Coastal Breeze News

By Coastal Breeze News Staff A ‘Celebration of Courage’ will take place at the Marco Island Marriott on Sunday, September 11, in honor of the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. This year’s event will include an expanded presentation to commemorate this significant anniversary. The Master of Ceremony will be Dave Elliott, radio host at WGUF (98.9). Dave will introduce the featured guest speaker, retired NYPD Sergeant Dennis Bootle. On that fateful day, Dennis was dispatched to the scene when the first plane hit the North Tower. Attendees will hear what it was like to ... Read More »

By Danielle Dodder Marco Island’s Police Chief Don Hunter is famous for a long stint as Collier County Sheriff. Like many of the officers now reporting to him, he came out of retirement to take the job on Marco. Unlike many of them, his backstory doesn’t include the traditional ‘boots on patrol’ career path. This “accidental sheriff” (his words, not ours) took time out from assessing what it means to have just grabbed the tiger of Marco politics by the tail to share how his early view of our justice system from 32,000 feet can help build the island’s unique ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff The treatment for cancer can be a long, arduous journey. Not only emotionally, but treatment options may require travel. The treatment process is demanding in itself at best and is often debilitating. Going back and forth between doctor’s offices and medical facilities, enduring treatment regimes that can last for weeks or months, the American Cancer Society has found a way to help patients and their families lighten their load through this difficult time. Like a shining beacon, two Hope Lodges are available to help patients navigate it all. The American Cancer Society Benjamin Mendick Hope ... Read More »

By Jim Curran  The Island Country Club hosts part two of “summer swing” intra-island tennis social series ~ another rousing success! On a sunny Friday morning, August 19, the Island Country Club courts were packed with players from the four major tennis facilities on the island. Over 40 players took part in the second phase of this newly organized summer tennis social series that includes the Island Country Club, the Hideaway Beach Club, the Racquet Center and the YMCA Tennis Center. Players rated 3.5 and 3.0 levels of play combined in a mixed doubles format to play tennis and enjoy ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom As school has just begun in Collier County, students attending the new Marco Island Academy Charter High School should expect a unique learning experience during the school’s inaugural year. Jane Watt, Chairman of the Board of Directors for MIA, has developed an educational program based on the idea of using the diverse ecosystem of Southwest Florida as a learning tool. With the help of a hard-working staff, volunteers and the community, Watt’s dream is becoming a reality. This dream, however, would not have been possible without the help of Dr. Richard Murphy, Director of Science and Education ... Read More »

Leadership Marco is a program which is run by the Marco Island Chamber of Commerce. Participants are enrolled in nine bi-weekly full day sessions. Atten- dance at all sessions is mandatory. The participants are given the opportunity to learn all aspects of living and working on Marco Island. The schedule includes in depth informative visits and tours relating to everything from the history of Marco Island, to media, hospitality ,youth, education, parks and recreation, law enforcement, tourism, health care/fire rescue, transportation, environment, volunteerism and government. The kickoff session was held July 27 and was chaired by former Leadership Marco participants ... Read More »

By Monte Lazarus Tomorrow begins yet another heroic diet. I know, I know. It’s number 756 on my all-time list of diets, each of which previously failed after I turned thirty. This time it is dead (oops, wrong word) serious. This is a doctor prescribed diet. The alternative is a gurney surrounded by 17 Draculas all seeking to jab an IV (with a huge square needle) into a convenient vein. Thanks very much; I’ll take the diet. Any of you who have gnashed your teeth as your bathroom scale spins out of control – always upward – knows that the ... Read More »

In celebration of Labor Day, Collier Spay Neuter Clinic (CSNC) will be offering special price incentives for owners to schedule their pets for spay and neuter during the clinic’s two-day No More Labor Day for Pets event. On Tuesday, Sept. 6 and Wednesday, Sept. 7, pets owners can take advantage Collier Spay Neuter Clinic’s (CSNC) No More Labor Day for Pets extreme savings on spay and neuter services nearly half the cost. Reduced fees will save family an average of $100. No More Pet Labor Day event promotion prices:  • Flat fee for all cats and dogs. • $40 male ... Read More »

In a presentation held at Rookery Bay on August 10th, summer interns presented information regarding the sea turtle nesting habits on and around Cape Romano. Known for its “bubble house,” Cape Romano is a part of the Ten Thousand Islands chain. Along with Cape Romano’s beach, Morgan Beach, Blind Pass and Kice Island were also a part of the study. Interns Sarah Flickinger and Andy Fallon not only analyzed Loggerhead Sea Turtle data in this area but they also monitored these areas daily for the presence of sea turtle nests and other activity. Since 2002, the Rookery Bay National Estuarine ... Read More »

By Jane A. Marlowe  New Englanders love “Sunday drives” even when it’s not Sunday. How freeing to avoid the interstates and highways and meander along quiet, country roads. There was always an apple orchard at the end of the road with a fragrant bakery shop or a roadside nursery with a riot of color on display. Of course, no self-respecting New England country town would be without its own inn. Inns with names like Silvermine, Westleigh, Cambridge, Washington, The Three Bears. Here in Southwest Florida it is not so easy to find country roads which lead to apple orchards and ... Read More »

Nancy Richie It’s mid August and that means we are 2/3 through the Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting and Hatching Season. Beachfront property managers have been doing a great job with lighting compliance for our sea turtles by shading or turning off lights that shine on the beach by 9 PM nightly and giving constant reminders to their residents and visitors about the lighting and beach equipment rules on the beaches of Marco Island. To date there are 65 nests with 20 hatched. Though the number of nests is higher than the past few years, it has been a season of ... Read More »

Richard Alan Again, things are a bit tricky on the rock surrounded by water, a new bridge, torn up streets, detours everywhere, all this with an unpredictable season in the future. I chose this moment in time to move my jewelry business because of the alignment of the planets and tea leaf readings and yes, I factored in this marvelous economy we have been experiencing. I figured it would take a few days to clear out Front Street. I figured wrong, it took two weeks. Set up the new shop in Island Plaza and get it running in a couple ... Read More »