ESTERO BAY INLET ERODED BEACH SAND TO BE STUDIED
The Lee Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to study Big Carlos Pass, New Pass and Big Hickory Pass in order to better understand how those inlets function and how they influence the adjacent beaches. The Estero Bay Regional Inlet Management Study will determine the volume and location of beach sand in each of the inlets and how the sand moves throughout the region over time. The results be used to determine the best method for managing the area, potentially including inlet dredging and nourishing the adjacent eroded beaches. Study recommendations are expected to be adopted by the state as a formal inlet management plan. The Florida DEP will provide $422, 596 for the study. Lee County will provide a 25 percent local match, or $105,649, from the Beach Renourishment Trust Fund, which is funded by bed tax dollars paid on short-term lodging. The study is to begin in June.
JOYCE INDUCTED TO CIO HALL OF FAME
Chico’s FAS Inc. (CHS) employee Ann Joyce, executive vice president and chief customer officer, technology, supply chain and Omni operations, has been named as a 2019 inductee of the CIO Hall of Fame from IDG’s CIO. This honor is bestowed upon a select group of outstanding IT executives and visionaries who have had a significant impact on the IT profession, a press release states. Joyce will accept her award at the CIO Hall of Fame awards ceremony, held on Aug. 21, at The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado, during the CIO 100 Symposium.
TWO PINE ISLAND PARCELS TO BE PURCHASED FOR CONSERVATION 20/20
The Lee Board of County Commissioners on May 7 approved the purchase of two parcels on Pine Island totaling about 275 acres. One parcel is about 182 acres in Bokeelia west of Alden Pines Country Club adjacent to Conservation 20/20’s Carver Preserve. Along with lands owned by the State of Florida and the Calusa Land Trust, this acquisition would establish about 869 acres of contiguous land for conservation. The purchase price for this parcel is $210,000. The Conservation Land Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee (CLASAC) in April unanimously approved the purchase. The other parcel is 93 acres along the north side of Maria Drive in St. James City near the county-owned Pine Island Commercial Marina. The purchase price is about $1.18 million. At closing, Greater Pine Island Civic Association and Calusa Land Trust and Nature Preserve of Pine Island Inc., have offered donations of $250 and $5,000, respectively. For more information, visit www.Conservation2020.org.
“Beyond Compliance: Implementation of an Effective Safety Management System” will address safety concerns in the workplace.
WARRICK TO SPEAK AT SRMA EVENT
Brian L. Warrick, director of the University of South Florida SafetyFlorida Consultation Program, will be the keynote speaker at a Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association (SRMA) roundtable discussion, held from 8-9:30 a.m. on May 15 at CareerSource in Fort Myers. The forum, called “Beyond Compliance: Implementation of an Effective Safety Management System,” will cover how to address safety concerns and Occupational Health and Safety Administration regulations. Warrick will share the insight he’s gained from more than 30 years of leadership experience in environmental, occupational health and safety, including 20 years as a U.S. Air Force officer. The cost to attend the SRMA discussion is $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Visit srma.net and click on the events tab to register.
Leadership NEXT will soon learn about early childhood education.
LEADERSHIP NEXT TO STUDY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
May’s Leadership NEXT session will be held from 5-7 p.m. on May 14 at The School District of Lee County’s Early Childhood Education Center at the Lee Adolescent Mothers Program (LAMP). The School District of Lee County will lead the session, focusing on the period of cognitive development from birth through age 5. A key component of the conversation will cover why kindergarten is too late to start school and the benefits of an early start. Complimentary light appetizers and refreshments will be available, and attendees will be eligible to win prizes. Program speakers include Kim Gerbasio, infant and toddler teacher on assignment; Mia German, assistant principal; Tiffany Franklin, coordinator of teaching and learning; and Marlen Solana, family and community engagement coordinator. Leadership NEXT is free to attend for members of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce and $10 for guests. Attendees are encouraged to register in advance at FortMyers.org.
SWFL TO HOST WORLDWIDE ROTARY CLUB CONFERENCE
Rotarians from across the globe are coming to Southwest Florida for a conference held May 9-11 at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village. They will join local members for a weekend of events that reflect Rotary International’s motto of “Service Above Self.” Guest speakers include Dr. Nischal Pandey, E-club Connect India; Grace Agwaru, Gift of Life, Uganda; Walter Hughes, Jr., Rotary Club of Rocky Mount, Virginia; and Patrick Nolan, FOX 4 news anchor, Fort Myers. District 6960, which encompasses dozens of Rotary Clubs from Bradenton to Marco Island, is the host. For more information, visit https://www.rotarydistrict6960.org/.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Networking event to raise funds for Collier children
Collier Child Care Resources (CCCR) will host “Ready, Set, Grow,” from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on June 13 at The Players Club & Spa in Naples. Tickets are $10. CCCR Business 100 Members receive two free tickets. Tickets can be purchased at www.collierchildcare.org/network. For more information, contact Laura Bidireanu at Laurab@collierchildcare.org, or call (239) 643-3908. Sponsored by The Players Club & Spa and ABN Law, this networking event includes two complimentary drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and a raffle. Proceeds from the raffle benefit Collier Child Care Resources.
Cape Coral Caring Center kicks off campaign to feed kids
The Cape Coral Caring Center has kicked off the second annual ‘Healthy Not Hungry Kids’ campaign to help replenish its food supply as season ends and the school year draws to a close. Items needed for the campaign include peanut butter, jelly, canned goods, juice boxes, cereal and oatmeal packets, macaroni, fruit cups, raisins and more. The Caring Center support comes in the form of food and monetary donations, and the organization turns every dollar pledged into $8 worth of food. Last year the campaign served over 1,200 children throughout the community. The Cape Coral Community Foundation’s Giving Alliance of Women gave a $5,000 grant to use toward the purchase of the Healthy Not Hungry Kids Bags. The Cape Coral Caring Center hopes to raise $25,000 in monetary donations and collect 25,000 pounds of food. Four Cape Coral locations have been established to accept food donations, including Cape Coral Caring Center, Frank and Sons Moving & Storage, Modern Woodmen of America and Quality Automotive Center. The campaign will run through June. For more information, visit CapeCoralCaringCenter.org.
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