Cape Coral Insurance Center

Cape Coral Insurance Center, a full-service insurance agency, has announced that Bryce Grimsley has joined the team as V.P. of the Life and Health Division. With more than 20 years experience in sales and the Life and Health industry, Bryce is responsible for retaining and expanding existing client relations, handling business development and managing Life and Health insurance sales throughout SW Florida.

Prior to joining Cape Coral Insurance Center, Bryce was a broadcast engineer for a TV station in Iowa before launching his insurance career by moving to Springfield, Missouri and starting a successful Life and Health Insurance business. Finally the cold weather got to him and in 2005 and he moved his business to Cape Coral, FL.

Bryce brings a wealth of valuable sales and management experience to his new role at our agency”, said Damon Sleicher, Director of Operations of Cape Coral Insurance Center. “Bryce’s experience will be valuable asset to our continued growth”.

About Cape Coral Insurance Center:
Founded in 2005, Cape Coral Insurance Center has become one of the fastest growing independent insurance agencies serving SW Florida by providing unmatched service! Cape Coral Insurance Center is not your typical insurance agency. As an independent insurance agent, we represent numerous reputable and financially stable insurance companies. This enables us to quote the best rates available. We offer to citizens and businesses in Florida the largest line of insurance products available to protect you and your family. Whether you need business, home, auto, life, health or even disability policies, we can be your go to agent for all of your insurance needs.

Chcik-fil-A Estero

by Krista Yurchak
Marketing Director
Chick-fil-a of Estero
21900 S. Tamiami Tr
239-498-8700

Chick-fil-A of Southwest Florida is 
teaming up to raise money for United Way and 
you benefit. Donate $1.00 to 
United Way this 
Friday August 27 and  
receive a free chicken biscuit.
Limit 4 per customer and available from 6:30 am to 10:30 am.
Available throughout Lee Collier and Charlotte County 

The Bridge Gals at the NFM Chamber Celeb Lunch

The Bridge Networking Sponsored a table at the the NFM Cahmber Celeb Lunch... can you say....girls gone wild.

Free digital slideshow generated with Smilebox

3rd Annual Peace Day In The Park 2010

The International Day Of Peace

3^rd Annual

 

“ PEACE DAY IN THE PARK ” 2010

Peace One Day

 September 21st has been recognized as an International Day of global cease-fire and non-violence; a Day of Peace. Belief is just the beginning, let us come together in our beliefs to support PEACE ONE DAY. 

 

“Come one Come All, for a fun day of peace and unity

Bringing brotherhood and love throughout our local community

There will be music, dancing, conversations and laughter

Carrying the voice of peace this day and there after.”

 

There will be artisans with booths for soothing massage, a wide variety of local vendors sharing their trinkets and art, a pet communicator, music, face painting, intuitive readings, keynote speakers and so much more. Lounge on the grass, dance or hoop to the music, maybe to the beat of your own drum. Kick back, relax and expand your mind while you enjoy a cold drink and a bite to eat. Expect good conversations with new and old friends alike, as we join together in support of PEACE ONE DAY.

 

(We will be accepting canned & dried good’s to share with the local community. In 09’ we collected 600lbs, let’s meet and exceed last years record, we need your help!)

 

This is a FREE event, to be enjoyed by the whole family; there will be something for everyone, even your pets. Cultivate a day of peace and unity by embracing the joy and beauty that surrounds us right here in South West Florida!

 

Event Details:

Sunday September 19^th, 2010 from 12 to 5

Jaycee Park

Beach Parkway, Cape Coral, FL

 

For more information or sponsorship opportunities or ways to get involved contact:

 

Zachari, One Peace Seeker to Another

Zachari83@email.com

      239-560-5224

 

The Bridge Networking Luncheon and Fashion Show

By Michele Andre

Thursday August 26

 Royal Palm Yacht Club

   2360 W. First St., Ft. Myers  33901

 

11:00am to 1:30pm

   Fashion Show 

Lunch Buffet

$20 prepay

$25 at the door

$17 for Bridge Supporters

 

Fashion by Micheal Diaz - Island Angle Creations 

To see a sample of his creations

View Fashions Here 

For more details on this event 

Visit the Bridge Networking

 

 

 

Celebrate SWFL Expo

Woman's Life and The Bridge Networking:Healing DellaFundraiser

So many of our local community members are in need and this is just one who faces huge medical expenses. 

Join the Bridge Networking and Women's Life as they raise funds to help Della.

Zumba for Sofie's Cause

by Yolanda Cisneros

September 11 · 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Cachet Bar and Grill

2245 Winkler Ave

Fort Myers, FL

Minimum Donation $10 

Zumba Instructor: Erika Matos  

Who's Sofie?

Sofia Delilah Herrera is a beautiful 30 year old woman who was diagnosed with Stage 1, Endometrial  Carcinoma, (Uterian Cancer) in late April of this year and she has anemia. She has never married and has never had children. She has been hospitalized several times and has had 3 blood transfusions among numerous other treatments and medications and doctor visits.

She had been working as a child care provider in our ho...me, for family since she graduated high school. Since she was self employed, she has no health insurance.

When research was done for insurance, she found it to be too costly for a single woman and cancer insurance was an added expense to the cost, but she was already diagnosed, so no one would insure her even if the money was there.

She applied for State Medicaid but found that to qualify, you must have a child under 18 in the home and the child and the caretaker would qualify for Medicaid, but there were no children under 18 in the home. Medicare is for Senior citizens on Social Security or for persons who are disabled, which she is not. SSI is for people over age 71...or who may qualify under certain cases thru disability too. But she is not disabled.

Added to everything else, with her being in and out of the hospital, she has not been able to work. The medical bills are astronomical, they are almost at fifty thousand and mounting and she has her basic living expenses as well and we haven't even talked surgery, yet. It is a possibility. She has been undergoing hormone treatments. Her Oncologist is trying to do everything he can to keep the possibility of having children in her future.

Apparently, this is a common cancer among women, but no one has taken it to a public level and made it known or done any large fund-raisers to have money for it, So, there is no money for assistance for women with this type of cancer, such as for instance, Susan G. Korman for women with breast cancer. They are known nationwide and do fund-raiser and there is money for that but the American Cancer Society has no help for this type of cancer among women. They said if the family could do any fund-raising to help her, that's fine. So we created "Sofie's Cause"

She is living with her mother to have someone take care of her but her mother has been unemployed for a couple of years and has health issues as well.

Dress For Success Fundraiser - Tucker Vision Center

By Tucker Vision Center

Wednesday, August 25
Fundraiser for Dress For Success


Tucker Vision Center

88 Pine Island Rd.

North Fort Myers

Free Admission
5:00pm to 7:00pm

Refreshments will be provided

15% of purchases  goes to raise money for 
Dress for Success
  Janie Ingles- Tupperware

And

Mary Kay Cosmetic Satin Hands by Aloyce Black

Please RSVP  

Suzi@TuckerVisionCenter.com
(239) 656-1778

City Tavern 2nd Anniversary Party & Four Square Swarm Badge Party

On Saturday August 21st City Tavern owners Dickson Hunley and Kevin 
Offerman will celebrate their 2nd anniversary as the owners of City 
Tavern in the historic downtown Fort Myers River District. There will 
be a free concert by Headcount starting at 10pm, $2 drink, beers, 
burgers and dogs from the Front Porch Grill and lots of great fun to 
be had by all who attend. In true City Tavern fashion, this is a free 
event. There is no cover charge and lots of free parking.

This is also being promoted as a Foursquare Swarm Badge party. If you 
haven't heard of Foursquare, it is a location-based mobile app that 
has been growing in popularity. Using the service, people "check in" 
at locations and earn badges based and points on a variety of factors, 
including frequency of check-ins, etc. The Swarm Badge is an elusive 
badge to get so this is a perfect opportunity for us all to get 
together and earn one.

Dickson Hunley
www.mycitytavern.com
www.twitter.com/citytavern
www.facebook.com/citytavern
myspace.com/fortmyerscitytavern

SpotLight On: The Bridge Networking Group

The Bridge Networking Group was founded by Cathy Daniels and Michele Andre October 17, 2007. It is a business promoting organization helping people get to where they want to be in business and live.

The Bridge held its first lunch meeting at Perkins in Lehigh. Our goal was to get Lehigh and Ft. Myers businesses to connect. Our lunches were a two hour event every other Wednesday.

Cathy and Michele had been networking for two years in both Lehigh and Ft. Myers. We belonged to many groups. We took the best of what we had seen at other meetings and added our own touch to make the Bridge meetings enjoying and beneficial to the business community. We also wanted to use The Bridge to help local charities that are not federally funded.

By December we had out grown Perkins and moved the lunch meetings to Colonial Country Club on Colonial Blvd. Cathy moved back to Ohio, leaving Michele with the sole responsible of The Bridge. In June 2008, The Bridge Networking Group was incorporated.

Since we didn’t have any membership or dues, the meetings grow to over 80 people. Other groups and companies felt The Bridge was a threat and tried to shut it down. This promted Michele, the President, to grow The Bridge Networking Group.

Since the meetings were attracting many businesses, she decided to branch out to N. Ft. Myers. The Bridge took over the Lunch Bunch started by Margaret Wolter and Jane Stevens. Around the same time, The Bridge opened A Night in the Cape that was hosted by Marci Gower. We continued to grow to the Punta Gorda and Lehigh Acres markets. Then a Ft. Myers evening event was created and then Bridge to a Brighter Future was started. The growth increased quickly to the point of having 8 to 10 meetings each month. Soon The Bridge overwhelmed Michele and she took the meetings to 3 a month. It was hard to find time for a vacation with so many meetings going on each month.

During the growth period, The Bridge Networking website was created for the businesses to have more exposure to the public. Currently we have over 90 business listings and list all the events. Recently we started the Local Specials page so businesses can post their current specials.

January 2009 The Bridge Business View on line publication was created. It reaches 4,000 SWFL readers monthly. Businesses are invited to write educational articles for more exposure. We also offer advertising and list special events by other groups.

Today The Bridge Networking Group, Inc. meets in Ft. Myers, Central Ft. Myers and Cape Coral monthly. We have over 150 people attend the events. Sponsorships are available and display tables for businesses to show off their product or promote their services. Each year we hold a Trade Show or Expo and we have a lot of charity auctions through out the year for local charities.

We continue to financially support Destiny Diaper Bank and have began the Gifts for Hope program to give local children Christmas gifts. We team up with Woman’s Life Chapter 701 each year to hold a Christmas and Easter party for local children. The Bridge is proud to be giving back to the community each year. This was one of the reasons Cathy and Michele started three years ago.

Money Saving Marketing

By Jodie Andre

Marketing Dazzel

To save money marketing, always stay focused. No "Shotgun Marketing" because it's a big mistake for small businesses. If you sell a product/service used by people over 50, make sure if you buy TV or radio time that your spots are aired when that age group will be watching or listening. Know your targeted marketing age group.
 
Focus on your customer - not you. Show how your product/service can help your customer. If you moved, don't say come see us - stress what a time saver and convenience it will be for your customer. What's in it for your customer to do business with you? Make them feel important and special.

If you have employees, don't forget your most precious possession is not your financial assets but those people you have working for you, their knowledge and their ability to work together. They represent your business/service and sell to your customer. Without good employees, all the marketing in the world will not make you money.

Have fresh/creative marketing ideas and get the maximum benefit with the minimum amount of marketing dollars invested. There are lots of free or inexpensive publicity opportunities. Take advantage of these opportunities. Look for things to make a "big deal" about - like a promotion, a new product/service or a completion of a training class. Press releases are a great way to get the word out and get noticed. If you don't know where to start, ask a marketing consultant.

Sometimes when in doubt, it pays to go back to the basics. Think back to when you first opened your business and remember the excitement. Take that excitement, your expertise and dig out your business marketing plan and pretend it's your first day. It's fun to tweak it now that you are an expert. If you don't have a marketing plan, start one. If you don't know where to start, get professional marketing help. There are lots of inexpensive marketing companies in SW Florida.
 
Look into the networking groups you attend and find out what marketing promotions they have available. Take time to write down the marketing opportunities and weigh out the cost vs. the exposure you will receive for your marketing dollars. Often they have a lot to offer at no cost or very reasonable costs. Many have directories where supporters of the group go to find products/services they need from people they know and trust. BlogTalkRadio is free and a great marketing tool also.

Think out of the box, be creative, think of fresh ideas and try something different but always STAY FOCUSED.

Just make sure you track your marketing so you know where your marketing money is best spent.

Most important, make marketing fun.
http://www.marketingdazzle.com/

ArtFest Fort Myers 2011

by Jeanne Seehaver

  A juried fine arts festival featuring 200 national artists, high school art competition, interactive arts, children's crafts, fine food and entertainment

 February 5 & 6, 2011, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm

 Downtown Fort Myers on Edwards Drive between Heitman and Lee

FREE admission

PARKING:  Adjacent parking lots, street parking and City Garages are open. 

Look for our directional signs.

ArtFest Fort Myers, the annual Fort Myers juried fine art festival, takes place February 5 and 6, 2011 from 10 to 5 both days. Each year, ArtFest Fort Myers decorates our downtown riverfront with exceptional artwork, entertainment and children's art activities.

Bring the entire family to this fun free event to enjoy and purchase the works of 200 fabulous professional artists from across the country.  ArtFest Fort Myers includes a high school art competition, art demonstrations, and free children's craft area. Parking is abundant and admission is FREE. Contact our office to find out how you can become a VIP and enjoy many weekend perks along with wonderful art!  (239) 768-3602 or www.ArtFestFortMyers.com

Greater Fort Myers Democratic Club - Pre Primary Party

Thursday August 19   

6:30 PM

Broadway Palm Theater

Free Admission

Free Appetizers and refreshments

Meet the candidates, discuss issues as you prepare to vote on August 24th

Michael Diaz Creations

This picture slideshow created with Smilebox

Healing Della Auction Gifts and Volunteers Needed

By Kim Carlson

HEALING DELLA

Woman's Life Chapter 701 (www.WomansLifeSWFL.com) will be holding a dinner and auction for a local wife and mother with breast cancer on October 23, 2010.  Della is fighting breast cancer with chemotherapy and without health insurance.   Woman's Life corporate will be matching the first $500 raised for Della.

We are in need of Auction Gifts  & Volunteer Help!

Event Information:

Saturday, October 23, 2010

11: 30 to 2:00

Westminster Presbyterian Church

9065 Ligon Court, Fort Myers, FL 33908

Gift certificates may be mailed to:  Woman's Life, P.O. Box 151016, Cape Coral, FL 33915 or please call Kim Carlson at (239) 994-3467

 I am looking for help with Della Event on October 23, 2010.  This is some of the things that we will be doing:  We are having a silent auction, & Spaghetti Dinner.   

If anyone has any more ideas please feel free to get involved. 

I need People to come and eat

I need volunteers to help make food.

I need help collecting items to raffle off

I need Moneys ( I want to raffle off A gas card goal is a 500.00 dollar card)

I need volunteers to collect money and help with auction

I need help with cleaning up (big time)

NO matter what we collect or do every penny counts, please contact me by email or by phone

Kim Carlson 239-994-3467  or kim@alluneedpest.com

Event will be promoted and organized by Woman's Life and The Bridge Networking Group, Inc.  Your company name will be listed under the auction items on www.WomansLifeSWFL.com.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Health Care Reform - Affordable Insurance Pro

by Bryce Grimsley

Some of the first benefits of the healthcare reform bill go into effect on 9/23/10.  For this reason I recommend that anybody contemplating changing health insurance or getting for the first time purchase this month.  Most insurance companies have or will increase rates for plans issued with 09/01/10 effective date.  If you have a policy that is coming up on 1 yr. or older you most likely will receive a rate increase. 

The one plus is if you have a child under 19 that can't qualify for health insurance due to preexisting conditions.  Effective 9/23/10 you will be able to get coverage for that child as long as a parent is on the policy.  Most companies have already dropped child only policies due to this law. The provision to cover adults for preexisting condition under the healthcare bill don't take effect until 2014.    Some of the simplified and guarantee issue plans are being changed or discontinued at the end of this month due to new requirements of the healthcare bill.  If you need one of these type policies Call Affordable Insurance Pro today for details.  239-357-6415

Affordable Insurance Pro now represents over 25 health and life insurance companies giving you the best possible policies for your needs and budget.  We have just added Aflac to our going list of companies.  We offer a free evaluation of all your current policies. Call today 239-357-6415

Major medical instant quote

Instant quote for all major medical plans
 

Guaranteed issue health insurance

Have you been turned down for health insurance? New guaranteed issue health insurance with a $20 doctor co-pay.  Plans includes ER coverage and a $10,000 Life insurance policy.
For more details view brochure and call Affordable Insurance Pro to apply. 239-357-6415 or 800-251-4999

Accident insurance

Do you have a high deductible major medical plan?  These plans can help you cover your out of pocket costs in case of an accident.  These are guarantee issue plans.  They can be used with or without other insurance.  These plans include accidental disability coverage.  Available for individuals and families.  Click for details 

Life insurance

Instant term life quote

Bryce Grimsley
Affordable Insurance Pro LLC
Licensed Insurance Agent
Licensed to sell insurance in Florida Ohio and Indiana
239-357-6415
Fax 888-308-8394 

NFM Chamber After Hours

Hosted By

EZToUse.Com

and

Abby Carpet and Floor

Thursday August 12

5:30-7:30

Abbey Carpet & Floor 

4524 SE 16th Place

Cape Coral FL 33904

(Del Prado Blvd. to SE 44th Street; go East one block, right to SE 16th Place) 

$5 for Members and Guests

RSVP 997-9111 or

Email admin@nfmchamber.org or

http://www.nfmchamber.com/events.html

The Bridge Networking Fort Myers Luncheon

Friday August 13

Famous Dave's BBQ

US 41 near Crystal Drive

11:30 - 1:30

Buffet Lunch

Special Guest

Lizabeth Benacquisto

Candidate for State Senate District 27

Special Speaker

Shelly Osterhout

Computer Specialists of America

$20 prepay or RSVP

$25 at the door cash or credit card

$17 businesses in the Bridge Directory.

RSVP by Weds August 11

TheBridgeNetworking@hotmail.com

For more details and to prepay
Visit Here  

Items needed for children's back to school supplies: Target or Walmart Gift cards: 37 children need clothes for back to school. If you would like to donate a gift card please bring it to this luncheon or mail to: The Bridge Networking Group 1631 SE 2nd St Cape Coral , Fl 33990

Tucker Vision Center Trunk Shows

You are invited

to a special Event at

Tucker Vision Center

88 Pine Island Rd #3

North Fort Myers, Florida  

First Time Ever Trunk Show

not just one but three Trunk shows

designed to meet your needs.

First One is:

Monday August 9 2010

1-5 PM

Represented at this show

Vera Wang, Dana Buchman, Timex, Wolverine
J Hane Barnes, Hush Puppies
Lilly Pultzer, Kensie, Republica, Excas

Second Trunk Show will also be a Networking Event

Wednesday August 11,2010

From 3:00pm – 7:00pm

Refreshments will be served from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

so please RSVP so we have enough for everyone!

Represented at this show will be:
Jaguar, Cazal, Police, Diva, Thierry Mugler

Third Trunk Show will also be a Networking Event:

Tuesday August 17,2010

From 3:00pm – 7:00pm

Refreshments will be served from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm so please RSVP so we have enough for everyone!

Represented at this show will be:

Tura, TuraFlex (Titanium Metal)

Brendel, Crush, Humphrey's  

Lulu Guinness, Ted Baker, Tourneau

Gold Finch Originals, Titanflex

We will be offering a special $99.00 eye exam, including refraction with a discount on eyewear to all that attend all 3 trunk shows.

Please Contact Suzi @ 239-656-1778 or suzi@tuckervisioncenter.com for more

Information we look forward to seeing you.