Good morning, Fort Myers.

Community Cooperative is urging residents to help families facing food insecurity amid SNAP cuts and rising costs this holiday season.

The nonprofit serves hundreds daily via its market, pantries and café and urges local schools, businesses and groups to host food drives, donate funds or volunteer + support neighbors.

The City of Fort Myers will reopen Roberto Clemente Park on Friday (Dec.

5) with a new amphitheater, playground and a 21-foot slide—the tallest in Southwest Florida. The event from (9 to 10 a.m.) at 3265 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd is funded by city capital improvement funds plus a state grant supported by State Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka.

GoldenFest will take place at Hammond Stadium this Saturday, Dec.

6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering a fun day for golden retriever lovers — with live demonstrations by the Lee County Sheriff's Office, dock diving, and over 100 vendors supporting the Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida.

St. Matthew's House is marking one year at its Fort Myers women's and children's homeless shelter — serving 500 residents since opening last December — and remains active in the community.

The 8,000 sqft facility offers beds and dorm rooms for women and mothers — per manager Rachel McKinnon — as part of its ongoing support efforts.

Luminary Hotel & Co. in Fort Myers is offering the limited-edition The Curious Coyote cocktail to mark a coyote’s safe exit from its parking garage, and $1 from each $14 drink will benefit Sanibel’s Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife through Dec.

31 at select outlets.

Today through Sunday, the Festival of Trees transforms the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center with 26 decorated Christmas trees, raffle drawings, and local events including wine and paint and an art walk.

Admission is $2 and proceeds benefit the center and Goodwill SWFL.

A new study reported that RSW (Southwest Florida International Airport) was the busiest mid-sized airport during the holiday season, averaging 20,366 daily passengers compared to 16,169 on regular days.

The airport handled over 11 million passengers in 2024, reflecting a 26% rise during the holidays.

Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department will host a talk this winter on the invasive Nile monitor lizard — a non-native pet species that now competes with local wildlife.

Avocado farmers face a threat from an invasive beetle carrying a harmful fungus that kills trees overnight.

Experts at Echo Global Farm (their groves remain healthy for now) and Naples Botanical Garden say proper pruning is the only effective method to combat the pest introduced via shipping from Georgia.

Cape Coral firefighters launched their 13th annual 'Keep the Wreath Green' safety campaign Monday at Fire Station 4 (2007 Santa Barbara Blvd).

The effort urges residents to follow holiday safety tips and warns that a green bulb will turn red if a fire starts between Dec. 1 and Jan. 1.

Southwest Florida water managers ordered residents in 16 coastal counties to cut back on wasteful water use amid drought and weak summer rains.

The Phase 1 restrictions, in effect until next summer, allow twice weekly lawn watering — urging homeowners to check timers and repair leaks.

Lee Health celebrates a decade of the Healthy Life Center, a local hub for free health screenings, cooking demos, and care navigation in South Lee County.

The celebration will be held Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 2 to 5 p.m. + RSVP by calling 2394680050.

Naples High football standouts Sam Sparacio and Andres DiGrigoli signed with Army & Air Force on Wednesday, Dec.

3. They will attend prep school before playing Division I football and meet annually when the academies face off.

The Nutcracker by North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts

7-9 p.m. — Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW — Starting at $22 — Experience a magical rendition of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic featuring over 200 talented students.

Bob Lauver's Comedy Hypnosis Show

7:30-9 p.m. — Fort Myers Theatre — Tickets available — Experience laughter and amazement at this unique blend of comedy and hypnosis.

Nurse Blake's Comedy Tour

7-8:30 p.m. — Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW — Tickets vary by package — Enjoy a night of laughter with Nurse Blake's hilarious new comedy exploring the quirks of healthcare.

A Christmas Carol (Broadway Version)

6:30-9:00 p.m. — Fort Myers Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the festive transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge in this classic Broadway adaptation enriched by iconic music.

9th Annual Builders Care Charity Clay Shoot

7:30 AM – 2:00 PM — Bermont Shooting Club — Sponsorship available — Compete in a fun and competitive clay shoot while supporting housing repairs for local homeowners in need.

Fort Myers Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl

4-9 p.m. — City Tavern — Tickets required — Embrace the holiday spirit with the ugliest sweaters in town during a festive pub crawl filled with games and prizes.

Every Christmas Tour Featuring Michael W. Smith

7-8:30 p.m. — Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the holiday season with a renowned artist spreading joy through music.

The Trial Of Ebenezer Scrooge

7 p.m. — Florida Repertory Theatre — Check event website for ticket info — A unique theatrical retelling of a classic Christmas tale in a courtroom setting.

Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings

6-9:45 p.m. — Florida Repertory Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magic of Christmas carols beautifully performed by a string quartet under candlelight.

The Trial Of Ebenezer Scrooge

7 p.m. — Florida Repertory Theatre — Check website for ticket price — Experience a unique twist on a classic tale in this engaging theatrical performance.