Hello Fort Myers! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Theater festival honors, a new Thai bistro, and a reptile-packed Reptiday + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Fort Myers protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Bridge makeover on the way: Lee County has allocated more than $129,000 to clean, paint and repair the Summerlin and Gladiolus overpasses. The project will go out to bid soon, addressing grime -- see the overpass plans.
A standout theater triumph: Fort Myers Theatre's team won top honors for "Newsies" at Junior Theatre Festival Europe in May, selected to perform at closing ceremonies and standing as the only U.S. group -- see the festival honors.
Fresh flavors arrive nearby: Lotus Thai Bistro has opened in the former Thai Star spot with a veteran owner of 35 years. Renovations brighten the space. The grand opening will be July 3 -- explore the new bistro.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*.
Stop wondering if you'll run out of money in retirement: It's the one fear retirees can't shake, and the data says it's warranted. Simulations from Morningstar and EBRI estimate 40% to 45% of American households are at risk of running short. This free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors in your area, legally required to act in your best interest. A few minutes, no cost, no obligation -- find your advisor match.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor
Together with our sponsor GoldCo Gold just posted its strongest run in decades...And the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, GoldCo has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Weekend reading upgrade: Give your scrolling thumb a day off and wander through Blinking Owl Books, where staff picks are on point, the vibe leans delightfully witchy, and you’ll leave with a book you didn’t know you needed... plus a little something for the friend you forgot to text back.
Local collector fix: If your shelves need more personality, Infinite Toys and Comics LLC hooks you up with Funko favorites, action figures, back-issue comics, and card packs that scratch the itch. It’s the kind of place where you wander in for one thing, leave grinning with exactly three.
DIY blooms, anyone? Skip the grocery-store bundle and pick your stems from Willow, the 1962 Ford Econoline behind Wild at Heart Flower Truck, the original mobile flower truck in Southwest Florida. Build a bouquet that actually feels like you, then let them wrap it up beautifully and deliver around Fort Myers when needed.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
This summer, what if you didn't have to point at the menu? Knowing a few words isn't the same as holding a conversation, and that's the gap most travelers hit abroad. Babbel closes it in about ten minutes a day, with most people conversation-ready in three weeks. Lessons are built by 200+ language experts to get you talking early, not drilling flashcards. It works, too: 92% of users improved in two months. *Get Babbel for 55% off →
Your car insurance won't cover a $6,000 transmission: When the transmission or engine goes, your insurance company calls it "wear and tear" and wishes you luck. Insurance is for accidents. It doesn't touch the parts that wear out over time, and those are the ones that cost thousands. That's exactly what an extended warranty is built for. Transmission, engine, electrical, the expensive stuff your factory warranty used to cover, all back on the table. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there's nothing to lose by looking. *See what's covered →
At today's rates, credit card debt costs you thousands in interest. Carrying a balance means a big chunk of every payment vanishes into interest instead of paying down what you spent. This credit card offers 0% intro APR until 2028 on purchases and on balances you transfer over in the first 60 days, with no annual fee. So for nearly two years your payments go toward your spending, not interest. *See if it's a fit →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
Premiums are up roughly 46% since 2021: Home insurance has outpaced inflation for years, and renewals rarely move in your favor. Rather than take the new number on faith, FinanceBuzz lets you match your home with top-rated insurers and compare quotes side by side — free, in about two minutes. Even if you decide to stay put, you'll know you checked. *See your options → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🛼 Skate-A-Thon @ Fort Myers Skatium | Friday (6/19) at 8:00 PM – Our roller derby crew is hosting a Skate-A-Thon at the Skatium on Broadway to bankroll Dallas dreams for the Contenders Cup. Think laps, laughs, and rink nostalgia, watched rinkside or from the couch, with every lap turning into gas money, lodging, and bragging rights.
🛍 Alliance Morning Market @ Alliance for the Arts | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – If you prefer art with coffee instead of headlights, the Alliance moved its market to third Saturday mornings on campus. Expect curated artisans, local artists, live tunes, plus a free Family ArtLab and family movie, admission free, toss in a fiver if you’re feeling civic.
🦎 Reptiday @ Caloosa Sound Convention Center | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – If your idea of wildlife is the anole on your lanai, upgrade your weekend with Fort Myers Reptiday, all the Repticon fun in one go. See reptiles and exotics, talk to the pros, snag pets and supplies at fair prices, and adopt a scaly neighbor.
🦎 Repticon Show @ Bell Tower Shops | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Repticon is taking over the DoubleTree at Bell Tower Shops with snakes, lizards, frogs, and the people who actually know what they eat. Wander the air conditioned aisles, talk shop with breeders, and maybe adopt a scaly roommate. Cooler than your HOA meeting.
🩺 Community Health and Wellness Fair @ Fort Myers Technical College | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – If the WebMD spiral is getting old, the Community Health and Wellness Fair with Soul Seed Ministries is a free, all-ages stop for onsite resources and free screenings. Expect neighbors, wellness tips, and that virtuous feeling, which pairs nicely with guilt-free brunch after.
🎨 Fort Myers Painting on the Farm @ Whispering Oaks Farm | Saturday (6/20) at 1:00 PM – Nothing beats sipping wine and painting a flock of funky chickens at Painting on the Farm at Whispering Oaks Farm, a Fort Myers afternoon. It is part art class, part barnyard therapy, with fresh air, friendly people, and zero pressure to color inside the lines.
🚗 Mel's Diner Classic Car Show @ Mel's Diner | Saturday (6/20) at 4:00 PM – Remember when Mel's Diner lot in Fort Myers was the place to cruise? It is again, with a classic car show celebrating SWFL's golden-age rides, 1979 and older, plus diner grub, music, giveaways, and free spectator entry. Chrome, nostalgia, and zero speeding tickets.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
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07 — The Fort Myers report Weather forecastToday — High: 93°F — Low: 80°F — Precip: 10%
Sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 103. South wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 80. Heat index values as high as 102. South southwest wind 3 to 12 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 94°F — Low: 79°F — Precip: 25%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. South wind 6 to 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 79. South wind 2 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. This house is wildThis 2022 Esplanade Lake Club waterfront showpiece sits on a premium Lake Como homesite with panoramic views and a true boating lifestyle. Soaring ceilings, a gourmet Monogram kitchen, spa-like primary suite, upstairs rec room, and private guest quarters bring the polish. Outside, a heated pool, spa, outdoor kitchen, and floating dock steal the scene.
Take a peek inside → |
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