Coastal Breeze News

Crime dropped by 6 percent during the first half of 2012 compared to the same period last year, Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk announced Monday. “This reduction is a clear indication that our community is partnering with us to keep Collier County safe,” Sheriff Rambosk said. “Every time you secure your home, lock your car or mentor a child, you are making a positive difference.” He added that the decrease is particularly significant in light of the fact that the agency has implemented significant budget reductions. Over the past four budget cycles the Collier County Sheriff’s Office has decreased its ... Read More »

Four Ball Players Are Featured on Forever Stamps Pre-order statistics for Forever stamps honoring four of Major League Baseball’s iconic legends indicate that Boston Red Sox slugger Ted Williams leads in popularity. He is followed by New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio, Pittsburgh Pirate Willie Stargell, and Cleveland Indian Larry Doby. It’s still early in the season, and Ted Williams has gotten off to a fast start.  As the summer unfolds, it will be like a tight pennant race as we see who buys the most individual player sheets. The Postal Service has issued sheets of 20 stamps honoring each player ... Read More »

2012 National Association of Counties Achievement Award  The National Association of Counties awarded the Collier County Parks and Recreation Department a 2012 Achievement Award in recognition of the department’s effective and creative programming. The Achievement Award is in recognition of the county’s Adaptive Sailing Program, a fully inclusive, accessible sailing program originally launched in 2006 in partnership with the Freedom Waters Foundation. The adaptive sailing program serves children, adults, and senior citizens with special needs (physical or financial), or terminal illness, by teaching them how to sail independently. The program allows those with disabilities to participate on an equal playing ... Read More »

Collier County EMS/Fire Rescue and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office have added a new information system to assist 911 dispatchers in helping callers locate life-saving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) near sudden cardiac arrest victims. Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States, killing more than 300,000 people yearly. Compact and portable, AEDs are designed for use by laypeople with little or no training to deliver a shock that can save a victim’s life before paramedics arrive. “The problem is that until now, publicly available AEDs are rarely used in an emergency because people can’t see ... Read More »

Marco Island MLS comparison stats for the first six months released by the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors® for Marco Island only properties show a strong market according to Gerry Rosenblum, President.   597 Total Sales in 2012 514 Total Sales in 2011   $508,000 Average Sales Price in 2012 $541,000 Average Sales Price in 2011   203 Single Family homes sold in 2012 with a total dollar volume of $148 Million with an average Sales Price of $729,000 201 Single Family homes sold in 2011 with a total dollar volume of $139 Million with an average Sales Price ... Read More »

The Supervisor of Elections Office has mailed nearly 129,000 sample ballots for the August 14th Primary Election.  Sample ballots were sent to every registered voter who has not requested a mail/absentee ballot.  Voters are encouraged to complete their sample ballot and use it as a guide when voting at the poll. Registered voters may exercise their right to vote in one of three ways:  during Early Voting, by mail/absentee ballot, or at their assigned precinct on Election Day. Early Voting begins July 30th and ends August 11th and is offered Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at seven locations – ... Read More »

Twin Air Calypso Limited Inc., operating as Naples Connection, plans to begin scheduled air service between Naples Municipal Airport and four Florida cities beginning Oct. 22. The company, which has flown between Ft. Lauderdale and the Bahamas since 1954, intends to offer four weekly flights each to Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Key West and Orlando using high-capacity nine-passenger aircraft. Two pilots will crew the jet-prop Cessna Caravan aircraft. “Naples Connection will initially base two aircraft at Naples. One will provide backup and on-demand air taxi service, something that is badly needed to Tallahassee during the legislative session,” said Ted Soliday, executive ... Read More »

GameStop will be holding an in store Job Fair on August 2, 2012 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at their Coastland Center store for all Naples Area locations. Management will be conducting on-site interviews. They will be hiring Game Associates, Senior Game Associates, and Management Positions for full time and part time schedules. Management/Full Time positions include a comprehensive benefit package, all positions have great oppountinities for advancement. Retail experience preferred, “Gamers” welcome. For more infomation call GameStop 239-434-8812. Coastland Center is owned and managed by General Growth Properties, the second largest shopping center owner.  GGP has ownership and ... Read More »

Nauseating Algae Outbreaks Ruining River, Drinking Water Plant, and Quality of Life On behalf of Florida Wildlife Federation, Conservancy of Southwest Florida and the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida, Earthjustice filed suit today in federal court against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers because the agency is repeatedly violating water protection laws in Southwest Florida’s Caloosahatchee River. The Caloosahatchee – officially designated as a public drinking water source– has been covered with slimy green algae outbreaks eight of the past eleven years, and an outbreak slimed the river just last week. The algae releases a nauseating smell, gives people respiratory ... Read More »

William W. Kirk has been named Vice President for Student Affairs and General Counsel at Ave Maria University. The position was announced by Ave Maria University President Jim Towey. Kirk comes to Ave Maria from Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, a national interdisciplinary firm of architects, engineers and materials scientists where he was Director of Administration and Corporate Counsel. Previously, Kirk was Associate Vice President for Residence Life at the University of Notre Dame and a member of the student affairs senior leadership team.  He brings to Ave Maria University over 20 years of experience in higher education.  At Notre Dame, ... Read More »

WHO: Project EverGreen, a 501 c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve and enhance green spaces in our communities for today and future generations, and the Imaginarium Science Center, engaging guests in the exploration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). WHAT: Project EverGreen and the Imaginarium Science Center partner to bring Southwest Florida’s newest hands-on green exhibit to life. Join them for the grand opening of “Backyard Nature: Living Green,” a landscape designed to give Florida family ideas for going green in their own backyards using best practices and Florida-friendly landscaping. For more information, please visit http://www.projectevergreen.com/ftmyers. WHERE: Imaginarium Science Center 2000 Cranford Ave Ft. Myers, FL 33916 For ... Read More »

The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee currently has one vacancy for a full member and one vacancy for an alternate. It is required that one of the applicants resides in Immokalee. This is an 11-member committee created by Ordinance No.91?65, as amended, to monitor the implementation of the Affordable Housing Task Force’s recommendations, and the goals, objectives, and policies of the Housing Elements of the County’s Growth Management Plan and the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The committee also determines the effect of proposed ordinances of affordable housing, and makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners and the Naples City Council; and investigates any other ... Read More »

Guy Torry August 2  – 5 Times THURS: 9 p.m. FRI: 8 p.m. SAT: 8 p.m. & 10p.m. SUN: 8p.m. Ticket Price : General Admission: $20 plus tax?  / VIP:  $45 plus tax Guy Torry was born with funny bones, as the younger brother of famed comedian and actor, Joe Torry. After moving to Southern California to finish his college degree, Guy began to work the comedy club circuit. After less than two years performing stand up, Guy picked up where Martin Lawrence left up, and became the host of the tour that had inspired him to pursue comedy, The Def ... Read More »

As of July 2012, the State of Florida leads the nation together with Georgia, Oklahoma and Texas in Police Officer fatalities.  Sadly, given the current rate of on-duty Police Officer deaths, 2012 will likely mirror or surpass 2011, reaching the unfathomable triple digit benchmark. In mid FY12, the Police Department identified a need for eighteen sets of body armor for its sworn officers (Full-time, Reserve and Auxiliary).  These units replaced armor that had exceeded the manufacturer’s service life, or were being provided to personnel who were never issued body armor.  The Police Department was unable to budget for these items ... Read More »

By United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Seventh District Coast Guard Auxiliary Commodore, Walter Jaskiewicz, a resident of Marco Island, recently attended the two-day (IHAS) International Humanitarian Assistance Symposium held in Miami Florida. Families who lost members from air, sea and transportation incidents, were guest speakers, explaining the problems encountered regarding when and how they were notified of a lost family member. The panel consisted of members from the Lockabee Air Disaster, Cruise Line Disasters and on-shore excursion trips. First Responder Care Units from the various transportation agencies provided updated information on how they have improved their 24-hour on call professionally ... Read More »

By Carol Glassman Recently, people whose insurance is ready for renewal have been receiving notices from their insurance companies that they must endure an inspection that could last a maximum of three hours, and permit the inspector full access to the house including attic and/or crawl space. Renewal of a policy is contingent upon this inspector’s filing a positive report that shows the house is properly built and protected using current standards, against a potential hurricane. Having a perfect stranger in your home for three hours can be daunting enough, but having him crawl around every nook and cranny taking ... Read More »

Several months ago I sent a Letter to the Editor of the Naples Daily News stating that East Naples and Marco Island did not have to endure carpetbagger representation on the Board of County Commissioners. District 1 has a wonderful, energetic and honest representative in Donna Fiala, and there is no need for someone from North Naples, supposedly moving into the District to support us. In a head to head confrontation, at the South Regional Library June 13th, between Donna Fiala and Steve Cosgrove it was apparent who knows the district better, and would make a far better representative than someone who would work for it ... Read More »

The City of Marco Island’s City Manager, Dr. James Riviere, has authorized emergency funds to inoculate city-owned trees due to the critical nature of the infestation of the pest, Rugose Spiraling Whitefly (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus). Recognizing the current state of the infestation, a workshop was hosted by the City last month which included a presentation by expert entomologist, Dr. Doug Caldwell, PhD, University of Florida-IFAS Extension (UF-IFAS), Collier County. The large attendance to the workshop by residents and contractors alike reflects the awareness and concern of the outbreak of this pest in the landscape on the island. The City’s Beautification Advisory ... Read More »

By Marilyn Honahan  What a surprise! Local resident and businessman, Joe McKnight, recently received the surprise of his life. Believing that he was going to dinner with his fiance and a few friends, Joe was speechless when he entered Mango’s Dockside Bistro and found approximately fifty people from various parts of the country all dressed in a 50’s theme to surprise him and help him celebrate his fiftieth birthday. The dining room was decorated in a 50’s theme with large cutouts of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe and nearly one hundred balloons and centerpieces made to look like guitars. The centerpieces ... Read More »

By Carol Glassman This is a success story. From the moment one enters the Chabad Naples Preschool of the Arts, there is no mystery about why it was chosen as the 2012 Champion of Child Care. Far from being a glorified babysitting service, it is truly a mini-institution of learning. Only one year ago, the preschool was a dream for four children: today, over 60 children attend the only eco-healthy child care facility in this area. In reality, it is the dream-come-true of Ettie Zaklos, Preschool Director, wife of Rabbi Fishel Zaklos, whose capable hands-on ideas and management have brought ... Read More »