From the Editor

It's truly natural to believe that in so many of life's endeavors we just keep learning to do things better or faster or bigger . or simply in a more evolved way. But when it comes to etiquette, to the way we relate to each other socially, have we really advanced to a superior place?

To some experts we consulted, the answer is a unanimous and decisive "no." Listen:

"Manners are worse today. We're not taking the time-television interrupts, cell phones interrupt-and we're not passing down tradition and manners and thoughtfulness from one generation to another." -Letitia Baldrige, world-famous authority on etiquette and author of New Manners for New Times.

"Manners have definitely gotten worse, and the reason why is that we try to do everything in such a hurry. We need to take time for the niceties in life. It's not that people don't care. It's a matter of everything being so fast-paced today." -Wilma Boyd, founder of the Wilma Boyd Career School in Pittsburgh and president and CEO of Preferred Travel of Naples.

"Manners are worse because etiquette follows the economy, and what we've got is an economy that is extremely time-driven and electronics-driven. What has eroded tremendously is the one-on-one dealing with other people. Because we spend so much time behind a computer, we don't have to deal with other people-and society reinforces that." -Mary Mitchell, author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Etiquette.

It's in this context that we offer "Mastering the New Etiquette" by senior editor Shellie Benson (starting on p. 71). May we all learn something and be better with each other.

In addition to presenting our first community All-Star Team this month, we identify-as we've done in previous years-people to watch for future developments. In the hope that you might be interested in how some of those on last year's list are doing, here's a quick update, courtesy of our reporter-about-town Tracy Jones.

Marcus Antonius Jansen Since last year, his works of urban expressionism have been exhibited from Miami to Paris. He was one of 30 contemporary Florida artists chosen for Tampa Museum of Art's prestigious annual underCURRENT/overVIEW 8 exhibit (ending July 9).

Dave Aronberg Lee County's energetic state senator has twice lost his legislative battle to eliminate the loophole that closes primary elections in Florida to all but party members if there are any write-in candidates from the opposing party. The young Democrat says he may file a lawsuit on the voters' behalf.

Kristen Coury The film and theater veteran found a home for her proposed Gulfshore Playhouse in Estero. Renderings for the new professional theater show an ambitious bit of architecture. This past season, Coury recruited a high-profile group of volunteers, donors and guest fundraisers-including Carol Channing-to help her realize the dream.

Jorge Perez Since our article appeared, Time magazine dubbed Perez "the condo king." The big-league developer appeared with George Clooney in an ad campaign heralding a Las Vegas development the two were in on together. But that project didn't fare as well as his sold-out Fort Myers high-rise, Oasis. He also kept his promises of support for area arts organizations, including the staging of a contest for emerging artists.

Mayela Rosales Rosales went from up-and-comer to media mogul in one short year. The host and producer of the D'Latinos television program saw her magazine of the same title get fatter-and more widely read. She also became one of the most visible faces of Southwest Florida's rapidly growing Hispanic community, chairing events and speaking to civic groups.

Carmen Cali The Naples High lefthander appeared in six games last season with the St. Louis Cardinals, who won the National League's Central Division title. He began this season with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds.

With this issue we introduce our front-of-the-book photo feature, "Gulfshore Treasures" (p. 20). Our aim is to start your experience in every issue with "wow" images of people, places and things that say Southwest Florida and demand your attention. We invite everyone with a camera-amateurs as well as professionals-to join the "Treasure" hunt. Send your most compelling photographs for possible publication to our assistant art director Eric Raddatz at ericr@gulfshorelife.com. I just know you've got some beauties out there.

-David Sendler