Fort Myers Native Promoted to Navy Rear Admiral

Fort Myers, Florida native Dianna Wolfson, the director of Fleet Maintenance for U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) Command, was promoted to rear admiral (lower half) during a ceremony at the USFF headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia Dec. 13. During the holiday season, it's important to remember those from Southwest Florida who are serving in the military. Many of whom won't be able to spend Christmas with their families. Someone from Fort Myers being promoted to Navy Rear Admiral is a huge deal.

“I have been blessed to work with the most amazing people and am grateful that the Navy has afforded me many opportunities in my career,” said Rear Admiral Wolfson. “I am honored to continue to serve our Navy and country.”

Rear Admiral Wolfson is responsible for overseeing all depot maintenance and modernization programs and requirements. That includes budget and funding for all aircraft carriers, submarines, surface ships and aircraft. The job also includes maintenance program matters related to Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat Systems and Intelligence equipment.  Not enough? She'll also be handling functional requirements of Maintenance and Modernization Information Technology systems utilized to plan and execute Navy maintenance. Try to fit all that on your Linkedin.

Hailing from Fort Myers, Florida, Rear Admiral Wolfson graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York in 1996. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Systems Engineering (Magna Cum Laude) and was commissioned in the Nuclear Power Officer Candidate Program.

Before her current assignment at USFF, Rear Admiral Wolfson served as the 50th Commander of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility and Northwest Regional Maintenance Center.  Then a second command tour as the 110th Commander at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

Merry Christmas, and Thank You For Your Service from all us back here in Southwest Florida.

It's that time of year when we gather with family and friends to celebrate the holidays. There's a lot going on this time of year between Christmas parties at work, with friends and the overall hustle and bustle. The idea of cooking on Christmas might not be something you're looking forward to. I absolutely love the holidays. But hosting at my home in Fort Myers is just a little too overwhelming. The amount of food I would need to cook is a bit outside of my skill level. Sure, I could order in and have it catered, but that's a lot of planning too.

This year Christmas Eve arrives on Sunday and Christmas Day on Monday. You may be excited to see family and friends, sharing a meal and gifting, but what do you do if you don’t want to cook? The good thing, is that there are plenty of places this year where you can enjoy a delicious holiday meal with no prep and no dishes to worry about afterwards.

While Sunday and Monday are days that some restaurants are normally closed, some will open for Christmas. You'll definitely want to call and double check hours and availability, just in case reservations are required.

Thanks to News-Press, here are 10 local restaurants to SWFL, particularly Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Bonita Springs that are open on Christmas Eve and/or Day this year. You can see their full list here. Many restaurant chains and fast food spots will be open as well. Merry Christmas!

Front Porch Social will feature a special 3-course Christmas Eve dinner starting at 3pm. They'll have a limited a la carte menu as well.

4721 Vincennes Blvd- Cape Coral

Located at The Westin in Cape Coral, Marker 92 will have their regular menu on Christmas Eve. On Monday, they'll offer a Christmas Day feast from noon-7pm. Call for a reservation 239-541-5942.

Bruno's will offer a 3-course Christmas Eve menu with entrees including Dover sole filet francese, pappardelle frutta di mare, meatball parmigiano eggplant parmigiano or seafood fra diavolo from 5-8pm. Call 239-278-0211 for reservations.

2112 Second St- downtown Fort Myers

Il Pomodoro has a special Christmas Eve menu featuring braciole, osso buco and scallops in addition to their regular menu from 4-8pm. Closed Christmas Day.

9681 Gladiolus Drive- Fort Myers

Fresh Catch has some special offerings for Christmas Eve including prime rib and lobster in addition to their regular menu from 4:30-8pm. Happy hour is from 2:30-4:30pm. Closed Christmas Day.

4761 Estero Blvd- Fort Myers Beach

Both Fort Myers and Cape Coral locations will have special Christmas Eve specials (crab cakes, lobster francese, prime rib, etc) and full menus available. Both locations closed on Christmas Day.

8880 Salrose Lane- Fort Myers

1403 Cape Coral Parkway E- Cape Coral

Old Captiva House will have a Christmas buffet from noon-8pm that features chicken, pasta, seafood, a carving station, she-crab soup and more. Call 239-472-5161 x421 to make a reservation.

15951 Captiva Drive- Captiva

Roys is open both December 24 and 25. There will be a Christmas Day 3-course meal served from 11am-9pm.

26831 South Bay Drive- Bonita Springs

Snug Harbor will be open 11am-9pm on Christmas Eve with their regular menu and a special menu served. Closed on Christmas Day.

645 Old San Carlos Blvd- Fort Myers Beach

Nick & Stella's will be serving their full menu on Christmas Eve from 11am-midnight. Also open on Christmas Day from noon-midnight, plus a special prime rib dinner.

15271 McGregor Blvd- Fort Myers