Florida Weekly

SELLING OUT PARADISE

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:17 +0000

BY ROGER WILLIAMS

rwilliams@floridaweekly.com

WHOA! SLOW DOWN, DON’T GO SO FAST!

Stimulus funds help expand, improve local broadband access

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:19 +0000

BY ATHENA PONUSHIS

aponushis@floridaweekly.com

“I cannot imagine life without …” a survey by the Pew Research Center asked 14- to 29-year-olds. Almost all the respondents, 97 percent, said “my mobile phone,” while 43 percent said “my current partner.”

REACTION (able, ary, ist)

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:22 +0000

rogerWILLIAMS

rwilliams@floridaweekly.com

NOTE: The letters here reflect the most recent reactions of readers to columns or stories. The images show “readers” in various stages of approbation or protest in the living room of Mr. Williams.

Dear Mr. Williams,

Clint Eastwood: Half-baked in America

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:23 +0000

richLOWRY

Special to Florida Weekly

If Clint Eastwood narrated “The Cat in the Hat,” the words of Dr. Seuss would instantly take on a menacing authority. He could read the latest worthless United Nations condemnation of Syria and make Bashar Assad tremble.

America’s pro-choice majority speaks out

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:23 +0000

amyGOODMAN

Special to Florida Weekly

The leadership of the Catholic Church has launched what amounts to a holy war against President Barack Obama. Archbishop Timothy Dolan appealed to church members, “Let your elected leaders know that you want religious liberty and rights of conscience restored and that you want the administration’s contraceptive mandate rescinded,” he said.

THE LIVING GULF COAST

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:25 +0000

charlesSOBCZAK

livingsanibel@gmail.com

With a name that is derived from the Creek Indians and is all but impossible to pronounce, everyone, including the Florida Division of Forestry staff, simply calls this state forest the OK Slough.

KOVELS: ANTIQUES

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:26 +0000

terryKOVEL

news@floridaweekly.com

Presidents Day, still officially named George Washington’s Birthday, is celebrated on the third Monday in February. But it has not always been celebrated on that day. George Washington’s birthday, Feb. 22, was first celebrated as a federal holiday in 1880.

NEWS OF THE WIERD

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:27 +0000

Dementiaville

Florida has second biggest share in foreclosure case

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:27 +0000

Homeowners in Florida, along with those in California, will get more than half of the $26 billion settlement the nation’s attorneys general reached Thursday with the nation’s biggest banks over foreclosures abuses, because the state has so many delinquent loans and underwater properties.

Series to examine Southwest Florida’s Civil War past

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:28 +0000

The Southwest Regional Center of the Florida Public Archaeology Network hosted at Florida Gulf Coast University, presents a speaker series, “More than a Trifling Affair: A Tour of Southwest Florida in the Civil War,” in celebration of Florida Archaeology Month throughout March. Lectures are free and open to the public.

Menus unveiled for Taste of Love 9

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:29 +0000

Special Equestrians is bringing together the area’s most successful restaurateurs for Taste of Love 9 – Sip and Dine, the annual food and wine extravaganza to be held from 5-9 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at The Design Studio by Raymond.

The event brings together 10 of the area’s most successful culinarians and pairs their creations with wine by Masciarelli Wine Company.

CYBER PROTECTION

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:29 +0000

BY DET. FABIO NAHMENS

Special to Florida Weekly

While many online criminals come looking for you, sometimes, you can become a victim simply by engaging in voluntary online activities.

Lawsuits fly after Senate approves redistricting plans

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:29 +0000

BY BRANDON LARRABEE

The News Service of Florida

The war over the state’s political boundaries entered its next stage Thursday, as final passage of the Legislature’s redistricting plan for the state’s congressional delegation was met with a lawsuit backed by the Florida Democratic Party and the threat of more to come.

Hispanic Chamber to host job fair

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:29 +0000

The Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce invites the community to its 2012 Spring Job Fair from 1-5 p.m. Thursday, March 15 at Hodges

University Fort Myers Campus, 4501 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers.

FWC adopts new seasons for gag grouper

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:31 +0000

SPECIAL TO FLORIDA WEEKLY

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted Feb. 8 to change how gag grouper is managed in Gulf of Mexico state waters (excluding Monroe County).

The decision will achieve consistency with federal management efforts while potentially providing a region-specific recreational season in four counties.

Drowning deaths decline in Lee

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:32 +0000

New data from the Florida Department of Health reveals a reduction in drowning deaths in 2009-10 for children ages 1 to 4 in Lee County. As a result, Lee County no longer ranks among the top 10 counties in the state of Florida for drowning deaths.

Save money on airfare

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:33 +0000

Travelers are bombarded with offers, deals and price fluctuations on a day-today basis, Consumer Reports magazine recently came up with some helpful tips to cut costs and lock in the best rates.

Learn smart tips on estate planning

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:33 +0000

Board-certified attorneys Craig Hersch and Michael Hill will conduct a seminar on estate planning, advantages of declaring residency and why all residents need to have their wills and trusts updated following recent law changes. There will be two identical presentations on separate dates. The first workshop takes place from 9-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb.

Investment managers share retirement strategies

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:34 +0000

Durand & Gallentine Investment Management Group will host a free seminar to discuss strategies for retirement planning and wealth management, as well as other general investment topics. The seminar, titled “Will You Outlive Your Retirement Income? Investment Strategies for Today’s Retirees,” will be held at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb.

IMA hosts Business of Baseball summit

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:35 +0000

Following a rousing success from last year, the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants, in conjunction with The Corridor and Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, has announced the return of The Business of Baseball seminar Thursday, Feb. 23.

Land Sea Air event to benefit CCMI

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:36 +0000

The second annual Land Sea Air event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva.

Arriving in style or in a unique way is the idea for this fundraising event where guests choose their method of arrival by land, sea or air and enjoy cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, a live and a silent auction.

Cheney Brothers expansion brings 380 jobs to SWFL

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:37 +0000

Riviera Beach-based food distributor Cheney Brothers Inc. has announced plans to begin construction in 2012-13 on a 250,000-squarefoot distribution center in Charlotte County. The project represents a nearly $30-million capital investment and will bring 380 jobs to Punta Gorda, with wages averaging $36,000 annually, a 17.6 percent increase above the county’s average, plus benefits.

Two dozen businesses nominated for ethics award

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:37 +0000

There are 24 businesses from Southwest Florida vying for the seventh annual Business Ethics Award, presented by the Uncommon Friends Foundation. The winner will be recognized at the Uncommon Evening to be held on Thursday, June 7, at Harborside Event Center, downtown Fort Myers.

Uncommon Friends solicits scholarship applications

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:37 +0000

Applications for 2012 Uncommon Friends Foundation scholarships, honoring deserving individuals who have a financial need and the potential to succeed in school, are available now. Students in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties are eligible to apply. Completed applications are due by Sunday, April 1.

Tailor fit

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:44 +0000

BY NANCI THEORET

Special to Florida Weekly

FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, GOVERNORS, senators and Lee County’s top physicians and attorneys have trusted Fort Myers tailor Remy Fenelus to create fine suits and dress shirts that fit their bodies and sense of style.

Group gathers to review regulation overhauls

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:44 +0000

In the face of changes throughout state regulatory agencies, including DEP and the water management districts, “Water Quality Regulations and the Economy” is the focus of a half-day seminar on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport and Town Center, 9931 Interstate Commerce Drive, Fort Myers.

MONEY & INVESTING

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:45 +0000

jeannetteSHOWALTER, CFA

showalter@wwfsystems.com

Stock investors use various stock option strategies to either protect their individual stock positions from loss or add incremental return.

Law

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:46 +0000

Jason R. Himschoot has been named a partner at Condo & HOA Law Group PLLC. Mr. Himschoot is an experienced trial lawyer specializing in real estate, business, condominium and homeowner association disputes.

Athletics

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:46 +0000

Michael A. Marciano has been hired as football coach and John M. Biffar as the cross-country coach at Canterbury School.

Community Service

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:47 +0000

ICAN, the Island Coast Aids Network, elected new officers to the organization’s board of directors recently. Edward M. Kolesar, president, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited; Craig J. Ruthsatz, vice-president, BB&T- Oswald Trippe and Company Inc.; John M.

Home Services

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:47 +0000

Tony Nestor has been named application program manager at Home-Tech. In his new position, Mr. Nestor will be responsible for overseeing Home-Tech’s website and search engine optimization to enhance the company’s presence on the worldwide web, as well as innovative web and smart phone and tablet applications or “apps.”

Marketing

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:47 +0000

Natalie Staropoli has been named partner and chief operations officer of MARKIT Group, an integrated brand marketing firm headquartered in Bonita Springs with offices in New York and Pennsylvania.

Accounting

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:48 +0000

Shannon Beaulieu has joined Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A. as an executive assistant in the Fort Myers office. In this role, Ms. Beaulieu with provide administrative support to firm partner Karen Mosteller as well as the bookkeeping, consulting and technology departments.

Furniture

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:48 +0000

Kris Kolar has been named vice president of merchandising and design at Clive Daniel Home, which opened its first home furnishings showroom in Naples in November. ¦

Choosing a Brokerage

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:51:48 +0000

If you’re ready to invest in stocks, a brokerage account will come in handy. Opening one is not much more complicated than opening a bank account, but you should do some research first, to choose the brokerage that best serves your needs. Consider the following as you compare contenders:

Name That Companyy