Susan L. Shoemaker Auditorium at Island Coast High

Tonight, the Lee County School Board, along with faculty from Island Coast High school in Cape Coral, renamed the school's auditorium and dedicated it in memory of recently deceased guidance counselor, Susan L. Shoemaker.

 On August 7, at the age of 69, Ms. Shoemaker passed away from the ravaging effects of cancer. She spent 47 years as an educator, garnering respect from students, the community, faculty, staff, and school board members.  She received the Golden Apple award numerous times and earned the title "Counselor of the Year" at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

During the night's ceremony, in the newly named auditorium, students and faculty honored Susan by performing a variety of musical, dance, and dramatic presentations.  Ms. Shoemaker's husband, Edward Pritchard, accepted the award on her behalf.  Few eyes remained dry during the evening.

Enjoy the clip below of rising star, Lauren Rae Roberts, performing "Because You Loved Me" as a tribute Ms. Shoemaker.

Night Ranger at Cape Coral Coconut Festival

Featuring three original members, Jack Blades slapping the bass and belting lead vocals, Kelly Keagy pounding drums and adding additional lead vocals, and Brad Gillis wailing on guitar, as well as recent additions guitarist Tristan and keyboardist Eric Levy, Night Ranger rocked the Cape Coral Coconut Festival held at Sunsplash Family Fun Park.

Although they've been relegated to the carnival and casino circuit where we find many of yesterday's superstars, I must admit that these five guys still know how to rock. For whatever the reason that Night Ranger failed to find the upper echelon notoriety of such acts as Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, and Def Lepard, the rock community apparently recognizes them amongst the best. Jack Blades enjoyed the privilege of being invited by legends Tommy Shaw and Ted Nugent to form the supergroup, The Damn Yankees during a period of Night Ranger hibernation and Brad Gillis spent time in the early 1980's playing for Ozzie, filling the gargantuan shoes of Randy Rhodes after his untimely death.

Brad Gillis's virtuosic guitar playing amazes me. He can easily hold a candle to Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, or Michael Schenker but for reasons unknown has failed to reach the elitist level of fame. It's mesmerizing to watch Brad play. He knows every heavy metal trick in the book and pulls out all of the stops. His large frame makes the guitar look diminutive and he whips it around like a feather.

Jack Blades also knows how to wow the audience. As the consummate performer, Jack captivates the entire audience with his witty banter and lends the typical high pitched 1980's vocals, although ironically, drummer Kelly Keagy sings lead on the band's biggest hit, "Sister Christian".

Enjoy the link below as they perform that classic hit live.

Benefit for Damien Garcia

My young friend Marlon and I attended and extremely special motorcycle ride today to raise money for the family of Damien Garcia, a Cape Coral motorcycle policeman, hit by a car while in the line of duty, and now lying in a coma at Lee Memorial Hospital.

Registration began at 9:00 am at Victory Lane Cafe on Hancock Bridge Parkway and the 200 bike ride started promptly at 11:00, winding through the majority of Cape Coral, past the police and fire stations, where we were cheered with numerous screaming sirens and ended at Geo's Italian Restaurant on Pine Island Road. Christian rock band "A Matter of Faith" entertained the crowd of approximately 350 while they enjoyed free pizza, courtesy of the folks at Geo's.

Please keep Officer Garcia and his family in your prayers and anyone wishing to donate, please contact the Cape Coral Police Department.