If you've visited Punta Gorda's "Harborwalk" lately, you surely noticed TEAM's popular bicycle loaner fleet facelift. Look below for details. 

Twenty-four New Yellow Bikes added to fleet

Baird accepts new bikes on behalf of TEAM's partnership

TEAM Punta Gorda refreshed its free-to-the-public bicycle loaner fleet with the delivery last week of 20 brand-new yellow bikes and four tricycles. Acme Bicycle Shop owner Karen Freeman made the eagerly awaited delivery at Laishley Marina and Fishermen's Village. TEAM's bicycle loaner program, in partnership with the City of Punta Gorda and supported by local businesses and private individuals, was the first such program in the State of Florida when initiated in 2010. Last year, the service provided bikes for more than 5,000 riders from 43 states, 5 provinces of Canada and 14 countries who explored miles of bike paths in and around the City. There are now 44 bikes available at six locations. To guide them in their exploration, riders are provided with both a Punta Gorda Pathways and TEAM Bicycle Loaner brochures.

"This program is managed completely by hard-working volunteers," explains TEAM President Shelly Harris. "Private donations, membership dues and corporate sponsors help fund and maintain this important community service." Additional bike stations are located at Bayfront Punta Gorda's Wellness Center, Isles Yacht Club marina, Sheraton Four Points and Wyvern Hotels. This year TEAM welcomes a freewill donation at bike stations to help offset the continued cost of fleet maintenance.

Mayor Carolyn Freeman commented, "What a wonderful service to our community! Thank you, TEAM Punta Gorda, and all of your volunteers and supporters who helped make this initiative a dream come true. More bicycles will only help to encourage more riders.  Again, many, many thanks."

The bicycle loaner program is a component of TEAM's "Bicycle Friendly" initiative. To learn more or to get involved, visit www.teampuntagorda.org, www.facebook.com/teampuntagorda or call TEAM at 941-637-8326.

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Paint Your Heart Out - A Rousing Success! 

Volunteers hard at work

Punta Gorda City Manager Howard Kunik addressed dozens of "Paint Your Heart Out" volunteers the morning of April 11; a much-appreciated pep talk before dozens of TEAM and Habitat volunteers fanned out to paint the seven homes selected for refurbishment in 2015. He reflected on how much fun it is to reach out into the community and do something as worthwhile as painting the homes of owners in need. Howard recalled last year he was on a paint team and when he returned home his wife said since he was already painting he could re-paint his own porch. He was afraid that if he painted this year he might have to re-paint his whole house. 

TEAM President Shelly Harris was a bit more serious but equally enthusiastic when he told volunteers that this project was one of the most important contributions TEAM could make to the community. In fact, so important that the decision has been made that "Paint Your Heart Out, Punta Gorda" is now on the TEAM and Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity calendars for 2016.

It takes many hearts and hands to plan and execute a project like Paint Your Heart Out. This year's committee, chaired by Robin Adair and Carrie Madden, included more than a dozen volunteers who worked months in advance to raise funds and coordinate the event. Habitat CEO Mike Mansfield and Gulfview Construction President Burt Wahlburg provided expert technical direction. Spirits were high when all seven homes were completed before 2 p.m. on paint day. These newly painted homes will soon be sporting new mailboxes decorated by artists from the Visual Arts Center.

One fortunate homeowner, Gail Teta of 3427 Vasco St., is the proud recipient of a landscape "jump-start" by the TEAM Beautification brigade, under the direction of Suzanne McCormick.

Paint Your Heart Out, Punta Gorda thrives because of its dedicated volunteers and the financial support it receives from the community. TEAM and Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity deeply appreciate the generosity of these 2015 Home Sponsors: Charlotte State Bank and Trust, Deep Creek Community Church, Five Star Realty of Charlotte County, Gulfview Construction Management, Hoover Pressure Cleaning, Punta Gorda Rotary Club, Weiler Engineering and West Coast Builders. Additional financial contributions from Shushilia Cherian, the Towles Corporation and Thornberry Custom Builders helped offset the costs of providing meals and materials for the volunteers.

If you would like to become part of the 2016 Paint Your Heart Out campaign, let TEAM know! The planning committee will be meeting in the fall to coordinate next year's event.

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Recap of TEAM's Mixer at Four Points Tiki Bar

TEAM members, volunteers, friends and supporters gathered for food and fun in the sand at Punta Gorda's Four Points Tiki Bar April 8.

Lisa Colgan won the top prize, a dinner for two at Four Points' Dockside Grill.  Look for the announcement of the next mixer in upcoming TEAM Talk issues.

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Beautification Committee

TEAM Punta Gorda in partnership with the Punta Gorda Garden Club will be landscaping the courthouse. Jones Landscaping will supply the plant material. It is the latest major property downtown that TEAM Punta Gorda will have  revitalized since Hurricane Charley.

The beautification committee has selected one of the houses, that were recently painted by the  Paint Your heart Out volunteers, for a complete landscape overhaul. 

Bicycle Friendly Committee Update

A Share the Lane website is currently being developed and work will begin soon. Way finder signs will be placed at strategic locations along the Punta Gorda Pathways. 

The committee continues to work with the City Manager & Bicycle Friendly Coordinator to develop a plan for the next application to the League of American Bicyclists for Bicycle Friendly Community Status.