Trends Chamber
The Official Publication of The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral
SURFSIDE SUNSET MARKET EVERY TUESDAY AT THE SHOPS OF SURFSIDE YEAR ROUND 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM CAPE CORAL FARMERS’ MARKET AT CLUB SQUARE EVERY SATURDAY THRU MAY 13 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM CAPE CORAL FARMERS’ MARKET AT CAPE HARBOUR OPENING SATURDAY’S STARTING MAY 20 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
To Promote and Serve Business and Community
May 2017
MAY 2017 MAY 1 | 5:30 PM EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARDS BROADWAY PALM DINNER THEATER 1380 COLONIAL BLVD, FT MYERS, FL MAY 2 | 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE REHABILITATION AND HEALTHCARE CENTER 2629 DEL PRADO BLVD, CAPE CORAL, FL MAY 4 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM FOOD FOR THOUGHT LUNCHEON CAPE CORAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE 360 SANTA BARBARA BLVD N, CAPE CORAL, FL MAY 10 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON BUON APPETITO RESTAURANT AND BAR 2384 SURFSIDE BLVD, CAPE CORAL, FL MAY 15 | 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM SECRETS TO YOUR CHAMBER SUCCESS CHESTER STREET RESOURCE CENTER 4816 CHESTER STREET, CAPE CORAL, FL MAY 18 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM BUSINESS AFTER HOURS CENTURY 21 BIRCHWOOD 4040 DEL PRADO BLVD S, CAPE CORAL, FL MAY 26 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM NETWORKING AT NOON CARIN PARK 2003 ACADEMY BLVD, CAPE CORAL, FL SURFSIDE SUNSET MARKET | THE SHOPS AT SURFSIDE TUESDAYS YEAR ROUND FROM 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM CAPE CORAL FARMERS MARKET | CLUB SQUARE THRU MAY 13 SATURDAY FROM 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM CAPE CORAL FARMERS MARKET | CAPE HARBOUR OPENS MAY 20 SATURDAY FROM 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
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 Annette Siner Special Events Director annette@capecoralchamber.com Shawna Pike Membership Sales Director shawna@capecoralchamber.com Melanie Lempke Membership Services Director melanie@capecoralchamber.com Lori Marlowe Welcome Center Specialist lori@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
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR ONE CHAMBER, ONE VOICE Trish Lassiter, 2017 Chair
As a business owner, your #1 priority is your business. It’s no surprise that’s one of the Chamber’s goals, too. We’re committed to teaming with business owners and individuals to ensure our businesses and the community flourishes. And, we do that in a variety of ways through valuable connections, enriching events, leadership development and business advocacy. The success of the Cape Coral Chamber depends on the efforts and contributions of our members. Chamber members are dedicated to helping our city grow, and I encourage you to do business with them. Chamber members also work as volunteers in coordination with the extraordinary Chamber staff. Together, volunteers and the staff promote Chamber activities to enhance economic and social growth. The many networking opportunities that arise through Chamber functions are extremely valuable to our Chamber members. Special Chamber events provide additional opportunities to make contacts and share business information. It’s a great time to be part of the community and especially part of the Chamber. Our city continues to grow and prosper. Building substantive relationships is crucial to sustaining and growing your business. The Chamber provides opportunities on a daily basis for you to meet new contacts, whether it’s networking at one of our many events or gaining education through one of our Leadership programs. There are plenty of opportunities that fit your schedule. If you’re interested in finding out more information about the Chamber, please contact your Chamber staff and/or visit our website. We encourage active involvement from our members. You derive value from your chamber membership by what you put into it. In other words, get involved in the activities that work best for your schedule and will benefit your business. If you can’t attend the monthly luncheons, then swing by an After Hours networking event and make a new business connection or meet some new friends. Your investment in your membership benefits you! We want you to succeed. When you succeed, your business succeeds and our community succeeds. Together, we are making Cape Coral a great place to live, work and play!
2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Trish Lassiter, Lee County Electric Coop. Chair-Elect Joseph Francioni, The Smart Companies Treasurer Ed Bolter, Lamar Advertising Past Chair Brett Bisbe, B2 Technology Solutions, Inc Financial Advisor Tony Constantino, Constantino, Nelson and Werlin Barb Adams Keith Banasiak, Waste Pro of Florida Beverly Black, Black Business Solutions, LLC Dana Brunett, City of Cape Coral Matthew Connar, Boost Creative Angela Davis, Merrill Lynch Diane Everhart, Blue Chip Financial Julie Ferguson, Cape Coral Caring Center Cynthia Gallagher, The Breeze Newspapers Tom Hansen, Boat House of Cape Coral Tim Hauck, Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Services Bill Jacob, CenturyLink Bill Johnson, Jr, Cape Coral Construction Industry Assoc Jay Johnson, Bubba’s Roadhouse and Saloon Laura Koehn, CapeCoral.com Mike Quaintance, Keiser University Ed Ramos, Ramos Builders, Inc 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 Heather Mazurkiewicz, BJM Consulting, Inc. Joseph Mazurkiewicz, BJM Consulting, Inc. Donna Meola, South Cape Hospitality Entertainment Assoc Don Schnell, Regions Bank Thomas Shipp Jr, Attorney Christopher Spiro, Spiro & Associates Elmer Tabor, Wonderland Realty/Cape Coral Town Center
TRUSTEES Bonnie Brett, Cape Coral Charter School Brandon Deaver, B-2 Technoloy Solutions Lissa Craig Ford, The News-Press Rana Erbrick, City of Cape Coral Keith Lewis, All Power Electric & AC Mike Noone, Goldberg, Racilla, D’Alessandro & Noone, LLC David Owen, BB & T - Oswald, Trippe & Co. Steve Sanabria, The Westin Cape Coral Sarah Sheffield, Massage Envy Molly Wright, Suncoast Beverage
CHAMBER STAFF Donna S. Germain, President Claudia St. Onge, Business Manager & Farmers’ Market Director Stephanie Roberson, Technology Director Annette Siner, Special Events Director Shawna Pike, Membership Sales Director Melanie Lempke, Membership Services Director Lori Marlow, Welcome Center Specialist
CHAMBER TRENDS EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION Donna S. Germain President/CEO
This year marked the 25th Anniversary of the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral’s Excellence In Education Awards. This event is a long-time tradition that the Chamber is very proud of. Over the last 25 years, the Chamber through the hard work, dedication and year-round fundraising efforts of its Education Committee has awarded tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships. Through events like Taste of the Cape, the Annual Principal’s Lunch and the 50/50 raffle at each General Membership Lunch and Business After Hours, this hard-working committee awarded $9,000 in scholarships this year alone.
CanCleve, Peilican Elementary James Donnelly, Jamie Ordway, Pine Island Elementary, Haven Mena, Regina Notariannie, Skyline Elementary Nivaya Montoya, Lauren Capasso, Trafalgar Elementary Raina Lee Childs, John Matsko III. Middle Schools Caloosa Middle Jennaya Edouard, Sharla Wold, Cape Coral Charter School Yarily Pacheco, Walter Key, Challenger Middle Margaret Wawrzyniak, Dawn Beckman, Diplomat Middle Chania Crowder, Diane Ford Gulf Middle Shannon Dougherty, Leisha Roy, Mariner Middle Madison Fitzpatrick, Courtney Black, NFM Academy for the Arts Merlin Ann Mohan, Wendy Farina, Oasis Middle Sadie Reichenbach, Joe Carson, Providence Christian Brianna VanderBrug, Helen Claassen, St. Andrews Catholic School Grace Canzano, Melissa Rich, Dr Hughes, Trafalgar Middle Karina Lewin, Kathryn Cook, Cape Coral High School Juliana Pena Lopez, Derek Stone.
This very special group of people are truly dedicated to the High Schools future leaders of our community; Sandi Silva, Tim Holland, Cape Coral Technical College Gage Zubek, Christina Johnston, Beverly Black, Matt Connar, Chrystal Foley, Sarah Jakobowski, Ida Baker High School Sedona Townsend, Scholarship Winner Doni Landefeld, Linda Onorevole Jamie Lee, Mark Drew, Island Coast High School Cassidy Hitzing, Melody Galka, Mariner High School Tatianna Gonzalez, Peralta In addition to the scholarships awarded, one educator and one Fray, North Ft. Myers High School John Saylor, Nicklaus Erickson, student from each school is honored each year. These students North Nicholas High School Justin Lafenetre, Sandy Tuell, Oasis and educators of excellence are the best and brightest at what High School Mary Hess, Nancy Oukasse. they do. The educators help shape our future leaders and the students strive through those efforts. On behalf of the Chamber, Events like this cannot be done without the help of our we would like to Congratulate the following award recipients; members and sponsors. We would also like to give a big Elementary Schools Caloosa Elementary, Brodey Bulger, Vanessa York, Cape Elementary Ava Garcia, Nicole Polstein, Christa McCauliffe, Abigail Griffin, Yesenia Najarro, Diplomat Elementary Darby Gallagher, Sara Keyes, Gulf Elementary, Oliviah Sylwestrak, Cynthia Sanders-Watkins, Hancock Creek Elementary Rocco Dylan Koehler, Cheryle Moss, Hector Cafferata Elementary Giselle Danila Leon, Cassandra Duke, Oasis Elementary Thomas Moriarty, Katie Keezer, Patriot Elementary Emely Nunez, Jamie
thank you to the following members for their support; The Breeze Newspapers, Storm Smart, Boost Creative, LCEC, Arthur Printing, Nova Southeastern University, Massage Envy, Cape Coral Technical College, Florida Southwestern State College, Black Business Solutions, Samaritan Health & Wellness, Crown Trophy. For more information on the Chamber’s Education Committee, please contact staff liaison Melanie Lempke at (239) 549-6900 ext 109.
FEBRUARY NEW MEMBERS & RENEWALS
NEW MEMBERS A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL Kristen Schaufler
Acme Paving - Homewood Holdings David Plummer AllState Insurance/Integrity Financial Services Dan McGuire Alvarado Realty Group Elizabeth Silva Bistro To Go January Nutial CARES Suicide Prevention Tracy Perkins Chris-Tel Construction Molly Scott CityFirst Mortgage Services, LLC Liany Solano Coastline Heating & Cooling Michelle L DiCicco Escape The Cape Escape Rooms Chase McFarlane Fins Seafood & Dive Bar Kelly Feather Flexible Classes on Demand Rhonda Bonacquisti Local Community Blast Mike Haggerty McFarlane’s Lawn & Landscaping Chase McFarlane National Youth Advocate Program Harry Guerra
Personal Touch Banquet & Catering Deborah Krill
Power Wash It All, LLC TJ Sivley Sunrise Community of SW Florida Rebecca McGuire THRIVE Yoga & Wellness Lindsey Zimmerman Top of the Line Concierge Services Abbe E Foreman Total Payroll Management Inc. Teresa A Kramer Tritel Concierge Medicine Paul Tritel TurnKey Vacation Rentals Andrea Locke
WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER!
Constantino, Nelson & Werline Member Since: 04/01/1998 Dixie Roadhouse Member Since: 11/21/2011 Dolphin Key Resort Member Since: 03/09/2012 Downtowner Car Wash Southeast Member Since: 11/17/2006 Envirosave Enterprises LLC Member Since: 02/20/2014 Fearless Construction Marine Division Member Since: 11/20/2014 Fifth Third Bank Member Since:02/19/2015 Firehouse Subs Member Since: 12/16/2015 Gendron Funeral & Cremation Services Member Since: 10/30/2015
RENEWALS
Gulf Coast Village Retirement Community Member Since: 03/01/1989
Blue Chip Financial - Diane Everhart Member Since: 04/13/1999
H&R Block of Southwest Florida Member Since: 11/18/2014
Bonefish Grill Member Since: 11/23/2015
High Fidelity Studios Member Since: 11/17/2008
Campbell Roofing and Sheet Metal of Florida Inc. Member Since: 05/12/2015
John Manning Member Since: 03/07/2012
Cape Community Partners Thrift Store Member Since: 03/18/2015 Cape Coral Charter School Member Since: 03/18/2011
Kindness Animal Hospital Member Since: 04/01/1990 Lee County Supervisor of Elections Office Member Since: 04/11/2014
Main Street Children Dentistry and Orthodontics Member Since: 03/27/2015 Olin Hill & Assoc. Member Since: 03/01/1989 Poseidon Homes Development Member Since: 03/25/2015 Premier Wellness Group, LLC Member Since: 03/20/2013 Roofing By HOMEPLUS, Inc Member Since: 03/03/2011 Storm Shield, LLC Member Since: 05/23/2014 The Strickland Financial Group, Inc. Member Since: 03/01/1989 West Coast Collision Member Since: 05/12/2008 Williamson Eye Center Member Since: 03/01/1996 WoodmenLifeMember Since: Member Since: 03/18/2016
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RENEWALS! If you know someone who would benefit from Chamber Membership, please reach out to a member of our Membership Team Shawna Pike Membership Sales Director shawna@capecoralchamber.com
RIBBON CUTTINGS
SALON ALVAREZ 3015 SW Pine Island Rd | (239) 588-4302 salonalvarezcc@gmail.com | www.salonalvarezcapecoral.com
HOME SERVICES BY RAFAEL handymanralph1@gmail.com | (239) 573-7894 www.homeservicesbyrafael.com
CASTELLANOS & TRAMONTE ARCHITECT 1625 SE 46th St. Suite 2A acastellanos@earthlink.net | (239) 549-0997
NATIONAL YOUTH ADVOCATE PROGRAM 4150 Ford Street
Whether You Just Joined or Just Renewed Your Membership, Schedule Your Ribbon Cutting Today by Calling Our Membership Director, Shawna Pike at (239) 549-6900 x103 (or) shawna@capecoralchamber.com
HOST A NETWORKING EVENT IN 2017 Business Card Exchange Networking at Noon
Business After Hours
For the early birds, the Business Card Exchange is designed for those who cannot get away midday or for those looking for the extra early morning networking from 7:30am. You will find members passionate about networking the first Tuesday of each month at the Business Card Exchange Networking Event.
Join your fellow Chamber members for the Business After Hours Networking Event from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. Enjoy the opportunity to network with 100+ members. We always have networking activities, great giveaways and sponsorship opportunities to expose your business.
AVAILABLE HOST DATES August 1 October 3 November 7 December 5
Join your fellow Chamber members the forth Friday of each month from 12:00pm - 1:00pm for Networking at Noon. Enjoy the opportunity to network with other chamber members and potential customers during the lunch hour. AVAILABLE HOST DATES June 23 July 28 August 25 September 22
AVAILABLE HOST DATES December 7
To host a networking event in 2017 or for questions regarding each of these opportunties, contact Shawna Pike, Membership Sales Director at (239) 549-6900 x103 or shawna@capecoralchamber.com
Diamond Member Lee Health 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 Cooperative 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
LOOKING TO HIRE? Let us give you a helping hand use the chambers online Job Bank If you need more information about the chamber Job Bank, please contact Stephanie Roberson at (239) 699-8442 or stephanie@capecoralchamber.com http://web.capecoralchamber.com/jobbank
We deliver reliable electricity at the lowest price possible. We aren’t in business to make a proďŹ t. We work to wow you!
Bringing you WOW since 1940.
www.lcec.net 239-656-2300
EXERCISE VERSUS FITNESS TRAINING Salvatore Lacagnina, D.O. Vice President of Health & Wellness, Lee Memorial Health System
HEALTHY TRENDS
have them get sick requiring hospital care. Hippocrates stated as the first tenet of medicine, “Do no harm.” As medical professionals, if we don’t do all we can to help people avoid illness, have we succeeded with what Hippocrates was stating? This is why I love my current practice which focuses on wellness rather that sickness.
Lifestyle Medicine – the paradigm shift changing the Over the years, I have also realized that lifestyle modification is a perfect part of the treatment and reversal plan. Many patients health of the nation I have seen developed a chronic illness, only then to reverse their During my 20-year career disease after intensive lifestyle behavior modification. I have delivering traditional internal witnessed this so often in people with cardiovascular disease, high medical care to thousands of wonderful people who were blood pressure, diabetes and many inflammatory illnesses. Clinical unfortunately suffering from a multitude of chronic illnesses, in research and many anecdotal reports reveal the power of healthy 2010 I was fortunate to transition into a branch of health care nutrition and healthy living. In the past seven years, my clinic has which is changing the health of the nation. Traditional health morphed into a lifestyle management practice. Since 2010 I have care is focused on the care of sick people. This is the reason many visited over 700 times with sometimes desperate people looking for people say we have a sick care system and not a health care system. advice on how to become and stay well. Many have had significant Traditional health care providers deal with the symptoms and weight problems. Others have had many risk factors for chronic attempt to cure rather than prevent disease. This type of health disease and cancer. Invariably for almost all, I ask them to tell me care focuses on the end of the pathologic process (disease reversal) the specifics of their diet in an attempt to understand if they eat rather than on the early development of disease, at which time we the CRAP-SAD diet (calorie-rich and processed standard American can be more effective if we can work with the individual to institute diet) or if they eat more plant-based, nutritious foods. significant lifestyle behavior change. We know without question that the far majority of chronic illnesses and many of the cancers people suffer from daily are the direct result of unhealthy living. We also know that a change in lifestyle directly results in less risk and less incidence of chronic disease and cancer. Hundreds, if not thousands, of research studies have proven these points. My transition and thought process as well as the paradigm shift in my clinical practice came long before I accepted a new role in the health system called VP of Health & Wellness. Over the 20 years of practicing Internal Medicine, I consistently encouraged patients to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Since 2010 I have been able to focus all of my attention on doing just this as the (new title) System Medical Director of Wellness & Employee Health. The health system I work for is now called Lee Health. The former name, Lee Memorial Health System, was changed to Lee Health recently to communicate that we are “Caring people, inspiring health.” This mission statement is meant to help people understand that we work to help individuals become and stay healthy. We want to keep people healthy and not
During the initial visit, I usually find out that most of the folks who come to see me eat the former; and, that is when I tell them about the power of plants. I emphasize the tremendous health benefits of a whole food, plant-based diet and discuss how processed foods promote disease. We also talk about the health benefits of being physically active, minimizing stress, getting enough quality sleep, knowing what he/she is passionate about and having a purpose in life. During the time we spend together at the initial visit and in later sessions, we talk extensively about the major influence lifestyle has over genetics explaining that even when a person inherits bad genes, the individual has the power to keep these bad genes turned off by living a healthy life. I emphasize that health has to be the number one priority each day when getting out of bed. I mention that failing health causes all other priorities to also fail; instead, a person can achieve so much in life when he/she remains healthy. My role as System Medical Director of Wellness & Employee Health
HEALTHY TRENDS CONTINUED is to work on motivating people to see the benefits explained above. In this role I have the responsibility to be a coach, an advocate, a role model, a teacher, a health care quarterback as well as a teammate. I emphasize that the patient and the physician should function as a team (with other health care providers, family members and friends) in order to develop a healthy living action plan. Goals should be developed and over time, together, we tweak the action plan in order to move closer to the most important health care goals.
As of this past November, I have been working for Lee Health for 23 years and I am proud to be a part of their team of dedicated health care providers and administrators. I have seen significant changes in how the leaders of this health system think and act in order to provide the best health care possible. Over the last 7-10 years, I have seen how the lifestyle medicine approach to health care has gained support; and, how products and services have been developed in order to improve the health of the 19,000 employees and dependents on our health plan. As a self-insured company, Lee Health has a vested interest in keeping these folks healthy knowing that its employees are its most valuable asset. It is well understood that healthier employees are more productive, efficient and effective health care providers. In my opinion employees are also more compassionate if they are not dealing with their own health care problems allowing them to focus more intensely on the health of the patients they serve. When I first started to practice Internal Medicine in 1993, the focus was (and still is in many cases) on treating the symptoms and trying to cure disease. Now in 2017 and for the past many years, there has been a paradigm shift in not only thinking but also in actions. Many more health care providers now focus on the cause of the disease to help individuals avoid disease through risk factor modification. Many physicians and health care systems have now incorporated what in the past was termed complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). We know that traditional medical care consists of prescription medications, procedures and surgery. Not all people need medications, procedures and surgery to resolve a health care problem. Many times a change in lifestyle is all that is needed. Even when traditional medical approaches are necessary, the addition of lifestyle medicine makes traditional
health care more effective. Examples of this are seen daily when treating people for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis, to name a few. Since 2012 I have been involved in the CHIP program (Complete Health Improvement Program). This is a nine-week program run by a facilitator who teaches people about the tremendous power of plant-based nutrition. In a classroom session the facilitator works with groups of about 25 -30 individuals teaching how to shop for, store, cook and enjoy plant-based foods. She helps the participants understand the importance of nutrition in health. I chair a committee called Food is Medicine and in these meeting I teach similar concepts to physicians and other health care providers to encourage them to use lifestyle modification for all patients. Incidentally, the name of this committee will be changing to Lifestyle is Medicine, since we are now teaching about the importance of all aspects of lifestyle in relation to health promotion and disease avoidance. As I work with physicians, nurse practitioners and other health care providers, I continue to be struck by the overall lack of education in the area of lifestyle medicine. Even the medical residents graduating now are still not learning all they need to know to incorporate lifestyle medicine into their daily work with patients. This is so unfortunate since many hundreds if not thousands of research articles have been published in national, peer reviewed journals showing the power of lifestyle medicine. Therefore, some physicians (me included) have taken it upon themselves to learn on their own. I have recently completed a certification program in Anti-Aging Medicine through A4M (American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine) and now I am working on a certification in lifestyle medicine through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM). In addition, I have attended many conferences put on by A4M, ACLM, PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine) and the Plantrician project. I have learned from the national leaders in this field including Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. Colin Campbell, Dr. Hans Diehl, Dr. Scott Stoll, Dr. Marc Braman, Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. Philip Tuso, Brendan Brazier, and more – most of whom have been so gracious to visit Lee Health to lecture to our medical staff and to our community neighbors.
HEALTHY TRENDS CONTINUED
What I have learned over the past seven years as I have focused intensely on lifestyle medicine is that not only is this a paradigm shift in how health care is delivered, but this is a health care revolution. Traditional health care is strongly influenced by the pharmaceutical companies and agribusiness. We know from experience that the health of Americans over the past 50 years continues to decline as a result of unhealthy processed foods and unhealthy lifestyles. We have become a pill driven society and a fast food nation. This has resulted in Americans spending the most money on health care while getting far less than optimal
health care outcomes. It is high time for us to find a better way to deliver health care and I strongly believe that the lifestyle medicine approach to health care is the answer. Over the coming years, I plan to devote my time and effort to advancing the specialty of lifestyle medicine. The focus needs to be on teaching medical professionals and the lay public about the power of this approach. Through awareness, education and action we collectively can change the world and I am humbled to play a small role in this transition.
2 weeks FREE
digital subscription trial
Offer Expires 12/31/1.
REGISTER TODAY AT:
news-press com/free
Could your business use a little more loyalty?
l a y Lo
We’ll help you turn new customers into brand advocates. 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. But it’s more than having the right tools; it’s knowing how to use them. We’ll help you stay ahead of what’s trending for the best ways to build your business.
CALL EMAIL VISIT
239.335.0520 advertising@news-press.com marketingstrategies.news-press.com
We Know Marketing.
REAL ESTATE TRENDS THE NEW NORMAL
Berge Aslanian (CDPE) Realtor, Island Harbor Realty
Whew! All the Spring Breaks seem to be over and traffic seems to be subsiding. All this leads to the annual conclusion that high season has ended. Could normalcy be imminent? Let’s wait and see. In the meantime we might find some hints by looking at the current numbers.
labor, not speculation based inflation. As prices continue to climb, we have been seeing more and more specialty cases when it comes to financing. As prices rise, fewer buyers can qualify for mortgages because buyers’ incomes have not increased at the same rate as housing prices here. That gives a definite advantage to those that do easily qualify or pay cash. This is not evident in driving the price down as much as there is less competition for high demand properties.
Competition for properties continues to be for the lower priced condos and homes. Everybody, whether or not financing, wants the Here are the numbers for Cape Coral residential real estate for cheapest deal they can get. Somehow, buyers getting the biggest the three month period ending 4/26/2017: bargains are from out-of-state. Do you think this is because our lower pricing here represents a greater bargain to them? Usually, yes (plus the sunshine)! An extreme example is folks from California who can buy a nice pool home here for $300,000. That same house out there might cost upwards of $750,000. So, relatively speaking, buying a house here in Cape Coral is a STEAL!
The inventory of single family homes for sale has been fairly steady through the first quarter of this year with our usual end of season dip. Once again, median prices are firmly above the $300,000 mark. The big news is that the number of single family homes sold in the last 30 days INCREASED 17.5% over the prior month while the month before showed a 15% increase in units sold. Median prices of homes sold have been fairly consistent. Condo inventory for sale has held steady with median prices sliding down as cheaper units are bought more than those higher priced units. The number of condos sold has stabilized during the past three months. Median price of condos continues its climb as we approach the $150K mark.
One of the recent news headlines here addressed how unaffordable housing here is compared to wages. Specifically, the media picked on teachers as needing help to buy homes with a possible solution of providing housing for new teachers as an incentive to teach here. Let’s go back to California for a moment; teachers there make about 20% more than teachers here but housing costs are exponentially higher! Somehow, people there find places to rent or buy without subsidies. Perhaps a loosening of overly tight lending requirements might be a better solution to close the gap between those who want to buy but can’t qualify for a mortgage loan. We get more and more email blasts from lenders offering no doc-stated income loans. Maybe that segment of the housing industry is changing in ways to make it easier to buy. That also will help sellers sell.
Overall, our real estate market has become increasingly healthy So, if the lenders loosen the purse strings we should see even as units sold are steady and prices slowly rise. There are some greater increases in our market as more homes and condos are naysayers claiming prices will go down and this market will crash sold and bought. (Every time we successfully help a buyer, we also again. Not this time. Our growth trend has been steady with price help a seller.) If more people can buy, that means more people are increases driven by modest increases in materials, insurance and
REAL ESTATE TRENDS CONTINUED selling too. Let’s not forget the next 20 years of Boomer influence that stabilizes our market. Recently on the internet an article mentioned “over 10,000 people a day reach retirement age in the USA.” From direct experience, so many of our sales in Cape Coral are made to retirees from other states, not to mention a sprinkling from other countries too.
Ten years ago we never thought we would be buying cars for $40-60,000 but we do now find ways to do it. As prices of condos and single family homes go up beyond our comfort zones we will find ways to buy them in our changing and improving market. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to work with an experienced real estate professional. Always remember, successful real estate IS a team sport. Happy Property Buying and Selling!
Berge Aslanian (CDPE) is a Realtor in Cape Coral with Island All in all, as our unemployment numbers have been dropping Harbor Realty. For questions about residential real estate, please (now under 4.5%), prices going up, mortgages becoming more call (239) 989-3463 or email realtorberge@att.net or visit www. available and nicer properties on the market, we continue to see RECapeCoral.com. more units sold at higher and higher prices. The only changes we will see now that high season is behind us might be a bit slower sales but continued increases in prices. Just remember, today’s prices are the new normal!
PROGRAMS OF STUDY
Dental Assisting Digital Design* Electronic Technology* Electronic Systems Technician* NEW!
Medical Assisting Medical Coder/Biller* Network Systems Administration* Network Support Services* Nursing Assistant- Articulated Nursing Asst.- Long Term Care
Pharmacy Technician* Practical Nursing Practical Nursing, part-time Surgical Technology Technology Support Services* NEW! Veterinary Assisting* NEW!
PINE
D
ND R
ISLA
N
CAPE CORAL
DEL PRADO BLVD
Commercial Foods & Culinary Arts*
Medical Administrative Specialist*
SANTA BARBARA BLVD
Cosmetology
SKYLINE BLVD
Barbering NEW!
VETERANS PKWY
*Programs with Dual Enrollment
.................................................................................................. 360 Santa Barbara Blvd. North Cape Coral, FL 33993
239-574-4440
Visit us online: capecoraltech.edu @capecoraltech
LCEC – your cooperative
empowers you!
7 i ÊÞ ÕÊ>ÀiÊ> Ê ÊVÕÃÌ iÀ]ÊÞ ÕÊLi }ÊÌ Ê iÊ vÊÌ iÊ >À}iÃÌÊ Ì v À «À wÌÊ i iVÌÀ VÊV «iÀ>Ì ÛiÃÊ ÊÌ iÊ >Ì °Ê ÛiÀ i`ÊLÞÊVÕÃÌ iÀÃ]ÊÜiÊ>ÀiÊV ÌÌi`ÊÌ Ê `i ÛiÀ }ÊÀi >L iÊ> `ÊV ÃÌÊV «iÌ Ì ÛiÊi iVÌÀ V ÌÞ°Ê
Financial Strength
Reliability
UÊ
UÊ > Ì> }Ên]äääÊ iÃÊ vÊ« ÜiÀÊ iÃÊ Þi>À À Õ `
UÊ *À Õ` ÞÊÃiÀÛ }Ê VÕÃÌ iÀÃÊÃ ViÊ £ {ä
UÊ ,iÌÕÀ i`ÊfÓÓäÊ Ê UÊ " V> ÊÓ{Ê ÕÀÃÊ>Ê ÊiµÕ ÌÞÊ ÛiÀÊÌ iÊ `>Þ]ÊÇÊ`>ÞÃÊ>ÊÜii ]Ê ÎÈxÊ`>ÞÃÊ>ÊÞi>À Þi>ÀÃ
UÊ " iÊ vÊ ÞÊ Ã ÝÊCenters of ExcellenceÊ ÊÌ iÊ ÕÌ ÌÞÊ `ÕÃÌÀÞ
ÊÀ>ÌiÊ VÀi>ÃiÊ v ÀÊà ÝÊÞi>ÀðÊ,>ÌiÊ `iVÀi>ÃiÊ ÊÓä£{IÊ
Quality Service
Community
UÊ / «ÊÌi Ê1 Ìi`Ê7>ÞÊ i « ÞiiÊV ÌÀ LÕÌ ÀÊ > `ÊV Õ ÌÞÊ «>ÀÌ iÀ UÊ « ÞiiÃÊÛ Õ ÌiiÀÊ ÀiÊÌ > Êx]äääÊ ÕÀÃÊ> Õ> Þ
* 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
NETWORKING AND EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Thank you to State Insurance Agency for another great networking opportunty at the April Business After Hours. Business After Hours are held at various locations on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARDS May 1st was the 25th Annual Excellence in Education Awards hosted by the Chambers Education Committee. Congratulations to all the students and educators who were recognized for the excellence in education at this evening event.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS GOVERNMENT AFFECTS YOU Julie E. Ferguson Chairperson 2017 Chairperson, Government Affairs Committee
Ready – Set – Go! The local election cycle is heating up in Cape Coral. The Primary Election will be held on September 12, 2017 and the General Election will be held November 7, 2017. City Elections will elect a Mayor and Council Members for Council Districts 1, 4, and 6. This is a non-partisan election. All citizens can vote for Mayor and each district, not just the district where the citizen resides.
Voter education is important and there are many ways to learn about each candidate. One way is to attend the Candidate Hobnob which will be held in July before the Primary Election. You can meet the candidates and learn about where they stand on issues that pertain to you. The Candidate Forum will be held in September after the Primaries. These are two ways to get educated on the issues and decide which candidates are the best for our community. Both of these events are sponsored by your Government Action Committee (GAC). Look for upcoming information about dates and times. It is always our goal to keep you informed about how Government affects you.
Words that are often spoken are “My vote doesn’t count”. When local elections are decided by literally a few votes that certainly Local, State and Federal Government affects us in many ways, so does not apply. Your vote does count! It is important to learn as getting educated and getting involved can make a difference for much as you can about each candidate so you are prepared when good in the outcome. Your educated vote does count, please take Election Day is here. the time to learn about each candidate. As one of our Founding Fathers, Samuel Adams said, “Let each citizen remember at the Some of the important qualities to look for in our political leaders moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a are, of course, honesty and integrity. Other qualities are flexibility compliment to please an individual – or at least that he ought not because sometimes being able to find common ground and build so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in consensus are necessary for the political process. It is possible to human society for which he is accountable to God and his country” find common ground and still maintains ones integrity. (The Boston Gazette on April 16, 1781).
Chamber’s E-mail Leads & Stuff It Program Expose Your Business To New Cape Coral Residents And Visitors and Contact Them Directly!!! The Chamber E-mail Leads and Stuff It Program will put your company information in the hands of new residents and visitors first! Each week, you will be e-mailed a list of prospective new residents and visitors; they will also have received your marketing materials in a Visitor and Relocation Packet. For more information, please call Melanie Lempke at 549-6900 x102 (or) melanie@capecoralchamber.com $150.00 for 6 months (or) $300.00 for the year
2051 Cape Coral Parkway E Cape Coral, FL 33904 (239) 549-6900 www.capecoralchamber.com