Business Briefs
Fence Warehouse opens in Cape
The Fence Warehouse Inc. has opened in Cape Coral at 5322 Darby Court. Owner Edward Taglianetti has been in the fence business since 1973 in New York and New Jersey and now in the Cape.
The company specializes in all types of fencing, including vinyl, chain link, iron, ornamental and wood. Taglianetti also installs motorized gates, ballfield backstops and high security fencing.
Business hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., for sales calls.
For information call 866-336-2394.
Scott’s Scapes
Scott’s Scapes is a full service lawn maintenance and landscaping business located at 813 N.E. 32nd Terrace. Owned by Scott Rorabeck, the business offers a wide variety of lawn services, including mowing, weeding, pruning, mulching and fertilization, and landscaping; from design and installation, to sprinkler system repair.
Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Rorabeck also offers free estimates. For additional information 895-1448.
Dennis Griffin Safe Lock Security
Dennis Griffin has opened a new security and safe lock business in Cape Coral at 4169 Pine Drop Lane. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., the business will help residents keep their homes safe and secure. Free estimates are available.
Call 691-9939 to schedule an appointment or for additional information.
Residents invited to recycle ‘gently worn’ shoes for the needy
Every 13 seconds, Soles4Soul Inc. gives away another pair of shoes to someone in need. The shoe charity has earned endorsements from Hollywood stars and professional athletes, but the people that truly make the non-profit organization effective are those who clean out their closets to personally drop off their “gently worn” shoes at a participating location, such as Foot Solutions of Estero and Cape Coral.
For a limited time, Soles4Souls and Foot Solutions of Estero and Cape Coral will be collecting gently worn footwear and/or donations to ship the shoes to people in need. It is estimated that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes lying in their closets.
To reward generous customers, both stores will be giving $10 off a new pair of shoes with their donation of a slightly worn pair of shoes.
People and companies interested in donating can visit the organization’s Web site at: www.giveshoes.org, and follow the instructions.
Nashville-based Soles4Souls facilitates the donation of both new and used shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Soles4Souls has distributed more than 5 million pairs to people in over 125 countries, including Honduras, Uganda, Romania and the United States. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS; donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Visit: www.giveshoes.org for more information.
Town hall meeting to focus on small business resources
How will the 2009 Recovery Act assist small business owners? Find out Tuesday, May 19, when Florida Gulf Coast University’s Cape Coral Small Business Development Center and the city of Cape Coral’s Economic Development Office host a town hall meeting designed to inform and provide resources to assist area small businesses through these difficult times. Admission is free.
Cape Coral Mayor James Burch will make opening remarks followed by a panel of experts who will provide information and answer your questions and concerns. Panelists include: Nancy Rackear, U.S. Small Business Administration; Gary Aubuchon, state representative, District 74; Terry Stewart, city manager; Lewis Attardo, facilitator for the Office of Small Business Advocate; and Pat Kirkpatrick, Regions Bank;
Serving as moderator will be Dan Regelski, director, FGCU-Small Business Development Center.
The free event is scheduled for May 19, 5:30-8:30 p.m., in Cape Coral Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.
Four attend tax strategy, business planning course
John Bellino, Brad Collins, Craig Feinberg and Jerry Hemmer, financial representatives with Alliance Financial Group, www.afgfl.com, recently attended an intensive, three-day advanced course on tax strategies and business planning held at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta. Courses were offered through the Pension & Estate Planning Division of Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. Sessions were taught by trust attorneys familiar with new tax laws and regulations and focused on wealth shifting tax strategies for large estates that reduce long-term estate taxes and free up current liquidity.
Alliance Financial Group is a premier wealth management company located in Fort Myers. For more information, call 561-2900.
Jerry Brooks passes CAM test
J Brooks & Associates Inc. Accounting, Taxes & Consulting has announced that Jerry Brooks has passed his Community Association Manager Test with the State of Florida. One of J Brooks & Associates’ specialized services is CAM accounting and financials.
Contact J Brooks & Associates Inc. at (239) 540-0163 for more information.
BJ’s Restaurant to hold food drive for Harry Chapin
BJ’s Restaurant, 3440 Fowler St., Fort Myers, will offer a free burger and fries between 2 and 4 p.m. on May 16, to anyone who either brings in a canned food item or provides a monetary donation to the Harry Chapin Food Bank. Additional information may be obtained by calling 936-0627.
The Harry Chapin Food Bank solicits, collects and stores quality food for distribution to needy people through a network of local nonprofit agencies who provide serve 20,000 people monthly.
Additional information about or to contribute financially to the Harry Chapin Food Bank call 334-7007 or go to: harrychapinfoodbank.org.
Holiday Inn grand opening
The new Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport Hotel Town Center recently held its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 15, with more than 500 people attending the celebration. A variety of local business leaders and officials came out to join in the celebration. The evening featured “a taste of town center” food stations from the full-service OASIS restaurant and Patio Bar. Guests enjoyed live entertainment and tours of the property for first-time visitors.
The hotel offers 169 new contemporary guest rooms, the breakfast, lunch and dinner OASIS restaurant and bar, outdoor heated pool with Jacuzzi, fully equipped state-of-the-art fitness center and unique outdoor in-ground fire pit with pass-through bar and outdoor lounge-style lakefront seating to highlight a few. The hotel also features 7,000 square feet of flexible meeting and banquet space.
With nearly 1,400 hotels worldwide, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts is a widely recognized lodging destination. The casual atmosphere and amenities such as meeting and on-site business facilities, KidSuites rooms and Kids Eat and Stay Free programs, demonstrate the commitment of Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts to serving travelers and have helped to establish the brand as “America’s Favorite Hotel.”
For more information about Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts or to book reservations call 1-800-HOLIDAY or visit: www.holidayinn.com.
Mike Huckabee interview featured
Former Arkansas governor, presidential candidate and political commentator Mike Huckabee spoke to a crowd of more than 1,500 at the annual Community Prayer Breakfast. The event was presented by the Community Prayer Breakfast Committee at Harborside Events Center on April 30.
Huckabee, who also is a best-selling author and host of Huckabee on the FOX News Channel, will be featured in a one-hour television special. The special will include an exclusive one on one interview by WRXY TV Station Manager Paul Lodato discussing today’s economic and political climate.
This special program will broadcast three times in Southwest Florida – on May 16 at 6 p.m., on May 19 at 10 p.m. on May 23, at 6 p.m.
For individuals living in other areas of the United States or in other parts of the world, a live streaming video of these broadcasts, featuring Mike Huckabee’s visit to Southwest Florida, may also be viewed online at the same times listed above by logging onto: www.wrxytv.com.
WRXY can be seen on the following channels in your viewing area.
Channel 49.1 – via antenna
Channel 10 – Comcast cable in Fort Myers, North Fort Myers,
Fort Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres, Alva, Bokelia,
Bonita Springs, Captiva, Estero, Naples, Pineland,
St. James City, and Sanibel Island
Channel 12 – Comcast cable in Cape Coral, LaBelle and Punta Gorda
Channel 22 – Comcast cable in Englewood and Port Charlotte
Channel 44 – Comcast Cable in Arcadia
Channel 10 – Marco Island Cable
Kennedy earns CIC designation
David M. Kennedy, commercial lines producer at Olin Hill & Associates, has earned the designation of certified insurance counselor (CIC) following successful completion of the rigorous insurance professional education program sponsored by the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors.
Kennedy is a seven-year veteran of the insurance business and has been part of the Olin Hill & Associates team for three years.
Olin Hill & Associates has served Southwest Florida since 1982, providing a broad range of independent insurance services for businesses and individuals. The firm can be reached at 239-945-1900 or www.olinhill.com.
County business leaders honored
Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida recently inducted Charles Idelson, president and CEO of Investors’ Security Trust, and Carol Hudler, president of the South Group USCP Division at Gannett Company and president/publisher of The News-Press, into the Business Hall of Fame of Lee County during the 10th annual event at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa. The award recognized the two business leaders for their professional accomplishments and community involvement.