Things to do in Cape Coral, Fort Myers area:

Things to do in Cape Coral, Fort Myers area: Cuban-themed play 'Anna in the Tropics,' etc.

Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-PressPublished 9:00 a.m. ET Sept. 13, 2018

(Photo: Paula Sisk)

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

• Eve to Adam: New York hard rockers best known for the top 20 mainstream rock song “Immortal.” Plus opening acts Crow Fly and Jimi Dred. 6 p.m. Free.  South Street City Oven and Grill, 1410 Pine Ridge Road, Naples. 435-9333 or southstreetnaples.com
• “Anna in the Tropics”: The Southwest Florida premiere of Nilo Cruz’s play set in a small cigar factory in 1929 Ybor City, Tampa. Cuban-American workers hand-roll tobacco leaves while a “lector” entertains them by reading newspapers, poetry and novels. Then a new employee starts reading them “Anna Karenina,” instead, and sets into motion the events of this passionate, Pulitzer Prize-winning story. The play is presented as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. Sept. 14-30. $28. The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 218-0481 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com
• “The Art of Peter Greenaway & Jack Kerouac” exhibit: Rauschenberg Gallery follows up its recent “Jack Kerouac & Ed Ruscha: On the Road” exhibit with this new show featuring 50 of Kerouac’s paintings and works on paper, plus British filmmaker Peter Greenway’s drawings inspired by the classic Kerouac book “On the Road.” Sept. 14-Dec. 8. Free admission. Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at Florida SouthWestern State College, 8099 College Parkway S.W., Building L, south Fort Myers. 489-9313 or rauschenberggallery.com.
• “Comedy for a Cause”: Local celebrities perform improv comedy in this sixth annual show benefiting The Charlotte Players. 6-10 p.m. $85. Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda. 941-255-1022 or info@charlotteplayers.org
• Staged Readings: The first in a series of staged readings with actors performing short stories, essays, plays, speeches and more. 7:30 p.m. $20. Center for Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artcenterbonita.org

Pocket Change (Photo: Special to The News-Press)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

• World premiere of “Refugee”: Bestselling author Alan Gratz and Broadway playwright Eric Coble visit Florida Rep for the world premiere of “Refugee” and an after-show discussion. This is a one-night-only performance. Commissioned by Florida Rep, the play follows three refugees fleeing violence at home in hopes of finding a better life in America. Coble adapted Gratz’s book after being approached by the show’s director, Kody C. Jones. The play stars six Florida Rep performance interns. 6 p.m. $10. Florida Repertory Theatre, 2267 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 332-4488 or floridarep.org
• End of Summer Bash: Psychedelic/stoner metal act Psychic Dose performs at this all-ages show. 8 p.m. to midnight. Free. Beach Records, 16120 San Carlos Blvd., Unit 10, south Fort Myers. 878-7806 or facebook.com/BeachRecords
• SummerJazz on the Gulf: The 33rd-annual outdoor concert series holds its last show of the summer with Fort Lauderdale band Motown, Philly soul, reggae and rock band Pocket Change. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples. 261-2222 or NaplesBeachHotel.com
• 2018 Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk: This national fundraising run/walk was created to honor the life and death of New York City firefighter Stephen Siller, who died during 9/11 after strapping on his gear and running through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers. There will be a 3.1-mile course and also a 1-mile memorial walk. 7:30 a.m. Registration is $20-$25. Lakes Regional Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, south Fort Myers. facebook.com/T2TFortMyers
• Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Trolley: Ride trolleys throughout the South Cape and stop at 11 different places for specialty drinks at this St. Patrick’s Day-themed event. 7-11 p.m. Tickets are $10 plus $2.50 per drink. Designated-driver tickets are $20. Check-in happens at Big John's Plaza and in front of Dixie Roadhouse, downtown Cape Coral. facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociations
• Tiki Festival: This tropical-themed event includes vendors, crafts, horseshoes, cornhole, barbecue, live music, food, drinks and more. Tropical attire is encouraged. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Moose Lodge 2199, 155 Santa Barbara Blvd. N., Cape Coral. 458-8708 or facebook.com/localladiessouthflorida

Concert news: Miguel headlines FGCU’s Eaglepalooza this November

All that jazz: Dan Miller and Lew Del Gatto play every week at The Barrel Room

Bestselling author Alan Gratz (Photo: Wes Stitt)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

• Bluegrass in the Theater: Join fellow acoustic-music lovers in the Foulds Theatre for three hours of live music by bands from Southwest Florida and beyond. The September lineup features Friends of Gerald, Southwind and The Other Guys. Presented in partnership with the Acoustic Music Society of Southwest Florida. 2 p.m. $15.  Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org
• “The Wizard of Oz”: Last chance to see the stage musical based on the beloved 1939 movie about Dorothy, her little dog and her magical adventures in the merry old land of Oz. Sept. 7-16. $21. Cultural Park Theater, 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. 772-5862 or culturalparktheater.com

Texas country trio Midland (Photo: Special to The News-Press)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

• CMR Talent Search: Southwest Florida independent label Creative Minds Records holds a public talent search for local singers and vocal groups. It’s free to enter but all entries must be submitted by midnight Sept. 8. The live competition is open to the public. 7-10 p.m. Admission is $10. The event benefits the Tabarrini Foundation, which gives local kids musical instruments and lessons. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. CMRTalentSearch.com

THURSDAY, SEPT. 20

• Bike Night at Shell Factory: This motorcycle-themed event includes live music, barbecue, drinks, biker jewelry and more. Takes place 5-10 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Free admission. The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers. 995-2141 or shellfactory.com
• Comedian Rob Little: The stand-up comic has appeared in national television commercials and on such shows as Comedy Central’s “Distraction,” FOX News and SiTV’s “Latino Laugh Festival.” Matt Price opens. Sept. 20-22. $20-$25. Laugh In Comedy Café, 8595 College Parkway, Unit 270, south Fort Myers. 479-5233 or laughincomedycafe.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

•  Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Midland and Locash headline the fifth annual music festival. The sprawling Island Hopper takes place Sept. 21-30 at venues throughout Lee County. The lineup includes songwriters Earl Bud Lee (Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places”), Dylan Altman (Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”), Lee Thomas Miller (Chris Stapleton’s “Whiskey and You”) and Wendell Mobley (Kenny Chesney’s “There Goes My Life”). Most events are free, but tickets for Midland and Locash are $35 in advance, $45 at the door. The shows take place at various venues in Lee County. islandhopperfest.com
• Ink Life Tour: The Fort Myers music and tattoo fest moves north to Punta Gorda for three days of tattoo artists, vendors and live bands (including Friday headliner Matisyahu and Saturday headliner Filter). Noon to about 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to about 8 p.m. Sunday. $20-$25 per day, $40 for a weekend pass (including concerts). Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda. (941) 833-5444 or charlotteharborecc.com
• “Becoming Doctor Ruth”: A heartfelt, funny one-woman show based on the life of famous sex therapist  Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Written by Mark St. Germain, the playwright behind Florida Rep’s "Best of Enemies” and "George Washington's Teeth.” Sept. 21-Oct. 21 in the ArtStage Studio Theatre. Tickets are $45-$55. Florida Repertory Theatre, 2267 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 332-4488 or floridarep.org
• Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party: This touring, kid-friendly show features ice skaters portraying popular Disney characters. Sept. 21-23. $20-$100. Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero.  948-7825 or germainarena.com
• Music Walk: Downtown Fort Myers comes alive with music at this monthly celebration with bands in the streets and inside the bars and venues. 6-10 p.m. Music Walk takes place on the third Friday of every month. Free. Downtown Fort Myers. downtownfortmyers.com/music_walk

Matisyahu (Photo: Special to The News-Press)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

• Blackwater Country Jam: New country-music fest featuring headliner Jerrod Niemann, plus Runaway June, Jacob Bryant, Taylor Phillips, Meghan Patrick, JB Crockett and the Cody Williams Band. 1-10 p.m. $35 ($75 for VIP). Laishley Park, 100 Nesbit St., downtown Punta Gorda. facebook.com/BlackwaterCountryJam
• Albert Castiglia: The bluesman and his South Florida band play what he calls “red-raw, sweat-and-hair blues that gives it to you straight.”  8 p.m. $20-$30. Center for Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artcenterbonita.org

http://www.captivasanibel.com/page/content.detail/id/584719/Time-to-act-is-now.html?nav=5049

Time to act is now

August 29, 2018

Island Reporter, Captiva Current, Sanibel-Captiva Islander

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To the editor:

Dr. Michael Crosby, president and chief executive officer of the Mote Marine Laboratories - a biblical mote in your eye? - describes red tide as a long standing natural phenomenon and not necessarily related to agricultural fertilizer. This is only a part of the story.

Long before Europeans set eyes on Florida's southwest coast, there were thousands of bird rookeries. Bird guano fertilized red tide. Condominiums and luxury resorts have replaced the rookeries, but the crap, corruption and toxic chemicals that runs off fields, pastures, golf courses and residential developments is now the stimulus for red tide. Like many others, Dr. Crosby coyly uses the word "nutrients" instead of fertilizer. Beware, reader - always ask who finances scientific activities. Grant money from the government or industry can influence "scientific" results.

It is time for the captains, mayors, commissioners, scientists and the professional environmentalists to stop whining and start a boycott of Florida agricultural products. Even if the boycott didn't work, the publicity might shame the politicians and Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam into enacting a state-wide ban on fertilizers until agriculture, the golf courses and developers build artificial wetlands to catch the runoff. Stop the excuses that it is "a problem," "difficult" and "it will take a long time." Put enough pressure on the politicians. If they stop holding out their hands for money from the sugar daddies, they could enact the legislation tomorrow. Don't let them wait for more decades. A bulldozer can scrape out a shallow holding pond, planted with native vegetation in a few days.

Septic tanks that leak into our waterways are another stimulus for green algae and red tide. If cities, like Captiva, refuse to develop systems for the disposal of sewage then force their citizens to install composting or incinerator toilets instead of passing their excrement into our waterways.

Get 'er done now, not in the next century.

John Raffensperger

Sanibel

Call me with any questions at (239) 560-1574 or Email me at: Terry@IslandLifeFMB.com

There Are Tax Benefits With Home Ownership

WRITTEN BY BENNY L KASSPOSTED ONTUESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2018 19:54

 
 
 
 

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Homeownership has always been the "great American dream". And Congress -- with one exception -- did not take it away when it passed the tax reform bill last December.

To foster and encourage this dream, Congress has consistently enacted -- or preserved -- tax legislation which favors homeowners. Indeed, much has been written that our tax laws discriminate against renters, by giving unfair and unequal tax benefits to those who own homes.

Every four years, some candidate for high political office tries to focus our attention on equalizing the tax laws, and repealing the homeowner benefits, but these arguments have consistently fallen on deaf ears.

For those of us who own homes, here is a list of the itemized tax deductions available to the average homeowner. Every year, you are permitted to deduct the following expenses:

Taxes. Real property taxes, both state and local, can be deducted. The one exception referenced above: tax filers can deduct on Schedule A any combination of state and local property taxes and income or sales taxes but only up to a total of $10,000. Interestingly, married couples who file their own separate tax return can only deduct up to $5000.

However, it should be noted that real estate taxes are only deductible in the year they are actually paid to the government. Thus, if in year 2018, your lender held in escrow moneys for taxes due in 2019, you cannot take a deduction for these taxes when you file your 2018 tax return.

.Mortgage lenders are required to send an annual statement to borrowers by the end of January of each year, reflecting the amount of mortgage interest and real estate taxes the homeowner paid during the previous year.

Mortgage Interest. Interest on mortgage loans on a first or second home is fully deductible, subject to the following limitations: acquisition loans up to $1 million, and home equity loans up to $100,000. If you are married, but file separately, these limits are split in half. But note that for new loans taken out after December 14, 2017, the limit on deductible mortgage debt is reduced to $750,000. Loans in existence prior to that date are grandfathered.

You must understand the concept of an acquisition loan. To qualify for such a loan, you must buy, construct or substantially improve your home. If you refinance for more than the outstanding indebtedness, the excess amount does not qualify as an acquisition loan unless you use all of the excess to improve your home. However, any other excess may qualify as a home equity loan.

Let us look at this example: Several years ago, you purchased your house for $150,000 and obtained a mortgage in the amount of $100,000. Last year, your mortgage indebtedness had been reduced to $95,000, but your house was worth $300,000.

Because rates were low last year, you refinanced and were able to get a new mortgage of $175,000. Your acquisition indebtedness is $95,000. The additional $80,000 that you took out of your equity does not qualify as acquisition indebtedness, but since it is under $100,000, it qualifies as a home equity loan.

Several years ago, the Internal Revenue Service ruled that one does not have to take out a separate home equity loan to qualify for this aspect of the tax deduction. However, if you had borrowed $200,000, you would only be able to deduct interest on $195,000 of your loan -- the $95,000 acquisition indebtedness, plus the $100,000 home equity.

One more caveat: the proceeds of a second mortgage -- or a home equity loan -- are still deductible but only if the money is used to substantially improve the property.

The remaining interest is treated as personal interest, and is not deductible.

Points. Because mortgage rates are still considerably low, not too many borrowers are paying points. When you obtain a mortgage loan, in order to get a lower rate mortgage, you would pay one or more points. Whether referred to as "loan origination fees," "premium charges," or "discounts," these are still points. Each point is one percent of the amount borrowed; if you obtain a loan of $170,000, each point will cost you $1,700. And the interest rate on your loan will be lowered.

The IRS has also ruled that even if points are paid by sellers, they are still deductible by the homebuyer. Points paid to a lender when you refinance your current mortgage are not fully deductible in the year they are paid; you have to allocate the amount over the life of the loan. For example, you paid $1700 in points for a 30 year loan. Each year you are permitted to deduct only $56.66 ($1700 divided by 30); however, when you pay off this new loan, any remaining portion of the points you have not deducted are then deductible in full.

Needless to say, if you have any questions about these tax benefits, discuss them with your financial and legal advisors.

2956 BUTTONWOOD KEY CT ST. JAMES CITY, FL 33956

REDUCED PRICE!!! $427,900. 

Built in 1998, this home has a perfect open layout, great for entertaining. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, stilt home construction. 2 boat lifts, one covered with a new $4,500 roof, just minutes to the Gulf of Mexico. The 1st Floor is comprised of 2 bays, one that is over 50 feet deep and the other that is 42 feet deep, including a sizable workshop area. Plenty of room to add a bedroom downstairs. 9' ceilings, tile floors throughout, central vacuum and hurricane shutters.The upstairs porch with Plexiglas windows has an incredible view of the intersecting canals and with steps leading to the downstairs screened porch and...The neighborhood is really, really nice! This property is being offered below the recent appraised value of $435,000. Please see all attached documents.

Call me with any SW Florida Real Estate Questions (239) 560-1574 Terry@IslandLifeFMB.com

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FLORIDA TREND REAL ESTATE

South Florida's international real estate appeal

| 7/30/2018

South Florida’s international real estate appeal

South Florida real estate’s international investment appeal is very strong, according to data released recently by the Miami Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors, particularly in Latin America and Canada. The NAR survey once again showed that foreign buying activity is mostly limited to three states, as Florida (19 percent), California (14 percent) and Texas (9 percent) remained the top three destinations for foreign buyers to purchase. The Miami Association of Realtors® reports that Colombia led searches for Miami homes for the fifth straight month. After Colombia, the next four nations searching for Miami real estate are Venezuela, Canada, Pakistan and Argentina. Read more at GlobeSt.com.

See also:
» International buyers are dropping out of US housing market
» Foreign buyers are purchasing way less U.S. real estate—especially in these top markets

3 of the 5 fastest-selling residential developments are in Florida

A national survey shows that three of the five fastest-selling residential developments are in Florida. The Villages, a retirement community in Central Florida, is the fastest-selling residential development in the nation, according to RCLCO a real estate consulting firm based in Maryland. [Source: The Real Deal]

Ring plundered $1.2 billion of Venezuelan oil money, laundered it in South Florida real estate, feds charge

A web of former Venezuelan officials and businessmen was charged in Miami Wednesday with operating a massive $1.2 billion international money-laundering racket funded with stolen government money that was invested in South Florida real estate and other assets. “Venezuela’s state of social, political and economic crisis, in which multibillion-dollar corrupt and criminal ecosystems thrive, drives rivers of criminal proceeds through South Florida,” says a Homeland Security Investigations affidavit filed with the complaint in Miami federal court. Read more at the Miami Herald.

Commercial real estate data points to Miami as next office space hotspot

Miami remains the economic engine of South Florida, but Southwest Broward continues to attract corporate tenants due to its highway access and growing residential base. Downtown Fort Lauderdale is seeing thousands of new residential units constructed and is one of the few places where a major seaport, airport and downtown converge. [Source: Propmodo]

See also:
» CRE startup Truss launches in South Florida

Most Tampa Bay home values still haven't bounced back from recession

It's been 10 years since the Great Recession, but most home prices in the Tampa Bay area still haven't reached their pre-recession peak, according to numbers released this week by the real estate website Zillow. [Source: WTSP]

STAT OF THE WEEK
27 
Number of projects under construction in downtown Jacksonville, totaling $719 million worth of investment. Last year saw 25 projects, or $128 million worth, complete construction. [Source: Jacksonville Business Journal]

ALSO TRENDING:

› Your coastal property has already lost value to sea rise. This site can tell you how much [Miami Herald]
Miami-Dade County property values are up — again — this year, but new research shows that growth could have been even larger if thousands of homes weren’t at risk of regular flooding from sea level rise.

› LNR Partners auctions 18-story office building in downtown Jacksonville for $24.47M [The Real Deal]
Special servicer LNR Partners sold an 18-story landmark in downtown Jacksonville for $24.47 million. Talara Investment Group LLC bought paid $85 per square foot on the Ten-X auction platform for the repossessed BB&T Tower, which has a 63 percent occupancy rate.

› Doral awaits residential projects approved before this year [Miami Today]
Almost every block in Doral awaits a new residential and mixed-used project approved prior to 2018. The centralization of a live-work-play lifestyle only fuels a higher demand for a growing inventory.

› Home prices decelerate in Sarasota-Manatee [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Home prices in Sarasota-Manatee rose at a slower pace than the national average during the second quarter. Single-family homes and condominiums sold for a median $250,000 in the April-June period, 4.6 percent higher than one year earlier, real estate database ATTOM Data Solutions reported.