Farmers markets are so much more than cute places to go for fresh produce, homemade specialty foods and handcrafted gifts. In Lee County, they’re a multi-million-dollar industry. Here in Estero, they’re a million-dollar-plus business when you combine farmers markets at Miromar Outlets and Coconut Point, and a new market is opening this month at  University…

Would you like to be at least 30 percent happier? That’s the promise of The Lift Project, a 10-week program designed to “lift your mood and your life.” Lee Health is the first in the nation to offer this unique program, which combines findings from positive psychology, lifestyle medicine and neuroscience. Designed by Dr. Darren…

Is there a silver lining to quarantine season? The novel coronavirus has given many people a chance to slow down, reflect on priorities, shift focus and try something new. According to a recent survey by STORAGECafé, one in four Americans took up a new hobby during lockdown. The Top 10 “new lockdown hobbies” reported were…

How Kids’ Minds Matter is helping local children cope Even before the current pandemic, the Southwest Florida region was dealing with an epidemic in children’s mental health. An estimated 46,000 Southwest Florida children are impacted by mental and behavioral health disorders, and COVID-19 has only intensified the problem. Recent studies have shown a significant increase…

As restaurants everywhere adjust to the “new normal,” we set out to find the best casual eateries in the area. Burntwood Tavern, Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar and Skillets are three restaurants with distinct offerings; however, they all represent the relaxed culture of Southwest Florida by serving up scrumptious food in an environment of leisure. With…