Coastal Breeze News

CRUISING LIFE by Frances Diebler Hello. My name is Frances Diebler and I’ll be writing a sailing column each week. I want to give you some of my background so you know a little about my experience on the water. My husband, Herman, and I have been sailing for forty years. We first learned to sail in the late ‘60s and never stopped. Our first boat was a Grampian 26 which we took from Westport, Connecticut to Block Island, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and to several ports in between. We advanced to a Grampian 2-34 which we sailed for many years exploring the ... Read More »

It’s great having a place to vacation. If you’re considering that second (vacation) home, the opportune time is when you decide that the stars are in line for you. For many years we didn’t have a vacation home, satisfied that we lived in paradise and living on Marco Island is a full time vacation. About four years ago, we decided that we needed a place to go to get away from the day to day grind of operating three businesses: a real estate firm, a vacation rental firm and a home building operation. The bottom line was, after 60-65 hours ... Read More »

Joanie’s Blue Crab Café in Ochopee on Tamiami Trail hasn’t changed much since Joanie and her late husband bought the property almost 30 years ago. Traveling east about 40 minutes from Marco Island, Joanie’s is right around the bend from the smallest post office in the United States. My first introduction to Joanie’s, food wise, was the cactus salad. That was many years ago. Now days, along with good food, cold drinks and great Everglades’s ambiance, thrilling artists and “back road” talent play at Joanie’s. Raiford Starke performs regularly, as well as Pete Gallagher, Mark Wesley, and Mike Martin. Local ... Read More »

Statewide Open House on Isles of Capri Saturday, April 10 was a beautiful day for an Open House here on the Isles of Capri. This was Florida’s first-ever statewide string of open homes. Here on the island, Christopher Realty participated in the event and showed properties including one with wide water views of Snook Bay. Though the visitors did not flood to Capri in drastic numbers, the buyers who came all had the same response: “What a beautiful island!.” In my opinion, the open house was indeed a success. It brought people down Capri Boulevard who had never ventured this ... Read More »

Let’s face it, sometimes we all need a good excuse to go fishing. With a little planning, you can get out on the water with a special purpose to provide, cook, and feed all of the wonderful moms out there. Right now we are smack dab in the middle of one of my two favorite fishing seasons in Southwest Florida. For those who know me, the last two weeks of April and all of May are my favorite spring seasons, followed closely by October and November. There are many reasons why I love fishing this time of year so much. ... Read More »

Parents and teachers of The Charter Middle School of Marco coordinated a successful and well thought fundraiser at the main ballroom of the Marco Hilton Resort. 220 guests enjoyed a three-course dinner, entertainment and silent auction. $17,600 was raised, after expenses, at the sold out event. A 2 night stay at The Marco Hilton was given away as a door prize and 7th grade teacher, Mrs. Lang won over $800 in the 50/50 raffle. Impressive was the organizers choice of entertainment. The Charter Middle School Jazz Bank entertained the diners as did the Marco Island Strummers, Mr. Totten’s guitar students, and the ... Read More »

By Joe Giannone, Jr. Are you ready to plant a tree or clean a sandy beautiful beach on Earth Day? Earth Day is coming soon, on April 20th, and organizations from all around the country are taking part in a National cause to raise awareness about sustaining the environment and taking part in beach, bay, and various other environmental clean-ups. On Saturday, April 11th, the local environmental group, Friends of Tigertail, had a beach clean-up on Tigertail beach on Marco Island. The Friends of Tigertail host beach clean-ups four times a year, and around this time, the national Bayday clean-up ... Read More »

Years ago I wrote a story about how I could roughly figure a customer’s personality by the kind of watch they might wear. I got many chuckles and bent a few noses out of joint regardless of the fact it was mostly true. And you know what? The same can be seen by the jewelry one wears also. Jewelry personifies sophistication, class or practicality, and let’s not forget ostentatious or downright gaudy. Being in the business, I admit my wife and I do enjoy wearing some of the examples of our trade, but some of our colleagues in the business ... Read More »

There is a lot of confusion over where or what is “Key Marco.” Most new residents to the Island have heard of the “Key Marco Cat” and know vaguely that it is a small statue of a kneeling wooden feline image found on Marco in 1896. Others know that it was found by Frank Hamilton Cushing in his archaeological dig on Marco and it, along with over 2,000 other artifacts, were shipped off of the Island to places like the British Museum in London, the University of Pennsylvania and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. But the term “Key Marco” ... Read More »

This is the first of a short set of articles comparing glimpses of China 30 years ago with today’s China. In 1980 I began a series of business/pleasure trips to Asia centered on obtaining U.S. aviation rights to serve China. The first articles are condensed from extensive notes taken in 1980. The later set is based on a trip in April-May 2010. Beijing – 1980 April 13, 1980 The clouds break shortly after we passed over the coastline. Below us we see the flat, rather dull face of Northeastern China. It looks like the Midwest during late fall. The ground ... Read More »

On Sunday, the Marco Island Fire/Rescue Department was called to this sinking barge and backhoe at 1190 Twin Oaks. Floating debris and leaking hydraulic fluid were evident. The Hazmat team deployed booms around the barge to contain leakage. The National Response Center and the Coast Guard were notified as required by law and this has been turned over to Code Enforcement. City services utilitzed in this case are billed to the barge’s owner. Read More »

AAA Auto Club South recently awarded the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort with a 2010 Four Diamond Award Designation. “AAA Four Diamond Award winners represent the upper echelon of the hospitality industry” said David Pojero, AAA area executive, Southwest Florida, said, “These properties,” Pojero continues, ”consistently deliver a high level of personal comfort and attention to every guest. To achieve and maintain these ratings is a commendable accomplishment.” AAA’s Diamond Rating System is the only ratings system that covers all of North America and one of only two that conduct physical, on-site evaluations. Information about the rating criteria and award winners are ... Read More »

Back in the 70’s and 80’s, the Pacific Northwest tennis circuit offered a unique concept that made it one of the most popular tours in the country: Each event lasted one week and began each June in Eugene, Oregon. At the completion of the first tournament, the players moved on to Portland and then to Washington State for two more contests in Tacoma and Seattle. The participants then played their season finale in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. The players loved the various Pacific Northwest locations but what made the circuit so appealing was that the tournament organizers had the men’s ... Read More »

Your posture or the angle of your body at the address position will probably determine at what position the club face will be in when it contacts the ball. When you watch a player address the ball, you already have an idea that they are in either a good or bad position to make a good swing. Proper posture can be achieved if you stand up straight without a golf club. Bend from the waist and let your arms hang down freely. When you do not bend enough, your arms will hang too close to your body. When you bend ... Read More »

Listening to Goodlanders make noises about going North for the summer, I queried friends as to how they travel and believe me, I heard some tall, but true tales. Ruth’s grandson gave up his Spring break to drive down from Ohio, help her pack up and take her back for the summer. Ruth is a lucky grandmother and she has a cool grandson, don’t you think? Sara Jane, a Goodland artist, and John drive to Charleston carrying Sara Jane’s artwork and supplies. When I asked her how long it takes them to get home, she laughed, “Well, it depends. We ... Read More »

Located on the serenely beautiful Argolic Gulf 2 hours from Athens, Nafplio (Nafplion), with its stepped streets, profusion of flowers, and car free old town is a charming location from which to explore the Peloponnese Peninsula. A popular weekend destination for Athenians, Nafplio is a town of parks, fountains, small churches, and enchanting seaside. Spring and fall are the best times to visit; moderate temperatures during the day, cool in the evening. The first capital of Greece, three fortresses dominate the town.  From Palamidi,  built in the 18th century by the Venetians but quickly captured by the Turks, there is ... Read More »

By Joe Giannone Jr. Past weekend, while on a vacation with my family, we stayed and played in Plains, Georgia. What’s so special about Plains, Georgia, you ask? Well, first of all it’s the leading producer of pecan and cotton in Georgia, and it’s the home and birthplace of our countries 39th president, Mr. Jimmy Carter. Past President Carter still resides in Plains, at his beautiful home, teaching Sunday school at the local Baptist Church whenever he has the chance. People flock from all over the country, even the world, to see this man speak; it’s truly an amazing sight ... Read More »

On April 12, 2010, the Crazy Flamingo was burglarized. We need your help to find the criminal. The person is 5’7″ to 5’9″ tall and weighs about 140-145. They were driving a smaller light colored 4 door sedan. Read More »

End-of-season tournament.  As in years past, it is single-elimination & all regular season rules apply.  Results of the 8:45pm game on 4/22/2010 will determine 3rd & 4th Place as well as tournament placement. Read More »

Fire Rescue responded to an auto accident at Ortega and Century. Major damage but no injuries. Read More »