Baker advances CAPE CORAL Bulldogs rip Red Knights, 78-54, in District DAILY BREEZE — SPORTS WEATHER: Partly Sunny • Tonight: Partly Cloudy • Wednesday: Partly Cloudy — 2A cape-coral-daily-breeze.com Vol. 48, No. 35 Thursday, February 12, 2009 50 cents Mayor stresses upside of Cape in down time By GRAY ROHRER Wednesday, Burch acknowl- stimulus package,” Burch said. [email protected] edged the city’s troubles while Obama also visited Elkhart, Negative economic statistics pointing out its attributes. Ind., a city plagued by rising “We’ll return to a good (housing) mar- in Cape Coral and across “We’ll return to a good (hous- unemployment, on Monday to ket. It may not be in six months, but Southwest Florida — No. 1 in ing) market. It may not be in six push the more than $800 billion we’ll return to a good market.” foreclosures, 10 percent unem- months, but we’ll return to a good stimulus legislation currently ployment — have turned the market,” Burch said. being debated by Congress. —Mayor Jim Burch national spotlight on the city, but He also emphasized the aura National Public Radio got Mayor Jim Burch is using the of positivity he said remains in Burch and the mayor of Elkhart, opportunity to give national the area in the wake of President Dick Moore, together via a tele- sure at least two-thirds of what I ly receptive to the mayor’s mes- media outlets the positive side of Barack Obama’s visit to Fort conference call Tuesday, and say about the city is all good, and sage, but one audience member the Cape. Myers Tuesday. Burch again tried to remain on the then, of course, they want to hear wanted to see an end to the In his “State of the City” “It was a great day, regardless positive side. all about the problems we have,” infighting between Cape Coral address to the Chamber of of your party affiliation, regard- “I was allowed to go first in he said. Commerce of Cape Coral less of how you feel about the that interview. I wanted to make Business leaders were general- See MAYOR, page 5A Concentration Canterbury students advance in science fair competition Group faired well in local Edison event By MCKENZIE CASSIDY Canterbury School. “Ten or 15 [email protected] students are going to the state Four students from Canterbury level.” School in Fort Myers have earned For the last year, Hopf has the right to compete at the state been working on a project to science fair and the Intel reduce the risk of a respiratory International Science & infection called Human Bocavirus Engineering Fair in Reno, Nev. (HBoV) which infects newborns Cape Coral resident Sarah-Marie around the world. Her research Hopf will be one of the presenters revolves around developing a vac- at the fairs later this year. cine from a protein that attaches In order to qualify for the to healthy cells. upcoming science fairs, students Hopf is a Cape Coral resident had to place in the local Thomas and the daughter of Ellen Hoefer- A. Edison Kiwanis Science & Hopf and Thomas Hopf of the Engineering Fair. Canterbury stu- Cape. After Canterbury, Hopf dents not only earned “Best of wants to continue in the field of Fair,” but were first, third and research at the university level. fourth runners-up. Smith received “Best of Fair” Hopf was named fourth run- for his study of MRSA coloniza- ner-up, while Hunter Smith tion by pet therapy dogs in hospi- received “Best of Fair.” Bahar tals. He proved that the drug- Shah was first runner-up and Will resistant infection can be spread Heise third runner-up. from dogs to humans and patients “Our students did really well have a higher risk of contracting regionally. We had the two ‘Best the virus. of Fairs’ in the senior division and “People in hospitals have an junior division,” said Kathy MICHAEL PISTELLA Edwards, spokesperson for See SCIENCE, page 5A Mike Ritchie keeps his eye on the ball just before hitting it toward the front wall dur- ing a Lee County Senior Games doubles racquetball game at the Mid-Cape Health and Racquet Club Wednesday. Behind Ritchie are Terry Brookman, left, and Mike O’Brine. PIAA to present County school foundation, Temple 37th annual Art Beth Shalom to host magic show Show and Sale By MCKENZIE CASSIDY all of our programs.” By MARIANNE PATON the artwork has been profession- [email protected] The foundation has worked To go [email protected] ally matted and framed and are The Foundation for Lee with Temple Beth Shalom in the One of the best attended ready for hanging. County Public Schools and past to secure needs for Title I What: Magic Show events in Matlacha will take Among the work available at Temple Beth Shalom in Cape schools but Bower said this is the hosted by Carson place this weekend as the Pine the show and sale are several Coral are hosting a special magic first fund-raising venture the Entertainment Island Art Association presents arcylics by artist Eileen Felice. show next month at Ida S. Baker organization is holding with a the 37th annual Art Show and New to the Pine Island Art High. religious organization. Where: Ida S. Baker Sale. Showcasing the talent of Association, Felice’s works Magician Garry Carson and For the past five years, Temple High School, local artists, this event will be include charming portraits of Beth Shalom has collected school several breeds of man’s best performer Kelsey Kara, from the 3500 Agualinda Blvd. held Saturday, Feb. 14, and national touring company Carson supplies for underprivileged chil- Sunday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. friend as well as sports legends Entertainment, will perform at the dren through its social action to 4 p.m. like Olympic gold medal winner high school on March 18 starting committee, explained Hershfield, When: Wednesday, Organizers are anticipating Michael Phelps. at 7 p.m. Proceeds from the show but they contacted the foundation March 18, at 7 p.m. the largest crowd to descend on Also showing will be water- will benefit both organizations. to help raise more funds for teach- Matlacha this season, and art color artist Dorothy Nelson and Steve Hershfield, president of ers. Details: Call Temple Beth enthusiasts will not be disap- her rendition of a scene in Temple Beth Shalom, said the The husband and wife Carson Shalom at 772-4555 pointed as more than 500 paint- Matlacha depicting anglers lin- show is based in Las Vegas and is and Kara illusionist team have ings will be on display through- ing the “worlds most fishingest family oriented. It features magic performed in over 40 countries out the event. The show and sale bridge.” and exotic animals such as tigers and have appeared on shows such will be staged in the Community Artist Cheryl Lamm will also and panthers, he said. as “Good Morning America” and The show will feature an inter- Building in the Matlacha Park in have works on display. Lamm is “It’s rated the number one “Inside Edition.” The two have mission and snack items will be the heart of Matlacha. Ample known to many island residents family entertainment for two also been contacted to perform for available for purchase. Tickets are free parking is available and as one of the premier utility pole years running,” said Hershfield. the president of the United States. $15 for adults, $10 for children admission is free. painters, and her works on a flat Marshall T. Bower, executive Carson has performed over 17 and under and Hershfield said The artwork on display rep- canvas are highly regarded and director of the Foundation for Lee 8,000 shows at the MGM in Las teachers in the school district resents the work of more than has received numerous awards County Public Schools, said Vegas and Kara, a former Miss receive a special rate of $12. 100 local artists in a variety of at a variety of exhibitions funds raised will support pro- Nevada, appeared on The Mickey For tickets or performance mediums including acrylic, oil, throughout the country. In addi- grams for teachers. Mouse Club and toured with the information, call Temple Beth pastel, pen and ink and water- tion to her work on poles and “Where there is the greatest Legends in Concert world tour. Shalom at 772-4555. It is located color depicting Florida land- canvas, Lamm also produces a need is where the money will go,” Also while performing, Carson at 702 S.E. 24th Avenue in Cape scapes, seascapes, birds, fish, said Bower. “Right now we just created an educational program, Coral. flowers and other wildlife. All See PIAA, page 3A planned on generally using it for “Knowing The Magic Words.” ATAGLANCE AROUND THE AREA NEWS OF NOTE WHAT’S INSIDE Bushes at Bonita event Burrowing Owl Festival Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, The Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife’s Annie’s Mailbox........6A Horoscopes........6A President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. 7th Annual Burrowing Owl Festival will be Cape Fare..........6B Nation................5A Florida Barbara Bush will be among the special held Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lottery guests at the ninth annual Celebration of at the Rotary Park Environmental Center, Classifieds.............1-5B Obituaries..........2A Reading to benefit the Family Literacy 5505 Rose Garden Road, in Cape Coral. Comics.............10A Police Blotter......2A CASH 3: Initiatives Friday, Feb. 13, in the Great This festival is designed to educate peo- 0-2-6 / 2-0-2 ple about the owl and to involve them in its Crossword........10A Sports..........11-13A PLAY 4: Egret Meeting Room at the Hyatt Regency 2-9-0-9 / 3-0-4-4 Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita preservation.