Education Notes
Cape Coral
Fishing contest
USA Bait & Tackle is holding a Free Kiddie Catfish Contest in August, ending Aug. 28.
Anglers 13 and under can register for free and bring in their catfish at 413 Cape Coral Parkway E. to be weighed.
The heaviest catfish will win a fishing package including a 3.5-gallon bucket with top, aerator, mity might rod and reel, dozen shrimp and other prizes.
All entries receive a dozen live shrimp or one package of frozen shrimp.
Awards will be presented Aug. 29 at a free awards ceremony with music, food and fishing demonstrations.
For information or to register, contact USA Bait at 541-2248 or e-mail usabait@yahoo.com.
Boating classes
A boating class on basic skills and seamanship, presented by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 9-10 Cape Coral/Fort Myers, will be held from 7-9 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, Aug. 17-Sept. 14, at the Publix at Santa Barbara and Veterans Boulevard.
Cost of the course is $30.
Members of the auxiliary, who are qualified, trained and proficient in the program, present the educational class.
Upon successful completion of the course, a certificate will be awarded. Many insurance companies honor the certificates for rate discounts.
The state of Florida requires that persons 21 years of age or younger complete an approved National Association of State Boating Law Administrators course prior to operating a vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or more.
Graduates of the BS&S will be mailed a Florida boater education identification card from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
For information, call Dave McDonough at 283-2208.
Private Pilot Ground School
A Private Pilot Ground School will be offered on the following dates:
– Aug. 26-Dec 9: Wednesdays from 6-9 p.m. at Cape Coral High School.
Cost of the course is $113 plus a text.
The instructor will guide the student through airplanes and aerodynamics; airplane instruments, engines and systems; airports, air traffic control and airspace; Federal Aviation Regulations; airplane performance, weight and balance; aeromedical factors; aviation weather; aviation weather services; navigation charts, publications and flight computers; radio navigation; and cross country flying.
Registration will be held at 5:45 p.m. Aug. 26.
For information, call the instructor Ed Fink at 489-0443.
This is a Lee County Adult Community Education Program.
North Fort Myers
Soccer registrations
The North Fort Myers Soccer Club will hold U10 through U14 player registrations for the fall season from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday and 9-10:30 a.m. Aug. 15 at 17050 Williams Road, behind Bayshore Elementary School.
New players will need to bring a non-returnable copy of their birth certificates. Practice will start Aug. 25.
Cost is $100. Sign up online at: www.NFMSC.com.
Registration for U6 and U8 players will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 1 and 9-10:30 a.m. Sept. 5.
For information, call Shelia at (941) 637-7313.
Martial Arts Center adds youth program
Griffin’s Martial Arts Center is launching a new character development program, POWerful Words Character Development.
Now w personal development center, Griffin’s Martial Arts Center is incorporating this comprehensive character development program with its fun and exciting martial arts curriculum for children ages 4-14.
Sean Griffin invites the community to the grand re-opening party, demonstration and membership drive from 5-7:15 p.m. Wednesday.
For information, call 997-8990, visit: www.griffinsmartialarts.com or drop by the facility at 4150 Hancock Bridge Parkway, No. 10, North Fort Myers.
Fort Myers
Private Pilot Ground School
A Private Pilot Ground School will be offered on the following dates:
– Aug. 27-Dec. 10: Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. at Cypress Lake High School.
Cost of the course is $113 plus a text.
The instructor will guide the student through airplanes and aerodynamics; airplane instruments, engines and systems; airports, air traffic control and airspace; Federal Aviation Regulations; airplane performance, weight and balance; aeromedical factors; aviation weather; aviation weather services; navigation charts, publications and flight computers; radio navigation; and cross country flying.
Registration will be held at 5:45 p.m. Aug. 26.
For information, call the instructor Ed Fink at 489-0443.
This is a Lee County Adult Community Education Program.
Business and Industry Services
Business and Industry Services offers:
– Thursday: LEED Green Associate Test Prep from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at High Tech Center Central, 3800 Michigan Ave., Fort Myers. Cost is $235. To register, call 939-6320.
– Friday: LEED Cost/Benefit Basic from 1-5 p.m. at High Tech Center Central, 3800 Michigan Ave., Fort Myers. Cost is $160. To register, call 939-6320.
– Friday: LEED for Owners/Developers from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at High Tech Center Central, 3800 Michigan Ave., Fort Myers. Cost is $160. To register, call 939-6320.
– Aug. 17-Oct. 26: Office Administration: Mondays from 5-8 p.m. at Cape Coral City Hall. Cost is $136. To register, call 239-6320.
Job training
Lee County residents currently working at what they consider a dead-end job or who feel they would like to increase their pay and chances for opportunity may want to take advantage of cost-free job training in medical office skills.
The seven-month no-cost job-training program starts Oct. 13, and class will graduate in May.
Telephone interviews will be accepted through Oct. 9.
The class is filled on a first-come, first-served basis and fills up quickly.
Applicants must be working, low-income, provide proof of high school diploma or GED, pass a basic assessment in reading, language and spelling, and pass a criminal background check.
Applicants must have reliable transportation to the classes, which are held from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at High Tech Center Central, 3800 Michigan Ave., Fort Myers.
The L.E.E. program covers all costs for tuition, books and childcare (during class hours), and assists with resumes and job placement.
Can apply online at: dhs.lee-county.com/AP_Family_T4_R65.html. For information, contact Marti Mills at 533-7933.
Fencing classes
Class session for beginning fencers will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday at 4210 Fowler St. in Fort Myers.
Class space is limited so advanced registration required. No previous experience is necessary.
Classes are open to all ages 8 and up, and parents are encouraged to participate with kids.
To register, call 939-1558.
More information is available at: swfloridafencing.org.
Children’s Network of Southwest Florida
The Children’s Network of Southwest Florida will hold an orientation on “How to become a foster parent/adoptive parent” from 6-7 p.m. Monday at Lutheran Services Florida, 4150 Ford St., Fort Myers.
For those interested in becoming a foster/adoptive family, call (800) 893-2645 or e-mail jruiz@childetswfl.org.
Alliance for the Arts
The Alliance for the Arts has created an after-school arts program for students seeking supplementary instruction in visual and performing arts classes.
The program is offered for grades 1-8 and coordinates with the school year calendar running Aug. 24-Dec. 18.
Bus routes will stop at the Alliance for the Arts, on the corner of Colonial and McGregor, and pick up time will be 6 p.m. for parents.
Students who do not attend public school are invited to attend as well.
For information or to enroll, contact Scott Guelcher at 939-2787 or education@artinlee.org.
Hodges University
Registration for the fall term at Hodges University for currently enrolled and continuing students has begun.
Registration for new students will begin Monday.
Those interested in attending the university are encouraged to call the Fort Myers campus at 482-0019 or the Naples campus at 513-1122 to set up an appointment with the Admissions Department.
The fall term begins Sept. 10.
Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund
The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund application deadline has been extended.
Children of military personnel who have sacrificed life or limb should consider applying.
Visit: www.fascholarship.com before Aug. 14 to complete an application or call (800) 475-6620 for information.
In order to be eligible, an applicant must be the dependent son or daughter of a U.S. soldier, sailor, airman, guardsman or Marine who has been killed or permanently disabled (100 percent VA disability rating) as a result of an operational mission or training accident, or who is currently classified as a Prisoner of War or Missing in Action.
They must also be a high school senior, high school graduate or registered as a full-time undergraduate student and under the age of 26.
Many parents of scholarship recipients were killed or permanently disabled in such recent conflicts as Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the Persian Gulf War.