The storm took the building, but the community kept the art alive. Join us as we sit down with Sylvia Montgomery and Suzan Lanz from the Fort Myers Beach Art Association to explore how a 1951 plein air tradition weathered Hurricane Ian, found a bright new home at Cypress Square, and transformed recovery into a creative movement. From a cozy hut on Denora Street to a modern gallery buzzing with workshops, rotating shows, and neighborly energy, this story is about resilience with a paintbrush.

We dive into the programs that turned occasional visitors into committed members: quick-hit lunch and learns, open paints, gentle-but-honest critiques, a Sunday art book club, and playful classes like “Bossy Pants” that spark experimentation. You’ll hear how membership doubled, why demographics shifted toward full-time locals and remote workers, and what that means for year-round programming in Fort Myers, Bonita, Punta Gorda, and the beach. Along the way, we highlight community partnerships that amplify impact—Women’s Club events, Lions Club Shrimp Festival murals and t-shirts, library exhibits, greeting cards at the Islander, and a growing First Friday art walk that now starts at Cypress Square before flowing to DAAS Co-op, Alliance for the Arts, and downtown.

If you’ve wondered how local arts strengthen a town, this conversation shows the blueprint: clear invitations, consistent events, shared walls, and open hearts. Whether you’re an artist returning to the easel after years away or a neighbor looking for a meaningful night out, there’s a place for you—paint in hand or simply curious. Come see the rotating exhibitions every four to six weeks, bring a friend to First Friday, or jump into a workshop and meet the good neighbors behind the canvases.

Explore events, join a show, or plan your visit at FortMyersBeachArt.com, and stop by 13451 McGregor Blvd Unit 1 in Cypress Square. If this conversation inspired you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more neighbors can find their creative community.

Fort Myers Beach Art Association
Sylvia Montgomery & Suzan Lanz
3451 McGregor Blvd. Unit 1, Fort Myers, FL 33919
(239) 463-3909
publicity@fortmyersbeachart.com
fortmyersbeachart

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Sun on the water, coffee on a balcony, and a quiet stretch of sand just steps away—this conversation with Tim Malbon of the Best Western Plus Beach Resort reveals what it really takes to protect a slice of paradise. We talk candidly about the day Hurricane Ian put feet of water on the second floor, the months of hard choices that followed, and the culture that kept longtime staff and loyal guests coming back when the doors reopened.

Tim shares the resort’s DNA: every room faces the Gulf, each one with a full kitchen, and the mood stays peaceful by design. You can stroll to shops and restaurants, book a day with Holiday Water Sports, and still feel removed from the noise. He also opens up about building resilience into operations—navigating a new property management system, retraining the team, and turning a Facebook community into a lifeline of early bookings. The result is a hospitality comeback powered by trust, clarity, and the simple promise of an effortless beach day.

We also highlight the property’s local roots and community giving, including years hosting Surfers for Autism and a guest-made tagline that says it all: close enough to everything, far away from the crowds. You’ll meet Coco, the 30-plus-year Yellownape Amazon parrot who greets early risers from his tiki hut, and you’ll get practical tips for first-time visitors who want to slow down, find their pace, and let the Gulf reset their mood.

Ready to plan your calm escape? Book through Best Western Plus Beach Resort online or call the property directly, then share this episode with a friend who needs a quiet beach day. If the story resonated, tap follow, leave a review, and tell us your favorite Fort Myers Beach memory.

Best Western Plus Beach Resort
Tim Malbon
684 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL
239-373-4160
Info@bwbeachresort.com
bwbeachresort.com

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Ever wondered why your premium climbs while your claim stalls? We talk with public adjuster and attorney John Jacobsen, a former insurance insider who now fights for homeowners across Southwest Florida, to reveal how property claims really get decided—and how you can tip the scales in your favor. John breaks down the insuring agreement at the core of every policy, the role of documentation and line‑item estimates, and why the appraisal process can transform lowball offers into realistic payouts that actually rebuild homes.

John’s story starts in Minnesota and winds through years defending carriers in bodily injury, malpractice, and property claims. That vantage point—the carrier’s mindset, playbooks, and pressure points—now powers his advocacy for policyholders. He shares a striking case where an initial $13,000 offer rose to $186,000 after a thorough assessment and persistent negotiation. We dig into how recent Florida reforms changed attorney fee recovery, why that matters for families with limited resources, and where public adjusters fit as a cost‑effective alternative to litigation when coverage and scope are in dispute.

Beyond the paperwork, we zoom out to the reality of living on the Gulf Coast: hurricanes, soaring premiums, and the haunting phrase “insurance poor.” John speaks candidly about the trend of owners who self‑insure, the scrutiny on carrier estimating practices, and the importance of asking hard questions before and after a loss. You’ll leave with practical steps: read your policy’s insuring agreement, request full estimate details, understand depreciation and code upgrades, and know your rights to bring your own adjuster to the table.

If you’re navigating a claim or preparing for storm season, this conversation will help you secure fair value for your coverage and your home. Subscribe, share this episode with a neighbor who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest insurance question—we’ll tackle it on a future show.

Final Analysis
John Jacobsen
1-800-953-4670
john@finalanalysis.net
johnajacobsen.net

Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor
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