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TEAM Punta Gorda
November 2012 Judy Brentano, Editor |
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| TEAM PUNTA GORDA ANNUAL MEETING A HIT! | | MISSED IT? GO ON LINE FOR INFORMATION |
 | | Bruce Laishley addresses the meeting while Tom Patton looks on. |
Almost 300 residents attended the annual meeting of TEAM Punta Gorda held at the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association on October 29.
Tom Patton, the Charlotte County Economic Development Director, updated the audience on the IMPAC University site as well as the county's strategic planning progress. Businessman Bruce Laishley reviewed the progress on Cheney Brothers, Mote Marine and Murdock Village developments. The presentations were followed by questions from the audience. TEAM distributed a nifty handout to all attendees addressing all the projects and accomplishments year-to-date which is now available on the website at www.teampuntagorda.org
The Good Samaritans Food Pantry greatly appreciate all the canned goods and dried foods donated by the attendees. TEAM Punta Gorda thanks you for your generosity! |
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THE EAGLE HAS LANDED . . . | | . . . OR IN THIS CASE - EAGLES | |
You know it is snowbird season when the resident eagles of Punta Gorda return! The nest, located in the History Park, is now cordoned off to ensure minimal disruption of our regal visitors.
In that regard, the City is offering some Eagle Etiquette for all our bird watchers and photographers.
Remain in or immediately next to your vehicle, do not approach eagles and do not cross yellow tape.
Refrain from loud noises, honking of horns, door slamming, playing the radio, yelling and et cetera. In other words, be quiet.
Use binoculars or spotting scopes instead of trying to get closer. Again, do not cross the yellow tape. [It is actually unlawful for anyone to knowingly enter any area posted as closed for the protection of bald eagles.]
Do not do anything to try to make the bird fly!
And lastly, please report any activity that is cause for concern, to FWC Wildlife Alert 1-888-404-3922.
To get the latest and greatest news like this from the City of Punta Gorda, you can have it posted to your Facebook page by subscribing to the City of Punta Gorda Facebook page. Go to www.facebook.com/puntagordafl and select Subscribe. [The page is created for one-way communication only.] |
| FOUNTAIN OF FREEDOM. . . | | . . .TO HONOR VETS | |
 A new fountain to honor our veterans will be constructed in the Kiwanis Veterans Garden in Laishley Park. Red, white and blue lights will shine into the soaring waters of the fountain, as a lasting tribute to our veterans who have given so much for us.
TEAM Punta Gorda, the Kiwanis Club of Punta Gorda, the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce and the Charlotte County Veterans Council have partnered in this project and are now raising funds for this worthwhile project. They need your help and support.
Your tax deductible donation will be huge to help launch this effort. You can make your check out to TEAM Punta Gorda with a notation "Vets Fountain" on the memo line and send it to TEAM Punta Gorda, 252 W. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, FL 33950.
A donor pedestal will be installed to acknowledge these individuals or group sponsors who contribute $500 Silver, $2500 Gold, or $5000 Platinum. |
| CHARLOTTE HIGH COMMUNITY GARDEN. . . | |
. . . GETS GRANT FUNDING | |
TE AM submitted a grant request to the Florida Department of Agriculture for funds to install a community garden on Charlotte High School grounds. We've just been notified that $3450 has been awarded to start the project.
The garden will provide the opportunity for students to develop gardening knowledge and skills, learn about growing specialty crops and explore the potential for business opportunities and entrepreneurship relation to community gardening.
The garden will be installed in the high school's large central courtyard. The harvest will be sold or used in culinary dishes that benefit the school directly.
Students have already formed a garden club and stated clearing the ground, making it ready to plant. Wonder if they'll include broccoli.
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| HISTORIC 50th ANNIVERSARY EVENT THIS WEEKEND | |
PUNTA GORDA ISLES CIVIC ASSOCIATION'S HARBOR HAPPENING | |
It's going to be the biggest boating extravaganza Punta Gorda has ever seen! Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 17, for a Happening on the Harbor!
Boats and kayaks will be anchored off Gilchrist Park or on Laishley Park's mooring balls to be included in an aerial photo depicting PG as THE greatest boating destination. The shoot will take place at precisely 11 a.m.
At 10 a.m. a human sculpture will be created in Laishley Park and photographed from the air, another highlight of the festivities.
Then for the party! There will be live music with Tim Goodman and Roseanne from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Food and beverage vendors will be on-site.
Everyone is invited to then attend the "Lighting of the Village" at Fisherman's Village at 5:30 p.m. sharp. The party is being hosted by the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, its many clubs, and the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce. Admission is free. Call 637-1655 for more information. Don't miss this one! |
| 125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. . . | | . . . EVENTS UNDER WAY | |
 2012 marks the 125th Anniversary of Punta Gorda so get ready for a lot of activities to celebrate!
Please visit the City's website for a list of planned events at www.pgorda.us
Under What's New, click on "125th Anniversary" for a list of events planned to date. |
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PARKSIDE IS MOVING FORWARD . . . | |
. . . WITH TEAM PORT CHARLOTTE'S INVOLVEMENT | |
 Our sister organization, TEAM Port Charlotte, is holding a Parkside Public Meeting on November 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the Cultural Center Centennial Room.
Attendees will learn how the Citizens Master Plan is unfolding and how it will impact the quality of life and travel within Parkside located in the area of Fawcett and Peace River Hospitals, as well as all the medical buildings off Harbor, Olean and Aaron Streets,
TEAM Port Charlotte will also be dedicating a Community Garden on November 14 at 4 p.m. which will be held at the garden site located at the Family Services Center, corner of Easy Street and Gibralter. After the dedication, there will be a garden tour and light refreshments will be served. Children also have garden plots, so please bring your children along to be part of this event.
The first Parkside International Fall Festival is going to be held on November 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. behind the Promenades Mall. Entertainment, international foods, a beer truck with international brand choices, a children's area and crafters. Please come out and support this inaugural effort!
TEAM Punta Gorda is proud and excited to be sharing and collaborating with the TEAM Port Charlotte organization who is making great strides in a very short time!
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| SENIORS NEED SANTA, TOO! | | NEW PROGRAM LAUNCHES NOVEMBER 1 | Many older adults live alone and in poverty and some are struggling to make ends meet. But during the holiday season, one organization has set up a program to make sure isolated seniors receive gifts and companionship. The program is called "Be a Santa to a Senior. "
Starting November 1 and running through December 15, Christmas trees will be located in various retail shops. Visit their website at www.beasantatoasenior.com to see a list of locations. The trees will feature ornaments with the first name of seniors and their gift requests. You can pick up an ornament, buy the item(s) on the list and return them unwrapped to the store along with the ornament attached.
The gifts will be wrapped and distributed by program volunteers. Program organizer, Sue Bidwell of Home Instead Senior Care, said, "What a nice way to say thank you to the many seniors who have made such important contributions to our community through the years." You can also call 941-505-0450 to learn more.
The annual Salvation Army and Fishermen's Village Angel Tree is se to be unveiled on November 15 and will be available until December 10. You are invited to "Adopt an Angel" by selecting the name of needy children from the tree.
Deliver your unwrapped gift of a toy or clothing with the angel attached at Beneath the Sea located near the Center Court at Fishermen's Village. For more information, call the Salvation Army at 629-3170.
Put a smile on your face and joy in your heart... the holidays are for giving! |
| ARTISANS ATELIER HAS NEW FOLKS | | GALLERY WALK TO FEATURE LIGHTS AND MORE | |
 Be sure to visit the Artisans Atelier located in the Herald Court Center retail shops located adjacent to the parking garage.
Two new artists are now in residence, bringing the total of artists you can view up to seven. It's a great place to shop for Christmas for those unique, one-of-a-kind finds.
Don't forget to patronize the bicycle shop, the paint-your-own ceramics shop - more places to buy gifts - and Subway for a quick bite. FGCU Renaissance Academy posts many new classes for the winter season that might be of interest to you. Check them out.
A new sports apparel shop will be opening up along with an art gallery/tattoo parlor in the not-to-distant future.
During Gallery Walk on November 15, all the stores will stay open until 8 p.m. for your convenience. This will be a grand pre-holiday event.
The Downtown Merchants Association will be lighting their tree in front of the Old Courthouse on Taylor Street. Choirs will sing! The City's Christmas tree located at the corner of Taylor and Marion will be illuminated. Santa will show up. Snow will fall! So much going on, it will be hard not to toast a few toddies in our local restaurants to celebrate the night.
Remember all our artists and merchants need your support so Shop Local/Buy Local and bring good cheer to all! |
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HAPPENIN'S ON THE HARBOR ON THE HARBOR | |
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Throughout the month, the Visual Arts Center features the 9th Annual Fine Arts Festival, celebrating artist Claude Monet. A series of multi-media fun, educational and entertaining events will benefit the Visual Arts Center. Call 941-639-8810 or visit
http://visualartcenter.org/special-events Some activities require tickets.
November 15: Gallery Walk, Downtown Punta Gorda, 5 to 8 p.m.
November 17: See you at the Car Wash! City employees are hosting a car wash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and November 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Public Works/Utilities Camps, 3130 Cooper Street. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the City of Highlands, NJ, a small coastal community devastated by Superstorm Sandy. $5 to $10 donations are encouraged!
November 17: Flea Market on the Train Dock, 1009 Taylor Road, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, 639-6774.
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 noon to 4 p.m.
November 17: Festival of Lights, kick off at Fishermen's Village, 5:30 p.m. sharp. Music by the Boogiemen. For complete schedule, 639-8721. Please bring a can of food to be donated to the Good Samaritans Food Pantry. Visit www.fishville.com
November 17-18: TEAM Port Charlotte's Parkside International Fall Festival in the back parking area of the Promenades Mall, off of Aaron Street, between Harbor and Olean Boulevard. Admission is just $1.
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
November 29: The City of Punta Gorda is Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the incorporation of the City with a fundraiser luncheon and fundraiser dinner. For tickets, Legacy Tables and complete information, please contact Rachel, 628-1141 or www.puntagorda125.com
November 30-December 1: Punta Gorda Garden Club is hosting its 19th Annual Holly Days Homes Tour, "A Holly Jolly Christmas." Hours are noon to 5 p.m. For tickets call, Louise DiNino 575-6354 or the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce Office.
December 1: Holiday Idea House hosted by the Punta Gorda Historical Society from 3 to 7 p.m. Patrons will tour a fully decorated 1927 Craftsman Bungalow home replete with holiday fancy. Roam the home, the gardens, take pictures and take notes, then enjoy light refreshments. Tickets ate $10 and are available at the Woman's Club at 118 Sullivan Street M-F, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by calling 941-638-1887.
December 2: Florida Hot Rods & Hogs Car and Bike Show at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Largest car and bike show in Florida with vintage autos, hot rods, trucks, drag and air boats, world-class bikes and more.
December 7: Finale of the City of Punta Gorda's 125th Anniversary .
December 8: TEAM Punta Gorda Ice Cream Social for children, in association with the City of Punta Gorda's 125th Anniversary events. Laishley Park, Waterfront Pavilion from noon to 3 p.m. Ice cream donated by Blue Bell Ice Cream with support from Scoops and Bites. |
| LAST WORD, I PROMISE! | | |
We hear Mayor Albers will be officially pardoning the turkey at the November 15th Gallery Walk, but I know many of us will sneak out to the market and get one anyway!
We at TEAM Punta Gorda wish you and yours a very festive and wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and family, whether it is here in Paradise, back home up North, or wherever home may be. |
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