CITY OF NAPLES DECIDES NOT TO OPT INTO COLLIER COUNTY’S MASK MANDATE
The city of Naples has decided not to opt into Collier County’s emergency order mandating the use of masks or face coverings during the coronavirus pandemic. The decision was made on Wednesday during a special meeting of Naples City Council after about five hours of discussion and public comment. “Mandating was the kicker, for us to have to mandate it,” says Mayor Teresa Heitmann, who instead joins other council members in encouraging residents to be personally responsible during the public health threat. Council unanimously agreed to direct the city manager to expend up to $50,000 for an aggressive public relations campaign to encourage CDC guidelines for washing hands, sanitizing, social distancing and wearing masks in public when not able to socially distance.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY PASSES FACE MASK RESOLUTION
The Board of County Commissioners of Charlotte County has passed a resolution, effective immediately, relating to public health. The resolution directs people in certain public places throughout unincorporated Charlotte County to wear facial coverings where social distancing is not possible to minimize the spread of COVID-19. For more information, visit charlottecountychamber.org. For a business sign created by the county, click here.
Video courtesy of WINK News
COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS POSTPONES START DATE TO AUG. 31
Collier County Public School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to push the start date for the upcoming 2020-21 school year to Aug. 31. During the public comment period of the board meeting, many parents expressed concerns about the start of the school year and for the student requirement to wear masks, WINK News reports. The school board plans to continue to revisit safety measures related to preventing the spread of the coronavirus at its next meeting. Teachers are set to begin the school year Aug. 17. The school district added more days onto the end of the school calendar to accommodate the need to delay its start.
LEE HEALTH TO HOST VIRTUAL TOWN HALL MEETING AUG. 5
Lee Health will host a Virtual Town Hall meeting on at 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 5. The Facebook Live event is open to the public and will feature a discussion with Lee Health leaders about the facts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as include an interactive question and answer session. The virtual event will be moderated by Lindsey Morton, senior creative services project manager at Lee Health, and will feature Dr. Larry Antonucci, president & CEO at Lee Health, and Dr. Alex Daneshmand, chief quality and patient safety officer at Lee Health. The event is free and no subscription or login is required. For those without access to Facebook, the event will also be live-streamed at LeeHealth.org. Upon conclusion of the town hall, it will be posted to the Lee Health website for playback. For more information, visit the Lee Health Facebook page.
TGR FINANCIAL, INC. ANNOUNCES Q2 FINANCIALS
TGR Financial Inc. (TGRF), the holding company for First Florida Integrity Bank, reported net income for the quarter ended June 30 of $274,000—a decline of $4 million compared to the second quarter of 2019—after increasing the allowance for loan losses by $7.3 million. The increase in the allowance was directly related to general economic uncertainties associated with the coronavirus pandemic, as specific credit quality metrics remained strong during the quarter, according to a news release. Pre-tax pre-provision income for the quarter ended June 30, increased from $5.4 million in 2019 to $7.1 million. Fully diluted earnings per share were $0.01 for the three-month period and $0.25 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2020.
MEDITERRANEAN PARADISE CAFE LAUNCHES IN BONITA SPRINGS
Mediterranean Paradise, a local cafe serving Lebanese and Greek cuisine, opened July 18 in Bonita Springs. The new mom-and-pop restaurant launched in the former space of a barbershop next to Teri’s Family Diner at Imperial Bonita Plaza on the southeast corner of Bonita Beach Road and Imperial Parkway. Major renovations at the plaza are underway to enhance its façade, parking lot, and landscaping. Mediterranean Paradise, 28100 Imperial Parkway, Suite 302, is open for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and for breakfast 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The cafe is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For more information, click here.
LUCKY 7 DESIGNS LAUNCHES
Trey Draper, president and CEO of family-owned and operated Gator Made Golf in Fort Myers announces the creation of a new company, Lucky 7 Designs. The new Southwest Florida-based company will focus on custom embroidery and screen-printing apparel along with promotional items. Lucky 7 Designs was created out of necessity and demand by consumers and retailers in the Southwest Florida area, according to a news release. Lucky 7 Designs is named for Trey Draper’s brother, Lance “Lucky” Draper, who passed away almost three years ago. Lance’s favorite number was 7. Because of his Irish background, one of his favorite symbols was the Irish clover. Lucky 7 Designs will provide all the custom screen printing, embroidery and design needs for people looking to expand their brand with promotional merchandise.
MILLENNIAL BREWING & AREKIE PARTNER FOR ON-PREMISE FOOD SERVICE
Millennial Brewing Co. will begin providing full-time, on-premise food service, following a formal partnership with Arekie, a Latin-Indian fusion cuisine food truck. The partnership will officially launch from 5-10 p.m. this Friday. Arekie food truck vendors will serve exclusively at Millennial Brewing Co. during the brewery’s regular business hours. Guests will be able to order from Arekie’s full menu right inside the taproom for a seamless, quick-service, restaurant-style experience. With that will come new food options as well as themed nights, tasting dinners and more. For more information, visit Millennial Brewing’s Facebook Page.
IN THE KNOW
Ganey appointed to FGCU’s Alumni Board and Department of Finance and Economics Executive Council
Chelsea Ganey, portfolio strategist at Moran Wealth Management, has been appointed to the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Alumni Board of Directors. She has also been selected to join FGCU’s Department of Finance and Economics Executive Council, a group of finance, economics and real estate professionals that provides thoughts about the university’s programs and brings awareness and connectivity to the local market. In these capacities for FGCU, she acts in a completely separate role from her portfolio strategist position as a financial advisor at Moran Wealth Management. Ganey graduated from FGCU in 2008 and has stayed involved through speaking engagements at the university. She also serves as president of the House Corporation Board for the Pi Mu chapter of Chi Omega. She has been a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) charterholder since 2014. Ganey serves as a member of the CFA Society of Naples and represents the society in the Florida Collaboration Initiative.
Sara Qureshi
Qureshi elected as vice president of ACT Board Directors
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt P.A announces that business and tax attorney Sara Qureshi has been elected as vice president of the Abuse Counseling & Treatment Center’s (ACT) Board of Directors. ACT is a private, not-for-profit agency committed to serving victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. Qureshi is a frequent speaker on COVID-19 tax relief programs and routinely assists business owners faced with Employer Shared Responsibility Payment Penalties under the Affordable Care Act. In addition to handling a multitude of federal and state taxation issues, she focuses her practice in general business organization operations and planning, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, and health care law. Qureshi is fluent in Urdu and Hindi. Qureshi obtained her Bachelor of Science in legal studies from Florida Gulf Coast University (magna cum laude), Juris Doctor from Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law (magna cum laude), and graduated top of her class at the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law with a Master of Laws in Taxation.
Consulting company celebrates 21 years in business
The Sky’s The Limit Consulting Inc. celebrated 21 years in business on Monday. The company began by offering training programs and now includes facilitation and coaching services for individuals and groups. To date, the firm has worked with corporate, government and non-profit organizations across 20 U.S. states, the nation’s capital, as well as Canada, Mexico, Brazil and the UK. The company has donated its services pro bono as it hit milestones. For its 15th anniversary in 2014, Sky’s The Limit Consulting Inc. facilitated “success teams” for fellow entrepreneurs at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Small Business Development Center. The company celebrated its 20th-anniversary last year with its “20 in ‘19” Coaching Program, offering one-on-one coaching to past and current clients as well as nonprofit organizations. For more details, visit theskysthelimitconsulting.com.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Video courtesy of WINK News
Naples Winter Wine Festival going virtual in early 2021
The next Naples Winter Wine Festival, an annual local fundraiser with luxurious wine dinners and an auction that raises millions of dollars for children in the community, will be quite different in early 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Organizers knew that they couldn’t cancel the event because so many people rely on it, so Naples Children and Education Foundation decided to make the event virtual to keep the children and attendees safe, WINK News reports. “It’s probably one of the hardest decisions we ever made,” says CEO Maria Jimenez-Lara. This year’s event with the theme “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ will begin on Jan. 30. The auction, which usually features luxury trips, specialty cars and exotic wines, will accept virtual bids until Feb. 2.
Youth Haven launches School Supply Virtual Drive
Youth Haven Inc. has launched a School Supply Virtual Drive to support its children and teens in preparation for the upcoming 2020–2021 school year. Unlike past Youth Haven school supply drives, visitors cannot deliver physical donations to the campus due to COVID-19 safety precautions. To support the children and teens, visit youthhavenswfl.org to access Youth Haven’s Amazon Wish List to have items shipped directly to the organization or make a financial contribution. Monetary donations or gift cards can also be mailed to Youth Haven, Attn: School Supply, 5867 Whitaker Road, Naples, Florida 34112. All donations are requested by Aug. 14.
ROOF receives $15,000 grant
Residential Options of Florida (ROOF) has received a $15,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Collier County. The funds will support ROOF’s mission to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to successfully obtain and maintain affordable and inclusive housing of their choice. With help from the Community Foundation of Collier County, ROOF is preparing to launch a neighborhood of 40 affordable homes in Naples. The neighborhood, to be known as Freedom Landing, will be designed as a mixed-income and mixed-use development for people both with and without disabilities. The 40 homes will operate as supportive housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, family members of individuals with developmental disabilities, and veterans, as well as qualified applicants from the general public. For more information, please visit flroof.org.
Cancer Alliance of Naples receives grant from community foundation
Cancer Alliance of Naples (CAN) has received a $7,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Collier County. These funds will help CAN implement new strategies to maximize our virtual footprint to be able to continue to service the cancer community. Due to COVID-19, CAN had to cancel several fundraisers, causing the charity to lose close to $95,000. CAN relies on this income to provide financial aid, free programs, and services for the cancer community. The support from the Community Foundation will help CAN improve its exposure virtually. CAN will be working with Neubek Photography to begin the process of designing and delivering a creative campaign. Through its virtual platforms, CAN will continue to deliver classes, host support groups and create events.
Hope Hospice receives community grant from Cape Coral Walmart
Hope Hospice received a $2,000 community grant from Walmart Neighborhood Market at 2020 NE Pine Island Road in Cape Coral to support Hope’s mission of providing care and comfort to every individual and their loved ones as they fulfill life’s journey. Walmart Manager Tanya Parrish and Pharmacists Jignesh Patel and Mittal Patel from Store No. 6941 helped coordinate the award for Hope with the Walmart Community Grants Team. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit giving.walmart.com/foundation.
