Member News

News Release
SFWMD Governing Board Declares May 15-21 Water Reuse Week
Recognition highlights District’s ongoing efforts to encourage water reuse and protect water resources in South Florida

KEY LARGO –The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board today officially recognized May 15-21, 2022 as Water Reuse Week.
The annual recognition, signified by a purple jacket worn by one Governing Board member to represent the purple pipes that carry reclaimed water, is made by the Governing Board each year to highlight the ongoing efforts to encourage the use of reclaimed water. Today, “Alligator Ron” Bergeron passed the ceremonial purple jacket to Governing Board Member Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch.

Reclaimed water can be reused for purposes such as irrigation and recharging ground water. Reuse water reduces the need to tap other freshwater sources.

With demand for water forecasted to grow over the next 20 years, the use of reclaimed water, primarily used for irrigation in South Florida, reduces the demand on our underground aquifers and preserves our precious water resources. It can also help fight saltwater intrusion into these aquifers that supply drinking water to millions of South Florida residents and visitors.

Florida has become a national leader in water reuse, reusing nearly 820 million gallons per day of reclaimed water to conserve freshwater supplies and recharge our freshwater resources.

In South Florida, there are over 100 reuse facilities in SFWMD’s area of responsibility reusing 328 million gallons per day of reclaimed water. Over the past two decades, SFWMD has allocated more than $117 million to support nearly 300 different water reuse projects that add more than 155 million gallons per day of water reuse capacity.

The South Florida Water Management District is a regional governmental agency that manages the water resources in the southern part of the state. It is the oldest and largest of the state’s five water management districts. Our mission is to safeguard and restore South Florida’s water resources and ecosystems, protect our communities from flooding, and meet the region’s water needs while connecting with the public and stakeholders.

South Florida Water Management District · 3301 Gun Club Road · West Palm Beach, FL · 33406

Scavenger Hunt for Families Offered at Edison and Ford Winter Estates

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 12, 2022) — A new scavenger hunt for families is available at Edison and Ford Winter Estates. The main character in the game is Jerry the Pelican who is hidden in multiple places around the site. The goal of the scavenger hunt is to find Jerry in eight different places, including the Edison caretaker’s house, the Moonlight Garden (back side of the study), main house, Thomas and Mina’s master bedroom, guest house, the Ford car exhibit, the secretary’s bedroom in the Ford house, and in the Ford house dining room. Children will receive a prize when they find all eight hidden pelicans.

Thomas and Mina Edison had many unusual pets, including alligators, monkeys, and a peacock. There was also a pelican that spent time on the property, and the Edison family named him Jerry. That pelican was the inspiration for the scavenger hunt. Families are invited to post their scavenger hunt success on Facebook @EdisonFordFL.

The scavenger hunt is included with admission. Tickets for self-guided tours are $25 for adults, $20 for teens (ages 13-19), $15 for children (ages 6-12), and children five and under are admitted free. The scavenger hunt is available through the app at https://edisonfordestates.oncell.com/en/help-find-jerry-313424.html or visitors can ask for a printed version at the ticket counter. To purchase tickets online, visit edisonford.org.

South Florida District Office

SBA Resources for Faith-Led Businesses, Organizations & Communities:
May 17th • 11am to 12:30pm EST
Online Event

Collaborate to build Community:
• Receive information on SBA programs for small business
• Get an overview on COVID-19 relief for small businesses
• Be inspired and encouraged about the future from faith leaders
• Hear from entrepreneurs about their business recovery experiences

REGISTER TODAY!

SBA South Florida District Office
Miami, Tampa, and Ft. Pierce, Florida
305-536-5521
http://www.SBA.gov/SouthFlorida

All SBA programs and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance
Small Business Administration (SBA) · 409 3rd St, SW · Washington DC 20416 · 1-800-827-5722

South Florida District Office

SBA IS RECRUITING!
Are you a high-performing small business owner or a C-level leader ready to “THRIVE”?
If so, join us on Wednesday, May 18th at 1pm EST to learn more

This year, the program formerly known as “Emerging Leaders”, is getting a refresh and is now known as “T.H.R.I.V.E. – Train, Hope, Rise, Innovate, Venture, Elevate”. We have room for 20 hard-charging, high-performing small business owners and/or C-level executives within a small business. We’re also excited to announce this year we will have two cohorts, one in Broward and one in Miami-Dade.
To learn more about this program, please visit SBA THRIVE.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
Cohort applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Applicant’s Role in the business: (Owner, Founder, Partner, President, VP, CEO, COO, CFO)
• Business employees: Must have at least one employee other than applicant
• Business revenue: The business must have at least $250,000 annual revenue
• Business age: The business must be operational for at least 3 years

After applying, applicants will be screened by the SBA for further consideration.

IMPORTANT PROGRAM DATES:
Cohort applicants should be aware of the following dates governing the program:
• WINDOW TO APPLY: Now – May 31
• APPLICANT REVIEWS/CONFIRMATION: May 23 – June 24
• COHORT PERIOD: July 5 – Dec 16
• COHORT GRADUATION: TBD

Information Session on Microsoft Teams
Wednesday, May 18th at 1pm EST
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 202-765-1264,,454878520#
Phone Conference ID: 454 878 520#

SBA South Florida District Office
Miami, Tampa, and Ft. Pierce, Florida
305-536-5521
http://www.SBA.gov/SouthFlorida

All SBA programs and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance
Small Business Administration (SBA) · 409 3rd St, SW · Washington DC 20416 · 1-800-827-5722

CLASSES ARE FILLING UP!
Register today to make sure you have a seat in a class.
Class registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Summer 2022 Classes

Registration Links

Morning Classes
CareerSource (GED – Limited Availability): Registration Link

Cape Coral Technical College – AM (GED and ESOL Have Limited Availability): Registration Link

Lee County Public Education Center East Entrance – AM (GED – Limited Availability, ESOL is FULL): Registration Link

Night Classes
Dunbar Community School – PM (GED and ESOL Have Limited Availability): Registration Link

Lee County Public Education Center East Entrance – PM (GED Limited Availability, ESOL is FULL): Registration Link

Online Classes
Online: Registration Link

Lifelong Learning classes will resume in Fall 2022.

Questions? Please call 239-939-6310

Connect with us

Lee County Adult & Career Education | 2855 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33966

Sent by aen@leeschools.net

FWC seeks public input on shorebird conservation
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking input on draft Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines for four species included in Florida’s Imperiled Species Management Plan: American oystercatchers, snowy plovers, least terns and black skimmers.

Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines are intended to provide information on rule requirements as they relate to permitting. They also provide information on species range, survey methodology and voluntary practices that can benefit the species.

Draft guidelines will be available starting May 13 for review and public comment addressing all four species referenced above, collectively known as imperiled beach-nesting birds.
Key information included in the guidelines will be presented at four public webinars, where participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions. Each webinar will offer the same information and participation will require access to a computer or access to a telephone for audio-only access.

Webinars are scheduled for the following dates:
• Tuesday, May 17, 10-11 a.m. ET
• Wednesday, May 18, 3-4 p.m. ET
• Monday, May 23, 2-3 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, May 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m. ET

Those who are unable to attend the webinars can access a PDF copy of the presentation at: MyFWC.com/SpeciesGuidelines. Information on how to join the webinars is available at: MyFWC.com/media/29347/ibnb-webinar.pdf.

Written comments will be accepted between May 13 and May 27. You can email comments (using Adobe’s comment feature or in the body of an email) to Imperiled@MyFWC.com. If you would like to comment but are unable to do so in the specified timeframe, or if you require an alternate format in which to comment or review the draft guidelines, contact Imperiled@MyFWC.com.

QUESTIONS? Contact the FWC

Extension of snook, redfish and spotted seatrout regulations in SW Florida through August 31

The following regulatory measures in southwest Florida for Sarasota Bay through Gordon Pass in Collier County will be extended through August 31, 2022:
• Snook and redfish will remain catch-and-release.
• Normal regulations for recreational spotted seatrout harvest have resumed with the addition of a six-fish recreational vessel limit. Commercial harvest has also resumed but harvest is held to the recreational three-fish bag and six-fish vessel limits.
• These regulations are for all state waters south of State Road 64 in Manatee County, including Palma Sola Bay, through Gordon Pass in Collier County but not including the Braden River or any tributaries of the Manatee River.

The Commission is currently considering long-term regulation changes for redfish, which could take effect when harvest re-opens on Sept. 1, 2022. Normal regulations for snook and seatrout will resume on Sept. 1.

The catch-and-release measures for snook, redfish and spotted seatrout in all waters from Sarasota Bay through Gordon Pass in Collier County were put in place as part of the response to the prolonged 2017-2019 red tide event.
Learn more about regulations for these species by visiting MyFWC.com/Marine and clicking on “Recreational Regulations.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 13, 2022) – Evelyn Longa, APR, of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), recently earned her professional public relations accreditation, and received the designation of Accredited in Public Relations (APR).

Longa joins the more than 4,300 active public relations professionals worldwide who represent an elite group of skilled professionals committed to practicing with high ethical standards, including 40 currently in Southwest Florida.

As the public information officer at Collier County Public Utilities, Longa leads the communications program to strengthen relationships with employees, customers and community organizations. She provides strategic PR counsel, manages media relations and directs brand storytelling across all social media, website and advertising channels. Her 20 years of experience in PR include managing global communications at IBM and overseeing community relations at the American Cancer Society. Longa also previously worked as a journalist at The News-Press where she wrote feature stories and a popular column about America’s favorite pastime – shopping. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Loyola University and a master’s degree in public relations from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications.

To earn public relations accreditation, candidates must pass an oral presentation and rigorous written examination administered by the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), which is an alliance of eight national and statewide professional associations dedicated to furthering the field of public relations and the development of public relations professionals. FPRA is a member of the UAB.

About the Florida Public Relations Association

Established in 1938, FPRA is the oldest public relations organization dedicated to developing public relations practitioners, who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida. It is comprised of 15 professional and 14 student chapters throughout the state, providing professional development, networking and professional recognition opportunities. The Southwest Florida Chapter serves professionals in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. For additional information, please visit the Southwest Florida Chapter of FPRA website at www.fpraswfl.org.

The World Premiere of The Birds: A Parody opens June 3rd at The Laboratory Theater of Florida

FORT MYERS, FL (May 14, 2022) – The Laboratory Theater of Florida will present the world premiere of The Birds: A Parody from June 3rd to July 2nd.

This laugh-out-loud parody features our heroes battling evil birds with plans to terrorize humans based on the classic Hitchcock film.

Wealthy San Francisco socialite Melanie Daniels pursues potential suitor Mitch Brenner to a quaint seaside town where all manner of mayhem begins to take over, most notably bizarre behavior from all types of birds, from crows to gulls to delicious, sugar-coated Peeps, which begin to attack the town.

The theater intends to set a new world record for the most Peeps used in a live performance and the most Peeps used during an entire production run.

Director Annette Trossbach says, “The Birds, a Parody is our most over-the-top campy summer show yet. It’s an extravaganza! Whether you remember the Hitchcock film or not, you’ll love Melanie Daniels talking back to the audience, and this cast of zany townspeople and attack birds.”

Adapted and directed by Annette Trossbach, and workshopped by this tight-knit ensemble cast and crew, The Birds: A Parody is truly a Lab Theater original. This show features Steven Michael Kennedy, Steven Coe, Sue Schaffel, Todd Lyman, Adrial McCloud, Heather Johnson, Jo Reed, Zach Hendra, Daniel Sabiston, Mark King, Holly Zammerilla, and Lorelei Davis. Scenic design by Gabrielle Lansden, costumes by Alena Stevenson, projections by Paula Sisk, and choreography by Isabel Isenhower.

This show opens the theater’s summer season and is included in the season pass, which is on sale now.

The Birds: A Parody is sponsored by Art Zupko and Hulett Environmental Services.

While this play is rated for all ages, it does feature raunchy humor.

DATES:

Performance dates are:

June 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 at 8 pm.

July  1, 2 at 8 pm

June 5, 12, 19, 26 at 2 pm.

Special Events: 

Half-price preview nights: June 1, 2 at 8 pm

Staging Teen Success Through Theater: June 4 at 8 pm

Tickets are $30 each or $10 for students with valid student IDs. There are half-priced previews on June 1st and 2nd, and there is a new Thursday night special ticket price of $25 each for adults. Socially distant seating may be available and must be scheduled through the box office. For tickets, please call the box office at 239.218.0481 or online at www.laboratorytheaterflorida.com.

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NOTES ON YOUR VISIT:

****While masks are encouraged, they are not currently required****

Photography and videography of this production are strictly prohibited.

Thank you for your cooperation and your support of The Laboratory Theater of Florida.

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ABOUT THE LABORATORY THEATER OF FLORIDA

The Laboratory Theater of Florida, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is dedicated to the promotion of the performing arts, through live performance, education, community outreach, experimentation, and the development of ensemble work. The company features ensemble productions, produces classic works, takes artistic risks, which both feature and challenge local performers. For more information, visit www.LaboratoryTheaterFlorida.com or the physical location at 1634 Woodford Avenue, in the Fort Myers River District.

May 17, 2022

Commercial fishing captain pays $22,300 to settle federal fisheries case with NOAA
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today announced a settlement agreement with a commercial fishing captain. Darrell York of the commercial fishing vessel, Watch Out, agreed to pay $22,300 restitution for resource-related crimes dating back to 2015.

“This case is a great example of our commitment to working with our state and federal partners in bringing those who show complete disregard for Florida’s natural resources and are actively evading officers to justice,” said Col. Roger Young, FWC Division of Law Enforcement.

Officers with the FWC’s offshore patrol vessel program first encountered York in 2015 when he and his crew discarded their catch of illegal red snapper and grouper during a pursuit. Through multiple encounters and tips from the public, officers determined the captain had constructed a hidden compartment on the vessel. During a stop in January 2021, officers discovered 13 red snapper and one gag grouper in the hidden compartment. Case information was presented to special agents with NOAA and, in April 2022, York and prosecutors with NOAA reached a settlement agreement for a restitution payment of $22,300.

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QUESTIONS? Contact the FWC
STAY CONNECTED:

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission · 620 S. Meridian Street · Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 · (850) 488-4676