Coastal Breeze News

At a recent meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Marco Island, County Manager Leo Ochs reviewed some of the construction projects the County has been completing in recent months, and addressed future projects that could affect Marco Island residents. The 951 Boat Ramp is nearing completion, he said, and in addition to expanding the number of parking places for vehicles towing water craft, workmen have been landscaping the medians and will be adding a left-turn lane to help with safe traffic maneuvering to the ramp. The six-laning is now complete on 951 to Davis Blvd. Other main thoroughfares such as ... Read More »

You may know we have sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico, pond sliders, cooters and snapping turtles in our lakes and ponds, but did you know that Marco Island has a very healthy and active population of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)?  They are like our own miniature dinosaurs; okay, they are not as old as dinosaurs, but first observed and recorded by naturalists in Florida around 1773. It is the only ‘land’ turtle or tortoise species remaining in the southeastern United States. Driving by an Estates or Tigertail Beach area property, you may notice a fresh mound (or two) ... Read More »

Following his retirement in October 2009, Collier County Manager Jim Mudd was presented with a Proclamation by the Marco Island City Council to recognize his outstanding service both to the City and to the County. The Proclamation noted Mr. Mudd’s 26 years in the U. S. Army, retiring as the Commander and District Engineer of the U.S. Army Engineer District in Rock Island, Illinois. Following his Army service he served as the Collier County Public Utilities Administrator and after one year he became Deputy County Manager, and then the Collier County Manager on July 15, 2002. Mr. Mudd’s wife Toni ... Read More »

It’s Complicated isn’t complicated at all.  Jane Adler (Meryl Streep) is a wealthy divorcee who owns a big house and a successful bakery in Santa Monica.  Her ex, Jake (Alec Baldwin) is a beefy, lecherous lawyer.  They’ve been divorced for ten years.  He’s now married to a young bimbo, complete with grotesque tattoo and accompanying grotesque kid. Jake is bored with life at home and, after running into Jane, wants to rekindle his love life with her.  Jake spends so much of his time reappearing in his Porsche, and trying to bed Jane again, and again and again, that you ... Read More »

From South Florida Water Management District;   1) Water infrequently, deeply and thoroughly – Most lawns need about 3/4 to 1 inch of water once per week, or once every two weeks when the weather cools. Water can come from rain, or from irrigation. Infrequent but deep watering will encourage deep rooting, healthier and hardier plants with a greater tolerance for drought. 2) Water at the right time of day – Water early in the day, especially in warmer weather, when evaporation rates are lowest. 3) Watch your lawn rather than a calendar – Your lawn needs watering when: ·         ... Read More »

Marco Presbyterian Church’s Women’s Ministry Team invites women in the community to a time of fellowship, fun and fitness with Christian fitness expert and PraiseMoves founder Laurette Willis.  PraiseMoves combines scripture to honor and praise God with easy stretching movements. The event begins 7 p.m. on January 28 in the church’s fellowship hall. Willis will present “Fitness for His Witness” and her personal testimony. There will also be light desserts and coffee. There will be a 1:30 p.m. January 29 PraiseMoves session at Residents’ Beach.  Water and a beach towel will be provided.  Young women age twelve to twenty, as ... Read More »

The eyes, the heart, and purse strings the world over are opening to help and comfort the people of Haiti.  Churches, schools, governments and neighborhoods are embracing this small Caribbean country stricken by tragedy. Wednesday, January 27, the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort & Spa is hosting a silent auction fundraiser in the Grand Ballroom, lending a helping hand to victims of the Haitian earthquake. “Fifty-five employees of the Hilton are Haitian and there is not one that does not have friends and family members affected by this tragedy,” Mac Chaudhry, Hilton General Manager said. Life can be tough, as ... Read More »

“Mom, I’m bored – what can I do?” Both kids and adults alike have no excuse for boredom, with the many and varied programs offered at the City of Marco Island’s Mackle Park. There are programs for Youth ages 3 – 5 years, 6 – 14 years, 13 – 18 years such as soccer, competitive cheerleading, and social activities for teens. Men and women over the ages of 18 can participate in programs that will develop their abilities in crafts, language, different musical forms, and cards. Those inclined to improve physical fitness may indulge in yoga, T’ai Chi, and Jazz ... Read More »

The Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) and SWIFT SunGuide Center are scheduled to go ‘live’ at 6 a.m. on January 19, 2010. The Florida Department of Transportation’s Intelligent Transportation System is bringing real-time information about interstate traffic conditions to travelers using I-75 through Collier and Lee Counties.  ITS will help the public make efficient, timesaving transportation decisions.  Dynamic message signs along I-75 now display “heads up” information about travel times, congestion, lane closures, incidents, even foggy or smoky conditions on the highway.  The South West Interagency Facility for Transportation (SWIFT) SunGuide Center is the hub of real-time traffic operations for I-75 ... Read More »

The Reason for the Pelican By John Ciardi The reason for the pelican Is difficult to see; His beak is clearly larger Than there’s any need to be. It’s not to bail a boat with - He doesn’t own a boat. Yet everywhere he takes himself He has that beak to tote. It’s not to keep his wife in - His wife has got one, too - It’s not a scoop for eating soup, It’s not an extra shoe. It isn’t quite for anything. And yet you realize, It’s really quite a splendid beak In quite a splendid size. Brown ... Read More »

By Liz Carr, Code Compliance Officer Various code violations occur throughout the City; however, the Code Enforcement officers would like to address two violations of city code that occur weekly: 1) when to place recycle or trash roadside 2) sidewalk maintenance. Recycle and Trash Containers. Recycle bins and trash receptacles should be taken to the roadside after 6:00 p.m. of the evening before the scheduled pickup day. The City Code prohibits containers being roadside for days at a time or any earlier than 6:00 p.m. the evening prior to pickup. For example, for recycle items such as landscape debris or ... Read More »

By now, everyone should have received a ballot and an explanatory brochure on Understanding the Referendum in the mail. The brochure clearly states a YES vote means that you want to change the Charter language on that question, while a NO vote means you do NOT want to change the language on that question. How about the seven questions themselves? Members of the Charter Review Committee offer their comments and information on each of the changes up for discussion. These questions will be presented to the voters on January 26, 2010, and as the absentee ballots are distributed early in ... Read More »

What a wonderful way to start a new year! A new newspaper in town and it is our own, with our own people doing the writing! It has been a wonderful holiday season, starting with Chanukah for our Jewish friends, and moving on to Christmas for our Christian friends. The nicest thing about this holiday season is that it brings families together for the celebration. I hope everyone reading this column had a most joyous holiday, and that we can all look forward to a better New Year than we had last year with better health, better weather (it was ... Read More »

City Council Meeting On Monday, January 4, 2010 the City Council of Marco Island started the new year with two meetings: first they met in closed attorney-client session with City Manager Steve Thompson and City Attorney Alan Gabriel to discuss matters relating to pending litigation with Key Marco Community Association, Inc. v. City of Marco Island. At the conclusion of litigation,a transcript will become part of the public record. This litigation involves a case in which the City claims protected species of trees were removed from properties in Key Marco. Present at the general meeting were Councilmen Forcht, Kiester, Popoff ... Read More »

Remember Peggy Lee singing “Is That All There Is?”  That aptly describes the adulthood of Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) who waltzes through life with an aircraft glued to the seat of his pants.  Ryan is a product of modern America, where his company concentrates on dispatching its staff dedicated to firing the innocent victims of an economy in severe recession. Clooney is at his best, beautifully underplaying the role of Bingham, a man who spends over 300 days a year criss-crossing the country for the sole purpose of firing people.  He is smooth, convincing, but dispassionate when he substitutes “opportunity” ... Read More »

Beauty, being in the eye of the beholder, is often the crux of a problem and also a challenge. The Goodland Boat Park is one such animal. As recent as a dozen years ago, the swath of land south and at the end of Goodland Drive West was just low, swampy marshland. During these past years, that swamp has transitioned into million-dollar property and has caused Goodlanders, a few developers, and the County much stress and discord. Read More »

It’s funny how life unfolds before us. Three women, extremely diverse in their views and experiences met, worked together for several years, and went in different directions to pursue other goals. Who would have suspected they would eventually unite to form the foundation for a dynamic new local newspaper team? And yet, here we are presenting you with the first great issue of Coastal Breeze News! For me, it was a no-brainer! Having seen corporate downsizing three times in less than a year, I knew it was inevitable that the highest salaried employee was next to go: namely me! After ... Read More »

In my high school yearbook quote, I used a poem by Stephen Crane, which read: “Think as I think,” said a man, “Or you are abominably wicked; You are a toad.” And after I had thought about it, I said, “I will, then, be a toad.” For anyone who would say that the medicine I practice makes me a quack, I would say, “I will then be a quack.” There are mountains of evidence showing the scientific rationale for acupuncture, homeopathy, low-level laser and magnetic resonance therapy, Chinese herbal and diet therapy, Tui-Na massage and Qi Gong, mesotherapy and prolotherapy.  ... Read More »

You have just purchased or built a fabulous home or condo on Marco Island, Naples or the surrounding area and after the initial excitement wears off, with keys in hand, the big questions arise! How do I personalize, decorate and finish my new home with style and panache? What is my style? And, oh yes, which pieces should I bring with me from Minnesota, Chicago, New York, Canada, or England? Should I remodel the kitchen completely or just change the awful countertops and backsplash? The baths look more dated than I remember when I toured with the realtor. Should I replace the ... Read More »

For 10 days every January, the cold climate of Park City, Utah heats up when more than 45,000 celebrities, filmmakers, deal makers, and film aficionados invade this mountain town for the Sundance Film Festival. Sundance began in 1978 as  the Utah/US  Film Festival. In the first years of the festival, film star Robert Redford and other organizers took to the streets to encourage people to attend this showcase for independent films. Since that time, Sundance has grown to a huge media event with more involvement of studios and industry regulars, and less involvement of  Redford. All of that may be ... Read More »