Coastal Breeze News

The second annual Spirit of Marco Island awards and gala dinner, held by the Noontime Rotary Club of Marco Island, was a success. Approximately 150 people enjoyed an evening with dinner, silent auction and awards ceremony. Recipients were nominated by their fellow Marco Islanders in recognition of their efforts. The 2010 Spirit of Marco Island awards were presented to Joe Granda, Hideaway Beach Association, Stan and Donna Niemczyk, Linda and Alan Sandlin and Steve Stefanides. Each recipient was heralded for their contribution and service to our community. Auction items ranged from fine wine and dinners to jewelry, fishing trips, Yamaha ... Read More »

Several topics were discussed at the City Council meeting on Monday, May 3. A late addition to the agenda was a visit by Dan Summers, Director of Collier County Emergency Services, who came to Marco Island to give a presentation on the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill. Summers stressed that he and his department are continuing to “pay close attention” to the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill that may affect our area in coming days and weeks. Working in conjunction with the US Coast Guard, Homeland Security, FEMA, the Governor of Florida, and BP, under the NCP (National Contingency Plan), ... Read More »

It is still a shock to think that Bill Rose is no longer with us. He was the type of person who left a large void and was truly “bigger than life.” It always pleased Bill to know that he was one of my father’s first clients, back when Marco Island was in its early infancy, and it pleased him even more that he remained a client of our law firm for close to forty years. But, to my family, it was more important that Bill was always a loyal friend, and also a good friend to so many Islanders ... Read More »

On Wednesday, April 29, Coastal Breeze News met with Steve Thompson, whose contract as Marco Island’s City Manager was recently terminated by City Council. We  asked him to reflect on his experience here on Marco and to tell us what his plans are for the future. The following is some of the conversation we had with Steve: CBN:  Steve, what are your plans for the future for yourself and your family? ST: For the immediate future, my wife and I plan to enjoy the summer here on Marco, with visits from our daughters, one of whom is in law school; the ... Read More »

Tommie Barfield Elementary School Each year, Tommie Barfield Elementary school hosts a Volunteer Appreciation event in honor of the countless hours logged by volunteers. This year’s event was held in the Media Center where Mrs. Cooper, Curriculum Specialist, handed out awards based on the number of hours achieved. Dr. Westberry, Principal, spoke to the volunteers, recognizing the impact they made at the school, and on the children during the year. Volunteers enjoyed a light breakfast. They were entertained by a reading from some of Mrs. Noll’s Kindergarten class students. Mrs. Braren, one of two 2010 Golden Apple recipients at Tommie ... Read More »

Dave Gardner, a veteran of the Korean war and long-time Marco Island resident, removes flags from a receptacle at Veteran’s Community Park. “I remove the flags once a week in season and about every 10 days or so out of season.” This particular day the box is filled with flags, so much so the last flag didn’t drop down into the receptacle, but rather sat on top of the drawer. There were over 50 flags in this box located at Veteran’s Community Park, another box is located at City Hall. From large flags torn and worn, to a nylon flag ... Read More »

A few days in Athens prior to a cruise of the Greek Islands is well worth the additional time. My first impression of Athens was that it was a large, bustling place that made Rome seem like a small village! I soon learned my way around the city, and found it’s people to be friendly and the antiquities awe inspiring. The new metro is immaculate and there are also buses and streetcars.  I felt safe throughout Athens, although there are some places to avoid after dark. In preparation for the 2004 Olympics, the entire city received a facelift; there are ... Read More »

“Coaches are expensive,” Pete Sampras offered at a tournament press conference. There are several different ways a coach can be compensated but many of the ATP Tour players often reward their coaches with 10% of their tournament earnings. Now, with ‘Pistol Pete’ earning over 43 million dollars during his electrifying career, one may understand Sampras’ trepidation when he had to pay his coaching team for services rendered. One of the most disturbing changes in today’s world is this new trend that kids just don’t get together on their own and play their respective sport. Baseball historians brought this issue up ... Read More »

Changes in latitude, changes in attitude: May is typically a month of changes on our Island – reduction in traffic congestion, weather is variable, and many of our busy schedules just slow down. It is also the month the protected Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) will soon begin to return to our beach. Adult female sea turtles will begin nesting on our beaches between May and August with hatching of nests lasting through October. This brings another change: Mary Nelson, the sea turtle monitor for the Marco Island beach, starts patrolling for nests. This is the twentieth season Mary has ... Read More »

The motion, the colors, and the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico, the huge sky, and the stars at night are just moments away from the rigors of the day. The wide open spaces and bounty of life in the Everglades, and the subtle change of seasons are all at our fingertips while living in this most southern portion of southwest Florida. Blooming hibiscus, bougainvillea, the pineapples, the flowering citrus trees, avocado and mango in my yard, the water lapping, fish jumping, and palm fronds swaying in the breeze are all at arm’s reach living on this four-by-seven-mile island. Wikipedia ... Read More »

Reading signs are important in traveling from one place to another. To follow the fish, though, the signs fishermen read aren’t the kind you see along the road. The signs we use are the indications in nature that tell the story and point the way. If you are the kind of person who spends time outdoors, you probably are already aware of subtle and not so subtle observations in changes of weather, the understated change of seasons in southwest Florida, and the seasonal patterns of plant and animal life. Passionate fisherman and even charter captains, for example, are always on ... Read More »

Well, you and your family have decided you want to go cruising! Where to start is always a difficult decision, perhaps because we all have a different expectations and goals. Some want to day sail close to home; and others want to explore their neighborhood coastline and local harbors; and of course, some want to sail to distant harbors, states, islands, and finally countries. To do any or all of this, you have to start somewhere. First, you should assess your experience and knowledge of boating, whether it is sailing or power boating. Before you leave your comfort zone, you ... Read More »

There have been some great times for a real estate investment; and there have been some that were less than exciting (the past few years). However, the time to buy may be now. Read on and you may thank the publishers for allowing me to write this column. The following does not reflect the opinion of the Coastal Breeze News. (If I don’t say that, they’ll put it in anyway.) If I had a million dollars sitting in my cookie jar, I would buy real estate now. The real estate market, like the stock market, offers some great investments and ... Read More »

A common question that arises during conversation about golf is what really initiates the backswing? There are many answers depending on what works for you. Many great touring pros have discussed their own keys to starting the backswing. A club head or wrist waggle is always a good way, and one that was used by many good players. It has also been said that a forward press with the handle of the club prior to the backswing will help the first move away from the ball, but I have discovered that more people who have a difficult time with the ... Read More »

I grew up in the wonderfully magical City of Istanbul. The first 20 years of my life I played soccer in her streets, ran up and down any one of the seven hills she sits on and drove around the new and old parts of the city. One of the most intriguing, mysterious and romantic sights in Istanbul for me had always been what was called “Kiz Kulesi,” in Turkish meaning “Maiden’s Tower,” located on a tiny islet near Uskudar on the Asian side of Istanbul, with a history spanning over 2,500 years. The tower is also referred to as ... Read More »

Well, summer is on its way and the Florida heat is coming upon us, so now is a good time to get some key landscaping chores out of the way. Start by cutting back any leggy or overgrown plants, and remove dead or dying branches from trees and shrubs. If you haven’t fertilized your lawn yet, do it now (following the recommended application rates, of course). Plant heat-loving annuals like coleus, salvia, torenia, and ornamental pepper. Insects become more active as the weather warms, so start scouting for potential pests. Finally, check your irrigation system to make sure it’s working ... Read More »

Sitting on my porch overlooking the Barron River and listening to the osprey as they sing, life is not too bad in laid-back Everglades City. May is the time of year we start to regroup (and relax) here after the winter residents have returned north to their typical Spring days with tulips, daffodils and dogwood trees. We have our Spring with the bougainvillea, purple lignum vitae flowers and the magnificent red royal poincianas. Everglades City was the original county seat of Collier County when Barron Collier purchased land from the Storter families and began developing his this swampland in southwest ... Read More »

So here I go again harping on and on about “Rings, prongs and the women who abuse them!” Oh! It’s touchy subject? Thirty times a day or more, I either offer or I’m asked to clean customer’s rings. Suntan lotion, soap, and most basic food groups can get lodged behind diamonds and gemstones making them dull and listless. But after some light buffing, a little ultrasonic cleaning, and a couple of blasts of the steam cleaner, you have a happy shiny diamond or gemstone ring. In most cases it’s a simple procedure except when prongs are worn or missing. If ... Read More »

. . . In foggy, smoggy London Town there lived a little girl who, because much of the time the weather was dreary, could most often be found with her nose in a book, dreaming of a life of travel to the places she read about on those pages. Fast forward, well, let’s say several decades, and here is that same little girl all grown up, living on a beautiful island in the sun, and helping produce a newspaper that celebrates the sharing of information via pictures and the written word! In case you hadn’t guessed, that little girl is ... Read More »

Mosquitoes – Even their name makes you want to swat one on your arm! But how much do we know about them and about the Collier County Mosquito Control District? The Collier County Mosquito Control District had an open house recently and one of their board members, Jeanne Brooker, encouraged her neighbors to attend, so I did. I learned so many things I never knew and they reemphasized information I was familiar with, so I thought others might also want to know a little more about these pesky creatures. The Mosquito Control District has its own (very conservative, I might ... Read More »