Member News

FORT MYERS, Fla., (Nov. 26, 2019) – The holiday shopping season officially kicks off at Bell Tower on Friday, Nov. 29, as shoppers and restaurant patrons take advantage of Black Friday offerings at the center.

Bell Tower will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Black Friday. Operating hours for anchor stores, restaurants and entertainment venues may vary from regular center hours.

Merchants open on Thanksgiving Day include Victoria’s Secret (6-10 p.m.), TGI Fridays (4-10 p.m.), Bed Bath & Beyond (5 a.m-midnight), Dave & Busters (4-11 p.m.), The Fresh Market (7 a.m.-4 p.m.), Ulta (6 p.m.-2 a.m.), Mimi’s Café (7 a.m.-8 p.m.) and Regal Cinema (10 a.m.-11 p.m.).

Merchants opening early on Black Friday include Chico’s (9 a.m.), Victoria’s Secret (6 a.m.), Jos. A. Bank (8 a.m.), Driftwood Blue (9 a.m.), Brodeur Carvell (9 a.m.), Bath & Body Works (8 a.m.), Bed Bath & Beyond (6 a.m.), Talbots (7 a.m.), Ulta (5 a.m.) and Jared’s Jewelers (8 a.m.).

Merchants open on Christmas Day include TGI Friday’s (4 p.m.-10 p.m.), Daruma (5-10 p.m.), Dave & Busters (4-11 p.m.) and Regal Cinema (noon-11 p.m.).

Hours of operation are subject to change. Please contact stores or visit store websites to confirm opening and closing times.

According to the National Retail Federation, holiday retail sales are expected to climb approximately 4% over 2018. Shoppers at Bell Tower will notice an abundance of physical changes – updated architecture, redesigned storefronts, fresh paint, new landscaping and contemporary lighting – as well as a variety of new tenants that have opened over the past year, including Dave & Buster’s, Ocean View & 7th, Ice Spot and G’s Bridal & Haute Couture. Burntwood Tavern and Matinique Bakery Cafe also will be opening in the coming months.

“Bell Tower has always been a favorite destination for Southwest Florida residents and visitors seeking an alternative to the frenzied Black Friday shopping experience, and we’re excited to show off our new look now that the redevelopment is complete,” said Samantha Lillard, senior general manager for Bell Tower. “Our tenants are planning some great promotions and specials for Black Friday and beyond, so Bell Tower certainly is the place to ‘Experience More’ this holiday season.”

During the holiday season, Bell Tower will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The center will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. On Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, Bell Tower will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For a list of upcoming special appearances by Santa Claus and festive holiday events, visit BellTowerFortMyers.com and follow Bell Tower on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About Bell Tower

Bell Tower is a landmark shopping, dining and entertainment destination centrally located in Fort Myers, Florida. The open-air center offers fine retail shops including eclectic boutiques and shopping favorites Williams-Sonoma, Chico’s, White House | Black Market, Victoria’s Secret, Pink, Ocean View & 7^th, Talbots, francesca’s and Ulta. Exceptional shopping is complemented by distinctive restaurants: DaRuMa Japanese Steak House, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, Blue Pointe Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill, Cantina Laredo, Mimi’s Café, T.G.I. Friday’s, Society, World of Beer and Ice Spot. Bell Tower also is home to Dave & Buster’s, The Fresh Market, Bed Bath & Beyond and a 20-screen Regal Cinema complex. A community partner and pet-friendly destination, Bell Tower Shops hosts special events throughout the year, including concerts, fundraisers, art fairs and more. Visit BellTowerFortMyers.com for more information.

About Madison Marquette

Madison Marquette is a leading private real estate investment manager, developer, operator and service provider headquartered in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1992, the company’s reputation is built on the successful development, repositioning and redevelopment of commercial mixed-use assets in major gateway and emerging high-growth markets throughout the United States. Madison Marquette partners with global institutional and private investors to achieve industry-leading investment performance across asset classes. In addition, the firm provides integrated management and leasing services to many of the most sophisticated institutional owners in the industry. On behalf of owners and investors, Madison Marquette provides insight, and often innovative incorporation of retail, that results in high-performing and unique real estate destinations that add long-term value to their communities. Current high-profile projects include The Wharf in Washington, D.C., the redevelopment of the Asbury Park waterfront in New Jersey and Pacific Place in Seattle, WA. The firm covers major U.S. markets through its primary offices in Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Fort Lauderdale.  Madison Marquette is a member of the Capital Guidance global group of companies. For more information, visit www.MadisonMarquette.com.

FORT MYERS, FL (November 25, 2019) — The Laboratory Theater of Florida will be hosting professional movie and television actor Wayne Morton at the “Public Access Series,” which is moderated by Randall Kenneth Jones.
The Public Access Series is an Actor’s Studio-style Q&A discussion event, featuring people of note in our area that can offer tips and stories from their careers in entertainment, with great humor and insight.
Wayne Morton is a professional comedian and actor. He has been seen on MASH, Dukes of Hazzard, Mork and Mindy, Happy Days, Private Benjamin, and Newhart, as well as being the Meineke muffler spokesman. He’s been seen in various musicals on Broadway, Las Vegas, and in Naples, Fl. He worked extensively with Jack Benny and many other incredible actors. He will share his interesting life with its twists and turns and time spent with some of the great names in entertainment over the past 40 years.
The Public Access Series with Wayne Morton will be on Monday, December 9th at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $12.00 for members of the theater and $20.00 for non-members,  and the event is included in the season pass. Group rates and membership packages are available upon request.
Tickets are available to purchase on Brownpapertickets.com or by calling the box office at 239-218-0481. For additional savings, guests may purchase a 2019-2020 Season Pass.
ABOUT THE LABORATORY THEATER OF FLORIDA
The Laboratory Theater of Florida, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is dedicated to the promotion of the performing arts, through live performance, education, community outreach, experimentation, and the development of ensemble work. The company features ensemble productions, produces classic works, takes artistic risks, which both feature and challenge local performers. For more information visit www.LaboratoryTheaterFlorida.com or the physical location at 1634 Woodford Avenue, in the Fort Myers River District.

Fort Myers, Fla. (Nov. 25, 2019) – Celebrating the significant work of dedicated attorneys who believe in giving back to their community, Florida Rural Legal Services honored 25 attorneys for their pro bono work at the recent FRLS Pro Bono Awards Luncheon at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers.
The attorneys were recognized for giving of their time and talents to assist those who otherwise could not afford legal fees in the tax clinic, with family law issues and other legal work.
Attorneys honored before about 80 people, including judges, Lee County Clerk of Court Linda Doggett and other attorneys, were:
Scott Atwood, Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, PA, Fort Myers;
Shanthy Bala, Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc., Fort Myers;
Albert V. Batista, Naples;
Norma H. Brill, Fort Myers;
Daniel Dalesandro, Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Fort Myers;
Theresa Daniels, Daniels Law Office, Bokeelia;
Che Diaz, Diaz Law Office, Fort Myers;
Tina M. Dedtrick, Levins & Warnock Law Group, Fort Myers;
Kelly Fayer, Fayer Law Office, Fort Myers;
Cary Goggin, Goede, Adamczyk, DeBoest, Cross, PLLC, Naples;
Kim E. Howard, Howard Law Office, Estero;
Richard Johnston, Johnston Law Firm, Fort Myers;
Jeffrey R. Kuhns, Kuhns Law Office, Punta Gorda;
Lisa Musial, Musial & Musial, LLC, Cape Coral;
Greg Nussbickel, Nussbickel Law Firm, Fort Myers;
Christina O’Brien, Henderson Franklin, Starnes & Holt, PA, Fort Myers;
Ryan O’Halloran, O’Halloran & O’Halloran Law Office, Fort Myers;
Frank Pavese Jr., Pavese Law Office, Cape Coral;
Richard Ricciardi, Powell, Jackson, Steven & Ricciardi Law, Fort Myers;
Kayla Richmond, Henderson Franklin, Starnes & Holt, PA, Fort Myers;
Alexis Sitka, The Law Office of Alexis A. Sitka, Fort Myers;
Steven Spence, Spence Law Firm, LaBelle;
David Steckler, ACT Shelter, Fort Myers;
Joseph Trunkett, Trunkett Law Group, Fort Myers;
John Webb, Webb Law Group, Fort Myers.
Also recognized were several interns from Florida Gulf Coast University who worked with Naples Attorney David Steckler.
About the Lee County Bar Association
The Lee County Bar Association, a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization, has served the citizens and legal community of Lee County since 1949 and has a current membership of almost 800. Its purpose is to further the education of its member attorneys and create meaningful interaction among them, and to inform the community on important legal matters. The bar strives to serve as a leader in advancing ethical conduct, excellence and professionalism of its members. For more information, visit leebar.org or contact Executive Director Lauren Baugh at 239-334-0047 or [email protected].

The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center is Seeking Contributions for Annual Heights Community Gift Drive
(Fort Myers – November 25, 2019)  – The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center is seeking organizations and individuals to participate in the annual Harlem Heights Community Gift Drive.  Individuals, businesses and philanthropic groups are asked to donate new, unwrapped gifts for local children.  Gifts are needed for more than 800 children, ranging in age from birth to 17 years of age.
Suggested donations are gifts under $25 including Legos, dolls, art sets, footballs, basketballs, soccer balls, remote control cars, tea sets, action figures, board games, coloring books and crayons.  Personal items are needed including pajamas, jewelry, body lotion, spray, soaps, hair accessories and wristwatches.  Donations of gift cards from Target, Kmart or Walmart are appreciated.  Monetary donations can be made at www.heightsfoundation.org/donate.
The gifts will be distributed to parents on Saturday, December 21 at The Heights Center, keeping the surprise in Christmas for our kids.
“This holiday season will again be challenging for many families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood,” said Kathryn Kelly, President and CEO of the Heights Foundation. “This is a great opportunity to bring joy to the children of our community.  We are thankful for the generous support of our neighbors.”
Items can be dropped off at The Heights Center, 15570 Hagie Drive in Fort Myers.  Toys will be collected through Thursday, December 19.
Volunteers are needed to assist with event set up and at the event.
Organizations and individuals interested in participating can contact Melissa Barlow at (239) 482-7706 or [email protected].  All donations are tax deductible.  Monetary donations can be made on the web at www.heightsfoundation.org.
 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.   GLAD Kids is a child care and pre-k center serving more than 80 children birth-five.  The Harlem Heights Community Charter School currently serves kindergarten through fourth grade and will expand to serve up to fifth grade.
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

Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners Meeting
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
9 a.m.
Fort Myers City Council Chambers
2200 Second Street
Fort Myers, Florida 33901

(Fort Myers, FL – November 25, 2019) – Blues by the Bay, an evening of live music, excellent food and drinks, raised $70,000 to support The Heights Foundation’s education programs. The event was held November 19 at the riverfront home of Dean and Lori Munro, in the St. Charles Harbour community. The exclusive VIP pre-party was held at the home of Tim and Sandy Youngquist, with entertainment by The VanKirk brothers of Strange Arrangement. Guests enjoyed samplings from the area’s finest restaurants, fine wines, a signature Blue Bay Martini, champagne and live music by The Wayward Souls, rockin’ blues band.
Participating restaurants included The House of Pasta, The Jac Island Restaurant, Keylime Bistro, LYNQ, MudBugs Cajun Kitchen, St. Charles Yacht Club, Sunshine Seafood Cafe and The Timbers Restaurant and Fish Market. Live and silent auction proceeds benefit 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, J.P Morgan Chase & Co., entech, Acentria Insurance (Jason and Sherri Huff), Rich and Sandy Heinrich, Sammy Lucas and Greg St. Clair, and JP Morgan Limousine.
“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.”
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. GLAD Kids is a child care and pre-k center serving more than 80 children birth-five. The Harlem Heights Community Charter School currently serves kindergarten through fourth grade and will expand to serve up to fifth grade. For more information visit www.heightsfoundation.org
 
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. GLAD Kids is a child care and pre-k center serving more than 80 children birth-five. The Harlem Heights Community Charter School currently serves kindergarten through fourth grade and will expand to serve up to fifth grade. 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.

The Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board, Inc. dba CareerSource Southwest Florida is soliciting input for the July 2019 – June 2020 Regional Targeted Occupations List (RTOL) for Local Workforce Development Area (LWDA) 24 (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties).  The RTOL is used to determine which occupations are eligible for training reimbursement with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other workforce funds.  Training reimbursements are issued by Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board through our CareerSource Southwest Florida centers to authorized training providers for post-secondary occupational training, associate degree education and bachelor degree education which link to the RTOL.
 
The process allows for the addition of occupations several times each year.  Deadline for this submission period is December 23, 2019.  For more information and to assist you in providing your input, we have provided links to the following documents on our website at www.careersourcesouthwestflorida.com, under Public Notice.
 
2019 0718 Public Notice – Adding Occup to RTOL – Instructions
2019 0718 July 2019 – June 2020 Regional Targeted Occupations List (RTOL)
2019 0718 2018-2026 Projections LWDB 24 120318
2019 0718 2018-2026 Projections Statewide 120318
2019 0718 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Definitions 2018
2019 0718 Sample Letter for Businesses to Submit Occups to Add to RTOL
 
If there are any questions or additional information is needed, please feel free to contact Mary Anne Zurn at (239) 225-2500 or [email protected]  Thank you.
 
 

(Fort Myers, FL – November 24, 2019) –Jennifer’s women’s boutique is celebrating 37 years in business by giving back to local charities at “Fashion Forward Friday” events through April.   The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center will receive 5% of all sales on Friday, December 6 from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  Shoppers will enjoy champagne and cupcakes and will receive 15% off all dresses.
 
The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center mission is to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood of Fort Myers through education, opportunity and the arts.   Jennifer’s will again be collecting donations to purchase bicycles for the organization’s annual holiday outreach.  The goal is to donate ten bikes.
 
Jennifer Williams opened her Fort Myers boutique in November of 1983.  Her unique and timeless sense of style and personalized service has created a loyal following.  Jennifer’s is located at 13251 McGregor Boulevard in The Design Center and is open from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.  Call (239) 481-8582 or visit Jennifer’s online at jennifersfortmyers.com or on Facebook or Instagram.
 
About Jennifer’s
 
The Fort Myers women’s boutique was founded by Jennifer Williams in 1983.  Jennifer’s offers subtle and timeless pieces that can be worn every day as well as sophisticated and simple fashions for the evening and special events.  Jennifer’s is located at 13251 Suite 111-1 McGregor Boulevard in The Design Center, between First Watch restaurant and Norman Love Confections.  For more information call 239-481-8582 or visit Jennifer’s online at jennifersfortmyers.com, on Facebook or Instagram.
 
 
Elly Hagen
Elly Hagen Marketing & Public Relations
(239) 994.3927
[email protected]
 

Needs are great during holidays for thousands of area children
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Nov. 20, 2019) – Blessings come in special packages for almost 4,800 Lee County school children each week. Without the blessings of food provided by Blessings in a Backpack of SWFL, these children and their families would go hungry on the weekends.
During the holidays, the need grows as kids are home from school. Blessings in a Backpack once again needs your help and has designated Tuesday, Dec. 3 as Giving Tuesday. People are asked to go to the local organization’s website at blessingsinswfl.org where there is a donate button and make a contribution. Giving Tuesday follows the holiday buying themes of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday.
A donation of $100 can feed one child for an entire school year. Blessings in a Backpack focuses on children in kindergarten through fifth grade who qualify for the free and reduced meal program at Title 1 schools because “that is the group growing brain wise,” said Cecilia St. Arnold, national program manager and executive director of Blessings in a Backpack SWFL. “The goal has always been the educational component. We want the children to come back to school not depleted and ready to learn.”
Targeting Title 1 schools is important because those schools are primarily made up of children from low income families and they need the help the most. Hungry children is a country and county epidemic. Consider that approximately 62,000 children in the Lee school district are food insufficient. Currently, funding only allows Blessings in a Backpack to help only a small portion of them. St. Arnold’s goal is to one day be able to help at least half – or 31,000 – of those children.
“It’s our own kids, our own backyard,” she said. “This is our future workforce. We have to take care of our own kids.”
Donations from a generous community are making a difference. St. Arnold said Blessings in a Backpack Is feeding 3,000 more children than it did five years ago.
Nationally, the number of hungry children is staggering. According to Blessings in a Backpack statistics, more than 13 million children live in food insecure homes. Three out of four teachers say they have children in their classrooms who regularly come to school hungry. One in six children do not get the food they need each day.
Business support, especially in delivering food to the children, is essential for the non-profit. Sysco has stepped up to deliver the bags of food to each of the schools. From there, the kid friendly, nutritious, ready-to-eat meals are placed in the children’s backpacks on Fridays.
Blessings in a Backpack helps prevent hunger
Blessings in a Backpack steps up where federal aid stops by feeding children on the weekend. Every Friday afternoon, children receive packages filled with nutritious, kid-friendly, ready-to-eat food items. Students return to school every Monday morning with a full stomach and an eager mind. In partnership with Lee and Collier county schools, Blessings in a Backpack has helped dramatically improve test scores, reading skills, behavior and general health. Kids are our future; you can help secure theirs. Donations of all sizes are welcome through the donations portal at blessingsinswfl.org or via mail at P.O. Box 61402 Fort Myers, FL 33906. All contributions are tax-deductible.
 

The recreational harvest season for snook closes Dec. 1 in Gulf state and federal waters, including Monroe County and Everglades National Park, and will remain closed through Feb. 29, 2020, reopening to harvest March 1, 2020. Anglers may continue to catch and release snook during the closed season.
Snook remains catch-and-release only in state waters from the Hernando/Pasco county line through Gordon Pass in Collier County (includes Tampa Bay and Hillsborough County) through May 31, 2020, in response to the impacts of red tide. Snook also has a regular season closure that runs May 1 through Aug. 31. At its February meeting, the FWC anticipates discussing whether to reopen snook harvest in this area on March 1. Comment on this and other red-tide-related issues at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.
Regular season closures are designed to help conserve the species during vulnerable times such as cold weather. Atlantic state and federal waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River, will be closed Dec. 15 through Jan. 31, 2020, reopening to harvest Feb. 1, 2020.
Visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Snook” for more information on snook. Improve data and report your catch on the Angler Action Foundation iAngler app at AnglerActionFoundation.com.