Member News

The Fort Myers CRA
Advisory Board will hold their Regular Meeting on

Wednesday, August 3rd from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Please contact the CRA Office for assistance if needed.

Phone: (239) 321-7100
Email: [email protected]

We hope to see you there.
Thank you!

More Information

Stay connected and learn more about your CRA!

Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency | 1400 Jackson Street, Suite 102, Fort Myers, FL 33901

From June 20 to July 1, the Gulf Coast Symphony welcomed over 60 campers for two weeks of musical fun. The camp provided high quality musical instruction, with students participating in educational and engaging music classes, focused on either learning the violin, youth orchestra, jazz ensemble or musical theater.

Led by our Youth Programs Coordinator, Jonathan Lawrence, our MusicWorks! students learned the basics of playing the violin, and performed five songs by the end of the second week. Our Youth Orchestra camp was led by Kirsten Trembley, and reinforced string techniques, music reading, and ensemble performance. Our Jazz Camp, led by Gulf Coast Jazz Collective bassist Brandon Robertson, who is also Director of Jazz Studies at FGCU, taught blues and jazz, with a focus on improvisation, while also teaching about jazz history. Our Musical Theater camp, with Music Director Julie Carver and Stage Director Tiffany Campbell created a fully staged production of Frozen, Jr., while teaching the students about singing techniques, choreography, rehearsal terminology, and acting.

Parents and community members were amazed and delighted by the student performances at the end of each week. The Gulf Coast Symphony was thrilled to be able to add these summer camp opportunities for students from across Southwest Florida this year. Stay tuned for our official announcement to learn about and register for our Fall youth programs.

For photos from our Summer Camps, please visit our website.

To stay up to date about information about Gulf Coast Symphony Youth Programs, please sign up to our newsletter.

Gulf Coast Symphony is committed to bringing vibrant, diverse performances to our community. Support us in this vital work.

Follow us on our social media for more updates:

Gulf Coast Symphony, PO Box 60878, Fort Myers, FL 33906, United States

Recreational red snapper summer season closes Aug. 1 in Gulf state and federal waters 

The last day to harvest red snapper in Gulf state and federal waters during the summer season for private recreational anglers is July 31. The season closes Aug. 1, reopening for five fall weekends beginning Oct. 8.

The current season also applies to for-hire operations that do not have a federal reef fish permit but they are limited to fishing for red snapper in Gulf state waters only.

To learn more about the recreational red snapper season in Gulf state and federal waters, including size and bag limits, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Snappers,” which is under the “Regulations by Species – Reef Fish” tab. You can also find updated Florida saltwater fishing regulations on the Fish Rules app. Learn more at FishRulesApp.com or follow Fish Rules at Instagram.com/FishRulesApp or Facebook.com/FishRulesApp.

If you plan to fish for red snapper in state or federal waters from a private recreational vessel, even if you are exempt from fishing license requirements, you must sign up as a State Reef Fish Angler (annual renewal required). Sign up as a State Reef Fish Angler at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. To learn more, visit MyFWC.com/SRFS.

State Reef Fish Anglers could receive a questionnaire in the mail regarding their reef fish trips as part of Florida’s State Reef Fish Survey. These surveys were developed specifically to provide more robust recreational data for management of red snapper and other important reef fish and have allowed the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) the unprecedented opportunity to manage Gulf red snapper in both state and federal waters. If you receive a survey in the mail, please respond whether you fished this season or not.

When catching red snapper and other deep-water fish, look out for symptoms of barotrauma (injuries caused by a rapid change in pressure) such as the stomach coming out of the mouth, bloated belly, distended intestines and bulging eyes. When releasing fish with barotrauma, use a descending device or venting tool to help them survive and return to depth. Learn more at MyFWC.com/FishHandling.

7^th Annual Golf Tournament Supports The Heights Foundation’s Programs

September 23 at Old Corkscrew Golf Club

(Fort Myers, Fla. –July 28, 2022) — The Heights Foundation seventh annual benefit golf tournament “Swing Fore The Kids” will take place on Friday, September 23 at Old Corkscrew Golf Club.  The proceeds of the event support The Heights Center’s programs that work to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood of Fort Myers.  Last year’s tournament raised $44,000.  Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. There will be a boxed lunch, and a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m. and hors d’ oeuvres, auction and awards at 6:00 p.m.  The presenting sponsor is Entech.

“The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average,” said Jim Sanger, Chief Operating Officer of The Heights Foundation.  “This tournament will help support programs at The Heights Center including School Success and our enriching summer camp.”

Tournament Registration is now available.  A foursome is $640.   Sponsorships that include golf packages and recognition are available.  The sponsorship deadline is September 9 and golfer registration deadline is September 16. For more information visit www.heightsfoundation.org/golf or call Jim Sanger at (239) 482-7706 or email [email protected]

About The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center

The Heights Foundation works to build self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood.  Our 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.   Heights Early Learning serves more than 80 babies through 4 years old.  The Heights Center serves 134 children in AfterSchool and SummerCamp.  The Harlem Heights Community Charter School serves 150 children from kindergarten through 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 cannot easily access family support services in downtown Fort Myers and benefit greatly from programs within the neighborhood.

Reminder: The 2022-23 greater amberjack season starts Sept. 1 in Gulf state waters 

As a reminder, the recreational season for greater amberjack in Gulf state waters will be open Sept. 1 and remain open through Oct. 31. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued an executive order to modify the 2022-23 recreational season, previously open on Aug. 1, for greater amberjack in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico during its July Commission meeting. 

The Gulf greater amberjack stock is overfished and experiencing overfishing and the recreational season modification is consistent with emergency measures implemented by NOAA fisheries for Gulf federal waters. Consistent state and federal recreational seasons for greater amberjack will help prevent quota overages and mitigate risks of future paybacks and seasonal closures.  

For current recreational amberjack regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Amberjack.” This page will be updated with the new season dates.

July 2022

Legal Updates
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., is dedicated to keep our clients and community updated on legal issues impacting their businesses and families. Below please find the blogs, articles, and firm news published in July 2022.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, in 2018 there were approximately 7.5 million second homes, making up 5.5 percent of the total number of homes. These homes are not only real estate that must be planned for, managed, and maintained. They are also the birthplace of happy memories for you and your loved ones. Following are some important estate planning questions to consider to ensure that your place of happy memories is protected.
Click here to read more from Naples Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning Attorney Amanda Dorio.

One of the most controversial and emotionally charged issues of the state’s 2022 legislative session involved legislation that would overhaul Florida’s existing alimony law. Senate Bill 1796 would have eliminated permanent alimony, offered individuals paying alimony a path toward retirement, and created an equal time-sharing presumption.
Click here to read more from Divorce, Marital and Family Law Attorney Iman Zekri.

In the Community

In addition to hands-on legal training, it’s important for our future lawyers to learn the importance of giving back to the community. With the help of children’s yoga instructor Shanna Bryant, our Summer Associates had a wonderful morning spending time with the children attending the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida’s summer camp at Pine Manor. View more photos here. To learn how your organization can assist the Children’s Advocacy Center, reach out to Rachel Peacock,

In the News

Michael-Anthony Pica has joined the firm as an associate in the Business Litigation Department. He will assist clients involved in business and partnership disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, bankruptcy, alternative finance litigation, and other corporate litigation matters. Click here to read more.

Nicholas Oliveri has joined the firm as an associate in the Business & Tax Department. Oliveri holds a Master of Laws degree (LL.M) in Taxation. He will focus his practice on business operations and planning, mergers and acquisitions, federal and state taxation and tax-exempt organizations. Click here to read more.

Stockholders Michael Corso and Russell Schropp were named to the 2022 Florida Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite.® To compile the list, Florida Trend asks active practicing Florida attorneys to name the attorneys they hold in the highest regard, lawyers with whom they have personally worked and would recommend to others. The resulting list represents less than 1.2% of active Florida Bar members. Click here to read more.

Stockholder David Hamilton Roos was elected to the Executive Committee. This is his second tenure as such. Roos joined the firm in 2003 and is based out of Henderson Franklin’s Fort Myers office. Managing Lawyer Douglas Szabo and stockholders Scott Beatty and Richard Mancini continue to serve as Executive Committee members. Click here to read more.

Ivy Rhinehart as joined the firm as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing all aspects of the firm’s business, administration, and finance. She is a Certified Management Accountant with over thirty years of experience working in law firms. Prior to joining Henderson Franklin, Rhinehart served as Chief Financial Officer for an AmLaw 200 firm. Click here to read more.

Katie Kohn has joined the firm as an associate in the Divorce, Marital and Family Law Department. She is based out of the firm’s Naples office. With over a decade of trial experience and her knowledge and compassionate understanding, she guides clients through difficult family law issues ranging from divorce, child support, custody, and adoption. Click here to read more.

Henderson Franklin’s attorneys are honored to present seminars that address important legal issues. Our attorneys are also available to present in-house seminars at your place of business.
If your organization would like to host a similar presentation to your members, please reach out to Gail Lamarche, Henderson Franklin’s Director of Marketing and Business Development at [email protected] for scheduling.
A few upcoming engagements include:
• September 15, 2022 – Intellectual Property Department chair Mark Nieds will present, “Speaking for Fort Myers Chamber: Cryptocurrency 101 – What is it? What’s behind it? Where’s it going?” at the Greater Fort Myers General Membership Luncheon.
• September 23, 2022 – Labor and Employment Group chair Scott Atwood will be a featured speaker for HR Collier at the 2nd Annual HR Conference at the Arthrex Conference Center
• October 6, 2022 – Save the Date to join our Naples legal team at the Collier County Corporate Law Summit taking place at the Hilton Naples. More information will be shared in coming months. Featured topics include:
• Community Leaders Weigh-In on Issues Impacting Collier County Businesses, a panel discussion moderated by J. Dudley Goodlette, Esq.
• Ways to Limit Exposure in Employment and Workers’ Compensation Claims, presenters: Scott Atwood, Esq. and David Roos, Esq.
• The Ever-Changing Landscape of Real Estate and Land Development in Collier, a panel discussion moderated by Jeff Wright, Esq.
• All in the Family – Collier Family-Run Business Leaders Share Lessons for Longevity, a panel discussion moderated by Anthony Cetrangelo, Jr., Esq., with featured guest speakers Jaime Weisinger (Lipman Family Farms) and Michael Wynn (Sunshine Ace)
• A Strategic Approach to Event Risk Management, presented by guest keynote speaker Dr. Linda Robson, Professor at Endicott College in the Gerrish School of Business

henlaw.com

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Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.
1715 Monroe Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901
www.henlaw.com

Learn how to be alligator aware

With summer in full swing, many people are working and recreating near Florida’s lakes, rivers and wetland areas. Warm temperatures also mean alligators are more active and visible. While serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recommends taking the following precautions when in and around the water to prevent conflicts with alligators:

• Keep a safe distance if you see an alligator.
• Never feed an alligator. When fed, alligators can lose their natural wariness and instead learn to associate people with the availability of food. This can lead to dangerous circumstances for yourself and other people who could encounter the alligator in the future.
• Feeding alligators is illegal and dangerous in Florida. If you see someone feeding an alligator, call FWC’s Wildlife Alert at 888-404-FWCC or visit com/WildlifeAlert.

• Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn.
• Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge and never let them swim in fresh or brackish water even for short periods of time. Pets often resemble alligators’ natural prey. Allowing your pet in the water for even short periods to cool off or play can result in its death.
• Call the FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR(866-392-4286) if you believe an alligator poses a threat to people, pets or property and the FWC will dispatch a contracted nuisance alligator trapper to resolve the situation. The FWC places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to proactively address alligator threats in developed areas, while conserving alligators in areas where they naturally occur.
• Find more resources about living with alligators at MyFWC.com/Alligator.

The American alligator, Florida’s state reptile, is a conservation success story. Florida has a healthy and stable alligator population, which is estimated at 1.3 million alligators of every size. They are found in freshwater lakes, ponds, swamps and slow-moving rivers in all 67 counties in Florida. Learn more about alligators.

Log and report harvested wild turkey and deer

Turkey hunters, a new rule takes effect this fall that requires all hunters (even those exempt from license requirements) to log and report wild turkeys they harvest. This new rule applies to spring and fall wild turkey seasons.

The FWC also wants to remind all deer hunters (even those exempt from license requirements) they must log and report harvested deer.

Upon harvesting a deer or wild turkey, all hunters must: a) log their harvest prior to moving it from the point where they located it and b) report it within 24 hours of being harvested.
Hunters can log and report their harvest using the FWC’s Fish|Hunt Florida App or at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. Hunters can also log their harvest using a paper harvest log and report via the phone by calling 888-468-8356 (888-HUNT-FLORIDA).

Learn more about deer and wild turkey harvest reporting and download and print a paper harvest log at MyFWC.com/HarvestReport.
We appreciate your support of conservation by adhering to harvest reporting requirements. Harvest reporting can help foster bag limit compliance and gives FWC biologists another valuable source of harvest information to help them manage deer and wild turkey populations to continue providing sustainable hunting opportunities.

Learn more about hunting in Florida at MyFWC.com/Hunting.

Please note the correct phone number for reporting harvested deer and wild turkey is: 888-486-8356 (888-HUNT-FLORIDA).

This August, take an art class and get inspired.

Beginner Painting Workshop (Ages 16+)

Wednesday Workshop, July 27 • Are you interested in working with acrylic paints, but not sure how to get started? In this workshop, we’ll introduce you to the fundamentals of acrylics and acrylic painting! By the end of this course you will be equipped with the know-how to pick up a brush and start experimenting with acrylics- in a fun, friendly environment!

Register →

View All Classes →

Beginner/Intermediate Knitting Workshop (Ages 10+)

Saturday, July 30 • This workshop is for those who have never picked up knitting needles and for those who have some experience and want to learn a new stitch or two! We will start with the basics and then move on to a sweet little project- creating Hans Hedgehog.

Register →

View All Classes →

Hip Hop Dance (Age 12+)

Tuesdays, August 9 – 30 • Whether you’re looking to pick up a few moves, get some exercise, meet new people or just have a lot of fun, we’ve got it all here for you! Local dancer, Riquelson Pierre-Louis (Ricky) will introduce students to the world of Hip Hop, wrapped in a package that promises to challenge even the seasoned vets AND allow complete beginners to get a solid and fun introduction to dance.

Register →

View All Classes →

Falling Forward Writing Workshop

Workshop, August 15 • Failing Forward is a workshop where Freddie Forward will guide participants in writing to explore a mistake from their life to find the narrative and the lesson in creative formats including song, poetry, spoken work, or short form memoir. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their stories within the workshop’s mini open mic.

Register →

View All Classes →

Drawing Faces (Ages 16+)

Wednesdays, August 24 – September 28 • In this six weeks drawing course, students will learn how to draw beautiful portraits that capture the likeness of a person. Drawing faces is a great way to improve your drawing skills. In this relaxed and friendly environment, there will be drawing exercises and 3 of the classes there will be a live model.

Register →

View All Classes →

Intro to the Art of Cricut (Ages 16+)

Saturday, August 27 • This workshop will provide hands-on instruction from an experienced artist using a Cricut cutting machine and Design Space tools. Instructor Tracey Stewart will guide you on the basics of using the machine using one of hers, or your own, to create a simple make and take project.

Register →

View All Classes →

Submit a Class or Workshop Proposal

Let’s work together! Are you interested in teaching a class or workshop at the Alliance for the Arts? We’re looking for a variety of offerings that entertain, inspire and connect us – from fine art classes, to crafting, cooking, spoken word, abstract painting and everything in between.

Find Out More →

Submit a Proposal →

Experience Live Theatre with Our 2022/23 Season

It’s here: Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts’ 29th consecutive season! Once again we are bringing you another exciting season of affordable, quality entertainment that covers the classic to the cutting edge. New playwrights like Selina Fillinger, what will be our 5th production out of the 10 plays that make up August Wilson’s American Century Cycle, the world premiere of local favorite Derek Lively’s The Last Show, our off the wall production of Clown Bar by Adam Szymkowicz and more. There is something for everyone!

Experience it all with a season subscription and receive up to $36 in savings! If you plan on attending multiple shows, we have a variety of flexible subscription packages that will fit any budget and offer you more freedom in your schedule.

Find Out More →

Purchase Tickets →

Submit Your Art and Exhibit at the Alliance

Want to exhibit at the Alliance? We’re always looking for artists and would love to see what you’re up to. Please submit up to three images for your work and include a brief description. We will contact you directly upon availability of space.

Find Out More →

Submit a Proposal →

Clown Bar by Adam Szymkowicz and directed by Bill Taylor

August 18 – 28 • Join us for this immersive experience as we transform the Alliance theatre into the Clown Bar, plunging you into the dark and secret world of these hilarious, yet frightening, gangster clowns! Clown Bar by Adam Szymkowic with music and additional lyrics by Adam Overett is a zany Clown noir-dramedy. When Happy Mahoney’s younger brother Timmy is gunned down, he returns to the world of organized clown crime he left behind. Will Happy be able to face his past, discover the killer and get out alive without getting sucked into the underbelly of vice and violence that’s nearly impossible to escape at the Clown Bar? Find out in this crazy production!

Find Out More →

Purchase Tickets →

Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6)

Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) is Americans for the Arts’ sixth economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry in the U.S. The study is conducted approximately every five years to gauge the economic impact (on employment, government revenue, and household income) of spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and the event-related spending by their audiences.

The AEP6 study is happening in 387 U.S. communities, so surveys may be coming to an arts event near you! If you meet your local arts workers out and about with surveys, please consider taking a few minutes to anonymously share information about your reasons for attending the arts and any spending related to the event. Survey responses will contribute to a better understanding of the powerful economic impact of the arts in your community and nationwide!

Find Out More →

Get Involved →

Alliance for the Arts • ArtInLee.org
239-939-2787 • 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers

Membership • Donate • Classes • Exhibits • Theatre

Janet & Bruce Bunch · The Claiborne & Ned Foulds Foundation
Leigh Frizzell Hayes · Mary Lou & Richard Helms
Meisenberg Family Trust · Jon & Megan Romine · Arthur Zupko

And incredible people like you!