A GUIDE TO LIFE AND LEISURE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

Lee County is one of the nation’s most popular resort locales; let’s look closer at Lee County and a few of its major attractions. The county is named for General Robert E. Lee, the famed Confederate Civil War general, and Fort Myers was the scene of the southernmost engagement of that war. Both sides claimed victory in this skirmish of February 20, 1865.

Lee County is comprised of 811 square miles and has 590 miles of pristine shoreline. With over 100 barrier islands dotting its coast, the state designated Lee as “The Lee Island Coast.” Today, about 620,151 people live in the county. Approximately 35% of the residents are located in Fort Myers and Cape Coral. Other residential areas include: Bonita Springs, Fort Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, Pine Island, Matlacha, and Sanibel/Captiva Islands. Each community offers its own unique lifestyle. Further, you will find a brief overview of these areas.

 Lee County is located midway between Tampa and Miami. Interstate I-75 makes automotive travel to and from the area ideal. The Southwest Florida International Airport is served by major airlines with daily flights and scheduled service to  all regions of the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Demography

Fort Myers has experienced steady population growth.
Historical populations
Census       Pop.     %±
1890          575      —
1900          943     64.0%
1910       2,463    161.2%
1920       3,678      49.3%
1930       9,082    146.9%
1940     10,604      16.8%
1950     13,195      24.4%
1960     22,523      70.7%
1970     27,351      21.4%
1980     36,638      34.0%
1990     45,206      23.4%
2000     48,208        6.6%

2010     62,298      29.2%

As of the census of 2010:
62,298 people,
24,968 households, and
14,316 families residing in the city.

The racial makeup of the city was:
54.6% White,
32.3% African American,
0.6% Native American,
1.6% Asian,
0.1% Pacific Islander,
5.69% from other races, and
2.8% from two or more races.
Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.% of the population.

There were 24,968 households out of which:
24.9.% had children under the age of 18,
33.7% were married couples living together,
17.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and
42.7% were non-families.
33.1% made up of individuals and
10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city the population was:
26.3% under the age of 18,
11.4% from 18 to 24,
30.4% from 25 to 44,
17.6% from 45 to 64, and
14.4% who were 65 years of age or older.
The median age was 35.8 years.

Education

Secondary Schools
Secondary schools in the area include:
• Canterbury, a private school, was listed in Forbes's "Top 400 Schools to Get Your Kid into Harvard". Canterbury students have also won the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Grand Award five times in the past 20 years.
• Dunbar High School's Science Olympiad teams won 15th place overall in the 2007 Florida State Science Olympiad, including a win in the remote sensing category.
• Fort Myers Senior High School, an International Baccalaureate school, is ranked as one of the best public schools in the nation by Newsweek magazine.
• Cypress Lake High School, which is notable for being one of the only high schools in the area that has a Center for the Arts. It specializes in media arts, music, dance, theatre, and visual arts.
• Bishop Verot High School, a private, Roman Catholic high school in Ft. Myers, operated by the Diocese of Venice, Florida.

Higher Education                                                      Number of Schools
Institutions of higher learning in the area include:            Public:
• Barry University                                                        Elementary 48
• Edison State College                                                  Middle 20
• Florida Gulf Coast University                                      High 13
• Hodges University                                                     Vocational 2
• Nova Southeastern University                                     Magnet 10
• Rasmussen College                                                    Other 6
• Southwest Florida College
• ITT Technical Institute

Sports

Spring Training

                                                                            Hammond Stadium
Fort Myers is the current spring training home for the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins baseball clubs. The city holds the distinction of being the host of five different Major League Baseball franchises who've gone on to win the World Series following spring training in Fort Myers. The Philadelphia Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals compose the five along with the city's current two spring residents.

Minnesota Twins

Hammond Stadium is located in the Lee County Sports Complex in South Fort Myers. The stadium was built in 1991 and holds 7,500 people. It is the spring training home of the Minnesota Twins.
The Twins' won the World Series following their first spring training in Hammond Stadium. Their agreement with Lee County for use of the complex runs through 2011.

Red Sox

Former Boston Red Sox left fielder Mike Greenwell is from Fort Myers, and was instrumental in bringing his team to the city for spring training. City of Palms Park was built in 1992 for that purpose and holds 8,000 people.

Perhaps the most memorable game played at City of Palms was on March 7, 2004. This was the first game played between the Red Sox and New York Yankees since Aaron Boone hit the home run that eliminated the Red Sox from the play offs the previous October. Boone's replacement at third base, Alex Rodriguez was the high profile key acquisition of the off season for the Yankees, and he was savagely booed by the 7,304 in attendance.

                                                                                New Spring Facility
On October 28, 2008, the Lee County commission voted 3-1 to approve an agreement with the Boston Red Sox to build a new spring-training facility for the team in south Lee County.

JetBlue Park at Fenway South, the new Spring Training ballpark and adjoining Player Development Complex for the Boston Red Sox in Lee County, Florida is scheduled to open for the 2012 Spring Training season.
A number of the characteristics of the new ballpark are taken from Fenway Park, including a "Green Monster" that will feature seating both on top of and behind the wall, as well as a manual scoreboard. JetBlue Park at Fenway South will capture elements that reflect its Southwest Florida location. Environmentally-sustainable features will be incorporated throughout the facility and Complex, and the considerable landscaping will feature vegetation indigenous to the area.

Fenway South will provide state-of-the-art training facilities positioned on a single site and is intended to be used year-round. It will include JetBlue Park, the main ballpark with a total capacity of approximately 11,000 fans (including standing room and berm), six practice fields, and other adjoining facilities that will house both the Major and Minor League operations and a rehabilitation center.

                                                                           City of Palms Classic
The City of Palms Classic is an annual high school basketball tournament held in Fort Myers, Florida.
                                                                                Other Sports
The sports teams of Florida Gulf Coast University, the FGCU Eagles, began transitioning to NCAA Division I in 2007. In 2008-09, the Eagles women's basketball team led the Atlantic Sun Conference with a 17-3 record, and had a 25-4 record overall, but was ineligible to take part in the 2009 Division I Tournament since it was still transitioning from Division II.FGCU's sports teams play their games on-campus. Basketball plays at Alico Arena and baseball plays at Swanson Stadium.

Points of Interest

                                                                             The Edison Theatre
• Edison and Ford Winter Estates

• The Lee County Sports Complex in South Fort Myers, which includes Hammond Stadium, home of the Fort Myers Miracle baseball club of the Florida State League, and spring training locale for the Minnesota Twins. The Gulf Coast League Twins also play at the Lee County Sports Complex. The Florida State League will hold the 48th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Hammond Stadium in June 2009. The league’s mid-season classic returns to Fort Myers for the first time since 2003.

• The Boston Red Sox hold their spring training at City of Palms Park close to downtown Fort Myers. It is also home to the Gulf Coast League Red Sox.

• Fort Myers hosts the Florida Everblades ECHL hockey team at Germain Arena, and Florida Firecats af2 arena football.

• For the golfing enthusiast, the Fort Myers Area (Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero, Lehigh Acres and Sanibel Island) is home to over 50 of Southwest Florida's renowned 130 public and private golf courses. Florida's great weather combined with the scenic and challenging nature of these courses makes the area an excellent stop for the vacationing golfer.

• The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium is a private, not-for-profit, environmental education organization. Set on a 105-acre (0.42 km2) site, it has a museum, three nature trails, a planetarium, butterfly and bird aviaries, a gift shop and meeting and picnic areas.

• Historic Downtown, waterfront entertainment district.

• Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) campus is 10 miles so the south.

                                                                               Notable people
Present

• Jason Bartlett - Tampa Bay Rays shortstop
• Julio Zuleta- former MLB first baseman for the Chicago Cubs
• Bert Blyleven — former MLB pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians and California Angels.
• Ivy Box - Actress, Artist, Producer, Entrepreneur, castmember of BET's College Hill Interns
• Phillip Buchanon — NFL cornerback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (current team), Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders
• Stacy Carter — Former WWE wrestler.
• Terrence Cody — nose tackle at University of Alabama
• Bill Davey - Professional bodybuilder.
• Noel Devine — running back at West Virginia University
• Earnest Graham — NFL running back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Mike Greenwell — former Boston Red Sox left Fielder and current NASCAR driver.
• Randy Hand — Offensive tackle, Buffalo Bills (current), New England Patriots.
• Mario Henderson — Offensive tackle, Oakland Raiders.
• Nolan Henke — Professional golfer.
• Anthony Henry — NFL cornerback, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns
• Sara Hildebrand — United States Olympic Diver (2000,2004)
• Jevon Kearse — NFL defensive end, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans (current team)
• Mindy McCready — country music artist.
• Seth Petruzelli — professional MMA fighter
• Deion Sanders — Retired NFL cornerback for six teams, and Major League Baseball outfielder for five teams.
• Vonzell Solomon — American Idol 3rd-place finisher.
• Elissa Steamer — Professional skateboarder
• Algernod Lanier "Plies" Washington — American rapper.
• Tommy Watkins — former Minnesota Twins player.
• Walt Wesley — NBA player (1966-1976): Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers, Capital Bullets, Milwaukee Bucks, Cincinnati Royals.
• Cliff Williams — bass player for AC/DC

                                                                                   Past

The Mangoes: Henry Ford's winter home
• Thomas Edison — Improved and perfected the incandescent light bulb and audio recording methods, had a winter estate next to Henry Ford.
• Henry Ford — Founded the Ford Motor Company, and father of the assembly line, had a winter estate next to Thomas Edison.
• Harvey Firestone- Founder of Firestone Tire Company, had a winter estate near Edison and Ford's homes.
• Amanda Dunbar - Professional female bodybuilder ,
• Peggy Schoolcraft- Professional bodybuilder. 1997 NPC Team Universe Champion
• Patty Berg - Groundbreaking LPGA member.
• Charles Ghigna — poet and children's author known as "Father Goose;" boyhood home 1950-1973
• Denise Masino- Professional bodybuilder
• Diamond Dallas Page- Former WCW and WWE wrestler, actor.
• Jerry Lawler- WWE wrestler and announcer.
• Beverly DiRenzo- Professional bodybuilder
• Gerard Damiano- Adult film director.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Myers,_Florida"

CAPE CORAL, FLORIDA

Cape Coral is a city in Lee County, Florida, and United States. With over 400 miles of navigable waterways, Cape Coral has more miles of canals than any other city on earth. According to census of 2010, the city had a population of 154,305, making it the largest city in Southwest Florida. The population estimate for the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metropolitan area was more than 618,754 as of 2010.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 115.10 square miles, making it the second largest city in Florida in terms of area. 105.19 square miles of it is land and 9.91 square miles of it (8.61%) is water.

Cape Coral is bordered on the south and east by the Caloosahatchee River and on the west by Matlacha Pass. The city of Fort Myers lies across the Caloosahatchee River to the south and east, and Matlacha and Pine Island lie across Matlacha Pass to the west.

Canals
Cape Coral Florida has over 400 miles of canals, more than any other city in the world. Cape Coral's canal system is so extensive that local ecology and tides have been affected.

Bridges
Cape Coral is connected to Fort Myers by two bridges. The Cape Coral Bridge connects Cape Coral Parkway to College Parkway in Fort Myers. The Midpoint Memorial Bridge connects Veterans Parkway to Colonial Boulevard. Hancock Bridge Parkway, after intersecting Santa Barbara Boulevard, sweeps north to its approximate terminus on Pine Island Road, with the east end of Hancock Bridge Parkway terminating at U.S. Highway 41.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010:
154,305 people,
59,081 households, and
30,209 families

The racial makeup was:
88.2% White,
4.3% African American,
0.3% Native American,
1.5% Asian,
0.1% Pacific Islander,
1.57% from other races, and
2.3% from two or more races.
Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.5% of the population.

There were 59,081 households out of which:
22.4% had children under the age of 18
61.2% were married couples
9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and
25.9% were non-families.
19.7% of individuals and
9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.85.
17.0% who were 65 years of age or older.
The median age was 42 years.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,970, and the median income for a family was $53,639.
The per capita income for the city was $21,021. About 5.3% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

History

Over the course of a few years, beginning in 1958, canals were dug, homes and businesses built, and a city was born. Celebrities were brought in to tout the benefits of "the Cape," as it is known by the locals. The first building was a four-plex at the corner of Coronado and Cape Coral Parkway. This building was the Rosen's company headquarters and the temporary home of Cape Coral's first permanent resident, Kenny Schwartz, the Rosens' new general manager. Cape Coral's first four homes were completed in May 1958 on Riverside and Flamingo drives.

Through the rest of the 1950s and early 1960s, development moved quickly, mostly on Redfish Point, south of Cape Coral Parkway. By 1963, the population was 2,850; 1,300 buildings had been finished or were under construction; 80 miles of road had been built, and 160 miles of canals had been dug. The yacht club, a golf course, medical clinic, and shopping center were up and running. A major addition for Cape Coral was the construction of the Cape Coral Bridge, which opened in early 1964. Before the bridge, a trip to Fort Myers was more than 20 miles, following the long haul up Del Prado, then over to the Edison Bridge to cross the river.

Since its inception Cape Coral had been known as a "sleepy" community with its large retirement population. This all changed with the population boom of the 1990s that brought with it young working class families. There is still a larger than normal retirement population. While the majority of the community still has to cross the river to Fort Myers for work and entertainment, this has improved in recent years with new stores, restaurants and nightclubs opening up. Today, Cape Coral offers a lively strip of restaurants and stores along Cape Coral Parkway, Del Prado Blvd. and Pine Island Road.

The Real Estate Bubble

Southwest Florida was hit hard by the declining real estate market. After years of double digit property value increases beginning late 2006 the market started to slow to a crawl. As of Sept, 2010 the area is listed number 6 out of 25 for the highest Foreclosure Cities in the US according to RealtyTrac. This has also caused the closing of many businesses which in turn has lead to an unemployment rate of over 12.4 as of Sept 2010.

                                                                                   City Events                   
• The city holds an annual Independence Day fireworks festival known as Red, White & BOOM!! This is the biggest single day event in the city and also the biggest July 4 display in Southwest Florida. Red, White and BOOM is presented annually by the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral.
• Every October the local German-American Club holds an annual Oktoberfest styled after the original held in Germany. This has been the case since 1985.
• The Cape Coral Festival of the Arts is held the second weekend of January every year. The event takes place on Cape Coral Parkway and attracts over 100,000 visitors.[11] Nearly 300 artists and craftspeople from across the nation line the street to make this one of the largest and best attended art festivals in Southwest Florida.

                                                                             Notable Residents
• Echo Chernik, illustrator.
• The members of Twisted Method grew up and first formed their band in Cape Coral.
• Angela Watson, actress.
• Bill Cunningham, talk radio host.
• Greg Spires, NFL player
• Earnest Graham, NFL Running Back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
• Lela Star, pornographic actress was born in Cape Coral.
• Stacy Carter, professional wrestler.
• Seth Petruzelli- mixed martial arts fighter
• The members of Godsmack live in Cape Coral.
• Hilary Hemingway, writer, producer and niece of Ernest Hemingway
Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Coral,_Florida

BONITA SPRINGS, FLORIDA

Bonita Springs is a city in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 32,797 at the 2000 census. According to the 2010 U.S Census, the city has a population of 43,914.[3] It is part of the Cape Coral–Fort Myers Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography and Climate

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 41.0 mi². 35.3 mi² of it is land and 5.7 mi² of it (13.95%) is water.

The city is located on both Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The area referred to as Bonita Beach is located on a road-accessible barrier island (Little Hickory Island) that lies between the Gulf of Mexico and Estero Bay. The Imperial River flows through the downtown district of the city and empties into Estero Bay.

The city is the northernmost city on the west coast of Florida that has a tropical climate, having a mean January temperature of 65 °F (18 °C).[5] (Fort Myers Beach directly to the north has a January mean of 64 °F (18 °C) which gives it a subtropical climate).

                                                                               Points of interest
• Art League of Bonita Springs - an arts organization that hosts both local and traveling art exhibitions, arts classes and other community events.
• Bonita Beach Park - a 2.5-acre beachfront park that features a boardwalk and swimming area. Sand dunes and coastal vegetation surround a gazebo and 8 picnic shelters. (Website)
• Barefoot Beach Preserve Park - is 342 acres of natural land and one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida's southwest coast. It is located on the border of Collier and Lee Counties and accessible by Bonita Beach Road.
• Little Hickory Island Beach Park
• There are also 10 beach accesses with public parking located up and down Bonita Beach.
• Bonita Springs is located west of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, a significant Bald Cypress reserve under management of the National Audubon Society.
• The northern border of Bonita Springs is shared with Lover's Key State Park, a 1,616-acre (6.54 km2) park made up of four barrier islands. The park features nature trails for hiking and bicycling, a canoe launch, kayak and canoe rentals, acres of unspoiled mangroves and miles of pristine beaches. A haven for wildlife, the islands and their waters are home to West Indian Manatees, bottlenose dolphins, roseate spoonbills, marsh rabbits and bald eagles.
• The Everglades Wonder Gardens features a large collection of Florida wildlife including exotic birds, panthers, alligators, flamingos and bears. The facility, originally opened in 1936 as both a wildlife exhibition and a refuge for injured animals, also boasts a botanical garden and a natural history museum.
• The Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track is located in Bonita Springs.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010,
43,914 people,
31,716 households, and
19,233 families.

The racial makeup of the city was:
88.8% White,
0.8% African American,
0.5% Native American,
1.% Asian,
0.1% Pacific Islander,
7.87% from other races, and
1.4% from two or more races.
Hispanic or Latino of any race were 22.5% of the population.

There were 19,233 households out of which:
13.8% had children under the age of 18
61.4% were married couples
4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and
30.6% were non-families
24.2% of individuals and
12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.54.
33.9% who were 65 years of age or older.
The median age was 54 years.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,781, and the median income for a family was $53,452
The per capita income for the city was $42,781. 10.% of the population were below the poverty line.

                                                                                   Education
Bonita Springs is served by the Lee County School District
Colleges and universities
• Florida Gulf Coast University - (Fort Myers)
• Edison College - (Fort Myers)
                                                                                     Weather
Hurricane Wilma made landfall south of Bonita Springs on Monday, October 24, 2005.
Hurricane Charley made landfall just north on Friday, August 13, 2004.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonita_Springs,_Florida"

SURROUNDING CITIES:

North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Pine Island, Matlacha, Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel/Captiva Islands.

Education & Schools

School Registration

Kindergarten-bound children are eligible to enter school if they are the age of five, on or before, September 1 of the current school year. Children aged six by September 1 may attend first grade – graduation from kindergarten is required for admission to first grade.

Florida law requires all children entering school to be immunized for diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, rubella and mumps. A certificate of immunization is required from either the county health department or a doctor’s office. Forms may be obtained from the health department, school or school board office.

Your child will also need a current school entry physical examination by your child’s physician. This exam must be performed no more than twelve months prior to enrollment. And, you will need to become a resident of Florida prior to enrollment. Exemptions are: migratory agricultural laborers, military and some federal government personnel. Visit www.lee.k12.fl.us  for more information.

Establishing Residency

One of the most important steps for newcomers is to establish residency. There are several ways to accomplish this. One of the easiest ways is to register to vote. The process is very simple! Just stop by the Lee County Elections Office (http://www.leeelections.com), provide them with identification, take an oath swearing that you are a resident, and within a few days you will be mailed a voter registration card. Or you may obtain a Florida automobile registration and driver’s license.

You may also legally establish residency by filing a notarized Declaration of Domicile at the Clerk of Courts Office stating that you live at a given address.

Regardless of the method you choose, there is no specific length of time you must reside in the state to become a Florida resident.

Health Care

Health care facilities are excellent, with Cape Coral Hospital, Columbia East Pointe Hospital, Columbia Gulf Coast Hospital, Lee Memorial Hospital, Lee Memorial Health Park, and Columbia Regional Medical Center Southwest Florida as the mainstays. The area provides numerous other health care services for the aged, as well as senior citizen programs. Fort Myers also offers a Ronald McDonald House. Visit http://www.leememorial.org/ for more information.

Taxes

Homestead Exemption

As a Florida resident, you are eligible to declare the first $50,000 of assessed value on your new home as exempt for tax purposes, thereby reducing the cost of your ad valorem tax bill.

Your home qualifies for exemption if bought before January 1 and made your permanent residence before January 1. Other exemptions may apply. Homestead exemption must be filed by the March 1st deadline.

In order to apply for homestead exemption, you need to apply in person or on-line http://www.leepa.org, at the County Appraiser’s Office with proof of Florida residency (voter registration or Declaration of Domicile, Social Security Number, copy of deed or tax bill, a valid Florida driver’s license and a Florida registration and title on any motor vehicles owned).

http://www.leepa.org

AREA ATTRACTIONS

The Arcade Theatre/Florida Repertory Theatre

A renovated 393-seat Victorian playhouse built in 1908 in downtown Fort Myers, combines "early Florida" charm with 21st century technology. Audiences are treated to live theater, dance and music of every variety. Lee County's professional Florida Repertory Theatre produces award-winning dramas and comedies year-round, even winning first regional rights for New York hit plays. The Arcade Theatre also serves as a stellar setting for the Florida Rep's new playwright series, as well as for local groups who stage their own productions.

Anyone who's ever been to a performance at the Rep has commented on our wonderful building. The Arcade Theater, as it's called, was built in 1908 and proudly displays all the charm and splendor of early Florida. Originally used as a Vaudeville house, this was the very auditorium where Fort Myers resident Thomas Edison saw his first films, along with his friends Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone.
As movies became more popular, The Arcade was converted into a dedicated movie house and a wall was put up to divide the great proscenium stage in half in order to create two screening rooms. By 1989, the once grand theatre had fallen into severe disrepair, and appeared on the brink of its final curtain call.
Realizing the historical and aesthetic value of this building, the City of Fort Myers and famed ballet and film star Mikhail Baryshnikov organized a benefit in 1991. With the money raised, the Arcade was completely restored and the City of Fort Myers was able to rent it out to local organizations — one of which happened to be the Florida Rep. Thanks to the generosity and vision of the City, the Arcade became the permanent home of the Florida Repertory Theatre in 1998.

The Arts

Lee County is a cultural community. The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Center on the Edison Community college campus is a proscenium theater with seating for almost 1,800 and features infrared sound for the hearing impaired.

The Lee County Arts Center is a ten-acre site in central Fort Myers and is the home of the Lee County Alliance of the Arts. This is a nucleus of year-round cultural activity.

The downtown Fort Myers Exhibition Hall, Tourist Center and the Harborside Convention Hall promote a variety of events. Other professional concerts and performances are presented during the season through the Fort Myers Community Concert Association, Southwest Symphony Orchestra, Temple Beth-El Cultural Series and the Gulf Coast Opera Company. Also, there are a number of theater groups and fine arts galleries in the Fort Myers area.

Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall

 In 1984, the Florida Legislature appropriated $6 million for a joint effort of Edison Community College and the University of South Florida to build a performing arts hall on the adjoining campuses. In recognition of the efforts of Sen. Franklin B. Mann, the legislature passed legislation naming the hall for Barbara B. Mann, longtime supporter of the arts in Southwest Florida and the mother of Sen. Mann. While the funding to build the facility was appropriated jointly to the two colleges, USF elected not to take an active role in the operation of the performing arts hall, leaving that responsibility and liability to Edison Community College. The 1,776-seat Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall opened to great fanfare in 1986.

Edison ran the performing arts hall as a department of the Humanities Division until 1991. At that time, the District Board of Trustees contracted out the management of the hall to Professional Facilities Management (PFM). Under the professional guidance of PFM, the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall has flourished, offering a wide array of touring Broadway shows, classical and popular programming and providing a venue for College and community events. The Mann Hall attracts more than 320,000 patrons annually.
The Foundation for the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
In 1990, as the college was deliberating the best course for the operation of the Performing Arts Hall, a group of community leaders stepped forward to coordinate fundraising efforts on behalf of the Hall. As this movement became more organized and coalesced into a unit, the Edison Community College District Board of Trustees adopted this group as a direct-support organization of the college, specifically for the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. The group organized as a 501(c) (3) organization and began to build the endowment that was already designated for the Hall. Under the direction of Mary Lee Mann, who served as President of the Board, the Hall Foundation raised significant funds for direct support of the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. In 1995, the Foundation for the Performing Arts Hall merged with the Edison Community College Endowment Corporation to form the Edison Community College Foundation, Inc., thereby centralizing the development efforts of the college under one umbrella group.

Thanks in part to the efforts of the Foundation for the Performing Arts Hall and the ECC Foundation, Edison has made significant improvements to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. The addition of the George E. Judd Pavilion, the J. Howard Wood Foyers, and the Franklin B. Mann Sponsors’ Lounge, greatly expanded the lobby of the Hall, facilitating not only the comfort of patrons at intermission, but also adding a wonderful new venue for private receptions, college and civic events. Subsequent renovations added a covered porte cochere, enhanced access for disabled patrons, students and performers, and upgraded sound, lighting and technical equipment. In 2001, Florida Monthly Magazine recognized the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall as the state’s “Best Performing Arts Hall.”

Edison Ford Winter Estates

The winter home of Thomas A. Edison, beautifully situated along the
Caloosahatchee River, is one of the greatest historic treasures within Lee County. In 1885, Thomas Edison first visited Florida. He purchased property along the Caloosahatchee River and built a vacation home. The vernacular structure, completed in 1886 and dubbed "Seminole lodge" by the Edison’s, served as a winter retreat and work place for the prolific inventor until his death in 1931.
Edison’s good friend Henry Ford followed close behind and purchased the neighboring property in 1915. "The Mangoes" was the winter getaway for the Fords. Edison and Ford spent many winters working, talking and even relaxing together in tropical southwest Florida.
When you visit "Seminole Lodge" and "The Mangoes" you enter a world unlike any you have ever seen. The furnishings and architecture of these gracious, rambling buildings are reminiscent of a bygone era. The inventive genius of Edison and Ford are evident throughout these 17-acres of riverfront estates.

Everglades Day Safari (239) 472-1559 www.ecosafari.com

Fort Myers Historical Museum (239) 332-5955 www.cityftmyers.com/attractions/historical.aspx

Fort Myers Skatium (239) 461-3145 www.fmskatium.com

Mike Greenwell's Family Fun Park (239) 574-4386

The Schoolhouse Theater (239) 472-6862 www.theschoolhousetheater.com

Others Include:

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers, Florida, is now celebrating its Sweet 16th Season. The theatre entertains over 170,000 guests annually. The facility has expanded a number of times and now includes an additional 90-seat “black-box” theatre called The Off Broadway Palm Theatre, and two banquet facilities - Café Cabaret and The Art Café. The theatre seats 448 and can be found on Florida’s sunny west coast between Tampa and Miami.

Who is The Alliance for the Arts?
The Alliance for the Arts is the officially designated Arts organization for Lee County charged with the mission to “facilitate and nurture the creation, development, promotion and education of arts and culture in Lee County”.
Founded in 1975 by community leaders such as David Robinson and Barbara B. Mann, the Alliance for the Arts mission was created to foster the growth of local arts. The Alliance’s membership includes 50 related arts and cultural organizations and supports over 16 local organizations by providing meeting and classroom space in the 12,000 square foot William R. Frizzell Cultural Centre on a 10.3-acre campus opened in 1992.
It's features include:
• Home to the 150 seat Claiborne and Ned Foulds Theater presenting over 100 theatrical performances a year
• 1500 seat Margaret Morrow Frizzell Amphitheater stage to our musical and theatrical performances
• Three art galleries displaying 16 exhibit openings and 325 exhibition days
• Youth education programs servicing over 2,400 children with After School Arts, Summer Arts Camp, and exhibitions
• Adult education classes offer a full range of studio classes to over 800 participants annually.
• Offering rental space for area businesses as well as additional conference space and classrooms for local organizations is the Charles Edwards Building positioned on the north end of the campus

LIFESTYLES

Lee County Parks & Recreation –
The Natural Place to Play

http://leeparks.org/
Mission: To provide safe, clean and functional Parks & Recreation facilities. To provide programs and services that add to the quality of life for all Lee County residents and visitors. To enhance tourism through special events and attractions. We are committed to fulfilling this mission through visionary leadership, individual dedication and the trustworthy use of available resources.

WELCOME TO THE BLUEWAY

www.CalusaBlueway.com 

The Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail is a 190-mile marked canoe and kayak trail that meanders through Lee County, Florida’s, coastal waters and inland tributaries.

BEACHES

Fort Myers Beach

Turn the hourglass and watch the sands of time trickle back to the past of Fort Myers Beach. Return to the time when pirates buried treasure, Spaniards built forts, Indians hunted on the Beach, homesteaders staked their claims, shrimpers netted pink gold, a hurricane severed a land connection and mosquito hordes clouded the air.

The last homesteader staked his claim in Estero Island in 1914. Leroy Lemoreaux cleared his land and survived by growing vegetables and fishing.

Lemoreaux remembered bears stalking the island and panthers howling in the night. In the 1890's, the only weapon they had against the hordes of mosquitoes was smoke. Those were the days before bridge linked the island to the mainland of Fort Myers area. A wooden swing toll bridge was the first bridge built in 1921. The toll was 50 cents for five people. The 1926 hurricane washed it away and severed the slim neck of land attaching San Carlos to the mainland making it and island. Today, it's still called Hurricane Pass. In the 1870's, pirates plied their trade along the shores. That's how Black Island, south of Estero, got its name. After a defeat by the U.S. Navy, Black Augustus took his loot and settled on the island. The family of John Butterfield squatted on Mound Key in Estero Bay during that time and provisioned the aging pirate with sugar, coffee, grits and other luxuries in exchange for vegetables. When the pirate died, he showed the family where to dig up his booty. Perhaps more treasure is hidden along the shores. Rumors persist that pirates used to sink long boats laden with treasure to later recover.
And Pirates weren't the only sailors frequenting the island's waters. Juan Ponce de Leon may have sailed waters around Estero Island about 1513. Hernando de Soto may have also dropped anchor in front of Estero Island in 1539. Relics of skulls and other artifacts found on Mound Key suggest that Spanish conquistadors may have passed through the Beach and perhaps built a fort on the hill on Mound Key. But the aura of mystery surrounding Mound Key belongs to the first settlers, the Caloosa Indians. The Caloosa's origins remain obscure but some scholars such as Rolfe F. Schell in his book, History of Fort Myers Beach suggest that Caloosas may have traveled by rafts from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Caloosa artifacts displayed in a Fort Walton museum would be claimed as early Mayan if displayed in Mexico, Schell wrote.

There's little doubt of what caused their demise. Diseases such as measles brought by European explorers probably caused many of the Indian's deaths. The Caloosa Indians kitchen middens, containing shards and edible shellfish remains, were found at the end of Connecticut Avenue on Estero Island. Since these early people cannot speak for themselves, their artifacts tell tales of their lives. Reverse the hourglass and return to our times. Today, the Beach's tourist industry flourishes. Thousands of people come to dine on "pink gold" shrimp and celebrate the industry and the blessing of the fleet with a week long Shrimp Festival, usually held in March.

Sanibel Island

Have you ever. . .dreamed of being on a tropical island, your toes in the soft white sand, an expansive beach, swaying coconut palms, lush tropical foliage and beautiful crystal blue water. Imagine watching the pelicans and herons fish for their dinner, collecting "treasures from the sea," pastel colored seashells, while the sandpipers scurry along the surfs edge.
Sanibel Island has everything one could wish for...excellent restaurants, accommodations, golfing, tennis, fishing, boating, shopping, bike paths, canoes, theatrical productions, the renowned J.N. "Ding Darling" National Wildlife Refuge & Bird Sanctuary. Since 1884 Point Ybel Lighthouse has guided seafarers to Sanibel Island's shores.

Sanibel Island is world renowned for its shelling beaches and the "Sanibel Stoop". In the travel industry Sanibel Island is a top Florida destination for visitors. If you want a truly unforgettable family vacation, holiday, wedding, honeymoon, anniversary or get-away, this is the place to be. Visit Sanibel Island and do it all… or just lay back on the beach with the book you've been wanting to read or… just do absolutely nothing. All this is just a short ride from SW Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, Florida.

Captiva Island

Are You . . .

• Planning a vacation or get-away...
• Longing for tropical attitude...
• Seeking the perfect family resort...
• Just wishing to "get a way" from it all.

Then... You will be captivated by beautiful, alluring Captiva Island, where once, it is said, pirates roamed, conquistadors explored and Calusa indians called home. The mystery and adventure is still here. Treasures to be found in the way of a good life, spectacular white sand beaches scattered with "treasures from the sea", pastel colored seashells and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. There are superb accommodations, restaurants & shopping. Golfing, tennis, fishing, boating, children's activities.

Captiva Island, sister to larger Sanibel Island, is just over a small bridge which crosses at Turner Beach. Turner Beach is a great place for catching that prize fish and also for finding the colorful shells that these islands are famous for. The beach stretches 5 miles to the northern tip of Captiva Island at Redfish Pass. From the bridge at Turner beach, Captiva Drive is a scenic drive past giant cactus, colorful bougainvilleas and other tropical flora along a stretch of sea and sand ending at "downtown" Captiva, which is more of a village than a town.

A truly fun vacation, holiday, memorable wedding, honeymoon or just a get-a-way awaits young and old alike on Captiva Island.

Bonita Beaches at Bonita Springs

Bonita Springs has some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Florida and it's no wonder, since the word "bonita" in Spanish translates to mean just that. The beaches that line the coastline bring people in from all over the world for the sun and the miles of soft, white sand. Beachgoers have the opportunity to experience great shelling, swimming, kayaking, windsurfing and the occasional dolphin and sea turtle nesting sightings. Perhaps nothing defines Bonita Springs like the beaches and the clear water that are just steps away from the sand.

Barefoot Beach

Barefoot Beach is actually on the same land mass - Little Hickory Island - as Bonita Beach. The south end of the island is home to a preserve. County rangers offer a long list of activities and educational programs, ranging from guided canoe trips to presentations on protected species like sea turtles and wading birds.

Bonita Beach Park

One of the best places in Southwest Florida to catch the sunset. The same shell bits that make barefoot strollers wish they had flip flops almost glow at sunset, mimicking the pastel pink and salmon hues cast upon the Gulf of Mexico nearly every evening. Doc's Beach House is a popular eatery. The county-run park at the south end of the beach offers showers, picnic areas and grills.

These join up with Fort Myers Beach along Estero Blvd

                                                                           NAPLES BEACHES

LOWDERMILK PARK/BEACH
Banyan Blvd. and Gulf Shore Blvd.
Phone: 239-213-3029
Facilities Include: Parking, restrooms, showers, pavilion, picnic tables and concessions.
NAPLES BEACHES
From Gordon Pass on the south to Seagate Drive on the North.
Facilities: Over 10 miles of sandy beach. Naples Fishing Pier is at the west end off 12th Avenue S., extending 1,000 feet into the Gulf - Great for fishing or watching sunsets. Metered parking, bait, snack bar, restrooms, outdoor showers.
VANDERBILT BEACH
Starting in North Naples at Vanderbilt Drive on the South, to Delnor Wiggins State Park at the North.
Phone: 239-597-6196
Facilities include: Freshwater Showers, lifeguards, grills, picnic tables, boat ramp, observation tower, restrooms, bath house. Additional Public Parking in lot next to the Ritz Carlton.
DELNOR-WIGGINS PASS STATE RECREATION AREA/BEACH
11100 Gulf Shore Drive, N., Naples
Phone: 239-597-6196
Hours: 8 am - Sunset Daily
Facilities include: Five parking areas, picnic tables, BBQ's, boardwalks, showers, bathhouses, picnic pavilion, observation tower, boat-launching ramp, swimming, boating and fishing, restrooms
CLAM PASS PARK/BEACH
Seagate Drive, Naples (South of the Registry Resort)
Facilities include: Scenic boardwalk, kayak and catamaran rentals, beach chairs, trolley ride, outdoor showers, restrooms, snack bar.
LELY BAREFOOT BEACH
South off Bonita Beach Road, North Naples
Facilities include: Showers, restrooms, snack bar, fishing ramps, picnic tables, fishing gear rental.

Other Attractions:

J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island is a tract of 4,900 acres, and the Sanibel/Captiva Conservation Foundation offers wetlands and nature trails. Matanzas Pass Wilderness Preserve, overlooking Estero Bay, has more than 40 acres of unspoiled live-oak hammocks and mangroves to explore by an elevated boardwalk.

Boating and fishing are found throughout the county. There is water, water everywhere. Lee County has 590 miles of shoreline, and miles of waterways, bays, inlets and canals. In fact, boaters from Lee County can reach the Intracoastal Waterway and follow the freshwater across the state to the Atlantic. Out-of-state boat registration may be obtained at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Licenses are required for both freshwater and saltwater fishing, and the fishing is great.

Southwest Florida is home to a variety of animals. Some are protected species, some should be avoided and others are fun to watch:

SPORTS

BOSTON RED SOX/CITY OF PALMS PARK

The Boston Red Sox,
2201 Edison Ave.
Fort Myers, Florida
33901
They report to Fort Myers, Florida, for Spring Training.

New Boston Red Sox Stadium:

JetBlue Park at Fenway South, the new Spring Training ballpark and adjoining Player Development Complex for the Boston Red Sox in Lee County, Florida is scheduled to open for the 2012 Spring Training season.

LEE COUNTY SPORTS COMPLEX/HAMMOND STADIUM

14100 Ben C. Pratt/Six Mile Cypress Parkway
Fort Myers, Florida
33912
The Minnesota Twins began spring training in Lee County in 1991, after 53 years in Orlando. For the first time , the entire Twins organization was located in the same place. In the short time that the Twins have been part of the Lee County community they have made a significant economic impact on the area. The Twins inaugural 1991 spring training season set the new grapefruit league attendance mark at 112,355, the best spring training record in baseball, 21-10, and the team went on to be Baseballs World Champions.

TERRY PARK
3410 Palm Beach Blvd
Fort Myers, FL
33916

It all began in 1921 when the Terry Family donated approximately 25 acres of cow pasture to Lee County. Amidst nothing but bulls and heifers, a small wooden grandstand, seating no more than 600 fans, was erected on the site about a mile east of downtown Ft. Myers. The little "diamond in the rough", located "out in the boonies" was really just the beginning of a priceless lifetime of Ft. Myers baseball lure.
Starting with Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics in 1925 and ending with George Brett's Kansas City Royals in 1987, Terry Park has hosted some of the games greatest teams and players. Hall of Famer’s Jimmy Foxx, Bob Feller, Tris Speaker, Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, and Roberto Clemente are just a few of the great players that have graced the Terry Park Field.
The Philadelphia Athletics were the first major league team to play at Terry Park. They were followed by the Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates and the Kansas City Royals. Today, over 160 college baseball teams from around the country use Terry Park in the month of March to begin their college season.
On May 11th, 1995 the ball field was placed on the National Register of Historical Places by the United States Department of the Interior. The memorial stadium was dedicated as Park T. Pigott (1914-1972) in recognition of his lifetime of service, through sports, to the youth of this community.
Ice Hockey:
The Florida Everblades are an ECHL ice hockey team playing in the Southeast Division. The team is based in Estero, Florida and plays at Germain Arena. The team has existed since The Everblades are thought of as a model franchise for the ECHL, as they have not missed the playoffs in any of their eleven seasons and have made two appearances in the Kelly Cup Finals. The Everblades' fanbase is also considered to be one of the best in the league, as many games at Germain Arena sell out, especially Saturday night games. Many fans of different NHL and minor-league teams, as well as international fans, come out to watch the Everblades.
In 2009 the Everblades were in first place in both the Southeast Division as well as the entire ECHL. In 2010 they were 3rd in Southeast Division and 2011 also 3rd in Southeast Division.
GOLF:
Lee County boasts over 130 area Golf Courses, some in communities, some Private and some Public. Enjoy year-round enjoyment due to our great weather. Many of the courses have been designed by the Top Pro’s in the country! Some with lots of water, rolling hills and many with wild life abounding in and around the course. Then there are the more subdued courses for fun! Professional tennis and golf tournaments take place on a regular basis. The web site to visit to see all the details is: http://www.golfable.com
Admiral Lehigh Golf & Resort - Mirror Lakes Course
Admiral Lehigh Golf & Resort - North Course
Alden Pines Country Club
Bay Beach Golf Course
Beachview Golf Club
Bonita Bay Club - Bay Island Course
Bonita Bay Club - Creekside Course
Bonita Bay Club - Cypress Course
Bonita Bay Club - Marsh Course
Bonita Bay Club - Sabal Course
Bonita Fairways
Bonita Springs Golf Club
Cape Coral Executive Golf Course
Cape Coral Golf & Tennis Resort
Coral Oaks Golf Course
Cross Creek Country Club
Cypress Lake Country Club
Deltura Country Club - North/West Course
Deltura Country Club - South/North Course
Deltura Country Club - West/South Course
Dunes Golf & Tennis Club, The
Eagle Ridge Golf Club
Eastwood Golf Course
El Rio Golf Club
Fiddlesticks Country Club - Bear Course
Fiddlesticks Country Club - Bobcat Course
Fiddlesticks Country Club - Long Mean Course
Fiddlesticks Country Club - Pipers Challenge Course
Fort Myers Country Club
Fountain Lakes Golf Course
Gasparilla Inn & Golf Club
Gateway Golf & Country Club
Golf Harbour Yacht & Country Club
Golfview Golf & Recreation
Heritage Palms Golf & Country Club - Royal/Sabal Course
Heritage Palms Golf & Country Club - Royal/Sago Course
Heritage Palms Golf & Country Club - Sago/Sabal Course
Herons Glen Championship Golf & Country Club
Hideaway Country Club, The
Highland Woods Golf & Country Club
Hunters Ridge Country Club
Kelly Greens Golf & Country Club
Lake Fairways Country Club
Landings Yacht, Golf & Tennis Club
Legends Golf & Country Club
Lexington Country Club
Lochmoor Country Club
Myerlee Country Club
Olde Hickory Golf & Country Club
Palm Lakes Country Club
Palmetto-Pine Country Club
Pelican Sound Golf & River Club
Pelican's Nest Golf Club - Gator/Hurricane Course
Pelican's Nest Golf Club - Hurricane/Seminole Course
Pelican's Nest Golf Club - Seminole/Gator Course
Pine Lakes Country Club
Riverbend Golf Course
Royal Tee Country Club - King/Prince Course
Royal Tee Country Club - Prince/Queen Course
Royal Tee Country Club - Queen/King Course
Sabal Springs Golf & Racquet Club
San Carlos Golf Course
Sanctuary at Wulfert Point, The
Seven Lakes
Shadow Wood Country Club
Six Lakes Country Club
South Seas Plantation Golf Links & Resort
Spanish Wells Country Club - East/North Course
Spanish Wells Country Club - South/East Course
Spanish Wells Country Club - South/North Course
Spring Run Golf Club
Terra Verde Country Club
Villages at Country Creek, The
Vines Golf & Country Club, The
West Bay Golf Club
Westminster Golf Club
Whiskey Creek Country Club
Wildcat Run Country Club
Worthington Country Club

Civic Organizations

There are over 239 places of worship covering all denominations. They offer many activities and help groups.

The county offers just about every type of fraternal and civic organization. They are far too numerous to mention, but there are over 210, including all of the most well known.

Economic Climate

Tourism is still the principal business in Lee County. With 50 miles of glistening white sand beaches, numerous golf courses and a wide selection of other attractions to suit every taste, you need only to add the year-round sunshine to understand why Lee County has become one of the nation's most popular tourist areas; and one of the fastest growing population centers of the United States.

Many professionals have made this area their home. We hope you would also love to make our wonderful area your home too.

Information contained herein is believed to be correct and accurate; however, it is subject to change and is not warranted.