Coastal Breeze News

Diane Bostick  [email protected] Author: Andrea Levy  Publisher: Picador (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) 2010. Available in Hard cover, soft cover, audio and Kindle.  I know that some of you would rather be shot in the foot than read anything considered a “Historical Novel.” (Yes, I know, some of you think I should say ‘an’ rather than ‘a’ before the word historical. I took the time to look it up and both are correct depending on where you live, but the ‘a’ seems to be preferred in America today.) Now to get back to the subject at hand. “Historical Novel” brings on ... Read More »

By Monte Lazarus [email protected] “Hugo” is a charming mixture of the real Georges Melies, a French film pioneer, and Hugo Cabret, a 12 year old boy who lives in the Gare Montparnesse in Paris, and is a combination orphan, station clock minder, and part-time petty thief. The film is based on Brian Selznick’s 526 page book “The Invention of Hugo Cabret. In 3-D, the colorful and beautifully conceived and acted movie intertwines the stories of Hugo’s search for family after his beloved father’s sudden death in a fire; and the search of Georges Melies for his past life. Hugo lived ... Read More »

Capt. Pete Rapps  [email protected] Another species of fish that we catch all year round here in the 10,000 islands is the Redfish. Its true name is Red Drum, however, most in our area refer to the fish as Redfish or just “Reds”. Its Latin name is Sciaenops Ocellatus, and it is closely related to the Black Drum or the Pogonias Cromis. Redfish are classified as Drums because they make a deep drumming noise. Several times I have come upon large schools of Redfish that you could actually hear making a deep bass drumming noise in the water around the boat. ... Read More »

Frances Diebler [email protected]  Holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas are celebrated all around the world and it makes no difference if you celebrate at home or at sea. We have experienced both and, each time, we had friends and family who celebrated with us wherever we were at sea or at home. Each celebration was joyous, warm, with both family and friends and all of the trimmings. We tried to spend one holiday back home such as Thanksgiving and our children would fly down to the boat at Christmas time. I know that this does not always work for everyone, ... Read More »

Richard Alan [email protected] In my last article I mentioned I took in a lot of diamonds in any given week, but that doesn’t compare to the amount of watches that land on my bench in a single day. I look at and work on a hundred or more timepieces a week. I replace dead batteries, shorten or enlarge metal watch bracelets, replace broken, worn pins and the rivets that hold them together, tighten clasps that don’t clasp and replace worn out leather or rubber straps… lots and lots of watches. They can come from the dollar store, or from a ... Read More »

Joanie Fuller  [email protected] Three silly but fun questions for you. Have you ever thought much about nutcrackers at holiday time? Do you know the story of the Nutcracker Ballet? Have you ever seen hundreds of nutcrackers in a restaurant? I certainly never thought about seeing them in a restaurant. Actually, my main memory of nutcrackers as a kid, is the kind my parents used to have to actually crack nuts with. They always served nuts with the shells on and it was such a pain to use that hard to hold instrument to crack one. Why couldn’t they just serve ... Read More »

SOUTHERN SKIES By Mike P. Usher [email protected] This is primarily a stargazing column, but we never talk about the somewhat unusual movement of our very own star, the Sun. On December 22, the Sun reaches the Winter Solstice – its most southerly location in the sky. The Sun is now located a few degrees above the spout in the Sagittarius teapot asterism and would be directly overhead at noon on the Tropic of Capricorn. Here on Marco, the Sun crosses the meridian at its lowest point of the year and that likewise, makes this day the shortest of the year. ... Read More »

Tara O’Neill  Ethereal images pulsate from the work of Naples-based (but internationally collected) artist Bonny Hawley. The word is: entrancing. You look and look and, inescapably, must look some more. The more you look, the more you see. The more you see, the more you feel. The art is warm-toned acrylic mixed media collages: mono-printing, stenciling, gold and silver-leaf, metallic paints, digital imagery, hand-made and hand-painted papers; all deftly layered on flowing silk and richly textured Belgian linen. Sizes range from one square foot to ten square yards…so far. The technique is strictly Hawley, and so is the imagery. “I ... Read More »

Nancy Richie [email protected] Marco Island is surrounded by a richness of unique natural worlds to explore and enjoy with family and friends. All are a relatively short drive off the Island and can be experienced in any degree – from a day trip to an overnight to many days of camping. By foot or watercraft, get to know the “real” Florida in Marco Island’s own backyard. Here is a list of nine “must-experience” southwest Florida sites. For more information, the phone number and website address has been provided for each. ROOKERY BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE 239-417-6310 and www.rookerybay.org  A prime example ... Read More »

Doug Browne  [email protected] Most of my male friends have been playing all kinds of sports since early childhood and are still in good physical condition. Additionally, many of my buddies stand six feet tall or greater and often weigh over 175 pounds. Whether they are playing a pick-up weekend basketball game or they have playing in a golf tournament, they have immense sports talent. When the boys finally hit the tennis court, they possess a big first serve (maybe it goes in 40% of the time and they just love whaling on the ball regardless where the ball lands. Now, ... Read More »

PEDAL IN PARADISE  By Matt Walthour  It’s that time of year when the roads will start to get a bit busier with drivers from all over the world. It is important as a bicyclist that we know the rules of the road as much as the automobile drivers. With all the new bike paths and multi-use sidewalks that have been installed on Marco Island over the past few years, it has become a lot safer to cycle but we still have rules and laws that must be followed. Below are some Florida laws regarding bicycling. First and most important, according ... Read More »

Crystal Manjarres  [email protected] Q. What are some tips for a healthier holiday season? A. When people think of the holidays, several images come to mind—generally yummy, indulgent food tops the list. We all know that the treats and eats are what can make or break us. Why not prepare ahead of time for the expected and unexpected? I generally workout in the days leading up to Christmas, so that when the big day arrives, I can squeeze in a morning workout if I want to, or sleep in and take it easy. We all deserve at least one rest day ... Read More »

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After 26 years of partnership as Slocum & Christian, Inc., John Slocum has announced his retirement from the company planned for the end of this year.  It is the end of an era—but also a new beginning. “Year after year, we have built some of the finest homes and remodels for the most knowledgeable clients who have demanded the best.”  John said, “I am pleased to have been involved with our team, subcontractors and especially Tom Christian for the past 35 years.  Now I’m looking forward to wherever the path leads me, knowing most of life’s curves are behind me.”  ... Read More »

Marco Presbyterian Church’s 6:30 p.m. Prayer and Bible Study will gather on Dec. 21 at the Historic Church to sing Christmas Carols.  The Historic Church is located on the Marco Island Cemetery property.  All are invited. For information call 394-8186.   Family Christmas Service Marco Presbyterian Church will host a 6 p.m. Dec. 18 family Christmas service entitled “Through the Eyes of a Child”. The evening combines children, youth, PowerPoint, humor, drama, music and the Nativity. The service will be followed by a hot cocoa and cookie reception.  Free. The church is located on 875 West Elkcam Circle, Marco Island. For information call the ... Read More »

The Marco Island Historical Museum proudly announces a new exhibit called Against All Odds. Back in the middle part of the 20th century, a group of young black artists (25 men and a woman) were trying to sell their paintings along the highways on the other side of Florida, without much success.  A kind white artist befriended them and taught them some  tricks of the trade in order to speed up their production time.  Eventually some of them could turn out 30-35 canvases a day, and would sell them while the paint was still wet. Their subject matter was mostly interior Florida ... Read More »

The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division has issued a letter of no objection for the county commission redistricting plan approved in September by the Collier County Board of County Commissioners. The approved redistricting map (Map 1A) can be viewed at www.colliergov.net/redistricting The criteria used in developing the new map included the following: 1. The population of each district should be as similar as possible. 2. All districts should be as compact and regularly shaped as feasible. 3. The incumbent Commissioner’s residence (and same for School Board members) must remain in his or her current district. 4. Consider racial and ... Read More »

Christmas Decorating Contest Committee Plan for the 15th Annual House and Business Decorating Contest The Christmas House and Business Decorating Committee met recently at Sanitasole, hosted by Paula and Richard Robinson, for final preparations for the 15th Annual Decorating Contest.  Enthusiasm is building among Marco Island residents as they noted early decorations already displayed. Marco Island has long been noted for the many outstanding Christmas decorated homes. In 2010, the contest included over 1700 homes and 125 businesses judged.  Residents and visitors alike increase their Christmas spirit by driving around the Island to see the innovative decorations.  The contest is operated ... Read More »

January 6 & 7 2012 9:00 – 1:00 Marco Lutheran Church, 525 N Collier   Marco Island For Reservations please Contact Don Hutchings 394-8780 Most Insurance Companies give discounts of each premium over a three year period. Learn current changes in the law. You do not need to be an AARP member. Open to everyone age 50 and up. Cost is $12.00 for AARP members. $14.00 for non members Read More »

The Collier County community is invited to attend the Third Annual Marco Island Community Hanukkah Celebration on Wednesday, December 21 at 5:45pm at the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island (JCMI), 991 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island. This year’s celebration will include: -          Greetings from community leaders -          Menorah Candle Lighting -          Music featuring Klezmer Clarinetist Dr. Martin Cohn -          Lots of holiday spirit for the entire family -          Light refreshment This annual event always draws a crowd of over 200 people, including the young and the young-at-heart. The event is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Collier County and the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island. For ... Read More »