Coastal Breeze News

By John Patterson Hi! My name is Flip – when I was a puppy I was a bit of a handful. A flipping nuisance, hence the name Flip, a Border Collie, well-known as a working sheep dog. Unfortunately, we had no sheep at home so I worked with my master and best buddy, John, helping him on his paper rounds. This was in the 50‘s, it was always an early morning start before he went to school. We had two areas: one very rural and the other the outskirts of the town where we lived in Chesterfield, a small market ... Read More »

By Joan Kelly Two members of the American Bible Society (ABS) John Edgar and David Isais spoke December 3rd at Charles and Polly Cason’s home on the Isles of Capri. Their concern at this program was our military. ABS is committed to bring not only a Bible to each deployed person but also support them with struggles they might have at home and overseas. The Military Edition of the Bible has a special portion in the front that is being used by the deployed person along with the family. The E100 (Essential 100) Bible reading starts in Genesis and ends ... Read More »

There’s a new way to keep up with what’s new and happening in the world of theme parks and attractions in Orlando. A new free weekly video show has been launched. It’s called “Orlando Attractions Magazine – The Show”. Each Thursday a new 10 to 30 minute show is released in HD on YouTube and as a video podcast on iTunes. Each episode and its description can be found at AttractionsMagazine.com/TheShow Each show is hosted by two of four local hosts who are also big theme park fans. In addition to giving the news of the week, the hosts frequently ... Read More »

By Capt. Carl Kelly I can’t remember when I first stepped onto a boat. I first pulled on oars at about 8, and I first handled a 10’ skiff with a 9 horse power outboard when I was 12. I spent most of my youth toggling between two bodies of water, the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, and I was raised with the great American tradition of family boating on holidays. I walk Keewaydin Beach occasionally. I probably shouldn’t, because what I see often worries me, people on the beach drinking heavily, some of whom will have to drive ... Read More »

by Capt. Pete Rapps The new year is upon us and along with that comes some changes to our local fishery. We normally receive several cold fronts accompanied with high wind.  It is because of this that we spend a lot of time in the back country where we can duck away from the elements. Keep an eye on your tide chart because we have some extremely low tides around both the new and full moons. If you get caught in a -.5 low tide that you did not anticipate, it could ruin your day!  Be extra careful with the ... Read More »

by Frances Diebler Now the boating season begins here in Marco. I’m sure you have seen more boats coming our way and anchoring for a day or so. That’s because now the winter cruising season begins in earnest. People who want to go south begin to congregate in your harbors and anchorages. Many boats have already sailed south down the East Coast and waited for the right weather to cross the Gulf Stream to the Abacos and Exuma Islands in the Bahamas where is warmer and calmer at this time of year. We, here on the west coast, also have ... Read More »

by Joanie Fuller Honestly, I don’t know what to think. It’s time to make New Year’s resolutions and the folks I have spoken with aren’t really making any. What’s a writer to do? The other night we Goodlanders had our annual Christmas Civic Association potluck supper and meeting. Everyone enjoyed the evening, but as I queried several people about making resolutions for the New Year, I realized that we hadn’t even had Christmas yet and it was too early for those questions. But I was determined I was going to write about the subject anyway. In my humble opinion many ... Read More »

by Carol Kinkead I am seeing things a little differently these days. View wise. The difference is that we have recently moved from our river front home on the Marco River to a 16th floor condo at Hammock Bay. We look over a panoramic view of mangrove islands, waterways and the blue Gulf of Mexico beyond. As a photographer, I always have my camera close at hand, ready to go, looking for the next shot. Today was a gift, a sparkling clear day, no clouds or humidity just beautiful panoramas of the water all around us, blue as could be, ... Read More »

Published by  Little, Brown and Company, Sept.2010 Eleven feet wide, eleven feet long, eight foot high. No windows except a skylight that once in awhile gave a sneak- peak at the sun. It was the whole universe. Jack was born in “Room”. The smell of the cake baking engulfed the room in a warm sweet aroma. Jack was turning five years old. Watching the small 12 inch TV, Jack saw Dora the Explorer’s friend’s birthday cakes. He knew there was supposed to be five candles on his cake. But Ma did not ask for candles for Sunday Treat. She needed ... Read More »

by Lou Thibeault Time and experience have led me to believe that understanding how a golf ball flies is the principle reason why most people are unable to achieve a higher skill level.  Almost all new players and very many experienced players with higher handicaps continue to want to hit and lift the ball. These thoughts, whether conscious or subconscious, usually prevent people from learning how to swing the club properly.  The golf club is a tool and what the clubface does during the impact zone, just before, during and just after the ball contact, determines the spin and ball ... Read More »

It’s awfully easy to characterize “Fair Game” only as a story of conflict in marriage and the tension between duty/integrity and the need to preserve that marriage. In this case, it is the relationship of Valerie Plame Wilson (Naomi Watts) a covert CIA operative and retired Ambassador Joe Wilson (Sean Penn). By now the story has been oft told: Plame, the agent dealt with nuclear proliferation; Wilson was beginning a new consulting career while tending to twins. They were comfortable living in Washington power circles and enjoying the comforts of life. They also had to transcend the burdens of Plame’s ... Read More »

by Patricia Huff HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Everglades Area!  After lots of Holiday Festivities, we are now preparing for a busy winter season with several exciting events planned: The annual Indian Artts Festival, featuring native dancing, crafts, food and music, will be held through January 2 at the Miccosukee Village along the Tamiami Trail from 9:30 am to 5 pm. The Marco Island Historical Society will be touring historical buildings and homes in Everglades City on January 7 following a presentation on the history of Everglades City at their regular monthly meeting on January 4. January 8 is the ... Read More »

By Ewout Rijk de Vries My fondest memories of cruising date back to a port-a-day in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea aboard a small ship, the “Cunard Princess.” It was not luxurious, but there was lots of teak wood and shiny polished brass of the old sailing days. Upon arriving for the third time with escorting a group to board the “Cunard Princess” in Athens, the purser greeted us outside the terminal with a “Welcome back, Mr. de Vries” and since most of the crew worked for years on the same ship, it was like returning home. Then there ... Read More »

by Mike Usher Tonight we will look straight up to find the zenith. The zenith is the point in the sky that is directly over your head (Nadir would be the point directly under your feet). No one else on Earth shares your zenith exactly, it is yours alone. Draw an imaginary line from Polaris, through the zenith and down to the south celestial pole; this line is called the meridian. When a star crosses the meridian it is said to culminate; it has reached it’s highest point of the evening and starts to descend. Notice that unlike a zenith, ... 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, My name is “Charlie” and I am a rescued cat that has been living the good life now for a few years. When I came to my new forever home, I was skittish, scared and ... Read More »

For most of us, the holidays are a time for happiness and celebration. We enjoy seeing and getting together with loved ones, going to parties, shopping and taking the opportunity to catch up with those that we may have not seen throughout the year. The trend seems to be to do lots of shopping, and just taking in the holiday season with time off from work and enjoying multiple celebrations. I have the fondest memories of Christmas, both growing up with four siblings all fairly close in age and in my adult life; often traveling, or taking time to be ... Read More »

By Tara O’Neill Show of hands, please: how many of you are familiar with Marco Island Foundation for the Arts? Better known as MIFA? Hmm, it’s true that their office and Local Color Gallery are a little hard to find, tucked into the side corridor at the Esplanade, and perhaps they don’t get quite the media coverage that the larger and longer-established non-profits get, but they are definitely doing some mighty good work and their 2011 schedule is full of surprises. MIFA incorporated and was granted not-for-profit status  in 2003. President Sandi Johnson can quickly quote their mission statement, “to ... Read More »

Earlier in the year, Tia Nielsen, a local 5th grader attending TBE, found giving to those in need at 6L Farms a worthwhile and fulfilling feat. So, when her initial fundraiser was done, Tia set another goal for herself: Christmas presents to the children at 6L Farms. Tia worked endlessly collecting the needed items and Christmas gifts. Her dad’s large truck (Ford F150) served as the sleigh for 107 presents. Each wrapped in holiday cheer by Tia herself. So what’s next for little Tia? A new goal? That’s right! Tia has decided on her own volition, she would like the ... Read More »

Despite the blustery weather this past weekend, the City of Marco Island’s Beach Advisory Committee’s monthly beach clean up stayed on schedule! Staff from the Sandbar along with Kevin Donlan, Publix Store Manager and Beach Advisory Committee chairman, gathered at the South Beach Access at 730 am Sunday morning to walk the beach. Publix provided the bags, gloves and bottled water for the participants. As the fog rolled in and the wind picked up, about ten bags of trash was collected on the beach between South Beach and Tigertail Beach. Items found ranged from the very small – cigarette butts ... Read More »

14th Annual Marco Island Christmas Home and Business Decorating Contest Winners for 2010 are: First Place for winning holiday house decorations are Albino and Julia Martinez at 975 Leo Ct. and First Place for winning business is Marco Island Florist at 178 Barfield Dr. The final judging took place Friday the 17th. House Decorating winner received a yard sign designation and $500 from event sponsor, LCEC. Winning Business received a winner plaque an yard sign to honor first place. Additional sponsors were Centennial Bank and Marco Island Trolley. The number of participating homes and businesses of the contest, which has ... Read More »