Good morning, Fort Myers.

Fort Myers farmers markets bring local flavors where vendors prepare handcrafted goods like honey, sourdough bread, and key lime pies for early Saturday setups—each market fostering a strong sense of community.

Many local makers work long hours to offer fresh, handmade products that support neighborhood traditions.

Local shelters in Fort Myers such as the Salvation Army opened their doors Monday afternoon at 2400 Edison Ave to offer relief from the cold — they provide 25 beds and will serve those in need until today.

The Blue Star Mothers Gulf Coast Florida Chapter 12 will place wreaths at local cemeteries—including Coral Ridge, Memorial Gardens, and Fort Myers Cemetery—on Dec.

13 as part of Wreaths Across America Day. The nonprofit is selling $17 wreaths until Dec. 1 and will host a raffle at Margaritaville on Fort Myers Beach on Nov. 23 to raise funds for veterans and active military.

On Tuesday, dozens of restaurants offered free meals to veterans and active duty members with proof of service required — including offers from chains like Applebee’s and Chili’s — while many nonessential federal offices and post offices were closed and most retailers and essential services remained open in Fort Myers.

Southwest Florida’s drought returned as burn bans are in effect in Sarasota, Manatee, and North Port—Sarasota County declared its ban more than a month ago while Manatee and North Port activated theirs last week.

Yesterday, southwest Florida experienced record cold temperatures as regions saw lows in the low 40s and wind chills in the upper 20s — gusts reached up to 25 mph that made it feel even colder.

The area remained dry and sunny all day while temperatures slowly warmed later in the week.

Florida airports experienced widespread flight cancellations and delays on November 11 due to a prolonged government shutdown and cold weather — over 1,300 flights were cancelled since Friday and major hubs like Orlando International saw the worst disruptions.

Travelers were urged to rebook quickly and monitor airline apps for updates.

FDOT will hold an in-person workshop on November 18 in the Tice neighborhood to discuss the Transportation Talks Initiative for improvements along State Road 80.

The event will run from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Schandler Park – Suarez Hall in Fort Myers to gather community input on small-scale safety and aesthetic upgrades.

Fort Myers' Dubin Center is expanding to a larger facility off Brantley Road in a few weeks to support Alzheimer caregivers with free services and programs for those affected by dementia.

A local donor will match donations up to $50,000 — the move will allow the center to serve an additional 150 people each month.

Animal shelters and rescue groups in Fort Myers are offering several pets for adoption—residents looking for a new companion can contact these local organizations for details.

Fort Myers and Sanibel offer trails, boardwalks and preserves ideal for day hikes this winter and spring.

Hikers can visit Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed and Estero Bay Preserve State Park — sites with easy walking paths and chances to see wildlife.

Latimer Crossing—a four-building, 92-unit mixed-income community—opened recently in Fort Myers as part of the Greater Dunbar Initiative to increase affordable housing; Phase II of the project is underway.

Freshman quarterback Carter Smith from Bishop Verot made his first appearance for Wisconsin on November 8 by leading the team to a 13-10 upset win over No. 24 Washington at Camp Randall Stadium — his coach noted that Smith focused on winning rather than personal stats.

He may start in the upcoming game on November 15 against No. 2 Indiana as he continues to gain support from Southwest Florida fans.

Fort Myers Christian Singles Mini Golf Night

6:30-8:30 p.m. — PopStroke — $20 for Non Hub Members — Enjoy an evening of mini golf, yard games, and community with fellow Christian singles.

Yappy Hour Celebration

6-8 p.m. — Bell Tower — Free entry — Enjoy happy hour with your furry friends in a community-friendly atmosphere.

A Magical Cirque Christmas

3:00-4:30 p.m. — Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW — Starting at $54.73 — Experience a dazzling holiday show with festive charm, laughter, and spectacular acrobatics.

Family Fun Night at Bell Tower

5-7 p.m. — Bell Tower — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of family-friendly activities in a vibrant local destination.

Christian Singles Fellowship Event

5-7 p.m. — Café Blue — $20 for non-members — Enjoy a night of fellowship and fun with local Christian singles in a relaxed setting.

Candlelight Tribute to Taylor Swift

6:00-7:04 PM — Music & Arts Community Center — Tickets required — Experience the enchanting sounds of Taylor Swift performed by a string quartet in a magical candlelit setting.

14th Annual FGCU XC Gobbler 5K Event

7:30-8:35 a.m. — Alico Arena — Registration from $20 — A festive community 5K run/walk supporting the FGCU Cross Country Program.

Lindsey Stirling: Snow Waltz Holiday Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW — Tickets vary — Experience a magical evening of holiday classics and original pieces performed by the enchanting Lindsey Stirling.

Humberto Plancarte and Los Ávila Concert in Florida

10:00 p.m. — 4135 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Fort Myers, FL — Ticket prices vary — An unforgettable night of live Mexican regional music featuring top artists and their greatest hits.

SW-FloridaCon 2025

10 AM – 5 PM — DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops — $20 — Explore a vibrant pop culture collectors convention with fandoms from comics to gaming.