Coastal Breeze News

Photos by Frank Steiger Photography   Read More »

Wind and waves from Tropical Storm Isaac left the local surfing community a gift. Local resident, Connor Bowden, got the most from the waves. Shane Sparks, owner of Jetset Surf Shop, was out experiencing the action. Youngsters Kai and Sterling, had the chance to practice some skimming skills while their dad, a local contractor, surfed. By afternoon, at least a dozen surfers were waiting in the water to catch the right wave. Whether surfing or skimming, the churning waves offered a great way to blow off stress from preparing for a potential hurricane. Read More »

The City of Marco Island is monitoring the post ISAAC wind, flooding and tidal issues. We have observed some sea walls being topped and are aware that a very small number of residences or businesses have suffered damage because of water intrusion or flooding. The most significantly roadway flooding is on SR92A (Goodland Dr.). Marco Island Fire Rescue has made entry and does have access into Goodland. The City will be posting signage warning of high water and the flooded roadway, moreover it asks that individuals do not risk harm to themselves or their property by driving through high water. As of 10:00 am City ... Read More »

The City of Marco Island held a press conference to alert the public although storm system Isaac will not make a direct impact to Marco Island, there is still concern over flooding. There could be as much as seven inches of rain and also a predicted 5’-7’ storm surge. According to Chief Murphy, a high tide of three feet above sea level is expected at 8:00 AM Monday morning and flooding could be an issue considering the surge. Present at the meeting were City Council Chairman, Larry Magel, Chief Murphy, Deputy Chief Dave Baer and Councilman Gerry Gibson.  Chief Hunter ... Read More »

Isaac has spared us; maybe the Calusa legend is true. By midday Sunday we were being told we would have over 7 inches of rain and a storm surge of 6 to 8 feet. Fortunately we got lucky. Your City planned for the worst. I signed an Emergency Declaration for the City over the weekend and attended the planning meetings that took place preparing how we would protect our citizens, keep essential services working, and clean up after the disaster passed. Since all the work occurs primarily out of the public eye, I’d like to tell you some of the ... Read More »

The City is actively engaged and working with all its public safety and governmental and non-governmental partners.Storm preparations continue in all Departments of the City. No storm related incidents have been reported to MIPD or MIFRD. The EOC telephone answering center is staffed, and a skeleton staff has been positioned in our EOC since early this AM.  We will be gearing up to full staffing as the day and conditions progress.The MIPD/MIFRD representatives assigned to the Collier County EOC are in place and operational. The City Manager and City Council members have been active in storm preparations and planning.  At this time we are ... Read More »

Due to threat of severe weather/Hurricane Isaac the planned City of Marco Island 15th Anniversary Celebration has been CANCELLED for this Sunday, (August 26, 2012). You will be notified when a new date has been selected. Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] “The whole idea is that we want to get as close to our food as possible.” These are the words of Patti Cohen, one of the founding members of the Marco Island Organics Buying Club. No, members are not staying up at night telling their deepest wishes and desires to their fruits and vegetables, they’re just making sure that they know what’s in the ones they’re buying and where they actually come from. It is getting more and more difficult to navigate the labels on our foods these days. Between what’s on the labels and what ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  Too old for summer camp, too young for a job, what could a kid do all summer? For one group of young people, work experience and volunteer service hours are gained through the Leaders-in-Training program at the City of Marco Island’s Parks and Rec Department for Camp Mackle. The program started three summers ago to help regular camp counselors, however, this is the first year the program was limited to high school aged kids only. “The LIT’s get great work experience,” said Mindy Matusiak, Recreation Manager. “They complete a job application, go through employment screening ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff For the second time in Marco Island Soccer Club’s four year history, the club has two 3v3 national champions! Marco’s Under 9 and Under 10 boys teams won the championships in dominating fashion. Our U13 Boys also took 2nd place in their division. All in all, the club brought 6 boys and 2 girls teams to the 3v3 Challenge National Championships in Orlando’s ESPN Wide World of Sports. The U9 boys champs, coached by Jim Watt and Scot Buss, rolled through the tournament while putting in 63 goals compared to only 7 goals against. Members ... Read More »

From the Florida Department of Transportation • Slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits. • Be alert for reduced speed limits in designated school speed zones. • Watch for school buses. Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm indicate the school bus is stopping to load or unload children. Know and follow the state law that requires you to stop. • Keep an eye out for children riding their bicycles or walking in the street, especially where there are no sidewalks. • Be alert for children playing and gathering near bus stops and for those who ... Read More »

BEYOND THE COAST Tarik Ayasun [email protected] I am visiting my family in Northern Virginia. Sitting by a small spring-fed lake in this very peaceful neighborhood on the outskirts of our Nation’s Capital, I am reading the local papers, following international news on the internet and talking to some of my old friends on the phone as I catch up on world news. Hearing and reading the almost daily news stories about Afghan soldiers killing our troops who are there to train them for a better future; hearing the fascist leader Ahmedinejad of Iran hatefully declaring “The Zionist regime and the Zionists ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  Baylor Rodman was on vacation recently with his family for his annual visit with his grandparents, Ed and Marianne Valvano. Baylor went out for a day of fishing and fun on the water with his father. They were off Coconut Island near Hideaway Beach when he caught something. As he reeled in the catch, passer-by’s were in awe of the catch, a 5-foot sawfish! They immediately took a photo and released the fish. “We knew the fish was rare, but didn’t know who to contact,” said Baylor’s father. Ed Valvano contacted Coastal Breeze New who ... Read More »

Donna Fiala [email protected] Marco Island Chamber of Commerce sponsors a successful and worthwhile program called Leadership Marco, where interested people can learn more about Marco Island. I figured I knew a lot about the Island, but I’d heard so many good comments about the program that I applied, and thankfully was accepted. The first introductory program said it all! Nearly 30 involved people got to meet new people and renew old friendships. The second program focused entirely on the history of Marco Island, told by the master himself, Craig Woodward. We spent the entire day learning, and still ran out ... Read More »

By Monte Lazarus [email protected] We were quietly enjoying our favorite television program, “The Real Housewives of Nome, Alaska.” It was truly an eye-opener. The housewives were spectacular. They all wore stiletto heels and mini skirts. We were both somewhat surprised since the weather report was that it was minus 47 degrees outside. We expected long fur coats, boots made of seal skin and fur hats with ear flaps. The house interior matched the ladies. It looked huge and very warm indeed. Designer furniture and Hollywood type art on the walls made our view of Nome different than what we expected. ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom  [email protected]  As Team USA heads home from the 2012 London Olympics, so does one Naples chiropractor who aided our athletes in bringing home gold. Dr. Cade Copeland and his wife Kristen, have just returned to their practice after adjusting athletes from USA Wrestling. Dr. Copeland joined nearly 100 chiropractors from Maximized Living, an international approach to chiropractic care which focuses on uniformity and has been adopted by USA Wrestling, Judo and Weightlifting. “Pretty close to 100 doctors went, which has never been done before,” explains Dr. Copeland. “Some of the doctors we worked with have been with ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff Sailors do more than sail. Sailing Association of Marco Island held their annual picnic Saturday afternoon, August 18th at Sarazen Park. The members each brought a dish to share, such as an appetizer, salad, side dish or dessert. The Club supplied the hot dogs, hamburgers, and buns for the grill. The Club also provided soft drinks and beer. The day was just perfect with sunshine, a light breeze and entertainment by guitarist Keith Cooper. Sailors with a small boat, or big boat, who are interested in the sport of sailing, may contact us through our ... Read More »

By Madeleine Richie I had a fantastic time with the University of Florida Gator Marching Band on our trip to London where we performed at the Olympics. London is an amazing city, and it was especially fun to see it all decked out for the whole world to see. We’d been talking about this trip since last September, and for it to finally happen was definitely like a dream. One of the coolest privileges we were given while in London was to perform at the women’s cycling event on the Mall, which is essentially Queen Elizabeth’s driveway leading right up ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] It was a night that honored the Tamiami Trail. Guest speakers Keith Pershing of Island Automotive and Bob DeGross of Big Cypress National Preserve each lectured on the wonders of the era of the automobile to a full Rose Auditorium at the Marco Island Historical Museum on August 7. Special Guest Speaker, Keith Pershing, owner of Island Automotive on Marco, spoke about his efforts “Restoring Life to the MIHS 1922 Ford Model T Truck.” Donated to the Society by The Naples Daily News in 2009, the truck didn’t run until Christmas of 2011. Thanks to the ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” – Lao Tzu In what direction are you headed? If you’re on your way to Marco’s South Beach for Tuesday night yoga, then where you’re ending up is a pretty good place to be. If you’re not, you may want to reconsider your path. Dianne Saywell first changed her life’s direction after September 11. “I had to find some reasoning, some source of something within that was beyond the evil from that day. I just thought, I need to go to yoga. ... Read More »