Member News

Fort Myers, Fla (February 25, 2019) – Offshore Sailing School CEO and President, Doris Colgate, announced additional special events, honors and announcements during to kick off its 55^th Anniversary Year.
“2019 has started off with a bang. We’ve already hosted two flotilla sailing vacation trips in the Windward Islands. This week we are hosting a sold-out 55^th Anniversary Flotilla Cruise in the British Virgin Islands, then we move into our 19^th Annual Performance Race Week at the end of April for an immersive week of racing skills and tactics with coaches from North U, culminating in a Regatta and Awards Dinner on Captiva Island, Fla.” In another milestone, Doris Colgate is being honored as a Pace Center for Girls Grande Dame at an event in Fort Myers, Fla. in March. Doris is being recognized for her role in business and her many contributions to community and her philanthropic efforts. View a recent video interview with Doris here.
Along with those events, the company has several more Colgate Sailing Adventure’s flotilla vacations planned. Doris confirmed they are sold out for their Mallorca, Spain trip in July, but a few cabins remain for the two trips planned in Croatia in August.
Offshore Sailing’s founder and chairman Steve Colgate added, “Offshore Sailing School’s fleet is expanding as well. We’re pleased with the positive response to our new Fast Track to Power Cruising Course aboard a Fountaine Pajot 37 MY at The Westin Cape Coral Resort (this course is also taught from The Moorings base on Tortola, BVI); and in July we’re taking delivery of a new Leopard 40 sailing catamaran, at the same resort in Cape Coral, Fla.”
More special courses are in store this year, with new Women’s Weeks courses, navigation and passage making courses added to the schedule in 2019. Women’s Week Fast Track to Live Aboard Cruising® courses are for women students learning and living together for a week aboard a monohull or catamaran. Navigation and passage making courses are for sailors with US Sailing Bareboat Cruising certification or one can take the combo program saving nearly $1,000 by utilizing the school’s COAST program to schedule the Fast Track to Cruising Course, followed by the Coastal Navigation and Coastal Passage Making courses within a year of one another.
The company’s 55^th Anniversary Year celebration continues with its Supporting Sponsor role at the 22^nd Hobie 16 World Championship being held November 1-16, 2019 at one of Offshore Sailing School’s partner resorts, South Seas Island Resort, on Captiva Island, Florida. Next, Offshore Sailing School will host the Leukemia Cup Regatta’s “Fantasy Sail” weekend at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Fort Myers Beach, Fla., December 6-8. This festive weekend hosts the most successful fundraisers from Leukemia Cup Regattas held across the U.S. to raise funds to help find the cures for blood cancers. Offshore Sailing School has been a national sponsor of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for 10 years, raising funds and donating courses for Leukemia Cup Regatta Auctions, totaling over $140,000. An LLS “Round-Up” donation campaign is ongoing.
Offshore Sailing School was founded in 1964 by Olympian, America’s Cup Sailor and National Sailing Hall of Fame Inductee, Steve Colgate. The school provides a full range of sailing and boating instruction with US Sailing & Powerboat certification – from beginning sailing to racing, advanced cruising, and passage making – at six locations on Florida’s Gulf Coast and the British Virgin Islands. The company also supports several philanthropic causes and organizations.
For more information and hi-res images, contact Beth Oliver, Director of Sales and Marketing at 239-985-7516.
 

FORT MYERS, FL (February 24, 2019) – Fresh on the heels of another record-breaking season, The Laboratory Theater of Florida will be announcing the 2019-2020 shows for its 11th season on March 11th at 7 pm.
In addition to revealing the 11th Season, funds raised during this event will go towards property improvements and renovations, most notably the continuing cleanup and rehab of the new education building, functional air conditioning for the props and costumes building, restoration of the original hardwood floors, and creation of an outdoor performance space.
This event is free and open to the public and will feature entertainment, drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and an advance opportunity to sponsor special show needs, underwrite the new Actor’s Fund, or sponsor one of the regular season activities of your choice. A favorite event each year for Laboratory Theater patrons, this event features not only the season reveal, but the chance to win one of the extraordinary raffle prizes or silent auction items. It is also the only opportunity to purchase discounted season or snowbird passes.
The event begins at 7 pm.
ABOUT THE LABORATORY THEATER OF FLORIDA
The Laboratory Theater of Florida, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to the promotion of the performing arts, through live performance, education, community outreach, experimentation, and the development of ensemble work. The company features ensemble productions, produces classic works, takes artistic risks, which both feature and challenge local performers. For more information visit www.LaboratoryTheaterFlorida.com or the physical location at 1634 Woodford Avenue, in the Fort Myers River District.

The Lee County Port Authority is pleased that Sun Country Airlines has announced they will inaugurate seasonal service between Fort Myers, Fla. and Gulfport, Miss. on July 19, 2019. Sun Country will operate twice weekly nonstop flights on Monday and Friday between Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT) and Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
For Sun Country’s news release, please see below. For more information or to book a flight, please visit https://www.suncountry.com.
For more information about Southwest Florida International Airport, please visit www.flylcpa.com or Like Us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flyRSW.

February 25, 2019 (Naples, Fla.) – CHEF, the Culinary & Hospitality Education Foundation of Southwest Florida, announced tickets are now on sale for its annual fundraising Gala to be held on April 3, 2019, at Kensington Golf & Country Club, 2700 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, Florida. This year’s theme is, “CHEF Celebrates Club Chefs,” honoring Kensington Golf & Country Club’s Executive Chef and past president of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Caxambas Chapter, Naples & Marco Island, Ralph Feraco. Buy tickets here.
CHEF was established in 2004 as a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization with the mission to raise scholarship funds to benefit Collier and Lee County high school students, allowing them to pursue careers in the culinary arts and hospitality industries. CHEF Board Member and Gala Event Chair Chrissie Forbes said, “we are very excited to recognize Chef Feraco, winner of the 2017 Dr. L. J. Minor Chef Professionalism Award, along with other acclaimed ACF member chefs from across Southwest Florida. Funds raised at our event will benefit Collier and Lee County students in pursuing their culinary and hospitality endeavors.”
The annual event will be begin with an exclusive VIP Wine Tasting at Kensington Golf & Country Club at 5:00 p.m., with wines expertly curated by a renowned sommelier, and hosted by Naples Wine Collection owners Jim and Laura Dixon. Tickets for the VIP Wine Tasting include the Gala event and are priced at $500 per person. Guests attending the Gala only, featuring delicacies prepared by area ACF member chefs, paired with select wines from The Wine Collection, will join the group at 6:30 p.m. and those event tickets are $175 per guest.
Delicious culinary offerings will be presented by:

• Chef Richard Crisanti, Shadow Wood Country Club, Bonita Springs
• Chef Dave Durante, Kalea Bay, Naples
• Chef Ralph Feraco, Kensington Golf & Country Club, Naples
• Chef Michael Madsen, Naples Sailing & Yacht Club
• Chef Tim Reacher, Bay Colony, Naples
• Chef Brian Roland and Nicole Roland, Crave Culinaire, Naples
• Chef Robert Saalfield, Naples Lakes Country Club
• Chef Carlos Torres, Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club, Naples

Special culinary and travel silent and live auction items will be called by Scott Robertson Auctioneers’ popular founder himself, with entertainment provided by Steve DeLadurantey.
In 2018, more than $65,000 was distributed through the CHEF Scholarship Fund for students pursuing degrees at Florida Gulf Coast University and the Culinary Institute of America. For more information, contact CHEF Board member, B
Beth Oliver, 239-985-7516. For details on CHEF’s mission, visit ChefSWFL.org.

Ford, located at 2360 W. First St. in Fort Myers. Cruises will depart at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and a sunset cruise departing at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required. Daytime cruises are $32 per passenger and sunset cruises are $35 per passenger. For more information on Pure Florida, or to register for a St. Patrick’s Day cruise, reserve online at www.PureFL.com or call Pure Florida at 239-263-4949.
Narration on local history, wildlife and ecology is provided by Coast Guard-certified captains. Aboard the vessels, guests are invited to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Southwest Florida and observe the wildlife native to the region. While Pure Florida cannot guarantee animal sightings in the wild, the captain will alert passengers to wildlife such as dolphins, eagles, manatee, native birds and more.
Downloadable Digital Media
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/635543823549478/
 
Download Photo: Pure Florida’s Fort Myers location will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with daytime and sunset cruises Sunday March 17 aboard the M/V Edison Explorer.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vbSbn9vY4xhp9hzPF7AQK4IIrxj62OP3/view?usp=sharing
About Pure Florida
Pure Florida is a water attraction company helmed by father-and-son duo Captains Lance H. and Harry Julian.  The company offers a variety of unique eco-excursions for its visitors that incorporate maritime history, tourism, sightseeing and entertainment. Pure Florida features 19 vessels 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 from marinas in Naples and Fort Myers.
In addition to Pure Florida, the founders 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” 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.PureFL.com or call its Naples location at 239-263-4949 or its Fort Myers location at 239-919-2965.
 

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FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 22, 2019) – During January, 1,050,093 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, Fla., an increase of 8.7 percent compared to January 2018.
The traffic leader in January was Delta Air Lines with 190,395 passengers traveling to and from Fort Myers. Rounding out the top five airlines were Southwest (180,711), American (133,274) Frontier (126,059) and Spirit (126,033).
Southwest Florida International Airport had 9,338 aircraft operations, an increase of 1 percent compared to January 2018. Page Field saw 9,320 operations, a 10.5 percent increase from January 2018. In addition, slightly more than 2.8 million pounds of air freight moved through Southwest Florida International Airport in January 2018.
Southwest Florida International Airport served nearly 9.4 million passengers in 2018 and is one of the top 50 U.S. airports for passenger traffic. No ad valorem (property) taxes are used for airport operation or construction. For more information, visit www.flylcpa.com or Like Us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flyRSW.
 

Twenty new dishes featured on the Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill Fort Myers’ expanded menu

 FORT MYERS, Fla. — (Feb 20, 2019) – The Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill Fort Myers has launched an exciting menu expansion, now offering an array of both sea and land selections, in addition to the signature dishes patrons already love. The new menu contains twenty new tropical-inspired items for patron enjoyment.

The new menu still features the Boathouse’s signature selections, such as the Authentic Cuban Sandwich $11.95 and The Big BLT $11.95, both as seen on the Travel Channel show “Food Paradise”. Patron favorites also include Grouper Bites (1/2 lb.) $11.95, the Famous Boathouse Burger $11.95, Florida Salad $12.95, and Florida Gator Bites $8.95.

 The new additions were presented to patrons as daily specials over the past couple of weeks. One of the tested appetizer selections joining the “First Wave” section are the Bacon Shrimp Skewers $10.95 (12 large shrimp, skewered and wrapped in Applewood smoked bacon, topped with a blood orange vinaigrette). A new salad has also been added to the menu, the Classic Cobb Salad $11.95 (fresh romaine lettuce layered with Applewood smoked bacon, cucumbers, vine ripe tomatoes, hardboiled egg, avocado, and Caribbean mango dressing).

 The menu will feature a new “Prime Burgers” section. It includes two new burgers: the Jalapeño Bacon Cheese Burger $13.95 (1/2lb Angus burger with our signature Everglades sauce, confetti lettuce, topped with double cheddar cheese, sliced fresh jalapeños, tomato, onions, crisp Applewood smoked bacon) and the Australian Lamb Burger $15.95 (1/2lb seasoned Australian lamb patty over lettuce, tomato, onion, and topped with our house-made tzatziki sauce).

 Patrons may now enjoy everything the Boathouse Fort Myers has to offer. Examples of the new seafood entrées include the Pan-Seared Snapper $19.95 (seared blackened snapper served over island rice and sautéed green beans), Florida Red Grouper $25.95 (fried grouper fillet served with jalapeño coleslaw and curly fries), and Swordfish Steak $17.95 (grilled swordfish steak topped with mild green pepper sauce, served with roasted red potatoes and grilled asparagus).

 New land-based dishes are available for enjoyment as well, such as the Caribbean Ribs $15.95 (fall off the bone Caribbean jerked ribs served with house-made sweet chili, roasted red potatoes, and sautéed green beans), and Grilled Pork Chop $14.95 (10 oz bone-in porterhouse pork chop with a side of cinnamon apple compote, served with island rice and grilled asparagus).

 Guests can end their night on a sweet note with the Boathouse’s two new desserts: the Pineapple Upside Down Cake $5.95 (warm yellow cake topped with pineapple, a cherry, and white chocolate drizzle) and Apple Blossom Crumb Pie $6.95 (infused with apples and brown sugar, topped with a caramel drizzle).

 The Boathouse intends to eventually bring some of the new items over to the Cape Coral location, but for now, the new menu items are exclusive to the Fort Myers location.

  -MORE-

 ABOUT THE BOATHOUSE TIKI BAR & GRILL

The Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill opened its first location at the Yacht Club in Cape Coral in 2014 and is operated by Kearns Restaurant Group. Both restaurants feature open air decks with 2 bars each. It’s well known for its tropical drinks, delicious food, beautiful views, and daily live entertainment. Guests can boat from one location to the other via the Caloosahatchee River.

 The Fort Myers location show cases a resort style heated pool, misters, and a 15-foot Jumbotron. It’s located at 17101 State Road 31, Fort Myers, FL 33905, adjacent to Sweetwater Landing Marina. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day for lunch and dinner.

 The Cape Coral features a beach, including full food and beverage service. It’s located at 5819 Driftwood Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33904, adjacent to the Cape Coral Yacht Club. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

February 20, 2019, Fort Myers, FL: Want to help children in the foster care system who need enhanced care? Drop into Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health’s open house on February 28th, anytime between 3pm and 7pm to see what Devereux provides the children in care.
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent with Devereux, stop by on March 2nd at 10am for explanation of what it takes to become an enhanced foster care parent. Please come, enjoy some refreshments, meet our staff, see our offices, and ask your questions.
Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health
6314 Corporate Court, Ste 120
Fort Myers, FL 33919
About Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Florida
For over 30 years in Florida, Devereux is one of Florida’s most comprehensive child welfare and behavioral healthcare organizations serving children with mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities and behavioral health challenges, and their families. Devereux continually advances the level of care to those in need. Growing from a single child and adolescent psychiatric hospital to offering a full continuum of programs and services throughout the state including a statewide inpatient psychiatric program, specialized group homes, foster care and specialty foster care, counseling centers, case management, abuse and neglect prevention services and community outreach programs. Today, Devereux Florida provides services in over 19 counties in Florida.
It is a policy of Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health to practice nondiscrimination in services. All activities with regard to referrals, admissions, placement of individuals and provision of services are conducted without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, and national origin.

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (Feb. 18, 2019) – Orangetheory® Fitness, a unique and fast-growing national fitness franchise, is expanding its presence in Southwest Florida. A new location is opening at 2311 Santa Barbara Blvd., Units 106 and 107 in Cape Coral. The studio, owned by Bob and Barbara MacIntyre, will hold a grand opening party on Thursday, Feb. 21 from 7-9 p.m.
“We are thrilled to be opening another studio in Southwest Florida,” Bob MacIntyre said. “Our clients have had outstanding success with reaching their fitness goals, and we look forward to continuing that success in Cape Coral.”
Orangetheory’s scientifically developed program has earned international acclaim and media attention for its proven results. On average, members burn an estimated 600-1,000 calories per workout, and the 60-minute sessions are designed to help clients burn additional calories for up to 36 hours after the workout. This is what Orangetheory Fitness calls the “after burn,” and it’s based on a physiological concept known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, or EPOC. Sessions are led by experienced group personal trainers who oversee each member’s progress through heart-rate monitors.
“Our programs are for everyone,” MacIntyre said, “and we encourage anyone that is looking for a great way to get in shape, or stay in shape, to come visit us at any of our Southwest Florida studios.”
Area residents are invited to visit any of the five Orangetheory Fitness locations in Southwest Florida:
·      11600 Gladiolus Drive, Unit 317, Fort Myers.
·      8001 Dani Drive, Fort Myers.
·      7935 Airport Pulling Road, Unit 1, Naples.
·      1900 Tamiami Trail N, Naples.
·      The newest location at 2311 Santa Barbara Blvd., Units 106 and 107 in Cape Coral.
Call 239-218-4644 for more information.
About Orangetheory Fitness®
Orangetheory® Fitness (www.orangetheoryfitness.com) is a one-of-a-kind group personal training workout broken into intervals of cardiovascular and strength training. Backed by the science of excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, or EPOC, Orangetheory’s heart-rate-monitored training is designed to maintain a target zone that stimulates metabolism and increases energy. Led by skilled personal trainers, participants use a variety of equipment, including treadmills, rowing machines, TRX Suspension Training systems and free weights, burning up to an average of 900 calories per session. The result is the Orange Effect – more energy, visible toning and extra calorie burn for up to 36 hours post-workout.
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 18, 2019) – It just got easier to take care of official business in Bonita Springs. Lee County Tax Collector Larry Hart has partnered with Lee County Clerk of Court Linda Doggett to bring the Clerk’s recording services to the Tax Collector’s Office on 25987 S. Tamiami Trail in Bonita Springs. Now, instead of having to travel to downtown Fort Myers, residents can apply for passports and marriage licenses and even get married at the Bonita Springs location Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
“We at the Tax Collector’s Office are always looking for ways to make life more convenient for people here in Lee County,” Hart said. “I’m grateful that Linda and her team at the Clerk’s office are collaborating with us to make it happen, especially since this comes at no cost to taxpayers.”
In addition to Tax Collector services like driver’s license renewal, vehicle registration and hunting and fishing licensure, Clerk of Court functions like deeds, mortgages and other official records can be recorded at the Bonita Springs location. Hart and Doggett are leaving the door open to adding more services there in the future.
“Anything we can do to make things easier on people, we’re for it,” Hart said.
Find out about the Tax Collector services available in Bonita Springs and at six other locations throughout the county at leetc.com.
About Lee County Tax Collector
The Lee County Tax Collector (LCTC) exists to serve the citizens of Lee County. The office takes pride in organizational excellence and offering exemplary customer service and operates by the credo of “We’ve got your back.” The LCTC operates leetc.com, the official interactive website of the tax collector, which allows county residents to quickly and easily take care of motor vehicle and vessel registration, pay property taxes, make appointments for concealed weapon permits and more. The agency operates seven service centers open daily throughout the county to provide efficient, convenient services. The LCTC works to provide innovative and quality service that supports the growth and sustainability of the community. For more information, visit leetc.com or follow Lee County Tax Collector on social media.