Coastal Breeze News

Landscaping with Water Conservation is top priority in Demonstration Project at City Hall. The Water Symposium of Florida Inc., in partnership with the City of Marco Island and Big Cypress Basin, held a Ribbon Cutting for the Florida Friendly Landscape Median Demonstration Project at the Marco Island City Hall campus on Monday, May 17.  The City, with the participation of the companies and organizations listed below are setting the example of all of us to follow when planning our own landscaping with water conservation being top priority. Be water smart when planting in your yard, by remembering to keep the ... Read More »

With 110,000 acres of sensitive mangroves, estuaries and fish hatcheries to protect, the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is paying close attention to the developments related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Here, the Friends of Rookery Bay provides a brief overview of plans, how you can help, and where to get more information. Under the leadership of Governor Charlie Crist, the State Emergency Response Team and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), along with federal and local partners are actively coordinating and responding to the Deepwater Horizon incident. As a reserve within the ... Read More »

With all the new bicycle lanes and multi-use paths installed all over the island, what a great way to start commuting to work; and now it is an even better time to start, since May is considered National Bike Month. Officially Bike-to-Work Week 2010 is from May 17-21 and Bike-to-Work Day is on Friday, May 21. Not only is commuting to work great for the environment, it also has great health benefits, one of which is it will keep you much more awake and aware at work!!!! As individuals here are a few ideas for overcoming bike commuting excuses or ... Read More »

On May 19, 2010 Officers from the Marco island Police Department will be assisting the Collier County Sheriff’s Office with a multi-jurisdictional traffic safety initiative on SR 951 between the Tamiami Trail and the City of Marco island. This segment of roadway has been the location of a recent fatal traffic crash, as well as various complaints including but not limited to aggressive, reckless and careless driving, speeding and improper merging and lane changes. Officers’ goals for this initiative are to encourage voluntarily compliance with all traffic laws, and to reduce motor vehicle crashes through education, deterrence and enforcement. Read More »

Every IBERIABANK/MARCO customer receives a ticket for each banking transaction and is eligible to win an Omnitech crosscut shredder in the bank’s monthly drawing. A very excited Heidi Donato picked up her shredder from bank manager Keith Dameron while expressing her appreciation for the extra banking perk. Always fashion aware, Heidi’s position at Georgie’s & The Shoe Resort in Town Center keeps her wardrobe and shoe closet full at all times. Dameron explained a personal shredder is one of the most effective and least costly ways of preventing identity theft. Read More »

On Monday, April 26, the City of Marco Island Parks and Recreation Department held its Inaugural Summer Camp Expo. From 6 to 7:30 p.m. parents and children visited Mackle Park’s Community Center to get information on Camp Mackle, the City of Marco Island’s first, very own summer day camp, and the 15 summer enrichment camps provided by the Parks and Recreation Department. This summer’s enrichment camps include: MICKYS Sailing, Jr. Chefs, Lacrosse Camp, Babysitter Boot Camp, PADI & Open Water SCUBA Certification, Volleyball Camp, Police/Fire Academy, Marco City Tumbling and Cheer Camp, Beginner Golf Camp, Green Thumb/Gardening Camp, Beach Soccer ... Read More »

PARKS AND RECREATION NOTES Camp Mackle registration is now open for ages 6 – 11yrs of age for summer day camp. Stop by Mackle Park to pick up an application. WANTED! Summer Camp Counselor positions are available! For job description and details please see the city website at www.cityofmarcoisland.com. Parks and Recreation Summer Program Guides for May through August are now available; please stop by Mackle Park, Racquet Center, City Hall to pick up your free booklet. _______________________________________________________ MACKLE PARK PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH TOT YOUTH PROGRAMS, Ages 3 – 5 Open Gym Tiny Tumblers will be held every Saturday morning ... Read More »

Children age five to ten are invited to explore the mighty love of God at Marco Presbyterian Church’s “High Seas Expedition” Vacation Bible School, 5 to 7:45 p.m., June 14 to 18. A simple supper will be provided from 5 to 5:30 p.m. each evening. There will be drama, crafts, games, music and interactive Bible lessons. There is no charge for the Vacation Bible School. Parents are invited to join us for the Vacation Bible School’s grand finale and ice cream social on Friday, June 18, at 7:30 p.m. The church is located at 875 West Elkcam Circle. Register by June 11 and get ... Read More »

They may not have been Master Chefs but one thing is certain, they LOVE their Moms. On Saturday, Publix offered an opportunity for children to decorate their very own heart-shaped cake to give to their mother. For $5, children were given a cake–ready-to-design with sprinkles, frosting in a rainbow of colors, flower shaped rings, and a variety of picks with Happy Mother’s Day sentiments. Employees were on hand to help the littlest designers and to offer juice and cookies. Read More »

On Thursday morning, 05-06-10, at 9.45 AM, Marco Island Fire Department responded to a motorcycle accident at the intersection of Barfield and 6th Ave. Marco resident Dave Rice sustained injuries in the accident involving another vehicle. So many of you have been asking for information on Dave’s progress following his motorcycle accident yesterday morning. Coastal Breeze News received an email yesterday from Keith Dameron describing Dave Rice’s condition. The following are excerpts from Keith’s email message: “I just got off the phone with Dave and he gave me approval to share the following information with any who are interested…….I assured ... Read More »

On April 27, 2010, I was informed that the position of Community Development Director would be eliminated from the City’s organizational structure. My thoughts immediately turned to the large volume of existing and pending planning projects that the Community Development Department is currently charged with. As I have been working over the course of the last several days during the transition of City Managers, organizing project files, making final work assignments, and preparing an exit report for the interim manager’s consideration, I have been reminded of the number of significant accomplishments of the employees of this department over the past ... Read More »

Regular Season Final Standings Game #1 @ 6:15pm:  Cocomo’s def. Eli Contracting, 23-11 Cocomo’s Highlights 5 Hits:  Rich Bush & Scott Gibbs 3 Hits:  Sean Shea (HR) & Mike Watkins 2 Hits:  Brian Day, Kevin Hennings, Curt Witthoff, & Dave Rice Eli Highlights 3 Hits:  Chris Nygard 2 Hits:  Christian Polanco & Kirk McFee Game #2 @ 7:30pm:  Sunset Grille def. Nacho Mama’s, 19-12 Sunset Highlights 5 Hits:  Patrick Baldwin 4 Hits:  Chad Clawson 3 Hits:  Mark Canady, Rick Hanscom 2 Hits:  Lee Vanderjagt, Greg Curry, & Jeff Madenford Nacho Highlights 3 Hits:  Kyle Previtt, Chris Broxson, & Kevin Sullivan ... Read More »

From the Official Site of the Veterans of Foreign Wars The federal flag code says the universal custom is to display the U.S. flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in the open, but when a patriotic effect is desired the flag may be displayed 24-hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. Also, the U.S. flag should not be displayed when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed. Displaying the Flag On Same Staff - U.S. flag at peak, above any other flag. Grouped - U.S. flag goes to its own ... Read More »

St. Augustine Alligator Farm has evolved from an 1890’s railway terminus “curiosity” into a nationally accredited zoo, a natural wading bird rookery, and a world-class research and education center. It was initially part of Everett C. Whitney’s “Burning Spring Museum” where hundreds of alligators were captured and kept in pens to entertain the droves of visitors who crossed the Matanzas River from St. Augustine traversing the Bridge of Lions to South Beach or what is now known as Anastasia Island. Included in those visitors were soldiers stationed nearby in an army encampment necessitated by the Spanish-American War. In 1937 new ... Read More »

KENTUCKY DERBY BUFFET On Saturday, May 2,  Marco Islanders enjoyed Mint Juleps, a “Kentucky Derby Buffet,” andlive entertainment as they met with friends and placed bets on the big race at Guy Harvey’s Island Grill. Chris Diaz, Diane Trzyna, and Terese Glasser of the Optimist Club of Marco Island joined forces with Rosa Scola and Michele Sanchez of the Upon a Star Foundation to organize this fourth annual event to raise funds for the Upon a Star Foundation. The goal of Upon a Star id that every Marco Island area child can participate in the programs available to them. ROYAL ... Read More »

Project Rescue For the many islanders who attended the event on April 23 at the Marco Island Center for the Arts, the occasion was one of celebration, at achieving a major milestone in its Project Rescue, tinged with sadness at the departure of its Executive Director, Chris Neal. Those gathered had good cause to celebrate, as the all-volunteer organization had reached  its “Phase I” goal of reducing the Art League’s $100,000 debt to zero. Ken Stroud who is heading up the second phase of Project Rescue, praised Fund-Raising Advisor Tim Rice for his role in coordinating the fund-raising effort of ... Read More »

FIVE TOP AWARDS Coastal Breeze News took home five prestigious awards at the 2010 Awards For Excellence competition presented by the Community Papers of Florida. Three were first place awards: First Place for Best Original Writing for the Barbara Mackle Kidnapping story; First Place for Community Service Promotion for the Seafood Festival ad design; and First Place for Best Original Photographic Spread for our “Breezin’ Through” section. Coastal Breeze News also won a 3rd Place for Full Color Process, 1/2 Page or Less for the Jon Busch-Prudential ad and an Honorable Mention for Real Estate Advertising, Full Color, More Than ... Read More »

Fort Myers Tournament Great Experience for Local Youngsters At the Fort Myers USSSA tournament, the 8th Grade Team of the Naples Blazers youth basketball went 2-2 and made it to their first Sunday. Making it to Sunday in a USSSA* tournament is a huge accomplishment for a first-year program. The Naples Blazers feature players from Marco Island Charter, Manatee, and East Naples Middle Schools. The Marco players include David Marlett, Will  Bott, Jared Jackson, Wes Lancaster, Stefan Langebeck, and Alonso Lora. The 8th Grade team opened with a lose to the High Hoops Wolves. The Blazers started out slow and ... Read More »

April 26 is an important date in the calendar for residents and fans of that unique rural community, Everglades City.  It was on April 26, 1928 that the Tamiami Trail, or US 41, was opened and also, seventy years later, on April 26, 1998 the newly-opened Museum of the Everglades held its dedication ceremony. Every year, to commemorate both events, Friends of the Museum of the Everglades host a birthday party to celebrate. This year April 26 fell on a warm, sunny Saturday. Many attended the party, now a tradition, to visit the museum, listen to old-timers’ stories, be entertained ... Read More »

Tommie Barfield Elementary held a 5th grade Science Exhibit in the cafeteria recently. Each student developed their project with a hypothesis, then proceeded to verify their hypothesis through research. Projects were titled and displays were created to show the results. Bradley Chute’s project entitled ‘Drip Drop’ looked at water quality. He tested chemical levels in water from several locations around Marco Island. Most readings were documented as acceptable, but Bradley explained the readings gathered from the Factory Bay area raised alarm over the health of the waterway. Stephen Quinn compared the amount of iron in everyday breakfast cereals. Kelli Jacobs did ... Read More »