Chamber Times February July 20142014
www.chamberinaction.com
Volume 25 Issue 7
Upcoming Chamber Events Chamber Networking Breakfast Thursday, July 10th, - 8 am - 9 am @ Olive Garden Italian Restaurant 2575 NE 8th Street Homestead, FL 33033
Annual Political HOB NOB Tuesday, July 15th -5:30 pm - 8:00 pm @ Courtyard by Marriott 2905 NE 9th Street Homestead, FL 33033
General Membership Luncheon “Doing Business with the Military” Speaker: Col Elwin Rozyskie, Jr. Thursday, July 24th, - 11:30 am - 1:00 pm @ Banyan Tree at Keys Gate Golf 2300 Palm Drive Homestead, FL 33035
Chamber’s Annual Political HOB NOB Tuesday, July 15th -5:30 pm to 8:00 pm @ Courtyard by Marriott 2905 NE 9th St. Homestead, FL 33033 Meet with candidates and representatives from their campaigns on a one-to-one basis. Free & Open to the public. RSVP 305-247-2332
Sponsored by:
Save the Date ! Vision 2015—Chamber’s Goals Conference & Annual Meeting Monday, August 25th - 8am to 5pm @ Reserve Base/Heritage Hall Conference Center
Board of Directors Installation Dinner Friday, September 26th - 6pm - 9pm @ Banyan Tree Country Club
MAC Golf Tournament October 10, 2014 @ Redland Golf & Country Club
Business Excellence Awards Luncheon Thursday, October 23rd - 11:30 am to 1pm @ Banyan Tree at Keys Gate Golf
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Be Informed. Be Involved. Be Election Ready. Some Miami-Dade voting precincts have changed due to reprecincting. This may have affected where you vote during the next countywide election. Click here to Read more about reprecincting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Countywide Elections August 26, 2014—Primary Election November 4, 2014—General Election ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Important Links
Register to Vote Check Your Registration Status View Your Sample Ballot Request an Absentee/Mail Ballot Track Your Absentee Ballot View your Polling Place Track Your Provisional Ballot Voting Tips Frequently Asked Questions Voter Information Guide
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Welcome New Members in the Month of June 2014 ! Advanced Life Innovations, PLLC Baron Crespo 5715 Hwy 85 N #307 Crestview, FL 32536 Ph: 305-205-7536 www. psychzy.com
J Bow Entertainment John Bowles 27441 SW 164 Street Homestead, FL 33031 Ph: 786-564-0886 www.jbowentertainment.com
Bistro Fusion Restaurant Parsuram Ramkissoon (Ram) 27077 S. Dixie Highway Naranja, FL 33032 Ph:305-224-5827
Jimmy John's Sandwiches Wade Copeland 33550 S. Dixie Hwy Suite 112 Florida City, FL 33034 Ph: 305-246-0504 www.Jimmyjohns.com
City Year Miami Keith Fletcher 44 West Flagler Street #500 Miami, FL 33130 Ph:786-406-7900 www.cityyear.org/miami
Marcus & Marcus, PA Joseph Marcus 200 NE 2nd Drive Homestead, FL 33031 Ph: 305-247-2116 www.marcuslaw.com
Eagle USA Tax Service, Inc. Michael Vacon 116 N. Homestead Blvd. Homestead, FL 33030 Ph: 305-245-9967
Ocean Reef Chamber of Commerce Fayth Ribeiro 31 Ocean Reef Drive A302 Key Largo, FL 33037 Ph: 305-367-3646 www.oceanreefchamber.org
Fairway Inn Florida City - Homestead Shaun Patel 100 SE 1st Avenue Florida City, FL 33034 Ph: 305-248-4202 www.fairwayinnfl.com
SUMA Suzanne Moe 1858 SE 13th Street Homestead, FL 33035 Ph: 305-807-2217 www.communityartcoolies.com
Florida City Dental, Inc. Carla Castillo 786 S. Homestead Blvd. Homestead, FL 33030 Ph: 305-242-5722 www.floridacitydental.com
Village Pawn Shop Michael Pekel 147 N.E. 8th Street Homestead, FL 33030 Ph: 305-245-2600
Homestead Executive Jet Center Darcie Cordero 28790 SW 217 Avenue Homestead, FL 33030 Ph: 305-248-3595 www.homesteadexecutivejetcenter.com Homestead Pawn & Coin, Inc. Michael Pekel 330 Washington Avenue Homestead, FL 33030 Ph: 305-248-1414 Homestead Trading Post, LLC Michael Pekel 10 S. Homestead Blvd. Homestead, FL 33030 Ph: 305-248-7979
Homestead Job Corps recognizes Community Supporter and Employer Partner— CBT College Cutler Bay Campus’s Russell Battiata, Campus Director and Christina Parodi, Education Outreach Director at the Chamber’s June Luncheon pictured here with 2014 HJC Graduate Emi Flores.
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Download 2015 YEA! Homestead Applications Now http://chamberinaction.com/pages/YoungEntrepreneursAcademy/
Thank you for renewing in the Month of June 2014 ! Aressco Technologies, Inc.
Rourke Construction & Development Corp
Bilingual Secretarial & Translating Services
South Dade Senior High School
CBT College, Cutler Bay Campus
South Florida Workforce
Century 21 Towne & Country
Speedway Community Church
Cruising Unlimited - Intelmar USA Inc.
Start Off Smart, Inc.
Florida Funeral Home and Crematory
Temple Hatikvah
Grand Prize Chevrolet
Homestead Center for the Arts Jonathan Borgert Miami Dade College, Homestead Campus Support your chamber members!
Miss Homestead Scholarship Foundation, Inc Neurology & Pain Medicine Inc.
Buy local, stop in and say hello. Pick up something that brings a smile. Your purchases are what keeps those business around!
Oriental Medicine Associates, Inc. Ramada Inn - Florida City Robert M. Levy 4
Join 'Tomorrow's South Dade' You Can Make a Difference South Miami-Dade County, or simply South Dade, is a very unique place. Defined by its cultural diversity, deep agricultural roots and natural beauty, South Dade is on the verge of a growth spurt not felt in many years, perhaps a generation. If you live, work, play or just have interest in the future of South Dade and are the kind of person that wants to get involved and make a difference, now is your chance. Homestead, being the heart and soul of South Dade, has experienced a rebirth, as some are calling it, in civic pride. A pride and new direction that has the city embarking on many civic projects including the construction of a new city hall, the completion of the iconic Seminole Theater, a new police headquarters and even planning an attraction that will encourage the travelers passing through the area to stop and visit. And spend. A working group of concerned business, political, educational, civic, religious, military and other leaders have joined together to shape this prosperous future. Tomorrow’s South Dade, as the group is calling itself, has begun. The group’s intention is to take the next six months and map out a strategy to take advantage of the economic strengths developing in the region. The group will identify future leaders that will enable and direct the growth and prosperity heading our way. Multiple committees are being formed. Help is needed as Tomorrow’s South Dade works with a team of professional facilitators hired to harness this energy and develop a plan that will be the foundation for South Dade, and for all families and businesses that call South Dade home. If you want to make a difference in your neighborhoods and overall community, this is your chance. If you want better schools, better government, better infrastructure, more jobs and better opportunities for you and your children, here is your chance. Each of the committees will dissect one category identified by the group. That committee will meet regularly, strategizing the best moves to develop the overall plan for the future. The facilitators will organize and do the leg and paper work. Your ideas are what are needed. Your opinions are what will make a difference. If you’ve ever wanted to be one of the ‘movers and shakers’, we welcome your input. We need your voice. You can make a difference for Tomorrow’s South Dade. There is room on every committee. They are:
• Business Development • Tourism • Military • Quality of Life • Infrastructure • Housing • Education • Agriculture • Leadership Development Email your willingness to help to: tomorrowssouthdade@gmail.com. Do it now. Select a committee and that chairperson will contact you. Story Credit: South Dade News Leader
Posted: Saturday, June 21, 2014 12:30 am | Updated: 9:51 pm, Sat Jun 21, 2014.
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Ford Championship Weekend and its future at Homestead-Miami Speedway. HJCC Celebrates Job Corps' 50th Homestead-Miami Speedway and Ford Motor Company first partnered on Ford Champi“VIP Triple Play Tour” Guests of Honor onship Weekend in Anniversary 2002, marking the first time in NASCAR history when all three of NASCAR’s national touring series would end their seasons and crown their champions at the same race track on the same weekend. In just a few months, we will make history again when we host Ford Championship Weekend and the first-ever Championship round of the new format for Chase For The Sprint Cup Championship in the Ford EcoBoost 400. The anticipation and drama heading into Ford Championship weekend with four drivers all on equal footing for a winnertake-all championship will be absolutely unprecedented. Even qualifying for the Ford EcoBoost 400 will easily be the most dramatic and compelling qualifying session of the year. When the concept of Ford Championship Weekend was originally conceived, nobody could have anticipated what this community is going to see unfold in November. This year is the 13th year of what has been a fantastic partnership. When you consider that Ford sponsors more than a race (they sponsor the entire weekend - a championship weekend) it makes that 13-year run even more impressive. While many things have changed in those 13 years, one thing has been constant during that time: our partnership with Ford and along with them, our collective commitment to making Ford Championship Weekend an incredible experience for everyone involved. Whether you consider the celebrity involvement, our midway anchored by Ford’s best-in-class display, or the iconic flag pulled behind the Ford truck at the conclusion of the National Anthem; our fans know that Ford Motor Company and Homestead-Miami Speedway deliver a first-class championship event. It is for that reason that I am thrilled to announce that Homestead-Miami Speedway and Ford Motor Company have extended their partnership for Ford Championship Weekend through 2019, with an option through 2024. This announcement is great news for our community as it further bolsters our role as a vital economic engine in South Dade that produces hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact. Thank you for your support of Homestead-Miami Speedway, and we look forward to seeing you at Ford Championship Weekend on November 14 - 16. Warm regards, Matt
2014 Military Affairs Committee (MAC) Casino Night Homestead Miami Speedway’s Champions Club again played host to the event made possible by generous sponsors that included The DeMoya Group, Value Place Lodging, Hampton Inn & Suites and Courtyard Marriott, Pierce & Bowen CPA, Berger’s Property Maintenance, The Keyes Company, Royal Palm Real Estate, Homestead Hospital, Community Bank, MVRT, C&R Milling, 1st National Bank of South Florida, and Brothers Property Management to name a few, along with a number of personal contributors. Local area resident Gail Doran said “I had such a good time last year’s Casino Night, I couldn’t wait for a repeat this year. And guess what? I won an IPad-Mini.” Other prizes included a golf foursome at Ocean Reef, a BBQ grill from Lowes, Annual memberships at Long Shot Range, a Budweiser rolling-cooler from Eagle Brands, dinners out, wine and liquor baskets, golfing tournaments and other prizes contributed by local residents and merchants.
Over the shoulder in this selfie of Richard Erschik, a member of the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee (MAC), recreational black-jack players are enjoying the 2nd annual Casino night event.
For lucky NASCAR fans, 4, 3-day passes for the last NASCAR race of the year were donated by Homestead Miami Speedway, and a piece of the rear quarter-panel from Jeff Gordon’s racecar, certified by Hendricks’s motor sports, went to a lucky winner. A 3rd annual Casino Night is already in the planning stage, with some surprises and bigger and better inclusions that you won’t want to miss.
We are always looking for sponsors and prize commitments necessary to make this event a hit with Homestead area residents and our HARB military personnel and their families. Send sponsorship and prize contributions and/or your name and email address to Rich@JustAskRich.com to be sure you are included in the invitation and announcements for the 2015 Casino Night.
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June 2014 - Ribbon Cuttings
Total Media Services/Vape Shop
Bistro Fusion Restaurant
106 N. Homestead Blvd. Homestead, FL 33030
27077 S. Dixie Highway Naranja, FL 33032
June 2014 Legislative Update Meetings
Rosa Brito, Senator Dwight Bullard, Mayor Jeff Porter and Renee Reichling at the Chamber’s June Legislative Update Luncheon
Bill Duquette, Kevin Chamblis, Debbie Zimmerman, Rosa Brito, Representative Holly Raschein and Mayor Jeff Porter. Chamber’s June Legislative Update Breakfast.
Ten Legislators in Miami Earned an "A" The Florida Chamber of Commerce released the actual grades earned by all members of the House and Senate on the Florida Chamber’s 2014 Legislative Report Card. For the Miami region, 10 legislators earned “A” grades: Sen. Rene Garcia, Rep. Frank Artiles, Rep. Michael Bileca, Rep. Manny Diaz, Rep. Erik Fresen, Rep. Eddy Gonzalez, Rep. Jeanette Nunez, Jose Oliva, Rep. Holly Raschein, Rep. Carlos Trujillo.
Rep.
After tabulating more than 6,000 votes cast during the 2014 Legislative Session, nearly 56 percent of state lawmakers earned an “A” (90-100) for voting to make Florida more competitive and in support of the priority jobs issues outlined in the Florida Chamber’s 2014 Business Agenda. The Florida Chamber’s Legislative Report Card is an annual opportunity to honor and recognize members of the Florida Legislature who placed making Florida more competitive through private-sector job creation above special interests attempts to protect the status quo. The Florida Chamber’s 2014 Legislative Report Card is an online tool that illuminates grades legislators earned based on their support of pro-jobs, probusiness issues during the annual legislative session. Click here to view The Florida Chamber’s ‘HOW THEY VOTED” publication or you can visit www.FLChamber.com to view a digital version.
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JUNE NETWORKING EVENTS
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HJCC Celebrates Job Corps' 50th “VIP Triple Play Tour” Guests of HonorHomestead, FL – Center for International Education: Anniversary
A Cambridge Associate School is excited to announce that students can now apply to attend this new, one-of-a-kind M-DCPS public senior high school opening in Homestead this August 2014. Campbell Drive Middle School is being re-envisioned to offer a robust, accelerated and enriching program to senior high school students through the use of the Cambridge Advanced Program. This facility will be also be a district model training center for all Cambridge schools within Miami-Dade County Public Schools, in partnership with Cambridge International Examinations.
The Center for International Education: A Cambridge Associate School will provide highly motivated students with a challenging academic curriculum that may lead to an Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma. Students in the AICE Diploma Program experience a broad-based education while developing in-depth understanding of subject matter. Emphasis is placed on developing writing, analysis, and critical thinking skills while learning to synthesize information and reflect on outcomes. Students enjoy the flexibility of choosing courses that align with their future educational and employment goals. They develop the ability to learn independently, to work collaboratively, and to understand issues from different perspectives. The Cambridge vision is that all students “become confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged.” This Cambridge senior high school is the first of its kind in the nation and provides yet another dimension to the South Florida community. Cambridge is the world’s largest provider of K-12 international education programs. It is a global model for academic excellence through rigorous standards and high expectations, and is known as an educational leader in 160 countries, with programs in over 9,000 schools. It is part of England’s renowned University of Cambridge. For more information, please visit www.centerforinternationaleducation.org. or the Miami Dade County Public Schools website at http://www.yourchoicemiami.org/ Click here for application.
2013-2014 Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Executive Board: Chairman’s Appointees Term Expires 2014 Chairman: Bill Duquette, Homestead Hospital Brad Bettelli, TD Bank Kametra Driver, WeCare of South Dade, Inc. Tony Hazard, Hazard Insurance
Chair Elect: Renee Reichling, Community Bank President: Rosa I Brito Treasurer: James Pierce, Pierce & Bowen CPA’s Operations: Corey Gold, Homestead Hospital Past Chair: Elizabeth Moscynski, Keys Gate Communications
Members by Virtue of Office
Chair Government Affairs: Tony Garcia, The Keyes Company
Dade County Farm Bureau
Chair Economic Development: Michael Kiley
City of Florida City Mayor or Designee City of Homestead Mayor or Designee
Directors
Homestead Air Reserve Base Commander
Dale Machesic , South Dade News Leader
Miami Dade County Public Schools Local Region
Debbie Albert, The Title Company of Homestead
Special Operations Command South Commander
Dr. Jeanne Jacobs, PhD, Miami Dade College, Homestead
Tropical Everglades Visitors Association
Campus
Homestead Main Street
Felicia Vescera, Florida City Centre George Mirabal , Heartland Payment Systems
Active Past Chairs
Larry Roth, The Keyes Company Roxanne Jeghers, Royal Palm Real Estate Services
David Peyton, 1st National Bank of South Florida
Sharon P Haxton, Chapman Partnership
Robert Jensen, 1st National Bank of South Florida
Sharon Wilson, Community Bank of Florida
Susan E. Newman, The Keyes Company
Tony Fiore, Cruises Unlimited - Intelmar USA Inc.
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RESERVE YOUR AD SPACE IN THE 2014-2015 BUSINESS DIRECTORY & COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE CALL THE CHAMBER AT 305-247-2332
Notice for Nominations Nominations are open for membership on the Greater Homestead/Florida City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. According to the bylaws of the Greater Homestead/Florida City Chamber of Commerce, Section 4.02 B, Paragraph 2, "During the month of June each year the Nominating Committee shall, by appropriate notice through a Chamber publication, notify the members of their prerogative to nominate members in good standing of the Chamber for Board membership. Nominations must be submitted in writing by a Chamber member. Nominations must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, July 1, and mailed to Nominating Committee, Chamber of Commerce, PO BOX 901544, Homestead, F., 33090 or hand delivered no later than Wednesday, July 6th to the Chamber of Commerce at 455 N. Flagler Avenue, Homestead.
We are launching on Save Local Now in June! The Greater Homestead/Florida City Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to introduce Save Local Now, our newest chamber benefit! Save Local Now is a one-stop digital marketing platform with 9 insanely easy-to-use products to help you connect with your customers. The platform includes Deal and Event publishing, Email Marketing, iPhone and Android apps, SEO and tons more. Even better, Save Local Now is FREE with your Chamber membership! I encourage each of you to take advantage of $LN’s FREE 1-on-1 sessions with its digital marketing experts! The personalized webinars will focus on your business needs and will help you with everything from image suggestions to ideas for creative campaigns. And yes it’s all FREE! You will be receiving an email in May to officially welcome you to Save Local Now. This launch email will contain a link to choose a password, activate your account, and sign-up for training.
Schedule a 1-on-1 session today at http://blog.savelocalnow.com/training/ 10
Making the Chamber of Commerce Work For You
On-Line Business Directory Members can log into their on-line listing and edit/update their information, add employees or representatives. Choose what information you would like to display, Add a 200 character description, hours of operation, driving direction, keywords for better search placement. Add Hot Deals, list Job Postings and much more. See who's taken advantage of the Hot Deals Page on our website: http://business.chamberinaction.com/hotdeals Contact the chamber office for login information 305-247-2332 or email info@chamberinaction.com Enhanced Directory Listing: Members can upgrade their on-line listing. DIRECTORY LOGO: Your logo next to your listing in the Business Directory or any search result. WEBSITE LINK: Your Website Link next to your listing in the Business Directory or any search result. ENHANCED LISTING & PRIORITY PLACEMENT: Priority Placement *Enhance your Information Page: - 1600 character description - eight photos - five bullet points - logo - map link - 20 keywords. For more information about this and other marketing packages available call the chamber at 305-247-2332 or email info@chamberinaction.com Visitor Information Center - Business Information: Come by the Chamber office and drop off information about your business, brochures and business cards or coupons if you have them. Every month, tourists as well as locals visit the Chamber it's a great way to gain exposure for your business. (Brochures should be rack card type or Trifold). Coupon Packs: The Chamber Visitor Center is distributing coupons to area visitors and new residents. A GREAT way to reach tourists and locals that come thru our office and get them into your business... Bring us your coupons! Value or Discount Coupons should be no larger than 4x9 and supply us with at least 50. Coupons can be for discounted items or buy one get one type deals. Questions call Wanda Brown at 305-247-2332 11
Saving Money on the Things Your Business Needs To enhance our ability to serve our members with increased benefits we are one of many local chambers throughout Florida who have partnered with the Florida Chamber. As a member of a participating Chamber of Commerce, you have the power of more than 137,000 members and 3 million employees working together. Using the influence of the entire business community, we get you and your business savings and discounts on services that matter to you. We invite you to review our benefits and then do what thousands of other growing businesses have done – take advantage of the time and money you will save by using Chamber endorsed services. As you’ll soon discover, we’re much more than Florida’s best business advocate – helping you and your bottom line is what we do best. To sign up for chamber perks follow the link: http://www.chamberperks.com/Perks.asp? AccountID=128
The Homestead Florida City Chamber Health Savings Card This card includes programs that offer discounts on prescriptions, vision, hearing, diabetic supplies, and much more.
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Reserve your spot ‌ CALL 305-247-2332
Can you do business without Turn on your computer and get started now! go to www.chamberinaction.com Join the Chamber’s Facebook page! 13
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Trustees of the Chamber The Chamber Trustees are leaders in our community who recognize that their business success and failure is tied to the area around them. In taking a leadership position, the Trustees are insuring their future success by reinvesting in the local business community through the Greater Homestead/Florida City Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber Trustees voluntarily contribute more than required because they believe in the important programs of the Greater Homestead/Florida City Chamber of Commerce. They understand that the prominence of their organization makes it appropriate for them to assume the role of a substantial participant and contributor to the Chamber’s operation. Members like this refuse to let the burden of improving the business climate and our local quality of life fall on others. Trustee contributions make it possible to maintain the Chamber’s day to day operations with an efficient and professional staff who, in turn, bring more and better programs to the business community.
Plan your month ahead! The Chamber’s monthly calendar is on our website. As a member, you can promote your own events! go to... WWW.CHAMBERINACTION.COM—Member Center
Click on Calendar of Events You can post job openings and Hot Deals, too! 14
Advertise with Your Chamber Times! Your Chamber Times e-newsletter advertising rates are nearly half the price of printed newsletter advertising. The Chamber Times is a monthly e-publication that features Chamber events, economic development issues and community activities. It is emailed as a link to over 500 businesses, individuals, and public officials and appears on the Chamber’s website, www.chamberinaction.com. The site averages 117,000 hits per month.
Chamber Times Ad Rates Type Full Page Half Page ¼ Page Business Card
Size 8 ½ x 11 8½x5 3½x5 3½x2
1 Time $175 $100 $65 $50
6 Months $125 mo. $85 mo. $40 mo. $35 mo.
Some Helpful Websites Homestead/Florida City Chamber Small Business Administration City of Homestead City of Florida City Miami Dade County Public Schools Small Business Development Center Miami-Dade County Non-Partisan Elections Site SCORE Counselors to Small Business State of Florida Information Tropical Everglades Visitors Center
455 N. Flagler Avenue Homestead T. 305-247-2332 F. 305-224-9101 Toll Free 888-352-4891 Mail to: P.O. Box 901544 Homestead, FL 33090
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www.chamberinaction.com www.business.gov www.cityofhomestead.com www.floridacityfl.us www.dadeschools.net www.floridasbdc.org www.miamidade.gov www.voteforflorida.org www.score.org www.myflorida.com www.tropicaleverglades.com