PGD’S FBO EARNS SPOT ON SAFETY MAP
The Charlotte County Airport Authority’s Fixed Base Operator (FBO) at Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) has achieved NATA Safety 1st qualified status in the last quarter of 2018 and is now listed on the NATA FBO Status Map.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) developed its ‘Safety 1st’ program as an educational outreach and training arm to elevate the quality of FBO services and safety. The program brings best-practices training to FBOs and their staff for the safe handling of aircraft in their charge and related activities (from fueling to towing, and other ground-handling tasks).
In order to be listed on the status map, companies must adhere to strict qualifying tests and audits, and have all of their line service personnel enrolled or certified in a Professional Line Service Training (PLST) or Supervisor program. Additionally, students training status may not be listed as “lapsed” or “expired.”
PGD’s FBO is joining the ranks of a select few Safety 1st FBOs in Southwest Florida including Boca Grande Jet Center, Base Operations at Page Field and Private Sky at RSW.
NAPLES SENIOR CENTER LAUNCHES $15 MILLION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
The Naples Senior Center has launched a $15-million capital campaign, “A New Era for Seniors,” to establish a new facility accelerated with a $5 million lead gift by local philanthropists Patty and Jay Baker.
In the five years since opening its doors in January 2014, the organization has outgrown its current leased facilities, a press release states. The organization’s membership has increased from 80 to more than 1,600 members, and the number of dementia respite groups has increased from one to eight.
The Naples Senior Center provides comprehensive programs and services addressing the emotional and social needs of seniors in Collier and southern Lee counties. For more information, visit www.NaplesSeniorCenter.org.
LEE HEALTH JOINS MILLION MILE MOVEMENT
Lee Health is joining 15 other community partners in sponsoring the 2019 Million Mile Movement, a Healthy Lee initiative geared toward motivating the community to live an active lifestyle. The sponsors have all committed at least $500 in support of the initiative’s goal of participants collectively moving 1 million miles in three months.
Million Mile Movement will kick-off today. For more information or to register to participate, click here. The website also offers healthy lifestyle tips for businesses, families and children, including wellness tools, recipes and a community event calendar for healthy events happening in Lee County.
FOUNDATION OF CCMS ACCEPTING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
The board of directors of the Foundation of Collier County Medical Society (CCMS) is accepting applications through March 31 for two scholarship awards: the Dr. William Lascheid Memorial Scholarship for medical students and Healthcare Student Scholarships for students enrolled in or accepted to healthcare degree programs.
The Dr. William Lascheid Memorial Scholarship honors and remembers CCMS Past President and Neighborhood Health Clinic Co-Founder Dr. William Lascheid and his efforts to provide care to the underserved in Collier County.
Eligible Florida residents enrolled in or accepted to medical school, who have demonstrated excellence in service to their community, may apply. The scholarship is based on academic merit and contributions to the community. Financial need may also be considered. Applications and requirements are available at www.ccmsfoundation.org, by calling (239) 435-7727 or emailing info@ccmsonline.org.
FRANTZ EYECARE ADDS NEW LOCATION, OPTOMETRIST
Frantz EyeCare has added a new location and optometrist to its Southwest Florida practice. Dr. MaryLou Kircher-Carbone is a primary eye care provider who specializes in examination and diagnosis of eye diseases, vision conditions, testing for eyeglasses and contact lenses, and provides pre and post-operative care of surgery patients. She received her Doctorate of Optometry and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Houston. She is a member of the American Optometric Society, the Florida Optometric Society and the Southwest Florida Optometric Association.
Kircher-Carbone will be seeing patients at Frantz EyeCare’s new location at 7075 Radio Road in south Naples. For appointments, call (239) 4180-0999 or visit BetterVison.net.
AMAVIDA HIRES TWO
Amavida has named Jared Liedel as executive chef and Joshua Cook as food and beverage director at its new luxury independent living, assisted living and memory care community in Fort Myers. Liedel will be responsible for managing the kitchen and menu planning for Amavida’s three on-site gourmet restaurants. He has more than 10 years of culinary experience, including previous roles as food service director, executive chef and private chef. A Michigan native, he attended Great Lakes Culinary Institute at Northwestern Michigan College.
As food and beverage director, Cook will be responsible for setting the menus, and overseeing service and financials at Amavida’s multiple dining venues. With more than 20 years of food service experience, he has held past roles as sous chef, executive chef and food and beverage director.
THE TERRACES NAMES DIRECTOR OF RESIDENT SERVICES
Celeste Lynch has been appointed director of resident services at The Terraces at Bonita Springs. Lynch brings 23 years of experience to her new role, most recently as the director of wellness at another Southwest Florida senior living community.
Originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, she earned a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy from Slippery Rock University, and a master’s in gerontology at Florida Gulf Coast University. At The Terraces, Lynch oversees the independent living resident experience which encompasses lifestyles, concierge, and transportation services. She is also the point person for independent living residents concerning specific service matters, such as move-ins.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Lavern Gaynor is Honorary Chair of 10th Annual Bash for the Bay
Friends of Rookery Bay will present its 10th annual Bash for the Bay from 6 to 10:30 p.m. on March 15 at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center in Naples. The evening will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Lavern Norris Gaynor, whose family helped protect the initial lands that became the Reserve, is honorary chair of the fundraiser. Board member Karyn Capozzo is event chair and board member Milda Vaivada is event co-chair. Committee members include Eileen Arsenault, Pat Carroll, Kim Larson Collins, Erika Hinson, Connie Leon, Sherri Morrison, CJ O’Connor, Bruce Robertson, Lois Selfon, JoAnn Smallwood, Marilyn Soffer, Mary Vertin, Lori and Tom Wagor, and Sandi Wilson.
The evening will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a raffle. The plated dinner crafted by Crave Culinaire will be followed by a live auction and dancing to the band Hot Topic. Tickets start at $250 and may be purchased at rookerybay.org/bash or by calling (239) 530-5972.
Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing celebrates 30 years with February event
Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing will be held on Feb. 5 at The First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Myers at the corner of Second Street and Lee Street. Three performances are planned at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The doors will open 30 minutes prior to each performance. It’s the 30th anniversary of the hymn sing, which is organized and sponsored by the Galloway Family of Dealerships.
Admission is free, but organizers request that attendees bring cans of non-perishable food and a voluntary cash donation, if possible, to benefit The Soup Kitchen of Community Cooperative. For more information or directions to the church, call (239) 334-2261 or visit www.fpcfortmyers.org.
Rotary Club of Fort Myers Sunset, Eva’s Closet host pantry-stocking event
The Rotary Club of Fort Myers Sunset and Eva’s Closet are holding a pantry stocking and dedication of a new refrigerator and freezer unit at noon on Jan. 19 at Eva’s Closet in Fort Myers. The new refrigerator and freezer will allow Eva’s to expand its pantry services to include refrigerated and frozen food items and help them to better serve their clients. Event attendees are asked to bring an unopened, individually packaged cold or frozen food item to help stock the pantry. For more information, call Jerald Hall at (239) 272-3355.
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