southwest spotlight february 15, 2013

www.swspotlight.comFebruary 1-15, 2013

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary

Arts & Entertainment

Community

Restaurants

Business & Real Estate

Page 4 www.swspotlight.comFebruary 1-15, 2013

FlooringFlooringStorewideFlooringS A L E !

FREE* Installationwith the purchase of Carpet & Pad

OverTen Million Dollars of Rugs on DisplayFrom Runners to

Mansion Size

The Best Prices

*EXTRA CHARGES MAY APPLY FOR STAIRS, CUSTOM WORK, LARGE FURNITURE, FLOOR PREPARATION, HARD SURFACE REMOVAL AND HIGH RISE CHARGES.

NAPLES FINEST FLOORING SHOWROOMROYAL COVE PLAZA • 13250 TAMIAMI TRAIL NORTH

ONE BLOCK SOUTH OF WIGGINS PASS ROADNAPLES, FLORIDA 34110

239-596-5959 • NAPLES.ABBEYCARPET.COMMONDAY - FRIDAY 9 - 6 • SATURDAY 9 - 5

USE THIS CERTIFICATE FOR AN EXTRA 20% OFF THE SALE PRICE OF ANY AREA RUG IN-STOCK.

* ONE CERTIFICATE PER PURCHASE. OFFER EXCLUDES PRIOR PURCHASES AND DISCONTINUED AREA RUGS. EXPIRES 02-28-13.

239-596-5959NAPLES.ABBEYCARPET.COM

ROYAL COVE PLAZA 13250 TAMIAMI TRAIL NORTH

20% OFFAdditional

COME VISIT THE FLOORING

EXPERTS

Carpet• Premier Stainmaster®• Karastan• Masland• Nourison• Stanton

• Alexander Smith• American Showcase• Anso Caress Platinum• Fabrica

ABBEY CARPET & FLOOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS, MISTAKES OR MISPRINTS. 729

Hurry! Sale Ends 02/28/13

OVER 40 STYLESIN-STOCK AND READY

FOR IMMEDIATE INSTALLATION

PRICES STARTING AT

$1.99 SQ. FT.

Hardwood

8 GLAZED PORCELAINS

IN-STOCK AND READY FOR IMMEDIATE INSTALLATION

PRICES STARTING AT

89¢ SQ. FT.

Tile & Stone

The Largest Section of In Southwest FloridaFine Rugs

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



8 Saturdays Are SpecialBonita Springs tennis players volun-teer with Special Olympics athletes

11 Bonita Beyond Bumpy City will soon begin paving five un-paved private roads in town

11 Forbes Sound Approach The Florida DOT is building a sound wall for Hunters Ridge, nine years after it was rejected

12 Leadership Challenges in America’s Schools

Frederick M. Hess speaks to the Naples Council on World Affairs

News & Features

S O U T H W E S T™

Locally owned and operated since 2010

(239) [email protected]

PO Box 1946Bonita Springs, FL 34133

Southwest Spotlight, LLC

swspotlight.comPublisher & Editor

Peter A. O’[email protected]

Advertising SalesTeri LamaineKathy O’Flinn David Ziccarelli

Office ManagerKatie O’Flinn

Contributing WritersCharles J. CavaliereD.K. ChristiMartha CriderMeghan EasterlyMark GeneralesDorota Harris Max HarrisJoyce McDonaldJosh MusselmanBen Nelson, Jr.Peter R. O’FlinnStan J. Strycharz, Psy.D.

Contributing PhotographersDavid Michael

Business16 XLR8 Spells Accelerate

A holistic and personalized ap-proach to fitness in the Bay Landings mall

Arts & Entertainment22 Calendar

What’s happening this month?

25 Shakespeare in ParadiseFledgling company looking for a home and an audience

26 Plumbing Supplies, Granite Yards and Art

Studios are scattered among many businesses in the Pine Ridge Indus-trial Park

15 Spotlight Celebrates Its 2nd Anniversary

Ribbon cutting and grand opening of the Spotlight’s new Beach Road Offices

18 A Veteran in ActionDan Griffin raises money for his fel-low veterans.

28 Neighbor SpotlightLolly Audet, a Bonitian with a heart of gold

Columns

29 Bonita’s Best Friends The Commodore is in charge!

30 Then & NowThe Nutting House, a restored cracker style house

32 Tee Box Tips Tee it high, but hit it right

32 Spanish Wells SnippetsWhat’s happening in Spanish Wells

Restaurants34 Restaurant Guide

Cover photo credit:Hot ‘55 Olds Contributed | Special to the SpotlightSpecial Olympics athlete Staff | [email protected]

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



FEEL BETTERBONITA SPRINGS YMCA

Get a FREE SilverSneakers Membership!Bonita Springs YMCA, 27200 Kent Road

(239) 221-7560www.BonitaSpringsYMCA.org

SilverSneakers MSROM• Chairsupport• Increasestrength&range

ofmotionfordailyliving• Resistancewithweights,

tubing&ball

SilverSneakers YogaStretch• Seated&standingyogaposes• Increasedflexibility,balance&

rangeofmovement• Restorativebreathingexercises• Stressreduction&Mentalclarity

MembershipincludesuseofourfitnessfacilityandpoolPLUSGroupExerciseClasseslike:

TOWN TALK

Spotlight in Costa RicaAdam Botana, Vice President and Head Boat Washer at Bay Water Exclusive Boat Club in Bonita Springs, took a break from cleaning boats to send us this photo from Costa Rica. Send us your photo with your favorite news magazine from Costa Rica, Bonita Beach, the YMCA, Riverside Park, City Hall or wherever you are and over 40,000 Spotlight readers will see you in the next issue.

Contributed | [email protected]

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Saturdays are Special

If you want to register an athlete or volunteer:

Contact David McKenzie 239-775-1991.

By D.K. [email protected]

Bonita Springs — Bright and early most winter Saturday mornings Kathy Scott meets her tennis friends in the Bonita Bay parking lot. They will not be playing at their club’s courts though. In a cara-van of cars they’ll head down to Golden Gate High School in Naples where eager Special Olympics athletes and parents await their arrival for a morning of tennis fun.

Special Olympics tennis coaching was a natural fit when Scott moved to Florida.

She recruited her Bonita Bay tennis partners: Donna

the rest of the week.” Joey’s father, Jack

Schecter, added, “The program is very inclusive. It’s accepting for athletes at every level. Joey is ex-cited to be part of some-thing.”

The day starts with stretching and a run by the twelve to thirteen ath-letes, it varies, around the six courts. Each court has two to three coaches. Par-ents chase balls. Coaches throw the balls, stand beside athletes and grade skills. Every nuance of progress is recorded. Ath-letes play the game when they attain the necessary score. Twelve athletes are building skills and one is game ready.

“Sports participa-tion often helps with so-cialization,” said Scott.

Parent, Heath-er O’Connell, agrees, “Tennis keeps Dominique active and gets her away from televi-sion.”

Harry Zuniga watched his son, Santiago, 12, swing at balls. “Last week was his first time. San-tiago returned be-cause he loves to play.” The coaches offer thumbs up signals and high fives along with positive words

of encouragement: “take your time,” “a lot to think about,” and “good swing.” Participants gain points at their own level for each skill needed such as mak-ing ball contact, striking the orange cone target or a successful serve.

“The joy that these athletes express as they accomplish small gains makes coaching Special Olympics very reward-ing,” said Scott. Athletes

are grouped by skill levels and compete with simi-lar players. They travel to area competitions in Port Charlotte and on to state games in Orlando. That experience may be the first

time they have been sepa-rated from parents who do not travel on the buses with the coaches and ath-letes. “Sometimes I think that separation is harder on the parents than their children.” said Scott.

She is quick to com-pliment her friends who share her joy and those that help along the way such as Bonita Bay tennis pro Paula Scheb who gave Alberto Nieves a free les-son when Scott realized he was ready to compete. Recently, a teaching pro has joined the Special Olympics Saturday morn-ing tennis and continues to work with Nieves.

Scott sums up her ex-perience by telling about Alberto’s near loss at a state level competition that ended with a win. What kept him on target? “You told me never to give up,” he told Scott.

Staff | [email protected]

Alberto Nieves shows his confident ground stroke at Special Olympics practice on Saturdays.


Ingrid Spindler, who plays in the Special Olympic program, gets coaching from volunteer Pauline Phillips-Zabel while athlete Erica Longton looks on.


Martha Gonzalez , Special Olympics athlete, gets coaching from volunteer Mary Ellen Gaffney of Bonita Springs.

The joy that these athletes express as they accomplish small gains makes coaching

Special Olympics very rewarding. – Kathy Scott

One of these athletes is preparing for serious competition in the Special Olympics. Alberto Nieves, 22, won a bronze medal for tennis at the last Special Olympics World Games in China. He is preparing for the next World Games competition in California.

Kathy Scott, head tennis coach for Special Olympics tennis on Sat-

he opened to wear.” Joey’s mother, Chris

Schecter, said, “The coaches are so giving and under-standing. The positive at-mosphere sets the tone for

urday mornings, has an intense personal commit-ment to those who par-ticipate. It stems from the challenges her brother, now 50, has experienced.

Paci, Nancy Barnes, Dee Zednik, Cinda Culver and Mary Ellen Gaffney to share in the fun.

“I recruit students by ac-cident,” said Scott. “I was in the beauty parlor and met Chris Schecter whose son, Joey, is so excited about par-ticipating that he’s dressed by 5:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. He had a special U.S. Open cap in a case that

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Up and Down The Trail

Fort Myers • Bonita Springs • Naples • Palm Beach • Scottsdalewww.fi nemarkbank.com • 239-405-6700 • Member FDIC • Equal Housing Lender

Trust and Investment Services are not FDIC insured, are not guaranteed by the bank and may lose value.

Learn More

a name you know & trust.

Shelley AndersonManaging ExecutiveFineMark 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 exceptional service.

“We want you to be in the best position possible to reach your goals, whatever those goals may be. At FineMark, we believe that means getting to know you and your family. Only then can we truly serve you.”

– Shelley Anderson

News and ViewsBy Peter R. O’[email protected]

Fred Forbes’ Sound StrategyEarly in 2008, Hunters Ridge community

leaders approached fellow resident Fred Forbes with a problem. Noise levels from I-75 were increasing. The Florida Department of Trans-portation had denied a request for a sound wall four years earlier.

Could anything be done?, the group asked Forbes.

“I told them, ‘I’ve got a better chance of be-ing invited on the next space shuttle than to get a wall that was denied in 2004,” said Forbes, a civil engineer and architect.

Today, drivers cruising up the interstate south of Beach Road can spot work crews con-structing a 1,450-foot sound wall that will buf-fer Hunters Ridge.

Forbes has proven his prediction wrong, but only after four years of dogged community advocacy, together with his neighbors.

In the beginning, Forbes’ downbeat assess-ment seemed correct. Florida DOT personnel told him and fellow resident Don Simpson that noise impact at Hunters Ridge simply did not meet state standards for a sound barrier.

In Forbes view, it wasn’t just the standards that mattered. The key question was how they were applied.

Forbes and Simpson methodically combed technical noise studies for all Lee and Collier County sound walls. They compiled a detailed report of what they viewed as “anomalies” in five approved projects.

For example, their report states that, in numer-ous visits to a park north of Bonita buffered by a sound wall, they observed usage less than 15% of that assumed in a DOT report.

“We did not question the DOT’s judgment in approving these projects,” said Forbes. “But they had made precedent setting deviations, and we felt we were entitled to the same treatment.”

David Aronberg, the area’s State Senator at the time, suggested the DOT look into the matter.

That resulted in Forbes leading DOT person-nel on a tour of Hunters Ridge and other area sound walls. “This is one of the most comprehen-sive appeals we have ever seen,” Forbes recalls be-ing told by the DOT’s Chief Engineer.

Nevertheless, momentum for reconsideration of Hunters Ridge stalled. At an event at Worthing-ton Country Club late in 2010, Forbes told his tale to an aide to State Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto, who succeeded Aronberg.

A few days later, Forbes received a call from the aide. “Would it be ok with you if the Sena-tor hosts a meeting with you and high ranking DOT people to review your concerns?” Forbes recalls her asking.

At the meeting, DOT agreed to recon-sider the Hunters Ridge request. “They were very thorough,” Forbes said of the subsequent review. A consultant found differences in to-pography, traffic counts and other factors from the earlier review. They concluded that noise impacts were significant, and a sound wall was approved.

A few weeks ago, Cecil Pendergrass, the newly elected Chairman of Lee County’s Board of County Commissioners reflected on the ac-complishment at a Hunters Ridge event. “I was president of my homeowners association,” he said. “I know how hard it can be to get some-thing done for your community.”

Bonita Beyond BumpyPine Avenue, south of Terry Street near

Bonita Middle School, is lined with 20 post-war Florida style houses as it stretches toward the Imperial River. Its appearance is typical of many older parts of town. Except for one thing, the roadway.

This is Bonita beyond bumpy. Large ruts crisscross the unpaved surface, requiring driv-ers to zig and zag. When it rains, potholes can take days to drain.

Pine Avenue is open to the public but it’s a private street, a relic of Bonita’s beach town era when landowners sold off lots on a parcel, bull-dozed a roadway and then covered it with shell. Some didn’t bother to deed the right of way to the County, the City’s governmental predeces-sor.

Now, City staff is finalizing plans under which the City will pave Pine Avenue and four other private streets. Road conditions vary, from virtually impassable to crumbling old asphalt.

The City will foot 80 percent of the bill, with property owners paying the remaining 20 percent, under a program approved last year by City Council. The total cost will be between $90,000 and $160,000, according to contrac-tors’ estimates.

“Council felt that having a modern city with unpaved roads did not make sense,” said John Gucciardo, Assistant City Manager. Council-man Bill Lonkart spearheaded the program. City staff has counted about two-dozen private roads in the developed part of town that may be eligible for paving.

On each roadway a twenty-foot section will be graded, and then paved with a layer of as-phalt. One objective is to assure ready access to emergency services vehicles.

“We are not building a road,” said Gucciar-do, “but a better surface than currently exists.”

Normal City specifications require roads to be more heavily engineered, with a cost that the City deemed prohibitive for this project. That resulted in some thinking outside the box, and interesting conversations with potential road contractors, said Gucciardo.

“A lot of the contractors said, ‘What is this animal?’” he said. “It took them a while to un-derstand we wanted to rectify an existing prob-lem, not build new roads.”

The project has been time consuming, but rewarding, said Gucciardo. Preliminary ap-provals were received from virtually all prop-erty owners on each of the five streets. On three other streets, the requisite consents were not received. Some absentee landowners were not interested, he said.

The City is reviewing estimates to deter-mine fair cost sharing among property owners, anticipated to average between $300 and $500.

The last steps are a final competitive bid among contractors and receipt of legal docu-mentation from property owners.

“We want to get this done before rainy sea-son,” said Gucciardo. “Once these streets get wet it will be a nightmare.”

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Leadership Challenges in America’s Schools

“Leaders have far more freedom to transform, reimagine and invigorate teaching, learning and schooling than

is widely believed.”– Frederick M. Hess

Contributed | Special to the Spotlight

Frederick M. Hess, Director of Education Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, recently spoke to the Naples Council on World Affairs about leadership challenges in America’s schools.

By D. K. [email protected]

North Naples – Frederick M. Hess, Ph.D., kept the attention of a full house of over 800 Naples Council on World Affairs’ members at each afternoon and eve-ning presentation in Kiney Hall at St. John the Evan-gelist Catholic Church in early January. Yet, his topic was not hot off the press, but rather the stodgy and plod-ding history of the U.S. K-12 educational system and how far behind it has remained as the global world races forward. An older crowd, many retired from that old system, laughed at the car-toons and the too-familiar dance of education innova-tion programs coming and going, repeating, and never quite catching up to the fu-ture.

Hess, Resident Scholar and Director of Education Policy Studies at the Ameri-

can Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Washington, D.C., believes “that two things are true…statutes, policies, rules, regulations, contracts and case law make it tougher than it should be for school and system leaders to drive improvement…it is also the case that leaders have

not carbon copies in terms of students, environment, demographics and human capital.” Longer school days, curriculum man-dates, funding, teacher re-cruitment and testing are not his focus though they are included.

“What about the wasted professional time in a sys-

are an issue, look to the In-ternet for specialty tutors and educators from across the globe,” Hess advised. “No problem is too diffi-cult and most don’t require throwing more money at them. Break down old hab-its and cumbersome policies and practices.” Don’t put a rocket on the back of a horse and buggy. Try a new way to deliver knowledge: regroup students, resize schools, ne-gotiate better, and engage parents.

A Washington D. C. school trying to notify par-ents about truant children required eight days to col-lect and codify the informa-tion that started with a pa-per trail. Teachers switched to recording attendance on laptops that immediately triggered parental notifi-cation. It was just a case of using existing technology efficiently.

Hess praised Florida for high marks in the recent

Education Week magazine Qual-ity Counts report, awarding Florida an overall B- grade, compared to a national average grade of C+. Flori-da ranked sixth in the nation based on the criteria of this study. A serious weakness remains in “Status of K-12 Achievement” with a D + that may be related to the “F” for school fund-ing. Accountability measures were “A.”

The Naples Council on World Affairs’ mission for its 2500 mem-bers is to “educate, inspire and engage our community in international affairs and critical global issues.” Mem-bership includes tickets to an annual slate of renowned keynote speakers. Education

is a primary issue and the audience had a lively discus-sion following the presen-tation asking the speaker, “What can we do?” The an-swer was to be engaged in their local schools.

far more freedom to trans-form, reimagine and invigo-rate teaching, learning and schooling than is widely believed.”

Hess provides con-sultant services to school districts and political lead-ers, recently publishing Cage-Busting Leadership and advising, “Schools are

tem where only 65% of the instructional day is spent in teaching and learning? The rest is lost to monitoring, as-semblies, discipline, parking lot duties and non-profes-sional tasks. Start there,” he recommends. “Make better use of the time and resourc-es already in the schools.”

“If teachers and tutors

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Spotlight News

Business

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants


Neighbors


TOWN TALK

Spotlight Opens Beach Road Offices

All Photos: Jason Easterly | [email protected]

Lee County Commissioner Larry Kiker and Lee County Tax Collector Larry Hart

Mayor Ben Nelson Jr. and Peter A. O’Flinn, Publisher of the Southwest Spotlight News Magazine, cut the ribbon at the Spotlight’s two year anniversary party and grand opening of the Spotlight’s new Beach Road offices last month.

Community leaders converged on the Southwest Spotlight’s new offices last month to celebrate the two year anniversary of your favorite news magazine.

Peter R. O’Flinn and SueZahn Simmons

Henry Bird, Gary Price and Nigel Fullick

Peter A. O’Flinn and Mayor Ben Nelson Jr.

Joanne Ziccarelli, Chris Griffith, David Ziccarelli and Gerard Sola

Kim Thomson, Don Thomson, Tom Schreck, Mischa Kirby

Fire Commissioner Evans Conforti, Fire Commissioner Steve Lohan, Fire Chief Joe Daigle

Assistant City Manager John Gucciardo, City Manager Carl Schwing, Councilman Steve Slachta, Councilwoman Janet Martin, Councilman Steve McIntosh, Councilman Peter Simmons

Maribel Slabaugh and Trish Leonard

Matt Pusateri, District Director for Congress-man Trey Radel

Spotlight News

Business

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants


Neighbors


Office Space Designed byProfessionals for Professionals

www.waterford-centre.com

(239) 948-1823Waterford Executive Centre, LLC27911 Crown Lake Blvd., Suite 201Bonita Springs, FL 34135

• Experience the difference!

• A new feel in luxury Executive Office space

• Ideal for the professional seeking sophistication at competitive pricing

• In the Heart of Bonita Springs ( US 41 and Bonita Beach Rd)

• Call to secure one of only 15 suites

WATE1186 GSB 4.91x6.11.indd 1 1/9/13 11:18 AM

Beth T. Vogelsang, PartnerFlorida Bar Board Certified in Marital and Family Law

DIVORCE, MARITAL & FAMILY LAW

henlaw.com • 239.344.1100 Fort Myers • Bonita Springs • Sanibel • Naples*

©2013 Henderson Franklin Starnes & Holt, P.A.

When it comes to sensitive divorce, marital and family issues, we understand.

Adapting. Changing. Moving forward.

WE unDERsTAnD ThE ExTREME EMOTIOnAL AnD FInAnCIAL sTREss. Henderson Franklin’s Divorce, Marital & Family Law attorneys can assist with:

• Divorce

• Child support, alimony and child custody matters

• Cooperative problem solving

• Modification and enforcement actions of support and parenting

Meet the Henderson Franklin attorneys ready to help:

L. David sims, Partner, ChairFlorida Bar Board Certified in Marital and Family Law

• Paternity cases

• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements

• Domestic and repeat violence injunction actions

• Adoption

• Mediation

* By appointment only

Spotlight News

Business

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants


Neighbors


XLR8 Spells Accelerate

The key to the XLR8 fitness program is the state of the art Power Plate fit-ness equipment in combination with one–on–one training by highly qualified personal trainers.


Bonita Springs – The play on words is a clue to under-standing XLR8, the new Bo-nita Springs exercise studio that manager Jemaine Jar-vis calls, “personal training, weight loss, health manage-ment and coaching…a ho-listic and personalized ap-proach to bring clients the most efficient and effective health and fitness solution available.”

The studio tucked in the Bay Landings mall, behind John R. Wood and a few doors down from Bellis-simo Ristaurante at 26251 S. Tamiami Trail, opened almost three months ago. It provides a different vision than most gyms. One set of equipment, the sleek Power Plate free-standing vibration platform, is placed at com-fortable intervals around a fully mirrored room. Sets of medicine balls, stretch bands

and similar equipment are nearby, but the sleek lines and lack of bulky weight equipment is a surprise. The studio includes changing room lockers but no showers.

Not a typical gym, the difference is especially no-

ticed with a step onto the Power Plate, in the presence of the trainers: Robin Haug, Certified Power Plate Trainer and Lindsay Dunphy, NETA (National Exercise Train-ers Association) certified Personal and Power PlateT-rainer with a BA in Health Coaching. Vibration spreads throughout the body, inten-sity controllable, while the trainer provides a series of personally planned stretch-ing, weights and exercise that ends with a massage, all in thirty minutes or less.

The claim, with some

Fort Myers a year ago and now have three southwest Florida studios including the new one in Bonita Springs.” New customers receive three introductory personal train-ing sessions.

Jarvis continued, “The key to our Power Plate stu-dio exercise is the state of the art fitness equipment, the Power Plate, in combination with our highly qualified personal trainers special-izing in one-on-one Power

Plate training.” Yoga, kick boxing and more classes are also available. Training dates for offices and businesses are planned where a little incen-tive such as reduced insur-ance costs and friendly com-petition contribute to fitness goals. XLR8 participates in fitness fairs, most recently at Miromar Outlets. The Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce “Business before Business” will be held at the studio on February 28th.

“Jarvis, a recent uni-versity graduate in sports management, may be found at all three south-west Florida XLR8 studios as their Marketing and Business Development Ex-ecutive.He added, “This is more of a lifestyle club, geared to those who prefer a personal trainer. It’s our goal to be involved with the community as an ad-vocate for health and well-ness.”

Nutrition education, seminars and health coaching are part of XLR8’s holistic approach.

sports research support, is that involuntary muscular movement combined with typical exercise creates in-tensity that reduces the time needed to develop or main-tain a healthy physique.

Additionally, Lora Ul-

rich, CNWC — Certified Nutrition & Wellness Con-sultant — is part of the XLR8 Body Transformation Insti-tute which offers a holistic approach to health including nutrition education, semi-nars, and health coaching.

“The founder and presi-dent of the XLR8 Lifestyle Group, Joe Kantenwein, was a busy CEO with little time to work out. On a 2010 holi-day in Abu Dhabi he discov-ered the benefits of the Power Plate. After further investiga-tion, he started the studios,” said Jarvis. “We opened in


Spotlight News

Business

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants


Neighbors


TOWN TALK

Ribbon Cuttings Galore

Parmesan Pete’sThe Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the relocation and ribbon cutting ceremony of Parmesan Pete’s last month. Parmesan Pete’s celebrated their relocation in true Italian fashion with food, family and friends. They offer fine Italian cuisine, all homemade, seasonal and fresh. For more information go to www.parmesanpetes.com.

Waterford Executive CenterThe Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the remodel and ribbon cutting ceremony of Waterford Executive Centre last month. Formerly Dublin House Professional Suites, Waterford Executive Centre is built for professionals, by profes-sionals. Twenty designed suites include three conference rooms which seat up to eight

comfortably and the boardroom seats up to 14. Waterford also has 24/7 building access, fiber optic internet connections and Wi-Fi access. For more information go to www.waterford-centre.com.

Alternative Natural HealthcareThe Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of Alternative Natural Healthcare last month. Alternative Natural Healthcare specializes in acupuncture, injection therapy and homeopathy. Dr. Michelle S. Brown is a licensed Acupuncture Detox Specialist and a certified physician in the state of Florida. For more information go to www.alternativenatural-healthcare.net.




Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



A Veteran in ActionBy D.K. [email protected]

Bonita Springs – Dan Grif-fin of Bonita Springs has personal experience that supports his retirement mission: he believes in vet-erans and understands their needs. A man of action, he generates fund raising activities to support veter-ans as his primary retire-ment activity now that he has permanently located in southwest Florida. The money that he raises goes to veterans and their families and specifically homeless veterans through contacts with veterans’ hospitals.

“I spent time in a veter-an’s hospital myself and saw that services beyond hospi-tal care were badly needed for veterans,” said Griffin. “Yet, funds for near-hospital housing, family counseling,

frequented by veterans and with owners who quickly understood the needs. “The motorcycle enthusiasts were also great with their sup-port,” he added.

Griffin is a decorated combat veteran of the Viet Nam War with two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. His son who served in the Navy manages the Café

services is shocking,” said Griffin, “and many suf-fer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.” He wants to establish a fund-raising habit in Southwest Florida among small business own-ers in the hospitality indus-try who are willing to hold occasional benefits that are fun for participants and yield profits for veterans’

needs. He brings his Michi-gan experience.

According to Griffin, “the U.S. Interagency Coun-cil on the Homeless indi-cates twenty-three percent of the homeless population in this country are veterans. Thirty-three percent of the male homeless populations are veterans. Forty-seven percent served in the Viet-nam era. Seventy-six per-cent have alcohol, drug or mental health problems.” The statistics alone point to a very real need among vet-erans.

“Small business own-ers are quick to participate. They don’t need corporate approvals for a community event,” said Griffin. Fund raising events often include a small entry fee, raffles, drawings, auctions, door prizes and a generally fes-tive time. Griffin sets up a

table and sells a variety of gift merchandise specific to veterans and their support. The profits go directly to the charity. “One hundred percent of the profits from these benefits go directly to the veterans,” he confirmed.

Griffin is anxious to start fund raising events in southwest Florida, adding,

“I met with the Volunteer Service at the Lee County VA Healthcare Center in Cape Coral and was given the go (OK) to fund raise for them.”


Dan Griffin, Bonita Springs veteran and retiree, is working full time raising funds for veterans.

‘The number of homeless veterans who need services is shocking.’

– Dan Griffin

special services for children and support for homeless veterans were just not suffi-cient. At first, I volunteered my time. Then I began set-ting up fund raising events at Café Tuscany, my Union Pier, Michigan restaurant.” Those events spread to other restaurants and bars

Tuscany while Griffin re-cently settled permanently in “better weather.” The Café Tuscany profits, be-yond operational costs and salaries, are still provided to the Jesse Brown Veterans Hospital in Illinois.

“The number of home-less veterans who need

To contact Dan Griffin:

call 269-923-9313.

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Tired of Boat Maintenance? Join the Club!

17 Boats AvailableDon’t Wait Any Longer JOIN TODAY!

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED 5124 Bonita Beach Road S.W. • Bonita Springs, FL 34134

239-495-0455 Open everyday 8 am to 5:30 pm

You Will Not Have to Worry About...The cost of storage, insurance, cleaning and maintenance. The biggest decision to worry about is...”Which Boat Do I Want Today?

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

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

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

OPENHOUSE

FEB.15-17

20% OFF THIS WEEKEND ONLY

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Spotlight Sunset

Dick Draffone took this sunset photo at Bonita Beach. Send your best sunset photos to [email protected] and your photo could be the next Spotlight Sunset.

Dick Draffone | [email protected]

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



FREE! FUN!

FEBRUARY 17 2:00 - 4:00 PM

RIVERSIDE PARK, OLD US 41

HELP US CELEBRATE OUR

5TH ANNIVERSARY We’ll have cake and balloons!

SPONSORED BY:

SUNDAY P.O. Box 367872. Bonita Springs, FL 34136 Tel: 239-405-3320 Fax: 239-236-3630

email: [email protected]

CONCERT

www.bonitaspringsconcertband.com

SPECIAL GUEST SOLOIST BILL PRINCE

BONITA SPRINGS

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

Continued on next page

February1 FridayFiddler on the Roof-times varyThis Tony Award-winning musical includes the heart-warming tunes Tradition, Matchmaker, Matchmaker, If I Were A Rich Man, Sun-rise, Sunset. For tickets go to www.broadwaypalm.com. Where: Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd. FM. Cost: $17 to $49.

Opening Reception for artist Sandra Johnson 6 to 8 p.m.Public invited to this recep-tion featuring Hand Built Stoneware. Meet the artist. Refreshments will be served. Exhibit continues through February 22. Where: Kath-leen Bradford Studio/Gallery 4259 Bonita Beach Road B. Cost: Free.

3 SundaySouthwest Florida Big Band Concert 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.Bring your lawn chair and hat for an afternoon of old favorites. Where: Band shell at Riverside Park off Old 41. B. Cost: Free.

4 MondayDeadline to register for Annual Wedding Vow Renewal CeremonyThis ceremony will take place 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Gazebo on the beach at Lov-ers Key on Valentine’s Day February 14. Enjoy a com-plimentary glass of wine and hors d’oeuvres, socializing, and a romantic walk on the beach before the ceremony begins. A reception will fol-low with a champagne toast, light meal, desserts, danc-ing and door prizes, with a special grand prize donated by the Lovers Key Resort & Hotel. To register go to www.friendsof loverskey.com or call the Event Chair, Judy Greenwood, at 708-359-0466. Where: Lovers Key State Park, 8700 Estero Blvd. B. Cost: $60 per couple, a non-refundable donation.

5 & 6 Tuesday & WednesdayAuditions for Youth Theater -Peter Pan 4 p.m.to 7 p.m.Ages 10 and up, teens are en-couraged to audition, there are many roles for older ac-tors. For more info visit www.artcenterbonita.org or call 239-495-8989. Cost: Free

6 WednesdayWednesdays Are for History–French Florida 2 & 7 p.m.This 90 minute presentation by David Southall, spon-sored by the Bonita Springs Historical Society and City of Bonita Springs, will focus on French Florida and the first European Settlement in North America. Where: Bonita Springs Community Center off Old 41 across from Riverside Park B. Tickets on sale at Liles Hotel or reserve by phone 239-992-6997. Cost: $10 per adult; $5 BSHS member.

9 SaturdayAnnual Sneaky Pete’s Tennis Championship — registration deadline 11:59 p.m.The 14th Annual Sneaky Pete’s Tennis Championship is scheduled to start on Feb-ruary 16 and runs through February 22, providing $1000 in cash prizes to be divided among the winners. To register go to www.ster-lingoakstennis.com. Public is welcome. Where: The Club at Sterling Oaks, 822 Sterling Oaks Blvd. N. Cost: Specta-tor admission is free. Par-ticipants entry fee is $40 per player.

Bark in the Park 11a.m. to 3 p.m.This is the 3rd Annual Bark in Riverside Park. Special events include police dog demonstration at 11:45 a.m., pet costume contest at 12:30 p.m., pet CPR demonstration at 1 p.m., pet owner look-a-like and pet tricks contest at 1:30 and 2p.m. Reduced cost micro-chipping available. Leashed, friendly pets are welcome. Where: Riverside Park off Old 41. B. Cost: Free.

Native Plant Sale 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Where: Riverside Park off Old 41. B. Cost: Free.

9 & 10 Saturday & SundayBonita Springs Nat’l Art Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.SW Florida’s highly rated Fine Art and Craft Festi-val returns with 211 artists from the U.S., Canada and Europe. Where: The Prom-enade at BonitaBay B. Cost: $5 donation requested.

10 SundayChalk Your Art Out 11a.m. to 4 p.m.This sidewalk art contest is open to artists of all ages and the public. Each artist or aspiring artist will be as-signed a measured space on the sidewalk which will be-come part of a giant sidewalk mural. There will be judging and prizes. Where: Artists Cottages in Riverside Park off Old 41. B. Cost: Free.Late Nite Catechism 3 p.m.This hit comedy takes the audience members back to the children they once were. Laugh out loud funny. For tickets www.bbmannpah.com Where: Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall. FM. Cost: $47 to $54.Townsmen Big Band Concert 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.Where: Band shell Riverside Park off Old 41. B. Cost: Free.

11 MondayFilms for Film Lovers Series—Winter in Wartime 7 p.m.Refreshments are available. Join in the lively discussion after each film led by a Film Society member. Where: Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs. B. Cost: $8 per per-son.

13 WednesdayWednesdays Are for History — The Timucuan Rebellion 2 & 7 p.m.This 90 minute presentation by David Southall, sponsored by Bonita Springs Historical Society and City of Bonita Springs, will focus on The Timucuan Rebellion 1656: Spanish Authority neutral-izes Native American resis-tance. Where: Bonita Springs Community Center off Old 41 across from Riverside Park B. Tickets on sale at Li-les Hotel or reserve by phone 239-992-6997. Cost: $10 per adult; $5 BSHS member.

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Calendar from page 22

15 Friday15th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic at Pelican’s Nest G.C.Will benefit Lee Memo-rial Health System Regional Cancer Center. Scramble for-mat, four person teams, enter individually or as a team. Golf, lunch, dinner and auc-tion. Prizes, hole-in-one con-tests all for a worthy cause. For more info call 239-343-6057 or email [email protected] Where: Pel-icans Nest Golf Club. B.Bonita Springs Historical Society Speaker Series 7 p.m.Wood Hanson, a fifth gen-eration Fort Myers native, shares photos and stories about his remarkable grand-father and his unique rela-tionship with the Seminole and Miccosukee Indians. Known as the “White Medi-cine Man”, he cared for them when they were sick, helped them settle tribal disputes, spoke their languages flu-ently and became recognized as the foremost authority on these tribes. Open to the public. Where: Lions Club of Bonita Springs, 10346 Penn-sylvania Avenue B. Cost: Free.

17 SundayBonita Springs Concert Band 2 p.m.to 4 p.m.Where: Band shell Riverside Park off Old 41. B. Cost: Free.

18 MondaySeventh Annual Bonita Springs Community Prayer Breakfast 7 a.m.Les Steckel, veteran NFL coach and current President and CEO of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, will be featured speaker. This event is open to anyone who wishes to attend. For reservations email [email protected]. Reservations must be pre-paid by check. For more info visit www.bonitaspring-sprayerbreakfast.com.Where: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa. E. Cost: $40 in-dividual ticket.

19 TuesdayThe Sound of Music—times varyThe timeless score includes Do-Re-Mi, My Favorite Things, Climb Every Moun-tain, Sixteen Going on Seven-teen and more. Runs through April 6. For tickets go to www.broadwaypalm.comWhere: Broadway Palm, 1380 Colo-nial Blvd. FM. Cost: $17 to $55.

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

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

MeetingsBonita Springs City Council

Wed., Feb. 6, 5:30 p.m., Feb. 20, 9 a.m.Come watch local govern-ment in action. Where: City Council Chambers, 9101 Bo-nita Beach Rd. B.

All dates, times and prices are subject to change.

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Access Book

February 22, 2013

Champions Team maTCh

Presented by

GaTes open 5:00 pmTiCkeT inCludes:

Champions Team Match, Dinner, 2 Drinks Access Book, Silent Auction

$85/person(Early Bird $75 before January 15, 2013)

February 23, 2013Players Breakfast Pro/Am Round Robin Matches with Tour Pros $400

Clinics (Includes 3) $150

Lunch & Kids Cup Challenge $75

Gala Dinner Dance & Cocktail Party with Live Auction $250

Benefits

(239) 343-6950www.TourplayersTennisClassic.com

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

Your CommunityNews Magazine

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Fledgling Company Looking for a Home and an Audience

Victor Caroli | Special to the Spotlight

John McKerrow and his wife, Mary Ann McKerrow, in the leading roles of Petruchio and Katherine in The Taming of the Shrew.

By D. K. [email protected]

Naples — Actors threw off their ornate Shakespearean robes when they reached the stage, surprising the audi-ence with their modern ca-sual and colorful clothes as they turned to the audience, shaking hands and welcom-ing everyone before the play began. The final Shakespeare in Paradise dress rehearsal for The Taming of the Shrew included a live audience of Barron Collier High School drama students and mem-bers of the Naples Press Club. The laughter was infectious.

With minimalist staging, just a bar and bar stools to emulate a modern bar or res-taurant, on a portable stage at the Naples Regional Library, actors spoke Shakespeare’s dialogue. The delightful com-

edy explored the perennial problem of marrying off the oldest daughter before the youngest. The antics of the suitors and family members were as relevant today as in the time of the original per-formances. A suitor looking for a wealthy bride in Naples was a perfect fit!

This tale, told lightly, brims with comedic perfor-mances and superb acting. The magic of the perfor-mances is that it draws you in and you forget you are hear-ing Shakespearean dialogue. When asked if it was altered from the original, John McK-errow, Producing Artistic Director of Shakespeare in Paradise and lead actor, ex-plained, “Shakespeare wrote English for actors. Reading it as poetry is the difficulty.”

McKerrow moved to southwest Florida after 12

years acting in New York and looked for a Shakespeare company. Since the nearest existing one was in Orlando, he started his own profes-sional acting company here in southwest Florida, starting

with a unique one-hour ver-sion of Macbeth at the Naples Botanical Gardens in 2011. A Midsummer Night’s Dream followed in March 2012 at Barron Collier High School. This year’s performance of

Taming of the Shrew ran a brief ten day run through January 26.

Building a Shakespeare audience that appreciates the excitement of the language and the plots doesn’t hap-pen overnight. “Yet,” said McKerrow, “students are ex-pected to know Shakespeare in every Florida high school. Questions are included in standardized exams. Once they see it performed, it is no longer a mystery but actually fun.”

Area high school stu-dents can enjoy Shakespeare in Paradise free on a seats available basis with a call to McKerrow. Shakespeare in Paradise hopes to inspire young and old alike to enjoy the productions.

Shakespeare is a fam-ily affair, on stage and in real life. The Taming of the Shrew’s society matron, Baptista, was played by veteran-actress Kay Francis, joined by her hus-band of 26 years, Bruce Fran-

cis, as Vincentio. McKerrow and his real-life wife, Mary Ann, played the leading roles of Petruchio and Katherine. “I joked that trying to tame her for twenty-two years add-ed to the reality,” said McKer-row.

Shakespeare in Paradise cast members range in age from eight to eighty-five. All

John McKerrow started his own acting company

here in southwest Florida.

are professionals. King Lear is scheduled for February 2014. In the interim, the special one hour Macbeth preview is available for a small spon-sor fee to help build interest in Shakespeare. McKerrow added, “We hope to build Shakespeare in Paradise to a full-time theater; right now we are a traveling cast.”

To arrange a Macbeth preview performance visit www.sipnaples.org

or call 239-682-2637.

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Plumbing Supplies,Granite Yards and Art

Twenty-eight studios are scattered among many businesses in the Pine Ridge Industrial Park.


Gotham XVII by Richard Rosen


Gulf Series by Deborah Martin

Staff @ swspotlight.com

Ridgeway by Stephen Mancini

If you go:STuDIO & GALLERY TOuRS

Sweet Art Gallery, 2054 Trade Center Way 1st Wednesday underground Art — Nov. thru Apr.

5pm to 8pm, Feb 6, Mar. 6, & Apr. 3 3rd Weekend Art — Nov. thru Apr.

Sat. 11am-4pm Sun. 1-4pm Feb. 16 & 17, Mar. 16 & 17, Apr. 20 & 21


Pine Ridge Industrial Park — Something exciting is happening at the Pine Ridge Industrial Park in Naples. Attracted by affordable rents and the opportunity to rub shoulders with other art-ists for inspiration, artists are relocating their studios

your explorations is at Sweet Art Gallery on Trade Center Way. There you can get an overview of what the area has to offer because many of the artists showing their work at the gallery also have studios in the area. Ask Dede Sweet, the owner, for a bro-chure which lists all open studios and their locations.

Tammra Sigler explains that, “Music can be a paint-ing.” Her energetic and spon-taneous style was recently on display when she painted “live” to the music of Ars Nova at a von Liebig event. The only thing that was pre-ordained was the paint she brought. She enjoys her new space where she can lift the garage door and paint with the natural light flowing in and listen to her music. Her mixed media approach in-cludes oil, crayons, pastels, latex paint and house paint.

“Embrace your mistakes,” she said.

“I’m the only woman I know that paints this type of thing,” said Karen Barrow. “I pull inspiration from my upbringing in the auto manu-facturing hub of mid-Michigan.” Working from old car photographs, she reworks them digitally then ap-plies a clear coat, multiple and varied paint applications and scrapings that result in pleasing abstracts.

Patty Kane describes her watercolors as “loose and juicy” paintings that reflect the coastal lifestyle she en-joys. Transparent, layered colors produce many unex-pected bursts of color in her contemporary abstracts. She teaches at the Center for the Arts Bonita Springs.

Pastels that don’t require glass frames are a special trademark for Sandra K. Jackoboice who also teaches the technique that marks her rich, oversize flowers on dark backgrounds.

Light shining through Joel Shapses’ alabaster and glass sculptures explains why he calls them nocturnal. They are best appreciated at night.

Beth Sistrunk’s very neat studio mirrors the precision of her realistic portraits and still life paintings which in-clude coral and shells. Her excitement was palpable as she explained having been recently accepted in several national art shows.

Wax, graphite, oil sticks, handmade papers and mica to make paper shiny, almost like waxed parchment, are the tools of the trade for Deborah Martin of Bonita Springs. Her paintings of schools of fish capture the movement, almost like look-ing into an aquarium. Often she adds poetry to the piece to convey a message of con-cern for the environment.

More artists beckon. En-joy the walk.

between the kitchen show-rooms, tile warehouses and granite yards. The best news for art lovers is that artists’ studios are open to the pub-lic on certain designated days and evenings through season.

The best place to start

Twenty-eight studios are scattered among many busi-nesses, some standing alone and others clustered which makes it nice for walking from studio to studio. Rich-ard Rosen, sculptor and co-ordinator for Art Alliance Naples explained, “We have the largest group of work-ing professional artists in southwest Florida, over 40 members.”

Richard W. Rosen’s roomy studio and gallery in-cludes his wife, Tracy Magen Rosen, with whom he col-laborates on some fired small pieces and Nancy Woltz, who paints contemporary landscapes upstairs. Richard Rosen favors the raku firing method for his contempo-rary abstract sculptures in-spired by city skylines. His

brightly colored pieces have won many awards.

Sand, shells and paper in multi-media seascapes with slightly abstract views of seashores and underwater scenes distinguish Jill Segal’s art that emphasizes texture.

“See with your mind, understand with your heart, create with your spirit,” says Ray Gallo whose back-ground is advertising. Some of his pieces are totally digital, while others are oil, pastel, charcoal and mixed media.

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Neighbor Spotlight

Lolly Audet

Her focus on those in need is so clear, that personal gain

and comfort don’t come into

the picture.

Service With a Smile


Lolly Audet, a waitress with a heart of gold.

By Mark [email protected]

Bonita Springs — It was a beautiful southwest Florida afternoon when I met Lolita “Lolly” Audet. We had spo-ken on the phone and she agreed to tell me her story. And so began a most inter-esting session with a most sincere person.

Lolly is a waitress at our local IHOP (International House of Pancakes) hav-ing worked there for better than seven years. Original-ly from Warwick, Rhode Island, she and her husband Paul are everything includ-ing extraordinary.

Lolly grew up in an abu-sive household as one of 11 children. As a victim, the years she spent before leav-ing home left a wide mark on her. It’s amazing to think of how differently people re-

act to adversity. We witness tragedies like that in Con-necticut and then we meet Lolly and her husband.

Lolly thrives on self-lessly taking care of oth-ers. At IHOP, she has her “regulars”, folks who come

called EMS and sure enough, her c u s t o m e r had just suf-fered a heart attack. Lol-ly’s timely call averted a most cer-tain death.

Or one of her regu-lars that was taking just too long in the rest-room that Lolly dis-covered had gone into dia-betic shock. Lolly quickly revived her with some fruit juice. These emergency in-cidents where Lolly’s rapt attention to her customers only tells part of the story.

Paul’s family started a tradition many years

ago that Lolly and he con-tinue today. Lolly related to me that Thanksgiving and Christmas at her and Paul’s home include some 30-35 people, all on Lolly’s waitress salary and tips and Paul’s part time mainte-nance work. Lolly and Paul

take no donations and they serve their “extended” fam-ily all the fixin’s as their way of helping those that are more in need.

Lolly helps her more needy customers with house cleaning which she does again, without pay. The people she helps are elderly and without local family. Without Lolly, their homes would quickly be-come homes of those whose loneliness is exacerbated by filth. Once again, those in need accommodated on a waitress salary and tips and a handyman’s part time in-come.

Lolly’s immediate fam-ily still resides in Rhode Island. Her three children and grandchildren keep in touch, but distance pre-vents them from seeing each other often. The rest of Lolly’s siblings also remain in Rhode Island.

As I listened to Lolly tell her life’s story it was obvi-

ous to me that her devotion to her customers and those she and Paul try to help comes at great personal sac-rifice. Lolly entered the hos-pital a few weeks back for needed care and without insurance and now faces a $14,000 bill. Yet she and Paul still hosted the holi-day meals for those with-out families home for the holidays. She believes in her God and is confident that she is here for a purpose. And when I finally raised the issue of taking care of her own and Paul’s needs, she was a bit confounded. Her focus on those in need is so clear, that personal gain and comfort don’t come into the picture.

So if you are out for a good meal and IHOP comes into view, look up Lolly Au-det. And when done, per-haps we could all find a way to leave a bit larger tip than usual. We know it is going to a very good cause.

in and only want to sit in the section Lolly is serving. During her tenure, Lolly has truly taken care of her customers.

Like the couple that were sitting in her section with the husband turning gray and sweating. Lolly

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



DOROTA AND MAX HARR IS

Max Harris | [email protected]

Commodore never fears to throw himself into the thick of it.

Commodore is a small dog that lives under the illusion that he is really much bigger than he actually is.

Bonita’s Best FriendsIf you have a dog that you think is particularly wonderful, contact us at [email protected] and he or she could be the next dog featured

in this column.

The Look of The Lion

Bonita Springs – Today we will tell you about a Shih Tzu named Commodore. We have known Commo-dore all his life (he is now seven), but he really caught

is history (and today Dick is Commodore’s most de-voted fan.)

And Shih Tzus are dogs with character. The breed has an ancient history in Asia, but arrived elsewhere relatively late. The first Eu-ropean standard for the breed was written in 1935,

fearlessly with dogs much larger than himself. Many small dogs are intimidated by the prospect of running with retrievers and labra-dors and big poodles, as the play can become very physi-cal. Commodore never fears to throw himself into the thick of it . . . which brings

our attention as the pos-sible subject of an article when we happened to wit-ness him chasing a bobcat . . . but more of that later!

Commodore’s own-

ers, Cherrill and Dick, are experienced dog-owners. Cherrill recounted an ownership history com-prising a Standard Poodle, a Golden Retriever, and a Giant Schnauzer / Poodle mix. All big dogs! And now they have Commodore . . . a small dog who lives under the illusion that he is really much bigger than he actu-ally is.

After their many years of dog ownership, Dick (says Cherrill) decided not to get another dog, and to enjoy their freedom to trav-el. But while up north, their granddaughter saw a sign in a window – “Shih Tzu puppies on view tomor-row”. Of course Cherrill and granddaughter were there the next day . . . and of course one puppy endeared himself by persistently climbing on Cherrill’s lap. So they took the dog home “on 48 hours approval”. The family conspired to encour-age Dick to choose a name for the dog . . . and the rest

and it was not recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1969. The name in Chinese means “lion dog”. Lions occupy an im-portant symbolic position in Buddhism, but the lion itself is not actually indig-enous to China. So the Shih Tzu was bred to resemble the lion as depicted in tra-ditional Chinese art. May-be this heritage has given Commodore a big lion’s heart.

From the beginning we watched Commodore play

of saw palmetto. Suddenly a bobcat burst out of the palmettos . . . and pursuing the cat closely on its heels came Commodore. They disappeared at full speed into another group of pal-mettos, emerging from the other side, still at full speed, bobcat first, Commodore a yard behind. By then Com-modore had really got his owner’s attention, and Dick joined in the pursuit to re-trieve (rescue?) his dog.

The bobcat looked young, but even so was much bigger than Com-modore. Maybe he saw the look of the lion in Com-modore’s eyes, and decided discretion was the better part of valor. We can’t wait to see what Commodore will tackle next.

us back to the bobcat story.We witnessed the en-

counter at first hand. Com-modore was off-leash in a park area with big dogs, and we were a short distance away. Between us were several separated clumps

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Then and Now

Cracker Style RestoredBy Ronda LawhonSpecial to the Spotlight

Bonita Springs – The Nutting House, located at 9950 Pennsylvania Av-enue is, under local ordi-nance, designated as his-toric by the City of Bonita Springs.

The Nutting house was built in 1913 by Harvie Heitman after he bought much of the Comer par-cel in 1907. Newly planted citrus groves were located in a portion of this par-cel due to the climate and quality of the soil along the southern banks of the Imperial River. The house was built as a place for his grove overseer to live and was originally located on the riverfront on River Avenue.

The house along with

40 acres was purchased by E. P. Nutting in 1942. Al-though he originally knew little of growing citrus, he soon developed a thriving business shipping baskets of fruit to his home area of Moline, Illinois. Nut-ting spent his retirement here growing fruit and researching the area’s his-tory for his book, The Be-ginnings of Bonita Springs, Florida, first published in 1986. In later years, he de-veloped a residential sub-division from his citrus grove lands called Nut-tinglikit Grove.

The architectural fea-tures of the house are typ-ical to the Florida cracker style including the lean-to front porch. Constructed from old Florida slash pine, much of the exte-rior wall and roof framing

are original, as is the pine flooring inside. The living room showcases a beau-tiful all brick fireplace which offers a warm and cozy ambiance.

In 2003, the house was salvaged and moved to its current location on Penn-sylvania Avenue by local preservationist, Christian Busk. After the move, the square footage was in-creased dramatically from around 900 to 1800, trans-forming the modest four room bungalow into an adorable eight room cot-tage.

This article was adapted from the script written by Ronda Lawhon for the Bonita Springs Historical Society’s DVD Historical Walking Tour.

Bonita Springs Historical Society | Special to the Spotlight

Nutting House before its restoration by Christian Busk.


Backyard view of restored Nutting House after land-scaping.


E.P. Nutting, who purchased the house in 1942, developed a thriving citrus grow-ing business in Bonita Springs.


Restored Nutting House prior to landscaping.

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants




Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants


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

Spanish Wells Snippets

TEE BOXTIPS

JOSH MUSSELMAN

By Martha CriderSpecial to the Spotlight SpanishWells–The won-derful “Season” which Florida experiences brings an increase in activity. More walkers, runners, bicyclists, golfers, tennis players and bocce players enjoy the sun-shine and warm tempera-tures. Also witnessed re-cently in Spanish Wells have been armadillos. The wild-life seems to enjoy Florida winters, as well.

The month at the Club begins with the 34th An-nual Men’s Member Guest February 1-2. The 18 hole women’s league is planning the President’s Cup for Feb-

ruary 12 & 13. But, one of the highlights of the season is the Charity Weekend, the last weekend of February. Spanish Wells Cares Foun-dation holds its annual event at the Club, with the tennis tournament Saturday, Feb-ruary 23, and the golf tour-nament and auction Sun-day, February 24. Recipients of this year’s proceeds will be the Bonita Springs Chap-ter of Shoes That Fit and the Garguilo Education Center. Both organizations help underprivileged children improve their lives, promot-ing self-esteem, skills and education.

Girls’ Night Out, Febru-ary 6, will feature a speaker,

Janine Bistola. This month’s book club, February 22, will discuss The Shoemaker’s Wife. Spring League Play for bocce runs from February 11 through March 27; sign up and join the fun. And, of course, for those who strive for stronger bodies, there are fitness classes in Pilates, yoga, water aerobics and the stability ball. Ten-nis is another great way to stay in shape and compete, with ongoing events, clinics, round robins and lessons.

There is something for everyone. Participation keeps the body and spirit young, and the social inter-action provides great friend-ships.

Bonita Springs – You have likely heard the term, tee it high and let it fly, which is in relevance to the driver. This is not ideal advice though for the average golfer.

A professional golfer or tour player usually tees the ball up to about half the equator of the ball to the top of the driver face (es-sentially half the ball is teed above the driver). Gener-ally, the reason this works for better golfers is because they hit with a driver down the target line and at an up-ward angle on the ball of about 3-5 degrees.

Amateurs however, on average have a fade or slice ball flight. When a player hits a fade or slice this typi-cally means the ball was struck outside in and on a downward angle. Outside in refers to cutting across the golf ball.

If this is the case with your swing, then the higher

Tee It High, Let It Fly?you tee the ball the less ef-ficiently you will strike it. A downward striking pattern causes more back spin, like a wedge or short iron shot, and forces you to hit the ball high on the club face. Not only then will you loose en-ergy, but this will also cause pop ups or sky balls.

Drivers are designed and built with a weld line like a seam around the club face. On a driver the center of the club face flexes and causes the ball to accelerate off the

the club’s total length is so important, because if the club is too long it will cause you to miss hit the club face (even just slightly) and loose distance.

One of the only ways to test this smash factor is utilizing a launch monitor. Doppler radar systems are extremely accurate launch monitors. We use Flight-scope, a 3 dimensional Doppler radar system that measures every aspect of the ball flight and contact with the golf ball. During impact the system mea-sures the back spin, side spin, ball speed, smash factor, efficiency of contact and many other details. This technology takes the guesswork out of whether it’s the indian or the arrow for your bad shots.

Take the time to find out more about how you strike the ball and evaluate your swing. Golfers can gain lit-erally 20 yards or more be-tween the ball striking and equipment adjustments from this information.

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

ELECTROLUX • ORECK • EUREKA • BISSEL • PANASONIC • DYSON • KIRBY • RICCAR HOOVER • ORECK • EUREKA • BISSEL • PANASONIC • DYSON • KIRBY • RICCAR • DIRT DEVIL • ROYALHOOV

ER • O

RECK •

EUREK

A • BIS

SEL • P

ANASO

NIC • D

YSON •

KIRBY

• RICC

AR • D

IRT DE

VIL • R

OYAL

ELECTROLUX • ORECK • EUREKA • BISSEL • PANASONIC • DYSON • KIRBY • RICCAR

BUY NEW$100 OFF

UP TOANY NEW VACUUM

PURCHASE WHEN YOU TRADE-IN YOUR OLD VACUUM!

Excludes prior purchases & featured items in ad. Not valid with any other offers, discounts. With coupon. Expires 2/28/13

SORRY ORECK!

$19999NO OTHER DISCOUNTS APPLY

40% MORE POWERFUL THAN ORECK!• Under 8 lbs. • Made in USASimplicity Freedom out cleaned Oreck by 39.45%

VACUUM DEPOTSuper Store3300 Bonita Beach Road,Ste.122

Bonita Springs, FL 34134(Bonita Beach Rd & 41-next to Publix)

239-947-1955

WE CAN TUNE-UP YOUR OLD VACUUM TO PERFORM LIKE NEW!

$10 OFFNot valid with other offers, discounts or

prior purchases • Expires 2/28/13

Vacuum Tune Up

HUGE VACUUM SALE!

FREE $25 GAS CARDwith any vacuum purchased over $199.99

(excludes prior purchases) Expires 2/28/13

HUGE SHOWROOM FULL OF NEW VACUUMS ON DISPLAY.

TRY AND COMPARE RIGHT IN THE STORE!FREE ASSEMBLY WITH ANY PURCHASE

face. Smash factor is the measurement and amount the face flexes. The maxi-mum smash factor or ball speed a club can produce is the club head speed multi-plied by 1.50 or 50%. This number is the maximum speed a golf ball can leave a driver face after impact.

Similar to a tennis rack-et, the closer you hit the ball to the center of the face the faster the ball speed. For ev-ery quarter inch you miss hit off the “sweet spot” you actually loose 16% of the energy. It is for this reason

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants


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

VOTED ★ ★ ★ ★VOTED VOTED VOTED ★ ★ ★ ★★ ★ ★ ★MolinosMolinos’’# 1 I T A L I A N R I S T O R A N T E

OPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH & DINNER, 1:30AM TO 9PMOPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH & DINNER, 1:30AM TO 9PMOPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH & DINNER, 1:30AM TO 9PMReservations Required - 992-7025

IN THE PROMENADE26841 South Bay Drive - Bonita Springs

Maximum 6 people • Expires February 28, 2013Does not include any other promotion

Must Present Coupon • Must be seated by 5:30 PM

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

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

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



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

Bellissimo RistoranteChef Jose Benavides and part-ner Ed Falcone are looking forward to their first season together in Bonita Springs. Chef Benavides has fine-tuned his culinary skills in area restau-rants for years. Together he and Ed Falcone, a former restauran-teur, will be offering specialties like Bellissimo Paella and Veal Scallopini Di Vitello Alla Piz-zaiola. Open for lunch Mon thru Sat and dinner 7 days a week. 26251 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 9, Bonita Springs. 239-405-8957. www.bellissimobonita.com

Buffalo ChipsAl, Chip and JC Greenwood’s Old 41 original for 30 years strong. It’s “where locals go.” 1st place winner, Florida State chicken wing and chili cook-offs. Full menu including burg-ers, fish and steak and spuds. Boars Head premium deli sand-wiches. Featuring Bonita’s Hall of Fame. “If it looks good, we’ll find a place for it on the walls or ceiling,” says Al. Lunch and dinner daily. 26620 Old 41 Rd. 239-947-1000. www.buffalo-chipsrestaurant.com.

Don Pancho’s Mexican RestaurantOwner Javier Moya says he has the best tacos in town at his new Mexican eatery. Handmade tor-tillas and the freshest ingredi-ents await diners to this nicely renovated location next to the railroad tracks in Bonita. Alam-bres, a delicious dish with steak, chorizo, onions, jalapenos and cactus, is a specialty offered daily. Prices are very reasonable with burritos only $5.99. Open daily. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sun. to Thur; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fri.; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sat.10401 West Terry St. 221-8681.

Hemingways Island GrillExperience a taste of the is-lands with Caribbean inspired dishes. The tropical flavors will take you on a sea cruise with seafood, chicken and steaks infused with coconut, key lime, rum sauce, cilantro or jerk bar-becue sauce. Make your selec-tions from an extensive menu. There’s even a kid’s menu. Open for breakfast, lunch and din-ner. The Shops at Coconut Point 8001 Plaza Del Lago #113 Es-tero. www.hemingwaysisland-grill.com

Hungry Hound DawgsOutdoor picnic tables invite Bonitians to enjoy locally made frankfurters and sausages with only the freshest ingredients. Owner Rick Price, a 30 year Air Force veteran, dreamt for years of owning a hot dog vend-ing company. He developed his passion for German sausages while stationed in Europe and now offers a full menu of dawgs and sausages. Pick one of his specialties or create your own!

Cointinued on page 35

10530 Wilson Streetthesurveycafe.com992-CAFÉ (2233)

facebook.com/surveycafe

“Love the ambiance, the outdoor seating, the old Florida style. The food is very well made and cre-ative. The staff is friendly and the coffee is magic!” (Yelp 10/22/11)

*CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS OR DISCOUNTS. NO CASH VALUE. EXP. 2/28/13

Dinner under the stars!Fridays and Saturdays 5-9:00 pm.

The best ambiance in town!Breakfast & Lunch

Tues-Sat 8:00 am-2:30 Breakfast available all day!

Sunday Brunch 8:00 am-2:30

BUY ONE GLASS OF WINE OR BEER GET ONE FREE WITH PURCHASE OF DINNER*

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



Open Mon-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat until 2pm, closed Sun. Corner of Old 41 & Abernathy Street. 239-877-6501. www.hungry-hounddawgs.com.

Johnny Malloy’sThey say it’s game day everyday at Johnny Malloy’s. Come for the game but stay for the food. Try the Shredded Pork or Clas-sic Rib Eye Steak Sandwich, Specialty pizzas, the Malloy Classic Burger, or a fresh torti-lla wrap. Watch the game on the new outdoor patio with TVs ev-erywhere. 10347 Bonita Beach Rd. #101 (corner of Old 41). 239-992-5000

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

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

Manhattan SteakhouseSpecializing in USDA Prime Dry Aged steaks and sizzling platters up to 1800 degrees. Enjoying its second season,

Bella Purisic oversees this rela-tive newcomer to the Bonita Springs restaurant scene. The extensive menu includes fresh catches such as grouper, tuna and jumbo Maine lobster. Ask about their extensive wine list. Open daily for dinner 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. 24940 S. Tamiami Trail #103 (Behind Zazou in Bo-nita) Reservations are required. 239-676-8687. www.manhat-tan1steakhouse.com

Molino’s RistoranteClassic Italian in a beautiful indoor room and an al fresco patio setting, featuring pasta, meat and fish dinners. Fam-ily owned since 2003. Try the Vitello 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 Promenade. 239-992-7025. www.molinos-ristorante.com.

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

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

Ristorante EnricoOwner Enrico Costagliola was born in his mother’s restaurant in Torregaveta, Italy, south of Naples. “I still cook like my mother, with only the 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 ScoopLife’s short…eat dessert first! The oldest homemade ice cream store in Bonita. 35 ice cream flavors, 12 lowfat and sugar-free choices. Their scoopologists make the thickest shakes, big-gest sundaes and best cones. Delicious lunches featuring Boar’s Head meats and cheeses and fantastic family recipes for chicken, egg and tuna salad. Kids menu. Open til 10 p.m. at Vanderbilt Dr. & 8th Street in Bonita Springs 992-2000; open til 10 p.m. at Pavillion Shoppes (Vanderbilt Beach Road & 41) 239-597-4043. www.roy-alscoop.com

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

Cointinued from page 34

Southwest Spotlight

Spotlight News

Town Talk

Giving Back

Commentary


Community

Restaurants



southwest spotlight february 15, 2013

Documents