SPAGHETTI and MEATBALLS

 The Collier County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Collier County Coalition Against Human Trafficking, will hold an anti-human trafficking community event in Immokalee in November.

A Day without Slavery is scheduled for Nov. 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Immokalee Community Park, 321 N. 1st St.  

This event for seasonal farm workers and members of the community will provide information on human trafficking awareness and ways to identify victims of human trafficking.  Members of the Sheriff's Office Immokalee substation, Minority Affairs Task force and Crime Prevention Section will also be on hand to provide information about other programs the Sheriff's Office offers to the public.

The Collier County Health Department and other area service providers will be on hand to provide information and services to attendees.  

The event will also feature entertainment, refreshments and activities for children.

A Day without Slavery is open to everyone regardless of their immigration status.  IDs
will not be checked. CCSO will also give away bike lights at the event.Bicyclists who would like a bike light must bring their bike to the event.

For more information, call: Marisol Schloendorn, Victim Advocate, Human Trafficking Unit, Collier County Sheriff’s Office, 239-793-9176

 Could your business or organization benefit from Microsoft training? A new public-private partnership between Workforce Florida Inc. and Microsoft can help. Through Microsoft® Elevate America, 40,000 vouchers for no-cost training and certifications are available to Floridians for a limited time only.

This innovative initiative provides an excellent opportunity for Florida workers to improve their technology skills, productivity and value. Businesses can benefit directly by encouraging their employees to upgrade their skills through free training.  No-cost training also is available for IT professionals.

Each Elevate America training voucher is redeemable for one online course or certification exam in any of three categories:

·         E-Learning: Self-paced, online training in the Microsoft 2003 or 2007 Office “learning collections” including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word.

·         Microsoft Certifications: Exams in Microsoft 2007 Office products such as Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word. All certification exams must be proctored at Certiport Testing Centers.

·         IT Professionals: Online training courses designed for IT professionals or individuals interested in entering the IT field. 

Vouchers must be activated by Aug. 21 and will be available through Aug. 21 or while supplies last. E-Learning vouchers are good for 12 months after the date of activation; certification exam vouchers must be activated and used by Aug. 21. There is no cost for the E-Learning and Certification exam vouchers; however, in some instances, a small proctoring fee may be charged by a Certiport Testing Center, where exams are administered.

Additional information on the Florida vouchers and an application is available here.

 Sure there's been a lot of focus lately on that "other" futbol but when it comes back to real American tackle football, few have done it better than Immokalee's Edgerrin James. 

And Immokalee's youngsters will get the chance to learn from the best July 26th when Edgerrin will team up with cousin and rising star Javarris James to host his second annual football camp at the Immokalee Sports Complex. 

Lean how to sign up and read more here in the Naples Daily News.

 Betcha by golly wow audiences will be mouthing the words of the show this weekend at the Seminole Casino Immokalee.

Its headliners Sunday are the Stylistics, whose megaseller of that title — “Betcha By Golly Wow” — was part of a three-album hit spree in the 1970s. The Philadelphia-based group unleashed chart tune after chart tune, with silken harmony and hooks from producer Thom Bell and lyrics from Linda Creed. All of it was fueled by an unlikely inspiration: MOR, white-bread pop legends Hal David and Bert Bacharach.

READ MORE about the Stylistics show at Immokalee Seminole Casino. 

The women who make a difference in Immokalee were celebrated last week at a Roberts Ranch luncheon, hosted by the Immokalee Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). 

Women of Influence: Powerful & Independent

Immokalee CRA Executive Director, Penny Phillippi, said the celebration was intended to recognize the powerful and independent women who work to make Immokalee a better community. 

 The Immokalee High School band will headline a concert May 17th which will feature bands from all schools in Immokalee, including the elementary schools. 

It promises to be a full evening of entertainment in which Immokalee's youthful chorus will raise melodies across the community. 

Collier County Schools: "Fine Arts Event Highlights District Students and Teachers" (PDF) Press Release, 5/12/2010

Meet government reps as well as Small Business Development Center Certified Business Analyst. There will also be a Q&A session. 

Location: Southwest Florida Enterprise Center
3903 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd 
Fort Myers, FL 33916

Date: Thursday, April 22, 2010
Cost: $20
Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

For more information on SBDC events, call (239) 745-3700, or email avholmes@fgcu.edu.