Chamber Trends - February 2016

Trends Chamber

The Official Publication of The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral

February 2016

BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE FEBRUARY 2ND 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM H & R BLOCK OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FOOD FOR THOUGHT FEBRUARY 4TH 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM CAPE CORAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON FEBRUARY 10TH 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM OVERTIME PIZZERIA & SPORTS PUB

TASTE OF THE CAPE FEBRUARY 21 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM FOUR FREEDOMS PARK JOIN US EVERY TUESDAY AT THE SHOPS AT SURFSIDE FOR THE SURFSIDE SUNSET MARKET, 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM CAPE CORAL FARMERS’ MARKET EVERY SATURDAY AT CLUB SQUARE 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

MEN’S POWER NETWORKING FEBRUARY 11TH 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM HOOTERS OF CAPE CORAL BUSINESS AFTER HOURS FEBRUARY 18TH CENTURY 21 SELLING PARADISE 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

To Promote and Serve Business and Community

FEBRUARY 2016 Publisher & Editor Stephanie Roberson Technology Director stephanie@capecoralchamber.com Contributing Editors Donna S. Germain President/CEO donna@capecoralchamber.com Claudia St. Onge Business Manager cso@capecoralchamber.com Matt Lamb Membership Director matt@capecoralchamber.com

FEBRUARY 2 BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE H & R BLOCK OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA 1338 DEL PRADO BLVD S, CAPE CORAL, FL 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM FEBRUARY 4 FOOD FOR THOUGHT LUNCHEON CAPE CORAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE 360 SANTA BARBARA BLVD W, CAPE CORAL, FL 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM FEBRUARY 10 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON OVERTIME PIZZERIA & SPORTS PUB 1708 CAPE CORAL PKWY W, UNIT 1, CAPE CORAL, FL 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM FEBRUARY 11 MEN’ S POWER NETWORKING HOOTERS OF CAPE CORAL 3120 DEL PRADO BLVD S, CAPE CORAL, FL 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Annette Siner Membership Sales annette@capecoralchamber.com

FEBRUARY 18 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS CENTURY 21 SELLING PARADISE 3409 DEL PRADO BLVD S, CAPE CORAL, FL 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Melanie Lempke Administrative Generalist melanie@capecoralchamber.com

FEBRUARY 21 TASTE OF THE CAPE FOUR FREEDOMS PARK 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Lyz Crouthamel Special Events Director lyz@capecoralchamber.com

SURFSIDE SUNSET MARKET THE SHOPS AT SURFSIDE TUESDAYS YEAR ROUND 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral P.O. Box 100747, Cape Coral, FL 33910 2051 Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 339044 Phone (239) 549-6900 Fax (239) 549-9609

CAPE CORAL FARMERS’ MARKET CLUB SQUARE SATURDAYS 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

TO REGISTER FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE EVENTS ONLINE VISIT WWW.CAPECORALCHAMBER.COM

CHAIRMAN TRENDS

GET IN & GET to have the same outlook, 2016 will BUSY AND be awesome and a time to really LOOK TO THE take your business to the next level.

FUTURE Brett Bisbe Our chamber this year will put on 2016 Chairman two inaugural special events for the With all the fisherman and craft brew drinkers in the changes in area. Both of these will be a great way 2015 to our to get your business in front of a whole chamber I new audience. We are also adding a can’t wait to see all the great things young professional’s style group to keep we have planned for 2016 come to our budding entrepreneurs involved. fruition. Our theme this year is Get With the wealth of knowledge from In & Get Busy and Look to the Future. our long standing chamber members in business and government this younger The year is off to a good start with audience will have access to some of our first chamber after hours out our areas most influential people to and it was packed! In speaking with help them grow. New special events several of our chamber business and our young professionals group will owners, some long standing in the have some great opportunities to get organization and others just joining. your business in front of a whole new I am excited to hear everyone seems audience and help it grow in 2016.

2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman Brett Bisbe, B2 Technology Solutions, Inc Chair-Elect Trish Lassiter, Lee County Electric Coop.

Treasurer Ed Bolter, Lamar Advertising Past Chair Ed Ramos, Ramos Builders, Inc Barb Adams, LeeSar Beverly Black, Black Business Solutions, LLC Dana Brunett, City of Cape Coral Matthew Connar, Boost Creative Tony Constantino, Kevin M. Burns & Assoc. P.A. Angela Davis, Merrill Lynch Diane Everhart, Blue Chip Financial Joseph Francioni, The Smart Companies Cynthia Gallagher, The Breeze Newspapers Sandra Griener, Sun Splash Family Waterpark Tom Hansen, Boat House of Cape Coral Tim Hauck, Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Services Jay Johnson, Bubba’s Roadhouse and Saloon Laura Koehn, CapeCoral.com Mike Quaintance, Keiser University Christopher Spiro, Spiro & Associates Michelle Whitlock, Siesta Pebble Pool Interiors Zachary Zeis, Storm Smart

CHAIRMAN EMERITUS Annette Carrasquillo, LAI Design Associates, LLC Wayne Kirkwood, Kirkwood Electric, Inc. Thomas Giles, Avalon Engineering Michelle Lewis, B-2 Solutions Joseph Mazurkiewicz, BJM Consulting, Inc. Donna Meola, Priority Payments of South Florida Don Schnell, Regions Bank Thomas Shipp Jr, Attorney Elmer Tabor, Wonderland Realty/Cape Coral Town Center

TRUSTEES Kevin Ahmadi, Gulf Coast Village Keith Banasiak, Waste Pro of Florida Nancy Dunning, Cape Coral Association of Realtors Rana Erbrick, City of Cape Coral Bill Jacob, CenturyLink Mike Noone, Goldberg, Racilla, D’Alessandro & Noone, LLC David Owen, BB & T - Oswald, Trippe & Co. Larry Wier, Premier Insurance Corporation

CHAMBER STAFF AND LOOK TO THE FUTURE

Donna S. Germain, President Claudia St. Onge, Business Manager & Farmers’ Market Director Stephanie Roberson, Technology Director Matt Lamb, Membership Director Annette Siner, Membership Sales Melanie Lempke, Administrative Generalist Lyz Crouthamel, Special Events Director

CHAMBER TRENDS

2016 CHAIRMAN’S GALA Donna S. Germain President

The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral held its Annual Chairman’s Gala at the Cape Coral Yacht Club last Friday. This event kicks off each new year for the chamber by welcoming our 2016 board members and Chairman of the Board, while recognizing the members that went above and beyond for the chamber the previous year.

Welcome to our 2016 Board Board of Directors Chairman, Brett Bisbe, B2 Technology Solutions, Inc, Past Chairman, Ed Ramos, Ramos Builders, Inc., Chair Elect, Trish Lassiter, Lee County Electric Cooperative, Treasurer, Ed Bolter, Lamar Advertising, Barb Adams, Beverly Black, Black Business Solutions, LLC, Dana Brunett, City of Cape Coral, Matthew Connar, Boost Creative, Tony Constantino, Kevin M. Burns & Assoc. P.A., Angela Davis Merrill Lynch, Diane Everhart, Blue Chip Financial, Joseph Francioni, The Smart Companies, Cynthia Gallagher, The Breeze Newspapers, Sandra Greiner, Sun Splash Family Waterpark, Tom Hansen, Boat House of Cape Coral, Tim Hauck, Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Services, Jay Johnson, Bubba’s Roadhouse and Saloon, Laura Koehn, CapeCoral.com, Mike Quaintance, Keiser University, Christopher Spiro, Spiro & Associates, Michelle Whitlock, Siesta Pebble Pool Interiors, Zachary Zeis, Storm Smart

This year’s theme “Get In & Get Busy and Look to the Future,” was created by our 2016 Chairman of the Board Brett Bisbe. Last year was a transitional year for the chamber and our new chairman hopes to bring some exciting new things to the chamber as we continue to improve and Trustees: Kevin Ahmadi, Gulf Coast Village, Keith Banasiak, Waste move the chamber into the future.

Pro of Florida, Nancy Dunning, Cape Coral Association of Realtors, Rana Erbrick, Cape Coral City Council, Bill Jacob, CenturyLink, Mike Noone, A special thank you goes out to Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Goldberg, Racila, D’Alessandro & Noone, LLC, David Owen, BB & T Cremation Service for being the title sponsor of this event. We truly Oswald, Trippe & Co., Larry Weir, Premier Insurance Corporation appreciate your support of the Chamber and its programs.

Chairman Emeritus: Annette Carrasquillo, LAI Design Associates, We would also like to thank our event sponsors Angela Davis - Merrill Thomas Giles, Avalon Engineering, Wayne Kirkwood, Kirkwood Electric, Lynch, LAMAR Advertising, Cape Coral Caring Center, Applebee’s Cape Inc., Michelle Lewis, B2 Technology Solutions, Joseph Mazurkiewicz, Coral and Complete Events.

BJM Consulting, Inc., Donna Meola, Priority Payments of South Florida, Don Schnell, Regions Bank, Thomas Shipp Jr, Attorney, Elmer Tabor, Thank you to our Past Chairman Sponsors Caloosa Tent & Rental, The Wonderland Realty/Cape Coral Town Center.

Aubuchon Team of Companies, Corona Property Holdings, LLC, Wades Heating & Cooling, Massage Envy, Siesta Pebble Pool Interiors, WastePro, Thank you to all who came out in support of this event! 2016 is off to a B2 Technology Solutions, Priority Business Solutions, Backstreets Sport great start and we know it will only get better as we “Get In & Get Busy Bar, Spiro & Associates, LAI Design Associates, Cape Cleaners. and Look to the Future.”

Congratulations to our Chamber Award winners - Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral Lifetime Achievement Award - Michael “Q” Quaintance, Board Member of the Year– Annette Carrasquillo, Trustee of the Year – Jay Johnson, Member of the Year – Tony Constantino, Volunteer of the Year– Brandon Deaver, Government Affairs Committee Member of the Year – Gloria Tate, Membership Development Committee Member of the Year – Anthony Solgard, Education Committee Member of the Year – Sandra Silva, Welcome Center Volunteer of the Year – Marc Strengholt. Chamber Staff Picks - Cape Coral Charter School, Priority Business Solutions, Boost Creative, WastePro, LCEC and the City of Cape Coral Charter School System. 2015 Chairman’s Award – Ed Ramos.

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LCEC hasn’t raised electric rates in nearly 5 years!

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GOVERNEMENT AFFAIRS GOVERNMENT AFFECTS YOU!

-Lee County Water Quality Funding request for $3,300,000 (with Lee County match) to help meet the pollutant load reductions required for the Tidal Caloosahatchee TMDL, as well as provide flood control, The State of Florida began the 2016 habitat enhancement, additional water quality improvement and water Legislative Session in January. Over a sixty recharge benefits. day period, our Legislative Delegation will be -Creation of a formal mechanism for allocating state funding dealing with issues such as clean water, gun control, proper funding for social services, of transportation infrastructure in a way that emphasizes needs specifically mental health, a reduction in revenue projection, and trying attributable to high economic and population growth while also to maintain the necessary services while addressing business tax cuts to rewarding jurisdictions that provide matching funds. promote growth that is a priority for our Governor. These are just a few -Continued support for future FDEP SRF loans to funding future of the issues that will come before them during this session. utilities expansion within the City of Cape Coral.

This year, your Government Affairs Committee looked at the legislative A group of community leaders will be making the annual SW Florida priorities set by our elected officials both in the City of Cape Coral and Lee County. In an effort to support them, we found issues that were of Regional Days in Tallahassee trip where there will be opportunities like kind and presented the following items to the Chamber Board of to promote these legislative issues with our delegation. This trip is scheduled for February 9, 2016 through February 11, 2016. During this Directors for support during this legislative session: trip meetings will be held with the Dept. of Economic Opportunity, the -Legislation that addresses water quality and quantity issues that Dept. of Transportation, the Dept. of Business & Professional Regulation, affect local communities, specifically efforts to revitalize and protect and many more. If you are interested in being a part of the opportunity Florida’s springs, aquifers, surface waters and estuaries; legislation to effect change, please contact Heather Mazurkiewicz at heather@ removing roadblocks that are impeding the expansion and use of bjmconsult.com or call 239-470-2478. alternative water supplies; support expanded storage capacity such After the legislative session is complete, your Government as large reservoirs for stormwater runoff and Water Management District shared cost programs to incentivize reservoir construction and Affairs Committee will bring you highlights and information of the alternative supply infrastructure; opposing any unfunded mandates accomplishments of our delegation. Representatives Dane Eagle, Matt Caldwell, Heather Fitzenhagen and Ray Rodrigues along with Senators related to the foregoing.

Lizbeth Benacquisto and Garrett Richter work tirelessly during these -Legislation that will allow for the collection of F.S. Chapter 175 session to promote the quality of life we enjoy and we thank them for monies in exchange for providing Fire protection to a Municipal their representation.

Services Taxing District (MSTU) through an Inter-Local Agreement.

Together the voice of our strong Chamber membership can make a -Legislation that provides opportunities for increased and alternative difference! revenue sources for municipal transportation infrastructure projects.

Remember: Government Affects You! Additionally, the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral supports: Annette M Carrasquillo, Chairperson Public Affairs Committee

-Funding for the C-43 Water Quality Treatment Testing Facility on property purchased jointly by Lee County and the South Florida Water Management District; construction of the first cell of the C-43 Reservoir; and the Lake Hicpochee Shallow Storage and Hydrologic Enhancement Project.

DECEMBER NEW MEMBERS & RENEWALS NEW MEMBERS INDIGO PROS Marni Sawicki DIRECT HEATING AND COOLING Daniel Nichols PASSPORT DESIGNS Dawn Barry FIREHOUSE SUBS Dan Redolphy SPEEK DOCK Anita Krohn

Allin’s Blinds, Verticals & Hurricane Shutters Member Since: 09/24/2012 American Cancer Society Member Since: 12/01/2001 Avalon Engineering Member Since: 12/01/1994 Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. Member Since: 11/18/2014 Beltone Hearing Care Center Member Since: 10/30/2014 BMI Barnett Marine Member Since: 12/19/2013

Forcon Precision Products Member Since: 12/03/2014 Guthrie Builders, LLC Member Since: 10/04/2013 High Fidelity Studios Member Since: 11/17/2008 Hill, Barth, & King, LLC Member Since: 01/28/2013 Keiser University Member Since: 12/14/2009

Spiro & Associates Member Since: 01/01/1996

Kirkwood Electric, Inc. Member Since: 12/01/2001

State Representative Dane Eagle Member Since: 02/08/2013

Cape Coral Art League Member Since: 01/28/1999

RENEWALS

CenturyLink Member Since: 09/01/1991

Lee County Tax Collector Member Since: 01/18/2013

AAA Auto Club Group dba AAA Travel Member Since: 07/31/2007

Dawson of Florida, LLC Member Since: 01/13/2006

Lee Memorial Health System Member Since: 09/01/1991

Dixie Roadhouse Member Since: 11/21/2011

Lifeline Family Center Member Since: 01/07/2015

Edward Jones - John T. Evans Member Since: 09/27/2010

Napa Auto Care Center Member Since: 08/21/2009

Fearless Construction Marine Division Member Since: 11/20/2014

Patriot Pets & Supplies of Florida, LLC Member Since: 01/28/2015

Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc. Member Since: 12/05/2007 ACRA Electric Inc. Member Since: 01/01/1994

Premier Cape Construction, Inc. Members Since: 08/01/1995 Southwest Florida Brochure Dist.

Member Since: 01/01/1995

Law Office of Miguel C. Fernandez III, Esq. Member Since: 12/19/2005

HUNT’S LAWN & LANDSCAPE Bill Hunt

Patriot Pets & Supplies of Florida, LLC Member Since: 01/28/2015

The Letter Box Member Since: 01/13/2015 Troutman Retirement Income Planners Member Since: 12/05/2014 Tudor Villas Corp.

Member Since: 07/24/2006 Zak’s Jewelry Member Since: 12/01/2001

THANK YOU FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP!

RIBBON CUTTINGS Desai Dental Studio 1510 S.E. 47th Terrace | Cape Coral, FL 33904 (239) 542-5676 | www.desaidentalstudio.com

Lee County Tax & Accounting Svcs DBA Liberty Tax Service 229 Del Prado Blvd. N. Suite #7 | Cape Coral, 33909 (239) 574-6167 | www.libertytax.com

Firehouse Subs 2612 Santa Barbara Blvd. Ste. 20 | Cape Coral, 33914 (239) 800-2884 | www.firehousesubs.com

Southwestern Vocational Training 120 Del Prado Blvd S. | Cape Coral, 33990 (239) 214-0717 | www.swvtfl.com

Florida Stingrays Football Cape Coral, 33914 (239) 980-4397 | w.floridastingrays.wix.com/floridastingrays

Cape Coral Caring Center 4645 SE 15th Avenue | Cape Coral, 33904 (239) 945-1927 | www.capecoralcaringcenter.org

RIBBON CUTTINGS CONTINUED Water’s Edge Church 2213 Country Club Blvd. | Cape Coral, 33904 (239) 574-5271 | www.mywatersedgechurch.com

Passport Designs 811 SW 44TH St, Suite 4 | Cape Coral, 33914 (239) 210-5112 | www.passportdesignsllc.com

Whether You Just Joined or Just Renewed Your Membership, Schedule Your Ribbon Cutting Today!

Call Matt Lamb, Membership Director (239) 549-6900 ext 103 5th Annual Snowman Shuffle Fun Walk & Doggie Stroll Get Pledges….Raise funds for Special Pops!

Saturday, February 27, 2016 Sun Splash Pavilion 9:00am Registration 9:45 Warm-up 10:00 Step-off “Buddy Walk” meet and walk along with Special Populations participants.

Prizes for the team, individual and doggie that raise the most pledges.

Walkers who either register at $20 or raise at least $20 in pledges get a T-Shirt.

A continental breakfast will be provided. Visit www.myspecialpops.org for forms PRESENTED BY…

574-0574 info@myspecialpops.org It’s the most good you can do in a few short hours!

City of Cape Coral

HEALTHY TRENDS

MAKING SENSE OF THE SCIENCE

Salvatore Lacagnina, D.O. Vice President of Health & Wellness, Lee Memorial Health System

In preparing for a continuing medical education seminar in January, I have been reviewing the medical literature in order to better understand the health problems we deal with today in relation to traditional therapies and the clinical outcomes. What this means is that I have been reviewing what actually happens with health problems as we apply traditional medical treatments which, in many cases, involves the use of prescription medications.

The health problems physicians and patients deal with today include elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, dementia, musculoskeletal aches/pains and depression. If you watch television, you cannot miss the hundreds of commercials recommending medications to deal with these health problems. Do they really cure the problem or do they simply treat the consequence of another underlying problem? As an example, high cholesterol is usually treated with medications such as a Statin to bring down the numbers.

What is the actual cause of the cholesterol elevation? In the United States this is most often (probably 90% of the time) related to a diet high in saturated fat. Therefore, if the diet is not changed, then taking the medication is like chasing your tail. Similar to what happens when an asthmatic who smokes takes an inhaler to improve the shortness of breath. These treatments are directed at the consequence and not the cause.

Hypertension is another example. High blood pressure is often caused by hardening of the arteries or an excessive amount of adrenalin in the system. Anything that causes inflammation in the body affects the inner lining of the arteries (the endothelium) making the arteries less elastic and as such elevating the blood pressure. This creates strain on the heart which is now trying to pump blood against a higher pressure. Blood pressure medications are prescribed to lower the pressure; yet, many times the cause is not addressed nor corrected. When we look at the long term benefits of treating high cholesterol with a statin or treating high blood pressure with an anti-hypertensive medication, do we find that these individuals actually live longer with less disease? Often times the answer is no and this is usually because we have not alleviated the

cause.

In looking at the clinical evidence, I have found hundreds of research reports which support the need to pay more attention to the cause and not the consequence. Many of these are listed in detail in Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s upcoming book The End of Heart Disease and Dr. Michael Greger’s book How Not to Die. What they discuss in great detail is the fact that many of the health problems of today are man-made. Via our lifestyle we have created an epidemic of unhealthy individuals who spend the last years of their lives in sickness, not wellness. These lives are filled with medications, doctor visits, hospitalizations, disease, disability and early death. My apologies if this sounds morbid, this is the reality for many folks today. Because we often take health for granted, we do not cherish it and nourish it properly and then health fails. Trying to regain good health is much harder than keeping it in the first place.

As a side note, Dr. Michael Greger will be in Ft. Myers on February 25 for two public sessions at noon and 5:30 pm on the topic Food As Medicine.

The noon session is at the Heights Center (15570 Hagie Drive, Ft. Myers) and the 5:30 pm session will be at the Lee County Public Education Center (2855 Colonial Blvd., Ft. Myers). Please call 239-424-3234 to register your desired location. More information can be requested by email GregerRSVP@leememorial.org Returning to the science, this also shows us that many traditional therapies (medications) often create as many problems as they solve.

Again let’s take the statin medications as an example. They help lower cholesterol levels while increasing the risk for diabetes and in women some studies have reported an increased risk of breast cancer. There is also a concern that they may increase the risk of age related cognitive decline. For primary prevention (treating high cholesterol in a person who does not yet have heart disease), the studies do not show that a person actually lives longer as a result of this treatment. So are we then simply exposing ourselves to side effects with no significant positive results? Doesn’t it sound more appropriate to lower the amount of saturated fat in the diet to see how this influences the cholesterol level? I can tell you with certainty – this works. In my clinic I have about 250 people involved in the CHIP program (the Complete Health Improvement Program) which is a nutrition program emphasizing eating lots of vegetables and other natural foods, while eliminating the foods that elevate the blood cholesterol in the first place. In just nine weeks many of these folks have significantly lowered their lipid levels, without medication! I am referring to lowering the total cholesterol levels by 70, 80 and even 100 points! In reviewing the literature I have not yet found any head-to-head research studies comparing nutrition to medications; yet, I can report the real benefits seen with patients in this program. The same goes for hundreds of other patients I see in my weight

HEALTHY TRENDS CONTINUED management clinic where I make similar nutrition recommendations.

A commentary was made about the research report in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology in 2013 stating that “conventional (dietary) advice falls short in offering significant long term protection” against disease. Isn’t this what we want and need? We need to understand the science behind medical recommendations and to give thought to all available traditional and alternative therapies. We need to compare the benefits and know the risks/consequences so we (the patient and physician as a team) can make the best decisions to influence present and future health. The science (clinical evidence) should highlight the best approach to dealing with a health problem and not just masking the problem. Heart burn is another perfect example.

Many people suffer from this because of what they eat. Taking a pill of any color (purple or otherwise) does not treat the problem. It just places a Band-Aid on the wound. The science shows that long term use of acid lowering medications can have detrimental effects on the bones and other areas of the body. Also, if acid reflux is not treated properly, the individual is at increased risk for esophageal cancer. Unfortunately, the TV commercials minimize the health implications of chronic

heartburn/reflux. This is not a benign problem and it should be treated by eliminating the cause.

The purpose of this article is to share the messages from the scientific world which support the recommendations for lifestyle management in the treatment and prevention of most of the chronic illnesses and even many of the common cancers. There is much anecdotal evidence to support lifestyle as the number one way to stay healthy. I see this every day in my clinic. When people do the right things in relation to what they eat and how often they exercise, they stay well (better than most with less disease and fewer risk factors for chronic illness).

In summary, the science makes sense and the anecdotal evidence (what we see happening to people depending on how they live) makes sense – eat nutritious foods daily, stay active every day, manage stress, get good sleep, laugh and have fun daily. Do not take life too seriously (don’t sweat the small stuff ) – life is too short. Enjoy each day and share your blessings with others.

Stay well my friends and send comments and questions to Dr.Sal@ LeeMemorial.org

North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts Proudly Presents... $8 Reserved Seating Only

Friday, March 11 @ 7:00pm Saturday, March 12 @ 2:00 & 7:00pm

Book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan l New Music by Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen

NFMAA SPEAKEASY VIP ROOM Shhh... It’s Prohibited! No Password... No Admittance.

Join Millie and the gang at the NFMAA Speakeasy VIP Room.

3XUFKDVH \RXU WLFNHWV LQ DGYDQFH DW WKH 1)0$$·V PDLQ RIÀFH DQG pull a password for a chance at the secret code and admittance.

Only 10 Lucky Winners with their party will receive the secret password to enter the Speakeasy.

The NFMAA Speakeasy VIP Room will be open for one hour prior to the show and during intermission.

All of the Arts Foundation Sponsors will be granted access.

For more information call (239) 997-2131 1856 Arts Way, North Fort Myers, FL 33917 Music Theatre International 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: (212) 541-4684 Fax: (212) 397-4684 www.MTIShows.com

Created By: Nikola Sarria (NFMAA Student)

UNIVERSITY TRENDS

to worker’s perception of fairness in the exchange of labor for compensation. This area often contributes to worker dissonance and workers may feel an inequity for the efforts which they are investing in a specific job or task. As Florida minimum wage has been increased to Recently, a chamber member $8.05 per hour as of January 1, 2016, other workers who were already asked, “how much should I be paying at or above that rate might question the fairness or equity of their pay my people?” That is a difficult question not increasing in equal proportion to this mandated legislative change. to answer without some analysis.

First, it is necessary to assume that Finally, management must consider the impact of the cost pay systems or models are designed to bring a good or service to market, the legal requirements of to achieve certain objectives. The compensation, and also the ethical implications encompassing objectives should incorporate components of fairness, ethics, compensation. These decisions are often guided by the culture a compliance with laws and regulations, and a transactional relationship company has adopted. For example, a company with a transactional reflecting the attainment of efficiency and performance measures. culture may desire to maintain a quantifiable status quo approach

HOW MUCH DO I PAY? Professor Mike “Q” Quaintance Keiser University - Fort Myers

Most companies attempt to measure efficiency in terms of improving performance, and increasing product and service quality while wowing customers. Others, however may value controlling input costs such as labor or materials. The pay system is often viewed by larger companies in four areas, internal alignment, competitiveness, contributions, and management.

to compensation, which does not incentivize or drive greater success. Whereas, a company with a transformational centered culture will create an environment which encourages innovation and free-thinking in order to garner the greatest achievements.

To answer the question “how much should I be paying by people?” start by asking, what are your company goals? What are the most important inputs that will secure the attainment Internal alignment refers to work analysis, job descriptions, of those goals? If you would like to talk more about this topic performance evaluation and how these factors align with the output please call me at Keiser University (239) 277-1336 ext. 34128. goals of the company. Competitiveness is determined by how the market defines compensation through surveys of the local, national, or international job markets and their relationship to the supply and demand of worker skillsets. The state of Florida has a helpful website http://www. floridawages.com. Using this site, managers can access by occupation the mean wage, entry wage, and median wages for specific jobs. Internal alignment and competitiveness are further defined as business efficiency.

Contributions often include considerations such as seniority, transactional incentives, and merit guidelines. These can be attributed

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PRESENTED BY: Leadership Cape Coral Alumni Class Of 2015

Diamond Member Lee Memorial Health System P.O. Box 2218 Fort Myers, FL 33902

Executive Member CenturyLink 2710 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral Gulf Coast Village Retirement Community 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd. Cape Coral

Lee County Electric Coop 4980 Bayline Dr North Fort Myers, FL 33917

The News-Press - Fort Myers Office 2442 Dr. MLK Blvd. Ft. Myers

B2 Technology Solutions 1406 SE 46th Lane Cape Coral, FL 33904

Fifth Third Bank 2402 Surfside Blvd., Cape Coral, FL 33991 2724 Del Prado Blvd, Cape Coral, FL 33904 114 Hancock Bridge Pkwy, Cape Coral, FL 33991 1801 NE Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral, FL 33909 1600 Cape Coral Pkwy. E, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Chamber Trends Monthly Advertising Basic Advertising Prices Full Page $337.00 1/2 Page $227.00 1/4 Page $147.00 Business Card $117.00 (All ads include a hyperlink to your company’s website or a 30-second commercial promoting your business.

Non-profit organizations receive 2 free 1/2 page ads per year upon request with their membership.)

Prime Advertising Pricing Full Page $367.00 1/2 Page $287.00 1/4 Page $207.00 Business Card $167.00 (All ads include a hyperlink to your company’s website or a 30-second commercial promoting your business and a banner ad in the Chamber Trends Weekly E-Newsletter) Specials Feature Your Business On The Cover Cover photo showcasing your company with a full page article, up to 3 pictures and company logo spotlighting your business.

Only one per month. First come first serve basis. Your spotlight can also be linked to your company website and/or a commercial promoting your business.

Chamber Trends Weekly Advertising Press Release $25.00 (Runs 1x, includes 60 words, company logo, link to your company website.)

(Non-profit organizations run 2x for $25.00) Banner Advertisement $50.00 per month (runs 4x, includes link to your website) Company Spotlight $157.00 (Runs 4x, includes short story, link to website, link to additional company information, 2 pictures and Company logo.)

E-mail Blasts Company Spotlight E-mail Blast $199.00 The investment for the Business Spotlight is $199 and will run twice throughout the month of your choice.

Dimensions - 6 inches wide x 8 inches tall, 300 dpi resolution.

Please call Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext. 107 for more information.

All Chamber Publications Are Distributed to More Than 16,000 contacts

LCEC – your cooperative

empowers you!

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* 7% Public Service Tax – Imposed by Cape Coral City Council * 3% Cape Coral Franchise fee * 4.5% Unincorporated Lee County Franchise Fee – Approved by Lee County Commissioners

www.lcec.net

REAL ESTATE TRENDS AND HERE WE GO Berge Aslanian (CDPE) Realtor, Island Harbor Realty

Now that our high season has begun, is there any way to find out if we are off to a good start in terms of Cape Coral real estate? Let’s see, if we are.

Numbers for the past month in perspective of the prior three months should provide a picture.

Cape Coral numbers for the three month period ending 1/29/16:

With season underway, the calls have been coming in for condos. Condos are a great way for snowbirds to enjoy Southwest Florida with their own place without the maintenance responsibility of a single family house. As with houses, the less expensive units are becoming extinct. Inventories are up in both categories but so are entry-level prices.

The other day a potential buyer was heard saying, “This is a buyer’s market so I can and will make an offer much lower than the asking price.” Let’s see, prices are going up, there are no cheap properties anymore, often we hear sellers asking for “highest and best offers” by a certain date because there are multiple offers and our genius from out of the area thinks this is a buyer’s market. Yes, our inventories are up; but this is because smart sellers put properties on the market during peak season. Anyone thinking this is a buyer’s market is setting themselves up for massive disappointment; don’t be that guy.

Just to put everything in perspective, let’s compare the numbers over the course of a year: Single Family

January 2015

January 2016

For Sale # of homes 1809 median price $280,000 # of homes 1779 median $300,000 Sold # of homes 266 median price $172,000 # of homes 291 median $210,250

Inventory of single family homes For Sale continues upward with another Condos slight decrease in median price. Sales dropped both in numbers of homes For Sale # of units 286 median price $150,000 # of units 237 median $179,500 sold and in median prices. This really is not unusual considering that the Sold # of units 39 median price $130,000 # of units 41 median $148,000 contracts for homes Sold this past month were most likely written at the end of November and in December, typically slow months for sales due to the In one year the median price of single family homes sold increased holidays. $38,250 or 22.2%.

The number of condo units For Sale was steady while median prices went In one year the median price of condos sold increased $18,000 or 13.8%. up. Condo units Sold (like single family homes) dropped while median prices were fairly stable.

And, that trend is continuing as you are reading this article. We are not talking about what might happen, we are talking about what is happening We keep seeing buyers looking for those inexpensive homes under $150,000. As of this writing, there were only three in all of Cape Coral 1,500 now in Cape Coral residential real estate. It is my sincere hope that those reading this can use the information to their advantage. Please remember to sq. ft. or larger and two of them were over 30 yrs old. use an experienced local realtor for Happy Property Buying or Selling!

Newer homes are more in demand and prices have been climbing. When Berge Aslanian (CDPE) is a Realtor in Cape Coral with Island Harbor Realty driving around the Cape, you will see more and more new construction.

Builders are building but there really isn’t anything out there for under and an active member of the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral. For $205,000 for smaller (under 1,500 sq. ft.) starter homes. (If you see one larger questions about residential real estate, please call (239) 989-3463 or email realtorberge@att.net or visit www.RECapeCoral.com. and under $200K, please call me so I can buy it.)

Bring Prospective Customers Into Your Business By Hosting a Networking Event in 2016.

Schedule Your Business Card Exchange, Networking @ Noon or Business After Hours Today!

Call Matt Lamb, Membership Director (239) 549-6900 ext 103

NETWORKING EVENTS ANNUAL CHAIRMEN’S GALA January 29th was the evening that the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral swore in their 2016 Board of Directors and recognized some of their members and volunteers at the Annual Chairmen’s Gala. Thank you to everyone who came out and took part in this evening and a HUGE thank you to all of our volunteers, board and trustee members who have dedicated their time in helping to build the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral!

NETWORKING @ NOON Thanks to our friends at Complete Nutrition for another great networking event at our January Networking @ Noon!

T-SHIRTS ARE ONLY GUARANTEED IF SIGNED UP BY JUNE 15, 2016.

IF SIGNED UP AFTER IT WILL BE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST AT PICK-UPS/CHECK-IN’S

ENTRY FEE INCLUDES FOOD, REFRESHMENTS & MUSIC IN AFTER TENT, WATER ON & OFF COURSE, VENDOR BOOTHS, TIMING, AND ALL OTHER ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE FREEDOM 5K RACE.

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No one knows Southwest Florida better than The News-Press Media Group. From brands to customers, we connect more audiences, in more places, in more ways with the right mix of marketing.

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Network Administration Maintenance Agreements Off-site Data Storage Dell, Acer, Apple (239) 573-1000 www.entechcomputers.com

2051 Cape Coral Parkway E Cape Coral, FL 33904 (239) 549-6900 www.capecoralchamber.com