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The size and scope of the wildfire that's been burning in the Big Cypress National Preserve for over a week took a small step back Friday with a reduction in fire area and a small increase in containment. Better mapping helped make those changes and placed the National Fire at 35,027 acres burned and at 67 percent contained by late Friday, according to a press briefing issued by the command structure of the wildfire. That was about 300 fewer acres and three percent more containment.

A rare orchid, which uses the skills of a magician to appear from nowhere and seemingly float in the air next to its host tree, is in bloom at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The “ghost orchid” is the largest one ever discovered, and its blossoms draw international attention among the uber-enthusiastic world of orchid lovers.

A major regional climate conference this week brought together a diverse collection of people and their ideas to work together to find a sustainable way of life in the future despite some differing beliefs how to get from here to there. Dozens of community members from environmental nonprofits, academia, community groups, and local, state, and federal governments attended the day-long Southwest Florida Climate and Community Summit in Naples.

Barbara Mann GM Scott Saxson started the High School Musical Theatre Awards in 2008 to celebrate local high school actors and orchestras, their musical productions, and the hard work it takes to bring those shows to the stage.Students spend months working on their productions, rehearsing songs and dance steps, designing and painting the sets, sewing the costumes and doing everything else it takes to put on a show. Most schools start working on their productions in the fall and rehearse all year — including after school and on weekends — until they present their shows in March or April. The High School Musical Theatre Awards celebrate their hard work and achievements.

A partnership is helping to spread mobility via the distribution of refurbished bikes in the Bonita Springs area. The Café of Life in Bonita Springs is partnering with Bikes for Tykes with some 200 bicycles already donated.

On Wednesday, April 16, Gulfshore Opera will delight Bay Club at the Colony diners with arias, duets and scenes from opera and classic musical theater. This “Taste of Opera” performance features Metropolitan Opera soprano Susanne Burgess, tenor Derrek Stark and baritone Javier Arrey.

Kat Epple performs on flute on the Baker Art Museum patio on Wednesday, Sept. 24. This free event features outdoor tableside seating and free admission to the museum’s exhibitions. Food, wine and other beverages will be available for purchase.

The Lee County Civic Center Complex’s future is up in the air after a two-hour discussion between Lee County Commissioners and residents over managing the property.

Charlotte County is beginning the conflict resolution process with Lee County over the new regulations on parking on Boca Grande. It's part of state law to allow government bodies to try to resolve disagreements before lawsuits are filed.

Hurricane Irma has officially been tied to 34 deaths in Florida, but the number will rise.