Punta Gorda

18 Let’s Go! E/N/C/V March 14-20, 2012Redfish tournament to benefit PCHS footballBY RACHAEL TAFTSTAFF WRITERThe annual Pirate Redfish Tournament, afundraiser for Port Charlotte High School’sfootball program, will be held Saturday,starting off from Laishley Park.While the tournament has previously been heldat other times of the year, event organizer Gary Ingman,owner of Ingman Marine, said the spring dateshould ensure a great turnout at the tournament. Heestimated 30 to 50 teams would participate.“The good thing is this year we have focusedour tournament and put it smack dab in the heartof redfish season,” he said. “In the springtime fishstart changing their pattern. It’s one of the bettertimes.” He added that the weather would bebetter, with no tropical storms to worry about andlittle chance for a cold front.“It’s a phenomenal fishing estuary that wehave here,” Ingman said. “Charlotte Harbor hasso much to offer; we’re one of the only areas thathas these local redfish all the time.”The tournament prizes are one thing that setsit apart from other redfish tournaments. The firstplaceteam with the two heaviest redfish will receivea new 70-horsepower, four-stroke Yamaha outboardengine valued at more than $9,000. There will alsobe prizes for second through fifth place.Also, for the third year in a row, the tournamentwill include the Rivals Across the River tournament.Students, alumni, teachers and employeesfrom Port Charlotte and Charlotte high schoolswill compete against each other. The fishermanwho catches the biggest fish will win $50 andwill have his name engraved on a plaque thatwill hang at the goal post at PCHS. So far thetournament has been won by CHS once andPCHS twice.The additional tournament is intended toencourage more locals who fish but wouldn’tnormally enter a tournament to participate.“We try to make it a little bit more interesting,especially for local people that do fish that arefrom the schools,” Ingman said. “I hope to reachmore people out there who...will fish this one becausethey’ll say, ‘I’m an alumni of Port Charlotteand I want to help out the football program.’”The event kicks off the night before the tournamentwith a Captain’s Party at 6 p.m. at GoalPost Grill & Sports Bar. Participants will reviewtournament rules, receive t-shirts and socializewhile eating a meal provided by Goal Post.Check-in on Saturday will begin at 6 a.m. atLaishley Crab House. The weigh-in will take placeat Harpoon Harry’s from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.Registration is $225 per team, with threefishermen per boat, until March 10. After thatdate, registration will be $250. Fishermen canregister at Ingman Marine, 1189 Tamiami Trail inPort Charlotte. Registration fees include a longsleevedPirate Redfish Tournament shirt.Ingman is also looking for local businessesto become sponsors. Sponsors will have theircompany logo displayed on the Redfish PirateSponsor Board at the entrance to the PCHSfootball field.For more information, call Gary Ingman at941-628-2776.Lionetti helps bring closure, healingPROVIDED BY VISANIRenowned medium Gail Lionetti will be atVisani at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.Lionetti was aware at the age of 6 thatshe had a gift with which she was able to seespirits and visions of what was to come.Using this gift, she has worked directly with lawenforcement agencies, helping solve numerouscases involving missing and exploited children.Recently, Lionetti’s gift has expanded, and sheis now able to communicate with animals. Lionettihelps bring closure and healing to many in heraudience. Be prepared, because you never knowwho might visit you from the past.Doors open for dinner at 5 p.m. Tickets are $25and can be purchased by phone by calling941-629-9191 or person at Visani Restaurant,2400 Kings Highway, Port Charlotte.Gail Lionetti will be at Visaniat 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.PHOTO PROVIDED'The Venice Circus ArtsFoundation, Inc.P R E S E N T S1 o448510-- -------- ---------------------------------------------River City GrillSt. Patty’s Day 2012At The TavernBar opens at 12:30TWO FOR $29 NIGHTLY!!6pm to closeDennyezzilnlim e Man ShowTwilight Menu $10.954:30 to 6pm -7 Days A WeekNot available on HolidaysIrish BeerCar BombsNutty IrishmanGreen Apple MartinisCorn beef & CabbageLive Music starts at 5:00Fridays 8:00 - 11:00Everything from Elvis &Garth to the 50’s - 60’s .“Rock-n-Roll& Phantom of the Opera ”You ask, he does it.Join Us forGallery WalkMarch 15thSaturday “Ladies Night” Dancingstarts at 10:00Saturday: Emmy QSings today’s favorite to50’s & 60’s classics.Come and Listen to“The Voice” Every Saturday7:30 - 10:00131 West Marion Ave., Punta Gorda • 941-639-9080www.rivercitygrillpg.com--- --------------------------------------------------443629March 23 • 24 • 25March 29 • 3031 • 31 .April 01SAo---For Showtimes& Tickets Call:941-485-7675O S O S OP R O U D L Y S P O N S O R E D B Y :4)0' Habitat GBuL EXPREfffor Humanity 411IN 96,65MFRAwww.venicecircusarts.com