Member News

January 28, 2021: Today, Governor Ron DeSantis released his Florida Leads budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2021-2022, which includes $50 million for VISIT FLORIDA to continue showcasing that Florida is open and safe for tourists from throughout the U.S. and the world.
This marks a huge win for our industry and our state as we remain wholly focused on leading Florida’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This past year was the most challenging that Florida tourism has ever faced, but with our Governor’s support and our state’s continued investment in VISIT FLORIDA, we can keep working on behalf of every Florida family, business, and community that’s been impacted by the pandemic.
In addition, we’re also excited to share with you that with the support of the Governor’s Office, we are running legislation this Session that would remove our Sunset date and clarify our ability to carry forward our funds when necessary due to unforeseen circumstances (i.e. pausing our media due to storms or public health emergencies).
Serving as our Senate sponsor again this year is Senator Ed Hooper (R – Palm Harbor), who helped us achieve unanimous passage of last year’s bill in the Senate. This year’s bill number is SB 778. Our House bill will soon be filed by Representative Rene Plasencia (R – Titusville) , better known as ‘Coach P’ to his constituents.
We will keep you updated as things progress. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Dana Young
President and CEO, VISIT FLORIDA

January 25, 2021, Fort Myers, FL:  Danny Sinoff, noted jazz pianist and singer, with his Danny Sinoff Trio, have begun a residency each Thursday night at the Players Circle Theatre, located at the Shell Factory and Nature Park. Each week, Sinoff will feature a specific theme from music of the past:

• January 28 will feature The Music of Cole Porter
• February 4 performs The Music of George and Ira Gershwin
• February 11 showcases The Music of Rodgers and Hart, featuring “My Funny Valentine (perfect for Valentine’s Day)
• February 18 is time for “The Music of Jimmy Van Heusen

Thursday performances are at 7:00 p.m.  Tickets are $15 general admission, and $25 VIP.  Contact 239-800-3292 or PlayersCircleTheater.com.
The Players Circle Theatre is located at the Shell Factory and Nature Park, 16554 North Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers.  The 200 seat Players Circle theatre has been converted into a nightclub/cabaret style facility, which will have 74 limited, spaced seating, temperature checks, thorough sanitizing, and masks are worn by all audience members until seated.  In compliance with all CDC guidelines.
A special food & Drink menu is available for nightclub patrons, serving delicious, shareable plates and drinks in the theatre 45 minutes before performances and during shows.  Full dinner and bar also available at the adjacent Southern Grill. Call 239-995-3999 for reservations.
The Players Circle Theatre was developed by veterans of the Southwest Florida theatre movement, Carrie Lund Cacioppo and Robert Cacioppo.  They are prominent faces of theatre in Lee County for over 35 years, having started Lee County’s first professional theatre on Sanibel Island and the Florida Repertory Theatre, which has been named “One of America’s best regional theatres” by The Wall Street Journal.  Players Circle Theatre is a professional black box theatre providing Broadway-level entertainment.  Follow it online at PlayersCircle.org.

Vaccine through Lee County:
The COVID-19 vaccine reservation system will reopen Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. The number to call is 1-866-200-3468. At this time, these vaccines are still only for people age 65 and over and frontline healthcare workers.
A total of 5,800 appointments are available for Thursday, January 21^st and Friday, January 22^nd.
This is a single-location vaccination site. It is located east of Interstate 75 off of Daniels Parkway. It’s the site of the old airport terminal parking lot. Message boards will direct traffic to Paul J. Doherty Parkway. A parking area is available.
Vaccine through Publix:
Coronavirus vaccine at Publix Pharmacy.
All available COVID-19 vaccine appointments at Publix Pharmacy have been claimed. Starting Friday, January 22 after 6:00 a.m. EST, eligible customers can access appointment availability beginning Saturday, January 23.
Vaccination appointments are scheduled online only https://www.publix.com/covid-vaccine/florida  . Appointments cannot be made by calling Publix or the Publix Pharmacy.
Eligibility – The following persons are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida, by appointment only:

• healthcare personnel with direct patient contact
• residents and staff of longterm healthcare facilities, and
• adults aged 65 years and older

IMMOKALEE, Fla. (Jan. 13, 2021) – Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee offers live performances at Zig Zag Lounge with “Safe + Sound” guidelines in place. The “Safe + Sound” program mandates the proper use of required masks or face coverings, social distancing, crowd control and remaining stationary while eating or drinking. Guests must adhere to “Safe + Sound” program requirements or be asked to leave the property. For a full list of safety protocols, and the most up-to-date information, please visit https://www.seminoleimmokaleecasino.com/good-clean-fun.htm.
Zig Zag Lounge is Southwest Florida’s premier destination to catch your favorite teams during the NFL season as well as other sporting events with TVs located throughout the bar. No cover for live entertainment; entertainment is subject to change. For complete details, visit moreinparadise.com.

 
About Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee
Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is Southwest Florida’s premier gaming and entertainment destination. Located at 506 South 1^st Street in Immokalee, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is easily accessible to all of Southwest Florida. The 51,000-square-foot casino offers 1,400 slots and 38 live table games. Dining options include the award-winning 1^st Street Deli, Asian fusion restaurant Lucky Mi Noodle House, and the EE-TO-LEET-KE (“The Camp”) Grill. Seminole Casino Hotel’s nightlife is highlighted by the Zig Zag lounge, home of the Zig Zag Girlz, “where the party never ends” featuring nightly live entertainment and no last call, as well as the new Corner Bar. Additional entertainment and events are held at the Seminole Center, an indoor/outdoor special event center featuring state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. The Seminole Casino Hotel is the first upscale hotel to open in or near Immokalee and offers suites and deluxe guestrooms with modern décor and upscale features. Seminole Casino Hotel participates in the Seminole Players Club Wild Card Rewards Program whereby players earn and redeem comp dollars at all Seminole Casinos in Florida. For more information, call toll-free (800) 218-0007 or visit moreinparadise.com or facebook.com/SeminoleCasinoHotel/.

FORT MYERS, FL. (January 13, 2020)- Florida Skin Center (FSC), a dermatology practice that provides comprehensive medical services for the diagnosis and treatment of skin, hair and nail disorders, and procedures for aesthetic and cosmetic concerns, announced that it has launched new online scheduling and text messaging services.
New and established patients can visit FSC’s website at www.FloridaSkinCenter.com to choose a location, provider, appointment type and a convenient appointment day and time.   A secure text messaging system on the FSC website provides help and direct replies to questions.
“Our goal is to provide outstanding medical services and guest experiences,” said Diana Gonzalez, Florida Skin Center’s Practice Administrator.  “We want to make it fast and simple to reach us.  No more waiting on hold or playing phone tag.”
Recognized for two consecutive years by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) and Neutrogena® Choose Skin Health program as Top Screener for free skin checks, Florida Skin Center maintains a focus on medical excellence and guest-service.
Florida Skin Center has offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Punta Gorda.  All locations offer readily available same-week and early-morning appointments. Ft. Myers and Cape Coral offices open on select Saturdays. Appointment scheduling and text messaging available online at FloridaSkinCenter.com or call (239) 561-3376. Follow Florida Skin Center on Facebook and Instagram.
About Florida Skin Center
Florida Skin Center opened its doors in 2001. Currently with offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Punta Gorda, the dermatology practice provides comprehensive medical services for the diagnosis and treatment of skin, hair and nail disorders. Procedures for aesthetic and cosmetic concerns are also available. Recognized for two consecutive years by the ASDS and Neutrogena® Choose Skin Health program as Top Screener for free skin checks, Florida Skin Center maintains a focus on medical excellence and guest-service.
All locations offer readily available same-week and early-morning appointments. Ft. Myers and Cape Coral offices open on select Saturdays. Appointment scheduling and text messaging available online at FloridaSkinCenter.com or call (239) 561-3376. Follow Florida Skin Center on Facebook and Instagram.

US Census Bureau – Hiring Field Representatives

• Pay Rate $14.95-$20.71 per hour plus $0.57 per mile driven while on duty
• Basic Requirements: 
  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must have use of an automobile and valid driver’s license
  • Must be willing to work days, evening, and weekends
  • Must be willing to travel overnight for work assignments, training, etc.
• Duties:
  • Interview respondents to collect survey or census data as required for current, on-going surveys, one-time surveys, and special censuses.
  • Explain the purpose of the survey, ask questions as worded on the questionnaire or survey instrument, and enter accurate and complete information into a laptop computer or onto survey forms.
  • Maintains personal payroll records that reflect hours worked, miles driven, and reimbursements for travel and communications claimed.
• How To Apply: Interested applicants may apply by completing an application package consisting of the following:
  • A Census Employment Inquiry (BC-170)
  • Additional Applicant Information (BC-171)
  • U.S. Census Jobs Assessment Booklet (BC-172)

To request an application package by MAIL, send an email with complete mailing address and County/Parish of residence to: [email protected]. Enter “New Application Request” in the subject line. The application package, instruction and a self-addressed return envelope, will be sent via mail to the applicant’s home address.
The Bureau of the Census does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sex, age, or any non-disqualifying physical handicap.

FORT MYERS, FLA., January 8, 2021 – The Fort Myers Community Concert Association has canceled the five performances of the 2021 season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Board President Mary Lee Mann announced Friday.
It is the first time in the 72-year history of the Fort Myers Community Concert Association that an entire season has been canceled.
“After much deliberation and soul searching, our Board has decided we must cancel our 2021 Season.  We took into consideration several important facts:  the limited availability of the COVID-19 vaccine locally, the steady increase in our local positivity rates, the projected post holiday surges, the new more contagious COVID variant, and most difficult to overcome, our inability to socially distance membership in the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall,” she said in a statement.
While other events are still ongoing at the Barbara B. Mann Hall, the number of seats is limited due to the six-foot social distancing perimeter.  Mann said this configuration makes it impossible to accommodate the 1,700 members of the Fort Myers Community Concert Association.
“The majority of our patrons are in the highly vulnerable age group.  We had hoped the situation would improve by now, but it hasn’t.  We just don’t feel we can risk the health and safety of our members by bringing them together in such a large group during a pandemic,” Mann said.
All season ticket holders will be offered the option of either a refund or a credit toward next year’s season, which Mann said is being organized now and will be announced in the spring.
The Concert Association revised the season in December to include performers closer to the United States in hopes that travel would be less of a concern for the visiting artists.  Performances varying from a fully staged opera to a chamber music ensemble were scheduled to begin in February.
The Fort Myers Community Concert Association is an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization founded by the legendary Barbara B. Mann in 1949 to bring world-class entertainment to Southwest Florida at affordable prices.  The association consists of more than 1,700 members, underwriters and sponsors.  Performers brought to Fort Myers in the past by the association include The Israel Ballet, Violinist Itzhak Perlman, The Boston Brass, Minnesota Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Vienna Boys Choir, Pianist Andre Watts, Violinist Joshua Bell with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and many others.  For membership forms, visit www.fortmyerscommunityconcerts.org.

FORT MYERS, FL. (December 29, 2020)- The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) has named Florida Skin Center Founder and Medical Director, Aurora Badia M.D., D.O., as the top screener, and the practice as top practice for performing the most free skin cancer screenings in the nation. This is the second consecutive year that ASDS has recognized Florida Skin Center for these achievements in its Choose Skin Health® program.
ASDS operates this year-round program in partnership with Neutrogena® promoting free skin cancer screenings to the public. Florida Skin Center performed 2,355 free skin checks in 2019-2020. This was an increase of 500 over the previous year despite the limitations and restrictions from the COVID -19 pandemic placed on non-essential services and group gatherings. The free skin checks, provided by Florida Skin Center in Southwest Florida, represent an impressive two-thirds of the total 3,500 annual free screenings provided by all ASDS participating members nationwide this year.
“It is an honor and a privilege to receive recognition as top screener for the most skin checks”, said Dr. Badia. “Our entire team is dedicated to sharing knowledge and information for the protection and detection of skin cancer. Providing free skin checks to our community is an actionable effort that is measured by more than just a number-early detection saves lives.”
Florida Skin Center offers free annual full-body skin care checks year-round to new and established patients, who are referred to as guests of the practice. This complimentary head-to-toe skin examination is offered once a year regardless of insurance, with a scheduled appointment. Guests can save between $15 and $91, and are introduced to a skin regimen tailored to their individual needs. Appointments can be made at any of the four Southwest Florida locations.
Florida Skin Center has offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Punta Gorda.  All locations offer readily available same-week and early-morning appointments. Ft. Myers and Cape Coral offices open on select Saturdays. Appointment scheduling and text messaging available online at FloridaSkinCenter.com or call (239) 561-3376. Follow Florida Skin Center on Facebook and Instagram.
About Florida Skin Center 
Florida Skin Center opened its doors in 2001. Currently with offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Punta Gorda, the dermatology practice provides comprehensive medical services for the diagnosis and treatment of skin, hair and nail disorders. Procedures for aesthetic and cosmetic concerns are also available. Recognized for two consecutive years by the ASDS and Neutrogena® Choose Skin Health program as Top Screener for free skin checks, Florida Skin Center maintains a focus on medical excellence and guest-service.
All locations offer readily available same-week and early-morning appointments. Ft. Myers and Cape Coral offices open on select Saturdays. Appointment scheduling and text messaging available online at FloridaSkinCenter.com or call (239) 561-3376. Follow Florida Skin Center on Facebook and Instagram.

FORT MYERS, Fla (December 3, 2020) – The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools held their annual Classroom & School Grants Ceremony on Monday, November 30 at The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. Educators, Administrators, The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools’ Executive Board Members, Selection Committee Members, and Sponsors gathered to recognize the recipients for their innovative and creative grant projects that will enhance student learning in the 2020-2021 school year. Approximately $80,000 has been awarded totaling 44 Grants funded to educators, schools, and administrators throughout the School District of Lee County.
The Classroom & School Grants program supports teachers and students by funding tools and resources that are normally not included in their budget but are necessary for creating unique learning experiences. Teachers submit a grant application to The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools for innovative projects that enhance student learning through hands-on activities and unique perspectives on traditional subject areas. Classroom Grant categories include Academic Achievement of Low Performing Students, Literacy, and Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM).
“Our educators are gifted at planning new and innovative learning experiences for our students so they are given the opportunity to succeed at their highest potential”, says Marshall T. Bower, President & CEO of The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. “This grant program bridges the educating of our children with real world learning experiences.  The business and community sponsors help make the program a success”.
The funding for this program would not be possible without the generous support of our Gold Sponsor, Suncoast Credit Union, along with several other financial contributors. The program is also sponsored in part by a major grant from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundation, which is made possible by the State of Florida.
About The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools: The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, Inc. is a private, 501(c)3 organization established in 1986. Its mission is to enhance and enrich the quality of public education in Lee County for students and educators through programs, resources, and experiences made possible through corporate, individual, and educational partnerships. The Foundation is rated a Platinum organization by GuideStar. Find us online at www.leeschoolfoundation.org, on Twitter @FoundationLCPS, and Facebook.

IMMOKALEE, Fla. (Dec. 18, 2020) – Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee will resume live performances at Zig Zag Lounge beginning New Year’s Eve with “Safe + Sound” guidelines in place. The “Safe + Sound” program mandates the proper use of required masks or face coverings, social distancing, crowd control and remaining stationary while eating or drinking. Guests must adhere to “Safe + Sound” program requirements or be asked to leave the property. For a full list of safety protocols, and the most up-to-date information, please visit https://www.seminoleimmokaleecasino.com/good-clean-fun.htm.
Zig Zag Lounge is Southwest Florida’s premier destination to catch your favorite teams during the NFL season as well as other sporting events with TVs located throughout the bar. No cover for live entertainment; entertainment is subject to change. For complete details, visit moreinparadise.com.

About Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee
Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is Southwest Florida’s premier gaming and entertainment destination. Located at 506 South 1^st Street in Immokalee, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is easily accessible to all of Southwest Florida. The 51,000-square-foot casino offers 1,400 slots and 38 live table games. Dining options include the award-winning 1^st Street Deli, Asian fusion restaurant Lucky Mi Noodle House, and the EE-TO-LEET-KE (“The Camp”) Grill. Seminole Casino Hotel’s nightlife is highlighted by the Zig Zag lounge, home of the Zig Zag Girlz, “where the party never ends” featuring nightly live entertainment and no last call, as well as the new Corner Bar. Additional entertainment and events are held at the Seminole Center, an indoor/outdoor special event center featuring state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. The Seminole Casino Hotel is the first upscale hotel to open in or near Immokalee and offers suites and deluxe guestrooms with modern décor and upscale features. Seminole Casino Hotel participates in the Seminole Players Club Wild Card Rewards Program whereby players earn and redeem comp dollars at all Seminole Casinos in Florida. For more information, call toll-free (800) 218-0007 or visit moreinparadise.com or facebook.com/SeminoleCasinoHotel/.