Honoring the late Jimmi Melton who recently passed from heart issues. -STEPHANIE DAVIS / FLORIDA WEEKLY

The Southwest Florida social swirl doesn’t stop just because the hellfire of summer is headed our way, bringing heat, humidity, and mini 20-minute long tropical storms every afternoon (usually perfectly timed to start just as you’re leaving the house for an event, dinner, or happy hour). And as much as I’d love to hibernate for the summer (or move to a remote village in the Alaskan tundra – which I’m not opposed to). But, keeping my finger on the pulse of the local social scene, regardless of the season, has taught me a lot of lessons and required me to come up with my own survival guide for sparkling through a sweltering, soggy Southwest Florida summer.

Ditch the make-up. Well, maybe not ALL of the make-up, but I’ve long given up on trying to find eye makeup that holds up when the feels-like temperature is 106 degrees, and the sky is about to explode with a torrential rain-sideways summer storm. This is when a sexy, smoky eye becomes a sad, sloppy eye. No one enjoys wiping sweat from under their eyes and realizing that their perspiration is the color of Maybelline’s Sky-High Cosmic Black. So, in the summertime, I go with a little concealer which will likely melt off, but at least it’s roughly the same color as my face, and a bold lip color to take the attention off of my colorless, mascara-less eyes.
I’m thrilled for all of you who are happy to wear sleeveless tops and strappy frocks in the heat, but I do not bear bare (upper) arms – and wearing a cardigan when it’s hot AND you have hot flashes could cause spontaneous combustion. I’ve figured out that thin, sheer kimonos thrown on over something sleeveless can bring a flavor of chicness without causing heat stroke.
Flats are a must! While I can’t stand wearing flats (I’m 5’2” and shrinking by the year), afternoon storms are inevitable and the last thing I need is to slip on a puddle and break a hip. I’ve concluded that I look better in flats than I do in a wheelchair.

These are a few (literally) hot girl summer tips – of course, don’t leave the house without an umbrella – and always keep a hand fan in your purse, not only will you look cool and elegant, you’ll make everyone else jealous. Don’t bother spending a lot of time on your hair – summer this so far down in Florida is made for cute slicked back ponytails and messy buns. And, finally, to all event organizers – do not even think about a black tie dress code until late November.

Remembering Jimmi

Jimmi Melton was a downtown Fort Myers fixture who kept the neighborhood entertained with his brand of 70s rock and blues. -STEPHANIE DAVIS / FLORIDA WEEKLY

There have been sudden summer thunderstorms in the past where I’ve gone for shelter in the doorway of the ancient First National Bank building where guitarist Jimmi Melton would make sure there was plenty of room. Jimmi was a downtown Fort Myers fixture who kept the neighborhood entertained with his brand of 70s rock and blues. Sadly, Jimmi, who had heart issues, succumbed to them last Saturday night as he played guitar on the bank building steps – doing what he loved the most. I’m guessing, but I believe Jimmi played downtown for the past 20 – 25 years. He brought a lot of joy to so many and, as part of the heart of downtown, he’ll be missed.

Stephanie Davis is a recovering girl-about-town formerly known as the Downtown Diva. A nearly native Southwest Floridian, when she’s not photographing events for Florida Weekly, she’s perfectly content to stay at home binging Netflix with her husband and three cats, Tennessee, Lilibet, and Jack.