NEWS BRIEFS

The City of Bonita Springs Citywide Cleanup is Feb. 24

The City of Bonita Springs will be hosting the annual Citywide Cleanup on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon. The city asks volunteers who are participating in the cleanup to meet at the Banyan Tree Lot across from Riverside Park, 10520 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs) to register/check-in and pick up supplies.

Volunteers will be asked to pick up litter around the downtown Bonita Springs area. Gloves and trash bags will be provided to volunteers by the city. The Bonita Springs Citywide Cleanup is a great opportunity for students of all ages who need volunteer hours, as well as anyone looking to help their community.

For questions regarding the Citywide Cleanup, call 239-949-6262.

Second annual Bonita Fest to benefit local non-profits

The second annual Bonita Fest will take place on Saturday, March 9, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Riverside Park in downtown Bonita Springs. Admission is free and open to the public. Attendees will enjoy live music, food trucks and meet more than 25 local businesses exhibiting in the park. A variety of local craft beers and domestic favorites will be on draft and available for purchase from a beer truck provided by Sun Coast Beverage. A family play area with bounce houses is sponsored by Sunshine Ace Hardware. Bonita Fest 2024 is also sponsored by RDA Consulting Engineers, Central Bank and Grumpy Goat Coffee.

Live music will be performed by DJ Memphis On Air, Edith Diamond and The Yabo Brothers. Food trucks on site will be Viet Yum, Pansardo, Alligator Creek BBQ, Cocktails and Things and Between the Bunz. Event proceeds will be donated to the Rotary Club of Bonita Beach Sunset and the Northside Naples Kiwanis Club. Businesses that would like to support the event via sponsorship or have a presence at Bonita Fest can email goatsofbonita@gmail.com to determine availability. For more event details, follow GOATs of Bonita at facebook.com/goatsofbonita.

Water Conservation Ordinance now on once-a-week schedule

A reminder to homeowners that the Lee Board of County Commissioners voted to amend the Lee County Water Conservation Ordinance to implement a one-day a-week watering schedule from the beginning of February through the end of May to conserve water and protect the aquifer. This means the odd-numbered addresses may only water on Saturdays and even-numbered addresses and common areas may water on Sundays. No watering can occur 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Typically, the aquifers peak toward the end of rainy season and show the most stress during the April-May timeframe.

Residents and commercial property owners are urged to abide by local ordinances that restrict lawn irrigation. Lawn irrigation can account for 50% of household use. While the Lee County ordinance applies to those in unincorporated Lee County, a comprehensive list of local rules can be found at www.sfwmd.gov/mywateringdays.

Bonita Springs YMCA to host Annual Why Cook Fundraiser

The Bonita Springs YMCA is hosting the exclusive Why Cook fundraiser dinner. Why Cook is an interactive dinner taking place from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13 at the Bonita Springs YMCA, 27200 Kent Rd, Bonita Springs.

This year’s theme is “Around the World” as guests will travel to Thailand, Greece, Cuba and France as they prepare a fabulous four-course meal from Around the World led by the talented Executive Chef at Michael’s on the East. Enjoy a casual, festive evening of cooking, fun and fundraising. Seating is limited and tickets are currently available for purchase by the seat or by the table at www.ymcaswfl.org/events/why-cook-2024 . For sponsorship opportunities or to donate a silent auction item to the event contact Angel Cerritos, executive director at acerritos@ymcaswfl.org or 239-333-1669.

Last year’s event raised over $200,000 that went back into the community.

Funds raised at this event are dedicated to providing scholarship assistance for children, families and seniors, and expanding YMCA programming and services for everyone in the Bonita Springs, Estero and surrounding communities.

For more information on the event and the Bonita Springs YMCA visit www.ymcaswfl.org/events/why-cook-2024 or call 239-221-7560.

Registration now open for the 5K Family Fun Run at Estero Health Expo

Registration is now open for the 5K Family Fun Run planned for Saturday, March 2, at Estero Park and Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero.

The Family Fun Run is part of Lee County

Parks & Recreation’s annual Estero Health Expo, which is 7 to 11 a.m., Saturday, March 2, at the Estero Park and Recreation Center. The run will begin at 8 a.m.

Advance registration is required for the run and the cost is $20 per participant. To register, visit www.leeparks.org/register or call the Estero Recreation Center at 239- 533-1470.

The Estero Health Expo will feature health vendors and community resources.

Seasonal Rotarians invited to Bonita Rotary Club breakfasts

Rotarians moving to Southwest Florida for the winter months are invited to join the Rotary Club of Bonita Springs at their breakfast meetings. Meetings are held each Thursday morning at Spring Run Golf Club. For more information about the club or to receive an invitation for a complimentary breakfast meeting, visit: www.BonitaSpringsRotary.org or call 239-301-8168.

If you are interested in learning about other Rotary Clubs in the area, contact the Bonita Springs Club for a referral to clubs that meet in the morning, at noon or in the evening in Marco Island, Naples, Fort Myers and other communities.

The Rotary Club of Bonita Springs recently celebrated its 45th anniversary. Since it was founded, the 80-member Rotary Club of Bonita Springs has awarded more than $2.7 million to area organizations. The Club hosts several annual fundraisers, including the Christmas Tree and Poinsettia sale at the Ace Hardware Plaza on Bonita Beach Road, a reverse raffle, and other events. It also sponsors Interact Clubs at both the Estero and Bonita Springs High Schools. ¦

The post NEWS BRIEFS first appeared on Bonita Springs Florida Weekly .