Coastal Breeze News

By Danielle Dodder  As county and hospital officials continue to wrestle with the fallout from a medical transport debacle that may have contributed to the death of Marco resident Paul Anderson, Marco Fire Chief Mike Murphy wants to remind residents their best bet in a medical emergency is to dial 911. On October 21, NCH Healthcare System withdrew its state license, effective immediately, that allows it to transport patients from Marco Island, leaving full responsibility in Collier County hands. A new, non-emergency transport service, Ambitrans Medical Transport, has just been licensed to provide non-emergency services in Collier County, according to ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom  Every family-owned business comes with a unique story. Marco Marine Construction is certainly no different. The seawall and dock company was formed over thirty years ago and has steadily grown throughout its lengthy history. In its thirty-first year of business, the company celebrated a milestone when it was asked to be a part of the construction of the new S.S. Jolley Bridge. The Ricci family moved from Albany, New York to Marco Island in 1973. At that time Marco Island was barely a dot on the map, but there were big plans in store. Don Ricci Sr. ... Read More »

The emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis is the same regardless of socio-economic status. Knowing you have the best possible medical care can make the burden lighter. State of the art technology with leading edge therapy, combined with the most talented group of physicians, does not have to be out of reach. According to Dr. Chaundre Cross, “Each patient at 21st Century Oncology is treated as though he or she is President Obama or President Bush. We don’t turn patients away.” Dr. Cross and colleagues are the type of experienced physicians cancer patients deliberately seek out. After earning his medical ... Read More »

By Patricia Huff In August as my husband and I were driving to New Orleans for a Fly Tackle Dealer Show, we decided at the last moment to call my brother who lives in Mobile, Alabama. Because we had left so late that morning, we had decided not to contact him on the way there. Then, I had this “gut” feeling that I should call him and see if he and his wife could meet us for dinner. They had just finished a pizza and asked if we’d like to stop by. After arriving at his home 20 minutes later, ... Read More »

Donna Fiala  Lots of good news for the boaters on Marco Island and all the surrounding areas! The County has just approved $262,000 for the emergency dredging of Collier Bay entrance channel. Presently, Collier Bay is experiencing hazardous boating conditions with the accretion of approximately 10,000 cubic yards of beach compatible sand in the mouth of its entrance channel. Approximately one third of the Marco Island boating community routinely accesses Collier Bay using this channel. This project will restore safe navigation by removing the shoal that is creating a hazardous boating condition. Beach compatible sand dredged from this location will ... Read More »

By Monte Lazarus  I believe the three deadliest words in the English language are: “They give you…” Immediately following the venomous three is a litany of what is served at the speaker’s latest favorite restaurant. The list never ends. It’s a symbol of America’s overwhelming passion for more and bigger…bigger cars, SUV’s, houses and, maybe above all else – food. Food, glorious food, but not the kind craved by Oliver Twist. We yearn for a lot more than gruel. What we consume in an ordinary restaurant evening puts Henry VIII to shame. Cocktails, flagons of wine (not that there’s anything ... Read More »

“When you have cancer, you can’t feel sorry for yourself!” said Joan Pidherny. She and her family have lived with her cancer since 2006. “I won’t give up, and I pray a lot!” In 2006, a lump was found in her breast. She was treated for breast cancer including surgery. Two years later in a surprise diagnosis, she was found to have kidney cancer. The kidney was encrusted so Joan had major surgery to remove it. “When they operate, they try very hard not to disturb surrounding tissue. Since then, doctors have now found a small spot on my lung. ... Read More »

By Harvey Brenner Fred Burnham celebrated his 94th birthday during Monday night bingo at the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island (JCMI). His wife, Priscilla, brought 2 beautifully decorated birthday cakes to celebrate with all of the friends they have made over the last 8 years that they have been attending Bingo at JCMI. Fred and Priscilla moved to Hammock Bay after living on Marco Island for 20 years (since 1984) from Illinois. He retired as the head of a consulting firm working with school districts. Fred is a World War II veteran having served in the Battle of the Bulge. ... Read More »

By Jane A. Marlowe  On Friday, October 21, the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island celebrated Simchat Torah-Rejoicing with the Torah, concluding the High Holy Days, which began with Rosh Hashanah, continued with Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah. Prior to the ceremony, Rabbi Edward Maline, spoke with this writer and Kathleen Tuttle, the Church Lady of The Eagle. Rabbi described the elements of the service we were about to witness. The service included reading the last passages of the Book of Deuteronomy about the death of Moses, immediately followed by reading from the opening chapter of the Book of Genesis, ... Read More »

Richard Alan  Rarely a day goes by that I don’t get astonished and or flabbergasted by comments made by misinformed or superstitious folks who enter my establishment. I’d like to quote Rick who runs the Las Vegas pawn shop on the T.V. show Pawn Stars. “Even after 30 years in the business you never know what will walk in that door.” Call them wives’ tales or folklore, you name it, most of the time it is just wrong information. Here are some of my favorite ones. You may even believe they are true. Never give opal jewelry to someone if ... Read More »

Tarik Ayasun  I received anxious email messages and telephone calls from many of my friends, as well as a number of readers of this newspaper last week, wondering if any members of my family in Turkey were affected by the earthquake which devastated a city in Eastern Turkey. Some emails came from people I have never met. This was so very American and so very heartwarming to say the least. The only thing some of these emailers knew about me was the fact that I was born and raised in Turkey until I decided to come to America and become ... Read More »

Now that the weather seems to be leveling out here at a real comfortable level, I tend to get out a lot more and ride. This is the time I also like to venture out and find new bicycles routes and also return to a few riding areas that I have ridden in the past. There are also a few rides around the area that hold supported rides. These are great rides that are well put together and where you can meet a lot of real nice people. Most supported rides have rides and distances for all levels; this is ... Read More »

Doug Browne With our world moving at such a fast pace, one wonders how some things just never change? Just take a peek at our technological field with the recent inventions: IPOD, I Phone, IPAD, Satellite radio robotic surgery, I could go on and on. But in the tennis world and in particular league tennis, we seem to be missing the big picture. If we can break it down and make it real simple; no one playing league tennis is going to receive huge prize money or be sent to the next Grand Slam event. Therefore, all of our league ... Read More »

The last of the Summer Swing Tennis events was hosted by the Marco Island Racquet center. Thirty six players from the Marco Island Racquet Center, YMCA Island Country Club and Hideaway Country club turned out for the last of the highly successful and enjoyable series of events. Players started the day with a continental breakfast and moved on to the center’s newly reconditioned courts for a day of tennis. Each player participated in two nine game sets accumulating points per games won. The top 12 players from the 3.0 and 3.5 ranking advanced to a third set. Players were matched ... Read More »

It’s that time of year again when many of our dearly missed friends and neighbors who are part time residents return to their “in season” homes on Marco. It is also the beginning of the bald eagle nesting season. The Marco Eagle Sanctuary eagles, named Paleo and Calusa by Tommy Barfield Elementary students, were recently observed in their nest tree after inhabiting other sanctuary trees throughout the summer. The Marco Eagle Sanctuary Foundation (MESF) is hosting a “Welcome Back to the Nest” celebration at the Snook Inn on Friday, ll/ll/ll, from 4 to 7 PM. A $25 ticket includes food, ... Read More »

As we head into November the Christmas Island Style elves have been busy raising the necessary funds to provide all the Christmas activities and support services that islanders have come to enjoy over the last 24 years. With the golf tournament and the CJ’s Jazz on the Bay event concluded, the baton has now been passed to the Knights of Columbus as they prepare to host the 3rd annual CIS spaghetti dinner on Tuesday the 8th of November at the San Marco Catholic Church’s Parish Hall from 5PM to 7PM. They’ll be offering up a feast of spaghetti and meatballs, ... Read More »

Tara O’Neill I was recently part of an artists’ forum sponsored by the United Arts Council of Collier County. (If you are not already a member I suggest you get on it – they are the backbone of the Arts in our area.) The general topic was promoting and marketing art in an uncertain economy. Take a roomful of perfectly happy artists and ask them what their problems/obstacles are, and before your eyes the lightest of hearts can darken into something fairly murky. One comment that struck me came from a photographer who fretted digital imagery was going to be ... Read More »

The parents, coaches and the athletic department of Marco Island Charter Middle School hoped to put together a good football team. The idea had been discussed for a few years. Three coaches, Jim Young, Scott Gibbs and Chris Burt were under the direction of head Mike Vanderjagt. As everyone knows, Mike played with the NFL, so experience fanned the fire of enthusiasm and commitment. “We had 45 kids show up to try-out of that, 29 made the team. The team was open to all middle school grades, but no 6th graders try out. The team was made up of 7th ... Read More »

Chef Annie  I’ll admit that cooking with kids is not always easy. I’ve had plenty of spilled milk, dropped eggs, burnt cookies and even a mixing bowl dropped on my toe. I can remember when my girls, Lauren and Nicole, were 4 and 11 and helping me make cookies for the holidays….I ended up with an entire gallon of spilled milk all over the kitchen floor! My patience was not always there, but I knew I had to share my love of the kitchen with my two lovely daughters. Often what the eleven year old could do, the four year ... Read More »

Crystal Manjarres  Q. What are some fun ways to boost my fitness motivation?  A. So many people want to work out, but lack the motivation or are intimidated by that first step. The obvious solution is to seek out a knowledgeable (and fun!) personal trainer. Ask yourself what is your “fitness personality”? Do you prefer undivided, one-on-one attention with an individualized fitness, nutrition and cardio plan? Do you desire a private atmosphere where you can dress down with comfy workout clothes, bad hair, and no make-up? Do you like to pick your appointment times and have someone train you on ... Read More »