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December 2011 Bill Welsch/Diane Harper, Editors
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 Seasons Greetings...
from all of us at TEAM Punta Gorda!
Thanks to all of our volunteers and supporters for the
difference you make in our community!
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Christmas in the Park! | |
Join us Thursday, December 15, 8 - 5 pm | |
 What a great night TEAM volunteers have planned!
Join us at Herald Court Park and Herald Court Centre, Olympia and Taylor Streets in Punta Gorda, for a visit with Santa! Parents bring your cameras!
"Nuzzles" the Clown will be painting faces and author Naomi Pringle will read a Christmas story. Local star Marcella Brown will be singing Christmas Carols, the Herald Court Theater Kids will perform a holiday skit and the Higher Grounds Performing Arts Company will perform a dance routine with a holiday flair.
Holiday cookies and cider available thanks to Herald Court Theater Kids.
Public is welcome. Please bring a Toys for Tots donation and canned goods for Good Samaritans. Click flier to see detailed information about the evening.
See you there! |
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Community Garden ribbon-cutting celebration a great success! | |
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County Commissioners Bob Starr and Chris Constance and Punta Gorda Mayor Bill Albers, flanked by the many people who made the Community Garden a reality, cut the ribbon offically opening the garden to the public. The ceremony was conducted at the South County Regional Park on December 8.
To see a photo album of this wonderful event, visit TEAM FACEBOOK. |
| Our economic future, theme of TEAM PG annual meeting | |
Charlotte County at a "crossroads" according to TEAM keynote speaker | |
Speaking to some 200 people in attendance at the TEAM PG Annual Meeting, keynote speaker John Rhodes challenged us to think of ourselves as more than a "retirement community." Although very impressed with the work our community has done in the wake of Hurricane Charley, Rhodes, who recently completed an economic study of Charlotte County, suggested we need to focus on attracting all age groups to assure our economic future. To see Rhode's presentation, click on presentation.
Other highlights of the evening included a presentation by CEO Nancy Prafke outlining TEAM's 2011 accomplishments. TEAM's first Beautification Award was given to Antar's Food Mart in Punta Gorda while the Design Award was given to Charlotte High School.
Jimmy Dean of Harbor Style magazine hosted the event which was held at the PGI Civic Association on December 16. |
| Congrats to Charlotte High School! | | ...winner of TEAM's 2011 Design Award. | |
At a ceremony at TEAM's Nove mber 16 annual meeting, Charlotte High School received TEAM's coveted Design Award for the unique historical and sustainable design of the new facility. Accepting the award were Charlotte County Public Schools Board Vice Chair and President of the Florida School Boards Association Lee Swift, Charlotte County Public Schools Board Member Alleen Miller, Charlotte County Public Schools Assistant Superintendent District Support Jerry Olivo, and Principal design architect from the architecture firm Harvard-Jolly, Jack Williams.
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| TEAM Leadership Transitions |  | |
TEAM Board President Tom Kerr has announced the appointment of Nancy Johnson, Jason Green and Paul Versnik to the TEAM Punta Gorda board of directors. They bring a broad set of talents as well as energy and vitality to the TEAM board.
It is with regret that we accept the resignations of Graciela Nurse and Ryan Rupert, both of whom have served the TEAM Board well and with distinction. In addition to performing her board duties, Grace was active on both the Spokes and Trails and Community Gardens Committees. As Fundraising Chair, Ryan was instrumental in creating the "Continue the Journey" campaign to support TEAM's efforts.
We thank them both and wish them well. |
We have good news and bad news...
| |  THE GOOD NEWS: The IFDS World Disabled Sailing Championships will be held in Charlotte Harbor January 7 -15!
THE BAD NEWS: TEAM's acclaimed bicycle loaner program lacks a hand-pedaled bicycle and they cost around $4,000. To accommodate disabled visitors to our community, TEAM is seeking donations for hand-pedaled bicycle to add to the bicycle loaner fleet. Contact the TEAM Office at 941-637-8326 to learn more. Thanks! |
| ONE-STOP SHOPPING! | | Destination Punta Gorda, the perfect holiday gift for just $10. | |
Checking items off your holiday shopping list is going to be so easy this year!
Just stop by the TEAM office or click here and pick up some copies of Destination Punta Gorda. This gorgeous, full-color 160-page coffee table book is just $10 while supplies last.
That's an unbeatable price for a gift that will please everyone on your list!
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| Charlotte Harbor: Host to TWO MAJOR Regattas! | |
IFDS Worlds Championship, Jan 7-15/Charlotte Harbor Regatta, Feb 2-5 | |
The World Championships of the International Association for Disabled Sailing will be held on Charlotte Harbor January 7-15, 2012. Volunteers from local boat clubs have constructed special docks for the race which are afloat and ready for use at Laishley Marina. This event will attract racing sailors from all over the world. Visit IFDS Worlds 2012 to learn more about this great event.
The third annual Charlotte Harbor Regatta, February 3-5, 2012 is always exciting and will bring hundreds of visitors to our area. Organizers of the event indicate that because of low entrance fees, free parking and storage, great hotel rates, generous sponsors and helpful volunteers this a "fun, affordable regatta." For more info, visit Charlotte Harbor Regatta. |
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Invitation to "Meet and Greet" January 12 | |
From TEAM Punta Gorda... |
 We invite you to join us at the TEAM Punta Gorda "Meet and Greet" from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, January 12 at the FGCU Herald Court Centre campus in downtown Punta Gorda. Meet the Board, Leadership Team, Committee Leaders and hear a brief presentation at 5:30 or 7 p.m. by CEO Nancy Prafke describing the projects in which TEAM is involved and opportunities for you to participate in TEAM projects. Nancy will share new projects helping to fulfill the mission of making greater Punta Gorda a better place to live, work, and play.
Light refreshments will be served. Those planning on attending should contact TEAM at 637-8326 or team@teampuntagorda.org. |
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Trabue/Peace River Film Festival Movie Night | |
...At Trabue Restaurant, 8 p.m., December 19 | 
The Peace River Film Festival and the Trabue Restaurant in Punta Gorda are hosting movie nights at the restaurant.
At the next movie night, 8 p.m., December 19, four films will be shown including "The Dreamer" by Jamie Kassler, "El Cortejo" by Marina Seresesky, "Misdirection" by Shiny Glass Productions and "Na Wewe" by Ivan Goldschmidt. |
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Third Annual St. Vincent De Paul Walk for the Poor | |
January 28, 2012, registration at 8:30 a.m. | 
Registration is under way for the third annual St. Vincent de Paul Walk For The Poor, to help the needy in Charlotte County. Registration for the walk begins at 8:30 am on January 28, 2012.
The WALK will begin at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 211 W. Charlotte Ave., Punta Gorda.
Walkers are asked to raise donations prior to the event. Proceeds, to be shared by the four St. Vincent conferences in the county and the council, will enable them to continue to provide food, clothing, household goods and financial assistance to qualified families and individuals.
To register as a walker or simply to make a contribution, visit St. Vincent de Paul's website. Businesses and other organizations that would like to help sponsor the Walk also are encouraged to sign up through the website. Volunteers to help run the WALK are needed as well, and can sign up via the website.
For more information, call (941) 448-5950. |
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City of Punta Gorda "Citizens Academy" | |
Openings still available... |  The city of Punta Gorda has established a "Citizens Academy," the purpose of which is to encourage participants to become involved in government to enhance their ability to navigate through the oftentimes complex system of government services. The academy is also designed to promote open communication with City officials. There are six sessions in the Winter session held the first and fourth Tuesday of the month, the first being January 10, 2012. The application due date has been extended to December 20, 2011. Click on application to learn more and to complete the application form. |
| HAPPENIN'S ON THE HARBOR | | |  December 11 - Lighted Boat Parade December 15, 5-8 p.m. Punta Gorda Gallery Walk and "Christmas in the Park," at Herald Court Park and Herald Court Centre from 5 to 8 p.m.
December 19, 8 p.m. - Trabue/Peace River Film Festival movie night, Trabue Restaurant
January 7 -15 - Disabled Sailing World Championships January 12 - TEAM Punta Gorda "Meet and Greet," FGCU Punta Gorda Campus January 28 - "Walk for the Poor," 211 W. Charlotte, Punta Gorda February 3 -5 - Charlotte Harbor Regatta |
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TEAM Punta Gorda
941-637-8326
Editor Bill Welsch, team@teampuntagorda.org
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