Member News

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 26, 2019) – The 5^th annual Grouper Slam benefiting Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens (LARC) will take place on Saturday, July 13 at Royal Shell Port Sanibel Marina, 14341 Port Comfort Road, Fort Myers.
Registration for the tournament is $500 per boat and there is a 100% payout to the winning teams.  There is a $2,000 prize for the biggest grouper and fun fish category payouts. Teams can register at www.fishgrouperslam.com.  Registration deadline is Friday, July 12 at 6pm at the captain’s meeting at The Lighthouse Restaurant, 14301 Port Comfort Rd, Fort Myers.
100% of the proceeds from the chance drawing and silent auction benefit LARC, whose mission is to empower and support individuals with disabilities and their families to reach their full potential.  Tickets for the drawing and opportunities to bid on the silent auction are open to the public beginning Monday, July 8 at www.larcleecounty.org/events.  Bidders need not be present to win.
The weigh in will take place from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Royal Shell Port Sanibel Marina with the raffle and auction ending at 7:00 p.m.  The public is encouraged to attend.  Food and drink is available for purchase.
Established in 1954, LARC is a training center for success for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. LARC serves more than 300 individuals annually and participants range in age from 23 to 75.  LARC offers vocational training, community residential services, and a vast array of other state-of-the-art community inclusion services on a full-time, year-round basis.  LARC’s main campus is located at 2570 Hanson Street, Fort Myers, and has a satellite campus in Bonita Springs.  LARC also operates two Residential Group Homes located in Cape Coral and North Fort Myers.
To learn more about LARC visit www.larcleecounty.org or contact Angela Katz, Development Director at 239-334-6285 x229 or [email protected].
 About LARC
Established in 1954, LARC Inc.’s mission is to empower and support individuals with disabilities and their families to reach their full potential. LARC is a 501(c)3 that provides programs and services for approximately 300 local men and women annually. The nonprofit offers vocational training, community residential services, and a vast array of other state-of-the-art community inclusion services on a full-time, year-round basis.  LARC’s main campus is located at 2570 Hanson Street, Fort Myers, and has a satellite campus in Bonita Springs.  LARC also operates two Residential Group Homes located in Cape Coral and North Fort Myers.   For more information, contact Angela Katz at 239-334-6285 x229 or visit www.larcleecounty.org.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 25, 2019) –Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens (LARC) hosted the inaugural “Aiming for Ability” Clay Shooting Tournament on Friday, May 17, 2019 at Sarasota Trap Skeet & Clays.  The event raised $14,000 for LARC’s newest program – LAB: Learn, Achieve, Become.
Plaques were awarded to the first, second and third place teams.  The plaques were made by LARC woodshop and engraving enterprise participants.   The first place team was Brandon Wolf, Charley Carpenter, Josh Gidcumb and Jacob Mossholder.  Second place was Will Anderson, Garrick Carte and Jeff Robison.  The third place team was Dave Maxwell, Phil Gaylor, Jack Shelley and Don Ward.
“Shooters of all skill levels joined us for this fun morning benefiting LARC’s newest program, LAB,” said Angela Katz, LARC Development Director.  “LAB will offer an experiential learning environment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  LAB transforms traditional program areas into spaces for innovation, vocation, demonstration and learning. Five Labs will focus on skills that maximize independence and employment success.”
Established in 1954, LARC is a training center for success for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. LARC serves more than 300 individuals annually and participants range in age from 23 to 75.  LARC offers vocational training, community residential services, and a vast array of other state-of-the-art community inclusion services on a full-time, year-round basis.  LARC’s main campus is located at 2570 Hanson Street, Fort Myers, and has a satellite campus in Bonita Springs.  LARC also operates two Residential Group Homes located in Cape Coral and North Fort Myers.
The event was sponsored by Mark Loren Designs, Miloff Aubuchon Realty, Creighton Commercial Development, Cape Closeouts, Myers Brettholtz & Co., Sunset Air, Iberia Bank, and Wear the Fund.  The 2020 Aiming for Ability tournament will be held on May 8, 2020.
To learn more about LARC, visit  www.larcleecounty.org or contact Angela Katz, Development Director at 239-334-6285 x229 or [email protected].
 About LARC
Established in 1954, LARC Inc.’s mission is to empower and support individuals with disabilities and their families to reach their full potential. LARC is a 501(c)3 that provides programs and services for approximately 300 local men and women annually. The nonprofit offers vocational training, community residential services, and a vast array of other state-of-the-art community inclusion services on a full-time, year-round basis.  LARC’s main campus is located at 2570 Hanson Street, Fort Myers, and has a satellite campus in Bonita Springs.  LARC also operates two Residential Group Homes located in Cape Coral and North Fort Myers.   For more information, contact Angela Katz at 239-334-6285 x229 or visit www.larcleecounty.org.

FORT MYERS, Fla., (June 24, 2019) – Pace Center for Girls, Lee County’s next Love That Dress! collection event, “Stetsons & Stilettos River District,” will be held on Wednesday, July 17 at the Burroughs Home & Gardens in Fort Myers.
Co-chaired by Pace board members Brandie Fennell Duncan and Jennifer Nelson, Stetsons & Stilettos River District presents a western-chic soirée with live music, food trucks, raffle prize drawings, silent auction and a cash bar. Guests will boot, scoot and boogie the night away to the rockin’ country tunes of Whiskey Bent, accompanied by sunset views over the Caloosahatchee River. Food will be available for sale from food trucks Dynamite Street Eatz, with burgers and more, The Folkswagen with pizza, and BuddahBlends with vegan offerings.
Guests at the collection party also can be among the first to purchase tickets for a chance to win a 24-month lease on a new 2019 INFINITI QX50 SUV. Only 150 tickets will be sold, and the winner will be drawn at Love That Dress! on Aug. 21.
Stetsons & Stilettos River District runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17 at the Burroughs Home & Gardens, 2505 First St. in Fort Myers. Free valet parking will be available.
Per person tickets include a complimentary drink and entertainment and are $25. Bring one or more new or gently loved dresses to donate and admission is $20, plus receive a raffle ticket for each donation beyond one dress (up to 10). To purchase tickets, please visit www.LoveThatDressLeeCounty.com. VIP tables are available for $200 each and can be purchased on pacecenter.org/lee.
Love That Dress! is an annual campaign soliciting donations of new and gently loved dresses, handbags, shoes and accessories. A series of social events helps build inventory, and the campaign culminates with what’s described as “the ultimate feel-good shopping spree” in which supporters enjoy an evening of shopping, music, cocktails and a silent auction.
Proceeds from Love That Dress! events support Pace Center for Girls’ programs and services, which assist girls ages 11 to 18 who have multiple risk factors impacting their academic achievement, including family income, substance abuse, domestic violence, foster home placement, neglect, grief, incarceration of a family member and physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
In August 2018, more than 450 fashionistas and community supporters attended the 10^th annual Love That Dress! fundraiser, helping raise more than $157,000 to support Pace Center for Girls, Lee County.
To learn more about Pace Center for Girls, Lee County and its programs, please visit www.pacecenter.org/locations/lee or call 239-425-2366.
About Pace Center for Girls, Lee County
Since 2007, Pace Center for Girls, Lee County has been providing girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy. The gender-specific, strength-based program is one of 22 Centers throughout Florida, and is known throughout the nation as a best practices model for diverting girls from the juvenile justice system. Pace is a registered not-for-profit organization that relies on the support of individuals, businesses, civic/community organizations and churches in Lee County in order to serve girls and their families. Since its inception, Pace Center for Girls, Lee County has served more than 650 at-promise girls and young women, believing each one deserves an opportunity to find her voice, achieve her potential and celebrate a life defined by responsibility, dignity, serenity and grace. For more information on Pace Center for Girls, Lee County, call 239-425-2366 or visit www.pacecenter.org/locations/lee.
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NBA Draft full of Culligan City of Palms Classic alums
Seven draftees came to Fort Myers for elite national showcase
FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 21, 2019) – Thursday’s NBA Draft proved once again that the Culligan City of Palms Classic is America’s No. 1 high school basketball tournament. Seven of the 60 players chosen appeared in the Culligan City of Palms Classic at least once, and R.J. Barrett, who went third overall to the New York Knicks, played in the event in both 2015 and 2016. The Culligan City of Palms Classic produced two top five picks, three top 10 picks and five first-rounders.
“If you want to see tomorrow’s NBA stars today, there’s no better place to go than the Culligan City of Palms Classic,” said John Naylor, the tournament’s executive director. “The amount of talent that comes through here year after year is simply remarkable.”
Thirty draftees in the past three years have been Culligan City of Palms Classic alumni, and one out of every seven players in the NBA last year took part in the tournament. Half of the players chosen No. 1 overall in the 2010s came from the Culligan City of Palms Classic.
Each Culligan City of Palms Classic player chosen in this year’s draft is listed below, along with his draft position, NBA team, high school and year of appearance in the tournament.

• • #3 R.J. Barrett, New York Knicks (Montverde Academy, 2015 and 2016)
  • #5 Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers (Brentwood Academy, 2016)
  • #10 Cam Reddish, Atlanta Hawks (Westtown, 2015 and 2016)
  • #17 Nickeil Alexander-Walker, New Orleans Pelicans* (Hamilton Heights, 2015)
  • #25 Nassir Little, Portland Trail Blazers (Orlando Christian Prep, 2017)
  • #35  Bruno Fernando, Atlanta Hawks** (Montverde Academy, 2015)
  • #46 Talen Horton-Tucker, Los Angeles Lakers*** (Simeon, 2017)
• *-From Brooklyn Nets via Atlanta Hawks
• **-From Chicago Bulls via Philadelphia 76ers
• ***-From Brooklyn Nets via Orlando Magic

The trend is poised to continue. Three of the projected top six picks in the NBADraft.net 2020 mock draft played in the Culligan City of Palms Classic, and many of them will be playing top-level college basketball starting this fall. Visit cityofpalmsclassic.com to keep up with all the past and future Culligan City of Palms Classic stars.
About the Culligan City of Palms Classic
 Founded in 1973, the City of Palms tournament began, like so many tournaments today, as a simple, local holiday basketball tournament. Over the years, the tournament grew and expanded its scope to include the nation’s finest athletes and teams, and during the past 23 years, it has set the standard by which all tournaments are compared. Classic Basketball Inc. is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation created for the purpose of managing the Culligan City of Palms Classic. For more information and to sign up for the eNewsletter, visit cityofpalmsclassic.com.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 20, 2019) – During May, 725,754 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, Fla., an increase of 8.5 percent compared to May 2018. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 9.6 percent compared to last year.
The traffic leader in May was Delta Air Lines with 187,907 passengers traveling to and from Fort Myers. Rounding out the top five airlines were Southwest (141,576), American (122,639), JetBlue (85,852) and United (83,586).
Southwest Florida International Airport had 6,018 aircraft operations, an increase of 3.7 percent compared to May 2018. Page Field saw 9,294 operations, a 29.8 percent increase from May 2018. In addition, slightly more than 3 million pounds of air freight moved through Southwest Florida International Airport in May 2019.
Southwest Florida International Airport served nearly 9.4 million passengers in 2018 and is one of the top 50 U.S. airports for passenger traffic. No ad valorem (property) taxes are used for airport operation or construction. For more information, visit www.flylcpa.com or Like Us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flyRSW.

CAPE CORAL, FLA., June 19, 2019– Lifeline Family Center will break ground Thursday, July 18, for one-of-a-kind housing for single women with children graduating from their program.
The ground-breaking is set for 10 a.m. adjacent to Lifeline Family Center at 907 S.E. 5^th Ave. in Cape Coral.  Cape Coral leaders and other dignitaries are expected to attend the event, which represents the first affordable rental housing offered by Lifeline Family Center.
“This is the next step in helping our moms and their children toward independence,” said Lifeline Family Center CEO Kathy Miller.  “Accessible and affordable housing in a safe neighborhood is difficult to come by in Lee County.  As a single parent raising young children, it is almost impossible.  The availability for community housing programs is often years of waiting on a list.”
Lifeline Family Center provides a home on its campus for young women in crisis pregnancies for up to two years.  During that time, they learn skills to become self-supporting through education, job training, parenting classes, professional counseling and spiritual guidance.   It is the only residential program in Lee County for homeless young women in crisis pregnancies who are not part of the foster care program.
With the escalating cost of rental housing, Lifeline Family Center officials saw a severe need for affordable housing for graduates of their Phase I program and began a fund-raising campaign that now has topped $400,000.00. An additional $236,000.00 is needed to complete the project debt free.
The new housing will provide four two-bedroom apartments for their graduates so that they can continue to grow in their career path and utilize the on-campus day care facility while they work.  “Rents” will be just what it costs for insurance and to maintain the facility, about $500 a month, including water.
Within the two-year housing agreement, each mom will be encouraged to cultivate a relationship with Habitat for Humanity, a collaboration that will develop into home ownership for her family.
“This is how we can break the cycle of welfare and government dependency.  A successful, financially stable woman raising her family in a safe and loving environment creates a thriving community,” Miller said.
Since the non-profit organization was founded by Miller in 1996, 178 women and 117 babies have found a home at Lifeline Family Center.
In the current residential program, Lifeline Family Center serves up to 12 young women, ages 16 to 25, and up to 24 babies at a time. In the Outreach Ministry program, more than 6,000 women have received assistance with material needs, adoption counseling and resource referrals. The non-profit also operates a 24/7 Pregnancy Helpline, provides free pregnancy tests, free ultrasounds by appointment, and does outreach to all areas of Lee County, including all college campuses.
 
About Lifeline Family Center
Founded in 1996, Lifeline Family Center provides young women in crisis pregnancies a safe home in Cape Coral and a learning environment.  They receive education, job training, professional counseling, parenting classes and spiritual guidance.  The two-year residential program prepares young moms and their babies to become self-supporting, contributing members of society.  Lifeline Family Center receives no government funding and is wholly dependent upon donations from generous individuals, churches and corporations that believe in Lifeline’s mission as well as United Way funding.  For more information about Lifeline Family Center, visit www.lifelinefamilycenter.org.
 
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FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 5, 2019) — A serious threat to the health of all Southwest Floridians lurks in the water. Calusa Waterkeeper invites the public and healthcare professionals to a public water summit on Monday, June 24 about the health effects of harmful algal blooms. The event, called “Public Health Alert – Florida Water,” runs from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre on 1380 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers.
 
“Public Health Alert – Florida Water” will include a screening of the groundbreaking documentary “Toxic Puzzle,” narrated by Harrison Ford. An expert panel, including two scientists featured in the documentary, will discuss why harmful algal blooms have become a public health concern, where to find key information as the threat evolves, and what Southwest Florida residents can do to help safeguard themselves and their families while fighting for change. A question-and-answer session with the experts will follow the panel presentation.
 
“The health risks are becoming more apparent as new scientific research emerges,” Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani said. “We’re doing everything we can to get the word out and let everyone know what they can do to make a difference in this fight.”
 
Panelists include Cassani and two University of Miami scientists: Dr. Walter Bradley, chair emeritus of the university’s neurology department, and marine biology and ecology professor Dr. Larry Brand, both of whom were in “Toxic Puzzle.”
 
“The public is just beginning to understand the scale of the problem we face,” Calusa Waterkeeper Executive Director K.C. Schulberg said. “With each passing month, we learn more about the potentially horrendous impact, not just to our environment and marine life, but to the health of our fellow residents. There is urgency.”
 
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation is funding the program through a grant awarded in response to an inquiry from Calusa Waterkeeper President-elect Ruth Watkins. A second public forum set for Aug. 5 will feature the world premiere of an original documentary on the subject that Calusa Waterkeeper is producing entitled “Troubled Waters.”
 
A buffet dinner is included in the $20 ticket price for the June 24 event, with proceeds going toward the nonprofit Calusa Waterkeeper’s scientific research and educational outreach efforts. Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/2wAkgim.
 
Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Email Schulberg at [email protected] to find out how to get involved. To keep tabs on Southwest Florida’s water, visit calusawaterkeeper.org and facebook.com/calusawaterkeeper.
 
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, 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.
 
 
 

Fort Myers, FL. (June 18, 2019) – Allyn International Services, Inc. (Allyn) is pleased to announce Joshua Solow as Global Sales and Key Account Team Manager working in our Fort Myers headquarters. Solow’s work will encompass business development and marketing activities for prospective clients including proposal preparations. Solow will also serve as Allyn’s key account team manager for one of their biggest clients.
Before joining Allyn, Solow earned his Bachelor of Science in International Business from Florida State University. Solow brings to Allyn significant business development and client relationship experience from the financial services industry, most recently serving in a Vice President role for Regions bank. In his new position with Allyn, Solow will define and carry Allyn’s corporate sales strategy on a global basis.
In addition to his position at Allyn, Solow sits on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lee County, and volunteers for Junior Achievement and the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Counties.
Joshua Solow appointed Global Sales and Account Manager for Allyn International.
About Allyn International
Allyn International is dedicated to providing high quality, customer centric services and solutions for the global marketplace. Allyn’s core products include transportation management, logistics sourcing, freight forwarding, supply chain consulting, tax management and global trade compliance. Allyn clients range from small local businesses to Fortune 500 firms. Allyn conducts business in more than 20 languages and has extensive experience in both developed and emerging markets. Highly trained experts are positioned throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. Allyn’s regional headquarters are strategically located in Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.A., Shanghai, P.R. China and Prague, Czech Republic. For more information, visit www.allynintl.com
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 18, 2019) – Jason’s Deli of Southwest Florida, a leading family-owned deli chain, is honoring community heroes this Independence Day with a 10% off dine-in special.
On Thursday, July 4, active and retired members of the military, firefighters, paramedics and law enforcement officers can show up in uniform or present a valid ID card to receive the discount on any adult entrée and drink purchase.
Six Southwest Florida Jason’s Deli locations are participating, including:

• Fort Myers: 13550 Reflections Parkway
• San Carlos Park/south Fort Myers: 16441 Corporate Commerce Way
• Naples: 2700 Immokalee Road
• Cape Coral: 2311 Santa Barbara Blvd.
• Port Charlotte: 1100 El Jobean Road
• Sarasota: 5231 University Parkway

Core values of Jason’s Deli are to provide the highest quality food, outstanding hospitality, a great place to work and a healthy, growing company with the highest personal standards. The company has banned artificial trans fats from its food and eliminated high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors and dyes from its menus. In 2011, Parents magazine recognized Jason’s Deli as the No. 1 family restaurant chain in the nation, based on an analysis of food content, including calories, fat, saturated fat and sodium. Editors also compared the quality of ingredients (such as offering organic milk or antibiotic-free chicken), and conveniences include call-ahead seating, online ordering, crayons for children and the availability of high chairs and booster seats.
About Jason’s Deli
A family-owned deli restaurant chain, Jason’s Deli was founded in Beaumont, Texas, in 1976 by Joe Tortorice Jr. and now has 280+ locations in 28 states. In 2005, Jason’s Deli was the first major restaurant concept to ban artificial trans fats in the U.S. and later became the first to eliminate high-fructose corn syrup. At Jason’s Deli, regardless if you want gluten-sensitive menu items or vegetarian options, healthy kids’ meals, or if you would like to build your own salad at their famous salad bar, you will be delighted by the bigger choices of better food, from healthy to indulgent. For more information, please visit www.JasonsDeli.com or call 239-985-7215.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 18, 2019) – Accomplished Fort Myers attorney Stephen W. Buckley in June celebrates 50 years with Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A.

Buckley joined the firm in 1969 after graduating from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1966 and Florida State University with a Juris Doctorate degree in 1969. The firm was established in 1962.

He assists clients with wills, trusts, estate planning, probate, real estate and real property law cases. Buckley is a top-rated lawyer under the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rating system.

Buckley has seen tremendous change in the law through the years. “I think today there are more judges than attorneys,” he said. “When I started there were two circuit judges and one county judge.”

The firm’s offices have been in the same building at the corner of Main Street and Broadway in downtown Fort Myers since he started but have expanded into other parts of the building and adjacent buildings as the firm has grown.

He remembers one of his first cases was to get a woman in real estate the right to sell property she owned without consent of her husband, which was the rule at the time. Shortly after he was able to make her a “free dealer,” the rule was abolished. He also remembers a case where he worked with the Coast Guard to have a man declared dead who disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle on a flight to Bimini. Without a body, it would have taken five years for his spouse to get a death certificate. He said the investigation determined how much fuel the plane had and every place the plane could have landed. The plane, the man and his passenger were never found.

Buckley grew up in Connecticut, and his grandparents moved to the west coast in the 1950s. When Edison College, now Florida SouthWestern State College, was opening, they offered to help him with expenses if he would go to college in Florida.

He enjoys spending time at his home in Maine, but Buckley says he has no intention of retiring. “I enjoy what I’m doing,” he said. “I don’t play golf. I don’t play tennis. I don’t fish. I’ll just keep doing it while I can, and the clients want to work with me. My wife would have a long honey-do list if I did retire.”

He and his wife, Bonnie, celebrate their 50^th wedding anniversary in August.

About Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz

Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A., has offered a full complement of professional legal services to Southwest Florida clients since 1962. The firm’s experienced attorneys are board certified by the Florida Bar, and their areas of practice include personal injury and accidents, fall and premises liability, wrongful death, motorcycle and truck accidents, medical malpractice, real estate, commercial litigation, construction law, wills, estate planning and administration, social security law and criminal law. With offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte, attorneys can be reached by calling 239-334-1146 or visiting JusticeStartsNow.com.