Coastal Breeze News

by Patricia Huff ‘Tis the season and it’s been frightfully cold outside. For those of us who have suffered through the long hot days of summer, this early winter season is even chillier than we would like. Winter residents have said that it doesn’t feel like the holidays in south Florida when we don’t experience snow; well, now it does! Someone reminded me the other day of why I love living in Everglades City. I was in our local post office, sending off some early Christmas gifts when I noticed someone waiting patiently in line behind me. I apologized for ... Read More »

by Mike Usher For some reason the brightest stars in the sky make their appearance in the winter. We already met Betelgeuse and Rigel last time; now extend the line formed by Orion’s belt stars upwards to find Aldebaran. It is the orange eye of Taurus the Bull who seems to be forever fighting Orion. Turn your gaze to the left to find the bright star Capella, commonly nicknamed the goat star as ancient artists depicted Auriga holding a goat. Drop back towards the horizon to see two about equally bright stars Castor and Pollux, part of Gemini. To the ... Read More »

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Nicole Ryan of the Southwest Florida Conservancy, spoke to City Council recently asking the Code Compliance Board to review its case and hear its complaints. This is in regard to further landscape work removing vegetation from sensitive areas in Key Marco. Council Chair Frank Recker had asked in the interest of the citizens of Marco Island that the Conservancy please bring complaints to the city prior to filing complaints and getting lawyers involved. Ms. Ryan commented the Conservancy had exhausted all attempts, replying the City had left them no choice but to petition the Circuit Court. The Conservancy stated it ... Read More »

By Val Simon Ray Ladurini, Master Sergeant of the US Air Force and local Firefighter for the Marco Island Fire Rescue Department, recently returned home from duty served in Iraq. At the last City Council meeting he presented Chief Murphy and Division Chief Chris Byrne, a flag flown during Operation Iraqi Freedom at Fire Station 1 at Kirkuk Air Force Base on August 17th, 2010. It symbolizes freedom and bears witness to the destruction of terrorist forces in the United States. Ray proceeded with a presentation of the Tradition of the Coin, a military practice. Ray explained, “The tradition of ... Read More »

In November, 12 girls and two staff from PACE Center for Girls, Collier at Immokalee were privileged to have the opportunity to visit the Marco Island Fire Department. Mr. Marty Roddy, the Center’s Science teacher, coordinated the trip and Ms. Tiana Paez, Transition Services Coordinator, accompanied him and the girls on the one hour drive to Marco Island from Immokalee. The girls were in awe as they toured the Fire Station and got a first hand look at the inside life of a firefighter. It became real and a little frightening when the station received three back-to-back calls and had ... Read More »

by Gina Sisbarro More than just beauty, The Miss Southwest Florida Pageant is about giving young women the opportunity to pursue their dreams by receiving a scholarship. That is the sole purpose of the crown explains Executive Director Ms. Kimberley Quimet. Kimberley is no stranger to the world of pageantry who has taken several titles herself over the years. Her mom Joyce who was there to support her daughter’s efforts said, “it’s about the women building their self confidence and skills needed to pursue their goals in life. I wasn’t a pageant mom as portrayed in those reality shows, my ... Read More »

Success! The Queen for a Day event, the brainchild of Liz Havens of Skin Renewal Systems, Inc., was a success. Queen for a Day was designed as an elegant charity event, benefitting The Joy of Giving. There were 150 ladies in attendance as well as one lone gentleman, Dr. Boemi of Plastic Surgery of Naples who attended with his wife. Dr. Boemi works with the spa on medical procedures. Each participant was treated to a delectable lunch provided by Island Country Club, a goodie bag filled with coupons, samples and special offers and a fashion show with all of the ... Read More »

The Joy of Giving, now in its twenty-second year, made the holiday season brighter for at least 1,120 Collier County children on Saturday, December11th. Nicki Davis, who started the charity, begins collecting funds for the event early in the year. Families are identified, primarily through the help of area schools. Sports Camp of Naples director Misty Nixon assists by verifying the family and the number of brothers and sisters of each child. The family is allotted a dollar amount based on the total available funds for the year and the number of children. This year the amount was about $60.00 ... Read More »

by Donna Fiala Have you ever seen the marvelous Christmas Village display at Dave & Jeanne Rice’s home? I’ve heard it takes almost 30 hours to assemble. It was hard to tear myself away from it! I just kept studying it, and the longer I looked, the more I kept finding. Isn’t the Island especially lovely at Christmas time? The weather improved just a little, and in time for the Capri Boat Parade. These boats were decorated so beautifully that it was hard to find one better than another, and that is a tough situation to be in when you ... Read More »

By Monte Lazarus (Note: If you are deceived by the title and believe this is about professional football, you may stop reading now. For purposes of full disclosure I hereby acknowledge that references to “my wife” are purely coincidental and I hope this acknowledgment insulates me from extraordinary reprisals.) Every travel book and article I have read admonishes travelers to pack lightly. In fact, some urge prospective voyagers to lay out their clothes and sundries, and then leave half of them behind. In my world this advice is pooh-poohed, ridiculed and completely ignored. My wife (a fictional example), practical in ... Read More »

There were 82 entrants in the Christmas Island Style annual ornament design contest.   Each year, Art teacher of Marco Island Charter Middle School, Shane Totten, gives his students a theme.  The students have about three and a half weeks to create their submission.   Christmas Island Style holds the judging.  The 1st place winner chosen will have their design on the Christmas Island Style Ornament the following year.  In this case, Jay Vanderjagt’s design will be on the ornament sold in 2011. Winners attended the tree lighting ceremony and were introduced to the audience by last year’s winner Mackenzie Callahan.  This ... Read More »

Recently the Italian American Club handed out $5000.00 to various area charities.  Don Henderson received a check for $500.00 on behalf of the American Cancer Society, from Italian American Club president, Roy Depizzol. According to Don, the money will go to their fund for ‘R.O.C.K. Camp’ which stands for ‘Reaching out to cancer kids’. It’s a week- long camp for children, as well as their parents, “so they can do things all kids want to do” said Don. Besides the ACS, the club donated money to Bedtime Bundles, St. Matthew’s House, Shelter for Abused women, Collies Anemia Foundation, Avow Hospice, ... Read More »

By Joan and Carl Kelly Some planned their designs and began decorating a week early, others simply put it together on the fly on Saturday morning. Others were still working as they gathered to begin the parade. By Saturday night December 11, the Capri boats were more or less ready. Red, green, white and other color lights flashed on then off to the rhythm of traditional and non-traditional Christmas songs. It was an island Christmas on the water, with boats sporting real palm trees, plastic flamingos, and of course, a variety of Santas. It was a friendly competition so much ... Read More »

City Council Chairman Frank Recker made what Councilor Joe Batte called “an eloquent presentation”, speaking in favor of the city’s hiring a paid magistrate to replace Marco Island’s current seven-person volunteer Code Compliance Board. Only Councilor Kiester, who said he had always been “appalled by the punitive nature of code board members more concerned with punishment than compliance” agreed with Recker whose motion failed, 5 – 2. Kiester, who has been at odds with his appointee Carol Glassman for the last few weeks, stated he thought he had appointed “a tough female” to counter that but it didn’t happen. Later in the meeting when Kiester asked the council to ... Read More »

By Hillary Braden Do you wish for a white Christmas? Is it a car? Would you like to have all your shopping done, by others? Holiday packages tied in big bright bows by the girl at the department store? What screams in your heart at this time? For some, materialistic items fill their dreams instead of sugar plum fairies. For others, it is much more saddening. As we hustle and bustle around, greeting strangers with smiles, Are we getting IT? Are we truly sharing the spirit of the season? What are you celebrating? Our answers are not always the same ... Read More »

By Gina Sisbarro Cookies and Milk with Santa is Ho, Ho, Yum thanks to the City Parks and Recreation Department. What could be more fun than hot chocolate, milk, tons of cookies and Santa and Mrs. Claus? Fun! And that is exactly what happened on December 12th from 10:00 am – 12 noon at Mackle Park thanks to the creative staff or should we say Santa’s Helpers Mindy Matusiak, Amber Prange, and Lola Dial. When you walked into the recreation center it was as if you stepped into Santa’s own play land at the North Pole. There were two beautifully ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom In our previous edition an article regarding hunger and homelessness in Collier County was discussed. St. Matthew’s House, located at 2001 Airport Road S. in Naples was the focus of the article as it is one of the only places in Collier County that is helping to feed the hungry and shelter the homeless. This follow-up article includes a discussion with CEO/President, Vann Ellison, regarding homelessness as well as ideas for the individual to get involved in the process of ending hunger and homelessness in Collier County. Vann Ellison has been the CEO/President of St. Matthew’s House ... Read More »

The parents of Adam Kunce, Tom and Linda Landimarino, and the parents of Amber Jones, Don and Elaine Jones and Katie Jones, want to congratulate their children who exchanged wedding vows at The Naples Botanical Gardens on October 1st, 2010. The ceremony was followed by a reception held at Chef’s Express, where the wedding party continued the celebration with delectable food, dancing and great memories. Read More »

by Val Simon Frank has been with the Marco Island Police Department for 4 years. He hails from South Bend, Indiana and says it took awhile to get accustomed to Marco Island, especially being waved at with all five fingers while driving around the town! How did Frank make his way to Marco Island? He was an officer in South Bend for 20 years and several of his friends had moved to Collier County. Jim Hassig, his Division Chief in South Bend, told him about Marco Island. Frank said, “There is a 180 degree difference between South Bend and Marco ... Read More »