Coastal Breeze News

By Carl Kelly You like horses and kids? Well, here’s an idea for you: volunteer at Naples Equestrian Challenge, Inc (NEC.) NEC is a non-profit organization offering therapeutic riding for Collier County children and adults with disabilities. The mission is to improve their lives through therapeutic riding and other equine-related programs. They do it with volunteers and retired horses. And the amazing thing is that the volunteers say they get back more than they give. So do the horses! Volunteers may groom, lead and sidewalk the horses. They may work in the office, the barn, around the property, in marketing ... Read More »

By Greg Spain, DPMr What do you think about when you have to go to the doctor? Are you concerned about waiting for hours to see the doctor and even then only for a few minutes? Is it difficult to arrange a suitable time to actually get to the doctor’s office or clinic? Do you wonder how difficult it will be to enter the office? Are there stairs? Is there adequate parking? Do you wonder how far that the walk will be? These are just some of the concerns that I have heard from my patients over the last 30 ... Read More »

USA TODAY and Rand McNally have discovered what Marco Islanders already knew, Marco Island is one of the most beautiful places in America! A Best of the Road contest, sponsored by USA TODAY and Rand McNally, received over 600 nominations in six categories: most beautiful, most patriotic, friendliest, most fun and best for food and points of interest en route. Those nominations have been pruned down to 30, and Marco Island is joined by Pacifica, California; Coral Gables, Florida; Baker City, Oregon; Franklin, Tennessee; and Sandpoint, Idaho, in the most beautiful category. According to a USA TODAY press release, in ... Read More »

The City of Marco Island depends on the efforts of countless volunteers for their guidance, expertise and hard work they offer through their efforts on a number of advisory boards and committees. In their honor, the City of Marco Island held a Volunteer Luncheon. Jerry Gibson, City Council Chair and Master of Ceremonies, told the attendees the City depended on them and mentioned how volunteers are the backbone of the City. “This luncheon is for you and all that you do to enhance our City.” Each volunteer was acknowledged and given a City flag. The luncheon has become an annual ... Read More »

There’s often confusion and consternation about voting in primary elections. Each state has its own rules and voters must be vigilant to preserve their voting rights. Those rights are part of the blessings of living in a Republic. Florida is one of a number of so-called “closed primary” states. That simply means that only registered Democrats or Republicans may vote for their candidates in primary elections. This is the notice circulated by Supervisor Jennifer Edwards on the important subject: “Florida is a ‘Closed Primary’ state. Only registered Democrats and Republicans may vote for their respective candidate in the upcoming Primary ... Read More »

Like art? How about an 1100 square foot mural? That is exactly what Tim Davis is painting at Tommie Barfield Elementary school, an underwater scene which ranges from mangroves and manatees on one end, to a deep sea scene with dark blue and purple hues on the other. It was the vision of Dr. Westberry, Principal of TBE who reached out to the school’s art teacher, Kathy Anderson. Kathy had seen some of Tim’s work on display at the Waterfront Shops at the Esplanade and the wheels were put in motion. Tim has been designing murals since 1995. He’s done ... Read More »

Tommie Barfield Elementary School held its Fifth Grade graduation ceremony recently. Parents, friends and relatives filled the cafeteria which had been decorated for the event. The theme of the celebration was Stepping Into the Future with black and gold colors as chosen by the graduates. Several students, named below, were honored for their academic achievements. Shortly after receiving their Certificates of Completion, students and teachers in lower classes line the hallway with administrative staff. Fifth Grade teachers then walk their students through the halls of the school while everyone clapped. Children, parents and teachers filled this memorable rite of passage ... Read More »

By Monte Lazarus Heeee’s back! Once again Johnny Depp, complete with his trade mark heavy black eye makeup reprises his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in “Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides”. This time, in Version Four, he minces through two hours and seven minutes of a vapid exercise in alleged moviemaking. I will admit that the film was so exciting it nearly, but not quite, awakened me in the last ten minutes. The plot is virtually non-existent; the direction (Rob Marshall) is tedious; the actors, with a few exceptions, appear to be going through the motions. Sparrow ... Read More »

By Capt. Carl Kelly There are rules governing which boat must “give way” when boats approach one another. The list below ranks boats from “most privileged” to “least privileged.” Number 1 is the most privileged, and number 6 the least privileged. Number 6 must give way to number 5. Number 5 must give way to number 4, and so forth. 1. A vessel being overtaken is most privileged. All vessels must stay clear of any vessel they are overtaking. 2. Vessels not under command (example: steering malfunction) or restricted in maneuverability (example: large boat in small channel.) 3. Vessel engaged ... Read More »

By Capt. Pete Rapps Father’s Day is all about being together and making lasting memories, so get your pop out on the water and enjoy the best fishing season of the year! Here in the Ten Thousand Islands, the weather in late June into July is predictable, as are the fishing patterns. Daily storms are now arriving late in the morning to early afternoon and cool things off a little. The bite is early in the day, and again late in the afternoon/early evening. Expect the bite to drop off to nothing during mid day heat and slack tides. Day ... Read More »

By Chef Bob Aylwin As the summer weather begins to spice up our little Marco Island paradise I am reminded of the wonderful, yet seemingly forgotten, spicy culinary American classic, Fra Diavolo. “American?” you may ask. While it is true that the name in origin is positively Italian (translation: brother devil) and that it is an Italian/American invention, its roots are firmly planted around New York City in the early 1900’s. Many have made claim to its discovery (Mama Leoni’s located in mid Manhattan and Grotta Azura Restaurant located in the Little Italy section of New York city to name ... Read More »

By Joan Kelly For more than 27 years The Chocolate Strawberry has provided homemade chocolate and ice cream treats on Macro Island. It is now located just down from Cocomo’s at 937 N Collier Blvd. TREATS You name it, owner Nigel Redwood has it. He is branching out into new chocolate dips like Gummy Bear, graham crackers, Twinkie and potato chips dipped in chocolate. You never know what will be dipped next. “ I’ll try it and see if it works,” Nigel said. HAND MADE CHOCOLATES You can order white, milk or dark chocolate. Chocolate strawberries, low sugar chocolate treats ... Read More »

By Matt Walthour Imagine riding over 2,000 miles in three weeks time, battling snow, rain, crazed fans, broken bones and even the slight possibility of death. Well, this is what 180 riders will be facing for the start of the 2011 Tour de France. This year is the 98th Tour de France; it will run from July 2 through July 24 covering about 2,156 miles. Starting with a Prologue stage in La Passage du Gois Barre de Monts, France, then 20 more stages, nine of those in the mountains, one team time trial day (a race against the clock, fastest ... Read More »

By Richard Alan I realize most men need to be reminded about certain events deemed important by the opposite sex such as first dates, birthdays, holidays, and the most serious of sins… to forget one’s wedding anniversary date. Many of us alpha-males who have experienced “The quiet punishment” resulting from forgetting a wedding date or heaven forbid her birthday will be sure to make a mental note to self… I must avoid that silent torture in the future. Good gawd, I got punished for forgetting what she was wearing the day we met! (So I bribed a close family member ... Read More »

By Tara O’Neill The last issue of Coastal Breeze News was a milestone for me. My article on artist Lee Horton marked my one-year anniversary as the Accidental Columnist. Accidental? It started with an idle reflection on how much the art scene has changed in Collier County in the last 40+ years – back when pelicans and sand dunes ruled the painted canvas and abstract was a dirty word. I thought the artists and galleries that rose up from those aesthetic ashes would make an interesting summer writing project. (Dust off some of that grammar my mother drilled into my ... Read More »

By Vickie Kelber Although a small country, Switzerland makes up for its size with its diversity. German, French, Italian. Breathtaking mountain vistas, sparkling lakes. Sophisticated cities, enchanting villages. While all areas of Switzerland offer something worthwhile, my favorite is the Bernese Oberland. There are 26 cantons in Switzerland, somewhat equivalent to our states. The Oberland is in central Switzerland, canton Bern. A favorite of tourists, there are alternatives to some of the more heavily visited areas in the Oberland. Interlaken is a prime destination for tourists. Its central location between the lakes of Brienz and Thun and in the shadow ... Read More »

The Collier County Bureau of Emergency Services’ Department of Emergency Management is hosting two next week.  Featured speakers include Dan Summers and Rick Zyvoloski with Emergency Management, NBC-2 meteorologist Jim Reif along with representatives from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Extension Services and Domestic Animal Services.  The seminars will be held: Monday, June 13, 2011 Golden Gate High School 2925 Titan Way 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, 2011 Gulf Coast High School 7878 Shark Way 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. There will be presentations on hurricane preparedness followed by time for residents to ask hurricane-related questions. Other upcoming hurricane programs can be found at www.collierem.org. For ... Read More »

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force auxiliary, will be awarded a World Peace Prize during a June 14 ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. Chief Judge of the World Peace Prize and retired U.S. Rep. Lester Wolff announced CAP will be honored as the World Peace Corps Mission’s “Roving Ambassador for Peace” at the ceremony in Washington, D.C., which will also recognize top honor prize recipients H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and Benjamin A. Gilman. “Civil Air Patrol makes a huge impact, going above and beyond to make a profound difference in America’s communities, ... Read More »

The Marco Island Police Department’s Marine Unit conducted a special education and safety project the past Memorial Day weekend to kickoff a summer-long safe boating campaign aimed at educating boaters about the required and suggested emergency equipment they should have on board their vessels, as well as emergency planning and operations. A major element of the campaign is to stress the importance of personal floatation devices (PFD’s) or more popularly known as life jackets. Over Memorial Day weekend dozens of vessel safety checks were conducted. To encourage voluntarily compliance, MIPD’s Marine Unit partnered with our local McDonalds. McDonalds graciously provided ... Read More »

By Mary Jane Chappy, Fiddler’s Creek Even with the sluggish economy, high gas prices and turmoil overseas, we all hope for great winter weather and cold temperatures up north. Well, mother-nature was definitely on our side this past winter season. We had great weather in Naples and record cold and snowfall in other parts of the country – a great recipe for a busy season, and that is exactly how it was at Fiddler’s Creek. A record season on so many levels! The end of the season Farewell Party was nothing less than spectacular with the “Spring into Summer” theme. ... Read More »