Coastal Breeze News

By Coastal Breeze News Staff The official opening of the Isles of Capri Paddle Craft Park was held this week. The park is located at the corner of 951 and Isles of Capri Boulevard. The park is a joint effort between the State of Florida, Collier County Parks and Recreation and Rookery Bay National Estuarine Reserve. On hand for the ribbon cutting were Gary Lytton, the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Director, Greg Munson, DEP Deputy Secretary of Water Policy and Environmental Restoration, Leo Ochs, Collier County Manager, Donna Fiala, Collier County Commissioner, Randy McCormick RBNERR Assistant Manager and ... Read More »

BEYOND THE COAST Tarik Ayasun [email protected] My friends and my business associates are used to it by now. I still remain faithful to a lot of Turkish traditions I grew up with and use hundreds of proverbs which apply to daily life. I learned these traditions and proverbs through my interactions with the elders in my family, especially from my dear grandfather who had barely escaped the wrath of the Bolsheviks during the Communist Revolution in his homeland of Tblisi, Georgia back in 1917. He would never directly give his advice or opinion on matters; instead he would tell you ... Read More »

By The Friends of Fakahatchee Are there pythons in the Fakahatchee? Fortunately, the answer is “not many”. But, that can’t be said for neighboring areas in Collier County and in the greater Everglades. To learn more, attend an illustrated lecture on Sunday, April 15, when author Larry Perez will be talking about “Everglades Pythons; A Decade of Change.” This dynamic speaker has been a ranger in several South Florida parks and has just published a new book, Snake in the Grass, which he will be signing at the event. He says, “Natural landscapes across the country are often managed with ... Read More »

By Monte Lazarus It was an afternoon for the kids on March 29th at the Marco Island Charter Middle School field. Marco Island’s YMCA partnered with the National Football League’s Players’ Association to put on a clinic for kids between 6 and 14 years old. The venue was fitting since the clinic was held in the shadow of a new goalpost installed earlier in the day thanks to a donation by Mike Vanderjagt, former all-pro kicker for the Indianapolis Colts. Mr. Vanderjagt, now a Marco Island resident and owner of Vandy’s 5 Brothers Pizza on Elkcam Circle, has also devoted ... Read More »

By Jane A. Marlowe  [email protected]  The Marco Island Fire Department is actively working on two significant proposals which could consolidate and streamline emergency medical services in the next several months. The Isles of Capri Fire District approached Marco Island FD, and asked for assistance in developing a new paradigm to deliver fire and emergency services in its district. Chief Murphy’s response was that Marco Island FD will help in any way to support and assist Isles of Capri. The Isles of Capri Fire Board appointed a committee after notifying the Collier County Board of Commissioners of their desire to discuss ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff Australian blues artist, Michael Charles, is coming to both Naples and Goodland. The six-time Grammy elected artist will play on April 7th at Freddie Rebels in Naples and on April 9th at The Little Bar Restaurant in Goodland. The magic of Michael Charles reveals a lifetime of musical and career accomplishments which span both decades and oceans. Born in Australia, and with a soul full of blues, Charles did not choose music, but music chose him. At the age of 5, “MC” picked up his first guitar. By age 12, he took to the stage ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff Smokin’ Joe, as he was known in these parts, was the trolley driver. He had driven the trolley for the past 22 years. “He loved driving that trolley, it was his life,” said one of Joe’s acquaintances. Can you imagine the number of people who must have had their first real view of Marco Island with Smokin’ Joe at the wheel? Joe passed away on March 14th at 6:20 AM. Joe moved to Marco Island in 1988, because his wife, Diane, wanted to come here. Years earlier, while attending college at the University of Miami, ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff About 6,000 bingo players come through the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island each year all hoping to hear, “It’s a good bingo!” The crew at JCMI is about to close out its 13th season. The game is no small effort needing about 25 volunteers to make sure it runs smoothly during season. “Most of these bingo workers have been with us since the beginning,” said Sue Baum, the bingo director. “They’re an asset! Players are comfortable because they’re familiar with each of the bingo workers. The volunteers don’t miss a beat, they know their assignments ... Read More »

Submitted Plans are underway for Marco’s 24th Annual Easter Sunrise Service on the Beach. What began as a small gathering on the beach of several hundred has grown to an event that thousands attend each year. Organizers anticipate upwards to 8000. The prelude begins at 6:45 AM with contemporary and traditional instrumental selections. New this year will be Dawn of Billy Dean and Dawn Birch. The duo has been performing at dinner parties and at clubs in southwest Florida since 1997. Their repertoire includes music from the twenties and forties to disco and rock and roll. Billy Dean, her husband, ... Read More »

By Jane A. Marlowe [email protected] Rosemary Leone is a pretty woman, smart, gracious, stylish and still working at almost 89!! Retiring isn’t in her vocabulary. She works for Richard Alan, Marco’s own Harbor Goldsmith, wherever he needs her, at Richard’s Reef at Marco Walk or in his jewelry shop at Island Plaza. She is also a talented artist and when she is at home, she is generally working on her art, painting with oils or water colors. Rosemary worked previously for an owner of several Marco Island shops. Andrea Alan, Richard’s wife, was manager of one of the shops and ... Read More »

Submitted  To benefit the Historic Smallwood Store. WHEN: Saturday, April 14th. TIME: 9:30AM $25 minimun donation. There will be a 50/50 Raffle plus a Silent Auction. WHERE: Oyster House Restaurant, across from National Park Ranger Station at 901 Copeland Avenue South, Everglades City, Fl 34139. Reservations required. Call (239) 695- 2397. Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  The City of Marco Island Parks and Rec Department entertained children attending the Fourth Annual Seafood Festival with face-painting and a sea themed coloring contest. The booth was bustling with activity as kids of all ages stopped by. Shown are Mindy Matusiak and Lola Dial of Parks and Rec, with winners Andrew Lypen, age 6, Kate Chachere, age 6 and Sarah Lucrecio age 9, holding their creations. The winners were anxious to see what goodies were in their baskets which were put together by Mindy and Lola. Coastal Breeze News sponsored the prizes. Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  The three holy days preceding the Easter celebration constitute the Triduum, Latin for three days. These are the holiest days of the liturgical year and begin with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday evening. The liturgy recalls Our Lord’s Passover when He instituted the Eucharistic Sacrifice, The Last Supper. The celebrant washes the feet of members of the parish, who represent various ministries, as Christ washed the feet of His disciples. At the end of the liturgy, the Eucharist is taken to the altar of Repose, the main altar is stripped and ... Read More »

Egyptians invented a game-now called Bocce-Around 5200 BC, Over 7000 years later on March 14, 2012, Marco Island Residents’ Beach hosted the third Annual Beach Bocce tournament to benefit childhood cancer research by St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Six teams of four players contested for the championship before enthusiastic fans cheering on their favorite teams. The championship team was captained by Gus Scola. Chairman Bob Newman said the real winners are the children being helped by research funded by St. Baldrick’s Foundation. The tournament raised over $1000 to further childhood cancer research. Jim Whitmyer, one of the team captains for the third ... Read More »

The Rotary Club of Marco Island recently announced its final 2012 Spirit of Marco Island Award winner, Jane Watt. Jane Watt was advised of her selection last week during a fundraising event for the Marco Island Academy. Members of the Rotary Club of Marco Island made the surprise presentation in front of a group of nearly forty persons recognizing Jane Watt for leading the effort to establish the first high school on Marco Island, the Marco Island Academy. Jane was instrumental in creating the Marco Island Discovery Center in 2009, an organization set up to raise funds for the school ... Read More »

BUZZ FROM THE SWAMP  Patricia Huff  [email protected] On March 20 and 21, Mamie Street was the scene of equipment arriving to grade and pave the portion leading to the historic Smallwood Store. It’s been almost a year (April 13, 2011) since FL-Georgia Grove LLP tore up the road, and the extended deadline for them to adhere to the court order and restore the road was about to expire. It’s the end of the winter season and it is sad that it has taken so long for the developers to replace the paved road that was needed for tourists to visit. The ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff It’s time again to ‘think outside the gallery’ and enjoy fine art in the delightfully unique historic fishing village of Goodland. Award-winning artist Tara O’Neill, a member of the Artist Colony at the Esplanade on Marco Island, will be stepping out of her own studio-gallery to host her 9th annual one-woman art exhibit at The Little Bar Restaurant. The now famous two-day reception will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 14th and 15th, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Artwork will be on view through April 21st. Again this year, O’Neill will be donating a ... Read More »

PROTECTING & PRESERVING Nancy Richie [email protected] If you are fortunate to see an elusive Florida Panther (Puma concolor coryii), the first thing you will remember and describe is the long, long, large tail! Many people may think they have spotted a Panther, but it is a probability that a Bobcat (Felis rufus) was the big cat that ran by, especially if it is in an urban area. There is no doubt there are panthers on Marco Island, patrolling through quiet neighborhoods and the mangrove fringes of Key Marco and Barfield Bay. There have been well-documented sightings and reports. One summer, a ... Read More »

By Stephanie Simon  Mackle Park staff and teens came to get ready for spring break on March 23 by having a ‘Street Dance’! Kids came to show off their amazing talents and dance moves. Food and beverages were provided for everybody and definitely enjoyed by the dancers who were eager to replenish their energy. The great part about it was that there was no fee. Even though this celebration was mainly for teens, kids from many ages came to dance around whether you were four years old or a retiree. The music was blasting, and the lights were blinking, but ... Read More »

Q&A WITH THE FITNESS DIVA  Crystal Manjarres  [email protected] How much should I be exercising?  This is a multi-faceted answer; most experts recommend anywhere from thirty to sixty minutes of exercise per day. There is a lot of “conflicting” information out and about that has many people confused: some say ten minutes is all you need, while others tout twenty minutes or an hour; it all boils down to your goals. Are you looking to gain weight? Lose weight? Build muscle? Increase cardiovascular endurance? Enhance athletic performance? Maybe you just want to enjoy swimsuit shopping for once, or simply keep up ... Read More »