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5 Things To Know Before Renting Your Vacation Home

You’re purchasing a beautiful vacation home and are hoping to rent it out to make some money while you’re not using it…but where to start?! Global Vacation Rentals has a few tips so you can start making money by letting others enjoy your gorgeous investment property. Follow these 5 tips for successfully renting out your […]

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Take a Nighttime Bar Tour of Downtown Punta Gorda

If you thought Punta Gorda was hot during the daytime, things really heat up at night. And there’s no better place to be than downtown, where cocktails and beer flow all night and great live music can be heard from the streets.  So, put on your walking shoes and come with us as we stop […]

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The Pirates of Charlotte Harbor

Florida is famous for pirates. Places such as St. Augustine, Tampa and Amelia Island all have long, rich histories full of swashbuckling, thievery and buried treasure. Port Charlotte has its fair share of pirate history, too.  Before we look into Port Charlotte’s pirate history, let’s look at why Florida was such a haven for pirates […]

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The History of Punta Gorda

The city of Punta Gorda has been called such since the Native Americans christened the area centuries ago. The name means “fat point.” But for a period of time starting in the late 19th century, it was called Trabue, named after Kentucky attorney Isacc Trabue, who came to the area in 1883 and thought it […]

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Snook, redfish closed in Southwest Florida

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has temporarily made snook and redfish catch-and-release only from the northernmost point of Anna Maria Island in Manatee County to Gordon Pass in Collier County. This was done through an Executive Order in response to the naturally-occurring red tide bloom in southwest Florida and is in effect […]

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Charlotte County looks to add more sidewalks & bike lanes

The Charlotte County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) needs the public’s input as they work to put together a bike and pedestrian plan for local roads. “I ride facing traffic because I don’t trust people behind me. I can’t see them. And then I ride to the nearest sidewalk and I just stay on that sidewalk […]

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Toys for Tots need volunteers, donations to help brighten Christmas

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. The Marine Toys for Tots is in full swing and accepting donations to help make Christmas a bit brighter for children. There’s more than 200 collection boxes throughout Charlotte County but some are taking weeks to fill. Toys for Tots coordinator Erik Sandess says, “Because of the hurricane we do see an increase need.” […]

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When Do I Need To Reseal My Driveway?

If you value something, you should take care of it. It’s true for your house, your car and even your driveway — a little upkeep now can save you a whole lot later. If you have a driveway, it’s most likely made of concrete or asphalt. Concrete driveways tend to be more durable, but asphalt typically costs […]

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List of Fourth of July events in SWFL

Southwest Florida has a lot of options for you to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday and catch some fireworks. Here’s the rundown: NOTE: The Miromar Outlets fireworks event has been canceled. Mall officials cite safety concerns due to residential growth in the surrounding area. Monday, July 3 Port Charlotte What: Stone Crabs Independence Day Celebration […]

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Burn ban being considered by Charlotte County officials

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. – With serious brush fires continuing to spark, Charlotte County officials are talking about implementing a burn ban, yet the decision won’t be made for several more days. The county will decide next week whether or not to put a burn ban in place. It would mean no fireworks, camp fires or […]

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Low-cost airlines attract more people to Punta Gorda Airport

PUNTA GORDA – Nearly 1 million people are flying in and out of Punta Gorda Airport so far this year. “It’s amazing the number of people that are passing through this little airport,” said Jeff Barlow, of Punta Gorda.  Cost and convenience are reason enough for some passengers to fly out of Punta Gorda rather […]

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How personal data can be stolen from your car’s Bluetooth

    Thousands of drivers are giving away personal information without even knowing it. If you connect your smartphone to your car with Bluetooth, all of that personal information is suddenly at risk.  “If someone ever got in my car, they could figure out everything about me, and that’s not something I ever thought about […]

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Englewood boat races 2016

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FL – The dates have been set and the fundraising is underway. Power boats will be back in Englewood this year, but will something new– Waterfest. Englewood Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ed Hill explains,”Waterfest is going to be a two week event here in Englewood and a highlight for Water Fest if […]

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Vietnam wall to be unveiled Saturday at Laishley Park

  PUNTA GORDA – After more than three years of planning, fundraising and building, the wall at Laishley Park in Punta Gorda is complete. A dedication ceremony will be held Saturday, Nov. 5, at 8:30 a.m. It begins with a walk of honor where participants will be given a postcard with a story connected to […]

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Sharky’s Sunset Beach Bash

Sharky’s on the Pier is a waterfront landmark in Venice. Venice’s most famous drinking destination just got some more recognition and is giving back with a party for a good cause. Sharky’s on the Pier, one of our Top 10 beach bars, will celebrate being voted No. 3 on FloridaBeachBar.com’s list of best beach bars in […]

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Charlotte County promotes ‘clean water’

CHARLOTTE COUNTY – No algae — that’s the simple message Charlotte County is trying to get out potential tourists. With no water quality issues at county beaches or in Charlotte Harbor, businesses and attractions are seeking to capitalize. Captain Ralph Allen of King Fisher Fleet says he is asked constantly how the water quality in […]

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Harbor Sights & Bites

Event Description: Enjoy a fun afternoon with a Harbor Tour and 3 course Dinner! • Start with a scenic cruise of beautiful Charlotte Harbor. This 1 ½ hour narrated cruise tours the waterfront of Punta Gorda and Charlotte Harbor, then circles the bay looking for dolphins, seabirds, and other wildlife. Southwest Florida Food Tours will […]

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New Florida laws take effect

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — Florida legislators passed 279 bills during this year’s session three months ago, and 161 of them take effect on Friday with the start of the state’s fiscal year, affecting school choice, rape kit testing, tax cuts and many more aspects of life in the Sunshine State. A law redefining when abortions can be […]

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Baby Boomers in Charlotte County buying flipped homes

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (AP) – Charlotte County was the No. 1 spot in the nation during the third quarter for flipping a house to someone from the baby boomer generation. The News-Press (http://newspr.es/1WtuPYb ) reports a flipped house – defined as a home that was sold for the second time in a 12-month period – went […]

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About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands

Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is known for its pristine, unspoiled beauty. The area has hosted seven major feature films, been featured on SAIL magazine’s list of the “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as the “Third Best Place to Live and […]

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Halloween Fun!!!

Everyone knows they’re perfect for jack-o-lanterns, but pumpkins hold great interior design potential come autumn. Whether you paint, glue and glitter them for a glamorous Halloween, or simply set them on a stack of hay, pumpkins are a great way to celebrate the seasons and bring the harvest inside your home. Don’t wait for October […]

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Englewood has big plans for WaterFest

ENGLEWOOD – Before powerboats race by Englewood Beach this November, the area’s inaugural WaterFest will already be more than a month underway The four-day-long race weekend will be preceded by an EcoFest at Lemon Bay Park, a stand-up-paddle-board race in Intracoastal waters and an open-air music festival and block party on Dearborn Street. “We wanted […]

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Forecasters confident this hurricane season will be light

Forecasters are even more confident that this Atlantic hurricane season will be a breeze. But the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration still warns coastal residents to be vigilant as the six-month season hits its peak. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center on Thursday gave its forecast calling for a below-normal hurricane season a 90 percent degree of […]

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Local expert debunks misconceptions of sharks

Are you nervous about your next beach trip with all the shark bites in the news? A Southwest Florida expert, who was just featured on the Discovery Channel’s shark week, says not to worry. Sarasota-based Mote Marine Laboratory’s director of shark research, Bob Hueter, says there are a lot of misconceptions. “When people hear the […]

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Charlotte housing market could see summer heat up

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FL – Higher prices and more sales. That sums up the Charlotte County housing market over the first half of 2015. Some say the market will continue to heat up over the summer. New numbers from the Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port Realtor Association show that for each month this year, more homes were […]

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Punta Gorda Farmers Market

Voted the ‘Best Small Market in Florida’ and 15th in the USA, we have a large number of vendors offering fruits and vegetables, dried fruits and nuts, Italian bakery, fresh homemade pasta, kitchenware, cupcakes, beef and fresh seafood, fresh citrus, jewelry, candles and soaps, dip mixes, Florida arts and crafts, cheese, French bakery, baguettes and […]

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Best Places to Watch Fireworks this 4th

Southwest Florida puts on a party to celebrate our nation’s birth. Some communities hold hometown parades. Some organize free festivals. Some even have hot dog- and watermelon-eating contests. To cap it all off, as the sky turns velvety black, a kaleidoscope of colors burst into the air. Here’s a look at where the festivities and […]

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Beat the Summer Heat!

Temperatures in the 80s and 90s combined with high humidity is enough to wilt even the most enthusiastic sun worshipper. When temperatures rise, older adults in particular are at risk because aging reduces the body’s ability to cool off. Here are some common sense and fun ways to beat the Florida heat. Water. Drink plenty […]

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