Coastal Breeze News

By Lisa Smith Wood It’s no secret that each season new color trends are thrust upon us through runway shows as designers deem new ‘it’ colors in the hopes of creating new options for retailers and consumers. Sometimes they get it right, other times not so much. While I’m in favor of forward fashion, I’ve also reached a point in life when I know what colors work and what will not. Granted, I am but one in a sea of shoppers, though I happen to be stereotypically bland enough to represent the masses. So when fashion’s elite issues a dictum ... Read More »

By Tarik Ayasun Whenever I am overwhelmed with world news and think there are no solutions to the problems that surround us, I sit back in my chair and travel back to my childhood in the streets of Istanbul. I think of all the sunny summers and snowy winters, allergy filled springs and sad days of fall. Memories of those simpler times soothe my senses and bring back some joy to my otherwise busy days. Growing up in country full of traditions and strict rules covering our everyday lives, it was always refreshing to be with grandparents whose unconditional love and ... Read More »

Driving along 951 heading into Naples it is hard to miss the burned out patch of land across from Naples Outlet (formerly Prime Outlet Mall). So what happened? Was this caused by a careless smoker? Lightening maybe? Neither is correct. It is the result of a Controlled Burn by Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Each year a team of specially trained individuals from the Prescribed Fire Training Center and Rookery Bay resource management team burn hundreds of fire-starved acres. The fires are considered  important to the management of these natural areas. Out from the ashes new growth appears. Some ... Read More »

By Donna Fiala Recently I read a report that said “Collier County residents have the highest life expectancy in Florida and the fourth highest life expectancy in the United States”! Now THAT’s a good news item! Has anyone driven by Treviso Bay on a weekend recently and noticed the signs that say OPEN in big letters? A very encouraging sign indeed. We’ve all been wondering how they were going. The Kiwanis/Rotary Marco Seafood Festival held recently was a smashing success. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of Kiwanis and Rotary working side by side on a fundraising project in the past, ... Read More »

By Monte Lazarus It was Saturday night, after a long day in the sun at the outstanding Seafood Festival that I woke up in a cold sweat. I had a nightmare. In it two guys in dark blue suits, white shirts, subdued ties and dark sunglasses were at our door. Each one had a briefcase and a bulge under his left arm. They were either government men or the Mafia. I wasn’t sure which scared me more. I opted for the government being worse. At least with the Mafia it would be relatively fast and I would be done for. ... Read More »

By Gina Sisbarro The Queen of Cards, as in greetings cards, is Ms. Betty Kimble. This delightful artist can be found at “Keep in Touch” in the Shops of Marco every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between the hours of 10:00am – 3:00pm. She sits between a rows of greeting cards busily doodling her next creation, she is not hard to miss. Betty is one of the main attractions at “Keep in Touch” at “The Shops of Marco.” Patrons walk in the door and go straight to Betty, if not to converse to purchase one of her many beautiful sets of ... Read More »

If you’ve spent any time at all on Marco Island you have run across Bob Lowe, a Marco “Original”. Bob has waited on many a table not only at current restaurants, but also some that are just fleeting historical memories. Bob not only served eager diners; he entertained them cheerfully and endlessly. Most recently he was happily ensconced at the counter at Paradise Seafood. Now there is an opportunity to do something for Bob. Unfortunately Bob is suffering from several bone marrow diseases, and is currently undergoing treatment at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa and the Naples Cancer Center. ... Read More »

By Jane Marlowe Michael Donnelly divides his time between Rochester, NY and Marco Island, FL. He is a consultant with Employee Relations Associates guiding clients through “Career Transition” programs, advising them on new career opportunities and their implications, including whether moving from one part of the country to another is in their best interest. He recommends visiting a new area or city, meeting business owners, contacting the Chamber of Commerce, getting a sense of the community. He has a happy family life with his wife, Helen, three daughters, Kimberly, Heather and Laura and extended family and friends. He plays golf ... Read More »

By Ed Bridle and CBN Staff Like all teenagers, 15 yr. old Sean West likes watching television. What’s his favorite show? SyFy’s Destination Truth hosted by creator and adventurer, Josh Gates. Sean is not your average teenager though as he is afflicted with the little known DiGeorge Syndrome. Recently his parents Patrick and Patricia found out the Make-A-Wish Foundation had set out on a mission to give Sean a real-life Destination Truth adventure with the opportunity to meet his favorite host. The meeting was held in the Florida Everglades at Skunk Ape Headquarters. Destination Truth had previously featured the elusive ... Read More »

By Craig Woodward Time to announce the BIG WINNERS…. Drum roll…… and they are…… (in no particular order): Roy Bartlett, Lou Woessner, Tara O’Neill, Diane Chestnut and Roy Radlovacki!! We gave up trying to select Grand, First, Second, and Third place winners as everyone was coming in so close on scores. So, the major gifts, certificates from Bistro Soleil, The Blue Heron, Café de Marco and DaVinci’s were supplied by Coastal Breeze News and were randomly given out to these winners. Further prizes of Marco Movie tickets, the Chamber’s Marco History Books, etc. were given out to many other winners. ... Read More »

By Marilyn Honahan Kevin Murphy, a long time member of The Marco Riders, is a man on a mission. Among other motorcycle groups, Kevin has been a member of the Patriot Guard Riders since February 2006. While serving as a ride captain for the 100 plus motorcycle escort for the visitation and funeral services for Lt Joe Theinert of Shelter Island ,NY, he became aware of a concern of Lt Theinerts parents, that their son, Lt Theinert would be forgotten. Kevin has also participated in a ride called Run for the Wall . Its Mission statement is: To promote healing ... Read More »

Dozens and dozens of entries were submitted in an Environmental Writing Contest in honor of Earth Day. The annual contest is recognized by the City of Marco Island and organized by Environmental Specialist, Nancy Richie. Local students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grade from Marco Island Charter Middle School and Manatee Middle School were eligible to participate by writing their choice of an essay, poem, haiku, tanka, prose, free verse, sonnet, or lyric about preserving and protecting the environment. A different prompt was assigned to each grade level. Sixth graders were instructed to write about change as it relates ... Read More »

Clyde Butcher was in town during “Arts Afire” week and made an appearance at the Marco Island Historical Museum.  It was amazing to be in the presence of this world famous photographer known as the “Ansel Adams of the Everglades.” He is a man who is passionately in love with the Everglades and finds beauty and serenity deep in the swamps of Florida. Clyde didn’t start off as a photographer, he was a graduate of California Polytechnic with a degree in architecture. The problem is “I couldn’t draw, so I used to build models of the building I was asked ... Read More »

By Bob Olson If you drive out State Road 92 near Stevens Landing you can see the fringe of a swath of destruction where 64 acres of mangroves have already drowned. More than 200 other acres are terminally ill.  From the air (see photograph) you can see the wide range of that destruction. The good news is that there are concerned citizens determined to save those mangroves, and permit applications have been filed. The group is aiming to have the permits by September 1st. The Stevens Landing die off will be the first area addressed. Experts predict that this dead ... Read More »

Most Marco Islanders probably do not know that there’s an area in the city known (at least temporarily) as the “Midtown District”. That name was selected by the Island’s Planning Board as a designation for a portion of what has been called the “Town Center” for a number of years.  It is important for residents and visitors to properly identify the commercial hub of the city, excluding residential properties along Smokehouse Bay. The City has focused their attention on the “Town Center” area for good reasons:  almost everyone questioned agrees that the area needs redevelopment; it is consistent with the ... Read More »

By Danielle Dodder Unlike politicians or reality tv ‘stars,’ police officers are not exactly publicity hounds. Police work, by its very nature, is solitary. Two people, armed, set out on patrol in a car to find at minimum the ridiculous side of human nature, at maximum, its darkest. These people have the same selfless, protective gene as those who sign up, unbidden, for military service, with a side of adventure-lust thrown in for good measure. So as Marco PD Captain Dave Baer puts it, talking to a reporter is about as much fun for a cop as getting a tooth ... Read More »

By Vickie Kelber The Route of the Caliphs (rulers) traversing mountainous interior Andalusia, Spain between Granada and Cordoba is dotted with a string of fortified hilltowns that served as the first line of defense during Moorish rule. They are characterized by watchtowers, castles, and glorious vistas. There is a northern and a southern route; part of it passes through Sierras Subbeticas Natural Park, with elevations that range from 1,000 to 5,000 feet. To explore this area, we had a choice of renting a cortijo (farmhouse) in the countryside or an apartment in the cliffside town of Priego de Cordoba; we chose ... Read More »

By Mary Pinto As the dawn of spring is upon us we focus on new beginnings and that is what Passover is about. I observed first hand during my time in the military during Desert Storm how important new beginnings and freedom are. So you asked how JCMI celebrates Passover.  We rely on “tradition,” as quoted from the play Fiddler on the Roof. Tradition starts with knowing that the JCMI congregation comes together on the first night of Passover to celebrate the Seder (ritual feast that marks the beginning of Passover) as one big family. Not only do we celebrate ... Read More »

By Nancy Richie It is that time of year to shuffle those feet as you enter the warm Gulf of Mexico waters. If you see beachgoers shuffling along and you wonder if perhaps they need some aid in walking or that they may be doing a funny dance, don’t worry, they are most likely doing the “stingray shuffle”! Frequent beach goers know to shuffle their feet in the sand as they enter the water to warn sting rays of their approach. The vibration of the shuffling sand is usually enough to make a ray move on to avoid getting stepped on. ... Read More »

FROM THE RUNWAY TO THE HALLWAY:   By Lisa Smith Wood Color trends for home interiors come from a variety of sources and for years, the fashion runway has served as inspiration for interior design. Fortunately trend forecasters and designers for both fashion and home décor predict vibrant palettes that create appealing, versatile, interiors in a Florida home. Fashion designers in New York, Paris, Milan, and London recently turned out collections for Fall 2011 featuring lush blues and purples often coupled with shades of neutral gray. Colors on the cool side of the spectrum lend themselves not only to pleasing ... Read More »