Member News

Note to Media: The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall goes on display this weekend at JetBlue Park as part of the 100th anniversary celebration of American Legion Post 38.
The public is invited not merely to see the wall but to interact with it and connect with the memory of the more than 58,000 fallen American heroes whose names are on the memorial. Anyone who comes can take a piece of paper, place it on a name and rub a wax crayon or graphite pencil over it to create a memento of someone whose sacrifice took on a deeper meaning.
A Hughes Helicopter 0H-6A model will also be on display. The Army used the 0H-6A helicopters to fly some of the most dangerous missions in Vietnam, and only a third of the original fleet of 1,200 remained by the end of the war.
 
We look forward to seeing you there.
 
WHAT: Honoring Our Heroes – Celebrating 100 Years of American Legion Post 38
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 7 and Sunday, Sept. 8, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
WHERE: JetBlue Park, 11500 Fenway South Drive, Fort Myers
WHY: To celebrate 100 years of the Rabe O. Wilkison American Legion Post 38 and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
CONTACT: Josh Milton, Vice President of Media Relations at CONRIC PR & Marketing, 239-690-9840, [email protected]
 
Josh Milton, Vice President of Media Relations
CONRIC PR & Marketing
6216 Whiskey Creek Drive, Suite B
Fort Myers, FL 33919
239-690-9840
[email protected] | ConricPR.com
 
 

IMMOKALEE, Fla. (Sept. 17, 2019) – Jay Goldberg Events and Entertainment presents an evening with country music legends The Oak Ridge Boys live in concert at Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are on sale now for $69 and are available at the casino, on moreinparadise.com or by calling 800-514-ETIX. Attendees must be 21 years of age.
 
The Oak Ridge Boys’ sound is one of the most distinctive and recognizable in the music industry. The group’s four-part harmonies and upbeat songs have spawned dozens of country hits and a number one pop smash, earned them Grammy, Dove, CMA, and ACM awards and garnered a host of other industry and fan accolades. Every time they step before an audience, The Oak Ridge Boys bring four decades of charted singles, and 50 years of tradition, to a stage show widely acknowledged as among the most exciting anywhere.
 
Their string of hits includes the country-pop chart-topper “Elvira,” as well as “Bobbie Sue,” “Dream On,” “Thank God For Kids,” “American Made,” “I Guess It Never Hurts To Hurt Sometimes,” “Fancy Free,” “Gonna Take A Lot Of River” and many others.
 
One of country music’s truly legendary acts, The Oak Ridge Boys comprises lead singer Duane Allen, bass singer Richard Sterban, tenor Joe Bonsall, and baritone William Lee Golden. They have become one of the most enduringly successful touring groups anywhere, still performing some 150 dates each year at major theaters, fairs, and festivals across the United States and Canada.
 
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 1,400 slots 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 recently renovated and 24-hour EE-TO-LEET-KE (“The Camp”) Grill. Seminole Casino Hotel’s nightlife 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, as well as the new Corner Bar. 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. 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 private cabanas, 24-hour fitness studio and free Wi-Fi.
 
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 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 facebook.com/SeminoleCasinoHotel/.
 
 
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Alina Maria Quintana | Production Manager
800 Corporate Drive, Suite 214
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334
Office: 954.730.7730 x133
Direct: 954.703.7933
Fax: 954.730.7130
[email protected]
www.bitnergroup.com
 

Fall is the end of summer, start of the coolness and beauty of autumn and across the world — time for Oktoberfest! Wherever celebrated, Oktoberfest celebrations share common ingredients: lively music, mouthwatering food, and big, big pints of beer. Paragon Festivals in partnership with the River District Alliance begin a new food and music tradition for Fort Myers: an authentic Oktoberfest experience. Stuff yourself with smoked sausages, roasted meats, sauerkraut, cabbage, and pretzels while enjoying authentic German music and dancers.  Also enjoy live music performances by local and regional musicians in rock, soul, funk, R&B, blues, samba and more!
 
Join us then for the premiere of the Fort Myers Oktoberfest in downtown Fort Myers in the River District.   The event is October 25-27, 2019 with hours Friday 4pm-10pm, Saturday 11am-10pm and Sunday 11am-6pm.  Admission is free!  Gather friends and family and meetup with associates from work to enjoy and relax over the weekend celebrating everything Oktoberfest!  Musical performers in 2019 are, beginning on Friday: the DeLeon Oktoberfest Band (authentic Bavarian music) and Ari & The Alibis (funk, jazz, samba).  Saturday sees performances by: Alpine Doc (Bavarian, Americana 50’s & 60’s), Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio (rock, soul), The Verge (classic rock 70’s to present) and CeCe Teneal & Soul Kamotion (blues, soul, roots).  Sunday relax and enjoy performances by: Tahja (Bavarian dancing), Free Fallin’ (Tom Petty Tribute Band) and Reverend Barry & The Funk (funk, soul). The list of performers and performance times are available on the event website (https://www.seafoodfestivals.com/S-64-Fort+Myers+Oktoberfest+Festival.html).
 
Between performances shop the Marketplace of arts, crafts

Note to Media: Next week select attorneys and judges from the Lee County Bar Association will showcase one of America’s most important documents, the United States Constitution, in elementary and middle schools throughout Lee County.
Engaging presenters will discuss citizen rights, provide a deeper perspective of why the Constitution matters to students personally and foster an open dialogue among youngsters. “Constitution Week” coincides with “Constitution Day” on Sept. 17, which commemorates the document’s signing on 1787.
WHAT: The Lee County Bar Association’s annual Constitution Week
WHEN/WHERE: 
            Allen Park Elementary:

• Mon., September 16

2:00 – 3:00 – Andrew Banyai
Lehigh Middle (400 students):

• Mon., September 16

9:45 – 10:50 – Andrew Banyai
10:54 – 11:59 – Andrew Banyai
1:42 – 2:47 – Britton Swank
2:51 – 3:56 – TBD
 Lexington Middle (400 students): 

• Tue., September 17

10:00 – 11:00 – Scott Atwood
12:00 – 1:00 – John Webb
1:45 – 2:45 – Jim O’Leary
3:00 – 4:00 – Jim O’Leary

• Wed., September 18

10:00 – 11:00 – Susan Healy
12:00 – 1:00 – Susan Healy
1:45 – 2:45 – Stu Pepper
3:00 – 4:00 – David Ludgin
Challenger Middle (400 students):

• Tue., September 17

2:53 – 4:00 – Magistrate Kimberly Bocelli

• Wed., September 18

9:50 – 10:52 – Kenny Kemp
Oak Hammock Middle:

• Tue., September 17

9:40 – 10:40 – Karla Campos Anderson
St. Michaels:

• Wed., September 18

9:00 – 10:00 – Noelle Melanson
WHY: To inform students of the importance of the United States Constitution
CONTACT: Josh Milton, Vice President of Media Relations at CONRIC PR & Marketing, 239-690-9840, [email protected]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 13, 2019) – Are you ready to make a DASH for it? Are you ready to do it in downtown Fort Myers? Then, the Lee County Bar Association has an event for you. The first-of-its-kind Downtown Dash 1 Mile Run/Walk is Friday, Sept. 20.
This is a timed event for participants of all ages to test their speed in a 1-mile run or simply enjoy a casual stroll next to the Caloosahatchee River and between the historic buildings of downtown Fort Myers.
The event is the brainchild of the LCBA’s new Health and Wellness Committee. “We wanted something that was accessible to anybody of any fitness level,” said John Miller, co-chair of the committee. “We wanted to pick a distance that was unique. You don’t see a lot of mile runs.”
The event is also a way to bring awareness to the physical and mental struggles facing those in the legal profession, Miller said. “The legal profession is struggling with physical and mental health issues among its practitioners, and it’s a priority of the state bar to promote health and wellness of its members. John Webb has made it a priority this year as president of the LCBA to promote health and wellness.”
The run will start at 6 p.m. by the Lee County Regional Library, 2450 First Street, in Fort Myers. Participants will head down First Street, go through Centennial Park and finish on Hendry Street. After the event, there will be a concert near the finish line, featuring Deb & the Dynamics.
The cost is $20, increasing to $22 on race day. Proceeds go to the Lee County Bar Foundation for promoting health and wellness in the community. On race day, registration and packet pick-up will start at 4:30 p.m. at the library. Online registration is available at leebar.org, while a printable mail-in application is also available. The application and fee can be mailed to the Lee County Bar Association, 2077 First Street, Ste. 207, Fort Myers, FL 33901.
Among the overall awards are Top Male and Top Female winners, Top Lawyer (male and female), Top Court Staff (male and female) and Top Legal Staff (male and female). There are 15 age-group male and female divisions. The event is sanctioned by the Fort Myers Track Club.
All participants will receive a T-shirt, and food and drink will be available.
About the Lee County Bar Association
The Lee County Bar Association, a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization, has served the citizens and legal community of Lee County since 1949 and has a current membership of almost 800. Its purpose is to further the education of its member attorneys and create meaningful interaction among them, and to inform the community on important legal matters. The bar strives to serve as a leader in advancing ethical conduct, excellence and the professionalism of its members. For more information, visit leebar.org or contact Executive Director Lauren Baugh at 239-334-0047 or [email protected].

NAPLES, Fla. (September 13, 2019) – Two years after Hurricane Irma made landfall in Southwest Florida and inflicted severe damage to the docks at Tin City, the restoration and rebound process continues. Businesses at Tin City, including Pure Florida, suffered for weeks  after Irma’s winds and storm surge compromised the sea wall and the entire complex nearly sank. The storm also caused catastrophic damage to the dock where Pure Florida’s historic sightseeing vessel, M/V Double Sunshine calls home. Dozens of employees were out of work for weeks during the initial recovery effort.
Although Tin City officially reopened for business in October 2017, the long term engineering project of sea wall restoration had just begun. In March 2019 Tin City completed its major 10 month post-Irma restoration featuring a modernized, wider walkway with plenty of space along the new waterfront boardwalk, and the complex rebuild of the seawall that supports it.
Throughout these challenges, Pure Florida continued to make significant investments in its operations at Tin City.  Boat engines were upgraded, new roofs constructed on all buildings and new signs installed throughout the complex and a covered seating area constructed for guests. The next evolution of Pure Florida’s investment at Tin City is underway. Now docked next to the historic M/V Double Sunshine, Pure Florida’s new M/V Sea Flight is a state of the art high speed fishing vessel coming into service soon.
Digital Media Assets
Download Sea Flight Photo: https://drive.google.com/a/ipartnermedia.com/file/d/0Bz9nhxhfvfLnMVBFVlRhUGQxenl6VURoWkxTNWlubGg3WkxZ/view?usp=sharing
Photo Credit: Pure Florida file
About Pure Florida
Pure Florida is an award winning water attractions company helmed by father-and-son duo Captains Lance H. and Harry Julian since 2008 who give their guests access to a variety of unique eco-excursions that incorporate sightseeing, maritime history and entertainment. Pure Florida operates 20 vessels from marinas in Naples and Fort Myers for sunset and specialty cruises as well as boat and jet ski rentals, fishing charters, group events and educational field trips for schools and students. For more information, visit www.PureFL.com or call
(239) 263-4949.
About Pure Image Productions and Marine Team International
In addition to owning Pure Florida, Captains Lance H. and Harry Julian are also partners in Marine Team International and Pure Image Productions, providing professional marine consulting, television and video production and photography services. With a long history in maritime productions, Lance and Harry Julian have helped to create some of the most memorable water scenes in film production, with credits including “Titanic”, “The Hangover II” and “Waterworld,” and television credits such as the reality show, “Survivor.” As the fourth and fifth generation working within the maritime industry, Lance and Harry Julian enjoy sharing their passion and expertise with fellow adventurers in the Southwest Florida area. For more information, visit www.marineteam.net.

FORT MYERS, Fla., (Sept. 12, 2019) – Bell Tower’s highly anticipated Howl-O-Ween Yappy Hour on Oct. 11 will feature the pet-friendly destination’s largest costume contest of the year.

Dog owners are encouraged to dress their pooches in creative, original Halloween costumes. For a $5 minimum donation to the Gulf Coast Humane Society, dogs can compete in a lively costume contest for a chance to win a special prize package. All well-behaved dogs are welcome.

Celebrity judges for this year’s costume contest include Lee County Sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Castellon; Gulf Coast Humane Society Executive Director Jennifer Galloway; Radio Host Jason Drew of 96.9 WINK FM and South Trail Fire & Rescue District Assistant Public Education Specialist Amy Bollen.

Deputy Chance, an abandoned dog whose story of neglect and survival made national news, also will be attending Yappy Hour. Chance is the official “spokesdog” for Deputy Dogs – Pets on Patrol, a new volunteer program asking pet owners to be law enforcement’s eyes and ears in the streets while walking their dogs. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office will be registering pets and their owners during Yappy Hour.

The Howl-O-Ween Yappy Hour runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11 at Center Court, and is presented by Bell Tower, Gulf Coast Humane Society, 96.9 WINK FM and Deputy Dogs – Pets on Patrol. Yappy Hour is weather permitting. Follow Bell Tower Shops on social media for weather updates impacting special events.

Bell Tower, Southwest Florida’s dog-friendly shopping, dining and entertainment destination, holds Yappy Hour on the second Friday of each month. The area’s largest pet-friendly social hour provides an evening of fun for pet-lovers and their four-legged friends, and visitors will have an opportunity to stop by dog-friendly sponsor stations and meet adoptable dogs from the Gulf Coast Humane Society.

DJ Robert McDonald will be providing Yappy Hour entertainment, and a bounce house, sidewalk chalk station and lawn games will be available for guests to enjoy. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria will present beer and wine for the evening, and will donate a portion of sales at Yappy Hour to the Gulf Coast Humane Society.

About Bell Tower

Bell Tower is a landmark shopping, dining and entertainment destination centrally located in Fort Myers, Florida. The open-air center offers fine retail shops including eclectic boutiques and shopping favorites Williams-Sonoma, Chico’s, White House | Black Market, Victoria’s Secret, Pink, Talbots, francesca’s and Ulta. Exceptional shopping is complemented by distinctive restaurants: DaRuMa Japanese Steak House, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, Blue Pointe Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill, Cantina Laredo, Mimi’s Café, T.G.I. Friday’s, Society and World of Beer. Bell Tower also is home to Dave & Buster’s, The Fresh Market, Bed Bath & Beyond and a 20-screen Regal Cinema complex. A community partner and pet-friendly destination, Bell Tower Shops hosts special events throughout the year, including concerts, fundraisers, art fairs and more. Visit www.TheBellTowerShops.com for more information.

About Madison Marquette

Madison Marquette is a leading private real estate investment manager, developer, operator and service provider headquartered in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1992, the company’s reputation is built on the successful development, repositioning and redevelopment of commercial mixed-use assets in major gateway and emerging high-growth markets throughout the United States. Madison Marquette partners with global institutional and private investors to achieve industry-leading investment performance across asset classes. In addition, the firm provides integrated management and leasing services to many of the most sophisticated institutional owners in the industry. On behalf of owners and investors, Madison Marquette provides insight, and often innovative incorporation of retail, that results in high-performing and unique real estate destinations that add long-term value to their communities. Current high-profile projects include The Wharf in Washington, D.C., the redevelopment of the Asbury Park waterfront in New Jersey and Pacific Place in Seattle, WA. The firm covers major U.S. markets through its primary offices in Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Fort Lauderdale.  Madison Marquette is a member of the Capital Guidance global group of companies. For more information, visit www.MadisonMarquette.com.

BIG CYPRESS SEMINOLE RESERVATION, Fla. (September 12, 2019) – The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum has installed new EV charging stations in its public parking area.
“This is an exciting addition to our amenities,” said Carrie Dilley, Visitor Services and Development Manager for the museum. “The electric vehicle market is growing by the day, so we need to be able to take care of our guests who have these type of vehicles.”
The museum has already added its new EV charging stations to the popular EV Network “PlugShare” app. PlugShare is a mobile application and online tool that allows electric car owners to locate and optimize the use of EV charging stations. It provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date database of electric vehicle charging stations in North America, Europe, and Asia.
“Anyone using this app will be able to see our charging stations and the hours of operation right from their phone,” said Dilley.
About the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum
The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum is owned and operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Situated in the Everglades on a 66-acre cypress dome on the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation, the Museum offers more than 5,000 square feet of gallery space. Exhibits feature rare artifacts and lifelike dioramas that depict Seminole life at the turn of the century. In 2009, the Museum became the first tribally-governed museum to be accredited by the American Association of Museums. Open seven days a week from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., the museum is located 17 miles north of Interstate 75 at Exit 49. For more information, visit www.ahtahthiki.com or call 863-902-1113.