Coastal Breeze News

By Natalie Strom Every morning I wake up to the sound of local traffic. When you live in Goodland the sounds of local traffic do not include the typical eight a.m. rush hour noises but rather the singing and chirping of our local bird population. We’re talking buzzards, mockingbirds, ospreys, morning doves, hawks, pelicans, woodpeckers, egrets, hummingbirds, owls and then some. With so many birds in one very small area it is not uncommon to have run-ins with our winged locals. These meetings are much more than the occasional white wash to one’s car. The state bird of Florida is ... Read More »

By Crystal Manjarres Q. How much sleep should I be getting if I’m working out? A. There is no clear-cut answer to this type of question- some people do great on six to seven hours sleep, while others require eight to nine (and in some cases even more)! I would say that a healthy aim, for those working out would be anywhere between eight and nine and a half hours of sleep. Will something terrible happen to you if you get less than that? Not exactly, but for optimal muscle rebuilding, body repair and regeneration for ideal functioning, eight or more ... Read More »

By Patricia Huff Naples photographer Dennis Goodman is the guest artist featured this month in the Pauline Reeves Gallery at the Museum of the Everglades. The title of his exhibit is “Flight of the Everglades” and will highlight many of the birds of our area. Dennis is originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, and moved to Naples in 1985 when he started pursuing his love for nature and taking photographs of the beauty in the Everglades. For more information about the photographer and his work, visit his website www.dennisgoodmanphotogra phy.com. A reception for Dennis, hosted by the Friends of the Museum ... Read More »

By Matt Walthour There are many fun and functional accessories you can put on your bicycle, but to me the most important, especially for early morning riding and late evening riding is a light system, not only do they make you visible and feel somewhat safe, they are required by Florida law. (Section 316.2065, F.S.): A bicycle operated between sunset and sunrise must be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from 500 feet to the front and both a red reflector and a lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from 600 ... Read More »

By Doug Browne “Without a doubt, if a serving team wishes to be dominant the net player must be aggressive. Former Davis Cup Coach and ATP player, Tom Gullikson (he and twin-brother Tim were one of the best doubles teams in the 1970’s and early 1980’s) had one specific goal when his partner was serving – Try to earn two points every time his brother was serving. Specifically, he had two distinct moves that enabled his teammate to hold serve: Poach or fake-poach. Great net players poach, the net person moves from his side of the court to the other ... Read More »

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By Capt. Pete Rapps The average air temperatures in April are a few degrees higher than March, and will range between 61 and 86 degrees. This will in turn raise our average water temperatures up into the mid 70’s. Look for areas out on the flats where you have grass on one side of the boat, and sand on the other. Here you can fish the same flats on the top end of the incoming tide for Speckled Trout and Pompano. Cast out 3/8 oz bucktail type jigs tipped with very small fresh shrimp pieces for scent. The Trout will ... Read More »

By Frances Diebler We all know the cliché “when in Rome do as the Romans do”. The same may be said for any port you happen to visit by boat. Once you leave the United States and sail into other island nations you are no longer in America and therefore your utmost sensitivity and acceptance of other cultures is the rule. First and foremost I must say that if you sailed to another island country or continent, you are in their country and their customs, foods, and social issues must prevail. Yes, I know that sometimes we feel “superior” to ... Read More »

By Monte Lazarus Despite some silly touches and gaps, “The Adjustment Bureau” is a very enjoyable film. That’s due in part to always-excellent Matt Damon as a young Kennedyesque politician and Emily Blunt as Elise the budding ballerina. The movie is based on a rather dark short story by Philip K. Dick in which the protagonist finds the adjuster turning elements of the world to dust. The film shifts focus (no pun intended) to the interplay of free will, determinism, life, death, God, love in competition with “career” and human determination to overcome. David Norris (Matt Damon) is in the ... Read More »

By Capt. Carl Kelly Personal Flotation Devices (PFD), life jackets, have saved the lives of boaters who capsized in rough water, were sinking in unexpected heavy seas, were thrown from their boat as a result of collision, were injured by submerged objects, were unconscious from carbon monoxide, were thrown off balance while fishing, were unable to swim, were in the water a long time, were weighed down by heavy, waterlogged clothing. Every recreational vessel must carry one wearable, appropriately sized PFD of type I, II, III or V for every person on board. It is not required that they be ... Read More »

By Joanne Tailele Published by Penguin Group, G.P.Putnam, New York , 2011. By now, he has visited us so often in our living rooms through his 24 novels and 7 non-fiction works, I think we have afforded the right to call him Randy. Randy doesn’t take us far from home on his newest Doc Ford adventure. According to Google Maps, a short sixty miles separates the land of the Florida migrant workers of Immokalee and our sun-soaked shores of the beautiful crescent beach of Marco Island. As we sit under our beach umbrellas, heals dug into the sand with a ... Read More »

Recently, a group of 12 women from the Newcomers group Friends To Go met for dinner at The Marco Brewery and then enjoyed The Marco Players performance “Baggage.” The play was the last of the Marco Players 2010-2011 Season which ended the season on a high note. The cast of Shari Broussseau, Kevin Moriarty, Karen Anglin and Peter Galluzzo performed a hilarious situation comedy which was enjoyed by all. (Directed by Pattie Ziesig.) For those who have never had the privilege of attending a performance Of the Marco Players it’s a not to be missed activity.   Read More »

By Mike P. Usher Tonight find the handle of the Big Dipper; now mentally extend the arc of the handle and you will find the bright orange star Arcturus. It’s a magnitude -0.04 star and the brightest one north of the celestial equator. It’s the brightest star in the constellation Bootes (both o’s must be pronounced as separate syllables), who is supposed to be a hunter following the Great Bear, Ursa Major. Now continue the arc from Arcturus and you will end up at the 1st magnitude star Spica, the brightest star in the zodiacal constellation of Virgo. In mythology ... Read More »

By Richard Alan A couple of years ago a confused gentleman entered my shop tossed a ring of keys on my counter and politely asked me to make two of each (Gulf Lock and Safe is next door.) I remarked that I would be happy to oblige him, “What metal would you prefer them in gold or platinum?” His reply…”What”? Let me point out he’s the one standing in a showroom with jewelry from wall to wall; I considered it a perfectly intelligent question. After I explained to the wayward soul that the locksmith is next door, he asked me ... Read More »

After a “howling” successful Mutts and Martinis Yappy Hour fundraiser the night before, 13 Bedtime Bundles volunteers gather on Thursday, March 24, to assemble 373 bundles; many having worked the night before! The organization is blessed with a core group of dedicated volunteers eager to further the mission of helping migrant children who are innocent victims of circumstance.   Read More »

By Tara O’Neill Michael Von Schroth knows his wood, and he should, he’s had a very intimate relationship with it for over 20 years. And listening to him expound on the subject is pure delight, he is friendly, knowledgeable, and generous. And passionate. “You gotta know you’re tree.” Michael is the chain-saw artist set-up outside the consignment boutique, Something Old, Something New, 207 Collier Blvd.. He got his start in Melbourne, Florida, carving Polynesian-style tikis, somewhat akin to North American totem poles. “Originally, everything was carved by hand, the chain saw was just for cutting the palm trees. Then one ... Read More »

By Clayton H. Lietz Today we can see the rolling contour of gravesites with trees and flower vases filled with color at the Marco Island Cemetery. The conservancy volunteered to save this corner, supplied the funds, marked the trees and plants and built a nature walk. Some of the specimens are rare indeed, especially in this part of Florida. So you see history is alive in this corner of Marco! It is now easier to find the names and markings of the settlers who had such an impact on this island. They stand out clearly against the blue sky. When ... Read More »

The Policeman of the Year was awarded at a Police Foundation luncheon held at the Marco Island Hilton. First order of business was to honor the memory of member Tom Owens by presenting an award to his wife, Donna, in recognition of all they had done for the organization. Police Foundation President Bill Morris mentioned Tom’s book was befitting his life entitled “An Extraordinary Man in Extraordinary Times”. Donna was proud to accept the award saying “Tom was always a brave man and he was brave to the end.” The distinguished Officer of the Year award was presented to Detective ... Read More »

During the month of April, Curves of Marco Island will participate in the 13th Annual Curves Food Drive to collect non-perishable food and cash donations to benefit the local charity, Bedtime Bundles. Current members who make a $30 donation or an equivalent donation of food are eligible to receive a Curves reusable Food Drive grocery bag. And, from April 4-17, Curves will waive the membership fee for new members who donate a bag of non-perishable food or make a minimum donation of $30. “Our goal is to top the donation that we made last year,” said Curves of Marco Island ... Read More »

The annual Italian American Society of Marco Island’s Bocce Picnic was held recently at Mackle Park. Members and guests were invited to attend a wonderful barbeque of hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, Italian sausage, pasta salad and cole slaw catered by Kretch’s Restaurant. Over eighty members and guests were on hand and all had a wonderful time with the weather picture perfect. Coffee and dessert were done by the “best bakers on the island,” the Italian American Society’s members. 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes were given out to the winners of the Bocce tournament. This year all the winners were women ... Read More »