Tucker Construction has installed a camera to take photos every ten minutes of the construction progress, including the demolition of the Dome, which could begin as early as Friday and continue for several weeks. Click the link! 

Posner Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Join the Mahalak family of dealerships as they christen their beautiful new Posner Park Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram with special festivities. Here’s what’s in store …

Band Haven Performing Live

Great food and refreshments

Meet the Staff and Tour the Brand New State-of-the-Art Facility

See new Products (including):

1. Jeep Off Road Camper Trailer set up as it would look at a camp site.

2. The Truck Other Trucks Look up To! (a RAM 1500 with the Altitude Package which includes a 6” ProComp Suspension Lift Kit, 20” Custom Wheels, 25” ATX Tires, Side Oval Step Bars, Custom Designer Chrome Grill, Color Keyed Fender Flares, Chrome Package, and a Highline Appearance Package.

4. 97 Country Remote Broadcast

5. Small gifts to everyone who attends.

Grand Opening Week Special (good at any of our 3 dealerships which include Posner Park Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Winter Haven Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and FIAT of Winter Haven):

Own or Lease any new or used vehicle during grand opening  (now – Jan 24th) and receive:

1. Four FREE Oil Changes*

2. $100 in Mopar/Jeep/FIAT wearable’s and/or apparel*

3. $100 in Mopar Accessories*

*Oil changes and Mopar apparel and accessories valid on vehicle purchased during grand opening week only.

Join your friends for this great Grand Opening Celebration! US 27 Southbound just south of I-4.

If your business is affected by local tourism activities, this schedule is important information to help you plan your year and your promotions.

Winter Haven, Fla. (Jan. 18, 2012) – Central Florida’s newest family theme park is gearing up for an action-packed 2012 with special events specifically geared towards families with children age 2 to 12. From LEGO® Friends Weekend to Kids’ New Year’s Eve the first full year of LEGOLAND® Florida is sure provide many reasons for guests to return again and again. The best way to participate in all the events at LEGOLAND Florida is with an Annual Pass – starting at just $99.

March 24 & 25, 2012
• LEGO® Friends Weekend is a daytime party for girls that includes a LEGO Friends building event, entertainment, games, activities and much more. This first-ever event celebrates girls and their personal individuality, just like the LEGO Group’s newest line of construction toys.

April 14, 2012*
• Runners and walkers can play – or run – their part during the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation Citrus Classic 5K. This community-wide health event is designed for participants of all ages.

July 4, 2012
• Celebrate the 4th of July with a bang at LEGOLAND Florida’s first Independence Day event – Red, Brick & Boom. With special 3D glasses that turn ordinary fireworks into millions of exploding bricks, this July 4th celebration is sure to dazzle and delight.

October 2012
• Brick-or-Treat comes to LEGOLAND Florida every Saturday and Sunday in October. This spooky, kooky event features themed treat stations with candy, snacks and a few surprises along the way.

October 15, 2012
• Go LEGOLAND – it’s your birthday! Guests can celebrate LEGOLAND Florida’s first anniversary with a very special celebration.

Weekends in December
• ‘Tis the season for Christmas Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Florida with a 270,000 brick Christmas tree and festive decorations. Santa Claus makes daily appearances in the park.

December 26-30, 2012 
• Countdown to Kids’ New Year’s Eve features nightly fireworks over Lake Eloise. Watch the spectacular fireworks explode into millions of tiny LEGO bricks with special 3D viewing glasses.
December 31, 2012
• 5-4-3-2-1! Happy Kids’ New Year’s Eve at LEGOLAND Florida where the giant LEGO brick drops at a very kid-friendly midnight KST (Kid Standard Time) – otherwise known as 7 p.m. EST. Other event elements include fireworks and a dance party DJ.

All events (*except Citrus Classic 5K) are included with park admission and subject to change without notice. For the most current information on LEGOLAND Florida special events, visit www.LEGOLAND.com.

The company sells more than 8,000 pet care products, including food, toys, medicine, and clothing, through its website and more than 110 stores in a dozen states, primarily Florida. Stores also offer vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets. They also and a variety of small animals (such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish).  Pet Supermarket works with area organizations to host adoptions and related events for cats and dogs. Customers can take their pets shopping with them. The company was founded in 1973 by Chuck West as Pet Circus, the family-owned company became Pet Supermarket in 1986.

This will be the company’s third location in Polk County.

Chamber President Nelson Kirkland has called upon interested organizations or individuals to present nominees for the 2012 Bankers Cup Awards. Traditionally, both a man and a woman from the community are recognized. Criteria for the award are as follows:

• To honor persons dedicated to making Winter Haven better for their having lived here.

• Consider the range of activities and the involvement of the person you nominate and their positive impact on our community.

• Neither age nor occupation should be a factor. Every living resident of Winter Haven of exemplary character, is a potential candidate.

• Social standing is not relevant; respect and integrity are.

• Traditionally an award is voted by the Selection Committee for both a woman and a man, if worthy candidates are presented.

• Activities should be considered only if they were truly for the community good. For example, work done for one’s personal hobby would be given less importance than work volunteered to serve the needs of others.

• It is not a popularity contest. The number of letters received is never a deciding factor; one sincere, well-documented letter may be enough.

• It is appropriate to honor person for freely-given service over a period of years.

• The question is, “Who has made the most positive impact on making the Winter Haven area a better place to live?”

There are no forms to be completed. Groups or individuals are invited to send nomination letters to Bankers Cup Selection Committee, c/o Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, P. O. Box 1420, Winter Haven, FL 33882-1420. Deadline for 2012 Nominations is Monday, January 23.

The Learning Curve has GREAT stocking stuffers for kids & adults! Gift certificate or gift. Unique educational toys, family games and gifts for the whole family! Our favorite game called Spot It is flying off the shelf! Stop by and ask for a FREE sample.  6294 Cypress Gardens Blvd. Located in the High Point Centre.

Potthast Studios is offering special discounts on Gift Cards. Save $25 on a studio session and $50 on location sessions if you purchase a gift card for Christmas. Contact Studio for details. 234 West Central Avenue    294-4920

Preston Aviation – The gift of Flight! Take a flight in a open cockpit 1941 Stearman Biplane. Don a helmet and goggles and step back in time. Rides are catered to you! Fly over the beautiful lakes, your house, Legoland, or special place of interest. Take the controls and see how gentle they fly. A unique, one-of-a-kind gift the the person that is impossible to surprise!! It’s FUN! Winter Haven Airport    956-2526

Tapping the Vine – Offer something unique! Organize a wine or beer tasting event (large or small) and let the stocking stuffer be the invite. As part of the tasting, the participants can have “TTV Cash” to be used towards the purchase of any wine or beer they enjoy. Tastings can be themed (by region, by varietal, by vintage, etc.) 268-8263 Millers Landing

Yogurt Grove Gift Certificates are the perfect stocking stuffer, teacher gift or Secret Santa gift! Come see us at  276 West Central Ave (downtown Winter Haven)

Colorful Guide to Shopping Local - Discover 134 Delightful Places to Play, Eat, And Shop, “Sweet P.E.A.S.” focuses on having fun in and around Winter Haven – 80 pages/ 82 photos. www.sweetpeasplaces.com. $12.95 plus tax. Available in the Chamber lobby.

Previous gift ideas posted here.

Discover the Sh-Opportunities! Buy Local
Shop a Winter Haven Chamber Member!

Phase I of the project involves the intermodal rail terminal. Phase II will encompass another nearly 1000 acres that will develop as a state-of-the-art warehousing, industrial and office park. Plans for the project were announced in 2006. The state’s recent purchase of 61 miles of CSX tracks from Deland to Poinciana for use as the SunRail Commuter Rail system necessitates the move of the Taft Rail Yard in Orlando. As rail has emerged as the most cost and energy efficient way to move freight on land, the modern intermodal center will become a major hub in Florida’s transportation infrastructure.

Initial estimates peg construction employment at more than 600 jobs. Upon buildout the ILC is projected to employ 2,000 people directly and some 6,000 jobs will be created indirectly.

A Gift of Music from Imperial Symphony Orchestra:

Certificates can be purchased in $20 increments to be used toward any ISO event. Tickets for a single Masterworks concert are $20/$30/$40 for adults, free for all children and students. Tickets for our opera “The Barber of Seville” on January 21st are $150/$60/$40/$30, half price for students.

All of these options are available on our website or by calling us at (863) 688-3743.

A “15 Month” Year of Fun  and Learning through Family Membership at Explorations V Childrens Museum:  On special through December 30: Annual Family Membership $70

Give 15 months of hands-on, fun-filled adventures for the price of 12 months. Purchase over the phone w/credit card at 863 687-3869 or visit Explorations V Children’s Museum at 109 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland

New Fun in Store at Fantasy of Flight:
Soar into the holidays with great gift ideas from Fantasy of Flight. Shop our unique selection of toys, apparel, books, DVD’s and more. Or make it easy with a Gift Certificate for Annual Passes, Attraction, Ropes Course and Zip Line tickets, or a Hot Air Balloon or Biplane ride. Call 863-984-3500 or visit their web site for more information.

A Gift of Art through Membership in Ridge Art Association:
Various membership categories starting at $30 annually. Comlete information here. 

Help the Ritz Theatre and Enjoy the 2012 Jim Stafford “Puttin’ on the Ritz” Concerts:
February 2 – March 17, 2012 at the Ritz on Central Avenue. For complete information and tickets visit here.

Attention Winter Haven Chamber Members:  Do YOU have a unique “Christmas Stocking Stuffer?”  Tell us about it in 25 words or less including your address and our panel of “Stocking Stuffer Experts” will pick the best. Deadline to submit is this Friday, December 16 at 4 p.m. Email to “Stocking Stuffer”

We will blog those last minute ideas Monday, December 19.

Discover the Sh-Opportunities! Buy Local – Shop a Winter Haven Chamber member!

Cheryl Beckert, Carol Carter and Jane West have compiled 80 pages of the most interesting destinations in Auburndale, Davenport, Dundee, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Wales and right here in Winter Haven. Stop in for a copy and find out about all the places you didn’t know you needed to visit!

A perfect resource for visitors it is also ideal for stuffing in stockings this Christmas season. This useful and entertaining book is available in the Chamber Lobby for $12.95 plus tax. Lobby  hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Get your copy today and let Sweet P.E.A.S. challenge your GPS system while you play, eat and shop in east Polk — especially Winter Haven!

Discover the Sh-opportunities! Buy local!

Add one more option to Winter Haven’s specialty shoppes as the Laughing Owl Market is now open. You’ll find fine wines, wine accessories, elegant crystal, fine chocolates, fudges, cheeses, olives and other unique items in this brand new concept. Anita Strang invites you to visit Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The business is located at 329 Central Avenue downtown (former location of LaVita Dolce). You can also find them on Facebook. Check it out!

Laughing Owl Market joins other fine local shoppes specializing in spirits including Bean & Grape Cafe, Grape Expectations and Tapping the Vine.

Winter Haven:  Discover the Sh-opportunities! Buy Local!