WEEK FEBRUARY 26, 2025 FLIER INSIDE
Shuffleboard?
There’s always room for more players in the games at the SJCCA
— INSIDE
PINEISLAND-EAGLE.COM
VOLUME 48, NUMBER 43
Celebrating Pine Islanders: Carlos Gomez By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
CW Fudge partner and mortgage banker Carlos Gomez admits that in addition to being made the vice president of Bank of America, once upon a time, there is not much that he hasn’t done, naming his attendance in medical school, ownership of weight loss clinics, as well as owning two Chinese restaurants before settling on Pine Island. He said he first came to Pine Island in 2002, believing it was just “some boring island.” “We started coming on weekends,” Gomez said of himself and partner of 23 years, William Tidball. The sense of community and people helping people offered by the island is what he admits most drew him in when he arrived. Although the island has changed a bit since
Carlos Gomez
his coming, there are still many around whom he’s known for some time, he said. “The hurricanes are proof of that,” Gomez said. Continuous involvement in island organizations has been a lifeline for both Gomez and Tidball, he said. That which they’ve given to the community has been returned in the support both have felt through the years. “I think being a part of the community by staying involved is one of the biggest contribu-
tions that we can make as islanders,” Gomez said. The participation in events as well as contributions to Pine Island Elementary are of the utmost importance to him, he said, as well as the local churches. “We have our faith—not in any particular denomination, but we have our faith and we give to all of them,” Gomez said, adding that in return the local island churches have also helped. In his endeavor to describe the island to a stranger, Gomez said he always describes Pine Island as a segregated section of the world. “Because when you cross the bridge in Matlacha and come onto the island, it’s like you’re entering a different dimension, where most of the people don’t care what you See CARLOS GOMEZ, page 14
Local artist gets recording contract
By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Southwest Florida Ag Expo set to open Thursday By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
The Southwest Florida Ag Expo will return for 11 days of “Ag-citing Adventure” beginning Thursday, Feb. 27, at the Lee County Civic Center Complex. The Lee County-organized event will kick off with a ribbon cutting and $1 admission at 3:30 p.m. on the first day with various promotions to continue through Sunday, March 9, The expo, which rebranded the Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair last year, will again offer all the great food, rides, local entertainment and the animals featured in its launch. Fun will also include the Creative Living competi-
INSIDETODAY
tion, which features eight divisions – two of which are debuting – STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), and the Cottage Food divisions, Southwest Florida Ag Expo spokesperson Miriam Dotson said. Reithoffer Shows will bring the fun this year with amusement rides and attractions featuring spectacular
See AG EXPO, page 15 The Southwest Florida Ag Expo will return for 11 days of “Ag-citing Adventure” beginning Thursday, Feb. 27, at the Lee County Civic Center complex.
Athlete of the Week.........16 Bridge Beat......................15 Cat of the Week.................14
PHOTO PROVIDED
Cribbage Corner..............13 Dolphin Tales.....................9 Mahjongg Scores...............9
Randy Albright is thrilled that his band, Carbon Lifeforms, has been contracted for the recording of four albums through Pro Tex, a subsidiary of Sony. No stranger to music, he said he started playing drums when he was approximately 13. “After that, I learned to play bass guitar and then rhythm guitar,” Albright said. After a particularly bad experience, he was left a bit jaded and walked away from music for a while, but upon his return, Albright found the gift he’s counted on since his youth was there to greet him with a smile. “Slowly, I kind of got back into it. I get on these rolls, knocking songs off and I’m on one right now,” Albright said. The Carbon Lifeform Randy Albright band is an eclectic blend of musicians of all ages, Albright describes as sensational, although five of them have been working with him for more than 30 years, he said. Fellow band member Pat Bolens, Albright said, can play anything and is truly amazing. According to Albright, Carbon Lifeform bass player John Grube has previously done other recording work, such as laying tracks for many other bands including ZZ Top. Currently, Albright said, there are about 17 people working altogether. All, he said, are outstanding in some way, shape or form. He embraces working with all kinds of artists, saying he’s not interested in having any regrets. “I don’t want to look back and say, I wish I would have done this. I’ve been that way my entire life and I’m not gonna do that,” Albright said. As far as the recording contract, Albright said, he’s considering it an experiment of sorts, as they are one See RECORDING CONTRACT, page 13
On the Water.....................12 SJCCA Schedule................6 Sketchers Schedule........12
Classifieds & Obituaries