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yesterday, 01/26/2012 at 3:26pm
 Here at the Sand Paper, we like to take the time every couple months to recognize some of the Islanders whose efforts make our Island a better place for all of us. Kudos go out to….
Time Square merchants for their cooperative efforts to revitalize the area, particularly for hosting their Friday & Saturday night Sunset Celebrations. They’ve upped the ante with music, food and fun on the square.
Jim Rodwell, Mark List and Julie Schwab for their efforts creating a "Smart Trail” for Matanzas Pass Preserve, a trail utilizing new QR code and smart phone technology. There will be guide for adults and kids.
The Fort Myers Beach U-14 Boys Soccer Team for their unbeaten season, notching three post-season championships in the County Cup, Commissioner’s Cup and the I-75 Shootout All-Star Tournament. Way to go guys!
Participants and organizers who put together special holiday events that bring that special island touch to the holidays like the Christmas Carol Pub Crawl and Boat Parade. Ranchers, environmentalists and government agencies who found a way to work together to create the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area. The efforts to improve the quality of water flowing into Lake Okeechobee are a step in the right direction. Read more...
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 County and Town Discuss Estero Blvd
At a joint meeting between the Lee County Board of Commissioners (BoCC) and the Town Council of Fort Myers Beach on Tuesday, the Board listened to presentations from Council on county-owned parks, the property at Seafarer's, transportation issues and the Town's water utility project before agreeing to the creation of an InterLocal Agreement (ILA) between the two governments for the purpose of working together to fix Estero Boulevard.
After Youth Council Mayor Bridgette Myers led the commissioners and council members in the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Larry Kiker gave a short presentation on what’s going on on the beach - including the airport noise issue, the North Estero Improvement projects, trolley stops and asked for the county's help in determining the fate of the former Seafarer’s Mall property. "We realize it’s probably going to be 2013 before we get a verdict from FAA on the noise issue, but in the meantime we would like to ask for the county's support for an alternate route over the back bay, and to keep flight patterns above 3, 000 feet, ” he said. "As to Estero Boulevard, we remain forever committed to see a resolution to the traffic congestion…” Read more... | |
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 Relax With a Guided View of Area's Wildlife & History
Local marinas offer 1-3 hour charter boating adventures with eco dolphin tours along the pristine back waters of Estero Bay and sunset cruises toward Big Carlos Pass as the sun slips over the breathtaking Gulf. Scheduling an outing is convenient, affordable, and offers a great value. Tours offer a guided look at wildlife with captains providing a taste of the area's hidden secrets nestled among the back coastal waters. Prices range from $15-$35 but can be slightly higher for package deals. Join a scheduled tour, call to reserve ahead, or book a special event, such as weddings, Valentine's Day, corporate parties, and more. Many marinas have themed events already planned. (For more on this story read The Island Sand Paper) | |
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| Grab Your Hat, It’s a Tea Party | |
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Grab Your Hat, It’s a Tea Party
Once a year the friends of the Ostego Bay Foundation gather for their Annual Tea by the Sea and Fashion Show. This year the event will be held on Saturday, February 4 from 11am-1pm at 700 Fisherman's Wharf on San Carlos Island-across from the Foundation's Marine Science Center and next to Bonita Bill's Waterfront Café. (For more on this story subscribe to the Island Sand Paper) | |
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Fire Commission Tables Fire Inspection Software
At the Fort Myers Beach Fire District's Fire Commission's monthly meeting on Tuesday night, the Board decided to table a decision on purchasing a new software program designed to make fire inspections easier and appointed Commissioner Carol Morris to a fact-gathering team to look at the six respondents to the District's Request for Proposal (RFP) for a new ambulance billing service.
During the Chief's report, Chief Mike Becker reported that, since January 20, the District's third ambulance has been in service around the clock in response to the higher amounts of calls during season, and that next week crews will be out inspecting fire hydrants. "Offload delays for our EMS transports are a concern going into busy season and the District is in a continuous state of monitoring the hospitals to avoid delays, ” he said. "As far as union negotiations, the District is moving through the process for Impasse.” Read more... | |
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Salazar Announces Ban on Importation
and Interstate Transportation of Four Giant
Snakesthat Threaten Everglades
The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized a rule that would ban the importation
and interstate transportation of four nonnative constrictor snakes that
threaten the Everglades and other sensitive ecosystems across the United
States, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today.
The final
rule – which incorporates public comments, economic analysis, and environmental
assessment – lists the Burmese python, the yellow anaconda, and the northern
and southern African pythons as injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act in order
to restrict their spread in the wild in the United States. It is expected to
publish in the Federal Register in the coming days. Read more... | |
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Estero Island's attractive features, including miles and miles of white, sandy beaches, have captured the imaginations of visitors from near and far.
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Please welcome Dallas from Cambridge Springs, Pa. Dallas attends Edinboro University, and enjoys horseback riding, shopping, the beach, and hanging with her family.
Click on the image to enlarge it. If you'd like to become a Back Page Girl click here... |
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Space Shuttle Discovery was successfully launched on it's final mission Thursday 24 February 2011. The shuttle is carrying the Leonardo Permanent Multipurpose Module, or PMM, to the ISS - International Space Station. The PMM is loaded with supplies, experiments and equipment. The Humanoid Robotic Astronaut Robonaut 2, or as friends nickname R2, is the first robot of its kind to fly into and work in space and is going to become a full time crew member. (Video courtesy of: Ken and Dee Platt)
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