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Punta Gorda Restaurants OPEN for Christmas 2018

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Merry and Bright! We’ve made a list of our area restaurants open Christmas Day 2018. Although we’re checking the list twice, if you know of a restaurant that will be open yet isn’t listed in this post, feel free to comment. Reservations are strongly recommended as some are offering special seating’s and menus. Also, please ensure you call to verify times.

Punta Gorda Restaurants Open Christmas 2018

The Captain’s Table at Fishermen’s Village

1200 West Retta Esplanade, #55

Punta Gorda

Tel: (941) 637-1177

www.thecaptainstable.com

 

Celtic Ray Public House

145 East Marion Avenue

Punta Gorda

Tel: (941) 916-9115

www.celticray.net

 

F.M. Don’s

201 W Marion Ave

Punta Gorda

Tel: (941) 637-8800

https://www.fmdons.com/

 

Dockside Grill

Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside

33 Tamiami Trail

Punta Gorda

Tel: (941) 637-6770

www.fourpointspuntagorda.com

 

88 Keys Florida

The Wyvern Hotel

101 East Retta Esplanade

Punta Gorda

Tel: (941) 639-7700

www.thewyvernhotel.com

 

The Perfect Caper

121 E. Marion Ave.

Punta Gorda

Tel: (941) 505-9009

www.theperfectcaper.com

 

River City Grill and Italia

131 W Marion Ave

Punta Gorda

Tel:  (941) 639-9080 (941) 639-7655

www.rivercitygrillpg.com

 

Englewood, Venice, Cape Haze, and Sarasota Restaurants Open Christmas 2018

Howard’s Restaurant

1400 Aqua View Lane

Englewood, FL 34223

Tel: (941) 473-0171

http://www.howardsinenglewood.com/home.351879.en.html

 

Rum Bay Restaurant at Palm Island Resort (take the water taxi from behind Johnny Leverock’s)

7092 Placida Road

Cape Haze, FL 33946

Tel: (941) 697-0566

http://www.rumbaypalmisland.com/

 

Sarasota and Venice Restaurants Open Christmas 2018

Columbia Restaurant

411 St Armands Cir, Sarasota

(941) 388-3987

http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/

 

Grove

10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch

(941) 893-4321

https://www.grovelwr.com/

 

Boca Royale Golf and Country Club

1601 Englewood Road, Englwood

(941) 454-6464

https://www.bocaroyale.com

 

Kumo Japanese Restaurant

17945 Tamiami Trail, North Port

(941) 426-5866

www.kumojapanesesteakhouse.com

 

Crows Nest Venice

968 Tarpon Center Dr, Venice

(941) 484-9551

www.crowsnest-venice.com

 

 

 

 

 

The Best Gift

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I have often mentioned in our monthly newsletters as I have grown older I’ve gained a greater appreciation and love for history and seem to cherish the simple pleasures life has to offer even more. Perhaps it is this time of year when our homes and towns are decorated for the holidays and we put into practice “good will towards others” that my appreciation becomes even more profound. However, the one thing that hasn’t changed throughout the years is my enjoyment of those simple  pleasures the same way I did as a child.
Downtown Punta Gorda Christmas Tree

When recently asked, “What was your favorite Christmas gift growing up?” it was a hard question for me to answer as each Christmas was exciting. Our homes were decorated, snow was falling and we were excited to see what Santa left for us under the tree. While my brother and I were blessed to receive many wonderful gifts throughout the years, getting my first electric guitar was a gift I’ll always remember. Of course if my parents had to rethink that decision they may have opted for something else as that same Christmas my brother Jeff received his drum set. We formed our first band and thought we were going to become the next Beatles like most kids during that time, but my father, whose father was a famous composer of opera from Italy, and the voice coach of world renown opera singer Enrico Caruso, quickly reminded us that if his father was still alive and “heard the trash we call music, he would destroy the instruments.”
“Core ‘ngrato” written by my Grandfather, Salvatore Cardillo
While I was never to find fame and fortune in the music industry, as I look back on all the gifts I’ve received the one that never came wrapped in a box, but is one I carry with me every day is that of “appreciation.” That gift arrived during my childhood when a family
moved into our neighborhood and owned everything you could imagine. They had a twin engine airplane, a go cart, scooters, and a jet boat when no one even knew what a jet boat was. They had a built in pool and their home had a central vacuum system. You can only imagine the fun we had with that! After seeing everything our new neighbors owned I asked my mom if we were poor. She smiled and said, “I guess if you compare yourself to that new family maybe you are, but when you consider the fact that we have been fortunate to have 2 homes and 2 cars where most people have only one of each, I don’t think you are doing too badly.” Mom’s simple reply changed my outlook and instead of thinking what I didn’t have, I wanted to share what I did. That childhood life lesson I have carried into adulthood and has become the foundation in how we treat our friends and clients alike.

For the past 20 years our lives in Florida have been nothing short of amazing. We feel with so many wonderful things to do and places to enjoy, our move to Florida feels more like a reward. Just like the child who was excited to open their presents on Christmas morning, we get the same euphoric feeling when we can share the wonderful “gifts” our community has to offer with those who are considering a move to Florida. Often times people tell us,

“You both should work for the Chamber of Commerce. You’re so enthusiastic about your community and you make us feel right at home.”
Sunset View of Charlotte Harbor
While we never take any day for granted, this time of year makes me appreciate our community and those who give so much to make it so special even more. Just look around and see the warmth you receive from store owners, restaurateurs, strangers you meet on the street and the efforts of scores of volunteers whose tireless efforts can be seen in our parks, weekend farmers markets, craft fairs, not to mention our year round concerts, events and more.
As we say to those we meet in our real estate business, “Our friendships don’t end at the closing table,” and it is with that appreciation that this month’s message is one of gratitude for the friends we have, the blessings we’ve received through those friendships, and the thankfulness to all those whose efforts make our community so very special.
May this holiday season bring you and your family an abundance of peace, joy and good health, now and throughout the New Year.
– Gary and Gail Cardillo

November: A Time of Thanksgiving

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Many years ago, my high school English teacher told our class, “If you can fill your one hand with the number of close friends you have, consider yourself fortunate.” I guess I was one of the lucky ones, as I’ve been blessed with many friends who are very special to me. While I never take them for granted, for some reason this season of Thanksgiving makes me appreciate those friendships even more.
Marilyn Smith-Mooney, Punta Gorda’s first woman Mayor
One person whose friendship I have valued for years is Marilyn Smith-Mooney, whose list of accomplishments could span several lifetimes, and her contributions and love for her community is second to none.
From her early years growing up on Long Island, NY, Marilyn possessed an entrepreneurial spirit. For 30 years she had a private sector career focused on architecture/interior design and construction and in fact owned a commercial construction company, something not very common for a woman to own in a male dominated industry. Later she took those creative skills and became the first woman in Executive Management for the #1 cosmetics packaging company in the US.
Not one to follow just one passion, Marilyn had a “secondary career” as an FAA Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor, which earned her the Amelia Earhart Medal for outstanding leadership in the international non-profit organization of licensed women pilots (The Ninety-Nines,Inc.) founded by Amelia Earhart.
Marilyn with her personal Cherokee 180 at Islip-MacArthur Airport on Long Island
In 1993 Marilyn took her skills with her, following her heart in a move that took her to Punta Gorda, and it didn’t take long for her presence to be felt. To this day Marilyn holds one of the longest tenures on the Punta Gorda City Council, serving from 1996-2008,having been re-elected for five terms. She served twice as Vice Mayor and in 2001 became Punta Gorda’s first woman mayor since the city’s founding in 1887.
During her 12 years on City Council, Marilyn’s service to the community included serving as the city’s representative to the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, Charlotte County Tourist Development Council, Punta Gorda Housing Authority, Enterprise Punta Gorda, Arts and Humanities Council and the Charlotte County Domestic Violence Task Force. She is a graduate of leadership Charlotte and Leadership Florida and was the first recipient of Charlotte County’s Visitor and Convention Bureau “Tourism Ambassador Award” for her commitment to increasing tourist development.
As if this isn’t enough to make your head spin, Marilyn’s city council and other community-wide efforts and achievements cover a broad spectrum of unique initiatives that include downtown, neighborhood and economic development, infrastructure improvements, hurricane recovery, business and event development, mentorship programs, children’s services, charter review committee, financial management as well as a tremendous investment of time and financial support of numerous school, park and non-profit organizations.
Marilyn with Linda and Roger Tetrault_ Founder of Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens at Rotary Dinner honoring Marilyn for Service above Self
After her integral role on City Council, Marilyn served as Executive Director for the Tetrault Family Foundation from 2008-2016 when the Peace River Botanical Gardens was first conceived. The goal was to help ensure the people of Charlotte County would become recipients of one of the largest botanical gardens in Florida. What started as a volunteer position turned into the role as Executive Administrator of the partnering non-profit organization founded to manage the gardens. While the Tetrault family continues to develop the balance of this 27-acre property, when completely funded by the Tetrault Family Foundation it will comprise a $30 million gift to the people of Charlotte County and Punta Gorda.
Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens in 30 seconds
Tour of the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens 
While I have always been intrigued with history, as I’ve grown older I find myself envisioning the sacrifices so many made to give us the freedoms we enjoy today. Whether I’m traveling or I just come into contact with a Veteran, I make it a point to thank them for their service, which I know is a passion Marilyn embraces as well. Founded in 2001, the Military Heritage Museum almost went bankrupt some years later and Marilyn was approached, due to her business acumen, “to run it like a business, not something for fun”. As current Board President her goal has been to relocate the museum into its own building where it could “enjoy the dignity it deserves while bringing history alive.” If you have never been to the Museum currently located in Fisherman’s Village, you need to put this on your “must do” list as the veterans who devote their time bringing “history alive” share their impassioned stories as if these moments in history occurred yesterday.
Military Heritage Museum at Fisherman’s Village
When people ask me what makes Punta Gorda so special, I tell them it is due to the vibrant Chamber of Commerce and the area’s community organizations and non-profits, most of which Marilyn is an active member. Not only is Marilyn a member of TEAM Punta Gorda, the Punta Gorda and Charlotte County Chambers of Commerce, the Isles Civic Association, Historical Society, Visual Arts Guild, the Punta Gorda Elks Club and a host of other civic and non-profit organizations, but she is a Supreme Court-certified Mediator for the 20th Judicial Circuit!
While she has been locally, regionally and nationally honored for her volunteerism and leadership in addition to a host of other awards, Marilyn’s philosophy is to “make a difference at the grassroots level.”
As a recipient of the Rotary’s 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award, Marilyn was characterized as someone who was “passionate about her community, placed a high value on mutual respect, ethics, integrity, social conscience and responsible leadership. She regards volunteerism as both a responsibility and opportunity to give of one’s self to improve the world and mankind.”
When asked how she would like to be remembered, Marilyn responded by saying, “As someone who does her homework and always calls people back.”As a friend, you couldn’t ask for someone more loyal and caring. While her handprint can be found throughout the City, the lives she’s touched like mine are even more expansive. She is not only a wealth of knowledge but has a wicked sense of humor.
I feel the best way to summarize Marilyn is with the quote, “She’s never met a stranger,” as her contagious personality is as big as her heart. If you are fortunate enough to meet this amazing woman who I call “friend,” you will not only be entertained, but you will be captivated as she brings “history alive.“
As we celebrate this month of Thanksgiving, let us reflect not on our differences but for those special friendships in which we’ve been blessed.
-Gary Cardillo

Getting Your Home Fall Ready

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6 Tips To Get Your Home Ready for Fall 

I wish the only thing you needed to prep your home for fall is to light a bunch of pumpkin spice candles. While yes, that is a crucial part of getting ready for the change of seasons, there are more important (and not exactly fun) preparations that come with being a homeowner.
We’re fortunate that, unlike our neighbors up north, we don’t have to take on a lengthy laundry list of chores to prep our homes for fall – or, even worse, “winterize” our homes – but there are a few basic home maintenance tasks Florida homeowners should perform as we transition from summer’s blazing 90+ degree days to friendlier temperatures in the 70s.

1. Clean, or possibly replace, your gutters.

Real talk: Florida’s rainy season puts your gutter cleaning to the test – and our soggy summer is followed another gutter-busting time of year. You’re so used to your gutters working properly – and draining thousands of gallons of water from your roof yearly – that you forget they could use a little “deleafing” TLC. If they’re clogged, you can end up with a flooded interior and damaged exterior. So clean them, and if necessary, replace them

2. Check for drafts.

Heat loss through windows is responsible for 25-30 percent of heating energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. But it doesn’t have to be that way, because weatherstripping is simple and probably the most cost-effective
Pro tip: To check if you have a draft issue, close a door or window on a strip of paper. If the paper slides easily, you need to update your weatherstripping.

3. Change your filters.

 Another thing in your house that might be costing you more money then it should be. If your filters are clogged, it’s harder to keep your home at the temperature you want it too be which will increase your heating bills. Clean these filters monthly, not just before the fall, and thank me later. FYI: Disposable filters can be vacuumed one time before you replace it, and foam filters can just be vacuumed and not replaced.

4. Fertilize your lawn.

You know what they say: The best offense is a good defense. If you want to keep your lawn looking great in the spring and summer, you need to prep it for the fall and winter. Roots are still active when the grass isn’t growing, so applying fertilizer will prevent winter damage. Doing this will also help your lawn turn green faster in the spring, which is crucial, because who wants to look at a sad lawn once it gets nice out?

5. Change your batteries.

Once a year you should be checking to make sure all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide devices are working. Since you’re already testing everything else out, you might as well add this on.
6. Put on those Cozy Socks, light a Pumpkin Candle, sip some Apple Cider and get ready for the holidays!

Local Real Estate Recap: January-August 2018

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Since we cover a large area people are always asking, “How are things selling in Sarasota (City) and Venice (City) as well as our area?” Well, here is what is going on in those markets as well as ours.
Sarasota saw a 2.8% increase in the number of homes that sold from January 1st through August 31st this year compared to the same time period last year. Home prices were also on the rise increasing 6.9%.
Condos sales were up 9.1% with the average price increasing 15.8%. This jump was greatly influenced by the condo sales closest to the water and downtown areas where prices have risen dramatically.
Venice saw a 2.3% increase in home sales with the average selling price increasing by almost 7%. Condominiums outpaced homes sales posting a 7.6% increase with the average selling price rising by 4.3%.
Charlotte County homes saw a robust 11.2% increase in sales with the average home selling for almost 8.5% higher than the previous year. Condominium sales increased by 15.6% with the average selling price increasing by almost 5.5%.
The boating communities of Punta Gorda Isles and Burnt Store Isles always are of interest to our readers. Home sales rose in these developments by over 17.7% with the average selling price increasing by 3.4%. Condominium sales were even with last year increasing slightly in price by just under 2%.
And as always if you want to know specifically about your home, feel free to email/call us anytime!
*Sales figures pulled from MLS data.

About The Gary Cardillo Group

Gary Cardillo, Realtor While most people would like to talk about themselves, Gary and Gail have always put their clients first, and their diverse backgrounds have provided their clients an unparalleled level of service and knowledge throughout the past years.
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