Member News

Fort Myers, Florida — The law firm of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., is pleased to announce that Attorney Traci McKee was sworn in as President of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association (“FDLA”) at its annual meeting in Boca Raton, Florida. She is the first female president in over a decade. The FDLA is comprised of thousands of attorneys and industry professionals who come together to form a strong alliance that promotes fairness and justice in the civil justice system for all parties.
Michael Corso, McKee’s mentor and Chair of the firm’s Tort & Insurance Litigation Department, as well as a Past President of FDLA, shares that “we hired Traci in 2007 after she served as an intern in between terms at Stetson Law School. We felt she was a rising star then and she certainly has exceeded all our expectations. We are confident that she will continue to do so as President of FDLA.” Former FDLA President Francisco Ramos shares “Traci has been a game changer for the FDLA. I can’t wait to see her lead the organization as President. Mark my words. It’s going to be revolutionary.”
McKee’s practice focuses on defending individuals, corporations, insurance companies and governmental entities in professional malpractice, premises liability, product liability, and an array of personal injury and property claims. She is known as the “lawyer’s lawyer,” representing attorneys and law firms in malpractice and grievance matters, and represents several local school boards and organizations with custody of children. In addition, McKee represents clients in appeals and has argued before the Florida Supreme Court. McKee also serves as Treasurer of the Southwest Florida Federal Court Bar Association.
McKee has been recognized for her professional achievements, including being named as an “Up and Comer” by Florida Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite (2016-2017), recognized by Florida Super Lawyers® magazine as a “Rising Star” (2010-2018), and earned the highest AV rating by Martindale Hubbell. She was also honored with the James A. Dixon Young Lawyer of the Year Award from the Florida Defense Lawyers Association (2010-2011). McKee graduated valedictorian of Stetson University College of Law (J.D., summa cum laude, 2007) after receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of North Florida (B.B.A., summa cum laude, 2000). She can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 239-344-1263.
Henderson Franklin is the largest, locally-based law firm between Tampa and Miami with over 55 attorneys dedicated to providing a wide range of legal services in the areas of business and tax planning, estate planning, family law, business and civil litigation, eminent domain, intellectual property, workers’ compensation, employment law, real estate, and land use and environmental law. Since 1924, Henderson Franklin has been assisting clients to build their homes, businesses, and communities in Southwest Florida. Henderson Franklin operates offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples and Sanibel Island. For more information on McKee or Henderson Franklin, please visit www.henlaw.com.

September 18, 2018 – FORT MYERS, FLA – Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) will host its Fall 2018 Open House at the Thomas Edison (Lee) Campus in Fort Myers on Tuesday, Oct. 9 from 3-5 p.m.
Prospective students, their families and the community are invited to attend Open House to learn about all FSW has to offer its students. Faculty, staff and current students will be present to answer questions, help start the financial aid process and provide campus tours.
“Students can attend the FSW Open House to get information about our academic programs, campus life, student support services, athletics and our unique educational opportunities,” said Amber McCown, FSW Director of Admissions. “Prospective students who attend the event on Oct. 9 will also receive a promotional code to apply for admission to FSW free-of-charge.”
Guests are encouraged to register in advance at www.FSW.edu/admissions/events. The Thomas Edison (Lee) Campus is located at 8099 College Parkway in Fort Myers, Fla.
Prospective students who aren’t able to attend Open House in-person can take an interactive, virtual tour of the college at www.FSW.edu/virtualtour. This new online feature is accessible via desktop, mobile or with virtual reality headsets.
For more information about FSW or how to apply, visit www.FSW.edu/admissions.
Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in January 2016. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.
 

September 19, 2018 – Fort Myers, FL – Fall is the best time for art and music! Join SBDAC and Gulf Coast Leisure for the next Art and Poetry Networking Event. Become a part of the GCL movement and meet like-minded individuals! To register as a performer or artist, visit www.gclmovement.com. The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First St. in the historic downtown Fort Myers River District.
For more than 5 years, Gulf Coast Leisure’s Art and Poetry Networking Event (APNE) has brought together artists, musicians, writers, and more from all over Southwest Florida. Each month, APNE features a different showcase of performers that wows audiences and displays the immense talent found right in our own backyard. In September, celebrate the launch of a new APNE season, featuring emerging and established poets, songwriters, and artisans.
Gulf Coast Leisure (GCL) is an arts and entertainment company serving Southwest Florida locals and visitors alike. GCL features vibrant, creative expressions of art from individuals representing all walks of life. While their core following is the millennial market, their artistic events and community outreach touches all age groups from teens to baby boomers by creating a movement, culture, and lifestyle with their productions and products. GCL pushes the envelope within the arts community online and in person. Through events and outreach, GCL enhances the growth of a truly diverse, vibrant, and artistic culture in SWFL.
Gulf Coast Leisure’s Art and Poetry Networking Event
Thursday, October 18, 2018
8pm – 11pm • General Admission $10
For info, tickets, and artist registration, visit www.gclmovement.com.

Fort Myers, Florida — The law firm of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., is pleased to announce that Attorney Jarred Duke has joined the firm’s Business Litigation Department. Prior to joining the firm, Duke was a litigator for a national law firm.
Duke represents individuals and businesses in complex disputes, such as real estate litigation, construction litigation, breaches of contract, partnership and shareholder disputes, breaches of fiduciary duty, trust and estate litigation, and other business torts. He also has significant experience helping clients comply with Florida’s lien laws and collection actions.
Duke is a Lee County native and graduated from Evangelical Christian School, where he currently serves on its Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Lee County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division, as well as a member of The Florida Bar’s Young Lawyers, Business Law, Entertainment, Arts & Sports, Real Property, Probate & Trust, and Labor and Employment Law sections.
Duke received his undergraduate degree from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2010 and his law degree from New York University School of Law in 2014. He may be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 239-344-1327.
 
Henderson Franklin is the largest, locally-based law firm between Tampa and Miami with over 55 attorneys dedicated to providing a wide range of legal services in the areas of business and tax planning, estate planning, family law, business and civil litigation, eminent domain, intellectual property, workers’ compensation, employment law, real estate, and land use and environmental law. Since 1924, Henderson Franklin has been assisting clients to build their homes, businesses, and communities in Southwest Florida. Henderson Franklin operates offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples and Sanibel Island. For more information on Duke or Henderson Franklin, please visit www.henlaw.com.
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 19, 2018) — On October 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Edison & Ford Winter Estates will host the annual “Airing of the Quilts” quilt show. Dozens of quilts from the Quilters’ Guild will be on display, suspended from clotheslines between trees and select antique quilts from the 1880s to 1940s will be on display inside the Thomas Edison house, Henry Ford house and the Edison guest house. Quilters’ Guild participants will also have quilts available for sale.
Certified quilt appraiser, Lars Cain, will be on site and conducting appraisals from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. His vast experience includes the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution. He has been sharing his expertise for many years and has spoken to more than 1,500 quilt groups throughout the Midwest, New England area and south to Florida. Since 1977, he has appraised more than 20,000 quilts.
Visitors may bring antique quilts for assessment. Verbal appraisals will be offered for $20 and the fee for a written appraisal is $50 per quilt.
Quilts have a long history with the estates. Henry Ford and his wife, Clara, collected quilts and other historical objects that were created and used by people from all across the United States. The quilts were often made from modest scraps of material, demonstrating the resourcefulness of American women.
The quilt show is included with a self-guided or guided tour of the historic home site and botanic gardens. Tickets may be purchased online or at the ticket counter. Admission is free for Edison Ford members.
 
For more information, call 239-334-7419 or visit www.edisonfordwinterestates.org.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 19, 2018) – The field for the 46^th annual Culligan City of Palms Classic presented by Enterprise is set and it’s once again filled with stars. The tournament is set to take place from Monday, Dec. 17 – Saturday, Dec. 22 at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW).
Elite teams from as far away as Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. will be in Southwest Florida for this annual holiday tradition. Some of the top teams in the main draw include: defending Culligan City of Palms Classic champion and Class 5A Florida state champion University School (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.); Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), former national champion; Olive Branch (Olive Branch, Miss.), Class 5A Mississippi state champion; and Mountain Brook (Mountain Brook, Ala.), Class 7A Alabama state champion. For a complete list of the teams go to: cityofpalmsclassic.com/teams/.
Additionally, six of the top 25 seniors in the nation will participate in this year’s tournament, including: ESPN No. 2 player in the Class of 2019, Cole Anthony (Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va.); ESPN No. 3 player in the Class of 2019 Vernon Carey, Jr. (University School, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.); ESPN No. 8 player in the Class of 2019 Josh Green (IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla.); ESPN No. 17 player in the Class of 2019 Armando Bacot (IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla.); ESPN No. 21 D.J. Jeffries (Olive Branch High School, Olive Branch, Miss.); and ESPN No. 23 Trendon Watford (Mountain Brook High School, Mountain Brook, Ala.).
Culligan returns for its sixth year as Title Sponsor, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car is Presenting Sponsor for the fifth year.
Tickets for the tournament are now on sale. Several ticket options are available, including:

1. The 6-day Preferred Ticket Package.A single-seat six-day ticket package for $260 including the processing fee with seating in the first two rows directly behind the team benches and scorer’s table (west side of the arena) or the opposite first and second rows (east side).
2. The 6-day Reserved Ticket Package.A single-seat six-day ticket package for $138 including the processing fee for the remaining courtside seating (east and west sides of the arena).
3. VIP Parking.A six-day Parking Pass in the parking lot closest to the arena for $65 including the processing fee.
4. General Admission. Single day tickets are available in sections 101, 102, 103, 111, and 113. A single day General Admission ticket for days 1, 2, 3, and 4 is $17 including the processing fee. Tickets for days 5 and 6 are $22 including the processing fee.

For more information and to purchase tickets, call the box office Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at (800) 440-7469 or (239) 481-4849. Single day reserve tickets will be available later this fall.
No fees are collected from players and teams, and Classic Basketball Inc., a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation that acts as a foundation for the tournament. For many of the players, the tournament represents their first opportunity to travel outside their own city.
Since 1989, 155 Culligan City of Palms Classic players have been named McDonald’s All-Americans and 116 have been drafted by the NBA, including 71 first-round picks.
Visit cityofpalmsclassic.com for all the information on this not-for-profit tournament featuring the top-ranked players and teams, including visitor information, ticket sales, schedule, team information, history, sponsors and sponsorship opportunities, eNewsletter signup, a tournament bracket, scores and stats, information on how to lend financial support as a Friend of the Classic, and much more.
About the Culligan City of Palms Classic
 Founded in 1973, the City of Palms tournament began, like so many tournaments today, as a simple, local, holiday basketball tournament. Over the years, the tournament grew and expanded its scope to include the nation’s finest athletes and teams, and during the past 23 years, has set the standard by which all tournaments are compared. Classic Basketball Inc. is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation created for the purpose of managing the Culligan City of Palms Classic. For more information and to sign up for the eNewsletter, visit cityofpalmsclassic.com.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 20, 2018) – An estimated 266,120 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in 2018. Among men, another 2,550 new cases are expected, according to the American Cancer Society. The team at CONRIC PR & Marketing relates to this staggering statistic through family experiences spurring the launch of the inaugural DRINK PINK campaign in honor of national breast cancer awareness month in October.
 
The firm is challenging local restaurants to offer a signature DRINK PINK beverage that will incite people to “Cheers for Change” all month long. Participating restaurants are encouraged to donate a minimum of 10 percent of revenue from their signature pink drink sales in October to a nonprofit breast cancer organization of their choice. CONRIC PR & Marketing has identified four nonprofit organizations in Southwest Florida that support breast cancer patients: Cancer Alliance of Naples, Partners for Breast Cancer Care, Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support and From Our Hearts.
 
Breast cancer knows no boundaries, but early detection and treatment can be the key to a healthy prognosis. The campaign seeks to increase awareness of the disease and raise money for local organizations that offer services to support patients. Everyone is welcome to take part by simply enjoying a signature beverage at a participating restaurant and sharing a photo on social media with the hashtag #DRINKPINK. The following establishments are already on board:
 

• Azure Restaurant, 15301 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers
• Boat House Tiki Bar & Grill, 17101 State Road 31, Fort Myers
• Boat House Tiki Bar & Grill, 5819 Driftwood Parkway, Cape Coral
• Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon, 2121 Southwest Pine Island Road, Cape Coral
• Downtown Social House, 1406 Hendry Street, Fort Myers
• Fathoms Restaurant & Bar, 5785 Cape Harbour Drive, Cape Coral
• Gather, 5971 Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral
• Keylime Bistro, 11509 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva
• Luna Rossa Italian Grill, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero
• Point 57 Kitchen & Cocktails, 3522 Del Prado Blvd. S., Cape Coral
• Prawnbroker Restaurant Group, 7790 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers
• RC Otter’s Island Eats, 11506 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva
• Society Restaurant + Lounge, 13499 Bell Tower Drive, Fort Myers
• The Jac Sanibel Island Bar & Grille, 1223 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
• The Firestone Grill Room, Martini Bar & Skybar, 2224 Bay Street, Fort Myers

 
For more information on the DRINK PINK campaign, visit conricpr.com/drink-pink/.
 
 
 
 

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 AT 10AM

 
(Fort Myers) – As The Beach Boys mark more than a half century of making music, the group continues to ride the crest of a wave unequalled in America’s musical history.  The Beach Boys have become synonymous with the California lifestyle and have become an American icon to fans around the world. The Beach Boys will pull into town to perform on February 26 at 7:30PM at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 20 at 10AM at the Box Office, online at www.bbmannpah.com or call 239-481-4849.
Since lead-singer man Mike Love penned the lyrics to The Beach Boys’ first hit, “Surfin’” (1961), dozens of the bands chart toppers have become eternal anthems of American youth:  “Surfin’ USA,” “Surfer Girl,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “California Girls,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “Barbara Ann,” “Good Vibrations,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Rock and Roll Music” and “Kokomo.”
                                                                              
The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million records worldwide and have received more than 33 RIAA Platinum and Gold record awards.  The Rock And Roll Hall of Famers where also honored at the 2001 Grammy Awards with the Lifetime Achievement Award. With more than five decades of touring under their belts, The Beach Boys have performed more concerts than any major rock band in history.
Sounds Of Summer: The Very Best Of The Beach Boys, Capitol/EMI’s 30-track collection of the band’s biggest hits, has achieved triple-platinum success with sales of more than three million copies in the U.S. since its release.
The Beach Boys are led by Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, who along with Jeffrey Foskett, Tim Bonhomme, John Cowsill, Keith Hubacher, Scott Totten and Christian Love continue the legacy of America’s iconic band. This concert will not feature Brian Wilson, Al Jardine or David Marks.
 
 
Performance Date/Time:             Tuesday, February 26 – 3:00PM & 7:30PM*
Ticket Prices:                                     $77.50*                $57.50*                $43.50*
 
                                                                *All shows, dates, times and ticket prices are subject to change.