Aug. 29: Benefit Golf
A golf tournament to help the Charlie and Sally Pentecost family with medical expenses will be held Saturday, Aug. 29 at Lake Venice Golf Club. Sign-in for the tournament begins at 7:30 a.m., and the shotgun start is at 8:30 a.m. The $60 cost per golfer includes lunch. The cost of lunch for non-golfers is $20. The fee also includes a continental breakfast, range balls, beverages on the course, the round of golf and a cart, and a barbecue lunch provided by Food is Love. Entry forms, which are due by Aug. 22, are available around the island. They can be faxed to 486-8302, e-mailed to cspbenefit@aol.com or mailed to: Charlie and Sally Pentecost, c/o CSP Benefit, 641 Yale Road, Venice, FL 34293. For more information, call 493-9936.
Sept 9: BGHPB Meets
The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board is scheduled to meet Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. in the Woman's Club Room at the Boca Grande Community Center.
Sept. 11: Farmers Market
Charlotte County Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources will hold a Community Farmers Market at the Tringali Recreation Center, 3460 N. Access Road, Englewood the second and fourth Fridays of every month beginning Sept. 11. Spaces available to vendors on a pre-registration basis only, 941-681-3742. For information about the farmers market and other activities, call 941-625-PLAY or visit charlottecountyfl.com
Sept. 14: Library Opens
The Johann Fust Community Library, which closed for the summer on Thursday, Aug. 13, will reopen on Monday, Sept. 14. Call with any questions, 964-2488.
Sept. 19: Youth Fishing
A catch-and-release Youth Fishing Tournament for children ages 15 and under will be held 9 to 11 a.m. at the Boca Grande Fishing Pier (north end of the island). Bait is being provided by Eldred's Marina (no lures allowed), and all children must be supervised by a parent or guardian. Additional tournaments are scheduled for Jan. 9 and April 24, 2010. For more information, contact Joe Wier or Bob Green at the Boca Grande Community Center, 964-2564.
Oct 2-4: Gil Classic
The 4th Annual Gil Memorial Classic fishing tournament, which this year will benefit the Barrier Islands Park Society, will be taking place Oct. 2-4. The tournament will kick off with the captain's meeting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, at Miller's Dockside at Boca Grande Marina. Fishing will start immediately following the captain's meeting and will end with the final weigh-in Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. For more information, email gmcboca@aol.com or call Copeland More at 813-728-9284.
Oct. 4: 5K/10K Run
The 6th Annual Gasparilla Island 5K & 10K Run will be held Sunday, Oct. 4, with a 7:30 a.m. start at the Boca Grande Community Center. Entry fee is $20 if pre-registered or $25 the day of the event (6 to 7 a.m.). Awards will be given to first, second and third place male and female winners in each age division, plus many door prizes will be given away (must be present to win door prizes). Register at Active.com or complete the registration form at RunBocaGrande.com. For more information, call Joe Wier or Bob Green, 964-2564 or email greenre@leegov.com
Oct. 10: Farewell to Chief
The Boca Grande Fire Department will be hosting a "Farewell to Chief Edmonds" Retirement Cook-out in honor of Fire Chief David Edmonds' 10 years of service to the community. The cook-out will be held Saturday, Oct. 10, 2 to 6 p.m. at the Boca Bay Powerhouse. There will be music and a program honoring the chief. For more information, to donate a salad or side dish or to contribute to the event, call Nancy Coleman, 964-2908 or email nancybocafire@comcast.net
Oct. 17-19: Fall Festival
Plans are in the works for a three-day community Fall Festival in Boca Grande this year. Watch for details.
Oct. 31:
Halloween Carnival
The Halloween Carnival at the Boca Grande Community Center and Crowninshield Community House will be held Saturday, Oct. 31. The costume parade begins at 4 p.m., and carnival games begin immediately following the parade. Hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks will be available at the Black Cat Cafe. One bag of individually wrapped soft candy per child is appreciated and should be dropped off no later than Wednesday, Oct. 28. Cakes for the cake walk can be dropped off Oct. 31 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Crowninshield House. For additional information, please call 964-2564.
Nov. 3: Games Begin
Chess, Checkers, Cards & More - a new program last year at the Boca Grande Community Center - will return on Nov. 3. Games will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to noon, in the special interest room. Bring your favorite game or use ours. All skill levels are welcome to play. No need to register as this is an informal gathering allowing you to meet new people while playing your favorite game. No play on Nov. 26, Dec. 24, Dec. 29, Dec. 31 and March 11. For more information, call 964-2564.
Nov. 19: CPR Class
CPR/First Aid Classes will be conducted by the Boca Grande Fire Department at 9 a.m. Nov. 19. The cost is $10. To sign up, call 964-2908.
Nov. 21: Hoop Shoot
The annual Turkey Hoop Shoot basketball shooting contest, free for all ages, will be held Saturday, Nov. 21, at 10 a.m. at the Boca Grande Community Center's outdoor basketball court. Prizes awarded to first place winners in six age divisions for male and female (4 & under, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-14, 15 & up). Contest will be 15 shots from several locations on the court. All children must be supervised. No registration required; just show up. For more information, call 964-2564.
Nov. 28: Christmas Walk
The annual Christmas Walk starts at 5 p.m. with carolers, festive decorations, streets lit with luminaries, holiday treats for good girls and boys of all ages and a visit from Santa Claus. For more information, contact the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce, 964-0568 or visit www.bocagrandechamber.com
Dec. 5: Lighted Parade
A scavenger hunt starts at 3 p.m. and continues until 7 p.m. Carolers stroll among the shops. A lighted golf cart parade will be held with prizes for the best in several categories. And Santa makes a return visit riding into town on his own holiday reindeer cart. For more information, contact the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce, 964-0568 or visit www.bocagrandechamber.com
Dec. 6: Tree Lighting
The annual Caroling Concert is at 4 p.m. followed by the traditional Lighting of the Tree across from Hudson's Grocery at 5 p.m., sponsored by the Boca Grande Woman's Club.
Dec. 8: Boat Parade
The Lighted Boat Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. with prizes and a celebration afterward at the Eagle Grille. Everyone is welcome to join in the parade. For an entry form and details on participating, go to www.bocagrandechamber.com
Dec. 12:
Lighthouse Lighting
The annual lighting of the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse will be at 6 p.m. with caroling, refreshments and holiday treats. For more information, contact the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce, 964-0568 or visit www.bocagrandechamber.com
Hot Happenings
The Boca Grande Fire Department responded to the following incidents for the week ending Aug. 16: one Rescue and Emergency Medical Service calls, one false alarm and one hazardous condition (no fire).
The Boca Grande Fire Department has available a meeting room for up to 25 people. For availability and scheduling, contact the fire department at 964-2908.
Hurricane Hangtags
Hurricane Hangtag renewal stickers are now available. To obtain your 2009 renewal sticker, bring your Hurricane Tag(s), along with a valid ID to the Boca Grande Fire Station between the hours of 10 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Renewal stickers will be applied to your existing Hurricane Tag(s) and be valid for the 2009 hurricane season.
Kayak Eco-Tours
Kayak Eco-Tours from Don Pedro Land Base on Placida Road to Don Pedro Island State Park are by special appointment only until fall when the normal weekend schedule will resume. The ranger-guided tours include a guided tour on pristine Don Pedro Island State Park or a stroll on the beach. For more information or to schedule a tour, call the Boca Grande Lighthouse at 964-0060. All profits go directly to support the four local state parks and lighthouse museum.
Art Alliance Closed
The office of the Boca Grande Art Alliance is closed until Sept. 15. For information about the art alliance, visit www.bocagrandeartalliance.org. The art alliance is looking for six island homes for its Art in the Home Tour scheduled for Feb. 18, 2010. The tour will showcase the art and architecture of Boca Grande. For details, contact Midge Mason or Deborah Halpin at the art alliance office, 964-1700, after Sept. 15.
Community Center
The Boca Grande Community Center's summer hours will continue through Saturday, Oct. 31. Summer hours for the Lee County Parks & Recreation office, Fitness Center, and Reference Room & Library are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, closed. The films shown free at the community center auditorium will resume Oct. 1. For additional information, call 964-2564.
Friends Office
Summer hours at the office of Friends of Boca Grande Community Center are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., until Oct. 1. For information on community center programs, visit www.friendsofbocagrande.com
Fitness Center
Summer hours for the Fitness Center at the Boca Grande Community Center continue through Oct. 31: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, closed. The fitness center is available free of charge. Users must sign a waiver form before working out. Equipment includes a multi-station weight machine, dumbbells from five to 70 pounds, two flat/incline benches, two core balls, and cardio equipment including a stair stepper, two elliptical trainers, two treadmills and a recumbent bike. For more information, call 964-2564.
Johann Fust Library
Historical Museum
The Boca Grande Historical Society Gift Shop and Museum, located in the historic Teacherage House at Banyan and Park, is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., year-round. View exhibitions from the historical society's large archival collection of photos and historical research. The gift shop offers historical memorabilia for sale. For details, call 964-1600 or visit www.bocagrandehistoricalsociety.com
Lighthouse Museum
The Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum is closed during the month of August. During September, the museum will be open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the Barrier Island Parks Society, 964-0060 or visit www.barrierislandparkssociety.org
Maritime Museum
Summer hours at the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum, located at Whidden's Marina at the east end of First Street, are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 964-2878 or visit www.whiddensmarina.com
Royal Palm Players
Hours at the office of the Royal Palm Players during August are Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The RPP office is located at 333 Park Ave., Unit 2B, above Island Bike 'N Beach. The office is fully accessible by stairs, ramp and elevator. For information outside office hours, call 964-2670, email royalpalmplayers@embarqmail.com or visit www.royalpalmplayers.com
