Lead Photo: SWFL Children’s Charities Inc. has introduced its 2021-2022 board of directors: Brooke Denson, Ed Bell, Sandy Stilwell Youngquist, Susan McGrogan and Josh Dorcey.
OLD BONITA SPRINGS LIBRARY WILL OFFER MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENTS FOR COVID PATIENTS
The state will be converting the old Bonita Springs Library into a monoclonal antibody treatment site for patients who have tested positive for COVID-19, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced at the site. The governor has been touring the state recently announcing the opening of the multiple Regeneron sites. The site at 26876 Pine Ave. will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for free treatments, he said. The clinic can do 300 treatments a day and can be expanded if needed. Regeneron is for newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients who are at risk after exposure to the virus. To make an appointment, call the Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Support Line at 850-344-9637 or click here.
TESLA INSTALLS ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS IN NORTH NAPLES
Tesla recently installed charging stations that will be activated soon in the Tarpon Bay Plaza parking lot at 2433 Tarpon Bay Blvd. on the south side of Immokalee Road just east of Interstate 75 in North Naples. The eight V3 stations with posts for charging and supercharging electric vehicles have been created in existing spaces at the end of the parking row between the World Market and PetSmart stores in the retail center anchored by Super Target. These spaces are considered less-prime parking as they are farther from stores and are often used last, said Ohio-based engineering firm GPD Group.
Video courtesy of WINK News
LEE COUNTY STATE REP WANTS VOTERS TO DECIDE IF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT IS ELECTED
There is a push to include the school superintendent on election ballots in a Southwest Florida district. For this to become possible, it would first be up to state lawmakers and then, ultimately, voters. In Lee County, Interim Superintendent Ken Savage recently assumed his new job this summer after former Superintendent Greg Adkins retired in June. Lee County School Board hired Savage, but there is a push to change that process. “Having an elected superintendent directly accountable to the people, many parents feel is the best way to ensure that their voices will continue to be heard,” says Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-78. Persons thinks Lee County voters should have the chance to decide if they want to elect their school superintendent. Lawmakers would have to OK putting the question on the 2022 ballot, WINK News reports.
Video courtesy of WINK News
TEACHERS UNION SOUNDS ALARM ON COVID-19 IN LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS
The Teachers Association of Lee County is calling for change, as it says the coronavirus wreaks havoc in schools. TALC sent a letter to the School District of Lee County’s interim superintendent expressing worry for staff and students. The teachers union wants the district to return to one-way hallways and possible lunches in shifts. Lee Home Connect is no longer available and the delta variant is impacting more children. In the letter to Interim Superintendent Ken Savage, the teachers union says measures taken last school year for COVID-19 seem to no longer exist and the union is receiving a lot of calls from concerned teachers. The teachers union says there is a contractual obligation between the district and union to have a safe and secure environment for staff and students, WINK News reports.
ORIGINAL OWNERS REOPENING LA COLMAR BAKERY & BISTRO IN NAPLES
Naples residents Yannick and Ana Brendel have the opportunity to reopen the original La Colmar Bakery & Bistro that they created in 2017. Business circumstances led them to other hospitality projects in town such as Yana Eats restaurant and Bakery E at Hotel Escalante, but the Brendels always hoped to return to La Colmar, a French bakery named for the town in northeastern France where Yannick Brendel grew up as a third-generation baker and pastry chef. La Colmar Bakery & Bistro is targeted to relaunch this fall in a commercial duplex it shares with Grappino restaurant across from Wynn’s Market on the southeast corner of U.S. 41 and First Avenue North in Naples. The 70-seat bistro with a dining area inside and covered tables outside will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, and closed Mondays.
AAA: PUMP PRICES FACE DOWNWARD PRESSURE AS FUTURES PLUMMET
Florida gas prices are down 3 cents from a week ago and are about to slip even lower, unless futures prices can recover from sharp declines last week, according to AAA. The price of U.S. crude dropped nearly 10% last week, settling $6 per barrel less than the week before. Meanwhile, gasoline futures dropped 24 cents. Wholesale gasoline prices haven’t been this low since April, when the average price at the pump was below $2.80 per gallon, AAA states. Last week, the state average dropped below $3 per gallon for the first time since Aug. 3. Florida gas prices are now averaging $2.98 per gallon. The state average is 3 cents less than a week ago, the same price as last month, 90 cents more than a year ago, and 59 cents more than this time in 2019. Punta Gorda is currently among one of the least expensive metro markets for gas in Florida, at $2.86 per gallon.
LEE COUNTY MPO’S CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO MEET
The next Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting will be held at 3 p.m. on Sept. 2 in Room 200 of the Cape Coral Public Works Building. Agenda topics for the meeting include approval of the Unified Planning Work Program Amendments, approval of the Aviation Priorities, approval of the Corridor Congestion Dashboard Scope of Services, approval of the General Planning Consultant Scope of Services, and information on the development of the 2050 Regional Model.
ABC SUPPLY PROMOTES CLARK TO MANAGING PARTNER
Mitch Clark, manager of ABC Supply Co. Inc.’s location at 1100 Sun Century Road in Naples, was recently promoted to managing partner. In this role, Clark will participate in ABC Supply’s National Branch Advisory Board and provide senior management with feedback on various topics. Clark met rigorous requirements to be selected as a managing partner. Clark joined ABC Supply’s Mundelein, Illinois, branch in 2016 as an inside sales associate. In 2017, he transferred to the company’s Cape Coral location to continue to work in inside sales. In 2018, he became manager of the Naples location. Clark grew up in Lake Forest, Illinois, and currently resides in Naples. Clark will continue to manage ABC Supply’s Naples location while also participating on the National Branch Advisory Board.
Samuel Kaufman
LUMINARY HOTEL & CO. ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF
Luminary Hotel & Co. has appointed Samuel Kaufman as the executive sous chef for all food and beverage operations and outlets at the hotel, including The Silver King Ocean Brasserie, Ella Mae’s Diner, Beacon Social Drinkery and Oxbow Bar & Grill. In his new position, Kaufman will direct daily culinary operations, as well as oversee food and beverage offerings for meetings, corporate events, local catering functions, and special occasions in the hotel’s 10,000 square feet of event space and neighboring Caloosa Sound Convention Center, offering 40,000 square feet of function space. With more than 20 years of experience in American cuisine, Kaufman joins Luminary from Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland, where he worked as resident specialty chef. Before that, Kaufman was executive chef at Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. He is an American Culinary Federation certified chef and obtained his associate’s degree in culinary arts/chef training from the Community College of Philadelphia.
HEALTHCARE NETWORK HIRES CASTALDI AS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM MANAGER
Healthcare Network has hired Antonello Castaldi as volunteer program manager. In this role, Castaldi will develop and launch the organization’s new volunteer program. His responsibilities will include recruiting volunteers, representing Healthcare Network in the community, hosting volunteer orientations and matching volunteers’ interests to organizational needs. Born in Rome, Italy, Castaldi brings nearly 20 years of international nonprofit experience to the position, including working with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Most recently, Antonello served as an adult protection investigator with the Florida Department of Children and Families in Fort Myers. Antonello has a Master of Human Rights from La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy, and a Master of Business Administration from the Huizenga School of Business, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale.
CHARITABLE NOTES
The Florida Lions Eye Clinic partners with the Naples Auto Donation Center
The Florida Lions Eye Clinic (FLEC) has partnered with the Naples Auto Donation Center (NADC) to help support the underserved population of Southwest Florida in need of eye care. NADC will accept tax-deductible auto donations at no cost to the donor and will pick up, make minor repairs, detail and sell the donated vehicles, and facilitate all paperwork, titles, and IRS Form 1098-C for tax deductions. Potential car donors can contact NADC on its website or call 239-692-9840. NADC will arrange for a convenient time to have the car dropped off at its facility or to have it towed. The donor will then receive a receipt for the vehicle releasing them from all liability of the vehicle.
SWFL Children’s Charities Inc. introduces 2021-2022 board of directors
SWFL Children’s Charities Inc. has introduced its 2021-2022 board of directors, led by Ed Bell as president and Susan McGrogan as vice president, Josh Dorcey as secretary, Brooke Denson as treasurer and Sandy Stilwell Youngquist as immediate past president. SWFL Children’s Charities Inc. board members are responsible for supporting the operations and mission of the nonprofit and administering funds that support local organizations committed to pediatric health care and education. Officers are also responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of the 2022 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, a signature fundraising event. Celebrating its 14th year, the 2021 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest will take place Jan. 21-22, 2022.
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