chamber trends magazine - february 2013
DESCRIPTION
Please enjoy the latest issue of the Chamber Trends MagazineTRANSCRIPT
TrendsChamber
The Official Publication of The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral February 2013
To Promote and Serve Business and Community
Business After Hours, February 21st hosted by Century 21 Selling Paradise
Join Us For The General Membership Lunch, February
13th at La Venezia, Sponsored by LCEC, Centurylink and The
News-Press
Join Us Every Saturday at Club Square for the Cape Coral Farmer’s Market
Get In & Get Busy in the Chamber Trends Magazine More than 6,000 monthly subscribers
Basic Advertising PricesFull Page $337.001/2 Page $227.001/4 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 PricingFull Page $387.00
(includes banner ad on chamber website only 4 available per issue, full page only)1/2 Page $287.001/4 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)
SpecialsSpotlight 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 [email protected]
Publisher & EditorDonna Schuman-GermainCommunications Director
Contributing EditorsMike Quaintance
Chamber [email protected]
Stephanie RobersonTechnology Director
Bob KnickmanSpecial Events Director
Claudia St. OngeBusiness Manager
Bill Johnson, Jr. Membership Sales Director
Amanda BrunsonSpecial Events Assistant
Chamber of Commerce of Cape CoralP.O. Box 100747, Cape Coral, FL 33910
2051 Cape Coral ParkwayCape Coral, FL 33904
Phone (239) 549-6900 Fax (239) 549-9609
February 2013February 5
Business Card ExchangeComputer Heaven of SWFL, LLC.
1490 NE Pine Island Road Suite 7C Cape Coral, FL 339097:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
February 13General Membership Meeting
La Venezia 4646 SE 10th Place Club Square
Cape Coral, FL 33904 $20.00 For Members w/reservations
Call 549-6900 ext 300 to RSVP 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
February 21Business After Hours
Century 21 Selling Paradise 3409 Del Prado Blvd., S. Ste 103
Cape Coral, FL 33904 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Every SaturdayCape Coral Farmer’s Market
Club Square - Downtown Cape Coral8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Every TuesdaySurfside Sunset Market2408 Surfside Boulevard
Cape Coral, FL 339914:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
To register for any of the above events online, or for more up-to-date information, please visit
www.capecoralchamber.com
2013 Board of DirectorsJoe Mazurkiewicz, Chairman - BJM
Consulting, Inc Annette Carrasquillo, Chair-Elect - LAI
Design Associates, LLC Ed Ramos, Treasurer - Ramos Builders, Inc
Donna Meola, Past-Chair - Kirkwood Electric
Tony Constantino, Financial Advisor - Kevin M Burns & Assoc, CPA
Barb Adams - Individual Member Brett Bisbe - B2 Solutions, Inc
Beverly Black - Black Business Solutions Ed Bolter - Lamar Advertising
Dana Brunett - City of Cape Coral Joe Francioni - Castle Harbour Homes
Cindy Gallagher - The News-Press Tom Giles - Avalon Engineering
Tom Hansen - Boat House of Cape Coral Tim Hauck - Fuller Metz Cremation and
Funeral Services Colleen Humphries - LCEC
Wayne Kirkwood - Kirkwood Electric Cheryl Komnick - Caloosa Tent & Rental
Michelle Lewis - B2 Solutions, Inc Gary Locke - Sunstream Hotels and Resorts
Thomas Shipp - Tom Shipp at the Martin Law Firm
Stan Spicer - Platinum Service A/C Chris Spiro - Spiro & Associates
Elmer Tabor - Wonderland Realty
2013 Trustees Sandra Aguilar - Individual
Rhonda Chapman - SunTrust Bank Matt Connar - Boost Creative
Diane Everhart - Northwestern Mutual Financial
Toni Rae Hurley - Iberia Bank 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 - Cheetah Printing & Signs
Chamber StaffMike Quaintance, PresidentDonna Schuman-Germain,Communications Director
Claudia St. Onge, Business ManagerStephanie Roberson, Technology
DirectorBill Johnson, Membership Director
Linda Kirby, Membership SalesBob Knickman, Special Events Director
Melanie Lempke, Administrative Generalist Amanda Brunson, Special Events
Assistant
Q’s World
TransitionMike “Q” Quaintance, President
Is your business ready for an unexpected transition?
It could me the voluntary or involuntary loss of an employee or owner. It could be the retirement of a key person. Drivers for change could be family, economics, new competitors or other career opportunities.
These preparations are probably just about as fun as planning your funeral or your will.
French poet Anatole France said, “All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.”
When change happens, it is easier to assimilate through preparedness.
Your Chamber had begun this process through cataloging the various tasks each team member preforms and then cross-training with other staff members.
We also took inventory of the knowledge, skills and abilities (SKA’s) that each team member has in order to identify any strategic advantages that we might capitalize on. Please know that your Chamber staff is doing its best to serve you and our community.
Have you thought about the changes happening in your business or industry? With technology, we find that most industries are in a state of change. Have you spent time contemplating your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats? Many of you probably developed a business plan when you started or expanded your business. Perhaps it is time to take the plan off the shelf and make some enhancements?
The four functions of management are planning, organizing, leading and controlling. We should be doing all four of these on a regular basis so we are prepared for inevitable changes and maximizing our strategic advantages.
If you are working in and not on your business, planning for change can be a challenge. If we are not changing, we are not growing, if we are not growing, we are dying.
with a purpose....
New Members
The Art of Literature, Inc. Victoria Moore
Cape Coral Gourmet Food & Wine, Inc. Hans D Zumkeller
Custom Pools by Design, Inc Wayne Moomjian
No Pier Pressure Charters Paul Gibbons
PuroClean Emergency Restoration Services
Gary Widich
RenewalsAbuse Counseling and Treatment
Badcock Home Furniture & More
Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc
Burandt, Adamski & Feichthaler, PL
Cape Chorale Barbershop Chorus
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife, Inc.
Century 21 Sunbelt Realty, Inc.
Chicago Pizza
Competitive Edge Dance Studio
Edison Beach House
Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Services
Hideaway Waterfront Resort, Corp.
High Fidelity Studios
Island Harbor Construction Corp.
Jason’s Deli
Keiser University
Kirkwood Electric, Inc.
Kobayashi Dojo / Main Campus
Law Office of Miguel C. Fernandez III, Esq.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office
Liberty Tax Service
Moonwalk & More
Olive Garden
Optimization Service Corporation
Plumberman, LLC
Premier Cape Construction, Inc.
Realmark Realty Group Cape Harbour
Seminole Casino Immokalee
Serendipity Hair Studio
Shell Point Retirement Community
Shops At Surfside
Suncoast Portable Sanitation, Inc
Taylor-Pansing, Inc.
Zak’s Jewelry
December New Members & Renewals
Get In & Get Busy Advertise In
The Chamber Trends MagazineCall Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext 107
Chamber Trends Get In & Get Busy With
A Purpose!Joe Mazurkiewicz, BJM
Consulting2013 Chamber Chairman
Welcome to the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral’s New Year!
We have added a few important words to our slogan of Get In and Get Busy. Those words are: With a Purpose. It is our hope to create a filter so that everything we do will be laser focused on our mission: To Promote and Serve Business and
Community. Our business plan is all about the three I’s: Invest, Influence and
Inspire. We will invest our time, talents and treasure to enhance your
business and our community. We will inspire those in our circles of influence to do the same and we will inspire the masses to join us in this effort.
We will develop a culture recognizing the great place we live and work and all the assets we have here; the great quality of life and unlimited opportunities for a better tomorrow.
Past Chamber administrations have made great strides in developing a financially strong organization. Last year, under the leadership of Donna Meola, we grew into one of the largest business organizations in Southwest Florida. It is now time for us to take this
puppy out for a test ride; we will use our strengths to influence this community to take the next steps to be a regional leader.
It is time for Cape Coral to become: The Queen City on the Caloosahatchee: a center of population, commerce, culture, education and recreation; a safe community where our young people are nurtured; our seniors are respected and cared for; and the environment is recognized as a key component of our unique community. We will build a sustainable community that will be enhanced and available for our children and grandchildren.
We will be establishing this culture through the use of sharing those great stories of our successes both past and present. We will focus on the positive while quietly addressing our challenges.
This is going to be a great ride. You are going to want to be a part of it; making the most of our successes while growing your business, making new friends, gaining new clients and developing new strategic partners. We will be accomplishing all this while we endeavor the make our community a better place to live. All I ask is that you get on board and Invest, Influence and Inspire. It is going to be a terrific ride!
with a purpose....
For The Kids FoundationPO Box 101264
Cape Coral, FL 33910(239) 541-0461
www.4thekidsfoundation.org
Ribbon Cuttings
Schedule Your Ribbon Cutting Today!
Contact Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext 107
Top Left: Newly inducted 2013 Chamber Chairman Joe Mazurkiewicz recognizes Outgoing Chair Donna Meola for all of her hard work in 2012.
MId Left: Welcome to all of our new members!Bottom Left: Congratulations to Brett Bisbe, B2 Solutions,
who was recognized as the Board member of the Year. Top Right: Thank you to State Representative Dane Eagle
for issuing the Oath of Office for our 2013 Board of Directors and Trustees.
Bottom Right: Congratulations to Zack Zeis, Cheetah Printing and Signs, who was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year. Sandi Silva, Ida S. Baker High School (not pictured) was also recognized as the Chamber Member of the Year.
Thank you to everyone who attended the lunch and thank you to our sponsors The News-Pres, CenturyLink and LCEC for their continued support.
General Membership Lunch
Lee Memorial Health SystemP.O. Box 2218
Fort Myers, FL 33902
CenturyLink Store2710 Del Prado Blvd. South
Cape Coral, FL 33904
RE/MAX Realty Team2326 Del Prado BlvdCape Coral, FL 33990
LCEC4980 Bayline Dr
North Fort Myers, FL 33917
BJ’s Wholesale1929 Pine Island Rd N.E., Cape Coral
Gulf Coast Village Retirement Community 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd. Cape Coral
Lee County Electric Cooperative - LCEC4980 Bayline Dr, North Fort Myers
Premier Oncology RadiationSpecialists In Urology
24 Del Prado Blvd N, Cape Coral
The News-Press - Fort Myers Office2442 Dr. MLK Blvd. Ft. Myers
413 NE Van Loon Lane, Cape Coral
DiamondMember
Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral
ExecutiveMember
Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral
2013 BU ILDERS’ SHOWCASE
CAPE CORALIt’s where you want to be!
March 15–17 & 22–24 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday/Saturday • Noon – 5 p.m. on Sunday
Register at any of our Showcase
Homesto win a new flat panel TV!
Customer ServUS!Christopher T. Spiro
CEO, Spiro & Associates Marketing, Advertising & Public
Relations
Congratulations! You survived yet another holiday season. The rush
and stress to find that perfect gift, that one trinket that will make someone smile. That one gift that will define that person’s holiday! Then again, there are those of us who fail miserably, which is evident when a person elects to return our
gifts, ultimately crushing our holiday spirit! This year my son CJ was the crusher of spirits. My wife and I labored
diligently to find the perfect gifts, mainly clothing, to help our 17-year-old have a Merry Christmas. As he opened his gifts we were greeted with such classics as “Really, Dad?” and my favorite “Not a chance in hell I’m going to wear this” (OK, I may be exaggerating his responses to help this article along, but regardless, we were crushed). So the week after Christmas we headed out to do the return/exchange dance (similar to the hokey-pokey and slightly more embarrassing)!
We woke early on Saturday. Found each receipt to match the article. Put the items into two piles: 1. Exchange for different size, and 2. What the hell were my parents thinking? We gassed the truck, limbered up, chugged an energy drink and off we go for the adventure.
Stop one was Coconut Point in Estero to deal with some major national brands. When we arrived at Hollister Co. (the so-called “coolest destination for genuine SoCal style clothes for guys and girls”) we divided into teams. I stood number 32 in line to return/exchange while my wife looked for appropriate sizes for exchanges, and my son and his girlfriend looked for new items for his impending store credit.
After 35 minutes in line I was greeted by the sales associate at the register who I can only describe as “mean girl meets prom queen and goes crazy.” The fact that I wanted to return and exchange something
in the same transaction possibly caused this young lady to have an aneurysm right there. She rolled her eyes and began the process. I was ready! Receipts in one hand, credit card in the other.
Somewhere between 30 minutes and an eternity later, I was presented with about 11 miles of receipts, another roll of the eyes and yes, more attitude. As I thanked the young lady for her help she asked, “Would you like to sign up for our e-discounts or to receive text messages with regards to additional savings?” I replied with a resounding “NO!” Not because I didn’t want the discounts (those of you who know me know I love a deal), but because I hope to never have to go into that store and deal with those people again.
You see, as I stood at the counter and witnessed what was going on it just wasn’t my Prom Queen who was having a bad day, it was the entire team of store reps on the front line at the counter. And, as we went from store to store, the day wore on and things got worse.
I know what you’re thinking, “OK Spiro quit rambling and get to the goshed darned marketing point.” Okay, here’s the point…the tip…the reason I wrote this article…you had us, Hollister! You had us as a customer. We liked your brand. My son likes your clothing (just not the ones we selected). My daughter likes your clothing. We demonstrated our desire to do business with you by buying several hundred dollars of your products and you reward us by treating us as second-class citizens. All because Dad picked the wrong color and Mom picked the wrong size.
When people ask me how they can reduce marketing and advertising costs, I tell them to make sure they treat every customer with great care every time. If people are buying from you on a frequent basis, it’s because they like your brand and they like your products, services and customer experience. Keep them happy, and continue to market to your target markets.
P.S. Hollister Co. touts itself as a lifestyle retailer geared towards energetic and outgoing guys and girls, offering trend-setting styles authentic in character. They might want to work a little bit harder with their sales associates on the character part.
While Christopher “The BrandMan” Spiro is not standing in insufferably long lines waiting to return bad-idea gifts, he can be found online at Facebook.com/christopher.spiro and Twitter @chrisspiro. Or hit him up at [email protected] and (239) 481-5511, extension 234.
Marketing Trends
with a purpose....
Support Special PopulationsThe Freida B. Smith Special Populations Center is a facility that offers a variety of programs for adults and children with developmental disabilities. The mission for Special Populations is to promote independence through exposure, education and experience in a safe, caring environment.
Leadership Alumni Class of 2012 Presents
An evening of fun with Casino Style Games
Including: Blackjack, Roulette, Craps &
Texas Hold ‘EmCasino Night Conducted by Rotary Club of Cape Coral
Cape Coral Yacht Club5819 Driftwood Pkwy, Cape Coral, FL 33904
7:00 - 11:00Registration 6:30 PM
$75 Buy-In (admits 2) Includes:
Casino Night - $75 (admits 2)
Texas Hold ‘Em - $75 (admits 1) Day of the Event - $85
Spectator - $30
Entry in $1,500 reverse raffle$400 in funny money
Italian dinner Open bar (beer/wine)
Valuable prizesChecks made payable to:
Cape Coral Chamber Foundation
Name _______________________________________________________Address________________________ City______________ Zip_________
Contact Michelle Whitlock ~ Phone (239) 229-5454 ~ Fax (239) 540-1034 ~ [email protected]
Political Advertisement Paid For And Approved By Vince Cummings, Nonpartisan For Cape Coral Mayor
The First Hour Free Program is
designed to provide Chamber
Members with professional business
resources to help them start or grow a
business, and the First Hour Is Free!!!
FIRST
HOUR
FREE
Need Professional Business Advice?
Need to Explore the Merits of a
Business Idea?
Need to Identify New Opportunities?
Looking to Trial a New Business
Relationship?
GET YOUR INFORMATION HERE!
BUSINESS MENTORS
Here To Help!
RESOURCES INCLUDE; HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
INVESTMENT INSURANCE GRAPHIC DESIGN ENGINEERING
BUSINESS COACHING ATTORNEY FINANCE ADVERTISING PRINTING ACCOUNTING
GOVERNMENT CONSULTANT FIND these professionals by going to www.capecoralchamber.com under
“Membership” then Programs. (239) 549-6900
Network AdministrationMaintenance Agreements
Off-site Data StorageDell, Acer, Apple(239) 573-1000
www.entechcomputers.com
Get In & Get Busy Advertise In
The Chamber Trends Magazine
Contact Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext 107 or
Network AdministrationMaintenance Agreements
Off-site Data StorageDell, Acer, Apple(239) 573-1000
www.entechcomputers.com
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
We deliver Cape Coral news 24/7
Subscribe:1.800.468.0233
Cape Coral Editor: Casey Logan | [email protected] | 344.4721Advertise: Lynnie Guzman | [email protected] | 910.4575
Get In & Get Busy Advertise In
The Chamber Trends Magazine
Contact Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext 107 or
Being Healthy In The New Year
Salvatore Lacagnina, D.O.Vice President of Health &
Wellness, Lee Memorial Health System
In the New Year how do you know if you are healthy? Are you healthy simply because
you do not have any obvious diseases? Are you healthy because you do not have any symptoms? During my 20 years in practice, I have seen many patients who thought they were healthy only
to experience a heart attack or a stroke or develop cancer. Some of these folks even had been for a general physical prior to these events and the customary office physical did not pick up any signs of these problems.
How do we know for sure that we do not have any problems brewing? Well, certainly the starting point is the annual wellness examination during which time the physician/ health care provider will ask many questions about your overall health, how you have been feeling since the last visit, to get an idea if anything is going wrong with any parts of your body. He/she will do what is called a “review of systems” and then will examine all the body systems. Blood tests will be ordered to screen for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses and some cancers; some radiographic tests and other procedures may be ordered as well.
All adults over 50 should be screened for colon cancer. Males should have a prostate examination and blood test. Females should be checked for cervical and breast cancer; all adults should have a full body examination to look for skin cancers (which incidentally are the most common cancers).
Next is the fitness examination and this is where you get on a treadmill machine to see how well your heart and lungs are functioning. During many of these tests, your strength and flexibility will be checked and you might even be given what is called a “Body Age” number. This is your fitness age compared to your chronologic age. If the Body Age is less than your chronologic age that is good; if it is higher, then you need to talk with a fitness specialist to develop
a nutrition and exercise plan for improvement. The fitness assessment complements the annual wellness
examination and tests. The overall program is completed by making sure you have had your adult immunizations and any other procedures, tests or preventive measures that will keep you healthy until your next visit.
An action plan should be developed and you should have the opportunity to ask any and all questions so you fully understand your risk factors and any chronic illnesses you might have. If you do have a chronic illness (diabetes for example), you must be sure you understand your role in keeping this disease well controlled and what you need to do on a daily basis to be sure it does not get worse. Realize that you are part of the healthcare team. Without your full effort and support, the physician will be unable to keep you as healthy as you should be. It is your responsibility to do all you can do to stay healthy and to be sure you are not doing things that negatively impact your health (such as smoking, not exercising, or eating too much of the wrong foods).
Now that you know more about how your overall health is assessed, please feel free to discuss this information with your physician/health care provider. Also feel free to write me with any questions or comments about this or any other health related topic.
Stay well and Happy New Year!
“Your Business Connection”Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral
2051 Cape Coral Parkway E. Cape Coral, FL 33904(239) 549-6900 Fax (239)549-9609 Toll Free (800) 226-9609
Scan to download our mobile siteor download our mobile site at web.capecoralchamber.com/mobile
iPhone and Android compatible
From Our Chairman2012
Donna Meola, Kirkwood Electric2012 Chamber Chairman
I can’t believe its December and I am writing my last article as Chairman of the
Board. 2012 has just flown by and there have been so many accomplishments I would like to share. (Please forgive me if I have forgotten any!!)
How fortunate we are to live in Paradise! Our economy is growing and the outlook for 2013 is for continued growth.
2012 was a great year!! Much was accomplished for you, including making Cape Coral a better place to do business. Here are a few of the highlights:
The Cape Coral Economic Development Office delivered on their promise to increase business, investment and employment in the area. The team closed 137 economic development projects, which represents 85 new businesses in the Cape and 52 expansions.
The EDO created a public/private strategic partnership with Lamar Advertising and HDPR Group and a new marketing campaign that says “Cape Coral is Open for Business.”
Cape Coral welcomed the opening of 1,156 businesses in 2012 including 301 place based businesses, 809 home-based businesses and 46 unspecified businesses. Commerce means shorter distances to travel for your goods and services. Commerce also means a diversified tax base and jobs!
The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral continues to grow as well; in December 2011 our membership was at an all time low of 583 members, today we stand at 744. This resulted in a 78 percent membership growth with a retention rate of 81 percent. This could not have been accomplished without the referrals from our members, a dynamic sales team and an awesome membership development committee.
Chamber Leadership programs continue to develop community leaders. In November, 20 men and women graduated Leadership Cape Coral. Twenty-four members of the 2012 Chamber board have graduated from the Leadership Program including the Chairman and
Chair-Elect. We currently have 27 high school juniors in our Junior Leadership Program.
The Chamber successfully presented (2) Disney Institute programs in 2012. The Chamber Special Events team (yes, I say teams because it takes a village!!) brought an astounding 250,000+ citizens and members together for Red White and Boom , Golf Tournament, Farmers Market, Business Expo , Family Bowling Day, a Casino Trip to The Price is Right, as well as our Holiday Festival of Lights on December 1st.
Our on-line business directory resulted in 1,300,829 web referrals in 2012 that equates to 3,544 on average over the year per member!! (Who says membership doesn’t pay?)
A new Chamber mobile app was introduced in 2012.It was also a very busy election year for our Public Affairs
Committee! This is a group of passionate people who make sure that the “voice” of business is heard, not only at the local level but also state and federal. The candidates’ forums were very well attended by members and citizens of Cape Coral.
Our education committee hosted the Excellence in Education Awards in April and awarded $4,500 in scholarships to deserving high school seniors!
It was also the first year of our “rotating” luncheons that are being very well received by our membership.
Serving as your Chairman of the Board has been an excellent experience and I feel blessed for having had the opportunity of meeting so many of you at meetings and events.
Thank you for honoring me with your trust and commitment! It has been my privilege to work with my fellow directors and amazing staff as well as the membership.
I look forward to seeing all of you at future events and I wish you good health and prosperity!
We deliver, every day.
Call Lynnie to advertise 910.4575
Healthy Trends
9TH ANNUAL IRISH FESTIVAL 2013
MARCH 2ND 11AM - 10PM MARCH 3RD 11AM – 8PM
“The Best Irish Music in SWFL”
BAVARIAN GARDENS GERMAN AMERICAN SOCIAL CLUB
2101 SW PINE ISLAND ROAD CAPE CORAL, FL
Admission $6 for adults-Children 12 & under free
Students $3 with school ID Free children’s area
For more information
www.capecoralirishamericanclub.org 239-573-7014
People you can trust.Power you can rely on.Possibilities that are endless!
That’s the benefit of being a cooperative member! www.lcec.net
The Nutcracker
December 13th, 2012 at 7:00pm
A Spectacular Performance of the time honored ballet.
The performance features 200 dancers, singers and musicians.
$10, $15, $20, and $25 Tickets
For tickets call 239-481-4849 or visit www.bbmannpah.com
at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
North Fort MyersAcademy for the ARTS
Presents
Created By: Cassidee Kelly & Nicole Paquin
Time’s UpMike “Q” Quaintance, Chamber
President
One minute two nurses are pulling out a tube from my femoral artery
and the next moment I wake up surrounded by medical professionals and I hear my wife weeping as if she lost her best friend.
I was in for my second stent from a recent heart attack to improve the circulation of blood throughout my body. Imagine ninety seconds with no heartbeat,
no pulse, just brain activity. It gives you a new perspective on life and its fragility. No, I did not see a white light, nor do I now see images of souls trapped between two plains or dimensions, which would be kind of cool. What I do see is an opportunity, an opportunity to minister about the benefits of a proactive health and fit lifestyle.
As I reflect, I recall thinking that, prior to my health challenges, I had plenty of time to get more serious about working out and eating better. End of life was far out into the future.
I look at one of my mentors, who just turned 61 and run several miles per day, and say to myself, I got time, I am only 55. I look at another friend and, I will not disclose her age, but last year she got involved in the Cape Coral Health and Fitness Challenge. Now, Moe looks wonderful as she abounds with purpose and energy. I look at another friend, Mike, who lost about 70 pounds and was able to stop taking several medications. These friends all heeded the pontifications of health care professionals that convinced them to find their life balance.
Right now you have the opportunity to find that balance using the resources of Lee Memorial Health System and the Wellness Center. You can be a part of our three month program that will help transform you into a healthier, fitter you. February 8, 2013 is the last day to sign up for this annual initiative that starts March 1, 2013. An initiative that includes a Health and Wellness membership, lab tests, a coach, wellness testing, and nutrition classes, all the components that are needed to make a lifestyle change.
Yes, it will cost you $200 without the health club membership, and $300 with the membership. Yes, you will have three months to see the benefits of your investment. Consider this, one heart attack and two surgically inserted stents, an investment of just over $100,000, so far, and counting. Please learn from my mistaken assumptions of invisibility and zero time constraints. Please call the Cape Coral Wellness Center at 573-4800. Do it for yourself, do it for your family and do it for your friends. Just do it!
Q’s World 2
CAPE CORAL MAYORS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
presents
AnnieTHURSDAY, MARCH 14TH
Cultural Park TheaterBuffet Dinner begins at 6pm
Showtime at 7pm$30pp
Tickets can be purchased from any Cape Coral Mayors Scholarship Fund Board Member
or call 239-770-2200.
The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral traveled across the river last month for the Business After Hours hosted by Keiser University.
We would like to offer a special thank you to our hosts for a great event. Thank you to all of our members who took part in the event.
Top Left and Bottom Right: Chamber members enjoy the networking opportunities and of course, the hospitality at the January Business After Hours at Keiser University.
Mid Left: Nancy Tedros, Campus President welcome the guests to the Business After Hours.
Bottom Left: 2013 Chamber Chairman Joe Mazurkiewicz thanked Keiser University for their continued support of the Chamber with his daughter Mia by his side.
with a purpose....
Business After Hours
Committee TrendsMembership
Development Committee
Laura Koehn, CapeCoral.comChair-elect, Membership
Development Committee
2013 is going to be an exciting year for the Chamber’s Membership
Development Committee. At least that is what the MDC Chairperson, Zack Zeis has promised. I believe he said that, at every meeting, he will be giving away free TV’s, trips,
new cars, and maybe even SUPERBOWL tickets.Ok, so that never happened, but now that I have your attention, let
me tell you what we really do.As members of the MDC, we work together to welcome new
members to the chamber.
Do you remember that first event you attended? Walking into one of the many excellent networking opportunities that the chamber offers, such as the monthly luncheon, a ribbon cutting or the business after hours? At first it is a little awkward and you scan the room looking for just one friendly face. As Mentors and Ambassadors in the Membership Development Committee, we are that friendly face.
On the second Tuesday of every month we meet at 7:45am at the Hampton Inn. During the meeting, each member of the committee chooses at least one business to mentor. We, then, reach out to that business and begin to show them all of the opportunities that the chamber has to offer. We assist them with ribbon cuttings, remind them to attend events and greet them when they do.
It is not only a terrific way for our new members to feel welcome and value in our chamber; it is also a perfect opportunity for you, the mentor, to market yourself.
You have already invested your money into the Chamber. Now you can join us on the Membership Development Committee and reap the rewards of its success and growth.
The next meeting will be February 12th at 7:45 am at the Hampton Inn at 619 S.E. 47th Terrace.
2013 is the 75th Anniversary of the Barbershop Harmony Society worldwide. Your local Chamber Member Cape Chorale Chorus is celebrating BIG in February with their Singing Valentine Program as well as their annual show on February 23 at Island Coast High School in Cape Coral.
The Singing Valentine Package will bring a Quartet (4) to a place of your chosing to sing a couple of love songs to your chosen loved one. Plus they will be dressed in tuxedos and present a Valentine Card in your name as well as a fresh rose and chocholates.
We will be available at the following number to schedule your requests for February 13 and 14. Please call 855-425-3631 to schedule and for more information. $50 is the price for the Cape and Ft. Myers area. Price may vary depending on distance.
The annual show held at the Island Coast High School will present two shows on that date. 1:30 and 7:00 PM. Top quartets from around Florida as well as the Cape Chorale Chorus will perform about a two hour show for you. Tickets ($17) are available at 239-574-7861 (Bob or Millie). All seats are reserved. Advertising is still very available for your business in our show program. Every ad will receive two free tickets to our show. Thank you for your support. We look forward to seeing you.
Farmer’s Market is located at Club Square every Saturday
(SE 10th Place just North of 47th Terrace)8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Don’t Miss The Antique and Craft Fair the first and third Saturday of every month at Club Square.
www.capecoralfarmersmarket.comAnother great community event presented by
The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral
Live Music Sponsor
We Are Off And Running
Berge Aslanian RE/MAX Island Harbor
Sounds like a horse race doesn’t it? Well in some ways it is. If you are still
waiting to see what happens in our local, residential real estate market you are probably eating someone’s dust as the market races past you.
The numbers as of January 29th:
For quite some time now (over a year) we have been saying the
bottom is behind us and the proof is in those solid Cape Coral prices. Turns out, that is very true. In fact, that trend is consistent with Lee County numbers too.
The Fort Myers News Press reported on 1/19/13 that based on figures from the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach, Lee County showed single family homes:
Prices have been going up as inventory goes down in Cape Coral as well as the entire county. The really low priced inventory has been sold even though we still get inquiries for homes priced from $50,000 to $65,000. These folks must be reading old magazines in doctors’ offices because those houses are now selling for $90,000 and up.
As we keep reporting here, even at $100,000 they are still a bargain because the replacement cost to build one today would be at least $125,000 on a very, very cheap lot. Don’t you think buying a house for 25% less than market replacement in a rising market is a good deal? It sure is and smart buyers have noticed it too!
On the selling side we have to be careful not to over-price a property in anticipation of climbing prices. Current market values used as comps will insure selling the property at a fair price in a reasonable amount of time. Missing that sweet spot could cause the property to be on the market for an extended period of time.
Overall, we are still not up to national market prices for similar homes. And, we are still below the cost of building the same home. Knowing that the market is continuing upward in Cape Coral and county-wide while still below new cost and nationwide averages tells us it is a great time to buy before prices rise beyond our reach. Remember, your best profit on a house is made when you buy it; buying it right will maximize your profit when you go to sell later.
There is one more thing to keep in mind. A week or two ago I had a conversation with a local insurance consultant who explained that a number of people buying or renewing homeowners insurance did not anticipate having to pay higher premiums as the market value of their property increased. The premium increases may have included a factor for rising insurance rates but they also included the higher value of the property as well as replacement cost.
Whether or not you finance your property, it is always wise to insure it. When financed, lenders require homeowners insurance. When you own a property fully, insurance is not required but most certainly recommended. Paying a bit more for insurance coverage makes me feel good because it is an indicator of increased value and that really feels good!
Hoping your real estate experience is a good one, Happy House Hunting!
Berge Aslanian (CDPE) is a Realtor in Cape Coral with RE/MAX Island Harbor and an active member of the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce. For questions about residential real estate, please call his cell, (239) 989-3463 or visit www.RECapeCoral.com.
Real Estate Trends
1-28-13Real Estate Trends
We Are Off and Running
Sounds like a horse race doesn’t it? Well in some ways it is. If you are still waiting to see what happens in our local, residential real estate market you are probably eating someone’s dust as the market races past you.
The numbers as of January 29th:
November’12 December ’12 January ‘13 Homes Median $ Homes Median $ Homes Median $
For Sale 1141 $258,500 1447 $245,000 1525 $249,900 Sold 353 $134,500 202 $144,000 181 $139,000
November ’12 December ’12 January ‘13 Condos Median $ Condos Median $ Condos Median $
For Sale 252 $134,000 307 $133,000 307 $134,500 Sold 48 $90,000 21 $100,500 25 $101,500
For quite some time now (over a year) we have been saying the bottom is behind us and the proof is in those solid Cape Coral prices. Turns out, that is very true. In fact, that trend is consistent with Lee County numbers too.
The Fort Myers News Press reported on 1/19/13 that based on figures from the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach, Lee County showed single family homes:
2011 2012 Percent Change
Prices have been going up as inventory goes down in Cape Coral as well as the entire county. The really low priced inventory has been sold even though we still get inquiries for homes priced from $50,000 to $65,000. These folks must be reading old magazines in doctors’ offices because those houses are now selling for $90,000 and up.
As we keep reporting here, even at $100,000 they are still a bargain because the replacement cost to build one today would be at least $125,000 on a very, very cheap lot. Don’t you think buying a house for 25% less than market replacement in a rising market is a good deal? It sure is and smart buyers have noticed it too!
On the selling side we have to be careful not to over-price a property in anticipation of climbing prices. Current market values used as comps will insure
Median Price $97,000 $126,000 +30% Inventory 8,005 6,930 -13%
1-28-13Real Estate Trends
We Are Off and Running
Sounds like a horse race doesn’t it? Well in some ways it is. If you are still waiting to see what happens in our local, residential real estate market you are probably eating someone’s dust as the market races past you.
The numbers as of January 29th:
November’12 December ’12 January ‘13 Homes Median $ Homes Median $ Homes Median $
For Sale 1141 $258,500 1447 $245,000 1525 $249,900 Sold 353 $134,500 202 $144,000 181 $139,000
November ’12 December ’12 January ‘13 Condos Median $ Condos Median $ Condos Median $
For Sale 252 $134,000 307 $133,000 307 $134,500 Sold 48 $90,000 21 $100,500 25 $101,500
For quite some time now (over a year) we have been saying the bottom is behind us and the proof is in those solid Cape Coral prices. Turns out, that is very true. In fact, that trend is consistent with Lee County numbers too.
The Fort Myers News Press reported on 1/19/13 that based on figures from the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach, Lee County showed single family homes:
2011 2012 Percent Change
Prices have been going up as inventory goes down in Cape Coral as well as the entire county. The really low priced inventory has been sold even though we still get inquiries for homes priced from $50,000 to $65,000. These folks must be reading old magazines in doctors’ offices because those houses are now selling for $90,000 and up.
As we keep reporting here, even at $100,000 they are still a bargain because the replacement cost to build one today would be at least $125,000 on a very, very cheap lot. Don’t you think buying a house for 25% less than market replacement in a rising market is a good deal? It sure is and smart buyers have noticed it too!
On the selling side we have to be careful not to over-price a property in anticipation of climbing prices. Current market values used as comps will insure
Median Price $97,000 $126,000 +30% Inventory 8,005 6,930 -13%
with a purpose....
2051 Cape Coral Parkway ECape Coral, FL 33904
(239) 549-6900(800) 226-9609
www.capecoralchamber.com