Business Briefs
Baxter Power Sports
opens on Pine Island Road
Baxter Power Sports, a small engine and repair service, has opened at 1302 N.E. Pine Island Road in Cape Coral.
The shop specials in dirt bikes, ATVs and personal watercraft, along with selling parts, apparel and accessories related to power sports.
According to manager Kristie Baxter, a co-owner of the business along with Fred Baxter Jr., who is also the mechanic, “We provide pick up and delivery services at little to no charge depending on the location, and we can ship parts and accessories any where in the continental U.S.”
Baxter Power Sports is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday hours vary and the shop is closed Sunday.
For more, call 239-672-5041.
The Red Barn relocates
to north Cape Coral
The Red Barn, an antiques, estate furniture and decor, and estate sales business, has relocated to 836 N.E. 7th Terrace in north Cape Coral. The business also conducts demolition sales for those who wish to tear down older homes and build new ones, working with Realtors, banks, attorneys and private individuals.
In business in the Cape since 1997, the store was previously located at 4711 Vincennes Blvd., in South Cape. Hours are Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.;and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Red Barn will hold its last French Market of the season on April 2. For the past five years, the business has hosted the market on the first Saturday of the month.
The French Market features vendors from around the area selling antiques, collectibles and home decor. The new location for the market is Cape Coral Community Church, 811 Santa Barbara Blvd., just north of Nicholas Parkway.
For additional information about the Red Barn, call 239-542-4949.
Cape women earn top
two spots in local ‘Hooters
Girls’ calendar competition
Cape Coral competitors took the top two honors in Fort Myers Saturday as “Hooters Girls” across the country embark on a quest to cull a spot on the restaurant’s annual calendar.
Results from the March 5 contest in Fort Myers are:
n Amanda Shapiro (Cape Coral), win-ner and $500 prize
n Mariah Materiale (Cape Coral), first runner up and $400 prize
n Sarah Griffin (Fort Myers) and Holly Puska (Fort Lauderdale), 2nd runners up and $300 prize
n Emily Colas (Naples), third runner up and $200 prize
n Jessica Zeletes (Sunrise), fourth runner up and $100 prize
Hooters Girls will continue to compete in a local swimsuit contest vying for Miss Hooters International on March 12 at the Hooters in Sarasota.
The local contests started March 5 at the Hooters in Fort Myers, continues March 12 at the Hooters in Sarasota, and March 19 at the Hooters in Naples.
There also will be additional contests on April 14 at the Hooters in Doral and April 15 at the Hooters in Pembroke Pines.
Pageant contestants will be selected from the Hooters Girls who work in the restaurants. They will compete in the local and regional swimsuit contests for one of the 80 spots in the Hooters 20th Annual International Swimsuit Pageant in June in Las Vegas.
Hooters Girl contestants will compete for the 2016 Miss Hooters International Title, which includes a $30,000 cash prize and a chance to serve as the face of the brand.
Sawicki to address
ABWA Caloosa Chapter
The Cape Coral Caloosa Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association will feature Cape Coral Mayor Marni Sawicki as its guest speaker at its next meeting Wednesday, March 16, at Perkins, 1502 Cape Coral Parkway, East, Cape Coral. Sawicki will be speaking about her leadership insights. Registration and networking are at 6 p.m. with dinner at 6:30. The dinner cost is $20 and please rsvp to abwacapecoral@gmail.com. Walk-ins are welcome.
The mission of the American Business Women’s Association is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership; education, networking support and national recognition.
The Cape Coral Caloosa Chapter was formed in 1969 and continues serving the mission of ABWA.
Del Leon earns Parks and Recreation Certification
Del Leon, Recreation Specialist II, was recently certified as a Certified Park and Recreation Professional by the National Certification Board and the National Recreation and Park Association.
The CPRP certification is granted to individuals employed in the recreation, park resources and leisure services professions who meet the eligibility requirements – including a combination of higher education and/or work experience – and who successfully complete the national CPRP examination. The examination tests knowledge in all aspects of general administration, programming and operations management for parks and recreation. CPRP certifications are valid for a period of two years, and professionals who wish to re-apply are required to complete a professional continuing education unit requirements or equivalent academic course work.
Individuals certified as CPRPs meet high standards of education, expertise and experience established in the field for park and recreation professionals, and many agencies recommend or require CPRP certification when hiring for professional positions.
Del Leon graduated in 2011 with a master’s degree in public administration from Strayer University. She has been a dedicated employee with the city of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department for 11 years and continues to her career at the Lake Kennedy Senior Center.
The CPRP program is offered by the National Certification Board in coordination with NRPA and the CPRP Certification Committee.
Gates to present free
college planning workshop
Certified Financial Planner Danielle Gates, owner of D. Gates Wealth Management, will be the featured speaker at a free college planning workshop presented by 123College.com for parents and students from 6:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 10, at Fort Myers Regional Library Meeting Room, 2450 First St., Fort Myers.
Attendees will learn: if you make $250,000 $300,000 per year, you may still qualify for financial aid, How to select colleges that will provide you with the best financial aid package; how to lower your out-of-pocket costs and maximize your student’s financial aid eligibilities; why it would benefit you to have a professional fill out your FAFSA/CSS forms; how to pay for college without using expensive private loans, emptying your retirement accounts, or depending on 529 plans; how to send your child to an expensive private school for less than what you would pay for a public one; how your family contribution is calculated by the Department of Education; and how to choose a major before college and why it is so important.
Reservations are required for the free seminar by phone at (239) 424-8305 or email at dgatescfp@gmail.com.
D. Gates Wealth Management is an independent, privately held firm that helps individuals, business owners, professionals and their families build wealth and create financial legacies through financial planning, investment management and insurance planning services. Gates has combined the ability of independent financial and insurance advisors to offer a broad range of products from a wide variety of major companies with a vast infrastructure and management expertise.
For more information visit www.dgateswealthmanagement.com or call (239) 424-8305. D. Gates Wealth Management is located at 1227 Del Prado Blvd S. Suite 101 in Cape Coral.
Rosier Insurance provides
training for disabled veterans
Rosier Insurance recently collaborated with Disabled Veterans Insurance Careers by providing on-the-job-training for its most recent class of disabled veterans. For more than 60 years, Rosier Insurance has protected the assets of its clients by offering insurance and non-insurance solutions that are tailored to their business or individual needs. The recent DVIC class was given the opportunity to train at the Rosier Insurance office in Bonita Springs, receiving hands-on experience and specialized training from Rosier Insurance employees.
DVIC relies on corporate donations, personal donations and support from the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to sponsor disabled veterans to go through the Certified Insurance Service Representative training program. If you would like to sponsor a veteran or make a donation to DVIC, please visit DVIC.us or call 239-433-8523.
Disabled Veterans Insurance Careers is a not for profit 501(C) 3 organization, established in 2011 with the mission to educate, train and create meaningful employment opportunities within the insurance industry for disabled veterans.
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Gary L. Bryant is the president and CEO of DVIC. For additional information, call 239-433-8523 or visit DVIC.us.
Six Bends Harley-Davidson and Southwest Florida
H.O.G. Chapter to hold 13th Annual Easter Toy Run
Six Bends Harley-Davidson in partnership with the Southwest Florida H.O.G. Chapter is hosting the 13th Annual Easter Bunny Toy Run Saturday, March 26, to benefit the Golisano Children’s Hospital child life program within the at HealthPark Medical Center.
Registration for the ride will take place at Six Bends Harley-Davidson from 8:30-10:45 a.m. During this time, guests will be provided with pre-ride refreshments. This police escorted ride, lead by the Easter Bunny himself, will depart from Six Bends Harley-Davidson at 11a.m. and travel to HealthPark Medical Center to drop off the toy donations. Participants are encouraged to bring a new and unwrapped gift to donate. Registration is $10 per rider and $5 per passenger. Riders will then return to Six Bends Harley-Davidson where they will be treated to lunch, 50/50 prizes, enjoy live entertainment from local artist Soapy Tuna and more.
Pre-registration for the ride will be available at Six Bends Harley-Davidson on Friday, March 25, during the Six Bends H-D Bike Night event from 6-9 p.m. The bike night will feature live entertainment, delicious food, an assortment of beverages, prizes and a visit from the Easter Bunny. In addition, non-riders will have the opportunity to donate a toy to the toy drive.
For more information about the Easter Bunny Toy Run and registration, contact Robin at RobinW@sfe-us.com or by phone at (239) 275-4647.
Nominations open for the Fifth Annual
2016 Distinguished Entrepreneur of SW Florida
Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University is accepting nominations for the 2016 Distinguished Entrepreneur of SW Florida. Southwest Florida business owners who have overcome obstacles, discovered new technologies to help grow their business, or dedicated themselves to helping other small businesses through mentorship and civic leadership are encouraged to submit applications.
Additional awards this year include Distinguished Small Business Advocate and Distinguished Innovator of the Year. There are prizes including radio time, press coverage and much more for the three awardees. The application deadline is March 31. Find out more and apply online at www.fsbdcswfl.org/de2016. The awards ceremony will be held May 18 from 5:30-8 p.m., at the Harborside Event Center in Fort Myers. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
Contact Amanda Stirn at astirn@fgcu.edu or 239-745-3706 for more information.