Member News

The 2019 recreational and commercial spiny lobster season starts Aug. 6 and runs through March 31, 2020.
Learn more about bag limits, size limits, where you can harvest, and other regulations at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Lobster,” which is under the “Crabs, shrimp and shellfish” tab. Get your recreational license and spiny lobster permit at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
Safety is of the utmost importance. Use caution when diving and when boating around other divers. Always use a divers-down warning device. More information on divers-down warning devices is available online at MyFWC.com/Boating by clicking on “Boating Regulations.”
Don’t forget to use care around corals and other marine life as well. You can visit FLCoralCrew.com to join the Florida Coral Crew and learn more about coral-safe diving practices and how you can help.
If bully netting this season, keep lights directed toward the water and avoid shining them at houses or people along the shoreline and keep sound levels low when near shoreline residences.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 30, 2019) – Shell Point Retirement Community will conclude its 2019 Summer Concert Series with a performance by pianist Pietro Iannotti Piano at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, in the Grand Cypress Room at The Woodlands at Shell Point, 14441 Woodsong Lane in Fort Myers. The event is open to the public, with tickets available for $21 online at www.shellpoint.org/concerts or by phone at 239-454-2067.

Since the age of 9, Salerno native Pietro Iannotti has been performing publicly in recitals and with orchestras both in Italy and abroad, gaining acclaim from both audience and critics. He has participated and won numerous national and international competitions. Iannotti has also taught music students for more than 18 years, and currently teaches from his studio in Oslo, Norway.

To learn more about the upcoming performance by Iannotti, visit www.shellpoint.org/concerts or call 239-454-2067. Tickets purchased online or by phone will be held for pick-up at will call on the night of the performance.

About Shell Point Retirement Community

Shell Point Retirement Community, founded in 1968, is a nonprofit continuing care retirement community located in Fort Myers, Florida. Shell Point offers independent retirement living, assisted living, and skilled nursing for its 2,400 residents in an active, resort-style environment. Lifestyle amenities include deep-water boating access with free dockage, a championship 18-hole golf course, and other recreational and educational activities. To learn more, visit www.shellpoint.org or call 1-800-780-1131.

You are cordially invited to attend a presentation by Dr. Deepak Chopra, on the Nature of Reality, followed by a book signing.  Physician, author, alternative medicine advocate and co-founder of the Chopra Center for well-being, Deepak Chopra, M.D., FACP, is a world renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation.  Dr. Chopra shares his insights from his latest book, Metahuman.
 
Date and Time:  Wed, October 30, 2019, from 7:30-9:00 pm
Location:  Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Center
Address:   13350 FSW Parkway, Ft. Myers, FL  33919
 
To purchase tickets for this event, please call Barbara B. Mann ticket office 239-481-4849 or go online www.bbmannpah.com after August 1.    You can pre-buy your tickets tomorrow (7/30) using the code INSIDER.
 
More details are on the flyer below and attached.  If you wish to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please contact [email protected] for details.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pat Knudson
Executive Secretary
[email protected]
 
 
 
Healthy Life Center – Cape Coral
609 SE 13^th Court
Cape Coral, FL 33990
239-424-3232
FAX:  239-424-3238
LeeHealth.org
 
     
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 24, 2019) – Accreditation teams from the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida have awarded five-star ratings to all six learning centers operated by Child Care of Southwest Florida.

The Early Learning Coalition’s “Southwest Florida Stars” program evaluates local child care centers in three quality areas: learning environment and classroom interactions; screening, assessment and curriculum; and professional development and staff qualifications. Additional points are awarded for maintaining specific student-to-teacher ratios and class sizes, as well as achieving outside accreditation.

This is the first time all six of the agency’s centers have earned the Coalition’s highest classification in the same year.

“The evaluation process is very rigorous and time consuming, but we welcome feedback from the Coalition’s accreditation team to help improve our curriculum and operations,” said Chris Hansen, CEO of Child Care of Southwest Florida. “Having all six centers earn five-star ratings is an incredible accomplishment, and that achievement certainly indicates the level of education and care that parents can expect when they enroll their children in one of our centers.”

“Southwest Florida Stars” is a voluntary quality assessment for child care program.

Child Care of Southwest Florida operates centers in Lee and Hendry counties, including The Children’s Learning Center at FSW (Fort Myers), Joseph H. Messina Children’s Center (Fort Myers), P.A. Geraci Child Development Center (Fort Myers), The Community Children’s Center (Lehigh Acres), Children’s Garden of LaBelle (LaBelle) and Harlem Academy Child Care Center (Clewiston).

“We take great pride in offering a safe, high-quality educational environment, and that’s why our children are so well-prepared academically, socially and emotionally by the time they enter kindergarten,” said Angela Anderson, education program manager for Child Care of Southwest Florida. “Earning the five-star rating means we’re helping to set the industry standard as a provider of high-quality early childhood education.”

In addition to the “Southwest Florida Stars” rating, all Child Care of Southwest Florida centers are accredited through the National Accreditation Commission for Early Learning Leaders and recognized as Gold Seal Quality Care Programs through the Florida Department of Children and Families. Two locations, the Joseph H. Messina Children’s Center and The Community Children’s Center, recently were recognized by the School Board as “Preferred Pre-K Providers” in Lee County.

About Child Care of Southwest Florida

Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc. a nonprofit early childhood education provider with six learning centers in Lee and Hendry counties that serve more than 500 children from 6 weeks to 8 years old. Each center is accredited through the National Accreditation Commission for Early Learning Leaders and is recognized as a Gold Seal Quality Care Program through the Florida Department of Children and Families. Five CCSWFL locations have five-star ratings through the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida. CCSWFL follows the nationally recognized, research-based Creative Curriculum, with a goal of creating safe, nurturing learning environments that develop young minds, support families, strengthen the community and secure the future. Through its participation in the USDA’s Child Food Care Program, each child has access to a healthy, nutritious breakfast, lunch and snacks. Sponsor, volunteer and donation opportunities are available. For more information, please visit ccswfl.org.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 22, 2019) — It’s a problem we can’t ignore. Scientific evidence showing the health risks of harmful algal blooms in Southwest Florida waterways will be the focus of Calusa Waterkeeper’s “Public Health Alert – Florida Water Summit 2.” The event, set for Monday, Aug. 5 from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre on 1380 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers, will feature a panel of leading scientists and medical professionals as well as the world premiere of “TROUBLED WATERS,” an original documentary produced by Calusa Waterkeeper. Tickets are selling quickly at bit.ly/2KIDkUT.
“The research is becoming clearer, and the chorus of scientists sounding the alarm is growing louder,” Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani said. “It’s our responsibility to alert the people of Southwest Florida to what’s going on in their water and the threat it poses to their health.”
Dr. James Metcalf of The Institute of EthnoMedicine, a Wyoming-based nonprofit brain chemistry research organization, will be on the panel along with Dr. Walter Bradley, chair emeritus of the University of Miami neurology department; Dr. Larry Brand, a marine biology and ecology professor at the university; Dr. David Davis, a neurology professor at the university;; Dr. Arthur Diskin, emergency room teaching professor; Dr. Robert Zarranz, otolaryngologist and surgeon; Dr. Parisima Taeb, internal medicine physician; John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper; Howard Simon, water quality expert; and Holley Rauen, Waterkeeper Ranger registered nurse.
All  of the panelists also appear in the film, which zeroes in on the threats specific to Southwest Florida. “TROUBLED WATERS”  examines the link between exposure to algae and illnesses. It delves into the facts and includes interviews with scientists, physicians and patients. The film provides insight for the health care industry and the general public alike on the risks associated with acute and chronic exposure to harmful algal blooms.
“Calusa Waterkeeper has been and continues to be focused on the scientific evidence, not the hype,” Calusa Waterkeeper Executive Director K.C. Schulberg said. “When we raise a red flag, as we’re doing here, it’s because there is legitimate concern. . We’ve gathered a prestigious panel of experts and created this movie so we can inform the public and healthcare professionals of appropriate precautions and actions to safeguard themselves, their loved ones, their pets and their patients.
Email Schulberg at [email protected] to find out how to get involved and to contribute to Calusa Waterkeeper’s scientific research and educational outreach efforts. Among the event’s supporters are Lee Health, the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre and CONRIC PR & Marketing.
A buffet dinner is included in the $20 ticket price. Discounts are available for Calusa Waterkeeper members. Visit bit.ly/2KIDkUT to purchase tickets and calusawaterkeeper.org to learn how to become a member.
Keep up with the latest on Southwest Florida’s water at facebook.com/calusawaterkeeper, twitter.com/calusawater or instagram.com/calusawater.
 About Calusa Waterkeeper
 Calusa Waterkeeper (CWK) is a donation-, member- and grant-supported Fort Myers-based 501(c)(3) whose mission is to “Protect and restore the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to the coastal waters.” CWK’s project area covers more than 1,000 square miles, and its work includes testing and reporting, regulatory advisories, educational and community outreach, and public advocacy. CWK is a member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance, the largest and fastest growing nonprofit solely focused on clean water, with more than 300 Waterkeeper Organizations and Affiliates on the frontlines of the global water crisis, patrolling and protecting more than 2.5 million square miles of rivers, lakes and coastal waterways on six continents.

Green iguanas are an invasive species in Florida and are not native to our state. They can cause considerable damage to infrastructure, including seawalls and sidewalks. Iguanas, like all nonnative, invasive species, are not protected in Florida except by anti-cruelty law. While they cannot be relocated, they can be removed from private property with landowner permission.
“Unfortunately, the message has been conveyed that we are asking the public to just go out there and shoot them up. This is not what we are about; this is not the ‘wild west.’ If you are not capable of safely removing iguanas from your property, please seek assistance from professionals who do this for a living,” said FWC Commissioner Rodney Barreto.
Addressing the impacts of nonnative species is a priority in supporting conservation of our ecosystems. For those that need assistance, there are resources available on FWC’s website, including contact information for professional trappers.

Note to Media: Lee County’s biggest school supply giveaway is celebrating its 20th year, and we’re looking forward to seeing you there. The Big Backpack Event is coming to the Fort Myers Skatium for the first time, thanks to generous support from sponsors.
Among the backers are Neal Communities, which donated nearly $20,000, and 7-Eleven, which gave several thousand dollars worth of supplies.
WHAT: 20th Annual Big Backpack Event
WHEN: Sunday, July 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
WHERE: Fort Myers Skatium, 2250 Broadway, Fort Myers
WHY: The event lends a helping hand to students and families in need while celebrating diversity in Southwest Florida with live multicultural entertainment. The first 2,000 children between ages 5 and 12 receive free backpacks and school supplies.
CONTACT: Connie Ramos-Williams has been with the event since its inception 20 years ago. She serves as media chair and can answer all questions regarding this year’s festivities. Reach her at 239-848-0239 or [email protected].

The School District of Lee County is kicking off the school year with a Back-to-School Block Party from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3 at Bell Tower Shops.

Presented in partnership with Safe Kids Southwest Florida, Lee County’s largest back-to-school block party is free and open to the public, offering family friendly fun for all ages, including a “Safe-to-School” Safety Zone, interactive games, a bounce house, giveaways, music and a visit from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to include Sheriff Carmine Marceno, multiple school resource officers and Deputy Dogs.

The “Safe-to-School” Safety Zone will get K-12 students ready to roll for straight-A safety, highlighting important safety tips for pedestrians, bicyclists, bus stop safety, driving and other student-related safety recommendations.

“We are excited to start the new school year and welcome our students back to campus,” says Superintendent Dr. Greg Adkins.  “The Back to School Block Party is the perfect way to get students excited but also remind them about ways to stay safe when they ride the bus.  I look forward to seeing everyone there.”

Bell Tower Shops is located at 13499 S. Cleveland Ave. in Fort Myers.  Media is invited to attend.  Please RSVP to [email protected]

For more information, contact:

Rob Spicker

Assistant Director, Media Relations and Public Information

239-461-8420

[email protected]

  
Vision: To be a world-class school system

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 24, 2019) – It’s business enhancement designed by motorcycle dealers for motorcycle dealers. Scott Fischer Enterprises is launching Digital Lead Performance, or DLP, a highly specialized service that maximizes online leads, turning them into selling opportunities for a fraction of the cost of establishing a business development center.
 
With impeccable response time, crafted scripting and tenacious follow-up, DLP’s team of trained professionals turn dealers’ incoming digital leads into kept showroom appointments. The test-marketed service delivered outstanding results during a pilot program. Currently, DLP follows up with leads in under six minutes from initial online inquiry and sets up appointments with greater than 75% of those leads. More than half of those appointments are kept and, best of all, more than 30% of appointments result in sales – with some client dealers performing as high as 40%.
 
“We’re bike dealers, and like other bike dealers, we simply want to sell more motorcycles,” Scott Fischer Enterprises CEO Scott Fischer said. “The old way of having our floor sales staff handle the digital leads from our website wasn’t effective, so we developed and test-marketed a program with proven results that exceed expectations. Now, we want to share this with other dealers.”
 
The Scott Fischer Enterprises team brings more than 30 years of experience buying, selling, founding and managing award-winning motorsports dealerships. DLP is one of several services offered through Scott Fischer Enterprises.
 
Request a DLP demo at sfe-us.com/dlp.
 
About Scott Fischer Enterprises
Scott Fischer Enterprises is a motorcycle dealership group offering the perspective of 30 years of successful dealership creation, acquisition, management and sale. Founder and CEO Scott Fischer teams with an executive staff of established professionals to guide motorcycle dealers to decisions rooted in proven methodology. Scott Fischer Enterprises is the winner of multiple Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Awards as well as numerous other honors for dealership performance and business development. See the firm’s track record at sfe-us.com.
 
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 24, 2019) – When King Brands LLC, one of the largest national manufacturers of shelf-stable juice cups, set out to launch the company’s first national advertising campaign, they turned to CONRIC PR & Marketing. King Brands contracted with Fort Myers-based CONRIC to develop a national print and digital advertising campaign that would run in an industry publication. The result was a colorful, flavorful ad that came away with a 2019 Silver Muse Design Award.
 
“When we catch the attention of a national giant such as King Brands, it’s a testament to the excellent work and commitment our team brings each and every day,” CONRIC President Connie Ramos-Williams said. “Winning awards for the creative and innovative campaigns we develop on behalf of our clients is icing on the cake.”
 
CONRIC has a long track record of success and was recently named a finalist for GrowFL’s 2019 Florida Companies to Watch. The team also won an Image Award, an Award of Distinction and three Judges’ Awards in April at the Florida Public Relations Association Southwest Florida Chapter’s annual Local Image Awards ceremony.
 
King Brands is an industry leader as well, capturing 90% national market share since its founding in 2006. The desire to reel in the other 10% brought King Brands to CONRIC PR & Marketing, and CONRIC’s creative team went to work. The ad’s design and message communicate the unique selling points of the King Brands juice cups while showcasing their strengths. The tagline features waste reduction to highlight the shelf stability and cost savings associated with the products. The end result is a splashy look that evokes a sense of freshness, with mouthwatering imagery.
 
“The ad conveys what sets our products apart in a colorful, eye-catching and ultimately very effective way,” King Brands co-founder Jason King said. “We are so glad we chose CONRIC PR & Marketing. They delivered exactly what we were looking for.”
 
Visit ConricPR.com to see how CONRIC PR & Marketing can deliver for you.
 
CONRIC PR & Marketing
Recognized as one of the leading branding, public relations, marketing and advertising agencies in Southwest Florida, CONRIC PR & Marketing was founded by Connie Ramos-Williams in 2007. The award-winning, full-service agency provides strategic brand awareness campaigns, integrated public relations programs, marketing development and consulting services, advertising campaigns, media buys, custom and niche publishing, creative writing and design, digital marketing strategies, website development, and crisis communications strategy and implementation. The firm serves clients in many industry sectors including banking, legal, medical, government, nonprofit, hospitality, beauty, manufacturing, construction, building and development, real estate, and professional development. CONRIC is a recipient of multiple Image Awards from the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association and Golden Image Awards from its statewide chapter, as well as Charlie Awards from the Florida Magazine Association. For more information, call 239-690-9840 or visit ConricPR.com.