Member News

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 7, 2018) – Shell Point Retirement Community begins its 2018 Concert Series with a performance by Astralis Chamber Ensemble at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9, in the Grand Cypress Room at The Woodlands at Shell Point, 14441 Woodsong Lane, Fort Myers. The event is open to the public, with tickets available for $20 online at www.shellpoint.org/summer or by phone at 239-454-2067.
The Astralis Chamber Ensemble will present “Baroque and Beyond, Part 1,” an eclectic program including an unaccompanied Bach cello suite, a Gaubert flute ballade, a Beethoven piano sonata and several works for trios – such as the Mendelssohn “Trio No. 1, Opus 49.” Designed specifically for music enthusiasts, the program will provide its listeners with insightful background on each composer, as well as an opportunity to meet with the performers following the concert.
For more than 20 years, the Astralis Chamber Ensemble has been performing classical music for audiences across the globe. The Shell Point performance will feature Angela Massey, flutist, Troy Chang, cellist, and Dean Zhan, pianist.
To learn more about the upcoming performance by Astralis Chamber Ensemble, visit www.shellpoint.org/summer or call 239-454-2067. Tickets purchased online or by phone will be held for pick-up at will call on the night of the performance.
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CAPE CORAL, Fla. (May 5, 2018) –GATES has been selected as construction manager for the expansion at Isles of Porto Vista, a multi-family complex located in Cape Coral. The expansion will consist of eight, 3-story, 16,000 SF multi-family buildings, which will add 123 total units to the Isles of Porto Vista Community.  Construction slated to begin in summer 2018. For leasing information, please contact Jack Smedes with New Home Network, 239-841-2594.
GATES Construction serves its clients from offices in Bonita Springs and Sarasota providing construction management, general contracting and design-build services. Their diverse portfolio of commercial, healthcare, multi-family, hospitality, institutional and special projects, showcases numerous landmarks successfully constructed over the past quarter of century. As Florida’s premier builder, GATES also operates throughout the Southeast United States and Latin America. For more information on GATES, please call (239) 593-3777 or visit the website at www.GATESinc.com.

Sessions to be held in May, June and July
NAPLES, Fla. – May 7, 2018 – The physical therapist assistant profession is a lucrative and rewarding career, and Hodges University wants to assist interested individuals by offering informational sessions focusing on its physical therapist assistant (PTA) program.
“Individuals who attend these sessions can expect to learn about our CAPTE accredited PTA program. We will provide a general overview of what a career in PTA entails, why students should enroll in Hodges’ PTA program, what are the requirements needed to apply, what scholarship opportunities are available as well as answer any questions attendees may have about Hodges University and our program,” said Dr. Cynthia Vaccarino, PTA program chair.
Students enrolled in Hodges’ PTA program must complete one year of prerequisites prior to entering the program. After a thorough evaluation process, eligible students will be notified by their advisor to participate in an interview process. Only 20 students are accepted into the accelerated, one-year program each year.
In addition to information about the PTA program, individuals will also learn about available scholarship opportunities. The sessions will be held from 5:00-6:00 p.m. May 31, June 19 and July 24, in the Stock Building, Room 221 on the Naples campus, which is located at 2647 Professional Circle, Naples, FL 34119.
Hodges’ PTA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The application for admittance into Hodges’ PTA program for 2019-2020 is open through September 30, 2018.
To learn more about Hodges’ PTA program, visit the School of Health Sciences at www.hodges.edu/soah/. For more information, contact Dr. Cynthia Vaccarino at cvaccarino@hodges.edu or call (239) 938-7718.
About the School of Health Science:
The School of Health Sciences at Hodges University provides a number of high-quality undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate programs to prepare students for entry into the exciting professional world of health care.
Nicole Roe
Marketing & Strategic Content Writer
Hodges University | 2647 Professional Circle, Naples, FL 34119
(239) 598-6178 | (800) 466-8017
nroe@hodges.edu | www.hodges.edu

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 4, 2018) – Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) announced the winners of the 2018 Distinguished Entrepreneur of Southwest Florida Awards at the annual awards dinner on Thursday, May 3, 2018.

 The FSBDC awards are held annually during National Small Business Week to recognize three Southwest Florida small businesses for their innovation, advocacy, and business growth. This year’s awardees include Distinguished Entrepreneur of SW Florida, Scott Fischer, owner of Scott Fischer Enterprises; Innovator of the Year, Jeff Poirier of AXI International; and Advocate of the Year, Amanda Jaron, owner of A.JARON Fine Jewelry. An additional award presentation included the William O. Webb award, which was presented to Melody Augustin of The Makeup Mansion. 

 “We celebrate the business owners that took an idea, grew that idea into a business, and created a positive impact on the economy in the Southwest Florida community,” said Lois Knox, FSBDC Regional Director.
Scott Fischer, Distinguished Entrepreneur of SW Florida Award winner is the owner of Scott Fischer Enterprises has worked in the motorsports industry since he was 15 and purchased his first motorcycle store in 1988 building it into Scott Fischer Enterprises. Fischer owns and operates Top Rocker Events and Top Rocker Field, an 18-acre event site.  Fischer is active in the community, sitting on the boards for Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, Blessings in a Backpack, Cypress Lake Country Club and Tamiami Angel Fund. As a visionary-philanthropist, Fischer supports and mentors startups, incubators, and accelerators with strategic, operational and business planning.

 Innovator of the Year, Jeff Poirier, Chief Operating Officer of Fort Myers-based global company AXI International, has developed a myriad of new products and systems to facilitate Intelligent Fuel Management™ solutions. A graduate of the University of Maine with a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, Jeff also holds an MBA from Davenport University. Jeff specializes in the following engineering topics: optimization techniques, numerical methods, fluid flow control, finite element method, 3D CAD Development, and robotic controls. From new green technology to complete fuel management solutions, Jeff has led his team to many significant advancements in the fuel industry.

 The Advocate of the Year Awardee Amanda Jaron of A.JARON Fine Jewelry is a fashion/jewelry designer, businesswoman, and philanthropist, who has won numerous awards for her designs and charitable contributions.

 As the CEO, and Designer of A JARON Fine Jewelry. Amanda is best known for her signature “BLING-OVER” fine jewelry make-overs that take old/outdated designer jewels and repurpose them over into shiny new pieces that can wear every day. Also, Amanda’s charitable collection, A JARON Cares, has sold 1000’s of $99 rings to support SWFL children in need for the past 10 years.

 Amanda spends her time split between her family, her custom fine jewelry design clients and the foundation she founded in 2013, The GLITTER Foundation, Inc. which supports Art Education & Art Therapy for children in SWFL.
Previous winners of the awards include Norman Love of Norman Love Confections in 2012, Pam Oakes of Pam’s Motor City in 2013, Felix Lluberes of Position Logic in 2013, Gary K. Mart of Global Tech LED in 2015, Chris Spiro of Spiro and Associates in 2016 and Dr. Aurora Badia of Florida Skin Center in 2017.

The awards ceremony was made possible through the generous support of the Hallmark Sponsor, Markham, Norton, Mosteller, Wright, and Company, P.A.
Other sponsors include: Fifth Third Bank, Florida Skin Center, Minaya Learning Global Solutions, Storm Smart, Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation, Bank United, Suncoast Credit Union, Brennan Manna Diamond (BMD) Law Firm, Florida First Integrity Bank, Gulfshore Business and Southwest Florida Business Today, The Path of Being, Spada Salon and Day Spa, Corioliss and Naturie Shea Butter Apotheca.
 

About the Florida SBDC at FGCU:

The FSBDC at FGCU offers one-on-one, confidential, no-cost consulting and low-cost workshops for businesses throughout Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties. The state designates the Florida SBDC Network as Florida’s principal provider of business assistance. The FSBDC at FGCU is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service funded in part through cooperative agreements with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Defense Logistics Agency, State of Florida, and other private and public partners; and is hosted by Florida Gulf Coast University and nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 4, 2018) – Stevens Construction has been awarded the construction management services contract for Bonita Springs Utilities, Inc., announced Dan Adams, vice president south Florida.
 
Stevens Construction is demolishing the existing customer service building located at 11900 East Terry St. in Bonita Springs and constructing a new 6,450-square-foot facility to better serve the community, slated for completion at the end of 2018. Since there are temporary facilities on-site, there will be no disruption in customer service during construction.
 
The Stevens Construction team includes project manager, Dan Adams; project administrator, Rebeccah Hamilton and superintendent, Jeff Hollis. Architectural services were provided by MHK Architecture & Planning.
 
This is the second project that Stevens Construction has been awarded by Bonita Springs Utilities, Inc. The company completed a 19,000-square-foot, two-story, administrative building in 2017.
 
With offices in Tampa, Fort Myers and Orlando, Stevens Construction specializes in providing construction management, general contracting, and consulting services to clients and design professionals. Other services include site and design team selection, budgeting, project scheduling, permitting, cost and quality control, and warranty service. The company builds healthcare, commercial, public and hospitality facilities throughout Florida. For information, visit www.stevensconstructioninc.com or call 239-936-9006.
 
 

May 1, 2018 – FORT MYERS, FLA – Members of Cape Coral’s Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) of Southwest Florida Chapter 155 proudly presented Florida SouthWestern State College a $1,000 check to the FSW Foundation for veteran scholarships.
 
“We strongly believe in the importance of educational opportunities for veterans so they can pursue careers that in turn benefit our community,” said Bob Kent, treasurer for KWVA Chapter 155. “We created the endowment to help our fellow veterans. It will be on record long after we’re all gone.”
 
“The KWVA is a group of exceptional gentlemen who are inspiring to all of us. They have served our country with honor and distinction, and they are wanting to help our veteran students realize their career dreams,” said Susie DeSantis, Executive Director, FSW Foundation. “We greatly appreciate their generosity and how this will positively impact students.”
 
The Florida SouthWestern State College Foundation currently has professionally managed endowments and other funds approaching $45 million that allow it to support the work of the college. The Foundation provides nearly $2M annually in student scholarships and investments in programs, technology and facilities to benefit the nearly 22,000 students the college serves each year. To underwrite and expand the mission of the college the FSW Foundation continues to attract contributions from individuals, organizations, businesses and private foundations. As a non-profit, 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization with 50 years of successful operating experience, the FSW Foundation offers the opportunity to establish endowed funds which ensure the impact of a donor’s contribution lives on in perpetuity. More information is available online at FSW.edu/foundation; email: foundation@fsw.edu and by calling (239) 489-9201.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Please note: Due to Florida’s broad open records law, most written communication to or from College employees is public record, available to the public and the media upon request. Therefore, this e-mail communication may be subject to public disclosure.
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NAPLES AND FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 6, 2018) – Pure Florida is honoring members of the U.S. military throughout Memorial Day weekend May 25-28 by offering veterans and active duty service members free cruises aboard all sightseeing, river and sunset cruises in Naples and Fort Myers when accompanied by full-fare paid adult or child admission. The M/V Double Sunshine departs from the historic Tin City, located at 1200 Fifth Ave. S. in Naples and the M/V Edison Explorer departs from The Marina at Edison Ford, located at 2360 West First St. in Fort Myers. Reservations are required. Memorial Day weekend cruises cannot be combined with Pure Florida’s Kids Cruise Free program or any other discounted offer. For more information on Pure Florida, or to register for a Memorial Day weekend cruise, visit www.PureFL.com or call Pure Florida’s Naples location at (239) 263-4949 or Fort Myers location at (239) 919-2965.
Passengers cruising from Pure Florida’s Naples location will sail the Gordon River aboard the M/V Double Sunshine. Cruises set sail at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., with sunset cruises departing at 7 p.m. Adult admission is $39 during the day and $42 for the sunset cruise. Children’s admission is $19.50 during the day and $21 for the sunset cruise. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase on-board.  This cruise promotion cannot be combined with any other discounted offer.
Guests visiting Pure Florida’s Fort Myers location will cruise the Caloosahatchee River aboard the M/V Edison Explorer. Cruises will depart at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. with sunset cruises departing at 7 p.m. Adult admission is $32.50 during the day and $35 for the sunset cruise. Children’s admission is $16 for daytime cruises and $17.50 for sunset cruises. Drinks will be available for purchase on-board. This cruise promotion cannot be combined with any other discounted offer.
Narration on local history, wildlife and ecology is provided by Coast Guard certified captains. Aboard the vessels, guests are invited to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Southwest Florida and observe the wildlife native to the region. While Pure Florida cannot guarantee animal sightings in the wild, the captain will alert passengers to wildlife such as dolphins, eagles, manatee, native birds and more.
Digital Media Assets
Facebook event page: https://bit.ly/2HXvYIS
Download Photo: Veterans and active duty service members cruise free aboard the M/V Edison Explorer with full-fare paid child or adult admission at Pure Florida’s Fort Myers location Memorial Day weekend May 25-28.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vbSbn9vY4xhp9hzPF7AQK4IIrxj62OP3/view?usp=sharing
Photo Credit: Pure Florida file
Download Photo: Veterans and active duty service members cruise free aboard the M/V Double Sunshine with full-fare paid child or adult admission at Pure Florida’s Naples location Memorial Day weekend May 25-28.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=14z-JiBKavboBoxS3mlevAjby1aSQgdSu
Photo Credit: Pure Florida file
 
About Pure Florida
Pure Florida is a water attraction company helmed by father-and-son duo Captains Lance H. and Harry Julian.  The company offers a variety of unique eco-excursions for its visitors that incorporate maritime history, tourism, sightseeing and entertainment. Pure Florida features 19 vessels for sunset and specialty cruises as well as boat and jet ski rentals, fishing charters, group events and educational field trips for schools and students from marinas in Naples and Fort Myers.
In addition to Pure Florida, the founders are also partners in Marine Team International and Pure Image Productions, providing professional marine consulting, television and video production and photography services. With a long history in maritime productions, Lance and Harry Julian have helped to create some of the most memorable water scenes in film production, with credits including “Titanic” and “Waterworld,” and television credits such as the reality show, “Survivor.” As the fourth and fifth generation working within the maritime industry, Lance and Harry Julian enjoy sharing their passion and expertise with fellow adventurers in the Southwest Florida area. For more information, visit www.PureFL.com or call (239) 263-4949.
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FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 3, 2018) – Pure Florida welcomes the “Pinta” and the “Nina” replica ships to The Marina at Edison Ford May 11 – May 20.  Pure Florida customers who show their ticket to tour the ‘Pinta’ and ‘Nina’ will receive $2.50 discount off any sightseeing or sunset cruise.  Tickets to tour the ‘Pinta’ and ‘Nina’ go on sale Friday, May 11 at 11 a.m. and can be purchased at The Marina at Edison Ford. Visitors are invited on a walk-aboard, self-guided tour of the enhanced floating museum that includes exhibits on each ship highlighting the history of the Age of Discovery, navigation of the era, how the ships were built and a taste of what life was like over 500 years ago when Christopher Columbus and many early explorers sailed the world.  Tickets to experience the “Pinta” and the “Nina”are $8.50 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and $6.50 for students 5 years – 16 years old. Groups of 15 or more receive discounted admission through advance reservations by calling (787) 672-2152 or by email at ninapintatour@gmail.com.
Pure Florida offers History & Eco-Sightseeing and Sunset Cruises that depart from The Marina at Edison Ford, 2360 West First Street, Fort Myers at 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and sunset (departing one hour before sunset).  Guests will enjoy a 90 minute cruise that tours river islands, bird rookeries and mangroves while providing historical and ecological narration of our unique ecosystem in southwest Florida. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Pure Florida Fort Myers reservation office or by calling (239) 919-2965.
Digital Media Assets
Download Photo: Pure Florida welcomes the “Pinta” and the “Nina” replica ships to The Marina at Edison Ford May 11 – May 20
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OWHvgCJOhBMSaB6J5wElSxx0qJ4TdgRf/view?usp=sharing
Photo Credit: Pure Florida file
Download Photo: Pure Florida’s Fort Myers location will offer $2.50 discount off any sightseeing or sunset cruise to guests who show their ticket to tour the ‘Pinta’ and ‘Nina’.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vbSbn9vY4xhp9hzPF7AQK4IIrxj62OP3/view?usp=sharing
Photo Credit: Pure Florida file
 
About Pure Florida
Pure Florida is a water attraction company helmed by father-and-son duo Captains Lance H. and Harry Julian.  The company offers a variety of unique eco-excursions for its visitors that incorporate maritime history, tourism, sightseeing and entertainment. Pure Florida features 19 vessels for sunset and specialty cruises as well as boat and jet ski rentals, fishing charters, group events and educational field trips for schools and students from marinas in Naples and Fort Myers.
In addition to Pure Florida, the founders are also partners in Marine Team International and Pure Image Productions, providing professional marine consulting, television and video production and photography services. With a long history in maritime productions, Lance and Harry Julian have helped to create some of the most memorable water scenes in film production, with credits including “Titanic” and “Waterworld,” and television credits such as the reality show, “Survivor.” As the fourth and fifth generation working within the maritime industry, Lance and Harry Julian enjoy sharing their passion and expertise with fellow adventurers in the Southwest Florida area. For more information, visit www.PureFL.com or call its Naples location at (239) 263-4949.
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NAPLES, Fla. – May 7, 2018 – The physical therapist assistant profession is a lucrative and rewarding career, and Hodges University wants to assist interested individuals by offering informational sessions focusing on its physical therapist assistant (PTA) program.
“Individuals who attend these sessions can expect to learn about our CAPTE accredited PTA program. We will provide a general overview of what a career in PTA entails, why students should enroll in Hodges’ PTA program, what are the requirements needed to apply, what scholarship opportunities are available as well as answer any questions attendees may have about Hodges University and our program,” said Dr. Cynthia Vaccarino, PTA program chair.
Students enrolled in Hodges’ PTA program must complete one year of prerequisites prior to entering the program. After a thorough evaluation process, eligible students will be notified by their advisor to participate in an interview process. Only 20 students are accepted into the accelerated, one-year program each year.
In addition to information about the PTA program, individuals will also learn about available scholarship opportunities. The sessions will be held from 5:00-6:00 p.m. May 31, June 19 and July 24, in the Stock Building, Room 221 on the Naples campus, which is located at 2647 Professional Circle, Naples, FL 34119.
Hodges’ PTA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The application for admittance into Hodges’ PTA program for 2019-2020 is open through September 30, 2018.
To learn more about Hodges’ PTA program, visit the School of Health Sciences at www.hodges.edu/soah/. For more information, contact Dr. Cynthia Vaccarino at cvaccarino@hodges.edu or call (239) 938-7718.
About the School of Health Science:
The School of Health Sciences at Hodges University provides a number of high-quality undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate programs to prepare students for entry into the exciting professional world of health care.
Attachment: Members of Hodges’ PTA class of 2018 with Dr. Cynthia Vaccarino