Florida Weekly's Best of 2010

Welcome to

Florida Weekly’s Best special section

Typical “Best of” sections in local newspapers require merchants to buy ads to have their names placed on the ballot. No ad, no chance to win.

That’s not our style here at Florida Weekly.

We wanted to create a Best of Lee County that was fun, entertaining and untainted by commerce. We didn’t care if merchants advertised with us or not. If they were worthy, they made the list. If someone did advertise, however, we thanked them by including them as a best.

At least we’re honest.

And, instead having readers vote, which is a process rife with skullduggery, we sent our award-winning writers and editors out to scour Lee County for the Best. We created a list that is far from all-inclusive. There are just too many great things about Southwest Florida. So, if we missed a few, we apologize. We’ll try to do better next year.

In the meantime, enjoy our 2010 efforts. Cheers. Local Color

BEST CITY MANAGER’S HOME LIFE >> Former Fort Myers Beach Town Manager Scott Janke

Rarely do we get an intimate peek into a public officials home life like the look we got when it was revealed that the manager of Fort Myers Beach was married to a porn actress. The Fort Myers Beach town council voted unanimously to terminate Mr. Janke without cause when his secret got out. The public overwhelmingly supported him and wondered why he got the boot when he had performed his job so well. Meanwhile, Mr. Janke appeared on national TV, with his stunning wife — fully clothed, mind you — by his side. The two smiled and held hands and described a normal home life and a loving marriage. On Anabela Janke’s Web site, where she goes by the name Jazella Moore, she describes herself as a “priestess of the erotic arts.” It’s no wonder why, despite losing his job and all the unwanted scrutiny, Mr. Janke just kept smiling at the cameras.

BEST WAY TO SPEND YOUR WAY INTO JAIL >> Samir Cabrera

Within one year, Southwest Florida’s reigning king of a good time, Samir Cabrera, went from wearing designer suits to jump suits; extravagant cuff-links to handcuffs. Mr. Cabrera (Inmate No. 34549-018) is a one-man metaphor for the out-of-control greed that ushered in Southwest Florida’s great recession. The smooth-talking power broker was known to spray the crowd with expensive champagne at nightclubs and at least once let loose a fat wad of cash to rain down at a party. Like those bills, however, his rapid rise was accompanied by a fast and painful decline. Expensive jewelry and jet-setting to Las Vegas casinos using other people’s money are distant memories for the former real estate agent. He’s now in a federal minimum-security prison in Pensacola, sentenced for money laundering and wire fraud for conning investors out of $2.8 million. He gets out June, 17, 2018.

Details: www.bop.gov/iloc2/LocateInmate.jsp

BEST WAY TO NOT SPEND YOUR WAY INTO JAIL >> Thomas Daugherty

Real estate agent Tom Daugherty pleaded guilty earlier this year to stiffing the U.S. government $1.6 million in income taxes over the years. Using a system that would have made Richard Hatch — the first “Survivor” winner who failed to pay taxes on his $1 million winnings — proud, Mr. Daugherty cashed many of his commission checks or exchanged them for multiple cashier’s checks made out to himself. He reportedly hoarded his cash in order to hide his assets from the IRS. He now faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. We’re not sure who his accountant was but at least he’s got the cash to pay his lawyer.

BEST USE OF TAX DOLLARS >> Widening Interstate 75

The massive, 30-mile I-75 project didn’t even inconvenience those of us who drive from Colonial Boulevard in Lee County south to Golden Gate in Collier. The contractor did the $400 millionplus project at night, lowering the speed limit from 70 mph to 60 mph. Not a bad deal, considering we got additional northbound and southbound lanes.

BEST SPORTS FANS >> Matt Garry and Becky Catlett

This adorable twosome gives new meaning to the concept of rabid sports fan. Ardent supporters of the Florida Everblades hockey team, they’re at every home game at Germain Arena, proudly wearing team jerseys plus matching hard hats cleverly outfitted with flashing, spinning goal lights that they illuminate for every Everblades score. ’Blades games just wouldn’t be the same without them.

BEST BAD IDEA >> Murder for hire

Just ask the alleged hit man who approached Cape Coral City Council member Eric Grill. Dustin Russell Lofty of North Fort Myers was charged with two counts of solicitation to commit capital murder for what authorities called a foiled murderfor hire plot involving Mr. Grill. Mr. Lofty reportedly approached the councilman offering to “take care of his problems.” The potential hits, according to documents, were Lisa Johnson and David Malmberg, who have been feuding with — and in litigation with — Mr. Grill over work they say he never completed. This happened after Mr. Grill was arrested late last year and charged with three felonies relating to fraud and grand theft. What bad idea in this odd plot will surface next?

BEST GHOST BUSTERS >> Peace River Ghost Trackers

The Peace River Ghost Trackers have been on the case of ghosts and disembodied spirits for a decade. They use a variety of electronic detecting equipment to encounter specters and ghostly matter. The group has conducted investigations throughout Southwest Florida.

Details: peaceriverghosttracker.com

BEST PLACE TO SAY I DO >> Chapel By the Sea

The Chapel By the Sea on Captiva features a cozy, intimate church that is seconds from the sea. But better plan your wedding during the seasonal months as the church shuts its storybook doors during the summer months.

Details: 472-1646

BEST DOG PARK >> Wagging Tails Dog Park

Not spending enough quality time with Fido? If you want to make up all of those days you were too busy to give your furry pal a walk, here’s your chance: go to the Wagging Tails Dog Park in Cape Coral. Aside from the fenced-in areas for both little and big dogs, the park contains nature trails to walk. Dogs must be on leashes to embark on the walk. The park is run by the City of Cape Coral. It’s free to use, open sunrise to sunset, but closed Tuesday mornings. There are bags to use to clean up after your dog.

Details: 5505 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral; 549-4606

BEST PLACE TO WATCH THE SUNSET >> Sanibel Causeway

Hey, this is Florida, baby! Just head out west as that large orange melon in the sky starts to melt in a palate of crimson, violet, pink and marmaladelike hues. The Sanibel Causeway is a great backdrop at sunset. The hood of your car makes a cozy stadium for you and a special friend to watch the sun slowly set. While you’re at it, grab a bottle of cabernet and some glasses for romantic evening.

BEST NEW LOCAL BOOK >> “Living Sanibel” by Charles Sobczak

If you don’t have a copy of Charlie Sobczak’s new field guide to Sanibel and Captiva, you’re missing a lot. This nearly 500-page beauty is comprehensive in size and scope, but it’s so well designed that perusing it is a joy. It’s chock full of glossy full-color images by local photographers. Among hundreds you’ll find are the formidable grandpa bug, the eastern screech owl and the “blue eyes” bay scallop (which looks like an alien spaceship). Each is accompanied by an informative article.

Details: www.indigopress.net

BEST CONSUMER JOURNALIST

>> Tell Mel (aka Melanie Payne of The News-Press)

In her picture she looks so nice she might offer you a cookie. But watch out if you’re a heartless landlord, price-gouging repairman, book cookin’ home association treasurer, half-baked pet adoption agency, or some other low-down dirty-rotten scoundrel. These are a few of the types that Melanie Payne exposes on a regular basis in her

News-Press column, “Tell Mel.” Her investigations include scams, crime, health, and other issues that affect consumers. She takes complaints seriously and is fearless about standing up to bullies. And it’s quite entertaining, too. BEST PLACE TO MEET SINGLE WOMEN >> Wednesday night at the Edison

If you can’t hook up on Wednesday night at The Edison, you’re just not trying. Let the bartenders mix you up a few drinks and hang out with the throngs of gorgeous ladies who flock here every week for Ladies Night. There is a complimentary vodka bar from 6 to 8 p.m. and live music by Acoustic Addition starting at 7 p.m. And it’s all in a beautiful old Florida building overlooking the Fort Myers Country Club.

Details: 3583 McGregor Blvd, 33901. Call 936-9348

BEST PLACE TO MEET SINGLE MEN >> A Fort Myers Miracle Game

Baseball season looks good for single women in Lee County. They can find their counterpart at Hammond Stadium, which draws at least hundreds and maybe sometimes thousands of single men to each Fort Myers Miracle baseball game. Sure, a few prospective mates may be three sheets to the wind on stadium beer, but that’s not so different from happy hour on any given night. It’s also a casual, outdoor setting where conversation tends to flow easily. Sharing pretzels is romantic. And if the audience doesn’t work out, you can try hitting on the ballplayers.

Details: for a schedule of games, go to

www.miraclebaseball.com

BEST PROSECUTOR >> Doug Molloy

For style, grace, and a relentless determination to make the American system work by prosecuting those who abuse the weak and unfortunate, Chief Assistant United States Attorney Doug Molloy of Florida’s Middle District takes the cake. A Florida boy born and raised, Mr. Molloy is an avenger in court. Outside of it, he’s a passionate husband and exceptional father, a writer of crystalline and insightful intelligence, and an unrepentant rock’n’- baby-boomin’-roller. When he’s not prosecuting slavers and other criminals, you’ll find him belting out “the best rhythm and blues, funk, disco, pop, rock and country tunes ever written,” as a vocalist for the Alter Ego Show Band. Ask Mr. Molloy how he can sleep at night after a career witnessing child torture, slavery, the victimized elderly, and so on, and he’ll feed you a line: “I’m very shallow.” In truth, he adds toughness and grit to the best prosecutorial integrity.

BEST LOCAL POLITICIAN WHO WILL BE MISSED >> Bob Janes

Bob Janes, who died at his Sanibel home in March, was a Lee County commissioner since 2000. A strong voice for human services, he was an advocate for addicts whose lifestyles landed them in the county jail, which he often referred to as the largest mental hospital in Southwest Florida. When the Babcock family looked to sell its sprawling 91,000-acre property, he helped spearhead the Babcock Preservation Partnership, which pushed the state to buy the land. When the state coffers proved insufficient, he was pragmatic enough to see to it that part of the land was set aside, including 5,600 acres in northern Lee County now known as the Bob Janes Preserve. Bob led a life of service to the community. We’ll miss him.

BEST POLITICAL TUG-OF-WAR >> Mann-Bigelow v. Hall-Judah

The new Red Sox Stadium, with its $75 or $80 million price tag originally to be shouldered by tourists but now staring resident taxpayers in the face? A Syd Kitson development plan to widen the roads of east Lee County partly at taxpayer expense for future access by residents of Babcock Ranch, in Charlotte County? Just about any other major issue on the agenda of a county commission down to four voting members — all of them awaiting a “swing vote” appointment to the fifth seat by Gov. Charlie Crist?

It’s like the gunfight at the O.K. corral. But instead of the Earps versus the Clantons, it’s the NO crowd versus the YES crowd, and not too many pleasant words in between. How have Commissioners Brian Bigelow and Frank Mann voted on those issues? NO. How have Commissioners Ray Judah and Tammy Hall voted? YES.

And the political tightrope keeps tightening.

BEST POLITICAL FIGHT >> Sheriff Mike Scott v. The News-Press

The key to understanding this slugfest between the grinning chrome-dome in a green Lee County sheriff’s uniform and those lefty muckrakers at

The News-Press is a simple four-letter word. And it doesn’t rhyme with slam, bit or truck.

No, the word is the VOTE. Sheriff Mike Scott may wear the uniform and carry the handgun, but he’s a politician. To go on wearing the uniform and carrying the handgun, he has to get the VOTE. When reporters and editorial writers question or criticize Sheriff Scott about his hirings and firings, or his friends with criminal histories, or his appearance on the national stage to support a mooseshooting clothes horse for vice president, the VOTE may be jeopardized.

Politician or not, now Sheriff Scott refuses to talk to

The News-Press. That probably doesn’t help anybody, especially the public. But it makes for front row front-page seats at the best political fight around.

BEST CONVERTIBLE RIDE >> Captiva Island

The roads narrow, and the palm trees and canopy of lush tropical foliage thicken as you head up Sanibel-Captiva Drive to Captiva. The ride takes on an even greater magical quality in a convertible. The openness allows you feel the warm breeze and smell the briny scent of the sea. And since the speed limit is well below 40 miles an hour, you have no choice but to enjoy the unique mansions, eclectic mailboxes and wildlife you spot along the way. By the way, there’s a great ice cream nook once you reach Andy Rosse Lane on Captiva called the Latte Da Café. BEST EXAMPLE OF GRACE UNDER THE PRESSURE OF AGE >> Berne Davis, 95

If death is the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns, as Shakespeare said, then what is very old age?

Perhaps it’s that remote country to which some will travel, a few will endure, and only the rarest will navigate with consummate grace.

Mrs. Berne Davis, born in 1915 and raised in Florida’s lumber camps — philanthropist and gardener, world traveler and wife of the late Sidney Davis — is the best example of aging gracefully that we know.

Impeccable in appearance, at once uncomplaining and tolerant, Mrs. Davis remains insatiable in her curiosity about the world. Lately, she has been seeing racing across Chokoloskee Bay in a small speedboat pursued by dolphins, walking unflinchingly a few feet past a resting cottonmouth snake, lifting a glass of wine to toast the merry company celebrating her 95th birthday, cracking stone crab claws and sipping lime-sluiced cold beer with friends and family a half-century her juniors, and pointing straight into the wind — curious, no doubt, about what lies beyond it. BEST EXAMPLE OF HOW TO BEHAVE HONORABLY IN PUBLIC >> Wayne Daltry

When Lee County Smart Growth Director Wayne Daltry realized what was happening — when his name appeared at the top of a downsizing list in January in the legible political hand of County Manager Karen Hawes, punctuated politically, perhaps, by County Commissioner Tammy Hall — he did not throw a hissy fit. He did not dig up dirt. He did not gather his friends and attempt an end run, or allow their displeasure in him to become a public fight.

Nor did he beg. He quietly drew shut the door of his career and stepped into another life.

Mr. Daltry, arguably the smartest man in Lee County, is now the president of the Audubon Society of Southwest Florida. And he remains the best example of how to serve the public both honorably and well.

BEST SUPPORT GROUP >> Ronald McDonald House

Ronald McDonald House helps keep families together when they are going through some of their greatest ordeals. It offers a sort of bed and breakfast, a “home away from home,” right across from the hospital: a place to stay at little to no cost for families whose children are seriously ill, undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy or surgeries. While they’re being treated at The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida at HealthPark in South Fort Myers, their parents and siblings stay for $10 per night, but no one is turned away if they can’t pay.

Details: 437-0202 or www.ronaldmchouse.com/house.asp

BEST MOTIVATION FOR CHANGING THE RADIO OR TV STATION >> John “For the People” Morgan

Will Orlando-based lawyer John Morgan remain a personal injury lawyer or is he in the race for Florida’s next governor? By now, Lee County has been saturated with Mr. Morgan’s chummy visage smiling from billboards and telling viewers on TV and radio that he is “For the People.” Voted one of the “25 Most Powerful People in Central Florida” by The Orlando Sentinel last year, he is known for having rubbed shoulders both with Republican Gov. Charlie Crist and Democratic President Barack Obama. His advertisements pour on a cloying, awe-shucks earnestness that is so insistent as to be creepy. You may need to shower or get some fresh air after seeing it.

BEST PLACE TO WORK >> Anywhere, anytime

With the latest smartphone applications like “Quickoffice Mobile Office Suite,” “Currency Exchange Rates Pro,” “To-Do List” and thousands of others, you literally keep a business in your pocket. From the comfort of your own iPhone or Android, you might take care of accounts payable, monitor employee productivity and edit Microsoft documents — not to mention call a customer or respond to e-mails. “A smartphone from our perspective is what we’d call a mobile computer,” said Nigel Thompson, CEO of CloudSync, a mobile device management company for small- to medium sized businesses. Just be sure to get a life every once in a while.

Details: Prices on phones range from $100 to $500.

BEST ESSAYIST >> Kevin Pierce

His daily morning radio program might be about sinkholes, invading tropical ants or reverse osmosis. Whatever he’s investigating, Kevin Pierce brings public radio listeners closer to the amazing place they live. “The Florida Environment” airs every morning, Monday through Friday, at 6:49 a.m. on 90.1 FM in Southwest Florida, and on public radio across the state. Mr. Pierce generally spends an entire week on a topic, consulting scientists and experts. He draws inspiration from his 45 years of living in and exploring the place we live. “The Florida Environment” has been on the air since 1999.

Details: www.floridaenvironment.com

BEST RABBLE ROUSER >> Ed Ryan

Gateway is a community within South Fort Myers and has its own elected government. It also has an “unofficial mayor,” political writer and humorist, Ed Ryan. No matter what those five Gateway officials are up to, they can be sure he’s waiting to pounce. He never tires of lampooning

them or other groups that hold power, particularly homeowners’ associations, in an online newspaper he started, The Gateway

Gazette. Mr. Ryan, a gym owner and former radio show host, takes them to task for how much they spend, or how long the meetings last. He also writes Gateway news, from a school bus fender bender to people who show up there looking for magic mushrooms in cow patties. A number of his articles have spurred widespread debate on his Web page and at community meetings.

Details: Join the f ray at www.ed-ryan.blogspot.com

BEST MOUSTACHE >> Jamie Kuser

Now that Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp shaved his cookie duster, we give the nod to Jamie Kuser of Fort Myers. He and his wife Kathy own and publish Family News, as well as Happenings A & E Magazine, a free periodical that has documented and described the Southwest Florida arts scene since 1995. Mr. Kuser’s stache fits a style described by the American Mustache Institute as a Painter’s Brush. That is, “a thick mustache covering the width of the mouth, usually worn short, with slightly rounded corners.” Mr. Kuser takes many of the pictures for Happenings himself, sporting long hair, and, of course, an excellent moustache.

BEST GAS STATION FOOD >> Sunoco

The Sunoco station at the V-shaped intersection where Seaboard Street flows into Palm Beach Boulevard, near downtown Fort Myers, has all the prerequisites of a delicious gas station buffet. There are huge jars of pickled eggs and giant kosher pickles, boiled peanuts (regular and Cajun), a hot-dog machine with a bun warmer, a little bit of fresh fruit up at the register (generally bananas and apples), and — the crucial element that ties the meal together — a soda fountain with all the major flavors. Try a “suicide,” which is all the flavors of soda pop mixed together. To top things off, there is even a small deli that serves fried chicken, burritos, empanadas, plantains and whatever else the attendant of the day feels like cooking up. Bon appétit!

BEST FREE MUSIC >> Friday Night Live

A rotating line up of artists plays every Friday evening from about 5 to 9 p.m. at the Patio de Leon in downtown Fort Myers. Musicians include Memphis 56’s old-fashioned rockabilly, the Pine Island slide blues guitarist John Mooney, folksy Frank Greathouse, Joe Virga — also folksy, but less in a bluesy way and more in a soul music kind of way — and others, including a very physically expressive reggae artist. There’s no other place in town where you will find such a great lineup of musicians so consistently for no charge. In order to keep it going, they do ask that you leave some tips in the plastic bucket. ABANDONED BUILDING TO SNEAK AROUND IN >> The old Ramada

The pink high-rise tower takes up at least a full city block and casts its shadow over the city’s yacht basin in downtown Fort Myers. Once it was the Ramada and then the Ambassador Hotel, but for about two years it has sat empty and abandoned. A 19-year-old homeless man who has slept there on occasion described the inside as “creepy.” After walking in through the cavernous parking garage, he found a hole in the wall that let him into the old hotel. Inside, he found it musty and poorly lit with whatever light filters in. It’s even creepier when it gets dark because it’s pitch black and every now and then you can hear doors banging shut or swinging open, up in the building’s more than 400 rooms, or in the huge, disorienting black space that was once a banquet hall. On the 24th or 25th floors, he also found some doors that open up to nothing. It’s easy to imagine Jack Torrance’s ghost roaming the halls of the old Ambassador with his axe … forever … and ever … and ever …

BEST VANITY PLATE >> TRST FND

An old beat up red compact car — likely a very dated Toyota — was being driven around Fort Myers Beach with a cracked windshield and a license plate that read TRST FND. Quite a statement. Maybe since the recession, trust funds just aren’t worth what they used to be.

BEST PHILANTHROPISTS >>Jack and Shelly Blais

Hunger may have been the single most pressing community issue for Lee County residents as they struggled out of the recession. Part-time Fort Myers residents Jack and Shelly Blais stepped up to help in a big way. As the unemployment rate hovered around 14 percent, Mr. Blais challenged the dogooders attending the seventh annual Sam Galloway Jr. and Friends Soup Kitchen benefit this year. He gave $500,000 and asked the crowd to add at least $100,000 on top of it. They did far better than that, raising 60 percent more than in 2009. A total of $800,000 ended up being raised that night in all to help feed the hungry. Not too shabby.

BEST CUTTING-EDGE GALLERY SPACE >> HOWL Gallery/Tattoo

More than any other art space in town, HOWL Gallery/Tattoo escapes being pinned down as any one entity. It is definitely a fine-art gallery, featuring some of the country’s best contemporary and pop art, such as work by former Vogue photographer Rene Miville, an upcoming art show by Steve Luongo, and lesser-known local artists. But it also sells many contemporary graphic novels — comic books with the depth of a novel — and plenty of collectible art toys. The tattoo shop is seamlessly integrated into the gallery space. One of the tattoo artists, co-owner Andy Howl, tattoos in styles that include “realism, neo-traditional and Japanese.”

Details: www.howlgallery.com

BEST COVER BAND >> Geek Skwad

Five irredeemably white, uncoordinated guys dressed in helmets, broken glasses and suspenders have the most entertaining rock ’n’ roll show in town. Since forming Geek Skwad about three years ago, Tyler Kluesner (vocals and guitar), Scott Bush (vocals and lead guitar), Chuck Gibson (vocals and bass), Mike Brophy (drums) and Greg Sallen (keyboards) have become regulars at The Buddha bar and nightclub in Fort Myers. They have a definite 1980s vibe, and in fact are extremely adept at performing many tunes of that decade, including “Blister in the Sun” and “Purple Rain.” But they also dig into the 1970s and 1990s, including some Weezer covers. They even once reportedly played 30 seconds of Barry Manilow — only this band could pull that one off at a rock club.

Details: check www.myspace.com/geekskwadforhire for upcoming shows.

BEST PLACE TO CONNECT WITH CULTURE VULTURES >> Art Walk, downtown Fort Myers

On the first Friday of every month, art’s where it’s at, as downtown Fort Myers teems with people wanting to view the latest exhibits or simply see and be seen. Art Walk features a dozen art galleries, even more restaurants and watering holes, several boutiques, two theater companies and a hotel, all open and welcoming a steady stream of the culturally inclined. While the art, theater and music are the main attractions, the scene on the sidewalks and streets is equally entertaining, affording prime people-watching opportunities. The event has become so successful, it’s given rise to Art Fair, another gathering of artists held the Saturday afternoon following Art Walk.

BEST PLACE TO BE SEEN >> Society pages of Florida Weekly

OK, so it’s shameless self-promotion, but whether it’s a formal black-tie dinner or a boots-and-Stetson hoedown, Florida Weekly photographers were there, capturing the fun and fundraising and the people who made it all possible. Throughout the year, the newspaper has featured photos of people coming together for galas and auctions, barbecues and festivals, grand openings, golf tournaments and fetes of all kinds. Florida Weekly’s Society pages have quickly become the go-to spot for social gadflies to see themselves and their friends at their festive best—and for those who didn’t attend, to regret their decision.

BEST CELEBRITY WE NEVER SEE ANYMORE >> Denzel Washington

Aw, Denzel, where’d you go? We used to love running into you in the gym at South Seas Island Resort (back when it was South Seas Plantation). You kept your body ready for any shirtless movie scene by working it hard, even on vaycay. We loved your intense eyes, and the way your smile lit up the whole room. You seemed genuinely nice. It was hard pretending like we didn’t recognize you. But we knew there was a better chance you’d come back if we didn’t maul you near the bench press. So where you, Denzel? We need a little Washington love.

BEST ONE-MAN LIVE MUSIC SHOW >> David C. Johnson

Look up funk in your Webster’s and there might just be a picture of David C. Johnson, an uber talented bass player and vocalist, who also knows his way around guitars and keyboards. Mr. Johnson tours the country with the likes of Doug Cameron and various Neville brothers, then comes back to his Southwest Florida home base, where he enjoys a loyal following. We enjoy him even more. Mr. Johnson is funked up, funked out and funkadelic. Go where he’s playing and you’re sure to be shaking your boo-tay in no time. A body won’t sit still. BEST LIVE MUSIC SUPPORTER >> Sandra Stilwell Sandy, we love you. You consistently invest in bringing the talents of many of the best musicians in the area for

the enjoyment of your patrons at Captiva’s Keylime Bistro and R.C. Otters, and Sunshine Seafood Café in Fort Myers. Even teenytiny Sunshine Café on Captiva had music one night a week during season. Sandy, we applaud you for recognizing that providing great music helps sustain our local economy while just making the planet a generally nicer place to sit and eat or drink. Thanks for making the investment. We notice!

BEST PIANO BAR >> Roadhouse Cafe

We love The Grill Room at Coconut Point, with its nearly-hidden piano room and cozy lighting ... but we must give this award to Roadhouse Café, where the ivories have center stage. The friendly owners have made their piano the highlight of the room, where patrons can sit right beside the pianist while sipping wines by the glass, martinis or whatever libation suits the moment. There’s plenty of space for a full band to set up and join in the fun, all of which happens on a regular basis. (And no matter where you sit to dine, you’ll enjoy the show). Now that season’s winding down, your odds of getting a seat vastly improve; you can enjoy piano nearly every night from 7-10 p.m.

Details: 15660 San Carlos Blvd. (at Gladiolus), Fort Myers; 415-4375

BEST PLACE FOR INTELLIGENT CONVERSATION >> Imagine Solutions

The inaugural conference in February proved that intelligence is indeed sexy (many female attendees were swooning over economist Niall Ferguson). Searching for Solutions Institute brought some of the country’s most beautiful minds to Southwest Florida for this thought-expanding two-day event tailored to address society’s most pressing issues. Just a word of caution for those attending the 2011 event at The Ritz: Information overload. You won’t think clearly for days while your brain processes all of those sound bites.

Details: imaginesolutionsconference.com BEST PLACE FOR MINDLESS CHATTER >> Handbag Happy Hour

When there are dozens of celebrity and designer handbags on the auction block, it’s difficult to get women to talk about anything else (except maybe shoes). This charity event centered around the quintessential female accessory may create tunnel vision among its participants but it’s all for a good cause: Proceeds from silent and live auctions, which also offers items like shaving kits and guitar cases for those of you with a Y chromosome, bene the Island Coast AIDS Network.

Details: icanswfl.org

BEST PLACE TO EAVESDROP >> First Watch

Linger awhile over coffee and you’ll soon know who’s gone under the knife or which local power couple is on the verge of divorce. It may sound a bit cliché, but the Watch’s popularity with the ladies who brunch set means an endless barrage of scintillating gossip. And men, you’re not excluded either. We’ve heard some of the things you’ve had to say. Listen, but be polite and don’t stare.

BEST PLACE TO ARGUE POLITICS >> The Veranda

Deals have been sealed, votes lost and reputations tarnished at this Fort Myers institution, which in the shadows of county and city offices and the courthouse attracts a steady stream of powerbrokers, especially come happy hour. And, as the drink flows, the conversations get louder, more intense and even downright entertaining.

Details: verandarestaurant.com

BEST PRO SPORTS TEAM (SUMMER) >> Fort Myers Miracle

You can take the whole family out to the ballgame (even your dogs) for a fraction of the cost of (even movie tickets and the obligatory soda and popcorn, plus special promos like dollar hot dogs and beer sweeten the deal. There’s even a bright orange and only-slightly creepy mascot (what is it anyway?) who’ll pose for pictures with the kids, the occasional post-game concert and fireworks.

Details: miraclebaseball.com

BEST FICTIONAL SWF TOWN >> Cougar Town

The opening credits of ABC’s “Cougar Town,” starring Courtney Cox, places this Florida city somewhere between Fort Myers and Sarasota. If Ms. Cox, as beautiful and youthful as she was during her “Dancing in the Dark” days, is any indication of the town’s love-hungry older women, then we’re moving.

BEST EYEGLASSES >>Leoma Lovegrove

If you have to wear glasses (and really who of us over 30 doesn’t?), then make a statement like Lovegrove. The Matlacha artist’s frames are as much her signature style as the vivid colors she paints in.

BEST ELIGIBLE BACHELORETTE >> Tammy Hall

You’ve gotta think District 4 Commissioner Tammy Hall has an inside scoop on the male psyche: The Wisconsin native grew up with four brothers. The first woman chairman of Lee’s board of commissioner, Commissioner Hall is a rising star in local politics (and dare we say even loftier pursuits?). But suitors be warned: You must love dogs. The Cape Coral resident owns two Boston terriers.

BEST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR >> Doug MacGregor

Ladies, jump on this one because we don’t expect Lee County’s celebrated cartoonist, Douglas MacGregor, to stay on the market for long. The reason — he’s got one of the best pick up lines a guy can wish for: “Can I draw your picture?” And he can, although the seasoned caricature artist will likely render a drawing of you with big goofy ears and a distended grimace. Mr. McGregor is an easygoing gentle giant who has lampooned Southwest Florida with his artwork since 1988. He has published four books and volunteers regularly at schools, hospitals and libraries. He also plays the harmonica for the Cracker Blues Band. For those interested in becoming the next intimate model for his private sketchbook (a sketchbook we have no idea exists or not), he can usually be found on the greens at the Fort Myers Country Club, or scribbling away at

The News-Press.

BEST PARADE >> The Edison Parade of Light

For more than 70 years, the Fort Myers community has turned out en masse to watch this annual parade of floats, marching bands and dignitaries in honor of our community’s most famous celebrity, Thomas Edison. Named one of North America’s Top 100 Events and one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast, the Edison Parade of Light is the best example of hometown pride in Southwest Florida.

BEST CROWD MAGNET >> ArtFest Fort Myers

Fort Myers’ only free, two-day art extravaganza brings together more than 55,000 art lovers and collectors each year. Held in the downtown River District, ArtFest showcases work from 200 artists, carefully pre-selected by a juried panel. Visitors can interact with the painters, sculptors, photographers, woodworkers and more who have their work on display, and all work is available for purchase. With free admission, easy parking, live music and food vendors, it’s no wonder this yearly event draws a crowd.

BEST SASSY TV NEWS REPORTER >>Tyisha Fernandes

Few TV reporters who pass through Southwest Florida exhibit the raw enjoyment of the confrontation interview more than Tyisha Fernandes on FOX 4 News. The woman is sassy, and we like it. Sometimes with a smile and always with swagger, she pulls back the curtain on the TV journalism process. Her real-as-it-gets reporting makes her the postergirl for the FOX signature brand: a first person approach that their marketing department has labeled, “On Your Corner.”

She was part of the Edward R. Murrow awardwinning team whose reporting led to an audit of the Lee County School System’s busing program. Watching her chase down Dr. James Browder, the superintendent of schools, in a parking lot for a “No Comment” was priceless. She recently tracked down the manager at a local car dealership and made him declare on camera that he would refund money to a client. Even for the most benign of stories, Ms. Fernandes lets you know she means business. She recently reported on replacement tollbooths on Cape Coral’s bridges and let the audience know — straight up — that she was on her way to speak to the director of the county’s transportation department. The man in charge of the project better watch himself. This is, after all, Tyisha Fernandes he’s talking to.

BEST STREET CORNER WAVER >> Donald Wahl

Long before every busy Lee County street corner was populated by some wannabe waving a cardboard sign promoting some-or-other business, Donald Wahl was out there dressed as a giant slice of pizza. Twelve years ago, before it was cool, he was shaking a pompon and saluting cars in the name of commerce. He is still the master street

waver, so dedicated, in fact,

that he wore out both of his

wrists doing it. Despite the

fact that he is wracked with health problems dating back 30 years, when a pair of thugs poured acid on his face and torso, he continues to wave, with a smile on his face and a great attitude. These days, he waves for the highest bidder, with an elaborate setup of wooden signs, flags and pompons sure to attract the attention of motorists passing by his perch on U.S. 41 in South Fort Myers.

BEST ARCHITECTURAL TREASURE >> Soon-to-be-renovated McCollum Hall

Legends made music in McCollum Hall. Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, B.B. King — they all played at the two-story joint. For a time, the building was the USO for Dunbar’s African-American community and it attracted great acts, which in turned attracted white audiences who understood that jazz and soul paid no mind to skin color. “The people are my people,” Mr. Ellington used to say, and it was evident at the place on the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Cranford Avenue in Fort Myers.

Today, the brick building is a run-down eyesore. However, the City of Fort Myers recently started phase one of a project that will restore the building. Within three years, it is expected to reopen with retail, offices and a large gathering space on the second floor suitable for weddings, bar mitzvahs and the like. Developers tell us that the new McCollum Hall will once again be a center of public life in the neighborhood.

BEST PUBLIC SERVANTS >> Lee County Tax Collectors Office

Take a number. Take a seat. Get called up to one of the stations where a worker (likely a woman) with a smile and pleasant disposition greets you. Walk out 10 minutes later with your new business license, or car tag, or other governmental dispensation. The office is a model of government efficiency. Never mind that they just charged you money for the privilege of conducting the business of your life; at least they did it with smiles on their faces and got you out the door with enough time to run to the courthouse so you can stand in line over there.

BEST RADIO PERSONALITY >> Gina Birch

Gina Birch is Southwest Florida’s girlfriend. She’s the one all the other girls want to go shopping with. The guys want to down a few brewskis with her while she demystifies the feminine mystique for them. Since 1992, Gina has been our bud on WINK-FM. The perky albeit down-to-earth Ms. Birch spent most of her 18 years doing the morning show on the local top-40 station and has spent the past few years keeping audiences engaged between the songs during the workday. She is an indispensible fixture on our airwaves.

BEST UN-ROAD TRIP >> Seminole Gulf Railroad

The Murder Mystery Dinner Train combines the romance of riding the rails, with the delightful kitsch and convenience of dinner theater. The Seminole Gulf Line train picks you up in central Fort Myers, takes you north, eventually going over the Caloosahatchee at a scenic seven-mile-perhour crawl. Along the way, there are actors conducting a play through the aisles. Dinner is served. Eventually, you’re back where you started — you didn’t really get anywhere — but you had fun, which was the point in the first place.

BEST BARTENDER >> Aaron Hofmeyer: Cigar Bar Aaron Hofmeyer is the man who brought the Jägerbomb to Fort Myers. Years before the combination of Red Bull and Jägermeister was a common concoction at every watering hole, Mr. Hofmeyer spotted the distinct mixture while on a trip to Germany. Upon his return to the states, he began making the drink for patrons eager to experience the dual buzzes of a caffeine high with the mind-numbing, wince-inducing Jäger. “That’s my favorite drink to make. A group comes in here and orders Jägerbombs, you know they’re going to cut loose. We’ve established early on what’s going to happen.”

Mr. Hofmeyer has mixed the signature drink, as well as poured many a bourbon and cognac, at the Cigar Bar in downtown Fort Myers for 10 years. Don’t expect any flair from him. He doesn’t flip bottles in the air or light the countertop on fire. “I give them keen conversation and quick service. That’s about it,” he says. His technique is lowkey mellow, a perfect compliment to the oaky bar where he holds court.

BEST ELECTED OFFICIAL >> Gary Aubuchon

State Rep. Gary Aubuchon is an oasis of calm, rational decision-making in a sea of histrionics. The man who represents Cape Coral, Sanibel and Pine Island in Tallahassee seems cut from some sort of ideal politician cloth. The tall, handsome family man is approachable and well-versed in policy rather than rhetoric. He is the chairman on the committee for roads, bridges and ports as well as the finance and tax council. He recently sat on the committee studying oil drilling off of the state’s coast. He’s also a black belt in karate, a handy skill to have, just in case the maniacs and moguls in the capital get out of hand. Until now, Mr. Aubuchon has relied on his charm and wits, rather than his lethal chop, to advance the needs of his constituents.

BEST ART DECO MEETS OLD WEST DESIGN >> Shoot Straight Gun Range

The new gun range building combines suburban pastels and rootin’-tootin old west wooden posts and awnings for a distinct eye-catching design. It’s a unique structure in a market where faux-Spanish Mediterranean design is far too often the default construction choice.

The store is one of five in a growing chain of gun shops with headquarters based in the Orlando area. Owner Khaled Akkawi says he eventually wants to see the stores, and their unique facades, spread throughout the country. Shoot Straight’s interior design is distinct as well, with a modern air purification system that’s supposed to eliminate smoke and keep the atmosphere smelling as fresh as it did back in the days of Billy the Kid.

Details: 2418 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers; 939-0357

BEST PLACE TO GET DOWN AND DIRTY >> Red Neck Yacht Club

There’s a place in Punta Gorda for off-road groupies yearning for a weekend’s worth of playing in the mud. Denny Kelly opened The Red Neck Yacht Club last year to the delight of mud adventurers near and far. They bring their tents or arrive in mammoth RVs to ride the 1-mile-by-2-mile expanse of dedicated off-road adventure on all-terrain vehicles.

Inside the playground, mudders get muddy, get cleaned up and get muddy again. At night, there are fireworks, sometimes. Sometimes there’s live entertainment. But there are always campfires, bonfires and contests of man versus terrain.

It took Mr. Kelly more than three years to get his park, an old potato farm, into perfect riding shape as he supervised nearly every detail.

It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it.

Details: www.redneckyachtclubfl.com Down Time

BEST 5K ROAD RACE >> The Veterans Day Midpoint 5K Run

It’s a blissful tradition — running the Midpoint Memorial Bridge in a benefit for the YMCA of Lee County at a time of year when the humidity is gone and the craziness of the holiday season is yet to begin. The Veterans Day Midpoint 5K Run is for walkers, joggers, competitive runners, veterans and anyone else. The route is the best: Colonial Boulevard and the McGregor Boulevard fly-over and then the bridge across the Caloosahatchee. Once up and over the bridge, runners turn around and return, finishing near Royal Palm Square. Exercise with a view for a good cause. ’Nuff said.

BEST FLASHBACK >> Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall lineup

Where else can you find The Beach Boys and The Moody Blues in the same season? It’s like the ’60s never ended. Or maybe the ’80s, if you consider Bill Cosby and Harry Connick Jr.

Details: www.bbmannpah.com.

BEST BEACH >> Fort Myers Beach

Sand, surf, cool drinks and lots and lots of tanned honeys and hunks. Yep. Fort Myers Beach is the place to work on your tan while watching some beautiful people play in the sun. During season, the beach is greeted with college spring breakers and firefighters who put on impromptu Chippendalelike shows. Shelling and relaxing can also be found along the Fort Myers Beach. And with restaurants nearby, getting a bit hungry is easily satisfied in the form of raw oysters, fried fish platters and yummy chowders and salads.

BEST PLACE TO GET LOST >> Gulf Coast Town Center

Groove to hip tunes while sipping a martini. Browse dozens of travel magazines. Sample cheese made from Swiss goat milk. Down an espresso. Eat pizza. Smoke cigars. Watch sports. Buy a boat. Buy a diamond. Learn about wine. Watch your kids giggle their heads off on a bungee apparatus. Go catch a new film. Grind your own coffee. Gulf Coast Town Center has so many distractions, it’s easy to get separated from your ride, so have your phone charged before you wander off “for a few minutes.”

Details: Alico Road and Ben Hill Griffin Parkway

BEST DAY TRIP >> Boca Grande

While you can get to Boca Grande by car, we highly recommend going by boat. Figure out a way to throw two bikes aboard, and you’ve really got yourself a trip. Or find a way to rent a golf cart upon arrival, so you can tour the island that held Katherine Hepburn’s fascination. Life is slow on Boca, but charming. Its famed canopied Banyan Street and colorful cottages seem postcard-like. The Bush family (as in No. 41 and No. 43) has vacationed there for years. Boca Grande is quietly fabulous, in much the same way Useppa is. Somehow an ice cream cone tastes better on Boca. And we don’t care why. We just want one, while wearing Madras shorts, a Tilly hat and our Maui Jim’s. The island is usually heaving with tarpon fishermen in May and that jolting presence of testosterone underscores the tropical fact, once and for all, that manly men can, indeed, wear pink shirts.

BEST HIKING TRAIL >> J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Sanibel Island’s national wildlife refuge has three trails for the hiker, photographer or nature lover. The 4-mile Indigo Trail is best to tackle before the summer heat arrives; two other quarter-mile trails take far less effort. You’ll likely want binocs or a as past trails wind past through a veritable tion of wildlife: gators, more. Educational signage shares facts about the flora and the fauna, as well as a rich history that includes the Calusa Indians. We like the fact that the trails are closed on Friday — as is the entire refuge — to give the critters a break from posing for pics, and the constant sound of happy tourists exclaiming “Look over there!”

BEST DISCOUNT THERAPY

>> A walk on any of our miles of beaches

You think you’re handling the stress of life: the economy, the bills, the deadlines, the kids, the parents, the health thing. Until you step onto the beach. Spend 30 minutes on any Southwest Florida beach, and you feel the transformation. Shoulders drop down an inch or two. Breaths get deeper. Problems seem more distant. The gentle rattle of surf across shells is as soothing as squishing wet sand between your toes. The shoes got left somewhere behind you, along with your to-do list and all the little things that were irritating you when you arrived. Now it’s just you, and the sea, and the shorebirds, and the sun, and an infinite horizon. If the last time you set foot on the beach was when company came to town, then you’re missing the whole point of living here. BEST PLACE TO MEET A CONCHOLOGIST >> Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum

Sanibel Island is shell crazy. There’s no other way to put it. Locals and visitors do the Sanibel Stoop as they shuffle along the beach, bent over like octogenarians, looking for treasures. The island devotes three whole days to a shell fair, which showcases shell crafts, shell finds, shell education, shell experts. Half of all the business logos have seashells on them, and since alphabet cones and fighting mollusks are responsible for millions of dollars in tourism, who can blame them? So of course there’s a seashell museum, and it may still be the only one in North America. We’re not sure. It’s big, it’s cool, it’s full of shells. Our real motivation, though, was we just wanted to use the word “conchologist.”

BEST SWIMMING POOL >> South Seas Resort

It’s been featured on the cover of fabulous travel magazines. The rich and famous go there to play. And after South Seas Island Resort was upgraded (post-Charley), a person couldn’t even get in to the South Seas pool without I.D. And this made us want to go there even more. Situated on the northern tip of exclusive Captiva Island, the South Seas Island Resort pool bats her eyes at boaters who drift pass in slow curiosity, but she saves herself for those willing to invest in spending some real time with her. She invites them to lounge beneath coconuts, in gentle sea breezes. She cajoles them into sipping fruity drinks they’ll later deny they had. She draws the powerful and the privileged as only a real beauty can do. We love you, South Seas pool. We know you’re generally out of our league, but we love you anyway. You are Rose, and we are Jack. But when we’re near you, we want to proclaim ourselves “King of the World!”

BEST PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE >> The River District

First-class restaurants, arts and theater and the moonlit romance of the Caloosahatchee River earn our vote for the area’s most amorous interlude. The walkable district lets couples ditch the car and check out the expanding entertainment options in Fort Myers’ historic downtown. Just be mindful that those new cobblestone streets can be a killer on stilettos. And if you’re just not into her? Duck into one of the bars, where loud music and boisterous crowds will drown out any boring conversations.

BEST OPEN MIC >> Nita’s Sweat Bean

With apologies to you sappy beret-wearing wannabe poets, this coffeehouse’s Friday night tradition spotlights professional and amateur musicians, including some of Fort Myers’ best undiscovered talent.

Details: 275-9000

BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE WATCH >> Times Square on Fort Myers Beach

Bikini-clad coeds, surfer dudes and knee-sockswith sandals tourists provide continuous eye candy and comical interludes at our much more laid-back version of the Big Apple attraction. The constant parade of mankind is a study in psychology that would baffle even Freud, at times, and because this is Fort Myers Beach, anything goes — even the occasional nakedness.

BEST PLACE TO RECLAIM YOUR INNER CHILD >> Imaginarium

Adults who hate the hands-off stuffiness of an art gallery will love the Imaginarium, where they’re encouraged to go ahead and play with those dinosaur bones or even run through a rainstorm or hurricane. This family-friendly Fort Myers institution offers an afternoon full of hands-on science exhibits and interactive activities. Oh, it’s also great for kids, too.

Details: imaginariumfortmyers.com

BEST PLACE TO TAKE VISITORS >> Shell Factory

This Southwest Florida landmark boasts the world’s largest collection of shells (begging one to wonder who actually counted them all), including several rare specimens. There’s also a nature park, botanical gardens and the famous Waltzing Waters but it’s the factory’s specialty stores — selling all sorts of shell-studded souvenirs — that will save your guest days of getting sand out of their clothes.

Details: shellfactory.com

BEST NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LOCAL COMPANY >> Florida Repertory Theatre

It’s one thing to get praise from local critics when you’re a theater. But it’s quite another thing to receive praise from the drama critic of a national newspaper. The Florida Repertory Theatre was justifiably proud

when Wall Street Journal

drama critic Terry Teachout praised it 2009 production of “Dancing at Lughnasa,” even later listing it again as one of the best ensemble shows he’d seen that season.

Mr. Teachout returned to Florida Rep this winter to review “You Can’t Take It With You” and called the production “as light and sweet as freshspun cotton candy” and “true to the warm-hearted humor” of the play.

Detail: 332-4488 or www.BoxOffice@

FloridaRep.org

BEST BOOKING RISK THAT PAID OFF >> The Barbara B. Mann booking ‘Spring Awakening’

In a region where booking “The Sound of Music” or “South Pacific” is a sure thing, the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall went out on a limb this season and booked “Spring Awakening” — a Tony Award-winning musical, yes, but one that includes homosexuality, rape, abortion, atheism, suicide and teen sex. Mann Hall officials were betting that there’s a market here for edgier material, and they were right.

Based on Frank Wedekind’s 1891 German play and set to the music of Duncan Sheik and lyrics of Steven Sater, “Spring Awakening” deals with burgeoning teen sexuality and self-discovery in an unflinching, honest way.

This remarkable musical not only drew a younger audience to the Mann Hall, but also had some people returning to see it once again, before it left town. We’re hoping this encourages the venue to be more adventurous when booking future seasons.

Detail: 481-4849 or www.bbmannpah.com

BEST PLACE TO SEE A PLAY’S PREMIERE >> Theatre Conspiracy

There’s something magical about being among the first to see a play — and audiences at Theatre Conspiracy get to experience that on a regular basis. With its annual New Play Contest, now in its 12th year, r

r this scrappy local theater com now in its 12th year, company supports winning playwrights by producing their play and awarding them $700. Not only do Southwest Floridians get to see regional premieres, or even world premieres, but they get to ask questions/ make comments to the playwright, actors, and director, in an after-show talk-back. This year’s winning play was “Time and Ina Meyerhoff” by Alan Brody, a quirky and sweet comedic tale of a younger man falling in love with a 65-year-old woman. (Mr. Brody’s play, “The Housewives of Mannheim,” plays Off-Broadway at 59E59 Theaters in New York City May 6 through June 6.)

Details: 936-3239 or www.theatreconspiracy.org

BEST PLACE FOR KARAOKE >> Mona Lisa

Sure, many of the karaoke participants here are pretty good but some really do put the scary in the oke, ala former “American Idol” contestant William Hung. Mona Lisa offers a 70,000-song playlist, plus the popularity of the nightly songfest makes getting on stage a little difficult some nights. Arrive early.

Details: 939-5344

BEST UNFINISHED PUBLIC ART >> “Dream to Connect” on FGCU campus

The “Dream to Connect” sculpture adorning the front of Florida Gulf Coast University’s Arts Complex is intriguing — six icons symbolizing the school’s mission. There’s Apollo in his chariot, a Florida dollar orchid, a compass, a honeybee, a film reel and a giant gear.

But what’s not there is the rest of the sculpture — two neon reins that will connect Apollo to the orchid and light up the building. The piece was created by FGCU assistant professor of art Mary Sullivan Voytek, who’s known for her use of neon and other light in her work.

Made with standard and newly invented metals, the bee’s transparent aluminum wings were cut with the latest technology: a computer-controlled router.

The sculpture’s been up 16 months already, but for some reason the school’s dragging its feet on permitting its completion.

Come on, FGCU: let there be light!

BEST KIDS’ THEATER >> Lunchbox Theater

The best way to turn on kids to live theater is to take them to a Lunchbox Theater production at the Sidney and Berne Davis Arts Center downtown on a Saturday morning. For only $12, your kids get to see an age-appropriate show and ask the actors questions afterwards, eat a box lunch from Jason’s Deli, and participate in a theater workshop.

Presented by the Florida Repertory Theatre, these plays possess the same quality its adult productions do. This year they offered “The New Kid” for grades kindergarten through fifth, and “And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank,” for grades 5-12. The latter included interview footage with two Holocaust survivors who knew Anne Frank.

Lunchbox Theater also travels to schools to put on performances. For some kids who’ve grown up only seeing movies,

DVDs and TV, it’s the

first time they’re actually seeing a play with live actors.

Details: 332-4488 or go

to www.Bo Office@FloridaRep.org

multi-media, check out Jim McLaughlin’s “Connect!”

Mondays from noon to 1 p.m. on WGCU 90.1 FM (91.7 FM Marco.) During the call-in show, Mr. McLaughlin covers topics such as living green, small businesses, regional getaways, public advocacy and the arts. The topic discussed is then covered in his half-hour TV show, also called “Connect!” that airs on WGCU-TV Fridays at 8:30 p.m.

Listeners and viewers can also access segments on the show’s Web site and interact with each other. And, related articles also run in WGCUTV’s monthly magazine.

These are locally-generated shows for the community and about the community, a technologically advanced discussion around the water cooler. As the tagline says: “Enlighten. Educate. Engage.”

When Mr. McLaughlin retired as anchorman for WINK TV news, he probably never dreamed he’d wind up on TV again… and radio, and the Web, and in print.

Details: noon to 1 p.m. Mondays on WGCU 90.1-FM and 91.7-FM Marco

BEST CULTURAL VENUE >> The Philharmonic Center for the Arts

When it comes to arts organizations in Naples, nothing can surpass the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, which stands head and shoulders above every other venue in size, stature, budget and variety of programming. The Phil has put Naples on the map in terms of culture, turning it from a sleepy little coastal town into a place where you can see opera diva Renee Fleming, violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman, Miami City Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Broadway singers in an intimate, cabaret setting. All in one season. And that’s just the beginning of the list.

It’s a unique set-up. Go ahead, name another arts venue that houses an orchestra, performance hall, learning center and arts museum. And to think it was all started by someone who moved to the area to retire.

Details: 597-1900 or www.thephil.org

BEST PLACE TO FEED YOUR INNER RINGO >> The Percussion Summit

There are few concerts as creative and intensely satisfying as the annual Percussion Summit held at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts every September. Started by Naples Philharmonic Orchestra’s principal timpanist John Evans, the concert boasts percussionists from orchestras around the state and from Atlanta, Ga. Featured guest artists who headline have included jazz xylophonists and drummers who’ve played with Fleetwood Mac, Jay-Z and Stevie Wonder.

The concerts feature all kinds of percussive instruments — every kind of drum imaginable, as well as other percussive instruments such as xylophones, marimbas and steel drums. Last season’s concert even included professional orchestral percussionists playing on garbage cans!

Where else can you hear a dozen steel drums perform popular songs, or a stage full of marimbas playing well-known tunes from operas?

The family-friendly concert is highly informal and always full of surprises. (And for those serious about their drumming, there’s a percussion clinic held the afternoon of the concert.)

This Percussion Summit makes you want to be like Todd Rundgren and “bang on the drums all day.”

Details: 597-1900 or www.thephil.org

BEST HANGOUT FOR LITTLE GIRLS >> The Butterfly Estates

Natural beauty is elevated to a mythical level at the Butterfly Estates in the River District. It’s easy for little princesses to see themselves walking through the gates of a crystal kingdom when they enter the large glass conservatory at the estates. Once inside, butterflies, little pieces of natural art, flutter everywhere, often landing on visitors. Finches perch an arms-reach away on an assortment of plants and flowers that line the walkways and the brook that runs through the space. Just outside the conservatory, century-old buildings that have been renovated into a gift shop, candy store and restaurant help complete the illusion of this fairytale destination. Enshrouded in the peacefulness of the butterfly estates, it’s easy to forget that just beyond the gates is a world of pavement, Bratz dolls and Miley Cyrus.

Details: 1815 Fowler St., Fort Myers; 690-2359

BEST HANGOUT FOR LITTLE BOYS >> Mike Greenwell’s Bat-A-Ball & Family Fun Park

Little boys like to hit things, run around, go fast and play video games. Mike Greenwell’s allows them to do all of those in one convenient location. There are go-carts, paint ball, air hockey and batting cages. Once the youngsters are worn down, they can reload on junk food at the snack bar, then go back for another round.

Details: 35 NE Pine Island Road, Cape Coral; 574-4386

BEST HANGOUT FOR TEENS >> Facebook

It’s tough to be a teen in Lee County. The eateries only let you hang out if you’re eating. The cops hassle you outside the theater. Going into the woods is fun, but there are bugs. Fortunately, there’s Facebook. A Neilsen report last year stated that half of all American teenagers use the social networking site. Now teens can congregate virtually, in the comfort of their own homes, without the hassle of trying to find a ride or having to worry about wearing the latest fashions. There’s no teen pregnancy in Facebookland, you can’t do drugs there, and while you might be able to join a gang, the violence is all virtual. Across Southwest Florida, teens are sitting in dimly lit rooms in front of their computers, bathed in the protective glow of a virtual social life.

BEST HANGOUT FOR SENIORS >> Lee County shuffleboard courts at NFM Community Park

Nothing says, “I’m old, retired and I don’t care what you think, hippie! Go cut your hair, hand me some prune juice and leave me alone — can I get a sweater?” better than hanging out at the courts and pushing the pucks around. While the sport conjures up clichéd images of the senior set, players in the Lee County Shuffleboard Club are a nimble, quick-thinking social group. With more than 14,000 people playing at the courts last year, shuffleboard is more than just a sport, it’s a scene. The club hosts 21 tournaments that attract players from throughout the state. Leave the prune juice at home and be prepared for some stiff competition.

Details: 2021 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers; 731-3505

BEST PLACE YOU CAN’T TAKE YOUR PARENTS >> The Bottom Line

It’s a gay bar. It’s a swinger’s club. It’s a drag cabaret venue. It’s the best dance club within 100 miles. The Bottom Line is a Southwest Florida institution where a mixed crowd of straights, gays, transvestites and others has gathered peacefully and playfully for nearly two decades to unwind and let it all hang out.

Details: 3090 Evans Ave., Fort Myers; 337-7292

Goods and Services

BEST PLACE FOR A BIRTHDAY PARTY >> Pieces of Eight

The 65-foot replica Spanish galleon Pieces of Eight allows families to combine the merriment of a birthday party with the swashbuckling frivolity of maritime piracy. The crew comes dressed in period costume and speaks in salty brogues worthy of Capt. Jack Sparrow. Kids enjoy a cruise on the Gulf of Mexico while exploring maps and hunting for treasure. There’s also interactive pirate history, face painting and limbo dancing — just like ‘ole Blackbeard used to do. The ship sets sail from Salty Sam’s Marina.

Details: www.piecesofeight.com; 765-7272

BEST WAY TO STAY IN THE GAME >> Dr. Dennis Sagini

We work hard, we play hard. Sometimes we need a tune-up. If you’ve got an aching elbow or shoulder from swinging golf clubs or a tennis racket, Dr. Dennis O. Sagini is the man to see. An orthopaedic surgeon specializing in hand and upper extremity surgery, he can also fix those aching tendons in your fingers or carpal tunnel syndrome. He also does hip and knee replacements if you need it. You’ll be doing backhands again in no time.

Details: Dr. Sagini is with Joint Implant Surgeons of Florida; 337-2003.

BEST COMBINATION OF YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE >> REALM Commercial Inc.

Although she wasn’t alive to see Alex Wright start REALM Commercial, his mother, Robyn Wright, is the company’s other founder. Alex Wright grew up in Fort Myers and went to Bishop Verot High School. His mother, meanwhile, became one of the community’s most successful medical and health-care real estate agents. She completed about $45 million in transactions and was awarded the Top Twenty Five most influential Women in Real Estate by Florida Real Estate Forum Magazine in 2008. Tragically, she and her husband, Alex’s father Ronald, were also killed that year when their motorcycle was hit by a vehicle going the wrong direction. Mr. Wright is CEO at REALM and a full-time firefighter for the Bonita Springs Fire Department on his days off from the real estate office.

Details: 210-6700 or www.realm-cre.com

BEST IMAGE THAT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE >> Radiology Regional Center

The American Cancer Society says nine out of 10 women survive breast cancer if detected in its early stages. The Women’s Diagnostic and Breast Center at Radiology Regional Center can help make sure that happens. It saves lives by providing screening mammograms, a simple X-ray procedure recommended once per year for women over 40, as well as diagnostic mammograms. The Radiology Center also provides a full range of other images that can save lives, including the latest fullbody CT scan, which can detect problems with the heart, lungs and other organs.

Details: 936-2316 or www.radiologyregional.com

BEST PLACE FOR YOUR BEST DEAL ON A LINCOLN >> Sam Galloway Lincoln Mercury

While many things have gone out of style in recent years, the appeal of the Lincoln isn’t one of them. The car says class and success without being obscene about it. The MKZ Hybrid, coming out next year, is a bold step in a green direction for the line. For a great deal on a Lincoln, the first place that comes to mind in Southwest Florida is Sam Galloway Lincoln Mercury.

Details: 1800 Boyscout Dr., Fort Myers; 936-3673.

BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE >> Robb & Stucky

Whether you like loveseats or couches, stools or a seat at the dining room table, the very best can be found at the venerable Fort Myers-based home furnishings company, Robb & Stucky. Just a few examples: the sexy leather Bridget sofa; the elegant Alexandria dining chairs. For the den: the Sonora swivel desk chair. And, of course, Robb & Stucky offers all the tables, desks, bed frames and other accoutrements to go along with all the seating.

Details: 936-8541 or www.robbstucky.com BEST WAY TO PAMPER YOURSELF ON YOUR LUNCHBREAK

>> Sky Med Spa’s Dermaplaning Treatment

In about 20 minutes, you will walk out of the relaxing Sky Med Spa in Fort Myers with newly radiant skin. The spa’s signature treatment, Dermaplaning, is delivered gently, through an oxygen mist and costs $110. Sky Med Spa offers all the traditional spa treatments, plus European facials and techniques like microdermabrasion, permanent makeup, medical grade peels, laser treatments, Botox and facial fillers. It’s all overseen by Dr. William S. Wittenborn, chief of plastic surgery at Lee Memorial Hospital.

Details: 561-2313 or www.skymedspa.com

BEST REBOUND

>> Fort Myers Toyota

While the national media raked Toyota over the coals for safety recall, the local family-owned dealership stood taller than ever. Previous customers as well as new ones showed confidence in Ft. Myers Toyota “The Family Store” during the crisis in February and March 2010. Those combined month end results far exceeded those achieved in 2009. Toyota Motor Sales USA also notified the company that they again received top sales, customer satisfaction and service awards. People stuck by the dealership because of its record of service and commitment to customers, said Vice President/Partner Pamela Templeton. “Loyalty matters,” she said. “People have their own experiences with the Toyota brand and our store in particular, so they knew better than the media.”

Details: 1-888-802-9401 or www.FmToyota.com

BEST NEW RESTAURANT IN DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS

>> The Morgan House

Sure, the Morgan House has been a staple for ages in the River District, but the venerable eating establishment is moving to new digs. In mid-July, it will be taking over a historic spot in the Patio de Leon, just across the street from where it is now. It’s more spacious than the old place by a few thousand square feet, with bars and dining areas inside, out on the brick-lined patio or on the rooftop terrace.

“(The new space) is right there in the hub of downtown,” owner Patti Price said. “We need to open that up and make it alive again.” She will, of course, will be bringing along the hospitality and classic dishes that make the restaurant one of downtown’s most popular places to dine.

Details: 337-3377 BEST PLACE TO CALL WHEN THE PARTY’S OVER >> Insurance Fire & Water restoration

Maybe the Alpha Hound fraternity drank too much beer in your living room, your washing machine flooded the house, and your dogs went berserk on the place. Whether you’re having a house party or hurricane party, or no party at all, things can get out of hand. Whatever the circumstances, the folks here are on call all the time to dispatch help in 30 minutes or less. They rebuild and restore damage from mold, mildew, fire, water, debris, wind and more. Owner Jon Lavender has years of experience with insurance, and restoration companies, in Pennsylvania.

Details: 274-0043 or www.ifwrestorations.com

BEST PLACE FOR ANYONE’S PERFECT DO >> Anthony Charles Salon/Salon Enava

Stylists at Anthony Charles Salon are expert at helping clients achieve the perfect cut, color, high or lowlights for their hair. They pamper them with massages and facials. But they are just as well versed in the traditional barber’s trade, including old-fashioned haircuts for men. The family-owned business meets the hair styling needs of just about anyone. They’ve been in South Fort Myers for 22 years, and last year opened a new location in Fort Myers called Salon Enava.

Details: Salon Enava at 8890 Salrose Lane, 693- 6282. Anthony Charles Salon at 16520 S.

Tamiami Trail, 489-4247 or visit www.anthonycharlessalon.com.

BEST HANGOVER BREAKFAST

>> El Acajutla Restaurant

The Huevos Rancheros at El Acajutla is a

guaranteed certified remedy for hangovers. It consists of eggs with a mildly spicy tomato sauce, served with a thick tortilla, refried beans, cheese, sour cream and plantains. Homemade PuPusas work just as well — a thick tortilla filled with refried beans and pork, cheese or other fillings. Add a strong Salvadorian coffee and a sweet plantain empanada or caramel flan, and your day will start to seem salvageable.

Details: open seven days per week starting at 9

a.m., 3216 Fowler Street; 277-0611

BEST PLACE FOR A TOUGH GUY TO EAT THIN-CRUST PIZZA >> Slice of Chicago pizza

Chicago pizza is normally as dense as a brick, but here it is served the thin crust way. And it is delicious. Do you think that’s funny? Does that amuse you? The dough is made from scratch in huge batches with olive oil, filtered water, raw sugar and yeast, and aged for two days. There is a full menu of specialty pizzas like The Capone. The Chicago-style Vienna beef hot dog with relish, tomato, peppers, celery salt and mustard is a treat. If you don’t believe me, I’ll come over to your house and give you a knuckle sandwich. You know I’m just joking with you, right?

Details: 13750 Fiddlesticks Blvd.; 561-9800 BEST ROOFTOP DINING ON THE BEACH >> The Beached Whale

As the name implies, this gulf-side eatery is a playful spirit, featuring beverages and entrees that sparkle with Southwest Florida bonhomie. Try barbecue and beer, fried fish baskets and mojitos, mussels and merrymaking. Head up to The Lookout Lounge where sunsets that recede into the Gulf of Mexico will leave you with a sense of well-being. Frommers travel guide picked up on it as well, telling readers not to miss a gulf-view meal or happy hour at The Whale.

Details: 1249 Estero Blvd.; 463-5505

BEST WAY TO SAVE ON YOUR ENERGY BILL >> Advance Solar & Spa

There are plenty of ways to save on your energy bill at Advance Solar & Spa. Solar hot water heaters take the least investment for the greatest return. After state and federal tax credits they’re relatively cheap, and the technology is old and proven. If an average person uses 50 cents of hot per day a family of four would save $750 per year on their electric bills. It would take more than a couple of years to recoup the cost of a Photovoltaic or electric solar power system, but it too pays off in the long run. Or you can reenergize yourself in one of their Jacuzzis.

Details: www.advancesolar.com; 939-7446. BEST ESCAPE TO PARADISE FOR A POWER LUNCH >> Parrot Key Caribbean Grill

Here’s a sure-fire way to impress, whether you’re meeting potential investors or your future in father-in-law. Set up lunch at Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, a great spot to run from the mainland to discuss serious business in a relaxed atmosphere. Pull up to the restaurant in a yacht. Grab a round of ice-cold cocktails then start at the “Beak-ginning” section of the menu and order a little something of everything. Then sample the Pine Island soft shell crab, steamed mussels Martinique or some peel and eat shrimp. Finish it off with key lime pie or some of the locally made Love Boat ice cream. Hop back on the yacht as if in a rush to make your next power meeting. Once you’re at a safe distance, return the yacht as quickly as you can to the rental dock at the marina.

Details: 2500 Main Street, Fort Myers Beach; 463-3257

BEST COMPANY FOR HOMEMAKERS >> Kitchen Innovations

Need a new look for your kitchen? A gorgeous array of bathroom cabinetry? Want to touch up your ceiling. This 10-year-old Fort Myers firm is all about options, offering six types of wood as well as metals and synthetics to fit any style or taste. The company’s professional designers will help you decide exactly how to best use your space and will give you a detailed rendering of what the results will look like, so there are no surprises when it’s finished.

Details: 437-9191 or www.kitcheninnovations.net

BEST USE OF FOSSIL FUEL

>> Tony Sacco’s pizza

Pure anthracite coal from Pennsylvania creates the hellfire that makes for the perfect crust at Tony Sacco’s. Start with dough made with filtered water, add a pizza sauce fashioned from Italian plum tomatoes, fresh basil and garlic, toss on the best mozzarella cheese available and cook it all in a 1,000-degree coal-burning oven, and you end up with the perfect pizza. Add a frosty beer or a nice Chianti and you’ve got heaven, Italian style.

Details: 14261 S Tamiami Trail; 489-2625 or www.tonysaccos.com

BEST WAY TO THROW A HIPSTER DINNER PARTY

>> Food Zoo Urban Catering

Food Zoo Urban Catering brings a team of the most talented, creative chefs and cooks in town to in-home dinner parties. The team includes: Ruth Cohen, chef de cuisine; Songvilay “Shorty” Siriphanthong, sushi chef; David Spina, cook; Lee Richardson, director of sports catering; and Tedi Valentine, executive director. Shannon Yates and Harold Balink serve as the culinary directors. Separately, collectively or in conjunction with Ed Russo of Planned Perfection, the team will create wine dinners, sushi parties, weddings, upscale cookouts and other festive meals for as many as 75 people.

Detail: Call Food Zoo at 989-3915 or Planned Perfection at 939-7765.

BEST PLACE TO ZOOM-ZOOM >> Galloway Mazda

What does that catch phrase even mean? We’re not sure, but the damn thing sure is, well, catchy. Everybody, sing along: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom yeah, zoomzoomzoom. Sam Galloway Mazda features the automobiles that allow you to capture the excitement of zoom-zoom: the 2010 Mazda CX-7, the Tribute and the MX-5 Miata — to name just a few. There’s a lot of pristine, previously owned zoomzoom on the lot as well. We’re getting to the end of this blurb; you know what that means everybody. Just like in the TV spot, in a whisper: zoom-zoom.

Details: 2320 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers; (877) 830-5740

BEST WAY TO BEG FORGIVENESS >> Diamond District

In the dog house? Jason and Todd at the Diamond District can help you out with that. After a combined 40 years in the jewelry business, these gentlemen know well the effect the perfect ring or brooch can have for not just those romantic occasions, but the ones where you’ve really blown it. Their expert staff will help you pick the perfect shapes and cuts of diamond. Consider a traditional Round Brilliant or Princess Cut, or maybe something different: Half-moons, Trapezoids, Trillions, Bullets, Cushion and Radiant cuts, Elegant Asscher and Emerald cuts, Long treasured Oval, and Marquise and Pear shapes.

Details: 26251 South Tamiami Trail; 947-3434 or

www.diamonddistrictusa.com BEST PLACE TO FIND SUSHI ON THE WATER >> Snook Bight Yacht Club & Marina and Bayfront Bistro

If you love sushi, fresh and rolled by a pro, and enjoy dining waterside, Snook Bight Yacht Club & Marina and Bayfront Bistro is pure bliss. The back bay views from the Promenade or upstairs on the deck are spectacular. They also serve a great Sunset Mojito and 50 wines by the glass to choose from. Come by boat to marker 27 on Estero Bay or arrive by car, mid-island on Fort Myers Beach, behind the Publix. Sushi chef James brings his Bangkok and New York training and experience presenting an amazing selection of the finest sushi.

Details: www.snookbightmarina.com or www.

bayfrontbistro.com; 463-3663

BEST PLACE TO LIGHT UP >> World Famous Cigar Bar

Rich Castiano is serious about you enjoying your cigar or smokes while you’re at his bar. “My biggest thrill is to see someone enjoying themselves — kicking back and enjoying a cigar and nobody bothering them,” he said. Mr. Castiano started The “World Famous” Cigar Bar in downtown Fort Myers in 1997. There’s a second location at Gulf Coast Town Center. They have hundreds of premium hand-rolled tobaccos from all over the world. There is a spacious walk-in humidor (you can even rent your own cigar locker), and a selection of single malt scotches, specialty bourbons, fine cognacs and martinis to match any stogie.

Details: downtown Fort Myers or at Gulf Coast

Town Center. Call 337-4662 downtown or 267-6020

or visit www.worldfamouscigarbar.com.

BEST ETHNIC GROCERY STORE >> Mercado Gigante

This market on Palm Beach Boulevard and Mississippi Avenue in East Fort Myers clearly strives for the feel of big American markets. It’s chock full of everything under the sun, Some of the highlights are the deli and bakery, which are like Hispanic versions of the deli and bakery at a Publix. There are piñatas hanging everywhere from the ceiling and a massive selection of dried chilies. It’s always fully stocked up on things that are simply fun to see, even if you don’t use them, like whole pig heads and freshly skinned rabbits. You can even watch them crank out tortillas production-line style at the tortilleria.

BEST USE OF CAT POO >> Bennett’s Fresh Roast

Never mind that Bob Grissinger’s doughnuts — baked fresh every morning — are so good they should be illegal. He also enjoys the distinction being the only local caffeine-ista to sell the world’s most expensive coffee. For a limited time earlier this year, he did a brisk business in kopi luwak — aka cat poo coffee — at $20 a cup. This Indonesian coffee, prized for its rich, mellow flavor, comes from beans that have been eaten by civet cats. The beans travel through the cats’ digestive tracts and emerge intact but transformed by their journey. They are then collected, cleaned thoroughly and lightly roasted, yielding a singularly smooth and robust brew. Not only did Mr. Grissinger make this rare coffee available to curious customers, he donated $5 from every cup sold to the Gulf Coast Humane Society.

Details: 2011 Bayside Parkway, Fort Myers; 332-0077

BEST HOTEL LOUNGE >> Hotel Indigo The lounge at Hotel Indigo in downtown Fort Myers just seems to flow. The open, airy space is designed in sort of a wave shape. The great lighting and huge, colorful murals also provide a soothing ambiance. The bartenders are seasoned professionals and the black leather seats are stylish and comfortable. Sophisticated but not pretentious, it’s one of the most pleasant settings in the city to enjoy an after-work libation or catch some laid-back live music on the weekends. BEST FRIDAY NIGHT DATE WITH YOUR (FURRY) BEST FRIEND >> Yappy Hour at Bell Tower Shops

How many times have you felt guilty about going out and leaving your adoring dog staring forlornly as you lock the door? From fall through summer, the management of Bell Tower Shops provided a tail-wagging solution by designating the second Friday of each month as Yappy Hour, an evening when man and beast could promenade through the stylish shopping and entertainment center and mingle with others of their kinds. From well-dressed Chihuahuas to regal great Danes, the dogs and their people strolled, socialized and shopped. Proceeds from wine sales benefitted the Gulf Coast Humane Society.

Details: U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway, Fort Myers

BEST COLLABORATION >> Chefs Harold Balink and Shannon Yates

Two heavy hitters teamed up last fall, transforming the ailing Cru into one hip, happening and utterly delicious spot to dine, drink and party into the wee hours. The pairing of chefs Shannon Yates and Harold Balink is as inspired as the creative food each turns out in his respective cook station, Mr. Yates in the Tasca Bar, Mr. Balink in the dining room. It was a daring move, but one that’s clearly greater than the sum of its estimable parts. The chefs are sealing their new partnership with the imminent launch of their own private label wine, fittingly dubbed Quarter Ton Red — so named for their combined weight.

Details: Cru, Bell Tower Shops, U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway, Fort Myers; 466-3663

BEST PLACE TO BE LESS BLUE >> Vein Specialists

You stay active, and you definitely DON’T look your age, no matter how hideous you find the number. You put time and effort into looking your best, and it shows. The problem is, darn it, certain parts of your body are screwing with the plan. Not to worry, the doctors at Vein Specialists have eliminated miles of creepy blue and purple lines from the legs of Southwest Florida residents. They’ve also taken care of some pretty painful veins. If you’re from the Show- Me State, or just like visual reinforcement, the practice posts a before-and-after photo gallery on itsWeb site. Wow, imagine tanning your legs just because you want to.

Details: 1510 Royal Palm Square Blvd.; 694-8346

BEST PLACE TO CANOODLE >> Angelina’s Ristorante

For the ultimate romantic spot, try to land a plush and oh-so-private semi-circular banquette at Angelina’s Ristorante, replete with tufted chenille back-rests and a glittering chandelier overhead. When you’re not gazing into each other’s eyes, exchanging saliva or feeding each other tantalizing Italian morsels, you’ll be mesmerized by views of the 26-foothigh air conditioned wine tower, and the ease with which the sommelier flies up and down its spiral staircase. Treat the object of your affection to a bottle of Barolo and watch the fun. Or just canoodle until it arrives.

Details: 24041 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita

Springs; 390-3187

BEST DRAINING EXPERIENCE >> Aztec Plumbing

The plumbing industry may not be high on your list of things you enjoy supporting, but when your system needs help, this family-owned business is a good one to call. Owner Steve Taub relocated to SWFL from New England after 20 years of vacationing at his mother’s Sanibel home. Now he has happy customers across Lee and Collier Counties. Aztec also offers energy-efficient products, so no matter if you flush every single time or subscribe to “if it’s yellow, let it mellow,” you can contribute to a greener planet. You can also save some bucks. We’re thinking that’s a good thing.

Details: 4529 Southeast 16th Place, Cape Coral; 482-8492

BEST GREEN PIZZA >> Pizza Fusion

OK, the pizza’s not really green, but Pizza Fusion is one of the most environmentally friendly restaurants in the region, with organic pizzas, tables made from reclaimed wood, and even a hybrid delivery car. Even carbon footprint Goliaths will admit, however, that Pizza Fusion’s pies are about the best on Earth. With delicious ingredients like roasted garlic, goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil and free-range chicken on your oval-shaped pizza, you might forget the sauce is organic, too. Pizza Fusion also offers lactose-free, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, as well as salads, sandwiches, beer and wine. Your body will thank you. Your conscience will thank you. And the owner, who happily works alongside his staff, will likely thank you, too. It’s kind of like Cheers meets Whole Foods. Pass the parmesan!

Details: 12901 McGregor Blvd. (at College), Fort Myers; 337-7979

BEST SUBSTITUTE FOR A CRUISE >> Four Points by Sheraton in downtown Punta Gorda

As Punta Gorda continues to evolve from quaint village to trendy hangout, the metamorphosis has attracted the attention of luxury lodging company Starwood. Before we knew what hit us, a beautiful new Four Points by Sheraton was Vogueing downtown, with eye-popping waterfront views. What caught us even further by surprise was the nautical motif employed throughout the hotel and restaurant: shiny teak, primary colors reminiscent of maritime flags,

even portholes. Cheery guest rooms carry on with the theme, using space-conscious sliding doors in the same way a luxury yacht would. For a visual treat, book a high corner room; you’ll feel like Mr. Howell while paying Gilligan prices. (At press time, we checked and found the best Harbor View room for only $99 per night, including free Internet and bottled water). No seasickness meds required, and the pool is far less crowded than on a cruise. Bon voyage!

BEST TRIP TO THE WINE COUNTRY WITHOUT THE AIRFARE >> Austin’s Wine Cellar

Shopping in Austin’s Wine Cellar is not just a visit to a wine shop; it’s a personal experience, a journey, with owner Frank Pulice as one’s gracious and entertaining guide. Frank has personally tasted and selected every wine in his store, and when he claims intimate knowledge with his inventory, you can believe it. His warm, outgoing nature and enthusiasm for his chosen profession fill the shop with joy. Of course, it’s brimming with tantalizing wines as well: more than 750 brands from 20 countries. And amazingly, Frank can speak intelligently and passionately about each and every one, often weaving an intriguing tale into his description. With old-world style that’s reflective of the courtesy he shows his customers, Frank carries each carefully-wrapped bottle, or box of bottles, to his customers’ cars, and bids them adieu.

Details: 12377 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; 275-7200 BEST PLACE TO HAVE FUN WITH SAND IN YOUR SHORTS >> Coed sand volleyball leagues at the Big Game Sports Bar & Grill

Some people get real competitive about their beach volleyball, others just like to sit and watch with a beer in hand. Fortunately, this establishment caters to both of those distinct demographics. The waterfront sports bar overlooks Salty Sam’s Marina, features large flat screen TVs and a full menu. If volleyball isn’t the sport for you, there are also leagues for competitive horseshoes, cornhole and even beer pong — so even that guy with the beer in hand can call himself an athlete.

Details: 2200 Main St., Fort Myers Beach, 463-3043

BEST REPURPOSE OF A HIGHLY VISIBLE BUILDING >> Biddle’s

You know it’s been a tough year when the busiest part of the busiest street in town has empty buildings on it. What used to be Bennigan’s, just north of Bell Tower, is one such space. Until two weeks ago. Andy and Brenda Biddle have transformed the forlorn former Bennigan’s into an inviting new version of the popular Biddle’s restaurant. The cozy banquettes, the grand piano, the light fixtures, even the big giraffe from next to the bar... it’s all there. The menu is basically the same, and now Tamiami Trail has a place to enjoy a fantastic late-night menu until midnight. With their usual southern hospitality, the warm and welcoming Biddles are sure to make new friends, while happily welcoming their old ones.

Details: 12984 S, Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; 433-

4999 BEST PLACE TO STRETCH A DOLLAR >> Miromar Outlets

With more than140 top designer and brand name outlet stores, if you start at one end of Miromar Outlets and shop your way to the other, you can stretch your dollar approximately two miles. You may wear out a lot of shoe leather, but don’t worry, you will encounter lots of footwear stores for replacements along the way — as well as apparel, accessories, housewares and furnishings, children’s clothing, jewelry, handbags, luggage and other stores — where you will save up to 70 percent off retail prices. At Miromar Outlets, you can fill more bags for the buck and you can dine, drink and be entertained along the way. Don’t miss the snowy white Pekin ducks as you are stretching your dollar around the Nike fountain, the big golden koi fish near Neiman Marcus Last Call or the turtles near Eddie Bauer Outlet.

Details: www.miromaroutlets.com

BEST MENU FOR CALORIE COUNTERS AND NUTRITION NOTERS >> Jason’s Deli

For those who want the fine print on what they’re eating, Jason’s Deli serves up full nutrition information for everything they serve up. And careful eaters will like what they see. If it comes from Jason’s kitchen, there’s no high fructose corn sugar, no artificial trans fats and no MSG. Homemade recipes with real ingredients have earned Jason’s recognition as a 10 Best by Health magazine and Healthiest Choice for Kids by Parent’s Magazine. And all that healthy goodness goes so much better with the free soft-serve ice cream that finishes up every Jason’s visit.

Details: www.jasonsdeli.com; 593-9499

BEST RELIEF AFTER AN AUTO ACCIDENT >> Advanced Pain Management and Spine Specialists

APMSS is a place where grunts of discomfort are often turned into satisfied sighs of relief. Pain from car accidents, arthritis, back troubles or surgeries can be a life-altering crippling condition. Thankfully, Drs. Jonathan Daitch and Michael Frey operate Southwest Florida’s first medical practice devoted specifically to alleviating pain. The pair employs treatments that include spinal cord stimulation, steroid injections, vertebroplasty and Botox. The goal of their treatments is nothing less than eliminating suffering and having patients get back to enjoying their work, hobbies and general quality of life.

Details: 8255 College Parkway, Fort Myers or 1425 Viscaya Parkway, Cape

Coral; 437-8000

BEST PLACE TO CLOSE A DEAL >> Century 21 Birchwood Realty

Century 21 Birchwood Realty knows a few things about closing real estate deals. The team has consistently won the company’s Centurion Award. That means the office has generated $1,850,000 in commissions or sold at least 450 units per year since 2005. All things considered, the awards are a testament to the hard work, smarts and service of the Birchwood team.

Details: 4040 Del Prado Blvd. or 601 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral; 542-0065

BEST PLACE TO LEAVE THE PLACE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT >> SWFL Community Foundation

The community foundation is at the center of philanthropic giving. In much the same way a financial consultant helps individuals place their investments, the foundation allows people and organizations to give wisely, so that their donations grow and go to the right place. Through endowed funds, gifts often live long after the giver has gone. Since its foundation in 1976, the organization has provided more than $46 million in grants and scholarships to the community. The group’s goals are nothing less than eliminating hunger, helping sufferers of mental health problems, empowering small businesses, providing shelter and the edification of the community.

Details: 8260 College Parkway, Suite 101, Fort Myers; 274-5900

BEST COMMUNITY INVOLVED REALTORS >> Re/Max Realty Team

Shortly after Cape Coral announced it had to cancel the annual Fourth of July fireworks show because there wasn’t enough money in the city budget, the Re/Max Realty Team stepped up. The company is putting up $50,000 to allow residents to celebrate freedom and the flag during Red, White and Boom this year. The Re/Max team has been an active part of the Cape community since 1987 and its sponsorship of the event demonstrates a not only a commitment to the hometown. The firms willingness to put down the considerable chunk of cash is also a powerful symbol of a real estate market moving toward recovery.

Details: 2326 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral; 242-2000

BEST WAY TO GET RID OF THE ACHES >> Southwest Spine & Sport

Using a holistic approach, Drs. Keith Warde and Jeff Humble treat their patients, not their systems. Through a variety of treatments, from Chiropractic care, to physiotherapy, exercise and detoxification and numerous other methods, Southwest Spine & Sport aims to get rid of aches, prevent future pains and maximize the body’s performance.

Details: 12734 Kenwood Lane, Fort Myers or 1722 Del Prado Blvd., Cape

Coral; 772-8888

BEST INFORMATION ON LOCAL REAL ESTATE >> Realtors Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach

Realtors know that knowledge is power. The Realtors Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach works to arm its members with the latest, most thorough and accurate information possible so that it’s one step ahead of the pack. The group’s Web site, swflrealtors.com, is packed with databases, the latest industry news and tips on how to use the Internet and other marketing tools to maximize sales. It’s a one-stop shop for all the local realty information a person could need.

Details: www.swflrealtors.com BEST PLACE TO MEET MICKEY AND MINNIE WITHOUT GOING TO DISNEY >> Inside Out Furniture Warehouse

In Central Florida, Mickey and Minnie are mice; in Naples, Mickey and Minnie are the Yorkie poos who are always happy to see you at Inside Out Furniture Warehouse. Mickey and Minnie know their way around the 10,000-squarefoot warehouse like it’s their own Magic Kingdom. From bedroom, dining room and living room furniture, to sink vanities, outdoor furniture and accessories, the dogs can sniff out the best wholesale-to-the-public prices like there’s no Tomorrowland. And they always make sure owners Iris and Bruce Sissler treat you like their best friends.

Details: 2097 Trade Center Way, Naples; 592-1387

BEST PLACE TO PREPARE FOR HURRICANE SEASON >> Storm Smart

The largest storm protection company in Southwest Florida, Storm Smart is made up of pros who know how to fortify a home against strong winds and rain. Aside from their impressive product line, the company itself is a source of regional pride, having been named one of the fastest growing privately held corporations in America by Inc. Magazine. Furthermore, CEO Brian Rist was recently named small businessman of the year for the South Florida district of the U.S. Business Administration.

Details: 278-7950, www.stormsmart.com

BEST MODEL HOME BUILT IN JUST 14 DAYS >> Lennar

Homebuilders sometimes have the need for speed just as much as anyone else. Earlier this year, Lennar practically broke the sound barrier with hammers and paintbrushes as they put up their newest model home in Alva. The fourbedroom, three-bath model home at Riverhall Country Club off Palm Beach Boulevard in Alva opened in the Hampton Lakes subdivision. The quick construction time is a contrast to the easy-going pace of life that the country club community offers.

BEST WEEKEND CONCERTS >> Gulf Coast Town Center

Whether you’re plopped down on the grass in front of the stage, bar hopping, or reading some Bukowski outside of Borders, the music from the market plaza stage fills the air and sets a celebratory tone every weekend at the Gulf Coast Town Center. Bands like Cracker Blues, Vanilla Crosby, Kappo Kings and many others perform on Friday and Saturday nights for free.

Details: 9903 Gulf

Coast Main St., Fort

Myers; 267-0783

BEST PLACE TO TREAT TENNIS ELBOW >> Dr. David M. Heligman, Institute for Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine

Active Floridians are likely familiar with the damage to tendons in the knees, ankles, shoulders, wrists that come with age, use and abuse on the courts or the workplace. Fortunately, Dr. Heligman uses regenerative injection therapy. The platelet-rich plasma injected into damaged, hurting areas can help strengthen and thicken tissue, easing pain and reducing the need for long-term medications or surgery. The former chief physician for the University of Illinois athletic department, Dr. Heligman has practiced medicine in Fort Myers since 1987. He’s no slouch as an athlete himself: he’s an avid boater and scuba diver.

Details: Call Dr. Heligman at 482-5399 BEST PLACE TO REMOVE THE REMNANTS OF A NIGHT OF PARTYING >> GNS Services Inc - Nu Image Cleaners

When you wake up in the morning and try to decipher the stains on your shirt to determine what you did last night, the best move is usually to just clean up and move forward. Nu Image Cleaners makes that easy to do. The company delivers immaculate cleaning and faultless delivery, as well as specialty services like vintage restorations and leather, suede and fur cleaning. Nu- Image can even disappear the guck that may have lodged onto accessories like ties, scarves and purses. Its eco-friendly techniques promise to eliminate stains while leaving fabrics looking new.

Details: 3722 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; 936-0665

BEST CAPE BOATING DINNER DESTINATION >> The restaurants of Cape Harbour

Cape Harbour is a one-stop shop for relaxation and entertainment where hungry boaters can

find some of the area’s best dining a few steps from where they tie off. Rumrunners features fresh fish and fabulous steaks. Across the way, The Joint serves stone-fired pizzetas and the cabana bar outside

sets out cocktails often accompanied by live music. Run

by live music. Run Agrounds brews coffee and scoops fresh gelato while giving mariners and landlubbers who may have arrived by car free use of the Internet.

Details: 5848 Cape Harbour Dr., Cape Coral; 542-0200 BEST PLACE TO BE SEEN WITH BARELY DEAD FISH >> Blu Sushi

The food at Blu Sushi lives up to the high standards set by the place’s voguish major-metropolitan aesthetic. The restaurant sets out to capture a “chill” ambiance, and accomplishes it while serving some of the area’s best sushi and cocktails. Perhaps that’s why local celebrities and power brokers are known to frequent the place. Personally, we’re just happy they’ve kept the Find What Baby on the menu. The tempura-dipped roll is homage to FindWhatBaby.com, a now-defunct company that was the brainchild of one of Blu Sushi’s founders. The roll is as delicious today as it was back when that venture was flying high.

Details: 13451 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers; 489-

1500 10045 Gulf Center Dr., Fort Myers; 334-2583

BEST OFFICE FURNITURE DESIGN CENTER >> Office Furniture Design Center

Armed with a name that says it all, OFDC has been providing office furniture solutions in Southwest Florida since 1974. Professional consultants, installers and customer service representatives possess a keen understanding of the issues involved in planning and managing a custom physical workspace. While clients receive one-on-one service, OFDC offers competitive pricing on some of the leading furniture and accessory lines.

Details: 11866 Metro Parkway, Fort Myers; 337-1212

BEST WATERSKIING COMMERCIAL REALTOR >> Michael Frye

Michael Frye didn’t have to take a picture waterskiing in a jacket and pants in order to set himself apart from the pack. Nevertheless, we’re glad he did. The owner and CEO of Re/Max Commercial has gained notoriety and success for helping clients find just the right piece of property. He opened the first Re/Max franchise in Southwest Florida in 1985 and has garnered a bundle of awards and qualifications since then. The waterskiing picture appears on his Web site under the words: “Michael walks on water for his customers.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

Details: 7910 Summerlin Lakes Dr., Fort Myers; 790-3350; www.michaeljfrye.

com

BEST PLACE TO BROWSE FOR NEW FURNITURE >> Fine Lines Experience LLC

A stroll through Fine Lines Experience at the International Design Center is like a walk through a gallery exhibiting both modern and classic art. However, here designers can sit on some of the exhibits. The center allows designers to rest on a Pearson sofa, touch a Lorts finish and see an array of Chelsea House accessories. Scarborough, Ficks Reed and Jene’s Collection are also among the lines featured in the showroom. Hand-selected antiques grace the vignettes throughout the showroom and are available for sale.

Details: 10800 Corkscrew Road, Estero; 349-2244

__ Fresh air

BEST WATER PARK >> Sunsplash Family Waterpark

Aquatic thrills can be had by anybody taller than 4 feet at Sunsplash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral. With speed slides the latest fad, now there are three ways to plunge nearly six stories. You can free fall 40 feet per second straight down on the X-celerator, the park’s fastest and most extreme slide; you can face your fears on the Terror Tube, an enclosed flume with a gradual descent that turns to a sudden, heartpounding drop; or you can catch air on the Thunder Bump, an open chute with 264 feet of steep speed bumps. All that’s left in the thrill equation is your decision: head first or not? Details: www.sunsplashwaterpark.com.

BEST PLACE TO BIKE SLOW AND EASY >> Sanibel

Whether you love to bike or you haven’t been riding since you were 10, Sanibel is the best place to enjoy a slow and easy ride. The nearly 30 miles of wide biking trails lead you through canopies of trees and past picturesque shops and homes. Birds, critters and even a gator or two are all possible eye candy during a bike trek through Sanibel. And don’t worry about aggressive riders; most bicyclists are friendly and will wave to you along the trails. If you get a chance, head through the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge and take a gander at a menagerie of birds, including, if you’re lucky, the bright pink roseate spoonbill.

BEST PLACE TO BIKE FAST: >> Treeline Avenue/Ben Hill Griffin Parkway

If you feel the need for speed, clip in to your “eggbeaters,” strap on that Giro helmet and maneuver your Trek Madone out on to the north-south highway between Colonial Boulevard and Corkscrew Road. Treeline Avenue/Ben Hill Griffin Parkway is 13 miles of newly paved highway with plenty of room in the bike lane to overtake slowpokes and few stop lights. If you’re really in top shape, you should be able to make the round trip in an hour (depending on the wind). If not, take a detour through the campus of FGCU to catch your breath.

BEST BIRD-WATCHING SITE >> Bunche Beach

No need to drive to an island or buy a fancy bird guide. Just check out the Bunche Beach Preserve in South Fort Myers. The beach and woods at the end of John Morris Road are now home to a parking lot — something new — and a canoe/kayak launch. The mangrove-laced, sugar-sand shore offers glimpses of magical migratory feathered friends that can make your card-carrying Audubon friends jealous — American avocets and red knots, to name a few. Watch for skimmers in springtime and white pelicans in winter. Viewing is best at low tide, dawn or dusk.

Details: www.leeparks.org and http://floridabirdingtrail.com

BEST PLACE TO CAMP >> W.P Franklin Lock

Thirty-three miles inland from the Gulf on the Caloosahatchee River, W.P Franklin Lock harbors an often-overlooked campground of stately oaks and shady sites. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campground has amenities that rival your best-ever camping experience — slips for boaters whose cruisers have bunks on board, RV hookups with green buffers all around, and scenic tent sites. You won’t get bored: 15,000 boats lock through annually, dropping or rising 2 to 3 feet, depending on their direction. Manatees frequently lock through, too, or bask in the shallows along the grassy shore. Pull up a folding chair, grab a cool beverage and enjoy. Alva couldn’t feel any more relaxed.

Details: www.reserveamerica.com or 694-8770

BEST PLACE TO CANOE/KAYAK >> The Great Calusa Blueway

With the trail meandering 190 miles throughout Lee County, you’re bound to be near a canoe or kayak launch right now. The trail Web site tells you where to rent boats, where to launch, how to get maps and even suggests routes for your ability level or interests. Go geocaching. Take nature photos. Fish, race, tour, work out, or just paddle to a place to buy a drink and snack. No one said you couldn’t replace those calories you just burned off getting there, right? You won’t burn extra ones getting lost. The trail has easy-to-identify markers throughout its shallow waters. Don’t worry about tipping over, either. If you do, in most places you can stand up and just get back in. Exploring in a kayak has never been so easy.

Details: www.calusablueway.com

BEST INVOLUNTARY BLOOD-DONATION SITE >> Cayo Costa Island

The woods at Cayo Costa State Park — like the aquatic preserves around here — are untouched by the pesticides of the infamous Lee County Mosquito Control District. “Do not go in there,” one visitor exclaimed after boating ashore, walking into the trees to answer Mother Nature’s call and then hurriedly returning to the soothing water. Thanks to an abundance of both fresh water and saltwater mosquitoes on the Robison

Crusoe-like barrier island, you can hardly avoid donating the gift of life to the bugs during summer months.

Details: www.floridastateparks.org

BEST BOAT WATCHING

>> Doc Ford’s, Fort Myers Beach

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille on the way to Fort Myers Beach beats its sister restaurant on Sanibel for boat-watching opportunities because of its spectacular and varied view. Where else can you sip a cold one, watch the tide ebb and flow and see the shrimp fleet, recreational boats, charter boats, kayaks, Jet Skis and more? If it floats, it most likely passes by the renovated docks at this San Carlos Island restaurant.

Details: www.docfordsfortmyersbeach.com

BEST GREEN INITIATIVE

>> Florida Gulf Coast University’s solar field

Talk about your bright ideas! Florida Gulf Coast University flicked the switch on its 15-acre solar field in December, providing 85 percent of the power required to run three large campus buildings and reducing the university’s energy bill by roughly 18 percent. A public-private partnership with Regenesis Power LLC made the $14 million undertaking possible. The field stands at the entrance to campus, offering a shining example of environmental conservation to all who enter. Besides saving about $700,000 annually and reducing the university’s environmental footprint, the solar field serves as a model for other companies and institutions and will provide a working site for further research by FGCU faculty and students.

BEST GREEN TRANSPORTATION >> LeeTran’s hybrid bus

The innovative hybrid vehicle is a demonstration project for the state of Florida, funded in part by the federal government and the Florida Department of Transportation. It is an ultra-low emission gasoline-electric hybrid, the first to go into service outside of California. The hybrid electric drive system requires no transmission; an ultracapacitor energy storage system distributes juice to the electric motors. A regenerative braking system recaptures kinetic energy from the vehicle as it slows down, further enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. The best part? LeeTran may see a 30 percent to 100 percent gain in fuel economy.

Details: www.rideleetran.com

BEST PLACE TO HOOK A BIG ONE >> Under the Sanibel Causeway

It’s no wonder the causeway out to Sanibel is lined with anglers standing waist-deep in the water and boaters bobbing just feet away from the pilings. There’s good fishing out there. Eatin’ fish, like reds, sheepshead and trout, come through there frequently. And then, there are the non-eating fish, the ones fishermen try to snag for fun. Goliath grouper are said to hang out at the lowest depths below the bridge. A wrestling match with one of these monster fish that can weigh more than 800 pounds requires some heavy line and the employ of almost every muscle in one’s body to pull the beast up. Unlike fish like tarpon that can put up a long fight, goliath grouper usually give up after five to 10 minutes. Once the fight is over, anglers have to cut them loose. The breed is protected by law. Those laws have ensured they remain plentiful playthings in San Carlos Bay.

BEST EXOTIC DANCER >> Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary

His name is Ross. His nickname is Blueballs. Yeow!

You don’t have to visit a shady exotic dance establishment to meet up with Ross, who freely exhibits his blue behind to the public. He’s out there in the open, shaking his nether regions with aplomb at the Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary.

Ross is a vervet (or green) monkey with African origins. Ross has found a home at Octagon, where wild animals find sanctuary following years of abuse or neglect.

Octagon officials tell us that Ross’ blue bottom indicates that he’s really in the pink. He’s healthy, dominant and full of testosterone.

Ross, we never doubted it for a second.

Details: www.octagonwildlife.org

BEST LABOR DAY PARADE >> Clyde Butcher’s Muck-About

The only floats in this parade are the flora and fauna of the Everglades drifting past you. Year-round guided swamp walks from Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery have become a cult favorite, and the annual Labor Day weekend Muck-Abouts are the perfect initiation. This year’s dates are Sept. 4-5. Join the marching bands of converts who now see the swamp as beautiful instead of frightening. Bring long pants, tennis shoes and a willingness to appreciate the mysteries and secrets of Big Cypress Swamp — while you’re standing kneedeep in it.

Details: www.clydebutcher.com; U.S. 41 in Ochopee; 695-2428

BEST HOME-GROWN PRODUCT >> Swamp cabbage

First off, let’s not even consider the proliferation of grow houses for all the correct reasons — plus, those crops aren’t grown naturally. And agribusiness grows lots of stuff, but that’s business. But recall the Florida State Tree, the swamp cabbage, aka, sabal palm or palmetto palm. Delicious cooked or as hearts of palm salad, this is a long-time staple in the Sunshine State. Recipes are available on the Internet, but as it is the state tree, you aren’t supposed to cut it down. Go figure.

BEST PLACE TO FIND OLD FLORIDA >> Big Cypress

Start at the junction of U.S. 41 and S.R. 29, in the Big Cypress region of eastern Collier County. From that point, you have two unforgettable options.

For raw wilderness at no expense, drive south on 29 to the sign pointing west toward Copeland. Follow that road into the spectacular, 20-mile-long Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, with 44 varieties of native orchids, 14 native bromeliads, and such wildlife as panthers, minks, terrapin turtles and a vast bird population — just like once-upon-a-time. Bring good tie-on shoes and a walking stick.

Or continue on 29 south past Copeland into Everglades City. Drive behind the high school, and stop at Triad Seafood. Sit out on the screened porch overlooking the Barron River and order all-you-can-eat stone crab claws. Here’s the irony: You’ll be eating food so new — right off the boats tying up at the docks — that you’ll come upon the closest culinary experience to the Florida of old you’ll ever get.

BEST PLACE TO CATCH FISH WITH KIDS >> Pine Island Sound

Old-timers (that would be you) have figured out that the most important lesson any new-timers (that would be the kids) can learn is this: The quality of the experience is ultimately defined by the fishing, not the catching. Of course, it helps to do some catching, too. So we recommend getting right out of the boat and into the water, which kids love. For the best freshwater fishing experience with small children, pick the headwaters of the Orange River in east Lee County, accessible through the public lands east of Buckingham Army Airfield. Find the river, and walk right out into it to catch bluegills, bass, Mayan cichlids and sometimes catfish.

For saltwater, the best place is low tide. Walk out with your kids at Bunche Beach, or into Pine Island Sound from the public parking spot at Pineland. Fish for reds, trout, or snapper along the mangroves. Bait: worms (freshwater) or shrimp (saltwater).

BEST NEW DIRT >> Naples Botanical Garden

The beautiful and bountiful flora of Southwest Florida — and the Caribbean and Brazil, too, in gardens all their own — thrive at the newly expanded and renovated plants are identified. There’s a great gift shop, a delightful Children’s Garden, a birding tower and the River of Grass. Even if the only plants you like are silk, the Garden welcomes your participation in non-plant programs such as cooking demonstrations, welcomes your participation in non-plant programs such as cooking demonstrations, artist sessions, Sunday brunches and monthly dog walks. There’s always something going on.

Details: www.naplesgarden.org; 4820 Bayshore Drive; 643-7275

BEST PLACE TO WITNESS A SUMMER THUNDERSTORM >> Outside

Florida Weekly is officially opposed to witnessing every summer thunderstorm from behind closed doors and shuttered windows. After the extensive research of many years, specially designated staff writers have discovered that the only way truly to understand the subtropical sunshine state is to wander deeply into a hammock of live oaks or a head of bald cypress or a tangle of key mangroves when a tempest rips open the sky’s belly and rain becomes rivers. Don’t worry about the lightening — just don’t stand under the tallest tree in the woods, or near it. Allow yourself to be soaked, drenched, and near drowned. Then, it’s impossible not to feel joy — it’s impossible not to feel wholly alive. Some of our favorite places: Cayo Costa, the Caloosahatchee Regional Park, or any heavy old woods.

BEST PLACE TO FIND FLIPPER >> Marco Island’s Dolphin Explorer >> Marco Island’s It’s as close to dolphins you can get without hopping in the water with them. Join a survey crew onboard the Dolphin Explorer for daily threehour expeditions that include sighting and studying some of Southwest Florida’s friendliest creatures. Enjoy the show and take as many pictures as you want as the dolphins frolic in the wake. More than 200 of the friendly sea mammals are named and cataloged, making it easy for the crew to tell passengers the dolphins’ names and how they spend their time. When a new dolphin is spotted, passengers get to name it.

Details: www.dolphin-study.com; 642-6899

BEST SWAMP WALK WITHOUT THE MUCK >> Big Cypress Bend

Winding through the Everglades is a narrow thread of forested swamp approximately 20 miles long and three to five miles wide called the Fakahatchee Strand. “The Amazon of North America,” it’s the main drainage slough of the southwestern Big Cypress Swamp. Beneath a protective canopy of bald cypress trees flows a slow-moving, shallow slough that’s warmer than the ambient temperature in the winter and cooler in the summer. The buffering effect of the slough and the deeper lakes that punctuate it shield the forest interior from extreme cold temperatures, and this fosters a high level of rare and endangered tropical plant species.

This vast wilderness that is the Big Cypress National Preserve is a mosaic of royal palm stands, cypress domes and grassy prairies dotted with wild bromeliads, native ferns and orchids. Resident wildlife includes a number of threatened and endangered species. The Florida panther, wood stork, Florida black bear, mangrove fox squirrel and Everglades mink have all been seen within the preserve.

Access is limited, but at Big Cypress Bend, on the north side of U.S. 41 about seven miles west of State Road 29, visitors can walk along a 2,000-foot-long boardwalk to experience the beauty of a magnificent old growth cypress forest. Trust us: It’s worth the trip.

Details: www.friendsoffakahatchee.org; 695-4593

BEST PLACE FOR A SERIOUS KISS >> Downtown pier

The beach is romantic, but it’s also a cliché. Instead, you need something just as wet but a little wilder, something fresher and unexpected — a place suffused with its own liquid sex, if you will. Frankly, you need something that will flow right into you and your kiss like a magic river. And there is such a place: the Caloosahatchee, as wide as the Mississippi at St. Louis, downtown. In the silver and purple of subtropical dusk beneath the first diamond stars of a gilded evening sky, no kiss is merely whimsical. The river’s mangrove and brackish perfume can float across your senses like a silken caress.

We suggest any of the downtown piers. Or better: Walk out to the end of the 700-foot Tarpon Street pier, in east Fort Myers. But beware. A serious kiss there can result in a new life direction. BEST GOOD SAMARITAN >> Burdie Baker

Mr. Baker, 71, has long been known as the honorary Mayor of Charleston Park on the Lee-Hendry County line. A self-described “black redneck, the last of a dying breed,” he’s spent years helping young and old alike in the communities around him — or running his blue Dodge pick-up truck onto the highway’s shoulder to help some broken- down driver of any age, race, nationality or identity who uniformly fits the definition of human being. Unasked and unpaid, he ferries elderly friends to and from medical appointments. He teaches small boys how to fish or use tools. He questions why utility companies have not fixed long-broken power-line poles, or capped wires that remain exposed in above-ground utility boxes in Charleston Park. And he delivers food periodically to those who have run short.

We’ve never met a better Good Samaritan than Burdie Baker.

BEST PLACE TO SPOT A GATOR IN THE WILD >> Peace River and Charlotte County Preserve: Alligator Creek

If visiting friends and relatives want to see a Florida gator, here are some tips to increase the odds of spotting the state’s most celebrated reptile. It’s more likely you’ll spot a gator when the sun’s not turned up to blazing. During the majority of daylight hours in summer, gators plunge to the deeps seeking relief from heat. Like all wildlife, gators blend in with their environment to avoid predators. Keep your eyes peeled as you boat along the earthy banks of the river in winter and spring. This is when they come up to lollygag in the sun. Don’t expect to see them in the same place however. Gators are frequently on the move. They’re known to move a mile or two during the spring mating season. Sometimes they’re lookin’ for love in all the wrong places! (Case in point — the 7-foot gator that stopped traffic on U.S. 41 in Fort Myers a couple weeks ago.)

If you don’t have access to a boat, don’t despair. Take a walk at the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center at Alligator Creek. Cross the boardwalk to Alligator Pond. Often, you can spot a fat gator or two in a clearing between rushes at the north end of the pond. Please heed the center’s signs to not feed the gator. We don’t want the gators to associate us with food, do we?

Details: www.checflorida.org.

BEST PRESS RELEASE >> Charlotte Stone Crabs

When Gov. Charlie Crist realized his political career was about to be tagged out at third, he telephoned the minor-league Charlotte Stone Crabs, and said... No. Within a minute, the team’s long-planned opening ceremony — an appearance by the governor to throw out the first pitch of the official season — had been called for political rain. But a young marketing whiz named Johnny Gannt kept playing. Within hours, he announced that the team mascot, Stoney, would be running for the United States Senate — against Gov. Crist, no doubt.

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” Stoney warned. “Also, no baseball or hot dogs. I don’t want to live in a world with no baseball or hot dogs.”

Stoney’s platform, explained Mr. Gannt, “tackles important issues like mandatory field trips to baseball games for all students and universal hot dog care (No Hot Dog Left Behind).”

We figure Mr. Gannt should be moved up to the big show.

BEST CHEER TEAM IN AMERICA >> Top Gun All Stars

Coming mostly from Collier and Lee counties, this 18-member squad of 8- to 11-year-olds doesn’t just shout, “One, two, three, four, kick the Yankees out the door.” Instead, they worked hundreds of hours for almost a year on gymnastic routines both spectacular and slightly dangerous. But worth it.

Last month, Bonita Springsbased coaches John Bencomo and Jenna Sartorio, former college gymnasts and cheerleaders themselves, led the team to the national grand championship. And get this: they beat teams of 12- to 14-year-olds, and 14- to 18-yearolds from Maine, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Colorado and points between, to take home the leather jackets and sterling silver victory rings. “I was a little nervous,” said Alva team member Brooke Cary, 11. “BUT I KNEW WE WERE GOING TO WIN.”

Congratulations, all. We’ll cheer for you anytime.