Coastal Breeze News

Attorney/Auctioneer Chris Lombardo led a spirited crowd of 125 art aficionados on January 27 at the Fourth Annual Wet Paint Live Art Auction. The auction featured 18 prominent artists, and proceeds were divided among three organizations – Marco Island area Chamber of Commerce (Leadership Marco), Art League of Marco Island and the Marco Island Foundation of the Arts. The three organizations use the funds for school and art camp scholarships. 26 businesses and organizations sponsored the increasingly popular event. The unique twist to Wet Paint Live is that the artists set out early in the morning of the specified date ... Read More »

Rick Popoff and Stan Saran presented a History of Fashion to the ladies who attended the “Garden Party” Fashion Show presented by the San Marco Catholic Church Council of Catholic Women on Wednesday, January 26th at San Marco Parish Hall. The elegantly dressed guests enjoyed a festive luncheon prepared by Executive Chef Bob Aylwin of The Teapot Catering Company. Lynne Minozzi coordinated this year’s event along with a committee of helpful volunteers. The donations collected will be used to support local charities and a scholarship program offered by the San Marco Council of Catholic Women. Fashions, modeled by members of ... Read More »

By Charlette Roman The Big Marco Pass Critical Wildlife Area, commonly referred to as Sand Dollar or Tigertail, depending on whom you ask, hosts a great diversity of winter visitors – the feathered variety! Each fall thousands of shorebirds make their annual migration from distant nesting grounds on the tundra of Canada and Alaska – above the Arctic Circle – to spend the winter months at warmer spots as far away as southern South America. In the spring they repeat the long, arduous journey in reverse. Much like our human snowbirds! Initially a sand bar, Sand Dollar in 1988 was ... Read More »

By Vickie Kelber Unfortunately, pickpockets and other petty thieves are a fact of life in many locations worldwide. Barcelona, Rome, and Paris are often cited as the top three European cities for pickpockets. I have spent time in all three of these and found them to be safe as long as some precautions are taken. You should be cautious when traveling, but don’t let fear ruin your trip. Before you leave on your trip, make copies of your passport, insurance cards, and any other important documents such as plane or train tickets. I pack a copy in each of our ... Read More »

Mark Saturday, February 19th on your calendar for the 15th Annual Mardi Gras-Goodland Boat Parade. This year’s theme is “the good old days”. The Goodland Boat Park will be open for the festivities of the parade and the boating ramp will be closed to the boating public. In addition to food and art and craft vendors at the Goodland Boat Park, entertainment, auctions, raffles and great food will be highlighted throughout Goodland at Stan’s Idle Hour, Little Bar Restaurant, Old Marco Crab House and Marker 8. Grand Marshal Stan Gober will lead the parade, which starts at 2 p.m. at ... Read More »

By Craig Woodward How many times have you been at a party to hear someone telling everyone they moved to Marco in 2003 (or so) and are a “know it all.” This test has been both professionally and scientifically developed to sort thru the “Wannabes” and find the “Authentic Old Timers.” Take the test at your own risk. WARNING: it may bring back old memories and a flood of nostalgia. If you are new to the Island, not to fear, you can take the Quiz to learn more so you can someday be anointed as an “Authentic Old Timer.” SIMPLE ... Read More »

By Virginia Carlin Many legends have blossomed forth to explain the practice of sending thoughts of love with cards and gifts on February l4 – a holiday for lovers and for those we hold most dear! A priest named Valentine who lived in the third century is credited with the name of the day. He became a martyr on February 14, 269 AD when the Roman emperor, Claudius II, the Goth had him beheaded because he refused to worship pagan gods and had gained popularity with lovers who came to him to be married. Valentine’s Day serves a good purpose. It ... Read More »

By Carl Kelly A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I got a gal in Kalamazoo, zoo, zoo. Fun lyrics combined with intricate harmonies and driving rhythms, choreographed movements of the saxes, trombones, trumpets, audience participation shouting Pennsylvania 6, 5, Oh, Oh, Oh. On January 30th The Glenn Miller Orchestra played, dazzled and mesmerized an audience at Lely High School with these and 25 other songs from the big band era. Lely Band Director John Stein has arranged these big band concerts for five years as fund raisers that allow him to buy new band uniforms. That goal has ... Read More »

The newest chapter of the Lee Collier Business Women has been started on Marco Island. Lee-Collier Business Women (LCBW) is an established organization of business women seeking to grow their business through qualified referrals and networking. It encourages participation at events specifically designed for effective business networking for women. Upon joining Lee-Collier Business Women one instantly taps into an extensive network of business and personal contacts and an environment that is supportive of business and personal goals. The group continues to grow and lead the way as one of the most respected and valuable resources for women in business today. ... Read More »

By Gina Sisbarro That’s extreme as in Naples Juniors. Extreme Team Volleyball. These dedicated young women include Brianna (Booey) Blassneck, Cassidy Penzo, Alex Meurgue, Joann Nguyen, Samantha Howard, and Erin Homuth (Erin plays Regional Club Ball for Naples Juniors, but deserves a mention being a Charter School stand-out last year). These are the women who live on the island and currently play for Lely High School, First Baptist Academy and Charter School Middle School. The Naples Juniors gives these young women the opportunity to play competitive volleyball and showcase their talents to prospective colleges and universities. Naples Juniors, one of ... Read More »

Sue Monk Kidd, best known for writing The Secret Life of Bees, which has sold over 6 Million copies worldwide, is one of Marco’s most famous residents. She and her husband, Sandy, have long been winter visitors, but have now decided to make Marco Island their permanent home. Her latest book, Traveling With Pomegranates, is co-written with her daughter, Ann Kidd Taylor who just this past year has also become a full-time resident of Marco Island. They will be making an appearance at Sunshine Booksellers, 677 S. Collier Blvd., Marco Island on Tues., Feb. 15, from 12 – 2 p.m. ... Read More »

By Joanne Tailele Published by Workman Publishing, New York 2006. Life is a Circus, or so they say. Jacob Jankowski remembers the saying well. In fact, he remembers it better than who his grandchildren are, or are they his great-grandchildren? Jacob is ninety something years old, living out his remaining days in a nursing home. When the commotion of the grey-hairs gawking out the window gets his attention, he realizes it’s the circus that has come to town. Back up seventy years to 1931 and there is Jacob, a young Cornell student ready to take his exams to become a ... Read More »

The American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Hope Ball, will be held at The Marco Island Historical Museum on February 26, 2011 and is a premier event for the local unit. This year, NY Times best-selling author Nicholas Sparks will be on hand. The evening begins with a private VIP reception and book signing at 5pm, followed by a cocktail reception, dinner, dancing and auction. Mr. Nicholas Sparks is the featured guest speaker having written 16 books including The Notebook & Message in a Bottle. 7 of these amazing books have been turned in to films with lead actors such as Richard ... Read More »

What a treat we’re in for at Sunshine Booksellers, 677 S. Collier Blvd., where Randy Wayne White will be hangin’ out with Marco Islanders, telling a few fishing stories and signing his new book, Night Vision, on Wednesday, Feb. 23 from noon until 2:00. Randy began writing a couple of decades back when the marina where he worked as a fishing guide went belly up.  If it hadn’t, I have a feeling that he’d still be there running fishing charters and helping some winter warriors hoping to hook a Hemingway marlin.  That would truly be our loss as in the ... Read More »

by Patricia Huff The 7th Annual MSD Festival, sponsored by the Friends of the Museum, will be held February 22 through February 25.  At the age of 78, Marjory Stoneman Douglas became actively involved in environmental issues when she opposed a planned jetport along the Tamiami Trail.  She helped establish the Friends of the Everglades which encouraged the protection of this unique ecosystem which she named the River of Grass; also, the title of her book published in 1947. Tuesday’s luncheon event “A Taste of the Glades” will feature Joel Curzon, the award-winning photographer, author and environmentalist speaking on “Listen ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom Year after year driving along the curvy road into Goodland I would notice small silver stars strung throughout the mangroves. As spring would approach the stars would be replaced by Easter eggs. I always found them to be endearing yet never knew why they were hung or by whom. My curiosity was recently spiked during a visit to the Goodland Post Office. There is a corkboard out front of the post office where locals can post anything from homes for rent to petitions to upcoming events. As I was observing what was recently posted I noticed a ... Read More »

By Capt. Pete Rapps February is a month where we have been seeing some subtle changes from January’s cold fronts and wind. The cold fronts are still hitting us, but seem to be a little less powerful. Water temperatures have been hovering in the high 50’s to mid 60’s, and if the daytime air temperatures continue to hit the high 70’s to low 80’s, the water temp will continue to rise. Keep an eye on your tide chart because we have some extremely low tides around both the new moon and full moon. Be mindful of the morning low tides ... Read More »

By Doug Browne The first annual Hideaway Beach Doubles Open will be played March 4-6, featuring 3.0 & 3.5 divisions for both men and women. There is a unique concept: The first sixteen teams in each division are automatically placed in the draw and then there is a waiting list. Players interested in competing in this new and exciting event should not procrastinate as the draws are filling fast! Here is the itinerary for the March 4-6 weekend of tennis at beautiful Hideaway Beach Club: Cost: $25.00 per person 2-matches. Each team is guaranteed two matches for their entry Lunch ... Read More »

By Matt Walthour I sometimes sit and wonder about the career my great grandfather and grandfather and other relatives before me had. Could I have endured what they did? Their job was often more exciting and often more dangerous than the average job. They rode a bicycle for six days straight and covered well over 2000 miles in less than a week, at times sprinting for cash and prizes at all hours of the night. They would try to avoid nasty crashes or crawl out of them to continue racing. Then if they had the chance they would lay their ... 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, Valentine’s Day is once again upon us. As a single woman, I have recognized that even on this day one can feel completely left out of things. So, last year I started a new tradition with my single ... Read More »