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Volume 19, Number 28 “By Islanders, For Islanders” July 12th, 2019 Blue-Green Algae: Why & How FGCU, Lee Health Host Programs By Gary Mooney July 10. [email protected] On April 29, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis created “Microcystins are a class the Blue Green Algae Task Force of freshwater Blue-Green Algae and appointed Dr. Parsons as with gas in them to float up to the one of its five members. The surface,” said Dr. Michael Parsons Task Force focuses on expediting at his presentation, “Blue-Green water quality improvements within Algae: Why Is This Happening? the next five years through key How Can We Fix It?” “It can be so funding and restoration initiatives, thick it can look like a mat on top prioritizing solutions, and making of the water, and so dense there recommendations to expedite are reports of iguanas and ducks nutrient reductions to Lake walking across it.” Okeechobee and downstream Dr. Parsons is a professor estuaries like the Caloosahatchee of Marine Sciences at The Water River. It will identify opportunities School at Florida Gulf Coast to fund priority projects with state, University (FGCU) as well as the local and federal funds to build on Director of the Coastal Watershed the Department of Environmental Institute and Vester Marine & Protection’s (DEP) updated Environmental Field Station. His Basin Management Action Plan program was the last of a three- (BMAP) data. The panel will part series co-hosted by FGCU review and prioritize projects with Lee Health, with his “Lunch to provide the largest and most & Learn” session at the Healthy meaningful nutrient reductions in Living Center Coconut Point in the key waterbodies and will examine Village of Estero before roughly 35 connections between Blue Green Dr. Michael Parsons during his Blue-Green Algae presentation at people on Wednesday afternoon, Algae and Red Tide Algae Blooms Healthy Lee Coconut Point. Cont’d pg.12 The Grub Club Lieutenant Jeff Dektas Koreshan Park Lunch Program New West District Lieutenant

By Gary Mooney BIVALVES: “ALIVE, ALIVE, [email protected] OH!” “I am a volunteer now for 16 “The earliest settlers of this years; the first 14 at the Lovers Key region were the Calusa Indians,” State Park and now the past two at Pamela offered. “Shells were crucial Koreshan State Park,” said Pamela to their existence, as they used Jones-Morton, a Florida Master every part of them, Not only did Naturalist through The University they eat the meat from the inside, of Florida, in introducing “The they disposed of the shells into big Grub Club” session on “Shells” on mounds onto which they built their Tuesday, July 9, at Noon. “I made settlements. A perfect example is the move here to help develop the on Fort Myers Beach, at the Mound naturalist programs and I absolutely House that is atop one of these love it!” shell mounds. When you visit the One of the new programs Mound House, go underneath the is “The Grub Club” that is a series structure, right into the shell mound, to draw more people to Koreshan to see the various different layers, State Park during the slower as it is fascinating! Later area summer season. Judging by the inhabitants, including the Koreshan turnout at the park pavilion, Pam’s Unity religious sect, used shells efforts seem a success, as roughly to make walkways. Today, people 40 people, half being children, travel from all across the world Lieutenant Jeffery Dektas (L) with West District Commander Captain Matthew Herterick. filled every available picnic table. to shell in our region, including to Perhaps most gratifying was when make decorations, so they remain By Gary Mooney Beach, with operations conducted she asked how many visitors were an important element in Florida [email protected] out of the West District Office at at Koreshan for the first time, with history.” 15650 Pine Ridge Road in South roughly half raising their hands! “Mollusks are the The Lee County Sheriff’s Fort Myers. The West District largest shell category of these Office (LCSO) is the law jurisdiction is from Fort Myers invertebrates, with over enforcement arm of Fort Myers Beach south to Lovers Cont’d pg.3 Cont’d pg.4 Page 2 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news July 12th, 2019

Located Behind Publix at Snook Bight Marina Departs From 4765 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach

EXPIRES 7/26/19 July 12th, 2019 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news Page 3 The Grub Club Koreshan Park Lunch Program, Cont’d from pg.1 80,000 different varieties that though they rarely reach that size include snails, mussels, and even anymore in Southwest Florida due octopus, but today we will discuss to the environment that is no longer just two – bivalves and gastropods,” conducive to that development. Pam said. “Bivalves mean ‘two You can immediately recognize shells’ that swing open like two the Lightning whelk because it is hinged doors. They live in the sand, the only gastropod with a left-side with a foot that digs into it, so you opening, with all others on the right. do not ordinarily see them. This is Females tend to be larger than why when people shell, they tend males, and when you see the very to stand in one spot and just move top of their shell, it looks just like the their toes – that is a way to check baby, and for a very good reason – with your feet to see if you detect that is because the top of the shell any shells buried in the sand. They is the original baby, and that is also have two long tubes, called siphons, absolutely amazing!” that rise up, with one taking in the A prevalent Southwest water for food as well as for air, with Florida gastropod is the Fighting the other shooting out waste water. conch that, despite its name, “is a There is a sticky substance near plant eater,” exclaimed Pam! “We its mouth that catches the food call them ‘Fighting conchs’ because material, with its tongue moving the if you hold one in your hand, it fights food along and into its mouth.” to flip over, as well as because the Bivalves breed in an ancient top of its shell looks like a gladiator’s fashion, said Pam. “When it comes shield.” She implored the audience time to spawn, they shoot their egg Pamela Jones-Morton’s enthusiasm was contagious while presenting “Shells” “that when you do go out shelling, and sperm out into the water, and at the Grub Club program at Koreshan State Park. simply take along a child’s bucket to if those two come together, fine; if store your treasures, so that when not, then they must wait until the song, because you cannot eat the beach wrack line, so when you you are done, you can just put it next spawning season. If there is a them unless they are alive, so the see these, you know gastropods aside for a while to see if anything connection, the microscopic larva salesman was basically letting are in your area. Beaches usually is still alive for you to gently release immediately starts to form a shell. potential customers know that ‘they have several wrack lines, one at the back into the water. As for shells As it grows, so does the shell, as are alive so come on out and buy low tide line, another at high tide, that are alright to take home, once they keep adding to it, with the them!’” and often a third near the halfway you make your necklaces and animal growing from the inside point. Wracklines are the best jewelry, remember someone was and the shell from the outside by AMAZING GASTROPODS places to shell because the Gulf of eaten so we could have our fun!” extracting calcium carbonate that it Mexico brings everything up and It is obvious by her accesses through its food.” “We all know and love deposits it right there on the beach. presentation that Pam has 16 While shells are beautiful, gastropods,” raved Pam, “even If you find a gastropod casing in the years in front of park audiences, Pam cautioned, “Remember, there though they are mostly snails and wrack line, however, the eggs will as her enthusiastic and outgoing is a living creature often inside! slugs, but they include Lightning no longer hatch. The casings there personality is perfectly suited to the Some of you may be old enough whelks and Fighting conchs! We are soft and squishy, and can be as entire spectrum of ages who attend to remember the song, ‘Cockles often call these univalves as they long as 2-1/2 feet, just like a Slinky.” her programs. She finds the ideal & Mussels, Alive, Alive, Oh!’ have a one-piece shell. Gastropods When eggs hatch, “the blend of not talking over the heads Cockles are bivalves that people do not spawn, as there are males babies look identical to their of the children, often including them in England would harvest from the and females that breed as a family, parent,” Pam related. “Isn’t that in her presentation, while providing Dover Straights, then put them producing casings where the eggs amazing! Gastropods can live up enough intellectual information to into their carts and push through can incubate for roughly one month. to 20 years and weigh as much educate and entertain adults. You often find these egg casings in as 18 to 20 pounds as a full adult, the streets of London, singing the Cont’d pg.10 Page 4 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news July 12th, 2019

Beach Botany Lieutenant Jeff Dektas by Jim Rodwell New West District Lieutenant, Cont’d from pg.1 Key State Park, advancing I have two degrees, in Criminal member of my same unit, but northeast to the Fowler Street / Justice and Public Communication, many years before me. He was US 41 intersection, including most along with an Associate’s degree killed in Vietnam in May 1966, and of McGregor Boulevard. It recently in Law Enforcement, all from although people saw him die, they welcomed two new Lieutenants in North Kentucky University, and could not retrieve his body to bring Jeffery Dektas and Bryan Perera. I graduated from the Kentucky home, so in memory of that young “The Island Sand Paper” profiles Police Academy that is similar to Alabama man who gave his all for Lieutenant Dektas this week, with the FBI Academy.” our nation and never returned, I the story on Lieutenant Perera Lieutenant Dektas always began wearing the bracelet about in our July 5 edition that you can had a role model in his brother, 20 years ago, when we started read at fortmyersbeach.news. who is ten years his senior. “I gearing up for the Gulf War, and went into the military because he I have worn it ever since, as it MILITARY BACKGROUND was in the military, and I chose appeals to my patriotic side.” the Army because he was in the Lieutenant Dektas’ military SHORTLEAF WILD COFFEE “I have been with the LCSO Army! I absolutely loved the Army, and law enforcement career may for 13 years,” said Lieutenant as I was the perfect guy for the be approaching four decades, Here is a plant that grows in Dektas. “I previously worked as military – that lifestyle just fit me! but he is brand-new to the West Matanzas Pass Preserve. The Shortleaf a police officer in several small Had Mom and Dad not needed my District! “I have only been here for Wild Coffee, Psychotria tenuifolia, is a northern Kentucky departments help, I am sure I would have spent a few weeks, though I previously woody evergreen that grows to height of before retiring. We then moved my life there as a career man. I worked with West District 6’ and sometimes even higher. Its stems to Southwest Florida because my also had another brother between Commander Captain Matthew are pubescent. Leaves are simple and brother was here. My wife Judi and myself and my oldest brother, but Herterick at the Gulf District and opposite on the stems. Leaf shape is el- I are married 32 years, with three for whatever reason, I was the one Pine Island, so there is a comfort liptic to lanceolate 3” to 6” long. Veins are deeply pressed in the upper part of the adult children: Laura, Brittany and best suited to care of our parents, level and we are used to each leaf. Color is a dark bluish green. Under- Jeffery. We have five grandkids, and you do what you need to do. other, although these are vastly neath is dull. Margins entire. with the girls and four grandkids When I left the military, though, law different districts. The LCSO gave Flowers are tubular about 2 in Kentucky, and Jeffery and one enforcement was my next logical me this assignment, and I am to 3mm in length. The calyx has 4 to 5 grandchild in the Tampa area.” occupation, so I became a cop!” happy to take on the responsibility sepals. Corolla 4 to 5 lobes. Colors are Prior to his police career, and all the duties that come along greenish white. Tiny flowers grow in clus- Lieutenant Dektas served in the PFC WALTER THACKERSON with it, as I always enjoy a new ters in the upper leaf axils. Inflorescence Army for seven years. “I joined challenge and like to do my fair is axillary. Fruit is a reddish berry. when I was 17-years-old because While you can take the share and more. So far, I am really Distribution of tenuifolia is in the my brother was in the military, and cop out of the military, you can’t enjoying my time here.” coastal and rockland hammocks in the I absolutely intended to serve for take the military out of the cop! “I One of his previous LCSO Southern and Central Counties. Rubia- ceae (Madder) is the family. There are my entire career, but our parents remain very much involved in the assignments was a three-year four species in the genus Psychotria, were getting to be elderly and POW/MIA program,” explained stint in the Public Information all native to Florida. For a long time the needed more attention, so I left to Lieutenant Dektas. “Around Office, serving under recently- species name was sulzneri. The name care for them. When you add it all my wrist, every day, I wear a retired Sheriff Mike Scott. “I never was recently changed to tenuifolia. The together, between the Army and bracelet in memory of a man who tired of working with Sheriff Scott,” specimen in the picture can be found in my various police departments I never met. While in the service the Lieutenant said with a huge an Oak Hammock in Matanzas Pass Pre- and now the LCSO, I have been in Hawaii, I learned about PFC smile! “No matter how many serve. serving the public for 38 years! Walter Thackerson, who was a interviews I heard him give or July 12th, 2019 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news Page 5 Lieutenant Jeff Dektas New West District Lieutenant, Cont’d from pg.4 one tougher to train than a young TRUTH AT ALL TIMES cop because they are all Type A Personalities who all seem to know Lieutenant Dektas feels that everything, so that makes training his leadership abilities will greatly interesting. But when you employ benefit the Fort Myers Beach patience, then start to see them community. “You understand that absorb it, and finally there is that not everybody is a bad person and ‘Oh Really’ moment, that is when not everybody is a good person you know that all your leadership and you don’t judge people by how pays off.” they look, and that you do judge Teaching, Lieutenant them as individuals. You can see a Dektas believes, “is about helping person on the street who dresses others to look at things from a like they don’t have a penny to their different perspective, from the name and discover they are one of bottom to the top and back down the greatest people you will ever to the bottom again, to see things meet, then see someone in a suit that perhaps you have never seen that costs hundreds of dollars and before in situations that perhaps learn they are someone you should you see every day, so when they never trust or who you spend the see the whole program, that is my next 45 minutes arguing with. Memorial Bracelet honoring PFC Walter Thackerson worn by Lieutenant Dektas. ultimate reward. One of my favorite PHOTOS BY GARY MOONEY. Captain Herterick firmly believes teaching tools is assigning the that communication between the public presentations or speaking everything done on the District level book, ‘Who Moved My Cheese.’ LCSO and the beach community engagements, his energy level and out in time, and I monitor most It is a tiny book, maybe 70 pages is essential, and Fort Myers Beach remained off the charts, as it of the Day Shift. I go out on patrol long that you can read in an hour, citizens will soon learn that I am seemed he always had something as often as I can, as it is always and people look at me like I am not afraid to tell them the truth at all interesting to say to everyone and nice to get away from the desk.” crazy, but they invariably come in times.” that is a special ability. He was the next day and talk about what a When asked what the most positive and gracious to everyone TYPE A sea change it is in their lives, and rewarding part of his job is, he and I loved working for and with I reply, ‘That’s why it was on the replied, “That is tough because him. Working with the news media What Lieutenant Dektas most New York Times Best Sellers List there are so many rewarding every day, however, just was not enjoys about his new duties, forever!’ That is the favorite part of aspects, but I would say it is the for me, so I asked for a transfer, but however, is training his younger my job!” privilege of serving the public. Not Sheriff Scott would not let me go colleagues! “When you see them He is still learning about everyone can do this job effectively until after he won his final election, begin to understand what is going Fort Myers Beach. “I have yet to and I worked hard for many years imploring me to stay ‘until after the on, that is a great feeling, as it is experience a Spring Break and to be able to do it well. The LCSO election!’ When he won that last as good for them as it is for the people say that can be a very is a great department and Captain time, I walked into his office and agency, and personally rewarding challenging time for us as an Herterick runs a terrific district and said, ‘it’s after the election!’” for me. Training is in my blood and agency, but when residents and lays out a good path to follow, so Lieutenant Dektas’ West has been since my military days, as businessowners work together with I look forward to being here and District duties include the bulk of I live to train others, so I hold that us, I have no doubt we will all be getting my feet wet. It will be a fun the administrative work for Captain dear to me, no matter the topic. I very successful.” ride!” Herterick, “to make sure we get always like to say that there is no Page 6 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news July 12th, 2019 Beach Travelers Paris: Porte d’Oréé

By Becky Bodnar

Porte d’Oréé (Golden Gate) is composed of an elaborate foun- tain and palace of the same name, located near the Bois de Vincennes in the 12th arrondissement in southeastern Paris.

The terrace in front of the palace can only be described as “funky.” There is The bas-relief on the palace façade took a team of sculptors four months a stage for concerts and DJ sets, a dance floor and a disco ball, as well as two bars, to sculpt and measures 290 feet by 46 feet. The “stone tapestry” presents idealized a wine trailer, a food truck that changes every day and a huge double-decker bus, conditions of life in France’s overseas territories and exalts their riches and eco- like in London. nomic contribution to France.

The Fountain d’Oréé includes numerous cascading basins and measures approx- imately 230 feet (or 2/3 of a football field) long! Unfortunately, you have to imagine cascading water and water jets because right now the fountain is non-function- ing. It is majestic but neglected. July 12th, 2019 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news Page 7 Beach Travelers Paris: Porte d’Oréé

The Fountain d’Oréé includes numerous cascading basins and measures The foreground sculpture, “Swimming in Happiness,” by Senegalese approximately 230 feet (or 2/3 of a football field) long! Unfortunately, you have to sculptor, Diadji Diop, is impossible to miss. The Palais d’Orée in the background imagine cascading water and water jets because right now the fountain is non-func- was intended to resemble a classical temple, and the façade is covered with a tioning. It is majestic but neglected. bas-relief of 250 figures of people and animals. The Palais d’Orée now houses the National Museum of the History of Immigration, with a tropical aquarium on its lower level.

By chance, I visited the palace on World Oceans Day, June 8. Its purpose is to make people aware of the necessity to protect and preserve our oceans because Exhibit Hall - At the center of the palace is a large hall designed as an open we are over fishing them and filling them with rubbish. The art installation by Car- courtyard. Frescoes cover the walls, many of which are allegorical. They celebrate oline Desnoettes, “Océanocide” has an angel-like sculpture surrounded by debris the contributions of France to Industry and Art, and show the nation as supported found in the ocean. The juxtaposition of the beauty of the sculpture with the terrible by its Asian, Pacific, African and American colonies. The floor is elaborately tiled. garbage surrounding it is striking. Page 8 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news July 12th, 2019 We Love a Parade Fourth of July Fun While some weather dampened the crowd waiting for Fourth of July fireworks last week, the morning parade crowd enjoyed sunny skies and a patriotic display of American pride. Crowds filled the sidewalks along Estero Boulevard from Bay Road to Old San Carlos Boulevard and were rewarded with candy, beads and more candy! PHOTOS BY SARAH LIST. July 12th, 2019 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news Page 9

Editorial Lake O Watershed Report Corps Accepting Comments WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES By U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District A year ago we were watching the Blue Green Algae outbreak in The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville Dis- Lake O, the Caloosahatchee River, Cape Coral and Fort Myers canals. trict announced this week the opening of public comment on the Lake We worried the algae would find a home in our canals. Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project (LOWRP) revised draft Proj- We know that a major water quality factor is Lake O releases. ect Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement (PIR/ When the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) began releases on EIS). June 1, 2018, we knew we were in for some bad water. We had no idea A revised draft PIR/EIS was prepared to provide opportunity for additional public comments on the optimized Tentatively Selected Plan how bad. (TSP). Modifications from the TSP described in the draft PIR/EIS dated Shortly after Hurricane Irma in September 2017, a Red Tide July 2018 include wetland attenuation feature (WAF) footprint revisions bloom developed in the Gulf of Mexico, fed by massive run-off from the based on feedback from stakeholders and detailed design optimizations torrential rains, with lots of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. Lake to increase the cost-effectiveness of the LOWRP. Additionally, the revised O releases were also pumping nutrients into the Gulf. draft PIR/EIS includes: So, while we were looking east and worried about Blue Green a. Dam safety evaluation of the TSP b. Updated design detail in the engineering appendix Algae, we got walloped by the Red Tide bloom that moved onshore last c. Improved recreation plan July with massive deposits of dead sea life. July 2018 brought us the d. Responses to Tribal/agency/public comments perfect storm of algae. Blue Green from the east, Red Tide from the The Jacksonville District, USACE is proposing a shallow wetland west. attenuation feature with a storage volume of approximately 46,000 acre- Our beaches were cleaned, our water cleared and that Red Tide feet (ac-ft); 80 aquifer storage and recovery wells with a storage volume of approximately 448,000 ac-ft per year; and two wetland restoration sites bloom did eventually end in December, six months later. along the Kissimmee River, Paradise Run and Kissimmee River Center, to Today, there is no Red Tide anywhere in Florida waters, on restore wetland areas. Implementation of the optimized TSP will improve either coast. the quantity, timing and distribution of water entering Lake Okeechobee, Our water is gorgeous, clear and a perfect playground for boat- provide for better management of Lake Okeechobee water levels, reduce ers and beachgoers for months and months at a time. Our water looks large freshwater releases to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries, good now because Lake O releases have been managed differently improve system-wide operational flexibility, and will restore portions of the historic Kissimmee River Channel and floodplain. The optimized TSP is this year. located within Okeechobee, Highlands, Hendry, Lee, Glades, Martin and For years we heard that the USACE couldn’t do anything about St. Lucie Counties, in Florida. the Lake O releases. They had to follow the release rules. This year, “Public feedback is a key part of our process, and the comments the USACE has minimized releases, letting the lake drop to levels we received (in 2018) are reflected in this revised draft document, said unseen in years. They said to allow lakebed grasses to grow again. Corps Project Manager Tim Gysan. “It is important to the Corps to provide an opportunity for the members of the public and stakeholder agencies to Hmmm. comment on the additional information included in this revised report prior Our water is now clear, with occasional red drift algae floating in to moving forward with the final PIR/EIS.” on the tide. The difference from last year could not be more striking. So The revised draft LOWRP Integrated PIR/EIS document is avail- why the difference in releases? able at: www.saj.usace.army.mil/LOWRP/ New governor who has made water quality a priority? New The Corps will accept public comment on the revised draft docu- South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Board? Over- ment through August 19, 2019. Comments may be submitted via email to OkeechobeeWatershe- whelming public sentiment for improved water quality? [email protected]. Florida’s best water scientists are now working on harmful algae Written comments can be mailed to: bloom (HAB) research. We hope to learn how they start, how they Dr. Gretchen Ehlinger grow, how they are dangerous to humans and animals and what can be U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District done to stop the HABs. Last year, our prospects for answers to those P.O. Box 4970 Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019 questions were bleak. This year, they are not. And that is progress. The LOWRP study began during the summer of 2016 with a goal It’s important that those of us who live or visit here, keep the to identify opportunities to improve the water storage capacity in the Lake pressure on elected officials to make water quality a priority. Okeechobee watershed in a manner that would improve lake stage levels The progress that we’ve seen in the past year needs to continue. for environmental and water supply purposes while reducing undesirable discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries, and restoring Missy Layfield wetlands along Kissimmee River. Editor More information on Jacksonville District’s ecosystem restoration efforts is available at bit.ly/EcoRestore.

The deadline for Classified ads and Letters is Noon Wednesday The Island Sand Paper Letter Policy FortMyersBeach.news The Island Sand Paper welcomes original letters of up to 300 An independently owned island newspaper words on local issues. All letters must include the name and city of residence of the author, plus a phone number for verification. Publisher Bob Layfield Editor Missy Layfield We reserve the right to edit for clarity, length, accuracy and to Lead Writer Gary Mooney prevent libel. No poetry. Letters are printed at the discretion of the Advertising Sandy Sandness Editor. Repetitive letters from the same individual on the same Production Mark List subject will not be printed. There is a publication limit of two letters every 4 weeks. Submissions over 300 words may be considered Phone: 239-463-4461 for publication as a Guest Commentator based on available space, Fax: 855-886-3568 relevance and the quality of the submission. Email: [email protected] Mail: 450 Old Sand Carlos Blvd; #108 The Island Sand Paper welcomes original photos for publication Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 based of available space, relevence and quality.

Get Your Island Sand Paper the EASY WAY NEW WEEKLY 6 months only $52 Minimum 12 weeks - $24.00 Subscription Available Visa or Mastercard accepted. Mailed 1st Class every Friday Order online at: Seasonal Resident? Let us know how to www.fortmyersbeach.news change your mailing address from here to there. under Print Edition tab Page 10 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news July 12th, 2019 The Grub Club Koreshan Park Lunch Program, Cot’d from pg.3 huge hollow sphere. They built and operated a print shop, boat yard, cement shop, sawmill, bakery, general store and hostelry. Following Teed’s 1908 death, the religious group experienced a steady decline. By 1961, the four remaining members donated 305 acres to the State of Florida, including eleven historic structures that remain in Koreshan State Park that are on the National Register of Historic Places, along with unique exotic vegetation throughout the 135-acre state park. In addition to the historic structures and landscaped grounds, Koreshan State Park features nature trails, picnicking, canoeing and camping. Pack your own brownbag lunch and join the Grub Club to experience the naturalist topic of that day. Naturalist Grub Club sessions are free with the park entry fee of $5 per vehicle with 2 to 8 occupants, $4 for single passenger cars, and $2 pedestrians and bicyclists. There are two final Grub Club sessions for the summer season, on Wednesdays, August 28 & September 18, from noon to 1 p.m. August 28 is “Gopher Tortoises,” where participants will discover these fascinating ancient species. While Gopher Tortoises are entertaining to watch, they are endangered, so learn about their behavior, anatomy and fun facts, as well as seeing and holding the shells of specimens that once lived in Koreshan State Park. The September 18 Grub Club features “Butterflies.” Learn the differences between butterflies and moths, along with butterfly development, plants that support butterflies, netting techniques, tagging and more. While not part of “The Grub Club” series, Koreshan State Park also offers “Why Native Plants” on Tuesday, Pamela Jones-Morton often included children in her Grub Club program on “Shells.” July 23, and “Birds of Prey” on Tuesday, August PHOTOS BY GARY MOONEY. 20, each in Art Hall at 10 a.m.

KORESHAN STATE PARK portion of Fort Myers Beach. His goal was to Koreshan State Park is at 3800 build “The New Jerusalem” for his faith that he Corkscrew Road, near the intersection of US41 In 1894, Cyrus Reed Teed brought called “Koreshanity,” with him assuming the in Estero, roughly 30 minutes from Fort Myers his group of religious followers from Chicago title, “Koresh,” that is the Hebrew translation Beach. For additional information, call 239-992- to the area of Florida that is now the Village for Cyrus, meaning “shepherd.” His colonists 0311 or see FloridaStateParks.org. of Estero, with others settling the southern believed the entire universe existed within a July 12th, 2019 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news Page 11 In Your Kit Hurricane Prep By Missy Layfield [email protected]

One of the most important steps to take for storm preparation is creating a “Go-Bag” or, more likely, a go-tote, that has everything you’ll need for at least 3 days spent without power and away from home. Serious preppers will want to have 1-2 weeks’ worth of supplies. Some homes on Fort Myers Beach were without power for 12 days following Irma. There are countless supply lists you can use as resources. One of them can be found in the Lee Hazards Guide at the link below. Do not delay preparing this kit until a storm is looming. At that point, most of the items that you need will be out of stock at area stores and delivery services stop delivery a day or so before forecasted landfall. Batteries, bottled water, plywood, flashlights A sample go-bag on display at the Lee County Emergency Operations Center during a Hurricane Preparation event last and other items on the list will be month. PHOTO BY BOB LAYFIELD. very hard to find if you wait. Most supply lists can be blankets, toilet paper. or lease, FMB Re-entry Pass, bank broken down into categories: Food: Have at least a 3-day account numbers and balances, Safety & Communication, supply of water (1 gallon/day per Medical: First Aid kit, medications recent utility bills. Food, Personal, Medical, Pets & person or pet), 3-day supply of (minimum 2-week supply), list of Documents. The lists below are non-perishable food, manual can medications, physician names & And on the “nice to have” not complete, only examples of opener, rolling cooler; beverages, numbers list: battery powered fans, solar what you need in a storm kit. trash bags, assorted sized zip-lock chargers for phones & tablets, bags. Pets: Cage or carrier for each pet, disposable toothbrushes, plates Safety: Cell phone, battery packs food, water, toys, clean-up supplies, & plastic utensils, headlamp for recharging phone, car chargers, Personal: Cash in small photo, shot records. flashlights, camp stove, dental weather radio, flashlights w/extra denominations, clothing, closed floss, emergency water system. batteries, First Aid Kit, work gloves, toe shoes, raingear, bathroom Documents: Photo ID, military unscented bleach for clean-up and kit, hearing aids w/extra batteries ID, social security card, insurance Learn more about hurricane water disinfection, sunscreen and (minimum 2 week supply), spare information (health, life, property, preparation with the Lee Hazards bug repellant, whistle. eyeglasses or contacts, books, wind, flood), marriage certificate, Guide at bit.ly/LeeHazardsGuide puzzles, games, sleeping bag/ will, power of attorney, house deed

OBITUARIES Your July issue of Brian T. Burgess 1961 - 2019 Sand Life is Brian Travis Burgess of Fort Myers, Florida passed away suddenly on Now Available! July 1, 2019. Read the latest Brian was born on July 4, 1961 in monthly print edition of Flint, Michigan, the proud son to the Sand Life Magazine. Joyce (Smith) and Lyle Burgess. Providing the most Brian leaves to cherish his loving complete listing of all memory his devoted wife Sara (Wil- the activities and fun liams) Lourey Smith; daughters Ali- cia Agle (Michael) and Tara Griffith to be found on (Matthew); step-daughter Kaycee Fort Myers Beach. Campbell; treasured grandchildren Sydnie, Austyn, Gavin, Conrad and Eloise and brother Geoffrey Burgess; sisters Valerie Rostek and Christine Burgess. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Randall Burgess. He worked in the construction trades and was considered a Mas- ter Painter. He enjoyed fixing things and doing projects. He loved the sun INSIDE and beautiful things. He was much loved by his wife and family and will be EACH ISSUE: warmly remembered by all who knew him. • Dining Guide • Island Map A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at Shamrock Pub, 2201 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach, with • Local Musicians food, music, laughs and a time to share memories of Brian. All are wel- • Things to Do, and come to attend. A donation box for final costs will be available. In addition Places to Go to food donated by Pete’s Time Out, there will be a pot luck drop off if anyone wishes to bring a dish to share. Brian’s memorial webpage can be found at www.fortmyersmemo- rial.com.

Henry James “Jim” Noworyta Henry James “Jim” Noworyta, 73, of Fort Myers Beach, passed away Thursday, July 4, 2019. Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care. A Publication of FortMyersBeach.news Page 12 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news July 12th, 2019 Blue-Green Algae: Why & How FGCU, Lee Health Host Programs, Cont’d from pg.1 that recently affected Florida’s the north over the south, and that coastlines. mixed up all the legacy nutrient sediments from the bottom like HALFWAY BETWEEN Nitrate, Nitrite, and Phosphorous EXTREMES that are prevalent in fertilizers. Following Irma, Nitrate and Nitrite “Cyanobacteria can levels were more than twice produce microcystins in large those of 2017, with Phosphorous qualities during algae blooms that significantly higher. Microcystins pose a major threat to drinking are a cyanobacteria that love water and other environmental Nitrogen and Phosphorous, and issues,” continued Dr. Parsons. there was certainly a lot of those in “The question becomes the best the water!” way to sample these microcystins: On top of that, microcystins Do you cut out a clump or sample love warm water and that was also water away from that, or do you a 2018 dominant condition. “The sample shallow water where it can National Oceanic and Atmospheric go all the way down to the bottom, Administration (NOAA) took or deep water where it may not overhead photographs of Lake be so dense? The DEP prefers a Okeechobee on June 12 and there halfway point between all those were none present,” he said, “but extremes. When microcystins reach from June 20 to 29, the bloom saltwater, though they display some exploded, encompassing almost all tolerance, that generally stresses the Lake, as conditions were most them out and eventually kills them. favorable to microcystins.” The truth, however, is this – while Dr. Parsons noted that in we know some things, we really 2019 “there appears to be lower don’t know a whole lot!” Nitrogen and Phosphorous levels Roughly 35 people attended Dr. Parsons Blue-Green Algae presentation on July 10. PHOTOS BY GARY MOONEY. Bacteria grows quickly in Lake Okeechobee than at this and cyanobacteria is no different, point last year, and of course we did me if it is safe to swim in Red Tide, he emphasized. “It uses not have a major hurricane hit our INCREASE TAXES and I tell them it is, as long as they photosynthesis like any other algae, region in 2018. While temperatures ONE-HUNDREDFOLD don’t mind a burning nose and eyes but its other pigments give it its this year are even warmer than in and being surrounded by dead fish! bluish color, with the green coming 2018, overhead photographs as “We can fix all this,” said We put up two air samplers, one from chlorophyll. These pigments of July 7 do not indicate a major Dr. Parsons confidently! “All we at the end of a Cape Coral canal sometimes give the bacteria other Lake Okeechobee bloom as of need to do is increase our taxes with a thick bloom and the other at colors, like red or brown. Blooms yet. Also, the United States Army one-hundredfold! Seriously, we the Vester Field Station on Bonita can smell horrible and produce all Corps of Engineers used a different must make this a priority for our Beach Road, well away from any kinds of chemicals, like methane, formula for Lake Okeechobee this resources! We must do a better job blooms, and they registered the and even odors like a skunk spray.” year, keeping it three feet lower by of controlling what goes into Lake same amounts, including particles This is not just a Southwest releasing more water during the dry Okeechobee from the Kissimmee that can get down into your blood Florida problem, Dr. Parsons season to hold more during the wet basin. We must increase our system.” stated. “Currently, there are high season, to help prevent stagnant monitoring efforts to get the best levels in the Mississippi River near water where blooms explode, so possible research data, and I OUT THERE LURKING New Orleans, from a microcystin that is another major difference feel sure this will be a Task Force bloom from Lake Pontchartrain from 2018.” recommendation. We must do What does this mean for us from spring floods, with conditions As for if he can predict a better job of minimizing Lake right now and will cyanobacteria similar to what we experienced last another major bloom for our region Okeechobee releases into the return this year? “While conditions year in Cape Coral from the Lake in 2019, “that is the tricky part! Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie are different from 2018 to 2019, Okeechobee releases. We already We had microcystin blooms in Rivers. We must reprioritize all of cyanobacteria is out there lurking, had cyanobacteria this year on 2016 and 2018 that were so thick these things and more while we still so did we tweak the paradigm Sanibel and Captiva, but they were on the surface, they shaded out can. Perhaps the ultimate question enough to prevent another major a different kind of animal from those everything below and took over the is, who is in charge of this process, outbreak – the truthful answer is, of 2018.” water column. Nature drives the as each local, state, and federal we are not really sure! We have to Microcystins are a huge temperature, but people definitely agency working the water quality leapfrog this situation or all we will concern because they can cause play a role through Climate issues have their own mandates, be doing is playing catchup and that liver and kidney damage. “The Change, so there are big issues rules and laws. A big part of our won’t get us anywhere. Microcystin World Health Organization says here. We add more and more first two Task Force meetings blooms are a function of nutrient these mainly occur when you nutrients to Lake Okeechobee were just learning all these various loading, stagnant waters and high swallow water by accident,” every year, and more and more guidelines.” temperatures, so those triggers are Dr. Parsons related, “with that people move to Florida each year, He stated that many people definitely still out there, as these exposure making people sick, but so the situation in the short term view agriculture and Big Sugar as are all symptoms of a sick system. it can occur from walking along the will only grow worse and worse, the chief culprits, “but with 78% People ask me if we are the guinea shore and getting wet, and we know meaning we must increase our of all nutrients coming into Lake pigs, and I honestly don’t know, as several dogs died from swimming efforts to reduce Phosphorous and Okeechobee from its north, that there are potential risks out there in toxic water or lapping it up from Nitrogen. Research indicates that is where we need to start. The we do not fully understand.” the shoreline. The worst case so far microcystins react more strongly agricultural industry tells us that Dr. Parsons offered is from Brazil, where seven people to Nitrogen, while most projects if they are really a big part of the recommendations: “Reduce died from unfiltered reservoir attempt to reduce Phosphorous, so problem, then they need to be a big nutrient inputs into our waters, water. The trickiest compound the Blue Green Algae Task Force part of the solution, and that is the especially from fertilizers. Reduce cyanobacteria can produce is wants to work on solutions more kind of dialog you like to hear. They or repair sceptic tanks and BMAA that is a neurotoxin that can specifically geared to Nitrogen make a really good point that a major implement Smart Growth! Keep potentially cause disorders like reduction.” part of the problem is lost nutrients the pressure on our government, ALS, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s Dr. Parsons pointed out and that we need a recovery system as it was impressive that Governor Disease, but not all scientists that “78% of all nutrients that to recycle it, with Scott Fertilizer and DeSantis asked the Legislature for are on the same page with those move into Lake Okeechobee come the Everglades Foundation working $600 million for water quality and conclusions, so keep that in mind. from north of the lake, from the on recovery and reuse plans to the Legislature appropriated even This is still a gray area, so for Kissimmee Watershed that uses a reduce Phosphorous and Nitrogen, more! Our region suffered millions right now, we do not have a good lot of fertilizer for agriculture and as there is only a finite amount of of dollars in economic losses every answer.” ranches, so if 78% is from that Phosphorous left on the planet, as week during the summer of 2018 area, that is where we should focus opposed to Nitrogen that is thick in so it is not unrealistic to expect SOUTHWEST FLORIDA 2018 our efforts. However, Lee County our atmosphere.” the State to appropriate those and our surrounding region has a It all comes back to human same types of dollars to fixing the So what happened to population growth projection over health, emphasized Dr. Parsons. problems. Sadly, the Rule of Thumb Southwest Florida in 2018? “It the next decade of 300,000 people. “A woman contacted me last year for government action traditionally actually began the year before,” This creates a double-edge sword: and said she lived on a boat on the requires one person to die, 100 he explained, “when a Tropical since our agricultural areas are not Caloosahatchee yacht basin. She to get sick, or a loss of $1 million Depression first saturated our soil, expanding, we must grow more said she was 7 months pregnant or more in revenue before it takes soon followed by Hurricane Irma in food for more people on the same and asked me if her baby was action, so it really does come down September 2017, with even more amount of land, meaning a greater safe and I just didn’t know how to to a prioritization of resources. rain and extremely high winds that use of fertilizers. Combine this with answer! The risk of liver cancer The old saying goes that we can churned up Lake Okeechobee. more people in densely populated increases by 3% for every 10% absolutely build a 100% safe car, The Lake then was 16 feet deep, areas using more fertilizers for lawn increase of cyanobacteria blooms, but no one would be able to afford and the strong winds eventually care, and where does any fertilizer though the primary method still it, so we must all determine what is elevated it 10 feet higher from reduction come from?” comes from water contact and not an acceptable risk!” through air exposure. People ask July 12th, 2019 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news Page 13 Florida News Census: Community Involvement is Key By Ana Ceballos governor’s attitude towards ensur- be involved in. participation in areas that histori- News Service of Florida ing a complete count in Florida for According to the National cally do not have a complete cen- all of our citizens,” said Sen. Janet Conference for State Legislatures, sus count, according to Tallahas- In recent months, the Trump Cruz, D-Tampa. “We have to put however, states can play a role in see Mayor John Dailey and Leon administration’s attempts to include politics aside --- protecting resourc- making the 2020 Census a “suc- County Commissioner Rick Minor, a controversial citizenship ques- es for Floridians is not exclusively cess” by funding outreach cam- who attended Wednesday’s press tion on the 2020 U.S. Census have a federal issue and it shouldn’t be paigns and creating “Complete conference. irked Florida Democrats, who fear treated as such.” Count Committees” or commis- “Our goal across the state, I such an inquiry could lead to an un- An inaccurate count could sions. believe, is to put together a robust dercount of the state’s population. have an impact on the distribution The city of Tallahassee and system so that each community A recent ruling by the U.S. of political power in Congress and Leon County have each allocated in the state as a whole is properly Supreme Court that blocked the cit- the state Legislature for the next a total of $20,000 for a public out- counted,” Dailey said. izenship question from next year’s decade. reach program meant to encourage survey hasn’t quelled critics’ lin- The once-a-de- gering concerns, especially after cade reapportionment pro- President Donald Trump refused to cess relies heavily on cen- back down from the legal battle. sus data. Nationally, the But Dominic Calabro, pres- data is used to determine ident of business-backed Florida how many congressional TaxWatch, said he isn’t worried seats each state will have. about which items appear on the Within states, the data is questionnaire. used to help redraw con- His focus remains on get- gressional and legislative ting communities to participate in districts. the count, Calabro told reporters at And an inaccurate a press conference Wednesday. census could cost Florida “I think it is ultimately a com- billions of dollars in feder- munity-based issue, because when al funding that flows to the you get right down to it, who knows state for programs such as the communities? It is not the state Medicaid. agencies, it’s the communities,” he “Florida consis- said. “It all happens at the local lev- tently gets short-changed el.” on federal funds to the Florida Democrats, how- state of Florida, because ever, have continued to warn that we use old, outdated cen- an undercount is a possibility in sus data. So, money is a state with a large population of being sent to states where immigrants. They’ve pushed Gov. Americans no longer live,” Ron DeSantis to approve a state- Calabro said. wide committee to make sure all DeSantis main- residents in Florida are counted. tains that the census is But that effort has gone nowhere. a “federal issue” and not “I am disappointed in the one that the state should Page 14 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news July 12th, 2019

play from 5-7pm or 7-9pm. Cost is at 7pm, come early to get a seat. you can bake cookies or help at the $75/team or $14/individual or $10 Eight chances to win a prize. event. Call the library at 239-765- gallery ticket for non-players. Open 8162 to volunteer or for more infor- to the public. Prizes for each round, KIWANIS MEETINGS mation. J U LY FREE plus free food and a cash bar. Con- The Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis tact the Chamber for registration in- Club invites anyone interested in SWIM LESSONS formation, 239-454-7500. learning more about their service The Beach Pool at the Bay Oaks club and their efforts to serve our Recreational Campus offers swim KIDDIE POOL community and children to attend lessons MO – TH from 8:30-10am. The kiddie pool is currently one of their meetings at Bonita Bill’s The last summer weekday session closed for the installation of a new meeting room, 702 Fisherman’s will be July 22 – Aug 1. Fall swim play structure. The new structure Wharf, FMB. They offer a flexible lessons will be offered on WE from will be completed and the kiddie meeting schedule with lunch or 2:30 – 3:30pm Aug 28 – Oct 9; or pool open around the beginning of dinner meetings. Their next dinner on Sunday from 11am-12:30pm August. Expect updates closer to meeting is on TH July 18 at 5:30pm Aug 25 – Oct 6. Call the pool for de- August on exact date. During the and their next lunch meeting on FR tails 239-463-5759.The Beach Pool construction, the main pool will re- Aug 9 at noon. Future lunch meet- is open from 10am - 6pm every A Daily Guide to Fun on the Beach main open. ings are planned for Sept. 6; dinner day until September. Rates are dis- A Publication of FortMyersBeach.news meetings on Aug 22 and Sept 19. counted due to the generous con- ART QUILTERS For information, contact the FMB tributions of the Fort Myers Beach SPAGHETTI DINNER Art Quilters Unlimited (AQU) will Kiwanis Thrift Shop at 239-454- Kiwanis Club and their “Every Child Chapel by the Sea Presbyterian hold their next meeting on SA 8090. a Swimmer” program. Church will host its monthly, com- July 13 at 12:30pm at St. Hilary’s munity Spaghetti Dinner on SA July Episcopal Church, 5011 McGregor FLORIDA YARDS ADULT KICKBALL 13 from 5-7pm On the menu will Blvd, Fort Myers. AQU is a group Join the Lee County Extension Ser- Get your team together now for be Spaghetti & Meatballs, Spicy of artists interested in sharing fi- vices on SA July 20 from 10am- the Bay Oaks Adult Co-ed Kickball Sausage and Peppers & Onions, ber arts knowledge, supporting 12pm for a free Florida Yards & league on WE nights, beginning Salad, Garlic Bread, Dessert and creativity through workshops and Neighborhoods class at Lakes July 31. $150/team, minimum of 9 beverages. Tickets $10/person with expanding the appreciation of our Park Library, 15290 Bass Rd, Fort players per team. Register by July kids 10 and under free. Wine tick- work with community and regional Myers. Learn the principles of 22. Call 239-765-4222 for more ets 2 for $5. exhibits. All are welcome - novice Florida-friendly landscaping using info. to expert. Meetings are held the low-maintenance plants and envi- HOME SECURITY second Saturday of the following ronmentally sustainable practices. ART GALLERY Join Peggy Lince of the Lee Coun- months: January, February, March, Learn the nine principles of creating The Fort Myers Beach Art Associa- ty Sheriff’s Office for a presentation May, July, September and Novem- and maintaining a “Florida-Friendly tion Gallery is located at the corner on TU July 16 at 10:30am at the ber. For more information visit www. Yard.” Class is free, but please reg- of Donora and Shell Mound. (3030 Beach Library 3rd floor Community artquiltersunlimited.com ister at FYNLL2019.eventbrite.com Shell Mound Blvd.) Hours are WE Room on how to assure you are not or call 239-533-4000. & TH 9am – noon. Free admission. a target of identity theft or financial FMB ART ASSOCIATION 239-463-3909; www.fortmyers- crimes. This workshop will address Support the Fort Myers Beach Art CHRISTMAS IN JULY beachart.com mail and residential security. Free, Association by participating in Drag The Fort Myers Beach Library will Queen Bingo every Friday in July host its second annual Christmas BEACH LIBRARY BOWLING BASH at the Nauti Parrot Dock Bar,19001 in July celebration on TH July 25. The Fort Myers Beach Library is a The 6th Annual FMB Chamber San Carlos Blvd. Bingo like you’ve Head to the library for all things great place to visit. Browse the li- Bowling Bash will be held on July never played it before! Cost is $20 Christmas – cookies, punch, music, brary’s many collections, use the 18 from 4-9pm at Beach Bowl. En- at the door, with $10 going directly games and Mrs. Claus. Volunteers computers, read newspapers, vis- ter a team of up to 6 players and to the FMB Art Association. Starts are invited to contact the library if it the Friends Used Bookstore or July 12th, 2019 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news Page 15

the artwork on the 3rd floor, all in open TU, WE & SA 9am-4pm. Lo- LOVERS KEY STATE PARK air-conditioned comfort! The Li- cated at 451 Connecticut St. with Guided nature programs are of- brary is open MO-FR 9am-5pm overflow parking at 216 Connecti- fered in the park. All programs and SA 9am-1pm. 239-765-8162. cut. Call for exact times on kayak require registration, are free Upcoming programs include: tours, costs, reservations and ad- with park entry and take place at ditional information. 239-765-0865. 10am. To register call 239-463- FR July 12: 10:30am- Family Mov- Save 20% on kayak tours for a lim- 4588. Upcoming programs in- ie, “Madagascar” PG, Free. ited time when you use the code clude: MO July 15: 1:30pm – History of SUMMER20 during online regis- Hollywood tration; 50% off Museum admis- TU July 16 – Fishing Clinic; Man- TU July 16: 10:30am - Mail & Res- sion when you mention MOUND- atee Talk idential Security; Book Discussion HOUSE2019. Upcoming programs FR July 19 – Walk on the Wild “Unsheltered” by Barbara Kingsolv- include: Side er. FR July 19: 10:30am- Family Mov- SA July 13: 8am-Mangroves by PROTECT OUR TURTLES ie, “Madly Madagascar” 22 min- Kayak Tour; 1pm – Guided Muse- FMB is in the midst of turtle nest- utes, Free. um Tour; 2pm-Shell Mound Tour ing AND hatching season! Beach- FORT MYERS BEACH NESTS...... 96 TU July 23: 10:30am- Family Mov- TU July 16: 9am-Beach Walk at front homeowners are asked to ie, “Madagascar 3 – Europe’s Most Newton Park (beach conditions do their part to protect our nesting FALSE CRAWLS... 111 Wanted” PG, Free. permitting); 10am-Family Adven- and newly hatched turtles. Turtles HATCHED...... 0 TH July 25: 9:30am - 5pm Christ- tures; 11am & 2pm-Shell Mound are disoriented by lights shining mas in July Tour; 1pm-Guided Museum Tour on the beach. Shield your out- BONITA SPRINGS NESTS...... 211 FR July 26: 1:30pm Meet the Artist WE July 17: 8am-Family Fun Kay- door lights or replace the bulbs of the Month, Berry van Boekel ak Tour; 10am – Cool Calusa Tools; with Amber LED bulbs. Turtles FALSE CRAWLS.. 318 11am & 2pm-Shell Mound Tour; cannot see amber LED lighting, HATCHED ...... 16 MOUND HOUSE 1pm – Guided Museum Tour but humans can. Turtle-friendly The oldest standing structure on FR July 19: 8am-Family Fun Kay- lights are now available at Town www.turtletime.org Fort Myers Beach with a histori- ak Tour (Museum closed) Hall or at bit.ly/lites4turtles. If you cal museum inside and beautiful SA July 20: 8am-Mangroves by walk on the beach at night, DO businesses may obtain a hurricane grounds outside including an ob- Kayak Tour; 10am-Exploring Ar- NOT use a flashlight or your cell re-entry pass at Town Hall. In the servation pier, kayak launch and chaeology; 11am & 2pm–Shell phone! If you rent your condo or event of an evacuation, passes may amazing back bay views. Grounds Mound Tour; 1pm-Guided Museum home near the beach, change be required to re-enter the island. If open sunrise to sunset. Museum is Tour outdoor bulbs now and leave in- you have a Purple (resident) or Yel- structions to close the drapes low (business) pass, they are valid after sunset to prevent light from for the 2019 season. If you do not shining on the beach. Remove already have one of those, pick up or stack beach furniture close to an application at Town Hall or online the building. Remove all beach at The Town of Fort Myers Beach Local Government Meetings litter. Fill in all holes you dig on website: Emergency Preparedness. the beach. You can make a dif- Applicants will need to provide pho- Thursday, 7/18 10:30am Special Magistrate Hearings ference! For more information on to I.D. and proof of residency. For sea turtles visit TurtleTime.org. details on what proof is needed, call 239-765-0202 or see website. Pass- HURRICANE es will not be mailed this year, so All meetings take place in Town Hall, 2525 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach stop in Town Hall to get yours! unless otherwise noted. Meetings are subject to change. RE-ENTRY PASSES Fort Myers Beach residents and Page 16 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news July 12th, 2019 July 12th, 2019 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news Page 17

“Excuse me friend, but do please look, It seems that I’m caught on your hook. I wish it was an accident, But it’s plain to see... your grim intent.

I don’t taste good fried, poached, or baked, So please release me, for goodness’ sake. We CAN coexist, you and me, So let’s call ‘friends’, the Old Man and the Sea.” Mike Popeye Dearden (With apologies to Dr. Seuss)

“Hope he’s a Humperdinck fan cuz I’ll be humming a few bars real soon” Eric M. Huntsman (Ok everybody—in Engelbert’’s voice—Please release me, let me go.)

WHAT IS COMMUNITY COMICS Each week I draw a cartoon and put it up on my FB page (Mark List) on Saturday morning, and ask all my FB friends to contribute captions for the cartoon. I also ask that everyone vote for the ones they think are the funniest. The ones with the most Likes by Monday or Tuesday get printed in the funnies pages that week. We do it simply for the fun of it. Page 18 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news July 12th, 2019 July 12th, 2019 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news Page 19 Fire Board Hears Budget Proposal New Station Needed By Missy Layfield anticipated sale of Truck 33 once its re- [email protected] placement is delivered and an expected $150,000 in development funds are a major The need to replace Fire Station factor in the projected revenue increase of 31 hangs over the 2019-2020 budget dis- 5.9%. cussions of the Board of Fire Commission- Projected expenses are led by ers for the Fort Myers Beach Fire Depart- Personal Services at $10.7 million, an in- ment. While the district has yet to set their crease of 6.9%. Love explained that the Truth in Millage (TRIM) tax rate or adopt the cost of living allowance and the direction budget, they have been looking at the dis- of current negotiations with District 15 em- trict’s finances in detail and preparing to set ployees, as well as increases in social se- The Fire Board is considering how to fund the replacement of Station 31 at 3043 the TRIM rate at their next meeting on July curity and Medicare contributions, which Estero Blvd. PHOTO BY M. LAYFIELD. 24. The 2020 budget will be presented and are driven by salaries, contributed to the voted on at two Public Budget Hearings to increase. Health and life insurance increas- taxpayers pay the balance as they use the cash model for just building replacement, be held in September, as required by law. es of about $100 per month per employee station.” not including any land purchase would re- The board began the effort to and $109,000 to cover the new cancer cov- Exact cost figures for a new sta- quire a Year One tax rate of 2.9851, with replace the station in earnest in January erage mandated by the Florida Legislature tion are not yet available, but Love did ex- succeeding years at 2.6392. The current when they authorized Chief Matthew Love this year were also contributors. Employee plain that they will plan on budgeting $450/ tax rate is 2.6153. He estimated that to cov- to begin a search for land on which to build costs total about 78% of the district’s oper- square foot, which is below the average for er a land purchase, as is needed for Sta- the new station and make an offer contin- ating budget. several new fire stations that they’ve toured tion 31, a possible Year Two rate of 2.9851 gent on board approval and assessment. The first shadow of Station 31 ap- in Southwest Florida this year. might be considered by the board, before The current Station 31, built in 1949, sits peared in the Professional and Contractual He then spoke about a plan that dropping to the lower rate. at 3043 Estero Blvd and is considered well Expenditures section, where Love noted involved budgeting 20% of building costs Larry Wood, Board of Commis- beyond its useful life. Using the land it sits that he’d increased legal fees by 72% or and financing the rest. And looking at the sioners Chair, asked about the minimum on for a new station is not feasible due to $40,000 to cover some legal fees related to larger picture, he spoke of bringing all the size required for a station. Love responded its small size, approximately an eighth of an land procurement. “I don’t know that it will district’s buildings under the same capital that the district has no station design yet, acre, which does not allow adequate space be enough, but it seemed prudent to have budgeting and replacement plan that the but must comply with lot size, parking and for even the minimum three fire engine/ some legal fees set aside,” said Love. An- district already uses for heavy vehicles, like height restrictions within the town. ambulance bays. Additional limitations on other $40,000 was included for outsourced engines and ladder trucks. Under that plan, “The land purchase is the key,” ground floor usage due to FEMA building property procurement services, which the district would estimate the life span Wood said. “We should have the land first.” rules and height limitations impact both ac- would cover testing and evaluation of a of each building and its replacement cost ceptable land space and the design of the piece of ground that was under consider- and spread the replacement cost over the BUDGET HEARINGS new station. Modeling studies concluded ation for the new station. remaining life span budget years, so that that the ideal Station 31 replacement would The proposed budget includes a when it came time to replace the building, Love proposed that the two bud- be located between its current location at decrease of over 66% in Capital Expen- there would be money set aside to cover get hearings be held on September 12 and Donora Blvd and Times Square. The dis- ditures or $1.1 million. This reflects the 20% of the replacement cost. 25, explaining that the dates cannot be of- trict’s other stations are located on Lenell purchase of Engine 33 this year and no Right now the district has nothing ficially set until their July 24 meeting, when Road and on San Carlos Blvd. planned large vehicle replacement next set aside for the purchase of land or build- they will also set their TRIM tax rate, which The operating budget was on the year. Delivery of Engine 33 is expected late ing construction for any buildings. Since can later be reduced at the budget hear- agenda at this week’s Wednesday morning this fall. Love’s arrival in 2016, the district has en- ings, but cannot be raised. meeting held in one of the Beach Library In summary, Love said, “It’s a bal- acted a catch-up plan for capital expenses The district’s Emergency Medi- Community Rooms. At their last meeting anced budget, with the same tax rate. The that has designated reserve funds for all cal Services were again recognized by the on June 26, they focused on capital expen- only weakness is the building plan.” equipment used by the district, from fire American Heart Association for their heart ditures. Fire Chief Matthew Love told the hoses to ladder trucks to heart monitors, so attack care and were also recognized for board that the district’s taxable land values STATION 31 FUNDING equipment replacement is a budgeted ex- their stroke care, Love announced. increased 3.3% according to the Lee Coun- pense that is reviewed each year. The Board voted 4-0 to approve a Love explained that a simi- ty Property Appraiser’s Office. Leaving the “There are different theories on budget resolution and to approve Strategic lar “catch-up” plan for the district’s four tax rate the same as last year, 2.6153, how to pay for major capital expenses, like Performance Goals for Chief Love. Com- buildings would need to utilize the 20% would provide about $337,000 more to the Station 31 will be,” Love said. “One theo- missioner Jacki Liszak was not present. cash/80% finance as the tax rate for a district. ry is to save up 100% of the cost and pay The next meeting of the Board of 100% cash plan would put the district over Impact fees are budgeted to in- cash for the building. But that’s a huge pot Fire Commissioners is on Wednesday, July its allowed maximum tax rate of 3.00. crease by over 122%, but that only trans- of money to sit on. Another theory is to 24 at 6pm at the Fort Myers Beach Town The “catch-up” plan using the 20% lates to $3,300 more for the district. The save up 20% and finance the rest so that Hall. BEACH BUSINESSES Page 20 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news July 12th, 2019

Tides • Matanzas Pass • Ft. Myers Beach Day High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time % Moon /Low Time Feet Sunset Visible

F 19 High 4:27 AM 1.8 6:46 AM Set 9:04 AM 96 19 Low 7:38 AM 1.6 8:22 PM Rise 10:30 PM 19 High 2:24 PM 3.2 19 Low 9:42 PM 0.0 BEACH CLASSIFIEDS Sa 20 High 4:46 AM 2.0 6:47 AM Set 9:56 AM 92 20 Low 8:29 AM 1.5 8:21 PM Rise 11:05 PM HELP WANTED HANDY MAN 20 High 3:06 PM 2.9 20 Low 10:13 PM 0.2 HELP WANTED For Small Household 2 JOB OPPORTUNITIES Su 21 High 5:09 AM 2.1 6:47 AM Set 10:47 AM 86 Jobs & Home Watch 21 Low 9:25 AM 1.5 8:21 PM Rise 11:38 PM Secretary Part Time: Call EMMY 21 High 3:51 PM 2.8 Desktop publishing, organizational THE HOME DOCTOR 21 Low 10:45 PM 0.4 and people skills, being a team 239-233-2587 player are musts. M 22 High 5:36 AM 2.2 6:48 AM Set 11:38 AM 79 Handyman Service 22 Low 10:28 AM 1.3 8:20 PM Bookkeeper Part Time: 22 High 4:42 PM 2.6 Payroll, accounts payable. PEST CONTROL 22 Low 11:18 PM 0.6 Trustworthy. Send resume to: A Better Bugman LLC Tu 23 High 6:07 AM 2.3 6:48 AM Rise 12:09 AM 71 [email protected]. A Full Service 23 Low 11:37 AM 1.2 8:20 PM Set 12:29 PM Pest Control Company 23 High 5:43 PM 2.3 Residential & Commercial 23 Low 11:53 PM 0.9 FOR RENT MOSQUITO + SPIDERS CONTROL PROGRAMS W 24 High 6:41 AM 2.4 6:49 AM Rise 12:41 AM 62 FOR RENT Call Today for 24 Low 12:53 PM 1.1 8:20 PM Set 1:20 PM 1BR/1BA & FREE Estimate. 24 High 6:58 PM 2.0 2 BR/2BA apts Phone: 239-454-BUGS(2847) Mid-Island - Fort Myers Beach Th 25 Low 12:29 AM 1.1 6:49 AM Rise 1:15 AM 52 Fax: 239-415-BUGS(2847) Clean and nicely furnished 25 High 7:20 AM 2.6 8:19 PM Set 2:14 PM Weekly - Monthly - Seasonal OFFICE CLOSURE 25 Low 2:11 PM 0.9 Available now & 2020 Season 25 High 8:36 PM 1.8 Call 239-333-6123 or Estero Island Medical Care 239-265-2626 7205 Estero Blvd, Suite 733, and F 26 Low 1:09 AM 1.3 6:50 AM Rise 1:51 AM 42 1661 Estero Blvd #1 26 High 8:03 AM 2.8 8:19 PM Set 3:10 PM Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 26 Low 3:25 PM 0.6 LOST AND FOUND 26 High 10:27 PM 1.8 We appreciate the trust you have LOST CAT shown in allowing Estero Island Med- “Patches” a calico cat, was last ical Care to provide for your medical For all tides go to www.saltwatertides.com needs. The office will be open from seen on July 1, 2019 near 8am – 5pm until June 10, 2019 for pa- Avenue C, Fort Myers Beach. tients to pick up medical records. After this date, email requests for records to Was wearing a black collar with [email protected]. a bell. If you’ve seen Patches, call 239-822-9526. Reward. If you need immediate medical care, contact the Emergency Department at Health Park Medical Center, (239)343- 5000, 9981 South Health Park Drive, $20 CLASSIFIEDS Fort Myers, FL 33908 239-463-4461 Very truly yours, Estero Island Medical Care

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SHOP LOCALLY July 12th, 2019 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news Page 21 PUZZLE ANSWERS Page 22 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news July 12th, 2019

PHOTO MISSY LAYFIELD July 12th, 2019 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news Page 23 WHO’S PLAYING WHERE ON AND AROUND THE BEACH

CLUB FRIDAY 7/12 SATURDAY 7/13 SUNDAY 7/14 MONDAY 7/15 TUESDAY 7/16 WEDNESDAY 7/17 THURSDAY 7/18

COTTAGE STEVE FARST NEW VINYLS TROUBLEMAKERS FADED ROOTS WILDLINGS STEVE FARST NEW VINYLS Gulfshore Grill 765-5440 9PM-1AM 9PM-1AM 8-12PM 8-12PM 8-12pm 8-12pm 8-12pm

DIXIE FISH CO. MARK WESLEY SOME LITTLE FISH GIRL MEETS BOY TEQUILA TOM JEFF LYONS BOBBY BLAKEY Fisherman’s Wharf 233-8837 5:30-8:30PM 5:30-8:30PM 4PM 5:30-8:30PM 5:30-8:30PM 5:30-8:30PM

DOC FORDS HIGH VOLTAGE HIGH VOLTAGE DEB & THE DYNAMICS GIRL MEETS BOY KAPO KINGS 708 Fishermans Whf. 765-9660 6:30-9:30PM 6:30-9:30PM 1-4PM 6:30-9:30PM 6:30-9:30PM

SCOTTY BRYAN MATANZAS on the BAY DANIEL D MARK DUKE 12-4PM SCOTT BRYAN SAILOR LARRY PETE BEARD MARY WINNER 414 Crescent 12-4PM 5-9PM SAILOR LARRY 5-9PM 5-9PM 5-9PM 5-9PM 5-9PM 463-3838 MARY WINNER 5-9PM

NAUTI PARROT HIPPIE SALADS CLIVE LIVE ADAM MAC 1-5PM T.J. BROWN SHERAN McCUNE TJ BROWN BIG BAND THURSDAY 19001 SAN CARLOS BLVD 6PM 1-5PM BUBBA LOVE 5:30 5:30PM 5:30PM 5PM JUMPING FENCES 6PM 314-5667

SHERRIN 12-4PM NERVOUS NELLIES BILL ZINK 12-4PM JOE JOHNSON BILL ZINK MEGHAN ROSE SHERRIN McCUNE 1131 FIRST STREET SHAWN RUSSELL TJ BROWN 6-10PM 6-10PM 6-10PM 6-10PM 6-10PM 463-8077 6-10PM

PRINCESS & OUTRIGGER ALAN SMALL MEAGAN ROSE & JENNY VE MEAGAN ROSE ENDRE D 6200 Estero Blvd SMALLTOWN 5-8 SMOKIN’ BILL 2-5PM 5-8PM 5-8PM 5-8PM 463-3131 2-5PM

PARROT KEY FRANK TORINO FRANK TORINO Salty Sam’s Marina 463-3257 7PM 7PM

PETE’S TIME OUT DANIEL D DAVE ROJAS AARON SEYFERTH DAVE COLLATON JAMES GRAGG Time Square 463-5900 6-10PM 6-10PM 6-10PM 6-10PM 6-10PM

BILL ZINK 1-5PM PIERSIDE SHERRIN 1-5 FRANK THOMPSON FRANK THOMPSON 1-5 ANTHONY WAYNE 1-5 BILL ZINK 1-5 BILL ZINK 1-5PM BY TOWN PIER ANTHONY WAYNE JEFF WHIDBY 6-10 1-5 6-10 SHERRIN 6-10 SHERRIN 6-10 JEFF WHIDBY 6-10 MARY WINNER 6-10PM 765-7800 6-10PM ANTHONY WAYNE BERNIE HYLAND 1-5PM JEFF GREENE 2-6PM SALTY CRAB 12-4PM 1154 Estero Blvd AARON SEYFFERTH ANDY ATWOOD JPH ENTERTAINMENT 233-8224 6-10PM 7-10PM 6-10PM SHARK BAR 19030 Old San Carlos Blvd CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED 239-313-6012

SOBs ANTHONY WAYNE WILL KAISER LEE HAGAN WILL KAISER ANTHONY WAYNE FRANK THOMPSON SHAWN RUSSELL Old San Carlos Blvd 463-3474 6-10PM 6-10 6-10PM 6-10 6-10 6-10 6-10

KARAOKE WITH WHALE 3 CROOKED STEPS SOAPY TUNA ROGER YOUNG TYLER KLUSNER 1249 Estero Blvd BRENDA 9-12PM 9-12PM 6-9PM 6-9PM 463-5505 6-9PM

Who’s Playing Where Page is a free service for current Island Sand Paper Advertisers. ALL LISTINGS ARE SUPPLIED BY THE ADVERTISERS. ALL LISTINGS FOR THE MONTH ARE DUE ON THE 15TH OF THE PREVIOUS MONTH TO BE INCLUDED IN THE WHO’S PLAYING WHERE. To qualify for listing, venue must have live music scheduled regularly on multiple days per week. CONTACT SANDY AT 463-4461 TO DISCUSS ADVERTISING OPTIONS! Page 24 The Island Sand Paper FortMyersBeach.news July 12th, 2019 Use a rideshare to get to The Whale, we’ll give you a FREE “Whale-A-Rita”! With purchase of food.

Ginger Lime Shrimp

Live Music is Back Every Friday, Saturday, & Sunday! 9pm - Midnight! The Best Happy Hour on the Beach! Mon - Fri 2-5pm 1249 Estero Blvd. • 239-463-5505 • www.thewhalefmb.com

Local Gulf Shrimp & Great Views Live Music • Waterfront Seating • Island Mojitos Retail Fish Market Available

Award Winning Lee County’s Newest Flavors From The Waterfront Restaurant Caribbean Rim! & Fish House! www.dixiefishfmb.com www.DocFords.com 714 Fishermans Wharf • 239.233.8837 708 Fisherman’s Wharf • 239.765.9660