Education Notes
Cape Coral
Adventure camp
If children are looking for adventure and fun on their days off, the adventure camp is for them. It will offer kayaking, tennis, fishing, swimming, beach, tennis and more. The adventure camp is from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 25 and Sept. 28. Resident fee is $25 and non-resident fee is $30. For information or to register, call 574-0806.
Free Kiddie Catfish Contest
USA Bait & Tackle is holding a Free Kiddie Catfish Contest for the month of August, ending Friday. Anglers 13 and under can register for free and bring in their catfish to USA Bait & Tackle, 413 Cape Coral Parkway E., to be weighed. The heaviest catfish will win a fishing package including a 3.5 gallon bucket with top, an aerator, a mity might rod and reel, a dozen shrimp and other prizes. All entries receive a dozen live shrimp or one package of frozen shrimp. Awards will be presented Saturday 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 class
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 9-10 Cape Coral/Fort Myers presents a basic skills and seamanship class from 7-9 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays through Sept. 14 at the Publix at Santa Barbara Boulevard and Veterans Boulevard. Cost is $30. Members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, who are qualified, trained and proficient in the program, present the class. Upon course completion, 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 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 from 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays, through Dec 15, at Cape Coral High School. Registration will be held at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday. Cost is $113 plus a tax. 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. For information, call the instructor Ed Fink at 489-0443. This is a Lee County Adult Community Education Program.
Little Karate Kids
Little Karate Kids, for ages 3-5, will be held from 6:45-7:15 p.m. Wednesdays at Four Freedoms Park, 4818 Tarpon Court. Cost is $45 per resident and $50 per non-resident. Pre-registration required. A traditional Japanese karate-do program, it teaches concentration, coordination and self-discipline, all in a format that makes learning fun. Uniform not included but can be purchased from instructor. No class Nov. 11, Nov. 25, Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. For information, call 574-0804 or visit: www.CapeParks.com.
Fort Myers
Training seminars
FGCU Small Business Development Center presents the following training seminars.
– Tuesday: Successful Networking Techniques – Tips & Techniques to promote business from 9 a.m.-noon at FGCU Cape Coral, 1020 Cultural Blvd. S., Unit 3. Cost is $20.
– Sept. 8: Budget and Forecasting from 3-5 p.m. at FGCU Cape Coral, 1020 Cultural Blvd. S., Unit 3. Cost is $20.
– Sept. 9, 16, 23 and 30: Marketing Series from 6-8:30 p.m. at FGCU Cape Coral, 1020 Cultural Blvd. S., Unit 3. Cost is $99.
– Sept. 12: Fourth Annual Business and Breakfast meeting, formerly Eggs, Grits, and Business, from 9 a.m.-noon at SWFL Enterprise Center, 3903 D. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers. Free.
Online registration and seminar descriptions available at: cli.fgcu.edu/sbdc.
Senior tutors needed
Senior volunteers, 50 years or older, are needed for tutoring this new school year in elementary schools and head start centers for The Foster Grandparent Program of Southwest Florida. A tax free stipend of $2.65 per hour and mileage reimbursement of 35 cents per mile is provided for those who qualify. The Dr, Piper Center for Social Services Inc. is located at 1771 Evans Ave. in Fort Myers. For information, call Joan Willoughby at 332-5346 or visit: drpipercenter.org.
Imaginarium
The Imaginarium celebrates its 14th birthday at 10 a.m. Saturday. The festivities begin with special activities throughout the day that include live animal demonstrations, hands-on fun shows, face painting, make-and-take projects, magic shows, clown skits and more. Free child admission package with paid adult. For information, call 321-7420 or visit: www.imaginariumfortmyers.com.
Poster contest
In honor of Grandparent’s Day, Shell Point Retirement Community is calling upon children to create a poster to depict the positive aspect of their relationship with their grandparents. All children are invited to enter by creating a poster to illustrate one of the following three topics: What makes my grandparents so special? What do my grandparents mean to me? What have I learned from my grandparents? The official entry Fform and photo release can be located at: www.shellpoint.org. Entries must arrive no later than 4 p.m. Sept. 18. Entries can be mailed, flat or folded, to Grandparents Poster Contest, Shell Point Welcome Center, 15101 Shell Point Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33908. Posters may also be hand delivered to the same address, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. For information, visit: www.shellpoint.org.
Celebrity Read-a-Thon
Literacy Volunteers of Lee County, Lee County’s adult literacy nonprofit agency, will celebrate International Literacy Day from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. Sept. 8 at Barnes & Noble, 13751 Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, with a Celebrity Read-a-Thon. Continuous five-minute readings. Free refreshments and a raffle for exceptional prizes. Admission is free and open to the public. Barnes & Noble will also hosting a book fair from 9-10 p.m. A percentage of all purchases in the store, including the cafe, will be donated to LVLC when a bookfair voucher is used. Find a copy of the brochure on LVLC’s Web site at: www.leeadultliteray.com.
Business & Industry Services
Business and Industry Services is partnering with Greenmind Inc. to provide Green and LEED training at High Tech Center Central, 3800 Michigan Ave., Fort Myers. To register, call 939-6320.
Teacher workshop
Water education for teachers from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 19 at CREW Land & Water Trust, 23998 Corkscrew Road, Estero. Registration required. ProjectWET, Water Education for Teachers, is water-based science education using hands on activities and proven teaching and learning skills. The materials are adaptable for adults and students at all levels. Participants will be introduced to the instructional materials and teaching activities will be demonstrated. Dress comfortably and bring a sack lunch. A $10 refundable registration fee. For information or to register, contact Brenda Thomas at 657-2253 or e-mail bthomas_crew@earthlink.net.
Fall Youth Sports League
The city of Fort Myers Parks and Recreation Department and 24/7 Sports Inc. have teamed up for the upcoming Fall Youth Sports League. It will offer youth soccer, youth flag football and cheerleading for ages 3-15. Registration date is Friday. League registration fee for ages 3-4 is $20 per child and ages 5-15 is $50 per child. Games run Sept. 12-Oct. 31. All games and practices will take place at Lions Park, 2550 Cleveland Ave. For information, call 277-0700 or e-mail brian247sports@yahoo.com.
Archery club
Boys and girls ages 7-17 are invited to participate in an archery club being put on by the Sheriff’s Youth Activity League. The club will combine fun and sportsmanship in a structured environment. The club will begin Friday at the Lee County Gun Range, 6570 Felix Romano Ave. Cost is $20 for a six-week session. Competitions will be held. No experience or equipment required. For information, contact Deputy Jeff Santella at 849-1084.
After School Arts Program
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 students in first grade through eighth grade and coordinates with the school year calendar running today-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, education director, at 939-2787 or e-mail 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 began Aug. 10. Those interested in attending 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.
Goodwill L.I.F.E. Academy
Goodwill L.I.F.E. Academy is accepting 2009-10 enrollments for students with special needs. The Goodwill L.I.F.E. Academy, a Lee County Charter School for students with developmental disabilities, still has a handful of student openings remaining for the 2009-10 school year. L.I.F.E. Academy students who graduate from the school’s Vocational Training Program are guaranteed employment with Goodwill or a community partner for one year. Parents interested in learning more about the school can contact the principal for a meeting to determine how the school can best meet their student’s needs. Call 334-4434 or e-mail lynn@goodwilllifeacademy.org.
Southwest Florida Symphony
The Southwest Florida Symphony will hold chorus auditions for the adult chorus from 6:30-8 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church in Fort Myers. The youth orchestra auditions will be held Monday and Tuesday. Time and location will be announced. For chorus auditions, call to schedule an appointment with Michelle at 433-9035 or e-mail mstrocare@aol.com. For youth orchestra audition appointments, contact Todd Betz at 418-0996. For information, contact the symphony office at 418-0996.
Private Pilot Ground School
A Private Pilot Ground School will be offered from 6-9 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 3-Dec. 17, at Cypress Lake High School. Registration will be held at 5:45 p.m. Sept. 3. Cost is $113 plus a tax. 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. For information, call the instructor Ed Fink at 489-0443. This is a Lee County Adult Community Education Program.