Coastal Breeze News

by Don Kolowsky Celebrating its 28th year, the annual Prayer Breakfast has been a long-standing event on Marco Island. This year it will be held February 1, 2011 and is privileged to have Dr. Phil Burgess as guest speaker. Dr. Burgess is an educator, writer and businessman. He spent 19 years on the faculties of Ohio State University, University of Colorado and the Colorado School of Mines. At Ohio State, he also directed the Behavioral Sciences Laboratory, a major university level research facility. He’s served as a visiting professor at UCLA Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and University of Southern ... Read More »

Marco Island’s Fire Foundation had an unusual twist on a traditional ceremony at its annual meeting on January 25. An enthusiastic group of about 50 firefighters, foundation board members, city officials and other guests celebrated another superb year of first responder services at lunch at the Yacht Club. The twist came when firefighter Pat O’Gorman was honored in the longstanding Pinning of the Badge Ceremony, in which a trainee has qualified to become a full firefighter. The firefighter’s badge, reflecting courage and commitment, is pinned on the inductee’s chest at heart level. That badge contains a Maltese Cross and other ... Read More »

Financing for the Veterans’ Memorial at Veterans’ Community Park is progressing. Many of the benches available around the memorial have been sold, thanks to the efforts of Leo Sutera and the fundraising committee. The committee consists of Bryan Milk, Parks and Recreation Director, Lee Rubenstein, Commander of VFW Post #6370, Dave Belgrade, Keith Dameron, Jim Lang, Steve Stefanides, Carole Roberts and Valerie Simon. Lee Rubenstein, chairperson for the fundraising committee, said, “Our local VFW post has gone above and beyond to bring this memorial to life by making a further financial donation to the City of Marco Island in the ... Read More »

The Marco Bay Yacht Club (MBYC) held their thirty seventh Annual Change of Watch Saturday, January 22 at the Hideaway Beach Club. Over 100 members witnessed the time-honored tradition of recognizing past and present members who have contributed to the success of the Club. It was time for the outgoing Commodore Bill Horton to pass the gavel to incoming Commodore Brent Cook. Commodore Cook introduced the new Bridge, Board of Directors, and committee members for the 2011 boating season. The 2011 Corporate Officers introduced were: Rear Commodore Gerry Odenbach, Vice Commodore Alan Rapp, Treasurer Betty Barter, and Secretary Litha Lane. ... Read More »

Marco Island Noontime Rotary Club recently recognized their Students of the Month. These students are nominated by teachers, not only for their academic achievements, but for their overall attitude and contribution to the class as well. This month’s awards went to (from right to left) Tommie Barfield: Rose Sullivan and Will Glasser; from Manatee Middle School: Anahi Vivar and Miche Andre; from Marco Island Charter Middle School: Cesar Lora and Candice Henlon; students from Lely High School: Amanda Marinaro and Areeb Chaudhry.  Once per month the students are honored, along with their parents and teachers, at one of the club’s ... Read More »

by Craig Woodward Last Saturday morning, Matt Walthour, from Island Bike Shop joined me and we biked along with 21 members of the Naples Mid-Day Optimist Club from Naples to Everglades City. The club had done the same ride last year, and the enthusiasm to see the incredible scenery so close to Naples had spread, resulting in ten more riders this year. We left from Sabal Palm Drive off of SR 951 (just north of Verona Walk) and biked east about 4. miles, turning to the left on a meandering road that was in very poor shape. We continued through ... Read More »

by Tarik Ayasun In Turkey, one can’t consider lunch or dinner to be complete unless it ends with a piece of delicious baklava washed down with a cup of foamy, well made Turkish coffee. Many Turks believe that having this cup of coffee after a meal is actually very healthy as the strong coffee settles the stomach and helps in the digestive process. Obviously, I am not qualified to comment on the health aspect of Turkish coffee; however I thought it may be interesting to inform everyone how a perfect cup of Turkish coffee is prepared. It all starts with ... Read More »

Cynthia Ann “Cindy” Braun, 62, of Marco Island, died unexpectedly on January 21, 2011. Formerly of Grandville, MI she retired after 30 years as a senior investigator for the Michigan Department of Labor. Cindy was a graduate of Adrian High School, Adrian, MI and Michigan State University. She was a member of the Marco Island Newcomers Club, A&E Group, Marco Island Yacht Club and the Marco Island Fire and Rescue Foundation. She was also a member and treasurer of the Marco Island Sail and Power Squadron and the Marco Island YMCA. She was an avid mahjong player and instructor. Cindy ... Read More »

The Brewery Living the life as entrepreneurs is not foreign to the Frank La Cava family. The Brewery at 1089 N. Collier Blvd. in the Marco Town Center Mall is their latest venture. Son, John, living in San Diego and studying handcrafted brews, shared his excitement and the concept of opening a restaurant on Marco focusing on special brews with his father and mother. The La Cavas set the idea in motion. A location was found and The Brewery was launched. Entertainment rocks the house from Wednesday thru Saturday but sport fans still have football and baseball on mega TVs! ... Read More »

In this era of increasing dependence on cell phones, text messages, email and computers, what would happen if, suddenly, nothing works? Who, or what, caused everything to shut down all at once? And what can be done about it? Those are central questions in the story of The Chinese Conspiracy. Far from the sunny beaches of Marco Island, this is a story evolving around the world. The recent visit by President Hu Jintao emphasized the current U. S. issues with China. Now a new novel, The Chinese Conspiracy, tells a scary, but fictional story, based on real technology and the ... Read More »

by Joanne Tailele Stephen, a twenty year old Chinese Lingham University student has returned to his mother’s home in Hong Kong to recuperate from tuberculosis. However, his health does not improve in the damp, stifling city. So his father orders him to Tarumi, Japan, where the weather is drier, to live with his grandfather’s quiet housekeeper and master gardener, Matsu. Matsu becomes Stephen’s spiritual healer as well as caretaker for his body. Through the course of a year in the quiet seaside village, Stephen learns beauty in a world racked with war and injustice. Set in the 1930’s, the war between ... Read More »

Local residents Mike and Barbara Murphy are extending an invitation to join them at Summer Day Café, Marco Town Center, February 4th at 4:30 pm to welcome Katherine Leiner. Katherine recently released a book, Growing Roots: The new generation of sustainable farmers, cooks and food activists, in which she profiles a new breed of young people from all parts of the country. She’s traveled across the country capturing the spirit and stories of young people who are carrying on the tradition of growing and cooking healthy natural foods. These 50 people are dedicated to bringing healthy sustainable food into their ... Read More »

By Monte Lazarus Classic “boxing movies” – Body and Soul, Champion, Raging Bull, Million Dollar Baby – are more about human relationships than the art (or lack thereof) of fighting. So, too, with The Fighter. It’s based on excerpts from the career of Micky Ward, a welterweight from the decaying community of Lowell, Massachusetts. Micky (Mark Wahlberg) has lost several fights in a row and is desperate. He’s surrounded by misfits – a domineering mother who acts as his manager; a group of shrill harpies, namely his seven worthless sisters; and his crack-head half brother Dickie (Christian Bale) a gaunt, ... Read More »

By Rosie Poling, Junior Journalist What’s more fun than playing soccer? Playing soccer with friends in the Optimist League on Marco Island! This is the Optimist’s League’s 3rd year of having fun and playing soccer. This year, there is an international theme to celebrate the recent World Cup with all of the teams representing countries from around the globe. The program started in November and will run until February 12th, with a total of 10 exciting games for every team. About 250 soccer stars are playing, in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. There are 27 teams and 19 sponsors. The ... Read More »

The MICMS girls soccer team won the Sunshine Athletic Championship by beating Community School on Wednesday 1/19 then Seacrest on Friday 1/21. The girls featured many different players’ scoring goals led by Jenny Carter and Jessica Andrade. The girls pride themselves on spirited team defense that has not allowed a goal all season. The 8th grade girls really display a great sense of teamwork that is attributed to playing together for many years. Coach Kim stresses teamwork and defense which has led the girls to an undefeated season so far. The defense is anchored by 8th grader Morgan Burke and ... Read More »

By Matt Walthour Now that the weather seems to be leveling out here at a real comfortable level, I tend to get out a lot more and ride. This is the time I also like to venture out and find new bicycle routes and also return to a few riding areas that I rode in the past. There are also a few rides around the area that hold “supported rides”. They are well put together and you get the bonus of meeting a lot of nice people. Most supported rides have routes and distances for all levels; this is what ... Read More »

by Lou Thibeault Grip, Posture, Backswing, Downswing and Impact Zone or Release: Every aspect of the fundamentals is important and each one needs to be understood clearly. A few of these were featured last season and the series will be covered again to reinforce the basics. The Grip The proper grip can make your association with the club a positive and good starting point. The only thing that will contact the ball is the club face and the only thing that touches the club is your hands. Most new golfers, as well as many experienced ones, tend to hold onto ... Read More »

by Doug Browne It is comforting to have so much confidence in your partner that you don’t feel the necessity to look back at your teammate as she strikes the ball. But, when you’re competing at the 2.5, 3.0 or 3.5 levels, it might be more prudent to sneak a peek and view what your doubles partner is doing. When doubles partners move, rotate and switch together; turning your head as your teammate hits their stroke enables the team to move quickly to the next ball. While it’s admirable to have so much trust in your partner you can keep ... Read More »

by Capt. Pete Rapps It’s that time of the year when the water temperatures are cool and we begin to catch my absolute favorite eating local fish….Pompano. They have begun to show up in the shallow sandy flats and are cruising around in the surf looking for their favorite food to be stirred up by breaking waves… Sand Fleas. Most pompano are only two to three pounds in weight. A five pound fish will give you bragging rights! But, pound for pound, these fish will fight harder than almost any fish of the same size. Pompano are schooling fish, and ... Read More »

Bill Duncan recalls the Blazing Inferno on the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) – July 29, 1967 By Carol Glassman The USS Forrestal, the flagship of the 7th Fleet and pride of the Navy, was so large it was classified as a super carrier. The nearly 60,000-ton Forrestal was launched in 1954 and in spite of its size, could still attain speeds of 33 knots. On June 6, 1967 she left Norfolk, Virginia for combat deployment, routed to WESTPAC (Western Pacific) duty. On July 25, fully loaded with fighter/attack squadrons, the giant carrier arrived in Yankee Station, Gulf of Tonkin, off the ... Read More »