Ana Puszkin-Chevlin, Ph.D
PUSZKIN-CHEVLIN TAPPED TO DIRECT SWFL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS
Ana Puszkin-Chevlin, Ph.D., a champion for sustainable policies, has been appointed as a regional director for a new community partnership addressing the region’s changing climate. “Growing Climate Solutions – Path to Positive Southwest Florida” will work to build a coalition of residents across key community sectors, including health, education, faith, business and the environment. The goal is to engage stakeholders through educational- and awareness-building efforts, and to provide research and information that will lead to local climate solutions to sustain our communities and make them more resilient. The initiative is a partnership between the Community Foundation of Collier County, Southwest Florida Community Foundation, Florida Gulf Coast University and Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Puszkin-Chevlin previously was the sustainability officer for the City of Delray Beach. Her 30-year career also includes positions with Karoff Consulting, Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Urban & Environmental Solutions, Columbia University, and Health Sciences Consultant Group.
LEE HEALTH LAUNCHES MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN
With Tuesday’s launch of Clarion Health, Medicare-eligible patients in Southwest Florida now have an innovative new option when selecting their health plan. Lee Health established Clarion Health to align with physicians, hospitals and other healthcare facilities in a seven-county region from Collier County up to Sarasota County. Clarion Health aims to bring a better approach to Medicare for Southwest Florida’s seniors. The plan is designed to provide better benefits, personalized care and easy to understand, with online tools and a designated service team to help members get the most out of their coverage. Patients will be able to begin enrolling on Oct. 15. After, benefits will begin on Jan. 1. For more information, visit http://www.clarionhealth.org.
Lake Park Diner
LAKE PARK DINER OPENS THURSDAY
Lake Park Diner will have its grand opening on Thursday at 944 Seventh Ave. N. in Naples. The diner crafts dishes from fresh, locally-sourced, organic ingredients whenever possible. Lake Park Diner seeks to provide guests with healthy, delicious food in a casual, upbeat environment. Created by Adam Smith and Chef Michael Voorhis, two of the founders of The Bevy, Lake Park Diner began as Smith Organics food truck. The retro diner with a modern twist will include a walk-up service and a dining patio, and a landscaped walled garden. Menu selections will be offered for breakfast, lunch and dinner and will also include desserts, refreshers, teas and juices, a full bar with craft cocktails and beers, wine list, as well as gluten-free, vegan, plant-based and dairy-free menu items.
Slicers Hoagies
SLICERS HOAGIES OPENS SATURDAY
Slicers Hoagies opens Saturday at University Village Shops & Dining. The restaurant offers sliced- and made-to-order deli sandwiches plus “top secret” selections with mac ‘n’ cheese, nacho cheese chips, specialty sauces and other non-conventional toppings. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. University Village Shops & Dining is located at the corner of Ben Hill Griffin and Estero parkways, adjacent to Florida Gulf Coast University. Created by Miromar Development Corp., its restaurants, fitness, beauty and wellness businesses include KC American Bistro, Mellow Mushroom, Skillets, Tacos & Tequila Cantina, Thai Udon, Frutta Bowls, #getfried café, Poke Fusion, The Shaved Ice Bar, Smoothie King, Sunshine Sundaes & Desserts, Beehive Beauty Company, F45 Fitness, Vânti Nails & Spa and Yoga Loft. Marlins Brewhouse with Florida’s first “CaliBurger” is expected to open within a month, a press release states.
CLINIC WELCOMES THREE TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Neighborhood Health Clinic welcomes Linda Penniman, William R. Johnson and Dr. James V. Talano to the 2019-2020 Board of Directors, effective today. A former fifth-grade teacher with real estate and media sales experience, Penniman served on the Naples City Council from 2014 until elected as vice mayor by her peers in 2016. She won re-election to the council in 2018 with 31% of the vote before retiring. The civic leader’s experience also includes leading a large homeowner’s association and serving on local government advisory boards addressing land-use policies, as well as water and beach quality. Johnson is the retired chairman, president and CEO of the H. J. Heinz Co. Johnson has served as a member of the national Athena Awards committee, co-chaired and chaired capital campaigns for the United Way of Western Pennsylvania and a Ronald McDonald House in Pittsburgh. He received the inaugural Global Visionary Award (2006) from Helen Keller International for Heinz’s micronutrient program for combating childhood anemia and the Marco Polo Award, the highest honor awarded by the Chinese government on foreign business leaders. Talano is an internationally recognized expert in the field of non-invasive cardiology with experience in cardiovascular care and management. Throughout his career, Talano has served with the Cleveland Clinic Naples, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Medical School, Lakeside Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Tulane University Medical School. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association while serving on the Council of Clinical Cardiology.
ABWA TO DISCUSS BRANDING, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
The ABWA Neapolitan October Chapter Meeting, “Branding and Building Relationships,” will take place from 6-7:45 p.m. on Oct. 22 at Hilton Naples. Networking lasts from 5:15-5:55 p.m. The event is presented by Vanessa Charles, a multi-million dollar producing real estate agent in the Tampa Bay area, host of the Girl Up! Podcast, breathwork facilitator, and founder of AMPLIFY. She will discuss how to cultivate a loyal business following by attracting your ideal client through a relatable brand story. Register at http://abwaneapolitan.org/monthly-meetings/.
MONARCH GRAPHICS CELEBRATES 40 YEARS
Monarch Graphics, a print shop in Bonita Springs that offers graphic design, print marketing, direct mail marketing, and signage services, will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2019. Monarch Graphics started in New York as a letterpress shop using lead type in 1979. Since then, the business has transformed numerous times going from letterpress to offset and offset to digital. In 2008, Monarch Graphics opened its Florida location. Monarch Graphics in 2015 co-branded with FASTSIGNS and placed a FASTSIGNS center in each of its locations. This co-brand allowed Monarch Graphics to offer diverse products and services to their customers. In its 40 years in business, Monarch Graphics has helped more than 5,000 clients on their print and graphic design work.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Family Volunteer Day held Saturday at Harry Chapin Food Bank
The Harry Chapin Food Bank invites Southwest Florida families to participate in its Family Volunteer Day from 9-11:30 a.m. on Oct. 5. The event will be held both at the food bank’s Fort Myers Distribution Center, 3760 Fowler St., and its Collier County Center, 3940 Prospect Ave., No. 101, Naples. The free event is open to families with children age 10 and older. They will receive a tour of our facilities and learn how the food bank works to feed about 28,000 people per week. Participants will also pack food items for the clients we serve. They can also create designs and decorate paper bags that contain food for our senior program. To register, go to harrychapinfoodbank.org/family-volunteer-day. All participants must wear closed-toe shoes. For questions, email Lori Harrington at lharrington@harrychapinfoodbank.org.
Youth Violence Prevention Project Participants of 2018
Youth Violence Prevention Project grant applications due Oct. 23
United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee has announced that grant applications for funds from the Youth Violence Prevention Partnership are due by 5 p.m. on Oct. 23. Applications should be submitted to the United Way by email to Madison@UnitedWayLee.org. United Way and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers (UUCFM) continue a partnership designed to reduce youth violence. This initiative is a United Way Collaborative entitled Youth Violence Prevention Project (YVPP). The project will offer a total of $25,000 in grants to fund student-driven programs that address youth violence prevention and awareness. Grants will be awarded in increments of $500, up to $2,500. Projects must be in Lee County. Recipients will be notified no later than Nov. 15.
Pictured from left to right: Cordula Reichardt, Mikey Garcia, Kara Palumbo, and Richard Harrison.
Anytime Fitness College Parkway raises $6,000 with 9/11 Push-Up Challenge
Anytime Fitness College Parkway on Sept. 11 hosted the Push-Up Challenge to benefit the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, raising $6,000. With 4,163 push-ups performed by EMS, firefighters, law enforcement, Anytime Fitness members and community members, the locally owned business will be able to make a difference in the lives of fallen first-responders. Anytime Fitness donated 50 cents per push-up done between 5-9:30 a.m. that morning to benefit fallen first responders. Trophies were awarded to the top male and female competitors. The winners were Iona McGregor Fire District Firefighter Mikey Garcia with 103 push-ups (in fire gear) and South Trail Fire Protection & Rescue District Firefighter Kara Palumbo with 102 push-ups. The Push-Up Challenge was broadcast live from Anytime Fitness College Parkway by Kristen Clarke from ABC7 Southwest Florida. Support was also provided by iHeartRadio with donated public service announcements. Anytime Fitness College Parkway is located at 9211 College Parkway in Fort Myers.
Alico Family Golf to host Hunting for a Cure
Alico Family Golf will host the annual Hunting for a Cure fundraiser from 6–11 p.m. on Oct. 19. The cost is $15, and wristbands are available the day of the event. A silent auction, raffle and merchandise will be sold during the event and 100% of the proceeds will go to fund a cure for Hunter syndrome. Hunter syndrome is a terminal genetic disorder that makes it difficult for the body to break down molecules which most succumb to the disease. Hunting for a Cure has partnered with Project Alive to advocate for early detection of Hunter Syndrome. The nonprofit goal is raising $2.5 million for medical research and advocacy. Sebastian Estevaz, a child with Hunter syndrome, is the honorary chair for the event. For more information, visit www.AlicoFamilyGolf.com.
David Lawrence Center to host inaugural Tree of Hope Tree Lighting Ceremony
David Lawrence Center (DLC) will host the inaugural Tree of Hope Tree Lighting Ceremony from 5:30-7:30 pm. on Nov. 22 at David Lawrence Center’s main campus, located at 6075 Bathey Lane. This family-friendly event will celebrate community, hope, and healing with a tree lighting ceremony of DLC’s Tree of Hope, a sprawling banyan tree that was planted by staff and clients in the late 1980s. To help kick of the holiday season, there will also be carolers and holiday-themed activities for children provided by community partners. Light refreshments and food for purchase will be provided by a local food truck. The event is free to attend. Donors are encouraged to #StandUp for mental health and become a Light of Hope by making a minimum donation of $100. To RSVP or become a Light of Hope donor, visit DavidLawrenceCenter.org or contact DLC at (239) 354-1445 or donorcare@dlcmhc.com.
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