Coastal Breeze News

Thursday, March 7th, 200 happy ladies gathered at the United Church of Marco Island to enjoy a luncheon and a delightful fashion show featuring the merchandise at the church’s resale shop, the Bargain Basket; proving that one woman’s “closet shrink” is another woman’s treasure. Ensembles bearing labels such as J Crew, Chico’s, Hagar, Tommy Bahama, Jos. A. Banks and Bill Blass were modeled by church members and “Basket” volunteers. Janet Watson, UCMI’s Mission Chair, stated that the total costs of the outfits shown ranged from a jaw dropping $3 to $45. Not bad considering the retail prices of the donated ... Read More »

After carrying more than 300 passengers last month, the new “Ghost Rider” tram operated by the Friends of Fakahatchee has extended its service into April. The tram service is named in honor of the famous ghost orchid found in the park. The 24-passenger tram frees visitors from having to concentrate on their driving rather than the features of the park. A naturalist leads each tour, describing the history of the Fakahatchee Strand and describing the plants, birds, and animals that thrive there. Several stops on each two-hour tour will give passengers a chance to explore interesting aspects of the park.  ... Read More »

Marco Island residents and visitors often ask whether live-aboard vessels are permitted in Marco Island waterways. Many boats moored for an extended period of time in the city’s bays and waterways. For example, in the Factory Bay or Smokehouse Bay in front of the Esplanade. Anchoring of live-aboards is not permitted in Marco Island waterways, except for within marinas and designated National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration anchorage sites. There is only one such site within Marco Island city limits – a football-field sized area in the middle of Factory Bay. The part that often confuses citizens is what exactly qualifies ... Read More »

Liah Alonso, the lovable, sassy songstress from NYC and Mexico returns from musical adventures abroad for a special show for her friends at The Little Bar in Goodland! Liah will be performing solo on April 3rd, from 7 to 10 PM at The Little Bar Restaurant, 205 Harbor Place. To hear or see what Liah of LEFT ON RED has been up to or to simply say hello, please visit www.liahalonso.com. For more information on the one-night show, contact the Little Bar at 239-394-5663.   Read More »

Dave Gardner, the Flag supply Officer for VFW Post 6370 also handles the used flag receptacles. Recently, Dave received a call that the flag box at Veterans Park was overflowing. This, after only 16 days since the last trip made to empty it. He arrived to find the top door overflowing and jammed, and the bottom also filled. Dave filled two large bags with the contents, which numbered 89 US flags of various sizes, ranging from 8X12 stick flags to an 8’ X 12’ commercial flag. During the same time period, Marco Island VFW Post #6370 sold only nine US ... Read More »

Author Marya Repko will give an illustrated presentation at the 100th Birthday Celebration of Rutland House at the Sanibel Historical Village on Friday, March 22nd, at 10:30 AM. Repko has encapsulated Sanibel’s history in two books, “A Brief History of Sanibel Island” for adults and “The Story of Sanibel Island” for younger readers. Her lecture will give a brief overview of the island’s past and show old photos. She will be available after the talk for a book-signing. Repko has published other books about the history of the area including those about Everglades City, the Fakahatchee Strand, the life of ... Read More »

The Marco Island Shell Club hosted its 33rd Annual Shell Show from March 14th to the 16th. Awards were given in many categories, both scientific and artistic. Patrons could view the award-winning designs and purchase many others created by members of the Shell Club from November through March. Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] It was blue crabs and blue skies at the Greater Marco Family YMCA on Saturday, March 16th. The Second Annual Karate Dojo All-You-Can-Eat Blue Crab Fundraiser lasted four hours – from noon to 4 PM – and the amount of blue crabs consumed was unbelievable. Just as unbelievable is the fact that Sensei Nick has taught his Seibukan Karate and Matayoshi Kobodu (think karate with weapons) students Japanese. Well, a bit of it anyway. Some of Sensei Nick’s younger students gave a pool-side demonstration of the “kata,” or specific movements designed to teach fighting postures and ... Read More »

by Janet DeAnna (with Tara O’Neill) Epiphany Project Windows – Each artist brought their own vision to their window. Can you determine what window matches what Epiphany theme? Wise Men Visit by Katie Goetzmann and Judy Crook Jesus is Baptized by The Bennett Family Jesus Calls Disciples by Corky Miller Wedding in Cana by Cathy Weis and Janed DeAnna Beautitudes by Cynthia Dayton Faithful Friends by Elizabeth Doyle Jesus Preaches by Rosellen and John Warner Jesus Heals by Wallly and Carol Hedman Consider the Lilies by Linda Freund and Cynthia Jackson Transfiguration by Wade Mundiger Father Kyle came to St. Mark’s ... Read More »

A 2011 study recently released by the National Park Service shows that the 941,393 visitors to Big Cypress National Preserve generated $117,467,000 of revenue in local communities. Additionally, the report shows that the preserve assists in supporting 1,891 jobs in the area. “Big Cypress National Preserve is the backyard of South Florida and wonderful place to learn about America’s story,” said preserve superintendent Pedro Ramos. “We attract visitors from across the U.S. and around the world who come here to experience the preserve and then spend time and money enjoying the services provided by our neighboring communities and getting to ... Read More »

“AAUW has been making progress since day one,” pronounced House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) this week to a room filled with AAUW members and other women from the Florida area. The AAUW Palm Beach County (FL) Branch hosted an event Wednesday on women’s economic justice issues with Pelosi and Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL). Women from Miami, Naples, St. Augustine, Palm Beach, and other areas of Florida gathered at a community center in the Village of Palm Springs to share their personal stories and concerns about issues facing women today — from equal pay to passing the Violence Against Women Act. Susan Berlin, ... Read More »

The Guadalupe Center of Immokalee has inducted seven new members into its Wall of Honor, the highest recognition given by the non-profit organization, for playing pivotal roles in the growth of the Guadalupe Center and its programs. Four of the seven are residents of Marco Island. The new honorees are Doug and Grace Herr; and Bud and Eileen Roche, all of Hideaway Beach Club. The Herrs have served as Mentors to the high-achieving high school students in the Guadalupe Center Tutor Corps, and have played major roles in the expansion of the Guadalupe After-school Program (GAP). The GAP program provides ... Read More »

Cheryl Mort of Marco Island was the BIG winner at Monday night Bingo at the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island. She being congratulated by Marv Klein. Bingo is being played every Monday. Doors open at 5:30 PM. The Public is welcome! Norma Faccone of Marco Island was the BIG winner at Monday night Bingo at the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island. She is being congratulated by Dr. Herb Kern. Bingo is being played every Monday. Doors open at 5:30 PM. The Public is welcome! Mary Anne Murphy of Naples was the HOT BALL winner at Monday night Bingo at the Jewish ... Read More »

Cinematographer/director Elam Stoltzfus will take his audience behind the scenes of his craft at a March 14 presentation in Naples sponsored by the Friends of Fakahatchee. Stoltzfus has been telling stories of Florida’s natural heritage for almost three decades.  His talk and video presentation will tell how he has traveled the state of Florida collecting stories and images to produce award-winning programs such as Living Waters, Big Cypress and Kissimmee Basin.  His latest project involved documenting the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition by traveling 1000 miles from the Everglades to Okefenokee Swamp in 100 days.  This documentary of this experience will ... Read More »

Calusa Garden Club will be presenting a Standard Flower Show on March 16 and 17 at the Marco Island Center for the Arts located at  1010 Winterberry.  The theme this year will be Asian Fusion.  All designs will have an Asian influence. Judging for the event will be held on Friday, March 15.  Nine accredited judges from Southwest Florida will participate.  The show will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on the following two days.  Admission is free to the public and donations will be gratefully accepted. In addition to floral design, both full-sized and ... Read More »

Keller Williams Realty, Inc. announced today that it is the largest real estate franchise company by agent count in the United States, with approximately 80,000 associates. In recent years, Keller Williams Realty has posted record growth numbers, surpassing RE/MAX, Century 21, and now Coldwell Banker to secure the industry’s top position. The news, based on publically available information as of February 6, 2013, was announced in front of more than 10,000 Keller Williams associates during the company’s annual convention in Dallas, Texas. During his standing-room-only, annual State of the Company address, CEO Mark Willis made the announcement, stating, “Keller Williams ... Read More »

Edward Jones financial advisors in the Marco Island area announce that the financial-services firm  ranked No. 8 on FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For 2013” list in its 14th appearance on the prestigious list. Edward Jones ranked No. 3 in the large-company category and was the highest ranking financial-services firm. Edward Jones’s FORTUNE rankings also include top 10 finishes for 10 years and consecutive No. 1 rankings in 2002 and 2003 and consecutive No. 2 rankings in 2009 and 2010. Last year, the firm ranked No. 5 overall. ”Our 30,000 financial advisors, branch office administrators and associates in ... Read More »

The Chinese New Year has just arrived and last year’s magnificent dragon has flown away to make room for this year’s snake!  This is a great time to visit the Dalton Discovery Center at Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center and learn all about snakes and the other creatures that call southwest Florida their home.  The Dalton Discovery Center is home to over 100 animals, including a live loggerhead sea turtle and a variety of snakes – an Eastern Indigo Snake, a Pine Snake and a Red Rat Snake. Plus, every day on the Lutgert Commons Deck, guests can participate ... Read More »

High in the Peruvian Andes, Stig Dalström, the Wild Orchid Man, searches for rare and unknown orchids. These mountains of Amazonas are the birthplace of the mighty Amazon River and home to the legendary rainforest that blankets its basin. In his quest to find unknown orchids, he discovers the mysteries of this region – from the ancient ruins left by unknown people to one of the world’s tallest waterfalls, unknown to outsiders until 2005. The Gulf Coast Orchid Alliance invites you attend the exclusive Southwest Florida screening of “The Mountains of Amazonas,” to be shown at the Alliance’s “Third Thursday” ... Read More »

United Way of Collier County welcomes Julie Brazill and Tom Donahue to its board of directors.  The local leadership organization also confirmed new members of the board’s executive committee. UW board members are prominent community leaders who volunteer their time to further the mission and goals of the organization. Board members play an integral role in United Way’s infrastructure, helping the organization make significant and measurable impact in the community. The board meets monthly to discuss strategic and operational plans.  As community leaders, board members use their personal and professional influence to accomplish United Way of Collier County’s mission to ... Read More »