Most of the snowbirds have all flown (or driven) home. Southwest Florida's seasonal visitors are dwindling in number as we approach the summer months here. Many of us have mixed feelings about this. One one hand, it's a welcome relief to the consistent traffic snarls and protracted waiting periods for dining. On the other hand, a big part of southwest Florida's business has left residents to focus on just how the recession has impacted our local economy.

Just because our tourist season has ended doesn't mean that nothing is happening. In fact, some might argue that this is the best time of the year !

If you have recently moved to Cape Coral, well, Congratulations !
However, before you drive to the beach and start putting on sunscreen, there are a few changes that will, likely, make your road to the shoreline much smoother.

Here in Cape Coral, we can boast many unique lifestyle offerings that might account for why we are often referred to as "Paradise". But if you don't take the time to get a few things in order, it's possible that you'll miss more than a few sunsets before you ever see the beach...because you'll have to walk to get there !

Gary Foster, director of the Center for Obesity Research and Education at Temple University and colleagues have just completed a two year study. Five Philadelphia elementary schools replaced sodas with fruit juice. They scaled back snacks and banished candy. They handed out raffle tickets for wise food choices. They spent hours teaching kids, their parents and teachers about good nutrition.

If you are a regular visitor to our site, then you may recall an article we published back in March entitled; "Sunsplash is Open, C'mon Down". We didn't want Lee County kids on Spring Break to miss out on some fun in the sun. We talked about some changes to the park in that article. We also mentioned the hours of operation for the spring and summer months.

As of today, three new water slides are open at the park. With the recent makeover, improvements and new attractions, we decided that Sunsplash Family Waterpark should be May's Park of the Month !

Isn't it interesting that the larger a company becomes, the less personable it often seems to become, as well ? I can think of very few corporations that have held steadfast to their original mission statements. I really believe that at some point in a company's growth, there is a juncture where principals of integrity are abandoned in favor of bigger profits and additional growth.

As a business enterprise becomes a large public entity, it attempts to develop a sense of social accountability. The more visible a company's brand becomes, the more effort it puts forth grooming its image. But how often do you hear the expression; "Corporate Soul"? It's nearly a contradiction in terms. I have a few thoughts as to why that is.

Often, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary to just take a break ! Our beloved editorial columnist, Robin Mobley, has decided to do just that. She is facing some personal issues that preclude her from being able to write her column. While it's truly disappointing that she must be absent, her need for personal space is one I would never ignore or take lightly.

The Coral Oaks Golf Course is experiencing a rebirth of sorts. In the wake of recent renovations completed by the Cape Coral Parks and Recreation department, golfers have commented on how nice the improvements have made the facility. In addition to the repairs made to the tee area, new artificial hitting surfaces have been added to the driving range to offer golfers a different surface for practicing their game.

Many new visitors to Greatest Cape have asked me this question. At first, I was a little confused by it, but after some thought...it started to make real sense. One of the luxuries I do not have is the gift of "first sight". I suppose that to put that expression in terms that are easier to understand, I am very familiar with how this site works and exactly where everything lives. The plain fact is that we've got an awful lot of information and links and most first time visitors are left saying; "where do I begin"?

Maybe I am the last one to realize this fact, so, please excuse me. But, since I'm aware now, I think I can give you some ideas to, hopefully, make clear your options.

It is with great pleasure that we introduce to our site's visitors April's Park of the Month. Located east of Del Prado between Hancock Bridge Parkway and Bolado Parkway, Paul Sanborn Park, which opened in January 2008, is the newest addition to the Cape Coral Park system. Beautiful landscaping is one of the many highlights of this unique neighborhood park with over 4,000 plants and one of the only banyan trees in the City.