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| TEAM Punta Gorda Newsletter |
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 Joanne and Richard Collins, Editors |
March 2016
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 What a Day for Paint Your Heart Out!
For 3 years we've pooled our resources with Charlotte Habitat for Humanity to do this project together! Eight homes were painted for home-owners needing helping hands! Even our city officials and workers joined in. Those seen working were: City Manager, Howard Kunik; Police Chief, Tom Lewis; Fire Chief, Ray Briggs; Mayor Rachel Keesling; Councilman, Gary Wein; and Charlotte Community Foundation CEO, Julia Steele.
Once again the amazing Burt Wahlburg of Gulfview Construction Management and Mike Mansfield from Habitat for Humanity donated their staff as project managers for each of the homes.
Thanks to the tireless PYHO committee and these generous sponsors:
- Ken Tyner Electric
- Hoover Pressure Cleaning
- Charlotte State Bank & Trust
- Gulfview Construction
- Punta Gorda Rotary
- Towles Corporation
- TEAM volunteers
- Members of the Punta Gorda Community
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Pictures from Paint Your Heart Out
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| | Fire Chief Ray Briggs and Interim Police Chief Tom Lewis and wife Amanda |
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| | City Manager Howard Kunik at 815 Burland Ave |
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Were You at TEAM's February Mixer?
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| | New member, Candace Wehbe, with Nancy Prafke and Nancy Johnson |
Were you one of the 85 people who attended our recent mixer at the Torch? What a great turn out! Torch provided the appetizers and a cash bar. Their service was fantastic and the venue perfect. Thanks, Torch Bar & Grill! Everyone seems to love the free raffle. This time the prizes were: 2 Pedal and Play Shirts, an Amazon gift card, a basket of bicycle items which included a gift certificate for two to the Pedal and Play event. This basket, donated by Acme, (estimated value $55) contained a unique garden spinner which was a girl bicyclist! Also the Golf committee donated a gift certificate from the Four Season restaurant for dinner for two. To top it off, a surprise gift was donated by the owner of the Torch restaurant for a $100.00 gift certificate to his restaurant!  What a great time was had by all! |
| | Donna Gogliucci, Betsy Spagnolo, Lisa Colgan greeted you |
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Play in TEAM's Golf Tournament in memory of Judy
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| | Join in the fun at the Golf Tournament! |
TEAM's Annual Golf Tournament will be played at the St Andrews South Golf Club on Saturday, March 19.
It offers prizes for winning teams, best costumes and putting expertise. A great "19th hole" lunch and awards ceremony caps off the fun. Space remains open for both individual players and teams. If you want to enter as either an individual (you'll be paired up with other individual entries) or if you want to enter a foursome, you can download the registration form from TEAM's website or alternatively, you can contact TEAM's golf committee chairman, Ed Bouton, at ed.bouton@gmail.com or phone 703-599-5401. Sign up today!
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Join Pedal and Play in Paradise on April 1 and 2
 New for 2016! TEAM's 2016 Pedal and Play event has:
One price, Two days - an expanded event!
When you check in Friday to pick up your packet, don't go back home. Friday at 5 p.m. offers the City Manager's "Here and There" ride, a slow ride to Ponce de Leon Park ending with yoga by sunset. Finish off the evening at a wine and cheese fundraiser or, if you prefer beer, use your free sampler tickets at various libation establishments.
The next day has all the traditional rides through Punta Gorda, including a brand new Mystery Ride. But wait - we didn't leave out the kids. Don't leave them at home, bring an adult guardian and watch them learn bicycling safety through a bike rodeo. The kids will receive lots of free cool stuff, including a T-shirt and certificate of completion. Also stationed at the Kids Zone will be Punta Gorda Police Department's Interactive Trailer, with some exciting activities.
Can't make it Saturday for the traditional ride? No worries! A low cost Friday Only event is available. As always, this event has a noble cause of benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and TEAM's Bicycle Friendly Initiative, hosted by TEAM Punta Gorda and Isles Yacht Club.
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History Park Community Gardens Project
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Do you want info and feedback about new PG Library?
 A second informational and feedback workshop for the South County Library is scheduled for 4 p.m., March 17, at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, Myakka River Meeting Room, 75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda.
Charlotte County is interested in what the community has to contribute to the planning of the new library. Following an informative presentation by the architectural design team, community members may offer their feedback, additional ideas, and suggestions. Attendees will be able to view materials and interact with the design team and staff to provide additional comments.
Materials being presented at this workshop will include a review of community input from the January 14 public workshop (with subsequent surveys), schematic site plan, schematic floor plan, schematic exterior design images, and images of architectural features of historic Punta Gorda structures that have inspired the library design.
If you are unable to attend this workshop, the materials presented and an opportunity to provide feedback will be available online at www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov Click Feedback-South County Library in the Hot Topics list on the left. It will be available after the workshop through 5 p.m., March 24.
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Slow Spokes Roll
 Join us for a Slow Spokes Roll
on
Wednesday, March 16th
5:30 PM
Herald Square Parking Garage
Join Us for an after ride FRESH POWER Smoothie
50% off and Preview Cool E Bikes
Please note that Slow Spokes Roll Community rides are held the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month. Always start and end at 5:30 p.m. at Herald Square Parking Garage.
Lights and Helmets required
All ages and abilities welcome
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Yellow Loaner Bike Help Requested
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| | Help keep our yellow bikes in working order |
Can you help maintain the free yellow loaner bikes? We need volunteers to oversee a designated number of bikes. It requires twice weekly visits, estimated time is approximately 2-4 hours per week with some assistance in record keeping.
Let's keep 'em rolling!
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New Platinum sponsor, State Insurance
| Brian Chapman and his staff at Ribbon Cutting |
Platinum sponsor, State Insurance, hosted a ribbon cutting party and ceremony to celebrate his new Punta Gorda building on Wednesday, February 17. The building at 301 W. Marion at the corner of 41 South and Marion Avenue was built in 1919 and has a storied past, including a period as a gas station. This building and its landscaping earned State Insurance TEAM's annual Beautification Award at its January Annual Meeting.
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How about becoming a TEAM Contributing Member?
We're happy to announce that 10 people signed up as contributing members at the mixer at the Torch Restaurant. One new member is Candace Wahbe. Candace recently returned to SW Florida after a five year hiatus in France. She selected Punta Gorda as her home because in her words, "This community has done everything right."
Let's keep it going!
TEAM Punta Gorda, organized in the wake of Hurricane Charley, played an important role in the City's re-development efforts. Now in its eleventh year, TEAM is active throughout the greater Punta Gorda community. Its volunteers are instrumental in numerous ongoing service projects such as "Paint Your Heart Out Punta Gorda," in partnership with Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity, the Bike Loaner Program, in partnership with the City of Punta Gorda, the Pedal and Play in Paradise fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, as well as a host of community and school garden projects.
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Looking for a Fun Activity for visiting kids?
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| | 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.
All equipment is provided. It starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. Pre-registration required at CHEC. Snacks and drinks are included.
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 bobbi@CHECflorida.org to reserve a spot for your visiting kid!
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Lecture on Growing Herbs in your garden
 PGI Green Thumbs will be hosting a "Growing Herbs" lecture on Friday, March 11th at 10:00 a.m. at the Nature Park, located at the corner of Bal Harbor and Aqui Esta. This free Lecture will be given by Dolly Tomalinas, a Master Gardener and horticultural therapist. The lecture will include a demonstration of how to grow culinary herbs in your garden or container. Please be prepared for the outdoor lecture by bringing a folding chair, water, suntan lotion, insect repellant and a hat. Lecture notes will be provided. For further information, please contact Richard Polk at 941-833-4414.
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Help Wanted - TEAM needs YOU !
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:
Need Beautification Chairperson & volunteers.
Many thanks to Suzanne McCormick for 10 yrs of outstanding service
Help by becoming a Co-chair of the School Community Gardens
Become a member of the Outreach Committee and help spread the word
about TEAM's many volunteer activities by organizing Mixers and working the
TEAM table at special events.
Join the Membership Committee in welcoming new and renewing
contributing members
Interested? Just give a call to Sue Carman, TEAM Volunteer Coordinator
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Save the DATES for TEAM
Don't forget to put these dates
in your smartphone or paper calendar!
March 19 - Golf Tournament
April 1 & 2 - Pedal & Play Bike Event
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HAPPENINGS ON THE HARBOR!
We invite you to visit the community calendars below for more information about upcoming events.
Now - March 12, National Art Exhibition, Visual Arts Center, 210 Maud, Punta Gorda
Mar 2: Slow Spokes Roll, Herald Square Parking Garage, 5:30 p.m. (see above article)
Mar 4: Dancing with the Charlotte Stars, Charlotte Harbor Event Center, 941-764-8100
Mar 11: Growing Herbs in your garden, Nature Park, 10 a.m. (see above article)
Mar 16: Slow Spokes Roll, Herald Square Parking Garage, 5:30 p.m. (see above article)
Mar 17: New Public Library Info and Feedback Workshop, Charlotte Harbor Events Center, Myakka River Room, 75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda, 4 p.m.
Mar 19: Golf Tournament in Memory of Judy Brentano, St Andrews South Golf Club, 703-599-5401
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce Calendar
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Mosaic Helps TEAM's Gardens Grow
 The Mosaic Company, the world's leading source of concentrated phosphate and potash, is a strategic TEAM partner, helping greater Punta Gorda build its community and school gardens. Visit the gardens on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TPGGardens/ . According to Mosaic's Communication Manager, Kaley Miller, "TEAM Punta Gorda's garden projects have created excellent partnership opportunities for Mosaic, schools and the community. Gardens teach us not only about growing plants and vegetables, but about how to work together to achieve the best results. At Mosaic, we are continually impressed with TEAM's ability to bring together public and private entities, and citizen volunteers, to create meaningful projects and experiences."
TEAM's appreciation for Mosaic's sponsorship was expressed recently by CEO Nancy Johnson. "Mosaic has been a wonderful partner from the inception of our program five years ago. We now have two completed Community Gardens, one under construction at the Punta Gorda History Park and eight school gardens all funded by Mosaic."Read the entire article.
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Message from TEAM CEO
 Punta Gorda is bursting at the seams! It's a wonderful sight to see so many people, young and old, enjoying the town we all love. While some people see this annual phenomena as an annoyance, I see it as an opportunity. Whether walking, biking, shopping, or dining, these are all people I have yet to meet.
Yes, there are some inconveniences having so many seasonal visitors, but today's visitors are tomorrow's residents. They represent new ideas and new energy. Many of them roll up their sleeves and pitch in on community projects despite the fact that they may have their roots up North. Don't forget to make them feel welcome, as that is what makes this place so special. Strike up a conversation in the supermarket check-out line, or while walking along the Harborwalk. There are plenty of visitors there, riding free loaner bikes around town. January saw 488 riders from 24 different States.
More importantly, our visitors and seasonal residents are a very important part of our economy. They shop in our stores and eat in our restaurants. They buy and rent condos and they pay taxes. Each summer brings the loss of businesses who cannot survive the low season. I know there are those who do not like change, but until we have a true year- round economy, this winter surge in business is critical to our sustainability. A busy winter is good for all of us.
For snow-birds or visitors who are reading this, you are invited to participate! Sign up now for TEAM 's annual Golf Tournament in memory of Judy Brentano, March 19. Don't miss the fun that this great event has in store for you. A special thanks to a wonderful committee and the St. Andrews Golf Club for many years of successful golf events. This one sells out quickly, so register online now at the TEAM web-site.
Pedal & Play in Paradise is now a two day event, scheduled for April 1 and 2. This annual cycling "fest" drew 650 riders last year. Pedal and Play in Paradise is about having fun, but it also supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) and TEAM Punta Gorda's Bicycle Friendly Community Initiatives. We have something for everyone - the casual bike rider, more serious cyclists, mystery lovers, families, and folks who just want to tour our beautiful city and learn about its past and future. Details are on the Pedal and Play website (pedalandplayinparadise.com), and it's not too early to register on-line.
You may already know that Trip Advisor named Punta Gorda the country's top affordable southern destination for northerners to escape the chill, and one of the top 10 in the USA. So if that is you, welcome and we hope you'll stay awhile. Nancy Johnson
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Parting Shot
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| | PGPD Officer Joe Angelini with TEAM CEO Nancy Johnson working at Paint Your Heart Out Event |
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Thanks to our "year-round" sponsors
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