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Lead Photo: Audubon Country Club aerial

 

Video courtesy of WINK News

FLORIDA GOVERNOR HINTS ‘WORKFORCE’ COULD BE NEXT PRIORITY GROUP FOR VACCINE

Gov. Ron DeSantis hinted Monday that people in the workforce could be the next group to get offered the coronavirus vaccine in Florida, but there are some hurdles. “People in the workforce will be top priority but doing it if everything is on track is having another vaccine introduced,” DeSantis says. People WINK News spoke to at the beginning of the week said they think there are still a lot of people at risk who need to be vaccinated before adding another group to the list. Health care workers also said they are still having trouble getting the vaccine, WINK News reports.
 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND LEE COUNTY ANNOUNCE VACCINE RESERVATIONS THIS WEEK 

The Florida Department of Health-Lee (FDOH) and Lee County government announced Tuesday that there is enough vaccine supply to schedule about 2,500 appointments for Friday, Jan. 29, at the county’s site near RSW at the old airport terminal parking lot east of Interstate 75 off Daniels Parkway. Beginning at 9 a.m. today, people can call toll-free 866-200-3468. The phone line will not accept appointments before that time. The reservation slots are expected to be claimed quickly, likely within minutes. Only people with appointments will be vaccinated. Appointments are available for seniors 65 and older and frontline healthcare workers.
 

CREIGHTON COMPLETES 7-ELEVEN IN LABELLE

Creighton Construction & Development has completed the construction of a 7-Eleven convenience store with fuel at 930 S. Bridge St. in LaBelle. Creighton completed the ground-up construction of the 3,500-square-foot convenience store with 12 fueling positions under a covered canopy structure and two high-speed diesel positions that allow commercial drivers to refuel in less time. Creighton’s team for this project was led by development manager Lauren Evans and project manager Dane Edwards. Local partners on the project included Guardian Fueling Technologies as fuel contractor, GMA Architects & Planners as the architect and H.L. Bennett & Associates as the civil engineer.
 

GATES CONSTRUCTION COMPLETES AUDUBON COUNTRY CLUB RENOVATION

Gates Construction has completed the new construction and renovation at Audubon Country Club, which is professionally managed by Troon. The project included the demolition of an existing tennis building and subsequent construction of a new two-story lifestyle center. This new facility features weight and cardio areas, multiple massage suites, an outdoor balcony fitness area, and two sets of locker rooms. The lower level includes a new casual indoor and outdoor bar and dining space, which features an open display kitchen and fire pits. Architectural and interior design services were provided by Peacock + Lewis.
 

REIS LUNCHEON TO FEATURE LEE HEALTH LEADER

Dr. Larry Antonucci, president and CEO of Lee Health will provide an overview of current initiatives and long term plans to advance and expand healthcare resources at the next Real Estate Investment Society (REIS) luncheon, held at 11:45 a.m. on Feb. 9 in the Osprey Room at Pelican Preserve’s Clubhouse. The growth of the medical sector has also been a driving force for commercial real estate and construction in the region and the investment in healthcare facilities is an important factor for new residents moving to this area, REIS states.  Following the presentation, Antonucci will respond to questions of specific interest to the real estate investment and development industry. The meeting is sponsored by Suffolk. Admission is $30 for members and $40 for guests, which includes lunch. Reservations are required by Feb. 4 and may be made at reis-swfl.org.  
 

VIRTUAL EVENT TO HIGHLIGHT CAPE CORAL REAL ESTATE MARKET

The 10th annual Catch the Vision — Tips, Trends & Forecasting virtual event is set for 7 p.m. on Feb. 16.  A video that highlights Cape Coral’s growing real estate market, forthcoming projects, new trends and what to expect in 2021 will air on Cape TV and the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce’s YouTube channel. It will also include local sponsors’ logos and announcements from Cape Coral leaders. This virtual event is free to attend. For more information, contact Linda Biondi at Linda@RasoRealty.com or Gloria Tate at Gloria@RasoRealty.com or call 239-542-2254.
 

David Shoemaker, M.D., founder and CEO of US Eye and Center For Sight.

CENTER FOR SIGHT OFFERS OPTIBLUE INTRAOCULAR LENS

Center For Sight, a multispecialty ophthalmology practice that operates 14 eye clinics and surgery centers in Southwest Florida, is the first eye care practice in the world to offer the new OptiBlue intraocular lens, an advanced intraocular lens technology that filters violet light to improve contrast and clarity for cataract patients, according to the company. Brought to market by Johnson & Johnson Vision, the OptiBlue lens is unique in that it filters damaging rays while still allowing blue light transmission to the eye, which enhances image quality in low light. Trials showed OptiBlue patients experienced fewer difficulties driving in daytime and nighttime, reported no frustration with their vision, and had an intensity reduction in halos caused by headlights and smartphone lights. For more information, visit CenterForSight.net.
 

BAYSIDE PLANS WINE BAR IN VILLAGE SHOPS ON VENETIAN BAY

Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar in the Village Shops on Venetian Bay in Naples is launching a new wine bar in the second half of February adjacent to its main entrance in the open-air courtyard outside Sukie’s Wine Shop, a small wine boutique and private Vintner’s Room overseen by Bayside co-owner and wine director Sukie Honeycutt. The new wine bar will include six stools, a mounted television and menus for wines by the glass, cocktails and food from Bayside, a waterfront restaurant, 4270 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., open daily serving lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. 
 

PREMIER SOTHEBY’S SHATTERS $7B MARK IN 2020

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty has achieved a record $7.1 billion in total company sales volume for 2020, a 37% increase year-over-year. With more than 40 offices from Southwest Florida to the High Country of North Carolina, the brokerage closed 8,925 transactions, up 25%, and recorded an average sales price of $795,079, a 10% increase from 2019. In the Naples region, total sales volume was up 41% from 2019. The number of regional transactions increased 26% year-over-year and the average sales price was up 12%. For more information, visit premiersothebysrealty.com.
 

Michael Lenhard

LENHARD, DUSTIN RE-ELECTED TO HEAD NAPLES AIRPORT AUTHORITY BOARD

The board of commissioners of the City of Naples Airport Authority reelected Michael Lenhard chair and Kerry C. Dustin vice-chair for 2021. The board comprises five citizen volunteers, each appointed by the Naples City Council for a four-year term, to govern the Naples Airport Authority. Other commissioners are Donna M. Messer, James Rideoutte and Rick Ruppert. After his reelection, Lenhard appointed commissioners to serve on committees for the year. Dustin chairs the Audit Committee, which includes Rideoutte. Ruppert chairs the Consultant Selection Committee, and Lenhard serves on the committee. Messer serves as the liaison to the Noise Compatibility Committee and Technical Advisory Committee. For more information, visit FlyNaples.com.
 

Shazia Azami

BCB HOMES CFO NAMED PARTNER

BCB Homes Chief Financial Officer Shazia Azami has been appointed a partner of the custom-home-building firm. One of six Naples-based leaders, she will collaborate with the company’s chief executive officer, president, chief operating officer, vice president and vice president of field operations on all building, remodeling and estate management projects as well as building science technology. Azami spent the last six-and-half-plus years overseeing BCB’s accounting and financial operations as well as developing its growth strategies and driving operational efficiencies. She started her career in public accounting with Price Waterhouse Coopers. Azami has also held finance leadership positions with local and Fortune 500 companies, such as Allen Systems Group, Centex Homes and Health Management Associates. A certified public accountant, Azami received a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Florida.
 

BIANCHI NAMED GENERAL MANAGER AT BAYSIDE SEAFOOD GRILL & BAR

Susan Bianchi is the new general manager of Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar in the Village Shops on Venetian Bay in Naples. Early in her career, Bianchi worked with co-owners Tony Ridgway and Sukie Honeycutt at their former Plum’s Café and Villa Pescatore in North Naples. Subsequently, Bianchi has been highly accomplished and respected in successively demanding roles, including most recently as a partner and the regional managing director of Urban Restaurant Consulting Group with interests in Tampa and Miami. In addition to serving as general manager of Bianchi’s Enoteca and Cena, Bianchi was responsible for concept development, direct operations, revenue growth and business development. She held prior roles in management for Tampa’s Bern’s Fine Wines, affiliated with the renowned Bern’s Steak House, and was the founding partner and general manager of John Andrews Restaurant and Group with pop-ups in New York City and multiple locations throughout the Berkshires. She also was a manager at The Grill at The Ritz-Carlton in Naples prior to relocating to the northeast. 
 

LILE APPOINTED TO NATIONAL COMMITTEES WITH AMERICAN COLLEGE OF TRUST AND ESTATE COUNSEL

Laird A. Lile, a board-certified wills, trusts and estates attorney in Naples, has been appointed by the president of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel to three committees that advise on policy initiatives for the legal profession. Lile has been appointed to the Artificial Intelligence Task Force, the Charitable Planning and Exempt Organizations Committee, and the Practice Committee. Lile is a past state chair and a fellow in The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He is one of two governors elected to the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar, representing the 20th Judicial Circuit, which includes Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. Lile’s eighth term concludes in June 2022. Lile currently is serving a second term on the Florida Supreme Court’s Judicial Management Council and a third term on the Florida Courts Technology Commission. He is past chair of the Second District Court of Appeal Nominating Commission.
 

CHARITABLE NOTES

 

Sponsors needed for Blessings in a Backpack event

Blessings in a Backpack SWFL is partnering with Millennial Brewing Co. to host ‘Brews for Blessings,’ a family-friendly event that will take place from 3-7:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the brewery in Fort Myers. Blessings in a Backpack SWFL invites local businesses to participate as event sponsors. Due to various circumstances, including COVID-19, local school meal programs have seen the need for weekend meals increase, while funding and donations have declined. To combat this, ‘Brews for Blessings’ will be held to increase community awareness, raise funds, and have fun. The free event was created for families with young kids and will feature a special children’s area with a bounce house, face painting, games, and a kid-friendly food truck serving snow cones. Adults will find a large selection of brews, more food trucks, a silent auction, and live entertainment featuring Electric Lipstick. Sponsors are greatly needed for this event. For more information, contact Cecilia St. Arnold at 239-410-9592 or cstarnold@blessingsinswfl.org. All monies received go directly to provide meals for food-insecure kids.
 

Earn to Learn FL receives $8,000 grant from Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva

Earn to Learn FL, a matched-savings financial assistance program, has been awarded an $8,000 grant from the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva to further empower low-to-moderate income female students through financial education, asset building and workforce development. The grant will allow Earn to Learn FL to expand programs that offer personalized financial capability training, success coaching and financial assistance to eligible female students. Earn to Learn FL’s ultimate goal is for students to earn a college degree or postsecondary credential with minimal to no debt. For more information, please visit EarnToLearnFL.org.
 
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