SWFL Craft Beer Week returns Sept. 1-5

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce is presenting its second annual SWFL Craft Beer Week on Sept. 1-5 celebrating Southwest Florida’s craft breweries.

SWFL Craft Beer Week begins with a kickoff party at HeadPinz Fort Myers Thursday, Sept. 1, where attendees can pick up their VIP tickets and receive a sample beer tasting, light bites and a chance to win prizes. The week continues with a series of events and specialty beer releases at participating breweries throughout the week, in addition to opportunities for behind-the-scenes tours and insights into the industry.

Participating breweries to date include Coastal Dayz Brewery, Crazy Dingo Brewing Co., Eight-Foot Brewing, Fort Myers Brewing Company, Millennial Brewing Company, Palm City Brewing Company, Point Ybel Brewing Company, Riptide Brewing Company and The Tubby Pig Brewpub.

The chamber has partnered with Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center to launch a contest to create the official event poster, and is calling on local artists to submit their designs for the second annual event. Artwork will be displayed at the event and in promotional materials. The contest winner will receive VIP tickets to the kickoff event, event and brewery swag and membership to the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center.

Submissions are accepted through Aug. 1 at SBDAC.com/Poster-Contest and the winner will be announced during ArtWalk on Friday, Aug. 5 on the rooftop of the SBDAC.

SWFL Craft Beer Week sponsors include Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon, Coca-Cola Beverages, Crowne Plaza Fort Myers, Fort Myers Brewing Company, Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches & Neighborhoods, HeadPinz and Luminary Hotel. A range of additional sponsorship opportunities are available for the event, including title ($3,500), glassware ($2,500), beverage coaster ($2,500), VIP bag ($1,000) and brewery ($250) sponsorship levels. Sponsorships include varying levels of VIP access and recognition in promotional materials. Customized sponsorship packages are available upon request.

Further details on a full schedule of events will be announced in the coming weeks.

To learn more about SWFL Craft Beer Week, visit SWFLCraftBeerWeek.com or call 239-332-2930.

‘World Famous’ Cigar Bar celebrates 25 years, unveils new website

The “World Famous” Cigar Bar is primed for a party, unveiling a new website and celebrating 25 years in business.

Inspired by his father, owner Rich Castiano wanted a place where “Good Times and Great Cigars” would become a way of life. In 1996, he opened The “World Famous” Cigar Bar. Since then, cigar aficionados have flocked to this neighborhood bar with its walk-in humidor, featuring cigars from around the world.

“Everything we do, we do as a family,” Rich Castiano said. “Our guests become our friends so providing hospitality, service, and education about cigars, spirits, and wine is not only our focus, but also becomes our pleasure.”

The “World Famous” Cigar Bar has been a cornerstone of the Historical Downtown Fort Myers District since 1996, its second location is in Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero opened in 2006, and the third location is located in downtown Cape Coral, which opened in 2016.

To learn more, visit www.worldfamouscigarbar.com

OFDC Commercial Interiors named ‘Dealer of the Year’ by Connexions

Connexions has named OFDC Commercial Interiors as its 2021 Dealer of the Year, an award acknowledging the Southwest Florida company’s success selling and installing office furniture.

Connexions is a dealer advocacy and solutions provider focused on dealer profitability by way of curated product selection, sales programs and advanced digital marketing solutions.

OFDC provides office solutions for clients from Marco Island through Bradenton. The company offers high-quality office furniture, including chairs, desks, conference tables, storage shelves and more, as well as flooring, reconfiguration services and interior design services. OFDC also has an in-house delivery and installation team.

Through Connexions, OFDC customers can purchase office furniture from top brands like Steelcase, Lacasse, Safeco, Office Star, Eurotech, 9to5 and more.

OFDC received the Dealer of the Year award during Connexions’ annual conference and meeting, held in May in Miramar Beach.

OFDC Commercial Interiors is a source for office furniture and design concepts. Founded in 1974, the locally owned company delivers workplace solutions that include desks, conference tables, chairs, cubicles, bookcases, filing cabinets, accessories and flooring. The firm’s list of personalized services includes interior planning and design, including reconfigurations, asset management, leasing, and project and move management. For more information, please visit OFDC-inc.com or call 239-347-4876.

Henderson Franklin announces staff changes

The law firm of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., recently made the following announcements:

• Ivy Rhinehart as joined the firm as chief operating officer, overseeing all aspects of the firm’s business, administration and finance. She is a certified management accountant with over 30 years of experience working in law firms. Prior to joining Henderson Franklin, Rhinehart served as CFO for an AmLaw 200 firm.

Rhinehart received her bachelors of science in finance from Southern Illinois University. She is a member of the Association of Legal Administrators and Florida COO Networking Group.

Rhinehart may be reached at 239-344-1177 or by email at ivy.rhinehart@henlaw.com.

• Katie Kohn has joined Henderson, Franklin as an associate in the Divorce, Marital and Family Law Department. She is based out of the firm’s Naples office.

With over a decade of trial experience, she guides clients through family law issues ranging from divorce, child support, custody and adoption. She is admitted to practice in all Florida and New York state courts. Prior to joining Henderson Franklin, Kohn worked with victims and survivors of domestic violence and low-income residents of Collier County in family law matters.

Kohn received her undergraduate degree from Middlebury College and her law degree from St. John’s University School of Law. She may be reached at katie.kohn@henlaw.com or by phone at 239-344-1319.

• Stockholder David Hamilton Roos has been elected to Henderson Franklin’s Executive Committee. This is his second tenure as such. Roos joined the firm in 2003 and is based out of Henderson Franklin’s Fort Myers office.

Roos is the chair of the firm’s Workers’ Compensation department. He represents insurance carriers, third-party administrators and employers in the defense of workers’ compensation claims.

Roos received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida, and his law degree from Nova Southeastern University, cum laude. He may be reached at 239-344-1219 or via email at david.roos@henlaw.com.

Henderson Franklin is one of the largest, locally-based law firms between Tampa and Miami, with over 55 attorneys dedicated to 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. Since 1924, Henderson Franklin has been assisting clients in building their homes, businesses, and communities in Southwest Florida. Henderson Franklin operates offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples, and Sarasota (by appointment). For more information on Roos or Henderson Franklin, please visit www.henlaw.com.

Pavese Law to hold Day of Caring

With soaring prices on everyday items, the Pavese Law Firm wants to help local families who are finding it hard to make ends meet. The firm is sponsoring a Day of Caring on Aug. 13, at the United Way School Resource Center in Fort Myers, where the team will pack daily hygiene items needed for Lee County students as they return to school.

United Way’s Days of Caring is a year-round program that connects corporate and community groups with nonprofit agencies in need of assistance. Groups who have participated in United Way Volunteer Center projects report they feel more connected to their community and their group members while working to help people in need. Pavese Law’s Day of Caring will also represent an opportunity for the firm’s families and new attorneys to come together and collaborate while getting to know each other.

Pavese Law Firm is a full-service law firm with offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and West Palm Beach. The firm provides a broad range of legal services for individuals, families, small businesses and large corporations. Practice areas include agricultural, banking and finance, business and corporate, civil litigation, condominium and homeowners’ association law, construction, employment, environmental and water, estate planning, probate and trusts, marital and family, land use and government, and real estate law. Established in 1949 as a one-person general practice firm, Pavese Law Firm has grown into one of the largest legal practices in Southwest Florida. With a long history of service to Southwest Florida, Pavese Law Firm has played a significant role in the growth of local businesses, communities and major development projects. For more information, visit paveselaw.com.

Iron Ridge Insurance Services adds Knuteson

Iron Ridge Insurance Services welcomes John Knuteson as its new senior client advisor for personal lines. Knuteson adds experience serving the insurance needs of the Southwest Florida community and expertise in team management and financial analysis to better serve Iron Ridge clients.

Since graduating from the University of Wisconsin – Parkside with a bachelor of science degree in business marketing, Knuteson has worked 17 years in financial services, the last seven in personal lines insurance in the Southwest Florida community. At Iron Ridge, he will provide service to personal lines clients in addition to servicing books, managing profiling, quoting, selling, and binding of all incoming new business opportunities for the agency.

Established in 2011, Iron Ridge Insurance Services is a boutique independent agency headquartered in Fort Myers that provides commercial insurance solutions. The agency helps clients manage risk through professional liability, management liability, data breach liability, general liability, commercial property, workers’ compensation, and commercial auto insurance programs. For more information call 800-775-8526 or visit www.IronRidgeUS.com.

Jennifer’s Collecting dresses for Pace Center for Girls, Lee Love That Dress!

Jennifer’s women’s boutique is supporting Pace Center for Girls, Lee, by collecting new and gently-loved dresses for the popular Love That Dress! fundraising event. Donations will be accepted at the store from Monday, Aug. 8, through Friday, Aug. 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proceeds from Love That Dress! Benefit Pace programs in Lee County. All donors will be entered to win a $100 Jennifer’s gift certificate.

Pace Center for Girls, Lee provides academic programs and counseling services to girls and young women ages 11 to 18. The girls are working to overcome risk factors such as poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence, foster home placement, neglect, grief, incarceration of a family member, mental health, and physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.

Love That Dress! features shopping, music, silent auctions, and cocktails, with all proceeds benefiting Pace programs and services. The shopping event starts at 6 p.m. on Aug. 24 at Embassy Suites by Hilton, 10450 Corkscrew Commons Drive in Estero. To learn more, visit LoveThatDressLeeCounty.com.

Jennifer Williams opened her Fort Myers boutique in November 1983. Jennifer’s is located at 13251 McGregor Blvd., in The Design Center, and is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call 239-481-8582, text 239-223-8512, or visit Jennifer’s online at jennifersfortmyers.com or on Facebook or Instagram.