~ 96th Year Serving Charlotte County ~
Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock
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BUSINESS ONLINE
~ Monday, January 25, 2021 ~
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2020-2021 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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*Supreme Charter Sustaining Partner (no years missed) *Charter Sustaining Partner
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Chamber Events and Updates |
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Survey says! Please don't forget to complete the four question survey which was emailed to you on January 21. Your input is needed.
The recently graduated Leadership Charlotte Class of 2020 continues to move forward with their amazing class project to benefit the youth of Charlotte County. For more information on how can assist with this important initiative, please click the button below:
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Expo Sponsors:
(So far!)
Platinum Title Sponsor- Chapman Insurance Group
Platinum Title Sponsor- Total Air Solutions
Gold Presenting Sponsor- Burnt Store Title and Escrow
Bronze Participating Sponsor- American Imaging of SW Florida
Bronze Participating Sponsor- Charlotte Health Solutions
Bronze Participating Sponsor- Life Care Center of Punta Gorda
Bronze Participating Sponsor- The Mortgage Firm
Bronze Participating Sponsor- The Mosaic Company
Business After Party Sponsor- Elite Inspections and Pest Solutions
Print Sponsor- Buffalo Graffix
Newspaper Sponsor- Sun Coast Media Group
Radio Sponsor- iHeart Media
Lanyard Sponsor- Chapman Insurance Group
Event Bag Sponsor- Whitco Insurance- Alexia Martin Agency
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. Click the EXPO EXPO EXPO button below for the ~HOT~ details!
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Expo Exhibitors:
(So far!)
AADisaster Restoration; Achieva Credit Union; Acu Heal Medical Acupuncture; American Imagining of SW Florida; Bayfront Health Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda; BrightStar Care of Venice and Port Charlotte; Buffalo Graffix; Burnt Store Title and Escrow; Centennial Bank; Certain Service; Chapman Insurance Group; Charlotte County Clerk of Circuit Court and County Comptroller; Charlotte County Community Services; Charlotte County Economic Development Office; Charlotte County Property Appraiser Paul Polk; Charlotte County Water Rainsoft; Charlotte-Desoto Building Industry Association; Charlotte Health Solutions; Chelsea Place Senior Care; Charlotte State Bank and Trust; Charlotte Technical College; Coastal Dermatology; Coldwell Banker Sunstar Realty; Edward Jones-Jim Sproul; Elite Inspections and Pest Solutions; Fabulous Finds Re-Sale Shop; Farr Law Firm; Fawcett Memorial Hospital; Florida Weekly; Foot and Ankle Centers of Charlotte County; FSBDC at FGCU; Gator Wilderness Camp School; Icard Merrill Attorneys and Counselors; iHeart Media; Integrity Insurance Agency; Labor Solutions; LaQuinta Inn and Suites/Microtel Inn and Suites Port Charlotte; Life Care Center of Punta Gorda; LMET@Sea, LLC; Maple Leaf Golf & Country Club; Murdock Stones Etc.; The SCORE Association; Port Charlotte Rehab and Nursing; Pregnancy Solutions; Radiology Regional Center; Rescue Air Cooling and Heating; S&N Motorsports; ServPro of Port Charlotte/Venice; Shutters 9-1-1, LLC; Sun Coast Media Group; Tampa Bay Rays; TaxSavers; The Mortgage Firm; The Mosaic Company; Tidewell Hospice; Total Air Solutions; Tony/Rhonda Gustitus Team-Keller Williams Peace River Partners; Valerie's House; Village Place Senior Living; Vintage Motor Car Club of America SWFL Region; and Whitco Insurance- Alexia Martin Agency.
Make sure YOUR local business is part of this ~HOT~ August event. Click the EXPO EXPO EXPO button below for details!
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Chamber Member News
Alzheimer's Association- The end of Alzheimer's starts with you! Now recruiting volunteers. We are building our 2021 Charlotte Walk Committee. This dedicated group of volunteers drives the event's development and growth - advancing the fight against Alzheimer's from the ground up. There are lots of ways to use your interests and skills no matter how much time you have to give! Learn more at our Volunteer Kickoff on January 28th, 4:00 - 4:30. RSVP today at https://bit.ly/3nAsGhS. Questions? Contact Kathy Heldman, your walk staff partner, at kaheldman@alz.org.
Reading a Nautical Chart is offered by the America’s Boating Club® Peace River Sail and Power Squadron Saturday, 6 February staring at 8:30AM, finished by 12PM in Bayfront Center, 750 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. We cover information you can find and get off a chart, give you a Charlotte Harbor chartlet, loan you plotting tools, show how to plot a course from Punta Gorda to Cayo Costa near Boca Grande Inlet. Price is $40, additional family member sharing materials $25. To register or for more information: 941-637-0766 or Education@PeaceRiverSailandPowerSquadron.org
All of us at Blu gROTTO Italian Ristorante welcome you to come and join us for dinner Tuesday thru Saturday from 4:00pm -9:00pm. We offer some of the best Italian food in the area and promise you a wonderful dining experience. The food really is amazing and the waitstaff is very polite and attentive. We do recommend reservations and offer great ambience for a nice date night, anniversary or for that special occasion. Home - Blu gROTTO Italian Ristorante (blugrottoportcharlotte.com)
Are you doing everything you can to market yourself? Buffalo Graffix is here for all your printing and design needs! Need some help with your marketing plan for the year? There’s no better time than right now to figure out the best way to promote your business. We’ve got tons of specials going on right now to save you money and get things done! Contact us today at 941-625-2833 or info@buffalograffix.com to see what we can do for you!
Calling all supervisors and HR staff! Need a good laugh? Join Charlotte County Society for Human Resource Management for a virtual hour with Leadership speaker/comedian David Horning who combines hilarious anecdotes, scientific studies and simple daily practices to help you utilize humor as a vital leadership skill and cultural cornerstone to your work.
The complimentary trust and investment management seminars presented by Charlotte State Bank & Trust Vice President Christine Hause and Portfolio Manager Gregory Thomas continue this week with Value of Florida Residency and Homestead” on Tuesday, Jan. 26, “Mutual Funds Versus Exchange Traded Funds” on Wednesday, Jan. 27, and “IRAs and Your Estate Plan” on Thursday, Jan. 28. 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.
Do not miss out on free opportunities to explore and learn about Florida’s environment with CHEC! You can catch free guided walks at Alligator Creek Preserve on Tuesdays or Thursdays, or one of the following walks this week: Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park on 1/26 or Charlotte Flatwoods Environmental Preserve on 1/29. All walks begin at 9:00 AM. Also, check out our calendar to find out more about our Seagrass Wading Adventures. Pre-registration and face masks are required for all programs. Visit www.checflorida.org or call 941-575-5435 for more information.
When you eat out, do you bring the ingredients for your meal with you? Of course not, because you know the chef has selected quality items to prepare your meal. Yet, when it’s your car, some people believe a part is a part, and try to buy the cheapest one online. When they bring those parts to Complete Auto Repair, we refuse to install them. Why? Because parts we purchase come with warranties against defects. If you understand the value of using quality parts to repair your vehicle, call Ron Morgan at 941-623-2926 for an appointment.
Curb Your Appetite is a new food truck in the area specializing in gourmet sandwiches, new menu every week! Follow us on Facebook for weekly menu and schedule: www.facebook.com/curbyourappetitefl
Englewood Beach Waterfest- Who's Ready To Play Poker? Join the Poker Run on Saturday, March 27 by boat, car or motorcycle - headquarters will be Four Points by Sheraton, Punta Gorda Harborside! Visit five stops with a chance to win $500, or many other prizes in our raffle drawings! Donate to one of our local select charities, or bring (4) non-perishable items on the day of the event! Several sponsorship opportunities are available!
Register early for discounts! To sign up and get more information please visit our website at
Farr Law Firm is pleased to announce the promotion of Kelsey J. Veitengruber as a shareholder. This elected position was effective January 1, 2021. Veitengruber joined the firm in 2017 and focuses her legal practice in general civil litigation in both state and federal courts. Veitengruber is on the board of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce and the Visual Arts Center Endowment Trust. She is also a member of the Campaign Cabinet for the United Way of Charlotte County and the Steering Committee for Leadership Charlotte.
Retail space for lease: We are seeking a savvy business entrepreneur to join our family of successful, independently owned shops and boutiques at Fishermen's Village! Space size: 1,584 sq. ft. in prime location. Please forward interested inquiries to GM, Patti Allen via email: mall@fishville.com
Are you headed to Ohio soon? If you need to send an item to loved ones anywhere en route to Ohio, we can help you get it there. Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage heads to Ohio in the next few weeks. We will work out logistics so that we can accommodate your belongings with other items we are taking. We have been perfecting logistics for generations. Call Kenny at 941-423-5311 to plan for your move.
Business owners, are you one of the Two Percent? Just 2% have goals and plans to achieve them. Now is a perfect time to strategically reflect on 2020, and plan how you want 2021 to unfold. Patti Guerzo, of Guerzo Business Consulting can walk you through this process, and help you see new opportunities, dead-ends in disguise, and make a plan to realize your goals. Call her at 312-420-0884 to schedule an appointment.
Is quitting tobacco your New Year’s resolution? Quit Today with Gulfcoast South AHEC for free smoking cessation classes. As part of the Tobacco Free Florida’s in-person and virtual Group Quit sessions, we are here to help! Qualifying participants will be eligible to receive free nicotine replacement patches, gum and/or lozenges. Call 866-534-7909 or send us a message to register today.
Have you taken the steps to protect you and your family if something unexpected happens to you or your spouse? To get answers to all your estate planning questions and learn how to protect your family, contact Mark Martella, Esq. of Icard Merrill at 941-206-3700 or mmartella@icardmerrill.com to schedule a complimentary one hour, no obligation consultation, and learn how to be prepared for the unexpected.
Do you know how your credit score is calculated? Credit scores are a combination of debt owed, debt history, new lenders, as well as types of debt and length of debt, which are all calculated on a percentage basis, creating a score between 300 and 850. You can see how one error could affect that percentage. That's why it's important to check your scores and make appropriate corrections when necessary. Call Independent Financial Coaching’s Sue Craig at 941-916-5324 from for a consultation about your credit scores.
(#3 of 4) Reasons to “CONNECT” with Lightspeed Voice. Lightspeed Voice is a next-generation telephone service provider, offering cutting-edge communications, converged into a high quality, easy to … MORE
Murdock Stones Etc. just received their annual lawn ornament shipment. There's quite a wide variety to choose from including animals, soldiers and birdbaths. 590 Prineville St. in Port Charlotte (by the Sun Flea Market). 7621 Sawyer Circle (off Gasparilla Rd. …look for the World’s Largest Mailbox). www.murdockstonesetc.com. 941-629-6651.
Generally, the smaller the company, the broader the responsibility each employee has. This may allow employees access to financial records, banking data, employee files, and customer records ... and even small businesses usually have credit card and identity information on many, many customers. The employer becomes vulnerable to devastating lawsuits if a dishonest employee compromises those records and information in some way. Be careful who you hire! 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 February 24, 2021. The cost for the class is $45 and advance registration is recommended by calling 941-637-1655.
Punta Gorda Rotary Club has been serving our community since 1925, offering business networking, fellowship, and service to our citizens. If you would like to be part of doing good for Punta Gorda and the world, please join us for one of our Thursday noon meetings at the Isles Yacht Club. For more information contact Darcy Hanley at 303-927-9437 or email darcyrhanley@gmail.com.
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
Valerie’s House: Valerie’s House turns 5 this month! To celebrate our 5th Anniversary, we are asking everyone to change their Facebook/Instagram profile picture to the Valerie’s House Turns 5 Logo. This can be found on our Valerie’s House’s Facebook page. Valerie’s House is a nonprofit organization that helps grieving families in Southwest Florida. Our services are free of charge to families. Please contact Christine Carey to find out more ways to help our Valerie’s House families here in Charlotte County (christine@valerieshouse.org or 239-841-0382). Valerie’s House’s website: Valerie's House
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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
Final Exam:
A professor stood before his class of twenty senior organic biology students, about to hand out the final exam.
"I want to say that it's been a pleasure teaching you this semester. I know you've all worked extremely hard and many of you are off to medical school after summer. So that no one gets their GPA messed up because they might have been celebrating a bit too much this week, anyone who would like to opt out of the final exam today will receive a 'B' for the test."
There was much rejoicing in the class as students got up, walked to the front of the class, and took the professor up on his offer. As the last taker left the room, the professor looked out over the handful of remaining students and asked, "Anyone else? This is your last chance."
One final student rose up and opted out of the final.
The professor closed the door and took attendance of those students remaining. "I'm glad to see you believe in yourselves," he said. "You all get 'A's."
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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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