Member News

January 26, 2018 – FORT MYERS, FLA – Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) will host its Spring 2018 Open House Week from Feb. 26-March 1 at all locations.
Prospective students, their families and community members are invited to attend an open house to see what the college has to offer. Faculty, staff and current students will be available to answer questions and provide campus tours. A limited term promotional code will be provided to open house guests to waive the admissions application fee to FSW following the event.
“Students can attend our open houses to learn more about FSW’s academic programs, campus life, student support services, athletics and our unique educational opportunities,” said Amber McCown, FSW Director of Admissions. “The first step to enrolling at FSW is to complete an application for admission, but students are often hesitant to apply because of the application fee. Prospective students who attend one of our Open House events will have the opportunity to apply for admission to FSW free-of-charge.”
Spring 2018 Open Houses are scheduled for 3-5:30 p.m. at the following locations:
Feb. 26 – Hendry/Glades Curtis Center
1092 East Cowboy Way, LaBelle
Feb. 27 – Thomas Edison (Lee) Campus
8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers
Feb. 28 – Collier Campus
7505 Grand Lely Drive, Naples
March 1 – Charlotte Campus
26300 Airport Road, Punta Gorda
Attendees are encouraged to register in advance at www.FSW.edu/openhouse.
Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in January 2016. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.

Couples can enjoy romantic evening on Valentine’s Day at Hammond Stadium

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2018) – Set the mood this Valentine’s Day with the second annual Hearts and Home Runs Dinner at Hammond Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Couples can choose either the 4:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. seating.

“We are excited to bring back this unique event,” said Miracle President and General Manager Chris Peters. “It was a big hit last year. Baseball and romance go hand in hand. We think couples will really enjoy having a gourmet meal at our beautiful ballpark.”

On Feb. 14, the Miracle will unlock the third-floor suite level and serve a four-course meal for two dinner seatings. The first session is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the meal will be served at 5 p.m. The second session lasts from 7 to 9 p.m. with dinner served at 7:30 p.m.

Reservations are $100 per couple for a window or a table seat. Tax and gratuity are not included. In addition to a lovely evening of delicious food, the Miracle invite each couple to send in four of their best, most romantic photos to appear on the video board in left center field throughout dinner. Each reservation will also include tickets to Miracle Opening Night on Thursday, April 5.

Smitten suite guests will have the choice between bacon-wrapped scallops or spicy honey garlic chicken skewers for an appetizer, followed by Caesar salad. For the main course, courting customers can pick between prime rib or grilled salmon with lemon dill cream sauce. Each entree will be served with flavorfully seasoned rosemary red bliss potatoes and a delightful blend of sautéed garden vegetables. Each couple will also receive a complimentary bottle of wine.

The final layer of a romantically robust meal is a devilish dessert. Passionate patrons can select either a slice of red velvet cake or tiramisu cake. When the meal is complete, couples will be allowed to venture into the outdoor seating for a cozy cuddle.

If this is your first date and you need a little help to break the ice, the Miracle will be providing a full liquor bar, bottled beer and soft drinks available for purchase.

Join the Miracle for a night of fine dining, your beloved, and the atmosphere of the ballpark. To make reservations, call 239-768-4210 or email [email protected].

The Fort Myers Miracle are the Class-A Advanced Affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. To stay up to date on the Miracle, follow online at Miraclebaseball.com or through social media; Twitter: @MiracleBaseball, Instagram: fortmyersmiracle, Facebook: Fort Myers Miracle, Snapchat: ftmyersmiracle. Opening Night at Hammond Stadium is April 5 at 7 p.m. against the Charlotte Stone Crabs. For further information or questions, call the Miracle offices at 239-768-4210.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2018) – Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida and The Lee County Bar Association are teaming up to present Law Day 2018 to local high school students on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at the Lee County Courthouse, located at 1700 Monroe St. in Fort Myers.

Participants will get an inside look at law-related careers, learn about the legal system in an interactive and fascinating way, and observe the justice system in motion.

“Law Day offers a wonderful opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at our legal system in action, and the best way to explore a potential career path is to experience it firsthand,” said Angela Fisher, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. “We are ecstatic that the Lee County Bar Association continues to join forces with Junior Achievement to present this successful program.”

The program is free to Lee County high school students. Registration is required by Thursday, Feb. 1. For more information, please call 239-225-2590 or email [email protected].

About Junior Achievement:

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future and make smart academic and economic choices. Junior Achievement programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches 4.8 million students per year in more than 100 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.6 million students served by operations in over 100 countries worldwide. Locally, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida partnered with more than 280 classroom business volunteers during the 2016-2017 school year to provide more than 10,600 students with Junior Achievement programs in excess of 440 classes throughout Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. For more information on Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida visit www.JASWFL.org, call 239-225-2590 or email [email protected].

Event Details          
Animal Refuge Center’s 4th Annual Purses for Pooches Event.
Lunch • Silent Auction • Purse Fashion Show • Live auction • Giveaways
Join us for a fun afternoon with the girls, a glass of wine and beautiful previously loved designer purses at great prices. Enjoy a runway fashion show and your ticket price includes a fabulous lunch and desert.
Get your tickets before they are gone.
All proceeds will benefit the Animal Refuge Center in their efforts to provide shelter and medical care for needy cats and dogs until they find their forever homes.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Catwalk Sponsor $1,500
Table Sponsor $750
Individual Tickets $45
Buy Tickets online at:
Animalrefugecenter.com
For more information contact Betty Hughes at 239-841-0810
Help the animals at ARC by cleaning out your closets and donating your previously loved designer purses and scarves.
Drop off your donations at one of the following locations:
Animal Refuge Center
18011 Old Bayshore Road
North Fort Myers, FL 33917
239 -731-3535
Bonney Leckie, Realtor – Century 21 – Selling Paradise
3409 Del Prado Blvd S.
Cape Coral, FL 33904
Home-Tech
6400 Techster Blvd
Fort Myers, FL 33966

FORT MYERS, FLA., January 25, 2018 – Entertainment legends who performed in Fort Myers will be the focus of the Southwest Florida Historical Society’s annual Cracker Dinner Monday, Feb. 19, at the Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd.
Liberace, Red Skelton, Debbie Reynolds, Carol Burnett, Minnie Pearl, Rudy Vallee, Yvonne DeCarlo and others performed in Lee County venues.  Local performers will re-enact these legends on the Broadway Palm stage. The re-enactors include Cathy Pcolar, Beverly Cox, John Goulet and Bonnie Chappelle.
Lee County Commissioner Frank Mann will serve as master of ceremonies.
Buffet dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $35 and must be purchased by February 14. Tickets are available at Barbee & Sons, 1936 Grace Avenue in Fort Myers, Sam Galloway Ford, 1800 Boy Scout Drive in Fort Myers, and the Southwest Florida Historical Society, at 10091 McGregor Blvd. , which is on the campus of the Lee County  Alliance for the Arts.  The Southwest Florida Historical Society hours are 9 a.m. to noon and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
Checks may also be mailed to the Southwest Florida Historical Society, P. O. Box 1381, Fort Myers, Fl., 33902. Tickets can be picked up at the door on February 19.
The annual Cracker Dinner is sponsored by Barbee & Sons, Sam Galloway Ford, and Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, L.C.
Funds raised at the annual dinner will be used to support the mission of the Southwest Florida Historical Society which is dedicated to preserving the history of our area by archiving donated historical documents, photos and maps and stimulating public interest and appreciation for local history.
About the Southwest Florida Historical Society
The Southwest Florida Historical Society (SWFLHS) was established in 1960 by a group of citizens to “preserve the history of our area.”  In 1983 the SWFLHS received as a gift a building that was destined to be demolished for a new parking lot. Harper Brothers Construction donated the building and Flint and Doyle was contracted to move the building to the campus of the Lee County Alliance of the Arts. In 1984 the SWFLHS received its Articles of Incorporation with the following purpose:  “The mission of the society is to discover, collect and preserve original and source documents, maps and photographs pertaining to the history of SW Florida;
to bring together those interested in the history of this area; to promote and stimulate public interest and appreciation of the history of this area; and to further the preservation and knowledge of Southwest Florida’s past.”  For more information, visit
www.swflhistoricalsociety.org  or call 239-939-4044.

Fort Myers, Florida – Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt will serve as host law firm for the 2018 Florida Law Alliance Winter Construction Conference taking place on Friday, February 16, 2018, at the Holiday Inn at Fort Myers Airport-Town Center. Speakers from Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Orlando, Pensacola and Tampa will provide legal updates to those involved in the construction industry. Attorney Michael Corso, Chair of Henderson Franklin’s Tort & Insurance Litigation Division, will serve as moderator.
Topics and Speakers

• Hot Topics and Defense Strategies in Construction Defect Litigation, presented by Matthew Belcastro, Esquire (Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.)
• Mediating Construction Cases, presented by Joseph Amos, Esquire (Fisher Rushmer) and David W. Henry, Esquire (Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman and Goggin)
• Causes of Action and Damages in Construction Defect Disputes: Current Issues and Developments, presented by Michael Bittner, Esquire (Marks Gray)
• Best Practices Defending/Deposing Corporate Representatives in Construction Cases, presented by Michael J. Schofield, Esquire (Clark Partington)
• Best Practices for Handling OSHA Claims, presented by Mark Schultz, Esquire (Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.)
• Florida Lien Law, presented by Erik Raines, Esquire (Hill Ward Henderson)

Attendees have the option to attend live, in person, or virtually by livestream. Registration is $35 per person for in person or virtual attendees. For more information on the seminar or to register, visit http://www.floridalawalliance.com or contact Gail Lamarche, Henderson Franklin’s Director of Marketing & Business Development at [email protected] or by phone at 239-344-1186.
Henderson Franklin is the largest, locally-based law firm between Tampa and Miami with over 55 attorneys dedicated to providing a wide range of legal services in the areas of business and tax planning, estate planning, family law, business and civil litigation, eminent domain, intellectual property, workers’ compensation, employment law, real estate, and land use and environmental law. Since 1924, Henderson Franklin has been assisting clients to build their homes, businesses, and communities in Southwest Florida. Henderson Franklin operates offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples and Sanibel Island. For more information, please visit www.henlaw.com.
The Florida Law Alliance is a group of independent law firms practicing throughout Florida that have combined their knowledge, efforts, and resources. The member firms of the Florida Law Alliance are better able to serve the interests of their clients because of the statewide geographical reach, cumulative expertise in both general and specialized practice areas, and local community knowledge and legal credibility before a specific court or other decision-making body. For more information, please visit www.floridalawalliance.com.

Downtown Fort Myers shop unveils new donut and month-long anniversary specials
 FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 25, 2018) – In 2008, during one of the worst recessions in Southwest Florida, a former local morning disc jockey Bob Grissinger, aka C. David Bennett, took a chance on opening a donut and coffee shop in downtown Fort Myers.  A decade later that gamble has proven to be a good bet.
“As we celebrate our 10^th anniversary we are so very thankful and humbled by the Southwest Florida community for supporting us,” said Grissinger. “We are proof that small, locally owned businesses can be successful, contributing members to our local economy.”
Grissinger opened the shop located off West First Street at 2011 Bayside Parkway, in a 2,000 square foot lovingly restored 1943 former home with partners Roger Munro, Frank Albano and Anne Munro.
Today the company has 16 employees and has sold more than 60,000 pounds of coffee and 1.8 million donuts over the past decade.
To celebrate 10 years, Bennett’s is planning some free giveaways, the unveiling of a new anniversary donut and a 10^th anniversary special blend of coffee all month long.
Just like Bennett’s quaint little shop, it’s what’s on the inside that counts with their new Decadent Decade Donut. The donut starts with fresh yeast that after being allowed to rise for 90 minutes is cooked til light and fluffy. It is then robustly filled with both fresh blackberry and cream fillings and finished off with a fine sugar dust. According to Grissinger, each donut takes two hours to make.
“Our little downtown shop isn’t fancy or flashy,” said Grissinger. “You might even miss us and drive by; but once you walk inside you see that we are special. We don’t use typical ingredients you’ll find at national chains. We start preparing at midnight to make our fresh from scratch donuts and house roasted coffees.”
In addition to the Decadent Decade Donut, Bennett’s will offer a free Bennett’s travel mug to the first 100 customers on Thursday, February 8. During the month of February, they will also be offering a special 10^th anniversary blend containing some of the best, most expensive coffees in the world.
“I like that they aren’t thick cake-based donuts, they are yeast raised from scratch and very light and fluffy. I could eat six and I would only feel like I ate one,” said Fort Myers resident and long-time Bennett’s patron Nicole Mazzola.
Over the past decade, Grissinger and his team have had a lot of fun offering unique items and even getting some national attention for their unconventional creations.
To celebrate National Coffee Day in 2009, they roasted and served a limited amount of the world famous kopi luwak coffee, otherwise known as “coffee poo coffee”. The coffee back then cost $190 a pound. Bennett’s sold samples for $10 and sold out by 9 a.m
“I can’t live without Bennett’s coffee; I’m probably at Bennett’s seven days per week and I average more than one trip per day,” said longtime Bennett’s customer and Fort Myers resident Phil Gaylor. “I enjoy the taste and the convenient location of Bob’s shop. I am addicted and through the years I’ve made acquaintances who drive a few times a week from Punta Gorda while they are visiting during the winter months.”
In 2013, Grissinger and Bennett’s baker Lisa Bronchetti competed against other donut experts in Donut Showdown premiering in the U.S. on the Cooking Channel.  The episode that Grissinger and Bronchetti were featured in was called “Carnival” and showed them making a Honey-Berry-Mascarpone donut; a fluffy Bennett’s doughnut covered in mascarpone icing, topped with three types of berries and then drizzled in honey. Grissinger was one of 42 fiercely competitive donut pros from across North America featured on the show. The show will have an encore airing of Grissinger and Bronchetti’s showdown on the Cooking Channel on February 16 at 8 a.m.
“Everything is homemade and that’s really hard to find anymore,” said Cape Coral resident Bronchetti, who has worked with Grissinger for the past 9 years. “It’s nice to work for someone that has such high standards for quality and customer service. And the customers are so wonderful. I’ve gotten to know so many of them and seeing them again and again in the shop is just fabulous.”
Bennett’s is known as the premier in-shop coffee roaster in Southwest Florida. They skillfully roast their coffee in micro batches as soon as the day before it’s ground, brewed and served, avoiding off flavors like bitterness and rancidity so often present in coffee roasted by less experienced roasters.
In addition to fresh roasted coffee and hand-cut-from-scratch donuts, Bennett’s also offers fresh desserts from Grissinger’s own recipe book including praline bread pudding and lemon bars, giving area residents an alternative for afternoon treats. It also features packaged whole bean or ground coffees, breakfast muffins, oatmeal and breakfast sandwiches. On the weekends, Bennett’s Strata (a layered baked breakfast dish) is a regular sellout. Tea lovers may choose from a large variety of Harney & Sons Fine Teas. Lunch offerings, including paninis, soups, sandwiches, three signature salads and Bennett’s  ‘Lobster Roll’, ‘Chicken & Donut’ and ‘Donut Dog,’ are available Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bennett’s is open Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, visit www.BennettsFreshRoast.com.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 25, 2018) – Shell Point Retirement Community’s 2017-2018 Concert Series welcomes Southwest Florida Symphony to the stage for a “Copland to the Classics” concert performance, beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 8 at the Village Church at Shell Point, 15100 Shell Point Blvd. in Fort Myers. The event is open to the public, with tickets available for $25 online at www.shellpoint.org/concerts or by phone at 239-454-2067.
Conducted by Maestor Nir Kabaretti, the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra will perform one of Mozart’s better-known early symphonies, No. 29 in A Major. Audiences can expect to be moved by this classical masterpiece, which is personal in tone and stands alone by combining an intimate chamber music style with a fiery and impulsive delivery.
The program will also showcase the Symphony’s principal trumpet, Kris Marshall, on Copland’s Quiet City, as well as 2016 Prescott Award Winner Cassie Drake, who will perform Viola Concerto No. 1 by Carl Stamitz.

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 care for its 2,400 residents in an active, resort-style environment. Lifestyle amenities include deep-water boating access, six public restaurants, a championship 18-hole golf course, and many other recreational and educational activities. Learn more at www.shellpoint.org or 1-800-780-1131.

FORT MYERS, FLA., January 24, 2018– The most successful opera company in Europe and the U.S. will be in Fort Myers February 8 to perform Madama Butterfly, one of the world’s most famous love stores.
Teatro Lirico D’Europa will perform at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on the Fort Myers campus of Florida SouthWestern State College, as part of the Fort Myers Community Concert Association 2018 season.
Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. concert are available at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall or by calling the box office at 239-481-4849.
Prices are $35 for lower balcony and $25 for upper balcony seats.  A limited number of orchestra and mezzanine seating is available at $55 each.
“This is an amazing and very rare opportunity to hear these musicians in concert,” said Fort Myers Community Association President Mary Lee Mann.  “Madama Butterfly has been playing to rave reviews throughout the country.”
Madama Butterfly is one of the world’s most famous love stories, inspired by the sights and culture of Japan. Teatro Lirico D’Europa travels with a full orchestra of 47 to 50 members and a chorus of 40 singers.
 
 
Teatro Lirico D’Europa was created in 1988 by the late Yves Josse, a former ballet dancer and French arts promoter, and George Lalva, a young Bulgarian opera singer.  The collaboration was a huge success in a very short time, resulting in tours with more than 250 performances in a single season throughout France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Sicily and Portugal.
Teatro Lirico D’Europa has now completed more than 700 performances in the US. at 120 different venues and has recently added performances in South America to its list of touring regions.
 
About the Fort Myers Community Concert Association
The Fort Myers Community Concert Association is an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization founded by the legendary Barbara B. Mann in 1949 to bring world-class entertainment to Southwest Florida at affordable prices.  The association consists of more than 1,700 members, underwriters and sponsors.  Performers brought to Fort Myers in the past by the association include The Israel Ballet, The Boston Brass, Minnesota Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Vienna Boys Choir, Violinist Itzhak Perlman, Flutist James Galway, Pianist Andre Watts, Violinist Joshua Bell with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and many others.
 
 
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 24, 2018) – The Fort Myers Miracle will host the 14^th annual Ballpark Festival of Beers from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27 at Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex in Fort Myers. Presented by Nathan’s Famous, Sidelines Sports Bar & Grill and Nauti Hawg Bar & Grill, the 21-and-up event will offer an unlimited sampling of over 100 craft beers, food for purchase from local vendors, games and live entertainment.
To the enjoyment of any beer lover, the Ballpark Festival of Beers will offer a diverse selection of ales, pales, stouts and lagers throughout the evening. From local breweries to international favorites, guests can enjoy an unlimited sampling of more than 100 craft beers.
Tickets to the 14^th annual Ballpark Festival of Beers are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Designated driver tickets are available for $10 and include unlimited water and soda. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Miracle offices at 239-768-4210 or visit www.miraclebaseball.com.
The Fort Myers Miracle are the Class-A Advanced Affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. To stay up to date on the Miracle, follow online at Miraclebaseball.com or through social media; Twitter: @MiracleBaseball, Instagram: fortmyersmiracle, Facebook: Fort Myers Miracle, Snapchat: ftmyersmiracle. Opening Night at Hammond Stadium is April 5 at 7 p.m. against the Charlotte Stone Crabs. For further information or questions, call the Miracle offices at 239-768-4210.