Southwest Spotlight - December 2011

Page A24 Southwest Spotlight December 2011
S O U T H W E S T
DECEMBER 2011 Vol.2, No.12 FREE
Events, things to do and opportunities to give back to our community in and around Bonita Springs
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YMCA Update A6
Issues and Answers
Mayoral Election A18
Assistance Office A10
Tennis tourney B14
A special
Christmas gift A9
Bonitas
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Bonita Fires EMS bid
By Peter R. OFlinn
prof@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs Phil Kinsey thought back to days a
quarter century ago, before he was Chief Kinsey, leader
of the Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District. I
started as a probationary firefighter, and they sent me to
fire school. When I got out I was a firefighter first
responder.
Kinsey attended Edison State for advanced training,
and he remembers his teacher there. Kim was my paramedic
instructor. I worked with her when she was a medic on the
road. Ive known Kim a long time, said Kinsey.
I have a lot of respect for Kim, and a lot of respect for
her organization, he said.
Kim is Chief Kim Dickerson, who runs Emergency
Medical Services for the Lee County government.
Dickerson recalled her time at Edison State where, in
the 1990s, she took a hiatus from almost 30 years at Lee
EMS while our kids were smaller. I have a lot of respect
for Phil Kinsey, she said of her former pupil.
Today Dickerson and Kinsey find themselves on opposite
sides of an ongoing disagreement between Bonita Fire and
Lee EMS over who should operate the emergency ambulance
service in Bonita Springs.
Dickerson believes the current Lee EMS ambulance
system is working well. Kinsey has a different take. Unfor-
tunately, while adequate, it is not an efficient system, he
said. Bonita Fire can do better, he believes.
Kinsey has asked the Lee County Board of County
Commissioners to approve Bonita Fires proposal to replace
Lee EMS as emergency ambulance provider in Bonita
Springs.
Community support for Bonita Fires proposal is
extensive. Bonita Springs City Council, the Bonita Springs
Area Chamber of Commerce and community groups have
endorsed it. Over one thousand petition signatures have
been gathered. Continued on page A12
By Peter R. OFlinn
Bonita Springs The pro-
posed new home for the
Caf of Life is on a street
named Nomad. That sounds
like just the right address
for the Bonita Springs char-
itable organization that has
spent seven years looking
for a permanent home.
Awhile back the Cafs
Bruce Wheatley was told that
a proposed site for his or-
ganization did not meet the
local zoning code. Again.
Another site was way too
expensive. Again. Then a
proposal to serve lunches
from a church kitchen, re-
jected by the congregation.
And on, and on.
The Caf serves hot
lunches to the needy in Boni-
ta. Over the years, Wheatley
and his fellow volunteers
have learned that their mis-
sion of service comes with
a burden, the need to deal
with trepidations of others
about the poor they serve.
Now, the Caf has fash-
ioned a new plan for a
site in the Rosemary Park
Cafs search continues
on Nomad Street
Continued on page A20
Staff Photo | info@swspotlight.com
A Lee County ambulance is parked at the Bonita Springs firehouse on Bonita
Grande Drive. The Bonita Springs Fire and Rescue District has asked the Lee
County Board of County Commissioners to approve Bonita Fires proposal to
replace Lee EMS as the emergency ambulance provider in Bonita Springs.
SS_DEC_A_Cover and A24 11/28/11 4:50 PM Page 1
Locally owned and
operated since 2010
(239) 287-6474
info@swspotlight.com
PO Box 1946
Bonita Springs, FL 34133
Southwest Spotlight, LLC
swspotlight.com
S O U T H W E S T
Publisher
Peter A. O'Flinn
peter@swspotlight.com
This month
A5 Lions roar
A6 YMCA update
A6 Winner takes all
A9 A special Christmas gift
A10 Assistance Office
A16 Decorating Bonita
A16 Bonitas Hall of Fame
A18 Issues and Answers
Mayoral Election
B1 Alternative energy at
Spring Creek
B4 Congratulations
B14 Tennis Challenge
B20 The official
concert band
Every Issue
A6 Up and Down the trail
A9 Ben Nelsons column
A15 Spotlight
Real Estate Watch
A16 Bonita Business Beat
A19 Opportunities
to give back
A23 Sunset of the month
A23 Letters to the editor
B1 Why I love living in
Bonita Springs
B2 Events
B8 Artist of the month
Eileen Walden Johnson
B15 Catch of the month
B19 Bonitas Best Friends
B22 Restaurant Guide
Advertising Sales
Kathy O'Flinn
kathy@swspotlight.com
Office Manager
Katie O'Flinn
katie@swspotlight.com
Contributing Writers
Bill Barnes
Charles J. Cavaliere
D. K. Christi
Meghan Easterly
Chad Gillis
Max Harris
Dorota Harris
Ben Nelson Jr.
Peter R. O'Flinn
Heather Thomson
Contributing Photographers
Chris Griffith
William L. Meyers
David Michael
Robert L. Smith
ight
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Brenda Bergin
Downsizing & Moving Coordinator
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SS_DEC 2011_Section A 11/28/11 7:40 PM Page A2
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December 2011 Southwest Spotlight Page A3
By D.K. Christi
dk@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs Lions roar
and may be heard for miles.
The same may be said for
the Bonita Springs Lions
Club celebrating its 50th
Anniversary in 2012. Their
success is heard far beyond
Bonita Springs, the small
city with big ideas.
I joined the Lions
because life has been good
to me and my gratitude is
expressed by giving back,
said President Bob Hilliard.
Hilliard has been a mem-
ber since 2005 and President
of the Bonita Springs Lions
Club for three years. Lions
Club members are men and
women who strive to make
a difference in their local
community as well as in
communities worldwide
through an organization
founded in 1917. Their vol-
unteer efforts go beyond the
support of vision care, to
addressing unmet health
and education needs world-
wide.
Hilliard has two main
goals for the Bonita Springs
Lions Club 50th Anniversary
Celebration year. The first
major project celebrates the
February Grand Re-Opening
of the expanded eye clinic
to include the eye surgery
center. The clinic is located
on the Lions Club campus
at 10346 Pennsylvania
Avenue. Lions Club Inter-
national Foundation Chair-
man, Sid Shruggs, will
headline both this event and
the members 50th Anniver-
sary Gala February 18. Boni-
ta Springs resident, Howard
Freedman, M.D., is the vol-
unteer Medical Director,
assisted by volunteer eye
surgeons and assistants from
Bonita Springs and the sur-
rounding area. Eye care serv-
ices are provided for low
income patients without
medical insurance and also
include clinic day at iTECH
in Immokalee.
Bonita resident Char
Lupke and ten other Delta
Gamma sorority alumni vol-
unteers perform basic
screening tests prior to
examination by the oph-
thalmologist. Vision is our
national philanthropy, and
the chance to provide serv-
ices to so many who have
no other options is very
rewarding. Lupkes com-
mand of Spanish provides
extra help in meeting client
needs.
Former patient Arthur
Navarre thanked the Lions
Club after receiving services
that made it possible to
improve his academic per-
formance, This act (of kind-
ness) has truly touched my
heart. Nearly 4000 eligible
patients received eye clinic
services since 2008. Services
beyond the scope of the clin-
ic have often been met by
local eye surgeons.
Hilliards second 50th
Anniversary goal is to see
more new members.
As an older, established
organization, we need new
members to continue grow-
ing and serving. Members
also enjoy regular dinner
meetings, special functions
and networking. My wife is
a member. The camaraderie
with a common mission cre-
ates wonderful friendships
for life. There are currently
140 members. That doesnt
include the organization
specifically for youth, the
Cubs. Lions Club has no
paid executives and all
income from community
projects is returned to the
community, approximately
$300,000 a year in Bonita
Springs. Overhead costs are
paid through memberships
and member activities.
Scholarships, grants and
support for other commu-
nity activities include over
$30,000 granted to the Lee
County School District for
Estero High Schools Certi-
fied Nursing Assistant pro-
gram and a childrens play
area at Riverside Park, acces-
sible to children with dis-
abilities.
Where does the money
come from? This all-volun-
teer organization has mul-
tiple projects that not only
raise funds but also provide
a community benefit. Over
2500 square feet of clothing,
house wares, furniture and
more are donated and recy-
cled for sale to the public at
the Lions Club campus. As
one sorting volunteer said,
we sort according to
whether we would buy the
item. Special treasures are
always a possibility. All this
started in the 70s with the
donation of two unused
school trailers delivered to
the current campus location.
Those two trailers expanded
to todays three buildings.
The Lions Club campus cov-
ers a half block.
The Saturday morning
Farm Fresh Market at the
Promenade and the local
green market on Old 41 on
Wednesday mornings pro-
vide space at a reasonable
cost monthly, and vendors
keep their own profits. Farm
Fresh Market is a buffet of
fresh, local food choices,
caramel corn, jewelry, used
and new books (with authors
present), a variety of arts
and crafts and more. Last
but not least is the $5 all
you can eat Saturday Pancake
Breakfast, January through
April, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Celebrate the Bonita
Lions Club 50th Anniversary
with a new treasure from
the thrift store, pancakes, or
meeting neighbors at the
Farm Fresh Market. For
more information about the
Lions Club go to www.boni-
talions.org .
Bonita Lions roar for their 50th Anniversary
As an older, established organization,
we need new members to continue
growing and serving.
Bob Hilliard, President,
Bonita Springs Lions Club
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Up and Down the Trail
Spotlight Staff Report
Bonita YMCA reopening
a tantalizing possibility
December is shaping up
as an important time in
ongoing efforts to reopen
the Bonita Springs YMCA.
We are going to
make an offer, to purchase
the Bonita facility, Ken
Modzelewski told the
Spotlight in an interview
at Thanksgiving time.
Modzelewski is Chief Exec-
utive Officer of South Coun-
ty Family YMCA of Venice.
The Bonita Springs facility
is owned by a Collier County
organization, the YMCA of
the Palms.
Hopefully we can make
something happen, said
Modzelewski, We would
like to have something done
in early December. At the
same time, he expressed
skepticism befitting a real
estate negotiation. The
[Palms] is saying Lets talk.
I guess you can read between
the lines. But I dont know
if what they have in mind is
going to be palatable to us.
If they want to continue
spending money keeping it
closed, I guess that is their
prerogative.
Hopefully, the Naples
folks will accept the [South
County] offer, said Dennis
Church, who served as chair
of the former Bonita Springs
Advisory Board to the
Palms. According to Thomas
Schreck, Churchs former
Advisory Board colleague,
generous Bonita Springs
donors have pledged pre-
commitments towards part
of the purchase price.
In the six months since
the Palms put the Bonita
facility in mothballs, the for-
mer Bonita Advisory Board
members have worked tire-
lessly to facilitate reopening
the facility. That has required
a combination of persistence
and patience.
Along with South County
and Palms officials they par-
ticipated in meetings with
national YMCA of the USA
officials. The Palms has
agreed to give up Bonita
Springs as part of its YMCA
service area in contemplation
of South County taking it
over.
In response to Churchs
request, the City confirmed
that any change in the use
of the Bonita YMCA prop-
erty would require an
amendment to the 2001 law
that approved the facility in
the environmentally sensitive
Density Reduction Ground-
water Resource, or DRGR.
Recently, South Countys
board of trustees approved
a business plan that included
Bonita Springs. Earlier this
year, the Venice organization
took over all Lee County
YMCA operations other than
Bonita Springs.
Also, the Palms bank
lender has reportedly indi-
cated it would approve a
transfer of the Bonita facility
to South County.
Modzelewski of South
County is keen to limit
monies paid to purchase the
property because of antici-
pated start up costs. Assum-
ing a sale is agreed, Schreck
anticipates a fundraising
operating campaign.
Winner takes all
The upcoming Bonita
City Council race in District
4, with its four candidates,
has a lot of local political
prognosticators scratching
their heads. Will Bonita Bay
split its vote between the two
candidates living in that com-
munity? Is there a gender
vote in Bonita Springs and,
if so, will it benefit the sole
woman candidate? Will the
more experienced political
hands split some of the vote?
Will the Republican Party
primary benefit some of the
candidates in this otherwise
non-partisan election?
Its anybodys guess who
will win, but with the crowd-
ed field, there is a very good
chance that the winner will
not have a majority of the
votes cast. If that comes to
pass, it will be a first in the
Citys short history. Unlike
previous elections, the
ground rules now provide
that to win a candidate only
needs the highest number
of votes. The requirement
for a runoff between the two
top vote getters, if neither
has a majority of votes cast,
has been dropped.
The rule change is the
result of amendments to the
Citys Charter, approved by
a 62 percent vote in 2010.
That is the subject that we
spent more time on than
anything else we did, said
Dennis Berens, a member
of the Citys Charter Review
Committee that year.
The 2008 mayoral runoff,
which cost the City over
$40,000, was a catalyst that
led to the charter review,
said Berens. That was prob-
ably the one thing that I got
the most comments on from
the public. They felt it was a
waste of money for the City,
and also a problem for the
candidates because they
essentially had to run again.
It was not a casual exer-
cise, said Berens. The com-
mittee enlisted the help
of Floridas Gulf Coast
Universitys political science
department and Lee County
elections supervisor Sharon
Harrington in an attempt
to develop a less expensive
alternative.
If the new plurality voting
provision previously had
been in place, the Citys polit-
ical history might have taken
different turns. In 2000, Jacke
McCurdy garnered 41 per-
cent of the vote to Paul Pass
24 percent, only to lose to
Pass in a runoff. Current
Mayor Ben Nelson, Jr., with
32 percent of the vote, was
eleven votes behind Meg
Hutchins in the 2000 District
6 election, but went on to
defeat Hutchins by 20 votes
in a runoff.
Some may think that if a
President can be elected with-
out a majority, its good
enough for City Council
seats. In 1992, Bill Clinton
received only 43% of the
vote and in 2000 George
W. Bush actually lost the
popular vote but won the
Presidency.
MeanderingsAt a
recent community meeting
held at Village Walk Coun-
cilman Bill Lonkart and
Captain Kathy Rairden of
the Lee County Sherriff s
office addressed community
concerns about noise from
practice shooting of firearms
in the area north of Bonita
Beach Road. Lonkart
informed the group that
shooting would cease on gun
range property recently
acquired by the South Flori-
da Water Management Dis-
trict. Residents expressed
concern that shooting con-
tinues at other nearby areas.
Florida law is generally per-
missive of shooting on pri-
vate property, said Rairden.
Safety is the overriding con-
cern. Concerning shooting
practice in unauthorized
areas (for example, shooting
over a public road), the law
requires deputies to actually
catch violators in the act of
shooting, she said. If we
drive out there and they have
guns, but they are not shoot-
ing, it makes it difficult for
us, said Rairden. If deputies
could catch people [illegally]
shooting out there, that
would be the highlight of
their weekNothing is
worse than responding to a
call about somebody shoot-
ing at the end of a road, and
you get there and all you
have are shotgun shells.
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By Ben Nelson Jr.
Bonita Springs I dont
know why this one Christ-
mas memory sticks in my
mind, but its actually one
of my first memories. I can
still feel the excitement of
tearing open the paper, the
smell of the tree... even the
comfy feel of pajamas with
feet built into them. I was
five years old.
When I opened the box
and found the blue and yel-
low plastic wind up seaplane,
it somehow immediately
cemented itself in my mind
as the greatest Christmas gift
I ever received or likely ever
would. I barely remember
anything else about it, how
long I had it or what became
of it, but it remains a won-
derful, comforting memory.
Although the Christmas
spirit remains alive inside
many of us, that unbridled
excitement that we experi-
enced in our childhood is
difficult to recapture. As
adults we open our gifts
politely, casually. Sometimes,
its an article of clothing that
makes us wonder if the per-
son who gave it to you has
mistaken us for someone
else, possibly of a different
gender. We smile and thank
them, and then wait while
they open the gift weve pur-
chased for them. As they
unwrap, with politely created
anticipation, what is obvi-
ously a book, you say hope-
fully I think youll like this!
Unbeknownst to you, the
person youve bought it for
hasnt read a book in the
last decade, but still they give
a cheesy grin and say Oh
boy, Thanks. You nod
proudly, When I saw that
it was about improving ones
table manners I immediately
thought of you! Merry
Christmas!
A Christmas or two ago
I received a gift from my
wife that was right on par
with that great gift of long
ago something that I had
wanted in a very elementary
school way for months. I
had noticed kids flying
around the mall on sneakers
that had wheels built into
them, and although they
seemed to irritate most
everybody... I thought, How
cool is that! You could be
walking along and then just
lean back on your heels and
glide through (or over) the
other shoppers gracefully
and effortlessly! I tugged on
Loris arm and pointed fran-
ticly at the speeding teenager.
Look at that! Ive got to get
some of those. Seriously?
she said. You really think
you can do that? I watched
another teen with his hands
in his pockets casually and
silently whizz by. Oh man!
Are you kidding? Look how
easy it is! Suuurrre, she
said... easy to break your
neck.
So, like a kid, that was
about all I could talk about
for months, until that Christ-
mas when I unwrapped a
present and to my surprise
and delight... THERE THEY
WERE. Adult sized Heelys.
Suddenly I was experiencing
the excitement of being a
kid again and the world came
to a grinding halt. I had to
try them out immediately,
so I plopped down on the
floor, slipped them on and
started lacing them up.
Youd better read the
instructions first, warned
Lori shaking her head.
Nah.... I got this. I said
standing up on the diamond
hard tile floor. I took two
steps, leaned back on the
tiny wheels and then imme-
diately hit the floor flat on
my back, just like Id been
shot. As I laid there like a
dead fish I stuck my hand
out and asked Hey... can
you hand me those instruc-
tions?
Weeks later, despite seri-
ous bruising in areas that I
dont wish to discuss... I final-
ly mastered the shoes... by
taking the wheels out of
them. Theyre not very com-
fortable and they make a
weird hollow popping
sound when I walk... but I
havent fallen down since,
which strangely enough,
turns out to be one of my
top priorities these days.
So, I suppose thats the
way it is gifts dont always
hit the mark, but sometimes
they can certainly leave a
mark, whether in our mem-
ory or on our well, lets
just leave it at that.
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Suddenly
I was
experiencing the
excitement of
being a kid again
and the world
came to a
grinding halt.
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By Heather Thomson
heather@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs The Bonita
Springs Assistance Office is
known for their financial
assistance and food pantry
programs. But the history
of the non-profit goes back
further than that, and head-
ed to the holiday season,
when helping others has
become a priority for Assis-
tance Office volunteers and
employees alike, that history
and heritage is more impor-
tant than ever.
Back in 1979, Father
Foley, then pastor of St. Leo
the Great Catholic Church,
and other members of local
clergy would meet on a reg-
ular basis, exchanging stories
and discussing the issues
they saw going on in the
Bonita Springs area. Sud-
denly, they noticed a pattern
between the names and sto-
ries. There were people in
the area that were going
from church to church, seek-
ing help for the different
problems they faced. But
the bottom line that the
clergy members came up
with was that most of the
problems that locals faced
were similar: they faced an
emergency and were now
behind and needed imme-
diate help with their bills,
or they could not pay for
their groceries that month.
And so, an idea was born.
The idea was to help the
peoples needs, and to pro-
vide a place where the com-
munity would know where
to go if help was needed.
Foley and his fellows
raised $6,000 to found the
non-profit organization,
which was eventually
brought to the Lions Club,
who are still the main bene-
factors of the organization
(they pay two-thirds of the
BSAOs rent at their new
offices), where Walter
Shikany would become the
first director of operations,
and Lois Holland would
later take the reins. They
provide a hand up, not a
hand out.
The founders of the
Assistance Office believed
that we all face challenging
times, where we dont know
where to go. Suddenly we
have exhausted all of our
resources and even though
we have a job or income
the situation we find our-
selves in puts us in a place
where we have to choose:
do I feed my family, or do I
pay this bill? We are here to
help people in those types
of situations get back to
their regular lives, to where
they can sustain themselves,
says Maribel Slabaugh, cur-
rent director of BSAO.
The Assistance Office
does not seek federal grants.
They are limiting as to who
we can help and how much
we can give them, says
Slabaugh. If someone needs
help now, we will help them,
no matter what. Instead
they run the Stocking Fund
every year, in which they
insert a letter of appeal and
a testimony from a person
the BSAO has helped. 35 to
40 percent of the organiza-
tions yearly income is
earned from this fund. It is
run during the holiday sea-
son every year, and the
donations are from local
people in the Bonita Springs
area.
At the BSAO, this years
holiday season is already
being anticipated. What
Slabaugh and her team call
the Bonita Springs Christ-
mas Project, a joint coordi-
nation with charities around
the Bonita Springs and
Southwest Florida area in
order to serve children and
families in the season, served
close to 1300 children in
the area last year. We antic-
ipate that this year, the way
the economy has been, there
will be more to be served,
she says.
But what really separates
the BSAO from many char-
itable organizations is that
not only do they partner
Holiday Season
at the Bonita Springs Assistance Office
We are lucky to be a
part of such a giving
community, which
really helps us to give
as much as we do
every year,
and every day.
Maribel Slabaugh
We wanted to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude for the help we recently received
through your office.
I never expected to find myself in such a desperate situation. Ive been a hard-working pro-
fessional all my life, so when I was let go, it was devastating.
I never realized the magnitude of services that you provide for the citizens of Bonita
Springs.
The assistance you provided my family allowed us to keep our home, and not face eviction
on top of everything else.
Im happy to report that I found a great job with benefits shortly after meeting with the
people at your office. My son is now working as a result of a job lead you gave him. Things are
improving by leaps and bounds!
I must admit, I was scared and embarrassed to ask for help. Maribel made the process
smooth and comfortable. She didnt make us feel ashamed. On the contrary, she made us un-
derstand that our story was very common these days. In fact, Im now inspired to give back
through food donation and money when we get in a little better place.
Thank you!
- Anonymous Assistance Office Client
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR
SEASONAL CUSTOMERS.
WELCOME BACK!
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BONITAS OLDEST FAMILY OWNED RESTAURANT
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www.buffalochips restaurant.com
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On a November Friday,
Dickerson, at her Lee EMS
headquarters off Six Mile
Cypress, and Kinsey and
Bonita Fire deputy chief
Frank Giuliano, at Bonita
Fires headquarters on Bonita
Grande, discussed Bonita
Fires bid in extended inter-
views with the Spotlight.
Lee EMS system today
In the mid 1970s, Lee
EMS began responding to
medical emergencies and
transporting patients to
emergency rooms, leaving
far behind the days when
funeral parlor hearses were
used for ambulance trans-
port.
Today, Lee EMS handles
about 220 calls daily, or
80,000 calls per year. It oper-
ates 28 full time and five 12-
hour ambulances. Call
volume swells in peak season
when population increases
to 1.2 million from 640,000.
In tough economic times,
we got the culture to change
to look at a justification of
need, not a justification of
want, said Dickerson. Six-
sigma process management,
pioneered by the General
Electric Company, was
applied throughout Lee EMS.
We looked at the process,
she said. Where did we have
roadblocks? Where could we
make changes?
Hospital turnaround
times were streamlined; hir-
ing and procurement systems
were changed. Proposals to
relocate facilities are now run
through simulated comput-
erized models. A computer-
ized fluid response system
looks ahead 20 minutes
and recommends ambulance
positioning.
Ambulance response
times have been maintained
at 5 minutes countywide,
said Dickerson, in spite of
ever growing call volume and
a budget that, in 2011, is at
2004 levels.
Lee EMS costs about $73
per year in property taxes
for a house in Bonita
Springs assessed at $400,000,
according to Dickersons
calculations.
Bonita Fires proposal
In Bonita Springs, there
are about 4,000 EMS calls a
year. 3,000 of these cases
require patient hospital trans-
port. Collier County emer-
gency rooms are the
destination about 77 percent
of the time.
Lee EMS has three ambu-
lance units in Bonita Springs.
Two function around the
clock, one from the fire house
across from Pelican Landing;
the other at the Bonita
Grande firehouse. A third
12-hour daytime unit is locat-
ed at the Mango Drive fire-
house, south of Bonita Beach
Road.
If Lee EMS operates the
emergency ambulance sys-
tem, why are Bonitians accus-
tomed to also seeing fire
trucks and ambulances pull
up to the front door in a
medical emergency?
Thats the result of brain-
storming by area fire districts
and Lee EMS in the mid
1990s. Many firefighters are
trained as advanced life sup-
port paramedics too. It was
decided to put their abilities
to use.
Today, thats what hap-
pens. With 31 firefighter/
paramedics stationed in five
firehouses, Bonita Fire typi-
cally arrives about 2 min-
utes quicker than one of Lee
EMS three ambulances, and
then hands off patients to
Lee EMS for hospital trans-
port, if necessary.
Under its proposal to
replace Lee EMS as emer-
gency ambulance provider
in Bonita Springs, Bonita
Fire would deploy three
ambulances.
All three ambulances,
including the one at Mango
Drive that Lee EMS currently
staffs for 12 hours, would be
staffed around the clock. Each
ambulance would carry three
personnel, as compared to
two under the current system.
Bonita Fire has suggested
that, at a later date, a fourth
ambulance may be deployed.
In 2010 the Board of
County Commissioners
asked Bonita Fire and Lee
EMS to develop a cooperative
transportation arrangement
using personnel from both
units. A workable arrange-
ment was not developed,
with each side blaming the
other.
A difference of
view on costs
Bonita Fire and Lee EMS
have prepared differing cost
estimates for Bonita Fire to
run the ambulance service.
At a recent Lee County Com-
mission meeting, Commis-
sioner John Manning
characterized these estimates
as diabolically opposed to
each other. The Commis-
sioners decided to appoint a
hearing officer to get to the
bottom of this thing. Bonita
Fire and Lee EMS endorsed
that view.
There is a reason why
Bonita Fire and Lee EMS are
far apart in their cost esti-
mates. Simply put, they have
measured two different
things, and that accounts for
a large part of the disparity.
Bonita Fire has calculated
the extra cost to provide
ambulance service, over and
above what it is now spend-
ing. Lee EMS, on the other
hand, has calculated a total
cost, including current costs,
for Bonita Fires ambulance
and overall EMS operations.
We are using the people
we already have, said Bonita
Fires Giuliano.
Accordingly, Bonita Fires
estimate, $500,000 annually,
includes no cost for addi-
tional employees to run the
ambulances, other than
$200,000 in overtime expense
and a $22,500 increase in
salary of a medical director.
You have to have fire
suppression in a community,
said Kinsey. That is a given.
So we have people here that
are on duty twenty-four
hours per day, seven days a
week that can provide this
extra layer of service. They
are going to be here whether
we do that or not. It is a
more efficient use of man-
power.
Bonita Fire estimates that
overtime, ambulance rental
and other costs will be
more that offset by user fees
currently paid to Lee EMS.
We expect that we can
probably break even on it,
said Kinsey.
In Dickersons view, Boni-
ta Fires cost estimates should
at a minimum include the
personnel cost of 24 fire-
fighter paramedics needed
to operate the ambulances,
particularly because EMS
calls represent almost 70 per-
cent of Bonita Fires current
call volume.
I understand they do fire
prevention and building
inspection, but in my mind,
there should be percentages
of your budget attributed to
what it is you do, so you can
get a true cost and overhead
cost for what it takes for you
to provide a particular serv-
ice, she said.
EMS
from page A1
I understand they do fire prevention and
building inspection, but in my mind, there
should be percentages of your budget attrib-
uted to what it is you do, so you can get a
true cost and overhead cost for what it takes
for you to provide a particular service.
Chief Kim Dickerson,
Lee County Emergency Medical Services
By allocating Bonita Fires
budget based on the percent
of fire calls, Dickerson has
calculated its cost at several
thousand dollars per EMS
call, as compared to less than
$300 per call after fee col-
lections for Lee EMS. At a
Lee Commissioners meeting,
Kinsey labeled her numbers
as designed for shock and
awe value for the unin-
formed.
A difference of
view on service
Bonita Fires proposal is
intended to improve the
service, said Kinsey. We are
not doing it to justify jobs.
We are not doing it to aug-
ment our budget. We are
doing it because it is an
improvement to the residents
that we serve.
We are not saying we
can provide better pre-hos-
pital care, he said. We can
just do it more efficiently.
Bonita Fire emphasized
its intention that ambulances
will be stationed in Bonita
for primary response within
Bonita.
Lee EMS ambulances sta-
tioned in Bonita Springs
are frequently diverted to
other calls in Fort Myers
after dropping off patients
at Lee Memorial hospital,
said Giuliano. We wont
get caught up in any of that.
Our vehicles will come
straight back.
Lee EMS draws its units
out periodically for standby,
under its fluid response sys-
tem, said Kinsey, resulting
in one or more ambulances
being removed from Bonita
Springs in certain demand
periods. Bonita Fires ambu-
lances would be located only
in Bonita Springs.
Also, there is potential
to significantly reduce the
need for fire trucks to
respond, said Giuliano.
With three person staffing
on an ambulance, as
opposed to two, we can elim-
inate two vehicles going on
most of the calls. Two people
are not enough most times
for the care that we provide.
Lee EMS fluid deploy-
ment system has been an
important part of achieving
acceptable response times in
a cost efficient manner, said
Dickerson.
With three ambulances,
Bonita Fire can hardly expect
faster response times than
Lee EMS three ambulances
in Bonita, she said. She noted
that the nighttime call vol-
ume at Mango Drive, where
Bonita Fire proposes to add
a 12-hour night shift, is low.
They are going to be
shorting themselves on cov-
erage, said Dickerson, par-
ticularly as the result of
turnaround times at hospital
emergency rooms, where
paramedics must often wait
to transition coverage to
emergency room staff.
It does not matter what
shirt you have on when you
walk in with your patient on
a stretcher, she said. You
get in line. Priority is deter-
mined by the severity of a
patients condition. It is all
based on life threat.
Dickerson disagrees with
the notion that Bonita Fire
will come straight back
to Bonita Springs after a
drop off at Lee Memorial.
If they transport up to
HealthPark and on the way
back down there is a cardiac
arrest, we dont want them
driving by it, she said.
If they start getting busy,
she said, at some point we
will have to come in and
back them up.
Regarding the need for
fire trucks to respond, that
could stop immediately for
non-life threatening calls
through available advanced
phone screening, says Dick-
erson.
Dickerson is concerned
that Bonita Fires proposal
would fragment Lee EMS
fluid deployment system, and
lead other fire districts to
follow in Bonitas footsteps.
We have nineteen ways of
providing fire service. We
would have multiple ways
of providing emergency med-
ical services, she said.
I doubt there are two
other districts in the county
that are considering it, said
Kinsey. I dont think they
would really do it or could
afford to do it. He noted
that the Fort Myers Beach
and Lehigh Acres fire depart-
ments have provided ambu-
lance transport for 30 years,
and that fire departments
perform emergency ambu-
lance duties throughout the
country.
That is small solace to
Dickerson. We routinely
have to back up Lehigh
now, she said. Last peak
season, Lee EMS posted an
additional ambulance on
Fort Myers Beach to assist
the fire department.
The next step
Its anticipated that early
in 2012, a hearing officer will
be appointed by the Lee
Commissioners to make fac-
tual findings and a recom-
mendation on Bonita Fires
proposal. Bonita Fire will
participate in selecting the
hearing examiner and pay
half of the cost. Following
receipt of the examiners rec-
ommendation, which is not
binding, Lee Commissioners
will decide whether there
is a public necessity to
approve Bonita Fires pro-
posal.
In the meantime, we
work together every day, and
although there is a difference
of opinion, when it is time
to focus on the patient that
is what we do, said Dicker-
son. That is the number
one thing, to make sure that
patients are taken care of,
said Kinsey.
We are not doing it
to justify jobs. We
are not doing it to
augment our
budget. We are
doing it because it
is an improvement
to the residents
that we serve.
Chief Phil Kinsey,
Bonita Springs
Fire Control and
Rescue District
By Bill Barnes
Chief Executive Officer
Bonita Springs Estero
Association of Realtors
Bonita Springs The
October 2011 market report
shows a negative result in
both single family homes
and condominium closed
sales. The market also con-
tinues to show a divide
between the lower priced
properties and the expensive
properties. The $500,000 to
$600,000 range in all types
of properties is the weakest
link in the market in south
Lee County.
The single family homes
market closed 65 home sales
in October, this was the low-
est monthly total in 2011.
This is in contrast to 131
closed sales in April of this
year. 35 of the 65 closed sales
were under $300,000 with
most sales in the $200,000
range. These radical swings
in the market are the effect
of both national economic
problems and the daily
impact of international news.
Statewide there is 13 percent
increase in unit sales and in
Lee County the number of
units is down but the average
price is up around $10,000
per home sold.
The condominium closed
sales continues in its sixth
consecutive month of
decline. Fortunately 210 new
units poured into the market,
a significant increase over
the 139 units in June. The
vast new inventory may give
buyers the choices they want
in price, style and location.
From a high of 175 condo
sales in March the decline
in sales bottomed out in
October with 65 sales. This
large increase in inventory
countered by slow sales
should only lead to a drop
in sales prices this coming
season. Forty four of the
sixty four condo sales in
October were under
$200,000 which is by far the
most sales in the price ranges
we track.
The inability of residents
in northern states to relocate
to Florida, despite their wish-
es is frozen by the lack of
buyers in the North Central
states. Very limited refinance
options to use their equity
and the insecurity of pension
plans for retired citizens all
contribute to this market.
The high end of the mar-
ket is holding at a near con-
stant level.
Local reports are that
activity in sales has picked
up considerably in Novem-
ber, BEAR agents are report-
ing 7 day a week busy
schedules as the National
Association of Realtors
expects a 4 to 5 percent
increase nationwide in 2012
over 2011 due to pent up
demand, despite financing
challenges. Florida is a choice
state for people on the move,
so next months report
should show considerable
gains.

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Spotlight Real Estate Watch
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0
Highlights
from Octobers top 10 sales
10441 Via Lombardia
Miromar Lakes
$2,600,000
26444 Hickory Blvd.
Bonita Beach
$2,550,000
26470 Rookery Lake Dr.
Bonita Bay
$1,300,000
23750 Via Trevi Way, #1701
The Colony
$990,000
2010
January 160
February 175
March 219
April 263
May 174
June 179
July 144
August 132
September 121
October 80

Monthly Transactions
Number of real estate transactions
in the Bonita Springs Estero market
December 177
2011
January 165
February 215
March 271
April 312
May 236
June 216
July 183
189 August
183
133
September
October
November 125
Jody Burr, of the MLS Service/Data Department of BEAR,
contributed to the reporting in this article.
Bonita Springs Running
a small local business pres-
ents its own unique chal-
lenges but when successful
it produces a ripple effect
that spreads throughout the
local economy, contributing
to it in many ways. One local
business that has contributed
to Bonita Springs, its econ-
omy and its people, is Dec-
orating Den Interiors.
Cliff Welles, ASID and
Judy Underwood, Allied
ASID, owners of Decorating
Den Interiors, have owned
multiple, full service resi-
dential interior design studios
in South Florida since 1993.
Today they have studios in
Bonita Springs and Sanibel
where they have been voted
BEST Home Interiors since
2007.
Their business model
includes complimentary con-
sultations. We never charge
hourly design fees except for
special situations and our
pricing is competitive
because of the significant
purchasing power we enjoy
with major manufacturers
through the Decorating Den
franchise, explained Welles.
Since no business can
work successfully in a vacu-
um, they are strong network-
ers with other local
professionals. We have
developed team alliances.
Major remodeling projects
are accomplished by our
team of interior designers,
drapery workrooms, licensed
contractors, painters, elec-
tricians, cabinetry and floor-
ing experts, he said.
Both Welles and Under-
wood have been strong sup-
BONITA BUSINESS BEAT
Decorating Bonita
Bonitas Hall of Fame
Contributed | info@swspotlight.com
Cliff Welles, ASID and Judy Underwood, Allied ASID,
owners of Decorating Den Interiors in Bonita Springs.
porters of community events,
the local Chamber of Com-
merce and local charities
including MakeA-Wish and
the Literacy Council.
As the sub-franchisor of
Decorating Den Interiors for
Florida, Welles explained that
they have trained, mentored
and supported dozens of
other decorators. The model
must be working, as they
have completed tens of mil-
lions of dollars worth of
projects. According to Welles,
Were always in the Top Ten
of 450 colleagues across
North America, if not num-
ber one.
When working with
clients, its so important to
listen and ask the right ques-
tions, said Welles. We have
decades of experience and
know that the process is so
important. What are the
goals of the client, what is
the function of the room
and palette preferences, the
practical aspects such as light-
ing and traffic? What are the
clients tastes and does he or
she want to work with exist-
ing pieces? he explained.
The decorator then walks
the client through the pri-
ority and selection of fabrics,
area rugs, case goods, paint
selection and accessorizing.
We provide friendly and
comfortable communica-
tions throughout the design
and installation process, said
Welles.
Welles is quick to add,
Weve been to the furniture
factories, we know how it is
constructed. We sell quality.
Its no wonder Decorating
Den is growing and Bonita
Springs benefits too.
Bonita Springs Did you
know Bonita Springs has its
own Hall of Fame? Its not
housed in a municipal build-
ing or an historical building.
The Hall of Fame is tucked
inside Buffalo Chips Restau-
rant, a local institution for
29 years.
Back in 1982, when Old
41 was a two lane road sur-
rounded by vegetable farms,
Al Greenwood converted a
2 bedroom apartment with
an extra bedroom around
the back into a restaurant
and kitchen. The former
owners, George and Gussie
Warfield had run it as the
Empire Court Motel. After
several remodels over the
years to the restaurant and
redevelopment of the Old
41 corridor, George and
Gussie probably wouldnt
recognize it or the neigh-
borhood today. At 5 p.m. on
Monday the place is packed
with diners here for the
chicken wing special.
Walk inside and youre
treated to a dcor unlike any
other. Overhead a pair of
well-worn sneakers and
hockey skates hang from the
rafters along with Buffalo
Bills jerseys, a golf bag and
on the walls photographs of
golfer Tom Fasio with Green-
wood and others, the authen-
ticated boxers robe worn by
Muhammad Ali when he
beat Sonny Liston in 65, an
autographed Chubby Check-
er photo, a photo of Green-
woods appearance on the
Jay Leno show cooking his
famous chicken wings,
numerous plaques from the
city, the Chamber of Com-
merce and the Lions Club
recognizing Greenwood for
his many years of service to
the community, his cham-
pionship wins on the golf
course, a plaque of the win-
ners and the amount they
managed to eat at the annual
wing eating contest (2 lbs.
& 5 ozs in 2011), and a cow
patty in a hermetically sealed
cherry cabinet. It seems every
inch of space is taken. And
everything hung has a story.
If it looks good, well
find a place for it on the
walls or the ceiling, Green-
wood said. Were a very
large neighborhood tavern
a place where neighbors
and friends meet on a regular
basis. Ive tried to make it
homey. Its a place where
you can bring the grandkids
and they can play games in
back.
Were Buffalo Bills back-
ers. Thats one of our themes.
During football season we
have the Bills on every TV.
We dont always win but we
always have a very enthusi-
astic Buffalo Bills backers
club, he said. That explains
the over 20 photos of former
Bills quarterback Jim Kelly,
who used to frequent the
restaurant.
Greenwoods grandmoth-
ers legacy makes its appear-
ance in the fried green
tomatoes and corn bread
that appear on the menu.
Most of the recipes have
been carried down through
the years and havent changed
that much, he said. The
exception is the wing sauce
which has gotten hotter and
hotter ten varieties: bar-
beque, plain, mild, medium,
hot, oriental, zippy Cajun,
suicide, killer and death. He
admitted that the secret to
the fire is in the ground up
habaneros. The restaurant
sells it to go.
Today, Als sons Chip and
JC run the restaurant while
Al is involved in his numer-
ous community events,
(Riverfest, Old 41 Cleanup,
Caf of Life, Celebrate Bonita
and Taste of Bonita) cooking
to raise proceeds for charity.
As he surveys the noisy
packed house of happy diners
he asks, Wouldnt the world
be a better place if everyone
got along the way they do
here?
They have
completed tens of
millions of dollars
worth of projects.
Wouldnt the world
be a better place
if everyone
got along the way
they do here?
Al Greenwood
Al Greenwood has owned Buffalo Chips Restaurant
in Bonita Springs since 1982.
By Peter R. OFlinn
Bonita Springs As part of continuing election coverage,
the Spotlight conducted interviews with incumbent Mayor
Ben Nelson, Jr. and challenger Dave Grothaus on topics of
citywide interest. January 31 is Election Day. See previous
issues at swspotlight.com for their views on the City budget
and economic development issues. Here, in their own
words, are their views.
Social Services. What is your view on social services
in the city?
Grothaus: There are 32 social service organizations
in our City, a town of 45,000. I would say we are adequately
covered for our needs. It does not mean that I am not a
compassionate guy. I want to help the folks.
For example, the Christian Brothers work in Rosemary
Park every day. They do a great job. Those are the types of
organizations our community needs to support. We all
need to pitch in, contribute and volunteer.
From a government perspective, we should be advocates
for these organizations, and help them by patting them on
the back, giving awards or passing resolutions or ordinances
that assist them in doing what they need to do. But, from a
money standpoint I dont think that is the governments
business.
If somebody comes to me and says, Dave, we have a
problem here, and we need to address it, I am all for
jumping on board and seeing how we can fix it, or recruit
one of these organizations to step in.
I think the Caf of Life does good work. That is a real
sincere effort to help those people who need it. I commend
Jay Arend and Bruce Wheatley for their [Rosemary Park]
project. I would want to evaluate how the people in the
neighborhood feel. The City should be aggressively getting
their opinion.
I would not have been in support of St. Matthews
House unless somebody gave me some different information
than I have now. I drive up and down that road a lot, and I
have yet to see what I would identify as a homeless person
wandering around in that area. So why in the world would
you put a shelter there, and attract them there.
Nelson: I believe and I have been taught that its not
just survival of the fittest. It should not be tough luck for
those who have nothing. I think very few people think oth-
erwise.
In our community, there are organizations like the Assis-
tance Office, Guadalupe Center and the United Way where
helping is their charge in life. Helping other people is
something they believe deeply in.
As the Mayor, I think it is important that the City act
responsibly when we have an interplay and crossover with
these organizations, like when the Caf of Life is using a
park. Some people were saying that they wanted their
Mayor to do the thing that the people in Orlando did,
which is to say, Get out of our park, and be mean to
them. I did not think that was the right way to handle that,
although that did not stop some of the people from Caf of
Life from being upset with the situation.
We did have the dreaded table incident, but that turned
out to be an opportunity to forward the agenda of both the
Caf of Life and the City.
Our staff has worked with
them to consider different
locations under the com-
prehensive plan. That is
their job. Its the same
thing they would have
done for any business.
Jay Arend and Bruce
Wheatley have done a
superb job. I think they
have figured out some-
thing really unique. The
proposed community cen-
ter [in Rosemary Park] is
a real opportunity for the
community.
On St. Matthews, it
was wholly up to them to
convince the public it was
the right place and to con-
vince City Council it was
the right place. In a zoning
request like theirs, Coun-
cils role is as a judge. We
cant have an opinion, and
must treat them just like we would treat anybody else in a
zoning case. St Matthews made a shot at it and finally gave
up. What they are doing now I have no idea.
The Old 41 Area. Old 41 redevelopment has been on
the table for at least as long as the City is old. Most
people agree that it needs work. What is your vision
for Old 41 and what is the Citys role?
Nelson: At the Citys recent strategic planning session
Old 41 came to the top. What I find interesting, and a bit
frustrating, is that even some of the Council members say,
We do not have a plan.
We have all kinds of great plans, design plans, streetscape
plans and incentives in place. At this point in time the
main problem we have is that people dont know about it.
They dont know how clean it is, how nice it is, and the
improvements that have been made. They dont make the
connection between all the activity and how, if they located
there, they would get a piece of that.
They dont know what the incentives are, how inexpensive
it is to build down there, what the side setbacks are, and the
parking law incentives.
There are things we need to do. The next step is to get
the merchants association set up. Its slow going because
people just dont have the time. They are putting 24/7 into
their businesses. The people downtown need to be a voice
for what is going to happen there.
Also, the City has a huge investment in downtown
Bonita. And because of that we need to go a step further
and start promoting it online, through the Economic Devel-
opment Council and through pamphlets at the building
department.
If we do that it is up to the entrepreneur. I dont think
anybody is going to pay incentive money to go downtown.
I dont think we should.
On Bamboo Village, since the City owns it, we decided
we would give it every type of vesting and zoning we could.
In the future, as soon as this economy turns just a bit, that
piece of property will be vital.
Grothaus: This should be a Council decision with
a lot of citizen input.
I would be curious to know the general feeling citywide.
Do people believe there is a pressing need for this City
center downtown? I personally think it is a nice idea. Is it
something the City should invest in and spend taxpayers
money on? That is the question you have to pose.
When I become Mayor, I will survey and do town hall
meetings and see if we have any interest. If we have crowds
show up and say, Yes, we are, or people sending in surveys,
then we should move forward.
Then the second step would be for the City to put its
money where its mouth is. We would need to lobby the
County and our U.S. congressman and say, We are going
to have a downtown revitalization, and we want the post
office there, we want the County Sheriff, the supervisor of
elections, our government offices there. Our City Hall
could go downtown. We are in a temporary City Hall
anyway. If you do that, you will see coffee shops spring up,
a sandwich shop or two or three, and other businesses that
need to be near government services.
If I have five or ten town meetings and no one shows up,
then there is not interest and it is a dead issue. We need to
see what is most cost effective and what the citizens want.
On Bamboo Village, we need to evaluate whether we
need to be paying sewage and water upkeep, and secondly
whether that is a viable location for the future. If so, we
should hang on to it.
The Library. City Council concluded that the Lee
County library in Bonita Springs is not adequate, and
noted that City taxpayers have paid many millions
into the system. City Council has asked Lee County
to contribute $4 million to an expanded library.
What is your view?
Grothaus: I am in favor of a good city Library. What
we have now is substandard and I think most people will
agree with that.
I like getting a good hardcover book in my hands. I
think a lot of people do. I dont think libraries are pass.
The Library task force said we should expand the current
library. I agree with that. However it might make more
sense just to build a new one. We would have to crunch the
numbers. I dont want to do anything unless the funds are
available and it is a good financial move. The task force
should be reconvened to assess that.
The basic position is that we should be given in equal
amounts to what we give [to Lee County]. We need a
library commensurate with our donation.
We are a donating to the Lee County system to a far
larger degree than we are getting back. Maybe its time to
say we should be out of the Lee County system. If the
excess money we pay stayed here maybe there would be
ample funds there to build our own nice library. So I think
the task force should reconvene, and crunch those num-
bers.
Nelson: The City has sent Lee County a letter stating
the facts as we see it and what we would like them to do.
Our staff has been working with the County staff, and the
numbers are being run.
I think it is time for the Lee County [Commissioners]
to send us an official message as to whether they are going
to fish or cut bait. This is a reasonable thing to ask for. Lets
sew this up so we have an actual plan to implement. If they
think the library needs expanding, as their staff does, let
them put it in their five-year plan, along with the steps
within that plan to go forward.
If we do this in a methodical and business-like way
then I think we will get there. There are a lot of things
that can happen. We need to do whatever the smart thing
is. If it can be expanded at the current site, then fine. Also,
there may be an existing building somewhere at a real
bargain that the County may be able to get for 25 percent
of the cost. Then the existing building could be used for
another purpose. Its really exciting to look at it in that
kind of way.
The library is a very well used establishment. Libraries
are learning centers. They are gathering places, and centers
of technology. I think there is still a future for libraries.
Issues and answers
Grothaus and Nelson vie for Mayoralty
Mayor Ben Nelson, Jr. Dave Grouthaus
Liberty Youth Ranch
Liberty Youth Ranch is a
long-term childrens resi-
dential home for Floridas
orphaned, abused, aban-
doned, neglected and home-
less children, designed to
ensure each childs educa-
tion and eventual high
school graduation with an
emphasis being placed on
the uniqueness and inherent
worth of each child. The
Ranch depends on hun-
dreds of volunteers each
year. The Liberty Youth
Ranch thrift store is on Old
41 just north of Bonita
Beach Road. For more infor-
mation on becoming a vol-
unteer, call Ruth Martin,
Executive Administrator at
239-597-7070 or email
ruth@libertyyouthranch.org.
Gulf Coast Humane Society
The Gulf Coast Humane
Society has been bringing
people and pets together
for over 60 years. Its mission
is to care for the unwanted,
neglected and abandoned
animals of southwest Flori-
da. GCHS is a no-kill shel-
ter and does not euthanize
any animal for lack of space
or length of time it is in
their care. It relies solely
on donations, grants,
bequests and fundraising
events. For more informa-
tion visit gulfcoasthumane-
society.org
Literacy Council
Gulf Coast
The Literacy Council Gulf
Coast, located in Bonita
Springs (which is its new
name after merging with
Literacy Volunteers of Lee
County) provides free
instruction in reading and
writing in English for adult
speakers of other languages.
They also offer a Moms and
Tots Family Literacy pro-
gram for mothers and their
preschool children. Addi-
tionally, they offer work-
site literacy programs at 11
local golf/gated communi-
ties. Their programs serve
residents of Bonita Springs,
San Carlos Park, Estero, Fort
Myers and North Naples.
Their motto is Each one,
teach one and they are
always looking for volunteer
tutors. For more informa-
tion call 239 676-5202.
St. Vincent DePaul
St. Vincent DePaul operates
two thrift stores located in
Bonita Springs and Naples.
They are well stocked with
a variety of household items,
clothing and furniture that
have been donated. They
are in need of donations of
autos, boats, appliances, fur-
niture, household items and
clothing. Most donations
can be brought to the store
at their two locations. For
more information call the
store closest to you: Bonita
Springs, 239 992-1899 or
Naples, 239 775-2907. They
also run a Meals on Wheels
program where volunteers
deliver one meal a day to
the infirm and homebound.
To become a volunteer, call
Carol at 239 775-0443.
Opportunities
to give back

Ior ovcr 33 ycars our community has partncrcd with Thc Bonita
Sprinqs Assistancc Officc to mcct thc nccds of its nciqhbors. This
ycar whcn thc nccds arc cxtrcmcly hiqh and our funds arc runninq
cxcccdinqly low, wc arc countinq on you! Only with your support
will wc bc ablc to providc food and financial assistancc to thosc
who do not havc any othcr placc to turn.
Our nciqhbors nccd us. P|casc hc|p now!

S O U T H W E S T
Bonitas
Community Newspaper

neighborhood. And with it
comes a familiar refrain. You
know, it dont come easy.
The Cafs new plan
The Cafs three hundred
volunteers, many from the
areas gated communities,
serve hot meals on picnic
tables at the Citys Banyan
Tree Park in downtown
Bonita Springs. If you are
hungry, we will feed you,
said Wheatley. This year, they
are on pace to serve 23,000
meals.
The Cafs new plan
involves more than meals.
It proposes to spend a half
million dollars to build a
neighborhood park on a
pie shaped lot abutting
Imperial Parkway, complete
with a community building,
patio space, playground,
basketball courts and a play
lawn. It will cost the City
nothing.
Those picnic tables under
the Banyan Tree received
notoriety last spring, when
the then City staff removed
them from the Banyan Tree
Park.
At a May City Council
meeting, the tables were
ordered returned for the
Cafs use. Council chambers
overflowed with participants
and spectators that day, who
watched as Council ex-
pressed support for the Caf
while encouraging it to find
a permanent home.
At the meeting, Wheatley
pledged to redouble his
efforts. If they had voted
us down that day, we would
have been out of business,
Wheatley recently told the
Spotlight.
A telephone call
Among those watching
the meeting was former
Mayor Jay Arend, sitting at
home and tuned in to chan-
nel 98. The next morning
Arend called Wheatley and
said he would like to help
the Caf of Life find a home.
When asked why he
picked up the phone that
morning, Arend said, When
six of the seven Council peo-
ple said they wanted to help
I thought, This is an oppor-
tunity. It was a problem that
had been there a long time,
and I guess something told
me I might have a solution.
I believe that the man
upstairs sometimes gives you
guidance.
When the ex-Mayor calls
and says he would like to
help, I would be a fool not
to accept, said Wheatley.
The same afternoon Ben
Nelson wrote me and said,
A lot of people want to help.
While you have momentum,
lets make things happen.
Arend remembered the
pie shaped parcel on Nomad
Drive. A remnant of the
Imperial Parkway right of
way, it is separated from that
road by a sound wall. Lee
County owns the land.
Arend sought the view
of former city manager Gary
Price regarding the potential
transfer of the property to
the City. The City shouldnt
have to pay anything, said
Price, because it had trans-
ferred the property to the
County for Imperial Parkway
construction.
Wheatley and Arend
looked at other properties
but this just fit, said Wheat-
ley. Thirty to forty percent
of our clients come from
this area. That is a pretty big
concentration.
The more we looked,
the better this property
looked, said Arend. He saw
the potential for a commu-
nity park. If we have enough
room to build the building
we need, then the remainder
of that land is available. Lets
talk about making it an
amenity for the community,
Wheatley recalls him saying.
A 3,000 square foot com-
munity building with an old
Florida look was planned,
along with park facilities. A
civil engineer and landscape
architect were hired. Issues
of upkeep, lighting and secu-
rity were addressed. The two
men worked with City Man-
ager Carl Schwing to ensure
Lee Countys readiness to
transfer the land.
Caf donors have already
contributed $250,000.
Wheatley lined up interim
financing of the remaining
$250,000 from a local bank.
We want to make this com-
mitment to the City, and to
the community, bank offi-
cers told Wheatley.
Concerns, and an email
from Rosemary Park
In mid November the
two men, along with City
Council member Janet Mar-
tin, held an informational
meeting with about thirty
members of the Rosemary
Park community.
There, they heard con-
cerns.
The biggest concern I
heard about the Caf of Life
was, If you are feeding one
hundred people a day, and
forty are coming from Rose-
mary Park, that means sixty
are coming from somewhere
else, said Arend. They are
concerned with those sixty
people walking through the
neighborhood, before and
after eating. That is a legiti-
mate concern, and we have
to deal with it.
Rosemary Park residents
raised other issues that night,
about the challenges of living
in area. These issues, unre-
lated to the Caf, need to be
addressed by the City, said
Wheatley.
In a long email to the
Spotlight, one neighborhood
resident described those chal-
lenges. She requested
anonymity because of the
candor of her comments.
I already do not feel safe
walking by myself or with
my dogs. Theft, prostitution,
reckless driving, muggings,
stray dogs etc. The sound of
squealing tires and breaking
glass is a regular in the area.
In my seven years, I have
personally seen two deadly
car versus pedestrian acci-
dents, and am aware of sev-
eral others and too many
close calls.
Needless to say, this is
not an area where I would
want to raise a family and
quite frankly I, and I am
sure many others, would
move if we were not upside
down on our mortgages.
She expressed concerns
about the proposed project,
but also expressed hope that
the Caf of Life could
become a catalyst for change.
Will they promote clean up
efforts? Once the city
approves this, why should I
believe the City would still
care about this isolated area
and not just sweep us under
the rug? When a homeless
person comes around, what
is to stop them from setting
up camp there?
The Caf would need to
be proactive to gain com-
munity support, she wrote.
She suggested the Caf form
an informal neighborhood
association and host monthly
meetings with representatives
from law enforcement, code
enforcement, and security
firms. I believe no one other
than the Caf of Life has the
organizational power to
make these types of meetings
happen, she wrote.
I think the Caf of Life
could be a good neighbor
and maybe that in itself
would help property values
level out from the imminent
decline we can expect due
to our homes being in walk-
ing distance to the soup
kitchen.
Moving forward
One of our goals needs
to be to show people that,
This is your park. This is
an opportunity, said Arend.
This has always been the
district with the most needs
and the most opportunities,
and they need to be
addressed, he said.
We are going to have a
neighborhood meeting. It
will be a big one. The Caf
has made a commitment
that everybody in that neigh-
borhood is going to get an
invitation, said Arend. He
anticipates that action to
deal with many of the issues
already raised will build trust
in the community, and help
alleviate concerns.
The City can and will
address those issues, said
Councilmember Martin at
a recent City Council meet-
ing. The majority of the
Council appears poised to
favorably consider a lease of
the Nomad Drive property
to the Caf if the neighbor-
hood meeting shows good
results.
Its been over a decade
since Wheatley traded hopes
of a good golf game for vol-
unteer service with his col-
leagues at the Caf of Life.
Only when pressed about
recent events did he briefly
allow that, Sometimes you
get a little down.
This is the next logical
step for us, in helping to
fulfill a statement that Bonita
Springs is a community that
helps itself, said Wheatley.
There are no other
prospects as good as this
one, he said. We may as
well take our time, and do it
right.
The Caf of Life proposes to spend a half million dollars to build a neighbor-
hood park on this lot abutting Imperial Parkway.
Cafe
from page A1
There are no other
prospects as good as
this one. We may as
well take our time,
and do it right.
Bruce Wheatley
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Sunset of the month
Lori Nelson | sunset@swspotlight.com
Decembers sunset of the month was submitted by Lori Nelson. Email your best
sunset photos to sunset@swspotlight.com and your photo could be the next sun-
set photo of the month.
I would like to make several comments
regarding the District 4 candidate articles in
the November issue. As a resident of Bonita
Springs District 4, I found Four for Four
and Issues and Answers very informative. I
must say that I wish our national press had
the same fair and unbiased approach that the
Spotlight has in presenting candidates.
Several weeks ago, I read an article in another newspaper discussing the four candidates for
District 4. I was surprised at the reference to Barbara Barnes-Buchanan that included
negative comments that should have been fully researched prior to publication. Your articles
regarding the candidates were very informative, interesting, and above all, unbiased.
Keep up the good work.
Dom Trentadue, Bonita Springs
Letters to the editor policy: The Southwest Spotlight publishes letters to the editor as space
allows. Please write thoughtfully on local topics and be respectful of others. Letters
containing personal attacks and abusive language will not be considered for publication.
Include a phone number to verify writers identity. Letters are published at the Spotlights
discretion.
Letters to the editor
I wish our national press had
the same fair and unbiased
approach that the Spotlight has
in presenting candidates.
with multiple other organ-
izations, but they also have
information for those in
need and those who want
to help about organizations
that provide programs that
BSAO may not.
For Thanksgiving, we
find out what organizations
will be having Thanksgiving
meals, and we tell families
where to go. We help point
people in the right direc-
tion, says Slabaugh. We
become the vehicle for those
who want to help others
during the holidays. We
make sure that everyone
gets served.
And for Christmas, the
BSAO helps different com-
munities adopt children and
their families, buying pres-
ents and meals to provide
a beautiful, joyful holiday.
Everyone deserves a
wonderful Christmas, espe-
cially the children, says
Slabaugh. We are lucky to
be a part of such a giving
community, which really
helps us to give as much as
we do every year, and every
day.
The Blankets for Bonita
drive will be run during
Holiday in the Park on
December 6, where the
Assistance Office will collect
blankets for those in need
during the cold months in
conjunction with Light-
house Fellowship Congre-
gational Church.
For the Assistance
Office, providing a hand
up, not a hand out will
always be their slogan, their
tag line. But it has become
much more than that. As
the founders intended, it
is also something so much
simpler: Helping people
help people.
Assistance Office
from page A10
S O U T H W E S T
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Mayoral Election A18
Assistance Office A10
Tennis tourney B14
A special
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Bonitas
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Bonita Fires EMS bid
By Peter R. OFlinn
Bonita Springs Phil Kinsey thought back to days a
quarter century ago, before he was Chief Kinsey, leader
of the Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District. I
started as a probationary firefighter, and they sent me to
fire school. When I got out I was a firefighter first
responder.
Kinsey attended Edison State for advanced training,
and he remembers his teacher there. Kim was my paramedic
instructor. I worked with her when she was a medic on the
road. Ive known Kim a long time, said Kinsey.
I have a lot of respect for Kim, and a lot of respect for
her organization, he said.
Kim is Chief Kim Dickerson, who runs Emergency
Medical Services for the Lee County government.
Dickerson recalled her time at Edison State where, in
the 1990s, she took a hiatus from almost 30 years at Lee
EMS while our kids were smaller. I have a lot of respect
for Phil Kinsey, she said of her former pupil.
Today Dickerson and Kinsey find themselves on opposite
sides of an ongoing disagreement between Bonita Fire and
Lee EMS over who should operate the emergency ambulance
service in Bonita Springs.
Dickerson believes the current Lee EMS ambulance
system is working well. Kinsey has a different take. Unfor-
tunately, while adequate, it is not an efficient system, he
said. Bonita Fire can do better, he believes.
Kinsey has asked the Lee County Board of County
Commissioners to approve Bonita Fires proposal to replace
Lee EMS as emergency ambulance provider in Bonita
Springs.
Community support for Bonita Fires proposal is
extensive. Bonita Springs City Council, the Bonita Springs
Area Chamber of Commerce and community groups have
endorsed it. Over one thousand petition signatures have
been gathered. Continued on page A12
By Peter R. OFlinn
Bonita Springs The pro-
posed new home for the
Caf of Life is on a street
named Nomad. That sounds
like just the right address
for the Bonita Springs char-
itable organization that has
spent seven years looking
for a permanent home.
Awhile back the Cafs
Bruce Wheatley was told that
a proposed site for his or-
ganization did not meet the
local zoning code. Again.
Another site was way too
expensive. Again. Then a
proposal to serve lunches
from a church kitchen, re-
jected by the congregation.
And on, and on.
The Caf serves hot
lunches to the needy in Boni-
ta. Over the years, Wheatley
and his fellow volunteers
have learned that their mis-
sion of service comes with
a burden, the need to deal
with trepidations of others
about the poor they serve.
Now, the Caf has fash-
ioned a new plan for a
site in the Rosemary Park
Cafs search continues
on Nomad Street
A Lee County ambulance is parked at the Bonita Springs firehouse on Bonita
Grande Drive. The Bonita Springs Fire and Rescue District has asked the Lee
County Board of County Commissioners to approve Bonita Fires proposal to
replace Lee EMS as the emergency ambulance provider in Bonita Springs.
SS_DEC_A_Cover and A24 11/28/11 4:50 PM Page 1
Page B24 Southwest Spotlight DECEMBER 2011
S O U T H W E S T S P O T L I G H T
DECEMBER 2011 Vol.2, No.12 SECTION B
By Janet Martin
Special to the Spotlight
Bonita Springs Why I
love living in Bonita Springs,
let me count the ways I
had the opportunity to sit
in on a few of the many
community workshops held
during the Branding effort
by the City of Bonita
Springs. The attendees were
asked what one word best
describes our city? I ask
you now to try to define
the very essence of our com-
munity in one word. I
would not be able to do it.
I know. I listened as resi-
dents shouted out their top
picks and with each word,
I would say, yes, that works,
or yes, that is true. I had to
agree with every word that
was added to the long list:
charming, historic, beauti-
ful, sunsets, smiles, beaches,
palms, river, boating, friend-
ly, quaint, weather, com-
munity, arts, people, village,
environment, tourism, and
the words went on and on.
Some found it hard to limit
themselves to only one word
so there were phrases like:
small town, beautiful weath-
er, friendly people, green
spaces, volunteering oppor-
tunities, feeling welcome,
golf outings, recreational
opportunities, and enjoying
retirement.
What I learned from the
Branding exercises was an
almost universal feeling that
the residents of Bonita
Springs took much pride
in their, in many cases,
newly adopted home.
Most of us, have arrived
here from somewhere else.
Like me, many of us have
escaped the cold, snow and
ice of the north and traded
it for the warm, beautiful
sunshine of this area, and
have received so much more
in the process.
So, getting back to why
I love living in Bonita
Springs? The answer is
simple; it is the strong sense
of community. You see it
every day, and in many
ways. Residents are helping
others, they are engaged in
our City Advisory Com-
mittees, they are busy wel-
coming someone new to
their street, they participate
in city, river and beach clean
ups, they are volunteering
with the many Bonita
Springs not-for-profit or-
ganizations, they attend the
many events in Riverside
Park with their friends and
family. This list of examples
goes on and on just like the
adjectives used to describe
our wonderful city.
Why do I love living in
Bonita Springs? Let us all
count the ways
Do you love living in
Bonita Springs? Let us know
why in 600 words or less and
your article could appear
next month as part of the
Why I love living in Bonita
Springs series.
By Kathy OFlinn
Bonita Springs Ask a
fourth grader how to harness
wind and solar energy and
you may be surprised by his
or her informed response.
Not just any fourth grader,
but one in Mrs. Browns
fourth grade class at Spring
Creek Elementary.
The fourth grade class re-
cently completed their alter-
native energy garden a
solar and wind energy project
that powers a misting fan
and a water fountain. The
ceremonial ribbon was cut
with cheers and applause as
the water misting fan began
to spin and the fountain
pumped water for all to see.
Why I love
living in Bonita
Janet Martin
Kathy OFlinn | kathy@swspotlight.com
The alternative energy garden at Spring Creek Elementary in Bonita Springs
uses solar and wind energy to power a misting fan and a water fountain.
Solar and wind power
at Spring Creek
Continued on page B12
SS_DEC_B Cover and B24 11/28/11 4:50 PM Page 1
Flesher Family Farm
Over one million lights will
illuminate the Flesher Family
Farm on Bonita Grande Drive
this month. A tradition since
1986, a walk down candy
cane lane is fun for the whole
family. Where: 27865 Bonita
Grande Dr.
Holiday in the Park
Tues., Dec. 6, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Santa will arrive by horse
and carriage to Riverside Park
in Bonita Springs. A blizzard
in the park with a giant snow
slide, snow pile, train rides,
free cookies and cider. Annual
tree lighting and live music.
Where: Riverside Park. Cost:
Free.
Farm Fresh Market
Saturdays 7:30 a.m. to noon
Come to one of the most
popular markets in the
region. Fully stocked farm-
fresh vegetable vendors plus
fish, baked goods, cut flowers,
orchids, cosmetics, antiques,
fashions, jewelry, books and
more. Where: Promenade at
Bonita Bay. For more infor-
mation, visit bonitalions.org.
Fundraisers
Deck the Walls
Fri., Dec. 2, 5 to 8 p.m.
Sat. and Sun., Dec 3 & 4,
2 to 7 p.m.
Over 50 artists will exhibit
their work in this art show
and fundraiser to benefit the
Literacy Council. Grand
Opening on Fri. will feature
wine, appetizers and music
by quartets from the Naples
Orchestra & Chorus. Where:
Literacy Council, 26820
Old 41 Road. Cost: Free
admission.
For the children
Thurs., Dec. 8, 6 p.m.
Pure Elements Salon is host-
ing a holiday open house to
benefit the Childrens Hospital
of Southwest Florida. Grab
your friends for a night of
holiday cheer, shopping and
savory delectables by Chef
Dan. For more information
or to RSVP, call 239-992-
7873.
Off the Walls!
Fri., Dec. 9, 6 to 8 p.m.
A unique evening lottery.
For the price of a ticket you
will be entered into a random
drawing for beautiful art-
works and collectibles valued
from $275 to $6,000, while
enjoying catered food and
refreshments. This annual
event is the signature
fundraiser for scholarships
awarded throughout the year
to local youth participating
in on-campus programs and
community outreach pro-
grams. Where: The Center
for the Arts. Cost: $150 per
person. To purchase tickets
or for more information call
239-495-8989.
Arts & Entertainment
Alla Prima, Alla Fun!
Thurs., Dec. 1,
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Explore your artistic side.
Learn the basics of painting
while enjoying the company
of friends, with dinner and
wine and a lot of fun. Paint,
brushes, canvas, aprons, wine,
pizza and guidance are pro-
vided. Best of all, you go
home with your own com-
pleted masterpiece. Where:
Center for the Arts. Cost: $42
per person. Call the Center
for the Arts at 239 495-8989
to register.
Hot Rods & Hogs Car
and Bike Show
Sun., Dec. 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fans of vintage vehicles, hot
rods, drag and air boats,
swamp buggies and world
class bikes will find heaven
on earth with 105 acres of
show vehicles. Trick riding,
music, childrens activities
and more. Where: Lee Civic
Center. Cost $12, children
under the age of 8 are free.
For more information visit
flhrh.com
National Anthem Open
Auditions
Wed., Dec 7
Thurs., Dec. 8, 3 to 6 p.m.
Think you have what it takes
to sing before a crowd of over
11,000? The Red Sox are cur-
rently looking for new talent
to perform the national
anthem for the upcoming
inaugural Spring Training sea-
son at Jet Blue Park. All ages
are welcome to audition. Space
is limited, email or call before
December 7 to reserve your
audition spot. Contact Andrea
Torigan at 239 226-4781 or
atorigian@redsox. com
The Voices of Naples
Holiday Concert
Thurs., Dec. 8, 7 p.m.
Musical selections will include
choruses from Handels
Messiah, to traditional (and
not so traditional) Christmas
music as well as a few selec-
tions to celebrate Chanukah.
Where: Promenade at Bonita
Bay, space #114. Cost: $20
members; $25 non-members.
For more information, call
the Center for the Arts at
239 495-8989 to register.
Christmas Boat Parade
Sat., Dec. 10, 6 p.m.
Join the cheering throngs at
the Bonita Springs Christmas
Boat Parade as boats of all
sizes and shapes navigate the
Imperial River decked out in
their Christmas finery.
Boaters are encouraged to
register to compete for prizes.
Where: Viewing areas include
the Fish House, the Imperial
Boat Ramp off Rt. 41 and
the shoreline of the Imperial
River. Cost: Free.
The official concert band
Sun., Dec. 11, 2 to 4 p.m.
Bring a lawn chair and
refreshments for a delightful
Page B2 Southwest Spotlight December 2011
EVENTS
SS_DEC 2011_Section B 11/28/11 7:50 PM Page B2
December 2011 Southwest Spotlight Page B3
Serve as and active member of the Rotary Club of Bonita Springs
and former member of its Board of Directors.
Resident of Bonita Bay and recently completed serving on
the Homeowners Transition Committee where we successfully
converted Community management from the Developer to the
Homeowners.
Since 2001, I have served on the Board of the Cracker Cove
Homeowners Association and as its President since 2003.
Serve on the City of Bonita Springs, Board for Land Use Hearings and
Adjustments and Zoning Board of Appeals. 2009 to present.
Since 2005, Member of the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce
Presidents Club and a 2007 graduate of the Chamber Leadership
Bonita program.
Advisory Board member of the Bonita Springs Community Fund
since 2009.
A member of the South Lee County Hospital Committee, looking to
develop a 24/7 Urgent Care facility in South Lee County. Our
long-range plan is to have a hospital established in South Lee County.
2008 to present.
TOWN TALK
Historical
fundraiser
The Bonita Springs
Historical Society is
holding a yard sale at
the McSwain House at
27451 Old 41 Road
in historic Bonita on
December 3 at 8 a.m.
Proceeds will help defray
the cost of the initial
stages of the restoration
of the historic home.
Contributed | towntalk@swspotlight.com
Running
for children
Bonita Springs
residents Claude and
Yvette Weir and Sue
and Roderick Price at
the Take Stock in
Childrens Strides
for Education benefit
5K last month. Both
couples won second
place in their
respective age groups.
The Prices are mentors
in the Take Stock in
Childrens program.
David Michael | towntalk@swspotlight.com
Congratulations
Gabrielle OBoyle,
left, was recently named Vice-
President at the Bonita Springs
Area Chamber of Commerce.
David Michael | towntalk@swspotlight.com
Many years
Barbara Newell, left,
was recently honored by
the Bonita Springs Estero
Board of Realtors for 19
years of service and
membership. Terri
Speach, right, recently
celebrated 30 years
marriage to her husband
Al Speach.
Ristorante
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By Heather Thomson
heather@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs How do
you kick off your holiday
season? You could go shop-
ping on Black Friday, but
everyone will be doing that.
Instead, be sure to make
your way to the Imperial
River between the Fish
House and the New 41
bridge at 6 p.m. on Decem-
ber 10 for the annual Bonita
Springs Boat Parade.
That night, Bonitians
from all over the area will
converge on the winding
Imperial River, crowding
docks and bridges and boats,
and loading beers and
snacks for an evening of
community and holiday
cheer. Everyone is invited,
and somehow, no matter
how crowded it becomes,
there always seems to be
space for everyone. The
parade starts and ends at
the Fish House Restaurant
on Bonita Beach Road. The
boats make their way up
the Imperial River before
turning around east of the
New 41 bridge.
For the last few years,
Adam Botana of the Bonita
Springs Noon Rotary Club
has been in charge of the
Boat Parade, and he hopes
this year will promise not
only greater participation,
but a revitalization of what
the parade used to be.
We have always had
great support and a fantastic
turnout from the commu-
nity. I have been coming to
the parade since I was a kid,
when my grandfather was
involved. Back then, there
would be tens of boats. We
really hope to get more boats
on the water this year, says
Botana.
Donny Thomson, life-
long resident of Bonita
Springs, has participated
in the parade in the past
and has been a spectator.
It really shows the kind
of small town attitude we
have here, says Thomson.
Everyone sings the songs,
and laughs when the lights
go on and off, and when a
boat needs help people help
them. Its a cool way to
unite everybody. Thomson
laughs about the inevitable
malfunctions that every
boat faces during the
parade, but goes on to say
that is just how it is, like a
tradition. It wouldnt be the
Bonita Springs Boat Parade
without it.
Part of the Noon Rotary
Clubs plan to revamp the
event is that there is no fee
to participate this year,
and there are cash prizes
for winning boats. Also,
there are multiple categories
in which boats can win the
prizes, such as most illu-
minated and most spir-
ited.
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If you go
Bonita Springs
When: December 10, 6 p.m.
Where: Imperial River view-
ing locations at the Fish House
Restaurant, River Park and the
Imperial River Boat Ramp.
Cost: Free.
For more information:
www.bonitaboatparade.com
Chris Griffith | Special to the Spotlight
The 26th Annual Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade will kickoff at 6 p.m.
December 10.
Chris Griffith | Special to the Spotlight
We have always
had great support
and a fantastic
turnout from the
community.
Adam Botana
By Meghan Easterly
meghan@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs The studio
of Eileen Walden Johnson is
a statement in color. The
walls are hung with the artists
dramatic abstract paintings.
Each is vastly different, but
with a style that has become
Johnsons signature.
They are all full of color
and they are happy, Johnson
said. Im not making a state-
ment about the world, its
just fun to paint.
Looking at one of John-
sons paintings, the viewer is
left to determine what they
see. Perhaps an animal comes
from the lines and color or
perhaps one is reminded of
the fire of the sun. There is
no correct answer. Abstract
paintings allow the viewer
to see whatever they can
imagine.
One woman bought a
painting and she said, I look
at your painting and I just
want to dance, Johnson
said. I loved that.
The artist was exposed to
art as a young child when
her father created landscape
paintings out of oil. When
her father passed away, John-
sons siblings gave her all of
their fathers art supplies. She
began painting on everything
around the house, from card-
board boxes to whatever she
could find. But with young
children, oil became an
unpractical medium.
I went and took an adult
education painting class with
a neighbor, Johnson said. I
was doing mostly landscapes
and had switched to acrylics.
It just washes up with soap
and water and I didnt have
to wait for weeks for it to
dry.
As her children were
growing, Johnson painted
mostly as a hobby and for
enjoyment. Her husband
worked out of town a lot, so
painting became a way to
fill her time. When the
family moved to Indi-
ana, Johnsons husband
encouraged her to take
a summer painting
workshop at Notre
Dame.
I was in a class with
all of these art majors
who were the age of my
son, Johnson said. I
came home that first
day and was scared to
death, but they were so
nice. We had critiques
every day and I was so
nervous about what
they were going to say
but they were wonder-
ful, encouraging.
The three-week workshop
consisted of all day painting
classes with a professor who
did abstract work. Johnson
said everyone did abstract
paintings so they would earn
good grades.
I absolutely fell in love
with it, Johnson said. Its
so much fun and its harder
than landscape. This has to
come out of your head, it is
more non-objective.
She says the workshop
changed her life. She fell into
painting harder than she ever
had. For the past 20 years
she has filled her weeks with
painting, golf and her family.
Patrons to Johnsons studio
at the Center for the Arts
Artist Studios at the Prome-
nade will notice that her
work changes every month.
The artist constantly rotates
new paintings into her space.
I just start painting and
what happens, happens,
Johnson said. I dont have
any preconceived ideas, I just
see the colors and use them
all.
She says being free from
constrictions helps her. She
doesnt think about what
someone would like to buy,
she just paints what she wants
to paint.
Johnsons work can be
seen in her studio, space 156
at The Promenade, located
at 26811 South Bay Drive in
Bonita. The studios are open
Monday through Saturday
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Her paint-
ings can also be found in
most art exhibitions at the
Center for the Arts of Bonita
Springs. She paints mostly
large canvas pieces, but also
does smaller pieces and
miniatures. She says many
people like purchasing the
smaller pieces during the
monthly Art Walks at the
Promenade. The artist is cur-
rently busy creating work for
the Holiday Art Walk which
will be held on December
15 from 5 to 8 p.m.
I had writer block one
day so I just picked up a
brush that was two or three
inches, closed my eyes and
put paint on the canvas,
Johnson said. If it doesnt
work, you maybe ruined
one canvas but you cant
think about that. The joy is
in painting it, whether you
sell it or not. Just do what
you do.
Growing design firm seeks experienced
designer/decorator.
Love to Decorate?
Contact:
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Great admin-merch support.
What happens, happens
Meghan Eastery | meghan@swspotlight.com
Eileen Walden Johnson s abstract paintings cover the
walls of her studio at the Promenade in Bonita Springs.
Earth Wind and Fire by Eileen Walden Johnson Light Dance by Eileen Walden Johnson
I just start painting and what happens,
happens. I dont have any preconceived
ideas, I just see the colors and use them all.
Eileen Walden Johnson
Inner Earth by Eileen Walden Johnson
TOWN TALK
This black bear was sighted in San Remo at Palmira
in Bonita Springs for several weeks last month. The
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission set
a culvert trap in the vicinity of the community and
removed the bear.
Black Bear in Bonita Stimulated solar
Solar Panels were installed at
the Bonita Springs Recreation
Center this summer. A ribbon
cutting ceremony was held last
month. The panels are expected
to save the city about $8,000 a
year. The project was funded
with $179,600 of federal
stimulus money.
Staff Photo | towntalk@swspotlight.com
Ike Lichtenstein, Deputy Director of S.C.O.R.E. in Bonita Springs,
speaks at an economic development forum last month at First
Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs. The panel and citizens
discussed attracting new businesses to Bonita as well as existing
business expansion. From left, Richard Mancini, Chairman of the
Bonita Springs Estero Economic Development Council, Christine
Ross, CEO of the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce and
Executive Director of the EDC, and Arleen Sheehan, Bonita
Springs Director of Developmental Services participated in the
discussion.
Economic development
discussion
Ecology and the environ-
ment are an important part
of the curriculum at Spring
Creek and when the con-
versation with the students
led to the possibility of a
renewable energy garden,
Melanie Rasnick, a Spring
Creek parent, did not have
to be convinced that this
was a good learning project
for the children.
It will give the kids a
broader understanding of
what it takes for the lights
to turn on and what little
things we can do to improve
the environment, said Ras-
nick.
The students had learned
about the importance of
alternative energy versus fos-
sil fuels and how wind and
solar power are clean, renew-
able resources that are good
for the environment. Both
create energy without burn-
ing fuel, so it makes for a
pollution-free alternative to
oil.
The students are more
aware of the reality around
them when they are involved
in projects like this, said
Pam Schroeder, Science Fair
teacher. The fourth and fifth
graders act as ambassadors
and teach the younger ones
so they develop a sense of
ownership and the kids
encourage their parents to
make lots of mini life
changes, she explained.
With a $1,000 grant that
Schroeder secured from
Florida Power and Light, the
school was able to purchase
the wind turbine and the
solar panels. Jesse Alexander,
master electrician with
Speedy Electric put it all
together gratis. It involved
pouring a concrete slab,
installing and wiring the
wind turbine, the solar pan-
els, the water fountain, the
misting fan, and constructing
a plexiglass box so the stu-
dents could see the batter-
ies.
With the help of a brisk
wind, the wind turbine now
spins atop the school, the
solar panels catch the Florida
sun and that energy charges
the batteries, sitting inside
the plexiglass box, which
convert it into household
power which then turns on
the misting fan and pumps
the water in the fountain.
Simple science. Ask a fourth
grader.
Spring Creek
from page B1
TOWN TALK
The Bonita Springs Estero
Association of Real Estate held a
food drive last month. Select Real
Estate donated this garbage can
full of food to the Bonita Springs
Assistance Office last month, more
than any of the other real estate
offices.
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TOWN TALK
Veterans Memorial
The Bonita Springs Veterans Advisory
Committee is currently raising funds for a
proposed Veterans Memorial slated for
Riverside Park on Old 41 Road. The
memorial, constructed of black and gray
granite and bearing the seals of the six
service branches, is tentatively planned to
be erected in the southwest corner of the
park near Front and Childers Streets. For
more information, contact Veterans
Advisory Committee Chairperson Dave
Grossi at 239-495-3018.
Lion of the Year
Bonita Springs Lions Club President
Bob Hilliard recently recognized
Lions Club member Marjorie Shivel
with the 2011 Lion of the Year
award. The award is given to a
member who has exhibited
exceptional leadership and service
to the Lions Club. Shivel has been
serving our community for over
40 years.
By Charles J. Cavaliere
charles@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs The faint
of heart need not compete.
For when the best tennis
players in Collier County
gang up to take on the best
players from Lee County each
year, the pressure for bragging
rights is on.
A border war thats been
going on about three decades
flared up again last month
when the 31st annual Naples
- Ft. Myers Tennis Challenge,
a highlight of the local tennis
calendar, was held at the
Bonita Bay Club. The tour-
nament site was the Bonita
Bay Tennis Center which was
completely refurbished in
2010 and has 18 har-true
courts. Some 600 people
watched great tennis.
The areas best took part
in this fantastic, high-level
tennis competition, said
Paula Scheb, Director of Ten-
nis at the Bonita Bay Club.
Bonita Bay Club is thrilled
to host this super-charged
and always fun competition.
The Challenge included
19 mens and womens singles
and doubles matches plus
an exhibition match which
did not count in the scoring.
34 of the best players from
Naples competed against 34
of the best from Ft. Myers.
The players ranged in age
from the 20s to 70 years of
age. It was obvious from the
quality of play that all the
players from both teams
came to win but equally obvi-
ous was the display of com-
munity pride and spirit.
A former Wimbledon
doubles champion (1977),
Joanne Russell, wielded her
racquet on behalf of the Col-
lier County team. Former
local junior and Naples High
School standout and 2011
Naples clay court singles and
doubles champion, Jonathan
David, competed in one of
the Mens Open single match-
es as well as Tye Myers who
won the 2011 Bonita Bay
Spring Challenge tournament
at the end of April. Others
competing in the event were
state and nationally ranked
or local teaching professionals
in colleges, some with tour
experience.
Like tenniss Davis Cup,
being selected for your home-
town is an honor and makes
the competition that much
more exciting. Jeff Timmer,
Director of Tennis for Colo-
nial Country Club, captained
the Ft. Myers squad and Pete
Minarich, Director of Tennis
for Pelican Marsh, captained
the Naples squad.
Each match was the best
of two sets, regular scoring,
with a match tie-breaker (1st
to 10 points) to decide the
winner if players split the
first two sets. Five real time
scoreboards were located
throughout the property and
were kept up to date via each
match and total team score.
Given their successful
record over the past several
years, having won a total of
twenty seven times in the
past thirty years, the Naples
team was the favorite going
into the tournament but the
past record did not keep the
Mayor of Ft. Myers, Randy
Henderson, Jr., from chal-
lenging Mayor Bill Barnett
of Naples to a friendly wager
over the outcome of this
years Challenge.
Naples again proved supe-
rior winning a total of 13
matches to Ft. Myerss six,
therefore, retaining the Naples
- Ft. Myers Cup and bragging
rights for another year. Mayor
Henderson gets to host and
pay the tab for a hearty break-
fast at a restaurant to be cho-
sen by Mayor Barnett.
Accepting the Challenge
Cup which was presented to
the winning Naples team was
team captain Pete Minarich.
Tennis was followed by a
players and volunteer party
provided by a local area
restaurant and held at Bonita
Bay Clubs pool.
Proceeds of the Challenge
go to the Lee County Tennis
Association, established to
provide opportunities in devel-
oping athletic skills of prom-
ising young players.
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Tennis Challenge at Bonita Bay
Contributed | Special to the Spotlight
The best tennis players in Lee and Collier counties completed at the Bonita Bay Club last month for the
31st annual Naples-Fort Myers Tennis Challenge.
Naples won
a total of 13
matches to Ft.
Myerss six.
Catch of the month
Contributed | catch@swspotlight.com
The Bedell family, Seth, Sarah and their son Ozzy, are shown with a catch of
Grouper & Snapper that they caught on pin fish and shrimp on a recent 25 mile
offshore fishing trip with Gregg Bedell. Send your photos to catch@
swspotlight.com and your fish could be the next catch of the month.
TOWN TALK
Gregg Bedell stopped at the Stages
booth for some slow-roasted prime rib.
Tim OMalley, owner of Johnny
Malloys Sports Pub, was serving ribs at
the Taste of Bonita.
Vince and Vincent Modarelli were
selling tickets all day at the Taste of
Bonita. Proceeds from the event
help support local and international
charitable endeavors by the Rotary
Club of Bonita Springs Noon.
John Federici, Executive Chef at the Survey
Caf, prepared veggie burger wraps and BLTs.
Taste of Bonita
Staff Photos | towntalk@swspotlight.com
TOWN TALK
Now open
The Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce helped celebrate the ribbon cutting
ceremony of The Posh Plum last month in Bonita Springs. In the center holding the
scissors are Jimmy Paul, owner and Greg Hunt along with their families. The Posh
Plum is an upscale consignment shop that offers upscale furniture, paintings, and
outdoor furniture.
Get
your tickets
Tickets for Red Sox Spring Training games at the
teams new Spring Training facility, JetBlue Park at
Fenway South, are scheduled to go on sale December
17. Ticket prices will range from $5 to $46 with more
than 75 percent of tickets available priced at $27 or
less. Like City of Palms Park, the Red Sox previous
Spring Training home, the majority of seats in the park
will be in the shade.
By Max Harris and
Dorota Harris
Bonitas Best Friends
Bonita Springs This month
we sat down for the first
time with an example of one
of the new hybrid breeds,
or designer dogs as some
would call them. Bo is a
Golden Doodle, which is a
cross between a golden
retriever and a poodle. Aged
two years, he is a good-look-
ing dog of medium size, with
an exceptionally soft and
luxuriant coat. His face how-
ever is almost terrier-like,
and his owners Linda and
Jack tell us that in fact he is
sometimes mistaken for a
wheaten terrier.
Linda and Jack had their
previous dog, a full-bred and
much-loved Golden Retriever,
for 15 years. After his death,
they made the usual dog-
owners resolution that they
would not get another one,
and then, exhibiting the usual
inability of ex-owners to sur-
vive without a dog, they got
Bo a year later!
Bo flew into Fort Myers
from Nashville when he was
seven weeks old. A charming
puppy, Linda and Jack
showed great determination
to observe best practice and
keep him in a crate for
two whole days! Then Bo
took up sleeping quarters in
their bedroom.
So Bo is a poodle cross,
and it is not by chance that
so many of these hybrid
breeds are. The poodle is well
known as a dog which is least
likely to produce allergic reac-
tions, and it has been bred
with other very popular
breeds to try to give them
the same quality. In fact the
Labradoodle, the first of the
poodle crosses, was created
very specifically for that pur-
pose. Although the name had
appeared before, Labradoo-
dles first became prominent
following attempts in 1988
by an Australian Guide Dog
Association to produce a
guide dog that could be used
without problems by allergy
sufferers. To this end they
crossed a Labrador Retriever
with a Standard Poodle.
Since then the world has
witnessed the arrival of the
Golden Doodle, the Cock-
apoo (poodle x cocker
spaniel), and the Schnoodle
(poodle x schnauzer). Of
course there are purists who
object to the development of
these new crosses, and none
of these dogs are yet recog-
nized as breeds by the Amer-
ican Kennel Club. But with
time, they may be. Most ken-
nel clubs will consider regis-
tering a new breed once it
has its own breed club which
can document ancestry back
to the original founding dogs.
This can happen quite quickly
a recent example is the
Cesky Terrier, which was first
bred as a cross in 1948, and
was recognized as a breed
for international competition
at dog shows in 1963.
In the meantime, although
Bo cannot compete as a show
dog, he still looks like a dog
who could win prizes if the
world would let him. He is
lively, enthusiastic and
beautiful. And best of all, he
is a connoisseur of our local
restaurants. Linda and Jack
try to dine only in those
restaurants which accept dogs
and the list they have in
dog-friendly Southwest Flori-
da is surprisingly long!
The Golden Doodle
Contributed | info@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs resident Bo, is a Golden Doodle, which is a cross between a
golden retriever and a poodle.
Bo cannot compete
as a show dog. He
still looks like a dog
who could win
prizes if the world
would let him.
By D.K. Christi
dk@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs The best
things in life are free. Thats
true when it comes to Bonita
Springs own concert band.
The Bonita Springs City
Council designated the Boni-
ta Springs Concert Band as
the official band of Bonita
Springs its first year. Now
in its fourth season, what a
band it is!
Sometimes 70 members
strong, the musicians come
from every walk of life; 80
percent are residents of Bonita
Springs. About 50 percent
are retired musicians and
band directors. The band
added a program that spon-
sors two high school student
musicians for band camp
who are also band members.
The Winter Holiday Con-
cert from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
on December 11, is a musical
feast. Arrangements include
commemorating Pearl Har-
bor Day, December 7, open-
ing with the sounds of
Hawaii interrupted by the
musical facsimile of the arriv-
ing planes and more. Con-
certs are also scheduled for
January 22, February 19,
March 18 and April 15.
Holiday favorites and
new songs to please every
musical palate are on the
program, according to Dr.
Dennis Hill, Director and
Conductor. The vocalist,
Connie Gowin Hill, currently
performs at the Ritz Carlton.
Every concert has new music,
a treat each month.
Dr. Hill, former band
director for Edison State Col-
lege, has brought exceptional
quality concerts to Bonita
Springs. Why go to the Phil
when talented musicians per-
form at the Riverside Park
Band Shell once a month
for free. Bring chairs, coolers
and the entire family for two
hours of high end entertain-
ment. Nearly 800 people
enjoyed the opening season
performance last month. Sil-
via Schraff, Concert Band
President, says, thats when
it just touches me here (as
she puts her hand on her
heart), when the audience
is everywhere and enjoying
our performance as much
as we enjoy playing our
music. Schraff picked up
her clarinet 45 years after
playing it in high school.
Serendipity provided the
inspiration to start Bonitas
own concert band. Hal
Reisenfeld, V.P., Sylvia Schraff,
Angelea Richardson and hus-
band Dwight were musicians
who met at an adult band
camp in Meadville, PA and
discovered they had homes
in Southwest Florida and
wanted to play in a local
band. The band camp, direct-
ed with the expertise of a
military band director,
included community band
classes.
Bonita Springs had
another draw, a band shell
with no performing band,
said Reisenfeld, who played
the clarinet in high school,
but took it up again without
telling his family during their
transition to Florida. He sur-
prised his daughter at her
wedding with a serenade and
hasnt stopped playing.
The nucleus group called
a few other musician friends,
formed a board of directors,
appointed officers, and con-
vinced the retired Dr. Dennis
Hill, who plays the flute,
clarinet and saxophone, to
direct and gained the support
of the Bonita Springs Coun-
cil and community organi-
zations. They thought they
would start with a little band
and let it grow. The first
audition brought 100 tal-
ented musicians who were
anxious to rehearse every
Thursday and perform every
month for the sheer enjoy-
ment. The rest is history.
Reisenfeld heads the fund
raising committee. While
everyone plays for the joy
of it, some costs are still
associated with a professional
concert. A new organization
is helping defray those costs,
Friends of the Bonita Springs
Concert Band. Their yearly
contribution entitles them
to sponsor recognition in
the concert program and
invitations to special events.
The three local Rotary Clubs
purchased the bands trailer.
The Lions Club and other
donors have made the pur-
chase of percussion instru-
ments possible.
Recordings of the Bonita
Springs Concert Band per-
formances are expected this
spring. Initially for band
members and friends, they
may be available to the public
if potential copyright issues
are resolved. The band owns
a growing library of arrange-
ments; but some might have
recording rights issues if the
recordings are sold.
Auditions are ongoing;
the first step is to go to
www.bonitaspringsconcert-
band.com. Recently, a much
needed oboe player was
added. Most of the positions
have a number of musicians,
but a bassoon player would
be welcomed. In the mean-
time, the open chair wont
be missed on a fine Sunday
afternoon sharing great talent
at the Riverside Park Band
Shell. Bonita Springs built
it; the band fills it with music;
the citizens of Bonita Springs
enjoy their Bonita Springs
Concert Band. According to
Reisenfeld, its the best deal
in town.

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THURSDAY, FRIDAY
& SATURDAY
CHICAGO MOB LOCAL BAND
Saturday, December 10th
ELTON JOHN TRIBUTE
Wednesday, Decmber 14th
80s TRIBUTE
Thursday, December 15th
50/60s TRIBUTE
John Marino
Friday,
December 16th
UPTOWN EXPRESS
Local 10 Piece
Saturday,
December 17th
TOM PETTY TRIBUTE
Wednesday, December 21st
ROD STEWART TRIBUTE
Thursday, December 22nd
NEIL DIAMOND
TRIBUTE
Wednesday,
December 28th
JOHN DENVER
TRIBUTE
Friday,
December 30th
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BEATLES TRIBUTE
Thursday, December 1st
ALMOST ABBA
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Friday, December 2nd
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Saturday, December 3rd
FLEETWOOD MAC
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Thursday, Decmber 8th
LOUNGE CATS
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Friday, December 9th

If you go
Bonita Springs
Concert Band
When: December 11,
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Riverside Park,
Old US 41.
Cost: Free.
For more information:
www.bonitaspringsconcertband.
com
Bonita Springs Concert Band The best deal in town
The Bonita Springs Concert Band will perform at 2
p.m. on December 11 in Riverside Park.
afternoon in the park. Under
the direction of Dr. Dennis
Hill the band plays marches,
pop, ragtime, big band, show
tune medleys and light clas-
sics. Where: the band shell
at Riverside Park. Cost: Free
Films for Film Lovers
Mon., Dec. 12 & 19, 6:30 p.m.
Paris, Je TAime will be shown
Dec 12. This portrait of the
city is a collaboration of
celebrated directors from
around the world with each
director telling the story of
an unusual encounter in one
of the citys neighborhoods.
These vignettes go beyond
the postcard view of Paris.
In Therapy, shown on Dec.
19, is an award winning trag-
ic-comic portrait about grow-
ing older, growing wiser and
making peace with ones deci-
sions. Over the course of
three tumultuous years, from
the comfort of a therapists
couch, middle-aged wife and
mother Mercedes (Lilia
Cabral) dissects the details
of her life and contemplates
the choices shes made.
Where: Promenade at Bonita
Bay. Cost: $8 per person. For
more information, call the
Center for the Arts at 239
495-8989 to register.
Holiday Pops
Sun., Dec 13, 15, 16, 18, 8 p.m.
Dec. 17, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Maestro Chafetz and the Phil
orchestra celebrate the many
moods of the season in this
lively, moving and fun-filled
program, which will include
Silent Night, Jingle Bells, your
favorite carols and much
more. Performances sell out
fast so dont hesitate. Where:
Philharmonic Center for the
Arts. For tickets and more
information visit thephil.org
Art Walk
Thurs., Dec 15, 5 to 8 p.m.
Enjoy the variety of artists and
artwork. Visit Artists Studios,
view their art, demonstrations
and enjoy a live concert, light
refreshments and visit other
merchants. Where: Promenade
at Bonita Bay. Cost: Free. For
more information, call The
Center for the Arts 239-495-
8989.
Small Works
& Miniatures
Fri., Dec. 16, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Opening reception for this
annual art show featuring
artworks ranging from small
to just plain tiny. Visitors will
enjoy the variety of subject
matter and media. Where:
Center for the Arts. Cost:
Free. For more information,
call The Center for the Arts
239-495-8989.
Southwest Florida Craft
Guild Exhibition
Fri., Dec. 16, 6 to 8 p.m
Opening reception of this
annual show showcasing the
talents of the Craft Guild
members, who work in a
variety of mediums. Show
continues thru Dec. 31.
Where: The Center for the
Arts. Cost: Free.
Holiday Art Camp
for Kids
Mon., Dec. 19 to Fri., Dec. 30
Give your child a great gift
this holiday season. Bring
them for one or all of the
classes. Projects will be dif-
ferent each day. Art projects
can be completed and taken
home the same day. No reser-
vations needed. Drop off your
child while you work or shop.
Where: The Center for the
Arts. For more information,
visit artcenterbonita.org or
call 239-495-8989.
Raku & You
Tues., Dec. 20,
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Attendees choose from a
number of bisque fired pots
which they then glaze as they
learn about the ancient firing
process. The fun begins as
the pots are fired, then
plunged into metal containers
filled with combustible mate-
rial. Before the exciting
evening is over youve enjoyed
a picnic style meal and created
you very own masterpiece to
take home. Where: The Cen-
ter for the Arts. Cost: $40
per person. To register call
239 495-8989.
Meetings
Come watch the action
live and in person
Wed., Dec. 7, 5:30 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 21, 9 a.m.
Bonita Springs City Council.
Where: City Council Cham-
bers, 9101 Bonita Beach Road.
Republican Club of
Bonita & Estero
Thur., Dec.1, 6 p.m.
Where: Barefoot Boathouse
Club House, Bonita Beach
Road. For more information
contact Kathy McMichael,
239-248-3934
Democratic Club of
Bonita Springs &
South Lee County
Tue., Dec. 20, 7 p.m.
Where: Bonita Springs Lodge
& Suites, 28600 Trails Edge
Blvd. For more information
contact Larry Byrnes at 239-
634-6469.
All dates, times and prices
are subject to change.
Small Town Charm.
Big Bright Future.
Small wn Charm. T
Big Bright Future.
Small
Big Bright Future.
wn Charm. o TTo
Big Bright Future.
wn Charm.
Events
from page B2
A Table Apart
Angelinas Ristorante
24041 South Tamiami Tr.
Bella Colombia
Bernwood Grille
25221 Bernwood Dr.
Bice Grand Cafe
23161 Village Shops Way
Big Als Sports Grill
25101 S. Tamiami Tr.
Big Hickory Grille
26107 Hickory Blvd.
Blue Water Bistro
Bonefish Grill
British Open Pub
Brooklyn Oven
Buffalo Chips
Restaurant
26620 Old 41 Rd., . Where lo-
cals go! Home of the Wing King.
Daily specials everyday. Lunch
and dinner daily. 947-1000.
California
Pizza Kitchen
Carrabbas
Italian Grill
27220 Bay Landing Dr.
Chens
Chinese Buffett
Chops City Grill
8200 Health Center Blvd.
Cirellas Restaurant
25265 Chamber of Commerce Dr.
Coconut Jacks
Waterfront Grille
Cruzin Caf
Docs Beach House
27908 Hickory Blvd.
Dollys Produce
Patch & Eatery
9930 Bonita Beach Rd. S.E.
Enzos Ristorante
Italiano
Figs Grille
The Fish House
4685 Bonita Beach Rd. Fish
and other specialties. Happy
Hour all day Saturday and Sun-
day. Lunch and dinner daily.
495-5770.
First Watch
Fitzgeralds Irish Pub
Home of the Famous Belly
Buster Burger. 12 and under eat
free from kids menu 3 to 5:30
every day. Lunch and dinner
daily. 949-2111.
The Grape
Hemingways
Island Grill
8001 Plaza del Lago Dr.
Home Thai Sushi Bar
Hurricane Grill
& Wings
Iguana Mia
IHOP
Johnny Malloys
Sports Pub
Johnny Rockets
23111 Fashion Dr.
La Fontanella
Ristorante
24600 S. Tamiami Tr., Pelican
Landing Publix Plaza.
Gourmet Italian Cuisine.
Specializing in pasta, veal,
chicken, seafood and steak.
Dinner daily.
498-6808.
Lansdowne Street
Lake House Bar & Grill
3401 Bay Commons Dr. at the
Trianon Hotel Bonita Bay. A
unique experience open-air
caf. Lunch and dinner daily.
948-4400.
Marsala Pizza
12870 Trade Way Four
Marias
Restaurant
27080 Old 41 Rd.
Mels Diner
28601 Trails Edge Blvd.
Mister Chile
26455 Old 41 Rd.
Molinos
Ristorante
26841 South Bay Dr. at the
Bonita Bay Promenade. Fine
Italian Ristorante. Delicious full
menu. Lunch and dinner daily.
992-7025.
Old 41 Restaurant
8091 Plaza Del Lago dr.
Olive Garden
Outback Steakhouse
Pagellis Italiano
8017 Plaza Del Lago Dr.
Paradise Buffett
25201 Chamber of Commerce Dr.
Perkins Restaurant &
Bakery
27941 Crown Lake Blvd.
The Pewter Mug
12300 Tamiami Tr. N.
One of SW Floridas legendary
restaurants. Prime Rib, seafood,
salad Bar. Dinner daily.
596-6844.
Pinchers Crab Shack
28580 Bonita Crossings Blvd.
Pinos Pizzeria and
Italian Kitchen
24600 S. Tamiami Tr., Pelican
Landing Publix Plaza. Hand-
tossed New York style pizza.
Serving moderately priced meals
in a casual setting. Lunch served
Mon. to Fri., dinner served Mon.
to Sun. 676-5332.
Ristorante Enrico
26831 Tamiami Tr. S. off West
Terry St. across from Bonita
Bay. Lunch and dinner daily.
949-2204.
Rodes Fresh & Fancy
Roys
26831 South Bay Dr.
Ruths Chris
Steak House
Sam-Bucco Bistro
14700 Tamiami Tr. N.
Sami Lees Deli
3501 Health Ctr. Blvd.
Seasons 52
8930 Tamiami Trail N.
Senior Tequilas
26801 S Tamiami Tr.
Silver Spoon Caf
26851 South Bay Dr.
Skillets
Sneaky Petes
The Stage
9144 Bonita Beach Rd.Serving
dinner, live music and Las Vegas
Tribute Bands Wed. to Sat.
405-8566.
Stir Crazy
23106 Fashion Dr.
Survey Caf
10530 Wilson Ave. off Old 41.
A nostalgic Florida experience in
old Bonita! Breakfast and lunch
specials every day. Sunday
brunch. Dinner served Fri. &
Sat. 992-2233.
Teds Montana Grill
8017 Plaza Del Lago Dr.
Terris
Summer Breeze Caf
T.G.I. Fridays
Tijuana Flats
8350 Hospital Dr.
Tony Saccos
Coal Oven Pizza
Tuscan Bistro
Waffle House
28100 Quails Nest Ln.
Zorbas
Greek Restaurant
9106 Bonita Beach Rd. S.E.
RESTAURANT GUIDE
B O N I T A S P R I N G S
Molinos Molinos
# 1 I T A L I A N R I S T O R A N T E
OPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH & DINNER 11:30AM-9:00PM
RESERVE A PRIVATE WINE CELLAR DINING ROOM
Reservations Required - 992-7025
\a.i+.+ 6 ... L.i.. l...+l. 2`1, 2u11
l... n.t in..1. an, .tl. .+.ti.n
IN THE PROMENADE
26841 South Bay Drive - Bonita Springs
VOTED
Must Present Coupon ~ Everyday 4pm-7pm
DINNERS
2 FOR 1
Shoppes at Pelican Landing
24600 Tamiami Trail S#204
(239) 498-6808
Open Daily 5 - 10 pm
For menu & wine list visit us at lafontanellarestaurant.net
We specialize in Pasta, Veal, Chicken, Seafood & Steak
(Up to $18 value per couple)
18% gratuity added before
discount. Dine in Only
Exp. 12/30/11
Not Valid Christmas Eve or
Christmas Day
Buy One
Entre and
2 beverages
Get second
Entre FREE!
Christmas Eve
Special
Celebrating 12 years in Bonita Springs
10% OFF
entire check
(up to $60 value)
Open Christmas Eve
4-10 p.m.
Open Christmas Day
3-9 p.m.
Page B24 Southwest Spotlight DECEMBER 2011
S O U T H W E S T S P O T L I G H T
DECEMBER 2011 Vol.2, No.12 SECTION B
By Janet Martin
Special to the Spotlight
Bonita Springs Why I
love living in Bonita Springs,
let me count the ways I
had the opportunity to sit
in on a few of the many
community workshops held
during the Branding effort
by the City of Bonita
Springs. The attendees were
asked what one word best
describes our city? I ask
you now to try to define
the very essence of our com-
munity in one word. I
would not be able to do it.
I know. I listened as resi-
dents shouted out their top
picks and with each word,
I would say, yes, that works,
or yes, that is true. I had to
agree with every word that
was added to the long list:
charming, historic, beauti-
ful, sunsets, smiles, beaches,
palms, river, boating, friend-
ly, quaint, weather, com-
munity, arts, people, village,
environment, tourism, and
the words went on and on.
Some found it hard to limit
themselves to only one word
so there were phrases like:
small town, beautiful weath-
er, friendly people, green
spaces, volunteering oppor-
tunities, feeling welcome,
golf outings, recreational
opportunities, and enjoying
retirement.
What I learned from the
Branding exercises was an
almost universal feeling that
the residents of Bonita
Springs took much pride
in their, in many cases,
newly adopted home.
Most of us, have arrived
here from somewhere else.
Like me, many of us have
escaped the cold, snow and
ice of the north and traded
it for the warm, beautiful
sunshine of this area, and
have received so much more
in the process.
So, getting back to why
I love living in Bonita
Springs? The answer is
simple; it is the strong sense
of community. You see it
every day, and in many
ways. Residents are helping
others, they are engaged in
our City Advisory Com-
mittees, they are busy wel-
coming someone new to
their street, they participate
in city, river and beach clean
ups, they are volunteering
with the many Bonita
Springs not-for-profit or-
ganizations, they attend the
many events in Riverside
Park with their friends and
family. This list of examples
goes on and on just like the
adjectives used to describe
our wonderful city.
Why do I love living in
Bonita Springs? Let us all
count the ways
Do you love living in
Bonita Springs? Let us know
why in 600 words or less and
your article could appear
next month as part of the
Why I love living in Bonita
Springs series.
By Kathy OFlinn
Bonita Springs Ask a
fourth grader how to harness
wind and solar energy and
you may be surprised by his
or her informed response.
Not just any fourth grader,
but one in Mrs. Browns
fourth grade class at Spring
Creek Elementary.
The fourth grade class re-
cently completed their alter-
native energy garden a
solar and wind energy project
that powers a misting fan
and a water fountain. The
ceremonial ribbon was cut
with cheers and applause as
the water misting fan began
to spin and the fountain
pumped water for all to see.
Why I love
living in Bonita
Janet Martin
Kathy OFlinn | kathy@swspotlight.com
The alternative energy garden at Spring Creek Elementary in Bonita Springs
uses solar and wind energy to power a misting fan and a water fountain.
Solar and wind power
at Spring Creek
SS_DEC_B Cover and B24 11/28/11 4:50 PM Page 1

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