Chamber Trends Magazine - July 2013

Trends Chamber

The Official Publication of The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral

To Promote and Serve Business and Community

July 2013

Get In & Get Busy in the Chamber Trends Magazine More than 11,000 monthly subscribers Basic Advertising Prices Full Page $337.00 1/2 Page $227.00 1/4 Page $147.00 Business Card $117.00 (All ads can be linked 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 $387.00 (includes banner ad on chamber website only 4 available per issue, full page only) 1/2 Page $287.00 1/4 Page $207.00 Business Card $167.00 (All ads can be linked 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 Spotlight On Business Article - One per issue $347.00 Includes a hyperlink to your company’s website or a 30-second commercial promoting your business, a banner ad on the Chamber website and a banner ad in the Chamber Trends Weekly E-Newsletter.

Please call Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext 107 for more information. donna@capecoralchamber.com

July 2013 July 2nd

Publisher & Editor Donna Schuman-Germain Communications Director donna@capecoralchamber.com Contributing Editors Mike Quaintance Chamber President q2u2@capecoralchamber.com Stephanie Roberson Technology Director stephanie@capecoralchamber.com Claudia St. Onge Business Manager cso@capecoralchamber.com Bill Johnson, Jr. Membership Sales Director bill@capecoralchamber.com Melanie Lempke Administrative Generalist melanie@capecoralchamber.com Bob Knickman Special Events Director bob@capecoralchamber.com Amanda Brunson Special Events Coordinator amanda@capecoralchamber.com Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral P.O. Box 100747, Cape Coral, FL 33910 2051 Cape Coral Parkway Cape Coral, FL 33904 Phone (239) 549-6900 Fax (239) 549-9609

Business Card Exchange King Family Chiropractic, LLC 428 Del Prado N, Suite 108 Cape Coral, FL 33909 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.

July 4th

RE/MAX Realty Team - City of Cape Coral Red, White and BOOM Aubuchon Homes Mandolin Model 1811 Cape Coral Parkway East Cape Coral, FL 33904 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

July 10th

General Membership Meeting The Crazy Olive 1141 Pine Island Road SW Unit 14 Cape Coral, FL 33991 $20.00 For Members w/reservations Sponsored by LCEC, The News-Press and CenturyLink Call 549-6900 ext 300 to RSVP 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

July 18th

Business After Hours The Wellness Center of Cape Coral 609 S.E. 13th Court Cape Coral, FL 33990 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Every Tuesday

Surfside Sunset Market The market will be moving inside for the summer months.

Look for us in Unit D101 at The Shops at Surfside 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

To register for any of the above events online, or for more up-to-date information, please visit www.capecoralchamber.com

Q’s World

Cognitive Bias

Mike “Q” Quaintance, President

I

was just reading an article on Cognitive Bias in the June, Harvard Business Review (HBR), which then prompted me to be rather introspective.

The article refers to testing where researchers’ watch children build something with materials provided to them and then watch adults do the same exercise and track the differences.

The children often out-perform the adults because of something called “Cognitive Bias,” which apparently we all have.

The specific term for this type of “Cognitive Bias” is “Functional Fixedness.” Essentially, as we age, the knowledge and experience we gain throughout our lives impairs or displaces our imagination and our ability to visualize an object for anything other than its original or intended purpose.

As companies we are often limited to our innovativeness because we visualize “a Thing” as its current reality or intend purpose.

As adults we look at a box of matches as a box holding match sticks, where a child might look at the match box as a bed for a small doll, animal or insect, thus thinking outside the box.

Since we probably all have this “Functional Fixedness,”you might ask how we can overcome it. If your business does not have an advisory board, create one. The advisory board might consist of your accountant, attorney, vendors, key customers or frontline team members. You might create a “Hothouse Group” from people who do not even have a connection with your business; perhaps they come from completely different industries.

These boards or groups get together to discuss challenges and then apply various ideas or solutions from their industry experience.

These groups are often not bound or limited by your industries rational thinking, thus are a fresh set of eyes. This collaboration between

2013 Board of Directors

outside participants is referred to as “Open Innovation.” Open Innovation means that, first you throw a bunch of ideas on the walls, not discounting any of them, and then evaluate them on their merits.

Another solution to the “Functional Fixedness” frame of mind is researching crossindustry or cross-disciple searches on your web browser. You might be surprised at what you will find.

Lastly, if you are as lucky as I, where you are surrounded by great professionals from all walks of life, you might give one of them a phone call. Sometimes when I hit the innovation wall I call up my friend Chris Spiro. Chris is really just a big kid with few adult inhibitions. While some of Chris’ ideas may be off the wall, ten minutes with Chris on the phone seems to get my creative juices energized. You can always contact one of our mentors in the “First Hour Free” program for some insight.

We need to be reminded of these unintentional road blocks that occur within each of us and reflect on how they impact the way we solve a challenge or maximize an opportunity. It is okay to ask for help, to seek new and different information and to feed off of another’s enthusiasm. Those are my thoughts I would be interested in hearing yours.

...

with a purpose.

Leadership Cape Coral Deadline for Applications July 26th Call Donna Germain for more information 549-6900 ext 107

Joe Mazurkiewicz, Chairman - BJM Consulting, Inc Annette Carrasquillo, Chair-Elect - LAI Design Associates, LLC Ed Ramos, Treasurer - Ramos Builders, Inc Donna Meola, Past-Chair - Achieva Credit Union Tony Constantino, Financial Advisor - Kevin M Burns & Assoc, CPA Barb Adams - Individual Member Brett Bisbe - B2 Solutions, Inc Beverly Black - Black Business Solutions Ed Bolter - Lamar Advertising Dana Brunett - City of Cape Coral Joe Francioni - Castle Harbour Homes Cindy Gallagher - The News-Press Tom Giles - Avalon Engineering Tom Hansen - Boat House of Cape Coral Tim Hauck - Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Services Colleen Humphries - LCEC Wayne Kirkwood - Kirkwood Electric Cheryl Komnick - Caloosa Tent & Rental Michelle Lewis - B2 Solutions, Inc Thomas Shipp - Tom Shipp at the Martin Law Firm Stan Spicer - Platinum Service A/C Chris Spiro - Spiro & Associates Elmer Tabor - Wonderland Realty

2013 Trustees

Sandra Aguilar - Individual Rhonda Chapman - First Citizens Bank Matt Connar - Boost Creative Diane Everhart - Northwestern Mutual Financial Sandra Greiner, SunSplash Family Waterpark Toni Rae Hurley - IBERIABANK Trish Lassiter - Lee County Electric Coop Eric Malasky - Paradise Deli & Market David Owen - BB&T-Oswald, Trippe & Co Katharin Owen, Warchol, Merchant & Rollings Wendy Piascik - Lee Memorial Health System Zachary Zeis - Elysium Homes

Chamber Staff

Mike Quaintance, President Donna Schuman-Germain, Communications Director Bob Knickman, Special Events Director Bill Johnson, Jr., Membership Sales Director Claudia St. Onge, Business Manager Stephanie Roberson, Technology Director Melanie Lempke, Administrative Generalist Amanda Brunson, Special Events Coordinator Linda Kirby, Membership Sales

May New Members & Renewals New Members AAA The Auto Club Group John Risk Abaez Builders, Dayne Baez BankUnited Pavita Sandhu Bookkeepers Plus of SWFL, LLC. Tony Solgard Cape Cleaners Dan Puleio The Crazy Olive Hunter Bloch Dempsey’s Diner Cathy Uhl Individual - Jennifer Hall Jennifer Hall Individual - O Debbie Dondero Debbie Dondero Legro Coffee Meilee Marts North Ft. Myers High School Jeff Spiro Schuman Family Insurance Matt Schuman Sign A Rama Carol Walker SWFL Naturally Lynda Mastronardo T-Fast Matt Mercier

Valpak of Southwest Florida Jeannie Ellington Venetian Pools & Spas, Inc Paul Manke

Renewals ACE Hardware of Cape Coral American Brokers Realty Group, Inc Bahama Glass & Window Bayliner Properties, LLC Black Business Solutions, LLC The Boat House of Cape Coral Bonefish Grill Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre Caloosa Tent & Rental Cape Coral Institute of Technology Cape Coral Pet Crematory Cape Coral Shores CC Stone w/Coastal Realty SWFL Century 21-Birchwood Realty, Inc. City Smoke Barbecue ClubZ! In Home Tutoring Costco Crown Trophy of Cape Coral Cultural Park Theatre Company Fenzel Air, LLC First Citizens Bank Five County Insurance Agency Florida Gulf Coast University Florida Homes & Services Fort Myers Pest Control Gallagher and Rhodes CPA’S Gulf Coast Symphony HBK Sorce Financial, LLC Hello Beautiful Salon High Fidelity Studios Hollywood Bicycle Center Horseman’s Landscape Inc.

Impressions Photography Independent A.C. Irvin Pest Control, Inc Jackson PR JP’s Auto Care Kaye’s Antiques Art & Estate Sale Keller & Koczara CPAs, PA Ken’s Auto Repair of Cape Coral, Inc Ken Schuman Insurance Key West Express Lobster Lady Seafood Market & Bistro LongHorn Steakhouse Mariner High School Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co PA Matteo Graphics Mel’s Diner Of Cape Coral Metamorphosis Coaching, LLC Office Furniture & Design Concepts Pelletier Rickert Physical Therapy Perico’s Inc Pirate Coast Cycles Ramos Builders, Inc. Red Salon & Spa Roger Dean Chevrolet Rotary Club of Cape Coral North Sea Tow SeniorAve, LLC Siesta Pebble Pool Interiors Sotolongo Landscape Maintenance, Steve Koffman & Associates Inc Tech- Tronics Productions Thompson Gas Wastemanagement/Gulf Disposal WCR Women’s Council of Realtors WINK/Fort Myers Broadcasting Co.

Chamber Trends Red, White and Boom Joe Mazurkiewicz, BJM Consulting 2013 Chamber Chairman

I

t’s that time of year when our Chamber hosts thousands of our friends and neighbors as we celebrate our nation’s independence on the Fourth of July.

This is a massive undertaking that could not happen without our sponsors, RE/MAX Realty Team, the City of Cape Coral, and our staff and members.

It is a great event that has become our signature community activity. Let me start by saying thank you to everyone who is involved in making this it a success.

It is also a time when each of us should remember to give thanks for this great country we live, work and play in and for our special home and piece of paradise. We also need to remember all those who came before us and sacrificed so we can enjoy the freedoms we hold so dear.

I hope we all take the time to remember that our freedom is not free and it takes a conscious effort on all of our part to make sure we remain the greatest place on earth. It is not enough to just be patriotic on the Fourth of July; we have to commit a piece of each day

to be well informed and active citizens.

It is not good enough to just sit on the sidelines and watch the game; we each have to make a commitment to play so our community can succeed. Sitting on the sidelines and complaining about the quality of play is not an acceptable level of participation.

We each have to become more involved in our community if we want to make it better.

So while we each get excited as we watch the bombs bursting in air over the Caloosahatchee, lets remember to take that patriotic feeling and make it part of our everyday routine and work to make our City, County, State and Country better by being an informed and active participant in our government and community.

I wish each of you a happy, safe and patriotic Fourth of July!

Personal and Business

Solutions

to meet your banking needs.

We make banking easy and convenient for your business and personal banking needs, so that you have more time for the things in life that matter most.

Call or visit one of our Cape Coral branches today!

www.iberiabank.com |

1715 Cape Coral Parkway West | (239) 541-5200 812 Del Prado Boulevard South | (239) 985-8120 2546 Heydon Lane | (239) 433-6000

Fort Myers: 9101 College Pointe Court | 2247 First Street | 6651 Orion Drive | 4670 Summerlin Road | 8341 Dani Drive | 8870 Daniels Parkway | 7580 Winkler Road | Estero: 23250 Via Villagio

2013 Vote Cape Coral Candidates Hobnob Wednesday, August 7th Gulf Coast Village 1333 Santa Barbara Boulevard Cape Coral, Florida 33991 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

2013 SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES Gold Sponsors $500

Sponsor logo included in all promotions For This Event • • • • • • • • •

Banner Placement at event Display table at event Logo to appear in all media advertising Logo to appear in scrolling power point presentation at the event Logo to appear in event program Sponsor recognition in all printed materials, flyers, etc for the event.

Sponsor recognition in all electronic media advertising Link to your company’s website will also be included in all electronic media Your company will be mentioned as a sponsor in all other press releases and/or media correspondence as an event sponsor.

Silver Sponsors $250

Sponsor name included in all Promotions For This Event

Friend $100.00

Sponsor name included In The Following

LCEC

• • • • • • •

• •

Banner Placement at Event Business name to appear in event program Company name in scrolling power point presentation at the event Display table at event Company name in media advertising Company listed as a sponsor in all printed materials, flyers, etc.

Company name in all electronic media advertising prior

Event Program Print Media Advertising

_____ Gold $500

NAME____________________________________________________________________________________

_____ Silver $250

BUSINESS _______________________________________________________________________________

_____ Friend $100

CREDIT CARD __________________________________________________________________________ BILLING ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________ CARD TYPE ______________________

A Family of Senior Living Options

EXP. ________________

3 digit Code______________

PHONE_________________________E-MAIL _____________________________________________

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

General Membership Lunch

Top Left: Guest Speaker Wayne Nagy – Cape Coral Institute of Technology Mid Left: Susan Warren - The Westin at Marina Village, Eileen Quinlan - North Nicholas HS and Patrick Quinlan Miloff Aubuchon Realty.

Bottom Left: Thank you to our CenturyLink Sponsors Bill Jacob, Brian Hamman and John Hobson, Top Right: Thank you to all of the New Members who attended the June Lunch. Welcome to the Chamber!

Mid Right: Tim Hauck - Fuller Metz Funeral Home, Max Dean - Ramos Builders and ToniRae Hurley, IBERIABANK.

Diamond Member Chamber of Commerce ofSystem Cape Coral Lee Memorial Health P.O. Box 2218 Fort Myers, FL 33902

CenturyLink Store 2710 Del Prado Blvd. South Cape Coral, FL 33904 RE/MAX Realty Team 2326 Del Prado Blvd Cape Coral, FL 33990 LCEC 4980 Bayline Dr North Fort Myers, FL 33917

$ LCEC works hard to manage costs, maintain the electric system, improve processes and create efficiencies so that electric rates can remain competitive for customers. We do not plan to raise rates in 2013 and will continue to do everything possible to keep rates stable.

Executive Member Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral BJ’s Wholesale 1929 Pine Island Rd N.E., Cape Coral Gulf Coast Village Retirement Community 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd. Cape Coral Lee County Electric Cooperative - LCEC 4980 Bayline Dr, North Fort Myers Premier Oncology Radiation Specialists In Urology 24 Del Prado Blvd N, Cape Coral The News-Press - Fort Myers Office 2442 Dr. MLK Blvd. Ft. Myers 413 NE Van Loon Lane, Cape Coral

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

The increase on your upcoming electric bill is due to a tax imposed by the City of Cape Coral. LCEC customers in Cape Coral will notice a change in their electric bill beginning October 1, 2013. Cape Coral City officials recently levied a public service tax of 7 percent that will be added to monthly electric bills. The new tax will be displayed on your LCEC bill as a separate line item so it can be easily identified.

LCEC is required by law to collect the tax from business and residential customers who purchase electricity in Cape Coral. LCEC will deliver funds to the City similar to how Cape Coral franchise fees are delivered, which are also collected through electric bills.This new tax will be used to fund the City’s general operations. To calculate the amount the monthly public service tax will add to your electric bill, visit www.capecoral.net and utilize the PST Calculator. Please refer any questions regarding the Cape Coral public service tax to the Cape Coral Citizens’ Action Center, 239-574-0425. www.lcec.net • 239-656-2300

Ribbon Cuttings

Extraordinary Eventz P.O. Box 413 Matlacha, FL 33993 (239) 282-9526 www.extraordinaryeventz.com

Fenzel Air 17031 Alico Commerce Court, Suite 3 Ft. Myers, FL 33967 (239) 471-7003 www.fenzelair.com

Schedule Your Ribbon Cutting Today!

Contact Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext 107 or donna@capecoralchamber.com

Leadership 2013 LEADERSHIP CAPE CORAL ANNUAL SPONSORSHIPS $2,500 Annual Investment – Cornerstone • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Company Logo on Jr. Leadership Shirt Company Logo on Leadership Cape Coral Shirt Company Logo on all Leadership Program Materials 4 Tickets to Leadership Cape Coral Kick-off 4 Tickets to Leadership Cape Coral Graduation 4 Tickets to Jr. Leadership Graduation Opportunity to speak at Leadership Cape Coral Graduation Opportunity to speak at Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Graduation Opportunity to hang banner at Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Graduation Opportunity to audit one Leadership Cape Coral Day Opportunity to audit one Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Day Opportunity to audit one Advanced Leadership Day or Chamber University Day Company Logo on Sustaining Partner Leadership Web Page One Full page advertisement in Chamber Monthly E-Trends Newsletter Annually

$1,200 Annual Investment – Partner • • • • • • • • • •

Company name of all Leadership Programs Materials 2 Tickets to Leadership Cape Coral Kick-off 2 Tickets to Leadership Graduation 2 Tickets to Jr. Leadership Graduation Opportunity to speak at Leadership Cape Coral Kick-off Opportunity to hang banner at Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Graduation Opportunity to audit one Leadership Cape Coral Day Opportunity to audit one Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Day Opportunity to audit one Advance Leadership Cape Coral Day or Chamber University Day Company Name on Sustaining Partners Leadership Web Page

$500 Annual Investment – Supporter • • • •

Company name on all Leadership Programs Materials 2 Tickets to Leadership Cape Coral Kick-off 2 Tickets to Leadership Cape Coral Graduation 2 Tickets to Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Graduation

BJM CONSULTING BB&T-OSWALD, TRIPPE & CO THE AUBUCHON TEAM OF COMPANIES

ARE YOU INTERESTED?

It is simple to participate, just fill out the registration form below and fax, or mail it to the Chamber.

BUSINESS NAME BILLING ADDRESS CARD NUMBER CARD TYPE PHONE

E X P I R AT I O N D AT E E-MAIL

THREE DIGIT CODE

Leadership 2013

20

Celebrating Leadership Excellence

1993-2013

LEADERSHIP CAPE CORAL DEFINED.

TESTIMONIALS

Leadership Cape Coral is a thirteen week program for an adult that educates the participants about the components that make up Cape Coral. The various program days include team building, public safety, education, government, cultural opportunities, infrastructure, corrections, public services, and parks and recreation. These program days are organized and chaired by recent past graduates of the program so that they can share their knowledge concerning the various days.

Leadership Cape Coral isn’t for those that are content with things the way they are. If you or the owner of your business is ready to elevate your performance within the largest city in SW Florida then please sign up for Leadership Cape Coral, it will help you reach that next level. You WON’T be disappointed!

There have been more than 400 graduates of the program since the charter year in 1993. Many of these graduates become a part of Cape Coral Leadership Alumni and often go on to the Advanced Leadership Cape Coral program with a focus on developing and enhancing management and leadership skills. The final tier of leadership education is Cape Coral Community Trustee program, which is by invitation and helps participants discover areas where they can assume community leadership roles.

Today, our leadership graduates are contributing to vital areas of the community such as; leadership roles in government from the City Council to the State of Florida, community organizations like American Cancer Society, Easter Seals, and Junior Achievement, and leadership with our largest employers. It is not uncommon for our leadership graduates to see the value and feel the need to pass along the gift of leadership by participating in our Cape Coral Jr. Leadership program. Without a doubt the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral has one of the most comprehensive leadership programs in Florida.

ARE YOU INTERESTED? It is simple to participate, just fill out the registration form below and fax, or mail it to the Chamber. We will send you an application. Be sure to fill out and submit your application before July 26, 2013.

LYNNIE GUZMAN l News-Press l 2011 Leadership Cape Coral opens doors and open your eyes to the community around you. It lays out the assets and the opportunities for you in a way no other investment of time and money could do. I have seen it change the lives of many people and I know it has changed my life forever and that is why I am still involved in Leadership Cape Coral today. The program continues to pay benefits to me, my family, my business and my community.

JOE MAZURKIEWICZ l BJM Consulting l 1993 Leadership Cape Coral helped save my life!

During health day, a physician was telling us that heart attacks don’t always happen in the most common perceived way–chest pain and numbness in the left arm. I remembered that comment when the following week I had a heart attack (throbbing in both arms just below my elbows and no chest pain). I was rushed to the hospital.

B. PAT O’ROURKE l Lee County EDC l 2007

FULL NAME BUSINESS NAME

ADULT LEADERSHIP 2013 FULL ADDRESS PHONE

EMAIL

Are you a Chamber Member? o Yes o No Is a business sponsoring you? o Yes o No

Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral 2051 Cape Coral Parkway E Cape Coral, Florida 33904 (239) 549-6900 phone (239) 549-9609 fax www.CapeCoralChamber.com

Thank You Cape Coral!

This year the Chamber had the honor of being voted The Best Service Organization in Cape Coral in the Breeze Newspapers Best of Awards.

2013 Chairman Joe Mazurkiewicz (right) accepted the award on behalf of the Chamber at the June 20th Awards Ceremony.

Cape Coral Public Service Tax Cape Coral public service tax will be levied in October, 2013 Karen Ryan, APR, CPRC, LCEC Public Relations Manager

I

n April, Cape Coral City Council approved a seven percent public service tax on electricity.

Residents and business owners who purchase electricity will pay the public service tax and Federal, State or local governmental bodies and churches are exempt.

The public service tax will go into

effect on October 1, 2013.

LCEC will collect the tax from customers who purchase electricity in Cape Coral and transfer the funds to the City of Cape Coral. The public service tax will be identified on the LCEC bill along with the Cape Coral franchise fee that LCEC collects for the City. Customers should note that LCEC has not raised their electric rates in nearly five years and does not foresee a rate increase in 2013.

Throughout the state of Florida, counties and municipalities have the authority to levy a public service tax on the purchase of electricity, metered or bottled gas, water service and telecommunication service. The maximum tax rate of 10 percent is stipulated by Florida

Statute 166.23 and local governments are the taxing authority and determine the imposed rate.

The funds generated from the public service tax are part of the City’s efforts to diversify finances. The tax funds collected through the electric bill will be used to fund the City’s general operations.

The need for additional revenues and diversification became a priority after City staff determined Cape Coral would be unsustainable in two years if past budgeting practices continued.

The City has set up an online calculator so residents can calculate their monthly public service tax.

Go to www.capecoral.net and enter your kWh usage on PST Calculator. For questions about the public service tax, please contact the Cape Coral Citizens Action Center at 574-0425.

We deliver Cape Coral news 24/7

The News-Press Media Group connects Cape Coral residents and visitors with news and information in Cape Life every Thursday, and in the Cape section on Sunday.

Get the latest updates online and on your mobile device at news-press.com

Subscribe:1.800.468.0233 Cape Coral Editor: Casey Logan | clogan@news-press.com | 344.4721 Advertise: Lynnie Guzman | lguzman@news-press.com | 910.4575

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

Get In Touch with Get In Residents, & Get Busy New Advertiseand In Prospects The Chamber Visitors with our Trends Magazine Relocation Leads Program!

Contact Donna Germain at

549-6900 ext 107 or Contact Donna Germain at donna@capecoralchamber.com 549-6900 ext 107 or donna@capecoralchamber.com

As the summer months are upon us it becomes harder and harder for families and individuals to find sources for food. School programs slow down for the younger generation and in many cases our food pantries see critical lows in inventory. Please help us Feed The Cape and Save Our Summer. Stop by any of these Cape Coral business locations to drop off your canned goods, non-perishable food items or cash donation: Cape Coral Caring Center - 4645 SE 15th Ave. Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral - 2051 Cape Coral Pkwy E. Community Bank of Cape Coral - 61 Hancock Bridge Pkwy.

Community Bank of Cape Coral - 1645 SE 47th Terrace Sweetbay - 1016 Cape Coral Pkwy E. Suite 100 SunSplash - 400 Santa Barbara Blvd.

City of Cape Coral City Hall - 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.

FOS Furniture - 111 N. Del Prado Blvd.

Century 21 Sunbelt - 725 Cape Coral Parkway W. Achieva Credit Union - 1631 Del Prado Blvd. S. Achieva Credit Union - 1616 Cape Coral Parkway W.

SPONSORED IN PART BY:

City Government

For More Info: 239.549.6900 | www.capecoralchamber.com City Government 2051 Cape Coral

Parkway E. | Cape Coral, Florida 33904

Get In & Get Busy Advertise In The Chamber Trends Magazine Contact Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext 107

Healthy Trends From Our Chairman Healthy To The Core

Salvatore Lacagnina, D.O. 2012 Vice President of Health & Donna Meola, KirkwoodHealth Electric Wellness, Lee Memorial 2012 Chamber Chairman System

I W

can’t believe its December e have all heard about and I am writing my last exercising to maintain article as Chairman of the “core” strength but Board. 2012 has just flown by what exactly is the “core” of your and there have been so many body?

The core is theI would center of the accomplishments like to body which helps keep the spine share. (Please forgive me if I have straight andany!!) healthy. In order for forgotten thisHow to happen, youwe have fortunate aretotokeep live the musclesOur strong.

The coreis in core Paradise! economy muscles include the muscles the growing and the outlook forof2013 abdomen, back and pelvis. These is for continued growth. muscles keep the spinal in alignment whileformaintaining its 2012 was a great year!!column Much was accomplished you, including normal the place core muscles are weak, the are spine does makingcurvature.

Cape CoralWhen a better to do business.

Here a few of not its normal curves and this is what contributes to chronic back thekeep highlights: pain degeneration of theDevelopment joints. When Office this happens, Theand Cape Coral Economic deliveredthe ondiscs their between theincrease joints can become compressed. space between promise to business, investment andThe employment in the the vertebrae (discs) becomes narrowed which can impinge or which press area.

The team closed 137 economic development projects, represents 85 new businesses thespinal Cape and expansions. upon the nerves coming out ofinthe cord.52This causes pain to The EDO created a public/private strategic partnership with Lamar radiate down the legs.

Advertising and HDPR andgood a new marketing campaignOne that How do you know if Group you have core muscle strength? says “Cape Coral is Open for Business. ” way to test the core strength is to perform what is called a plank Cape Coral opening of keeping 1,156 businesses exercise.

This iswelcomed where you the get on the floor your bodyin off2012 the including 301 place based businesses, 809 home-based businesses ground using your feet and forearms for support. In this position the and 46 unspecified businesses. means distances core muscles keep the body on Commerce all fours. Next takeshorter one arm off the to travel for your goods and services.

Commerce also means floor and hold the hand out in front of the body for 15 seconds.

Aftera diversified tax base and jobs!

15 seconds, replace the right forearm on the ground and repeat this The Chamber Cape continues grow as with the left arm of andCommerce hand. Nextofdo this Coral with the right legtoand then well; in December 2011 our membership was at an all time low of with the left leg. Keep the foot off the ground for 15 seconds. If you 583 members, today we stand at 744.

This resulted in a 78 percent are able to do all this, you have good core strength. If not, you have membership growth with a retention rate of 81 percent. This could less than good core strength and you should meet with an exercise not have been accomplished without the referrals from our members, specialist to design a program to strengthen your core muscles. a dynamic sales team and an awesome membership development The core strength and stability test was developed by Brian committee.

Mackenzie from the UK. This is a simple test to perform and it gives Chamber Leadership programs continue to develop community a lot of information about the core muscles and information about leaders. In November, 20 men and women graduated Leadership your fitness.

Capeoverall Coral. Twenty-four members of the 2012 Chamber board have Once you have core muscle strength test, next graduated from thecompleted Leadershipthe Program including the Chairman and move on to test the entire body. The next question is how do you

know if the rest of your body is fit? A simple wellness examination done while you are sitting on the examination table does not tell Chair-Elect. have 27 high school juniors in our much about We yourcurrently overall fitness level.

To test overall fitness youJunior have Leadership Program. to be doing some form of exercise. In my practice, which is in The The Chamber presented (2) Disney Institute programs Wellness Center successfully in Cape Coral, we test overall fitness by doing what in 2012. The Chamber Special Events team (yes, I say teams because is called a Body Age test. This is a treadmill exercise test combined it takes a village!!) brought an astounding 250,000+ citizens and with tests for upper and lower body muscle strength as well as members together for Red White and Boom , Golf Tournament, flexibility. It is also good to add in a test for balance which becomes Farmers Market, Business Expo , Family Bowling Day, a Casino Trip a significant problem as we age. Problems with balance lead to to The Price is Right, as well as our Holiday Festival of Lights on falls which lead to hip fractures and other serious complications December 1st. that often times end updirectory with theresulted person being admitted to Our on-line business in 1,300,829 webeither referrals the hospital or the nursing home.

Many people that sustain a hip in 2012 that equates to 3,544 on average over the year per member!! fracture never get back to their pay?) normal level of function; therefore, (Who says membership doesn’t realize this is a very serious health to be A new Chamber mobile app wasproblem introduced inavoided.

2012.

With the above tests, you have a lot of information yourAffairs core It was also a very busy election year for ourabout Public strength and your overall fitness level.

Next a health risk assessment Committee! This is a group of passionate people who make sure that (HRA) with ofsome screening blood testsatcompletes the but overall the “voice” business is heard, not only the local level also evaluation.

The HRA is a series of questions that give information state and federal. The candidates’ forums were very well attended by about yourand risks for chronic members citizens of Capediseases Coral. (i.e., diabetes, heart disease) and cancers.

The blood tests also give the information about your risk Our education committee hosted Excellence in Education factors.

Awards in April and awarded $4,500 in scholarships to deserving With all this information in addition to what your primary care high school seniors! physician getsthe when your annual wellnessthat examination, It was also firstshe/he year ofdoes our “rotating” luncheons are being veryare well received ourto membership. you well on yourbyway understanding your health, your risks for Serving as your Chairman the Board has an an excellent chronic illness and cancers.

Youofare now ready to been develop action experience andthe I feel for having had the opportunity of plan to reduce risksblessed and to develop a healthy lifestyle plan that meeting of you at meetings and events. will keep so youmany healthy for years to come.

Thank you for mechronic with your trust and commitment!

The overall goalhonoring is to avoid diseases cancers and toIt has beenthe my highest privilege to work with my fellow directors andallow amazing maintain level of function and fitness.

This will you staff as well as the membership. to do all the things you want and to live your life the way you enjoy I look forward to seeing all of you at future events and I wish you it the most. good health andforget prosperity!

Also let’s not about the tests to screen for colon cancer (colonoscopy), breast cancer (mammogram), cervical cancer (pap smear), skin cancer (examination of the skin), prostate cancer (rectal examination and PSA blood test). Also remember to ask your physician or health care provider about necessary immunizations, vitamins, and supplements.

In summary, if you have not yet had tests for core strength and overall fitness, feel free to contact your local fitness specialist to arrange these tests. Then develop your healthy lifestyle plan and look forward to many years of good health, fun and productivity.

Stay well my friends and feel free to contact me at Dr.Sal@ Leememorial.org with any questions or comments.

We deliver, every day.

Call Lynnie to advertise

910.4575

Chamber Networking

Top Left: Class of 2003 Patrick Quinlan - Miloff Aubuchon Realty and Michelle Ballantine.

Mid Left: Jeff and nancy Davis - Miloff Aubuchon Realty Bottom Left: Michelle Dean and Diana Nicol - City of Cape Coral and Laura Koehn - CapeCoral.com Top Right: Annette Carrasquillo, Joe Mazurkiewicz, Amanda Brunson, Bill Johnson, Jr. and Beverly Black.

Mid Right: A big thank you goes out to Portabello’s at Burnt Store Marina for hosting the June Business After Hours. The food was amazing and our guests made some great business connections that evening.

Real Estate Trends Reality Check

Berge Aslanian (CDPE) Realtor, RE/MAX Island Harbor, www.RECapeCoral.com 6-26-13

E

Real Estate Trends

Reality Check ven though our season ended a week or so after Easter Break, it takes some time from contract signing until the transaction is actually complete as we “itEaster closes”.

During Even though our season ended aor, week or sosay, after Break, it takesthat someintime from contract until the is actually complete or, as we say, between period,signing a number oftransaction things are happening. “it closes”. During that in-between period, a number of things are happening.

Before we get into those happenings, let’s look at the numbers for Before get into ending those happenings, let’s look at thea numbers for the have past month the pastwemonth 6/26. By the way, few readers asked ending 6/26. By the way, a few readers have asked about the prices posted in about the prices posted in these articles.

(Just to make everything these articles. (Just to make everything clear, “median” means an equal number clear, means anbelow; equalthis number above and an equal number above“median” and an equal number is somewhat different than the definition of “average”.) below; this is somewhat different than the definition of “average”.)

For Sale Sold

April ’13 Homes Median $ 1347 $254,500 358 $165,000

May ’13 June ‘13 Homes Median $ Homes Median $ 1197 $260,000 1166 $258,000 373 $158,750 389 $159,750

For Sale Sold

April ’13 Condos Median $ 293 $138,000 61 $119,750

May ’13 June ‘13 Condos Median $ Condos Median $ 283 $138,000 274 $135,000 60 $105,000 29 $105,000

The number of single family homes listed For Sale continues to The number single family prices homes listed For Sale continues The to drop while the of drop while ofthe asking remain consistent. number asking prices remain consistent. The number of Homes sold each month keeps Homes sold keeps rising and their prices inched rising and theireach pricesmonth have inched up too.

Inventory down and saleshave up, hmmm, a healthy indicator thatdown will continue prices up. up too. Inventory and pushing sales up, hmmm, a healthy indicator that will continue pushing prices up.

Condos show a slightly different trend. Numbers of units for sale are decreasing Condos show a slightly Numbers unitssteady. for sale and numbers of units sold, oncedifferent steady aretrend. now dropping.

Pricesofremain are decreasing and numbers of units sold, once steady are now As homes go up in price we will soon reach that magic mark where the price of dropping. remainequalize. steady. When that happens, builders will begin re-sales andPrices new homes building againgo andup thatinmonetizes economy, a very that good magic thing. mark where As homes price weour will soon reach the price of re-sales and new homes equalize.

When Condos sales have dropped off because those really inexpensivethat unitshappens, have all been snapped up by building astute buyers. still monetizes strong demand units in builders will begin againThere and isthat ourforeconomy, condition under $60,000; the problem is, there are hardly any left where a move-in very good thing. not too long ago we had an over-abundance. It’s kind of like crispy crème donuts Condos sales dropped thosethey really inexpensive fresh and still warmhave from the fryer, didoff youbecause get yours before ran out? units have all been snapped up by astute buyers. There is still strong We still get calls from people who missed the boat. However, there are a demand for units in move-in under $60,000; problem growing number of buyers realizingcondition we have been trending upwardthe steadily and wantare to buy while any they left can still affordnot it. too long ago we had an overis,they there hardly where abundance. It’s kind of like crispy crème donuts fresh and still warm from the fryer, did you get yours before they ran out?

We still get calls from people who missed the boat. However, there

are a growing number of buyers realizing we have been trending upward steadily and they want to buy while they can still afford it.

Now it’s time to take a look at what happens during that period between signing a contract to purchase and closing on the property.

Once a deposit is made for the property and both buyer and seller have agreed by signing a purchase contract, escrow is opened with a title company.

The title company checks and verifies several different things. First they start a title search to see if there are any liens on the property or other noteworthy items that may affect the sale. The title search is then given to the title insurance underwriter who comes up with a list of conditions that must be met in order for a title insurance policy to be issued.

That policy is insurance on the clear title of your property. This is very important stuff. If a claim is made on your property for something that happened before you owned it, your title insurance should take care of it.

The title company also figures out the pro-rated cost for taxes, Homeowners Associations and any other fees that may be connected to your property. Those title people do an awful lot of things behind the scenes and then prepare the documents for buyers and sellers to sign. Then they have the responsibility of recording the documents so legal requirements have been met.

One of the trickiest parts of all this is their preparation of the HUD1 Settlement Statement. This is usually a two page form required by law that itemizes each line item of cost for buyers and sellers. They usually don’t make sense to someone seeing one for the first time but with the knowledgeable explanation from a good title officer, the HUD-1 becomes much easier to understand.

As with all complex tasks, they don’t happen instantly. It is the systematic approach and analysis of each transaction that occupies that time from signing to closing. We can’t close until the title/escrow work has been completed correctly. This is all a protective effort for the benefit of both buyer and seller. The lesson learned is to have an experienced title company with a good reputation handle your transaction. It will make things go more quickly and much easier!

Once again, rely on your realtor to recommend a solid title company. That is just one of the many benefits a good realtor brings to your table. Now that you know a bit more about the process, Happy House Hunting!

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