Member News

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

April is Fair Housing Month
 FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 28, 2018) – The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers (HACFM), along with the Lee County Department of Human and Veteran Services, the City of Fort Myers and the City of Cape Coral, will host the Southwest Florida Annual Fair Housing Summit on Wednesday, April 11.
The event will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Dr. Carrie Robinson Community Center, 2990 Edison Ave., Fort Myers.
Guest speakers will include Michael Maurer, Deputy Chief of the Housing and Civil Enforcement Section of the Civil Rights Division, U. S. Department of Justice, Yohance Pettis, Assistant United States Attorney, and Aaron Levine and Henry Whitehead, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.
The day will feature information on the Fair Housing Act, Equal Credit Opportunities Act, Religious land use, reasonable accommodations and modifications, animals, special parking requests, Civil Rights and Recourses available, a discussion of the differences between HUD and the Department of Justice, recent Department of Justice enforcement activities and more.
April is Fair Housing month marking the anniversary of the passing of the Fair Housing Act in 1968. Fair Housing is intended to create equal housing opportunities for people living in the United States by administering laws that prohibit discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status.
The event is free and open to the public. To reserve a seat, contact Sherri Campanale, director of Housing & Maintenance Operations, Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers at [email protected] or 239-344-3247.
For more information, visit www.hacfm.org or call 239-344-3220.

NAPLES, Fla., (February 27, 2018) – Florida’s leading club builder, GATES Construction, has completed a major renovation at Pelican Isle Yacht Club. Located at Wiggins Pass, Pelican Isle Yacht Club is Naples’ only private island club. The improvements include a complete interior renovation bringing a more modern and open, airy feel. The expansive use of light ash wood, gives the bar it’s nautical theme. The expansion of the main dining room, grill room and bar, all include brand new build outs, with additional seating. The newly expanded outdoor seating areas provide open-air waterside dining for those looking to enjoy the gorgeous scenic views and magnificent SWFL sunsets. The breathtaking views of the Cocohatchee River and Wiggins Pass enhance the beauty of the clubs surrounding scenery. Architectural design was provided by McWard Architects and interior design by Wegman Design Group.
 
 
 
 

Fort Myers’ favorite fashion show is back for its 7th year at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center! Produced and hosted by Melissa DeHaven, Art Walks the Runway takes place from March 8th – 10th. See international Couture fashion from Vivre Couture, Marmar Halim, Diana Couture, and Usama Ishtay! Plus, enjoy runway-ready local boutique styles from Forema, Saratoga Sundress, and Hollie’s Boutique. Experience inspiring performances from Frankie Colt, Emma Arnold, John Davis, Katarina Danks, and Elements of Body Art. The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First St. in the historic downtown Fort Myers River District.
 
Art Walks the Runway’s three dazzling days of fashion begin on Thursday, March 8th at the Opening Night Celebration, featuring Vivre Couture. Vivre Couture is an organic partnership between a designer and an artist.They came together with a vision for an inspired line of wearable original paintings with the highest quality elements of art, design, and construction. Sarah LaPierre is the artist who painted the Palm Beach Collection featured at this season’s Art Walks the Runway. Palette knives and heavy bodied acrylic paints provide the full textures and vibrant colors that are characteristics of her style. Thursday night’s Opening Celebration also features a contortionist performance by Katarina Danks, and a musical performance by singer-songwriter Emma Arnold, accompanied by cellist John Davis.
 
Then on Friday, March 9th, experience the best in local fashion from Forema, Saratoga Sundress, and Hollie’s Boutique. Forema is known for their inviting, happy, boho atmosphere, and specializing in chic, affordable clothing. They own three Florida locations, one of which is located in Gulf Coast Town Center. Saratoga Sundress located in the Bell Tower Shops carries a large variety of merchandise, including a range of boho chic summer and winter apparel. Hollie’s Boutique boasts two locations in SWFL on Sanibel Island and Fort Myers. They’re widely known for trendy, everyday fashion that works for the busy yet stylish woman. Friday also features the debut of locally loved musician Frankie Colt’s new line, Cobra Empire. Enjoy a musical performance from Frankie as her fashion takes the runway for the first time!
 
Saturday’s finale runway brings international Couture designs to Fort Myers. Take in awe-inspiring Haute Couture from Marmar Halim, Diana Couture, and Usama Ishtay. The designer label of Marmar Halim incontestably yields and creates elite fashion blends that are flanked by a fusion of Eastern and Western Couture with a sheek and lavish flair. Diana Couture has grown to being one of the most successful couture brands in Surabaya, Indonesia. A-list socialites from all over Indonesia, as well as iconic Indonesian celebrities, have been common clients to the brand. Usama Ishtay is young designer of Arab descent raised in Venezuela. His eye for fashion and living in Couture-centric Los Angeles lead him to work with Fashion Hearts at L.A. Fashion Week. Ishtay has dressed celebrities like Eve for the red carpet. The final evening also features a burlesque-style performance piece from Elements of Body Art, and a contortionist performance by Katarina Danks.
 
7th Annual Art Walks the Runway Fashion Show
March 8th – 10th 2018
All Nights: Runway • 8pm | Cocktails • 7pm
For tickets and info, visit www.sbdac.com.
 
Runway music for all three nights provided by Sol Productions’ DJ Tommy Giaime.
Thursday and Friday night’s hair: Scene 826 | http://scene826hairstudio.com/
Saturday night’s hair: Red Salon & Spa. | http://redsalonandspa.com/.
All nights’ makeup: Sunstate Academy | http://www.sunstateftm.com/.
 
All evenings co-decorated by Planned Perfection. Visit http://www.plannedperfectioninc.com/ for more info.
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 27, 2018) – Change is hard. Anyone who’s had to try to figure out this year’s federal tax changes understands that all too well. But in Lee County, the only changes for 2018 aren’t in the tax code — they’re in the ways taxes are becoming easier to pay. Lee County Tax Collector Larry Hart is committed to upgrading service to county residents — or as Hart calls them, his customers.
 
“We want to be able to provide the best public service that we possibly can, because we have a responsibility to them,” Hart said. “We are the only place they can go. So, if we don’t take our customers seriously, then they’re going to be frustrated with us. We need to be able to provide service quickly.”
 
The tax collector’s services are detailed on leetc.com. Hart is proud of the website, and his office has worked to make it mobile-friendly and introduce new features like TagsToday®, which injects convenience into the annual hassle of renewing vehicle registration. Customers who are within five days of a birthday or have an expired registration can use the website to renew and, rather than waiting for the renewal sticker to be mailed, pick it up at the nearest tax collector’s office location — without waiting in line.
 
“They can walk in, they can pick it up and they can walk out the door,” Hart said.
 
Hart’s No. 1 goal is to make the tax collector’s office as much of a resource to the citizens of Lee County as it can be.
 
“I’ve been totally blessed to have this opportunity to be voted in by the citizens. It’s just a wonderful opportunity,” Hart said. “We do our very best to get the citizens who utilize our services in and out, and provide that technology so they can do a lot of this stuff from home.”
 
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 six 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.
 
 
 

February 27, 2018 – FORT MYERS, FLA – The local community is invited to upcoming Career Fairs at Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) locations.
 
Students and members of the community are encouraged to bring their resumes, transcripts, or work portfolios to show prospective employers on the spot. They should dress professionally and be prepared for a formal interview. Dozens of local companies and businesses are slated to appear.
 

 
“Many of our graduates are seeking local employment in a variety of fields and the college offers tools and resources to help them reach that next step,” said Mark Bukowski, FSW Dean of Students. “As a service to the community, we’ve also decided to open our Career Fairs to the public.”
 
FSW’s Career Coach (www.FSW.edu/careercoach) program is a free resource for both students and the community. Anyone living in Southwest Florida can use it to take a personal career assessment, browse current job openings on Indeed.com, or build a resume from scratch.  Students can also explore what degree programs would help them reach their desired career.
 
The Office of Student Engagement will be hosting workshops for current students on writing resumes and cover letters, interviewing techniques, and dressing for success before the fairs begin.
 
Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in January 2016. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.