News from TEAM Punta Gorda

March 2010

Dianne Sandler
Editor

TEAM Punta Gorda Golf Tournament

Don't forget to sign up for the TEAM Golf Tournament on March 27 at St. Andrews South Golf Course in Punta Gorda Isles.

We want to thank our sponsors for helping to make this a great day for everyone.

     The Charlotte Sun - Media Print
     EduCaption, Inc. - $10,000 Bonus Hole-in-One
     Gene Gorman Auto Sales - $5,000 Putting Contest
     Millennium Physician Group - Silver Donor
     Tom & Carol Kerr - Hole Sponsor
     UPS - Hole Sponsor of two holes
     Bill & MaryAnn Hughes - Hole Sponsor
     Elena's Restaurant - Gift

Also, a special thank you to Charlie Priester and his staff at St. Andrews South Golf Course.

For more information and to sign up to play, visit our website at www.teampuntagorda.org.

TEAM Punta Gorda Happenings

TEAM's Board of Directors recently held a 'retreat,' led by our own Nancy Johnson. The purpose was to discuss strategic planning for the Board since TEAM has grown from an organization that responded to a crisis into one providing many services for our community.
A group of volunteers has been meeting to compile some of the suggestions made during the sessions held with Jaime Correa in November.
TEAM members are working on the Bicycle Loaner Program, the Community Gardens, the South County Gateway Project, the Artisan's Atelier, and other exciting joint projects with the city.
The Bicycle Loaner Program was launched on February 20 and you should begin seeing bright yellow bikes around town. Visitors and residents are encouraged to use the free bikes. They can be picked up at Fishermen's Village and Laishley Marina.

TEAM thanks OAK (Owen-Ames-Kimbal) Company, who will donate the labor and materials, and Alliance Design, who will donate the architectural construction documents, for their help in getting the Artisans' Atelier project approved by the City.
TEAM's Maritime Committee met with members of the Punta Gorda Boaters' Alliance, City staff and the Manager of Fishermen's Village to continue working on Harborwalk design ideas.
TEAM welcomes Mary Ann Hughes, who was recently elected to the position of Secretary of the Board of Directors. Mary Ann has helped TEAM in the past by taking great photos at our events. Thank you, Mary Ann, for volunteering for this important position.

Pedal and Play in Paradise

The Pedal and Play in Paradise Bicycle Event will be held on April 30, May 1 and 2 in Punta Gorda. This fun-filled event will be family-oriented with several long, medium and short trips. Visit TEAM's website www.teampuntagorda.org, in the What's Happening, Coming Events pull-down, or the event website www.pedalandplayinparadise.com for the activity schedule and registration form.

Did you know...

...that Jill McCrory, who is a TEAM Ex-Officio Board Member, and her dance partner, Ramon Martinez, from Higher Ground Performing Arts, won the 'Dancing with the Charlotte Stars 2010' contest? Congratulations!

...that City staff nominated TEAM Punta Gorda for a Green Heroes Grant from Clorox for the Bicycle Loaner Program?

...that the "Happiest Travelers" group from Ft. Myers came to visit our murals and were hosted by the Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society and four of the mural artists? They enjoyed their visit to stores downtown and lunch at the Captain's Table.

...that you should check on the Charlotte County Big Read activities during March and April at www.CharlotteCountyFL.com?

...that the Animal Welfare League is sponsoring "Golden Memories" at the Charlotte Harbor Events and Conference Center on March 18? This walk down memory lane features the likes of William Williams & His Platters and Glenn Leonard's Temptation Experience. Contact the Animal Welfare League at 941-625-6720 for more information.

...that the public workshop for the South County Gateway Project, held in February, was well attended and lots of citizen input was received? You are encouraged to attend and express your support for the project, at the joint Punta Gorda City Council and Board of County Commissioners meeting on March 12 at 9 a.m. in the Murdock Administration Building.

...that you should tell your friends to sign up to receive this IMPULSE so that they won't always have to ask you what's happening with TEAM?

...that the Peace River Wildlife Center is having a dinner dance and auction on March 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Isles Yacht Club? The Center helps injured and orphaned Florida wildlife and needs community support to keep their facility open. You can call 941-637-3830 for information on tickets.

...that there were great articles in other newspapers about Punta Gorda recently? Check out the USA Today article at www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/closetohome/2010-03-01-close-to-home-punta-gorda_N.htm on the real estate market and the St. Petersburg Times article at www.tampabay.com/features/travel/florida/article1075261.ece on what to do in Punta Gorda.

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