Good morning, Fort Myers.

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank is partnering with Community Cooperative to collect nonperishable food items for its Full Plates Project until Nov.

21, with donations accepted during business hours at six Fort Myers branches—Winkler, College, Bridge, Downtown, Gateway, and McGregor.

Athletes Activating Champions and Empowerment is a nonprofit founded by high school students at Canterbury School in Fort Myers that gives back this holiday season by offering mentorship to local youth.

The organization uses student-athlete leaders to help young people overcome challenges and build confidence.

The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce announced the 37th annual Christmas Boat Parade will return on Saturday, Dec.

6 at Salty Sam’s Marina at 6 p.m.—boats decorated with lights will sail along Estero Bay with a second loop that passes key landmarks, and live music at Bayside Veterans Park will add to the festive atmosphere.

Blue Star Mothers Gulf Coast Florida Chapter 12 is asking local residents to sponsor wreaths for veteran graves at cemeteries including Memorial Gardens and Fort Myers Cemetery on Dec.

13. People can buy a $17 wreath to support veterans and active duty service members — the purchase deadline is Dec. 1.

The Dog Obedience Club of Lee County will host Responsible Dog Owner Day on Saturday, November 15 from 9 AM to 2 PM at 6351 Bayshore Rd., #2 in North Fort Myers—attendees can see dog sports demonstrations, title testing and vendors offering pup products and services.

Southwest Florida Theatre will present Once Upon a Christmastime—an imaginative holiday musical set in Grimmville that reworks familiar Christmas carols into a fairy tale with a surprising twist.

The show runs from November 19 to December 6 and features local talent under director Raymond Jaramillo McLeod.

Goddard School of Fort Myers held its groundbreaking yesterday at 13541 Goldenwood Drive for a new 12,500-square-foot school for children under six—this project will create 30 teaching jobs and offer a modern space for early learning.

Wonder Gardens has received $1.3 million through state funds to build a new event center that will host year-round events and community programs.

The center, part of the master plan since Hurricane Ian, will feature a kitchen, restrooms, an aviary and a deck with views of the Imperial River — all to keep the Gardens' Old Florida look.

United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket is scheduled to launch today at 10:04 p.m. ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station—its five solid rocket boosters will carry the ViaSat-3 Flight 2 satellite into space.

Clear skies may allow watchers in Fort Myers, Naples, and other parts of Florida to see the rocket streak across the sky.

Crews worked overnight pouring over 300 yards of concrete to rebuild the Little Pine Island Bridge in Matlacha after Hurricane Ian damaged it.

The project—designed to improve drainage, utilities and safety—is on track for completion this winter, and motorists should expect extra traffic.

Central Pointe Apartments, a new affordable housing complex with 7 affordable two-bedroom units including one ADA-accessible unit, opened Wednesday at the intersection of Central Avenue — Franklin Street after a 67-day renovation by the Lee County Housing Authority using a property donated by the City of Fort Myers. Officials reported about 300 calls at the open house and expect the units to fill within weeks amid growing demand for affordable housing.

Zumper data shows that Fort Myers apartment listings dropped 10% from last year's median of $2,225 to $2,001 in September, with last month's median at $2,030.

One-bedroom rents fell 8% from $1,500 to $1,375—while two-bedroom rents dropped 13% from $2,065—adding to a clear downward trend.

ParadiseSafe Home Watch earned its National Home Watch Association accreditation for the second year—confirming its reliable service in Fort Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples.

Hunter Habib launched the service after repeated client requests to check on homes while owners are away.

Southwest Florida high schools celebrated NCAA signing day as dozens of student-athletes from Collier and Lee counties signed letters of intent to play college sports while Mariner’s senior Angel Cruz defended his Region 3 cross country title at Buckingham Park and broke the course record—Fort Myers High boys also earned the region title. Other sports updates including soccer, golf and swimming added to a busy week of high school competitions.

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.

Fiorentina Soccer Camp

5:30-8:30 p.m. — Florida Gulf Coast University — Early Bird pricing available — Experience elite coaching from Fiorentina Academy coaches in a supportive environment.