A Beautiful Day to Enjoy a Boat Ride in The Gulf. The parking lots are full and many people are out enjoying  a boat ride in the Gulf. There’s so much to see while your out boating. Make sure you take your camera, and or your fishing pole.

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A Really Beautiful Bird Around Southwest Florida.

 Pileated woodpeckers, the largest woodpeckers in North America, hammer their heads into trees with a force of 15 mph, 20 times a second. So, how do their heads not turn to mush?

Thick muscles, sponge-like bones, and a third eyelid keep bird brains intact. For more information, go to: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/pileated_woodpecker/id/nc

Welcome to the Edison & Ford Winter Estates

 This is a MUST SEE IN FORT MYERS

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Fort Myers offers beautiful Birds

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Another beautiful sunset from Ft. Myers Baech Hope you all get to see one soon

This Ft. Myers Boat Dock Is Really Making Me Want To Go Fishing.

Did you notice I didn’t say that it makes me want to buy a boat. It takes a long time to learn these waterways, that’s why I leave it to the charter captains. So what are you waiting for? Let’s go fishing

FT. MYERS FUN IN JANUARY Nice sunny day in Ft. Myers to play a game of golf, so come join the fun in Ft. Myers and break out those golf clubs.

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Down From Indiana For A Taste of Ft. Myers BeachFun times on Ft. Myers Beach, enjoying the sun, the sand, and the band. It was everything they expected during their visit on Ft. Myers Beach. If only they could have stayed longer.

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Great weather for Boating

I just couldn’t resist: PINK AND GREEN. (YUP TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM) LOL……..

AND OH, WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD……….

Magic Benton, former University of Miami receiver, to pick
winning raffle ticket for 2012 Outback Bowl to benefit Builders Care
University of Georgia takes on Michigan State on Jan. 2

What:  
Builders Care, the nonprofit arm of the Lee Building Industry Association (BIA), is hosting a raffle for a chance to win tickets to the 2012 Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla. All funds raised will help local homeowners in need with emergency home repairs. The package includes two tickets to the Outback Bowl game on Monday, Jan. 2 at 1 p.m. when the Michigan State Spartans take on the Georgia Bulldogs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. In addition, the winner receives a two-night stay at Hampton Inn Tampa, $100 worth of entertainment and travel and $100 of game gear.

Tickets are available for a suggested minimum donation of $20 at Shoeless Joe’s at Crowne Plaza at 13051 Bell Tower Dr., Fort Myers, Fla., or at the Lee BIA Builders Care   office at 10501 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy., Suite 104, Fort Myers, Fla. Tickets and more    information also available online at www.WINOutbackBowltix.com.

When:
Sunday, Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m.
Magic Benton will do the honors of selecting the winning raffle ticket for the 2012 Outback Bowl package including two tickets to the Outback Bowl game on Monday, Jan. 2 at 1 p.m. when the Michigan State Spartans take on the Georgia Bulldogs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. In addition, the winner receives a two-night stay at Hampton Inn Tampa, $100 worth of entertainment and travel and $100 of game gear.

Where:    
Shoeless Joe’s at Crowne Plaza
13051 Bell Tower Dr.
Fort Myers, FL 33912

Bird is the word…….green grass and great birds……….

Sunny Sanibel Island and Captiva Island, Yup……..80 degrees today………..ahhhhh

I. Sandy Kostick got really tall or this Basket Ball hoop is really low………..lol

Flowers blooming all over SWF………..(photo credit: Kevin Stahl)

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Fishing Island style

Suggestion of the day: GO FLY A KITE!

LOOK WHAT WASHED UP ON THE BEACH FORT MYERS FL. AND IT WAS COLD!!! photo credit: Kevin Stahl

KICKED BACK AT THE BEACH FLORIDA STYLE FOR THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY. FORT MYERS AND FORT MYERS BEACH

YES, THIS IS HOW WE SPENT OUR THANKSGIVING AFTER SOME GREAT FOOD…………..AHHH.

WINNER OF 25th ANNUAL
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF
SAND SCULPTING ANNOUNCED!

Event Still Ongoing Through November 27th

 The World Championship of Sand Sculpting is underway and the winners for this solo division competition have been announced!

PHOTOS ATTACHED OF EACH, ADDITIONAL HIGH-RES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

The Sculptor’s Choice Award is one of the most prized, as it’s an award given by the sculptor’s peers. It signifies distinct creativity and skill demonstration.

Charlie Beaulieu, event director and a World Championship winner twelve times over, commented “This is the best venue the World Championship event has ever been held at. The sculptures are amazing which makes the judging very difficult.”

This is the first time the World Championship of Sand Sculpting event has ever been held in Florida. From today until the 27th, master sculptors will be on-site to create additional exhibition art, and answer questions about the masterpieces.. Guests will also enjoy a myriad of other activities including live music daily.

Event hours are as follows: Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For a more detailed schedule of activities and event information, please visit: http://www.worldchampionshipofsandsculpting.com/fmb/world_championship_of_sand_sculpting_ft_myers_beach_event_schedule.htm

Today, Tuesday, November 22nd, The Beach Arts Cooperative will host The Orpheus Players’ performance of an original play, “Sisters of the Sea” on a stage set in the sand behind the Holiday Inn. The opening reception starts at 6:00 p.m. followed by the performance at 7:00 p.m. $30 ticket price includes two drinks. For ticket information, please call 239-463-4461 or visit: http://www.beachartscooperative.org/

Discounted World Championship of Sand Sculpting event tickets are available for purchase at Costco in Fort Myers, Naples or Estero, any 7-11 store in Lee or Collier County and all Pinchers Crab Shack locations while supplies last.

Tickets at the event are just $6 for adults, $5 for children 5 to 17 years old and those 4 and under are free. For more information on the event, please visit: http://www.worldchampionshipofsandsculpting.com.

A designated portion of the event proceeds will be donated to the “Eliminate Project” sponsored by Kiwanis International and UNICEF. For specific details about this cause, please visit: http://sites.kiwanis.org/Kiwanis/en/theELIMINATEproject/home.aspx.

LOCATION & TRANSPORTATION
The World Championship of Sand Sculpting will be held at the Holiday Inn located at 6890 Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers beach. Attendees are encouraged to arrive from the south in order to avoid traffic congestion. Event directors have coordinated a revolving bus system to transport attendees from the Lover’s Key parking area to the site. Parking is also available in the Publix shopping center at Bonita Beach Road and U.S. 41 where the Lee County beach “Trollee” will pick up attendees. CLICK BELOW TO SEE MORE: 

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SANIBEL MASTERS ART FESTIVAL FRIDAY AND SATURDAY WITH KATIE GARDENIA AND MANY OTHER GREATS

“Sanibel Turtle Garden,” an acrylic on wood painting by artist Teri Causey, has been selected as the poster image for the Annual Sanibel Masters Art Festival, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on FRIDAY Nov. 25 and SATURDAY the 26th at the Sanibel Community House. The festival features 75 terrific artists. The proceeds from the event benefit the programs at the Sanibel Community House and BIG ARTS, a home for all the arts.  Admission is free, but donations are accepted at the gates. As a special treat, the BIG ARTS Chorus will perform a preview of their holiday concert at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26.  For more information, visit boulderbrookproductions.net or facebook.com/boulderbrookart.

Regarding this years poster art: The festival hs used a similar type of underwater sea turtle image for the past three years, and this year when we saw the vibrant colors of Teri’s painting, we immediately selected it. The color palette of the painting offered us a chance to freshen up the design. The new colors are so varied from the past that it allowed us to create a similar poster but something that really looks new and fresh. Sanibel Island has a fondness for turtles and we like to keep the poster for this event from changing too much, so that it is recognizable each year.  Many guests have started a Sanibel Masters Art Festival poster collection. Signed posters will be available for the first 50 visitors to Teri’s booth.

ALSO CHECK OUT THIS EXCITING NEWS:

She’s a baker, artist and former Bubble Room restaurant owner. And, now she’s an author.

Katie Gardenia, one of the most prominent Sanibel-Captiva area residents, recently released “A Bubble Moment,” a combination cookbook and coffee table book sure to delight residents and visitors to the area. She will sign her book, and sell her fabric sculpture and fiber art pieces, during the Sanibel Masters Art Festival being held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 and 26 at the Sanibel Community House.

For years, Gardenia owned the whimsical Bubble Room restaurant on Captiva Island. It was famous for serving the biggest slices of homemade cake, with wedges that looked as if they were designed for an art gallery. In her book, she shares al her recipes including red velvet cake, bubble bread, and orange crunch cake. But, she emphasizes, it’s more than a cookbook. The four-color, hardcover, 117-page book chronicles the history of the Bubble Room building, the people who came in and out of its door, the people who helped create it, long and tall stories, local color, her original recipes, old photos, and page after page of handmade collages. As the reader travels through the story, they will come upon handmade paper pages that have “secret envelopes” that were artfully hand stamped, chalk colored, that are waiting unveil more information.

Jennifer Valiquette Submitted these great pictures of Dolphins playing in the water ways.Thanks Jennifer!

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WONDERFUL MOON……….(photo credit: Kevin Stahl)

AHHH………..GOTTA LOVE THE SANIBEL CAUSEWAY! (photo credit Kevin Stahl)

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FORT MYERS BIKES HIT SANIBEL ISLAND (photo credit: Kevin Stahl)

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Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival 

Paddling around the causeway is one way to clear your mind, while the northerners are breaking out there snowmobiles, we’er breaking out our kayaks.  http://www.calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com/  Photo Credit: Kevin Stahl 

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Hanging out on Fort Myers

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Welcome to the 2011 Oktoberfest!

Florida’s biggest and most original Oktoberfest

- Our 26th Year! – The German-American Social Club of Cape Coral

We had so much fun with all the great people! Thank you! What a pleasure it was to cover this event!!!   This was a great! (Photo credit: Kevin Stah)l click below to see more and download for free. :

Lakes Park announces winners of “Scarecrows in the Park” celebrity-judged contest,
invites the public to vote and help determine winners

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 20, 2011) – Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation announces the  winners of the “Scarecrows in the Park” contest chosen by local celebrity judges during the “Scarecrows in the Park” kick-off event held on Friday, Oct. 14. The winners were selected from three categories: Gulf Coast Orthodontics’ scarecrow “Scared Straight” was selected “Most Creative,” the award for “Best Company Correlation” was given to Coral Veterinary Clinic for their scarecrow “Walking the Doc’s,” and Girl Scout Troop 858, sponsored by Miller, Helms & Folk, swept the “Best Youth-Created Entry” with “Samoa-crow.”  Lakes Park invites the public to cast their votes to help determine the grand winners. The contest is part of the annual Lakes Park “Fall Festival and Halloween Extravaganza,” which continues through Halloween, Oct. 31. Celebrity judges and festival attendees vote for their favorite scarecrow to determine the winners.

“The contest and festival are off to such a great start,” says Marsha Asp, chairperson for the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation. “During our opening weekend, more than 1200 attendees cast their votes for their favorite scarecrow. That exceeds our vote total for the entire two weeks last year! We can hardly wait for next weekend.”

In addition to “Scarecrows in the Park,” the festival includes a pumpkin patch, bounce houses, hayrides, and a Halloween Express train.

The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation established in 2004 by a group of Lee County business leaders and dedicated citizens who recognize Lakes Park as an extremely important green area in Lee County. The foundation’s main focus is to assist Lee County Parks and Recreation in the continued implementation of the $30 million Lakes Park Master Plan, enhancing the park’s environmental aesthetics, wildlife habitat and recreational amenities for the community to enjoy for many years to come. Currently, the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation is focusing its fundraising on creating a botanical garden at Lakes Park.  For more information on the foundation, visit www.LakesParkEnrichmentFoundation.org.

BEAUTIFUL FULL MOON Photo Credit: Kevin Stahl

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22ND Annual “Ding” Darling Days : photo credit Kevin Stahl

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Snow birds back…………….PHOTO CREDIT: KEVIN STAHL

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Rain makes beautiful things happen!

Indian Creek Pet Hospital dog and cat needs a home . For more info: http://www.indiancreekvet.com/Indian Creek Pet Hospital dog and cat needs a home

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Beautiful pictures of Florida

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It is 7:00 a.m. on Sept. 18 on the beach at South Seas Island Resort, and you are eagerly and anxiously awaiting the start of the race.  You’ve trained, you are ready.  The air horn sounds and you are off.  It’s all good.

You are standing at the intersection of Captiva Drive and Andy Rosse Lane on a warm morning on Sept. 18 watching and cheering as 500 cyclists ride by.  Some ride like the wind and others and working very hard with less forward motion.  It doesn’t matter, you cheer for all of them.  It’s all good (and there is no charge for spectators).

You more than anyone know about doing more with less.  At CCMI you are facing more hungry people and emptier shelves.  You know that Galloway Captiva Tri will help fill those shelves.  It is all good.

You are filling cups with water and watching the runners on the beautiful golf course path. It is a beautiful day and you are helping 500 people make their dreams a reality.  It’s all good.

You are the Lee County economy, facing one of the bleakest months of the year.  Over 600 people from throughout Florida as well as Georgia, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana come to race in September.  It’s all good.

You are not a great runner, but your best friend is and your cousin is a fast swimmer.  Together you make an awesome team that is out to have a good time and a good race. It’s all good.

You are a six-year old still wearing your race tee shirt and medal from the kids’ tri yesterday. You are watching Dad race, feeling very proud.  It’s all good.(Well mostly all good, there is one really angry three-year old who wanted to race, but has to wait until he is six).

You are watching your significant other racing, knowing that he or she is no longer a couch potato –he or she has lost weight, gotten in shape, and turned his or her life around.  The family doctor is thrilled.  It’s all good.

On Sept. 17, more than 100 children will compete in two age groups in a mini-tri beginning at 8 a.m.  Everyone who finishes will receive a medal.  The purpose is to encourage lifetime fitness and family fun.

On Sept. 18, more than 500 people ages 14-75+ will compete to swim 440 yards, bicycle about 10 miles, and run 3.1 miles on Captiva Island to raise funds (to help the needy)and have fun.

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Galloway Captiva Triathlon at South Seas Island Resort

The Galloway Captiva Triathlon at South Seas Island Resort is a weekend family, fun and fitness event comprised of two children’s triathlons on September 17 (Ages 6-9:100 yard swim, 1.5 mile bike, 0.5 mile run; Ages 10-13:200 yard swim, 3 mile bike, 1 mile run) and an adult sprint length triathlon on September 18 (Swim 440 yards [0.25 mile], Bike 10 miles, Run 3.1 miles [5K].)  All events will take place on Captiva Island.  For more information go to www.captivatri.org

About our race charity:  CCMI

CCMI provides more than 14,000 meals each month through their Soup Kitchen and Meals On Wheels programs. The nonprofit agency also educates 40 children in their Community Montessori Preschool, provides weekend backpacks full of food to more than 2,500 children each school year and oversees a mobile food pantry, everyday choice marketplace and cafe.

For more information, visit www.ccmileecounty.com<http://www.ccmileecounty.com

Wanna go wind surfing? This is super coolphoto credit: Kevin Stahl

Enjoying the Beach over the Labor Day Weekend

BEACH BOARD SURFING…………..FORT MYERS

CONGRATS TO HEATHER AND JASON ON THE UPCOMING WEDDING! COOL FORT MYERS BIKERS

Beautiful views

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FORT MYERS VIEW FROM THE BOATphoto credit: Capt. Mick  of  New Moon Sailing

MUSIC WALK Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary

The monthly Music Walk returns August 20th to the downtown Fort Myers River District for its 1 Year Anniversary. Music Walk started in August of 2010 and was modeled after the extremely successful Fort Myers Art Walk. Over a dozen restaurants, bars, and galleries became Music Walk venues, and a massive outpouring of local musicians continue to perform month after month. The interest and attendance in the event has only grown since the first Music Walk in August of 2010, with the off-season summer months being just as busy as the traditional in-season months.

Music Walk founder and chairman of the event, Andy Howl, who co-owns HOWL Gallery/Tattoo, attributes the success of the event to the area’s need for more monthly entertainment options and a untapped grass roots music culture. “I think Fort Myers has the potential to be a magnet for art and music, it just takes the right timing and mixture of people to make it happen. Downtown Fort Myers has everything to be a state-wide destination for art and music.”

The first 400 attendants of the 1 Year Anniversary on August 20th will be able to get a free Music Walk guitar pick manufactured by Clayton Guitar Picks. Guitar picks will be evenly distributed among the venues. Additionally, a limited edition 1 Year Anniversary button will also be available at the venues. Blue Music Walk balloons will decorate the historic downtown streets. Visit the Music Walk website for a list of venues. www.fortmyersmusicwalk.com

The 3rd Saturday event features live music at over a dozen venues, including restaurants, galleries, and bars, plus street performers all over the beautiful downtown streets. Music Walk venues showcase a variety of music, from punk, rockabilly, indie, reggae, and folk, to piano, steel drums, and more. The event is the largest of its kind regionally. Music Walk is an all ages event that starts at 7 p.m. and goes until 10 p.m. or close at many venues. Free parking available.

Music Walk partners and venues include: HOWL Gallery/Tattoo, Spirits of Bacchus, Space 39, Red Rock Saloon, United Cafe, French Connection Cafe, Enjewel, Happenings Magazine, Hotel Indigo, Twisted Vine Bistro, Indigo Room, Harborside Event Center, Coloring The World, City Tavern, Downtown House of Pizza, World Famous Cigar Bar, Hideaway Sports Bar, Morgan House, The Veranda Restaurant, Market America Realty, Syzygy Gallery, Main Street Antiques, WinkNews6, Classic Rock 94.5, Cool Hand Luc’s, and AmeriDry.

Each month brings more people to Music Walk, with an estimated 4,000 attendees to the July event. Music Walk is organized by Andy Howl with help from Dee Hohimer, Suzy Lewis, and Jamie Kuser of Happenings Magazine.  Music Walk is a River District Alliance event. The River District Alliance is a non-profit organization that manages events and unifies business owners in the Fort Myers River District.