The Forest Matters Another Seabreeze Publication VOL. 31 NO. 8
www.seabreezecommunications.com
AUGUST 2024
FPOA President’s Update The Florida legislature has passed a law regarding the operation of governing bodies of homeowner associations (HOAs). Our governor signed it into law last week. Limits on what such organizations can do to control and guide its residents are delineated in the legislation. The fact that we already have a website, https://theforest.connectresident.com, helps because such an Internet document and its contents and features is required and described in the law. The new law also covers our independent associations and their operation. It will be up to their boards of directors to study and make the changes necessary to their governing documents.
You may have received some information concerning the intention of The Forest Country Club allowing the construction of a 150-foot-tall cell tower along the south canal near the southwest corner of our community. There are many steps necessary to bring this project to completion. One of which will be a town hall type meeting for all residents to attend to describe the effort and answer any questions. One answer is the tower must be built at least 75 feet away from the south canal. You will see this letter near the end of July. It is being written right after the July 4 holiday. Texas and Mexico are in the path of the strongest hurricane, Beryl, in
history for this time of year. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. There is a section on the community website dedicated to hurricane preparedness. It is strongly suggested everyone peruse this information to be ready if The Forest is the target of a hurricane this season. Stay well, Chuck Patten, President, Forest Property Owners Association
Southwest Florida Symphony Announces Lineup For 64th Season The Southwest Florida Symphony, Lee County’s only professional orchestra, is excited to announce another innovative and diverse lineup of performances for the 2024/25 season. Maestro Stilian Kirov, the symphony’s interim artistic advisor, will lead the orchestra through its 64th season of celebrated works of all genres, many of which are woven with groundbreaking pieces that allow concertgoers to expand Southwest Florida Symphony their musical diet. The symphony opens the season on Oct. 25 with another innovative Brave New Pops in partnership with the Alliance for the Arts. Rock & Roll Séance is a multimedia performance curated, arranged and conducted by locally beloved Maestro Andrew Lipke. This concert takes place outdoors on the Alliance for the Arts lawn and incorporates video, live vocalists who will channel the spirits of rock stars from the afterlife, and audience interactivity, all made larger than life with a full symphony orchestra performing bold arrangements for iconic rock tunes by Kurt Cobain’s Nirvana, Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, John Lennon, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and more. From Dec. 6 to 11, the symphony takes its Holiday Pops on the road throughout Southwest Florida, from Babcock Ranch to the Tribby at Shell Point and other venues in between. In keeping with the symphony’s signature innovation, Maestro Andrew Lipke returns with unique arrangements for traditional holiday favorites, with special The Forest Matters
Boy, Frankie Valli, of the Four Seasons, famous. The Barbara B. Mann Concert Series concludes on April 26 with American Beauty, featuring pieces by beloved American composers and Dvorak’s 9th Symphony: From the New World, which was inspired by his infatuation with America. Other performances include a quartet at the Alliance for the Arts’ Oct. 7 memorial event, commemorating the oneSouthwest Florida Symphony Announces on page 4
guest vocalist Mary Bichner, who will add even more sparkle and joy to this beloved Holiday Pops tradition. On Jan. 17, the orchestra commences its mainstage series at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center in Punta Gorda led by Maestro Stilian Kirov with Beethoven’s glorious Symphony No. 9, along with the Fort Myers Mastersingers, then kicks off its Barbara B. Mann Hall Concert Series on Jan. 18, repeating this performance. The concert opens with a Youth Orchestra side-by-side, both of which haven’t been performed with the orchestra in a decade. Other Barbara B. Mann Series performances include John Williams the Great on Feb. 1, with a “prequel” performance at Charlotte Performing Arts Center on Jan. 31. You’ve Got Mail: Musical Love Letters featuring Maestro Andrew Lipke and mezzo-soprano Mary Bichner, on Feb. 14, with an encore at Charlotte Performing Arts Center on Feb. 15. On March 15, for one-night only at Barbara B. Mann Hall, the orchestra presents 2025: PRSRT STD A Space Odyssey featuring US POSTAGE excerpts from Also Sprach PAID FT MYERS FL Zarathustra (the theme from PERMIT 751 2001: A Space Odyssey), the theme from Star Trek, and Holst’s The Planets. March 29 features an unlikely fusion, with weather in common. The Four Seasons: Vivaldi and Valli, featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and tunes that made lead Jersey
Lee County Parks And Recreation Florida-Friendly And Native Plant Swap Saturday, Aug. 10, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Location: Karl Drews Community Center, 18412 Lee Road, Fort Myers, FL 33967 Come join us for a morning of plant-related fun with fellow plant enthusiasts! Our plant swap will take place inside the Karl Drews Community Center. To participate, please bring one or more clearly labeled healthy plants! RSVP by calling (239) 533-1470 or emailing TRossi@ leegov.com to reserve a table space.