Good morning, Fort Myers.

On Wednesday, kids from Valerie’s House joined a free mini fishing tournament at Pine Island Marina as Cape Coral native Captain James Marko hosted the event—giving them a moment to focus on the present while coping with loss.

The gathering provided hope and a sense of togetherness for children who have experienced grief.

Music aLIVE SWFL and local musicians will host ONE LOVE: Hurricane Benefit for Jamaica on Nov 30 from 2 to 10 p.m. at both The Ranch Concert Hall and Saloon and Lumber Axe Whiskey Bar and Grill on Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers to raise funds for hurricane recovery in Jamaica—proceeds will go to World Central Kitchen.

Golfers at Fort Myers Country Club are uneasy about a proposed cell tower after board member Blake Bartholomew said during a Wednesday public hearing that community turnout was low.

Updates on the project will be shared as more details become available.

The McGregor Baptist Food Pantry saw 253 visitors last Wednesday and 251 today as community need for food grew.

Harry Chapin Food Bank began building a new warehouse on Martin Luther King Boulevard—twice the size of its current facility with room for more trucks—that will open before the end of next year.

Southwest Florida offers a busy weekend with the American Sand Sculpting Championship running today through Monday on Fort Myers Beach and a 30th-anniversary block party set for Saturday in Cape Coral.

Holiday musicals like A Christmas Story at Broadway Palm and Once Upon a Christmas Time at The MACC add extra flair—along with live music, art shows, and other local events catering to families.

Fort Myers Beach is hosting the 35th American Sand Sculpting Championship as international artists gather to compete starting Friday in front of DiamondHead Beach Resort—organizers expect about 15,000 visitors during the festival while crews use imported sand from Immokalee to protect the recovering shoreline.

Superintendent Denise Carlin said that while she supports turning Fort Myers Beach Elementary into a municipal charter school, the district cannot provide the $12 million needed for a new school; town officials criticized the decision—calling it a slap in the face—and urged the school board to set funding and ownership plans at the Dec. 1 meeting.

Local restaurants are offering limited-time Thanksgiving-style dishes with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy, including a Turkey Cranberry Holiday Sub at Publix, a Thanksgiving Turkey Sub at Firehouse Subs, and an open-face CranTurkenton at McGregor’s Public House in Fort Myers+Cape Coral pizzerias are also serving festive pizzas with mashed potato, gravy and cranberry sauce.

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.

The Trial Of Ebenezer Scrooge

Tuesdays – Sundays — Arcade Theatre — Tickets from $15 — Enjoy a delightful holiday comedy filled with laughs and life lessons as Scrooge sues the ghosts of his past.

Comedy Night with Jimmy McCartney

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Snappers Comedy Club Fort Myers — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of laughter with stand-up comedian Jimmy McCartney as he highlights the absurdities of life.

19th Annual Fort Myers Festival of Trees

11 a.m. – 9 p.m. — Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center — $2 admission, free with toy donation — Enjoy beautifully decorated trees and support local charities through festive fun.