National Bowling Week Kick-Off

Saturday, August 23 – Saturday, August 30, 2008
Location: Bowland Port Charlotte3192 NE Harbor Blvd.Port Charlotte

Bowland is celebrating National Bowling Week with a Kick-off scheduled for the week of Aug. 23 through Aug. 30 at 3192 NE Harbor Blvd. in Port Charlotte. Bowland invites the public to join the festivities of National Bowling Week and enjoy free coaching clinics, free bowling passes, promotions, contests, prizes, league sign ups and more.
For more information contact 941-625-4794

Charlotte Ichiban Bonsai Club
Saturday, August 23, 2008 10am – 12pm
Location: Cultural Center of Charlotte County , Room 31, 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte
Bonsai members meet for demonstation, workshops and plant critiques. Beginners welcome , come learn the Art of Bonsai , every saturday 10 a.m. to noon


Homeward Bound Greyhounds
Saturday, August 23, 2008 10am – 3pm
Location: Sun Flea Market, by the Big Ferris Wheel at 8505 Paulson Dr. # C8,
Port Charlotte (across from Wal-Mart)

The Homeward Bound Greyhounds will have a fundraising event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 23 at the Sun Flea Market, by the Big Ferris Wheel at 8505 Paulson Dr. # C8 in Port Charlotte (across from Wal-Mart). They are having a huge “Garage Sale” table containing new and used items at low prices, a delicious bake sale, free balloons and information pamphlets. Many vendors will also be present. “Let a Racing Greyhound race right into your heart.” Help give one a good home by adoption or help with a donation. For more information call 941-627-4135.

Guided Tours

The Alligator Creek Preserve is located on a 30,000+acre State Park Preserve, which includes the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park along the western border.This Park is owned by the State of Florida and a portion is leased to the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. for environmental education and recreation.

The Alligator Creek Preserve is the area’s four (4+) miles of nature trails. Year-round volunteers offer interpretive trail walks to the public free of charge.

They offer many free programs or self guided walking tours. The park is located in Punta Gorda. Call 941/575-5435 for more information.

You may also want to explore:

Deep Creek Preserve Guided Walks
Through reservation, groups are taking on an interpretive guided hike through a vital upland habitat. This 2,000 acre preserve was purchased by SWFWMD to protect and enhance water quality of the Peace River. Bought with tax-dollars, this is a public preserve, open to hiking, horseback riding, and biking. The Preserve was bought for many reasons, one of which is the Red Cockaded Woodpecker. The essential long-leaf pine grows in the Preserve and it is the hope of the wildlife managers that soon the RCW will move into artificial nesting boxes, and eventually into the trees themselves. Many, many other species of birds have been sighted here: egrets, herons, red-bellied woodpecker, sand hill cranes, pileated woodpecker, warblers (yellow- rumped to name one...). Not only birds but deer, hog tracks, gopher tortoises and the occasional bobcat have been spotted.

Manatees

The West Indian or "Florida" manatee has a large, bulky, rounded body that tapers into a round, paddle-like tail. Its two front flippers help the animal maneuver in the water and move food towards its mouth. Its gray skin is think and wrinkly, and it has powerful lips which dig for food. The manatee can grow from 9-13 feet long and weigh up to 3000 pounds. They rely completely on plants for their food source, consuming up to 150 pounds per day.

You can actually see manatees swimming in the local areas at different locations.

While they look rather slow, they can definitely hurt you if should startle one.

For your own safety and the safety of the manatees, keep these guidelines in mind:

Do not enter designated manatee sanctuaries for any reason
“Look, but don’t touch” -- observe manatees from the surface of the water and at a distance
Avoid excessive noise and splashing
Use snorkel gear when attempting to watch manatees -- the sound of scuba gear may cause them to leave the area
Don’t feed manatees or give them water

The weather this week is somewhat iffy. It's a good week for indoor recreation - like movies, musuems, day trips and more. See below for just some of the upcoming events for your local "staycation".



Your staycation should include an Englewood Beach House Rental. It is more affordable and enjoyable then you might think!








This coming weekend:

NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Location: At the football field in Carmalita Sports Complex, 6905 Florida St., Punta Gorda.
NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick program for boys and girls ages 5-15 begins registration from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 13 and from 7 a.m.-9 a.m. June 14 at the football field in Carmalita Sports Complex, 6905 Florida St. in Punta Gorda. The children must have their birth certificate to register. Call 941-916-2427 for more information.





Free guided walks at Cedar Point Park
Saturday, June 14, 2008 10am – 12pm
Location: Cedar Point Environmental Park 2300 Placida Road,
Join Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center staff and volunteers every Saturday and Sunday as they lead visitors through the 115-acre park in search of gopher tortoises, bald eagles and various wildflowers. The leisurely walk takes participants through the pine flatwoods, home to many species of woodpeckers, along a small scrub ridge where gopher tortoise burrows abound, and down to Lemon Bay, part of the protected Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve.





Family Community Picnic
Saturday, June 14, 2008 11am – 3pm
Vision North Port will host a Picnic in the Park event from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 14 at Dallas White Park, 5900 Greenwood Ave. in North Port. Bring your family, a picnic lunch (no alcoholic beverages), chair or blanket and radio. Meet your neighbors and participate in the "old fashion" fun activities that are planned for your enjoyment. Vision North Port, in partnership with Publix, the YMCA, and several community organizations will be providing activities for the entire family. Participate in a basketball game, get your face painted, throw a Frisbee or join in the fun of a relay race. Stop by the YMCA booth to pick up your ticket for a swim in their pool. Hotdogs, lemonade, water, and Sunny Days Ice Cream will be available for purchase if you forget your picnic basket.



Can you really have too many sunsets?

Check out dozens of wildlife exhibits and learn about animals from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wildlife/Animal Awareness Expo at Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, No. 57-A, Punta Gorda.
Free
639-8721

Let’s Dance Summer
Dance the night away with new and old friends from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Let’s Dance Summer Session at the Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave.

$5

861-1380

Kids Beach Runs

Sarasota County Parks and Recreation's "Kids' Summer Beach Runs" are offered every week through Aug. 13 at these locations: the Venice Pier, 1600 Harbor Drive, Venice, and Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key.

Registration at each location begins at 5:30 p.m. and the one-mile beach runs start at 6:30 p.m. The Siesta Beach Runs are Tuesdays and the Venice Beach Runs are Wednesdays.

Tarpon News

Tarpon remain the focus of many nearshore fishermen right now. Good tidal flow this week should have the fish in a heavy feeding mode as they prepare to make their runs offshore to spawn. These prespawn fish can be the biggest of the year as the females are laden with fully hydrated eggs. A 210-pounder was weighed in an all-release tournament by Marty Scott and his team in Boca Grande last Sunday.

Just one more beautiful sunset at Englewood Beach....

Safety Tips for the Beach

• Swim near a lifeguard
  
• Learn to swim


• Never swim alone


• Supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present


• Don't rely on floation devices, such as rafts, you may lose them in the water


• If caught in a rip current, swim sideways until free, don't swim against the current's pull


• Alcohol and swimming don't mix


• Protect your head, neck, and spine -- don't dive into unfamiliar waters -- feet first, first time


• If you are in trouble, call or wave for help


• Follow regulations and lifeguard directions


• Swim parallel to shore if you wish to swim long distances


• Scuba dive only if trained and certified -- and within the limits of your training


• No glass containers at the beach -- broken glass and bare feet don't mix


• No beach fires except in designated areas -- fire residue and superheated sand can severely burn bare feet -- use a barbeque that is elevated off the sand


• Report hazardous conditions to lifeguards or other beach management personnel

Bathing Suit History

Originally bathing suits covered EVERYTHING. White skin untouched by the sun was considered all the rage. No doubt this made swimming difficult at best. Imagine what the wearers of these "bathing suits" would think if they visited Englewood Beach today!

In and Around Englewood Beach this week

Stamp Corner Wednesday, June 4, 2008 8:30am

Location: Centennial Hall at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte.

Stamps and related items are offered for sale, and stamps and collections appraised free of charge. Donations of used postage stamps requested.

Free Guided HikesWednesday, June 4, 2008 10am – 12pm

Location: CHEC's Alligator Creek Preserve 10941 Burnt Store Road, Punta Gorda
Free Guided hikes are offered week days (Monday through Friday) at CHEC's Alligator Creek Preserve, with volunteer trail guides. No pre-registration is necessary.
Age Range: All Ages Contact: Monica Dorken, 941-575-5435

Ingroov BandWednesday, June 4, 2008 10am – 12pm

Location: First Christian Church20212 Peachland Blvd., Port Charlotte

Ingroov Band plays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Wednesday at the First Christian Church, 20212 Peachland Blvd. in Port Charlotte. Ingroov is a 17-piece swing band, playing favorites by Miller, Herman, Shaw, Basie, Kenton, Goodman and others, plus Big Band vocals. The shows are free and open to the public. "Come and enjoy the music that will bring back happy memories." For more information contact First Christian Church at 941-625-4947.

Englewood Beach Bird Watching

Florida offers a tremendous opportunity for all bird watchers with Eagles, Pelicans, Ospreys, Hawks and Herons galore.

Steal away from the beach to more remote areas for a great bird watching adventure. You can just never tell what you might find!