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Caring for Your Largest Organ
Health: Caring for the Largest Organ in your Body Know what it is? (If you answered “the skin,” you go to the top of the class!) So, what’s its function? There are many, but to mention a few it: Prevents water loss...
2022 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report2022 was a productive year for The ECCL and the Greater Estero Area. This Annual Report covers the Key Issues Addressed by the organization, Future Developments that are planned, and a Blueprint for Change, including a preview of The ECCL's...
Volunteers Continue to Keep Hwy 41 in Estero Looking Pristine!
Volunteers Continue to Keep Hwy 41 in Estero Looking Pristine! The ECCL will, on February 1st, officially become "Engage Estero." Since October 2020, we have collaborated with the Florida Department of Transportation's Adopt-A-Highway Program to help...
How to Extend Your Life Expectancy by
7 Years!
Health: How to Extend Your Life Expectancy by 7 Years! We are fortunate to live in Southwest Florida and Estero in particular. Given the endless sunny days we experience, many year-round outdoor activities...
The Vaccines You Need to Consider Seriously Receiving
HealthThe Vaccines you Need to Consider Seriously Receiving - Now.Hurricane Ian devastated SW Florida, and our hearts go out to all those who suffered! Although we were more fortunate than many, many residents, especially those living in West Broadway Estero, are...
Charting the Future of the ECCL
The ECCL is pleased to provide the 4th quarter’s Greater Estero Community Report (GECR) for 2022. This report focuses on the research and planning used to choose our future action priorities and how we are changing how we represent those priorities to the...
Helping our Teachers Cope with Increased Demands and Stress Levels
Helping our Teachers Cope with Increased Demands and Stress LevelsEvents such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ian likely increased most of our region's stress levels. Globally1, according to the World Health Organization, anxiety and depression have increased...
Great Results from the Second Adopt-a-Highway Season
The Adopt a Highway Program has Re-commenced its Third Season to Keep Estero Looking Beautiful Want to help? The ECCL has embarked on its third season collaborating with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to help clean Hwy 41 between the Vines entrance...
Estero West Broadway: A Tale of Resilience & Hope
Estero West BroadwayA Tale of Resilience and HopeHurricane IanHurricane Ian's center hit Florida at 150 mph near Cayo Costa, a barrier island west of Fort Myers, shortly after 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 28, 2022. In greater Estero, the hurricane selectively...
Bonita Estero Rail Trail
Rails to Trails There are efforts to build a public biking and pedestrian trail in the Greater Estero area, linking with other Florida trails. The ECCL has been tracking these efforts and alerting residents of opportunities to get involved.Background The Lee County...
A Summary of Recent and New Developments Planned in Greater Estero
Development report created in November 2021, chart data updated in January 2022. Continue Reading A Summary of Recent and New Developments Planned in Greater Estero
November 2022 Meeting of the ECCL
Thursday, November 17 at 10:00 Estero Park & Recreation Center9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero, FL 33928(239) 533-1470 MAPThe meeting opened with a status report on the major issues facing the Greater Estero area, followed by current Hurricane Ian community...
Repairing Hurricane Damage?
Information You Should Know When Looking to Repair Your Home After Hurricane Ian The ECCL has been working hard to assist families suffering hardship and heartbreak following hurricane Ian. The ECCL, which relies on donations to continue its work, has donated $5,000...
Estero Historical Preservation Appeal
Help Preserve Estero’s Most Important Historic Buildings.Sept. 12, 2022 Status Update: The Estero Historical Society requests that we convey their sincere thanks and appreciation to those who recently provided financial support for the restoration of historical...
An Amazing Achievement by Estero Students
An Amazing Achievement by Estero StudentsLEAD Estero is a non-profit that provides scholarships and leadership opportunities for Estero High School students. What’s different is students formed this non-profit to help students. Brothers Jeffrey and Matthew Stevens...
Adopt a Park
Estero Park and Recreation Center Adopt a Park The ECCL established one of the most successful volunteer programs in Estero history. The ECCL Adopt a Highway Program is staffed by Estero residents. Volunteers from over 30...
Mental Health and New College Students
Mental Health: Important Guidance For Students Entering Higher Education In 2019, the last full year we enjoyed before COVID hit, things were already not well. In the article, Dr. Simeone pointed out, “the...
Perhaps It’s Time to Enrich Your Life in Retirement
Enrich Your RetirementPERHAPS IT’S TIME TO ENRICH YOUR LIFE IN RETIREMENT!Around 10,000 people retire each day, and this rate will continue for the next 10-15 years. Many retirees will spend roughly 1/3rd of their lives in retirement! Many of these individuals do not...
ECCL Chief Operating Officer Mark Novitski Retires
Mark NovitskiMark Novitski joined the Estero Council of Community Affairs (ECCL) in 2014 and recently retired from our executive management team. We are pleased to announce he is starting a new phase in his life, providing more time for himself and his wife, Ramona....
How Greenhouse Gases Threaten Our World from CBS Sunday Morning.
https://youtu.be/El2vWfFrn8sApril Sets Record For Highest CO2 Levels In Human History Andrew Freedman, author of Axios Generate Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reached the highest levels on record for any calendar month during April, averaging 420 parts per...
In memoriam: Frank Mann
We are very saddened to hear of the passing of Lee County Commissioner Frank Mann. We send our sincere sympathy and condolences to his family, colleagues, and friends. Commissioner Frank Mann was a lifelong resident of Lee County. He served on the Lee County Board of...
Understanding PTSD and Substance Abuse
Studies show PTSD and substance use problems are abundant in people who served in the military and civilians. According to Quyen Bui, Marriage and Family Therapist, American Addiction Centers, almost 1 out of every 3 Veterans seeking treatment for substance use...
Junior Achievement Efforts in 2022
The ECCL taught Junior Achievement (JA) classes in April/May of 2022 to 63 seniors at Estero High School and 55 students in 8th grade at Three Oaks Middle School. Personal Financial Management was the subject taught by three (3) volunteers at the high school totaling...
June 2022 Meeting of the ECCL
June 10 at 10:00 Estero Park & Recreation Center9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero, FL 33928(239) 533-1470 MAPPlease note: the videotaping begins after Jim Gilmartin, ECCL's President, welcomed the attendees, followed by the "Pledge of Allegiance." Jim introduced...
In Memory: Larry Newell
Lawrence H. Newell, 88, passed away on May 22, 2022, after a long illness at home under the care of Hope Hospice and his loving family, wife of 65 years, Sharon, daughter Kimberly, and son John. Larry was an early member of the ECCL and had a vision for Estero to...
Bicycle Safety Refresher
Bicycle Safety A refresher for residents. (Written by Jodi Walborn, Co-Lead for Worksites and Policy, Blue Zones Project with input from Mark Russet ECCL’s Co-Chair of the Safety and Transportation Council) Safety is a quintessential issue for the ECCL....
ECCL Chief Business Administrator
The ECCL would like to introduce Terry Flanagan as Chief Business Administrator for the ECCL. This role provides strategic focus and operational efficiency to ensure the ECCL makes the most of a limited and valuable resources: their time and talent. This senior...
2022 Essay Scholarship Winners
2022 Estero Essay Contest Three $1,000 Scholarships for Estero High School Seniors.Congratulations to Estero Students Estero Schools ended their year with a burst of activity and awards. Congratulations to the 305 students that graduated from Estero High this year. At...
May 2022 Meeting of the ECCL
May 13 at 10:00 Estero Park & Recreation Center9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero, FL 33928(239) 533-1470 MAPSummary of May 2022Monthly Meeting Jim Gilmartin, ECCL's President, welcomed the attendees, followed by the "Pledge of Allegiance." Jim introduced...
Act Now: Protected Species at Risk
An environmentally sensitive site of 1,800+ acres in eastern Lee County, which is home to the endangered Florida panther and surrounded by preserves, is at risk of becoming a 781-acre mine pit, permanently removing habitats for state and federally protected species...
Great Results from the Second Adopt-a-Highway Season
The second ECCL "Adopt a Highway" season has officially and successfully concluded. The ECCL and Julie Yellig, who organized the program in 2020, would like to thank all those volunteers who have participated in helping clean Hwy 41 in Estero. Volunteers from over 30...
Health and Safety Issues: GECR Quarter 2, 2022
Important Health and Safety Issues in the Greater Estero Area The ECCL is pleased to provide the second quarter’s Greater Estero Community Report (GECR) for 2022. Each of the articles contained in the report focus on aspects of importance in our area. We discuss:...
Homes on East Corkscrew Road
The data below provides the information on the number of homes in the various communities on East Corkscrew Road (East of Ben Hill Griffin), updated as of March 2022. There has been a significant increase in the number of homes on East Corkscrew. When all the homes...
April 2022 Meeting of the ECCL
April 8 at 10:00 Estero Park & Recreation Center9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero, FL 33928(239) 533-1470 MAPOur SpeakersSummary of April 8, 2022, Monthly Meeting In the absence of ECCL president Jim Gilmartin, Communication Chair Allan Bowditch welcomed...
More Volunteers are Stepping up to Keep our Greater Estero Roads Free from Rubbish
Through the efforts of the ECCL's Adopt A Highway volunteer team this month, 520 pounds of litter was collected from Hwy 41. This month brings this season's total to 3,760 pounds and the total since October 2020 to a staggering 8,800 pounds (4.4 tons). Volunteers over...
Howard J Levitan, Co-Chairman of the Planning, Zoning, and Design Board of the Village of Estero Stepping Down
Howard Levitan, Co-Chair of the Planning, Zoning, and Design Board (PZDB) of the Village of Estero, announced he is stepping down from his position and heading back to Maine. Howard was an active ECCL board member for many years, leaving only to serve on the Village...
The Latest Economic News for our Area: March 2022
The ECCL is pleased to provide the following summary curtesy of the Lutgert College of Business and FGCU who produce a regular update of the local economy. Continue Reading The Latest Economic News for our Area: March 2022
The People of Ukraine are in our Prayers
"We are resolute that a democratic, prosperous, and secure Ukraine is in the interest not only of the people of Ukraine but also of the United States and the international community." Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State The United States reaffirms its unwavering...
March 2022 Live Monthly Meeting
March 11 at 10:00 Estero Park & Recreation Center9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero, FL 33928(239) 533-1470 MAPOur SpeakersRay Sandelli, Lee County Commissioner Following the passing of his predecessor in 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis initially appointed Commissioner...
Spotlight Features ECCL Role in Protecting Estero’s Environment
On March 1, 2022, Spotlight News Magazine featured the ECCL's role in protecting Estero's environment, in this article by Jeff Lytle.
Estero’s Hwy 41 Is Much Cleaner This Weekend! More Than 740 Pounds of Rubbish Removed!
The ECCL is pleased to report another extraordinary effort from volunteers helping clear the rubbish along an Estero section of Hwy 41 this weekend. That brings this season's total - starting in October 2021 - to 3,240 pounds, and our total since October 2020 to 8,280...
Featured Volunteer: Julie Yellig
In 2019, Julie approached the ECCL to consider adopting Hwy 41 in Estero through the FDOT Adopt a Highway program, and the program commenced in October 2020. More than 4 tons of litter have been collected since the program began. Continue Reading Featured Volunteer: Julie Yellig
Southwest Florida’s Waterways Are Screaming For “Help”. Are We Poisoning Our Water?
Many do not know that our deteriorating water quality is impacting the health of our economy and the residents of Estero and Southwest Florida. The ECCL has a significant role in bridging this education gap. We collaborate with other local groups such as the Calusa...
Why we need workforce housing in the Greater Estero Area
Why We Need Workforce Housing in the Greater Estero Area By Allan Bowditch ECCL Chief Communications OfficerIntroduction In many cities across the country, it is increasingly difficult for middle-income workers to buy or rent housing in the areas in which they work....
Benefit from FGCU Interns and Volunteers
Local Organizations Benefit from FGCU Interns and Volunteers The Greater Estero Area reaps multiple benefits from having a major university campus in our community, from cultural opportunities, an influx of younger consumers and workers, and the economic...
The ECCL is now a 501(c)3 Charitable Organization!
The ECCL is a non-partisan, not-for-profit, volunteer civic advocacy organization. Our mission is to advocate for meaningful change that maintains and improves the high quality of life in the greater Estero area through consensus-based advocacy, fact-based research,...
The Role of the MPO in Transportation Planning
Don Scott, Executive Director, Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), presented at the February 2022 meeting of The ECCL. The MPO is the County’s transportation partnership responsible for transportation planning all of Lee County. The MPO’s mission is...
February 2022 Live Monthly Meeting
[dss_post_featured_image _builder_version="4.14.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/dss_post_featured_image]February 11 at 10:00 Estero Park & Recreation Center9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero, FL 33928 (239) 533-1470 MAPOur SpeakersJon McLain,...
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