Dear Chamber Member and Chamber Friends,
Here are your Friday Facts.
Message from John Wright.
It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Brian Presley, of Presley Advisory. Brian has been a PG Chamber member since its inception in 2004 and has served in many capacities, most notably on the Business and Economic Development Group and Nominating Committees. His Chamber passion was the Wine & Jazz Festival, which for many years, he sponsored and supported, by creating the Friday night VIP party. At this year’s Festival in February, I had the honor of presenting him with an award for his service to the development of the event, recognizing his incredible efforts. Artist and headliner, Mindi Abair, did the honors of handing him his award personally. At her online concert Wednesday, she honored Brian and raised a glass to his memory. Our heartfelt condolences have been extended to his wife Mary and her entire family, who must be devastated with his loss.
Brian will live in infamy. “Uncle Brian” to so many of us was an inspiration. He challenged you to always exceed expectations and his legacy will be one of community first. RIP Brian.
Here is a message from Chief Davis of our Punta Gorda Police Department regarding the upcoming rally later today. Click Here for the full statement.
Information from Governor Ron DeSantis regarding Phase II Executive Order Guidelines – Summary. Full Plan.
From our Visitor & Convention Bureau, we have details of how to vote for The City of Punta Gorda that has been nominated for the 2020 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards – Best Small Town Food Scene!
City of Punta Gorda Fire Department (PGFD) would like you to know that they are currently unable to provide sharps containers to residents, with no anticipated date for resuming this service. In the meantime residents are encouraged o put sharps in a sturdy plastic container and drop them off at the lobby of the Public Safety Building Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm.
Have a great Friday in these difficult days. To all of you who answered the call to let us know you are Open For Business. Information has has been compiled in a spreadsheet (here is a snapshot) and is being sent to anyone inquiring about who is operating in this COVID environment. Send details if you would like to be included. Please support your fellow Chamber Members. 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
Members ONLY
TAKE-OFF to Networking – at the Isles Yacht Club on June 30, 2020 5.30pm to 7pm. RSVP required. First Class has sold out, but we still have Economy Seats at $30 (includes first beverage and in-flight snack, plus a whole lot of fun). To make your reservation, please call 941 639 3720 between 10am-2pm.
(organized, run or supported by your Chamber)
City Wide Garage Sale will be held on Saturday June 13, 2020 at Comfort Storage, 8am to 12noon (registration at 7am). Call 941 639 3720 to register. Pre-registration IS required.
To promote business in Punta Gorda and all our surroundings areas, for the benefit of our entire community.
Blue Coat Warriors
Rebecca Allese
3429 Lindgren Street
Port Charlotte, FL 33981
941-626-6674
rebeccaallese@gmail.com
www.bluecoatwarriors.org
Non-Profit Organization
Sponsored by John Wright
Remember to utilize the certificates in the New Member packet. These are very valuable to your business.
Four Points by Sheraton (Platinum)
Enjoy plenty of fresh air and social distancing at T.T.’s Tiki Bar located on the water at the Four Points by Sheraton! We have a fabulous new menu that includes plenty of favorites from the past. Relax and listen to our live music. Our staff has taken extra steps to ensure that we meet the CDC guidelines for sanitizing and cleaning including everyone wearing masks. Our Dockside Grill is open inside the hotel at 25% capacity and drinks if you need a break from the sun. We are excited to serve our wonderful community again and look forward to seeing you! 941-637-6770. Staycation Information.
Bayfront Health (Platinum) Urges Patients To Not Delay Emergency Care. Virtual Childbirth Classes.
Rays (Gold) – Your Rays Weekly
Downtown Farmers Market (Gold) – June Newsletter
Creative Window Treatments (Silver) – We are Open for Business.
Paradise Golf (Silver) – Casual Memberships 2021 for $99, then Golf Free this Summer!
Key West Express (Bronze) – Key West is Open and Key West Express is Sailing! You Might Not See It. But we’re really SMILING!
Charlotte Players (Bronze) – We are open! Our Box office hours are Monday thru Friday 10am to 4pm. You can call us for ticket information at (941) 255-1022 or go to our website at www.charlotteplayers.org. We are Celebrating 60 Seasons in Charlotte County!
Granny Nannies of Port Charlotte (Bronze) – We are open, and we moved to our new location.
Hessler Floor Covering (Support) – Our COVID-19 Journey
No Ribbon Cuttings planned at this time.
Copperfish Books – Virtual Bourbon Tasting and Demonstration. Latest News.
Cayo Costa Dental – is open for business. We are open 8 am to 4 pm Monday- Thursday and 9-12 on Fridays. We are currently offering a $99 dollar new patient special that include complete x-rays and examination.
The Orange House – Open for Take Out Tonight!
The Cocoa Exchange – 50% Off Your Favorite PURE DARK Products!
Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens – Offer to all levels of Graduating Students.
Sam’s Club – Wow!! Great Deal.
Hammer and Stain – The studio is open and available for folks to come on in and do their craft project. Because of Covid, there are no public workshops, but people can come in as a private party. (No minimum # of people required). Also, the studio is open for table reservations, which typically is just one or two people coming in during the day. However, if people are not ready to do that yet, I do have Hammer and Stain at Home Kits available. This weeks kit is Yardzee. It comes with everything you need to complete the project. It is $50.00 and they can order online at hammerandstainpuntagorda@gmail.com.
Military Heritage Museum – Reopening TODAY!
Drug Free Punta Gorda – Special Joint-Coalition Presentation Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 7pm.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Charlotte County – Part of the Winn Dixie Community Bag Program.
Mark Martella, Esq. of Icard Merrill – If you have re-opened your business but now face the prospect of pressure from your creditors, call Mark Martella, Esq. of Icard Merrill, to help you deal with them while you rebuild your business income. Having gone through four economic downturns as an attorney and small business owner, Mark can assist you in your restructuring and advise you how to avoid the fatal mistakes made by past clients in similar circumstances. For a complimentary, confidential consultation, please call 941-206-3700 or e-mail Mark at mmartella@icardmerrill.com.
Visual Arts Center – Happening at the VAC.
SCORE – Small Business Talk
Right At Home – In Home Care and Assistance. We are Here for You.
AAA – Attention First Responders! Please Share with those working on the FRONT LINES!
One Source Accounting & Tax – IRS Economic Impact Debit Cards.
Pinch a Penny – Are you Ready?
C.A.R.E. – Is Open and Ready to Help Victims of Violence.
Fishermen’s Village – June Calendar of Events. Bluegrass Music Fest June 13.
John Bothwell P.A., eXp Realty – 4 easy ways to up your curb appeal.
Animal Medical Clinic of Punta Gorda – A little sunshine for you!
Promotional Marketing Online – Re-Opening Specials for Fellow Chamber Members (only). Blue 3ply Non Woven Disposable Face Masks – Min Order 250 – 0.45 each. Eye Catching Portable Flags 9″. Open/Open House Feather Flags. 33.0 oz Hand Sanitizers. 8 oz Hand Sanitizers. Logo’d Balloons
Edison & Ford Winter Estates – Summer Plant Sale
Air Trek – Key West Package
VISIT FLORIDA – 2020 Hurricane Preparedness Resources.
ARCHway Institute – National newsletter.
Charlotte Arts – Newsletter.
Charlotte Community Foundation – Gifts & Gab
Drug Free Charlotte County – Heading into Summer
Florida Gulf Coast University – Pledges to help RESTART SWFL
FGCU Renaissance Academy Ft Myers – News.
FGCU Renaissance Academy Punta Gorda – Moving into Summer Classes – Register Now!
Gulfshore Opera – Spring Campaign opens with Gusto!
Hope 4 Communities – Newsletter
Punta Gorda Symphony – Good News
Sandstar Remodeling & Interior Design – Newsletter.
SCORE – New Resources. PPP Information. Real-Time Mentoring.
Suncoast Country Opry Show – News.
United Way of Charlotte County – Newsletter
Yoga Sanctuary – June Newsletter
Shirley Osuba, a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA), has joined the Trust and Investment Management Services division of Charlotte State Bank & Trust. She has 25 years of experience in trust and finance. “When we bring in new people, it’s imperative that they be well-qualified, experienced trust officers who can assist our new and existing clients,” said Executive Vice President Lory Weisensee, who manages the Trust and Investment Management Services division. “Shirley fits the bill nicely, and we’re delighted she joined our team.” Osuba grew up in the Philadelphia area and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree at Millersville University in Millersville, Pa. She graduated from the Canon Trust School I, II, and III, Graduate Trust School, and earned her CTFA (Certified Trust and Financial Advisor) designation from the American Bankers Association. The certification covers several areas, including fiduciary and trust activities, financial planning, tax law and planning and investment management. To get the certificate, Osuba had to demonstrate a certain combination of experience and education, pass a test and sign an ethics statement. To keep the certification, she has to complete continuing education requirements. Osuba began her career as a probate paralegal for a prominent Sarasota law firm, then served as a personal trust specialist and trust officer for a pair of major financial institutions. A Florida resident since 1989, Osuba is a Foundation Board member and Operating Board member of Easter Seals of Southwest Florida, also known as Happiness House. She is based at Charlotte State Bank & Trust’s Murdock office and may be reached at 941-888-6077 or sosuba@csbtfl.com
The General Surgery Practice of John F. Guarino MD PA is proud to announce the recognition and accomplishment of our associate Matthew C. Tufts MD. The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) has certified that Dr. Tufts has completed a Fellowship Council Accredited Advanced GI Fellowship at Dartmouth Hitchcock. Meeting all high-level standards of expertise needed to obtain this certification. Congratulations Dr. Tufts. Our community will benefit from your training and expertise.
Accepting new patients.
Matthew Tufts MD
4245 Kings Hwy Unit A, Port Charlotte
(941) 391-5102 tuftsmd.com
Bayfront Health Medical Group welcomes psychiatrist Suresh Sarma, M.D. Dr. Suresh will treat patients in the inpatient setting at Riverside Behavioral Center, the 52-bed adult psychiatric center located at Bayfront Health Punta Gorda. In addition, he will offer Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in the outpatient setting. Dr. Suresh Sarma is board-certified in psychiatry and has over 18 years’ experience with both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric treatment for individuals as young as seventeen. He offers his patients a variety of treatment options including supportive psychotherapy and ECT. Dr. Sarma graduated from Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College, a private medical college in Gulbarga, Karnataka, India. He completed an observership in psychiatry at Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois followed by a residency in psychiatry at both SIU and Western Missouri Mental Health Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
ECT is a medical treatment option most commonly used to treat patients who suffer from major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia when other treatments, including medications and psychotherapy, haven’t worked or when treatment is considered urgent. ECT is also sometimes used in treating individuals with catatonia. According to the American Psychiatric Association, clinical evidence indicates that for individuals with uncomplicated, but severe major depression, ECT will produce substantial improvement in approximately 80 percent of patients. Riverside Behavioral Center is committed to keeping their patients safe and has implemented a variety of measures to provide COVID-safe care. Safety protocols have been put in place to include screening patients in advance and prior to admission, all visitation to the inpatient units remains suspended, and facemasks are worn by all medical providers and employees. “We are glad to have Dr. Sarma here and on the team,” said Andrea G. Thomas, MBA, MPH, FACHE, Bayfront Health Punta Gorda Chief Administrative Officer. “Patients who are being admitted, including those who are voluntarily seeking treatment at Riverside Behavioral Center, should benefit from Dr. Sarma’s years of experience.”
To learn more about the behavioral health services at Bayfront Health Punta Gorda, visit https://www.bayfrontcharlotte.com/behavioral-health-services. For more information on ECT as a treatment option and to schedule an appointment, call 941-833-1750 or visit https://www.bayfrontcharlotte.com/electroconvulsive-therapy. To learn more about how the hospital is providing COVID-safe care, visit https://www.bayfrontcharlotte.com/covid-19
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 websites.
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.
