It’s not every day you get to sit down with a man who’s plucked a shark’s tooth the size of his palm from the floor of the Gulf of Mexico. But Chuck Uselmann doesn’t fit neatly into any ordinary category. Part adventurer, part scientist, and part storyteller, he’s made a name for himself among divers and fossil hunters along Florida’s west coast. His recent dive off Manasota Key, where he surfaced with not only a megalodon tooth but also a whale’s ear bone, a dolphin rib, and even a horse tooth, sent shockwaves through the local fossil-hunting community and made him something of a local legend.

ER: Chuck let’s start with the big one. Tell us about the day you found that enormous shark’s tooth.

Chuck: That day was something else. I went out with Aristakat Charters, which is kind of the gold standard around here for fossil dives. We were only about a mile and a half offshore. You can see land the whole time, but down there, it feels like another planet. The guides know these spots, little structures and ledges on the sea floor where the heavy stuff settles. Not just sand, but pebbles, bones, and if you’re lucky, teeth. I’m not a pro diver, so I always pay for a guide. It’s worth every penny. That day, right as I was thinking I’d found nothing but gravel, I brushed my hand through the sand and there it was, thick, black, and sharp as the day it fell out of a megalodon’s mouth maybe 20 million years ago.

ER: What was it like holding that tooth for the first time?

Chuck: I’ve picked up thousands of little shark teeth on the beach, but this was massive, hand-sized. You can feel the weight of history. You think about these ancient monsters, megalodons, some of them up to 60 feet long, swimming in this very water. It’s like shaking hands with the past.

ER: Your adventure didn’t stop there. You also found a whale ear bone, a dolphin rib, and even a horse tooth. How common are those finds?

Chuck: The whale ear bone, people don’t realize how dense those are, but they’re easy to spot once you know what to look for. I’d found one before, so I knew the shape. The dolphin rib was a first for me, and the horse tooth? That’s what really blew people’s minds. My guide had one in her sample kit to show us what’s possible, so I knew what I’d found right away. It’s not unheard of, but it’s rare enough to feel like striking gold. The Gulf has been land and sea over the millennia. Horses, camels, and mammoths all roamed here when Florida was more savanna than swamp.

ER: Why is Manasota Key and Venice such a hotspot for these fossils?

Chuck: It comes down to geology and luck. Millions of years ago, Florida was underwater. Sharks lived, hunted, and died out here. Their teeth settled in ancient riverbeds, mixed with bones from land animals when the water receded, then got buried and preserved. Storms, tides, and currents are constantly exposing new layers. 

ER: You mentioned always diving with a guide. Why is that so important, even for experienced divers?

Chuck: Safety is everything. Down there, you need a buddy. If something goes wrong, you want someone who can help untangle you or share air. And the guides here have eagle eyes. They spot things I’d never notice, tiny bits of bone or tooth poking out of the sand. Plus, four eyes double your chances. And I always ask about the air tanks. I got sick once from bad air, so now I insist on seeing their air quality certificate. The best companies, like Aristakat, are happy to show you.

ER: Let’s talk about luck. Do you always come up with treasures, or does it take persistence?

Chuck: Oh, persistence is everything. I’ve had a couple of lucky dives and a few where I surfaced with nothing but sand in my boots. It’s like beachcombing, but underwater. You might go a dozen times and find only tiny teeth or manatee bones. Then, suddenly, you get a day like l had, and it all pays off. It helps if you’re a little obsessed, and I am. My wife and I both get a kick out of the hunt.

ER: How did you end up here, diving off the Gulf Coast in retirement?

Chuck: We looked all over for a place to retire. Tried the western U.S., Arizona, California; nothing clicked. Then a friend recommended Englewood. We came down, spent a few weeks, and realized this is paradise. Warm winters, uncrowded beaches, water like you remember from childhood. I love Montana in the summer, but winter here is just beautiful.

ER: What advice do you have for someone who wants to try this for themselves?

Chuck: Do your homework. Research the charter companies. Ask about guides, air quality, and safety procedures. Don’t go alone. And be patient; it’s not always a treasure hunt. But when you find something, it’s all worth it.

ER: Last question: Of all the places you’ve lived and explored, where does Englewood rank for adventure?

Chuck: High. Real high. The Gulf is unpredictable, rich with history, and every dive is a chance to touch the past. For an adventurer? There’s nowhere better.

If you ever find yourself on Manasota Key, keep an eye on the surf and an ear out for stories like Chuck’s. Because beneath the waves, the past is always waiting to be found.

For more information on Aristakat Charters, go to aristakat.com.

The post The Gulf’s Hidden Treasure: An Interview with the Man Who Found a Shark’s Tooth the Size of His Hand appeared first on Englewood Review.

Her father was an attorney who saw no benefit in her desire to attend Carnegie Mellon’s theater school. She then followed in his footsteps and became an attorney, and early in her career, moving on to becoming a judge. For many years, Patricia sat as a Family Court Judge, which she says was an absolute privilege. She did not give up the theater dream, and did community theater in Western New York right until she moved to Florida.

Patricia’s three grown children all live in New York State and never cease to amaze her in how they handle life’s challenges and remain kind, respectful, and compassionate people. “I can think of no greater joy than knowing my children think of others in everything they do,” she says.

Her “retired life” is here in Venice. Patricia and her husband moved permanently at the end of 2022, but she’s far from retired, as she found a new theater home at Lemon Bay Playhouse. 

Patricia says, “It’s my honor to be serving as President and cannot wait for the community to see what we have in store. I also concentrate my law practice on representing Tribal Courts in New York State, developing and enhancing tribal court systems, and furthering education on the Indian Child Welfare Act. Corner me anytime and I will tell you all about it.”

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

I do not really believe anything is perfect; too subjective. To me happiness is being thankful and comfortable with the life you are living.

What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is that no one will remember where I am buried. Should give you an insight into my need to always have an audience, even in death!

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Deplore is too strong. Let’s say I am terribly frustrated that people do not share their talents and time with others, especially with those who are in need.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Anyone who has seen my shoe collection knows this answer, although Disney is a close second.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

If I told you what I most dislike about my appearance, I’d call attention to it, nope!

Which living person do you most admire?

Not just one, there are three, my kids who are genuinely great human beings.

Every edition, Englewood REVIEW spotlights someone who stands out in the community. We ask each person to tackle The Proust Questionnaire; a classic set of questions created by Marcel Proust, the French writer.

The post From the Bench to the Stage: How a Former Judge Found a New Act at the Lemon Bay Playhouse appeared first on Englewood Review.

The FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force uncovered disturbing details. Between October 2024 and February 2026, Pena coaxed at least two minors into sexually explicit acts, which he recorded and photographed. Everything unraveled when a parent found explicit messages on their child’s phone in April 2025. That sparked his first arrest. A second followed in July 2025 after investigators found another victim.

Search warrants for Pena’s phones turned up a trove of images and videos documenting his abuse, with some showing the victims expressing discomfort while he continued recording. He pled guilty to multiple federal charges: two counts of producing child pornography, one count of receiving, and one count of possessing child pornography.

Pena’s legal battles continue, as he still faces separate state charges in Florida, accused of having a sexual relationship with a student beginning when she was just 14. Charlotte County has that case now.

Once authorities arrested him in 2025, the school district moved quickly, placing him on administrative leave and beginning the process to fire him.

The post Charlotte County PE Coach Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for Child Sexual Abuse Offenses appeared first on Englewood Review.

Start by switching up your walking routine. The sun’s brutal from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., so get those walks in before breakfast or after dinner. The pavement’s another story; press your hand down for five seconds. If it burns, it’ll fry your dog’s paws much faster.

Hydration is everything. Always keep cool water where your dogs can reach it, inside and out. Throw a few ice cubes in their bowl and carry water on walks. Shade’s critical, too. If you don’t have an enormous tree or a breezy porch; set up a fan or lay out a wet towel for them to sprawl on. But don’t stick them outside and hope for the best. Dogs need a cool escape, and nothing beats air conditioning.

Resist the urge to shave your dog if they’ve got a thick coat. Their fur actually keeps them from getting sunburned and helps with cooling. Take a brush to them instead to get rid of the extra undercoat. And yes, dogs can get sunburned. Be sure to rub a little pet-safe sunscreen on their ears, nose, and any spots with thin hair.

Heatstroke kills fast. Watch for heavy panting, drooling, confusion, dark gums, or if your dog staggers or vomits. Move fast: get them in the shade, splash on cool (not ice-cold) water, and call your vet right away. Bulldogs, pugs, older dogs, and chubby pets have it even worse. Don’t let them stay outside when it’s hot and sticky.

Then there’s water safety. Never let your dog swim unsupervised, as they can wear out quickly, just like children. Make sure they know where the pool steps are and rinse their fur after they swim to wash out chlorine or salt. Bring your own water to the beach or park so they don’t gulp down pool, ocean, or lake water. If you’re boating, strap on a doggy life vest.

Before summer really hits, take your dog for a vet check. If they’re not already on year-round heartworm prevention, get them tested and started now.

The rest is common sense, but easy to forget: 

• Close any unscreened windows. Dogs can tumble out after a squirrel. Trim long fur, but leave a couple of layers for protection. For cats, brush them more often in summer to help them manage the heat.
• Keep your dog off sizzling concrete. Their pads burn just like your feet would. Short walks only during the blazing hours.
• Using weed killers or bug sprays in your yard? Keep your pets away until the area dries. Store fertilizers and chemicals far from curious noses. The same goes for citronella candles, tiki torches, and insect coils. Never leave them where your pets can chew or sniff them.
• Double-check your garden for toxic plants. Even if a plant isn’t deadly, eating a bunch can upset its stomach. Don’t let your guard down and monitor them outdoors.
• Food’s another hidden danger. Dogs and cats don’t handle rich, fatty scraps, alcohol, or certain foods you’d never guess were toxic. Stick to their normal food and treats. Pick up dropped scraps and keep trash closed tightly. If you’re having a backyard cookout, keep drinks and leftovers out of reach. Alcohol is downright dangerous to pets.
• And fireworks? Just don’t. The noise scares pets half to death, and the chemicals and explosives are a whole other risk. Keep pets indoors and away from windows, in a secure, quiet spot during fireworks shows.
• If you think your pet ate or drank something dangerous, don’t wait. Call your vet or the ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 right away.

Summer’s what you make it. With a bit of prep and some common sense, you and your dog can enjoy it without worry. Stay cool.

The post Beat the Heat: Essential Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe During Florida Summers appeared first on Englewood Review.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast stands out as the leading mentoring group in Southwest Florida, working with kids ages 6 to 18. They’re not just matching mentors and mentees; they’re building relationships that help young people to reach their potential.

Their programs cover both community-based mentoring, where matches spend time together outside of school, and site-based mentoring, happening right in the classroom. They’ve also added specialized programs like Reading Buddies, Bigs with Badges, and Big Futures. These initiatives focus on literacy, connecting youth with law enforcement, and guiding teens toward college, careers, or service.

Every year, over 1,600 kids get paired with mentors. The results speak for themselves: every graduating senior continues their education, joins the military, or heads straight into the workforce. That’s a 100% success rate. Their work has earned them recognition as a National Agency of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

It’s About Transforming Lives Across Our Community

When you talk with Kahdeja Burroughs and Melissa Nelson from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, it’s clear this organization isn’t just about pairing adults with children. It’s about building genuine relationships, ones that can quietly transform lives across our community.

For Kahdeja, the best moments in her role as mentor manager usually sneak up quietly: maybe a child’s nerves melt away as they meet their mentor, or a volunteer’s awkward smile shifts to laughter once they realize they belong. 

Kahdeja’s busy days include community outreach where she recruits, interviews, conducts background checks, and strives to make ideal matches. “It covers everything,” she says, and there’s an easy humor in her voice. “I look at personalities, strengths, creative or academic abilities, life stories. I try to match kids with the right person, but I also look for a real willingness from the child. You can’t make them want a mentor. If a parent wants it for the child, but the kid doesn’t, I have to say, ‘I can’t force it.’ These relationships have to be real.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast runs both site-based and community-based programs, either meeting at school weekly or going out for activities. Kahdeja adapts her approach, but always keeps the child’s comfort at the center. “It’s up to the child to build that relationship. If they’re not interested, I can’t push it,” she says. “But honestly, nine times out of ten, our team prepares families so well that most kids are open and ready.” When things click, Kahdeja sees change ripple out, not just for the kids, but for families and volunteers, too. “It’s a beautiful thing,” she says, and you can feel her pride.

The real magic, both Kahdeja and regional program director Melissa Nelson agree, is in those unpredictable little milestones. Sometimes, a volunteer calls months into a match, almost in disbelief, to share that their mentee just said, “I love you” for the first time. Or it shows up in a quiet boost to a child’s confidence, a happier report card, or a burst of excited storytelling. Kahdeja checks in every month, sometimes at school, sometimes with a phone call home, making sure the right support is always in place, and nothing falls through the cracks.

For Melissa, the art of matching, getting the right mentor with the right kid, is the heart of the work. “When it works, you just know,” she says. “You see them walk out together laughing, and you can tell they’ll do well.” She gets to watch both mentors and kids thrive, knowing the support doesn’t fade after the first meeting. “It takes patience. We have a waiting list because we don’t just fill spots. We want these relationships to last,” she says. The current waitlist stands at 175 kids in Charlotte County, mostly boys, which means they urgently need male mentors and women comfortable working with boys.

After 14 years, Melissa finds joy and passion in training mentor managers like Kahdeja and watching the lasting impact of strong matches. “That’s what keeps us all motivated,” she says. “We share stories with each other to remind ourselves why we’re here.” For Kahdeja, those stories are enough: hearing a shy kid open up, or learning about why someone wants to volunteer, or witnessing even tiny steps of growth. “I love hearing their stories and figuring out what makes them tick. Watching a connection build; it never gets old.”

At Big Brothers Big Sisters Sun Coast, the proof is in the little things: trust earned, laughter shared, the kind of change that happens slowly but sticks for life.

BBBS is always looking for more mentors, especially men. If you have an hour a week and a willingness to show up, you could be the person who helps a child see new possibilities. For details about volunteering or enrolling a child, visit Big Brothers Big Sisters Sun Coast’s website at bbbssun.org or call 941-473-4003. Sometimes, all a kid needs is someone in their corner to remind them it’s still okay to just be a kid.

At its core, this organization empowers youth facing tough circumstances, with many coming from single-parent families. Through mentorship, they give young people the tools and encouragement to thrive. On Mother’s Day, it feels right to honor them, and all the people helping to guide, support, and believe in the next generation.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast 

Family Services Center,
21500 Gibraltar Dr,
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
Port Charlotte: (941) 764-5812
Englewood: (941) 473-4003

The post Beyond Mentorship: How Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast is Building Brighter Futures and Strengthening Families this Mother’s Day appeared first on Englewood Review.

There comes a point when holding it all together as a mom feels almost like a superpower. And the secret weapon? Carving out that small slice of time that’s just for you. Think of it as pressing pause: go book that spa day, sneak off to a movie all alone, or stretch it all out in a yoga class. The daily, never-ending to-do list piles on the chaos. Yet giving yourself “mommy time” isn’t selfish; it’s the best gift you can give to yourself and to your children. 

What’s Hiding Under the Cape?

Motherhood is the closest thing we have to being a real-life Wonder Woman. Every day, moms tackle a to-do list that would flatten lesser mortals. Raising another human, hoping you’re guiding them toward their best self, that’s the hardest, most humbling job. Layer on top of that: running a business, being a partner, and still trying to save a little space for yourself. That’s the Super Mom tightrope.

And the statistics drive the point home. Around 23% of children in the U.S. are being raised by a single parent, which is the highest rate globally. According to census estimates, single mothers head between 8.2 and 15 million families. That’s 80% of single-parent families. Nearly one in four children live without their father present. It’s not just the “Super Mom” cape these women pull on; all too often, they’re having to step up as “Super Dad” too.

Moms Don’t Get Sick Days

There’s this unspoken rule: moms don’t get to call in sick. We’re the ones who keep things running. If we tap out, who steps in? 

Many mothers fantasize about a world where we get a few official sick days to just crash in bed, the way the rest of society does. When the kids are down with a fever, we pile on the TLC: chicken soup, cozy pajamas, cuddles galore. After the children recover, moms are exhausted and then have to catch up on everything they missed. And when the bug finally lands on mom, there’s no pause button.

Mary* remembers one brutal week many years ago. The stomach bug hit. Two kids, one after another, all throwing up. She cleaned up every mess, comforted each child, night after night. Day four, they were finally better. And then it happened: Mary’s stomach started churning. Eleven at night, sick as a dog, she ended up curled next to the toilet till dawn. 

At 6 a.m., she was back at it, sewing a costume for her son’s Pre-K event. No rescheduling. The show always goes on.

Holidays: Every Mom’s Kryptonite

Every superhero has that one weakness. Superman has Kryptonite. For most moms, it’s the holiday season. This time of year, we’ve all felt our patience wearing thin. The pressure to plan festive family gatherings, manage menus, find the perfect gifts, and keep up with work and school parties is endless. We spend weeks prepping, and too often, we’re so caught up making everything magical for everyone else that we barely get to enjoy it ourselves.

So once again, here’s a good mantra: make space for yourself. Take a break: spa, movie, yoga, whatever lets you breathe. Remind yourself, this is a present to you. And you deserve it, just as much as anyone else under your roof.

The “Super Mom” Trap: Myth or Goal?

Let’s get real. The whole Super Mom thing doesn’t exist. The idea itself can be damaging. Every Mother’s Day, we get bombarded with cards, ads, and social posts celebrating moms who “do it all.” The myth says we have to juggle flawless careers, spotless homes, and the emotional lives of everyone in the family, all while showing up smiling and looking put-together. No wonder so many women end up burnt out, stressed, invisible even to themselves.

Social media only throws gasoline on the fire. Every scroll through Instagram shows picture-perfect parenting; kids in matching outfits, gourmet snacks lined up, not a LEGO out of place. But behind it all, there’s so much unseen mess. 

The truth is, no one has it all together, and even when it looks like they do, there’s often a whole team helping behind the scenes.

What Really Keeps Moms Going?

So what actually works? Dropping the unreasonable standards. The most resilient mothers don’t try to tick every single box. Nobody’s baking organic muffins every day or keeping up with every themed activity. Good moms draw a line and know that being “good enough” beats striving for impossible perfection.

Asking for help matters. The “do it all alone” ideal sets women up to fail. True strength? Reaching out to your spouse, your parents, a neighbor, or hiring help if you can swing it.

Making self-care a regular thing, not a once-a-year afterthought, keeps you in the game mentally and emotionally. And those heroic moments we like to romanticize? Sometimes the real heroism is just getting through another day, messy and exhausting as it is.

Can We Rewrite the Story?

Lately, some Mother’s Day coverage is trying to shift gears. The goal isn’t to find the “Super Mom” but to show more grace, highlight the need for rest, and push for real mental health support. Anthropologists even have a word for the identity shift that comes with motherhood: matrescence. It’s a real transformation, as big and bumpy as puberty, and you need to give yourself the same space to grow.

Anthropologist Dana Raphael and Dr. Athan coined the phrase “matrescence.” Similar to adolescence, it brings identity shifts nobody really warns you about. So it’s okay to be changed, but don’t let your old self vanish. Keep the parts you love. Try new things. Redefine what “mom” means for you.

No One Is Perfect, and That’s Fine

We all strive to be the textbook mom: baking, crafting, leading brain-boosting games, all while looking great doing it wearing a size 2. But being a “super mom” is a myth. The pressure comes from everywhere: society, family, social media, even ourselves.

For generations, women have been trained to take on every role seamlessly. Ignore your own needs. Swallow exhaustion. Don’t complain. But that ideal is not just outdated, it’s unhealthy. We all have limits, and clinging to perfection is a road straight to burnout. Social media only makes it worse, with never-ending feeds of tidy houses, perfect families, smiling moms. But behind each photo, there are struggles. Pain you can’t see.

Motherhood is massive; it changes everything about you. But you’re still you. 

Own Your Story

Maybe you bounced back fast after the baby; maybe you’re still trying to find your groove. Some things will be easy for you; others will be hard. That doesn’t make you a bad mom. Own your feelings, the good and the tough ones. No mom always feels blissful. Most of our moments are a blend, not one or the other.

Change the Narrative

Let’s stop pretending and start showing what motherhood actually looks like, flaws, mess, and all. Pushing ourselves beyond what’s healthy isn’t noble, it’s destructive. Let’s stop rewarding burnout and highlight what matters: resilience, resourcefulness, and honesty. And yes, asking for and accepting help.

Because believe it or not, your kids already see you as their hero. They’re not measuring you by the meal plan, your body, or the smudges on the walls. They want your time, your love, your presence. Be their role model, but don’t lose yourself in the process. No one, not even the “perfect” Instagram mom, gets it right all the time.

Stop comparing, give yourself grace, and remember, the kids who matter most already think you’re super. That’s all that counts.

*Names have been changed.

The post Not All Heroes Wear Capes, But They Do Need a Spa Day appeared first on Englewood Review.

“Leadership Englewood,” run by the Englewood Chamber of Commerce, offers a hands-on program for professionals who want to dive deeper into what makes this community tick. It’s more than just workshops and networking; participants explore Englewood’s past, meet the people shaping its present, and confront the real social and economic issues people here face every day. The goal? Help leaders see where they can step up and make a real difference.

Each session brings something new: site visits, conversations with community leaders, and firsthand looks at local challenges. There’s a strong focus on practical leadership skills, so people walk away not only knowing more about Englewood but also feeling confident leading positive changes at work and throughout the community.

It’s a fantastic way to build connections. Participants get to know their peers, see a side of Englewood most people never do, and pick up the leadership skills they can put to use right away.

Every month, the group ventures out on a themed “field trip,” whether it’s Health Care Day, Education Day, immersing in arts and culture, or exploring both Charlotte and Sarasota Counties. Tourism also gets its own spotlight.

This year, the class rallied to raise funds and support the cleanup and upkeep of the Lemon Bay Historic Cemetery. It’s a perfect example of giving back and helping preserve Englewood’s unique history.

The post Chamber’s “Leadership Englewood” Program: Turning Professionals into Community Problem-Solvers appeared first on Englewood Review.

Englewood and Southwest Florida offer some of the most beautiful paddle-only waters in the state, but keeping them pristine takes all of us.

A Favorite Launch: Don Pedro Island State Park

We are lucky to have so many beautiful places to kayak around Englewood and Southwest Florida. Paddle craft can only access many of these spots in these shallow back bays off the ICW. 

One of our favorites is Don Pedro State Park. It’s a little over 6 miles south on Placida Road from the intersection with 776. There is plenty of parking with restrooms and a kayak wash-down area available.

The most important piece of equipment to remember at Don Pedro is your dolly. It’s eight hundred feet from the parking lot to the water. A dolly that packs onboard your kayak will save you a few extra trips to stow it in the car. This launch is directly on the ICW in a minimum wake zone, so boaters should slow down but be careful of wakes when launching and returning. A mangrove tunnel leading to a hidden lagoon starts about 400’ south of the southernmost dock across from the launch area. It’s best paddled on a higher tide, but the lagoon at the end is a treat.

For kayak anglers, the good fishing starts right across the ICW on a grass flat that holds trout and lots of other species that stop by for a snack as they cruise the waterway. We have caught pompano, redfish, mackerel, and jack crevalle here. From here we usually paddle south to Rambler’s Hole while fishing the mangroves and channel edges along the way. Crossing into Rambler’s Hole under the collapsed bridge puts us on another good grass flat with deeper channels along the mangroves here. The last time we fished here, trout and ladyfish were thick, but so were the dolphins. To release the fish without the dolphins noticing in this shallow water required good timing.

In places like this, we usually tie on either a 1/16 – ounce jig with a natural-color shad tail or a DOA shrimp in either clear or red fleck color. In clear, shallow water like this, we tie two feet of 20 lb. fluorocarbon leader between our 10 lb. braid and the lure. Hurricane Ian destroyed the boat docks on the western shore of Rambler’s Hole and the trail over to the beach. There are other bays further south where folks can park a kayak and cross to the beach. Use caution here because the beach still has hazards, such as boards with nails pointing up.   

As responsible kayakers, we try to leave our favorite spots better than we found them each time we visit. Not only do we pick up litter around the launches but also along the mangrove shorelines we fish. Whatever is lost from a boat or blown into the water ends up in the mangroves. A high tide floats things in, and they hang in the branches when the tide drops. We noticed this after Ian when there were so many white plastic bags hanging in the trees it looked like a rookery from a distance.

Items like pieces of docks and boats are impossible for us to deal with, but plastic bottles, cans, and other trash will easily fit in our kayaks out of the way. Fishing line, particularly braid, is a problem when abandoned in the mangroves. Monofilament decomposes quickly compared to braid, which may keep killing for decades. We commonly find 50 lb. braid strung for several hundred feet along mangrove shorelines. Removing it is difficult when it tangles among the branches and roots, and it keeps killing birds and fish. Our best plan has been to cut the line between the branches and haul off the pieces. Hooks left dangling from these lines with a fish attached will draw scavengers who will themselves become hooked and start the cycle again.

We hope by sharing some of our favorite spots we can persuade more kayakers to help pack out some trash to keep these spots as pristine as possible as usage increases. As for our fellow kayak anglers, we hope you will limit your kill rather than kill your limit. A quality game fish is more fun to catch twice than to eat once.

This story is contributed by Shore & Kayak Fishing, by Kimball and Les Beery.

The post Paddle in and Pack it Out appeared first on Englewood Review.

A family-owned cafe in Englewood is entering its 20th season in business this fall under its current ownership.

Spinnaker Cafe, known for its homemade food and welcoming atmosphere, was purchased by Lisa Domuczicz in 2007. On August 1st, the cafe is celebrating almost two decades of homemade food, long-standing community relationships and a commitment to keep the small-town diner feel alive.

Open seven days a week, Spinnaker Cafe serves both breakfast and lunch between 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Its menu emphasizes homemade quality, including soups, sauces and desserts made from family recipes and a traditional diner-style selection. Family-friendly favorites include omelets and French toast for breakfast, or patty melts and cheeseburgers for lunch. Customers also take home homemade soup or chili by the quart for dinner.

Some of the most popular items include coconut French toast and the Benedict burger, but many customers dine often for the cafe’s unique rotating specials that highlight seasonal ingredients or creative combinations,  such as cranberry coffee rolls with bacon or lemon raspberry toppings.

While some popular specials are brought back by request, others are fleeting — encouraging guests to try something new or risk missing out.

“If we can make it happen, we will,” said Lisa. “The best part of our diner experience is the freshness. You’re getting homemade, nutritious food while seated in a family-friendly environment.”

Lisa brought years of restaurant industry experience to Spinnaker nearly two decades ago. While the cafe has maintained its traditional roots, she said customer tastes continue to evolve, which is reflected in the specials board with new and tasteful items.

In addition to homestyle, quality meals, Spinnaker offers beer, wine, and sangria along with weekly beverage specials and mimosas —peach, orange, cranberry, mango, pineapple, and guava lemonade.

Spinnaker’s relaxed dining experience is built on a loyal base of repeat customers and staff who recognize those customers by name.

“Some of our staff have been with us for years and customers appreciate that consistency. We’re deeply rooted in family, so that sense of familiarity that people feel when they walk through the door is important to us,” Lisa said. “It’s not always the case anymore that you’re served by the same face year after year. Here, that still happens.”

Spinnaker’s balance of tradition and adaptability over the years has helped the cafe earn recognition, including being voted Best Breakfast Diner and Cafe by The Daily Sun.

Lisa said she attributes the success of Spinnaker Cafe to the Englewood community with whom she has lived among and served for the last twenty years

“We have customers who volunteer to help us when we are short handed,” Lisa said. “Our community is helpful, they come together when you need support, they help each other, and that frame of mind is what ties everyone together.”

Ahead of major storms, the cafe has given away fresh ingredients rather than let them go to waste — a gesture that reflects the same generosity shown back to them by locals.

As the cafe approaches its 20th season, Lisa said she’s grateful that Englewood has supported Spinnaker as a place to eat and gather.

For more information about Spinnaker Cafe, visit SpinnakerCafe-Englewood.com

The post Spinnaker Cafe Enters 20th Season Under Current Ownership appeared first on Englewood Review.

Steube put it plainly: “This bill is about protecting public health, strengthening accountability, and terminating an outdated trade practice that risks safety at the expense of the American taxpayer.” Titus echoed the sentiment, saying it’s not just humane treatment that matters, but also pivoting toward newer, more accurate, and safer testing methods.

In recent years, U.S. labs have pulled in tens of thousands of primates, largely from supply chains riddled with overcrowding and weak disease controls, especially in countries like China. Such networks often skip proper surveillance, letting pathogens slip by undetected and exposing workers and communities to outbreaks.

The PRIMATE Act lays out clear exceptions for accredited zoos but otherwise bans nonhuman primate imports. Customs officials would step up enforcement, denying illegal shipments and issuing fines up to $50,000 per violation along with the forfeiture of animals that slip through.

Industry experts and advocates, from PETA board members to scientists at George Washington University, back the bill. Actress and advocate, Edie Falco summed up the human side: “For decades, primates have been torn from the wild, shipped around the world, and forced into laboratories, creating serious public health risks along the way. Their importation exposes workers and our communities to dangerous pathogens. This bill is a crucial step toward ending that cruelty and protecting public safety.” Lisa Jones-Engel, PETA’s chief science advisor, calls animal-based research outdated and says newer, human-relevant methods don’t require risky global trafficking.

Doctors and researchers point to data showing that primates can carry shigella, salmonella, herpes B, and other zoonotic diseases. Scientific progress keeps moving toward human-based models that are safer and often more effective for public health. Thomas Gillespie at Emory calls this shift “critical for safeguarding public health and preventing the introduction of emerging infectious diseases,” emphasizing how people, animals, and our ecosystems are all interconnected.

The numbers paint a grim picture: between 2021 and 2024, nearly 100,000 nonhuman primates entered U.S. research labs, often paid for by taxpayers. Recent incidents highlight just how fragile the system is. At a biomedical lab in Immokalee, Florida, multiple primates suffocated after being left in an overheated room, leading to federal violations. In Miami, a monkey ended up at a medical waste facility by mistake, exposing flaws in handling and tracking. Some facility executives now face criminal charges for botching the disposal of primates in biohazard waste.

None of these failures are one-offs. They show systemic gaps in oversight and biosecurity. Disease risks compound when current quarantine protocols fall short. Federal guidance admits that tuberculosis and other infections can slip past during quarantine, meaning infected primates still wind up in research facilities, putting workers and communities in harm’s way.

Steube and Titus want to end these dangers. Their bill puts public safety and modern science first, demanding accountability and a smarter approach to testing and disease prevention.

Click here to read more about the bill.

The post Sarasota’s Rep. Steube Joins Nevada Colleague to Lead Charge Against Lab Primate Trade appeared first on Englewood Review.