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TEAM Punta Gorda
May 2012 Judy Brentano, Editor |
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| HEAR YE! HEAR YE! | |
TEAM Punta Gorda Elects New President
| TEAM CEO Nancy Prafke announced this week that Claire Phelen has been elected President of the TPG Board of Directors. Claire has been a Board member for several years, has served on the Leadership Team, participated in the Communications Committee, and is the chair of the planning team for the upcoming October 29 annual meeting. Please join me in welcoming Claire in her new role.
Claire succeeds Tom Kerr who resigned to assume direct responsibilities from Mote Marine Laboratories in their pursuit of a Punta Gorda location. We greatly appreciate Tom not only for his service as Board President, but also his many years as a Board member, golf tournament chair, and his service in community development initiatives.
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| MOTE BOATS GET TO FLOAT | |
LAISHLEY MARINA SPACE RESERVED | |
 At the May 2 meeting of the Punta Gorda Community Redevelopment Agency, approval was given to provide space in Laishley Marina for two boats from Mote Marine. This will facilitate Mote's research projects within Charlotte Harbor.
In another initiative to promote Mote's development and show citizen support, nearly 5,500 signatures have been collected so far, exceeding the goal of 5,000. Don't forget to sign up for the Mote updates on our website www.teampuntagorda.org.
Stay tuned for more news on this exciting project in the near future. |
| CROSSROADS WILDERNESS INSTITUTE FACES CLOSURE | | Local program serving at-risk youth to be discontinued | |
Team volunteers who have assisted with local beautification and community garden projects may remember having worked with young people from the Crossroads Wilderness Institute (CWI). Those of us who have completed projects with the young people from CWI have been impressed with how hard working and polite they were. We recently learned that CWI's contract to assist these young people at-risk may not be renewed. For more information about the issues involved in this click on the following links:
http://supportcrossroads.com/
http://www.change.org/petitions/the-governor-of-fl-compel-the-dept-of-juvenile-justice-to-renew-crossroads-contract
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| HERALD COURT CENTRE. . . | |
. . . TO EXPLORE OPTIONS | |
In another effort to expand business development in the downtown area, the Community Redevelopment Agency took a look at current criteria for leasing space in Herald Court Centre. Options explored include a variety of commercial businesses instead of limiting it to only retail-oriented or "people centric" businesses. A change in this direction could help lease out the balance of the space available, while at the same time creating much-needed jobs.
The existing tenants have been asked to come up with a plan for parking-related and directional signage in the Centre to help guide people to their businesses.
Don't forget the Artisans' Atelier is located in the Centre, featuring artwork, beading, and much much more. Also visit the Subway which features a pizza that is out of this world. Be sure to visit the bicycle shop and the "create your own" pottery shop while you're there. Expand your mind by taking a class at the Renaissance Academy at FGCU.
Remember, the parking in the garage is free and out of the sun with both stairwell and elevator access. And the roof is a great place for parties! |
| DON'T CALL ME. . . | | . . . I'LL CALL YOU! | |
 The State of Florida recently announced that it has authorized the Do Not Call registry to be a free service. That's right! Free! You can register those unwanted numbers from telemarketers and such at www.fldnc.com
You can block calls from your home phone, mobile phones, or paging devices. It usually takes 30 days for the block to go into effect. After that, unwanted solicitors could face up to a $10,000 fine for violating the don't call number. |
| BICYCLES RULE! | |
PUNTA GORDA URGES BIKE SAFETY | |
 We've become such a popular destination for cycling, the city has come out with some tips to make us not only bicycle friendly, but safe. Thanks to our TPG bicycle loaner program, we saw 236 riders enjoy themselves while visiting Punta Gorda in April. With locations at Laishley Marina, the Wyvern Hotel, The Sheraton Four Points, Fishermen's Village, Charlotte Regional Medical Center and the Isles Yacht Club, we have made it possible for visitors to enjoy our ring around the city.
So while doing so, remember these basic tips: 1) Be up-to-date on basic laws for cyclists; 2) wear safety equipment, such as a helmet and gloves; 3) know your bicycle and how it functions; 4) know the area in which you are riding; 5) follow the rules of the road which include stopping for stop signs, using the proper hand signals, and be sure to know how to ride with and around vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Share the road! |
| PEDAL AND PLAY 2013. . . | | . . . ALREADY UNDER CONSTRUCTION | |
 If you participated in the enormously successful Pedal and Play in Paradise 2012, you must be counting the days until the next one.
Well, before that can happen, we need literally an army of volunteers to join up and help make it bigger and even better, if that is possible, than 2012.
For someone who never rode more than 2.5 miles, I'm pleased to say yours truly lasted 15.5 miles at Pedal and Play because it was so much fun. The food was spectacular, the beer cold and free (always a good thing), as was the water, and the T-shirts were way cool. The raffle prizes were over the top, especially the flat screen TV.
Want to see what you missed, or revisit your own experience in the event? You can go to the website www.pedalandplayinparadise.com and click on a great video showing the events of the day.
If you would like to volunteer, and we need a LOT, please call TPG at 941-637-8326.
Folks come from all over the state and outside the state to ride in this event, so come be a part of a hard-working and fun group to show them what a great place Punta Gorda is on a bicycle. |
| HAPPENIN'S ON THE HARBOR | |
|  May 19-20: 7th Annual Hibiscus Festival, Laishley Park. Children's beauty contest, music, food, tours, fun. May 19: The Punta Gorda Historic Train Depot Antique & Collectibles Mall, Outdoor Flea Market, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sell or shop on the freight dock. 1009 Taylor Road. 941-639-6774 for information. May 28: The Military Heritage Museum and Charlotte County Veterans' Council, Memorial Day Ceremony, Center Court, Fishermen's Village. 11 a.m. Bring a chair. Reception at museum follows. 941-575-9002. June 2: Leadership Charlotte Class of 2012 host Night of Knights benefiting the Yah-Yah Girls Back Pack Kids and Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic. 6 p.m. www.leadershipcharlotte.net June 5: The Arts & Humanities Council of Charlotte County hosts the 16th Annual Charlie Awards Ceremony and Dinner at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County. Honorees are Barbara Albin, James Abraham and Maestro Toshimasa Francis Wada. Tickets $50. 941-764-8100. June 9: National Marina Day, Fishermen's Village, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and the Charlotte Harbor Nature Fest & Outdoor Recreation Expo, Fishermen's Village, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 15-17: Dads Cruise for Free for Father's Day on King Fisher Fleet. Located at Fishermen's Village. A variety of cruises each day. 941-639-0969. Save the Dates October 29: TEAM Punta Gorda Annual Meeting. Punta Gorda Civic Association. November 24: Latin Fest presented by the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce featuring Jose Feliciano. Edison College. Tickets start at $55. Available online at www.puntagorda-chamber.com December 7: City of Punta Gorda 125th Anniversary. Council would like your ideas on how to commemorate it. Send to city manager at hkunik@pgorda.us February 16: Annual Wine & Jazz Festival featuring Sergio Mendez, Richard Elliott, Rick Braun and Mindi Abair. Special event on Sunday with Mindi Abair! Visit Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce for tickets and details www.puntagorda-chamber.com |
| A SPECIAL THANK YOU. . . | | . . . goes to Centennial Bank | |
 TEAM Punta Gorda's annual volunteer recognition reception was a different kind of celebration this year.
Held in the pavilion at Ponce de Leon Park, a Hot Dog Happy Hour was made even happier thanks to the chefs of Centennial Bank. Hot dogs, sauerkraut, salsa, and you name it, made for a delectable feast courtesy of the bank.
We have photos of all our events on the website gallery. From the golf tournament to the reception, be sure to visit it and spot yourself in the crowd! www.teampuntagorda.org
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Judy Brentano, Editor
jbrentano@mindspring.com
TEAM Punta Gorda
941-637-8326 |  |
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