Member News

Please welcome Laura Romig, MA LMFT to the Valerie’s House Team!
Laura will be joining Valerie’s House as the Director of Care and Compassion starting March 19th. Laura currently leads our Naples Middle School Group, and many of our families have grown to know her well. In her role as Director of Care and Compassion, Laura will help lead the bereavement staff and work hands on with families to develop activities and continue to strengthen the Valerie’s House grief program.
Laura has more than 16 years experience working as a licensed therapist with children and families. Some of her past positions include Outpatient Therapist, The Counseling Center for Healing, North Palm Beach, FL and as a Bereavement Counselor in both Palm Beach and San Diego.
“I am honored to join the Valerie’s House family and can’t wait to work more with all the children that make Valerie’s House a Home!” Laura said.
Laura graduated with her Master of Arts, Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling in 2001 from the University of San Diego and has completed training in play therapy for children and adolescents and specialized grief training for children.
Welcome Laura!

Naples, Fla. (March 5, 2018) Gulfshore Business and D’Latinos magazines are pleased to present the inaugural Face Diversity Summit on April 5 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs. The daylong event is dedicated to the many companies that believe developing and nurturing a diverse workforce is good not only for the employees but also for the bottom line. Summit attendees can choose from different educational tracks, such as leadership, new marketing trends, sales, corporate culture, social integration, recruiting, immigration and much more. Seminars and panel discussions will be led by local and national experts from companies such as Univision, Pandora, Chico’s, Lee Health, Barron-Collier Cos., Lipman Produce and Goodwill of SWFL. In addition to the summit programs, guests can partake in an expo and networking opportunities.
Tickets are: $240 for the full-day Summit—all seminars, and includes Face Awards luncheon with one individual seat and one ticket for Celebration of Colors party. $150 for the Face Awards luncheon with one individual seat. $100 for the full-day Summit, all seminars; does not include luncheon seat or Celebration of Colors party. $35 for the full-day Summit—all seminars, for students presenting a valid student ID; does not include luncheon seat or Celebration of Colors party.
To purchase tickets and for more information, please visit faceswfl.com.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 6, 2018) – Shell Point Retirement Community is presenting the Shell Point Retirement Roadshow, a series of informational seminars that will be held in Sanibel, Bonita Springs, Naples and Port Charlotte in March. The meetings will offer guests the opportunity to learn about the resort-style retirement options and comprehensive lifecare available at this award-winning waterfront community located in Fort Myers.
Residents from Sanibel, Bonita Springs, Naples and Port Charlotte are invited to attend one of the following seminars:

• Wednesday, March 14 at 9:30 a.m. – Sanibel

Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way in Sanibel

• Tuesday, March 20 at 9:30 a.m. – Bonita Springs

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, 5001 Coconut Road in Bonita Springs

• Tuesday, March 27 at 9:30 a.m. – Naples

Hilton Naples, 5111 Tamiami Trail N. in Naples

• Thursday, March 29 at 9:30 a.m. – Port Charlotte

Charlotte County Cultural Center, 2280 Aaron St. in Port Charlotte
During these presentations, Shell Point’s experienced retirement counselors will explain the benefits received when becoming a resident at Shell Point, the benefits of lifecare, the numerous retirement options available and an overview of the community. Once the presentation is complete, guests will have the chance to ask specific questions and schedule a visit to the community for a personal tour.
“We understand that people may want to learn more about Shell Point before driving from their communities,” said Ronette Icso, vice president of sales and marketing for Shell Point. “By bringing the presentation closer to their current homes, we are able to educate them on the many benefits of choosing to live at Shell Point. From this, they can determine if it is an option they would like to consider for their life planning, and if it is, they can take the next step to come for a tour of our beautiful campus and see it for themselves.”
Admission to these seminars is free and refreshments will be served. Seating is limited, so reservations are requested by calling 239-466-1131 or registering online at www.shellpoint.org/roadshow.
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 care for its 2,400 residents in an active, resort-style environment. Lifestyle amenities include deep-water boating access, six public restaurants, a championship 18-hole golf course, and many other recreational and educational activities. Learn more at www.shellpoint.org or 1-800-780-1131.

FORT MYERS, FLA., March 5, 2018 – The Fort Myers Film Festival has announced official film selections, times and locations for programming during the 8th season to be held March 21-25 at locations around Fort Myers.
Events include:

• OPENING NIGHT RED CARPET GALA AT THE BARBARA B. MANN PERFORMING ARTS HALL – Wednesday, March 21, 2018: The premiere showing of “Melody Makers,” a rock documentary that tells the story of the rise and fall of the world’s most influential music publication and uncovers an era of unprecedented creative freedom.This will be the Florida premiere for the film, which has won awards at a dozen other festivals. The red carpet party rolls out at 5:30 p.m. at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. The film starts at 7 p.m. with afterparty on the stage to follow with stars and cast attending the Fort Myers Film Festival.Tickets are $10 for the show and $49 for the show and afterparty. Tickets are available at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Box Office or by visiting  https://www.bbmannpah.com/performance.php?id=1015
• LOCAL PROGRAMMING AT SIDNEY & BERNE DAVIS ART CENTER – Thursday, March 22-25, 2018: Enjoy official selections from the 2018 Fort Myers Film Festival. Tickets are $10, $6 for matinee and $20 to watch all day. For more information including films and times head to www.sbdac.com and www.fortmyersfilmfestival.com.
• MULLETS & MANGROVES II – History of Cayo Costa – Friday, March 23, 2018 at 7:45 p.m. The Friends of Cayo Costa and Barrier Island Park Society will present their new film at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Boulevard. Mullet & Mangroves II is the latest production of a two-part documentary and will view Cayo Costa Island through the eyes of pioneering fishing families and modern day children.  The film will be preceded by a short historical film about the contributions of Tom Smoot to the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.
• LOCAL PROGRAMMING at the Alliance for the Arts Saturday, March 24, and IMAG March 23-25: Enjoy local programming from some of the top filmmakers in town as Fort Myers Film Festival keeps it local. Enjoy screenings and panel discussion at the Alliance for the Arts at 10091 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL and IMAG 2000 Cranford Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33916. For more information including films and times head to www.artinlee.org and www.theimag.org.
• CHAMPAGNE & DESSERT AWARDS GALA DINNER at the Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd Sunday, March 25:  champagne and dessert awards gala, where the Fort Myers Film Festival will honor the winners with a showing of one award-winning film at 7 p.m. and music by Al Holland.  Tickets are $15 each. The official afterparty follows at the Twisted Vine in Fort Myers for song, dance, and more libations. For more information head to www.broadwaypalm.com
• BLOCKBUSTER INDIE FILMS AT AMC Classic Merchants Crossing 16 Saturday, March 24, 2018 located at 15201 N Cleveland Ave, North Fort Myers, FL 33903. For films and programming head to www.fortmyersfilmfestival.com

 
The Fort Myers Film Festival supports Lee County Schools filmmakers, Raddatz Foundation and Golisano’s Children’s Hospital and is partnered with Film Florida.
 
Sponsors are Florida Weekly, Bennett’s Fresh Roast Coffee, Twisted Vine Bistro, J. Bert Davis M.D., F.A.C.S, Facial Surgeon, La Trattoria de Napoli, Black Tie Tuxedos, Hampton Inn Suites, Twisted Vine Bistro, Best Western, Five Star Model Management, Norman Love, Manta Films, Riverside Realty, Blu Sushi, Douglas E. Spiegel. P.A., Capone’s Pizza, UBS Wealth Management, Kearns Restaurant Group, List Distillery, Mr. Tom’s Spirits, LYNQ, BLANC and Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, L.L.C.
 
ABOUT THE FORT MYERS FILM FESTIVAL
The Fort Myers Film Festival is an independent filmmaker’s preferred event to create, unite and showcase the finest artistic cinematic works.   The Fort Myers Film Festival was awarded the prestigious 2015 Chrysalis Award for Cultural Achievement by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau and the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce at their annual Celebration of Business & Tourism Awards Luncheon and Trade Show.  The Fort Myers Film Festival was founded by Eric Raddatz, the award-winning presentation editor of Florida Weekly, regular contributor for NBC-2 in Fort Myers, and host of Fort Myers Film Festival’s indie film show, “T.G.I.M.”  Films and events are taking place in the finest venues in SWFL including the  Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall, The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, IMAG History & Science Center, Alliance for the Arts, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, AMC Theatres, Edison & Ford Winter Estates. Dinners and parties are being held at Twisted Vine, Blu Sushi, LYNQ, BLANQ, SoHo and more. www.fortmyersfilmfestival.com

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 2, 2018) – Stevens Construction has completed the construction management services of Marlins Plaza, located at 5631 Six Mile Commercial Court, announced Dan Adams, vice president south Florida and partner.
The project included the construction of Marlins Plaza, a 14,665-square-foot commercial shell building.  Stevens Construction also completed construction on two of the nine tenant spaces, Marlins Brewhouse and Chronic Taco, which will open at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7.
With 110-seats, Marlins Brewhouse provides a menu of local craft beers, wine and pub fare.  Headquartered in California, Chronic Tacos offers a fast-casual concept with an organic and non-GMO menu featuring tacos, burritos, quesadillas and bowls.   This is the first Chronic Tacos in Southwest Florida.   Both hospitality concepts share a central beer garden with a games and stage for live music.
The Stevens Construction team includes Dan Adams as project executive, Michael Waskiewicz as project manager, Jeff Hollis as superintendent and Rebeccah Hamilton as project administrator. Southview Studios, LLC is the architect of record.
 
With offices in Fort Myers, Tampa and Orlando, Fla., Stevens Construction specializes in providing construction management, general contracting and consulting services to clients and design professionals. Other services include site and design team selection, budgeting, project scheduling, permitting, cost and quality control and warranty service. The company builds healthcare, commercial and hospitality facilities. For information, visit www.stevensconstructioninc.com or call 239-936-9006.
 
 
 

FORT MYERS, FL (March 1, 2018) – Fresh on the heels of a record-breaking season, The Laboratory Theater of Florida will be announcing the 2018-2019 shows for its 10th season on March 12th.
Due to Hurricane Irma, which necessitated the cancellation of the annual fundraiser in September, The Laboratory Theater of Florida is combining its season announcement with its annual fundraiser. Funds raised during this event will go towards property improvements and renovations, most notably the 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.
 
Purchase of either a season pass, or a snowbird pass, will serve as admission to the fundraiser, which 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.
 
The fundraising reception will start at 6:00 PM, with free general admission open to the public beginning at 7:30 pm.
 
Tickets are available to purchase on Brownpapertickets.com or by calling the box office at 239-218-0481.
 
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.
 
 
 
 
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 1, 2018) – Dress for Success SW Florida announces the appointment of Nickole Hendra as Executive Director.  She succeeds Barbara Dell, who has retired from Dress for Success SW Florida.
 
Previously serving with Habitat for Humanity and the American Cancer Society, Hendra brings more than ten years of experience successfully creating and executing several community events raising awareness for these organization and funds for programming.
 
“We are so thankful for Barbara Dell’s commitment to Dress for Success SW Florida over the years and we wish her well on her new endeavors.  We are thrilled to have Nickole as her successor, as her strong background of impacting non-profits has poised us to make Dress for Success SWFL even better at serving women in our community,” said Karen Anderson, president, Dress for Success SWFL board of directors.
 
As Executive Director, Hendra will lead all programming and fundraising to empower women entering the workforce with professional attire and developmental tools to achieve economic independence.
 
For more information, contact Nickole Hendra at 239.689.4992 or visit www.dfsswflorida.org.
 
About Dress for Success SW Florida
Founded in 2010, Dress for Success SW Florida is headquartered in Fort Myers, Fla. The mission of Dress for Success SW Florida is to promote the independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and career development tools to help them thrive in work and in life.  The non-profit helps women achieve self-defined financial and professional success. Dress for Success SW Florida serves job-ready women by referral only. For more information, visit www.dfsswflorida.org or call 239-689-4992. Dress for Success SW Florida is located at 12995 S. Cleveland Ave., Suite 153, Fort Myers, FL  33907.
 
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 2, 2018) — Edison & Ford Winter Estates is celebrating vintage “base ball” with lectures on March 24 and 25 at the Estates and a vintage base ball game on March 25 at 11 a.m. at Terry Park.
Thomas Edison was a base ball fan and visited Lee County’s field, Terry Park, during the Philadelphia Athletics’ spring training season. He hit balls with Ty Cobb, posed for photos with the Phillies’ general manager, Connie Mack, and entertained the team at his Fort Myers winter estate with refreshments and cigars.
Edison sponsored two semipro company teams, the Edisons and the Voltas. The teams played in Brooklyn at Edison Field. They also briefly played at the West End Oval around 1910 and at the Parade Ground in the 1930s.
In celebration of Edison’s love of base ball (correct spelling in the 1800s), Edison Ford is sponsoring an exhibition game between the Mudville Base Ball Club and Vintage Base Ball of Central Florida. The players will follow the rules used in the 1860s when umpires asked the fans for help with making a call, and players fielded the ball without gloves. The two teams will take on the personas of base ball teams that played in the 19th century and “Mr. Edison” will throw out the first pitch.
The following lectures are scheduled at Edison Ford:
March 24, 11 a.m. — “The Evolution of 19th Century Base Ball” outlines the development of the game, the equipment, uniforms and rules.
March 24, 12:30 p.m. — “Boston before the Red Sox” will highlight the game of “base ball” in Boston prior to the Boston Red Sox. Hall of Famers Mike “King” Kelly, Harry Wright and John Clarkson will be discussed.
March 24, 2 p.m. — “Bat and Ball Games since Colonial Times” will focus on the bat
and ball games that helped shape and develop the game of baseball that we know today.
March 25, 11 a.m. — “19th Century Big Business Practices through A. G. Spalding” offers visitors a glimpse into the practices of businessmen John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie who have come to represent the most successful titans of industry during the Gilded Age. The presentation is designed to show how Albert Goodwill Spalding used many of the same business practices and principles to achieve the same type of business success in the sporting goods industry that Rockefeller and Carnegie achieved in oil and steel.
Brian Sheehy, base ball historian, vintage base ball player and president of the Essex Base Ball Organization, a non-profit consisting of six clubs in Massachusetts that play and educate the public on how the game of base ball was played in the 19th century will give the presentations. Sheehy has traveled throughout the nation playing base ball for the Boston Beaneaters, instructing children’s clinics and giving lectures on base ball history.
All lectures will be held at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates and are included with museum admission (free for Edison Ford members). Anyone attending the lectures on March 24 will be admitted free to the vintage base ball game on March 25. Tickets for the game at Terry Park are $3 per person with children 12 and under admitted free.
Tickets may be purchased online at EdisonFordWinterEstates.org. For more information, call 239-334-7419.

(Fort Myers, FL – March 1, 2018) – Blues by the Bay, an evening of live music, excellent food and drinks, will be held Tuesday, March 27 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at the St. Charles Yacht Club. Guests will enjoy samplings from the area’s finest restaurants, fine wines, a signature Blue Bay Martini, champagne and live music by a rockin’ blues band. Guests can upgrade to VIP level and receive tickets to the exclusive pre-party at a private home in St. Charles Yacht Club and VIP benefits.
Live auction items will be offered and all proceeds will benefit the School Success programs for at-risk children in the Harlem Heights neighborhood in Fort Myers. Event sponsors include Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands and Entech.  Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Dress is resort casual.
“Our School Success programs include our charter school, academic tutoring, after school and summer camp programs, scholarship and college access assistance, school supplies, and tuition support,” said Kathryn Kelly, President and CEO of The Heights Foundation. “Each program is geared to meet the specific needs of children and young adults who seek to further their education.”
Tickets are now on sale for $125 each and space is limited. VIP opportunities and sponsorships that include an exclusive pre party are also available. Purchase tickets t www.heightsfoundation.org/blues or call Karen Lesza at (239) 482-7706.
 About the Heights Foundation and the Heights Center
The Heights Foundation works to build self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. The mission is to support education and wellness, promote family and community development, and provide the benefits of enrichment and the arts. The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a place for Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment.
Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community. Approximately 780 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments. Demographically, the population is approximately 70% Hispanic, 20% African-American, and 8% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average. Families are not able to easily access family support services located in downtown Fort Myers, and benefit greatly from programs located within the neighborhood.

Note to Media: The Comrie Cancer Foundation is pleased to present “A Night at the Cotton Club” at the Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops this Saturday, March 3 at 6 p.m. Take a trip back to the Roaring 20’s for this swanky affair to benefit Comrie’s fundraising efforts for cancer patients.
An autographed Tom Petty guitar and a full-cast autographed “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” poster featuring Carrie Fisher are two of the many items that will be up for grabs during the auction. Guests will enjoy poker and blackjack, cocktails from a prohibition-style bar, plus live entertainment during the speakeasy outside from 5:30-7 p.m. Then comes a plated dinner and a chance to take part in the silent and live auctions while enjoying more live music from LaTraia Savage and the All Starz Band, dancing, and much more. This evening of fundraising is sure to be the bee’s knees.
WHAT: “A Night at the Cotton Club”
WHEN: Saturday, March 3, 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops, 13051 Bell Tower Dr., Fort Myers
WHY: To raise money for the Comrie Cancer Foundation and the cancer patients it serves
 
CONTACT: Josh Milton, [email protected], 239-690-9840