FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 1, 2010) – Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold Marketing and Public Relations and m.creative have joined forces to provide clients with a more comprehensive range of services. m.creative principal Melinda Isley, APR, has become a partner in Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold, joining principals Amy Gravina, APR, Laurel Smith, APR, Tina Matte and Sharon Arnold.

Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold has specialized in developing long-term, results-oriented marketing and public relations programs for Southwest Florida’s leading businesses and organizations since 1983 and has been recognized for expertise in community outreach, issues management and strategic marketing programs. m.creative has provided a full range of public relations services including media relations, graphic design, advertising and social media programs since 2000.

“We’ve long admired Melinda’s creativity, professionalism and the results she has generated for her clients,” said Gravina. “The merger benefits our combined client roster and allowed both firms to expand services.”

“From the day I moved back to my hometown, this was the firm and these were the professionals I tried to model myself after,” said Isley. “Our principles, ethics and goals are well aligned and I could not be happier to be their partner.”

Gravina, Smith and Isley hold bachelor’s degrees from University of Florida’s College of Journalism and are accredited by the Florida Public Relations Association, which named them Public Relations Professionals of the Year in 1987, 1988 and 2004 respectively.

Isley also studied graphic design at the Southeast Center for Photo/Graphic Studies in Daytona Beach. She served as creative director and public relations manager for Southwest Florida companies before launching m.creative in 2000. Some of her clients include Barbara B. Mall Performing Arts Hall, Community Cooperative Ministries Inc., Harbour House at the Inn, accounting firm Myers, Brettholtz & Company, PA, attorneys Osterhout, McKinney & Prather, and The Veranda restaurant. Isley serves on the board of directors for the local American Cancer Society, chaired the 2008 Cattle Barons Ball and was selected as one of Gulfshore Business Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2007.

Gravina has been active in the marketing and public relations field in Southwest Florida for more than three decades. She serves on the boards of directors of the FPRA Counselors Network, Hope Hospice and Florida Gulf Bank and, in 2008, was inducted into the Junior Achievement Lee County Business Leadership Hall of Fame.

Smith, who joined Gravina in 1984, is an alumna of Leadership Lee County and serves on the board of United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades.

Matte, who holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and journalism from the University of South Florida, joined Gravina, Smith & Matte in 1999 and was named partner in 2001. She is a 1999 graduate of Leadership Lee County and Leadership Florida, Class XXVII, and a member of the Florida Public Relations Association. Matte serves on the board of directors for Floridians for Better Transportation and The Salvation Army. Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush, she served two terms on the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission.

A graduate of the University of West Florida, Arnold joined Gravina, Smith and Matte in 2001 and was named partner in 2005. She serves on the board of directors of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, Water Enhancement & Restoration Coalition and Southwest Florida Watershed Council, and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and the Florida Public Relations Association.

A sampling of Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold’s client list includes BB&T-Oswald Trippe and Company, Bell Tower Shops, Bonita Bay Group, Bonita Springs Utilities, Celebration of Reading, Hope HealthCare Services, McCaw Wealth Management Group, Naples Winter Wine Festival, Southwest Florida Transportation Initiative (SWFTI) and The Immokalee Foundation. The firm is headquartered in Fort Myers at 1520 Royal Palm Square Blvd. For more information, call 239-275-5758.

Beginning at 11 a.m., the amusement venue located in North Fort Myers will hold a non-denominational service that is open to the public followed by an Easter buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Dolphin Room located next door to the Shell Factory’s on-site seafood and steakhouse, Capt’n Fishbones. The newly renovated Nature Park will offer a complimentary child’s admission all day with each paid adult and there will be special fun Easter activities for the children. The Buffet will include roast turkey, roast pork and baked ham as well as dressing, mashed potatoes and candied yams, tossed salad, vegetables, coffee or tea and a dessert selection for $16.95. A children’s menu will also be available.

“This will be great day for visitors and families,” said Tom Cronin, Sr., owner of the Shell Factory. “What better day than Easter to celebrate with loved ones and it is the perfect time of year in Southwest Florida. We’re really excited for our guests to see the renovations we’ve recently completed in the Nature Park including our new Finch aviary, Macaw habitat and expanded Lemur display.”

For over 70 years, the Shell Factory has delighted residents and visitors alike with over 5 million shells and over 18 acres of shopping, displays and entertainment. Located off of U.S. 41 in North Fort Myers, The Shell Factory is open year round and admission is free. For more information, call 239.995.2141 x117 or www.shellfactory.com

DadsDivorce.com provides essential information and resources about divorce, alimony, child support and child custody to men and fathers at any stage of divorce.

Holt’s columns on finances and divorce will run monthly on DadsDivorce.com.

“Dadsdivorce.com is a great resource for men going through a divorce or separation,” said Holt. “The site offers useful information, guidance and insight into the divorce process and I’m happy to be able to use my years of family mediation and financial analysis each month.”

Holt’s first two columns which can be viewed at dadsdivorce.com include “Lifestyle Analysis – Alimony and Child Support” and “Early Intervention with a Financial Expert”.

It was Holt’s involvement with standbyhousing.com that led her to team up with dadsdivorce.com. In 2008, Holt founded www.standbyhousing.com, a Web site offering short-term housing options due to separation, divorce and domestic issues, in addition to those seeking relocation or corporate housing for employees. The site puts owners of available rentals together with renters nationwide.

The United States has the highest divorce rate of any country with just under 1.5 million divorces or dissolutions of marriage per year. Over 2,500 of those divorces occur in Lee County. These are statistics that Holt, a forensic accountant and family law specialist, faces each day with her clients. Holt has seen what divorce, separation and domestic disputes have done to families and how a sudden need to vacate a marital residence affects all parties involved. She saw a need to offer these families an alternative and better solution and her experience led her to the creation of standbyhousing.com.

“There are Web sites that offer corporate housing and vacation rentals, but families in transition have nowhere to turn for a website focused on meeting their unique needs,” said Holt.  “In a divorce, money is the biggest fear, both the lack of it or having to give it up. Standbyhousing.com can assist with alleviating financial concerns and give families time to reach resolution before making long-term financial commitments on new housing.”

DadsDivorce.com was founded by Joseph E. Cordell for the purpose of informing fathers about their rights during divorce litigation, while providing them with concrete, practical resources to achieve the best results in the courtroom. Over the years, DadsDivorce has grown into a popular meeting place for fathers facing divorce and subsequent litigation. Every month, tens of thousands of visitors browse our site to research our expanding content and to get advice from those who have fought for their rights, as well as those in the midst of their cases.

For more information call 239-896-8495 or visit www.standbyhousing.com.

###

March 19, 2010 (FORT MYERS, FL) – At the recent Sam Galloway Jr. & Friends 7^th Annual Soup Kitchen Benefit, Community Cooperative Ministries, Inc. (CCMI) launched their Do Something Twenty Ten campaign.

“With so many options available to help our neighbors and community in need, doing nothing is not an option,” said Sarah Owen, CEO of CCMI. “Do Something is our campaign to encourage everyone, young and old to take ownership in helping our community. Doing anything is better than doing nothing.”

CCMI is the umbrella agency for the Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, Senior Transportation, the Montessori Preschool of Dunbar and Social and Homeless Services.

During the Galloway event, volunteers wore “Do Something” t-shirts and aprons with the campaign logo displayed. Banners hanging throughout the dealership showed photographs and quotes from individuals and companies who have already done something in the community. A video was shown to attendees illustrating a variety of ways people are already helping and encouraging others to do so. The banners and video featured Wayne and Mavis Miller, the Junior League, Architecture, Inc., Carter Outdoor, Norman Love Confections, ABC7 anchor Len Jennings, Harry and Sandy Silverglide, FGCU’s Women’s Golf team, Saks Fifth Avenue, The News-Press, numerous volunteers and more.

At the conclusion of the event, stickers with “I did something for CCMI” were handed out to all who committed to “do something” over the next year.

“To think today in our community people are going to bed hungry; it’s unacceptable,” said Norman Love, owner of Norman Love Confections and a CCMI contributor. “When Mary and I opened our business in 2001, we made a commitment to give back to our community and we want to give so much back each and every day. Feeding the hungry in Lee County is one of our goals.”

“When the Junior League found out there were kids going hungry on the weekends last year, we were shocked and made a commitment to become involved,” said Julie Adams, Junior League member. “We’re very happy to be a part of something that is making a little bit of difference in our community.”

Junior League members stuff backpacks with nutritious snacks and food each Thursday at Heights Elementary in order for the packs to be send home with some xxx children each Friday during the school year.

Owen points out the campaign is not just aimed at securing monetary donations.

“Yes, money definitely helps a lot, but not everyone can afford to give money right now,” she said. “People have found creative ways to help from companies donating billboard space, architects giving us pro bono services to help transform our Soup Kitchen into an Everyday Café and Marketplace and even professionals mentoring our Montessori preschoolers.

The Soup Kitchen serves a noontime meal six days a week to men, women, and children. In addition, CCMI prepares and delivers nutritious packaged meals and beverages for the homebound hungry, offers a food pantry and mobile food pantries that provide emergency groceries to families in need, serves two nutritious meals a day for the children in their Montessori Preschool and oversees a backpack program for local schoolchildren who would otherwise receive little to no food on weekends. CCMI is a United Way agency.  CCMI serves Fort Myers and the greater Lee County area, including Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres.

According to Owen, a growing number of those in need are the “new hungry” –  individuals and families who have never had to ask for help before. They are former business owners, schoolteachers, volunteers and former donors to the organizations that they are now going to for help.

“The number of Lee County school children who are on free or reduced lunch is over 68%, a frightening indicator of the number of families who are struggling,” she said.

CCMI is refocusing their hunger-fighting efforts towards implementing a sustainable customer choice-centered model for long-term hunger elimination. This reexamination of the traditional soup kitchen setting is aimed at changing both the mind set of those who serve and those being served, as well as the physical spaces and delivery model created for the distribution of food. This concept has been adapted in other parts of the country including Colorado and Ohio with overwhelming success.

“Currently food is not easily available to working poor women, children and others who, research shows, are a larger portion of the hungry than the chronic or urban homeless,” Owen said. “There is a whole middle class portion of our community who are now food insecure but we are either not seeing them because of the stigma attached to the traditional soup kitchen or our services are not available where they can easily access them.”

CCMI’s Everyday Café concept will make food more easily available to everyone in the community who is hungry. The market model will also decrease the stigma associated with standing in line for a hot meal or groceries and reduce significant waste in the pre-selected grocery bag model.

Owen added the goal for the café is that whether someone is a CCMI client or a community resident, business owner or volunteer, everyday people will feel welcome to enjoy a healthy, delicious meal.

“We can and did make a difference,” said Sam Galloway, Jr.  “When hunger affects our community it impacts every one of us in some way and if every one of us do a small part to impact change, change will happen.”

Additional information about the Do Something campaign, including video highlights, can be accessed by visiting http://www.ccmileecounty.com/dosomething.

“Our team will be videotaping those all over Southwest Florida over the next year and posting the videos on our site,” said Owen. “We believe with an innovative spirit, we can re-imagine the food distribution system in our community and wipe out hunger by 2015. Anyone and everyone in Southwest Florida can be part of the catalyst of change to wipe out hunger. CCMI can not do this alone—it will take a community-wide effort to accomplish this important task.”

According to company officials, the majority of the southern-style barbecue chain’s growth is attributed to customers applying to open their own Rib City franchise in their home state.

“Normally a chain like Rib City would have more of a regional expansion into surrounding areas and states that should take 10 to15 years,” said company President Craig Peden. “But instead we have hopped, skipped and jumped from Washington to Maryland in six short years.”

Rib City, a family-owned regional barbecue chain has developed a coast to coast following of their brand and plans to open their first franchise in the State of Maryland, according to Peden. He attributes Rib City’s value, superior quality of menu offerings and consistent friendly service to the customer loyalty and success they have built.

“I think it’s helped that we are not new to the restaurant business,” he added. “Through my family’s 35 years of experience in both casual and fine dining, we’ve developed a good eye for what appeals to the public. With Rib City we packaged that into a solid business model others can operate.”

Industry sales for 2009 were projected to be up 1% from 2008 according to the National Restaurant Associations’ 2009 Restaurant Industry Forecast. This gain is similar to the 2008 gain of 1.1% but well below the average annual increase of 4.8% gained between 2002 and 2007. Due to the recession and a lack in consumer confidence, 2009 was a challenging year for the full service restaurant industry as a whole.

“It’s very exciting that what started as a small barbecue restaurant in Fort Myers is now a brand that is coast to coast,” said Peden. “Our franchise has universal appeal by offering a quality product at a price point that is still affordable in today’s market. Plus the fact that each new franchise expansion brings jobs to markets we enter is a win-win.”

Peden added that another reason for Rib City’s rapid nationwide growth could be due to the franchise model requiring less capital than others.

“We have a good model with a good quality product that some would say is recession proof,” he said. “We are continuing to be approached about future franchise locations every day because of Rib City’s success in other parts of the country.”

Founded in Fort Myers in 1989, there are currently 12 corporate restaurants in Florida and 13 franchise restaurants across the country including Washington, Utah, Colorado, Missouri, Tennessee, Michigan and Ohio. The family began offering nationwide franchise opportunities in 2004.

The company’s Maryland franchise is scheduled to open in July 2010 at 5227 Presidents Court, Frederick, Maryland. Frederick has a population of 59,213 and is located less than one hour from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and nearby Gettysburg.

Rib City offers a menu of barbecued meats, specialized sauces and complementary side dishes such as made from scratch baked beans and Cole slaw. Rib City achieves authentic backyard barbecue flavor by slowly cooking baby back ribs and chicken over selected hardwoods – including Red Oak – carefully balancing heat and cooking time to seal in the distinctive Rib City Bar-B-Q taste. Meats can be topped with one of four secret recipe sauces: brown sugar based sweet sauce, vinegar based tangy sauce, Carolina mustard sauce or hot sauce. Additional menu items include fried okra, three cheese fries, fried shrimp, coconut cream and southern pecan pie and more.

Peden said the company has plans to open additional franchise locations and corporate owned locations in 2010.

Rib City’s complete menu is available online at www.ribcity.com.

For franchise information, contact Jack Burges, Director of Franchise Sales at jburges@ribcity.com.

“Our motto is that we are the exception to the rule,” said Steve Brettholtz, shareholder and President of the firm. “We pride ourselves on not being typical accountants and we believe our fresh new look supports that claim.”

The new brand and identity package is designed to reflect today’s Myers Brettholtz & Company, PA,  a client focused firm built on a continuing history of providing the highest level of personal service.

“Our new brand reflects who we are,” said Lori Wilson, shareholder in the firm. “We take a more personal approach to a typically impersonal profession. On our team you won’t see a bunch of stuffy number crunchers who speak a language hardly understood.”

According to Wilson, the company wanted to give their brand a contemporary look that is more relevant for business today and a bit less formal. The new Myers Brettholtz logo is now a lowercase treatment of the “mb”– done in a vibrant bluish green – alongside the full company name in a warm grey shade. The new look is a departure from the firm’s previous brand that was burgundy and black.

In addition to the new logo, Myers Brettholtz’s corporate identity now includes a new letterhead package, corporate brochure, employee name badges, promotional items and new signage in front of the company’s Fort Myers headquarters. The firm’s website,www.mbcopa.com, is undergoing a redesign that should be launched soon.

Myers, Brettholtz & Company, PA serves clients across the nation by performing accounting and auditing, tax preparation, bookkeeping and consulting. The firm has 25 staff members and provides accounting and bookkeeping services for timeshares, nonprofit organizations, condominium and homeowner associations and medical practices as well as individuals and businesses.

Myers, Brettholtz & Company, PA is the outgrowth of a regional CPA firm first established in Miami in 1953 and the Fort Myers, Florida branch was opened in 1979.

Steven M. Brettholtz, CPA, shareholder and President of the firm is a member of the American Resort Development Association and serves on ARDA’s Federal Issues and Resort Management Committees. He is also a past National Trustee for Community Associations Institute.  He has authored numerous articles regarding community association operations as well as being a contributing author to the “Guide to Homeowners’ Associations and Other Common Interest Realty Associations” published by Practitioners Publishing Company.  In addition to being a frequent lecturer for both local and national organizations, he is also recognized as an accredited provider of continuing education courses for the State of Florida Licensed Community Association Managers.  Steve is a member of both the Florida, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New York and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and an associate member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

“Celebrating 30 years of business is very exciting and meaningful for us,” said Brettholtz. “It shows our commitment and our staying power.”

For more information, please visit www.mbcopa.com or call 239.939.5775.

Mack said : “Now, more than ever, we need principled, conservative, common-sense leadership at every level of government, and that’s why we need Lizbeth Benacquisto in the Florida Senate. “Lizbeth is a thoughtful leader who will stand up for the people of her district and continue to fight for the principles that make our state and nation strong: less taxing, less spending, less government and more freedom.

“I’m proud to support Lizbeth and I know she will make an excellent senator.”

Benacquisto, who continues an energetic, grassroots, issues-based campaign throughout District 27 said,“I am thrilled to have the support of Congressman Mack.  He, like his father, is a true believer in smaller government, lower taxes, and more personal freedom.  That’s the philosophy we need in government now and that’s how we will get the economy going again.”

Florida Wiener Dog Derby Inc. is a State of Florida registered non-profit organization. Proceeds from the Florida Wiener Dog Derby will be donated to the Pets are Working Saints Ministry ( P.A.W.S.) and the Lee County Animal Refuge Center (A.R.C.) for the care and support of animals in need. Race sponsors include Doug Dailey Investigations and Wyndham Hotels.

Over 100 entrants have already been registered. Dachshunds of all sizes, shapes, and ages will be in attendance to compete in four separate race divisions in order to determine the fastest Wiener Dog. Race divisions will consist of a Puppy division for those wiener dogs from four months to 18 months, an Adult division for wiener dogs aged 18 months to 7 years and an Old School division for wiener dogs from 7 years of age up. A Masters division will also include all wiener dogs of qualifying race age that wish to compete and claim the title “Florida Wiener Dog Derby Masters Champion”.

Winners in each division will receive a plaque recognizing their accomplishment, plus free entry into the Masters division race for the 2011 Florida Wiener Dog Derby. The overall or Masters Champion will receive a cash prize, plaque, free entry into the Masters division race for the 2011 Florida Wiener Dog Derby and the presentation of the coveted “Wien Jacket” signifying them as the Champion of the Florida Wiener Dog Derby in an awards ceremony immediately following racing action.

Racing is open to all Dachshunds (wiener dogs) four months of age and older as long as they are current with shots and shot records indicate they are of a dachshund breed. A copy of current shot records will be required prior to entry or the dog will not be eligible. All wiener dogs must be leashed when not racing.

An entry fee of $10 will be charged per entrant per race. Dogs may race in two divisions – the dogs age division plus the Masters division. Dogs that are pre-registered by March 10, 2010 can enter two divisions for just $15. Owners who have four or more wiener dogs within their immediate family will receive one free entry fee for every three entered.

“Even for those who don’t have a race entrant, this will be a fun day filled with laugh and a great time while watching some pretty amazing racing,” said Donna Ellis, marketing manager for The Shell Factory, “This is a family event that can be enjoyed by anyone of any age, and the best part of all, it’s free.”

Day of registration begins at noon with races starting at 1:30 p.m. All dog breeds are invited to attend with owners but must be leashed at all times. No coolers will be allowed but food and drinks are available at The Shell Factory. Bleacher seating will be available but attendees can also bring blankets and lawn chairs.

For over 70 years, the Shell Factory has delighted residents and visitors alike with over 5 million shells and over 18 acres of shopping, displays and entertainment.  Located off of U.S. 41 in North Fort Myers, The Shell Factory is open year round and admission is free.

For more information, visit http://floridawienerdogderby.com or to register call Florida Wiener Dog Derby Inc. at (239) 839-7760 or e-mail Floridawienerdogderby@yahoo.com

Interested vendors can contact Ellis at 462-4467 or e-mail or donna@shellfactory.com.

###

March 15, 2010

Community Cooperative Ministries, Inc. (CCMI) from April 12 thru May 14, 2010.

CCMI is the umbrella agency for the Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, Senior Transportation, the Montessori Preschool of Dunbar and Social and Homeless Services.

“We are honored to have the JROTC cadets stepping up to help our community once again in this way and at such an essential time,” said Sarah Owen, CEO of CCMI. “Hunger doesn’t differentiate. It affects the young, old, strong and weak and we are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of people who need our help.”

Last year, the JROTC collected over 10,000 pounds for the Soup Kitchen during the drive.

According to Lee County JROTC Director of Army Instruction, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Madigan, the goal of this year’s drive is to once again collect as many items as possible during the month long time period.

“Helping one’s community is at the core of the JROTC’s Mission,” said Madigan. “We are training our cadets to be better citizens and this is a shining example of how they have chosen to help their community and neighbors.”

JROTC is a cadet run and instructor supervised educational program within the Lee County School District’s system. Their mission is to motivate young people to be better citizens, which they achieve through classroom and hands-on experiences.

A kick-off event to promote the donation effort and to generate community interest is planned for April 12 at 2:30 PM at South Ft Myers High School. Cadet Colonel Phillip Sierosinski of Ida S. Baker High School and Cadet Colonel Senada Bajraktarevic of South Ft Myers High School will be on hand to discuss the details of the campaign and to motivate their peers to complete a successful drive.

Only non-perishable food items will be collected and stored at various school locations until they are delivered to CCMI’s Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry.

JROTC in Lee County is organized by school with each having a cadet Battalion lead by one cadet who gets support from his/her cadet staff and subordinate commanders.

The JROTC program produces successful students and productive adults, while fostering in each school a more constructive and disciplined learning environment. It is the centerpiece of the Department of Defense’s commitment to America’s Promise for youth through its emphasis on community service and teen anti-drug efforts. Satisfactory completion of the program can lead to advanced placement credit in the Senior ROTC program or advanced rank in the Armed Forces.

Junior ROTC in Lee County began nearly 30 years ago with the establishment of the first Army JROTC Program at Cypress Lake High School.  Today, just over 2800 cadets participate in Army JROTC activities in all 13 public high schools. Army JROTC activities include a detailed academic curriculum, community service learning projects, camping trips, college orientation visits, local and state level competitions, and the annual social event, the Military Ball.

Last year Lee County Army JROTC Cadets contributed nearly 36,000 hours towards community service.

The Soup Kitchen serves a noontime meal six days a week to men, women, and children. In addition, CCMI prepares and delivers nutritious packaged meals and beverages for the homebound hungry, offers a food pantry and mobile food pantries that provide emergency groceries to families in need, serves two nutritious meals a day for the children in their Montessori Preschool and oversees a backpack program for local schoolchildren who would otherwise receive little to no food on weekends. CCMI is a United Way agency.  CCMI serves Fort Myers and the greater Lee County area, including Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres.

For more information, please contact Bill Zacovic at 239-337-8204

###

The Soup Kitchen serves a noontime meal six days a week to men, women, and children. In addition, CCMI prepares and delivers nutritious packaged meals and beverages for the homebound hungry, offers a food pantry and mobile food pantries that provide emergency groceries to families in need, serves two nutritious meals a day for the children in their Montessori Preschool and oversees a backpack program for local schoolchildren who would otherwise receive little to no food on weekends. CCMI is a United Way agency.  CCMI serves Fort Myers and the greater Lee County area, including Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres.