today?

With Prestige Comes Privilege... In addition to maintenance and cleaning we offer our members free ice, on-site parking dock carts, a free coast guard safety course as well as courteous and knowledgeable dock staff always on hand to help. Boat Captains are available for a fee. All of our offshore, leisure and fishing boats have a state-of-the-art GPS navigation system. Each boat is also equipped with either Mercury or Yamaha 4-stroke motors, known for their quiet, clean-burning operation and higher fuel economy to make your boating excur-sions as serene and economical as possible.

Reserving Your Boat is Easy...Members simply call ahead to reserve the boat of their choice and we take care of the rest. You have the freedom to get out on the water quickly and without hassle. So whether you want to spend the day fishing with friends, or unwinding on the water with family, our boats are perfect for all your boating needs.

WhAT MAkes Us DIffereNT…We are the only Family Owned and Operated Exclusive Boat Club in Southwest Florida. All our boats are equipped with the finest marine accessories from GPS and Stereos to Depth Finders and Live Wells. We own the marina, the land, the docks and the boats. You own the water!

OPENHOUSEMARCH

8 –10

20% OFF THIS WEEKEND ONLY

17 Boats AvailableDon’t Wait Any Longer JOIN TODAY!

17 Boats Available

Join the Club!17 Boats Available17 Boats Available17 Boats Available18

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Letters to the Editor PolicyThe Southwest Spotlight publishes letters to the

editor as space allows. All letters represent the views of their authors, not of the Southwest Spotlight, which is not responsible for content or accuracy. Please write thoughtfully on local topics and be respectful of oth-ers. Letters containing personal attacks and abusive language will not be considered for publication. In-clude a phone number to verify writer’s identity. Letters are published at the Spotlight’s discretion. All letters are subject to editing. Send letters to [email protected].

A Matter of TraditionWhen incorporation of Bonita Springs was in the

talking stage, I never gave any thought to the question of corporate boundaries. In my mind the place we called Bonita Springs was more a matter of tradition. Buffer zones and population to area ratios never crossed my mind.

Therefore I was somewhat disap-pointed to find that the little settle-ment called Coconut, a place always identified with Bonita Springs, was not made a part of the city.

As long as I could remember we considered Coconut a part of our town. When I entered first grade at the Bonita School, all the Coconut children in my age range started school there also. They played on the bas-ketball team and in general were a part of the commu-nity. Their families shopped, received mail and attended church in Bonita. As we grew older they joined us at the movies and dances Friday and Saturday nights at the old pavilion.

After finishing the eighth grade at Bonita, the same students entered high school at Fort Myers Senior High. Naturally, our school bus made the side trip to Coconut to pick up their students for the long trek to Fort Myers.

Several years later one of the early planned subdivi-

sions, Eldorado Acres, chose Coconut Road as the loca-tion for their development. Without a thought, since it was on Coconut Road, we viewed Eldorado Acres as part of Bonita Springs. My father, who was postmaster at the time, was called on to speak at the grand opening to as-sure potential residents that the Bonita Post Office would provide them service.

In addition to personal experiences, I grew up hear-ing the older generation talk about Coconut as being a part of their interdependent pioneer life.

In conclusion, while penning these memories a thought came to me. Community has nothing to do with corporate lines or legal documents. It is more of an un-defined connection in people’s minds. After all, my home is outside the city limits but as far as I’m concerned, I’m still in Bonita Springs.

The only thing that would bother me is to see one of these unincorporated areas that was traditionally Bonita Springs become a part of another town’s corporate area.

Byron Liles, Bonita Springs

Fire Commissioners Shun Pension Reform

I made the motion, at the February 11 Bonita Springs Board of Fire Commissioners meeting, that the Board of Fire Commissioners send a letter to Florida House Speaker Weatherford, and to the entire Lee County Leg-islative Delegation, stating our support for ongoing dis-cussions regarding pension reform.

Speaker Weatherford had called Florida’s pension

system “old and archaic.” He suggested revamping the present state retirement program for new employees – making it more like the private sector – requiring em-ployees to contribute to a 401(k) style plan.

There was no second to my motion and no discus-sion – just the silence of four elected Fire Commissioners shocked to think they may be asked to do something for the taxpayer. I will, and do, entreat the State Legislature to move forward to reform the existing Florida Retire-ment System by the establishment of a 401 (k) style pen-sion system for all new employees.

I also ask that the residents of Bonita Springs evaluate the commitment of their Fire Commissioners that can-not even support discussions regarding pension reform. Passing the buck to the state legislature is inexcusable.

Ed FitzGerald, Bonita Springs Fire Commissioner

Map shows Bonita Springs first corporate boundaries in 1925, roughly based on metes and bounds in the first city charter.

W TERRY ST

DEAN ST

OLD

41 R

D

IMPE

RIA

L PK

WY

PENNSYLVANIA AVE

PIN

E AV

E

MAT

HES

ON

AV

E

KINGS RD

E TERRY ST

VER

DE LN

CAROLINA ST

SHANGRI-LA RD

TREASURE CAY LN

RIVE

R RO

CK B

LVD

FELT

S AV

E

LIM

E ST

BONITA DR

HO

RN

E AV

E

LAGOS WAY

ROSEMARY DR

RA

CE

TRA

CK

RD

GOODWIN ST

TASC

A D

R

PRINCESS LN

DE

E D

R

CLARKSTO

N DR

CHISI L

N

PIENZA

CT

MAIN DRTENNESSEE ST

QU

INN

ST

SERANTA CT

MO

RG

AN

RD

FRO

NT

ST

OA

K L

N

HAVEN LN

COBBLE HILL RDWAGON TRL

SUNRAY DR

NORTH CAROLINA DR

RIC

HV

IEW

CT

JOA

NN

DRBA

REF

OO

T LN

TROPICAL DR

N R

IVE

RSI

DE

DR

LYLE

S R

D

PIERC

E AVE

UTAH ST

BONITA BEACH RD SE LA PLAYA CT

PEER LN TANGO DR

FOST

ER L

N

Town of Bonita Springs - 1925

City Council Corner

A Tale of Two Cities:Bonita Springs and Estero

By Martha SimonsBonita Springs City Councilwoman

At a recent meeting, Bo-nita Springs City Council agreed to prepare a presen-tation for residents in the unincorporated portion of Pelican Landing hailing the benefits of annexation into Bonita Springs. Meanwhile, Vote Estero has raised the prospect of a vote to gauge sentiment for a new city. Many are pondering new home rule possibilities in South Lee County and with them, unsettled concerns.

Concern over home rule is nothing new in Lee County. Both Estero and Bonita Springs drew lines and incorporated in the ear-ly 1900’s. Both failed, leav-ing all of South Lee under County rule for decades.

Chartered in 1904, Es-tero’s ambitious but brief municipal incorporation was led by the Koreshans.

Under their leadership, with guidance from women, whites and blacks began to create a modern and envi-ronmentally conscious uto-pia together. Fearful neigh-bors and farmers opted out, weakening hopes for the new city but the death blow came from County leaders who found the loss of county road taxes and the influence of empowered political pro-gressives unbearable. The County disenfranchised all Estero voters in 1906 and, in 1907, caused Florida’s Legislature to abolish the city’s charter. With mu-nicipal lines erased, Estero remained localized along Corkscrew and Broadway for almost a century.

Bonita Springs’ first incorporation in 1925 cre-ated a small centralized town, lessening opposition by the County, and Bonita’s farmers, ranchers and busi-nesses. A city hall and city

jail were opened, followed by an electrical plant, side-walks and streetlights. In January 1927, Mayor Ansel McSwain welcomed Flori-da’s Governor and six hun-dred touring businessmen to Bonita Springs, promis-ing economic opportunity. Meantime, Bonitians served as state and county officers including County Com-missioner. While Bonita’s star rose, storms were brew-ing. Later in 1927 and 1929, city opponents persuaded Florida’s Legislature to al-low a referendum to abolish Bonita’s charter. Then the Great Depression crushed all hope. On February 1, 1938, in a quickly called spe-cial election, 29 Bonita vot-ers chose to erase their cor-porate boundaries, with one voting to maintain them. Bonitians voted against a much broader incorpora-tion in 1965. Success in 1999 incorporated 48 square

miles. Lines had been drawn, again.

Strong tradi-tional allies, our pio-neer families lived and worked in both communities. To-day, our common interests are not only historical. Today, we are both donor communities, pay-ing more in county taxes than are re-turned in services. We still enjoy one anothers assets, e.g. shopping, beaches, rivers, roads, parks, restaurants, medical services and civic and political associa-tions. Our students go to school togeth-er. Employers and newcomers relocate here for our regional assets and employees are grateful to work in either place.

Residents in un-incorporated Bonita Springs and Estero need straightforward talk by and between local lead-ers. Careful community vi-sioning and fiscal analysis, not emotion, should explain how taxpayers’ services and desires can best be met. Both home rule options, annexa-tion and incorporation, may lead to greater success and restored historic alliances for our South Lee County

region. Either way, County reaction is uncertain.

Can a congenial com-promise be struck by our lo-cal leaders over Florida’s leg-islative requirement for the imposed two mile buffer be-tween our cities? Certainly, our shared community in-terests would be well-served by a united force rather than opposing lobbying efforts.

For over a century, Bo-nitians and Esteroans, have prospered and failed and prospered again side-by-side, regardless of shifting jurisdictional lines. We are and always will be tightly tied together in a tale of two cities.

Martha Simons is Council-woman for District 5.

Letters to the Editor

Byron Liles

Commentary

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Mon to Fri 10-6Sat 10-5

Closed SundayBy Appointment Anytime

By Nicholas Batos ChairmanEstero Council of Community Leaders

Lee County, like the entire country, has expe-rienced very difficult eco-nomic times during the last five years. We all have been anxious to see the economy revive. That way, growth can begin again and the unemployed can go back to work.

In the 2000s, Lee Coun-ty grew faster than almost any other Florida county and indeed in the nation. During that time, impact fees met our crucial, and expensive, infrastructure needs. With foresight, prior Commissioners saw that if new growth paid for the in-frastructure to support such growth, then our residents would not be overburdened with higher property taxes. As a result we kept up with our needs, and now have what is necessary to insure both our businesses and residents the infrastructure needed to provide them with the quality of life they came to Southwest Florida to enjoy.

We appreciate the ef-forts of our current County Commission to find ways to further stimulate the Lee County economy and to get

people back to work. How-ever, imposing an impact fee moratorium for two years is the wrong way at this time.

In Lee County, the cor-ner has already been turned. Construction is growing rapidly. Housing starts last year were higher than they have been in five years, and commercial investment last year was the highest since 2008. The unemployment rate has come down sub-stantially. All indications for 2013 show that the Lee County economy will con-tinue to improve, and most projections show improve-ment at even faster rates.

With all these positive trends and projections, why would we want to forego collecting millions of dollars to stimulate something that is already improving when those funds will be needed to pay for growth-related in-frastructure needs?

Also, there is no data we know of showing that a sus-pension of impact fees will stimulate construction and create jobs. In fact there are many studies that show a reduction or elimination of impact fees does nothing to stimulate the economy.

Lee County’s budget continues to operate in the red. It cannot tolerate dip-ping into shrinking reserves each year to provide vital services to residents and businesses, no less the mas-sive and expensive capital improvements that impact fees fund.

This moratorium, if im-posed, will have one of two results. Both are unsatisfac-tory. Either we won’t be able to afford the infrastructure we will need or the current

residents and businesses will have to pay the cost through increased taxes of one type or another. And, thousands of those same residents and businesses have paid impact fees over the years. That hardly seems fair.

The building industry has made it clear that they do not want to pay impact fees, they do not want to pay for the cost of growth they are creating, they do not want to pay their fair share. They want to shift that cost from the building industry to us, the residents through higher taxes.

If the Commissioners can specify some areas of the county that have not shown an increase in eco-nomic development or they want to target certain types of business that they are trying to get into the coun-ty (maybe business in the Research Diamond) then they might consider put-ting a moratorium on those specific locations or busi-nesses to try and stimulate for a specific time period (one or two years). At least this would be a targeted stimulus in areas that need it rather than painting the entire County with a mora-torium when many parts of the county do not need the stimulus. Thus we would only be giving away money we need for future growth.

We ask our County Commissioners to oppose this proposed moratorium on impact fees. It is not needed and will not work. It will only hurt the financial situation of the county, its municipalities, its business and taxpayers.

The Impact Fee Moratorium’s Negative Impact City Council’s $66,334.57 Question

Bonita Springs City Council has de-clared Old 41 revitalization as the top stra-tegic objective for good reason.

Old 41 is a big part of what makes Bo-nita “Bonita,” and not just another part of endless Florida sprawl where laying more pavement is all too often equated with progress.

Old 41 is one of Bonita’s biggest oppor-tunities. It’s also its biggest challenge. The area is gaining more traction, particularly as more and more Bonitians attend events at Riverside Park. Flying into economic headwinds, City Council and our City Manager have laid the groundwork for downtown revival with incentives for job growth, color palette requirements and a planned Community Redevelopment Area that will, over time, plow needed monies into infrastructure improvements.

However, judging by recent events, City Council needs to take a serious look at revamping another program adopted a few years ago. The Old 41 Road Impact Fee Exemption program allows build-ers to apply for exemptions from the City road impact fees. It is intended to encour-age attractive enhancements to Old 41 (The City’s impact fees are separate from Lee County impact fees, currently being

debated).Under the exemption program, in mid

February the City granted a proposed “dollar store” a $66,334.57 impact fee ex-emption. The new 8,000 square foot store will replace another building on Old 41 between Terry Street and Rosemary Drive.

That $66,000 break is more than six times the annual budget of the City’s Art in Public Places Board, which seeks to at-tract more visitors by improving the look of downtown. Their volunteer work is be-hind the signature sculptures that define beautiful Riverside Park.

When the Art in Public Places Board asked for a $10,000 budget increase last August, the majority of City Council said there simply was no money available (Sub-sequently, Council squeezed out some money for the upcoming The Big Dog Show, an Art in Public Places Board Proj-ect.)

An appropriately structured impact fee exemption program may be a catalyst for Old 41 revival. But City Council ought to rethink the current approach that can effectively subsidize the fifth dollar store in town, while depriving funds to projects that will encourage first class economic development.

E D I T O R I A L

Come dance with us…From social dancing to competitive dancing

Private Lessons with No ContractsSelect one of 12 instructors, varying levels of expertise

26251 S. Tamiami TrailBonita Springs

www.dancelifeofswfl.com

Open to the public for Group Classes and

Dance Parties

Join us for an evening ofdancing

239-495-3600

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



CALENDARB: Bonita Springs E: Estero FM: Fort Myers N: Naples

Expires March 31

New Clients Only

Best OrganicHair Salon

Thank You For Voting Us

Bonita Christian Forum Season 8 Schedule

FREE & OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • 9751 Bonita Beach RoadBonita Springs • 239-992-3233 • bonitachristianforum.org

presents

David CookLeading Sports Psychologist

& author of Seven Days in Utopia

Dr. Cook has worked with top athletes in the NBA and on the PGA Tour. His passion is to help everyone

find the keys to inner peace and true success.

Thursday, April 4, 2013William Bennett

Former Secretary of Education and National "Drug Czar";CNN political analyst; prolific author

Tuesday, March 19 at 7:00 PM

March1 FridayOpening Reception and Open House — 6 to 8 p.m.Portraits, People, Presence Exhibition plus Silly Faces Exhibition are only part of the fun. A campus–wide Open House, showcasing faculty and visiting artists’ demonstrations and dis-plays, live music on the out-door stage and light refresh-ments. Where: Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs, 26100 Old Us 41 R., B. Cost: Free.

1 FridayOpening Reception for Artist Ursula Capelletti — 6 to 8 p.m.Public is invited to this new exhibit, Motions of Color – New Acrylic Abstracts. Meet the artist of the month and enjoy complementary re-freshments and lively con-versation. Where: Kathleen Bradford Studio, 4259 Bo-nita Beach Road, B., Cost: Free.

1 & 2 Friday & SaturdayLibrary Book Sales — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.The Friends of the Library of Bonita Springs will be holding their book sale in the meeting room of the Li-brary. Gently used non-fic-tion, fiction and paperback books, as well as CD’s, cook-books, puzzles, trades and much more will be available. Where: Bonita Springs Li-brary, Pine Avenue off West Terry St., B.

3 SundayThe Townsmen — 2 p.m.Bring your hat and a chair and some friends for an en-joyable afternoon of music at the band shell. Where: Riv-erside Park, B. Cost: Free.

5 Tuesday thru March 10Anything Goes – times varyThe Roundabout Theater Company presents this Cole

Porter first–class comedy. Includes standards such as I Get a Kick Out of You, You’re the Top, and of course, Any-thing Goes. Where: Hayes Hall, Philharmonic Center for the Arts, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., N. Tickets $89 to $98. thephil.org.

6 WednesdayWednesdays Are for History – 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.This 90 minute presentation by David Southall will cover another chapter in Florida’s history, Chaos and Invasion: The Second Spanish Period. Where: Community Center on Old 41 across from Riv-erside Park, B. Cost: $10 per adult/BSHS member $5. Ad-vanced tickets sold at the Li-les Hotel or at the door. Res-ervations call 239-992-6997.

7 ThursdayLook Ma, No Grass! 2 p.m.Barbara Presnell, former Master Gardener and Hor-ticultural Specialist for the Lee County Extension Service, and owner of Lee Landscapes, will discuss how to eliminate some, or all, of your lawn. Other topics will include mulch, plant choices, irrigation and fertilization. Registration is required. 239-533-4860. Where: Bonita Springs Pub-lic Library, 26876 Pine Ave. B. Cost: Free

8 & 9 Friday & SaturdaySeventh Annual Bonita Blues Festival — see article page 30The blues returns to Bo-nita with a whole weekend of music at the band shell. Twelve bands are scheduled to play. Where: Riverside Park, B. For tickets: go to bonitablues.com

9 & 10 Saturday & SundayBonita Springs National Art Festival — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.This will be the third festival of the season and your last chance to enjoy and pur-chase work by 211 National and International artists. Where: The Promenade at

Bonita Bay, B. Cost : a $5 do-nation is requested.

10 SundaySouthwest Florida Big Band – 2 p.m.Another Sunday, another band at the band shell. Enjoy an afternoon in the sun or shade listening to your fa-vorites. Bring some friends. Where: Riverside Park, B. Cost: Free.

12 TuesdayR.E.A.D. to Dogs — 4 p.m.Independent readers can practice reading in a fun way! The Reading Education Assistance Dogs will be on-hand to listen to you read. They’re great listeners! Chil-dren of all ages are welcome. First come, first served. Where: Bonita Springs Li-brary, 26876 Pine Ave., B. Cost: Free.

13 WednesdayWednesdays are for History – 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.This 90 minute presentation by David Southall will cover The Seminole and the Semi-nole Wars: Displaced Na-tive Americans from across the Southeast Find a Home in Spanish Florida. Where: Community Center on Old 41 across from Riverside Park, B. Cost: $10 per adult/ BSHS members $5. Advance tickets sold at the Liles Hotel or at the door. Reservations call 239-992-6997.

14 ThursdayTeen Tech Week and Wii Fun — 4 p.m.Choose from a number of Wii games to play. Chal-lenge your friends and show off your tech skills. Where: Bonita Springs Library, 26876 Pine Avenue, B. Cost: Free.

15 FridayBig Dog Show Opening Reception–5 p.m. to 7 p.m.A spectacular collection of 15 steel dog sculptures rang-ing in size from four feet to over ten feet high and 12 feet long. Live music by The Brooks Brothers Band, re-freshments, an opportunity

Continues on page 29

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



The Big Dog Show Coming to Riverside Park


One of the largest solo sculpture exhibitions is coming to Bonita Springs on March 15 at Riverside Park. The Big Dog Show features 15 large dog sculptures by sculptor Dale Rogers.

‘These dogs are mammoth. They are eight feet high and

ten feet long.’ — Arlene Hunter,

City of Bonita Springs.

If You Go: The Big Dog Show Opening Reception

March 15, 5 pm to 7 pmLiles Hotel Plaza, Riverside Park

Meet the sculptor, music, raffle, refreshments


Bonita Springs – Dog lov-ers and art enthusiasts are in for a treat. Fifteen, 500 pound, dog sculptures by artist Dale Rogers will be displayed at Riverside Park. The larger than life sculptures are touring the United States. Their next stop following Orlando is Bonita Springs, Liles Ho-tel Plaza where they will be on display for almost three months. Two trucks, two trailers and heavy equip-ment will bring the sculp-tures in time for the March 15 Opening Reception when the public can meet and greet the artist at the Liles Hotel Plaza, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Brooks Brothers Band, refreshments and the lucky winner of a four and one half foot dog sculpture by Rogers add to the un-veiling festivities. Only 500 tickets will be sold.

“These dogs are mam-moth,” said Arlene Hunter, Director of Development Services, City of Bonita Springs. “They are eight feet high and ten feet long. It is great to have this opportu-nity to bring the National Touring Show, The Big Dog Show, to Bonita Springs.”

“The Big Dog Show nor-mally would be reserved for larger metropolitan areas,” added Nigel Fullick, Chair-man of the Art in Public Places Board. “Rogers has

gone out of his way to ac-commodate us, including designing the four and one half foot dog sculpture for the raffle. He’s also donat-ing an eight foot Big Dog Sculpture to place on the platform at the entrance to Depot Park, where dog owners enjoy walking their dogs, across from the Lion’s Club.”

“The Art in the Sun Along Old 41 project was designed for artist sculptors to exhibit appropriate piec-

years. Residents are en-thusiastic about art, well-educated and very appre-ciative. I look forward to the delivery, placement and installation of the Big Dog Sculptures in the park.” The exact artistic arrangement is unknown, but speculation includes his signature “kissing dogs,” two displayed with their noses touching. Rog-ers uses con-10 steel and stainless steel for his large sculptures. “Con-10 steel naturally rusts for the first year in the elements and then seals itself,” said Rog-ers. “These materials are chosen for their ability to withstand display in the natural setting and not be destroyed by the elements. They have a long-life and low maintenance.”

The Big Dog Show tour that began in 2009 has ex-hibited in 13 different loca-tions in seven states. It will remain through May for area residents of all ages to wander through and enjoy. What dog breeds are fea-tured in the exhibit? “The dog is in the eye of the be-holder and represents the thoughts of the viewer,” ex-plained Rogers.

es of art for a period of one year or more,” Fullick said. “Bonita Springs already owns one of Roger’s sculp-tures on platform display, the ten foot Away sculpture at Riverside Park.”

Rogers spoke from his Massachusetts stu-dio, “Bonita Springs is a great art community. I participated in the Bonita Springs Art Festival at the Promenade for five or six

Featuring Featuring

MUDBONEand theSARAH

HADEKABAND

Saturday,March 23, 2013

Bonita SpringsRiverside Park

27300 Old Rt. 41Bonita Springs, FLGates open at 5 pm

Concert at 6pm

The CREW Concertand Silent Eco Auction

It’s All New at the CREW CONCERT!NEW VIP CAFÉ! Catered by the renowned Survey Café features

preferred seating, buffet dinner and drinks.NEW SILENT AUCTION offers nature experiences and products

unavailable anywhere else.Enjoy the sun and fun, bring lawn chairs. Food, beer wine will be

available to purchase. No pets.

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



The Townsmen have been performing in the Southwest Florida area for over 30 years.

Bring your lawn chairs to Riverside Park and have a relaxing, music-filled afternoon.

Riverside Park on Old 41 at 2 pm

For more information, call Ralph at 571-4426 or Kathy at 839-6496. Sponsored by

TOWNSMEN

Big Band Tunes from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s

March 3

ORCHESTRA

Artist Spotlight

Capturing Wildlife Around the World

Ken Conger | Special to the Spotlight

This photo of a brown bear catching a salmon was captured by Ken Conger at Katmai National Park and a second place winner of the 2007 National Parks Photo Contest.


This giraffe was captured by Ken Conger with Mt. Kenya in the dis-tance.


This jaguar was captured by Ken Con-ger during a photo tour he led to the Pantanal, Brazil.

‘Every animal has its threshold of comfort. I stay outside his threshold.’

– Ken Conger

By Kathy O’[email protected]

Bonita Springs — It’s safe to say that no one brings home souvenirs like the ones that fill Ken Conger’s suitcase. Grizzly bears, jaguars, An-dean condors, wart hogs, zebras and ghost bats all find their way home. They’re digital images, of course. Ken Conger is an award-winning professional pho-tographer.

A visit with his fam-ily and the February Bonita Springs National Art Festi-val, where he was exhibiting, brought Conger to Bonita Springs. Earlier this month, he shared his telephoto con-quests with members of the Bonita Bay Club in a talk entitled “From Alaska to Patagonia”. Even this well-traveled audience admitted being impressed with Con-ger’s talent in capturing the most illusive of subjects.

In Kenya, home of the richest concentration of wildlife, Conger captured a leopard on the prowl at night, its long whiskers clearly visible. In Lake Clark National Park in Alaska, the least visited park he says, he sought out coastal brown

the most illusive cat in the world. He said he thanked the photo gods immensely for that luck.

Luck may play a role but this expert does his home-work. He believes one must study his subject before-hand. “Know where its habi-

bears and watched as they adeptly opened clam shells in the mud flats. In Panta-nal, Brazil, he shot the jag-uar, the largest cat in the Americas, with males grow-ing up to 350 pounds, and

tat is, what food it eats and where it goes for water,” he explains.

His fascina-tion with wild-life dates back to his childhood, when, like so many young-sters, he brought home frogs and adopted stray animals. When he learned that you could make a living as a park ranger, he knew what he wanted to do right then and there. Thirty years in conser-

vation was like “living a dream”, he says. “If I were a dog, I’d be wagging my tail.”

“Alaska grabbed my soul,” he said. While a park ranger there, he had time to photograph polar bears and musk oxen. He invested in a new camera and equipment, sold his boat, took out a sec-ond mortgage and $14,000 later was ready to pursue his hobby full time.

Photographing in the early morning and late af-ternoon, Conger seeks to capture the personality of his subject. His best shots make eye contact with the animal. There is a sense of engagement and typically they are doing something

behaviorally interesting. He doesn’t shoot captive animals, only those in the wild. “Every animal has its threshold of comfort. I stay outside his threshold,” he adds. “With time and pa-tience you can capture that special moment. You be-come so engrossed waiting for that one moment. It’s called living in the lens.”

The backgrounds are as important as the sub-ject. He wants a soft back-ground, not cluttered. In Patagonia the photo gods were with him again when he captured an Andean condor, an endangered species, in flight against the cliffs. With a ten foot wing span it’s an impres-sive bird. The black-browed albatross, with the largest wing span of any bird at 11 feet, is a prize shot. The animated Magellanic pen-guins, black-necked swans and crested caracara reflect the diversity of the photo-graphic profusion waiting for the photographer in that part of the world. You can see more of his work and his gear at www.kenconger-photography.com.

With each destination Conger has his target spe-cies. His next trip in March is India and Sri Lanka where he hopes to photograph ti-gers then on to Borneo to capture orangutans and long-tailed macaque.

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Calendar from page 26

to meet the artist and enter a raffle for an over 4.5 foot big Dog sculpture. Where: Riverside Park B. Cost: Free.Evening with the Authors — 6 p.m.An opportunity to meet , talk with and dine with your favorite best–selling authors. These 20 authors will head-line the Southwest Florida Reading Festival the follow-ing day. Reservations are re-quired. Where: Royal Palm Yacht Club. FM. Tickets: $45. To make reservations and more info go to readfest.orgHistorical Society Speakers Series — 7 p.m.Highly acclaimed actor and scholar, Chaz Mena, will portray Bernardo de Galvez, an unsung hero of the American Revolution. Where: Lions Club, of Bo-nita Springs, 10346 Pennsyl-vania Avenue. B. Cost: Free

16 SaturdayFruit Tree Sale — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Why buy fruit when you can

pick it from your own tree? Get your fruit orchard start-ed today. Where: Riverside Park, B. Movie in the Park — 7 p.m.The movie, Transform-ers, will be shown under the stars. Where: Riverside Park, B. Cost: Free.

17 SundayBonita Springs Concert Band – 2 to 4 p.m.Enjoy an afternoon of your favorite tunes. Bring a hat, a chair and some friends. Where: Riverside Park, B. Cost: Free.

ONGOINGSaturdaysThe Farm Fresh Market — 7:30 a.m. to noonCome to one of the most popular markets in the re-gion. Fully stocked farm-fresh vegetable vendors plus vendors selling frozen fish, baked goods, cut flowers, orchids, cosmetics, antiques, fashions, jewelry, books, and more. Where: Promenade at Bonita Bay B. Cost: Free. For more information, visit

bonitalions.org.

WednesdaysFarm Growers Market — 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.If you can eat it and watch it grow, it’s here! Where: Old 41 and Childers St. B. For more information, visit bo-nitalions.org.

MeetingsBonita Springs City Council Wed., Mar. 6 cancelled; Mar. 20, 9 a.m.Come watch local govern-ment in action. Where: City Council Chambers, 9101 Bonita Beach Rd. B.Estero Council of Community Leaders Fri., Mar. 8, 10 a.m.Lee County Commissioner Larry Kiker will be the guest speaker. All residents are in-vited to attend ECCL meet-ings. Where: Recreation Center, Estero Commu-nity Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd. (off south side of Corkscrew Rd., a mile east of US 41.) E.

All dates, times and prices are subject to change.

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Bonita Blues Festival Expectedto Draw Thousands

‘This is one of the best blues festivals in the state.’ — Teri Lemaine


Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials are headlining Friday night at the Bonita Blues Festival.


Jimmy Thackery will per-form at the Bonita Blues Festival Saturday night.


This Scream guitar will be signed by all the per-formers at the Blues Festival then auctioned off Saturday night.

Staff [email protected]

Bonita Springs — The win-ter blues are responsible for bringing many northern-ers to these parts. In March though, it’s specifically the Bonita Blues that will be drawing the crowds.

Over 3,000 blues fans

are expected to converge on Riverside Park in Boni-ta Springs for the Seventh Annual Bonita Blues Festi-val on March 8th and 9th.

With an impressive line up of 12 acts, it’s sure to please the most discern-ing blues fan. Headlin-ing Friday night is Jimmy Thackery who is just fin-ishing his latest world tour. His three piece band

with its Pink Floyd influ-ence has a big following, according to Dale Timple, who along with his wife Teri Lemaine are part of the committee organizing the event for the Bonita Blues Charitable Founda-tion.

Saturday night’s head-liner is Lil’ Ed and the

Blues Imperials of Chica-go fame, known for their hard pounding blues. His group has been together for 24 years and recently completed performances in Europe and Japan.

“This is one of the best blues festivals in the state,” declared Lemaine. “We have a diverse group of people working on the committee to help make it

a success and over 100 local volunteers.”

The Bonita Blues Char-itable Foundation was formed seven years ago by a group of determined Bonitians to bring the best blues to Bonita Springs, to showcase Riverside Park and to support local chari-ties. Last year, was its most successful year to date and $18,000 was donated to charity. This year these charities will benefit from the ticket sales: Bonita Assistance Office, Music For Minors and the Music Therapy Program at the Children’s Hospital.

One of last year’s acts, Skyla Burrell, cancelled her performance shortly before the Festival after she had an emergency appendecto-my. The performing bands and the disappointed fans at the Festival then took up a collection for her and her

If You Go: Seventh Annual Bonita

Blues Festival

When: Friday, March 8 – 2 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.; Saturday, March 9 –

11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Where: Riverside Park, Bonita Springs

Tickets: bonitablues.com

band. She was so apprecia-tive that she promised to come in 2013 and so she is in the lineup this March.

“Advance tickets are selling like crazy off the website,” said Lemaine. “We even had a fan from as far away as Belgium con-tact us to say he was com-ing.”

The Friday line up start-ing at two p.m. includes Certified Band, Big Buck & the Biscuit Boys, Reba Rus-sell Band, Southern Hos-pitality and Jimmy Thack-ery. Saturday at 11:30 a.m. the Cracker Blues Band leads off, followed by Deb

& the Dynam-ics, The Juice, Skyla Burrell, Biscuit Miller & the Mix, Lil Ronnie & the Grand Dukes and Lil’ Ed and the Blues Im-perials.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase. En-joy the music at the best blues in town.

A/CSERVICE$99.95

Expires 3/31/13 Expires 3/31/13

1 lb. Recharge

Not valid with any sales priceor other discounts Expires 3/31/13



We Are a Full

Service Facility

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



R E S T A U R A N T & L I V E M U S I C

9144 Bonita Beach Rd.in Sunshine Plaza,

Behind Fitzgerald’s Pub

239-405-8566

For updated information,please check out

our website at

www.thestagebonita.comInsert your email address and get specials & updated

news every week!

OPEN 4PM TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY,

FRIDAY & SATURDAY

Las Vegas Tribute Bands are Performing at the StageCall for upcoming schedule or check www.thestagebonita.com

COME FOR THE FOOD...STAY FOR THE DANCING

THE EAGLES TRIBUTE Friday, March 1st

BEACH BOYS TRIBUTE Saturday, March 2nd

JOHN DENVER TRIBUTE Tuesday, March 5th

GEORGE CARLIN COMEDY, 50S/60S DANCE SHOW Wednesday, March 6h

ELVIS AND ROY ORBINSON

TRIBUTE Thursday,

March 7th

THE RAT PACK TRIBUTE Friday, March 8th

SOUND CHECK BIG BAND Saturday, March 9th

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION Monday, March 11th

GOTTA LOVE IT BAND Tuesday, March 12th

NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE Wednesday, March 13th

ROD STEWART TRIBUTE Thursday, March 14th

ELTON JOHN TRIBUTE Friday, March 15th

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Project1_Layout 1 2/12/13 9:50 AM Page 1

Then and Now

Oldest Home in Bonita Springs Is New to the City

The Haldeman House was rescued from near certain demolition by local preservationist Christian Busk who moved it to Bonita Springs.

This historic resi-dence was moved 15 miles north from its earlier beachfront

location.

The Haldeman House, built in 1886, was originally located on a five and a half acre strand of pristine Naples beach.



By Ronda LawhonSpecial to the Spotlight

Bonita Springs — Known historically as the Halde-man House, this home is now the oldest remaining home in Bonita Springs, but it’s also relatively new to our city. How could that be?

Built in 1886 and now located at 10010 Pennsyl-vania Avenue, this house was the very first home built in Naples, Florida. But well over a century lat-er, in 2005, it was rescued from near certain demo-lition by local preserva-tionist, Christian Busk, who had the house moved some fifteen miles to the north and situated upon its current site.

The home was origi-nally built on a five and a

half acre strand of pristine beach by retired Confed-erate Army Colonel and Kentucky State Senator, John Stuart Williams. Williams had been lured to the area by the press which promoted it as “sur-passing the bay in Naples,

Italy.” He was accompa-nied to the remote oasis by a few Kentucky gentle-men, including friend and business associate, Wal-ter Newman Haldeman, owner and publisher of the daily Louisville Cou-rier Journal.

At that time the coast-

line was almost entirely uninhabited, save for early settlers who first arrived in the 1860’s, Roger Gor-don and Joe Wiggins -– both commemorated with the naming of Gordon’s Pass and Wiggin’s Pass.

The other inhabitants were Madison Weeks and his family who camped in a palmetto hut along the shore of Gordon’s Pass. Apparently disil-lusioned by the intrusion of the Kentucky gentle-men, Weeks is said to have moved his family just a few miles south where he lived until his death.

Contrary to the seclu-sion that Weeks appar-ently preferred, the Ken-tuckians envisioned the development of the Naples area as a seasonal resort town, both for the enjoy-ment of themselves and

their guests, as well as the hope for financial gain. But by 1890, the enthu-siasm of the small group had waned and most of the shareholders decided to sell out.

By 1889, Haldeman had purchased the home from his friend, Colonel Williams. Haldeman is credited as the founder of Naples and over the years his vision for Naples has largely come to fruition. Ironically though, it was another boom of develop-ment- the real estate boom of the early 2000’s- that threatened to be the de-mise of the cherished fam-ily home until developers bought the property for

prospect in 2005. The gulf front location of the home beside the Naples Pier was deemed too valuable for the single family residence to remain onsite.

Today, this pure low Victorian board and bat-ten house rests safely along the banks of Oak Creek. With all original floors, doors, and win-dows, restructuring is at a minimal. Several ad-ditions have been made to the structure over the years, but all were in keep-ing with the original plan and only limited ginger-bread accents have been added. Rather uniquely, it has triangular cross sec-tions instead of vertical

planks on the exterior.Also unusual for

homes built before 1927, this historic residence was constructed using lo-cal Florida cypress wood for the frame, siding and milled trim work. Inside, there is extraordinary detail in the trim work. Additional architectural features include the bay window and a fireplace in the enormous living room.

This article was adapted from the script written by Ronda Lawhon for the Bonita Springs Historical Society’s DVD Historical Walking Tour.

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Goober and the Fox Squirrels

BonitaNature Place

GOOBER

They are called fox squirrels because of their large bushy tails and the way they scamper around on the ground

resembles a fox.

Bonita Springs – I am used to people visiting the Bo-nita Nature Place getting so excited when one of us Gopher Tortoises takes a stroll and they spot us, but this one day their excite-ment startled even me. I figured they must be tour-ists and hadn’t seen a Go-pher Tortoise before so I thought I’d wander over even closer and give them a real thrill.

The closer I got, I real-ized that they weren’t even looking at me. All that excitement and pointing, was at a squirrel. Really. A squirrel. Where were these people from?

They couldn’t calm down, and as they continued pointing I heard them say it was a Fox Squirrel. Isn’t

ground, not in the trees like the gray squirrel.

Fox Squirrels prefer open woods with occasion-al mature, tall pine and oak trees. The female has her young, usually 2-3 babies, in January and they won’t leave the nest for 90 days. She will feed them a diet of pine seeds, buds, fruit and nuts after they are weaned.

One of the Bonita Na-ture Place volunteers added that unfortunately many are hit by cars as they try to cross roads. He said that

the Fox Squirrel is facing the same survival issues as many other species due to the lack of suitable habitat, as mature, tall pine and oak forests disappear. They are protected by the State of Florida from being hunted.

I will admit that I learned a lot from these visitors to the Nature Place that day and I also learned that seeing a squir-rel, mainly a Fox Squirrel could be a reason to get very excited.

Goober is a gopher tortoise living at the Bonita Nature Place.

a squirrel, a squirrel? Ap-parently not. This one must have been pretty special.

They talked about the Fox Squirrel being a Threatened Species. That sure got my attention. The visitor stated that they are called Fox Squirrels be-

do like to make their nests in tree cavities or they con-struct nests from twigs and leaves. He said they are usually twice the size of the regular squirrel and their fur can vary in colors from tan to black. They spend most of their time on the

cause of their large, bushy tails and the way they scamper around on the ground resembles a fox.

He went on to say they eat Long Leaf Pine seeds and acorns from Oak trees. Like other squirrels, they

Architecturalquality

solutionsfor Pools

Patios & More

Excellencein Quality

and Serviceis our Goal

Front Entryways • Fences & Railings • Rescreen & RepairHurricane Shutters • Glass & Acrylic Rooms

Impact Windows & Doors • Pool & Patio Enclosures Designer Screen Doors • Home Remodel Awnings & Gutters

Call Joe Perez for a FREE estimate239 992-2444 FAX 992-3730

26364 Old 41 Road,Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Over 25 yearsserving Lee and Collier

counties

State License #CGC060715

corinnes as you like it

26831 Tamiami Trail #46In Bonita Bay Plaza

Bonita Springs, FL 34135

239.949.0500www.thesaloncorinnesasyoulikeit.com

CelebrateEarthMonth

Make a donation to the Everglades Foundation in any amount and we will apply a credit in that amount towards

your next hair service. Only available with

some stylists.some stylists.Exp. 4/30/13

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



For information or to participate in next years event please call (239) 343-6950 • www.TourPlayersTennisClassic.com

Your donation to Barbara’s Friends — The Golisano Children’s Hospital Cancer Fund can help make a difference in the

life of a child. 100% of funds donated to Barbara’s Friends goes to help children

with cancer and blood disorders. To make a donation, please call (239) 343-6950

or make a secure gift online at www.TourPlayerTennisClassic.com.

Make a giFT. Make an iMPaCT.

Thank You To the those who have made the 6th annual event another major

success, including the corporate and seed sponsors, donors, participants, fans, volunteers, professional tennis players and staffs of Bonita Bay Club and Lee Memorial Hospital Foundation!

A Fish TaleThe OtherBEN

BEN NELSON JR.

…somewhere unseen, under the paint, the fish was still there watching

over me.

Ben Nelson | Special to the Spotlight

Heddon fishing lure logo that was painted on Nelson’s Hardware build-ing.

Bonita Springs — Yes-terday, I was standing in front of the building on Old 41 where I grew up. What used to be our fam-ily’s hardware store on the first floor is now a bakery. The second story, where we lived for many years, is now abandoned. The building has been remod-eled several times over the years and doesn’t look much like it did, but some-where on the face of the building, beneath the lay-

ers of paint, is a beautiful ten foot tall painting of a fish jumping from the wa-ter.

In 1960, my father had an artist paint what was essentially the “Heddon” fishing lure logo above the bright red “Nelson’s Hard-ware” sign and for decades the bass, with fishing lure hanging from its wide open mouth, remained there high in the air be-tween my window and my sister’s bedroom window, watching the world slowly go by on the Tamiami Trail.

It watched as drunken cowboys threw each other out of the windows of the Dome, as long lines of traf-fic sat waiting for the mati-nee at the dog track, as

hurricane Donna rolled a house past our front door, as my father fearlessly ran off a drunken man who was threatening his em-ployees with a shotgun.

And between these more interesting times, it patiently observed our

normal everyday activi-ties as my sister and broth-er and I grew up. Every morning before school, we went downstairs into the hardware store to “take the stuff out”… which was what we called pushing,

pulling and riding all the lawn mowers, bicycles and anything else with wheels that had been crammed into the store overnight, out the door onto the con-crete patio out front. Day after day, year after year, we took them outside and then nine hours later we took them back in through the front door beneath the fish.

It watched. It watched as we became teenagers and then adults, as one by one we left home and the safety of its wide-eyed gaze. Then, as if to signal that its work was complete, my father painted over it… and it was gone.

I didn’t think much about it at the time. Life was happening… jobs,

marriage, and kids. My sister moved to New Jersey, my parents built a new house off Terry Street and my brother and I built homes of our own. Keeping the ground floor of the old bu i ld i ng r e n t e d b e c a m e my Dad’s favorite project. But up-stairs, our old home r e m a i n e d vacant.

About eight years ago, I tried to talk my dad into selling the old building so my parents could be secure in retirement. The timing and the prices were right, so at a meeting, after

he had informed a group of potential buyers to name an as yet higher number for the fourth time, I took him aside. “What are you doing Dad?” I asked stern-ly in low breath.


Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Spotlight Dog

Harold Kurzman | [email protected]

Fifi, a Jack Russell that lives in Pelican Landing, with Piper, visiting from Mary-land. Fifi is the Spotlight Dog. Send your photos of your best friend to [email protected] for a chance to be the next Spotlight Dog.

FEEL BETTERBONITA SPRINGS YMCA

Get a FREE SilverSneakers Membership!*Call your Healthways Insurance Provider to see if you qualify.

Bonita Springs YMCA, 27200 Kent Road

(239) 221-7560www.BonitaSpringsYMCA.org

SilverSneakers MSROM• Chairsupport• Increasestrength&range

ofmotionfordailyliving• Resistancewithweights,

tubing&ball

SilverSneakers YogaStretch• Seated&standingyogaposes• Increasedflexibility,balance&

rangeofmovement• Restorativebreathingexercises• Stressreduction&Mentalclarity

MembershipincludesuseofourfitnessfacilityandpoolPLUSGroupExerciseClasseslike:

*

VOTEfor

BSU Board of Directors

Robert Lienesch, Estero resident since 2007Proven financial executive,

Bonita/Estero Economic Development Council director

Bob Bachman, board member since 2000 Realtor & contractor, chamber director of the year

Hank Hochstetler, board member since 1990Citizen of the Year, Love of Bonita Award recipient

Mail your ballot before March 12!

integrity, experience and commitment:

BSU Board of Directors

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Bonita Students Win Essay Contest

To celebrate in the winners awards ceremony were: Back row l-r: Bonita Springs Mayor Ben Nelson, American History Chairman Shirley A. Nix, DAR Service for Veterans Chairman Tina McNiece, Teacher Lori Howard, Writing Teacher Taylor Locke, Teacher Daniel King, Teacher Zack Schroeder. Front row l-r: First Prize Winner Madison Owens, Second Prize Winner Holly Hazen, Honorable Mention Eric Medina (not present).

By Shirley A. NixSpecial to the Spotlight

Bonita Springs – This year’s Fifth Grade Winners of the Daughters of the American Revolution Essay Contest in the Bonita Springs Elemen-tary School were honored with an awards ceremony.

First Place Winner Madi-son Owens and Second Place Winner Holly Ha-zen received their awards from members of the Bare-foot Beach Chapter of the NSDAR with an honored guest, Mayor Ben Nelson, in attendance.

Each year the NSDAR sponsors an essay contest

for local schools to compete at each grade level. The essay contests are to promote pa-triotism and an awareness of the struggle which has led to the formation of our country.

The title of this year’s es-say contest was “Forgotten Patriots Who Supported



ELECTROLUX • ORECK • EUREKA • BISSEL • PANASONIC • DYSON • KIRBY • RICCAR HOOVER • ORECK • EUREKA • BISSEL • PANASONIC • DYSON • KIRBY • RICCAR • DIRT DEVIL • ROYALHOOV

ER • OR

ECK • E

UREKA

• BISS

EL • PA

NASON

IC • DY

SON • K

IRBY •

RICCAR

• DIRT

DEVIL

• ROYA

L

ELECTROLUX • ORECK • EUREKA • BISSEL • PANASONIC • DYSON • KIRBY • RICCAR

BUY NEW$100 OFF

UP TOANY NEW VACUUM

PURCHASE WHEN YOU TRADE-IN YOUR OLD VACUUM!

Excludes prior purchases & featured items in ad. Not valid with any other offers, discounts. With coupon. Expires 3/31/13

$19999VACUUM DEPOTSuper Store

3300 Bonita Beach Road,Ste.122Bonita Springs, FL 34134

(Bonita Beach Rd & 41-next to Publix)

239-947-1955

WE CAN TUNE-UP YOUR OLD VACUUM TO PERFORM LIKE NEW!

$10 OFFNot valid with other offers, discounts or

prior purchases • Expires 3/31/13

Vacuum Tune Up

HUGE VACUUM SALE!

FREE $25 GAS CARDwith any vacuum purchased over $199.99

(excludes prior purchases) Expires 3/31/13

HUGE SHOWROOM FULL OF NEW VACUUMS ON DISPLAY.

TRY AND COMPARE RIGHT IN THE STORE!FREE ASSEMBLY WITH ANY PURCHASE

Oreck XL Pro Plus II

Like NewFactory Reconditioned

Reg. $399

One of the largest solo sculpture exhibitions is coming to Bonita SpringsMarch 15 through May 31

Installed on the Grounds of Riverside Park at the Liles Hotel27300 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, Florida

THE BIG DOG SHOW features a spectacular collection of 15 steel dog sculptures eight feet high by ten feet long.

Sculpted by nationally acclaimed artist, Dale Rogers, this unique exhibition is visiting Bonita Springs on its tour of the United States.

A special Opening Reception, March 15, 5pm to 7pm will feature refreshments, live music by The Brooks Brothers Band,an opportunity to meet Dale Rogers, the artist, and enter a ra� e for an over 4.5 foot BIG DOG sculpture.

Ra� e tickets are $5 each or 5 tickets for $20. Only 500 tickets will be sold. Tickets Available at Bonita Springs City Hall.

City of Bonita Springs Art In Public PlacesPresents

One of the largest solo sculpture exhibitions is coming to Bonita SpringsOne of the largest solo sculpture exhibitions is coming to Bonita Springs

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



DOROTA AND MAX HARR IS

As far as we know, he was the only standard poodle in Buenos Aires.

Bonita’s Best FriendsIf you have a dog that you think is particularly wonderful, contact us at [email protected] and he or she could be the next dog featured

in this column.

The Dog Walkers of Buenos Aires

Bonita Springs — This month permit us to remi-nisce a little. In the late 1990’s, we lived in Buenos Aires for five years. We hap-pened to be there again re-cently – and while most of you may associate Argen-tina with the Tango and red wine, we enjoy going back to look at the dogs – and the dog-walkers, a ubiquitous phenomenon of Buenos Ai-res, and a nostalgic memory for us.

When we lived in Bue-nos Aires, our household included Blue’s predeces-sor, a black standard poodle named Monty. He had lived in Michigan, and was three years old when we moved to Argentina. Both we and Monty found ourselves in an environment quite dif-ferent from any we had known – living on the 25th floor of a fifty-story high-

tied to a series of lampposts or railings, and left unat-tended while the dog walker enters an apartment build-ing to collect his next dog. (The most organized walk-er we knew drove an old yellow school bus with the seats stripped out, which he used to ferry his charges

see a walker exert control by shouting or by aggressive behavior.

Any walker we asked would give the same an-swer: they are quite lit-erally the leader of their pack. They walk first, and twelve big dogs follow. No dog pulls on its leash.

The dog-walkers of Bue-nos Aires are licensed by the Municipality, and are an essential part of its urban scene. They typically collect a dozen dogs whom they

exercise in the city’s parks. Small dogs don’t often par-ticipate, so the dog-walkers’ usual mix comprises Lab-radors, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and assorted Hounds and Terriers. These dogs are overwhelmingly male, and most will not be

around the city, but his ap-proach was unique - not least, we suppose, because going on a bus ride is prob-ably not the most effective way of exercising a dog).

The destination of each walker is one of the large parks of Buenos Aires. There the dog-walkers gath-er together, talk and smoke, and the dogs entertain themselves. Which raises an interesting question: why do the dogs not fight? We never saw dogs under a walker’s control engage in hostilities. Nor did we ever

met were aware only of toy poodles – Evita and Presi-dent Juan Peron were often pictured with theirs – and almost daily a passer-by would ask us: “What hap-pened to him? Why is he so big?” People regularly asked to have photos taken with him; on one occasion, he was invited by an un-known bride to join in her wedding photo.

This gave Monty a cu-rious position in the dog-walking world. His walk-er took special pride in him, and showed him off as a kind of dog-walking status symbol.

And we were left with a special attachment to Buenos Aires, its dog-walkers, and its dog-lov-ing people.

The walkers are visibly confident that they are in charge, and the dogs evi-dently feel it too.

In this scenario, Monty always received special treatment. As far as we know, he was the only standard poodle in Buenos Aires. Argentinians we

We board dogs, all breeds & all sizes, cats and other

small animals.Full Service facility offering

boarding, daycare, grooming and training.

55 acres of wooded property with nature trails to walk the dogs.

Friendly personnel.Visit anytime during

our office hours

Bonita BoardingKennel and Pet Camp

Family Owned & Operated"Where our familytakes care of yours"

See website for more info: bonitaboardingkennel.com

11860 Red Hibiscus DriveBonita Springs 34135

Phot

o: F

rogn

ose

Phot

ogra

phy w

ww.fr

ogno

se.co

m

239-992-6878

rise in the middle of a city. And Monty had the new experience of being walked each morning by a profes-sional dog-walker.

neutered. It is a lesson in dog dynamics to watch the pack in motion.

The morning collec-tion requires that the pack, growing steadily in size, be

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



My dad smiled a mis-chievous grin and whis-pered. “I don’t want to sell it... I just want to see how high they’ll go.”

I got flush with anger. I didn’t understand. “Cut them loose Dad... This isn’t right.” And I walked away.

Later that day I was still stewing (it’s a Nelson art form), but I had promised to take him to get his truck, so I drove quietly, he sitting next to me. Finally he broke the silence. “I can’t sell it. It’s my legacy. I want it to live

on for my children.” I looked over at him. He

was looking out the win-dow... avoiding eye contact. “Dad... WE are your legacy. You created us, watched af-ter us and built us as surely as you built that old build-ing.” I put my hand on his shoulder. “Sell it and you and mom spend it having fun. Julie, Tim and I are going to be fine because of what you taught us.” It was a touching moment... but he still didn’t sell it.

Now, three years after dad’s passing, I’m standing here trying to help manage

some of my dad’s legacy… this old store, and my ten-dency to become irritated. That’s when I suddenly re-alized that somewhere un-seen, under the paint, the fish was still there watching over me. I sighed, put both hands on top of my head and started to contemplate where to start the repairs... I looked up at the sky and chuckled. For somewhere unseen, under that painted sky, I was sure that my dad was still watching over his legacy as well.

Ben Nelson can be reached at [email protected]

The Other Ben Continued from page 34

TEE BOXTIPS

JOSH MUSSELMAN

Bonita Springs – Through-out the past few years the OEM, or original equipment manufacturers, have greatly reduced the lofts of the irons on the retail market. Every day our shop measures mul-tiple clubs and their loft an-gles to gauge the patterns of equipment utilized today.

We have found the av-erage loft of an iron set has been reduced or de-lofted by about 3-5 degrees in the last 5-7 years. This means if you hit the same brand iron from this year versus the manufac-tured club from a few years ago it will travel farther, solely due to the difference in loft.

The loft affects the yard-age by 3-4 yards per degree, either an increase in yardage with less loft or a decrease in yardage with a higher lofted club. It is also true for the lie angle and that one degree will result in a ball flight of 3-4 degrees difference in di-rection, more upright results in a left ball flight or direc-tion and a flatter iron results in a direction to the right.

A very common manu-facturing flaw is the gap in lofts between irons in the

Small Angles Make a Big Differencesame set. Your set should have anywhere between 4-5 degrees of loft between each club. Typically 4 degrees is the difference between the shorter irons and 3 degrees difference on the longer irons.

When golfers purchase new clubs they expect that the lofts are similar or exactly the same from manufacturer to manufacturer, generally though this is not the case. For example, if you have a

club’s loft and lie angle. Once the numbers are charted on paper you should research the manufacturer’s loft and lie specs for your particular set to compare them.

Loft and lie angles can generally be adjusted to the angle that best suits your impact position. Unfortu-nately there are a few sets of clubs that due to the club’s design and material cannot be altered. If this happens and your clubs have too large of a gap to fill by adjusting the loft, you will then have to purchase an additional club, especially crucial in the wedges.

By taking the time to check the angles on your wedges, you will have bet-ter distance control as well as an advantage when hit-ting approach shots. It will even improve your putting score since the closer you hit the ball to the pin, obviously the better chance you have to sink the shorter putts.

Loft and lie adjustments are a quick and painless al-teration that benefits all skill levels, so go see your profes-sional club fitter today to adjust them and easily hit it straighter tomorrow.

Josh Musselman is a PGA professional, 2008 Hor-ton Smith Award recipient, 2006-2012 “World’s Top 100 Club Fitter” recipient and can be reached via email at [email protected].

Titleist Vokey wedge as a 52 degree gap wedge and a 56 degree sand wedge, then you pair it with a new set of Co-bra AMP irons, the problem is then the pitching wedge is only 44 degrees, whereas other pitching wedges could range from 42-47 degrees.

You will end up with an 8 degree gap in your set or approximately 20 yards be-tween the pitching wedge and the Vokey wedge. Even though you own a gap wedge (the 52 degree club) you still do not have the proper sepa-ration in the lofts to utilize for 10-12 yard increments between irons.

An appropriate way to correct this issue is to take the time with a fitter and measure each and every

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



BOLDBOTANA

ADAM BOTANA

The shower door is melting before

my eyes.

Bonita Springs – At one time in my life I lived in a trailer by the bay. This wasn’t your standard dou-ble-wide with coon dogs hanging on the porch. This was a nice trailer. It even had satellite and Corrigan counter tops – “high class.”

It was a normal night. I got done with work, had dinner with the family, watched some TV, and then went off to bed. Like any normal young 20-something year old you feel confident – I’m sleeping in the buff because “I’m sexy and I know it.” It’s a lot cooler even though there was more than adequate A/C in this trailer park mansion. Off to sleep I go.

You know when you’re dreaming and a book falls off the shelf, slams to the floor with a thud of a 50-pound brick, but the noise comes from the life of the living, not the sleep-ing? That’s what I woke to; a loud pop followed by snapping.

As I roll over I feel re-ally warm, more like hot. I thought I might have turned on the heater. Then I notice that I’m coughing and my eyes are burning. What the hell is going on? I open my eyes and see flames, big ones. The show-er door is melting before my eyes.

I’m thinking I have to get the hell out of here and fast. The exit is on the other side of the melting shower.

gets interesting. As I run, I fall through a clothesline, stumbling into a couple of blue recycling bins. Now remember I’m naked so that was kind of painful. As I crawl out of the bins

still naked, giving the peo-ple on the bridge a good show. I grab a water hose and try to extinguish the fire. I wasn’t doing much, water hose in one hand spraying away, other hand covering a very important extremity still very much exposed to the elements. Dad comes running with fire extinguisher to help. He tells me to get Gary up and get some clothes on. Gary was our manager

who also stayed at the marina. I go pound on his door.

“Gary get up! There’s a fire and grab me a pair of shorts.”

Now the thing is … Gary is a slim 32 and I’m a tight 38, so this is a problem. Gary hands me a pair of sweatpants that are big on him but really tight on me. As I squeeze into them I feel the pitch of my

voice changing from alto to a soprano. I ran back outside and the flames had engulfed one whole side of the trailer.

Then I hear sirens. I have a flashback to kinder-garten – being told “when there is a fire you run to the street and wave your arms so the fireman can see you.” So I ran as fast as I could to the street in the tight sweatpants and no shoes.

As I’m jumping wav-ing my arms like crazy I thought to myself, “What the hell are these guys thinking when I get in their headlights?” Some 280-pound white guy with a big gold medal-lion and bad farmer’s tan in really tight sweatpants jumping around like a crazy man. Surely a sight for sore eyes.

From that day on I al-ways wear shorts to bed.

Next to the shower was the refrigerator with exploding cans of food. The exit was blocked. Then I remember the emergency exit win-dow right behind my head. I’ll take door number two. I pop open the window, stuck my head out and see the eight foot drop... I go feet first and as I slide out the window I realize that I’m buck naked. I wasn’t stopping to put on shorts!

Now this is where it

Why I Wear Shorts To Bed

@ https://facebook.com/EdibleArrangementsSWFlorida.com

there are scattered soda and beer cans everywhere. I see the flames rising eight to ten feet. I start to run over to my parents’ house. As I’m running people are stopping their cars looking at the fire and my running naked. I pound on my par-ents’ door. It’s not everyday your son pounds on the door naked. He would tell me later he thought I was some drunk guy.

“The trailer is on fire Dad.”

“OK, be right there!” I run back to the trailer,

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



9070 Bonita Beach RoadBonita Springs, FL 34135www.fitzgeraldspub.com

239-949-2111

West of Galwayat 6 pm

No CoverBeer, Food, & Fun!

Friday, March 15

Give Aways All DayBag Pipes

at 3:30 & 8:30Irish Dancers

at 2:30 & 7:30West of Galway

6 to close6 to close

Saturday, March 16

WIN A TRIPTO IRELAND

Drawing at 9:30Sunday

Must be Presentto Win

No Purchase Necessary

Rod Stewart Tributewith an Irish Twist

$10 CoverBeer, Food, & Fun!

Sunday, March 17

LiveMusicall DaySunday

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



A Table ApartChef Jeff Acol’s profound love for the ocean is rooted in his early childhood years growing up in Hawaii and helps explain his commitment to serving sustainable seafood and sea-sonal ingredients. This talented chef offers a limited but diverse menu. Dishes offer global fair with Asian and French influ-ence. Open for dinner 7 days a week 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.4295 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 239-221-8540. www.atableapart.com

Bellissimo RistoranteThe Benevides family, Chef Jose, his wife Helma and son Andre, welcome guests to their new restaurant. Theirs is a unique menu that is mostly Italian but includes specialty items with an international flair. Try the signature dish, Scaloppini Di Vitello Al Borello and Cavatelli Pasta. Open for lunch Mon. thru Sat. and dinner 7 days a week. 26251 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 9, Bonita Springs. 239-405-8957. www.bellissimobonita.com

Buffalo ChipsAl, Chip and JC Greenwood’s Old 41 original for 30 years strong. It’s “where locals go.” 1st place winner, Florida State

chicken wing and chili cook-offs. Full menu including burg-ers, fish and steak and spuds. Boars Head premium deli sand-wiches. Featuring Bonita’s Hall of Fame. “If it looks good, we’ll find a place for it on the walls or ceiling,” says Al. Lunch and dinner daily. 26620 Old 41 Rd. 239-947-1000. www.buffalo-chipsrestaurant.com.

Doug’s SeafoodYou see them at the Farmer’s Market at the Promenade ev-ery Saturday; now you can see them everyday (except Sunday). Doug’s Seafood has opened a new location and is offering the free option of steaming of your lobsters, clams or mussels for you. They also offer live lobsters, frozen lobster meat, crab meat, Jonah Crab Claws, haddock, halibut, cod, and other seafood. Maine Lobster rolls, crab rolls and shrimp rolls are available in small and large sizes. Go to dougsseafood.com for more info. 3411 Bonita Beach Rd. Unit 307. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. to Fri. and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat. 992-1902

Fitzgerald’sA taste of the old country right on Bonita Beach Road from the Kilkenny crab dip and Mul-ligan’s Irish stew to Granny McCarthy’s bailey cheesecake.

Home of the belly-buster burg-er, salads, sandwiches and full meal menu. Traditional flat breads. 20 beers on tap. Open daily 11:30 a.m. to close. Open Sunday for breakfast at 8 a.m. 9070 Bonita Beach Rd. 239-949-2111. www.fitzgeraldspub.com.

Hemingways Island GrillExperience a taste of the islands with Caribbean inspired dishes. The tropical flavors will take you on a sea cruise with seafood, chicken and steaks infused with coconut, key lime, rum sauce, cilantro or jerk barbecue sauce. Make your selections from an extensive menu. There’s even a kid’s menu. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Shops at Coconut Point 8001 Plaza Del Lago #113 Estero. www.hemingwaysislandgrill.com

Hungry Hound DawgsOutdoor picnic tables invite Bonitians to enjoy locally made frankfurters and sausages with only the freshest ingredients. Owner Rick Price, a 30 year Air Force veteran, dreamt for years of owning a hot dog vend-ing company. He developed his passion for German sausages while stationed in Europe and now offers a full menu of dawgs and sausages. Pick one of his

Cointinued on page 42

*BUY ONE GLASS OF WINE OR BEER GET ONE FREE WITH PURCHASE OF DINNER. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS OR DISCOUNTS. NO CASH VALUE. EXP. 3/17/13

Dinner under the stars Friday and Saturday 5-9:00 pmBreakfast & Lunch Tuesday - Sunday 8:00 am - 2:30

Breakfast available all day!Sunday Brunch served 8:00 am - 2:30 pm

10530 Wilson St • Downtown Bonita Springsthesurveycafe.com • 992-CAFÉ (2233)

Across from Riverside Park, one block east of Old 41

SIMPLE FLORIDA CHARM... CASUAL... LAID BACK... DELICIOUS!

Voted Best Key Lime Pie in Bonita!

Step back in time to when Bonita Springs was known as Survey and enjoy old-fashion southern

hospitality in this historic home turned Café where local art and antique tools adorn the walls.

A nostalgic Florida experience… your new favorite place!

BOGO *WINE OR

BEER WITH DINNER

Buy

Happy Hour Every Day: 11:30 to 6:30Domestic Drafts $2.50

House Wine $4.50 • Well Drinks $4.50For other specials go to www.lakehousebarandgrill.net

Equal or Lesser Value with ad only. Cannot be combined with other offers. 15% gratuity added before discount. No meal splits. No split checks. Not valid on Fridays. NO EXCEPTIONS THANK YOU FOR NOT ASKING!! Expires March 31, 2013

15% OFF Entire CheckMax discount $20.00 per table

VOTEDÊ★ ★ ★ ★VOTEDÊVOTEDÊVOTEDÊ★ ★ ★ ★★ ★ ★ ★MolinosMolinos’’# 1 Ê I T A L I A N Ê R I S T O R A N T E

OPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH & DINNER, 11:30AM TO 9PMOPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH & DINNER, 11:30AM TO 9PMOPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH & DINNER, 11:30AM TO 9PMReservations Required - 992-7025

IN THE PROMENADE26841 South Bay Drive - Bonita Springs

Maximum 6 people • Expires March 31, 2013Sunday through Thursday only • Does not include any other promotion

Must Present Coupon • Must be seated by 5:30 PM

2 FOR 1 DINNERSReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations RequiredReservations Required - 992-7025 - 992-7025 - 992-7025 - 992-7025 - 992-7025 - 992-7025 - 992-7025 - 992-7025 - 992-7025 - 992-7025 - 992-7025 - 992-7025 - 992-7025 - 992-7025 - 992-7025 - 992-7025Reservations Required - 992-7025Reservations RequiredReservations Required - 992-7025Reservations RequiredReservations Required - 992-7025Reservations RequiredReservations Required - 992-7025Reservations Required - 992-7025

IN THE PROMENADEIN THE PROMENADEIN THE PROMENADERESERVE A PRIVATE WINE CELLAR DINING ROOM

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



specialties or create your own! Open Mon-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat until 2pm, closed Sun. Corner of Old 41 & Abernathy Street. 239-877-6501. www.hungryhound-dawgs.com.

La Fontanella RistoranteOwner Moe has over 35 years in the business, and the experience shows. He and his staff assure customers the finest dining ex-perience. Serving gourmet Ital-ian cuisine, specializing in pas-ta, veal, chicken, seafood and steak. “If you can’t cut the veal with a fork, the meal is free.” Specials daily. Open daily 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. 24600 S. Tamiami Trail at the Shoppes at Pelican Landing. 239-498-6808. www.lafontanellarestaurant.net.

Lake House Bar and GrillAn open air café with one of Bonita’s finest water views. A hot spot for lunch and dinner, popular among both locals and tourists. Featuring the Bo-nita Burger, veggie rollup, tuna salad and sandwiches and more sandwiches. Plus tacos, fish and chicken dinners. Open daily 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., happy hour 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Lo-cated next to the Trianon Hotel. 3401 Bay Commons Dr. 239-948-4400. www.lakehouseba-randgrill.net.

Manhattan SteakhouseSpecializing in USDA Prime Dry Aged steaks and sizzling platters up to 1800 degrees. Enjoying its second season, Bella Purisic oversees this rela-tive newcomer to the Bonita Springs restaurant scene. The extensive menu includes fresh catches such as grouper, tuna and jumbo Maine lobster. Ask about their extensive wine list. Open daily for dinner 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. 24940 S. Tamiami Trail #103 (Behind Zazou in Bo-nita) Reservations are required. 239-676-8687. www.manhat-tan1steakhouse.com

Molino’s RistoranteClassic Italian in a beautiful indoor room and an al fresco patio setting, featuring pasta, meat and fish dinners. Family

owned since 2003. Try the Vi-tello alla Saltimboca or one of the many other specialties of the house. Full bar and wine cellar. Summer hours, serving dinner only. Smoking section available. Open daily 11:30 a.m. to 9 pm. 26841 South Bay Dr. at the Bo-nita Bay Promenade. 239-992-7025. www.molinosristorante.com.

Old 41 Restaurant A sure bet since the day it opened in Bernwood. Special-ties include eggs, omelets, pancakes, waffles, homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, An-gus burgers, chili, Taylor pork roll, sausage gravy, creamed chipped beef, home cooked roast beef and turkey and “real” Philly cheese steaks. Open daily 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Corner of Old 41 and Bernwood Parkway. 239-948-4123. www.old41.com.

Pino’s PizzeriaJoe and Linda Russo, are the owners and operators of Pino’s where, “It’s all about the taste.” They offer the kind of Brook-lyn family owned and operated business you don’t often find these days. Their big portions, low prices - and friendly atti-tude will have you coming back for more...and more…and still more! Open Mon. thru Fri. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sat. & Sun 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Pelican Landing Publix Plaza, 24600 S. Tamiami Trail. 239-676 5332. www.pino-spizzeria.net.

Ristorante EnricoOwner Enrico Costagliola was born in his mother’s restaurant in Torregaveta, Italy, south of Naples. “I still cook like my mother, with only the fresh-est ingredients.” Fresh pasta, seafood and Italian specialties. Antipasto salad, penne, lasa-gna, lobster ravioli, linguini with white clam sauce, zuppa di pesce, veal, chicken and shrimp. 18 pizza and calzone creations. Lunch and dinner specials. Open daily Mon-Sat 10am to 10 pm; Sun 11am to 10pm; 26831 S. Tamiami Trail near Publix across from Bonita Bay. 239-949-2204.

Royal ScoopLife’s short…eat dessert first! The oldest homemade ice cream store in Bonita. 35 ice cream fla-

vors, 12 lowfat and sugar-free choices. Their scoopologists make the thickest shakes, big-gest sundaes and best cones. Delicious lunches featuring Boar’s Head meats and cheeses and fantastic family recipes for chicken, egg and tuna salad. Kids menu. Open til 10 p.m. at Vanderbilt Dr. & 8th Street in Bonita Springs 992-2000; open til 10 p.m. at Pavillion Shoppes (Vanderbilt Beach Road & 41) 239-597-4043. www.royalscoop.com

The Fish HouseA Bonita bayside bistro. Come by car or boat. Fresh seafood in a relaxing environment, dining inside or out, with a pet-friendly outside patio. Specialties in-clude blackened tuna bites, hot blue crab and shrimp dip, oyster baskets, grouper tacos and lob-ster tacos. Alternative choices, including heart healthy items.. A key lime pie that “melts-in-your-mouth”. Open daily 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 4685 Bonita Beach Rd. 239-495-5770. www.thefishhouserestaurants.com.

The StageCome for the food, stay for the dancing. Full menu, including Maryland crab cakes, sweet and sour tenders, egg rolls, vegetable salad, grilled salmon salad, prime rib, filet mignon, salmon, roasted chicken, signa-ture meatloaf, full bar with 10 beers on tap. Live music, with tributes from Led Zeppelin to Jimmy Buffett, from Elvis to Rod Stewart. Open 4 p.m. to close Wednesday thru Saturday. 9144 Bonita Beach Rd. in Sun-shine Plaza, behind Fitzgerald’s Pub. 239-405-8566. wwwthe-stagebonita.com.

The Survey CaféLori Nelson’s tribute to old Florida, oozing with southern charm and updated with an organic sensibility. Fresh ingre-dients, wraps, salads, panini, flatbreads and the house spe-cialty…Grandpa’s Gator gumbo. Try the Chokoloskee Chicken sandwich. Shade grown coffee from Grounds for Change. Dine inside or out. Open for breakfast & lunch 8am-2:30 pm Tues to Sat; dinner Fri & Sat 5-9pm; Sun brunch 8-2:30. 10530 Wilson Ave. off Old 41. 239-992-2233. www. thesurveycafe.com.

Cointinued from page41

27583 Old 41 Road across from the Bonita Springs Fire Station(On the corner of Abernathy St. & Old 41 Road)

239.877.6501

Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, Sat 11am-2pm, Closed Sun

HungryHoundDawgs.com

NOW OPEN

GourmetHot Dogs& GermanSausages

Freshlocal

ingredients

the American Struggle for Independence”. The es-say focused on the often unrecognized people and groups, including African Americans, Native Ameri-cans, Hispanics, and oth-ers who provided military, patriotic and public service in support of the American Revolution and why it is es-pecially important to honor the unsung heroes and of-ten forgotten patriots.

Members join the DAR for many reasons. One be-ing the curiosity of want-ing to know where their ancestors immigrated from and the role they played in building our country.

Bonita Springs Mayor Ben Nelson, who had at-tended the school when he was a child, was there to speak words of encour-agement and explained the benefits of an educa-tion and how important

it is for their future. The winners were very excited and proud of their accom-plishments. They asked questions concerning the most important elements judged in the essays and how they could enter again next year.

For further informa-tion on the essay contest or membership in the DAR contact Shirley A. Nix 239-543-3503.

Continued from page 36

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Shoppes at Pelican Landing24600 Tamiami Trail S#204Bonita Springs, FL 34134

(239) 498-6808Open Daily 5 - 10 pm

For menu & wine list visit us at lafontanellarestaurant.net

We specialize in Pasta, Veal, Chicken, Seafood & Steak

entire check(Maximum $30 per table)

Sun. thru Thur. onlyDine-In or Take Out

We do private luncheon parties for 15 people and up.

Not valid with any other o�er

10% OFF

Expires 3/30/13

15% OFFEaster Sunday

(Maximum $45per table)

entire check

OPENEaster Sunday 2 - 9 pm

Fresh New England Seafood and more…

dougsseafood.com • 239-992-1902

We’llSteam

Your Lobsterfor FREE

Lobster, Craband Shrimp Rolls,

Haddock andMaine Steamers…

NEW MARKET LOCATION

3411 Bonita Beach Rd., # 307Left at first light, just West of 41 on Bonita Beach Rd.

Bonita Springs

Coconut Point8001 Plaza del Lago Dr #113

www.hemingwaysislandgrill.com

239-495-7240

March 9at BonitaSprings

Middle School,Terry Street

Farm Fresh MarketMarch 2

at the Promenade

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



BONITA SPRINGS4685 Bonita Beach Road

239.495.5770FORT MYERS BEACH(behind Santini Plaza)

239.765.6766

SANIBEL1523 Periwinkle Way239-472-7770

Now Open

House Wineor

DomesticDraft Beer

with purchase of entreeCannot be combined with other coupons.One per person w/coupon. Exp 3/31/13

FREE

OPEN: 11am - 10 pm Daily

HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAY 3-6 pm

Ristorante Enrico

Four years in the same location

26831 Tamiami Trail S.off West Terry Street

(239) 949-2204(239) 949-2204(239) 949-2204Mon-Sat 10-10, Sun 11-10

We’ve been a local favorite since 1979! Come see why today!

www.royalscoop.com

ORIGINAL LOCATIONVanderbilt Dr. & 8th St.

in Bonita Springs

992-2000

NEW LOCATIONPavillion Shoppes - NW corner

Vanderbilt Bch. Rd, & 41

597-4043Both locations open until

10 pm every night

Join us for our 19th Annual

Easter Egg Hunt & Games!

Saturday, March 3011 a.m. SHARP!The hunt will be held

in the church field acrossfrom our store.

VOTED BONITA’SBEST ICE CREAMFOR 13 YEARS


Documents

Southwest Spotlight, March 1, 2013