Bell Tower Shops
Fort Myers
U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway

Children’s Museum of Naples at Bell Tower Shops

The Children’s Museum of Naples’ education series, Family Fun, is expanding into Lee County at Bell Tower Shops. Children, ages 4 through 8, will have the opportunity to explore the world through hands-on activities at the Fort Myers shopping center.

Held the third Saturday of each month, through July 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Family Fun programs are free, fun and open to the public. Each activity takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes and snacks and juice are provided. A parent or adult must stay and participate in the Family Fun activities.

Space Kidettes (July 17). Explore the outer reaches of the universe and study the effects of gravity, then make a rocket that can really blast off.

For additional information on the Family Fun programs, contact Jennifer Sabo, C’mon’s education director, at 239-514-0084.

The dog-friendly Bell Tower Shops is an open-air lifestyle center, located in Fort Myers at U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway, with 40 retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue and The Fresh Market, nine restaurants and Bell Tower 20 Regal Cinemas. The center’s sidewalk garden setting of lush landscaping, splashing fountains and covered walkways makes it a popular gathering place. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the center. To learn more, log onto www.TheBellTowerShops.com, or call 239-489-1221.

Scheduled to open in late 2010, the 30,000-square-foot Children’s Museum of Naples will be Collier County’s first learning environment devoted exclusively to child’s play and the serious business of discovery that helps children attain hallmark milestones on the journey into adulthood. C’mon will present a well-rounded universe of exhibits and programs that lead children and their families on a journey from the swamps of the Everglades to the outer reaches of the galaxy and from an experience at a working farm, to a day at the beach. The Children’s Museum of Naples is envisioned to be one of the finest children’s museums in the United States. To learn more about exhibits or sponsorships, call C’mon at 239-514-0084 or visit www.cmon.org.

Jennifer Sabo
Children’s Museum of Naples
education director
239-514-0084

Colonial Country Club, 9181 Independence Way, Fort Myers, Fla.

Gartner, Inc.

“FORE the Children” Charity Golf Invitational presented by Gartner will benefit Children’s Home Society programs that serve children and families in Southwest Florida communities.

The scramble-style invitational event begins with registration at 7:30 a.m. and a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Registration is $85 for individuals or $300 per foursome and includes continental breakfast, lunch, greens fees, a sleeve of balls per player, prizes and awards.

Last year’s event raised nearly $10,000 to benefit Children’s Home Society programs which directly impact the lives of more than 7,000 children and families in five counties.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the event. Registration is available online or request a mail-in registration form or sponsorship information by calling Children’s Home Society.

Jacqueline House at (239) 275-3049.

The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club
851 Gulf Shore Boulevard North
Naples, Florida 34102

Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast University’s Resort & Hospitality Management Program announced that its 21st annual Wanderlust travel auction and gourmet dining extravaganza will take place on Wednesday evening, April 14, 2010, at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club.

Wanderlust, Southwest Florida’s largest tourism fundraiser, is supported by all the major resort and hospitality companies in Lee and Collier counties. Proceeds benefit FGCU’s Resort & Hospitality Management Program.

Reservations for Wanderlust are $250 per person or $3,500 for a corporate-sponsored table of 10. Premium sponsorships, which include center-stage promotional opportunities, are also available. For more information or to make a reservation for Wanderlust 2010 call 239-590-7742 or e-mail kroyal@fgcu.edu.

239-590-7742
kroyal@fgcu.edu

The Club Pelican Bay, Naples, FL

The Founders Fund – 2010 Biennial Ed Brennan Memorial Golf Tournament to be held at The Club Pelican Bay. The competition will begin with two shotgun starts at 8:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.  The golf tournament is the main fundraiser for the scholarships given to local high school graduates to further their education.

Scholarships of $2,000 are awarded to 25 Collier County students each year. They are selected based on financial need and academic merit. As students keep their grades high, the scholarship is renewed each year until graduation. This charitable organization is coordinated by volunteers, allowing for the monies gathered at this event to be reserved for deserving students of Collier County.

There are many ways to be a part of this golf tournament, from being a player or sponsor to donating items for the raffle and silent auction. Donations for the auction and raffle will be accepted all the way until the day of the tournament, April 12th. Sponsors are entitled to two playing spots in the tournament and four places at the awards dinner, as well as publicity in all of The Founders Fund materials and publications and invitations to the annual luncheon and scholarship award ceremony. Anyone involved will also experience the joy that comes from helping the community’s best and brightest reach their dreams.

Sue Davenport at 239-593-0124 or 597-0086

USF Sarasota-Manatee Selby Auditorium, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee

The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee will hold a continuing education program for current members of corporate boards of directors, executives of publicly held corporations, or those individuals who wish to join a corporate board of directors. The two and one-half day program is designed to provide insight into issues and challenges facing corporate boards of directors and to offer a review of best practices on a variety of board related issues.

For program and registration information go to sarasota.usf.edu/academics/continuinged or contact Donald G. Fell, director of Executive and Professional Education at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee at (813) 731.3900 or dfell@sar.usf.edu.

Michael's On East in Sarasota

The Junior League of Sarasota

The Junior League of Sarasota hosts it's Child Advocacy Luncheon to support a three year signature project of child abuse protection and intervention. The Luncheon is a Kick Off for “Paint the Town Blue”- Child Abuse Awareness Month. Please Wear Blue attire to show your support. Special Guest Speaker: Jenni Silver, Previous Child Protection Center employee and active member of the community. Awards ceremony will follow. Price is $55 until March 16th then $65 until April 2nd.

(941) 953-5600 jlsarasota@verizon.net

Embassy Suites Fort Myers/Estero, 10450 Corkscrew Commons Dr., Estero, FL 33928

Grubb & Ellis - 1st Commercial & TLC Consulting

Please join moderator:

Kevin M. Fitzgerald, CSE, President/Principal NAI Southwest Florida, Inc.

Speakers:
•  John Nicola, Assistant VP, Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, LLC
•  Jay F. Cook, Esq., Law Offices of Jay F. Cook, P.L.
•  Andy D’Jamoos, Owner, The D’Jamoos Group, LTP & Executive VP, J.E.D. of SW FL, Inc
•  Jim Howard, GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group LLC
•  Susan Maurer, Area President, BB&T, Collier County

Buffet Breakfast
Members: $10.00              
Non Members: $15.00
Wednesday, March 24, 2010  
7:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Bev Larson, NAIOP SWFL Program Chair: 239 281.1290
OR
Beth Karcz - 703-904-7100

Hilton Naples, 5111 U.S. 41 N., Naples, FL 34103

ESTERO, FL., March 2 – The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Gulf Coast Chapter will host a program on “How to Integrate Video Into Your Communications Plan” on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at the Hilton Naples, 5111 U.S. 41 N. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. with social and networking, with the presentation to follow at noon. The program will feature a panel discussion with Wade Mastro, Co-founder of 4What Interactive; Kathy Saenz, Communications Manager for INgage Networks; and Bill Colletti, Digital Media Producer for INgage Networks. The speakers will cover search engine optimization; when to hire a professional; script writing, story ideas and interviewing tips; and technical elements that ensure your videos will look professional. The cost is $24 per person for PRSA members, $29 for non-members and $15 for students. Reservations must be made by Friday, March 19, 2010. For additional information or to register, please contact Kathy Saenz at ksaenz@ingagenetworks.com. # # # # # Headquartered in New York City, PRSA is the world’s largest professional organization for public relations professionals with more than 20,000 members organized into 110 chapters nationwide who represent business and industry, counseling firms, government, associations, healthcare, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. The PRSA, Gulf Coast Chapter serves Collier and Lee counties and consists of senior public relations, marketing and communications professionals who represent a variety of industries and professional services throughout Southwest Florida and the United States. For more information about the PRSA, Gulf Coast Chapter, visit www.gulfcoastprsa.org.

Kathy Saenz at ksaenz@ingagenetworks.com

Bell Tower Shops U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers,

Bell Tower Shops

Saturday, March 20 C’mon Family Fun “Beautifully Outdoors” at the Bell Tower Shops 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Children, 4-8 years old, will explore the world through hands-on activities with educators from the Children’s Museum of Naples. Study the difference between native and nonnative plants; then plant a seed to take home.

239-489-1221

Royal Palm Yacht Club 2360 West First St. Fort Myers, FL 33901

Lee County Bar Association and Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc.

The Lee County Bar Association is sponsoring a free Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program on March 19, 2010 designed to teach attorneys how to properly represent clients who have become unemployed for any reason. “You’re FIRED! How to Keep Employees From Being Trumped in Unemployment” will be presented by Tess Arington, Director of Intake at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. Registration and continental breakfast start at 8:30 a.m. with program from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The seminar will teach attorneys how to handle unemployment cases of all kinds, referred through Florida Rural Legal Services. Topics include an overview of the unemployment compensation system of benefits, wrongful and other forms of termination, what disqualifies applicants, the filing of claims, the handling of initial appeals, proper preparation for the hearing, various hearing filings, the hearing format, and the decision, followed by the handling of appeals to the Commission and to District Court. Attendees will earn 3.0 general credit hours.

Reservations required. E-mail info@leebar.org or call (239) 334-0047. There is no charge for attendance, but attorneys must agree to take one pro bono case from Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc.

Bell Tower Shops U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers

Bell Tower Shops

Wednesday, March 17 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at the Bell Tower Shops 4 p.m.- midnight Sponsored by Crü, this St. Paddy’s Day tent party features Irish and Celtic bands, bagpipers, festive food and beverages.

239-489-1221

Tent party in the parking lot in front of Crü at Bell Tower Shops U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway, Fort Myers

Bell Tower Shops

Shamrocks & Shenanigans St. Patrick’s Day at Crü What: Shamrocks & Shenanigans St. Patty’s Day tent party featuring festive food, beverages and entertainment $15 cover charge When: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 4 p.m. to midnight Who: Hosted by Crü, Lush Wines and Pure Food Sponsored by Bell Tower Shops Where: Tent party in the parking lot in front of Crü at Bell Tower Shops U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway, Fort Myers Info: 239-466-3663 Crü, Lush Wines and Pure Food, is a trendy, upscale bistro featuring lunch and dinner, including a tapas bar menu. The dog-friendly Bell Tower Shops is an open-air lifestyle center, with 40 retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue and The Fresh Market, nine restaurants and Bell Tower 20 Regal Cinemas. The center’s sidewalk garden setting of lush landscaping, splashing fountains and covered walkways makes it a popular gathering place. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the center. To learn more, log onto www.TheBellTowerShops.com, or call 239-489-1221.

239-466-3663

The workshop will be held at HCC’s Corporate Training Center on Davis Islands, 39 Columbia Dr, Tampa 33606, March 16th starting at 8am. The cost is $25/person which includes breakfast and lunch during the 6 hour session. Seating is limited to 16 people.

The Corporate Training Center @ Hillsborough Community College

The Corporate Training Center @ HCC and the Florida MEP will present a workshop for Manufacturers seeking to expand their operations into the government market or strengthen their competitive advantage in defense contracting. Most manufacturing companies with 500 or fewer employees are eligible for Small Business Set-aside quotas; these set-asides will not be met until manufacturing companies participate. • Learn to expand your business into the government market. • Improve business development opportunities. • Gain insight into becoming a supplier to the government. • Strengthen your competitive advantage in the government market. Larry Meadows, Project Manager with Florida MEP’s Center for SupplyPoint® Integration Program, will present a workshop to train Florida manufacturing companies in techniques to submit quotes for government and prime contractor procurement. This workshop and networking session focuses on defense acquisition.

To reserve space or get more information, visit www.TampaTraining.com or call The Corporate Training Center at (813) 253-6010

Bell Tower Shops U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers

Bell Tower Shops

Friday, March 12 Yappy Hour & Bowl Stroll at the Bell Tower Shops 6-8 p.m. Dogs and their owners can enjoy the furriest happy hour in town. Live music, beverages, prizes, dining and mingling as well as shopping with canine companions. Proceeds benefit the Gulf Coast Humane Society.

239-489-1221