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CHRYSALIS AWARDS CALL FOR NOMINEES

The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB), the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Inc. and IberiaBank will present the 10th annual Chrysalis Awards, a celebration of business and tourism, from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on May 10 at Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa.

The Chrysalis Awards signify the development of a partnership between the business and tourism communities. The two work together to help the business community add to its awareness of the tourism industry, and help tourism partners to better understand the needs of non-hospitality businesses. To nominate an individual or business for a Chrysalis Award, complete the nomination form by Friday.

LAND VOTED FOR CONSERVATION 20/20 PURCHASE

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted on Tuesday to pursue the purchase of seven parcels of land—totaling 662.5 acres—for the Conservation 20/20 program. Four of the properties are primarily mangroves within state preserves known as the Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve and the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve. The remaining three properties are adjacent to the state's Yucca Pens Unit of the Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area on the east side of Burnt Store Road in northwest Lee County.

The Conservation Land Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee (CLASAC) recommended these acquisitions during its October and November 2018 meetings. The board’s action includes authorizing spending $30,000 in reserves on appraisal and title services. For more information, visit www.conservation2020.org.

FIRST FLORIDA WATER POLICY SUMMIT NEARS

Calusa Waterkeeper will host the inaugural Florida Water Policy Summit from 6-8 p.m. on Jan. 21 at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers. Doors open at 5 p.m. for a Clean Water Fair in the lobby.

Representatives from Captains for Clean Water, the Conservancy of SWFL, Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), Center for Biological Diversity, Everglades Wetlands Research Park and Calusa Waterkeeper will lay out actionable policy aimed directly at newly elected officials and intended to cure the ills besetting Florida waterways.

The event will also celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., weaving a social justice narrative into the evening, “Clean Water is a Basic Human Right.” The format for the evening provides each speaker ten minutes to address their relative issue. Then, organizers will open the floor for approximately one hour of questions from the audience. The cost to attend is a $10 donation. Register for the event by calling or (239) 278-4422 clicking here. Visit the Facebook event for more updates.

VIZIENT, COOPERATIVE SERVICES OF FLORIDA PARTNER

Vizient and Cooperative Services of Florida (CSF) have signed a strategic membership agreement. Vizient will serve as the preferred national group purchasing organization (GPO) and strategic cost management partner for CSF and its member health systems. The agreement also includes an aggregation group development strategy and all analytics modules within the Vizient Savings Actualyzer platform. CSF represents four health systems in Florida, including Lee Health.

“UGLY” PRODUCE HOME DELIVERY SERVICE LAUNCHES

Southwest Florida-based produce distributor Krazykrops launched its services. After an introduction phase starting last October, the company is now able to deliver local produce to end consumers in Southwest Florida. The company is specialized in so-called “ugly produce”—vegetables and fruit which, due to cosmetic issues, don’t make it to the regular retailers. 

The company’s mission is to reduce waste of produce simply because of cosmetic looks, to help sustain local farmers who have no outlet for their produce, and to provide consumers with quality produce at affordable prices. 

Krazykrops is currently accepting subscribers for its weekly, biweekly or periodic produce box service. The distributor is currently offering conventional produce but will be extending its selection with 100 percent organic produce in the near future. Subscriptions can be submitted at www.krazykrops.com.

MILLS JOINS C2 COMMUNICATIONS

C2 Communications has added Patricia Mills a communication coordinator. She will work on a broad spectrum of client projects, social media campaigns and digital communications, community education and outreach and content marketing.

Mills holds a dual bachelor’s degree in international public relations and political science at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she was a two-time Mentoring Award winner, presenter at the second annual Global Research Conference, and intern for the Center for Global Public Relations. Mills holds The Epley Certificate in International Public Relations and specialized in Russian language.

Prior to joining C2 Communications, Mills worked with an NPR member station in Kentucky as development and membership coordinator, and in writing and public relations for various NASCAR-based entities out of the Charlotte, North Carolina area.

HILTON NAPLES PROMOTES DUHANEY

Hilton Naples has promoted Tracy Duhaney to director of catering. Duhaney will lead the Hilton’s conference planning initiatives, which entails servicing the many meetings, conferences, weddings and social events hosted at the Hilton Naples. Duhaney will continue to develop and cultivate the long-term relationships and partnerships within our local community.

Duhaney joined the Hilton Naples team in 2013 as sales, catering and marketing coordinator. She was promoted to senior conference services manager in 2016 and then to her previous position of assistant director of catering in October 2017. Duhaney earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business economics from the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio.

CHARITABLE NOTES

Inaugural Taste of Quail Creek coming Sunday

Quail Creek Country Club (QCCC) will host its inaugural Taste of Quail Creek event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 20. The event will feature hors d’oeuvre stations by Quail Creek Country Club’s ACF Chef of the Year Scott Ross; an array of food trucks, wine, beer and cocktail tastings; a vintage and modern car show; live entertainment by the Edith Diamond Band; golf and tennis prizes; activities for the kids; and a Wellness Booth by QCCC Fitness, Wellness and Spa featuring a Blue Zone representative and chair massages. The price to attend is $100 for adults, $20 for ages 13 to 20, and free for children 12 and under. Only checks made payable to Quail Creek Country Club will be accepted at the registration table the day of the event. A portion of the proceeds generated from the event will benefit Fairways for Freedom, a nonprofit public charity that is dedicated to improving the lives of combat-injured veterans through the game of golf and other holistic therapies. Pre-registration is required to attend. To register, contact Zack Wygant at (239) 254-7403 or zwygant@quailcreekcc.com by 5 p.m. Friday.

STARability Foundation annual fundraiser set for March

The Star Gala, “Dazzling Diamond Soirée," will take place at at 5:30 p.m. on March 9 at The Ritz Carlton Golf Resort, Naples. The event includes cocktails, dinner, dancing, a live auction, silent auction with online bidding, and giving opportunities with all proceeds supporting the STARability Foundation. Laura and Lou Georgelos are the event chairs. Tickets are $350 per person and sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are available. For tickets and more information, visit www.STARability.org/gala or call (239) 594-9007.

First Florida Integrity Bank Charity Golf Tournament raises $110,000

First Florida Integrity Bank raised $110,000 at its 10th annual Charity Golf Tournament, held on Oct. 6 at Hideout Golf Club. The proceeds will be split evenly between Pathways Early Education Center of Immokalee and Blessings in a Backpack of SWFL. Last year’s tournament raised $100,000 for Fun Time Early Childhood Academy and Friends of Foster Children Forever. A ceremonial check presentation for the charities took place at Pathways Early Education Center in Immokalee on Dec. 10, 2018.

Sam Galloway Jr. & Friends Annual Soup Kitchen Benefit tickets now on sale

Tickets are now available for the 16th annual Sam Galloway Jr. & Friends Annual Soup Kitchen Benefit, scheduled for March 7 at Sam Galloway Ford in Fort Myers. The event has featured 600 guests and a donated southern-style dinner held inside the service garages at Sam Galloway Ford. Individual tickets are $200, with table sponsorship opportunities starting at $2,500. Tickets and tables can be purchased by calling (239) 332-7687 ext. 101 or at www.CommunityCooperative.com/events.

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