Coastal Breeze News

Marco Island, Florida — Keller Williams Realty Marco Island announced today that Chris Evensen, current Team Leader/CEO will also be assuming the role as Broker of Record. Ken Gandy will be remaining on as the compliance broker and play a key role within the office. In addition to this change, Keller Williams Marco Island has added two new staff members, Alex Bowes and Kristine Davis. “Due to our significant growth in 2010, we searched for new talent to enhance our support staff for our agents” said Chris Evensen. In October, Keller Williams Marco Island introduced CJ Henderson as thier productivity ... Read More »

Kevin M. Fitzgerald, President of NAI Southwest Florida, Elected Chairman to Leadership Board PRINCETON, NJ, February 14, 2011 – NAI Global, the premier network of commercial real estate firms and one of the largest real estate services providers worldwide, announced changes to the Executive Committee of its NAI Members’ Leadership Board. The Members’ Leadership Board is comprised of representatives of NAI member firms and interacts with NAI Global to provide input and develop key strategic initiatives. Kevin M. Fitzgerald, CSE, was elected Chairman of the Members’ Leadership Board. Fitzgerald is President of NAI Southwest Florida in Fort Myers and Naples, ... Read More »

Did you know that there are over 750 students combined in Tommie Barfield Elementary School and Manatee Elementary School? Can you imagine a teacher being asked to pick the “Terrific Kid” of the month from their 3rd, 4th and 5th graders? When you put everything into perspective, you can see why children selected as a “Terrific Kid” really are special. The Kiwanis Club of Marco Island honored the recipients of the “Terrific Kid” award at their Thursday morning meeting. Gayle Thawley and Gina Sisbarro did a great job in talking with the children to learn more about them, their interests ... Read More »

By Commodore Brent Cook The Marco Bay Yacht Club celebrated its time-honored Presentation of the Fleet in Smokehouse Bay on Saturday morning, February 5th. We had 21 boats that participated in the event on a bright blue-sky day with each boat passing in review of the Bridge boat and the Past Commodores’ boat. The program began with the National Anthem, followed by a brief history of the Club and we were honored to have our Club Chaplin, Alan Sandlin, lead us in our invocation and Blessing of the Fleet. The Club observed a moment of silence in memory of our ... Read More »

Marco Presbyterian Church, 875 West Elkcam Circle, will celebrate the Fourth of July in February on Saturday, February 26 at 3 p.m. The community is invited to join them on the church grounds for a patriotic picnic with hot dogs, hamburgers, music and games. From 6 to 7 p.m. they will sing patriotic songs, honor and pray for loved ones in the military and their families. Guest speaker, Chaplain (Brigadier General) Douglas E. Lee, U.S. Army, Retired will share about the chaplain service. Lee is Executive Director of the Presbyterian and Reformed Joint Commission for Chaplain and Military Personnel. He ... Read More »

Lt Col Frank Damico was presented the Civil Air Patrol’s “Commander’s Commendation Award for Outstanding Duty Performance”, signed by the CAP National Commander, Major General Amy Courter and the Florida Wing Commander, Colonel Christian Moersch. The award was in recognition of the significant contribution, leadership, and many long hours Frank provided the Florida Wing Inspector General from May 2009 to April 2010. This award is the highest available from CAP for administrative performance. It was presented in a ceremony by the former Florida Wing Inspector General, Lt Col M. Richard Mellon and the Marco Island Composite Squadron Commander, Lt Col ... Read More »

Marco Island Historical Society Proudly Presents: Janina Birtolo As Marjorie Stoneman Douglas “A Voice of the Everglades” Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 7:00pm Rose History Auditorium. Refreshments at 7:00 PM. Program: 7:30 PM Born and raised in New Jersey, the daughter of a scientist and stay-at-home mom. Janina grew up surrounded by music and theatre and by discussions of evolution and chemistry – a true liberal arts education. She is an avid reader and history buff. Janina earned a BA in English from Boston College and a MS in TV broadcasting at Boston University. She was chosen “Writer of the Year” by Florida Magazine Association in 2001, was a field producer ... Read More »

A little over 10 years ago, Chris Kleine left his position training technicians for the Sony Corporation in Germany to have a go at the “American Dream.” He opened a computer service business and retail store at the Heritage Square here on Marco Island. Since that day, American Computer Solutions, Inc. has grown by leaps and bounds. Chris now works with three full time employees and his wife, Melanie, keeps the books organized. Chris is a certified technician with a solid background in Information Technologies for over 20 years. But according to many of their Marco Island and Naples clients ... Read More »

HEALTHY LIVING Junior Tennis Programs Quick Start Tennis This is an exciting new play format for learning tennis, designed to bring kids into the game by utilizing special equipment. Red Group- Ages 4-5 Lesson: Monday and Wednesday. Time: 3:30 -4:15 p.m.. Fee – $72 Y members/ $80 community members Orange Group- Ages 5-6 Lesson: Monday and Wednesday. Time: 4:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Green Group- Ages 6-7 Lesson: Monday and Wednesday 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Fee: $96 for Y Members/ $105 community members Junior Development Tennis This program is geared towards players that are looking to start or improve their game and skills. ... Read More »

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is offering discounted admission to its Nature Center while it continues to undergo major sustainability renovations. Adult admission is only $5 and children 12 and under receive free admission. As always, Conservancy members receive free admission. “This season we’ve added additional educational programs at the Conservancy Nature Center to enhance the guest experience,” said Andrew McElwaine, Conservancy of Southwest Florida president. “We believe the reduced admission will encourage people to stop by to experience all we have to offer today and get a glimpse at the remarkable plans for the future.” McElwaine concluded, “One of ... Read More »

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It’s that time again. The Marco Island Woman’s Club has scheduled this season’s Elegant Home Tour for Friday March 4 at the Marco Island Yacht Club. All those interested in attending this popular function are encouraged to reserve their tickets right away. Tickets to the Home Tour go very fast, according to president, Susan Purvis. The Elegant Home Tour has become one of the organization’s most popular events and one of the most successful fundraisers for the club’s education foundation which provides scholarships for deserving students from Marco Island. Last year the club raised over $6000 from this event. Participants ... Read More »

Who Was Marjory? Marjory Stoneman Douglas (1890-1998) was an author, journalist and environmental activist. Her best-known work, The Everglades River of Grass, was published in 1947. It drew attention to the fact that water is the key to the Everglades and pre-sented the concept that the Everglades was not simply a swamp to be drained, but a vital part of the ecosystem of South Florida. The original Everglades drainage scheme, imple-mented in 1906, forever changed the Everglades by altering its natural flooding and evaporation cycles. Were it not for Marjory and others like her, these changes might have gone unnoticed. ... Read More »

By Frank Recker, Chairman, Marco Island City Council City Council will continue to assess several issues. One matter relates to our utility system and how we should establish rate structures, while another involves the topic of transferring development rights. Recently, our citizen-comprised Utility Advisory Board (UAB) developed several potential options for adjusting the current sewer rate structure. Based on their findings and recommendations, it appeared to be universally accepted that facial inequities existed in sewer rates, and such could be addressed by immediately implementing adjustments to the various user groups. Although Council initially selected a rate structure that would generally ... Read More »

The Friends of Tigertail Beach Inc., is a 501-c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the stewardship of this unique and rich natural area that is Tigertail Beach and Sand Dollar Spit. This group of dedicated volunteers serves our community through educational outreach programs throughout the year, such as field trips, nature and birding walks and group workshops. During season Friends of Tigertail welcomes the public to our free programs. These programs start at 7:00 p.m. at the United Church of Marco, 320 North Barfield Drive. No reservations required. Our next two programs are: Wednesday, Feb. 16th: “The Gulf, Yesterday, Today and ... Read More »

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By Val Simon “One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is a good education…when you listen with your heart, you know when you have a match.” With this kind of wisdom for parents, Mrs. Cathy Callahan opened Marco Island Academy’s parent information night, and with it, the enrollment period for the island’s new charter high school. The February 3rd meeting also introduced Marco Island Academy’s principal, Chris Pellant. Pellant has an extensive background in both traditional and charter school education and administration. Pellant comes from a family of educators and has a Master’s degree in school administration from ... Read More »

The City of Marco Island is opening wide the doors of City Hall for fun for all families. On Saturday, February 26, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., learn how the Marco Island City government provides residents and visitors with police, fire, parks and recreation, utility and public works services. On the first floor, the city’s new kiosk will be displayed and city employees will help visitors on a self-guided tour of the revamped facility. The whole family can enjoy snacks, hot dogs, popcorn and ice cream, and kids will receive junior police badges, fire hats and the opportunity to ... Read More »

By Val Simon The Veterans’ Community Park has a ‘Master Plan’ which was painstakingly designed by a group of about 18 citizens from all areas of life on Marco Island. The committee met for several months, gathering ideas from the general public and working with professionals to develop an architectural plan. The Master Plan was set in stages, so work on the park could be done according to available funds and grants. Once the economy began to change, funds were not readily available to begin work and the community was left with a stark field. A few keen islanders, particularly ... Read More »

On January 23rd the Hideaway Beach Association celebrated a Mortgage Burning Party at their clubhouse. In attendance were more than 400 members, and their guests, to celebrate the occasion. In an era when private clubs are going out of business, or finding themselves in debt, sometimes, heavy debt, it was a refreshing moment when President of the Board of Directors, John Barto lit the flame to extinguish all of Hideaway Beach’s debt. For the past three years the board, General Manager and Department Heads have eliminated all waste and excess spending while at the same time continued maintaining the beautifying ... Read More »