The Charlotte County Airport Authority has voted to rename the airport the Punta Gorda Airport.  Interesting background on its development - it was built by the feds for military purposes and was called the Punta Gorda Army Air Force Base.  It opened in 1944 and housed 930 officers and 4162 enlisted men.  The airport code is PGD.  Volunteer Carl Parsons made a presentation on behalf of TEAM in support of the change, stating that the name will be easier to market, will be more identifiable, and will celebrate the airport's historic beginnings.

With Punta Gorda becoming known as a bicycle-friendly community, it's important to note that a new bicycle law went into effect on July 1, 2010.  It specifies that the bicyclist must remain in a bicycle lane if a lane is provided.  If a lane is not provided, the bicyclist must stay as close as practicable to the right side of the roadway.  For a copy of the new law, email Capt. Thomas Lewis at tlewis@ci.punta-gorda.fl.us.

 We reported that the bridge on Aqui Esta was completed and opened right on time.  But the work  goes on.  Delays are commonplace while the entire intersection of Bal Harbor and Aqui Esta is torn up and redone.  Culvert drains are being installed along the entire stretch of road from Route 41 to Bal Harbor.  Crews are doing an impressive job keeping traffic flowing.  In downtown Punta Gorda, the Retta Esplanade extension, which runs between Taylor Street and 41 North, is completed and open.

The Renaissance Academy at Florida Gulf Coast University is recruiting instructors to teach in their lifelong learning program for the fall 2010 and the winter/spring 2011 sessions.  There are no advanced degrees required, and the honorarium is $75 per lecture.  Volunteers are also needed for the curriculum planning committee.  You can download a course proposal form from their website at www.fgcu.edu/racademy.  The Academy is located in the New Herald Court Centre, 117 Herald Court, downtown Punta Gorda.

 

 

City of Punta Gorda staff recently met with representatives of TEAM Punta Gorda to discuss renovation of Herald Court Park.  TEAM will assist the City in the cleanup and replanting of the park, including the street planters along Herald Court West.  A new fountain has already been installed replacing the one that had been vandalized.  This project will greatly enhance the area. 

Volunteers are needed for Charlotte County Family YMCA's new YREADS! program.  It starts August 16 and runs through the school year.  Hours are 2:30-5:30 p.m.  Participating as a reading mentor provides positive opportunities and rewards for the volunteers and the children who attend.  If you can commit to at least one or two two-hour sessions, please contact Julie DiPietrantonio via e-mail at jdipietrantonio@charlottecountyyman.com. 

When one door closes, another opens.  In this case FOUR!

Bin 82 closed its doors but will be re-opened mid-August as Tapas One on Bin 82.  The outside structure boasts mustard yellow walls with deep blue awnings and trim.  An outside dining patio has been added in the back.  A beautiful mural by Charles Peck is currently being created on the parking lot wall. 

Cafe Ruelle closed its doors, but that didn't last too long.  A young professional couple snapped it up and have plans to reopen in mid-August under the same name.

Presseller's Deli has been retired, purchased, and is now Table 209... a fine dining experience that features German night on Mondays.

Harbor Walk Scoops and Bites is a newly opened shop at Laishley Park turning out ice cream "scoops" now and "bites" of lunch in the future.

The recently closed Isles Cafe in the Bal Harbor Shopping Center has opened under new ownership as the PGI Grill.

Gini was born along the Erie Canal in Canajoharie, NY.  Before moving to PG, she lived in New Jersey where she worked as a physical therapist.  She joined TEAM in September of 2005 after being impressed with its work in the Charley recovery and viewing the Citizens' Master Plan.  Gini is married to Ian Pender and they have two sons and one granddaughter.  The most notable thing she has done, in her view, other than being a dedicated TEAM volunteer, was establishing a successful physical therapy practice with three partners and bringing home her husband "as a souvenir from Scotland."

Punta Gorda is getting a lot of attention, and so is its dog.  Yes, our City Canine Officer Jedi!  Besides winning all kinds of awards, he and his partner, Officer Katie Mendel, had two big scores this month.  Together they apprehended a suspect in a hit-and-run incident, followed by flushing a burglary suspect out of hiding.  As reported, the suspect quickly surrendered after becoming acquainted with Jedi.  I'll just bet he did!