PUNTA GORDA AIRPORT WELCOMES TSA PRECHECK ENROLLMENT
The TSA Pre✓ Mobile RV will be coming to the Punta Gorda Airport for a TSA Pre✓ Mobile Enrollment RV onsite event, held from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. from March 25 to April 4. The event will continue from 9 a.m. to noon on April 5. The blue TSA Precheck RV will be located in the short-term parking lot across from Skyview Café & Bailey Terminal.
TSA Pre✓ is an expedited screening program that enables identified low-risk air travelers to enjoy an efficient screening experience. The TSA Precheck RV is equipped with steps and is not wheelchair accessible. If needed, check the TSA’s website to determine the nearest permanent location that is ADA compliant. Register for an appointment at https://www.IdentoGO.com/PreCheck.
NAPLES CHEF TO BE HONORED
Kensington Golf & Country Club Executive Chef Ralph Feraco will be honored by the Culinary & Hospitality Education Foundation of Southwest Florida at its annual fundraiser on April 3 at Kensington Golf & Country Club. Throughout his professional career, Feraco has earned a number of culinary recognitions including the 2017 Dr. L.J. Minor Chef Professionalism Award by the American Culinary Federation (ACF), a gold medal at the 2008 and 2009 ACF Culinary Cups, gold and silver medals at the international Culinary Olympics, and Chef of the Year honors from the ACF Caxambas Chapter (2004) and ACF Long Island Chapter (1995). Feraco has been an ACF member for more than 25 years, previously serving as president of the Caxambas Chapter of Naples and Marco Island. In 2006, he was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs.
DAVE & BUSTER’S NOW HIRING
Dave & Buster’s is slated to open its 126th location on April 8 at Bell Tower Shops and is now hiring for more than 200 positions. Positions are available in both front- and back-of-house, including servers, bartenders, hosts, line cooks, game techs and more. Interested candidates should complete an online application at DaveandBusters.com/careers.
The new Dave & Buster’s location will feature 40,000 square feet of entertainment including chef-crafted food, drinks, hundreds of arcade games and the D&B Sports Bar. Dave & Buster’s offers a benefits package for several positions, internal promotion opportunities and more.
FGCU PARTICIPATES IN BUSINESS ETHICS CASE COMPETITION
Florida Gulf Coast University’s (FGCU) Lutgert College of Business Ethics Case Competition Team recently contested the Southeast Regional Business Ethics Case Competition at Stetson University. The students received the case study of a real current policy issue, “Gender Quotas for Corporate Boards.”
The team consisted of students Rachel Brunory and Michael Tabak, led by faculty advisors Dr. Jerry Schoenfeld and Dr. Eric Dent, Uncommon Friends endowed chair professor of ethics.
The FGCU team finished as runner-up in their division and tied for fourth place overall for the second time in three years of competing. The competition included universities as far flung as Simon Fraser University near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. FGCU placed the highest of all six Florida universities.
WHITTINGTON BECOMES LAW FIRM SHAREHOLDER
Grant Fridkin Pearson, P.A. attorney Charles C. Whittington became a shareholder of the firm on Feb. 1. Whittington has been practicing law in Southwest Florida since 2011. He is a member of the firm’s real estate and business practice groups. His experience includes commercial and residential real estate transactional matters, including acquisition, disposition, finance, leasing and development. He has represented clients seeking land use entitlements before the City of Naples, Collier County and Lee County.
Whittington counsels clients regarding a wide variety of commercial transactions and business relationships, including business formation, the purchase or sale of businesses, non-competition covenants and landlord-tenant matters. Whittington is a director of the Collier County Bar Foundation and president of the Young Lawyers Section of the Collier County Bar Association.
HABITAT RESTORE SHOP OPENS IN FORT MYERS
Habitat of Lee and Hendry Counties’ newest discount home improvement store opened on March 2. The store includes everything from furniture to cabinets and vanities to construction materials, appliances and lighting at discounted prices. The 26,200-square-foot store is located in the McGregor Pointe Shopping Center at 15271 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers.
Habitat will offer coupons available to download on their Facebook page throughout the week. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. All proceeds from ReStore sales support Habitat’s mission to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable housing. This is Habitat’s fourth ReStore in Lee and Hendry Counties. For more information, visit www.restorelee.org.
GUADALUPE CENTER HONORS LONGTIME SUPPORTER
Roger Vasey, a longtime supporter and board member at Guadalupe Center, has been named a trustee emeritus in recognition of his distinguished service, engagement, consistent philanthropic support and leadership in the nonprofit organization.
Vasey began his tenure on the board of trustees in 2003 and served as chair from 2009-2013. Vasey is a retired executive vice president at Merrill Lynch with a history of service to nonprofit organizations, particularly those committed to education.
Vasey was honored with the title of trustee emeritus at Guadalupe Center’s Signature Event, “Old Hollywood: The Glitz, The Glamour, The Giving,” which raised $1.2 million to support Guadalupe Center’s three educational programs: Early Childhood Education, After-school Tutoring & Summer Enrichment and Tutor Corps.
CHARITABLE NOTES
NTRC to host corn hole tournament, food truck party
Naples Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC) will host Hole Masters for Horses, a corn hole tournament and food truck party, from noon to 4 p.m. on April 7 under the covered arena at its 206 Ridge Drive campus in Naples. The event is being hosted by Young Professional Strides, NTRC’s new young professionals group which launched last fall.
The second annual Hole Masters for Horses will feature a corn hole tournament, raffle, and a variety of food truck options. The family-friendly event is an open-house format designed to introduce new people to NTRC’s mission, programs and campus. Tours will also be available. Prizes will be awarded to the winning team. Proceeds will help support NTRC’s therapeutic riding and equine-related group programs.
There is a $40 entry fee per team and a $15 fee for spectators. Children under 12 are free. To learn more, register a team or attend as a guest, visit NaplesTherapeuticRidingCenter.org or call (239) 596-2988.
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