Charlotte County
Chamber of Commerce
(Est. 1925)
~ 96th Year Serving Charlotte County ~
Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock
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The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce wishes its members and the entire community a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. Your partnerships are greatly appreciated and we look forward to working with you all as we move forward together into 2021.
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BUSINESS ONLINE
~~~ Monday, January 4, 2021 ~~~
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- Sustaining Partners
- Chamber Member News
- Job Spot
- Resources
- Just For Fun
- Contact information
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Social Distancing and Safety Protocol Statement
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2020-2021 Sustaining Partners
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*Supreme Charter Sustaining Partner (no years missed) *Charter Sustaining Partner
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Chamber Member News
Wishing all our Charlotte County Friends A Happy, Healthy Holiday- From Advocate Radiation Oncology to you and your loved ones, we wish a warm and wonderful Chanukah, a merry Christmas, and a peaceful holiday season. We are grateful to be a part of the Charlotte County community, and for the opportunity to help patients with a cancer diagnosis on their treatment journey. May we all have a prosperous and healthy 2021!
Cruise Planning course offered by America’s Boating Club® Peace River Sail and Power Squadron staring Thursday, January 14th, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays and Mondays until February 1st at Bayfront Center, 750 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. Cruising on sail or powerboat (owned or chartered) covering: Preparation and planning – General, Boat and Equipment, Anchors and Anchoring, Security, Chartering, Cruising outside the United States, Crew and Provisioning, Voyage Management, Communications, Navigation, Weather, and Emergencies. Price is $60 for USPS members and $110 to public. To register or for information- 941-637-0766 or education@peaceriversailandpowersquadron.org
Buffalo Graffix is here for all your printing and design needs! Will we see you at the 2021 Business Expo in February? Now is the time to prepare! We can help you create the perfect look for your booth and your team and your giveaway items! From now until 1/18/2021, get 10% off Embroidered Apparel, Promotional Products & Notepads for the expo (maximum discount of $50).
Charlotte County Community Services will host the Centennial Fishing Derby Jan. 1-31. This free “catch, photo and release” derby is open to all ages. Fish any legal Charlotte County waters in this multi-species fresh and saltwater tournament. Qualifying fish not required to be brought to a weigh-station, but photo entries must have the official Centennial Derby measuring stick shown. Pick up official Centennial Derby measuring sticks at any Charlotte County recreation center or library. Prizes awarded based on divisions and species. Official rules- www.CharlotteCounty100.com. For information contact David Plautz - 941-833-3579 - David.Plautz@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.
Charlotte State Bank & Trust Vice President Christine Hause and Portfolio Manager Gregory Thomas have scheduled a full slate of complimentary seminars for January. The series begins on Tuesday, Jan. 5, with Avoiding Estate-Planning Mistakes, with Celebrity Examples, followed by Stocks, Bonds, and Exchange Traded Funds on Wednesday, Jan. 6, and Estate Planning for Women on Thursday, Jan. 7. The free educational sessions are being held as live seminars and online webinars. Registration is available at any branch office, online at www.charlottestatebank.com, via email at rsvp@csbtfl.com, or by calling Brielle at 941-624-1943.
Want to lend a helping hand in your community? CHEC needs your help! We are looking for volunteers with skills in carpentry, plumbing, electricity, and more. Please contact us at 941-575-5435 to learn about how you can get involved. Also, participate in free guided hikes with CHEC at Alligator Creek Preserve on Tuesdays or Thursdays, or other special hikes. Registration is required, and all participants must wear a face mask. Hikes begin at 9:00 AM. For more information or to register, call us or check out our website at www.checflorida.org.
There’s a new sound in the air, and the pandemic is to blame. It’s the squeal of brakes pads that have “glazed.” From a lack of use, a brake pad hardens to the point that it mirrors and can no longer create effective friction against the rotor. The only fix is to replace the brake pads. If you suddenly find your car screams when you brake, we would be happy to silence it again. Just call Ron Morgan at Complete Auto Repair, 941-623-2926.
Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage has out-of-state trucks rolling when needed, but we always make time for local moves. If you are moving from an apartment, house, office, or warehouse, we can pack it, move everything out then move it into your new digs. We will place your furnishings and other oversized items where you want them without any fuss. We love helping local individuals and companies get moving and then get settled. Call Kenny Gardiner for an estimate at 941-423-5311.
This year, will you simply wait for things to change, or get creative? Guerzo Business Consulting specializes in community marketing, which includes low-cost and creative ways to make your business visible and appealing to consumers. This process simultaneously increases your online presence, without spending on digital ads. To see how your business can benefit from a new way to think about marketing, contact Patti Guerzo at Patti@Guerzo.com. Happy New Year!
Gulfcoast South AHEC provides free Group Quit tobacco cessation programs! Programs are led by Tobacco Cessation Specialists who are trained to provide evidence-based tobacco cessation education and resources. As part of Tobacco Free Florida, all Group Quit services, including nicotine replacement therapy, are FREE. Pre-registration is required. Call 866-534-7909 to register. You will be emailed a link to join by ZOOM conference via video or audio.
Did you know that January is the most powerful month to begin a savings plan? Even a $20 savings, repeated 12 times, will contribute to your financial goals. Savings are often found through review and discussion with a trained budget coach. Sue Craig, of Independent Financial Coaching, has helped many consumers find ways to stretch their budget without sacrificing quality of life. Call Sue at 941-916-5324 to talk about how she can help you increase the savings rate for your 2021 goals.
Workplace violence can occur at or outside the workplace and can range from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and homicide. It's one of the leading causes of job-related deaths. Two million-plus workers are victimized annually, with jury awards averaging over $1 million each in the resulting litigation. The total annual cost to employers is over $130 billion. Thorough background checks may help reduce the threat. For economical and FCRA-compliant employment and tenancy screening services, contact Doris Hebert-Ferrigno at NRG Background Checks. Call: 941-488-8500; Toll-Free: 800-531-6522; Fax: 941-488-8505; Email: nrginfo@atlantic.net
An introductory course in Florida Fishing is being offered at the PGI Civic Association on Shreve Street in Punta Gorda. Topics to be covered include fishing techniques, tackle, rigging, knots, lures, baits, fish identification, tides, and fishing regulations. The course is open to the public and is held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for six weeks beginning on Wednesday January 13, 2021. The cost for the class is $45 and advance registration is recommended by calling 941-637-1655.
Volunteers Needed- Our program is currently accepting volunteers to mentor students with our Scholarship Program. We have 11 new students who will need a mentor to be their academic guide until graduation. Mentoring a child will require that you meet at least once weekly, in person, via Zoom meeting or the TSIC App. You will be ensuring that your mentee continues to do well in school, meet college requirements and continue to focus on acceptance to a Florida college. https://www.takestockinchildren.org; Contact: Gloria Smith/Student Services Coordinator; Gloria.smith@yourcharlotteschools.net; 941-255-7500 Xt. 169
Happy New Year from The Firm 360° Photography. Out with the old and in with the new! See what Just Counters & Other Stuff can do for your new home build or remodel. Their details are also listed in the tour. We can do this 3 D Virtual Walking Tour for your business too. Contact us today for details at 941-347-8198, or visit our website www.the firm 360
There is no better time to buy a home. Toby Lynn helps get the right mortgage program for your sister, parents, or best buddy! Toby makes the process easy from pre-qualifying to closing. Specializing in happy, smooth, and on-time closings! CALL TODAY! Toby Lynn, Branch Manager, The Mortgage Firm, 941-356-6579 – www.ThePerfectMortgageSolution.com
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Career Source of Southwest Florida online resources include available jobs
Your "Help Wanted" information could be here! Please submit 90 words or less to tashley@charlottecountychamber.org.
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Resources
LOCAL-
Please call 2-1-1 for any resource needs.
STATE AND FEDERAL-
Florida Chamber of Commerce- www.floridachamber.com/coronavirus
Small Business Administration- www.sba.gov/disaster
Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association- https://frla.org/covid-19/
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Just for Fun
The teacher asked her students, “Who can tell me what the ruler of Russia was called?”
“Czar,” the class replied in unison.
“Correct. And what was his wife called?”
“Czarina,” the class replied.
“Good! And what were his children called?”
A timid voice piped up, “Czardines?”
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Do you have news or information about YOUR chamber business? Send it to the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce and we'll share it with the entire membership. Email your submission to Teri Ashley at tashley@charlottecountychamber.org. Please send 90 words or fewer, in paragraph form, by noon on Friday. Business Online is emailed weekly on Mondays, or Tuesday following a holiday. This is a free membership only benefit! ( We do reserve the right to publish and edit any submissions.)
Teri Ashley, Executive Director
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce
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2702 Tamiami Trail
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
941-627-2222
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Social Distancing and Health Safety Protocol Statement: The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce requests that you kindly not attend events with a fever, any COVID-19 Symptoms, if anyone in your household has shown symptoms of COVID-19, or if you are included in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defined high-risk category for COVID-19. Additionally, while we know that most are accustomed to handshakes, fist-bumps, and hugs, we ask that you refrain during this time and follow all recommended health safety protocols. Social distancing is required by anyone attending chamber events and it is recommended that face masks be worn to lessen the possible transmission of COVID-19 to others. By attending Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce events, all attendees acknowledge and assume the risk that COVID-19 is contagious and exposure may occur. :
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