Member News

Iron Ridge Insurance Services supports local youth as presenting sponsor of OneDigital Sunrise Rotary Pro-Am

Drive for Education Golf Tournament to be held May 13 at

The Forest Country Club in Fort Myers

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 26, 2022) – For the second consecutive year, Iron Ridge Insurance Services will support education and other charitable initiatives as the presenting sponsor of the OneDigital Sunrise Rotary Pro-Am Classic. The golf tournament, which is the signature fundraising event of the Rotary Club of Fort Myers – Sunrise, will be held on Friday, May 13. This is the seventh year that the Pro-Am will be hosted at The Forest Country Club in Fort Myers.

Iron Ridge is a boutique independent property and casualty insurance agency located in Fort Myers. The event sponsorship is one of the organization’s many charitable actions.

“Giving back to our community is one of the most important things we do at Iron Ridge,” said Norman Lutz, CEO of Iron Ridge Insurance Services. “The OneDigital Sunrise Rotary Pro-Am supports scholarships for Lee County students, as well as other Rotary initiatives. Iron Ridge has a long history of support of the Rotary Club of Fort Myers – Sunrise and are proud to be presenting sponsor of this year’s event.”

Eighty percent of the net proceeds from the OneDigital Sunrise Rotary Pro-Am benefit the Sunrise Rotary’s “Drive for Education,” which supports Take Stock in Children, the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, Inc. and De LaSalle Academy. The remaining 20% benefits the Sunrise Rotary’s charitable missions, which include literacy initiatives, food insecurity relief, eradication of polio, pediatric cardiac surgery in developing nations, Alzheimer’s disease research and other local and international initiatives.

The pro-am will feature teams of four amateurs and one professional golfer. Amateurs play a traditional scramble, while local and regional PGA and LPGA pros play head-to-head for a share of a $3,000 purse. A basic registration for four amateurs and one professional is $800 and can be purchased at https://fmsunriserotary.com/registration.

Iron Ridge encourages the community to join in supporting the OneDigital Sunrise Rotary Pro-Am. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and range from $250-$2,500. For more information, please visit  https://fmsunriserotary.com/event/pro-am-golf-classic.

To learn more about Iron Ridge Insurance Services’ charitable initiatives or for an evaluation of your commercial or personal insurance coverage, visit the Iron Ridge website at www.IronRidgeUS.com or call at 800-775-8526.

About Iron Ridge Insurance Services:

Established in 2011, Iron Ridge Insurance Services is a boutique independent agency headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida that is committed to serving the community by providing innovative commercial insurance solutions. The agency helps clients manage risk through professional liability, management liability, data breach liability, general liability, commercial property, workers’ compensation, and commercial auto insurance programs. Iron Ridge Insurance serves commercial clients in a variety of fields, but specializes in managing risk for architects and engineers, physicians and medical practices, condominium and homeowners’ associations, and legal providers. The agency also offers competitive personal insurance solutions for individuals and families. For more information call 800-775-8526 or visit www.IronRidgeUS.com.

Hundreds of courses. Knowledgeable instructors.
Have it your way, online or in-person.

April 2022

Did you know that Lifelong learners are happier and tend to live longer?

FGCU Academy is your place to help you do just that

Greetings, Some of the health and social benefits a person receives from participating in lifelong learning classes goes far beyond what one would think.

You may be less prone to depression which in turn can decrease your blood pressure and increase your energy levels. This is all due to the fact that you are getting out, socializing and partaking in stimulating short lectures about a vast variety of interesting topics. By participating and engaging in group discussions, people have a sense of purpose and belonging.

A combination of stimulating your brain, nourishing your spirit, eating well and engaging in physical activity in some form tend to make you healthier, happier and live longer than those that are sedentary and isolated.

Get on your computer and register for your next class at FGCU Academy now. Or call us to assist you with registration at 239.434.4737. Either way, take the next step toward enjoying your retirement and staying involved. We have so many choices for you.

You can view what is coming up by clicking on the May 2022 Daily Calendar below. It will provide you with all courses being offered on a daily basis.

As always, we look forward to seeing you at FGCU Academy!

You can call us to register (239) 434-4737 or you can register online.

Online registration is available

April Featured Lectures

This Week’s Features and More…

New Session Beginning this Week
Balance University: Improve Balance, Posture and Flexibility (4-part series)

Naples Center or Online Webinar
April 29, May 6, 13, 20 | 9 – 10 a.m.

Balance University is an interactive wellness class designed to improve balance, posture and flexibility. This program starts with basic balance exercises and progresses to more complex movements over time.

Instructor: Chris Williams

Enlightened Despots: Frederick the Great, Maria Theresa and Catherine the Great

Naples Center or Online Webinar
April 25 | 1:30 – 3 p.m.

The Scientific Revolution and Age of Enlightenment brought new knowledge and ideas to an increasingly literate European society that was hungry for information. The famous “salons” of Paris….

Instructor: Nancy Maxwell

Could We Have Another Civil War? Reflections on America’s Past “Civil Wars”

Commons Club at The Brooks
April 26 | 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Following World War I, there was a World War II. The seeds of the Second World War were sown by the first one.

Instructor: Charles Kupchella

Amphibians and Reptiles of the Peruvian Amazon

Moorings Park
April 27 | 10 – 11:30 a.m.

The Amazon Rainforest is world renowned for its beauty, life and mystery. Despite this global interest, little is known about vast areas of the Amazon that remain untouched.

Instructor: Matthew Metcalf

iOS15 – Tips, Tricks & Secrets of Apple’s Newest Operating System for iPhone and iPad

Babcock Ranch
April 26 | 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Join this lecture-style presentation to learn all of the new features, upgrades and enhancements of Apple’s newest Operating System for iPhone and iPad

Instructor: John Guerra

Voltaire, Natural Disasters, and God

Commons Club at The Brooks
April 28 | 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Natural disasters have been in the news quite regularly in recent years: tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, tornadoes. Much has been written in an attempt to explain the destruction and…..READ MORE

Instructor: Donald Spinelli

• Camp Boardwalk” and the War at the Jersey Shore

• iPhone/iPad for Intermediates: All the Things You Never Knew

• Mah Jongg for Beginners (3-part series)

• The Invisibility of Social Issues in Southwest Florida

• The Creation of Italy

• Taking Amazing Vacation and Travel Photos

FGCU Academy Giving Campaign

Thoughtful gifts of all sizes enable FGCU Academy to meet the ongoing needs for state-of-the-art technology equipment, speakers for our Salke art series, and the ability to keep our costs down for our day trips. Without your support, this vital community outreach program would not be possible. Our programs deliver academic substance in an interactive format that encourages the exchange of ideas and provides both intellectual stimulation and personal enjoyment. They also serve as a vital social connection for seniors looking to remain active and engaged. Make your gift now. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Travel is not reward for working, it’s education for living

2022 International Travel
Live to Travel – Travel to Live
Limited number of registrants.

View our
Pre-Recorded Travel Open House Presentation

Oh, the Places You’ll Go
Dr. Seuss

Insider’s Japan – View Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
May 18 – 30, 2023 | 13 days

Northern Italy – From the Alps to the Adriatic – View Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
August 24 – Sept 7, 2022 | 15 days

Provincial French Countryside – View Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
August 26 – Sept 9, 2022 | 15 days

Machu Picchu to the Galapagos – View Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
September 13 – 28, 2022 | 16 days

Classic Safari: Kenya & Tanzania – View Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
September 25 – October 10, 2022 | 16 days

FGCU Academy
Collier / Lee / Charlotte

FGCU ACADEMY NAPLES CENTER
704 Goodlette-Frank Rd N
Suite 330
Naples, FL 34102

239-434-4737

[email protected]

FGCU Academy | 704 Goodlette-Frank Road N., Suite 330, Naples, FL 34102

Welcome Back to Summer Arts Camp! – 2022

Onsite
From June 6 to August 5 – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
4 weekly sessions

Join us at the Alliance for the Arts for the best camp ever!

Our Summer Arts Camp offers students an array of creative opportunities from visual arts, science experiments, to performing arts. Choose your own art•venture with weekly session themes exploring the elements of wind, earth, fire and water.

A camp session consists of two immersive weeks of the best summer arts camp in southwest Florida. Kids will love creating one-of-a-kind masterpieces, playing improv games, exploring our galleries and so much more – all taught and led by our team of experienced artists and educators.

Spots are limited, so enroll today

Grades: 1-7 • Time: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended care available from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. for a fee.

Our summer arts camp is a great experience for kids. However, we understand that the cost can be a burden for some families. That’s why we award a number of full and partial scholarships every year.

We encourage you to Apply today and don’t miss on the opportunity to give your child an amazing experience at the Alliance for the Arts.

Applications close May 27

Want to be part and participate on our Summer Arts Camp 2022?

We are looking for Volunteers!

Volunteer positions are offered to students at least 14 years of age or older who want to gain experience and confidence through assisting the Summer Arts Camp Education Team.

Applications close May 27.

FREE FAMILY ART LAB

Saturday, April 23 & May 21 • Drop in for free, hands-on family fun from 10 a.m. to noon. Explore something new every month like art making, gallery activities, games and more – all inspired by artworks on view in the gallery, famous artists, national holidays and artistic traditions around the world.

13 the Musical Presented by Alliance Youth Theatre

Performances April 29 – May 1 •Geek. Poser. Jock. Beauty Queen. Wannabe. These are the labels that can last a lifetime. With an unforgettable rock score from Tony Award-winning composer, Jason Robert Brown, (Parade, The Last Five Years, Bridges of Madison County) 13 is a musical about fitting in – and standing out!

Painting with Eunique (Ages 5-10)

Wednesdays, May 4- 25 • Introduce your child to the world of art with our Painting with Eunique class. In each educational and creative session, students will create art and learn history, all while loosening up and enjoying themselves.

Off the Wall Street Art (12-18)

Thursdays, May 5 – 26 • Using traditional media, students will explore the contemporary field of street art (typography, character design, environmental interaction, etc.) creating pieces that build upon classic art techniques.

Paper Marbling Workshop

Saturday & Sunday, May 14 – 15 • Marbling is a unique process in which paint is carefully dropped onto a liquid bath. The drops are then teased into designs and printed on paper. In this two day class students will explore all facets of this magical process. From geometric to fantasy patterns, you’ll have a portfolio of beautiful papers for any art project.

The Greatest Showman Sing-A-Long Movie & Event

Sunday, June 12 • Join us Sunday, June 12 at 2 p.m. or 5 p.m. for a special sing-a-long screening of the 2017 smash-hit musical The Greatest Showman! Enjoy a variety of snacks, popcorn, food trucks, community, camaraderie, circus surprises and more! Costumes encouraged – come as a ringmaster, clown, animal, mime or acrobat!

Alliance for the Arts • ArtInLee.org
239-939-2787 • 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers

Membership • Donate • Classes • Exhibits • Theatre

Janet & Bruce Bunch · The Claiborne & Ned Foulds Foundation
Leigh Frizzell Hayes · Mary Lou & Richard Helms
Meisenberg Family Trust · Jon & Megan Romine · Arthur Zupko

And incredible people like you!

April 22, 2022

U.S. Department of Justice announces sentencing for Broward wildlife dealer and company.
The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced that Michael Van Nostrand, 55, of Davie and Strictly Reptiles, Inc. have been sentenced for the illegal harvest of Florida turtles.
“The illegal trade of wildlife, and in particular turtles, is a significant threat to biodiversity worldwide. The investigative work being conducted by FWC law enforcement and our USFWS and DOJ partners is not only commendable but it is also a critical component to conserving our natural resources,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Executive Director Eric Sutton.
“Through partnerships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Justice, we’re committed to stopping those who are engaged in illegal wildlife trafficking,” said Lt. Col. Gregg Eason, FWC Division of Law Enforcement.

Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Southern District of Florida

Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Broward Wildlife Dealer and Company Sentenced in Scheme to Harvest and Sell Florida Turtles
Miami, Florida – A federal district judge in Miami has sentenced Michael Van Nostrand, 55, of Davie, Florida and Strictly Reptiles, Inc., a company also located in Davie, for their roles in a scheme to unlawfully enrich themselves and others by smuggling illegally-harvested Florida turtles out of the United States and into China, Japan, and other places.

According to court records, from approximately April 2017 through April 2019 the defendants and their co-conspirators established a network of “collectors” to capture specimens of various wild fresh-water turtles within the State of Florida. They then marketed and sold the turtles as “captive bred” to both domestic and international customers to provide the appearance the turtles were legally obtained. In text messages, Van Nostrand repeatedly exhorted his suppliers to acquire more of the principal species: Florida three-stripe mud turtles (Kinosternon baurii) for his company. To complete the scheme and evade detection, the coconspirators would falsely mark required federal export declarations with a code denoting the turtles were captive bred, rather than wild caught.

An investigation conducted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service documented the illegal acquisition and sale of approximately 3,500 of Florida fresh-water turtles. Michael Van Nostrand was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of seven months, followed by a term of supervised release of three years, the first year of which will be served in home confinement. In addition, the Court ordered Van Nostrand to immediately pay a $100,000 fine to the Lacey Act Reward Fund and restricted Van Nostrand’s freedom to engage in the wildlife trade during the period of supervised release. During the sentencing hearing, the Court cited Van Nostrand’s compromised health (which was the subject of several filings and courtroom arguments) as the sole reason for not imposing a higher sentence. Strictly Reptiles, Inc. was sentenced to a term of five years’ probation, a fine of $150,000 also payable immediately to the Lacey Act Reward Fund, and oversight by an independent monitor/auditor, to be selected and appointed with the court’s approval.

The Lacey Act Reward Fund is a Congressionally authorized fund available to pay for the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of wildlife pending their disposition at the conclusion of civil and criminal matters and to compensate witnesses and cooperators in criminal investigations.

In pleadings and courtroom statements, the government noted that significant pressure is being placed on native species – especially turtles and tortoises – throughout the United States to satisfy the black-market pet trade, and that the United States is facing the specter of some species becoming extinct in the wild because of illegal poaching activities. The State of Florida has restricted the commercialization of wild-caught turtles since 2009 as part of its conservation effort.

Juan Antonio Gonzalez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and David Pharo, Acting Special Agent, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, SAC Office Atlanta, GA announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service investigated this case, with the cooperation of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Watts-FitzGerald is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 21-cr-20495-Williams.

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission · 620 S. Meridian Street · Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 · (850) 488-4676

SUNDAY NIGHT CHAMBER MUSIC:
SARASOTA CONSERVATORY STRING QUARTET
SUNDAY, MAY 1 7:00PM
Music & Arts Community Center
13411 Shire Lane, Fort Myers

Sunday Night Chamber Music sponsored in part by Linda & Douglas Garde

The Sarasota Music Conservatory Faculty String Quartet returns to the Music and Arts Community Center for an intimate evening of chamber music. This dynamic group of performers all perform with the Sarasota Orchestra and Sarasota Opera. The program brings music from Mozart & Borodin as well as a variety of Tangos!

All seats just $26 (plus ticketing fees).

Mozart Divertimento in D major K. 136
Piazzolla Four, for Tango
Tango Suite, arr. M. Naughtin
Borodin String Quartet No. 2

Gulf Coast Symphony, PO Box 60878, Fort Myers, FL 33906, United States

EARTH DAY – 25% OFF TICKETS
Music & Arts Community Center
13411 Shire Lane, Fort Myers

Join us tonight for our Earth Day Concert & Celebration! Save 25% on tickets for the Gulf Coast Chamber Orchestra concert tonight at 7:30pm, featuring Beethoven’s Pastorale Symphony. Prior to the concert, starting at 5pm, enjoy live jazz, pop-up arts exhibits, the Millennial Brewing Company truck, and other events all sponsored by the Southwest Florida RESET Center.

Click on the link below for the 25% off. The discount will be applied on the check-out page. This discount is only available on tickets purchased online using this link, and on new ticket purchases.

Gulf Coast Chamber Orchestra Program:
Anna Clyne Restless Oceans
Christopher Theofanidis Dreamtime Ancestors
Felix Mendelssohn Fingal’s Cave Overture
Beethoven Symphony No. 6 “Pastorale”

Gulf Coast Symphony, PO Box 60878, Fort Myers, FL 33906, United States

Unlock your skills, enhance your passion. This May, take a class or two and unleash your creativity.

Collage and Mixed Media (Ages 16+)

Mondays, May 2 – 23 • In this four week course, students will be exposed to various mixed media techniques with an emphasis on collage. This will be a fun and experimental class for anyone who wants to try but doesn’t know how to go about it. It will also have relevance for the seasoned artist who wants to try something different.

Connections: A Juried Exhibition at the Southwest Florida International Airport

Deadline May 6 • Art in Flight is a partnership between the Lee County Alliance for the Arts and the Lee County Port Authority, which brings art to public spaces at Southwest Florida International Airport. Submit your artwork following the theme for the opportunity to exhibit.

Group Voice Workshop (Ages 16+)

Saturday, May 10 • This workshop is an introduction to fundamentals of voice. Students will practice breath control to ensure they have the wind to power their notes. Vocal exercises will help them with identifying areas to work on such as pitch control, articulation (vowel emphasis), phrasing and other items key to building confidence and skill.

Bob Ross Classic: “Secluded Beach” – Painting Workshop (Ages 13+)

Saturday, May 14 • Join Mathew Halstead for a classic Bob Ross painting workshop with friends at the Alliance. Find freedom on a canvas as Mathew leads you from start to finish though creating the painting, “Secluded Beach.” Students will take home a finished 12X16 painting.

Paper Marbling Workshop

Saturday, May 14 • Marbling is a unique process in which paint is carefully dropped onto a liquid bath. The drops are then teased into designs and printed on paper. In this two day class students will explore all facets of this magical process.

Westminster History and Treasure Part 2 – Online Art Lecture

Thursday, May 19 • Enjoy the continuing history of The Abbey, one of Britain’s greatest medieval buildings and among the best-known churches in the world, has a history stretching back over a thousand years.

Classical Painting AM – Onsite Class

Tuesdays, May 24 – June 28 • Join long-time instructor and painter, Terry Lynn Spry, for her weekly fine art painting classes designed for the novice to the professional. Students are encouraged to work at their own level, and with their subject and medium of choice.

Classical Painting PM (Ages 16+)

Tuesdays, May 24 – June 28• Join long-time instructor and painter, Terry Lynn Spry, for her weekly fine art painting classes designed for the novice to the professional. Students are encouraged to work at their own level, and with their subject and medium of choice.

Painting Studio – Onsite Class

Thursdays, April 7 • In this class, you can expect to learn more about the spectrum of painting from realism to abstract, as well as, studies in portraiture, color control, compositions, value study and drawing.

Colored Pencil Drawing and Painting Class (18+)

Saturday, May 28 – June 11 • This Colored Pencil 3-week workshop is a comprehensive learning experience designed to guide absolute beginners and intermediate artists to a level of producing professional quality colored pencil drawings and painting.

CHANGE Acting Class (Ages 17+)

Saturdays, June 4 – July 9• The CHANGE Program (Communities Harnessing the Arts to Nurture and Grow Equity) engages aspiring adult actors of color in theatre education, provides performance opportunities, and a platform to convene dialogue on social issues that challenge our community through creative, artistic expression.

Foundations of Singing (Ages 16+)

Tuesdays, June 7 – 28 • Students will look at such things as tone, warmth and color in their singing. Also, there will be a discussion of the different requirements of singing by genre – Broadway, vs Country and Western, vs Rock and Roll, vs Classical….

BEGINNING BELLY DANCE A (AGES 14+)

Wednesday, June 15 – July 13 • Have fun learning the ancient art and modern styles of this dynamic dance! Belly Dancing is a naturally low impact activity that improves posture, core strength, flexibility and the mind-body connection.

REFLECTIONS: MEMBER EXHIBITION

July 1- July 31 • We invite our current members to submit one work following the theme “Reflections” to be displayed in the main gallery during this month-long group exhibition. As an artist and an Alliance member, this is your annual opportunity to exhibit your work in our main gallery! No online submission process, no jury notification – simply the opportunity to celebrate the artists that make our community so unique.

Alliance for the Arts • ArtInLee.org
239-939-2787 • 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers

Membership • Donate • Classes • Exhibits • Theatre

Janet & Bruce Bunch · The Claiborne & Ned Foulds Foundation
Leigh Frizzell Hayes · Mary Lou & Richard Helms
Meisenberg Family Trust · Jon & Megan Romine · Arthur Zupko

And incredible people like you!

Hundreds of courses. Knowledgeable instructors.
Have it your way, online or in-person.

April 2022

FGCU Academy Celebrates
Chinese Language Day

More than one billion people speak Chinese as their first language — that’s more than any other population in the world! UNESCO (part of the United Nations) first created Chinese Language Day in 2010 to celebrate Chinese as one of the six official languages of the United Nations. We’ve enjoyed it every year since on April 20. The day also celebrates Cangjie, who invented Chinese characters about 5,000 years ago. Legend says that when Cangjie finished, the gods rained grain upon the earth.

• 2650BC
Chinese written for the first time. Canjie invented the written Chinese language.
• 1911
China adopted Mandarin as national language
Mandarin became the national language after Dr. Sun Yat Sen overthrew the Qing Dynasty.
• 1946
UN established Chinese as an official language. Still, the UN did not commonly use Chinese at first. The situation improved after the People’s Republic of China regained lawful rights in the UN 25 years later.
• 1973
UN General Assembly adopted Chinese. The UN Security Council would soon follow suit — making Chinese its “working language” in 1974. After that, more and more UN offices and staff members began to work with Chinese.
• 2019
One-fifth of the world. Around 1.3 billion people speak some form of Chinese — ranking it No. 1 in the world. Standard Mandarin remains the official language in the largest part of mainland China and Taiwan. It’s also an official idiom of the United Nations.

You can call us to register (239) 434-4737 or you can register online at [email protected]

April 2022 Daily Calendar

May 2022 Daily Calendar

2022 Winter / Spring FGCU Academy Catalog

April Featured Lectures

This Week’s Features and More…

Learn to Read Minds in 90 Minutes

Military Heritage Museum
April 21 | 1:30 – 3 p.m.

REGISTER NOW [email protected]

I think it is safe to say that this lecture will be the most fun you’ve had in weeks. Bill Gladwell has had long-running, critically-acclaimed shows in Gatlinburg, Hilton Head Island, Sedona…READ MORE

Instructor: Bill Gladwell

Sidney Reilly “Ace of Spies” – The Real James Bond

Cypress Cove
April 21 | 1:30 – 3 p.m.

REGISTER NOW: [email protected]

Britain has a long and storied history of intelligence. Sidney Reilly was one of their most successful spies. 

Instructor: Thomas Eastwood

Enlightened Despots: Frederick the Great, Maria Theresa and Catherine the Great

Naples Center or Online Webinar
April 25 | 1:30 – 3 p.m.

REGISTER NOW: [email protected]

The Scientific Revolution and Age of Enlightenment brought new knowledge and ideas to an increasingly literate European society that was hungry for information. 

Instructor: Nancy Maxwell

Could We Have Another Civil War? Reflections on America’s Past “Civil Wars”

Commons Club at The Brooks
April 26 | 10 – 11:30 a.m.

REGISTER NOW: [email protected]

Following World War I, there was a World War II. The seeds of the Second World War were sown by the first one. 

Instructor: Charles Kupchella

Amphibians and Reptiles of the Peruvian Amazon

Moorings Park
April 27 | 10 – 11:30 a.m.

REGISTER NOW: [email protected]

The Amazon Rainforest is world renowned for its beauty, life and mystery. Despite this global interest, little is known about vast areas of the Amazon that remain untouched 

Instructor: Matthew Metcalf

iOS15 – Tips, Tricks & Secrets of Apple’s Newest Operating System for iPhone and iPad

Babcock Ranch
April 27 | 6:30 – 8 p.m.

REGISTER NOW: [email protected]

Join this lecture-style presentation to learn all of the new features, upgrades and enhancements of Apple’s

Instructor: John Guerra

• Camp Boardwalk” and the War at the Jersey Shore

• iPhone/iPad for Intermediates: All the Things You Never Knew

• Voltaire, Natural Disasters, and Gold

• Mah Jongg for Beginners (3-part series)

• The Invisibility of Social Issues in Southwest Florida

• The Creation of Italy

• Taking Amazing Vacation and Travel Photos

FGCU Academy Giving Campaign

Thoughtful gifts of all sizes enable FGCU Academy to meet the ongoing needs for state-of-the-art technology equipment, speakers for our Salke art series, and the ability to keep our costs down for our day trips. Without your support, this vital community outreach program would not be possible. Our programs deliver academic substance in an interactive format that encourages the exchange of ideas and provides both intellectual stimulation and personal enjoyment. They also serve as a vital social connection for seniors looking to remain active and engaged. Make your gift now. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Travel is not reward for working, it’s education for living

2022 International Travel
Live to Travel – Travel to Live
Limited number of registrants.

View our
Pre-Recorded Travel Open House Presentation Now: [email protected]

Oh, the Places You’ll Go
Dr. Seuss

Insider’s Japan – View Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
May 18 – 30, 2023 | 13 days

Northern Italy – From the Alps to the Adriatic – View Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
August 24 – Sept 7, 2022 | 15 days

Provincial French Countryside – View Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
August 26 – Sept 9, 2022 | 15 days

Machu Picchu to the Galapagos – View Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
September 13 – 28, 2022 | 16 days

Classic Safari: Kenya & Tanzania – View Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
September 25 – October 10, 2022 | 16 days

FGCU Academy
Collier / Lee / Charlotte

FGCU ACADEMY NAPLES CENTER
704 Goodlette-Frank Rd N
Suite 330
Naples, FL 34102

239-434-4737

[email protected]

FGCU Academy | 704 Goodlette-Frank Road N., Suite 330, Naples, FL 34102

Sent by [email protected]

Please see the attached Invitation to HUD Partner Information and Resource Sharing Webinar: In support of Mental Health Awareness Month.

REGISTER TODAY for this FREE EVENT
May 3rd, 2022, 10:00 am-12:30 pm ET
Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hud-partner-information-and-resource-sharing-webinar-mh-awareness-month-registration-317202018777

Greetings Community Partners:
We welcome you to join the US Department of Housing and Urban Development– Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina and South Carolina Field Offices along with Federal, State and Non-Profit Partners for an Information Sharing Webinar in support of National Mental Health Awareness Month on May 3, 2022, from 10:00 am-12:30 pm ET.

This Live Webinar is for Mental Health Practitioners, Directors, Clinical Caseworkers and office staff, Community Support Agencies, PHA staff, Tribal Support Svc staff, Private and Nonprofits Organizations, HUD Federal and State Community Partners, Grantees, Veteran Support Organizations and others.

Presenters/Panelist: HUD Program Office Staff, Federal Agencies, State Partners, Mental Health (MH) Industry Professionals, Legal Consultant and Community Partners

About this Event: In continued efforts to address gaps in HUD Service Ecosystems, Service Providers will learn about Federal/State/Community Resources and programs that support housing and economic stability for target population.

HUD Service Ecosystems: Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Enforcement; Access to Affordable Rental Homes; Housing Quality and Improved Living Condition; Economic Growth and Community Resilience; Homeownership Opportunity and Housing Market Stability.

Opening Remarks: United States Department of Health and Human Services, SAMHSA

Federal/State Presenters
Federal Agency
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
United States Department of Agriculture-Rural Development
United States Department of Treasury-Internal Revenue Service
United States Veterans Health Administration

State Agency
South Carolina Department Mental Health
Kentucky Legal Aid
Florida Department of Children and Families
Roundtable Discussion: Community Resources

Panelist: United Way/211, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), CDS Family and Behavioral Health Services

*Community agencies will provide brief overview of services offered

Discussion topics to include: Impacts of COVID (Trends) on Mental Health Care and Recovery, Stigmas around and facts about MH, Housing stability- How Instability with Housing Affects Mental Health, How poor living conditions and lack of quality housing affect adults and children, How to Address Disparities in Underserved Communities, Developing Strategic Partnerships, Best Practices to increase Wellness Efforts (for Community agencies, Nonprofits and Service Support organizations) and more

Please register via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hud-partner-information-and-resource-sharing-webinar-mh-awareness-month-registration-317202018777

Webinar Date/Time: Tuesday, May 3, 2022, from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm ET

Where: Microsoft Teams Live event
(The link will be issued to those who register.)

Meeting Logistics:
• The conference is being presented in Microsoft Teams Live.
• Disconnect from VPN for a better-quality experience.
• For more information, watch this overview video on attending a live event.
• During the event, use the Q&A box to ask questions. This will be recorded, and captions will be available.

Copyright (C) 2022 Lee County Homeless Coalition. All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Lee County Homeless Coalition
1500 Colonial Blvd. Ste. 235
Ft Myers, FL 33907

Phone -239-322-6600
[email protected]
www.leehomeless.org

Collier County Waterkeeper hosts Earth Day Jamboree
All-day family fun event celebrating planet Earth

WHO: Collier County Waterkeeper proudly celebrates our beautiful environment by hosting the Save Our Planet – Earth Day Jamboree, a fun way to celebrate with family and friends while educating the community with the support of more than 60 event partners.

WHAT: The all-day, family-friendly event will open with a procession of local veterans, singing of the National Anthem, followed by the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, singing their National Anthem, and Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann presenting an Official SAVE OUR PLANET Proclamation and a celebratory ribbon cutting.

Activities include:
• 16 Speakers, three bands, and videos projected on the large LED screen
• Some of the best food trucks and cold beverage vendors Naples has to offer
• Speakers: FGCU professor, Dr. Michael Savarese, Eminent Scholar Dr. William J. Mitsch, faith leader Rev. Dr. Dawson B. Taylor, President & CEO of the Naples Botanical Garden Donna McGinnis, filmmaker & environmentalist Erik E. Crown and others
• Petting zoo
• Creative exhibits from a wide spectrum of community groups, sharing what they are doing to care for the planet, including elementary schools, universities, local artists, city officials, environmental agencies, and nonprofits.
• Innovative technology, showcasing a field of electric vehicles such as customized “fully wrapped” Teslas, and electric bikes.
• Collier County students will be invited on stage to show off their Earth Day contest submissions
• Watch artist Paul Arsenault “live paint” an oversized work of art
• Music will be provided by all-woman R&B group Women Don’t Conform and Miami-based French Horn Collective

For more information about the event, please visit https://www.saveourplanetnaples.com/

WHEN: Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

WHERE: Cambier Park in Naples

WHY: Our natural habitat, world-famous beaches, waterways and World Heritage Site Everglades National Park are what make Southwest Florida so amazing, and this is a fun way to celebrate with family and friends while educating the community.