~ 98^th Year Serving Charlotte County ~

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

2023-2024 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.

PLATINUM+ LEVEL: Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center; ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte & Punta Gorda; Suncoast One Title & Closings, Inc.

PLATINUM LEVEL: Ashley, Brown & Smith, CPAs, P.A.; Buffalo Graffix; Chapman Insurance Group; Charlotte County Ford; Crews Bank & Trust; GJC Window & Door; Integrity Employee Leasing, Inc.; McCrory Law Firm; The Daily Sun; Waste Management of Charlotte County

DIAMOND LEVEL: Adjuster Groups, LLC; Elite Inspections & Pest Solutions, LLC; Farr Law Firm; Florida Gulf Coast University; Matthew Patterson, Patterson Group Keller Williams PRP; The Nix Team at Coldwell Banker Sunstar Realty; The Purple House Salon by Shawn Gilstad; Tommy's Express Car Wash; WhitCo Insurance - Alexia Martin Agency

EMERALD LEVEL: Achieva Credit Union; Big Shot Marketing & Design, LLC; Centennial Bank; Charlotte Players, Inc.; Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside; Friendly Floors; Granny Nannies Home Health Agency; Panther Hollow Dental Lodge; Port Charlotte Florist; Sandhill Healing Center, Inc.; St. Andrews South Golf Club; State Farm Insurance - Mike Martin Agency; Wotitzky, Wotitzky, Ross & Young, P.A.

 Charter Sustaining Partner (no years missed)

Members, Networking at Noon on Wednesday, February 14th

Valentine's Day themed!

The Grill at 1951

1951 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte

Plan to arrive by 11:45 a.m. to get settled. $20pp

Reservation Required - register in the Member Portal

Third Wednesday Coffee, Wednesday, February 21 from 7:45 a.m. until 9:00 a.m.

Members join us for coffee and light breakfast fare at the

Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center

75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda

Our Program: New Member Showcase

We'll also celebrate a Ribbon Cutting for New Member BubbleUp Exterior Cleaning LLC during the event! Please RSVP for planning purposes..

Business Card Exchange, Thursday, February 22 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Recreational Warehouse

1441 Tamiami Trail

Port Charlotte (inside the Port Charlotte Town Center Mall)

Remember to bring your business cards and if you like a small gift to promote your business. They plan to have a Scavenger Hunt at the event. Kindly RSVP for planning purposes.

Fun After Five, February 28, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Join us at Buffalo Wings and Rings, 1020 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte for an informal social gathering. This is a pay-your-own-way for food & drinks. Everyone is welcome to our Social Club event. Kindly register in the member portal for planning purposes.

~ Marketing Opportunities ~

Did you know you may set up automatic payments! Never forget another membership payment! Save on stamps, checks and time. To do so, login to the Member Portal. In the shortcut menu, choose Company Information, at the bottom of the list choose Billing, choose Payment Profiles and enter your credit card. Then from that same Billing area choose Autopay & Billing to select your payment profile. That's it!

13th Annual Business Expo

Thank You Expo2024 Sponsors:

Print Sponsor: Buffalo Graffix

Newspaper Sponsor: The Daily Sun

Radio Sponsor: iHeart Media, Inc.

Platinum Title Sponsor: Kittle Property Group: Swiftwater at West Port - The Flats at Sundown - Vantage Apartments

Silver Sponsor: Southwest Florida Insurance Associates, Inc.

Silver Sponsor: Life Care Center of Punta Gorda

Silver Sponsor: True Fence, LLC

Silver Sponsor: Chapman Insurance Group

Silver Sponsor: Florida Tree & Ground Maintenance, Inc.

Silver Sponsor: Bone Dry Roofing

Bronze Sponsor: MD Pressure Cleaning and Softwash

Bronze Sponsor: Better Business Bureau of West Florida, Inc.

Bronze Sponsor: J & J One Stop Gun Shop, Inc.

Bronze Sponsor: Succentrix Business Advisors

Bronze Sponsor: The Mosaic Company

Bronze Sponsor: Elite Hurricane Home Protection

Bronze Sponsor: Sage Grove on Aaron

Bronze Sponsor: Landings at Westport

Bronze Sponsor: VIP Care

Main Stage Sponsor: CarmichaelTravel.Com

Breakfast Sponsor: Soul Dental

Speed Networking Sponsor:

After Hours Party Sponsor: Elite Inspections & Pest Solutions

Bag Sponsor: WhitCo Insurance, Alexia Martin Agency

Refreshment Station Sponsor: The Purple House Salon by Shawn Gilstad

Kick off Party Sponsor: Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center

Lanyard Sponsor: Chapman Insurance Group

Event Map Sponsor:

Passport Sponsor: Martella Law Firm PLLC



Medical Massage Solutions LLC

17751 Murdock Circle

Port Charlotte, FL 34948

Michael Smith

(941) 786-4646

medicalmassagesolutionsfl@gmail.com

Kate Snow Aesthetics LLC

19669 Cochran Blvd., Suite 132

Port Charlotte, FL 33948

Kate Truong

(941) 889-8100

Katie.t.ttruong@gmail.com

Above & Beyond SENIOR PLACEMENT AND CONSULTING, INC.

Email or Call for Information

Port Charlotte, FL 33952

Valerie Tiffany

(941) 258-6631

Valerie@AandBSeniorPlacement.com

http://www.AandBSeniorPlacement.com

Roof EZ

2528 Andalusia Blvd.

Cape Coral, FL 33909

Heather Stephen, Jason Polly

(239) 788-6108

billing@roofez.net

https://roofez.net/

Sublime Beverage Co

14454 Gus Ct.

Port Charlotte, FL 33981

Cassondra Santiago

(941) 623-7661

sublimebeverageco@gmail.com

Know of a business who would also benefit from being a Charlotte County

Chamber member?

Businesses may join online now or please recommend a business to

Jami Joannes JJoannes@CharlotteCountyChamber.org - Thank you!

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 about 8:30 a.m.

Bubble Up Exterior Cleaning

Will take place at the Third Wednesday Coffee in February

in the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda.

Everyone is invited to attend Chamber ribbon cutting events. Come out and support your fellow members in a casual, fun, atmosphere! Networking opportunity.

#ConnectingBusinessesTogether

Members 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.)

This Thursday, visit Booth #171 – Small Business Development Center. Learn about our upcoming workshops and new ways to increase your business success. The SBDC offers no-cost business consulting to businesses and entrepreneurs, from our local team that includes financing and marketing specialists. We will be at the Chamber Expo from 10-3pm at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center pguerzo@fgcu.edu

Christine Hause, Vice President and Senior Wealth Strategist, and Kerry Hunter, Wealth Strategist, have scheduled free estate-planning seminars in several Crews Bank & Trust locations for February. Hause and Hunter, members of the bank’s Trust and Wealth Management Services division, will present vital information on the topics from a trust officer’s point of view. "These seminars will help you create a strong plan for the future," explained Lory Weisensee, President of Trust and Wealth Management. Registration is available at any Crews Bank & Trust branch office, online at www.crews.bank, via email at trust@crews.bank or by calling Trust Operations Associate Linda Ferrara at 941-624-1943. All seminars run from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

Tuesday, February 6, 2024 – Gulf Coast Partnership’s 2024 Community Leaders Breakfast & Awards Ceremony - From 8 am – 10 am at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center. Tickets on sale and can be purchased here Award Winners: Mass Care, Publix, St. Vincent de Paul Sacred Heart Conference, ShorePoint Health. Our Sponsors: Gulf Coast Community Foundation/Gould Family Trust Foundation, CCSO, Charlotte Behavioral Health Care, CASL, Virginia B. Andes, Charlotte County Human Services

The Visual Arts Center is excited to announce our upcoming Art Tour to Bok Tower Gardens on February 6, 2023. This fun and educational tour is an opportunity for art enthusiasts to explore the beautiful Bok Towers and learn about its history and significance. Don't miss out - Register Today!!! Tour includes: *Coach Transportation *Continental Breakfast *Admission Bok Tower Gardens & Mansion *Lunch [8:00am - Pickup & Continental Breakfast - Visual Arts Center, 8:30am - Depart for Bok Tower Tour] VAC Members $110/Non-Members $135. Register Today! CLICK HERE: www.georgecustomtravel.com

The Small Business Development Center has many new workshops, tools, and team members. Come check them all out on February 8 at the Business Expo at the Charlotte Harbor Event Center from 10am to 3pm. Learn about February’s class - AI for Small Business; and sign up to participate in our Charlotte County networking events and research groups. Every day, the SBDC offers consulting to small businesses at no cost. For more information, contact SBDC Consultant Patti Guerzo, at pguerzo@fgcu.edu.  

Charlotte Players- Calendar Girls Feb 8-25. When Annie's husband John dies of leukemia, she and best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. They manage to persuade four fellow Women's Institute members to pose nude with them for an "alternative" calendar. For tickets and more information go to www.charlotteplayers.org or call 941-255-1022.

Loren Putnam and the Staples Port Charlotte store wants to wish you a Happy New Year! We are having The Print Big Sale! $20 off your print purchase of $100 or more, $50 off your print purchase of $200 or more, $100 off your print purchase of $300 or more. Valid through 2/10/24. Exclusions apply. Visit Staples.com/print for more details

Charlotte High School is excited to invite you to our inaugural annual career fair on Feb. 16th. Please see the letter in the link provided below. We are hoping to have several local businesses and organizations participate to highlight the multiple career pathways students can take. This can be restaurants, small business owners, larger agencies, corporations, medical practices, and so on. There is no limit! Please use the link in the letter to RSVP and contact Jaime Eyster with any questions. Thank you and we look forward to having you join us!  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QfA6xp7jxbh4hPNOHxvNVa3X25wfr3HQ/view?usp=sharing

Italian Dinner Night – Salad, Pasta with Meatballs, Bread and Cookies - is happening on February 22, 2024, from 4:00 to 6:00PM at The GFWC Women’s Club of Port Charlotte at 20271 Tappan Zee Drive in Port Charlotte. Advance Tickets only, $12.00 per dinner, dine in or carry out. Call Mary 941-627-4613 to sign up. Proceeds benefit local Charlotte County Charities.

The Charlotte County Tourist Development Council is accepting applications for the 2024 Event Development Program (EDP). The EDP provides reimbursable funding to assist in the development of new events, occurring in low or shoulder seasons which promote Charlotte County as a tourist destination. The application is available online here. Applications are due no later than February 22 by emailing Ms. Brynja Phipps at Brynja.Phipps@PureFlorida.com

Reminder that Complete Auto Repair will be having our 14th Annual Customer Appreciation Party is on Saturday February 24th from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. DJ Music, Prizes, Food and The Car Show. We are looking forward to seeing our customers, friends and interacting with the community.

Kick Up Your Heels For Healthy Start on February 29, 2024 at Twisted Fork Restaurant. The Fun Starts at 5:30PM until 9:00PM. We’ll have a Buffet, Dancing, Raffles, 50/50 and more!  Cost $50.00/person for tickets go to https://givebutter.com/kicking2024 proceeds to benefit Charlotte County Healthy Start Coalition because every baby deserves a Healthy Start. Click here for the flyer or call Vicki Vertich-Hutcheson 941-764-9700

Drug Free Charlotte County's Rally Round 4 Prevention will be March 2, 2024, 3-8:30pm at the PicklePlex®. Any experience level can play this round-robin, poker hand style play. $35 for single or $50 for team (w/meal). Register at: https://bit.ly/PlayRally2024. At 3pm - The Battle of the Guns and Hoses" as CCSO, PGPD, CC Fire/EMS and PG Fire/EMS hit the courts for a pre-event tourny. All events are free to watch (no meal included). SPONSORSHIPS available: https://bit.ly/RallyRound2024  941-559-1946 for questions. 

Gator Wilderness Camp School will be hosting a 5k / 10k / 15k trail run through our beautiful 250 acre property which includes the boys campsites and our 12 acre lake. The run is Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 8 AM at Gator Wilderness Camp. We will also be hosting a kids fun dash for ages 2-12 at 9:00am. There is also a hot breakfast, fresh fruit, and delicious baked goods provided by Gator Wilderness Camp School and Detwiler's Farm Market to all registered participants.  Contact Melissa Bergey 941-639-7722 or Register Online at:

http://runsignup.com/Race/FL/PuntaGorda/GatorWildernessCampTrailRun

Need rescreening/screen repairs on your pool cage or lanai? Call CV Screening! Whether it's just one panel or an entire screen enclosure, we're the company to do it! Every panel is guaranteed. Call (941) 539-6868 or email CVScreeningLLC@gmail.com for your FREE ESTIMATE today! Visit www.CVScreeningLLC.com for more information.

BubbleUp Exterior Cleaning, a Veteran Owned Pressure washing/ House washing company with over 8 years of experience is offering services in Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, North Port and Venice areas.  BubbleUp Exterior Cleaning is offering: 50% off driveway cleaning with the purchase of a regular exterior cleaning service.  We do soft washing and pressure washing.  We wash the house, roof, driveway, walkways, pool cages, lanai's, fences, walls, gutters, etc. BubbleUp is licensed and insured. Visit: BubbleUpcleans.pro to see astonishing “Before” and “After” pictures. Call or text: Mac at 941-587-0654.

Cryotherapy of Charlotte County is offering you a Valentine’s Special for $199.00

CryoSkin Revolution Facial performed by our Licensed Medical Esthetician with a Whole Body Cryotherapy Session and your choice of either; 1. Normatec Compression boots 30 minute session or 2. Power Plate Vibration Plate session or 3. Localized Cryotherapy Session on a single joint. Call and schedule today at (941) 979-7057

Unlock peace of mind with our comprehensive Private Investigation services. As a certified process server, we specialize in delivering a seamless experience for Real Estate Attorneys, handling eviction notices and an array of court documents. From divorce proceedings to paternity and child custody matters, our expertise ensures timely and confidential resolutions. Trust us to navigate the complexities, providing reliable and discreet solutions for your legal needs. Your peace of mind is our priority. Contact us for professional, efficient, and confidential assistance with surveillance or process service. Call 941-777-3247

Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage knows that emergencies happen, severe weather happens, and life changes overnight in the event of illness, divorce, or the passing of a loved one. We will move you quickly and store the contents while permanent plans are secured. Your safety and the protection of your belongings is our primary concern. You need someone very reputable and trustworthy during tough and vulnerable times. Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage, "we do our best to make it easier". Call Kenny at (941) 423-5311.

Have you been putting off preparing a Last Will and Testament until next year? Well, your next year is here! It is so important to have the right documents in place BEFORE a medical emergency happens. Give Mark Martella, Esq., of the Martella Law Firm, PLLC a call at 941-867-6865 (or e-mail him at mark@martellalaw.com) to schedule a complimentary, confidential, one hour consultation to discuss your options to be prepared for when “life happens.”

Building a healthier workplace one employee at a time! Starting January 1, 2024, Gulfcoast South AHEC will begin offering $25 gift cards* to Group Quit participants who attend in-person or virtual sessions. FREE tobacco cessation counseling and FREE Nicotine Replacement in the form of patches, gum and/or lozenges are also available 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. *while supplies last

Have you set your 2024 business goals yet? The SBDC can help! The Small Business Development Center offers no-cost business consulting. We can help you create a 2024 business plan that gives you the best shot at your sales, profit, and growth goals. Simply click on this link to get started: SBDC Connect

Mark the Calendar for Complete Auto Repair’s 14th Annual Customer Appreciation Party on Saturday February 24th from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. There will be Music, Prizes, Food and our Car Show! We are looking forward to seeing friends, customers and interacting with the community. A big "Thank You" in advance to everyone participating in the Car Show. ~Ron, Misty & the Crew!

~ Kudos ~

Kristina Watts, Business Relationship Banker, VP, is celebrating her 20-year anniversary with Crews Bank & Trust Englewood. Watts joined the bank in 2005, bringing 17 years of general merchandising, service management and training experience from her home state of Vermont. Watts can be contacted at kmwatts@crews.bank or by calling 941-473-2713.

~ Job Spot ~

The Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association has an opening for a full-time facility and maintenance coordinator. This critical position requires extreme scheduling flexibility, organization, positive attitude, good judgement, and outstanding customer service skills.  This position is responsible for preparing the auditorium and classrooms for daily activities (set-up and break-down), staffing events, monitoring facility cleanliness, repair and safety, and performing minor facility repairs. Reliable transportation required. Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.    Weekdays- $17 per hour; Weekends and Holidays- $19 per hour. Paid vacation.     Send inquiries and resumes to Teri Ashley, teriashley@pgica.org. 

The Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association has an opening for a part-time administrative assistant. This position requires scheduling flexibility, organization, a very positive attitude, good judgement, outstanding customer service and communication skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office. Graphic design and QuickBooks skills are also beneficial.    Administrative assistants help handle the daily activities, financial transactions, and administrative operations of the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The PGICA is a fun, fast-paced environment and this is a high-profile role.    Weekdays- $16 per hour; Weekends- $17 per hour.   Send inquiries and resumes to Teri Ashley at teriashley@pgica.org. 

“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says 'I'm possible!'" — Audrey Hepburn

~ Resources ~

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/

My Neighborhood, visit www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov and click My Neighborhood in the top menu. See property information and county and/or city services and public facilities in the property’s neighborhood.

United Way of Charlotte County Disaster Relief page at www.unitedwayccfl.org/ian. 

STATE AND FEDERAL-

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

Federal Emergency Management Association - www.FEMA.gov or 1-800-621-3362

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

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

Florida Dept. 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

Small Business Development Center - www.fsbdcswfl.org

Discussing the environment with his friend, John asked, “Which of our natural resources do you think will become exhausted first?”

“The taxpayer,” replied his friend.

____________

A police officer arrives at the scene of an accident, in which a car smashed into a tree.

The cop rushes over to the vehicle and asks the driver, "Are you seriously hurt?"

"How should I know?" the man answers, "I'm not a lawyer!"