Living under a tar paper roof.

Delivery of roof tiles is who knows when.

Glass broken on Aug. 13 is still broken today.

Leaks in the ceiling.

No one is showing up to do any work.

Does this sound like your home environment? Stress city, right? There is enough stress in one's life without factoring in jobs and family responsibilities.

The Charlotte County Economic Development Office recognizes the need for "stress relief" and has partnered with Florida Gulf Coast University, Charlotte Campus, to offer stress management seminars. These seminars are open to the public and there is no cost involved -- just get yourself there.

The instructor, Jacquelyn Ferguson of InterAction Associates, has been in the management development and training business over 20 years. With a master's degree in community counseling/psychology, she designs and facilitates programs for businesses, education and government. Jackie is also a corporate and success coach.

The next seminars are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Charlotte Sports Park. Each session is two hours in length.

Additional seminars are scheduled for April 7 and 19, at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., at the Sports Park and April 20 at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the County Administration Center, 18500 Murdock Circle, Room 119.

For planning purposes, it would be appreciated if you made a reservation by calling FGCU at (941) 505-7414; however, this is not a prerequisite.

Another stress-relieving program is led by Susan Schmidt, an adjunct faculty member at FGCU. Neither talent nor experience are required for the Healing Power of Art workshops, which are held at the Visual Arts Center, directly across from Fishermen's Village in Punta Gorda.

Workshops open to all ages are held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following Mondays: March 28 and April 4, 11 and 18.

Workshops just for adults (over 18) are held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the following Thursdays: March 24, 31 and April 7, 14 and 21.

Workshops just for children (ages 6-10) are held held from 10 a.m. to noon on the following Saturdays: March 26 and April 2, 9, 16 and 23.

Please bring your neighbors and friends and enjoy a few "stress-less" hours and learn new methods to help you cope.

Betty Williams is economic development manager for the Charlotte County Economic Development Office (www.PureEconomics.org).