Thursday, August 2 Community Southern Bank Ribbon-cutting: 9:30 a.m., 3340 S. Fla. Ave., Lakeland; Office Depot Grand Opening, Ribbon-cutting: 2:00 p.m., 1050 N. Wilson Ave. Tuesday, August 7 State Farm Insurance - Bill Costello Open House, Ribbon-cutting: 4:00-6:00 p.m., 580 E. Main St. Wednesday, August 8 Executive Committee: 4:00 p.m., Chamber Boardroom Thursday, August 9 Can-Do and Ambassadors: Noon, Chamber Boardroom Peace River Country Club Fun Thursday: 5:15 p.m. Friday, August 10 Committee of 100: 8:00 a.m., Bartow Municipal Airport Terminal Saturday, August 11 Antique Fair and Flea Market & Yard Sale: 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Main Street Bartow Friday, August 17 Main Street Bartow Friday Fest: 6:00 p.m., Main Street Bartow Tuesday, August 21 Board of Directors Retreat: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Bob Crawford Building Thursday, Friday, September 6, 7 Bartow Leadership Class XII Retreat Saturday, September 8 Antique Fair and Flea Market: 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Main Street Bartow Wednesday, September 12 Executive Committee: 4:00 p.m., Chamber Boardroom Thursday, September 13 Can-Do and Ambassadors: Noon, Chamber Boardroom Lilly, O’Toole, & Brown, LLP Fun Thursday / Business After Hours: 5:15 p.m. 310 E. Main St. Friday, Sept. 14 Committee of 100: 8:00 a.m., Bartow Municipal Airport Terminal Saturday, September 15 Mama Recovery Walk: 9:00 a.m., Corner of Davidson & Florida at Gazebo Tuesday, September 18 Board of Directors: 4:00 p.m., Chamber Boardroom Remember, the Chamber is "Information Central" for our community. For widespread exposure of your event and to avoid competing schedules, be sure your info is included on the community calendar. Call 863-533-7125 or email the information to info@bartowchamber.com. Please include a contact name and telephone number. |
Everywhere you look in our community, change seems to be the norm. As I was pulling into work this week, I noticed the beautiful new banners hanging from the antique lampposts in front of the bank. In addition, the new look to Bartow’s entrance signs have been completed to fit in with the CRA’s streetscaping project in its last phase. The repaving of Main Street, complete with new brick crosswalks, will be the finishing touch on our downtown - I can’t wait! And, speaking of the CRA, I would like to express kudos for their support of the Bartow Marketing Partnership’s efforts to expand on the streetscaping by supporting their marketing initiatives.
At last year’s Chamber Board retreat, our Board of Directors identified the need for a community image campaign as an immediate goal for the Chamber. Thanks to the collaboration between the City, the CRA, the Board of County Commissioners, Main Street and other organizations, this goal is being realized. The Chamber has been very involved with the design and coordination of the marketing efforts, along with representatives from all of the agencies. It’s great to see everyone working together for the benefit of Bartow! And speaking of goals, in 2006, the Chamber identified various ways of contributing to economic development aside from the usual efforts of traditional business recruitment. Along with marketing our community to new businesses, residents and visitors, the Chamber looked at ways to make Bartow more appealing through the development of programs that would address community needs. One such thing that was identified was the need for a cultural arts element. Research has proven that communities that can offer cultural arts are at an advantage when it comes to economic development. In fact, the state’s tourism arm, Visit Florida, has established an entire division dedicated to helping small towns capitalize on their events and cultural amenities as drivers of economic development. I am proud to announce the launch of the Bartow Area Chamber Foundation’s Bartow Performing Arts Series. Not since the late ’70s and early ’80s has Bartow had a real effort to bring the performing arts to the community. The front page of this newsletter explains the exciting entertainment that has been booked for the Bartow Elementary Academy auditorium. The series, called Arts Renaissance, will offer professional Jazz, vocal, dance and classical music on four different dates. Again, establishing this series was the result of the Chamber, the Chamber Foundation, the Polk County School Board and other business groups and organizations coming together to make it happen. I urge everyone to consider getting on board as a sponsor. At times, you might question why the Chamber organization is involved in various activities that go beyond traditionally-held economic development efforts. It’s important to realize that each community has unique dynamics, which can be utilized for the purpose of enhancing economic growth. As all of you know, Bartow is like no other city in our county. Aside from being the county seat, we are a community of passionate, caring people that evoke strong business and community traditions and values. Your Chamber Board recognizes these characteristics and are challenged to “think outside the box” in order to leverage not only our community’s assets, but its needs. On August 21, the Chamber Board will hold its 2007 Board retreat. We will examine our progress and seek to find new ways to have the Bartow Chamber continue to be proactive on your behalf. Your Chamber investment gives our organization the ability to continue to look at innovative ways to make a positive impact on our business community. Recent Chamber successes have often been the result of collaborative efforts and a team approach involving other groups and organizations. By far, our most valuable partnership exists with our members. Your Chamber membership makes you a member of a great team. We’re thrilled to have you with us! Sincerely, Anita Stasiak President |
 The Law Office of Shirley Daniels Pellarchy P.O. Box 93077 Lakeland, FL 33804 (863) 858-9362 Summerlin Oaks Apartments Ms. Michele Maddox 980 E. Church St. Bartow, FL 33830 Brown & Brown, Inc. Mr. Josh Palmer 387 E. Central Ave. Winter Haven, FL 33880 GA Janitorial Cleaning Service Ms. Glenda Allen 1725 Oakhurst Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32208 (863) 709-0000 Duane McQuillen Construction, Inc. 4683 E. CR 540A Lakeland, FL 33813 SM Communications, Inc. Mr. Sam Moore P.O. Box 2948 Brandon, FL 33509 (813) 689-9555  5 Years Favilli Family Practice Center Register Construction & Engineering, Inc. Southern Air Compressor Service 10 Years Fred J. Bohde, CPAg, CCA IBS at Bartow High School 15 Years Bartow Golf Course Locke-It Mini-Storage 30 Years Ray Willis & Associates, Inc. |
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Polk County Citizens Academy Gears Up Enrollment is open now. Seating is limited. Applications are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. This free 12-week program is open to all adult residents who live or conduct business in Polk County. The program is held for 12 consecutive weeks (with the exception of the week of Thanksgiving) Tuesday nights from 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 11, 2007 and concluding with graduation on Dec. 4, 2007. For more information or an application call: 863.534.6088 or E-Mail: janetbartuska@polk-county.net. Applications may also be downloaded from the website at www.polk-county.net. Church Service Center Lists Community Needs Church Service Center current needs include rice, Jello, cake mixes, juice, drinks, dried milk, dried beans, instant potatoes, canned vegetables, fruit, cereal, canned meats, ladies all sizes clothing, men’s all sizes clothing, children clothing, and infant clothing, pots and pans, silverware, bowls and dishes. For more information, call Dixie Shivler, Director, at 863-533-5822 Sponsors Sought For MAMA Recovery Walk September is National Recovery Month around our great nation and Mothers Against Meth Amphetamine (MAMA) is organizing their 2nd Annual Recovery Walk in Bartow. During National Recovery Month, Florida MAMAs will be hosting its 3rd Annual Methamphetamine Conference. Key note speaker for the conference is MAMA national founder, Dr. Mary Holley. Also, during September, Recovery Walks in Lake Wales and Lakeland are planned. MAMA is seeking financial support to help fund these worthwhile Recovery Month events, In return for your gift, you will be recognized on the t-shirts that the walkers will wear, as well as, be listed in the program at these National Recovery month events. If have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to call Libbie Combee, Director of MAMA at 863-519-0000. Youth Soccer Businesses and organizations are invited to become sponsors for the Peace River Youth Soccer Association Fall season, where over 500 children will participate in playing soccer within this community. For more information, please contact Bill Greene at 863-205-8122 after 6 p.m. or email bartowsoccer1@aol.com. Live At The Gardens Saturday nights will sizzle this summer during Historic Bok Sanctuary’s 6th Annual Live at the Gardens! summer music series. The performances showcase a variety of central Florida musical talent, and tickets sell out quickly. Tickets are only $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the event, if available. An optional prepaid dinner will be served in the Carillon Café at 5:45 p.m. For tickets call Pirjo Restina at 863-734-1221. Bartow Farmer’s Market Every Saturday Downtown The Historic Bartow Downtown Farmer’s Market is every Saturday from 8am to 2pm on the north side of the Historic Polk County Museum on Central Avenue. Vendors who are interested in participating in the Farmer’s Market may call Main Street Bartow at 863-519-0508. Got Changes! Let us know of any changes you or your company might have so the Chamber can make proper referrals and give information to your potential customers! E-mail info to jeff@bartowchamber.com. Your fellow Chamber members want to hear about you! |
The Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce Golf Scramble is Friday, October 19, at the Bartow Golf Course. The 4-person best ball scramble will begin at 1:00 p.m. with dinner following. Each year the field fills up fast with a limit of 128 golfers. One of the Chamber’s biggest fundraisers, the Scramble helps fund Chamber programs and initiatives for Bartow. Contact Linda Holcomb, Chamber Events Director, for more information on the Scramble at 863-533-7125. Sponsorships sell out fast - please respond today!
Moduss, formerly AJ Engineering, highlighted its new location with an open house and Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting on June 20. On hand to cut the ribbon was president Michael Phelps, with staff, city officials and others cheering him on. “Moduss” comes from the word “Modus,” which means “motivated” or “measure.” Phelps said it seemed to fit the growing engineering firm. Moduss is located at 1445 E. Main Street, and can be reached by calling 863-534-9414.
Above, Michell Githens, one of Bartow’s new State Farm Insurance Company’s agents, cuts the ribbon during a grand opening held at her new State Farm location. When Pat Crisman decided it was time to retire, State Farm Insurance Company divided up Pat’s booming business between two new agents. A grand opening and ribbon-cutting was held to honor one of these new businesses on July 12. State Farm Insurance, Michell Githens, Agent’s open house revealed a remodeled office located at 595 W. Main St. For more information, please call Ms. Githens at 863-533-8119.
Right, Anita Stasiak presents Michell Githens and her family with a Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce first clear dollar of profit during the grand opening and open house for the new State Farm agent.
Above, a Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting was held for Southside Fitness, Bartow’s newest fitness center. Kelly Giddens cuts the ribbon at the remodeled location at 280 S. Wilson Ave. in Bartow. Left to right are Chamber Can-Do member Gail Smith, Chamber Ambassador Ruth Trainor, Southside personal trainer Ron Hill, owners Kelly and Glenn Giddens, Southside personal trainer Keith Helm, Chamber President Anita Stasiak, Bartow mayor Brian Hinton and Chamber Ambassador Connie Brown.
Left, Anita Stasiak presents Southside Fitness owners Glenn and Kelly Giddens with a Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce first clear dollar of profit during the ribbon-cutting.
Gail Smith, C&C Bank, was top salesperson during the Blitz and received a $500 gift certificate from Spath Jewelers.
Breakfast was delicious, but everyone was really looking forward to well-known BBQ afficionado Wayne Harrison’s lunch time offering of barbecued pork.
Board of Directors Anita Stasiak and Rob Kincart discuss Blitz strategies.
Left, Tina Spath, Spath Jewelers, Bartow Newell, City of Bartow, and Nancy Young, Badcocks, share a laugh at breakfast.
Gail Smith, C&C Bank, was the June top Can-Do salesperson with $1192.00 in membership sales.
© 1998-2007 Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce