Coastal Breeze News

BEYOND THE COAST by Tarik Ayasun [email protected] Since the March of 2011, news from Syria sometimes dominated the news and other times played second fiddle to the domestic political scene here in America. Unfortunately, most Americans may not be able to locate Syria on a map of the Middle East, let alone on a world map. The geographical location of Syria is important not only to her immediate neighbors; Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon but to the rest of the region. Syria has a long coast on the Eastern Mediterranean hosting at least three major ports which would provide ... Read More »

In its inaugural year, Marco Island Academy Charter High School is continuing to add excellent staff to its education and athletic departments. After an abrupt resignation by Science teacher, Dr. Michael Doherty, a joint effort by both Laurie Havemeir and Stacey Faremouth has continued the curriculum where the former Science teacher had ended. MIACHS is pleased to announce the new hire of a permanent Science teacher. Certified Science teacher, Linda Kropp will take over Science classes on Monday, March 26th. Ms. Kropp, who also works at Rookery Bay National Estuarine Reserve, utilizes a “hands on” approach to her teaching. She ... Read More »

With the regular season champion having been decided weeks ago, NeNe’s kitchen was playing to hold on to its undefeated season. A letdown was clearly possible but, as they have all year, NeNe’s came out to play. Brad Frazier’s 3 hits including a HR, along with Greg St Amour’s and Neil Alberry’s 3 hits, the team defeated Nacho Mama’s 16 to 3 to go 16-0 and win the regular season Championship with an undefeated record. Nacho Mama’s Kurt Busch had 3 hits includ-ing a HR in the losing cause. Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) offered a presentation to students at Marco Island Charter Middle School for those interested in joining their cadet program. The Civil Air Patrol is an official auxiliary arm of the United States Air Force. Thousands of young people are introduced to aviation through their programs. Lt. Col. Ray Rosenburg, Commander of Group 5 FLWG Civil Air Patrol, held the presentation with Cadet 2nd Lt. Drew Fordon, a student at Marco Island Charter Middle School who has excelled through 10 levels of the 16 level cadet program in less than two ... Read More »

MLS statistics, released by the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors® for Marco Island only properties, continue to show a very active market. According to Gerry Rosenblum, President of the association, 2012 is off to a busy start. Sales continue to gain momentum as shown by the 93 properties that went under contract in February…this is a lot. (2012 was a leap year so we did get an extra day to sell.) There appears to be no let up in demand for well priced properties, and as the supply is shrinking we are starting to see multiple offers on some ... Read More »

Eli Contracting has been awarded the task of installing the Big Flag pole, reports committee member Keith Dameron. “I can confirm that the contract for the installation has been signed so we should expect to see things happening at the site within the next two weeks. Once the work commences, we are told the project of installing the Big Flag pole will take 3 to 4 days. We then will schedule the first raising of the Big Flag with an appropriate ceremony.” Anyone wishing to donate can drop them off at the IBERIABANK/Marco or at the Marco Island City Hall, ... Read More »

Marco Presbyterian Church will have a Maundy Thursday service, 7 p.m., April 5. The message is entitled “O the Wonderful Cross.” “The Power of the Resurrection” is the topic of the 10:30 a.m., Easter Sunday Service. The service will include praise music, bell and adult choirs. The Christian education classes and evening worship service will not meet on Easter. Nor will the Wednesday evening prayer and bible study meet on April 4. Beginning April 15 there will be Sunday school classes for all ages at 9 a.m. and one worship service at 10:30 a.m. Marco Presbyterian Church is located on ... Read More »

Welcoming children Age 4–Grade 5, April 2-6. Faith, Fun and Friendship at Easter VBS! Wesley United Methodist Church, 350 S. Barfield, Marco Island. 239-394-3734. Call NOW to register! Read More »

Marco Presbyterian Church, 875 West Elkcam Circle, Marco Island will host an estate planning seminar sponsored by Rhodes, Tucker and Garretson and M. & I. Wealth Management. The 3:30 p.m., March 25 seminar entitled “Before It’s Too Late” is free and open to the public. Featured speakers are Amy Solem, a specialist in wealth management at M&I Bank, and Brenda Garretson, Esq., a retired Collier County judge, whose practice has an emphasis in estate planning and real estate. Dusty Rhodes, Of Counsel, will be available to answer questions. Light desserts will be served. For information call 239 394-5151. Read More »

An All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Park Update Public Information Meeting is planned on Thursday, March 29 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the University of Florida Extension Services, 14700 Immokalee Road, Naples. All interested parties are invited to attend to receive an update on the current status of the efforts being made to find a location and create the proposed ATV Park. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Collier ... Read More »

Conservancy of Southwest Florida will host its annual FREE Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 21 at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center, located at 1450 Merrihue Dr. in Naples. The earth-friendly event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature special environmental exhibits, vendors, children’s carnival, face-painting, educational presentations, live entertainers and guest speakers. No on-site parking is available at the Conservancy, due to ongoing renovations. Free parking will be available at the Colonial Square complex, just south of the Post Office, within walking distance of the Conservancy Nature Center. Guests will be able to ... Read More »

Local damage restoration expert says knowledge and preparation can help local residents weather violent storms. For more information on severe storms or other emergency situations, visit the FEMA website at www.ready.gov. For more information about SERVPRO® of Collier County, please contact Ken Smith at (239) 430-9300 or [email protected] or visit www.SERVPRO.com. Read More »

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Marco Presbyterian Church, 875 West Elkcam Circle, Marco Island will host a FamilyLife marriage seminar entitled “The Art of Marriage.” The six session video event will take place 7 to 9:30 p.m., April 20 and 9 a.m. to noon, April 21. For more than three decades, FamilyLife has helped couples understand God’s plan for relationships. The seminar portrays both the challenges and beauty of God’s plan for marriage through expert teaching, engaging stories, man-on-the street interviews and humorous vignettes. The registration fee per couple is $45 through April 2 and $55 after April 2. The fee includes study materials; refreshments ... Read More »

Shakespeare in Paradise launches its second season with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by John McKerrow. Performances will be held at Barron Collier High School on March 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 at 8:00 PM. Barron Collier High School is located off of Airport Road, just north of Pine Ridge Road. Purchase tickets online at showtix4u.com, by phone at 866-967-8167, or at the door. Prices are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Read More »

After all the vessels were docked at the Esplanade, a total of 95 members met for lunch at CJ’s Restaurant . They were welcomed by Commodore Alan Rapp and other members of the new Bridge Gerry Odenbach, Vice Commodore and Barry Gelfand, Rear Commodore. Fleet Captain, Ginny Rapp reviewed upcoming boating and social events. These events included Captain Cook’s Pirate Party, a cruise to Captiva and Boca Grande, as well as a cruise to Sarasota in March. Members were also made aware of several educational programs, presented by the club, to improve their boating skills and knowledge. New Members are ... Read More »

The Library of Congress to Present Training Program in Naples for the Veterans History Project Naples, Florida. The end goal is to recruit history organizations, assisted living facilities, civic and veterans group to become inspired again by Peter Thomas and Dr. Franklin Johnson, who so moved the Collier County Communication and Customer Relations Department in 2005 that their collaboration resulted in a plan that captured 80 Veterans stories that can still be appreciated by visiting the Collier County website at ‘WWII Capture Living History’. Reservations are required as seating is limited. Call Dr. Bolin at 239-594-2978 for reservations or email ... Read More »

IBERIABANK will kick-off celebrations by acknowledging innovation and technology as a key component to the company’s success by giving away the new Apple® iPad® at every branch location. No purchase is necessary, and legal residents of the United States age 18 years of age or older may enter by completing an entry form at any branch location or by “liking” the company’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/IBERIABANK and completing an online registration form. Entry forms will be accepted March 12 – April 30, 2012. Visit any IBERIABANK branch for more details. Read More »

While The Shelter exists to protect victims of domestic violence, elder abuse, bullying and dating violence, including victims’ pets, we are also focused on preventing violence before it can begin.You may be aware of our Hands Are for Helping, Not Hitting program offered in Collier County Schools. But, did you know we offer a Healthy Relationships course? The program is offered through the schools to teens, but also out in the community to persons of all ages. If you are interested in learning more about this community course, please call 239.775.3862, ext. 233, or email [email protected] Read More »

The month of March hosts Girl Scout week, kicked off by the organization’s Girl Scout week. In celebration, the Girl Scout week is offering two new desserts. The Marriott will offer a Thin Mint Chocolate Mousse, featuring the world famous and best-selling mint flavored, dark chocolate covered cookie, as well as a Girl Scout Cookie Cheesecake. Featuring three cookie flavors; Shout Out cookie crust, Samoa cookie cheesecake filling and topped with Dulce de Leche cookie crumble. These desserts will be available through the end of March with a portion of the proceeds being donated to local Girl Scouts organizations. Read More »