Briefly: June 14, 2006

Guidelines for submitting briefs

The Banner welcomes announcements and notices about upcoming events from clubs, organizations and groups. Please submit all contributions by 5 p.m. Friday for the following Wednesday's publication, and by 5 p.m. Wednesday for the following Saturday's publication. Submissions must be typewritten in upper and lower case. Please keep your news concise and include your name and telephone number. Briefs will be edited for brevity and clarity. News may be dropped off at The Banner office, 9102 Bonita Beach Road, mailed to P.O. Box 40, Bonita Springs, FL 34133, faxed to 213-6099, or e-mailed to banner@bonitanews.com or jkrubin@bonitanews.com. Your cooperation is appreciated. For a complete version of each issue's events, go to bonitanews.com.

Bonita Scouts mark Flag Day

The Bonita Springs Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts will celebrate Flag Day with a flag retirement ceremony beginning at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 14 at the Bonita Springs Community Hall, just east of the banyan tree near Childers and Felts Street. The Scouts from Pack and Troop 109 invite the community to attend this celebration and bring any flags they may have to retire.

Shellers make flowers and crafts

Bonita Springs Shell Club members will meet for a crafts session at 9 a.m. every Thursday in the community room of building 2 at the Bonita Beach and Tennis Club, Bonita Beach Road. Participants should bring hot glue guns and protective table coverings. For more information, call 495-6172.

Singles dance at Three Oaks

There is a Singles Dance every Friday beginning at 7 p.m. at the Three Oaks Banquet and Conference Center. Entertainment is provided by Matt Coates, and admission is $6, with an optional buffet for $5 additional. A cash bar is available throughout the evening. For more information, call 948-3644.

Gourmet Singles meet for supper

The Gourmet Singles Supper Club holds gatherings for singles every Friday at some of the finest restaurants in Bonita Springs and surroundings areas of Collier and Lee counties. The group provides an upscale climate for quality singles to dine, meet and mingle. For more information, call 775-6030 in Collier County or 332-8191 in Lee County.

Florida yard seminar scheduled

There will be a seminar on how to have a Florida-friendly yard, including water quality, water conservation and environmentally-friendly landscaping topics and plant selection from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 17, at Rutenberg Park in Fort Myers. Rutenberg Park is located 6490 South Pointe Blvd. The cost for the class is $5 per household and pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, call 461-7526.

Art Fest to be held at Stoneybrook

Stoneybrook Golf Community will hold an art festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 17. Artists will display and sell their wares, including paintings and prints, jewelry, wood carvings, pottery, fused glass, hand-painted glassware, photography, wearable art, mixed media and more. The event will also include food and refreshments, chair massage and face-painting for children. Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for children. All proceeds will benefit the charity Girls Making it on Purpose, a mentoring program for teenage girls in and aging out of the foster care system, and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Stoneybrook Golf Community is located at 21251 Stoneybrook Golf Blvd.

Sun-n-Fun plans grand opening

There will be an open house for the public to tour the new North Collier Regional Park, including Sun-n-Fun lagoon, from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 18. The water park will not be open for swimmers during the open house.

There will be a grand opening of the Sun-n-Fun lagoon beginning at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, including local leaders and the Board of County Commissioners. The public is invited to participate and splash into the water park's attractions immediately following the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The cost for the park is $5.50 for children less than 48 inches tall, and $10 for individuals 48 inches or taller. Children under 3 are free. Sun-n-Fun is located at 15000 Livingston Road. For more information, visit www.collierparks.com.

Gymnastics classes set at rec center

The Bonita Springs Recreation Center will hold gymnastics classes for aspiring gymnasts up to age 10 beginning Wednesday, June 21. Beginners gymnastics, for ages 5 to 7 will be from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., followed by beginner/intermediate from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Classes are $60 for the entire six-week session. For information and registration, call 992-2556.

Sewing guild event scheduled

The next meeting of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the American Sewing Guild will be held beginning with registration at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, at the Lee County Extension Service in Terry Park. The program will feature Rita Decker, who will present a program titled "Rita's Finishing Tips for Professional-Looking Garments." Membership in the Guild is open to all, and dues are $40 per year, and include the chapter newsletter and special discounts from local merchants. Chapter meetings are held the fourth Saturday of each month. For more information, call Diane Stramel at 458-2858.

Host families needed for exchange program

Education First's Educational Homestay Program is seeking host families for its EF Gulf Coast International Program. One hundred forty teens are traveling to the Naples/Fort Myers area to participate in the program, and will attend classes Monday through Friday at the Community School of Naples. Host families are asked to provide a bed, meals and transportation to the courses. Students arrive on July 19 and depart on Aug. 8. For more information on becoming a host family, call Linda Seaman at 348-1295.

Estero community meetings slated

The Estero Council of Community Leaders invites Estero residents to the following meetings:

The Estero Design Review Committee is slated for 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 14.

The Estero Council of Community Leaders meeting will be at 2 p.m. Friday, June 16, at the Rapallo Clubhouse. Agendas for each of these meetings is available at http://esterofl.org a few days prior to the specific meetings.

Bonita fire meeting set at Station 1

The Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District will hold a regular board meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, June 12, at Station 1, located at 27490 Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs. The meeting is open to the public.

Lee Republican Women schedule luncheon

Lee Republican Women will host their monthly luncheon beginning with social time at 11:15 a.m., followed by lunch at 11:45 a.m. Monday, June 19. The focus of the meeting will be "The Judicial Process," and will feature Victor Arias, a Lee County attorney and member of the judicial nominating committee, who will the application and selection process for justices. A business meeting and the candidate forum will follow the lunch. The cost for the event is $17, including lunch, and reservations are required by June 14. For more information, call Shirley Gerstenberger at 466-4015.

Bonita Chamber has Orientation Day

The Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Bonita Alumni Steering Committee will present Community Orientation Day from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, June 16. Participants in the program will get a brief overview of several areas of the community, including government, social issues, education, environment, economic development and public safety. Speakers and presenters will include city and county officials, school board officials, Department of Transportation officials, economic development personnel and more. The cost for the one-day program is $150 per person, and includes all meals and breaks. Company participation is limited to two per company. The deadline to register is Wednesday, June 14. For more information, call Karen Brown at 992-2943.

Scandinavian dinner scheduled for June

The Sons of Norway will host a dinner for all individuals of Scandinavian birth, ancestry or relationship and their friends on Friday, June 16, at Egret's Walk. For more information, call Eva at 498-6442.

Shriners meeting on tap for June 19

Araba Shriners, A.A.O.N.M.S. will hold their monthly meeting beginning at 7 p.m. Monday, June 19, at the Araba Shriners Center. All Shriners in the area are invited to attend and join Araba's Nobility for the social hour and optional dinner beginning at 5 p.m. There is a $9 charge for those who wish to dine, and the dinner reservation is noon on Friday, June 16. The Shriners Center is located at 2010 Hanson Street just east of U.S. 41 in Fort Myers. For more information, call 267-9165.

Art league offers classes, programs

The Art League of Bonita Springs is hosting the following events: Summer Art Camps run weekly through August.

June 23: Drop-off date for Regional Artists I exhibition, Center for the Arts, 10 a.m. to noon.'

July 7: Opening reception for Imaginary Spaces & Places: The Magic of Architecture and Regional Artists I at the Center for the Arts, 68 p.m., with awards presentation at 6:45 p.m. Plus, the winners of "We're Going to the Birds" birdhouse-building competition will be announced and the birdhouses will be auctioned.

The Art League of Bonita Springs is committed to enrich the culture of its diverse community by providing opportunities for artistic expression, education and appreciation in a supportive and nurturing environment. The Center for the Arts is located at 26100 Old 41 Road. For more information, call 495-8989.

Moose has bingo on Saturdays

The Moose Lodge on Old 41 Road hosts bingo every Saturday afternoon beginning with early bingo at 12:30 p.m., followed by regular bingo at 1 p.m. There are two progressive pots waiting for a winner, and two bonus pots each week to help you to enjoy your day. You can play for as little as $25, and leave with a lot more! All members and guests are welcome. Come see what the Moose Lodge is all about.

Learn yoga at Bonita Shores

The Bonita Shores Clubhouse hosts yoga with certified instructor Kathleen Sawyer from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesday and Friday mornings for $10 per class. The clubhouse is located on West Street in Bonita Springs. For more information, call Kathleen at 992-4162.

School supply drive at the Chamber

The Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee will hold a School Supply Drive through July 14. Each year, local teachers are challenged to have school supplies available for their classrooms, as well as for children who may not have the means for to purchase their own supplies. All donated items will be delivered for the new school year in August.

Items being collected include #2 pencils, pens (black, blue and red), rulers (metric and inches), pink block erasers, Post-It sticky notes, colored pencils, highlighters, scissors (blunt and pointed), glue/glue sticks, crayons (8-count primary colors, 24-count maximum), folders with pockets, notebook paper (wide-ruled), notebook paper (regular ruled), construction paper, graph paper, three-ring binders, zippered pencil bags, composition notebooks (marble), one-subject spiral notebooks and 8 or 12 Basic Color Markers (unscented). Donations may be dropped off at the Chamber office at 25071 Chamber of Commerce Drive in Bonita Springs or at the Colonial Bank office located at 27200 Riverview Center Boulevard, first floor or the branch located at 27801 Old 41 Road East.

Band camp on tap at Estero High School

Mark your calendars for band camp and rehearsals, which will be held at Estero High School throughout the summer.

Rehearsals (students should try to make at least four of these) are from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, Friday, June 16, Wednesday, June 28, Friday, July 7, and Wednesday, July 12.

Pre-camp is 1 to 5 p.m. July 19-21 (percussion only); 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 24-27 (all students attend). Band camp (all students attend) is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 31, and Aug. 1-4 (students will stay overnight).

For more information, contact Director of Bands Mark Gurnow at 947-9400, ext. 263, or markeg@lee.k12.fl.us or band boosters' president Sally Waterhouse at 947-6867 or esteromusicauction@comcast.net.

Red Cross hosts CPR instruction

The Red Cross will host an adult CPR course from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Mondays on July 5, Aug. 14 and Sept. 11. All classes take place at the Red Cross office at 6310 Techster Boulevard, Suite 7 in South Fort Myers. The cost for the class is $31, and reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance. For more information, call 278-3401.

Guided kayak nature tours slated

The Ostego Bay Foundation kayak tour takes place from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays. First see the marine sciences facility and then take a guided paddle on the Great Calusa Blueway. Cost is $45 per person.

For more information and reservations, call 694-5513.

Girlfriends Unltd. needs volunteers

The Friends of the Salvation Army Bonita/Estero Auxiliary is adding a new volunteer group to their ranks, Girlfriends Unlimited. Meetings are Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. through May. The group is designed to help mothers of preschool-age children to experience fun, friendship and connection with their neighbors. Weekly activities will take place at locations such as the YMCA, the Literacy Council and the Bonita Springs' Art League. While the children are entertained and educated, moms will have time to socialize and learn about their community. Volunteers for the program are still needed! For information on how to join or volunteer, call Natalie at 948-1907.

Lovers Key Park lists tours, concessions

Visitors can walk through several areas of the park with a park naturalist to learn more about the birds of Lover's Key every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Bird field guides and a limited number of binoculars will be available.

The Lovers Key/Carl E. Johnson State Park offers two-hour guided kayak tours beginning at 10 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The cost is $35 a person and includes kayak rental. Reservations are required.

Enjoy a 1½ hour sunset eco tour of the Estero Bay on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and see where dolphins and birds are abundant. Cost is $20 for adults and $8 for children. Reservations are required.

The concession building offers food and rentals of kayaks, canoes and bikes. For more information and reservations, call 314-0110.

Library seeks used books

Friends of South County Regional Library, Inc. is actively seeking gently used books/paperbacks, audio and video tapes/disks, puzzles and Readers Digest Condensed Books. for various fundraising projects for the library. Donations can be dropped off at South County Regional Library, 21100 Three Oaks Parkway, Estero during normal hours of operation. For a listing of current Friends programs and projects go to www.friendsofscrl.org.

Events set at Lovers Key Park

Beach walks take place each Tuesday at 10 a.m. Participate in a leisurely walk along the beach and learn more about the plants, birds and seashells on the beaches of Lovers Key.

Beginning birding is held every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Visitors will walk through the park with a naturalist and discover the birds of Lovers Key. Field guides and a limited number of binoculars will be available.

For more information and tour reservations call 463-4588 or visit online at www.floridastateparks.org/loverskey.

Take tour of Koreshan site

The Koreshan State Historic Site off Corkscrew Road at U.S. 41 offers ranger-guided walks at 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Eleven of the original buildings are preserved.

The Koreshan site is the former home of late 19th century pioneers whose founder Dr. Cyrus Teed's beliefs included the equality of men and women, celibacy and communal living. In 1893, the Koreshans began the settlement where they generated their own electricity, had a boat works, general store and other businesses. In 1961, the last four members of the Koreshan Unity donated the land to the state of Florida to become a park. Should you need ADA assistance or more information, call 992-0311.

Healing Hearts sets meetings

Healing Hearts meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at Hope Hospice administrative office at 9470 HealthPark Circle in Fort Myers. Healing Hearts is an adult grief support group for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one through suicide. For more information, call 985-7793.

Children's program set at Lovers Key

Lovers Key State Park will offer a Junior Ranger Program every day for children ages five and older to learn more about nature. The program covers three areas of the park can be done in a single day or over several days. Children should wear good walking shoes and bring a pencil. Those who complete the program will receive a Junior Ranger badge and certificate. No reservations are necessary. For more information call 463-4588.

Set up an AARP driver safety program

The AARP offers the Driver Safety Program to reduce a driver's risk for tickets and accidents. Each driver over 55 taking this course is automatically eligible for a discount on auto insurance. A class can be set up at any location having a VCR and seating capacity for 15 to 30 people. If you have a group interested in having a class, call Judy at 1-888-227-7669.

Sew, knit or quilt for Hope Hospice

Do you sew, knit or quilt? If so, Hope Hospice needs your services as a volunteer in Estero or Bonita Springs to make quilts, afghans, shawls and other small items for patients. Call Lois Gomez at 444-4140 for more information.

Faith in Action seeks volunteers

Faith in Action, a non-profit agency serving the needy elderly of Bonita Springs and North Naples, has a shortage of volunteers to help drive elderly individuals to medical appointments as many regular volunteers are out of town. Also needed are volunteers to provide friendly visits, assist with correspondence, shopping, light housekeeping, chores, home repairs and yard work all of which improves the quality of life for our needy elderly neighbors. To give an hour or two over the next several weeks, call Maureen Oravec at 841-0717.

Red Cross needs volunteers

The American Red Cross is able to meet the needs of disaster victims through its cadre of Red Cross volunteers, people from all walks of life who are as diverse as the community. Consider donating some time to help others. The commitment can range from as little as a few hours of training and working with disaster victims on a regular basis to being available when a large disaster strikes. Volunteers are needed to assist in hurricane shelters, to work with families, to prepare and serve food and to assess damage. Red Cross volunteer opportunities are open to everyone. There are special youth programs as well as other opportunities for people who may be homebound. For more information, call 278-3401, or log on to the Web site arclcc.org.

Be a volunteer at Lovers Key

Lovers Key/Carl E. Johnson State Park seeks volunteers to help accomplish the park service mission of preserving and protecting the natural resources of Florida, while providing outstanding visitor services for all who visit this award-winning state park. Volunteers help in almost all aspects of park operations including driving the trams, taking park photos, monitoring sea turtles, removing non-native invasive plants, raising park funds, collecting tolls, giving out park information, monitoring water quality, maintaining park grounds, performing minor repairs, assisting with projects, presenting guided walks and assisting the staff in providing visitors with a fulfilling recreational experience in "The Real Florida." If interested in becoming a park volunteer, a camping volunteer site or joining the citizen support organization, Friends of Lovers Key, Inc., contact Park Services Specialist Maria Lightner at 463-4588 or inquire at the Ranger Station of Lovers Key Carl E. Johnson State Park. Lightner can be contacted at maria.lightner@dep.state.fl.us.

Estero Art League paints on Wednesdays

The Estero Art League members will have open painting sessions from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays at the Karl Drews Community Center, 18412 Lee Road in San Carlos. For more information, call 495-6861.

Rotary Club of Estero meets Tuesdays

The Rotary Cub of Estero meets at noon on Tuesdays at the Bonita Springs Elks Lodge at 3231 Coconut Road (west of U.S. 41 toward the Hyatt). Visiting Rotarians and their spouses are always welcome! For more information call Gary at 948-7338.

Estero Kiwanis Club meets Thursdays

The New Estero-Gulf Coast Kiwanis Club meets at 11 a.m. Thursdays at Beef O'Bradys in the Grande Oak Plaza at the corner of Corkscrew Road and Ben Hill Griffin Parkway. For more information, call Ed Wacker at 498-2554.

Thrift shop located in Bernwood Center

Our Lady of Light Catholic Community Thrift Shop is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and is located at 24850 Old 41, suite 10, Bernwood Center. For pickup of large items, call 992-1576.

Thrift stores located in San Carlos Park

The Lamb of God Thrift Shops, located on Constitution Boulevard in San Carlos Park, are open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday though Saturday. The stores are located in the same plaza (look for the Domino's sign); one is a new store featuring furniture and accessories while the original store has a wide variety of clothing, books, housewares and decorative items all very reasonably priced. Weekly specials are also featured. The furniture store has pick-up and delivery available; call 432-0655.

The thrift stores are a ministry of Lamb of God Church, a Lutheran/Episcopal Congregation located off Estero Parkway in Estero.

Habitat for Humanity seeks volunteers

Habitat for Humanity of Lee County needs volunteers to work on home construction sites throughout Lee County. No construction experience is necessary, and supervisors will teach participants what they need to know for the day, and tools are provided. Groups are always welcome! Tools will be provided, and volunteers must be at least 14 years old. Construction sites are open Tuesday through Saturday. Volunteers are also needed to work in the office as well as the Thrift Store in North Fort Myers. For more information, call 652-0434, ext. 214.

Ovarian cancer group meets

The Support Group for Ovarian Cancer Patients/ Survivors meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, in the conference room in North Collier Hospital. For more information, call 566-7962 or 455-0554.

Volunteers needed to help children

The Children's Network of Southwest Florida and their local case management organizations need volunteers for the Supervised Visitation program. Program participants work several hours a week supervising visits between the child and biological parents. The children have been abused, and the volunteers nurture the child and sustain the parent/child relationship while the two are separated. Anyone can become a volunteer, and training is provided. For more information, call the Children's Network of Southwest Florida at 226-1524.

Help hotline needs volunteers

Project HELP, Inc. operates at 24-hour hotline and referral. It is in urgent need of volunteers to man the phone lines. Volunteers are trained and have the opportunity of working from home. For more information, call between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to 649-1404 or 239-649-5660.

Long-term care council seeks volunteers

The Southwest Florida Long-Term Care Council is in grave need of volunteers to serve in the Bonita Springs area. The volunteers, or ombudsmen, serve as advocates for residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family care homes. Ombudsmen seek to improve the quality of life of Florida's elders by providing free services from investigating complaints to performing inspections on long-term care facilities. Ombudsmen are people who care and want to help; they insure the care our elders receive reflect the privacy, rights, dignity and health they deserve. For more information, call 1-888-831-0404.

Singles party at Fusion on Wednesdays

The Singles of Bonita gatherings are from 7 to 10 p.m. at Fusion restaurant located at the Shoppes of Audubon, 15495 U.S. 41, one mile south of Bonita Beach Road. Come join the group for dancing and socializing. Other planned activities include sunset beach parties, golf, tennis, boating, dinner theater, trips, cruises, the Naples Philharmonic and the Fort Myers Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. For more information, visit the Web site at www.singlesofbonita.com or call 597-4317.

Cancervive meets Mondays in Collier

Cancervive, a support group open to all cancer patients, caregivers and survivors meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays in the Cleveland Clinic Cafeteria in North Naples for sharing, support and monthly speakers. For more information, call Judy Charboneau at 352-0726.