SHOP TALK

It’s easy to sit at your desk and grumble and moan about the woes of Florida. But guess what — it’s almost as easy to actually voice your concerns in person to the people who can address your issues and make a difference.

The business community is once again being offered the opportunity to provide input, ask questions and speak with the folks who represent Charlotte County in Tallahassee. Sponsored by a conglomerate of the top business organizations in the county, the Pre-Legislative Delegation Luncheon will be held on Dec. 2 at the Laishley Crab House in Punta Gorda.

The Charlotte County Legislative Delegation will give a preview of the issues on the legislative agenda for the 2010 session. Guests will be able to interact and ask questions about legislation related to economic development, education, property taxes, insurance, transportation, growth management and anything else that happens to be of concern c or interest.

If you feel like

dhtt doing a little extra homework before the luncheon, visit thefloridascorcard.

c com and take a peek at the Florida Economic Dashboard. There are quite a few numbers and reports at myflorida.com, too, to generate more than a few questions. And while you are at it, you might as well brush up on Amendment 4, a proposed amendment to the Florida constitution. You will be hearing much more about that later.

The Pre-Legislative Delegation Luncheon is being presented by the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte County Medical Society, Charlotte DeSoto Building Industry Association, Englewood Area Board of Realtors, Englewood-Cape Haze Area Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Charlotte, Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce and Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, North Port Association of Realtors. The cost to attend the luncheon is $25 and reservations need to be made before November 25 by calling 627-2222. Speak up!

NewsBits

Congrats to Diane Caputo owner of Old Monty Restaurant and Pizzeria for being a finalist for the 15th annual Blue Chip Community Business Award by Oswald Trippe and Company, Inc. … Have you heard? Punta Gorda- It’s Happening On The Harbor … learn about prenatal yoga at The Yoga Sanctuary at noon on Saturday … watch out, the comedian Gallagher is coming to Visani on Tuesday… plan to attend the Holiday Aesthetics Beauty Expo on Nov. 12 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Joyce Vein & Aesthetics Institute … also put November 20 on the calendar for the Strang, Olsen & Lynch, CPAs, PA, grand opening and ribbon cutting of their new office building at 334 West Olympia Avenue … and don’t forget, Centennial Bank will pay half of your annual chamber of commerce membership dues! Last week’s Shop Talk was about the Shop Charlotte Program, designed to keep spending dollars local. Keep an eye out for the logo.

Go-To Sites of the Week thefloridascoreboard.com myflorida.com

Teri Ashley is the business development

of ficer f or C entennial Bank in

Punta Gorda and P ort Charlotte. She

can be contacted at TeriAshley@rocketmail.

com or 979-2128.