Coastal Breeze News

By Joanie Fuller How do I describe what’s been going on in Goodland for the last few weeks? Many times you’ve heard the expression that “it takes a village.” That is definitely true here. Keep that in mind as I go along. First we held our Boat Parade – a collaboration of Stan’s Idle Hour, Avow Hospice and Goodlanders. Beautiful weather inspired lots of boats to participate and the new parade route ended at our brand new Boat Park. All went really well. I participated just as an observer. In fact I had invited someone from Naples to have lunch here ... Read More »

By Frances Diebler Many of us have read about safety when traveling on your private vessel anywhere in the world. Traveling on your own boat alone or with a small crew is no different from visiting unfamiliar places anywhere in the world. You should always be aware of your surroundings. I do not mean to be an alarmist. Also, when ashore, many of the same precautions mentioned above, need to apply. Any time you leave your dock, mooring, or anchorage you should lock your boat hatches and cabin doors. This may seem extreme when you are in your own marina or ... Read More »

By Richard Alan Everyone is familiar with comfort food. It’s plain and simple, its warmth and taste makes you feel good and cozy. Maybe I’m wrong but some ladies feel the same way about the jewelry they wear. No self-respecting woman I know would be caught dead leaving the house, even if it’s a quick trip to the supermarket without her hair or make up looking just right. (Although I have once witnessed the sight of a woman pushing a shopping cart at Publix in curlers, slippers and what sure looked like a bath robe! I love this island!) There can ... Read More »

By Tara O’Neill It was a dark and stormy Thursday afternoon… Finding myself with a couple of free (in season!) hours, I heeded the roadside signs and headed to the annual Marco Island Shell Club Show. As happens with whims, there would be much for which I wasn’t prepared. For starters, the turnout was outstanding, and when I got inside I understood why. The hall was divided into three parts: there was an area for Shell Club artists to sell their hand-made shell art as well as materials – including, you bet, shells. But there would be no time for shopping ... Read More »

Tonight mighty Orion has begun sinking towards the west while the Spring constellations are beginning to rise in the east. Betelgeuse is flagged as the brightest star in Orion in the 400 year old Bayer catalog, but it is a variable star and usually Rigel is brighter. Let’s look at Rigel then and ask how bright it really is. Rigel is one of the brighter stars in the sky tonight – you can see this magnitude +0.18 bright blue giant star in Orion’s lower right corner. Not too far distant from Rigel is the even brighter star Sirius shining at ... Read More »

By Carol Kinkead In a way, life is visually recorded through the lens of a camera. Just think of all the memories and events we would miss if we were not clicking away. Memories of grandchildren growing up, special family events, vacations, and all the other meaningful occasions that take place in our lifetime. Then there are all the national and world events that make headlines, large and small, every day. We are witnessing history in the making-presidential inaugurations, men on the moon, dictators toppled, war and all its horrors – sometimes more than we want to know. So if you ... Read More »

Read More »

  Read More »

A big crowd was treated to free kosher hot dogs with all of the trimmings, along with pastry, fruit, coffee and tea for a night of Bingo at the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island (JCMI). We had several big winners and some who were multiple game winners. Bingo is held every Monday at JCMI 991 Winterberry Dr. Doors open at 5:30pm. Bonanza is posted at 6:15pm and the games begin at 7pm. Dinner is served at 5:30pm. The game is open to the public. The Bingo Committee with their bright yellow aprons are volunteers from JCMI’s ‘family’. With the Co-Chairpersons Sue ... Read More »

Two great opportunities for volunteering on the beaches of Collier and Lee County are upcoming: Shorebird Beach Steward and Rooftop Nesting Steward programs. The Steward programs are in coordination with agencies that monitor shorebird nesting in Lee and Collier Counties: Florida Fish & Wildlife, Audubon, City of Marco Island, Collier County and Rookery Bay NERR. Volunteers are needed to assist in educational outreach and monitoring of shorebird nesting in our area. Lee and Collier County have combined their efforts for training. Last year’s Collier County Beach Steward program was very successful. We are hoping to continue this success in Lee ... Read More »

The YMCA Karate School headed by Sensei Nick Lemke held a testing, demonstration and award ceremony recently at the Greater Marco Family YMCA. The school teaches an Okinawan style of karate called Seibukan Shorin- Ryu. The dojo trains students from six years and up to be champions in life and martial arts. Sensei Nick Lemke says” The program teaches discipline, character, confidence, physical and mental strength, and most importantly self defense. Students in the current class range in age from 6 to 64. Students were tested for Karate form, skills and technique by Sensei’s Robert and Alan who are from ... Read More »

Naples- Jim Coletta formally filed for his re-election campaign for Collier County commissioner in district 5. His candidacy offers the continuation of a strong and experienced voice for new jobs, tax relief, and improved infrastructure throughout Collier County. “After 25 years, I have seen firsthand the importance of focusing on getting new jobs to Collier County, protecting and expanding our infrastructure, as well preserving everything that makes our county one of the best places to live,” Coletta stated. Members of the Golden Gate community, Jim Coletta and his family have lived in Collier County for more than 26 years. He ... Read More »

Are you interested in becoming a Member of the Marco Island’s Beautification Advisory Committee (BAC)? An opening on the BAC recently became available, and the City is actively seeking a volunteer to fill it. To apply for the BAC opening, see Laura Litzen, City Clerk, at City Hall. BAC meetings generally take place on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 3pm at City Hall. The public is welcome to attend BAC meetings. The BAC is a “working” committee. This means that every Member is expected to attend and participate in monthly meetings and occasional workshops (unless excused for a ... Read More »

Marco Island, FL (Grassroots Newswire) March 1, 2011 — The financial-services firm Edward Jones once again has been named a top company for training, ranking No. 11 on Training magazine’s 2011 Training Top 125 list, according to Gary Michael Ozak, an Edward Jones financial advisor in Marco Island. Edward Jones has been recognized on the list for 11 years in a row, dating back to the debut of the Training Top 50 in 2001. Edward Jones not only moved up the ranking dramatically – to No. 11 this year from No. 31 in 2010 – but also received special recognition ... Read More »

The Marco Island Academy is now officially the newest public high school in Collier County. On March 15, 2011, the Collier County School Board approved the final contract for the Academy. Now the Academy organizers will to spring into action to make sure the school opens on time in August. The Academy hosted its 2nd annual 5K race on Saturday with 92 participants. The event raised approximately $7,000 for the school and gathered clothing donations for families in need. The Academy is on the fast track to raise money to offset the start-up costs. Since January 2011, the school has ... Read More »

“THANKS MARCO” day is IBERIABANK/MARCO’s way of showing our gratitude for the support Marco Islanders have given to the bank so many times since becoming IBERIABANK. As the banks way of saying “THANKS MARCO,” the bank is breaking out the Weber grill on Tuesday, March 29th to treat everyone to free hot dogs, bratwurst, sauerkraut, and chips with all the fixins prepared by Chef Jeff and Chef Keith in their parking lot. All IBERIABANK/MARCO associates will become a Chef For The Day as everyone will be pitching in to make this a fun and filling cook-out for you. IberiaBank will ... Read More »

Open To The Public-Saturday, March 26, 2011 The Marco Island Yacht Club will present in-house artists during an “APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS” weekend to share members’ extraordinary hidden talents and their wonderful creativity!!! This THIRD Annual “Appreciation of the Arts” weekend will hopefully eclipse last year’s event displaying a wide-range of exhibits available for all visitors to peruse. Artists will showcase their diverse creative passions in various mediums: paintings, photographic art, sculptures, specialized crafts, as well as, an opportunity to meet the author of Mango Island, An American Fairytale, KG Dowling. We invite you to come to meet with the ... Read More »

New program emphasizes extra fast, extra easy, extra great patient care and customer service. Naples, FL — March 14, 2011 — Physicians Regional Healthcare System CEO Joe D. Pinion announced the introduction of a revolutionary emergency room program, “ER Extra,” aimed at making sure every patient’s emergency room experience is as easy and efficient as possible. “Our emergency rooms have some of the highest patient satisfaction scores in the country for quality,” said Pinion. “And now, the ER Extra program provides us with additional tools to further enhance our patients’ experiences.” A key element of “ER Extra” includes the introduction ... Read More »

Lighthouse of Collier, Inc., Center for Blindness and Vision Loss offers programs to help blind and visually impaired be independent in Collier. Program 1: Daily Living Skills Classes Have you been recently diagnosed with macular degeneration, cataracts, tunnel vision or another eye condition? Who helps you learn how to socialize, navigate, communicate and feel safe in a sighted world? Lighthouse of Collier offers classes on Mondays and Tuesdays starting March 14, 2011 through May 17, 2011 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Please call 430-3934 to sign up. Seating is limited. Bringing a lunch is recommended. The classes will teach: ... Read More »

During Florida Open House Weekend March 26-27 Realtors are preparing for Florida Open House Weekend, March 26-27, 2011 – a prime opportunity for buyers to visit many homes for sale in a single weekend. Sponsored by the 115,000-member Florida Realtors, it’s the largest open house weekend event in the nation. “Homeownership benefits individuals and families, strengthens our community, and is vital to the Marco Island economy and the state’s economy,” says Bill Filbin, President, Marco Island Area Association of Realtors. “Recent research supports findings that homeownership provides economic and social benefits, including improved childhood education, greater civic and community involvement, ... Read More »