7th Annual South Cape BaconFest set for Aug. 14

Bacon lovers will judge the “Best Drink” and “Best Appetizer” in the 7th Annual South Cape BaconFest Trolley Event on Aug. 14. From 7-11 p.m., guests will take trolleys to various locations to enjoy bacon themed drink and appetizer samples. At the end of the evening they’ll cast their votes for the worthiest contenders.

Hosted by South Cape Hospitality & Entertainment Association, the event takes place in Cape Coral’s Entertainment District.

“South Cape businesses and attendees are excited for the return of BaconFest,” says SCHEA board member David Townsend. “I mean who doesn’t love bacon? Participating locations are getting creative for your palate this year — from salty, spicy and savory to sweet and so much more! It continues to be a flavorful event.”

Participating locations include BackStreets Sports Bar, Cruisers, Dixie Live, Dixie Roadhouse, Good Intentions Uncorked, Mon-key Bar, Rack’em Spirits & Times, Ralph’s Place, Rusty’s Raw Bar & Grill, Sidecar Treats, The Dive and Tiki Hut.

BaconFest is a 21+ nightlife event. Advance tickets are $25 and can be purchased online via Eventbrite and or at the South Cape Hub, located at 909 S.E. 47th Terrace, #105. In-person ticket purchases must be made in cash and carry no fees.

For more information, please call 239-900-4028.

Goodwill MicroEnterprise small business class starts Aug. 16 in Cape Coral

Individuals who are thinking about starting their own business but need some mentoring are invited to apply to the Goodwill Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute, scheduled for Aug. 16 – Sept. 23.

The MicroEnterprise Institute is a six-week training program to help emerging entrepreneurs start new ventures and grow small businesses. Graduates complete a comprehensive training course and prepare a solid plan to guide their start-up. They work with mentors who are successful businesspeople, and hear from subject matter experts in areas of accounting, legal, marketing, insurance and funding.

An easy to use workbook, used by organizations across America, assist in transforming vision into a plan for a successful business. Classes are scheduled from 6-9 p.m. on Monday and Thursday evenings at 815 Nicholas Parkway, East, Cape Coral. Attendance is limited, so sign up now.

To apply, visit www.goodwillswfl.org/ microenterprise, or call 239-995-2106, extension 2215. The session is $80; Volunteer hours can be substituted for the fee if income requirements are met.

For more information email Dorothy Browning at dorothybrowning@goodwillSWFL.org.

Waste Management to host hiring event July 10 for drivers, technicians

Waste Management is hosting a “Hiring Day” event that seeks to fill driver, collection helper and technician positions on Saturday, July 10, for its Lee County operations in Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres. As an essential service and with the rebound of the Florida economy from the pandemic, WM is seeking professional drivers and technicians, along with collection support personnel, with interviews held on the spot for qualified individuals.

Waste Management, which is already offering employees paid bachelor’s and associate degrees through its Your Tomorrow program, will be expanding these scholarships to spouses and children of team members later this year.

During Waste Management’s Hiring Day, which runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., qualified candidates can register for an in-person interview with hiring managers and potentially walk out with a same day offer to start their career with the WM family.

Waste Management of Ft. Myers is at 17101 Pine Ridge Road, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931.

Certified drivers and technicians can easily pre-register for WM Hiring Day at https://careers.wm. com/wmevents.

Henderson Franklin welcomes Raja

The law firm of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., has announced the newest member of its Fort Myers real estate team, attorney Shayaan (“Shay”) Raja. He is admitted to practice in all state courts in Florida and the District of Columbia (D.C.).

Whether working on a complex commercial development project with multiple parties or drafting and negotiating contracts for a residential home closing, Raja guides his clients at every step to meet their ultimate goal. Hard work, passionate advocacy, and practical counsel are the cornerstone of his practice.

Prior to joining the firm, Raja had an active real estate practice in Tampa and Naples. He also was a member of a global technology firm’s legal department in Seattle, Washington. Originally from Miami, Raja is proud to call Southwest Florida home.

Raja received his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law. He received his B.A., cum laude, from the University of Florida. Raja may be reached at shayaan.raja@henlaw.com or by phone at 239-344-1213.

Henderson Franklin is one of the largest, locally-based law firms between Tampa and Miami with 60 attorneys providing a wide range of legal services in the areas of business and tax planning, estate planning, family law, business and civil litigation, eminent domain, intellectual property, workers’ compensation, employment law, real estate, and land use and environmental law. Henderson Franklin operates offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples, and Sarasota (by appointment only). For more information on the attorneys honored above or Henderson Franklin, please visit www.henlaw.com.

Entrepreneur seminar for women to be held July 17

Since the start of the pandemic unemployment numbers soared leaving many women without jobs or underemployed. Now back by popular demand, Dress for Success SW Florida will host its Entrepreneurial Spirit Program virtually on Saturday, July 17, from 9 a.m. to noon. Some of the most successful businesswomen in the region will share their time and wisdom with budding female entrepreneurs in this interactive online program.

Women looking to start their own businesses can learn from a panel of Southwest Florida leading ladies in business. E$P panelists will cover pertinent topics that will set them up for entrepreneurial success. The speakers and topics are as follows:

�–� Business accounting presented by Angela Cooley, partner at Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A.

�–� Understanding the importance of legal formalities, entity formation, copyright, trademarks and personal liability presented by Christina Harris Schwinn, partner at Pavese Law Firm

�–� Small business loans and financing presented by Barbara Melvin, vice president community relations officer at First Florida Integrity Bank and

�–� Branding and marketing presented by Connie Ramos-Williams, president and chief marketing officer of CONRIC pr + marketing.

The event is sponsored by Pavese Law Firm and CONRIC pr + marketing. Online registration is required with a suggested donation of $25 benefitting Dress for Success of SW Florida. A Zoom link will be sent upon registration and an E$P certificate will be emailed after course completion.

To register for the seminar or for additional information, please visit swflorida.dressforsuccess.org.

Kelly joins Sanibel Captiva Community Bank

Addisyn Kelly has joined Sanibel Captiva Community Bank as a loan servicing assistant in the bank’s loan operations division at the Bridge Branch, located at 9311 College Parkway. She is responsible for processing loan payoffs, preparing loan verification requests, managing loan payoff quotes and assisting in document management.

Kelly has prior experience in retail sales and is currently pursuing an associate degree in radiology at Florida SouthWestern State College.

Founded in 2003, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has two locations on Sanibel Island and six more locations throughout Lee County. The bank’s team members provide customized individual and business banking services and specialize in residential and commercial lending. The bank offers free personal and business checking, deposit accounts with competitive interest rates, instant issue debit cards and a full array of digital banking products and services. To learn more, visit www.SanCapBank.com.