Coastal Breeze News

by Donna Fiala [email protected] My goodness, isn’t the year going by quickly? I can’t believe it is almost Easter and soon our Winter Residents will be leaving…………. which means a huge portion of our volunteers will be leaving, because these people come down from up north, roll up their sleeves and pitch in to help. Another thing we will see is all the fun and activities, parties and fund raisers, events, plays and entertainment will scale down to a minimum until they come back again next fall. This year has been a good year for all. Many of our unemployed ... Read More »

Let’s get the real facts, our citizens deserve it A reporter asked me why I wanted to be Chairman of the Marco Island City Council and I replied, “I want to communicate with our citizens.” You deserve to know the real facts on the issues that come before the City Council, not what some group wants you to hear. When you have the real facts you can decide if you want to support the issue or oppose, but you’ll do so being fully informed. Let me cite some examples. The major issue being discussed at Council today is what are ... Read More »

Recently I had the opportunity to address one hundred Marco residents on a variety of subjects. During side conversations with members during the program, as well as meetings around town after the program, it became clear to me that some citizens don’t know when to call the police, some don’t know how, and others “feel bad for bothering the police”. I’d like to illustrate my points with current and real world events. In the last week, two homes, one on Fruitland and one on Echo were burglarized. Entry was gained by prying open the garage service door on one home ... Read More »

Thank you Marco Island. The people, merchants, restaurateurs and businesses on Marco Island give back so much to this community. The San Marco Council of Catholic Women want to take this opportunity to thank these people for their overwhelming generosity, that made our Casino Night such a success. OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS: Pension Planners, Inc., Ross Title & Escrow, Inc., David Stonier, Duane Thomas Marine Construction, Larry Caruso, Re/Max Realty, Pat Wilkins Team, Keller Williams, Jeff Bogan, Allstate Insurance, Island Title, Capri Fish House Restaurant, Sterling Motorsport, Inc., Jack Bertelsmeyer, James Bertelsmeyer, Tom & Shannon Barrett, M/M Robert Sullivan, and Don & Mary Ross. OUR RESTAURANT SPONSORS: Their participation in our ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom  [email protected]  Many Coastal Breeze readers will remember the recent story of Steven and Kieu Banks, Marco Island business owners set on making a difference. The owners of Dreamlander Tours are putting together a fundraising effort, Kayak Marco 24, that will not only hopefully raise $20,000 towards three charities but will, in the process, also set a new Guinness World Record. On April 20th, Steven Banks will attempt to do what no person has done before. He will leave the Snook Inn on Marco Island at 1:00 PM and attempt to kayak the total outer perimeter of the ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff Hat Day was the theme of a recent luncheon meeting held by the Newcomers Club of Marco Island. Members donned their finest, prettiest and/or silliest hats. Guest speaker was Nancy Richie, City of Marco Island Environmental Specialist. She gave a very informative presentation regarding the environmental services provided by the City of Marco Island. She described how Marco Island monitors the water quality of the beaches and canals, as well as the monitoring of Red Tide. She explained that city does surface Water Quality monitoring by testing twelve canals six times a year, as well ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  The Electronics Age took another step forward on Marco Island with a ribbon cutting on March 6th at the new Verizon office on North Collier Boulevard. The Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce furnished the ribbon and giant scissors for the ceremonial event. Bruce Catovianco, Chief Operating Officer and co-owner of the establishment presided on behalf of Verizon and the local staff. The new office has a full selection of cellular products and accessories, including the latest versions. Mr. Catovianco said that he’s looking forward to a successful venture on our beautiful island. Among more ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  Anthony and Will Nunziata were a smash hit in February, so Alfred and Manuela Schinagl brought them back to the House of Mozart on March 11-15 for an encore performance. If anything the brothers were in even better voice than previously. It was a handclapping evening from an appreciative crowd. The House of Mozart served a very special dinner, with Smoked Norwegian Salmon leading off, a tangy Cream of Carrot and Ginger Soup, Seafood Lasagna, a choice of Sauerbraten, Chicken Saltimbocca or Filet of Red Snapper and a decadent Viennese Applestrudel for dessert. Not a ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff As spring arrives, horseshoe crabs converge along sandy beaches throughout the state to mate. Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are asking the public for help pinpointing the sites where these horseshoe crabs spawn. Beachgoers are likely to have the best luck spotting mating horseshoe crabs around high tide, just before, during or after a full or new moon. The conditions around the new moon on March 22 and the full moon on April 6 will create ideal opportunities to view the spawning behavior of horseshoe crabs. The FWC asks people ... Read More »

By Jane A. Marlowe  [email protected]  On Monday evening, March 12, a talented musician presented a unique and inspiring evening of original music on a beautiful Celtic harp. Martha Gallagher charmed her audience with inspired melodies and lyrics offering glimpses into her childhood and family life. Her grandmother’s advice, very apropos in these financially straitened times, is blended with the wisdom of Deepak Chopra and the Latin rhythm of Santana. “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!” Martha has performed throughout the United States and Canada for 35 years. She has performed as a classical flautist ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff It is anticipated that over fifteen thousand festival enthusiasts will converge on the Immokalee Regional Airport April 13- 15th to see the hot air balloons participating in the first ever ‘Balloons Over Paradise Festival’. This event is sponsored by the Seminole Casino Immokalee. The festival will feature 30-40 hot air balloons in addition to a full schedule of music, art, and family fun. Guests will enjoy the sights, sounds and grandeur of these remarkable balloons. The event promises to arouse all of the senses from the sheer “ooos and ahhs” of seeing the majestic hot ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  On Saturday, March 3rd, the seven Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Color Guard and Drill Teams from the seven Collier County high schools went head to head at the annual Collier County JROTC Color Guard and Drill Championship Meet. This year it was hosted by Lely High School. The teams were judged in the following categories for both male and female teams: • Color Guard. • Platoon Regulation, both Armed and Unarmed. • Platoon Exhibition, both Armed and Unarmed. • Platoon Squad Regulation, both Armed and Unarmed. • Individual and Dual Exhibition, both Armed ... Read More »

BOOK REMARKS  Diane Bostick  [email protected] Author: Andy Andrews.  Publisher: Thomas Nelson, Publisher 2010.  This book has a couple of unusual things going for it. It was first published in 2005, under the name “Island of Saints” and nobody bought it. And, then there is the fact that it is published as fiction, but is largely true. All the numbers, history, dates, items unearthed and photographs are real. And the main characters, though given different names, did exist, and, in fact, some are still alive, though most of the story takes place during World War II. At the end of the book ... Read More »

CHEF’S TABLE Chef Anne Feinman [email protected] Sometimes, we feel we need to do big things in life to stand out from the crowd, to make a difference… but in my experience I have found that it is the small things that make a difference. A smile for someone who is feeling a bit down, a touch on the shoulder for someone feeling lonely or a ride to the store for someone with no car. Imagine being the recipient of any of these gestures,in your time of need…imagine that that someone is you. I have a dear friend and long time customer, ... Read More »

Q&A WITH THE FITNESS DIVA  Crystal Manjarres  [email protected] Are you stuck in an exercise rut? Try cross training!  Do you ever find that eating makes you happy? Do you ever notice that certain foods make you feel super happy? Women usually reach for comfort foods like chocolate, cookies, cake, (basically anything sweet) or salty. Men usually opt for salty and crunchy. Is your exercise mojo waning? Have you hit a plateau with your weight loss? Are you bored with your current workout? If you answered yes to any of the above, then you should incorporate cross training into your current ... Read More »

ALL THAT GLITTERS  Richard Alan  [email protected] Over the years, I have been commissioned to create jewelry for all walks of life, including certain individuals with tails, or let me rephrase that, customers’ pets. There are more than one of my four legged clients gracing our dog park who are sporting sterling silver or diamond studded 14 karat gold dog tags. Now, don’t get any ideas about attempting to relieve one of these cute canines of his or her bow wow bling. One in particular happens to be a very large and ferocious German shepherd and, unless you are immediate family, you ... Read More »

By Joan Kelly THEN This map has no date on it but it has to be from around 1964 or 1965. It shows the old road into the Isles of Capri. There is no Jolley bridge. Visitors had to go by boat or though Goodland to get to Marco. This map was produced by Ginny and Frank Leach, Isles of Capri Marina and Motel. They ran the St. Tropez Restaurant. They advertised boats, motors, tackle shop, ramp, gas, oil, ice, bait and charter boats. The question is, where was the St. Tropez restaurant? Anyone heard of it? If you have ... Read More »

MUSIC NOTES BY GATOR NATE Nate Augustus [email protected]   Season is here and in full swing. Locals and visitors alike can enjoy all the fun and exciting live music our community has to offer. From the family friendly “Marco Island Seafood Festival” and Mackle Park’s “Winter Concert Series”, to laid back evenings at great venues like Tara’s Steak & Lobster House, The Little Bar and Camellia Street Grill, season brings many chances to see awesome live entertainment. Restaurants, bars and nightclubs are far busier this time of year, so they tend to have more live entertainment than in the off ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff At its meeting on March 19th, the city council passed the chairman’s gavel from Jerry Gibson to Larry Magel. When the matter came up, Chairman Gibson immediately and graciously nominated Mr. Magel. There were no other nominations, and the same procedure followed for the election, with Magel nominating Joe Batte as vice chairman. The election was unusual in that the next city vote will be moved to November to coincide with the national election; so the terms of chairman and vice chairman will be eight months rather than a full year. Jerry Gibson thoughtfully looked ... Read More »

On Sunday, March 18th, the City of Marco Island’s Beach Advisory Committee (BAC) and Publix sponsored the monthly beach clean-up. Starting at 8 AM at the South Beach boardwalk, thirty-five (35) volunteers joined BAC Chairman and Publix Manager Kevin Donlan to clean up the beach. The volunteers included Publix employees and family members. Participants were given a t-shirt for their hard work! Publix also donated bottled water, gloves and trash bags for the event. Approximately thirty (30) very full bags of trash were collected. Trash included lots of beer cans and bottles, liquor bottles, plastic bags, bottle caps, and over ... Read More »