Coastal Breeze News

By Justin Cox  [email protected]  Wild Card week of the NFL playoffs followed the expected storylines; unless, of course, you count the Broncos victory over the Pittsburg Steelers in overtime. Besides that thriller, the other games went according to script. The Houston Texans, in the franchise’s first playoff appearance, beat the mostly rookie and inexperienced Cincinnati Bengals. Even with the Bengals being eliminated from the Wild Card round, I want to point out what rookie wide receiver and quarterback AJ Green and Andy Dalton have accomplished this season. The Bengals made the playoffs after losing arguably the best quarterback and wide ... Read More »

Submitted  United States Postal Service Officer In Charge Debra Gornik introduces “The Great Thank You Note Project” offering FREE thank you note cards and envelopes to educators, scout troop leaders and youth groups. To participate in the project contact USPS customer relations at 239-573-9638. Just in time for those holiday thank you’s to grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. OIC Gornik shares these tips: Writing thank you notes is a great activity to do with a child. Regardless of the reason for the note, you have the opportunity to spend some time together encouraging writing, and the child will learn an important ... Read More »

PEDAL IN PARADISE  By Matt Walthour  In the wake of last week’s cold snap or as I like to refer to it as “freezing”, I had the need to search out my freezing out riding gear. I am not sure about everyone else, but when it gets below 60 degrees outside, I am cold. I guess being born and raised in Boston didn’t stick to my bones too well, or I was a true Floridian all along. Either way, I need to be warm, especially when I am riding my bike on these chilly days. Let me offer a few ... Read More »

Q&A WITH THE FITNESS DIVA Crystal Manjarres  [email protected] Q. We’re two weeks in! How are your New Year’s Resolutions faring? A. Now that the holidays are behind us, have you left your bad habits in 2011? Or, are they already threatening to creep back up on you? You are too busy to organize your meals, so you grab something quick on the go. You swore you were going to eat in every night for dinner and now you have guests coming in for the next couple of weeks who want to wine and dine. You promised yourself that you would ... Read More »

GOODLAND LIFE Joanie Fuller  [email protected] My guess is that many of you’ve been to Stan’s on Sunday afternoon for at least part of the big party that begins with everyone standing for Sandi Patty’s spellbinding rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner”. Then it gets going with food, drinks, jokes and dancing to a great band and winds down at sunset with “God Bless America”. Maybe you’ve been there for all of the above, but my question is this. Have you ever been inside? Full disclosure, I had not until……..I spent forty-five minutes with Stan Gober – one on one – and ... Read More »

READ MY TIPS  Doug Browne  [email protected] Please forgive me as I may sound like I am preaching but I feel it is necessary to point out crucial tennis etiquette information as many tennis players begin preparation for both USTA tournaments and local league competition. A group of tennis friends have assisted me in our new 10 Commandments of Tennis and here is our first list: • Thou shall be kind to thy doubles partner. • Players must be fair and honest with their opponents. • After a tennis match, invite your opponents for lunch. • No profanity on the tennis court. ... Read More »

Follow the Fish Capt. Pete Rapps [email protected] The common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) are the most widely distributed species within the Centropomus genus, and have been reported as far north as New York (USA) and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Common snook are abundant along the Atlantic coast of Florida from Cape Canaveral south through the Keys and Dry Tortugas, and north to Cedar Key on the gulf coast. Common snook occur infrequently along the coast of Texas to Galveston and then more or less continuously south to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Here in the 10,000 Islands, Snook are greatly sought ... Read More »

ART UNCOVERED Tara O’Neill Some say New Year’s Day is an arbitrary date, requiring no special observance (big fibbers). Yet, so many of us use it as an opportunity for both reflection and forward thinking. Wishing to set out on the right foot, we take stock, we aim to detour bad habits and cultivate better ones. Today I am thinking about the Emerging Artist – I meet so many – young ones courageous enough to aim directly for a life pursuing their passion; elders who, after decades devoted to raising families, building businesses, and answering untold obligations, are at last rekindling ... Read More »

BUZZ FROM THE SWAMP  Patricia Huff  [email protected] “Hanging Out in the Everglades” is the title of this month’s exhibit in the Pauline Reeves Gallery at the Museum of the Everglades with artist Brian Trainor. He brings a unique perspective to photographing the Everglades. Visit Brian’s website at www.briantrainorphotography for more information. Everyone is invited to a reception hosted by the Friends of the Museum to meet the artist on Saturday, January 14, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Also on exhibit with a reception the same day on Saturday, January 14, is “The Preserve” at the Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center Auditorium ... Read More »

SPEAKING OF TRAVEL  Vickie Kelber  [email protected] One could easily remain occupied for an entire week in Seattle, but there are some excursions from the core of the city that provide great opportunities as well. The outlying neighborhoods of Fremont and Ballard, easily reachable by bus or car, are fun to explore. An eclectic neighborhood whose residents refer to it as “the center of the universe”, Fremont is known for its unorthodox sculptures, funky shops, restaurants, and the Theo Chocolate Factory that offers tours. Two of the more amusing sculptures are the giant troll crushing a VW under the Aurora bridge and ... Read More »

By Carol Glassman The Cancer Alliance of Naples (CAN) is devoted to helping local children, families and individuals touched by cancer by providing financial aid, support, education and information resources. It’s neighbors helping neighbors fight cancer. CAN pays rent, utilities, food and gas gift cards, car repairs and other non-medical everyday bills for low income families in this area. Because of CAN, Collier County cancer patients who are undergoing chemo or radiation treatment will not be evicted, not lose their power or water, not have their car repossessed and not have to choose between skipping a meal or putting gas ... Read More »

Chef Anne Feinman  [email protected] When I first started out on my sushi adventure, sitting at the sushi bar was a bit scary. I didn’t know how to order anything other than a California Roll and the knife-wielding sushi chef was intimidating. But one day, I got brave, and sauntered up to a sushi bar. It was well worth the effort and I promise it will be the same for you. Bring a friend or two if it might seem too much of a challenge. The fun part of leaving the safety of your table is that you never know what ... Read More »

ALL THAT GLITTERS Richard Alan [email protected] The faint ray of light at the end of the dark tunnel, to my amazement, was actually a splinter of sunshine, instead of an oncoming train. Are things actually getting better? My conversations with customers who happen to be realtors, also tell me there has been more favorable activity in their field recently. There was a general census taken randomly in a U.S. jewelry trade website last week, asking individual store owners how business was this past holiday shopping season. We shop owners need some signs of reassurance in order to plan for the future. ... Read More »

Geia sas! (YAH-sas) Every year St. Katherine’s members welcome Collier County to share for three days in their heritage, the food, the wine, the pastries, the music, the dance, authentic costumes and the fellowship. Geia sas! Festival dates are February 10th to 12th. Admission is $3 for adults, free for children under 12. Parking and shuttle are free. Call 239-591-3430 for more information. Read More »

Enjoy a night of big band music listening to the Glenn Miller Band live at Lely High School on January 31, 2012. But note, the concert is all about the students. The performance is a fundraiser for the band. Students work on ticket sales. They will be in the parking area directing traffic. Golf carts driven by band boosters will be available to pick you up. If you need disability parking, there will be spaces set aside. Students and boosters will sell refreshments at intermission. Tickets cost $20 each. For further information and to reserve tickets call John Stein, Band ... Read More »

This week, the Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office began mailing sample ballots to every registered voter who has not yet requested a mail/absentee ballot for the upcoming January 31, 2012 Presidential Preference Primary (PPP) Election. The sample ballot indicates which contests voters are eligible to vote. Eligibility depends on where a voter lives in the county and/or the voter’s registered political party. Voters are encouraged to complete the sample ballot and use it as a guide when voting in person during Early Voting or on Election Day. Collier County voters may exercise their right to vote in one of ... Read More »

Larry Caruso and Vince Colace with RE/Max Results Realty recently completed a luxury home marketing training course by the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing held in November at Pembroke Pines, Florida. The course which covered such topics as demographics of the affluent, lifestyle segmentation, trends and amenities in today’s luxury home product, and creating a marketing plan for the multimillion dollar property – was taught by Laurie Moore-Moore, President of the Dallas-based Institute for Luxury Home Marketing and author of the book, Rich Buyer, Rich Seller!  The Real Estate Agent’s Guide to Marketing Luxury Homes. “The course is a step ... Read More »

Earlier this month, the Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office launched a newly redesigned website, as well as a mobile website. Welcoming technology, the Supervisor of Elections Office is always exploring ways to expand its reach to a broader audience. The latest addition, a mobile website, targets ‘Voters on the Go! ’The new user-friendly website was designed to make it easier for visitors to navigate and more aesthetically pleasing. The site boosts some new and enhanced features including a scrolling slide show with current election information and various images. Designed with a more transactional approach, the top of the homepage ... Read More »

Dino Kartsonakis has asked to return to Marco Island for a new piano concert/ministry time! The event begins at 6 PM on Sunday, January 22. This is a great time to bring your friends and family to introduce them to New Life and the music ministry of Dino! While the main costs for this event have already been covered, we need some help with promotional and housing expenses. As Pastor Greg mentioned last Sunday morning, the ministry community outside of Marco is beginning to hear about us. As we demonstrate good stewardship for the things God presents to us, He rewards ... Read More »

Island Montessori Academy’s Annual Lunar New Year Celebration will be held January 27th, 2012 to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. Ticket price is $100 which includes dinner and live entertainment featuring Cleo and Brad & Ronin, Taiko Japanese Drummers. There will be live and silent auctions and prize raffles. The evening begins at 6 pm at the Marco Island Yacht Club. For more information and to purchase tickets go to: http://www.islandmontessoriacademy.org/dragon/ All proceeds benefit the IMA Development Fund. Read More »