Mission Statement:
The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce is organized to advance the prosperity and general welfare of its business members and the community they serve.
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~ 97th Year Serving Charlotte County ~
Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock
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BUSINESS ONLINE
~ Monday, October 11, 2021 ~
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2021-2022 Sustaining Partners
Sustaining Partner businesses provide additional financial support annually to the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce which, in turn, provides them with additional valuable membership benefits. These contributions to the chamber allow for the continued increase of promotion, advocacy, involvement, and leadership at the local, state and federal levels. This is done to always be proactive in support of our businesses and the community we serve.
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Charter Sustaining Partner (no years missed) |
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~ Chamber Events and Updates ~ |
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Wed., October 20, 7:15 a.m. Third Wednesday Coffee at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center. Sponsor: Buffalo Graffix, Non-Profit: Young Life, Tom Parker, Program Speaker: Jared Bickham, Capital Projects Manager, Charlotte County Government Please RSVP here. There is no cost to attend. New Member Orientation right after the coffee (same room about 8:30 a.m.) and any member who wants to learn more about their membership benefits is welcome to attend.
Business Card Exchange, Thurs., October 28, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Nix & Associates Real Estate, 2421 Shreve Street, Suite 111 , Punta Gorda. Please bring a small gift to promote your business. Their theme is a Halloween Bash, costumes are encouraged. Please RSVP here. There is no cost to attend.
The next issue of the FIR$T THUR$DAY ADVERTI$ER will be sent out on November 4. Members interested in taking advantage of this new digital monthly format will save the
cost of printing a flier. We prefer a PNG file (at least 600-650 pixels wide, resolution 72PPI if possible and file size no larger than 4MG) for the "digital flyer" ad in the FIR$T THUR$DAY ADVERTI$ER, due no later than 5 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the First Thursday of the month. Sustaining Partners receive free ads as part of their partnership, or cost per issue is $100.00, and $50.00 for a non-profit. This is an exclusive opportunity for members of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. (The chamber reserves the right to deny, publish and edit any submissions.) 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.
The Charlotte County Chamber Newsletter Business Perspective is going DIGITAL beginning with the January 2022 issue. AND you'll save money too! $100 for-profit rate or $50 non-profit rate. Complete the Newsletter Agreement and email it with your digital flyer to Newsletter@charlottecountychamber.org Your digital flyer 8.5 x 11 inches in size must be submitted by the 20th of the month. Call the office to learn more. This is a members only opportunity.
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~ Join us for a Ribbon Cutting ~ |
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New Business? New Renovation?
Consider a Ribbon Cutting to promote your business and services.
All members are invited to attend our ribbon cutting events. Come out and support your fellow members.
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Daybreak Market & Fuel
19701 Cochran Blvd., Port Charlotte
Ribbon Cutting on Friday, October 15 at 10:00 a.m.
For their Grand Opening
The Punta Gorgeous Store
Ribbon Cutting on Wednesday, November 17 at 8:30 a.m.
(immediately following the Third Wednesday Coffee-same room)
Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center
75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda
Perfectly Polished Nail Boutique
121 E. Marion Ave., Unit 111, Punta Gorda
Ribbon Cutting on November 18 at 5:30 p.m.
In celebration of their 4 year anniversary.
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Painting with a Twist
18700 Veterans Blvd., Suite 8
Port Charlotte, FL 33954
Annette Whiting
(941) 764-3914
https://www.paintingwithatwist.com/studio/port-charlotte/
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Know of a business who would also benefit from being a Chamber member?
Businesses may join online now on our website or please recommend a business to
Bob White bwhite@charlottecountychamber.org and he will follow up with them!
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The Business Expo is 17 weeks away, have you signed up?
Thank you Expo Sponsors:
Silver Associate Sponsor - Life Care Center of Punta Gorda
Print Sponsor - Buffalo Graffix
After Hours Party Sponsor - Elite Inspections and Pest Solutions
Passport Sponsor - Elite Inspections and Pest Solutions
There are four sponsorship levels which include the exhibitor booth space(s), lots of promotional perks, print and digital advertising, party tickets, and more than ever before.
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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.)
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The Forever War-Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the War in Afghanistan Special Exhibit- On display from Oct. 4 to Oct 20. Documentary Series- Oct 12-16 PBS Frontline: Bad Voodoo’s War (2008, April 1). Flight Simulators- Tour of Afghanistan from the Skies. Saturdays At The Museum U.S. History-themed curriculum created and led by certified educators. Designed for students in grades 4-8. Oct. 9: STEM Meets History (in collaboration with the Florida International Air Show). Florida International Air Show- Stop by and visit our booth! For more information: www.militaryheritagemuseum.org
Charlotte Players- Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is the 2nd play of our 21-22 season at The Langdon Playhouse playing from October 8-17. Winner of the Tony Award in 2013 for Best Play. Middle aged siblings Vanya and Sonia share a home in Bucks County, PA where they bicker and complain about the circumstances of their lives. Suddenly their movie-star sister, Masha, swoops in with her new boy toy, Spike. Located at 1182 Market Circle in Port Charlotte. Tickets are $22 and on www.charlotteplayers.org or by calling our Box Office at 941-255-1022.
Join C.A.R.E. on October 14th at noon for a FREE Lunch and Learn about Domestic Violence. Attendees will hear from domestic violence advocates, Charlotte County Sheriff’s office, and legal professions. Help us raise awareness around domestic violence in our local community and reserve your spot today. For more information visit https://carefl.org/ or call 941-639-5499.
The Goodwill MicroEnterprise class helps individuals with a business idea develop a plan for a successful business start-up. Subject matter experts and a team of experienced business coaches work with you as you make your dream into a viable plan. Classes are two nights a week for six weeks and start at 6 pm. The fall class starts on October 11th. This class will be held at the Community Resource Center in the Goodwill Store in the Peachland Promenade. For more details go to: www.goodwillswfl.org/microenterprise
Charlotte Players- October 15th. Don’t miss our 9th annual Comedy For A Cause. It’s the funniest fundraiser around. Enjoy a delicious dinner while local business celebs entertain with side-splitting improvisational antics. The “Curtain Call-Online Auction” that debuted last year will return. Auction items will be available to view and bid on at 6 p.m. October 8th and end during the performance at 8:30 p.m. For more information check out www.charlotteplayers.org or call 941-255-1022. Located at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda, FL 33950.
An introductory course in Florida Fishing is being offered at the PGI Civic Association on Shreve Street in Punta Gorda. Topics cover fishing techniques, tackle, rigging, knot tying, lures, baits, cast nets, fish identification, tides, and fishing regulations for fresh and salt waters. The class is geared towards beginning anglers, experienced fishermen may pick up helpful tips as well. The instructor is Capt. Ralph Allen. The course is open to all and is held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for six weeks starting Wednesday October 20, 2021. Cost is $50 advance registration is recommended by calling 941-637-1655.
United Way of Charlotte County invites you to say, "Thanks!" to many of the non-profit organizations that spend every day caring for Charlotte County on October 21, 2021. This Day of Caring, join us to LIVE UNITED by adopting a project (painting, yard work, cleaning) or collecting wish list items (diapers, wipes, canned food) to support our partners, our neighbors, our community. The event will kick off at the Port Charlotte Town Center parking lot near the old Sears Department Store at 9AM. We will have snacks, games and prizes until 11AM. Click here to sign up today: https://signup.com/go/PmJyKWp
Step It Up for the Tidewell Trot! Thursday, October 21, 2021 at Nathan Benderson Park.
Join the fun and run for a good cause ! Presented by Alltrust Insurance, the 2021 Tidewell Trot 5k/1-mile Run/Walk benefits Tidewell Foundation to help Tidewell Hospice provide charity care, grief support services, specialized veterans care, music therapy, telehealth and more. Register today at TidewellFoundation.org. Multiply the fun by creating a team with your friends, family, neighborhood or work group!
Seven Jazz Concerts (Oct - April) at the Cultural Center Theater, 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte, FL 33952, the first on October 11 at 7pm La Lucha with Ona Kirei & James Suggs. Seven Jam Sessions (Oct - April) at the American Legion Post 110, 3152 Harbor Blvd., Port Charlotte. Fourth Sunday 1-4pm. Membership in the Charlotte County Jazz Society assists with a College Scholarship program for local high school students. For more information contact the Charlotte County Jazz Society Hotline: 941-766-9422 or visit www.ccjazz.org
Valerie’s House is a nonprofit organization that helps grieving children & families who have lost a loved one in Charlotte, Sarasota, Lee, & Collier County. Please contact Christine Carey to find out ways to volunteer, mentor, refer families, fundraising opportunities, go on tours, & donate to our Valerie’s House families (christine@valerieshouse.org, 239-841-0382, www.valerieshouse.org) A Night of Swing!! event is coming up! Suncoast Swing Band with Zarita Mattox benefitting Valerie’s House & Dream Chasers & Dream Makers Girls Mentoring Program. This event will be 10/16/21 @ 6pm. Purchase tickets at www.militaryheritagemuseum.org
The Homeless Coalition is excited to announce that the “Driving out Hunger” Fall Golf Scramble on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at the Riverwood Golf Club in Port Charlotte. This is a four-person scramble and flighted for men, women, and mixed teams. In addition to the 18 holes of golf with cart, there will be contests with prizes, raffles, and drink tickets for all players, continental breakfast and barbecue lunch. Registration must include payment before the event to ensure your reservation. Register by October 20, 2021 contact Jenifer.welch@cchomelesscoalition.org click here for more information.
Join us on Sunday, November 7th at Twisted Fork for the inaugural Charlotte-DeSoto Building Industry Association Professional Women in Building Triathlon presented by Punta Gorda Properties. Starting at 12pm, you are welcome to participate in a challenge including axe throwing, modified cornhole and mini golf. $300 for first place, $200 for 2nd and $100 for 3rd place. A portion of the net proceeds from this event will benefit the Professional Women in Building Scholarship fund. Cost is $60 pp, which includes a Twisted Fork feast and an event shirt. For more information visit www.cdbia.com or call 941-625-0804
Vendor space is available at the annual “Art and Craft Fair,” Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, 2001 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda, to be held on Saturday, November 6, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The nominal vendor fee for this community event is $35 and each vendor will be provided with a six-foot table and two chairs. This is your opportunity to show and sell your wares to hundreds of guests. For more information, please visit PGICA Art and Craft Fair or call 941-637-1655.
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FCRA-Compliant Nationwide Quik-Chek: Check SSN (basic identity check) + Check prior addresses (identity double-check and target records) + Check state-based criminal records nationwide + Check federal-based criminal records nationwide + Check sex offender registration nationwide. Just $38! Plus, property managers and landlords can add a statewide eviction records check for just $8 and/or a credit report and credit score for just $18. Contact Doris Hebert-Ferrigno at NRG Background Checks. Our 27th year of providing FCRA-compliant screening services to Florida employers, property managers, and governmental entities. 941-488-8500; 800-531-6522; nrginfo@atlantic.net
Don't forget we have a FREE Introduction to Strength Training seminar every Tuesday in October designed to help you learn to create a training plan and execute exercises safely. Strength training can help you achieve any physical fitness goal you have and does not necessarily mean you'll be "bulky," though you will get "toned" (though we can help you with that if that's your goal!). This class is located at RHINO's GYM and is perfect for ALL experience levels. Contact us to learn more! www.RhinoStrengthFL.com or call/text 910-635-3903
Gardiner & Sons Moving and Storage is headed to the Mid-Atlantic area mid to end of October. We will also be in the Midwest at the beginning of November. Many times people have a few items to move but not enough to fill a truck. If you have something that needs to hitch a ride, we can make some room for you. Please call Kenny as soon as possible to discuss the logistics at 941-423-5311. "When Quality Counts" call Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage.
Warranties can be a waste of money for some items, but they can be a valuable protection for your vehicle. If you ever purchased a warranty, Complete Auto Repair will honor it. Any work done to repair your vehicle is also warrantied for 2 years or 24,000 miles, at shops nationwide. Call Mary at 941-623-2926 to make your warranty work for you. We are located at 20120 Veterans Blvd in Port Charlotte.
We are looking for sponsors for the Harbor Corvettes show at Port Charlotte Town Center Mall on December 11, 2021. This is a charity show with donations going to several of our chamber members - Charlotte Technical College, Crossroads Hope Academy, & The Boys & Girls Club. The sponsor form can be found at https://rem.ax/HarborCorvettesSponsor. The registration form can be found at https://rem.ax/HarborCorvettesRegistration. Write Tammy Hayes as the club member name on sponsor form or email me at tammyhayesre@gmail.com. Thank you for your support.
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.
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
Fall is coming and Cutco Closing Gifts is here to help you wrap up 2021 with a bow. Show your clients and employees how much their business meant to you this year with a gift they will use every day and see every day. Remember, it’s 5x more expensive to generate new clients than it is to get repeat business and introductions from your current ones. Our gifts are comparable to what you’re already spending on gift cards or baskets. Let us help you plan it!
The Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, offers a wide variety of community classes and events … and the calendar is filling up. Classes are open to the public and include dance, exercise, finance, painting, card making, foreign films, writing, fishing, mah-jongg, technology, history and more. For more information or to register, please visit PGICA Educational Opportunities or call 941-637-1655.
LADIES! In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness, Radiology Regional is offering uninsured patients the special self-pay rate of $99 for their 3D screening mammogram! This special rate will be valid for appointments scheduled from now until Nov 30, 2021. We have same day appointments available, Fellowship Trained Breast Imaging Radiologists, and excellent staff! Radiology Regional will retrieve prior images from outside Radiology facilities. No prescription needed as long as patients have an established health care provider. Call 941-255-7945 to schedule. 18300 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte.
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We encourage members to shop with other members to keep our community and local economy strong. If you do business with one or more of our renewing members please congratulate them for their Chamber Anniversary. These are members who renewed between August 16, 2021 and September 15, 2021... Take a look! |
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~ Member-to-Member Testimonials ~ |
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Thanks to a member suggestion, we are enthusiastically sharing testimonials from our members about their positive business experiences with other members of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. Submit a paragraph of 90 words or less describing your experience. Include your name and business name, and email your Member-to-Member Testimonial to Janet at jcaffee@charlottecountychamber.org before noon on Friday to be included the following week. We are proud of our members and this is an excellent way to let them shine even more!
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Tell us about your good experience with a fellow member and we'll share it here and post is on our website. |
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~ Job Spot ~
Members may post jobs using the MIC (Member Portal) at no cost.
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Campbell’s Enrolled Agents & Co., Inc. is seeking an Experienced Tax Preparer Seasonal full-time and yearly full-time. Preparing individual and/or corporate tax returns. Maintain office cleanliness and organization of resources with team members and other duties as assigned. Requirements, high school diploma or equivalent. Strong organizational and time-management skills. Knowledge and experience with tax programs computer system. Please email your Resume to Info@campbellsea.com
PGICA Facility Technician (Part-Time) A part-time cleaning and maintenance position is available at the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association (PGICA). Responsibilities include maintaining the cleanliness, repair and safety of the facility, equipment and grounds; preparing the auditorium and classrooms for daily activities; and preparing for and staffing private events. The role requires schedule flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, good judgement, and outstanding customer service skills. Estimated 6 to 10 hours a week; Weekdays- $15 per hour; Weekends and Holidays- $19 per hour. Please contact Teri Ashley at teriashley@pgica.org or 941-637-1655.
Career Source of Southwest Florida online resources include available jobs
Your "Help Wanted" information could be here! Please submit 90 words or less to BOL@charlottecountychamber.org. AND REMEMBER you can login and post your job in the MIC (Member Portal) and it will be visible to all on our website https://business.charlottecountychamber.org/jobs/
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Showcase your business through sponsorship! |
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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.
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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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A woman drove to a parking garage searching for an open space, but she found none.
Then she noticed a couple walking just ahead. She slowly pulled alongside them and rolled down her window. She called out hopefully, "Going out?"
"No," the man said, "we're just friends."
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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.)
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Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
2702 Tamiami Trail
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
941-627-2222
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