TEAM Punta Gorda Fall Fun Starts Here!

TEAM Punta Gorda

September 2012 Judy Brentano, Editor

DON'T MISS THIS ONE!

TPG's 8th Annual Meeting is Around the Corner

Bruce Laishley

Mark your calendar for Monday, October 29, 7 p.m. sharp. The place to be is the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association on Shreve Street.

Focusing on the importance of economic development, we have invited Tom Patton, Director of the Charlotte County Economic Development Office, and Bruce Laishley, local businessman and developer.

Mr. Patton coordinates efforts to bring economic opportunity to our area. Mr. Laishley, a life-long resident, is a strong advocate for the development of the greater Punta Gorda area. He and his partners successfully developed the Airport Commerce Center which will also be the site of the Cheney Brothers food distribution center. He also co-owns the old City Marketplace property and is working hard to bring Mote Marine to that location.

Tom Patton

Following brief highlights of TEAM's accomplishments this past year and the presentations by Mr. Patton and Mr. Laishley, there will be ample opportunity for the audience to pose questions. John Wright, President of the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce will emcee this important meeting.

Please bring a non-perishable food item for local food banks.

For more information, visit our website www.teampuntagorda.org or call 941-637-8326.

SEA LEVEL RISE AND CLIMATE CHANGE . . .

. . . TO BE ADDRESSED WITH FOCUS ON PUNTA GORDA

TEAM was recently invited to participate in a University of Florida/Sea Grant-sponsored meeting focusing on Punta Gorda's Climate Adaptation Plan. CEO Nancy Prafke will represent TPG on a panel addressing our organization as a group of citizens that supported the community's recovery and its continued influence on change.

The City's Urban Design Manager, David Hilston, former councilmember Don McCormick, and Dr. Jim Beever from the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program will be on the panel as well.

Activity sessions will include tours of key natural resource sites and discussions with managers, leaders and policy-makers who are involved in natural resource issues. The participants will also learn to delve into the science, policy, politics and perceptions behind natural resource issues and explore alternatives for addressing them.

CITY RECEIVES NEW RATING . . .

YOUR INSURANCE COULD BE REDUCED

Now here's an interesting item from the City about a process that you probably never heard of. The Punta Gorda Fire Department annually goes through a rating by the Insurance Services Office [ISO] to receive a Public Protection Classification number. This year they achieved a 3 classification, up from a 4. One is the highest. So far, so good!

Since the ISO classification is used by most insurers for underwriting and calculating premiums for both residential and commercial properties, this might be a benefit to you. Sounds even better!

The City advised, "Property owners are encouraged to make their insurance carriers aware of this improved rating as it may provide savings on insurance premiums." Now that's the news we like to hear. Go for it!

TEAM PUNTA GORDA KEPT MIGHTY BUSY THIS SUMMER

Our Community Gardens Committee, under the leadership of Mike Stevens, has refocused its mission to collaborate with entities in and outside Punta Gorda in developing their community gardens.

Following on the success of the South County Regional Park Community Garden, they are in the process of building a new community garden in downtown PG, and are assisting many schools in the county as well as a church to develop their plans for gardens.

Spokes and Trails, under the leadership of Court Nederveld, is currently working to identify four bicycle routes of varying distances around Punta Gorda. To get a peek at some of the signs that will mark the routes, you can go to TEAM's Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/TEAMPuntaGorda

TEAM Port Charlotte is alive and kicking and working hard. TEAM Punta Gorda has been mentoring them, sharing experiences to help them reach their goals. They held charettes and received huge citizen support, then worked with the County on a funding plan. Working with Charlotte County on the area around the Peace River and Fawcett Hospitals, as well as the medical plazas and surrounding neighborhoods, TPC hopes to turn this area into a pedestrian friendly new urban park-like setting. TEAM Punta Gorda and TEAM Port Charlotte are now in their second year of collaboration and the successes seem to be mounting.

TEAM BOARD INVITES NOMINATIONS FOR 2013

The TEAM Punta Gorda Board of Directors is accepting nominations for open Board positions from interested candidates whose three-year term of service will begin January 1, 2013. We are seeking candidates whose background may include one or more of the following: financial to serve as Treasurer, legal, community involvement, and familiarity with TEAM Punta Gorda. We are also a geographically diverse group and seek involvement from all greater Punta Gorda areas. Please send nominations to team@teampuntagorda.org by Wednesday, September 26.

The Nominating Committee (one Board member, one Leadership Team member, and one Committee Chair) will review nominations and recommend a slate of candidates to the Board. New Board members will be announced at the October 29 Annual Meeting at the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association.

www.pgorda.us125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. . .

. . . EVENT COMMITTEE STILL HARD AT WORK

PG CITY

2012 marks the 125th Anniversary of Punta Gorda so get ready for a lot of activities to celebrate!

From October through December 7, the actual anniversary date, there will be planned parades, entertainment and holiday events to commemorate the founding of our great city. Over 20 groups are involved in the event planning.

Visit the City's website to find a list of planned events. www.pgorda.us Under What's New, click on 125th Anniversary for a list of events planned to date.

HAPPENIN'S ON THE HARBOR

September 20-23: 2nd Annual Peace River Film Festival. Charlotte Harbor Event Center and Edison College. Keep up to date on all film festival events, comments and films at www.peaceriverfilmfestival.org

September 21: 13th Annual Lobster Bake, Charlotte County Historical Society. Port Charlotte Beach Complex. Cocktails at 5:30, dinner at 6:30 p.m., 941-629-7278 for reservations.

September 22: Ponce de Leon Festival at Fishermen's Village. Live entertainment, food, drinks. For more information visit www.fishville.com

September 29: The Boys & Girls Club of Charlotte County Golf Tournament. Kingsway Country Club. Contact ldorler@bgcofcc.com or ww.bgcofcc.org

October 5: Beer, Brats, Music and More! 5th Annual Downtown Merchants Association and Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce Oktoberfest. Taylor Street in front of the Historic Courthouse, 5-10 p.m. www.puntagordachamber.com

October 13: 17th Annual Edison POPS at Sunset featuring The Nowhere Band,

941- 637-5604

October 13: Fishermen's Village Oktoberfest, 575-3067 for information.

October 14: Sunday Farmers Market and antique vendors, History Park, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

October 20: Punta Gorda Days Inc and the Punta Gorda Block party Committee are holding a very special event at the old City Marketplace property to save the Block Party. Noon to 9 p.m. Email for details SAVE@PuntaGordaBlockParty.info or visit www.PuntaGordaBlockParty.info

October 21: 3rd Annual Tour de North Port. Features 15-, 35-, 65- and 100-mile routes throughout North Port. Benefits development of the Tree Whiz environmental center. For information www.peoplefortrees.com

October 26: American Red Cross Halloween Boo Ball, 941-379-9300 ext. 255

October 29: TEAM Punta Gorda Annual Meeting. Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association Building. 7 p.m.

November 17: The Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce and the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, as part of its 50th anniversary celebration, is hosting "A Harbor Happening." Boaters are invited to anchor in the harbor or hook up to a mooring ball for an aerial photograph that will be taken to promote Punta Gorda as a boating community. A picnic will be held at Laishley Park from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and music plays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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: Finale of the City of Punta Gorda's 125th Anniversary Celebration. Council would like your ideas on how to commemorate it. Send to City Manager Howard Kunik at hkunik@pgorda.us

December 15: Fifth Annual Mistletoe Ball benefiting Charlotte County Homeless Coalition at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center. Contact Rex Koch

941-637-0544 for more information.

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

March 23-24: Florida International Air Show, Punta Gorda Airport.

Judy Brentano, Editor, jbrentano@mindspring.com

team@teampuntagorda.org

TEAM Punta Gorda

941-637-8326