Chamber Times www.chamberinaction.com February 2015
ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY
Homestead and South Dade’s oldest civic organization is the GFWC Woman’s Club of Homestead. This club was formed on September 26, 1914 at the Evans Hotel, now Hotel Redland. The first task completed was to outfit the domestic science (home economics) department of Homestead School. The club shipped an entire railroad car of donated grapefruit to New York, sold it, and donated the money, $823 to the Red Cross. By 1915 the club established a lending library at the Evans Hotel. (The lounge at Hotel Redland is appropriately named The Library for that reason.)
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The club helped found the Florida Pioneer Museum in 1962-64 and continues to support It to this day. The Miami Herald used to give awards to the most effective nonprofit Groups and twice the Woman’s Club won first prize for the Pioneer Museum Establishment and for the dental clinic and a second prize for a countywide antilittering Campaign. The club members held office as vice-mayors and as council and commission Members of both Homestead and Florida City. They have served in county wide and at the state level Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs. If you would like more information about this club contact Meda Jensen at 305-248-0976. GFWC Woman's Club of Homestead, 17905 SW 292 Street Homestead, FL 33030 (305) 248-8001
In 1916, the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs constructed a lodge at Royal Palm State Park, when this Park was dedicated on November 23rd of that year the Homestead Club served lunch to more than 1,000 people who came from all over Florida. This Park was operated by FFWC from 1915 until December 6, 1947 the ladies donated their property to the Everglades National Park. In 1923 the club built a clubhouse at 419 NW 8th Avenue on land donated by Mrs. E.C. Loveland. The use of this clubhouse was shared with other civic groups, families and Individuals much as they do today with their new clubhouse.
GFWC Woman's Club of Homestead Today— Photo courtesy Robert Chaplin.
Name a significant event in Homestead’s history, beginning in 1914 and the Woman’s Club has probably had a role in it somewhere. They helped with the first and second plantings of Palm trees along Krome Avenue in Homestead and Florida City. Opening Day of the first Redland Fruit Festival was named Woman’s Club Day, established Triangle Park in downtown Homestead, turned the library over to the City of Homestead and the first librarian was a member, Lily Lawrence Bow. © 2011 George Leposky - Women's Club of Florida Board of Directors including Mary Barr Munroe Picture taken of picture on display at Vintage Days 2011 at Everglades National Park. Bibliography - Mary Barr Munroe
February Meetings & Events February 2, 2015 - Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting - 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm @ Chamber Office 455 North Flagler Avenue, Homestead FL RSVP - wbrown@chamberinaction.com February 4, 2015 - Membership Committee Meeting 4pm - 5 pm at the Chamber Office 455 North Flagler Avenue, Homestead FL RSVP - wbrown@chamberinaction.com February 5, 2015 - Military Affairs Committee (MAC) Luncheon - 11:30 am to 1:00 pm @ HARB If you plan to attend the luncheon, and you do not have a gate pass please RSVP to ron.m4041@gmail.com Your name will be on a list, so you can get on the base.
292 Street Homestead, FL 33030 -11:30 am - 1:00 PM Speaker: James Pierce, CPA of Lopez Levi & Associates Topic: Identity Fraud in the IRS and Common Scans: Growing Crimes and What You Need to Know Please RSVP by 5 pm, Monday – February 23, 2015 wbrown@chamberinaction.com Saturday, February 28, 2015 - 21st Annual Chili Cook-Off and Outhouse Races at Harris Field Pavilion, Homestead, FL from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Register for chamber meetings & events on line at www.chamberinaction.com
February 6, 2015 - Military Affairs Committee (MAC) Meet & Greet - 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm @ HARB New All Ranks Club (Community Activity Center) Special Guests: The Golden Knights. Please RSVP to MAChomestead@aol.com by Monday, February 2nd, as space is limited and gate access is required.
Community Events Are you involved in a group that puts on community events? Did you know that you can enter your community event on the Chamber’s event calendar, for free?
February 12, 2015 - Business Builder Networking Breakfast - 8 am - 9 am @ The Big Cheese Restaurant of Homestead 350 N. Homestead Blvd. Homestead, Florida Please register by Tuesday – February 10, 2015
All events that are open to the community can be entered on the Chamber’s website. These can be as simple as a fundraiser car wash for your kid’s sports team. Go to the Chamber’s Calendar of Events. In the blue menu bar click on Events/Submit Community News & Events. Fill out the Event Listing Request Form - Public Submission form and click on submit for approval.
February 13, 2015 - South Dade Chamber Net-
Business events can only be submitted by Chamber members.
worker After Hours - 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm at Flagler Martini Bar 28 South Krome Avenue Homestead, FL 33030 RSVP - wbrown@chamberinaction.com
Please share this information with any groups or organizations that you are part of. www.chamberinaction.com to submit your event
February 26, 2015 - General Membership Luncheon @ Woman's Club of Homestead, GFWC 17905 SW
Take a look at What's Happening in the Month of February 2015! Www.chamberinaction.com/
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January Military Affairs Committee Meet & Greet The Military Affairs Committee Meet & Greet honoring the 50th RSG was held at the Homestead Air Reserve Base Community Activity Center January 9, 2015. The event was sponsored by: The Risk Management Group and Sky Net 260 A great turnout resulted in a great crowd of Military and community leaders, socializing and networking. We welcomed new people as well as greeted old friends. The delicious food was in abundance and the military enjoyed $1.00 beers. Many of the attendees wore red in honor of our troops.
City of Homestead's Councilwoman Patricia Fairclough presented a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Jeff Porter and the City of Homestead Council to the 50th RSG.
THANK YOU FOR
City of Homestead's Councilwoman Patricia Fairclough presented a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Porter and the Council to the 50th RSG.
REINVESTING January 2015
Advanced Filing Systems
Homestead Rodeo Association
Sonic Beach
1919 NW 19th St. #622
PO Box 1432
2425 NE 8th Street
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33311
Homestead, FL 33090
Homestead, FL 33033
www.advancedfiling.com
www.homesteadrodeo.com
www.sonicbeach.com
Conch Tour Train, Inc.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Veterinary Specialists Inc.
1805 Staples Ave. Ste. 101 Key West, FL 33040-3633
1450 NE 2nd Avenue, #202
www.conchtourtrain.com
Miami, FL 33132 www.community.dadeschools.net
91 NE 6 Street Homestead, FL 33030 www.vetsi.com
Corey Gold coreyg@baptisthealth.net Everglades Alligator Farm, Inc.
** South Dade Toyota
40351 SW 192 Ave.
29330 So. Dixie Hwy
Florida City, FL 33034
Homestead, FL 33033
www.everglades.com
www.southdadetoyota.com
Everglades Preparatory Academy
Travelodge Motel
Middle High School
409 SE 1 Avenue
2251 E. Mowry Drive Homestead, FL 33033
** Denotes a Trustee Member.
Florida City, FL 33034 www.tlflcity.com
www.evergladesprep.com
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Support your chamber members! Buy local, stop in and say hello. Pick up something that brings a smile. Your purchases are what keeps those business around! Members are the greatest asset of the Chamber. Please support the businesses listed on this page because they support and believe in our community.
Member Spotlight Robert Barnes and Associates: 3 Decades of Service
Challenge. Special events include Chocolate, Mango, Orchid and Edible Garden Festivals in addition to an annual art exhibition, concerts, plant sales and more. Fairchild is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, FL 33156. www.fairchildgarden.org
Local Homestead Architectural firm Robert Barnes and Associates celebrates 30 years of serving their local South Florida and Keys communities. Established December 14, 1984 by Robert Barnes, RB&A has spent the last 30 years designing dream homes and facilities for the people of South Florida and the Florida Keys from their location in the Historic Homestead District on Krome Avenue. Historical restorations as well as traditional and modern building designs are a standard in the firm’s set of skills, but Robert Barnes is also one of the first architects to expand his portfolio using the Science of Quality of BioGeometry to design healing structures. RB&A has won many awards over the years including the Covenant Baptist Church (pictured). Robert Barnes and Associates is proud to have been a loyal member of the Homestead Community, and is looking forward to another 30 years to come.
Skydive Miami opened for business in January 1998 and is a modern, full-service skydiving instructional facility, open 6 days/week (closed Tuesday) all year round. We specialize at introducing first-time skydivers to free -fall using the Tandem parachute system whereby a novice is harnessed to a highly experienced Instructor. HDvideo & still picture photography services are also offered so that the entire experience can be shared with friends & family. Skydive Miami uses a powerful 15-place Turbine Cessna Caravan that enables us to reach our popular jump altitude of 13,500ft in just 15 minutes, providing a spectacular view of Miami Beach, the Florida Keys & the Everglades National Park!!
Contact: Robert Barnes & Associates 221 N. Krome Avenue Homestead, Florida 33030 projects@robertbarnesassociates.com (305) 247-6150 Phone - (305) 247-0818 Fax
Full training programs are available upon request for those that are interested in earning their twenty-five jump A-License which is awarded through the United States Parachute Association (www.USPA.org).
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Established in 1938 and comprising 83 acres in Coral Gables, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a nonprofit organization dedicated to exploring, explaining and conserving the world of tropical plants. The worldrenowned plant collections feature palms, cycads, orchids, tropical fruit trees and more. It aims to inspire a greater knowledge and love for plants and gardening so that all can enjoy the beauty and bounty of the tropical world. Fairchild has the largest education program of any metropolitan area, reaching more than 200,000 schoolchildren each year with environmental programs like The Fairchild
This will enable you to skydive with your other licensed friends & enjoy travelling to a variety of skydiving facilities across the USA & around the world. Come on out for a visit to the Homestead General Airport, we look forward to meeting you & sharing our knowledge & facility with you. Fred Whitsitt, Vice President 28730 SW 217 Avenue Homestead, FL 33030 (305) 245-6160 www.skydivemiami.com Remember to take advantage of your free Chamber benefits such as posting deals, events, press releases and job openings to the Chamber website. You can do this for FREE by going to www.chamberinaction.com and logging into the MEMBER LOGIN section. If you need a reminder of your login and password, contact the chamber office at (305) 247-2332 or email wbrown@chamberinaction.com
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January 2015 Events
South Dade Chamber New Years' Networker Business After Hours—Jan 16, 2015
January Business Builder Networking Breakfast=January 8, 2015 @ The Big Cheese Restaurant of Homestead
General Membership Luncheon– Jan 22, 2015 @ Woman's Club of Homestead,
Homestead Championship Rodeo January 23-25, 2015 Thank you Volunteers!
Save the date for the 21st Annual Chili Cook-Off and Outhouse Races Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Harris Field Pavilion, Homestead, FL from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
For event information contact Larry Roth, 305-979-8424 or LarryRoth@keyes.com And/or Corey Gold, 305-321-0433 or coreyg@baptisthealth.net Click here to download Sponsorship Opportunities Click here to download Vendor Entry Form Click here to download Chili Cook Off & Outhouse Race Registration Form Click here to download Outhouse Specifications
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CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ENROLLEMENT FORM FAX TO THE CHAMBER AT 305-24-9101
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Upcoming Community Events
The countdown is on. EMERGE AMERICAS IS BACK IN MIAMI MAY 1 - 5, 2015 Just five months ago, we were wrapping up our inaugural eMerge Americas, beaming over an amazing turnout—6,000 attendees! Now building on that momentum, plans are in the making with a stellar lineup of speakers and events. Join the movement and stay connected to us on our social channels, as more exciting announcements are sure to follow. www.emergeamericas.org 8
The South Dade Chamber of
HJCC Celebrates Job Corps' 50th
“VIP TripleisPlay Tour” Guests of Honor Commerce thrilled to introduce
Anniversary
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!
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!
Schedule a 1-on-1 session today at http://blog.savelocalnow.com/training/
2014-2015 Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Executive Board:
Chairman’s Appointees Term Expires 2015
Chairman: Renee Reichling, Community Bank
Joseph Marcus, Marcus & Marcus, PA
Chair Elect: George Mirabal , Clearent
Nitun Patel, Owner, Best Western Florida City Homestead
Immediate Past Chairman: Bill Duquette, Homestead Hospital
Sandy Sosa-Guerrero, CEO of Larkin Hospital
Treasurer: James Pierce, Lopez, Levi & Associates Operations: Corey Gold, Homestead Hospital
Members by Virtue of Office
Government Affairs: Sharon P Haxton, Chapman Partnership Trustees/Chairman’s Circle: Tony Garcia, Keyes Real Estate Mort-
City of Florida City Mayor or Designee
gage & Title
City of Homestead Mayor or Designee
Chair Economic Development: Michael Kiley, FPL/Turkey Point
Homestead Air Reserve Base Commander
President: Rosa I Brito
Special Operations Command South Commander Miami Dade County Public Schools Local Region Dade County Farm Bureau
Directors
Tropical Everglades Visitors Association
Brad Bettelli, Vice President, TD Bank
Homestead Main Street
Charlie Hudson, Charlie Hudson Writes Dale Machesic, Publisher, South Dade News Leader Felecia Vescera, Marketing Director, Florida City Centre
Active Past Chairs
Kametra Driver, Executive Director, WeCare of South Dade, Inc. Larry Roth, Realtor Associate, Keyes Real Estate Mortgage & Title
David Peyton, President & CEO, 1st National Bank of South Florida
Richard Erschik, JustASKRich.com
Robert Jensen, VP Community Relations, 1st Nat’l Bank of So. Florida
Roxanne Jeghers, Owner, Royal Palm Real Estate Services
Susan E. Newman, Realtor Associate, Keyes Real Estate Mortgage & Title
Sharon Wilson, Chief Residential Officer, Community Bank of Florida Susana Vela, Program Director, Miami Dade College Homestead Tony Fiore, Cruising Unlimited - Intelmar USA Inc.
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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
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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.chamberinaction.com/pages/ MemberBenefits4/
The Homestead Florida City Chamber Health Savings Card This card includes programs that offer discounts on prescriptions, vision, hearing, diabetic supplies, and much more.
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.
Office Depot Chamber Program FREE exclusively for all members! Take advantage of significant savings of up to 60% off a list of 195 most commonly purchased items. Most other items are discounted at least 5% over
everyday low web price. Free next business day delivery on qualifying orders of $50 or more. Sign up today to start saving. Call the chamber at 305-247-2332 or email wbrown@chamberinaction.com
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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