TEAM Punta Gorda

. . . CELEBRATES ONE YEAR

Visitors check out the Community Garden

  Nearly 30 people who plant and tend their gardens at the South County Regional Park location of the first community garden in Punta Gorda, came to celebrate a successful crop year.

"This first year has been great," said Lacey Solomon, Park Recreation Coordinator who, along with Janiece Strance, Park Recreation Specialist, oversees the project from their nearby offices. "All of the garden spaces have been rented and we have a wait list of people who are anxious to have a space."

A 4x20-foot bed rents for $20 per year and a 4x10-foot shared bed rents for $10 per year. A considerable amount of produce is grown from tomatoes, squash, lettuce, and my favorite, broccoli.

TEAM Punta Gorda, collaborating with the Punta Gorda Garden Club, the Charlotte Community Foundation, the Charlotte County Extension Service Master Gardeners, the Charlotte County Health Department, Bernice A. Russell Community Development Corporation, New Operation Cooper Street, Punta Gorda Police Department and Housing Authority, St. Mary's Primitive Baptist Church, Trabue Woods Economic Development Corporation and Worden Farms, made this vision a reality.  You see, it does take a village!

Mike Stevens, Chair of the TPG Community Gardens Program, said, "We have learned so much from creating this wonderful project."

The gardens are open for viewing by the public.  Stop by for a visit!

TEAM is looking for a group of key volunteers to assist in raising funds for the Veterans Freedom Fountain to be installed in the Kiwanis Veterans Gardens in Laishley Park.  The red, white and blue fountain will be a lasting memorial for our veterans who have given so much for our freedom.

Throughout the season, various events will be held which would require willing volunteers from TPG to donate two hours of their time to help sell raffle tickets or solicit donations.

If you are willing, please contact Suzanne McCormick scm619@embarqmail.com 

Speaking of helping, our friends at the Peace River Wildlife Center are working feverishly to raise funds and supplies to support the ongoing operation of the center.  They have two events planned for the season, but they need YOUR to help keep the doors open.  Please visit their website for more information. Remember, they saved our town eagle!  www.peaceriverwildlifecenter.com                        

Be sure to visit the Artisans Atelier located in the Herald Court Center retail shops located adjacent to the parking garage.

Three new artists are now in residence, bringing the total of artists you can view up to eight. It's a great place to shop for Christmas for those unique, one-of-a-kind finds.

We extend a warm welcome to: Frank Ferrante Gyotaku, Beverly Yankwitt, and Mila.

Don't forget to patronize the JRA Bicycle shop, the Creative Circle, the paint-your-own ceramics shop - more places to buy gifts - the new Foot Landing 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.

Remember all our artists and merchants need your support so Shop Local/Buy Local and bring good cheer to all!

 Please take heed of these shopping tips during the holiday season.

• Shop with a friend. There is safety in numbers
• Park in a well-lighted area. Have keys in hand when returning to your car
• Carry your wallet or purse securely, zipped or snapped closed
• Do not carry large amounts of cash. Use credit cards
• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry. It may attract the wrong kind of attention
• Keep shopping bags in your hands or within sight so no one walks away with them
• Place packages securely in trunk, out of sight of potential thieves
• If you think you are being followed, return to the store or toward a group of people. Ask mall security to accompany you to your car if you feel insecure
• If confronted with a robber, do not panic. Give him what he wants. Try to remember what the attacker looks like to help police catch him/her later
• Tempers can flare during the holidays, avoid confrontations. Walk away
• Report any suspicious behavior or activities immediately. You could prevent someone from being a crime victim.

   For all you beginning anglers and newcomers to SW Florida, a six-week introductory course in Florida Fishing is being offered at the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association building on Shreve Street starting in January.

The course will be taught by Capt. Ralph Allen and will be held on Wednesday evenings from 7 - 9 p.m. starting on January 9.

Advance registration is recommended.  Phone 941-637-1655.

Experienced anglers are welcome and can pick up a lot of useful tips. Now, wouldn't that be a nice gift?

HARBOR HAPPENING A GREAT EVENT

 The biggest boating extravaganza Punta Gorda has ever seen took place on Saturday, November 17.

Hundreds of boats anchored out off Gilchrist Park and filled the mooring balls near Laishley Park Marina.

Aerial photographs were taken of the boats and the crowd spelling out PGICA on the Laishley Park lawn. Spectators commented that the 10 catamarans rafted up off Gilchrist looked like a floating city! So many boats in the harbor was an awesome sight to see.

To view this historic event, see the video posted on the web.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?=-cls35hU3KpA 

  Good news to share. The Harborwalk Section in front of the old Best Western Hotel, may well be completed in four to six months.

We hear that Holiday Inn will taking over the property to renovate and manage the hotel.  A major  chain restaurant is looking at the old Benedetto site. So one of the best views on the harbor may soon be back open for business.

The third section of the Linear Park around the city is looking good!  Landscaping, lighting and paving are all in. Royal and foxtail palms, copper pods, jacaranda, gumbo limbo and pond cypress trees adorn the area. Shrubs and ground cover should be in by the third week in December.This section goes through the old railroad bed along a canal from Olympia to Gill Street and beyond.

And just this week, the City Council gave its nod of approval for the development of another community garden. This one will be located behind the Public Safety Building fronting on Ann Street.  Police Chief Arenal gave his full support and noted that a group of volunteers, both uniformed and public employees, has been formed and will manage all aspects of the garden. This project just keeps on growing!   

 

December 15: Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce 34th Annual Christmas Parade. Starts at Charlotte High School and proceeds through downtown Punta Gorda on Taylor Street. For information www.charlottecountychamber.org 

December 15: Holiday Day Shopping at the Flea Market on the Train Dock. Benefits the Punta Gorda Historical Society. 1009 Taylor Road. 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

December 16:  Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce Lighted Boat Parade. For information www.puntagordachamber.com 

December 16: Farmers Market at the History Park presents the Fiddle Crabs String Band. 501 Shreve Street. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. www.fishville.com 

January 3, 2013: Destroy and recycle your sensitive documents FREE.  Edison College, Charlotte Campus, 26300 Airport Road. Shipping/Receiving area, look for Building N. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  No businesses, please.

January 12-13: Fine Arts & Crafts Show, Fishermen's Village, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. For information, 352-344-0657.

January 26: 2nd Annual Charlotte Harbor Chili Challenge & Beer Festival, Laishley Park. For information  www.smugglersevetns.com 

SAVE THE DATE!

March 30: TEAM Punta Gorda Annual Golf Tournament, St. Andrews South.

April 6: Pedal & Play in Paradise!  

Though it's been said many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you!

From Everyone at TEAM Punta Gorda, we wish you a very Happy New Year!

Be sure to see all the lights, the boat parades, and enjoy all the festivities Punta Gorda has to offer as you winter in Paradise. 

Till next year . . .

Judy Brentano, Editor, jbrentano@mindspring.com 

 It's easy to donate to TEAM PUNTA GORDA. Just click on the link!   http://www.teampuntagorda.org/ceo.html

941-637-8326