Lovers key a bit less populated

This story was written for the next day's paper. It appeared on the front of 1-A and front of the Local & State section. The story was written within hours of the press release coming through the fax. I took the photos and gathered "real people" interviews in between waiting on phone calls from officials.


Austrian visitors Julie Krejci and daughter Daniela, 4, collect shells at Lovers Key Carl E. Johnson State Park on July 17. Attendance at Lovers Key fell by more than 100,000 in the last year, but it remains one of the top four most-visited state parks in Florida.

Attendance at Lovers Key State Park fell by more than 100,000 in the past year, but it remains one of the top four most-visited state parks in Florida.

The Bonita Springs park saw more than 850,000 visitors last year, down from 970,000 in the 2005-06 fiscal year, when Lovers Key led the state's parks in attendance, the state reported Tuesday.

"Close to a million visitors come through and visit the park and we are happy they do," said Brie Jamison, Lovers Key park services specialist. "We were thrilled to once again be in the top five for most visited state parks."

Overall, more than 19.5 million people spent nearly $900 million at Florida's 160 parks in the past 12 months, an all-time record, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Florida State Parks.

Replacing Lovers Key in the top spot this year is Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin.

"There is no real significant reason why we have lower attendance figures this year, Jamison said. "It's still busy either way you look at it ... . Close to a million still visit."

"Our beaches are the main attraction to the park, and we work really hard to keep it natural and clean," Jamison said.

Pamela Jones-Morton, a certified Florida naturalist and Lovers Key volunteer, interacts with visitors regularly.

"It's really nice to see people come back time and time again to enjoy the Florida state park system," said Jones-Morton, who conducts tours at the park, adding that attendance has been steady. "We always have large numbers, and this is the time of year we love because it's nature in all its glory."

Among those visiting Tuesday were Gary Krejci, 45, of Austria, his wife, Julie, and two daughters.

"My sister said it was one of the prettiest (parks) and it is so nice," Julie Krejci said.

The Krejcis weren't surprised to hear of the park's ranking.

"It's just so beautiful, unique and interesting (with all the wildlife)," she said.

Construction has hurt businesses along Old 41 corridor

Widening on Old 41 continues as drivers navigate the streets in and out of business along the corridor. The construction and traffic is expected to ease in the coming months as portions of the widening are completed. Local business owners hope the construction is completed before season starts.


A driver in Bonita Springs drives past a bulldozer as it tears up Old 41 to make way for a larger northbound lane as part of a widening project expected to cost just over $13 million.


Widening on Old 41 continues as drivers navigate the streets in and out of business along the corridor. The construction and traffic is expected to ease in the coming months as portions of the widening are completed.


Maneuvering around traffic cones, temporary street lights and construction vehicles on Old 41 hasn't been easy for drivers or local businesses.

The road, which is being widened from two to four lanes, is changing daily and businesses along the corridor are feeling it.

"Everyday we have a quick huddle with our drivers as to what that day's (road) pattern is," said Richard Barber, the postmaster at the post office on Old 41. "It's affecting us. People see the congestion and they think twice about doing postal business."

Rolf Paul, of Rapid Refill Ink, has customers who aren't sure if visiting his shop is worth navigating Old 41.

"We get some calls a week because the people know there is construction and they ask if it's possible to come here," said Paul, who has customers avoiding Old 41 construction all together and using U.S. 41 instead.

Barber has experienced a similar predicament and advises customers to use other postal locations on Bonita Beach Road or along U.S. 41.

"Even for the summer season, there has still been a reduction (of customers) at the post office but I want people not to put off their business," Barber said.

And putting off their business is what customers of the House of Treasures are doing.

"We've had customers tell us that its just been tough for them to get over here onto the road because it's sometimes down to one lane," said Jamie Shedden, about the widening that started a few months ago.

A decline in profits makes for bad business but city officials assure that changes are coming and soon.

"There is going to be a lot of stuff that will go away pretty quick here soon," said Jim Melton, the senior project manager for the city of Bonita Springs. "Businesses will see some relief because the utility work is almost completed."

The utility work, said Melton, is what causes one-way traffic on the road during parts of the day.

"The progress has been very good and it appears that we are on schedule to ahead of schedule," said Melton, who credits dry weather. "You will start seeing some changes in the north-bound lane in the next couple of weeks."

Crews are working especially hard, said Melton, on the construction in front of the Bonita Springs Charter school.

"It shouldn't be interfering much and the contractor has been agreeable to help that situation," said Melton about concerns that parents waiting to pick up their children will cause more traffic when school starts in August. "The contractor is working to make that situation better."

The city expects the road to be complete by September 2008.

"I'm certain that when it's all done, it will be a big asset for the restaurant," said Tina Makriyianis, the owner of Old 41 Restaurant.

"Everyday is a new challenge but ... Old 41 is well worth it," Barber said.

PRstore helps give you promotional push

Vince Modarelli is the owner of the PRstore in Bonita Springs. The store is the first of its kind in southwest Florida to offer public relations and marketing solutions to small business owners. During their visit to the store on U.S. 41, clients take pictures with the giant mug displayed on the wall.

Getting the word out to small businesses in Southwest Florida is no easy feat unless you are Vince Modarelli, the new owner of the PRstore in Bonita Springs.

The franchise store, which had its grand opening on July 18, is a one-stop for marketing, promotions and public relations solutions.

"I run with the gut of the small business owner. I listen to what they think represents their business and help them promote that," said Modarelli, who opened the store after working with small business owners in his sales and marketing work at The News-Press and various newspapers.

"I liked the concept this store offered because a traditional public relations or marketing agency doesn't work for small business owners," said Modarelli, of Estero. The store is the first of its kind in the southwest Florida area.

"For a small business person with limited funds (agencies) can be paralyzing," he said.

Traditionally, large agencies will ask a business owner for money up front before creating an advertising plan.

Modarelli explained that sometimes a small business owner has an established image, logo and needs little more than a few promotional items.

And, that's exactly what the PRstore offers.

"A small-business owner can walk in, browse our showroom and get ideas of how to sell themselves," he said of the shop that has several displays filled with hats, mouse pads and even sunscreen bottles with company logos. "We take the middleman out of the equation."

That equals sometimes bigger savings for small business owners who just want to get more customers in the door.

"The best thing is that we can turn things around in about a week. ... Some places can take months just to design a Web site," said Modarelli who works directly with the PRstore's printing house, located at headquarters in North Carolina.

"We pride ourselves in giving customized, premium quality design services at an affordable price... ."

Unlike traditional ad agencies and public relations firms, no appointment is needed at PRstore.

"The mom and pop (shops) trying to deliver one on one service is the American way... ," Modarelli said. "We make sure they get what they need."

Gourmet wine dinner planned

Get all jazzed up at the second annual gourmet food and wine event today at 6:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa.

Hotel Chef Andreas Singer has created a menu that will include a wine reception and a four-course dinner complete with wine pairings.

“It’s a cool thing to do and it’s fun and different,” said Kelly Olsen, the hotel’s spokesperson about the event the hotel is hosting
in partnership with Clear Channel Broadcasting and Smooth Jazz 100.1 radio.

The dinner includes a one-night hotel stay, live entertainment and dancing throughout the evening.

“It’s like going on vacation without going out of town and packing,” said Olsen, adding that the radio station hosts the event in several hotels.

Guests are invited to stay the night and continue their “local getaway, the next day at the hotel’s pool.

“It’s great for families because you can bring the kids and they can do Camp Hyatt for the night and you can take them to the pool the next day,” she said.

Avoiding the hassle of leaving town is a plus, said Olsen, because it’s just one night and the price point is “pretty low.”

“The price points are set by the hotel and because we are the ones that have to provide the food and we do it as a package, it gives us the ability to make the price lower,” Olsen said.

The cost of the event is $375 per couple and $196 per couple for dinner only.

“It’s all inclusive, taxes, and no additional fees will be charged to the guests,” Olsen said. “It’s like going to a big event somewhere else but you don’t actually have to go (far).”

PHOTO: Springs plaza renovation underway

This picture ran in the sunday Growth section to accompany the centerpiece story written by a fellow reporter.



Demolition work at Springs Plaza on Bonita Beach Road is underway as part of the second phase
of renovations.