Coastal Breeze News

By Vincent Giannone Having always been a history buff, it’s difficult for me to admit that there are some areas of study that I haven’t read into very much. One area in particular is the history of steam locomotives and diesel engines. Unknown to me at the time when preparing for a normal public interest piece, I would meet an inspiring Marco Island resident who would educate me more than I could have imagined via the historical accuracy, precision and detail that he put into designing and developing a real to life model train layout. Skip Merriam, the creator and ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom The Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans’ Memorial Park on November 11th was certainly one to remember. Special Guest Speaker, General James K. Guest, would definitely agree. During his speech he explained to the large crowd why this particular Veterans’ Day was so special to him. “Veterans’ Day is a day to remember the life-long friendships that were forged on the battlefield. This is one of the greatest benefits of being a veteran,” General Guest told the crowd. With that he invited two men onto the stage, both who served under him during the Vietnam War. VFW Commander ... Read More »

The Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center is open! Join us at the Center for Swamp Heritage Days December 2nd & 3rd.  Be one of the first to see the new historical swamp buggy exhibit. Also learn about swamp heritage through exploring the Rob Storter folk art collection located at the Welcome Center and Oasis Visitor Center auditoriums. Park Rangers, volunteers and a local expert will share swamp heritage through programs, activities, and a sing along in the Welcome Center auditorium.  The Centers are open 9:00 to 4:30. For more event information contact the Welcome Center at 239-695-4758 or see our website at www.nps.gov/bicy. ... Read More »

Sunday,  November 27th Benefitting the Joy of Giving 2011 Register at Porky’s at 8:30 am with complimentary breakfast. Kickstands up at 10:00 am First stop: Junkanoo’s, Fort Myers Second stop: Sneaky Pete’s, Bonita 3rd stop: Stan’s, Goodland Return to Porky’s at 4:30 Final card at 5:00 Prizes for the Best and Worst Hand! 50/50 Raffle at Stan’s Auction at Porky’s $25 per bike  includes breakfast Read More »

The Greater Marco Family YMCA will join the Alliance for Children and Families in celebrating families during National Family Week, November 21-27. As National Family Week approaches, the Y reminds families of the importance of spending time together. When families do things like preparing meals or playing a game, they learn from each other and their relationships become stronger. “The Greater Marco Family YMCA is dedicated to helping children and families become more healthy, connected and secure” said Cindy Love, CEO of the Greater Marco Family YMCA. “During National Family Week, we’re encouraging everyone to focus on their family relationships ... Read More »

The Board of County Commissioners has voted to accept a wildlife crossing constructed within Immokalee Road right-of-way three miles west of the Hendry County line. City Gate Development, LLC, as mitigation for its business park near the intersection of Collier Boulevard and I-75, constructed a wildlife crossing east of Immokalee on County Road 864 (Immokalee Road) at a cost of $1.3 million. The crossing is located in an area of high panther activity and is considered of strategic importance to Florida panther conservation. “Environmental groups and City Gate Development are to be commended for working together to develop this unique ... Read More »

Saturday, November 19, 2011 Beginning at Veterans Community Park, Marco Island, FL 7:30 AM  Whether you are a runner or a walker, this fun event is for YOU! Enjoy a beautiful Marco Island morning, add to your exercise routine or begin a new one today, and help the Island Parks and Recreation Foundation raise funds to support programming and special events on Marco Island. Look for a fabulous Health Fair in the near future! Refreshments, awards and cash prizes will be provided. Be sure to bring your four-legged friends for the walk, and the first 100 dogs will receive special dog ... Read More »

Realtor Ileana Bogaert, CIPS, TRC of Prudential Florida Realty has been appointed by National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2012 President Moe Veissi as the President’s Liaison to the Federacion Colombiana de Lonjas de Propiedad Raiz (Colombian Association of Real Estate Professionals) for 2012. “This is a great honor and recognition of Ileana’s achievements in her real estate career,” said George A. Percel, Managing Broker of Prudential Florida Realty on Marco Island. Among her responsibilities as the President’s Liaison, Ileana will be the link between the NAR and the Cooperating Association. Ileana will serve as the point of contact for all official ... Read More »

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The Department of State made its official decision for Florida’s five preclearance counties to conduct Early Voting for the January 31, 2012 Presidential Preference Primary (PPP) Election: to continue the previous schedule with the start of Early Voting 15-days before Election Day. That means in Collier County, Early Voting will begin on January 16th and end January 28th and will be offered Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eligible Collier County voters ready to cast their ballot early for the January 31, 2012 PPP Election may do so at any one of the following seven early voting locations: · ... Read More »

 If you have not yet visited the Marco Island Historical Museum to see the marvelous art exhibit by local painter Phyllis Pransky, do yourself a favor and drop in this month. The paintings will remain through December 3 and are a virtuoso display of Pransky’s talent. Some are for sale and others are on loan from local owners. Hours are 9-4 Tuesday through Saturday and admission is free. A remarkable exhibit opened at our sister gallery at the Art League on Winterberry this week. The show explores America at War through the use of photos, uniforms, posters, medals, paintings and ... Read More »

This Thanksgiving, help ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday for individuals fleeing domestic violence by donating food items to The Shelter for Abused Women & Children. With record numbers of individuals residing in the nonprofit’s Beau Venturi Home emergency shelter this season, the following items are needed for Thanksgiving Dinner: Turkey Stuffing Beans & rice Canned vegetables (green beans, corn, etc.) Canned yams Pies (pumpkin, apple, berry, etc.) Gift cards to Walmart, Publix, Winn Dixie & Target Cranberries, marshmallows and all the other Thanksgiving trimmings! Donations can be dropped at The Shelter’s Options Thrift Shoppe, 968 Second Avenue North in Naples. The ... Read More »

Sun-N-Fun Lagoon Water Park will open up for Thanksgiving Break from Saturday, November 19 through Sunday, November 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. The park will be closed Thanksgiving Day. Sun-N-Fun Lagoon Water Park Facility Attractions: One waterslide drops into Sunny’s Lazy River Four water slides take you to a drop pool Heated family pool Tadpole Pool, a children’s activity wading water area with a fish slide and more Turtle Cove, a pool for ages 5 – 12 years old with lily pads and ropes for climbing Sunny’s Lazy River, 1200 feet long All pools except Tadpole wading area are ... Read More »

State of Florida Department of Transporation reports construction on US 41: From west of the entrance to the Skunk Ape Research Headquarters and Trail Lakes Campground to east of the US 41/Turner River Road intersection: Construction project — Crews are installing a Radar Animal Detection System (RADS) along US 41 that will detect large animals as they approach the road and communicate their presence to drivers on signs next to the highway. Work to install ITS devices is underway, weather permitting, and requires daytime lane closures for about two weeks. East/west traffic alternately will use one lane for a short ... Read More »

Special Olympics Collier County took a delegation of seven Special Olympics athletes and one Unified Partner to the 2011 State Bowling Competition in Orlando, FL on November 4-6 2011 to compete against athletes from around the State. Our athletes gave their all to their competition with the following results.   Paul Stevens             Silver Medal        Singles Assisted Ramp Natividad Vera           Bronze Medal       Singles Shawn Denton            Bronze Medal       Doubles Bruce Irvin               Bronze Medal       Doubles Amanda Burkholder       4th Place Ribbon     Singles Adriana Carranza (Unified Partner) 4th Place Ribbon  Unified Doubles Angel Palacios Jr.          4th Place Ribbon     Unified Doubles Ronald Joseph            5th Place Ribbon     Singles                          Coaches that traveled with ... Read More »

November 24, 10AM. INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING SERVICE hosted for the first time by JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND. Various members of the Marco Island clergy will participate in the service. Pastor Kirk Dreiser from the Marco Island Methodist Church will be the main speaker. Refreshments will be served after the service. All are welcome to attend. 991 Winterberry Drive Read More »

Collier County Public Library can now lend eBooks for the Amazon® Kindle. The process for borrowing an eBook for Kindle is similar as for other devices. Most eBooks already in the library’s catalog, supplied by OverDrive, are compatible with Kindle so users simply browse or search for “Kindle Book,” check out a title with a valid library card, and then click “Get for Kindle.” eBooks and other digital content are available 24/7 from our virtual library at www.public.collier-lib.org/virtual and incur no late fees because they automatically expire at the end of the lending period. In addition to Kindle, OverDrive provides support for all ... Read More »

New community theatre group announces auditions for February show.   The Island Players will hold open auditions for their February show, I’m Herbert..,and Other Strangers on Monday November 28th and Tuesday November 29th at Centennial Bank, located on the second floor, 615 East Elkcam Circle on Marco Island at 7:00 pm. I’m Herbert…and Other Strangers is a collection of five distinct views of love and family relationships at various stages in life. You will laugh with them and relate to them, but most of all, you will love them. Five females and five male actors are sought between the ages ... Read More »

This holiday mailing season make sure you get the best shipping value by learning how to take advantage of postage discounts, FREE boxes and FREE services from the U.S. Postal Service. Four presentations at local libraries have been planned to help mailers choose the FREE boxes, products and services that will save them money and time. Plan to attend one of these informational sessions to get all of your holiday shipping questions answered, learn how to save on postage (up to 15%), and learn how to save time during the hectic holiday season. Learn the locations of local contracted postal ... Read More »

An AARP Safe Driving class will be held December 1 & 2, 2011, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Marco Lutheran Church, 525 N Collier, Marco Island. Most Insurance companies give discounts of each premium over a three year period. Learn current changes in the law. For Reservations, please contact Don Hutchings 394-8780. You do not need to be an AARP member. Open to everyone age 50 and up. Cost is $12 for AARP members, $14 for non-members. Read More »