Member News

NAPLES AND FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 6, 2018) – Pure Florida is honoring members of the U.S. military throughout Memorial Day weekend May 25-28 by offering veterans and active duty service members free cruises aboard all sightseeing, river and sunset cruises in Naples and Fort Myers when accompanied by full-fare paid adult or child admission. The M/V Double Sunshine departs from the historic Tin City, located at 1200 Fifth Ave. S. in Naples and the M/V Edison Explorer departs from The Marina at Edison Ford, located at 2360 West First St. in Fort Myers. Reservations are required. Memorial Day weekend cruises cannot be combined with Pure Florida’s Kids Cruise Free program or any other discounted offer. For more information on Pure Florida, or to register for a Memorial Day weekend cruise, visit www.PureFL.com or call Pure Florida’s Naples location at (239) 263-4949 or Fort Myers location at (239) 919-2965.
Passengers cruising from Pure Florida’s Naples location will sail the Gordon River aboard the M/V Double Sunshine. Cruises set sail at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., with sunset cruises departing at 7 p.m. Adult admission is $39 during the day and $42 for the sunset cruise. Children’s admission is $19.50 during the day and $21 for the sunset cruise. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase on-board.  This cruise promotion cannot be combined with any other discounted offer.
Guests visiting Pure Florida’s Fort Myers location will cruise the Caloosahatchee River aboard the M/V Edison Explorer. Cruises will depart at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. with sunset cruises departing at 7 p.m. Adult admission is $32.50 during the day and $35 for the sunset cruise. Children’s admission is $16 for daytime cruises and $17.50 for sunset cruises. Drinks will be available for purchase on-board. This cruise promotion cannot be combined with any other discounted offer.
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.
Digital Media Assets
Facebook event page: https://bit.ly/2HXvYIS
Download Photo: Veterans and active duty service members cruise free aboard the M/V Edison Explorer with full-fare paid child or adult admission at Pure Florida’s Fort Myers location Memorial Day weekend May 25-28.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vbSbn9vY4xhp9hzPF7AQK4IIrxj62OP3/view?usp=sharing
Photo Credit: Pure Florida file
Download Photo: Veterans and active duty service members cruise free aboard the M/V Double Sunshine with full-fare paid child or adult admission at Pure Florida’s Naples location Memorial Day weekend May 25-28.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=14z-JiBKavboBoxS3mlevAjby1aSQgdSu
Photo Credit: Pure Florida file
 
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 (239) 263-4949.
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FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 3, 2018) – Pure Florida welcomes the “Pinta” and the “Nina” replica ships to The Marina at Edison Ford May 11 – May 20.  Pure Florida customers who show their ticket to tour the ‘Pinta’ and ‘Nina’ will receive $2.50 discount off any sightseeing or sunset cruise.  Tickets to tour the ‘Pinta’ and ‘Nina’ go on sale Friday, May 11 at 11 a.m. and can be purchased at The Marina at Edison Ford. Visitors are invited on a walk-aboard, self-guided tour of the enhanced floating museum that includes exhibits on each ship highlighting the history of the Age of Discovery, navigation of the era, how the ships were built and a taste of what life was like over 500 years ago when Christopher Columbus and many early explorers sailed the world.  Tickets to experience the “Pinta” and the “Nina”are $8.50 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and $6.50 for students 5 years – 16 years old. Groups of 15 or more receive discounted admission through advance reservations by calling (787) 672-2152 or by email at [email protected].
Pure Florida offers History & Eco-Sightseeing and Sunset Cruises that depart from The Marina at Edison Ford, 2360 West First Street, Fort Myers at 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and sunset (departing one hour before sunset).  Guests will enjoy a 90 minute cruise that tours river islands, bird rookeries and mangroves while providing historical and ecological narration of our unique ecosystem in southwest Florida. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Pure Florida Fort Myers reservation office or by calling (239) 919-2965.
Digital Media Assets
Download Photo: Pure Florida welcomes the “Pinta” and the “Nina” replica ships to The Marina at Edison Ford May 11 – May 20
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OWHvgCJOhBMSaB6J5wElSxx0qJ4TdgRf/view?usp=sharing
Photo Credit: Pure Florida file
Download Photo: Pure Florida’s Fort Myers location will offer $2.50 discount off any sightseeing or sunset cruise to guests who show their ticket to tour the ‘Pinta’ and ‘Nina’.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vbSbn9vY4xhp9hzPF7AQK4IIrxj62OP3/view?usp=sharing
Photo Credit: Pure Florida file
 
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.
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NAPLES, Fla. – May 7, 2018 – The physical therapist assistant profession is a lucrative and rewarding career, and Hodges University wants to assist interested individuals by offering informational sessions focusing on its physical therapist assistant (PTA) program.
“Individuals who attend these sessions can expect to learn about our CAPTE accredited PTA program. We will provide a general overview of what a career in PTA entails, why students should enroll in Hodges’ PTA program, what are the requirements needed to apply, what scholarship opportunities are available as well as answer any questions attendees may have about Hodges University and our program,” said Dr. Cynthia Vaccarino, PTA program chair.
Students enrolled in Hodges’ PTA program must complete one year of prerequisites prior to entering the program. After a thorough evaluation process, eligible students will be notified by their advisor to participate in an interview process. Only 20 students are accepted into the accelerated, one-year program each year.
In addition to information about the PTA program, individuals will also learn about available scholarship opportunities. The sessions will be held from 5:00-6:00 p.m. May 31, June 19 and July 24, in the Stock Building, Room 221 on the Naples campus, which is located at 2647 Professional Circle, Naples, FL 34119.
Hodges’ PTA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The application for admittance into Hodges’ PTA program for 2019-2020 is open through September 30, 2018.
To learn more about Hodges’ PTA program, visit the School of Health Sciences at www.hodges.edu/soah/. For more information, contact Dr. Cynthia Vaccarino at [email protected] or call (239) 938-7718.
About the School of Health Science:
The School of Health Sciences at Hodges University provides a number of high-quality undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate programs to prepare students for entry into the exciting professional world of health care.
Attachment: Members of Hodges’ PTA class of 2018 with Dr. Cynthia Vaccarino

Mothers cruise free May 11-13 with full-fare paid child or adult admission
FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 2, 2018) – Pure Florida’s Fort Myers location will celebrate Mother’s Day weekend May 11-13 by offering moms free cruises aboard all History & Eco-river sightseeing and sunset cruises when accompanied by a full-fare paid adult or child admission. Guests will cruise the Caloosahatchee River aboard the M/V Edison Explorer which departs from The Marina at Edison Ford, located at 2360 W. First St. in Fort Myers. Reservations are required. Cruises will depart at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. with sunset cruises departing at 7 p.m. Adult admission is $32.50 during the day and $35 for the sunset cruise. Children’s admission is $16.25 during the day and $17.50 for the sunset cruise. Mother’s Day cruises cannot be combined with any other discounted offer. Refreshments are available for purchase on-board. For more information on Pure Florida, or to register for a Mother’s Day cruise, visit www.PureFL.com or call Pure Florida’s Fort Myers location at (239) 919-2965.
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.
Digital Media Assets
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/796892460506444/
Download Photo: Mothers cruise free with paid child admission at Pure Florida’s Fort Myers location May 11-13 aboard the M/V Edison Explorer.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EQ_6mmcFnCgs3nxo3_fFiVvXDYPi7uOD/view?usp=sharing
Photo Credit: Pure Florida file
Download Photo: Pure Florida’s Fort Myers location will celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with daytime and sunset cruises May 11-13 aboard the M/V Edison Explorer.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vbSbn9vY4xhp9hzPF7AQK4IIrxj62OP3/view?usp=sharing
Photo Credit: Pure Florida file
 
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.

Co-chairs, sponsorship opportunities announced for Oct. 6 event

FORT MYERS, Fla., (May 3, 2018) – PACE Center for Girls, Lee County is pleased to announce the return of its highly anticipated signature event, the Boo Ball, coming to Fort Myers in October 2018.

Featuring an elegant evening of dinner, dancing and a live auction for exceptional travel opportunities and experiences, the Halloween-themed gala will be held Saturday, Oct. 6 at the historic Burroughs Home & Gardens in downtown Fort Myers.

Proceeds from the spooktacular soiree will support the PACE Center’s mission to provide at-risk girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy.

Two local power couples will be chairing the event: Christin and David Collins along with Debbie and Bill Toler. 

“Having served over 650 girls right here in Lee County throughout its 10-year history, PACE Center for Girls continues to demonstrate its profound influence on those who have multiple risk factors impacting their academic achievement as well as their overall health and well-being,” said Christin Collins, co-chair of the 2018 Boo Ball event. “For this reason, David and I are thrilled to be co-chairing this year’s Boo Ball event alongside Debbie and Bill Toler, and we look forward to a stunning, fun-filled evening that celebrates and supports the young women of Lee County.”

This year’s event promises many surprises and opportunities, with a new twist on the event theme, the BOO-ming Twenties. Guests will be transported back in time as they sip prohibition-inspired cocktails on the sweeping verandah, mingle on the lawn under a gorgeous Southwest Florida sky, and sway to the tunes of The Brass Evolution. Attendees will be encouraged to dress according to the theme, with a festive Halloween touch.  

2018 Boo Ball event co-chair, Debbie Toler adds, “By providing appropriate counseling and education in a nurturing environment, PACE Center for Girls helps our young women build brighter futures and achieve their full potential. The Boo Ball event is a great opportunity for the community to come together in support of PACE’s life-changing programs, and this year’s BOO-ming Twenties theme sets the tone for what is sure to be a truly impactful event.”

The Boo Ball event, which was held for the first time in 2016, was the creative vision of PACE board member and Home-Tech chief financial officer, Sonya Sawyer. The sold-out crowd of 250 attendees enjoyed a Halloween-inspired masquerade gala, a first of its kind for PACE and the Lee County community.

“We are so thankful for Sonya’s vision and leadership in creating a fundraiser that brought the festivities of Halloween and fundraising together in such a magical way,” said Meg M. Geltner, PACE Executive Director. “Christin and Debbie, along with their husbands, do all things with immense dedication and heart. This year’s leadership team is sure to create an enchanted night to remember, all in support of our PACE Girls.”

A range of event sponsorship opportunities are now available for the 2018 Boo Ball. The Title sponsor level is $15,000 and includes two complimentary tables of 10. The Presenting sponsor level is $10,000 and includes one complimentary table of 10. Champion, Advocate and Table sponsor levels are available at $7,500, $5,000 and $1,500, respectively, and each includes one complimentary table of 8. To learn more, contact PACE Development Manager Allyson Ross at [email protected] or 239-470-7548. 

For more information on the programs and services PACE provides, consider attending a Pathways to PACE session, held on the third Wednesday of each month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at PACE’s Fort Myers location or visit PaceCenter.org/locations/lee.

About PACE Center for Girls, Inc.

PACE Center for Girls, Inc., is a non-residential delinquency prevention program targeting the unique needs of girls, ages 11 to 18 years old, facing challenges such as academic failure and truancy, physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse, foster care, neglect, death of a parent, and family history of incarceration.

PACE is a Florida-based, not for profit organization, and the only statewide prevention program for adolescent at-risk girls in the nation.  In the past year, the Lee County program provided 117 girls with education, counseling, training and advocacy resulting in 95 percent having no involvement with juvenile justice within one year of leaving PACE, 96 percent improving their academic performance and 93 percent remaining in school or obtaining employment three years after leaving PACE. As a result, PACE reduces the significant long-term costs associated with teen pregnancy, substance abuse, unemployment and long term economic dependency.

PACE accepts referrals from the juvenile justice system, the Department of Children & Families, school personnel, community services agencies, parents, family members, friends and self-referrals.

HACFM’s Director of Housing Operations, Sherri Campanale named Interim Executive Director.
 FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 3, 2018) – Marcus D. Goodson, executive director of the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers for the past 16 years, has announced he is stepping down to pursue a new career in private consulting.  His last day on the job will be June 29, 2018.
Since joining HACFM in 2002, Goodson has been noted for turning what was a low performing housing authority into a high performer designation by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He also spearheaded the largest affordable housing development project in the history of Southwest Florida, the Renaissance Preserve community. He served a two-year term as president of the Florida Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (FAHRO) in 2011 and in 2015 the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers was awarded Outstanding Agency of the Year by FAHRO.
Goodson was born and raised in Raleigh, N.C.  He received a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning from East Carolina University and a master’s degree in administration with a concentration in public administration from Central Michigan University. Before joining HACFM, Goodson served as a city planner for the City of Greenville, N.C., Community Development Administrator for the City of Rocky Mount, N.C., Executive Director of the Sanford, N.C. Housing Authority and was Acting Interim City Manager for the City of Fort Myers. Goodson is also an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and Public Housing Authorities Directors Association.
“It’s been a tremendous experience for me these past 16 years to have worked with the amazing staff at the Housing Authority, local, state and national housing representatives and government officials, as well as funding and construction teams on improving the status of affordable housing across Southwest Florida,” Goodson said. “I want to embark on this new journey while I still have the time and energy to do so.”
Goodson has partnered with Jose Cintron former HUD Miami Field Office Director to create Cinmarc and Associates, a public/affordable housing consulting firm.
Originally from California, Campanale joined HACFM as the Director of Housing Management in October 2005. In her tenure, she has overseen public housing, maintenance, Section 8 and the FSS Departments of HACFM. Campanale started her housing career in Las Vegas at the Housing Authority of the County of Clark where she worked in public housing as a property manager and later accepted a position with the North Las Vegas Housing Authority as Director of Public Housing. She had a variety of duties which included all aspects of property management, Property Manager Supervisor, Active Member on the Las Vegas Police Department’s Advisory Council, acted as Hearing Officer for Section 8, attended NAHRO conferences of which she was a speaker for the implementation of community service program and Earned Income Disallowance.  She is a graduate of San Diego State University with a bacherlor’s degree in Woman Studies (emphasis on abused women and children), a minor in Psychology and a minor in Telecommunications & Film.
The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers serves more than 3,500 families as a catalyst for increasing access to safe, stable and sustainable housing and to help develop, preserve and revitalize communities through affordable rental housing. The agency is dedicated to empowering families with the means to become as self-sufficient as possible through its Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) and HOPE VI Community Supportive Services (CSS) programs, encouraging and facilitating movement toward financial independence beyond the need for HACFM services. The HACFM also aims to instill pride and a desire for an enhanced quality of life for families and serves the greater Fort Myers community in a manner that demonstrates professional courtesy, respect and caring, while recognizing the needs and limitations of the mentally and physically disabled, aged and infirmed.
For more information, call 239-344-3220 or visit www.hacfm.org.

Summer lineup to feature monthly performances May through August
FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 3, 2018) – Tickets are now available for Shell Point Retirement Community’s 2018 Summer Concert Series, which features four performances that begin in May and continue through August. Events are open to the public, with tickets available online at www.shellpoint.org/summer or by phone at 239-454-2067.
Offering diverse, affordable options for musical entertainment during the summer, Shell Point’s 2018 Summer Concert Series includes performances by:

• Astralis Chamber Ensemble – Wednesday, May 9 at 7 p.m.
• Southwest Florida String Trio – Wednesday, June 13 at 7 p.m.
• Wild Coffee Duo – Thursday, July 19 at 7 p.m.
• Trillium Piano Trio – Thursday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m.

“The Shell Point Summer Concert Series is back for its eighth season with an engaging lineup of highly acclaimed musicians,” said Laura Slack, director of resident life at Shell Point Retirement Community. “This season’s theme is ‘classically cool’ with many talented performers from right here in Southwest Florida.”
On Wednesday, May 9, Southwest Florida Symphony’s Astralis Chamber Ensemble will present, “Baroque and Beyond, Part I,” an eclectic program including an unaccompanied Bach cello suite, a Gaubert flute ballade, a Beethoven piano sonata and several works for trios – such as the Mendelssohn “Trio No. 1, Opus 49.” The program will share insightful background on each composer and will provide guests an opportunity to meet with the musicians following the concert.
The Southwest Florida String Trio will perform an array of musical selections from great composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, Schubert and Piazzolla, in “Baroque and Beyond, Part II,” on Wednesday, June 13. Listeners will be provided background information on each composer and will have an opportunity to meet with the musicians following the concert.
Sanibel’s own Wild Coffee Duo, formed in 2015, will perform “Back in Time: A Musical Retrospective of a Century Ago” on Thursday, July 19. With the end of World War I and the birth of Leonard Bernstein in 1918, audiences will celebrate music from this milestone year, including popular songs such as “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows” and selections from “West Side Story.”
The final performance in the 2018 Summer Concert Series will take place on Thursday, Aug. 16 with a musical act from the Trillium Piano Trio. Featuring classical music with a modern twist, the trio’s performance includes a signature talk to explain the stories behind each piece, resulting in a relatable performance that connects the audience to the artistry of the music.
The cost for each concert is $20, and all performances will be held in the Grand Cypress Room at The Woodlands at Shell Point, 14441 Woodsong Lane, Fort Myers. To purchase tickets, please visit www.shellpoint.org/summer or call the box office at 239-454-2067. Tickets 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.
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FORT MYERS, FL (May 3, 2018) – More than 1,400 individuals from all faiths, political inclinations and backgrounds came together Thursday in prayer, hearing a message of unity, love and positivity as the community builds a stronger future.

The annual Community Prayer Breakfast, funded by more than 40 generous businesses, organizations and residents, is held in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer. This year’s national theme was unity, a topic that wasn’t lost on keynote speaker Rick Rigsby. The nationally acclaimed speaker and author urged those in attendance to “let Fort Myers be the kindness capital of the world,” and that reputation alone can build a better, stronger community.

Rigsby preaches love, and says positivity, inclusion and respect will ultimately create a unified community rather than a broken one.

“Love all people, like God loves us,” Rigsby said.

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance on the first Thursday of May, when individuals of all faiths join together in unified prayer for continued blessings on the nation. Local, state and federal observances are held from sunrise to sunset across the nation, attracting more than 2 million people annually.

Fort Myers and surrounding areas have recognized the National Day of Prayer since the Community Prayer Breakfast’s inception in 1988.

Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson emceed the Community Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, May 3 at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers. With divisiveness permeating the country – politics, religion, economics, race and an abundance of other issues – Henderson said it’s important to stay strong and purge oneself of negative thoughts, harnessing positive energy into action.

“If ever there was a time to come together, it’s right now going forward,” Henderson said.