Here’s what’s inside today:

• 🐾 Cape Coral Animal Shelter’s 600-plus-item auction wraps up Friday

• 👻 Alliance for the Arts starts building its October haunted house

• 🏖️ Fort Myers Beach’s sand-sculpting championship saves the date

• 🌿 Lee County opens sign-ups for a family-friendly public-lands workday

• 🧠 Port Charlotte gains a new neurosurgery clinic

Last week’s answer: They flew them in on single-engine planes! In Cape Coral’s earliest days, the swampy peninsula then known as Redfish Point had no real roads — so the Rosen brothers’ sales teams loaded prospective buyers into small planes and landed them on a makeshift dirt airstrip to show off the “waterfront paradise” they were busy dredging into existence. Nothing says “trust us, this’ll be beautiful” like a bumpy landing in a cow pasture that’s now a city of 236,000.

💸 The Easiest $50 in Southwest Florida

No lawns to mow, no fences to paint, no couches to haul up the stairs. Just think of one local business that belongs in front of 16,000+ Southwest Florida readers — your favorite restaurant, your realtor, the contractor who actually showed up, the boutique you can’t stop recommending — and point them our way. If they come aboard as a premium sponsor of The Inlet, we’ll send you a $50 gift card, no strings attached. That’s a solid return for forwarding one helpful email to the group chat with 47 unread messages. Just reply with their name and we’ll handle the rest.

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📰 THE RUNDOWN

🐾 Cape Coral Animal Shelter’s Biggest Online Auction Is Down to Its Final Day

The Cape Coral Animal Shelter’s fifth annual online auction is live through Friday, Aug. 21 at 4 p.m., with more than 600 donated items and packages up for bids. The lineup ranges from art, pet supplies, and spa offerings to local resort stays and a Pine Island Experience package — so this is decidedly not your average “one gift basket and a prayer” fundraiser. The shelter says last year’s auction raised more than $65,000, and every dollar this year goes straight to animals’ food, medical care, supplies, enrichment, and specialized treatment. There’s a bigger story behind the bidding, too: CCAS is in the middle of a fall 2026 expansion — a new 19,000-square-foot building with 50 dog kennels, eight cat condos, and a larger low-cost veterinary clinic — after helping more than 6,400 animals find homes since it opened in 2020. If your browser develops a bidding habit today, at least it’s for a very good cause.

👻 Fort Myers Is Officially in Haunted-House Build Mode

It’s barely back-to-school season and the Alliance for the Arts is already summoning spooky season. The nonprofit has opened early-bird tickets and free community build workshops for Stage Fright Nights: Summoning the Damned, its immersive haunted house running Oct. 17–31 at 10091 McGregor Blvd. Early-bird admission is $15 for non-members and $13 for members through Sept. 21, before prices climb the next day — and opening night adds an outdoor screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, costume contests, and a preview walkthrough. Here’s the fun part: you can actually help build it. Free Scenic Build Workshops run Sundays 1–4 p.m. in September and early October, with Prop-Making Workshops on Sept. 9 and 16 from 5:30–9 p.m. No experience required — just a little glue-gun confidence and a tolerance for fake cobwebs in your hair.

🏖️ Fort Myers Beach’s Sand-Sculpting Championship Has Its Theme — and Its All-Star Lineup

Fort Myers Beach will welcome back the 36th American Sand Sculpting Championship from Nov. 19–23, with a 2026 theme built for the country’s 250th birthday: “Stars, Stripes & Sand: Sculpting the American Story.” Organizers expect 29 master and advanced-amateur sculptors from 10 states and five countries to turn the island’s famously cooperative sugar sand into enormous, temporary works of art behind the DiamondHead Beach Resort. It’s presented by the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce alongside The Sand Lovers and DiamondHead — and it’s become a signature marker of the island’s post-Ian comeback. November feels far off, but the News-Press notes that rooms and rentals are limited, so book early. Consider this your reminder that real artistry can involve a bucket, a shovel, and better posture than most of us can manage.

🌿 Lee County Wants Families to Put On Gloves for National Public Lands Day

Here’s a feel-good way to give back: Lee County Parks & Recreation is recruiting volunteers for free workdays on Sept. 26 (National Public Lands Day), with projects at Lakes Park in Fort Myers, Moody River Preserve in North Fort Myers, Oak Hammock Preserve in Alva, and Wild Turkey Strand Preserve in Fort Myers. The work — pulling invasive plants, removing old fencing, and sprucing up public areas — is exactly the kind of hands-on project that turns a Saturday into something you feel good about. Every site starts at 9 a.m., space is limited, and registration is required by Sept. 24. Pack the Southwest Florida outdoors starter pack: water, sun protection, work gloves, closed-toe shoes, and long pants.

🧠 Port Charlotte Gains a New Neurosurgery Clinic

A little north of us but worth a mention for anyone managing brain-and-spine care: AdventHealth Medical Group Neurosurgery at Port Charlotte held its grand opening Aug. 14, adding surgical and nonsurgical specialty care at 2400 Harbor Blvd., Suite 5, in Charlotte County. Led by Dr. Amrith Jamoona, the practice is designed to keep follow-up appointments closer to home rather than turning them into a day trip up the interstate. For families weighing serious health questions, more specialty care within reach is the real headline — even if it’s just over the Lee County line.

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📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

A New Foothold for Small Makers in North Fort Myers: Paradise Vintage Market has welcomed a wave of local vendors into new booths and is offering first-month-free rent to help small businesses get established. Per WINK, only three vendor booths remain; the market is open daily 10 a.m.–6 p.m. in North Fort Myers.

FGCU Opens an Art Season With an Ecological Side Quest: FGCU Art Galleries unveiled several new shows this week, including Peter Massing and Selections from the Permanent Collection at the Bradshaw Library (through Dec. 4) and Herb Jackson: Electric Sheep at Gallery 101 (through Sept. 17). Also debuting: Between Creation & Concrete, an alumni window installation honoring native birds and supporting FGCU’s Window Strike Prevention Project — art that literally helps save wildlife.

A $9.5M Estero Retail Deal (No Store Drama Attached): Benderson Development bought the Lowe’s property at 10070 Estero Town Commons Place for $9.5 million, per county records cited by the Business Observer. The ~170,000-square-foot site sits near Corkscrew Road and Three Oaks Parkway. Important: this is an ownership update, not a store closure or redevelopment announcement — so your weekend home-improvement run is safe from newsletter-induced panic.

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: Wisteria Tea Room & Café

2512 Second St., Fort Myers · (239) 689-4436

Tucked inside a beautifully restored historic home in Downtown Fort Myers, Wisteria Tea Room & Café offers what they call “English Tea with a Southern Flair.” It’s the perfect spot when you’re looking for something a little different than the usual lunch outing. The menu features elegant afternoon tea service with tiered trays of finger sandwiches, fresh-baked scones, pastries, and endless tea, alongside a popular lunch menu with house-made soups, salads, quiche, sandwiches, and wraps. Reservations are strongly recommended—especially for afternoon tea and weekend visits—and the tea room is open Monday through Friday from 10:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. If you’re celebrating a birthday, bridal shower, or simply catching up with friends, this charming hidden gem is one of the most unique dining experiences in Southwest Florida.

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: Alani

Meet Alani — a 7-month-old, 29-pound spayed female Terrier mix who was listed as ready for adoption at Lee County Domestic Animal Services when we checked Wednesday. Alani only arrived on Aug. 19, so she’s a brand-new face looking for a fresh start, and at that compact carry-your-own-toys size, she’s got the makings of a very portable adventure buddy. Puppies this young are basically personality sponges, so she’ll thrive with a family ready to pour on the training, walks, and love.

(Adoption lists move fast — check Alani’s current status on the LCDAS adoptable-pet page. Her Animal ID is A1114222, and if she’s already found her people, keep scrolling: every click is a chance to meet another excellent potential roommate.)

🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

Three fresh, active Lee County listings at three very different price points. As always, confirm availability directly with the listing agent before making plans — a great listing can disappear faster than the free samples at a weekend open house.

$309,998 — 3112 45th St. W, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971

• A newly listed new-construction home with 3 beds, 2 baths, and 1,630 sqft — all-new everything, minus the previous owner’s mysterious half-used paint cans in the garage.

$595,000 — 1504 Beechwood Trl., Fort Myers, FL 33919

• The mid-range pick: a 3-bed, 2-bath Fort Myers house with 1,805 sqft, and among Zillow’s newest Lee County listings when we checked — so move quickly and verify with the agent.

$1,180,000 — 11205 Surrey Pl., Fort Myers, FL 33913

• At the top end, 3 beds, 3 baths, and 2,548 sqft in Fort Myers — for anyone whose definition of “a little more space” quietly adds 700-plus square feet to the conversation.

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

Thursday and Friday bring the week’s most muscular heat, with the National Weather Service forecasting heat-index values up to 107° Thursday and 104° Friday. The good news: rain chances ease a little over the weekend, though the afternoon-storm habit is still very much on the guest list. Morning plans are your friend, shade is your co-host, and hydration is the non-negotiable third person in the group chat.

Forecast source: National Weather Service — Fort Myers. Conditions change quickly; check the latest before outdoor plans.

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

Thursday, August 20

• The First and Last Florida Tour — Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St, Fort Myers — doors 7:00 PM, music 8:00 PM ($15 advance, $20 door; SWFL rapper AntoneNow shares the stage with Lennon Cripe and RuslanSilvr)

• Gulf Coast Jazz Collective: Music of Wayne Shorter — Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM (jazz tribute to the legendary saxophonist and composer; the kind of evening that makes you want to wear all black and pretend you understood “Speak No Evil” the first time)

• Loire Valley, France Wine Tasting — Vichino’s Cafe & Wine Bar, Bonita Springs — 5:30 PM (because nothing says “I’m cultured” like correctly pronouncing Sancerre)

• Life as an Alligator Biologist — Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero — 10:30 AM (find out what it’s like to make a living chasing dinosaurs with attitudes)

• Business After Hours at Tiki Pub FMB — Tiki Pub, Fort Myers Beach — 5:30-7:00 PM (networking on the beach; the hardest part is pretending you’re here for the contacts and not the sunset)

• Essence of Water Art Exhibit — Fort Myers Beach Art Association Gallery, 13451 McGregor Blvd — 12:00-6:00 PM (opening day of this water-themed exhibit; runs through Aug 22)

• CROW Wildlife Tour — Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel — 11:00 AM-12:45 PM (free guided tour of the wildlife rehabilitation hospital; come for the baby birds, stay for the baby otters)

• “What Springs Forth” — Off Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM ($36 BOGO = $18 each; three friends think they’re getting a spa weekend and instead get wilderness survival — the comedy writes itself, and Carey Crim did)

• “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra” — Players Circle Theatre, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM ($40-$55; four singers, a jazz trio, and an intimate nightclub vibe — because “just one more Sinatra song” has never been a reliable promise)

• “Waiting for Godot” (Half-Price Preview) — Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM (half-price preview night; Beckett’s masterpiece about two men waiting for a guy who never shows up — the original “I’ll be there in 5 minutes”)

• Extra live music: DJ SMASH at Bay Street Yard, No Wrong Turn Acoustic Duo at Backyard Social, Johnny Orr and Joe Yeoman Band at Slipaway Food Truck Park in Cape Coral, Sunset Celebration on the Terrace at License to Chill, Margaritaville

Friday, August 21

• Fort Myers Music Walk — Downtown Fort Myers River District — 6:00-10:00 PM (free; monthly street music event with bands lining First Street and playing inside bars and venues; the third Friday of every month, and the one night downtown Fort Myers feels like a real city)

• SWFL Education Open House — Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St, Fort Myers — 5:00-8:00 PM (free; family-friendly with hands-on workshops, live demos, performances, a kids dance party, raffle baskets, food truck, and rooftop lounge access — the rare event that genuinely has something for everyone)

• Motown and Martinis with Blou Note — SBDAC Rooftop, 2301 First St, Fort Myers — 6:00 PM-midnight, music 8:00-11:00 PM (rooftop party with Motown classics and martinis; the combination that has been solving Friday nights since 1960)

• “Waiting for Godot” (Opening Night) — Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM ($25 adults, $10 students; officially opens tonight after last night’s preview; runs through Sept 6)

• Groundbreaking Ceremony for Fort Myers Beach Pier — Fort Myers Beach — 10:00-11:00 AM (the replacement project for the FMB pier officially begins; bring a hard hat or just bring yourself)

• Fort Myers Speed Dating for Singles Age 40s/50s — The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Fort Myers — 6:30 PM (speed dating at an art center; if the conversation stalls, just point at a painting)

• Night Market at The Springs — Hopsized Brewing, Bonita Springs — 6:00 PM (every third Friday; local makers, crafts, food trucks, and craft brews — a farmers market that figured out the evening is better than the morning)

• Ron Feingold Comedy Show — Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM

• Singer/Songwriter Night with Coupe de Ville — Vichino’s Cafe & Wine Bar, Bonita Springs — 6:00 PM

• Joe Yeoman Band — License to Chill Bar & Grill, Margaritaville FMB — 7:00-10:00 PM (country and modern country at the beach; the perfect soundtrack for a Friday you’re trying to extend into Saturday)

• Extra live music: RH3 at Bay Street Yard, Kings Chambers Band at Backyard Social, The Line Up at Swamp Cat Brewing, Lee Hagan at The Lucky Screw, Relentless Fire at The Whale FMB.

Saturday, August 22

• Some Enchanted Evening: Richard Rodgers & Broadway’s Golden Age — Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM ($56-$155; Gulf Coast Symphony Pops with Broadway vocalists Elizabeth D’Aiuto and Mark Sanders performing selections from Oklahoma!, Carousel, The King and I, South Pacific, and The Sound of Music — one night, one stage, all the songs you pretend you don’t sing in the shower)

• South Cape’s BaconFest Pub Crawl — Cape Coral Entertainment District (check-in at Big John’s Plaza and Dolphin Key Resort) — 7:00-11:00 PM ($25 advance, $30 day-of; 13 participating bars and restaurants serving bacon-themed appetizers and drinks, limo buses between four strategic locations, passport stamping for prizes; 21+; the 12th annual edition of Cape Coral’s most gloriously excessive tradition)

• CHILL 5K — Rotary Park, Cape Coral — 8:00 AM (5K run followed by free cold plunges; the event that asks “what if running wasn’t punishment enough?”)

• Gulf Coast’s Largest Indoor Arts & Crafts Show — Mike Greenwell Regional Park, Cape Coral — 10:00 AM-3:00 PM (indoor arts and crafts show with vendor displays; the words “largest” and “indoor” are doing a lot of heavy lifting in August)

• Elevate SWFL Event — Bonita Springs — 8:00 AM (free morning of fitness, sports, and community; a guilt-free start to a Saturday you’ll probably end at BaconFest)

• Murder Mystery Dinner Train: “If Anyone Asks” — Seminole Gulf Railway, Fort Myers — 6:30 PM (five-course dinner on a train while solving a murder; the only dining experience where the suspect list includes everyone who got the fish)

• Ed Bassmaster Live — Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Naples — 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM (YouTube prankster with 2.8 million subscribers brings his cast of characters to the stage; Nearby / Collier County)

• Neil Diamond Tribute — The Stage, Bonita Springs — 7:30 PM (because “Sweet Caroline” hasn’t been sung enough times this decade; Nearby / Collier County)

• The Temptations and Four Tops Tribute — The Stage, Bonita Springs — 7:30 PM (classic Motown tribute; Nearby / Collier County)

• Havana Night — Rooftop at Riverside, 27333 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs — 7:00-10:00 PM (Cuban-themed rooftop party; Nearby / Collier County)

• Cape Coral Comedy Night at Rumrunners — Rumrunners, Cape Harbour, Cape Coral — 7:00 PM (stand-up comedy at a waterfront bar; the setup practically writes itself)

• Backyard Social Luau — Backyard Social, 16371 Corporate Commerce Way, Fort Myers — evening (tropical party with DJ Johnny Rich, The Vybe Shifters, and Lucas and The Skywalkers; the kind of Saturday that makes you forget you have a Sunday)

• “What Springs Forth” — Off Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM ($36 BOGO = $18 each)

• “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra” — Players Circle Theatre, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM ($40-$55; two chances today to hear Sinatra done right)

• “Waiting for Godot” — Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM ($25 adults, $10 students)

• Extra live music: Hunter McDaniel at Swamp Cat Brewing, DeeJayMandoo at Bay Street Yard, Cayman and DJ Bemix at The Lucky Screw, Austin Brown and Briz and Lady at The Whale FMB, Shaun Miller at Slipaway in Cape Coral (SWFL Music, SWFL Music)

Sunday, August 23

• Murder Mystery Dinner Train: “If Anyone Asks” — Seminole Gulf Railway, Fort Myers — 5:30 PM (Sunday departure time; same murder, different day, same five-course dinner)

• The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery — 12600 University Dr, Fort Myers — 6:00 PM (interactive murder mystery dinner where the suspects are sitting at your table; not the event for anyone who was already suspicious of their dinner companions)

• Ed Bassmaster and Johnny Hamcheck — Off the Hook Comedy Club, Naples — 6:00 PM (final show of the run; Nearby / Collier County)

• Ron Taylor with Brandi Denise — Off the Hook Comedy Club, Naples — 6:00 PM (the Off the Hook calendar lists both Ron Taylor and Ed Bassmaster at 6 PM Sunday; check the venue site for the night’s lineup; Nearby / Collier County)

• Ice Cream 5K — North Collier Regional Park, Naples — 7:30 AM (5K with post-race ice cream and awards; the only race where the reward actively undoes the workout; Nearby / Collier County)

• Goat Yoga — Dim Jandy Ranch, 13151 Pinto Ln, Fort Myers — 11:00 AM (yoga with goats, including Marsala the Highland calf; the only workout where your instructor might eat your mat)

• Bayside Park Concert: Simply-Fi — Bayside Park, Fort Myers Beach — 4:00-7:00 PM (free outdoor music every Sunday at Bayside Park; bring a chair, bring a friend, bring your island spirit)

• Taco & The Hot Sauce — Rooftop at Riverside, 27333 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs — 6:00-9:00 PM (Sunday taco night on the rooftop; Nearby / Collier County)

• Neighborhood Market | Summer Edition — Rooftop at Riverside, Bonita Springs — 4:00-8:00 PM (evening market with local vendors; Nearby / Collier County)

• Rusty Wright Duo — Sugar Shack Downtown, 27421 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs — 1:00-4:00 PM (blues-rock duo at the Sugar Shack; Nearby / Collier County)

• “What Springs Forth” (Matinee) — Off Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers — 2:00 PM ($36 BOGO = $18 each)

• “My Way” (Matinee) — Players Circle Theatre, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — 3:00 PM ($40-$55)

• “Waiting for Godot” (Matinee) — Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave, Fort Myers — 2:00 PM ($25 adults, $10 students)

• “Matilda The Musical” (Closing Performance) — Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd — final performance today (last chance to catch Roald Dahl’s beloved story before it closes; the Tim Minchin score is worth the ticket alone)

• Play Reading: “Ladies Night” by Kristyn Estes — Arts Center Theatre, Marco Island — 3:00 PM (one-day play reading; Nearby / Collier County)

• Extra live music: Austin James at Bay Street Yard, JPH Reggae at Slipaway in Cape Coral, Murph Dog Duo at The Whale FMB, Beer Church and Books & Beer at Swamp Cat Brewing

💎 HIDDEN GEM: Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park

12301 Burnt Store Road, Punta Gorda · (941) 575-5816 · Free · Open sunrise to sunset

Here’s a big, wild secret hiding along Burnt Store Road: Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park protects a staggering 45,507 acres and more than 100 miles of shoreline across Charlotte and Lee counties, making it the state’s third-largest park — and almost nobody talks about it. It’s a raw, uncrowded mosaic of mangroves, salt marsh, scrub, and pine flatwoods, and it’s best seen from the water: portions of two paddle trails wind through the preserve, so a kayak or canoe is the move. Prefer dry land? There are marked hiking trails plus the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, which offers guided hikes, programs, and about six miles of trails. Bring water and bug spray, check conditions before you head out, and enjoy having a wilderness this size practically to yourself.

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That’s all for today — may your Thursday be productive, your weekend plans be plentiful, and your air-conditioning keep performing with the focus of a championship closer. We’ll see you Monday.

— The Inlet Team

Here’s what’s inside today:

• 🌳 Cape Coral officially opens Festival Park

• 🏥 A $300 million hospital is planned for Pine Island Road

• 🦅 FGCU gets faster Wi-Fi, more shade, and 2,500 new Eagles

• 🐝 Honeybees move into Florida’s solar fields

• 🎭 “Waiting for Godot” opens a new Lab Theater season

Last week’s answer: Gatorade! The sports drink was invented back in 1965 by University of Florida researchers to keep the Gators football team from wilting in the heat — hence the name. It’s since become a billion-dollar empire, but it started as a batch of salty-sweet lab juice for a college team sweating through a Florida two-a-day. (The other options were good guesses — Coppertone was indeed born on a Miami beach — but Gatorade’s the one named for the mascot.)

💸 The Easiest $50 in Southwest Florida

No lawns to mow, no fences to paint, no couches to haul up the stairs. Just think of one local business that belongs in front of 16,000+ Southwest Florida readers — your favorite restaurant, your realtor, the contractor who actually showed up, the boutique you can’t stop recommending — and point them our way. If they come aboard as a premium sponsor of The Inlet, we’ll send you a $50 gift card, no strings attached. That’s a solid return for forwarding one helpful email to the group chat with 47 unread messages. Just reply with their name and we’ll handle the rest.

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📰 THE RUNDOWN

🌳 Cape Coral’s Festival Park Is Officially Open

Eight years in the making, Cape Coral cut the ribbon Friday on Festival Park, a roughly 175-acre destination in the city’s fast-growing northwest (near Chiquita Blvd. and Kismet Parkway) built for sports, festivals, and big community gatherings. The $17 million park — funded by the voter-approved 2018 Parks GO Bond — opens with 10 multi-use sports fields and wide-open festival grounds, plus a concessions-and-restroom building and the electrical bones for a future amphitheater. Here’s the detail that makes it more than just fun: it’s also built to double as a hurricane shelter for Cape Coral neighbors during storm season. The amphitheater and other phases are still to come, but the first big event — a Latino festival — is already on the calendar for November. In short, Cape Coral finally has a very large answer to “where can we put everybody?”

🏥 Cape Coral Lands a Big Healthcare Announcement

Here’s a milestone for a city of 236,000 with only one full-service hospital: HCA Florida Healthcare and the City of Cape Coral announced plans to convert the existing freestanding ER at 322 SW Pine Island Road into a full hospital. The proposed $300 million HCA Florida Cape Coral Hospital — a three-story, 200,000-square-foot facility — is expected to break ground in 2027 and open in 2029, becoming HCA’s 19th hospital in its West Florida Division and creating at least 350 jobs. Phase one calls for up to 100 acute-care beds, an emergency department, operating rooms, a cardiac cath lab, and imaging and surgical services. Mayor John Gunter, who’s made a second hospital a top priority, put it plainly: too often, Cape Coral patients face long waits or get transported out of the city for critical care. It’s a plan, not a finished building — but a big one.

🦅 FGCU Starts the Semester With a Serious Campus Refresh

The Eagles are back. More than 2,500 new students — first-time and transfer — are being welcomed at FGCU’s inaugural “Welcome to the Nest” celebration on Aug. 16 at Alico Arena, kicking off the fall semester. Behind the scenes, the university spent the summer glowing up: a new lighted pathway along the academic corridor, refreshed landscaping, expanded outdoor Wi-Fi, shaded seating, collaborative work spaces, and even hammock zones. The nerdier headline for sports fans: FGCU replaced a decade-old shared 1 Gb network at its athletics venues with a dedicated 50-gigabit connection — because much of the old infrastructure had simply “reached the end of its life.” Students, welcome back. Your Wi-Fi may now be faster than your ability to find a parking spot.

🐝 Florida’s Solar Fields Are Making Room for Honeybees

File this under quietly clever: FPL is expanding a concept called agrivoltaics — sharing solar-energy land with agriculture. The utility says it’s now working with beekeepers across 18 Florida counties and has built more than 40 honeybee projects at its solar centers, turning otherwise-empty green space beneath and around the panels into pollinator habitat. The broader pilot also includes testing cattle grazing at a DeSoto County solar site and crop research with UF/IFAS down in Miami-Dade. It’s one of those rare win-win ideas where the buzz is entirely intentional — and where “solar farm” starts to mean an actual farm.

🎭 Lab Theater Opens Season 18 With “Waiting for Godot”

Fort Myers’ Laboratory Theater launches its new season Friday, Aug. 21, with Samuel Beckett’s absurdist classic “Waiting for Godot,” running through Sept. 6. It kicks off a lineup that also includes The Pillowman, The Rivals, God of Carnage, Bare: A Pop Opera, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The Lab bills itself as Fort Myers’ home of “intentionally innovative theater” — a fitting home for a play in which two men wait around for someone who never shows and somehow become a masterpiece. Tickets and details are available through the box office.

📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

A Mussel Sets the Pace: Speedster Merphy Hernandez keeps rewriting the record book: he swiped four bases Friday night (his second four-steal game of the year), pushing him to 39 on the season — second-most in the entire Florida State League. The Mussels, who already own the franchise’s single-season stolen-base record, dropped that particular game to Clearwater but lead the whole league in steals by a wide margin. Next up: a road series at Palm Beach starting Tuesday.

Corkscrew Swamp Is Closed — But Not Entirely: Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary begins annual maintenance today, closing its visitor center, discovery center, and famous boardwalk through Aug. 30. Guided experiences remain available with advance online tickets, so the nature fix isn’t fully canceled — just upgraded to “plan ahead.” Bonus for locals: half-price Florida-resident admission in September, plus a free community day on Sept. 19.

A Weekend Dose of Estuary Art: “Through the Light of the Estuary,” a mixed-media exhibition at the Rookery Bay Learning Center in Naples, remains open Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. — a calm, air-conditioned answer to the eternal August question, “What do we do before the afternoon storms?”

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: Foxtail Coffee — Latimer Crossing

3605 Cleveland Ave, Ste 130, Fort Myers · (239) 966-2150

Foxtail Coffee’s new Latimer Crossing shop is one of the brand’s newest Florida locations, bringing a polished coffee-and-food stop to Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers — and it comes with a secret weapon. Tucked inside the same space is Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream, which makes this an unusually effective answer to the eternal question, “Should I get coffee or dessert?” (The answer, obviously, is yes.) There’s roomy indoor seating, an outdoor patio, and plenty of reason to stick around for a second round once you’ve finished whatever you opened the laptop to do. Hours run 6:30 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Sunday. Whether you’re calling it breakfast, an afternoon reset, or a strategic ice-cream meeting, we won’t judge.

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: Sky

Meet Sky — a 3-year-old, 50-pound spayed female Siberian Husky currently listed for adoption at Lee County Domestic Animal Services. Sky arrived at the shelter on Aug. 14 with one of those names that practically demands a window seat and a dramatic breeze, and she’ll need an active home that can keep a smart, high-energy husky busy (and, ideally, a securely fenced yard — huskies are famous escape artists). Her profile is freshly posted, so this is an early look at a very good-looking potential roommate.

(Adoption lists move fast — if Sky has already found her people, keep browsing; the next great match may be one scroll away. Animal ID: A0984549.)

🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

Three active Lee County listings at three very different price points. As always, confirm availability with the listing agent before making plans — a great listing can vanish faster than shade in a Florida parking lot.

$299,900 — 16341 Fairway Woods Dr, Apt 301, Fort Myers

• A newly listed condo with 3 beds, 2 baths, and 1,937 sqft. It’s the entry-level pick this week, but nearly 2,000 square feet makes the word “condo” feel pleasantly misleading.

$689,000 — 5126 SW 19th Ave, Cape Coral

• A freshly listed 3-bed, 2-bath house with 2,000 sqft in southwest Cape Coral — close enough to the water to make every grocery run feel like it should end with a sunset.

$1,200,000 — 7146 Congdon Rd, Fort Myers

• At the top end: 4 beds, 4 baths, 1,648 sqft, with a full RV hookup — so it’s ready for the relative who says they’re “only staying a few nights” and rolls up in a vehicle the size of a small cruise ship.

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

The workweek starts in full August mode — the heat index is the main character:

Monday could feel as toasty as 107°, with a 106° heat index possible Tuesday, before the familiar afternoon-storm pattern returns midweek. Make the morning your outdoor friend, carry water, and keep the umbrella within a short sprint of the door.

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

Feature my event!

Monday, August 17

• Cape Harbour starts the week with Mondays with the Rockefellers Duo at Rumrunners from 5 to 8 p.m. It is a Cape Coral waterfront option for anyone whose Monday improvement plan begins with live music.

• If your Monday needs a little swing, Strictly Sinatra is scheduled at the Zig Zag Lounge at Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee. Check the local event listing for current performance details before heading out — because “just one more Sinatra song” has never been a reliable promise.

• CROW Wildlife Tour — 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel — 11:00 AM-12:45 PM (free; guided tour of the wildlife rehabilitation hospital and education center)

• Goat Snuggling — Dim Jandy Ranch, 13151 Pinto Ln, Fort Myers — 10:00 AM (30 minutes of goat cuddles plus feed donkeys, hold chickens, visit the gift shop; ages 4+; advance tickets required)

• Riviera Nights Wine Club Pairing Dinner — Cooper’s Hawk Winery, 13671 Olympic Ct, Fort Myers — 7:00 PM (French Riviera-inspired menu with curated Provence wine pairings; 21+)

• Barry Lawrence — The Whale FMB, Fort Myers Beach — 6:30-9:30 PM (country, classic rock)

• Trivia Night at PopStroke — 5531 Six Mile Commercial Ct, Fort Myers — 7:00-9:00 PM

• Chris Taggart — Lah De Dah, Fort Myers Beach — 7:00-10:00 PM

• James Gragg + Chris Workman — Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina, 1811 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral — evening (live rock and classic rock covers)

Tuesday, August 18

• Lee Birchfield plays Rumrunners at Cape Harbour from 1 to 4 p.m.

• Downtown Showdown at Sugar Shack — Sugarshack Downtown, 27421 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs — 8:00 PM (free; second-annual singing competition with a $2,500 grand prize; this is the final week)

• Tuesday is also Two for Tuesday at PopStroke Fort Myers, where the venue lists two entrées for $26 alongside its indoor dining, mini-golf courses, and outdoor games.

• $5 Pints All Day — Swamp Cat Brewing Company, Fort Myers

• Tacos and Trivia Tuesday — The Lucky Screw, 1527 Hendry St, Fort Myers — open to close

• Tuesday Bingo on the Water — Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina, Cape Coral — evening

• Austin James — The Whale FMB, Fort Myers Beach — evening (country, classic rock, pop hits)

• Note: Edric’s Rooftop Yoga at SBDAC is NOT running in August 2026 — the SBDAC website states “No Yoga in August 2026.

Wednesday, August 19

• The Fort Myers Beach Art Association’s Outdoor Painters hold a plein-air session from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring your own supplies if you are joining; bring only encouragement if you are the friend who knows their true talent is holding iced coffee.

• Later, Bobby Stillwell performs at Rumrunners in Cape Harbour from 1 to 4 p.m. For families, PopStroke Fort Myers lists Kids Day every Wednesday, pairing mini golf, a playground, and an ice-cream parlor with its evening programming.

• Local’s Season at Snug Harbor — Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant, 645 Old San Carlos Blvd, Fort Myers Beach — all day

• Wooftop Wednesday — Rooftop at Riverside, 27333 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs — 5:00-8:00 PM (weekly dog-friendly happy hour; bring your pup)

• Twisted Bingo — Rooftop at Riverside, Bonita Springs — 7:00-9:00 PM

• Bonita Springs Walking History Tour — 27451 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs — 2:00-3:00 PM (free; landmarks, people, and natural history of downtown Bonita)

• Trivingo with Budman — Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S 1st St, Immokalee — 6:00-9:00 PM (trivia with grand prizes ranging from $200 gift cards to a laptop)

• David Kimes Jr. — The Lucky Screw, Fort Myers — evening (country, bluegrass, southern rock)

• The Earworms — Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina, Cape Coral — evening (country, rock, southern rock)

• Run Club — Swamp Cat Brewing Company, Fort Myers — 6:30-7:30 PM (weekly run, then grab a beer)

Thursday, August 20

• The Fort Myers Beach Art Association offers Open Paint Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., an indoor summer session for anyone wanting to work on their own project alongside other artists.

• Naples adds a little friendly competition with Battle of the Decades trivia at Ispiri Community Center from 6 to 8 p.m. Choose your pop-culture era wisely and prepare to defend it passionately.

• The First and Last Florida Tour — Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St, Fort Myers — doors 7:00 PM, music 8:00 PM ($15 advance, $20 door; SWFL rapper AntoneNow shares the stage with Lennon Cripe and RuslanSilvr) (News-Press, SBDAC)n

• Gulf Coast Jazz Collective: Music of Wayne Shorter — Music & Arts Community Center, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM (jazz tribute to the legendary saxophonist and composer)

• Loire Valley, France Wine Tasting — Vichino’s Cafe & Wine Bar, Bonita Springs — 5:30 PM

• Life as an Alligator Biologist — Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero — 10:30 AM

• Business After Hours at Tiki Pub FMB — Tiki Pub, Fort Myers Beach — 5:30-7:00 PM (networking event)

• DJ SMASH — Bay Street Yard, 2136 Bay St, Fort Myers — evening (EDM, open format, dance)

• No Wrong Turn Acoustic Duo — Backyard Social, 16371 Corporate Commerce Way, Fort Myers — evening (rock, country, pop)

• Johnny Orr + Joe Yeoman Band — Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina, Cape Coral — evening (country, rock, classic rock)

• Stereo Riot — Back Streets Sports Bar, Cape Coral — evening (tribute, rock, alternative)

• Bonita Springs Run Club — Downtown Bonita — 7:00 PM (evening run from the Bandshell at Riverside Park)

• Cocktails + Construction — Front Porch Social, 4721 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral — 4:00 PM (free networking gathering presented by Lee BIA; builders, industry partners, and professionals connect over cocktails)

💎 GEM OF THE WEEK: Cape Coral Museum of History

544 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral · Open Wed–Sat, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. · Admission around $5–$10 (cash appreciated)

Here’s a delightfully under-the-radar one: a tiny, volunteer-run museum tucked inside Rotary Park’s Cultural complex that tells the genuinely bonkers story of how Cape Coral came to exist. This is the city that was conjured out of a mosquito-ridden peninsula called Redfish Point in 1957 by two Baltimore brothers who’d made their fortune selling lanolin hair tonic on early TV — and then dredged 400 miles of canals to sell “waterfront” lots to buyers around the world, sometimes flying prospects in on single-engine Cessnas that landed on a dirt airstrip. The museum packs that improbable history — plus a rose garden, a restored “cracker” cottage, native-plant grounds, and a gift shop famous for handmade burrowing-owl jewelry — into a stop you can happily do in an hour. The guided tours run cheap, the volunteers are passionate, and you’ll walk out understanding your city in a way the canals alone never explain. (Hours and admission can shift with the small volunteer staff, so it’s worth a quick call before you go.)

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That’s all for today — stay cool, try a new coffee spot, and keep one eye on the sky after lunch. Southwest Florida has a real talent for turning a sunny morning into an umbrella commercial by 3 p.m. We’ll see you Thursday.

— The Inlet Team

Here’s what’s inside today:

• 🌴 Crescent Beach Family Park reopens on Fort Myers Beach

• 🤝 United Way closes a $1.6 million funding gap

• ⚾ The Twins’ newest draft picks land with the Mighty Mussels

• 🚗 Cars on 5th finds a new Naples-area home for 2027

• 🎭 Two new local theatre shows open this weekend

Last week’s answer: A group of manatees is an aggregation — which, fittingly, is exactly what you get every winter at Manatee Park. (No, it’s not a “lounge,” though given how manatees spend their days, it probably should be.)

💸 The Easiest $50 in Southwest Florida

No lawns to mow, no fences to paint, no couches to haul up the stairs. Just think of one local business that belongs in front of 16,000+ Southwest Florida readers — your favorite restaurant, your realtor, the contractor who actually showed up, the boutique you can’t stop recommending — and point them our way. If they come aboard as a premium sponsor of The Inlet, we’ll send you a $50 gift card, no strings attached. That’s less effort than parallel-parking at a Saturday farmers market, and far more delicious. Just reply to this email with their name, and we’ll handle the rest.

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📰 THE RUNDOWN

🌴 Crescent Beach Family Park Is Back

Fort Myers Beach has another real, sit-down-and-watch-the-sunset kind of space back in the mix. Crescent Beach Family Park — the small beachfront park right at the foot of the Matanzas Bridge, the first green space you see coming over onto the island — officially reopened this week after a six-month, $1.3 million FEMA-funded restoration, nearly four years after Hurricane Ian left it fenced off and unsafe. The rebuilt 2.25-acre park now offers shaded and outdoor seating, a picnic area, bike racks, a landscaped pathway, and four beach-access points (one ADA-accessible). “We brought grass to the beach,” is how the town put it — and after years of the site sitting as a construction zone, a little greenery goes a long way. It’s a lovely excuse to work a Times Square stroll into the weekend.

🤝 A “One in a Million” Push Got the Job Done

Chalk one up for hometown teamwork. The United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades has hit its 2025–26 campaign goal of $11,512,716 after its “One in a Million” initiative rallied the community to close a stubborn $1.6 million gap. That money keeps the lights on for United Way programs and 92 partner agencies that together serve more than 500,000 people across the region through food assistance, housing support, youth programs, and more. It’s a big deal locally: United Way officials noted this is only the second time in 35 years the campaign was at risk of falling short — the last was 1991 — so the finish line matters. Donors big and small, from anonymous foundations to a $250,000 Lee Health commitment, got it across. That deserves more than a polite golf clap.

⚾ The Mussels Have a Serious Prospect Problem — in the Best Way

Hammond Stadium is suddenly the place to bring a glove and a little optimism. Vahn Lackey — the Minnesota Twins’ No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, a Georgia Tech catcher who hit .397 with 20 home runs last spring and signed for a reported $9.5 million (the third-largest bonus in draft history) — is now suiting up for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. And he’s not alone: the Twins placed six of their 2026 draftees on the Mussels, including second-rounder Carson Tinney and 11th-rounder Aidan Teel (whose brother Kyle catches in the majors). The club’s homestand against Clearwater runs through Sunday. In other words: if you’ve ever enjoyed saying “I saw him before he got big,” your window is wide open — but, given how fast Lackey is climbing, probably not for long.

🚗 Cars on 5th Is Staying in Collier — Just Not on Fifth Avenue

One of Southwest Florida’s most recognizable events has announced its next chapter. The beloved charity car show is rebranding as Cars on 5th Naples Bayshore, set for Feb. 4–6, 2027, on Bayshore Drive in East Naples. Organizers say the new home opens up room for expanded automotive showcases, cultural programming, and other attractions, with proceeds benefiting the Humane Society Naples and Collier County Domestic Animal Services. Translation: the same drool-worthy lineup of exotics and classics, now with more space for the whole experience to rev its engine. A bit of a loss for the Fifth Avenue faithful, but a bigger stage overall.

🎭 A Sinatra Nightclub and a Spa Trip Gone Spectacularly Sideways

The local theatre calendar is showing serious range this weekend. “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra” opens Friday at Players Circle Theatre, staged as an intimate nightclub with table seating, cocktail service, and a live jazz trio; it runs through Aug. 30. Meanwhile, Theatre Conspiracy’s “What Springs Forth” previews Thursday and opens Friday at the Off Broadway Palm, following three lifelong friends whose supposed luxury spa weekend curdles into a wilderness survival retreat. One serves up smooth Sinatra standards; the other serves up the kind of trip story nobody ever wants to tell around the campfire. Either way, downtown’s got your Friday night handled.

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📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber Has a New Downtown Home: The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon on its new headquarters inside Collaboratory at 2031 Jackson St., a downtown hub for meetings, networking, and educational programs — and a Fort Myers landing spot for Sanibel-Captiva Chamber members, too. Through regional partnerships, the broader network now spans more than 1,600 members across Lee, Charlotte, and Collier counties.

West Port Is Expanding in Charlotte County: Brookfield Kolter Land Partners has broken ground on a 180-acre expansion of the West Port community in Port Charlotte. The multiphase project could add up to 423 homes, a commercial center anchored by a Publix (expected late next year), and an extension of Flamingo Boulevard linking U.S. 41 and State Road 776 — plus new sidewalks and trails.

A Weekend Dose of Estuary Art: “Through the Light of the Estuary,” a mixed-media exhibition at the Rookery Bay Learning Center in Naples, remains open Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — a calm, air-conditioned answer to the eternal August question, “What are we supposed to do before the afternoon storms roll in?”

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: Keg & Cow

2384 Surfside Blvd, Cape Coral · (239) 558-5001

Keg & Cow is a Cape Coral comfort-food stop built for the days when a salad feels more like a suggestion than a plan. The menu centers on craft burgers, wings, nachos, loaded fries, bowls, and a serious craft-beer lineup — enough range to satisfy both the person who wants a classic cheeseburger and the friend who arrives announcing they’re “just getting appetizers.” Sure. We believe them. It’s a relaxed, order-at-your-own-pace neighborhood joint, the kind of place that’s as good for a post-work beer as it is for feeding a hungry table after a long day at the ballfields. The official site lists weekday happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m., with hours running Tuesday–Thursday and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. and Friday–Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. (closed Mondays). Keep an eye out for the Tuesday $10.99 BYOB (build-your-own-burger) special from noon to 6 and a $4.99 kids-eat deal — though, as always, specials are worth a quick confirmation before you head over.

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: Tiga

Meet Tiga — a 1-year-old, 40-pound spayed female Boxer currently listed for adoption at Lee County Domestic Animal Services. Tiga arrived at the shelter on Aug. 6 and is ready to start her next chapter, ideally with a family that can match a young Boxer’s boundless energy and give her room to run. Her listing is short on biography but long on possibility — which, frankly, is how a lot of the best rescue stories begin. And the timing’s good: LCDAS is running August adoption specials as part of the nationwide Clear the Shelters campaign.

(Adoption lists move fast — if Tiga has already gone home by the time you look, please give another animal a chance to make its very convincing case for your couch. Animal ID: A1120870.)

🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

Three active Lee County–area listings at three very different price points. As always, confirm availability with the listing agent before making plans — homes here can move faster than a left-lane snowbird in March.

$364,000 — 3416 5th St SW, Lehigh Acres

• A newly listed new-construction home with 4 beds, 2 baths, and 1,569 sqft. It’s the entry-level pick this week, but with four bedrooms, it clearly didn’t get the memo about acting small.

$591,000 — 8850 Springwood Ct, Bonita Springs

• The mid-range choice: a freshly listed 3-bed, 2-bath home with 1,685 sqft in one of the region’s southernmost sweet spots, keeping the commute-to-beach conversation pleasantly short.

$1,149,000 — 5539 Natoma Dr, Fort Myers

• At the top end, a 3-bed, 4-bath, 3,481-sqft home in south Fort Myers — the kind of house where you may need to text someone just to find out which room they’re in. (Zillow listed an open house for Thursday, Aug. 13, 4:30–6 p.m.)

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

Current outlook via the National Weather Service — the heat index is the headline, flirting with 106–107° Thursday and Friday:

Plan outdoor time for the morning, keep water within arm’s reach, and don’t let a blue 9 a.m. sky talk you into leaving the umbrella at home — this is peak “sunny until it very much isn’t” season.

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

Thursday, August 13

• Alabama Live in Concert (with Exile) — Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero — 7:00 PM ($50-$227; country superstars behind “Mountain Music” and “The Closer You Get”; parking $30 or free at Miromar Outlets)

• Mound House Summer Lecture: “Weather Forecasting — Science, Technology & Our Changing Climate” — Fort Myers Beach — 5:00-6:30 PM

• CROW Wildlife Tour — 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel — 11:00 AM-12:45 PM (free; guided tour of the wildlife rehab hospital and education center)

• “Essence of Water” Art Exhibit — FMB Art Association Gallery, 13451 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — 12:00-6:00 PM

• Ancient Forest Tour — Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, 375 Sanctuary Rd W, Naples — 9:00 AM (guided boardwalk tour through the world’s largest remaining old-growth bald cypress forest; $17 adults)

• Sip & Pour: Jackson Pollock Art Event — Sugarshack Downtown, 27421 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs — 3:00-6:00 PM ($39; all materials included; create a Pollock-inspired masterpiece)

• French Bistro Night — Sweet Revenge Cooking School, 9174 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs — 6:00-8:30 PM ($100; hands-on French countryside cooking class)

• Danny Masters Band — The Center Bar, 26811 South Bay Dr, Bonita Springs — 6:00-9:00 PM

• JWB Wine Experience: An Evening with Daou Vineyards — Margaritaville Resort, 251 Crescent St, Fort Myers Beach — 6:30-9:30 PM

• Zach Bartholomew: The Art of the Trio (Jazz) — Moe Auditorium, Arts Bonita, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs — 7:30-9:30 PM ($15-$48)

• Charity Gayle — First Assembly of God, 4701 Summerlin Rd, Fort Myers — 7:00 PM ($40+; contemporary Christian worship artist)

• Peter Murphy — Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM ($38)

• Rene Vaca (comedian) — Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Naples (Collier County) — 7:00 PM ($29; also runs Fri 6:30 & 8:30 PM, Sat 6 & 8 PM)

• Eddie Z: One Man Singing Drummer Band — Backyard Social, 16371 Corporate Commerce Way, Fort Myers — 6:00-9:00 PM (free)

• Marcus Washington — Bay Street Yard, 2136 Bay St, Fort Myers — 8:00-11:00 PM (rock, pop, R&B)

• Soapy Tuna — Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina, 1811 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral — evening (70s & 80s rock)

• Murder Mystery Dinner Train: “IF ANYONE ASKS” — Seminole Gulf Railway, Fort Myers — 6:30 PM

• “What Springs Forth” (preview) — Off Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM ($15; comedy about a spa weekend gone wrong)

• Baseball: Mighty Mussels vs. Clearwater Threshers — Hammond Stadium — 7:05 PM

Friday, August 14

• AI Fridays Workshop — The Collaboratory, Fort Myers — 9:00-11:00 AM (free; first session for business owners presented by the new Human Intelligence/Artificial Intelligence Hub)

• Cape Coral Festival Park Ribbon Cutting — Festival Park, 2609 NW 11th Court, Cape Coral — 9:00 AM (free; celebrate the new park opening)

• CROW Wildlife Tour — 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel — 11:00 AM-12:45 PMf

• Shorebird Stroll — Lovers Key State Park, 8700 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach — 9:00-10:30 AM (free; ranger-led shoreline walk to spot and identify birds)

• Jurassic Quest — Mike Greenwell Regional Park, 11831 Bayshore Rd, North Fort Myers — 1:00-8:00 PM ($30-$45; life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, rides, fossils, inflatables; runs Fri-Sun)

• Cape Coral Art Center Exhibition Reception — Cape Coral Art Center — 5:00-7:00 PM (free; food, drinks, community; special artist talk with Zan Lombardo on her “Retrospective: Larger Than Life Watercolors”)

• “Essence of Water” Art Exhibit — FMB Art Association Gallery, 13451 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — 12:00-6:00 PM

• Jim Lauderdale Solo (Grammy winner, Americana) — Moe Auditorium, Arts Bonita, Bonita Springs — 7:30-9:30 PM ($25-$48)

• “The Odd Couple (Female Version)” — Opening Night — Alliance for the Arts, Foulds Theatre, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM ($35/$28 members/$15 students; Neil Simon comedy; runs through Aug 23)

• “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra” — Opening Night — Players Circle Theatre, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM ($40-$55; 1940s jazz club vibe with four singers and a live trio; runs through Aug 30)

• “What Springs Forth” — Off Broadway Palm, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM ($36 BOGO = $18 each; opening night)

• Journey and The Police Tribute — The Stage, 9144 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Bonita Springs — 7:30 PM (live tribute show with dinner and dancing)

• Ian Kelley: LIVE at Bay Street Yard — 2136 Bay St, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM

• The Yacht Rockefellers — The Whale FMB, Fort Myers Beach — evening (yacht rock tribute, covers)

• Murder Mystery Dinner Train: “IF ANYONE ASKS” — Seminole Gulf Railway, Fort Myers — 6:30 PM

• Baseball: Mighty Mussels vs. Clearwater Threshers — Hammond Stadium — 7:05 PM (Friday Fireworks after the game; pre-game happy hour)

Saturday, August 15

• Jurassic Quest — Mike Greenwell Regional Park, North Fort Myers — 8:00 AM-6:00 PM

• Cape Coral Farmers’ Market — Cape Coral — 8:00 AM

• Downtown Fort Myers Farmers’ Market — Monroe & First Streets, Fort Myers — 9:00 AM-1:00 PM (40+ local vendors: produce, seafood, artisan goods)

• Bell Tower Arts & Crafts Fair — Bell Tower Shops, 13499 S Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers — 9:00 AM-1:00 PM (handcrafted items, local food)

• Cars & Coffee Summer Series — Fort Myers Beach — 9:00 AM-1:00 PM (free; inaugural season car show)

• Jr. Ranger Program — Lovers Key State Park, 8700 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach — 10:00-11:00 AM (free; kids complete hands-on activities and earn Junior Ranger passport stamps)

• Zan Lombardo Artist Talk — Cape Coral Art Center — 10:00 AM (free; solo watercolor exhibition talk)

• SWFL BBQ Showdown — Millenial Brewing Company, Fort Myers — 12:00 PM (BBQ competition with 6+ local competitors, professional judging, cold beer, live music)

• Truck Yeah! Food Truck Rally — Riptide Brewing Company, 28120 Hunters Ridge Blvd, Bonita Springs — 1:00-9:00 PM (monthly food truck rally with family fun and brews)

• CeCe Teneal’s “Divas of Soul” — Music & Arts Community Center, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM (award-winning vocalist celebrates 50 years of soul

• Frankie Valli Tribute — The Stage, 9144 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Bonita Springs — 7:30 PM (tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons)

• Chris MacDonald’s Memories of Elvis — Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S 1st St, Immokalee — 8:00-10:00 PM

• Stage 2 Improv — Arts Center Theatre, Marco Island (Collier County) — 7:30 PM

• “My Way” — Players Circle Theatre, Fort Myers — 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM ($40-$55)

• “What Springs Forth” — Off Broadway Palm, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM ($36 BOGO = $18 each)

• “Carrie: The Musical” (closing weekend) — The Belle Theatre, 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd, Cape Coral — 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

• Murder Mystery Dinner Train: “IF ANYONE ASKS” — Seminole Gulf Railway, Fort Myers — 6:30 PM

• Baseball: Mighty Mussels vs. Clearwater — Hammond Stadium — 6:05 PM (Augtoberfest theme + Bark in the Park — bring your dog)

Sunday, August 16

• Jurassic Quest — Mike Greenwell Regional Park, North Fort Myers — 9:00 AM-5:00 PM (final day)

• National Rum Day at Jack’s Seafood Bar & Grill — Fort Myers — 11:00 AM (rum specials all day)

• Taco Sundays at Millenial Brewing Company — Fort Myers — 12:00 PM (two loaded tacos and one beer on tap for $8)

• “My Way” — Players Circle Theatre, Fort Myers — 3:00 PM ($40-$55)

• Murder Mystery Dinner Train: “IF ANYONE ASKS” — Seminole Gulf Railway, Fort Myers — 5:30 PM

• Baseball: Mighty Mussels vs. Clearwater (series finale) — Hammond Stadium — 12:05 PM (kids get free tickets and a pre-game catch on the field)

• “Guilty Pleasure” — Bayside Park Concert Series, Fort Myers Beach — 4:00-7:00 PM (free outdoor concert; concert and dance hits led by vocalist Lisa Nixon)

💎 GEM OF THE WEEK: Dog Beach (Bonita Springs)

8800 Estero Blvd (north end of Hickory Blvd), Bonita Springs · Open dawn to dusk · Parking is free

Here’s the rare Southwest Florida beach where your best friend is not just tolerated but genuinely the guest of honor. Dog Beach — officially the “Lee County Off-Leash Dog Area” — is one of the only public beaches in the region where dogs can run leash-free, and for pups it’s basically heaven: a soft-sand sandbar tucked between the New Pass bridge and Lovers Key, with calm, shallow back-bay water perfect for splashing and swimming. It’s been an official off-leash park since 2002, lovingly maintained by a volunteer crew who call themselves SOODA (Save Our Off-Leash Dog Area), and — a lovely rarity in beach-town Lee County — parking is completely free. A few things to know before you go: it’s a sandbar, so time your trip for lower tide when there’s the most beach exposed (at high tide you may have to wade in), bring your own fresh water and waste bags, keep it to two dogs per person, and remember the honor system is the whole system here — clean up, watch your pup, and keep it friendly. Bug spray for you isn’t a bad idea, either.

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That’s all for today — stay hydrated, go support a local show, and if you spot Vahn Lackey at Hammond Stadium, try not to act like you’re already scouting his Hall of Fame speech. We’ll see you Monday.

— The Inlet Team

Here’s what’s inside today:

• ♻️ Lee County hits an 87% recycling rate

• 🚨 Fort Myers Beach launches “courtesy” code warnings

• 🎒 600+ backpacks handed out in Lehigh Acres

• 🤖 Free AI workshops at The Collaboratory

Last week’s answer: A lanolin “miracle” hair tonic! Before they ever moved a shovel of Florida dirt, the Rosen brothers made their fortune hawking Charles Antell “Formula No. 9” — a lanolin hair cream — on some of TV’s very first infomercials, with the immortal pitch, “Ever seen a bald sheep?” They poured those hair-tonic profits into buying Redfish Point and building Cape Coral. Only in Florida.

💸 The Easiest $50 in Southwest Florida

No lawns to mow, no fences to paint, no couches to haul up the stairs. Just think of one local business that belongs in front of 16,000+ Southwest Florida readers — your favorite restaurant, your realtor, the contractor who actually showed up, the boutique you can’t stop recommending — and point them our way. If they come aboard as a premium sponsor of The Inlet, we’ll send you a $50 gift card, no strings attached. One intro, fifty bucks. You’ve put more effort into picking a dinner spot. Just reply to this email with their name, and we’ll handle the rest.

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📰 THE RUNDOWN

♻️ Lee County Climbs to #2 in Florida for Recycling

Take a bow, Lee County — you’ve been recycling like champions. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection now ranks Lee second among all 67 Florida counties for recycling, with an eye-popping 87% rate for 2025. That’s a nine-point jump from 78% the year before, and a full 12 points clear of the state’s 75% goal. To put it in perspective, residents and businesses recycled about 2.2 million of the 3 million tons of waste generated last year — enough material to fill roughly 1,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The only county ahead of us is Palm Beach, which has nearly double our population, so pound for pound, we’re punching well above our weight.

🚨 Fort Myers Beach Launches “Courtesy” Code Warnings

Getting a knock from code enforcement usually means bad news — but Fort Myers Beach is trying a gentler approach. The town’s new program has officers issuing bright-orange “courtesy warnings” for minor violations (think an overgrown lawn or a car parked where it shouldn’t be), giving property owners a set window to fix the problem before any fines or formal action kick in. And it’s working: Emergency Services Director Phil Rizzo says that in the program’s first couple of weeks, the vast majority of people came into compliance within 36 hours. A little grace goes a long way — especially on an island still rebuilding.

🎒 600+ Backpacks Handed Out in Lehigh Acres

Lehigh Acres showed up big for its kids this weekend. Lee County Parks & Recreation hosted a Back-to-School Bash at the Veterans Park Recreation Center, distributing more than 600 backpacks stuffed with school supplies to local families — no small thing as prices climb and a new year begins. Beyond the free supplies, the event turned into a proper block party, with games, prize wheels, and local organizations on hand to get kids fired up (or at least a little less anxious) about heading back to class. It’s exactly the kind of neighbors-helping-neighbors moment that makes the community tick.

🤖 Free AI Workshops at The Collaboratory

If “using AI” for your small business sounds equal parts exciting and terrifying, help is here. Starting August 14, The Collaboratory in downtown Fort Myers launches “AI Fridays,” a free workshop series from its new Human Intelligence/Artificial Intelligence Hub. The first session (9–11 a.m., beginner-friendly, no experience required) is led by Heidi Cramer of FGCU’s Florida SBDC and Bruce Kelly of Vivitec, and tackles the questions every owner is quietly wondering: how to actually use these tools, where your business data goes when you do, and how to keep it secure. More sessions follow on Aug. 28, Sept. 11, and beyond — and registration is free but encouraged.

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📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

Lakes Regional Park Splash Pads Reopen: Just in time for the tail end of summer, the splash pads at Lakes Regional Park in Fort Myers are back open after a full $2.6 million replacement project to repair damage left by Hurricane Ian.

Man Arrested for Throwing Bricks: A 29-year-old man was arrested on criminal mischief charges after allegedly hurling large bricks and stones through the windows of several businesses along U.S. 41 in Cape Coral.

Hurricane Center Watching the Atlantic: The National Hurricane Center is keeping an eye on a couple of tropical waves rolling off the coast of Africa. Neither poses an immediate threat to Southwest Florida — but with peak season near, it’s a good week to check your kit.

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: Oda Pizzeria Bistro

900 SW Pine Island Rd, Ste 102, Cape Coral · (239) 402-8282 · odapizzeriabistro.com

Don’t let the word “pizzeria” fool you — Oda is one of Cape Coral’s most pleasant surprises. Tucked into a plaza on SW Pine Island Road, this cozy-but-upscale spot blends authentic Italian cooking with Mediterranean touches: warm lighting, elegant decor, and, most nights, live piano and vocals setting the mood. The star is the wood-fired pizza, baked in a traditional fire oven and regularly called the best in the Cape — try “The Michelangelo,” a hot-honey-pepperoni pie that’s become a fast favorite. But the kitchen goes well past pizza, with homemade pastas, fresh seafood, steaks and chops, and standouts like the veal parmesan, chicken francese, and four-cheese gnocchi. It’s earned a devoted following (4.5-plus stars across hundreds of reviews) for both the food and the genuinely warm service — and don’t be surprised if your check arrives with a complimentary cotton-candy “bouquet,” a quirky little sendoff regulars love. Open daily from 3 p.m., with takeout and delivery available.

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: Honey Lemon

Meet Honey Lemon! This beautiful 2-year-old domestic shorthair arrived at Lee County Domestic Animal Services on August 6 and is ready for her forever home. At 8.5 pounds, she’s sweet, calm, and mostly interested in finding a warm lap and a sunny windowsill to call her own. Timing’s great, too: LCDAS is running August adoption specials as part of the nationwide Clear the Shelters campaign, so it’s a wonderful month to bring one home.

(Adoption lists move fast — if Honey Lemon has already found her people, Lee County DAS has dozens of other wonderful animals waiting at their Fort Myers shelter on Banner Drive. Animal ID: A1114605.)

🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

Three Lee County–area listings at three very different price points:

$299,999 — 820 Abbott Ave, Lehigh Acres

• A roomy 5-bed, 2-bath home with 1,890 sqft on a quiet Lehigh street — freshly listed, with a spacious layout that works for a big family or an investor eyeing a strong rental.

$615,000 — 20504 Ardore Ln, Estero

• Just listed — a 3-bed, 2-bath home spanning 1,747 sqft in the sought-after Bella Terra community, with an open floor plan, lake views, and resort-style amenities.

$1,000,000 — 707 NW 38th Ave, Cape Coral

• Brand-new-construction luxury: a 3-bed, 3-bath, 2,314-sqft home in northwest Cape Coral with a striking Cambria quartz island, high-end finishes, and a big outdoor living area made for entertaining.

(Listings move fast this time of year — confirm availability before you fall in love.)

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

Current outlook via the National Weather Service:

The heat is the headline this week — highs in the mid-90s with heat-index values pushing 105°. Rain settles into a more typical hit-or-miss pattern (wettest Monday and Wednesday), so hydrate, find shade in the afternoons, and never leave kids or pets in a parked car.

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

Feature my event

Monday, August 10

• CROW Wildlife Tour — 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel — 11:00 AM

• Pilates and Pints — Southern Fresh Farms, 8500 Penzance Blvd, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM

• Cocktails on the Cape — Hurricane Grill & Wings, 756 SW Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral — 5:00 PM–7:00 PM (free networking event)

• Trivia Night — PopStroke, 5531 Six Mile Commercial Ct, Fort Myers — 7:00 PM

• Trivia Game Night — Cape Cabaret, 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral — 7:00 PM (free)

• “The Art of Healing” and “Battle from the Brink” Exhibits — SBDAC, 2301 First St, Fort Myers — 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (both run through Aug 27)

Tuesday, August 11

• Lee County Schools — First Day of Classes

• Mobile Food Pantry — Bonita Springs YMCA — 9:30 AM

• CROW Wildlife Tour — 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel — 11:00 AMf

• Mighty Mussels vs. Clearwater Threshers — Hammond Stadium, 14100 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Fort Myers — 7:05 PM (homestand opener; tickets from $18)

• Kava Social Chess Club: Tactical Tuesdays — Estero — 8:00 PM (free; guided chess study night for all levels)

Wednesday, August 12

• Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo — Caloosa Sound Convention Center / Luminary Hotel, 1375 Monroe St, Fort Myers — 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (major agricultural trade show; runs Wed–Thu)

• CROW Wildlife Tour — 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel — 11:00 AM

• Local’s Season — Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant, 645 Old San Carlos Blvd, Fort Myers Beach — all day

• Wooftop Wednesday — Rooftop at Riverside, 27333 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs — 5:00 PM–8:00 PM (weekly dog-friendly happy hour; bring your pup)

• Twisted Bingo — Rooftop at Riverside, 27333 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs — 7:00 PM–9:00 PM

• Rack Em’ Up — Kava Nirvana Speakeasy, Cape Coral — 7:00 PM (free)

• Mighty Mussels vs. Clearwater Threshers — Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers — 7:05 PM

Thursday, August 13

• CROW Wildlife Tour — 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel — 11:00 AM

• Downtown Bonita Springs Walking History Tour — 27451 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs — 10:00 AM–11:00 AM (free; landmarks, people & natural history)

• Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo — Caloosa Sound Convention Center, Fort Myers — 8:00 AM–12:00 PM (final day)

• “Essence of Water” Art Exhibit — FMB Art Association Gallery, 13451 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — 12:00 PM–6:00 PM

• Sip & Pour: Jackson Pollock Art Event — Sugarshack Downtown, 27421 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs — 3:00 PM–6:00 PM ($39; all materials included; create a Pollock-inspired masterpiece)

• Motown Ross Brown at Rooftop — Rooftop at Riverside, 27333 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs — 5:00 PM–7:00 PM

• JWB Wine Experience: An Evening with Daou Vineyards — Margaritaville Resort, 251 Crescent St, Fort Myers Beach — 6:30 PM–9:30 PM

• Alabama Live in Concert (with Exile) — Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero — 7:00 PM ($50–$227; country superstars behind “Mountain Music,” “The Closer You Get,” “Roll On”; parking $30 or free at Miromar Outlets)

• Charity Gayle — First Assembly of God, 4701 Summerlin Rd, Fort Myers — 7:00 PM ($40+; contemporary Christian worship artist)

• Peter Murphy — Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM ($38)

• Mighty Mussels vs. Clearwater Threshers — Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers — 7:05 PM

• Zach Bartholomew: The Art of the Trio (Jazz) — Moe Auditorium, Arts Bonita, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs — 7:30 PM–9:30 PM ($15–$48) (Events Bonita, Visit Fort Myers)

• “What Springs Forth” — Preview Performance — Off Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM ($15; comedy about a spa weekend gone wrong; regular run Aug 14–30)

• Eddie Z — One Man Singing Drummer Band — Backyard Social, 16371 Corporate Commerce Way, Fort Myers — evening (free)

• Sunmed Summerfest — Get Sunmed, 1319 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral — 4-day wellness event (runs Aug 13–16)

💎 GEM OF THE WEEK: Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Fort Myers: 14181 S. Tamiami Trl, Ste 140 · North Fort Myers: 9370 Dynasty Dr · skyzone.com

School’s back in session and the afternoon storms are relentless — so when the kids are climbing the walls, take them somewhere they can literally bounce off them instead. Sky Zone is the world’s original indoor trampoline park, and Lee County is lucky enough to have two locations (one in south Fort Myers off U.S. 41, one in North Fort Myers). It’s wall-to-wall trampolines, plus foam pits, dodgeball courts, and gravity-defying attractions built to wear kids (and brave adults) all the way out — all in glorious air conditioning. Beyond walk-in day passes, they run memberships, toddler-friendly hours, and famously stress-free birthday parties where the staff handles setup, hosting, and cleanup. A word to the wise: book jump tickets online (they routinely offer discount codes), grab the grippy socks, and stretch first — you’re more out of shape than you think. Hours run roughly 10 a.m.–8 p.m. most days, with late nights on weekends, but check your specific park before you go.

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That’s all for today — welcome back to school, Lee County, and may your first-week car line be mercifully short. Stay cool out there, and we’ll see you Thursday.

— The Inlet Team

Here’s what’s inside today:

• 🍎 Bonita Springs Elementary reopens brand new

• 🏆 Lee County’s superintendent earns a statewide honor

• 🎨 A 125-foot underwater mural takes shape on Sanibel

• 🧘 An “immersive wellness emporium” opens in Fort Myers

Last week's answer: Cattle ranches! Before Cape Coral became the canal-filled city we know today, the land was primarily used for cattle ranching under large landowners. In 1957, developers Leonard and Jack Rosen purchased the property and transformed it by digging more than 400 miles of canals—turning what was once ranchland into one of the world's largest master-planned waterfront communities.

💸 The Easiest $50 in Southwest Florida

No lawns to mow, no fences to paint, no couches to haul up the stairs. Just think of one local business that belongs in front of 16,000+ Southwest Florida readers — your favorite restaurant, your realtor, the contractor who actually showed up, the boutique you can’t stop recommending — and point them our way. If they come aboard as a member of The Inlet, we’ll send you a $50 gift card, no strings attached. One intro, fifty bucks. You’ve put more effort into picking a dinner spot. Just reply to this email with their name, and we’ll handle the rest.

Sponsor The Inlet!

📰 THE RUNDOWN

🍎 After a Century, Bonita Springs Elementary Reopens Brand New

When Lee County students head back to class on August 11, the kids at Bonita Springs Elementary will walk into something they’ve been waiting years for: an actual building. After the historic 1921 campus was shut down as structurally unsafe — leaving students shuffling between portables, with tables set up in hallways for small-group lessons — a brand-new, two-story, 48,000-square-foot building with 16 classrooms is finally open, funded by the district’s Half-Penny Sales Tax. For the first time in a long time, the whole K-5 school is under one roof, and teachers say the simple act of running into each other in the halls each morning is already building a stronger community. A nice nod to history: the new building features a 16-foot “likeness wall” honoring the century-old original. The project isn’t quite finished — crews are still working on a second building for the cafeteria, kitchen, and music and art rooms, due in 2027. (WINK / WGCU)

🏆 Lee County’s Superintendent Earns a Statewide Honor

Some well-deserved recognition for the person running our schools: Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin was presented the Florida Department of Education’s new Commissioner’s Leadership Award, handed out at the state’s Teacher of the Year gala in Orlando on July 22. The award recognizes a leader whose commitment to education has made a profound impact on students and schools statewide — and it’s a notable milestone for Carlin, a 32-year district veteran who in 2024 became the first elected superintendent Lee County has had in more than 50 years. It also lands as the district chases an “A” grade, so the timing couldn’t be much better. (Florida Department of Education)

🎨 A 125-Foot Underwater Mural Takes Shape on Sanibel

Here’s a genuinely cool one to go watch happen. Sanibel’s BIG ARTS is turning its Dunham Family Gallery into a sprawling underwater world with “Currents,” a collaborative mural in which six artists paint and draw across a continuous 6-foot-tall by 125-foot-long stretch of paper — roughly the length of a football field’s worth of wall — over nearly three months. Each artist builds on the last one’s work, so the reef-like scene keeps evolving, and visitors are invited to stop in and watch the creation unfold live rather than just view a finished piece. The lineup includes Cape Coral artist Mariapia Malerba and an FGCU senior, Macy Noll, who’s double-majoring in marine biology and visual art (and teaches scuba on the side). It follows last year’s wildly popular “Birds, No Words,” and wraps with a closing reception in late October. (WGCU)

🧘 An “Immersive Wellness Emporium” Opens in Fort Myers

August is “Arts Month” across Southwest Florida, with 28 exhibitions opening from Marco Island to Sarasota — but the most intriguing may be right in our backyard. The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers is transforming its Grand Atrium into “The Art of Healing: Prescriptions for the Soul,” an immersive “wellness emporium” that pairs visual art with yoga, sound baths, and experiences designed to promote mental health and resilience. It’s part gallery, part decompression chamber — and a very of-the-moment way to spend a steamy August evening downtown. Pair it with First Friday Art Walk this week and you’ve got a whole night out.

📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

Cafferata K-8 Reopens After Ian: Nearly four years after Hurricane Ian destroyed their campus, students at Hector A. Cafferata Jr. K-8 in Cape Coral are finally returning to a newly rebuilt permanent facility — a roughly $125 million school — for the start of the 2026-27 year.

FGCU Releases Its Q3 Economic Report: FGCU’s Regional Economic Research Institute released its Q3 2026 Lee County business climate survey, showing local business confidence ticked up about 3.2 points on optimism about future conditions, even as inflation pressures linger.

August Mobile Food Pantries: Community Cooperative has released its August Mobile Food Pantry schedule, with free-food stops across Lee County, including the Bonita Springs YMCA on August 11 and sites in Cape Coral and North Fort Myers.

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: The Saucy Meatball

12401 Commerce Lakes Dr, Fort Myers (Gateway) · saucymeatball.com

Craving red-sauce comfort food? Head to Gateway. The Saucy Meatball is a true family operation — opened in 2017 by Alex Basile and his dad, Sal, and built on recipes handed down from Alex’s grandmother — and you’ll almost always find a Basile working the room. They’re famous for the namesake handmade meatballs and chewy-crust New York–style pizzas, but the real legend is the house “Saucy Sauce,” which regulars have been known to eat with a fork long after the bread runs out. Come hungry: the family-feast takeout packages (chicken parm, meatballs, pasta, pizza) are built for a crowd, and there’s a daily happy hour with drink specials and discounted apps like the meatball duo and the eggplant-mozzarella stack. It’s the kind of familiar, welcoming spot that turns first-timers into regulars.

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: Larry Lobster

Meet Larry Lobster — yes, that is his real name, and yes, he is just as fun as it sounds. This adorable 10–12-month-old mixed-breed pup came from a county shelter and is now in the care of Final Victory Animal Rescue, listed on Petfinder out of Punta Gorda, FL. Larry is described as affectionate, athletic, curious, friendly, loves kisses, loyal, playful, and smart. He is a bit shy at first but warms up quickly, loves his doggy friends, and enjoys playing outside. He is neutered, vaccinated, and working on his leash skills and household manners. As his rescue team put it: "We promised Larry Lobster that the rest of his life would be the best of his life. Could that be with you?"

Adopt Me!

🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

Three Lee County–area listings at three very different price points:

$284,990 — 1401 NW 10th Ter, Cape Coral

A move-in-ready 3-bed, 2-bath home with 1,401 sqft in northwest Cape Coral, featuring a bright open layout and tile flooring — solid value for first-time buyers or investors.

$599,000 — 18271 Parkside Greens Dr, Fort Myers

Just listed — a beautifully maintained 3-bed, 2-bath home spanning 2,543 sqft in a desirable South Fort Myers community, with tasteful finishes and a lovely outdoor living area.

$994,900 — 13621 China Berry Way, Fort Myers

Luxury living in a 3-bed, 2-bath, 2,221-sqft pool home in a sought-after South Fort Myers neighborhood, with high-end finishes, a gourmet kitchen, and a screened pool-and-spa oasis.

(Listings move fast this time of year — confirm availability before you fall in love.)

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

Current outlook via the National Weather Service — August is our wettest month, and it shows:

Hot, humid mornings with the heat index near 100°, then storms rolling in most afternoons — Friday and Monday are the soggiest. Get outdoor plans done early, keep the umbrella handy, and never drive through standing water.

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

Feature my event for $10

⚾ Note: The Mussels are on the road this week (at Bradenton, Aug. 4–8), so no home games at Hammond Stadium — they’re back home next week.

Thursday, August 6

• La Mesa RV Show — Lee Civic Center, 11831 Bayshore Rd, North Fort Myers — 9:00 AM–7:00 PM (runs Thu–Sun; one of SWFL’s biggest RV shows, hundreds of rigs on display)

• CROW Wildlife Tour — 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel — 11:00 AM
  “Essence of Water” Art Exhibit — FMB Art Association Gallery, 13451 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — 12:00 PM

• Adult Pizza Making Class — Tony Sacco’s Coal Oven Pizza, 8001 Plaza Del Lago Dr, Estero — 6:00 PM–8:00 PM (21+; hands-on class with welcome cocktail, appetizer, your own 3-topping coal-fired pizza, dessert, and 2 drink tickets)

• “Murder on Broadway” — Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner — Broadway Palm, Royal Palm Room, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers — 6:00 PM (closes Saturday; final performances)

Friday, August 7

• La Mesa RV Show — Lee Civic Center, North Fort Myers — 9:00 AM–7:00 PM

• SWFL Mom Walk Playdate — Southern Fresh Farms, 8500 Penzance Blvd, Fort Myers — 10:00 AM (free; moms from all SWFL chapters gather for a farm playdate)

• First Friday Art Walk — Downtown Fort Myers River District — 5:00 PM–9:00 PM (free; gallery openings, receptions, art vendors on First Street)

• “The Art of Healing: Prescriptions for the Soul” — Opening — SBDAC, 2301 First St, Fort Myers — 6:00 PM (immersive wellness event: sound baths, guided meditation, yoga, live music, massage therapy; runs through Aug 27; donations support Providence Family Life Center)

• “Battle from the Brink” by Rosamund Merrill — SBDAC, 2301 First St, Fort Myers — opens during Art Walk (26-piece mixed-media collection on endangered animals; runs through Aug 27)

• First Friday Concert: “Elvis Through the Years” — Gulf Coast Town Center, 10037 Gulf Center Dr, Fort Myers — 7:00 PM–9:00 PM (free outdoor tribute spanning Elvis’s career from 1956 through the ‘68 Comeback)

• Passerine — Off Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers — 7:00 PM ($20; folk/Americana)

• “Carrie: The Musical” — The Belle Theatre, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM (opens tonight; runs Aug 7–15)
  Los Dos de Tamaulipas, Cuarto de Milla & Mas — The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers — 9:00 PM (regional Mexican music; 18+)

• Wonder on Tap — Ankrolab Brewing, 3555 Bayshore Dr, Naples (Collier County) — 5:30 PM–8:30 PM (fundraiser for Wonder Gardens; $1/beer and $2/cocktail donated; live music by Nostaljah; cornhole tournament $30/team)

• Jeffery Whidby + DJ KRiMSUN — The Lucky Screw, 1527 Hendry St, Fort Myers — evening

• Sunshine Ace Hardware Miracle Bucket Sale — various Lee & Collier locations — Aug 7–9 ($5+ donation gets a bucket and 20% off everything that fits inside; benefits Golisano Children’s Hospital)

Saturday, August 8

• Bird Patrol Walk at Six Mile Cypress Slough — 7751 Penzance Blvd, Fort Myers — 8:00 AM (free; monthly guided bird walk along the 1.2-mile boardwalk; limited to 15 participants, first come first served, ages 10+)

• Fort Myers Farmers Market — Downtown (Monroe & First Streets) — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM

• La Mesa RV Show — Lee Civic Center, North Fort Myers — 9:00 AM–7:00 PM

• Lightworx Paddle & Flow — Mike’s Coastal Expeditions, 26083 Hickory Blvd, Bonita Springs — 8:30 AM–10:30 AM (paddleboarding, sandbar yoga & sound healing)

• Public Wild Saturdays: Alligators — location TBD — 11:00 AM (free; wildlife education program)

• “Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical” — Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Fort Myers — opens today (runs Aug 8–23)

• Naples Jazzmasters Free Concert — Norris Community Center, 755 8th Ave S, Naples (Collier County) — 1:00 PM–3:00 PM

• “Carrie: The Musical” — The Belle Theatre, Fort Myers — 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

• Power Up for Summer: Back to School Bash — Gulf Coast Town Center, 9903 Gulf Coast Main St, Fort Myers — 5:00 PM–7:00 PM (free; live entertainment, costume contest, kids’ entrepreneur market)

• Fort Myers Roller Derby: Back to School Bout — Fort Myers Skatium, 2250 Broadway, Fort Myers — doors 5:00 PM (presale) / 5:30 PM (door sales); presale $12, door $15 adults, $5 ages 5-10 (bring school supply donations for SWFL schools; after-party at The Patio Downtown)

• Julian Sundby & Friends — Off Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM ($40; Fort Myers songwriter/pianist celebrates upcoming album ‘22’ with three decades of music)

• Chris Bepko + DJ Bemix — The Lucky Screw, 1527 Hendry St, Fort Myers — evening

• Justin Silva (comedy) — Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Naples (Collier County) — 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM ($25+)

Sunday, August 9

• La Mesa RV Show — Lee Civic Center, North Fort Myers — 9:00 AM–7:00 PM (final day)

• Dog Dayz — Hopsized Brewing Co., 9201 Cockleshell Ct, Bonita Springs — 12:00 PM–3:00 PM (off-leash dog play, vendors, award-winning brews; celebrating all August dog birthdays)

• “Carrie: The Musical” — The Belle Theatre, Fort Myers — 2:00 PM

• Buckingham Blues Bar — Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band — 5641 Buckingham Rd, Fort Myers — 3:00 PM–6:00 PM (weekly Sunday blues, free)

• Bayside Park Concert Series: “Mockingbird” — Bayside Park, corner of Old San Carlos Blvd & 1st St, Fort Myers Beach — 4:00 PM–7:00 PM (free outdoor concert; party band)

• Justin Silva (comedy) — Off The Hook Comedy Club, Naples (Collier County) — 6:00 PM ($25+)

Monday, August 10

• CROW Wildlife Tour — 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel — 11:00 AM

• Trivia Night — PopStroke, 5531 Six Mile Commercial Ct, Fort Myers — 7:00 PM

• King Entertainment Group — The Lucky Screw, 1527 Hendry St, Fort Myers — evening (live music at downtown bar)

• Jebry’s Jazz Jam — Dogtooth, 5310 Shirley St, Naples (Collier County) — 6:00 PM (weekly Monday, free)

Theater running this week

• “The Wizard of Oz” — Broadway Palm main stage, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers — through Aug 8 (closing weekend; matinee & evening performances)

• “Murder on Broadway” — Broadway Palm, Royal Palm Room — through Aug 8 (Wed–Sat at 6:00 PM; closes Saturday)

• “Into the Woods” — Players Circle Theatre, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — through Aug 9 ($20–$30)

• “Carrie: The Musical” — The Belle Theatre, Fort Myers — Aug 7–15

• “Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical” — Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Fort Myers — Aug 8–23

• “Les Miserables” — The Naples Players, Naples (Collier County) — through Aug 26

💎 GEM OF THE WEEK: Rotary Park Environmental Center

5505 Rose Garden Rd, Cape Coral · Park open daily 7 a.m.–7:30 p.m. · Free admission · capecoral.gov

In a city famous for canals and cul-de-sacs, Rotary Park is a genuine surprise — 97 acres of preserved salt marsh, mangroves, and wetlands tucked into southwest Cape Coral, and one of the only truly wild green spaces left in the city. The star attraction is the Tom Allen Memorial Butterfly House, where volunteers lead free guided tours (currently Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.) through a fluttering enclosure full of native butterflies. Beyond that, you’ll find nearly a mile of trails that loop through the mangroves, a small environmental center home to rescued snakes, turtles, and lizards, a playground, and — a local favorite — Wagging Tails Dog Park. It’s free, it’s shady, and it’s a lovely, low-key way to remember this city was built inside a very real Southwest Florida ecosystem. (One heads-up: it’s a marsh, so bring bug spray in the wet season.)

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To every teacher setting up a classroom, every parent hunting for that last glue stick, and every kid dreading Monday’s alarm — we’re rooting for you this week. Stay dry out there, and we’ll see you Monday.

— The Inlet Team

Here’s what’s inside today:

• ⚾ The Mussels walk it off — and set a franchise record

• 🍔 Whataburger is (finally) coming to Fort Myers

• 🛒 Costco plans a supersized new Fort Myers store

• 🐾 Paws Crossed Thrift Shop makes its comeback

• ☕ The SWFL coffee wars heat up — plus a vintage market at Edison Mall

Last week’s answer: Estero Island! Everybody says “Fort Myers Beach,” but the town actually sits on Estero Island — a roughly seven-mile barrier island tucked between the Gulf and Estero Bay.

💸 The Easiest $50 in Southwest Florida

No lawns to mow, no fences to paint, no couches to haul up the stairs. Just think of one local business that belongs in front of 16,000+ Southwest Florida readers — your favorite restaurant, your realtor, the contractor who actually showed up, the boutique you can’t stop recommending — and point them our way. If they come aboard as a premium sponsor of The Inlet, we’ll send you a $50 gift card, no strings attached. One intro, fifty bucks. You’ve put more effort into picking a dinner spot. Just reply to this email with their name, and we’ll handle the rest.

Get paid $50!

📰 THE RUNDOWN

⚾ Walk-Off Magic: The Mussels Make Franchise History

What a finish. On Saturday night at Hammond Stadium, the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels fell behind the Palm Beach Cardinals early — surrendering runs in four straight innings to trail 6-2 — before clawing all the way back to force extra innings. Then, with two outs in the bottom of the 10th, first baseman JP Smith launched a walk-off home run to win it 8-7. And it wasn’t just any homer: it was Smith’s 15th of the year and the team’s 104th of the season — a new franchise record, breaking the mark of 103 set back in 2023. Late-inning drama, a record, and free (well, cheap) fireworks of the baseball variety. Doesn’t get much better at the old ballpark.

🍔 Whataburger Is (Finally) Coming to Fort Myers

Texas transplants, rejoice. Whataburger — the 75-year-old, orange-and-white burger institution with a near-cult following — is opening its first-ever Southwest Florida location in south Fort Myers, at 12916 S. Cleveland Ave. (the former Aussie Grill/Boston Market space next to Mission BBQ). Signage is already up, the interior is being finished out, and the chain is hiring 65–75 people ahead of a targeted September opening. True to form, it’ll run nearly 24 hours a day, 364 days a year — so those honey-butter chicken biscuits will be available at deeply questionable hours. A second SWFL location is slated for Estero later this year.

🛒 Costco Plans a Supersized New Fort Myers Store

Warehouse-club faithful, take note: Costco is planning a major upgrade in Fort Myers. The company paid $55 million for a 55-acre site near Colonial Boulevard and Metro Parkway, where it intends to build a larger store with roughly double the land and parking of its current location. Translation: more free samples, shorter gas lines, and — let’s be honest — an even harder time walking out with just the three things you came for.

🐾 Paws Crossed Thrift Shop Makes Its Comeback

Here’s a feel-good one. Paws Crossed Thrift Shop is back open in Fort Myers, nearly three years after Hurricane Ian wrecked its former home. Every purchase supports foster dogs across Lee County — so you can hunt for a bargain and help fund a rescue pup’s care in the very same trip. Treasure hunting for a cause: hard to beat.

☕ The SWFL Coffee Wars Are Heating Up

Your caffeine options are about to multiply. Three fast-growing coffee brands — 7 Brew, Tim Hortons, and Ellianos — are all planning multiple new Southwest Florida locations, piling into an already-crowded field of drive-thru espresso and specialty-drink spots. Great news for your morning commute; slightly less great news for your monthly latte budget. And if antiques are more your speed than Americanos: a new vintage marketplace, Old Town New Market Central, just opened inside Edison Mall with around 30 vendors slinging retro finds and collectibles — a fun, air-conditioned way to ride out a stormy afternoon.

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📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

Cape Coral Yacht Club Enters Phase 2: The roughly $197 million Yacht Club rebuild is moving into its next stage. Phase 2 involves extensive civil engineering and site leveling — which means all parking at the site will be removed by the end of the year, so plan accordingly if you visit the waterfront.

Fort Myers Beach Rolls Out Courtesy Warnings: Fort Myers Beach has launched a new courtesy-warning program: code compliance officers can now issue on-site warnings for minor violations — think overgrown weeds — giving residents a chance to fix the issue before any fines come into play.

Sizzle Dining Returns in September: A reminder to mark the calendar: Sizzle Dining, Southwest Florida’s restaurant month, runs September 1–30 with well over 100 spots across Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties serving prix-fixe menus — and a dollar from every meal goes to Blessings in a Backpack.

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: Maria’s Pizzeria & Restaurant

1224 SE 46th Lane, Cape Coral · mariaspizzafl.com · (239) 945-6006

You asked, we listened — this week's pick comes highly recommended by Inlet readers. Tucked away on SE 46th Lane in downtown Cape Coral, Maria's has been run by the Giordano family since 1991, and it's the real Old-World deal: hand-painted murals (including a scene of Florence's Ponte Vecchio), several cozy dining rooms, and food made to order with genuinely good ingredients — real butter, heavy cream, Grande mozzarella, real veal, none of it pre-prepped or frozen. Regulars swear by the housemade meatballs, the garlic rolls, the Chicken Francese, and "Maria's Deluxe" pizzas. Pro tip from the locals: the Sicilian is made from fresh daily dough and sells out — so get there early. They open at 4 p.m. daily (dine-in, takeout, and delivery), and it's a Tripadvisor top-25 pick among Cape Coral's 345 restaurants.

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: Melanie

Say hello to Melanie! This sweet 1-year-old Florida Curr mix arrived at Lee County Domestic Animal Services on July 11 and is patiently waiting for her forever family. Weighing in at 34 pounds, Melanie is a spayed female with a gentle, loving personality — the perfect companion for a family ready to give her the home she deserves. August is a great time to adopt, with special reduced fees in effect all month long. Head over to 5600 Banner Drive in Fort Myers to meet her in person!

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🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

Three Lee County–area listings at three very different price points:

$289,500 — 5411 Loyola Ln, Fort Myers, FL 33908

• This move-in ready 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers 1,452 square feet of comfortable living space in a well-established Fort Myers neighborhood. Featuring updated windows and a bright, open layout, this is a fantastic opportunity for first-time buyers or investors looking for solid value in Southwest Florida.

$530,000 — 8618 Banyan Bay Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33908

• Just listed! This beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home spans 1,998 square feet in the desirable Banyan Bay community of Fort Myers. With tasteful finishes throughout, a spacious floor plan, and a prime South Fort Myers location, this one is sure to move quickly.

$900,000 — 5350 Harborage Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33908

• Welcome to Harborage, one of Fort Myers’ most sought-after waterfront communities. This stunning 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home offers 2,608 square feet of refined living space, complete with an interior fireplace, upscale finishes, and access to the community’s world-class marina and boating amenities.

(Listings move fast this time of year — confirm availability before you fall in love.)

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

Current outlook via the National Weather Service — it’s a wet one:

We’re locked into a soggy, tropical-feeling stretch — hot, humid mornings with heat-index values near 100°, then storms rolling through most afternoons (Monday through Wednesday are the wettest). Keep the umbrella handy, watch the radar before heading out, and never drive through standing water.

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

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⚾ Note: The Mussels are on the road this week (at Bradenton, Aug. 4–8), so there are no home games at Hammond Stadium — but they’re back soon.

Monday, August 3

• CROW Wildlife Tour — 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel — 11:00 AM (weekly program; topic varies)

• Mahjong Monday — Saltleaf Marina, 5502 Coconut Rd, Bonita Springs — 4:00 PM ($50, includes one drink ticket; open-play mahjong with SWFL Mahjong)

• English Cafe — Lakes Regional Library, Fort Myers — 6:00 PM (free; practice English conversation)

• Trivia Night — PopStroke, 5531 Six Mile Commercial Ct, Fort Myers — 7:00 PMf

• Jebry’s Jazz Jam — Dogtooth, 5310 Shirley St, Naples (Collier County) — 6:00 PM (weekly Monday, free)

Tuesday, August 4

• CROW Wildlife Tour — 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel — 11:00 AM

• English Cafe — Cape Coral-Lee County Public Library, 921 SW 39th Terrace, Cape Coral — 6:00 PM (free)

• Downtown Showdown Singing Competition — Sugarshack Downtown, 27421 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs — 8:00 PM (free; SWFL singers compete for cash prizes)

Wednesday, August 5

• CROW Wildlife Tour — 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel — 11:00 AM

• Summer Kick-Off: Local’s Season — Snug Harbor, Fort Myers Beach — all day

• Sail On: Beach Boys Tribute — Daniels Pavilion, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples (Collier County) — 6:00 PM & 8:30 PM ($52+; a few tickets remain for the later show)

Thursday, August 6

• La Mesa RV Show — Lee Civic Center, 11831 Bayshore Rd, North Fort Myers — 9:00 AM–7:00 PM (runs Thu–Sun Aug 6–9; one of SWFL’s biggest RV shows, hundreds of rigs on display)

• “Essence of Water” Art Exhibit — FMB Art Association Gallery, 13451 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — 12:00 PM

💎 GEM OF THE WEEK: St. James City

Pine Island, Lee County · About 35 minutes from Fort Myers

If you’ve never driven all the way to the southern tip of Pine Island, you’re missing one of Southwest Florida’s most authentic Old Florida communities. St. James City is a laid-back fishing village where golf carts are common, seafood is fresh off the boat, and life moves at a pace that feels decades slower than the mainland. Grab lunch at one of the waterfront restaurants, watch dolphins and manatees cruise by, browse a local art gallery, or simply enjoy the drive through miles of mangroves and island scenery. It’s not flashy—and that’s exactly what makes it special. If you’re looking for a relaxing day trip that feels like discovering a secret corner of Southwest Florida, St. James City is hard to beat.

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That’s all for today — stay cool, keep an umbrella handy, and we’ll see you Thursday.

— The Inlet Team

Here’s what’s inside today:

• 🏈 High school football returns

• 💊 A Prescription Vending Machine

• 🍽️ Sizzle Dining 2026 dates are set

• 🏗️ Fort Myers Beach Pier clears its federal permit

• 🍎 $1.2M for the Harry Chapin Food Bank

Last week’s answer: “Regional Southwest”! That’s where the RSW airport code comes from — a nod to the airport’s original name, Southwest Florida Regional Airport, when it opened back in 1983. (No, it’s not random, and sadly, it’s not “River, Sand & Water.”)

💸 The Easiest $50 in Southwest Florida

No lawns to mow, no fences to paint, no couches to haul up the stairs. Just think of one local business that belongs in front of 16,000+ Southwest Florida readers — your favorite restaurant, your realtor, the contractor who actually showed up, the boutique you can’t stop recommending — and point them our way. If they come aboard as a premium sponsor of The Inlet, we’ll send you a $50 gift card, no strings attached. One intro, fifty bucks. You’ve put more effort into picking a dinner spot. Just reply to this email with their name and we’ll handle the rest.

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📰 THE RUNDOWN

🏈 Friday Night Lights Are Back in Lee County

The wait is over for local sports fans — Lee County high school football is officially back, with preseason practices kicking off this week and teams gathering for a countywide media day to show off their rosters and new head coaches. Squads from Cape Coral, Fort Myers, South Fort Myers, Mariner, Estero, North Fort Myers, Island Coast, East Lee County, Ida Baker, and Bonita Springs are all in the mix. Preseason “kickoff classics” typically land in the third week of August, with regular-season games right behind them, so you’ve got just a few weeks to dust off the stadium seat cushion and figure out this year’s depth chart. The energy is already building for what promises to be a fun season under the lights.

💊 A Prescription Vending Machine? In Cape Coral, Yes.

File this one under "the future is weird and kind of great." Lee Health has installed a prescription vending machine at its Convenient Care urgent-care clinic on Pine Island Road in Cape Coral — believed to be the first of its kind in the region. Here's how it works: when you're seen for something routine (a sinus infection, a nasty rash), the provider checks whether your medication is one of the roughly 60–70 common drugs stocked in the machine — antibiotics, steroids, antihistamines and the like — and sends the prescription over electronically. On your way out, you enter your birthday at the machine, follow the on-screen prompts, pay, and walk out with your meds in hand. It's meant to complement pharmacies, not replace them, by cutting out that extra stop when you feel awful.

🍽️ Sizzle Dining 2026 Dates Are Locked In

Mark your calendars and loosen your belts: Sizzle Dining, Southwest Florida’s premier restaurant month, returns September 1–30. Now in its tenth year, the event draws well over 100 restaurants across Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties, all serving up affordable multi-course prix-fixe menus (a great, low-pressure excuse to finally try that spot you keep driving past). The feel-good part: for every meal sold, the restaurant donates $1 to Blessings in a Backpack, which feeds food-insecure elementary students on the weekends — last year’s run sold a record 87,000-plus meals.

🏗️ Fort Myers Beach Pier Clears Its Federal Permit

A big milestone in the beach’s recovery: Lee County has secured the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit it needed to move toward construction of the new Fort Myers Beach Pier. The roughly $17 million rebuild — funded largely by tourist-tax reserves and FEMA — will replace the pier Ian destroyed with one that’s dramatically bigger: 1,000 feet long and 12 feet wide (about 70% longer and 50% wider than the original). Construction is expected to begin in the coming months, with a grand reopening targeted for August 2027 — a full year ahead of the original timeline. In more good news, the town says Crescent Beach Family Park should reopen soon, with Matanzas Pass Preserve expected back by late August.

🍎 $1.2M Grant Boosts the Harry Chapin Food Bank

The Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida just landed a $1.2 million grant from the Naples Children Foundation — the folks behind the Naples Winter Wine Festival — as part of NCF’s $30.6 million “Hunger Initiative.” The funding will support child-hunger programs through June 2028. It’s a timely boost for the region’s largest hunger-relief organization, which serves nearly 300,000 neighbors a month across Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties and handed out 38.7 million pounds of food last year. The Food Bank is also building a new Hunger Action Center near I-75 and MLK Jr. Boulevard in Fort Myers that’s set to double its capacity when it opens later this year.

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📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

Collaboratory Appoints Four New Trustees: Southwest Florida’s community foundation, Collaboratory, has added four new trustees to its governing board — David Collins, Leigh Frizzell Hayes, Tracy McMillion, and Fred Weinman — bringing decades of public, private, and nonprofit experience to help steer the organization’s strategic investments.

Carvana Expands Same-Day Delivery to Fort Myers: Carvana says it has expanded same-day vehicle delivery and pickup to Fort Myers, letting locals buy online and have the car in the driveway within hours.

“Dancing Lessons” at Off Broadway Palm Theatre: Conspiracy’s production of “Dancing Lessons” — a heartfelt comedy-drama about a socially awkward professor and a recovering Broadway dancer — is running at the Off Broadway Palm in Fort Myers through August 2, with tickets around $36.

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: Blossom & Brie

8250 Nalle Grade Rd, North Fort Myers · Lunch Wed–Fri 11a–2p · Dinner Wed–Sat 5–8:30p · Brunch Sat–Sun 10a–2p (closed Mon–Tue) · reservations required

For a meal unlike anything else in the county, point the car toward the pastures of North Fort Myers. Blossom & Brie is a farm-to-table restaurant set on a working farm — named for its resident matriarchs, Blossom the donkey and Brie the Jersey dairy cow — where you can go meet the animals before sitting down to genuinely excellent scratch cooking from Chef Wesley Robbins. The menu is farm-fresh and seasonal: a much-loved smash burger, slow-braised beef bourguignon, a Florida farm bowl piled with local vegetables, and a whipped-brie starter regulars swoon over. It’s earned a 4.6-star rating and the #2 restaurant spot in North Fort Myers on Tripadvisor, with live music and open-air “farmside” tables making it a charming, unhurried escape. A few things to know before you go: everything is by reservation, seating is outdoors (dress light in summer), and leave the pups at home — there are farm animals to look after. It’s the rare Southwest Florida dinner that comes with a donkey.

I'll try it myself!

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: Fox

Meet Fox! This handsome 5-month-old Hound mix landed at Lee County Domestic Animal Services in late July and is ready to find his forever home. At 42 pounds and still growing, Fox is all puppy energy and floppy-eared charm — the kind of goofy, loyal companion who’d thrive with an active family that can keep up with him on long walks and gives him room to run.

(Adoption lists move fast — if Fox has already found his people, Lee County Domestic Animal Services has dozens of other wonderful animals waiting at their Fort Myers shelter on Banner Drive.)

🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

Three active Lee County listings at three very different price points:

$349,900 — 7980 Sandel Wood Cir W, Fort Myers

• 3 beds, 2 baths, 1,596 sqft. A move-in-ready home tucked into the Village of Sandel Wood (no HOA), minutes from Lakes Park and about 20 minutes from RSW — a solid starter or investment near south Fort Myers shopping and beaches.

$585,000 — 11872 Arbor Trace Dr, Fort Myers

• 3 beds, 3 baths, 1,852 sqft. A tidy home in the gated Treeline/Arborwood corridor near I-75 and the airport, with easy access to shopping, dining, and top-rated schools.

$910,000 — 17100 Wrigley Cir, Fort Myers

• 4 beds, 3 baths, 3,093 sqft. A beautifully updated custom home in gated Catalina Isles — chef's kitchen with an oversized island, a first-floor primary suite, an upstairs loft, and a screened lanai overlooking a private pool, spa, and preserve. New metal roof (2024) and full storm protection.

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(Listings move fast this time of year — confirm availability before you fall in love.)

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

Current outlook via the National Weather Service:

The rest of the country may be baking under a heat dome, but we’re in our steady summer pattern — hot mornings, afternoon storms. Thursday and Sunday are the soggy ones (70% and 65%), so plan those around the radar; Friday and Monday are your best windows to be outside.

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

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⚾ Note: The Mighty Mussels wrap their homestand vs. the Palm Beach Cardinals this weekend at Hammond Stadium — Friday night (with fireworks Saturday), then the series finale Sunday afternoon. Check milb.com/fort-myers for first-pitch times.

Thursday, July 30

• “The Emotions of Everyday Life” — James Massacci Exhibition — Closing Day — SBDAC Capital Gallery, 2301 First St, Fort Myers — 10:00 AM (provocative mixed-media works compared to Banksy; last chance)

• Gulf Coast Jazz Collective: “Stevie Wonder Jazzified” — Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Fort Myers — 7:00 PM (vocalist Alyssa Jones + guest horns)

• “Into the Woods: A Student Production” — Opening Night — Players Circle Theatre, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM (Sondheim fairy-tale mashup; runs through Sun)

• Michael Loftus (comedy) — Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM ($38; runs Thu–Sat)

• Eddie Z — One Man Singing Drummer Band — Backyard Social, 16371 Corporate Commerce Way, Fort Myers — evening (free, open-air patio)

• Mighty Mussels vs. Palm Beach Cardinals — Hammond Stadium, 14100 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Fort Myers — 7:05 PM

Friday, July 31

• Chandler Moore & Anthony Evans (worship concert) — First Assembly of God, 4701 Summerlin Rd, Fort Myers — 7:00 PM ($43+; contemporary Christian/gospel)

• The Ries Brothers Live in Concert — Backyard Social, Fort Myers — 6:00 PM (ticketed; open-air venue)

• The Yabo Brothers — Backyard Social, Fort Myers — evening (free; same venue, earlier set)

• Michael Loftus (comedy) — Snappers Comedy Club, Fort Myers — 7:00 PM ($38)

• Mighty Mussels vs. Palm Beach Cardinals — Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers — 7:05 PM

Saturday, August 1

• Bonita Springs RiverFest — Liles Hotel / Riverside Park, 27300 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs — 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (kayak, canoe & paddleboard races, rubber duck races, live bands, food trucks; free admission; first time back since 2017)

• Florida Gun Show — Lee Civic Center, 11831 Bayshore Rd, North Fort Myers — 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (runs Sat–Sun)
  ABWA Imperial River’s Truly Unique Wine Tasting — Pelican Preserve Brooke Center, 10571 Veneto Dr, Fort Myers — 2:30 PM (benefit wine tasting)

• “Newsies Jr.” — Baker Theatre, 100 Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples (Collier County) — 2:00 PM (youth musical; also Sun 3:00 PM)

• Kings Chambers Band + Tbloure — Backyard Social, Fort Myers — evening (free, two acts)

• Jenny Ve + DJ Bemix — The Lucky Screw, 1527 Hendry St, Fort Myers — evening (downtown live music spot)

• Michael Loftus (comedy) — Snappers Comedy Club, Fort Myers — 6:00 PM ($38)

• Mighty Mussels vs. Palm Beach Cardinals — County Fair Night + postgame fireworks + Bark in the Park — Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers — 6:05 PM (carnival games, dunk tank, trucker hat giveaway for first 500, bring your dog)

Sunday, August 2

• Mighty Mussels vs. Palm Beach Cardinals (series finale) — Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers — afternoon (check Mussels website for exact first pitch)

• Florida Gun Show — Lee Civic Center, North Fort Myers — 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (final day)

• “Dancing Lessons” — Final Performance (matinee) — Off Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers — 2:00 PM (heartfelt comedy-drama; closing show)

• Buckingham Blues Bar — Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band — 5641 Buckingham Rd, Fort Myers — 3:00 PM–6:00 PM (weekly Sunday afternoon blues, free) (SWFLLive, Buckingham Blues Bar)

• Bayside Park Concert Series — Bayside (Veterans) Park, Fort Myers Beach — 4:00 PM–7:00 PM (weekly free outdoor concert; bring a chair)

• “Into the Woods” — Players Circle Theatre, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — 3:00 PM (closing matinee)

💎 GEM OF THE WEEK: Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium

3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel · Open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m. · Admission around $25 adults, $10 kids 5–11 (members and under-5 free) · shellmuseum.org

Sanibel is famous as one of the best shelling beaches on the planet — and this is the only museum in the entire country devoted to shells and the animals that make them. It’s half natural-history museum, half aquarium: the Great Hall of Shells, reopened in phases after Hurricane Ian, showcases highlights from a collection of nearly 600,000 shells, while the Living Gallery of Aquariums brings the shell-makers to life with 50-plus species of marine critters. The star resident is a Giant Pacific Octopus (eight arms, three hearts, blue blood, and plenty of personality), and kids make a beeline for the interactive touch pools. Time your visit around the daily Keeper Chats (11 a.m. and 2 p.m.) or the Touch Pool Talk (3:30 p.m.) for the full experience. It’s air-conditioned, endlessly family-friendly, and the perfect landing spot when those afternoon storms roll in — plus parking is free.

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That’s all for today — stay dry, wear sunscreen, and we’ll see you Monday.

— The Inlet Team

Here’s what’s inside today:

• ✈️ A membership that flies you out ahead of a storm

• 💰 Fishermen’s Village sells for $43 million

• 🐢 Sea turtles closing in on an all-time record

• 🏋️ A massive new 24/7 gym opens in Fort Myers

• 🎷 Stevie Wonder, reimagined as jazz

Last week’s answer: The Fishingest Bridge in the World! The little bridge linking Matlacha to Pine Island earned that very Florida nickname from the anglers who line its rails day and night.

💸 One Intro. Fifty Bucks.

We’re not asking you to mow a lawn or help anyone move. Just know a local business that should be in front of 16,000+ SWFL readers — a restaurant, a realtor, a contractor, a boutique, anyone? Send them our way, and if they sign on as a premium sponsor of The Inlet, a $50 gift card is yours. Reply with their name, and we’ll take it from there.

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📰 THE RUNDOWN

✈️ Skip the Traffic: Hurricane Evacuation Flights from RSW

Hurricane season is here, and a new Florida company is pitching a completely different way to get out of Dodge. PriorityEvac — a first-of-its-kind membership program out of West Palm Beach — guarantees members a seat on a chartered Airbus A320 (operated by Global Crossing Airlines) out of one of six Florida airports, including Southwest Florida International (RSW), to Atlanta when a major storm threatens. The idea is to beat the two problems every SWFL family knows too well: an 18-hour crawl up a gridlocked I-75, and commercial flights that sell out (and spike past $2,000) the moment a warning drops. Membership runs $1,250 per person per year, covers the full June 1–November 30 season, activates on National Hurricane Center forecast criteria, and yes — you can bring the pets along. Not for everyone’s budget, but a genuinely new option in the storm-prep toolkit.

💰 Fishermen’s Village Sells for $43 Million

The iconic Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda has officially changed hands. After a nearly three-year, court-supervised receivership, the 22.8-acre waterfront landmark sold for $43 million to a local ownership group — Punta Gorda-based Harborview Capital Group and Miami’s Torose Equities. The property packs roughly 97,000 square feet of (fully leased) shops and restaurants, a recently renovated 47-room hotel, and a 142-slip marina that took heavy damage in the 2024 hurricanes and will be the centerpiece of a multi-year rebuild. The backstory is a doozy: the receivership followed the 2025 federal fraud conviction of the Village’s former owner, Jonathan Larmore, who’s now serving a five-year prison sentence. The new owners — both with deep local roots — say they’ll restore the marina while preserving the beloved character the Village has had since the early 1980s.

🐢 Loggerhead Sea Turtles Are Breaking Records

It’s a monster year for sea turtles on our barrier islands. As of mid-July, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation had logged 1,072 nests across Sanibel and Captiva (848 loggerhead nests on Sanibel, 214 on Captiva, plus a handful of greens) — putting the islands within about 100 nests of shattering the all-time single-season record of 1,177, set in 2023. Even better, 4,640 hatchlings have already scrambled across the sand into the Gulf, and coyote predation is down from last year. Loggerheads return to nest on the very beach where they hatched, so help the next generation out: keep beachfront lights off or shielded after 9 p.m., fill in any holes you dig, and haul your chairs and gear off the sand before sunset.

🏋️ A Massive New EoS Fitness Opens in Fort Myers

There’s a big new place to break a sweat. EoS Fitness just opened a 40,000-square-foot gym — its first in Lee County — at the Shoppes at Pelican Preserve (10560 Colonial Blvd., right by the I-75 interchange), and it’s open 24/7 with memberships starting at $9.99 a month. This isn’t your average gym: it’s got a cardio theater where you can watch big-screen movies mid-workout, a dedicated “Booty Builder Lab,” an Evolt 360 body-composition scanner that spits out 40-plus measurements, and a recovery zone with hot and cold plunges and a sauna. EOS just hosted its grand opening this past weekend!

🎷 Stevie Wonder Gets Jazzified

Here’s a one-of-a-kind night out this Thursday. The Gulf Coast Jazz Collective takes the stage at the Music & Arts Community Center in Fort Myers for “Stevie Wonder Jazzified” — artistic director Paul Gavin has reimagined Wonder’s Motown, R&B, and pop classics as jazz standards. Backed by vocalist Alyssa Jones and a guest horn player, the ensemble promises a fresh, soulful spin on some of the most beloved songs of the last century.

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📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

Jersey Mike’s Opens on Fort Myers Beach A new Jersey Mike’s sub shop has opened at the Key Estero Shops on Fort Myers Beach — a vote of confidence in the island’s recovery. The owner is offering a daily 20% discount to veterans, law enforcement, and first responders.

Last Chance: Rauschenberg at 100 This is your final week to catch “RAUSCHENBERG at 100: As Large As The World Is” at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at Florida SouthWestern State College. The free exhibit, honoring the late Captiva resident and art icon’s 100th-birthday year, closes August 1.

Sizzle Dining Is Coming Mark your calendars and loosen your belts: Sizzle Dining, Southwest Florida’s premier restaurant-week event, is gearing up for its 2026 run — prix-fixe menus at some of the best restaurants across Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties, all while supporting local food charities.

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: Sweet Melissa’s

16230 Summerlin Rd, Unit 210, Fort Myers · (239) 990-6889 · sweetmelissasrestaurant.com

Sweet Melissa’s, led by James Beard Award–nominated chef Melissa Donahue, reopened off Summerlin Road in south Fort Myers after 14 years as an island favorite that Hurricane Ian forced to close in 2022. Donahue — who’s also cooked on the Food Network — is known for a creative, seasonally driven menu that leans on fresh local ingredients, with recent dishes including a watermelon-and-heirloom-tomato salad, bourbon-brown-sugar-glazed pork belly with clams, her signature fish stew, ancho-and-honey-braised short ribs, and a goat cheese cheesecake for dessert. There’s a full bar with beer, wine, and craft cocktails, and the new space blends comfort and elegance for anything from a casual lunch to date night. The move inland keeps her loyal Sanibel following close while opening the door to a whole new Fort Myers crowd. Reservations recommended.

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: Olivia

Meet Olivia! This sweet 51-pound American Bulldog is looking for her forever home at Lee County Domestic Animal Services. With that classic bulldog build and those soulful eyes, she’s a solid, loyal companion in a very huggable package. American Bulldogs are known for being affectionate, people-oriented, and devoted to their families — so if you’ve got room on the couch and in your heart for a big, lovable girl, Olivia would love to meet you. Ask the shelter staff about her personality and what kind of home would suit her best.

(Adoption lists move fast — if Olivia has already found her people, Lee County Domestic Animal Services has 50-plus other wonderful animals waiting at their shelter on Banner Drive in Fort Myers.)

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🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

Three active Lee County–area listings at three very different price points:

$300,990 — Fresh Spring Plan, Verandah, Fort Myers

• A brand-new-construction home by Neal Communities: 3 beds, 2 baths, 1,812 sqft, with modern finishes, an open floor plan, and access to the Verandah community’s golf and miles of walking trails.

$525,000 — 5098 Northampton Dr, Fort Myers

• A spacious 3-bed, 2-bath home spanning 2,293 sqft in a desirable neighborhood, with a large landscaped yard, a bright and airy interior, and a layout made for entertaining.

$995,000 — 27161 Flamingo Dr, Bonita Springs

• Luxury SWFL living in a 3-bed, 2-bath, 2,575-sqft home with high-end finishes, granite counters, an open-concept design, and a fantastic outdoor living area.

(Listings move fast this time of year — confirm availability before you fall in love.)

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

Current outlook via the National Weather Service:

The rest of the country may be roasting under a heat dome, but we’re in our steady summer pattern — hot, humid mornings and pop-up afternoon storms. Tuesday’s the soaker (85%), so plan indoor stuff then and keep the umbrella handy the rest of the week.

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

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⚾ Mussels Homestand: Good news — the Mighty Mussels are home all week at Hammond Stadium against the Palm Beach Cardinals: Tuesday through Friday at 7:05 p.m., Saturday around 6:05 p.m. (Fireworks Night!), and Sunday to close the series. Cheapest family fun in the county.

Monday, July 27

• “The Emotions of Everyday Life” — James Massacci Solo Exhibition — SBDAC Capital Gallery, 2301 First St, Fort Myers — 10:00 AM (provocative mixed-media works compared to Banksy; closes July 30)

• CROW Program of the Week: “Sea Turtles” — 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel — 11:00 AM (wildlife hospital talk + optional campus tour; $12)

• Trivia Night at PopStroke — 5531 Six Mile Commercial Ct, Fort Myers — 7:00 PM

Tuesday, July 28

• Step into History: “Edison vs. The Internet — Top Five Edison Myths Busted” — Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — 10:30 AM

• Lee Co. A.I. Meetup — Swamp Cat Brewing Company, Fort Myers — 5:00 PM (free; community AI discussion over craft beer)

• Mighty Mussels vs. Palm Beach Cardinals — Hammond Stadium, 14100 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Fort Myers — 7:05 PM (series opener; home stand runs nightly through Aug 1)

• Downtown Showdown Singing Competition — Sugarshack Downtown, 27421 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs — 8:00 PM (SWFL singers compete for $2,500; free)

Wednesday, July 29

• Lee County Government Downtown Blood Drive — 2115 Second St, Fort Myers — 8:00 AM (free; walk-ins welcome)

• CROW Program of the Week: “All About CROW” — 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel — 11:00 AM (behind-the-scenes look at the wildlife hospital)

• Creative Recharge: “Catch the Light” Art Class — Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — registration required; make a prism suncatcher + beaded keychain ($15)

• “Murder on Broadway” — Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner — Broadway Palm, Royal Palm Room, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers — 6:00 PM (hilarious whodunit with dinner; runs Wed–Sun through Aug 8)

• Buckingham Blues Bar — Live Blues — 5641 Buckingham Rd, Fort Myers — 8:00 PM (weekly Wednesday blues night)

Thursday, July 30

• “The Emotions of Everyday Life” — Final Day — SBDAC Capital Gallery, 2301 First St, Fort Myers — 10:00 AM (last chance to see the Massacci exhibition)

• Gulf Coast Jazz Collective: The Music of Stevie Wonder – Jazzified — Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Fort Myers — 7:00 PM (vocalist Alyssa Jones + guest horn; jazzified Stevie Wonder songbook)

• Michael Loftus (comedy) — Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM ($38)

• “Dancing Lessons” — Theatre Conspiracy — Off Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM (heartfelt comedy-drama about a professor learning to dance; runs through Aug 2)

  🌴 Any day, rain or shine

• 🐊 Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve — shaded boardwalk, gators and wading birds (Fort Myers)

• 🔬 IMAG History & Science Center — hands-on fun and A/C when the storms roll in (Fort Myers)

• 💡 Edison & Ford Winter Estates — historic riverfront homes, gardens, and that giant banyan tree

• 🌊 Sun Splash Family Waterpark — Cape Coral’s summer cool-down

💎 HIDDEN GEM: Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina

1811 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral · slipawaycape.com

If you haven’t checked out Cape Coral’s waterfront food-truck park yet, you’re missing one of the best laid-back vibes in the county. Slipaway brings together a rotating lineup of food trucks slinging everything from tacos to smash burgers, plus waterfront seating, craft cocktails, and live music most weekends. The best part? Direct boat access — you can pull right up after a day on the water, tie off, fuel up, and grab dinner while a local band plays. It’s the perfect low-key weekend afternoon, land or sea.

Sponsor with us!

That’s all for today — stay cool, keep an umbrella handy, and we’ll see you Thursday.

— The Inlet Team

Here’s what’s inside today:

• 🏖️ Times Square rebuild breaks ground at last

• 🦅 FGCU welcomes a new athletic director

• 🐾 A Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial for Fort Myers

• 🏀 A new “Dream Court” for local teens

• 🎒 Three new schools as Lee County heads back to class

Last week's answer: Germain Arena! The Estero building has actually worn four names since it opened in November 1998 — Everblades Arena, then TECO Arena (1998–2004), then Germain Arena (2004–2018), and finally Hertz Arena.

💸 The Easiest $50 You’ll Make This Week

Look, we’re not asking you to mow a lawn, drive for a rideshare app, or sell anything to your relatives at Thanksgiving. All you have to do is think of one local business owner who could use 16,000+ eyeballs on their brand — a restaurant, a contractor, a boutique, a realtor, literally anyone — and introduce them to us. If they sign on as a premium sponsor of The Inlet, we’ll Venmo you $50 faster than the Cape Coral Bridge opens on a Saturday. One email. One name. Fifty bucks. You’ve spent more effort deciding what to order at a drive-through. Reply to this email with their info and we’ll handle everything else.

Email Us!

📰 THE RUNDOWN

🏖️ Times Square Rebuild Begins

The heart of Fort Myers Beach is officially on its way back. Benchmark General Contractors broke ground July 6 on Sunset Beach Resort, a $13-million, 41,285-square-foot mixed-use development at 1028 Estero Blvd. — the first major rebuild in the Times Square district since Hurricane Ian. The three-story resort rises on the former site of the beloved Sunset Beach Tropical Grill and The Playmore Tiki Bar, two island fixtures the storm destroyed, and will bring six hotel units, a restaurant, and a pool back to one of the beach’s busiest corners. Construction is expected to take about 18 months, with completion targeted for early 2028 — and it’s being built to modern storm codes. As Benchmark’s president put it, “This isn’t a project for five or 10 years — this is a 100-year-plus building.”

🦅 FGCU Welcomes a New Athletic Director

There’s a new boss in Alico Arena. Brian Barrio was formally introduced Monday as just the fourth full-time athletic director in FGCU history, replacing Colin Hargis, who left in May for NC State. Barrio arrives with more than two decades in college sports and previous AD stops at UMBC and Central Connecticut State, where he built a reputation as a fundraiser — an increasingly vital skill as schools navigate NIL deals, the transfer portal, and direct revenue-sharing with athletes. In a sign of how seriously FGCU is taking that new era, Barrio will also become the first athletic director in school history to sit on the university president’s cabinet. His stated goal? Fill his office walls with photos of Eagles hoisting championship trophies.

🐾 A Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial Is Coming to Fort Myers

Grab a tissue. The Alliance for the Arts breaks ground August 7 (5 p.m., and open to the public) on the Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial, a community space for pet owners to honor the companions they’ve lost. Created by local dog lover Gabrielle Bolen — who spent more than a year on planning, engineering, and fundraising — the memorial will invite visitors to hang collars and leave tributes, creating a living testament to the bonds between people and their pets. It’s the first piece of the Alliance’s larger ArtsPark initiative, which will eventually add pollinator gardens, a plein air pavilion, a story walk, and the restoration of two beloved sculptures by the late artist James DiGiorgio that were damaged during Ian.

🏀 A New “Dream Court” for Fort Myers Teens

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County just unveiled two big upgrades at their flagship Park Meadows Community Club. Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman was in town to dedicate a brand-new Dream Court — the 140th built nationally by her charity — a high-school-regulation court where kids capped the ribbon-cutting with a basketball clinic. Right next door, a new Club Teen Center opened thanks to a $300,000 gift from Suncoast Credit Union: a 2,600-square-foot space designed just for members 13 and up to study, collaborate, and plan their futures. Two wins for local kids in one visit.

🎒 Lee County Schools Expand as Class Resumes

Back-to-school season is nearly here — the first day for Lee County students is August 11 — and the district is opening new campuses across the county. The new $125-million Hector A. Cafferata Jr. School in Cape Coral replaces the elementary school lost to Ian and adds middle grades to become a K-8, while Green Meadow Elementary opens in Lehigh Acres and a fully rebuilt Cypress Lake Middle campus comes online this fall. High schoolers, meanwhile, now have a brand-new dual-enrollment agreement to earn credits directly from the University of Florida.

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📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

Norman Love Chocolate Classes Return: Aspiring chocolatiers, this is your moment. Norman Love Confections in Fort Myers brings back its popular three-hour, hands-on chocolate-making classes this August and October, where you can work alongside the masters to craft your own custom truffles.

Artis-Naples Announces Its 2026-27 Season: Themed “To Light: The Art of Hope,” the upcoming Artis-Naples season is a big one. The lineup features all nine of Beethoven’s symphonies (marking the approaching 200th anniversary of his death), plus performances by Yo-Yo Ma, Audra McDonald, Sutton Foster, and more.

Florida Back-to-School Tax Holiday: Don’t buy those backpacks just yet. Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday runs July 20 through August 20 — a full month of tax-free shopping on clothing and shoes under $100, school supplies under $50, learning aids under $30, and computers under $1,500 (for personal use).

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: El Jardín

1227 Cape Coral Parkway East, Cape Coral ·

There’s a genuinely new kind of restaurant in South Cape, and it’s doing things differently. El Jardín — from local restaurateur Brad Cozza, the team behind the Escondido speakeasy (yes, that Escondido) and Fort Myers’ OISE — blends Latin American and Japanese traditions using ingredients from Southwest Florida farms, ranches, and fisheries. Their calling card: a scratch kitchen that cooks with no seed oils, using avocado oil and traditional beef tallow instead. Order the Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, the house-made empanadas, the Yuzu Adobo Half Chicken over cilantro-fried rice, or the “Cigars El Jardín” — a Cuban sandwich reimagined as a crispy egg roll and served in a cigar box. Pair it with a “Jardín of Eden” (mezcal, chartreuse, celery, and lime), and save room for the gelato — it’s from Norman Love. Open Wednesday through Saturday, 5–9 p.m. (until 10 on summer weekends).

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: Little Sally

Meet Little Sally! This sweet Jack Russell Terrier mix is waiting for her forever home at Souls of Satos rescue in Fort Myers. She’s energetic, incredibly smart, and would make the perfect companion for an active family that loves to play fetch and go for long walks. She’s already spayed, microchipped, and up to date on all her shots — so she’s ready to go the day you are.

(Adoption lists move fast — if Little Sally has already found her people, Souls of Satos has plenty more wonderful animals waiting.)

🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

Feature my Listing!

Three active Lee County–area listings at three very different price points:

$320,000 — 1561 Meadow Rd, Lehigh Acres

• Brand-new construction with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 1,106 sqft. A bright, open floor plan with modern finishes, stainless appliances, and a spacious backyard made for weekend barbecues.

$540,000 — 1510 NW 4th St, Cape Coral

• A 3-bed, 3-bath home spanning 1,856 sqft in a quiet neighborhood, with a screened-in custom pool, an updated kitchen with quartz counters, and plenty of room to entertain.

$999,999 — 8363 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach

• Island life in a stunning elevated 3-bed, 3-bath home with 2,402 sqft of coastal luxury on the peaceful south end — sweeping views, multiple balconies, and easy access to the sand.

(Listings move fast this time of year — confirm availability before you fall in love.)

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

Current outlook via the National Weather Service:

Classic summer stretch — hot, sticky mornings giving way to the usual afternoon thunderstorms. Knock out the outdoor plans early, keep the umbrella handy, and hydrate.

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

Heads-up: the Mighty Mussels are on the road this week, playing at St. Lucie (Port St. Lucie) through Sunday — so no home games at Hammond Stadium until they return.

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Thursday, July 23

• Tours & Presentations at CROW — 3883 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel — 11:00 AM–12:45 PM

• DJ Codey at Fins Up! Beach Club — Margaritaville Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach — 11:00 AM–3:00 PM

• Essence of Water Art Exhibit — Fort Myers Beach Art Association Gallery, 13451 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — 12:00 PM–6:00 PM

• Lee County School District Transportation Job Fair — 2855 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers — 4:00 PM–6:00 PM

• Action Title Fort Myers Ribbon Cutting — 4048 Evans Ave, Fort Myers — 4:00 PM

• JWB Happy Hour — Margaritaville Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach — 4:00 PM–9:00 PM

• Bay Street Yard Police & Fire Appreciation Industry Night — 2136 Bay St, Fort Myers — 5:00 PM

• Intro to Mosaics Class — Swamp Cat Brewing Company, Fort Myers — 6:00 PM–9:00 PM

• Shawn Banks (comedy) — Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM

  Friday, July 24

• Fleamasters Flea Market — Fort Myers — 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

• Coffee Connections Community — 3677 Central Ave, Fort Myers — 9:00 AM

• Tours & Presentations at CROW — 3883 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel — 11:00 AM–12:45 PM

• Essence of Water Art Exhibit — Fort Myers Beach Art Association Gallery, 13451 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — 12:00 PM–6:00 PM

• Mini Asian Night Market — Millennial Brewing Company, 1811 Royal Palm Ave, Fort Myers — 5:00 PM–10:00 PM

• Christmas in July — Elf Dance Party & Airbrush Artist — Brightwater Lagoon, 8630 Sunny Page Ln, North Fort Myers — 6:00 PM–9:00 PM

• Cape Coral/Fort Myers Speed Dating (30s/40s) — Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Fort Myers — 7:00 PM

• Shawn Banks (comedy) — Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Fort Myers — 7:00 PM

• Austin Meade — The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers — 9:00 PM

  Saturday, July 25

• Fort Myers Farmers Market — 2200 First St, Culinary District, Downtown Fort Myers — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM

• Fleamasters Flea Market — Fort Myers — 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

• Family Fun Fest — Fleamasters Flea Market, Fort Myers — 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

• Friends of the Cape Coral Library General Meeting — Cape Coral — 9:30 AM (program at 10:00 AM)

• Mullet Madness — Sandy Bottoms Bar & Grill, 2301 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach — All day

• Events at Lover’s Key State Park — 8700 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach — All day

• Lee County Parks & Recreation Free Swim & Free Parking Day — select Lee County parks, beaches, boat ramps & pools — All day

• Mini Asian Night Market — Millennial Brewing Company, 1811 Royal Palm Ave, Fort Myers — 12:00 PM–8:00 PM

• Essence of Water Art Exhibit — Fort Myers Beach Art Association Gallery, 13451 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers — 12:00 PM–6:00 PM

• Wandering Goat Pop-Up at Chubby Mermaid Brewing — 28292 Industrial Rd, Bonita Springs — 3:00 PM

• Christmas in July Bar Crawl 2026 — The Standard Restaurant, Downtown Fort Myers — 6:00 PM

• The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show — Hilton Garden Inn, 12600 University Dr, Fort Myers — 6:00 PM

• Christmas in July — Foam Party + Grinch Meet & Greet — Brightwater Lagoon, 8630 Sunny Page Ln, North Fort Myers — 6:00 PM–9:00 PM

  
  Sunday, July 26

• Cape Coral Farmers’ Market — SE 47th Ter & SE 10th Pl, Cape Coral — 8:00 AM

• Fleamasters Flea Market — Fort Myers — 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

• Lee County Parks & Recreation Free Swim & Free Parking Day — select Lee County parks, beaches, boat ramps & pools — All day

• Christmas in July — Santa Visit & Balloon Twister — Brightwater Lagoon, 8630

• Sunny Page Ln, North Fort Myers — 1:00 PM–4:00 PM

• Bayside Park Concert Series — The Big Cypress Band — Bayside (Veterans) Park, Fort Myers Beach — 4:00 PM–7:00 PM

💎 HIDDEN GEM: Gulf Coast Kayak

4120 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha · Open daily 8 AM–5 PM · Rentals start around $35

If you want to experience the true, untouched beauty of Southwest Florida, get out on the water in Matlacha. Gulf Coast Kayak — a family-run outfit that’s been leading paddles here since 1992 — offers rentals and guided eco-tours through the mangrove tunnels and back bays of the Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve, part of the 190-mile Great Calusa Blueway. It’s one of the best ways to spot dolphins, manatees, and incredible birdlife up close, and the guides are ACA-certified instructors and Florida Master Naturalists who know the ecosystem and history cold. Pro tip: book the sunset paddle for an unforgettable view, then grab some fresh seafood at a Matlacha market on your way home. (gulfcoastkayak.com)

Sponsor The Inlet

That’s all for today — stay cool, keep an umbrella handy, and we’ll see you Monday.

— The Inlet Team

Here’s what’s inside today:

• 🏒 The Everblades officially become a Pittsburgh Penguins affiliate

• 🏝️ Matlacha’s Tiny Village gets a colorful second life

• 🍔 Burger Monger brings Wagyu smashburgers to Fort Myers

• 🎒 A back-to-school “Stuff a Truck” drive you can help with this week

• ⚾ The Mussels’ season rolls on — here’s where they’re playing

Last week’s answer: The burrowing owl! Cape Coral is home to the largest population of Florida burrowing owls anywhere in the state.

💸 The Easiest $50 You’ll Make This Week

Look, we’re not asking you to mow a lawn, drive for a rideshare app, or sell anything to your relatives at Thanksgiving. All you have to do is think of one local business owner who could use 16,000+ eyeballs on their brand — a restaurant, a contractor, a boutique, a realtor, literally anyone — and introduce them to us. If they sign on as a premium sponsor of The Inlet, we’ll Venmo you $50 faster than the Cape Coral Bridge opens on a Saturday. One email. One name. Fifty bucks. You’ve spent more effort deciding what to order at a drive-through. Reply to this email with their info and we’ll handle everything else.

Email The Inlet!

📰 THE RUNDOWN

🏒 Florida Everblades Officially Become a Pittsburgh Penguins Affiliate

Our hockey team just joined some serious company. The Florida Everblades — five-time Kelly Cup champions, including four of the last five titles — will serve as the Pittsburgh Penguins’ ECHL affiliate starting with the 2026-27 season, slotting into the Penguins’ three-tier development pipeline alongside the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Here’s the billion-dollar backstory: the Naples-based Hoffmann Family of Companies, which has owned the Everblades and Hertz Arena since 2019, completed its roughly $1.75 billion purchase of the Penguins from Fenway Sports Group in June, a deal approved by the NHL’s Board of Governors. The move ends Pittsburgh’s longtime tie to the Wheeling Nailers and gives Estero a direct pipeline of NHL-caliber prospects — plus a whole lot of Pittsburgh fans suddenly Googling “Estero, Florida.”

🏝️ Matlacha’s Tiny Village Gets a Colorful Second Life

Good news out on the water: the Matlacha Tiny Village — a cluster of brightly painted waterfront tiny homes in the artsy little fishing village between Cape Coral and Pine Island — has been lovingly restored, as part of Matlacha’s long climb back after Hurricane Ian. Alongside the makeover, the owners launched Nautical Tiki Cruises, running sunset trips, dolphin-spotting runs, and island-hopping charters right off the dock. It’s exactly the kind of grassroots comeback that makes Matlacha and Pine Island so special — and a great excuse to make the drive out and grab a grouper sandwich while you’re there.

🍔 Burger Monger Is Coming to Fort Myers

Mystery solved on those empty Kelly’s Roast Beef buildings. Burger Monger — the Tampa-born chain built on Wagyu-and-Angus smashburgers and hand-spun shakes — is taking over two former Kelly’s spots, including one near Topgolf on Dani Drive that’ll be the chain’s first-ever drive-thru (a second is going into the old Kelly’s up in North Naples). Kelly’s shuttered all its Florida locations back in January, so this is a familiar building getting a much tastier second act. A soft opening is expected this fall — clear your calendar for opening day.

🎒 “Stuff a Truck” Back-to-School Drive Kicks Off in Cape Coral

Cape Coral Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has launched its annual “Stuff a Truck” school-supply drive, running through July 22nd. The dealership on Del Prado Blvd is collecting backpacks, notebooks, pens, crayons, and other essentials for local kids in need before Lee County classrooms fill back up in mid-August. Drop-off takes two minutes and makes a real difference for a student walking in on day one without the basics.

⚾ Mighty Mussels: On the Road This Week

Quick heads-up before you plan a ballgame: the Mussels are away this week, playing a road series at St. Lucie from Tuesday through the weekend, so Hammond Stadium will be quiet until they’re back in town. It’s a good week to grab tickets for the next homestand instead — the summer promo nights (Dollar Dog Night, Friday Fireworks, and the rest) are the best cheap-fun deal in Lee County when the team’s home. Check milb.com/fort-myers for the schedule.

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📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

• Turtles Keep Winning: Sea turtle nesting on Sanibel and Captiva continues to outpace last year, with SCCF reporting excellent hatch rates so far this month and coyote predation down significantly from prior seasons.

• SWFL Women for Good — Gather & Grant: Tuesday, July 21, 6–8 PM at Azaleas on the Corner, 1544 Broadway, Fort Myers. An inspiring evening to connect, meet a local nonprofit, and help award grants through the group’s giving circle. Newcomers are warmly welcome. (Register online.)

• Beat the Heat: With heat index values flirting with 105° most afternoons this week, it’s a good time to check on elderly neighbors, never leave kids or pets in a parked car, and save the yard work for early morning or after the daily storms roll through.

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: Escondido Lounge

Here’s a Fort Myers secret worth being let in on. Escondido — Spanish for “hidden” — is a two-story mezcal and tequila speakeasy tucked behind a walk-in cooler door inside Taco Works on Hendry Street in the historic Richards Building downtown. There’s no sign out front, just a light that glows green when they’re open. Inside: a jaw-dropping red-lit room, a six-foot crimson chandelier, velvet love seats, and a bar program from acclaimed Miami chef Bradley Kilgore built on rare agave spirits, craft cocktails, and elevated small plates and desserts. Order the smoked “R.Q. Richards” old-fashioned, or — fittingly, given last week’s trivia — the “Thomas Edison,” made with Zacapa 23 rum, house guava syrup, and lime. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you discovered something, because, well, you have. (1617 Hendry St, Ste 102, Fort Myers · escondidolounge.com)

Check it out!

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: Albus

Meet Albus! Albus is an adult male Schnauzer waiting for his forever home at PAWS Lee County in North Fort Myers. He’s got that classic Schnauzer charm — smart, loyal, bearded, and full of personality — and he’s ready to be someone’s devoted (and very distinguished-looking) companion. If you’ve ever wanted a dog who looks like he should be wearing a tiny monocle and acts like he owns the place, Albus is your guy.

(Adoption lists move fast — if Albus has already found his people, PAWS has plenty more wonderful animals waiting.)

🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

Feature My Listing!

Three active Lee County–area listings at three very different price points:

$319,000 — 2503 Tena Ave N, Lehigh Acres

• 3 beds, 2 baths, 1,630 sqft. Built in 2023 with all-tile floors, quartz counters, stainless appliances, 10-foot ceilings, and hurricane-impact windows throughout. Move-in ready and not in a flood zone.

$550,000 — 11670 Pine Hammock Cir, Fort Myers

• 3 beds + den, 2 baths, 1,961 sqft. Private pool and spa, oversized lot, and a stunning kitchen with a waterfall quartz island in the McGregor corridor. All assessments paid.

$989,000 — 1943 Bahama Ave, Fort Myers

• 3 beds, 3 baths, 2,733 sqft. Direct river frontage with 155 feet of waterfront, a private boat lift, and gorgeous Caloosahatchee views. Just listed.

(Listings move fast this time of year — confirm availability before you fall in love.)

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

Current outlook via the National Weather Service:

Classic mid-July: highs in the low 90s, heat index around 100–105°, and pop-up storms that mostly wait for the afternoon. Do the outdoor stuff early, hydrate like it’s your job, and let the storms have the back half of the day.

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

Feature my event for $10!

Monday, July 20

• Trivia Night at PopStroke — 5531 Six Mile Commercial Ct, Fort Myers — 7–9 PM, free to play

• All-Day Happy Hour — Backyard Social, Fort Myers — food, drinks, good vibes all day

Tuesday, July 21

• SWFL Women for Good: Gather & Grant — Azaleas on the Corner, 1544 Broadway, Fort Myers — 6–8 PM (register online)

• Robin Hawkins (live music) — The Center Bar, Promenade at Bonita Bay — 6–9 PM

• World of Pearl (live music) — Mango Rita’s Rhythm House, 16440 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers — 6–9 PM

• Tacos & Trivia Tuesday — The Lucky Screw, downtown Fort Myers

Wednesday, July 22

• Murder Mystery Dinner Train: “If Anyone Asks…” — Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers — 6:30 PM

• Bingo Night — Backyard Social, Fort Myers — 7 PM

• Karaoke with Toad — Mango Rita’s Rhythm House, Fort Myers — 6–9 PM

Thursday, July 23

• Dancing Lessons by Mark St. Germain (Theatre Conspiracy) — Off Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM (runs through Aug 2)

• Pints & Pawns Chess Night — Millennial Brewing Co., Fort Myers — 6 PM, free

• Step Into History Presentation — Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers — 2 PM

Friday, July 24

• Frozen: The Broadway Musical — Arts Bonita, Bonita Springs — 7 PM (runs through July 26)

• Legally Blonde Jr. — Cultural Park Theatre, Cape Coral — 7 PM

• Pink Floyd: “Dark Side of the Moon” Planetarium Laser Show — Calusa Nature Center, Fort Myers — evening

• BBQ Night — Southern Fresh Farms Beer Garden, Fort Myers — evening

💎 Hidden Gem: Lani Kai Island Resort

1400 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 · Beachfront bar open to the public daily, 10 AM–6 PM

Few places say “Fort Myers Beach” quite like the Lani Kai. This family-owned beachfront landmark has been serving up sand-between-your-toes good times for nearly 50 years, and after Hurricane Ian gutted the island in 2022, its comeback has become a symbol of the whole beach roaring back to life — the owners rebuilt it top to bottom, from the wiring to the walls, and have been reopening it floor by floor. Here’s the best part: you don’t have to be a hotel guest to enjoy it. The beachfront bar is open to the public every day from 10 to 6, with an easygoing lunch menu, bar-to-beach service so you never have to leave your chair, live music, and beach-chair and umbrella rentals right there. Want to make a day of it? Book a parasail, rent a jet ski, or start a volleyball game in the warm Gulf sand. The Fort Myers Beach trolley stops right out front, so you can park once and forget the car. Come for the sunset — grab a tropical drink, dig your toes in, and watch the Gulf put on a show.

Sponsor The Inlet

That’s all for today — stay cool, keep an umbrella handy, and we’ll see you Thursday.

— The Inlet Team

Here’s what’s inside today:

• 🍳 The Rooster — a Guy-Fieri-famous breakfast spot — expands to Naples

• 🏡 Cape Coral lands on a national list for first-time homebuyers

• 🚀 A climate-resilience accelerator sets up shop at Babcock Ranch

• 🍷 Cooper’s Hawk is coming to Cape Coral (eventually)

• 🏊 Fort Myers Beach’s community pool finally gets a design

Last week's answer: Before he became one of America's greatest conservationists, "Ding" Darling was a newspaper cartoonist — and a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner at that.

💸 The Easiest $50 You’ll Make This Week

Look, we’re not asking you to mow a lawn, drive for a rideshare app, or sell anything to your relatives at Thanksgiving. All you have to do is think of one local business owner who could use 16,000+ eyeballs on their brand — a restaurant, a contractor, a boutique, a realtor, literally anyone — and introduce them to us. If they sign on as a premium sponsor of The Inlet, we’ll Venmo you $50 faster than the Cape Coral Bridge opens on a Saturday. One email. One name. Fifty bucks. You’ve spent more effort deciding what to order at a drive-through. Reply to this email with their info and we’ll handle everything else.

Email The Inlet

📰 THE RUNDOWN

🏡 Cape Coral Cracks the National Top Cities for First-Time Homebuyers

WalletHub just dropped its 2026 study ranking the best cities for first-time homebuyers, and Cape Coral landed at No. 11 in the country — out of 300 cities graded on 22 metrics spanning housing affordability, real estate taxes, crime rates and quality of life. (Fellow Florida city Palm Bay took the No. 1 spot.) It’s the highest-ranked city in Lee County, and proof that even after the recent market cooldown, the Cape is still a magnet for buyers looking to plant roots — thanks to sky-high housing inventory, a mountain of new building permits, and one of the highest counts of real estate agents per capita in the nation. Translation: lots of homes, lots of help finding one.

🚀 Babcock Ranch to Anchor a New Resilience Accelerator

Southwest Florida is putting its money where its climate resilience is. A new eight-week accelerator — the resilience track of the statewide “Ambition Accelerated” program — is setting up shop at Babcock Ranch, the solar-powered town famous for barely flickering during Hurricane Ian. The track zeroes in on startups working on sustainable construction, infrastructure, energy, water management and disaster preparedness, and it comes backed by a heavyweight roster of Florida corporate mentors. Applications are open now, with the cohort kicking off this fall. It’s a real step toward making SWFL a hub for the kind of future-proof innovation this region has, unfortunately, become an expert in.

🍳 The Rooster Is Opening a Second Location in Naples

Guy Fieri loved it on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and now The Rooster is spreading its wings. Chef Bryan Sutton is bringing his beloved Southern-inspired breakfast-and-lunch spot to a much larger space in East Naples — the former Thee City’s Diner on U.S. 41 East, which closed June 1 to make room. The new digs will bring a full bar, and Sutton plans to eventually serve dinner, too. He’s targeting a soft opening this fall, so start limbering up your biscuit appetite now. (The original on Goodlette-Frank Road isn’t going anywhere.)

🍷 Cooper’s Hawk Is Coming to Cape Coral (Eventually)

The rumors are true: Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants is heading to Cape Coral. The catch? Patience required. The upscale dining-and-wine-tasting favorite is expected to anchor the massive 131-acre Cape Coral Grove — the $700 million mixed-use town center rising on Pine Island Road between Chiquita Boulevard and Burnt Store Road. Infrastructure work is underway now, but the restaurant itself isn’t expected to open until around 2027. Good things, wine, etc.

🏊 Fort Myers Beach Community Pool Renderings Released

Nearly four years after Hurricane Ian flattened the island, the Bay Oaks Recreational Campus pool replacement is finally moving forward. The town has hired a design firm and released preliminary renderings for the new community pool — a genuine milestone for the island’s recovery and a welcome slice of normalcy for local families who’ve waited a long time to hear the words “cannonball.”

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📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

• Stuff a Truck: Cape Coral Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is hosting a back-to-school “Stuff a Truck” drive starting today to collect supplies for local students. Clean out that junk drawer of pencils for a good cause.

• Turtles Keep Winning: Sea turtle nesting numbers on Sanibel and Captiva continue to outpace last year, with SCCF reporting excellent hatch rates so far this month.

• 📸 A new creative space opens: Studio B, Southwest Florida’s newest creative content space, throws its launch party Friday from 5–8 PM (19810 Village Center Dr #180, Fort Myers). Tour the studio, meet local business owners and creators, grab food and drinks, and get some photos while you’re there. If you’re a small business owner who’s tired of shooting product photos on your kitchen counter, this one’s worth the drive — details at studiobswfl.com.

• Traffic Alert: Watch for lane closures on Colonial Blvd near the I-75 interchange this weekend as overnight paving work continues.

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: Casa Blanca Modern Mexican Tequila Bar

9510 Marketplace Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33912

Inspired by the breezy, coastal energy of Tulum, Casa Blanca puts a modern, upscale spin on traditional Mexican cooking — and the room is gorgeous, all whitewashed walls and vibrant color. But the real draw is the bar: an extensive tequila list, margarita flights served in little airplane trays, and a Happy Hour (Monday–Friday) that’s one of the better deals in town, with $5 house margaritas, 2-for-1 domestic and Mexican beers, and $1 oysters. Come for the cocktails, stay for the vibes! Casa Blanca.

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: Tucker

Meet Tucker! Tucker is a sweet, adult male Chihuahua looking for his forever home at PAWS Lee County. He’s house-trained and — refreshingly for a little guy with a big-dog reputation — gets along great with other dogs, cats, and kids of all ages. If you’ve got room for a pint-sized companion with an enormous heart (and opinions), Tucker might be your perfect match.

(Adoption lists move fast — if Tucker’s already found his people, PAWS has plenty more waiting.)

🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

Three active Lee County–area listings at three very different price points:

Feature my Listing!

$278,899 — 1416 Irondale St E, Lehigh Acres

• 3 beds, 2 baths, 1,320 sqft. Metal roof, new AC, impact windows, osmosis water system, fenced yard with mango, avocado & banana trees. NOT in a flood zone.

$525,000 — 11536 Foxbriar Ln, Fort Myers

• 3 beds, 3 baths, 2,242 sqft. Cayman model in Marina Bay — marble backsplash, soaking tub, 15’x35’ lanai with lake and fountain views. Low HOA.

$974,999 — 3960 Quails Walk, Bonita Springs

• 4 beds, 3 baths, 2,746 sqft. Stunning estate in Bonita Bay area with premium finishes and generous living space — listed just this morning.

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

Current National Weather Service outlook — note the weekend has trended cooler and wetter than earlier in the week:

The record heat that’s been baking us (with heat-index readings up around 108° earlier this week) finally breaks as storms move in on Friday. Great news for your water bill and your A/C — less great for outdoor plans, so keep an eye on the radar this weekend.

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

Feature my Event!

Thursday, July 16

• South Pacific in Concert — Players Circle Theater, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM (runs through Sunday)

• The Wizard of Oz — Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Fort Myers — dinner & show nightly

• Industry Night at LaPlaya — LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, Naples — 8–10 PM (hospitality pros)

• Toast to Tequila Dinner — JWB Grill, Bonita Springs — 6:30–9:30 PM, $145/person, curated pairings

• Cape Coral Paint Night — German American Social Club — 6–9 PM, $40–$44, paint a “Welcome to Paradise” sign

• Dancing Lessons by Mark St. Germain — Theatre Conspiracy, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM

• Bastille Day Wine Tasting — Vichino’s Café & Wine Bar, Bonita Springs — 5:30 PM, French wines & cheese

Friday, July 17

• 🎉 Studio B Launch Party | 19810 Village Center Dr #180, Fort Myers | 5:00–8:00 PM

• Summer Sideshow — Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center — 6 PM–Midnight, EDM, circus acts, immersive art

• Journey & The Police Tribute Show — The Stage Restaurant, Bonita Springs — 5:30–9 PM

• Ben Allen Band — Backyard Social, Fort Myers — 7 PM

• Benny Benack III Jazz Quartet — Spatini Teabar, Sanibel — 6–9 PM

• Frozen: The Broadway Musical — Arts Bonita — 7 PM (runs through July 26)

• Legally Blonde Jr. — Cultural Park Theatre, Cape Coral — 7 PM

Saturday, July 18

• Fort Myers Farmers Market — Downtown Fort Myers — 9 AM–1 PM, FREE

• SWFL Burger & Dog Battle — Millennial Brewing Co., Fort Myers — Noon–8 PM, FREE, local chefs compete

• Fairytale Farm Renaissance Faire — Southern Fresh Farms, Fort Myers — 10 AM, costumes, jousting, artisans

• Candles & Cocktails — Perk & Brew, Cape Coral — 1 PM, make a candle while you sip

• Line Dancing in the Barn — M&M Farms, Fort Myers — all skill levels

• Jacob Forever (Reggaeton) — The Ranch Concert Hall, Fort Myers — 8 PM

• Crafty Critter Saturdays — Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center — 10–11:30 AM, family nature crafts

• Prime Rib Dinner — Cape Coral Post 90 — 5–7:30 PM

Sunday, July 19

• Bayside Park Concert Series — Fort Myers Beach — 4–7 PM, FREE live music on the beach

• Art Exhibit: “Through the Light of the Estuary” — Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center — mixed-media show

Looking Ahead — Mark Your Calendar

• SWFL Women for Good — Gather & Grant — Azaleas on the Corner, 1544 Broadway, Fort Myers — Tuesday, July 21, 6–8 PM. An inspiring evening for women to connect, meet a local nonprofit, and help award grants through the group’s giving circle. Newcomers are warmly welcome — it’s the perfect night to see how it all works. Pre-purchase an individual charcuterie pot when you register; wine and other drinks are available at the venue. Register here.

💎 HIDDEN GEM: Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve

East end of SE 23rd Terrace (GPS: 2220 SE 21st Ave), Cape Coral, FL 33990 · Open daily 8 a.m.–dusk · FREE

At 365 acres, Four Mile Cove is the second-largest preserved green space in Cape Coral — and it’s a stunner hiding in plain sight, right where you cross the Midpoint Bridge into the city. This brackish wetland along the Caloosahatchee River has a beautiful boardwalk winding through the mangroves, 5,000 feet of shoreline, a visitor center, and a moving Veterans Memorial area (that’s the Iwo Jima monument you’ve spotted from the bridge). Wildlife regulars include eagles, herons, ibis, otters and the occasional manatee or dolphin. There’s a kayak launch too, with on-site rentals available seasonally (weekends, November through May) — just know the paddle trail has a portage, so it’s better suited to folks who’ve done this before. Free admission, all year. Hard to beat.

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That’s all for today — stay cool, keep an umbrella handy, and we’ll see you next week.

— The Inlet Team

Here’s what’s inside today:

• 🎓 Lee County seniors shatter the scholarship record — again

• 🌳 The Corkscrew Swamp Road is officially dead

• ⚖️ A First Amendment ruling out of Fort Myers with statewide reach

• 🍔 Burger Monger takes over the old Kelly’s Roast Beef spots

• 🐢 “Girl Power” the sea turtle beats the odds

Last week’s answer: The Cape Coral Bridge carries the most daily traffic of the three — no surprise for anyone who’s sat on it at 5 p.m. on a Friday.

💸 The Easiest $50 You’ll Make This Week

Look, we’re not asking you to mow a lawn, drive for a rideshare app, or sell anything to your relatives at Thanksgiving. All you have to do is think of one local business owner who could use 16,000+ eyeballs on their brand — a restaurant, a contractor, a boutique, a realtor, literally anyone — and introduce them to us. If they sign on as a premium sponsor of The Inlet, we’ll Venmo you $50 faster than the Cape Coral Bridge opens on a Saturday. One email. One name. Fifty bucks. You’ve spent more effort deciding what to order at a drive-through. Reply to this email with their info, and we’ll handle everything else.

Email Us!

📰 THE RUNDOWN

🎓 Lee County’s Class of 2026 Earns a Record $79.9 Million

The numbers are in, and they’re enormous. The School District of Lee County announced that the Class of 2026 earned a record-breaking $79.9 million in scholarships — up from $70 million last year, $60 million in 2024, and just $41 million in 2023. That’s nearly doubled in three years. Cape Coral High School led the pack at $17.4 million, followed by Gateway High ($12.9M) and Fort Myers High ($8M). More than $21 million of it came through Bright Futures, with nearly 900 students qualifying — 506 of them earning the top-tier Florida Academic Scholarship that covers 100% of in-state tuition. (Bragging rights to North Fort Myers High, which produced the most full-ride Bright Futures earners of any school at 99.) And it’s not just the university crowd: 917 grads are heading to technical school, 636 straight into the workforce, 353 into the Armed Forces, and 125 are starting their own businesses.

🌳 The Corkscrew Swamp Road Is Officially Dead

A big one, and a fast turn. Last week we told you the developer behind Kingston — the 10,000-home community rising along Corkscrew Road — was weighing two possible “hurricane evacuation routes” that would have carved through Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. As of this week, that plan is dead: Cameratta Companies has abandoned it. The proposed road would have cut roughly 60 acres out of a sanctuary that holds 600-year-old bald cypress, the largest known ghost orchid on Earth, and habitat that federal biologists have called “the panther-iest place in Florida.” It drew withering criticism from Audubon and the public, and the developer backed off. Worth noting the fight isn’t fully over — Audubon still has a pending legal challenge over Kingston’s effects on the swamp’s water flow — but for the sanctuary’s 2-mile boardwalk and everything living around it, this is a genuine win.

⚖️ A Fort Myers Free Speech Ruling With Statewide Reach

The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that the Florida Bar cannot discipline Fort Myers attorney Christopher Crowley over statements he made while campaigning against Amira Fox in the 2018 race for State Attorney of the 20th Judicial Circuit. Fox won that race and remains State Attorney today. The Bar had argued Crowley’s campaign attacks violated its rules; the court disagreed, holding that races for State Attorney are partisan political contests, not judicial ones, so candidates get the same wide-open First Amendment latitude as any other politician. Notably, the justices didn’t bless what he said — the opinion explicitly allows that the speech may be “inaccurate, offensive, and misleading” and is protected anyway. The precedent now applies to any Florida lawyer running for office.

🍔 Burger Monger Is Taking Over the Old Kelly’s Roast Beef

If you’ve been wondering what’s happening to those empty Kelly’s Roast Beef buildings, we have an answer. Burger Monger — a Florida-based fast-casual chain known for Wagyu smashburgers and handspun shakes — is moving into the former Kelly’s at 8465 Dani Drive, in Palmetto Commons near Topgolf and I-75, and it’ll be one of the chain’s first locations with a drive-thru. (A second is going into the old Kelly’s at Founders Square in North Naples.) The menu runs well past burgers: chicken sandwiches, a mahi fish sandwich, Philly cheesesteaks, wings, onion rings, and those shakes. All of Kelly’s regional locations closed back in January, a year after the Boston chain was bought by a private equity firm — so this is a familiar building getting a second life.

🐢 “Girl Power” the Sea Turtle Beats the Odds

Sometimes you just need a good news story. A juvenile green sea turtle named Girl Power — rescued in the Florida Keys around International Women’s Day, tangled in fishing line and covered in life-threatening tumors — was released back into the ocean Friday at Sombrero Beach in Marathon. She wasn’t expected to survive. After multiple tumor-removal surgeries, antibiotics, fluids and months of care at The Turtle Hospital, she swam off with a satellite tag on her shell as an official competitor in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Tour de Turtles, a months-long “race” you can actually follow online to see how far she travels. A fitting reminder as our own nesting season runs hot on Lee County beaches: keep lights off, holes filled, and fishing line out of the water. (Source: WGCU)

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📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

• ⚾ Mussels’ rest up: Heads up if you were planning a ballgame — the Mussels are off until this Friday. They’re back at Hammond Stadium 07/17 to open a homestand against the Lakeland Flying Tigers (fireworks Friday night — see below).

• 📸 A new creative space opens: Studio B, Southwest Florida's newest creative content space, throws its launch party Friday from 5–8 PM (19810 Village Center Dr #180, Fort Myers). Tour the studio, meet local business owners and creators, grab food and drinks, and get some photos while you're there. If you're a small business owner who's tired of shooting product photos on your kitchen counter, this one's worth the drive — details at studiobswfl.com.

• 🦅 Sanibel Sea School: Got a kid who loves wildlife? The Sea School hosts a half-day course on Tuesday morning all about ospreys, the master fishermen of the sky.

• 🎭 Theater in Cape Coral: Cultural Park Theatre stages Legally Blonde Jr. Friday and Saturday at 7 PM.

• ✈️ RSW water shutdown: Heads-up for late-night travelers — as part of the terminal expansion, the main water feed on Concourses B, C and D is shutting down overnight (roughly 9 PM–4 AM) on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday this week.

• 🎪 Sideshow downtown: The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center hosts “Sounds of Summer: Sideshow” Friday from 6–11 PM — live music, sideshow performers, and interactive art. Weird in the best possible way.

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House

14040 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33919 | (239) 689‑5474

If you haven’t been to Deep Lagoon on McGregor yet, let this be your sign. This is the kind of place that feels like SWFL in a bottle — fresh Gulf oysters, cold cocktails, a laid‑back coastal vibe, and a menu that makes it hard to order wrong. Part of Phelan Family Brands, Deep Lagoon has built a loyal following by keeping things simple: fresh, local, and delicious.

The raw bar is the star of the show, but you’ll also find standout small plates like Volcano Shrimp with mango salsa, Lobster & Corn Queso, and Bourbon‑Glazed Brussels Sprouts. Happy Hour runs seven days a week from mid‑afternoon to early evening, with discounted craft drafts, house margaritas, and a full small‑plates menu at wallet‑friendly prices.

They’re also running summer wine specials right now, including discounts on select bottles, so it’s a great time to explore the wine list.

Open Sunday–Thursday 11 AM–9 PM, Friday–Saturday 11 AM–10 PM.

View the full menu and make a reservation here.

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: Whitney!

Whitney is an adult Hound mix currently waiting at the Gulf Coast Humane Society in Fort Myers. She’s got the classic soulful hound eyes and a sweet disposition to match. Hounds are famously affectionate, nose-driven, and world-class nappers — so if you’ve got room on the couch and a little patience for a dog who wants to smell everything on the walk, Whitney’s your girl. She’s listed on Petfinder now, and GCHS is a no-kill shelter that runs entirely on donations and adoptions.

(Adoption lists move fast — if Whitney’s found her people by the time you read this, there are plenty more waiting.)

🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

Three Lee County–area listings at three very different price points:

23800 Costa Del Sol Rd #102, Estero $280,000

| 2 beds, 2 baths | 1,268 sqft A well-kept first-floor condo in Lighthouse Bay with lake views, an open layout, and a screened lanai. The community brings five pools, tennis, and pickleball.

Barbados Plan, Valencia Harbor (Naples/Bonita area) $543,900+

| 3 beds, 3 baths | 2,643 sqft New construction in a 55+ community, with modern finishes and resort-style amenities still being built out.

3230 SW 3rd Ln, Cape Coral $965,000

| 3 beds + den, 4 baths | 2,526 sqft Move-in-ready waterfront on a rare triple lot with fast Gulf access — newer tile roof (2024), whole-house generator, saltwater pool and spa, outdoor kitchen, and a 12,000-lb boat lift with a tiki hut.

(Listings move fast — confirm availability before you fall in love.)

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

| Mon, July 13 | 95° / 78° | Sunny, isolated storms | 15% |

| Tue, July 14 | 95° / 78° | Hot and sunny | 45% |

| Wed, July 15 | 96° / 79° | Hot and sunny | 25% |

| Thu, July 16 | 96° / 80° | Hot and sunny | 10% |

| Fri, July 17 | 95° / 80° | Mostly sunny | 10% |

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

Feature my event!

Monday, July 13

• 🎵 Michael Nicols live at Tiki Hut Bar & Grill, Cape Coral (6–9 PM)

• 🎵 Tat2 Trio live at Zig Zag Lounge, Immokalee (6–10 PM)

• 🎨 “All the Buzz” exhibit (last week!) at Tribby Arts Center, Shell Point, Fort Myers — through July 16

• 🎭 The Wizard of Oz at Broadway Palm Theatre, Fort Myers — ongoing through Aug. 8

• 🚂 Murder Mystery Dinner Train at Seminole Gulf Railway, Fort Myers — Wed–Sun through Sept. 6

Tuesday, July 14

• 🦅 Osprey Day Course at Sanibel Sea School (9:30 AM–12:30 PM)

• 🎨 Paint & Sip — “Colorful Beach Houses” at Wine and Canvas, Cape Coral (6–9 PM)

• 🎵 Joey Fiato live at The Center Bar, Bonita Springs (6–9 PM)

• 🎵 World of Pearl live at Mango Rita’s Rhythm House, Fort Myers (6–9 PM)

• 🖼️ Gallery Opening Reception at Harbour View Gallery, Cape Harbour, Cape Coral (6–8 PM) — featured artists Terrie Hall and KoriAnn Evans

Wednesday, July 15

• 🎵 Karaoke with Toad at Mango Rita’s Rhythm House, Fort Myers (6–9 PM)

• 🎵 Josh Rowand live at The Center Bar, Bonita Springs (6–9 PM)

• 🎭 Murder on Broadway at Broadway Palm Theatre, Fort Myers — ongoing through Aug. 8

• 🍷 Happy Hour at Deep Lagoon on McGregor — 3–6 PM, 7 days a week

Thursday, July 16

• 🎭 “Dancing Lessons” opens at Theatre Conspiracy, Fort Myers (7:30 PM) — through Aug. 2

• 🎭 “South Pacific In Concert” opens at Players Circle Theater, Fort Myers (7:30 PM) — runs July 16–19

• 🎨 Forge & Found: A Celebration of Metal in Art — Opening Reception at Visual Arts Center, Bonita Springs (6–8 PM) — through Aug. 27

• 🎵 The Spicy Pickles live at Tribby Arts Center, Shell Point, Fort Myers (7 PM)

• 🎵 The Earworms live at The Center Bar, Bonita Springs (6–9 PM)

• 🎵 Dead Mans Hand live at Tiki Hut Bar & Grill, Cape Coral (6–9 PM)

Friday, July 17

• 🎉 Studio B Launch Party | 19810 Village Center Dr #180, Fort Myers | 5:00–8:00 PM

💎 GEM OF THE WEEK: Revolution Cable Park

17590 East Street, North Fort Myers

Want to go wakeboarding but don’t own a $100,000 wake boat? You don’t need one. Tucked away on a 20-acre freshwater lake in North Fort Myers is Revolution Cable Park. Instead of a boat, an overhead cable system pulls you around the lake.

You can wakeboard, water ski, kneeboard, or wakeskate. They have about 10 jump ramps and slide rails for advanced riders, but it’s also incredibly beginner-friendly with private lessons available. A 2-hour pass is just $44, and you can rent all the gear you need right on site.

Check out their hours and book a pass here.

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That’s all for today! Stay cool out there, wear more sunscreen than you think you need, and we’ll see you back here on Thursday.

— The Inlet Team

Here’s what’s inside today:

• 🌀 Forecasters downgrade the hurricane season to “well below normal”

• 🎓 Valerie’s House hands out a record $70,000 in scholarships

• 🌳 The Corkscrew Swamp evacuation-route fight heats up

• 🎭 A bold new vision for historic McCollum Hall

• 🩰 Gulfshore Ballet keeps raising the barre

• 🍽️ A brand-new hibachi-and-sushi lounge in Estero + your big weekend guide

Last week’s answer: Pine Island is actually the longest island in Lee County, stretching roughly 17 miles end to end. Sanibel (about 12 miles) is the longest true barrier island on the Gulf — but for sheer length, Pine Island takes the crown!

💸 The Easiest $50 You’ll Make This Week

Look, we’re not asking you to mow a lawn, drive for a rideshare app, or sell anything to your relatives at Thanksgiving. All you have to do is think of one local business owner who could use 16,000+ eyeballs on their brand — a restaurant, a contractor, a boutique, a realtor, literally anyone — and introduce them to us. If they sign on as a premium sponsor of The Inlet, we’ll Venmo you $50 faster than the Cape Coral Bridge opens on a Saturday. One email. One name. Fifty bucks. You’ve spent more effort deciding what to order at a drive-through. Reply to this email with their info, and we’ll handle the rest.

Email Us!

📰 THE RUNDOWN

🌀 Hurricane Season Downgraded to “Well Below Normal”

Here’s some news we can all exhale over: a little more than a month into the season, Colorado State University’s hurricane team has further downgraded its 2026 outlook to “well below normal.” Their July update calls for nine named storms, four hurricanes, and just one major hurricane — down from eleven, five, and two in June — thanks to a strengthening El Niño that tends to shred storms with wind shear before they can organize. So far the Atlantic has produced exactly one named system, Tropical Storm Arthur, which soaked Texas back in June. The catch every SWFL veteran already knows: it only takes one landfall to make it a bad year, and we’re wedged between two warm bodies of water. So keep the kit stocked and the plan ready — but yeah, breathe a little easier. (Source: Colorado State University / WGCU)

🎓 Valerie’s House Awards a Record $70K in Scholarships

Grab a tissue for this one. In its fifth year, the Valerie’s House scholarship program just handed out a record $70,000 to 34 local students who have all lived through the loss of a loved one. The awards run from $1,500 to $5,000 per student and are renewable for up to three more years, with recipients from Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and beyond heading off to schools like FGCU, FSW, UCF and beyond. “Investing in our young people is one of the most meaningful ways we can honor their resilience and help them build bright futures,” said Valerie’s House founder and CEO Angela Melvin Churchill. As she likes to remind these kids: loss doesn’t have to limit your dreams.

🌳 The Corkscrew Swamp Evacuation-Route Fight Heats Up

The battle over one of Southwest Florida’s ecological crown jewels is getting louder. The developer behind Kingston — the 10,000-home community rising along Corkscrew Road that could eventually add some 24,500 residents — has floated a pair of possible hurricane evacuation routes between Lee and Collier counties, and both would carve straight through Audubon’s famed Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, home to ghost orchids, wood storks, and some of Florida’s last wild panthers. The two options run 5.7 and 6.4 miles, meaning roughly 69 to 77 acres of impact through protected wilderness. Cameratta Companies leans on a decades-old cattle easement to justify the road; Audubon’s executive director, Julie Wraithmell, counters that the easement is almost certainly no longer valid and that regulators never flagged a need for the extra evacuation capacity in the first place. Lee County, for its part, has signaled that post-Ian, it takes any new north-south evacuation route seriously. Company president Ray Blacksmith defended the easement and pointed questions to CEO Joe Cameratta, who hadn’t returned reporters’ calls as of this week. Bottom line: nobody’s broken ground, nobody’s backed down, and this one is far from over.

🎭 A Bold New Vision for Historic McCollum Hall

The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency has approved a new conceptual design to finally bring McCollum Hall roaring back to life. The 1938 Art Deco landmark at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and Cranford Ave was once the beating heart of the Dunbar community’s entertainment scene — a stop on the legendary “Chitlin’ Circuit” whose upstairs dance hall hosted Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and B.B. King. The plan from local firm Parker Mudgett Smith Architects reimagines the space with a 160-seat restaurant, a 200-to-300-seat music venue, a recording studio, a rooftop deck, and a business center with room for up to 18 tenants. The CRA even snapped up an adjoining lot to make room for parking. After decades of false starts, this one finally feels like it has legs.

🩰 Gulfshore Ballet Keeps Raising the Barre

Classical dance is quietly thriving in Southwest Florida. Gulfshore Ballet continues to expand its programming and reach across Lee and neighboring counties, delivering world-class instruction and performances to a region that doesn’t always get the arts spotlight it deserves. Whether you’ve got an aspiring ballerina at home or you just love a night at the theater, it’s a local gem worth supporting — check their website for upcoming classes and shows.

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📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

• 🖤 Poe Speakeasy: Step back in time tonight (Thursday) at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center downtown for an Edgar Allan Poe–themed speakeasy experience, starting at 6 PM. Nevermore, indeed.

• 🩺 Industry Night in Bonita: Bay Street Yard in Bonita Springs hosts a free Healthcare Professionals Appreciation Industry Night tonight from 5–10 PM, with live music and drink specials for the folks who keep us patched up.

• 🎸 Blues in Buckingham: Catch Grammy-nominated bluesman Victor Wainwright & The Train live at the legendary Buckingham Blues Bar tonight at 8 PM.

• 🎆 Friday Fireworks: The Mighty Mussels take on the Bradenton Marauders at Hammond Stadium Friday at 7:05 PM, capped by a big post-game fireworks show.

• 🎬 Free Outdoor Movie: The City of Fort Myers screens The SpongeBob Movie for free on Friday from 6–8 PM. (Riverside Community Center)

• 🐾 Bark in the Park: Bring your four-legged best friend to Hammond Stadium on Saturday at 6:05 PM for Miracle Throwback Night and Bark in the Park.

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: Suji Japanese Steakhouse

10801 Corkscrew Rd, Ste 51, Estero, FL 33928 (at Miromar Outlets)

Estero’s dining scene just leveled up. Suji Japanese Steakhouse pairs the high-energy theater of a traditional hibachi grill — knife tricks, onion volcanoes, the whole show — with a sleek, modern sushi lounge for when you want something a little more low-key. Whether you’re after a perfectly seared premium steak, a handcrafted specialty roll, or just a fun night out watching the chefs work their magic, Suji delivers. As they put it: “We’re more than a meal. We’re a memory in the making.” Go with a group, sit at the grill, and let the kids gawk at the fire.

Check out the menu and book a table here.

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: Gabby

Available at PAWS Lee County, Fort Myers, FL

Meet Gabby — a young, goofy, lovable Great Dane who is somehow still waiting for her forever home. She’s great with kids of all ages and is ready to be your new best (and largest) couch companion. Gabby is currently available through PAWS Lee County, one of our local rescue partners working hard to find loving homes for dogs across Lee County. If you’ve ever wanted a dog that doubles as a small horse, this is your moment.

View Gabby’s full profile and apply to adopt here.

🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

Three fresh Lee County listings at three very different price points:

2125 NE 10th Ave, Cape Coral, FL 33909

•Price: $303,000

•Details: 3 beds, 2 baths, 1,205 sqft | Built 2004 | No flood zone | City water & sewer

•The Vibe: Move-in ready with a fenced yard, granite kitchen, 2022 roof with transferable 30-year warranty, epoxy garage floors, hurricane shutters, and a generator hook-up. Spacious screened lanai with room for a pool. A true turnkey Cape Coral gem.

11343 Tiverton Trce, Fort Myers, FL 33913

•Price: $550,000

•Details: 2 beds + den, 2 baths, 1,685 sqft | Built 2019 | Heated saltwater pool

•The Vibe: Refined luxury in Bridgetown at The Plantation — a resort-style community with pickleball, tennis, bocce, lap pool, and fitness center. This home features lake views, a custom built-in mini bar, outdoor grilling station, and accordion shutters. Minutes from I-75 and the airport.

1022 Lindgren Blvd, Sanibel, FL 33957

•Price: $1,290,000

•Details: 3 beds, 2 baths, 1,737 sqft | 0.38-acre waterfront lot | Gulf access | Pool

•The Vibe: A rare half-acre gulf-access pool home in Sanibel’s Shell Harbor community — with private deeded Gulf-front beach access and dedicated parking. Brand-new dock with 14,000 lb boat lift, $100K+ in custom landscaping and lighting, and available fully turn-key. This one is special.

(Listings move fast this time of year — confirm availability before you fall in love.)

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

The theme this week is hot — Thursday’s heat index flirts with 105°, so hydrate, find shade, and never leave kids or pets in the car. Rain stays hit-or-miss, mostly bubbling up in the afternoons, so knock out the outdoor stuff early.

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

Feature my Event!

Thursday, July 9

• Poe Speakeasy at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (6:00 PM)

• Victor Wainwright & The Train at Buckingham Blues Bar (8:00 PM)

• Mighty Mussels vs. Bradenton at Hammond Stadium (7:05 PM)

• Healthcare Industry Night at Bay Street Yard, Bonita Springs (5:00 PM)

• Zach Bartholomew: The Music of George Gershwin at Arts Bonita (7:30 PM)

Friday, July 10

• Friday Fireworks: Mighty Mussels vs. Bradenton at Hammond Stadium (7:05 PM)

• Matlacha Art Walk in Matlacha (5:00 PM)

• Free Outdoor Movie: The SpongeBob Movie (6:00 PM — Riverside Community Center)

• Andy Wahlberg & Bill Metts in Concert at Theatre Conspiracy (7:00 PM)

Saturday, July 11

• ⭐ FEATURED: MangoMania Tropical Fruit Festival in St. James City on Pine Island (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM). Mango everything, the Biggest Mango Contest, live music, and enough tropical-fruit ice cream to justify the drive. $5 adult donation; kids 10 & under free.

• Miracle Throwback Night & Bark in the Park: Mighty Mussels at Hammond Stadium (6:05 PM)

• Downtown Fort Myers Farmers Market (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM)

• Plaza 41 Vendor Market in North Fort Myers (3:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

• Selwyn Birchwood at Arts Bonita (7:30 PM)

Sunday, July 12

• Bayside Park Concert Series at Fort Myers Beach (4:00 PM – 7:00 PM)

• Mighty Mussels vs. Bradenton at Hammond Stadium (12:05 PM) — the finale of a six-game homestand

• Sunday brunch and live music at beachfront favorites across SWFL

💎 GEM OF THE WEEK

Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium 3450 Ortiz Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33905 · Open Tue–Sun, 10 AM–4 PM (closed Mondays)

Established in 1970, the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium has been educating and delighting Southwest Florida for over 50 years. Tucked onto a 105-acre spread at Colonial and Ortiz, this hidden oasis features rescue animals, a butterfly garden, two nature trails (the Wildlands Trail and Pine Loop), and Southwest Florida’s only public large-dome planetarium — the sole one south of Bradenton and west of Miami. Don’t miss the raptor aviary, home to rescued bald eagles, vultures, a red-shouldered hawk, and a barred owl. Bonus for grown-ups: the planetarium runs the occasional Pink Floyd “Dark Side of the Moon” laser show, and summer camps are in full swing. It’s the perfect antidote to a rainy July afternoon.

Plan your visit and see the planetarium schedule here.

Get in front of 16,000 eyeballs

That’s all for today! Have a fantastic weekend, drink more water than you think you need, and we’ll see you back here next week.

— The Inlet Team

It’s Monday, July 6th. Let’s get into it.

Here’s what’s inside today:

• 🐍 A record Python season — and the Python Challenge begins

• 🏗️ Kingston rises, and an evacuation-route fight begins

• 🛣️ Palm Beach Blvd’s new name

• 🏫 Two Lee County schools make Florida history

• 🐾 A sobering milestone and one bright spot in panther country

Last week’s answer: Apparently, we love our Independence from Salads as Americans!

🤝 THE EASIEST $50 YOU’LL EVER MAKE

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Help us find our next advertiser and earn $50. If you know a local business owner, marketing manager, or organization that should be in front of 16,000+ Southwest Florida readers, make an introduction. If they become a premium sponsor of The Inlet, we’ll send you $50. One email. One introduction. Easy money. Reply to this email with their information, and we’ll handle the rest.

📰 THE RUNDOWN

🐍 A Record Python Season

Southwest Florida just pulled off its biggest python haul ever. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida removed 177 invasive Burmese pythons weighing a combined 8,080 pounds — that’s four tons — from a 200-square-mile stretch of Collier County during this year’s November-through-April breeding season. It’s the largest single-season biomass the Conservancy’s tracking team has removed since the program launched back in 2013. The biggest female they caught measured 17 feet and tipped the scales at 153 pounds. Even better, by intercepting breeding females before they could nest, the team kept an estimated 4,100 eggs from ever hatching.

The secret weapon? A fleet of 40 radio-tagged male “scout snakes” that lead biologists straight to the big females hiding deep in the landscape. Since 2013, the program has now removed roughly 1,750 pythons totaling more than 53,000 pounds.

And the timing couldn’t be better: the 2026 Florida Python Challenge runs July 10–19, the state’s annual removal competition put on by the FWC and the South Florida Water Management District, with thousands in prize money on the line and registration open to the public. See a python in Collier County? Report it at 1-888-Ive-Got-1 (9 a.m.–5 p.m.), or call 911 after hours.

🏗️ Kingston Rises in East Lee — and a Fight Over the Way Out Begins

Out where Corkscrew Road bends toward the Collier County line, one of the largest developments in Lee County history is taking shape. Kingston, the master-planned community from Estero-based Cameratta Companies, has broken ground on its first neighborhoods, with plans for more than 10,000 homes over the next couple of decades, plus 700,000 square feet of commercial space, a hotel, a K-8 school and a future high school. National builders like Lennar, Pulte, Neal Communities and Taylor Morrison are all in on the early phases, and the first residents are expected in early 2027. The developer says roughly 3,300 acres — about 60% of the site — will be preserved and points to a panther crossing under Corkscrew Road and around $100 million in wetlands restoration as evidence of a balanced approach.

But a new wrinkle has neighbors and conservationists talking. Audubon Florida says it learned this spring of a private pre-proposal for a hurricane evacuation route linking Lee and Collier counties — one that would cut about three miles through the internationally recognized Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Audubon’s Julie Wraithmell notes the route wasn’t part of the approved Kingston plan and that regulators didn’t identify a need for the added evacuation capacity during the project’s review. Nearby residents, meanwhile, have their own worry: with thousands more people moving in, will everyone actually be able to get out ahead of a storm? It’s a debate worth watching as the dirt keeps moving.

🛣️ That Sign on Palm Beach Boulevard Says Something New

If you drive Palm Beach Boulevard, you may notice new signage. As of July 1, State Road 80 — the 124-mile corridor that runs from U.S. 41 in downtown Fort Myers all the way to West Palm Beach — has been officially designated the “President Donald J. Trump Highway” statewide under a transportation bill (SB 628) signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Florida Department of Transportation is installing markers at each end of the route. Here’s the practical part for locals: the road itself isn’t changing, and neither are your address or any local street names. (The same bill also renamed West Palm Beach’s airport.)

🏫 Two Lee County Schools Just Made Florida History

Fresh off the district posting its best grades report in a decade, two more Lee County schools earned a first-of-its-kind honor. Cypress Lake Middle School and Hancock Creek Elementary have become the first two schools in the entire state of Florida to earn High Reliability Schools (HRS) Level 3 Certification through the Marzano framework — a rigorous benchmark that recognizes schools for consistently strong instruction and a culture of continuous improvement. It’s a genuine milestone for the district’s teachers and students and a nice bit of momentum heading toward the district’s stated goal of an “A” rating by 2028.

🐾 Panther Country: A Sobering Milestone and a Bright Spot

Some conservation news that’s worth a moment. The FWC has now recorded 11 Florida panther deaths in 2026, every one of them from a vehicle strike — including a 4-year-old male found July 1 along Corkscrew Road. With fewer than a couple hundred of these cats left in the wild, it’s a real loss each time, and a good reminder to ease off the gas at dawn and dusk on rural stretches like Corkscrew, SR 82, Immokalee Road and Alico.

The bright spot: a young female kitten officials nicknamed “Peppercorn.” After her mother stopped returning to the den, FWC biologists stepped in and found her underweight and sickly. She’s since recovered, and wildlife officials say she’s expected to become an ambassador for her species — helping people fall in love with panthers up close — once she’s old enough. See an injured or dead panther? Call FWC’s 24-hour Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.

📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

🗳️ Elections office reopens — and a few things changed: The Lee County Supervisor of Elections offices reopen today after the holiday. Heads-up for 2026: under Florida’s new congressional maps, some Lee voters may have shifted between Congressional Districts 17 and 19 (check your personalized info at lee.vote). Also, all previous vote-by-mail requests have expired statewide, so you’ll need to submit a new one. The season’s first election is the Aug. 18 primary.

🦟 Dump the standing water: State and federal health officials are flagging an early, active West Nile virus season across Florida. It’s peak mosquito time, so empty anything holding water around the house, use repellent, and cover up around dawn and dusk. Small habits, big difference.

🥭 Mango season peaks Saturday: Pine Island’s beloved MangoMania Tropical Fruit Festival returns this weekend (see What’s Happenin’ below) — one of the last true working-agriculture festivals in the state, and worth the drive for the mango ice cream alone.

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: Fancy’s Southern Cafe

Original: 8890 Salrose Ln #101, Fort Myers, FL 33912 | Downtown: 2214 Bay St, Fort Myers, FL 33901

If you’ve never sat down to a plate of Fancy’s fried chicken, fix that this week. This scratch-made Southern comfort spot has been one of Fort Myers’ most beloved restaurants for years — hand-built, cozy, and famous for chicken and waffles doused in buttermilk syrup, deconstructed chicken pot pie, shrimp and cheddar grits, po’ boys, etouffee, and bourbon pecan pie to finish. It’s earned national love, too, with a feature on Food Network’s “Extra Mile.” The big news for the not-a-suburbanite crowd: beyond the longtime Salrose Lane location near Daniels Parkway, Fancy’s opened a second spot right downtown on Bay Street, bringing the biscuits, the full bar, and the weekend bottomless mimosas to the River District. Go hungry, and maybe make a reservation for the downtown location on a busy night.

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: Buster!

Buster is a handsome, energetic 2-year-old mixed breed currently waiting for his forever home at Lee County Domestic Animal Services. He loves to play fetch, goes crazy for belly rubs, and walks surprisingly well on a leash. He would make a fantastic hiking or running buddy for an active family. If you're looking for a loyal companion to join your summer adventures, Buster is your guy. Stop by LCDAS in Fort Myers to meet him!

🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

Here are three fresh Lee County listings that just hit the market this weekend, covering three very different price points:

$290,000 21681 Sungate Ct, Estero, FL 33928

• A great entry-level option in Estero. This 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo offers 1,407 square feet of living space. Perfect for a first-time buyer or someone looking for a low-maintenance seasonal retreat close to shopping and dining.

$399,000 1112 Calvin Ave, Lehigh Acres, FL 33972

• Brand new and move-in ready. This 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom single-family home features 1,955 square feet of modern, open-concept living space. A great opportunity to get into a never-before-lived-in home under $400K.

$599,000 8161 Moyer Ln, Bokeelia, FL 33922

• Located out on beautiful Pine Island, this 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom elevated home offers 1,008 square feet of living space. If you’re looking for that quiet, laid-back Old Florida lifestyle away from the traffic, Bokeelia is calling your name.

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

| Monday | 92° / 78° | ⛈️ Scattered Thunderstorms |

| Tuesday| 93° / 77° | ⛈️ PM Thunderstorms |

| Wednesday| 92° / 78° | ⛈️ Scattered Thunderstorms |

| Thursday | 91° / 77° | ⛈️ PM Thunderstorms |

| Friday| 92° / 78° | ⛈️ Scattered Thunderstorms |

Lows hold in the mid-to-upper 70s all week. It’s the classic Florida summer pattern — the front half of the week runs wet; the back half heats up. Best plan: get your outdoor stuff done before 2 p.m., then let the afternoon storms roll through while you’re inside.

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

Feature my Event!

Monday, July 6

• Makers Monday at Slipaway | Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina, Fort Myers | 6:00–8:30 PM | A creative hands-on craft workshop at one of Fort Myers’ most beloved waterfront spots. ($60)

• Ralph Curtis Live at License to Chill | Margaritaville Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach | 6:00–9:00 PM | Live music right on the beach — no cover for resort guests and walk-ins welcome.

• Chris Taggart Live at Lah De Dah | Margaritaville Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach | 7:00–10:00 PM | Great island vibes and live music to start the week right.

Tuesday, July 7 — Turns 2’sday!

• Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs. Bradenton Marauders | Hammond Stadium | 7:05 PM | One of the best deals in town — every Tuesday is BOGO night! Buy one ticket and get one free, plus BOGO hot dogs, beer, and fountain soda all night long.

• Trivia Night at Lah De Dah | Margaritaville Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach | 7:00–9:00 PM | Test your knowledge beachside — free to play, fun for all.

• Movie Night at Margaritaville | Margaritaville Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach | 6:30–8:30 PM | Outdoor movie night at the resort — a perfect low-key Tuesday evening.

• Chris Taggart Live at License to Chill | Margaritaville Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach | 6:00–9:00 PM | Laid-back live music to pair with your Tuesday tacos.

Wednesday, July 8 — Wear It Wednesday + Silver Sluggers Night

• Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs. Bradenton Marauders | Hammond Stadium | 7:05 PM | Wear any Mussels merch to the box office and get in for just $5. It’s also Silver Sluggers Night — fans 55 and up can snag a season ticket package for $65 that includes a parking pass and t-shirt.

• Garden Tours at Edison Ford Winter Estates | 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers | 10:00–11:30 AM | A guided stroll through 20 acres of historic gardens at one of Fort Myers’ most iconic landmarks. Members $30 / Non-members $35.

• Wine-Down Wednesday at License to Chill | Margaritaville Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach | All day | Wine specials running all day — a great mid-week excuse to head to the beach.

• Karaoke at Lah De Dah | Margaritaville Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach | 8:00–11:00 PM | Grab the mic and belt one out beachside. No judgment — only applause.

• Art Exhibit: “Through the Light of the Estuary” | Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM | A stunning mixed-media exhibit celebrating the beauty of SWFL’s coastal waterways. Free with admission.

Thursday, July 9 — College Night + Community Night

• Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs. Bradenton Marauders | Hammond Stadium | 7:05 PM | College students get in for $5 with a valid college ID (box office only). It’s also Mussel Up for the Community Night — the Mussels will be spotlighting local first responders, veterans, and small businesses. Plus, enjoy 2-for-$5 domestic beer cans all night.

• Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy: Chapter Three | Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Fort Myers | 6:00 PM | A unique, immersive cocktail experience pairing Poe’s classic tales with themed drinks. ($58)

• Victor Wainwright & The Train | Buckingham Blues Bar | 8:00 PM | Live blues and boogie-woogie piano from one of the genre’s most electrifying performers. ($55)

• Bingo at Lah De Dah | Margaritaville Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach | 5:00–7:00 PM | Beach bingo with prizes — a surprisingly great Thursday night move.

• Madison Morris Live at Fins Up! Beach Club | Margaritaville Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach | 4:00–7:00 PM | Catch live music at the beach club before the sun goes down.

• Industry Night at Bay Street Yard | Bay Street Yard, Bonita Springs | 5:00–10:00 PM | Healthcare professionals’ appreciation night — free entry, great vibes, and a full evening of food trucks and drinks.

💎 HIDDEN GEM: Hammond Stadium at Lee Health Sports Complex

14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33912

Here’s a confession: a lot of people who have lived in Southwest Florida for years have never been to a Mighty Mussels game at Hammond Stadium — and that is a genuine shame. This is one of the most underrated, affordable, and flat-out fun nights out in all of Lee County.

Built in 1991 and renovated extensively in 2014 and 2017, Hammond Stadium is an 8,730-seat gem that serves as the spring training home of the Minnesota Twins and the year-round home of their Single-A affiliate, the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. The outfield boardwalk features four different seating options — drink rails, lawn chairs, four-top tables, and traditional chair seating — along with two full-service bars. The parking lot street signs are named after Twins legends like Kirby Puckett, Bert Blyleven, and Kent Hrbek, which is a nice touch.

Tickets are genuinely affordable, and the promotions this week make it even better. Tuesday is BOGO night (tickets, hot dogs, beer, and soda), Wednesday, you can get in for $5 wearing any Mussels merch, Thursday is College Night with $5 student tickets and 2-for-$5 beers, and Friday ends with post-game fireworks and a pre-game happy hour starting at 5:45 PM. If you’ve been looking for a reason to go, this is your week. Grab tickets at milb.com/fort-myers.

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See you Thursday, SWFL.

— The Inlet Team

It’s Thursday, July 2nd. Let’s get into it.

Here’s what’s inside today:

• 🇺🇸 Cape Coral’s 250-foot flagpole

• 🌉 Big Carlos Pass bridge opens

• 📚 Lee County Schools score big

• 🚀 Atlas V rocket launch visible in SWFL

• 🐢 Sanibel & Captiva sea turtles are having a record year

Last week’s answer: Daniels Parkway (CR 876) has the highest average daily traffic count of any county road in Lee County, carrying over 85,000 cars per day — more than Palm Beach Boulevard and Alico Road combined.

🤝 THE EASIEST $50 YOU’LL EVER MAKE

Look, we're not asking you to mow a lawn, drive for a rideshare app, or sell anything to your relatives at Thanksgiving. All you have to do is think of one local business owner who could use 16,000+ eyeballs on their brand — a restaurant, a contractor, a boutique, a realtor, literally anyone — and introduce them to us. If they sign on as a premium sponsor of The Inlet, we'll Venmo you $50 faster than the Cape Coral Bridge opens on a Saturday. One email. One name. Fifty bucks. You've spent more effort deciding what to order at a drive-through. Reply to this email with their info, and we'll handle everything else.

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📰 THE RUNDOWN

🇺🇸 Cape Coral Reaches New Heights for America 250

If you’ve driven near the Cape Coral Bridge this week, you couldn’t miss it. Florida’s tallest flagpole is officially going up at Bernice Braden Park! Standing at a staggering 250 feet tall, it will fly a massive 6,000-square-foot American flag. Spearheaded by City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn and funded by over $300,000 in community donations, the flag will be raised during a special ceremony this Saturday, July 4th, just ahead of the Red, White & Boom festivities. It’s a fitting, monumental tribute as we kick off the celebrations for America’s 250th birthday right here in Lee County. When it’s fully raised, it will be visible from miles around — a landmark that will define Cape Coral’s skyline for generations to come.

🌉 Big Carlos Pass Bridge Opens, FMB Pier Gets the Green Light

It’s a massive week for infrastructure and recovery in our coastal communities. The new $100 million Big Carlos Pass bridge officially opened on June 30th, replacing the old drawbridge with a sleek, fixed-span structure featuring a 60-foot navigation clearance, bike lanes, and a shared path. But that wasn’t the only good news at the ribbon-cutting! Officials also announced that the permit for the Fort Myers Beach pier rebuild has been officially approved. The new concrete pier will stretch 1,000 feet into the Gulf, marking a major milestone in the island’s post-Ian recovery. For a beach town that has been grinding through a long road back, this double dose of good news in a single day is exactly the kind of momentum Fort Myers Beach needed heading into the holiday weekend.

📚 Lee County Schools Score Big

Let’s hear it for our local students and educators! The 2025-2026 District Grade Report is out, and the Lee County School District has earned its highest point total in a decade. A remarkable 26 schools received an ‘A’ grade, 29 earned a ‘B’, and 31 scored a ‘C’. Even better, all English Language Arts (ELA) grade levels showed improvement from the previous year. It’s a fantastic achievement for our community’s future leaders and a testament to the hard work happening in classrooms across the county. Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier credited teachers, support staff, and families for the gains, calling it “a collective effort that shows what Lee County is capable of.”

🚀 Atlas V Rocket Lights Up the Night Sky

Did you catch the show early this morning? A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral around 12:24 a.m., delivering Amazon’s Project Kuiper broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit. Thanks to its northeast trajectory, the launch was highly visible right here in Fort Myers, providing a spectacular, fiery prelude to the weekend’s fireworks. Social media lit up with videos from residents in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Bonita Springs who stepped outside to watch the glowing streak arc across the pre-dawn sky. If you missed it, don’t worry — there are plenty more launches scheduled for this summer.

🐢 Sanibel & Captiva Sea Turtles Are Having a Record Year

Here’s some feel-good news straight from the beach. The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) reports that sea turtle nesting on Sanibel and Captiva is off to a record-breaking pace in 2026, with more than 671 nests documented so far this season — up dramatically from 456 at the same point last year. Of those, 664 are loggerhead nests, and 7 are green sea turtle nests, and the number of nests lost to coyote predation has dropped from 31.4% last year to just 16.8% this season. It’s a powerful sign that the islands’ beaches are recovering beautifully and that the conservation work being done by SCCF and its volunteers is genuinely making a difference. Read the full update here

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📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

🎆 Red, White & BOOM: The biggest party in the Cape happens Saturday, July 4th, from 5 PM to 10 PM on Cape Coral Parkway at the foot of the bridge. It’s a free event with live music, food, and an epic fireworks display. (Note: The bridge closes at 3 AM on July 4th ).

🎆 Downtown Fort Myers Freedom Fest: Head to the Caloosa Sound Amphitheater on Friday, July 4th. The celebration starts at 6 PM, with fireworks and a drone show lighting up the river at 9:15 PM. General admission is free!

🎆 Star-Spangled Bonita: Celebrate at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs on July 4th with live entertainment and a dazzling fireworks show.

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: Oak & Vine Celtic Cafe

• 13499 S. Cleveland Ave., Suite III, Bell Tower, Fort Myers | Mon–Fri 7 AM–5 PM | Sat 11 AM–5 PM | (239) 208-7214

• Fort Myers just got a whole lot more charming. Oak & Vine Celtic Cafe — the brand-new concept from the team behind the beloved McGregor’s Public House — opened its doors in June right next door to the freshly expanded Irish pub at Bell Tower in south Fort Myers. And if you think you know what a coffee shop looks like, this one is about to change your mind. Owner Tom McGregor (whose grandparents were born in County Derry, Northern Ireland) has poured his heritage into every corner of the space. Start your morning with rich espresso drinks, fresh pastries, and an Irish-American breakfast menu featuring loaded baked potatoes, Guinness-braised dishes, and Irish sausages. Come evening, the cafe transitions into a whiskey and wine bar — because of course it does. The bar boasts what McGregor claims is the largest assortment of Irish whiskey in Fort Myers, including a Redbreast aged 27 years. There’s even a live camera feed of The Temple Bar in downtown Dublin playing on the wall. It’s cozy, it’s authentic, and it’s exactly the kind of place you’ll want to make your regular. Check them out here

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: HOPE

• Young Female Mastiff Mix | At RAIN (Rescue Animals in Need Inc. ) in Fort Myers

• Looking for a loyal companion to join your family? Meet Hope, a beautiful young female Mastiff mix currently waiting for her forever home. Hope is house-trained and gets along great with other dogs and children under 8. She’s sweet, gentle, and ready to bring a whole lot of love into your life. If you have a big heart and room for a gentle giant, Hope is ready to be your girl.

• 📍 RAIN (Rescue Animals in Need Inc.), Fort Myers, FL

🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

$349,900 3705 Kelsey St, Fort Myers, FL 33905

• 3 bed | 2 bath | 1,630 sqft | House for sale | A fantastic, move-in ready single-family home featuring beautiful quartz countertops and a spacious layout. Perfect for first-time buyers or those looking to downsize.

$399,900 14233 Patty Berg Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33919

• 2 bed | 2 bath | 2,027 sqft | Condo for sale | Just listed! This expansive condo offers over 2,000 square feet of living space in a highly desirable Fort Myers location. Low-maintenance living with plenty of room to entertain.

$899,000 12780 Astor Pl, Fort Myers, FL 33913

• 6 bed | 5 bath | 4,517 sqft | House for sale | Need space? This massive estate boasts six bedrooms, five bathrooms, and over 4,500 square feet of luxury living. Featuring a stunning private pool and high-end finishes throughout, it’s an entertainer’s paradise.

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

| Thursday, July 2 | 92°F | 75°F | ⛈️ PM Thunderstorms (73%) |

| Friday, July 3 | 90°F | 76°F | ⛈️ PM Thunderstorms (63%) |

| Saturday, July 4 | 90°F | 76°F | ⛈️ Thunderstorms (76%) |

| Sunday, July 5 | 91°F | 76°F | ⛈️ Thunderstorms (81%) |

| Monday, July 6 | 92°F | 76°F | ⛈️ PM Thunderstorms (76%) |

Expect typical Florida summer weather for the holiday weekend—hot, humid, and a chance of afternoon fireworks courtesy of Mother Nature. Plan your outdoor activities for the morning and keep an eye on the radar in the afternoon!

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

Feature my Event Coming Up!

Thursday, July 2

• 🎸 Dead Mans Hand @ Tiki Hut Bar & Grill, Dolphin Key Resort, Cape Coral — 6–9 PM

• 🎸 The Earworms @ The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, Bonita Springs — 6–9 PM

• 🌀 Cayman @ Zig Zag Lounge, Seminole Casino Hotel, Immokalee — 6–10 PM

• 🎉 4th of July Weekend at Margaritaville Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach — Starts 7 PM (ticketed)

Friday, July 3

• 🎨 Fort Myers Art Walk @ Downtown Fort Myers River District — 5–9 PM (FREE)

• 🎻 Gulf Coast Symphony: America at 250 @ Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM

• 🎺 The Glenn Miller Orchestra @ Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point, Fort Myers — 7 PM

• 🎸 Tom Petty & Eagles Tribute Concert @ Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, Fort Myers — 6 PM (FREE)

• 🎆 Ave Maria USA 250th Anniversary Celebration @ Ave Maria Town Square — 6–9 PM (FREE)

• 🎉 4th of July Rooftop Bash @ Downtown Fort Myers Rooftop Venue — 7–11 PM (General Admission $115, includes front-row fireworks views)

Saturday, July 4 — Independence Day! 🎆

• Sanibel Community Church Pancake Breakfast @ Sanibel — 7–9 AM (small fee)

• Cape Coral Freedom 5K & Kids’ Fun Run @ Cape Coral — 7 AM (registration fee)

• San Carlos Park 4th of July Parade @ San Carlos Park — 8:30 AM (FREE)

• Estero Historical Society Declaration Reading @ Estero Cottage Museum, 9285 Corkscrew Palms Blvd — 9–10:30 AM (FREE)

• Bonita Springs Independence Day Parade @ Old 41 Road — 9 AM (FREE)

• Fort Myers Beach 4th of July Parade @ Fort Myers Beach — 10 AM (FREE)

• 🎆 Fort Myers America 250 Celebration @ Caloosa Sound Amphitheater — 10 AM–9:15 PM, Fireworks & drone show 9:15 PM (FREE)

• 🎆 Star Spangled Bonita @ Riverside Park, Bonita Springs — Ben Allen Band 6 PM, 50-min drone/fireworks/laser show (FREE)

• 🎆 Cape Coral Red, White & BOOM @ Cape Coral Pkwy at foot of the bridge — 5–10 PM, Chris Lane headlining, Fireworks 9:30 PM (FREE; BOOM Zone ticketed from $40)

• 🎆 Slipaway Food Truck Park 4th of July Bash @ Slipaway, Cape Coral — 4 PM (ticketed, limited capacity)

• 🎆 Lehigh Acres Freedom Fest @ 1201 Taylor Lane Extension — Festival 5 PM, Fireworks 9 PM (FREE)

• 🎆 Fort Myers Beach Fireworks over the Gulf @ Times Square area — 9 PM (FREE)

• 🎆 Sanibel Island Fireworks — 9 PM (FREE)

💎 HIDDEN GEM: Sunsplash Family Waterpark – Cape Coral

Want a fun way to escape the holiday heat without leaving Southwest Florida? Head to Sunsplash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral, a laid‑back local spot packed with slides, a lazy river, and plenty of space to cool off. From high-speed thrill slides to kid-friendly splash areas, it’s an easy, family-focused day trip that doesn’t require a long drive or an expensive resort ticket. With shaded areas, cabana rentals, and on-site food options, you can make a full day of it without much planning. It’s one of those places locals know well—but many still haven’t actually checked out—making it a perfect “hidden in plain sight” summer gem.

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Happy 250th, Lee County! Be safe this weekend

- The Inlet Team

It’s Thursday, June 25th. Let’s get into it.

Here’s what’s inside today:

• 🥏 A toddler’s world record

• 🏓 PickleRage opens in Fort Myers

• 🎒 A Cape Coral school comes home

• ✈️ More flights out of RSW

• 🐦 The Black Skimmers return

Last week’s answer: D) 1,000 miles of canals in Cape Coral.

🤝 THE EASIEST $50 YOU’LL EVER MAKE

Help us find our next advertiser and earn $50. If you know a local business owner, marketing manager, or organization that should be in front of 16,000+ Southwest Florida readers, make an introduction. If they become a premium sponsor of The Inlet, we’ll send you $50. One email. One introduction. Easy money. Reply to this email with their information, and we’ll handle the rest.

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📰 THE RUNDOWN

🥏 The 3-Year-Old World Champion

Most toddlers are still mastering the tricycle. Three-year-old Leo from Estero just broke the world record for the longest disc golf throw by a child under five, launching a disc an incredible 112 feet at a local park and shattering the previous record in the process. His parents say he’s been throwing since he could walk — the kid has better form than most adults on the course. The record was officially certified and the video has been making the rounds on social media, because honestly, who wouldn’t want to watch a toddler in a tiny t-shirt absolutely launch a disc? Leo’s dad plays recreational disc golf, and apparently, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree — or the fairway. If this is what he’s doing at three, the PDGA World Championships better start keeping an eye on Estero. Watch the throw here.

🏓 PickleRage Opens in Fort Myers

The pickleball boom shows absolutely no signs of slowing down, and Fort Myers just got a major upgrade. PickleRage opened a massive new indoor facility right here in Lee County, featuring climate-controlled courts, pro-level surfacing, and a full pro shop stocked with everything from paddles to court shoes. The whole concept is built around solving the biggest problem with outdoor pickleball in Southwest Florida: the brutal summer heat and the afternoon thunderstorms that wipe out your game before you finish the second set. Whether you’re a seasoned player looking for a competitive environment or a total beginner who’s been curious about the sport, this is the place to start. They’re also offering clinics and open play sessions throughout the week. If you’ve been looking for a reason to finally try pickleball, you just ran out of excuses. Check out the new courts.

🎒 A Cape Coral School Comes Home

Nearly four years after Hurricane Ian devastated Cape Coral, Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary is finally moving into its brand-new building — and for the students and teachers who’ve been working out of portable classrooms ever since, it’s a moment that’s been a long time coming. The new facility is built to modern hurricane standards, features upgraded technology throughout, and gives kids a real school environment instead of the makeshift setup they’ve been dealing with since October 2022. Teachers spent this week packing up the portables for the last time, and the photos of them “shutting off the lights” on the old setup are genuinely moving. The new building opens just in time for the 2026-2027 school year, which means incoming kindergarteners will never know anything different. It’s a small but meaningful milestone in Cape Coral’s long road back from Ian. Read the full story.

✈️ More Flights Out of RSW

Getting out of town just got a little easier. Breeze Airways announced three new direct flight routes out of Southwest Florida International Airport starting this fall, connecting Fort Myers to more cities in the Northeast and Midwest with budget-friendly fares. Breeze has been quietly building out its RSW presence over the past couple of years, and this expansion is a sign that the airline sees serious demand from SWFL travelers who are tired of connecting through Atlanta or Charlotte. The new routes are expected to go on sale soon, and if Breeze’s track record holds, the introductory fares should be genuinely affordable. RSW continues to grow its carrier lineup year after year, which is great news for anyone who lives here and wants more options for getting home from a trip without a four-hour layover.

🐦 The Black Skimmers Are Back

For the first time since Hurricane Ian, a large colony of Black Skimmers has returned to nest on the Sanibel Causeway — and wildlife officials are calling it one of the most encouraging signs of coastal recovery they’ve seen in years. These striking birds, with their distinctive bright orange-and-black bills and their unique habit of skimming the water’s surface with their lower bill to catch fish, are a threatened species in Florida, and their absence from the causeway since Ian was a real loss for local birdwatchers and conservationists. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has roped off the nesting areas to protect the chicks, so if you’re driving out to Sanibel, keep your distance and your eyes open. The colony is expected to stay through late summer as the chicks grow and learn to fly. It’s a reminder that nature is resilient — sometimes it just needs a little time and a lot of patience. Learn more about the colony.

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📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

🍕 Free Pizza on Immokalee Road: New York Pizza & Pasta on Immokalee Road is celebrating 20 years in business today (Thursday, June 25) with a Customer Appreciation Day — free 12” cheese pizza, one per person, walk-in only, 11 AM–5:30 PM. No catch. Just pizza.

📚 Free Books for Kids: The Lee County Library’s summer reading program is giving away free books to kids who complete their reading logs this summer. Drop by any Lee County Library branch to sign up — it’s a great way to keep the kids reading (and off screens) through August.

🚶 New Crossing Signal on Palm Beach Blvd: Fort Myers just installed a new pedestrian crossing signal on Palm Beach Boulevard, improving safety for walkers and cyclists in one of the city’s busier corridors. Small upgrade, big difference for the neighborhood.

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: Piccolo Buco by Cooper’s Hawk

• 22800 Via Villagio Pkwy, Estero, FL 33928

• Cooper’s Hawk is bringing something entirely new to Estero — and it’s worth getting excited about. Piccolo Buco is an authentic, Roman-style Neapolitan pizza concept imported directly from Italy, featuring a distinctive “poofy” crust that’s light, airy, and charred in all the right places. The menu is designed to pair perfectly with the Cooper’s Hawk wine program, with Chianti from Tuscany, Pinot Grigio from Northeastern Italy, and a special Buca Riserva Super Tuscan-style blend made specifically for this menu. It’s a completely different experience from the original Cooper’s Hawk — more intimate, more focused, and built around the idea that great pizza deserves great wine. They’re opening soon at the Coconut Point area, so keep an eye on their socials for the opening date. Check out the menu here.

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: GALADRIEL

• 11-month-old Spayed Female Golden Retriever | 72.5 lbs | Lee County DAS since June 22

• If you’ve ever wanted a classic, goofy, golden-hearted Golden Retriever, Galadriel is your girl. She’s just under a year old, which means she’s still got plenty of puppy energy — but she’s also big enough to actually keep up with you on a run, a hike, or a long walk around the neighborhood. At 72 pounds, she’s a substantial dog who needs an active family with space to run and people who actually want to be outside. She just arrived at the shelter on June 22, which means she’s fresh, she’s healthy, and she won’t last long. If you’ve been thinking about adding a dog to your life, this is your sign.

📍 Lee County Domestic Animal Services, 5600 Banner Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33912

🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

$349,900 3705 Kelsey St, Fort Myers, FL 33905

• 3 bed | 2 bath | 1,630 sqft | Listed today. A solid starter home in Fort Myers with a great layout and plenty of room to make it your own.

$665,996 19502 Viewmont Way, Estero, FL 33928

• 3 bed | 3 bath | 2,444 sqft | Brand new construction by Lennar in Estero. Everything is new, nothing has been touched, and it’s ready to move in.

$4,110,000 5200 Seagrass Blvd #304, Bonita Springs, FL 34134

• 3 bed | 4 bath | 3,610 sqft | Stunning luxury condo at Island at West Bay in Bonita Springs. Incredible water views, massive square footage, and resort-level amenities.

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

| Thursday, June 25 | 92°F | 78°F | 🌤️ Sunny then 30% T-storms |

| Friday, June 26 | 94°F | 78°F | 🌤️ Sunny then 50% T-storms |

| Saturday, June 27 | 94°F | 78°F | 🌤️ Sunny then 30% T-storms |

| Sunday, June 28 | 94°F | 78°F | 🌤️ Sunny then 30% T-storms |

Classic summer pattern — beautiful mornings, afternoon storms. Get your outdoor plans done before 2 PM.

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

Feature my Event!

Thursday, June 25

• 🍕 Free Pizza @ New York Pizza & Pasta, Immokalee Rd — 11 AM–5:30 PM (20th anniversary Customer Appreciation Day — free 12” cheese pizza, walk-in only, no purchase necessary)

• 🎭 Frozen: The Broadway Musical @ Fort Myers Theatre — 7:30 PM (The hit Disney musical live on stage — runs through July 3)

• 🎸 Vince Gill in Concert @ Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall — 7:30 PM (Country music legend, one night only at FSW)

• 🎷 Gulf Coast Jazz Collective: The Wit & Swing of Fats Waller @ Music & Arts Community Center — 7 PM (A swinging tribute to the great Fats Waller)

• 🎭 Say Goodnight Gracie @ Players Circle Theater — 7:30 PM (The life and laughs of George Burns — runs through July 5)

• 🎭 Youth Theatre: RENT @ Alliance for the Arts — 7:30 PM (Runs June 25–28)

• 🥁 Dead Mans Hand @ Tiki Hut Bar & Grill, Dolphin Key Resort, Cape Coral — 6–9 PM

• 🎸 Bruce Teller @ The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, Bonita Springs — 6–9 PM

• 🎰 Laurie & Rusty Wright @ Zig Zag Lounge, Seminole Casino Hotel, Immokalee — 6–10 PM

• 🚂 Murder Mystery Dinner Train: Secret to Victory @ Seminole Gulf Railway, Fort Myers — Runs Wed–Sun through June 28

Friday, June 26

• 🎭 The Wizard of Oz @ Broadway Palm Theatre — 7:30 PM (Runs through August 8 — perfect for the whole family)

• 🎸 U4ia: Music of U2 @ Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center — 7:30 PM (The ultimate U2 tribute band)

• 🎸 Rushour – Music of RUSH @ Mango Rita’s Rhythm House, Fort Myers — Doors 6:30 PM, Show 8:30 PM

• 🎸 Ryan Montgomery @ The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, Fort Myers — Doors 7 PM (Sam Galloway Concert Series)

• 🎸 Relentless Fire @ The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, Bonita Springs — 7–10 PM

• 🎭 Frozen: The Broadway Musical @ Fort Myers Theatre — 7:30 PM

• 🎭 Say Goodnight Gracie @ Players Circle Theater — 7:30 PM

• 🎭 Youth Theatre: RENT @ Alliance for the Arts — 7:30 PM

• 🎰 N Fusion @ Zig Zag Lounge, Seminole Casino Hotel, Immokalee — 8 PM

Saturday, June 27

• 🎶 America’s Sweethearts @ Music & Arts Community Center, Fort Myers — 6 PM & 8:30 PM (Two shows — Gulf Coast Symphony)

• 🎸 Fury & Fire – Pat Benatar Tribute @ Mango Rita’s Rhythm House, Fort Myers — Doors 6:30 PM, Show 8:30 PM

• 🎸 Danny Masters Band @ The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, Bonita Springs — 7–10 PM

• 🎸 Donefor @ The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, Fort Myers — 7 PM

• 🎭 Frozen: The Broadway Musical @ Fort Myers Theatre — Matinee & Evening

• 🎭 The Wizard of Oz @ Broadway Palm Theatre — Matinee & Evening

• 🎭 Youth Theatre: RENT @ Alliance for the Arts — Final Weekend

• 🎰 N Fusion @ Zig Zag Lounge, Seminole Casino Hotel, Immokalee — 9 PM

Sunday, June 28

• 🚗 Sunday Fun Day Car Show @ Mango Rita’s Rhythm House, Fort Myers — 10 AM–2 PM (Free to attend, all makes and models welcome)

• 🎸 Breeze @ Tiki Hut Bar & Grill, Dolphin Key Resort, Cape Coral — 3–6 PM

• 🎭 Frozen: The Broadway Musical @ Fort Myers Theatre — Matinee

• 🎭 The Wizard of Oz @ Broadway Palm Theatre — Matinee

• 🎰 Red Hannah @ Zig Zag Lounge, Seminole Casino Hotel, Immokalee — 4–8 PM

💎 HIDDEN GEM: List Distillery — Mr. Tom’s Spirits

• 3680 Evans Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33901 | Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM, Sat 11 AM–4 PM

• Most people drive right past it without a second glance, but tucked on Evans Avenue in Fort Myers is one of the coolest things you can do on a weekend afternoon: a free tour of a working craft distillery with a $10 tasting session that most people say is worth ten times that. List Distillery — known as Mr. Tom’s Spirits — was founded in 2015 by Thomas and Renate List, and Renate’s family history alone makes the tour worth taking: she’s a direct descendant of the Bauer Dynasty, the Austrian family that created Jägermeister. The distillery produces handcrafted vodka, gin, rum, bourbon, whiskey, and cream liqueurs entirely on-site, and they hold the distinction of making the United States’ first certified 100% sugar- and gluten-free vodka and gin. On Saturdays, you get to meet the head distiller in person and watch the still in action — which is genuinely fascinating even if you’re not a spirits person. Tours are free, tastings are $10 per person, and the staff is some of the most knowledgeable and welcoming people you’ll find anywhere in Lee County. Call ahead or book online if you want a private tour. Book a tour here.

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See you Monday, SWFL.

— The Inlet Team

It’s Monday, June 22nd. Let’s get into it.

Here’s what’s inside today:

• 🛑 Oakes Farms withdraws Bonita Springs plans

• 📦 Retirees moving “halfway back” north

• ⚽ Cape Coral goalie’s World Cup dream

• 🎒 Stuff the Bus school supply drive

• 🌳 Cape Coral mangroves cleared

Last week’s answer: B) Nickel silver

🤝 The Easiest $50 You’ll Ever Make

Help us find our next advertiser and earn $50. If you know a local business owner, marketing manager, or organization that should be in front of 16,000+ Southwest Florida readers, make an introduction. If they become a premium sponsor of The Inlet, we’ll send you $50. One email. One introduction. Easy money. Reply to this email with their information, and we’ll handle the rest.

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📰 THE RUNDOWN

🛑 Oakes Farms Withdraws Bonita Springs Plans

It was supposed to be the entertainment destination that finally gave the old Bonita Springs greyhound track a second life. Oakes Landing — the brainchild of Alfie Oakes — was pitched as a sprawling 12-acre venue featuring live music, restaurants, bars, pools, private cabanas, family recreation areas, playgrounds, game spaces, and parking for more than 400 vehicles near Bonita Beach Road and Old 41. The application was officially withdrawn on June 15, before it ever reached zoning or City Council review, and Oakes Farms has not publicly stated why. Whether it’s the community pushback, the lengthy approval timeline, or something else entirely, the site’s future is now wide open — and Bonita Springs residents are left wondering what comes next. Read the full story here.

📦 Retirees Moving “Halfway Back” North

Florida has always been the promised land for retirees — no state income tax, warm winters, and a lifestyle that’s hard to beat. But a new report from real-estate analytics firm PGM is raising eyebrows: last year, Florida only gained about 800 people aged 65 and older, meaning nearly as many seniors moved out as moved in. George Dabaghi, who relocated from San Diego to Punta Gorda two years ago specifically to save money, put it bluntly: “I moved here to save money. It’s really not that much cheaper.” Research economist Joseph Von Nessen from the University of South Carolina says South Carolina alone welcomed more than 5,000 retirees last year — leading the entire nation — as former Floridians chase lower housing costs and slightly cooler summers in the Carolinas and Tennessee. The good news? The Wagers, who moved from the Midwest to Punta Gorda eight years ago, aren’t going anywhere — “We’re not buying a shovel ever again,” Michael Wager said with a laugh. Read the full story here.

⚽ Cape Coral Goalie’s World Cup Dream

Zack Campagnolo started kicking a soccer ball around Cape Coral at age three or four — just a kid with the Cape Coral Soccer Association, same as thousands of others. But his path took a very different turn. He moved through Fort Myers, Weston, and the Orlando City academy before relocating to Colorado at 16, and by his U-15 season he had already earned his first U.S. Youth National Team call-up. Since then, the 19-year-old has represented the United States in Slovenia, Japan, Spain, and Bulgaria, competed in the U-17 World Cup in Indonesia, and now trains daily alongside U.S. national team goalkeeper Zack Steffen — a player he used to watch on TV as a kid. “You start out at 11, 12 years old watching the game, and you’re seeing a Zack Steffen playing on the biggest stage, and now you’re training with him every day,” Campagnolo said. He’s now signed professionally with the Colorado Rapids and has his eyes set on the men’s national team — and a World Cup. Read the full story here.

🎒 Stuff the Bus Delivers Big

Cape Coral just wrapped up its annual “Stuff the Bus” school supply drive — and the community absolutely showed up. More than 40,000 school supplies were collected this year, filling a full-sized school bus with backpacks, notebooks, pencils, crayons, and everything in between for students in need heading into the new school year. The drive, which ran at locations across the city, is one of those events that reminds you what makes SWFL communities special — neighbors helping neighbors, no fanfare required. Those supplies will be distributed to students before the fall semester begins, giving kids who might otherwise start the year empty-handed a real shot at success. If you missed it this year, mark your calendar — it comes back every June.

🌳 Cape Coral Developer Says Contractor “Mistakenly” Cleared Mangroves

Neighbors along a Cape Coral waterfront were stunned last week when they woke up to find a stretch of protected mangroves had been cleared — and they want answers. The developer behind the project is blaming the removal on a contractor error, claiming the clearing was a mistake, but residents aren’t buying it. Mangroves are protected under Florida law for good reason: they buffer storm surge, filter water, and provide critical habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is now investigating, and the incident has reignited a broader conversation in Cape Coral about development pressure on the city’s remaining natural shoreline. The contractor’s “oops” explanation may not hold much water — pun intended — as regulators determine whether fines or restoration orders are coming.

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📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

⚡ LCEC Upgrades Cape Coral Power Lines: Lee County Electric Cooperative is upgrading power lines along Cape Coral Parkway ahead of storm season, a proactive move to reduce outages when the next big storm rolls through. Expect some minor traffic disruptions in the area over the coming weeks.

💦 Jaycee Park Splash Pad Packed: With heat indices topping 105°F last week, the splash pad at Jaycee Park in Cape Coral became the most popular spot in Lee County. The free, family-friendly attraction is open daily and is a great way to beat the summer heat without spending a dime.

🎓 Teachers Hit the Swamp at FGCU: Dozens of Lee County teachers traded their classrooms for muddy boots this week at FGCU’s hands-on summer science camp, learning how to bring real-world environmental education back to their students in the fall.

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: Darla

• 5-month-old Spayed Female Australian Cattle Dog mix | 18.4 lbs | Lee County DAS since June 13

• Darla is a pint-sized powerhouse with a whole lot of personality packed into 18 pounds. At just five months old, she’s got the curious, energetic spirit of an Australian Cattle Dog — a breed known for being wickedly smart, loyal to the core, and always ready for an adventure. She came into the shelter on June 13 and is already looking for her person. If you’ve got an active lifestyle, a yard to run in, and a sense of humor, Darla might just be the best decision you make all summer.

• 📍 Lee County Domestic Animal Services, 5600 Banner Dr, Fort Myers

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: El Jardin

1019 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral

This chic new garden-to-table spot just opened in the South Cape, offering a fusion of Japanese and Latin culinary traditions. The menu features locally sourced ingredients, with highlights like the miso mojo skirt steak, Yuzu Adobo chicken, and a must-try smash burger. The interior is sleek and modern, complete with a live moss wall, while the outdoor seating provides a lush, tropical escape.

Check out their menu and make a reservation here.

🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

$188,000 7150 Cobiac Dr, Saint James City, FL 33956

2 bed | 2 bath | 826 sqft | Manufactured home on a canal with gulf access. Perfect for a weekend getaway or a cozy island retreat.

$794,900 1640 SE 40th St, Cape Coral, FL 33904

3 bed | 4 bath | 1,905 sqft | Beautiful pool home in a highly desirable Cape Coral neighborhood. Features a spacious layout and modern updates.

$3,250,000 5507 SW 6th AVE, CAPE CORAL, FL 33914

4 bed | 5 bath | 3,450 sqft | Stunning new construction luxury home with a large private boat dock. High-end finishes throughout and incredible water views.

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

| Monday, June 22 | 94°F | 78°F | Sunny then Scattered T-storms (30%) |

| Tuesday, June 23 | 93°F | 78°F | Sunny then Scattered T-storms (30%) |

| Wednesday, June 24 | 93°F | 77°F | Mostly Sunny then Scattered T-storms (40%) |

| Thursday, June 25 | 92°F | 78°F | Sunny then Chance T-storms (40%) |

| Friday, June 26 | 94°F | 79°F | Sunny then Chance T-storms (30%) |

Stay hydrated and keep an umbrella handy for those afternoon showers!

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

Feature my event!

🎭 Frozen: The Broadway Musical @ Fort Myers Theatre — June 22-27 (A magical stage adaptation of the hit Disney film)

🎶 Matt Meyer @ Zig Zag Lounge, Seminole Casino Hotel, Immokalee — Monday, June 22, 6-10 PM

🎸 Swamp Blues Band @ The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay — Tuesday, June 23, 6-9 PM

🎤 World of Pearl @ Mango Rita’s Rhythm House, Fort Myers — Tuesday, June 23, 6-9 PM

🎨 Fort Myers Canvas and Wine – Palm Tree @ Wine and Canvas — Wednesday, June 24, 1-4 PM

🎤 Karaoke with Toad @ Mango Rita’s Rhythm House, Fort Myers — Wednesday, June 24, 6-9 PM

🎭 Say Goodnight Gracie @ Players Circle Theater, Fort Myers — Thursday, June 25, 7:30 PM

🎷 Gulf Coast Jazz Collective: The Wit & Swing of Fats Waller @ Music and Arts Community Center, Fort Myers — Thursday, June 25, 7 PM

🎸 Vince Gill in concert @ Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers — Thursday, June 25, 7:30 PM

🎭 The Wizard of Oz @ Broadway Palm Theatre, Fort Myers — Friday, June 26

🎸 Rushour – Music of RUSH @ Mango Rita’s Rhythm House, Fort Myers — Friday, June 26, 8:30 PM

🎶 U4ia: Music of U2 @ Performing Arts Center, Bonita Springs — Friday, June 26, 7:30 PM

🎸 Fury & Fire – Pat Benetar tribute @ Mango Rita’s Rhythm House, Fort Myers — Saturday, June 27, 8:30 PM

🎶 America’s Sweethearts @ Music and Arts Community Center, Fort Myers — Saturday, June 27, 6 & 8:30 PM

💎 HIDDEN GEM: Revolution Cable Park

• 2100 Slater Rd, North Fort Myers, FL 33917

• Forget the boat. Revolution Cable Park is a 20-acre lake in North Fort Myers rigged with an overhead cable system that pulls you across the water on a wakeboard, wakeskate, or kneeboard — no boat, no wake, no experience required. It’s one of only a handful of cable parks in Florida, and it’s right here in Lee County. The park features jump ramps, slide rails, and obstacles for riders of all skill levels, plus a beginner-friendly learn-to-ride program for first-timers. Whether you’re a seasoned rider looking for a new challenge or someone who’s always wanted to try wakeboarding but never had the chance, Revolution Cable Park is the kind of place you’ll be telling people about for weeks. Open daily; sessions start at $25.

Check their schedule and book a session here.

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See you Thursday, SWFL.

— The Inlet Team

It’s Thursday, June 18th. Let’s get into it.

Here’s what’s inside today:

• 🏆 Everblades win their 5th Kelly Cup

• 🚤 Weeks Fish Camp boat launch reopens

• 🏊 Florida’s new swim lesson law

• 🎪 Citrus Circus comes to Bonita Springs

• 🏖️ Bowditch Point gets a $3.9M makeover

Last week’s answer: The answer is B) Henry Ford — the Ford Winter Estate sits right next door to Edison’s on McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers, and the two families were close friends.

🤝 The Easiest $50 You’ll Ever Make

Help us find our next advertiser and earn $50. If you know a local business owner, marketing manager, or organization that should be in front of 16,000+ Southwest Florida readers, make an introduction. If they become a premium sponsor of The Inlet, we’ll send you $50. One email. One introduction. Easy money. Reply to this email with their information, and we’ll handle the rest.

Email Us!

📰 The Rundown

🏆 The Everblades Do It Again — Five Times the Charm

Nobody saw this coming when they were down 2-0 in the series. The Florida Everblades just pulled off a stunning 5-4 double-overtime victory against the Kansas City Mavericks to win the Kelly Cup — their fifth championship overall and third in a row, making them the most decorated franchise in ECHL history. The team returned to Hertz Arena to a massive welcome home celebration, with thousands of fans packing the parking lot in Estero. This isn’t just a championship — it’s a dynasty. Read the full story here.

🚤 Weeks Fish Camp Lives On — Bonita Springs Boat Launch Reopens

For decades, Weeks Fish Camp was a Bonita Springs institution — a gritty, beloved spot where locals launched their boats, swapped fishing stories, and felt connected to Old Florida. When it closed, a piece of the community went with it. This week, the legacy officially lives on as the city reopens the boat launch to the public, giving anglers and boaters a much-needed access point to Estero Bay. It’s a rare win for public water access in an era when waterfront property is increasingly out of reach. Read the full story here.

🏊 Florida Just Passed a Law to Pay for Your Kids’ Swim Lessons

Starting July 1, a new state law dramatically expands Florida’s Swimming Lesson Voucher Program — previously limited to children 4 and under, it now covers kids up to age 7. With drowning being the leading cause of accidental death for young children in the state, this bipartisan legislation is a genuine lifesaver. If you have young kids, this is one of the most important resources you can take advantage of this summer. Read the full story here.

🎪 You Can Now Join the Circus in Bonita Springs

If you’ve ever watched an aerial performer and thought “I want to do that,” Citrus Circus Center just opened in Bonita Springs to make that dream a reality. Co-owners Brittany Sparkles and Mary Jain built the colorful training facility because Southwest Florida had nothing like it — and now you can take classes in aerial silks, trapeze, hula hooping, and hand balancing any day of the week. Whether you’re looking for a unique fitness routine or just want to try something completely outside your comfort zone, the circus is officially in town. Read the full story here.

🏖️ Bowditch Point Is Coming Back — $3.9 Million to Restore Fort Myers Beach’s Crown Jewel

Four years after Hurricane Ian decimated Fort Myers Beach, Lee County has finally approved a $3.9 million plan to restore Bowditch Point Park. The 17-acre beachfront destination at the northern tip of the island will see its damaged buildings, boardwalks, picnic spaces, beach access points, and 22-slip boat dock completely rebuilt. It’s a massive step forward for the island’s recovery — and a signal that the best of Fort Myers Beach is still ahead. Read the full story here.'

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📌 Community Digest

💊 Prescription Vending Machine: Lee Health just installed a prescription vending machine at its Convenient Care clinic on Pine Island Road in Cape Coral. It stocks the top 60 medications, so you can grab your prescription and go without an extra pharmacy trip.

🐢 Turtle Nesting Surge: The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation is reporting a surge in loggerhead sea turtle nests this week. If you’re on the beach after dark, fill in any holes you dig and turn off flashlights near the water.

🏗️ Midtown Fort Myers: The $6 billion downtown Fort Myers redevelopment plan is moving forward, with construction on the former News-Press site slated to begin in December — 350 residences, office space, retail, and a hotel. Follow the project here.

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: Knox

• 2-year-old Terrier Mix | 16 lbs | Neutered Male | At Lee County DAS since June 16

• Knox is the kind of dog that makes you wonder how he’s still at the shelter. At just 2 years old and 16 pounds, he’s the perfect size for an apartment, a condo, or a house with a yard — and he just arrived this week, so he’s fresh, healthy, and ready for a fresh start. Small dogs with big personalities are always the first to go, so if you’ve been thinking about adding a furry companion to the family, Knox is your sign. Don’t wait on this one. Visit Lee County Domestic Animal Services at 5600 Banner Dr, Fort Myers | (239) 533-7387

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: The Bohemian

• 27975 Old 41 Rd., Bonita Springs, FL 34135 | Make a reservation here | Open Mon–Sun, 5–10 PM

• If you haven’t been to The Bohemian yet, you’re missing one of the best dining experiences in all of Southwest Florida. Tucked into downtown Bonita Springs, this chef-driven restaurant is built around a Florida hardwood oak grill and a philosophy of shareable, globally influenced plates made from locally sourced ingredients — neighboring farms and fishermen, not a Sysco truck. The menu changes daily, sometimes hourly, which means every visit is genuinely different. Think yellowfin tuna crispy rice with chipotle aioli, Florida snapper crudo with white ponzu and kumquat, and raw seafood towers stacked with Gulf shrimp, crab, lobster, and caviar. It’s the kind of place where modifications are politely declined — because the chef already thought of everything. Named Best of the Gulfshore 2026. Reservations are strongly recommended.

🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

$210,000 | 19914 Lake Vista Cir N APT 1, Lehigh Acres, FL 33936

• 3 bed | 2 bath | 1,442 sqft | Condo

• A 3-bedroom condo in Lehigh Acres for $210K is genuinely hard to find right now. First-floor unit with lake views, a community pool, and a layout that actually makes sense. For first-time buyers or investors looking for a rental-ready property, this one checks every box.

$619,900 | 29 NE 20th Court, Cape Coral, FL 33914

• 4 bed | 3 bath | 2,145 sqft | New Construction

• Brand new construction in Cape Coral with a custom pool, high-end finishes, and a move-in-ready timeline. Four bedrooms, three full baths, and the kind of open-concept layout that makes entertaining easy. At $619K for new construction in Cape Coral, this is one of the better values on the market right now.

$3,053,000+ | Island at West Bay, Bonita Springs, FL 34134

• 4 bed | 4 bath | 3,324 sqft | New Construction Luxury High-Rise

• The Island at West Bay is Bonita Springs’ most talked-about new development — a luxury high-rise tower with unobstructed Gulf views, resort-style amenities, and residences starting at $3M. If you’ve been watching this project, units are actively listing now. This is what the top of the Lee County market looks like in 2026.

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

| Thu, Jun 18 | 93° | 80° | Mostly sunny, slight chance of afternoon storms | 20% |

| Fri, Jun 19 | 93° | 79° | Sunny morning, scattered afternoon/evening storms | 30% |

| Sat, Jun 20 | 92° | 78° | Chance of afternoon thunderstorms | 50% |

| Sun, Jun 21 | 92° | 78° | Sunny morning, chance of afternoon storms | 40% |

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEK

I want my event featured!

Thursday, June 18

•🎭 Almost, Maine @ Off Broadway Palm Theatre, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM (Theatre Conspiracy’s romantic comedy, runs through June 28 — one of the best local theater productions this summer)

•🎵 Wood Songs 2: Clarinet Quintets @ Music and Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Lane, Fort Myers — 7 PM | Tickets required (An intimate evening of chamber music — think of it as the anti-summer-blockbuster)

•🤠 Unleashed — Toby Keith Tribute @ Mango Rita’s Rhythm House, 16440 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers — Doors 6 PM, Show 8 PM (A full tribute to the late country legend — cold beer and boots encouraged)

Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth)

•🎶 Fort Myers Music Walk @ Downtown Fort Myers River District — 6 PM–10 PM (FREE — Live bands spilling out of every bar and venue in the River District, from jazz and blues to rock and country)

•🎹 Dueling Pianos @ Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers — 7:30 PM | Tickets required (Two pianists, one stage, zero filter — always a wild night at SBDAC)

•🎸 Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers @ Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 26100 Old 41 Rd., Bonita Springs — 7:30 PM | Tickets required (Hard-hitting blues, rock, and southern grit — one of the best live acts coming through SWFL this summer)

•🌈 In Living Color: A Juneteenth Art Experience @ Historic McCollum Hall, 2701 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers — 6–9 PM | FREE (Bridging the Gap Center for the Arts presents a free evening of art, culture, and community at one of Fort Myers’ most historic venues)

•🎭 Seussical Kids — Opening Night @ Cultural Park Theatre, 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral — 7 PM | Tickets $10 (Dr. Seuss characters come to life — great for the whole family, runs through June 29)

•🎤 Billy Currington in Concert @ Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy., Estero — 8 PM | Tickets from $35 (Country star Billy Currington brings his smooth Southern sound to Hertz Arena — Kelsey Hart and Kenny Whitmire open)

•🎭 Dare to Dream Jr. @ Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers — 7:30 PM | Tickets required (A Disney musical revue from the youth ensemble — runs June 19–21)

Saturday, June 20

•🥕 Alliance Morning Market & Family ArtLab @ Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers — Market 9 AM, ArtLab 10 AM (Local vendors, fresh produce, handmade goods, and free art activities for kids — a great Saturday morning)

•🎸 Pierce Pettis in Concert @ All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers — 7 PM | Tickets required (Acclaimed Americana singer-songwriter with a devoted following — Pete Benson opens)

•🤘 ZZ Top Notch — ZZ Top Tribute @ Mango Rita’s Rhythm House, 16440 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers — Doors 6 PM, Show 8 PM (Sharp-dressed men, sharp guitar riffs — a classic Saturday night out)

•🎭 Seussical Kids @ Cultural Park Theatre, Cape Coral — 2 PM & 7 PM matinees

•🎵 The Sounds of Soul @ Music and Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Lane, Fort Myers — 6 PM & 8:30 PM | Tickets required (Gulf Coast Symphony’s summer soul spectacular — two shows, one unforgettable night)

Sunday, June 21 (Father’s Day)

•🚂 Father’s Day Murder Mystery Dinner Train @ Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers — Boarding 5:30 PM | Tickets required (A classic SWFL Father’s Day tradition — dinner, drinks, and a whodunit on the rails)

•🎭 Dare to Dream Jr. — Matinee @ Players Circle Theater, Fort Myers — 2 PM | Tickets required (Final performance of the Disney revue — perfect for a Father’s Day afternoon with the family)

•🍻 Father’s Day at Bay Street Yar @ Bay Street Yard, Fort Myers — 11 AM–10 PM (Outdoor food hall with live music, cold drinks, and the whole family — a perfect Father’s Day afternoon)

•⛳ Father’s Day at PopStroke Fort Myers @ PopStroke, Fort Myers — All day (Mini golf, food, and drinks — the whole family can play)

💎 HIDDEN GEM: Citrus Circus Center

3451 Bonita Bay Blvd, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 | Book a class here

We put Citrus Circus in the Rundown this week, but they deserve the Gem spot too. This is Southwest Florida’s only dedicated circus arts training facility, and it’s unlike anything else in the region. Co-owners Brittany Sparkles and Mary Jain opened the Bonita Springs studio because they believed SWFL was ready for something different — and the early response has proven them right. You don’t need any experience to walk in: beginner classes in aerial silks, lyra (aerial hoop), and acrobatics are designed for people who have never tried anything like this before. It’s an incredible full-body workout, a serious confidence builder, and genuinely one of the most fun things you can do on a weeknight. Classes run throughout the week for kids, teens, and adults. If you’ve been looking for a reason to try something new this summer, this is it.

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See you Monday, SWFL.

— The Inlet Team

It’s Monday, June 15th. Let’s get into it.

Here’s what’s inside today:

• 🏒 Everblades one win away from history

• 💻 Cape Coral permits go digital

• 🐍 Record python removal

• 🏨 FMB hotel recovery update

• 🏥 Lee Health’s new CEO

Last week’s answer: The behavior is called A) Natal homing — female loggerheads travel thousands of miles across the ocean and return to the exact beach where they were born to lay their eggs.

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📰 The Rundown

🏒 The Comeback Is Real — Everblades One Win Away From History

Nobody saw this coming. After getting shut out 6-0 in Game 1 and blown out in Game 2, the Everblades looked cooked — but they came home to Hertz Arena and won three straight, including a dominant 5-2 Game 5 on Saturday night. They now lead the Kansas City Mavericks 3-2 in the Kelly Cup Finals, and Game 6 is tonight in Kansas City. Win it, and they become the first team in ECHL history to win four Kelly Cups in five seasons. If you’re not watching tonight, you’re missing something special. Read the full story here

💻 Cape Coral Is Dragging Its Permits Into the 21st Century

If you’ve ever tried to pull a permit in Cape Coral, you know the drill: drive to City Hall, wait in a line that hasn’t moved since the Bush administration, and fill out paperwork that looks like it was designed in 1987. That’s finally changing — starting July 1, the city is moving all owner-builder permits online. The new digital portal will let homeowners submit applications, upload documents, pay fees, and track their status from the couch. Some residents are skeptical about the transition, but for the thousands of homeowners who’ve been putting off projects because of the permitting headache, this is genuinely good news. July 1 can’t come soon enough. Read the full story here

🐍 They Just Pulled 8,080 Pounds of Python Out of Southwest Florida

Go ahead and read that number again: 8,080 pounds. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida just wrapped its most successful python removal season ever, pulling 177 Burmese pythons from the local ecosystem — a new all-time record. The secret weapon? “Scout snakes” — tagged males released into the wild that lead biologists straight to large breeding females. The biggest catch of the season was a 153-pound, 17-foot female (longer than a standard parking space). Every removal is a genuine win for the native wildlife that calls SWFL home. Read the full story here

🏨 Fort Myers Beach Is Still Waiting for Its Hotels to Come Back

Nearly four years after Hurricane Ian, a new investigation reveals that more than 41% of hotel rooms on Fort Myers Beach are still closed. The big resorts like the Pink Shell have largely recovered — they even opened a brand-new spa — but the smaller, independently owned motels that gave the beach its Old Florida charm are a different story. Nineteen boutique hotels were completely destroyed by Ian, and their owners are still battling insurance disputes, construction costs, and financing hurdles. Countywide, tourism numbers look great — occupancy is up and room rates are climbing — but Fort Myers Beach is carrying a wound the rest of Lee County isn’t. For the families who built their lives around those small motels, the recovery isn’t a headline. It’s still a daily reality. Read the full story here

🏥 Lee Health’s New CEO Started as a Clerk — 31 Years Ago

Lee Health did a nationwide search for a new CEO — and then picked the guy who has been here the whole time. Ben Spence, the current Chief Operating Officer, has been named the next president and CEO, effective October 1, taking over from Dr. Larry Antonucci, who is retiring after nine years at the helm. Spence is a 31-year Lee Health veteran who literally started his career as a clerk in the finance department and worked his way up through virtually every corner of the organization. The board considered over a dozen candidates from across the country before landing on him. Sometimes the best person for the job is already in the building. Read the full story here

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📌 Community Digest

💊 Vending Machine Meds: Lee Health just installed a prescription vending machine at their Convenient Care clinic on Pine Island Road in Cape Coral. It stocks the top 60 medications (antibiotics, steroids, etc.) so you can grab your meds and go without an extra trip to the pharmacy.

🏖️ Access 26 Groundbreaking: The new food truck park on Fort Myers Beach, Access 26, has officially broken ground. It will feature five food trucks, shaded seating, and public restrooms on a lot that has sat vacant since Hurricane Charley in 2004.

🏗️ Midtown Momentum: The $6 billion Fort Myers downtown redevelopment plan is moving forward, with construction on the former News-Press site slated to begin in December. The 10-acre site will feature 350 residences, office space, retail, and a hotel.

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: Chop-Chop

9-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier Mix | 54 lbs | Neutered Male | At Lee County DAS since June 13

Here’s the truth about senior dogs: they are the most underrated animals at any shelter, and Chop-Chop is a perfect example. This 9-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix arrived at Lee County DAS just two days ago and is already looking for a comfortable couch to spend his golden years on. He’s past the chewing phase, past the chaos phase, and fully into the “just hang out with you” phase. At 54 pounds, he’s big enough to feel like a real companion but calm enough to fit into almost any home. Senior dogs give back everything you give them — and then some. Visit Lee County Domestic Animal Services at 5600 Banner Dr, Fort Myers | (239) 533-7387

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream

2075 Periwinkle Way #33, Sanibel, FL 33957 | (239) 472-6566 | Open daily 11 AM–9 PM

If you’ve spent any time on Sanibel Island, you already know Pinocchio’s — and if you don’t, consider this your official introduction. A Sanibel institution since 1980, Pinocchio’s is the kind of ice cream shop that becomes part of your island ritual: after a bike ride down Periwinkle, after a day of shelling, after dinner with the family. The Puma family has been making their ice cream fresh daily from scratch for over four decades, and the flavors are unlike anything you’ll find at a chain. The signature Sanibel Krunch — vanilla ice cream with mixed nuts, toasted coconut, and a chocolate enrobe — is the one that keeps people coming back. Every scoop comes topped with a signature animal cracker, and the bright green walls and generous portions make the whole experience feel like a little vacation within a vacation. After Hurricane Ian forced them off the island for a stretch, Pinocchio’s returned to a new home at the Periwinkle Place Shopping Center — and the line out the door proves Sanibel never forgot them. Plan your visit here

🏡 HOMES HIGHLIGHT

$325,000 | 2816 Zaragoza Ct, Cape Coral, FL 33909

• 4 bed | 2 bath | 1,828 sqft | Built 2005

• A rare 4-bedroom home under $325K in Cape Coral — and it’s on a quiet cul-de-sac. Spacious layout, two-car garage, and a backyard with room to grow. For buyers who want space without the premium price tag, this one is hard to beat.

$649,500 | 21919 Bella Terra Blvd, Estero, FL 33928

• 4 bed | 2 bath | 2,315 sqft | Built 2006

• Located in the highly sought-after Bella Terra community, this home comes with a massive screened-in pool, lake views, and access to resort-style amenities that make every weekend feel like a vacation. One of the best mid-range values in Estero right now.

$1,395,000 | 20121 Wildcat Run Dr, Estero, FL 33928

• 4 bed | 3 bath | 2,954 sqft | Built 1994

• This week’s luxury pick sits inside the prestigious Wildcat Run Golf & Country Club in Estero. Custom pool and spa, an oversized homesite, and sweeping golf course views from the lanai. This is the kind of home where the lifestyle sells itself.

☀️ SWFL WEATHER

| Mon, Jun 15 | 89° | 79° | Sunny, slight chance of afternoon storms | 20% |

| Tue, Jun 16 | 90° | 79° | Mostly sunny, breezy | 10% |

| Wed, Jun 17 | 91° | 80° | Sunny and hot | 10% |

| Thu, Jun 18 | 92° | 79° | Mostly sunny, chance of afternoon storms | 30% |

| Fri, Jun 19 | 93° | 79° | Mostly sunny, chance of afternoon storms | 30% |

📅 WHAT'S HAPPENIN' THIS WEEK

I want my event featured!

Monday, June 15

•🏒 Everblades Kelly Cup Finals — Game 6 @ Kansas City, MO — 8:05 PM EST (One win away from a four-peat — watch parties all over SWFL)

•🎵 Murder Mystery Dinner Train — Secret to Victory @ Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers — Boarding 6:30 PM (Runs Wed–Sun through June 28 — a classic SWFL night out)

Tuesday, June 16

•🎭 The Sounds of 1967 — Last Week @ Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers — 7:30 PM (Closing June 20 — a musical journey through the greatest year in rock history)

•🎨 DOCK Art Exhibit — Opening Week @ DAAS Co-Op Art Gallery, 10051 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers — 10 AM–5 PM (New exhibit runs through June 28)

Wednesday, June 17

•🎭 Frozen: The Broadway Musical — Opening Night! @ Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers — 6:30 PM | Tickets $25–$42.75 (Full Broadway production of Frozen, runs through July 3 — a great family outing)

•🎸 Clover’s Revenge Live @ McGregor’s Public House, Fort Myers — 7 PM (Celtic rock band with a massive local following — always a great show)

•🚂 Murder Mystery Dinner Train — Secret to Victory @ Seminole Gulf Railway — Boarding 6:30 PM

Thursday, June 18

•🎭 Almost, Maine @ Off Broadway Palm Theatre, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM (Theatre Conspiracy’s romantic comedy, runs through June 28)

•🎨 Rauschenberg at 100 Exhibit @ Bob Rauschenberg Gallery Annex, 8099 College Pkwy., Fort Myers — 10 AM–4 PM (Celebrating 100 years of the legendary Fort Myers-born artist — free admission)

Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth)

•🎶 Fort Myers Music Walk @ Downtown Fort Myers River District — 6 PM–10 PM (FREE — Live bands spilling out of every bar and venue in the River District, from jazz and blues to rock and country)

•🎸 Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers @ Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 26100 Old 41 Rd., Bonita Springs — 7:30 PM | Tickets required (Hard-hitting blues, rock, and southern grit — one of the best live acts coming through SWFL this summer)

•🎭 Seussical Kids — Opening Night @ Cultural Park Theatre, 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral — 7 PM | Tickets $10 (Dr. Seuss characters come to life — great for the whole family)

•🎵 Billy Currington — 2026 Tour @ Hertz Arena, Estero — 7 PM | Tickets from $35 (Country star with 10 #1 hits — doors open at 5:30 PM)

💎 HIDDEN GEM: Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve

Sirenia Vista Park, 3940 Pine Island Rd NW, Matlacha | Free parking & kayak launch

If you’ve never paddled or fished the mangrove tunnels of Matlacha Pass, you’re missing one of the most spectacular natural experiences in all of Lee County. Field & Stream magazine once named the Pine Island Coast one of “America’s 25 Hottest Fishing Spots,” and anyone who’s dropped a line here knows exactly why. The shallow, tea-colored water running through Matlacha Pass is stacked with snook, redfish, black drum, trout, and tarpon — and in June, the bite is on fire. But even if you never pick up a rod, the mangrove tunnels alone are worth the trip: towering red mangroves with their prop roots arching over the water, roseate spoonbills roosting in the canopy, and small fish darting through the shadows. You paddle in through what looks like a wall of green and suddenly you’re in a cathedral. Launch from Sirenia Vista Park in Matlacha for easy access to the best tunnels — and if you want someone to point out the ancient Calusa shell middens along the way, guided kayak tours are available through local outfitters in Matlacha and Bokeelia. Great Calusa Blueway Trail Map →

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See you Thursday, SWFL.

— The Inlet Team

It’s Thursday, June 11th. Let’s get into it.

Here’s what’s inside today:

• 🎡 Oakes Landing: The massive entertainment campus proposed for Bonita Springs

• 🛴 Scooter Wars: The debate over doubling the downtown Fort Myers scooter fleet

• 🐢 Turtle Trouble: Coyotes are threatening Sanibel’s sea turtle nests

• 🍔 Access 26: The new food truck park is breaking ground on Fort Myers Beach

• 🥣 Free Summer Meals: How the school district is feeding kids this summer

Last week’s answer: 4. The Florida Everblades have won 4 Kelly Cup championships (2012, 2022, 2023, 2024).

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📰 THE RUNDOWN

🎡 Oakes Landing: A Massive Entertainment Campus Proposed for Bonita Springs

The former Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track in Bonita Springs has sat largely vacant for years, but a massive new redevelopment project could completely transform the property. Oakes Farms — the company behind the wildly popular Seed to Table in Naples — has submitted plans for "Oakes Landing," a large-scale entertainment, dining, retail, and recreation destination. The proposal includes a large tented entertainment venue for concerts and festivals, multiple restaurants and bars (including a speakeasy and a country bar), wading pools, cabanas, an arcade, axe-throwing, and a supervised child-friendly area with a playground. If approved, it would be one of the most ambitious entertainment-focused developments ever built in Bonita Springs. Read the full story here

🛴 Scooter Wars: Fort Myers Considers Doubling Downtown Fleet

Fort Myers city leaders are considering a major expansion of the Spin electric scooter program, and it's dividing downtown business owners. The proposal would double the number of scooters from 100 to 200 (with an option to expand to 400), expand the riding zone beyond downtown, and keep scooters operating until 2 a.m. instead of the current midnight cutoff. Since launching in August 2025, the scooters have generated over 27,000 rides. Some business owners love the convenience and want the expanded footprint, while others argue the scooters are a nuisance and a safety hazard. No official action has been taken yet, but the debate is heating up. Read the full story here

🐢 Turtle Trouble: Coyotes Threatening Sanibel Nests

It's sea turtle nesting season, and while the numbers are up — over 455 loggerhead nests have been documented on Sanibel and Captiva so far, up almost 120 from this time last year — the nests are facing a major threat from predators. Coyotes have been digging up and destroying nests at an alarming rate. So far this season, 70 nests have been lost to coyote depredation. While that number is slightly down from the 82 nests lost at this point last year, it's still a significant concern for the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation. High tides have also washed out 19 nests. Despite the losses, the overall nest count remains ahead of last year's pace. Read the full story here

🍔 Access 26: New Food Truck Park Breaks Ground on Fort Myers Beach

A long-awaited project aimed at bringing new dining and beach access to Fort Myers Beach is officially moving forward. Construction began this week on the Access 26 Family Food Truck Park, located on Estero Boulevard across from Town Hall. The property, which has sat vacant since Hurricane Charley in 2004, will feature five food trucks, a central restaurant and bar, retail shops, public restrooms, outdoor showers, and direct beach access. While some neighbors have expressed concerns about noise and traffic, the developers have agreed to restrictions on hours and live music to maintain a laid-back atmosphere. It's another step forward in the island's recovery from Hurricane Ian. Read the full story here

🥣 Free Summer Meals for Lee County Kids

With school out for the summer, the School District of Lee County and Summer BreakSpot are teaming up to ensure kids don't go hungry. They are providing free 7-day breakfast and lunch meal kits to children 18 and under throughout the summer. The shelf-stable meal kits are being distributed at six schools and eight community-based locations across the county. It's a massive effort to support families and make sure every child has access to nutritious food while school is out of session. Find a meal kit location near you here

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📌 COMMUNITY DIGEST

🌈 SWFL Pride Festival: The annual SWFL Pride Festival is this Saturday, June 13, from 2–10 PM in front of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers. It’s free, it’s open to everyone, and it’s moving to the streets this year for a bigger celebration.

🎭 Theatre in full swing: The Laramie Project opens tonight at Arts Bonita (runs through June 14), and Almost, Maine opened last night at Theatre Conspiracy at Off Broadway Palm (runs through June 28).

🐠 Summer reef restoration: The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation is continuing its artificial reef restoration work this month — a key effort to rebuild the underwater ecosystem impacted by Hurricane Ian.

🐾 PET OF THE WEEK: TAMMIE!

Tammie is a beautiful 2-year-old female Domestic Shorthair cat looking for her forever home. She weighs a petite 5.12 lbs and has been at Lee County Domestic Animal Services since June 7th (ID: A1113115). If you’re looking for a sweet feline companion to add to your family, Tammie might be the perfect fit!

Adopt Tammie here

🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: Vybe Restaurant & Lounge

There’s a new upscale lounge concept at the Bell Tower Shops, and it’s bringing serious flavor to South Fort Myers. Vybe Restaurant is the latest creation from Chef Harold Balink (the culinary mastermind behind Harold’s). They’ve just initiated their highly anticipated soft opening, offering a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere. The focus here is on curated sips and bold bites — expect an impressive wine and whiskey list, craft cocktails, and elevated small plates. It’s the perfect new spot for date night or an evening out with friends.

Check out Vybe Restaurant here

🏡 HOME HIGHLIGHTS

Here are three active listings across Lee County at three different price points:

$399,900 1803 SW 2nd Ave, Cape Coral, FL 33991

A solid 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home in Cape Coral offering 1,853 square feet of living space. Perfect for first-time buyers or those looking to downsize, this home provides a comfortable layout in a growing area of the city.

$750,000 710 SW 12th Ter, Cape Coral, FL 33991

A stunning modern luxury waterfront home in one of Cape Coral's most desirable freshwater navigable neighborhoods — and it's in a no-flood zone. Built in 2022, this 3-bedroom, 4-bathroom home offers 2,170 square feet of beautifully finished living space with 13-foot ceilings, a gourmet kitchen, impact-resistant windows, a resort-style heated saltwater pool with sundeck, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, and a 13x20 waterfront deck. Solar panels are included. This one checks every box.

$1,550,000 370 Bayland Rd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

A stunning 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom elevated home on Fort Myers Beach. With 1,770 square feet of living space, this property offers beautiful finishes, ample parking underneath, and the perfect location to enjoy the island lifestyle.

☀️ WEATHER

Welcome to the rainy season. The afternoon storm pattern is fully locked in, so plan your outdoor activities for the mornings and keep an eye on the radar after lunch

| Thursday, June 11 | 90°F | 76°F | Mostly sunny, chance of afternoon t-storms (30%) |

| Friday, June 12 | 90°F | 76°F | Storms likely in the afternoon and evening (70%) |

| Saturday, June 13 | 91°F | 78°F | Sunny morning, chance of afternoon t-storms (50%) |

| Sunday, June 14 | 89°F | 78°F | Mostly sunny, chance of afternoon t-storms (50%) |

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ + LIVE MUSIC

Get your Event Featured Here!

Here’s your guide to the best events happening across SWFL this weekend:

Thursday, June 11

•🎭 The Laramie Project @ Moe Auditorium, Arts Bonita, Bonita Springs — 7 PM | 10150 Bonita Beach Rd. (Runs through June 14)

•🎨 “Beach Bliss” Art Exhibit @ Fort Myers Beach Art Association Gallery — 12 PM–6 PM

•🎭 Almost, Maine @ Off Broadway Palm, Fort Myers — 7:30 PM (Runs through June 28)

Friday, June 12

•🎨 Matlacha Art Walk @ Matlacha Island — 5:00 PM–8:00 PM (Live music, local artists, sip & shop)

•🎸 Fortunate Youth with Joe Samba @ The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, Fort Myers — 7:00 PM | 2158 Colonial Blvd.

•😂 omgitswicks Live Comedy — TWO SHOWS @ Cultural Park Theatre, Cape Coral — 6 PM & 8:30 PM | 528 Cultural Park Blvd.

Saturday, June 13

•🌈 SWFL Pride Festival 2026 @ Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Downtown Fort Myers — 2:00 PM–10:00 PM (Free!)

•🥕 Cape Coral Farmers Market @ Club Square, Cape Coral — 8:00 AM–1:00 PM

•🥕 Downtown Fort Myers Farmers Market @ 1st Street, Fort Myers — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM

Sunday, June 14

•🥕 Bonita Springs Farmer’s Market @ 4061 Bonita Beach Road — 9:00 AM–2:00 PM

•🌿 Babcock Ranch Farmer’s Market @ Founders Square, Babcock Ranch — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM

💎 GEM OF THE WEEK: Noah’s Ark Thrift Shop

2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

Noah’s Ark Thrift Shop truly is a hidden gem on Sanibel Island. Operating for over 60 years, this thrift shop is run by the dedicated volunteers of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. It’s a fantastic place to hunt for unique clothing, furniture, books, and household items at incredible prices. The best part? All proceeds go toward grants that support local charities and nonprofits in Lee County. It’s shopping you can feel good about.

Learn more about Noah’s Ark here

Have a great weekend, Lee County!