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TrendsChamber
The Official Publication of The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral July 2013
To Promote and Serve Business and Community
Get In & Get Busy in the Chamber Trends Magazine More than 11,000 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
Claudia St. OngeBusiness Manager
Bill Johnson, Jr. Membership Sales Director
Melanie LempkeAdministrative Generalist
Bob KnickmanSpecial Events Director
Amanda BrunsonSpecial Events Coordinator
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
July 2013July 2nd
Business Card ExchangeKing Family Chiropractic, LLC
428 Del Prado N, Suite 108 Cape Coral, FL 33909 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.
July 4thRE/MAX Realty Team - City of Cape Coral
Red, White and BOOMAubuchon Homes Mandolin Model
1811 Cape Coral Parkway East Cape Coral, FL 339046:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
July 10thGeneral Membership Meeting
The Crazy Olive 1141 Pine Island Road SW Unit 14
Cape Coral, FL 33991$20.00 For Members w/reservations
Sponsored by LCEC, The News-Press and CenturyLinkCall 549-6900 ext 300 to RSVP
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
July 18thBusiness After Hours
The Wellness Center of Cape Coral 609 S.E. 13th Court
Cape Coral, FL 339905:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Every TuesdaySurfside Sunset Market
The market will be moving inside for the summer months. Look for us in Unit D101 at The Shops at Surfside
3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
To register for any of the above events online, or for more up-to-date information, please visit
www.capecoralchamber.com
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 - Achieva Credit
Union Tony Constantino, Financial Advisor - Kevin
M Burns & Assoc, CPA Barb Adams - Individual Member
Brett Bisbe - B2 Solutions, Inc Beverly Black - Black Business Solutions
Ed Bolter - Lamar Advertising Dana Brunett - City of Cape Coral
Joe Francioni - Castle Harbour Homes Cindy Gallagher - The News-Press
Tom Giles - Avalon Engineering Tom Hansen - Boat House of Cape Coral Tim Hauck - Fuller Metz Cremation and
Funeral Services Colleen Humphries - LCEC
Wayne Kirkwood - Kirkwood Electric Cheryl Komnick - Caloosa Tent & Rental
Michelle Lewis - B2 Solutions, Inc Thomas Shipp - Tom Shipp at the Martin
Law Firm Stan Spicer - Platinum Service A/C
Chris Spiro - Spiro & Associates Elmer Tabor - Wonderland Realty
2013 Trustees Sandra Aguilar - Individual
Rhonda Chapman - First Citizens BankMatt 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 StaffMike Quaintance, PresidentDonna Schuman-Germain,Communications Director
Bob Knickman, Special Events DirectorBill Johnson, Jr., Membership Sales Director
Claudia St. Onge, Business ManagerStephanie Roberson, Technology
DirectorMelanie Lempke, Administrative Generalist
Amanda Brunson, Special EventsCoordinator
Linda Kirby, Membership Sales
Q’s World
Cognitive BiasMike “Q” Quaintance, President
I was just reading an article on Cognitive Bias in the June, Harvard Business Review (HBR), which then prompted me to be
rather introspective. The article refers to testing where researchers’
watch children build something with materials provided to them and then watch adults do the same exercise and track the differences. The children often out-perform the adults because of something called “Cognitive Bias,” which apparently we all have.
The specific term for this type of “Cognitive Bias” is “Functional Fixedness.” Essentially, as we age, the knowledge and experience we gain throughout our lives impairs or displaces our imagination and our ability to visualize an object for anything other than its original or intended purpose.
As companies we are often limited to our innovativeness because we visualize “a Thing” as its current reality or intend purpose.
As adults we look at a box of matches as a box holding match sticks, where a child might look at the match box as a bed for a small doll, animal or insect, thus thinking outside the box.
Since we probably all have this “Functional Fixedness,” you might ask how we can overcome it. If your business does not have an advisory board, create one. The advisory board might consist of your accountant, attorney, vendors, key customers or frontline team members. You might create a “Hothouse Group” from people who do not even have a connection with your business; perhaps they come from completely different industries.
These boards or groups get together to discuss challenges and then apply various ideas or solutions from their industry experience. These groups are often not bound or limited by your industries rational thinking, thus are a fresh set of eyes. This collaboration between
outside participants is referred to as “Open Innovation.” Open Innovation means that, first you throw a bunch of ideas on the walls, not discounting any of them, and then evaluate them on their merits.
Another solution to the “Functional Fixedness” frame of mind is researching cross-industry or cross-disciple searches on your web browser. You might be surprised at what you will find.
Lastly, if you are as lucky as I, where you are surrounded by great professionals from all walks of life, you might give one of them a phone call. Sometimes when I hit the innovation wall I call up my friend Chris Spiro. Chris is really just a big kid with few adult inhibitions. While some of Chris’ ideas may be off the wall, ten minutes with Chris on the phone seems to get my creative juices energized. You can always contact one of our mentors in the “First Hour Free” program for some insight.
We need to be reminded of these unintentional road blocks that occur within each of us and reflect on how they impact the way we solve a challenge or maximize an opportunity. It is okay to ask for help, to seek new and different information and to feed off of another’s enthusiasm. Those are my thoughts I would be interested in hearing yours.
with a purpose....
Leadership Cape Coral Deadline for Applications
July 26th
Call Donna Germain for more information549-6900 ext 107
New Members
AAA The Auto Club Group John Risk
Abaez Builders, Dayne Baez
BankUnited Pavita Sandhu
Bookkeepers Plus of SWFL, LLC. Tony Solgard
Cape Cleaners Dan Puleio
The Crazy Olive Hunter Bloch
Dempsey’s Diner Cathy Uhl
Individual - Jennifer Hall Jennifer Hall
Individual - O Debbie Dondero Debbie Dondero
Legro Coffee Meilee Marts
North Ft. Myers High School Jeff Spiro
Schuman Family Insurance Matt Schuman
Sign A Rama Carol Walker
SWFL Naturally Lynda Mastronardo
T-Fast Matt Mercier
Valpak of Southwest Florida Jeannie Ellington
Venetian Pools & Spas, Inc Paul Manke
Renewals
ACE Hardware of Cape CoralAmerican Brokers Realty Group, Inc
Bahama Glass & WindowBayliner Properties, LLC
Black Business Solutions, LLCThe Boat House of Cape Coral
Bonefish GrillBroadway Palm Dinner Theatre
Caloosa Tent & RentalCape Coral Institute of Technology
Cape Coral Pet CrematoryCape Coral Shores
CC Stone w/Coastal Realty SWFLCentury 21-Birchwood Realty, Inc.
City Smoke BarbecueClubZ! In Home Tutoring
CostcoCrown Trophy of Cape Coral
Cultural Park Theatre CompanyFenzel Air, LLC
First Citizens BankFive County Insurance AgencyFlorida Gulf Coast University
Florida Homes & ServicesFort Myers Pest Control
Gallagher and Rhodes CPA’SGulf Coast Symphony
HBK Sorce Financial, LLCHello Beautiful SalonHigh Fidelity Studios
Hollywood Bicycle CenterHorseman’s Landscape Inc.
Impressions PhotographyIndependent A.C.
Irvin Pest Control, IncJackson PR
JP’s Auto CareKaye’s Antiques Art & Estate Sale
Keller & Koczara CPAs, PAKen’s Auto Repair of Cape Coral, Inc
Ken Schuman InsuranceKey West Express
Lobster Lady Seafood Market & Bistro
LongHorn SteakhouseMariner High School
Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co PA
Matteo GraphicsMel’s Diner Of Cape Coral
Metamorphosis Coaching, LLCOffice Furniture & Design Concepts
Pelletier Rickert Physical TherapyPerico’s Inc
Pirate Coast CyclesRamos Builders, Inc.
Red Salon & SpaRoger Dean Chevrolet
Rotary Club of Cape Coral NorthSea Tow
SeniorAve, LLCSiesta Pebble Pool Interiors
Sotolongo Landscape Maintenance, Steve Koffman & Associates Inc
Tech- Tronics ProductionsThompson Gas
Wastemanagement/Gulf DisposalWCR Women’s Council of RealtorsWINK/Fort Myers Broadcasting Co.
May New Members & Renewals
Chamber Trends Red, White and Boom
Joe Mazurkiewicz, BJM Consulting
2013 Chamber Chairman
It’s that time of year when our Chamber hosts thousands of our friends and neighbors
as we celebrate our nation’s independence on the Fourth of July.
This is a massive undertaking that could not happen without our sponsors, RE/MAX Realty Team, the City of Cape Coral, and our staff and members.
It is a great event that has become our signature community activity. Let me start by saying thank you to everyone who is involved in making this it a success.
It is also a time when each of us should remember to give thanks for this great country we live, work and play in and for our special home and piece of paradise. We also need to remember all those who came before us and sacrificed so we can enjoy the freedoms we hold so dear.
I hope we all take the time to remember that our freedom is not free and it takes a conscious effort on all of our part to make sure we remain the greatest place on earth. It is not enough to just be patriotic on the Fourth of July; we have to commit a piece of each day
to be well informed and active citizens. It is not good enough to just sit on the sidelines and watch
the game; we each have to make a commitment to play so our community can succeed. Sitting on the sidelines and complaining about the quality of play is not an acceptable level of participation. We each have to become more involved in our community if we want to make it better.
So while we each get excited as we watch the bombs bursting in air over the Caloosahatchee, lets remember to take that patriotic feeling and make it part of our everyday routine and work to make our City, County, State and Country better by being an informed and active participant in our government and community.
I wish each of you a happy, safe and patriotic Fourth of July!
Call or visit one of our Cape Coral branches today!1715 Cape Coral Parkway West | (239) 541-5200812 Del Prado Boulevard South | (239) 985-8120
2546 Heydon Lane | (239) 433-6000
www.iberiabank.com |
Personal and BusinessSolutionsto 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.
Fort Myers: 9101 College Pointe Court | 2247 First Street | 6651 Orion Drive | 4670 Summerlin Road | 8341 Dani Drive | 8870 Daniels Parkway | 7580 Winkler Road | Estero: 23250 Via Villagio
2013 Vote Cape Coral Candidates HobnobWednesday, August 7th
Gulf Coast Village1333 Santa Barbara Boulevard Cape Coral, Florida 33991
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
2013 SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES
Gold Sponsors $500 Sponsor logo included in all promotions For This Event• Banner Placement at event• Display table at event• Logo to appear in all media advertising • Logo to appear in scrolling power point presentation at the event• Logo to appear in event program• Sponsor recognition in all printed materials, flyers, etc for the
event. • Sponsor recognition in all electronic media advertising• Link to your company’s website will also be included in all
electronic media• Your company will be mentioned as a sponsor in all other press
releases and/or media correspondence as an event sponsor.
Silver Sponsors $250 Sponsor name included in all Promotions For This Event• Banner Placement at Event• Business name to appear in event program• Company name in scrolling power point presentation at the event• Display table at event• Company name in media advertising • Company listed as a sponsor in all printed materials, flyers, etc.• Company name in all electronic media advertising prior
Friend $100.00 Sponsor name included In The Following• Event Program• Print Media Advertising
_____ Gold $500 NAME____________________________________________________________________________________
_____ Silver $250 BUSINESS _______________________________________________________________________________
_____ Friend $100 CREDIT CARD __________________________________________________________________________
BILLING ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________
CARD TYPE ______________________ EXP. ________________ 3 digit Code______________
PHONE_________________________E-MAIL _____________________________________________
Contact Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext. 107 for more information.
LCEC
A Family of Senior Living Options
Top Left: Guest Speaker Wayne Nagy – Cape Coral Institute of Technology
Mid Left: Susan Warren - The Westin at Marina Village, Eileen Quinlan - North Nicholas HS and Patrick Quinlan Miloff Aubuchon Realty.
Bottom Left: Thank you to our CenturyLink Sponsors Bill
Jacob, Brian Hamman and John Hobson,
Top Right: Thank you to all of the New Members who attended the June Lunch. Welcome to the Chamber!
Mid Right: Tim Hauck - Fuller Metz Funeral Home, Max Dean - Ramos Builders and ToniRae Hurley, IBERIABANK.
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
$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.
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.
LCEC hasn’t raised electric rates in nearly 5 years!
www.lcec.net • 239-656-2300
Extraordinary EventzP.O. Box 413
Matlacha, FL 33993(239) 282-9526
www.extraordinaryeventz.com
Ribbon Cuttings
Schedule Your Ribbon Cutting Today!
Contact Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext 107 or
Fenzel Air 17031 Alico Commerce Court, Suite 3
Ft. Myers, FL 33967(239) 471-7003
www.fenzelair.com
LEADERSHIP CAPE CORAL ANNUAL SPONSORSHIPS$2,500 Annual Investment – Cornerstone• Company Logo on Jr. Leadership Shirt• Company Logo on Leadership Cape Coral Shirt• Company Logo on all Leadership Program Materials• 4 Tickets to Leadership Cape Coral Kick-off • 4 Tickets to Leadership Cape Coral Graduation• 4 Tickets to Jr. Leadership Graduation• Opportunity to speak at Leadership Cape Coral Graduation• Opportunity to speak at Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Graduation• Opportunity to hang banner at Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Graduation• Opportunity to audit one Leadership Cape Coral Day• Opportunity to audit one Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Day• Opportunity to audit one Advanced Leadership Day or Chamber University Day• Company Logo on Sustaining Partner Leadership Web Page• One Full page advertisement in Chamber Monthly E-Trends Newsletter Annually
$1,200 Annual Investment – Partner• Company name of all Leadership Programs Materials• 2 Tickets to Leadership Cape Coral Kick-off • 2 Tickets to Leadership Graduation• 2 Tickets to Jr. Leadership Graduation• Opportunity to speak at Leadership Cape Coral Kick-off • Opportunity to hang banner at Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Graduation• Opportunity to audit one Leadership Cape Coral Day• Opportunity to audit one Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Day• Opportunity to audit one Advance Leadership Cape Coral Day or Chamber University Day• Company Name on Sustaining Partners Leadership Web Page
$500 Annual Investment – Supporter• Company name on all Leadership Programs Materials• 2 Tickets to Leadership Cape Coral Kick-off • 2 Tickets to Leadership Cape Coral Graduation• 2 Tickets to Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Graduation
ARE YOU INTERESTED?It is simple to participate, just fill out the registration form below and fax, or mail it to the Chamber.
Leadership 2013
B U S I N E S S N A M E
B I L L I N G A D D R E S S
C A R D N U M B E R
C A R D T Y P E E X P I R A T I O N D A T E T H R E E D I G I T C O D E
P H O N E E - M A I L
BJM CONSULTINGBB&T-OSWALD, TRIPPE & COTHE AUBUCHON TEAM OF COMPANIES
F U L L N A M E
B U S I N E S S N A M E
F U L L A D D R E S S
P H O N E E M A I L
Are you a Chamber Member? o Yes o NoIs a business sponsoring you? o Yes o No
LEADERSHIP CAPE CORAL DEFINED.Leadership Cape Coral is a thirteen week program for an adult that educates the participants about the components that make up Cape Coral. The various program days include team building, public safety, education, government, cultural opportunities, infrastructure, corrections, public services, and parks and recreation. These program days are organized and chaired by recent past graduates of the program so that they can share their knowledge concerning the various days.
There have been more than 400 graduates of the program since the charter year in 1993. Many of these graduates become a part of Cape Coral Leadership Alumni and often go on to the Advanced Leadership Cape Coral program with a focus on developing and enhancing management and leadership skills. The final tier of leadership education is Cape Coral Community Trustee program, which is by invitation and helps participants discover areas where they can assume community leadership roles.
Today, our leadership graduates are contributing to vital areas of the community such as; leadership roles in government from the City Council to the State of Florida, community organizations like American Cancer Society, Easter Seals, and Junior Achievement, and leadership with our largest employers. It is not uncommon for our leadership graduates to see the value and feel the need to pass along the gift of leadership by participating in our Cape Coral Jr. Leadership program. Without a doubt the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral has one of the most comprehensive leadership programs in Florida.
ARE YOU INTERESTED?It is simple to participate, just fill out the registration form below and fax, or mail it to the Chamber. We will send you an application. Be sure to fill out and submit your application before July 26, 2013.
TESTIMONIALS Leadership Cape Coral isn’t for those that are content with things the way they are. If you or the owner of your business is ready to elevate your performance within the largest city in SW Florida then please sign up for Leadership Cape Coral, it will help you reach that next level. You WON’T be disappointed!
LYNNIE GUZMAN l News-Press l 2011
Leadership Cape Coral opens doors and open your eyes to the community around you. It lays out the assets and the opportunities for you in a way no other investment of time and money could do. I have seen it change the lives of many people and I know it has changed my life forever and that is why I am still involved in Leadership Cape Coral today. The program continues to pay benefits to me, my family, my business and my community.
JOE MAZURKIEWICZ l BJM Consulting l 1993
Leadership Cape Coral helped save my life! During health day, a physician was telling us that heart attacks don’t always happen in the most common perceived way–chest pain and numbness in the left arm. I remembered that comment when the following week I had a heart attack (throbbing in both arms just below my elbows and no chest pain). I was rushed to the hospital.
B. PAT O’ROURKE l Lee County EDC l 2007
Leadership 2013
ADULT LEADERSHIP 2013Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral 2051 Cape Coral Parkway E Cape Coral, Florida 33904 (239) 549-6900 phone(239) 549-9609 faxwww.CapeCoralChamber.com
Celebrating Leadership Excellence
201993-2013
Cape Coral public service tax will be levied
in October, 2013Karen Ryan, APR, CPRC,
LCEC Public Relations Manager
In April, Cape Coral City Council approved a seven percent public service tax on
electricity.Residents and business owners
who purchase electricity will pay the public service tax and Federal, State or local governmental bodies and churches are exempt. The public service tax will go into
effect on October 1, 2013.LCEC will collect the tax from customers who purchase electricity
in Cape Coral and transfer the funds to the City of Cape Coral. The public service tax will be identified on the LCEC bill along with the Cape Coral franchise fee that LCEC collects for the City. Customers should note that LCEC has not raised their electric rates in nearly five years and does not foresee a rate increase in 2013.
Throughout the state of Florida, counties and municipalities have the authority to levy a public service tax on the purchase of electricity, metered or bottled gas, water service and telecommunication service. The maximum tax rate of 10 percent is stipulated by Florida
Statute 166.23 and local governments are the taxing authority and determine the imposed rate.
The funds generated from the public service tax are part of the City’s efforts to diversify finances. The tax funds collected through the electric bill will be used to fund the City’s general operations.
The need for additional revenues and diversification became a priority after City staff determined Cape Coral would be unsustainable in two years if past budgeting practices continued.
The City has set up an online calculator so residents can calculate their monthly public service tax.
Go to www.capecoral.net and enter your kWh usage on PST Calculator. For questions about the public service tax, please contact the Cape Coral Citizens Action Center at 574-0425.
Cape Coral Public Service Tax
Thank You Cape Coral!This year the Chamber had the
honor of being voted The Best Service Organization in Cape Coral in the Breeze Newspapers Best of Awards.
2013 Chairman Joe Mazurkiewicz (right) accepted the award on behalf of the Chamber at the June 20th Awards Ceremony.
Network AdministrationMaintenance Agreements
Off-site Data StorageDell, Acer, Apple(239) 573-1000
www.entechcomputers.com
Get In Touch with New Residents, Prospects and
Visitors with our Relocation Leads
Program!Contact Donna Germain at
549-6900 ext 107 or [email protected]
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
Cape Coral Caring Center - 4645 SE 15th Ave.Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral - 2051 Cape Coral Pkwy E.
Community Bank of Cape Coral - 61 Hancock Bridge Pkwy.Community Bank of Cape Coral - 1645 SE 47th Terrace
Sweetbay - 1016 Cape Coral Pkwy E. Suite 100SunSplash - 400 Santa Barbara Blvd.
City of Cape Coral City Hall - 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.FOS Furniture - 111 N. Del Prado Blvd.
Century 21 Sunbelt - 725 Cape Coral Parkway W. Achieva Credit Union - 1631 Del Prado Blvd. S.
Achieva Credit Union - 1616 Cape Coral Parkway W.
As the summer months are upon us it becomes harder and harder for families and individuals to find sources for food. School programs slow down for the younger generation and in many cases our food pantries see critical lows in inventory. Please help us Feed The Cape and Save Our Summer. Stop by any of these Cape Coral business locations to
drop off your canned goods, non-perishable food items or cash donation:
City Government�
CITY GOVERNMENT�
City Government�
SPONSORED IN PART BY:
For More Info: 239.549.6900 | www.capecoralchamber.com2051 Cape Coral Parkway E. | Cape Coral, Florida 33904
Get In & Get Busy Advertise
In The
Chamber Trends
Magazine
Contact Donna
Germain at
549-6900 ext 107
Healthy To The CoreSalvatore Lacagnina, D.O.Vice President of Health &
Wellness, Lee Memorial Health System
We have all heard about exercising to maintain “core” strength but
what exactly is the “core” of your body? The core is the center of the body which helps keep the spine straight and healthy. In order for this to happen, you have to keep the core muscles strong. The core muscles include the muscles of the abdomen, back and pelvis. These
muscles keep the spinal column in alignment while maintaining its normal curvature. When the core muscles are weak, the spine does not keep its normal curves and this is what contributes to chronic back pain and degeneration of the joints. When this happens, the discs between the joints can become compressed. The space between the vertebrae (discs) becomes narrowed which can impinge or press upon the nerves coming out of the spinal cord. This causes pain to radiate down the legs.
How do you know if you have good core muscle strength? One way to test the core strength is to perform what is called a plank exercise. This is where you get on the floor keeping your body off the ground using your feet and forearms for support. In this position the core muscles keep the body on all fours. Next take one arm off the floor and hold the hand out in front of the body for 15 seconds. After 15 seconds, replace the right forearm on the ground and repeat this with the left arm and hand. Next do this with the right leg and then with the left leg. Keep the foot off the ground for 15 seconds. If you are able to do all this, you have good core strength. If not, you have less than good core strength and you should meet with an exercise specialist to design a program to strengthen your core muscles.
The core strength and stability test was developed by Brian Mackenzie from the UK. This is a simple test to perform and it gives a lot of information about the core muscles and information about your overall fitness.
Once you have completed the core muscle strength test, next move on to test the entire body. The next question is how do you
know if the rest of your body is fit? A simple wellness examination done while you are sitting on the examination table does not tell much about your overall fitness level. To test overall fitness you have to be doing some form of exercise. In my practice, which is in The Wellness Center in Cape Coral, we test overall fitness by doing what is called a Body Age test. This is a treadmill exercise test combined with tests for upper and lower body muscle strength as well as flexibility. It is also good to add in a test for balance which becomes a significant problem as we age. Problems with balance lead to falls which lead to hip fractures and other serious complications that often times end up with the person being admitted either to the hospital or the nursing home. Many people that sustain a hip fracture never get back to their normal level of function; therefore, realize this is a very serious health problem to be avoided.
With the above tests, you have a lot of information about your core strength and your overall fitness level. Next a health risk assessment (HRA) with some screening blood tests completes the overall evaluation. The HRA is a series of questions that give information about your risks for chronic diseases (i.e., diabetes, heart disease) and cancers. The blood tests also give information about your risk factors.
With all this information in addition to what your primary care physician gets when she/he does your annual wellness examination, you are well on your way to understanding your health, your risks for chronic illness and cancers. You are now ready to develop an action plan to reduce the risks and to develop a healthy lifestyle plan that will keep you healthy for years to come.
The overall goal is to avoid chronic diseases and cancers and to maintain the highest level of function and fitness. This will allow you to do all the things you want and to live your life the way you enjoy it the most.
Also let’s not forget about the tests to screen for colon cancer (colonoscopy), breast cancer (mammogram), cervical cancer (pap smear), skin cancer (examination of the skin), prostate cancer (rectal examination and PSA blood test). Also remember to ask your physician or health care provider about necessary immunizations, vitamins, and supplements.
In summary, if you have not yet had tests for core strength and overall fitness, feel free to contact your local fitness specialist to arrange these tests. Then develop your healthy lifestyle plan and look forward to many years of good health, fun and productivity.
Stay well my friends and feel free to contact me at [email protected] with any questions or comments.
Healthy TrendsFrom 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
Top Left: Class of 2003 Patrick Quinlan - Miloff Aubuchon Realty and Michelle Ballantine.
Mid Left: Jeff and nancy Davis - Miloff Aubuchon Realty
Bottom Left: Michelle Dean and Diana Nicol - City of Cape Coral and Laura Koehn - CapeCoral.com
Top Right: Annette Carrasquillo, Joe Mazurkiewicz, Amanda Brunson, Bill Johnson, Jr. and Beverly Black.
Mid Right: A big thank you goes out to Portabello’s at Burnt Store Marina for hosting the June Business After Hours. The food was amazing and our guests made some great business connections that evening.
Chamber Networking
Reality CheckBerge Aslanian (CDPE)
Realtor, RE/MAX Island Harbor, www.RECapeCoral.com
Even though our season ended a week or so after Easter Break, it takes some time from contract signing until the transaction is actually complete or, as we say, “it closes”. During that in-
between period, a number of things are happening.Before we get into those happenings, let’s look at the numbers for
the past month ending 6/26. By the way, a few readers have asked about the prices posted in these articles. (Just to make everything clear, “median” means an equal number above and an equal number below; this is somewhat different than the definition of “average”.)
The number of single family homes listed For Sale continues to drop while the asking prices remain consistent. The number of Homes sold each month keeps rising and their prices have inched up too. Inventory down and sales up, hmmm, a healthy indicator that will continue pushing prices up.
Condos show a slightly different trend. Numbers of units for sale are decreasing and numbers of units sold, once steady are now dropping. Prices remain steady.
As homes go up in price we will soon reach that magic mark where the price of re-sales and new homes equalize. When that happens, builders will begin building again and that monetizes our economy, a very good thing.
Condos sales have dropped off because those really inexpensive units have all been snapped up by astute buyers. There is still strong demand for units in move-in condition under $60,000; the problem is, there are hardly any left where not too long ago we had an over-abundance. It’s kind of like crispy crème donuts fresh and still warm from the fryer, did you get yours before they ran out?
We still get calls from people who missed the boat. However, there
are a growing number of buyers realizing we have been trending upward steadily and they want to buy while they can still afford it.
Now it’s time to take a look at what happens during that period between signing a contract to purchase and closing on the property. Once a deposit is made for the property and both buyer and seller have agreed by signing a purchase contract, escrow is opened with a title company.
The title company checks and verifies several different things. First they start a title search to see if there are any liens on the property or other noteworthy items that may affect the sale. The title search is then given to the title insurance underwriter who comes up with a list of conditions that must be met in order for a title insurance policy to be issued.
That policy is insurance on the clear title of your property. This is very important stuff. If a claim is made on your property for something that happened before you owned it, your title insurance should take care of it.
The title company also figures out the pro-rated cost for taxes, Homeowners Associations and any other fees that may be connected to your property. Those title people do an awful lot of things behind the scenes and then prepare the documents for buyers and sellers to sign. Then they have the responsibility of recording the documents so legal requirements have been met.
One of the trickiest parts of all this is their preparation of the HUD-1 Settlement Statement. This is usually a two page form required by law that itemizes each line item of cost for buyers and sellers. They usually don’t make sense to someone seeing one for the first time but with the knowledgeable explanation from a good title officer, the HUD-1 becomes much easier to understand.
As with all complex tasks, they don’t happen instantly. It is the systematic approach and analysis of each transaction that occupies that time from signing to closing. We can’t close until the title/escrow work has been completed correctly. This is all a protective effort for the benefit of both buyer and seller. The lesson learned is to have an experienced title company with a good reputation handle your transaction. It will make things go more quickly and much easier!
Once again, rely on your realtor to recommend a solid title company. That is just one of the many benefits a good realtor brings to your table. Now that you know a bit more about the process, Happy House Hunting!
Real Estate Trends6-26-13
Real Estate TrendsReality Check
Even though our season ended a week or so after Easter Break, it takes some time from contract signing until the transaction is actually complete or, as we say, “it closes”. During that in-between period, a number of things are happening.
Before we get into those happenings, let’s look at the numbers for the past month ending 6/26. By the way, a few readers have asked about the prices posted in these articles. (Just to make everything clear, “median” means an equal number above and an equal number below; this is somewhat different than the definition of “average”.)
April ’13 May ’13 June ‘13Homes Median $ Homes Median $ Homes Median $
For Sale 1347 $254,500 1197 $260,000 1166 $258,000Sold 358 $165,000 373 $158,750 389 $159,750
April ’13 May ’13 June ‘13Condos Median $ Condos Median $ Condos Median $
For Sale 293 $138,000 283 $138,000 274 $135,000Sold 61 $119,750 60 $105,000 29 $105,000
The number of single family homes listed For Sale continues to drop while the asking prices remain consistent. The number of Homes sold each month keeps rising and their prices have inched up too. Inventory down and sales up, hmmm, a healthy indicator that will continue pushing prices up.
Condos show a slightly different trend. Numbers of units for sale are decreasing and numbers of units sold, once steady are now dropping. Prices remain steady.
As homes go up in price we will soon reach that magic mark where the price of re-sales and new homes equalize. When that happens, builders will begin building again and that monetizes our economy, a very good thing.
Condos sales have dropped off because those really inexpensive units have all been snapped up by astute buyers. There is still strong demand for units in move-in condition under $60,000; the problem is, there are hardly any left where not too long ago we had an over-abundance. It’s kind of like crispy crème donuts fresh and still warm from the fryer, did you get yours before they ran out?
We still get calls from people who missed the boat. However, there are agrowing number of buyers realizing we have been trending upward steadily and they want to buy while they can still afford it.
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