BLACK FRIDAY AT BELL TOWER SHOPS November 18, 2010

 This year, Bell Tower Shops is celebrating Black Friday, the traditional start to the holiday shopping season, by giving back to the community.

In the spirit of giving, Bell Tower Shops will sponsor the 2nd annual Buck-a-Duck, a fundraiser for United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades. Three thousand pink, rubber ducks, each sold for $1, will be floating in the shopping center fountain at center court. Purchase a duck to win fabulous prizes and discounts. Ducks will be available throughout the day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Due to last year’s success, we’ve tripled the number of ducks and prizes,” said Becky Thompson, Bell Tower Shops’ general manager. “Every duck features a prize valued from $3 to $100.”

Stores will open at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 26 for the Christmas extravaganza featuring live entertainment, holiday treats and of course, fabulous shopping bargains.

Bell Tower Shops is an open-air lifestyle center, located in Fort Myers at U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway, with more than 35 retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue and The Fresh Market, 10 restaurants and Bell Tower 20 Regal Cinemas. The center’s sidewalk garden setting of lush landscaping, splashing fountains and covered walkways makes it a popular gathering place. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the center. To learn more, log onto www.TheBellTowerShops.com or call 239-489-1221.

LEE COUNTY LIBRARY CHOCOLATE AND SPIRITS FESTIVAL November 17, 2010

 

The annual Chocolate & Spirits Festival, one of the area’s favorite sampling events, will be held Friday, Dec. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bell Tower Shops.

Presented by the Lee County Library System, the evening will feature sinfully delicious chocolate creations from area restaurants and businesses, festive holiday spirits, live entertainment by Bob Inkenbrandt and a silent auction.

Sponsored by Bell Tower Shops, Bistro 41 and Crü, admission is free. Chocolate samples, beverages and silent auction tickets may be purchased at the event for $1 each.

Proceeds from the Chocolate & Spirits Festival will benefit the library system’s 12th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival. Scheduled for March 19, 2011, the festival is a free community event to showcase the library’s programs and resources and promote reading and literacy.

For more information, call 239-479-4636 or visit http://readfest.org.

May 11, 2010

Touch Spa & Salon to help cleanup Gulf oil spill

 Mary Butcher is using her position to help cleanup the Gulf of Mexico.

            Butcher, spa director at Touch Spa & Salon at Bell Tower Shops, is collecting hair clippings that will ultimately be used to help sop up the oil in the Gulf. The clippings will then be shipped to Matter of Trust, a nonprofit organization that converts the strands into hair mats, which are then used to cleanup oil spills. During 2008, more than 2,600 oil spills occurred around the world, according to literature provided by the San Francisco-based group.

            “We are facing an unprecedented environmental disaster,” said Butcher. “This is our way of giving the cleanup crews a cutting edge.”

            Butcher is also encouraging pet groomers and owners as well as other salons to save their clippings.

             “Touch Spa & Salon is volunteering to be a collection site,” Butcher added. “Matter of Trust is also in need of nylons that will be stuffed with hair.”

            The salon is collecting hair through Friday, May 14. Butcher noted that Touch Salon is paying to ship all the donated hair to Matter of Trust (www.matteroftrust.org).

            For additional information, call 239-454-9933.

The dog-friendly Bell Tower Shops is an open-air lifestyle center, located in Fort Myers at U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway, with 40 retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue and The Fresh Market, nine restaurants and Bell Tower 20 Regal Cinemas. The center’s sidewalk garden setting of lush landscaping, splashing fountains and covered walkways makes it a popular gathering place. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the center. To learn more, log onto www.TheBellTowerShops.com, or call 239-489-1221.

SILENT AUCTION February 11, 2010

Young Chicks, Old Bags designer purse silent auction

Join Junior Achievement for a night under the stars and in the bag

 Would you like a chance to win a designer purse for a not so designer price? Join Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida at Bell Tower Shops for the 3rd Annual Young Chicks, Old Bags event. 

 The fun ladies event will begin with a silent auction of fabulous designer purses; some new and others previously loved. Festivities will continue with raffle prizes, food and drink specials, live music, fashion events and free goodies. 

 Proceeds from the event will directly benefit Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida

Who:     Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida

What:    Young Chicks, Old Bags designer purse auction

When:   March 4, 2010 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: Bell Tower Shops

Cost:     $5/Guest

            Do you have a beloved bag you would like someone to adopt?  Junior Achievement can find it a good home, call Cecilia St. Arnold, program director, for more information at 239-225-2590 or cstarnold.ja@sfwdb.org.

            Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for students which focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. In 2009, more than 9,500 students in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties were reached and taught the “economics of life.”  Today, 138 individual area operations reach 4 million students in the United States, with an additional 5 million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide.

            For additional information about Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, contact Karen Hargrove at 239-225-2590 or khargrove.ja@sfwdb.org, or visit www.JASWFL.org on the Web.

SIP IN STYLE February 1, 2010

Sip in Style at Bell Tower Shops

Fashion show benefits United Way

 The trendy Sip in Style fashion show returns to Bell Tower Shops Thursday, Feb. 18. The event, benefiting United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades, will showcase hot spring looks from selected Bell Tower Shops including Banana Republic, Saks Fifth Avenue and White House | Black Market.

            Trendy apparel for all ages, a specially-concocted beverage and a great cause combine to make Sip in Style a must-attend fashion show. Featuring male and female models, the hour-long, professionally produced show will feature the latest in seasonal fashions and accessories. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of food and cocktails will benefit United Way. Raffle proceeds, including a pair of diamond earrings from Mayors and a $500 shopping spree at Bell Tower Shops, will also benefit United Way.

            Sip in Style will be held on a specially-designed runway on the fountain at the north end of the shopping center near Saks Fifth Avenue. Cocktails will be available at 5 p.m. with the fashion show beginning at 6 p.m. The event is free to the public. Reservations are encouraged by calling 239-277-3963. Bell Tower Shop swag bags are available to the first 200 reservations.

Special VIP seating areas will be provided by Bistro 41 and Robb & Stucky. Tables, with dedicated servers, may be reserved in advance for $20 for a table of four, or $40 for tables of 8. Proceeds from the table reservations will be donated to United Way.

            Since the inception of United Way in 1957, $88 million dollars have been raised in the community. All money raised in the United Way campaign stays in the local community to help support the local human service network. United Way partner agencies and initiatives like Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, Children’s Advocacy Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Florida, LARC and United Way 211 serve a diverse range of needs in our community such as nurturing children and youth, strengthening families, meeting critical needs including helping the elderly and disabled live independently, and empowering communities by bringing health and human services to neighborhoods.

            In addition to raising funds for human service organizations in our community, United Way promotes partnerships and collaborations among agencies and initiatives, helping them to work together focusing on issues and solutions that continue to improve lives. For more information please call United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades at 239-433-2000 or visit www.unitedwaylee.org.

The dog-friendly Bell Tower Shops is an open-air lifestyle center, located in Fort Myers at U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway, with 40 retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue and The Fresh Market, nine restaurants and Bell Tower 20 Regal Cinemas. The center’s sidewalk garden setting of lush landscaping, splashing fountains and covered walkways makes it a popular gathering place. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the center. To learn more, log onto www.TheBellTowerShops.com, or call 239-489-1221.

COMING IN FEBRUARY December 14, 2009

February is red hot at Bell Tower Shops Thursday and Friday, Feb. 11 and 12, 2010 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Strolling Flower Show Two-day celebration of the Periwinkle Club’s extraordinary floral displays in conjunction with Edison Festival of Light.

 Friday, Feb. 12, 2010 6 to 8 p.m. Yappy Hour & Bowl Stroll Dogs and their owners enjoying the furriest happy hour in town. Live music, beverages, prizes, dining, mingling as well as shopping with canine companions. Proceeds benefit the Gulf Coast Humane Society.

 Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010 6 p.m. Sip in Style Fashion Show Lee County’s hottest fashion show. Join hundreds of fashionistas, sip cocktails and check out the hot spring fashions and accessories.

Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010 2 to 8 p.m. Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration This family event celebrates the life and tales of Dr. Seuss with sidewalk chalk-drawing, fun readings of Seuss tales, games, outdoor Seuss movie and s’mores.

The dog-friendly Bell Tower Shops is an open-air lifestyle center, located at U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway, with 40 retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue and The Fresh Market, nine restaurants and Bell Tower 20 Regal Cinemas. The center’s sidewalk garden setting of lush landscaping, splashing fountains and covered walkways makes it a popular gathering place. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the center. To learn more, log onto www.TheBellTowerShops.com, or call 239-489-1221.

HOWLidays YAPPY HOUR AND BOWL STROLL December 3, 2009

Deck the dogs with bows and holly

Bell Tower Shops celebrates HOWLidays Yappy Hour & Bowl Stroll

 Four-legged friends and their owners will celebrate the season at HOWLidays Yappy Hour & Bowl Stroll at Bell Tower Shops on Friday, Dec. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m.

            Returning to the shopping center’s newly renovated Center Court, the event is free with beverage proceeds benefiting the Gulf Coast Humane Society.

            “HOWLidays participants will enjoy the all new bigger and better Center Court,” said Amy Fletcher-Smith, Bell Tower’s director of marketing. “Besides offering more space, we have new furnishings, awnings and landscaping.”

            Owners are encouraged to dress their dogs in festive holiday attire. Santa will be on hand to capture the moment in photos. The Southwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra will perform at 7 p.m.

            Shoppers and their canine companions will enjoy the “bowl stroll” throughout the shopping center where colorful dog bowls will identify 37 merchants who are pooch-friendly. Dogs must be leashed.

            The mission of the Gulf Coast Humane Society is to provide humane care for surrendered animals in Southwest Florida by offering refuge, providing medical care and facilitating an adoptive home. GCHS is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization serving the area. For more information, visit www.gulfcoasthumanesociety.org.

            The dog-friendly Bell Tower Shops is an open-air lifestyle center, located at U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway, with 40 retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue and The Fresh Market, nine restaurants and Bell Tower 20 Regal Cinemas. The center’s sidewalk garden setting of lush landscaping, splashing fountains and covered walkways makes it a popular gathering place. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the center. To learn more, log onto www.TheBellTowerShops.com, or call 239-489-1221.

CELEBRATE HANUKKAH December 2, 2009

Celebrate Hanukkah at Bell Tower Shops

 Area residents are invited to participate in the Grand Hanukkah Celebration at Bell Tower Shops newly renovated Center Court on Sunday, Dec. 13 from 3 to 5 p.m.

“We’ll be celebrating our 16th year at Bell Tower Shops,” said Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowicz of Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida. “With more than 1,000 people in attendance, it is one of the largest Hanukkah celebrations in Southwest Florida.”

Free to the community, afternoon events include a lively outdoor concert featuring entertainer Eduardo Macadar, performing popular and traditional Israeli and Jewish folk songs. Activities will also include entertainment by a standup comic, plus kids’ events such as arts and crafts, balloon characters and a clown. Miracle Baseball mascot, Miss A-Miracle, is scheduled to make an appearance from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Free holiday treats will include latkes, one of the most famous Jewish foods and a specialty of Hanukkah.

The menorah, which will be on display throughout the eight days of Hanukkah, will also be lit followed by the playing of the traditional dreidel song while dancing around the fountain.

            For additional information on Chabad Lubavitch, go to www.chabadswf.org.

CHOCOLATE AND SPIRITS FESTIVAL December 2, 2009

 The 11th annual Chocolate & Spirits Festival, one of the area’s favorite sampling events, will be held this Friday, Dec. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. – rain or shine – at Bell Tower Shops. Presented by the Lee County Library System, the evening will feature sinfully delicious chocolate creations from area restaurants and businesses, festive holiday spirits, live entertainment by Bob Inkenbrandt and a silent auction providing the opportunity to win fabulous prizes. Sponsored by Bell Tower Shops, Bistro 41 and Crü, admission is free. Tickets are purchased at the event for $1 each and traded for the chocolate samples, beverages and chances for the silent auction. Proceeds from the Chocolate & Spirits Festival will benefit the library system’s 11th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival. Scheduled for March 20, 2010, the festival is a free community event to showcase the library’s programs and resources and promote reading and literacy. For more information, call 239-479-4636 or visit http://readfest.org.

Saks Fifth Avenue’s “Key to The Cure” October 13, 2009

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE KEY TO THE CURE KICK-OFF TO TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15th

The Lee Memorial Health System Foundation and Saks Fifth Avenue at The Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers will host the annual “Key to the Cure” weekend beginning this Thursday, October 15, with a special evening kick-off from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

The kick-off evening on Oct. 15 will include refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres, entertainment and a spectacular showcase of the latest in fall and holiday fashions.  The annual Humanitarian Awards will also be presented to members of our community who have made an outstanding commitment to the fight against cancer.  Guests at the event will have the opportunity to purchase balloons as a charitable donation and cash the balloons in for prizes ranging from designer handbags and shoes, fine fragrance and beauty products, spa treatments, trips and travel and gift certificates to some of the area’s finest restaurants and retailers. 

The weekend continues as 2% of all sales from October 15-October 18 at Saks Fifth Avenue at The Bell Tower Shops will be donated to local women’s cancer programs.  All net proceeds from the Key to the Cure kick-off celebration and the percentage of weekend sales will be directed toward women’s oncology programs and treatments at Lee Memorial Health System’s Regional Cancer Center. 

Admission to Saks Fifth Avenue’s “Key to The Cure” kick-off celebration is free of charge and the refreshments and hors d’oeuvres are complimentary.  Call the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation office at 239.985.3550 for more information.