Chamber Trends Magazine - November 2013

Trends Chamber

The Official Publication of The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral

VOTE

November 2013

ON NOVEMBER 5TH

Business After Hours November 21st at FOS Furniture It’s Back!!!!

Cape Coral Farmers’ Market Every Saturday Through May 10th at Club Square, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Surfside Sunset Market at the Shops at Surfside, every Tuesday, 3-8 p.m.

Join Us For The General Membership Lunch, November 13th at Palmetto Pine Country Club, Sponsored by Centurylink, LCEC and The News-Press Leadership Graduation & 20th Anniversary Celebration November 8th at The Cape Coral Yacht Club

To Promote and Serve Business and Community

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

NOVEMBER 2013 NOVEMBER 5TH

Publisher & Editor Donna Schuman-Germain Communications Director donna@capecoralchamber.com

Business Card Exchange Battery Giant 2311 Santa Barbara Blvd, Suite 104 Cape Coral, FL 33991 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Contributing Editors Mike Quaintance Chamber President q2u2@capecoralchamber.com

NOVEMBER 8TH

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

Leadership Cape Coral 2013 Graduation & 20th Anniversary Celebration The Cape Coral Yacht Club 5819 Driftwood Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33904 6:30 p.m.

NOVEMBER 13TH

General Membership Meeting Palmetto Pine Country Club 1940 SW 9th Court, Cape Coral, FL 33991 $20.00 For Members w/reservations Call 549-6900 ext 300 to RSVP 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

NOVEMBER 21ST

Business After Hours FOS Furniture 790 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, FL 33909 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAYS THROUGH MAY 10TH Cape Coral Farmers’ Market Every Saturday - Club Square SE 47th Terrace - Downtown Cape Coral 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 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 A Different Perspective Mike “Q” Quaintance, President

I

have be the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral for 17 years and during every election cycle I write something about voting and the election process.

Hopefully, you are aware that on Tuesday, November 5, 2013, the City of Cape Coral is having an election for three city council seats and the mayor’s seat. As a registered voter, you can vote for one candidate in all four races. Cape Coral does not have single member districts. Let me repeat, you can vote in all four races, you are NOT limited to your district. If a race is printed on your ballot, PLEASE VOTE! For many years now the voter turnout seems to be dwindling as it now hovers around 17 percent of the registered voters who participate. That means that roughly 17,000 people determine who the most qualified and like-minded candidates are.

Imagine if only 17 percent of our city’s population had jobs and the other 83 percent were unemployed, what would our city look like?

Imagine if only 17 percent of our residents paid property taxes, what would our city look like? Imagine

2013 Board of Directors if only 17 percent of our residents spent money buying goods and services from the businesses in our community, what would our city look like?

Forget about the fact that men and women have given life and limb to make sure our election process and our democracy is preserved. Forget about our responsibility to leave our little corner of paradise a better place for the next generation. This logic does not motivate our community to participate in voting.

So, what’s in it for me? For those of you who were unhappy with the sign ordinance, public service tax or fire service tax, your lack of participation in the election process makes you culpable when it comes to these outcomes.

What do these outcomes mean to your business?

Will they help or hurt your business? Will they hurt your ability to put food on the table and make payroll?

What is the long-term impact of these decisions on your business?

Recently, one of our newer Chamber members, Dan Puleio from Cape Cleaners stepped up to the plate.

He got involved with the sign ordinance process, was appointed to the new citizen’s advisory committee to the Community Redevelopment Agency and he created a web page for the business community to offer discounts to our residents who vote on election day.

Dan is a fine example of someone who is all in.

While we cannot all be as engaged as Dan, we can certainly all participate in the election process. We can communicate with our employees the importance of the election process and we can make sure we allow our employees time to vote on November 5, 2013.

So for one last time, one last plea, one last favor, PLEASE get out and VOTE on November 5, 2013!

Joe Mazurkiewicz, Chairman - BJM Consulting, Inc Annette Carrasquillo, Chair-Elect - LAI Design Associates Ed Ramos, Treasurer - Ramos Builders Donna Meola, Past Chair - Achieva Credit Union Tony Constantino, Financial Advisor - Kevin M Burns & Assoc, CPA Barb Adams - LeeSar Brett Bisbe - B2 Solutions, Inc Beverly Black - Black Business Solutions Ed Bolter - Lamar Advertising Dana Brunett - City of Cape Coral Joe Francioni - The Smart Companies 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 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

...

with a purpose.

Mike Quaintance, President Donna S. 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

How to Plant Seeds and Grow Your Business!

The Cape Coral Farmers’ Market has two sponsorships available for the upcoming season starting October 19, 2013 through May 10, 2014.* Cultivate your business by getting in front of 3500-8000 potential customers every week for 30 weeks.

Music Sponsor-$4500.00 Includes weekly 10x10 space-Value of $3000.00 Logo recognition in season long advertising-newspapers, posters, coupons ,etc.

Logo on Market and Chamber websites.

Event Sponsor- $ 6000.00 Includes weekly 10x10 space-Value of $3000.00 Logo recognition in season long advertising-newspapers, posters, coupons, etc.

Logo on Promotional Items Logo on Market and Chamber websites.

For more Info contact Claudia St. Onge at 239-549-6900 x 101 * Non Real-Estate/Builder Businesses’ only

CHAMBER TRENDS VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!!

Joe Mazurkiewicz, Ph. D. 2013 Chamber Chairman

A

n important message from your Chamber Chair and Board of Directors!

Vote! Vote! Vote!

In the City’s 2013 General Election

Your vote really does matter; with a low voter turnout expected, your vote means just that much more! We have had close races in the past in this city.

One race even ended in a tie, leaving the outcome to be decided by cutting a deck of cards.

Let’s make sure the business community has an impact on who will lead this city for the next couple of years.

Remember it is a right, a privilege and a duty of every registered voter to cast a ballot in this election.

Thank you!

You can cast your vote during early voting!

You can request a ballot and vote by mail!

You can go to the polls and vote on Election Day November 5th!

However, you chose to vote, please take the time to cast your vote in the following City Council races. Because all council members are elected at large, all Cape voters get to vote in all four of these races: Mayor – Marni Sawicki or John Sullivan Council District 1 – Jim Burch or David Headd Council District 4 – Chris Chulakes-Leetz or Richard Leon Council District 6 – Kevin McGrail or Rick Williams

...

with a purpose.

SEPTEMBER NEW MEMBERS & RENEWALS NEW MEMBERS

Abundant Life Chiropractic Dr Eric Harter Annie’s Collision Center Sean Snyder Chapple Insurance Group Dionne Tucker DeFinis Chiropractic Center, LLC Dr. Steven DeFinis East West Veterinary Care Center Dr. Dixie Brown Fish Tale Grill by Merrick Seafood Kerry Krieg Floridian College Planning Resources Annmarie Campbell Jimbo’s Paradise Creations Jim Kirby Nolan-Zastrow, Inc. Veronica Flores-Machado Power FX, Inc. - Michael Stischok Michael Stischok PRO/MAX Realty Group David Brogdon Quality Health & Life Clinic, LLC Bryon Blackwell ResponseNow Kristi Hellyer Schwartz Blind & Shutter Company Scott Schwartz

US Health Advisors Jeanette Tricoche

Ida S. Baker High School Member Since 2009

Venture Out Charters Bait & Tackle Stephanie Onstad

Jason’s Deli Member Since 2004

Water Medic of Cape Coral, Inc Richard Jackson

Kobayashi Dojo / Main Campus Member Since 1997

RENEWALS

Parker House Properties Member Since 2011

A-1 Shelters Inc Member Since 1991 American Business Women’s Assoc.

Member Since 1993 Cape Christian Fellowship Member Since 2006 Cataract & Refractive Institute Member Since 1991 Century 21 Sunbelt Realty, Inc. Member Since 1992 Champion Self Storage Member Since 2007 Cheetah Printing & Signs Member Since 2012 Dorado’s Dockside Restaurant Member Since 2012 Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, PA Member Since 2005 IBERIABANK Member Since 2005

Pavese Law Firm, LLP Member Since 1991 Red Salon & Spa Member Since 2007 South West Veterinary Care Center Member Since 2012 Southwest Florida Copier Service Member Since 2012 Sunshine Jewelers & Gold Exchange Member Since 2012 Sunstream Hotels and Resorts Member Since 2012 Trafalgar Middle School Member Since 2007 Urgent Care Center of Southwest Florida Member Since 2007 Wolf Business Consultants Member Since 2012

LEADERSHIP CAPE CORAL 2013 Donna Germain, Communications Director

O

ctober was another great month for the “Luck 13” (as they call themselves) Leadership Class of 2013.

They started the month out with Infrastructure Day where they visited the North Cape R.O. Plant, LCEC, WastePro, the Lee County Recycling Facility and the Lee County Solid Waste Resource Recovery Facility. Day Chairs, Colleen Humphries ‘10, John Chin ‘11, Kelly Pilkington ‘12 and Kevin Hobstetter ‘12 all from LCEC did a fantastic job setting up the day. A special thank you to Keith Banasiak ‘13 from WastePro for assisting with the day as well.

The following week brought Sheriff’s Day chaired

by Kim Maxwell ‘11, Zack Zeis ‘12 and Brian Hamman ‘12. The group hit the gun range, participated in a tazer demonstration, toured the forensics facility and also spent some time in the slammer while touring the Lee County Jail in downtown Fort Myers. Thank you to CenturyLink for sponsoring a very special lunch with Sheriff Mike Scott.

Week 11 brought a consistent class favorite, Coast Guard Day. For the third year in a row, Captain Pete Louzao ‘10 served as day chair along with Bill Jacob ‘12. The class toured the U.S. Coast Guard Station at Fort Myers Beach along with the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Marlin. Following Lunch, sponsored by CenturyLink, the class went underway with some help from the Cape Coral PD Marine Unit and the Lee

County Sheriff’s Marine Unit to watch some rescue maneuvers.

Mosquito Control and Healthcare Day followed and the class got to tour the new Mosquito Control facility as well as the aircraft hangers which contain some Vietnam era Hueys and some B-52’s. They then traveled to Cape Coral Hospital and The Wellness Center where they enjoyed a delicious and healthy lunch provided by Cape Coral Hospital. The class performed orthoscopic surgery to remove some M&M’s and also participated in a hazmat demo.

Thank you to our day chairs Tony “The Mosquito King” Constantino ‘11, Joseph Francioni ‘11 and Kim Mitchell ‘12 for an awesome day!

Last, but definitely not least was Arts & Entertainment Day chaired by Ed Ramos ‘11. The day started with a lesson in improvisation at Cultural Park Theatre lead by Bill Johnson, Jr. from the class of 2013. A very special BBQ was planned for lunch

by Ramos Builders and the class was introduced to some Leadership Alumni like Don Schnell ‘98, Alumni Chairman, Gary Aubuchon ‘96, Bonnie Timberlake ‘03 and Nancy Ramos ‘03. Following lunch, the class enjoyed a scavenger hunt at the Cape Coral Historical Museum and some team building exercises at the Cape Coral Art League.

Join us for the Leadership Cape Coral 2013 Graduation & 20th Anniversary Celebration on November 8th at The Cape Coral Yacht Club. Call Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext 107 for more info.

HEALTHY TRENDS

Is The Information Correct?

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

R

ecently I received an email from an organization that sends health tips to interested folks.

Information about staying healthy always catches my attention; and when I read the title was about the health benefits of milk, this made me even more interested to read on. It stated that there was little evidence to associate dairy products with heart disease, cancers and osteoporosis. This is contradictory to many of the research reports I have read on this topic and I am concerned that we are not hearing the entire truth about the health effects of dairy. From my reading it appears that drinking milk is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (since the saturated fat in milk raises the level of LDL/bad cholesterol), obesity, prostate cancer and possibly ovarian cancer. Before I explain more about these problems, let’s think about a few questions.

Why do humans continue to drink milk (especially from another animal) long after the infancy period? Did you know that once a calf is weaned from its mother’s milk, it never again drinks milk? This is the case for all other mammals. Why is it that after human babies no longer need (human) mothers’ milk do we feed them milk from another (non-human) mother? Advocates will say it is for the protein, calcium and the “healthy” calories. Cow’s milk does contain protein but three times the amount human milk contains. Do we really need all this extra protein? Probably not, since most Americans already take in too much protein and this places a burden on the kidney and other parts of the body.

Did you know that cow’s milk also contains antibiotics and Bovine growth hormone (BGH)? Antibiotics are given to the cows since they are raised in such unhealthy environments where they get many infections. The BGH is to fatten them

up quickly but BGH increases the levels of Insulin like growth factor (IGF-1) which is linked to several cancers including breast cancer.

Milk also contains potassium and calcium but there are healthier sources of these essential minerals (think vegetables and fruits). When it comes to calcium and bone health, it has been shown that the countries with the lowest rates of dairy consumption have the lowest rates of Osteoporosis (Africa and Asia). The bottom line is that calcium from dairy products does not decrease the risk of bone disease; it actually makes it worse.

Results from the 12 year long Harvard Nurses’ Health Study (77,761 women aged 34-59) found that those who drank the most milk had the highest rate of fracture.

This is because milk makes the body more acidic (it lowers the pH) and thus the body needs to buffer this acid; and since calcium is a great buffer, calcium comes out of the bones to raise the pH and the overall effect is a weakening of the bones.

Also since weight problems in the USA have become epidemic we should be limiting the intake of calories. In one cup of 2% milk there is 138 calories. The USDA recommends drinking 3 cups of milk daily. This would add 366 calories to the American diet which in most cases already contains too many calories. Obesity has become one of the top reasons for the astronomical climb in health care expense and unless we do something soon, we will continue to place a severe medical and financial burden on our country. Allergies and lactose intolerance are other problems associated with dairy products.

So where is the benefit? I just do not see it. If I am missing something, please let me know. I am always open to other points of view but I would love to see the research and the true scientific data.

In summary, in order for us to become and stay healthy, we need information that is accurate and backed by scientific evidence. We need to be reading and listening to credible information that is not tainted by individuals or groups that have a financial interest in selling a product. Health care reform must be about health care and not just about financial reform. As a society, we must expect that our food sources are healthy and that we have access to all the products and services that improve the quality and length of our lives. In this way we become a stronger nation and continue to contribute to making the world a better place.

Stay healthy my friends and as always, please send comments and questions to Dr.Sal@Leememorial.org

Schedule Your Ribbon Cutting Today!

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

PRESENTED BY Chamber of Commerce Of Cape Coral

Information Technology Solutions

LCEC

NOV. 20 2013

SESSION LEADERS

$20 PER PERSON 7AM – 8AM Networking Breakfast 8AM -12 NOON Seminar BONEFISH GRILL 900 SW Pine Island Rd Cape Coral, FL.

ESTEEMED PANELIST DR. KRAVER Cape Dental GARY AUBUCHON Aubuchon TEAM

Heather Christie Action Coach

Gary Avin LCEC

Dr. Brian Moffitt Keiser University

TOPICS  Learn How to Make a Positive First Impression.  Learn Customer Service Survival Skills from Thriving Local Business Partners.  Learn Good Customer Service from Your Stakeholders.

of Companies SEAN O’KEEFE Bonefish Grill CHRIS RICHING Bill Smith Inc. TONI RAE HURLEY Iberia Bank KEITH BANASIAK WastePro

REGISTER TODAY ONLINE www.CapeCoralChamber.com

OR MAIL FORM Complete the form and submit with your payment

Register Online at www.CapeCoralChamber.com. OR Complete the form below and submit with your payment.

NAME:

____________________________________________

COMPANY: ____________________________________________ E-MAIL:

____________________________________________

PHONE:

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Please make your checks payable to: Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral PO Box 100747 Cape Coral, FL. 33910 FAX: (239) 549-9609 / PH: (239) 549-6900

REAL ESTATE TRENDS From Our Chairman Ch, Ch, Ch, Changes…

Berge Aslanian (CDPE) Realtor, RE/MAX Island Harbor (239)2012 989-3463 Donnawww.RECapeCoral.com.

Meola, Kirkwood Electric 2012 Chamber Chairman

10-29-13

II

n honor of the great Lou Reed, we believe its the December arecan’t all “tryin’ to face strain” as and I am awriting my last we go through number of changes.

Real Estate Trends article as Chairman of it’s easy and sometimes, notthe so Ch, Ch, Ch, Sometimes Changes…

Board. 2012 has just flown by much…

and there have been so many

In honor of the great Lou Reed, we are all “tryin’ to face the strain” as Iwe go through accomplishments would likeato number of changes. Sometimes it’s easy and sometimes, not solook much…

But first, let’s at the numbers for

share. (Please forgive me if I have

the three month period ending 10/29: forgotten any!!)

But first, let’s look at the numbers for the three month period ending 10/29:

How fortunate we are to live Sept Paradise! ’13 ‘13 in OurOct economy is Median $ Median $ Homes Homes growing and the outlook for 2013 For Sale 1295 $244,000 1748 $224,500 Sold 316is for $155,000 $165,000 continued265 growth.

2012 was a great year!! Much was accomplished for you, including making Cape Coral to do are a few of Aug ’13a better place Sept ’13 business. Here Oct ‘13 Median $ Condos Median $ Condos Median $ Condos the highlights: For Sale 251 $130,000 250 $135,000 288 $135,000 The Cape Coral Economic Office delivered on their Sold 52 $115,000 Development 40 $114,000 39 $99,000 promise to increase business, investment and employment in the area. team closed 137 economic development projects, aThe caveat to those aremembers not members of our localListing Multiple Listing Service AsAs a caveat to those who who are not of our local Multiple Service andwhich local real estate boards, we are in the process of changing from one database provider to a represents 85 new businesses in the Cape and 52 expansions. and local real estate boards, we are in the process of changing from one database consolidated provider and the results are still in flux. Without a lengthy explanation, The EDO created a public/private strategic partnership with Lamar provider to a consolidated provider are andnot theasresults arethey stillmight in flux.

Without a lengthy please understand that our numbers pure as have been before or Advertising HDPR and a new maybe they are and more pure; no Group one seems to know yet. marketing campaign that explanation, please understand that our numbers are not as pure as they might have says “Cape Coral is Open forsee Business. ” in the numbers of homes listed.

But, before for October we can an increase been or maybe theyclearly are more pure; no oneofseems to know yet.

Cape historically Coral welcomed opening 1,156 in 2012 October is usually ourthe slowest month for sales andbusinesses we have confirmation But, for October we can clearly see an increase in the numbers of homes listed. again with a 16% decrease in sales (-51 units) from the prior month.

However, there including 301 place based businesses, 809 home-based businesses was a $10,000 increase in the median price of single family homes sold.

October historically is usually our slowest month for sales and we have confirmation and 46 unspecified businesses. Commerce means shorter distances Condos listings also increased thisand month while from median price listings remained the a to travel your goods Commerce also means again with afor 16% decrease in sales (-51 services. units) the priorofmonth.

However, there same. The big news is that condos sold were steady but median price of condos sold diversified tax base was $10,000 increase inand the jobs! median price of single family homes sold. wentadown about 15% (-$15,000).

The Chamber ofincreased Commerce of Cape to grow as Condos listings also this were month whileCoral mediancontinues price listings All of our prices are higher than they several months ago andofthey are remained steadily well; in December 2011 our membership was at an all time low of climbing. season get closer, will rise and will through the same. As Thetourist big news is that condosprices sold were steady but continue median rising price of condos next members, spring. Continuing upward changesat in 744. pricesThis tell usresulted that buyinginnow rather than 583 today we stand a 78 percent sold downthing about 15%with (-$15,000). laterwent is a smart to do. membership growth a retention rate of 81 percent. This could All of our prices are higher thandifferent. they wereIn several months ago andour theymembers, areagents steadily And have now forbeen something completely the past four weeks, four different not accomplished without the referrals from have presented challenging twists on conventional situations.

Without going into great As tourist closer, prices will risemembership and will continue rising through aclimbing. dynamic sales season team get and an awesome development detail the simplest description is that one was creative but slimey and three were just not next spring.

Continuing upward changes in prices tell us that buying now rather than committee. the way honest folks do business.

Chamber Leadership programs continue to develop community later is a smart thing to do.

Some agents from lack of experience or knowledge or both may write a contract on leaders.

InforNovember, 20 men and women graduated behalf their buyer that is laughable.

Sometimes what write clearlyLeadership an attempt And of now something completely different.

In thethey past fourisweeks, four different to mock the legal system simplymembers for a commission.

In2012 questioning these agents about Cape Coral.

Twenty-four of the Chamber board have agents have presented challenging conventional situations.

Without what they wrote they responded with “Itwists didn’ton know” or “What difference does it make”going or graduated from the Leadership Program including the Chairman and Aug ’13 Median $ Homes 1178 $248,000 305 $175,000

into great detail the simplest description is that one was creative but slimy and three

were just not the way honest folks do business.

Some agents from lack of experience or knowledge or both may write a contract on behalf of their buyer that is laughable. Sometimes what they write is clearly an attempt to mock the legal system simply for a commission. In questioning these agents about what they wrote they responded with “I didn’t know” or “What difference does it make” or “Why is that wrong”. What we have here is an incredible display of faulty values disconnected from common sense. For your amusement, Chair-Elect. We currently have 27 high school juniors in our Junior these were the “mistakes”: Leadership Program.

1.

Applying for FHA financing and trying to assign the contract to an unThe Chamber successfully presented (2) Disney Institute programs named third party. in 2012.

The Chamber Special Events team (yes, I say teams because 2.

Having the buyer sign a Power of Attorney naming the buyer’s agent and on a it takes a village!!) brought an astounding 250,000+ citizens short sale where agents are allowed to beand a party to the ,transaction. members together fornotRed White Boom Golf Tournament, Farmers Market, Business Expo ,hisFamily Bowling a Casino 3.

Buyer’s agent started having mail sent to seller’sDay, address as soon Trip as a to The Price is Right, as well as our Holiday Festival of contract was signed and decided not to comply with requests to stop. Lights on December 1st. off the box on the contract that gives responsibility for selecting 4.

Checking Our on-line business directory resulted in 1,300,829 web referrals the title company and paying for title insurance to the seller but inserting buyer’s in 2012 that equates to 3,544 on average over the year per member!! title company as the named entity.

(Who says membership doesn’t pay?)

5.

Having an inspection thatintroduced extends up tointhe2012. date for closing (This A new Chamber mobile period app was allows the buyer to walk away from the deal up to time of closing he did).Affairs It was also a very busy election year for our and Public Committee!

This is atogroup people make sure that 6.

“Forgetting” identifyof anpassionate amount for deposit on who the property. the of business heard, not only local butbyalso 7. “voice” Attaching contractisriders and addenda thatatarethe signed andlevel initialed the state and federal.

The candidates’ forums were very well attended by buyer but not filled out. members and citizens of Cape Coral.

8.

Sending the contract at 7:44 AM on a Saturday with a deadline for Our education committee hosted the Excellence in Education acceptance 5PM that same day.

Awards inof April and awarded $4,500 in scholarships to deserving 9.

Putting the listing agent’s name on the contract under an agency he’s high school seniors! never heardalso of. the first year of our “rotating” luncheons that are being It was very well received by ourwemembership.

So looking at the changes are experiencing starts with the challenge of new yourweChairman has been an excellent MLSServing providers.asThen have agentsof whothe haveBoard taken some get-rich-in-real-estate experience and them I feel forrules having hadprofits. the opportunity of seminars that teach howblessed to bend the for “huge” Next we have new meeting so many of you at meetings and events. agents who see no reason to follow any rules. And last, we have some agents who Thank you for honoring me with your trust and commitment! It simply make their own rules. Sometimes one or more of these categories get mixed has been my privilege to work with my fellow directors and amazing together make evenmembership. more challenging. staff as to well as itthe The solution?

Try to an agent to you represent you who knowsand whatI he or she is I look forward tofind seeing all of at future events wish you doing.

Ask themand howprosperity! long they have been actively licensed. Ask them to tell you good health about the different types of transactions they have successfully completed. Get a feel for their personality and ability by talking with them. If you feel comfortable with them, by all means proceed. If you have any doubts, just move on by.

Licensed and experienced realtors are one of the best resources you have for making a real estate transaction work for you. Finding someone who suits your personality shouldn’t be too hard. Ask your friends, neighbors and people at work for referrals. Successfully buying or selling a property should be easy if you have the right person in your corner. And please, please do not be afraid to ask questions. A good realtor always invites you to ask away. All of this information should provide you with a positive experience and Happy House Hunting! Or, Happy House Selling!

We deliver, every day.

Call Lynnie to advertise

910.4575

Diamond Member Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral Lee Memorial Health System 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 of Cape Coral AllCommerce Power Electric 2534 NE 9th Ave, Cape Coral, FL

Wades Heating and Cooling CCI Competent Solutions 1209 SE 9th Terrace, Cape Coral, FL Gulf Coast Village Retirement Community 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd. Cape Coral 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

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCH

The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral’s Education Committee hosted its Annual Principal’s Lunch as part of the General Membership Lunch in October.

This year, we were honored to not only have our area principal’s, but we also heard from a very special guest speaker who was also a graduate of Mariner High School; former Tampa Bay Buc, Earnest Graham (Left) The Annual Principal’s Lunch is a fundraiser for the Education Committee. All of the money raised through our Principal Sponsorships goes towards scholarships for our local high school graduates which are presented at the Annual Excellence in Education Awards in April.

The Education Committee would like to thank everyone who sponsored a principal and everyone who attended the event.

In addition to recognizing our local principal’s, the chamber also recognized some very special sponsors from the 2013 RE/MAX Realty Team/City of Cape Coral Red, White and Boom. Yoselyn Hollow, owner/broker of RE/MAX Realty Team (bottom left) was recognized as the title sponsor

by Logistics Chair Zack Zeis and Co-Chair Sally Dwyer. The Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral, Entech Computers, Caloosa Tent and Party Rental and FOS Furniture were also recognized for their sponsorship.

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

RIBBON CUTTINGS

Bridgestone / Firestone 2502 Skyline Boulevard Cape Coral, FL 33914 (239) 242-0691 www.firestonecompleteautocare.com

One Click Cleaners 1110 NE Pine Island Road Unit 38 Cape Coral, FL 33909 (239) 573-6060 www.oneclickcleaners.com

Paradise Cheer Booster Club 915 SE 14th Place Units 10-14 Cape Coral, FL 33990 (239) 573-4247 www.paradisecheer.com

Bookkeepers Plus 1222 SE 47th St Cape Coral, FL 33904 (888) 239-5855 www.bookkeepersplus.us

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

North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts

The Nutcracker

December 12, 2013 7:00pm

at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall For tickets call 239-481-4849 or visit www.bbmannpah.com

Reserved Seating Only $10, $15, $20, and $25 Tickets

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 New Get In & Get Busy Residents, Prospects Inour andAdvertise Visitors with The Chamber Relocation Leads Trends Magazine Program!

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

donna@capecoralchamber.com

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS The Crazy Olive hosted a great Business After Hours in October complete with live music and a tasting of their delicious food.

Top Right - Membership Director Bill Johnson, Jr. and Crazy Olive Manager Scott Sekerak pull the winning ticket for the 50/50 raffle at the October Business After Hours.

Mid Right - We had a great turnout for the event with quite a few new members like Chappell Insurance and Torchlight Productions making the rounds at their first after hours.

Bottom Right - The Chamber’s Melanie Lempke, waves as she gets ready to leave for her week long vacation for her special birthday celebration (we won’t give the year Mel).

Thank you to The Crazy Olive for putting on a great event and thank you to everyone who came out to support them.

Please join us this month at FOS Furniture Store for their very special Business After Hours where they honor our local Police, Sheriff and Fire professionals.

A healthy and productive workforce is essential to the success of any business.

The Wellness Center of Cape Coral is designed with you in mind: and certified staff, an integrated • Degreed • Fitlinxx, with medical oversight by exercise tracking software a physician

most Les Mills group • The exercise programs in the area

screening and • Medical fitness assessment fitness plan for • Customized each member

Free Personal Training Session for all chamber members with a new one-year membership.

that provides feedback on exercise plans

age assessment, • Body including strength,

flexibility, cardio respiratory capacity and body composition

Wellness Center of Cape Coral 609 SE 13th Court Cape Coral, FL 33990

239-573-4800

A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR CAPE CORAL MARNI SAWICKI FOR MAYOR JIM BURCH DISTRICT 1 Paid Political Advertisement paid for by Families for Cape Coral’s Future 4507 SE 16th Place, Cape Coral. FL 33904 independently of any candidate.

The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral does not endorse or support political candidates

...

with a purpose.

2051 Cape Coral Parkway E Cape Coral, FL 33904 (239) 549-6900 (800) 226-9609 www.capecoralchamber.com