George Texs blog

The Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center in Naples got its start in 1993 when founders Nancy and Kent Smith began taking in animals that were not accepted by government animal services, wildlife rehabilitators, or zoos. Their first rescue was actually a Black Asian Leopard named Moondance. Shy Wolf became a non profit in 2001 and has grown to be a refuge for all sorts of animals including numerous wolves and wolfdogs, a cougar, and exotic species of fox from across the globe. His other rescues have included Prairie Dogs, Florida Gopher Tortoises and Sugar Gliders. In its 30 years Shy Wolf has rescued more than 1260 animals, as well as providing educational experiences to tens of thousands of visitors from around the world from its small property of just a few acres. We talk with its Executive Director, Deanna Deppen, to learn more about the work they do, how they managed during Hurricane Ian, and their plans to grow — including their fundraising effort to buil...

THERE MAY BE AS MANY HOLIDAY movies out there as there are snowflakes that fall from the sky at the North Pole. Many of these films, like snowflakes, seem similar. The themes, plot lines and characters often resemble greats from the past. But look more closely and they are unique. This year’s “Falling for Christmas” starring Lindsay Lohann (screening now on Netflix) is a Christmas rom-com with an amnesiac flare that reminds us that sometimes it is best to borrow from the greats. Sure, it may feel a little like “Overboard” or “While You Were Sleeping,” but it is Christmas, so you can just forget about complaining about it. “A Christmas Story Christmas” stars the original, now grown but still adorable Peter Billingsley as an adult Ralphie, who reconnects with older friends and tries to live up to the joy his father brought him. The cuteness continues from the 1983 story — one we are quite familiar with. Others like “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special...

Related video above: Orlando police, businesses prioritize safety ahead of large New Year’s Eve crowdsThe new year is right around the corner. Several New Year’s Eve celebrations are being held this weekend in different counties across central Florida.Find a list of events below: Marion CountyOcalaNew Year’s Eve at AMF Bowling What: Ring in the new year by bowling with family and friends. When: Find more information on packages and time slots here.Where: AMF Galaxy West Lanes (1818 Southwest 17th Street) Seminole CountyCasselberryNew Year’s Eve Late SkateWhat: Semoran Skateway is holding a New Year’s Eve skating event. The event will feature music, and of course, skating will be available. Find more information here. When: Dec 31 from 7:30 pm to 1 am Where: Semoran Skateway Orange CountyOrlandoRing, Ring, Ring in the New YearWhat: Enjoy food and games at Dave and Buster’s. When: Dec 31 at 9 pmWhere: Dave and Buster’s (8986 Interna...

(Orland Hills, IL) – Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School (CJB) Student Council held a “Wear Blue and Gold Day” to support St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Ft. Myers, Fla. CJB students, faculty, and staff raised money to help the students and faculty at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School. Their entire community suffered devastating losses after Hurricane Ian, and they face a long road to recovery. Students were asked to donate at least $2.00 and instead, many donated much more, and students raised an incredible $2,000.00! The money the students donated will go directly to St. Francis Xavier Catholic School to use in any way their school community needs. CJB Student Council Moderator, Ms. Adrian Kurzweil states, “The importance of teaching students about caring for those in need and coming together in a time of need is always essential in what I truly believe is our mission of not only Student Council but also in our faith. We hope that this donation will bring neede...

TALLAHASSEE, FL. — With New Year’s approaching, the Tallahassee Fire Department remind local citizens on how to remain safe with fireworks while celebrating. TFD encourages those planning to ring in 2023 with fireworks to follow these fireworks safety tips: Do not allow children to play with or ignite fireworks Never try to pick up or re-light fireworks that have not ignited fully Keep a water hose or a bucket of water nearby in case of fire Light fireworks one at a time and quickly move back Find a flat surface and make sure it is not too windy while using fireworks Wear eye protection Do not hold fireworks in your hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting Check your neighborhood rules to ensure proper use of fireworks in your specific area Point fireworks away from homes and keep away from leaves, brush and flammable substances Do not carry fireworks in your pocket. The friction could set them off Soak all used fireworks in a bucke...

Uline’s new 915,750 square-foot warehouse in Naples is located near the Paradise Coast Sports Complex in east Naples. COURTESY PHOTO Uline, North America’s leading shipping industrial and packaging materials distributor, nears completion of its 915,750 square-foot warehouse in Naples. With the air-conditioned facility set to open in spring 2023, the distribution giant prepares to recruit approximately 150 employees to staff the new building, including: — 130 Warehouse Associates — 6 warehouse management roles — 2 Warehouse Mechanics — Additional support staff, such as Custodians, Facilities, Warehouse Logistics, Analysts and Human Resources professionals Interested candidates can browse available positions and job requirements at www.uline.jobs/florida. To receive notifications of upcoming hiring events, join Uline’s talent network. Warehouse construction began in July 2021 and remains on track to meet key milestones, including complete construction ...

(Photo : by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Red tide on August 1, 2018 in Sanibel, Florida Portions of the Southwest Florida Coastline have suffered from toxic algae blooms that cause fish kills and potential respiratory risks. Scientists and researchers called for urgent action to restore the health of the bays. Walking near the Southwest Florida Coastline would be a normal day. However, noticeable algae blooms on the coasts have raised concerns about the impact on health and fish thriving in the area. The report explained that the catastrophic Hurricane Ian contributed to the effect of algae bloom or red tide on the coasts, which began in October. According to the report, algae blooms were found for about 76 water samples in different areas, including Sarasota, Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties, Manatee, Hillsborough and Pinellas. The experts have been studying the reason for the emergency algae blooms. Cynthia Heil, Mote Marine Laboratory’s Red Tide Institute director...

Kindergarten students at Tallahassee’s Riley Elementary School left their classes on Thursday, Dec. 15 with bags full of presents. It was the result of a community-wide effort to make sure no child would go without gifts during the holidays. Situated in midst of the city’s lowest-income areas, Riley has been adopted by several Tallahassee businesses that help provide what’s needed. One of these is the Moore Agency where Shannon Smith works. “They deserve it and they need it and it’s the right thing to do. And I’m so appreciative to live in a community where that happens all the time,” she commented during the gift-giving party. So happy was Leon School Board Member Marcus Nicholas. “It’s absolutely amazing to see the community come out and support our kindergartners at Riley Elementary School. I’m just so proud!” After Santa and Mrs. Claus presented each child with their gift bag – which included a new ...

December 18, 2pm ET Click here to see ISW’s interactive map of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report. ISW is publishing an abbreviated campaign update today, December 18. This report discusses recent efforts by Russian military leadership to address Russian failures in Ukraine, the planned December 19 meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, and continued efforts by Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin to legitimize the Wagner Group and bolster his own reputation. Russian military leadership is engaged in a campaign to present itself as part of an effective wartime apparatus in an effort to address public perception of Russian failures in Ukraine. The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) posted footage on December 18 reportedly of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on a working trip to the Southern Military District (SMD) and inspecting the R...

A new year brings opportunities for new goals and fresh starts. Throughout Southwest Florida, events let you hit the ground running when it comes to working on your resolutions—whether you aim to see more art, diversify your palace or run a half marathon. Naples Botanical Garden and Naples Art District honor Frida Kahlo in murals and exhibitions, Fort Myers’ Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall hosts legendary rock band Styx for one night and WINK brings you the best foods from Charlotte County at its Taste of the Town food festival in Punta Gorda. Don’t miss these rocking events as you kick off the new year. Jan 3-7 Broadway Blockbusters with Naples Philharmonic Pops at Artis—Naples Catch some of Broadway’s most popular hits, like “Popular” from wicked and “Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera in this concert. Naples Philharmonic’s principal pops conductor Jack Everly, who used to work as music director of the National Memorial Day Con...

UFC women’s flyweight Tracy Cortez is ranked No. 13 in the women’s 125-pound division and only fought one time in 2022. She was expected to face Amanda Ribas at UFC Orlando on December 3. Shortly after officially weighing in, Cortez was removed from the fight card for undisclosed reasons. The fiancé of no. 3 ranked featherweight contender Brian Ortega opened up about her mental health and her UFC Orlando removal in a video posted to Instagram. “I know after my fight I’ve been a little MIA here on social media… I’m gonna be as honest as I can be. I’m currently in a place in my life where I’ve just been going through it, physically & mentally,” she said. “I want to say I haven’t been in the right head space since sometime in August. Life has been testing me under circumstances that I least expected. I’m currently healing, I’m prioritizing my mental health! & just taking life a day at a time,” Cortez conti...

It has been another rough year for most of the people I know, and probably for you and most of the people you know too. It has also been a rough year for restaurants, but I try to use my food blog and this annual list to boost the signal and let everyone know about my favorite local restaurants and dishes. These Orlando restaurants could all use your support, and we could all use some edible escapism to get ourselves and each other through 2023. Here we go, in no specific order. Wako Taco: Pibil pork chimichanga I’ve tried almost everything on Wako Taco’s menu over the years, but I always return to this huge, gorgeous chimichanga, the best in the Orlando area. Essentially a deep-fried burrito, it is stuffed with the meat of your choice plus beans, cheese and rice. I recommend the mildly spicy pibil pork. Fried to golden perfection, it is crispy and soft at the same time, topped with diced tomatoes, queso and drizzles of guacamole and sour cream. Don’t for...

Patty Lou Pennington Osborn June 19, 1930 – December 13, 2022 Naples, Florida – Patty Lou Pennington Osborn, 92, crossed over into glory on December 13, 2022, at her home in Naples, FL. Born on June 19, 1930, in Dodge Township, Ford County, KS, she was raised in Meade, KS, by her late parents, Leroy Robert Pennington and Ada Alice Fisher Pennington. Patty is also preceded in death by her husband Harold E. Osborn and her brother Robert “Bobby” Pennington. Patty is survived by her children: Roger Osborn, Linda (Curt) Older, Elizabeth Osborn and Richard (Joy) Osborn; grandchildren: Brian Osborn and Rachael (Garner) Simpson; and great-grandchildren: Cheyenne Osborn and Adalynn Simpson. She is also survived by sisters Bonnie (Bob) Lewellen, Janice (Steve) Wiens and sister-in-law Wilma Pennington. Patty attended Baker University in Baldwin, KS, where she majored in music and was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. She faithfully served as church organist at Aldersgate ...

Miller, Bruce Barton, – of Ft. Myers, Bruce Barton Miller Sr., 82, of Ft. Myers, Florida, formerly of Millville, died December 9, 2022. Born in Marion, Indiana on June 26, 1940, he attended schools in Mays Landing and Millville, graduating from Millville High School in 1957. Bruce graduated with a Bachelors Degree in English Literature and served in the US Army in the early 1960s. He worked in the automobile industry and in financing, most notably for GMAC, for several decades. He married Janet Conner in 1979, and his work took them and their family to Michigan, Iowa, and Illinois. He loved reading, cooking, and engaging in stimulating conversation. He had a sharp, dry wit. Bruce is survived by his wife of 43 years, Janet; sons Bruce Jr. (Dawn) of Tuckerton and Brent of Arkansas; stepdaughter Nancy Zimmerman of Florida; grandchildren Tim (Kim) Miller and Pilot, Ocean, and Stryder Miller; step-granddaughter Lumin Plaster; Nephew Bruce (Lisa) Dutra of Vineland; Niece ...

Here Are The Best Restaurants In Naples Of 2022, According To Yelp. hungry? If not, you will be when you’re done reading this. We promise. There are so many options when it comes to dining out here in Naples. No matter what it is you might have a hankering for, you’ll find it in Southwest Florida. We’re a foodies dream, in a smaller town. What more could we ask for? So, with the year winding down (so crazy it’s almost over already), we wanted to know where are the best places in Naples for a delicious meal? Since we aren’t experts in the food game, we took to the crew over at Yelp for help with the list, based on user reviews. From seafood, to breakfast to a great steak or exotic cuisine or maybe a quick burrito or bowl, we’ve got it all covered in the list below, of the best restaurants in Naples of 2022. There are plenty of options for a romantic date night, a fun family night out or a quick meal alone. So, now that all of our mou...