May 2013

Lemon Bay High School Update.

A panoramic view of the Lemon Bay High School shows the progress that is being made at the school with finished buildings in the background.The large expanse in the foreground is the area that used to be occupied by the administration buildings, which were recently demolished and the rubble cleared. Currently the administration section is housed in the trailer located behind the bulldozer. Construction on the new administration building will begin in the near future.

2013 Spring Arts Fest

Click the link above to view the video.

A short video taken at the Spring Arts Festival. I have a verbal commitment from 3 top notch local artists for interviews in the summer and I am really looking forward to it.

 James Sears, bronze sculptures, wood carvings.

Ben Essenburg, Florida wildlife artist creates amazing paintings.

Pauline Fawcett, Floral artist with incredible beauty in her paintings.

Evening Farmers Market.

The Farmers Market is going to be continued during the summer months of May and June every Thursday evening from 4pm to 8pm on Dearborn Street. The location will be on the corner of Dearborn and Orange, on the north side of the street.

February 2013

Lemon Bay Fest.

February is one of the busiest times of the year as far as events occurring in Englewood, Florida
First came the Lemon Bay Fest, a week-long celebration of the history of Englewood.
Here is a list of some of the activities that happened.
Every Day: Nature cruises with Capt. LeMotte.
Feb. 4th.     Open House at the historic Lemon Bay Woman's Club.
Dr. Katie McHugh shared information about dolphin research at Mote
Marine.                Elsie Quirk Library.
Music of Old with Dave.   Dave Kilbrade at the Elsie Quirk Library.
Monday Matinee @ the Elsie Quirk Library.
Feb. 5th.    Geocaching 101 at the Englewood Sports Complex.
Bobbie Rodgers, Erin Mahaney and John Bass discuss the history of the  Cookie House and  Bass Lab.  Cedar Point Environmental Center.
Crafting to Hollywood & Beyond with Garry & Cindy Walter.  Elsie Quirk Library.
Feb. 6th.    Lemon Bay Park Sunrise Bird Walk.  A guided walk through Lemon Bay
Park.
Pickelball Workshop.   At the Englewood Sorts Complex.
The Natural Treasures of Charlotte and Sarasota Counties. Charle Sobczak presented a program on the numerous parks in the two Florida Counties.    Elsie Quirk Library.
The Natural Treasures of Charlotte and Sarasota Counties. Charles Sobczak  presented a program on the numerous parks in the two  Florida Counties.  Elsie Quirk Library.
The Natural Treasures of Charlotte and Sarasota Counties. Charles Sobczak presented a program on the numerous parks in the two  Florida Counties.  Tringali Community Center.
Feb 7th.   Let the Waves Roll High.    Sail the coast of Florida aboard a Tall Ship with singer, sailor, songwriter & storyteller Chris Kastle. Elsie Quirk Library.
History of Valentine’s Day Beach Story Time.   Holiday themed craft & story for kids and parents.      Pavilion 3 on Englewood Beach.
Let the Waves Roll High.    Sail the coast of Florida aboard a Tall Ship  with  singer, sailor, songwriter & storyteller Chris Kastle. Tringali Community Center.
Feb. 8th.   Pine Needle Baskets.    Arts Alliance of Lemon Bay.
Crafting to Hollywood and Beyond.    Garry & Cindy Walter.
Boondoggles.   Learn to weave a small palm leaf for a wall decoration.   Arts Alliance of Lemon Bay.
BackinTyme - A Hint of Lemon.   Storytelling and music featuring Frank & Mary Lee Sweet.   Elsie Quirk Library.
History of Indian Mound Park.    Don Schilke shares the history from 1000 BC  to present day.  Tringali Community Center.
Feb. 9th.   Lemon Bay F.I.S.H. Project.   A wading tour with American Littoral Biologist     Chuck Idelberger.   Lemon Bay Park.
Florida Seashell Postcards.   Children 5 & up design and color their own postcard.                  Elsie Quirk Library.
CRACKER FAIR.
Festivities for the whole family. Pioneer Park on Dearborn Street.

OPEN STUDIO Party.    Visit Open Studio for a tour.    380 Old Englewood Road.

 For more information CLICK HERE.

As you can see, there were a lot of functions during the week, with plenty of things to do for all ages.  If you missed this year, plan on attending next year.

Englewood Book Fair.

Saturday, February 16th, was the 4th annual Book Fair, held at Pioneer Park on Dearborn Street.  Quite a number of authors were on hand to display their works, talk to visitors and to sign books purchased. Some of the authors were here at previous book fairs and it was good to talk to them again.
Priscilla Hurd, author of the 13th Goddess, is now working on a sequel, so I am expecting it to be out in time for the next book fair.
For more photographs and information on the Book Fair click on the http://Englewoodfl.us/Book_Fair.htm link to be taken there.

 Blue Lagoon.

After a number of years being closed and the building being ransacked, fixtures removed along with wiring, broken windows it would seem improbable to bring the Blue Lagoon back to it's former glory.

                                                                                                             

 Bob and Peggy Laigle took up the challenge and recently the Blue 

Lagoon reopened with new staff, new chef in the kitchen and a new 

bar, the Blue Lagoon  has once again established itself as one of the 

finest restaurants in the area.

The menu is designed around American dishes with a Continental flair and some spectacular Italian fare. From Appetizers, Soups & Salads, Vegetarian, Seafood, Fowl and Meat Dishes, Classic Italian Meals, there is something here for everybody.

 The Blue Lagoon is located on the corner of Placida Road and Oyster Creek Drive, just south of the Lemon Bay High School.  They can be reached at: 941-475-1030.

January 2013

Wetlands lost?

Not too long ago I became aware of an attempt by a property owner to get approval to fill in over 5 acres of wetlands in Lemon Bay in order to build new homes. I filed my objections to the Southwest Florida Water Management District on the grounds of environmental changes to the area, which includes destroying mangrove trees and upsetting the breeding grounds of numerous species of fish that use that area. Lemon Bay Cove, as it is to be called if built, is to be situated on Beach Road - next to Sandpiper Keys - and is owned by a resident of Fort Myers (in Lee County). My objections were dutifully filed with the Southwest Florida Water Management District for consideration in the matter. In December I received the following reply:
Thank you for providing comments to the Southwest Florida Water Management District regarding the Lemon Bay Cove environmental resource permit application. Your correspondence is now part of the official file of record for this permit.
The District issued the permit on December 20,2012 in accordance with Florida statutes. Though not required, this permit will provide additional water quality treatment that meets heightened aquatic preserve standards.
In addition, impacts to mangrove wetlands at the project site will be offset by mangrove improvements at the Little Pine Island Mitigation Bank in Lee County. There will be no net loss of wetland functions in the mitigation bank service area. The mitigation bank was permitted by the Department of Environmental Protection and its service area includes Lemon Bay.
Environmental resource permits protect wetlands and floodplain functions, treat water quality of stormwater runoff and reduce the risk of new development causing flooding. The District permit does not relieve the applicant from having to obtain any other necessary local, state or federal permits.
The District solicited comments from other agencies on the permit application and did not receive any agency objections.
Attached is a copy of the final agency action. The notice includes information regarding the rights of individuals whose substantial interests are or may be affected by the District’s action.
Again, thank you for providing your comments. We appreciate your input.
I find it incomprehensible how we can fill in the bay to create more waterfront homes, that really are not needed, and as an additional slap in the face to local residents grant the owner of the property mangrove improvements to an area in which she lives (Lee County). Unbelievable.

Children's Playground.

Work is well underway for a children's playground area in the Ann Deevers Memorial Park. The playground is located adjacent to the tennis courts and the skate park. Bathroom and baby changing facilities are right there.  This is a great, and thoughtful, addition to the Park System of Charlotte County.

 Makeover and Upgrade.

Taco Bell has recently reopened their restaurant after completing a complete interior and exterior refurbishment.

The interior has a more open look and feel, the booths in the center of the dining area have been removed in favor of circular tables and stools. New bathrooms round out the modifications.  Taco Bell is located next to the Wells Fargo Bank at S. McCall Rd and Placida Road.