Friday Facts for February 25, 2022

There will be no Friday Facts on November 29th due to the Holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!

Dear Chamber Member and Chamber Friends,

Here are your Friday Facts

For Our Community and All Our Members. From John Wright, President, Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce. Here is a copy of John’s Column printed in the newspaper on February 22, 2022

For Our Members Only

PG Chamber radio show: Exclusively for PG Chamber members: NOW BOOKING FOR APRIL 2022. 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.

For Our Community and All Our Members

Water Quality Summit Set for March 7

Charlotte County invites the public to join Charlotte County staff and representatives from agencies and academic institutions for an overview of water quality research, monitoring, and opportunities for action from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday, March 7 at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda, FL 33950.

Guest panelists will provide information on a variety of topics, including:

  • Identifying water quality drivers in Charlotte Harbor
  • Recent advances in harmful algal bloom detection, prediction and communication
  • County activities and partnerships to monitor, improve, and protect water quality and natural habitats
  • Opportunities for citizen education and action

Attendees will have an opportunity to submit questions to panelists, which will be presented at the end of each session.

For information and to submit questions in advance of the summit, visit Charlotte County’s One Charlotte, One Water web page at: www.charlottecountyfl.gov/one-charlotte-one-water.


Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller

Saturday. Feb. 26 is Clerk Passport Day!

8:00am – 12:00pm, Charlotte County Justice Center, East Marion Ave. Punta Gorda, Florida 33950
(2nd Floor, Official Records division)

For more information visit us at CharlotteClerk.com


Charlotte County Committee Vacancies

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (Feb. 23, 2022) – The following MSBU/TU Advisory Boards are seeking volunteers who must be both a property owner within and reside within the unit. Submit applications to Public Works Department, 7000 Florida Street, Punta Gorda, FL 33950; call 941-575-3600 or e-mail MSBU-TU@CharlotteCountyFL.gov. Click here for more information


6th Annual Punta Gorda Sullivan Street Craft Festival

Saturday, March 12th – Sunday, March 13th 2022. 10am – 5pm
Free Admission
On Sullivan Street in Punta Gorda


Harboritaville Toes in the sand

SAVE THE DATE! APRIL 2, 2022

Harboritaville, Toes In the Sand, a new family-friendly event on Saturday, April 2 on the Great Lawn at the T.T. Tiki Bar at Four Points By Sheraton from 12:30-6:30 pm.

Musical guests will include Michael Hayman’s Hibiscus Band, Tropical Avenue and John Patti Group.

The party on the lawn will benefit 10 of our local non-profits that will be promoting their causes, serving their own unique Margaritas and competing in a hula skirt dance-off competition.

The winning drink of the day will be based on voting by attendees purchasing the Margarita Row tickets/wristbands. The hotel/tiki will serve the winning margarita for one year and give the non-profit $1 for every time the drink is purchased. Watch for more details shortly!

We have sponsorship opportunities available! We’d like to thank Friendly Floors, Express Employment Professionals, Gettel of Charlotte County, TIME Realty Services, WhitCo Insurance and Parrot Magazine for their sponsorships.

Interested? Contact us at 941-639-3720 or jrwright@puntagorda-chamber.com


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Where’s John Now?

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]


Chamber Calendar of Events Members ONLY

Networking Events – March 2022

**Please remember to RSVP directly to events by emailing reception@puntagorda-chamber.com, by calling us at 941-639-3720 or by paying for lunch online. We LOVE to see you but we appreciate knowing you’re coming to provide our host with an accurate count to better accommodate us. Thank you for your assistance!

March 9: Business Over Breakfast 7:15am- 8:30am. Wake up and smell the coffee with your Chamber at Beef O’Brady’s located at 1105 Taylor Rd., Punta Gorda and hosted by Epiphany Health. Please be sure to RSVP to reception@puntagorda-chamber.com or call 941-639-3720.

March 15: Business After Hours 5:30pm. Come and join your Chamber for our Business After Hours at The Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens located at 5827 Riverside Dr. in Punta Gorda. 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.

March 23: Networking Luncheon 12 Noon-1:30pm. Come and join your Chamber for our Networking Lunch at Charlotte High School located at 1250 Cooper St. Punta Gorda. Please be sure to RSVP to reception@puntagorda-chamber.com or call 941-639-3720. NOTE: Cancellations not accepted after 3 pm on Friday before event. Cost is $20 per person pre-paid. We take cash, check, Mastercard, Visa, Discover & Amex.

ONLINE RESERVATIONS FOR CHAMBER LUNCHEONS ARE ONCE AGAIN AVAILABLE BY CLICKING HERE


All the Following Information is for Our Community.

Please Support Our Local Businesses!


Partners in Action News

Four Points by Sheraton (Platinum) – Please join us at T.T’s Tiki Bar for the best band lineup in town! Please click for all of our March bands. We have several taking our stage for the very first time and are a must see! Don’t forget we have Friday Fish fry every week in the Dockside and Prime Rib every Saturday! The Tiki Bar…..always sizzling!

ShorePoint Health (Gold)Board-certified gastroenterologist Harsh Duphare, MD, has joined the ShorePoint Medical Group, bringing his extensive experience in gastroenterology and digestive health to ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda.

TIME Realty Services, Inc (Gold) – February is almost over, did it go by as fast for you? The market keeps moving 121 new listings, 223 pending (new contracts), 134 sold (new closings). This is a 7 day rolling stat for PG, PC & NP. I moved to Punta Gorda 26 years ago, and have been your hometown Realtor for the last 24 years. If you want local, TIME Realty is the brokerage for you. We are a small local independent by choice.

Downtown Farmers Market (Gold) – The Saturday Punta Gorda Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8am until 1pm. February Newsletter!

Creative Window Treatments (Silver) –  Your local Hunter Douglas Showcase Dealer. We offer all types of custom window treatments for any business or commercial setting with two locations to serve you. Call for your FREE In-Home consultation! 941-637-0015 / 941-828-0000

Charlotte Players (Bronze) – Curtain Up! March 11-27, 2022. Curtain Up is the hilarious story of five women who inherit equal shares in a dilapidated theatre and plan to bring it back to life again. A fast paced and very funny comedy with five great roles for women. Located at The Langdon Playhouse, 1182 Market Circle in Port Charlotte. For more information go to www.charlotteplayers.org or call 941-255-1022

Coastal Expressions & Wine (Bronze) – Join us every Wednesday evening for Wine Wednesday and enjoy $6 a glass on select pours.  Live Music this Saturday with music from Paul Roush from 5:30 – 8:30. WINE-O BINGO, an exciting twist on one of the most popular games of all time. Cards are $6. Enjoy dinner while you play along with some wine or beer. Call to make your reservation 941-214-8599. WINE-O starts at 6:00 every Friday. We’re located at 1133 Bal Harbor Plaza #1135 in the Isles.

Military Heritage Museum (Bronze In Kind)Gulf Theater Happenings!

Animal Welfare League (Support) – Fairy Tail Endings March 19 6-10pm Cocktail and Dinner Event. Click here for more information.

C.A.R.E. (Support) – Looking to have some fun while giving back to your favorite local charity? Join us on Sunday March 13 as C.A.R.E. Auxiliary hosts their annual Dart Tournament at the Ice House Pub. Registration is $25.00 per player, tournament begins at 4:00pm. Sign-ups can be made by emailing areauxiliary@gmail.com or in person day of event. Prizes will be awarded to the top teams.

Frank Desguin Family (Support) – Copy of Frank’s Column in the newspaper. Did you know that Daniel C. Smith, instrumental in bringing educator Benjamin J. Baker to Punta Gorda, also played a significant part in building the town’s first African-American church?

Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens (Support) – ZimSculpt, running now through April 18 in which curators from Zimbabwe will bring in over 2,000 hand-carved stone sculptures.

We have received an overwhelmingly positive response from Charlotte County Schools wanting to bring 1,400 students to attend this exhibit and experience live demonstrations. This exhibit gives our students a rare opportunity to observe the finest Zimbabwean sculptors demonstrating their artistry, while they observe and learn about this art and culture. We need your help to meet the requests from our schools. Please join us and other community organizations to help support these field trips. The cost per student is $7. Please click here for more information on how you can help!

Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic (Support) – Registration is open for the 6th Annual Project Detect Feet Across Riverwood 5K Run/Walk on March 12, Enjoy the sunshine and the beautiful Riverwood Community while helping to raise funds for early-detection cancer screenings for needy adults in Charlotte County.


Member Information

 

Punta Gorda Short Film FestivalThe 8th Annual Punta Short Film Festival will be March 2 at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center (Doors open at 6 pm). Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Online tickets can be purchased at 8pgsff.bpt.me or you can purchase tickets at the Punta Gorda Chamber (Cash or check please).

United Way of Charlotte County – (UWCC) announces the opening of its 2022-2024 grant cycle, which includes funds provided by UWCC and funding administered on behalf of the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners and the City of Punta Gorda. Funding will be allocated to non-profit partner agencies that administer programs addressing the root causes of poverty within the areas of education, financial stability, health and wellbeing and basic needs. Click here for more information.

Punta Gorda Rotary Club – The 14th annual Taste of Punta Gorda. Sunday, March 6 – 11am to 5pm at Laishley Park. Tastes of delicious food from Charlotte County’s best restaurants all in one place! Beer & Wine, Arts, Crafts, a Kid’s Zone, and music with the BoogieMen. Tickets $5 – VIP $30 – kids 12 and under free. Tickets can be purchased here.

Punta Gorda Symphony – Two mainstage concerts remain in Punta Gorda Symphony’s 21/22 Season as conductor Raffaele Livio Ponti leads the orchestra in a dynamic program on Sunday, March 6 at 7:30PM, at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center in Punta Gorda, FL. Highlighted selections on the program include Paul McCartney’s Spiral and Igor Stravinsky’s masterful score for The Firebird. Other appearances on the program celebrate the works of lauded American composers, including George Walker’s Lyric for Strings, Samuel Jones’ Elegy, and Howard Hanson’s Pan and the Priest.

Charlotte County Historical Society – The 25th Annual Florida Frontier Days! February 25 & 26 at the Punta Gorda History Park. Click here for more information.

Charlotte County Boys & Girls Club – February 26 5:30 – 9:30pm Farm2Table 2022 Gourmet Dinner, Live Entertainment, Silent Auction & Cash Bar.

Punta Gorda Boat Club – Sunset Social Friday February 25, from 5 to 7pm. 802 W Retta Esplanade. If you have your own boat and would like to informally swap stories about your SW Florida boating experiences, come meet our members and find out about our BOGO Membership special. Bring an appetizer to share and the beverage of your choice. Contact Jan at 941-743-2472 for more information, or check us out at pgboatclub.org.

Jougies Event Planning & Officiate Services: We will ensure that your wedding officially fulfills the legal requirements set forth by the marriage laws within the state of Florida. This includes ensuring the couple has completed the state required four hours marriage preparation courses; confirmation of a valid marriage license; marriage license execution and filing with the County Clerk; as well as post wedding follow up. Click here for more information.

GMan Home Watch GMan Home Watch of Punta Gorda has earned accreditation from the National Home Watch Association for the fifth year. The NHWA was formed in 2009 in order to establish and maintain the highest industry standards for Home Watch and absentee homeowner services throughout the United States and Canada

Suncoast Humane Society – This year we will break ground on our new state-of-the-art facility that is the FUTURE of animal welfare. To find out more click here.

Charlotte County Habitat For Humanity – The next $10,000 that is donated to Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity through April 2 Annual Home Build Campaign will be matched up to $10,000! Click here to find out more or to find out how your donation can be matched!

Punta Gorda Chocolate and Wine – Our Spring Haley Handcrafted Molded Chocolates have made its way to the marbles. Pre-Orders start this coming Tuesday (March 1st) for our HHC Solid Easter Bunnies (Milk, White, or Dark Chocolate), our HHC Coconut Cream Eggs (Milk or Dark), and our Peanut Butter Cream Eggs (Milk or Dark). These are only available for Pre-Order so make sure to orders your today so all those amazing people in your life get the Bunnies and Eggs they all love.

Punta Gorda Coffee and Tea – March is approaching soon…we can’t believe it either, BUT we have a NEW never before seen Frappe of the Month! Introducing out Nutty Irishman Frappe!! This Espresso Blended Nutty Amaretto Frappe will leave you with hints of Cherry and Almond, perfect and refreshing. This can also be added to one of our Lattes, Cappuccinos, Cold Brew, Non-Espresso Frappe, and more. Come down and try this today. Keep an eye out for our Specials for St. Patrick’s Day!!

Vision Quest Leadership LLC – Nonprofit Leaders Collaborative Meeting, Tuesday, March 8 from 4-5:30pm. Nonprofit leaders gather to collaborate and learn about Operational Fortitude, the last topic in our 6-month series. Our March meeting is hosted by chamber member, Rae Ann Antonucci, President of the GulfShore Medical Services Foundation. The meeting will be at Restoration Bar – 122 Nesbit St. #112, Punta Gorda, FL 33950 near the corner of Marion/Nesbit. Please register here for ONE attendee ($20): https://vision-quest-business-builders.mykajabi.com/offers/VRBuTggm or TWO attendees ($35): https://vision-quest-business-builders.mykajabi.com/offers/YbK2wzYs. Questions? Contact Joanne Cumiskey at 517-304-7676 or joanne@vqleadership.com.

Unwined Wine and Beer Bar Happy Hour! Tuesday – Saturday 3-6pm House Wine $5 Craft Beer $3.50 525 E Olympia Ave. Suite 3 Punta Gorda.

Gregg’s Automotive Maintenance & Repair Center – February 1 through March 31 is our annual Brakes for Kids Charity event. That means you get FREE brake pads with and brake repair. Even better, 10% of the total repair costs will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Research Hospital. Click here for more details.

Punta Gorda Pub Crawl The Punta Pub Crawl presents The Punta Gorda Food Drive February 26! The Ice House Pub at 10:30am until 1pm. Anyone who brings a non-perishable can of food will receive one raffle ticket per can, up to 24 cans per person for a chance to win the grand prize of three nights at a luxurious resort in the Bahamas. Second drawing for round trip airfare to Asheville, NC on Allegiant Air.

Charlotte County Concert Band – Under the direction of Bob Miller, presents “Battles” on Friday, March 4 in the Charlotte Performing Arts Center.  As the concert title implies, you will hear music from past wars. However, mankind has experienced many inner battles as well as military ones and the Charlotte County Concert Band will explore a variety of these conflicts.

Rossini Trattoria Gastronomica – February 27th 6pm – 4 course dinner featuring wines from Sardegna

Charlotte County Republican Club – 2022 Lincoln Day dinner and fundraiser at the Kings Gate Golf Club in Port Charlotte, Saturday April 2. Click here for sponsorship opportunities and other information.

Burnt Store Presbyterian Church – Concert series finale, on Mar. 14, will put the spotlight on the Everly Set. The performance will start at 7:15 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. No reserved seating. Special entry for guests with wheelchairs or walkers is available by informing the parking attendant upon arrival. Tickets are $25. Seating is limited. Credit card processing fee of 3% will be applied. Tickets are available at Burnt Store Presbyterian Church or e-mail to office@bspconline.org. The church is located at 11330 Burnt Store Road, Punta Gorda.

Archway Institute – Annual Golf Scramble & Tennis Event on March 25 & 26.

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida – Charlotte County Small Business Class Starts Feb 28. Individuals who are thinking about starting their own business but need some mentoring are invited to apply to the Goodwill Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute, scheduled for Feb. 28-April 7, 2022. Click here for more information.

Team Punta Gorda – Pedal and Play in Paradise March 26th. Pedal and Play in Paradise features 15, 30 & 60 mile rides and the ever popular “Mystery Ride!” Includes a light breakfast, tasty box lunch, live entertainment & t-shirts for first 400 riders. Registration $50. Proceeds benefit TEAM Punta Gorda’s Bicycle-Friendly and other initiatives. Click here for more information.

Connect Print & Promotions, LLC. – February, a Super ? month for getting together & spreading the love — we’re here to make your marketing shine Punta Gorda!

commercial printing
logo/graphic design
next-level promotional swag
branded apparel
signs & graphics
(888) 978-3437 ?
info@connectpromo.net ?
www.connectpromo.net ?
… it’s ALWAYS about the people!
#fortheloveofprinting ???

Edison and Ford Winter Estates -Is offering several summer camps for students in grades K-5. Campers are separated into groups according to grade level (K-2 and 3-5). The camps are fun, educational, and unlike other local opportunities. 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. Summer camp starts on June 6 and runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Punta Gorda Historical Society – Will be hosting a variety of musicians in the Park on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, through May 2022 from 4-6pm. Bring your own chair and beverage of choice, peruse the Food Trucks for your dining pleasure.

Sea Grape Gallery – Now to March 3, 2022, Sea Grape Gallery will be featuring two of their artists, Kitt Moran, oil painter, and Nancy Giffin, Nantucket, and Shaker style basketry artist.

Fishermen’s VillageFebruary calendar of events. March calendar of events. Fishermen’s Village invites everyone to their annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration! Thursday, March 17, beginning at 12 noon, enjoy authentic Irish music and dance, bag pipers, shopping, dining and a gorgeous sunset! Full details at www.fishermensvillage.com. Fishermen’s Village is delighted to announce our newest addition! Come enjoy the fabulous Sunset Beach Club Tiki Bar, where the boardwalk ends and the sunsets begin. Savor our tropical cocktails and delectable eats, be entertained with live music, and bask in the beautiful views of Charlotte Harbor. Located on the dry beach of Fishermen’s Village, we’re dedicated to making sure your time with us is unlike anything else you’ve experienced. Open daily at 12 noon.www.sunset-beachclub.com

Peace River Shopper – Latest Edition.


Newsletters

ARCHway Institute – Newsletter

Animal Welfare League –Pawsitive News

C.A.R.E. – February Newsletter

Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity – Newsletter

Cooperfish BooksFebruary Newsletter

Loveland Center – February Newsletter

Military Heritage Museum – Happenings & Highlights

Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens – Gardens at a Glance News

Punta Gorda Mural SocietyNewsletter

SandStarNewsletter

The Yoga Sanctuary – January 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.

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New Executive Director Position

We are excited to announce our search for a new Executive Director of Punta Gorda Chamber!