Member News

March 17, 2022

Brazilian free-tailed bat
Check your home — bat maternity season starts in April
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds people to check homes and other buildings for roosting bats before maternity season starts. While Florida’s 13 native bat species are generally beneficial and typically roost in trees, caves or other natural spaces, sometimes they are attracted to human-made structures.

April 15 marks the start of bat maternity season and is the last day to legally exclude bats from your home or building. Bat maternity season, the time when bats give birth and raise their young, runs through Aug. 14. During that time, it is illegal to block bats from their roosts. If bats are excluded during maternity season, flightless young can be trapped inside the structure and die. Therefore, now is the time to check your home for any entry points, ensure that no bats are present and make any necessary repairs. If bats are found, you should take steps now to exclude them before bat maternity season begins. It is only legal to use exclusion devices from Aug. 15 through April 15.

Exclusion devices, which allow bats to safely exit a structure but block them from returning to roosts, are the only legal and most effective method to remove bats from your home or building. It is illegal in Florida to kill or harm bats, so exclusion guidelines were developed to ensure bats are excluded safely and effectively from buildings outside of maternity season. Bat exclusion is a multi-step process that begins by identifying all potential bat entry and exit points in a building. To legally exclude bats, exclusion devices must be installed on key exit points, left up for a minimum of four nights and the exclusion must be conducted when the overnight temperature is forecast to be 50ºF or above.

Bats are ecologically and economically beneficial. They serve critical functions worldwide due to their roles in insect pest control and as pollinators and seed dispersers, plus their guano can be a valuable fertilizer. Florida’s bats are insectivores and a single bat can eat hundreds of insects, including mosquitoes and other garden and agricultural pests, each night.

Florida’s native bat populations include threatened species such as the Florida bonneted bat. There are several ways that Florida residents and visitors can help our bats:
• Preserve natural roost sites, including trees with cavities or peeling bark.
• Leave dead fronds on palm trees to provide roosting spots for bats.
• Install a bat house on your property.
• Report unusual bat behavior, as well as sick or dead bats to MyFWC.com/BatMortality.

For more information about how to properly exclude bats as well as other tips to bat-proof your home, visit MyFWC.com/Bats and click “Bats in Buildings.” If you have questions or need more assistance, contact your closest FWC Regional Office to speak with a wildlife assistance biologist. Learn more about bats in Florida and ways you can help them thrive by visiting MyFWC.com/Bats.

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission · 620 S. Meridian Street · Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 · (850) 488-4676

Earth Day Celebration

April 22
Music and Arts Community Center

In celebration of our beautiful planet the Gulf Coast Chamber Orchestra invites you to join us in music.

The Earth Day Celebration program will feature
The Pastoral by Beethoven. Contemporary work Restless Oceans by Grammy nominee Anne Clyne & Dreamtime Ancestors by Grammy Nominee Christopher Theofanidis.

Other Upcoming Gulf Coast Symphony Performances

April 24

Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW

Richard Rodgers was one of the most significant American composers of the 20th century, having composed 43 Broadway musicals and being credited with over 900 songs. This program is a tribute to to his greatest works.

May 7

Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW

There’s no character in opera more powerfully dramatic than the court jester Rigoletto, whose all-consuming desire for revenge lead to catastrophe for himself and his sweet, love-struck daughter Gilda. Of all the great Verdi works, none boasts more unforgettable tunes than this one.

Gulf Coast Symphony, PO Box 60878, Fort Myers, FL 33906, United States

April 21

Music & Arts Community Center

It has been a great season!

The Jazz Jam is the last Jazz concert with the
amazing Gulf Coast Jazz Collective for this year.

Join the members of the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective in a fun
“Open Mic Night Jam”, for a night of special guests and
jamming music!

Gulf Coast Symphony, PO Box 60878, Fort Myers, FL 33906, United States

Edison and Ford Winter Estates Hosts Fort Myers Film Festival

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 17, 2022) — On April 22 at 7:30 p.m., Edison and Ford Winter Estates will host the opening event for the annual Fort Myers Film Festival. Three films will be shown on the Henry Ford estate lawn, along the Caloosahatchee River where guests will watch movies under the stars. Films include an early Edison piece with sound, a film about the Koreshan community, and an original film featuring a clip from “Calendar Girls.”

Films:

“Nursery Favorites,” a 1913 Edison Kinetophone Sound Film.
In the era of silent films, Edison and his staff began experimenting with a device to synchronize sound and moving pictures: the kinetophone. This compilation of nursery rhymes is a fascinating moment in the history of “talkies.”

“The Koreshans: Legends and Legacies of Estero’s Urban Pioneers,” by Ilene Safron, Main Sail Video Productions owner.
Visitors will learn about the Koreshans in this film with a series of re-enactments, 3D animations, and interviews with contemporary scholars that weave together the reasons why the group moved to Estero, how they met their demise and why there’s a state park dedicated to keeping their memory alive. The Koreshans are credited with bringing culture and industry to Southwest Florida. They had one of the first symphony orchestras in the state and owned and operated nearly thirty businesses, including a machine shop, general store, bakery, post office and school. The film also explains the connection the group had with the Edisons and Fords.

The third film will be a Fort Myers Film Festival original that will showcase the event’s 12-year history and impact on Southwest Florida. The film is produced and directed by Eric Raddatz and edited by Ilene Safron. it will feature a preview of a film currently in the international spotlight, “Calendar Girls.”

Tickets are $10 for Edison Ford members, $15 for non-members and may be purchased at EdisonFord.org. Only a limited number of chairs will be provided, so guests are encouraged to bring a folding chair. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. No coolers are permitted.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Edison and Ford Winter Estates is the internationally known winter home site of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. More than 220,000 visitors walk through the location each year from all around the globe. The organization has received many awards, including the National Stewardship Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Garden Clubs’ Historic Preservation Award. The property is an official project of “Save America’s Treasures,” a Florida Historic Landmark and a National Register Historic Site. The Edison Botanic Laboratory is a National Historic Chemical Landmark. The site is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and until 9 p.m. during the month of December for Holiday Nights.
We’re located at:
2350 McGregor Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33901

Join our creative community and connect with people that love what you love! This April, take a class and get creative.

Playing with Pastels One Day Workshop (Ages 16+)

Saturday, March 26 • Pastel is an increasingly sought after medium for its beauty, vibrancy, durability and endless possibilities for technique and style. Whether you’re a beginner who wants to explore this medium, or an experienced pastelist who wants a fresh perspective, this step by step workshop is for you.

Introduction to Colored Pencils Workshop (Ages 18+)

Saturday, March 26 • This introductory class will teach the beginner how to use colored pencils to create beautiful works of art. The Instructor/Artist will provide all materials for this class, allowing you to try out this versatile medium before investing in your own supplies.

Early Morning Tai Chi – Outdoor Class

Thursdays, March 31 – April 21 • Learn to move smoothly and efficiently with grace, suppleness, balance and good posture. Tai Chi relaxes your body and open your energy pathways. It gently builds your strength, flexibility, mental clarity, and boost your immune system.

Honoring Treasured Relationships: SoulCollage® Community Suit

Friday, April 1 • This workshop is one of a series, designed for those who have taken an Introduction to Soul Collage® workshop. Together we will deepen our relationship and excitement with the Community Suit. This suit honors relationships we have with people, pets, and other external voices that you would like to have a conversation with.

Bob Ross Classic: “Rolling Hills” – Painting Workshop (Ages 13+)

Saturday, April 2 • Join Mathew Halstead, CRI of Lazy Painter Brushworks, for a classic Bob Ross painting workshop with friends at the Alliance. Find freedom on a canvas as Mathew leads you from start to finish though creating the painting, “Rolling Hills.” Students will take home a finished 16×20 painting.

The Art of Matting and Framing for Artists and Photographers (Ages 16+)

Sunday, April 3 • In this hands-on workshop you will learn professional mat cutting skills and techniques using a Logan mat cutter. Instructor/Professional Framer will teach you conservation, preservation, archival mounting and assembly for art and photos.

Collage and Mixed Media (Ages 16+)

Mondays, April 4 – 25• In this four week course, students will be exposed to various mixed media techniques with an emphasis on collage. This will be a fun and experimental class for anyone who wants to try but doesn’t know how to go about it. It will also have relevance for the seasoned artist who wants to try something different.

Zentangle for the Seasons (Ages13+)

Wednesday, April 6-27 • Zentangle is an easy-to-learn method of drawing patterns step by step. It is relaxing, gratifying and a great way to exercise the creative side of your brain! Beginning with the basics in the first class, we’ll then create a variety of Art works throughout the month, based on the season.

Beginning Belly Dance A (Ages 14+)

Wednesday, April 6 • Have fun learning the ancient art and modern styles of this dynamic dance! Belly Dancing is a naturally low impact activity that improves posture, core strength, flexibility and the mind-body connection.

Drawing Portraits – Onsite Class (Ages 16+)

Wednesdays, April 6 – 18 • In this six weeks drawing course students will learn how to draw beautiful portraits that capture the likeness of the person. Drawing faces also is a great way to improve your drawing skills. In this relaxed and friendly environment there will be drawing exercises and 3 of the classes there will be a live model.

Beginning Belly Dance B (Ages 14+)

Wednesdays, April 6 – May 4• Have fun learning the ancient art and modern styles of this dynamic dance! Belly Dancing is a naturally low impact activity that improves posture, core strength, flexibility and the mind-body connection. New and continuing adult Beginners will learn the basic moves, steps and rhythms that are the foundation of Egyptian, American Cabaret and Global Caravan Tribal Belly Dance in these classes with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Danse Orientale Award recipient Sherry Coffey!

Discover your SoulCollage® animal companion

Friday, April 8 • This workshop is one of a series, designed for those who have taken an Introduction to SoulCollage®. This workshop delves into the Companion suit, and includes a guided meditation to help you discover your own animal companions, which are associated with each of the seven main chakras, or energy centers, in the body.

Watercolor Made Easy – Creating Textures (ages 13+)

Saturday, April 9 • This workshop will cover the three methods of watercolor application – washes, glazes, and wet-into-wet techniques. Time will also be spent exploring various techniques to create textural effects that add detail and expression to paintings.

Introduction to Colored Pencils Workshop (Ages 18+)

Saturday, April 9 •This introductory class will teach the beginner how to use colored pencils to create beautiful works of art. The Instructor/Artist will provide all materials for this class, allowing you to try out this versatile medium before investing in your own supplies.

Classical AM, PM or Painting Studio with Terry Lynn Spry (Ages 16+)

Tuesdays, April 12 – May 17 • Join long-time instructor and painter, Terry Lynn Spry, for her weekly fine art painting classes designed for the novice to the professional. Students are encouraged to work at their own level, and with their subject and medium of choice.

Westminster History and Treasure Part 1 – Online Art Lecture

Thursday, April 28 – May 19 •This interactive and hands-on event is hosted online, which means you get to enjoy it from the comfort of your living room, patio or kitchen table! An access link will be provided prior to the start of the event.

Fine Art Acrylics (Ages 18+)

Mondays, April 18 – May 16 • In this critique based class student’s artwork and ideas will be shared freely. Each class begins and ends with a group critique session. In between group sessions students work at individual stations at their own pace. Each student will receive one-on-one guidance from the instructor.

Plein Air Abstract Landscape Painting (Ages 18+)

Wednesdays, April 20 – May 18 • Join artist Marilyn Hedlund for an outdoor, in-person plein air abstract landscape painting class where nature will be your guide. Learn to use landscapes or seascapes as the basis for an abstract painting.

Early Morning Tai Chi – Outdoor Class

Thursdays, April 28 – May 19 • Tai Chi exercise is appropriate for all ages and any skill level. Learn to move smoothly and efficiently with grace, suppleness, balance and good posture. Learn to relax your body and open your energy pathways. Gently build your strength, flexibility and mental clarity.

Alliance for the Arts • ArtInLee.org
239-939-2787 • 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers

Membership • Donate • Classes • Exhibits • Theatre

Janet & Bruce Bunch · The Claiborne & Ned Foulds Foundation
Leigh Frizzell Hayes · Mary Lou & Richard Helms
Meisenberg Family Trust · Jon & Megan Romine · Arthur Zupko

And incredible people like you!

VISIT WITH BUNNY
March 25th-April 15th

BUNNY’S ARRIVAL

Friday, March 25th  5 pm

BESTIES AND BUNNY, PET PHOTOS:

March 28th 5 pm to 7pm

HIDE & PEEP, Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday April 2nd, Starts at Noon

SENSITIVE BUNNY®

Sunday, April 3rd, 9:30am – 11:30 am

BESTIES AND BUNNY, PET PHOTOS

Monday, April 4th , 5 pm to 7 pm

BREAKFAST WITH BUNNY

Saturday, April 9th, 10 am

Other Upcoming Events

Edison Mall Job Fair
March 26th

The Edison Mall Job Fair is open to the public. Locally owned businesses as well as resident retailers will be in attendance.

Women’s Biz Fest
March 26th

Highlighting the best of women owned businesses in SW Florida

Art in the Air – Spring/Easter Edition
April 9th

Time to let our art shine through and sparkle – Back by popular demand!

KidX Garden Planting
April 23rd

Grab you gardening gloves, hat & sunscreen – Garden planting is here!

For News and Updates, please visit shopedisonmall.com

Edison Mall
4125 Cleveland Ave Suite 1627 | Ft. Myers, FL 33901 US

March 18, 2022

Help FWC monitor freshwater turtle die-offs due to virus
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) continues to study a fatal virus infecting freshwater turtles statewide and is asking the public’s assistance in reporting sightings of sick, strangely acting or dead turtles. Please report sightings to the FWC through the Turtle Hotline 352-339-8597 or through the FWC reporter app on your mobile device.

The FWC has been studying the turtle fraservirus 1 (TFV1), formerly known as turtle bunyavirus, since early 2018. Since then, the virus has been detected in Putnam, Lake, Seminole, Orange, Polk, Osceola, Brevard, Indian River and Collier counties. TFV1 has been detected in softshells, cooters and sliders, and the first TFV1 positive common snapping turtle was discovered earlier this year in southern Indian River County.

A turtle may be sick if it displays any of the following signs:
• Appears sluggish, unresponsive or reluctant to flee.
• Stays in shallow water or beached on banks for prolonged periods of times.
• Head and neck outstretched flat along ground.
• Sunken, swollen, crusty and/or cloudy eyes.
• Reddened skin on head, neck, limbs or bottom of shell.
• Swims irregularly (sideways, in circles unable to submerge).
As part of the ongoing research, the FWC is asking the public for help by taking the following actions:
• Report sightings of sick, strangely acting or dead freshwater turtles to the FWC by calling the Turtle Hotline 352-339-8597 or through the FWC Reporter App.
• If possible and without touching the turtle, take photos of the turtle.
• To avoid spreading the virus, do not capture, transport or release turtles in new locations, even if the turtle appears healthy.
o Executive order #21-19 prohibits the take or transport of all freshwater softshell turtle species or yellow-bellied sliders until the order is repealed.
• Do not eat turtles that are acting strangely or that appear unhealthy.
There is no current evidence to suggest that humans or wildlife other than turtles can be infected with TFV1.
For more information about TFV1, visit MyFWC.com/wildlifehabitats, click on “Wildlife,” then “Freshwater Turtles” and “Turtle Fraservirus 1.”

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission · 620 S. Meridian Street · Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 · (850) 488-4676

April 24

Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW

Richard Rodgers was one of the most significant American composers of the 20th century, having composed 43 Broadway musicals and being credited with over 900 songs. This program is a tribute to to his greatest works.

You will enjoy a cavalcade of memorable songs from musicals such as
The King and I, The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Carousel and Oklahoma.

Performed by a Cast of Broadway Stars.

Hugh Panaro
Ben Davis
Christiane Noll

Gulf Coast Symphony, PO Box 60878, Fort Myers, FL 33906, United States

March 11, 2022
FWC officers intercept commercial vessel with more than 11,000 pounds of illegally harvested shrimp

On Thursday, March 3, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) officers onboard the FWC’s Gulf Sentry, an offshore patrol vessel, conducted a resource inspection on a commercial shrimping vessel that was determined to be operating illegally just south of MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa Bay. The vessel, named the Dona Lupa, and its crew were from Port Isabel, Texas.

During their inspection, officers discovered more than 11,000 pounds of shrimp, valued at more than $30,000, and several pounds of cobia fillets in the vessel’s freezer. Upon further inspection, officers also discovered turtle-excluder device (TED) violations.
“Our officers remain committed to stopping these illegal commercial shrimping trips,” said Major Rob Rowe, FWC Southwest Regional Commander. “Florida’s resources must be protected from illegal harvest, and our specially trained officers are dedicated to ensuring that these illegal commercial vessel operators are cited accordingly.”

The vessel’s captain was cited for not having a restricted species endorsement on their Saltwater Products License, failure to display Saltwater Products License on vessel, possession of cobia not in whole condition and TED violations.
For more information about commercial fishing regulations, visit MyFWC.com/marine and click on “Commercial Regulations.”

For more information about the FWC Division of Law Enforcement Special Programs, such as the Offshore Patrol Vessel Program, visit MyFWC.com/law-enforcement and click on “Special Programs of FWC Law Enforcement.”

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission · 620 S. Meridian Street · Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 · (850) 488-4676

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 14, 2022) – Cypress Pharmacy has hired Olivia Simmons, PharmD, as the assistant pharmacy manager, responsible for overseeing daily operations of the store and pharmacy in addition to providing customer service and patient care.
Prior to joining Cypress Pharmacy, Simmons gained five years of experience within the pharmaceutical industry, serving as assistant pharmacy manager and staff pharmacist for multiple chain pharmacies in the region. In her previous positions, she assisted with the pharmacy’s daily operations and services, which include filling, dispensing and assessing prescriptions, supervising pharmacy technicians, administering immunizations, providing specialized patient care and counseling patients on over-the-counter recommendations, like CBD. She also provided counsel on dosages, drug interactions and allergies as well as care for those with diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure and for smoking cessation.

“Olivia shares our commitment to taking a personalized approach to health, and we are very excited for her to join our team at Cypress Pharmacy,” said Chris DePaola, vice president of Cypress Pharmacy. “From counseling on formula selection to comprehensive medication management, her knowledge will be a great asset in providing our customers with a variety of wellness solutions.”

Before moving to Southwest Florida, Simmons earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in Tampa from the University of South Florida (USF) in 2020. She also received her Bachelor of Science in biomedical science and minored in public health and leadership at USF in 2016. She is also a member of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists.

For more information about Cypress Pharmacy, call 239-481-7322 or visit CypressPharmacy.com.

About Cypress Pharmacy
Cypress Pharmacy has been providing pharmaceutical and health care services in Fort Myers for more than 40 years and offers free local delivery, immunizations, medication synchronization and therapy management, customized compounding for patients and pets, personalized patient consultations, flu and strep throat testing, cholesterol and glucose screening, lab testing, Medicare Part D plan reviews, a broad selection of over-the-counter products, a full line of professional-grade vitamins and supplements including CBD oil, and free vitamins for children and adults 50 and up. Cypress Pharmacy also offers Cypress Packs, a medication packaging option that makes it easier to manage and take multiple medications on a precise schedule. Medication refills can be requested in person, over the phone, online and using the RxLocal App. Cypress Pharmacy accepts most insurance plans and Medicare Part D. The entire staff, including pharmacists Justin Ceravolo and Olivia Simmons and Natural Health Consultant Dr. Stan Headley, are dedicated to providing the best possible service to every customer. Cypress Pharmacy is located at 9451 Cypress Lake Drive in Fort Myers, Florida and is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. For more information, call 239-481-7322 or visit CypressPharmacy.com.