9 minute read
Business
Report your news to FORTMYERSBEACHTALK.COM
STAFF REPORT
Better Together is hosting a virtual hiring event on Thursday, Dec. 15 that will offer thousands of job opportunities for job seekers across the nation who face barriers to employment. Better Together’s hiring events help job seekers overcome barriers to employment, such as incarceration, homelessness and lack of transportation or child care, by opening the door to background-friendly employers. Participating employers for the Dec. 15 event, including UPS and Koch Industries, offer thousands of job openings nationwide and will be hiring for positions in various locations throughout the country. The event provides an opportunity to meet with hiring managers and schedule interviews. The hiring event not only connects job seekers with employment opportunities, but also provides resources to facilitate stronger connections and more hires. The virtual session will include a free webinar with job coaches who provide interview tips to help job seekers prepare for interviews and a pre-interview Q&A with employers. Job seekers who participate in the webinar will also be offered priority consideration among participating employers for available jobs. The hiring event is part of Better Together’s “Better Jobs” program, which has helped 34,000 applicants connect with employment opportunities across 21 states. At job fairs hosted by Better Together, two-thirds of attendees get a job interview, and nearly half receive a job offer on the spot. “Employers are stepping up to create opportunities and restore hope for those in need of employment, ” said Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together. “This is not your typical hiring event. Job seekers can come as they are. We know the challenges that many face when they are seeking employment and we are ready with solutions. ” The Dec. 15 hiring event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST via Zoom. Job seekers can register and learn more about available job opportunities at BetterTogetherUS.org/Events/Virtual-JF.
About BetterTogether Better Together is a nonprofit organization that helps parents going through a hard time keep their kids out of foster care, find work and address the root causes of their struggle so that they can reunite as a family with the tools and support system to thrive. A privately funded and professionally supported organization, Better Together is made up of volunteers who believe helping people help themselves is the best way to restore dignity and bring families together. Through the Better Families program, families are offered a preventive alternative to foster care while they get the help they need. To date, the program has kept 98% of children served out of foster care. In addition to community job fairs, the program offers job seekers coaching, guidance, support and encouragement through local church partners. For more information, visit BetterTogetherUS.org.
Summerlin Café returns at full blast
By NATHAN MAYBERG
nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com The Summerlin Cafe has earned a reputation around Fort Myers Beach for its large menu, fresh ingredients and wide variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Its return to dining this week will undoubtedly be welcomed enthusiastically by locals, snowbird and the visiting contractors around town seeking a good meal. Known as much for their breakfast specials as their Greek and Italian dinner flair, the owners are happy to be back after taking a hit from Hurricane Ian. Nick Drivas, who co-owns the cafe, said he was happy to be open again, particularly for about 50 employees. “We got about 26 inches of flooding, ” Drivas said. Drivas said he lost his car to the fury of Hurricane Ian, He walked to the cafe afterwards and said he was “happy the building was here. We built it back stronger. ” Drivas said he replaced the flooring, furniture and equipment inside the eatery. “It was very difficult to rebuild, ” he said. Drivas said the owners were lucky to have friends in the trade. “We were really trying to open before Christmas, ” Drivas said. The hours for the Summerline Cafe are 6:30 a.m. to 8
p.m. “Full hours, full menu, ” Drivas said. That means breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is always available, he said. Among the most popular items that Drivas likes to feature on the menu are the chicken souvlaki platter, bourbon porkchops, crabcakes, baked haddock, spinach pie platter, chicken veal, chicken parmesan, skillets, chicken alfredo and more than 40 sandwiches. Drivas has been through hurricanes before on Fort Myers Beach and got his business through the covid pandemic. “I consider us lucky, ” he said. “I know the Fort Myers Beach community is very strong. ”
Business Briefs
SRMA celebrates manufacturers and the season of giving
The Southwest
Regional Manufacturers Association invites all current members and any manufacturers interested in joining, to get in the holiday spirit during the SRMA Networking Event and Holiday Celebration. Sponsored by First Citizens Bank, guests can enjoy a great evening of networking, local brews and food Thursday, Dec. 15, from 5:30-8 p.m., at Fort Myers Brewing Co., 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, in Fort Myers. Attendance is free with registration required and the donation of an unwrapped toy (approximately $25 in value) to be donated to Toys for Tots. “What better time of year to come together, ” said Rob Harris, Executive Director of SRMA. “Community is key for the SRMA and for the region, and we are proud to come together in celebration of our valued members while supporting children in need this holiday season. ” The SRMA works to raise awareness and appreciation for the 20,000 companies and 355,000 Floridians who work in this industry. SRMA offers local as well as a national network of resources that have been crucial to Hurricane Ian recovery efforts for many SWFL manufacturing companies. While membership dues are inexpensive, SRMA understands that manufacturers have more pressing issues to tend to in the aftermath of the storm, so the organization is opening free access for six months to manufacturers who sign up before Dec. 31. SRMA also hosts monthly events and educational opportunities for members and (non-member) manufacturing professionals. For more information about the SRMA, please visit www.SRMA.net, or email exec@srma.net.
MNMW team members play Santa for foster children
This Christmas, 49 foster children will receive holiday gifts through Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co., P.A.. Every year MNMW team members sign up to participate in a gift donation program for the Foster Care Advisory Services. This year was even more important since the impacts from Hurricane Ian added stress and unforeseen costs to many families in Southwest Florida. “Our team members look forward to supporting the Foster Care Advisory program every year and quickly sign up for Santa duty, ” said Jessica Walker, MA, APR, CPRC, Marketing and Public Relations Manager/Consultant at MNMW. “Our community is still reeling from the impact of Hurricane Ian, so we hope this small gesture helps brighten the holidays for the children and the families that foster them. ” Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A. is a public accounting and consulting firm with offices in both Fort Myers and Naples. Along with traditional tax and accounting services, the firm offers a wide range of other services, including general business consulting in construction and medical/dental practices. Our expertise also includes not-for-profit accounting, elder services, family mediation, forensic accounting, litigation support, and technology. For more information, call 239-433-5554 or visit www.Markham-Norton.com. Foster Care Advisory Services was founded in 1984 and is dedicated to improving the lives of abused and neglected children. This 100% volunteer organization provides additional support for foster care providers. Over the years, Foster Care Advisory Services has provided scholarships for summer camps, purchased clothing, books, and other school necessities, played Santa at Christmas, and even hosted a yearly banquet for the foster care providers. To learn more, please visit https://www.fostercareadvisory.org/ programs/.
Beach Living
Report your news to FORTMYERSBEACHTALK.COM
Turtle Time recaps its season
By NATHAN MAYBERG
nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com County Turtle Time founder Eve Haverfield among those whose lives were re-arranged by Hurricane Ian. “Our life has certainly been upended but we are adjusting to our new normal. We lost our house, cars, etc., but we are lucky in that we are alive and we have a home left to us by my brother-in-law, ” Haverfield said in an email. Despite the devastating personal setbacks, Haverfield took a few moments recently to give a recap of the turtlenesting season, which was nearing its end when Hurricane Ian struck Sept. 28. “Turtle season was productive, particularly on Bonita Beach, where nests were not so severely affected by the heavy rainfall in June. Multiple nests on Fort Myers Beach unfortunately were negatively impacted by the rain-saturated sand, ” Haverfield stated. “The total number of nests on Fort Myers Beach was 109 with a 60% hatch success rate, while on Bonita Beach we had a whopping 283 nests, an all-time high with 88% hatch success. All in all, we documented a record 411 nests on the four beaches that Turtle Time monitors. Fortunately, at least for sea turtle nests, Hurricane Ian occurred late in the season so very few nests were washed away, ” Haverfield said. The 109 nests on Fort Myers Beach this year was a decline from 130 the previous year. Fort Myers Beach recorded a record number of nests in 2020 with 132 nests. Sea turtle nests on Fort Myers Beach were badly affected by heavy rainstorms in June, which washed away a number of nests. “Next turtle season will be challenging for sea turtles and for those of us trying to help them to survive. Fort Myers Beach has a wonderful opportunity to start anew… that it will take into consideration the beach’s unique and fragile ecosystem as the community recovers, ” Haverfield stated in an email. “Making sound and effective environmental decisions now will have long-term implications. ”
FILE PHOTO
Inspired: Fort Myers Beach Winter Juried Show in Bonita Springs opens
STAFF REPORT
The Fort Myers Beach Art Association’s Winter Show opens Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs. The show, fresh off the association’s exhibit at the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers, will be held through Jan. 30 at 9751 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. Since the art association’s building was destroyed by Hurricane Ian, the Fort Myers Beach Art Association has found exhibit and meeting space with several
"Peaceful Solo Sunset" is among the works by members of the Fort Myers Beach Art Association appearing at The Winter Show at the FIrst Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs through Jan. 30.
area churches. Fort Myers Congregational Church has provided meeting and painting space. Another art show will be hosted Jan. 13-15 at St. John the Evangelist Church in Naples. The Bonita Springs show, open to art association members, will run until Monday, Jan. 30, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m... Call the church office at (239) 992-3233. This show, “Finding Inspiration, ” will also help the arts group raise money for rebuilding the Fort Myers Beach Art Association Gallery at Donora Boulevard and Shell Mound Boulevard.
Lee County homeless vigil to be held Dec. 21
STAFF REPORT
The Lee County Homeless Coalition will hold its 26th annual candlelight vigil for the homeless Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the Lee County Courthouse in Fort Myers from 6 to 7 p.m. The courthouse is at 2120 Main Street in Fort Myers.
