Member News

The red snapper season for private recreational anglers and state for-hire operations in the Gulf of Mexico will be open on the following Saturdays and Sundays: Oct. 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27.
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.
These additional days would not be possible without 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.
Planning to participate in the fall season? Don’t forget to continue the success of the Gulf Reef Fish Survey. All anglers fishing from private recreational vessels must sign up as 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 or whether you’ve submitted data via other methods such as the iAngler app mention below.
Anglers can also share catch information with FWC electronically using the Angler Action Foundation’s iAngler smartphone app. This app is available on your phone’s app store by searching for iAngler Gulf Red Snapper for private anglers or iAngler Gulf Red Snapper Charter if you are a charter operation. By using iAngler to log catches during red snapper season and beyond, anglers can provide FWC researchers with valuable insights about their trips.
State for-hire operations must have State Gulf Reef Fish Charter on their license to target red snapper and other reef fish in Gulf state waters (excluding Monroe County). This can be done at no cost at a local tax collector’s office.
To learn more about the recreational red snapper season in Gulf state and federal waters, including season size and bag limits, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Snappers,” which is under the “Regulations by Species – Reef Fish” tab.

Fort Myers and Washington D.C. (Oct. 2, 2019) – Earn to Learn FL, a matched-savings financial assistance program, will honor eight distinguished Southwest Florida residents on Feb. 19 as its 2020 Mentors of IMPACT.
Mentors of IMPACT is a program that recognizes men and women at the pinnacle of their careers or community service who have elevated the lives of others through mentoring. New honorees include:

• Alise Bartley, Ph.D. (Mental Health Crusader)
• Kellie Burns (NBC2)
• Joe Catti (FineMark Bank)
• Myra Daniels (Philanthropist)
• Gail Markham (Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A.)
• Michael Martin, Ph.D. (Florida Gulf Coast University)
• Susan McManus (Champions for Learning)
• Mark Stevens (Stevens Construction)

Earn to Learn FL will recognize the 2020 honorees at a fundraising gala featuring a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, networking opportunities and a keynote address by Syd Kitson, chairman and CEO of Kitson & Partners. Attendees also will be able to meet college students and graduates who have been helped by Earn to Learn FL, a matched-savings program that offers personalized financial capability training and success coaching to students across Florida. The ultimate goal is for students to graduate with minimal or no debt.
The Mentors of IMPACT reception will be held from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at The Club at Mediterra, 15755 Corso Mediterra Circle in Naples.
Tickets are $400 per person and can be purchased online at EarnToLearnFL.org. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available starting at $5,000 and include VIP tickets and tables, media recognition, and promotion in publications and at the event. Proceeds from the event will be used to help pay higher education expenses for students enrolled in the Earn to Learn FL program.
For more information, please visit EarnToLearnFL.com or email Brenda Tate at [email protected].
About Earn to Learn FL
Earn to Learn FL empowers low-to-moderate income students in Florida to earn college degrees and professional certifications with little or no debt through matched-savings, personalized financial capability training, and success coaching. Eligible students who establish a habit of saving for higher education can receive matching funds for financial assistance provided by Earn to Learn FL supporters committed to enhancing workforce development and the economic well-being of Florida communities. For more information, please visit EarntoLearnFL.org or call 239-908-0301.
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[Fort Myers, FL, September 30^th, 2019] Seed & Bean Market is now participating in downtown Fort Myers Art Walk! We are so excited to be featuring the talented Marcus Zotter during our first Art Walk! This local artist will have his amazing work on display this Friday night, October 4^th!
Visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/seedandbeanmkt/events/ to stay in the loop with all that we have going on at Seed & Bean Market.
[Seed & Bean Market; Florida’s first CBD marketplace.]
 
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PINE ISLAND, Fla. (OCT. 4, 2019) — Calusa Waterkeeper Rangers Joe and Kaye Vaughn and Melanie Hoff sampled for fecal indicator bacteria at Tropical Point Park, a Lee County facility on Pine Island on Sept. 30. The park is on the west side of Matlacha Pass, a state aquatic preserve where residents of the area have been observed swimming and launching paddle craft from the park into Matlacha Pass. The level of fecal indicator bacteria at this park at the time of sampling was nearly nine times the Florida Department of Health’s (FDOH) threshold for closing a coastal beach.
Fecal indicator bacteria can cause rashes and gastrointestinal illness and are used by the FDOH as an indicator of other possible pathogens in the water. One type of bacteria used to measure fecal bacteria contamination in coastal and brackish waters is enterococci. The FDOH enterococci threshold for closing a coastal beach is above 70 MPN / 100 ml. The level of enterococci in the Tropical Point Park sample was 627 MPN / 100 ml, as determined by Calusa Waterkeeper analysis using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved protocols.
“Fecal bacteria contamination has become widespread in Southwest Florida, including high value waters used for recreation like Matlacha Pass, a state aquatic preserve. Matlacha Pass has a non-degradation standard determined by statute. We’re hoping that this latest report shared with FDOH and local governments will result in a rapid response to alert the public of dangerous contamination at this public access point,” said John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper.
Matlacha Pass has been verified impaired by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for bacteria in shellfish starting in 2008. Shellfish harvesting in Matlacha Pass is prohibited by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services due to shellfish contamination by fecal bacteria.
The FDOH and Lee County officials have been notified but have not yet indicated whether they will post signs alerting the public of the hazard.
“As residents of the Tropical Point Subdivision, we just want the area to be safe for everyone who uses it. This is the only beach on Pine Island, and it is packed during season. Schools use it for field trips, people fish there, people kayak and paddle board there. All of the drainage canals in our subdivision flow directly to the boat launch at Tropical Point Park, so we chose to test there. This boat launch flows directly to Matlacha Pass Refuge, which is supposed to be a protected body of water,” said Kaye Vaugh.
“Thanks to the efforts of Calusa Waterkeeper sampling, local residents and schools that use this location can now be aware of these unsafe conditions. We have also forwarded the results to state and local agencies. The results also remind us of the need to address the sources of fecal bacteria,” said Hoff.
Learn more about Calusa Waterkeeper’s Ranger program, water testing and reporting initiatives, please visit calusawaterkeeper.org.
About Calusa Waterkeeper
Calusa Waterkeeper (CWK) is a donation, member and grant-supported Fort Myers-based 501(c)(3) whose mission is to “Protect and Restore the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to the Coastal Waters.” CWK’s project area covers more than 1,000 square miles of water, and its work includes testing and reporting, regulatory advisories, educational and community outreach, and public advocacy. CWK is a member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance, the largest and fastest growing nonprofit solely focused on clean water, with more than 300 Waterkeeper Organizations and Affiliates on the frontlines of the global water crisis, patrolling and protecting more than 2.5 million square miles of rivers, lakes and coastal waterways on six continents.
 
 

New designer brands added to lineup for Nov. 8 annual signature shopping event

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 4, 2019) – Dress for Success SW Florida has announced the sponsors of its biggest shopping event of the year, Shop for Success.

Sponsors for the Nov. 8 annual signature shopping event include Card Systems/eGuarded, Edison National Bank, Entech, Frank and Sons Moving & Storage Inc., Garramone Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company P.A., Priority Marketing and Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee.

Dress for Success SW Florida is also adding to its expansive lineup of high-end, designer-name fashions with a donation of new-with-tags and gently used purses by Juicy, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Prada and more. The newest additions will be featured at Shop for Success alongside thousands of gently used clothing in sizes 00 to 26 and accessories, including dresses, tops, pants, skirts, suits, jackets, shoes, handbags, scarves and jewelry starting at $5. Other exclusive brands such as White House Black Market, Chico’s, Talbots, Vince Camuto, J. Crew. St. Johns, Coach and Lily Pulitzer will also be featured.

The free shopping extravaganza will be held on Friday, Nov. 8, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at Bell Tower, 13051 Bell Tower Drive in Fort Myers. VIP tickets start at $50, offering exclusive early shopping opportunities. General admission is free after 5 p.m.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the event will benefit Dress for Success SW Florida and its mission to jumpstart a woman’s career by providing not only work-appropriate attire through its Suits for Self Sufficiency program, but also education and training through its custom Women Empowered Through Employment Series (WETES). Both programs provide tools necessary to create a balance between work and home life, and provide support to overcome life’s hardships.

To purchase tickets, or for more information on the event and remaining sponsorships, call 239-689-4992 or visit https://shopforsuccess2019.eventbrite.com.

About Dress for Success SW Florida

Founded in 2010, Dress for Success SW Florida is headquartered in Fort Myers. A nonprofit organization with a mission to empower women to achieve economic independence, Dress for Success SW Florida provides a network of support, professional attire and development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Dress for Success SW Florida serves job-ready women by referral only. For more information, visit swflorida.dressforsuccess.org/or call 239-689-4992. Dress for Success SW Florida is located at 12995 S. Cleveland Ave., Suite 153, in Fort Myers.

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Media Contacts:

Nickole Hendra, Dress for Success SW Florida, 239-689-4992, [email protected]

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

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 4, 2019) – Shell Point Retirement Community has announced its 2019-2020 Fine and Performing Arts Series, which brings a variety of local and international performers to Shell Point’s campus in four distinct series: Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Concerts and Conversations, and Southwest Florida Symphony. Events are open to the public, with tickets available starting Oct. 15 online at www.shellpoint.org/concerts or by phone at 239-454-2067.
“The 17th season of the Shell Point Fine and Performing Arts Series is filled with an impressive array of talented artists and dynamic performances,” said Laura Slack, director of resident life at Shell Point Retirement Community. “With three distinct musical series, along with the skills of resident artists and artisans, this season offers something for everyone.”
The Fine Arts Series highlights the artistry of Shell Point resident artists and artisans with two annual shows, held during the 2019-2020 season. These free shows will showcase the creative work of many talented residents and ranges from photography and painting to three-dimensional sculptures and intricate quilts.

• Shell Point Artists and Artisans Holiday Bazaar – Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Village Church on The Island at Shell Point.
• 2020 Two-Dimensional Art Show and Sale – Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Coastal Commons at Coastal Links.

The Performing Arts Series features five concerts including some of Broadway’s most well-known hits, classical pieces from an award-winning ensemble and a big band musical performance from a group of internationally celebrated musicians. Concerts in this series will be held in The Village Church Auditorium on The Island at Shell Point and include:

• The Four Italian Tenors – Monday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m.
• Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribute – Thursday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m.
• Embraceable You: The Music of George Gershwin – Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
• The Queen’s Cartoonists – Thursday, March 5 at 7 p.m.
• Florida Gulf Coast University Wind Orchestra – Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m.

Individual tickets for the Performing Arts Series cost $40 with the exception of the FGCU Wind Orchestra concert, which costs $15. Advance ticket packages are also available, providing savings up to $35.
Five Concerts & Conversations Series events will take place in the Grand Cypress Room at The Woodlands at Shell Point, which allows for an intimate, chamber-style performance, followed by refreshments and the opportunity to meet the performers. The Concerts & Conversations Series includes performances by:

• Chamber Music with a Twist – Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.
• Duo Beaux Arts – Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.
• Peter & Will Anderson Jazz Trio – Thursday, Jan. 2 at 7 p.m.
• Penning & Langford – Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.
• Peter Bergin, Ragtime Pianist – Wednesday, March 25 at 7 p.m.

Individual tickets for the Concerts and Conversation Series cost $30. Advance ticket packages are also available, providing savings up to $20.
Shell Point is pleased to partner with the Southwest Florida Symphony to present three performances in the Southwest Florida Symphony Series. Tickets for this series range from $25 to $35.

• Holiday Pops Concert: Christmas in Paradise – Friday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.
• Stradi-Various – Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m.
• Transfigured Night – Thursday, April 2 at 7 p.m.

 
To make a reservation, contact the concert box office at 239-454-2067, or buy online at www.shellpoint.org/concerts. Tickets will be held for pick-up at will call on the night of the performance.
 
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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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Emily Rose, Public Relations Coordinator, Shell Point Retirement Community, 239-454-8245 or [email protected]
Emily Golden, Priority Marketing, 239-267-2638, 239-565-1595 (cell) or [email protected]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 4, 2019) — Abuse Counseling & Treatment, Inc., also known as ACT, is launching a special “Spreading Our Wings” campaign, asking the community’s help to build on existing outreach services and extend important training programs to prevent and minimize the impact of domestic violence and sexual assault.
 
ACT plans to raise $2.4 million to offset the cost of purchasing the building it has rented for ten years, the Second ACT Thrift Store.  The purchase will allow ACT to expand its various outreach programs to support victims and survivors of sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, stalking and human trafficking. Last year, ACT answered over 15,000 calls through its 24-hour hotline and helped over 7,000 community members with their confidential services, including emergency shelter, counseling, economic empowerment and job-skills training, children’s services, legal advocacy, and other free programs.
 
“So many people count on us to help them through their darkest moments, and the Second ACT Thrift Store is a vital component of our services that allows us to provide that help,” ACT CEO Jennifer L. Benton said. “But this isn’t just about owning the building. It’s about empowering people to overcome desperate circumstances and move forward with the life they deserve.”
 
Proceeds from the thrift store help fund ACT’s three shelters, which helped 690 victims of domestic violence and their children in 2018. They also go toward outreach counseling programs and providing informational resources for victims and survivors.  Second ACT is also much more than simply a thrift store. ACT uses the store as a job training ground so clients can gain work experience while staying at one of the shelters. The building is also ACT’s primary storage space for essential items like furniture, bedding, clothing, dishes and other household items, which is not only used for shelter residents upon intake, but also is available for them when they leave to start a new beginning for their family. Additionally, the purchase will allow ACT to open an outreach program at the facility, expanding its outreach to the community.
 
“Our generous supporters, past and present, and the compassionate people of Southwest Florida have a new opportunity to help us change lives for the better,” Benton said. “We’re looking forward to working together with everyone to fulfill our mission.”
 
ACT has helped more than 80,000 people since it was founded in 1978.
 
Learn about all the ways to be a part of the “Spreading Our Wings” campaign at actabuse.com.
 
About Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc.
Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc., better known as ACT, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit social service agency providing safe, free and confidential help to victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking in Lee, Hendry and Glades counties. ACT has been providing a circle of support for victims and their families since 1978. The organization is one of the largest safe housing providers in Florida. ACT provides critical services to those in crisis through a 24-hour hotline, counseling, forensic examinations, medical, legal and personal advocacy, violence prevention programs, children’s programs and more. Find out more at actabuse.com.
 
 

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (Oct. 4, 2019) – Shangri-La Springs, a historic property in downtown Bonita Springs was named as a Blue Zones Project recognized organization with a ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 1.
Shangri-La Springs has a healthy organic focus with an on-site garden, Harvest & Wisdom farm to table restaurant, full-service spa, unique event space and under-renovation hotel rooms that will have plush organic linens and bedding. The mission of the 8.5-acre retreat in the heart of Bonita Springs is to bring guests and visitors back to basics in harmony with themselves and the environment.
“Our goal is to be a center in the community focused on relaxation, rejuvenation and health,” said Lee Bellamy, Shangri-La Springs general manager. “Our property promises a unique blend of culture, nature and local history, where residents and visitors alike can find sources of enriching cuisine, art and spa experiences.”
Shangri-La Springs meets many criteria on the Blue Zones Project best practice list, including:

• Encouraging people to bike to the property by having bike racks
• Promoting consumption of water and no-sugar-added beverages
• Maintaining a garden for seed-to-table dishes, educational classes and tours
• Offering healthy foods and snacks, including plant-based menu items
• Inviting people to walk on the property and promoting volunteer opportunities for community events
• Hosting a variety of well-being, Blue Zones and educational events
• Remaining tobacco free

“The collaboration between Blue Zones Project and Shangri-La Springs is a very meaningful partnership,” said Chante Pemberton, Faith-Based Organization and HOA lead, Blue Zones Project Southwest Florida. “This great organization has the capacity to touch many lives and impact the well-being of the Southwest Florida community.”
Up next, the property is working to have the on-site restaurant Harvest & Wisdom Blue Zones Project Approved. More than 640 area companies and 200,000 individuals are now participating with Blue Zones Project Southwest Florida, a community-by-community, well-being improvement initiative designed to support longer, better lives through sustainable changes to environment, policy and social networks. Principles are based on lifestyles in Blue Zones areas, which are pockets of the world where people live longer with less chronic disease and higher quality of life.
Brought to Southwest Florida by NCH Healthcare System, in collaboration with Sharecare, Inc. and Blue Zones, LLC, Blue Zones Project is a vital part of Southwest Florida’s well-being improvement initiative that encourages changes in the community that lead to healthier options. For more information about Blue Zones Project Southwest Florida, visit southwestflorida.bluezonesproject.com.
About Shangri-La Springs
Built in 1921, Shangri-La Springs offers a variety of unique services including a stately property with an organic garden, fitness studio, organic restaurant, full-service organic spa, gift shop and event and wedding venue rated GOLD in the Naples Daily News 2019 Best of Bonita/Estero. The Blue Zones Project recognized organization specializes in offering guests a nexus of beneficial practices, activities and engagement opportunities that include wellness classes, art shows and special programs. A range of natural and organic treatments and products including facials, massages, eucalyptus steam room, far infrared sauna and private garden lounge are offered at the Spa at Shangri-La Springs, which was rated SILVER for Day Spa in the Naples Daily News 2019 Best of Bonita/Estero. The organic farm-to-table restaurant Harvest & Wisdom, with an ever-changing menu crafted with produce fresh from the on-site garden, locally sourced organic proteins and organic beverages, is open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch. In addition, the historic property is undergoing interior renovations to open as a full-service boutique hotel that will feature 21 guest rooms, outdoor dining area and conference room in the Great House. Renovations are also underway for six guest rooms located in Villa Ascona, a building positioned near the property’s courtyard, perfect for spa weekends or bridal party accommodations. Shangri-La Springs is located at 27750 Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs. For more information call 239-949-0749 or visit www.ShangriLaSprings.com.
About Blue Zones Project
Blue Zones Project is a community-led well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to a city’s environment, policy, and social networks. Established in 2010, Blue Zones Project is inspired by Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Fellow and New York Times best-selling author who identified five regions of the world—or Blue Zones—with the highest concentration of people living to 100 years or older. Blue Zones Project incorporates Buettner’s findings and works with cities to implement policies and programs that will move a community toward optimal health and well-being. Currently, 50 communities in ten states have joined Blue Zones Project, impacting more than 3.3 million Americans nationwide. The movement includes communities in California; 15 cities in Iowa; Albert Lea, Minnesota; the city of Fort Worth; and communities in Southwest Florida, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Oregon, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Blue Zones Project is an exclusive partnership between Blue Zones and Sharecare. For more information, visit bluezonesproject.com.
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Our biggest CHARITY Day Event is upon us! November 9th! Let Belk help your organization gain additional community awareness by participating in our upcoming Charity Sale! We inspire our customers to get involved and donate while your team reaches out to your supporters for their involvement in the store event. 
 
Participating charities will have the opportunity to raise money for their organization by selling event tickets at $5 each and keeping 100% of ticket proceeds. Ticket holders will receive 25% – 70% off of Belk purchases storewide, including special savings on rarely-discounted brands. It is a win-win! Over the past six years, $50 million has been raised for over 6,000 charities located in Belk’s 16-state market area.
 
Our Fall Charity Sale is set for Saturday, November 9th, however tickets sales start NOW inside and outside of the store! We welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can support your 501c organization. If you can spare some volunteers to sell tickets at our front doors any week leading into the event that would be beneficial to your organization! The best day to send volunteers to sell tickets is Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 12 and 3pm.  
 
Our Kick-off Charity Meet and Greet is Thursday October 10, 2019
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Fort Myers Belk
Please RSVP before Tuesday 10/8/19 by calling Tracy Groenendaal at 239-850-7333 or email: [email protected].
 
I have also included the Charity Sale FAQ guide in the body of this email to answer some questions you may have.
 
If you cannot attend the kick-off meeting, but would still like to participate in Charity Sale simply RSVP to me directly and I will partner with Pam in the Cape location. 
 
Thank you for all you do to support our beautiful community.
 
Warm Regards – Tracy
 
 
Mary Ann Mattson-Millard  
Fort Myers Florida 
T: 239-850-7333