Coastal Breeze News

PEDAL IN PARADISE By Matt Walthour Two articles in a row with some great musical references and I haven’t even mentioned “Bicycle Race” by Queen. Not sure how long I can keep this up. This reference, however, may be the most important I will refer to in any article because it pertains to safety and the law. When you think of 3 feet it really doesn’t seem that much, especially when you see some athletes and even young kids nowadays that are 6 feet tall at 12 years old, but to those of us who bicycle on the roadways (where ... Read More »

SOUTHERN SKIES By Mike P. Usher [email protected] Nearly due south tonight burns the second brightest star in the sky – Canopus. This star can only be seen in southerly latitudes of less than 38 degrees and really only shines with its full brilliance in latitudes under 30 degrees; in Florida for example! Canopus is the brightest star in the constellation of Carina, the keel of the old ship constellation Argo Navis. In ancient mythology a man named Canopus was the navigator for Menelaus, the husband of the famous Helen. Argo Navis, after dominating the southern sky for a couple of ... Read More »

MUSIC NOTES BY GATOR NATE Nate Augustus [email protected] Collier-Seminole State Park is a nice quiet spot, centrally located from Marco, Naples and Everglades City and a mere hop, skip and a jump away from any of them. The park is a wonderful place to enjoy the natural beauty of our area. The park offers visitors a number of year round activities, including camping, canoeing, hiking, fishing, boating, bicycling and exploring the cypress swamps. The salt marshes, mangrove river estuaries and pine flat woods of Collier Seminole hold many different native species. Among them, American alligators, raccoons, osprey, white ibis, wood storks, bald ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] Wiener dogs and wiener dog wannabes of all ages and attitudes came out in droves to the first Collier County Wiener Dog Classics on Saturday, January 19. A part of the I Luv Pets Fest, hosted by Naples Estates, proceeds from the day went to Dogs 4 Disabled Veterans, a non-profit organization that matches rescue dogs with veterans with special needs. Many other non-profit booths were set up in the name of animal rescue including a greyhound organization, an exotic bird rescue, a reptile awareness group and general animal rescue programs. Booths offered pet photography, clothing, ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff Audiences were completely won over by the shaggy Muttville Comix performers and their trainer, Johnny Peers. Johnny knows his way around an audience, being raised near the circus and graduating from the Ringling Clown School. He began working with dogs in the early 1990’s. There were 16 dogs in the show he brought to Marco. There was Joey the Fox Terrier, who walked backwards on two wires while Chico, a Chihuahua, walked underneath him in the opposite direction. One canine could leap through the air to Johnny’s arms, while others could dance, do a conga ... Read More »

By Julia Barnett On Saturday, January 12 and Sunday January 13, the South Regional Public Library, located next to the Collier County campus of Edison State College, hosted the annual Civil War Days, full with period clothing and tools, historical information and a battle reenactment. The camp, as the participants called it, consisted of tents, each serving a different purpose and a different history lesson. There was a tent for weaponry and guns used during the Civil War age. There were also tents for cooking, medicine, and a tent for the “soldiers” to gather in front of, smoking and sharing ... Read More »

It was another gorgeous evening on Marco Island…absolutely fitting for a Chamber of Commerce event. A capacity crowd at the Marco Island Yacht Club enjoyed all the festivities, good food and outstanding entertainment at the 36th Annual Installation Dinner of the Chamber on January 13th. Part of the evening was bittersweet as members and guests bid farewell to outgoing Chamber President Kevin Donlan who has moved to Alabama. His affection for Marco Island was demonstrated not only by his return just for the event, but also by his emotional farewell remarks. He spoke movingly about the Island and the many ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff Do you want a multi-use pathway across the Everglades? The River of Grass Greenway Feasibility and Master Plan is holding a workshop January 29th through February 2nd, at Edison State College for the West portion of the pathway plan. This workshop features the ROGG corridor along US 41, west of Highway 29/ Everglades City. The four day workshop will cover topics such as its guiding principles, existing conditions, challenges, routing, trailheads, communities, connections, design and materials and areas of concern. An Open House with lunch at noon will summarize public input and stakeholder interviews. Future ... Read More »

The Hartford announced today that it is making its award-winning AARP®- branded auto insurance program available through INTEGRITY INSURANCE INTERNATIONAL INC. in COLLIER COUNTY. INTEGRITY INSURANCE INTERNATIONAL INC. was chosen after satisfying a number of eligibility requirements, which included: demonstrating a commitment to community service; meeting a high-level of business and ethical standards; and completing a training program designed to address the needs of the 50+ population. “For more than 25 years, the industry-leading AARP-branded auto insurance program from The Hartford has been extremely popular,” said Jim Flynn, vice president, The Hartford. “Much of the success of this program is ... Read More »

Bedtime Bundles is working diligently to help not only the children of today’s migrant working but also the forgotten population of adults who live in the greater Naples area that includes the  Golden Gate Community.  This disadvantaged group earns well under $10, 000 annually and includes migrant and former migrant workers. Migrants/former migrants are scattered throughout all of Collier County. Naples is so spread out, making it virtually impossible for the migrant/former migrant population to get to any centrally located community center; of which there is none. There is very little to no assistance in the greater Naples/Golden Gate area ... Read More »

In cooperation with Vikings River Cruises, America Travel Arrangements participated at the East Naples Business Association Show on Friday, January 18. See attached photo with business owner, Jill de Vries.  In celebration of the new innovative Viking ships on the German Rhine and Danube Rivers, the door prize for the show consisted of a basket with four engraved Viking beer mugs, four bottles of German beer, a Viking travel bag and two new foldable flower vases. The winner was well known Marco Islander and Marketing Director for the YMCA, Steve Reynolds. He collected his prize from Michelle Wegman at the ... Read More »

The guests may have all been incognito, but they were welcomed among family and friends as The Tarpon Club at Fiddler’s Creek kicked off the season with an elaborate Masquerade Party. The South Terrace and Gulf Ballroom at the Marco Beach Ocean Resort were decorated by The Tarpon Club staff with a masquerade ball theme for the grand affair which kicked off the season with much flare. Many guests came decked out with authentic masks and costumes representing an Elizabethan queen or princess or animals such as a panther or leopard. Others chose to dress in black accentuated by vibrant colors and designs. The ... Read More »

IBERIABANK, a 125-year-old subsidiary of IBERIABANK Corporation, and Physicians Regional Healthcare System will kick-off the 2013 Health Plus Lecture Series with a topic that many people are focusing on as they aim to carry out their New Year’s resolutions. Dr. Richard Gelb, a cardiovascular specialist, will discuss ways to maintain a healthy heart to prevent heart attacks. The lecture is scheduled for Monday, January 28, 2013 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Marco Island branch of IBERIABANK at 605 Bald Eagle Drive. Dr. Gelb is licensed in Nuclear Cardiology and is board certified in Cardiovascular Medicine, Interventional Cardiology and Internal Medicine. His ... Read More »

Bingo is being played every Monday. Doors open at 5:30 PM. The Public is welcome!   Read More »

Youth Haven’s Home-Hope-Healing Luncheon Scheduled for January 30 Tickets are still available for Youth Haven’s 3rd annual Home-Hope-Healing Luncheon that is scheduled for Wednesday, January 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort. This year’s event will feature guest speaker Erik Weihenmayer’s presentation, “Turning Everyday Struggles into Everyday Greatness.” Weihenmayer is the first blind man to climb to the top of Mount Everest and the only to reach the top of all Seven Summits. A former middle school teacher and wrestling coach, Weihenmayer is one of the most exciting, celebrated, and well-known adventurers in the world. ... Read More »

Chain Life Winter Haven LLC. to present the inaugural Par-Tee-Time golf tournament on Sat., May 18, 2013.  Modeled after the Conch Life Scramble in the Florida Keys, the Par-Tee-Time event is a nine-hole golf competition with boats replacing golf carts and holes located at various restaurant/bars on the intercostal waterways. The biodegradable golf balls are designed for this type of event and contain fish food released after 48 hours. “This event will take on a life of its own and will be highly anticipated each year, the combination of sun, boating, friends and a splash of golf makes it a ... Read More »

The 23nd Annual Love of the Y Tennis Tournament is scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, February 8-9-10 at the Greater Marco Family YMCA Tennis Facility. Tournament Director Raul Saad says that events scheduled are very accommodating to work schedules and the matches will be played throughout the weekend. The events scheduled include Women’s and Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles for 6.0-7.0 and 8.0 levels. Players must play at their USTA Level or higher. The entry fee is $30 per player, per event. Players may only participate in two events and on of the doubles partners must pay for both ... Read More »

Friends of Tigertail Debbie and Marty Roddy invite you to the Rose History Auditorium on Monday February 4th at 10:30 A.M. for a virtual tour of Tigertail Beach and Sand dollar Island. They will also, include a brief survey of the history and an explanation of nature’s impact on the area. Immediately after their presentation, Mango’s Restaurant will provide picnic lunches for $11.00—these come with bottled water, but you may bring your own non-alcoholic drink if you wish. The group will then adjourn to the beach, and you may carpool from the museum complex. If you do not have a sticker ... Read More »

The 2013 Hodges University Diversity Festival will return to the Sugden Regional Park in Naples on February 23. The Festival, which runs from 12 pm – 6 pm, will bring together a broad array of vendors, entertainers and local artisans representing the cultural diversity of the Naples and Ft. Myers communities. The Festival will feature local high school marching bands, drummers, singers and dance performers from our diverse communities; an arts and crafts area, as well as a Fine Art gallery and several multi-cultural heritage exhibits. Local restaurants will provide a vast array of multi-cultural food samples for a small ... Read More »

READ MY TIPS Doug Browne [email protected] Nothing was more apparent last week during the big tennis exhibition showdown at Hideaway Beach than when veteran Franco Mata continually made strategic changes to confuse his young opponent and dominate the second set. In particular, he altered his speeds and placements and thus disrupted his foe’s tempo. As we delve into future CTA/USTA league doubles matches, players must be ready to completely change their game plan if the first set goes awry. Clearly, one of my favorite doubles strategies is to change return of serve positions. Why? This radical modification is obvious to the ... Read More »