Coastal Breeze News

By Noelle H. Lowery - [email protected] Marco Island may be on the verge of closing the Mackle Park Community Center debate. During a special workshop last week, the Marco Island City Council unanimously authorized city staff to explore the costs of two alternative construction methods to the current $4.8 million plan for a new Mackle Park Community Center. In addition to looking at the cost for a total, phased renovation of the current facility, city staff also will examine a turnkey, design-build modular concrete building concept. Community Affairs Director Bryan Milk presented the new design concept to the city council and residents ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom - [email protected] Marco Island Academy has finally made the move to its permanent location. Students left for Spring Break and came back to a new school on March 18th. The site, made up of modulars connected by decks, is located on San Marco Road and has been years in the making. But in only one week’s time, the entire school was packed, moved and unpacked, making it ‘business as usual’ by the time Spring Break had come to a close. “We had so many parents and students that helped – even some grandparents came,” says MIA Board Chair, Jane ... Read More »

The Rotary Club of Marco Island is proud to announce that Keith Dameron, Vice President of Iberia Bank; Rick Medwedeff, General Manager of the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort; and Barb and Lou Prigge were selected as recipients of the 2013 Spirit of Marco Island Award. A final recipient for 2013 will be announced in the coming week. Keith Dameron was surprised by the presentation in front of over 100 people at a recent Men’s Club meeting at Mackle Park where he was the guest speaker. Ian Small of the Noontime Rotary Club made the presentation to the delight of ... Read More »

The highest level a scout can reach is Eagle Scout. It’s a rite of passage only a handful of scouts achieve. One requirement is to complete a community-oriented project. It must be planned and designed and submitted for approval to the District Eagle Scout Board of Review. Such was the case when Bradley Chute presented plans to Bryan Milk, Community Development Director, for a covered gazebo at Veterans Park. The plans were submitted and unanimously approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. As shown, the gazebo will be a 12 ft x 12 ft open sided wood structure anchored ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom - [email protected] It was an occasion for celebration as residents of the Fiddler’s Creek community, located off of US-41, gathered at the main entrance to witness its first Flag Raising Ceremony, held on March 22nd. The ceremony was as grand as the size of the flag. The Lely Trojans Marching Band was on hand, offering up patriotic tunes as residents filled the seats set out for the occasion. In the center median, just in front of the new flag pole, sat 13 veterans – all members of the Fiddler’s Creek Community. They were there to be honored but ... Read More »

The Volunteer Beach Stewards walk and monitor the beach to provide information about the City of Marco Island’s Beach Ordinance and assist beach goers with wildlife, directional and public inquiries. There are currently 27 volunteers who walk the beach different days and times who are identifiable by bright orange shirts. Picking up trash and assisting beach goers with information about the beach and community is just another day on the beach for these volunteers.  If interested in becoming a Volunteer Beach Steward, please contact Nancy Richie, City of Marco Island Environmental Specialist, at 239-389-5003 or [email protected] Pictured: Back row: Susan ... Read More »

By Julia Barnett You’ve been training for it all year, hitting the gym and biking all over the island—the 3rd Annual Tour de Marco is almost here! Over a hundred bicyclists are expected to participate in the Sunday, April 14th, fund-raising ride. And this year, one can register either as an individual or as a family. Riders can pre-register online (www.active.com, search for “Tour de Marco”) or at the YMCA, for the big 30-mile trek, or the smaller 5-mile and 15-mile rides. Pre-registration fees are $20 for individuals and $40 for families. On the day of the ride, participants will ... 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 »

By Danielle Dodder For a relatively small city, Marco Island boasts a sophisticated water system. We’re a barrier island surrounded by saltwater and environmentally sensitive habitat. Consequently, getting water to paradise was never as simple as piping it in from Naples. Today, the city water utility encompasses an aquifer storage system, a reverse osmosis system, three drinking water facilities, two wastewater facilities and collection and distribution systems for both drinking and wastewater. Jeff Poteet is the general manager who oversees it all. On January 5, Poteet was elected president of the Florida Water & Pollution Control Association, a position that ... Read More »

What do homemade soup and handmade ceramic bowls have in common? They’re being featured at the Saturday, January 26 Empty Bowls event being held at Cambier Park, Naples. The Naples community is gearing up to participate in the sixth annual event, which will take place between 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event is an annual fund raiser for the Harry Chapin Food Bank. For a $10 donation, those attending can select a handmade ceramic bowl and sample from at least 38 tasty soups. Not only would the selected bowl be a wonderful, useful item in the home, but the ... Read More »

BUZZ FROM THE SWAMP Patricia Huff [email protected]  The holidays are approaching and more events are being planned in the Swamp. Big Cypress Gallery is hosting its “Annual Holiday Book Signing” with Clyde Butcher on Friday, November 23, and Saturday, November 24. Clyde’s books make great holiday gifts, especially with a special note from Clyde. For more information call (239) 695-2428. The Everglades Society for Historical Preservation will host its first program of the season on Friday, November 30, at 5:30 PM in the Everglades Community Church annex. Marco Island historian Betsy Perdichizzi will present “Pioneering Medicine in the Marco Wilderness” based ... Read More »

Marco Presbyterian Church will install their new associate pastor the Rev. Jan Werson at the 10:30 a.m., Oct. 28 worship service. Werson a former navel flight officer and flight instructor has 27 years in the ministry including 12 as a navy chaplain. He has a master’s of divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi and has served churches from California to Florida. He most recently served Cross Creek Church in St. Johns, Florida. On April 29 the congregation unanimously elected Werson to be the church’s new associate pastor. He has a passion to fulfill the Great Commission through local and ... Read More »

Animals “Carve” Pumpkins while Kids Trick-or-Treat Make plans to bring your kids or grandkids parading in costume through your zoo while safely trick-or-treating. You’ll all watch rare animals going wild “carving” pumpkins and other treats with tooth, hoof, and claw. Plus the kids get to join in a fun costume contest with great prizes. BOO at the ZOO is happening Saturday, October 20 between 3 and 9 p.m.Naples Zoo is partering with 95.3 The River, Y100, 105.5 The Beat, and Cat Country 107.1 for this merry, not scary celebration! 50% OFF TICKETS: With at least one child in costume, the whole family will receive 50% off ... Read More »

Last week John Arceri had published a Guest Commentary titled “The making of a good candidate” in which he took both myself and another candidate for Marco City Council to task over our respective responses to a series of questions posed by MICA for which both the questions and answers of all participating candidates appear in the most recent edition of the MICAWAVE (and did not cite another candidate’s response who also referenced the purchase of the utility). Apparently Mr. Arceri intends to follow-through on a statement he made to me in a private e-mail in which he promised to ... Read More »

USA Triathlon is pleased to announce that 30 event sites from across the United States have been selected to form the inaugural USA Triathlon Youth Splash & Dash Aquathlon Series in 2012 and the Greater Marco Family YMCA has been chosen to be one of the 30 sites to offer this event. Educating youth athletes between the ages of 7-15 about the multi-sport lifestyle is one of the primary objectives if the series, which is focused on participation and having fun, rather than competition. “The first ever USA Triathlon Youth Splash and Dash Series is a fantastic way to introduce ... Read More »

I wake each day so appreciative that I have been blessed since 1989 to call MarcoIsland my home. Each time I walk through the grocery store, church, or pass through the community so many of my neighbors and friends have asked me to think about stepping up and running for our city council. I have prayed long and hard about stepping up to help my community. Regretfully I can not afford to serve. For those who know me, if I took the job, it would be 24/7. My hope is those who choose to serve will stay focused on preserving the residential ... Read More »

Stan Gober passed away last night after his second battle with cancer and further complications. He was well loved not only for his entertainment, but for his generosity to community organizations. A memorial service will be held Sunday at his famous Stan’s Idle Hour in Goodland. Watch for further details. Our sympathies to those who loved Stan….. Read More »

On June 7th, 2012, the Marco Island Police Department and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint compliance review operation, focused on alcohol sales at convenience, drug, liquor and grocery stores. This operation was preceded by the Department’s pro-active educational initiative which demonstrated its value post operation after 100% compliance with applicable laws was observed. Our educational program, which is a partnership between the business community and Department, is designed to educate and assist local businesses and their employees in becoming more aware of their legal responsibilities when selling alcohol. During the operation on Marco Island, compliance checks were conducted in ... Read More »

The community of Marco Island is mourning one of their bravest. Jerry Adams, a beloved member of the Marco Island Fire Department, passed away February 15th. Jerry served the MIFD for more than twenty years, joining the department in 1989. To become a firefighter at the age of 39 is not easy, but that’s exactly what he did. A master carpenter for much of his life, he chose a change in career to better serve the community he loved. Jerry was known throughout the community for his generosity, kind spirit and love of fundraising. He also served as a mentor ... Read More »

By Danielle Dodder  “Nobody trusts government on any level anymore.” City Council Vice Chair Larry Magel sums up the collective headwinds facing anyone wrangling public money these days. Magel, along with fellow councilors and budget subcommittee members Wayne Waldack and Bill Trotter, spent 37 hours meeting with city staff, studying the fine print, and voicing opinions on proposed items in the 2012 budget created by the city as manager and staff worked to create something to pass muster with both public and city council. The challenge: nearly all public money in Florida rides on the back of property taxes. The ... Read More »