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Happy Tuesday, Fort Myers. In today’s edition: Holiday Boat-a-Long, A Christmas Story, Santa Paws, and more.
Let’s get to it — Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
City doubles down on growth: Cape Coral City Council increased the incentive package for Bones Brands’ headquarters to $2.73 million, citing job retention of 75 and 55 new positions with a 40 percent wage premium — get all the details.
Caloosahatchee submarket expands: The Winslow, a 320-unit garden-style community in North Fort Myers, has completed construction at 13370 Magnolia Oak Circle, adding rental housing and amenities as part of Lee County’s revitalization efforts — get all the details.
Major builds taking shape: From an $824 million Lee Health hospital to a Yacht Club rebuild, Kingston groundbreaking, an Amazon robotics center, and a diverging diamond interchange, six projects are reshaping Southwest Florida — get the details and photos.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since January. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
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🫶 We got your back
Live painting showdown returns: Presented by Artsemble Underground, Battle of the Arts will kick off the Southwest Florida Mural Festival during Fort Myers’ Music Walk on Friday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., outside the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. It’s free, followed by a Backstreet Party and 7:30 p.m. winners who advance to paint downtown murals. See how and when to apply.
Explore mission-driven education: Nova Classical STEM Academy, a new tuition-free public charter school opening Aug. 2026, will host a free open house Saturday, Dec. 20, 1-3 p.m., at 7101 Banway Rd. in Fort Myers. Expect a peek at its Classical + STEM approach, full-time gifted and accelerated learning, clubs, and K-7 to K-12 growth plans. Get all the event details.
Movie night, upgraded: Sink into plush recliners, catch a crisp 4K picture, and pair it with real-deal bites and a full bar at Prado Stadium 12. It’s the rare theater where you savor the movie and your snacks, no elbow warfare, just easy fun.
Hear me out: My mom’s been asking people to repeat themselves 5,281 times too many for years. She always avoided hearing aids like the plague — they’re clunky, obvious, expensive, not really worth it. I always thought “she’s not wrong” until I saw these new invisible hearing aids going viral. In the same boat? Now’s a great time to check them out before unused health benefits expire on the 31st.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now + you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
This week
💡 Faux Stained Glass Lamp @ Karma & Coconuts | Tuesday (12/16) at 1:00pm – Trade your to-do list for a little glow-up and create your own 6” faux stained glass lamp using UV resin, alcohol inks, and 3D-printed forms. The USB-powered light base means this beauty is ready to shine on your desk, nightstand, or cozy reading nook. All supplies are included—just bring your inner artist and maybe a friend who loves colorful, slightly bougie home decor.
⛄ Quilling in the Gardens-Merry Snowman! @ Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens | Thursday (12/18) at 10:00am – Trade the treadmill for quilling under the Pergola at Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens, and craft a merry snowman without melting anything. Kathy Peters guides all skill levels, supplies are provided, and you take extras home. Members $35, non-members $48 with garden admission.
🎷 Gulf Coast Jazz Collective Concert: Holiday Show! @ Music & Arts Community Center | Thursday (12/18) at 7:00pm – Holiday jazz from the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective, with classic tunes, sharp arrangements, and swing that makes even the Grinch order another eggnog. Think sleigh bells with a walking bass, cozy vibes, and zero mall Muzak. No snow, just groove and quality time.
💎 Big Resin Geode Workshop Arts Bonita @ Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs | Friday (12/19) at 10:00am – Trade doomscrolling for a hands-on geode resin workshop where you’ll pour, sparkle, and leave with BIG wall art that fits your walls. All levels welcome, all supplies included, $85 supply fee to the instructor. Pick pigments, crushed glass, and panel size, pack a lunch.
🎃 Edible Education-Sensational Squash with F.M.Don’s! @ F.M. Don’s | Friday (12/19) at 11:00am – Whether you’re a microwave warrior or you can chiffonade in your sleep, Chef Keith at F.M. Don’s on Marion turns spaghetti squash into dinner with a tomato and olive confit. Hands-on, tasty, and refreshingly unfussy, with limited spots, so reserve online.
This weekend
🐾 Caring Critter Connections @ Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens | Saturday (12/20) at 9:00am – Tiny humans, big feelings, and an even bigger dose of adorable critters. Kids can cuddle guinea pigs, marvel at boas, coo over baby ducks, and learn powerful anti-bullying lessons along the way.
🎨 Holiday Stamp Carving Workshop with Jordyn Berger @ Visual Arts Center | Saturday (12/20) at 10:00am – If your holiday gifts still scream mall, come carve stamps with Jordyn Berger at Visual Arts Center, then print cards, wrapping paper, even revive a favorite shirt. Learn to transfer designs, carve safely, pick the right inks, and leave with art you’ll actually use.
🐶 Santa Paws @ Gulf Coast Town Center | Saturday (12/20) at 2:00pm – Bring your household’s star for pics with Santa at Gulf Coast Town Center, drool counts as festive. A $5 cash donation or wish list item gets you printed and digital photos, first 20 pups snag a goodie bag, and proceeds support Gulf Coast Humane Society.
🚤 Holiday Boat-a-Long @ Four Freedoms Park | Saturday (12/20) at 4:00pm – Holiday Boat-a-Long brings a free night at Four Freedoms Park with live entertainment, food trucks, a holiday movie, Santa, and the only traffic jam we like, a boat parade. Bring a chair, a Santa hat, and cheer. Got a boat? Call Sea Tow to join.
🎄 A Christmas Story @ Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre | Sunday (12/21) at 7:00pm – Think you know every line of A Christmas Story? Come watch Ralphie chase that Red Ryder, complete with leg lamp glory, pink bunny humiliation, grumpy mall Santa, and the flagpole fiasco. Big songs, bigger laughs, and zero eye-shooting, probably.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🎶 Live music & entertainment
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🏠️ This house is wild
Listed by: Bradley Dohack (EXP Realty LLC)
A two-story tiki hut crowns an outdoor playground with an extended lanai, an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit, and a shower. Fresh paint, a 2023 roof, plantation shutters, and crown molding keep things crisp. Granite, soft-close cabinetry, and whole-house reverse osmosis upgrade the kitchen. The primary suite adds a tray ceiling, custom closet, and a travertine-topped spa bath.
Downstairs brings a projector-ready theater, an exercise room with custom flooring, and a roughed-in kitchen for future flex. Reinforced parking accommodates a boat or motorhome, the garage shows off paver flooring, and address is minutes to restaurants, shopping, and Gulf beaches.
Take a peek inside →
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