FGCU Audit and Compliance Committee to meet virtually April 4
FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Audit and Compliance Committee of the Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees will meet virtually at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, April 4. The live webcast is available at fgcu.edu/boardcast.
Public comment on agenda action items must be sent by email to [email protected] no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 3. Comments will be read into the record during the virtual meeting.
Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH: INTERMEDIATE Thursday REGISTER HERE
If you have any QUESTIONS please contact Marliss Brockington at 239.939.6321 or [email protected]
LCSD Employees:Do you have a special skill or talent you’d like to share? Join our Lifelong Learning team of Teachersand share your skills with the adults in our community!Please contact Marliss for more information.
Reserve Your Spot for Our Complimentary “Root Cause Matters: Addressing Job Opportunities & Transportation to Tackle Florida Childhood Poverty” Webinar Held on April 18
The Florida Equality of Opportunity Initiative is continuing its work to unite Florida’s leaders behind the Florida 2030 Blueprint goal of cutting Florida childhood poverty in half by 2030 and ensuring 100% have a pathway out. The most recently released poverty numbers reveal that 737,567 Florida children are living in poverty. We invite you to join us in tackling poverty at its 10 Root Causes, two of those being Job Opportunities & Transportation.
Click the above graphic to learn about the 10 root causes of poverty.
April 18 10:00AM – 11:00AM ET Complimentary Webinar | Via Zoom
Join usfor the complimentary “Root Cause Matters: Addressing Job Opportunities & Transportation to Tackle Florida Childhood Poverty” webinar on April 18. During the webinar, we will be joined by representatives from Lyft and Amazon to discuss the importance of addressing both job opportunities and transportation to improve prosperity outcomes in Florida communities. We will also be joined by the Florida Chamber government affairs team for a wrap-up of Florida legislation surrounding quality of life.
Thank You to Our Florida Equality of Opportunity Initiative Advisory Board Members!
Interested in joining these companies in cutting Florida childhood poverty in half and ensuring all third graders are reading at grade level? Contact Zenani Johnson at [email protected].
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Grampy’s Charities Tennis Tournament at Beachview Tennis Club to Benefit LARC
Grampy’s Charities Tennis Tournament at Beachview Tennis Club to Benefit LARC
(FORT MYERS, Fla., March 28, 2024)—Grampy’s Charities, an organization that raises funds to support organizations transforming children’s lives, is presenting The Beachview Tennis Club Open Doubles Tournament to benefit the Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens (LARC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
The event will be held on Saturday, April 27, for men’s and women’s doubles 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 and on Sunday, April 28, for mixed doubles 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 at The Beachview Tennis Club, 1101 Par View Drive, Sanibel Island.
The entry fee is $100 per person for Saturday or Sunday or $150 for combined Saturday and Sunday play per person. All entrants will receive t-shirts and lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Winners and runners-up will receive awards.
The tournament provides participants with a fun and meaningful way to contribute to an important cause while enjoying a day of outdoor recreation.
Beachview Tennis Club is conveniently located near the Gulf of Mexico on Sanibel Island. The picturesque facility has five HydroGrid clay courts.
“LARC has been making an impact in Southwest Florida for 70 years,” said Angela Katz, Executive Director of LARC. “LARC is committed to providing vocational training, residential services, and community inclusion programs aimed at helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) lead fulfilling lives.
By participating in the tournament or becoming sponsors, individuals, and businesses can directly contribute to LARC’s mission of empowering individuals with IDD to achieve their full potential.
“I chose LARC to benefit from this tournament because I feel it is important to support local nonprofits, especially those like LARC,” said Toni Halski, tennis pro and owner of Beachview Tennis Club. “They play a critical role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities in Southwest Florida.
LARC serves more than 300 individuals annually, and participants range from 14 to 81. Its main campus is located at 2570 Hanson Street, Fort Myers. LARC also operates two Residential Group Homes in Fort Myers and Cape Coral.
Contact Toni Halski at (239) 472-9099 to register for the tournament.
Established in 1954, LARC is a training center for success for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. LARC serves more than 300 individuals annually, and participants range from 14 to 81.
LARC offers vocational training, youth programs, community residential and employment services, and a wide array of other state-of-the-art community inclusion services on a full-time, year-round basis. Its main campus is located at 2570 Hanson Street, Fort Myers. LARC also operates two Residential Group Homes.
Community Cooperative Announces April 2024 Mobile Food Pantry Times and Locations
Community Cooperative Announces April 2024 Mobile Food Pantry Times and Locations
Community Cooperative releases its April 2024 food pantry schedule. The reality for many is a struggle to put food on the table. Community Cooperative recognizes this disparity and steps forward to alleviate the burden for those in our community. We are happy to announce the schedule for the Mobile Food Pantry, bringing nutritious meals to those in need at various locations throughout the month.
Community Cooperative’s Mobile Food Pantry Schedule for April 2024:
Note: Please check our website and social media pages for any updates or changes to the schedule.
Location: North Fort Myers High School; 5000 Orange Grove Blvd, North Fort Myers
Time: 3:00PM-5:00PM
Date: Thursday, April 25th, 2024
Location: Island Coast High School; 2125 De Navarra Pkwy, Cape Coral
Time: 3:00PM-4:30PM
About Community Cooperative
Since 1984, Community Cooperative has worked to effectively eliminate hunger and homelessness in southwest Florida while simultaneously inspiring and supporting sustained positive change in its clients by delivering innovative food, education, and social service programs. With a dedicated team of volunteers, board of directors and staff, Community Cooperative stays committed to its core responsibility to collect and distribute resources through a strong and viable network of community partners. Community Cooperative is an exemplary steward of the resources entrusted to it and serves clients with compassion and integrity. Through collaboration and ongoing education, Community Cooperative supports and strengthens those whose lives have been affected by hunger and homelessness, ensuring that they have access to the resources necessary to transform their lives with dignity.
FORT MYERS, FLA., MARCH 25, 2024 – Valerie’s House celebrated the grand opening of its new Family is Forever home March 14 with a ribbon-cutting and tours of the new facility at 3551 Shoemaker Lane, now known as 3551 Valerie’s House Way, in Fort Myers.
More than 300 people attended the ribbon-cutting and toured the new home, including Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson, Lee County commissioners, Lee County District School Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier, Fort Myers Police Chief Jason Fields, Fort Myers Fire Chief Terry McMillion and Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce members along with members of other local chambers of commerce and other dignitaries.
About 200 people attended the open house the following day.
A total of $3 million was raised toward the cost of the new home, which is built on land donated by the City of Fort Myers under a $1 per year lease.
“We are incredibly grateful to all of the people and organizations who have made this possible,” said CEO Angela Melvin Churchill. “Having this space will open the door to building more partnerships, educating our community, and most importantly, giving us the needed space to help thousands more families and children who are grieving.”
The home is a cozy, warm, old Florida style structure, with special rooms like a volcano room, which allows children to work out any anger or other emotions they have because of their loss. The 7,000-square-foot facility will allow Valerie’s House to provide wrap-around services, such as individual grief counseling, parenting classes, and family retreats to support families who need it.
“From the moment you walk through the doors we want families to feel at home. Along with a beautiful outdoor space for the children to play and large dining area for family meals, there also are rooms dedicated to every age group. From little ones, to teens, to caregivers, each group has their own space designed for them to come together to support one another through healing activities and discussions,” she said.
Valerie’s House has helped more than 5,000 children and their families since its founding in 2016 by Angela Melvin Churchill, whose mother, Valerie, was killed in a car accident in Fort Myers in 1987.
One in seven children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2022 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.
Valerie’s House currently offers peer support groups and other activities at locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, and Port Charlotte. Valerie’s House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.
For more information about Valerie’s House or to make a donation to the Forever Home, visit www.valerieshouse.org/forever-home call 239-204-5804.
About Valerie’s House
Valerie’s House opened its first location in Fort Myers, Florida in January 2016 and has served more than 5,000 children and their families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry counties. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has three Southwest Florida locations: 3551 Valerie’s House Way in Fort Myers, 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples and 233 East McKenzie Street in Punta Gorda. Valerie’s House also expanded into Northwest Florida in 2021 with a home in downtown Pensacola. For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org
Legal News and Updates from Henderson Franklin - March 2024 Issue
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., is dedicated to providing regular updates to our valued clients and the community regarding legal matters that may influence their businesses and families. We are pleased to present articles and news shared in March 2024 for your reference and awareness.
Real Estate
On March 12, 2024, the Caloosa Sound Convention Center welcomed over a thousand attendees for Market Trends, an event proudly sponsored by Henderson Franklin. This year’s theme, “Ignorance is Bliss Until it Isn’t,” set the stage for a comprehensive over- view of the real estate market’s current state and future prospects in Southwest Florida.
Experts Justin Thibaut, Denny Grimes, and Matt Simmons provided compelling insights into the market, urging a shift from COVID-era expectations to a realistic appraisal of today’s conditions. The emphasis was clear: informed decision-making, grounded in an understanding of past trends and present realities, is key in navigating the evolving real estate landscape of Southwest Florida. Click here to read a recap by real estate and land use attorney Colten Thomas.
Estate Planning
The decision to contest a will carries significant emotional and legal considerations. Naples wills, trusts and estate planning attorney Anthony Cetrangelo shares the nuances of Florida law regarding will disputes, focusing on crucial aspects such as undue influence and testamentary capacity. Click here to read the full article.
Taking on the role of a personal representative in the aftermath of a loved one’s passing is a position of both honor and complexity. Probate litigation attorney Richard Mancini provides a guide to the multifaceted duties and responsibilities that come with this pivotal role in probate estate administration.
Whether you are newly appointed or seeking clarity on your responsibilities, this article illuminates the key aspects of being a personal representative, from initiating probate proceedings to the final distribution of assets. It addresses common questions and challenges, offering essential knowledge to navigate the probate process with confidence.
Employment law attorney Scott Atwood dives into the Eleventh Circuit’s recent examination of Florida’s efforts to regulate workplace diversity training laws. With the Stop WOKE Act at the forefront, this discussion unveils critical insights into the balance between legislative intentions and constitutional freedoms. Click here to read the full article.
As members of the local community, we extend a warm invitation to join us at upcoming events, including:
BearWise® tips for spring, as bears become more active
Spring has arrived and wildlife is becoming more active, including our state’s black bears. With this increase in activity, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing ways to be BearWise® to help prevent conflicts between people and bears.
Black bears are on the move more this time of year in search of things to eat, including female bears that are teaching their cubs where to look for food. To prevent bears and other wildlife from associating your yard with an easy meal, remove potential food sources and attractants – such as unsecured garbage, pet food and bird seed – from around your property. Florida black bears typically try to avoid people but may linger in neighborhoods if they can easily access food sources. Bears will move on if they can’t find food.
Help avoid negative interactions with bears by following these tips and BearWise® Basics this spring:
1: Never feed or approach bears -Always give bears and other wildlife space — getting too close to a wild animal can be dangerous. -It is illegal in Florida to intentionally feed bears or leave out food or garbage that will attract bears and cause conflicts. -Feeding bears can make them associate people with food and lose their natural fear of humans.
2: Secure potential bear food sources -Store garbage in a sturdy shed or garage and then put it out on the morning of pickup rather than the night before. -If not stored in a secured building, modify your existing garbage can to make it more bear-resistant or use a bear-resistant container. -Secure commercial garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters. -Protect gardens, beehives, compost and livestock with electric fencing. -Pick ripe fruit and nuts from trees and bushes, and remove fallen fruit and nuts from the ground.
3: Remove or secure bird and wildlife feeders -Remove bird and other wildlife feeders when bears are more active in the spring and fall. -If feeders are left up, only put enough food out for birds and other wildlife to finish eating before dark and make feeders bear-resistant.
4: Don’t leave pet food outside -Feed pets indoors. -If feeding pets outside, only put food out for short time periods and bring in leftover food and dishes after each feeding.
5: Clean and store grills -Clean and degrease grills and smokers after each use. -If moveable, keep them stored in a secure shed or garage.
6: Alert neighbors to bear activity -If you see a bear, share sightings with your neighbors. -Share these BearWise® tips on how to avoid conflicts with bears. -Encourage your homeowner’s association or local government to institute bylaws or ordinances to require trash be kept secure.
Black bears are generally not aggressive but they have injured people in Florida. Dogs in particular can trigger defensive behaviors from bears, especially females with cubs. When walking dogs, keep them close to you on a short leash and stay aware of your surroundings. Before letting your dog outside in your yard, flip exterior lights on and off and bang on the door to give bears and other wildlife a chance to leave the area.
Bears cross more roadways as they become more active this time of year. To avoid vehicle collisions with bears and other wildlife, slow down when driving, particularly on rural highways at dawn or dusk. Look for road signs identifying bear and other wildlife crossing areas. Each year in Florida, an average of 250 bears are killed after being hit by vehicles.
Having conflicts with bears? FWC should be your first call – our staff are here to help. Please call one of the FWC’s five regional offices to speak with a biologist about the specifics of your situation to help resolve any conflicts. Go to MyFWC.com/Contact and click on “Contact Regional Offices” to find the phone number for your region. If you want to report someone who is either harming bears or intentionally feeding them, call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
More information is available at MyFWC.com/Bear, where you can access the “Guide to Living in Bear Country” brochure. Find additional ways to be BearWise at BearWise.org. Thirty-eight states, including Florida, support BearWise®, an innovative program that helps people learn ways to responsibly live around bears. Help us help bears and other wildlife by purchasing the Conserve Wildlife license plate at WildlifeFlorida.org/CWT.
Spring is an active time for many of Florida’s wildlife species. For more information on wildlife in Spring, visit MyFWC.com/News and click on “Spring Wildlife News.”
QUESTIONS? Contact the FWC Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission · 620 S. Meridian Street · Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 ·
(850) 488-4676
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In case of divorce or death, what happens with frozen embryos for IVF couples?
Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan, PLLC has some words of wisdom
WHAT: Advisory release on the critical legal considerations for couples undergoing or considering In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), specifically focusing on the disposition of frozen embryos in cases of divorce, death, or unforeseen circumstances. This guidance aims to address the complexities and legal nuances of IVF treatments and the importance of establishing clear agreements regarding the future of frozen genetic material.
WHY: With IVF increasingly becoming a topic of legal and ethical discussion, it’s vital for couples to be informed about Florida’s specific statutes regarding the disposition of embryos. The firm’s guidance underlines the necessity of preemptive agreements to ensure clarity and protect the rights and intentions of all parties involved.
Key Highlights:
Florida’s Unique Stance: Florida statutes mandate a written agreement outlining the disposition of eggs, sperm, and pre-embryos, covering scenarios such as divorce, the death of a spouse, or other unforeseen events.
Control of Genetic Material: In the absence of an agreement, control of any remaining eggs and sperm reverts to the partner providing those materials and any remaining preembroys remain jointly with the couple. Upon the death of one partner, the surviving member maintains control over the genetic material.
Advisory for Couples: It is imperative for couples embarking on IVF to formalize an agreement before embryo creation. This agreement should, at minimum, address the intended use of embryos, their fate under various circumstances, and criteria for when embryos are considered “abandoned.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Couples interested in IVF, healthcare providers, and legal professionals are encouraged to seek detailed advice and support from Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan, PLLC. For more information on navigating the legal challenges of IVF and embryo disposition, contact the firm directly.
About Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan, PLLC:
Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan is a full-service law firm with practice areas in business and real estate law, commercial litigation, personal injury and wrongful death, civil litigation, family law, estate planning and probate. Established in 2004 and led by senior partners Frank Aloia, Jr., Ty Roland, Evan Lubell, and Jack Morgan along with partners Danielle Levy Seitz, Jonathan Martin Scott Hertz, and Stephen Dommerich, the firm has deep roots in Southwest Florida, proudly serving its community. Aloia Roland is headquartered at 2222 Second Street in downtown Fort Myers. Learn more at www.LawDefined.com or call (239) 791-7950.