Search
Close this search box.

Log in

Top Stories

COLLIER COUNTY APPROVES COMPLETE STREETS POLICY

Collier County Commission on Jan. 8 approved a Complete Streets Resolution, joining 69 municipalities that have adopted Complete Streets Policies in Florida. Complete Streets are streets for all people and modes of transportation, with roadways designed for the safety and convenience of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike of all ages and abilities. This policy will allow transportation and land use planners to thoughtfully consider all modalities in new projects and resurfacing projects based on the context and use of the street.

According to the Complete Streets Coalition, more than 1,140 local, regional, and state level agencies in the U.S. have adopted complete street policies since 2004.

The Blue Zones Project – Southwest Florida has a committee dedicated to promoting health in built-environment policies within Collier County. Blue Zones Project Policy Specialist Jessica Crane worked closely with Collier County staff on this initiative, a press release states. The Complete Streets Policy is also supported by Naples Pathway Coalition and the community health improvement program put out by the Collier County Health Department.

LEADERSHIP COLLIER APPLICATIONS OPEN

The Leadership Collier Foundation, an affiliate of The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, is now accepting applications for the Class of 2020 Leadership Collier program.

The chamber formed Leadership Collier in 1988 to develop a network of informed citizens prepared to assume leadership roles in the community. The primary objective of Leadership Collier is to educate local business leaders about the societal and economic challenges facing the community today.

The program runs from September through March and includes 10 full-day sessions. Program tuition is $2,200 which is due upon acceptance to the program. A limited amount of partial tuition assistance may be available to those accepted. The two-part application must be submitted by March 29, 2019. To apply, visit https://www.napleschamber.org/leadershipcollier. For more information, contact Amanda Beights at (239) 403-2903 or amanda@napleschamber.org.

HUFF TO CHAIR BLUE ZONES COMMITTEE

Sue Huff, owner of E. Sue Huff & Associates Inc., has been named the chair of the Blue Zones Project Collier County Engagement Committee. In her role, Huff will oversee community activities across all of Collier County and will liaise with other organizations to help them complete the process of participating with Blue Zones Project.

The Collier County Engagement Committee is responsible for encouraging faith-based organizations, homeowner’s associations, and organizations including nonprofits, clubs, and small businesses to participate with Blue Zones Project. In addition, the committee oversees activities like walking and potluck Moai, purpose workshops, volunteering projects and community events.

PLACERES JOINS THE FOUNDERS FUND

The Founders Fund Board of Trustees welcomes Olga Placeres to its 2019 board. Placeres is the CFO and agency manager at Preferred Travel of Naples and has been with the company for 30 years. She is also an active volunteer in the community. The Founders Fund, a local nonprofit organization, was founded in 1991 by members of Club Pelican Bay. The organization provides scholarships to students from Collier County in their pursuit of higher education. For more information, visit www.TheFoundersFundInc.org.

BARKIS JOINS QUARLES & BRADY

The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP has appointed Alexis Barkis to its labor and employment group in its Naples office. Barkis represents employers of all sizes across a wide range of industries with issues involving the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other federal, state and local fair employment and anti-discrimination issues. Barkis is a member of the Lee County Bar Association and the Collier County Bar Association. She received her law degree, summa cum laude, from Ave Maria School of Law.

HILTON NAPLES EARNS WEDDINGWIRE AWARD

Hilton Naples has been awarded its ninth consecutive WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award. The 2019 award recognizes Hilton Naples among the top 5 percent of wedding venues worldwide. The WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlywed clients. All Couples’ Choice award-winning vendors and venues are distinguished for the quality, quantity, consistency and timeliness of the reviews they received from their wedding function clients over the past year.   

BOETTCHER JOINS NICOLE L. GOETZ P.L.

Toni S. Boettcher has joined Nicole L. Goetz P.L. in Naples as an associate attorney. The firm represents Southwest Florida clients in marital and family law cases, including complex and high-net-worth divorces and appeals. The attorneys represent clients in all phases of their cases—including settlement, litigation and appeal—and provide advice and assistance to other attorneys on complex legal issues and appellate matters. 

Boettcher has been licensed to practice law in Maryland since 2003 and in Florida since 2018. She has experience in all aspects of divorce, including complex financial and children’s issues. She is a graduate of the University of Baltimore and received her Juris Doctorate degree with honors from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Boettcher is a member of the American, Florida and Maryland Bar Associations.

She has authored numerous publications and has lectured for the National Business Institute on various family law issues. She is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell and was named to The Best Lawyers in America list in the Family Law practice area in 2018 and 2019. Boettcher was included in Maryland Super Lawyers as a Super Lawyer in 2012 and as Rising Star in 2010 and 2011.

CHARITABLE NOTES

NWWF 2019 Online Auction opens

The Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF) announces the opening of its 2019 Online Auction, which offers experiences in travel, culinary, wine and more, both in Naples and beyond, all available to bidders far and wide. The auction is open from midnight on Jan. 20 to noon on Jan. 31. A full roster and details of online auction lot items are available at www.nwwfonlineauction.com.

Since its launch in 2015, the NWWF Online Auction has provided additional participation opportunities to the community, as well as supporters nationwide, who may not be able to attend the live auction. Since its inception, the online auction has raised more than $700,000 to benefit disadvantaged and at-risk children of Collier County.

Ticket packages to the NWWF, taking place from Jan. 25-27 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, are still available in limited quantities. For more information, contact Barrett Farmer at barrett@napleswinefestival.com or (239) 514-2239.

Alliance for the Arts raises $30,000 from end-of-year campaign

The Alliance for the Arts has matched and exceeded a $10,000 challenge gift from Parker / Mudgett / Smith Architects and the George and Mary Jo Sanders Foundation in its end-of-year campaign. The giving challenge raised more than $30,000. All funds directly support the Alliance’s mission to transform lives and improve the community through the arts.

In 2018, the Alliance received the Chrysalis Award in Cultural Achievement, Industry Appreciation Award for Small Nonprofit of the Year and a Community Service Award from the SWFL Council of the Blind. For more information, visit ArtInLee.org.


Kathryn Kelly, founder/president and CEO of The Heights Foundation, with David Lucas

11th annual “Love Your Neighbor” to honor Linda and David Lucas

The 11th annual “Love Your Neighbor” event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the riverfront Gulf Harbour home of Mary Jo Little. Guests will enjoy live music, fine wine and spirits and an assortment of culinary creations from local restaurants and chefs. Live and silent auction items will be offered and all proceeds will benefit educational programs for at-risk children in the Harlem Heights Neighborhood. 

The event, which raised $443,000 last year, will recognize philanthropists Linda and Davis Lucas for their long-time support of The Heights Foundation. Sponsors include Mark Loren Designs and Norman Love Confections.

Kellie Burns of NBC2 will emcee the event.  Tickets are now on sale for $200 each and space is limited.  Upgrades and sponsorships that include an exclusive pre-event VIP party are also available.  Purchase tickets at www.heightsfoundation.org/lyn or call Karen Lesza at (239) 482-7706.

Publix partners with Harry Chapin Food Bank for county-wide food drives

The public is invited to visit any one of 19 Publix Super Markets in Collier County and eight Publix Super Markets in Charlotte County from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 2, for two county-wide food drives.

The Harry Chapin Food Bank is partnering with Publix to bring in some of the most-needed items for the 35 partner agencies the food bank serves in Collier County and 29 partner agencies the food bank serves in Charlotte County. To participate, visit a store, purchase one or more items, and donate them as you leave to the food bank staff and volunteers set up outside.

Any donation of nonperishable food is welcome, but the items most needed are breakfast bars, canned fish or chicken, dry or canned beans, other canned vegetables, cooking oil, pasta, pasta sauce, tomato sauce, dry milk, jelly, rice, cans of soup and beef stew.

Get breaking business news delivered straight to your inbox each weekday morning with Gulfshore Business Daily.

Copyright 2024 Gulfshore Life Media, LLC All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without prior written consent.

Don't Miss

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Please note that article corrections should be submitted for grammar or syntax issues.

If you have other concerns about the content of this article, please submit a news tip.
;