Coastal Breeze News

REEL REVIEWS By Monte Lazarus [email protected] The latest movie version of “Sherlock Holmes” (“A Game of Shadows”) is decidedly not the Holmes we know and love from the much beloved A. Conan Doyle stories, or even the old Basil Rathbone films. The new Holmes is a macho gunslinger and hand-to-hand fighter. He’s just not very smart. His favorite violin has gone missing. So, too, is his finely tuned mind. He’s now more of a comic book version complete with massive explosions. This time around, against a largely sepia background, Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and sidekick Dr. Watson (Jude Law) more ... Read More »

Dear Friends, As the holiday season comes to a close, we are reminded to be thankful for the many blessings in our lives. We, at the Greater Marco Family YMCA, are thankful for a community which works together. We know when we work together as one; we can move people and communities forward. With your help we are able to provide support to our neighbors and opportunities for kids, adults and families to learn, grow and thrive. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, strengthening communities is our cause. At the Y, we believe that lasting ... Read More »

The Island Players is pleased to announce the cast for the upcoming February show, I’m Herbert…and Other Strangers includes: Rachel Gallentine – Brenda Kevin Moriarty – Jerry Scott Lilly – Mike Kathy O’Brien – Susan Joe Kelly – George Pattie Ziesig – Edith Judy Daye – Bea Gary Grant – Frank Peter Galluzzo – Richie Kathy O’ Brien – Joan Mai Puccio – Muriel Richard E. Joyce – Herbert February is all about love. The Island Players have put together a collection of short plays depicting relationships chronologically from first meeting to a rocking chair romance. I’m Herbert…and Other Strangers, ... Read More »

The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has been awarded a four year renewal to its accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), an international accreditation process developed by the Washington, DC-based Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). In earning the prestigious DMAP accreditation, destination marketing organizations (DMOs) communicate to their communities and potential visitors that their bureau has attained a significant measure of excellence. The CVB received its first DMAP accreditation in 2006, and this renewal will be effective for an additional four years, “It’s an honor to be recognized in the destination marketing community for ... Read More »

JANUARY 3rd IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE JANUARY 31st PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY ELECTION Tuesday, January 3, 2012 is the last day to register to vote in the upcoming January 31, 2012 Presidential Preference Primary Election. Registered voters wanting to change party affiliation must also do so on or before the January 3rd registration book closing. To register to vote, or change party affiliation, you must complete a voter registration application form. Voter registration application forms are available at the Supervisor of Elections Office, driver license offices, public libraries, government satellite offices, recruitment offices of the armed forces, state ... Read More »

News Year’s Services, 875 West Elkcam Circle will hold a 5 p.m., family friendly New Year’s Eve service, on Saturday, Dec. 31. There will be singing and a meditation on God’s faithfulness in the New Year. There will be two worship services, 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day with communion For information call the church at 394-8186 or go to marcochurch.com.   Marco Presbyterian Church   Worship Time Schedule for 2012 Season Beginning January 1, Marco Presbyterian Church, 875 West Elkcam Circle will have two worship services 9 and 10:30 a.m. However, there will be no Christian Education ... Read More »

Notice to Electors of the “Radio Road, East of Santa Barbara Boulevard to the intersection of Radio Road and Davis Boulevard Municipal Service Taxing Unit” of a Bond Referendum Election to be held on January 31, 2012 Regarding General Obligation Bonds to be Issued to Finance Certain Landscaping and Sprinkler Improvements in the MSTU Notice is hereby given that a bond referendum election will be held on January 31, 2012, to determine whether Collier County, Florida may issue general obligation bonds with a maturity not longer than 10 years from their issuance in a principal amount not exceeding $649,000 interest upon ... Read More »

Marco Island Historical Society Presents: Bert Gillespie “Primitive Skills of the Calusa” Tuesday, January 3, 2012, 7pm Rose History Auditorium 180 S. Heathwood Free and Open to the Public Light Refreshments will be served! Mr. Gillespie will present a power point program featuring the skills and tools of the Calusa. He is a member of the Echota Cherokee tribe of Alabama and uses his art, not only as a means of self-expression, but as a means of perpeturating his ancestors’ knowledge, skills, and lifeways that today’s society has displaced and forgotten. Not only has he participated in several Primitive Skills workshops but ... Read More »

Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of Michael Bauer to the Environmental Regulation Commission and named Cari L. Roth as Chair. Bauer, 60, of Naples, has been the natural resource manager for the City of Naples since 2005. Previously, he served as a lead project manager for the South Florida Water Management District from 2003 to 2004 and was Southwest Florida policy director for Audubon of Florida from 2001 to 2003. Bauer practiced environmental law for the Yakama Indian Nation of Washington State from 1988 to 1996 and was an assistant refuge manager for the United States Fish and Wildlife ... Read More »

According to a recent study: Every 36 hours a juvenile in Collier County goes to the hospital as a result of a alcohol or drug overdose; Alcohol is the most commonly used drug among Collier County students; Alcohol use by underage drinkers is a major public health and public safety problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, alcohol is a major factor in the four leading causes of death among young people in America: traffic crashes, homicides, injuries and suicides. Drug and alcohol related injuries and illnesses cost businesses over 60 billion dollars per year. ... Read More »

On January 3rd, Speaker Boehner will be hosting a reception at Marco Polo Restaurant in Marco Island, Florida. This reception will offer two levels of attendance: $1,000 VIP Host Reception beginning at 5:00 PM *This level will allow you and a guest to mingle with the Speaker as well as receive a photo to remember this great event. $250 General Reception beginning at 5:30 PM *The general reception portion of this event will allow you the opportunity to hear comments from the Speaker as well as ask questions during question & answer session Both levels of this event will benefit the Boehner ... Read More »

Fitch Ratings has assigned an ‘AA’ rating to Collier County’s proposed $94.7 million special obligation refunding revenue bonds, series 2011, along with a stable rating outlook. Bond proceeds will be used to advance refund a portion of the county’s outstanding capital improvement and refunding revenue bonds, series 2003 and 2005, and to pay the costs of issuance. In addition, Fitch determined that Collier County’s above-average credit profile is reflected in its history of sound financial management, demonstrated by generally consistent surplus results yielding a healthy unreserved fund balance. “I am pleased about this latest outlook from Fitch Ratings. Their analysis ... Read More »

Could a string around your finger help with weight loss? Whether you are worried about keeping off the pounds during the holidays or getting a head start on your 2012 weight loss resolution, the answer may be simple… tie a string around your finger. The better your memory and other thinking skills, the better your chances of losing weight and keeping it off. According to a new study led by Dr. John Gunstad, associate professor of psychology at Kent State University, memory and other mental abilities clearly influence the amount of weight people lose. “The results of our latest study* ... Read More »

By Jane Marlowe [email protected] Dr. Joseph Vickaryous has been practicing medicine on Marco Island since January 2010. His practice, Marco Island Medical Center, is located at 960 North Collier Blvd. That is also the location where Henry and Zsa Zsa, Marco’s famous rooster and hen couple reside. As a matter of fact, one of Dr. Vickaryous’ staff, Diane Baker is much beloved by Henry. She makes sure he and his new companion are well fed and have fresh water daily. Dr. Vickaryous was born in Alaska where his family has lived for several decades. In 1935, during the Great Depression, ... Read More »

By Vincent Giannone  The Island Country Club celebrated its 25th Anniversary in November with a dinner dance for 266 of its members. The club was celebrating the anniversary of the members’ purchase of the club from the Deltona Corporation, making it a private organization. More so than any other event, this particular one stands out considering eleven past presidents were in attendance. The evening offered not only a lovely dinner dance, but provided a history lesson for all who attended. Placed along the entrance to the ballroom, were carefully designed poster boards explaining the club’s history, past philanthropic events and ... Read More »

By Kathleen Amantea Douglas  [email protected]  It’s that time again. Now that the holidays are here and families and friends are coming together we are presented with the perfect opportunity for a photography extravaganza. In our family we never missed a chance for a “monster” picture. You know the one where the entire clan stops hitting each other long enough to nuzzle together, crack a smile and get shot. Having recently returned from a certain workshop on the North Pole and, employing finely honed sleuthing skills earned by years of routing out the wiliest hiding places and flawlessly unwrapping and rewrapping ... Read More »

By Tarik Ayasun  [email protected]  It was just about a year ago, on a cool and beautiful Saturday morning and I was sitting by the pool scanning the internet for interesting stories to read. I came across some soccer stories, checked them out and got nostalgic. It had been almost 40 years since I played organized soccer at the University of Maryland. As a goalie, I always had the best seat (or stand) at the stadium. We had a great team and we beat almost anyone whom we played; 1968 NCAA Champions and ACC Champions year after year. I started to ... Read More »

By Val Simon  [email protected]  In 2007, Gerry Rosenblum began a term as president of the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors (MIAAOR) with the words, “I love Marco Island.” It may not have been earth-shattering enough to make headlines then, but enduring enough for him to take on another term as President of the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors for 2012. Gerry’s love affair with Marco is certainly obvious to his family (wife Barbara, and daughters Annie and Lily) and to others involved in the island’s single largest industry, real estate. “Déjà vu,” Gerry began. “I accept this position ... Read More »

By Joanne Tailele  [email protected] Marco Island, are different than anywhere else in the world. Back in 1987, Dawn Norgren of Island Title was a single Mom. There was little to show her young son the spirit of Christmas here on the island. Other than Mrs. Marion Blomeir’s festivities at the Olde Marco Inn, Marco Island was void of any decorations. For your information: On her birthday, December 17th, The Bistro Soleil at the Olde Marco Inn will be having a special celebration in memory of “Lady Christmas – Marion Blomeir”. Dawn and a group of seven core members of the ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  The second Annual Queen for a Day luncheon and fashion show sponsored by Liz Havens of Skin Renewal Systems and the Island Country Club Charitable Foundation was held on Friday, December 9 for the benefit of the Joy of Giving. The event is one of several fund raisers held to help underprivileged children of our area to have a merrier Christmas. Many families are feeling the crunch of the poor economy from single moms to out of work parents. It’s not so much about giving toys to children as it is about giving hope to ... Read More »