Member News

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 15, 2020) – Tickets are still available for The News-Press Market Watch 2020: Focus on Real Estate, to be held Tuesday, Feb. 25 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway in Estero.
Individual general admission tickets are available for $50 per person. A limited number of tables are still available at $600 for reserved premium placement tables of eight and $750 for reserved tables of 10. Tickets and tables can be purchased online at www.MarketWatchSWFL.com.
This year’s Market Watch will provide attendees “a 2020 look into the future,” highlighting the latest real estate market trends and how they will impact the big picture for Southwest Florida, individual homeowners and real estate professionals in the year ahead.
The region’s most comprehensive real estate event is led by three well-known local real estate experts who will highlight the latest market statistics, forecasts and valuable insights into the local residential, land and commercial real estate industries. Presenters include Denny Grimes, residential real estate expert and president of Denny Grimes & Company; Randy Thibaut, land sales and development expert and CEO of LSI Companies; and Stan Stouder, CCIM, commercial real estate expert and founding partner with CRE Consultants.
Tickets and table prices include admission for all presentations and the networking session. Additionally, all attendees will receive a comprehensive market data booklet with detailed statistics and information.
With the purchase of a general admission ticket, a VIP armband can be obtained for an additional $45, providing exclusive access to an open bar and food in the Hertz #1 Club from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. VIP armbands can be purchased in advance or at the door. A cash bar and food will be available for purchase for general admission attendees without VIP armbands.
Event sponsors for Market Watch 2020 include The News-Press and Naples Daily News as title sponsor; platinum sponsors Chapman Insurance Group, Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association and Target Roofing & Sheet Metal; gold sponsors Barraco & Associates, Inc., Busey Bank, Christopher Alan Homes, GATES Construction, Panther Printing and Priority Marketing; silver sponsors Cameratta Companies, CFS Roofing Services, CRE Consultants, EHC, Inc., Florida Gulf Coast University Lutgert College of Business, Law Office of Kevin F. Jursinski & Associates, Lee Drywall, LSI Companies, Noel Painting, Premiere Plus Realty, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank and Waldrop Engineering; and bronze sponsor D.R. Horton.
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FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 15, 2020) – Spice up Valentine’s Day date night with a hands-on cooking class with your sweetie at Kitchen Social in Fort Myers.
A fun night for cooks of all skill levels, Kitchen Social is presenting a series of themed classes for Valentine’s Day weekend with delectable class offerings that include perfectly prepared Italian cuisine, beef wellington, chicken cordon bleu or grilled filet mignon.
Led by an expert culinary instructor, each class is 2-3 hours in length during which guests will learn new techniques and methods, including knife skills, how to caramelize the natural sugars of ingredients and present creations in new and exciting ways.
Valentine’s Day classes at Kitchen Social include:
Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m.: “Valentine Special: Its’a Easy Italian!” Herb-crusted chicken breast with lemon, grilled eggplant napoleons and spaghetti with caramelized onion, garlic, lemon and parmesan cheese. Heart-shaped, two-layer puff pastry filled with macerated strawberry and whipped cream and topped with a chocolate-covered strawberry and red-colored sugar for dessert.
Friday, Feb. 14 at 8 p.m.: “Be My Valentine: Beef Wellington.” Beef wellington with twice-baked potatoes, beet salad with goat cheese, spicy broccoli with parmesan cheese. Strawberry napoleons for dessert.
Saturday, Feb. 15 at 4 p.m.: “Valentine Dinner: Chicken Cordon Bleu.” Chicken cordon bleu, grilled asparagus with bacon bundles and twice-baked potatoes. Heart-shaped, two-layer puff pastry filled with macerated strawberry and whipped cream and topped with a chocolate-covered strawberry and red-colored sugar for dessert.
Saturday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m.: “Valentine Date Night: Last Tango in Paris.” Romaine-prosciutto salad with vinaigrette, grilled filet mignon served with white truffle oil and duchess potatoes. Blueberry soufflé for dessert.
Kitchen Social is located at 14261 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 20 in Fort Myers. Doors open 30 minutes before the start of class, allowing students time to socialize, unwind and enjoy a selection of hors d’oeuvres and infused water. Guests are welcome to bring their own wine, beer or other beverages. Each student will be provided with an apron and comfortable stool before the fun begins.
Valentine’s Day classes range from $59.99 to $69.99 per person. With intimate class sizes of 16 people, seats are expected to fill quickly. Reservations can be made online at www.KitchenSocial.com.
About Kitchen Social
Kitchen Social offers a social twist on the cooking experience, offering hands-on cooking classes that focus on having fun and making friends while learning new skills in the kitchen. Open to all skill levels, each cooking class at Kitchen Social is led by a culinary instructor who guides participants through the step-by-step process of preparing a meal. Cooking classes feature a variety of cuisines, from international flavors and techniques to hometown favorites. Kitchen Social is located at 14261 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 20 in Fort Myers within The Park Shops at Andrea Lane. For more information about Kitchen Social and a full schedule of upcoming classes, visit www.KitchenSocial.com or call 239-560-4255. Follow Kitchen Social on Facebook or Instagram for the latest news and updates on classes. For inquiries about private events including birthday parties and team building classes, email [email protected].
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FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 15, 2019) – Shell Point Retirement Community continues its fifth annual 2020 Medical Breakthroughs & Discoveries series on Jan. 21 with a presentation by Dr. Stephen G. Schwartz, medical director at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.
 
Free and open to the public, the presentation, entitled “What’s New in Macular Degeneration,” will cover risk factors, genetic predisposition, prevention and treatment of macular degeneration. Schwartz will also discuss how the disease will become even more prevalent with the aging of baby boomers, and why it remains the leading cause of irreversible visual loss among the elderly in the United States and other industrialized nations.
 
The program will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21 in the Village Church Auditorium on The Island at Shell Point, 15100 Shell Point Blvd. in Fort Myers. Registration is requested by calling 239-433-7936.
 
Schwartz is professor of clinical ophthalmology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, as well as the medical director of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Naples, which he has led since its opening in 2004. Previously, Schwartz served as assistant professor of ophthalmology and residency program director at Virginia Commonwealth University.
 
Schwartz is a board-certified ophthalmologist and a fellowship-trained retina specialist. He serves as past president of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology and is on the board of directors for Lighthouse of Collier. He is also a recipient of the John R. Brayton, Jr., M.D. Leadership Award from the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, in addition to a Chairman’s Award winner from Prevent Blindness Florida. He has been named to Gulfshore Life magazine’s “Top Doctors” list every year since 2010 and Naples Illustrated’s “Top Doctors” list in 2019.
 
A graduate of Cornell University, New York University School of Medicine and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Schwartz completed residency training at New York University, fellowship training at Baylor College of Medicine and the Leadership Development Program at the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
 
Shell Point’s 2020 Medical Breakthroughs & Discoveries is a community speaker series designed to share updates on the latest advances in medical research and health care practice.
 
About Shell Point Retirement Community
Shell Point Retirement Community, founded in 1968, is a nonprofit continuing care retirement community located in Fort Myers, Florida. Shell Point offers independent retirement living, assisted living, and skilled nursing for its 2,500 residents in an active, resort-style environment. Lifestyle amenities include deep-water boating access with free dockage, a championship 18-hole golf course, and other recreational and educational activities. To learn more, visit www.shellpoint.org or call 1-800-780-1131.
 
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 14, 2020) – SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. has announced its 2019-2020 trustees of its Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest: Rachel and Ed Bell, Cheryl and Dave Copham, Brooke and Patrick Denson, Pat and Dave Gibbons, Elaine and Fred Hawkins, Jessica and Ray Higdon, Susan and Jeff Lagarce, Ester and Steve Machiz, Vicki and Richard Pitbladdo, Kelly and Jason Stephens, Maria and Wayne Wiles, Susanna Woods and Bo Henderson, and Sandy and Tim Youngquist.

Dedicated to supporting SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc.’s efforts to provide lifesaving care, educational programs and lasting solutions for the children of Southwest Florida, trustees play an essential role in the organization’s annual Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest. Each member supports the signature event through the gift of their finances to underwrite the cost of the event, and also through the donation of wine from their private wine collections and by serving on various event committees.

“Our trustees significantly impact SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. through their integral role in our annual Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, helping further our mission to save children’s lives and advance pediatric health care across the region,” said Sandy Stilwell-Youngquist, president of the board of directors for SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. “Each and every trustee is ‘Painting a Difference’ for children through their artful leadership and captivating generosity, and we are so grateful for their continued impact right here in our community.”

Celebrating its 12^th year, the 2020 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest will take place Feb. 21-22, 2020. The two-day signature event, themed “Painting a Difference: Putting Kids First,” will feature Chef Vintner Dinners on Friday, Feb. 21, creatively hosted in private luxury venues across the region, followed The Grand Tasting and Live Auction on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs. Each day, guests will experience artful cuisine created by celebrated chefs and expertly paired with vintners from some of the finest and most exclusive wineries.

Funds raised at the auction will support SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. in helping enable a secure future for the children of Southwest Florida. Proceeds will benefit pediatric health care services at Golisano Children’s Hospital, as well as pediatric health care educational programs at Florida Gulf Coast University and Florida SouthWestern State College.

To learn more about the 2020 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, please visit www.swflwinefest.org.

About SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc.

SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc.’s annual signature fundraiser, the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, has donated nearly $23 million over the past 11 years in support of children’s health initiatives. The 2020 event will support pediatric health care services at Golisano Children’s Hospital, as well as pediatric health care educational programs at Florida Gulf Coast University and Florida SouthWestern State College. For more information, visit www.swflwinefest.org.

FORT MYERS, FLA., January14, 2020– Gaither Homecoming Soloist and Grammy Award winner Larry Ford will make a special guest appearance at the 31st Annual Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing sponsored by the Galloway Family of Dealerships.
Celebrate the Edison Festival of Light and help feed the hungry by attending  Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing  Tuesday, Feb. 11, at The First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Myers at the corner of Second Street and Lee Street.
Because of the overwhelming popularity of the event, three performances are planned at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.   The doors will open 30 minutes prior to each performance.
Admission is free, but because of the increased need for food for the hungry, organizers are requesting that those who attend bring cans of non-perishable food and a voluntary cash donation, if possible, to benefit The Soup Kitchen of Community Cooperative.
“We need to help The Soup Kitchen by donating as much canned goods and cash as we can to help families who most need it in our community,” said Sam Galloway, Jr., founder of Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing. “We are honored that Larry Ford has agreed to perform at this year’s event to support our mission of feeding the hungry.”
Ford is a featured soloist on the Gaither Homecoming DVD series, which consistently ranks in the top of Billboard Magazine’s music charts.  The tenor was awarded a Grammy for Best Southern Gospel Recording in 2003.
Community Cooperative provides 15,000 meals each month through its Community Cafes and Meals on Wheels programs, distributes more than 500,000 pounds of groceries through its Mobile Food Pantries, and serves 6,500 individuals and their families with homeless and comprehensive case management services through its Social & Education Resource Centers.  A proud United Way partner, Community Cooperative serves Fort Myers and the greater Lee County area, including Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Fort Myers Beach.
The church has been a strong supporter of the agency from the beginning and continues to support its ministry there by providing volunteers and other support for The Soup Kitchen and the Meals on Wheels program.
Galloway, who originated the hymn sing in 1989, said he wanted to do something to honor Mrs. Mina Edison during the Edison Festival celebration.
“We hear a great deal about the wonderful work of Thomas Alva Edison, but we don’t do a lot to honor his wife who also volunteered a great deal of her time and talent to making Fort Myers what it is today.  This hymn sing is a way to honor her good work too,” Galloway said.
This year’s event will feature the First Presbyterian Sanctuary Choir and many other singers, including members of the Mastersingers, Guest Soloists, along with a Piano-Organ Combination.
In addition to Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing, the Galloway Family of Dealerships also sponsors the very popular Christmas Carol Sing in December.  Both events benefit The Soup Kitchen of Community Cooperative.
For more information or directions to the church, call 334-2261 or visit www.fpcfortmyers.org.  For more information about Community Cooperative, call (239) 332-SOUP or visit www.communitycooperative.com.
 
About Community Cooperative
Community Cooperative is an innovative nonprofit organization made up of social service entrepreneurs fighting to end homelessness and hunger in our community. It provides more than 15,000 meals each month through its Community Cafés and Meals on Wheels programs, distributes more than 500,000 pounds of groceries through its Mobile Food Pantries, and serves 6,500 individuals and families with homeless and comprehensive case management services through its Social & Education Resource Centers.  A proud United Way partner, Community Cooperative serves Fort Myers and the greater Lee County area, including Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Fort Myers Beach.
 
About First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers
First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers, located at 2438 Second St. in downtown Fort Myers, is a community of faith, celebrating a loving God.  First Presbyterian Church was founded in 1901 and continues to be an integral part of Lee County by presenting some of the area’s most well-attended events, such as Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing in February as part of the Edison Festival of and the Christmas Carol Sing in December.  Both events benefit The Soup Kitchen of Community Cooperative, which also was founded by First Presbyterian Church and other downtown churches in 1984.  Services are offered Sundays at 11 a.m. with Sunday Adult Education from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  A nursery is available from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Hearing assistive equipment also is available.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 14, 2020) – Chocolates are a time-honored Valentine’s gift, so why not give everyone on your list some Norman Love with Norman Love Confections hand-crafted gourmet chocolates.

The 2020 Norman Love Confections’ Valentines Collection features flavors to love: Caramel Passionfruit (milk chocolate – caramel, passionfruit and white chocolate ganache),  Peanut Butter Caramel (milk chocolate – creamy peanut butter and caramel), Mango Orange (white chocolate – mango, orange and white chocolate ganache), Raspberry Marzipan (dark chocolate – raspberries and almond marzipan), Lemon Raspberry (white chocolate – tart lemon and raspberry), Chipotle Lime (dark chocolate – lime ganache and smoky chipotle), Coffee Hazelnut (milk chocolate – hazelnut praline and coffee), Dark Chocolate Strawberry (dark chocolate – chocolate covered strawberry), Pineapple Rum (white chocolate – fresh pineapple with dark rum), Vanilla Rum (dark chocolate – Tahitian vanilla and spiced rum).

Norman Love Confections’ 2020 Valentine’s Collection is available online at normanloveconfections.com or in Norman Love Confections’ chocolate salons in Fort Myers, Naples and Estero, Florida from Jan. 27 to Feb. 14, 2020. An assortment of the flavors along with a selection of Norman Love’s award-winning signature flavors will be included in a 10-piece heart-shaped box, 24- piece heart-shaped gift box, and 5- and 50-piece green signature gift boxes. The gift boxes are priced from $13.75 to $100. In addition, gift baskets filled with a variety of gourmet chocolate items will also be available, including the monthly “mystery boxes” filled with a themed assortment of four to five chocolate treats and limited-edition offerings, delivered to the recipient’s home. Gift towers filled with love and sweet Valentine’s Day desserts and chocolate-covered strawberries are available. Pre-order specialty desserts and custom cakes at least 48 hours in advance to ensure availability.

“How can you go wrong with a Valentine’s Day gift that has love in the name and is crafted with love?” said Norman Love, president and founder, Norman Love Confections. “Show your loved ones how much you care with the finest, freshest ingredients in our handmade, artisanal chocolates.”

About Norman Love Confections

Founded in 2001 by Norman and Mary Love, Norman Love Confections creates and distributes handcrafted artisanal chocolates from its corporate headquarters at 11380 Lindbergh Blvd. in Fort Myers, Florida. The award-winning Fort Myers-based chocolatier has been lauded more than a dozen times by a leading consumer ratings magazine, including recognition six times for producing the best ultra-premium chocolates in the nation. Forbes.com included Norman Love Confections BLACK line on its list of the nation’s top 10 truffles; The Huffington Post listed it among the six best U.S. destinations in its Chocolate Lover’s Travel Guide; and USA Today named Love as one of its top 10 entrepreneurs for 2014. Love was named the inaugural inductee of Dessert Professional Magazine’s Chocolatier Hall of Fame, partnered with local chefs to present a six-course meal at the James Beard House in New York and Norman Love Confections was ranked among the top 10 shops in the world for chocolate lovers by U.K. media outlet Daily Telegraph.

Norman Love Confections has Chocolate Salons in Fort Myers, Estero and Naples, including a pastry shop and café at Whole Foods Market in Fort Myers salon. Chocolates, gift baskets, sipping chocolate and Love’s book, “Artistry in Chocolate, A Story of Love,” also can be ordered online at www.normanloveconfections.com. In addition, Norman Love Confections chocolates and desserts are offered on 18 Princess Cruises’ ships through the “Chocolate Journeys” partnership and at independent retail locations throughout the U.S. For more information visit www.normanloveconfections.com or call 239-561-7215.

Fort Myers family to receive impactful home renovations
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 14, 2020) – Lee BIA Builders Care recently hosted its third annual Charity Clay Shoot at the Bermont Shooting Club in Punta Gorda, helping raise impactful funds to support a local family in desperate need of home repairs.
During the event, guests raised $15,300 for a special Builders Care project that will provide much-needed home modifications to help a 70-year-old Vietnam War veteran with Parkinson’s to live more comfortably.
Fort Myers homeowners George and Penny Phillips are in need of critical home repairs to provide wheelchair access for George, who is no longer able to access his bathroom safely. Thanks to the generous support of Charity Clay Shoot attendees, Builders Care will provide a bathroom remodel and new front entry. These renovations will create a world of difference for the Phillips family, allowing Penny, George’s primary caretaker, to more easily care for George. The project will be completed in early 2020.
“The critical need for housing repairs within our community continues to grow each year, and with support from our generous participants and sponsors, we’ll be able to help even more deserving families live safely and comfortably in their homes,” said Becky Swift, executive director of Lee BIA Builders Care. “This event would not be possible without the support of our board, volunteers, sponsors and donors, and we’re thankful for all who came out and donated in support of this special project for the Phillips family.”
The sold-out tournament on Dec. 6 brought 42 teams and 168 participants out to contend in a 14-station course with optional shoot out and station competitions. Following the tournament, teams enjoyed a barbecue luncheon catered by Jonezes BBQ with live music performed by The Electric Mud, an awards ceremony to name the top individuals and teams, and prize drawings to win a variety of top items.
Category winners include:

• First Place Team: Grant Girtman, Brent Addison, Neil Newton and Trevor Hinote
• Second Place Team: Mike Meyers, Scott Bland, Matt Brosious and Chris Ryan
• Third Place Team: Marcus Henderson, Rob Wells, Susan Chicone and Pason Gaddis
• Top Shooter: John Stinauer
• Top Female Shooter: Susan Chicone
• Judge Shoot Out Winner: Derek Mecko
• Turkey Shoot Out Winner: Alex Lopez
• Green Bird Station Winner: Grant Girtman
• Specialty Gun Raffle Winner: Jeff Krull

The Charity Clay Shoot was presented by LSI Companies. Other event sponsors included Saint Raphael Roofing as breakfast and lunch sponsor, Barraco & Associates as beverage sponsor, Paul Homes    as Judge Shoot Out sponsor and JT Ventures Trucking as Turkey Shoot Out sponsor. Big shot sponsors included Argos RMX, Better Buildings, Bonness, Busey Wealth Management, Everglades Equipment Group, Gulfpoint Construction, HONC Industries, Kitson & Partners, Liberty Aluminum, Modern Tile & Carpet, Preferred Materials, Service Contracting Solutions, Stock Development and Waldrop Engineering. Station sponsors included Haines A/C & Refrigeration, Neubert Construction, Pulte Homes and Thread Source. In-kind sponsors included Aqua Systems, Coastal Beverages, Everglades Equipment Rental, Fort Myers Brewing Company and Priority Marketing.
About Lee BIA Builders Care
The mission of Lee BIA Builders Care is to provide emergency construction services at no cost to needy and deserving elderly and/or disabled homeowners, and their families, who cannot obtain repairs through traditional means. Lee BIA Builders Care offers a full range of no-cost emergency construction services to improve the safety and health for needy seniors and disabled individuals of all ages by enlisting the expertise and donated services and materials of contractors, sub-contractors and businesses. To date, Lee BIA Builders Care has put more than $4.75 million in construction services back into the community at no cost to homeowners in need. Builders Care is funded through financial donations, grants and donated services and materials to provide emergency construction services to qualified homeowners throughout the community. Lee BIA Builders Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization under the charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association. Lee BIA Builders Care is headquartered at 6835 International Center Blvd. #4 in Fort Myers. Donations can be made online at www.LeeBuildersCare.org. More information is available by calling 239-938-0056, and by following Builders Care at www.Facebook.com/LeeBuildersCare.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 14, 2020) – Pablo Ferreira has joined Stevens Construction as estimator, announced Mark Stevens, company president.

Bringing 12 years of construction experience, Ferreira manages the bid process for the Fort Myers office, creating and distributing bid packages while soliciting and qualifying subcontractor proposals. As estimator, Ferreira produces bid scopes, constructability reviews and maintains historical cost data. He also continuously builds the company’s subcontractor database while developing subcontractor relationships.

A certified AutoCAD specialist, Ferreira earned his associate degree in the pre-engineering transfer program from North Shore Community College in Massachusetts.

Ferreira is among the growing preconstruction department of Stevens Construction. Stevens Construction specializes in preconstruction services, which when engaged early in the project, the client achieves budget, schedule and quality goals, 100% of the time.

About Stevens Construction

With offices in Fort Myers, Tampa and Orlando, Stevens Construction specializes in providing construction management, general contracting and consulting services to clients and design professionals. Other services include site and design team selection, budgeting, project scheduling, permitting, cost and quality control and warranty service. The company builds healthcare, commercial and hospitality facilities. For information, visit www.stevensconstructioninc.com or call 239-936-9006.

FORT MYERS, FLA., January 13, 2020– The most successful opera company in Europe and the U.S. will be in Fort Myers February 3 to perform La Traviata, one of the world’s most famous stories of unrequited love.
Teatro Lirico D’Europa will perform at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on the Fort Myers campus of Florida SouthWestern State College, as part of the Fort Myers Community Concert Association 2018 season.
Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. concert are available at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall by visiting https://barbarabmann.ticketsoffice.org or by calling the box office at 239-481-4849.
Prices are $35 for lower balcony and $25 for upper balcony seats.  A limited number of orchestra and mezzanine seating is available at $55 each.
“This is an amazing and very rare opportunity to hear these musicians in concert,” said Fort Myers Community Association President Mary Lee Mann.  “La Traviata has been playing to rave reviews throughout the country.”
La Traviata is the classic tale of unrequited love taking place in and aroiund Paris during the 1840s. Teatro Lirico D’Europa travels with a full orchestra of 47 to 50 members and a chorus of 40 singers.
Teatro Lirico D’Europa was created in 1988 by the late Yves Josse, a former ballet dancer and French arts promoter, and George Lalva, a young Bulgarian opera singer.  The collaboration was a huge success in a very short time, resulting in tours with more than 250 performances in a single season throughout France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Sicily and Portugal.
La Traviata is the third of five classical performances to be presented this season by the Fort Myers Community Concert Association.
The two remaining concerts are:

• Russian State Symphony Orchestra – February 10, 2020
• Russian National Ballet – March 2, 2020

The Fort Myers Community Concert Association, now in its 71st concert season, is an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization founded by the legendary Barbara B. Mann in 1949 to bring world-class entertainment to Southwest Florida at affordable prices.  The association consists of more than 1,700 members, underwriters and sponsors.  Performers brought to Fort Myers in the past by the association include The Israel Ballet, Violinist Itzhak Perlman, The Boston Brass, Minnesota Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Vienna Boys Choir, Pianist Andre Watts, Violinist Joshua Bell with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and many others.  For Community Concert Association membership information, visit www.fortmyerscommunityconcerts.org.
 
About the Fort Myers Community Concert Association
The Fort Myers Community Concert Association is an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization founded by the legendary Barbara B. Mann in 1949 to bring world-class entertainment to Southwest Florida at affordable prices.  The association consists of more than 1,700 members, underwriters and sponsors.  Performers brought to Fort Myers in the past by the association include The Israel Ballet, The Boston Brass, Minnesota Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Vienna Boys Choir, Violinist Itzhak Perlman, Flutist James Galway, Pianist Andre Watts, Violinist Joshua Bell with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and many others.
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FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 10, 2020) – The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon on Jan. 16 will provide business leaders greater insight on an industry analysis tool from the Lee County Economic Development Office (EDO).

Guest speaker John Talmage, director of Lee County EDO, will share information about SizeUp Lee, a dynamic benchmarking tool developed by GIS Planning. SizeUp Lee enables any local business, regardless of size or industry, to see how it can most efficiently do business in Lee County. The easy-to-use, data-rich platform allows a user to better understand the competition, consumer expenditures, underserved markets and much more. Talmage also will recap the EDO’s progress.

Attendees of the Chamber luncheon will learn how to use this free business tool to help their businesses perform their best.

Talmage has spent his career working in economic development for both municipal governments and research organizations. Before he was named director of the Lee County EDO in February 2019, he previously served as CEO of Social Compact, a research organization serving the Federal regulatory community, cities around the country and community development organizations. He also served as the deputy director for Economic Development in New Orleans, where he focused on business development issues including workforce development, international trade and business recruitment and retention. Before that, he worked in New York City, where he primarily focused on communities throughout North Brooklyn to address economic development matters.

The Chamber luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Crowne Plaza at Bell Tower, 13051 Bell Tower Drive in Fort Myers.

The January luncheon is sponsored by Prima Luce on the Waterfront, A MacFarlane Barney Company. Admission is $25 for Chamber members and $35 for future Chamber members. To learn more or to register for the event, visit FortMyers.org or call 239-332-2930.

About the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce:
Serving Lee County and surrounding areas since 1989, the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is a business organization of professionals who support and promote a progressive, sustainable community. The Chamber represents nearly 800 businesses, professionals, and individuals throughout Lee County, providing opportunities for members to participate in a variety of meaningful networking, educational and community- and business-focused programs and events. The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce is located at 2310 Edwards Drive in downtown Fort Myers. For additional information regarding membership opportunities or events please call 239-332-2930 or visit www.fortmyers.org. For the latest news and updates, follow the Chamber on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gfmcc or Twitter at @FtMyersChamber.