Fort Myers Florida Weekly

IN THE NEWS / ON THE MOVE


Sanibel Captiva Trust Company hosts Timur

The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company’s 2023 speaker series concludes Tuesday, April 4, with “The Past, Present and Future of Southwest Florida.” Aysegul Timur, vice president and vice provost of strategy and program innovation at Florida Gulf Coast University, will cover Southwest Florida from the perspectives of demographics, economics, employment and economic opportunities, education and more. Timur is also a member of the Regional Economic Research Institute.

The presentation will begin with a complimentary continental breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and a 10 a.m. program at the Event Center, 1901 Brantley Road, Suite 7, in Fort Myers.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required. The program is designed for people with $2 million and higher in investable assets. Contact Frances Steger at fsteger@sancaptrustco.com or call 239-472-8300. For information, visit sancaptrustco.com.

Rotary Club contributes to Heights Center for Ian recovery

The Rotary Club of Fort Myers presented The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center with a check for $79,742.81 to help with hurricane recovery. The Harlem Heights community was significantly impacted by Hurricane Ian. More than 200 Harlem Heights families suffered damage from the hurricane and need help rebuilding and repairing their homes. To date, The Heights Foundation and its partners have invested more than $1 million in the community, including labor and materials.

For more information, visit www.heightsfoundation. org or call 239-482-7706.

Concert to support ‘Ding’ Darling Ian recovery, conservation mission

To support the recovery efforts and conservation outreach of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island since Hurricane Ian destroyed much of its habitat and infrastructure, the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge, in partnership with Bell Tower and Two Lane Lager, presents Sounds of the Sand on Saturday, March 25.

The event will take place from 1-7 p.m. at the Bell Tower shopping plaza in Fort Myers, featuring popular Sanibel musician Danny Morgan and other local bands and entertainers. Sounds of the Sand is open to the public free of charge.

The three-pronged partnership grew from a past relationship between Bell Tower and Two Lane Lager hosting fundraisers to support the community. Last year, DDWS developed a strong connection with Two Lane as a supporter of its annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament, and both parties wanted to keep that relationship going.

“It all came full circle when DDWS and Two Lane brought Bell Tower into the equation to help with a special, unique event to benefit the refuge,” said Birgie Miller, DDWS executive director. “We wanted to get musicians who have played at local island bars and resorts to help them with their own recovery. We also hope this reminds people the island is resilient, and music continues to help us heal and get back to our happy places.”

“Ding” Darling will set up stations with nature games for families and information about the refuge and its recovery and how to donate to DDWS to support refuge conservation work, including post-hurricane habitat restoration, wildlife protection and environmental education.

Suncoast Beverage Sales, distributor of Two Lane American Golden Lager Beer brand, will sell beer, with profits going directly to DDWS.

Other Bell Tower merchants, including several displaced from their Sanibel locations, will be participating out on the plaza. Activities will also include face-painting, axe throwing, a bounce house, lawn games and cotton candy. Musicians will perform on the main stage and at stations at either end of the shopping plaza.

“As an icon in the community, Bell Tower is committed to supporting the ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge and its mission of conservation and wildlife protection,” said Shannon Palzer, marketing manager for the shopping center. “Never before has this mission been more important than in the wake of Hurricane Ian, which has destroyed so much of the area’s natural habitat. At Bell Tower, we have helped seven displaced area retailers get back on their feet, and we stand ready to help this worthy organization raise the funds it needs to recover and reopen. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Sounds of the Sand event in March as we work together to keep Southwest Florida strong.”

For more information, contact event organizer April Boehnen at aprilb@dingdarlingsociety.org or visit dingdarling.org.

Partners In Care to host Scope for Hope event

Partners in Care will host the 12th annual Scope for Hope 5K Run, 2-Mile Walk and Kid’s Fun Run at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 18, at Jaycee Park located at 4215 S.E. 20th Place in Cape Coral. Funds raised will benefit the nonprofit Partners in Care Foundation and will be used for colorectal cancer education, screening and treatment in Southwest Florida.

Registration is open now and ends March 18. Entry fee is $30 for adults and $20 for youth 17 years of age and under. Children under 5 years of age are free. Fees to pre-register before March 10 are discounted $5.

The overall top male and female will receive an award. The first three male and female finishers in the 5K timed run in each age category will receive a lanyard pin. All Kids’ Fun Run participants will receive a ribbon. Strollers and pets are allowed only in the 2-mile walk.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the country, but it is preventable, treatable and beatable.

For more information, visit yourpartnersincare.org/event/annual-scopefor hope-5k-run/.

The Heights Foundation’s Barlow named to Global Leaders Program

Melissa Barlow, director of Arts & Community Programs at The Heights Foundation/ The Heights Center, has been named to the 2023 Global Leaders Program. Each year, a select group of global arts professionals is invited to participate in the MBA in Arts Innovation, focused on social entrepreneurship, cultural management, sustainable impact, and community development.

The GLP MBA is designed for arts change-makers seeking an enhanced toolkit to drive accelerated career growth and organizational impact. Cohort members range from arts managers, entrepreneurs, and executives to concert presenters, producers, education leaders, teaching artists, creative performers and more.

Barlow founded and leads Musical Opportunities Supporting the Arts In Our Community at The Heights Center, an El Sistema-inspired after-school program that creates musical opportunities for approximately 50 youth in the Harlem Heights neighborhood of Fort Myers. She began playing the double bass at age 8 and has performed with orchestras and ensembles throughout her career in some of the greatest performing arts halls worldwide.

“My passion for music and the arts began at an early age and inspired me to pursue a degree in music education,” said Barlow. “My vision to expand access to music to underserved communities brought me to Southwest Florida in 2015. Music and art’s power in transforming lives and strengthening our communities motivates me to keep advocating for equitable arts opportunities.”

“Melissa is a strong advocate for the Arts,” said Kathryn Kelly, founder and CEO of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center. “She is extremely passionate about music and its unique ability to transform lives. Melissa believes everyone should have access to the arts regardless of age or socioeconomic status. Her experience as a Global Leaders Fellow will provide more opportunities for arts to grow and impact our community.”

To learn more about the Global Leaders Program, visit www.globalleadersprogram.com.

For more information about The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center, visit www.heightsfoundation.org. To learn about the MOSAIC program, email Melissa Barlow at melissa@heightsfoundation.org or call 239- 482-7706. ¦

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