Coastal Breeze News

As is typical of the evening sky for two weeks each month, the Moon washes out the dimmest stars tonight. Three stars it won’t wash out, however, are Deneb, Altair and Vega – members of the Summer Triangle. These three bright stars are among the brightest in the northern hemisphere and are riding very high in the western sky tonight about 30 degrees apart. The name Summer Triangle is something of a misnomer; it is easily visible well into November. As stars go, Altair and Vega are close neighbors of the Sun, being only 16 and 25 light years away ... Read More »

Anne and Hoot Rudolph are familiar names in the area. They are well-known and well-liked local restaurateurs who have owned and operated several successful and popular local restaurants in the area for the past fifteen years. Their latest venture is quickly becoming a new local favorite with both residents and visitors alike. Open less than a year, Anne and Hoot have turned this home style deli into a great place to pick up lunch for the beach or dinner to-go on those nights you don’t feel like cooking. Having a party? You can order your party platters here as well. ... Read More »

In a previous article we focused on local musician, Nate Augustus, himself. Here’s what we learned about Nate’s band. Nate Augustus is a prolific musician in Southwest Florida who is well on his way to becoming a modern day Swampabilly star. Growing up in the swamp, Marco Island, Florida, he has lived a unique life filled with backwater fishing, riding his motorcycle along the shores of Florida, and filling his time recording today’s local music stars, and covering all his bases by also having his own unique band. The Gladezmen, Nate’s primary band is rapidly growing in popularity, putting on ... Read More »

This column is the opinion of a 3-year-old African Grey Parrot named “Simba” who has an extremely high intelligence level. While he does not possess a degree from any college or university, he does have a strong opinion of himself and feels that he is the best candidate to answer the complex questions of today’s discerning pets…and the humans they own… Dear Simba: I am a nine-year-old Border Collie. I used to herd cattle and horses in my younger days and now I am, in my thoughts, retired. My human, although I love her, seems to think I can still ... Read More »

There are 58 national parks in the United States. Two of them are just 85 miles apart in southern Utah. Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks are located on what is known as the high Colorado Plateau; other natural wonders in this area include Arches National Park, Capital Reef National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Kodachrome State Park. The smaller of the two parks, Bryce Canyon, is known for its surreal, brightly colored rock formations, called hoodoos, and ancient bristlecone forests. Zion is more formidable and diverse, with massive stone monoliths, high mesas, a flowing river, hanging gardens, and narrow ... Read More »

The Jewish Congregation of Marco Island will hold a Nearly New Sale on Sunday, January 2, 2011, at the Synagogue, located at 991 Winterberry Drive, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Co-Chairpersons, Phllis Borr, Sue Baum and Shirley Posner, announced that they are seeking donations. The Committee said: “This is the perfect opportunity to clear the clutter from your houses and garages and at the same time receive a tax write-off for the donation.” Clothing will not beaccepted. The following items are being sought: Bric–a-brac, Books, CD’s, Children’s items, Clocks, Computers, Cutlery, Dishes, Fishing Equipment, Furniture, Games, Hats, Hospital Equipment, Jewelry, Kitchen Utensils, Linens, Photography Equipment, Pocketbooks, Pool equipment, Rugs, ... Read More »

by Susan Ackerson For those who are ready and able to make homeownership a commitment, there are great benefits, both social and financial, of owning a home. In all the recent debate about the value of homeownership in America today, the National Association of Realtors® advocates responsible, sustainable homeownership. Research has consistently shown the importance of the housing sector on the economy and the long-term social and financial benefits to individual homeowners. The economic benefits of the housing market and homeownership are immense and well documented. The housing sector directly accounted for approximately 14 percent of total economic activity in ... Read More »

On Friday, October 1, the Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office began mailing sample ballots for the November 2 General Election. A sample ballot was mailed to each registered voter who has not requested an absentee/mail ballot. For most Collier County voters, the ballot for the 2010 General Election will be three pages in length. Registered voters in the City of Naples and the City of Marco Island will be voting a two-page ballot. Those planning to vote in person during Early Voting or on Election Day are encouraged to study their sample ballot and bring it to the polls ... Read More »

At this time the MIHS is planning for the museum to be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11 AM to 3 PM each day. Currently on display is a temporary exhibit on Florida Indians that includes many articles uncovered in Old Marco several years ago. The cowboy exhibit has been downsized to a traveling exhibit and is housed in the Traveling Exhibit Room and a portion of the Calusa Room. We will continue to update everyone as additional temporary exhibits are in place at the museum. The next exciting new exhibit will be on the plume hunters of ... Read More »

Marco Island Parks and Recreation will be hosting a monthly Movie in the Park during the months of October, November, and December for the fall season. Our special feature showing for October is the movie Alice in Wonderland. The movie will start 15 – 20 minutes after sunset (6:48pm) Friday, October 29th on the Mackle Park soccer field. While enjoying the movie we will be offering popcorn and drinks for purchase. Please bring a blanket, or lawn chair to sit on. Upcoming Movie in the Park Schedule: Friday, November 19th – How to Train your Dragon (sunset time 5:52pm) Friday, ... Read More »

The City of Marco Island Farmers’ Market will be starting up another great year of produce, crafts, and delicacies this season. Beginning Wednesday, November 3rd and open through April 13th from 7:30am – 2:00pm. The market will be located at Veterans’ Community Park (corner of Park Avenue and Elkcam Circle). Some of our market vendors this year include: JC’s Daily Bread, Anita’s Guacamole, Oh! Soaps, Twins Produce, The Sauce Lady, Dutchkinz, Monkey Bread Factory, Ralph’s Seafood, and Naples Pasta Company. New vendors coming to the Marco Island market this year include: Grab’a’bag, fresh mozzarella, beef jerky, fresh squeezed lemonade, and ... Read More »

The 16th Annual Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award, coordinated and sponsored by BB&T-Oswald Trippe and Company, recognizes small businesses that have overcome adversity to achieve success. The luncheon ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 4 at Harborside Event Center, located at 1375 Monroe Street in Fort Myers. Registration begins at 11 a.m. The program starts at 11:30 a.m. The keynote speaker will be Olympic gold medal winner Nikki Stone. At the Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, Nikki Stone became America’s first-ever Olympic Champion in the sport of inverted aerial skiing. What made this performance so unbelievable, ... Read More »

Nancy Short of Naples was the Big Prize and Hot Ball winner at Monday night’s Bingo game at the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island. She is being congratulated by Miriam Slavich, Bernie Seidman and Paul Kurztman, members of the Bingo committee. Bingo is being played every Monday night. Supper is served without charge. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Everybody is welcome! For information call 642-0800 Read More »

The Beach Advisory Committee~Publix Monthly Beach Clean Up is regularly the third Sunday of each month. This month, October, the Hilton Resort is the sponsoring business. Due to the “Octoberfest” event this weekend and Publix’s involvement at that event, the date of the Monthly Clean Up has been changed from this Sunday, October 17th to the fourth Sunday, October 24th. If you are interested in attending, please meet at the Hilton Resort beach area at 8 AM that morning. From Mac Chaudhry, General Manager, Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort & Spa, Florida: Please let the parking booth person know that ... Read More »

The Art League, Marco Island Center for the Arts is pleased to announce that D Michaels has been selected as its new Executive Director. With a background in Shakespearean theater and English literature, Michaels brings with her a wealth of experience in all facets of the arts. Among her successes are the Downtown Denver Arts Festival which she started in 1998, this event draws over 175,000 attendees. Michaels has also been heavily involved in arts education. She was Executive Director of the Aurora Public Schools Education Foundation which has raised over $2.5 million in scholarship and grant funding. In addition, ... Read More »

The Marco Island Academy Board of Directors was disappointed to learn that the Collier County Charter Review Board and the District Superintendent are not recommending approval for the Marco Island Academy to the Collier County School Board. The School Board will have an opportunity to vote on the application at Thursday’s meeting. Prior to the submission, the Academy hired a highly qualified consultant, Vickie Marble,  who contributed her expertise and thoroughly reviewed the application. She is an expert in creating new Charter Schools. She is currently the Principal of the Student Leadership Academy inVenice, FL. She graduated from the University of South Florida and has attended both Fordham and Columbia University in NY. She ... Read More »

Stone Crab Season Opens October 15 Live Music All • Day, All Night Breakfast With A View Friday, Saturday, Sunday 8-11:30am • Closed Mondays Marker 8 On The Intercoastal Waterway (Marco River) 123 Bayshore Way, Goodland • 239-393-0888 Read More »

This Monday’s City Council Meeting Agenda includes discussion of a new mausoleum at the Marco Island Cemetery. Clayton Lietz has worked diligently for several years to have above ground burial at the Marco Cemetery with a new beautiful garden memorial building. The new building would be twelve feet high and would house 100 caskets with niches for cremation urns. The original building of worship for the original settlers on Marco–the Church of God– is situated at the cemetery. Many of the earliest inhabitants of Marco are buried in the cemetery. At the meeting, Marco City Council will discuss making the cemetery an official historical site.  The ... Read More »

On Thursday, October 14, a man was airlifted to Lee Memorial Medical Center after injuries sustained in an accident involving his motorcycle and a parked car. The accident took place on Sandhill Road in Marco Island. Marco Island Emergency Responders took care of the victim who had injuries to the head before Collier County MedVac 1 arrived to transport the patient from the Marco Urgent Care facilities on Heathwood Drive. Photos by jim Sousa. Read More »

The next Regular Meeting of the Marco Island City Council* will be on Monday, October 18, 2010, at 5:30 PM in the Community Meeting Room at 51 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island. Following is the agenda for the meeting:  ROLL CALL INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Assistant Pastor Dr. Roger Felipe – The Family Church         APPROVAL OF AGENDACOMMUNITY FORUM (Items not on the agenda) 1.  PRESENTATIONS- None 2.  CONSENT AGENDA All matters listed under this item are considered routine and action will be taken by one motion without separate discussion of each item.  If discussion is desired by a member ... Read More »