Coastal Breeze News

Last Sunday, beach lovers basked in the sun and frolicked in the Gulf waters, enjoying our typical June warm, sunny weather. Although tar balls from the Deepwater Horizon spill have reached the shore in Pensacola, over 700 miles from Southwest Florida’s Paradise Coast, there have been no reports of oil reaching beyond northwest Florida. There is no impact on the beaches of Marco Island. According to Mac Chaudhry, GM of the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, “Our guests are having a great time enjoying our beautiful, pristine beach.” According to the June 14 update at www.colliergov.net, observations by NOAA continue to ... Read More »

Celebrate Independence Day at a family-fun event in historic Everglades City on Saturday, July 3. This small friendly community will have a parade, arts & crafts sale, raffle, contest for best-dressed kiddies, music, and food. The event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with the opening ceremony. The theme this year is “Honoring Our Local Veterans” and some of them will make up the color-guard which raises the flag in front of City Hall. The parade begins to wend its way through the streets at 10:00 a.m. with everyone competing to win a prize for the best float or swamp buggy ... Read More »

Doctor’s Robert and Patricia Poling volunteer their time to hold a Health Screening clinic at the Marco Island Charter Middle School for children needing health certificates prior to signing up for sports over the summer. Dozens of children came through the clinic. Parents filled out physical history forms. Children were weighed in by volunteers at one station, given an eye test at another, and had their pulse and blood pressure checked by volunteer Fire/Rescue personnel. The final step in the process was the physical exam by a physician. Boys went to one side to be examined by Dr. Robert Poling ... Read More »

“Hello Soldier!  Welcome to your death.” Joseph C. Capilets was inducted into the US Army on February 11, 1943. He was assigned to the 87th Infantry Division, ‘The Golden Acorn’, 346th Regiment. After nine weeks of basic training, Joe was assigned to S-3 Section, Plans and Training at Camp McCain, Mississippi. The 87th trained new recruits for assignment overseas. While engaged in training, the 346th participated in the South Carolina Serviceman’s Baseball League. Joe relates that one week prior to shipping out to the European Theater, the 346th lost a heartbreaker, 1-0 to the 15th Armored Division. He remembers this well, as four of that team’s ... Read More »

We Can Help Wade. A few short weeks ago our friend Wade Mundinger suffered a disabling stoke in the Dallas/Fort Worth airport returning to Marco Island from attending his nephew’s wedding. Wade’s joyous weekend trip surrounded by friends and family ended abruptly when he collapsed and was rushed to the ICU unit of Los Colinas Hospital and was diagnosed with having suffered a series of mini strokes which limited his motor skills and his ability to speak clearly. After being transferred to UT Southwestern Hospital in Dallas to stabilize him he was released after several days with the help of ... Read More »

Settlement close with Quality Enterprises and EPA The City of Marco continues to close in on a settlement agreement with Quality Enterprises and with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Major issues have been agreed to, all are double checking to assure that each party’s severable interests are satisfied in this single agreement package. S Florida’s Water Management District flags Marco’s pumping water outside scheduled boundaries The water department juggles water sources from season to season to meet demand for drinking water. For the past two years, drought conditions have interfered with the routine process of water sourcing, storage, and ... Read More »

After the events of 911, in which Marco Island Police Officer Al Schettino lost people he knew, Al realized that we must live life to the fullest now, as none of us will live forever, and made it his goal to live in Marco Island. This week, on June 15 to be exact, Al Schettino reached his one year anniversary with the Marco Island Police Department. Al greeted me with a broad, warm smile and was happy to tell me about his life before Marco and to share some of his experiences. Al, with his wife and one of his ... Read More »

Supporting the youth of the island, Ray Fortune of the Sand Bar proudly presents a check to Hector Diaz, Director of the Marco Eagles football team, for more than $800.00. The Sand Bar sold raffle tickets during the month of May for a chance to win a $250.00 gift card.  Tickets were $1.00 each and Sand Bar employees sold over 400 of them. The funds were then matched by the Sand Bar. May’s winner was Sherry Baasche. Two more raffles will be held, one in June, and another in July. Proceeds from the raffles will be generously donated to local ... Read More »

Hosting students from various countries contributes to deeper understanding of other cultures. This can lead towards an attitude of tolerance and awareness of the similarities in people from all over the world.  The experience enriches ourselves and  our children. The Educational Homestay Program is an opportunity this summer for youths from Italy and Spain to become more familiar with the English language and to experience life in America for 3 to 4 weeks.  Marco Island is an ideal locale and community in which to host an exchange student. The host families work together, if need be, in helping and lending ... Read More »

The Marco Island Area Association of Realtors (MIAAOR) held an International Forum luncheon the first week of June at Konrad’s. Nikki McGrath and Bill Filbin welcomed 50 local realtors to the luncheon organized by the International Development Committee of the MIAAOR. According to the National Association of Realtors, 32% of foreign property buyers bought in resort areas, as opposed to 2% nationally. The first speaker, Dave Tate with Sun Realty of Naples, showed the audience a few common faux pas one can easily make when dealing with people of different cultures. Writing on the back of a business card maybe ... Read More »