Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival Showcases Experts, Speakers

Oct 9, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Betsy Clayton
Lee County Parks & Recreation
(239) 433-3855
bclayton@leegov.com

Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival Showcases Experts, Speakers

Fort Myers, FL, Oct. 9, 2007 - Experts on wildlife, fossils, Calusa Indians, kayak fishing and a statewide paddling trail will be featured in a weeknight series of free lectures happening as part of the Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival, which runs Oct. 27-Nov. 4 throughout Lee County.

The festival spans nine days and two weekends, with offerings from Bonita Springs to the Fort Myers area and from Matlacha/Pine Island to Alva. For a complete list of its 40-plus events and details of activities, go online to www.calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com

Among the weekday offerings is a first-of-its kind series. The Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival Speakers Series is sponsored by Bass Pro Shop and Lee County Parks and Recreation. From Monday, Oct. 29, through Friday, Nov. 2, at 7:30 p.m. each night, people can come to the Support Services Facility at Rutenberg Park, 6490 South Pointe Blvd., Fort Myers.

Anyone who attends the free presentations is eligible to enter a drawing for a Bass Pro Shop gift card valued at $100. Refreshments each evening also will be provide by Bass Pro.

Presentations include:
Monday, Oct. 29: "Florida Through Native Eyes" by author/photographer Mark Renz of Fossil Expeditions 

Tuesday, Oct. 30: "Florida's Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail" by Tallahassee-based kayak trail expert Doug Alderson 

Wednesday, Oct. 31: "Domain of the Calusa" by archaeologist Kara Bridgman Sweeney of Randell Research Center, Pineland

Thursday, Nov. 1: "Kayak Fishing in Southwest Florida" by Capt. Greg Bowdish of Angler's Outlet

Friday, Nov. 2: "Cool Birds of Southwest Florida" by Charlie Ewell of Lee County Bird Patrol

For more biographical and presentation details, see attached flier. Or go to www.calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com or call (239) 432-2163.

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