Evangelical School to launch campaign

Evangelical Christian School Headmaster John Hunte points to the area where the new Fine Arts building will be built on the school's campus.

John Hunte dreams of a school with state-of-the-art classrooms, an expansive library and a 1,500-seat theater, one about as large as the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.

The Evangelical Christian School’s headmaster says his south Fort Myers school needs to expand to such levels because its student population has grown from 986 to 1,250 — a 27 percent gain — in the past four years.

So Hunte has launched a campaign to raise $16 million for a fine arts building.

Hunte estimates it will take about five years to raise the money and to complete the project. School officials plan to ask area donors for money and later figure out how much more will be raised by students and their parents.

“We haven’t had a formal kick-off for the campaign and with the economy. We are proceeding very cautiously,” said Lisa Spearman, the school’s director of development. She is in charge of planning and eventually implementing the campaign fundraiser.

The project would increase campus size by 25 acres. The expansion also would include 1,750-square-foot library and media center, nine new classrooms and 480 additional parking spaces.

“The school has experienced a substantial growth in the last few years, and we could use this building yesterday,” Hunte said. “We are at capacity and a lot of students are on waiting lists for different programs and activities.”

The lists are getting longer as word spreads about the school’s college preparatory educational focus, its athletic programs and its growing fine arts department. Evangelical Christian’s average annual tuition is $6,500 and takes students from elementary through high school.

“This building will be more conducive for them to perform, and that’s important because they can further utilize the talents they have,” said Hunte, who graduated from Evangelical Christian in 1984. “It’s exciting to see the growth of the facilities and see the balance of offerings ... more so than when I was a student.”

Bishop Verot, a private Catholic High School, raised $1.8 million in 1996 to build a 919-seat theater.

The Canterbury School in south Fort Myers opened a $14 million upper school in September.

“It’s exciting. I wish they had it 10 or 12 years ago. ... That was my dream,” said Bonnie Casey, who’s worked as director of student activities at Evangelical Christian for 33 years and was once a drama teacher. “I hope we get it while I’m still around to see it and take part with it. I’m jumping for joy.”

Teachers and administrators say they’re looking forward to the project because it will make learning more convenient for students.

Hookah bar is popular with all ages

Nick Patel, 21, smokes from a hookah at the Sahra Hookah Lounge in south Fort Myers while his friends Dennis Karbowski, 28, of south Fort Myers and Teanna Timmons, 20, of south Fort Myers play cards at the lounge.

The hookah, or water pipe, is gaining popularity among the young and old at the Sahra Hookah Lounge in south Fort Myers.

Owner Amir Mansour has seen a growth in people interested in smoking from the water pipes that are filled with flavored tobacco and inhaled using a hose.

“It’s part of my culture and my friends, we’d all get together at my house and make hookah’s and chill,” said Mansour, who got the idea for the shop after realizing there were no hookah style bars in the area. “It was fun and people come from all over to hang out.”

Mansour named the shop that is nestled on McGregor Boulevard Sahra which means “late hang out” in Arabic.

“I come here for inner peace,” said Dennis Karbowski, 28, of south Fort Myers.

He was playing cards at the lounge recently with Nick Patel, 21, who visits so often there is a flavor named after him on the menu.

“It’s a good place to hang out because when you are under 21, it minimizes where you can go,” said Patel, whose mix is called the Nick Mix. “We play games and it’s like a sports bar for us.”

The lounge has been open since February and Mansour said it’s usually hectic on the weekends.

“I open late so people can come and chill and they have a late night option,” said Mansour, who offers a live band on Thursday nights and a belly dancer on Saturday nights. “People come from Naples and as far as Port Charlotte when they hear about us.”

The word is spreading, said Mansour, who attracts people of all ages and offers teas and desserts for those not interested in smoking the hookah.

“We are the only people here and they just love this place,” said Mansour, whose shop is decorated with leather couches and colorful pillows and rugs. “I don’t advertise because people just hear about it and come in and keep coming.”

Teanna Timmons, 20, spends a lot of time at the lounge playing cards and spending time with friends.

“It’s somewhere different to go than your typical club,” said Timmons, of south Fort Myers. “We like being here. We are here all the time playing cards.”

Boys & Girls Club gets a visit from Santa Claus

Luis Jose, 8, received clothes from Santa Claus at a holiday celebration in south Fort Myers. The children spent time eating pizza, doing crafts and receiving presents.

Pizza, soda and a Santa Claus with a sack of gifts greeted children from the Boys & Girls Club of Lee County recently at a holiday celebration in south Fort Myers.

The event, which was sponsored by the local community and members of the Executive Council of Southwest Florida, gave kids the opportunity to enjoy the holidays in a new way.

“It’s amazing how everyone came together and the motivation and dedication to give these kids something for the holidays,” said Bradley Dohack, the president and founder of the council. “They get an interaction with people they don’t run into everyday.”

The celebration included a coloring contest, a reindeer ornament crafts project, a caricaturist and Santa Claus.

“It’s great because we get presents and we have food,” said Angie Carsolio, 9, of the Boys & Girls Club.

The presents, activities and Santa Claus were all provided by area businesses that were approached by the executive council.

“Their focus is to promote and support the Boys & Girls Club. They planned the event and got the wish lists together,” said Bill Gunnin, the executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Lee County, about the executive council that was created three months ago.

The council is a collection of young professionals that meet once a month to network and socialize. They are a branch of the Boys & Girls Club of Lee County but act as a separate entity.

“We want to show these kids that there are adults that do care about them and that love them,” said Gunnin adding that the Crowne Plaza Hotel donated the space for the event. “It goes a long way for them and it allows the community to help.”

Franceska Hernandez, 6, attended the celebration and was all smiles.

“It’s good that if you be good, Santa gave me presents,” said Hernandez, who was one of the 50 children invited. “He gave me five presents!”

Boutique goes to prove that Women Ride, Too

Women Ride Too! on Park Meadows Drive in south Fort Myers sells feminine helps for women looking for something different.

Sexy, sophisticated and feminine are just a few words Casey Taylor uses when describing her Women Ride Too! boutique in south Fort Myers.

The 1,500-square-foot shop on Park Meadows Drive is attracting the attention of bikers throughout the area, especially women.

“Riding is such a passion for so many women riders in this area who are professionals and want something classy,” said Taylor, who opened the shop in October. “I want it to be a place where people can come and talk about riding or anything they want.”

The boutique offers a wide selection of shirts, leather bags, patches and feminine motorcycle parts.

“I’m working with a lot of companies now to manufacture parts that are specifically for women ... there just aren’t many to buy,” said Taylor referring to the popular Harley Davidson designs that are most commonly seen. “People come here and are surprised by the variety.”

The atmosphere of the boutique is warm and inviting and area riders are noticing as they continue to hear about it.

“I love it! I’m glad there is something out there for women ... it’s a fun place to go and get gifts,” said Debbie Ladd, 45, of Cape Coral, who doesn’t ride herself but has purchased several presents for the holidays. “It’s got a really big selection of things that you can’t find in other shops.”

Ladd has even purchased clothing items for her 15-year-old daughter and a few items for herself.

“We have a little of everything like bandannas with Swarovski crystals and leather chaps and gift ideas,” Taylor said, adding that the items she selects are not all pink or include skulls and spikes. “Some of this just doesn’t exist and (companies) are just starting to realize that it’s a big market for women.”

Men are welcomed at the store and Taylor offers a customized gift basket service and can special order items for customers.

“I work with them and can even help out the men pick something for their lady,” said Taylor who spends time showing customers how to wear bandannas and customize their bikes.

Beginning next year the shop will be offering rides for locals looking for a day trip or just a few hours on the road.

“I picked this store because it’s convenient for bikers to get in and out of and I hope that it will grow,” said Taylor who has been riding bikes for more than two years and opened the shop after being a medical office administrator for 20 years.

“Down here you can ride all year long and the weather is just beautiful ... it’s exciting to see the riders enjoying the boutique so much.”

Gift cards big hit with area businesses

University Grill in south Fort Myers is using its sign to promote their gift certificates. The manager of the restaurant said the certificates have been increasingly popular among customers looking for something different to give this holiday season.

Holiday shopping is in full swing and shoppers are running around trying to figure out what to buy their loved ones.

The problem is that sometimes grandma's hand-knit sweater, a funky tie or office plant just won't be the hit of the party.

That's why area businesses are offering gift cards and certificates that are gaining popularity, especially among procrastinating shoppers.

"They are very popular and we sell a ton of them," said Richard Zander, the manager at University Grill in south Fort Myers. The restaurant has been advertising its gift certificates on its sign for a few weeks. "It's hard to find things for your parents or those people who have everything."

Zander has seen the demand for certificates soar as gifters look for something different that won't just sit on the mantle and collect dust.

"It's a great gift because if they eat somewhere often ... you know they will like it and they can go enjoy a nice time out," Zander said, adding that some out-of-state customers order the certificates over the phone. "Some people have been here and then decide to buy a meal for their families."

Rib City is asking its customers to turn plastic into pork this holiday season with a promotion fit for the gifter and the recipient.

"If someone purchases $100 worth of gift certificates, they get $10 on their next visit," said Beth Watson, the director of marketing who oversees all the promotions for the area barbeque chain. "It's a little incentive to get a discount off your own personal meal ... it's been popular so far."

The popularity of the cards, Watson said, may be attributed to the convenience of the cards.

"In this electronic age we are in, gift cards are easier and you can use it as a credit card," said Watson adding that Rib City has never focused so much on promoting its gift cards until now."

The incentive to buy cards is good for customers who visit the restaurant often.

"We give them $10 barbeque bucks back and they can use it between the date of purchase and Jan. 31, 2008," said Watson about the cards being sold at 13 Florida locations. "It's not paper and they don't get lost because you put them in your wallet."

Gift certificates also make it easier for shoppers who want to give their spouses something from a specific place but aren't sure what.

"I find it's popular with the husbands and boyfriends because they know their (women) like to come and get their hair done and they get to pay for that little treat," said Patty Chafatelli, the manager at Indulgence Salon in south Fort Myers, adding that some give gift cards as a way to introduce a hair stylist to a friend.

"We get a lot of people who buy them for their moms who get facials and it's an hour of relaxation and pleasure."

Relaxation may not be on everyone's list this month, so the Omni Club in south Fort Myers is offering gift cards for the fit at heart.

"A lot of them buy one- to three-month memberships because they aren't sure of the commitment but they are widely popular," said Kari Fundingsland, the club's fitness director.

Fundingsland has also seen Omni dollars flying into members accounts as people walk in and gift money that can be used at the 6,000-member club.

"We've sold a lot more of them this year than last ... it's safer to put money on a member's account and they can use it whenever," she said. "Gift cards are popular because it's a gift with more options."

Families welcome at Kingston Hair Company

Kathleen Lichstein is a hairdresser at Kingston Hair Company in south Fort Myers. She is pictured giving Mindy Kasten, of south Fort Myers, a precision haircut. Lichstein specializes in coloring and razoring.

Kingston Hair Company is a full service shop for men, women and children.

The former Valenti's Barber Shop has moved, been renamed and opened in south Fort Myers on McGregor Boulevard in mid-October.

"We are pretty much a full salon service as well as a barber shop so the whole family can come here at once," said Barb Valenti, the part-owner of the shop and former owner of Valenti's Barber Shop. "We do all age groups and wanted to stay close to the area we had been working."

Valenti's partner at the company is Kathleen Lichstein, a women's hair dresser who specializes in coloring and highlighting.

"We kind of all do our own thing and it's a lot more relaxed and everybody comes for different reasons but it's very much a family," said Lichstein, while giving a customer a hair cut. She has been in the hair business for more than 30 years. "We basically put two services together and offer even more."

The shop not only offers haircuts and styling but also manicures, pedicures and permanent make-up application.

"I wouldn't go anywhere else! The atmosphere is relaxed and I get the best haircut here," said Mindy Kasten, of south Fort Myers. She was recently getting her haircut with Lichstein and raved that it's a comfortable place for her three year old, Haddon, to come. "It's hard to find somebody to do a precision haircut."

The unique quality of services the Kingston Hair Company offers is what keeps customers coming back.

"My men are mostly walk-in and it's busy ... sometimes I have six men waiting but the cut is worth it," said Valenti, who is a fourth generation hair cutter. "This is my third salon but I do love being independent and having a good time with the customers."

And, the customers appreciate it especially because most know how Valenti and Lichstein became business partners.

Both women used to work across the street from each other and met as Lichstein bought coffee next to Valenti's shop.

"We had a lot in common and are both from Connecticut. We decided to open up shop because we both wanted something new at the same time," said Lichstein, who met Valenti four years ago. "It all works because we know each others work and quality and we can refer clients to each other.

"We want customers to feel like they are coming to our home not our place of business," Valenti said.

Coffee shops compete, customers win

The Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii is decorated with an Island feel and customers like Laura Parra, of Estero, frequent the shop to order coffee from Brian Gunnere, 22, of Estero. Parra visits Bad Ass for the caffeine and atmosphere.

Coffee drinkers are no longer satisfied with a simple cup o' joe.

They want it foamed, whipped, sweetened, frappuchinoed and sometimes iced.

Caffeine connoisseurs in Bonita Springs, Estero and south Fort Myers have mature taste buds and the search for that perfect cup of coffee has sent them flocking to independent shops cropping up all over town.

The Cgrape Cafe is the latest shop opening in Bonita Springs for locals looking for a relaxing and customized cup.

"Our place will be designer and a place where people can come and relax," said Mai Nguyen, who is opening the coffee and wine bar with her fiance Drew Harkness by the end of the year. "We don't have to abide by a corporate standard so we can be flexible with our guests."

Flexibility and affordability is the staple of independent coffee shops looking to compete with Starbucks.

"Some people can't afford expensive coffee every week at Starbucks," said Nguyen whose coffee will range from $2.25 to $2.95 a cup once the store opens west of U.S. 41 on Bonita Beach Road. "If our guests come up with their own drink, we will make it for them."

Attention to detail and service is what Nguyen hopes will bring customers to her door and not to the Starbucks down the street.

"I didn't see that we had anything in Bonita that we call a comfortable atmosphere and place for the locals to come out," said Nguyen, who will design the shop with influences from her Asian background.

Nguyen knows the Starbucks company because while working for a hotel, she oversaw the opening of two licensed Starbucks stores.

That's why the Cgrape, which comes from sea grape, has to offer more.

"We want to capture all the taste buds and needs all in one place," Nguyen said. "The couple who will want coffee and wine can get it all here."

Starbucks has been filling the needs of customers since 1971 and in comparison to small stores, the franchise boasts 6,566 company-operated stores and 3,729 licensed stores in the United States, according to their Web site.

But having a store in every corner isn't keeping small shops from filling in the coffee market.

"The people that come here and like coffee but want something different and that's what we are," said Tom Harper, the manager of the Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii in Estero. The shop serves 100 percent Kona Coffee. "Our coffee is totally different than Starbucks ... from taste and flavor to having low acid and no after taste."

Bad Ass Coffee, which opened on Corkscrew last year, has a shop in Naples and continues to grow.

"We are in the Aloha lifestyle and it's just mellow and we play Island music and people like that," said Harper, about the store that is decorated with tiki's and island art.

Nick Firrincieli, part-owner of the Bear Rock Cafe in south Fort Myers, credits a cozy atmosphere and an ample menu for his success.

"Although we offer great coffees ... we are more than a coffee shop. We have TVs, a fireplace

and free Wi-Fi," said Firrincieli about the cafe that also offers a full menu including soups, sandwiches and dinners. "We dwell on customer service and value is a big thing too, especially with this economy, our prices are a bit more competitive than (Starbucks) is."

The Grind Coffee House and Roaster in south Fort Myers makes it a point to offer something different but is glad Starbucks exists.

"I'm glad Starbucks is around. They raised the bar and exposed people to coffee and we probably wouldn't be in business if it wasn't for them," said Owner Brian Dooley, 37. "The Grind is about getting the best green bean, roasting it here and serving it quick."

Dooley believes Starbucks success has made people understand why his freshly roasted coffee is better.

"They made it popular and we use a coffee roaster and that's the best way to get the highest quality cup of coffee," Dooley said admitting that he has a similar product to Starbucks but his customers are more about flavors. "We offer 25 to 30 different countries of coffee here. Our target market is more of someone that wants to taste the individual characteristics of the region."

Customers appreciate the care that shops like The Grind and Bad Ass coffee offer.

"I come for the caffeine. It's nice to have a coffee place that does specialty coffees," said Laura Parra, of Estero, while ordering a few cups for her coworkers. "This is perfect for us. The coffee is good and it's not Starbucks."