Pam James

Jessie and James and Ivy and Mae are the newest residents of The Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs. Two female American river otters (Ivy and Mae) and two juvenile American alligators (Jessie and James), were feted at the zoological park for a grand opening celebration on Thursday, Aug. 28.

Middle schoolers from Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties participate in a week-long summer camp hosted by The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University. The goal is to teach students about the water habitats they live near and play in.

Quincy Jones was the GOAT of music producing. He was a musician; scored dozens of television and film themes; produced some of the most successful songs and albums of the 20th century; and pulled together a stunt that has yet to be duplicated. Jones died November 3 at his home in the Bel-Air section of Los Angeles. No cause of death was given. He was 91.Sheldon Zoldan’s Song of the Day is paying tribute to the musicians, singers and songwriters who died in 2024.

Athlete, army reservist, Rhodes scholar, janitor, helicopter pilot, singer, songwriter and actor - Kris Kristofferson led a full life. He died September 28, 2024 in Hawaii. He was 88. Sheldon Zoldan’s Song of the Day is paying tribute to the musicians, singers and songwriters who died in 2024.

Sergio Mendes had a 60-year career in the music business. His first American hit was "Mas Que Nada" in 1966. Mendes died September 5th in a Los Angles hospital from long Covid. He was 83. Sheldon Zoldan’s Song of the Day is paying tribute to the musicians, singers and songwriters who died in 2024.

Singer, songwriter J.D. Souther was never an Eagle, but he soared like one. Souther turned down the chance to join the successful rock band because he thought The Eagles were already perfect. Instead, in the 1970s, he wrote songs for the group and other rock stars, as well as recording his own.Souther died Sept. 17 in Sandia Park, New Mexico. The cause of death wasn’t given. He was 78.Sheldon Zoldan’s Song of the Day is paying tribute to the musicians, singers and songwriters who died in 2024.

Manatee County reports that 300 residents and visitors were safely rescued and evacuated from Anna Marie Island, Palmetto and unincorporated areas of the county.

Experiments on FGCUs Kimberly’s Reef range from looking for red tide, gauging the temperature and chemical composition of the water, measuring aspects of the currents in the Gulf of Mexico, and even counting the many fish attracted to the artificial structures. Some of this research is often done by boat. For many scientists, though, the best way to study the reef is below the surface.

In the Gulf of Mexico, seven and a half miles due west of Bonita Beach and 30 feet below the surface grows an artificial reef and living classroom laboratory created by The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University. This Dispatch from Kimberly’s Reef focuses on the fish who live in this new ecosystem and the scientists who are counting them.

Ever since since the FGCU Water School began deploying their underwater classroom and laboratory, scientific research has been underway at Kimberly’s Reef. Professors and students are studying the entire water column surrounding the villages. Already changes are being made by wildlife inhabiting the reef, starting at the bottom or benthic zone.