Coastal Breeze News

FOR THE LOVE OF CATS Naomi & Karina Paape [email protected] Dear Fellow Felines:  Boy, did I get some great news after last month’s epic pantry raid! As I do every day, I was scrolling through our outgoing emails to make sure my staff of 80 was performing up to snuff. One in particular caught my eye and made my tastebuds somersault with joy: “Naomi is getting just a bit on the thin side so we have upped her food.” How many gals are told they need to GAIN weight? Or had their food ration doubled overnight? My weight woes have ... Read More »

FITNESS DIVA Crystal Manjarres [email protected] The third trimester is officially here! I cannot believe how quickly time is flying; I’ve heard that it will only go faster and faster—almost like an out of control merry-go-round with lots of fun, and no signs of slowing down. As we begin to plow through April, I am about to enter my 30th week of pregnancy! There is still so much to do! In addition to running a business, we also have a host of other little projects we are working on for the business and the baby. There are literally not enough hours ... Read More »

by Rhona Sutter Pimms, a Chocolate Labrador, and Pressie, a Border Collie/Shepherd/Terrier mix were tired of being told they were not welcome on social networks and could not have their own page in order to make new friends. There were so many social websites for meeting new people, both with and without similar interests, but nothing for pets. So Pimms and Pressie decided to set up MyPetsYearBook.com for pets around the world. For the past year they have been developing and testing MyPetsYearBook.com and decided now is the time for its official launch. MyPetsYearBook.com is absolutely Pet Friendly. Pets can ... Read More »

ALL THAT GLITTERS Richard Alan [email protected] It’s just around the corner again, Mother’s Day. Of course you remember her? Without Mom, you would not exist in this world. This person loved, nurtured and raised you to be the person you are today; a joy for most – and for some – she could be the reason you have been going to therapy since you were in your teens. I am one of the fortunate ones. I have the coolest Mom in the world. For without her, I would be lacking front teeth due to numerous ice hockey and tree climbing ... Read More »

CHEF’S TABLE Chef Anne Feinman [email protected] Did you know there is more than one date Mother’s Day is celebrated across the world? In the United States we celebrate the 2nd Sunday of May, but in other countries it is other days in May, as well as in other months of the year. In the end, it doesn’t really matter on what day you celebrate Mother’s Day because, like my father always says, every single day should be Mother’s Day. Let’s treat Mom to something special this Mother’s Day. Whether it is breakfast in bed, brunch, lunch, dinner or a fabulous ... Read More »

ARTFUL LIFE Tara O’Neill [email protected] How do you know when it’s finished?” Ask the writer, the painter, the musician, and you may just get a chilly answer. Oh, not the cold-shoulder type – only a reference to the practice of letting a work “get cold.” That is, walk away from it, put it in a drawer, on a shelf, or face to the wall. And while we may refer to letting the work get cold, the reality is that it’s the artist that needs cooling off. It’s the old forest-for-the-trees thing. Our passion for perfection can lead us to get ... Read More »

SPEAKING OF TRAVEL Vickie Kelber [email protected] When we visit a country in which a language other than English is spoken, I always try to acquire some knowledge of that language. For me, it is part of the fun of learning about that country and its culture. It aids in communication when traveling, shows a respect for another culture, and it’s good brain exercise! At times, a little knowledge of the local language has meant survival. We enjoy being independent and visiting places off the beaten track; this means that we frequently find ourselves in places and situations where no one ... Read More »

SOUTHERN SKIES By Mike P. Usher [email protected] There are several dog constellations in the sky, but there is only one wolf – Lupus. Consisting of 2nd and 3rd magnitude stars it is a modestly bright constellation in the deep south lying between Scorpius and Centaurus. It appears to be on its back next to the Milky Way. In very ancient times the constellation was considered to be part of Centaurus but about 2,200 years ago it was split off and was included in Ptolemy’s catalog, who additionally was the first one to refer to it as a wolf. Most of ... Read More »

As I predicted, sterling silver and other white metals such as palladium and stainless steel were on fire this season. Don’t think the demand for gold was nil; it wasn’t. But when the cost for the regal yellow metal was quoted to most, it was out of the question due to the expense. Gold is down but still not cheap, nor will it ever be again. Sea life jewelry was as usual, the predominant must have item. If you can’t sell nature jewelry here on Marco Island, I suggest you hang it up because year after year in my shop ... Read More »

With Santa Fe as a base, there are some interesting, easy day trips that feature the varied sites and terrain that are New Mexico. WIthin just an hour or so drive are wide open vistas, artisan communities, religious and historic locales, alpine escapes, scientific enclaves, inspirational settings, cowboy ghost towns and hippie/motorcycle culture haunts. The most popular day or overnight trip from Santa Fe is to Taos following either the high or low road. The high road with its dramatic scenery, traditional villages, artisans, and galleries is about a two and a half hour drive north, but enticing stops along ... Read More »

s a lover of food stories, and one who is always looking for new and creative ideas, I happened upon a collection of typical American foods at not-so-typical pricing. So, if you’re looking to spend a little bit more for a bit of the same, take a look at some of these out-of-the-way places with tremendous prices. The Philly Cheesesteak – $100 This popular Philadelphian street food has made its way all across America. This version, although is only served at the steakhouse, Barclay Prime in Philadelphia. It comes on a ciabatta roll with wagyu ribeye steak, foie gras, truffles ... Read More »

Like most artists, I’m frequently asked about the mysterious whereabouts of that elusive creature, inspiration. Nothing mysterious about it, I can’t speak for all artists, but I am surrounded by it (and those of you familiar with my work will get this). So why is it you see a palm tree in your front yard and I see magnificent swipes of blues and greens? Part of it certainly owes to my artistic temperament, but a great deal is owing to the fact that your tree is new to me, and to you it is routine, like visual white-noise. Change is ... Read More »

DOG & STYLE Tony Wakefield-Jones [email protected]  I recently turned 11 years old. Yes, mathematical wizards, that means I’m the human equivalent of 77. Of course, we’re never too old to stop learning. More importantly, we’re really never too old to learn something new about ourselves. Let’s take a look at the last year, for example. Our family added a second dog. I subsequently “learned” that I did not like having another dog around. Specifically, I “learned” I really don’t like Chihuahuas. However, I also discovered that my daddies were smart enough to see through my plan to return the “Chihua” to our ... Read More »

By Crystal Manjarres - [email protected] I just wanted to say that there is nothing better than living on Marco Island—except being pregnant in paradise! I have to say that life just doesn’t seem to be able to get any better than this (and yet I know that the best is still yet to come). I am blessed with a loving family, wonderful clientele and awesome readers. Thank you to all who have shared their blessings with me and my family—it is truly appreciated and will not be forgotten. As my second trimester began, I got an amazing surge of energy! I went ... Read More »

By Mike P. Usher - [email protected] Once a year, it’s always nice to revisit the Southern Cross, technically known as Crux, as a reminder of just how far south Marco Island is located. Although the Cross rises above the horizon every day of the year, it is usually hidden by daylight, clouds or the ungodly lateness of the hour. Only at the end of April to mid-May can the Cross be seen by casual stargazers at a reasonable time. An additional problem with Crux is that while it is visible to Marco Islanders, it is just barely visible. The constellation is quite ... Read More »

The unique ecology that is Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park is located about 45 minutes from Marco Island. It is a linear swamp forest of about 80,000 acres, which translates to approximately 20 miles long and 5 miles wide. Although it is a part of the state park system, it is actually a state nature preserve and thus, more highly preserved and regulated than a park. It is the largest state park in Florida; larger than the next three combined Loosely defined, a strand means a moving body of water. Fakahatchee is truly Florida wilderness. In 1913, the area was ... Read More »

The mango is known as the ‘king of fruit’ throughout the world. Did you know more mangos are eaten fresh all over the world, than any other fruit? Its name ‘mango’ is derived from the Tamil word ‘mangkay’ or ‘man-gay’. When the Portuguese traders settled in Western India they adopted the mango which originated in Southeast Asia where it has been grown for over 4,000 years. Over the years mango groves have spread to many parts of the tropical and sub-tropical world, where the climate allows the mango to grow best. Mango trees are evergreens that will grow to 60 ... Read More »

By Naomi & Karina Paape – [email protected] Dear Fellow Felines: I am so proud of my stealthy self! I managed to execute a discrete raid on the shelter’s pantry and pigged out on a bunch of food I’m allergic to before our co-founder, Jan Rich, caught me in the act. “She ate herself silly,” is how Jan describes my “crime.”  But then, in the very next breath, she brags about me: “If she wasn’t so smart….” And yes, you guessed it, I am now paying the price: a bunch of the hair on my tail and lower back has fled ... Read More »

Crystal Manjarres - [email protected] Wow! It truly feels like forever since I have penned an article! The time has raced by at an alarming speed as we are plowing through March already. I wanted to let all you faithful readers know that my husband and I are PREGNANT! We are super excited and have been wanting to share the great news but have been slammed with clients during this busy time of year in addition to doing other numerous projects that involve planning for baby. We found out at Christmas that we are having a BOY!! We are so completely ... Read More »

By Richard Alan - [email protected] It’s April already, things are nearing the crescendo in my shop, lots of last minute “I’ll take that” and “Can you repair this today, I’m leaving early tomorrow morning?” These throngs of folks have been on the island since January and wait ‘til the last moment to get complicated repairs or restoration performed which I regretfully have to refuse. Most people understand that nothing is done well quickly, and a least I give them the choice to leave the work to have it done correctly, and in a timely fashion, and when completed we will ... Read More »