Friday Facts for July 31, 2020

Dear Chamber Member and Chamber Friends,

Here are your Friday Facts.

PG Chamber radio show: Now Booking for September.

We are very pleased to announce that our monthly radio show on Seaview 104.9FM will be returning to its usual monthly spot on the Bob Alexander Radio Show 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 July show, or any subsequent shows, 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.

Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau – Partners in Tourism Covid-19 Information and Resources.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Punta Gorda has strived to assist the local businesses by permitting business event banners for 30 days at a time, with or without a business event permit. The City had originally established a termination date of this policy of July 31, 2020.  However, due to the extended State of Emergency for the State and City, this deadline has been extended until further notice. 

Charlotte County – Face Mask Resolution.

If you have anything that you would like to put into the Friday Facts please send it to hklossner@puntagorda-chamber.com  by noon each Thursday.

Your Chamber Staff,

John, Hazel and Janet

Chamber Calendar of Events

Members ONLY

Protocols for networking events:

We are in unprecedented and complicated times, but we know that as a Chamber we are the best networkers around, yet still MUST lead the community by example.

Until further notice:

1. To attend a PG Chamber event you will need to have a prior RSVP to either by calling 941 639 3720 or reception@puntagorda-chamber.com (no later than 2pm on the day prior to the event).
2. Our events are limited to 50 people maximum and therefore NO WALK UPS can be allowed – sorry. If you show up and are not on the RSVP list (unless it’s John’s fault!), you may be turned away, if space is unavailable.
3. The wearing of a mask is mandatory. We will continue to encourage social distancing.
4. Food and beverages will be served individually to you at events.
5. For our After Hours, we encourage you to bring giveaways that are in the form of a local business gift card, secured in a ziploc bag with your business card attached, so it can be sanitized prior to being given out. Alternatively, as long as your gift can be sprayed with disinfectant, you may bring along such a gift.
6. The microphone will be used by Chamber staff and/or guest speaker ONLY.
7. We want to get back together and network effectively and hope that you all will respect these safety protocols, until such times as we are confident to remove them (in stages). Any questions, please call us 941-639-3720.

Networking Events for August.

RSVP’s are very important, as are cancellations (limited numbers allowed, masks and social distancing a must). We are not able to take bookings through the website for these events at the moment, so please call (941) 639-3720 (during office hours 10am to 2pm) or email reception@puntagorda-chamber.com

August 12: Business Over Breakfast 7:15 am – 8:30 am. Wake up and smell the coffee with your Chamber at The Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda. Our guest speaker will be Kim Amontree for Girls on the Run.

August 18: Business After Hours 5:30 pm – 7 pm.

Come and join your Chamber for our Ribbon Cutting with Business after Hours at the Military Heritage Museum 900 W Marion Avenue Punta Gorda (same as July) hosted by Granny Nannies. Don’t forget to bring a gift to promote and showcase your business!

August 26: Networking Luncheon 12 Noon – 1:30pm.

Come and join your Chamber for our Networking Lunch at Hurricane Charley’s, 300 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda  Reservations Required. Please be sure to RSVP to reception@puntagorda-chamber.com or call 941-639-3720. Cost is $15.00 per person pre-paid. We take cash, check, Mastercard, Visa, Discover & Amex.

Please be sure to RSVP for any of these events and if you have to subsequently cancel, let us know soonest. reception@puntagorda-chamber.com or call 941-639-3720.

SPECIAL MEMBER NOTICES

ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER CELEBRATION

Join us for 2020 Celebration of Chamber Achievements’ during the year. We say Thank You to outgoing Chair Debra Trenholm and welcome incoming Chair June Amara and her new Board. Due to COVID19, this event has been scaled down from previous years and will be held in the large Tiki Bar at the Fourpoints with a maximum socially-distanced capacity of 140.

September 17, 2020 6pm to 9pm

Casual

$50 per person – cash bar

Menu

Tossed Caesar Salad

Homemade Potato Salad

Tropical Coleslaw

Grilled Corn on the Cob

BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Smoked Brisket

BBQ Chicken

Strawberry Shortcake

Please be sure to RSVP soonest. Call 941-639-3720 (Mon-Fri 10am-2pm) or email reception@puntagorda-chamber.com

Punta Gorda Chamber Member & Visitor’s Guide 2021

In conjunction with the SUN Newspapers we are planning to have the new Chamber Member & Visitor’s Guide ready for January 4, 2021 distribution. So, please, please review all your information on the Chamber website and make sure it is correct. Also, take a look at the attached flyer for Advertising Rates.

Any questions contact Hazel at hklossner@puntagorda-chamber.com

New Members

Mission Statement 

To promote business in Punta Gorda and all our surroundings areas, for the benefit of our entire community.

AMH Community Outreach, Inc

Helene Armistad

20101 Peachland Blvd, Ste #204

Port Charlotte, FL 33954

(941) 883-6576

amhcommunityoutreach@gmail.com

www.help.solutions

Community Outreach Services

Sponsored by John Wright

Remember to utilize the certificates in the New Member packet. These are very valuable to your business.

Partners in Action News

Four Points by Sheraton (Platinum)

Need some R&R? Book a room at the Four Points by Sheraton under the Staycation rate and it includes food and beverage throughout your stay. Please click for more details. T.T.’s Tiki Bar is rolling out our new lunch specials for only $7.95 each day! Click to see what all it includes!  Join us at The Library Comedy Club August 8th.

TIME Realty Services (Gold) – The real estate market is doing an excellent job of bringing money into our area. June was a good month for Charlotte County real estate: 505 sales – residential properties; $231,000 median sale price – up 8.20% over June 2019; 44% Conventional loans, 38% Cash buyers, 12% FHA, 5% VA

33% of the 505 properties went under contract in 0-10 days! Have questions? Want to talk about real estate values, statistics? Call us. TIME Realty Services is here to help YOU for the last 22+ years.

Downtown Farmers Market (Gold) – The Saturday Punta Gorda farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8 to 12. Here is the July Newsletter.

The Purple House Salon by Shawn Gilstad (Silver) – Check out our newly updated website www.thepurplehousesalon.com . July Chamber Member promotion – All Retail buy 1 get one half – free conditioning treatment with service. Shawn Gilstad, 941.830.4746 – Cell, 941.205.8603 – Salon

Creative Window Treatments (Silver) – Our shop is open to the public by appointment only. Check out our current Hunter Douglas Promotion, The Smart Shades Rebate Savings Event, that is going on now through September 7, 2020. Call us to learn more on how you can save on qualifying Hunter Douglas Products. We have 2 convenient locations to serve you.  941-637-0015 (Punta Gorda)/941-828-0000 (Englewood.) http://www.mycreativewindow.com

Paradise Golf (Silver) – Casual Memberships 2021 for $99, then Golf Free this Summer!

Simply Sweet (Bronze) – See Job Opportunities section.

Key West Express (Bronze) – Things move a little slower in Key West!

Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association (Support) – see Job Opportunities section. Landscape Painting in Oils for Beginners Class. Interested in getting in touch with your creative side? Join Mary Taglieri for a series of 4 beginners’ classes, Landscape Painting in Oils, on Tuesday, July 28 from 10:00-1:00pm. Classes are held at PGICA, 2001 Shreve, Punta Gorda and are open to the public. $175 for series of 4 consecutive classes. Contact Mary Taglieri at 941-979-0901 for supply list or more information. Pre-register by calling PGICA at 941-637-1655.

Hessler Floor Covering (Support) – Get More with Mohawk

Perfectly Polished Nail Boutique (Support) – Cindy and Stan Grigiski welcome chamber members to get the nails on fingers and toes perfectly polished and relax with an essential oil pedicure. Our summer essential oil is vanilla. All chamber members will receive 15% off services totalling $30 or more. Cannot be combined with other discount. Mention that you are a Chamber member when booking. Book by calling 941-889-8388 or online at PuntaGordaNails.com.

Visual Arts Center (Support) – View the Member’s Showcase at The VAC and online via Virtual Tour until Aug 6 (exhibits are always free). Open Studios for 2D art & Pottery happening weekly, PLUS Pottery for Teens age 13-18. Register online at VisualArtCenter.org. Our Gift & Art Store are open! Located @ 210 Maud St, across from Fishermen’s Village. Gallery, Art Supply Store & Gift Shop Hours: M-F, 10-2. Events, Classes, Memberships, Call to Artists at visualartcenter.org.

Member Information

The latest WE ARE OPEN spreadsheet – provided to all those who inquiry at the Chamber.

Punta Gorda Coffee & Tea – The Café Vienna, a sweet vanilla latte with velvety foam that’s topped with freshly whipped cream, was voted as the favorite of Cultural Coffee Week. This crafted beverage can now be enjoyed as a choice on our daily menu.

Right at Home – Florida’s unemployment rate has dramatically changed during this pandemic from only 2.8% in January 2020 to 10.4% in June.  However, our company is rapidly growing and we are in dire need of more amazing caregivers servicing clients all over Charlotte County. We have successfully hired people from other industries (retail, hospitality etc) by implementing more online training, one on one skills training in the office, and mentoring with experienced caregivers. Check out

https://www.facebook.com/rightathomeenglewoodfl/posts/915630028956717 or https://right-at-home-englewood.careerplug.com/j/0l9fn8

FGCU – Sharpen your Human Resource Skills!

Animal Medical Clinic of Punta Gorda – Cool off and save up to 30% with AutoShip

Cultural Center of Charlotte County – Two Fundraisers in Place. The Putting Contest. The GoFundMe page.

Suncoast Humane Society – Save These Dates! Clear the Shelters, Critter Classic & More.

Punta Gorda Chocolate & Wine – International Albariño Day—Err, Week—Is Here! The scorching arrival of August brings a thirst for cool, crisp summer wines that can be sipped without guilt well before five on a sunny afternoon. Chill a bottle and raise a glass of Albariño this week to salute a superlative Spanish summer wine! In a rush and need to be on your way? Curbside pick-up available! -941-505-0479.

Pomegranate & Fig Gift Boutique – is excited to announce their new location at 208 Tamiami Trail #111 in Downtown Punta Gorda. You will find a beautiful and fun assortment of Gift items for everyone on your list! Featuring home decor, women’s fashion, children’s clothing & gifts. During this time curbside Pickup is available as well as FREE delivery within Charlotte County and Gifts are always wrapped! For more information please contact us at 941-205-2333 or email us at pomegranateandfig@yahoo.com. Please visit us Monday-Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. We look forward to seeing you!

Edison & Ford Winter Estates – Summer Camp Extended. Henry Ford Honored.

Fishermen’s Village – August Calendar of Events.

The Homeless Coalition – Charlotte Idol 8.

Mark Martella, Esq. of Icard Merrill – COVID-19 has served as a reminder that we never know what life may bring us and why we need to be prepared when the unexpected happens. If you have been thinking about an estate plan and would like to sit down for a complimentary consultation, please contact Mark Martella, Esq. with ICARD MERRILL. He will explain the BIG SIX documents everyone needs, five of which you may need to use while you are alive. Please call 941-206-3700 to schedule a confidential complimentary consultation.

Peace River Shopper – Latest Edition.

Copperfish Books – Open Mon – Sat 10 am – 4 pm. Shop safely in-person by private appointment, or, if we have space available, you can come in to shop! We allow up to 4 shoppers in the store at one time. Face masks are required. You can also shop online at www.copperfishbooks.com. We offer contact-free pickup, free local delivery, and shipping services. (941) 205-2560.

SCORE – Week 3 – Analyze Your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats and Act on Your Results.

NEWSLETTERS

Charlotte Arts – Newsletter

Charlotte Community Foundation – Gifts & Gab

Charlotte Players – 2020 Summer Spotlight.

Copperfish Books – Bookstore news.

Drug Free Charlotte County – Heading into Summer

FGCU Renaissance Academy Punta Gorda – August Classes…Take Time for You!

Gregg’s Auto – July Newsletter

Punta Gorda Mural Society – July Newsletter & Mural Dedication

SandStar Remodeling & Interior Design – The SandStar Insider

Time Realty Services, Inc – Newsletter

United Way of Charlotte County – Newsletter

Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic – July Newsletter

Yoga Sanctuary – July Newsletter

APPLAUSE

Michael Ehrat Named CEO Fawcett Memorial Hospital

HCA Healthcare West Florida announces that Michael Ehrat is the new Chief Executive Officer of Fawcett Memorial Hospital, according to Ravi Chari, M.D., President of HCA Healthcare West Florida.  Ehrat has been serving as Interim CEO for the hospital in addition to his duties as CEO of Englewood Community Hospital. He will now also serve as the Market Lead over both hospitals. “We are excited to promote Michael to the CEO role and Market Lead,” explained Dr. Chari. “Michael has worked diligently in support of the excellent medical and hospital staffs while navigating this pandemic and has worked to build relationships with the Fawcett caregivers and local healthcare community. With his knowledge of Englewood Community Hospital and needs within the region, he is well positioned to drive synergies between the two hospitals.”  Ehrat brings more than 27 years of successful leadership and clinical patient care experience in urban and community settings. He joined Englewood Community Hospital in April 2019, relocating with his wife Cindy and four children Andrew, Joshua, Rebekah, and Nathanael.  Michael began his career as a physical therapist and athletic trainer at HCA Healthcare’s Terre Haute Regional Hospital in Terre Haute, IN, where he held a number of leadership roles, eventually becoming the Director of Ancillary Services. From there he moved to Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, TN, as Associate Administrator, then Skyline Medical Center, also in Nashville, as Chief Operating Officer. He then took on the role as CEO at Mainland Medical Center, in Mainland TX, where he served from July 2012 to 2015, before joining Sovah Health in Virginia. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the University of Southern Illinois and a Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis. He later earned a Master of Health Services Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of St. Francis. Ehrat is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives with advanced certifications as a Health Care Professional in Quality and Patient Safety, in addition to a Six Sigma Green Belt.

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 hklossner@puntagorda-chamber.com or call 941-639-3720.