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Vicki & Bill Welsch, Editors April 2014
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| PAINT YOUR HEART OUT, PUNTA GORDA! | | PUNTA GORDA MAYOR KEESLING SIGNS PROCLAMATION FOR APRIL 26! |
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Mayor Keesling (front) with TEAM President Shelly Harris (left) and Justin Diamano of Comcast
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Things are gearing up for Paint Your Heart Out, Punta Gorda on April 26.
Punta Gorda Mayor Rachel Keesling has signed a proclamation declaring April 26 "Paint Your Heart Out - Comcast Cares" day.
Volunteers from TEAM Punta Gorda are working in partnership with Comcast and Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte County to paint selected homes on this special day.
SPONSORS LINING UP FOR THE EVENT
We are gratified by the many sponsors who are supporting this great event:
Charlotte State Bank & Trust Deep Creek Community Church Economy Pressure Washing Fero Construction Gulfview Construction Management Services Hoover Pressure Cleaning PGI Homes Punta Gorda Rotary Club Sunrise Kiwanis Club Superior Painting Waste Pro West Coast Builders Thanks go out to the community churches and organization that nominated the Blanchard House Museum and the individual houses that were chosen to be painted. We also want to acknowledge community businesses and groups whose members will paint their hearts out to make a difference:
The City of Punta Gorda
Secret Life Book Club
God's Precious Gift
St. Mary's Primitive Baptist Church
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
This project requires a great number of volunteers including those who actually paint as well as many hands needed to support other aspects of this project.
To register to volunteer click on the Comcast Cares website:
If you need more information or assistance, feel free to contact TEAM at 941-637-8326 or via email at team@teampuntagorda.org.
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| PEDAL AND PLAY 2014 HUGE SUCCESS! | | 535 CYCLISTS (UP 19% FROM LAST YEAR) SIGNED UP... |
 ...to be part of another great day in paradise by pedaling along scenic routes, enjoying great food and free beer, and listening to Jim Morris and his guitar at Laishley Park last Saturday. Many riders wore their Pedal and Play T-shirts, making the park pavilions sparkle an electric green. If you rode in the event, remember to fill out your survey and join the many others who are talking about the day. Many thanks to all of the riders who came out to pedal and to play, to all of those who supported the event in so many ways, and to the volunteers who worked so hard to make the day enjoyable. Look for us in 2015 for the 6th Annual Pedal and Play in Paradise. See you next year in Paradise! |
| TAX STEERING COMMITTEE MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS | |
ONE PERCENT SALES TAX ISSUE ON NOVEMBER 4 BALLOT
The Tax Steering Committee has made its recommendations to the council for city projects to be funded if the one percent sales tax referendum is successful in the fall election.
Projects include additional work on the Harborwalk, storm-water work in the Boca Grande neighborhood, street lighting in selected areas, sidewalks in selected areas, improved technology, fleet vehicles for police and fire, facilities construction such as Ponce Park restrooms and Americans with Disabilities Act improvements citywide.
For a complete list of proposed projects countywide, click here to see excerpts from a March 23 Charlotte SUN article regarding the sales tax initiative.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING ON RETTA ESPLANADE?
| | PUNTA GORDA FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECT PROCEEDS |
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Looking North across Retta.
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Scenic Gilchrist Park won't win any beauty contests right now.
But all for good reason.
Punta Gorda city officials say that many of the drainage pipes running underneath the city are decades old which means that in heavy rains, such
as the ones coming soon as summer approaches, many downtown streets are underwater.
 | | Looking East, Gilchrist Park to left |
With assistance from FEMA, the city is moving forward with Phase Two of the flood mitigation project. For those of us who are not flood experts, this basically means installing pipes that are larger in diameter that can carry more water. (See photo above!)
If Mother Nature cooperates, it is anticipated that the work will be completed in July.
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| 2014 GIVING CHALLENGE - MAY 6 & 7 | | EVERYONE CAN BE A PHILANTHROPIST! |
Starting at noon on May 6 and continuing until noon on May 7, local residents will donate through computers and smartphones to help raise funds for local nonprofits as part of the 2014 Giving Challenge. Last year's event resulted in an astounding $2.78 million raised through more than 17,000 gifts to benefit the 287 participating nonprofits including TEAM Punta Gorda.
The 2014 Giving Challenge aligns with a national "Give Local" giving day, during which more than 60 communities will be participating in the online giving event.
Details to follow on ways you can support TEAM through this effort.
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| TEAM 10TH ANNIVERSARY GALA IS GONNA ROCK! | | BOOGIEMEN CONFIRMED FOR OCT 24 EVENT! | |
The TEAM 10th Anniversary Gala Committee has confirmed that legendary local musicians, The BoogieMen, will be playing at the event October 24, 2014!
Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details!
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| "POWER WOMEN" HARD AT IT! |
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY VOLUNTEERS BUILD THREE-BEDROOM HOME
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"Power Women" working hard
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Local Charlotte County women have come together and formed teams to fund and build a home for Kirsten, a single mother of two young daughters. The goal is to get her family into a home of her own by Mother's Day.
This build project is what Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity calls "Women Build" with the slogan "We would rather build it than clean it." The build consists of over 20 teams and various individual donors and volunteers.
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TEAM CEO Nancy Johnson, one of the "Power Women"
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One of those teams dubbed the "Power Women," was named by Michelle Rumreich when she approached City Council member Nancy Prafke and asked her to come on board with the project. The rest is history. Nancy came up with a "pay to pound" fundraising method charging $100 to join the team. The women all gathered on March 27, to build internal walls. Charlotte County Habitat is overwhelmed with the response of the women in our community. It has been such a success we would like to make this an annual build.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT FLOOD INSURANCE LEGISLATION
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY STAFF AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO GROUPS
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Ray Sandrock, Charlotte County Administrator
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Charlotte County Administrator Ray Sandrock has announced that representatives from the County Building Department are available to meet with groups to discuss the new legislation regarding flood insurance.
These presentations highlight recent changes to the National Flood Insurance Program, an issue of great importance to many home-owners in our community.
To schedule a presentation contact Claire Jubb at claire.jubb@charlottefl.com |
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CHARLOTTE SPORTS PARK: BEST SPRING TRAINING FACILITY
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LOCAL BALLPARK WINS USA TODAY VOTE
According to a "Ten Best" USA Today contest, the Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Fla., spring training home to the Tampa Bay Rays, was named the Best Spring Training City in 2014. A panel of MLB writers selected the Charlotte Sports Park as one of the top 20 facilities for voting consideration. After a month-long voting battle in the Reader's Choice contest, the tremendous fans and visitors helped the Charlotte Sports Park reign victorious.
For more information on the award, please visit: www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-spring-training-facility/
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| HAPPENINGS ON THE HARBOR! |
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We make every effort to include in our calendar upcoming events. Given how much is going on all the time in our community, it's a challenge.
We invite you to visit the community calendars below for more information about upcoming events:
Every Saturday: Farmers market, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Punta Gorda. Lots of great vendors with fresh fruits and vegetables, live music, crafts, and other great buys. Visit nearby murals and enjoy some of the great downtown restaurants.
Every Sunday: Visit the Punta Gorda Historical Society's farmers market from
9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the History Park, 501 Shreve St. Shop for veggies, meats, plants and gifts. Call 941-380-6814 for more information.
1st Saturday and 3rd Wednesday of each month: Take a walk on the wild side with the Master Gardeners for a tour of the Punta Gorda Pathways and Parks. For additional information call the Master Gardeners at 941-764-4340.
April 11: Grand Prix Super Boat Parade and Boat Display, downtown Punta Gorda, 4-8:30 p.m. For more information visit http://www.chsbgp.com
April 12: First Annual Charity Golf Tournament, Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte County, Port Charlotte Golf Club, 22400 Gleneagles, Port Charlotte. Contact Gabrielle Reineck 639-3162 or email outreach@charlottecountyhfh.org
April 12: The Bug Tussle Ramblers Band, Historic Train Depot, 1009 Taylor Road. Contact 941-639-6774 or www.puntagordahistory.com.
April 26: Paint Your Heart Out, Punta Gorda, Comcast Cares work day, sponsored by TEAM and Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity. Call 941-637-8326 or email team@teampuntagorda.org for more information.
April 26: March of Dimes March for Babies, Laishley Park and Harborwalk.
April 26: Annual Florida Cracker Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Punta Gorda Historical Society, 118 Sullivan St., call 941-639-1887 for more information.
May 3: Mental Health Awareness Walk, Charlotte Harbor Behavioral Center, Gilchrist Park. For additional information call Jessica at 941-639-8300 ext. 275.
May 16-18: Punta Gorda Hibiscus Festival, Gilchrist Park. Call Teresa at 941-
815-0324.
May 17: Gran Fiesta & Fiesta on the Green, for Leadership Charlotte, St. Andrews Golf Club, 1901 Deborah Drive. For additional information call 941-627-2222 or visit www.leadershipcharlotte.net.
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