The Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University (SBDC at FGCU) is inviting the public to nominate their favorite Southwest Florida business for the 2020 Distinguished Entrepreneur Award of SWFL. The annual award celebrates Southwest Florida business owners who have overcome obstacles, leveraged innovation to help grow their business or dedicated themselves to helping other small businesses through mentorship and civic leadership. Self-nominations are permitted. Awards include Distinguished Entrepreneur, Distinguished Small Business Advocate, and Distinguished Innovator of the Year. Nominate using this form. Nominations close Feb. 15. This year marks the ninth annual celebration of this event. The Hallmark Sponsor is Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co.

The weekly farmer’s market at JetBlue Park at Fenway South begins from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and runs every Monday until March 31 at Fenway South Drive, in front of JetBlue Park. The market will include fresh local produce, cheeses, fresh pastas, seafood, baked breads, meats, herbs, ready-to-eat meals, plants, flowers, crafts, soaps, candles and more. Betsy Ventura operates the event, and Jean Baer, who owns Local Roots, LLC will run the market each Monday. Anyone in the community is welcome to drop in for the day with their new or gently used items, antiques, etc. for $40 per week or $30 per week if they commit to the month. Spaces will be assigned upon arrival. Parking is free on market days. The only Monday the market will be closed is March 16 due to that day’s spring training game. Anyone interested in becoming a vendor may visit the website for more information and prices at www.BuyLocalLee.com. For more information, email jmbaer@comcast.net or call (239) 691-9249.

 

Bonita Springs Area Chamber’s Community Expo will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 30 at the Promenade at Bonita Bay. This signature event will showcase more than 80 local businesses and non-profits with table displays under the covered walkways of the Promenade, plus giveaways, food samples, live music and more. New to this year’s event will be free trolley rides donated by AOT Global, to transport attendees and vendors who park in the Rural King parking lot across the street from the Promenade. The Community Expo is an opportunity for attendees to make face-to-face connections with area businesses and non-profits. It’s a way to help newcomers get immersed and engaged in the area, and for residents and area professionals to learn about new businesses. Businesses can reserve a table at BonitaSpringsChamber.com or by calling (239) 992-2943. More than 1,400 attendees are expected at this year’s event, which is sponsored by the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, the Promenade at Bonita Bay, the City of Bonita Springs and Royal Shell Real Estate.

 

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Committee will host its January networking meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Zoomers in Fort Myers. This month’s topic will cover personal safety and awareness when in public locations. Peggy Lince, a crime prevention specialist from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, will share what to do in an active shooter situation. After the program, Zoomers is offering a game card or go-kart wristband for guests to enjoy. Each month, Women in Business features a nonprofit spotlight, and in January, AMIkids Southwest Florida will be highlighted. AMIkids is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping youth develop into responsible and productive citizens. Admission for the January Women in Business meeting is $10 for Chamber members and $20 for nonmembers and includes one complimentary drink and light appetizers. To register, call (239) 332-3624 or visit www.fortmyers.org.

Lee Health has promoted Terry Mainous to vice president of operations for Lee Physician Group (LPG). In this role, Mainous will oversee the implementation of key strategic programs and manage day-to-day operations for LPG. Mainous joined Lee Physician Group in 2005 and has held various leadership roles over the past 15 years, most recently as system director of Ambulatory Nursing & Clinical Services. She has implemented key operational projects over the years, including the LPG nurse telephone triage program and LPG’s transitional care and patient outreach program. Mainous holds a master’s degree in nursing from Indiana University and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Alpha Chapter. She has also held a clinical faculty appointment at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, and is a certified medical practice executive as well as a Lee Health “Lifetime Leader” President’s Circle Award winner.

Dr. Matthew L. Young has joined Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida as a family medicine physician. Young earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Western University of Health Science in Pomona, California, followed by residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) in southern California. He has several years of experience as a family medicine physician in California at Riverside Medical Clinic and Molina Healthcare, where he was lead physician of two clinics. He is board-certified in Family Medicine. Young will see patients at the Fort Myers Family Medicine office at 7381 College Parkway. For more information, visit www.ppcswfl.com.

Captains For Clean Water, a grassroots nonprofit organization advocating for Florida’s water quality, will host the January session of Leadership NEXT, a monthly program for advancing business professionals. The event runs from 5-7 p.m. on Jan. 14 at Captains For Clean Water’s office at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers. Participants at Leadership NEXT will learn about the future of our local waterways from executive director Capt. Daniel Andrews and program director Capt. Chris Wittman while touring Captains For Clean Water’s new office. Light appetizers and beverages will be provided by Jordan Webster Catering. The January program is sponsored by Offshore Sailing School, which will also offer a prize drawing to win a $300 sailing lesson gift certificate. Leadership NEXT is free to attend for members of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce and $10 for future members. Attendees are encouraged to register in advance at FortMyers.org and follow “Leadership NEXT” on Facebook for more information.

Fernandez the Bull Cuban Cafe & Bar will host Fiesta for a Purpose from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at its midtown location on 3375 Pine Ridge Road, Unit 101, Naples. Denise Murphy, Andres Paz, Amanda Beights, Dave Ridenhour and Rafael J. Feliciano will be the local celebrity bartenders with 100% of their tips going back to Youth Haven. Fernandez is also donating 25% of its proceeds from 5:30-9 p.m. that evening to Youth Haven.  For more information, visit www.youthhavenswfl.org.

The Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center and Ellie Fox will sponsor the 22nd annual “A Light to Remember” held at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 16 at at Bell Tower Shops. “A Light to Remember” was created to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and related memory impairments. The event will include a lighted display of luminaries purchased by families and friends in honor or remembrance of loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or related memory impairments. These luminaries will border the center court of the Bell Tower Shops with a special lighting ceremony at sunset. Luminaries may be purchased in advance for $5 each by calling the Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center at (239) 437-3007. The Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, a United Way partner agency, provides a variety of services to help families cope with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. All funds raised to benefit the Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center are used to provide services in the area.

The Pilot Club of Fort Myers will present the inaugural “Leap into Spring” fashion show, held on Leap Year Day, Feb. 29 at The Helm Club, The Landings, South Fort Myers. A social hour will begin at 11:00 a.m., with lunch and the fashions by Chico’s at noon. The event will feature the Oasis JROTC presenting the colors and a special rifle demonstration, as well as the “fashion hat.” Numerous door prizes will be offered. The cost is $35. For more information, call (239) 561-5476. For tickets and reservations, call jodyvanc@gmail.com. The Pilot Club of Fort Myers helps organizations seeking to improve the quality of life for individuals with brain-related disorders through volunteer activities, education, and financial support. For information about the Pilot Club, contact president Fran D’Alessandro at (239) 332-1140.