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Melanie Holaway Named GLAD Kids Director of Early Childhood Education

(Fort Myers, Fla. – March 29, 2019) --- Melanie Holaway has been named GLAD Kids…

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Melanie Holaway Named GLAD Kids Director of Early Childhood Education

(Fort Myers, Fla. – March 29, 2019) — Melanie Holaway has been named GLAD Kids Director of Early Childhood Education.  GLAD Kids, a part of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center family, has served children birth to 5 years as an early learning center for more than 40 years. Located on Gladiolus Drive, GLAD Kids’ mission is to ensure low-income families have quality, affordable childcare.  More than 80 children read, learn and play in a safe environment while their parents work to provide for their families.  GLAD Kids is a preferred VPK Provider of Lee County Schools and has a 5 STAR rating from the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida.
“Melanie worked for us as a consultant and was instrumental in the successful acquisition and transition of GLAD Kids to The Heights family,” said Kathryn Kelly, Founder, President and CEO of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center. “Her leadership will help us increase our impact and outreach to the youngest children in the Harlem Heights community.”
Holaway’s experience includes leadership roles in the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida, Edison State College (now FSW) Preschool and Lee Health’s Child Development Center.
Kelly recently announced plans to build a three-story educational building on The Heights Center property that will house GLAD Kids and The Harlem Heights Community Charter School, a K-5 school.  A groundbreaking is planned for fall 2019.
For more information about GLAD Kids visit www.gladkids.net, call (239) 481-2100 or email [email protected]
About the Heights Foundation, The Heights Center and GLAD Kids
The Heights Foundation works to build self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood.  The mission is to support education and wellness, promote family and community development, and provide the benefits of enrichment and the arts.  The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a place for Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment.   GLAD Kids is a child care and pre-k center serving more than 80 children birth-five.  The Harlem Heights Community Charter School currently serves kindergarten through third grade and will expand to serve up to fifth grade.
Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community.   Approximately 780 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments. Demographically, the population is approximately 70% Hispanic, 20% African-American, and 8% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average. Families are not able to easily access family support services located in downtown Fort Myers, and benefit greatly from programs located within the neighborhood.
 

Edison and Ford Winter Estates Hosts Fort Myers Film Festival

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 28, 2019) -- On April 11 at 7:30 p.m., Edison and Ford…

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Edison and Ford Winter Estates Hosts Fort Myers Film Festival

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 28, 2019) — On April 11 at 7:30 p.m., Edison and Ford Winter Estates will host the Fort Myers Film Festival. Three films will be shown on the Henry Ford estate lawn, along the Caloosahatchee River, including an Edison silent film, a production about the first directors at Edison and Ford Winter Estates, and a feature entitled “Coach” about a woman soccer coach who breaks through the glass ceiling of a male-dominated sport.
The event is fitting since Thomas Edison invented the motion picture camera. His first films were without sound, but nonetheless groundbreaking for the time. Guests will get to watch an original Edison silent film, “The Great Train Robbery,” while local musician and film buff, Stephen Brittain, performs the score.
The second production, “A Tale of Two Halgrims,” was produced by Ilene Safron of Main Sail Video Productions and tells the history of the first two directors at Edison and Ford Winter Estates. From 1927 through 1931, Robert Halgrim, Sr. worked for Thomas and Mina Edison. In 1947, Mina deeded the Edison estate to the City of Fort Myers. Halgrim became the first director to solely manage the estate from 1948 until 1972. Then in 1973, his son Robert Halgrim, Jr. became the second director and operated the site until his retirement in 1998. For a total of 50 years, the Halgrims personally influenced the day-to-day management of the estates – now one of the country’s most visited historic sites and tourist attractions.
During highlights from an interview with Robert Halgrim, Jr., this short documentary reveals the history of those 50 years, including details of how Mina Edison gifted the Edison estate to the City of Fort Myers; the idea to collect thousands of Edison artifacts for a museum; how Henry Ford’s home was added to the site; and a list of some of the most famous people who have visited the property. Even the most knowledgeable historians may learn something from this story.
Eric Raddatz, with the Fort Myers Film Festival will introduce the feature, “Coach.” The film is directed by Jordan Axelrod, a New York City videographer who is originally from Fort Myers. The story follows Tracy Hamm, San Francisco State University women’s head soccer coach, as she seeks to become the first American woman to earn a Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) “A” license – the highest international accreditation for college coaches. The film depicts the challenges that Hamm faced as a woman trying to climb the ladder in a male-dominated profession. Axelrod will be in attendance and available to answer questions after the movie. Some stars from the film may also be in attendance.
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. is sponsoring the event. Refreshments and a cash bar will be available. Only a limited number of chairs will be provided, so guests are encouraged to bring a folding chair. Tickets are $5 for Edison Ford members, $10 for non-members and may be purchased at EdisonFord.org.

American Legion, downtown Fort Myers post reach milestones Dedication to service continues, 100 years later

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 28, 2019) – The American Legion is turning 100, and Post…

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American Legion, downtown Fort Myers post reach milestones Dedication to service continues, 100 years later

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 28, 2019) – The American Legion is turning 100, and Post 38 in downtown Fort Myers is celebrating a centennial of its own. The Rabe O. Wilkison Post, as it’s also known, was established on Sept. 5, 1919, just months after the national organization formed in the wake of World War I. The post is planning several ways to mark the occasion, culminating in a visit from the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall on Sept. 7 and 8 at JetBlue Park.
“This is a legacy that honors all those who’ve served, and we’re proud to carry on the tradition that began when this post became the very first in all of southern Florida,” Post 38 Cmdr. Kevin Boyd said. “Part of the reason the American Legion exists is to extend the patriotism of our veterans into continued service to those who need it most, and this milestone is a testament to the perseverance and dedication of our members.”
The American Legion has more than 13,000 posts and over 2.2 million wartime veteran members around the world. Throughout its first century, the organization helped start the Veterans Administration, was instrumental in the creation of the GI Bill, led the way to create the U.S. Flag Code, and helped veterans receive benefits for illnesses related to their service.
Post 38 raises money to award scholarships to Southwest Florida children, helps veterans in need and supports several charitable endeavors in the community. It was named after Rabe O. Wilkison, an Immokalee native drafted into the Army in 1918. He volunteered for a World War I mission that a commanding officer warned would offer only a 1-in-100 chance of survival.
Wilkison nonetheless forged ahead and was killed on Sept. 16, 1918 in the battle at St. Mihiel in France. Less than two months later, the war was over. Wilkison was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart in 1963.
“He embodied the valor and bravery we all want in those sworn to protect us,” Boyd said. “That’s why it’s so important to commemorate this anniversary and make sure stories like his continue to be told.”
The names of more than 58,000 who died or remain missing in the Vietnam War will be on display when the traveling wall comes to JetBlue Park. Sponsorship opportunities remain for those who want to help honor their sacrifice. To get involved, contact George Tice at [email protected] or 239-738-0601, or Jim Squadrito at 401-261-9096 or [email protected].
Visit centennial.legion.org to see some of the other ways the American Legion is marking its 100th anniversary.
About The American Legion Post 38
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. Months later, on Sept. 5, 1919, Post 38 in Fort Myers became the first American Legion post in southern Florida. Named the Rabe O. Wilkison Post after a Fort Myers man who lost his life bravely fighting in World War I, the organization welcomes veterans from all branches of the U.S. armed forces to continue serving God, country and community. Members seek to serve the underserved by raising money to award scholarships to Southwest Florida children, giving aid and assistance to veterans in need, and supporting a number of other community programs and projects. Visit post38-swfl.org to learn how to join.

Owen-Ames-Kimball Celebrates Topping Off of 62,000 Square Foot Medical Complex for Family Health Centers in Lehigh Acres

(Fort Myers, FL March 27, 2019) - Owen-Ames-Kimball Company (O-A-K) celebrated the ‘topping off” of…

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Owen-Ames-Kimball Celebrates Topping Off of 62,000 Square Foot Medical Complex for Family Health Centers in Lehigh Acres

(Fort Myers, FL March 27, 2019) – Owen-Ames-Kimball Company (O-A-K) celebrated the ‘topping off” of the new three-story medical facility for Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida (FHC) in central Lehigh Acres on Wednesday, March 20.  The construction tradition that celebrates the completion of the highest point of a building, featured a barbecue lunch for more than 100 guests including Family Health Centers staff, project architects, engineers, interior designers and construction subcontractors.
Upon completion, the 62,000-square-foot medical center will be Family Health Centers’ largest facility, housing a variety of medical, dental and administrative offices. The $16 million facility is centrally located at 3415 Lee Blvd. in Lehigh Acres, directly across the road from Sunshine Elementary School, Quest Diagnostics and Palm Acres Charter School.
“The topping off is a major milestone and a celebration of the hard work our team has done over the past twelve months,” said Dave Dale, O-A-K, Florida President. “We appreciate the efforts and commitment of each individual who has ensured the construction has gone smoothly.”
“We are impressed with how the FHC Lehigh facility is coming together and we are looking forward to its completion,” said Dr. Frank Mazzeo Jr., president and chief executive officer for Family Health Centers. “It will be approximately five times larger than our current space.  Our adult medicine, pediatrics and dentistry practices will increase proportionately and additional practices will be added, such as pharmacy, optometry and chiropractic, as well as chronic disease management and lab services.”
O-A-K’s project manager is Matt Hoffman, the project superintendent is Tim Harkins and the project estimator is Abel Natali. O-A-K also constructed Family Health Centers’ Estero facility and has renovated one of its clinics in Fort Myers.
Family Health Centers operates 14 different facilities and 31 practices in Lee, Charlotte and Hendry counties. FHC offers primary health care, preventative health care, disease management and educational services for all patient groups, including the medically underserved, migratory agriculture workers, the homeless and other special populations. About 94 percent of patients FHC serves in Lehigh Acres are considered low-income according to federal poverty guidelines.
 About Owen-Ames-Kimball
Owen-Ames-Kimball Company has provided premier general contracting, design-build, and construction management services in Southwest Florida since 1982. O-A-K’s Florida operation is an affiliate of its parent company located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Florida operation has offices in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. Its Lee County office is located at 11941 Fairway Lakes Drive in Fort Myers. Learn more about O-A-K at www.owen-ames-kimball.com.

Owen-Ames-Kimball Appoints Joshua Hatcher as Project Manager

(Fort Myers, FL March 25, 2019) - Owen-Ames-Kimball Company (O-A-K), a premier general contractor with…

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Owen-Ames-Kimball Appoints Joshua Hatcher as Project Manager

(Fort Myers, FL March 25, 2019) – Owen-Ames-Kimball Company (O-A-K), a premier general contractor with a longstanding presence in Southwest Florida, has announced the appointment of Joshua Hatcher, as a project manager in the company’s Fort Myers office.
Hatcher has more than ten years’ experience as a project manager and business owner.  His areas of expertise include construction management, planning, staff and subcontractor management with crews of up to 150, budgeting, scheduling and timely completion of projects.   Hatcher has an extensive knowledge of construction safety standards.
Hatcher’s experience as a project manager includes the reconstruction and redevelopment of Collier and Lee County school grounds after Hurricane Irma and the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Bus Stop Concrete & ADA Sidewalks project.
Hatcher started his career in construction as a site supervisor with a grading firm where he learned civil construction.  He worked in project management at a plumbing and propane company. As a business owner, Hatcher successfully managed multiple projects and crews and developed a reputation of running on-time, quality and safe sites.
About Owen-Ames-Kimball
Owen-Ames-Kimball Company has provided premier general contracting, design-build and construction management services in Southwest Florida since 1982. O-A-K’s Florida operation is an affiliate of its parent company located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Florida operation has offices in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. Its Lee County office is located at 11941 Fairway Lakes Drive in Fort Myers. Learn more about O-A-K at www.owen-ames-kimball.com.

Lee Health National Speaker Series: May 7 - Dr. David Katz

Lee Health National Speaker Series: May 7 - Dr. David You are cordially invited to…

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Lee Health National Speaker Series: May 7 - Dr. David Katz

Lee Health National Speaker Series: May 7 – Dr. David
You are cordially invited to attend a presentation by Dr. David Katz, entitled The Truth About Food, as part of Lee Health’s national speaker series.  Dr. Katz is an internationally  recognized author and speaker with expertise in nutrition, weight management and the prevention of chronic disease.
 
He is the founding director of Yale University’s Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, Past-President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, and Founder/President of the True Health Initiative.
 
Date and time:  May 7, 2019 from 6-7 pm
Location:  First Christian Church, 2061 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers
 
To register for this free event, go online to LeeHealth.org/classes and click on National Speaker Series button
 
 
 

Lee County Bar Association to provide free legal consultations

Note to Media: The LCBA is excited to be celebrating the 25th year of hosting…

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Lee County Bar Association to provide free legal consultations

Note to Media: The LCBA is excited to be celebrating the 25th year of hosting Law in the Mall. This event, part of Law Week, is a great way to get legal advice without incurring any expenses. Thank you for spreading the word about Law in the Mall. The press release, logo and photo are attached.
Law in the Mall continues 25-year tradition of service
FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 21, 2019) – Justice shouldn’t be reserved only for those who can pay for it. That’s why Lee County Bar Association attorneys will give free legal advice to the public on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Edison Mall. The 25th annual Law in the Mall event is part of the bar’s Law Week, a series of events designed to celebrate the role of law in our society and to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession.
“The law is second nature to us as attorneys, but to most people, navigating the legal system may seem like an impossible challenge,” said attorney Ryan O’Halloran, coordinator for Law in the Mall. “It’s a small investment of time for us, but it produces a great return for so many people who may desperately need help.”
Up to 40 bar attorneys will be available throughout the event for face-to-face consultations inside the mall, between entrances F and G in front of Dillard’s. They’ll offer answers and direction on situations that fall within their legal practice areas, including divorce, probate, criminal law, bankruptcy, real estate, foreclosure and more. Attorneys who would like to participate should contact O’Halloran at 239-334-7212 or [email protected].
No pre-qualification or pre-registration is necessary for members of the public who seek help at the event, though attendees should bring any paperwork related to their case.
“The bar strives to make the community a better place,” said Lisa Poulin, the bar’s executive director. “Law in the Mall is designed to make a direct impact, bringing help to those who need it most. We’re grateful to the Edison Mall for continuing to partner with us on this fundamental initiative for the greater good.”
Plenty more is scheduled during Law Week, which runs April 27-May 3. An awards ceremony will recognize local law enforcement officers of the year, an outstanding law-related educator, and someone who has made a profound impact on the Lee County community. Plus, high school students will get an in-person view of oral arguments before Florida’s Second District Court of Appeals. Lee County Bar attorneys will even donate blood to Lee Health during the annual Law Week Blood Drive.
“This is what the bar is truly about — service,” Poulin said. “This is a group of attorneys motivated to help any way they can.”
Call Poulin at 239-334-0047 or email her at [email protected] to learn about the full slate of community outreach programs the bar conducts throughout the year.
About the Lee County Bar Association
The Lee County Bar Association, a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization, has served the citizens and legal community of Lee County since 1949 and has a current membership of almost 800. Its purpose is to further the education of its member attorneys and create meaningful interaction among them, and to inform the community on important legal matters. The bar strives to serve as a leader in advancing ethical conduct, excellence and the professionalism of its members. For more information, visit leebar.org or contact Executive Director Lisa Poulin at 239-334-0047 or [email protected].

Lee County Tax Collector adds libraries to waiting areas Books, magazines available for children, teens, adults

Books and magazines are now available at six Lee County Tax Collector  locations, thanks to…

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Lee County Tax Collector adds libraries to waiting areas Books, magazines available for children, teens, adults

Books and magazines are now available at six Lee County Tax Collector
 locations, thanks to a partnership with the Lee County Library System.
FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 21, 2019) – Waiting areas at Lee County Tax Collector’s Offices just got a lot more pleasant. The Tax Collector has partnered with the Lee County Library System to create mini-libraries at six Tax Collector locations. Customers who come to renew driver’s licenses, apply for concealed weapons permits, take care of vehicle registration and more can peruse a broad selection of books and magazines while they wait.
“Your time is valuable, and we understand that,” Lee County Tax Collector Larry Hart said. “We’re going to do everything we can to make your time with us enjoyable.”
The library system has placed about 30 titles each at Tax Collector offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, south Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres and North Fort Myers. Books for adults, teens and children are there, and library workers are arranging for Spanish-language books to soon be on the shelves.
The Tax Collector’s Office will promote library card signup April 8-12 during National Library Week.
But customers don’t need a library card to access the books at the Tax Collector’s locations, and they don’t need to check them out. They can take any item home with them and bring it back later, or drop it off at any Lee County library.
The program stems from the Tax Collector’s partnership with the Southwest Florida Reading Festival. Melissa Baker, manager of programming and community outreach for the Fort Myers Library, presented the idea to the Tax Collector’s Office and began working with Deputy Tax Collector Noelle Branning and Communications Manager Chris Bright to bring it to fruition.
“This is a win-win for everyone involved,” Hart said. “It’s a way to promote literacy and education as well as give our customers something extra. I’m so grateful to Melissa and everyone at the library system for helping us make this happen.”
See all of what the Tax Collector is doing to make life easier for customers at leetc.com.
About Lee County Tax Collector
The Lee County Tax Collector (LCTC) exists to serve the citizens of Lee County. The office takes pride in organizational excellence and offering exemplary customer service and operates by the credo of “We’ve got your back.” The LCTC operates leetc.com, the official interactive website of the tax collector, which allows county residents to quickly and easily take care of motor vehicle and vessel registration, pay property taxes, make appointments for concealed weapon permits and more. The agency operates seven service centers open daily throughout the county to provide efficient, convenient services. The LCTC works to provide innovative and quality service that supports the growth and sustainability of the community. For more information, visit leetc.com or follow Lee County Tax Collector on social media.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT REPORTS RECORD-BREAKING FEBRUARY

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 21, 2019) – During February, 1,117,409 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida…

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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT REPORTS RECORD-BREAKING FEBRUARY

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 21, 2019) – During February, 1,117,409 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, Fla., an increase of 6 percent compared to February 2018. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 7.3 percent compared to last year.
The traffic leader in February was Southwest Airlines with 195,690 passengers traveling to and from Fort Myers. Rounding out the top five airlines were Delta (186,744), American (144,787), Spirit (139,907) and Frontier (119,081).
Southwest Florida International Airport had 9,079 aircraft operations, a decrease of 1.2 percent compared to February 2018. Page Field saw 9,003 operations, a 6.5 percent increase from February 2018. In addition, slightly more than 2.6 million pounds of air freight moved through Southwest Florida International Airport in February 2018.
Southwest Florida International Airport served nearly 9.4 million passengers in 2018 and is one of the top 50 U.S. airports for passenger traffic. No ad valorem (property) taxes are used for airport operation or construction. For more information, visit www.flylcpa.com or Like Us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flyRSW.
 
 

BILLY GRAHAM’S DAUGHTER, GRANDDAUGHTER SPEAK TO SOLD-OUT CROWD

Annual Dinner Benefitted Lifeline Family Center   FORT MYERS, FLA., March 18, 2019– Even the…

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BILLY GRAHAM’S DAUGHTER, GRANDDAUGHTER SPEAK TO SOLD-OUT CROWD

Annual Dinner Benefitted Lifeline Family Center
 
FORT MYERS, FLA., March 18, 2019– Even the standing room was gone for the Annual Benefit Dinner for Lifeline Family Center featuring Ruth Graham and Windsor Dienert-Bauder, the daughter and granddaughter of the late evangelist Billy Graham.
As the third child of Billy Graham, Ruth addressed several critical issues of the 21st Century including divorce, her teenage daughter’s pregnancies, another daughter’s struggle with bulimia and her son’s battle with drugs.  Windsor detailed her journey through two teenage pregnancies, one ending in adoption, and the other baby remaining with her to be raised to adulthood.
Ruth is the author of many books including the best-selling In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart and the award-winning Step Into the Bible. Ruth is an experienced conference speaker and has appeared on “Good Morning America,” “FOX and Friends” and been interviewed on Moody Radio many times.
Her daughter Windsor spoke openly about her two teenage pregnancies while being related to the most famous Protestant religious leader in the world.  She contributed to two books with her mother and Sara Dormon:  I’m Pregnant, Now What? and So You Want to Adopt, Now What?
More than 600 people attended the March 14 dinner at McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers.
To date the event raised $157,111 for the work of Lifeline Family Center, which helps women in crisis pregnancies become self-supporting.
“We are very pleased that Ruth Graham and her daughter came to Southwest Florida to share their message of embracing life, whatever the circumstances,” said Lifeline Family Center President and Founder Kathy Miller.
Lifeline Family Center graduates also gave their testimony through video segments of how the program changed their lives and those of their children.
Sponsors for the event were Glenn and Ada Ann Healey, Steve and Jan Neff, The Breeze Newspapers, CTN10 Christian Television and Susan Bennett Marketing & Media.
Lifeline Family Center provides a home in Cape Coral for homeless young women in crisis pregnancies to help them become self-supporting through education, job training, parenting classes, professional counseling and spiritual guidance. It is the only residential program in Lee County for homeless young women in crisis pregnancies who are not part of the foster care program.
In the residential program, Lifeline Family Center serves up to 12 young women, ages 16 to 25, and up to 24 babies at a time.  In the Outreach Ministry program, more than 6,000 women have received assistance with material needs, adoption counseling and resource referrals.The non-profit also operates a 24/7 Pregnancy Helpline, provides free pregnancy tests, free ultrasounds by appointment, and does outreach to all areas of Lee County, including all college campuses.
Lifeline Family Center receives no government funding and is wholly dependent upon donations from generous individuals, churches and corporations as well as United Way funding.  For more information about Lifeline Family Center, visit www.LifelineFamilyCenter.org
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