Cataracts, not Cadillacs, are a natural part of aging (unfortunately like gray hair and wrinkles). The lens inside the eye (located behind the pupil) is an important part of our focusing ability. Gradually, it becomes thicker each year as we get older. With time, this thickness causes the lens to become less flexible requiring eyeglasses for reading (usually by our 40s).

As I look around the Cape, I see a lot of change happening. Some of it seems to take a long time to complete. Other projects or buildings seem to be completed nearly overnight. I guess I'm guilty of paying more attention to changes around town than I should.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for progress. The truth is that I actually have a few ideas of my own where sprucing up Cape Coral is concerned.

Both runners and bikers competed recently in the 19th Annual Tour De Cape. The weekend-long event provided local competitors with many challenges. Whether competing in the 5K Fun Run held Saturday, riding in one of the four legs of the bicycle trek, or just enjoying one of the rides for 'Family Fun Sunday', a good time was had by most everyone.

Contact lenses are a great way to enhance your vision and give you freedom away from your eyeglasses. Because contact lenses are a medical device that can affect the health of your eyes, they must be properly fitted and evaluated on a yearly basis.

As the New Year arrived for southwest Floridians, so, too, did a blast of arctic air that has made things difficult for many residents. From freezing citrus and vegetable farm produce to unbearably cold overnight temperatures moving in on residents, the swift change to cooler conditions has been a hardship for more than a few in our area.

As 2009 slowly winds down and 2010 is upon us, it seems a good time to reflect on the year we've just had. It has been a year of transition, hope and also a year marked by the passing of many notable persons. We've watched our new President, Barrack Obama, who inherited two wars, work to improve our country's reputation globally, and also to improve our country's fiscal confidence, all while striving to pass a health care bill that includes a public option.

While southwest Florida has just closed out a largely uneventful hurricane season, other changes have been taking place locally. From newly proposed baseball parks and swimming centers to local politics, our corner of the state has still had a very busy year...all while the national economy continues to recover from recession left in the wake of the Bush administration.

Eyeglasses come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Proper care will extend their life, as well as assure their continued functionality. Here are a few useful tips to help care for your eyeglasses and keep them in tip-top shape:

Since many vision problems occur at a young age, it is very important that children have their eyes checked on a regular basis.

Have you been to see the doctor lately? Maybe I should just ask if you've been ill and had to go see the doctor. If so, they probably checked you out and, provided you were symptomatic, prescribed you some medicine. Now the only question remaining is what is this medicine going to do for what ails you?

In elections Tuesday, Cape Coral residents went to the polls to vote in the general election. With so much recent dissension among residents concerning issues from utilities expansion to property taxes, a stronger turnout than the estimated 18-20% of local residents who voted had been expected.