Southwest Spotlight May 1, 2013

Southwest Spotlight
Spotlight News
Town Talk
Giving Back
Commentary
Arts & Entertainment
Community
Restaurants
Business & Real Estate
Page 5 Page 4 www.swspotlight.com May 2013
Southwest Spotlight
Spotlight News
Town Talk
Giving Back
Commentary
Community
Restaurants
Southwest Spotlight
Spotlight News
Town Talk
Giving Back
Commentary
Community
Restaurants
News & Features
8 Wrenching Decision
at Wonder Gardens
Shout-Out to Bonita Bay Buyer
11 City Coconut Hospital
May Open in 2017
Bonita and Estero representa-
tives have pushed for local
hospital
11 Rick Barber Joins
Water Board
A ftting honor for a man at the
center of watershed planning
22 Calendar
Whats happening around south-
west Florida
24 Co-op Gallery Succeeds in
New Home
Coconut Point location is work-
ing for artists and buyers
Commentary
18 An Anniversary for the
Bonita Springs YMCA
On the way to making the Y a
hub for people of all ages
19 Lets Not Risk Waterlogging
Bonita East Communities
City should retain frm to analyze
development of DRGR
11 Bonita Raising a Glass to
Assist Bonitians
Volunteers and thirsty Bonitians
together raise funds at Celebrate
Bonita
16 Many Helping Hands
Under One Roof
New partners are joining the
Bonita Assistance team
26 A Changing Cuba
No simple answers for Cubas
longed-for recovery
Business
12 Monarch Marketing
Services
Keeping up with the times as
printing business changes
14 The Bay House Restaurant
in Upper Naples
Plans in the works for a boutique
hotel, cooking school, bakery
and more
Columns
28 The Other Ben
Driven by a childhood memory
30 Bonitas Best Friends
Sugar and Spice and everything
nice for this dog owner
31 Goober and the Bear
A visitor at Nature Place wrecks
havoc
Restaurants
32 Restaurant Guide
S O U T H W E S T
Southwest Spotlight, LLC Locally owned and operated since 2010

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Contributing Writers
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D.K. Christi
Martha Crider
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Max Harris
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Largest Audited Circulation in the Greater Bonita Springs Area
Southwest Spotlight
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Contributed | spotlight@swspotlight.com
The Spring Run Charitable Foundation recently presented checks in the amount of
$16,000 each to Barbaras Friends (the Childrens Hospital Cancer Fund) and the Inter-
faith Charities of South Lee, Inc. In addition, Caf of Life was presented $2,500, and
Laces of Love and the Amigos Center were each presented $1,000. (Front, from left)
Jeanne Nealon, Marietta Bala, Christine Hamilton (Back, from left) Jack Chadwick, Al
Kinkle, Donna Selle, Nancy Martin and Rev. Robert Selle.
Staff | staff@swspotlight.com
Last summer, the Bonita Springs Womans Club donated their building, on the corner
of Felts Ave. and Childers St., to the Caf of Life. On April 19, Womans Club members
returned to celebrate the refurbishment of the buildings interior by the Caf. From left,
Nina Seidita, Kay Mazzitelli, Helen Mallo, Bernice Young, Dot OBrien, Noreen Cam-
bra, Betty Ver Wey (seated), Ginny Edwards (seated), Barbara Malloch and Marietta
Bala. Southwest Spotlight
Spotlight News
Town Talk
Giving Back
Commentary
Community
Restaurants
At Wonder Gardens: Wrenching Decision and
a Shout-Out to Bonita Bay Buyer
By Peter R. OFlinn
prof@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs David
Piper ofen refers to his
Everglades Wonder Gar-
dens, which closed in late
April, as an attraction. In
its fnal week of operation
it certainly lived up to
that name.
Te announcement of
closing triggered plenty of
activity. News helicopters
whirled overhead; Fort
Myers TV crews camped
at the back door, await-
ing live-at-5 remotes; a
celebrity animal trainer
from a channel way up the
dial got some press when
he waded into a crocodile
pool; and a local man with
perhaps a few too many
allegedly cut a gate, free-
ing deer that became road
kill.
Amid the furry, Da-
vid and Dawn Piper went
about the business of the
day, preparing to pack in,
and pack up, 77 years of
memories. Empty apple
crates, awaiting collect-
ibles, now crowd the hall-
way through which sev-
eral million visitors have
passed.
In that hallway, the
Pipers pulled up chairs
to talk about why they
closed the business, their
own plans and their plans
for the property.
A Wrenching
Decision
David Piper is a very
private person, and only a
handful of people in town
were aware when, six
months ago, he pulled up
stakes afer a lifetime in
Bonita. Te Pipers moved
to the mountains of Geor-
gia, 700 miles and a world
away, and entrusted the
day-to-day operations to a
long-time employee.
David Pipers health
was the reason for the
move. For several years he
has been sufering from
Just inside the front entrance of the Everglades Wonder Gardens, visitors expe-
rienced a unique roadside attraction including a swinging bridge over an alliga-
tor pool.
The Greater Flamingoes at the Everglades Wonder
Gardens will be among the animals sold.
David Piper, owner of Everglades
Wonder Gardens, and his wife Dawn.
The Pipers have closed the doors and
packed up 77 years of memories.
an inoperable, and very
painful, medical condi-
tion. I have been bit by a
lion, and bit in the throat
by one of my grandpas
panthers, said Piper.
Tat pain is nothing like
this.
We scofed at the
Mayo Clinic when they
told David that stress will
induce more pain, said
Dawn Piper. But they
were right.
In the mountains
of Georgia, the Pipers
downsized, way down-
sized. Tey found seren-
ity, and relief.
Lets put it this way,
said David Piper. Tere is
wild bear everywhere. We
cant go out of our drive-
way without seeing deer,
beautiful deer. I counted
23 turkeys in the yard.
Squirrels everywhere. Its
just wonderful.
Working in crisp air,
a reinvigorated Piper
renovated their new home
and, most importantly,
sufered nary a painful
lock-down, a seizure
like episode, over the
course of six months.
Ten, at Eastertime,
the Pipers returned to
Bonita Springs. Back at
the Wonder Gardens,
exposed close-up to the
demands of business, he
sufered numerous lock-
down episodes.
ness that prospered un-
der his leadership for two
decades, and that Lester
Piper, the grandfather he
reveres, started with his
brother Bill as the Bonita
Springs Reptile Gardens
in 1936.
I love this place, said
Dawn Piper, but I can
never be in Davids shoes.
I can feel his mixed emo-
tions, especially when he
is talking about Grandpa.
Its sad, but I look at it as a
new beginning for us.
Looking for the
Bonita Bay Buyer
Pipers highest priority
is a sale that will preserve
the property. He is look-
ing for the right buyer, in-
cluding a particular family
who once expressed an in-
terest but whose name he
does not know.
Te family has been
coming here for genera-
tions, said Piper. Tey
live in Bonita Bay. Te
man has been loyal to the
Wonder Gardens, and in
the past he has told Dawn
he would be interested in
buying. We have no phone
number, or anything else.
I would like him to
know, from David Piper
personally, that he is the
kind of person I would feel
comfortable making a deal
with. Tey are real people.
Tey appreciate what we
do.
Piper also praised the
eforts of Bonita Springs
Councilman Steve McIn-
tosh, who has worked with
Florida Gulf Coast Univer-
sity to explore a purchase.
FGCU has no money, but
if they had a donor who
would step up, it could be
A few days later, David
Piper told his wife that it
was time to close a busi-
used for educational pur-
poses forever, said Piper.
Tat would be perfect.
Since word of closure
has spread, several other
potential buyers have ap-
proached Piper. One asked
for a lower price in return
for preserving the prop-
erty, but then refused to
guaranty that assurance in
writing.
It was no surprise to
Piper. When you work
with animals, you have to
watch the eyes, he said.
Tey tell you what they
are going to do before they
do it. Humans are easy to
read, he said, and he saw
the bait and switch com-
ing. People say something
with their mouths, but I
watch their facial expres-
sions, and I can tell what
they truly intend.
The Museum
Te Pipers and their
employees have plenty to
pack into those apple crates
stacked in the hallway. My
grandfather was a treasure
hunter, said Piper.
Tere are crocodile
skulls with bite marks
(Tats how they die.
When male crocks fght,
they grab each others head
and hold them down un-
til they drown.); whale
skulls, bufalo skulls (with
markings where Native
Americans sharpened their
knives); mounted croco-
dile hides (pre Endangered
Species Act, thus saleable);
maps, movie props and
Florida Attractions Asso-
ciation memorabilia. Other
rare items were long ago
put into safekeeping.
Tese and
many of the
animals will
eventually be
sold.
One item,
the bell that
hangs in the
museum ves-
tibule, will
never be sold.
Lester and
Bill Piper
enjoyed a
highly suc-
cessful career
bootlegging
liquor from
C a n a d a .
Somet i mes,
when their boat reached
the shores of Wyandotte
Michigan, they sofly rang
that bell.
Tat was during Pro-
hibition, about ten years
before the name Piper be-
came synonymous with
Bonita Springs. Southwest Spotlight
Spotlight News
Town Talk
Giving Back
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Community
Restaurants
Chip Lezgus at Lezgus Plumbing reads the
Spotlight.
Penny Michitsch at Pure Elements Salon
reads the Spotlight.
Suzie Sayger at Heaven Scent Flowers
Ruth Oberholtzer at the Hampton Inn
reads the Spotlight. Southwest Spotlight
Spotlight News
Town Talk
Giving Back
Commentary
Community
Restaurants
Bob McClain at Napa Auto Parts reads the
Spotlight.
Joanee and Denise at Our Lady of
Light Thrift Shop read the Spotlight.
Staff Photo | spotlight@swspotlight.com
The City recently placed orange cones to block a left hand turn lane
at the corner of Terry Street and Old 41. The extra lane was added a
few months ago. According to City Manager Carl Schwing, the City
is taking a second look at whether the double left turn creates safety
issues for pedestrians crossing Old 41. Southwest Spotlight
Spotlight News
Town Talk
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Community
Restaurants
Up and Down Te Trail
News and Views
By Peter R. OFlinn
prof@swspotlight.com
Coconut Hospital May Open
in 2017
With about 180,000 people now living
in south Lee County, almost one third of the
Countys population, Lee Memorial Health
System has decided its time to have a hospital
here. If all goes well, the proposed hospital will
open in July 2017. As previously reported, it
will be located on Coconut Road, adjacent to
the Bonita Community Health Center of US
41. Lee Memorial currently operates four acute
care hospitals in Fort Myers and Cape Coral.
We have been hearing from you all along,
and we really understood, that the growth is in
this area, said Suzanne Bradach of Lee Memo-
rial, as she addressed the need for a hospital at
a recent Estero Council of Community Leaders
(ECCL) meeting.
Plenty of people agree. For years the South
Lee Hospital Committee, comprised of Bonita
and Estero representatives, has been pushing for
a hospital. Over two thousand letters of support
from area residents, governments, businesses and
health care professionals accompanied Lee Me-
morials recent application for approval with the
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration
(AHCA).
It was heartwarming, Bradach told the
meeting. When I read those letters, I felt really
good about what I was doing and what we were
doing as a health system.
Te path to a 2017 opening contemplates 12
months for rezoning and solicitation of design
proposals; 14 months for building design; and
two years for actual construction, commencing
in July 2015.
First and foremost, approval by AHCA, the
state agency, is required. Objections, if any, from
other area hospitals like NCH Healthcare, must
be fled by early May, according to Bradach.
AHCA will make a decision by June 7 and ap-
peals, if any, will be decided by early October.
Preliminary plans call for a 140,000 square
foot three story hospital building, with a total of
80 beds expandable to 180 beds. It should be of
sufcient size as we go into the future, said Bra-
dach.
Te hospital will be designed with lean prin-
ciples that facilitate the movement of medical re-
sources to patients.
Lean should not be confused with bare-
bones, said Bradach. Each patient room will be
1,850 square feet, and private. Tey will overlook
a private garden.
Te hospital will ofer chronic care manage-
ment, for conditions like high blood pressure,
diabetes and COPD, said Bradach. It will coordi-
nate with other Lee Memorial facilities to provide
more advanced and specialized services, accord-
ing to Lee Memorials AHCA application.
Data in Lee Memorials application yields a
portrait of hospital patients in Bonita and Estero.
In 2012, 4,494 Bonita residents were admitted as
inpatients to area hospitals. Of these, government
insurance programs covered over 78 percent, and
about 15 percent had private insurance. Similarly,
in Estero government programs covered 75 per-
cent of 1,832 inpatient hospital admissions; about
20 percent had private insurance. Medicare ac-
counted for about 85 percent of the government
program admissions. Te median age in Bonita
is 54 years; in Estero it is 60.5.
Near the end of Bradachs presentation, Lee
County Commission Chair Cecil Pendergrass,
who was sitting in the audience, dared to touch
a local third rail.
What will be the name of the hospital? he
asked. Estero? Bonita?
I dont think it will have Estero or Bonita
Springs in the title, said Bradach. We are going
to try to stay away from that.
Oh, said Pendergrass with a smile. Lee
Memorial Coconut?
Rick Barber Joins Water
District Board
I guess if you irritate folks in the government
long enough, they will make you a part of it.
Tat was long time Bonita resident Rick Bar-
bers self efacing reaction to his recent appoint-
ment by Governor Scott to the South Florida
Water Management District seven-member gov-
erning board.
In reality, its a ftting honor for a man who
has been at the center of area watershed planning
throughout a distinguished engineering career.
Te District is the largest water management dis-
trict in Florida, covering about a third of the state.
It is the lead agency for Everglades restoration.
Barber represents Lee, Collier and other nearby
counties.
Barber was an author of the South Lee Coun-
ty Watershed study, the seminal report commis-
sioned afer the devastating Bonita Flood of 1995.
Te report determined that the Imperial River
catch basin was 315 square-miles, more than
triple the size originally estimated. You dont re-
alize it until you have an event, said Barber, and
then the water fows and fows for weeks.
We learned a lot, he said. People began to
realize that if you put a road here or a berm there,
it afects people a long way of.
Te District is in the fnal planning stages of
a $40 million restoration project on seven square
miles of east Bonita Springs. Its goal is to restore
surface water fow, thus reducing food risk and
replenishing groundwater resources. More than
500 parcels have been purchased adjacent to the
Bonita Springs Density Reduction/Groundwater
Resource (DR/GR) area.
Another signifcant issue, the calibration of
water fows from Lake Okeechobee down the
Caloosahatchee River, is a balancing act between
upstream agriculture and downstream coastal
estuaries, said Barber. We get lots of water when
we dont need it and not enough when we do, he
said. Te result is changing salinity levels in the
river and bays, afecting fshing grounds and wa-
ter quality.
Raising a Glass to Assist
Bonitians
Te estimated seven thousand fans that
jammed Riverside Park last month for Celebrate
Bonita, the Citys annual birthday bash, were
thirsty for some frst class county music.
And, they were just plain thirsty.
By the time the last fan fled out shortly afer
9 p.m., 44 barrels of beer, 130 cases of soda and
water and six cases of wine had been consumed.
Tirty-fve volunteers for Bonita Springs Assis-
tance Ofce served refreshments for nine hours.
Emily Gomez and Justin Feeney, the youngest
volunteers, helped staf the soda booth.
All the proceeds, about $25,000, go to the
good works of the Bonita Assistance, which has
been Bonita Springs primary social service char-
ity since 1979. Many local businesses sponsored
Bonita Assistances efort at Celebrate, said Mari-
bel Slabaugh executive director of Bonita Assis-
tance. Tat fnancial help, together with money
raised by the Chili Cook-of, helped defray costs.
Sweet Bay Supermarket won the Cook-of, with
Bonita Fire capturing the Peoples Choice
award.
Te husband and wife duo of Tompson
Square were the headline entertainers this year,
together with local bands.
Fort Myers Bonita Springs Naples Palm Beach Scottsdale
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Managing Executive
FineMark National Bank & Trust, Bonita Springs
Shelley Anderson has a proven track record; serving
the Southwest Florida market for more than 30 years.
At FineMark National Bank & Trust, Shelley understands
what it means to build deep relationships and deliver
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We want you to be in the best position
possible to reach your goals, whatever those
goals may be. At FineMark, we believe that
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Monarch Marketing Services
Changes with the Times
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Bonita Springs, FL 34134
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Super Store
Robert Haller considers every day a chance
for new creativityoptions are infnite for
custom designs and shapes.
By D. K. Christi
dk@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs Picture
cartoons on drop ceiling
tiles in pediatric hospi-
tal wards, monograms on
bathroom tiles and cus-
tom designed wallpaper
provide a taste of the ever-
changing print industry.
Monarch Marketing Ser-
vices is keeping up with
the times.
New York in 1978 was
a far diferent business cli-
mate for the printing busi-
ness than today. Bonita
Springs resident, Robert
Haller, owner of Mon-
arch Marketing Services
at 28440 Old 41 Road, re-
members well. My dad
started the business in
New York. At l6 years of
age, I worked with him.
When his dad re-
tired to Bonita Springs
in 2008, Haller followed
and opened a second
printing company in Bo-
nita Springs. Te original
11,000 square foot New
York company is run by
employees who also began
in the business at age l6.
Computer technology
changed printing. Many
businesses produce their
own printed products such
as tickets and fyers. Just
as Monarch butterfies
undergo major metamor-
the outside and allows the
business inside to see the
customer outside is on the
list of products.
A new welding machine
purchased last year welds
hems on vinyl and allows
for large production runs
on banners. Since Monarch
purchases banner materi-
als in large volume, getting
lower prices for its corpo-
rate clients, local smaller
businesses beneft too with
the lower price. Much of
Monarchs business is from
other states, bringing new
revenue into the Bonita
Springs economy.
Monarch Marketing
Services employs on aver-
age twenty employees be-
tween our New York busi-
ness and Bonita Springs.
Its a responsibility to con-
tinue changing with the
times because employees
also have mortgages to pay
and families to support,
said Haller.
He considers every day
a chance for new creativity
and the business he loves
occupies the majority of
his time. His wife, Rosie,
belongs to Bonita Springs
phosis, Monarch Market-
ing Services has increased
its business by 120 percent
recently by fnding cre-
ative and unique unmet
printing needs on a grand
scale and adapting their
printing model to chang-
ing times.
We can print any-
thing on any fat surface
with the new Arizona 480
The Bonita Springs team at Monarch Marketing Services includes Nate Reysen,
Robert Haller, Bob Haller, Rosi Haller and Lauren Bennett.
Contributed | Special to the Spotlight
GT equipment that allows
us to print directly on rigid
material such as four foot
by eight foot boards, foam
board, corrugated plastic,
acrylics, tile and basically
any fat surface under two
inches thick, said Haller.
Tey can print with white
ink, and the roll media op-
tion allows 80 inch mate-
rial.
Teir new Procut 2500,
integrated with the printer,
allows any printed surface
to be cut to any size with
three main blades that are
similar to an exacto knife,
a jigsaw and a router that
match the needs of the ma-
terial cut.
Perforated window vi-
nyl that provides adver-
tising to the customer on
Noon Rotary and keeps
their company engaged in
the community. She is also
in charge of production.
Options are infnite
for custom designs and
shapes. Monarch Market-
ing is adding designers for
these expanded options.
Our professional design-
ers make us unique in the
printing industry, con-
frmed Haller. Whether its
a small run or a major pro-
duction, Monarch Market-
ing has the designers and
the equipment that make
no task impossible.
Spotlight News
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Giving Back
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Community
Restaurants
Neighbors
David Michael | spotlight@swspotlight.com
Cheryl Willet of Accounting for Proftability and
Frank Gaudioso of Chase Bank at Business After
Hours at the Waterford Executive Centre. The
new Chase Bank on US 41 in Bonita Springs will
open this summer.
Doug Wiebel at Wiebel, Hen-
nels and Carufe reads the Spot-
light.
David Michael | spotlight@swspotlight.com
Terry Cala of BB&T, Attorney Jim OLeary and
Todd Kluener of BB&T at Business After Hours at
the Waterford Executive Centre.
Mike Gibson at Engels Bicycles
Spotlight News
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Community
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Neighbors
Bonita Business Beat
The Bay House Restaurant
in Upper Naples
Peter Tierney and Dr. Bud Negley, owners of The Bay House restaurant, on the
new deck overlooking the Cocohatchee River in North Naples.
Tey demonstrated their faith in the area
by recently purchasing ten adjacent acres
for a planned Bay House Village with a
boutique hotel, a cooking school, a bakery
and other small shops.
By D. K. Christi
dk@swspotlight.com
North Naples Te Bay
House Restaurant, a hidden
jewel tucked away in the
mangroves on the Coco-
hatchee River ofers North
Naples and Bonita Springs
frst class dining in two
venues.
Fine dining with reser-
vations is available at Te
Bay House. Within Te Bay
House and unique to the
new owners, Peter Tierney
and Dr. Bud Negley, is
Tierneys Tavern and Claw
Bar. It ofers a more casual
experience, one that honors
Tierneys Tavern in Mont-
clair, New Jersey, an 85-
year landmark owned by
Tierneys family. Its a fam-
ily business; Negley is also a
cousin.
Tierneys Tavern and
Claw Bar at the Bay House
ofers steaming pots for
patrons who enjoy the
stone crab claws for which
the area is known in addi-
tion to claws and seafood
from across the nation.
Live music and casual sea-
food dining dont require
reservations.
Te river view has al-
ways been a trademark.
We own the Turtle
Club on Vanderbilt Beach
and the family owns the
Vanderbilt Beach Inn. We
saw the Bay House as a
natural expansion of our
restaurant experience into
Upper Naples, my name
for the booming North Na-
ples area, said Tierney. Te
restaurant is located at 799
Walkerbilt Road, of US 41.
positive track record and
become successful. Future
plans include a boutique
hotel, a bakery, a cook-
ing school, an area for
outdoor events and other
small shops to support the
hotel on a nature preserve
boardwalk in the pedes-
trian Bay House Village.
I consider it an honor to
be stewards of this beauti-
ful piece of property, said
Tierney.
If that isnt enough ex-
citement, Te Bay House
Chef, Andrew Hunter, is
featured at the May 8 Stone
Crab Celebration at the
James Beard Foundation in
New York City, the Oscar
event for famous chefs. Ac-
cording to Tierney, also a
chef with over 25 years ex-
perience, this recognition
is part of his plan to put
Upper Naples on the culi-
nary map.
Old Florida is evident in
the preserve setting and the
southern-infuenced dishes
and seafood entres. Fresh,
local ingredients are used
whenever possible. Lunch,
dinner and Sunday brunch
are served.
Tis business is an ex-
pression of who we are. Its
not a job, its a lifestyle,
added Tierney. He em-
phasized that expectations
are high in the restaurant
business. When people get
together, they talk about
politics, religion and restau-
rants. When they talk about
Te Bay House, he expects
the discussion to center on
great food and great service.
Te fantastic surroundings
are a bonus.
Dining on the new deck
overlooking the river is
part of the upscale design
plans that Negley and Tier-
ney put in place fve years
ago when they purchased
the land and restaurant
from the retiring, former
owners.
Tey demonstrated
their faith in the area by re-
cently purchasing ten adja-
cent acres for a planned Bay
House Village with comple-
tion in a couple years.
Tierney believes it
takes about fve years for
a restaurant to develop a
Beth T. Vogelsang, Partner
Florida Bar Board Certifed
in Marital and Family Law
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Many Helping Hands Under One
Roof at Bonita Assistance Ofce
Maribel Slabaugh, President and CEO, Bonita Springs
Assistance Offce, offers emergency assistance and
referrals for clients from Bonita Springs and with new
agency partners joining their team, more services will
be offered at this location.
Staff | staff@swspotlight
Tese resources will improve quality of life
for Bonita Springs residents.
will share space and rotate
through this facility, with
potentially more in the fu-
ture.
Te generosity of com-
munity donors and the Bo-
nita Springs Community
Foundation in particular
make it possible to bring
new partners to our loca-
tion, said Maribel Sla-
baugh, President and CEO,
I have been without
work since February, said
Jesse Abrams, a veteran and
Bonita Springs resident who
received emergency assis-
tance at the Bonita Springs
Assistance Ofce. I was
diagnosed with cancer. Ev-
erything began to fall apart
fnancially. I had to travel to
Fort Myers, adding to the
expense and stress.
By D. K. Christi
dk@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs Te Bo-
nita Springs Assistance
Ofce, at 25300 Bernwood
Drive, opened a new chap-
ter in their services book
recently. New partners are
joining their team.
Habitat for Humanity,
Dr. Piper Center, Volun-
teer Nurses Association
and Early Steps are a few of
the new partners. Dr. Piper
Center ofers seniors com-
panionship and transpor-
tation. Early Steps teaches
parenting classes to help
special needs children reach
their full potential.
United Way represen-
tatives recently confrmed
the Bonita Springs Assis-
tance Ofce as lead agency
for the United Way House
Extension, adjacent to Bo-
nita Assistance Ofce in
Bernwood. Fifeen agencies
fce United Way House
Extension.
Tis is a natural for
us, said Slabaugh. We
are accustomed to work-
ing in a team environ-
ment. Our team is grow-
ing. Te resources will
improve quality of life for
Bonita Springs residents.
Te Bonita Springs Assis-
tance Ofce is a not-for-
proft, private agency and
a United Way member.
Slabaugh is quick to
share her enthusiasm about
these agencies. Tey meet
needs that are not always
based on fnancial hard-
ship. Goodwill will assist
with job services. Money
management classes will
be ofered in English and
Spanish by the University of
Florida and AmTrust Bank.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters will
recruit and train volunteers.
Bonita Springs Assis-
tance Ofce will continue to
Bonita Assistance Ofce.
At the Bernwood exten-
sion, three ofces, a meet-
ing room and two cubicles
are available for United
Way agency appointments
and classes. Ofce space is
free of charge for the new
agencies, thus encouraging
services in Bonita Springs
and saving residents travel
to Fort Myers.
Veterans assistance
was available in Fort My-
ers for Abrams but he
needed additional help.
Emergencies seemed to
snowball and help from
more than one agency
was ofen required. Red
Cross veterans services is
another agency that will
serve the community from
the Bonita Assistance Of-
provide emergency fnan-
cial assistance including
payments for rent, utilities
and other emergency pay-
ments that may save a fam-
ily from homelessness.
Referrals for medical
care and other emergency
needs are made with orga-
nizations that provide as-
sistance at fair and reduced
costs. A choice food pan-
try meets emergency food
needs and includes dairy,
meat and fresh produce.
Te Bonita Springs As-
sistance ofce served over
4300 individuals from 1700
households in 2012. Teir
goal is to make certain that
Bonita Springs neighbors
fnd the services they need
for quality lives, locally if
possible.
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SUMMER
HERE!
STARTS
FREE SUMMER KICK-OFF EVENT!
10am-4pm Saturday, June 1, 2013
Were celebrating our one-year birthday and we want you to be our guest!
BONITA SPRINGS YMCA
FOOD GAMES OPEN SWIM BOUNCE HOUSE DJ PRIZES
SUMMER SPECIAL
Only $99!
FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
3 Months: June-August
The frst 50 families to join the Y with our
Summer Special get a FREE iPod Shuffe!
Bonita Springs YMCA
27200 Kent Road, Bonita Springs
239.221.7560
www.BonitaSpringsYMCA.org
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By Richard Garner
Chairman
Bonita Springs YMCA
Advisory Board
Last spring, Mayor Ben
Nelson proclaimed May
26th Bonita Springs
YMCA Day. Tat was the
day our communitys Y re-
opened afer being tempo-
rarily closed by the former
parent organization. My
how things have changed.
Tanks to the eforts of a
few volunteers, we have
new management and a
partner that fully sup-
ports our YMCA, and our
Community. With new
leadership came a renewed
enthusiasm and strength-
ened community support.
Now, on the eve of our
one year anniversary I am
proud to say your Bonita
Springs YMCA is stronger
than ever and here to stay!
Over the last twelve
months our communitys
support of the new Y staf
and program of work, has
been tremendous and for
that we thank you very
much. We are well on our
way to making your Y a
hub for people of all ages
to come together, network
and discover the best in
themselves. It has been a
busy and productive year
at the Y. We are working
together with several local
organizations to leverage
the good work they do, not
only for the Y, but the en-
tire Bonita Springs Com-
munity. We are constantly
looking at ways we can
expand or partner with
other civic and charitable
groups to better serve Bo-
nita Springs.
People are learning the
Y is so much more than
a gym. Did you know
for example, the Y ofers
an afer school program
where children are picked
up from their elementary
school and brought to the Y
for supervised homework
assistance and active rec-
reation and learning? Tat
we ofer summer camp for
Commentary
An Anniversary for the
Bonita Springs YMCA
kids? We are expecting 200
campers weekly this sum-
mer. We are also in the
process of evaluating the
need and support for our
own High School in Bonita
Springs. And of course we
have a great facility, re-
cently renovated with new
top of the line equipment,
personal training, a heated
pool, youth sports pro-
grams, and much more
all delivered by a knowl-
edgeable, friendly staf.
You should also know
that thanks to your gener-
ous contributions, no one
will be turned away from
the Y because of an in-
ability to pay. Trough our
scholarship aid, a single
mom can still enroll her
children in youth sports
without having to sacrifce
basic needs at home.
We are celebrating our
one year anniversary and
summer kick-of party at
the Bonita Springs YMCA
on Saturday June, 1st from
10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Te Y will be open to the
public with lots of food,
prizes and free fun activi-
ties for the entire family.
Hope to see you there!
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By Fred Forbes
Spokesperson
Bonita East Stakeholders
City Council has au-
thorized a planning frm to
study whether or not 3,600
acres of Density Reduction
Groundwater Resource
(DRGR) land in the City
should be rezoned to per-
mit construction of resi-
dential, commercial and
industrial developments.
Te frm will review previ-
ous studies of the DRGR.
Te current DRGR zoning
regulations limit develop-
ment to an intensity of use
of one home per ten acres.
Te main issue with
development of the DRGR
is to avoid aggravating
fooding caused by a major
tropical storm, thus caus-
ing billions of gallons of
storm water to be diverted
into the gulf rather than
retaining it in the DRGR,
where it fnally percolates
into our aquifer as it does
now.
Afer our 2005 foods
caused by Wilma, Te
South Florida Water
Management District au-
thorized a frm to study
storm water fooding and
mitigation of southern
Lee County. Tat frm
developed a computer-
ized model of southern
Lee County that included
topography, intensity of
existing developments
and soil types which afect
percolation. Te model
simulates 50 and 100-year
tropical storms and ap-
plies the results against
various food mitigation
concepts. Te simulation
results were evaluated to
see if fooding was reduced
and by how much versus
cost feasibility. When it
came to Bonita Springs the
consulting frm indicated
they had not found any
storm water management
concept or food mitiga-
tion concept that yielded
a signifcant reduction in
fooding of the greater Bo-
nita Springs area and was
cost reasonable. In fact, a
concept that would have
been cost prohibitive still
did little to reduce food-
ing in our area.
I am urging the City to
retain a frm to run a simi-
lar analysis of this 3,600
acre DRGR parcel, assum-
ing varying intensities of
development, the most
Lets Not Risk Waterlogging
Bonita East Communities
stringent addition of water
retention ponds and realis-
tic assumptions about fow
ways or drainage channels.
Tese computer simula-
tions provide an opportu-
nity to see if development
of the DRGR makes sense
when it comes to food-
ing and retaining water
into our aquifer. Getting
roads and infrastructure
upgraded by the develop-
ers of this DRGR land is
basic land planning, but
it must not have the po-
tential to cause fooding
and/or loss of billions of
gallons of storm water by
discharging into the gulf.
Te cost to get this study
done would range from
$10,000-$20,000.
If the City study con-
cludes that these 3,600
acres of DRGR should be
rezoned, before voting to
rezone, please get an in-
dependent analysis using
the computerized model
of southern Lee County to
validate the recommenda-
tions to rezone. We must
double-check the efects
on fooding and on our
treasured aquifer.
Bonita East Stakeholders is
an association of the Hunt-
ers Ridge, Palmira, San
Remo, Worthington and
Village Walk communities
in Bonita Springs.
Oil Change w/Filter
Tire Rotation
15 Point Inspection
Courtesy Wash
Up to 6.5 quarts of 5W30 or 5W20 Synthetic Blend Oil
Lexus & Toyota vehicles only. Expires 5/31/13.
$
49
95
Normally $109.95
YOU SAVE $60
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A familiar face in a new place of business.
Shariff Hassan
Family Owned & Operated
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auto mechanic shops, you were
truthful, accommodating, and
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Naples, FL 34110
(239) 260-1038
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Courtesy wash with
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Expires 5/31/13
Happy Mothers Day!
Maryle Barbe took this photo from the March Course #9 at Bonita Bay Club.
Send your best sunset photos to sunset@swspotlight.com and your photo could
be the next Spotlight Sunset.
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CALENDAR
B: Bonita Springs E: Estero
FM: Fort Myers N: Naples
May
2 Thursday & 3
Friday
Murder at the Silver Garter
Saloon 7 p.m.
Te Center for the Arts
Community Players will
present their latest produc-
tion in this all inclusive,
fully catered, Western mur-
der mystery dinner theater
experience. Te audience is
in the kangaroo courtroom
at the Silver Dollar Saloon
and you get to fgure out
who committed the crime
of shootin the sherif. For
more info call 495-8989.
Where: Te Promenade at
Bonita Bay, B. Cost: $45
members, $50 nonmem-
bers.
3 Friday
Elementary & Middle
School Exhibition
Reception 6 to 8 p.m.
Delight in the creativity of
area school children. Tese
young artists will inspire
you. On display through
May 9. Where: Center for
the Arts, B. Cost: Free.
10 Friday &
11 Saturday
Peter Pan the Musical
Peter Pan the Musical comes
alive presented by the Bo-
nita Springs Center for the
Arts Youth Teater. Friday
7 pm; Sat. 2 pm & 7 pm.
For more info go to www.
artcenterbonita.org. Where:
Promenade at Bonita Bay,
B. Cost: $5 per person.
11 Saturday
8th Annual Turtle Trot
5K Run/Walk 7 a.m.
registration
Everyone is invitedrun-
ners, joggers and walkers.
Te unique 5K course tra-
verses three barrier islands
and takes participants
through a shady maritime
hammock ecosystem on
hard-packed shell. No part
of the course requires run-
ning through beach sand.
Te course ends with a dra-
matic fnish at the beach pa-
vilion. Refreshments will be
served and awards present-
ed. To register visit friend-
sofoverskey.org. Where:
Lovers Key State Park, 8700
Estero Blvd., B. Cost: $25
adults; $15 youth, prior to
May 4; $30 for all ages the
week of the race; $35 the day
of the race.
ArtsNaples World Festival
8 p.m.
Tree concertos with Na-
ples Philharmonic Orches-
tra featuring music of the
Latin Americas and Spain.
Where: ArtisNaples (for-
merly Te Phil), 5833 Peli-
can Bay Blvd., N. Tickets: go
to www.thephil.org.
13 Monday
Films for Film Lovers 7
p.m.
Eight Women, in French
with subtitles, is a who
dunnit with every woman
a suspect. Join the discus-
sion afer the flm. Where:
#114 B. Cost: $ $8 per per-
son.
16 Thursday
Live! 50s Dance Party with
Uptown Express 7 pm
Tis vocal group, backed
with a jumpin live band,
sings harmony to Chicago
Rhythm & Blues, New York
Doo Wop & Motown Soul.
Come ready to boogie.
Dance foor will be open.
For more info call Center for
the Arts 495-8989. Where:
B. Cost: $15 members/$20
non-members.
17 Friday
Student Showcase
Exhibition Awards
Reception 6 to 8 p.m.
Features the work of area
high school students. Stu-
dents compete for col-
lege tuition scholarships.
Where: Center for the Arts,
B. Cost: Free
18 Saturday
Center for the Arts Youth
Dance Recital noon to
2 p.m.
Te spring dance session
students showcase their
talents on stage and in cos-
tume. Where: Promenade at
Bonita Bay, B. Cost: Free
22 Wednesday
Dreamgirls 8 p.m.
Te story of an up-and-
coming 1960s singing girl
group and their triumphs
and tribulations. Winner of
Tony and Academy awards.
Where: ArtisNaples (for-
can Bay Blvd., N. Tickets: go
to www.thephil.org
24 Friday &
25 Saturday
Patriotic Pops 8 p.m.
Where: Artis Naples (for-
can Bay Blvd. N. Tickets: go
to www.thephil.org.
27 Monday
Memorial Day Dedication
9 a.m.
Where: Riverside Park, B.
ONGOING
Te Big Dog Show
through May 31
A spectacular selection of
steel dog sculptures, as large
as 8 feet high, installed on
the grounds of the Liles Ho-
tel, B. Sculpted by national-
ly 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.
Saturdays thru
May 4th
Te Farm Fresh Market
7:30 a.m. to noon
Come to one of the most
popular markets in the re-
gion. Where: Promenade at
Bonita Bay B. Cost: Free.
For more information, visit
bonitalions.org.
Wednesdays thru
May 8th
Farm Growers Market 8
a.m. to 1 p.m.
If you can eat it and watch it
grow, its here! Where: Old
41 and Childers St. B. For
more information, visit bo-
nitalions.org
Meetings
Bonita Springs City
Council Wed. May 1, 5:30
p.m., Wed. May 15, 9 a.m.
Come watch local govern-
ment in action. Where: City
Council Chambers, 9101
Bonita Beach Rd. B.
All dates, times and prices
are subject to change.
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Lynne Lourie at Dr. Michael
Keenan, Chiropractor reads the
Spotlight.
Kim Pitts and Mike Prioletti sold wine at Celebrate
Bonita to raise money for the Bonita Springs As-
sistance Offce.
Tim Dahlquist at Zing Casual Living reads the Spotlight.
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Artist Spotlight
Co-op Gallery
Succeeds in
New Home
If You Go:
ACSWFL Art Council Co-op Gallery
8074 Mediterranean Drive, Coconut Point
Summer hours starting May 9
Thurs & Sat: 10 am to 6 pm
Fri: 11am to 7 pm
Sun noon to 5 pm
Fashionable Ladies by Ira Nason
Derrick Crossland | Special to the Spotlight
Honu by Derrick Crossland
Derrick Crossland | Special to the Spotlight
Stealth by Derrick Crossland
By Kathy OFlinn
kathy@swspotlight.com
Estero In real estate and in art, the ex-
pression holds true, location, location,
location. Sandra Mark knew this location
could lure buyers through its doors. It had
good pedestrian trafc. It was an attractive
building between popular Panera Bread and
World Market and across the street from
the weekly Farmers Market. She made it
happen and she was right.
Te Art Council of Southwest Florida
Co-op Gallery just completed a successful
season with almost $40,000 in sales since
November. Sandra Mark, as President of
the Art Council, has promoted the gallery
as an integral part of her vision for a per-
lotte and Glades
counties.
Te Center for
the Arts of Bonita Springs
is one of the member organi-
zations. Susan Bridges, President
of the Center for the Arts of Bonita
Springs, expressed her members feelings,
Its a wonderful gallery. Our artists are
fnding it worthwhile.
Since all the work is
juried in, visitors to
the gallery can be as-
sured of an interesting
variety in mediums,
composition and content.
Its a gallery for artists at difer-
ent levels, explained Bisson. Since
artwork can only be exhibited for a 60 day
period, there is a monthly rotation to keep
explorer Jacques Cousteau, and he says
all his work is tied to the ocean, capturing
movement and seeing creatures in action.
Tat probably explains his recent change
of residence to southwest Florida, frst the
Keys, now Cape Coral. As a certifed scuba
diver, he gets to see his subjects up close and
personal. His whiptail stingray, with its
long tail, is a fne example of his mastery of
the medium.
Epoxy is another challenging medium
and Ira Nasons work is impressive. He has
several pieces at the gallery. It took me ten
years to learn how to control it (epoxy), he
said. Te hard part is as the viscosity gets
heavier it presents more challenges.
A retired jewelry manufacturer, now a
Bonita Springs resident, Nason had worked
with epoxies but he always questioned,
how can I make things look like glass. Te
challenge was to learn to control epoxy with
the intent to see transparencies.
Te Israeli artist, David Schluss, gave
me an opportunity to work with him. He
became an important artist, said Nason.
In a self-efacing way, Nason describes his
work as labor intensive, all hand done with
each piece unique. Its not a business. I love
doing it. It keeps my mind active and hands
going.
One recent afernoon, Peter Sargent,
pencil artist, was sketching at his
table by the front door to show
visitors how he creates his life-
like animal drawings. As an
exhibiting artist, he sits at
the gallery at least one
day a month, answer-
ing questions and
selling paintings
for the other artists.
Tis is afer all a co-
operative gallery.
it fresh and new.
Te stingray by the front entrance only
appears to be moving but artist Derrick
Crossland has captured it in motion. Te
grain of the wood makes you see the de-
tails better, he said. He uses l o -
cal tropical woods from trees
like tamarind and mother tongue.
Mother tongue has more pop to it. Its
like the diference between cherry and al-
der.
Born and raised in Colorado, Crossland
was always fascinated
by Jean Cousteau,
frst son of ocean
Since all the work is juried in,
visitors to the gallery can be
assured of an interesting variety
in mediums, composition and
content.
manent gallery space, said Marsha Bisson,
Co-op Gallery Director.
With its sizable 5,000 square feet of gal-
lery space, over 100 artists have exhibited
their work since November at this bright
and welcoming venue. Visitors will fnd a
monthly changing collection of work by lo-
cal artists, representing the 18 member or-
ganizations in Lee, Collier, Hendry, Char-
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Dixie (inside the Big Dog) made 15 new friends when she visited the Big Dog Show in
Riverside Park.
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A Changing Cuba
Kathy OFlinn | Special to the Spotlight
Restored colonial buildings in Old Havana reveal the beauty of these jewels.
Classic automobiles from the 1950s fll the streets of Old
Havana lined with deteriorating buildings.
Havana resident picks up food at a local ration mar-
ket with sparsely flled shelves.
Cubans readily admit there are
no simple answers for Cubas
longedfor recovery.
By Kathy OFlinn
kathy@swspotlight.com
Havana Stepping of the
plane, a visitors frst view
is of billboards with politi-
cal messages. Tey appear
randomly along the road
into Havana. Free the Cu-
ban 5 (jailed for spying
in the US but considered
heroes by Cubans) or 54
Years of Fighting and Vic-
tories or messages prais-
ing socialism. Tere are no
advertisements for prod-
ucts anywhere in Cuba.
Its a sudden and stark re-
minder that this is a difer-
ent world.
On a more lightheart-
ed note, the guide and
translator is named Fidel.
Welcome to Cuba.
With an average
monthly income of $15 in
equivalent US dollars, Cu-
bans readily admit that life
is hard. Lif the embargo,
is a frequently heard com-
ment by Cubans.
Te collapse of the
Soviet bloc, Cubas pri-
mary trading partner, in
the early 90s marked the
beginning of a particu-
larly difcult period for
Cubans. Tey even have
a name for it Te Spe-
cial Period. It was marked
by shortages of food and
clothing.
Food ration books were
introduced and continue
today. A visit to a ration
market fnds sparsely flled
shelves. When comestibles
arrive, word goes out in
the community and shop-
pers hurry to make their
purchases.
Te desire to learn
more about this changing
nation prompted a visit by
Bonita Springs residents.
We need to start talking if
nothing else, said Andrea
Tinucci.
Its not as simple as we
thought, said Honey Mc-
Grath.
A visit to this island na-
tion reveals visible failures.
Te terrible state of dis-
repair of Havanas archi-
tectural jewels including
its colonial and art deco
treasures, are threatened
by a lack of maintenance.
Tree buildings crumble
everyday due to struc-
tural neglect, said Miguel
Coyola, Havana architect
and urban planner .
Cubans readily admit
there are no simple an-
swers for Cubas longed
for recovery.
Deteriorating housing
and shortages prompted
the government in 2011 to
allow Cubans to buy and
sell their homes. Tey can
own their apartment but
not the building. Tere is
no concept of common
area ownership, so indi-
vidual apartment owners
do not plan for the mainte-
nance of the interior com-
mon areas or the exterior.
Ninety percent of the
housing stock is privately
owned, however, its dif-
fcult to get materials to
repair and most Cubans
cannot aford the price of
a gallon of paint which is
45 percent of monthly in-
come.
Afer the Revolution
in 1959, Castro nation-
alized every business in
the country, down to the
barbershops. We na-
tionalized more than any
country and we couldnt
manage them, said Rafael
Capestany, a participant in
the Revolution, fnancial
expert and Communist
party member.
Seventy-fve percent
of the popula-
tion at that time
lived in rural ar-
eas with no elec-
tricity. Tere was
poverty, illiteracy
and no hospitals
or schools, ex-
plained Maritza
Corrales Capes-
tany, Cubas ex-
pert on Jewish
and Ethnic His-
tory. Te Castro
regime gave pri-
ority to improv-
ing education.
Today there is
a 98 percent liter-
acy rate in Cuba,
education is free and every
province has its own col-
lege. Accessible and free
health care is available but
over the counter medica-
tions are hard to come by.
Polyclinics and hospitals
throughout the country
train doctors, enough to
send thousands abroad.
We dont have the in-
dustrial capacity to use all
these college graduates,
said Rafael Capistany.
Tere is lots of money
coming in, pushing prices
up.
Money from the dias-
pora, particularly Cuban
Americans in the states,
tourism, doctors ser-
vices and Cuban biotech
products are the biggest
revenue generators. But
according to Rafael Capes-
tany, the government has
never planned long term,
only year by year.
History appears to be
repeating itself. Cubas
past reliance on the Soviet
Union has lef it danger-
ously dependent on subsi-
dies. Today, Venezuela is
Cubas primary supplier of
oil and employer of 40,000
Cuban trained doctors.
Venezuela, China and
Canada have joint ven-
tures with Cuba drilling
for oil, however, Cuban oil
contains sulfur and is only
suitable for domestic use.
Tere is palpable concern
among Cubans over the
presidential elections in
Venezuela and what their
future holds.
During Te Special
Period, the Cuban govern-
ment took additional steps
to cope with the precari-
ous economy. It allowed
Cubans to start up certain
private businesses such
as restaurants, called pal-
adares, typically family
run businesses in convert-
ed apartments. Te state is
getting out of the restau-
rant business. Taxi drivers,
beauty salons and barber
shops were privatized. By
allowing small businesses
Maritza Capestany. But
she also stressed the im-
portance of the need to
change the mentality in
Cuba, the centralized
government thinking.
Cubans think things will
come like manna. Tey
disagree among them-
selves as to the way for-
ward.
Te reality is that
change is coming. What-
ever it is, the hope is that
it will bring a better life for
all Cubans.
in the private sector, Cu-
bans had an opportunity
to make more money. To-
day even medical doctors
drive taxis for the added
income and Cubans pay
monthly taxes for earned
income, a new concept.
Cubans can now also
buy and sell cars. Tere
was a black market and
the government knew it.
Prior to the change, the
original owner remained
on the registration even if
it passed through several
hands.
Fify percent of arable
land in Cuba is idle and so
it imports what it can af-
ford. We need to produce,
we need agriculture, the
car industry, explained
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The Other
BEN
BEN NELSON JR.
It is my mother
who has helped me
to understand my
father and who I
am as a result.
Ben pictured with his mom Doris and sister Julie.
Bonita Springs BORN
IN THE USA! (What?
Why is Bruce Springsteen
screaming at me?) Wak-
ing up from a deep sleep,
I roll over and switch the
obnoxious clock radio of
and check the time 6:20
in the morning again. Time
to go to work, again. Sit-
ting up in bed I rub my eyes
and think about how many
times Ive done this... same
time, every workday, week
afer week, month afer
month, year afer year, de-
cade afer decade. I stretch
and get up, tripping over the
dog and stubbing my toe on
the dresser, cursing as I hop
with one foot in my jeans on
the way to the bathroom...
again.
Staring at my morning
face in the mirror (ugh) I
think about how lucky I am
to be able to work and to
have work to do. But, I know
that I am compelled to do
so, not entirely by survival,
money or gain... but by an
incident that is carved deep
into my mind and heart.
I think that, although it
has remained hidden from
their memory, many people
have been crafed by an in-
cident in their distant past.
But I have never forgot-
ten the moment when the
force that would drive me
through life was put into
place. For me, it is a force of
nature, like gravity, pulling
me out of bed, to work, to
yet another project, towards
ever more responsibility.
Causing me to place more
weight on my shoulders,
compelling me to stay per-
petually busy and at work in
order to feel complete and
content.
I was three years old
when I took a small piece
of wire and stuck it into an
electrical socket. (No! Tats
not whats wrong with me.)
Instead of electrocuting me
the wire immediately melt-
ed, burning my small hand.
I dont have any memory of
this incident, (probably the
electrocution part) but my
mother says that I kept my
bandaged hand clenched
tightly shut for weeks, so
much so that she was afraid
that it would never heal.
Soon afer, my father
was going to take me to
work with him for the frst
time. I know that its pretty
rare to remember some-
thing from when you were
three, but
it is a vivid
memory that
never fades, a
movie that is
always ready
to rewind
and play.
I remem-
ber... my dad
standing by
his truck.
Im running
towards him
across the
lawn as fast
as I can. I
feel the ex-
citement, the
joy and then... I trip and fall
face frst, catching myself on
my burned hand. I sit up on
the grass, clench my burned
hand and cry. Ten... as
I watch, my angry, disap-
pointed father gets into his
truck and drives away to
work without me. Te mold
was set at that moment. I
would not get lef behind
again and I would spend the
rest of my life, shrugging
of injury, personal trauma
and fatigue in order to get to
work... I have always known
why.
I have never held it
against my father. He was
a good man and driven by
powerful forces of his own.
And although I have talked
about that day with my
mother, I never discussed
it with him. Strangely
enough, my resulting man-
ic work ethic has mostly
served me pretty well over
time, because thankfully I
have learned (with the help
of my wonderful wife, chil-
dren and friends) to temper
and control my compul-
sion, so that now I can actu-
ally relax on vacation, even
periodically enjoying doing
and the broken heart, who
has helped me to under-
stand my father and who I
am as a result.
So as I got to work this
morning at 6:45 and begin
fguring out how to do all
that I have planned for the
day, I know that it was my
dad who gave me the power
and fuel to drive myself as
fast and as hard as I can go,
but as I delete one task to al-
low time to have lunch with
Lori and then schedule my-
self for a trip next month to
the Keys with my wife and
our friends, I know that its
my Mom, who ever so sub-
tly gave me the encourage-
ment and ability to steer
myself onto my own path to
happiness.
Tanks Mom. Happy
Mothers Day.
Ben Nelson can be reached at
ben@swspotlight.com
nothing, without the nag-
ging guilt of not being at
work.
Like many men, it is my
father that, even though he
has passed away, still re-
mains the psychological
fuel that drives me forward.
But it is my mother, the per-
son who worried over and
healed the three-year-old
boy with the burned hand
Driven By A Memory
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Bonitas Best
Friends
If you have a dog that
you think is particularly
wonderful, contact us at
info@swspotlight.com
and he or she could be
the next dog featured
in this column.
Sugar and
Spice
Sugar and Spice were rescued within one day of each other.
Staff | staff@ swspotlight.com
Jackson walks
Sugar and Spice at
Riverside Park
past the watchful
eyes of the Big Dog
sculpture.
Bonita Springs Sugar and
Spice were crowded in the
front seat of Beverly Jack-
sons car on the non-stop
trip from Ashville, North
Carolina to southwest
Florida three years ago. Te
backseat was already occu-
pied by Henry, the twenty
pound tabby cat in his own
cage tucked in the fully
packed car.
Henry already declared
he was the top dog when
Sugar and Spice arrived at
his Carolina home. He went
afer them with a major paw
swipe. Te two small poo-
dles give Henry a wide berth
and Henry wants nothing to
do with them either.
Both fufy dogs, just of
from white, were rescued
within a day of each other,
one from certain death.
Sugar was found in a desert-
ed barn covered in feas and
was still skin and bones at
the animal foster care when
Jackson adopted him.
Spice was due to be put
down the very next day. Te
foster care facility had no
foster family to take him.
Tey were full. He was a
round ball of fur. One of
the keepers at the pound
tried to cut his hair and
butchered the haircut. Af-
ter a proper grooming, he
looked more like the poodle
Jackson imagined when she
took him home. Ages are
uncertain, but with her vets
input, Jackson believes her
two rescue dogs are about
three years old now.
Tey are so perfect. I
believe they must be grate-
ful for the life they live.
Tey are my little angels,
said Jackson. Teyve never
chewed on anything forbid-
den and only bark if some-
one is at the door. Tey also
get along well with other
dogs. Jackson thinks one
might be a bichon mix be-
cause he shows his happi-
ness with the bichon happy
dance. Te other might be
a purebred poodle, but his
color is not typical.
According
to the Ameri-
can Kennel
Club, poodles
are exception-
ally smart, ac-
tive and excel
in obedience
training. Tey
were originally
developed in
Europe for
hunting. Te
breed comes
in three size
varieties and a
variety of solid
colors, includ-
ing white, black, apricot
and gray, but never parti-
colored. Its currently fash-
ionable to mix poodles with
other breeds such as the
bichon, creating a hybrid or
designer dog. Te bichon is
a naturally gentle, playful
dog who loves activity and
requires regular exercise. Its
hair grows continually and
does not shed, so extensive
grooming is a must to pre-
vent mats.
Jackson walks Sugar
and Spice at Riverside Park,
Bonita Springs, across from
the Lions Club and past the
watchful eyes of Te Big
Dog sculpture at the parks
entrance, donated by Dale
Rogers during his recent Bo-
nita Springs exhibit. Sugar
and Spice have lots of com-
pany at 7:30 a.m. when the
park is full of dog walkers.
Tis is a beautiful park
and the best place to walk
dogs near me, said Jack-
son. Her dogs are well be-
haved and listen to their
master. Te walk leads to
the river and a small island.
Its a beautiful place to en-
joy the company of Sugar
and Spice and everything
nice.
D.K. Christi can be reached
at dk@swspotlight.com
Bonitas
Best Friends
D. K. CHR I S T I
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Page 31 Page 30 www.swspotlight.com May 2013 Page 31 Page 30 www.swspotlight.com May 2013
Goober and
the Bear
Bonita Springs There
has been some excite-
ment in the past couple
of months at the Bonita
Nature Place. When I
went out early recently,
there were a few people
talking and pointing at
where the beehive boxes
were located.
As I got closer I real-
ized what they were
looking at. Someone
had tipped over one
of the hives. The lid
was off and the bees
were swarming all
over it. I just couldnt
imagine who would
want to mess with
the honeybee hives.
I listened as they
were asking, who
would do this?
They called the bee-
keeper, Paul, and he
told them there were
not many who would
do it except for a
bear. The beekeeper
restored order to the
hive area however,
the Nature Place volun-
teers were concerned the
bear would return know-
ing there was a source of
fresh honey.
After a month, it hap-
pened again. The bear
returned and this time
it crashed through all
eight hive boxes. Accord-
ing to the beekeeper, the
bear ate about 40 pounds
of honey. Forty pounds!
The bear then returned
the next night and dam-
aged the well pump to the
nature place building.
The volunteer group,
Friends of the Bonita
Nature Place, installed
watching the bees as they
worked and made honey.
The beekeeper in-
stalled the auxiliary
hives on the property so
there would be a backup
just in case the obser-
vation hive failed. The
Friends liked the idea
of having the honeybees
there adding to the edu-
cational aspects of the
property. The bats, but-
terf lies and honeybees
have many of the same
existence issues. No
one ever expected theyd
have a bear to dinner!
Unfortunately for the
Nature Place, but fortu-
nately for the colonies
that survived the
bears upheaval, they
have been relocated
to another property.
The observation hive
still thrives safely in-
side the Bee House.
Florida black
bears are omnivores.
They eat insects like
ants and termites,
acorns, berries and
fruit, opossums and
armadillos. They are
the largest mammal
living in Florida.
With their long,
sharp claws they are
skilled tree climbers.
They can smell food
one mile away. Habi-
tat destruction is forcing
them to look for shelter
and food wherever they
can find it.
Goober is a gopher tor-
toise living at the Bonita
Nature Place.
the observation hon-
eybee hive in the small
playhouse building when
they were creating the
Nature Place. The pur-
pose was to allow visi-
tors the very unique ex-
perience of looking into
the honeybee hive and
GOOB E R
B O N I T A
Nature Place
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A Table Apart
Chef Jef Acols profound love
for the ocean is rooted in his
early childhood years grow-
ing up in Hawaii and helps
explain his commitment to
serving sustainable seafood
and seasonal ingredients. Tis
talented chef ofers a limited
but diverse menu. Dishes of-
fer global fair with Asian and
French infuence. 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
Buffalo Chips
Al, Chip and JC Greenwoods
Old 41 original for 30 years
strong. Its where locals go.
1st place winner, Florida State
chicken wing and chili cook-
ofs. Full menu including
burgers, fsh and steak and
spuds. Boars Head premium
deli sandwiches. Featuring Bo-
nitas Hall of Fame. If it looks
good, well fnd a place for it on
the walls or ceiling, says Al.
Lunch and dinner daily. 26620
Old 41 Rd. 239-947-1000. www.
bufalochipsrestaurant.com.
C Grape Chef
Mai Harkness has spent 20
years in the hospitality busi-
ness, most recently as owner
of the successful cofee and
wine bar on Bonita Beach
Road, C Grape. She is now in a
new location in North Naples
with a full service restaurant
serving healthy food choices
with American and Asian spe-
cialties. All organic produce,
including some gluten free
and vegan selections. Cater-
ing service is fexible, aford-
able and Mai will work with
clients on any budget. Go to
www.cgrapechef.com for more
info. 975 Imperial Golf Course
Blvd., North Naples. Open 7
days a week. Breakfast to din-
ner. Hours are Mon.-Fri. 9am
to 9pm; Sat. 11am to 9pm; Sun.
8 am to 4 pm. 596-4303
Cirellas Italian Bistro
and Sushi Bar
Since 2007, host and Execu-
tive Chef Michael Cirella and
his wife Lisa have continued
the family tradition. His dad
Sal opened the first family res-
taurant nearly five decades ago
in New York with his mothers
inspiration and Sicilian recipes
in hand. Today Michael offers
customers in Bonita Springs
fresh and delicious Italian
dishes proudly served in a re-
laxed and friendly atmosphere
conducive to business gather-
ings and private dining. For
those who enjoy sushi, there
is the famous Sushi Bar Menu.
Happy Hour half priced se-
lected drinks Mon thru Fri 4
to 6 p.m. Every night Cirellas
offers some of the best deals in
the area. Open for dinner ev-
ery night at 4 p.m. The Prado
25265 Chamber of Commerce
Dr. 948-3885 www.cirellasres-
taurantFL.com
Fitzgeralds
A taste of the old country right
on Bonita Beach Road from the
Kilkenny crab dip and Mul-
ligans Irish stew to Granny
McCarthys bailey cheesecake.
Home of the belly-buster burg-
er, salads, sandwiches and full
meal menu. Traditional fat
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.ftzgeraldspub.
com.
Hot Caboose Island
Grille
GREAT FOODGOOD TIMES!
At Hot Caboose Island Grille
youll fnd all of your favorites:
seafood, chicken and steak
fused with the favorful and
colorful ingredients of the is-
lands. One bite of their slow
roasted Jerk Chicken, Calypso
Coconut Shrimp or the Origi-
nal Rasta Pasta and youll
know why their food has been
described as Southern Taste
With an Attitude! Located in
downtown Bonita Springs, in
the historic mission-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 entertainment every Tues-
day, Wednesday, Friday and
Saturday (please check our
events calendar for details).
Happy Hour Mon to Fri
3-6pm:$1 drafs,$5 menu. Go
to http://www.hotcaboosebo-
nita.com for more info. 27755
Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs
(corner of Dean Street), 239-
676-7997.
Hungry Hound Dawgs
Outdoor picnic tables invite
Bonitians to enjoy locally
made frankfurters and sau-
sages with only the freshest in-
gredients. Owner Rick Price,
a 30 year Air Force veteran,
dreamt for years of owning a
hot dog vending company. He
developed his passion for Ger-
man sausages while stationed
in Europe and now ofers a full
menu of dawgs and sausages.
Pick one of his specialties or
create your own! Open Mon-
Fri 11am-5pm, Sat until 2pm,
closed Sun. Corner of Old 41
& Abernathy Street. 239-877-
6501. www.hungryhounddawgs.
com.
La Fontanella
Ristorante
Owner Moe has over 35 years
in the business, and the expe-
rience shows. He and his staf
Cointinued on page 34

RESTAURANT GUI DE
BONITA SPRINGS
RESTAURANT GUI DE
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
26831 Tamiami Trail S.
off West Terry Street
(239) 949-2204
Mon-Sat 10-10, Sun 11-10
Happy
Mothers
Day!
Sunday,
May 12th
Ristorante
Enrico
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Celebrating 13 Years in Bonita Springs
Happy Hour
EVERYDAY
4pm-7pm
FitzgeraldS
P U B
Saturday Nights
25% OFF
All Steaks & Grouper
Voted Bonitas
Best ve years
in a row!
9070 Bonita Beach Road Bonita Springs, FL 34135
www.fitzgeraldspub.com
239-949-2111
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Cointinued from page 32
assure customers the fnest
dining experience. Serving
gourmet Italian cuisine, spe-
cializing in pasta, veal, chick-
en, seafood and steak. If you
cant cut the veal with a fork,
the meal is free. Specials dai-
ly. Open daily 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
24600 S. Tamiami Trail at the
Shoppes at Pelican Landing.
239-498-6808. www.lafonta-
nellarestaurant.net.
Lake House
Bar and Grill
An open air caf with one of
Bonitas fnest water views. A
hot spot for lunch and dinner,
popular among both locals
and tourists. Featuring the
Bonita Burger, veggie rollup,
tuna salad and sandwiches
and more sandwiches. Plus
tacos, fsh and chicken din-
ners. 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.lakehousebarandgrill.
net.
Manhattan
Steakhouse
Specializing in USDA Prime
Dry Aged steaks and sizzling
platters up to 1800 degrees.
Enjoying its second season,
Bella Purisic oversees this rel-
ative newcomer to the Bonita
Springs restaurant scene. Te
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 (Behind Zazou in
Bonita) Reservations are re-
quired. 239-676-8687. www.
manhattan1steakhouse.com
Molinos Ristorante
Classic Italian in a beautiful
indoor room and an al fresco
patio setting, featuring pasta,
meat and fsh dinners. Family
owned since 2003. Try the Vi-
tello alla Saltimboca or one of
the many other specialties of
the house. Full bar and wine
cellar. Summer hours, serving
dinner only. Smoking section
available. Open daily 11:30
a.m. to 9 pm. 26841 South Bay
Dr. at the Bonita Bay Prom-
enade. 239-992-7025. www.
molinosristorante.com.
Old 41 Restaurant
A sure bet since the day it
opened in Bernwood. Spe-
cialties include eggs, omelets,
pancakes, wafes, homemade
soups, salads, sandwiches,
Angus burgers, chili, Tay-
lor pork roll, sausage gravy,
creamed chipped beef, home
cooked roast beef and tur-
key 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.
Ristorante Enrico
Owner Enrico Costagliola was
born in his mothers restaurant
in Torregaveta, Italy, south of
Naples. I still cook like my
mother, with only the fresh-
est ingredients. Fresh pasta,
seafood and Italian specialties.
Antipasto salad, penne, lasa-
gna, lobster ravioli, linguini
with white clam sauce, zuppa
di pesce, veal, chicken and
shrimp. 18 pizza and calzone
creations. 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.
Royal Scoop
Lifes shorteat dessert frst!
Te oldest homemade ice
cream store in Bonita. 35 ice
cream favors, 12 lowfat and
sugar-free choices. Teir scoo-
pologists make the thickest
shakes, biggest sundaes and
best cones. Delicious lunches
featuring Boars Head meats
and cheeses and fantastic fam-
ily 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 House
A Bonita bayside bistro. Come
by car or boat. Fresh seafood
in a relaxing environment,
dining inside or out, with a
pet-friendly outside patio.
Specialties include blackened
tuna bites, hot blue crab and
shrimp dip, oyster baskets,
grouper tacos and lobster ta-
cos. Alternative choices, in-
cluding heart healthy items..
A key lime pie that melts-
in-your-mouth. Open daily
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 4685 Bo-
nita Beach Rd. 239-495-5770.
www.t hef ishhouserestau-
rants.com.
The Stage
Come 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, flet mignon,
salmon, roasted chicken, sig-
nature meatloaf, full bar with
10 beers on tap. Live music,
with tributes from Led Zep-
pelin to Jimmy Bufett, from
Elvis to Rod Stewart. Open 4
p.m. to close Wednesday thru
Saturday. 9144 Bonita Beach
Rd. in Sunshine Plaza, behind
Fitzgeralds Pub. 239-405-
8566. wwwthestagebonita.com.
Toast
Tis breakfast and lunch eat-
ery ofers more choices than
most other restaurants. Tere
is also indoor and outdoor
seating so it is pet friendly.
Te artwork that adds so
much color to the space is all
original by Brandi, one of the
owners, and its for sale to take
home. Te owners take pride
in their fresh and delicious
dishes. Some of their special-
ties include omelets, Challah
French Toast, and Toasted
Ultimate Vegetable Wrap.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
daily. 24600 S. Tamiami Trail,
Shoppes at Pelican Landing,
221-8256.
Southwest Spotlight
Spotlight News
Town Talk
Giving Back
Commentary
Community
Restaurants
Mai Harkness of Cgrape Chef reads the
Spotlight.
Brandi Lostracco at Toast reads the Spot-
light.
Campbell Gault of Fitzgeralds and the
Stage loves Bonita.
Enrico Costagliola at Ristorante Enrico
VOTED
Molinos Molinos
# 1 I T A L I A N R I S T O R A N T E
OPEN DAILY FOR DINNER, 5 TO 9 PM
Reservations Required - 992-7025
IN THE PROMENADE
26841 South Bay Drive - Bonita Springs
Maximum 6 people Expires May 31, 2013
Sunday through Thursday only Does not include any other promotion
Must Present Coupon Must be seated by 6:30 PM
Bottle of Wine, Appetizer, Main
Course, Dessert, Coffee/Tea
3 COURSE DINNER
WITH A BOTTLE
OF WINE FOR 2
RESERVE A PRIVATE WINE CELLAR DINING ROOM
$
50
Southwest Spotlight
Spotlight News
Town Talk
Giving Back
Commentary
Community
Restaurants
R E S T A U R A N T & L I V E M U S I C
9144 Bonita Beach Rd.
in Sunshine Plaza,
Behind Fitzgeralds Pub
239-405-8566
For updated information,
please check out
our website at
www.thestagebonita.com
Insert your email address
and get specials & updated
news every week!
OPEN 4PM WEDNESDAY,
THURSDAY, FRIDAY
& SATURDAY
Best of Las Vegas Tribute Bands
are Performing at the Stage
Call for upcoming schedule or check www.thestagebonita.com
COME FOR THE FOOD...STAY FOR THE DANCING
FEATURED DINNER SHOWS

NEIL
DIAMOND
Thursday,
May 9th
JAMES TAYLOR/
SIMON & GARFUNKEL/
JIM CROCE TRIBUTE
Friday, May 10th
THE EAGLES
TRIBUTE

Saturday,
May 11th
50s/60s MOTOWN
Knock Your Socks Off Tribute
Thursday, May 2nd
JIMMY
BUFFET
TRIBUTE
Friday, May 3rd

Thanks for a
great season
The NEW Stage is
coming in November
B
IG
G
E
S
T
P
A
R
T
Y

O
F
T
H
E
Y
E
A
R
Custom
er A
ppreciation
E
nd of Season Party....
free appetizer, free show

ticket and a great
tribute to the
5
0
s/6
0
s/M
O
T
O
W
N

Saturday, M
ay 4th
Southwest Spotlight
Spotlight News
Town Talk
Giving Back
Commentary
Community
Restaurants

Southwest Spotlight May 1, 2013

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