COLLIER NAMED AMONG BEST PLACES TO SAVE IN STATE
Collier County has ranked No. 8 in SmartAsset’s Best Places to Save in Florida study. Media household income was listed at $62,407, with a cost of living of $36,858, purchasing power of 1.69, and estimated tax rate of 13.13%, resulting in a Best Places to Save Index of
49.36. For more information on the study, including methodology and more Southwest Florida rankings, visit https://smartasset.com/checking-account/bank-reviews#florida.
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF SWFL CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY WITH RECORD-BREAKING YEAR
Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida wrapped up the 2018-19 academic year with record numbers as it celebrates its 25th year of experiential learning programs for kindergarten-12th-grade students in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. During the 2018-19 school year, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida served 12,498 students, a 7% increase in overall participation. A total of 70,196 instruction hours were completed within 520 classrooms, after-school and private programs in the tri-county region, bringing hands-on lessons on financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship to area students. This summer, volunteers delivered 66 hours of Junior Achievement programming to 282 young adults through its various partnerships. Junior Achievement programs and job shadowing opportunities are delivered by local business leaders and community volunteers. For the 2018-19 school year, 273 volunteers participated, up 92% from the previous school year.
SWFL HISPANIC CHAMBER’S BUSINESS AFTER HOURS TONIGHT
The Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is hosting its next Business After Hours event from 5-7 p.m. this evening at Macy’s at 1800 9th St. N., Naples. Complimentary appetizers are included in the networking event, and all guests who attend will be registered to win prizes. The event costs $5 members and $10 for nonmembers. For more information, call (239) 418-1441.
FARMER TO PRESENT AT APA FLORIDA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Metro Forecasting Models CEO David H. Farmer will present at the 2019 American Planning Association Florida Annual Conference. Farmer’s session at the conference held on Sept. 11 in Sandestin, Florida, is titled “Polluted to Paradise: Using Big Data to Spot Opportunity in Brownfields.” Farmer and two other experts in the field will educate attendees about utilizing big data techniques to guide planning decisions; grant funding opportunities for planning and revitalization efforts; and how to attract private investment with grant and big data planning efforts. Farmer has nearly 30 years of land development industry experience and is a nationally recognized professional engineer and Certified City Planner with experience in real estate development, planning and civil engineering, modeling, and infrastructure design and construction. A former chairman of the Southwest Florida District Council for the Urban Land Institute (ULI), Farmer also is a national instructor for the ULI.
RETIREMENT, LONG-TERM CARE PLANNING SESSION SET
SBB University and its panel of experts will discuss all aspects of preplanning in order to make assets last longer during the “10 Smart Money—Planning for Retirement and Long-Term Care” event, held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 4 at East Naples Parks Community Park, 3500 Thomasson Drive, Naples. The panelists include Fred Moschetta, Sienna Lakes Naples; Heidi M. Brown, Osterhout & McKinney P.A.; David Edel, Resolute Bank; and Alanna Morey, Siena Wealth Advisory Group. The event is free but registration is required. Call (239) 776-7353 to reserve your seat.
‘WORKING WITH GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES’ LECTURE UPCOMING
The last Team Tourism Summer Lecture Series installment, “Working with Guests with Disabilities,” will be held from 9-11 a.m. on Sept. 12 at Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa. The session will include interactive demonstrations and discussion about how to provide a positive guest experience to persons with disabilities staying at your hotel or accommodation, attraction, restaurant, or business. The event will be led by Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) experts, including Kevin Berry, SWFL/ADA Advisory Council of SWFL; Michael Pierce and guide dog Addy, Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast; Mike Brust, Lighthouse of SWFL; Alicia Miller, Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center; and Debbie Quimby and David Massey, Lee County Emergency Operations Center. A Q&A discussion will be held at the event of the event. The is no cost to attend, but space is limited. Register here. The Team Tourism Summer Lecture Series is a Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau program.
Brenda Lanza
THE FOREST COUNTRY CLUB WELCOMES MEMBERSHIP, MARKETING DIRECTOR
The Forest Country Club welcomes new Membership and Marketing Director Brenda Lanza to the award-winning club in Fort Myers. Lanza’s background in membership and marketing began at Sombrero Country Club in the Florida Keys. For the past eight years, she has been the membership and catering director at Crown Colony Golf & Country Club in Fort Myers. Lanza is a member of Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) and its Florida Chapter (FLCMAA), and the Membership Directors Association of Southwest Florida (MDASF).
Maggie Van Pelt
FREY & SON HIRES SALES DIRECTOR
Southwest Florida homebuilder Frey & Son Homes has appointed Maggie Van Pelt as the sales director for the Cape Coral/Lee County region. Van Pelt brings more than 22 years of experience in the new home sales industry. Hailing from New Jersey, Van Pelt relocated to Southwest Florida in 2005. Her experience includes residential real estate sales with such companies as RE/MAX, Pulte Homes and Coldwell Banker.
CHAMPIONS FOR LEARNING NAMES NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Champions for Learning announces its 2019-2020 Board of Directors as the organization celebrates 30 years. Members of the board include: Beverly Feagin, board chair; Lynn Davidson, immediate past chair; Chuck Carlsen, vice chair; Denise Murphy, vice chair; Nancy Potter, vice chair; Martha Rozman, vice chair; William M. Burke, secretary; Kenneth P. Thomas, treasurer; Susan McManus, president; William Beynon; Mike Christopher; Serge Ecityan; Mary Beth Geier; Michael Jean-Baptiste; Daniel Lampe; Stephanie Lucarelli; William (Bill) Lutz; Barbara Melvin; Dr. Bruce Mousa; Dr. Kamela Patton; Dr. Jesse Roberts; Jacqueline Rodriguez; and Carol Windfeldt. For more information, visit championsforlearning.org.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Publix Super Markets Charities visits Harry Chapin Food Bank, donates $5 million to hunger relief organizations
Publix Super Markets Charities will donate $5 million to Feeding America member food banks, schools and other nonprofit organizations across the Southeast in recognition of Hunger Action Month, held in September. On Wednesday, Publix associates and leadership visited 18 Feeding America member food banks and partner agencies in Publix’s seven-state operating area to volunteer and deliver contributions. One of the Publix visits included Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, where Publix Vice Chairman Emeritus Barney Barnett and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer David Phillips made a presentation. The donation supports pantries and meal programs in the communities surrounding Publix stores and brings Publix Charities’ total contribution to hunger relief organizations to more than $22 million over the last five years.
Youth Haven’s Party with a Purpose returns in September
Youth Haven’s fifth annual Party with a Purpose will be held from 7–-10 p.m. on Sept.13 at 7th Avenue Social, located at 849 7th Ave. S., No. 101, Naples. The annual event features a “Caribbean Chic” theme and includes light bites, raffle opportunities, silent auction, photo booth, music and more. This cocktail event welcomes young professionals and beyond for an evening of “friend-raising fun.” To purchase tickets or to become a sponsor, please visit http://www.youthhavenswfl.org/event/5th-annual-party-with-a-purpose/.
Don’t wait until the end of the week to find out what’s happening in Southwest Florida. Sign up for our free daily newsletter, Gulfshore Business Daily, to stay connected.
