Member News

Internationally renowned chocolatier introduces new interactive dessert experience at company’s sixth Florida location
 
FORT MYERS AND SARASOTA, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2019) – Norman Love Confections will open the Florida-based company’s sixth Chocolate Salon at University Town Center (UTC), a premier shopping and dining destination along University Parkway in the greater Sarasota-Manatee area. Renowned for its award-winning handcrafted artisanal chocolates, Norman Love Confections is currently renovating a 2000-square-foot end-cap space, with an outdoor patio, opposite California Pizza Kitchen along Cattlemen Road in the West District of UTC.
 
Slated to open by the end of first quarter 2020, the Norman Love Confections Chocolate Salon at UTC will offer the company’s award-winning ultra-premium, handcrafted chocolates, as well as specialty desserts, artisanal baked goods, coffees, novelty products, sweet crepes as well as savory crepes for lunch and dinner, and Artisan Gelato by Norman Love.
 
Additionally, the new location will offer a selection of wines, and will be the first Norman Love Confections to offer an interactive dessert experience as Norman Love Confections pastry chefs will “take the stage” to showcase their artistic expression and create beautiful “desserts of art” while engaging guests in a fun, conversational and gastronomic dessert experience.
 
“We are thrilled to open Norman Love Confections at UTC, introducing the greater Sarasota-Manatee area to our established, beloved brand of confections, desserts, gelato, bakery items and more,” said Norman Love, founder and owner of Norman Love Confections. “In the evenings, we are introducing an entirely new concept as we transform the Chocolate Salon into a chocolate theatre of sorts, offering our new experiential dessert experience. I envision the UTC Norman Love Confections location as a dessert destination, as guests join us after dinner or shopping, following a movie or the theatre. As guests take their seats, our amazing pastry chefs will present artistic yet recognizable desserts with an innovative, deconstructed spin giving them a front-row seat to the theatrics of chocolate.”
 
About Norman Love Confections
Founded in 2001 by Norman and Mary Love, Norman Love Confections creates and distributes handcrafted artisanal chocolates from its corporate headquarters at 11380 Lindbergh Blvd. in Fort Myers, Florida. The award-winning Fort Myers-based chocolatier has been lauded more than a dozen times by a leading consumer ratings magazine, including recognition six times for producing the best ultra-premium chocolates in the nation. Forbes.com included Norman Love Confections BLACK line on its list of the nation’s top 10 truffles; The Huffington Post listed it among the six best U.S. destinations in its Chocolate Lover’s Travel Guide; and USA Today named Love as one of its top 10 entrepreneurs for 2014. Love was named the inaugural inductee of Dessert Professional Magazine’s Chocolatier Hall of Fame, partnered with local chefs to present a six-course meal at the James Beard House in New York and Norman Love Confections was ranked among the top 10 shops in the world for chocolate lovers by U.K. media outlet Daily Telegraph.
Norman Love Confections has Chocolate Salons in Fort Myers, Estero and Naples, including a pastry shop and café at Whole Foods Market in Fort Myers salon. Chocolates, gift baskets, sipping chocolate and Love’s book, “Artistry in Chocolate, A Story of Love,” also can be ordered online at www.normanloveconfections.com. In addition, Norman Love Confections chocolates and desserts are offered on 18 Princess Cruises’ ships through the “Chocolate Journeys” partnership and at independent retail locations throughout the U.S. For more information visit www.normanloveconfections.com or call 239-561-7215.
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FORT MYERS, FLA., October 22, 2019– Supporters of Valerie’s House helped lift up children who have lost a parent or family member at Sunset Soiree, the signature event of Valerie’s House, the only organization in Southwest Florida with its sole mission to help support grieving children.
A sold-out crowd of 300 people at Miromar Lakes Beach and Golf Club Thursday, Oct. 17, raised $223,000 through sponsorships, ticket sales, children’s artwork and both silent and live auctions. A surprise $25,000 gift from Northern Trust helped elevate the total raised during an evening filled with children’s testimonials about how Valerie’s House has impacted the way they have healed after the death of a parent or sibling. The annual Sunset Soiree event makes it possible for Valerie’s House to offer grief support free to all families.
“We are forever grateful for the support of our community and the love they have shown to Valerie’s House children who most need our comfort and compassion.  By attending Sunset Soiree, our guests helped us fulfill our vision that no child will grieve alone,” said Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin. .
Valerie’s House has helped 800 children and their families since its founding in 2016 by Melvin, whose own mother was killed in a car accident in Fort Myers in 1987. The non-profit organization uses art and music to help children identify, express and process their grief.
Florida Gulf Coast University President Dr. Michael Martin and his wife Jan were the honorary chairs of the event for the second year in a row with ABC-7 Anchor Krista Fogelsong serving as mistress of ceremonies.
“Jan and I have both seen Valerie’s House in person and met with the children there and were touched by the work they do.  There is nothing else like Valerie’s House in all of Southwest Florida,” Dr. Martin said.
Auction items included art created by the children of Valerie’s House as well as vacation packages and dining experiences.
Golisano Children’s Hospital was the presenting sponsor of the event for the second year.  Other major sponsors included Victory Layne Chevrolet, Enterprise Holdings, Florida Gulf Coast University, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank IBERIABANK, and Midland Self-Directed IRAs and 1031s.
For more information about Valerie’s House or to register a family for programs, visit www.valerieshouseswfl.org/contact-us/, call 239-204-5804, or email [email protected].  Valerie’s House is fully supported through community donations that can be made online at www.valerieshouseswfl.org or by mail to Valerie’s House, Inc., P.O. Box 1955, Fort Myers, FL 33902.
 
 
About Valerie’s House
Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and is serving more than 800 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 two locations: 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers and its newest location in Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace.  Valerie’s House also has a third location in Punta Gorda at First United Methodist Church.
Valerie’s House support programs are designed to give children ages 4 to 19 years old and their families a safe place to share, grieve and grow.  The overall goal is to lovingly assist children and their caregivers on their journeys toward mending broken hearts.  Programs include open-ended support groups and activities to help children, their parents, families and other caregivers to heal after a significant loss in their lives.

October 22, 2019, 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 Bavarian Boys (authentic Bavarian “oom-pah” and polka music) along with 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 to the right.  Click on the image of the Performance Schedule for a larger copy you can print out.
Between performances shop the Marketplace of arts, crafts and select fine products and services.
Party like a Bavarian!  The Fort Myers Oktoberfest will offer seasonal brews, traditional Oktoberfest live music in addition to local rock & roll favorites, beer games and classic Oktoberfest food!
Note: Musicians and performance times subject to change.

Fourth Saturdays, starting October 26 • 10 a.m. – Noon
Make creativity part of your family routine the 4th Saturday of each month during Family Art Labs! Drop in for free, hands-on family fun! Explore something new every month like art making, gallery activities, games and more – all inspired by artworks on view in the gallery, famous artists, national holidays and artistic traditions around the world.
This month, celebrate and learn about our Dia de los Muertos Exhibit by painting sugar skulls on small flower pots and planters!
Hula Dance Class
Fridays, Nov 1 – 22 • Fridays are for fun with Hawaiian, Tahitian, Maori and Samoan movement!
Art for Young People
Tuesdays, Nov 5 – 19 • Let your little one explore basic art principles, such as line, texture, color and composition while also learning about art history!
Zentangle – Drawing Effortlessly
Workshop, Nov 3 • Zentangle is easy, fun and stress-free. Learn everything you need to create beautiful designs that can be combined, altered and repeated to create unlimited images!
Youth Art Works
Thursdays, Nov 7 – Dec 19 • With an emphasis on exploration, professional artists teach students in a fun, relaxed environment where they can express their creativity and gain self-confidence.
Better Than Bows
Workshop, Nov 10 • Learn an easy-to-master technique to create beautiful gift bags using a multitude of papers and other fun embellishments.
Watercolor – Getting Started
Workshop, Nov 16 • This workshop is the first in a series of progressively more advanced sessions to be held in the coming months
Watercolor – Beyond Beginner
Workshop, Nov 23 • This session will concentrate on the importance of perspective, light and shadows, and the principles of design and composition.
Visual Arts for Artists with Autism
Tuesdays, Nov 7 – 21 • Classes are designed for students 8-18 to focus on identity development, self-awareness, self-esteem, and positive coping skills.

FORT MYERS, Fla., (Oct. 22, 2019) – Bell Tower is inviting all ghosts, goblins and costumed characters to its annual Halloween Spooktacular on Oct. 26.

The family-friendly Halloween Spooktacular features a three-hour window for trick-or-treating between Bell Tower’s distinguished boutiques, restaurants and entertainment attractions, as well as a dance party at the newly renovated Center Court.

“Children everywhere look forward to trick-or-treating, but Halloween falls on a school night this year,” said Shannon Palzer, marketing manager for Bell Tower. “Hosting the Halloween Spooktacular on a weekend ensures that children and their parents won’t miss out on this fun tradition at Bell Tower, which has grown into one of Southwest Florida’s favorite Halloween events.”

The Halloween Spooktacular runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Bell Tower, 13499 S. Cleveland Ave. in Fort Myers. This year, Bell Tower is hosting a Virtual Costume Contest. To enter, parents must share photos of their children trick-or-treating on the Halloween Spooktacular Facebook event page; winners will be announced Monday, Oct. 28.

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, Ocean View & 7^th, 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, World of Beer and Ice Spot. 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 BellTowerFortMyers.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.

Hogfish recreational harvest will close in state and federal waters off Florida’s Atlantic and southern Gulf coasts Nov. 1. This closure includes all state waters south of Cape Sable, which is on the Gulf side of Florida, and up the Atlantic coast. The Keys/east Florida hogfish season runs from May 1 through Oct. 31.
Recreational harvest remains open in state and federal waters north of Cape Sable in the Gulf. 
Visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Hogfish” for more information. 

Oct. 22, 2019
Suggested Tweet: Greater amberjack closes to harvest Nov. 1 in #Gulf state waters. @MyFWC: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/26788fa #Florida #fishing
Greater amberjack closes Nov. 1 in Gulf state waters
The recreational harvest of greater amberjack in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters closes Nov. 1 and will remain closed through April 30, 2020. The season is scheduled to reopen May 1-31, 2020.
This seasonal harvest closure is intended to help conserve the Gulf greater amberjack population and rebuild this fishery for the future.
Learn more about recreational fishing at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing” and “Recreational Regulations.”

Fort Myers, Fla. (October 21, 2019) – The Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership  (SWFRTP) invites area technology professionals and students to attend TECHMatch 2019, a technology jobs event designed to match technology employers with students and prospective job seekers. The event is perfect for current tech job seekers, technology students of all levels (secondary, vocational, and college – even if not yet seeking a job), and current technology professionals to come meet representatives from the region’s leading technology organizations and employers.  TECHMatch will be held on Tuesday, October 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Florida Gulf Coast University, Cohen Center Ballroom, 10501 FGCU Blvd N, Fort Myers. Registration is required at www.swfrtp.org and the event is free to attend.
This year’s event is sponsored by CareerSource Southwest Florida and will feature a record number of regional companies.  All attendees will enjoy an opportunity to interact with company representatives and match their skills to open positions.  Companies exhibiting at TECHMatch include Hertz, 21st Century Oncology, Chico’s FAS, Lee Health, Hotwire, ITVantage, Testimonial Tree, Inceptus, Flightdocs, FGCU, Cigent, ReachMobi, Shaw Development, iPartnerMedia, SkyLink Data Centers, Hodges University, CareerSource Southwest Florida, Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, Herc Rentals, Linga POS, Vectra Digital, Call Miner, Arthrex, Logiscool and Miromar Development Corp.
 
Digital Media Assets
Facebook Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/2457087847681768/
 
SWFL Regional Technology Partnership logo:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ut48pKynId8VvOl-kSiv5umqaaTYkK7t
 
About the SWFL Regional Technology Partnership
The Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership (SWFRTP) was chartered in 2008 and is the only group dedicated solely to the growth of the technology cluster in southwest Florida. The non-profit organization is a member of Lee County’s Horizon Council and is comprised of technology companies and technology users, economic development groups and higher education institutions. Through its strategies to inspire, innovate and inform, the SWFRTP produces educational seminars, career forums, professional networking events and the only regional awards program dedicated to technology development and implementation. Membership and sponsorship information is available at www.swfrtp.org.
 
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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has charged two suspects for poaching thousands of Florida’s native turtles from the wild and selling them illegally in Florida, with final destinations in international markets. These charges represent the state’s largest seizure of turtles in recent history.
“The illegal trade of turtles is having a global impact on many turtle species and our ecosystems. We commend our law enforcement’s work to address the crisis of illegal wildlife trafficking,” said FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton.
“Putting a stop to this criminal enterprise is a significant win for conservation,” said Col. Curtis Brown, head of FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement. “Arresting people engaged in illegal wildlife trafficking supports our environment and legal businesses. It is especially positive and rewarding to be able to release many of the turtles back into the wild.”
“We know that the global black market in live animals includes traffickers smuggling protected species of turtles out of the United States, usually for export to the Asian pet market,” said Dr. Craig Stanford, Chairman of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. “This sinister and illegal trade threatens the future of many species of North American animals, and as one of the most threatened animal groups on the planet, turtles are at the forefront of our concern.”
The illegal commercialization of wildlife ranks fourth behind guns, drugs and human smuggling and, in many instances, is connected due to the monetary gain. The International Fund for Animal Welfare estimates illegal wildlife trade in the US at $19 billion annual income.
The FWC launched an undercover investigation after receiving a tip in February 2018. Through surveillance and other investigative tactics, FWC investigators determined that a ring of well-organized wildlife traffickers was illegally catching and selling wild turtles to large-scale reptile dealers and illegal distributors, who shipped most of them overseas on the black market. Michael Boesenberg (DOB 02/05/1980) of Fort Myers, directed individuals to illegally collect turtles in large numbers; once he had enough turtles on hand he would then sell to a buyer with links to Asian markets.
To fulfill a buyer’s request, these poachers targeted habitats known for the specific species. Over time, they depleted the populations so much that they had to expand into other parts of the state to meet the growing demand. The FWC predicts that turtle populations are most heavily impacted in Lee County, the primary source for the seized turtles, but that the suspects worked with other wildlife traffickers around the state and country. The total negative impacts to wild turtle populations stretch beyond Lee County and Florida.
“Wild turtle populations cannot sustain the level of harvest that took place here,” said Dr. Brooke Talley, the Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Coordinator for the FWC. “This will likely have consequences for the entire ecosystem and is a detriment for our citizens and future generations.”
Depending upon the species, the poached turtles sold wholesale for up to $300 each and retailed for as much as $10,000 each in Asia. Evidence indicated turtles sold within one month totaled an estimated $60,000. The sellers received mostly cash, occasionally trading turtles for marijuana products.
The FWC documented more than 4,000 turtles illegally taken and sold over a 6-month period, including Florida box turtles, Eastern box turtles, striped mud turtles, Florida mud turtles, chicken turtles, Florida softshell turtles, Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtles, spotted turtles and diamondback terrapins. As a result of a search warrant served on Aug. 12, investigators found the poachers in possession of hundreds of turtles, along with the skull and shell of a protected Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle. The turtles seized had an estimated black market value of $200,000.
All seized animals were evaluated for health and species identification by FWC biologists. Over 600 turtles were returned to the wild, two dozen were quarantined and released at a later date, and a handful were retained by a captive wildlife licensee since they were not native to the area. Nearly 300 of the freed turtles are now part of a long-term monitoring project by the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.
“SCCF has been conducting research on these turtles for nearly two decades.Thanks to FWC for uncovering this illicit activity that has adversely affected wild turtle populations,” said Chris Lechowicz, Wildlife & Habitat Management Program Director at SCCF.
Selling wild-caught freshwater turtles is illegal and harvesting them from the wild is specifically regulated by Florida Administrative Code 68A-25.002 (6). Some turtle species may be kept as captive wildlife with the proper permits.
The public can help by reporting suspected wildlife violations to the FWC. To make a report, call the Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or text [email protected].
The suspects and their charges are as follows:
Michael Boesenberg (DOB 02/05/1980 of Fort Myers, FL):

• F.S.S. 812.019(2) – Dealing in stolen property as an organizer
• F.A.C. 68A-25.002 (6)(a)1 – 3 counts – Taking over the bag limit of turtles
• F.A.C. 68A-25.002 (6)(a) – Over the possession limit of box turtles
• F.A.C. 68A-25.002 (6)(c) – Sale and offer for sale turtle taken from the wild
• The enabling statute for these violations of F.A.C 68A-6 is F.S. 379.4015(2)(a)1.
• FAC 68A-6.004(4)(q)1(c) – 9 counts – Standard Caging Requirements for Captive Wildlife
• F.S.S 379.2431 – Possession of marine turtle parts
• F.A.C 68A-4.004(5) – Possession of black bear parts
• F.S.S. 893.13(6)(a) –Possess cannabis over 20 grams
• F.S.S. 893.13(1)(a)(2) –Possess with intent to sell/deliver
• F.S.S. 893.13(6)(a) –Possess controlled substance (THC oil)

Michael Clemons (DOB 09/05/1996 Fort Myers, FL):

• F.S.S. 812.019(1) –Dealing in stolen property
• F.A.C. 68A-25.002 (6)(a)1 –2 counts –Taking over the bag limit of turtles
• F.A.C. 68A-25.002 (6)(a) – Over the possession limit of box turtles
• F.A.C. 68A-25.002 (6)(c) – Sale and offer for sale turtle taken from the wild
• F.A.C. 68A-25.002(6)(b) – Transporting wild caught turtles without a permit