Farmer's Market
10/4/2008 - 1/2/2010
Downtown Farmer's Market at Taylor St. & Herald Court by the Historic Courthouse every Saturday beginning October 4, 2008. This is brought to you by the Punta Gorda Downtown Merchants Association. For more info please contact: jerry Presseller-Market Manager, 941-639-3990.

“NEW” Junior Summer Tennis & Sports Camp at the PUNTA GORDA CLUB
6/8/2009 - 7/31/2009
The Punta Gorda Club is hosting a summer camp like never before. This “New” junior tennis and sports camp will begin on June 8th and will finish with a 2 day junior tennis tournament for all attendees the end of July. The camp runs from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm with 2 to 4 hours of tennis for each player. Also included in the camp is basketball instruction, arts and crafts, yoga, Zumba for kids and physical fitness with a training coach. Children ages 5 though 15 years of age and all levels of athletic ability are invited to attend. Cost is $105 per child per week for Club members and $125 for non-members. Scholarships for deserving children may also be available. Please contact Ashley at Marketing@PuntaGordaclub.com. For more information call 505-0999 or visit: www.puntagordaclub.com.

3 Free Courses
6/11/2009 - 7/15/2009
The Kimal Lumber Event Center is offering three free courses as follows: Thursday June 11, "Therma-Tru Installation & Trouble Shooting Clinic" from 8:00-11:30 am; Thursday June 25, "Learn to Build Tall Walls & Lateral Bracing the Proper Way" from 8:30-11:30 am; Wednesday July 15 -"Understanding Foundation Flood Vents. Where does our Liability begin? Where does it end?" from 11:30am-1:30pm. Pre-registration is required. Call Natalie at (941) 483-5395 for more information and registration.

Parenting Program
6/16/2009 - 7/14/2009
The Family Services Center is offering a parenting program in partnership with the Hanley Center, titled Roots & Wings: Raising Resilient Children, will be held on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 7:30 p.m. for six weeks. Roots & Wings® is an educational program aimed at helping parents learn how to reset standards, use teachable moments, and re-establish rituals and traditions. This program is free and open to the public; however, advanced registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact Emily Lewis at 941.235.0159.

Cash for College Sweepstakes
6/16/2009 - 12/7/2009
Hampton Inn, Port Charlotte supports parents with their "Cash for College" sweepstakes. Now through December 7, while on the road picking the perfect college, if you book online at a Hampton Inn (www.hampton.com/collegetours) you will automatically be entered into the contest to win one of two $5,000 grand prizes that can be applied to college. For more information call 627-5600.

Nature by Boat Excursions
6/16/2009 - 9/30/2009
Nature Education and Science Explorations announces its summer Nature By Boat excursions! Join us aboard a comfortable 20ft pontoon boat in an intimate 6 passenger botanist-guided setting as you explore Charlotte Harbors hidden natural treasures. Choose your tour: Kayak by boat, Gardens by Boat, Nature Photography, Sunrise and Sunset tours and" Botanizing" by land and Sea. Environmental Education program offered for kids!! Summer Special offers 20% OFF June through September. Fathers free on their day. Call for more information and to reserve your seat, 941-626-7590.

Opening Reception & Exhibition at Gallery Joe Mathis
6/17/2009 - 7/31/2009
This exhibit will feature European Landscapes by Joe Mathis. Galery Joe Mathis, 403 Sullivan St., #113, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. For more info call 941-639-8488 or visit: www.swissconnectionsusa.com

Shoes for Kids Project
6/20/2009 - 7/26/2009
The Sunrise Kiwanis Club of Port Charlotte will once again serve as the major sponsor of the Shoes for Kids Project. The goal of this project is to place new shoes on the feet of any "child in need" in the Charlotte County School System. The collection dates for the community will be from 6/20-7/26/2009. For more information or to serve as a collection site, please contact Christy Smith at 941-637-5611.

The Kimal Lumber Event Center offers 2 free courses
6/25/2009 - 7/15/2009
Pre-registration is required. Call Natalie at (941) 483-5395 for more information and registration. Thursday June 25, 09-Free "Learn to Build Tall Walls & Lateral Bracing the Proper Way" from 8:30-11:30 am; Wednesday July 15, 09-Free Lunch and Learn-"Understanding Foundation Flood Vents. Where does our Liability begin? Where does it end?" from 11:30 am-1:30 pm. Course attendees will learn of the new ICC regulations and National Flood Insurance program regulations.

Just Above the Water: Florida Folk Art
6/30/2009 - 9/26/2009
The Charlotte County Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department is pleased to present the Charlotte County Historical Center's new exhibit, Just Above the Water: Florida Folk Art. An opening reception will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. The Center is located at 22959 Bayshore Road. Hours are Tuesday through Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturdays, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Additional information may be found on our website at www.charlottecountyfl.com and click on the Historical Center link.

NAMI Basics Education Course
7/1/2009
Come attend a series of SIX (6) weekly classes structured to help parents/caregivers understand mental illness and advocate for their child (Pre-K to 12th grade), while maintaining their own well being at Family Services Center, Conference room, 21450 Gibralter Drive, at the corner of Easy Street, Port Charlotte, Florida. There is NO COST to participate in the NAMI Basics Education Program. Registration is required. Please contact Pascale at: (941) 268-8033 for more information and registration.

Inaugural Punta Gorda Murals and History Tours
7/2/2009
Tours will be aboard the fun OLDE TIME TROLLEY and will begin and end at Fishermen’s Village. The theme of this first tour is “MARSHALS & MADAMS…the People of Old Punta Gorda”. Reservations for the inaugural tour can be made by calling Fishermen’s Village at 941.639.8721. Cost is $12 per person with payment requested at the time the reservation is made. Credit cards are accepted by phone or cash/check may be dropped off at the Fishermen’s Village office.

Republican Night at the Ball Park!
7/4/2009
Food, Fun and Fireworks! Charlotte Stone Crabs Game at the Charlotte Sports Park. Ticket, full buffet, baseball cap, and program, plus fun, fellowship and fireworks with your fellow Republicans. Cost: Just $25 ($20 under 12). Contact Bill Weller, Mid Charlotte County Republican Club, at bill@billweller.org by June 30th to purchase tickets.

Freedom Swim
7/4/2009
The start is from the north end of the southbound US 41 bridge. Parking is available on the eastern side of US 41 adjacent to the north end of the northbound bridge. The finish is at Fisherman's Village in Punta Gorda. Be on the beach by 10:45 on the 4th of July. For more info call: 941-661-5622 or email: mhaymans@hotmail.com

Fourth of July Celebration
7/4/2009
Center Court, Fishermen's Village. Free admission. Annual Freedom Swim, Live music, restaurant specials. Viewing of annual fireworks display over Charlotte Harbor begins at 9:00 pm. Call 639-8721 for more info.

Around the World with the Mancini Family
7/11/2009
Turning Leaf Productions' "Around the World with the Mancini Family. At the Cultural Center, 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte, FL. For more info call 941-204-0258 or visit: www.turningleafproductions.net

"Live at the Opry"
7/11/2009
"Live at the Opry" will feature Loder, co-founder and co-producer of Turning Leaf Productions, along with country singer Terry McKinney and a country band out of Northern Florida. "Live at the Opry" will be presented at the Cultural Center Theatre, 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte. Tickets are $16. For tickets, call at 941-206-5323 or online at www.turningleafproductions.net.

Charlotte County Day at the Rays
7/12/2009
Special pricing and events for Charlotte County residents. For tickets, just visit www.raysbaseball.com/ccday and enter CHARLOTTE as the passcode to take advantage of this special offer.

Babysitter's Workshop
7/14/2009 - 7/15/2009
offered by the Charlotte County Chapter of the American Red Cross. They also offer training in CPR (infant, child and adults) and first aid. For more info please call 941-629-4345 or contact the Health and Safety department at kolakowskid@redcross-charlotte.org.

Home Safety & Concealed Weapons Training
7/17/2009 - 7/19/2009
Presented by The Charlotte DeSoto Building Industry Assn. This course will prepare you to apply for your Florida Concealed Weapons License. Topics covered will include Safety, Fundamentals of Marksmanship, Ballistics, Firearms Laws, Home Defense & Personal Protection... and more. July 17 classroom training will be held at the CDBIA Training Room and includes lunch. 17984 Toledo Blade Blvd. Port Charlotte, FL 33948-1021 July 19 training will be held at Bullseye Indoor Range, Palmetto. $149.00; additional costs include ammo, targets and a $7 range fee. Instruction provided by House Calls Firearms Training. Call CDBIA at (941) 625-0804. Space is Limited. PREPAID Registration Required. Register Early! Find a registration form at: www.cdbia.com

40th Annual Christmas in July
7/17/2009 - 7/19/2009
at The Cultural Center. Free Admission. Santa will be there 12-2pm. Handmade Crafts, Bake Sale, Quarter Bingo, Cook-out and BBQ, Strawberry Festival, Holiday Decoration, Unique Gifts for All Seasons. $60 for each Vendor Table or Outdoor Space. For more info and reservations, call 941-625-4175 Ext. 253.

Blood Drive
7/18/2009
Joe Cracker Sportsgrille & Tiki and Embarq Retail are partnering to do a blood drive at both their locations: 1020 El Jobean Rd., Port Charlotte.

Home, Garden & Fine Art Show
7/18/2009 - 7/19/2009
hosted by Fisherman's Village. Showcase your products/services in front of thousands of customers! Contact Carmen Lambert of Sunset Blvd. Promotions, LLC today at 941-379-0951.

1st Annual Florida in Full Bloom, Plant & Garden Expo
7/18/2009
Free at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, at 75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda is the site of Charlotte County Recreation's extravaganza showcasing a variety of vendors offering beautiful and unusual plants, flowers, herbs, etc. For more info call 941.639.5833.

"An Evening in Paris" cooking Class
7/23/2009
The CARE Auxiliary invites you to "An Evening in Paris" cooking class at Pies & Plates. $50 donation to the Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies. Call Millie at 380-3686 for tickets.

6th annual Fred Lang Foundation Summer Ball
7/25/2009
Good food, friends, music, dancing, live and silent auctions. Isles Yacht Club. Benefitting children and family services at Charlotte Behavioral Health Care. Reservations, 639-8300 x 275.

New Teachers' Breakfast
7/29/2009
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce's annual event to welcome new teachers to the community. Charlotte Harbor Event Center. Reservation, 627-2222.