Charlotte County
Chamber of Commerce
(Est. 1925)
~ 96th Year Serving Charlotte County ~
Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock
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BUSINESS ONLINE
~~~ Monday, December 28, 2020 ~~~
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- Chamber Updates
- Sustaining Partners
- Welcome New Members
- 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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ONLY 6 WEEKS AWAY
Expo Sponsors:
Platinum Title Sponsor- Chapman Insurance Group
Platinum Title Sponsor- Total Air Solutions
Gold Presenting Sponsor- Burnt Store Title and Escrow
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. All of the details are right HERE.
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Make sure your business is included ... the exhibitor list is growing weekly:
AADisaster Restoration; Achieva Credit Union; Acu Heal Medical Acupuncture; Bayfront Health Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda; BrightStar Care of Venice and Port Charlotte; Burnt Store Title and Escrow; Centennial Bank; Certain Service; 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; Chelsea Place Senior Care; Charlotte State Bank and Trust; Charlotte Technical College; Coastal Dermatology; Coldwell Banker Sunstar Realty; Edward Jones-Jim Sproul; Fabulous Finds Re-Sale Shop; Farr Law Firm; Fawcett Memorial Hospital; Foot and Ankle Centers of Charlotte County; FSBDC at FGCU; Gator Wilderness Camp School; Icard Merrill Attorneys and Counselors; Integrity Insurance Agency; Labor Solutions; LaQuinta Inn and Suites/Microtel Inn and Suites Port Charlotte; LMET@Sea, LLC; 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; Tampa Bay Rays; TaxSavers; Tidewell Hospice; Tony/Rhonda Gustitus Team-Keller Williams Peace River Partners; Village Place Senior Living; Vintage Motor Car Club of America SWFL Region; and Whitco Insurance- Alexia Martin Agency.
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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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Curb Your Appetite
1341 Ligget Circle
Port Charlotte, FL 33953
Peter Sullivan
941-830-2761
curbyourappetitefl@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/curbyourappetitefl
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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. Let us build you a custom tradeshow package to fit your budget. From now until 1/4/2021, get 10% off Embroidered Apparel and Promotional Products 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’s newest Trust Operations Specialist, Brielle Neptune-Kiker, was a student at Florida Gulf Coast University when she joined the bank in February of 2020 as a part-time teller. She graduated summa cum laude in May, earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in legal studies and a minor in economics and finance. Brielle supports Trust department operations and assists clients with inquiries, requests and support. Fluent in English and conversational French, she volunteers at the Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda, working in the facility’s animal hospital.
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.
2021 is bringing some big changes at Complete Auto Repair! We are revamping our service bays and investing in equipment to offer new services to our customers. You’ll have to keep guessing until our January announcement. Until then, Happy New Year, from Ron and Misty Morgan, and their team.
Fishermen’s Village annual Festival of Lights features more than one million holiday lights and decorations throughout the Village! Daily viewing through December 31st! Free parking/free admission. Fishermen’s Village Waterfront Mall, Resort & Marina, home to 40+ independently owned shops/boutiques/waterfront restaurants! www.fishville.com 941-639-8721. Located off Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda!
In the first week of the 2021, Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage will be traveling to South Carolina, Delaware and Maryland. We will have some space available if you need to move heavy, bulky, or a small load of items to these destinations, or places along the way. Please call Kenny Gardiner as quickly as possible, at 941-423-5311. "When Quality Counts, Call Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage."
Business owners, let us help create new successes in your company. You have not considered all of your options for growth. Patti Guerzo, of Guerzo Business Consulting, guarantees she can give you at least one new idea to increase your sales or profits. Don’t let 2021 just happen; take control and call Patti at 312-420-0884 to set a complimentary appointment.
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.
December 31, 2020 marks the end of many Bank and Credit Card foreclosure and collection moratoriums. Don’t wait until the last minute to think about what you are going to do to deal with your creditors once collections and foreclosure actions start up again. Call Mark Martella, Esq. of Icard Merrill to help you deal with your creditors and protect your assets and homestead. For a complimentary, confidential consultation, please call 941-206-3700 or e-mail Mark at mmartella@icardmerrill.com. Learn more at https://icardmerrill.com/money-matters/ .
Happy New Year from Independent Financial Coaching! While you’re reflecting on your goals for 2021, consider making changes to how you achieve your financial goals. A simple budget, thoughtfully crafted, can make the difference between hitting your goals and a year of regrets. If you want to set yourself up for success next year, call Sue Craig at 941-916-5324 to set up a Zoom or in-person meeting.
Christmas Light Canal Cruise reservations at King Fisher Fleet now open! Be part of the 40-year Punta Gorda tradition. Enjoy the same unique holiday experience but with new safety guidelines in place. These popular, family-friendly cruises tour residential canals to view Christmas lights, displays, and decorations on homes, boats, seawalls and docks. December 1st - 31st. Three options: 2-hour Sunset Cruise/Christmas Light Canal Cruise Combo, Classic 1-hour Christmas Light Canal Cruise, and Private Small Group Cruises. Info, prices, and reservations: https://kingfisherfleet.com/christmas-light-canal-cruise/.
During this holiday season, our thoughts gratefully turn to all those who have made our success possible over the past 27 years and, in that spirit, we offer a very sincere "Thank You!" ... and we also send our "Best Wishes To All!" for a very happy, safe, and prosperous New Year! 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
Home Buying couldn’t be easier. With new programs available, Toby Lynn can find the right fit for a friend or co-worker. Conventional, FHA/VA, Primary Residences, Secondary Homes, Investment Properties, or Construction Loans, Toby can help. Pre-Qualify at no cost, zero, FREE! 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
A few things to consider as we close the door on one of the most bizarre years of our lifetime:
- The dumbest thing I have ever purchased was a 2020 planner.
- I was so bored while quarantined I called Jake from State Farm just to talk to someone. He asked me what I was wearing.
- 2019: Stay away from negative people. 2020: Stay away from positive people.
- The world has turned upside down. The senior population is sneaking out of the house and their kids are yelling at them to stay home!
- This morning I saw a neighbor talking to her cat. It was obvious she thought her cat understood her. I came into my house and told my dog. We laughed a lot.
- Every few days when quarantined, try your jeans on just to make sure they fit. Pajamas and sweats will have you believing all is well in the kingdom.
- Does anyone know if we can take showers yet or should we just keep washing our hands?
- I need to practice social-distancing from the refrigerator.
- Never in a million years could I have imagined I would go up to a bank teller wearing a mask and ask for money.
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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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