Real Estate’s Many Currents

FGCU study shows confidence in market in five-county area


WAYNE SALLADE, THE RETIRING EMERGENCY operations manager for Charlotte County and west coast weather guru, may be the only human left in the region who’s seized a real estate opportunity with money from the now decade-old, pre-recession boom — the one that led to the crash, which in turn led to the energetic market growth of the last six years, […]

Randy Thibault looks at Babcock Ranch




Babcock Ranch in southern Charlotte County is zoned for 19,000 new homes. How will it affect the real estate market nearby? “Syd Kitson is creating a longer vision for the decades to come, as far as where growth is going to go,” offers Randy Thibault, a long-time market analyst. “In the meantime, it’s fortunate he has a long-term vision and […]

A friend and hero: the last of Doolittle’s Raiders




Retrospect is a great trivializer for many, but not for Fred Valentine, at 94 a vibrant Naples resident still young enough to celebrate a living hero, the last of 80. He’s still struck to his core by what those men did starting 75 years ago this week, he says: In 132 days between Dec. 7, when the Japanese attacked Pearl […]

It is a good day to die!




The government of the United States is not known for its efficiency. But it functions as a well-oiled machine when it comes to the unrelenting screwing of our Native American population. The government has been shafting Native Americans for so long that it has almost become second nature. So routine is this institutionalized mistreatment that most of us give it […]

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Tish Sheesley

The 25-plus-year path to the fastpaced, eclectic job she now holds has taken Tish Sheesley through a wide variety of experiences in the arts and cultural non-profit world. As executive director of the Arts and Humanities Council for about the last year and a half, she vigorously “promotes and encourages an artistic and cultural climate in Charlotte County.” Recently, she […]

Bitter harvest




After the most divisive presidential campaign in modern history, Donald Trump is poised to become the 45th President of the United States. He will place his right hand presumably on a Bible (although a Bible is not required) and swear before almighty God to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States. Good luck with that. It is hard […]

History strikes back




President Barack Obama won’t explicitly say that Donald Trump is on the wrong side of history, but surely he believes it. The president basically thinks anyone who gets in his way is transgressing the larger forces of history with a capital “H.” In 2008, he declared John McCain “on the wrong side of history right now” (the “right now” was […]

What I learned about gift giving from a dubious outdoorsman




What are you giving or expecting to get for this Christmas? And where will you find it? Our average age group in this area of Southwest Florida is about 60 years old. This means local stores carry more items catering to that age group than to other age groups. Merchants also take into account the geographic area. Stores up north […]

Three new books answer your questions about cats




We at Pet Connection have always suspected that cats are aliens who have enslaved us to do their furry bidding. They train us to feed them, scoop their litter boxes and be their sidekicks — when they want us to be. Cats are the most popular pets in the United States, with between 74 and 96 million of them sharing […]

Pets of the Week



To adopt or foster a pet These animals are available for adoption at the Animal Welfare League, 3519 Drance St., Port Charlotte. All animals are microchipped, neutered and current with their shots. The shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. To view adoptable pets, visit awlshelter.org. To adopt or foster a pet To learn more, visit […]