Business Briefs: Week of Sept. 12
Lee Memorial Health System, Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition, to host free Tai Chi demonstration
Despite a near 5 percent reduction in the number of falls recorded at Lee Memorial Trauma Center in 2010 through 2011, falls continue to be the leading cause of injury and death for people 65 and older in Lee County. Since January 2012, Lee Memorial Trauma Center has treated 440 patients for injuries related to falls, and more than 20 people died from their injuries.
National Falls Prevention Awareness Day is observed on the first day of fall, Sept. 22, to promote and increase public awareness about how to prevent and reduce falls. Because falling continues to be a leading cause of injury and death in Lee and Collier counties, Lee Memorial Health System and other members of the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition are hosting a free Tai Chi demonstration to educate the community on ways to help improve balance and prevent falls.
The public is invited to participate in or observe a free Tai Chi class to be held on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 11 a.m. to noon at Gulf Coast Town Center’s Market Square Pavilion. Attendees are encouraged to wear the color yellow, in recognition of falls prevention. In addition, health care experts with the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition’s Step WiseLee program will provide tips on ways to prevent falls.
Tai Chi has been shown to help improve strength and balance and to reduce falls. The National Council of Aging recently studied the number of falls and functional balance scores of participants of this Tai Chi program and observed significantly fewer falls following the six-month intervention. Study participants showed significant improvements in all measures of functional balance, physical performance, and reduced fear of falling. Intervention gains in these measures were maintained at a 6-month post intervention follow-up in the Tai Chi group.
“Falls are both unintentional and preventable,” said Mark Tesoro, Injury Prevention Educator/Analyst for Trauma Services at Lee Memorial Health System, in a prepared statgement. “Through education, risk assessment and free health care screenings, we continue to raise awareness of preventive measures that can keep seniors safe in Lee County.”
Studies show that a combination of interventions can significantly reduce falls in the older adult population. Experts recommend the following key steps to reduce the risk of falls:
* Begin a regular exercise program
* Make your home safer by clearing walkways and hallways
* Have your vision checked
* Have your health provider review your medications
The “Step WiseLee” initiative began in Sept. 2009 to unite local health care agencies, residents, family and friends to collaborate in preventing falls and fall-related injuries and deaths in Lee County. For a more detailed checklist on how you can help prevent falls and fall-related injuries and deaths, visit www.stepwiselee.com .
Sillevis joins Integrated Therapy Practice
Dr. Rob Sillevis has joined the Integrated Therapy Practice, PC, clinical team in both the Cape Coral and Fort Myers offices.Sillevis has been an integral part of Integrated Therapy for the last 15 years in the Indiana locations. His quest to improve his treatment standards led him to complete his DPT and Ph.D. degrees with a research focus on the effect of manipulation and the autonomic nervous system. He has been a primary researcher in several clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions.
Additionally, he completed his manual therapy fellowship at Regis University (Denver) and was inducted as a fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. He is board certified in orthopaedics and holds certifications in manual therapy, craniofascial and primary care.
Integrated Therapy Practice, PC, has two locations in Florida, Cape Coral and Fort Myers, as well as four offices in Northwest Indiana. The Cape Coral office is at 523 E. Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral. The Fort Myers office is at 20 Barkley Circle, Suite 103, Fort Myers. To make an appointment, call 239-257-1431 (Cape Coral) or 239-275-2090 (Fort Myers).
For more information, visit www.integratedtherapypractice.com.
Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce ‘2012 Fall Job Fair’ Sept. 27
The Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce invites the community to its 2012 Fall Job Fair Thursday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Hodges University Fort Myers Campus, at 4501 Colonial Blvd., FortMyers.
Participating companies include Latino 97.7, Univision, FOX 4, Collier County Public Schools, Mundo FOX, State Farm, Hodges University, Lowe’s, Prudential, ShaBro Alternative Office Solutions, Take Shape for Life, Wells Fargo, Lee Memorial Health System, Fifth Third Bank, LCEC and and more
Anyone interested in changing careers or in need of a job is welcome. This event is free to the public. For information about the Job Fair or to rent a booth, please call the Chamber at 239-418-1441, or send an e-mail to info@hispanicchamberflorida.org.
Fain joins Encore National Bank
Encore National Bank has announced that Richard Fain has been named senior vice president of commercial lending for Lee County.
Fain will work at Encore National’s south Fort Myers office located on Summerlin Lakes Drive.
Fain has nearly two decades of banking expertise, working as a retail and business banker at some of the country’s largest banks.
Fain grew up in Fort Myers, graduating from North Fort Myers High School. He left the area to attend college and play football on scholarship at the University of Florida. In 1991 he was drafted and played three years in the NFL, one year for the Cincinnati Bengals and two years for the Chicago Bears.
In 1994 he returned home to pursue a banking career in Southwest Florida. He spent most of his career working as a business banker at many national banks such as Bank of America, SunTrust and Wachovia/Wells Fargo.
Encore National Bank’s five convenient locations are in South Naples at 3003 Tamiami Trail N., North Naples at 10600 Tamiami Trail N., Fort Myers at 7920 Summerlin Lakes Dr., Sun City Center at 1653 Sun City Center Plaza, and in Port Charlotte at 2120 Kings Highway. For more information call 239.278.5505 in Fort Myers, 239.919.5888 in Naples, 1.813.634.8001 in Sun City Center, 941.258.3055 in Port Charlotte. For more information, visit www.encorenationalbank.com
Berkey selected to Connect Florida’s Statewide Leadership Institute
Pavese Law Firm attorney Kathleen Oppenheimer Berkey, a land use, zoning and local government attorney and certified land planner at Pavese Law Firm in Fort Myers, has been selected to participate in Class III of Connect Florida’s Statewide Leadership Institute.
Berkey is one of 37 young professionals selected to the Statewide Leadership Institute, a year-long educational program of Connect Florida, a non-profit organization created by Leadership Florida to assist young leaders in making a positive impact on Florida.
Connect Florida is the first statewide young professional organization in the nation, specifically working to connect and engage Florida’s leaders in the 21 to 39 age range. The Statewide Leadership Institute curriculum offers an intensive orientation to the issues facing our state and is designed to enhance the participants’ leadership skills, provide practical experience in community service, and facilitate opportunities to interact with statewide leaders.
Berkey joined the Pavese Law Firm in 2011 and her practice focuses primarily on resolving land use and zoning, real estate and environmental issues related to the development of land.
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, bankruptcy, business and taxation, civil litigation, community association, employment, environmental and water, estate planning, probate and trust, family, land use and government, and real estate law.
Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz named Lee County Heart Walk signature sponsor
In recognition of the firm’s 50 years of service to the Southwest Florida community, the law offices of Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A., have been named the signature sponsor for the American Heart Association’s 2012 Lee County Heart Walk on Dec. 8 at Centennial Park in Fort Myers.
An AHA study has found that if an individual reaches age 50 and is in good heart health, it is an indication that they are more likely to continue to be heart healthy for the remainder of their life.
The Heart Walk is a national walking event that promotes safe exercise and wellness through community and corporate participation. Thousands of people will walk at more than 2,000 locations across the U.S. to fight heart disease and stroke, our nation’s No. 1 and 3 killers.
Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A., remain actively involved with numerous local charities and causes, including PACE Center for Girls, Blankets for the Homeless, AMI Kids, Toys for Tots, American Legion, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Habitat for Humanity.
A full complement of legal services are available to clients in its Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte offices. Areas of practice include personal injury and accidents, wrongful death, wills and estates, real estate, insurance, guardianships and commercial and construction law. For more information, visit www.JusticeStartsNow.com, call **LAW (529) on a mobile phone, or 239-334-1146.
Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber’s Annual Tapa Hop Sept. 18
Tickets are selling fast for the Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber Annual Tapa Hop which will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 18.
Tapa Hoppers will be transported to participating locations by trolley for an evening of fun and tapas at five participating member locations. Locations will provide a variety of tapas and a cash bar.
Participants will be treated to a variety of items and be asked to vote for their favorite.
Check-in begins at 5 p.m., at Parrot Key Caribbean Grill. The first Beach Trolley will depart at 5:30 p.m. All trolleys will return to the Big Game Waterfront Grill by 9 p.m. for dessert, the final prize drawings and poker run awards. With the nominal additional purchase of $1 per Poker Score Card (no limit – while they last) the player will draw a playing card at each of the six locations. The winner will be determined at the final restaurant location.
Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door and can be purchased at the Greater Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce on online at www.FortMyersBeachChamber.org
The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce represents more than 400 local businesses: working to promote a positive business climate in the Fort Myers
Beach area by providing networking opportunities, community events and tourist information. For more information about the Chamber please call (239) 454-7500 or visit www.fortmyersbeachchamber.org
FGCU SBDC to host seventh annual Business and Breakfast event
The Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University will host the seventh annual Business and Breakfast event, sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, Saturday, Sept. 29, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Southwest Florida Enterprise Center, 3903 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in Fort Myers.
The business and breakfast event includes one-on-one sessions with prime contractors and government officials, along with the opportunity for subcontract work. In addition, there will be a meet-and greet-opportunity with federal, state and local agencies and the ability to see what resources are available to small businesses in the local area.
There is no cost for the event, and a continental breakfast provided by Costco Wholesale is included.
To register or for more information, visit sbdcseminars.org or call (239) 745-3700.
Crackologist completes 1,800th job
Skip McTighe, local master crackologist, announced last week that his company, Concrete Maintenance Systems Inc., recently completed its 1,800th crack repair job.
Since 2002, the company has specialized in repairing cracks in pool decks/lanai, driveways and docks using it’s proven FlexSeal Crack Repair System.
For more details call 941-639-4520 or email
skip@endcracks.com. Web site www.endcracks.com 941-639-4520 skip@endcracks.com
FamilyHelpandCare.com announces expansion
FamilyHelpandCare.com (www.familyhelpandcare.com), an online recruiting venue for families and qualified care providers looking to connect, has announced plans to expand its service to include the entire state of Florida.
Currently serving Southwest Florida, FamilyHelpandCare.com provides an easy to use, online service to families searching for qualified care providers that meet their specific childcare needs.
FamilyHelpandCare.com offers services that help individuals and families manage their personal childcare needs such as finding newborn care, full and part time childcare, after school care and the occasional babysitter. With this expansion, Florida families are now able to search for childcare and find qualified nannies, childcare providers and babysitters within their own area, officials said.