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A publication of TEAM Punta Gorda |
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July 2011 |
Judy Brentano, Editor |
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 | Auction Postponed . . .
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. . . Movement on Marketplace?
WINK News broke the story on July 7. The auction of the City Marketplace property was cancelled by the bank holding the note!
Seems a major developer has put forth an offer for the property that the bank is considering. Prior to this, two other companies had put bids on the property which were rejected.
City Manager Howard Kunik was interviewed and said, "This would be great!"
for Punta Gorda. Getting rid of the eyesore between the two U.S. 41s is long overdue. |
| Harborwalk East Ready for Primetime |
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Section of 3.5 mile walkway officially unveiled
 | | Clint Keesling, Councilmember Larry Friedman, Mayor Harvey Goldberg, Vice Mayor Bill Albers, Councilmembers Rachel Keesling and Charles Wallace cut the ribbon on the new harborwalk section. |
Originally described in the 2005 Citizens' Master Plan and then later in the "2008 Waterfront Development Master Plan," both initiated by TEAM Punta Gorda, the Harborwalk was envisioned to be an exciting feature attracting people to Punta Gorda's waterfront.
With the completion of the Eastern portion of the project, the Harborwalk, which will run from Fishermen's Village to the Medical Center, is now one step closer to completion.
"The Harborwalk East segment is an absolutely beautiful example of what is to come as we renovate the Gilchrist Park segment and the yet-to-come segment behind the Best Western Hotel," said Mayor Harvey Goldberg. "Walkers and bicycle riders have already expressed great pleasure with the wide meandering trail through natural foliage, the lighting, landscaping, dog-friendly amenities and the observation pier over the Peace River."
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| Save the Date! |
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TEAM Announces Annual Meeting Date
 | | City Manager Howard Kunik points during his award-winning keynote presentation at TPG's 2010 annual meeting. |
You are cordially invited to attend the TEAM Punta Gorda Annual Meeting on Wednesday, November 16, 2011, at
7 p.m.
This year's keynote speaker is John Rhodes, Senior Principal with the firm of Moran, Stahl and Boyer of Lakewood Ranch, FL. Mr. Rhodes' firm was hired by the Enterprise Charlotte Economic Council of Charlotte County to lead in the development of a strategic plan.
The firm works "alongside communities throughout North America providing economic development strategies for the retention, expansion and attraction of companies. We equip our partners with the tools and information they need to remain competitive and create a healthy environment for job growth."
Mr. Rhodes has worked with large corporate clients such as Corning, Blockbuster Video, FedEx, Prudential Financial Services and Pella Corporation, among others.
TPG will also be announcing the winners of the coveted Design Awards, Beautification Awards and Volunteer of the Year Award. Save the Date! You won't want to miss this one! |
| Meeting Mecca |
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Visitors & Convention Bureau Seeks Info
 The "Think Outrageously" folks are well under way in their mission to make Charlotte County a meeting mecca on the Harbor. They are collecting information from the community and would like to hear from you. "Our focus is to draw more companies and organizations to our area for their meetings," says Linda Smith. The committee would like to know 1) What meetings, conventions, seminars or training events you attend and how often; 2) The duration of time and number of days for these events; 3) your contact email and phone number. |
| History on the Move |
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Plans for Youth Museum
 The Punta Gorda Historical Society plans to relocate the Quednau/Hindman House to the History Park. The house is currently located at 220 Goldstein St. Mr. Fritz Quednau, first tenant of the house, moved to Punta Gorda from Germany in the late 1800s and opened the first cigar factory located on Marion Avenue. The Society must raise $150,000 before October 1 and move the house before eagle nesting season in the park - no tall order. They are selling the house 'by the yard' and for a small $25 donation you can purchase six inches. Plans are to re-establish a youth museum in Punta Gorda in this historic structure. |
| Sizzlin' Summer Safari |
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Benefits Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary
 A fire recently consumed Octagon's medical treatment trailer rendering it a total loss. Not only was the facility wiped out, but also medical supplies used to treat the animals. If you have taken your children or grandchildren out for a daytime Safari, you know how special the animals of the Sanctuary are. For this reason the Punta Gorda Chamber, The Charlotte Sun and St. Andrews Golf Club have teamed up to sponsor a golf tournament on Saturday, August 20 at 8:30 a.m. for the benefit of the Sanctuary. Registration forms are available on the Chamber's website www.puntagordachamber.com Fee is $75 per player and includes breakfast, lunch, golf fees and great prizes! You can be a hole sponsor for $100, sponsor the scoreboard for $250 or exclusively underwrite the lunch for $1500 - or we'll take two sponsors for $750 each. All proceeds, after costs, go to Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary to help them recoup from this unfortunate incident. |
| From Gas Station to Glorious |
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Antar's Wins Beautification Award
 | | Rose Hismeh (second from left) of Antar's Food Mart accepts the first TPG Beautification award. With her from left, is Shelly Harris, John Zack, Nancy Prafke, and Suzanne McCormick. |
When you drive down 41 North near Sacred Heart Church, be sure to look to your right at what used to be a plain gas station-looking structure. Antar's Food Mart, all decked out in red, white and blue, is a wonderful example of pride in proprietorship.
Rose and Antar Hismeh set out to create a welcoming environment and they have done just that. A fountain in front of the gas bays, plants and flowers complementing the building's exterior, and courtyard tables and chairs greet customers who drive up to partake of their great food.
Suzanne McCormick, Chair of TPG's Beautification Committee said of the Hismehs, "We felt this exemplifies what we want all small business to do, take pride in their property and community."
So a hearty congratulations to Antar's Food Mart, recipients of the very first TPG Beautification Award!
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| Ahoy, Matey! |
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Pirate Fest is A'Comin'! Arrrrrrrrrrrr!
 "A Quaint Little Fishing Village with a Pirate Problem" will be showcased August 26 through 28 at Fishermen's Village. Festival planners are pulling out all the stops this year and you should plan now to be right in the midst of the frenzy, Matey. After the Pirate Flotilla invades our little village, there will be Pirate Battles with cannons, a Pirate boat parade, plank walking, twilight fire show and more more more! Arrrrrrrr! There will be music galore and a Pirate's Ball to benefit local charities. Swashbucklers, Buccaneers and Tavern Wenches, plan your costumes now to compete for great prizes. Admission is FREE! Want more info? www.FishermensVillagePirateFest.com |
| Happenin's on the Harbor |
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 July 30: 8th Annual Summer Ball presented by the Fred Lang Foundation in partnership with Charlotte Behavioral Health Care benefiting families in Charlotte County. 639-8300 x 275 or www.cbhcfl.org for ticket information.
August 20: Sizzlin' Summer Safari Golf Charity Event for Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary. www.puntagordachamber.com St. Andrews Golf Club, tee time 8:30 a.m. $75 per player.
August 20-21: Ultimate Frisbee Tournament, North Charlotte Regional park. Teams needed! Registration information call Charlotte County Parks & Recreation 627-1074.
August 26-28: Pirate Fest at Fishermen's Village. Three pirate adventure-filled days www.FishermensVillagePirateFest.com Admission FREE.
September 23: Charlotte County Historical Society 11th Annual Authentic Maine Lobster Bake, Port Charlotte Beach Complex. Cocktails 5:30 p.m., dinner 6:30 p.m. $60 per person. Reservations 941-629-7278.
October 15: Ultimate Rib Fest at Laishley Park. Music by the Boogiemen. Rib competition. www.UltimateRibFest.com or email ribs@ultimateribfest.com
Admission FREE. |
| "Continue the Journey" Sponsor Spotlight |
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Charlotte Sun
 It is a pleasure to introduce our third Major Sponsor in TPG's "Continue the Journey" campaign. The Charlotte Sun has been a huge proponent of non-profit organizations, giving thousands of dollars of 'free' advertising for their events. Led by Derek Dunn-Rankin, Chief Executive Officer, the Sun newspapers comprise several dailies. Besides Charlotte, they publish the Englewood Sun, the North Port Sun, the Venice Gondolier, the DeSoto Sun and the Arcadian. Weeklies include the Punta Gorda Herald, the Port Charlotte Herald and Waterline. They also own the monthly Harbor Style magazine. David Dunn-Rankin is President and Publisher of the Sun papers. Chris Porter is the Sun's Editor and John Hackworth is Managing Editor. Jimmy Dean is publisher of Harbor Style. The Charlotte Sun has a daily circulation of 30,000. The paper is owned by the Dunn-Rankin family under the name Sun Coast Media Group. It is the last family-owned daily newspaper in the state of Florida. TEAM Punta Gorda greatly appreciates their valuable and continuing support. |
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