Coastal Breeze News

The Board of County Commissioners today approved a Letter of Understanding with the Tax Collector’s office that formalizes the arrangement between the Tax Collector’s office and the Collier County Library for joint use of the Everglades City satellite office/library. The office is staffed by an employee of the Tax Collector. “The Collier County Library has shared space at Everglades City Hall with the Tax Collector for more than 20 years,” said District 5 Commissioner Jim Coletta. “This cooperative arrangement has enabled both offices to provide efficient and effective service to the residents and visitors of Everglades City.” The Everglades City ... Read More »

The Collier County Solid Waste Management Department is partnering with multiple agencies and vendors to provide residents with two opportunities to reduce, reuse, and recycle their unwanted items. On Tuesday, November 15, America Recycles Day, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., the county and Goodwill at Towne Centre (3759 Tamiami Tr., E.) will host a recycling round-up. Goodwill will accept computers and other electronics for recycling, along with clothing, shoes, books, and other donations. Goodwill Secure Shred will collect documents for free, secure and confidential document destruction. In addition, the Department of Environmental Protection South District will collect batteries, cell phones and chargers, ... Read More »

Collier County has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2011 budget from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). The award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and marks the 25th straight year Collier County has received the GFOA honor. “Collier County government’s commitment to fiscal integrity and transparency in all aspects of our financial management is exemplified by the GFOA award,” said Corporate Management and Financial Services Director Mark Isackson. “The award represents a significant accomplishment by Collier County and the staff at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the leadership provided by ... Read More »

Starting Thursday January 5th, 2012 and every Thursday night thereafter until Easter, BINGO returns to San Marco Church, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. This is the 30th year BINGO is played at San Marco, and has the distinction of being the oldest and also has given the most money in Marco Island to our loyal players. Doors open at 6PM, instant Bingo begins at 6:30PM and regular Bingo at 7PM. Exciting games, higher prizes, and door prizes are all part of a great evening. Our special 20 game package remains at $15.00. Always free desserts and drinks at intermission, ... Read More »

If you plan to hit the nearby Wal-Mart on the day after thanksgiving, look for the Marco Lions at the doors. We are holding our “White Cane Day” there to collect funds for our work with the blind and handicapped. We do this only twice a year, so we hope you will feel like opening your hearts and wallets. The funds collected will be used for local and national Lions’ projects such as Southeastern Guide Dogs in Palmetto, FL. They not only train dogs for the blind but also for the PAWS project for patriots. We also contribute to the ... Read More »

The American Military Veterans Education Fund (AMVEF) cabinet at Hodges University has announced the appointment of two co-chairs for the committee. Reg Buxton, publisher of The Journals, and John Ebling, Director of Lee County Veteran Services Officer, have accepted their nominations to the cabinet. Hodges also welcomes Kent Anderson, Vice President and Senior Private Banker for Harris Private Bank in Naples, as a member of the AMVEF cabinet. The committee raises awareness and funding to provide scholarship and grant dollars to help veterans whose benefits are insufficient to cover the full cost of tuition for attending Hodges University. “We are ... Read More »

By Val Simon  Not halfway through the school year, the Marco Island Academy has accepted the resignation of principal, Dr. Chris Pellant. This change was announced after the school’s board meeting Friday, November 11th, and came on the heels of the resignation of Dr. Kobe, art teacher, whose position was reduced to part-time. Also gone is science teacher Dr. Petrosino. According to a press release issued by Jane Watt, Chair of the Marco Island Academy, several board actions were taken to preserve the best interests of the students. As a result, Dr. Pellant stated his intent to resign. Dr. Pellant had ... Read More »

Coastal Breeze News Staff   The traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall officially known as “The Wall That Heals” will be installed on Marco Island at Veterans Community Park from December 7 through 10. This national touring exhibit was created by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and has traveled to more than 300 communities across the United States. Featuring a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., it is accompanied by a mobile museum which tells the story of the Vietnam War, the Wall, and the era. Touching Americans with its message of honor and healing, it is ... Read More »

By Val Simon  Ricky Grootveld is an exceptional young man. This statement was heard over and over during a ceremony in which Ricky received an Eagle Scout designation. Ricky has served the scouts for 11 years. Scout Master Emilio Robau and Commissioner Jim Chute, spoke about his accomplishments. An avid camper, backpacker and skier, Ricky also has a blackbelt in karate, percussion leader for the Lely High School Marching Band and was seen at the Veterans Day ceremony as a member of the JROTC carrying the POW flag. He’s one of the top 100 students in Lely High School. To ... Read More »

By Monte Lazarus  This story began in 1925. It was told by Lt. Col (Ret.) Leo Gray to a dozen fascinated Marco Islanders at a luncheon sponsored by the Hilton, and hosted by the Marco Island Center for the Arts on November 9. Col Gray’s story is about the Tuskegee Airmen, a now-famous group of pilots who flew fighter planes and some medium bombers in World War II when black pilots were virtually unknown. Not only did they fight valiantly as an all-black group, but they disproved a common view that black people were incapable of performing well as soldiers ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  The American Bible Society (ABS) Reception and Dinner was held at the Marco Island Museum Rose Auditorium on November 11th, and was hosted by Charles and Polly Cason. A reception was held in the courtyard with music performed by students Peter Servente and Ryan McCarthy. Military Bibles were available for guests to sign with messages of hope and prayer. These Bibles will be deployed to our troops. The Corp of Army Cadets, Marco Island Academy and the Civil Air Patrol Cadets posted the colors. Rev. Sue Price, Associate Rector of St. Marks, gave the invocations. ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  Radiology Regional brings easy access to mammograms. According to the American Cancer Society, there is strong evidence to support the benefits of annual mammograms for women in their 40s, a practice that should be continued every year of a woman’s life for as long as she is in good health. On Thursday, December 1, Radiology Regional Center’s Mobile Mammo Coach will be offering digital screening mammograms at the Marco Beach Ocean Resort, 480 Collier Boulevard, from 11 am to 3PM. Each mammogram takes just 15 minutes to complete and no prescription is required. Justine Saunders, ... Read More »

A STORY OF DISCRIMINATION, INTERVENTION AND DETERMINATION By Roy Eaton High school can be an enjoyable, enlightening, and rewarding four years that prepares us for the uncertainties which lie ahead, while providing a lifetime of memorable experiences. It is a time of laughter and amusement, and of affiliation and attachment. It is a time for experimentation through trial and error, and a time for learning how to coexist with acquaintances and friends as we seek to find our identity. It is a chapter in our lives when we begin to acquire the maturity and wisdom to make proper choices, learn ... Read More »

Donna Fiala The Tigertail boardwalk/dune walkover project is waiting for the contractor’s delivery of materials to the jobsite. The pilings and substructure are a reinforced plastic design and the handrails and wear surfaces are IPE, a very dense hardwood that has performed very well in similar applications. The material delivery is anticipated for mid November. Once the material is delivered, construction will begin. We anticipate a six to eight month overall construction schedule for the six walkovers, which will include 1 new walkover and five existing walkovers that will be rebuilt. The county intends to phase this project so that ... Read More »

By Monte Lazarus Dear Simba, When I’m not playing, digging or sleeping I spend time listening to what people are saying about your great newspaper Q&A column. I really enjoy the things you write. Probably the most important thing is that you and I seem to be what humans call “kindred spirits”. I heard Mom and Dad talking about that the other day, and found out what it meant. Ha! They think I don’t understand what they are saying. Humans seem to think they are our bosses, but you and I know the truth. That’s why we are “kindred spirits”. ... Read More »

Craig Woodward During World War II, the U.S. Army Air Corps constructed training bases in Florida to try to fill the tremendous need for pilots and gunnery crews to fight in Europe. By the end of the war a total of 54 bases had been constructed with thousands of military men and women introduced to the Sunshine State for the first time. Buckingham Army Air Field, just east of Ft. Myers, opened in 1943 as home to the 2117th AAF Base Unit – a Flexible Gunnery Training Squadron. The air field was built for heavy bombers like the B-17, better ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff Tommie Barfield Elementary School’s Student Council, along with its sponsors, Kathy O’Brien and Jennifer Jewette, worked hard all month long promoting, assembling boxes, and counting cans for the Salvation Army Canned Food Drive. “The students are very eager and willing to help others,” said Kathy O’Brien. “The excitement is school wide.” TBE Morning Show provided daily publicity for the food drive and reported on individual classroom participation. Students vied in an eager competition to increase their classroom tallies. On the final collection day all classes were tuned in as Mrs. Reinke’s class was announced as ... Read More »

Tarik Ayasun  The United States Marine Corps turned 236 on November 10, 2011, and my wife and I had the honor and privilege of attending the Commandant’s Birthday Ball at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center on the historic Potomac River in Washington, DC. We were the invited guests of our daughter Major Suzan Thompson and our son-in-law Major Gary Thompson. This was a black-tie event for the civilians and evening dress or dress blues for all the Marines who were attending the ball. It was a picture perfect Washington, DC fall evening, a bit chilly for us Floridians. ... Read More »

By Xiomara Martinez Home Decor When it comes to decorating our homes for the holidays, it is much easier to follow traditional décor like using ornaments for Christmas with red and green color schemes, or orange, yellow or brown themes for Thanksgiving. Some homemakers prefer tradition and others want to create a new look. If you go by current trends, there are more options today than in past years. And, as people seem more open to change, the tendency to follow new trends is growing in 2011. This year, Christmas themes incorporate traditional decorating elements with different color schemes. Blue, ... Read More »

Mustafa Aslan, his lovely wife, Hitay, are originally from Turkey. Their family business, Dry Clean and More on Marco Island, is celebrating its 24th year of service to this community. What is the key to a long-standing success for a business such as Dry Clean and More? According to Mustafa, “If you’re going to do a job, do it well!” Dry Clean and More started next to Publix. The original owner found himself in some financial difficulties with the IRS and eventually Mustafa bought the business in 1990. He’s continually built a long list of loyal clientele ever since. “Many ... Read More »