FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 25, 2019) — A trailblazer is someone who envisions a pathway to positive life-changing experiences for others. Andrew Banyai never set out to be a trailblazer, but his work as executive director of the Lee County Legal Aid Society, Inc., is changing lives.
 
For his work, the business arm of the Daily Business Review is honoring Banyai with the Florida Trailblazers Award, which recognizes those who have “made significant marks on the practice, policy and technological advancements in their sector.”
 
Lee County Legal Aid Society is a not-for-profit agency, which provides advice, counsel and legal representation on a pro bono basis. Banyai’s mission is straight-forward and focused: “What we are trying to do is make the weak equal to the powerful in terms of access to the justice system,” Banyai said.
 
It’s working. His team, which includes himself, three other staff attorneys and other volunteer attorneys, regularly helps about 1,000 people a year, through an application process and walk-in clinics, where clients are screened through the Lee County Clerk of Courts and directed to the right legal advice. That partnership was key because Clerk of Courts Linda Doggett was searching for someone to provide free legal services through the Self Help Center and Banyai and his team stepped up.
 
Michael Healy, general counsel for the clerk’s office, said in the nomination letter Banyai “hears out their problems and quickly works to find a solution or, if the matter is too complicated to resolve in such a brief time, issues guidance for taking the next step.”
 
“There is no way I could do this myself,” Banyai said. “I need an entire team. We have volunteer attorneys who come in every single week. They have smiles on their faces. They hear stories and help people.”
 
There is something “pure,” Banyai says, about helping someone, who knows they can count on the right legal advice and representation without the financial stress. “There is so much negative sentiment in the legal practice in general, sentiment that lawyers are only out for the cash,” Banyai said. “We can say ‘we are not charging you a dime.’ There is a genuineness because you are trying to help them.”
 
Much of their work protects the rights and safety of children, who could be victims of custody battles or other difficult circumstances. “Somebody who is weak, being exploited or taken advantage of by a powerful person, a family can suffer,” Banyai said. “We are making a difference in people’s lives.”
 
Banyai and other honorees will be featured in a future issue of the Daily Business Review.
 
Learn about Banyai’s background and his work with the Lee County Legal Aid Society at leecountylegalaid.org.
 
About Lee County Legal Aid Society Inc.
 
Lee County Legal Aid Society Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that provides free legal aid to low income residents of Lee County. Established on March 27, 1967, it is a community-based agency with a team of professionals who act as legal representatives, counselors, community supporters and educational providers. The Legal Aid Society seeks justice for those who need it most by collaborating within the legal community and with for-profit and nonprofit agencies to improve access to justice, education, health services and more. Visit leecountylegalaid.org to learn about the help available.
 
 
 

Huntley “Bud” Hornbeck II, Dan Lavender to be inducted into Business Hall of Fame

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 30, 2019) – Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida has announced the sponsors for its sold-out 2019 Business Hall of Fame, Collier County event, which will induct Huntley “Bud” Hornbeck II, area chairman for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., and Dan Lavender, president and CEO of The Moorings Park Institute, Inc., into Junior Achievement’s Business Hall of Fame.

Encore Urology is the presenting sponsor for the event. Structure Medical and Title Professionals of Florida are diamond sponsors, and Arthrex and Moorings Park are platinum sponsors. Gold sponsors include Naples Daily News and Stock Development.

The prestigious award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who serve as role models for youth through their professional accomplishments and commitment to the community. Hornbeck and Lavender will join a distinguished group of individuals who have been inducted into the Business Hall of Fame since it was founded in 1988.

The laureates will be recognized during a dinner and awards ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 24 at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Beach Resort in Naples. While the event is sold out, Junior Achievement is still accepting sponsors to support student admission, which is $125 per ticket.

To learn more, visit www.JASWFL.org or call the Junior Achievement office at 239-225-2590. Proceeds from the event will benefit local Junior Achievement programs.

About Junior Achievement:

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. Junior Achievement programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches more than 4.8 million students per year in more than 107 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.2 million students served by operations over 100 other countries worldwide. Locally, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida partnered with more than 270 classroom business volunteers during the 2018-2019 school year to provide nearly 70,200 hours of instruction to nearly 12,500 students in 520 classes throughout Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. For more information on Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, visit www.JASWFL.org, call 239-225-2590 or email [email protected].

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Media Contact:

Emily Golden, Priority Marketing, [email protected], 239-267-2638 or 239-565-1595 (cell)

FORT MYERS, FLA., September 26, 2019 –  Dr. Amanda L. Danley has joined Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida as a family medicine physician.
Dr. Danley earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Florida State University in Tallahassee. Her residency was completed at Florida State University’s residency program at Lee Health in Fort Myers, where she was named “Outstanding Resident.”
During her residency, Dr. Danley participated in a medical service trip to Los Cedros, Nicaragua.  She also provided pre-sports physicals for under-served middle and high school students in Immokalee and assisted with medical care and evaluation of athletes during football games of Island Coast High School in Cape Coral.
She is Board certified in Family Medicine and has received additional certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
Dr. Danley is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Florida Academy of Family Physicians and the Lee County Medical Society.
Dr. Danley will see patients at the Cape Coral Family Practice office at 1255 Viscaya Parkway, Suite 200..
Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida, a physician-owned and operated medical practice, was formed in 1996 by many local physicians and has grown to become the largest physician-owned primary care practice in Southwest Florida.
Medical specialties include family practice, internal medicine and pediatrics. Offices are conveniently located in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Lehigh Acres.  For more information, visit www.ppcswfl.com.
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SUSAN BENNETT, APR, CPRC
Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, L.C.
1900 Virginia Avenue, #703
Fort Myers, FL 33901
(239) 277-5255 Phone
(239) 246-0844 Cell
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 2, 2019) – Fort Myers Brewing Company has released the complete lineup of craft beers for its 7^th annual Oktoberfest, including limited-edition German brews developed exclusively for the brewery’s four-day event.
Ten German beers are among this year’s 50-brew lineup, highlighted by the popular Oktoberfest Lager and Caloosahatchee Kolsch.
Oktoberfest is a family-friendly event that starts Thursday and features craft beer, German food, live music, stein-hoisting competitions and wiener dog races. The event features a variety of small-brew lagers, IPAs, wheats, ambers, porters, pale ales, stouts and spiked seltzers.
Beers available through the duration of Oktoberfest include Oktoberfest Lager, Maibock, Pump-Q-Lees, Caloosahatchee Kolsch, Fort Myers Light, Gateway Gold – Blonde Ale, Fort Myers Wheat, Common Ground Pale Ale, Fairway Finder IPA, High 5 IPA, Clean Shave IPA, OYA – DIPA, Red Tape – American Amber, Tamiami Tan, Start Early Stout, Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter, Cypress Strong – American Strong Ale, Orange Water Craft – Spiked Seltzer and a Cider Guest Tap. Additionally, three blends will be served: Strong Blonde, Dirty Ginger and Lil Pumpkin.
Saturday is considered Oktoberfest’s main event, and keeping with Fort Myers Brewing tradition, new beers will be released every two hours. Below is Saturday’s beer schedule:
Noon-2:00 pm

• Mr. Briteside – Salted Lime Gose
• #AddyTude Raspberry Wheat
• Toasted Coconut Porter
• Mango IPA
• Watermelon Water Craft – Spiked Seltzer
• Strawberry Vanilla Shake Berliner

 
2:15-4:15 p.m.

• Witbier
• Rose All-Day Saison
• German-American SMASH
• Blackberry Lime Shake Berliner
• Ambruana Pump-Q-Lees
• Black Cherry Water Craft – Spiked Seltzer

 
4:30-6:30 p.m.

• Kristallweizen
• Strawberry Vanilla Shake Berliner
• Pumpkin Porter
• Fat Cody Wee Heavy
• Ambruana Barrel Aged Start Early Stout
• Peach Water Craft – Spiked Seltzer

 
6:45-8:45 p.m.

• Dunkelweizen
• Blackberry Lime Shake Berliner
• Ambruana Barrel Aged Cypress Strong
• Somebody Else’s Dream – Chocolate Stout
• Mr. C’s Coffee & Biscotti
• Strawberry Lime Water Craft – Spiked Seltzer

 
9 p.m.-Close

• Fuego 5 – Mango Habanero IPA
• Bubblin’ Crude
• Mango Water Craft – Spiked Seltzer
• Caramel Strong

 
Oktoberfest will be held Thursday through Sunday at Fort Myers Brewing Company, 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, in Fort Myers. Ten different food trucks will be serving their specialty dishes and foodie features over the four-day event, and six local bands and musicians are scheduled to entertain the crowd.
For more information or a complete calendar of events, please visit Facebook.com/FMBrew or call 239-313-6576.
About Fort Myers Brewing Company
Established in 2013, Fort Myers Brewing Company was the first microbrewery to open in Lee County and continues to lead Southwest Florida’s surging craft beer movement. Founded by Rob and Jen Whyte, Fort Myers Brewing carries a signature line of flagship beers in addition to seasonal brews and small batch specialties. Its ales, pilsners, stouts and IPAs are winners of multiple prestigious awards, including golds at the Best Florida Beer Competition and a silver at the 2018 World Beer Cup. Fort Myers Brewing was named “Best Large Brewery in Florida” in 2016. The brewery is located at 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, in Fort Myers. For more information, visit FMbrew.com or call 239-313-6576.

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Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced six additional recreational red snapper fishing days for Gulf waters. The season for private recreational anglers and state for-hire operations will be open on the following Saturdays and Sundays: October 12-13, 19-20 and 26-27.
“Florida is the fishing capital of the world thanks to our pristine natural resources and an abundance of fisheries, including red snapper,” said Governor DeSantis. “FWC has shown that this fishery is sustainable, so we are happy to provide these additional recreational fishing days to anglers.”
“These additional days would not be possible without the Gulf Reef Fish Survey,” said FWC Chairman Robert Spottswood. “Thank you to every angler who has taken the time to return surveys, talk to staff and participate in this program. Innovative data collection is opening doors and allowing unprecedented management opportunities for Florida, benefitting Gulf anglers.”
Private recreational anglers may harvest red snapper in Gulf state and federal waters. However, state for-hire operations are limited to fishing for red snapper in Gulf state waters only. 
About the Gulf Reef Fish Survey
The Gulf Reef Fish Survey was developed specifically to provide more robust data for management of red snapper and other important reef fish, and has allowed FWC the unprecedented opportunity to manage Gulf red snapper in state and federal waters. All anglers fishing from private recreational vessels must sign up annually as a Gulf Reef Fish Angler to target red snapper and several other reef fish in Gulf state and federal waters (excluding Monroe County), even if they are exempt from fishing license requirements. Sign up as a Gulf Reef Fish Angler at no cost at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or by visiting any location you can purchase a license. Gulf Reef Fish Anglers may receive a questionnaire in the mail regarding their reef fish trips as part of Florida’s Gulf Reef Fish Survey. If you receive a survey, please respond whether you fished this season or not.
For more information about the FWC’s red snapper season and regulations, please visit www.MyFWC.com. 

A new rule created by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to help protect Florida’s native songbirds from illegal capture takes effect this week. The new rule, which takes effect Oct. 3, is in Chapter 68A-16, F.A.C. (Rules Relating to Birds) and includes regulations regarding the use, placement and possession of bird traps.
The illegal trapping of native birds has long been a concern in the state, particularly in south Florida where trapping is believed to be widespread. Birds are lost from the wild population and, in many cases, may be mistreated and sometimes killed or injured when illegally trapped.
The new rule will provide an additional tool for law enforcement officers to help stop the poaching of these birds, while still allowing for lawful uses of bird traps. The rule contains exemptions for many lawful uses and contains a permitting process for individuals that trap nonnative nuisance birds but do not meet one of the exemptions in the rule. Under the new rule, note that all bird traps must be labeled, even if a person has a permit, other authorization or exemption.
For more information on the new rule including answers to Frequently Asked Questions, see MyFWC.com/Birdtraps.  
Please report any instances of illegal trapping to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or by email or text to [email protected].

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 1, 2019) – Cypress Pharmacy will host its monthly Seminar Saturday Oct. 12 with a discussion by Natural Health Consultant Dr. Stan Headley on the benefit of hemp-derived CBD oil for insomnia. Seating at the popular free public seminars is limited, and available seats fill up quickly.

The seminar will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. at Cypress Pharmacy, 9451 Cypress Lake Drive in Fort Myers. Headley’s program will help consumers understand what CBD is and what it isn’t, the benefits of quality CBD and how it can help with common health issues like insomnia.

“Sleepless nights have an impact on overall health,” said Dr. Headley, who specializes in functional and natural wellness, and leads the independent pharmacy’s dynamic wellness program. “CBD helps to balance and maintain the endocannabinoid system, which is made of up cell receptors that give your body specific directions on what to do. Studies have shown that CBD has properties to help people sleep better by interacting with receptors in the brain that govern the body’s sleep and wake cycles.”

As Cypress Pharmacy’s natural health consultant, Headley offers nutritional and lifestyle counseling, supplement recommendations, lab testing and educational seminars, emphasizing options for those with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Cypress Pharmacy’s wellness program offers one-on-one consultations with Headley on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, or with a pharmacist on Mondays through Saturdays. Recommendations can include pharmaceutical-grade supplements in addition to dietary and lifestyle changes. Pharmacists may also examine current medications to assure the most effective therapy for the patient’s needs and to prevent duplicate therapies.

Headley is recognized as a leading authority in functional and natural wellness, which seeks to determine how and why diseases, illnesses and pain are occurring. He attempts to identify the root cause of a health concern rather than just treating symptoms. Headley does not diagnose or treat disease but educates customers about lifestyle and behavioral changes that can promote optimal health.

Cypress Pharmacy’s monthly Seminar Saturday sessions take place on the second Saturday of every month, providing education on a variety of wellness topics. To RSVP for the Oct. 12 Seminar Saturday, or to learn more about Cypress Pharmacy’s wellness program, please visit CypressPharmacy.com/events or call 239-481-7322.

About Cypress Pharmacy

Cypress Pharmacy has been providing pharmaceutical and health care services in Fort Myers for more than 40 years and offers free local delivery, immunizations, medication synchronization and therapy management, customized compounding for patients and pets, personalized patient consultations, flu and strep throat testing, cholesterol and glucose screening, lab testing, Medicare Part D plan reviews, a broad selection of over-the-counter products, a full line of vitamins and supplements, and free vitamins for children and adults 50 and up. Cypress Pharmacy also offers Dispill, a medication packaging option that makes it easier to manage and take multiple medications on a precise schedule. Medication refills can be requested in person, over the phone, online and using the Cypress Pharmacy App. Cypress Pharmacy accepts most insurance plans and Medicare Part D. The entire staff, including pharmacists T.J. DePaola and Justin Ceravolo, are dedicated to providing the best possible service to every customer. Cypress Pharmacy is located at 9451 Cypress Lake Drive in Fort Myers, Florida and is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. For more information, call 239-481-7322 or visit www.cypresspharmacy.com.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 30, 2019) – SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. is bringing a splash of color to the Southwest Florida community with the theme of its 2020 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, “Painting a Difference.”

Celebrating its 12^th year, the 2020 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest will take place Feb. 21-22, 2020. Held in the vibrant setting of Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, the colorful, paint-themed event will bring the community together in support of SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc.’s mission to save children’s lives and advance pediatric health care across the region.

Brooke Denson and Sandy Stilwell-Youngquist have been appointed chairpersons of the 2020 event, leading the wine fest in its focus of Putting Kids First.

“We are looking forward to another impactful event in support of our region’s growing pediatric health care system,” said Stilwell-Youngquist. “Through our annual wine fest and the boundless generosity of its attendees, SWFL Children’s Charities has donated nearly $23 million for health care services and education throughout Southwest Florida over the past 11 years. Together we can paint a brighter future for our children, one brushstroke at a time.”

The two-day Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest will feature Chef Vintner Dinners on Friday, Feb. 21, creatively hosted in private luxury homes across the region. Guests will experience artful cuisine created by celebrated chefs and expertly paired with vintners from some of the finest and most exclusive wineries.

Festivities continue with The Grand Tasting and Live Auction on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, where guests will savor chefs’ signature creations and taste wines from participating vintners. Guests will raise their paddles during a spirited live auction for the opportunity to take home spectacular travel escapes, once-in-a-lifetime experiences or to help fund a children’s cause.

Funds raised at the auction will benefit SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc.’s efforts to provide lifesaving care, educational programs and lasting solutions that enable a secure future for the children of Southwest Florida. Proceeds will support pediatric health care services at Golisano Children’s Hospital, as well as pediatric health care educational programs at Florida Gulf Coast University and Florida SouthWestern State College.

“It’s all about the children. They are the reason we are here,” Denson added. “We are all in this together, and if you have the same passion as we do for painting a difference for the children in our community, we hope you will raise your paddle and join us in making 2020 a great year.”

To learn more about the 2020 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, please visit www.swflwinefest.org.

About SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc.

SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc.’s annual signature fundraiser, the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, has donated nearly $23 million over the past 11 years in support of children’s health initiatives. The 2020 event will support pediatric health care services at Golisano Children’s Hospital, as well as pediatric health care educational programs at Florida Gulf Coast University and Florida SouthWestern State College. For more information, visit www.swflwinefest.org.