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April 8, 2009

News

Symbols of HOPE

Linda Oluwek will never forget the day, 11 years ago, when her doctor told her how lucky she was to have identified the lump in her breast. She was a single mother who had given birth to her third child just six months earlier. Full Story

Arabian days: Answering the call in a land of cultural contrasts

So far away! So exotic! The mere mention of the name causes friends to ask in amazement: "Why Abu Dhabi?" My reply: "The call of a distant, exotic place that I otherwise would never travel to." After sleeping through a 12-hour flight, there we are, greeted by a different kind of call Full Story

Incandescent Evening slated to show off $2 million restoration
EDISON & FORD WINTER ESTATES

April at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates is highlighted with the unveiling of a $2 million restoration project as well as a variety of special programs for children and adults. Full Story

Easter Sunrise Service at City Of Palms Park

Congregations from throughout Southwest Florida will gather at City of Palms Park in downtown Fort Myers Easter Sunday, April 12, to worship and to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Doors open at 5:30 a.m. for the Easter Sunrise service, which begins at 6:30 a.m. There is no admission for the service or for parking at City of Palms Park. Full Story

Dr. Paul Davies to speak about the search for life beyond earth

Upcoming BIG ARTS speaker Dr. Paul Davies will talk about his research in the origins of the universe, the origin of life, and searching for life beyond earth. Dr. Davies, a theoretical physicist, cosmologist, astrobiologist and best-selling author, is currently a professor at Arizona State University and Director of the BEYOND Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science. Full Story

Slipper chairs: essential furniture for Victorian elite
KOVELS: ANTIQUES & COLLECTING

Getting dressed was more complicated for a well-to-do woman in the 19th century. She wore undergarments, a camisole, petticoats, a laced corset, long stockings, shoes, a dress and accessories. To help with this project, furniture designers invented the slipper chair for the bedroom. Full Story

Robb & Stucky Interiors presents design seminars

Refresh your home's décor with tips from the professional interior design team at Robb & Stucky Interiors. Robb & Stucky designers host a variety of complimentary seminars throughout the month covering design techniques, introductions to the latest trends and provide guidelines for home accessorizing. Full Story

Beach trolleys could help Lee become more 'green'

LeeTran is looking at ways the LeeTran trolleys serving Fort Myers Beach could become even more environmentally friendly. Part of the process includes surveying the public and everyone can help by participating in the online survey at www.trolleysurvey.com. Each survey respondent becomes eligible for a $100 cash prize. Full Story

Free bird patrol offered at Lee's Bunche Beach

Experience the beautiful birds of Bunche Beach with a free bird patrol guide at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 11. Participants are asked to meet in the parking lot at Bunche Beach at the end of John Morris Road off Summerlin Road. Full Story

Florida could be the next medical marijuana state
Organizers around Florida ready to collect signatures

The Florida Division of Elections has approved a petition that may place a constitutional amendment on the Florida ballot that would allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes. People United For Medical Marijuana has received approval to circulate a petition to place this issue before Florida voters in 2010. Full Story

Everglades deal shrinks by $800 million
Budget forces reduced U.S. Sugar land-buy

Florida is cutting $800 million from the deal to acquire land for Everglades restoration from the United States Sugar Corp. Under the new proposal, announced by Gov. Charlie Crist last week, the South Florida Water Management District would initially invest about $530 million for 72,500 acres of property south of Lake Okeechobee. Full Story

Wanderlust Auction offers values on travel, culinary and sporting packages

"Wanderlust With a Midas Touch" is the theme for this year's 20th annual Wanderlust Auction. The area's largest tourism industry fundraiser has amassed more than 75 live and silent auction items that will be up for bid at the April 16 dinner gala at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa. Full Story

New water safety programs available through Red Cross

The American Red Cross of Lee County is offering a newly revised and improved swimming and water safety program that provides an increased emphasis in the areas of drowning prevention and water safety. Full Story

This week on WGCU TV

. Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures - Sea Ghosts - Wednesday, April 8, 8 p.m. Beluga whales are intelligent mammals that use one of the most complex sonar systems. Cousteau travels with his team to the high Arctic to determine why some Beluga groups are thriving and others are disappearing. Full Story

Ave Maria School of Law's juris doctor program licensed by state

Ave Maria School of Law's juris doctor program has been licensed by the Florida Department of Education's Commission for Independent Education. Receipt of this license was the last of the licensing and accreditation standards the law school had to satisfy prior to holding classes in Naples this August. Full Story

Step Up To Work 2009: City of Fort Myers has student aide program

The City of Fort Myers will offer jobs to 20 students through the summer student aide program, Step Up To Work 2009. The program will run for 10 weeks, from June 15 to Aug. 21. Students will be placed in different city departments, work between 10 and 15 hours and week and earn $7.25 per hour. Students must have reliable transportation. Full Story

Cherish the Children event raises funds for Imaginarium

The annual fundraising event for the Imaginarium Hands-On Museum & Aquarium is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at The Edison Restaurant in Fort Myers. Full Story

Goodwill announces spring cleaning 'SWEEP' Stakes

Spring is here, and with the change of season also comes the annual rite of "spring cleaning." This spring, Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida provides a new incentive for people to donate their gently-used items to Goodwill stores, by announcing its spring "SWEEP" Stakes. Full Story

Children's Home Society takes measures to save local children
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

While the Children's Home Society is dedicated to children all year round, the not-for-profit organization specifically addresses the issue of child abuse during April, National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Full Story

Coach Urban Meyer speaks at Gator Gathering May 20

University of Florida head football coach Urban Meyer will speak at a Gator Gathering on May 20 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa. Doors open at 5 p.m. with Coach Meyer scheduled to speak at 6:30 p.m. There will also be a one-hour autograph session limited to one item per person. Full Story

Watercraft safety seminar put on by West Coast Motorsports

As summer approaches and more boats head to the open water, West Coast Motorsports will begin hosting monthly Watercraft Safety Seminars. The next one will take place on Thursday, April 23, from 5-6 p.m. The brief seminar will include safety instruction by the local Marine Unit. Full Story

Harley-Davidson offers test rides on 2009 models

Harley-Davidson of Fort Myers and Naples Harley-Davidson are offering enthusiasts a chance to test ride any 2009 model Harley-Davidson Cruiser at their two retail locations. Test riders will have the chance to choose the best cruiser for their style and participate in an escorted ride with a member of the Harley-Davidson staff. Full Story

A revolution is brewing
Tax Day Tea Party set in Fort Myers River District

On April 15, from 5 to 7 p.m., a group of patriots will gather in Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers for the Fort Myers Tax Day Tea Party. Full Story