Dear Chamber Member and Chamber Friends,
From John Wright, President, Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce. Here is a copy of John’s Column printed in the newspaper on December 7, 2021.
PG Chamber radio show: Exclusively for PG Chamber members: NOW BOOKING FOR DECEMBER & JANUARY 2021. Our monthly radio show on Seaview 104.9FM during the Bob Alexander Radio Show is on the first Wednesday and Thursday of each month. The process is very simple – no need to visit the studio. Bob will call you, set up a recording time and it’ll be done over the phone and inserted directly into the programming of this very popular show. You get the option to record two x 2.5 minute slots or else simply record one and have it aired twice during the show. Bob will be able to let you know exactly during which hour it will air. The cost is an incredible $110 (payable to the PG Chamber, not iHeart). To register for the show, simply email John Wright. The rest we’ll take care of for you. Only ten businesses per month, so don’t delay. Offering you a great way to promote your business, advertise an event or simply to show your community support.
The holiday season has arrived, and shopping is in full swing! With holiday shopping comes opportunities for criminals.
Online shopping?
Charlotte County distributes a monthly report via email. The report contains information about ongoing facility projects, programs and services, construction industry activity, employee head counts and vacancies, economic development initiatives, professional development accomplishments, department awards, mosquito control efforts, tourism events and statistics and more. It can be delivered right into your email inbox at the end of the third week every month. All you need to do is sign up. Send an email requesting to be added to the distribution list to: PublicInformation@CharlotteCountyFL.gov
From the Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller – Roger Eaton: Are you or someone you know planning a wedding ceremony, or applying for a marriage license? If so, the Charlotte County Clerk’s office is here to help! Our hassle-free marriage services make it easy for you to say, “I do!”. Start by applying online for a marriage license or scheduling your marriage ceremony at the Justice Center in Punta Gorda.
The Budweiser Clydesdales are coming to town on December 16th!
Brought to you by Suncoast Beverage Sales and
your Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce.
The team will arrive around 3pm where guests are invited to come down and meet the horses and their riders on City Market Place – the empty lot on the North Side of Marion Avenue by the downtown clock.
The hitch will depart at around 4pm for a short parade around downtown.
The tour will be ending on the Tiki lawn at Fourpoints by
Sheraton for a final photo opportunity.
Their visit will be a majestic equestrian display of power to melt any heart!
We hope you’ll come on down and enjoy a very special
Holiday gift to our City!
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Take a Tour of a Local Business and Chamber Member with John. CLICK HERE to find out where he visited this week.
This video will be shared here in Friday Facts, on our Chamber website, and on our Chamber Social Media pages. If you would like to have a visit from John please contact Tara Zajas at tzajas@puntagorda-chamber.com or call the office (941) 639-3720 to schedule a date. [/box]
December 14: Business After Hours 5:30pm. Come and join your Chamber for our Business After Hours at Friendly Floors located at 3785 Tamiami Trail Port Charlotte. Don’t forget to bring a gift to promote and showcase your business! Please be sure to RSVP
to reception@puntagorda-chamber.com or call 941-639-3720.
December 15: Networking Luncheon 12 Noon-1:30pm. Come and join your Chamber for our special Holiday Edition of our Networking Lunch at Four Points Sheraton (Tiki). Lunch will be a holiday buffet including all the sides like dressing, mashed potatoes and salad! Please bring a wrapped gift valued at $15-$20 as we play our usual Secret Santa gift exchange! Reservations Required. Please be sure to RSVP to reception@puntagorda-chamber.com or call 941-639-3720. NOTE: Cancellations not accepted after 3pm on Friday before event. Cost is $20.00 per person pre-paid. We take cash, check, Mastercard, Visa, Discover & Amex
ONLINE RESERVATIONS FOR CHAMBER LUNCHEONS ARE ONCE AGAIN AVAILABLE BY CLICKING HERE
January 12: Business Over Breakfast 7:15am- 8:30am. Wake up and smell the coffee with your Chamber at ShorePoint Health – Punta Gorda.
Please be sure to RSVP to reception@puntagorda-chamber.com or call 941-639-3720
8am – 12 noon, $15.00 per entrant, Parking Lot at 1133 Bal Harbor, Punta Gorda FL
You get two parking spots – one for your vehicle (no commercial vehicles) and one for a table (you provide.) Setup 7am. Trailers require 2 spaces (4 parking spots) – $30
Dates:
December 11, 2021
January 8, 2022
February 12, 2022
March 12, 2022
April 9, 2022
May 14, 2022
Please contact the Punta Gorda Chamber at 941-639-3720 or email reception@puntagorda-chamber.com.
Four Points by Sheraton (Platinum) – Who has an ugly Christmas sweater? The Tiki Bar is having their annual Ugly Christmas sweater party on Friday with the Bartunes on stage at 7 PM. Back by popular demand, we have Majesty of Rock, who is a Journey Tribute band, taking the stage at 7 PM. Finish off the weekend in style listening to Kool Nights on Sunday afternoon. Also, we are taking reservations for Christmas Dinner and New Year’s Eve. Please call 941-637-6770 to receive more information. The Tiki Bar….Always Sizzling!
TIME Realty Services, Inc (Gold) – The 7-day rolling residential stat for Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, and North Port shows 93 new listings, 212 pending (new contracts), 166 sold (new closings). Thinking of selling after the new year? Let’s talk, it’s never too early.
Downtown Farmers Market (Gold) – The Saturday Punta Gorda Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8am until 1pm. December Newsletter!
The Parrot Entertainment Magazine (Gold In Kind) – Latest issue.
Creative Window Treatments (Silver) – is your local Hunter Douglas Showcase Dealer. We offer all types of custom window treatments for any business or commercial setting with 2 locations to serve you. Call for your FREE In-Home consultation! 941-637-0015 / 941-828-0000
PG Social House (Silver) – Our moonlight market is NEXT WEEK! Mark your calendars, we have all the amazing craft vendors coming out with all their goodies to stock you up for all your last minute gifts tis’ the season for Christmas cheer, Christmas Prosecco, and all the vibes! See you 12/16, from 5-8PM!
Isles Yacht Club (Silver) – IYC Charity Cup Series! The Isles Yacht Club Series is a multi-faceted fundraising competition for the benefit of Valerie’s House and Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity. For more information or to see sponsorship opportunities, click here.
C.A.R.E. (Bronze) – Ladies and Gentlemen the greatest event of all time is set for Saturday January 29, 2022 |6:00pm. Come one, Come all to the 34th annual C.A.R.E. Ball located “Under the Big Top” at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center in downtown Punta Gorda. This year’s we will feature a traditional three course sit down dinner, open bar, silent auction (fan favorite), and casino tables. We encourage guests to be creative with their formal wear. To purchase your tickets/ sponsorship opportunities visit www.care2022.givesmart.com. We’ll see you under the Big Top!
Gulfshore Opera (Bronze) – Tis the season of giving! Join the annual giving Tree tradition, plus other upcoming events.
Military Heritage Museum – (Bronze in Kind) – December Happenings and Holiday/December Happenings at the Gulf Theater! Gift cards are now available at the Gulf Theater! Giving the gift of entertainment. laughter and joy is one that will leave a lasting memory in the hearts and minds of your family and friends. Click HERE to get your gift card!
Frank Desguin Family (Support) – Copy of Frank’s Column in the newspaper. Did you know, although a huge celebration today, the proclaimed date of Jesus’ birth has not always been so, and that the first record of Christmas in today’s Charlotte County dates from 1876?
Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens (Support) – STARTS TONIGHT Peace River Gardens Annual Gardens Aglow tradition is back and better than ever! Join us for 10 nights in December (10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 20, 21, 27 & 28) as we light up the Gardens with thousands of lights, roast s’mores, sign carols, and even visit with Santa. This evening walking tour is fun for the whole family! Purchase your tickets now on Eventbrite. Come see the Gardens in a whole new light!
Valerie’s House – Valerie’s House is a nonprofit organization that helps grieving families who have lost a loved one in Charlotte, Sarasota, Lee, and Collier County. Contact Christine Carey to volunteer, mentor, refer families, fundraising opportunities, and/or donate (christine@valerieshouse.org or 239-841-0382). We can also schedule Valerie’s House Tours. Valerie’s House’s website: www.valerieshouse.org
Punta Gorda Coffee and Tea – Are you needing the perfect gift for everyone in the office, let us create and handcrafted coffee or tea basket for you. Give us a call at (941) 916-9095 and let us package, seal, personalize, and wrap your corporate or small business baskets that everyone at the office will love, just in time for Christmas.
Punta Gorda Chocolate and Wine – Did you know that NEXT WEEK is National Cocoa Day! This day is celebrated nationwide, so come down and let’s celebrate all together. Our Haley Handcrafted Chocolates are hand-painted, handcrafted, and house-made! Our chocolate is straight from bean to bar, vegan, and gluten-free. Let us help you celebrate this National Holiday right!
King Fisher Fleet – 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 selection, rigging, knot tying, lures, baits, cast nets, fish identification, tides, and fishing regulations for fishing in fresh and salt waters of Southwest Florida. Rods, reels, lures, nets and other fishing equipment will be demonstrated during the class and there will be a number of useful handouts issued to students. The class is geared towards beginning anglers, but more experienced fishermen may pick up helpful tips as well. The instructor is long time local fishing guide Capt. Ralph Allen who might even reveal the locations of a few local hotspots! The course is open to all members of 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 12, 2022. The cost for the class is $50 and advance registration is recommended by calling 941-637-1655.
Suncoast Humane Society – ‘Tis the season to foster! We have an incredibly dedicated and hardworking team of staff and volunteers who show up for the animals. Every. Single. Day. This year, not only do we want every dog and cat to be home for the holidays, we want that for our staff and volunteers as well. Open your heart and home from Dec. 20-27 to a pet in need and give them and the staff a much deserved holiday break
First United Methodist Church – The 1st United Methodist Church, will host a joyous, fun-filled Christmas Eve experience, designed especially for children and families on Christmas Eve day at Gilchrist Park (400 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda), from 10:00am to 12:00pm. There will be a petting zoo and arts and crafts activities for the children. There will also be a live Nativity scene and music. At 12:00pm there will be a service for children and families and at 3:00pm a contemporary service will be held. Traditional services at 6:00pm and 8:00pm will commence at the Life Center on the church’s campus (507 W. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda), with special Christmas music featuring harp, hand bells, choir and organ prelude that will begin 30 minutes before each service. For information visit www.whatis1st.com or call 941-639-3842.
Connect Print & Promotions, LLC. – we are proud to serve the Punta Gorda Chamber Community:
Carmelo’s Italian Ristorante – Just in time for the Holidays! We’ve made ordering gift cards for the holidays easier than ever. Order physical gift cards shipped directly to you or egift cards delivered instantly by email. Click here more more details.
Hampton Manor of Punta Gorda – Hampton Manor Premier Assisted Living and Memory Care of Punta Gorda offers support of activities of daily living while enabling our residents to remain as independent as possible. Our community should open their doors by the last part of this years quarter, however we are actively taking reservations to offer a locked in pre-opening rate for the first two years. Please contact Amie Conti, Community Development Manager at (941) 201-8053 or email amie@hamptonmanor.co. Visit our website at www.hamptonmanor.co to view our virtual tour of our Cape Coral community that is similar to Punta Gorda.
Punta Gorda Pub Crawl – THE 11th Annual PUNTA GORDA PUB CRAWL & FOOD DRIVE FOOD TO BENEFIT THE HARRY CHAPIN FOOD BANK. puntagordapubcrawl@gmail.com www.puntagordapubcrawl.com. The 11th Annual Pub Crawl and food drive in downtown Punta Gorda is looking to have hundreds of participants help by bringing canned goods to the event. Date: Feb. 26th 2022, Time: 10:30AM- 1PM Food drive & Pub Crawl Sign in on Virginia St. in front of The Ice House PubCrawl starts at 1:30 last hour 7:30- 8:30PM. Click here for more details!
Punta Gorda Symphony – Punta Gorda Symphony is resuming activities of two popular adult enrichment programs: the Composers Luncheons organized and run by its volunteer affiliate group Symphony Friends, and the Behind the Notes lecture series featuring Maestro Raffaele Livio Ponti and guest musicians. The 2021/2022 season awaits! Subscriptions and seating for single tickets are now available online.
Wreaths Across America – National Remembrance Wreath Laying, Saturday December 18th 10am at the Charlotte Memorial Cemetery.
The Grill at 1951 – Tis’ the Season! Book your holiday party, group meetings, luncheons or any special occasion at The Grill! Let us create the memories for you! Call for details and pricing. Click here to see events, menus and more!
Fisherman’s Village – December calendar of events.
Edison and Ford Winter Estates – School break and day camps at Edison and Ford Winter Estates offer a unique educational experience for children in grades 1-6. Campers get to invent, design, build, and learn in the same location where famous inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford invented some of the world’s best-known innovations. Support from private donors make it possible for the Estates to offer one scholarship for each camp. A committee will determine scholarship eligibility based on financial need so that underprivileged children can experience camp. The deadline to apply for a scholarship is two weeks before the desired camp. Parents or guardians can apply through the website at https://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org/education/camps/.
Copperfish Books – Each year, we invite you to help Deep Creek Elementary School children in need get new books for Christmas. New this year: we’re supporting ALL Charlotte County K-8th Grade schools! Deep Creek Elementary will coordinate the distribution of collected books. Every book you purchase from us for these kids will also earn another 5%, which we’ll turn into more books for the kids.
You can come select books that we have in stock, or select a gift amount below and we’ll choose for you (you can adjust the quantity of the gift when you check out).
Punta Gorda Airport – Arrive early! You’ll be thankful you did. Check out the latest happening at PGD.
Drug Free Punta Gorda – Coalition Meeting Tuesday December 14th 11:30am – 1:00pm with guest presenter Stephanie Kerns PNH, and Amanda Wood LSCW Charlotte Harbor Behavioral Health Care.
Drug Free Charlotte County – Reflecting and moving forward! Celebrating our 20th Anniversary May 13, 2022.
GMan Home Watch – HOLIDAY CLIENT APPRECIATION CONTEST – During this holiday season, GMan Home Watch would like to express our sincere thanks for all the wonderful blessings we have received over the years and for the many friends we have made along the way. To show our appreciation to our current Punta Gorda clients, our former Venice area clients as well as assist us in meeting new clients and friends, we are hosting a holiday contest offering gift certificates to AWESOME Punta Gorda restaurants. There are three prizes to the respective winner in each category. To win one of these exciting prizes, enter by 12/17/2021 by completing all of the following actions: Click here to see how to play/enter!
Sea Grape Gallery – From December 2, 2021 to January 6, 2022, Sea Grape Gallery will be featuring two of their artists, Donna Pape, oil painter, and Renee Farr, glass artist. Many of Donna’s colorful oil paintings are of local tourist attractions that she hopes will bring back happy memories to those who have visited these locations. Donna recently donated her “Peace River Pelicans” painting to Beyond Ourselves’ silent auction that benefited the Peace River Wildlife Center. Prints of this painting are available at Sea Grape Gallery. Realizing that glass was truly her calling, Renee began exploring the many technical aspects of glass which led her away from jewelry and into the production of fused and stain glass artwork. When designing her art, Renee continually looks for new glass techniques. As Renee explains, “I love things ordered and symmetrical and strive for perfection in every piece I create, and each piece is unique and never recreated”. It is obvious when viewing Renee’s art, that she is inspired by life’s beauty and her love of color.
Peace River Shopper – Latest Edition.
Farr Law Firm is pleased to announce the addition of Winston S. Hudson as an associate attorney in the Punta Gorda office. Hudson is the newest member of the firm’s experienced litigation team.
“Winston is an accomplished law student and natural advocate who will be an excellent addition to our litigation department. We are fortunate to have him as the newest member of our outstanding team of attorneys,” said president, David Holmes.
Hudson earned his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from University of Mississippi and his Bachelor of Science in Finance from University of Alabama. Prior to joining the firm, Hudson worked as a summer associate at Stevens & Ward, P.A. in Jackson, Mississippi.
Hudson grew up in Mississippi and was inspired to become and attorney so he could assist people while having the opportunity to work on challenging problems. “I chose Farr Law Firm because I believe it’s a firm that can provide attorneys a lot of opportunity to work on complex, important matters early in their careers,” said Hudson.
ARCHway Institute – Newsletter
Animal Welfare League –Pawsitive News
C.A.R.E. – December Newsletter
Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity – Newsletter
Cooperfish Books – December Newsletter
Loveland Center – Exciting Updates
Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens – Gardens at a Glance News
Punta Gorda Mural Society – November Newsletter
SandStar – Newsletter
The Yoga Sanctuary – December Newsletter
Sincerely,
John Wright, President
Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce
Every effort has been made to accommodate guests of all abilities. The Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce is not responsible for the presentation, format or accessibility of customer submitted documents, images and links. For assistance with this document, please email tzajas@puntagorda-chamber.com or call 941-639-3720.
Bristol Private Wealth Management of Raymond James
D&D Custom Cabinets
Frank Desguin Family
Kingdom Center for H.O.P.E
Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens
Punta Gorda Isles
Civic Association
Valerie’s House
252 W Marion Ave, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
(941) 639-3720
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday: 9am to 4pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
© 2023, Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.
