EsteroToday.com by Engage Estero

Lee Health Celebrates 5 Years at Coconut Point
2023-11-30 17:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Lee Health Coconut Point
Join Lee Health Coconut Point as they celebrate 5 years serving the Greater Estero area. Stroll the Open House starting at 5 pm and enjoy the ceremony at 5:30, including a special recognition of Don Eslick, “Mr. Estero”. Food will be provided. RSVP preferred at 239-468-0050.

ARC Gift Wrapping Event
2023-12-01 15:00 - 18:00 | Lee County Sheriff’s Office Miromar Outlets Community Outreach Center
Free gift wrapping with any donation to the Animal Refuge Center

Board of Lee County Commissioners Meeting
2023-12-05 09:30 - 10:00, 2023-12-19 09:30 - 10:30 | Old Lee County Courthouse, 2120 Main Street, Fort Myers, FL, United States

Board of Lee County Commissioners Workshop
2023-12-05 13:30 - 14:30, 2023-12-19 13:30 - 14:30 | Administration East Building, Conference Room 118 2201 Second Street, Fort Myers, FL, 33901, United States

Village Council Meeting
2023-12-06 09:30 - 17:00 | Village of Estero, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, Estero, FL, 33928, United States
Among the items to be discussed

A preliminary design contract with Kimley Horn for the River Oaks Preserve, a 10-acre, Village-owned preserve (map above). The Village proposes to add trails, a pedestrian bridge, and facilities such as restrooms and water and sewer.
Second readings of ordinance revisions to hotel parking areas and day care centers. These items were also discussed at a previous Village Council meeting.
A workshop to review the framework for the Estero Forever Foundation. Established in 2019, the organization works to fund projects in Estero and was authorized in 2022 to operate the Village-owned driving range at 9000 Williams Road. This framework will create a more formal relationship between the Foundation and the Village.
A motion to support the appointment of Mark Novitski to represent the Village at the Lee County MPO Citizen Advisory Committee.

Board of Lee County Commissioners Zoning / Comp Plan Hearings
2023-12-06 09:30 - 22:30, 2023-12-20 09:30 - 10:30 | Old Lee County Courthouse, 2120 Main Street, Fort Myers, FL, United States

Mall Mutts
2023-12-07 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-01-04 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-02-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Lee County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Center-Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road Suite 190, Estero, FL, 33928
Adoptable and adorable dogs visit from the Gulf Coast Humane Society.

The Future of Schools in Greater Estero
2023-12-07 18:00 - 19:30 | Estero High School, 21900 River Ranch Road, Estero, FL, 33928, United States
The Future of Schools in Greater Estero
Read a Summary of the MeetingThank you to our Sponsor
Watch his PresentationDr. Adam MolloyLee County School District Director, Planning, Growth, & Capacity Dr. Adam Molloy, our first speaker, addressed how the increasing population, especially younger residents, within the Village of Estero and along East Corkscrew will impact the requirement for suitable schools in our area. Adam explained how the District is developing more scalable and standardized measurements for planning new seats and schools for future growth, and provided the latest plans and answered attendee questions on this subject.
Dr. Molloy is a transformative educational leader working as Director of Planning, Growth, and capacity at the School District of Lee County. He is focused on improving educational systems by strategically addressing the structures that cause disruptions & inefficiencies. He is ethos-driven by the need to advance the success & sustainability of Lee County’s school district.
Watch her PresentationChris PatriccaLee County School Board Member, District 3 Chris Patricca, our second speaker, spoke about her passion for improving educational standards with regard to:

The need to attract more teachers and provide suitable homes to encourage them to stay in our community - based on the “Workforce Housing” concept
The value of volunteers in regard to JA and other potential programs
Encouraging greater parental involvement
Other educational initiatives that should be considered.

In addition to her position as a Lee County’s Schools District 3 member, Chris is the Chief Operations Officer for TLP Financial Services, Inc., a company she owns with her husband. Her professional experience includes being a Paraprofessional at Pinewoods Elementary School, a Full-time and Adjunct Professor at the State University of New York, and a Staff Attorney at The Ayco Company, L.P., a division of Goldman Sachs.
Chris’ educational background includes Juris Doctor, Seton Hall University School of Law, Newark, NJ, B.A., Government, Clark University, Worcester, MA. and A.A., Criminal Justice, Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester, MA. Chris’ daughter is a graduate of Dunbar High School. She has two sons who are seniors at Bonita Springs High School and another son who is a junior at South Fort Myers High School. Chris is incredibly proud of her children's education in our schools.

Planning Zoning Design Board Meeting
2023-12-12 16:30 | Village of Estero, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, Estero, FL, 33928, United States
Agendas are posted the week prior to the meeting. Council meetings are open to the public.
The Village Planning, Zoning and Design Board will discuss several important matters at its next meeting.
These meetings are an opportunity for residents to learn more about growth, development, and zoning changes within Estero and to voice questions, concerns, and comments on these topics.
Among the items to be discussed
• A mixed-use project on a 7-acre vacant lot off Arcos Avenue. Previously zoned for an assisted living facility that was never developed, the proposed project would include space for storage, a hotel, retail/restaurant establishments, and medical offices.
• The Goddard School, a private preschool company, to build an 11,650-square-foot learning center off Three Oaks Parkway at the corner of Quente Way and Arcos Avenue.
• A 111-room Home2 Suites hotel to be build in Coconut Point Mall, south of the movie theater.
• Rezoning of a 21.4-acre parcel at Corkscrew Road and Sandy Lane (formerly “The Colonnade”) to allow for development of a 171-unit townhome community.

Special Council Meeting
2023-12-13 09:30 | Village of Estero, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, Estero, FL, 33928, United States
The Village of Estero Council will hold a special meeting for an appeal hearing about the proposed Brooks Town Center apartment development project on Wednesday, December 13.
The project, proposed for Brooks Town Center (the Winn-Dixie development on Coconut Road) as well as adjacent acreage, would include demolishing the Winn-Dixie and constructing an apartment building at the site.
For several years, project applicants, Village officials and administrators, and Brooks residents have engaged in extensive discussion, project revisions, and public comment. The project was ultimately approved with conditions in October by the Village Planning and Zoning Board, but this was followed on November 7 with an appeal against the project filed by numerous Brooks community residents.
View a full chronology of the project here.
While 37 residents filed an appeal, the Village is recommending that the 5 who live within 500 feet of the proposed development are considered “aggrieved parties” whose appeal can move forward for discussion. In the appeal, these residents outline their concerns that the proposed development is inconsistent with the area’s comprehensive plan and DRI development order, as well as other concerns.
Village staff, on the other hand, recommends that the Zoning and Planning Board’s approval decision is affirmed, rather than reversing the decision as the appeal requests.
Agenda is available at https://estero-fl.gov/meetings.

Women’s Self-Defense Class
2023-12-20 17:00 - 19:00, 2024-01-17 17:00 - 19:00 | Lee County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Center-Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road Suite 190, Estero, FL, 33928
Description: Learn basic self-defense techniques Ages-13 & up Registration Email-glevine@sheriffleefl.org – Advance Registration Required!
Dress-Gym attire

Woof Walk
2023-12-27 10:30 - 11:30, 2024-01-31 10:30 - 11:30 | Lee County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Center-Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road Suite 190, Estero, FL, 33928
Furry friends from ARC (Animal Refuge Center) will be meeting and greeting guests!

Board of Lee County Commissioners Meeting
2024-01-16 09:30 - 10:30, 2024-02-20 09:30 - 10:30 | Old Lee County Courthouse Commission Chambers 2120 Main Street Fort Myers, FL 33901
​​Agendas are posted approximately one week prior to the meeting.​ You can stream the meeting video on LeeTV, Youtube, or Facebook Live during the meeting and rewatch the recording on Youtube.

Board of Lee County Commissioners Zoning / Comp Plan Hearings
2024-01-17 09:30 - 10:30 | Old Lee County Courthouse Commission Chambers 2120 Main Street Fort Myers, FL 33901
Agendas are posted approximately one week prior to the hearing date.​​

Village Council Meeting
2024-01-24 09:30 | Village of Estero, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, Estero, FL, 33928, United States
The Village of Estero Council will discuss several important matters at its next meeting on Wednesday, January 24, rescheduled from the originally scheduled January 17 meeting.
These meetings are an opportunity for residents to learn more about growth, development, and zoning changes within Estero and to voice questions, concerns, and comments on these topics.
Among the items to be discussed:

Approval of an agreement between the Village and the School Board of Lee County to purchase a 1.25-mile-long parcel of land on Three Oaks Parkway between Corkscrew Road and Estero Parkway, to be used as a stormwater retention area to help reduce flooding that impacts many roads and residential communities in the area.
Two engineering inspection contracts for the Estero on the River project phase 1 improvements (cost of $164,440, to be taken from the Estero on the River project budget) and the Sandy Lane bike and pedestrian lane improvements (cost of $539,560, to be taken from the Sandy Lane improvements budget).
A shared use agreement for recreational facilities that will be developed on the Estero High School campus.

Residents who wish to comment during the meeting should complete a Public Comment Card. E-comment forms are also available before meetings and must be returned by noon the day before the meeting.
The full agenda and supporting documents can be viewed here by clicking “Special Village Council Meeting.”

Achieving Longevity: January Community and Membership Meeting
2024-01-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Estero Park and Recreation Center
Engage Estero’s Management Team is delighted to provide our greater Estero citizens with this thought-provoking but realistic insight into what we can do to increase our life expectancy and quality of life. Our speakers for the meeting include Jodi Walborn, Blue Zones Policy Lead on Life Longevity; and Anthony Carangelo, Engage Estero’s Head of Research Co-Chair of the Safety and Transportation Council, who will speak about the “Sense of Place.”

Our Speakers

Read a Summary of Her Talk

First, Jodi Walborn will discuss that Blue Zones are areas where people live the most extended lives, consistently reaching the age of 100. In contrast, according to the CDC, the average life expectancy in the U.S. is 77 years: Dan Buettner, a National Geographic explorer, identified five such Blue Zones.
"And it's not just about longer lives; it's about healthier ones, too," says Caitlin McAfee, a wellness dietitian at Houston Methodist. "People living in Blue Zones are also much less likely to suffer from chronic illnesses." But what can we do here in greater Estero that would work to enhance our longevity? Come and find out!

Jodi WalbornBlue Zones Project Policy and Worksite Lead Jodi graduated from FGCU with a Bachelor of Health Science and a background in childhood injury prevention, teaching pedestrian and bike safety. Jodi found her purpose in keeping the roads safer for everyone and igniting a passion to help create Complete Streets and educate all road users on how to use and share these roads. Jodi was recruited to the Blue Zones in 2020, where she wears many hats, including Organization, Worksite, School, and Policy Lead, as she works with community leaders to implement healthy choices that help support those who want to live longer and better. She still gets to advocate for safer streets and teaches pedestrian and bicycle safety!

Read a Summary of His Talk

Our second speaker is Antonio Carangelo, Engage Estero’s Chief Research Officer and Safety and Transportation Council Co-Chair.
Tony will talk about the Sense of Place where the community and business can share their ideas of the Future Estero using technology to express their viewpoints.

Antonio CarangeloChief Research Officer / Transportation Council Co-Chair Antonio Carangelo Jr. is an Information Technology entrepreneur, innovator, and consultant in the Financial, Educational, Banking, and Insurance industries. Antonio focused on strategic transformational initiatives for business and technology executives, helping organizations move from current business practices to a new future state using advanced information technology solutions. He led cross-discipline, collaborative teams. Antonio is a Boston University graduate with an MS in Systems Software Engineering and a BA in Mathematics from Boston College. Antonio is currently retired and gives his time to community initiatives.

Board of Lee County Commissioners Meeting
2024-02-06 09:30 - 10:30 | Old Lee County Courthouse Commission Chambers 2120 Main Street Fort Myers, FL 33901
​​​Agendas are posted approximately one week prior to the meeting.​ You can stream the meeting video on LeeTV, Youtube, or Facebook Live during the meeting and rewatch the recording on Youtube.

Village Council Meeting
2024-02-07 09:30 | Village of Estero, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, Estero, FL, 33928, United States

2023 Don Eslick Estero Person of the Year Award
2024-02-08 18:00 - 21:00 | The Club at Grandezza, Estero, FL, 33928
Jim Shields Awarded the “Don Eslick Estero Person of the Year Award”
Audio of the Presentations at the Eventhttps://esterotoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Recording%20of%20Event.wavAmongst a crowd of friends, admirers and colleagues, Jim Shields accepted the inaugural Don Eslick Estero Person of the Year award on February 8, 2024 at The Club at Grandezza. While Jim, in his usual manner, focused on how all residents can become more engaged with the community, many of those who have benefited from Jim's kindness and activism stood and praised his accomplishments. The take-away of the evening was that the world would be a better place is each of us strove to be "more like Jim."
For over 19 years, Jim Shields has provided leadership and commitment to maintaining and improving the quality of life in Estero and, notably, improving education in our community. He created the 2-5-8 Graduate Junior Achievement program, including 135 volunteers, impacting over 2800 students. The Breaking Par Program he started in 2013 has raised $561,000 for educational programs.
Jim has served on the Engage Estero Board of Directors and the FGCU Daveler and Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship Advisory Board. He worked closely and tirelessly with Don Eslick over the years with the Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) (now Engage Estero) on other community projects, too numerous to mention.
Engage Estero thanks Jim for decades of service to the community and we are so grateful that over 120 of our community were able to join us in honoring him.
Thanks to Lee Health for their support of this event.
The Engage Estero “Don Eslick Estero Person of the Year Award” is an annual event memorializing Don Eslick for his clarity, vision, persistence, and significant contributions to the Estero community, and to honor those that make exceptional contributions to improving the quality of life in Estero.
If you would like to learn more about the history of Estero and the positive impact that a dedicated team of committed, unpaid volunteers who helped create such a sought-after destination in Southwest Florida had on our quality of life, please click here to purchase a copy of "Forging a Better Path" that provides an insight into what helped shape the past and influence the future of Estero.

Planning Zoning Design Board Meeting
2024-02-13 16:30 | Village of Estero, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, Estero, FL, 33928, United States
Agendas are posted the week prior to the meeting. Council meetings are open to the public.
The Village Planning, Zoning and Design Board will discuss several important matters at its next meeting.
These meetings are an opportunity for residents to learn more about growth, development, and zoning changes within Estero and to voice questions, concerns, and comments on these topics.
Among the items to be discussed

A public meeting about the Woodfield mixed-use development, proposed to be build on 46 vacant acres at US 41 and Coconut Road, which would include 296 housing units and 20,000 square feet for commercial use.
An application for development of 10 townhomes, making up 2 buildings, as part of the larger Downtown Estero development project located east of US 41 and north of Broadway East. In total, the 34-acre project would include 310 multiple-family units and approximately 30,000 square feet for commercial use.
A zoning amendment for several properties on Via Coconut Road to reduce the proposed residential building footprint, modify parking locations and reduce two buildings to two stories.

What is Robotic Surgery
2024-02-19 01:00 - 14:00 | Lee Health Coconut Point
Learn how using robots in surgery improves outcomes

Meet the Surgical Robot
2024-02-19 11:30 - 13:00 | Lee Health Coconut Point
Meet the Surgical Robot
Stop by for a lecture, demo and introduction to the Lee Health Coconut Point
surgical robot on Monday, Feb. 19!
