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January 2012 Judy Brentano, Editor |
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| DON'T BE SILENT . . . | | . . . City Wants Punta Gordans to Speak Up |  The City of Punta Gorda would like to hear from you as they work on this year's strategic plan. To make it easier for you to participate, they have put the questionnaire on their website. You can fill it out online in the comfort of your own home! It can be found under "What's New."
Go to www.pgorda.us You may send the completed survey via email to citymgr@pgorda.us or mail it in to 326 West Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, FL 33050. It is requested that you get your responses in by February 15. It is YOUR city and your views are very important! |
| AN ARRESTING EVENING AWAITS . . . | | . . . CITY POLICE CALLING ALL RESIDENTS! |  The Punta Gorda Polilce Department is holding a series of town hall-like meetings for all residents. Power Point presentation in hand, they will be addressing traffic statistics, arrests, and other issues, all with a goal toward gaining your input and feedback which will assist them in developing their City-wide Traffic Safety and Enforcement Plan. Three dates, times and locations are being offered. You are invited to attend the one that relates to your area or all of them. January 25 at 10 a.m. for Burnt Store Isles, Meadows & Seminole Lakes residents. Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, 11330 Burnt Store Road. January 26 at 5:30 p.m. for Trabue Woods and East Punta Gorda residents. Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor Street. January 30 at 7 p.m. for Punta Gorda Isles and Historic District residents, PGI Civic Association, 2001 Shreve Street. |
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RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET . . . | | . . . AND WHITE SAILS IN THE HARBOR |
 | | Young TEAM members walk in the World's Shortest parade. |
What a resounding success for Charlotte Harbor and the community at large - the International Disabled Sailing Regatta held January 7-14 saw 100 participants from 12 countries converge on our town. Scores of willing volunteers, beautiful weather and great wind made for a very successful event.
The week-long event was kicked off with the colorful World's Shortest Parade which departed from the corner of Marion Avenue and proceeded down Nesbit to Laishley Park.
The sailors launched out of Laishley Marina and Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club. Races could be viewed from Gilchrist Park, Fishermen's Village and on private or commerical boats.
Winners go on to the Paralympic Games to be held in England.
The USA took first place in the Friday, January 13th, afternoon race! |
| CRUSIN' ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON . . . | |
. . . ACTUALLY IT'S A THURSDAY! | |
The Punta Gorda Boaters Alliance is proud to announce that it is sponsoring an afternoon with Claiborne Young. Young is well-know to boating enthusiasts for the many cruising books he has authored.
He also hosts a go-to website called www.cruisingguide.com
Young will discuss cruising on the West Coast of Florida, as well as the Keys. An added topic of interest will be waterfronts that are successful and those that have failed and why. You won't want to miss this fun and informative presentation.
The date is February 8, time is 1 p.m. and the location is the PGI Civic Association at 2001 Shreve Street.
And while we are talking about the busy Boaters Alliance, they are conducting a  canal clean-up on February 11. All hands on deck for this one! You'll even be treated to a free lunch. Contact Chuck Millburg for more information cmillburg@embarqmail.com |
| FOOD, FOOD, FOOD | | DONATIONS HIT RECORD! |  TEAM Punta Gorda is proud to make this short announcement:
Thanks to all who attended our annual meeting with a food donation, we were able to deliver 400 POUNDS OF FOOD to the Good Samaritans group of Charlotte County. At a time when food pantries are stretched thin, and with scores of folks in need, your generosity and caring went a long way to fill some bellies! For that we say - THANK YOU, EVERYONE! |
| IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR . . . | | . . . CHARITABLE EVENTS FOR A WORTHY CAUSE | |
Mark your calendars because the Leukemia Cup 2012 schedule has been posted. These events raise beau coup bucks for a most important cause, and they are flat out fun! So here we go.
March 17 - Small Boat One Design Regatta, Charlotte Harbor
March 18 - Tennis Tournament, Isles Yacht Club
March 24-25 - 8th Annual Leukemia Cup Regatta, Punta Gorda
March 24 - Billiards Tournament Finals - Isles Yacht Club Billiards Room
March 24 - BBQ Bash & Auction - Isles Yacht Club
March 31 - Pedal & Play in Paradise [more on that below!]
April - TBD - Charity Golf Scramble
With so many offerings, it is hard to choose. For more information, you can contact the very over-worked co-chair Jim Nuzzo at 586-530-5097.
They are posting events on two websites: www.islesyc.com and www.leukemiacup.org/sun/ |
| HAVE YOU NOTICED? | | IT'S A BUSY SEASON! | |
 All the events and festivities being held in Punta Gorda should be feeling the effects of major traffic. Our little 'international' airport is bringing in literally loads of people. And we welcome all of them!
Reports show that Punta Gorda Airport has seen a - are you ready - 60% increase in traffic - that's 291,626 passengers in 2011 compared to 182,42 in 2010. 2012 will surely boast even higher numbers.
The good news is our new air traffic control tower is now certified and real live air traffic controllers are in training to staff it.
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| TEE 'EM UP! | |
ANNUAL GOLF TOURNEY SCHEDULED | |
 TEAM Punta Gorda is hosting its Annual Charity Tournament at St. Andrews South Golf Course on Saturday, March 24. Be sure to sign up for this great event. It is the main fundraiser for supporting TEAM's operations and the many programs the community has come to love and appreciate. Registration forms are available in the St. Andrews pro shop and online at www.teampuntagorda.org
Great prizes, great food, and a great time, so get your foursome together today! |
| HAPPENIN'S ON THE HARBOR | | | |
 January 21-22: Sullivan Street Arts & Crafts Show, 10 a.m.-
5 p.m. between W. Retta Esplanade and W. Virginia Avenue
January 21-22: Arts & Crafts Show, Fishermen's Village, Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m.
January 28: Hands Across the Harbor run, bike and walk from Bayshore Live Oak Park across Gilchrist Bridge and back. For information 505-8880
January 28: Walk for the Poor, sponsored by St. Vincent de Paul, at Sacred Heart Church. For information 286-8045
February 11: Smuggler's Chili Challenge, Laishley Park. For information 637-5953
February 16: Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society presents "Boogie on the Harbor" fundraiser for upcoming murals. Charlotte Harbor Events & Conference Center. For information 637-6418
February 18: Punta Gorda Chamber's Wine & Jazz Festival, featuring The Rippingtons, Peter White and Mindi Abair. For tickets call 639-3720 or order online www.puntagordachamber.com
February 25: Taste of Punta Gorda sponsored by the Rotary Club, Laishley Park. For information 575-2388 or email tombeck2127@yahoo.com March 24: TEAM Punta Gorda Annual Charity Golf Tournament. St. Andrews South Golf Course, 1901 Deborah Drive. Registration forms at St. Andrews and on line www.teampuntagorda.org March 24-25: Florida International Air Show featuring the Blue Angels. More information to come.
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Judy Brentano, Editor
jbrentano@mindspring.com
TEAM Punta Gorda
941-637-8326 |  |
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