Members News
Limited space remaining for CMON Single Day Camps
Single Day Camps are Now Available! BRAND…
 Single Day Camps are Now Available!   BRAND NEW to CMON: Single Day Camps CMON is excited to invite students in Kindergarten through 2nd Grade to attend our new one-day camps on the following out-of-school dates: -Tuesday, September 26, 2023 -Wednesday, November 1, 2023 -Friday, March 22, 2024 Select one, two, or all three! Camp at CMON promotes discovery and experiential learning through daily STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) activities. Campers imagine, design, and connect to the world around them. Ignite your child’s curiosity and fuel their learning! Register Now    |
Upcoming SFWMD Public Meetings
Meeting Notice Join the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) for upcoming public meetings…
 Meeting Notice Join the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) for upcoming public meetings and events in the next three weeks. For a list of all upcoming meetings, check out our Meeting Calendar. Meeting agendas are available at least seven days in advance. Meeting format varies for each meeting, and some meetings may be in-person only, virtual only, or a hybrid of both formats. Take note of upcoming SFWMD public meetings  What: Loxahatchee River Management Coordinating Council Meeting When: September 18 at 2:00 p.m. Meeting Information What: Quarterly Meeting of the Everglades Technical Oversight Committee When: September 21 at 10:00 a.m. Meeting Information What: Progress Update on the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP) When: September 22 at 9:00 a.m. Meeting Information  What: Recreational Public Forum When: September 25 at 5:00 p.m. Meeting Information What: Audit and Finance Committee Meeting When: September 26 at 4:00 p.m. Meeting Information What: Final Public Hearing on Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Final Millage Rates and Final Budget When: September 26 at 5:15 p.m. Meeting Information Many SFWMD meetings are conducted via Zoom, a free online meeting tool. You can learn more about attending a Zoom meeting and even run a test on your computer, tablet or smart phone. Please note, you must have the latest version of Zoom to attend SFWMD meetings conducted on Zoom. The South Florida Water Management District is a regional governmental agency that manages the water resources in the southern part of the state. It is the oldest and largest of the state’s five water management districts. Our mission is to safeguard and restore South Florida’s water resources and ecosystems, protect our communities from flooding, and meet the region’s water needs while connecting with the public and stakeholders. |
Fashion Night at the Museum: The Oscars
Join us for Fashion Night at the Museum on October 18 at CMON!…
 Join us for Fashion Night at the Museum on October 18 at CMON! Get your glam squad ready for our October 2023 Fashion Night At The Museum: The Oscars! Wear your red-carpet fashion and join us for an unforgettable parent- and-child #FashionPlay workshop at the Children’s Museum of Naples! Create a fashionable hard-case box purse and adorable cat-eye sunglasses and strike a pose as you walk down the runway – for all to see! Hosted by Chelsea Provenzano, Founder & Designer at The Designer’s Accomplice, this unique workshop is built for children ages 5 – 10 and their parents. During the workshop, children in their glamorous looks participate in what Chelsea calls #FashionPlay by creating their own fashion accessories using high-quality materials. Once finished with their one-of-a-kind accessory, the children strut down the runway with their designs. Light refreshments will be provided. Parents interact with their children throughout the session. Every #FashionPlay product comes packaged in a branded box. Register Now! When: Wednesday, October 18, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Where: Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples (15080 Livingston Rd, Naples, FL) Who: Children ages 5 – 10 and their parents What: Fashion-play workshop where children dress up, create handbags, and walk the runway    |
Did You Know…?
Hundreds of courses. Knowledgeable instructors. Have it your way, online or in-person. …
Hundreds of courses. Knowledgeable instructors. Have it your way, online or in-person.  September 2023 DONATE NOW FGCU Academy The hamburger’s official birthplace is Connecticut. Greetings, As summer comes to an end, so does the season of barbecues and grilling burgers. With that being said, if you head on over to the city of New Haven, Connecticut, you can taste history. There you’ll find a little restaurant called Louis’ Lunch that has been running since be- fore 1900, but that’s not the main draw. The real significance of this establishment comes from an event in 1900 when the world’s first hamburger was created. The story tells that Louis Lassen, the owner, and proprietor at the time, threw together a few simple ingredients for a customer who was in a rush. The rest is history! With Fall just around the corner, FGCU Academy has completed its’ Fall program guide. You can view it online by scrolling below and it will also be available in print by the end of September at your local libraries and at the Naples Center. Everyone is invited and welcome to take classes at ANY of our locations. Make sure to register early as space can be limited. For assistance with registration – call our office (239) 434-4737, and we will be more than happy to assist you.  PROGRAM GUIDE VIEW SUMMER PROGRAM GUIDE View September Daily Calendar VIEW FALL PROGRAM GUIDE View October Daily Calendar Register Online We are available to assist with registration – 239.434.4737 FEATURE CLASSES  King George III @ Brooks Commons Club |September 19 | 10 – 11:30 am To many Americans, he is Mad King George, the tyrannical English king whose despotic ways pushed the colonists to revolution. To the English, he was Farmer George, a stub- born, plodding ruler who obstructed his parliament and blocked progress. Both assessments are incomplete, and his unfortunate mental collapse was a family tragedy. There was much more to the life of this very civilized, cultured and moral man.  The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador & The Center of the World @ Naples Center or Online via Zoom |September 15, 22, 29 9 – 10 am Join us as we travel from the high mountain city of Quito, Ecuador and cruise the remote volcanic Galapagos Islands – the inspiration for Darwin’s famous Theory of Evolution. We’ll see everything from the actual Equator line to the strange and unique wildlife that only is found on the islands in this remote corner of the world. Special Feature  FGCU Media Literacy Engagement Opportunity Volunteers needed – age 50+ News Literacy Class – Generation Day @ WGCU – Florida Gulf Coast University Campus – Fort Myers WGCU Public Media is located in the Myra Janco Daniels Public Media Center. 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Fort Myers, FL, 33965 Friday, Sept. 29 @ 11:30am or 12:30pm (you may participate in both sessions if you like) Each class is under an hour (50 mins) Volunteers aged 50+ are invited to join FGCU students in person during our News Literacy Lab Class. You’ll be grouped with students to evaluate the reliability of various information and then compare the methods you used. We find that the younger and older generations approach information consumption differently, and they can learn from each other. Examination of journalism’s function, concepts, and role in society. Current issues and trends, ethics, how news is weighed and disseminated, the business of journalism and journalism careers. Students become more critical consumers of media. If you are interested in visiting the class and working alongside students, please contact the course TA, Eddie Stewart, at sastewart0248@eagle.fgcu.edu To learn more about media literacy, follow this link: https://www.poynter.org/news/fact-checking/media-literacy/ LOOKING AHEAD See a sample of what is coming over the next weeks click on any title below for more information Monday September 18 –British Intelligence Tuesday September 19 –Overcoming Grief and Loss Wednesday September 20 –Cloud Computing Thursday September 21 –Medieval Knights, Chivalry, and Tournaments –Alaska and The Klondike Gold Rush Friday September 22 –Five Presidents –Religion, Power, Dynasty, and the Crown – The Civil Wars of France Monday September 25 –Voyage to Mars –Peter the Great: A Czar Larger than Life –Americana: Lecture & Concert –iPhone/iPad Apps: Apple Mail and Safari Tuesday September 26 –A Stunning Race: The Kennedy-Nixon Presidential Campaign 1960 –Russian Intelligence Thursday September 28 –Artemis: Return to the Moon by 2025 Friday September 29 –Women in Western Music Summer Movie Series   International Film and Documentary Discussion Series (4 films) Sundays at Naples Center – 2:00 pm –Retrograde – September 17 (2022, Documentary, 94 minutes, Rated R) Tells the story of the last months of the 20-year war in Afghanistan through the intimate relationship between American Green Berets and the Afghan officers they trained. Bring FGCU Academy to Your Community If you would like to have FGCU Academy provide programs at your community, click below and send us an email with your information: who the contact person is, their email and phone number along with name of your community. We will be happy to reach out and discuss the possibilities with them. Schedule a Private Education Session for Your Community! Travel The World With FGCU Academy Travel is not reward for working, it’s education for living View our Pre-Recorded Travel Open House Presentation Now   SICILY IN DEPTH – View Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure September 28 – October 9, 2023 | 12 days Crossroads of the Mediterranean … the “toe” in Italy’s boot … “God’s Kitchen” … Sicily is all this, and much more, as we see on our stellar small group journey around this Italian island. It’s lively cities and ancient ruins, temples of man – and of nature, hospitable people and delectable cuisine … a feast for all the senses. FGCU Academy Travel 2024 Call for More Info – 239-434-4838 Travel Brochures Coming Soon  Moroccan Discovery, May 12-27, 2024 This land of dramatic contrasts invites us to encounter its ancient ruins and sacred mosques, endless desert and storied mountains, imposing kasbahs and spirited souks. As we travel from the imperial cities of Rabat, Fez, and Marrakech to the High Atlas and vast Sahara, we open our eyes, and hearts, to a truly foreign land, an age-old culture, and genuinely hospitable people.  Classic Safari: Kenya & Tanzania, August 13-28, 2024 “On safari” … it’s one of the most alluring phrases in all of travel. And Kenya and Tanzania count among the most alluring places to be “on safari.” As our small group travels from grasslands to high- lands, to reserves and national parks, we enjoy intimate game drives, see stupendous landscapes, stay in excellent accommodations, and meet gracious local people.  Exploring Iceland, August 15-25, 2024 It’s a surprising, even astonishing land; one of massive glaciers and rumbling volcanoes, bubbling mud holes and powerful waterfalls; hugely abundant bird life and just 340,000 people; and where the sun never sets for six splendid weeks. It’s also perfect for exploring in a small group, as we discover travel- ing the breadth of the country and getting an up-close view of this natural “wonderland.”  Southern Italy & Sicily, September 4-18, 2024 Delight in a special exploration of Italy’s southern climes, from striking Sicily and the breathtaking Amalfi Coast to unheralded Apulia, the alluring “boot heel” where a vivid history, unique architecture, and bountiful plains join the sun and sea in creating a prized (and crowd-free) region. Add Italian hospitality, outstanding cuisine, and notable lodgings for la dolce vita, small-group style.  Scotland: Highlands & Islands, September 9-20, 2024 “My heart’s in the Highlands,” said Robert Burns – as will you, as we travel from city to country, mainland to island, on this sweet journey. From loch to loch and glen to glen, we encounter stunning natural beauty and welcoming clans, while city life serves up the colorful past – and cosmopolitan present.  Provincial French Countryside, September 27-October 11, 2024 Experience the beauty, allure, and hospitality of provincial France, at an easy pace and in a unique style. Anchored by stays in vibrant Toulouse and enchanting Paris, the journey features diverse Langue- doc, the remote Dordogne, the lovely Loire Valley, and historic Normandy as we stay in charming rural inns and small country hotels. It’s a small group tour de force!  New Zealand Adventure, October 10-25, 2024 It’s a tale of two islands as our small group journeys from New Zealand’s North to its South, through lively cities and pristine fiords, past lush farmland and enchanted forests in a land where the outdoors is the national shrine. Add engaging “Kiwis” and intriguing indigenous cultures – it’s a pure New Zealand experi- ence.  Southeast Asia Odysseys, October 31-November 18, 2024 Engaging, diverse, intriguing … This just begins to describe Southeast Asia and our small group odyssey. We cruise the Mekong through Laos; explore the spectacular – Angkor Wat – and the sublime – Ha Long Bay; and engage with local farmers and hill tribespeople on this comprehen- sive, well-paced adventure DONATE NOW FGCU Academy Needs Your Support Today to Ensure that Our Critical Mission of Senior Education and Enrichment Continues! FGCU Academy is ready to serve the SWFL community for the 2023 Season—Learning, Growing, Sharing, Socializing. I am excited to welcome you this year to the new FGCU Naples Center, which is located at 704 Goodlette Frank Rd N, Suite 330 in Naples. Also, we have two new locations in Lee County, Pelican Landing in Bonita Springs and the FGCU Kleist Center on main campus. As always, both locations are open to all our students. Our passion keeps us moving forward and your donations will do the same. Please take a few minutes to consider donating to ensure our continued success. All amounts make a difference in strengthening the work we do in the community. Your gift will allow the Academy to offer more than 1,500 diverse and fascinating programs at more than fifteen locations throughout SWFL. Please visit our website to review the rich and varied programmatic offerings that are available this year. Through our mission we promise to enrich the lives, minds and social well-being of more than 10,000 SWFL adults and seniors during our 2023 season. Donate online at https://www.fgcu.edu/academy/givenow I am grateful for your consideration to support this vital community outreach program this year. I look forward to seeing you at a FGCU Academy program soon. Please contact me directly at jguerra@fgcu.edu or 239-434-4838 with questions or to learn more. In gratitude, John J. Guerra Director of FGCU Academy     FGCU Academy Collier / Lee / Charlotte FGCU ACADEMY NAPLES CENTER 704 Goodlette-Frank Rd N Suite 330 Naples, FL 34102 239-434-4737 fgcuacademy@fgcu.edu |
This Week at the Alliance
September 18th- September 25th, 2023 Check out next…
 September 18th- September 25th, 2023 Check out next week’s classes, workshops and events! Painting with Terry Lynn 6 Tuesdays September 19th -October 24th Join beloved instructor and painter, Terry Lynn Spry, for her weekly fine art painting classes designed for the novice to the professional. Students are encouraged to work at their own level, and with their subject and medium of choice. In this class, you can expect to learn more about the spectrum of painting from realism to abstract, as well as, studies in portraiture, color control, compositions, value study and drawing. Painting With Terry Lynn AM (Ages 16+) Painting With Terry Lynn PM (Ages 16+) Painting With Terry Lynn Studio (Ages 16+)    Learn More  Getting your Art Into the Retail Environments Workshop September 20th 6:30PM – 9:00PM Demystifying Wholesale for Artists & Makers will discuss transforming your art into a product line, defining your audience, marketing materials, pricing, and how to find, approach, and keep retailers. This introductory workshop will benefit visual artists, crafters, and makers interested in turning their art into products. It’s encouraged to bring samples and/or photos of your work. This class is part of an online series. Sign up for individual, or all three. All classes will take place via Zoom. Learn More  Embroidery for Beginners (Ages 14+) 3 Thursdays September 21st – October 5th 6:30PM – 8:30PM This workshop will help those who know basic stitches and have done embroidery kits to create their own embroidery design this time! Using hoops we can either sketch the drawing first on their embroidery sheet or bring in clothing to do free hand embroidery on. Instructor/ Artists, Case Scott will help you with ideas, and challenges you have related to sketching and give guidance on stitch choices. Visit our Website  Art Seekers: 7th – 12th Grades September 22nd 2:00PM – 3:30PM New and Improved day-time Art classes! Whether your child is home-schooled, and online learner, or simply on a school break, join us for these monthly, age appropriate art classes. Students will dis- cover and practice with different mediums, learn about a variety of styles and have fun creating with their peers! Learn More  Hula Dance (Ages 10+) September 22nd 5:15PM – 6:15PM Marliss’ classes include basic instruction in the style of Hawaiian, Tahitian, Maori and Samoan including mastering performance dances and songs. Students ages 3 – 9 practice from 4:30-5:15 p.m. Students 10 and older practice from 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. Performances are held around the community 3-4 times a year. Costumes are required at a minimal cost. 4:30PM – 5:15PM Class Click Here to Register 5:15PM – 6:15PM Class Click Here to Register Learn More  Storm Stories: A Juried Exhibition In the Gallery September 1-30 • Soft Opening Reception: Sept 1, 5-7pm • This free event will include beverages. Closing reception: September 28, 5-7pm • This free event will include light bites by Jayne Baker and refreshments. Join us to honor and memorialize the one year anniversary of Hurricane Ian making landfall. Our September Gallery is a year in the making. This Juried Exhibition is in conjunction with the oral history project, Storm Stories. We created this project in the wake of Hurricane Ian. We saw a great need for healing in our community after the devastating storm. By collecting stories of people’s experiences during the storm and by asking local artists to use their experiences to create art, we hope to help our community find beauty and begin the process of healing. Theatre Gallery Artist: Hope: The Others Side of Hurricane Ian shows how the deadly storm united people in the one thing that couldn’t be destroyed. Hope. Families, friends and volunteers across Southwest Florida met moments of hurt with hopeful acts of caring. Nonprofits, businesses and government agencies provided vital resources and infrastructure repairs. These compelling moments captured in pictures, reflect the endured hurt and shared determination of people — to keep hope alive. In the Member’s Gallery: Tamara Culp and Jodi Enders In the Theatre: For those of us who live at the shoreline by Sasha Wortzel Find Out More → View All Events → Visit our Website |
ICYMI: Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez Announces Winners of the 2023 Florida Python Challenge®
(Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.) Under the leadership of…
 (Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.) Under the leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis, the FWC, South Florida Water Management District and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida host the Florida Python Challenge® to continue raising awareness about invasive species in Florida and their impacts. The annual competition encourages people to get directly involved in Everglades conservation through invasive species removal. This year, Inversa Leathers provided the $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize while the Bergeron Everglades Foundation provided the $7,500 for the Grand Prize Runner Up. Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands supplied prizes to the winners in the active-duty military and veteran category. The Fish & Wild- life Foundation of Florida contributed additional prizes in the novice and professional categories. A special thanks also goes to Bronze Level Sponsor, Dakota Matting. Visit FlPythonChallenge.org. for more information.  For immediate release: September 15, 2023 ICYMI: Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez Announces Winners of the 2023 Florida Python Challenge® TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez announced the winners of the 2023 Florida Python Challenge®. 1,050 participants from 35 states and Belgium removed 209 Burmese pythons from south Florida during the 10-day competition created by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and partners to increase awareness about invasive species and the threats they pose to Florida’s ecology. This year’s winner removed 20 Burmese pythons, taking home a $10,000 ultimate grand prize. “Removing these invasive pythons is an important part of our efforts to protect the Everglades, and this competition allows people to get involved in Florida’s conservation efforts for one of the world’s most prized natural resources,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “I thank everyone involved in making the Florida Python Challenge® a successful event year after year, and I congratulate the winners of this year’s competition.” The winners of the 2023 Florida Python Challenge® were announced at today’s Awards Ceremony at the Long Key Nature Center in Davie, FL. The Ultimate Grand Prize Winner was Paul Hobbs who removed 20 Burmese pythons, winning $10,000. The Ultimate Grand Prize Runner-Up, Ronald Kiger, took home $7,500 for removing 14 pythons. Additionally, the winner in the Military category was Justin Morgan, who took home $2,500 for removing 7 pythons. For a full list of winners, click here. “The success of the 2023 Florida Python Challenge® would not have been possible without the dedication of over 1,000 competition participants, efforts from staff, support from our partners, and the strong leadership of Governor DeSantis,” said Rodney Barreto, FWC Chairman. “This success has a direct positive impact on the Everglades and our native wildlife.” “It is great to see so many people participate in this year’s Florida Python Challenge® that brings awareness to removing invasive species from Florida’s environment,” said Roger Young, FWC Executive Director. “Thanks to Governor DeSantis and our many partners, we have the privilege to reward the public for their interest in getting outdoors and helping to conserve Florida’s natural resources.” “Congratulations to all of the 2023 Florida Python Challenge winners! The iconic Everglades is a national treasure and I am proud of all of our python hunters who are so dedicated to improving Florida’s natural resources. Today’s celebration would not have been possible without the great leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis and Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez who are continuing their steadfast commitment to Everglades restor- ation and improving South Florida’s ecosystem,” said South Florida Water Management District Govern- ing Board Member “Alligator Ron” Bergeron. “The great partnership between the South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission remains critical as we work together to combat invasive pythons. Long live the Everglades.” “Thank you to all of the staff from the South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission who worked to help facilitate this year’s Florida Python Challenge. Over a 1,000 people participated in the annual Python Challenge and experienced the magic of the Ever- glades this year,” said South Florida Water Management District Executive Director Drew Bartlett. “The annual python challenge is a great way to get the public involved in understanding the unique Ever- glades ecosystem. We continue to expedite Everglades restoration efforts thanks to the support of Governor DeSantis and Lt. Governor Núñez, and we’ll continue working to protect South Florida’s natural resources and combat invasive species like Burmese pythons.” Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, FWC, South Florida Water Management District and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida host the Florida Python Challenge® to continue raising awareness about invasive species in Florida and their impacts. The annual competition encourages people to get direct- ly involved in Everglades conservation through invasive species removal. Visit FlPythonChallenge.org. for more information. Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and negatively impact native species. They are found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem in south Florida, where they prey on birds, mammals and other reptiles. A female Burmese python may lay 50 to 100 eggs at a time. Since 2000, more than 19,000 wild Burmese pythons have been removed from the state of Florida and reported to FWC, including more than 11,000 Burmese pythons removed since 2019.  QUESTIONS? Contact the FWC Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission · 620 S. Meridian Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 (850) 488-4676  |
MEDIA ALERT: Brodeur Carvell Fine Menswear Ribbon Cutting September 20th: Celebrating 30 years of style
**MEDIA EVENT**REQUEST FOR CREWS/PHOTOGRAPHERS/INTERVIEWSPlease RSVP: nicole@conricpr.comWednesday, September 20 | Media Early Arrival at 3:30 pm…
FWC issues new executive order, outlining new hunting regulations for CWD Management Zone
(Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.) Sept. 15, 2023 FWC…
| (Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.) Sept. 15, 2023 FWC issues new executive order, outlining new hunting regulations for CWD Management Zone Following confirmation of a single positive test sample for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Holmes County in June 2023, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) have implemented management actions to protect against the possible spread of CWD. On Sept. 8, the FWC issued a new executive order outlining regulations designed to increase sampling and slow the spread of CWD in Florida deer. Existing regulations pertaining to the establishment of the zone, baiting and feeding restrictions, prohibition of rehabilitating or re- leasing injured or orphaned deer and export of high-risk parts remain in effect. New actions include: · All deer harvested from Dec. 9-10, 2023 in Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties shall be checked at a staffed FWC check station prior to transporting the deer to the possessor’s domicile or a processor or taxidermist, except deer harvested on licensed game farms or hunting preserves. · Take of antlerless deer shall be allowed throughout Deer Management Unit (DMU) D2 during the entirety of the open season for antlered deer established in Rule 68A-13. 004, Florida Administrative Code, for DMU D2. Additionally, the take of antlerless deer shall be allowed from Dec. 9-10, 2023, in those portions of Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties located within DMU D1. These regulations shall not apply on commission-managed lands. The purpose of these regulations is to help protect Florida’s white-tailed deer herd by reducing the potential spread of CWD within the CWD Management Zone and to other parts of the state. The FWC and FDACS have scheduled two additional public meetings in Bonifay and Marianna to discuss the new rules and to hear feedback from the public. The meetings will be streamed on The Florida Channel. Controlling the spread of CWD is difficult once it becomes established in a natural population. Because prions shed by infected deer persist in the environment, the best chance for controlling CWD is acting quickly after it’s been detected to prevent more animals from becoming infected. CWD can be transmitted directly — from animal to animal — or indirectly from the environment. Multiple management strategies will be employed to control the spread of the disease. The FWC is asking anyone who sees a sick, abnormally thin deer or finds a deer dead from un- known causes to call the CWD hotline, 866-CWD-WATCH (866-293-9282) and report the animal’s location. Currently, there is no scientific evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans or livestock under natural conditions. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not recommend consuming meat from animals that test positive for CWD or from any sick animal. The FWC provides information about precautions people should take when pursuing or hand- ling deer that might have been exposed to CWD. The FWC along with its partners — the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study — will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For more information, visit MyFWC.com/CWD. QUESTIONS? Contact the FWC Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission · 620 S. Meridian Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 (850) 488-4676 |
Dave Crawford Appointed New Leader for Literacy Council
Dave Crawford, M.A., M.Ed. Selected asNew Leader for Literacy Council Gulf Coast Bonita Springs, FL…
Dave Crawford, M.A., M.Ed. Selected as
New Leader for Literacy Council Gulf Coast
Bonita Springs, FL – The Literacy Council Gulf Coast announces that Sue Schad will retire after seventeen years of dedicated service to the organization, and Mr. Dave Crawford has been appointed to serve as the new Executive Director.
Sue Schad served a vital role in the growth and success of the Literacy Council over nearly two decades. Schad’s leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment was instrumental in carrying out the mission of the organization to serve people looking to improve their English language skills, obtain their GED or become a United States Citizen.
Jeremy Fioravanti, President – Commercial Banking, Florida South for Bank OZK and Literacy Council Gulf Coast Chairman shared his appreciation for the nearly two decades of leadership from Schad.
“Leadership, they say, truly shines when tested by adversity,” said Jeremy. “Reflecting on Sue’s journey, it’s undeniable that she steered our organization to become one of the nation’s premier non-governmental, nonprofit literacy providers, serving for nearly two decades. However, what truly stands out is her exceptional leadership during the trying times, navigating us through a financial crisis in 2010 and a global health crisis roughly a decade later. To say that Sue led with distinction would be an understatement. The board of directors is profoundly proud of her exemplary service and deeply grateful for her steadfast commitment to advancing our mission in southwest Florida.”
“I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to have led the Literacy Council Gulf Coast. It has been an incredible journey filled with challenges, successes, and memorable moments,” shared Schad. “I have the utmost confidence in Dave Crawford’s ability to take the reins and continue to lead the organization forward. I am excited to see how literacy education thrives under his leadership.”
Dave Crawford, who has served as a public school educator and leader for the past seventeen years in Lee County, brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of education to the role of executive director.
Dave graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Finance in 1991 from Teesside University in Middlesbrough, United Kingdom while growing up living abroad. After graduation, Dave returned to the United States to enlist in the United States Army where he became a Distinguished Honor Graduate of the United States Army Leadership School in 1996 and served as Team Leader for the 1st Ranger Battalion (1993-1997) before transitioning to work in sales and technology at Gartner.
After working several years in the corporate sector, Dave enrolled at Florida Gulf Coast University in 2003 to pursue his passion for teaching. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies in 2005 and Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2007.
Dave went on to work both inside and outside of the classroom as an educator and leader. He served as a third grade teacher, a fifth grade teacher, and then primary specialist at Orange River Elementary School from 2006-2013 and then fifth grade teacher, STEM Teacher (K-5), and eventually Dean at Pinewoods Elementary School from 2013-2018. While serving as Dean at Pinewoods Elementary, Crawford earned his second post-graduate degree from Grand Canyon University in 2015 (M.Ed. In Educational Leadership) to enhance his experience and sharpen his leadership skills.
Most recently Dave served as Assistant Principal, Operations & Grades 3-5 at Tortuga Preserve Elementary for the past five years. He holds certifications inEducational Leadership (K-12), Elementary Education (Grades K-6), and an English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement. During his service in public education, Dave was entrusted with collaborating with stakeholders to create a school-wide safety plan, evaluate reading intervention programs to best fit student needs, present a school-wide improvement plan to the Lee County School Board, and analyze school data for continuous improvement.
“I am honored to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading Literacy Council Gulf Coast into its next chapter of service in our community,” said Crawford. “I am excited about the opportunities ahead, and I look forward to working closely with our board of directors, team, and tutors to build on the strong foundation established by Sue.”
“Dave is a dynamic leader and educator with a passion for helping people,” shared Fioravanti. “I am excited to see him step into this position and continue to lead for literacy in our community. The board of directors for the Literacy Council Gulf Coast wishes to express its deepest appreciation to Sue for her exceptional leadership and wishes her a fulfilling and well-deserved retirement. The Council also extends a warm welcome to Dave Crawford and looks forward to a bright and successful future under his leadership.”
Crawford begins on September 18, 2023. Sue Schad will continue to serve to facilitate the transition through mid-November 2023.
For more information visit: www.literacygulfcoast.org.
About Literacy Council Gulf Coast
The mission of Literacy Council Gulf Coast (LCGC) is to assist adults and children to acquire the English literacy skills and education necessary to improve their quality of life and enhance the entire community. LCGC is a 501©3 nonprofit educational organization committed to improving the English and reading skills of adults and children throughout Lee County, Hendry, and North Collier County, including the cities of Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and Naples. The Council was founded in 1989 and has been offering literacy services in southwest Florida for over 30 years. LCGC receives no federal, state, or local government funding and relies on the generosity of foundations, and individuals to teach its students.
Register for Introduction to Construction Management at FGCU!
Introduction to Construction Management Certificate at FGCU! Earn your micro-credential/digital badge…
 Introduction to Construction Management Certificate at FGCU! Earn your micro-credential/digital badge in Construction Management. This Introduction to Construction Management Certificate is geared to those who are looking to advance their knowledge and understanding of the basic elements and skill sets required by a Professional Construction Manager. The certificate will also benefit those currently working in a construction office without specific training or degrees, and those who want to further re- fine their skill sets related to Professional Construction Management. Limited scholarships available for Charlotte, Collier, Glades, and Hendry county residents! Registration Information: Date(s): Oct 16 – Dec 18 Time: Self-paced with weekly modules Location: Online Cost: $1050 Register Today!    |