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TEAM Punta Gorda Newsletter
TopJoanne and Richard Collins, Editors
                                        January 2016
In This Issue
Message from TEAM CEO
 
Nancy J
2015 was a great year for TEAM Punta Gorda, thanks to some amazing partnerships. In 2015, 456 people volunteered for TEAM Punta Gorda. Some volunteered for a day, to plant a shrub or paint a house. Others gave generously of their time and talents, leading projects and working on committees. 
 
We know that these volunteers represent an incredible pool of talent and we thank them all for their contribution to our community.
 
  • In 2015 we developed a detailed plan for City Council outlining how we might become a Bicycle Friendly Community.
  • Through a longstanding partnership with the City of Punta Gorda, our third and largest community garden is under construction at the History Park on Shreve Street.
  • School gardens are proliferating! With funding from the Mosaic Corporation, we helped teachers throughout the Charlotte Public School District provide hands-on science education through school gardening.

 

 


 

  • The Paint Your Heart Out team is gearing up to paint eight needy homes in one day using about 200 volunteers. Scheduled for Feb. 27, this project is in its third year. It represents a highly productive partnership between Charlotte Habitat for Humanity and TEAM Punta Gorda.
  • Our 44 yellow loaner bikes got an upgrade this year. By the end of January all bikes will have been replaced and new sponsor placards installed.
  • Our Maritime Committee is launching a harbor conservation education project called Trails That Teach, thanks to a grant from the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program.
  • Our new home at the Charlotte Community Foundation has provided the opportunity for our volunteers to have the space needed to work together. This has brought new energy to the organization and we are very grateful.
     

Don't miss the 2016 TEAM Punta Gorda Annual Community Meeting on Jan. 28 at the Punta Gorda Civic Association on Shreve Street. It is scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m., with a mixer during the first half hour. Our Keynote Speaker is Punta Gorda Mayor, Rachel Keesling who will talk about what's new and happening in and around Punta Gorda. There will be opportunities for audience participation, so we'd love to hear your ideas for 2016.

 

Join us.  Be part of the TEAM.

 

Happy New Year,
Nancy Johnson
CEO

2016 TEAM Annual Community Meeting  

 

It's all about Amazing Partnerships and Compelling Results

 

Mark your calendar and smartphone for Thursday, Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m. at the PGI Civic Association, 2001 Shreve St., Punta Gorda. 

 

Mayor Rachael Keesling is the Keynote Speaker for this important annual update on what is going on in your community. 

 

We need 18 volunteers to help with set-up, refreshments and cleanup. Call today to be part of it.

 

Don't miss out!


 

 


TEAM Lands a Grant

The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP) awarded TEAM a $3,300 grant to fund two interpretive signs along Punta Gorda Harborwalk.
 
Punta Gorda Pathways: Trails that Teach will educate the public on the importance of estuaries and watersheds and will highlight personal actions that can be taken to improve the watershed. The goal of the project addresses CHNEP's priority to "promote programs and methods to educate the public and enhance personal responsibility for ecosystems of the Charlotte Harbor watershed."

The program is patterned to the popular Parks that Teach program and signs
will be supplemented by monthly interpretive talks by master naturalists from
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC). This project is a collaborative
initiative of TEAM Punta Gorda, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program
(CHNEP), Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC), and the City of Punta
Gorda.

TEAM Punta Gorda's Maritime Committee will implement and manage the project. CHEC will develop sign content and design and conduct the monthly interpretive talks. CHNEP will provide funding and approve sign content, and the City of Punta Gorda will review and approve sign design and installation locations. Sign content is under development and signs are expected to be installed by the end of the summer.
                                                                                           

Resolution Roll . . .
Ride your bike in 2016!

TEAM's Bicycle Friendly Community announces January Kickoff Rides
for your New Year's Resolution!


2016 Rides will be on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays beginning at 5:30 p.m.

                            
                         Jan. 6 and Jan. 20

  
They will start and end at the Herald Square Parking Garage

Lights and helmets required!

Bring your family and friends.  Come One, Come All
                                                                                           

And the Beautification Award Goes To . . .

Have you noticed how nice this building looks?



The 4th Annual TEAM Beautification Award will be presented to owner, Brian Chapman Jr. at the TEAM Annual Community meeting in January.
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The beautification committee chose State Insurance as the recipient for 2016. State Insurance took over the building previously occupied by Nolan Insurance. The gardens are beautifully landscaped and the building interior has had a very attractive renovation.
                                                                                           

Paint Your Heart Out set for February 27
 
Yes, you can!  Be part of the paint crew!
Do you know that TEAM with Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity are partners in helping elderly, disabled and needy residents paint their homes? 
 
On Feb. 27, for the third year in Punta Gorda, hundreds of volunteers will join together to beautify our community. This will send a message of pride and build a sense of community spirit that will last long after the paintbrushes have dried.

In partnership with Habitat, we have signed on four homes to be painted and plan to have four more onboard within the next t0 days. The owners are thrilled about their upcoming facelift! What a gratifying feeling. While we had hoped to have all the homes selected by the year's end, we now recognize that goal was a little too zealous. If you find a home that qualifies for painting, let us know.
 
Need more info? Contact TEAM at [email protected] 941-637-8326 or Habitat for Humanity at 941-639-3162.
 
 
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New South County Library Meetings
 
 
Would you like input into our new library's features and amenities?





If so, come to the Public Meetings sponsored by Charlotte County. The general public is invited to discover how the county envisions the new South County Library and Historical Archives. During the meeting the design team will make a presentation on the building program, display aerial shots of the site and boundaries and solicit ideas regarding desired features and amenities.

The new building will be located on land deeded by the City of Punta Gorda to Charlotte County. It will be located at 401 Shreve St., northeast of the existing dog park.

Public Meeting #1 is:

Jan. 14
Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center
Myakka River Meeting Rooms AB
General Public Meeting 4-6 p.m.

Public Meeting #2  is:

March 17
Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center
Myakka River Meeting Rooms AB
General Public Meeting 4-6 p.m.


Recap of December Founders' Day Week TEAM Mixer
Delicious free appetizers for everyone
      
Were you one of hundreds that attended TEAM's Founders' Day Mixer in the History Park? Holiday Spirit was in the evening air as everyone enjoyed delicious appetizers while they listened to music provided by Charlotte Jazz Band.

Make it your resolution to attend one of TEAM's mixers this year!

The band was amazing!.






  
                                   

School Community Gardens PlantInHands

Mary Frances Adair reports that growth is prevalent at most ALL of the gardens currently in place. Charlotte Technical Center is full of energy and excitement since we just bought lots of goods for them and their 'special' students. And, Lowe's awarded them a grant to repair their greenhouse!

There will soon be a new chair for this segment of TEAM's community
gardening efforts since Mary Frances is stepping down from this fun 'job.' The new
chair will bring fresh ideas and added growth to this program. 

A BIG, BIG Thank you to MOSAIC for their generosity in making all of
this 'happen'!

                                                                                                        

Cycling Instructor Seminar

TEAM's Bicycle Friendly Community Committee announces that TEAM Punta Gorda will host a League of American Bicyclists, Cycling Instructor Seminar, on Feb. 26-28. The Seminar will be taught at:
 
Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association
2001 Shreve St.
Punta Gorda, FL 33950

For more information and registration please contact, 


                                                                                                        

TEAM's 2016 Golf Tournament offers Discounted Fees

  
Sign up before 1/30 to take advantage of discounted fees
The 2016 TEAM Punta Gorda Golf Tournament in memory of Judy Brentano is set for Saturday, March 19 at the St. Andrews South Golf Club. Again this year, players and teams who sign up before Jan. 30 will take advantage of discounted fees: as low as $70 per player (versus $85) for those who register before Jan. 30.

This year's tournament promises to be the best in the event's 11-year history. The tournament committee began work early to formulate several great silent auction and raffle packages including a "romance package" consisting of Charlotte Symphony tickets, a stay in the Wyvern hotel and fine dining at one of the area's most popular restaurants.

Any TEAM volunteer interested in participating may contact the tournament chairman, Ed Bouton, at [email protected] or call 703-599-5401.


FREE Kids Fishing Clinic

Give a child a chance to fish
TEAM's Maritime Committee in partnership with Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC) is conducting a series of FREE Kids Fishing Clinics at the Cedar Point Environmental Center in Englewood and Bayshore Park in Port Charlotte. Children ages 8-12 are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is limited and mandatory. Clinics will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include snacks, drinks and a time for the children to fish.

 
Jan. 9       Bayshore Park, Port Charlotte
Feb. 20    Cedar Point, Englewood
March 26 Bayshore Park, Port Charlotte
                                    April 16    Bayshore Park, Port Charlotte

This hands-on program teaches conservation-based fishing techniques including knot tying, rod and reel use, fish-identification and proper fish handling for responsible and ethical saltwater fishing. All sessions will be taught by knowledgeable and experienced local anglers using Florida Fish & Wildlife protocol.

Volunteers are welcome and donations are appreciated. Contact Bobbi Rogers at 941-475-0769 or [email protected] to reserve a spot or to volunteer.
 
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 Help Wanted - TEAM needs YOU in 2016!

Do you have time to help 
               TEAM? 
  
 
We can use your help. Here's just a sampling of some of the fun things you can do with just a little bit of your time.
 
 
 
 
   - Volunteer to serve refreshments, set up or clean up for TEAM's Annual 
      Community Meeting at the PCICA on Jan. 28. Eighteen volunteers
      needed. Call today!
    - Become a member of the Outreach Committee and participate in 
     developing socials or help members with special projects (4-6 volunteers 
     needed to work tables at special events, mixers, and/or Farmers Market)
   - Monitor our Government Relations and make suggestions
   - Join the Membership Committee in welcoming new members, obtaining
      and coordinating memorabilia. helping with member recognition and more
   - Help us paint bikes - not just paint them, but add some artistic flare as 
     they are displayed around our town! 
   - Help us with yellow bicycle maintenance or join us with your
     enthusiatic support on our Bicycle Friendly Committee
 
Interested? Just give a call to
Sue Carman, TEAM Volunteer Coordinator
     



 Save the DATES for TEAM
 
 
 
   Don't forget to put these dates
   in your smartphone or paper calendar!
 
   
          
 
              
              Jan. 28 - TEAM Annual Community Meeting
              Feb. 27 - Paint Your Heart Out
              March 19 - Golf Tournament
              April 2 - Pedal & Play Bike Event


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Whats Happening Logo

HAPPENINGS ON THE HARBOR! 
  
We invite you to visit the community calendars below for more information about upcoming events.

 
 
Jan. 6 & 20:  Resolution Roll, 5:30 p.m., Herald Square Garage, light and helmet required
Jan. 14:  New South County Library Meeting, 4 p.m., Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, Myakka River Room
Jan. 28: TEAM Annual Community Meeting, 6:30 p.m., PCICA Civic Assoc, 2001 Shreve St., PG


Parting Shot 

Happy TEAM volunteers rode yellow bikes in Punta Gorda's Holiday Parade

 

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Thanks to our "year-round" sponsors