Member News

FGCU President Dr. Mike Martin Named Best Comic
FORT MYERS, FLA., August 21, 2018 –  Laughter rocked the Broadway Palm Saturday (August 18) as four local celebrities took to the stage in hopes of being named “Lee County’s Best Comic” while raising money for behavioral healthcare in Southwest Florida.
By the end of the night, Florida Gulf Coast University President Dr. Mike Martin claimed the title after earning the greatest number of votes from attendees.  He also earned the title of raising the most money among the four local celebrities.
A crowd of 350 people jammed the Broadway Palm for “Laughter Is the Best Medicine” and plunked down cash, checks and credit cards to support SalusCare, the region’s largest provider of behavioral healthcare.  A total of $122,317 was raised through sponsorships, ticket sales, donations and a silent auction organized by #KindLee, a project of the Lee County Bar Association.
“We’re thrilled with the community’s response to ‘Laughter Is the Best Medicine Comedy Night.’  The $122,317 raised is a new record and shows how much everyone recognizes the importance of behavioral healthcare services in Southwest Florida.  We’re already making plans for next year’s event,” said SalusCare Development Committee Co-Chair Marc Collins.
Funds raised will help provide mental health and substance abuse treatment services to children and youth in our community whose families can least afford care.  One in 10 children has serious mental health problems severe enough to impair how they function at home, in school, or in the community, according to the National Center for Children & Poverty at Columbia University.  Left untreated, mental illnesses can lead to more difficult to treat illnesses and to the development of co-occurring disorders.
Collins and SalusCare Board Chair Marshall Bower gave special thanks to nationally-recognized professional comedians Michael Palascak, Pat McGann and Dwayne Perkins.  Palascak served as emcee and performed his stand-up comedy at the beginning of the evening while McGann and Perkins performed as the votes were being counted.  They also commended the sponsors and celebrity comics.
Other local celebrity comics for the night were:

• Gina Birch, Radio-TV personality and wine aficionado
• Eric Raddatz, Fort Myers Film Festival founder and Florida Weekly Presentation Editor
• Amy Bennett Williams, News-Press staff writer

This year’s “Laughter Is the Best Medicine Comedy Night” received the greatest sponsorship support in its four-year history.
The Title/Presenting Sponsor was Mr. Greens Produce, a Miami-based produce distributor with a distribution center in Fort Myers that specializes in servicing restaurants, hotels, country clubs, and other food service establishments.
The Showcase Sponsor was The Richard and Vicki Pitbladdo Foundation Fund, a fund of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation.
Other major sponsors were B&I Contractors, Bill Smith Appliances, Broadway Palm, Leading Edge Benefit Advisors, Park Royal Hospital and T3 Communications (Headliner sponsors); Siesta Pebble, Inc. (Grand Finale sponsor); Accent Business Products, Altered Tattoo Company, Genoa Healthcare, Lee County Sheriff’s Department, Lykes Insurance, and Millennium Physician Group (Monologue sponsors).
Florida Weekly and The News-Press Media Group were the media sponsors.
For more information about SalusCare services, please visit www.saluscareflorida.org or call 239-275-3222.
 
About SalusCare, Inc.
SalusCare, Inc., is the largest, most comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program in Southwest Florida, serving 16,000 people per year of all ages from seven locations in Lee County.   The non-profit organization offers crisis stabilization, outpatient and residential treatment as well as an Employee Assistance Program for about 50 area companies. Most programs are accredited by CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.
SalusCare services are not free.  Fees are charged on a sliding scale, based on family income.  In many cases, private insurance is accepted.  SalusCare is a United Way partner agency.
For more information, call 239-275-3222 or visit www.saluscareflorida.org.

Fort Myers, Florida — The law firm of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., is pleased to announce that Attorney Michael Lehnert has been named Chair of the Lee County Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters (“BBBS”). Lehnert was a Big Brother for about two years and joined the Lee County BBBS Board in 2015. BBBS is a non-profit organization whose goal is to help all children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with volunteer mentors. BBBS is one of the oldest and largest youth mentoring organizations in the United States and mentors children of all ages in communities across the country.
 
Lehnert concentrates his practice in the area of real estate law. More specifically, he assists property owners, lenders and builders with commercial and residential development, acquisitions, finance, survey matters, title insurance, and commercial leases. Lehnert also contributes to the firm’s Legal Scoop on Southwest Florida Real Estate blog.
In addition to serving on the Lee County Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast, Lehnert also serves as Vice President of the Southwest Florida Real Estate Council. He is a member of the Real Estate Investment Society and the Young Lawyers Division of the Lee County Bar Association.
Lehnert graduated from Bishop Verot High School (2008), received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida (B.S., 2012), and his law degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law (J.D., 2015). He may be reached at 239.344.1184 or via email at michael.lehnert@henlaw.com.
Henderson Franklin is the largest, locally-based law firm between Tampa and Miami with over 55 attorneys dedicated to providing a wide range of legal services in the areas of business and tax planning, business and civil litigation, employment law, estate planning, family law, intellectual property, workers’ compensation, real estate, and land use and environmental law. Since 1924, Henderson Franklin has been assisting clients to build their homes, businesses and communities in Southwest Florida. Henderson Franklin operates offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Sanibel Island and Naples. For more information on Lehnert or Henderson Franklin, visit www.henlaw.com.
 

NAPLES, Fla.  (August 7, 2018) – GATES Construction has broken ground on a new RaceTrac located on the southwest corner of Rattlesnake Hammock Road and Collier Boulevard, across from Publix. This project, which adds to the growing portfolio of RaceTracs constructed by GATES, will include a new state-of-the-art RaceTrac fuel station with 16 pumps and a 6,182 SF market and convenience store. Slated for completion this winter, the project also involves site work to accommodate future development. Design services will be provided by Hill, Foley, Rossi & Associates.
 
Celebrating 25 years, GATES provides construction management, general contracting and design-build services.  Their diverse portfolio of commercial, healthcare, multi-family, club and hospitality, institutional and special projects showcases numerous landmarks successfully constructed over the past quarter of a century.  As Florida’s premier builder, GATES serves its clients from offices in Bonita Springs, Sarasota and Palm Beach Gardens, and operates throughout the Southeast United States and Latin America.  For more information on GATES, please call (239) 593-3777 or visit the website at www.GATESinc.com.
 

Blue-eyed soul pioneers The Righteous Brothers are back! Bill Medley and Bucky Heard – The Righteous Brothers will perform at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW on Wednesday, January 16 at 7:30PM.
Tickets go on sale Friday, August 10 at 10AM at the Box Office, online at www.bbmannpah.com or call 239-481-4849.
 
With a string of #1 classics, including the most played song in radio history, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield topped the charts in our decades. After Bobby’s death in 2003, Bill Medley continued to perform to sold-out crowds around the world, but fans and friends pleaded with him to keep The Righteous Brothers alive. Says Medley … No one could ever take Bobby’s place, but when I caught Bucky Heard’s show it all came together – I found the right guy to help me recreate the magic. The concert experience features their biggest hits – Lovin’ Feelin’, Soul & Inspiration, Unchained Melody, Rock and Roll Heaven, Medley’s Grammy-winning Dirty Dancing theme The Time of My Life, and much, much more!
 
The Bill Medley/Bucky Heard pairing came as something of a happy accident. Medley says it just seemed right … I’d been friends with Bucky for years, but when I caught his show he just killed me! The next day it hit me – that’s the guy, someone I could sing hard with, laugh hard with, love and respect – on and off stage. He fits The Righteous Brothers live performance show perfectly. And, we’ve even recorded some new material together, I’m really excited!
 
Bill Medley is truly one of the iconic figures in American music history. His instantly recognizable baritone voice has anchored some of the biggest recordings of all time. He’s won a Grammy, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and an American Music Award. The Orange County, CA native began writing songs as a boy and had his breakout as a songwriter and singer when, in 1963, the Medley-penned Little Latin Lupe Lu became a regional hit for Bill and Bobby Hatfield, as their first release as The Righteous Brothers. Other regional hits followed, Justine, Koko Joe, and My Babe, which led to a regular spot on ABC-TV’s national Shindig! broadcast. The show, featuring a cast of regulars, along with guest stars every week, catered to the teen audience, something new for TV at that time. Shindig’s smash success coincided with The Righteous Brothers opening for both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones on their first US tours. Soon, The Righteous Brothers caught producer Phil Spector’s attention and he signed them to record what would become, according to BMI, the most played song in the history of American radio – the Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil classic, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’. A string of top hits followed until 1968 when Medley and Hatfield agreed to part ways to pursue solo efforts. Medley soon scored with top ten hits, Peace, Brother, Peace and Brown-eyed Woman. In 1974, Bill and Bobby re-united and within a few weeks had yet another monster hit with Rock and Roll Heaven. From then, until Bobby’s passing in 2003, The Righteous Brothers never stopped performing to packed crowds. During that period Bill also recorded the chart-topping duet with Jennifer Warnes, The Time of My Life, for the movie Dirty Dancing. It went on to sell over 32 million copies worldwide. Then, shortly before Bobby passed away, in 2003 Righteous Brothers fan Billy Joel inducted the pair into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with a glowing 7-minute speech. Always active and stretching his creative talents, Medley has also sung on the soundtracks or performed the theme songs for 33 movies and TV shows and, in 2014, released his memoir, The Time of My Life, published by Da Capo Press.
 
Bucky Heard is an Alabama native and Auburn University alum. He’s been one of the most popular and versatile performers in America for several years, headlining countless shows in major venues. His reputation as a gutsy rock and roll singer, with an incredible vocal range, has garnered much critical praise and a legion of fans. He’s been hand-selected to share the concert stage with legends, like Andy Williams and Glen Campbell, and honored as “Male Vocalist of the Year” by entertainment publications. Credited with being one of the hardest working and in-demand performers, Bucky has rocked his way across America with his 10-piece horn band, and also starred in numerous national production shows. Multi-talented, and always seeking to expand his musical horizons, he recently created, wrote, and produced an original children’s musical variety show called, Rock U Mentally, which headlined the American Bandstand Theatre for a two consecutive Summers!
 
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Press Photos:     https://bit.ly/2LVO0Ax
 
 
Performance Date / Time:           Wednesday, January 16 – 7:30PM*
Ticket Prices:                                     $65*      $47*      $37*
 
                                                                *All shows, dates, times and ticket prices are subject to change.
 
 
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FORT MYERS, Fla. – August 20, 2018 – Valerie’s House has received a $15,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Collier County Angel Fund for Small Nonprofits to create its first Spanish-speaking group for grieving children and families in Collier County.
 
Valerie’s House provides children and their families who have experienced the death of a loved one a safe place to share and experience support with others who are also grieving, while moving through the healing process. The Community Foundation of Collier County awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process. Selected organizations receive grant dollars from the Changing Needs Fund. This Fund is made up of donors who believe in the Community Foundation’s ability to identify and grant to the community’s most current needs.
 
“We’re honored to receive this grant from the Community Foundation of Collier County,” said Angela Melvin, CEO and founder of Valerie’s House. “This award is going to be pivotal for Valerie’s House by allowing us to develop and start our first Spanish-speaking grief support group in Collier County to help our Spanish-speaking families who are experiencing the grief of losing a close family member.”
 
Children and their families who want to become part of our first Valerie’s House Spanish-speaking grief group in Collier County are urged to learn more about our services at www.ValeriesHouseSWFL.org and contact Frances Bustamonte at info@valeresieshouseswfl.org to enroll.
 
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF COLLIER COUNTY – The Community Foundation of Collier County is a tax-exempt, public, charitable organization established in 1985 to increase and focus private philanthropy in the area. Today, the Community Foundation of Collier County manages more than 700 funds, such as the Angel Fund for Small Nonprofits, serves 400 nonprofits, holds over $173 million in assets and has distributed more than $130 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and community programs since its inception in 1985. The Community Foundation of Collier County is one of Florida’s fastest growing community foundations. For good. Forever. Learn more at www.cfcollier.org or call 239-649-5000.

ABOUT VALERIE’S HOUSE – Valerie’s House provides grief services to over 200 children and their families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte and Sarasota counties at its downtown Fort Myers location at 1762 Fowler Street and in Naples at The Village School at 6000 Goodlette-Frank Road. As the first program of its kind in Southwest Florida focusing on children and their immediate families, Valerie’s House provides a safe, comfortable place for children to bond, grieve and heal following the death of a close family member so that no child will grieve alone. Valerie’s House is a United Way Partner Agency and is fully supported through generous donations from the community. For more information, visit www.valerieshouseswfl.org or call Allyson O’Brien, Program and Volunteer Coordinator at 239-204-5804.  For more information or to make donations, visit http://www.valerieshouseswfl.org or mail to Valerie’s House, Inc., PO Box 1955, Fort Myers, FL 33902.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 20, 2018) – Even before Society opened late last fall at the Bell Tower Shops, it promised to be different and it’s kept its promise.
 
Since opening, the 14,000 square-foot multi-level restaurant and event space has featured weekly entertainment ranging from appearances by Shawn Wayans and NSYNC members to noted international DJs and Southwest Florida’s favorite local reggae band SOWFLO. In addition to their entertainment lineup, Society offers a variety of dining options from an expanded all day menu at the upstairs Treehouse to early and late dining downstairs in the main dining area.
 
Now, in the spirit of big city brunch options available from Miami to Las Vegas, Society’s Sunday Brunch has launched and it is unlike anything Southwest Florida has experienced before.
 
First there’s the menu. Items start at $10 and include lobster mac & cheese, cornbread and peaches, crab cakes, sushi, oysters, larger plates featuring surf and turf eggs benedict, crispy chicken and waffles, a loaded breakfast burger, peanut butter vanilla flap jacks and truffle grilled cheese, shrimp and grits, a lobster roll, white Russian French toast and more. There are also shareables that serve up to four guests including seafood platters and a tomahawk steak carved tableside. Then there are the unlimited 60-minute drinks for $24.95 that range from bloody marys and maple bacon infused old fashions to cilantro lime rickeys and a Breakfast of Champions – aged rum infused with frosted flakes, Rumchatta, cream and espresso. Society’s party sangria varies in flavors and is served in a huge party glass with smoking dry ice and serves up to five people.
 
But it’s the atmosphere throughout the day that will have Southwest Floridians feeling like they have left the West Coast of Florida. Brunch begins on a lighter note at 10 a.m. each Sunday with an electric violinist playing a soothing mix of big band classics. At 3 p.m. the party really gets started with a D.J. kicking off a set of livelier, high energy club favorites to compliment the violinist’s impressive electric sound. Patrons can be seen dancing along with Society’s servers (all clad in white with Day of the Dead inspired masks and spraying the room with fog blowers) while the champagne girls roam the room filling glasses, waving sparklers, light up glow sticks and dancing atop the banquet tables in flowing butterfly costumes.
 
“Southwest Florida was begging for a brunch experience like this,” said Brad Cozza, owner/partner of Society. “Coming off last week’s quiet launch, we could not be more excited and the feedback has been tremendous. Locals that have heard their friends talk about Society’s Sunday Brunch have been blowing up our reservation system to guarantee seatings for upcoming Sundays. Whether you want a more laid back exceptional dining experience earlier in the day, or you’re looking for the ultimate party brunch with your friends or girlfriends, this brunch has something for everyone and you will not be disappointed.”           
 
The brunch menu continues until 6 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended.
 
Located at the Bell Tower Shops, Society is a modern American restaurant featuring multilevel dining and bar options from al fresco dining on the patio, banquette seating in the main dining area and the vibrant rooftop Treehouse with live music. Society also provides private dining and event opportunities in the intimate Executive and West dining rooms.
 
Society serves lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with light bites available from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays with a late-night-bites menu available on weekend nights.
For more information, visit www.societyfortmyers.com or call 239-334-0900.
 

Fort Myers, Florida — The law firm of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., is pleased to announce that Attorney Kayla Richmond was elected to the Florida Bar Board of Governors, Young Lawyers Division (“YLD”). She is one of two Governors for the 20^th Judicial Circuit. Richmond has also been sworn in as the President of the Lee County Association for Women Lawyers.
Richmond focuses her practice in the areas of divorce, marital and family law. She handles dissolution of marriage (divorce), custody, paternity, child support and domestic violence cases. Richmond has received many accolades, including being selected to the 2018 Class of Leaders in the Law by the Florida Association of Women Lawyers, named a “Rising Star” by Florida Super Lawyers® magazine (2016-2018), selected as an “Up & Comer” by Florida Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite (2017), and honored with the Outstanding Alumni Representative Award from the Stetson University College of Law (2016).
In the local community, Richmond serves on the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida’s Board of Directors and is Chair of the Hunger Walk Committee. She is also a mentor for Girls Going Places and is a volunteer coach for Fort Myers High School’s Track and Field Team. Richmond is Immediate Past President of the Lee County Bar Association’s Young Lawyer’s Division.
Richmond graduated from Fort Myers High School in 2006; received her undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida (B.A., 2010, magna cum laude); her law degree from Stetson University College of Law (J.D., 2013); and, her graduate degree from Stetson University (M.B.A., 2013, summa cum laude). Richmond may be reached at 239.344.1156 or via email at kayla.richmond@henlaw.com.
Henderson Franklin is the largest, locally-based law firm between Tampa and Miami with over 55 attorneys dedicated to providing a wide range of legal services in the areas of business and tax planning, estate planning, family law, business and civil litigation, eminent domain, intellectual property, workers’ compensation, employment law, real estate, and land use and environmental law. Since 1924, Henderson Franklin has been assisting clients build their homes, businesses and communities in Southwest Florida. Henderson Franklin operates offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples and Sanibel Island. For more information on Richmond or Henderson Franklin, please visit www.henlaw.com.
 
 
 

Performances are at the Zig Zag Lounge. No cover for live entertainment. TVs throughout the Zig Zag bar air sporting events and other entertainment. Zig Zag Lounge is Southwest Florida’s premier destination to catch your favorite teams during the NFL season. Entertainment is subject to change. For complete details, visit moreinparadise.com.
 

About Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee
Open 24/7; 365 days a year, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is Southwest Florida’s premier gaming and entertainment destination. The 51,000-square-foot plus casino offers 1,300 slots, including Tarzan, Wheel of Fortune and Crazy Money, and 38 live table games including Blackjack, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker, Mississippi Stud, Blackjack Switch and Spanish 21. Dining options include the award-winning 1^st Street Deli, Asian fusion restaurant Lucky Mi Noodle House, and The EE-TO-LEET-KE (“The Camp”) Grill. Nightly entertainment is highlighted by the Zig Zag lounge, home of the Zig Zag Girlz, “where the party never ends” featuring nightly live entertainment and no last call. Additional entertainment and events are held at the Seminole Center, an indoor/outdoor special event center featuring state-of-the-art sound and lighting system designed by Technomedia Solutions. The new Seminole Casino Hotel is the first upscale hotel to open in or near Immokalee and offers suites and deluxe guestrooms with modern décor and features, plus amenities including a swimming pool with adjacent private Seminole Chickee cabana huts, 24-hour fitness studio, free Wi-Fi, and desk concierge services.
Located at 506 South 1^st Street in Immokalee, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is easily accessible to all of Southwest Florida via I-75 and Southwest Florida International Airport is only a 45-minute drive from the casino. Located between Miami and Naples, north of Alligator Alley on Highway 846, it is five blocks south of Highway 29. Approximately 30 minutes from Naples and Fort Myers, the casino is a 90-minute drive from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee participates in the Seminole Players Club Wild Card Rewards Program whereby players earn and redeem comp dollars at all Seminole Casinos in Florida. For more information, call toll-free (800) 218-0007 or visit moreinparadise.com or https://www.facebook.com/SeminoleCasinoHotel/.

AUGUST 16, 2018 – FORT MYERS, FLA. – Wil Schmidt, global director of New Client Engagement for Gartner, Inc., presents “Critical Thinking in the Digital Age” during Florida SouthWestern State College’s (FSW) Critical Thinking Lecture Series at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the FSW Thomas Edison Campus, Building AA-177, Fort Myers. Additionally, the presentation can be viewed digitally at the FSW Charlotte Campus, Building E, Room 105; the FSW Collier Campus, Building G, Room 109; and the FSW Hendry/Glades Curtis Center, Building A, Room 106.
Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT) is the world’s leading information technology research and advisory company. Gartner delivers the technology-related insight necessary for clients to make the right decisions, every day. Schmidt’s Strategic Accounts Team supports IT professionals employed at organizations with annual revenues of over $10 billion within the banking, finance, insurance, healthcare, and life sciences verticals.
Prior to his role at Gartner, Schmidt held sales and management roles within the finance, retail and advertising industries, including founding and selling a mortgage brokerage in Nevada. His prior experience as both an entrepreneur and as an employee of a global firm offers a distinct perspective on critical thinking competencies required for a successful business career. Schmidt has also had two articles published by Gartner, the latest titled “Fostering an Innovative Culture That Meets Business Requirements.” In addition to his Gartner leadership role, Schmidt is a disciple of the Dale Carnegie teachings; an avid residential real estate investor; a basketball coach within a co-ed youth league; and a boater.
The FSW Critical Thinking Lecture Series features college and community leaders who discuss how they use critical thinking skills in their profession or focus on critical topics from their area of career or academic interest. The series is free and open to the public. Presentations take place weekly, and the fall series runs September through November.
For more information on the FSW Critical Thinking Lecture Series, contact Whitney Rhyne, director, Strategic Initiatives, at (239) 433-6943 or Whitney.Rhyne@fsw.edu.