Robert Levy, the speaker for our upcoming luncheon on October 27th, was interviewed recently on the Bob harden Radio show : www.bobharden.com.

Some interesting talking points uncovered about Levy" : he doesn't watch lawyer shows and his favorite TV show is "Justified" starring Timothy Olyphant.; his first job was as a jazz and blues pianist; the last book he read was "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis; and he completed two Marine Corps Marathons in his '40s.

What's been on his mind for a while ? "Building the Constitutional case against the president's health care law."

We'll hear more about this subject at the luncheon.

Donna Fiala, president of the Naples Press Club and a Collier County Commissioner, appeared on the "Naples Daily NewsMakers with jeff Lytle" recently.

Her answer to a question about whether  Collier County  is an unfriendly place to do  business, included  the comment that the area  needs to do a lot to improve what has been done to be designated as a friendlier business oriented location.

"We have a lot more to do" she said. "We've already cut the impact fees in half and we've eliminated any impact fees on existing businesses. Additionally, we've sold quite a few buildings , taken them off the market and stopped their deterioration. Permitting is a big thing, and we need to streamline that even more."

Also discussed : What does she have to say to 2012  re-election opponent Steve Cosgrove, and what are her goals for 2012-2016 ?

Text and video highlights and archives are available at naplesnews.com/newsmakers

Free Loaders Unite!

Annual. After hour’s. No charge. Elbow-bending. And good fellowship event!

For Members and all SW Florida Media Folks.

Come Meet - Greet - Mix with the folks you know and those you’ve wanted to meet.

When:  Thursday, May 19, 2011 – 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Where: Naples Tomato, 14700 Tamiami Trail North, Naples

It’s a Free Bee!
No charge to attend, but reservations required: rsvp@naplespressclub.org

(The first two drinks are on us. After that if you are still standing – you’ll have to pay)

NPC Members and All Media Folks Will Need To Show Their ID Cards!

Button image courtesy of www.blogs.trb.com.

Dr. Peter J. Bergerson, PhD, professor of Public Affairs at Florida Gulf Coast University is the guest speaker for our May event.

Drawing on his extensive background, Bergerson will address a topic of intense interest to NPC members: The First Amendment and Freedom of the Press.

When: Thursday May 26, 11:30 am
Where: Bellasera Hotel, 221 9th St. South, Naples
Cost: Members $20, Guests  $25

Reservations are required. Click here to register and pay online. Members may, instead, click on rsvp@naplespressclub.org, and pay at the door (cash/check).

Read more about Dr. Bergerson...

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Looking for a clever Christmas present for your hairdresser? I’m giving mine one of the Bad Hair Days mystery series of books written by our recent luncheon speaker Nancy Cohen.

Two Florida Gulf Coast University students attended the Writers’ Conference hoping to learn some writing skills for the future.

Recently two Florida newspapers were recognized at the Pulitzer Award Ceremony. Paige St. John of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune won the investigative reporting award and Greg Kahn of the Naples Daily News was named one of the finalists for the feature photography Pulitzer.

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An easy way to get the info out about your book signings! We know you’re out there - all NPC members who are also authors…

And, we know you would like to sell your books. And, we know you use book signings to do that.

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NPC continues to build a record membership with the addition of four new members this month:

Dave Neill was appointed President & Publisher of the Naples Daily News, a Scripps Company regional newspaper, in June 2010, after a career in the newspaper business starting in the late ‘70s. He also serves on the board of the Naples Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce and the National Press Photographers Association.

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The NPC Authors &  Book Festival and Writers’ Conference created quite a stir in downtown Naples last month, for the 9th consecutive year.

As promised, 16 courses at the Conference gave writers, both established and fledglings, creative ideas to enhance their writing and marketing skills.

Exhibitors in the Fifth Avenue shops were also delighted with the attendance and book sales.

Kudos to Sandy Lender, for masterminding a Conference with a fresh look, adding new touches and lots of social networking presence on the web, facebook and twitter.

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A letter from NPC President Donna Fiala, to Peabody Award winner Amy Tardiff:

April 22, 2011

Ms. Amy Tardiff
FM Station Manager and News Director
WGCU Public Media
10501 FGCU Blvd. S.
Ft. Myers, FL 33965

Dear Ms. Tardiff:

On behalf of the Naples Press Club, I would like to express our heartiest congratulations on your receiving one of the 70th Peabody Awards! What an outstanding honor to be named as one of only six award winners for individuals radio and TV stations selected from over 1,000 entries. You should be extremely proud of "Lucia's Letters" and its impact in the public broadcasting industry.

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