southwest spotlight april 1, 2013

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Page 5 www.swspotlight.comApril 1-15, 2013

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News & Features

S O U T H W E S T™

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

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

Advertising SalesNancy HolloranKathy O’Flinn David Ziccarelli

Office ManagerKatie O’Flinn

Contributing PhotographersDavid MichaelLogan Newell

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

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

8 Homeless Shelter Law Set for Approval

City Council and its advisors are in the final stages of year long project

11 Imagining a More Beautiful Bonita

SueZahn Simmons’ intriguing idea for the US 41 bridge

11 Bone-itaNigel Fullick and friends bring Big Dog Show to Liles Hotel

11 DR/GR StudyCity Council begins debate of development on east side of town

12 BSU electionsIncumbents win again, with 20 percent turnout

14 Relay for Life The growing annual event has become a Bonita tradition

18 Baseball Greats at free Bonita YMCA event

Former MLB players Joe Pig-natano and Rick Miller will talk memories

29 25,000 Easter EggsDavid Zimmerman’s Royal Scoop 19th Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Arts & Entertainment20 Calendar

What’s happening around in southwest Florida

22 Artist Spotlight: Sharon Erbe

Strong, vibrant and sinuous paintings from a talented Boni-tian

24 Celebrate BonitaTompkins Square and others lined up for April 13

Business12 Custom Closets and More

H.L. Burkley’s Bonita business is top ranked nationally

Columns 26 Goober

Goober checks out the Pileated Woodpecker

27 Tee Box TipsTaking control of ball flight

28 Bonita’s Best FriendsThe Lady and the Tramp

31 The Other BenWhy fishing is not catching

Restaurants33 Restaurant Guide

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Homeless Shelter Law Set for ApprovalBy Peter R. O’[email protected]

Bonita Springs — After reviewing a pro-posed homeless shelter law at a late March meeting, City Council seems poised to ap-prove the law at its next meeting, scheduled for early April.

The law boils down to three essential parts. It requires City Council approval of shelters, sets bed limits and sets distance buffers from schools, parks and liquor stores.

An Overhaul of StandardsThe requirement for City Council ap-

proval of shelters has been a constant since work began on the law about a year ago.

However, the approach taken to operat-ing standards in the approval process has been overhauled in recent iterations upon advice of Beverly Grady and Bob Pritt, the City’s special counsel.

Earlier drafts included detailed substan-tive requirements on a myriad of home-less shelter operational issues, including residency requirements, identity proofs, discharge times, staffing requirements and the like. Most of these have been relaxed or jettisoned.

In their place is a different regimen. Rather than impose extensive operating standards, the law requires a shelter opera-tor to present its own operational plans to City Council for review.

John Dulmer, the City’s Community Development Director, signaled the shift

in approach about five minutes into his presentation to Council during the March meeting.

“I am not a shelter operator,” he said, “What we have tried to do is set up a pro-cess that allows those who actually operate a shelter to provide information to us.”

Bed LimitsThe number of beds allowed in a shel-

ter, and the related issue of “need” in Bo-nita have been controversial themes since St. Matthew’s House first proposed a large shelter at the Causeway Lumber site on Old 41 two years ago.

The proposed law limits any facility to 30 residents, plus young children. There is no preset limit on the number of shelters that may be established in Bonita.

“When applicants come forward, it is ap-propriate for the City to look at what the real need is in Bonita Springs,” special counsel Grady told City Council at the March meet-ing. “It can look at what an applicant pres-ents as to why a shelter or additional shelter is necessary.”

On January 25, 2013, 39 homeless Bonita individuals and no homeless families were living in “places not meant for habitation,” Eric Pateidl, System Administrator of Lee County’s Homeless Management Informa-tion System told the Spotlight. In 2012, 36 such “literally homeless” individuals were counted in Bonita. The estimates are part of a nationwide “point-in-time” count re-quired by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In 2013 an additional 33 persons were categorized as “doubled up” (sharing hous-ing due to economic hardship) or otherwise “at risk” of homelessness. Homeless advo-cates caution that practical constraints re-sult in undercounting.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office recently has observed about 22 homeless individuals in Bonita Springs, according to Commu-nity Development Director John Dulmer. Last year Captain (now Major) Kathy Rai-rden told the Spotlight that the Sheriff’s Of-fice does not formally maintain homeless counts.

BuffersThe proposed law provides that a shel-

ter may not be approved in a residential area and mandates a 500-foot buffer from schools, parks and liquor stores.

A map prepared by City staff shows sev-eral areas in Bonita outside the buffer zones. They include parcels near Beach Road and US 41; near the intersection of US 41 and Old 41; and east of I-75.

At the March meeting, Councilman Steve McIntosh questioned legal counsel on the rationale for determining buffers around shelters, as well as allowing more than one shelter in town. He also expressed concern over the fast pace of Council de-liberations on the proposed law. Less than a month remains before expiration of the City’s one-year moratorium on homeless shelters.

St. Matthew’s House Concerns

Several eleventh hour changes to the law appear to address some concerns expressed by Vann Ellison, chief executive of St. Mat-thew’s House, in a recent interview with the Spotlight.

Ellison had said that certain provisions of the law were so onerous as to make nor-mal homeless shelter operation impractical. St. Matthew’s would sue the City if Council adopted the law with those provisions, he said.

Referring to Ellison’s comments in the Spotlight, special counsel Grady and Pritt wrote in a memo to the City Attorney, “Some of these comments (though unnec-essarily strident) should be considered.”

Early drafts of the law “were so full of minimum requirements as to likely have rendered the quest for approval a vain act,” they wrote. “The current draft (March14) still has some language that may do so…”

When City Council met to consider the law in late March, several changes had been made. A requirement that mental health professionals operate shelters was deleted, and limitations on discharge procedures were relaxed. An additional provision was inserted allowing Council to waive require-ments that are “impossible or infeasible to meet.”

When contacted by the Spotlight shortly after the City Council meeting, Vann Elli-son said he had not seen the revised law and therefore could not comment.

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Up and Down The TrailNews and ViewsBy Peter R. O’[email protected]

Imagining a More Beautiful Bonita

One Bonitian has an intriguing idea to beautify the Imperial River bridge on new US 41, where concrete “Jersey” barriers bookend six lanes of concrete and a naked concrete median. That monolith is what can happen when traffic engineers are left with-out a chaperone.

Imagine a series of metal sculptures of fish or dolphin flowing along the road-way median, said SueZahn Simmons. “If we could somehow beautify that bridge, it would make such a difference.”

“We have all seen beautiful bridges,” she said. “If we did something special, people would say, ‘Wow, we are in Bonita.’”

Simmons was quick to suggest that her idea is just an example. The City could con-sider sponsoring a design contest, she said. If people were amenable, the Art in Pub-lic Places Board or the Center for the Arts could oversee it. Other bridges, like the Im-perial River Bridge on Old 41 also could be considered.

When SueZahn’s husband, City Coun-cilman Peter Simmons, campaigned last year, he sometimes mentioned the need for improved public landscaping. He credited SueZahn with the notion. For example, he asked, why did palm trees disappear from the US 41 roadway median upon entering Bonita Springs from Collier County, south of Woods Edge Parkway? At a City Council meeting last summer, he briefly raised the issue. It got little traction.

Recently, over a slice of pizza at Pino’s Pizzeria, Simmons told the Spotlight that he was now going to reinvigorate his efforts for landscape improvements. The beautifica-tion of Bonita is an economic development issue, he said.

Bone-itaFullick and friends on the City’s volun-

teer Art in Public Places Board have done it again. Operating on the shoestring bud-get the City provides, they have attracted another world-class art project to the Riv-erside Park area. It’s a perfect fit for this dog-loving town.

Dale Rogers’ award winning “Big Dog Show” began a ten-week stay outside the Liles Hotel on March 15. It consists of 14 supersized dog sculptures, each eight feet tall and weighing 800 pounds, and with a signature dog bone in his belly.

“Art is extremely important,” said Nigel Fullick to a large crowd gathered for the opening reception. “If you are a City and you don’t have art, then you don’t have an identity.”

On opening night a smaller Big Dog was raffled off. Earlier that day, City Manager Carl Schwing told the Spotlight that many city employees had graciously purchased tickets in hopes of donating the sculpture to

the City. No City employee won. But Coun-cilman Steve McIntosh and his wife Con-nie McIntosh did. They promptly donated it to the City. The little Big Dog and another big Big Dog will grace the City’s planned dog park, said Schwing.

DR/GR StudyCity Council voted to hire a consul-

tant, Barraco and Associates, to “identify opportunities for new land uses” on five large parcels east of I-75. But, judging by the comments of three Council members, any initiative to significantly increase de-velopment in that area may have a less than smooth ride. The parcels are located in the environmentally zoned DR/GR, designated to reduce building density and serve as a groundwater resource.

The idea for a study had its start a few months back after representatives of Bo-nita Grande Mine, a two square mile tract controlled by a Dutch bank, approached the City with preliminary ideas to build up to 2,902 homes, according to City staff. At City staff’s suggestion four other large par-cels were added to the study area. They in-clude Bonita Springs Utilities lands, Citrus Park, the Stoneburner property and Liberty Youth Ranch.

“If there are deficiencies in the area,” said City Manager Carl Schwing, the study would explore “whether we can get the private sector to take care of that through building incentives. We are concerned that City might never have the resources to re-solve any issues up there.”

Councilwoman Martha Simons, who voted against the study, expressed con-cern that it did not cover the entire DR/GR area, particularly public lands to the south. By not including those lands, the City was missing an opportunity to consider the res-toration of the flow way connecting them to the Spring Creek Watershed in the north, she said.

Mayor Ben Nelson disagreed with Si-mons. The consultant is “going to include all information that is pertinent to the study area, whether water flows or traffic, and ev-erything in the surrounding area that has to do with that” he said. Recommendations for land use changes will be made only within the study area, while general policy sugges-tions may be made covering a broader area.

Traffic and potential flood risk associ-ated with development were on the mind of Councilman Bill Lonkart. “I don’t ever want to see those problems come to won-derful Bonita Springs,” he said, alluding to traffic problems on Florida’s east coast. He also recollected the Bonita Flood of 1995, which inundated large areas east of I-75.

In a colloquy with Schwing, Council-man Steve McIntosh expressed concern with the $75,000 cost of the consulting contract, and possible increased expense for further work. Schwing said he did not expect additional costs.

Continued on page 12

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Bonita Business Beat

Custom Closets and More Expands the Meaning of “More”

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H.L. Burkley, owner of Custom Closets and More, offers customers state of the art design software so designs can be done on-site with customer input.


Custom Closets and More has been recognized by ORG as one of the top

dealers in the United States for three years running.

By D.K. [email protected]

Bonita Springs — H. L. Burkley started Custom Closets and More from his home, an accidental success story that represents the entrepreneurial spirit that’s alive and well in Bonita Springs.

He was already an expe-rienced southwest Florida homebuilder and licensed general contractor with 17 years in quality home build-ing and custom renova-tions. A University of Flor-ida graduate, he engaged multiple subcontractors in his business.

“The grass always looked a little greener on the other side of the street,” said Burkley. “One day I walked into a finished cus-tom closet with a hanging chandelier and thought,

‘wow, this is really nice.’ I found my specialty.”

The partnership with ORG, the well-established Holland, Michigan manu-facturer of a complete line of closet and home renovation products, gave him the flex-ibility to grow. He recently added the next-door unit at

beds to garage storage. “No job is too large or too

small,” said Burkley. “ORG’s state of the art design soft-ware gives us the ability to measure, design and price on-site with customer in-put. Our professionals, pro-vide the customer a realistic view of the finished product

tion. Planning is generally three weeks out, but instal-lation might be completed in a day or less. Custom Closets and More employs twelve professional design-ers and installers.

Custom Closets and More opened its Bonita Springs showroom in 2005. Both Burkley and his wife Kerry have spent most of their lives in Florida. Their young family, including two children ages “nearly” seven and nine, has plans for their recently pur-chased RV.

Burkley’s dad lives in St. Petersburg and had his own colorful career as a television producer and di-

rector, moving his family to several television mar-kets to produce shows that included the rising stars of television today.

“Henry Lloyd” is the family name, carried to Burkley’s son, Henry Lloyd Burkley III. Therefore, H.L. Burkley eliminates confusion and is the name known to most of Burkley’s acquaintances. Spotlight readers now know the “rest of the story.”

Burkley and staff mem-bers are engaged in phil-anthropic endeavors sup-porting Susan G. Komen, Mending Broken Hearts, the David Lawrence Center and donations to silent auc-

tions and charity building projects. They have plans for more in the future.

The ORG President’s Club Award recognizes the top ten to fifteen deal-ers in the United States and Custom Closets & More has been a recipient three years running. Their prod-ucts are green certified, qualify for green construc-tion projects (Leadership in Energy and Environ-mental Design -LEED Cer-tified) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) compliance mandated for the future.

Custom Closets and More packs a lot into the word, “More.”

his location, 23400 Old US 41, Suite 9, one fourth mile south of Bonita Beach Road at Constitution Center, for further expansion.

The Bonita showroom represents their multi-fac-eted designs to organize any home or business from clos-ets to wall units, Murphy

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at the showroom provide demonstrations also. Cus-tomers may explore the ma-terials and design elements that make the finished product their own. Most of the actual construction is complete before installa-

BSU ElectionsBob Bachman, Hank

Hochstetler and Robert Sharkey were reelected as directors of Bonita Springs Utilities. Vote tallies were as follows: Bachman (2,590), Hochstetler (2,302), Shar-key (1,678), Kathy Mc-

Grath (1,391), Kathleen Walters (1,176), Bob Lien-esch (1,098), Ed Fitzgerald (960), Richard Lundberg (815) and Michael Pelletier (705 votes). Twenty percent (4,446) of BSU customers voted in the election.

Meanderings…Con-gratulations to Ray Faubi-

on, chair of the Bonita Assis-tance Office board, who was given the “Love of Bonita” award by the Bonita Springs Community Fund. Steve Kissinger, Sally Schreck and Peter R. O’Flinn were recently appointed directors of the Assistance Office, a primary non-profit social service agency in Bonita since 1979.

Up and Down The Trail from page 11

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Explore how God as infinitegood brings trust in the power of

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Relay for Life Works All Year

“Operations Committee” plans for Relay for Life. Ann Musselman, ACS Staff Partner, Carolann Sanita, Events and Entertainment Chair, Bobbie Bird, Relay Chair, Mary Crouse, a member of the BSU/Henderson Franklin “Sleepwalkers” team and Operations Chair.


Relay for Life is a time of hope, fun and camaraderie for those touched by the ravages of

cancer.

By D. K. [email protected]

Bonita Springs – Live and on stage at the bandshell in Riverside Park, Kate Owens will be offering free haircuts. The locks will be made into wigs for cancer patients. This fun event and many other opportunities to donate to The American Cancer Society (ACS), are in the plans for this year’s Relay for Life April 6th and 7th.

“Children’s activities will include arts and crafts, face painting, balloon ani-mals and games,” said Ann Musselman, ACS Staff Part-ner. A raffle for a 42” flat screen television also goes to this good cause and the winner need not be present to win.

“Relay starts with the 2:00 p.m. Riverside Park Kickoff and Survivor Lap, Saturday, April 6, with con-tinuous activities that end

the night symbolize sur-viving the darkness with Sunday, the “dawn of a new day.” Relay is a time of hope, fun and camaraderie for those touched by the ravages of cancer and sup-port to create a cancer free

with the Fight Back Cer-emony and Fight Back Lap at 8:00 a.m., Sunday, April 7,” said Bobbi Bird, Relay Chair.

The 18-hour Relay is steeped in traditions and unique activities around this year’s local theme, “Color a Cure.” Even the hours of the relay through

future.“Relay for Life is all year,”

said Bird, “it’s what happens behind the scene that makes the 18-hour event happen.”

Bird’s primary year-round task is finding com-mittee members, sponsors, and teams that support the mission through talks in the community and fund raising events all year. This year’s goal is 23 teams and $70,000 in donations.

Every team picks a rib-bon color that represents a type of cancer and will pro-vide specific information at their booth. Booths encircle and face the walking track at the band shell in River-side Park.

“Some teams operate year-round,” added Bird. Team fund-raising activi-ties receive support online from ACS, including how to fund raise online and post-ing schedules for pizza par-ties, bowling, special sales

days and team events. “Six years ago, I walked

with cancer survivors at Relay and checked “yes” to volunteer for marketing and publicity,” said Bird. With the 2013 Relay, she has served three years as Re-lay Chair. She says the real work is with the committee chairs. Operations Chair, Mary Crouse, for example, works with event day logis-tics, supplies, sound system and more.

Eighteen hours of unique activities include the memorable Luminaria Ceremony, scavenger hunts at 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., smores parties, a donated pizza party, a frozen t-shirt contest, and throughout the event, music by the Mighty Quint, The Sarah Hadeka Trio and DJ Bill Banfield.

Relay includes the arts with a few numbers from the upcoming local youth production of Peter Pan and

a twenty minute dance set. Everyone who’s battled

cancer is encouraged to reg-ister on the cancer.org site to participate in the survi-vor ceremony and receive a t-shirt for registering and attending. Volunteers are needed.

“My father always said, ‘a room full of people are friends you have not met yet,’” said Bird who invites new friends every day to join the Relay for Life.

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Opportunities to Give BackWin $15,000 and Support Local Charities

The Rotary Club of Bo-nita Springs is holding its 17th Annual Charitable Re-verse Raffle April 20 at Saint John the Evangelist Church. A $100 ticket provides a chance to win $15,000 as well as dinner for 2, an open bar, dancing and entertain-ment. All proceeds support charities through the Ro-tary Club of Bonita Springs Foundation. Call George Cohan at 239-292-3749 for tickets. Only 400 tickets will be sold, so call today.

“Fund a Foot” for Shy Wolf Sanctuary

Shy Wolf Sanctuary Edu-cation & Experience Center has launched a fund raising effort to pay for an eight-foot perimeter fence that must be built around the 20-acre property before Shy Wolf can move into its new home in the North Belle Meade area of Naples. More than 50 resident animals call the sanctuary home including

wolves, wolf dogs, Florida panthers, foxes, prairie dogs and tortoises. The minimum donation is $20 per foot and the goal is to raise $70,000 by August 30th. Visit www.ShyWolfSanctuary.com.

YMCA of Bonita Springs

Our local Y offers nu-merous programs including sports, aquatics, gymnastics and many opportunities to volunteer. Help your local Y fund scholarships for fami-lies and children. To donate contact Michelle Butler 941-375-9104.

Dr. Piper Center for Social Services

This nonprofit social service agency provides multiple programs and services for adults over 55 and children with special needs. Through their Fos-ter Grandparent Program children and youth receive one on one mentoring and tutoring by a trained vol-unteer. Their Senior Com-

panionship Program helps frail elderly clients with meal preparation, transpor-tation, grocery shopping and simple housekeeping. Volunteers are needed for these programs in the Bo-nita Springs area. Call Steve Nemazie 332-5346 for more information.

Habitat for HumanityHelp make home own-

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

Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice

Hospice serves anyone facing a life-limiting illness, regardless of age or illness. Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice is located in Bo-nita Springs. There are many ways to give Hope. Visit www.hopehospice.org

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The grandchildren of Jim and Mary Miller sold lemonade and donated their proceeds to lo-cal charities during the Spanish Wells Cares golf outing. 120 Golfers and 60 tennis players raised $26,000 to benefit local charities.


Michael Jackson, Amy Harris and Hank Bertodatto want you to know that the Estero Relay for Life is April 19. For more informa-tion call 239-936-1113.




The Bonita Springs Assistance Office, Bonita Springs Community Fund, the United Way, and community leaders celebrated the opening of the United Way House last month.

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Come dance with us…From social dancing to competitive dancing

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

26251 S. Tamiami TrailBonita Springs

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Dennis Gilmore | [email protected]

Bonita Springs resident Dennis Gilmore took this sunset photo at Fort Myers Beach. Send your best sunset photos to [email protected] and your pho-to could be the next Spotlight Sunset.

Baseball Greats at Free Bonita YMCA Event

By Peter R. O’[email protected]

Bonita Springs— Dur-ing 30 years in profes-sional baseball, Bonita Springs resident Joe Pignatano experienced many memorable mo-ments, any one of which would have been career defining for a baseball player.

At 6 p.m. on April 3, Pignatano and fellow Bonitian Rick Miller, a former gold glove out-fielder and member of the storied 1975 Bos-ton Red Sox, will share their memories in a free public event at the Bonita Springs YMCA on Kent Road.

A Brooklyn Dodger on a team immortalized by Roger Kahn in “The Boys of Summer,” Pigna-tano was a member of the last team to play at Ebbets Field; the first Los Ange-les Dodger World Series championship team, in 1959; and Casey Stengel’s inaugural 1962 New York Mets. He was a coach on the Miracle Mets of 1969, and watched from the Shea Stadium bullpen as Cleon Jones knelt in left field after catching a fly ball to clinch the World Series.

Tragically, after a round of golf in 1972, Pignatano was walking at Gil Hodges

side when the famed Mets manager died of a heart at-tack at age 48.

“Gil was smart, and a great leader,” Pignatano told the Spotlight. “He knew every nuance of the

If You Go: Baseball Greats at the YMCA

Who: Joe Pignatano and Rick Miller, Bonita Springs Residents and former Major League Baseball players.

What: Pignatano and Miller will discuss memories of their baseball careers and share personal memorabilia.

Where: Bonita Springs YMCA, 27200 Kent Road.When: April 3, 6 p.m.

For more information: Call (239) 221-7560 or visit BonitaSpringsYMCA.org.

Cost: Free.

game, and how his team was going to play. He would have been the greatest manager ever if only he had lived.”

Of the loveable 1962 Mets, who lost the most games in baseball his-tory, Pignatano said, with a laugh, “We had an outfield where no-body could throw. Gene Woodling was in left field, Richie Ash-burn in center and Frank Thomas in right. They just never had good arms.”

And on Casey Sten-gel: “Let’s put it this way, Casey was good for baseball. With the Mets, he may have been a little old. But he

was very entertaining. The writers loved him.”

April 3 promises to be a great time at the Bonita Y, located on Kent Road, just off Terry Street east of I-75.

Bonita Springs Residents and former Major League Baseball players Joe Pignatano (above) and Rick Miller will talk about their baseball careers at a free public event at the Bonita Springs YMCA April 3 at 6 p.m.

Spotlight Sunset

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Tired of Boat Maintenance? Join the Club!

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

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

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

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

March30 Saturday Easter Egg Hunt & Games – 11 a.m. sharpThe 19th Annual Easter Royal Scoop Egg Hunt and Games is sure to be an “egg-citing “ time with 25,000 candy-filled eggs and the Easter Bunny for photo ops. See story on page 29 for more details. Where: church field at Vanderbilt Drive and 8th Street (8 blocks south of Bo-nita Beach Road). B. Cost: Free

April3 WednesdayWednesdays Are for History — 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.David Southall presents “Cracker Cowboys and the Cattle Wars.” Where: Bonita Springs Community Center on Old 41 across from River-side Park, B. Cost: $10, BSHS member $5. Ticket reserva-tions 992-6997 or at Liles

Hotel or at the door.

4 ThursdayThe Dan Miller Jazz Quintet — 7 p.m.New York City jazz trumpet-er Dan Miller brings a pow-erfully swinging jazz quintet to Bonita Springs. Playing a program of classic jazz mu-sic and standards from the 1950’s and 1960’s, this group features world class tenor saxophonist Lew Del Gat-to, Dan Heck, Stu Shelton and Patricia Dean. Where: Promenade at Bonita Bay, B. Cost: $20 members/$25 non-members.

5 FridaySavion Glover — 8 p.m.SoLe Sanctuary is Tony and Academy Award win-ner Savion Glover’s hom-age to the art of tap. Hoofer extraordinaire, his perfor-mances leave you breathless. For more info go to thephil.org Where: Naples Philhar-monic Center for the Arts, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., N. Cost: tickets from $59. CREW Wildflower Festival – 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Join Glen Stacell and Dr. Gary Schmelz, authors of A Guide to Native Wildflow-ers of Southwest Florida, for a humorous presentation about some of the interest-ing wildflowers you may see at CREW. No reservations required. For more info visit www.crewtrust.org Where: 27601 Kent Road, B. Cost: No fee to attend but dona-tions are appreciated.

5 Friday to 21 SundayMaster Class with Gulf-shore Playhouse — 8 p.m.Inspired by the life of leg-endary opera diva Maria Callas, who taught at Juil-liard. Join her center stage as she coaxes her students into giving the performances of their lives. For more info go to www.thephil.org. Where: Daniels Pavilion, Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., N. Cost: from $40.

6 SaturdayCelebrate Estero — 11 am to 2 pmThe Estero Chamber of Commerce hosts this annual

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Calendar from page 20

event, a day of entertainment and music and an opportu-nity for members to promote their outstanding businesses and organizations. Chili and Rib Cook off. For more info go to www.esterochamber.org.Where: Miromar Out-lets, E.CREW Wildflower Festival—8:30 a.m. to 2p.m.Guided wildflower, tree and butterfly hikes. Last hike leaves at 12:30 p.m. Family scavenger hikes at 10:15 and 11:45 a.m. Visit exhibits by southwest Florida environ-mental organizations and local crafters. Activities for families, games and prizes. Free presentations on ed-ible landscaping, Monarch butterfly tagging, drawing and sketching nature, the life of bees and do the bee dance game. Hike reser-vations required. Register early at www.crewtrust.org or call 657-2253. Where: 3980 Corkscrew Rd. Immo-kalee, FL 34142. Cost: adult hikes: $4/CREW members, $6/non-members; Family scavenger hikes: $8/CREW-member family, $12/non-member family – kids free.Arts Worldwide & Empty Bowls — noon to 4 p.m.Arts Worldwide is a com-munitywide event offering a multicultural arts expe-rience. Performers from around the world take the stage to perform traditional dances, music and theater from their respective coun-tries. Arts Worldwide also features “Empty Bowls”, an opportunity to purchase a handmade pottery bowl and sample delicious hot or cold soups, rolls and ice cream. Proceeds benefit at-risk youth programs of Center for the Arts and Meals on Wheels of Bonita Springs. Where: Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs, 26100 Old 41 Rd. B. Cost: Free music, dance and theater perfor-mances.

6 Saturday & 7 Sunday Relay for Life – 2 p.m. Sat. to 8 a.m. Sun.This 18 hour event offers fun opportunities to donate to the American Cancer Society. It is a time of hope and camaraderie for those touched by the ravages of cancer and support to create a cancer free future. See arti-cle page 14. Where: Riverside Park, B.

10 WednesdayWednesdays Are for History — 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.

David Southall will present “Plume Hunting in the Ever-glades: Florida Pioneers and the Plume Trade.” Where: Bonita Springs Community Center on Old 41 across from Riverside Park, B. Cost: $10, BSHS member $5. Ticket reservations 992-6997 or at Liles Hotel or at the door.

13 SaturdayCelebrate Bonita — 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.Live music featuring the group Thompson Square, children’s activities, a chili cook off, a “Chalk Where You Walk” art competition and more surprises. It marks the 14th anniversary of the City of Bonita Springs. See article page 24. Where: Riv-erside Park, B. Cost: Free.

14 SundayThe Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour — 8 p.m.The 55th Anniversary cel-ebration ensemble performs an assortment of classic jazz repertoire and original com-positions. For more info go to www.thephil.org. Where: Hayes Hall, Naples Philhar-monic Center for the Arts, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., N. Cost: from $59.

20 SaturdayGruesome Twosome — registration 7:30 a.m.A three-mile race and ob-stacle course including cargo net walls, bales of hay, bal-ance beam, an inflatable slide and with a grand fi-nale military crawl through the mud pit. Teams of two compete with the first three adult finishing teams and all children receiving medals. The hose down at the end of the military crawl will be a great photo opportunity. Competitors are encouraged to sign up early. Where: Bo-nita Springs YMCA, 27200 Kent Road, B. For more info call 221-7560. Cost: Before March 31, $80 per team; $90 per team from April 1st to Race Day. Children compete individually for $10 each child.

21 SundayBonita Springs Concert Band– 2 to 4 p.m.Bring your chair, a hat and some friends for a delightful afternoon of music. Where: band shell Riverside Park, B. Cost: Free.

27 Saturday“Tee Off for Kids” Golf Tournament — 7:30 a.m. registrationThis is the Second Annual Charity Golf Tournament

to benefit youth scholar-ships and youth outreach programs of the Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs. Scramble format, contests for longest drive, closest to the hole, hole in one. Prizes include cash, airline tickets, set of Callaway Razr irons, Myrtle Beach golf trip. Hole sponsorships available. Where: Copperleaf Golf Club, B. To order tickets or for more info call 495-8989. Cost:$100 per person in-cludes golf and cart, lunch and prizes.

ONGOINGThe Big Dog Show — through May 31A spectacular selection of steel dog sculptures, as large as 8 feet high, installed on the grounds of the Liles Ho-tel. Sculpted by nationally known artist Dale Rogers.Silly Faces Exhibition — through May 25“Silly Faces” is an interac-tive video installation that asks the audience to become part of the exhibit. Visitors upload a 5-second video of themselves making a silly face into a phone booth style kiosk. It is then added to the constantly changing grid of faces projected onto the gal-lery wall. Where: Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs, B., Cost: Free.

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

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

MeetingsBonita Springs City Council –Wed., April 3, 5:30 p.m.; Wed., April 17, 9 a.m.Come watch local govern-ment in action. Where: City Council Chambers, 9101 Bo-nita Beach Rd. B.

All dates, times and prices are subject to change.

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Open Saturdays,Emergencies Seen Promptly

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Artist Spotlight

Sharon Erbe’s Art Legacy


Sasha Swingin in St. Kitts 30”x44”


Artist Sharon Erbe in her studio sur-rounded by her vibrant and saucy women.

‘My children forgave me for burning dinner, engrossed in a painting.’

– Sharon Erbe


Naples – When she visited the tombs in Egypt, local artist, Sharon Erbe was impressed by the vibrant colors in the exquisite, an-cient paintings, still there for enjoyment in spite of the passage of time.

“Art is the legacy I give my children and grand-children,” said Erbe. Her paintings are autobio-graphical and express her experience and the influ-ences in her life that com-pel her to paint. Family support for her art makes her smile as she tells about her son seeing a painting ready for sale and wanting it for his own collection.

“Painting is not my hobby; I must paint.” She began with cartoons as early as seven years old, learning from her uncle who was a talented car-toonist. A movie buff as a child in Nashville, Ten-nessee, she often escaped to double features and was attracted to strong, color-ful women such as Rita Hayworth.

Living a suburban life near St. Louis where she raised her three children, she began coming into her own as a person and as an artist, an escape from the confines of coffee klatches and recipes.

“My children forgave me for burning dinner, en-grossed in a painting.”

Women are featured in most of her expressionist paintings. She describes them as saucy women with attitude like the women she saw in the Immokalee market on a visit with Habitat for Humanity. Af-ter a full day’s hard work for small pay and subject

“You know, many true artists are driven by some-thing in their personality

painting. Twins illustrate the dual nature of our lives, the dark and light sides.” Erbe however tries to paint the light side in paintings full of dancing and musical instruments, bright colors that defy the rules of complimen-tary colors learned in art school.”

South American, Ca-ribbean, and African cul-tures and music are found in her art which she exhib-its at Sweet Art Gallery. The works of Matisse and

VanGogh have influenced her art. She often paints listening to her collection of African-Brazilian mu-sic. Alvin Ailey’s recent Naples performance pro-vides inspiration for her dancers.

“I paint with oils, using lots of linseed oil so my paint is juicy.” Her hus-band makes her stretchers on which she stretches her own canvas. She may start with a light wash or just go into the piece.

Erbe paints large. She

is five feet ten inches and said that though she once took a class in painting miniatures, she felt con-fined.

She paints from mem-ory, from photographs and with models. She took a re-alism class to keep the un-derlying human anatomy in focus as she expresses her own self through her impressions.

Erbe is a woman who surrounds herself with the joy of vibrant colors in motion.

to difficult living condi-tions, women of many cul-tures were proudly selling their colorful fruits and vegetables, wearing their ethnic dress. They were empowered women, not broken by life’s challenges.

that is different, perhaps dark, that they can only express through art.” She often paints twins and ex-plained why.

“I lost a twin in child-birth, and I think that in-fluences this aspect of my

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

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BRYLCREAM Wednesday, April 10th

NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE Thursday, April 11th

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Thompson Square Entertains at Celebrate Bonita 2013


Bonita Springs – Riverside Park in the historic Old 41 downtown district of Bonita Springs is the place for live music, children’s activities, a chili cook-off, the “Chalk Where You Walk” art competition and more surprises. Cel-ebrate Bonita 2013, Satur-day, April 13 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., marks the city’s 14th anniversary and is the City of Bonita Springs biggest event. Nearly 9000 people are expected.

Local bands open the celebration and include The Manipulators, who played at Taste of Bonita, Jay Frost, a Celebrate Bonita favor-ite, and the Rachel Hughes Band with their wide genre of music followed by Thompson Square.

Keifer and Shawna Thompson, Thompson Square, famous for their Grammy-nominated, “Are

You Gonna Kiss Me or Not” are reigning ACM (Academy of Country Mu-sic) and CMA (Country Music Award) vocal duo of the year and Billboard’s #1 New Country Artist. This husband-and-wife duo mix country and rock music, adding smooth harmonies.

Artists’ Cottages at the Liles Hotel will be open. Corvette enthusiasts are in for a treat with local cor-vettes on display. Children’s activities include a bounce house, laser tag, an inflat-able slide and other fun amusements for youth.

Celebrate Bonita or-ganizers are accepting ap-plications for individuals, groups, organizations and businesses that would like to participate and compete for the bragging rights for Chili Cook Off Cham-pion, 2013. All chili will be cooked on the premises the day of the competition. Register with the Bonita

Springs Assistance Office at 498-7900 for forms, rules and regulations. A small en-try fee is charged.

Chalk artists of any age or ability are invited to make chalk art on Old 41 across from Riverside Park in designated areas. The Center for the Arts Bonita Springs (239) 495-8989 has the rules and entry forms. Four entry categories are ages 6-10, 11-14, 15-18 and 19 and older. Medals and certificates will recognize first, second and third in each category. Colorful art-ist chalk is free.

Proceeds from the event’s sale of items includ-ing food and beverages, go to the Bonita Springs Assis-tance Office. The nonprofit organization helps people suffering temporary finan-cial strains in making their rent, obtaining medical as-sistance and other essential needs. Leave pets and cool-ers at home, please.

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Logan Newell | [email protected]

Barbara Newell and Todd Mi-chaels were at Riverside Park last month for the 7th annual Bonita Blues Festival that benefits local charities.


Paula, BJ and Kimberly of East Fork Orchids at the Artist Cottages at Riverside Park.


Arlene Sowka at the Artist Cottages at River-side Park.



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Choose Your Camp!• DayCamp• SportsCamp• Dance,Art&

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Goober and the Florida Pileated Woodpeckers

BonitaNature Place

GOOBER

Bonita Springs – I have told you before about the many times I have witnessed vis-itors to the Bonita Nature Place become very excited when seeing something here. Once again, I really thought they were thrilled to see me out for a stroll when I realized they were pointing to an oak tree branch over my head. I looked up to see and saw it was one of the large wood-peckers that live at the Na-ture Place. They were get-ting their cameras out so I got closer to hear what was getting them excited.

Apparently, the large woodpecker is called a Pi-leated Woodpecker. It is the largest woodpecker found in North America, about the size of a black

crow. Mainly black it has a white line on each side of its throat to the undersides of its wings. But, most no-table is the large red crest of feathers on its head. The bird’s call is very loud and it

has been called a “wild jun-gle bird”. When searching for insects, its “drumming” sounds like a person using a hammer. Very comfort-able clinging vertically to a tree, they are clumsy when on small branches or on the

ground.The woodpecker eats

mainly insects, especially ants. However, they will also feast on berries, fruits and nuts. Areas with tall hardwood trees are their fa-vorite nesting habitat. They will create their nests inside of dead trees. Typically, the female will lay three to five eggs and both parents will tend to the needs of their young. Once the young are raised in about 30 days, they will all leave the nest and not use it again. The nest will not stay abandoned for long as many others will likely move in, includ-ing owls, other woodpeck-ers, smaller birds and even squirrels and raccoons. So, ecologically, they are very important to many other species. Because of the in-sects they consume, they are also very important to the health of the forest.

One of the visitors laughed and told the others that the cartoon “Woody Woodpecker” was a Pileated Woodpecker!

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

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TEE BOXTIPS

JOSH MUSSELMAN

Taking Control of Your Flight

Bonita Springs – Many golf-ers struggle to control their ball flight. Everyone has their own unique pattern whether it be a high ball flight or a low ball flight. It is important to know how to adjust the flight of your ball with different clubs, especially when ap-proaching the green.

If you play a course with elevated greens, it is crucial to be able to hit the ball higher and in windy conditions you need to be able to flight the ball lower. There are a few factors to consider when hit-ting these shots including the type of lie, obstacles the ball will either go over or under and finally the correct club selection.

An example of an obsta-cle would be if you have an

elevated green with a green side bunker, then a low run-ning shot or chip wouldn’t be wise but instead this requires a pitch or lob style shot. One difference from the typical chip and run versus a higher pitch shot is club selection and swing style.

To hit the ball with a low-er running shot you could use almost any club in your bag, but most commonly used are the lower irons such as the 8 iron down to a sand wedge. These shots are played to-wards the back of your stance and use very little effort from your wrist or fore arm and no hinging of the club.

On the other hand, the pitch or lob shot requires more club head speed. To achieve the club head speed you will need to hinge the club and play the ball more in the center of the stance which results in more of a descend-ing blow to the ball causing a higher ball flight. It will also create a softer landing with the higher ball flight, thus the less you hinge the club, the lower the flight and more run.

As I stated before, club se-lection is key so be sure to use a club with a higher loft like

a sand wedge or lob wedge when hitting these shots. The best way to feel the cor-rect motion is to feel the grip cap pointing down and the thumbs to point up early in the backswing and early in the follow through.

This can tend to feel like you are using too much ac-tion in your wrists or hands and most players feel less con-trol of the club. This feeling is natural and demonstrates

you are making the correct motions.

Remember that the club head will travel on the path of least resistance if you let it. Be certain to turn the body in both directions as

you hinge or cock the wrists when feeling these motions.

I suggest repeatedly prac-ticing these shots before tak-ing this swing to the course. Once you get a feel for the correct distance you will be taking control of your flight right to the flag.

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

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

small animals.Full Service facility offering

boarding, daycare, grooming and training.

5 acres of wooded property with 5 acres of wooded property with nature trails to walk the dogs.

Friendly personnel.Visit anytime during

our office hours

Bonita BoardingKennel and Pet Camp

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

See website for more info: bonitaboardingkennel.com

11860 Red Hibiscus DriveBonita Springs 34135

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239-992-6878

Lady & The TrampBonita’sBest Friends

D.K. CHRISTI

Jinx prefers a lap but will steal a chair vacated by its owner.


Bonita’s Best Friends

If you have a dog that you think is particularly wonderful, contact us at [email protected]

and he or she could be the next dog featured

in this column.

He loves Estero dog park where he only

gets to play two months of the year.

Estero – Jinx is proof that a rescue dog, often of mixed breeds, can be a joy to the owners. Just one look at the picture tells why Jinx wins hearts, including the heart of his “girlfriend” Reilly, a similar mixed breed who lives around the corner. They play for hours in the Cerullo backyard and share everything, includ-ing looking out for one an-other. They don’t bark dur-ing their play or show their teeth. It’s all love with Jinx.

Basically, Jinx is two recognizable breeds: schnauzer/long hair ter-rier and a little beagle. A schnauzer is a wiry-coated German dog with bushy eyebrows and whiskers that grow like a beard, be-longing to any one of three breeds (giant, standard and

miniature) that originated in Germany.

A beagle is a smooth-haired dog, belonging to a breed with a white, tan and black coat and long droop-ing ears, often used for hunting. They are a friend-ly, fun-loving animal, a fa-vorite with hunters and as pets.

Actually, terriers came from a heritage of hunt-ing small, underground animals. According to the American Kennel Club, terriers aren’t generally friendly to other animals. Jinx is an exception. Since

beagles are considered friendly, it may be the bea-gle side that loves Reilly. Jinx also loves his family, preferring a lap or steal-ing a chair vacated by its owner.

“If we tell him no bark-ing,” said Joyce Cerullo, “his deep beagle bark turns into a quiet mumble, like

a child under his breath.” She thinks it’s his way of compromise. Actually, his name honors Cerullo’s fa-ther. Jinx was a term of af-fection given her father by his friends.

“His one mission in life is to please us,” said Cerul-lo. Though he was a rescue dog, his quiet disposition

leads her to believe he was not abused. She saw his picture online and knew immediately it was the dog for her. She prefers rescue dogs who need a home. Jinx was a puppy with a face to love.

“Jinx looks like a pack dog, like he could really be trouble, a bit like Tramp in

Lady and the Tramp,” said Cerullo. He might have trouble on his mind, but his love for his family brings out the adorable side.

He loves Estero dog park where he only gets to play two months of the year. Cerullo can tell that he misses it when they re-turn to Ohio. He has many friends at the Estero dog park where he goes twice a day. Like many snowbirds, the time in Estero is grow-ing. Jinx will spend three months in Estero next year.

Cerullo says he is the smartest, most loving and best dog they have ever had. His favorite place, however, is with Cerullo anywhere.

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

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

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Bonita Springs — An “egg-citing good time” is planned for Saturday, March 30 when Royal Scoop’s Com-munity Easter Egg Hunt starts at 11 am sharp.

“This is the 19th year, with new games and events and music by Brylcream,” said Royal Scoop owner Da-vid Zimmerman.

Over 25,000, candy-filled eggs await nearly 1,500 participants in the field across the street at First Baptist Church.

“At first, we had room on our property, but as fam-ily participation grew, First Baptist Church added their field and some youth group volunteers.”

Royal Scoop Ice Cream, located at 8th St, off Vander-bilt Drive, Bonita Springs, is the oldest homemade ice cream parlor in Bonita Springs. They recently cel-ebrated blue ribbon honors

bestowed on them for their chocolate ice cream and best new flavor, “Death by Peanut Butter”, by the Na-tional Ice Cream Retailers Association.

Prior to buying Royal Scoop, David and Sarah Zimmerman travelled ex-tensively organizing fund-raising events for humane societies. Today Royal Scoop is a family business. Their two children help with the Easter Egg Hunt and other catering and pri-vate party events.

Filling the eggs is a com-munity project. Carol Niel-son and friends filled the eggs for the last four years.

“Let’s see,” pondered David, “at a minute per egg, how long to stuff 25,000 eggs?”

The first year, David and Sarah bought candy they loved, including chocolate that melted. They learned. The candy sales people still say, “You must really have a

sweet tooth!”After two hours of

spreading out the eggs, the field is transformed into a sea of color, explained Sarah. Minutes after David gives the call, eager chil-dren, in two different age groups, swarm the field gathering every last egg.

After the rush, the day is filled with music, photo ops with the Easter Bunny, egg and spoon races, egg and cone races, the Bunny Hop, Egg Toss, a basket race for the smallest children, inflat-able slides, an Easter basket raffle and a bounce house finishing with a timed ice cream eating contest.

“This is our gift to the community, an afternoon of pure family fun,” said David. “Ice cream is “good attitude” food. We can all use some of that.”

Remember to BYOB (bring your own basket) for the eggs.

25,000 Eggs… Ready, Set, Go!

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Susan Bridges and Anita Bruns-wick at the Big Dog Show open-ing reception.




Artist Dale Rogers and Mayor Ben Nelson Jr. cut the ribbon at the Big Dog Show open-ing reception at Riverside Park.

The Brooks Brothers Band performed at the Big Dog Show opening reception at Riverside Park.

Licensed Board Certified Pedorthist on Staff

Chris Cole’s

FREE Foot Assessment

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

ing, digital foot scans and much more.Expires 4/30/13 SWS

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

Why shop in the big boxstores when you can get

a personal fitting?

you bought them at the wrong place.

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Architecturalquality

solutionsfor Pools

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Excellencein Quality

and Serviceis our Goal

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

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

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Why Fishing Isn’t Called Catching

The OtherBEN

BEN NELSON JR.

Whatever it was on the other end of

the line was big and fast.

Bonita Springs – A few weeks ago, while meeting with our Representatives in Tallahassee, I noticed a photo of a group of fisher-men next to a large shark hanging in the hallway on the way to the Senate offices. I stopped in the crowded hallway, looked closely at the picture and then down at the legislative agenda I was carrying. The picture had reminded me of something I learned years ago when my friends and I would go “fishing” from the top of the New Pass and San Carlos Pass bridges.

I said “fishing” and not fishing because we didn’t actually expect to catch anything. Late in the sum-mer night at the top of the bridge the tropical breeze was wonderful. There were no cars, no bugs, no noise and the moonlit view was spectacular. The tackle we fished with was only meant for extremely large fish, so the quiet of the evening was

rarely interrupted. Yes, ev-erything was great… until the night that we actually caught something.

That evening, my friend Billy and I were sitting on our coolers at the top of the San Carlos Bridge, our fish-ing rods leaning up against

the railing, when to our sur-prise my reel start clicking rapidly. The line was spool-ing off fast, so I picked it up, checked the drag and set the hook. Luckily I was braced against the concrete railing because whatever it was on the other end of the line was big and fast and it slammed me right up against the rail.

“WHOA... WE GOT ONE!” yelled an amazed Billy. Then, in the distant moonlight we saw some-thing jump from the water. It was a large shark and for the next 10 minutes, as Billy shouted encouragement, I attempted to stop its run for the ocean.

When I finally did start making progress and re-trieving line, Billy suddenly got quiet and looked over the railing to the water, far below us.

“Hey Nelson! How are Continued on page 32

www.swspotlight.comApril 1-15, 2013

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Page 33Page 32 www.swspotlight.comApril 1-15, 2013

you supposed to get him up here?” I glanced over at him.

“How am I? What hap-pened to we?” I looked around. Nothing but a lot of bridge both ways, with light poles and other ob-stacles mounted on the rail-ing every thirty feet or so. I shook my head. We were prepared for “fishing”... just not for catching.

So we began to walk to the west, periodically hand-ing the rod and reel to each other around the light poles and other obstacles while the powerful shark tried to pull us into the water. Once on the Fort Myers Beach side, we planned to drag our catch onto the shore and cut the leader near its mouth, letting it go. Our chaotic journey down the bridge took thirty minutes. The “R rated” version is much bet-ter, but here’s just a sample of what it sounded like.

“Get over on that side... NO! THAT SIDE!”

“OK, OK...GEEZ!” “Now put your foot

there.” “WHAT?? Oh, I don’t

think so!” “OH FOR... Look...

Reach around the sign. Now take it... TAKE IT!”

“OK, OK, I’ve got it, I’ve got it!

Let go. Let go! LET GO!!”

“ARRGGH...I CAN’T! YOU’VE GOT MY FIN-GER!”

By the time the shark was near the beach, we were worn out and by the time we got the fish onshore it was dead. Billy and I stood there looking at the seven foot, 200 pound black tip shark.

“It’s dead? What are we going to do with it?” Billy asked quietly, obviously feeling as guilty as I was. I looked around at the beach.

“Well, we can’t leave it here and it wouldn’t be right to just shove it into the wa-ter.” Then I saw my truck. “I know where to take it!”

Five hours later it was daylight and I was in front of the Everglades Wonder

Gardens with a stinking dead shark in the back of my truck. I knocked on the side gate and Lester Piper came out wearing a butch-er’s apron covered in blood.

“Yeah?” he growled. I showed him the shark

and asked him if he was in-terested. “Naaah... I ain’t in-terested in buyin’ stuff like this. It ain’t worth it to...”

“No, No!” I interrupted. “I wanna give it to you.” He immediately became a hap-pier person.

“OH! Sure, bring it on in here Ben Jr.!” On the way home, I decided that despite the adventure, my bridge fishing shark-catching days were over.

Apparently some les-sons remain long hidden until needed, because be-fore my next meeting in Tallahassee, I went over our project notes a few more times. I wanted to be sure that we were pre-pared for catching… not just fishing.

Ben Nelson can be reached at [email protected]

The Other Ben from page 31

Bunny Hop Race • Egg & Spoon Race • Egg TossRock Wall • Inflatable Bounce Houses

Face Painting • Bunjee JumpPose for a photo with the Easter Bunny

Music by local band BrylcreamFirst

Baptist Church of Bonita Springs.

Saturday, March 30th at 11 a.m. SHARP

Bring Your Own Basket

Kids up to age 10 welcome 25,000 candy-filled eggs

Church field across from our store on Vanderbilt Drive

FREE Fun & Games &Eggcellent Prizes

Burgers, Hot Dogs and Ice Cream for sale

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Page 32 www.swspotlight.comApril 1-15, 2013 Page 33Page 32 www.swspotlight.comApril 1-15, 2013

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

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

Buffalo ChipsAl, Chip and JC Greenwood’s Old 41 original for 30 years strong. It’s “where locals go.” 1st place win-ner, Florida State chicken wing and chili cook-offs. Full menu including burgers, fish and steak and spuds. Boars Head premium

deli sandwiches. Featuring Bo-nita’s Hall of Fame. “If it looks good, we’ll find a place for it on the walls or ceiling,” says Al. Lunch and dinner daily. 26620 Old 41 Rd. 239-947-1000. www.buffalochip-srestaurant.com.

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

Fitzgerald’sA taste of the old country right on Bonita Beach Road from the Kilkenny crab dip and Mulligan’s Irish stew to Granny McCarthy’s bailey cheesecake. Home of the belly-buster burger, salads, sand-wiches and full meal menu. Tra-ditional flat breads. 20 beers on tap. Open daily 11:30 a.m. to close. Open Sunday for breakfast at 8 a.m. 9070 Bonita Beach Rd. 239-

949-2111. www.fitzgeraldspub.com.

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

Hot Caboose Island GrilleGREAT FOOD…GOOD TIMES! At Hot Caboose Island Grille you’ll find all of your favorites: seafood, chicken and steak fused with the flavorful and colorful ingredients of the islands. One bite of their slow roasted Jerk Chicken, Calyp-so Coconut Shrimp or the Original Rasta Pasta and you’ll know why their food has been described as “Southern Taste With an Atti-tude!” Located in downtown Bo-nita Springs, in the historic mis-sion-style 86-year-old building that once housed the Dixie Moon Cafe and, before that, the Good-bread Grocery store. Outdoor patio dining is available with live enter-tainment every Tuesday, Wednes-

Cointinued on page 34

Fresh New England Seafood and more…

dougsseafood.com • 239-992-1902

We’llSteam

Your Lobsterfor FREE

Lobster, Craband Shrimp Rolls,

Haddock andMaine Steamers…

NEW MARKET LOCATION

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

Bonita Springs

April's Flavor of the Month

Try ourCreamsicle Ice Cream!

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

www.royalscoop.com

ORIGINAL LOCATIONVanderbilt Dr. & 8th St.

in Bonita Springs

992-2000

NEW LOCATIONPavillion Shoppes - NW corner

Vanderbilt Bch. Rd, & 41

597-4043Both locations open until

10 pm every night

VOTED BONITA’SBEST ICE CREAMFOR 13 YEARS

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day, Friday and Saturday (please check our events calendar for de-tails). Happy Hour Mon to Fri 3-6pm:$1 drafts,$5 menu. Go to http://www.hotcaboosebonita.com for more info. 27755 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs (corner of Dean Street), 239-676-7997.

Hungry Hound DawgsOutdoor picnic tables invite Boni-tians to enjoy locally made frank-furters and sausages with only the freshest ingredients. Owner Rick Price, a 30 year Air Force veteran, dreamt for years of own-ing a hot dog vending company. He developed his passion for Ger-man sausages while stationed in Europe and now offers a full menu of dawgs and sausages. Pick one of his specialties or create your own! Open Mon-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat un-til 2pm, closed Sun. Corner of Old 41 & Abernathy Street. 239-877-6501. www.hungryhounddawgs.com.

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

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

Manhattan SteakhouseSpecializing in USDA Prime Dry Aged steaks and sizzling platters up to 1800 degrees. Enjoying its second season, Bella Purisic over-sees this relative newcomer to the Bonita Springs restaurant scene. The extensive menu includes fresh

catches such as grouper, tuna and jumbo Maine lobster. Ask about their extensive wine list. Open daily for dinner 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. 24940 S. Tamiami Trail #103 (Be-hind Zazou in Bonita) Reserva-tions are required. 239-676-8687. www.manhattan1steakhouse.com

Molino’s RistoranteClassic Italian in a beautiful in-door room and an al fresco patio setting, featuring pasta, meat and fish dinners. Family owned since 2003. Try the Vitello alla Saltim-boca or one of the many other spe-cialties of the house. Full bar and wine cellar. Summer hours, serv-ing dinner only. Smoking section available. Open daily 11:30 a.m. to 9 pm. 26841 South Bay Dr. at the Bonita Bay Promenade. 239-992-7025. www.molinosristorante.com.

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

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

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

Cointinued from page33

BONITA SPRINGS4685 Bonita Beach Road

239.495.5770FORT MYERS BEACH(behind Santini Plaza)

239.765.6766

SANIBEL1523 Periwinkle Way239-472-7770

Now Open

House Wineor

DomesticDraft Beer

with purchase of entreeCannot be combined with other coupons.One per person w/coupon. Exp 4/30/13

FREE

OPEN: 11am - 10 pm Daily

HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAY 3-6 pm

Buy

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

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

Equal or Lesser Value with ad only. Cannot be combined with other offers. 15% gratuity added before discount. No meal splits. No split checks. Not valid on Fridays. NO EXCEPTIONS THANK YOU FOR NOT ASKING!! Expires April 30, 2013

239-948-4400 • www.trianon.com3401 Bay Commons Drive, Bonita Springs

Royal ScoopLife’s short…eat dessert first! The oldest homemade ice cream store in Bonita. 35 ice cream flavors, 12 lowfat and sugar-free choices. Their scoopologists make the thickest shakes, biggest sundaes and best cones. Delicious lunches featuring Boar’s Head meats and cheeses and fantastic family recipes for chicken, egg and tuna salad. Kids menu. Open til 10 p.m. at Vanderbilt Dr. & 8th Street in Bonita Springs 992-2000; open til 10 p.m. at Pavillion Shoppes (Vanderbilt Beach Road & 41) 239-597-4043. www.royalscoop.com

The Fish HouseA Bonita bayside bistro. Come by car or boat. Fresh seafood in a re-laxing environment, dining inside or out, with a pet-friendly outside patio. Specialties include black-ened tuna bites, hot blue crab and shrimp dip, oyster baskets, grou-per tacos and lobster tacos. Al-ternative choices, including heart healthy items.. A key lime pie that “melts-in-your-mouth”. Open dai-ly 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 4685 Bonita Beach Rd. 239-495-5770. www.thefishhouserestaurants.com.

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

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

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

239.877.6501

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

HungryHoundDawgs.com

NOW OPEN

GourmetHot Dogs& GermanSausages

Freshlocal

ingredients

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

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

For menu & wine list visit us at lafontanellarestaurant.net

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

entire check(Maximum $45 per table with ad)

Offer valid March 31stthru April 30th, 2013

Dine-In or Take Out

We do private luncheon parties for 15 people and up.

Not valid with any other o�er

15% OFF

VOTED ★ ★ ★ ★VOTED VOTED VOTED ★ ★ ★ ★★ ★ ★ ★MolinosMolinos’’# 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 TO 9PMOPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH & DINNER, 11:30AM TO 9PMOPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH & DINNER, 11:30AM TO 9PMReservations Required - 992-7025

IN THE PROMENADE26841 South Bay Drive - Bonita Springs

Maximum 6 people • Expires April 30, 2013Sunday through Thursday only • Does not include any other promotion

Must Present Coupon • Must be seated by 6:00 PM

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

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

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

10530 Wilson St • Downtown Bonita Springsthesurveycafe.com • 992-CAFÉ (2233)Across from Riverside Park, one block east of Old 41

SIMPLE FLORIDA CHARM... CASUAL... LAID BACK... DELICIOUS!“Survey Cafe is a must stop in downtown Bonita Springs. An amazing outdoor deck to enjoy Florida’s sun and natural shade or just step inside for a cool and quaint bistro. This place is a true chameleon of styles where you can go for a home style lunch and an elegant dinner on the same day.” TripAdvisor 3/2013

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Restaurants



Happy Hour EVERYDAY4pm-7pm

Happy Hour

Fitzgerald’SP U B

Saturday Nights25% OFF

All Steaks & Grouper

Voted Bonita’s Best � ve years

in a row!

9070 Bonita Beach Road • Bonita Springs, FL 34135 www.fitzgeraldspub.com • 239-949-2111

Ristorante Enrico

Four years in the same location

26831 Tamiami Trail S.off West Terry Street

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

8001 Plaza del Lago Dr #113 www.hemingwaysislandgrill.com

239-495-7240

S O U T H W E S T™

Events, things to do and opportunities to give back to our community in and around Bonita Springs

www.swspotlight.comApril 1-15, 2013

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