Member News

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 28, 2019) – Nick Burkel has joined Stevens Construction as director of preconstruction services, announced Mark Stevens, company president.
Bringing 17 years of commercial preconstruction experience, Burkel develops preliminary to final estimates for all Southwest Florida projects, providing the oversight for project conceptualization and constructability within the clients’ schedule and budget goals.
Throughout his career, Burkel has provided preconstruction services for $500 million in commercial construction throughout Florida with a specialization in health care, senior living, municipality and hospitality projects.
Highly skilled in construction technologies, Burkel earned his bachelor’s degree in building construction management from East Carolina University.
About Stevens Construction
With offices in Fort Myers, Tampa 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 and hospitality facilities. For information, visit www.stevensconstructioninc.com or call 239-936-9006.
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FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 28, 2019) – Priority Marketing, a full-service marketing, advertising, public relations and digital marketing agency, has been awarded a prestigious international “Benny Award” for its striking design work that promoted the 2019 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest.
Printing Industries of America recognized Priority Marketing as a “Best of Category” winner through its Premier Print Awards, the graphic arts industry’s largest and most prestigious international printing and design competition. The Benny Award is its top honor and celebrates exceptional graphic artistry and superior print quality.
“The Benny winners represent the best our industry has to offer,” said Michael Makin, president and CEO of Printing industries of America. “This year’s entries were outstanding. There were entries from companies in eight countries. Despite the fierce competition, Priority Marketing, through hard work and dedicated craftsmanship, produced a piece worthy of the Benny.”
For the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, Priority Marketing created an elegantly designed auction catalog book and a custom event invitation booklet that included RSVP cards and mailing envelopes. Silver metallic highlights accented custom die-cut materials that featured warm blue colors to reflect the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest’s oceanic theme of “Making Waves.” Priority Marketing developed the campaign’s concept, imagery and specialized printing concepts, while Palm Printing provided all printed campaign materials and services.
“Our talented creative team and graphic artists always seem to stay a step or two ahead of industry trends, and they take great pride in creating cutting-edge designs that ‘wow’ our client partners,” said Teri Hansen, president and creative director at Priority Marketing. “We’re thrilled that our work has earned another Benny Award, but just as ecstatic about our role in helping make the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest such a tremendous success each year.”
Priority Marketing also earned a Certificate of Merit in the competition’s Special Innovations category for its eye-catching video brochure to announce the capital campaign for another Naples-based nonprofit.
The 2019 Premier Print Awards attracted 2,238 entries from around the world. Priority Marketing earned one of only 110 Benny Awards, which recognize entries that earned “Best of Category” accolades.
Priority Marketing is the only firm in Southwest Florida that received a Benny Award in 2019.
In 2018, Priority Marketing and Palm Printing earned a Benny Award for “Cheers to 10 Years! Engaging Hearts… Changing Children’s Lives,” an innovative print campaign that launched the 2018 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest. In 2017, the Fort Myers companies won a Benny Award for their collaboration on the Wine & Food Fest’s “Uncork the Power of Giving” campaign. In 2016, the companies earned Printing Industry of America’s Award of Recognition for a print campaign introducing the Wine & Food Fest “Magnolia Magic – A Celebration of Gracious Giving.”
About Priority Marketing
Established in 1992, Priority Marketing is a full-service marketing, advertising, public relations and digital marketing agency located at 12140 Carissa Commerce Court, Suite 201, in Fort Myers. Follow Priority Marketing on social media through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. For industry news and marketing insights, visit PriorityMarketing.com/our-blog and watch the FAQ Fridays video series on YouTube. For more information, call 239-267-2638 or visit PriorityMarketing.com.

WHO: St. Matthews House
WHAT: Monthly Choice Food Pantry
WHERE: Fort Myers Thrift Store, 3954 Broadway
WHEN:  October 28th, (Last Monday of each month) 1:pm-6:pm
Eligibility: Lee County residents-62 yrs and up, Dependent Children 17 yrs and younger OR proof of disability
What to Bring:

• Florida Driver’s License or ID
• Original Social Security Card for you and your children
• Proof of Disability, if applicable
• Birth Certificate for all minors in the household under 17

Please call St. Matthew’s House, 239-774-0500 or learn more at www.stmatthewshouse.org
 
 
 

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced two additional recreational red snapper fishing days for Gulf waters, due to the timing of Tropical Storm Nestor’s impacts to the state. The fall weekends season for private recreational anglers and state for-hire operations, which was previously announced to occur October 12-13, 19-20, and 26-27, is extended to include November 2-3.
“We are pleased to be able to extend the fall Gulf red snapper season for one more weekend,” said Governor DeSantis. “We want people to have a chance to enjoy the pristine resources we have here in Florida and understand that Tropical Storm Nestor prevented anglers from being able to fish for Gulf red snapper last weekend. Many anglers were focused on storm preparation and response, so we want to make sure they have another opportunity to get out on the water.”
“Angler data from the Gulf Reef Fish Survey gave the Governor and FWC the information we needed to allow for a fall red snapper harvest,” said FWC Chairman Robert Spottswood.  “In this case, the Gulf Reef Fish Survey allowed us the ability to respond to weather events like Tropical Storm Nestor, all while ensuring we are sustainably managing this fishery for the future. Once again, data from Gulf reef fish anglers is helping to improve access and management of this world class red snapper fishery.”
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.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 24, 2019) – The Charlotte Community Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20^th Judicial Circuit, for a program that aims to bring normalcy to the lives of youth in the child welfare and foster care systems.

Through its Children’s Needs Program, Guardian ad Litem volunteer advocates can request financial support for experiences such as Happier Birthdays, summer camps, tutoring, school field trips, sports participation, clothing or a fun outing like a night at the arcade, theme park tickets and more. The grant will be used to assist children in Charlotte County.

The Charlotte Community Foundation focuses on programs that enhance the quality of life in Charlotte County, strengthen the community’s nonprofit organizations and support projects, programs and services that address the community’s most urgent needs. Its Community Investment Grants are awarded to “enhance programs or services of organizations that can deliver measurable improvements in output and demonstrate outcome for those served.”

Guardian ad Litem Foundation ensures that abused, neglected and abandoned youth in Southwest Florida have a voice as they navigate the judicial, education and child welfare system. The nonprofit was among 11 organizations awarded funding through the Charlotte Community Foundation’s 2019 Community Investment Grants.

About Guardian ad Litem Foundation

Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit, was established in 1984 and is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports Guardian ad Litem programs in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. The Foundation, a United Way Partner Agency, has a mission of ensuring that every abused, neglected or abandoned youth in Southwest Florida has a voice as they navigate the judicial, education and child welfare system. The Foundation raises funds that help meet a child’s health, educational and social needs, as well as provide support for highly trained volunteer advocates who represent the best interests of a child until a safe, permanent placement is established. For additional information, visit VoicesForKids.org or call 239-533-1435.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (October 25, 2019) – The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) of the City of Fort Myers received two prestigious awards in the “Large City” category at this year’s Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) Best of Florida Redevelopment Awards Program. Founded in 1974, with a statewide membership of over 300+, comprised of nonprofit public and private sector stakeholders, FRA’s deep commitment and sincere dedication to supporting community revitalization throughout Florida culminates each year with an annual conference and awards program.
This year’s FRA Roy F. Kenzie Awards program recognized the “Best of the Best” in redevelopment in Florida and was hosted in Downtown Tampa, Florida.  This past week, CRA staff and leadership attended this year’s FRA Conference and Awards Program. To their amazement and delight, they were presented with a FRA Roy F. Kenzie Award for Outstanding Rehabilitation Renovation or Reuse Project. Fort Myers CRA also jointly received FRA’s Roy F. Kenzie Award for Planning Studies with Stantec Consulting Ltd.
The Collaboratory won FRA’s 2019 Best Outstanding Rehabilitation Renovation or Reuse. The Collaboratory is the catalyst for revitalizing the Midtown section of Fort Myers’ Downtown redevelopment area. As southwest Florida’s first public sphere, Collaboratory is where people from different backgrounds, interests, and areas of expertise come together to exchange ideas—whether meeting locally in person or virtually worldwide through the ultra-high-speed Florida Lambda Rail network.
The Collaboratory was a joint venture with SWFL Community Foundation, City of Fort Myers, the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency resulting in transformation of the former 1924 Atlantic Coast Line Railway depot into the cornerstone of Collaboratory’s campus, along with a modern addition and sustainable, high-tech footprint, to propel Midtown into the 21^st Century.
The winning CRA Planning Study was the CRA’s Fort Myers Redevelopment Areas, Boundary Reviews, and Recommendations Study. The CRA wanted to take a fresh look at the “big picture” of redevelopment success and opportunity within the City of Fort Myers.
The Fort Myers Redevelopment Area Boundary Review & Recommendations Study provided an analysis of redevelopment areas, impact, previous planning efforts, implementation completed, current demographics and conditions, funding, and overall city redevelopment needs to evaluate and identify opportunities to strengthen redevelopment success. The report concluded each analysis with recommendations and action steps for the CRA to implement. The entry was submitted by Stantec Consulting Services, which worked in conjunction with the Fort Myers CRA to create the report.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2019) – Shell Point Retirement Community kicks off the Concerts & Conversations program of its 2019-2020 Fine and Performing Arts Series with a performance by Chamber Music with a Twist, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at the Grand Cypress Room at The Woodlands at Shell Point, 14441 Woodsong Lane in Fort Myers. Tickets for this event cost $30 and can be purchased online at www.shellpoint.org/concerts or by phone at 239-454-2067.
 
Chamber Music with a Twist is a premier chamber group comprised of world-famous musicians Francisca Mendoza on the violin, Elaine Rinaldi on the piano and Anne Tormela, an international opera and Broadway singer. The trio performs user-friendly classical chamber pieces, artistically woven in with beloved popular tunes and Broadway gems.
 
During this performance, the talented trio will include music from classical chamber musical pieces, art songs and popular music. As part of Shell Point’s Concerts & Conversations program, guests can enjoy fellowship and a dessert reception with the performers following the concert.
 
About Shell Point Retirement Community
Shell Point Retirement Community, founded in 1968, is a nonprofit continuing care retirement community located in Fort Myers, Florida. Shell Point offers independent retirement living, assisted living, and skilled nursing for its 2,500 residents in an active, resort-style environment. Lifestyle amenities include deep-water boating access with free dockage, a championship 18-hole golf course, and other recreational and educational activities. To learn more, visit www.shellpoint.org or call 1-800-780-1131.
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Internationally renowned chocolatier introduces new interactive dessert experience at company’s sixth Florida location
 
FORT MYERS AND SARASOTA, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2019) – Norman Love Confections will open the Florida-based company’s sixth Chocolate Salon at University Town Center (UTC), a premier shopping and dining destination along University Parkway in the greater Sarasota-Manatee area. Renowned for its award-winning handcrafted artisanal chocolates, Norman Love Confections is currently renovating a 2000-square-foot end-cap space, with an outdoor patio, opposite California Pizza Kitchen along Cattlemen Road in the West District of UTC.
 
Slated to open by the end of first quarter 2020, the Norman Love Confections Chocolate Salon at UTC will offer the company’s award-winning ultra-premium, handcrafted chocolates, as well as specialty desserts, artisanal baked goods, coffees, novelty products, sweet crepes as well as savory crepes for lunch and dinner, and Artisan Gelato by Norman Love.
 
Additionally, the new location will offer a selection of wines, and will be the first Norman Love Confections to offer an interactive dessert experience as Norman Love Confections pastry chefs will “take the stage” to showcase their artistic expression and create beautiful “desserts of art” while engaging guests in a fun, conversational and gastronomic dessert experience.
 
“We are thrilled to open Norman Love Confections at UTC, introducing the greater Sarasota-Manatee area to our established, beloved brand of confections, desserts, gelato, bakery items and more,” said Norman Love, founder and owner of Norman Love Confections. “In the evenings, we are introducing an entirely new concept as we transform the Chocolate Salon into a chocolate theatre of sorts, offering our new experiential dessert experience. I envision the UTC Norman Love Confections location as a dessert destination, as guests join us after dinner or shopping, following a movie or the theatre. As guests take their seats, our amazing pastry chefs will present artistic yet recognizable desserts with an innovative, deconstructed spin giving them a front-row seat to the theatrics of chocolate.”
 
About Norman Love Confections
Founded in 2001 by Norman and Mary Love, Norman Love Confections creates and distributes handcrafted artisanal chocolates from its corporate headquarters at 11380 Lindbergh Blvd. in Fort Myers, Florida. The award-winning Fort Myers-based chocolatier has been lauded more than a dozen times by a leading consumer ratings magazine, including recognition six times for producing the best ultra-premium chocolates in the nation. Forbes.com included Norman Love Confections BLACK line on its list of the nation’s top 10 truffles; The Huffington Post listed it among the six best U.S. destinations in its Chocolate Lover’s Travel Guide; and USA Today named Love as one of its top 10 entrepreneurs for 2014. Love was named the inaugural inductee of Dessert Professional Magazine’s Chocolatier Hall of Fame, partnered with local chefs to present a six-course meal at the James Beard House in New York and Norman Love Confections was ranked among the top 10 shops in the world for chocolate lovers by U.K. media outlet Daily Telegraph.
Norman Love Confections has Chocolate Salons in Fort Myers, Estero and Naples, including a pastry shop and café at Whole Foods Market in Fort Myers salon. Chocolates, gift baskets, sipping chocolate and Love’s book, “Artistry in Chocolate, A Story of Love,” also can be ordered online at www.normanloveconfections.com. In addition, Norman Love Confections chocolates and desserts are offered on 18 Princess Cruises’ ships through the “Chocolate Journeys” partnership and at independent retail locations throughout the U.S. For more information visit www.normanloveconfections.com or call 239-561-7215.
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FORT MYERS, FLA., October 22, 2019– Supporters of Valerie’s House helped lift up children who have lost a parent or family member at Sunset Soiree, the signature event of Valerie’s House, the only organization in Southwest Florida with its sole mission to help support grieving children.
A sold-out crowd of 300 people at Miromar Lakes Beach and Golf Club Thursday, Oct. 17, raised $223,000 through sponsorships, ticket sales, children’s artwork and both silent and live auctions. A surprise $25,000 gift from Northern Trust helped elevate the total raised during an evening filled with children’s testimonials about how Valerie’s House has impacted the way they have healed after the death of a parent or sibling. The annual Sunset Soiree event makes it possible for Valerie’s House to offer grief support free to all families.
“We are forever grateful for the support of our community and the love they have shown to Valerie’s House children who most need our comfort and compassion.  By attending Sunset Soiree, our guests helped us fulfill our vision that no child will grieve alone,” said Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin. .
Valerie’s House has helped 800 children and their families since its founding in 2016 by Melvin, whose own mother was killed in a car accident in Fort Myers in 1987. The non-profit organization uses art and music to help children identify, express and process their grief.
Florida Gulf Coast University President Dr. Michael Martin and his wife Jan were the honorary chairs of the event for the second year in a row with ABC-7 Anchor Krista Fogelsong serving as mistress of ceremonies.
“Jan and I have both seen Valerie’s House in person and met with the children there and were touched by the work they do.  There is nothing else like Valerie’s House in all of Southwest Florida,” Dr. Martin said.
Auction items included art created by the children of Valerie’s House as well as vacation packages and dining experiences.
Golisano Children’s Hospital was the presenting sponsor of the event for the second year.  Other major sponsors included Victory Layne Chevrolet, Enterprise Holdings, Florida Gulf Coast University, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank IBERIABANK, and Midland Self-Directed IRAs and 1031s.
For more information about Valerie’s House or to register a family for programs, visit www.valerieshouseswfl.org/contact-us/, call 239-204-5804, or email [email protected].  Valerie’s House is fully supported through community donations that can be made online at www.valerieshouseswfl.org or by mail to Valerie’s House, Inc., P.O. Box 1955, Fort Myers, FL 33902.
 
 
About Valerie’s House
Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and is serving more than 800 children and their families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry counties. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has two locations: 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers and its newest location in Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace.  Valerie’s House also has a third location in Punta Gorda at First United Methodist Church.
Valerie’s House support programs are designed to give children ages 4 to 19 years old and their families a safe place to share, grieve and grow.  The overall goal is to lovingly assist children and their caregivers on their journeys toward mending broken hearts.  Programs include open-ended support groups and activities to help children, their parents, families and other caregivers to heal after a significant loss in their lives.