Coastal Breeze News

Sunday afternoon March 11, a 4-seat single-engine Piper Arrow aircraft made an emergency landing at the Marco Island Executive Airport with its wheels up. Officials said the pilot from Birmingham, NY wasn’t seriously injured. The damaged plane had to be quickly removed from the runway so normal airport operations could be resumed, and the damaged plane kept in a safe environment for investigation. The cause of the accident has not yet been determined. Read More »

National homebuilder D.R. Horton has completed their Chelsea model home, the first of 38 classical Mediterranean style single-family residences to be built within the new village of Amador at Fiddler’s Creek. Fiddler’s Creek is located just off Collier Boulevard in Naples, Florida on the way to Marco Island. For more information, call (239) 732-9300 or visit the Sales Center at 8152 Fiddler’s Creek Parkway or visit http://www.fiddlerscreek.com. Read More »

The Boat House Motel and Pavilion Condominiums sponsored the 4th annual “Size DOES Matter” fishing tournament for their guests March 7th and 8th. Eleven fisherman competed from the docks for a chance to win the traveling trophy by catching the most fish in eight categories. An hour before of the close of the event, Ron Krisak from Michigan was leading the contest. Suddenly, Bill Henderson of Ohio caught a ladyfish to tie up the tourney and force a sudden death fish-off. Unfortunately for Bill who was in 2nd place, the ladyfish flipped off the fish cleaning station back into the ... Read More »

The final Coastal Cruise to historic Fakahatchee Island will take place on Sunday, March 25, at 3:00 p.m. from Everglades National Park. This is the last in a series of four cruises hosted this winter by Friends of Fakahatchee. Previous voyages to the island were enjoyed by over 70 people. A chartered boat takes participants to the island where they climb the Calusa shell mound to the pioneer cemetery. A volunteer naturalist points out rare plants, some not seen on the mainland. On the return trip, there is a chance to see dolphins cavorting in the wake and birds roosting ... Read More »

Join us for the performance of this moving piece with the Naples Ochestra and Chorus, Palm Sunday, April 1st, 7 PM, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 350 S. Barfield Drive, Marco Island. The concert is free, no tickets needed, with a goodwill offering collected at the end. It lasts less than an hour. Plan to arrive early as our Sanctuary fills quickly for this concert. As part of this presentation, Pastor Dreiser will be the reader. Between each of the readings, the Chorus and Orchestra perform the seven sections of Dubois’ captivating cantata. Read More »

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida treats more than 2,400 injured, sick and orphaned animals each year through its Wildlife Clinic and releases about half of them back into their native habitats. Recently, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida was in desperate need of towels for use in the care of birds, mammals and reptiles. After requesting the help of its volunteers to solicit donations, the Conservancy Wildlife Clinic received immediate response. Cathie Williams, president of the Naples Newcomers Club and a volunteer with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida mobilized her club members, filling her truck with hundreds of new and gently ... Read More »

For the seventh consecutive year, The Creek Course at Fiddler’s Creek is ranked among Golf week Magazine’s 2012 Top 100 Residential Golf Courses in the country. The Creek Course is one of only two Southwest Florida golf courses included in the report and the only course in the area to be honored seven years in a row. Fiddler’s Creek is located just off Collier Boulevard in Naples, Florida. For more information on the community, The Golf Club and The Tarpon Club, call 239-732-9300 or stop by the Sales Center located at 8152 Fiddler’s Creek Parkway or visit http://www.fiddlerscreek.com. Read More »

Residents interested in applying for advisory committee positions may also obtain an application by calling 239-252-8097, or from www.colliergov.net. Please forward to the attention of Ian Mitchell, Executive Manager, Board of County Commissioners, 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 303, Naples, Florida 34112-5746, or fax to 239-252-6406. The deadline for acceptance of applications is March 29, 2012. Read More »

Marco Island Parks and Recreation will be hosting its annual Spring Jubilee event on Saturday, April 7th from 10:00am – 12:00pm. This year’s event will include over 18,000 Easter eggs for ages 10 and under with 48 special golden eggs to be found. Age groups include: 3 years and under, 4 – 5 years, 6 – 7 years, and 8 – 10 years old. Easter Egg Hunt will start promptly at 11:30am. For further information about Spring Jubilee please call Marco Island Parks and Recreation at 642-0575 or visit us on the web at www.cityofmarcoisland.com and click on the parks ... Read More »

Marco Island Charter Middle School students motivated to learn more about how Florida’s state government works will have a chance to learn and participate in this pro-gram. Since 1957, the Florida YMCA Youth in Government has brought students to-gether from across the state to serve as part of a youth-run, youth-led model government process. For 55 years, delegates have written youth legislation on state policy issues that impact their families, schools, YMCA’s and local communities. Dozens of these student-authored bills have gone on to become state law. The new local chapter of Youth in Government’s meetings will be held at ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  The Marco Island Noontime Rotary Club has announced the recipients of their fourth annual Spirit of Marco Island awards. These awards recognize individuals and organizations involved in the community through their contribution of time, talent and financial support. After the club selects recipients, the recipient is informed publicly and presented with a certificate. This year’s award winners are: “Yanni “ Subczynski  Linda Sandlin presented the award noting that Yanni has been a member of the Marco Island Rotary Club since 2006. He has served on its Board of Directors and has been actively involved in ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom  [email protected]  Lely High School is honored to announce one of their own as a recipient of the Florida Education Foundation’s Sunshine State Scholar program. The Foundation, which recognizes “Florida’s top 11th grade students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), chooses one to two students from each school district. Alexander Robau, of Marco Island, was chosen to represent the entire county of Collier for this prestigious award. “Alexander is part of an elite group of 80 eleventh graders, selected by their school districts as being Florida’s top students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM),” explains Mary ... Read More »

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to the Greater Collier County Community for all of YOUR SUPPORT at this year’s 32nd Annual Marco Island Shell Show! It was greatly appreciated! Proceeds fund our 3 Marine Biology Research and Tuition Scholarships at Florida Gulf Coast University. Save the date for next year, March 14,15, and 16, 2013 at the United Church of Marco Island. See you next year! Sincerely, Jae Kellogg, President and Shell Show Chair All Marco Island Shell Club Members Read More »

By Natalie Strom  The Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club is sponsoring a sparkling sample sale by Judith Ripka that should not be missed. From March 29 to April 1, Judith Ripka’s fine jewelry will be marked at incredibly low prices. As Ripka explains, her jewelry style is “about striking the balance between the elegance of a classic woman with the fashion sense of today’s modern woman.” It’s also about philanthropy, as ten percent of the sale’s proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. The “Ultimate in Luxury,” Judith Ripka’s jewelry has been worn on the most glamorous of red ... Read More »

Submitted  For many Marco Islanders it just wouldn’t be Easter without the annual Easter Sunrise Service. The sky, the sand, the music and most importantly the story of the Resurrection. Thousands of worshippers stream to the beach in the still before dawn. Many walk from their homes and condominiums carrying their beach chairs and blankets. Others drive and double park on Collier Boulevard with the help of the Marco Police and volunteers. Upward to 50 boats may be seen sailing off shore. Others watch from their balconies at the Madeira Condominium or the Marriott Marco Beach Resort with coffee cup ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  Get ready! Marco Island is about to be ‘taken over’ by the biggest event of the year! Thousands will descend upon the center of the island, gathering in Veteran’s Community Park for a weekend of seafood, music and fun during the 2012 Seafood Festival. “We made a few changes this year which festival-goers wanted. First and foremost, we added the Landsharks to the entertainment line-up. Then we extended the hours, we are open an hour earlier at 11:00 AM, and stay open Saturday night until 9:00 PM and Sunday until 6:00 PM. This year, on ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] The Port of the Islands Gun Club is hosting the second annual clay shoot to benefit the Greater Marco Island Chapter of the American Cancer Society. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the March 31st event will go towards the ACS’s R.O.C.K. program, Reaching Out To Cancer Kids. So grab your rifle and head down to the Gun Club and help “Shoot Down Kid’s Cancer.” Raising over $24,000 in its first year, Port of the Islands Gun Club members, Don Henderson and Gary Landis, decided to make the fundraiser an annual event. Thanks to Range ... Read More »

By Orlando Attractions Magazine www.attractionsmagazine.com Universal Orlando Resort adds new ‘50s themed miniature golf courses If you’re headed to Orlando for spring break, you may want to check out Orlando’s newest miniature golf courses. Universal Orlando Resort has officially opened Hollywood Drive-In Golf, featuring two 18-hole courses based on classic drive-in era horror and sci-fi movies. To celebrate the grand opening, some of Universal Orlando’s iconic characters “hit the links.” Universal’s classic monsters – including Dracula, Wolfman, Frankenstein’s Monster and the Bride of Frankenstein – putted their way through a creepy cemetery on “The Haunting of Ghostly Greens” course. On ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff The Arts Afire committee took a new direction for its second annual event with A Walk with the Masters. The Walk showcased nine tableaus set up along the pathway at Mackle Park. A ‘tableau’ is a representation of a picture or scene, by one or more persons suitably costumed and posed. The Arts Afire committee could not have chosen a more beautiful day for the event. Many enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the lake while taking a moment to appreciate each of the different scenes along the way. Participants included: • Marco Players who portrayed ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom  [email protected]  The United Church of Marco Island formally donated money towards their 15th and 16th Collier County Habitat for Humanity homes during their regular 10:00 AM service on Sunday, March 11th. Executive Vice President of Development, Reverend Lisa Lefkow, was on hand to graciously accept the donation and also delivered the sermon for the day. Habitat for Humanity of Collier County began in 1978 as one of the first affiliates outside of its home base in Georgia. Over the years, Collier County’s Habitat branch has built more that 1,400 homes. “When Habitat for Humanity started in Collier ... Read More »