JEAN AMODEA

• TBE students learn about native shells Published 02/02/2012 at 2:25 p.m.

  Marco Island, known as the largest barrier island (four by six miles) within Southwest Florida’s islands has more than three miles of white sand beaches loaded with shells in a variety of distinctive sizes and shapes. Shells like starfish, sandollars, ...

• TBE students get lesson in recycling through art Published 01/28/2012 at 12:56 p.m.

  If Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” were at Tommie Barfield Elementary (TBE) on a recent Friday, she would surely have reason to exclaim “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!”

• Goin’ thrifty: Estero Bay Baptist Church starts thrift store Updated 02/01/2012 at 1:21 p.m.

  For one family who lost everything — their job, home and finances — and who needed school clothes for their daughter, the Baptist Thrift Center, an outreach ministry of Estero Bay Baptist Church (EBBC), in Fort Myers met more than ...

• Komoon creatively commingles 3 cuisines: Thai, sushi and ceviche Published 01/25/2012 at 4 a.m.

  Komoon blends three cuisines artfully and tastefully.

• Bartering an alternative for businesses Published 01/22/2012 at noon

  Trading, swapping or bartering are options for businesses in today's challenging economy.

• Home Front: House Whisperer coming to Southwest Florida Published 01/20/2012 at 4 a.m.

  Learn how to airbrush -- and learn how to add class to your home minimally. There are several classes that fill the bill.

• Graeter's ice cream finding its way to Southwest Florida stores Published 01/15/2012 at 11:12 a.m.

  A little taste of the Midwest has infiltrated Southwest Florida store shelves. Now in 1,042 Publix markets, the stores in late November began carrying Graeter's ice cream flavors such as black raspberry chocolate chip, mint chocolate chip, chocolate chocolate chip ...

• Collier County woman, JeanAnn Lynch, runs Baby Basics to help those in need Published 01/10/2012 at 4 a.m.

  Baby Basics makes life more manageable for parents in need.

• Throttle up: ATV repair shops booming in Southwest Florida Published 01/08/2012 at 9:50 a.m.

  For those who enjoy all-terrain vehicles, Southwest Florida ATV repair shops abound to help off-roading aficionados.

• Diapers for the downtrodden: Local charity helps families in Lee and Collier Updated 01/11/2012 at 5:06 p.m.

  Babies need food, diapers and love. One local organization, Baby Basics aims to provide at least one of the necessities and some of another.

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