IT'S YOUR BUSINESS: Business news releases Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009

Free breakfast at Mel’s Diners on Oct. 9

The public is invited to enjoy a free breakfast right here in Southwest Florida to help raise awareness and funds for families who are dealing with childhood cancer – the leading cause of disease deaths in children.

On Friday, Oct. 9, all five Mel’s Diners restaurants will serve a free breakfast from 6:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door and all proceeds will benefit The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida’s pediatric oncology unit, one of 11 state designated oncology centers. Additional funds will be raised through the sales of $1 cardboard cutouts “Cancer Bugs Me,” designed by Jillian Lamparyk, a 5-year old who lost her battle with cancer on July 8, 2003.

Children with cancer require hospitalization while undergoing chemotherapy and cannot risk exposure to common cold germs due to their compromised immune systems. Before The Children’s Hospital was established, children with cancer would travel to Miami or Tampa for treatment.

More than 3,000 children (from infants up to age 19) with cancer and hematological diseases have been treated at the 20-bed pediatric inpatient unit at The Children’s Hospital. This unit was designed specifically to meet the unique requirements of children with cancer, complete with kid friendly staff and standards, with clinical and laboratory scientists who have a special expertise in managing the care of children with cancer. No child is denied treatment as a result of its family’s inability to pay.

Mel’s Diners have kept the diner tradition of affordable food and friendly service and have provided the annual free breakfast fundraiser since 1997. The restaurants are well known for their old-fashioned home-cooked favorites, signature sandwiches and mile-high pies.

Mel’s Diners are in Naples 3650 U.S. 41 N.; in Golden Gate at 12035 Collier Boulevard; in Bonita Springs at 28601 Trails Edge Boulevard; in Fort Myers at 4820 Cleveland Ave.; and in Cape Coral at 1331 Pine Island Road N.E.

Information: (239) 643-9898 or www.melsdiners.com.

- Contributed by Prutos Public Relations Inc.

* * * * *

Southwest Florida developer establishes receiver

Kenneth Saundry, Jr., an established Southwest Florida real estate developer, has established Real Estate Advisory Services, LLC (REAS), a firm specializing in court-appointed receiver services. REAS supervises property management, keeps accurate records, and oversees the ultimate disposition of assets, as approved or directed by the Court.

As principal Receiver for the firm, Saundry brings 31 years of experience in business and real estate management to work with the court, bankers, attorneys, contractors, property managers and governmental agencies as may be required in each assignment.

“In each court-appointed receiver assignment, our REAS team develops a strategic plan to best achieve the goals, as defined and required by the parties and the court’s direction,” Saundry in a news release. He explained that, “the orders of the court could range from preserving and enhancing the value and condition of real estate property assets, to property management, up to and including the sale or disposition of the assets.”

“I have had the distinct privilege of working with Ken on several developments in Southwest Florida and I can say, without hesitation, that he is not only a man of great integrity but he knows the real estate and property management business better than anyone I have encountered,” said John M. DeAngelis, vice president of DeAngelis Diamond Construction in Naples, in a news release.

Information: (239) 254-9927 or www.realestateadvisoryservices.net.

- Contributed by Real Estate Advisory Services

* * * * *

Naples Press Club hosts WGCU panel

The Naples Press Club presents a panel discussion, “Public Media in Transition,” featuring speakers from the local National Public Radio station and the local Public Broadcasting Television station, at 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 30, in the community room of the Naples News Media Group building, 1100 Immokalee Road, in North Naples. Admission is free.

The panelists are Rick Johnson, general manager of WGCU Public Media, Amy Tardif, WGCU-FM station manager and program director, and Luis Hernandez, WGCU-FM reporter and host of Gulf Coast Live. The moderator of the panel is Jim McLaughlin, host of WGCU’s Connect! program.

Johnson’s 30-year public broadcasting career includes management roles at WJCT in Jacksonville, WFSU-TV in Tallahassee, KCTS-TV in Seattle and KNME-TV in Albuquerque, N.M. Since 2008, he has been overseeing WGCU TV’s four channels, with monthly audiences of over 300,000; and WGCU-FM and WGCU-HD radio, with more than 100,000 weekly listeners.

As FM station manager and program director, Tardif is responsible for the 24-hour news and information FM channel and for the station’s 24-hour classical music HD station. In addition, she is the host of Arts Edition Primetime on WGCU-FM. She previously hosted the local NPR Morning Edition program for 14 years and is a recipient of an Edward R. Murrow award from the Radio Television News Directors Association.

Hernandez brings 14 years of radio experience to his job as host of Gulf Coast Live. He has worked as a sportscaster in West Palm Beach and Denver. He began is career in public broadcasting at WUFT Public Radio in Gainesville. Hernan dez also writes for the News-Press in Fort Myers.

McLaughlin began his broadcasting career in 1976 in Punta Gorda, and moved to WINK-TV in Fort Myers as Charlotte County Bureau Chief and later, weekend anchor. After leaving in 2005, he became host of WGCU’s multi-media engagement project, Connect!

More than 400,000 people in Southwest Florida tune in to WGCU public broadcasting. Recent initiatives include the addition of three new digital television channels, a new HD radio channel broadcasting classical music 24 hours a day, and a 24 hours a day news and information FM channel.

The Naples Press Club, comprised of working and retired journalists, broadcasters and authors, conducts the annual Authors and Books Festival and sponsors scholarships for aspiring students in journalism careers. Visit naplespressclub.org.

- Contributed by Naples Press Club

* * * * *

Stephens attends Barron's summit in Orlando

Jason E. Stephens, senior vice president-investments at UBS Financial Services in Naples, attended the fifth-annual Barron’s Winner’s Circle Top Advisors Summit, hosted by Barron’s magazine, to promote best practices in the industry and the value of advice to the investing public. The invitation-only conference was held at JW Marriott Grande Lakes, September 23-25 in Orlando.

In addition to Stephens were 91 Top 100 financial advisers in the U.S., as ranked and published in Barron’s. These industry leaders conducted workshops and panels that explored current issues in wealth management – from efficient asset allocation and risk management, to evolving practice to better serve clients in volatile financial times. Small roundtables were also offered and led by the top financial advisers on 16 different topics up for discussion ranging from alternative investments to managing high net worth accounts.

Also in attendance were nearly 500 financial advisers who were selected by their firms to participate in the event. Firms sending attendees include: Deutsche Bank, LPL Financial, Janney Montgomery Scott, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Robert W. Baird & Co., UBS Financial Services and Wells Fargo Advisors.

“The Summit has become a benchmark event for the financial-adviser community. This was an excellent opportunity to generate ideas to help advisors cope with the challenges in the market and the economy today,” said Edwin Finn, president, Barron’s magazine, in a news release.

- Contributed by UBS Financial Services

* * * * *

After all, it’s your business.

So we have added this feature to naplesnews.com called It’s Your Business.

Have news about your business to share with Southwest Florida? Send it to business@naplesnews.com and to our Business and Government Content Editor Dave Osborn at djosborn@naplesnews.com. We’ll post these on the Business page at naplesnews.com every day and will publish these as space allows in the daily Business section and Business Monday in the Naples Daily News. Start watching online daily for these postings!