UPDATE:The Lee County Sheriff's Office said on X....." Ana has been located SAFE ORIGINAL STORY:The Lee County Sheriff's Office is asking for your help to find a missing Ana Lara was last seen near a home on Red Dragon Lane in Bonita Springs wearing a dark yellow dress with a black and blue floral print If you have any information on the whereabouts of Ana Lara you are asked to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 239-477-1000 or SWFL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS Want to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a bang The City of Naples has canceled its annual New Year's Eve fireworks show near Naples Pier but there are still plenty of places to see fireworks elsewhere in Southwest Florida Here are some of the best ways to celebrate this year in Southwest Florida restaurants and venues to see what they’re planning We'll update this story if more cool events are announced The City of Naples has canceled its long-running, annual fireworks display near Naples Pier. They announced the news Dec. 11 on Facebook and the city’s website, citing traffic congestion, safety and other concerns. Read more at tinyurl.com/3cxfkzj2 New Year’s Eve Black-Tie Gala at The RitzThis glamorous, black-tie event comes with a five-course dinner paired with wines, sparkling wine and beer; dancing; live music from acclaimed jazz singer Stella Cole; and a midnight toast and fireworks display. 7:30 p.m. to past midnight Tuesday, Dec. 31. Doors open at 7 p.m. $500-$650 per person (reserved tables). The Ritz-Carlton Naples, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples. tinyurl.com/225fuzfz New Year’s Eve with The Rich KidsThe Naples "dueling drummers" act plays along to rock, rap and pop hits. They headline this party with a sparkling wine toast at midnight. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. Free. Whiskey Park, 3380 Mercantile Ave., Naples. 263-6777 or whiskeypark-naples.com Dress in Havana-inspired New Year’s Eve-wear for this New Year’s Eve event that includes live music (7:30-10 p.m.), dancing, mojitos, appetizers and a midnight sparkling wine toast. 7 p.m. to past midnight Tuesday, Dec. 31. $75. Sidebar, 475 Fifth St. S., Naples. 272-2167 or facebook.com/sidebarnaples New Year’s Eve White Party: The dress code is white formal attire for this New Year’s Eve celebration with a deejay, dancing and a photo booth. 8 p.m. to past midnight Tuesday, Dec. 31. Free. Kava Culture Estero, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Suite 327, Estero.  221-8143 or facebook.com/kavacultureestero This huge outdoor party features a midnight ball drop with fireworks, food trucks, a deejay and live bands on several stages. This year’s musical acts include Chasing Denver, School of Rock, Smack Daddy, Downtown Ross Brown, DJ JC and The Theos. Many downtown bars and venues will also have live bands, drink specials and more. 6-12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. Free. Downtown Fort Myers. facebook.com/RiverDistrictAlliance Rooftop celebration at Davis Art Center Davis Art Center celebrates the holiday in its rooftop statue garden with a sparkling wine toast, an open bar, heavy gourmet hors d'oeuvres, live music and a close-up view of downtown Fort Myers’ fireworks show. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. Dress is cocktail attire. $150. VIP tables available for $350-$1,050. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.com Top Shelf Crawls hosts this annual bar crawl that includes a welcome party, party beads, drink specials and admission to all participating bars. 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. $17-$25 (plus applicable taxes and fees). Downtown Fort Myers. topshelfcrawls.com The City of Cape Coral hosts this annual, family-friendly street festival. The party includes fireworks, live music, a deejay, food vendors, games, activities for kids and two separate ball drops (8 p.m. and midnight). Takes place 6 p.m. to midnight Tuesday, Dec. 31. Free. Southeast 47th Terrace between S.E. 9th Place and S.E. 11th Place, downtown Cape Coral. capecoralnye.com The Cape Coral resort rings in the new year with dinner and a fireworks display over the marina. 8 p.m. to past midnight Tuesday, Dec. 31. $125 admission includes dinner, but not drinks. Reservations required. The Nauti Mermaid at The Westin Cape Coral at Marina Village, 5951 Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral. 541-5942 or facebook.com/WestinCapeCoral The annual New Year's Eve bash includes live music at Bayside Park and a midnight ball drop and fireworks off the Times Square area. Many Beach restaurants will also be serving food and featuring live bands. 6 p.m. to midnight Tuesday, Dec. 31. Free. Times Square, 1021 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. fortmyersbeach.org Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News call 239-335-0368 or email him atcrunnells@gannett.com Follow or message him on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7) Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1) — Wednesday night near Bonita Beach Road and 41 there was a heavy first responder presence The fire did not spread and no one was hurt The School District of Lee County has released the first look at the preliminary designs for a renovated and remodeled Bonita Springs Elementary School The project is scheduled to start in summer 2025 and finish before the start of school in August 2027 and our staff members are so excited to have a new school,” said Bonita Springs Elementary School Principal Cynthia Hernandez “We are so cramped for space because the main building is unsafe to occupy that we must set up tables in the hallways for small group and individual learning sessions Our staff is ready for the classrooms they need and our students deserve them.” assistant director of Media Relations and Public Information for the district He said the remodeled school will accommodate up to 679 students and that the use of portable classrooms and hallway learning will not be necessary when the remodeled building reopens Spicker said the historic part of the school has been shut down for safety reasons for four years after a portion of the roof collapsed Under this new plan some of the brick facade and murals from the historic building will be preserved and used in the new structures It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places He said the district determined that restoring the entire historic part and bringing it up to code and safety standards Spicker said the district needs to focus on educating students and not preserving entire historic buildings the district decided to save the $10 million that would have gone to a complete historic preservation The district said remodeling Bonita Springs Elementary will enhance student learning by creating a state-of-the-art facility with improved classrooms and modern facilities that better serve today’s education needs The Bonita Springs City Council discussed the fate of the school at a meeting Wednesday night Some council members voiced concern that most or all of the historic part might be torn down Those council members said they wanted the city to get in touch with the district to get details on what is going to happen with the school Now the preliminary plans have been released for public view The Florida Department of Education has approved the replacement of the school’s main building and cafeteria building to create new classrooms modern media center and lunchroom large enough to accommodate student capacity The preliminary budget for the remodel is estimated at $40 million WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now Zachary Russell is the digital editor at Chain Store Age He has been with CSA’s parent company EnsembleIQ since 2021 first serving as associate editor at Store Brands he was a freelance reporter covering local news stories of all kinds for the Press & Guide and The News-Herald newspapers Zach graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in print and online Journalism in 2020 Connect with Zach on LinkedIn. New tenants have signed on for the upcoming Midtown at Bonita mixed-use development which is set to be nearing completion in 2026 services and wellness options for residents across Southwest Florida The development will also feature luxury apartments currently under construction These new additions join a growing roster of national regional and local retailers already committed to Midtown at Bonita including but not limited to Chipotle Mexican Grill [READ MORE: Plano’s Shops at Willow Bend gets OK for a mixed-use redevelopment] “Midtown at Bonita is all about creating a vibrant community-driven space that enhances the lives of residents in Southwest Florida,” said Andrew Zuckerman “By attracting top-tier retailers, we’re providing easy access to high-quality shopping These tenants are a perfect fit for our mixed-use development offering residents everything from authentic Italian flavors to family-friendly educational programs – all within a walkable environment.” Four candidates are vying for the mayoral seat in Bonita Springs Here's what you should know about the race and a Q&A with each candidate All Bonita Springs residents who are registered and eligible to vote can participate in the at-large mayoral race in the general election Nov Key issues shaping the race include managing sustainable growth improving infrastructure to mitigate flooding and preparing the city for future disasters The next mayor will play a critical role in balancing development with environmental preservation while maintaining fiscal responsibility with a term limit of two consecutive four-year terms The mayor and city councilors can serve up to two four-year terms back-to-back my top priorities will be sustainable growth I envision a Bonita Springs that balances development with environmental stewardship by implementing smart zoning laws and investing in green spaces To foster collaboration with the city council I will establish regular communication and joint task forces focused on key initiatives Transparency and accountability will be achieved through open forums and accessible budget reports We’ve learned from Hurricane Ian to prioritize resilient infrastructure; I will advocate for improved drainage systems to address flooding Fiscal responsibility will guide our budget decisions ensuring we meet residents' needs without compromising our future What is your vision for growth and development in the city and how will you balance it with the need for environmental sustainability and preserving the community’s character My vision for growth in Bonita Springs focuses on creating a vibrant community that respects its unique character and environment I propose smart development practices that prioritize mixed-use spaces and green infrastructure ensuring new projects enhance rather than overshadow our natural landscapes By promoting sustainable building standards and preserving open spaces we can foster economic growth while protecting our ecosystems Community engagement will be key; I will host workshops to gather resident input and ensure developments reflect our values we can achieve a balanced approach that supports both progress and preservation making Bonita Springs a model for sustainable development How do you plan to foster a strong working relationship with the city council and other local government bodies to ensure efficient governance To foster a strong working relationship with the city council and local government bodies I will prioritize open communication and collaboration I plan to establish regular meetings and joint workshops allowing for shared goals and transparent discussions on key issues By encouraging input from all members and actively seeking diverse perspectives we can build a cohesive team focused on efficient governance I will promote a culture of respect and accountability we can create a unified approach to addressing community needs and enhancing our city’s overall effectiveness What specific measures will you take to ensure transparency and accountability in the city government To ensure transparency and accountability in Bonita Springs city government I will revamp our website for easy access to budgets I will establish regular town hall meetings to encourage resident participation and ensure their voices are heard I will implement clear performance metrics and accessible reports allowing residents to track government progress I will enhance our citizen advisory boards to improve transparency and communication in overseeing key projects and ensure Bonita Springs is responsive to residents' needs What lessons did Bonita Springs learn from Hurricane Ian and how will you apply those lessons to future city planning and disaster preparedness efforts Hurricane Ian taught us essential lessons about disaster preparedness and community resilience I propose creating emergency response grants to provide immediate assistance to residents and businesses minimizing reliance on insurance claims for quicker recovery I’ll partner with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida to develop a comprehensive storm surge resiliency plan to protect our coastal areas so I will ensure reliable channels keep residents informed during disasters I will implement proactive evacuation measures and focus on infrastructure improvements to address flooding and safeguard our community How will you address local roadway flooding and other infrastructure needs in Bonita Springs To address local roadway flooding and infrastructure needs in Bonita Springs I will prioritize a comprehensive assessment of our drainage systems to identify and rectify problem areas especially due to aging infrastructure and inadequate drainage and federal agencies to secure funding for necessary upgrades I will implement green infrastructure solutions to mitigate runoff and sheet flow flooding By modernizing our traffic systems with innovative technologies and enhancing coordination among local agencies reliable transportation and lay the foundation for a resilient How will you manage the city’s budget to ensure fiscal responsibility while also meeting the needs of the residents To manage the city’s budget responsibly while meeting residents' needs I will prioritize fiscal accountability and transparent financial planning I will ensure that essential services are funded while also focusing on community investments particularly in infrastructure and public facilities Recognizing the importance of supporting all residents I will advocate for the construction of a community senior center that provides resources and activities tailored to their needs By collaborating with community stakeholders and employing innovative budgeting strategies we can balance fiscal responsibility with the essential services that enhance the quality of life for every resident in Bonita Springs My three top priorities are enhanced urban aesthetics streamlined small business permitting and clean and healthy water in both our natural environment and man-made water systems Aesthetics start with: Maintaining and upgrading landscaping in the medians along Old 41 and Bonita Beach Road reducing the visual litter of neglected and confusing signage power washing sidewalks and business facades not up to code Permitting procedures need to be examined for protracted inefficiencies that subject small businesses and start-ups to burdensome expenses and excessive regulations Water will improve with active engagement in initiatives like promoting natural filter marshes for stormwater retention ponds Bonita stands apart from its neighbors with a preserved history Bonita needs to encourage infill development over peripheral expansion Marginal and abandoned areas should be reclaimed and adaptive reuse of existing buildings encouraged New communities on the periphery should embed commercial activity to cut down on traffic Since transportation plays a role in our communities transportation and land use decisions must be made simultaneously I hope to see the completion of our downtown vision with tourist resident and business activity throughout the day The pathway to strong working relationships with city council members is spelled out in our City Charter and in Roberts Rules of Order Guidelines requiring full participation in all meetings while demonstrating dignity kindness consideration and courtesy to all need only be acted on and enforced Roberts Rules requires the Mayor to run smooth meetings promoting efficiency Since Bonita values intergovernmental relationships with neighboring communities and regional entities I will attend when possible all scheduled meetings and events to promote goodwill and better friendships with elected officials and leaders throughout Southwest Florida I would like to streamline the city’s website to reduce the number of clicks required to get information All civic events should appear on the calendar including those hosted by other entities such as police and fire departments I would enhance the accessibility of city council meetings with an audio soundcheck before meetings and handouts spelling out abbreviations used in local government communication Public reporting systems allow citizens to track progress on budgets residential and commercial development projects and city operations Also fostering accountability is the tracking of clear action steps for reaching staff goals many residents who evacuated looked back and felt it was really unnecessary I think the community will follow forecaster weather predictions more closely After all the technology has improved and can be trusted a bit more People will now listen to the media and city and county directives I will ensure that the city staff will continue to work closely with the County and follow the recommendations outlined in Lee County’s “Hurricane Ian After-Action Report To address local roadway flooding and other infrastructure needs in Bonita Comprehensive Drainage Systems — This involves improving and expanding stormwater drainage systems to handle heavy rains and runoff to reduce roadway flooding Regular maintenance and upgrades to existing systems can prevent blockages and overflow.Green Infrastructure — This uses solutions like permeable pavements rain gardens and bioswales in new developments for natural stormwater management.County and State Partnerships — I will work closely with county and state agencies to acquire funding for large infrastructure projects Lobbying for state and federal grants will help city efforts focused on resilience and flood prevention.Community Involvement — I will reach out to our residents through public forums These will aim at individual flooding issues and ensure that infrastructure planning prioritizes the most urgent needs.Rapid Response Units — These can be established for emergencies during heavy storms to clear flooded roadways and provide help for affected residents.Climate Resilience Planning — This will be essential because of rising sea levels and more frequent storms bridges and drainage.How will you manage the city’s budget to ensure fiscal responsibility while also meeting the needs of the residents To ensure fiscal responsibility while meeting the needs of residents I will focus on basic services like public safety infrastructure and capital improvements — prioritizing spending where it will have the greatest impact By eliminating wasteful expenditures and increasing government efficiency ensuring that taxpayer money is used effectively I will support policies that promote local economic growth and encourage private investment which will expand the tax base without raising taxes we will meet residents’ needs while maintaining a balanced We need to protect the DRGR for our sustainability of drinking water well fields and open space Growth should be focused more on infill development creating a more walkable area to live in and reducing the traffic causing sprawl that traditional development has caused The Mayor is only one of the seven making the decisions nothing gets done without at least four yes votes I have a good relationship with those that are currently on council along with those that are running I have also worked with a majority of the County Commissioners and many of the county staff and will keep the communication open with them to keep things working well With all the changes in how people choose to get their news today the city needs to figure out how best to reach them on social media and possibly with Ads on YouTube and other streaming services The City has a list of people who want to receive info from the city we need a way to get more of our residents signed up to receive them We learned that we have to be ready for any disaster with resources ready to be deployed Prior to the storm we have to make sure those that should evacuate are heeding the warnings We need to maintain our disaster reserves in the budget and may need to increase them due to inflation The City implemented a stormwater and drainage fee to fund upgrades in the city’s drainage infrastructure Maintenance of the drains may need to be scheduled more often to be cleaned out along with the maintenance of the swales There are also projects underway in some of the areas worst affected I am keenly aware that we have to make a certain margin to keep our doors open working with residents and the council we need to determine the level of service people expect and what they are willing to pay in taxes to accomplish that I believe our millage rate is close to where it needs to be and while I would like to be able to lower taxes it’s not something that can always be done But we can make sure that the city runs efficiently and we don’t waste any money Steinmeyer, a long-time Bonita Springs resident, became mayor in 2020 Steinmeyer did not respond the The News-Press' Q&A request A new chef-driven dining venue has transformed the former space of The Causeway a short-lived food hall that closed this spring in Bonita Springs The Industry Standard Kitchen + Bar debuted in mid-September at 28280 Old 41 Road Replacing four food concepts under one roof the new full-service restaurant and bar includes the BrAva Pizza ghost kitchen His business partners didn’t want to continue with another local hospitality venture He bought out his original partners to co-partner with Executive Chef Adam Nardis on the new venture Nardis launched and continues to operate Coldwater Oyster Market & Bar in south Fort Myers and he previously was executive chef at Seventh South Craft Food + Drink and M Waterfront Grille in Naples I ended up meeting with Adam and he was willing to come in,” Delaney said and we were able to put this thing together in a pretty short order The new venture is still in the Causeway Commerce Park — the former site of the longtime Causeway Lumber Co — but The Causeway is no longer part of the restaurant’s name Nearly every table in the new restaurant has a view of the open kitchen which features a chef’s bar at its perimeter we are going to have it reservation-only so you can interact with the chef,” Delaney said “Chef Adam will be in the middle doing the expedite We have other talented chefs who are working in the pasta and apps kitchen and the meats kitchen We set up a whole new pizza kitchen in the back.” Delaney said the restaurant’s large kitchen is a laboratory for Nardis “Because of the way the kitchens are built in the back “This gives him a big area to be able to be creative.” Nardis feels that The Industry Standard is another casual concept with a unique quality to its space He feels fortunate to have found another fun opportunity “Everything that’s in there right now is brand new,” Nardis said “I built the kitchen how I wanted the kitchen built from an engineering standpoint It is about building the business and engineering the business and setting it up to be successful and that’s become a little bit more my game as I get into my late 30s here It also was a chance for Nardis to reconnect with chefs he previously worked with the founding chef two years ago of Corner Spot Diner + Drink in Bonita Springs He was my chef de cuisine at Crave Culinaire,” Nardis said He plans to change the menu gradually as he feels inspired but does not feel compelled to do so seasonally or regularly “It kind of feels like it’s all coming full circle It’s almost like the style of food I started doing,” he said but we’re culturing all the cream for 48 hours so it’s a cultured butter The vibe I’ve been giving people is that Heinz ketchup is the only thing not made in house because I just haven’t figured out how to make ketchup better than Heinz “I have a dish on the menu now called Grouper Taino The Taino people were the original indigenous people of the Caribbean,” said Nardis noting that the native tribes merged with African slaves brought by Christopher Columbus to combine cultures I wanted to do kind of like a jerk grouper I have to spend an hour researching the history of jerk cooking I want to pay that respect to the people and where it came from and the people who came before me The Gulf grouper is prepared with house jerk spice and served with a red bean and rice croquette papaya and shishito salsina and a smoked lime mojo emulsion Other entrees include Australian Wagyu short ribs tagliatelle and hickory-grilled lamb meatloaf Erin Nardis has been an integral part in the last two restaurants “I know that because I’m the chef I get a lot of the attention but I honestly could not do it without Erin Delaney’s pre-pandemic software company that started there was called The Industry which included shipping containers for conference rooms in the shared co-working space One of the shipping containers became a beer tap wall Although it’s a full-service restaurant “We are taking it a step further with the education about which glass a beer is supposed to be drank out of,” Nardis said the first thing is pick your beer; the next thing is pick your glass.” Delaney and Nardis wanted an approachable place but they added some flair for an upscale restaurant which still has a rustic dining area and lounge “If you want to watch TV but also get a great meal which you have the choice of getting a smash burger and lobster roll and all that we’re doing all the lobster crudo and the grouper and crabs and all the finer stuff You still get your choice like you did with The Causeway The pizza oven was moved to the back of the large kitchen for BrAva Pizza which will have New York-style pizzas available for takeout and delivery starting Oct The crew created and taste-tested different pizzas to formulate the menu lineup We R-and-D’d the pizza for six weeks,” Nardis said This week starts “Pies After 9,” where the venue stays open until 11 p.m. serving pizza in the lounge area from BrAva starting at 9 p.m. The come-as-you-are casual venue has 160 seats inside and another 80 or so outside Expect live music and a vibrant outdoor patio with a variety of seating options the former proprietors of The Causeway food hall and bar are scouting out future restaurant possibilities in the area We just haven’t found the right opportunity yet,” Carol Smith said A business split closed The Causeway on May 23 The Smiths left with their four food concepts — Smithy’s Kitchen Roast Sandwich Bar and Dessert Lab — that shared the common indoor-outdoor dining area Typical ebbs and flows of the single-family home market do not have much of an impact on the ultra Four restaurant chains and a cake shop will join seven other businesses coming this year to the new Tree Farm.. the May 5 opening of the Hospital for Special Surgery at NCH takes the health care.. Not only has Chef Brian Roland physically and emotionally returned to public life in Southwest Florida after his life-altering tragedy.. Beeline is counting on thirsty folks making a beeline to its new upscale cocktail bar at Mercato in North Naples... The 72-unit Verandas III opened and is fully occupied on Airport Road marking the final phase in the redevelopment of.. One of Southwest Florida’s largest annual fishing expos to noon at Sunshine Ace Hardware in Bonita Springs family-friendly event features local fishing captains sharing expertise through seminars multiple giveaways and exclusive discounts on a wide range of fishing and lifestyle gear This year’s keynote speakers include Capt Rick Murphy of Murphy’s Law Sportfishing and Capt Sunshine Ace Hardware is at 9100 Bonita Beach Road SE in Bonita Springs Copyright © FORT MYERS - Beach Observer and Beach Bulletin | Contact | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — Riverside Park is home to concerts and festivals in Bonita Springs. City Council approved a $226,000 proposal to revamp it. Some people believe it will liven up downtown while others say it's a waste of money. Rvi Planningis the architecture firm "I think we should invest in these parks but I don't know that the things they were mentioning on that list are the right things," she said More of the changes include moving the oak tree from the center of the lawn to another part of the park It would add concrete seating and turf instead of grass Many people online think it's a waste of money They think the more than $200,000 dollars allocated to making changes here could be spent differently The City believes these changes could improve the park’s function for events and daily use There are two outdoor art festivals this weekend in Southwest Florida Naples Art Institute presents the 46th Annual National Art Fair February 21-23 The National Art Fair is a must–see event because of its high-quality art and the festive atmosphere in Cambier Park as over 20,000 visitors view art in 17 different categories Boulderbrooks Productions holds Bonita Springs Fine Arts at The Promenade at Bonita Bay on February 22 and 23 This boutique art festival is limited to 39 artists It is consistently voted among the Top 200 Art Shows in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine it was named one of Art Fair Source Book’s Blue Chip 100 Fine Art Events and one of Art Fair Calendar America's Best Art Fairs in 2019 The fair is open on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m Visit https://www.naplesart.org/national-art-fair for an artist directory Many of the artists exhibiting at Bonita Springs Fine Arts open their booths after setting up Friday afternoon There is also a Farmers Market on Saturday that attracts visitors to the location Exhibiting artists are required to be present in their booths during all show hours Support for WGCU’s arts & culture reporting comes from the Estate of Myra Janco Daniels and Naomi Bloom in loving memory of her husband 25 in a location off the beaten path near the Collier-Lee County line opened its 20 craft beer taps in the Causeway Commerce Park on Old 41 Road south of Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs “Bonita now has five breweries in a 5-mile radius,” said Gary Fortin who co-owns the new local business with Joshua Hoover “That is a huge thing when it comes to destinations.” but rather another name for manatees or sea cows The brewery’s logo features a manatee mermaid holding a mug of frothy beer One percent of Chubby Mermaid’s tap sales will be donated to the Save the Manatee Club the nonprofit organization co-founded in 1981 by singer Jimmy Buffet and Sen The club’s mission is to protect manatees and their aquatic habitat Fortin and Hoover are Naples residents who independently have been home brewers for more than 15 years where they have channels about brewing beer and organized an online home-brewing club called BrewTubers Hoover relocated from California to start the local business with Fortin and works full-time at the brewery but he also is an ER nurse for Physicians Regional Healthcare System The brewpub’s space at 28292 Industrial Road is twice the size of what Fortin was planning to start with but that was before he invited Hoover to join him in opening the brewery “I was going to go it alone or maybe hire somebody even though it was just a slab at the time The rendering and the location — I said ‘This is it This is the spot.’ I had been looking for a while.” The two did their own buildout of the business They assembled their keg cooler and built a bar around it The main bar has a lighted LED blue river effect running down the center of its polished wood top The brewpub has about 65 seats and a maximum capacity of 113 inside The business eventually will add more seating on a mezzanine overlooking the bar and outdoor spaces accessible through overhead doors once air curtains are installed Chubby Mermaid has five on-site fermentation vessels for making beers and one bright tank for creating lagers All 20 taps will have Chubby Mermaid beers which they started brewing there in September Fortin and Hoover each have binders at home full of proven recipes for craft beer that were honed from six or seven iterations each They were able to scale those up and put them to the test Oct 23 during an industry night pre-opening event where they invited folks from other area breweries for a kickoff party “The beers were well received by other brewers who are more critical than any other people which made us feel really good,” Fortin said “A big hit was our black rye IPA [named Black Betty] That’s one of the ones I brought to the table that took me years to perfect That one was a very difficult style to nail down,” Fortin said two of the three hazy IPAs were just flying off the taps they started going back to West Coast IPAs and Oktoberfest.” The traditional Oktoberfest-style Märzen — brewed with German hops malts and yeast — is named Wunder Garten as a nod to Everglades Wonder Gardens in Bonita Early favorites also include Pseudo American Pilsner and Los Borrachos Chubby Mermaid even brews two gluten-free beers: Mermaid Magic pale ale and Total Eclipse of the Hops Chubby Mermaid has a small semi-automated canner so the brewery will eventually can some of its most popular brews Merchandise is available online and at the brewpub with the brewery’s logo Chubby Mermaid features a menu of bar food such as pizza “We’ll occasionally have food trucks to plus-up our kitchen but we are not a restaurant with beer; we’re a brewery with food.” Fort Myers and Cape Coral have their own yearly LGBTQ Pride events Now, finally, Bonita Springs has one too. Organizers Dominique and Lora Sierra perform drag shows in Bonita and frequently hear people asking why the city doesn't have its own Pride event So the couple decided to do something about it "It essentially kind of fell into our laps … " Lora Sierra says "(We were) meeting so many people in the community that live there and have expressed the need and the desire to have a Pride in their hometown They can just kinda party at home and celebrate themselves and celebrate love." The first Bonita Springs Pride takes place this weekend with an adults-only pole-dancing competition Friday The event was originally scheduled for September Both Bonita Springs Pride events are designed to raise awareness about the LGBTQ community and give people a safe "Pride events are so important," Lora says people in the gay community or closely affiliated could not express love in public … It's really about overcoming oppression in the community." The Sierras believe in the mission so much that they converted their business into the new nonprofit Bonita Springs Pride The Cape Coral couple performs as drag kings (women dressed as men) Nick D'Cuple and D.C Pride events help overcome the idea that LGBTQ people should stay in the closet and not be out in the public baby: Closets are for clothes,'" Lora says and laughs 'We're not strippers!': What to know about drag queens (and kings) Both events will feature the newly crowned Bonita Springs Pride Royal Court who were chosen after competing in an August pageant: Mr Robert Rigsby — who performs as drag queen Rockell Blu — says he's proud to be part of the new event He sometimes performs in Southwest Florida and choreographs pageant routines for local drag performers "I wanted to be part of the history in Bonita Springs and getting things started in a very positive way," Rigsby says He also co-organized the first Clearwater Pride earlier this year and says Pride events are important is for LGBTQ people to be able to be themselves and "walk down the street without being harassed He compares Pride events to other events for marginalized people "The struggle is always gonna be real," he says "It's bringing awareness that we're all just people Bonita Springs Pride takes place this weekend Bonita Springs Pride Naughty or Nice Pole Competition (6-10 p.m 28360 Old 41 Road): People compete in a sexy pole-dancing competition in this adults-only kick-off for Bonita Springs Pride holiday punch and Cinnamon Toast Crunch drinks Bonita Springs Pride Kick-Off Party (CANCELED): 9 p.m Bonita Springs Pride Festival (Noon to 6 p.m 10150 Bonita Beach Road):  The new fest celebrates LGBTQ Pride with drag performers and other live entertainment (including The Calendar Girls) a noon ribbon cutting and Bonita Springs Pride's recently crowned royal court This is a family-friendly event with clean performances and no alcohol served $5 general admission for the indoor/outdoor event VIP tickets are $200 and include a private room with air conditioning and a meet-and-greet with the royal court For more information on Bonita Springs Pride, visit bonitaspringspride.org or facebook.com/BonitaSpringsPride Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email him at crunnells@gannett.com Follow or message him on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1) That's what you can expect from the newest Wolfmoon location in Naples If you're looking for a more local spot to get your coffee from in the morning Inside the Wolfmoon building off Commercial Drive you'll find a cozy coffee shop with a warm atmosphere The garden in the back is managed by Kaleidoscope Floral You can enjoy your coffee outside in the warm Naples sun the original Wolfmoon location is in Bonita Springs — Leo Cavaliere frequents Bonita and Barefoot Beaches He says their bathrooms are not cleaned as often as he believes is necessary porter potties can be found and the North and South ends of the beach is not something the county could expedite Collier County is in charge of Barefoot Beach FOX 4 reached out about the condition of the restrooms there WATCH HERE: FOX 4's Dominga Murray checking in with people on the beach She says people often just go in doc's beach house to avoid having to use the portable restrooms it would be nice for sure to have public restrooms," Haynum said If you're looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit Florida-style There are two Christmas boat parades happening in Southwest Florida this weekend — A growing petition is looking to save Bonita Springs Elementary School as the Lee County School District inches closer to demolishing parts of the historic campus "The taxpayers of southern Lee County contribute tremendously to Lee County and to have our two most historic buildings torn down because they didn't maintain them is a whole 'nother situation," said Derrick Botana chairman of the Bonita Springs Historical Society There are plans to remodel part of the school which has been in their neighborhood for over 100 years the society is calling on the community to come together on Saturday to save it from getting demolished just to kinda get all together in a collaborative effort to try and come up with a plan," Botana said Since the school district unveiled its plans in may to demolish and renovate buildings one and two Botana has been leading a movement to preserve and protect the historic site "I think everyone in the community really wants to embrace education and the importance of that and to make sure that the students have the most up to date technology to make them more competitive in the world that we live in," Botana said He claims the district is to blame for the school's condition The historical society is hosting a community town hall on Saturday at 3 p.m RELATED COVERAGE: DEMOLITION? What's next for historic Bonita Springs Elementary School Botana says he hopes to reach a mutual understanding with the school district and develop a plan "Whether turning it into a museum or a welcome center or a welcome center or even being part of the fabric in the new school," he said Community members we spoke to agree the school needs some serious repairs and the Lee County School District has said in the past their intention has always been to construct a state-of-the-art facility to better serve students and staff We reached out to the school district ahead of Saturday's town hall Water and wind from Hurricane Milton damaged about 1,300 homes in Bonita Springs while wrecking its beaches Most of the damage from the recent storm happened in four areas: Hickory Island Imperial Shores and in the corridor from West Terry Street to Pennsylvania Avenue Its impacts were felt far and wide before and after it hit City Council heard of the impacts in Bonita Springs from Tony Backhurst the city's director of neighborhood services and emergency management nearby property owners don't just have to deal with an incoming hurricane the river got "pretty close up there toward 12 feet." At 11 feet which did a lot more damage to homes and businesses in the city The storm came much closer to Bonita Springs Milton arrived on the heels of Hurricane Helene which slammed into the Big Bend area of the Florida Gulf Coast as a Category 4 storm and left a trail of destruction across the southeastern U.S. Helene didn't do near as much damage as Milton 159 Bonita Springs residences sustained major damage from Milton with high water marks of 18 inches or more on the first floor or enough water to cover electrical outlets These properties will require extensive repairs with damage to everything from electrical systems and appliances to doors and cabinets More like this: Hurricane Milton caused $280 million in damage in Collier County The highest point was observed in Imperial Shores One of the most impacted roads: Hickory Boulevard after Milton swamped it with water and sand and some of the sand turned to mud when it mixed with water requiring a yeoman's effort to sweep it off the road While there was an orchestrated roadblock by law enforcement on the two-lane street for a few days deputies offered rides to residents of the area who evacuated and wanted to get back to their coastal homes to see the damage wrought by Milton "We transported dozens and dozens of citizens back to their houses to be able to kind of do a damage assessment themselves and do it safely," Brewton said most city residents in flood-prone areas heeded mandatory evacuation orders by Lee County for zones A and B "There was only maybe a handful of calls and some of them were just wellness checks for people that had lost power during the storm and we were still able to get to them utilizing our high-water vehicles and make contact with those residents and make sure they were safe," Brewton said One of the biggest complaints he heard from residents after the storm was about not having a deputy or police officer at every traffic light that lost power The highest priority for law enforcement after a storm and to check on people whose homes flooded as well as to protect vulnerable property from theft The Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District shared that it gave out more than 14,000 sandbags to help property owners prepare for the storm with seven loads of sand delivered to its station off Bonita Grande Drive the city's director of community development briefed council about permitting in the aftermath of the storm The city has waived permit fees for Hurricane Milton restoration It did the same for hurricanes Helene and Ian fees had been waived for nearly 2,900 permits The city also saw erosion on 30 to 35 feet of the shoreline along the south end of Bonita Beach with work about to begin on still-needed repairs from Ian He said he'd come back to council in November with recommendations on how to address the new damage from Milton The equipment to do this project is on its way from the Gulf Coast we're going to be able to restore this in an unprecedented timeframe," Feeney said has "certainly changed what this project is going to look like." Mayor Rick Steinmeyer said: "I'm glad you're on top of it." More: Only few Lee County beaches open again after Hurricane Milton closures. See which ones Councilman Chris Corrie asked how quickly Bonita Beach might be restored and questioned whether it could be done by the end of the year "What I could tell you is it's two weeks after a hurricane and you're going to have a dredging contractor on site it'll be restored faster than probably any community in Florida has ever restored a beach unless the dredging contractor was already physically there," before the storm