FALLOUT AT WCI
>>WCI Communities Inc. (NYSE: WCI) shares dropped more than 50 percent on Wednesday, and Standard and Poor’s has reiterated its junk rating on the company, all because of concerns about the builder’s liquidity, according to published reports. WCI on Monday said it needed to negotiate financially flexible terms for its revolving line of credit and a secured bank loan. If that is not achieved, the company warned that lenders might foreclose on certain collateral, harming its ability to stay afloat financially. Shares on Wednesday fell from a high of $3.30 to a low of $1.35, closing at $1.50.

INDUSTRY PANEL
>>The Collier Building Industry Association will hold its 2008 Industry Panel on Jan. 31 at the Hilton Naples on U.S. 41. The program will provide an overview of all aspects of the building industry from advertising to commercial to remodeling. This year’s panelists include Todd Gates of Gates, Tom Lykos of The Lykos Group, Cheryl Deering of Sterling Properties, Robyn Bonaquist of B-Squared Advertising and Mike Rosen of Collier Enterprises. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 436-6100 or visit www.cbia.net. 

MENTAL HEALTH BOARD
>>The Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida announces its 2008 board of directors. They are: president, Dorothy DeMichele, sales director for M.D. Lifestyles Magazine; vice-president, Joshua Rudnick, attorney with Conroy, Conroy and Durant; immediate past president, Roger Munz, training officer for the Office of Elections; treasurer, Celinda Freeman, realtor; Catherine Consolo, integrated mental health associate director for Bristol Myers Squibb; Heather Daley, licensed clinical social worker; Ellen Harris, licensed mental health counselor; and Ashley Withers, attorney with Wicker, Smith et al.

NEW SHOWROOM
>>Auto Advantage has opened at the corner of Colonial Boulevard and Ortiz Avenue in Fort Myers. The 14,000-square-foot auto showroom was designed by Gora/McGahey Associates in Architecture (www.gora-mcgahey.com). Auto Advantage has interior showroom space for up to nine vehicles. The facility includes seven sales offices, a reception booth, central administration office and work area, a vending area and a conference/training room that seats up to 44 people. It also has a designated children’s area and a customer lounge. The work side of the facility contains six auto bays outfitted for simple maintenance and detailing. Owen-Ames-Kimball Company served as general contractor.

NETWORKING WEEK
>>Southwest Florida will be among the regions participating in Business Network International’s (BNI) second annual International Networking Week. The initiative is designed to raise the awareness of networking as an essential tool for success in today’s business climate. There are 35 BNI chapters locally in communities such as Naples, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers and Cape Coral. Networking Week runs from Feb. 4 to 8. For chapter listings, locations and times of meetings, visit www.bniswfl.com, or call area director Denise Brimmer for more information at 354-3224.

EVERGLADES RESTORATION
>>Learn about the future of Everglades National Park during a program at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Delnor Auditorium, 1450 Merrihue Drive in Naples. National Park Service superintendent Dan Kimball and supervisory park planner Fred Herling will review the park’s proposed strategic plan and three alternatives for re-establishing facilities at Flamingo. The lodging facilities were destroyed in 2005 by two hurricanes. For more information, call 262-0304 or visit www.conservancy.org. 

OFFICE BUILDING
>>GCM Contracting Solutions (www.gcmcontracting.com) has completed construction of Summerlin Partners, a 12,700-square-foot, class-A office building at 5216 Summerlin Commons Blvd. in Fort Myers. The building consists of 21 executive offices and meeting space for Lykes Insurance Inc.

TRAINING SEMINARS
>>Deborah Shane, owner of Train with Shane, has forged a partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University Continuing Education to present professional development seminars. There will be two programs: The Women’s Empowerment Series, which includes eight programs Jan. 18 through April 4; and The Professional Development Seminars, which includes eight seminars from Jan. 15 through Feb. 27. The series will address personal and professional growth topics focused on sales and marketing fundamentals and current market dynamics. They will be held at Beacon Executive Suites, 8359 Beacon Blvd., in Fort Myers. For information, visit www.trainwithshanetoday.com or www.womensempowermentseries.com, or contact Deborah Shane at 939-1848.

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OFFICERS
>>The board of directors of Ronald McDonald House Charities (www.ronaldmchouse.com) of Southwest Florida Inc. has named its officers for 2008. They are: president, G. David Schiering; vice presidents Garey Butler and Carey Randall; treasurer, Jim Mitchell; secretary, Laura Ragain; and past president, Neil LeClair.

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