~ 97^th Year Serving Charlotte County ~

 Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock

Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce

2702 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL 33952

or call 941-627-2222

WE ARE SOLD OUT - watch for details on the next Lunch and Learn on April 26th.

"Business Succession Planning"

with Brian Simon

Financial Representative, ChFC, CLU, CExP

PLATINUM LEVEL: Buffalo Graffix*; Chapman Insurance Group; Charlotte County Ford; Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center; Integrity Employee Leasing ; Olsen, Lynch & Associates, CPAs; The Daily Sun and Tommy's Express Cara Wash

DIAMOND LEVEL: Ashley, Brown, and Smith, CPAs; The Bevis Group; Burnt Store Title and Escrow; Charlotte State Bank and Trust*; Farr Law Firm*; Friendly Floors; Nix and Associates Real Estate; and Panther Hollow Dental Lodge.

EMERALD LEVEL: Centennial Bank; Elite Inspections & Pest Solutions, LLC; Friendly Floors; Nolan Family Insurance; Port Charlotte Florist; Sandhill Healing Center; South Port Square; St. Andrews South Golf Club; State Farm Insurance-Mike Martin; and Wotitzky, Wotitzky, Ross, McKinley and Young Law Firm.

Third Wednesday Coffee, Wed., Feb. 16, 8:00 a.m - 9:00 a.m. is sponsored by Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic. Please RSVP your attendance in the MIC (member portal). Maryann Mize, (who is moving out of state soon) will be recognized for her longtime support of the Chamber and the community. The Program is a New Member Showcase and we'll be also be welcoming new members who have recently joined. Join us at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda and enjoy beverages and light breakfast goodies while learning about your fellow members.

State of the County Address – Wednesday, Feb. 23 – Noon– 1:30 p.m. This will be a zoom call. You will have the opportunity to hear from our county entities (County, City, Airport, Public Schools, Tourism, Health Care and Economic Development). Take advantage of this call to get some direct information of what is effecting our community. Watch for your Zoom invitation via email from the Charlotte County Chamber.

Business Card Exchange: Thursday, February 24 – 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Southwest Florida Insurance Associates is hosting at 3796 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte (Gilded Grape) – two drink tickets for beer/wine and appetizers will be provided – Make sure to bring a gift to promote your business and plenty of business cards. Member Event. Kindly RSVP in the MIC (Member Portal).

Networking at Noon, Wed., March 9 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club, 4400 Lister St., Port Charlotte. Kindly RSVP in the MIC (Member Portal).

The next issue of the FIR$T THUR$DAY ADVERTI$ER will be sent out on March 3. (Digital flyers are due by March 1.) Members interested in taking advantage of this new digital monthly format will save the cost of printing a flier. ($100 for-profit and $50 non-profit each issue). Email your ad to advertiser@charlottecountychamber.org and include the web address we should link it to, or call us 941-627-2222 for more information.

Members, the Charlotte County Chamber Newsletter Business Perspective is going DIGITAL Quarterly beginning in 2022 and publishing January/April/July/October. Members who want to include a Digital page to ride with the newsletter should complete and return the agreement and provide their digital page by the 20th of the month before publication. *Cost $100 for-profit and $50 non-profit each issue *Sustaining Partners receive free digital flyers depending on their partnership level. Send your digital flyer to Newsletter@charlottecountychamber.org or call 941-627-2222 for information.

Businesses may join online now on our website or please recommend a business to

Jami Joannes jjoannes@charlottecountychamber.org and she will follow up with them!

Ribbon Cutting, Tues., Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m.

This is also their Grand Opening. Snacks and Refreshments provided.

Just Counters and other stuff is celebrating their

20th Anniversary with an open house from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

on Thursday, February 17. They are located at 1489 Market Cir. #309,

 Kindly RSVP in the MIC (Member Portal)

Send YOUR Member News/Events to BOL@charlottecountychamber.org and we'll share it each week. Email submissions of 90 words or fewer, in paragraph form, by noon on Friday for inclusion the following Monday. This is a free members-only benefit! (We do reserve the right to publish and edit any submissions.)

We are very happy to announce that we opened our new Tommy’s Express Car Wash location in Port Charlotte at 19101 Murdock Circle in Port Charlotte, FL on January 20^th. Come and celebrate with us for various events and giveaways beginning Thursday February 17 through Saturday, February 19^th! Please join us for our Ribbon Cutting on Friday, February 18^th at 10:00am, then be sure to attend our all day Grand Opening event Saturday February 19^th. We look forward to seeing you at these events as well as regularly for a wash! Have a wonderful week!

Are you in need of some tropical "Bird" art for that empty space on your wall? Then you don't want to miss Parrot Outreach Society's Facebook Auction featuring framed pictures, bird plates and much more. Check out the items on Parrot Outreach Society's FB Page starting on Thursday, February 17 at noon, when the bidding starts. The auction will go until Sunday,  February 20 at 4:00 pm, at which time the winners will be announced. Bidding Instructions will be provided when the Auction opens on February 17. Questions? Call Diane at 302-690-1976.

Allegiant Job Fair at Charlotte Technical College on February 22nd morning session 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Afternoon Session 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Maintenance Technician Open Interview Session. *New MX Contract *A&P Technicians starting at $30/hr * Profit Sharing Program *401(k) Match * Employee stock Purchase Program * Tool and Uniform Allowance * Rapid Internal Growth Opportunities * Fly for Free! Visit allegiant.com/careers for more information, or print and share the flyer.

Volunteers are needed for Tuesday, February 22 to assemble Kindergarten Readiness Bags for ALL incoming Charlotte County Kindergarten students. Shifts are available from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. Join United Way of Charlotte County in providing resource bags for parents and caregivers to use with their children to help prepare them for their Kindergarten experience! School Readiness is one of the five pillars of the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. If you wish to help assemble the bags:  https://signup.com/go/jbeoxUq If you are able to deliver bags (to VPK providers): https://signup.com/go/oJEXNja For more information go to our website: https://www.unitedwayccfl.org/suncoast-campaign-grade-level-reading

Introductory course in Florida Fishing is being offered at the PGI Civic Association on Shreve Street. Topics include fishing techniques, tackle selection, rigging, knot tying, lures, baits, cast nets, fish identification, tides, and fishing regulations for fishing in fresh and salt waters of Southwest Florida. Rods, reels, lures, nets and other fishing equipment will be demonstrated. Instructor is local fishing guide Capt. Ralph. The course is on Wednesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for six weeks beginning February 23, 2022. Cost $50. Advance registration is recommended by calling 941-637-1655.

February 25 and 26, kids of all ages can experience games and activities that don’t involve electronics. The 25th Florida Frontier Days Festival will be held at the Punta Gorda History Park, 501 Shreve Street in Punta Gorda, brought to you by the Charlotte County Historical Society and the Shively Charitable Foundation. Homeschoolers are encouraged to attend on Saturday due to much higher attendance on Friday. Just $3 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Swamp cabbage will be available. For more information, contact Frank Desguin at (941) 769-1270. 2022 Pioneer Days ad Flyer.pdf

Charlotte Players-February 4-29. Gillian Holroyd is one of the few modern people who can actually cast spells and perform feats of supernaturalism. She casts a spell over an unattached publisher, Shepherd Henderson, partly to keep him away from a rival and partly because she is attracted to him. For tickets go to www.charlotteplayers.org or call 941-255-1022. Tickets are $22.

Charlotte Players- John Denver Tribute Band February 28, 2022. With the uncanny resemblance and sound of the late John Denver, Ted Vigil performs many of Denver’s hits, including “Rocky Mountain High,” “Annie’s Song,” “Sunshine on My Shoulder,” and “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.” Preferred and Regular seating is available. Showtime is 7:30p. For more information go to www.charlotteplayers.org or call 941-255-1022.

Charlotte County Community Services - The Military Services Ribbon Cutting at the William R. Gaines Jr. Veterans Memorial Park will be held on February 16 at 11:00 am. Please join us for this very special event. Refreshments served after the dedication, the public is invited to attend. View the flyer for details.

Charlotte Players- Cahal Dunne in concert. February 27th, 2pm located at The Langdon Playhouse in Port Charlotte. "Ireland's Piano Man - The Man of Many Jackets", possesses that certain magical quality known in show business as "it". "It" transcends talent. "It" comes from deep within a great entertainer and washes over an audience, captivating them. For more information go to www.charlotteplayers.org or call 941-255-1022

You’re invited!  On Saturday, February 26^th, from 11 – 2, Complete Auto Repair will hold their 12^th Annual Customer Appreciation Party.  This outside event is free, and celebrates our customers.  This year we will have music by the GMen Band, and “cruise in” by Tailgaters of Central Florida and the Peace River Car Club.  Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be free and we will be raffling prizes all day.  Come on over to 20120 Veterans Blvd in Port Charlotte. 

Admire the artwork of Karen Bell, March 2nd from 5pm-7pm at Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 635 E Marion Ave Punta Gorda.  Enjoy a complimentary Wine and Cheese reception to showcase Karen. As a child she had a LOVE for paper, scissors & music. As Karen's career brought her to teaching music she reconnected her LOVE of paper with an Art teacher at the school. For years she has been enjoying many cultures in which Scherenschnite is a tradition. For information www.kays-ponger.com or like us on Facebook. 

The 14^th annual Taste of Punta Gorda. Sunday, March 6^th – 11 to 5 at Laishley Park, Punta Gorda. Tastes of delicious food from Charlotte County’s best restaurants all in one place! Beer & Wine, Arts, Crafts, a Kid’s Zone, and music with the BoogieMen.  Tickets $5 – VIP $30 – kids 12 and under free. All proceeds support the Punta Gorda Rotary Club Foundation. Our Presenting IRON CHEF sponsor is Publix Super Markets. Other major sponsors are Ingman Marine, Suncoast Credit Union, Bankers Life, and Amerilife. Link to purchase tickets ahead is at  Taste of Punta Gorda.org. 

Looking to have some fun while giving back to your favorite local charity? Join us on Sunday March 13th as C.A.R.E. Auxiliary hosts their annual Dart Tournament at the Ice House Pub. Located at 408 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda. Registration is $25.00 per player, tournament begins at 4:00pm. Sign-ups can be made by emailing careauxiliary@gmail.com or in person day of event. Prizes will be awarded to the top teams. All proceeds benefit the Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies. Eat, Sleep, and play darts with C.A.R.E. Auxiliary!

VA Benefits??? Toby Lynn loves helping our Veterans get the financing they need. VA Mortgages are just one of her specialties. Let her get a family member or best buddy, who is a Veteran, Pre-Qualified at no cost! That’s right….FREE Pre-Qualifying. Specializing in Happy, Smooth, and On-Time Closings! CALL TODAY! Toby Lynn, Branch Manager, The Mortgage Firm, 941-356-6579 – www.ThePerfectMortgageSolution.com

Fishermen’s Village is delighted to announce our newest addition! Come enjoy the fabulous Sunset Beach Club Tiki Bar, where the boardwalk ends and the sunsets begin. Savor our tropical cocktails and delectable eats, be entertained with live music, and bask in the beautiful views of Charlotte Harbor. Located on the dry beach of Fishermen’s Village, we’re dedicated to making sure your time with us is unlike anything else you’ve experienced.  Open daily at 12 noon. www.sunset-beachclub.com

Americans are growing increasingly familiar with the negative effects of identity theft. Sadly, according to FBI crime statistics, an average of 280,000 individual's register identity theft-related complaints each year, with $1.3 billion in losses reported. Financial Identity Theft is by far the most common type of theft being reported. If you or your family have been a victim or you want more information, please give Sue Craig at Independent Financial Coaching a call to discuss. They work with people that have been exposed to all types of identity theft.

NEW!  You can now invest in the heart-eyes emoji the same way you would a bar of gold. Some investors are now betting on the value of custom strings of emojis as digital assets. Early adopters are using these hieroglyphic identifiers, called Yats, as URLs. The strings of emojis can be links in owners’ social-media bios.  If you want to talk about this crazy new idea, call Patti Guerzo at Guerzo Business Consulting, at 312-420-0884.  If you just want to buy a yat, look up Yat Labs.  At this early stage, a 5-emoji string can be had for just $4.   

If your Florida home has “shrunk” due to the things you’re planning to bring back up North, consider having Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage pack them for the move, and store them out of your house, into their secure storage.  Then, schedule your move with Kenny, to ensure availability when many Snowbirds fly back north.  When quality counts, call Gardiner & Sons, 941-423-5311. 

Do you want happier and healthier employees? Learn how Gulfcoast South AHEC can offer FREE tobacco cessation counseling and FREE Nicotine Replacement in the form of patches, gum and/or lozenges at no cost for qualifying participants. As part of Tobacco Free Florida’s in-person/virtual Group Quit sessions, we are here to help. Call 866-534-7909 or visit gsahec.org to register today.

Surveys report that most U.S. businesses admit their employee performance review processes are weak. It's not a task many managers enjoy, so there's not a lot of motivation to make improvements. But, your company's employees may be your biggest competitive advantage and their success is your success. A good performance review process can boost that success for everyone. Informative, helpful, employee reviews can often increase productivity and motivate employees to accomplish more.    For economical and FCRA-compliant background screening, contact Doris Hebert-Ferrigno at NRG Background Checks.    941-488-8500;  800-531-6522;   nrginfo@atlantic.net

Tommy’s Express Car Wash is pleased to announce the GRAND OPENING of a new express car wash facility at 19101 Murdock Circle in Port Charlotte, FL. The Grand Opening Celebration will begin on Thursday, February 17^th and run through Saturday, February 19^th, and will include special offers, giveaways, and other promotions. Self-service interior vacuuming is available on-site.Members of the public interested in joining the TOMMY CLUB (a monthly unlimited wash membership program) can do so using the Tommy’s Express App. Visit Tommys-Express.com or follow facebook.com/TommysExpressPortCharlotte for more information.

Charlotte County Imagination Library, the local affiliate of Dolly Parton’s iconic Imagination Library program, celebrated its 10^th Anniversary recently, in collaboration with the Charlotte Players, its’ non-profit sponsor. The local Imagination Library program began with local business owner Shawn Gilstad and Charlotte Players’ Executive Director Sherrie Moody and the Players’ Board of Directors. The contract with the Dollywood Foundation was signed in December 2011. The program provides a free book to registered children between the ages of birth and five years. Any child in that age group who lives in Charlotte County is eligible to participate. Parents can enroll their children for no cost online at www.charlottecountyimaginationlibrary.org

"Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you." — Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Click here to view jobs currently posted on the Charlotte County Chamber website!

Allegiant Job Fair at Charlotte Technical College on February 22nd morning session 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Afternoon Session 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Maintenance Technician Open Interview Session. *New MX Contract *A&P Technicians starting at $30/hr * Profit Sharing Program *401(k) Match * Employee stock Purchase Program * Tool and Uniform Allowance * Rapid Internal Growth Opportunities * Fly for Free! Visit allegiant.com/careers for more information, or print and share the flyer.

F45 Training is a boutique fitness center franchise that is growing internationally. With a grand opening soon we need energetic, certified and friendly people to join our team in Port Charlotte. Hiring in 2022: Studio Manager (CPT, AED, CPR); Membership Manager (CPT, AED, CPR); Certified head Trainer (CPT, AED, CPR); Certified Trainers (CPT, AED, CPR); Administration & Front Desk. To learn about these great opportunities contact Michael Bluemling Jr. 516-788-5260 PortCharlotteWest@F45Training.com our website https://f45training.com/portcharlottwest - We will be at the Job Fair at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, Tuesday, February 1, 2022 from 3:00 to 5:00pm.

The Purple House Salon is seeking a Front Desk Receptionist/Administrative Assistant, full time Tuesday – Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Duties include but not limited to: Create a welcoming atmosphere in the lobby and reception area, Manage salon phone calls/voice mails/emails, Manage the POS system including checking out clients, making appointments, maintaining employee schedules, running reports, etc., Assist with marketing (flyers, printouts, ads, chamber/networking events), Assist Stylist Manager with inventory reports, intake, ordering, Prepare payroll (bi-weekly) and tax reports (monthly, quarterly) for accountant, Run errands and handle banking including deposits and maintaining adequate change in cash drawer, Compose documents as needed, Maintain files (hard copy and digital), Assist with laundry & salon cleaning and Reports to Stylist Manager. Candidates interested should send resume to: thepurplehousesalon1@gmail.com

Are you looking for an opportunity to showcase your business? A great opportunity would be sponsoring one of our Third Wednesday Coffees. Sponsors receive recognition in Business Online, on Facebook and in the Chamber calendar.  Sponsors may place marketing materials on the tables at the event and will have 4-5 minutes to introduce yourself/staff/business. Available slots are limited. Please contact Janet Caffee jcaffee@charlottecountychamber.org or call 941-627-2222 for details. Cost to sponsor is $300.

LOCAL-

Please call 2-1-1 for any resource needs.

Charlotte County Economic Development Office- www.cleared4takeoff.com

Community Organizations Active in a Disaster- https://coadfl.org/

Career Source of Southwest Florida online resources include available jobs- https://careersourcesouthwestflorida.com/immediate-southwest-florida-job-openings/

Charlotte County Department of Health- www.Charlotte.FloridaHealth.gov

City of Punta Gorda- http://www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/

Charlotte County Administration - https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/dept/admin/Pages/default.aspx

Charlotte County Public Schools- https://www.yourcharlotteschools.net/

Florida Chamber of Commerce- www.floridachamber.com/coronavirus

U.S. Department of Labor- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic

https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20200320.

Small Business Administration- www.sba.gov/disaster

Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association- https://frla.org/covid-19/

Florida Retail Federation- http://www.frf.org/index.php/news/covid-19

Florida Department of Health- http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/

Visit Florida- www.visitflorida.org

Governor's Office- www.flgov.com

Center for Disease Control- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Send YOUR Member News/Events to BOL@charlottecountychamber.org and we'll share it each week. Email submissions of 90 words or fewer, in paragraph form, by noon on Friday for inclusion the following Monday. This is a free members-only benefit! (We do reserve the right to publish and edit any submissions.)

Bob White, Executive Director bwhite@charlottecountychamber.org

Jami Joannes, Dir. of Business Development jjoannes@charlottecountychamber.org

Ruth Uzonyi, Dir. of Finance ruzonyi@charlottecountychamber.org

Janet Caffee, Information & Customer Service jcaffee@charlottecountychamber.org