Member News

(Fort Myers, FL) – The Piano Guys: Christmas Together comes to Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW on Tuesday, November 27 at 7:30PM. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 4 at 10AM at the Box Office, online at www.bbmannpah.com or call 239-481-4849.
 
Hailing from Utah, The Piano Guys became an Internet sensation by way of their immensely successful series of strikingly original self-made music videos. They’ve made over 65 since joining forces in early 2011, including their hit video, an innovative 10-handed version of One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful.” But it’s the Guys’ highly original blend of classical music with pop that has really been the cause of an Internet phenomenon that brought them to their major label self-titled debut album released on Sony Music Masterworks in 2012.  This release was followed by their sophomore album, The Piano Guys 2, holiday album, A Family Christmas, Wonders, The Piano Guys Live! and recently released Uncharted album all available now on Portrait, an imprint of Sony Music Masterworks.
 
The Piano Guys have performed everywhere from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to The Today Show as well have been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, Buzzfeed, People Magazine, Mashable and so on.
 
But just who are The Piano Guys? Actually, there’s only one piano player, Jon Schmidt, and one other instrumentalist, Steven Sharp Nelson, on cello. Yet the other two – Paul Anderson and Al van der Beek – are equally significant members of the group. The Piano Guys’ name comes from Anderson’s piano store in St. George, Utah, which was called The Piano Guys. Looking for an alternative to low-yield conventional advertising, Anderson devised a Facebook promotional page and YouTube channel featuring the most famous pianist he could find – local pianist, Jon Schmidt. A self-described “New Age Classical” player, Schmidt was indeed well-established locally, thanks to eight albums and seven piano books of his song transcriptions. He also performed concerts throughout Utah, one of which featured a young guest artist, Steven Sharp Nelson, who adventurously combined traditional cello playing with percussion effects. “I was 15 when I met Jon and started playing with him,” Nelson recalls. “I had to get a ride to shows! But we’ve had a great brotherhood that’s now lasted 20 years.”
 
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Performance Date/Time:             Tuesday, November 27 – 7:30PM*
Ticket Prices:                                     $89.50*                $69.50*                $59.50*
                                                                $175* – Limited Number VIP / Meet & Greet Ticket
 
*All shows, dates, times, ticket prices are subject to change.
 
P
 
 
Peg Welty

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 27, 2018) – Harry Chapin Food Bank recently hosted “A Place at the Table,” a free, educational event to begin the conversation about food insecurity and the steps we can take together in the fight to end hunger in Collier County.
Generously sponsored by FPL, the unique event held April 19 at Harry Chapin Food Bank in Naples exposed more than 80 guests to the choices many families, seniors and other individuals must make in order to put food on their tables. The experience was designed to raise awareness about the prevalence of hunger issues in Southwest Florida in general and Collier County specifically.
To help demonstrate what it’s like to not have enough food to eat, guests were given envelopes that contained compelling stories from a variety of individuals who are food insecure – some who have only $2 to spend on dinner for their entire family and others wondering when or if they’ll eat again that day. Based on these real-life examples, participants were each given a limited dollar amount before walking through a cafeteria-style line to see what food their money could buy. With only $2 to spare on their meals, guests were faced with a difficult question: “How will I fill my plate?” The answer didn’t come easily.
During the event, those who receive support from Harry Chapin Food Bank shared their personal stories of hunger, one a 79-year-old who – on a good month – has $30 to spend on groceries, and one a married mother of four who doesn’t qualify for financial assistance and must decide whether to pay for food or her children’s necessary medical bills. The evening concluded with insightful discussions led by Harry Chapin Food Bank employees and board members that brought attention to these often-unseen hunger issues in Southwest Florida.
“Nearly 38,000 Collier County residents are struggling with hunger. These are people you see every day, whether it’s the single mom of four, the elderly gentleman that lives next door, or the young couple that is still reeling in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma,” said Richard LeBer, president and CEO of Harry Chapin Food Bank. “Through our A Place at the Table event, we were able to provide a unique opportunity for members of our community to experience food insecurity first-hand, helping guests develop an understanding of the difficult decisions others must make to feed their families.”
To learn more about Harry Chapin Food Bank and supporting efforts to end hunger within the Southwest Florida community, please call 239-334-7007, email [email protected] or visit HarryChapinFoodBank.com for more information.
About Harry Chapin Food Bank
Founded in 1983, the mission of the Harry Chapin Food Bank is to lead the community in its fight to end hunger. Serving five counties in Southwest Florida – Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties – the food bank rescues, inspects, transports and distributes donated food and other grocery products to more than 150 partner agencies that provide direct services to those in need. Partner agencies include church food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, disaster relief agencies and more. The food bank provides food for about 28,000 individuals each week. During fiscal year 2016-2017, Harry Chapin Food Bank distributed 22.3 million pounds of food, which equates to 18.6 million meals, a total value of $37.3 million.
 
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FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 27, 2018) – Norman Love Confections is partnering with Spada Salon & Day Spa to create the ultimate Mother’s Day gift guaranteed to please and pamper mom.
Norman Love Confections has developed a limited-edition Mother’s Day Collection featuring 10 heart-shaped, handcrafted chocolates, and from April 30 through May 12, guests at three of its chocolate salons can add a $50 or $100 gift certificate to Spada for a massage, facial, manicure, haircut and more with the purchase of Norman Love Confections products.
“We should spoil our mothers every day of the year, but on Mother’s Day, you’ve got one chance to get it right,” said Norman Love, founder and owner of Norman Love Confections. “What mom wouldn’t want chocolate and a massage? It’s a perfect combination to show mom that you appreciate everything she’s done for you.”
The Mother’s Day Collection will be available in Norman Love Confections’ four chocolate salons from Monday, April 30 through Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 13. Spada gift certificates will be available at Norman Love’s Fort Myers, McGregor and Miromar Outlets chocolate salons.
Anyone spending a minimum of $150 between April 30 and May 12 at Norman Love Confections’ three salons in Lee County will be entered into a drawing for one of five $50 gift certificates from Spada. Likewise, anyone spending $150 or more on a gift basket or gift certificate at Spada will be entered into a drawing for one of five $50 gift certificates from Norman Love Confections.
Norman Love Confections and Spada will donate a portion of the proceeds from sales made on Friday, May 4 to Valerie’s House, a nonprofit organization based in Fort Myers that offers peer support groups, counseling and activities for grieving children and adults who experienced a significant loss.
Norman Love Confections’ Mother’s Day Collection includes 10 unique favorites: cupcake, mimosa, pink lemonade, special dark, cookies and cream cheesecake, hazelnut coffee, strawberry shortcake, carrot cake, peanut butter marshmallow and pecan turtle. The price for a 10-piece chocolate gift box is $24, a 15-piece box is $34 and a 25-piece box is $50.
 
For more information, please visit www.NormanLoveConfections.com or call 239-561-7215 or 866-515-2121.
About Spada Salon & Day Spa
Located at 13161 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers, Spada Salon & Day Spa is Southwest Florida’s largest day spa with 12 hair stations, 21 treatment rooms, steam room, two lounges, Vichy room and five couples suites. The almost 13,000-square-foot spa has served as a luxurious, relaxing destination for more than a decade. Since 2011, Spada has been under the ownership of Andrew and Judy Williams, who have elevated the luxurious touches, expanded the spa and reinforced the company’s strong commitment to the community. For more information, call 239-482-1858 or visit SpadaSpa.com.
About Norman Love Confections
Founded in 2001 by Norman and Mary Love, Norman Love Confections creates and distributes handcrafted artisanal chocolates from its corporate headquarters at 11380 Lindbergh Blvd. in Fort Myers, Florida. The award-winning Fort Myers-based chocolatier has been lauded more than a dozen times by a leading consumer ratings magazine, including recognition six times for producing the best ultra-premium chocolates in the nation. Forbes.com included Norman Love Confections BLACK line on its list of the nation’s top 10 truffles; The Huffington Post listed it among the six best U.S. destinations in its Chocolate Lover’s Travel Guide; and USA Today named Love as one of its top 10 entrepreneurs for 2014. Love has recently been named as the inaugural inductee of Dessert Professional Magazine’s Chocolatier Hall of Fame, partnered with local chefs to present a six-course meal at the James Beard House in New York and Norman Love Confections was ranked among the top 10 shops in the world for chocolate lovers by U.K. media outlet Daily Telegraph.
Norman Love Confections has four Chocolate Salons in Southwest Florida, and chocolates, gift baskets, sipping chocolate and Love’s book, “Artistry in Chocolate, A Story of Love,” also can be ordered online at www.normanloveconfections.com. In addition, Norman Love Confections chocolates and desserts are offered on 18 Princess Cruises’ ships through the “Chocolate Journeys” partnership and at independent retail locations throughout the U.S. For more information visit www.normanloveconfections.com or call 239-561-7215.
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Media Contacts:
Holly Boldrin, APR, CPRC, Priority Marketing, 239-267-2638 or 239-887-9335 (cell), [email protected]
Teri Hansen, APR, Priority Marketing, 239-267-2638 or 239-849-3300 (cell), [email protected]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 1, 2018) — To celebrate Mother’s Day on May 13, moms are invited to visit Edison & Ford Winter Estates for free. This is a great way for families to enjoy the day with their mothers.
There are flowers blooming all around the site – some giving off a delightful scent. The Rose Allamanda, Angel’s Trumpet, Plumeria and Gardenia – just to name a few – are bursting with colorful blooms. Visitors can walk through the award-winning Moonlight Garden with flowers of white and blue, then under the pergola between Thomas Edison’s House and the Guest House and look up to see the Queen’s Wreath blossoms dangling down. Orchids, Mina Edison’s favorite flower, are also blooming all around the site.
Families can stop in the Ford Cottage Shoppe for a cool beverage or ice cream and savor it while enjoying a relaxing view of the river. Moms will also receive 10% off retail purchases on Mother’s Day – including plants – in the Ford Cottage Shoppe, Museum Store and Garden Shoppe.
The site is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week. For more information, visit the website at www.edisonfordwinterestates.org or call 239-334-7419.

 FORT MYERS, FLA., May 1, 2018 – SalusCare’s Center for Growth, a dedicated and comprehensive practice for the behavioral healthcare needs of children and families, will hold a grand opening event on May 31, 2018 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am at 2789 Ortiz Ave. in Fort Myers.
The all-inclusive center will include two full-time child psychiatrists, outpatient therapy for children and families, children’s case management, the Community Action Team (CAT), and Therapeutic Behavioral On-Site Services (TBOS).  A sliding-fee scale is offered, and most insurance plans are accepted.
“SalusCare heard from our Southwest Florida community that children’s behavioral healthcare services needed to be expanded and consolidated into one family-friendly, supportive and comfortable environment,” said Stacey Cook-Hawk, President & CEO of SalusCare.  “Parents bringing children to SalusCare for services asked for a dedicated building housing all children’s behavioral healthcare services.  SalusCare not only heard the community, but we have listened and acted upon their request by opening the Center for Growth.”
Located in Building G on the Ortiz Campus, the new Center for Growth is in a re-purposed former adult residential facility.  “SalusCare was fortunate to possess some restricted funding available for children’s services, so this became the seed money we needed to initiate this project,” said Todd Cordisco, Vice President of Public Relations & Development.  “There are still items on our wish list and opportunities for donors to support this new comprehensive center for children and families.”
The community is invited and encouraged to attend the event on May 31.  Please RSVP your attendance to [email protected].
 ABOUT SALUSCARE:  SalusCare, Inc. is a Fort Myers, Florida based not-for-profit mental health and substance abuse service provider incorporated in 2013 after the merger of Lee Mental Health Center and Southwest Florida Addiction Services (SWFAS).  SalusCare has seven locations throughout Southwest Florida and serves 16,000 people each year.  Our fees are affordable and may be adjusted to the means of our patients based on household income.  SalusCare accepts Medicaid, Medicare, Visa, MasterCard and some major health insurance providers.  SalusCare provides services for all regardless of disability or handicap. All substance abuse programs and most mental health services are accredited by CARF International, an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. For more information, visit www.saluscareflorida.org

APRIL 30, 2018 – FORT MYERS, FLA. – Four Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) faculty and staff members have been named winners of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Award for 2018.
NISOD’s Excellence Awards recognize college faculty, staff and administrators each year who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to their students and colleagues. FSW students and employees submit nominations for their professors and colleagues for this award based on teaching and learning practices that encourage student achievement.
Dr. Katie Paschall, professor of speech at the FSW Collier Campus, has received the NISOD Excellence Award for Professional Development and Scholarship; Don Ransford, professor of mathematics at the FSW Thomas Edison Campus, has received the NISOD Excellence Award for Service to the College and Community; and Sandra Seifert, professor of mathematics at the FSW Hendry/Glades Curtis Center, has received the NISOD Excellence Award for Teaching and Instruction. This year’s recipient of the NISOD Staff Excellence Award is Amy English, Academic Support Center specialist at the FSW Hendry /Glades Curtis Center.
“The NISOD Excellence Awards gives our students, faculty and staff the opportunity to recognize those college employees that go above and beyond their everyday duties in guiding our students to the ultimate goal of graduation,” said Dr. Jeff Stewart, FSW provost and vice president, Academic Affairs. “We are proud of the dedication and commitment these staff and faculty members have provided to ensure our students reach their greatest potential.”
In 1989, in connection with a University of Texas at Austin national study of teaching excellence, NISOD hosted its first ceremony honoring NISOD Excellence Award recipients. It has since become the largest and most inspiring gathering that recognizes the contributions and achievements of community and technical college faculty, administrators and staff. This year’s recipients will be recognized during NISOD’s International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence in May.
About NISOD:
For community and technical colleges that want to make the most of their professional development dollars, NISOD provides budget-friendly, high-quality, and faculty-focused programs and resources. For nearly 40 years, NISOD’s customer-focused approach has helped align our wide array of benefits with the needs of our members. For more information about NISOD, visit www.nisod.org.

FORT MYERS, FLA., April 30, 2018 –  Dr. Manolis Kyriacou has joined Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida as a family medicine physician.
Dr. Kyriacou has more than 10 years experience as a primary care physician in Michigan, where he also served as an assistant professor of family medicine at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.and as medical director of the Wilmar Convalescent Center in Utica, Mich.
Dr. Kyriacou earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Spartan Health Science University in the West Indies.
His residency was completed at Bon Secours Cottage Health Services in Grosse Pointe, Mich.
Dr. Kyriacou will see patients at the Cape Coral Family Medicine office at 1255 Viscaya Parkway.
Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida, a physician-owned and operated medical practice, was formed in 1996 by many local physicians and has grown to become the largest independent multi-specialty primary care practice in Southwest Florida.
Medical specialties include family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics.  Offices are conveniently located in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Lehigh Acres.  For more information, visit www.ppcswfl.com.
 
 
 

Fort Myers, FL. —On Friday, May 11^th, the ‘Pinta’ and the ‘Nina’, replicas of Columbus’ Ships, will open in Fort Myers.  The ships will be docked at Pinchers Restaurant, Ford Edison Marina, 2360 West 1^st Street, until their departure early Monday morning, May 21^st.
The ‘Nina’ was built completely by hand and without the use of power tools.  Archaeology magazine called the ship “the most historically correct Columbus replica ever built.”  In 2005, the ‘Pinta’, also a caravel, was launched in Brazil and was the first ship to sight land in the New World.    Historians consider the caravel the Space Shuttle of the fifteenth century.
Both ships tour together as a new and enhanced ‘sailing museum’ for the purpose of educating the public and school children on the ‘caravel’, a Portuguese ship used by Columbus   and many early explorers to discover the world. Before him, the Old World and the New remained separate and distinct continents and ever since their fates have been bound together for better or for worse.
While in port, the general public is invited to visit the ships for a walk-aboard, self-guided tour.  Admission charges are $8.50 for adults, $7.50 for seniors, and $6.50 for students 5 – 16.   Children 4 and under are Free.  The ships are open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.    No reservations necessary.
Teachers or organizations wishing to schedule a 30 minute guided tour with a crew member should call 1 787 672 2152 or email [email protected] .  Minimum of 15.  $5.00 per person.  No Maximum. Visit our website at www.ninapinta.org.
The ships arrive on Thursday, May 10^th and there will be a private viewing of the ships for the media after docking.
                 COLUMBUS  FOUNDATION, INC., BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS,

1. 787-672-2152

EMAIL  [email protected]
Visit our website: www.ninapinta.org.   ​Friend us on Facebook: ColumbusShips   
Twitter: @ColumbusShips

For moms who are wild about shoes too, Norman Love offers a Leopard-print chocolate stiletto
FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 26, 2018) – Norman Love Confections introduces its limited-edition Mother’s Day Collection featuring ten heart-shaped, handcrafted chocolates filled with some of mom’s favorite flavors including cupcake, mimosa, pink lemonade, special dark, cookies and cream cheesecake, hazelnut coffee, strawberry shortcake, carrot cake, peanut butter marshmallow and pecan turtle.
And for moms who are as wild about shoes as they are about chocolate, Norman Love Confections is offering a milk chocolate high-heel shoe in Leopard print. This designer chocolate stiletto stands 5.5″ tall, showing off a shiny black finish and a beautiful red sole. Packaged in a Norman Love Confections’ custom-designed purse for fashionable presentation, it’s a must-have for chocolate and fashion aficionados alike.
Online pre-orders began Monday, April 23 at NormanLoveConfections.com, and the collection will be available in Norman Love Confections’ Chocolate Salons beginning Monday, April 30 through Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 13. Norman Love Confections operates four chocolate salons in Southwest Florida, including two in Fort Myers, one in Naples and at Miromar Outlets in Estero. Additionally, online orders can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. The price for a 10-piece chocolate gift box is $24, a 15-piece box is $34 and a 25-piece box is $50. The chocolate stiletto is available for $35.
“Every year, Norman Love Confections offers a beautiful way to treat mom with ‘love,’ and this year’s Mother’s Day Collection features handcrafted, heart-shaped chocolates filled with flavors that moms love best,” said Norman Love, founder and owner of Norman Love Confections. “And the chocolate shoes are wildly popular, as well as additional gift options including gift baskets, subscription boxes, chocolate specialties and more.”
For more information, please visit www.normanloveconfections.com or call 239-561-7215 or 866-515-2121.
Full descriptions: Norman Love Confections’ 2018 Mother’s Day Collection
Cupcake
White Chocolate
Bourbon vanilla and silky white chocolate, carefully blended and encased in a white chocolate shell
Mimosa
White Chocolate
A white chocolate shell filled with an intoxicating orange ganache, infused with champagne
Pink Lemonade
White Chocolate
Tart ripe lemons and fresh sweet raspberries folded into a creamy white chocolate ganache
Special Dark
Dark Chocolate
A satisfying blend of creamy dark chocolate inside an equally rich dark chocolate shell
Cookies and Cream Cheesecake
Dark Chocolate
A rich cheesecake ganache sprinkled with ground cookies and cream fills this dark chocolate delight
Hazelnut Coffee
Dark Chocolate
Coffee-infused hazelnut Gianduja energizes this decadent dark chocolate confection
Strawberry Shortcake
White Chocolate
A classic treat that combines freshly baked shortcake, strawberry jam and white chocolate
Carrot Cake
Milk Chocolate
A carrot cake ganache topped with cream cheese and covered in milk chocolate
Peanut Butter Marshmallow
Milk Chocolate
A delicious confection filled with a creamy marshmallow and peanut butter ganache
Pecan Turtle
Milk Chocolate
A creamy sea salt caramel center, dusted with cinnamon roasted pecans, in a milk chocolate shell
About Norman Love Confections
Founded in 2001 by Norman and Mary Love, Norman Love Confections creates and distributes handcrafted artisanal chocolates from its corporate headquarters at 11380 Lindbergh Blvd. in Fort Myers, Florida. The award-winning Fort Myers-based chocolatier has been lauded more than a dozen times by a leading consumer ratings magazine, including recognition six times for producing the best ultra-premium chocolates in the nation. Forbes.com included Norman Love Confections BLACK line on its list of the nation’s top 10 truffles; The Huffington Post listed it among the six best U.S. destinations in its Chocolate Lover’s Travel Guide; and USA Today named Love as one of its top 10 entrepreneurs for 2014. Love has recently been named as the inaugural inductee of Dessert Professional Magazine’s Chocolatier Hall of Fame, partnered with local chefs to present a six-course meal at the James Beard House in New York and Norman Love Confections was ranked among the top 10 shops in the world for chocolate lovers by U.K. media outlet Daily Telegraph.
Norman Love Confections has four Chocolate Salons in Southwest Florida, and chocolates, gift baskets, sipping chocolate and Love’s book, “Artistry in Chocolate, A Story of Love,” also can be ordered online at www.normanloveconfections.com. In addition, Norman Love Confections chocolates and desserts are offered on 18 Princess Cruises’ ships through the “Chocolate Journeys” partnership and at independent retail locations throughout the U.S. For more information visit www.normanloveconfections.com or call 239-561-7215.

School of Health Science to host three sessions
NAPLES, Fla. – April 26, 2018 – As the demand for qualified nursing professionals continues to grow in Southwest Florida, Hodges University is meeting that demand with its Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) program. The university’s School of Health Sciences invites aspiring nurses to attend one of its three upcoming BSN informational sessions.
Hospitals and health care facilities are looking for qualified nurses to fill vacancies throughout the area, specifically those with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Jessica Palumbo, director of nursing at Hodges University, explains, “These informational sessions will enable prospective students to meet the Hodges nursing faculty who will discuss the program’s curriculum and format, which allows students to enter the workforce one semester earlier than other traditional programs. Students will also have the opportunity to tour our state-of-the-art nursing simulation laboratory.”
Hodges’ nursing program consists of two parts:

• Earning an Associate in Science degree in biomedical sciences, which consists of four semesters of full-time study in the nursing track.
• Earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing, which consists of four full-time, consecutive semesters focused on the art and science of nursing.

Students receive a strong foundation to continue their education, and graduates of the program are able to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam, a requirement for licensure as a registered nurse.
The sessions will be held from 5:00-6:00 p.m. May 8, June 13 and July 25, on the Naples campus in the Stock Building Nursing Lab, which is located at 2647 Professional Circle, Naples, FL 34119.
To learn more about Hodges’ BSN program, visit the School of Health Sciences at www.hodges.edu/soah/. For more information about the upcoming informational sessions, contact Maria Vacca at [email protected] or (239) 598-6285.
About the School of Health Sciences:
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 healthcare.