MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 700 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958 www.SebastianChamber.com (772) 589-5969 January 2011 Issue

Thomas Whipple Sebastian District Manager

Palm Bay Fire Extinguisher Co.

Palm Bay Fire strives to be a leader in our industry with their friendly and professional one on one services, low prices, and wide range of products for all your fire protection needs.

The company displays this mission statement with the leadership and knowledge given by the owner Larry Townsend. Larry, a native of Florida, and living in Brevard and Indian River County since 1979. Previously owning a company, in 2003 Larry thought he would do it again and launched Palm Bay Fire Ex-tinguisher Company. The company with tre-mendous success in its first seven years is now one of the leading fire extinguisher sales and service companies in the area. Servicing thousands of accounts varying from the local shops to large hotels, marinas, car dealer-ships, resorts, airports, colleges, hospi-tals, and cities. Mid 2009 Thomas Whipple (Sebastian District Manager) came aboard with the company. Early in his service with

the company he saw the strong need to be-come part of the Sebastian Chamber family. Immediate response was taken and months later Thomas has filled his part with helping and attending various events. “The Sebas-tian Chamber has been a huge support and I recommend it to any new or existing busi-ness if they want to flourish in the area,” Tho-mas Whipple. Palm Bay Fire looks forward to a long relationship with the Sebastian Cham-ber. Now doing work all around the state and especially honing in on our neighbors from Brevard County down south to Martin County and out west to Okeechobee County. Palm Bay Fire’s family owned and operated busi-ness has built its reputation on some of the lowest prices in the state, same day profes-sional service, no service or fuel charge, and a highest regard to always be up to date on Florida and National Fire Prevention laws and codes to keep their accounts a step ahead of their fire protection. They encour-age any and all businesses’ out there to look at an old bill and compare what they paid last year to their current prices. Palm Bay Fire wants to thank all its customers in the area and stress that if anything is needed, they are only a phone call away.

Please check us out on our website at www.palmbayfire.com Main Office # 321-837-0420 Treasure Coast Division # 772-446-7353 Email us @ palmbayfire@yahoo.com If you would like to “make the front page” of our newslet-ter, make sure you schedule time this month at one of our networking activities, and maybe your name will be drawn for the monthly spotlight! Check out our calendar inside!

"HAPPY NEW YEAR" from Palm Bay Fire

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589-6939 U-Haul Trucks/Trailers for Rent

Proposed renovations to the Chamber building on

Main Street, entitled the:

Pelican Porch Visitor’s Center

DECEMBER CHAMBER EVENTS Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

Bundle Advertising & SAVE!!!

Press Release (2) Your Business information will be broadcast to media contacts from Orlando to Miami and you will receive ex-posure in all media outlets in the East Central & South Florida Regions.

Facebook Posts/Twitter Feeds (5) Share exciting updates, upcoming events or promotions for your business with hundreds of online followers.

Email Blast (1) Broadcast your latest news, upcoming event or promo-tion to over 400 Chamber members.

Flyer (1) Introduce your business along with new products and/or services to our newsletter audience. The newsletter is mailed out to 500 local businesses, government and community leaders in the Sebastian River Area monthly. It is also emailed to Chamber members and uploaded to the Chamber website, www.SebastianChamber.com.

Color Biz Card Ad (1) Reach over 500 local business members, employers, employees, government and community leaders in the Sebastian River Area for 12 consecutive months. In ad-dition to being mailed, the newsletter is also emailed to Chamber members and uploaded to the Chamber web-site, www.SebastianChamber.com.

Web Page (1) In 2009, our Chamber website had just under 3 million hits! Increase your web exposure by having your own dedicated page on www.SebastianChamber.com. Your business will be featured on your category page with a link to your business web page. Your web page will in-clude: your logo, 750 words about your business, and three photos.

Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce Calendar of Events

January 2011

Jan. 6 Executive Committee Meeting 8:00 a.m. Chamber Office, Main St. Jan. 7 Chamber Monthly Breakfast 8:00 a.m. RE/MAX Crown Realty, 945 Sebastian Blvd. 8:30 a.m. Legislative/Government Affairs Committee Chamber Main St. Office Jan. 11 Chamber Monthly Luncheon at Capt Hiram’s Tiffany Room Noon “State of the Chamber” Annual Report—Beth L. Mitchell, Executive Director Sponsored by: LoPresti Aviation Reservations Please- $15, At the Door- $20.00 Jan. 12 Chamber Full Board Meeting 8:00 a.m. Chamber Main St. Office Jan. 14 12th Annual Concert in the Park Series 5:30-8 p.m. Featuring “St. John’s Wood,” British Pop and Rock Riverview Park, Sebastian Sponsored in part by Melbourne International Airport Jan. 18 Chamber Quarterly Tourism Committee Meeting 5:30 p.m. Chamber Main St. Office Jan. 20 Business & Pleasure at the 20th Annual Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival 5:30-7 p.m. Join us in the Chamber Booth! Jan. 20-23 20th Annual Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival in Downtown Fellsmere Thur. & Fri. 4-11 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.– 6 p.m. Jan. 22-23 10th Annual Sebastian Riverfront Fine Art & Music Festival 10 am-5 pm Riverview Park, Sebastian

Happy New Year!

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New Members 11/10/10 – 12/13/10 Designer Concrete John Cowger Vero Beach, FL 32960 772-584-0061 Fax 772-380-4837 www.dccfy.com john@dccfy.com Concrete Decorative & Countertops

JR’s Caravan Transportation of Sebas-tian, Inc. Richard Costanzo Sebastian, FL 32958 772-985-4830 Fax 772-388-6081 chickydog2@yahoo.com Taxi & Transportation

Las Palmas Cuban Restaurant Edna Gonzalez 925 Village Square Drive Sebastian, FL 32958 772-388-5188 321-725-0895 Fax 772-388-5166 www.laspalmascubanrestaurant.com eallgonzalez@hotmail.com Restaurant & Catering

Riverfront Chill and Grill Bud Verderber 1401 Indian River Drive Sebastian, FL 32958 772-589-0006 Fax 772-589-0064 moves@bellsouth.net Restaurants

Advanced Foot and Ankle of Indian River Natalie Vancleave and Kim Snell 1627 US Hwy 1, Suite 208 Sebastian, FL 32958 772-589-9970/772-299-7009 Fax 772-562-7138 www.advancedfootankleir.com advancedfootankleir@yahoo.com Physicians – Podiatrist & Surgery

Laurie Welton, D.O.P.A. Natalie Vancleave and Kim Snell 1627 US Hwy 1, Suite 208 Sebastian, FL 32958 772-589-9970 772-299-7009 Fax 772-589-9928 travelvaccines@yahoo.com Physicians – Infectious Disease & Travel Vaccines

Li’s Fashion Jewelry Li Santangelo 645 Sebastian Blvd. Sebastian, FL 32958 772-918-4044 saintly@comcast.net Jewelry Stores

No More Before Jason and Melody Mills 13705 85th Street Fellsmere, FL 32948 772-473-2124 321-250-0325 www.normorebefore.com nomorebefore@gmail.com Nutrition & Weight Management

Smalley’s Landscape Chad Smalley 8565 99th Court Vero Beach, FL 32967 772-633-4988 smalleyslandscape@live.com Lawn Maintenance

Jarvis Emergency Services, Inc. Scott Honeycutt 1621 91st Court Vero Beach, FL 32966 772-778-1935 Fax 772-778-9138 www.jarvisconstruction.com jarvisflorida@aol.com Repairs – Water, Fire & Mold

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Member News

The Craft Club of Sebastian will have the first craft show for the New Year on Saturday, Janu-ary 8, 2011 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Riverview Park in Sebastian. A nice selection of crafts will be on display. For a space, call Karen 772-388-5244 or Bob 321-727-0932. Rain date is Sun-day, January 9th. LoPresti First Saturday event on Saturday, January 1st will feature John Armstrong, introduc-ing pilots and the community to the joys of using airplanes for humanitarian good by flying missions of hope. Charity will benefit Bahama Habitat, a nonprofit organization supporting housing and disaster relief, which he co-founded. Breakfast begins with coffee and full break-fast at 9 a.m., presentation from 10-11:30 a.m. Donation $8. Sebastian Airport, X26. 210 Air-port Drive East. All welcome. Call Mimi Erskine 772-562-4757.

Chamber Honors Volunteers at Luncheon in December 2010

Pam O’Neil has been volunteering through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for 3 years. Pam volunteers at the Senior Resource Association Adult Day Services in Sebastian as a participant assistant. She is passionate about providing the highest quality of life for local seniors and believes it is up to every one of us to make that happen. Pam not only gives her time to the Adult Day Services, she also volunteers for special events and fills in wherever she is needed. Pam is an outstanding volunteer that Senior Resource Association could not do without! The United Way has nominated Lindsey Penney. Lindsey has been an office and event volunteer for over four years. She has spent countless hours helping with annual fundraising efforts including mailings, event set-up and clean-up, filing, typing – all the “dirty” jobs that help a non-profit run smoothly. We are so proud to have her among our non-paid, unsung heroes. The United Way of Indian River County counts among its volunteers many movers and shakers in this fine community, but it is the quiet, unassuming volunteers that show up time and time again that really move mountains for us.

By the River nominates Julie Moore. Julie helps serve lunch twice a week at By the River to residents and Sebastian resi-dents who come for the free lunch provided by Senior Resource Association. She is cheerful, efficient, skilled at food ser-vices, and gets along well with everyone – seniors, volunteers, visitors, everyone! Julie and her daughter also prepare a brunch for By the River seniors on selected Sundays. Her other activities include work with artifacts at Mel Fisher’s Treasure Coast Museum, teacher and volunteer at Kashi School of Yoga, and she is always active in any school which her children attend.

The Exchange Club of Sebastian found it easy choosing an outstanding volunteer to honor. Marilyn Waldis has served the club for 24 years in many capacities, including President the last two years. In this year’s Past President position, she has been instrumental in assisting a fairly new member in the role of President. Her caring and compassion are apparent as she participates in not only Exchange Club events but also in the Sebastian Clam Bake and with the Roseland United Methodist Church as Lay Leader, thrift shop and food pantry worker, Sunday school teacher, church auditor, choir singer, and even church representative visiting community members in the hospital.

Indian River Habitat for Humanity nominates Leslie Balcerak. She began volunteering with the Women Build and now is an invaluable team leader. Leslie also serves on the House Sponsor committee to represent the Women Build, serves on the Habitat Hoe Down committee where she helps to help plan our annual signature fundraiser event, has also been instru-mental in the creation of our annual Christmas Parade float. Indian River Habitat for Humanity is truly blessed to count Leslie as one of the organizations most enthusiastic volunteers. She is an inspiration to staff and volunteers alike.

The Sebastian Fishin’ Chics would like to recognize Nettie Bunton as our Volunteer of the Year. Nettie has been a member since April of 2009. She has spearheaded several charitable events such as the Food Cart Parade benefiting the Harvest Family Center, National Day of Hunger Events and as Charity Coordinator for the Chics. As Charity Coordinator, Nettie vis-ited many local organizations within the county in need of donations bringing back to the board her findings. Generously giving of her time Nettie’s efforts don’t end there; once the donations are received Nettie loads up her van and makes deliver-ies bringing smiles to all of the recipients. She is a huge asset to our group. The North Treasure Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross nominates Mike Nolan. Mike has been a volunteer since 2008. He provides his services to teaching First Aid, CPR and disaster relief. He has been out nationally on disaster relief operations doing Mass Care Feeding in Georgia after the floods and as a Transportation Supervisor during the Haiti Repa-triation at the airport in Orlando. Mike maintains the chapter vehicles so they are always in good repair. Hibiscus Children’s Center honors Mrs. Olive Wells. For several seasons, she served in the preschool, mentoring the four year old classes and spending time with each student. She taught arts and crafts each weekend to the teens living at Hibiscus. She diligently gives her time, creativity, and resources every single holiday, decorating the Village in her own unique style. From donating decorations and food, to making other volunteers smile, and of course her way of encouraging each and every client that crosses her path, she is one special lady! We wish to honor Chris Pinson who is the past president of Rotary Club of Sebastian. He has always been the one you can count on to get the job done. He has been instrumental in rebuilding the Rotary Club of Sebastian and we now have a strong club due to his efforts. He has donated his time, his home and sometime his family and has gone way above the call of duty to make sure our events are successful. The Sebastian Clambake honors Nancy Veidt. As her kids grew up Nancy volunteered with Boy Scouts for 13 years as well as Girl Scouts. She served on the Sebastian Elementary PTA for 3 terms and the Sebastian River Middle High School PTA for 2 terms, Team Mom for various sports teams and was a SRHS Band Booster. She has worked for the City for 17 years, she served on the Board and was a shop steward with CWA, the Union representing City workers. When the Union was asked to staff the beer tents at the Clambake, she volunteered to coordinate the effort and the next year served as vice presi-dent of the festival committee. From there she moved up to the Board of Directors where she is still serving. Of the 500+ volunteers that are the heart and soul of the festival, Nancy stands out as someone who not only does everything she is asked to do, but jumps in at every opportunity to help, whether it is following through on one of her great ideas, communicat-ing with our sponsors or even assisting with emergency bathroom cleanup! Her heartfelt dedication to the Sebastian Clam-bake Foundation makes her one of our most valued members!

2011 Board of Directors

Officers

Debbi Vickers, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers – President

Theresa Tolle, Bay Street Pharmacy & Home Health Care – Vice President

Bob Daberkow, Southern Fulfillment Services– Treasurer

Margie Duffell, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage—Immediate Past President

Elected Directors

Sandi Gehrke, TD Bank Emily Holliman, Sebastian River Medical Center

Patti Jamar, Vero Fashion Outlets Betty Lollio, Seacoast National Bank Michelle Napier, Dill & Evans, LLC

Maggie Sammons, Custom Air Systems

Appointed Directors

Capt. Christy Lenz, “Casual Crusin” Chuck Mechling, Collier Club

Chris O’Rourke, CPA Ted Pankiewicz, Park Place

Beverly Paris, Paris Productions Shawn Reeves, Merriweather Designs

Ex Officio

Wesley Davis, Indian River County Commissioner Susan Adams, Mayor, City of Fellsmere

Don Wright, Vice Mayor, City of Sebastian Jason Nunemaker, City Manager, City of Fellsmere

Chamber Staff

Beth L. Mitchell – Executive Director Nicole Capp Holbrook – Tourism Coordinator

Britney Faulk – Information Specialist Kim Cerreto – Membership Director

Mandy Karst - Accounting

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January 2011 Beth L. Mitchell, Executive Director

Time is an equal opportunity employer. Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes each day. Rich people can’t buy more hours. Scientists can’t invent new minutes. And you can’t save time to spend it on another day. Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving. No matter how much time you’ve wasted in the past, you still have an entire tomorrow! ~ Denis Waitely We look forward to a new decade, as we look back on the last. The first decade of the new millen-nium brought many highs and lows for the Sebastian River area business community, and challenges that were unequal to past experiences. New trends in business and new ways to communicate rein-forced the concept that entrepreneurs must be courageous, flexible and dedicated. My New Year resolution is to remind people to kiss an entrepreneur every time you see one! There’s plenty of opportunities in January to start helping your business grow by marketing your prod-ucts, services and yourself to the thousands of people that will come out for the 20th Anniversary of the Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival and the 10th Anniversary of the Sebastian Riverfront Fine Art and Music Festival. These events provide an example of community spirit, citizen creativity and dedi-cated volunteerism, with each community figuring out what unique resources they have to work with, and then capitalizing on the strengths and talents of the many people who get involved year after year. Your business can benefit from all of this if you dedicate some time in one of the Chamber booths, helping us promote the area and your business. The benefits to our communities from the Frog Leg Festival and the Fine Art Festival are tangible, and intangible, but clearly attracting thou-sands of festival goers to North Indian River County will help everybody’s bottom line! We begin our Concerts in the Park Series in January, starting off with St. John’s Wood, a British Rock and Pop Band, playing in Sebastian’s Riverview Park. The Concert Series, now in its twelfth year, is jointly sponsored by the Chamber, the City of Sebastian and the Melbourne International Airport. Don’t miss the schedule for the eight concerts, here in the newsletter! Two new chamber committees get started this month, Betty Lollio and Don Wright have teamed up to create “North County Business Development Committee” and will start meeting this month, and Debbi Vickers and Maggie Sammons will head up the Chamber’s new “Special Events” committee. If you are interested in meeting new contacts, and working on issues that benefit the business commu-nity, please call the Chamber for new committee meeting dates. The Greater Fellsmere Video, showcasing the attractions, amenities and resources available in the Greater Fellsmere area should be completed by the end of January 2011. The Chamber is very ex-cited about this collaboration between the City of Fellsmere, Bob Barbour Multi Media, and stake-holders out in Fellsmere. Look for an announcement on Facebook and an email when it is ready for unveiling! Lunch this month includes an Annual Report about the Chamber activities, and we are pleased to share the podium with LoPresti Aviation as our lunch sponsor. Start the new year with breakfast at RE/MAX Crown Realty, and our Business and Pleasure will be in our booth at the Frog Leg Festival! Have a prosperous month!

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20th Annual Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival

January 20-23, 2011

Thursday & Friday 4-11 p.m. Saturday

10 a.m.– 11 p.m. Sunday

11 a.m.– 6 p.m. www.froglegfestival.com

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The Chamber Currents Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce 700 Main Street Sebastian, Florida 32958

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