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| TEAM Punta Gorda Newsletter |
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 Joanne and Richard Collins, Editors |
March 2015
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Mirroring Governor Scott's state proclamation, Mayor Carolyn Freeland has declared March to be Bicycle Month in Punta Gorda. The proclamations highlight the importance of cycling for tourism, health, as well as for transportation.
TEAM Punta Gorda leads a Bicycle Friendly Communities Committee that works to develop cycling opportunities all year round. The purpose of this committee is to work together to help make Punta Gorda a great place to ride a bike for transportation or for recreation.
Be sure and ride a bike this month! We'll help!
Bring your friends to the waterfront to ride a free yellow loaner bike, sign up on our website for Pedal & Play, or explore the City's lovely Punta Gorda Pathways by bicycle or on foot. Watch for bicycle tips all this month in the Charlotte Sun.
Nancy Johnson
CEO
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TEAM Announces Exciting Plans
Volunteers Honored at Annual Meeting
Fresh off the hugely successful Team Turns Ten October gala, CEO Nancy Johnson addressed a packed audience at the Jan. 29 annual meeting, which was preceded with a half-hour "wine and cookie" mixer. TEAM's volunteer coordinator and all the various TEAM projects and initiatives had an information table and an opportunity to share their projects with the crowd. Representatives from City and County government and civic organizations were on hand. John Wright, President of the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, pedaled to the podium on one of TEAM's famous "yellow bikes" to assume his role as Master of Ceremonies.
Nancy's remarks pointed to a vigorous agenda for TEAM going forward, an exciting array of initiatives designed to further advance the quality of life in greater Punta Gorda. New for 2015 are an ambitious "Share the Lane" bicycle friendly initiative, another community garden, participation in the "365 committee" committed to bolstering the City's economic foundation during summer months, and a strategic partnership with conservation organizations dedicated to preserving and enriching Charlotte Harbor, the area's largest natural resource and critical estuary.
None of this would be possible without volunteers. "Five-hundred volunteers this past year alone worked on TEAM projects," explained Nancy. "That's absolutely amazing and that does not even count our community partners who helped us." After thanking all volunteers for their outstanding contributions, Nancy presented awards to several for service "above and beyond." Two special individuals retired in 2014 after years at the helm of their respective responsibilities. Honored for their outstanding service were Communications Director Bill Welsch and "Bicycle Loaner Program" founder, Gene Pawlowski.
Co-chairs and volunteers in amazing 2014 projects were also recognized. Suzanne McCormick, Bobbi Crane and Audrey Young for "Beautiful Bikes in Paradise," Clarisa Parodi and Mary Frances Adair for "Community Gardens" and for "Paint Your Heart Out Punta Gorda 2014," Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity CEO Mike Mansfield, Comcast Communications' Justin Damianos and project supervisor Burt Wahlburg of Gulfview Construction.
For special events that dazzled, these volunteers were recognized: Marilyn Thomas for "Pedal & Play 2014," Karen Wedemeyer for the 2014 "Golf Outing" and the "Team Turns Ten" power team of Shelly Harris, Diane Harper, Alison Layne and Sue Carmen. Chief Financial Officer Ophelia Rosen was recognized for her tireless behind the scenes work.
Punta Gorda Mayor Carolyn Freeland presented a "State of the City" address, highlighting the importance of the City's collaboration with TEAM and recognizing TEAM's contribution to the community. Tom Patton, Charlotte County Director of Economic Development, staged an insightful, interactive Q & A session during which participants were able to "vote" their preferences on individual hand-held "clickers." The responses to each question were immediately available on the projection screen and will be published in TEAM TALK, archived on TEAM's website.
TEAM's new MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM was launched at the meeting; details and application can be found at this link. No worries; being a member of the team does not imply that you will be called upon to volunteer. "While we welcome any member who wishes to get involved, the purpose of membership is to develop a strong and sustainable financial foundation for TEAM initiatives. The volunteer program is entirely separate. And conversely, no volunteer must become a member to stay involved and share his or her talents." Nancy told her audience that "TEAM membership provides an opportunity for supporters to become a part of something special because this really is special." A series of TEAM mixers is planned for 2015. Everyone is invited and members are encouraged to bring a friend.
A full report on TEAM's 2014 activities can be found in the ANNUAL REPORT (check out yellow Quick Links above), together with a roster of 2014 sponsors. TEAM's current 2015 Platinum, Gold, Silver and In-Kind SPONSORS are highlighted on their own page.
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Getting to know you TEAM Mixer
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| | Having fun at TEAM's first mixer |
What a great turnout at our first TEAM mixer at the Captain's Table last Wednesday. We had a ice-breaker question and answer game followed by drawings of valuable prizes. It was fun trying to figure out who is left-handed, here during Hurricane Charley, etc. But the MOST challenging was finding a person who has a tattoo!
Thank you, Captain's Table, for providing such delicious food and attentive service in a lovely, fun atmosphere!
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| | Let's meet at the Tiki Bar |
Save the date for the next mixer on Wednesday, April 8th at the Tiki Bar (Four Points) from 5:30-7:30 p.m..
When TEAM plays, everyone wins!.
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1st Annual Kids Pier Fishing Tournament
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Do you have children or grandchildren who would enjoy a positive fishing experience?
If so, take them to the Downtown Bait and Tackle Shop Children's Fishing Tournament (Catch and Release) on Saturday, March 14, Laishley Park Marina Fishing Pier. Children should be accompanied by a guardian with their own fishing gear (bait provided).
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Community Room, 120 Laishley Court, Punta Gorda. The tournament follows at 10 a.m.
There are 3 prizes per age group:
- 3 - 5 years old
- 6 - 9 years old
- 10 - 12 years old
Enjoy Goody Bags for the kids and MANY giveaways. Sea Tow and the Coast Guard Auxiliary will be on hand with demonstrations. But wait - there is more! A Silent Auction and Raffle await the adults with free food and drinks. Music is provided by a DJ.
We learned yesterday that Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program agreed to fund a portion of the tournament cost through a micro grant!
The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program is a partnership that protects the estuaries from Venice to Estero Bay. This partnership gives citizens, elected officials, resource managers, and commercial and recreational resource users in the 4,700-square-mile study area a voice to address diverse resource management concerns, including fish and wildlife habitat loss, water quality and water flow. The watershed in the study area includes all or portions of Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Polk, Hardee and DeSoto counties. Thank you to the CHNEP!
Join the Team Volunteers and other community participants in providing a unique opportunity for our local children to learn all about fishing, water and habitat conservation while having a fun day on the water!
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Paint Your Heart Out Needs You
 TEAM and Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity will collaborate once again on April 11, 2015. Local volunteers work together to provide more than a half-dozen homes in the greater Punta Gorda area with a much-needed face-lift. Paint Your Heart Out does more than paint homes! It sends a message of pride and builds a sense of community spirit and unity that will last long after this day of service is over.
Individual homes selected for painting share several characteristics. Among them is the homeowner's need for financial assistance, pride of ownership and suitability of the exterior for painting. In addition to exterior painting and light repairs, shrubs are pruned and light landscaping after the event will be provided by TEAM's Beautification Committee.
Among this year's home sponsors are Charlotte State Bank & Trust, Deep Creek Community Church, Hoover Pressure Cleaning, Punta Gorda Rotary Club, Weiler Engineering and some of the area's finest builders. Paint is being donated by Habitat for Humanity International in conjunction with Valspar. All site preparation materials, supplies, meals and refreshments for volunteers are being donated by local businesses and organizations. Burt Wahlburg, owner of Gulfview Construction Management Services is Project Manager. Volunteer coordination is being handled by Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity. 
"One of the reasons last year's event was so successful was because it was embraced by the business community," said Nancy Johnson. "This year's event is on track to be just as wonderful. We're proud to work side by side with Charlotte County Habitat and our fabulous volunteers to have such a positive neighborhood impact. "
Volunteers will converge at Deep Creek Community Church between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. on April 11 for a light breakfast and pep talk by City Manager Howard Kunik. Lunch will be delivered to each home and work is expected to be completed by mid-afternoon.
If you would like to get involved, contact us. There are opportunities for painting, landscaping or just helping out with "day of" responsibilities like registration, breakfast and lunch service and other details.
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Bike-friendly People Wanted
 | | New Shirt Available |
Are You A Friendly Person? If so, you may want to consider joining our Bicycle Friendly Community Committee!
TEAM Punta Gorda's Bicycle Friendly Community Committee is a collaborative effort of City and residents, with the objective of helping Punta Gorda become a more Bicycle Friendly Community. We meet at 3 p.m. on the second Monday of every month at the Laishley Marine community meeting room, to discuss ways we can do this.
If you have any bicycle-friendly ideas, or are just interested in seeing what we're doing, please consider joining us. If you can't make this meeting, but are interested in helping, please call Bob Armstrong at 575-0785, or email him at [email protected].
Be the first to own our new shirt, "I'm a Spokesperson." Available now for $20 at Pedal and Play or at the TEAM Office.
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Pedal and Play in Paradise
SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015
It's almost here!
Be sure to preregister by March 15, to guarantee your FREE T-shirt size, as well as saving $5, or $10 the day of event!
There are rides for ALL skill levels. Choose from 10-, 15-, 30- or 62-mile morning rides
AND/OR
Join the afternoon City Manager's History Tour around the city.
IT'S A PARTY!
 BRING YOUR FRIENDS!
Free Beer during lunch 
supplied by
Fat Point Brewery
Coupons for FREE samplers at Celtic Ray, Fat Point, The Ice House, and Shorty's after the event
Newly designed 2015 Pedal and Play jersey available thru BeSpokeKit.com
Register Now at
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Golfer Alert!
| In Memory of Judy Brentano |
It's nearly sold out! But there's still room for a few foursomes at TEAM Punta Gorda's 10th Annual Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 21, at St. Andrews South Golf Club in Punta Gorda. So if you want to join in the fun, now's the time to sign up. The field is limited to 100 players.
The event is in memory of Judy Brentano, TEAM's past CEO and COO. Cost is $85 per player which includes continental breakfast, lunch, greens fees and cart, and lots of great prizes including a $5,000 putting challenge and car hole-in-one prize.
To learn more or to register, go to TEAM's website www.teampuntagorda.org or contact the tournament's committee chair Ed Bouton at [email protected].
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Bicycle Loaner Program - Help Wanted
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| | Famous Yellow Bikes of Punta Gorda |
The bicycle loaner program needs volunteers to perform routine maintenance (change hand grips, replace bells, remove and remount wheels) for the famous yellow bikes.
We need you for about 5 to 10 hours per week. Lousy pay (well, really no pay) but you'll be part of TEAM's signature program. Contact Sue Carman at [email protected] or John Baird at [email protected].
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Community Gardens News
The committee is currently seeking a new site for the next garden. We are working with the city and community partners to identify a great spot. We'll be convening a planning group soon, so if the idea of Community Gardening appeals to you, let us know.
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Highlighting our Loyal Sponsors
 Rexford (Rex) Koch proudly celebrates more than 20 years of community involvement as the owner of Koch & Associates, CPAs in Punta Gorda. With offices at 225 Virginia Ave., Koch & Company provides an extensive array of accounting services. Rex is assisted by his wife, accountant and forensic expert Roberta (Bert) Koch, a dedicated accounting and administrative staff and two lovable Labrador retrievers, Boo and Bear, who are usually on hand to provide a warm welcome.
Rex is an active community leader, recently honored as the fourth inductee into the coveted Leadership Charlotte Hall of Fame. He has a reputation for endless service and support of nonprofits in Charlotte County. Included among those organizations are the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition, the Punta Gorda and Charlotte County chambers of commerce, Don Ball School of Fishing for kids and TEAM Punta Gorda.
"We have lived here for 25 years and I was privileged to serve on the Board in the early days of TEAM. I am very proud of the way TEAM has progressed over the years," reflected Rex in a recent interview. "I believe that TEAM Punta Gorda represents an ongoing vision of a neighborhood composed of capable, determined people with a great variety of talents who have offered and continue to offer their resources to make our community such a wonderful place to call home."
"One of the amazing facts about TEAM Punta Gorda is not that TEAM contributes to the community, but that it contributes in such a large variety of ways," emphasized Rex. "Almost each day there is news about something that some part of TEAM is doing to improve our lives, Sports, Government, Tourism, Quality of Life, Safety, Health and Welfare, etc. The wonderful thing about this variety is that there is absolutely a way for every interested community member to participate and to contribute."
Rex welcomes the opportunity to talk to anyone with similar interests and a need for professional accounting services. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 941-637-0544.
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Join the TEAM - Help Wanted!
Great Opportunities Available
We are gearing up for a busy time and could use your help. It's a great time to jump in, have fun and join the TEAM! For more information, contact us at:
HELP WANTED - Currently seeking:
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Quick Books-skilled volunteer for Finance Team
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Communications Director
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Fundraising Coordinator
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Event Planner for Open Streets Event
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Maritime Committee Co-chair
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Community Gardens Volunteers
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Candidates for Chief Operating Officer
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Special Events Coordinator
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Volunteers interested in conservation of natural resources
Additionally, all TEAM committees can always use new faces. Those who are unsure where they fit in should contact Sue Carman for more information.
Sue Carman, TEAM Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected]
941-637-8326
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Save These Dates!
Upcoming TEAM Events
TEAM Annual Golf Outing will be held:
March 21, 2015
Pedal and Play in Paradise annual bicycle event will be held:
March 28, 2015
Over 500 riders of all bicycling skill levels participated in the 2014 Pedal and Play and had a great time! Mark your calendar!
Paint Your Heart Out, Punta Gorda will be held on:
April 11, 2015
Six of eight homes to be painted have already been identified. Stay tuned for more information from the volunteer coordinators.
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HAPPENINGS ON THE HARBOR!
We invite you to visit the community calendars below for more information about upcoming events.
March 6 - 7th Annual Dancing with Charlotte Stars, 6 p.m., Charlotte Harbor Events and Conference Center
March 8 - Nobilmente, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Concert, 7:30 p.m. Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 701 Carmalita St., PG Call 941-205-9743 for tickets
March 15 - Jazz Brunch, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club, 4400 Lister St., PC Call 941-205-9743 for tickets
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day Celebration All day from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., also featuring Lee County Pipes and Drums Parade at 5:30 p.m., Irish Music 6 - 8 p.m., Fishermen's Village Center Court
March 20 - World Happiness Day, post acts of happiness on wall, Happy Music Jam noon - 2 p.m. Fishermen's Village Center Court
March 29 - Vittorioso, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Concert, 7:30 p.m., Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 701 Carmalita St., PG, Call 941-205-9743 for tickets
Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce
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Parting Shot! For those in Pedal and Play Mystery Ride. . .
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| | The hunt for Ponce's Killer Goes Global! |
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Thanks to our "year-round" sponsors
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